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Vietnam's rice exports reach a record high

By Lan Do Mon, December 9, 2024 | 8:00 am GMT+7

Vietnams rice exports achieved a record-breaking $5.3 billion revenue in the first 11 months of the year, up 22.4% year-on-year and 10.8% against the whole 2023.

This significant growth underscores the sector's resilience and adaptability in the global market, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD).

Bags of Vietnamese rice for export. Photo courtesy of the government's news portal.

Businesses attributed this success to a shift in production strategy. Vietnamese farmers are increasingly cultivating high-quality fragrant rice varieties targeted for export.

These premium rice products are highly sought in international markets, often commanding prices higher than competitors and, at times, topping global benchmarks.

The agriculture ministry reported that 95% of rice varieties grown in Vietnam are classified as high-quality, with 89% of total rice output falling into this premium segment.

Despite competitive pressures from Indias return to the market, Vietnam maintained an average export price of $627 per ton, highlighting its strong position in the global supply chain.

The Philippines remained Vietnam's largest rice export market, accounting for 46.1% of total shipments, followed by Indonesia (13.5%) and Malaysia (8.2%).

On the import side, Vietnam purchased rice from Myanmar, Pakistan, and Cambodia, capitalizing on lower-cost supplies to meet domestic demand and stabilize production.

Vietnam's rice imports surged to a record $1.24 billion in Jan-Nov, a 57% increase from last year. Imported rice, primarily used in products like noodles, helped reduce production costs and ensure a consistent supply.

This dual strategy of simultaneously boosting exports and imports enables Vietnam to optimize domestic supply while meeting international orders during peak seasons.

Looking ahead, Vietnams rice industry is focused on enhancing value while reducing environmental impact.

Deputy Minister Phung Duc Tien highlighted the potential of a new initiative: a one-million-hectare, high-quality, low-emission rice project.

Successful implementation of this program could significantly increase the industry's value, bolster Vietnam's competitive edge, and position it as a leader in sustainable agriculture.

With its growing reputation for quality and strategic market positioning, Vietnam continues to solidify its place as a major player in the global rice market.
Gia vang the gioi sang nay ap sat moc 3.000 USD/ounce  muc ky luc chua tung co trong lich su. Trong nuoc cung khong ngoai le, khi lan luot tang tu 700 en 1 trieu ong/luong. "Vang ang trong thi truong tang gia dai han. Chung toi du bao gia se giao dich trong khoang 3.000-3.200 USD trong nam nay", Alex Ebkarian, giam oc ieu hanh tai Allegiance Gold cho biet.
Christians in Syria confront an uncertain and perilous future under the control of Islamist-led rebel forces, a human rights group has warned. The citys minority Christian population, significantly diminished by years of civil war, now grapples with fears of escalating threats and restrictions.

Islamist rebel forces, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and U.K., captured Aleppo about a week ago, followed by Homs and Damascus late Saturday night in a sweeping offensive that toppled Syrian government forces. Bashar al-Assad resigned and left the country on a flight to Russia on Saturday night.

Since Hayat Tahrir al-Sham's takeover of Aleppo, many Christians have fled, leaving behind a small but resolute group trying to maintain their faith and traditions.

The coming days and weeks will be crucial for the fate of [the] Christian community," said Jeff King, president of International Christian Concern, in a statement shared with The Christian Post. "Christians, with roots stretching back nearly two millennia, now face an uncertain and perilous future.

Bread shortages have worsened, and drinking water remains unavailable in several areas, Catholic News Agency reports as being among the hardships residents are facing.

Curfews imposed by the militant group from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. further restrict daily life, leaving many residents, including Christians, feeling confined and vulnerable. Small vans distributing free bread and water in some neighborhoods offer limited relief.

A key highway between Damascus and Aleppo has also been blocked, leaving residents with only a congested and hazardous alternative route, according to CNA.

The isolation has claimed lives, including that of Dr. Arwant Arslanian, a Christian physician killed by sniper fire while attempting to flee the city, reported the Facebook page of Armenians of Syria.

A bus carrying young Christians was also stranded on the Aleppo Road, later finding refuge at the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese.

Many Christian leaders have remained in the city, providing spiritual guidance and practical support to their communities.

Syriac Orthodox Metropolitan Bishop Mor Boutros Kassis and other Christian leaders have been communicating through social media where they held prayers and liturgies. They are encouraging Christian residents to face the reality with awareness, courage and faith, he was quoted as saying.

Franciscan Father Bahjat Karakach, representing the Latin Church, acknowledged, The Church knows no more than the people do. Its up to individuals and families to decide if they want to stay or leave Aleppo, he stressed. No one can make it on behalf of another. We friars are staying and waiting to see how things unfold, he was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, the Islamist faction, an offshoot of al-Qaeda, has pledged to protect civilians, including Christians. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani visited Aleppos citadel and stated, Aleppo has always been a meeting point for civilizations and cultures, and it will remain so, with a long history of cultural and religious diversity, as reported by Al-Monitor.

Despite assurances, fears persist among Aleppos estimated 30,000 Christians, down from hundreds of thousands before the Syrian conflict began in 2011.

Switzerland-based group Christian Solidarity International responded to the assurance given by HTS, saying, HTS ideology and history give religious minorities in Aleppo serious reason to doubt these promises.

HTS has often targeted Christians throughout Syria in violent attacks and kidnappings, repeatedly killing Christian civilians and confiscating their property, CSI explained.

In the Salafist worldview that animates HTS, Christians are not heretics to be destroyed (like the Alawites and the Druzes), but people of the Book  followers of religions that were revealed before the coming of the [Islamic] prophet Muhammad. In lands ruled by Islam, they should be made dhimmis  a protected people who are kept in legal subjugation and pay an additional tax called the jizya, CSI continued.

Until now, HTS has avoided imposing dhimmi status on Christians in Idlib by referring to them as mustamin, or temporary residents, the group acknowledged. But how long will HTS maintain this distinction? CSI asked.

However, Archbishop Boutros Marayati of the Armenian Catholic Church sought to reassure worshipers during a Mass, telling them, Do not fear, dear brothers. We have received assurances from all parties. Continue living normally, and everything will remain as before, even better, as quoted by AL Monitor.

The Christian community in Aleppo has historically aligned with the Syrian government, which President Bashar al-Assad, a member of the Alawite minority, has positioned as a protector of minorities.

The rebel takeover represents a dramatic shift, stirring memories of prior persecution during the Islamic States reign over parts of Syria. IS systematically targeted Christians, destroying churches and engaging in mass kidnappings before being defeated in 2019.

Originally published by The Christian Post
Golub Capital is opening an office in Abu Dhabi in ADGM and has appointed Naser Almutairi as Managing Director, Middle East. The firm also announced it has received In-Principle Approval (IPA) from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) for a licence.

Golub Capital is expanding in the Middle East, said Lawrence Golub, CEO of Golub Capital. Both our new office in ADGM and Nasers appointment are part of our commitment to providing Golub Capital private credit strategies to investors in the Middle East and to providing gold standard client service to our growing investor base here.

We are pleased to welcome Golub Capital to ADGM, said Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief of Market Development, ADGM. Their decision to establish a presence in Abu Dhabi highlights the strength of our globally recognised regulatory environment and the appeal of our robust financial ecosystem. We are confident that ADGMs strategic location and business-friendly infrastructure will support Golub Capitals growth ambitions and enable them to build deeper connections with investors in the region.

Deep experience

Almutairi has deep experience of the Middle East, having focused on the region for over 17 years. Most recently he served as Managing Director at Wafra Inc., where he was responsible for business development across the Middle East including the Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Saudi and UAE markets. Prior to Wafra, he spent over three years at Goldman Sachs in London, where he covered investor relationships in the GCC.

I am excited to be joining a preeminent firm like Golub Capital and look forward to contributing to its growth and expansion in this dynamic region, said Naser Almutairi, Managing Director, Middle East at Golub Capital. Abu Dhabi, with its robust infrastructure and ADGMs vision for connecting global financial markets, provides the ideal platform to deepen our presence and partnerships across the Middle East.

Almutairi joins Basil Hurst, Managing Director in the Global Institutional Sales Group, who also recently relocated to London to lead the firms efforts in the Middle East and be closer to its partners in the region.--TradeArabia News Service
Polen Capital, a global investment management firm specialising in growth equity and credit, has announced its intention to open an office in ADGM. The firm received its In-Principle Approval (IPA) from the Financial Services Authority (FSRA) of ADGM, marking a significant step forward in its growth strategy within the Middle East.

Polen Capital's decision to establish an office in the ADGM is driven by its commitment to providing innovative investment solutions and enhancing its global presence. The new office will enable Polen Capital to better serve its clients in the region while capitalising on growth opportunities within one of the largest, fastest-growing financial hubs in the world.

Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief Market Development Officer at ADGM, said: ADGM is pleased to support Polens capital decision to establish a presence in our thriving ecosystem. As one of the worlds leading international financial centres, ADGM provides an ideal platform for Polen Capital to expand its regional footprint. With our robust regulatory framework and vibrant financial ecosystem, we look forward to supporting their growth and enabling them to deliver innovative investment solutions to their clients and partners in Abu Dhabi and beyond."

Key milestone

Key members of the Polen Capital team will be attending the upcoming Abu Dhabi Finance Week (ADFW) to engage with industry leaders and stakeholders.

"Opening an office in Abu Dhabi would mark a significant milestone for Polen, as we begin to build a greater presence in the Middle East market," said Stan Moss, CEO of Polen Capital. We look forward to receiving the Financial Services Permit from the FSRA and continuing our commitment to delivering exceptional service in the region.--TradeArabia News Service
Bahrain Mumtalakat Holding Company, the sovereign wealth fund of Bahrain, and CYVN Holdings, an Abu-Dhabi-based mobility operator and investment vehicle, have signed an agreement to acquire McLarens automotive business.

Witnessed by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, the agreement also provides for securing a non-controlling stake in McLarens racing business.

Completion of the transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions and obtaining regulatory approvals.

Empowering McLaren

The acquisition follows an announcement of a potential partnership between Mumtalakat and CYVN Holdings in October of this year. Through this acquisition, CYVN is set to empower McLaren to reach its full potential via access to engineering and design capabilities, leading-edge technology, and experienced leadership to propel McLarens trajectory.

Jassem Mohammed Bu Ataba Al Zaabi, Chairman of CYVN Holdings, said: This acquisition marks a defining moment in CYVNs vision to build a leading, globally connected mobility platform and underscores Abu Dhabis growing role as a global centre of excellence for innovation in advanced mobility. By combining McLarens iconic heritage and expertise with CYVNs advanced engineering and technology capabilities, we aim to redefine high-performance mobility and set a new benchmark for excellence.

Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Minister of Finance and National Economy and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Mumtalakat, stated: This agreement marks a pivotal moment in Mumtalakat's strategic vision for the transformation of McLaren Group, which has included its recent reorganisation that opened doors for new strategic avenues and partnership opportunities.

We are confident in CYVN's ability to build on McLarens strong legacy and unlock its full potential with Mumtalakat continuing to play a strategic role in McLaren having the ability to benefit from future growth. With CYVN's advanced engineering capabilities and forward-looking vision, we believe they are the perfect partner to drive the next phase of McLaren's growth and evolution.

Smart mobility platform

As part of its broader vision, CYVN is focused on creating a smart mobility platform by partnering with global industry leaders to deploy capital, engineering and design excellence, leading-edge technology, and experienced leadership in advanced mobility.

The transaction also aligns with Mumtalakats strategy and ongoing efforts to optimise and enhance its portfolio, ensuring sustainable long-term financial returns.--TradeArabia News Service
Saudia Dairy and Foodstuff Company (Sadafco) has signed a non-binding MoU with Hyperview Logistics Company, owned by Hyperview Mobility based in Shanghai, China, to drive the adoption of hydrogen-powered logistics in Saudi Arabia.

This collaboration marks a significant step toward achieving sustainable transportation and aligns with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

The partnership is currently in discussions to explore the possibility of testing hydrogen-powered trucks in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, said Sadafco in a statement.

It is a testament to Sadafco's commitment to reducing its environmental impact and embracing innovative technologies.

Sadafco said through this deal, it aims to achieve a zero-carbon fleet by 2045, with plans to have 90% of its fleet powered by clean energy by 2035.

This initiative complements its ongoing efforts to test and integrate electric trucks in the Middle East.

Dr Feilong Liu, the CEO of Hyperview Mobility, said: "This collaboration with Sadafco is an exciting opportunity to showcase the potential of hydrogen-powered transportation in one of the worlds most dynamic markets. Together, we aim to set new benchmarks for sustainable logistics."

Brian Strong, the Chief Transformation Officer of Sadafco, said: "We are proud to partner with Hyperview in advancing our zero-carbon fleet strategy. This initiative underscores our commitment to sustainability and innovation, paving the way for a cleaner, greener future."

This collaboration with Hyperview, a leader in hydrogen mobility, is set to help Sadafco redefine logistics operations in Saudi Arabia with zero-carbon solutions, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
CRU, the global commodities experts, has announced the opening of its new office and entity in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. This expansion reinforces CRUs commitment to delivering world class expertise to its growing client base in Saudi Arabia and the wider Mena region.

The new Riyadh office, led by Zain Ajlouni, General Manager for the Middle East and North Africa, will deepen relationships with key partners and strengthen CRUs offering in Mena by combining local expertise with CRUs international knowledge of global commodity markets and strategic expertise across energy transition, clean technology and sustainability.

CRUs presence in Riyadh comes at a time of significant economic transformation in the kingdom, driven by Vision 2030 and substantial investments in economic diversification and environmental sustainability including minerals and commodities, renewable energy, hydrogen, and decarbonising industrial sectors.

Actionable insights

CRUs office will enhance its ability to deliver actionable insights and solutions in these areas, providing clients with enhanced support in strategic planning, market insights, supply chain development, and data-driven decision-making.

The office opening was formally marked with an event hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources (MIM) in Saudi Arabia.

David Trafford, CEO at CRU, comments: Saudi Arabia is undergoing a remarkable transformation, powered by visionary leadership and bold investments in economic diversification. Vision 2030 places the mining sector at the heart of its transformation and net-zero goals. Robust, accurate data and sharp insights are vital for the decarbonisation of hard-to-abate sectors like mining. Establishing our new office in Riyadh will allow us to better support the Kingdom and clients to decarbonise mining operations and achieve sustainable long-term growth.

Eng Khalid Al-Mudaifer, Vice Minister for Mining Affairs, Ministry of Industry and Mineral Resources, says: We are pleased to welcome CRU to Riyadh, a testament to our kingdoms growing global influence and its position as a hub for commodities and investment. As we drive forward with Vision 2030, partnerships with firms like CRU are vital for fostering innovation and supporting our ambitious goals. Their presence here will undoubtedly strengthen collaboration between Saudi Arabias growing market participants and create new, exciting opportunities.

Closer to customers

Zain Ajlouni, General Manager, Middle East and North Africa at CRU, comments: Expanding our presence in the Middle East is a testament to our commitment to being closer to our customers, supporting them with the insights and expertise required to drive strategic growth and mitigate risks in complex markets. By delivering market intelligence, strategic planning, and data-driven solutions tailored to the region, we aim to empower businesses to maximise growth opportunities.

CRUs unparalleled market coverage spans over 50 commodities, more than 1,000 assessed prices, and cost analysis data for over 4,000 production sites in 134 countries. With granular emissions data on 3,000 production sites, representing one-sixth of global emissions, and access to 170+ analysts worldwide, CRU provides clients with unmatched market intelligence to maximise profits and mitigate risks in an evolving global landscape.--TradeArabia News Service
100Unicorns, Indias largest early-stage accelerator venture capital (VC) fund, has announced Abu Dhabi, as its first foreign market expansion with the opening of its office in ADGM, the international financial centre of Abu Dhabi.

Formerly known as 9Unicorns, 100Unicorns was launched in 2020 with the vision to nurture and create 50+ category leaders and now has a new fund target of $200 million.

Motivated by the UAE's strategic position as a gateway to the broader Mena region, 100Unicorns aims to create a highly curated cross-border corridor between India and the larger region for enabling startup investments, acceleration, incubation and further development of the India and UAE startup ecosystem.

Key milestone

Dr Apoorva Ranjan Sharma, Managing Director and Founder of 100Unicorns, said: "It is a significant milestone in our journey to bring the best of Indias vibrant startup ecosystem to global investors. By establishing our fund within ADGM, we aim to open doors for Mena investors to access high-growth opportunities in India with the assurance of top-notch corporate governance and transparency."

Manoj Aheeray, Global Partner & SEO with 100Unicorns, said: ADGM's proactive support and world-class regulatory framework have been instrumental in facilitating 100Unicorns launch in the UAE, providing the guidance and resources necessary to integrate seamlessly into the regions financial and business ecosystem.

Our foray into this market not only aligns with our growth strategy but also strengthens the historic ties between India and the UAE, fostering cross-border collaboration and innovation.

Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief Market Development Officer at ADGM, stated: "ADGMs robust regulatory framework, world-class infrastructure, and strategic positioning create an ideal environment for financial institutions like 100Unicorns to thrive. The establishment of 100Unicorns highlights the increasing flow of capital into high-growth sectors, reinforcing the UAE's status as a global hub for innovation and entrepreneurship.

Startup landscape

Hanumantha Kumar Mannem, Advisor of 100Unicorns, said: As of 2024, the Indian startup ecosystem has been experiencing remarkable growth, with an increasing number of startups and unicorns emerging. India is home to over 100,000 startups. Looking ahead to 2030, it is anticipated that India's startup landscape will continue to flourish, with projections suggesting the creation of over a million startups with about 500 more unicorns.

This growth is attributed to factors such as favourable government policies, a burgeoning tech-savvy population, and increasing investment inflows. While the US remains a global leader in the startup domain, India's rapid progress signifies its potential to become a major player in the global startup ecosystem, Aheeray said.

With the rebranding to 100Unicorns and the new target fund, Dr Sharmas vision is to nurture a pool of at least 100 outlier startups or soonicorns and propel them to join the billion-dollar club over the next decade. In its previous avatar, the accelerator provided funding ranging from $300,000 to $1 million per startup in the first round. This was followed by $500,000 to $2 million in subsequent rounds with co-investors.

The expansion into the Mena region will prove significant for the Indian startup economy which has recorded a 15-fold jump in startup funding between 2015 and 2022. India is now the third largest startup ecosystem in the world with more than 110,000 startups across its geographies (data from the India Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade). The country is home to 111 unicorns with a valuation of $350 billion at last count.

Leading VC fund

100Unicorns has established itself as a leading VC fund by providing not just financial investments but also holistic support, including mentorship, acceleration services, and strategic guidance to startups from the ideation phase.

Since its inception in 2020, 100Unicorns has played a pivotal role in Indias startup ecosystem, having invested in 145 companies, with six achieving valuations above $200 million and 30 surpassing $50 million within just three years. Their unique value proposition combines funding with access to a network of successful founders, industry veterans, and global advisors, catalysing growth for startups and driving substantial returns for investors.

To address common concerns related to investing in the Indian market, 100Unicorns has implemented a series of measures, including a curated corporate governance framework, transparent investment processes, and quarterly performance updates.--TradeArabia News Service
Automechanika Dubai, the largest automotive aftermarket trade exhibition in the Middle East, will return to the Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) from December 10 to 12 with record exhibitor numbers at its 21st edition.

With 2,228 exhibitors confirmed, Automechanika Dubai will be the largest to date, spanning an impressive 17 halls, increasing the show floor space by 18%, and showcasing the latest trends and innovations driving the automotive aftermarket sector forward, regionally and internationally.

The event, organised by Messe Frankfurt Middle East, will focus on five global pillars: sustainability, electrification and digitalisation, innovation, training, and recruitment. Additionally, there will be a specific regional focus on safety within the automotive aftermarket industry.

Industry experts

A range of automotive industry experts will also be welcomed as part of the events content series. Returning features include the Automechanika Academy, a knowledge-sharing platform for the automotive aftermarket industry featuring distinguished speakers, including Sheikh Nasser Al Qasimi, Assistant Undersecretary for Infrastructure & Transport, Ministry of Energy & Infrastructure, UAE, with key themes centred on collaboration and innovation in the automotive industry, and adapting to change and enhancing service delivery.

Mahmut Gazi Bilikozen, Portfolio Director, Mobility & Logistics at Messe Frankfurt Middle East, said: The automotive industry is renowned globally for its rapid development of technologies, focus on sustainability and far-reaching market dynamics. To assist those within the industry, we have developed a series of conferences to showcase innovation and advancements from the industry while providing unrivalled opportunities to learn, advance, and collaborate.

Innovation4Mobility will return as a main feature with a focus on futuristic concepts and visionary ideas, as will the Lubricants and Base Oils Conference, Modern Workshop, and AfriConnections, which will explore the dynamic opportunities Africas automotive aftermarket industry has to offer.

This year will also see a Regional Focus on Southeast Asia, where experts will discuss the pivotal role automotive aftermarket companies from that region play in the UAEs automotive aftermarket industry growth.

PowerTread Workshop

Automechanika Dubai 2024 will also debut two new features: the PowerTread Workshop, which will take a deep dive into the latest trends, technologies, and advancements in tyres and batteries, and the Future Fleet & Telematics Workshop, which will gather industry pioneers in telematics to discuss the latest innovations, trends, and applications.

The fourth edition of the Automechanika Dubai Awards will highlight the outstanding achievements made within the industry by individuals and companies, with winners announced on day two of Automechanika Dubai during the awards ceremony at the Dubai World Trade Centre.

The popular PitStop Challenge will bring together mechanics, repair professionals, and motoring enthusiasts as they go head-to-head and pit their knowledge, expertise, agility and accuracy in repair and maintenance-related tasks. The 2024 edition will also see the introduction of the Find the Fault competition, where auto refitters, body repair specialists, and collision repair technicians will be tasked with identifying faults within a time limit.

New features

We are excited to bring a range of new features, underscoring our market-leading position in the automotive aftermarket industry in the region. The record-breaking number of exhibitors will ensure the show floor will be a hive activity in what we expect to be another groundbreaking year for Automechanika Dubai, added Bilikozen.

Automechanika Dubai covers nine specialised product categories: Parts & Components, Electronics & Connectivity, Accessories & Customising, Tyres & Batteries, Car Wash & Care, Oils & Lubricants, Diagnostics & Repair, Body & Paint, Management & Digital Solutions.

The exhibition will run alongside Logimotion, a pioneering event dedicated to the logistics industry, amplifying cross-industry collaboration and innovation opportunities.--TradeArabia News Service
Space42, a UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company, and ICEYE, a global leader in Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) satellite operations for high-fidelity Earth Observation, have created a joint venture to manufacture SAR satellites in the UAE. This builds on their successful cooperation, which includes the recent launch of the UAE's first SAR satellite, Foresight-1, in August 2024.

Focused on satellite manufacturing and deploying SAR satellite missions, this JV will directly advance the UAEs Earth Observation (EO) Programme, which was created to build national satellite remote sensing and EO capabilities. The JV aims to address the growing demand for high-resolution imagery and data from SAR satellites, which can be applied across various use cases.

Space42s new Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT) and LEO mission operations facilities in Abu Dhabi will be home to a local SAR ecosystem, hosting the JVs manufacturing operations and Space42s constellation operation services.

Platform for technology transfer

This joint partnership also serves as a platform for technology transfer and knowledge sharing that will ultimately propel the national R&D efforts for future sovereign SAR payloads. The JV strengthens ICEYEs local footprint to support UAEs growing need for SAR and Earth Observation capabilities.

Hasan Al Hosani, CEO of Bayanat Smart Solutions, Space42, said: The JV is a continuation of our ongoing strategic partnership with ICEYE to advance Earth Observation capabilities. It will directly support Space42s commitment to unlocking the full potential of space and ground systems capabilities, ultimately adding customer value through AI-enabled solutions. It also supports the UAEs space ambitions by bringing SAR manufacturing to the region, positioning the nation at the forefront of advancing space technology globally.

This partnership will enrich the UAEs industrial ecosystem by localising the supply chain and sourcing components and services from existing industrial players in the UAE and build a strong local body of knowledge for the UAE in SAR with the participation of Emirati talent. It will also support Emiratisation efforts, providing opportunities for national talent to drive innovation and contribute to economic growth and national prosperity.

Coordinated approach

Rafal Modrzewski, CEO and Co-founder of ICEYE, said: This JV is expected to bring efficiency in deploying, managing and operating SAR constellations as Space42 and ICEYE join forces to address the market in a coordinated approach. We are proud to see our satellite production line extended to manufacture the state-of-the-art SAR technologies in the UAE through our partnership with Space42, enhancing the global reach and positive impact of ICEYEs technology. We are excited to grow ICEYEs local footprint and look forward to accelerating the UAE space programme and the local space and SAR capabilities by harnessing the most of both companies expertise for the benefit of the people of the UAE.

This JV is the latest in several strategic partnerships that capitalise on Space42 and ICEYEs complementary capabilities. The most recent was the successful launch of the UAEs first SAR satellite, Foresight-1, in August 2024. Foresight-1 was launched as part of the UAEs comprehensive SAR constellation, which will continue to grow over the next three years.--TradeArabia News Service
Edge Group, since its inception in 2019, has seen its international orders surging from $18.5 million in 2019 to over $2.1 billion in 2024 and annual revenue hitting $4.9 billion in 2024.

The group has expanded its product portfolio from 30 to 201 cutting-edge solutions across air, land, sea, and cyber domains  a rapid growth of more than 550% in just five years. During this time, Edge has also significantly scaled its global footprint, with its solutions now reaching customers in 91 countries.

Marking its 5th anniversary, Edge is celebrating its emergence as a global powerhouse in advanced technology and defence. Since its establishment in November 2019, Edge has charted a transformative path defined by unprecedented growth, strategic partnerships, and breakthrough innovations. The group has redefined the landscape of advanced technologies and sovereign defence capabilities, establishing the UAE as a driving force for innovation and technological excellence.

Punching way above its weight

Faisal Al Bannai, Edge Group Chairman, said: In a constantly evolving and highly competitive international defence landscape, it was almost inconceivable that a new disruptor from the UAE could, in just five years, rise so rapidly to become a global industry player punching way above its weight across multiple domains. This is a testament to the vision and tenacity of the UAE Government, and is largely thanks to our highly skilled and diverse workforce, whose dedication and drive for excellence has ensured that Edge is in a position to move boldly into a new era of international growth.

This remarkable progress, driven by multi-billion-dollar investments in research and development, has resulted in ground-breaking advancements covering the spheres of air, land, sea, cyber, and space, with a focus on autonomous solutions, smart systems, and electronic warfare  all areas where we have an ambition to lead. Edge continues to set new benchmarks, to forge mutually beneficial partnerships worldwide, and to build upon the progress we have made as a national vanguard of future technologies.

Edges swift ascent has been underscored by a series of landmark contracts. As of September 2024, Edge Group-managed companies have secured contracts with an order backlog totalling $12.8 billion, ensuring sustained future revenue growth through the delivery of strategic defence solutions to end-users. In 2023, the group secured over 200 major contracts, with 25% of these representing international agreements. By September 2024, international contracts accounted for 42% of its order intake. Among its notable achievements, Edge secured a EUR 1 billion contract to supply corvette vessels to the Angolan Navy, marking a significant milestone in its naval capabilities.

Strategic agreements

Strategic agreements with the UAE Armed Forces include $1.62 billion for DESERT STING precision-guided munitions and $582 million for THUNDER, illustrating its pivotal role in addressing the unique needs of both local and international clients. Edges leadership in precision-guided munitions was further acknowledged by JANES in 2024, naming Edge among the top three global manufacturers in this field.

Edges footprint is reinforced by a total of 13 international acquisitions and strategic investments, including stakes in key companies such as Estonia's MILREM Robotics, Swiss unmanned helicopter manufacturer ANAVIA, Brazil's non-lethal tech leader Condor, and Brazils smart weapons specialist SIATT. These acquisitions, along with nine others, have enhanced Edges capabilities across land, sea, air, and cyber domains, unlocking opportunities in cutting-edge sectors and strengthening its competitive edge globally.

Establishing a strong network of 23 joint ventures has also played a central role in the groups success, enhancing its expertise and extending its competitive edge across key domains. In May 2024, Edge and shipbuilding giant Fincantieri formalised the launch of MAESTRAL, a strategic shipbuilding joint venture in Abu Dhabi. In the same month, Edge signed an agreement to launch a joint venture with Spains Indra Sistemas to develop and manufacture radar systems within the UAE, reinforcing Edges market presence and technological strength.

Expansion in South America

A hugely significant strategic partnership has flourished with Brazil, marking Edges expansion in South America. In April 2023, Edge opened a regional office in Brasilia and soon after signed an agreement with the Brazilian Navy to co-develop MANSUP anti-ship and supersonic missiles. This collaboration was followed by a broader strategic partnership that positions Edge as a long-term partner to the Brazilian Navy, co-investing in advanced solutions, including UAE-developed anti-jamming technology. Most recently, Edge and the Brazilian Navy agreed to cooperate on anti-drone systems, fostering an even stronger relationship.

Edges success would not have been possible without a focus on attracting and retaining local and global talent. With over 14,100 employees representing 95 nationalities, the group has made significant investments in developing a highly skilled workforce. Emiratisation remains a key priority, with UAE nationals making up 23.5% of the workforce.

The Edge Learning & Innovation Factory, launched in 2022, has been pivotal in upskilling employees and fostering a culture of innovation. To date, over 3,600 Edge employees have received advanced training, positioning the group as a leader in the adoption of 4IR technologies.

Edge is recognised as a Great Place to Work, earning certification in 2024 for its outstanding workplace culture and employee engagement. This accolade complements its excellence in innovation and operational efficiency, exemplified by the ROI-EFESO INDUSTRIE 4.0 Award received in November 2022 in Munich, Germany, for SMART WORKFORCE leadership in Industry 4.0 solutions. Further bolstering its reputation, Edge was honoured with the Treasury Transformation award at the ACT Middle East 2024, highlighting its achievements in financial innovation and strategic management.

As Edge enters its sixth year, the group remains firmly committed to its founding mission: to be agile, bold, and disruptive in the pursuit of technological excellence. Through its relentless focus on partnerships, innovation, and talent, Edge is poised to continue blazing a trail in shaping the future of advanced technologies, both in the UAE and globally.--TradeArabia News Service
Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind regenerative tourism destinations The Red Sea and Amaala, has signed up Dubai-based Jetex to operate the private aviation terminal at Red Sea International Airport (RSI).

A global leader in private aviation sector, Jetex is specialist in delivering flexible, best-in-class solutions to customers worldwide.

The collaboration was formalized through an agreement between Jetex and daa International (daai), the operator of RSI, thus marking a new chapter in exceptional luxury aviation experience on Saudi Arabias western coast.

RSIs main terminal, set to open fully next year, is designed with five independent mini terminals arranged as a series of pods. One of these mini terminals, is reserved for private aviation and will be operated exclusively by Jetex.

"With RSI, we were determined to create an airport that seamlessly blends beautiful design, exceptional experiences and a commitment to honoring nature. Soon, every passenger transiting through our airport will experience this firsthand," remarked John Pagano, the Group CEO of Red Sea Global.

"With Jetex onboard, guests using our private aviation terminal will also experience elevated levels of service that reflects the very best of The Red Sea destination," he stated.

Jetex was selected as the fixed base operator of RSI following a competitive tender process. This is its first significant venture into the Saudi market and the agreement will see Jetex first fit-out the private aviation terminal.

Jetexs service offering will cover all aspects of private jet handling including managing the private terminal, aircraft turnarounds, concierge services and luxury electric airport transfers in line with the destinations sustainability priorities.

Jetex Founder & CEO Adel Mardini said: "We are excited to embark on the first major venture in Saudi Arabia through the innovative Red Sea International Airport, a pioneering project in sustainable tourism."

"In collaboration with both daa International and Red Sea Global, we aim to transform the airport into a top-tier destination that resonates with the most discerning international and domestic travellers," he noted.

With a global reputation for excellence in executive aviation, Jetex brings unparalleled expertise in private terminal operations, aircraft fueling, and ground handling to The Red Sea destination.

Michael White, Chief Commercial Officer of RSI, said: "By partnering with Jetex, we reaffirm our service promise to the world. Together, we will pioneer new global standards in private aviation, consistent with the unparalleled service quality of The Red Sea destination. We look forward to welcoming guests to the private aviation terminal and showcasing its unique design and service."

Last year, The Red Sea welcomed its first guests, with four of its hotels now open and Desert Rock expecting its first guests later this month.

RSI has been receiving a regular schedule of domestic flights since September last year and international flights began in April 2024, with a twice-weekly route between The Red Sea and Dubai International.

The airport is strategically located, situated within three hours flying time of 250 million people and eight hours flying time for 85% of the worlds population.-TradeArabia News Service
On Sunday, Russias Foreign Ministry announced that President Bashar al-Assad had resigned and left Syria, marking a shocking downfall for the longtime ruler who had relied on support from Moscow and Tehran to resist rebel forces for years, according to reporting by the New York Times and other media.

Mr. al-Assads departure followed a swift offensive by rebels opposed to his rule, marking a seismic moment in Syrias history. His family had governed the country with a tight grip since the early 1970s. This development represented a significant breakthrough for rebel factions that have spent over a decade trying to oust him, much of it during a devastating civil war.

For many Syrians, Mr. al-Assads exit symbolized hope, freeing them from a regime that had used brutal methods to suppress freedoms. However, it also ushered in a period of uncertainty regarding Syrias future leadership and raised fears of a potential power vacuum, given the fragmented factions vying for territorial control.

The Russian Foreign Ministry provided no details about Mr. al-Assads whereabouts, stating only that he had engaged in discussions with several parties of the armed conflict. The Syrian presidency did not comment on his resignation.

Earlier on Sunday, the primary rebel coalition, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, announced via its Telegram channel that it had taken control of Damascus, prompting the withdrawal of Syrian forces.

State television initially praised Mr. al-Assads defenses but later aired an announcement from nine rebels. The city of Damascus has been liberated, the tyrant Bashar al-Assad has been toppled, one rebel declared, adding, Long live a free and independent Syria for all Syrians of all sects.

These developments culminated in a dramatic two-week period during which a coalition of rebel groups, previously confined to a small region in Syrias northwest, advanced through major cities, breaking a long-standing stalemate in Syrias 13-year civil war.

Irans foreign ministry emphasized in a statement that determining Syrias future is solely the responsibility of the Syrian people. The ministry advocated for a national dialogue involving all sectors of Syrian society to establish a new government. Iran has been a major supporter of the Assad regime.

However, concerns about the rebel takeover have emerged, particularly among Christians. The Christian Post reported earlier this month that militants had begun removing Christmas decorations and had beheaded captured soldiers. The Iraqi Christian Foundation urged prayers for Christians and other minorities in Aleppo.

Christian Solidarity International, a human rights organization based in Switzerland, expressed alarm over Hayat Tahrir al-Shams control of Aleppo, likening it to the Islamic States 2014 seizure of Mosul. The group highlighted HTS history of enforcing a strict Sunni supremacist ideology, which has instilled fear among Aleppos diverse religious communities, including Christians, Alawites, Shiites, and non-observant Sunnis.

The United Nations Commission of Inquiry on Syria has documented HTS harsh governance, which includes executions, torture, sexual violence, arbitrary detentions, and the desecration of religious sites. These practices echo the severe rule experienced during their earlier control from 2012 to 2016.

Christian Daily International has seen many prayer requests sent from Christians in the country, some also acknowledging that the situation changes from moment to moment, making it difficult to understand what will happen next.

Echoing what will likely be the hope of many Christians in Syria, one Christian leader said: We are praying for God's protection so that His perfect good will be done in Syria. May Lord rule over our nations by His love, justice, mercy, and sovereignty. No more blood, no more revenge, no more casualties.
Guns N Roses has announced they will return to the road on a 2025 European and Middle East Tour, headlining stadiums and festivals through the summer with special guests Public Enemy, Rival Sons and Sex Pistols featuring Frank Carter.

Kicking off on May 23, the 24-day tour will see the LA legends perform in Saudi Arabia, Georgia, Lithuania and Luxembourg for the first time. The 2025 dates also see the powerhouse rock band return to familiar stages in Bulgaria, Serbia, Turkey, Portugal, Spain, Italy, Czech Republic, Germany, UK, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Poland, Hungary and Austria.

Lighting up the Etihad Arena, Yas Island, in Abu Dhabi on May 27, brought by Live Nation Middle East and in partnership with the Department of Culture and Tourism  Abu Dhabi, and Miral, the leading creator of immersive destinations and experiences in Abu Dhabi, the world tour will see the band stopping off in various cities around the world. Famed for rocking out stadiums globally for nearly four decades, this is an unmissable chance for residents and visitors to Abu Dhabi to witness a true musical phenomenon.

Tickets will be available starting Tuesday, December 10 at 9 am with the bands Nightrain Presale.--TradeArabia News Service
Ebara Elliott Energy (EEE), a global solution provider in the energy industry, has been awaded a contract to supply advanced equipment for Satorps strategic expansion (Amiral) petrochemical complex, located in Jubail on Saudi Arabias eastern coast.

The contracts for the project were awarded by Hyundai Engineering Company and Maire Tecnimont, further cementing the US groups role as a trusted partner in critical infrastructure projects in the region, said Ebara Elliott Energy in its statement.

The Amiral project will feature the construction and integration of a 1650-kiloton-per-annum (KTA) mixed-feed cracker and associated petrochemical units, seamlessly integrated into the existing Satorp refinery.

This landmark project underscores Satorps commitment to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, aligning with global sustainability and energy transition goals, said the statement.

According to EEE, it will deliver 22 state-of-the-art units spanning three of its product lines, including compressors, pumps, and turbines for the Satorp project.

These units will be manufactured across EEEs global facilities, showcasing the companys technological expertise and international manufacturing capabilities.

"This is an exciting opportunity for Ebara Elliott Energy to integrate our compressor and turbine solutions with our unique pump offerings for a project as significant as the Amiral complex," remarked Mark Babyak, the Vice President of New Apparatus.

Formerly Elliott Group, the EEE is a key designer and manufacturer of centrifugal and axial compressors, steam turbines, power recovery expanders, custom pumps, and cryogenic products used in the petrochemical, refining, oil & gas, and liquefied gas industries.

"We are proud to partner with Hyundai Engineering and Maire Tecnimont to deliver innovative, high-performance solutions that will contribute to the long-term success and sustainability of this strategic initiative," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has announced the option to sign two iconic additions to its portfolio of exceptional hotels from early 2025: Hotel Lutetia in Paris and the Conservatorium Hotel in Amsterdam. The acceptance of the offer is subject to the completion of a consultation process with the relevant Works Councils, which will begin shortly.

Following completion of the transaction, Hotel Lutetia will be rebranded as Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris, while the Conservatorium Hotel is set to be rebranded as Mandarin Oriental Conservatorium, Amsterdam in January 2026, following a comprehensive upgrade (the hotel will stay open during that period).

The opportunity to manage these two hotels marks a significant milestone in the Groups newly unveiled brand-led growth strategy, under the leadership of Group Chief Executive Laurent Kleitman, to deliver exceptional guest-centric experiences while accelerating the brands global expansion: strengthening its presence in two of Europes most iconic cities, and perfectly complementing Mandarin Orientals current portfolio.

Both properties are renowned for their historic significance and architectural grandeur, and Mandarin Oriental is committed to ensuring that each propertys unique character and local cultural essence is preserved, while seamlessly delivering the brands unique approach to luxury hospitality, steeped in the brands dual Asian roots.

Laurent Kleitman, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental, commented: Mandarin Oriental is focused on being a global leader in luxury hospitality. These new long term management agreements with two of Europes great heritage hotels are core to our strategy of expanding and strengthening our brands presence in world destinations that appeal to our fans.

He added, Welcoming the legendary Hotel Lutetia to our portfolio, 115 years after its opening, further strengthens Mandarin Orientals foothold in this key luxury market, where we are successfully operating Mandarin Oriental, Paris on Rue Saint Honore since 2011. Having soon, two Palace hotels in Paris, one on the left and one on the right bank, we are proudly reaffirming our relentless commitment to the French hospitality market and creating a compelling choice for our guests. Indeed, we have significant experience of operating two hotels in key city centre destinations - including Hong Kong, London, Beijing and soon, Dubai - where we have successfully showcased two distinct facets of each destination. Likewise, adding the Conservatorium Hotel to our portfolio will bring a new dimension to our presence across Europes leading capitals, where we are already well versed in delivering world-class service in cities that value luxury and heritage.

The Hotels are part of the Locka Holding BV. Founder, Alfred Akirov, commented, Since we opened both Hotels, we have seen the growth in results and guest satisfaction, making both Hotels desired leading destinations in Europe. I am thankful to the Hotels teams for their great work together. We are delighted to be collaborating with Mandarin Oriental to rebrand our heritage landmarks and bring a new energy to the experiences that both have to offer. This partnership marks a significant chapter in the illustrious history of both hotels and we are confident that Mandarin Oriental Hotel Groups legendary hospitality expertise will further elevate these iconic properties and bring new fans to enjoy the delights of each destination and each hotels unique spirit. -TradeArabia News Service
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WE all have the power to break down the barriers that have held us back for too long.

This was the statement from attorney-at-law and lay assessor of the Equal Opportunity Tribunal Veera Bhajan as she addressed the American Chamber of Commerce for T&T (Amcham T&T) Womens Leadership Conference yesterday.

The event was hosted at the Hyatt Regency (Trinidad), Wrightson Road, Port of Spain.
PNM Tobago Council leader Ancil Dennis has claimed the wicked Tobago House of Assembly (THA) administration has continued to deny Tobagonian contractors while other businesses have also suffered.

The former THA chief secretary was responding to a hearing on Wednesday which saw the THA fail in its attempt to have the High Court overturn a default judgment in which it was directed to pay more than $18 million to construction company Nazvic Contractors Ltd for breach of contract.
Fulani herdsmen killed 48 Christians in central Nigerias Benue state between Nov. 24 and Dec. 1, sources said.

The gunmen killed 18 Christians, including women and children, who were on their way to church services in Azege village, Logo County on Dec. 1, and 30 others were slain in Logo and Katsina-Ala counties on Nov. 24, area residents told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News.

The Fulani herdsmen, armed with deadly weapons, shot sporadically on the Christians, butchered some victims with machetes, and destroyed their crops on farmlands, said Benjamin Uzenda, former member of the Logo Local Government Council.

In Nigerias National Assembly, Sen. Emmanuel Udende of Benue state on Dec. 5 lamented the killing of the 18 villagers on their way to church by suspected armed herdsmen.

These attacks perpetrated by herdsmen have continued unabated, undermining security, peace and the socio-economic stability of the affected communities, Udende said, adding that since Oct. 22, herdsmen have also ambushed and killed 15 people in Ayilamo, 25 in Anyiin and 6 in Uzer village.

The continuous insecurity in these areas is in direct contravention of the constitutional provision under section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government, Udende said.

Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, also representing Benue state in the National Assembly, said during the discourse that the killings should be investigated.

When people come, kill and go away it calls for concerns, and I think it should be properly investigated, Moro said. We need to understand what is happening. We must get to the root of this matter, because I dont think it is as simple as we see it.

Sen. Victor Umeh blamed the killings on herdsmen and expressed sadness over the inability of authorities to stop the bloodshed.

In the Nov. 24 killings, more than 300 armed Fulani herdsmen attacked predominantly Christian communities in Logo and Katsina-Ala counties, said community leader Joseph Anawah.

They overwhelmingly attacked our people, shooting anyone in sight and killing 30 Christians, Anawah told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News.

Clement Kav, chairman of the Logo Local Government Council, confirmed that 30 people died and added that 37 others were wounded.

Catherine Anene, spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News, It is true that there have been attacks on some communities in Benue state, but know that the police and other security agencies are doing all that is necessary in order to end these attacks.

Taraba Attacks

In neighboring Taraba state, gunmen broke into the homes of a pastor and a young woman and killed them, sources said.

In Jalingo, the state capital, the assailants shot their way into the residence of Pastor Clement Anthony and the neighboring home of a student, Titi Edward, the night of Dec. 6, officials said.

A young woman studying for an upcoming examination was shot in her room, Usman Abdullahi, spokesman for the Taraba State Police Command, said in a press statement. She was reading in her room when they opened fire on her, hitting her in the back. The bullet exited through her stomach.

The pastor was shot dead at his neighboring compound, he said.

However, the gunmen did not kidnap any person or cart away money or any valuable from the two compounds they attacked, Abdullahi told Sahara Reporters, raising speculation that the assailants were Islamic extremists.

Dr. Aminu Jauro Hassan, chairman of the Jalingo Local Government Council, who visited the families of the two victims, said they were killed without provocation.

Dr. Aminu Jauro Hassan, executive chairman of Jalingo Local Government Council of Taraba State, has extended his condolences to the families of the victims of the recent attack by gunmen at Kona Ward in Jalingo, Taraba state, reported a council press statement. The attack, which occurred on the night of Friday, 6 December, claimed the lives of Titi Edward and Pastor Clement Anthony. A delegation comprising the leader and deputy leader of the council, chief of staff to the executive chairman, and other councilors, accompanied the council chairman during the condolence visit. Dr. Hassan prayed for the departed souls to rest in perfect peace, and said his condolence visit is a testament to his commitment to supporting the community during difficult times.

Taraba state has been under attack by herdsmen and other terrorists.

On Thursday (Dec. 5), two family members of Taraba state Gov. Kefas Agbu, a Christian, were attacked. His mother, Jumai Kefas, and his sister, Atsi Kefas, were shot and wounded in Wukari County as they were commuting along Kente Road, according to Dauda Samaila Agbu, chairman of the Wukari Local Government Council.

Both mother and sister of the governor were shot and injured by bandits, Agbu said in a press statement. The two women were injured and were conveyed to Federal Teaching Hospital in Wukari, where they were treated and referred to a medical facility in the city of Abuja for further treatment. This attack on these women is disturbing and is a continuation of the continued attack on our communities.

Nigeria remained the deadliest place in the world to follow Christ, with 4,118 people killed for their faith from Oct. 1, 2022 to Sept. 30, 2023, according to Open Doors 2024 World Watch List (WWL) report. More kidnappings of Christians than in any other country also took place in Nigeria, with 3,300.

Nigeria was also the third highest country in number of attacks on churches and other Christian buildings such as hospitals, schools, and cemeteries, with 750, according to the report.

In the 2024 WWL of the countries where it is most difficult to be a Christian, Nigeria was ranked No. 6, as it was in the previous year.

Numbering in the millions across Nigeria and the Sahel, predominantly Muslim Fulani comprise hundreds of clans of many different lineages who do not hold extremist views, but some Fulani do adhere to radical Islamist ideology, the United Kingdoms All-Party Parliamentary Group for International Freedom or Belief (APPG) noted in a 2020 report.

They adopt a comparable strategy to Boko Haram and ISWAP and demonstrate a clear intent to target Christians and potent symbols of Christian identity, the APPG report states.

Christian leaders in Nigeria have said they believe herdsmen attacks on Christian communities in Nigerias Middle Belt are inspired by their desire to forcefully take over Christians lands and impose Islam as desertification has made it difficult for them to sustain their herds.
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.
A federal ministerial committee in Pakistan reviewing a bill that would create a National Commission for Minorities (NCM) seeks to make it financially and administratively autonomous to safeguard rights for religious minorities.

The review committee comprises Prime Ministers Adviser on Political Affairs and Federal Minister for Inter-Provincial Coordination Rana Sanaullah Khan, Federal Minister for Religious Affairs Chaudhry Salik Hussain, Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar and Federal Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal.

Addressing a meeting at the Ministry for Religious Affairs in Islamabad on Wednesday (Dec. 4), Tarar emphasized urged timely completion of the bill. He stressed that the NCM must be independent of ministerial pressure and political interference to effectively safeguard minorities rights, according to a statement issued by the Ministry for Religious Affairs. The committee directed the Ministry of Law and Justice to incorporate amendments related to the subcommittee on the NCM.

The ministerial committee also reviewed the interfaith harmony policy and measures for promoting religious tolerance. It added that the Ministry of Religious Affairs was directed to present the final draft of the policy within a week. After the committees approval, the policy will be submitted to the federal cabinet for approval.

The government formed the review committee after a Hindu treasury member, Ramesh Kumar Vankwani, submitted a private members bill, National Commission for Minorities Bill 2024, in the National Assembly on April 2. Civil society organizations, including Christian groups, have vehemently criticized the proposed legislation, calling it weak and flawed.

Instead of making NCM a religious body, the government must provide a strong legal basis for an independent, autonomous and effective institution, said Professor Dr. A.H. Nayyar, a member of the Pakistan Minorities Rights Commission. It should be established in line with the other national commissions on human rights, child rights and womens rights constituted through acts of parliament in Pakistan to ensure its independence.

The first formal NCM was established in May 2020 and completed its tenure in May 2023. Delays in the bills passage, however, have prevented the formation of a new commission.

Pakistans Supreme Court (SC) separately established another minorities commission in January 2019, headed by Dr. Shoaib Suddle. This one-member commission was formed to implement the apex courts 2014 landmark verdict on protecting minority rights. This commission, however, also has failed to serve its purpose.

Addressing a conference on minority rights after Aug. 16, 2023 attacks on Christians in Jaranwala, Dr. Suddle expressed his helplessness in getting the SCs order implemented. The situation for religious minorities wont change without changing the national mindset and societys attitude, he stated.

I dont want to be pessimistic, but it is a reality that we might not be able to come out of the [prevailing] situation, he said, blaming the bureaucracy for not giving due importance to minorities rights.

Ejaz Augustine, a Christian lawmaker in Punjab Province, said the SC-mandated commissions failure highlighted the need for a statutory national commission for minorities rights.

Since 1990, ad-hoc NCMs were formed under the Federal Ministry for Religious Affairs through executive orders, Augustine said. These commissions failed to make any significant progress toward policy reforms and address violations of minorities rights due to their limited mandate, lack of independence, powers, and insufficient resources.

Only a fully empowered NCM can help in protecting the vulnerable religious minorities, otherwise theres little hope for improvement, he added.

Instead of including CII and Religious Affairs Ministry in the proposed NCM, I would urge the review committee to add representatives from the National Commission for Human Rights, National Commission on the Status of Women, and National Commission on the Rights of Child, to enhance cooperation among human rights institutions and avoid redundancy, said Augustine, who has previously served as the minister for human rights and minorities affairs in Punjab.

Non-Muslims constitute about 3 percent of Pakistans estimated population of 240 million people. Minority communities, including Christians, complain of facing discrimination in nearly all walks of life and regularly come under attack by extremist groups. They are also targeted with blasphemy law, which is punishable by death in the South Asian nation.

Pakistan ranked seventh on Open Doors 2024 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian, as it was the previous year.
A recent cooperative agreement between the Vietnamese government and U.S. chip giant NVIDIA will open opportunities aligned with the development of the artificial intelligence (AI) industry in Vietnam, according to Vo Xuan Hoai, deputy director of the Vietnam National Innovation Center.

Hoai spoke with Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper following the agreement signed on December 5 between the government and NVIDIA to set up an AI research and development center of the U.S. chipmaker in Vietnam.

Vietnam is the third market where NVIDIA has established such a center, following the United States, where the company is headquartered, and Taiwan, the birthplace of NVIDIA's founder and CEO, Jensen Huang, an expert noted.

Hoai added that the center will be built upon VinBrain, a Hanoi-based AI startup recently acquired by NVIDIA from Vingroup, Vietnam's largest private conglomerate.

He added that this demonstrates NVIDIAs confidence in the success of investment in the AI industry in Vietnam.

Hoai said NVIDIA highly appreciates the support from the Vietnamese government and the prime minister, and the deal is the latest reflection of this trust.

Before deciding to establish the center in Vietnam, NVIDIA, the world's largest semiconductor chip designing and manufacturing group, had already shifted part of its billion-dollar production value chain to the Southeast Asian country.

Hoai underscored that the partnership is targeting the highest tier of NVIDIA's supply chain by establishing the center as a cornerstone of the AI ecosystem.

He expressed confidence that the center will act as a magnet, attracting enterprises involved in related equipment and investment opportunities. This, he said, will add significant value to the country and drive the growth of Vietnam's AI industry.

NVIDIA has a market capitalization of about $3,600 billion, the largest in the world, and employs 27,000 engineers and staff.

The future AI research and development center in Vietnam is forecast to initially have 100 engineers and staff, and the figure is estimated to reach 1,000 over five years.

Hoai believed in the following eight reasons for opening the facility in Vietnam.

Firstly, the workforce is young, dynamic, and eager to study STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). In addition, the cost of hiring a team of high-quality engineers for an AI center in Vietnam is lower than in the U.S..

Secondly, in recent years, many domestic technology unicorns and startups have operated successfully in the AI field in the country.

NVIDIA highly appreciates the country's potential for technological development, and government efforts to create policies focusing on promoting innovation, R&D, and high-quality human resources.

Thirdly, Vietnam has a strategic geographical position in Southeast Asia, close to China and India. This helps NVIDIA easily connect with potential markets through their investment.

Fourthly, Vietnam's political and economic stability makes NVIDIA feel secure to invest.

Fifthly, Vietnam has recently promulgated many preferential policies on foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction, especially in the hi-tech sector.

Sixthly, Vietnam, with a population of 100 million, offers a sizable market characterized by robust technological development and significant potential for adopting future tech products.

Seventhly, Vietnams digital infrastructure meets investors' requirements with reliable Internet networks, high-tech parks, national innovation centers, and AI data centers, providing a strong foundation for AI development.

Finally, the national government demonstrates a strong commitment to advancing the digital economy and promoting the application of high technology across socio-economic sectors.

The expert believes that AI technologies will become ubiquitous globally in the coming years. Therefore, the cooperation between the country and NVIDIA aligns perfectly with the current trends in AI development.

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Growing high-quality rice while building a reputable rice brand is a long journey, but several businesses and cooperatives have succeeded in branding Vietnamese rice after years of sustained efforts.

The demand for tasty and recognizable rice among residents in major cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi is high, prompting rice processing and production facilities in the Mekong Delta region, dubbed Vietnams hub of rice, to invest more in branding.

In 2022, the popular Gao Huyet Rong (Red Rice) brand in Dong Thap Province won third prize in a provincial rice competition.

Le Van Dau, known as Nam Dau, a resident of Phu Thanh A Commune in Tam Nong District, successfully hybridized a strange rice variety and named it Huyet Rong.

In 2020, his rice variety got a certificate for brand registration, and a year later, Dau spent over VND700 million (US$27,640) building a rice mill to expand a production line.

He said that a 10-hectare paddy field focused on the red rice variety, and was cultivated safely using compost.

Do Minh Hoang, deputy head of the Infrastructure and Economic Division in Tam Nong District, said Nam Daus facility is a typical business.

The facility has two products meeting the three-star OCOP (One Commune, One Product) standard, and another certified as a province-level outstanding rural industrial product.

The district is seeking approval from the provincial Department of Industry and Trade to allocate industrial promotion funds for the facility to purchase grinding and packaging machines valued at VND230 million ($9,065).

The district has proposed that the provincial Department of Science and Technology assist the factory in setting up a closed production line to improve the production of red rice powder, Hoang said.

Another locality in the delta, Ca Mau, is cultivating some 38,000 hectares of the Lua Tom (Shrimp Rice) rice variety, which has gained high popularity.

Farmers in several districts of the province take advantage of saline water and freshwater seasons in a year to rotate rice and shrimp farming on the same fields. Therefore, the Lua Tom rice brand was established.

Le Van Mua, chairman of the Tri Luc Rice-Shrimp Production Cooperative in Thoi Binh District, emphasized that building a strong rice brand is a time-intensive process. It requires consistent quality over the long term and a product that stands out from the competition.

"With this approach, Tri Luc Cooperative has developed Hoang Yen, an organic rice brand that meets the three-star OCOP benchmark," Mua said.

Vietnamese rice quality prevails

Le Van Den, a resident of Tan Loc Bac Commune in Thoi Binh District and a participant in the Lua Tom rice variety production, said that adopting proper organic rice cultivation techniques boosts yields by about 10 percent compared to traditional methods.

It also increases the selling price by 15 percent in comparison with conventionally farmed rice.

Organic cultivation reduces costs as it eliminates the need for pesticides and chemicals.

"One hectare of organic rice cultivation yields an average of eight metric tons of rice per year," Den said. "Unhusked rice is purchased at VND 1,500 [$0.06] per kilogram, significantly higher than the price of traditionally grown unhusked rice."

Truong Sy Ba, chairman of Tan Long Group JSC, noted that since the launch of the A An rice brand in July 2019, it has gained strong consumer trust.

While counterfeit versions of A An rice are widespread in the local market, only the packaging is imitated.

"The quality of the rice itself cannot be replicated," Ba asserted.

The A An rice brand includes the ST21, ST24, ST25, Japonica, and Dai Thom 8 rice varieties, offering the local market up to 60,000 metric tons annually.

To successfully build a rice brand, the company has standardized rice quality and controlled all relevant cultivation steps from sowing seeds, harvesting, drying, packaging to storing.

Ba explained that the effort to create the rice brand was driven by increasing customer demand for high-quality and safe grains.

More and more people are favoring rice of clear origin.

This is an inevitable trend, so building a rice brand will be supported by customers. Despite several difficulties and challenges during the rice branding journey, it is sure that the brand will bring multiple benefits, he said.

Nam Dau said the red rice is cultivated on 10 hectares for 2-3 crops annually, with yields reaching up to 60,000 metric tons.

The red rice is priced at VND30,000 ($1.18) per kilogram, up to VND12,000 ($0.48) higher than other varieties.

In addition, various products made out of the red rice such as rice powder are sold at high prices.

Phan Hoang Vu, director of the Ca Mau Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, stated that in recent years, the province has actively supported the development of organic Lua Tom rice.

"With high-quality seeds and improved cultivation techniques, the rice is now tastier and safer," Vu said.

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Kamereo, a Ho Chi Minh City-based food sourcing platform established by a Japanese person, has successfully mobilized US$7.8 million for business expansion.

Kamereo, which is the food supplier for pizza chain Pizza 4P's, convenience chain Family Mart, Park Hyatt hotels, and El Gaucho steak restaurants, has raised some $15 million in its six years of operations.

This funding round was joined by many investors from Japan, such as Sumitomo Corporation, SMBC Venture Capital Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi UFJ Capital Co. Ltd., and some personal investors.

Taku Tanaka, CEO of Kamereo, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) that the company had built relations with investors for one to two years so that they could understand the Vietnamese market and the companys business model.

They have arrived in Vietnam to directly meet Kamereos staff and see its operations.

Vietnams food market is estimated at some $100 billion with an annual growth rate of over five percent.

Unlike Japan and the U.S., where wholesale companies and agricultural cooperatives dominate supply chains, Vietnams food market still depends on private distributors.

The Kamereo CEO voiced his belief in Kamereos potential to become a major part in the sector as there are no specific rivals in the Vietnamese market.

Nevertheless, Kamereo has still faced multiple challenges in capital, logistics, operation, and business growth.

Most of these challenges depend on how we develop the company. We will continue developing the company with the Kaizen spirit as the core, Tanaka noted.

Kaizen is a concept referring to business activities that continuously improve all functions and involve all employees.

According to Kamereo, the mobilized capital of $7.8 million will be used to expand its operations throughout Vietnam, recruit personnel, launch new services including the marketplace model, and improve its product portfolio.

Kamereo has expanded its operations to Hanoi since this month, besides the main market of Ho Chi Minh City.

To support this strategy, the firm has developed a daily refrigerated transport system connecting the north and the south of Vietnam and will build logistics and sales centers in the central region.

Hiroki Takeno, general manager of the retail strategic business unit at Sumitomo Corporation, said the corporation would cooperate with Kamereo through the Fujimart retail chain that it is operating in Hanoi.

Kamereo will also develop the business-to-business model to allow suppliers to store goods at its warehouses. It will be responsible for selling goods, delivery, and collecting money.

The firm has applied the model while collaborating with Gyomu Japan, which operates food supermarket chain Gyomu Super in Vietnam.

In particular, Gyomu Japan lists its 450 products on Kamereos platform, meeting the diversified demands of hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops.

Kamereo was established by Tanaka, a Japanese businessman, in 2018 after he left the post of Pizza 4P's chief operating officer.

Tanaka used to study in the U.S. and work in the finance sector before traveling around Southeast Asia and choosing Vietnam to begin his new journey.

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The national finals of the R&D to Start-up 2024 competition unfolded on Sunday night at the Nguyen Van Dao Hall of the Vietnam National University-Hanoi, drawing a vibrant mix of students, academics, researchers, entrepreneurs, and investors.

This years event, which sought to bridge the gap between scientific research and real-world application, showcased the entrepreneurial spirit of Vietnams youth.

After three intense hours of competition, the jury crowned three standout projects across distinct categories.

In the high school category, the winning team presented a skincare mask made from centella and houttuynia extracts.

The university-level idea category honored PURE, a cosmetic line derived from microalgae and natural compounds.

Meanwhile, the university-level startup category celebrated a project that diversified mushroom products cultivated on herbal residue.

The competitions mission is to foster scientific and technological creativity among students, nurturing ideas that address societal and business challenges while commercializing innovative research.

The event was organized by the Center for Enabling Startups and Knowledge Transfer under the Vietnam National University-Hanoi, in partnership with the Vietnam Network of Higher Education Innovation and Entrepreneurship (VNEI) and the Vietnam National Supporting Center for Youths Startup (SYS Vietnam).

Key sponsorship came from Sunwah Innovations and DOL English, alongside participation from over 80 schools and 206 projects nationwide, with a total of 613 participants.

The entries spotlight innovative solutions across materials technology, environmental science, biotechnology, and mechatronics.

Many projects notably utilize AI, Big Data, and IoT in business management.

A contestant explains her project to the panel of judges at the R&D to Start-up 2024 competition in Hanoi, December 8, 2024.

A platform for ambition, growth

Participants faced four rigorous rounds judged by a panel of 30 experts, including technology CEOs, banking executives, and venture capitalists.

Each round required not just creativity but meticulous preparation and market insights.

This years competition expanded to include high school students nationwide, said Associate Professor Truong Ngoc Kiem, director of the Knowledge Transfer and Startup Support Center and head of the organizing committee.

The entries offered innovative, highly applicable solutions, many addressing not only business problems but also societal challenges.

We hope these projects will grow into successful enterprises contributing to Vietnams economic development.

To ensure continuity, all participating teams, regardless of winning status, will be incubated at the Vietnam National University-Hanois Innovation and Startup Incubator.

Winners will also gain access to international startup competitions and experience entrepreneurial ecosystems in Singapore and Hong Kong through partnerships with Sunwah Innovations and NUS Enterprises.

Dr. Doan Duc Minh, founder of Ami&M Group Vietnam and Vice-President of the Entrepreneurial Alumni Club of the Vietnam National University-Hanoi, expressed his pride in supporting the R&D to Start-up 2024 competition.

"The Entrepreneurial Alumni Club is honored to accompany the startup projects emerging from this competition," Minh stated.

"We are committed to assisting the most outstanding teams through specialized mentorship, product refinement, business model development, and market access strategies.

Promising projects will be considered for long-term investment and development.

With this support, we hope to help young innovators turn their ideas into successful businesses, contributing positively to sustainable economic and community growth."

Echoing this sentiment, Do Tien Vuong, founder and CEO of CFC Vietnam and a member of the competition's judging panel, highlighted the high caliber of this years entries.

"Having served as a judge for numerous competitions across various fields, I am highly impressed by the quality of the R&D to Start-up 2024 competition," Vuong shared.

"The participating projects demonstrated seriousness and a forward-thinking attitude throughout the process, with meticulous preparation and attention to detail in every stage of their presentations.

This reflects not only the teams' dedication but also the professionalism and competitive spirit of the event.

I firmly believe that the efforts and passion of the organizers and participants will enrich the competitions value and inspire future generations of contestants."

Contestants explain their project to the panel of judges at the R&D to Start-up 2024 competition in Hanoi, December 8, 2024.

Corporate backing, community impact

Le Dinh Luc, CEO of DOL English, a key sponsor, emphasized the transformative potential of such initiatives.

Competitions like R&D to Start-up 2024 are essential for young people passionate about entrepreneurship.

They provide a platform to exchange knowledge and refine ideas, preparing participants for the rigorous journey of building a startup, he said.

Drawing from his own experience as the founder of a US$25 million edtech startup,

Luc expressed confidence in the global competitiveness of Vietnams youth.

Our young entrepreneurs have the intellect and creativity to compete internationally, he added.

They just need opportunities to build confidence and capability, and events like this deliver exactly that.

DOL English itself represents a model of innovation, featuring proprietary teaching methodologies and advanced learning platforms like the superLMS system.

Luc underscored the importance of integrating unique, self-designed approaches in education and beyond, reflecting the companys broader mission to revolutionize learning.

At DOL English, we are proud to be at the forefront of revolutionizing English teaching and learning, he said.

This includes the complete in-house development of our proprietary Linearthinking methodology, the advanced superLMS platform designed to enhance English education, and a fully original curriculum.

Every piece of content and visual material is crafted 100% from scratch, reflecting the principles of Linearthinking.

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LONDON -- Workers in some of the world's biggest garment manufacturing hubs in Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Pakistan are increasingly exposed to extreme heat as climate change pushes temperatures up, a report found on Sunday, a problem multinational retailers and brands will have to help address.

New European Union regulations make retailers selling in the bloc, like Inditex, H&M and Nike, legally liable for conditions at their suppliers, putting pressure on them to help fund improvements to cool factories they source from.

In Dhaka, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Phnom Penh and Karachi, the number of days with "wet-bulb" temperatures - a measurement that accounts for air temperature as well as humidity - above 30.5 degrees Celsius jumped by 42 percent in 2020-24 compared to 2005-09, researchers at Cornell University's Global Labor Institute found.

Above that threshold, the International Labor Organization recommends as much rest as work in any given hour to maintain safe core body temperature levels.

The report identified only three retailers - Nike, Levi's, and VF Corp - which specifically include protocols to protect workers from heat exhaustion in their supplier codes of conduct.

Companies warned

"We've been talking to brands for ages now about this issue, and they're only now starting to turn their attention to it," Jason Judd, executive director at Cornell University's Global Labor Institute, told Reuters.

"If a brand or retailer knows that temperatures in a production area are excessively high or doing damage to worker health, then they're obligated under this new set of rules to do something about it," he added.

The EU Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive came into force in July and will start applying to large companies from mid-2027.

Fixes to cool factories could include better ventilation and water evaporative cooling systems, instead of energy-intensive and expensive air conditioning that would increase manufacturers' carbon emissions.

Some factory owners would likely be willing to make such investments themselves, given how heat stress significantly impacts productivity, Judd said, but the EU rules highlight brands' responsibility to address the issue too.

The report also urged retailers and brands to invest in higher wages and health protections so that workers can manage the risk of missing work days due to heatwaves.

Extreme heat and flooding could erase $65 billion in apparel export earnings from Bangladesh, Cambodia, Pakistan and Vietnam by 2030, research from asset manager Schroders and the Global Labor Institute found last year.
PARIS, France -- Newly restored Notre Dame cathedral held its first mass on Sunday, with Christians celebrating the return of the French capitals most famous place of worship after a historic re-opening ceremony.

The beloved Paris monument nearly burned down in 2019, but has been fully renovated inside and fitted with a new roof and spire during a frenzied five-year refit.

The inaugural mass was led by Paris archbishop Laurent Ulrich with 150 bishops and more than 100 priests from the capital in attendance, as well as French President Emmanuel Macron.

The archbishop led prayers and consecrated a new altar which replaced the old one that was destroyed five years ago.

Whether you are here in person in the cathedral or in front of a screen, including perhaps under the rain, I greet you with intense emotion, Ulrich told the congregation, referring to the small rain-drenched crowds outside watching events on public screens.

In a nod to Frances ongoing political turmoil, he added that he prayed also for our country that is looking to the future with worry.

A second mass in the evening at 6:30 pm will be open to the public, with roughly 2,500 people who secured free tickets this week expected to attend.

The cathedral will open fully to visitors on December 16 via an online reservation system.

During a re-opening service on Saturday attended by world leaders including U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, Macron expressed the gratitude of the French nation for the restoration work since 2019.

We have rediscovered what great nations can do  achieve the impossible, he said.

Macron is under intense political pressure having called snap elections in June that led to a hung parliament, with the main parties now struggling to form a stable government.

One of the most moving moments on Saturday came when firefighters in their protective gear walked through the congregation to thunderous applause as the word Merci (Thank you) was beamed on the intricate facade and famous belltowers of the Gothic masterpiece.

The architectural wonder had been in danger of collapsing during the April 2019 blaze and was saved only by firefighters pumping vast quantities of water onto the flames from the nearby River Seine.

Groups of worshippers huddled under umbrellas on Sunday beyond a strict security perimeter set up outside Notre Dame.

Beyond the reconstruction work, its beautiful because it shows that the church still has a role, discreet and small, but it still has a role to play in France, 21-year-old engineering student Jacques told AFP.

Monique Kashale, a 75-year-old from the Democratic Republic of Congo, said she was very cold but for Jesus Christ I can put up with it, for the Virgin Mary it is bearable.
An official at Cam Ranh International Airport in Khanh Hoa Province, south-central Vietnam has affirmed that security camera footage shows no one tampering with the handbag of a South Korean tourist who had previously reported losing U.S. and South Korean banknotes equivalent to US$2,000.

The official told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Monday that the airport management board had received a report about a South Korean passenger being pickpocketed near a restroom at the airport.

After reviewing the security camera footage, the airport staff discovered no one touched the tourists handbag, the official said, adding that the international tourist was not robbed at the airport.

On Sunday afternoon, a Facebook account, named H.T.T., posted a status reading, My South Korean customer was pickpocketed of over VND50 million [US$2,000] in front of a restroom near a baggage carousel at the international terminal of Cam Ranh International Airport. Could you please tell me how to review camera footage and to whom I should report the case?

T., a resident of Nha Trang City in Khanh Hoa Province who shared the information on her Facebook page, explained that a South Korean man had lunch at her restaurant on Sunday.

Afterward, he discovered that he had lost his money and asked for her help in reporting the theft to the airport.

The South Korean customer told her that he had placed his handbag on an empty chair near a restroom at Cam Ranh International Airport before going to the toilet.

After he returned to his bag, he took a taxi to Nha Trang City, some 35 kilometers from the airport, T. recounted.

The foreigner discovered he had lost U.S. and South Korean banknotes worth VND50 million while he was having lunch at the restaurant.

The customer asked T. to help report the case to local authorities in hopes of recovering the lost cash.

Unsure of who to contact, she posted the case on Facebook, seeking support and guidance from the community.

An airport official told Tuoi Tre that after someone reported the case to the airports information desk, security forces swiftly reviewed all the cameras and closely examined footage from a camera near the location where the South Korean tourist claimed to have been pickpocketed.

We reviewed the footage from all security cameras, discovering that the tourists handbag, backpack, and other belongings remained unchanged. The tourist then got in a white car and left the airport, the official elaborated.

The official reiterated that airport security reviewed footage from security cameras to track the tourists movements, from outside the restroom to the parking lot.

We found no evidence of theft at the airport, but its possible the tourist lost his money on the plane, the official said.

He advised passengers to be mindful of their belongings but noted that if items are lost, they can report the incident to airport staff for assistance.

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Police in Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City arrested a Vietnamese man on Friday for snatching a necklace worth approximately 300,000 rupees (US$3,542) from an Indian female tourist.

At around 7:00 pm on Friday, Majji Sirisha, an Indian national, reported to Ben Nghe police that a man on a motorbike had snatched her necklace near the intersection of Mac Thi Buoi Street and Dong Khoi Street.

Leveraging surveillance footage and investigative techniques, officers identified the suspect as Hoang Van Chung, a 34-year-old with a previous conviction for theft.

By 10:00 pm the same day, officers brought Chung in from his residence in Tan Binh District for questioning.

Chung admitted to having snatched the necklace, which was promptly recovered and returned to the tourist on Saturday.

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Traveling, especially abroad, requires careful planning and ensuring one has enough funds. However, a curious trend has emerged: 'begpackers' or the act of roadside begging to fund travel expenses.

Recently, social media was abuzz with discussions about a photo of a foreign traveler in Vietnam holding a cardboard sign stating: "I'm traveling without money. Please support my trip."

In 2019, a forum for young travel enthusiasts featured a photo of two foreign men sitting on the sidewalk.

They held a sign written in Vietnamese: "Hello, I have traveled 25,000km by motorbike through Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Malaysia, and back to Vietnam. Now, I want to go to China. Can you help? Thank you!"

In Phu Quoc, a popular tourist destination in Kien Giang Province, southern Vietnam, a foreign female tourist was seen meditating on the sidewalk with a sign saying: "Meditation for good luck. In need of money."

The creativity behind these requests for funds is puzzling, to say the least.

Backpacking or begging?

Many believe that such behavior tarnishes the image of responsible travelers and the backpacking community.

This type of 'traveling' relies on the generosity of locals and, in some cases, may lead to illegal work or undocumented status.

A few months ago, an international forum discussing issues in Vietnam raised the question: "Occasionally, when driving in Ho Chi Minh City, I see foreigners holding signs asking for money. I want to help, but Im unsure if its genuine or a scam. What do you think?"

One widely circulated photo showed a large Western man standing at a traffic light, holding a sign reading: "Help to survive."

Foreign commenters, including expatriates in Vietnam, mostly condemned the act.

Many expressed shame and frustration, with one saying: "As a foreigner living in Ho Chi Minh City, seeing backpackers begging is more irritating than anything else. Its likely they have enough money to live here but are exploiting the kindness of those who welcome them."

An American contributor added: "My spouse and I have average-income jobs in the U.S., and we dont have much money, but weve always had wonderful experiences in Vietnam. Unless we lost all our documents or were cheated, theres no reason to beg. Even in such cases, contacting family or friends back home would be far easier than asking strangers for money."

Similar discussions about 'begpacking' have surfaced in destinations like Thailand and Taiwan, where tourists rely on locals goodwill for personal gain.

Well-placed kindness

Vietnamese people are known for their generosity and hospitality, as seen in numerous videos and stories of locals helping foreign travelers in accidents or emergencies.

However, financially supporting someones vacation is a different matter.

It is crucial to exercise kindness wisely.

A particularly insightful comment on this issue came from a forum user: "If travelers are genuinely in trouble, they can contact family, friends, or employers for financial help via Western Union. Alternatively, they can reach out to their embassy or consulate. These options are quick and effective, especially with todays technology."

Many tourists are aware of these avenues but choose not to use them.

Local authorities in areas with high international tourist traffic should adopt stricter measures to address cases of travelers who resort to begging.

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Strange number of votes went to Arizona Green Party Senate candidate, flipped from Kari Lake? By Rachel Alexander

web posted December 9, 2024 While Republicans around the country heaved a sigh of relief that Democrats were unable to cheat and steal the presidency from Donald Trump again, many remain convinced corrupt actors still manipulated the results of four Senate races in battleground states and some other down ballot races. In Arizona, Kari Lake allegedly lost to Rep. Ruben Gallego by about 81,000 votes, even though voters around the state frequently admitted to pollsters they had no idea who he was. He even outperformed Kamala Harris by almost 100,000 votes despite his lack of name recognition. In contrast, the unknown Green Party Senate candidate, Eduardo Quintana, received about 75,000 votes. This was shocking considering he received 400% more votes than well-known Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein, who has run for that office for many years. She received only about 18,000 votes. Quintana, a write-in candidate, received only 282 votes in the Green Party primary earlier this year, beating out two opponents who received even fewer votes. His X account has fewer than 400 followers. He apparently raised so little money for the race that he didn't file any campaign finance reports. The Green Party only had 4,187 registered voters at the time of the election. Let's compare it to the Libertarian Party, which has a significantly larger presence with about 700% more voters, 31,132. Yet the Libertarian Party candidate in 2022, Marc Victor, who is fairly well-known in the state for a third-party candidate, only received 53,762 votes that year. The state hasn't tilted left since 2020; Republican voter registration has increased to an almost 6% advantage since then. I've asked around for someone to explain the anomaly, including on X, and not one single person has responded with an explanation. Election fraud defenders will probably claim that many independents  as well as some Republicans and Democrats  voted for Quintana in the general election. However, when polled, independents usually break pretty evenly between Republicans and Democrats; there isn't a significant radical left component within there. Election fraud defenders may also cite previous races where the Green Party Senate candidate received an abnormally large number of votes. But this is just evidence that the cheating has likely been going on for years  I believe a lot of it started around 2010. Let's take a look back at Arizona history. In 2022, there was no Green Party Senate candidate, and in 2020, there were no third party candidates for Senate except write-ins, who received no more than 400 votes each. In 2018, the unknown Green Party Senate candidate received over 57,000 votes, about the margin that Republican Martha McSally lost to Kyrsten Sinema by (that was the first year Arizonans began to heavily suspect there was election fraud). In 2016, unknown Green Party Senate candidate Gary Swing received an astounding 138,634 votes, even though he apparently didn't even raise enough money to file a campaign finance report. He received 400% more votes than Stein. That year, if votes were switched, they likely went to the late John McCain, not the Democrat. No one has ever believed in recent years that McCain was very popular in Arizona; the myth of the McCain supporter was due to loudmouthed RINOs in leadership positions likely motivated by money (or blackmail; McCain through his minions threatened me three times). Similarly, no one believes that a few sarcastic humorous remarks Lake made about McCain supporters really convinced anyone other than the far left  who already weren't going to vote for her  not to vote for her. There wasn't a Senate race in 2014, and in 2012, there was no Green Party Senate candidate. In 2010, the numbers started getting interesting. The Green Party candidate received only 24,603 votes. McCain had a weak, unknown challenger, who he beat almost two to one. Perhaps this was the beginning of some strange votes? No one really believes that voters who chose Trump also chose radical Gallego. He has a lifetime rating of 4 from the American Conservative Union, which dropped to 3 in the latest ratings. He has only 191,000 followers on X, compared to Lake with 2.4 million . Her internal polling recently found that she is the most popular politician in the state after Trump, and many consider her the biggest political phenomenon in the state since Barry Goldwater, in large part due to her brilliant takedowns of the MSM. Other anomalies in Arizona's 2024 election included State Rep. Cory McGarr allegedly losing his reelection in a Pima County district with a 10+ Republican voter registration edge. No one also believes that the radical abortion-until-birth Prop. 139 passed with over 61% voting yes. Proponents were caught many times on video lying to voters in order to get them to sign the petition to put it on the ballot, so why wouldn't they cheat in the election as well? Fortunately, this isn't the end of it. Two Arizona legislators are demanding an investigation, and submitting public records to Pima County Elections, which most people consider even more corrupt than Maricopa County Elections. Two think tanks in Arizona have told me they are heavily investigating. There was likely other types of fraud in Lake's race, which would explain the rest of the margin she allegedly lost by. What else needs to happen is an exit poll to determine how many really voted for Quintano. After Rasmussen Reports conducted an exit poll of the 2022 election, it was discovered that Lake really won the gubernatorial race by 8 points. Gallego was losing in two of the most reputable polls immediately prior to the election, Data Orbital and Atlas Intel . The MSM poll aggregator site FiveThirtyEight rates them both very highly. Ignoring the election fraud and "moving on" isn't going to stop the fraud, instead it will embolden the left to increase it, and you can guarantee they are revving up for the 2026 midterms now and the 2028 presidential election. Rachel Alexander and her brother Andrew are co-Editors of Intellectual Conservative. She has been published in the American Spectator, Townhall.com, Fox News, NewsMax, Accuracy in Media, The Americano, ParcBench, Enter Stage Right and other publications. Home
The Ministry of Transport has formed a council to evaluate the pre-feasibility study for the Thu Thiem-Long Thanh railway project in southern Vietnam, which is designed for a speed of 120kph and requires an estimated investment of over US$3.4 billion.

The 15-member appraisal council, led by Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Danh Huy, includes senior officials from the Ministry of Transport and the state-owned Vietnam Railways Corporation.

The council is tasked with reviewing the pre-feasibility report before submission to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

The proposed railway will stretch from Thu Thiem Station on metro line No. 1 in Thu Duc City  an administrative district-level unit of Ho Chi Minh City, to Long Thanh International Airport in neighboring Dong Nai Province.

This new line will be an electrified double-track, standard-gauge railway, with a design speed of 120kph on open tracks and 90kph in tunnels.

Operational speeds will be capped at 110kph on open tracks and 80kph in tunnels, with a capacity of 30,000-40,000 passengers per hour per direction.

The main route spans 41.83km, with an additional 4.4km leading to a depot.

The route includes 30.67km of elevated tracks, 15.13km of tunnels, and 0.43km at ground level.

The railway will feature 20 stations, with 16 elevated and four underground, in addition to a depot in Dong Nais Long Thanh District and a maintenance facility in Thu Thiem.

Apart from connecting Ho Chi Minh City with the Long Thanh Airport, the railway will link with the southern metropoliss metro line No. 2 at Thu Thiem Station, the Bien Hoa-Vung Tau railway at Station S18, and the North-South high-speed railway at Thu Thiem and Long Thanh Stations.

With an estimated investment of VND84.752 trillion ($3.454 billion), including some VND5.5 trillion ($216 million) for site clearance and resettlement, the project is proposed to be developed under the public-private partnership, with plans to commence construction by 2030 and begin operations by 2035.

As a national-scale project, the Thu Thiem-Long Thanh railway requires approval from the law-making National Assembly and investment authorization from the government leader.

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Torrential rains with precipitation of up to 500mm are predicted to smash parts of central Vietnam for several days from Tuesday, while the northern region may see a cold spell, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

Prolonged rain, from moderate to heavy and torrential levels, will cover the central and south-central parts of Vietnam from Tuesday night until Friday and will likely persist after that, the center warned on Monday.

Rainfall will range from 100mm to 300mm in most of these regions, even 500mm in some localities.

The rainy weather will pose risks of flooding in urban zones, low-lying areas along rivers, and land- and rockslides in mountainous regions.

Meanwhile, the northern part will be hit by a cold spell for several days from Monday, during which the lowest temperatures will be 14-17 degrees Celsius in plain areas, 11-13 degrees Celsius in mountainous regions, and below 10 degrees Celsius in high mountainous localities.

In Hanoi, the temperatures during the cold weather period will range from 14 to 20 degrees Celsius.

The cold front will also affect the north-central region, where the coldest localities will have temperatures of 15-18 degrees Celsius.

Another cold air mass will likely enter the northern region around Friday, prolonging and intensifying the cold weather there, the center said.

The center also warned that most parts of the East Vietnam Sea will have winds of up to 61kph and gusts of 88kph on Monday and Tuesday, due to the development of the northeast monsoon.

Similar conditions are expected in the waters from Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province to the southernmost province of Ca Mau.

The sea in these areas will be rough, with waves ranging from three to six meters in height.

The center warned that all vessels at sea will be affected by this weather pattern.

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A new SBS production hub is planned for western Sydney after the government opted not to relocate the broadcaster, following a feasability study.

SBS will begin work on finding a site to expand its news and current affairs, multilingual audio services and screen production.

The new production hub plans to feature a TV studio able to host live audiences, radio / podcasting booths, collaboration spaces for talent incubation, and a modest workspace to support production output.

An SBS hub in western Sydney will also:

Create opportunities for local, skilled production jobs in Western Sydney for its increasing number of highly skilled, qualified and culturally diverse workers;

Provide a participation pathway for young people, including multicultural, multilingual and First Nations youth, pursuing careers in the arts and media; and

Further improve participation by Western Sydney communities in one of Australias most trusted news media organisation.

But the government rejected a full relocation from its Artarmon base following a Feasibility Study and Board recommendations.

It isnt clear what the Board recommended to the Communications Department.

Minister for Communications, Michelle Rowland said, As Australias dedicated multicultural and First Nations broadcaster and one of our most trusted news brands, SBS plays a vital role in promoting social cohesion. SBS connects with multilingual, multicultural and First Nations communities, including in Western Sydney, and is vital to bringing diverse voices to Australian audiences. I thank the SBS Board and management for their initiative in proposing this exciting project, and look forward to working with them to bring it to fruition. The Albanese Government is committed to growing and supporting SBS and to ensuring its unique value benefits all Australians.

SBS Board Chair George Savvides said, When SBS makes content with communities, especially those who are under-represented in the Australian media, those communities feel more included in society. With SBS turning 50 next year, what better way to celebrate than to expand our storytelling capability and infrastructure. The SBS Board is delighted at the opportunity to embed SBS within Western Sydney, and to keep growing SBSs contribution to social cohesion through community access to trusted, impartial media and even greater opportunities for local communities to be part of our diverse storytelling.

But Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun has told The Australian, This is another example of the Albanese government not being able to make a decision. All this does is make Werriwa (in southwest Sydney) and other western Sydney seats harder for him to hold.the ball is now in Peter Duttons court. If he wants to win Werriwa and other western Sydney seats, this is an easy win but also shows his leadership and that he has a vision for our area  which Labor clearly dont.

SBS will commence work in early 2025 to explore options for the western Sydney production hub, engaging with local councils, education institutions, business and economic development bodies.
Satish Bharatiya, TwoCircles.net

Ratlam: A disturbing video showing three young children being assaulted and made to chant Jai Shri Ram went viral late Thursday night. The purported video shows a man striking the children, aged 6, 9 and 11, with a slipper, while another individual films the incident. The man in the video can be heard using derogatory language and forcing the children to chant Jai Shri Ram as he continues the physical assault for over a minute.

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One of the attackers asks the children to take the lighter and he will give him a cigarette. As they are slapped, they utter Allah in pain. It further irked the attacker. The person then starts raining fierce slaps on one of the trio. The man then takes out his slipper and begins beating him. The boy perhaps realised his mistake and instead of taking the name of Allah, he starts saying God. Even then, the man keeps beating these teenage boys with slippers. After this, one of the men who assaulted them forced them to chant Jai Shri Ram.

TwoCircles.net spoke to the families of the children involved in this distressing incident, as well as their close relatives living nearby.

A relative of one of the children, Imran shared his pain. He said when the children were being assaulted, the name of Allah naturally came out of their mouths. It is common in such a situation. Upon hearing this, the assailants realised that the children were Muslim that seemed to intensify the cruelty of the attack, he said, describing the actions as savage.

Imran further explained that the youngest child, who is an orphan, was taken by the attackers to be thrown into a pond. He believes the children were targeted because of their religion. The video of the assault, which had been recorded about a month ago, was shown to their acquaintances while the assailants were intoxicated. It was then that the family learned about the incident, which led them to file a complaint.

Legal proceedings are underway in the case, and an FIR has been registered Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) against the accused.

In the FIR, the complainant, a 13-year-old, said he had gone for a walk near Amrit Sagar with his two friends. While we were sitting there, two people came near and asked our name. When we revealed our identities, they began abusing us. They started hitting us with slippers. While beating us, they asked us to chant Jai Shri Ram Ram. They threatened us if we take the name of Allah, they will cut all of us and throw us in the pond. They forcibly made us raise the slogan of Jai Shri Ram, described the victim.

He said in the FIR if he talked about the incident at home, he would kill him. After this, they picked up one of our friends and started taking him with him. Then we fled from there to save our lives. We did not tell anyone about the incident out of fear, he concluded.

So far, one of the two accused has been arrested, while the other remains at large. The police said they are actively searching for the co-accused.

Following the incident, the Muslim community has come together to demand justice for the children. They are also urging for a law to prevent such religiously motivated violence in the future. In addition, the community has stepped in to take responsibility for the childrens education and well-being, given the traumatic nature of the incident.

While we attempted to speak with the police about the progress of the case, a police officer informed us that they were too busy to comment.

The situation was eventually defused after the police assured the crowd that the authorities would take prompt action. ASP Khakha confirmed that the video appeared to have been recorded about a month and a half ago.

After reviewing the video, we have filed charges against two individuals for assault, verbal abuse, making death threats, and offending religious sentiments. Our cyber team, along with local police, is working to identify and apprehend the culprits, Khakha has been quoted by media reports as saying.

(Satish Bharatiya is an independent journalist)
Directed by Ang Lee, Brokeback Mountain is a harrowing tale of forbidden love and emotional isolation. The profoundly moving story is told through the complex relationship between Ennis Del Mar (Heath Ledger) and Jack Twist (Jake Gyllenhaal), two men who forge a deep bond while working as cowboys on Brokeback Mountain in the 1960s. Lee beautifully navigates the intricacies of their relationship as they attempt to reconcile their passionate connection with the harsh realities of societal expectations and personal fears. Adapted from Annie Proulx's short story, the script unfolds with a quiet intensity, highlighting themes of repression, yearning and the inescapability of fate. While the plot touches on universal questions of love and identity, it remains specifically grounded in the cultural and historical context of mid-century America where social norms left little room for such unconventional bonds to flourish. Lee's direction emphasizes subtle emotional beats with the natural beauty of the Western landscape, ironically reflecting the freedom and the confinement of the characters' lives.

Added to that, the performances are also phenomenal with Ledger delivering a masterful portrayal of Ennis, a man whose stoic exterior belies the profound emotional turmoil beneath. His ability to convey Ennis's internal conflict through minimalistic gestures is a testament to his exceptional acting skills. In contrast, Gyllenhaal is more expressive in his role as Jack, whose passionate yearning for both Ennis and his romanticized ideal of freedom often places him at odds with his environment. The dynamic between them is electric, and their nuanced portrayals of the relationship, from the initial spark of attraction to the heartbreaking estrangement, carry all of the story's emotional weight. The restraint in their performances is matched by a delicate yet unflinching depiction of the societal pressures shaping their lives. Together, Ledger and Gyllenhaal craft a love story that resonates long after the credits, underlining the tragic consequences of a forbidden love socially constrained by time and place.

For another take on the romantic drama, check out Peter Bracke's excellent review of the 2009 Blu-ray release HERE.

Vital Disc Stats: The Ultra HD Blu-ray

Kino Lorber brings Ang Lee's Brokeback Mountain to 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray as a two-disc combo pack. The triple-layered UHD100 disc and a Region A locked, BD50 disc are housed inside a black, eco-elite vortex case on opposing panels, and the package comes with a slipcover. At startup, the disc goes straight to a static menu screen of the cover art with the usual options along the bottom and music playing in the background.
Return to the Magical Oz with Jon M. Chu's 'Wicked' on 4K UHD, SteelBook, Giftset, and Blu-ray on February 4
"Inter-not" -- Has a Canadian right-wing "blogosphere" had an impact on politics, society, and culture in Canada?  updated to 2024 (Part One) By Mark Wegierski

web posted December 9, 2024 Partially based on research done with Mike Krupa, M.A., Ph.D. for a paper accepted for the August 28-August 31 2014 American Political Science Association (APSA) Annual Meeting and Exhibition (110th APSA Annual Meeting)(Politics after the Digital Revolution) (Washington, D.C.), from which we had to withdraw because of unforeseen personal circumstances. The emergence of the Internet, where social, political, and cultural commentary could supposedly be freer of so-called "gatekeepers", is said to have introduced a greater and more genuine pluralism of outlooks to societies. Considering that it could be argued that much of Canada ideologically resembles the "bluest" of the "Blue" (Democratic) American states, the emergence of right-leaning counter-tendencies would arguably be a step towards greater pluralism. However, despite over two decades of Internet development, it could be argued  as far as the author of this article can ascertain -- that a Canadian right-wing "blogosphere" barely exists. Looking at some of the conservative Canadian websites and major bloggers, it's easy to see there wasn't any point in recent Canadian political developments where they might have made an impact comparable to the blogger impact in the 2004 U.S. Presidential election. That was when right-wing bloggers turned back an attempt by the "main stream media" to undermine George W. Bush's Presidential campaign. The MSM was questioning Bush's National Guard service record, based on what were ultimately proved to be forged documents. (It is, of course, an entirely separate issue, that Dubya's two terms have ended up as an almost unmitigated disaster for any more seriously defined conservatism in America.) The author finds that, in Canadian society, which, unlike the U.S., does not have solid social bases, groups, or publications for a more substantive conservatism, the presence of a few websites and bloggers has had decidedly minimal impact. The impact of the so-called right-wing blogosphere is certainly far less in Canada than in the United States. The impact of various personal blogs (such as those of Kate McMillan, the late Kathy Shaidle, or Richard Klagsbrun) is difficult to accurately gauge. There are as well the party-based Blogging Tories. The website conservativeforum.org is only an archive site. Free Dominion could be called a "self-posting forum" where commentary is not formally structured. Unfortunately, Free Dominion has been recently subjected to vicious "lawfare" and its situation is highly tenuous. Enter Stage Right is one of the few independent, formally structured, consistently-edited, frequently updated, conservative Canadian e-zines, that the author of this article is aware of (apart from Judi McLeod's Canada Free Press). In July 2013, there arose with great fanfare, the daily webzine, Freedom Press Canada Journal, but it was forced to greatly reduce the frequency of its postings as of November 30, 2013, and, in subsequent months, appears to have been completely removed from the Internet. From mid-2014 onward, short article postings began to very sporadically appear on the website (freedompress.ca), but now that website appears to no longer be extant. There has arisen Ezra Levant's The Rebel (or The Rebel Media) website, with dozens of bloggers contributing to it. Another substantial media initiative is Candice Malcolm's True North Canada. Also, there is The Post-Millennial website. Another substantial website is The Hub ( thehub.ca ). There is also c2cjournal.ca  a prestigious quarterly online publication. Canada also has one of the most prominent pro-life, pro-family news websites in the world (lifesite.net). There are, as well, some right-leaning individual blogs associated with major newspapers and magazines (such as, most prominently, The National Post, and Macleans). There are, as well, the blogs associated with some far smaller publications, notably Comment (by the social conservative think-tank, CARDUS); and The Interim: Canada's Life and Family Newspaper. CARDUS had published a print publication called Convivium. However, Convivium had become an online-only publication  its last print issue appeared in January 2017. On February 18, 2022, even the online version of Convivium was closed to new submissions  although the website archive is expected to remain. There is a social conservative journal in Quebec, called Egards (Considerations). Representing Western Canada, there is the new Western Standard website. Three websites of the "culturalist opposition" were actforcanada.ca, capforcanada.com, and eurocanadian.ca . The last one of these appears to now be defunct, however. To be continued. Mark Wegierski is a Canadian writer and historical researcher. Home
HA NOI  Viet Nam posted a trade surplus of US$24.3 billion in the first 11 months of 2024, according to the General Statistics Office.

The country's trade value from January to November rose by 15.4 per cent year-on-year to $715.5 billion. The value in November alone reached $66.4 billion, down 4.1 per cent from the month before but up 9 per cent compared to November 2023.

In 11 months, export value expanded by 14.4 per cent to $369.9 billion, while imports grew by 16.4 per cent to $345.6 billion.

The domestic economic sector contributed $103.9 billion to the total export value, an increase of 20 per cent on-year, while the foreign-invested sector (including crude oil) generated $266 billion, up 12.4 per cent.

Up to 36 key export items each surpassed $1 billion in value, collectively accounting for 94.1 per cent of the total. Among these, seven standout products exceeded $10 billion.

The GSO also reported that imports were valued at $345.6 billion, up 16.4 per cent year-on-year. Spending in the domestic economic sector went up 18.5 per cent to $126 billion, while the foreign-invested sector recorded $219.6 billion, an increase of 15.2 per cent.

A total of 44 import products surpassed the $1 billion threshold, making up 92.6 per cent of the total, with five exceeding $10 billion.

The US remained Viet Nam's largest export market with $108.9 billion, while China was the largest supplier of goods to Viet Nam at $130.2 billion.

To further increase the export value of Vietnamese goods, the GSO has proposed that ministries and branches effectively implement product traceability and improve the competitiveness of made-in-Viet Nam products in terms of prices and quality in the global market, especially for key exports.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade also continues to take full advantage of signed FTAs to promote exports.

It should also innovate trade promotion activities, focusing on a digital transformation programme for trade promotion activities connecting domestic and foreign supply and demand.

Export record in agriculture

Viet Nam also recorded a trade surplus of $16.5 billion in agricultural, forestry and aquatic products during the first 11 months of 2024, up 52.8 per cent on-year, reported the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Deputy Minister Phung uc Tien said these commodities brought home a total export value of $56.7 billion since January, representing a year-on-year increase of 19 per cent. The value of these commodities in November was about $5.3 billion, up 13.9 per cent over the same period last year.

During the 11-month period, farm produce generated $29.8 billion from overseas shipments, growing 23.2 per cent year-on-year. Meanwhile, exports of livestock, aquatic and forestry products increased 4.4 per cent, 11.8 per cent and 19.6 per cent respectively, reaching $475.5 million, $9.2 billion and $15.6 billion.

The US, China and Japan were the three largest export markets for Vietnamese agricultural, forestry and aquatic products. The exports to these markets climbed 24.6 per cent, 11 per cent and 5.5 per cent respectively against the same period in 2023, according to the ministry.

If Viet Nam's agricultural, forestry and fishery exports in December reach more than $5 billion, the agricultural sector this year will hit a new record for export value at more than $61 billion.

The recovery of aquaculture, the wood industry and the rice production will help bring the country's agricultural, forestry and fishery exports to new heights.

To achieve this, science and technology have been applied in all areas of agriculture to improve production, according to Tien.

International cooperation and trade promotion programmes have also been promoted, including focusing on traditional markets and expanding new markets, such as for Halal products.

Some Vietnamese products  like veterinary medicine, vaccines and processed chicken  have already penetrated the Halal market.

The Deputy Minister said that large Vietnamese enterprises are actively reviewing their processing, food safety chain and raw materials to enter this market in the future.  VNS
HA NOI  The Ministry of Transport recently released a draft decision approving the proposal for a yacht management project, which is set to be developed into a signature tourism service of the country by 2030.

The proposal was written by a team of 41 members, led by Hoang Hong Giang, deputy director of the Vietnam Maritime Administration.

According to the proposal, the ministry will expand cooperation and joint ventures with international investors and brands to produce and supply high-quality, high-tech yachts, as well as to offer yachting services to the region and the world.

By the end of this year, the ministry will have reviewed and supplemented regulations on yacht management and develop a pilot scheme for managing operations.

This includes regulations on activity zones, docking areas for yachts, responsibilities of ship owners, crew members, captains, and passengers in yacht operations, as well as requirements for the boats operating in port waters and areas managed by maritime authorities.

From 2025 to 2030, the ministry will focus on institutional reforms in seven key areas of work.

It will add a definition of yachts in the Vietnamese Maritime Code and the Inland Waterway Traffic Law, develop a decree regulating the management of yacht operations in both maritime and inland waterways sectors and review the planning of ports and docking areas.

It will also identify maritime areas and inland waterways where yachts with Vietnamese or foreign flags are allowed to operate, develop mechanisms and policies to encourage investment in the yacht industry and related services, and add regulations on yacht port management and related service fees.

Finally, the ministry will consider reducing administrative procedures to ensure seamless entry and departure for yachts at seaports.

According to Nguyen Manh Hung, deputy chief executive officer of Ana Marina Nha Trang Joint Stock Company, Viet Nam's yachts industry is still in its infancy.

Yachts began being imported into Viet Nam by a few individuals in 2007-08 but it was not until 2017 that Vietyatch  the country's first official yacht distributor  was established, Hung said.

"Now there are about ten companies distributing genuine yachts in Viet Nam, representing more than 40 brands," he said.

"The country has about 200 yachts in total, both old and new, including those that meet international standards. This number is too small compared to the region, the world and the potential of the industry.

Learning from other countries

Commenting on the proposal, Luu Van uc, chief executive officer of Luu Gia Shipbuilding Company Limited, said that the port planning was in time to stimulate yacht tourism development.

While this type of tourism has significant potential, coordinated and continuous efforts are needed to create a favourable environment for its growth, he said.

Yacht registration procedures should be similar to those currently applied to cars, uc said.

Nguyen Manh Hung from Ana Marina Nha Trang said that to attract international yachts to Viet Nam, the proposal should outline a roadmap and solutions to address discrepancies between Viet Nams and international yacht regulations and practices.

International yacht management, including yacht classification and registration, should be studied carefully, he said.

For example, in Hongkong (China), yacht operations are managed based on the results of inspections and the ship owner's needs, with certificates of ownership and operating licences issued for limited periods, according to Hung.

In Singapore, yachts wishing to operate domestically are only granted operational licences, not registration certificates, while yachts wishing to travel internationally are granted registration certificates, he added.

There should also be further studies on international standards for crew qualifications and staffing levels, Hung said.

For short-term management, he recommended the transport ministry to review, adjust regulations on yacht registration, inspections, crew qualifications and simplify certain administrative procedures.

For long-term solutions, the ministry should build a comprehensive legal framework that aligns Viet Nams yacht industry with international practices to attract domestic and foreign investment, he said.  VNS
GIA LAI  The Central Highlands province of Gia Lai will focus on helping businesses effectively utilise Viet Nams free trade agreements (FTAs) with other markets, including the UKVFTA, to strengthen its agricultural exports.

Thanks to advantages from the FTAs, which offer tariff elimination on agricultural exports and other product groups, the province has achieved its export turnover target of US$750 million two months earlier than planned.

The province's agricultural products account for more than 83 per cent of total export turnover, while forestry products and other products account for 15 per cent.

There are more than 255,600 hectares of crops of all kinds produced according to VietGAP, GlobalGAP, 4C, Organic, Rainforest Alliance and FLO standards.

The province's agricultural products have been exported to nearly 50 countries and territories, including markets with strict requirements.

Over the years, trade deals like the United Kingdom  Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) and Viet Nam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), have been strengthening the provinces exports, especially when the province was still recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic.

In addition, provincial agencies and import-export enterprises have also quickly adjusted export strategies to comply with new regulations of demanding markets.

Meanwhile, Gia Lai Province's Department of Industry and Trade has stepped up the work of updating market information, developing plans to promote exports, and strengthening trade promotion activities to help businesses proactively expand markets.

Gia Lai authorities have been organising events and publishing online documents to inform local businesses of the content on the UKVFTA and how to utilise it, such as a conference last year in Pleiku to raise awareness of regulations and commitments related to Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures (SPS) under the UKVFTA.

Other conferences and training sessions have been organised to educate businesses on topics surrounding Viet Nams new generation FTAs, including tariffs, rules of origins, intellectual properties and labourers.

Gia Lai will continue to make use of Viet Nams FTAs such as the UKVFTA and the EVFTA to promote the expansion of potential products such as roasted coffee, instant coffee, canned fruit and fruit juice.

It will also continue to develop key export products such as coffee, pepper, cashew nuts and rubber latex.

Gia Lai Province currently has more than 100,000 hectares of coffee, with an output of approximately 315,000 tonnes per year, more than 7,700 hectares of pepper, with an output of 23,300 tonnes per year, 84,000 hectares of rubber with a dry latex output of 79,000 tonnes per year and over 30,000 hectares of various fruits and many other agricultural products.

These are rich sources of raw materials for processing and exporting the agricultural products of the province.  VNS
HA NOI  Two cutting-edge AI research centres, namely Viet Nam Research and Development Centre and AI Data Centre, will be established under the partnership between Viet Nam and US tech giant NVIDIA, making a significant milestone in the countrys technological transformation.

The partnership was formalised during the second visit to Viet Nam by NVIDIA President and CEO Jensen Huang, with a groundbreaking agreement signed between Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung and Executive Vice President of Worldwide Field Operations Jay Puri.

Dung laid stress on the significance of the cooperation, saying it affirms Viet Nams potential and position in studying and developing state-of-the-art industries, particularly AI, while demonstrating the Viet Namese Governments determination to catch up with, move forward together, and then leap ahead regional peers in the evolving AI landscape.

He said the building of global-standard AI centres will create a premise for the country to develop an AI ecosystem, thus promoting R&D activities and carrying out the application of advanced AI technologies, adding NVIDIA plans to invest in internship programmes and scholarships to cultivate new talents in the domain and other high-technology ones.

According to the minister, this will be a crucial boost that will propel Viet Nams technological capabilities and attract other high-tech investors in the coming time. The two sides will make efforts to bring into full play the commitments under the agreement.

Meanwhile, economic expert Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Thuong Lang spoke highly of the collaboration between Viet Nam and the US tech giant, saying it is important to the nations economic restructuring towards developing advanced technologies and sharpening its competitive edge.

The partnership is a vivid demonstration for Viet Nams commitment to develop high and spearhead technologies, aligning with the countrys technology industry development strategy, he stated, holding that it also affirms Viet Nam as a trustworthy destination for foreign investors as well as its resolve to renew the economic structure and build high-quality human resources.

Studying the management model from the worlds leading corporation will help Viet Nam shorten the time to develop its industrial base in a modern way, he stressed.  VNS
A NANG  Belc Company, a Japan-based business operating a chain of retail stores in the Tokyo metropolitan area and the Saitama and Gunma prefecture, has been making approaches to farm suppliers and hi-tech and tourism products in a Nang City for the Japanese market.

The vice director of the citys Department of Industry and Trade, o Thi Quynh Tram confirmed that the Japanese company and representative of the Japan-Viet Nam Business Association, were undertaking a market survey in the city in seeking sources for its retail stores in Japan.

She said a Nang earned an import-export turn-over of US$2.8 billion, of which Japan made a 30 per cent share, in the first 10 months of 2024.

Japan is a major export market of a Nangs products including seafood, garments, electronics, fine arts, wooden chips and toys. In total, Japanese businesses have invested more than $1 billion in a Nang  25 per cent of the total FDI investment capital, she said.

President at Belc company, Issei Harashima, said the company would import products from Viet Nam to supply its chain of supermarkets in Japan.

He said Belc wished to establish trading links between products from a Nang and Viet Nam, offering them to Japanese consumers.

Belc company, who currently manages 142 retail stores of food and grocery items, sundry items, daily necessities and processed food, has imported processed coffee from Viet Nam for its supermarket system, and shrimp would be next target of the company.

Local businesses also introduced rice, agarwood extract oil, ground nut oil, coffee, cinnamon and coconut cake at the business meeting.

Chairman of the Japan-Viet Nam Business Association (JVBA), Shuichi Gomi, who led the market survey trip in a Nang along with Belc, ASV Japan company and Co-operative Ashi, said that many Japanese businesses have been looking at Viet Nams supply chains, but information of Vietnamese products within the Japanese market has been limited.

He said JVBA will help build business connections and trade promotions between a Nang and central Viet Nam with Japan.

Last year, the handmade fish sauce Huong Lang Co (Ancient Village Savour) was the only representative product from a Nang participating in the Foodex-Japan 2023  the largest international food and beverage exhibition in Asia.

The Japan-Viet Nam Gastronomy Association said fish sauce from Nam O had qualified in terms of culture, natural landscape promotion and food safety for showcasing at the food and beverage exhibition.

According to the Department of Trade and Industry, a Nang's 50 farms and co-operatives produce a total of 800 tonnes of agricultural products every day for sale.

Akurushi supermarket, a Japanese-style trader has been operating in a Nang, Ha Noi and HCM City for 25 years, while a Nang and Hoi An are home to dozens of Japanese restaurants.

In other organic food activities, Mena Gourmet market and partners including Ngoc Duy Group and a Dream farm in a Lat City have inked a strategic partnership to introduce and sell high-quality agricultural products from a Lat to the company's nationwide distribution network.  VNS
HA NOI  Chief executive officer of American technology giant NVIDIA Jensen Huang said the company has acquired VinBrain, a start-up under Vingroup that offers medical products that use artificial intelligence (AI).

The acquisition took place after NVIDIA signed an agreement with the Vietnamese Government to establish two AI research and data centres in Viet Nam on December 5.

Huang said NVIDIA is very lucky to collaborate with Vingroup and VinBrain, and plans to turn the start-up into a leading design centre in Viet Nam in the future.

Details of the acquitision have not been announced.

VinBrain is an affiliate of Vingroup that has provided AI-based equipment and tools for 182 hospitals in Viet Nam, the US, India, Australia and other countries, to help medical professionals improve their work efficiency.

According to Vingroups financial report, at the end of June the company owned 49.74 per cent of VinBrains shares. As of December 2023, the group had invested VN126.6 billion (nearly US$5 million) into the start-up.

On December 5, NVIDIA signed an agreement with the Ministry of Planning and Investment to build the Viet Nam Research and Development Centre and AI Data Centre, which are expected to enhance Viet Nams technological capabilities.  VNS
HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on Monday welcomed a delegation of leaders from 18 major Chinese enterprises of the Zhang and Yan clans led by Yan Jiehe, founder and Chairman of the China Pacific Construction Group and Susun Construction Group, both among the worlds top 500 companies, who are visiting Viet Nam to explore cooperation and investment opportunities.

Speaking at the meeting, Chinh praised Chinese firms activities to promote cooperation and investment in Viet Nam, which help deepen the Viet Nam - China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership and contribute to building the Viet Nam - China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance, as well as the growth of both countries.

He highlighted the significant progress in bilateral relations, recognising the contributions by China's business community to this result.

He noted that trade between the two countries has quadrupled over the past decade, making China the largest import market for Viet Nam and Viet Nam the largest ASEAN trading partner of China.

Chinese investment in Viet Nam has also increased sevenfold, with China now ranking sixth among 146 investment partners in the Southeast Asian country. In 2023 and the first 11 months of 2024, China became the leading source of new investment projects in Viet Nam, he said.

The PM underscored that as a transitional economy, Viet Nam is focusing on three strategic breakthroughs, including developing infrastructure, particularly transport infrastructure.

He invited the China Pacific Construction Group to explore opportunities to get involved in key projects, including the Tu Lien Bridge, the Ha Noi metro line of Van Cao - Ngoc Khanh - Lang - Hoa Lac, a metro line connecting Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh international airports, and cross-border rail and road projects such as Lao Cai - Ha Noi - Hai Phong and Lang Son - Ha Noi, with suitable forms and methods.

At the meeting, Chinese business leaders expressed their delight at Viet Nam's potential for collaboration, citing its strategic location, growing economy, favourable investment climate, and increasingly modernised infrastructure.

They highlighted their interests in sectors such as construction, energy, trade, real estate, electrical equipment, electronics, environment, health, biology, chemicals, new materials, and farm produce.

Yan said that the Pacific Construction Group and other Chinese firms, with their capacity and experience, are keen to engage in infrastructure development projects in Viet Nam. He emphasised their commitment to implementing best-quality projects in Viet Nam, describing the country as a "second home" for the enterprises.

Recognising Yan and Chinese business leaders proposals, Chinh said that he will direct relevant ministries and localities to support them in addressing their issues.

Noting that Viet Nam is interested in exploiting and developing the outer, marine, and underground spaces, he encouraged Chinese firms to expand their cooperation to the areas of their strength and Viet Nam's demand such as innovation, green development, renewable energy, smart city building, manufacturing industry, and digital transformation, especially emerging industries such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, cloud computing, and internet of things, while participating in building cross-border cooperation zones, upgrading international border gates, and piloting smart border gates.

Stressing the motto of understanding, vision and action sharing, working and winning together, and benefiting together for common development, the Vietnamese Government leader expressed confidence that the Chinese firms will achieve more successes in Viet Nam and continue to thrive.  VNS
PRETORIA  The Hazel Food Market in Pretoria, South Africa went vibrant with the celebration of the second Vietnamese Pho Day on December 7, drawing enthusiastic crowds.

Organised by the Vietnamese Embassy in the African country in collaboration with Vietnamese representative offices in the nation, the event aimed at introducing the quintessence of the Vietnamese cuisine to international communities.

The staff of the embassy and representative offices, dressed in the attire that featured the national flag and colourful conical leaf hats, served nearly 400 portions of beef and chicken noodle soup, together with 1,000 spring rolls and Vietnamese coffee. All of the offerings were free of charge.

An array of Vietnamese products were also on display at the event, including rice, confectionery, and instant noodles.

Coming to the celebration, local people were not only treated to a feast of Vietnamese cuisine but also cultural experience. Keith Dali said this was the first time he tried Vietnamese food and it truly made him want to visit Vietnam. Meanwhile, Zune Naude saw the event as a chance to experience different cultures and meet such warm and welcoming Vietnamese people.

Venezuelan Ambassador Carlos Feo Acevedo said transcending mere food tasting, the event promoted friendship as everyone shared the joyful spirit of the Vietnamese people. VNA/VNS
NEW DELHI  Viet Nam has enhanced its global position and emerged as one of the important countries not only in the region but also in the world, said former Indian Deputy National Security Advisor SD Pradhan in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident correspondent in New Delhi, India.

According to Pradhan, Viet Nam has achieved many significant milestones this year, particularly in the areas of economy, diplomacy, and defence.

Regarding economic development, Viet Nam's growth rate reached nearly 7 per cent. Its amazing, especially amidst a currently unfavourable global economic environment. By the end of this year, Viet Nam's GDP is projected to reach approximately US$469 billion, with per capita income around $4,649.

Pradhan identified four key factors that have helped Vietnam achieve these accomplishments. They are bold economic reforms; creating a favourable environment for business activities, attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and companies relocating production bases; building a skilled workforce; and integrating into global trade and production activities.

The Indian expert also noted the positive impact of Viet Nam's developing middle class, leading to higher domestic consumption and boosting retail, real estate, and service sectors.

According to Pradhan, a crucial aspect contributing to Viet Nam's economic development is its determination to combat corruption. He believed that Viet Nam has become a model of economic growth, recognised by both the World Bank (WB) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

In terms of diplomacy, Viet Nam continues to maintain the bamboo diplomacy" initiated by Party General Secretary Viet Nam.

In a short period, Viet Nam has developed its relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the US, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, France, and Malaysia. Previously, Viet Nam had established Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships with Russia, India, and China.

Party General Secretary To Lam has continued to promote the policy of late General Secretary Viet Nam. In recent months, Viiet Nam has signed Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships with France and Malaysia. This acknowledges the contributions of Vietnamese policymakers, who are following President Ho Chi Minhs thought of "more friends, fewer enemies." Importantly, Party General Secretary To Lam believes that Viet Nam's development path cannot be separated from the general trends of the world. This perspective is highly appreciated, according to the Indian politician.

To maintain the momentum of development in 2024 and achieve even greater successes in 2025, Pradhan believed that Viet Nam needs to continue its policies in the economic and diplomatic fields while paying more attention to security aspects.

He also suggested Viet Nam focus on developing renewable energy and creating trading hubs by developing ports. et should also pay attention to preserving resources from the Mekong River and undersea mineral resources to ensure sustainable development.  VNS
HA NOI  National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Mans recent visits to Singapore and Japan were successful, producing substantive results, contributing to strengthening political trust and creating new impetus for further deepening the relations between Viet Nam and the two countries, said the Chairman of the NAs Committee for External Relations Vu Hai Ha.

The official highlighted the significance of the visits to two of Viet Nam's important partners in Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia, saying that with over 50 activities, the trips recorded substantive and comprehensive results across all channels -- Party, parliament, government, and people-to-people exchange, and the key pillars of the Strategic Partnership with Singapore and the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Japan.

The high-ranking leaders of Singapore and Japan offered a respectful, sincere, cordial and warm reception to the top Vietnamese legislator, reflecting the strong trust and good political relations between Viet Nam and the two countries, Ha said.

Notably, the visit to Singapore took place at the time when the two countries agreed to soon elevate their relations, contributing to creating momentum to promote their ministries, sectors, and businesses to actively implement signed cooperation agreements, he went on.

According to Ha, Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru acknowledged Viet Nams great development potential, saying that it is poised to become a leading nation in Asia. Meanwhile, President of the House of Councilors of Japan Sekiguchi Masakazu expressed his belief that 2024 will mark the beginning of a new journey of cooperation between the two countries in the next five decades.

The PM and the Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore have both accepted the invitation to visit Viet Nam in 2025. The Singaporean President and PM also invited and expressed their desire to welcome Party General Secretary To Lam to visit Singapore at an appropriate time, possibly in 2025, Ha said.

For parliament cooperation, the Vietnamese, Singaporean and Japanese leaders emphasised the important role of legislative bodies in promoting bilateral relations, agreeing to make efforts to further deepen and concretise the Viet Nam-Singapore Strategic Partnership and the Viet Nam-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership through the parliamentary channel; and further strengthen the important role of parliamentary friendship groups/alliances in boosting people-to-people exchanges, business cooperation, and cooperation between Vietnamese localities with Singaporean and Japanese peers.

He noted that a highlight of the Japan visit was the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Vietnamese NA and the House of Councilors of Japan, which lays a legal foundation for the two legislative bodies to continue implementing and concretising the results achieved, as well as expanding cooperation in various fields, thereby deepening the Viet Nam-Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

To promote substantive cooperation between the Vietnamese NA and the Singaporean Parliament, the top Vietnamese legislator and Singaporean leaders agreed to continue effectively implementing the cooperation agreement between the two parliaments, contributing to elevating the Viet Nam-Singapore Strategic Partnership to a new height.

Regarding economic cooperation, the sides affirmed that economic cooperation continues to be the key pillar of the Viet Nam-Singapore and Viet Nam-Japan relations. They agreed to further strengthen economic links, and promote collaboration in high-quality infrastructure; and proposed new areas of cooperation like emissions reduction, semiconductors, energy, digital transformation, and green transition, towards concretising and deepening the new framework of cooperation across all the channels of Party, parliament, government, and people-to-people exchange, Ha noted.

One of the highlights of the relations between Viet Nam and Singapore is the success of the 18 Viet Nam-Singapore Industrial Parks (VSIP) across 13 provinces and cities in Viet Nam. Singaporean leaders emphasised that the next generation of VSIP 2.0 will not only increase in number but will also meet new standards, such as green, smart, and sustainable VSIPs.

The Singaporean side highly valued the significance of establishing a green-digital economic partnership, which lays the foundation for promoting cooperation between the two countries in emerging growth areas, such as green logistics, data centres, semiconductors, energy security, food security, and green finance. Singapore eyes boosting cooperation with Viet Nam in connectivity, digital transformation, and innovation, which Singapore prioritises and Viet Nam has great potential with its young and talented workforce.

Meanwhile, the Japanese supported strengthening economic, trade and investment cooperation, and ODA partnership with Viet Nam, saying that Japan is speeding up the diversification of supply chains, and many Japanese companies are eager to invest in Viet Nam. They reaffirmed their commitment to continue contributing to strengthening bilateral relations across areas, thus deepening economic cooperation between the two nations.

Large corporations and enterprises of Singapore and Japan expressed their interest in and a strong desire to expand their investments in Viet Nam in infrastructure, urban planning, energy, real estate, trade, retail, human resources training, and labour cooperation, Ha said.  VNS
There will be no federal solution to the crisis that's coming By Stefan Gleason

web posted December 9, 2024 As President-elect Donald Trump assembles a cabinet that will be tasked with implementing policy change at the federal level, individual state governments are plotting their own policy responses. California Governor Gavin Newsom is organizing a coalition of blue states to resist the "Make America Great Again" agenda. Democrat governors aim to, for example, defend sanctuary cities against immigration enforcement efforts, impose their own "clean" energy mandates, and retain funding for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs that could be targeted for elimination by the Trump administration. Meanwhile, red state governors are largely vowing to work with President Trump to help him implement his agenda. But however hopeful Trump backers may be for sweeping reforms, the incoming administration will face roadblocks from Congress, the courts, and the entrenched bureaucracy in Washington, D.C. The reality is that not all of the nation's problems can be solved at the federal level. The elephant in the room  the rapidly growing $36 trillion national debt  wasn't even a seriously contested issue in the 2024 campaign. Trump has effectively conceded that the debt won't be tackled in any meaningful way because the political will to do so does not exist. It is up to individual citizens to protect themselves from the risks of a debt crisis that could cause the currency to depreciate even more rapidly than it has been in recent years. That means holding sound money in the form of physical precious metals will be no less important in the Trump years that it was in the Biden years. States can also act to help protect their citizens from unsound fiscal and monetary policies. In fact, several states passed pro-sound money legislation in 2024, thanks in large part to efforts by Money Metals, its customers, and the Sound Money Defense League. For example, Alabama and Nebraska exempted bullion transactions from income taxes. Wisconsin and New Jersey eliminated sales taxes on sound money. Money Metals' newly released 2025 Sound Money Index reflects this latest progress. It also reveals that several states, including Vermont, Maine, and California, remain hostile environments for precious metals investors. Although some state governors will never see the light when it comes to sound money principles, that doesn't mean they can't be pushed to embrace common sense reforms. In fact, bills to eliminate taxes on precious metals have sailed through on a bipartisan basis to become law in blue states such as New Jersey. Taxing citizens who choose to exchange fiat currency for bullion (or vice versa) is both unfair and counterproductive. States that tax precious metals transactions are at a competitive disadvantage to states that don't. Those states that take the lead in removing all sales and income taxes on gold and silver, holding bullion in official reserves, and fully recognizing gold and silver as legal tender will be the least vulnerable to a meltdown in the U.S. fiat dollar. Stefan Gleason is President and CEO of Money Metals Exchange, the company recently named "Best Overall Online Precious Metals Dealer" by Investopedia. A graduate of the University of Florida, Gleason is a seasoned business leader, investor, political strategist, and grassroots activist. Gleason has frequently appeared on national television networks such as CNN, FoxNews, and CNBC and in hundreds of publications such as the Wall Street Journal, TheStreet, and Seeking Alpha. Home
HA NOI  State President Luong Cuong urged the Viettel Aerospace Institute to enhance its national defence industrial infrastructure and continue investing in internationally standard research, testing and production facilities to build a modern and self-reliant defence industry.

He emphasised the importance of establishing centres for the inspection and quality assessment of defence equipment to better support research and product development projects.

The statement was made during a ceremony organised by the Viettel Aerospace Institute in Ha Noi to receive the title Hero of the People's Armed Forces for its outstanding achievements in researching and producing high-tech strategic weaponry for the military and the nation.

Established in 2014, the Viettel Aerospace Institute under Viettel Group was tasked by the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence with researching, designing and producing high-tech strategic weapons.

Over the past decade, the institute has successfully completed numerous missions, making significant contributions to military development, national defence and the protection of the homeland.

The institute has introduced many innovative and groundbreaking solutions that have saved costs, minimised risks and led to the production, upgrading and improvement of various types of weapons and equipment. These advancements meet the most stringent technical standards and strategic demands for training and combat readiness in diverse scenarios.

The high-tech industrial sector of Viettel Group has also attracted many senior Vietnamese engineers and experts who were working for major global technology corporations to return to Viet Nam.

In his remarks at the ceremony, President Cuong highlighted the institutes achievements as not only a source of national pride but also a realisation of the Vietnamese people's long-standing aspiration to have the strength and autonomy to safeguard independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He noted that the accomplishments and recognition of today are only the beginning, as the current global political and security landscape grows increasingly complex. The mission of building a modern, self-reliant defence industry is more urgent than ever.

The President stressed the need for proactive contributions to State mechanisms and policies to ensure a synchronised process from research and production to application.

He called for advancing research and development, technology transfer and the protection of intellectual property rights for defence innovations.

He also demanded the development of a highly skilled workforce, proficient in both technical expertise and political ideology, while ensuring the material and spiritual well-being and absolute safety of all personnel, engineers, specialists and their families.

Additionally, he called for stronger collaboration with domestic and international universities and research institutions to train and attract talent, meeting the demands of the high-tech defence industry.

President Cuong expressed his confidence that, with a strong sense of responsibility and unwavering determination, Viettel Group and the tnstitute will continue to achieve even greater accomplishments, contributing to the development of a revolutionary, professional, elite and modern People's Army of Viet Nam.  VNS
HA NOI  A recent agreement reached between Viet Nam and the US chipmaker Nvidia to establish an artificial intelligence (AI) research and development centre in the country marks a significant step forward in Viet Nams plans to turn itself into a regional tech hub, commented the current-affairs magazine The Diplomat in a recent article.

According to the article, the agreement will involve the expansion of an AI data centre owned by the Vietnamese military-owned Viettel Group, which already uses Nvidia technology. Nvidia also said it has acquired healthcare startup VinBrain, a unit of the prominent Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup.

In a statement released after the signing of the deal, Nvidia expressed confidence in the countrys bright artificial intelligence future. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang was quoted in the statement as praising Vietnams vibrant ecosystem of researchers, startups, and enterprise organisations.

The article recalled that visiting Ha Noi late last year, Huang said that his firm was committed to investing in Viet Nam and making the country its second home. In particular, it said it planned to expand its partnerships with Viet Nams top tech firms and support the country in training talent for developing AI and digital infrastructure.

Last year, Nvidia began collaborating with FPT Smart Cloud  its first Vietnamese cloud partner. In April, FPT announced that it and Nvidia would build a US$200 million AI factory using Nvidias graphic chip and software.

All of these activities are part of Nvidias broader push into Southeast Asia, where demand for data services has surged on the back of its exploding digital economy. According to a recent report, this was worth $263 billion in 2023, up from just $31 billion in 2015, it noted.

This focus reflects the growing importance to foreign tech firms of Southeast Asia, a region with a young, upwardly-mobile, and tech-savvy population, as both a manufacturing hub and a market for tech products.

This year, the CEOs of the US tech giants Apple and Microsoft also made tours of Southeast Asia, announcing billions of US dollars in investments, particularly in data centres designed to support the expansion of AI services, the article notes.  VNS
CANBERRA  The Embassy and Defence Attache Office of Viet Nam in Australia held a ceremony in Canberra on December 9 to mark the 80th anniversary of the Viet Nam Peoples Army (VPA) (December 22, 1944 - 2024) and the 35th anniversary of the All Peoples Defence Festival (December 22, 1989 - 2024).

Australian officials at the event included First Assistant Secretary for International Policy at the Department of Defence Bernard Philip, Assistant Secretary of the Office of Southeast Asia at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Caroline Linke, Deputy Chief of Protocol at the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Adeel Khan, and First Assistant Secretary at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet Pablo Kang.

In his opening remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Pham Hung Tam said the VPA is not merely a military force but a symbol of the solidarity, determination, and patriotism of the Vietnamese people.

The VPA has played a crucial role in the countrys history. Throughout the course of development, the VPA has obtained praiseworthy achievements and continuously proved its adaptability to cope with challenges. Besides, its contributions to peacekeeping operations, disaster relief, and international cooperation align with Viet Nams broader aspiration for a peaceful world.

He highlighted Viet Nams priceless partnerships with countries around the world, including Australia, describing these relations as crucial for not only strengthening Viet Nams defence capability but also enhancing regional security and stability.

Highly valuing the strong defence cooperation between Viet Nam and Australia, which reflects the spirit of their comprehensive strategic partnership, Tam believed that much room remains for their armed forces to bolster ties in the years to come.

For his part, Vietnamese Defence Attache Col. Nguyen Ngoc Huy said December 22 was designated as the day of the All Peoples Defence Festival to show the tradition of all people engaging in the fights against enemies to safeguard the country, and also to affirm the Communist Party of Viet Nams viewpoint that all people take part in national construction and safeguarding, with the peoples armed forces serving as the core.

He underlined the characteristics of Viet Nams national defence, which is based on the involvement of all people, peaceful, and self-defensive, with a focus on actively and resolutely preventing risks of war.

Consistently implementing the Vietnamese Party and States foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, and proactive, active and comprehensive integration into the world, the VPA has over the past years stepped up defence diplomacy in both bilateral and multilateral aspects, reaping pragmatic results. It has actively taken part in UN peacekeeping operations as well as international cooperation in non-traditional security areas, humanitarian assistance, search and rescue, along with war aftermath settlement, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

Defence diplomacy has become a pillar of the Party and States diplomacy and also a critical channel for building and strengthening the strategic trust, and developing Viet Nams friendship with other countries and international organisations, helping promote the stature and prestige of Viet Nam and the VPA, according to Huy.

He noted that Viet Nam - Australia defence cooperation is now at a very high level, a bright spot, and a key pillar of bilateral relations. Bilateral defence - military ties are building on the obtained results and further expanding to reinforce connections between the countries armed forces, thus helping with the comprehensive strategic partnership.

On this occasion, he continued, the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence wishes to express thanks to the Australian Department of Defence for its support for Viet Nams peacekeeping force, as well as to the Australian war veterans and the University of New South Wales for their help with the project on digitalising information about Vietnamese soldiers missing in action.

Talking to the Viet Nam News Agency, Prof. Carl Thayer from the University of New South Wales at the Australian Defence Force Academy spoke highly of the formation and development of the VPA over the last 80 years, highlighting its role in protecting the countrys independence.

He praised the VPAs professionalism, creativity, discipline, and operational methods, especially in cooperating with all countries and engaging in humanitarian activities and peacekeeping operations, which have substantially contributed to global peace and stability.  VNS
BEIJING  The Central Military Commission, Ministry of National Defence of Viet Nam held a gathering in Beijing on Monday with over 30 Chinese war veterans and experts who supported Viet Nams fight for national independence.

Chairing the event, permanent member of the Central Military Commission and Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien recalled the role China played during Viet Nam's struggles for national independence and reunification, with essential contributions of weapons, equipment, logistical aid, technical expertise and training that were instrumental in securing Viet Nams victories during its resistance wars.

Viet Nam always treasures, remembers and is deeply grateful for the timely and heartfelt provided by the Chinese Party, Government, people and army, he said.

Chien said that the commission and ministry are undertaking a review to preserve the cemeteries of fallen soldiers and the graves of Chinese experts who supported Viet Nam's revolution.

He took this occasion to invite Chinese veterans to visit Viet Nam for the 80th founding anniversary of the Viet Nam People's Army and the 35th anniversary of the All-People's Defence Day later this year.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son echoed this sentiment, reiterating the profound gratitude of the Vietnamese Party, Government, army and people for the sincere and effective assistance provided by their Chinese counterparts, not only during the past struggles for national independence but also in the ongoing process of socialism building and national development.  VNS
HA NOI  The Vietnamese Government has introduced a new regulation requiring parents to register the permanent residence of their newborns within 60 days of birth.

The new rule is part of the recently enacted Decree 154/2024, which, effective from January 10, 2025, dedicates a specific article to the registration of permanent and temporary residence for minors.

Under the decree, parents or guardians have a maximum of 60 days from the date of birth to complete the residence registration process for their children.

While children can be registered at their parents' or guardians' permanent or temporary residence, the new regulations clarify that children can also be registered at their parents' permanent residence even if the parents are not living there.

The 60-day deadline for child residence registration marks a return to a previous policy that was in place before the enactment of Decree 62/2021. This earlier regulation required parents to register their children's residence within 60 days of birth, but this requirement was later removed.

Failure to comply with the new residence registration requirements can result in administrative penalties, including fines ranging from VN500,000 to VN1,000,000 (approximately US$20-$40).

Under the rule, Vietnamese citizens must provide a more comprehensive set of documents to prove their lawful residence.

For permanent residence registration, individuals are required to present one of the following: a land use right certificate, a real estate ownership certificate, a construction permit, a home purchase contract or proof of home handover and notarised rental, loan or accommodation agreements.

For temporary residence registration, similar documentation is required, with the exception of rental, loan or accommodation agreements, which no longer need to be notarised.

A notable feature of the new regulations is the emphasis on digital verification. When individuals submit their residence registration applications, authorities are obligated to cross-reference the provided information with the data stored in the citizen's electronic identity card and digital identification account.

This digital verification process is designed to streamline the registration process and reduce the risk of fraudulent applications. Only when the necessary information cannot be found in existing digital databases, will authorities require additional physical documentation.  VNS
HA NOI  Nguyen Thu Trang, 37, from Hoang Mai District, Ha Noi, has a six-year-old daughter, but she has no intention of having more children.

The reason she gives is that her child is growing up, she has some free time and she wants to focus on herself, her career and enjoying life through travel and leisure.

She finds the idea of having another child and raising a baby unappealing. On weekends, when she has free time, she just wants to rest or visit her parents. Having another child will be very tiring, especially since she is nearly 40.

"We don't want to be burdened with raising another young child. We are happy with just one child so that we can provide for her properly," the mother said.

ao Thuc Trinh, 30, from Nam Tu Liem District, Ha Noi, has been married for four years but has no plans to have children.

Both she and her husband prefer to enjoy the freedom of having a personal life without children.

Trinh explained that the decision came after seeing many of her friends struggle with the demands of motherhood, with little time for personal hobbies or career advancement.

In addition, the pressure of buying a house and the increasing cost of living are also among the reasons why they do not want to have children.

ao Ngoc Ha, 36, from Long Bien District, Ha Noi, is still unmarried.

She says the reason is that many of her friends find marriage difficult, juggling domestic responsibilities, childcare and their careers.

They have little time for themselves or to focus on their careers.

Trang, Trinh and Ha are not an anomaly.

They are part of a growing group of young people who either choose not to marry, marry without wanting children, or opt for only one child in Viet Nam.

It is increasingly common that young people delay marriage, are afraid of giving birth for the responsibility that will entail. This forms a pattern which likely causes risks of a population crisis for the country in the future.

At a recent seminar on the Law on Population, Professor Nguyen Thien Nhan, a deputy of the 15th National Assembly term, warned that Viet Nams population could shrink to 46 million by 2200 and down to just five million by 2500.

According to a forecast by the UN Population Fund (UNFPA), Viet Nams transition from an ageing population to an elderly one is happening much faster than in other countries, even those which are more developed.

This means that the country will face challenges such as workforce shortages, decreased economic competitiveness and increased social welfare burdens much sooner than anticipated.

Statistics from the Viet Nam Population Authority under the Ministry of Health reveal that the average age for first-time marriages in Viet Nam is rising.

In 1999, the average age was 24.1, by 2019, it had increased to 25.2 and by 2023, it had risen still further to 27.2.

In HCM City, the average age for first-time marriages has reached a record high of 30.4. For men, the average age for marriage is 29.3, while for women it is 25.1.

Urban women tend to have children later and have fewer children compared to those in rural areas.

The national birth rate is declining, with the total fertility rate in 2023 falling to 1.96 children per woman  an all-time low and is projected to continue decreasing.

The trend of getting married later and having fewer children is causing a noticeable decline in the population growth rate, from 1.15 per cent in 2019 to 0.84 per cent in 2023.

Causes and consequences

Pham Manh Ha, a psychology expert at the Viet Nam National University in Ha Noi told Thanh Nien (Young People) online newspaper that there are several reasons why young people are hesitant to marry and have children.

The first is the economic burden, the rising cost of raising children, coupled with limited incomes, especially among the young.

Additionally, basic infrastructure in education, healthcare and social services, particularly in industrial and economic zones, remains inadequate.

The lack of support from the Government and the unequal division of childcare responsibilities between partners are also significant barriers.

Many young people also wish to focus on their careers, fearing that having children will hinder their chances for career advancement and personal development.

Another contributing factor is shifting social attitudes  women today have more life choices and face less social stigma if they choose not to marry or have children.

Furthermore, concerns about future uncertainties make many young people feel insecure and unprepared to provide a good life for children.

Modern contraception methods and high infertility treatment costs have also contributed to the declining birth rate.

Ha also believes that the trend of delayed marriages and reluctance to have children is significantly impacting Viet Nam's population, economy and social structure.

The traditional multi-generational family model is gradually being replaced by smaller nuclear families, or even by individuals choosing to live alone.

According to Minister of Health ao Hong Lan, prolonged low birth rates will lead to a range of social issues, such as rapid ageing, labour shortages and strains on social welfare systems.

Additionally, the decline in the number of children and the increasing proportion of elderly people means that the country will not be able to fully benefit from its demographic dividend.

Solutions

To maintain a stable replacement-level birth rate and ensure a sustainable population structure, the Government has taken action.

Prime Minister issued Decision No. 588/Q-TTg, on April 28, 2020, approving a programme to adjust birth rates in different regions and among different groups until 2030.

The plan focuses on encouraging citizens to have two children per family, particularly in regions where birth rates are low, and aims to improve policies supporting families and children.

Currently, the health ministry is drafting the Law on Population, which includes the goal of maintaining replacement-level fertility.

This will be presented to the Government this month and is expected to be reviewed by the National Assembly in 2025.

Also at the recent seminar on the Law on Population, Nhan proposed several measures for sustainable population growth and a prosperous society.

The measures include increasing wages, ensuring adequate working hours, providing affordable housing and improving healthcare and childcare support for families.

Specifically, for a family to have two children, the income of two working adults must be enough to support four people.

The working hours for employees must be reasonable (eight hours a day, 40 hours a week) to ensure they have time to find a life partner, take care of children, family and personal interests.

There should be a competitive housing market with State support and oversight to allow workers to rent or purchase homes at affordable prices.

Employment conditions, maternity and paternity leave, wages and career advancement opportunities should encourage family life and having children, without creating conflicts between work and family life.

Sharing household duties and child-rearing responsibilities equally between husband and wife are advised to be strengthened to promote gender equality.

Moreover, the Government should implement practical programmes to assist infertile couples in having children.

The health ministry is currently reviewing the measures and working with relevant ministries to develop and implement policies that are tailored to regional needs and existing demographic trends.  VNS
TOKYO  The Japanese government will likely relax some of the visa requirements for Chinese nationals visiting Japan, by expanding the scope of multiple entry visas, whose holders can visit the country as many times as desired within a certain period, several government officials said.

Multiple entry visas are issued to people visiting for business purposes and to intellectuals and cultural figures. They come in four types, with validity periods of between one and 10 years.

These visas can currently be granted to the spouses and children of such people, too, and the government is considering allowing 10-year visas to be issued to other family members as well.

Foreign Minister Takeshi Iwaya is arranging to visit China within this year to meet with the Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during which he is expected to tell Wang about the rule changes.

In November, Beijing resumed its short-term visa waiver for Japanese nationals. It has asked Tokyo to simplify its own entry procedures, in accordance with the principle of reciprocity.  The Japan News/ANN
JAKARTA  The wedding industry is feeling the pinch of demographic change as the number of marriages in Indonesia has plummeted in recent years.

Last year, the archipelago only saw 1.57 million couples tying the knot, according to Statistics Indonesia (BPS), a fall from over 2 million in 2018.

Meanwhile, the share of young married individuals has continued to shrink to 30.61 per cent last year from 44.45 per cent recorded a decade ago, BPS data shows. Meanwhile, the share of unmarried young individuals has risen over the past years to 68.29 per cent in 2023 from 54.11 per cent in 2014.

Yunarsih, who chairs the Indonesian Wedding Organiser Association (Hastana), said that fewer marriages over the past years have taken a toll on the industry.

Hotels and wedding organisers for the middle to upper scale were affected [by this trend], she told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday, adding that in past years organizers would see a peak season around year-end, but this year it has been slow.

Many Indonesians see marriage as a burden, with more young adults opting to pursue a career, an education or socialising and travelling, according to Kompas. Some young people also prefer not to have children, while others suggest one can live without being formally married.

Others pointed to the high cost of having a family, as the population finds itself with cost-of-living issues.

The average age of marriage in Indonesia has increased to 22.3 years last year from 20 years in 2012, according to BPS, which indicates that more people are postponing getting married.

Tutus Wahyu, a wedding organizer in Surabaya, East Java, said that the trend has been hurting his business and others in his region, adding that this year saw the lowest performance compared to previous post-pandemic years.

Shifting trends and lifestyle choices among the young combined with a weakening economy in the country, Tutus said, have significantly influenced their reluctance to get married.

Established in 2016, his business, named Samakita Organizer, normally handles 150 clients per year, but it has seen a 30 per cent decline in bookings this year compared to the usual numbers.

However, this year, he also saw the highest cancellation numbers ever recorded, tallying to five to six clients.

Natasza Kurniawan, head of marketing at Bridestory, a wedding marketplace in Indonesia, said she remained optimistic that the wedding industry could still grow in the country amid the declining number of marriages.

Event visitors at Bridestorys wedding exhibition have remained stable at 100,000 people, while its website and app platform averaged 1.4 million visits and 390,000 visits, respectively, during the first nine months of this year.

Weddings in Indonesia are still considered sacred and important; thus, it remains anticipated and prioritized by grooms and their families, she told the Post on Wednesday.

Some weddings still incorporate traditional settings wherein there are a series of events that involve family members, resulting in a big arrangement, she said.

However, the company noted that intimate weddings have consistently remained at the top of the list of concept trends preferred by married couples from the first to third quarter of this year.

Intimate weddings typically focus on quality over quantity, which requires less money. Natasza said that an intimate wedding is more personal with challenging details and adjustments to fit the customers preferences.

Tutus pointed out that the intimate wedding trend could affect the profit margin for wedding organizers, given the smaller budget required. However, he also perceived the trend as an opportunity to attract more young couples.

Intimate weddings are more cost-efficient, so it can attract young couples that prioritize the value [of time spent] with their close ones, he said.

Tutus believes that the market from young generations, including millennials  those who were born from 1981 to 1996  could still give the industry an optimistic outlook.

Approaches to millennials require creativity, efficiency and personal communication. Focus on creating added value through personalized services and relevant promotion based on their digital preferences. This will help wedding organizers stay competitive amid shifting market trends, he concluded.

Tammy Vanya, a wedding organizer operating in the greater Jakarta area, Bandung, West Java and Bali, says the outlook for the industry remains bright.

Her business, Martee Wedding Planner, has been operating for five years and remains resilient despite industry challenges. She told the Post on Thursday that the key to surviving comes from a personal and emotional approach to clients.  The Jakarta Post/ANN
During the signing of the MoU between the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and Forvis Mazars Vietnam in Hanoi on December 3, a panel discussion on the green transition and its impact on the financial sector was held.

The discussion session features the participation of leading experts and representatives from top businesses in the finance industry. Photo: ACCA Vietnam

The panel featured key speakers including To Quoc Hung, country manager of ACCA Vietnam; Nguyen Hai Minh, Chairman of Forvis Mazars Vietnam and vice chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham); and Nguyen Tung Anh, vice chairman of the Sustainable Finance Committee at Eurocham, with Nguyen Phuong Hang, FCCA, member of the Advisory Committee of ACCA Vietnam, serving as the host.

There are two main driving forces behind the green transition: business results and mandatory regulations requiring compliance with green standards, said Hung.

Through ongoing research and dialogue, the ACCA has observed that Vietnam's regulations are increasingly aligned with global trends, particularly those seen in Europe. ACCA Vietnam has been working closely with government bodies, such as the State Audit Office of Vietnam, on topics like environmental auditing.

We hope that the forthcoming regulations will serve as a catalyst for local businesses alongside international standards. Moreover, businesses that participate in sustainability initiatives are gaining recognition and improving their overall business performance. Research has shown that 78 per cent of studies link sustainability practices with better financial outcomes, Hung said.

The panel discussion on the green transition and its impact on the financial sector was held during the signing ceremony. Photo: ACCA Vietnam

On a global scale, green jobs are increasing by 58 per cent since 2015, yet green-skilled professionals remain scarce, with fewer than 13 per cent of the workforce equipped with these skills. In Vietnam, there is a projected shortage of 500,000 digital transformation workers in 2025. While digital transformation is well-represented in academic programmes, green transformation skills are still lacking.

To address this gap, ACCA has introduced the Professional Diploma in Sustainability, a globally recognised certification set to launch across 180 countries by the end of 2024. Through these efforts, the ACCA aims to contribute to the growth of the accounting, auditing, and finance communities, with 95 per cent of green jobs in these fields directly related to sustainability transformation," Hung said.

Photo: ACCA Vietnam

Representing the government, Lang Trinh Mai Huong, deputy director general of the Department of International Cooperation at the State Audit Office of Vietnam, reminded businesses looking to expand internationally that integrating ESG (environmental, social, and governance) into their business strategies is essential.

"The key point is that businesses need to clearly recognise the costs and benefits of implementing ESG practices. Failing to demonstrate clear value may result in missed opportunities or difficulties, especially during financial crises. Using ESG measurement tools and reporting not only ensures transparency but also helps businesses craft sustainable strategies, maximise stakeholder benefits, and enhance their position in the global market," Huong said.

ACCA urges businesses to prioritise climate resilience as COP29 summit opens The Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) unveiled its latest report on November 11 titled "Weathering the storm: Building resilience against climate disruptions", exposing widespread neglect of climate risks as many organisations fail to update business continuity plans or invest in resilience measures.

Transforming accountancy with sustainability and ESG leadership ACCA and PwC Vietnam signed an MoU on November 22 in Hanoi to collaborate on implementing global standards in Vietnam.
BW Industrial backed by the US Warburg Pincus is one of the top logistics and industrial property developers in Vietnam

The COO of BW Industrial in Vietnam Fion Ng said the IPO would be definitely one of the potential options in the future that the company WAS continuing to pursue, in an interview with Bloomberg.

The IPO timing will depend on market conditions, she noted, confirming that the company is well-funded.

I dont think we will be short of funds in the near future, Ng said.

BW Industrial has seen no pullback from potential new clients over concerns Vietnam could face new tariffs on its exports to the United States, Ng said.

We have seen no drop in leasing inquiries, she said. In fact, we have hosted more site visits than before for manufacturers flying in from various countries, including China."

Leases this year are up 50 per cent on 2023 and the company is on track to lease 1.2 million square metres of industrial and logistics space in 2024, Ng said.

BW Industrial is looking to keep pace with construction of a million sq.m of industrial leasing land a year, according to Ng. We are not slowing our investment, she added.

BW Industrial was founded in 2018 as a joint venture of Becamex IDC and Warburg Pincus to develop for-rent logistics and industrial property Vietnam. The company has more than 10 million sq.m of industrial land in 12 cities and provinces, according to its website.

BW Industrial has a land bank of more than 1,000 ha in 58 projects in 12 cities and provinces nationwide

Becamex IDC currently owns 24.06 per cent capital of BW Industrial, equivalent to more than VND4.1 trillion (approximately of $170.8 million). BW Industrial now owns a portfolio of around $3 billion, including a land bank of more than 1,000 hectares in 58 projects in 12 cities and provinces, with more than 400 tenants, according to the company.
Trump Day 2: Restore freedom of speec h

By Mark Alexander

web posted December 9, 2024

Oh the irony...

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg joined Donald Trump for dinner at Mar-a-Lago recently. Zuckerberg, whose mega social media platforms Facebook and Instagram have targeted conservative speech for extinction, is the most prolific suppressor of free speech on the planet.

In fact, his company banned Trump's social media accounts on January 7, 2021, and only partially restored them two years after Trump left office.

But in July, after the first failed assassination attempt against Trump, Zuckerberg expressed a strong admiration for how Trump immediately responded: "Seeing Donald Trump get up after being shot in the face and pump his fist in the air with the American flag is one of the most badass things I've ever seen in my life." At the time, Zuckerberg rolled back some restrictions on Trump's Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Regarding Zuckerberg's visit, Trump policy advisor Stephen Miller said the Meta CEO "made clear that he wants to support the national renewal of America under Trump's leadership," and he sees Trump as an "agent of change and ... prosperity." But I suspect a major factor is also that Zuck is envious of the now-well-established relationship between Elon Musk and Trump, and he wants in on the action.

The Mar-a-Lago meeting was not only ironic because of how hard Zuckerberg tried to silence Trump but also how he and his vast empire of leftists have endeavored to silence conservative media nationwide. They have constantly restricted our accounts on Facebook and Instagram for completely indefensible reasons, including most recently, a meme just before the election about the failed Harris/Walz "joy" campaign. The result is that our highly engaged audience is only allowed to see about 2% of our content.

While we have all the data on targeted speech suppression, our social media constituency has no idea what they are not seeing. Until Congress takes some action to reverse the suppression of free speech rights, we have no legal recourse.

That notwithstanding, I think it is a very positive move that Zuckerberg sought and was granted the Mar-a-Lago meeting.

Trump et al. are facing a colossal challenge come January  trying to clean up the endless domestic and foreign policy failures the Biden/Harris regime is leaving in its wake.

But there are two issues that Trump and Congress must include among their highest priorities ahead of the 2026 midterm election.

I know we are still basking in the light of the most recent election and the biggest comeback in presidential history. Do we really need to contemplate the next election?

The answer is, emphatically, YES!

I am sure you know that the Demos have a long-term strategy to establish a permanent majority. Their success depends on two tactics  and they are already excelling in both.

The first strategy is rigging elections with systemic ballot fraud on a national scale.

They have already mastered the second strategy  the massive collaboration to systemically suppress conservative speech.

Fortunately, we have a reprieve to go after this corruption. The Demos' 2024 strategy had a BIG problem: The Harris/Walz ticket was, to put it kindly, uninspiring. Despite the bulk-mail registration and balloting in states with no voter ID requirement, along with all the Leftmedia bias and conservative speech suppression, they still could not pull off a win.

Humorously, leftist Demos are now blaming free speech for Trump's victory.

But the Trump/Vance popular vote margin was below the 50% mark, which is to say, this was no landslide mandate.

Amid all the upcoming challenges the Trump team and Congress will face, addressing systemic voter fraud and speech suppression must be a high priority if we expect to build majorities in the House and Senate in the 2026 midterms, or ever again, for that matter. That would include the prospect of a decisive JD Vance win in 2028.

Two weeks ago, I detailed the first issue in "Trump Day 1: Demolish the Demos' Rigged Midterm Election Strategy."

And I mentioned the second issue: "Over the last four years, Democrats have orchestrated a comprehensive effort to suppress conservative speech by collaborating with their Leftmedia publicists and social media platforms in order to keep a chokehold on public opinion.

These two tactics are the most perilous threat to the future of American Liberty.

Elon Musk gets it. "I acquired X in order to preserve freedom of speech in America, the First Amendment, and I'm going to stick to that," he declared in March. "And if that means making less money, so be it." And we all owe him a debt of gratitude.

Day 2, the Trump administration must do everything within its power to restore freedom of speech on the big social media platforms, where most Americans now get their news.

Mark Alexander is the executive editor of the Patriot Post.
At the second Mekong Delta Startup and Innovation Forum 2024 last month, Pham Thien Nghia, Chairman of Dong Thap Peoples Committee, delivered a message emphasising the goal of fostering a green growth economy while encouraging entrepreneurship and innovation.

The province is encouraging entrepreneurship through dialogues of all shapes and sizes

Dong Thap remains committed to maintaining public-private dialogue forums, creating new resources, and attracting domestic and foreign investments, Nghia said.

Simultaneously, the province has rolled out initiatives to enhance production and business management capabilities, foster innovation, and increase the application of science and technology.

The provinces development ambition this year has been to craft a constructive government with digital citizens, a circular economy, and green growth. Since the beginning of the year, despite various market challenges and fluctuations domestically and internationally, Dong Thap authorities have committed to bolstering the provinces image and driving socioeconomic development in line with this goal.

This commitment is evident in the provinces consistent high performance across multiple indices. In the Provincial Competitiveness Index, Dong Thap has ranked among the top five localities nationwide for 16 consecutive years. The Satisfaction Index of Public Administration Services, Public Administration Reform Index, and Provincial Governance and Public Administration Performance Index have all seen improvements, while the Provincial Green Index has shown significant progress.

Provincial management authorities at all levels have promoted the 2024 development message into everyday life. By integrating these goals into development initiatives, Dong Thap is set to create a cohesive, attractive, and distinctive provincial identity.

Leveraging local strengths, Dong Thap has focused on transitioning towards a green and circular economy while reducing emissions and environmental pollution. These efforts have allowed the province to adapt effectively to new global trends. Despite challenges in both domestic and international markets, Dong Thaps economy has therefore continued its rebound pace and grow steadily in 2024. Social and economic stability have laid the foundation for Dong Thaps economy to manage growth exceeding 6 per cent in the first 11 months of 2024.

The provinces industrial production has regained momentum and further expanded, with businesses increasing output to meet domestic and export market demands.

For the first 11 months of 2024, local industrial production index grew 8.5 per cent compared to the same period in 2023, driven by key products such as processed seafood and milled rice. The consumption index for the processing industry surged 14.8 per cent on-year.

Trade and services maintained growth, effectively meeting consumer demand. The total retail sales of goods and services in the year to end of November reached $5.35 billion, up 12 per cent on-year, achieving 88.6 per cent of full-year target.

Tourism indexes showed positive outcomes, with continually launching of new products and services to catch peoples burgeoning recreational needs.

In the first 11 months of the year, Dong Thap lured 4.1 million visitors, including 37,000 non-nationals. Tourism revenue for the period came to $81.2 million, showing a 16.7 per cent jump on-year, already surpassing the annual target.

Several key export and import items posted significant growth, such as rice husking and polishing volume up 17.5 per cent, processed seafood up 8.8 per cent; noodles, rice paper, and similar products up 20.6 per cent; and animal and aqua feed up 11.7 per cent.

The provinces total export value came to nearly $1.79 billion, shooting 34.5 per cent on-year, equal to 127.6 per cent of the full-year target. Local import value approximated $758.5 million, up 1.5 per cent on-year, equal to 95 per cent of the plan.

Dong Thap continues to enhance local business and investment environment, strictly adhering to its principle of going in companion with businesses. Provincial leaders have conducted multiple visits to observe business operations and preparations for workers welfare during the upcoming Lunar New Year holiday.

Since the outset of the year, over 600 new businesses have been set up in Dong Thap with registered capital reaching $173 million, bringing the total number of operating businesses to more than 5,300 units.

Additionally, the province gave the nod to seven new ventures, with total registered capital value amounting to $227 million.

Dong Thap calls for investment from Japan A conference aimed at promoting investment and trade cooperation between the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap and Japan was organised on November 29, attracting more than 50 enterprises and investors from both sides.

Dong Thap elevating value through lotus products Dong Thaps lotus has increasingly become a symbol of distinct economic value through festivals and enterprise successes.
Forum on green solutions for industrial parks and investment promotion organised in Vinh Phuc

The forum attracted 300 participants from international organisations, state management agencies, Vinh Phuc Peoples Committee and investors. On the same day, the Organising Board set up a field trip to CNCTech Thang Long and ACCTON factories in Thang Long Vinh Phuc Industrial Park, Ba Thien 1 IP and Ba Thien II IP.

At the forum, experts and representatives of state management agencies will share an overview of foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction in Vietnam and policy orientation to attract high-quality FDI in the country in general and Vinh Phuc in particular.

Besides that, they will also present the context, policy orientation and state support for the development of green and ecological industrial parks in Vietnam to welcome the new wave of investmentopportunities and challenges for Vietnam in the process of greening industrial parks.

An important part of the forum is discussion on proposals, solutions on trends, international experiences and recommendations for Vinh Phuc province in attracting high-quality investment.

According to Lawyer Nguyen Hong Chung, vice chairman and general secretary of VIPFA said, "The forum is not only a place to meet and discuss green solutions, new technologies, and sustainable development models for industrial parks, but also an important investment promotion event to help Vinh Phuc engage high-quality FDI capital."

Green and ecological industrial parks eco-IP will contribute significantly to efforts to respond to climate change, mobilise resources from the private sector for green industrial solutions, ensure energy security, and demonstrate the government's political determination in implementing sustainable development commitments, said lawyer Chung.

Green and eco-IPs are becoming the selection criteria of foreign investors with the goal of sustainable development, economic benefits along responsibility to the community and society.

In mid-July, Decree No.35/2022/ND-CP stipulating the management of industrial and economic zones came into effect. The decree stipulates that eco-IPs participate in cleaner production and efficient use of resources, are linked, and cooperate in production to realise industrial symbiosis.

Before Decree 35, almost all eco-IPs in Vietnam were implemented under a pilot model. In 2020, the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization and the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs of Switzerland launched the model on eco-IP intervention in Vietnam, utilising perspectives from the Global Eco-IPs Programme.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment is cooperating with other ministries and relevant authorities to build the circular guiding the implementation of Decree 35.

There are many barriers to expanding eco-IPs across the country. An eco-IP is a new definition, so it takes a lot of time and effort to communicate work to real estate developers and manufacturers, In addition, the implementation of this model requires a large investment capital, which is a weakness of domestic enterprises because the participants are mainly small and medium-sized enterprises, said Tran Quoc Trung, deputy director of the Economic Zones Management Department under the MPI.

Moreover, according to reflections on authorities IPs and economic zones, Vietnam has no special preferential financial mechanism to encourage the implementation of eco-IP initiatives. The investors also face psychological barriers and lack management capacity and experience, making them confused about their investment decision, Trung said.

Localities, including Vinh Phuc, target to complete industrial infrastructure to attract high-tech investment influx.

Vietnam Export Promotion Forum discusses sustainable trade The rapidly evolving international trade landscape has made sustainable development a mandatory requirement. New regulations on sustainable trade from importers are pushing countries like Vietnam to accelerate the transformation of its production processes.

Real estate developers pin hopes on eco-IP regulations Industrial real estate developers are waiting for a new law to open the path for developing greener models of industrial parks.

Incentives can boost eco-IP ambitions Encouraging the development of new models of industrial parks, including eco-industrial parks, is considered one of the most outstanding impacts of Decree No.35/2022/ND-CP on the management of parks and economic zones.

Best results will come from eco-IP direction Although the initial investment cost is higher than the cost of building traditional industrial parks, developers are still encouraged to follow the strategy of building green industrial areas for long-term gains.

DEEP C implements large-scale eco-industrial park model DEEP C Industrial Zones has scored laudable achievements after many years pursuing an eco-industrial park (eco-IP) model.
Speaking at the 20th session of Hanoi Party Committee on December 4, Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Ha Minh Hai revealed an estimated state budget revenue of over $20.5 billion in 2024. This represents 120.5 per cent of the city's target and a 19.6 per cent increase compared to 2023.

"For the 2021-2024 period, Hanoi's state budget revenue is projected to exceed $62.5 billion, up almost 18 per cent from the plan and over 11 per cent above the citys five-year financial strategy for 2021-2025. Local budget expenditures are estimated at $17.25 billion, achieving close to 89 per cent of the target and 67.5 per cent of the five-year plan," he added.

Ha Minh Hai, Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee

Discussing public investment, Hai highlighted that the planned investment budget for 2024 is $3.2 billion, more than 1.5 times higher than last year. As of November, disbursement reached $1.67 billion, accounting for 52 per cent of the plan. Hai acknowledged significant pressure to disburse the remaining 48 per cent in the final months of the year.

"To accelerate public investment disbursement in 2024, Hanoi People's Committee has directed all departments to focus on key tasks through January with maximum determination and effort to meet the highest possible disbursement targets," said Hai.

Looking ahead to 2025, Hanois state budget revenue is projected at $21 billion, a 2.7 per cent increase over 2024 estimates, with domestic revenue expected to reach $19.75 billion. Local budget revenue is forecasted at $6.9 billion, while expenditures are estimated at the same, reflecting a 13.4 per cent rise from 2024 projections.

Hai also detailed the city-level budget allocation for 2025, projected at $4.46 billion, an 8.6 per cent increase over 2024. This includes more than $2.1 billion for development investment, up 5.8 per cent, and $1.48 billion for recurrent expenditures, up over 26 per cent.

The 20th session of Hanoi Party Committee met on December 4

"Cumulatively, Hanois State budget revenue for 2021-2025 is forecast to exceed $76 billion, with domestic revenue contributing over $70 billion. Local budget revenue is projected at $27.5 billion, while expenditures are expected to total $27.6 billion," said Hai.

The vice chairman also updated adjustments to the city's five-year public investment plan for the period 2021-2025, aligning with the Public Investment Law and the progress and actual disbursement capacity of projects. "The revised five-year public investment plan amounts to $8.47 billion, consistent with the updated five-year financial strategy," he said.

The city plans a capital allocation of $3.63 billion for next year, in line with central government directives. This includes more than $2 billion for city-level projects and $1.52 billion for district-level investments, with $40 million allocated for urban areas from one-time land lease payments.

Hai emphasised that these adjustments ensure compliance with regulations while reflecting the citys actual implementation and disbursement capabilities.

Hanoi creates 213,200 jobs, exceeding annual target by 29.1 per cent In the first 11 months of 2024, Hanoi created 213,161 jobs, reaching 129.1 per cent of the annual plan, an increase of 6.4 per cent on-year.

Hanoi to enact economic-technical norms for training in 37 occupations Deputy Chairwoman of Hanoi Peoples Committee Vu Thu Ha has signed a decision to promulgate a set of economic-technical norms for training in 37 occupations.

Hanoi approves detailed planning for Quang An Peninsula Hanoi People's Committee has approved the detailed planning for the central axis of Quang An Peninsula, covering Quang An and Tu Lien wards in Tay Ho district, Hanoi.

Hanoi boasts extensive cultural facilities Hanoi boasts one of the most extensive and synchronised systems of cultural institutions in the country, with the full support of the community.
John Campbell, director, head of Industrial Services, Savills Vietnam

What have been the most significant recent trends in Vietnam's industrial real estate sector?

Vietnam's industrial real estate sector has undergone substantial transformation over the past two decades, mainly due to diverse foreign investment.

Twenty years ago, investments primarily focused on low- to medium-value sectors such as plastics, textiles, food and beverages, and machinery and equipment. However, in the past five years, there has been a notable shift towards higher-value industries, including electronics, electrical equipment, computers, and phones.

The evolution of foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam's manufacturing sector has had a significant impact on the industrial real estate landscape.

Before 2018, most foreign manufacturers entering the Vietnamese market chose to sublease land from industrial parks (IPs) and construct their own facilities. This approach required substantial upfront investments in land acquisition and construction, often involving long-term commitments, that could be burdensome for companies looking to assess market viability.

The rise of a new wave of FDI, particularly in high-value industries such as electronics and technology, has created a need for a different approach to industrial real estate. To address to the evolving requirements of these investors, a new model of industrial real estate has emerged: ready-built factories and warehouses.

Since 2018, the industrial real estate market has expanded its product offerings beyond traditional land leasing to include built-to-suit, ready-built, and hybrid storage facilities. This evolution has been partly driven by the changing preferences of foreign investors, particularly from the European Union (EU).

The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has sparked interest from European manufacturers looking to set up operations in Vietnam. An increasing number of these companies are choosing flexible rental solutions offered by firms such as BW Industrial Development, KCN Vietnam, and KTG Industrial.

Have you noticed any particular trends emerging for 2024?

When we compare 2024 to the early years of Savills Industrial's presence here (2017-2018), a significant shift is evident. Back in 2018, most ready-built factory leases in the south were relatively small, typically ranging from 1,000 to 5,000 sq.m, with very few exceeding 5,000 sq.m.

However, the landscape has changed. As more companies choose to rent rather than buy, we are now seeing much larger leases, often reaching 20,000 to 25,000 sq.m, with longer lease terms of 10 years or more compared to the usual 3 or 5 years.

Not only are we seeing increase in the number of ready-built factory deals, but they are also on a larger scale. Another notable change is heightened competition among developers. In 2018, the market was less competitive. Although BW Industrial was a pioneer, domestic players such as KTG Industrial and KCN Vietnam had emerged early on. Today, the competition is much more intense with foreign and domestic players.

How can the government further develop the country's infrastructure to meet the increasing demand for industrial real estate?

Infrastructure development in the south has immense potential for the region's future growth. Although these projects are long-term investments, the tangible progress made so far is inspiring confidence and attracting additional investment.

However, it is important to recognise that these projects require significant time and resources. The government needs to maintain a balanced approach, ensuring that the benefits are maximised while minimising any potential negative impacts.

The Vietnamese government has made considerable strides in initiating infrastructure projects to attract high-value manufacturing industries. Developments like Long Thanh International Airport and the metro system in the south will undoubtedly enhance the region's connectivity and competitiveness.

While the north offers its own advantages, such as a strong industrial base and well-developed infrastructure in certain areas like Haiphong, the south's strategic location and ongoing infrastructure investments position it as a key hub for future growth.

Vietnam has made significant progress in improving its logistics infrastructure; however, there are still areas where further advancements can be made. One such area is customs clearance, where delays and bureaucratic hurdles can affect the efficiency of import and export operations.

To address these challenges, streamlining customs procedures and accelerating clearance times could significantly enhance Vietnam's logistics performance. This would benefit both domestic and foreign businesses, making the country more attractive for investment and trade.

What steps can the Vietnamese government take to encourage more investment in e-commerce and logistics?

One of most critical actions any government can take to facilitate logistics is to invest heavily in infrastructure and ensure that projects are completed on time and efficiently. Infrastructure serves as the backbone of logistics, encompassing everything from customs procedures to intermodal transport, roads, and airports.

Another key factor is ensuring that sufficient land is available for logistics and e-commerce businesses. Some IPs in Vietnam are designated for manufacturing only, which can pose challenges for logistics and e-commerce companies seeking suitable land. To address this, it is important to develop parks that are flexible enough to accommodate both manufacturing and logistics operations.

While it is possible to submit a request to the authorities to change the land-use designation, this process can take several months and may vary depending on the specific province. Such delays can be problematic for investors who require quick decisions.

Many IPs that were zoned in 2007-2008 were primarily designated for manufacturing, possibly due to a lack of emphasis on logistics and e-commerce at that time. However, the rapid growth of these sectors has underscored the need for more diversified land use within these parks.

Future master plans for new IPs should allocate sufficient space for logistics and warehousing. Additionally, considering the significant growth of e-commerce in Vietnam, it is essential to provide suitable locations for distribution centres.
Most consumers are interested in nutritional ingredients such as protein, calcium, vitamin D, and essential fatty acids to provide a full range of important nutrients for the body. But with more and more strict shopping criteria, food safety and hygiene factors are now being held in high regard.

According to the National Science Foundation, 78 per cent of consumers say they place great emphasis on shelf life and often discard milk and dairy products as soon as they expire. This shows that products with a long shelf life will be prioritised for safety and convenience. As a result, UHT (Ultra-High Temperature) pasteurised milk products are increasingly being placed in shopping carts thanks to their long shelf life of six months to a year.

Tetra Pak, a world leader in processing and packaging solutions, pioneered UHT pasteurised milk technology to help dairy firms meet the needs of modern consumption. UHT technology allows dairy producers to expand their product portfolio, create high-protein dairy product lines, reduce lactose content to suit a wide range of consumers, and preserve the full delicious natural flavour of milk.

Tetra Pak UHT technology integrates with the Tetra Pak Direct heating module, creating a minimum heat load for food products, preserving the overall quality and nutritional value, and preserving the natural taste of milk. At the same time, this technology helps milk taste similar to pasteurised fresh milk. Versatilely designed with more than 100 options and several combined heating solutions, UTH technology from Tetra Pak helps dairy producers optimise production and meet diverse market needs.

Tetra Pak's UHT pasteurised milk solution is currently rated as the top performer today. The system incorporates ultrafiltration, an integrated filtration technology that eliminates bacteria, minimises chemical changes in the product, and retains important nutrients in the milk. In addition, the technology also helps ensure that products meet high-quality standards and taste fresh for a long time without refrigeration or preservatives, suitable for temperature sensitive products such as fresh milk, nutritional fortified milk, ice cream, and formula milk products.

Thanks to the multi-layer packaging structure of Tetra Prisma Aseptic, the product is protected from agents such as oxidation, light, air, and moisture. The combination of Tetra Prisma Aseptic packaging and advanced sterilisation technology ensures that the product is stored and kept fresh for longer, while maintaining nutritional value and flavour. This is important for the food and beverage industry, especially fortemperature-sensitive products such as milk and fruit juices.

The unique octagonal design of Tetra Prisma Aseptic packaging is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also fits in the palm for easy grip and convenience for users. Tetra Prisma Aseptic enhances product quality while meeting eco-friendly criteria.

With the mission: "Protect whats good" protecting food, protecting people, and protecting the planet, for more than 30 years, Tetra Pak has worked with and innovated in the Vietnamese food and beverage businesses, providing innovative, comprehensive, and sustainable solutions using advanced technology to help dairy producers meet the increasingly diverse needs of consumers.

The outstanding UHT pasteurised milk solution with Tetra Prisma Aseptic premium packaging is a comprehensive, integrated solution that helps businesses provide dairy products with a fresh taste and long shelf life. In addition, Tetra Pak's solutions support dairy producers to create prestigious, quality, environmentally friendly products while helping minimise production costs.

Tetra Pak ties up with VECA to expand used beverage carton collection Tetra Pak has joined forces with VECA to expand the collection of used beverage cartons to 18 districts of Ho Chi Minh City.

Tetra Pak again recognised with A score for transparency on forests Tetra Pak has been recognised for leadership in corporate transparency and performance on forests by global environmental non-profit CDP, securing a place on its annual A List.
This collection is the brainchild of renowned Vietnamese visual artist Bui Cong Khanh and crafted using the specialised ceramic production technology of Minh Long Ceramics.

Bui Cong Khanh is globally recognised as a pioneer of conceptual art in Vietnam. This marks the first collaboration between the artist and a financial institution like VIB, resulting in a remarkable fusion of artistry, gratitude, and collectability. The collaboration has birthed a unique and creative Lunar New Year gift, reflecting artistic sophistication and appreciation for customers.

Tu Vo, chief marketing and communications officer at VIB said, The unique art collection Tram song ve bien lon conveys VIBs message of connection and prosperity for our customers during the 2025 Lunar New Year. Created in partnership with Vietnams leading visual artist Bui Cong Khanh, the collection is not just a token of appreciation but also a symbol of the superior, distinctive, and classy values we aspire to deliver to each of our customers.

An artistic vision infused with cutting-edge craftsmanship

The Tram song ve bien lon collection comprises three pieces titled Xuoi dong, Tu hoi, and Sum vay. In the creative process, Khanh masterfully portrays symbolic imagery of rivers flowing into the ocean, encapsulating a profound message of family bonds. The collection reflects East Asian cultural elements through river imagery while embracing a modern, minimalist, and elegant design style.

Each piece in the collection features the artists exclusive signature, significantly enhancing its collectability and value for owners.

Minh Long Ceramics brought this visionary concept to life using advanced production and printing techniques, creating a limited-edition collection that embodies outstanding quality. This collaboration between VIB, Bui Cong Khanh, and Minh Long has resulted in a truly distinctive artistic experience for customers, blending tradition with innovation.

A limited opportunity to own a masterpiece by Bui Cong Khanh

The Tram song ve bien lon collection is an exclusive gift from VIB for depositors participating in the Tet du day  Trao qua nhu y programme. From now until February 28, 2025, customers who make deposits or maintain a balance in their current accounts will receive a limited-edition artwork signed by Bui Cong Khanh.

Details include:

 Xuoi dong for deposits between VND300 million ($11,823) and under VND2 billion ($78,822) or an average current account saving account balance between VND300 million ($11,823) and under VND1 billion ($39,411)  Tu hoi for deposits between VND2 billion ($78,822) and under VND5 billion ($197,055) or an average current account saving account balance between VND1 billion ($39,407) and under VND2.5 billion ($98,527).  Sum vay for deposits of VND5 billion ($197,055) or more or an average balance of VND2.5 billion ($98,527) or more.

A New Years message of connection, prosperity, and growth

Alongside the exclusive limited-edition Tram song ve bien lon collection, VIB includes a heartfelt New Year message in a unique seed paper card accompanying the gift box.

When planted and nurtured, the seed paper grows into plants, symbolising rebirth and sustainable growth. It reflects VIBs message, Every small stream today will join the great ocean, bringing a prosperous future and a green new beginning.

Tram song ve bien lon is more than just a giftit is an exclusive artistic masterpiece with collectable value. With limited availability, seize this opportunity to own a truly unique limited-edition artwork.

VIB receives award for card design feature VIB has been recognised by the Vietnam Record Organisation and Mastercard with a National Record and the Innovation Breakthrough 2024 Award as the first bank in Vietnam to allow customers to design their own credit card images through generative AI technology from Fiza x Zalo AI.

VIB and Flywire partner to streamline cross-border payments for students from Vietnam On November 14, Vietnam International Bank (VIB) announced a partnership with Flywire, a global payments enablement and software company based in Boston, the United States.
This rise reflects a dynamic and competitive environment that continues to draw interest from around the world. The processing and manufacturing sector was the largest recipient of foreign direct investment, garnering $17.1 billion, followed by the real estate sector with $5.32 billion. Singapore emerged as the leading investor, contributing $7.79 billion, while the northern province of Bac Ninh became the top location for these investments, securing $4.7 billion.

Meir Tlebalde, CEO Sunwha Kirin Consulting Vietnam

To capitalise on this momentum, Vietnam has implemented legislative reforms aimed at reducing bottlenecks and increasing efficiency in the investment process. By decentralising permitting processes and revising public-private partnership laws, the government is working to simplify bureaucratic hurdles and create a more welcoming environment for foreign investors. These reforms, led by Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung, are expected to unlock significant capital flows and accelerate infrastructure development, fostering economic growth in various sectors.

Vietnams openness to international trade and investment has long been a cornerstone of its economic strategy. This openness is supported by major trade agreements, which provide Vietnamese exporters with stronger conditions in key markets, allowing the country to excel in industries such as machinery, textiles, and agriculture. However, challenges remain, including foreign ownership limits in sectors like oil and gas, stringent licensing requirements in healthcare and IT, and inefficiencies in customs procedures.

Despite these barriers, Vietnam continues to attract investment through policies such as import duty exemptions, accelerated depreciation, and support for research and development. The competitive edge that Vietnam offers to foreign investors is multifaceted. The country boasts a low-cost production base, favourable tax policies, and a young, skilled workforce. These factors have encouraged global giants such as Samsung and Foxconn to expand their operations within the country.

Samsungs recent investment of $1.8 billion in a new OLED manufacturing plant in Bac Ninh, and Foxconns commitment of $551 million to projects in the northeastern province of Quang Ninh, are indicative of the confidence that major companies have in Vietnams potential as a manufacturing hub. Such investments boost the economy and enhance its standing as a critical player in global supply chains.

In addition to manufacturing, Vietnam is becoming an attractive destination for high-tech industries, particularly in the semiconductor sector. In 2024, US-based semiconductor companies pledged $8 billion in investments, signalling the countrys growing role in the global tech ecosystem. Vietnams semiconductor strategy, which includes financial incentives, research and development support, and the establishment of a national steering committee, aims to position the country as a leader in this critical industry by 2050.

However, the implementation of the global minimum tax (GMT) presents a potential challenge, as it may increase the financial burden on multinational firms unless the country introduces mitigating measures.

Vietnams mergers and acquisitions market has also gained momentum, driven by growing interest in industrial real estate, logistics, and renewable energy. In the first nine months of 2024, dealmaking activity reached $3.5 billion, bolstered by infrastructure developments and the expansion of e-commerce. Companies such as Alibaba are investing in data infrastructure projects, reflecting the increasing importance of the digital economy. Similarly, renewable energy projects continue to attract substantial foreign investment, aligning with Vietnams commitment to sustainable development and its transition to clean energy.

To support its evolving investment landscape, Vietnam has introduced a range of policies designed to enhance its competitiveness.

The investment law that took effect in 2021 focuses on high-tech industries, renewable energy, and infrastructure development. These sectors benefit from various incentives, including preferential land use, reductions in land rents, and import duty exemptions. Upcoming changes under the Land Law and Real Estate Business Law aim to provide foreign investors with equal operational rights, streamline land acquisition processes, and increase transparency in transactions.

A notable shift in Vietnams investment strategy is the move from traditional tax holidays to cost-based incentives, such as support for research and development and accelerated depreciation. This change is driven by the need to comply with global tax standards while maintaining Vietnams appeal as an investment destination. The governments plan to establish the Vietnam Fund for Investment Support underscores its commitment to fostering economic growth by financing infrastructure, fixed assets, and training.

Despite its many strengths, Vietnam faces certain barriers that could deter potential investors. Foreign ownership limits in strategic sectors such as banking, telecommunications, and energy remain a significant challenge. Moreover, complex approval processes for large-scale projects often require reviews by the prime minister or the National Assembly, leading to delays. The implementation of the GMT adds another layer of complexity, as companies must meet a 15 per cent tax rate, along with additional top-up taxes to align with global standards.

Nonetheless, Vietnams proactive approach to reform and its commitment to creating a business-friendly environment are setting the stage for sustained investment growth. By balancing national security interests with economic openness, the nation is building a solid foundation for attracting foreign direct investment while safeguarding long-term economic stability.
Trump Administration energy and climate policy imperatives By Paul Driessen

web posted December 9, 2024 Donald Trump and JD Vance have a mandate on energy, economic, immigration and other issues that won them 50% of popular, 58% of electoral and 82% of US county votes.



On January 20 they will begin tackling the numerous problems bequeathed by the Biden-Harris Administration and Washington Deep State: illegal immigration of criminals, terrorists and opportunists; outrageous government spending by bloated federal agencies; wars and crises across the globe; and federal and state politicians and bureaucrats determined to slow or stymie their every move.



Mr. Trump will let the DOGE out , to cut government waste. Pundits and political pros are offering advice across the board. My suggestions center on the "climate crisis" and the destructive policies it has justified.



* First and foremost, withdraw the United States from the 2015 Paris climate straitjacket. Its terms and subsequent agreements require that the USA and other industrialized nations switch from fossil fuels to "clean renewable" energy and de-modernize agricultural and other practices, to eliminate "greenhouse gas" (GHG) emissions. That would bring blackouts, de-industrialization and job losses.



It would also mean now-rich nations must pay developing countries $300 billion per year for climate damage "compensation" and renewable energy financing. But China, India and other developing countries need not cut emissions and will continue using coal, oil and natural gas in ever-increasing quantities, to modernize, create vibrant economies and lift more people out of poverty. That would mean even zero fossil fuel use by Western nations would not reduce global atmospheric GHG levels at all.



Better yet, send the Paris document to Congress for Article II Senate advice and two-thirds consent . President Obama's sly move of calling this accord a mere "agreement" that required no Senate "treaty" review cannot be countenanced. Paris was among the most far-reaching, impactful agreements in US history. It affects our energy, economy, jobs, living standards, healthcare, national security and more. It's a treaty and should be treated as such.



* Equally important, eliminate the institutionalized junk science, assertions and fearmongering that fossil fuel use has caused an existential climate crisis for people and planet. Begin by reexamining the 2009 Obama Environmental Protection Agency " Endangerment Finding " that carbon dioxide "pollution" threatens the American people's health and welfare.



Fossil fuels provide 80% of America's energy; raw materials for thousands of petrochemical products; and the foundation of our economy, health and welfare. Their emissions certainly contribute to the 0.04% CO2 in Earth's atmosphere, but this miracle molecule enables and spurs plant growth, thereby feeding the animal kingdom and making nearly all life possible.



EPA's convoluted finding defied science and reality. It allowed the Obama and Biden Administrations to justify biased climate "research," anti-fossil fuel regulations, sprawling wind and solar installations, and the transformation of America's entire energy system and economy.



The Endangerment Decision was likely the most "major federal action" in US history, yet it has no real statutory basis. It clearly defies the Supreme Court's decisions in West Virginia v. EPA, Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council and Loper Bright Enterprises, Inc., v. Raimondo.



EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin should direct the agency to formally and publicly reexamine the secretive process that EPA employed to ensure its "endangerment" decision  with no contrarian science, evidence, questions or public hearings permitted to challenge its preordained edict. A fair, balanced, scientific review would demolish the faulty Finding and bring the agency into compliance with SCOTUS rulings.



The President-elect's appointment of energy and environmental "czars" and National Energy Council will build on those important steps, help restore reality and common sense to America's energy and climate policies, rein in other Biden-era regulations and executive actions, and advance Mr. Trump's promise of US energy dominance and economic resurgence.



Other actions the new Administration and Congress should take include the following.



* Utilize the Congressional Review Act to reverse eleventh-hour Biden-Harris regulatory sprees  such as its ban on further coal leasing in the Powder River Basin .



* Open all US non-National-Park areas for no/low impact evaluation and exploration, to identify prospects warranting more detailed assessments for critically needed metals and minerals. Most of these public land areas were deliberately made off-limits to such evaluations by Congress, courts and the Deep State, making it impossible to weigh surface values against potential for world-class subsurface deposits.



China's recent ban on exports of several vital metals and minerals underscores yet again why America must not rely on adversaries for raw materials critical for US defense, aerospace, battery, AI, wind, solar and other industries  especially when those materials could be found and developed in America, under the world's best pollution control and environmental protection rules, technologies and practices.



* Reopen the Delaware-sized "coastal plain" of Alaska's South-Carolina-sized Arctic National Wildlife Refuge for oil and gas leasing, exploration and drilling. Congressional legislation in 2017 explicitly allowed those activities, but President Biden unilaterally cancelled all leases and permits in 2023.



* Require that applicants for climate change research and modeling grants demonstrate that their previous models and studies have been confirmed by actual temperature, drought and extreme weather data and evidence; and provide computer codes and analyses so that reviewers can view and evaluate their work.



* Define "sustainability" to reflect complete global life-cycle raw material requirements , mining and processing needs and impacts, energy required to produce raw materials and manufacture energy and other systems, and land, air and water pollution resulting from all those activities. This will ensure that wind, solar, battery, electric vehicle and other technologies are not classified as "clean, renewable and sustainable" merely because they don't emit CO2 or pollution after they actually start operating.



* End subsidies and fast-track permitting for wind and solar installations  especially offshore wind , where raw material requirements and costs are many times higher than for onshore turbines, and far more excessive than that for combined-cycle gas generators.



* Require that wind and solar projects, and associated backup battery and transmission line projects, meet the same environmental review standards and requirements as required for oil, gas, coal and metals mining, and nuclear projects, regarding local, regional and global air and water pollution, land and habitat destruction, wildlife disturbance and loss, and post-project equipment removal and land reclamation.



Even better, cancel the entire offshore wind program. Its electricity is weather-dependent and ultra-expensive, threatens wildlife and fisheries, and requires unjustifiable amounts of raw materials.



* Expand and streamline programs to bring new nuclear power plants online, especially small modular reactors  to meet rapidly expanding needs for abundant, reliable, affordable electricity for data centers, artificial intelligence, and increasingly electrified households, technologies and industries.



* Terminate Diversity Equity Inclusion, Environment Social Governance, and Environmental and Climate Justice programs, offices and funding. They only serve as twisted justifications for arbitrarily selecting preferred companies and communities that are often less qualified to serve public health and safety.



There is much more to be done. But this is a solid beginning for reducing or eliminating needless, excessive and harmful pseudo-science, grants, policies, practices and regulations  and restoring government of, by and for the People. Paul Driessen is senior policy advisor for the Committee For A Constructive Tomorrow ( www.CFACT.org ) and author of books and articles on energy, environmental, climate and human rights issues. Home
Workers at a battery storage site outside Pflugerville. CPS Energy and OCI Energy announced a new 120-megawatt site to be built in Bexar County. Sergio Flores/Contributor

CPS Energy will soon have enough battery storage to power more than 104,000 homes on an extremely hot or cold day after signing a new deal for a site that will add another 120 megawatts of capacity.

The city-owned utility and San Antonio-based OCI Energy are calling the new site Alamo City ESS, which stands for energy storage system. It will be located in South Bexar County.

Before the latest addition, CPS had 400 megawatts of battery power in the works as part of its Vision 2027 plan. The generation plan calls for growing the city-owned utilitys cleaner and more efficient power sources.

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This agreement is another important step toward a future focused on reliability, sustainability, and clean energy, said Mayor Ron Nirenberg, whos also a CPS trustee.

OCI has a long-standing relationship with CPS. It runs a solar farm on 70 acres near Loop 1604 thats already powering Texans homes. The company also is donating $250,000 to the University of Texas at San Antonio as part of the deal for the new site.

Together, weve delivered multiple utility-scale solar projects to Texass power grid, paving the way for renewable energy in San Antonio and across Texas, OCI President Sabah Bayatli said. Now, were embarking on an exciting new chapter  introducing large-scale battery energy storage to San Antonio to help secure reliable and sustainable power for our community today and for generations to come.

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE: CPS Energy begins process toward a carbon-free plan for utilitys future

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CPS said Alamo City ESS will be online by late 2026 and serve the area for 20 years. The system will be able to discharge power for up to four hours at full demand. Battery systems work like an energy sponge: They can soak up power from the grid when its less expensive and plentiful and discharge it when supply gets tight amid high demand.

Our community is growing at an exponential rate, CPS President and CEO Rudy Garza said. Every megawatt that we can provide our customers counts.

The CPS board approved the utilitys generation planning in January 2023. Since then, CPS has bought more efficient existing gas plants in Laredo and Corpus Christi, added 84 megawatts of wind capacity and contracted 730 megawatts of new solar power.

Vision 2027 also called for CPS to shutter its aging natural gas plants at the Braunig Power Station.

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The state grid operator recently stepped in to keep at least one of the Braunig units from closing because the plant is a key to avoiding trouble on a power transmission chokepoint near San Antonio. If the power lines get overcrowded, it could lead to cascading outages across the grid. CPS is working on transmission line upgrades to fix the problem, but the project wont be completed until at least 2027.

Batteries also can help ease transmission overloads by sucking up power before it overcrowds the vulnerable lines. CPS and Eolian LP announced in August they were building the Texas grids largest stand-alone battery storage site in Southeast San Antonio as well as another new site to the west.
JCB toy appeal sees record number of donations for Wrexham children

This article is old - Published: Monday, Dec 9th, 2024

A record amount of gifts have been donated for children in Wrexham as part of JCBs third annual Christmas Toy Appeal.

Kind-hearted employees brought in over than 1,700 presents across all of JCBs UK plants in Staffordshire, Derbyshire, and Wrexham  making it the biggest ever total since the first JCB Christmas Toy Appeal in 2022.

In Wrexham, toys donated by employees at JCB Transmissions will be handed to the Salvation Army for local distribution.

The Hubb Foundation now has the mammoth task of wrapping the bulk of the gifts before the charity distributes them to families in Stoke-on-Trent with the help of the NSPCC.

Lady Bamford thanked everyone for their contribution to the appeal. She said: Id like to say a very big thank you to everyone who has taken the time to donate a gift to the JCB Christmas Toy Appeal.

It really will make such a huge difference to every single child who has a present to open this Christmas.

As the final gifts were delivered to the World HQ last week, Lord Bamford was joined by Rupert Chilman, aged five and his sister Alice, two, to officially hand over the presents to the Hubb Foundation and the NSPCC.

NSPCC Strategic Services Manager Rachael Holdcroft said: The reality for many children and families is that Christmas isnt actually a magical time.

The donation of these gifts by the JCB workforce brings a little bit of light into what is otherwise quite a dark time for them and it will make the world of difference.

Adam Yates, Chief Operating Officer at the Stoke-on-Trent based Hubb Foundation said: The sheer volume of gifts donated to the JCB Christmas Toy Appeal is an amazing achievement by JCB employees. Id like to say a big thank you to everyone who has donated a gift this year.

The GMB union in Staffordshire donated 1,000 to enable the purchase of toys for the Appeal and in Wrexham the GMB donated a further 650 so gifts could be bought.
Over 200 calls made to North Wales Fire and Rescue Service during Storm Darragh

This article is old - Published: Monday, Dec 9th, 2024

Over 200 calls were made to North Wales Fire and Rescue Service over the weekend after the region was hit by strong winds and flash flooding caused by Storm Darragh.

An amber weather warning was in place across Wrexham on Saturday along with a rare red alert across parts of the North Wales coast.

Gusts reached up to 70mph locally while some parts of the region experienced wind speeds of more than 90mph.

The storm caused significant damage across North Wales, including flash flooding, fallen trees, and damage to homes and property  such as the roof of the Racecourse in Wrexham and kiosks on Llandudno Pier.

Many homes within the red warning area were also left without power during the height of the storm.

Over the course of the weekend, the North Wales Fire and Rescue Service control room received 202 calls related to the severe weather, 188 of which were received on Saturday.

Anthony Jones, Head of Planning, Performance and Transformation for North Wales Fire and Rescue Service said: We attended incidents including those involving dangerous structures due to the wind, fallen trees, electrical installations affected, house fires due to electrical issues and internal/external flooding incidents  including driving through flood water.

Id like to thank our dedicated staff and colleagues within our partner organisations who worked throughout this busy period to help protect our communities.

Id also like to thank the members of the public who demonstrated understanding and patience while following our advice relating to severe weather.

Unfortunately, we once again received a number of calls from people who had driven through flood water and found themselves in trouble.

These calls tied up our control staff and our responding crews when resources were stretched.

Wed appeal to everyone to heed our advice and that of our partners  including keeping away from flooded areas and avoiding driving through floodwater.
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
People view sodium-ion battery at the CATL booth during the first China International Supply Chain Expo held in November 2023 at the China International Exhibition Center (Shunyi Venue) in Beijing. VCG/VCG via Getty Images The logo of Chinese battery manufacturer CATL is seen on sodium-ion battery on display at the 2023 IAA auto and transport show in a hall at Messe Munchen. dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images Venkat Srinivasan, director of the Argonne Collaborative Center for Energy Storage Science, discusses battery research with a materials scientist in one of the energy storage discovery labs at Argonne National Laboratory. Argonne National Laboratory

Amid concerns about lithium-ion batteries, an alternative is moving toward the mainstream: sodium-ion batteries.

On Nov. 18, CATL, the worlds largest battery manufacturer, announced its second-generation sodium-ion battery, mass production of which would begin in 2027. The China-based company said the new battery has an energy density of 200 watt-hours per kilogram, which is an increase from 160 watt-hours per kilogram for the previous generation that launched in 2021. Higher energy density in an EV battery translates into more driving range.

On Nov. 21, a consortium of seven U.S. national laboratories announced a new initiative in which they would spend $50 million to foster collaboration to accelerate the development of sodium-ion batteries. The partnership is led by Argonne National Laboratory in the Chicago area.

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The two announcements are part of a larger shift as governments, researchers and companies look for alternatives to lithium-ion batteries, the dominant technology for EVs and energy storage. Wider use of sodium-ion batteries could lead to lower costs, less fire risk and less need for lithium, cobalt and nickel.

For now, there are no passenger cars or trucks sold in the United States that use sodium-ion batteries. Some sodium-ion models are available in China and countries that import vehicles from China.

The reason were pursuing this is very simple, said Venkat Srinivasan, a battery scientist at Argonne and the director of the new collaboration. Its because the huge demand in lithium-ion batteries has meant that we have a supply-chain constraint.

We have a problem with cobalt. We have a problem with nickel, he said, naming two of the metals often used in lithium-ion batteries.

Cobalt, nickel and lithium carry a variety of concerns, including the environmental damage of mining. Also, much of the supply is controlled by U.S. geopolitical rivals such as China, and some of the mining takes place in countries with inadequate labor standards.

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In contrast, a sodium-ion battery relies on an element  sodium  that you can find in table salt and ocean water.

Pros and cons of sodium-ion batteries

Among the other benefits, sodium-ion batteries perform better than lithium-ion batteries in extreme cold. CATL has said its new battery works in temperatures as low as minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Also, a sodium-ion battery has much lower risk of fire. When lithium-ion batteries sustain damage, it can lead to thermal runaway, which triggers a dangerous and toxic fire.

The process of manufacturing sodium-ion batteries is similar to that of lithium-ion batteries, or at least similar enough that companies can shift existing assembly lines without having to spend heavily on retooling.

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But sodium-ion batteries have some disadvantages. The big one is low energy density compared with lithium-ion. As a result, an EV running on a sodium-ion battery will go fewer miles per charge than a lithium-ion battery of the same size.

That is just what nature has given us, Srinivasan said. From a physics perspective, sodium batteries inherently have lower energy density than lithium batteries.

A typical sodium-ion battery has an energy density of about 150 watt-hours per kilogram at the cell level, he said. Lithium-ion batteries can range from about 180 to nearly 300 watt-hours per kilogram.

Asked about CATLs claim of a sodium-ion battery with 200 watt-hours per kilogram, he responded, We tend to be skeptical of news releases from companies. He specified that his comment applies to all battery companies.

The national labs initiative has a five-year timeline, with a goal of developing sodium-ion batteries with energy densities that match or exceed those of todays iron phosphate-based lithium-ion batteries. Researchers would do this by finding various efficiencies in design and materials.

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The project is happening alongside the labs ongoing work to develop and improve other kinds of batteries.

Cost competitive

Lithium-ion batteries dominate todays market. This year, global production of lithium-ion batteries was about 1,500 gigawatt-hours, and production of sodium-ion batteries was 11 gigawatt-hours, or less than 1%, according to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence.

However, sodium-ion battery production is growing, and is projected to reach 140 gigawatt-hours by 2030, about 13 times its current level, according to Benchmark. Lithium-ion production also is projected to increase  nearly triple by 2030.

The key market driver for sodium-ion batteries is their potential to be cost competitive with lithium-ion batteries, said Catherine Peake, an analyst for Benchmark.

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But cost competitiveness is a challenge right now because lithium prices are unusually low. The global supply of lithium has grown more quickly than demand since 2022, leading to lower prices.

Researchers and analysts expect that sodium-ion batteries will have a cost advantage over lithium-ion in the long run. McKinsey and Co. said last year that sodium-ion batteries have the potential to be 20% less costly than lithium-ion batteries. (Srinivasan agreed that 20% savings is plausible.)

Most of the push by battery companies to build sodium-ion systems is happening in China, but some of it is happening in other markets, including a plan by California-based Natron Energy to open its first large plant in Rocky Mount, N.C. Natron made its announcement about the $1.4 billion project in August and has not given a timeline for when the plant would be online.

Meanwhile, researchers and companies continue working on other battery technologies.

Srinivasan said sodium-ion batteries likely will gain market share over the next few years as an alternative to lithium-ion batteries.

Looking forward

Near the end of the decade, solid-state batteries will begin to become available, which would allow for higher energy densities and longer driving ranges. Solid-state batteries use a solid electrolyte instead of a liquid or gel. The electrolyte is the substance through which ions move as they go from side to side during charging and discharging.

The technologies can coexist in the market, Srinivasan said.

He thinks solid-state batteries initially will be most common in high-end models and popular with people who want the longest possible ranges.

He expects that sodium-ion batteries will be more common in low-cost EVs for people who live in cities or suburbs and dont place a high premium on driving range.
The Onion home page is displayed on a computer screen, showing a satirical story with the headline Heres Why I Decided To Buy InfoWars. The satirical news outlet purchased Alex Joness InfoWars in a bankruptcy auction last month. The purchase is back in court Monday. Mario Tama/Getty Images Right-wing conspiracy theorist Alex Jones speaks outside the federal courthouse after a bankruptcy hearing in June. David J. Phillip/Associated Press A copy of a print version of The Onion, the satirical newspaper, in November. Jill Bleed/Associated Press

A bid by The Onion satirical news outlet to buy Alex Jones conspiracy theory platform Infowars returned Monday to a Texas courtroom, where a judge will be deciding whether a bankruptcy auction was properly run as Jones alleges collusion and fraud.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez in Houston is set to hear testimony about the November auction and how a trustee chose The Onion over the only other bidder  a company affiliated with Jones that offered twice as much money as The Onion.

The sale of Infowars is part of Jones personal bankruptcy case, which he filed in late 2022 after being ordered to pay nearly $1.5 billion in defamation lawsuits filed by relatives of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut. Jones repeatedly called the 2012 shooting that killed 20 children and six educators a hoax staged by actors and aimed at increasing gun control.

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Most of the proceeds from the sale of Infowars, as well as many of Jones personal assets, will go to the Sandy Hook families to help satisfy judgments issued by juries and judges in state courts in Connecticut and Texas. Some proceeds will go to Jones other creditors.

The Onion, which wants to turn Infowars website and social media accounts into parodies, offered $1.75 million for Infowars assets in the auction, while First United American Companies  which runs a website in Jones name that sells nutritional supplements  bid $3.5 million.

The Onions bid also included a pledge by many of the Sandy Hook families to forgo some or all of the auction proceeds due to them in order to give other creditors a total of $100,000 more than they would receive under other bids.

The trustee, Christopher Murray, chose The Onion, saying its proposal was better for creditors because they would receive more money.

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In court filings, Jones and First United American Companies accused Murray, The Onion and the Sandy Hook families of illegally colluding on the bidding, committing fraud and violating the judges rules for the auction.

Murray, The Onion and the families deny the allegations. In his own court filing, Murray called the allegations a disappointed bidders improper attempt to influence an otherwise fair and open auction process.

Up for sale at the auction were all the equipment and other assets in the Infowars studio in Austin, Texas, as well as its social media accounts, websites, video archive and product trademarks. Jones uses the studio to broadcast his far-right, conspiracy theory-filled shows on the Infowars website, his account on the social platform X and radio stations.

Jones has set up another studio, websites and social media accounts in case The Onion wins approval to buy Infowars and kicks him out. Jones has said he could continue using the Infowars platforms if the auction winner is friendly to him.

Jones is appealing the $1.5 billion in judgments citing free speech rights but has acknowledged that the school shooting happened.

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On Friday, a Connecticut appeals court reduced by $150 million the original $1.44 billion judgment against Jones in the lawsuit against him in that state, but upheld the rest of the award. Jones lawyer said he will ask Connecticuts highest court to review the appellate ruling. Jones is also appealing a $50 million judgment in a similar Texas defamation lawsuit.


Registration now open for PDAC 2025

Toronto, Dec 9, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) is pleased to announce that registration for the PDAC 2025 Convention, taking place March 2-5, 2025, at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre, is now open.



The 93rd annual PDAC Convention will feature cutting-edge programming and a worldclass trade show with over 1,100 exhibitors. Building on the success of PDAC 2024, which attracted nearly 27,000 attendees from 138 countries, this year's convention offers unmatched opportunities for collaboration, learning, and innovation in the sector.



"With more than 600,000 square feet of exhibits, groundbreaking programming, and exceptional networking opportunities, PDAC 2025 will bring together the world's most influential industry leaders," said Raymond Goldie, PDAC President. "This year's convention emphasizes advancements in mineral exploration and mining technology, sustainability, and shaping the future of mining by strengthening partnerships with students and Indigenous communities."



Highlights of PDAC 2025



Engaging exhibits: Discover over 1,100 exhibitors at the Trade Show and Investors Exchange, showcasing the leading companies, technologies, and investment opportunities in the industry.



Thought-provoking programming: Engage in technical sessions, short courses and keynotes covering topics such as commodities, geoscience, capital markets, and advancements in exploration and mining.



Fostering Indigenous collaboration: The critical role of Indigenous partnerships is showcased through programs focused on land stewardship, economic empowerment, and meaningful engagement with key stakeholders.



Inspiring students and early-career professionals: Expand your horizons and connect with industry leaders through educational opportunities, networking events, and mentorship programs designed to support the next generation of industry professionals.



Unmatched networking events: Celebrate excellence at the Awards Gala & Nite Cap - the Convention's signature event honouring the 2025 PDAC Award recipients. Enjoy a variety of social events throughout the week, including daily happy hours, coffee connections and the Canada Night Finale.



Register now



Be part of the PDAC 2025: World's Premier Mineral Exploration & Mining Convention in Toronto. Register and plan your experience today at www.pdac.ca/convention.





About PDAC





The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) is the leading voice of the mineral exploration and development community, an industry that employs more than 664,000 individuals, and contributed $132 billion to Canada's GDP in 2021. Currently representing over 7,800 members around the world, PDAC's work centers on supporting a competitive, responsible, and sustainable mineral sector. PDAC 2025, our 93rd annual convention, will take place in person in Toronto, Canada from March 2-5. Please visit pdac.ca for more information.

Related Companies
Latest high-grade bauxite assays extend known Niagara mineralisation to 5 km2



High Grade Bauxite Now at Over 5 Square Kilometres

Perth, Dec 9, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Arrow Minerals Limited ( ASX:AMD ) is pleased to report further outstanding assays from its maiden drilling program at the Niagara Bauxite Project in Guinea. The project is located within trucking distance (~100km) of the multi-user Trans-Guinean Railway (refer Figure 1*).



The Niagara discovery is rapidly developing genuine scale and achieving high grade within trucking distance of the multi-user railway; Results from 111 holes pending.



Highlights



- Latest assays from 30 holes include;



o BS000096, 4 metres at 50.3% Al2O3, 3.1% SiO2 from surface

o BS000072, 4 metres at 46.6% Al2O3, 0.7% SiO2 from 1 metre

o BS000076, 6 metres at 47.1% Al2O3, 2.3% SiO2 from surface

o BS000075, 15 metres at 43.1% Al2O3, 3.7% SiO2 from surface

o BS000086, 3 metres at 50.1% Al2O3, 4.4% SiO2 from surface

o BS000090, 7 metres at 43.8% Al2O3, 4.1% SiO2 from surface

o BS000094, 3 metres at 48.8% Al2O3, 3.3% SiO2 from surface

o BS000097, 2 metres at 54.6% Al2O3, 2.2% SiO2 from surface



- Results from the first three batches totalling 73 holes confirm continuous high grade bauxite over 5km2



- Results from a further 111 holes testing additional extensions are due in coming weeks



- Guinea is the world's largest producer of bauxite, typically attracting a premium for high grade and low silica content



- Following the drilling of 180 holes (on 800 by 800 metres spacings) by Vale in 2007, Arrow has defined nine priority bauxite exploration target areas; The 5km2 area comprises three of these targets



- Discussions with potential bauxite customers are ongoing, generating significant interest at a time of record high bauxite prices of $US90-100/t CFR China



Arrow has already completed first pass baseline environmental studies, community engagement, and commenced recruitment of people from local communities to support the current operations.



Managing Director, David Flanagan, said: "These latest outstanding results confirm that Niagara is a substantial bauxite discovery with high-grade mineralisation already outlined over 5km2, with results from another 111 holes offering potential to grow the discovery further."



"This is all within trucking distance of a multi-user railway at a time of record alumina and bauxite prices."



"Guinea is the world's largest and most important supplier of high-quality bauxite. These results are comfortably in line with the product that has made Guinea the world's number one bauxite producer."



"Guinea bauxite is in high demand, contributing approximately 30% of global supply with a premium product specification at 45% Al2O3 and 3% SiO2 attracting prices that are currently at all-time record highs, of circa US$100/t CIF China."



"Coupled with the broad expanse of bauxite prospective lithologies intersected in drilling and our proximity to the multi-user Trans-Guinean railway, the Niagara Bauxite Project presents an excellent opportunity to create value for shareholders, generate jobs in local communities, and position Arrow to achieve its goal of establishing itself as a new independent, highly profitable supplier of high quality bauxite."



"With SRK's site visit due for January 2025, we aim to estimate a maiden Mineral Resource to form the basis for our planned Scoping Study to follow in the first half of 2025."



Niagara Bauxite Project and Bauxite Background



Arrow is exploring the Niagara Bauxite Project with the benefit of work done on this project by various mining companies from the 1960's, including geology and assays from 180 holes drilled by Vale in 2007. This announcement includes results for 30 drill holes on 300 by 300 metre spacings, completed and assayed as part of a program of 184 holes targeting high grade mineralisation intercepted in historical drilling.



With the guidance of Independent Resource Consultants, SRK Consulting (UK) Ltd (SRK), the Company has designed the current program with the intention of delivering sufficient indicated and inferred resources required to underpin a scoping study. Drilling includes twinning previous Vale holes, a programme of shallow pitting in areas of mineralisation as well as all the required quality control sampling and value in use ore characterisation studies required to comply with modern resource reporting standards.



A typical commercially viable Guinea plateau bauxite deposit is flat with a thickness that varies from 1 to 10 metres, on average, will have 44 to 46% alumina and silica levels typically averaging 3%.



Mineralisation is typically thickest along the edges of plateaus coincidence with subtle changes in gradient of 1 to 3 degrees, where meteoric waters, over geological time have enhanced grade and removed deleterious elements.



The application of surface miners to bauxite mining is now common throughout the industry, negating the need for drill and blast, and crushing and screening. The ability to excavate consolidated material (i.e. no drill and blast) and mine a minimum mining thickness of approximately 300mm using high precision GPS machine guidance makes the surface miner well suited to plateau bauxite mining in Guinea. The Company has visited bauxite mining operations, inspected various mining equipment and met with several contractors with current operating experience in bauxite mines in Guinea. The information collected during these visits, combined with the results from the current drilling campaign, allows the Company to start to define important operating parameters that will ultimately be fed into a planned Scoping Study subject to the estimation of sufficient Mineral Resources.



Arrow has also commenced and completed preliminary baseline social and environmental impact studies. The Company remains committed to progressing this work and continuing to engage with all relevant stakeholders through the permitting processes to conclude them in a timely manner. No impediments to exploration or mining have been identified and the Company has established productive relationships with key community and government stakeholders.



To view the full release, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/790KCT9V





About Arrow Minerals Ltd





Arrow Minerals Ltd (ASX:AMD) is an exploration and development company focused on delivering long-term shareholder value through the discovery of economic mineral deposits in West Africa. The Company has implemented a systematic science-based exploration philosophy whilst remaining commercially nimble to ensure we capture and retain value.

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Cobalt Blue and Mount Isa City Council Sign MOU to Develop Sulphuric Acid Supply Solution

Sydney, Dec 9, 2024 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Cobalt Blue Holdings Limited ( ASX:COB ) ( COH:FRA ) ( CBBHF:OTCMKTS ) is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Mount Isa City Council (MICC) to assess solutions to the looming sulphuric acid supply shortage in North West Queensland.



KEY POINTS



- Cobalt Blue Holdings Limited (COB) and Mount Isa City Council (MICC) have announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to assess solutions to the looming sulphuric acid supply shortage in North West Queensland.



- This shortage, caused by the imminent closure of Mount Isa Mines' copper smelter, will create a significant deficit in the market and jeopardise a significant proportion of the region's industrial employment base.



- COB has developed and patented a minerals processing technology for treating pyrite and demonstrated the potential economic recovery of elemental sulphur and metals from pyrite deposits.



- This MOU sets out a partnership in which COB will provide advice to MICC on the requirements, challenges and barriers to a potential pyrite tailings re-processing operation to produce sulphuric acid.



- COB has previously demonstrated its proprietary technology at its Broken Hill based demonstration facility with large scale operations over the last 5 years producing around 10 tonnes of high purity elemental sulphur from pyrite feedstocks.



The looming sulphuric acid shortage



The announced 2030 closure of the Glencore Mount Isa copper smelter will create a critical shortfall of sulphuric acid, a vital resource for numerous industries in the region, including the fertiliser, metallurgical, and chemical sectors. This shortage threatens to impact thousands of jobs and hinder economic growth.

To mitigate this challenge, COB and MICC have agreed to collaborate on the assessment and feasibility of a potential Mt Isa-centred pyrite tailings re-processing operation to produce sulphuric acid.



COB's ReMine+ technology is poised to play a crucial role in the collaboration. By reprocessing pyrite and other sulphide-rich mine tailings, ReMine+ can recover valuable metals (including gold, cobalt, nickel, and copper) while simultaneously generating either elemental sulphur or sulphuric acid. COB has successfully evaluated the application of ReMine+ to pyrite feedstocks from various regions, including in Queensland and Canada.



A signing ceremony was held at Council Chambers in Mount Isa this morning, Monday, 9 December 2024.



Peta MacRae, Mayor of Mount Isa, said: "This MOU with Cobalt Blue aligns with Council's commitment to a sustainable future for our industries, economy, environment, and communities. It demonstrates our commitment to developing a locally-made solution to the looming sulphuric acid shortage that will otherwise have a huge negative impact on many of our largest industries. Mount Isa already has expertise in the production of sulphuric acid and has existing air monitoring systems in place to ensure community safety. Cobalt Blue's technology solves the issue of dealing with old tailings as well as reinforcing the economics of the supply chain for the whole of Australia. It also reduces the sovereign risk of relying on international sulphuric acid supply."



Joe Kaderavek, CEO of Cobalt Blue, added: "Queensland's North West Minerals Province offers a wealth of opportunity for sustainable mining and resource recovery. Our ReMine+ technology can unlock the value of these resources and produce essential commodities, like sulphuric acid, which is critical across several industries in the region. This MOU underscores the resilience and innovation that prevails in Australian mining communities."



Next steps in the partnership



The next steps include assessing the commercial and operational viability of different technologies, feedstocks, and outputs.



COB will aim to complete proof of concept testwork within 16 weeks of receipt of sample, with MICC assisting, where possible, to source samples. COB will also advise MICC on the requirements, challenges, and barriers to a potential pyrite tailings reprocessing operation in the region to produce sulphuric acid.



During the assessment process, MICC intends to set aside land upon which to build and operate a pilot-scale plant that would evaluate the amenability of technologies to process pyrite into sulphur and sulphuric acid and create associated business and community benefits. COB will provide advice and detailed information on the construction, power and other consumables required for the plant.



By combining MICC's local knowledge and infrastructure with COB's advanced technology, this collaboration aims to deliver a sustainable and economically viable solution to the sulphuric acid supply challenge in North West Queensland. Developing a commercially viable, low impact solution to acid supply, whilst alleviating long term environmental liabilities and generating critical and other metal revenue through tailings re-processing is in the interest of all stakeholders.



This video summarises COB's the patented process to extract valuable metals and sulphur from mine waste to minimise environmental risks:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jV2LSHHFYw4



The MOU shall remain in force until 31 December 2029 unless terminated earlier by a party. A party has the right to terminate the MOU with written notice.



Cobalt Blue expertise - high purity elemental sulphur



COB has previously designed, built and operated a demonstration facility utilising its proprietary technology. Over the last five years a series of large scale testwork programs have been executed with around 10 tonnes of high purity elemental sulphur produced utilising available pyrite concentrate feedstock from the Broken Hill Cobalt Project. The sulphur was produced via a commercial rotary kiln typically operating at 150-300kg/hr throughput capacity.



Samples from the testwork were then shared with potential customers to gauge the quality of the resulting elemental sulphur, with positive assessments underpinning the viability of the technology.



Elemental sulphur is a clean, low hazardous product used as a precursor to manufacture sulphuric acid, providing industry with significant advantages in handling, storage and transport and allowing sulphuric acid to be produced directly at the customer site driven by local production requirements. COB's technology, focusing on elemental sulphur production, was included as a solution in the "Queensland Sulphuric Acid Study (August 2024)" (Core Resources Ltd) delivered to the Queensland Government for further assessment.



COB's decision to focus on elemental sulphur production, rather than sulphuric acid, for the Broken Hill Cobalt Project was driven by the low local sulphuric acid demand profile. This demand profile is in sharp contrast to that of Queensland's North West Minerals Province, which the 2024 Sulphuric Acid Supply Study estimates to grown from 1.30Mt/year to 2.8-5.0Mt/year in the future. A focus for work under the MOU with MICC will be to demonstrate the flexibility of COB's process for direct production of sulphuric acid.



The benefit of the COB process is that sulphur gas excess to acid requirements can be cooled and prilled as elemental sulphur for safe storage against future acid deficit, ensuring security of supply for the region.



*To view tables and figures, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/F5VD0XX7





About Cobalt Blue Holdings Limited





Cobalt Blue Holdings Ltd (ASX:COB) (FRA:COH) (OTCMKTS:CBBHF) has a strategic approach that positions us to be among the first wave of new entrants into the allied battery materials supply chain. We are committed to playing a leading role in securing a stable and sustainable future for critical minerals.

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A view of the Golden Pass LNG Terminal construction site in Sabine Pass near the Gulf Coast is shown in this 2023 photo. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer Bulldozers clear the site of Rio Grande LNG in February. Dylan Baddour/Inside Climate News A view of the Golden Pass LNG Terminal construction site in Sabine Pass near the Gulf Coast is shown in this 2023 photo. The photo was taken from the Louisiana side of the Sabine River. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

Three low-income school districts in Texas have granted more than $2 billion in tax relief to new liquefied natural gas terminals on the Gulf Coast, according to a report released this week by the Sierra Club, which tallied publicly available data on agreements between companies and local public entities.

Those tax breaks, intended to attract investment and employment opportunities, totaled about $4 million per permanent post-construction job promised by developers of the gas projects, said the 34-page report, The People Always Pay: Tax Breaks Force Gulf Communities to Subsidize the LNG Industry.

Sierra Club researchers compiled dozens of different tax agreements from 15 LNG projects in Texas and Louisiana that are currently operating, under construction or planned. Proponents of such incentive programs say offering tax breaks supports big business that fuels the economy, attracts investment and upholds American energy dominance. Critics say the tax breaks deprive local communities of important revenue.

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Subsidies remain the norm in the U.S. buildout of massive, capital-intensive export terminals, concentrated on the Louisiana and Texas Gulf Coast, the Sierra Club report said. LNG developers in these areas typically receive lucrative tax breaks that deny the local community critical funds for social services and infrastructure.

A collection of enormous LNG projects has cropped up along the Gulf Coast in Texas and Louisiana in recent years, fueled by booming gas production in the shale fields of Texas. The facilities pipe in shale gas, compress it into a super-cool liquid at minus 260 degrees Fahrenheit and then load it onto ocean tankers for sale overseas. Five new terminals in the Gulf already have helped make the U.S. the worlds largest exporter of LNG. Another five are currently under construction, four of them in Texas.

According to the Texas comptroller, those four projects represent $49 billion in investments in the state, while Texas three operating LNG terminals exported more than $9 billion in 2023.

The liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry in Texas is a crucial component of the states energy sector, driven by abundant natural gas reserves and extensive infrastructure. Texas location and robust export capabilities make it a key player in the global LNG market, contributing significantly to the states economy, the report states.

Tax abatement agreements offer tax discounts to major projects in exchange for commitments of economic growth, jobs and sometimes cash payments. Most states offer at least one business tax break incentive program, said Manish Bhatt, a senior policy analyst at the Tax Foundation, a nonpartisan tax research and policy organization in Washington, D.C.

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There is some question about whether they are effective, Bhatt said. In some cases it can prove difficult to measure the effectiveness of these incentives.

Chapter 313 tax breaks

In Texas, the Sierra Club report compiled tax agreements under the states Chapter 313 program, which is administered by local school districts. Even though that program expired in 2022 and was replaced, LNG projects hold more than a dozen 10-year agreements beginning as late as 2042.

For example, developers of Port Arthur LNG secured two Chapter 313 tax agreements with Sabine Pass Independent School District, set to take effect in 2028 and 2032, representing two phases of project construction. The agreements levy school district taxes on just 1% of Port Arthur LNGs taxable land value in exchange for annual cash payments of about $9.4 million and commitments of job creation. In each of its agreement applications, Port Arthur LNG promised about 1,400 construction jobs during four years of construction for each phase, then 10 permanent full-time jobs thereafter.

Under the agreements, Port Arthur LNG would save $694 million in tax obligations over 10 years, according to the Sierra Club analysis. The nearby Golden Pass LNG project also holds three 10-year agreements with Sabine Pass ISD collectively worth $235 million.

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Neither company responded to requests for comment.

The idea of most local governments is that if we dont give them what they want, they will go somewhere else, said John Beard, a former Port Arthur City Council member and founder of the Port Arthur Community Action Network. We get shortchanged, we dont get the money that we should get.

In Brazoria County, Freeport LNG holds four Chapter 313 agreements with the Brazosport ISD. According to the Sierra Club analysis, without those agreements Freeport LNG would owe $767 million in school district taxes over 10 years. With the agreements, Freeport LNG will pay $157 million in school district taxes and $162 million in cash payments, netting $447 million in savings. In the agreements, Freeport LNG promised to create 218 full-time jobs after construction.

Freeport LNG did not respond to a request for comment.

Some of the largest school district tax breaks in all of Texas go to an LNG terminal outside Corpus Christi operated by Cheniere.

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Corpus Christi LNG holds eight Chapter 313 agreements, which will take effect in various years between 2019 and 2042. Collectively, they represent a $762 million tax discount, according to the Sierra Club analysis, annually equivalent to two-thirds of expenses at the surrounding Gregory-Portland ISD. In the agreements, the company commits to create 270 full-time post-construction jobs.

Despite the lost revenue, school districts and local governments in Texas almost always grant tax abatement applications from big industrial projects, said Dick Lavine, a former fiscal analyst with Every Texan who has researched tax policy at the Texas Capitol for 40 years.

Everybody says yes, Lavine said. So if you say yes, nobody is going to blame you. If you say no and for some reason the projects locate elsewhere, youre going to be in trouble with your voters.

Local tax breaks arent likely a major factor in the siting of LNG projects, Lavine said, because developers require locations with waterfront accesses in major ports and access to gas pipelines.

Only one school district has denied tax abatement applications from LNG developers. In far South Texas, Port Isabel ISD rejected applications from Rio Grande LNG and Texas LNG in 2016 and 2022. In 2024, the city of Port Isabel even passed a resolution that condemns the potential granting of tax abatements to LNG facilities as being un-necessary and against the public interest.

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However, Chapter 313 isnt the only tax break program in Texas. Its just the easiest to track.

Not the only option

Both Rio Grande LNG and Texas LNG secured tax relief from the Cameron County Commissioners Court under a program called Chapter 312, which is administered by county governments.

In fact, every LNG project in Texas also holds tax relief agreements under Chapter 312, according to the Sierra Club report.

But abatements through the Chapter 312 program are much harder to track, said Lavine, due to looser reporting requirements. While agreements and analysis of Texas Chapter 313 agreements are all available on the comptroller website, the details of Chapter 312 agreements can often be accessed only via records requests to county governments.

Thats because Chapter 313 affects revenues from the budget of the state government, which funds many school districts. When districts face a tax revenue shortfall, the state makes up the difference. As a result, lawmakers have required transparent reporting for agreements under Chapter 313, Lavine said.

In contrast, Chapter 312 agreements affect only county tax revenue, and dont concern the state government. As a result, Lavine said, the full extent of tax breaks awarded under Chapter 312 in Texas remains unknown.

Its no skin off the Legislatures back, he said. I dont think anybody has an incentive to do anything about it.

Not sound fiscal policy

In Port Arthur, both Golden Pass LNG and Port Arthur LNG have agreements with Jefferson County under Chapter 312 excusing 100% of the projects county property taxes for 10 years, according to the Sierra Club report.

Beard, the former City Council member, remembers awarding abatement agreements on behalf of the city during his terms between 2003 and 2012. But, he said, they typically were for a lesser discount rate and a shorter duration.

Now its a 100% abatement for ten years, and thats absolutely ridiculous and insane, he said. Its not sound fiscal policy.

Beard, a former Exxon Mobil refinery worker, recommended tiered abatements that start at 100% during construction and gradually decline to zero over five or 10 years.

He said most of the economic benefits promised by the projects often doesnt reach the communities that provide the tax abatements.

In Southeast Texas, he pointed out, most growth and development is taking place in the counties surrounding the industrial core, not in the neighborhoods and school districts nearby where the refineries and chemical plants operate.

The Beaumont-Port Arthur metro area has a population of 400,000 and hosts one of the countrys largest petrochemical complexes, as well as its largest oil refinery, collectively representing tens of billions of dollars of investment. Yet the area also has rates of unemployment and poverty above Texas statewide average.

North of Jefferson County, Hardin County is experiencing rapid growth and development with an influx of new residents, many employed by growing businesses around Port Arthurs industrial complex.
Satellites that will join SpaceXs Starlink constellation are seen awaiting release into Earth orbit from a Falcon 9 rocket in this 2019 file photo. SpaceX The exterior of the Starlink manufacturing facility near Bastrop is seen in September. The company, a subsidiary of SpaceX, is growing rapidly and last year its revenue eclipsed the private space companys rocket lift revenue for the first time. Christopher Lee / Staff Photographer Elon Musk, the CEO of SpaceX, has raised concerns about conflicts of interest because of his outspoken attacks on federal regulators and his involvement in an unofficial federal effort to cut government spending. Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

Citing concerns stemming from SpaceX CEO Elon Musks federal cost cutting project and connections to Russian president Vladimir Putin, a Ukrainian-American advocacy group has requested that the Federal Communications Commission not consider further requests from the Texas-based company.

It also asked the FCC to deny a SpaceX request to expand its fast-growing Starlink satellite constellation because of environmental concerns at the companys Starbase rocket production and launch facility near Boca Chica Beach, echoing an October request from scientists.

Musks conflicts run the full gamut from financial to objectivity, the Ukrainian Congress Committee of America, Inc., a New York-based nonprofit, wrote in a filing with the FCC. Placing Musk at the head of DOGE is equivalent to allowing a fox to guard the henhouse.

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President-elect Donald Trump has nsmed Musk, along with businessman Vivek Ramaswamy, to lead an unofficial Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, to oversee government cost-cutting. Because Musks companies hold billions in government contracts, mainly with the Defense Department and NASA, his involvement has raised questions about potential conflicts of interest.

The group filed its motions Wednesday with the FCC in response to the agencys recent approval for SpaceX to deploy up to 7,500 of its second-generation satellites. It had asked for permission to deploy 29,988, but the agency deferred a decision on the remaining 22,488. The Nov. 26 decision also lets SpaceX use T-Mobile cellular frequencies to provide coverage outside of its service areas.

Conflicts of interest

Starlink, SpaceXs fast-growing satellite internet service, already has 6,848 satellites in orbit, providing connectivity for 4 million subscribers in 100 countries. It began launching them in 2019 and, for the past couple of years, the companys Falcon 9 rockets have shuttled dozens of the satellites to space every few days.

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SpaceX, which didnt respond to a request for comment, has said it plans to use its giant Starship rocket thats now in development in South Texas to greatly increase the pace of deployment.

The Ukrainian Congress Committee argues that Musk co-leading DOGE while hes chief executive of SpaceX violates the Federal Advisory Committee Act, a 1972 law meant to ensure advice provided by advisory bodies is objective and accessible to the public.

For this reason, the FCC should stop processing all applications and requests filed by SpaceX until all actual and potential conflicts of interest are eliminated, it said.

As evidence of the conflicts, it cited Musks social media posts and his public beefs with federal regulators, including over Starbase, his South Texas rocket operation near Boca Chica Beach. Among them, the committee noted Musk publicly questioning environmental rules that required SpaceX to obtain a permit for discharging large amounts of wastewater from its launchpad in South Texas.

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He also has said that limiting this kind of oversight could help SpaceX reach Mars sooner, it said. Musk has manifested a desire to use his DOGE appointment as a vehicle to help his companies.

For years, in fact, the tech mogul has complained that government regulators stifle his businesses and his criticism of such efforts has increased since he publicly threw his support behind Trump earlier this year.

On his X social media platform, Musk responded to an October video of himself saying how Starship was being massively slowed down by regulatory molasses with the words not anymore  

The Ukrainian Congress Committee also cited reports of Musks repeated contact with Putin and Russias use of the Starlink system in Ukraine as a reason for the FCC to halt its actions on SpaceX.

Musks actions are causing injury to UCCA members, as well as their friends and families living in Ukraine, it said. The organization, which was founded in 1940, advocates for Americans of Ukrainian descent and their interests.

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Environmental worries

The group also filed a petition to deny or hold in abeyance SpaceXs request to launch more satellites because the FCC has not required environmental assessments of possible effects. It said a previous exemption to the requirement regarding satellite constellations is out of date given the new technologies and the rapidly growing number in orbit.

The calculus is simple, more satellites and launches lead to more polluting, soot, gases and metals in the Earths atmosphere, the congress committee said. Space vehicles occasionally explode on takeoff, spreading debris into ecologically sensitive areas and placing wildlife, including endangered species, in danger.

Theres also the question of what will happen to the environment when these satellites, after their time is spent, reenter the atmosphere, it said.

Scientists and astronomers have also voiced concern about putting thousands of satellites into orbit. They worry about their environmental effects and interference with scientists ability to observe the night sky.

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In October, a group of 120 astronomers also petitioned the FCC to pause satellite launches to low Earth orbit until the agency conducts environmental reviews for mega-constellations such as Starlink. They also urged the commission to stop sidestepping the National Environmental Policy Act by claiming categorical exclusions for mega-constellations.

Such efforts come as Starlink has been growing rapidly. In May, space economy research firm Quilty Space said Starlink was on track to generate $6.6 billion in revenue this year, up from $4.2 billion in 2023, when it eclipsed its parent companys space lift revenue of $3.5 billion.
2025 will be the year of the modern insurer, forecast experts from SAS, representing a defining moment when innovation-focused carriers will decisively confront the industrys greatest challenges  and reap the benefits with improved speed, productivity and trustworthy results.



But what defines the modern insurer? While SAS thought leaders offer differing visions for the year ahead in the wake of the companys recent future of insurance study, #Insurance2040 with Economist Impact, they agreed on one thing - the modern insurer will implement rising technologies to enact an industry disruption: a revival of trust for consumers and regulators alike in an era fraught with risk. All hail omni policies and the trust comeback Franklin Manchester, Principal Global Insurance Advisor, SAS: Insurers need a disruptive, trust-centric rebrand to weather current reputational risk and invest in the continuation of the industry. I predict that, by the end of 2025, a major global carrier will announce plans to introduce omni policies. By purchasing an omni policy, the customer will pay one premium, on one AI-powered policy, that provides coverage in every applicable insurable domain, no matter the risk that individual presents. An all-encompassing blanket of protection, always on tap. Insurers and customers put a price on data privacy Alena Tsishchanka, EMEA and AP Senior Insurance Practice Leader, SAS In 2025, insurers will offer a bold new model: Data for discounts. Customers who opt in will share personal information like health metrics, driving habits and spending patterns with carriers, who will fine-tune risk profiles to offer hyper-personalised pricing. For consumers who consent, lower costs await  but costs could climb for the privacy-conscientious. When the choice between data sharing or protecting private data directly impacts coverage affordability, consumers, carriers and regulators will have to decide: can you put a price on privacy?



Wearable, shareable health data Amanda Wise, Principal Product Marketing Manager, SAS: With features like real-time ECG monitoring, stress tracking and sleep analysis, wearable technology can give insurers deeper insights into the health of policyholders, allowing for more accurate predictions. This individualised approach represents a significant departure from traditional methods that rely on static actuarial models and historical data to estimate mortality risk.

European insurers are already rewarding users of health-focused wearables, and insurers worldwide will follow suit. However, the integration of wearable data will put security and data ethics in focus. The transformative potential of personal data will only be realised if insurers build consumer trust and ensure secure and ethical usage of this most sensitive data.



Ecosystem-enabled insurance drives growth Andrew Pollard, Insurance Specialist, SAS UK and Ireland: Insurers will embrace partnering with non-traditional stakeholders to offer tech ecosystem-enabled insurance. For example, carriers will offer homeowners insurance in tandem with smart home companies to offer bundled services. While the industry has historically been resistant to such partnerships, a renewed focus on market penetration and customer retention will make ecosystem enablement a new focus for carriers in the year ahead.



The silver tsunami comes for insurance James Ruotolo, Senior Director of Financial Services, SAS: "Based on age demographics, the industry can anticipate that roughly half of insurance professionals will retire over the next five years  and an astonishing amount of industry expertise lost. Industry leaders will step up recruitment of their next-generation successors and start looking at how AI and emerging technologies can help bridge the talent gap. These up-and-comers will sharpen their tech skillsets by investing in data fluency and other technical training to differentiate themselves and put their careers on the fast-track.



Natural disasters advance insurance scarcity Michael Fitz Fitzgerald, Insurance Industry Advisor, SAS: I foresee that insurers will respond to 2024s catastrophic losses by further limiting availability of homeowner and commercial property products in multiple geographies. They will face reputational risk as the public reacts. Residential and commercial real estate transactions will be sharply depressed due to insurance scarcity.



Public-private partnerships target the protection gap Oana Avramescu, Insurance Advisory Industry Consultant, SAS: As climate risk becomes more pronounced, well see insurance C-suites pursue public-private partnerships for climate adaptation and resilience. Insurers and governments must provide climate coverage for vulnerable communities facing floods, droughts and other natural disasters. Such partnerships will help narrow the global protection gap  currently valued at $1.8 trillion  and ensure that affordable insurance options remain available.



Compliance clarifies AI priorities

Prathiba Krishna, AI and Ethics Lead, SAS UK and Ireland: Insurers operating in or interacting with the EU market will need to adapt to the EU AI Act's risk-based classification system in 2025, particularly for high-risk AI systems (like underwriting and claims processing). This will lead to increased investment in AI governance frameworks. In the coming year especially, insurers will implement regular AI audits to ensure models are compliant with evolving regulations, focusing on bias reduction, explainability and data governance. Carriers will particularly prioritise explainable AI models for underwriting and claims processing to ensure compliance with transparency mandates. This may lead to a slowdown in adopting highly complex models like deep learning for critical decisions, with carriers favouring simpler, interpretable alternatives.



Synthetic data levels up the actuarial pricing process Thorsten Hein, Insurance Lead in Risk, Fraud and Compliance Solutions, SAS Advanced insurers will gain a competitive advantage by levelling up the actuarial pricing process. Theyll no longer rely solely on internal data, some of which may contain outdated information. Instead, these insurers actuaries will increasingly generate synthetic data to augment their existing data sets and integrate external market data. The result? Synthetic data-forward firms will be equipped to deploy faster, more accurate pricing thats more aligned with market sensitivities. Theyll increase their profitability  and pull ahead of those further behind in their GenAI journeys.



Insurers springboard from regulation to revitalisation Stu Bradley, Senior Vice President of Risk, Fraud and Compliance Solutions SASOvercoming the fatigue of investing in regulatory solutions, insurance companies of all stripes will shift focus to AI-powered business solutions to help them better serve their customers. Using AI and, by extension, generative AI in insurance will help the industry improve customer engagement and make better decisions in underwriting, policy pricing and fraud detection, just to name a few. AI will also prove the edge property and casualty insurers in particular need to better manage their balance sheets and survive growing impacts of forces like climate change.



Explore the future of AI across industries

Wondering what 2025 will bring in insurance and adjacent industries like banking, the public sector and more? Curious where you fall on the AI optimism spectrum? Visit SAS technology and AI predictions homepage to take the predictions barometer quiz and explore more forecasts and trends.


 Crypto resurgence

 Public/private market convergence

 The rise of Active ETFs

 ESG labelling changes

 Consolidation in the asset management industry Heres what Kenneth has to say about each theme. Let me know if you would like to speak with him further about any of these themes specifically, or 2025 more broadly. Crypto resurgence continues  can it go mainstream?

Donald Trump's reelection has helped propel Bitcoin prices to record levels. The first spot bitcoin ETF was cleared and launched in the US in January this year to much fanfare, but there is no guarantee European regulators will follow suit. Regulatory support has varied between markets, but even those regulators most skeptical of crypto, such as the FCA in the UK, are facing increased pressure to relax their stance. Greenlighting spot crypto funds which can be sold to retail investors may be seen as an implicit endorsement of a highly speculative form of investment. However, it is hard to argue that the millions of crypto investors are currently better served operating with scant oversight at all outside of the traditional financial system, in an asset class famed for its poor governance." Public/private market convergence

"Asset managers are paving the way for broader access to private investments by innovating with vehicles like ELTIFs or even wrappers famed for their liquidity like ETFs. Industry giants like BlackRock and Legal & General IM have been positioning themselves for this convergence, while the UK government has announced the worlds first private stock market. Investors should remain wary. The outsized returns we have seen in some private assets may well be a mirage which evaporates before less sophisticated investors even arrive. As private assets become more accessible, the market for them is likely to become more efficient, with fewer mispriced assets and less profit opportunities. High fees, the erosion of the liquidity premium and higher correlations with other assets will also dampen the appeal. Exactly how providers offer liquid exposure to illiquid assets will remain the key point of focus as options grow.

Active ETFs Will Continue to Gain Traction (But not as much as you might think) Under the cover of the relentless growth of the broader ETF market, Active ETFs have begun to gain traction amongst investors in Europe and expect this to continue in 2025. Trailblazers such as JPMorgan, have been joined by a string of traditionally active investors such as Janus Henderson and Robeco looking to ride the coattails of the ETF boom. Expect more entrants in 2025, including those already established in the booming active ETF market (such as ARKK). That said, those looking at the booming US market and expecting similar asset growth here will be disappointed. While most market participants agree that the ETF wrapper is superior to the traditional mutual funds, the marginal benefits are as clear cut as they are in the US, where ETFs retain a clear tax advantage. Unlike in Europe, US regulators permit semi-transparent active ETFs which are not forced to disclose daily holdings. That said, the vast majority of assets remain in shy or benchmark aware strategies in both regions and despite the likely entrance of more active players, we expect this to continue. More ESG Regulation, More Confusion

The effects of ESMAs new guidance on naming for sustainable funds will be felt in 2025 - expect a raft of fund name and strategy changes. The guidance is intended to help bring clarity by defining when a fund can be labelled ESG, but the move is still likely to muddy the waters further. Some existing funds will be unaffected while others will need tweaks to their investment strategies to allow them to retain an ESG tag. However, the real pain point is how to classify funds which clearly incorporate sustainable criteria but dont meet ESMAs sustainable thresholds. Unable to label this distinct and popular set of funds as ESG, expect asset mangers marketing departments to work overtime to come up with some creative naming solutions for funds which fall between the two stools of sustainable and not sustainable.

Continued Consolidation in the Asset Management Industry We expect asset managers to continue to feel the pinch in 2025. Stagnant assets under management, intense downward pressure on fees and rising costs will continue to drive consolidation across the asset management industry. We also see a race for scale in the wealth management industry, which despite some large acquisitions in recent years remains fragmented, particularly amongst the smaller players."


At the 24th annual Indian Television Academy (ITA) Awards in Mumbai, Aaj Tak was honored as the Popular News Channel Hindi, while India Today was awarded the title of Popular News Channel English. These prestigious awards reflect the channels' leadership in their respective categories.

India Today Group's Vice Chairperson & Executive Editor-in-Chief, Kalli Purie, expressed her gratitude, saying, Winning the ITA Channel of the Year awards is always very special to me, but winning them in an election year is even more special. It serves as validation of the democratic newsroom, especially in a time when political loyalties are running deep and high. Viewers chose India Today Television and Aaj Tak, and to me, this is encouragement that our approachleaving no voice unheard and no stone unturned to bring you the newsis the right one.

Other notable winners included:

- Rajdeep Sardesai, who was awarded Best Talk/Chat Show for his program Rajdeeps Political Time Capsule.

- Rahul Kanwal, who earned the title of Best Anchor  Talk Chat Show for his show Jab We Met.

- Anjana Om Kashyap, who won the Best Anchor Chat Show award for Halla Bol, highlighting the impact of her influential programs.

- The Best Talk/Chat Show honor also went to Sweta Singh and Ashok Singhal for their interview with Nitin Gadkari on the Expressway.

The honourable Union Minister for Commerce and Industry, Mr. Piyush Goyal, presented the most coveted awards at the ITA.

Also Read: ABP News Surpasses Aaj Tak; ABP Majha Leads Marathi News
CMS Info Systems Limited, Indias leading business services company offering banking logistics and technology services, announced the appointment of Sunil Mehta, former Chief Executive of the Indian Banks Association and former MD & CEO of Punjab National Bank, as Additional Director (Independent) on Friday, December 6th 2024. With a remarkable career spanning over four decades, Mr. Sunil Mehta has played a pivotal role in shaping and advancing Indias banking sector through policy advocacy and collaboration with various stakeholders, making him a seasoned banker par excellence. As the Chief Executive of the Indian Banks Association (IBA), Mr Mehta was recognized as the Voice of the Indian Banking Industry, and led the second largest Public Sector Bank as MD & CEO of Punjab National Bank, overseeing a vast financial conglomerate with operations in international banking, housing finance, life insurance, and more. His career also includes a significant tenure as Executive Director at Corporation Bank.

Currently, Mehta holds several board-level positions, including Chairman of PSB Alliance Pvt. Ltd., and Independent Director roles at Jio Financial Services, Jio Payments Bank, Juniper Hotels, and more. He has also served as Chairman of NARCL and IBA, and continues to shape the future of the Indian banking and financial sectors through his leadership and insights. He was also a part of RBI Committee for setting up 75 Digital Banking Units (DBUs).

Mehta holds a Masters degree in Agronomy and an MBA in Finance, along with being a Certified Associate of the Indian Institute of Bankers (CAIIB). His expertise is further demonstrated through active participation in various government and industry committees, including those with the RBI, CII, FICCI, Indian Institute of Banking and Finance (IIBF) and the Ministry of Steel's Taskforce on Green Finance.

Also Read: Newgen acknowledged in analyst report on P&C CMS landscape
Actress Kritika Kamra, known for her remarkable performances on screen, is proving that she is much more than just a talented actor. While filming her latest series Matka King in Mumbai, Kritika has been diligently managing her burgeoning fashion label based in Madhya Pradesh. A hands-on entrepreneur, Kritika frequently visits local artisans and suppliers to oversee production, ensuring the highest standards of quality in her brands offerings.

Kritikas dual commitment to her acting career and business venture exemplifies her dedication to excelling in all spheres of her life. Despite her packed shooting schedule, she makes it a point to connect with the grassroots, showcasing her passion for empowering local artistry.

Speaking about her journey, Kritika said:

"Balancing my acting career and my business has been challenging yet incredibly fulfilling. I feel a deep responsibility towards both worldson one hand, Im creating stories that resonate with audiences through my work in Matka King, and on the other, Im building a brand that celebrates the talent and craftsmanship of local artists in Madhya Pradesh. I personally visit the artisans and suppliers to ensure we deliver nothing short of excellence. Its hectic, but when you love what you do, its all worth it."

Kritikas ability to seamlessly juggle her roles as an actor and entrepreneur serves as an inspiration to many, showcasing that with determination and passion, it is possible to excel in multiple endeavors.

Also Read: Kritika Kamra & Raghav Juyal open up on playing roles on both sides of law
Mumbai witnessed an extraordinary event at the MMRDA Grounds, BKC, as the inaugural GoFlo Run brought together thousands of women to celebrate fitness, empowerment, and menstrual hygiene awareness. Co-powered by Stayfree and Nova Saki Media, this transformative initiative was spearheaded by Neha Dhupia, actor and humanitarian Sonu Sood, and Anita Lobo, an ex-national athlete and Director of GoFlo Run. The event also saw resounding support from actors Saiyami Kher and Siddharth Nigam, who lent their voices to this powerful movement.

The event's impressive lineup included Dr. Nozer Sheriar, gynecologist and advisor to C3 (Centre for Catalyzing Change), fitness icon Brinston Miranda, Dr. Rickson Pereira, Ayesha Billimoria, and Dr. Sapna Bangar, a child and adolescent psychiatrist. Together with Stayfrees Manoj Gadgil and NGO partner C3, they amplified the events mission to promote health, fitness, and the destigmatization of menstrual hygiene.

The day kicked off with an energizing Zumba session, setting the stage for the 10km, 5km, and 3km runs. Women from diverse backgrounds participated, united by a shared purpose to challenge stereotypes and embrace wellness. The event buzzed with an electrifying sense of community and resilience, creating a lasting impact far beyond the days activities.

Neha Dhupia, a passionate advocate for women's health and fitness, expressed her pride: "Today was about more than fitness; it was about courage, unity, and breaking barriers. Each participants story is a testament to the strength we have as women. GoFlo Run isnt just a race; its a movement for change and solidarity."

Anita Lobo, the visionary behind GoFlo Run, shared: "GoFlo Run symbolizes hope and community. To see mothers, daughters, friends, and strangers come together for such an important cause is humbling and inspiring. This is just the beginning of a journey to reshape narratives around women's health and empowerment."

Sonu Sood echoed their sentiments: "The GoFlo Run is a remarkable step toward awareness and change. The enthusiasm and energy today prove the power of women coming together to inspire progress."

Actor Saiyami Kher, an avid runner and fitness enthusiast, reflected on her own journey: "Running is transformativeits about discovering strength you didnt know you had. Im proud to support this incredible initiative and cheer on the amazing women taking part in the GoFlo Run."

Actor Siddharth Nigam called the event a profound experience: "This isnt just about running; its a testament to unity, resilience, and breaking barriers. Its inspiring to witness such determination and purpose."

Fitness expert Brinston Miranda and gynecologist Dr. Nozer Sheriar emphasized the physical, mental, and emotional aspects of health, lauding the events focus on fitness and menstrual health awareness.

A Movement for Change

GoFlo Run 2024 marked a milestone in women-centric events, combining fitness with a powerful social cause. The overwhelming response from participants and supporters alike highlights the growing demand for initiatives that promote empowerment and community.

As the sun set on a memorable day, the inaugural GoFlo Run left a legacy of unity, strength, and the promise of continued progress in womens health and wellness.

Also Read: Neha Dhupia, Navya Naveli & Others to attend Inaugural Podmasters
Off late, there is hardly any movie which gave me a perfect blend of action, emotion, drama, songs; all cleverly packaged in to one high octane entertainer. Animal (2023) was one such movie last year. This year, it is Pushpa 2.

Watching the sequel to Allu Arjun's 2021 pan-India hit at an early morning 6 am housefull show at Citylight Cinema, Mahim was nothing short of a celebration. The crowd was cheering, clapping, whistling, and dancing on their seats for every punch and punchline of Allu Arjun. Pushpa 2 has BLOCKBUSTER written all over it. Personally, it gave me the experience of watching a yesteryear Bachchan blockbuster. Remember Don (1978), Coolie (1983), Laawaris (1981), etc. Basically, the era which celebrated its hero like God.

The story definitely belongs to the '80s. Pushpa (Allu Arjun) is now the chief of the red sandalwood syndicate. He still has the cop Bhanwar Singh Shekhawat (Fahadh Faasil) baying for his blood. In between all the tension and action, Pushpa finds time to cootchie-coo with his wifey Srivalli (Rashmika Mandanna). While the plot offers nothing new, it is director Sukumar's unique execution, which deserves full marks.

Pushpa 2 engages you thoroughly with its montage of superlative action sequences popping up at regular intervals. The first scene itself, at a Japan port, has our hero dangling upside-down and communicating in Japanese. "I learnt it on the way", he claims. The entire 'Kali Mata' jatra sequence is awe-inspiring and we get to witness the tremendous talent of Allu Arjun here. The pre-interval "sorry" episode is another clapworthy highlight.

Another hilarious scene is when both Allu Arjun and Fahadh Faasil communicate to each other in sign language. It reflects the genius of Sukumar, who has creatively turned an otherwise verbose scene in to an amusing silent duel. As for the climactic "Rappa rappa rappa" fight, it's goosebumps guaranteed!!

Of the cast, Allu Arjun is in top most form and his swag is akin to Bachchan of the '70s. You know the angry young man of yore!! Rashmika Mandanna impresses as Srivalli, the doting wife who regularly gets "feelings or peelings" for her macho hubby. Fahadh Faasil literally uplifts every scene he appears in. Note the police station sequence where he dances merrily with a glass of whisky in hand. Superb!! Jagapathi Babu (Central minister) and Anasuya Bharadwaj (Daksha) leave a mighty mark in their supporting roles. Special mention to Shreyas Talpade, the voice of Pushpa.

Pushpa 1 was fire. Part two is wildfire!! The sequel not only entertains aplenty, it leaves you craving for more. One viweing ain't enough for this one. And oh yes, there's Pushpa 3 The Carnage coming soon...aha!!

Ratings on some key aspects* :

1. Acting : 4.5/5

2. Direction : 4.5/5

3. Music : 2.5/5

4. Story, Screenplay and Dialogue : 3.5/5

5. Cinematography : 4/5

6. Editing : 3.5/5

7. Costume Design : 4/5

8. Special Effects and VFX : 4/5

9. Action : 4.5/5

10. Production Quality : 4/5

#SNRating for #Pushpa2 : 4 stars out of 5.

- Sumeet Nadkarni

- The overall film rating is not a simple average of all ratings on key aspects but a weighted average of the ratings where some crucial aspects (like direction, acting, story and screenplay etc) are assigned more weightage than others.

#SNRatings barometer:

1 star = Poor

1 & 1/2 star = Below average/ Avoidable

2 stars = Average

2 & 1/2 stars = Above average/ Risk it

3 stars = Good enough/ Endurable

3 & 1/2 stars = Definitely worth a watch

4 stars = Very good

5 stars = Masterpiece/ Outstanding.

2024 SNRatings.
Republic Bharat, the flagship Hindi news channel of Republic Media Network and a trailblazer in Indias media landscape, proudly announces the launch of Sangam  Sahitya, Sur aur Shakti  a groundbreaking cultural intellectual property designed to celebrate and showcase the essence of Indias artistic and cultural heritage.

Reaching over 49 crore people annually and watched by every second viewer in Indias TV universe, Republic Bharat is taking a bold step beyond news to establish Sangam - Sahitya, Sur aur Shakti as a beacon of Indias rich traditions in literature, music, spirituality, and women empowerment.

With Sangam  Sahitya, Sur aur Shakti, Republic Bharat promises an unparalleled blend of soulful performances, inspiring storytelling, and meaningful discussions. The initiative will feature a stellar lineup of Indias most revered speakers, musicians, writers, artists, and novelists, each contributing their unique voice to celebrate the nations legacy.

Hersh Bhandari, CEO of Republic Media Network, remarked:

"As a network rooted in the principle of Nation First, we firmly believe that culture lies at the heart of our national identity. With Sangam  Sahitya, Sur aur Shakti, we are launching a cultural IP that embodies this belief, showcasing Indias unmatched artistic brilliance to the world. This is more than an event; its a movement  a commitment to celebrating our traditions, creativity, and diversity.





Republic Media Networks Sangam  Sahitya, Sur aur Shakti is poised to become a powerful platform for cultural dialogue and creative exchange, bringing together audiences from all walks of life. By weaving together music, literature, and art, the IP aspires to inspire a deeper appreciation for Indias timeless traditions while offering a fresh perspective on the cultural narratives that unite the nation.


Globally, retail media spending totals $45 billion and is expected to surpass spend on TV advertising by 2028. Interestingly, Search - which is considered the first digital wave - took 14 years to achieve $30 billion in ad revenue. The second wave of digital advertising, Social, took 11 years. Retail media has breached $30 billion in ad spend in just 5 years.

Its no surprise then, that retail media is being considered the third wave in digital advertising. Retail media plays a crucial role across the consumer journey, making it an essential touchpoint for brands to drive both awareness and conversion. In the era of Retail Media 2.0, the focus has shifted from a narrow emphasis on search-driven e-commerce to a more holistic, full-funnel approach that leverages the wealth of first-party shopping and streaming signals to power impactful advertising solutions.

MMA Global India organized DATA Unplugged 2024 at DoubleTree by Hilton, Gurugram, Delhi NCR. The event saw industry experts come together and share their views on Data First, AI Next'. The day explored how businesses can harness data to drive digital maturity, enhance customer experience, and prepare for an AI-driven future.

We are thrilled to champion the consumer journey transition for marketers and enable the marketer outlook and member insights in the new playbook. 79% of shoppers discover products through retail media online whilst 82% of media professionals are currently leveraging retail media solutions. These numbers signify the critical mass and clearly underscore the growing influence and future potential of retail media and its role in full-funnel marketing, said Moneka Khurana, Country Head and Board Member, MMA Global India.

At the event, MMA Global India and Amazon Ads launched a playbook, on the evolving retail media landscape in India titled Retail Media 2.0: Moving up the funnel.This playbook covers the retail media landscape, emergence of Retail Media 2.0 and shows how brands and agency professionals can integrate retail media in their marketing and advertising strategies.

The new playbook is powered by two studies: Consumer journey trends and Marketer outlook. The study (Sample size: 7880) conducted through Kantar explores the role of various online and offline touchpoints in consumer journey across 10 product subcategories including FMCG, Electronics and Durables or Appliances.

Key findings from the study:

45% respondents said that they experiment with their brands, or are willing to consider newer brands

61% respondents believe retail media touchpoints like Amazon have influence on their final purchase decision

Consumer journeys that start with retail media are shorter in length

79% respondents said that they discovered products through retail media while shopping online

The role of retail media is not restricted only to online purchases, with 45% respondents saying that they discovered products through retail media during their exploration journey for offline purchases

The playbook also contains insights from an MMA Global India study conducted with 150 Indian marketers and agency professionals to understand their views on retail media, the role it plays in the todays landscape and its future outlook.

Some of the key takeaways are:

82% of media professionals currently use retail media solutions. On an average, retail media constitutes 11%-20% of digital ad spend in media plans of the respondents

35% have started using retail media across the three stages of the funnel (upper, mid and lower)

70% respondents will increase their spends on retail media next year

Also Read: GroupM boosts retail media capabilities with Tesco Media partnership
Behind the widespread ecstasy and euphoria over AIs near-magical capabilities lies an intense and unpalatable conflict between AI firms and media organisations over the unauthorized use of copyrighted content for AI training. Media companies and authors argue that Generative AI models such as those developed by OpenAI, Meta, and Perplexity AI have scraped their articles, books, and other intellectual property without consent or compensation. Their main concern is that AI firms profit from their journalism without proper compensation or recognition.

In December 2023, The New York Times became the first major US media company to sue OpenAI, alleging that millions of its articles were used to train AI models without permission. The complaint accused OpenAI of profiting off the NYTs significant investment in journalism. Prior to the NYT lawsuit, actress Sarah Silverman, and authors like John Grisham, and Jonathan Franzen sued AI firms for unauthorised use of their works to train AI.

The latest wave of lawsuits against AI firms over unauthorized use of content includes:

ANI vs OpenAI: Indian news agency ANI has filed a lawsuit against OpenAI for using its news content without permission to train AI models. ANI says this use infringes on their copyright and diminishes the value of its reporting.

News Corp vs Perplexity AI: The Wall Street Journal and The New York Post are suing Perplexity AI. The lawsuit claims Perplexity uses their content and trademarks without authorization.

Canadian media outlets vs OpenAI: Five Canadian news organisations  including The Globe and Mail  have collectively sued OpenAI, accusing it of using their copyrighted news content to train AI models without consent. Journalism is in the public interest. OpenAI using other companies journalism for their own commercial gain is not. Its illegal, the lawsuit said.

The unfair claim to fair use

AI firms argue that their content usage qualifies as fair use, claiming AI-generated outputs differ significantly from original works. However, media outlets like The New York Times counter that such use undermines the online journalism business model.

Experts are unanimous that AI companies cannot just lay claim to media content under the fair use principle.

Elaine Fletcher, Business Manager - UK and Europe at Hoonartek, is of the opinion that using copyrighted content without permission is legally and ethically contentious, regardless of societal benefits.

She reckons that publishers have valid claims over their content, including the specific expression of publicly reported facts. While AI companies may argue fair use, this defence is not guaranteed and often depends on the purpose and amount of material used. The tension arises between protecting intellectual property rights and promoting technological advancement.

Concurring with Fletcher, Vishal Rupani, Co-founder, Sprect.com, asserts that publishers have a legitimate claim over their work, especially when its being used commercially by AI companies. He cites the case of Canada and Australia penalizing Google for its Google News service, demanding compensation for using news content without paying for it. This, he adds, reflects the growing realization that content creators should be rewarded for their work, even in a digital world.

Rupani points out that the debate over whether AI companies can use copyrighted content without permission, even for societal benefits, is a tricky one.

According to him, while AI models like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude can democratize knowledge and boost productivity, they still need to respect intellectual property rights. The crux of the matter, he says, lies in whether scraping content from creators, whether its an in-depth news report or a viral cat meme, is fair game.

Rupani likens AI royalties to the music industrys straightforward pay-per-stream model. With AI, its different. AI learns unpredictably from content, making it hard to gauge how much a news article influenced an AIs aha! moment. Transparency is the real issue  AI firms control the content vault, making value attribution tricky. For example, Google News showcases content from publishers like TOI and The Hindu, but their earnings are unclear. Until better tracking methods emerge, revenue-sharing may just be another AI experiment, he explains.

Surbhi Allagh, Co-founder of Itch, points out that AI threatens publication integrity and revenue. Lets be honest: while AI companies claim to benefit society, theyre also significantly benefiting themselves. Publications may not have a copyright on facts, but the issue lies in their unique expression  how they craft words, phrases, and structure entire pieces. This creative aspect is undeniably protected by copyright.

According to her, in cases like The New York Times, where content is paywalled, using it without permission feels like a clear breach. Its not just about the facts, but the way those facts are packaged, and bypassing these protections undermines the publications efforts, says Allagh.

Wanted: A middle ground

Perplexity AI defends its use of news content in the lawsuit filed by the Wall Street Journal and The New York Post, arguing that its actions fall within the limits of fair use. The company emphasizes that it offers transformative tools that enable users to access information in new ways.

There are around three dozen lawsuits by media companies against generative AI tools. The common theme betrayed by those complaints collectively is that they wish this technology didnt exist. They prefer to live in a world where publicly reported facts are owned by corporations, and no one can do anything with those publicly reported facts without paying a toll, says Perplexity AI in a strongly worded article.

Generative AI tools are here to stay, but the ongoing tension between AI firms and media companies threatens the health of the ecosystem. Hence, AI companies and publishers need to find a middle ground to foster collaboration rather than confrontation, particularly through revenue-sharing models like the one Perplexity AI has proposed: in July this year, the AI start-up launched a first-of-its-kind revenue-sharing program with leading publishers like TIME, Fortune, and Der Spiegel.

Some recent instances of AI firms partnering with media companies include:

Time and OpenAI: Time entered into a multi-year agreement with OpenAI. This deal allows OpenAI to use Times 101-year archive to train its models and generate AI responses. In return, Time will have access to OpenAIs tools for its own innovation efforts.

Conde Nast and OpenAI: Conde Nast partnered with OpenAI to allow the use of their content for AI products. This deal faced internal criticism, with some staff expressing concerns about aiding the development of tools that might undermine journalism. No one wants to help train the tools spreading misinformation and degrading the skills many of us spent decades honing, a writer said.

News Corp and OpenAI: News Corp struck a deal with OpenAI to share content from outlets such as The Wall Street Journal and New York Post. This arrangement aims to ensure proper compensation and attribution while enabling OpenAI to train its models.

Elaine Fletcher feels that a middle ground can be found through licensing agreements and revenue-sharing models. AI companies can respect intellectual property rights while accessing valuable data by compensating publishers for using their content. Collaborative approaches like Perplexitys proposal encourage partnership over litigation, benefiting both parties and promoting innovation.

Vishal Rupani feels that collaboration through revenue-sharing models, like Perplexitys proposal, is feasible but tricky  the biggest hurdle is transparency.

Rupani compares AI royalties to the music industry, where payments are clear-cut  pay per stream. But with AI, its different. AI learns from content in unpredictable ways, making it hard to determine how much a news article influenced an AIs aha! moment. The real issue is transparency: AI companies control the content vault, and tracking value attribution is tricky. For instance, Google News features content from publishers like TOI and The Hindu, but their earnings remain unclear. Until we have better measurement methods, revenue-sharing may remain just another AI experiment, he explains.

Perplexity has effectively leveraged the loophole that no publication technically owns rights to facts, opines Surbhi Allagh. However, she adds, publications can no longer afford to ignore the reality that AI is here to stay. According to her, the way forward is finding a balance that serves the interests of both sides.

Licensing agreements and revenue-sharing models, such as ad revenue splits, could provide mutually beneficial solutions. That said, the sustainability of such models from the perspective of AI companies is worth questioning. Can these companies sustain their growth while compensating publishers fairly? The future likely lies in creative, adaptable frameworks that work for both parties, says Allagh.

Regulators role?

This dilemma raises ethical, creative, and legal challenges, making a clear solution elusive. As lawsuits between publishers and AI companies intensify, should regulators step in to define fair use in AI training? How might these legal battles influence innovation, content creation, and digital publishing in the future?

Surbhi Allagh agrees that regulators are still struggling to set clear boundaries, making the landscape increasingly confusing.

Weve seen cases like the Monkey Selfie dispute, and now copyright claims seem to be getting more absurd. Theres a strong need to establish clear guardrails and continuously evolve them so that content creation can thrive without the constant fear of potential legal consequences. Without a framework, both AI companies and creators are left running around like headless chickens, making it difficult to innovate and grow, says Allagh.

Regulatory bodies are struggling to navigate AI, a field thats evolving faster than they can keep up with, says Vishal Rupani. They might be experts in finance or healthcare, but AI is an entirely new frontier that requires a deeper understanding before effective regulations can be crafted.

Currently, he adds, AI companies are like kids in a candy store, grabbing what they can, while publishers remain sidelined.

Without fully understanding how AI learns and uses content, regulators risk making ill-fitting decisions. While these lawsuits may initially slow progress, they could ultimately lead to clearer rules. AI firms will need to refine their practices, and publishers will learn to protect their work better. This could pave the way for a fairer, more structured content-sharing system, Rupani concludes.

Elaine Fletcher suggests that regulatory bodies should provide clear guidelines on how the AI training process should use copyrighted materials produced by government authorities, universities, research institutes and industry enterprises.

According to her, the AI governing authority should update fair use provisions to reflect modern technologies. Without clarity, on-going lawsuits may hinder innovation and create legal hurdles. Clear regulations can balance the interests of all parties, fostering a healthy environment for innovation and digital publishing, Fletcher concludes.

The conflict between AI firms and media firms underscores a critical need for balanced solutions that respect intellectual property while fostering innovation. Scraping, suing, and settlements are just the symptoms of an ecosystem in flux. Collaboration through licensing agreements and revenue-sharing models offers a promising path forward, but transparency in AI operations is essential for these models to succeed.
Billie Jean Bar and Grill in Stone Oak opened in February. Courtesy Billie Jean Bar & Grill

Billie Jean Bar and Grill in Stone Oak aimed to revisit the past, but now the retro-inspired bar might become part of it.

Rumors began swirling online last week that the bar had closed its doors, as customers reported the doors were locked and the business' listing on Google changed to "permanently closed."

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Billie Jean took to social media Thursday to announce a temporary closure that could become permanent. The bar will decide whether it will close for good during a meeting this coming Thursday.

"This wasnt an easy decision but when operating expenses and overhead exceed sales its extremely difficult to survive as a small business," Billie Jean wrote.

The bar also said it has struggled with noise complaints from a nearby resident and a neighboring business. Billie Jean said a resident called police 26 times within the first month of opening and that a business next door complained "constantly" of liquor bottles vibrating so much they fell off shelves.

"Instead of focusing on correcting deficiencies and making improvements internally, we spent countless hours defending ourselves from external false accusations," the bar said.

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The San Antonio Police Department has received 52 calls for "disturbance loud music" since February at the strip mall where Billie Jean is located, according to call information released by the department. Twenty of the calls were made within 30 days of the bar's soft opening on Feb. 10.

City Council, which reportedly investigated a noise complaint, did not immediately respond to a request for information.

Billie Jean opened in February as a spot for drinks, food and dancing with nostalgic touches from movies like "Back to the Future" and "Ghostbusters."

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The bar is owned by retired veteran Israel Villarreal and his wife Gloria, who also own 80s Bar and Grill in San Benito and 80s Brewery in McAllen. In the social media post explaining Billie Jean's closure, the bar said that opening a business in a bigger market up north was a "tough road."

Pending the results of Thursday's meeting, Billie Jean thanked past customers for stopping by.

"First and foremost, thank you to every single one of you all that supported our business, we are beyond grateful to you all," the bar said.
An Alabama lawmaker has filed a bill attempting to regulate drag performances in public libraries and schools.

The bill, HB67, is sponsored by Rep. Scott Stadthagen, R-Hartselle who has attempted similar legislation in two previous years but was unsuccessful.

The bill states that a public K-12 school or public library shall not knowingly present or sponsor any drag performance in the presence of a minor without the consent of the minors parent or legal guardian.

Drag performance is defined as, A performance in which a performer exhibits a sex identity that is different from the sex assigned to the performer at birth using clothing, makeup, or other physical markers.

The legislation does not provide any stated repercussions if the provision is defied.

Stadthagen told 1819 News that radicals were trying to promote dangerous and immoral social agendas. 1819 News is a website once owned by the Alabama Policy Institute.

Efforts by AL.com to reach Stadthagen were not successful.

When parents send their children to schools, libraries and camps, they expect them to be safe and protected, not brainwashed and indoctrinated, Stadthagen 1819 News. Liberal extremists are trying to mainstream their crazy social ideas by exposing them to our children in schools, libraries, and other public places in hopes that they will be embraced by the next generation.

In a statement opposing the bill, the Alabama Transgender Rights Action Coalition urged lawmakers to stop using their power to pick on transgender children.

Trans kids do not deserve to be humiliated by state law that ignorantly declares them opposite the gender they know themselves to be  they deserve to be themselves. Alabama already denies them life-saving therapy and medical care and is trying to erase all mention of people like them from its archives and libraries, the statement read.

The organization said the legislation could have unintended consequences.

For example, a girl dressing up as George Washington for a classroom presentation would be in violation of this law. It also begs the question, What is the Alabama state dress code? Will women be restricted to dresses because pants are a male clothing item? In their effort to target drag by any means necessary, legislators have once again painted themselves into a corner with ignorance, and they are getting ever nearer to violating the first amendment rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution.

Drag queen story time performances, events where drag queens read to children primarily at libraries, have been right-wing targets for several years.

Parents, adults or guardians are usually present at the events. There has been no evidence or reporting of drag performances occurring at Alabama public schools.

Conservatives have insinuated that the increased visibility of LGBTQ+ people and gender expressions is part of a social agenda targeting children to make them queer.

The bill does not define performance which could lead to broad interpretations if the legislation passes.

The bill also prohibits minors to share certain facilities as a person of the opposite sex while at state-sponsored overnight programs. An exception is made for relatives or guardians with parental consent.

This effectively means that a child cannot be in specific facilities with a transgender person as the bill defines sex as the, state of being male or female as observed or clinically verified at birth.

This provision is related to the incident earlier this year where a transgender Space Camp employee was targeted by conservative politicians after a parent complained the worker would be in the same living quarters as their child.

Space Camp investigated and found no evidence of wrongdoing by the employee.

The conservative outcry came after the parents complaint on Facebook was also picked up by the Libs of TikTok account.

ALTRAC noted that this section of the bill was overwhelmingly rejected in committee by Stadthagens fellow Republicans when he brought it forward as an amendment to the What Is a Woman Act of 2024, a bill that has failed for two straight years. Not only does this policy not make sense to pass or to implement, because it will have no benefit to children who are not transgender, but it will effectively bar transgender youth from sleepaway camps.

The 2025 legislative session will begin on February 4.
Telecommunications company AT&T plans to eliminate traditional landline phone service to nearly all of the U.S. in its service area over the next five years.

In a statement made as part of a presentation to investors, AT&T said it will retire the old copper infrastructure used to support landlines by 2029 as it continues to expand its much faster fiber networks.

While building the network of the future, the company is actively working to exit its legacy copper network operations across the large majority of its wireline footprint by the end of 2029, AT&T said, adding it will reach about 50 million total locations with fiber service by that time.

AT&T provides traditional landline service in 21 states, including Alabama, according to a report in USA Today. The decision to end landline service will affect all but one state, California, where AT&T is required to provide it by law.

AT&T EVP Susan Johnson told PC Magazine only 5% of residential customers are currently using copper voice technology. Phasing out its use will reduce the companys maintenance cost by about 35% while also slashing electricity use.

The copper network is very inefficient, Johnson said. We are seeing declining reliability with storms and increased copper theft. Copper simply does not do well with water and flooding. And repairs are very labor-intensive. And unlike fiber, copper is an energy hog.

A spokesperson told USA Today no customers will lose voice or 911 service as it works through the transition. The company is also working with states and the Federal Communications Commission. Among the new options would be AT&T  Advanced, which, according to the report in USA Today, would allow a jack to be plugged into an existing landline plug that would connect to the providers wireless network. The cost would be about $45 a month as compared to $80 a month for the average residential landline package.

The product is compatible with other equipment that depends on landline service, such as fax machines, medical monitoring devices, alarm systems and elevators.
Britains King Charles III is fighting very hard in his battle with cancer, according to President-elect Donald Trumps account of a conversation he had with Prince William.

The comment, published Sunday night in an interview with the New York Post, is getting attention in Britain because the royal family has said so little about the kings health status - and because it is rare for people to publicly dish after official meetings with British royals.

Trump told the tabloid that he had asked William about the health of his wife and his father, who both received treatment for undisclosed forms of cancer this year.

William said Catherine, Princess of Wales, is doing well, according to Trump. Catherine announced in September that she was cancer-free and has been gradually returning to her public role since then.

About Williams father, the king, Trump said: His father is fighting very hard, and he loves his father and he loves his wife, so it was sad.

It was not clear if William had disclosed anything new about his father or was merely exchanging pleasantries.

Trump also offered his thoughts to the tabloid about Williams appearance, saying: Hes a good-looking guy. He looked really, very handsome last night. Some people look better in person? He looked great. He looked really nice, and I told him that.

The conversation between Trump and William took place at the British ambassadors residence in Paris for about 40 minutes Saturday after a service to mark the reopening of Notre Dame cathedral.

William was standing in for his father on this visit, as he sometimes has. The king returned to public duties in late April, but with fewer engagements than typically on the royal calendar. Last week, together with their wives, Charles and William hosted a state visit by the emir of Qatar at Buckingham Palace. In October, the king took part in an 11-day tour of Australia and Samoa.

Kensington Palace said that Trump and William had a warm, friendly meeting in Paris and that they discussed a range of global issues, with a focus on the U.K.-U.S. special relationship.

The palace said it had nothing further to add in response to Trumps comments.

The last time Trump and William met was during Trumps 2019 state visit to Britain. Trump is known to be a huge fan of the royal family. The British government often deploys its royals as part of a charm offensive intended to curry favor.
Police have arrested a 26-year-old man with a weapon consistent with the gun used to kill the head of the largest U.S. health insurer, New Yorks police commissioner said Monday.

The man was taken into custody after police got a tip that he had been spotted at a McDonalds in Pennsylvania, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said said at a news conference.

They also recovered clothing, including a mask consistent with those worn by our wanted individual, Tisch said. Also recovered was a fraudulent New Jersey ID matching the ID our suspect used to check into his New York City hostel before the shooting incident, Tisch said.

Luigi Nicholas Mangione was taken into custody, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. Mangione was born and raised in Maryland, has ties to San Francisco and his last known address in Honolulu, Hawaii, Kenny said.

The man taken into custody had a ghost gun, a type of weapon that can be assembled at home from parts without a serial number, making them difficult to trace, investigators said. Police found a three-page document with writings suggesting that Mangione had ill will toward corporate America, Kenny said.

As of right now the information were getting from Altoona is that the gun appears to be a ghost gun that may have been made on a 3D printer, capable of firing a 9 mm round, Kenny said.

UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson, 50, was killed last Wednesday in what police said was a brazen, targeted attack as he walked alone to the Hilton from a nearby hotel, where UnitedHealthcares parent company, UnitedHealth Group, was holding its annual investor conference, police said.

The shooter appeared to be lying in wait for several minutes before approaching the executive from behind and opening fire, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. He used a 9 mm pistol that police said resembled the guns farmers use to put down animals without causing a loud noise.

In the days since the shooting, police turned to the public for help by releasing a collection of photos and video  including footage of the attack, as well as images of the suspect at a Starbucks beforehand.

Photos taken in the lobby of a hostel on Manhattans Upper West Side showed the suspect grinning after removing his mask, police said.

Investigators have suggested the gunman may have been a disgruntled employee or client of the insurer.

Ammunition found near Thompsons body bore the words delay, deny and depose, mimicking a phrase used by insurance industry critics.

The gunman concealed his identity with a mask during the shooting yet left a trail of evidence, including a backpack he ditched in Central Park, a cellphone found in a pedestrian plaza and a water bottle and protein bar wrapper that police say he bought at Starbucks minutes before the attack.

Mondays development came as dogs and divers returned to New Yorks Central Park while the dragnet for Thompsons killer stretched into a sixth day.

Investigators have been combing the park since the Wednesday shooting and have been searching at least one of its ponds for three days.

On Friday, police found the backpack that they say the killer discarded as he fled from the crime scene to an uptown bus station, where they believe he left the city on a bus.

Retracing the gunmans steps using surveillance video, investigators say the shooter fled into Central Park on a bicycle, emerged from park without his backpack and then ditched the bicycle.

He then walked a couple blocks and got into a taxi, arriving at at the George Washington Bridge Bus Station, which is near the northern tip of Manhattan and offers commuter service to New Jersey and Greyhound routes to Philadelphia, Boston and Washington, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.

The FBI announced late Friday that it was offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, adding to a reward of up to $10,000 that the NYPD has offered. Police say they believe the suspect acted alone.

Late Saturday, police released two additional photos of the suspect that appeared to be from a camera mounted inside a taxi. The first shows him outside the vehicle and the second shows him looking through the partition between the back seat and the front of the cab. In both, his face is partially obscured by a blue mask.

Through the park search, the NYPD has taken steps to minimize disruption to visitors, leading to an odd juxtaposition of joggers, tourists and an active crime scene.

On Monday, a small section of the park was cordoned off with blue and white police tape, giving divers searching a pond an area to change and get in the water. K-9 units sniffed leaf-covered planters between walking paths.

At one point, a group of about 30 French-speaking tourists followed a guide down a path, but they couldnt go any further because of the police tape. Before turning back, many of them whipped out their phones to snap a photo of the divers.
A man killed in mass shooting at a bonfire party behind a business in Mobile over the weekend has been identified.

The Mobile Police Department announced Monday morning that Dante Desantis, 31, was killed in a shooting that injured six juveniles.

The youngest victim was 13, said Police Chief William Jackson.

These are children, Jackson said. Theres no excuse for children, or anyone for that matter, to fill up our emergency rooms with injuries that they received from senseless acts of violence.

The shooting occurred Friday around 10:47 p.m. in the area of Bellingrath and Laurendine Road.

Four injured victims were transported to area hospitals by personal vehicle, while (two) additional injured victims were transported to area hospitals by ambulance, a statement by police read.

At this time, our investigation continues and our findings will be handed over to the Mobile County District Attorneys Office. No further information will be provided.

According to witnesses, roughly 100 people were at the party and the shooters fired from their vehicle as they drove away, WKRG reported.

On Saturday afternoon, the Gun Violence Archive listed the deadly incident as one of 476 mass shootings in the U.S. and one of 25 in Alabama so far this year. A mass shooting is one in which four or more people are injured or killed.

In November, one person was killed and 16 people were injured in a shooting during homecoming at Tuskegee University. In September, four people died and 17 were injured in another mass shooting outside Hush Lounge in Birmingham.

Jackson also commented on the death of a man that occurred Sunday after being shot on I-65. The victim was identified as Monterio Harris, 28.

On Sunday morning, an adult male lost his life while traveling in a vehicle on I-65, Jackson said. What we know now is that another vehicle approached, and thats when gunfire rang out, striking the vehicle and the victim.

Jackson called on the senseless acts of gun violence to end and for individuals to settle disagreements without weapons.
An Alabama man has been arrested for allegedly assaulting law enforcement and other charges during the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol.

Authorities say 44-year-old Robert James Bonham, of Shelby County, is charged in the District of Columbia with felony offenses of assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers and obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder.

The Wilsonville man is also charged with several misdemeanor offenses, including entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building, and act of physical violence in the Capitol grounds or buildings.

Specifically, according to court documents, federal officials allege Bonham was armed with a flagpole bearing an American flag during the siege while the joint session of Congress was underway to certify the vote count of the Electoral College in the 2020 presidential election.

Bonham is accused of trying to stab a law enforcement officer with that flagpole. He was taken into custody by FBI agents in Shelby County last week and has a court appearance, via Zoom, scheduled for next week in Birmingham.

Bonham is one of more than a dozen people arrested in Alabama in connection with the Capitol breach.

According to court documents, Bonham was identified in police body-worn camera footage on Jan. 6, 2021, armed with a flagpole bearing an American flag, at approximately 2:32 p.m. on the Capitols Upper West Plaza, where officers were retreating under pressure from advancing rioters.

Moments later, at approximately 2:33 p.m., it is alleged that officers commanded Bonham and others to move back.

Instead of complying, records state, Bonham allegedly raised the flagpole and thrust it forward toward an officer in an apparent attempt to stab him. Body-worn camera footage shows the flagpole making contact with the officer, constituting a forcible assault and obstructing the officers duties.

After the alleged attack, the officer reacted immediately, grabbing the flagpole with his left hand, prompting a physical struggle with Bonham as the officer tried to disarm him.

Court documents say that additional officers moved in to assist, ordering Bonham to release the weapon.

Despite multiple commands to let it go, authorities say Bonham refused, shouting, No

A tense standoff ensued until Bonham regained control of the flagpole and returned to the mob, records state.

Authorities released footage of the incident, and the FBI received a tip that the images were Bonham, who the tipster said lived in Alabaster.

The tipster reported that they personally knew Bonham and had spoken with Bonham about his activities at the Capitol on January 6, 2021, according to charging documents. The FBI subsequently reviewed social media posts and pictures provided by the tipster of Bonham wearing clothing matching the clothing worn by Bonham on January 6, 2021.

The case is being investigated by the FBIs Birmingham and Washington field offices which identified Bonham as BOLO (Be on the Lookout) #368 on its seeking information images.

In the 46 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,561 people have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 590 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony. The investigation remains ongoing.

Anyone with tips can call 1-800-CALL-FBI (800-225-5324) or visit tips.fbi.gov.
President-elect Donald Trump, in his first post-election TV interview, promised a confrontational return to the White House, saying he would like to see many of those who investigated him jailed, including lawmakers who led an inquiry into his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

In a wide-ranging interview that also covered his tariff plans and support for his Cabinet picks, Trump promoted an aggressive immigration agenda, doubling down on his promise to deport all undocumented immigrants, as well as their family members who are in the country legally.

While it is exceedingly abnormal for the leader of a democracy to express a desire to see political opponents jailed, Trump has long called for the prosecution and imprisonment of those he believes unfairly launched investigations into actions he took during his first administration.

In a 45-minute interview with NBC Newss Meet the Press that aired Sunday and was recorded on Friday, Trump said members of the now-defunct House select committee tasked with investigating the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol should be in jail.

Everybody on that committee  for what they did, yeah, honestly, they should go to jail, Trump said, including former congresswoman Liz Cheney (R-Wyoming), the top Republican on the Jan. 6 panel.

The committee, which shuttered when Republicans took back the House in January 2023, consisted of seven Democrats and two Republicans: Cheney and Adam Kinzinger (Illinois). The panel was chaired by Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-Mississippi).

The committee concluded that Trump actively inspired his supporters to commit violence in his name as he attempted to remain in office despite losing the 2020 election. News outlets, including The Washington Post, have said that Biden is considering preemptive pardons for individuals he and his team believe might face legal threats from the incoming Trump administration.

Trumps comments on Meet the Press mark an escalation of his threats to members of the committee. While he posted in March 2023 that the committee members should be prosecuted for their lies, accusing them of treason, he has largely refrained from calling for their imprisonment.

He has only repeatedly expressed interest in jailing Cheney - a longtime Republican who lost her seat in Congress after refusing to excuse Trumps efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. Cheney endorsed and campaigned with Vice President Kamala Harris this election cycle, further infuriating Trump.

Of course this poses a very serious threat to democracy. Kings and despots jail their political opponents, said Victoria Nourse, leader of the Center on Congress and Democracy at Georgetown Law. The former president is playing with fire here. Putting fellow Republicans in jail will only embolden the faction in his party that is deeply never-Trump.

In a statement to The Post, Cheney said Trump again lied about the January 6th Select Committee.

Here is the truth: Donald Trump attempted to overturn the 2020 presidential election and seize power. He mobilized an angry mob and sent them to the United States Capitol, where they attacked police officers, invaded the building, and halted the official counting of electoral votes, Cheney said. Donald Trumps suggestion that members of Congress who later investigated his illegal and unconstitutional actions should be jailed is a continuation of his assault on the rule of law and the foundations of our republic.

Cheney also sought to clarify Trumps baseless claims during the NBC News interview that the select committee destroyed evidence, citing a 2023 letter Thompson sent House Oversight subcommittee chairman Barry Loudermilk noting that select committee staff carefully archived all evidence.

There is no conceivably appropriate factual or constitutional basis for what Donald Trump is suggesting - a Justice Department investigation of the work of a congressional committee - and any lawyer who attempts to pursue that course would quickly find themselves engaged in sanctionable conduct, she said.

In a blog post Sunday, Kinzinger said Trumps call to jail committee members was nothing more than the desperate howl of a man who knows history will regard him with shame.

Let me be clear: we did nothing wrong, Kinzinger wrote. The January 6 Committees work was driven by facts, the Constitution, and the pursuit of accountability - principles that seem foreign to Trump.

A representative for Thompson did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Trump also expressed disdain for Jack Smith, the Justice Department special counsel tasked with investigating allegations that he mishandled classified materials and any role he had in efforts to overturn the results of Joe Bidens 2020 election victory.

Trump also said he would let Pam Bondi, his pick for attorney general, do what she wants to do regarding an investigation into Smith. Trump has previously said he would like to fire Smiths entire team, including career attorneys typically protected from political retribution, according to two individuals close to Trumps transition.

When Kristen Welker, host of NBCs Meet the Press, asked if Trump wanted to see Smith in prison, he called Smith very corrupt but said the decision would be left to Bondi.

Im not going to instruct her to do it, he said.

Trump claimed he would not appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Biden - something he promised to do last year - unless Bondi and Kash Patel, his choice to lead the FBI, think theres a reason to go after the Democratic president.

Im not doing that unless I find something that I think is reasonable, Trump said. But thats not going to be my decision, thats going to be Pam Bondis decision and, to a different extent, Kash Patels.

Before he can nominate Patel to lead the FBI, Trump would first need to fire its current director, Christopher A. Wray, or Wray would have to resign several years before the end of a 10-year term.

When Welker asked Trump if he wants to fire Wray - a move that many experts have warned would hurt the FBIs independence - Trump said it would sort of seem pretty obvious that if Kash gets in, hes going to be taking somebodys place right now. Somebody is the man that youre talking about.

The president-elect also reiterated his intention to pardon the rioters who broke into the Capitol on Jan. 6.

Theyve been in there for years, and theyre in a filthy, disgusting place that shouldnt even be allowed to be open, Trump said.

As The Post has reported, judges appointed by both parties who are handling cases of Jan. 6 defendants have said that the executive branch plans are irrelevant to the judiciarys duties, showing no signs of being deterred by the prospect of pardons.

No matter what ultimately becomes of the Capitol riots cases already concluded and still pending, the true story of what happened on January 6, 2021 will never change, U.S. District Judge Royce C. Lamberth, a Ronald Reagan appointee, said Friday.

During the NBC interview, Welker asked Trump if he is willing to finally concede the 2020 election for the sake of unifying this country.

No, why would I do that? Trump replied.

He then blamed Biden for any divisions in the country, baselessly accusing him of weaponizing the Justice Department after the department launched investigations into his efforts to reverse the results of the 2020 election as well as his alleged mishandling of classified documents after he left the White House.

Biden went after his political opponent violently because he knew he couldnt beat him, Trump said. And I think it really was a bad thing.

While Trump told Welker that he does not believe warnings from economists that imposing tariffs on Mexico, Canada and China will raise prices for U.S. consumers, he insisted the levies would benefit Americans but added that he cant guarantee that prices wont go up.

Trump then claimed that the United States is subsidizing Canada, Mexico and other countries. He said that, if were going to subsidize them, let them become a state.

When Welker noted that tariffs imposed during his first term cost Americans billions, the president-elect again claimed that the tariffs cost Americans nothing.

Companies across the United States that rely on foreign suppliers have started preparing to raise prices, The Post reported in October, saying they will pass along the cost of the tariffs to their American customers. Economists have also told The Post that tariffs would probably spur a swift run-up in prices on necessities like meat, fruits and vegetables, along with cars, clothing and crude oil - all of which play an outsize role in family budgets.

Trump threatened Mexico and Canada with tariffs as part of his hard-line immigration stance, portraying both countries as failing to secure their borders with the United States and allowing criminals and fentanyl to cross into the country.

In the Meet the Press interview, Trump repeated his plan to deport everyone who is in the country illegally, but he offered no specific details on how he envisions an operation of that magnitude would be conducted.

Trump said he wants dreamers - individuals protected under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy - to stay in the country. But he also said he would not hesitate to deport mixed-status families - families with members who have legal status and members who dont.

I dont want to be breaking up families, so the only way you dont break up the family is you keep them together, and you have to send them all back, he said.

Trump also repeated his promise to end birthright citizenship on Day 1 of his administration, even though it is a constitutional right granted by the 14th Amendment.

Were going to have to get it changed, Trump said. Well maybe have to go back to the people. But we have to end it.

The president-elect repeatedly said, falsely, that the United States is the only country in the world with birthright citizenship, as most countries in the Americas have that right.

Additionally, any change to the Constitution would first need to be proposed by two-thirds vote of both houses of Congress or two-thirds of states via special conventions, and it would then require ratification by three-quarters of state legislatures, or three-fourths of conventions called in each state.

Trump defended his selection of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who founded a prominent anti-vaccine group, to serve as the nations top health official. The choice has unnerved public health officials and Democrats who say that Kennedy should be nowhere near the nations public health infrastructure. Some Republicans also say that Kennedy must explain his views on vaccines, abortion and other issues to get their votes. Kennedy has said he is not anti-vaccine.

While Trump and Kennedy have both said that Kennedy could play a sweeping role in remaking the nations heath system, the president-elect walked back his proclamation in the NBC interview. Hes not looking to, you know, to reinvent the wheel totally, Trump said.

He added that he recently convened a conversation involving Kennedy, pharmaceutical executives and Mehmet Oz, Trumps pick to oversee the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. I said, lets all get together and lets figure out where were going, Trump said, adding that the conversation focused on vaccines, drug pricing and pesticides, among other topics.
In some towns, it is more accurate to measure the distance from one place to another in Dollar Generals than miles. And with the discount retailer on seemingly every block in some towns, it could seem an unlikely place to launch same-day delivery but thats just whats happening, according to statements made in a recent earnings call.

Dollar General CEO Todd Vasos said the retailer recently soft launched a same-day delivery program. It now offers the service from about 75 stores through an unnamed third-party company, CNBC reported.

Delivery will ultimately be expanded to thousands of stores, Vasos said.

On its website, customers can search if their store offers DG Delivery which promises DG store prices delivered in as little as one hour. Customers will be able to select a store and provide an address, built their cart and select delivery timeframe and pay and place an order. The program will also accept digital coupons and offer cash back rewards. There is no minimum order requirement or fee listed.

DoorDash already provides delivery from about 16,000 Dollar General stores but this is the first operated by the retailer itself. The Tennessee-based chain has about 20,000 locations across the U.S.

You can read more here.
A Jasper toddler was killed in a Sunday morning crash in Fayette County, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

The wreck happened at 10:24 a.m. on Fayette County 73 near Morris Cemetery Road, about two miles south of Glen Allen.

ALEA Senior Trooper Brandon Bailey said the 2-year-old was a passenger in a Toyota Tacoma that left the road and hit a tree.

The child was unrestrained, Bailey said, and pronounced dead on the scene.

The driver, 40-year-old Steven B. Collins, was ejected from the pickup. He was taken to UAB Hospital in Birmingham by ambulance.

Another passenger, 22-year-old Wendy Bailey, was airlifted to UAB.

Authorities said Collins and Bailey, both also of Jasper, were not using seat belts. The severity of their injuries was not released.
Paul Stephen is a food writer for the Express-News. He can be reached at pstephen@express-news.net.

He moved to San Antonio from North Carolina in 2017 to join the Express-News Taste team. In that time, hes cooked through about 1,000 recipes, noshed at more than 200 restaurants and seriously considered getting a map of the citys grocery stores tattooed on his arm for easy reference. He cannot be trusted around your cookbook collection.
A Sunday morning car accident left an Alabama church engulfed in flames.

A male suspect crashed their vehicle into Rock Creek Church of Christ on Alabama Highway 31 at Mill Creek Road in Blount County. The accident sparked a fire in the building, which was unoccupied at the time.

The Blount County Sheriffs Office said the driver, who is suspected of being under the influence of alcohol, suffered injuries and was transported to a nearby hospital.

The Alabama Fire Marshals Office and Alabama State Troopers arrived on the scene to investigate the incident.

Scott D. Crawford, an administrator for the Rock Creek Church of Christ Facebook page, posted a photo of the church in flames.

Apparently a car ran off the road and struck the building thus morning, Crawford wrote. The building is a total loss. We are asking everyone to make plans to worship with another congregation today until we can make more concrete plans.
This is a guest opinion

Back when I served as a County Commissioner in Pickens County, I constantly searched for ways to save money because I wanted to be a responsible steward of the peoples money. I wasnt alone.

Every responsible elected official, from county commissioners and local mayors all the way to the governors office, strives to pinch pennies and maximize Alabamians tax dollars. At least that was my government experience.

The same goes for business owners, who are always looking for ways to cut costs and attract customers. A recent study by MIT found that businesses within a mile of electric vehicle chargers experience a notable uptick in customer traffic and spending.

Thats why Im so excited about the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalitions work with a U.S. Department of Energy project known as the Rural Alabama Clean Transportation Planning and Development Project, which is aimed at helping government officials, business owners and others throughout Alabamas Black Belt identify and implement cost-effective alternative transportation fuel projects.

Some of those projects will be designed to increase the operational efficiency of public and non-public fleets, saving them money in the end. Some of them will help businesses generate more revenue. All of them will help the Black Belt.

The county commissions in 10 counties  Autauga, Bibb, Conecuh, Dallas, Greene, Hale, Marengo, Perry, Sumter and Wilcox counties  passed resolutions pledging to work with a coalition of partners, including the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition, the Alabama Office of Minority Affairs, Alabama Power, Congresswoman Terri Sewell, the Alabama Rural Electric Association, Alabama Propane Gas Association and Blossman Gas, on this project.

The kickoff meeting in October in Greensboro provided a promising first step toward helping local governments and businesses figure out how alternative fuel projects can benefit them and the citizens in their communities.

Maybe the transportation director for a local school system wants to explore options related to propane or electric school buses and learn if deploying them could reduce transportation costs. Maybe federal grant opportunities are available to help pay for them.

Perhaps a fleet manager wants to explore how and why switching from gas or diesel to using alternative fuels can reduce transportation maintenance costs while also keeping up with federal emissions regulations.

Or maybe a school system, or a private sector employer, wants to offer free electric vehicle charging to eliminate the transportation cost barrier for employees.

Alternative transportation fuels have so many practical applications, with costs savings being chief among them. If we can make the air we breathe and the water we drink a little cleaner in the process, thats even better.

But theres no one size fits all. Some communities may prefer investing in electric vehicle charging infrastructure. Others may seek to use other alternative fuels such as propane, hydrogen or biodiesel.

What works for Marion might not work for Autauga County Schools. What works in Evergreen might not work in Eutaw.

Of course, the opposite could be true. Perhaps a project in Prattville can be copied by the folks in Plantersville. The conversations and connections started recently in Greensboro will ultimately help communities forge partnerships and work together to make life better for all Black Belt residents.

And thats just the first step in this process. Transportation remains one of the biggest budget items for many organizations, and transportation expenses often serve as a major barrier to success.

We appreciate the government officials, business owners, fleet managers and others who attended our kick-off meeting. If you couldnt be there? Dont worry. A second, virtual meeting is scheduled for later this month.

This is an ongoing project, so theres plenty of time for people throughout the Black Belt to get involved. If you want to learn more, please contact ACFC via email at info@alabamacleanfuels.org.

This program will have a substantial positive economic impact in the Black Belt. Thats definitely a good thing.

Frederick Kennedy serves as the community engagement liaison for the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition, concentrating on education and outreach efforts related to alternative fuels in Alabamas Black Belt region.

About the Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition

Alabama Clean Fuels Coalition serves as the principal coordinating point for clean, alternative fuel and advanced technology vehicle activities in Alabama. ACFC was incorporated in 2002 as an Alabama 501c3 non-profit, received designation as a U.S. Department of Energys Clean Cities and Communities program in 2009 and was re-designated in 2014. A national network of nearly 100 Clean Cities coalitions brings together stakeholders in the public and private sectors to deploy alternative and renewable fuels, idle-reduction measures, fuel economy improvements and emerging transportation technologies.
Joe Biden just gave his son his Christmas present  a 10-year get out of jail free card. And apparently, hes still caught up in spirit of giving. Politico reports that Joe is considering a raft of pardons for a rogues gallery of federal miscreants. It seems our nobody is above the law chief executive realizes that those who have undermined our Constitution in service to the Democrat party may need a bit of legal protection from the incoming Trump administration.

The list of pardon candidates includes such public servants as

Anthony Fauci, who funded the research that likely created a lethal pandemic and then lied about the science to cancel our civil liberties in an election year.

Adam Schiff, who would go into anaphylactic shock if he ever told the truth. He shared confidential information and complete lies with the press to trigger a special counsel investigation  which drove the country into conflict for three years, and found nothing.

Liz Cheney  who placed her hatred above patriotism and her oath of office. She used her position on the January 6 committee to hide exculpatory evidence and build an anti-Trump narrative that was used to criminally prosecute supporters of MAGA.

A list of DoJ lawfare practitioners too long to list. They have used their positions as sworn defenders of the Constitution to undermine the civil rights of concerned parents, pro-life protesters, limited government advocates, and political opponents.

A move by Joe Biden to pardon such bad actors would be highly destructive to the rule of law in general and the political fortunes of the Democrat party in particular. Not that the latter troubles me.

To be accurate, Politico says this is currently only a vigorous debate. But as Joe himself would say, Cmon, man! Were talking about Joseph Robinette Biden. It would be shockingly out of character for him to do anything thats in the best interest of the country. Of course hell do it.

According to Pew Research, nearly 80 percent of Americans no longer trust the federal government to do the right thing. A big contributor to that distrust is the weaponization of federal law enforcement, which was overseen by Joe Biden and his head of the secret police, Merrick Garland. Donald Trumps standing with the public went up each time Garlands lawfare practitioners indicted him. Thats because each attack drew more attention to the extent of DoJ corruption.

That we now have a two-tiered justice system is no longer an allegation. It is an observable fact. A Biden pre-emptive pardon package of his henchmen would amount to a presidential declaration and endorsement of a system that applies the law based on political affiliation. It would be a presidential middle finger to the those gullible enough to believe that the federal government is still a force for justice. For those who have harmed the country to escape accountability, it would be highly corrosive to the confidence in our institutions, and it would ultimately undermine the ability of those institutions to function.

However, there is something far more important than having Anthony Fauci spend time behind bars, performing domestic duties for his cellmate. Its important that the thousands of other federal miscreants know they are being watched and are at risk of real consequences. Pre-emptive pardoning of their leaders would shine a spotlight on their activities and leave them wondering if they have the name recognition necessary to garner the big guys mercy. Given human nature, pre-emptive pardons might trigger a flood of whistleblowers, seeking to point fingers in any direction but their own.

Politically speaking, pre-emptive pardons would also be a huge assist to the Trump transition team. President-Elect Trump ran on a promise to attack government corruption, and he has nominated people to leadership positions to ruthlessly do just that. Just one month after receiving a mandate from the American public, senators from both parties are working to prevent him from fulfilling his promises by blocking his appointees. However, pre-emptive pardons from Biden would shine an uncomfortable light on the obstructionists. Blocking confirmation of Trumps appointees could be perceived by the public as passivity in addressing the problem.

Within 24 hours of Joe Biden issuing any pre-emptive pardons, President-Elect Trump should address the nation hitting the following points:

The pre-emptive pardons issued by Joe Biden reveal the extent of the cancer in the federal government that must be excised.

We cannot remain a self-governed country with a government that actively works against the will of its people.

Time is short. The corruption must be attacked before it metastasizes any further.

His leadership appointees are admittedly radical choices. But they were chosen because they will ruthlessly impose the will of the people on the departments they will lead.

He should then demand an up-or-down vote on his leadership selections so that each senators constituents will know whether they stand with the people or the Deep State.

When Joe Biden pardoned his son, he showed us that Democrat claims that nobody is above the law were always a cheap political lie. If he pre-emptively pardons those who have undermined our Constitution, hell be showing us that equal justice under law is similarly inoperative.

I have no doubt that Biden will use his remaining days in office to commit of any number of acts in service to himself rather than his country. He will then retire to his estate in Delaware  which was paid for by Russia, Ukraine, and China  safe from prosecution and without a care in the world about the damage he has done.

Any Republican candidate who fails to remind the public  for the next decade  what the closing days of Bidens administration revealed about the Democrat party will be guilty of political malpractice. I suspect Joes actions will be seen by history as more damaging to a political party than any action by a politician in generations.

John Green is a retired engineer and political refugee from Minnesota, now residing in Idaho. He is a contributor to The American Spectator, and the American Free News Network. He can be reached at greenjeg@gmail.com.

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
God-kings who ruled over ancient civilizations and tyrannous authoritarians of modern times have utilized trusted means of achieving radical cultural change: the mass movement or genocidal elimination of peoples.

Whether it was Nebuchadnezzars deportation of Jews to Babylon or Mao Tse-tungs employment of the Down to the Countryside program, designed to banish and reform bourgeois youths, the plans were designed to reconfigure the social structure of nations and peoples.

The mass migrations being experienced by the United States have been and still are being employed by the Biden/Harris administration as a tool to change America into a socialist entity, an effort that entails eliminating or severely curtailing the Jewish and Christian foundations of the West.

How is the socialist vision to be achieved in America? It is to be achieved by open borders and the consequent influx of masses of immigrants and aliens from all over the globe. Class warfare, a necessary ingredient of the socialist vision, is instantly achieved by mass immigration. The divisions are more easily accomplished because most of the peoples illegally entering the country have mindsets and behaviors not informed or molded by our Republics constitutional and religious foundations.

The vision requires redistribution of the wealth of the capitalist middle class. State and city governments are to redistribute wealth and power considered unjustly earned and hoarded by the middle class. Farmers, who are regarded as the equivalent of kulaks, are to be dispossessed of their land. Confiscated wealth, including monies for social services, is to be distributed according to need.

In short, hardworking middle-class taxpayers are being forced to pay for a societal transformation that exterminates their religion, their work ethic, and eventually their class. The middle class is being forced to dig its own grave and to pay for its demise.

A paper published in 1920 by Cal Berkeley Democrats includes an article, the title of which reflects the leftist lean of many American high institutions of learning. Reckoning with Socialism and Immigration Policy: Abolishing the American concept of citizenry reveals the goals of the left now ensconced in the nations universities. Penned by Tessa Stapp, the piece outlines with exactitude the socialist policies carried out by the Biden/Harris administration over the last four years  policies defiantly continued by Biden even during the current peaceful transition to the incoming Trump administration.

Ms. Stapp wrote,

The truth is, socialism and open borders are exact compliments, requiring a different framework of policy building and different conceptions of citizenship. ... For socialism and open borders to co-exist, the United States must actively shift citizenship rights from being rooted in property [houses and land] to being rooted in community. ... In this forward dream, open borders are enacted, and socialist benefits are given to those through community-based programs.

She adds, Those that choose to be industrious and earn above that needed to survive comfortably in society would pay higher taxes, to ensure all are giving according to their ability. (Italics mine.)

Ms. Stapps language, including the phrase From each according to his ability, to each according to his need, was popularized by Karl Marx. It is a core belief of communist ideology that basic needs are to be provided to all, regardless of contribution to society at large. Monies, material goods, and services are to be provided, most often by the rich, who have what socialists consider more than is needed for basic survival.

Americas blue cities have been the Petri dishes cultivating socialist schemes. Now those schemes have been extended to all states by the Biden administrations open border policies. America is to be the sanctuary nation for the entire world, its wealth redistributed to peoples from other nations.

The high-minded term sanctuary implies that within the city or state, innocent and oppressed peoples may find safe house, sealed off from the supposed predations and oppression of outside authority figures like ICE. But the reality is that sanctuary cities and states are not places of refuge, but are leftist bastions inherently detrimental to both America and to the peoples who seek refuge therein.

Sanctuary cites are actually secessionist entities, as New York Democrat Liz Kreuger made abundantly clear when she floated the idea of secession to Canada. She and Democrat mayors and councils of sanctuary cities have declared their independence from an overarching national governance as surely as the Confederate states did when they declared themselves free from the authority of the Union.

As national institutions are not considered as having any legitimate authority over secessionist cities or states, those entities will establish their own institutions, including the means to police those within their boundaries. City and state police may effectively act as independent and rebel mercenary armies whose loyalty would be to leaders such as Karen Bass of Los Angeles and Michelle Wu of Boston. Sanctuary states led by Governors Pritzker of Illinois and Newsom of California also have taken stands against federal authority. The supposed autonomy and self-governance of Los Angeles is why its leaders are considering blocking any in-house resources from aiding the federal governments attempts to deport those who have entered the country illegally.

But just as important, if not more, the self-declared secessionist city states are oppressive to those who believe they are guaranteed safe harbor within. Since the United States government does not recognize the legality of the people who have illegally entered the country and who have fled to sanctuary cities, the places illegal aliens can reside and work in place are severely limited. Illegals become dependent on the largess of governments, which provide the chief and sometimes the only housing, food, and education.

The illegal is always subject to whims of the current city authorities, to whom he must swear fealty by voting for them. There is no protection for illegals outside the citys walls, no opportunity for enterprises reaching beyond narrowly local endeavors. Be it entrepreneurship, education, or politics, ceilings preventing upward mobility are automatically in place. Many turn to crime, which pays higher wages.

Freedom of movement, upward mobility, and permeable class structures, three chief keys to economic success, are inevitably curtailed. The result? The core foundations of socialism are cemented into place in sanctuary cities and states.

What should be the federal governments response to sanctuary cities proclamations of independence from the Union? How does the Republic deal with the establishment of independent socialist entities within?

The federal government might wish to give secessionist entities independence from federal funds. Closing the border and returning to a system of legal immigration that is fair to immigrants and citizens alike would all full access to the American dream.

But perhaps most importantly, Americans must recover true freedom.

That recovery requires complete rejection of leftist sanctuaries, which purport to establish utopias free from strife and conflict. Such notions are illusory.

Freedom also is not found in cordoned off safe spaces in academia. Those spaces insist on uniformity of thought, not the hurly-burly critical thinking requires. Nor is freedom found in corporations and businesses adhering to DIE instead of the recruitment and advancement of anyone who is talented and willing to work hard. Nor is freedom found in churches who isolate their congregations from the intellectual and spiritual ferment of the world, preferring ritualistic stasis to wrestling against wicked principalities.

The founders of this wonderful nation believed that freedom was endowed by our Creator God. Thus, they sought to create a constitutional framework that enabled citizens to exercise their God-given rights with minimal interference of governments.

It is past time to return to those ideals and to the framework of freedom established by the United States Constitution.

Then, once more, America will be the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Fay Voshell holds a M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary. Her thoughts have appeared in many online magazines. She may be reached at fvoshell@yahoo.com.

Image: woodleywonderworks via Flickr, CC BY 2.0.
No, I am not crazy. Follow along for some fun.



President-elect Donald Trump has chosen Tom Homan, the former acting head of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), to serve as his border czar. Trump chose Homan, rather than nominating him, because czars do not require Senate confirmation.



Trump described this position:

I am pleased to announce that the Former ICE Director, and stalwart on Border Control, Tom Homan, will be joining the Trump Administration, in charge of our Nations Borders (The Border Czar), including, but not limited to, the Southern Border, the Northern Border, all Maritime, and Aviation Security. Ive known Tom for a long time, and there is nobody better at policing and controlling our Borders. Likewise, Tom Homan will be in charge of all Deportation of Illegal Aliens back to their Country of Origin. Congratulations to Tom. I have no doubt he will do a fantastic, and long awaited for, job.

As NPR describes:

The term czar is used  sometimes by headline writers, sometimes by the White House  to describe an official that a president designates to coordinate the government's response to a specific issue, usually one that is time-sensitive.

Political science professor Mitch Sollenberger is more specific in defining the roles of an administration czar:

A non-Senate confirmed position that has final decision-making authority over budgets, policy areas [and] can promulgate rules, regulations as well that impact other government officials and even the private sector.

In other words, a czar acts as the presidents representative or emissary on a specific issue. This is neither new nor controversial, except when Donald Trump appoints one.



Most presidents since Woodrow Wilson have appointed czars. Barack Obama had nearly 30 czars for issues including climate change, terrorism, green jobs, auto bailouts, and the closure of GITMO, which caused the late Sen. John McCain to observe: "Obama has more czars than the Romanovs."



Even President Joe Biden has czars, the most noteworthy being Vice President Kamala Harris, who served as his border czar. Once she was running for president and her dismal failure to secure the border was on display, corporate media quickly backtracked and denied her role.



For fun, watch this YouTube montage of media cranks calling her a czar before denying it, forgetting that the internet is forever, but reminded that their credibility is as transient as a puff of smoke.



What does Hillary Clinton have to do with any of this?



Image: Screen shot (cropped, detail) from New York Times website banner // fair use



If Tom Homan cannot serve as Trumps border czar, a previous version of Hillary Clinton could readily do so. Otherwise, Clinton could serve as Homans number two, his deputy, assistant, or wingman.



You must think I am in Bidens dementia land. But I assure you I am not. Lets go back to 2007, during Clintons first failed presidential run. Specifically, on Nov. 7, 2007, when a younger and more articulate Hillary Clinton spoke at an Iowa town hall meeting.



Here is a video, for the misinformation fact-checkers out there, from the gospel of misinformation, the New York Times. Her words with my comments [in brackets],

People are trying to cope with what is ultimately a failure of the federal government. The President and Congress have failed. [Biden, McConnell, McCarthy, Ryan, and all Democrats]



Youve got to toughen border security. You can't continue to have open borders. Youve got to put more personnel and technology along the borders to make sure we know who's coming into our country and prevent people from entering illegally. That has got to be priority number one. [Biden/Harriss only priority is an open border]



Youve got to crack down on employers who employ undocumented workers. [meaning Wall Street Journal and Chamber of Commerce Republicans]



You need much tougher sanctions, much tougher penalties. [Trumps threatened tariffs as an example]



I don't think the taxpayers of any county, city, or state should have to pay the cost for health care, education, law enforcement, as a result of a federal problem than not fixing the immigration system. [Democrat Denver Mayor Mike Johnston spent $356 million taxpayer funds on migrants. Illegal immigration is costing U.S. taxpayers $150 billion a year, 2% of the federal budget]



You know, there are a lot of decent, hardworking people who are here as our documented workers. [Those who followed U.S. law, migrating here legally, playing by the rules, waiting in line if necessary]



We think we got about 12 million people here who are undocumented. [That was in 2007; its much more now].



The way things are now, they're basically just being given a chance to do what they really want to, because we don't have an immigration law. [Actually, we do, but the ruling class chooses not to enforce the law]



If they ever committed a crime either in the country they came from or in this country, deport them immediately, no questions asked. If they'd been here and been lawful, then I think they got to pay fines, pay back taxes, they got to try to learn English, and they gotta wait in line. [Trump promised, "On day one, I will launch the largest deportation program of criminals in the history of America."]



They can't get ahead of anybody else who's been here legally and waiting. And they have to stay out of trouble and keep working and be law-abiding, and maybe in 10 or 15 years, they can get legalization. [This sounds like Trumps plan of prioritizing deportation of criminal illegals and, for those who self-deport, the opportunity to get in line and migrate to the US legally]

Joking aside, it's interesting how far Democrats have shifted to the left over the past two decades. Clintons approach above would be a bridge too far for many congressional Republicans who prefer open borders to appease their political donors. For Clintons Democrat colleagues, her ideas would be dead on arrival.



Another example is in 2006 when Hillary Clinton was the junior senator from New York; she published her views on immigration. She used the term illegal or unlawful alien in the statement 17 times. Today that term is racist/sexist/Nazi/fascist/homophobic/xenophobic or any of the current slurs-de-jour directed against Trump and his supporters.



Beginning in 2012, illegal immigrant was considered a slur. The AP Stylebook no longer sanctions the term or the use of illegal to describe a person. The Biden administration also rejects the terms "illegal alien" and "assimilation, replacing them with "undocumented noncitizen" and "integration." However, new words dont change reality.



Its ironic that Hillary Clinton, 20 years ago, viewed and spoke about illegal immigration in a way similar to Donald Trump and his future border czar, Tom Homan. Most of Clintons fellow Democrats held similar opinions.



How and why did Hillary Clinton shift so far to the left? One reason is that her 2007 stance was likely disingenuous, catering to an electorate that was already concerned about illegal immigration.



Another reason is Mr. Fundamental Transformation of America, who pushed his party from liberal to Marxist, leaving his administrative state embeds in place to maintain leftist pressure through the Trump and Biden presidencies.



How interesting that Hillary Clinton from 20 years ago and Donald Trump today share similar views on the border and immigration, and that old Clinton could give Tom Homan a run for his money as border czar.





Brian C. Joondeph, M.D., is a physician and writer. Follow me on Twitter @retinaldoctor, Substack Dr. Brians Substack, Truth Social @BrianJoondeph, LinkedIn @Brian Joondeph, and Email brianjoondeph@gmail.com.
The 2024 American election coincided with the latest grim and bloody period of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

According to Bloomberg, as of Nov. 1, Russia had captured 442 square miles in Ukraine since August 6, about a quarter more than in the first seven months of the year.

As Ukrainians in the homeland and scattered across the globe watched their armed forces' accelerating retreat on the eastern front, they also passionately followed the intricacies of the opposing U.S. electoral campaigns.

In the widespread consensus, global Ukrainians regard the U.S. as the only power that can turn the tide of the devastating and protracted war. However, this is where the consensus ends. The difference between the opposing Ukrainian camps is in the opinion as to where Donald Trump's victory will turn the tide  to Ukraine's demise or to her good.

A Spectrum of Perspectives

The spectrum of Ukrainian-Americans' views spans a wide range, centered around two polar viewpoints: whether to support Ukraine in continuing the fight to secure victory or to push for an immediate end to the war.

Early Sunday morning, after the abrupt end of the Syrian regime, Trump issued a statement saying, Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness. He added, There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin.





This statement, from President Trump's Truth Social account, which was later reposted on X, leaves room for varying reactions and interpretations within the Ukrainian-American community. However, these responses will likely remain anchored in the same enduring divideshaped by deeply held beliefs and expectations that have withstood the tests of time and shifting circumstances.

A Call for Victory



The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America's (UCCA) Call to Action, issued after the Russian attack on Ukraine with an Intermediate Range Ballistic Missile on November 21, very characteristically summarized the opinions of those who believe the U.S. should help Ukraine continue fighting until the decisive victory. The attack, which came after President Joe Biden had given the green light for Ukraine to use US-supplied missiles to strike Russia, hit the central Ukrainian city of Dnipro with several warheads.





Video screen shot on X purports to show IRBM re-entry vehicles hitting Ukraine, as seen on www.express.co.uk and Zhao DaShuai X accounts

UCCA, the diaspora umbrella organization, spoke about Russia's "failures  on the battlefield" and "the kremlin's deepening desperation" among the reasons behind the aggressor state's decision for the first-ever combat use of an IRBM missile. (Note: UCCA spells 'Kremlin' and 'Russia' without capitalizations in its releases -ed.)

UCCA's address included the essence of the opposition to the idea of Ukraine's urgent negotiations with Russia: it underscored "the urgency of delivering a decisive defeat to the kremlin." "The only way to stop [Russia's] campaign of terror and intimidation is to ensure Ukraine's full victory," continued the address.

To ensure the victory, UCCA called on the U.S. and its allies to strengthen military support for Ukraine and "provide it with the advanced weapons needed to counter russian missile threats". UCCA believes that "A clear and resounding Ukrainian victory is essential to deterring future russian adventurism and preserving global stability."

A Call for Ceasefire

Ukrainians on the other end of the debate echo the report America First, Russia and Ukraine by Keith Kellogg and Fred Fleitz, published in April 2024, in that it's time to stop the killing.

Trumps reaction following the toppling of Assads regime, along with statements from his inner circle regarding Ukraine in the past month, aligns closely with the reports main themes.

In our interviews, several Americans of Ukrainian descent agreed with the report's sentiment that "The United States would continue to arm Ukraine and strengthen its defenses to ensure Russia will make no further advances and will not attack again after a ceasefire or peace agreement. Future American military aid, however, will require Ukraine to participate in peace talks with Russia."

Returning the territory taken by Russia is the most painful issue for most Ukrainians. The report agrees that "Ukraine would not be asked to relinquish the goal of regaining all its territory, but it would agree to use diplomacy, not force."

Kellogg and Fleitz admit that "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."

Several Ukrainian Americans who agreed to talk to us shared that view.

Voices from the Diaspora: Pro-Trump

Maria

Maria, a health insurance professional from New Jersey born in the Ternopil region of western Ukraine, said, "A horrific end is better than a never-ending horror. I did not vote, but I would have voted for Trump because there is no end in sight for this war under this administration. It's been almost three years, and Ukraine is getting destroyed."

Oksana

Oksana Holovko, from New Jersey and originally from the Lviv region of western Ukraine, a financial manager with a logistics company, voted for Trump because "President Biden has supported Ukraine mainly in words but not in deeds. She said: I don't know where all that U.S. assistance has goneI know people who are on the front lines, and they don't have enough weapons. If Kamala Harris became president, I think the war would protract for four more years. I don't want that for Ukraine; all my relatives are there, including my mom."

Oksana liked Donald Trump's compassion for people caught up in the war and his intent to stop the killings. She wasn't sure how long would the Ukrainian army last due to the shortage of personnel and despite the draconian mobilization efforts: "I visited Ukraine in October and witnessed how the authorities stopped a transit bus and extracted several men. A longer war would exterminate most of the Ukrainian men, I want this to stop," she said.

Olena

Olena, a shipping company employee from New Jersey, originally from the easternmost Ukrainian region of Luhansk, voted for Trump.

Her answer to the question of why, she said, is always "Because it was during the Biden administration when Russia invaded Ukraine." She added: "I remember Biden's words about a 'minor incursion' ["It's one thing if it's a minor incursion and then we end up having a fight about what to do and not do."President Biden on Jan. 20, 2022, just before the all-out invasion].

The guys on the front are telling me they remember the American support they got when Trump was President. Biden has thrown Ukraine to the wolves. My town in the Luhansk region is bombed out, I lost my mother's apartment and everything in it."

Olena agrees with the idea of the ceasefire that would stop the bloodshed and allow Ukraine to take a breath. She expects strong-handed policies from President Trump that would help Ukraine rearm, retake the occupied territories, and prevent further Russian aggression.

Ihor

Ihor Prots, a transportation business owner from New Jersey, originally from Lviv, did not vote. He recognized that without the Biden administration's support, Ukraine would not have lasted long in the war. However, the bulk of this support, he believes, was due to the military-industrial complexs desire to make money. At the same time, he considers the U.S. assistance insufficient, caused by the Biden administration's determination to prevent Russia's loss and disintegration.

Regarding the idea for a ceasefire, Ihor acknowledged Ukraine's deep trauma of the lost territories but said: "I am not in the trenches. Only those in the trenches have the right to oppose a ceasefire and demand to keep fighting until we reach Ukraine's 1991 border."

"The corrupt nature of the Ukrainian government makes it impossible to win the war now. Ukrainians are either fleeing the country or dying in the trenches. If the controlled territory gets a chance to join NATO and the EU, the best option is to stop the war, end this catastrophe, and hold the elections to change the government," added Ihor.

Sergii

Sergii Mangerovskyi is a U.S. green card holder from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, originally from Zaporizhzhia, south Ukraine. He says that "everyone" at his Ukrainian Protestant congregation in Philadelphia supports Donald Trump, with most of the congregation coming from central Ukraine. He thinks that the combination of the Ukrainian corruption and the insufficient support from the Biden administration has led to the bloody stalemate. He expects that President Trump as a decisive leader will make some "tough" decisions to turn the situation around. Sergii believes that to return the occupied territories to Ukraine, it is necessary to stop the war and reform the Ukrainian government.

Oksana and Peter

A Ukrainian-born Oksana and a U.S.-born Peter from New Jersey voted for Trump. They want Ukraine to return the occupied territories but with minimal casualties: "We hope that Trump will stop the war and solve this diplomatically, it's impossible to watch this suffering anymore. If the Biden administration wanted to help Ukraine, this war would not have lasted almost three years. Biden was not able to prevent this war or push Putin back."

Voices from the Diaspora: Pro-Harris

Andriy

Andriy Kopiychuk, a hospital worker from Holly Springs, North Carolina, originally from Lviv, voted for Kamala Harris. A former Republican, he compared Donald Trump's and his team's 'hostile' position on Ukraine with the approaches of other Republican leaders whom Andriy said supported Ukraine. He also provided Trump's 'potential' links to Russia as the reason for his vote. He prefers the Democrats' 'positive' and 'balanced' approach to Ukraine which avoids 'excessive' expenditures on the war and provocation of Russia's aggression towards America. He blames Ukraine's current troubles on indecisive actions and insufficient support by the European governments, and Ukrainian corruption.

Natalie

Natalie, a public school educator from New Jersey, was born in the U.S. to World War II refugees from Ukraine. She voted for Kamala Harris, whom she described as having a "very centric position from the American standpoint which speaks to, what I perceive, upholding the Budapest memorandum that pledged for security for Ukraine." Natalie said that Harris "was very outspoken in her support of the Ukrainian cause, understanding it as a fight for democracy over totalitarianism and unjust invasion."

"As a Ukrainian-American, it was a very significant issue for me. My sense of what former President Trump was talking about is terrifying, like 'I would let Russia do whatever they want.' It is not the American viewpoint, NATO has supported peace for the last 80 years," she said.

A Generational and Media Divide

The debate between the two groups of Ukrainian-Americans along the lines of the Trump/Harris divide is less visible than America's general debate but is as deep.

The U.S.-born Natalie said that the position of many fourth-wavers (those who came to America after 1991) who support Trump was "amazing and confounding" to her.

Her opinion "is borne out in the ways they educated us," she said. "My parents' generation, the third wave, was escaping the encroaching Soviets after World War II, wanting to hold on to Ukraine in whatever ways they could with [the scouting organization] Plast, the churches, and schools. They are looking at the threat of Trump in a very clear-eyed way. I can't explain the fourth waves standpoint, but they probably like Trump's leadership style."

But not all older-wavers adhere to this point of view. The U.S.-born Peter, who also went through Plast and other diaspora organizations in his youth, explained why many third-wavers do not understand the fourth-wavers who support Trump: "It depends on where you get your information. In America, the Democrats control most of the news."

From Peter's experience, the choice of the news source can change even the third wave's intrinsic uncompromising stance against Russia and make one more susceptible to a diplomatic solution to Ukraine's quagmire.

Yuri Bilinsky is a Toronto-based journalist covering energy and global affairs, with a focus on the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its impact on North American communities.



Image: X / Twitter video screen shot.
Since the collapse of his hopes for the Oceans franchise, its being widely asserted that George Clooney is being punished by Hollywood for alienating the American people through his opposition to Donald Trump. But that aint it  since when has Hollywood ever given a damn what Americans think?

In truth, Clooney is being scapegoated for his perceived role in the Democrat defeat in the 2024 election. At the behest of none other than Barry Obama himself, Clooney wrote an editorial for the NYT calling for Joe Biden to step down in the wake of Bidens disastrous debate performance last July. Clooney was manipulated into publicly stating what everybody was thinking but was too afraid to say. Much the same as with Walter Cronkite and Lyndon Johnson in 1968, Biden concluded that if hed lost Hollywood, hed lost everyone. He left the field, tossing the Kamala grenade into the Democrat bunker as he left.

Everyone knows how that worked out. Ever since November 5th, the Democrats, the Left, and the media have been rooting around looking for someone to blame, and poor George proved to be expendable. He tried to play with the big boys, and they used him and threw him to the wolves. In the end, George Clooney, A-lister, turned out to be just another Democrat voter, another inner-city black, another feckless immigrant, another deluded suburbanite to be manipulated and then tossed aside as soon as the polls closed.

Clooney is never going to miss a meal. But if he wants to continue working, hell have to adjust. To rekindle his career, hell need to take his time and start out small, a few guest roles on the tube, maybe some kind of deal with a streaming channel, a low-budget independent film or two. This may be hard to take for a star of Clooneys magnitude. But it could be worse. He cant simply be unpersonned the way the Lefts Soviet exemplars did back in the day.

The lesson here is clear: the Dems are just as rabidly vicious toward their allies as they are toward their enemies.

And I never thought that horny toad was actually Pete, either.

Image: AT via Magic Studio
For some time, we've argued that Mexico bringing Cuban doctors to work is immoral. Why? First, these doctors are nothing but a source of foreign exchange for the communist regime. They don't negotiate their salaries or work conditions. Second, they are "rentals" and their families are held hostage back home. So this stinks all over.

According to Arturo McFields, the whole thing may put Mexico in violation of the U.S.-Mex-Canadian trade agreement. Check this out:

Mexico has not played fair. It had already violated the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement on trade by allowing China to use it as a back door for its exports. The new Mexican government is also weakening the legal framework of the country and undermining its own institutions. And now, in the field of labor, Mexico is violating the agreement once again by receiving 199 Cuban doctors this month in a modern slavery scheme. The USMCA is clear about its commitment to the protection of labor rights. Its preamble establishes the decision to promote the protection and enforcement of labor rights, the improvement of working conditions, the strengthening of cooperation and the Parties capacity on labor issues. The Cuban medical missions are a direct violation of Article 23 of the USMCA which calls for the elimination of all forms of forced or compulsory labor.

There you have it. Is Mexico aware of this? Maybe they didn't read the agreement or some other stupid reason. More than likely, they knew exactly what they were doing and it's time to call them out.

Mexico is not negotiating with the Biden administration anymore. It's Trump now and all the talk about tariffs confirms that. So challenge Mexico on this violation and demand a termination of this. It's about time.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.

Image: Stockvault/2Happy
The Vatican has unveiled its 2024 Christmas displaywhich met with Pope Franciss approvaland it deliberately advances the leftist/Muslim narrative that Jesus was a Palestinian. This is a historical rewrite of the worst kind and gives fuel to the worst people.

History is not complicated:

The Bible saysand nothing contradicts itthat around the early 17th century B.C., the Israelites settled in the Land of Canaan, which became the Nation of Israel. Around the year 1,000 B.C., King David defeated the Philistines, who were the Israelites ancient enemies. For the next slightly more than 400 years, whether as a single nation or as the split nations of Judah and Israel, the same land was ruled entirely by the Jewish people.

In 586 B.C. (and history does confirm this), Assyria conquered the ancient Kingdom of Israel, which ceased to exist. However, the Kingdom of Judah continued. In subsequent centuries, the Kingdom of Judah was conquered by and became a vassal of the Babylonians and the Hellenist Greeks. The 2nd century B.C. Maccabean revolt saw a brief return to Jewish control but, in 63 B.C., the Romans conquered the Kingdom of Judah.

Through it all, the land was always understood to be the Jewish land. The Jews may have been a vassal state or colony, but the whole thing was Jewish. Indeed, in 6 AD, when the Romans cracked down on the Jews, they still recognized the ancient Kingdom of Judah, for they renamed the land Judea.

Around the year 1 A.D. (the moment when the world ticked over from Before Christ to Anno Domini [the year of our Lord]), a man known as Jesus of Nazareth was born in the Roman-controlled Jewish colony of Judea. His lineage, for he was descended from King David, and his message made it clear that he was a Jew and identified as such.

In the year 70 A.D., after yet another Jewish uprising, the Romans finally and brutally conquered the Jewish people. To signal that the Jews no longer had any power in Judea, in 135 A.D., they renamed it Palestine. This was meant to be an insulting reference to the Philistines whom King David had defeated almost 1,000 years before. The Philistines may have been long gone, but the Romans were rubbing in the fact that the Jews, too, were defeated.

However, unlike the vanished Philistines, the Jews never left the land. Instead, they continued to occupy the land of their forefathers in an unbroken chain reaching through today. Indeed, in the late 1600s, a detailed demographic study of the region showed that the residents of what is now Israel were primarily Jews, followed by some Christians and an even smaller number of Bedouins.

Mohammed was born sometime in the latter half of the 6th century A.D. Although he never set foot in Jerusalem, he claimed it as his own because of a dream. Within a very short time, Islam, a religion predicated on conquest through fire, sword, and rape, had conquered most of the Middle East, including Jerusalem and the surrounding land.

However, because this land was so hard, barren, and malarial, it was always a backwater. The Muslims clung to Jerusalem because Mohammed had put his imprimatur on it, but they never really settled there. Only in the 19th century did the flotsam and jetsam of the Muslim world (often Muslims escaping other Muslims) find their way to the land, which was then under the control of the Ottoman Empire. There, they lived in squalor, squatting on property that Ottoman potentates, ensconced in Istanbul, London, and Paris, actually owned.

These late arrivals are the forebearers of the Muslim Arabs who now call themselves Palestinians. That term has no historical connection to the Muslim Arabs who were long considered Jordanians. Instead, it was a leftist, politically charged phrase that Yasser Arafat introduced in the 1960s. At the same time, Arafat made the traditional Arab keffiyeh a symbol of his genocidal revolution against the Jews.

Those are the facts. However, facts have never stopped leftists. For some time, now, leftists have been claiming that Jesus was a Palestinian, even though Palestine came into existence long after Jesus left this world. The point, of course, is to de-Judaize Jesus. Sadly, Pope Francis is a leftist.

I dont mean any disrespect to the Catholic faith when I say this. The reality is that Pope Francis is a product of the Latin American Catholic Church, which was long ago made a subset of communism via liberation theology. Most of you have noticed that, except on the issue of abortion, as to which Pope Francis is still holding the line, all his other policies and obsessions align with the WEF, one worldism, and communism.

Pope Franciss background explains the grotesque travesty that took place at the Vatican this Christmas season: The Vatican nativity showing the baby Jesus has this child, a Jewish boy born in a Jewish country, resting on a Palestinian keffiyeh, as if he were an antisemitic Muslim:

Pope Francis inaugurates the new nativity scene called Betlehem 2024 in the Vatican



Looks like the Pope has also fallen for the absurd claim that Jesus was a Palestinian. pic.twitter.com/nVhsOW8vuL  Visegrad 24 (@visegrad24) December 7, 2024

Ironically, of course, the Muslims have driven out all Jews and almost all Christians from Bethlehem. Jesus would not be welcome there.

The message from the Vatican, a message predicated on the ugliest type of antisemitic historical revisionism, is that Jews have no connection to the land and that Jesus had no connection to the Jews.

This Pope is doing more damage to Catholicism than the Medicis or Borgias put together. Those medieval and Renaissance popes were materially corrupt, but they believed in the faith. Things are different now.

Image: X screen grab.
Peter and Zechariah Mehler will walk into a Milwaukee, Wisconsin courtroom this Thursday and face three years in jail for the crime of destroying a mural which showed a swastika within the Star of David and read, "The irony of becoming what you once hated."

This father and son are heroes who deserve the keys to the city rather than facing years in jail. What a despicable terrible travesty of justice for them to be under such stress and expense as to face a trial. Can one imagine what would happen in a black neighborhood to a KKK sign or KKK members?

Sadly, many Jews today realize that governments arent protecting us and we must stand up to Jew haters.

There has been a 570% increase in anti-Semitic incidents since 2015 in Milwaukee. Jews who stand up to Jew-haters and remove Nazi murals must not face any punishment. We live in a society where we see anti-American forces destroying cities nationwide, campuses being desecrated, and those who harm Jews behaving with impunity. A Nazi mural is incitement to further anti-Semitic violence already prevalent in Milwaukee.

As proud Jews and Americans, the Mehlers took action as every decent person should. Jews nationwide must stand up to Jew haters and governments which for too long have permitted Jew-haters to behave as they want. The Milwaukee DA needs to drop all charges immediately. It is despicable that the Mehlers are facing a trial. Those who hate Jews and hate America must be challenged, not coddled. We are proud of this family who took action, and they are role models.

Before the incident, alderwoman JoCasta Zamarripa said, "There is no place in our city for a mural that lifts up a swastika" and all 15 common council members sent statements asking for it to be taken down. The Milwaukee Jewish Federation described the mural as horribly antisemitic in a Facebook post.

Yet, in this world there are people who talk and people who do. There are those among us who dont want to wait for the inevitable beatings and assualts while hearing some lazy speech from a politician. Instead, those who take action are heroes.

This is 2024 and we have had enough. As Israels late great Prime Minister Menachem Begin once said, we are not Jews with trembling knees. We stand up and when we see something, we do something.

The landlord of the building displaying this mural, Ishsan Atta, is a member of a family of Islamic activists who has previously compared Israel and the Nazis:

Atta has previously compared Israel to Nazi Germany. Two days ago he reposted a meme on Instagram that attempted to draw similarities between Adolf Hitler and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He argued that it was OK to combine the Star of David and swastika symbols because, he said, the star is used not only as a religious symbol, but a political symbol.

The Mehlers have told me they believe in the way of Zeev Jabotinsky, the great Zionist leader, and we have shared with them his words in preparation for court. As Jabotinsky once said about a similar matter,

Instead of excessive apology and instead of turning our backs to the accusers -- as there is nothing to apologize for, and nobody to apologize to -- it is long overdue to respond to all current and future accusations, reproaches, suspicions, slanders and denunciations by simply folding our arms and loudly, clearly, coldly and calmly answer, Go to Hell! We are hated not because we are blamed for everything, but we are blamed for everything because we are not loved. We do not have to apologize for anything. We are a people as all other peoples; we do not have any intentions to be better than the rest. We do not have to account to anybody; we are not to sit for anybodys examination and nobody is old enough to call on us to answer. We came before them. We are what we are, we are good for ourselves, we will not change and we do not want to.

Simply, the only thing which Peter and Zechariah Mehler should hear from anyone is Thank you for your actions and keeping our community safe.

Ronn Torossian is an entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is Chairman of Betar, an international Zionist movement devoted to strong, proud Jews. Zechariah Mehler is President of Betar Milwaukee.

Image: Yonderboy
Jacob Beltran covers crime, breaking news and general assignments for the Express-News. He can be reached at jbeltran@express-news.net.

A San Antonio native, Jacob began his journalism career in 2010. He's worked for the student-run newspaper for San Antonio College, The Ranger, and for Texas A&M University-San Antonio, The Mesquite.

He enjoys video games, photography and exploring during his free time.
Ardent vaccine promoter Dr. Peter Hotez recently appeared on MSNBCs Deadline: White House with Nicolle Wallace to predict doom and gloom for the incoming Trump administration. He told Wallace, We have some big picture stuff coming down the pike starting on January 21st, before rattling off a list of scary viruses, which included bird flu, SARS, dengue, yellow fever, whooping cough, measles, polio, Zika, and something called the Oropouche virus.

Oh, and of course, a new coronavirus, saying, We have another major coronavirus likely brewing in Asia.

Brewing?

Hotez reiterated that all of these are going to come crashing down on January 21st on the Trump administration.

How the hell does he know this?! Did he misspeak, or is he privy to a biological attack set for January 21st? Is he just trying to scare people? And how does he know that these viruses/diseases wont come crashing down on the Biden administration on, say, December 21st or January 6th?

Hotez also noted, We have a likelihood that new pandemic threats that people call Disease X are going to be arising on a regular basis...I wrote for the Houston Chronicle a couple of months back that COVID-19 is just the warm-up act.

Well, isnt he special? He must be an expert! Does he represent science, too, or is he science? If so, he is part of the problem, much like Dr. Fauci. After all, science brought us the Wuhan Flu COVID-1984.

Dr. Hotez then opined, We have this sharp rise in vaccine-preventable diseases, which are increasing in part due to the anti-vaccine activism thats so prominent right now. Im going to call B.S. on that statement and point out that several of these diseases, including measles and polio, were virtually eradicated in the U.S. before the recent massive influx of illegal immigrants.

A dark-hearted cynic might think its almost as if certain figures want these viruses to proliferate so they can feel importantand be interviewed on shows like Nicolle Wallaces. Just sayin.

HERE WE GO! Vaccine researcher Peter Hotez says multiple viruses will be unleashed on America the day after Trump takes office



We have some big picture stuff coming down the pike starting on January 21st.



pic.twitter.com/SlGrvBddsC  Breaking911 (@Breaking911) December 4, 2024

Image: X screen grab.
As Mark Steyn recently wrote:

December 6th marked the thirty-fifth anniversary of the Montreal Massacre - a grim day in 1989 when fourteen female students at the Ecole Polytechnique were murdered by a man known to posterity as Marc Lepine.

Ever since, Steyn writes, Canada flies its flags at half-mast on each successive December 6th. And blames men for the fourteen women murdered by Lepine ... who was born Gamil Gharbi and was the son of a known Algerian Muslim wife-beater, though, as Steyn notes, you wouldn't know that from the press coverage.

The most relevantand tragicaspect of the tragedy is that every one of the men in the classroom where the slaughter occurred, professors and students alike, obediently left the room when ordered to do so. They simply abandoned their female classmates and fellow humans to their fate, without objection or push back. That they did so would have boggled the minds of men, even Canadian men, a few short decades ago.

Steyn commented:

These men stood outside in the corridor and, even as they heard the first shots, they did nothing. And, when it was over and Gharbi walked out of the room and past them, they still did nothing. Whatever its other defects, Canadian manhood does not suffer from an excess of testosterone.

Of course, this heinous episode resulted in the Canadian government pushing even more stringent gun control measures, not in questioning immigration, crime, or other policies.



Real men, marinating in their toxic masculinity, will stand up for women and say enough! as regards trans women in womens bathrooms and locker rooms. And real men, of the toxically masculine variety, would not ignore the gang rapes of innocent young girls that are being committed by immigrants. The mostly young male cops who do, and, in fact, go after those who wish to put a stop to these heinous crimes, are anything but toxically masculine.

Be careful what you wish for ladies. The lack of toxic masculinity led to this disaster  and the death of so many innocent women. In this case, as in so many others, the lack of masculinity was not only toxic, but deadly. Especially for women.

Image: The All-Nite Images, via Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 2.0 Deed
The issue in the transgender care case, U.S. v. Skrmetti, before the Supreme Court is whether the State of Tennessee may prohibit the use of puberty-blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgical mutilation and castration on mentally ill children with gender dysphoria.

The most widely used puberty-blocker for children with gender dysphoria is Lupron, which is a powerful drug developed to treat certain kinds of cancer and to suppress sex drive in convicted sex offenders. It is given to kids beginning at age 12 to stop puberty and to give them time to think about their gender (most go on with more procedures), with the expectation of starting cross-sex hormones (testosterone for girls and estrogen for boys, which causes medical castration) at age 1516, with the option to follow with gender surgery  i.e., mastectomy, removal of the uterus and ovaries, and construction of a fake penis from the clitoris for girls, and removal of the penis and testicles and construction of a fake vagina for boys  a few years later. Its the transgender assembly line.

My description of these treatments may sound harsh, but its the truth. It is this ghoulish process of mutilating the bodies of mentally ill children that the Tennessee Legislature overwhelmingly rejected and banned under law.

The arguments in favor of radical gender medicine are bizarre. Proponents of these radical treatments for mentally ill children claim that they are life-saving, but that is not true. The Cass Review, a review by British experts of the quality of the medical science used to justify radical gender care, found that medical and surgical gender procedures did not reduce suicide in children or adults and that there is little or no scientific basis to claim that any of these procedures offers benefits of any kind to mentally ill kids. Based on the Cass review, many nations, including England, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, and Norway, have sharply curbed the use of radical gender procedures for children. Transgender care is a crude but lucrative experiment, done on tens of thousands of mentally disturbed and highly vulnerable children and adults, without substantial basis in medical science.

Proponents of radical gender procedures also claim that laws protecting children from hormonal and surgical castration discriminate against these children, but the opposite is the case. There is no other medical specialty in which doctors are permitted to destroy normal body parts of physically healthy children or adults. Gender care creates illness  sterility, deformity, inhibition of sexual pleasure, and major side-effects caused by puberty-blockers and unnatural cross-sex hormones: osteoporosis, bone fractures, sterility, cardiovascular disease, increased risk of cancer, and new mental disorders.

No state allows cardiac surgeons to deliberately damage the hearts of physically healthy but mentally ill patients or neurosurgeons to deliberately damage the brains of physically healthy but mentally ill patients. Why are children with gender dysphoria excluded from the ethical protections given to all other patients  the right to be protected from radical, destructive, and scientifically unjustified drug protocols and surgery that damage, rather than heal, their normal bodies?

Children with gender dysphoria are seriously psychologically ill. They are physically healthy  healthy, that is, until gender doctors get to work on them.

It would be a travesty of law and of medical ethics for the Supreme Court to rule that doctors have a constitutional right to damage the normal bodies of mentally ill children, in defiance of Tennessee state law, which is consistent with centuries of widely accepted medical ethics and with the opinions of a solid majority of Americans. On trial in the U.S. v. Skrmetti case is the right of citizens to regulate medical practice in their own state, and the authority of health officials to provide children with gender dysphoria with the medical care they really need  effective psychiatric treatment  and to protect them from the destructive pseudoscience of gender-affirming care.

Michael Egnor, M.D. is professor of neurosurgery and pediatrics at Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University and is program director of the neurosurgery residency training program.

Image via Pxfuel.
What does four years as a public school teacher and one term as the most unpopular mayor in your citys history get you? A public pension worth almost $4 million, with the potential to be higher; here the story, from a report out by Bryce Hill at Illinois Policy:

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson is currently set to receive a pension worth an estimated $3.8 million through the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund and the Municipal Employees Annuity and Benefit Fund. He qualifies for these benefits thanks to multiple loopholes in the states pension code. His pension payout could ultimately be worth far more  maybe $5.53 million  by further leveraging these loopholes after four years in a classroom and his first term as mayor.

Now, as I noted above, Johnson is the most unpopular mayor in Chicagos history, with an approval rate of just 14%:

New poll, 14% Favorable Rating for @ChicagosMayor

Change Research

854 interviewed pic.twitter.com/CAgFeaNd40  Mary Ann Ahern (@MaryAnnAhernNBC) October 29, 2024

Seems like a liberal assessment, and others agree; as conservative Chicagoan Mark Weyermuller joked online, Who are the 14%? His staff?

To add context to Johnsons striking disapproval in Democrat stronghold Chicago, fellow Illinois Policy reporter Mailee Smith revealed that President Donald Trump actually received a greater share of the votes in 2024.

Its no secret that Illinois has financial commitments it cant afford and its pension program is utterly broken (progressive stranglehold on the levers of power for decades will do that to a once-solvent state); here are some of the numbers from Hill:

The Chicago Teachers Pension Fund currently has $14 billion worth of unfunded liabilities and a funded ratio of 48%. The Municipal Employees Annuity and Benefit Fund has $14.7 billion in unfunded liabilities and a funded ratio of 22.2%  next-to-worst local system in the nation.

Too often I pride myself on being both morally and intellectually superior to the modern progressive class (theyve set quite the low bar), but looking at Johnsons cushy pension package, I have to wonder where all my morality and brains got meanother Democrat getting the last laugh on our dime!

Image: TDKR Chicago 101, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons, unaltered.
Buyers of the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus were disappointed when Apple confirmed that their devices wont support Apple Intelligence. The suite of AI features is one of the key features of the companys current and future devices, and it was a real bummer to feel like they were left out of it. That said, a new program could help them unlock iPhone 16 and iPhone 16 Pro features, including Apple Intelligence.

You can now unlock iPhone 16 features on older iPhones thanks to Nugget

What prevents Apple Intelligence support on the iPhone 15 and 15 Plus is their relatively low amount of RAM. For these models, Apple made some compromises by integrating only 6GB of RAM. While this is a sufficient amount to run iOS and all its features smoothly, it falls short for AI processing. The iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, and iPhone 16 series integrate 8GB of RAM, so they are compatible. According to leaks, even the affordable iPhone SE 4 will have 8GB of RAM.

However, a developer has released Nugget, a tool that allows users of older iPhones to unlock features of the iPhone 16 series. With older iPhones we are not just talking about the iPhone 15 series, but even previous generations. The list of features to unlock is quite long, but highlights include Apple Intelligence, Tap to Wake, Action Button, Dynamic Island, Charge Limit, and Action Button options, among others.

Some things to keep in mind

iOS is not as friendly as Android for installing mods or using software that modifies the system. Therefore, some users may find the installation instructions to be somewhat complicated. Plus, those who have installed iOS 18.2 or later will not be able to use Nugget. Its operation takes advantage of an exploit that Apple fixed in said update. You should also keep in mind that, being an unofficial tool, it could cause instability on your device. After all, it will enable Apple Intelligence on phones with less RAM than officially necessary.

If you still want to try the tool, you can download it from its GitHub repository. There you will also find the instructions and all the necessary files. This may be a good way to check if Apple Intelligence really cant perform well with 6GB of RAM.
Apple is expected to launch its next-gen most affordable iPhone in 2025. The device, tentatively known as the iPhone SE 4, will modernize the design of a series that has relied on an outdated look and feel for some time. A new report confirms previous leaks regarding the iPhone SE 4s camera system, adding a few additional details.

The iPhone SE 4 could have the same main rear camera as the iPhone 16

According to reliable tipsters, the iPhone SE 4 will feature a single 48MP rear camera. The latest ET News report, citing internal sources at LG Innotek, backs up this claim. Some sources suggest that Apple will implement the same main camera as the iPhone 16. In other words, the more affordable iPhone could have a 48MP rear sensor with an f/1.6 aperture and a 1/1.56 size. On the iPhone 16, Apple says that the sensor supports 2x lossless zoom, so its possible that the iPhone SE 4 will receive that feature as well.

However, the next-gen iPhone SE will lack the ultra-wide rear sensor from the vanilla iPhone 16. Moving on to the front, the device could also inherit the front-facing camera from the iPhone 16. The report claims that the iPhone SE 4 will feature a 12MP TrueDepth front sensor and additional hardware that will enable Face ID support. The new design of the device, where the chunky top and bottom bezels will say goodbye, makes the inclusion of Face ID mandatory since there is no room for the Touch ID button.

Apple will modernize the design in the series

In terms of design, the device could sport a very similar front to that of the iPhone XR. Apple will implement a notch instead of the Dynamic Island of the latest iPhone models. However, the company could reduce the thickness of the notch and the frames around the screen a little. An important improvement compared to previous iPhone SE models is the inclusion of an OLED screen.

Interestingly, the affordable device could be more future-proof than last years vanilla and Plus iPhone 15. The Cupertino giant could provide it with full support for Apples Intelligence features thanks to 8 GB of RAM. Some rumors suggest that the firm will replace the mute switch with the Action Button from the iPhone 16 series. Plus, Apple will debut its first 5G modem in the iPhone SE 4.

Lastly, recent leaks claim that Apple will launch the device sometime in March 2025.
Bexar County Clerk Lucy Adame-Clark spearheaded an $18 million project to digitize the county archives. Salgu Wissmath/San Antonio Express-News Freddie Bustillo, president of the Canary Islands Descendants Association, shown above at a wreath-laying at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, has been an advocate for preservation of Bexar County's historic archives. Robin Jerstad /Contributor

For decades, they sat in a vault at the Bexar County Archives: property deeds, naturalization records, minutes of commissioners court meetings dating to the governing body's inaugural gathering in 1837.

The oldest of the documents is from 1736  a land sale record for settlers from the Canary Islands, the earliest civilian colonists in San Antonio.

Now, those and millions of other records are publicly accessible online for the first time. It's the culmination of a massive, $18 million project to digitize the county's archives.

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The opening of a digital window onto the region's rich history was announced Monday by Bexar County Clerk Lucy Adame-Clark and other officials.

Also on hand was Freddie Bustillo, president of the Canary Islands Descendants Association, a lineage society whose members trace their family ties to the 56 Canary Islanders who arrived in San Antonio on March 9, 1731, and established the first municipal government in Texas.

"If we don't share the story about where we came from, how will the children know?" Bustillo said. "If we don't tell the story by digitalizing those documents or artifacts, and we don't tell the story to the next generation, the information just continues to go downhill, and the younger generation won't remember what our ancestors did."

At Adame-Clark's request, Bustillo has urged county clerks across Texas to digitize their records.

The Bexar County preservation and digitization project was funded by fees collected by the sale of records. Records are now accessible via the county's records search website, bexar.tx.publicsearch.us.

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It is one of the largest and most expensive preservation projects in the state, only recently surpassed by Dallas County's $20 million project, Adame-Clark said.

The digitization effort will aid researchers piecing together San Antonio's history and county staff members aiming to learn the history of particular plots of land. The database could have broader appeal to the public, especially those looking to trace their family trees and identify ancestors.

Before, county staff would have to descend to the vault and rifle through paper records to find an old will or death certificate, said Racquel Montalvo, chief deputy of operations for the Bexar County clerk.

Now, they can do a keyword search.

"It's such a great feature because instead of having to go through books and spend hours just looking up something that you may not find, the system allows you to search by keywords," said Priscilla Hernandez, chief deputy for the Bexar County clerk.

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The digital transformation also offers protection against decay, natural disasters and human errors.

While Bexar County was moving its documents online, a North Carolina county in the path of Hurricane Helene lost many of its historic records when flood waters drenched the 18th century house where they were stored in November. Adame-Clark said Florida has suffered worse after major storms.

"Florida dealt with this disaster. They lost millions of records," Adame-Clark said. "We are trying to be proactive in Bexar County."

Previous digitization projects were started by two of her predecessors as county clerk, Gerard Rickhoff and Robert Green. Both attended Monday's news conference along with Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai and his predecessor, Nelson Wolff.

Even after the massive relocation of documents online, stacks of papers are still awaiting digitization. Adame-Clark wants to transfer every single physical document online.

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"What we're working on now is augmented artificial intelligence in place to do auto-documentation and create a repository, a digital repository on our website, so you can search the Black history, the Native American history, the German history, the Canary Islands history and everything else," Adame-Clark said.
The British wife of ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad is a sanctioned individual and is not welcome here in the UK, the Foreign Secretary has said.

David Lammys comments come after the Prime Minister said it was too early to say whether the Government would strip Asma Assad of her British citizenship.

Mrs Assad was born in London in 1975 and was raised and educated in the city. She is now believed to be in Moscow with her husband, where the overthrown leader has fled.

The rapid collapse of the Assad regime saw a coalition of rebel groups seize control of Damascus on Sunday.

Responding to questions in the Commons on Monday evening, Mr Lammy said: Ive seen mentioned in the last few days, Asma Assad potentially someone with UK citizenship that might attempt to come into our country, and I want it confirmed that shes a sanctioned individual and is not welcome here in the UK.

Asked about the possibility of the Government stripping Mrs Assad of her British citizenship, Sir Keir Starmer told broadcasters: We are far too early in any decisions about anything.

At the moment we are hours, days into a fast-moving situation and thats why its very important for us to continue to talk to our allies, including here in discussions Ive been having today, to make sure that what happens next is peaceful.

Theres a lot of moving parts in that, a lot of risks, I absolutely accept, and challenges, but they are going to be best met if we work with our allies towards that peaceful resolution and the rejection, the utter rejection, of terrorism and violence.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden told BBC Radio 4s Today programme earlier on Monday that the Government has had no contact or no request for Mrs Assad to come to the UK.

It is understood that referrals were made to the Metropolitan Polices war crimes team in relation to Mrs Assad in 2020 and 2021, but the matter was subsequently dropped.
The glamour and the opulence of the Edwardian era is to be explored in a major new Buckingham Palace exhibition, featuring a Faberge cigarette case given to King Edward VII by his favourite mistress  an ancestor of Queen Camilla.

The Edwardians: Age of Elegance will delve into the family lives, personal collections, global travels and glittering social circles of two of British historys most fashionable royal couples  Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, and King George V and Queen Mary.

It will bring together more than 300 items including jewellery, fashion, paintings and books  the majority never seen before  by famous figures such as Cartier, Oscar Wilde, Sir Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris.

King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra (PA)

Among 20 Faberge pieces will be a famed blue enamel Art Nouveau cigarette case featuring a diamond-encrusted snake biting its own tail, which Edward VII received from his mistress Alice Keppel in 1908, with the unbroken serpent a symbol of her eternal love.

Alice Keppel is Camillas great-grandmother, and legend has it when a young Camilla first met the then-Prince of Wales, now her husband and the King, on a polo field in the seventies, she boldly brought up their relatives affair.

My great-grandmother was your great-great grandfathers mistress, so how about it? she is said to have quipped.

The then-Duchess of Cornwall during a visit to St Marks Anglican Church in Florence, Italy (Chris Jackson/PA)

After Edward died in 1910, Queen Alexandra, perhaps recognising the significance of the gift, returned the case to Mrs Keppel as a memento.

Edward had a series of long-term mistresses including the actress Lily Langtry.

Twenty-five years later, in 1936, Mrs Keppel gave the case to Queen Mary, ensuring that it would remain in royal ownership.

A Faberge cigarette case given to King Edward VII by his mistress Alice Keppel  a relative of Queen Camilla (Royal Collection/HM King Charles III 2024/PA)

In 1863, Queen Victorias eldest son Albert Edward had married Princess Alexandra of Denmark, and the fashionable young couple  the future King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra  ushered in a glamorous new era for the royal family.

Queen Victoria was still mourning Prince Albert, but Edward and Alexandra established their own vibrant court, filled with contemporary art, opulent balls and society events  a lifestyle later continued by their son, the future King George V, and his wife Queen Mary.

George V and Princess Victoria Mary of Teck wed in 1893, and like Edward and Alexandra, they surrounded themselves with fashionable society figures known as the Marlborough House Set.

A ball at Marlborough House attributed to Godfrey Durand (Royal Collection/HM King Charles III 2024/PA)

Curator Kathryn Jones said: The Edwardian era is seen as a golden age of style and glamour, which indeed it was, but there is so much more to discover beneath the surface.

This was a period of transition, with Britain poised on the brink of the modern age and Europe edging towards war.

Our royal couples lived lavish, sociable, fast-paced lives, embracing new trends and technologies.

The Garrard Love Trophy Collar (Royal Collection/HM King Charles III 2024/PA)

Yet in their collecting we also see a need to retain tradition and record the rapidly changing world around them, as if to preserve a fading way of life.

The outbreak of World War I shattered their world, marking the end of an age and forever changing the face of monarchy.

Visitors to the exhibition in The Kings Gallery at the Palace from April will see dazzling jewellery up close including Alexandras Dagmar necklace, a wedding gift from the King of Denmark, and Marys Love Trophy Collar necklace, on show for the first time.

Queen Alexandras opulent Dagmar Necklace (Royal Collection/HM King Charles III 2024/PA)

Displays will evoke the fashionably cluttered interiors of the royal couples private residences at Marlborough House and Sandringham House, where decorative objects and family photographs covered every surface.

A Cartier crystal pencil case set with diamonds and rubies will be exhibited for the first time, alongside a personally inscribed copy of Oscar Wildes Poems and an early edition of the first book printed by William Morriss Kelmscott Press.

Both couples collected works by the great contemporary artists of the period, such as a previously unseen study of Sleeping Beauty by the Pre-Raphaelite artist Sir Edward Burne-Jones, and Charles Baugniets After the Ball, a Lady in a Ballgown Asleep on a Sofa.

Charles Baugniets depiction of a lady in a ballgown asleep on a sofa (Royal Collection/HM King Charles III 2024/PA)

Baugniets painting, on public view for the first time in more than a century, depicts the exuberance of the era, with a society beauty resting on a blue sofa, still dressed in her ballgown.

The royal family also embraced the new medium of photography, and the exhibition will include images by pioneering female photographers Mary Steen and Alice Hughes, as well as photographs taken by Alexandra, using portable Kodak cameras to capture official events and family moments.

Edward, Alexandra, George and Mary travelled further than any royals before them, collecting objects, receiving gifts, and employing tour artists and photographers, as well as capturing their own memories.

The signed copy of Oscar Wildes Poems (Royal Collection/HM King Charles III 2024/PA)

Visitors will see items from their travels to five continents, including an Egyptian scarab brooch given to Alexandra by Edward after his tour of the Middle East in 1863.

The Edwardians: Age of Elegance is at The Kings Gallery, Buckingham Palace, from April 11 to November 23 2025.
A former human rights lawyer due to be sentenced for fraud charges linked to claims made against Iraq War veterans has been branded a liar who duped the legal establishment glitterati into thinking he was on some kind of crusade by a former soldier.

Phil Shiner, who was the principal solicitor of the law firm Public Interest Lawyers, was struck off as a solicitor in 2017 at a tribunal after being found guilty of misconduct and dishonesty relating to false abuse claims against British troops.

The 67-year-old will be sentenced for fraud at Southwark Crown Court on Tuesday, after admitting that an agent acting on his behalf had been cold-calling potential clients in Iraq.

He also admitted paying referral fees, both of which breached the terms of being granted a legal aid contract as part of a judicial review.

Robert Campbell, who was a major in the Royal Engineers, was accused of drowning Iraqi teenager Saeed Shabram in a river in Basra in May 2003, and was scrutinised in eight investigations into the 19-year-olds death, including one for possible manslaughter, before he was ultimately cleared.

In 2020, judge Baroness Hallett decided there was no reliable evidence upon which it would be proper to conclude that Mr Campbell or any other British soldier pushed or forced Mr Shabram into the water.

Mr Campbell told the PA news agency on Monday: We were investigated eight times before we were exonerated because Phil Shiner just kept lying and lying and lying.

The 51-year-old, who was medically discharged from the army in 2018, will be attending Shiners sentencing hearing.

Phil Shiner admitted that an agent acting on his behalf had been cold-calling potential clients in Iraq (John Stillwell/PA)

I want to catch his eye, he said, I want to look at him. I want to see what he looks like.

I wish I could address the court but I cant because hes not actually being sentenced for lying about me hes just being sentenced for fraud.

Asked what he would say to the court if he had the opportunity, Mr Campbell told PA: (Shiner) duped the Ministry of Defence, he duped human rights groups, he duped the legal aid authority, he duped the BBC and he duped the legal establishment glitterati into thinking he was on some kind of crusade and he wasnt.

Shiner made an application to the Legal Services Commission in 2007 in which he sought up to 200,000 of legal aid funding for his firm to represent clients including Khuder Al-Sweady, in an application for judicial review.

According to the National Crime Agency (NCA), he received around 3 million in the value of the contract, and the ensuing Al-Sweady inquiry into allegations of mistreatment and unlawful killing of Iraqi nationals by British troops in 2004 cost the taxpayer 24 million.

Shiner will be sentenced for three counts of fraud at Southwark Crown Court (Sean Dempsey/PA)

The inquiry found that Mr Al-Sweadys nephew, Hamid Al-Sweady, had been killed outright whilst fighting, and had been a willing and active participant in an attack on British forces. It concluded that the most serious claims of murder and torture were entirely false and the product of deliberate lies.

In making his application, Shiner failed to disclose that an agent acting on his behalf and with his knowledge had been cold-calling and making unsolicited approaches to potential clients in Iraq.

He also failed to disclose that he was paying referral fees.

This practice was not permitted as part of gaining a legal aid contract, the NCA said.

Shiner was also convicted for providing a witness statement to the commission in support of his application, which was again gained by an unsolicited approach.

As a result of his failure to disclose this information, Shiner was able to gain a valuable legal aid contract to enable him to pursue the judicial review, the NCA said.

Shiner, who is currently on bail, will be sentenced for three counts of fraud on Tuesday.
A film about Irish rap trio Kneecap has won seven gongs at the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) 2024 including Best British Independent Film.

Kneecap also won Best Debut Screenwriter for Rich Peppiatt, Best Joint Lead for the trios members Liam Og O Hannaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh, Best Casting, Best Editing, Best Original Music, and Best Music Supervision, at the ceremony at Londons Roundhouse.

The comedy movie, which also stars Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender, follows the Belfast group on their mission to save their mother tongue through music, and is directed by Peppiatt.

It comes after Kneecap won their legal battle against Kemi Badenoch (Mark Marlow/PA)

It comes after the group won their discrimination court battle against UK leader of the opposition and former business secretary Kemi Badenoch, after the then-UK government conceded it was unlawful to refuse them a 14,250 Music Export Growth Scheme funding award.

Elsewhere, Best Director went to Rungano Nyoni, for On Becoming A Guinea Fowl, an exploration of secrets and grief within a middle-class Zambian family, thriller Santosh took Best Screenplay, and Best Lead Performance went to Marianne Jean-Baptiste for comedy drama Hard Truths.

Best Supporting Performance went to Franz Rogowski for his role in drama Bird, black comedy Wicked Little Letters picked up Best Ensemble Performance, and Best Debut Director went to Christopher Andrews for Bring Them Down, a film about two warring families in rural Ireland.

That's a wrap for #BIFA2024.  A huge congratulations to all this year's winners and nominees. https://t.co/S3qnGKbjfE pic.twitter.com/RQViNbWx2a  BIFA (@BIFA_film) December 9, 2024

Duo Pinny Grylls and Sam Crane took the Best Debut Director  Feature Documentary award as well as The Raindance Maverick Award for Grand Theft Hamlet, which sees a performance of Shakespeares tale enacted entirely within the confines of the video game Grand Theft Auto.

Best British Short Film was awarded to stop-motion movie Wander To Wonder, while Sean Bakers Anora, about a dancer and her oligarch Prince Charming, took Best International Independent Film.

The 2024 Richard Harris Award For Outstanding Contribution By An Actor To British Film was presented to Sophie Okonedo by friend and collaborator Ben Daniels.
Brad Simpson reacts as he talks with his defense attorney Steven Gilmore during Simpsons first court appearance on Monday. Simpson has been indicted for the murder of his wife Suzanne Simpson, who has not been seen since Oct. 6. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Judge Joel Perez speaks with defense attorney Steven Gilmore, left, and Brad Simpson, right, during a hearing on Monday. Simpson has been indicted for the murder of his wife Suzanne Simpson, who went missing on Oct. 6. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Brad Simpson leaves the courtroom following his first court appearance on Monday. Simpson has been indicted for the murder of his wife Suzanne Simpson, who has not been seen since Oct. 6. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Brad Simpson leaves the courtroom following his first court appearance on Monday. Simpson has been indicted for the murder of his wife Suzanne Simpson, who went missing on Oct. 6. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Brad Simpson arrives in the courtroom during his first court appearance on Monday. Simpson has been indicted for the murder of his wife Suzanne Simpson, who has not been seen since Oct. 6. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Friends and family of Suzanne Simpson, including Barton Simpson, center, watch the proceedings of Brad Simpsons first court appearance on Monday. Brad Simpson has been indicted for the murder of his wife Suzanne Simpson, who went missing on Oct. 6. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Defense attorney Steven Gilmore confers with someone in the jury box ahead of his client Brad Simpsons first court appearance on Monday. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Barton T. Simpson, brother of Brad Simpson, talks with journalists following Brad Simpsons first court appearance on Monday. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News Barton T. Simpson, brother of Brad Simpson, talks with journalists following Brad Simpsons first court appearance on Monday. Josie Norris/San Antonio Express-News

Brad Simpson's lawyer is seeking to have the murder charge against his client thrown out, arguing that the indictment that accuses him of killing his wife, Olmos Park real estate agent Suzanne Simpson, does not spell out "the manner and means" by which she died.

In a motion filed Dec. 3, defense attorney Steven Gilmore says the allegations in the indictment are "vague, indefinite, ambiguous, uncertain" and do not "properly apprise the defendant of the nature of the proof" against him.

Gaps in the indictment stem at least in part from authorities' inability to find Suzanne Simpson's remains. The 51-year-old mother of four was last seen alive Oct. 6, and authorities have found no trace of her since then, despite extensive searches. They say Brad Simpson has refused to assist them in finding her body.

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In his motion, Gilmore argues that the paucity of detail in the indictment violates Simpson's constitutional rights "because he is not able to prepare a defense."

The indictment, handed down by a Bexar County grand jury earlier this month, says Simpson, 53, killed his wife "by a manner and means unknown." It says that after her disappearance, "knowing that an investigation was in progress," Simpson concealed a power saw and an automatic weapon so they could not be used as evidence against him.

On Monday, Simpson appeared in court for the first time since he was charged. Family and friends of Suzanne Simpson watched the brief hearing from the gallery. Some wiped away tears as her husband walked into the courtroom in a red jumpsuit, handcuffs and a waist chain. His hair and beard appeared longer than before his arrest, but he was well-groomed.

Brad Simpson looked apprehensive as he stood in front of Judge Joel Perez. He spoke just once: when asked to confirm his identity.

The judge mentioned the motion to quash the indictment but took no action on it. He said the issue would be litigated at a later date.

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The hearing dealt with scheduling matters and lasted just a few minutes. The next court session, in which Gilmore will seek to ease Simpson's bond conditions, is scheduled for Dec. 19.

Simpson is being held at the Bexar County jail in lieu of $5 million bail. He is charged with murder, aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury, tampering with a corpse and possession of a prohibited weapon.

Simpson also faces a federal felony charge of possessing an unregistered firearm. The charge was filed by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. A detainer  a formal notice that someone in state custody is also wanted on federal charges  seeks to prevent Simpsons release from jail.

Barton T. Simpson, Brad Simpson's brother, said after the hearing that it was the first time he had seen his brother since his arrest. He urged his brother to cooperate with authorities, help them locate Suzanne Simpsons remains and confess to her murder.

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"To achieve grace, you have to come clean, and that's my hope for my brother," he said.

He said Brad and Suzanne Simpson's four children, ages 5 to 20, are surrounded by love and compassion.

They are doing as well as you think you could for anybody in this situation, Barton Simpson said.

In a 15-page affidavit supporting Brad Simpson's arrest, Olmos Park Police Lt. Hector Ruiz described his movements the night Suzanne Simpson was last seen alive and the next day, Oct. 7, when she was reported missing by a friend.

According to the affidavit, Olmos Park police officer Jarrod Tubbs said a teacher at the Simpsons 5-year-old daughters school said the child told her that on that the night of Oct. 6, a Sunday, her father had pushed her mother against a wall, hit her on the face and hurt her elbow. Her father also turned off her mothers cell phone, the girl said.

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In addition, a neighbor told police he witnessed Brad Simpson and Suzanne Simpson loudly arguing and physically struggling after 10 p.m. on Oct. 6 in front of his home.

The neighbor said he later heard screams from a wooded area across from his home. About an hour later, he heard Brad Simpsons truck start and leave the area, Ruiz wrote.

By viewing security video, police tracked Brad Simpson to his daughters school, a Boerne Whataburger and a local Home Depot, where he purchased concrete, heavy duty trash bags and Clorox disinfectant spray, among other items. The items were visible on his truck bed in the surveillance video.

A man told police that Simpson walked up to him in the Home Depot parking lot and asked him where the nearest dump was in Boerne. The man gave him directions to the solid waste site in Boerne.

Surveillance video captured Brad Simpson leaving the Boerne waste site and going to a nearby gas station.

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On Oct. 9, Texas Rangers located a ground-level burn site at the Simpsons property in Bandera. A burnt laptop and three cell phones that belonged to Brad Simpson were recovered from the burn pit, Ruiz wrote.

The charges of murder and aggravated assault with a deadly weapon causing serious bodily injury to a family member are both first-degree felonies punishable by 5 to 99 years or life in prison.

Tampering with a corpse is a second-degree felony with a punishment range of 2 to 20 years in prison. Tampering with physical evidence and possession of a prohibited weapon are both third-degree felonies punishable by 2 to 10 years in prison.
Germany has pledged to tighten its law to make it easier to prosecute people-smugglers enabling small-boat crossings to Britain, as the two countries signed a new deal aimed at tackling immigration crime.

Berlin confirmed plans to reform its legal framework make it a clear criminal offence to facilitate the smuggling of migrants to the UK as part of the agreement, the Home Office said.

The Home Office said the move would give German prosecutors more tools to tackle the supply and storage of dangerous small boats.

Both countries will also commit to exchange information that may help to remove migrant-smuggling content from social media platforms and tackle end-to-end routes of criminal smuggling networks as part of the deal.

It comes ahead of the UK and Germany hosting the so-called Calais Group in London, which sees ministers and police from the two countries, alongside France, Belgium and the Netherlands, gather to discuss migration in Europe.

Delegates are expected to agree a detailed plan to tackle people-smuggling gangs in 2025 at the meeting on Tuesday.

Ministers will meet at the Calais Group gathering on Tuesday (PA)

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: For too long organised criminal gangs have been exploiting vulnerable people, undermining border security in the UK and across Europe while putting thousands of lives at risk.

We are clear that this cannot go on.

Germany is already a key partner in our efforts to crack down on migrant smuggling, but there is always more we can do together.

Our new joint action plan with deliver a strengthened partnership with Germany, boosting our respective border security as we work to fix the foundations, and ultimately saving lives.

Nancy Faeser, German federal minister of the interior said: We are now stepping up our joint action to fight the brutal activities of international smugglers.

This is at the core of our joint action plan that we have agreed in London.

It will help us end the inhumane activities of criminal migrant smuggling organisations.

By cramming people into inflatable boats under threats of violence and sending them across the Channel, these organisations put human lives at risk.

She said that many of these crimes are planned in Germany and the deal would help to counter this unscrupulous business with even more resolve.

This includes maintaining a high investigative pressure, exchanging information between our security authorities as best as possible, and persistently investigating financial flows to identify the criminals operating behind the scenes, Ms Faeser said.

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the announcement doesnt go far enough.

The British public deserves a serious plan to control our borders and stop criminal gangs, he said.

The National Crime Agency has said a deterrent is necessary to reduce the number of crossings, yet Labour scrapped the only deterrent before it even got started.

Meanwhile the numbers of illegal immigrants coming here continue to climb, with an 18% increase compared to the same period last year, with more than 20,000 people having made the crossing since the election.
Jarrod Bowen dedicated his winning goal to Michail Antonio as West Ham beat Wolves 2-1.

The England winger held Antonios number nine shirt aloft in support of the Hammers striker, who is recovering in hospital after a horror car crash.

It was a victory which may have saved West Ham boss Julen Lopeteguis job, for now at least, while the end could be nigh for Wolves under-pressure manager Gary ONeil after a third straight defeat.

However, any concerns about poor form, or the job prospects of either boss, paled into insignificance following the news Antonio had been in a serious road accident on Saturday afternoon.

Thankfully, West Ham were able to confirm he was in a stable condition, conscious and communicating, on Saturday evening.

The 34-year-old has undergone surgery on a broken leg and faces a long road to recovery from his injuries.

So West Ham players showed their support for their stricken team-mate, wearing Antonio 9 shirts while warming up and walking out.

The shirts will be signed by the players, including Antonio, and auctioned off with the proceeds going to the NHS and Air Ambulances UK.

The focus was still on Antonio in the ninth minute, with a minutes applause for the clubs record Premier League goalscorer.

But in a desperately poor first half it took until the 20th minute for anyone to have a shot, with Wolves Joao Gomes firing straight at Lukasz Fabianski, who also saved from Matheus Cunha at his near post.

Goalless after 20 minutes  Mario Lemina has hit an effort over the bar and Joao Gomes has had a strike saved by Fabianski as we search for an opener. pic.twitter.com/DEPa9egtkq  Wolves (@Wolves) December 9, 2024

Gomes should have put the visitors ahead when he met Matt Dohertys cross at the far post but he guided his effort wide from three yards out.

For West Ham, Mohammed Kudus played in Bowen, whose angled drive was kept out by the boot of Wolves keeper Sam Johnstone.

Konstantinos Mavropanos then skied a shot from a corner as the half trundled to a close.

However, Tomas Soucek made the breakthrough nine minutes into the second half, having been left completely unmarked to loop in a header at the far post from Bowens corner.

The Czech midfielder held up nine fingers to a television camera to show his support for Antonio.

Kudus had the ball in the net five minutes later after tapping home Bowens low cross, but a VAR check showed he was offside.

West Ham secure an important three points #WHUWOL pic.twitter.com/yqvAMhJhZO  Premier League (@premierleague) December 9, 2024

ONeil was apoplectic on the touchline after Emerson Palmieri barged over Goncalo Guedes and no penalty was given.

Moments later his mood improved when Rayan Ait-Nouri curled in a cross from the right and Doherty guided it home.

But ONeils fate might have been sealed in the 72nd minute when Bowen cut inside Guedes and threaded a superb finish past Johnstone before lifting Antonios shirt to the crowd behind the goal.

The disappointment proved too much for Wolves skipper Mario Lemina, who had to be escorted from the pitch at the final whistle after pushing and shoving players and staff from both West Ham and his own team.
Lammy brands Assad rat of Damascus who fled to Russia with tail between his legs

David Lammy has branded Bashar Assad the rat of Damascus who fled to Russia with his tail between his legs.

The Foreign Secretary said the new Labour administration resisted any calls to re-engage with Syria under Mr Assads rule as the former president was a monster.

Making a statement to the Commons following the collapse of the Assad regime after 13 years of civil war, Mr Lammy told MPs: We said no because Assad was a dictator, whose sole interest was his wealth and his power. And we said no because Assad is a criminal who defied all laws and norms to use chemical weapons against the Syrian people.

We said no because Assad is a butcher with the blood of countless innocents on his hands, and we said no because Assad was a drug dealer.

Mr Lammy said the UK Government knew Mr Assad was never, ever going to change, adding: There were those who used to call Assad the lion of Damascus.

Now we see the reality: Assad is the rat of Damascus, fleeing to Moscow with his tail between his legs. How fitting he should end up there.

The Cabinet minister said the fall of the Assad regime was also a humiliation for Russia and Iran.

He said: We welcome the opportunity this brings the people of Syria.

Assads demise is not just a humiliation to him and his henchmen, it is a humiliation for Russia and Iran. Irans so-called axis of resistance is crumbling before our eyes.

Mr Lammy said Russian President Vladimir Putin has attempted to prop up Assad for more than a decade, adding: All that hes got for this is a fallen dictator, filing for asylum in Moscow.

He says he wants to return Russia to its imperial glory, but after more than 1,000 days he has not subjugated Ukraine. Putins fake empire stops short just a few miles out of Donetsk.

Questions have been raised over whether or not the Islamist group that took power in Syria, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, will be removed from the list of proscribed organisations.

HTS is banned in the UK because of its past association with al Qaida, although its leader cut ties with the terrorist organisation and has sought to present his group as a more moderate and inclusive organisation.

Mr Lammy said: Thus far, HTS has offered reassurances to minorities in Aleppo, Hama and Damascus. They have also committed to co-operating with the international community over monitoring chemical weapons.

We will judge HTS by their actions, monitoring closely how they and other parties to this conflict treat all civilians in areas they control.

When pressed further, Mr Lammy also said: We dont comment on issues of proscription for good reason.

We should recognise that al Qaida killed hundreds of British citizens in barbaric attacks spanning decades and that was the original reason that this organisation, HTS, was proscribed.

For the Conservatives, shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel asked the Government to ensure there will be no asylum claims from former members of the Assad regime in the UK.

She told MPs: The Conservative government called for president Assad to go over a decade ago, and few will shed any tears at this vile tyrants removal from office.

She added: While Assad may have sought sanctuary in Russia, we look to the Foreign Secretary to explain what steps will be taken to gather evidence of the crimes his reprehensible regime is responsible for, and the actions being taken to bring him to face justice.

Dame Priti also said the Government should consider the potential threat that HTS poses immediately, both for Syria and the region, as well as our own interests.

Mr Lammy, responding to Conservative former foreign secretary James Cleverly, said announcing within 24 hours that were reopening an embassy in Syria would be hasty.

Conservative MP Sir Julian Lewis (New Forest East) cautioned against idealising the opposition in such scenarios, adding: The truth of the matter is that in Syria its a choice between monsters and maniacs.
Busted star Matt Willis has said he found parts of a new Channel 4 documentary exploring the impact of smartphones on childrens behaviour absolutely shocking and terrifying.

The TV and music star, 41, and his wife, Emma Willis, co-host the two-part special, Swiped: The School That Banned Smartphones, in which they challenge a group of year eight pupils, and themselves, to give up their phones for 21 days.

Speaking at a panel discussion at the Science Gallery London, Matt said of the documentary: There are so many things that shocked me that I hadnt thought about with a smartphone because I thought it was just social media.

Social media gets a bad rep and you kind of hear about that, and youre like thats bad. But even having that device and a search engine is worrying because you can get an answer which is not necessarily true or not the right thing.

Google isnt always right. So, its terrifying. And the stuff about porn, which we get into a lot more in episode two, is absolutely shocking and terrifying for kids as well.

We go in as first-time users and get shown what any kid going onto that site (a very well-known pornographic site) would be shown. And its often their first time seeing sex and they will think that is what sex is.

Emma, who shares three children with Matt, said governments and tech companies need to make change happen in a multi-pronged approach.

Why should kids be banned from having things that can actually help their lives?, she said.

But what they should have is something that is safe for them to go to, and the only people that can do that are those people. What we can do is put the pressure on.

She continued: The scary thing is that there are zero regulations that really mean anything or have any weight.

And if we live in a world of tech, why should kids be alienated from that world? she added.

They need to be made safe in that world. So how do we do that? And for that, we need to look at tech companies and people that create apps to make their products safer for kids.

Matt and Emma Willis present the two-part documentary (Ian West/PA)

In the social experiment, 30 pupils aged 12 to 13 from Stanway School in Colchester gave in their phones and iPads and were not allowed to use laptops unless it was for schoolwork for 21 days.

In conjunction with The University Of York, the pupils underwent a series of tests that monitored their behavioural changes.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said in July that although he thinks the Government needs to look again at what content children are accessing online, he does not support simply banning phones for children under 16.

Earlier this year, the Department for Education issued non-statutory guidance to schools in England intended to stop the use of mobile phones during school hours.

A set of new legal powers in the Online Safety Act commences from the start of 2025.

The Act will see new safety duties placed on social media platforms for the first time, requiring them to protect users, and in particular children, from harmful content.

Episode one of Swiped: The School That Banned Smartphones will air on Wednesday December 11 at 8pm on Channel 4.
Bringing home an animal that has been neglected or abused can be a challenging yet rewarding experience. These animals have experienced trauma and may not (probably do not) trust humans. Tulip is a Queen of Bavaria Conure (also known as a Golden Parakeet) who was rescued from her previous owner in November. She had lived in a filthy cage for five years, was starved, and had broken toes due to abuse.

Over the last month, her new mom has been very patient and loving with her, trying to gain her trust. Slowly, Tulip is learning that her new life is much better than her old one, and she is learning to love her new mom. Mom shared a video on Friday, December 6th of a very special moment, and it may make you tear up a bit.

It looks like Tulip trusts her new mom and she looks so happy in her palm! Commenters were happy to witness this milestone moment. @Christine Arnold-Sch shared, "That little face! Love the way she snuggles down into your palm." @me me said, "I was waiting for an update...this is the best update ever! Im happy for both of you!" and @Underdog added, "She feels the love shes been getting! Im so happy makes my heart skip a beat!"

Related: Video of the Moment a Rescued Parrot Starts to Trust His New Owners Is So Beautiful

All About Golden Parakeets (Queen of Bavaria Conures)

I'd never heard of a Queen of Bavaria Conure, so I headed to Google to see what I could learn about them. Wikipedia has this to say about Golden Parakeets, "The golden parakeet or golden conure (Guaruba guarouba), or the Queen of Bavaria conure is a medium-sized golden-yellow Neotropical parrot native to the Amazon Basin of interior northern Brazil. It is the only species placed in the genus Guaruba. Its plumage is mostly bright yellow, hence its common name, but it also possesses green remiges. It lives in the drier, upland rainforests in Amazonian Brazil, and is threatened by deforestation and flooding, and also by the now-illegal trapping of wild individuals for the pet trade."

They're hard to spot in the wild despite their bright coloring because they aren't social birds and don't form flocks with others. That being said, they're described as "a very nice and affectionate companion pet that is spunky, smart, and entertaining, though they are rare and expensive." Just how expensive? It depends on many factors, though on average they cost anywhere between $1,400 - $2,000 or more.

These birds love to climb, chew, and play. They're also very vocal and naturally produce loud screams and mimic things they hear around them. They can learn words and phrases because they're very intelligent and love to learn. Because they're smart birds, they need lots of mental stimulation to avoid destructive behaviors like plucking their feathers.

Make sure to do your research before bringing home any new pet to learn all the pros and cons that come with them. You want to make sure that they suit your family's lifestyle, and that you can meet all of their needs to keep them happy and healthy.

Looking for more PetHelpful updates? Follow us on YouTube for more entertaining videos. Or, share your own adorable pet by submitting a video, and sign up for our newsletter for the latest pet updates and tips.
A child gives a victory sign in front of a statue in Aleppo after rebel groups seized control of the city. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images

Nasma and Haleem Kawas met during the first protests in Aleppo against Bashar al-Assads rule. In the early days of the 2011 Arab spring, the pair locked eyes at a demonstration calling for the presidents overthrow. Now after 13 years of conflict, broken dreams and exile, the couple are planning their return.

The Kawases have lived just two hours from Aleppo in the Turkish city of Gaziantep for almost a decade, only able to visit their home town in their dreams. And even then, said Haleem, these were always punctuated with memories of being chased through the streets by Assads security forces as they did during those early protests.

Thoughts of returning were also a distant dream until they saw pictures of insurgents approaching the edge of Aleppo. Change was coming, they decided. They called Haleems mother who was cooking in the family home in the west of the city.

Why dont you make a dish we like, Nasma told her, hinting at the idea they could soon be arriving for dinner. All three burst into tears.

Little more than a week after capturing Aleppo, insurgents swept into Damascus, abruptly ending Assads 24 years in power as his fearsome regime crumbled around him. Rebel forces threw open the doors of the states infamous detention facilities as thousands of detainees, held for even the most minor forms of dissent, streamed into the streets.

Within hours the reign of the Syrian leader, often referred to as the butcher of Damascus, was over and Assad fled the country, a frantic conclusion to his familys control of Syria that lasted almost half a century.

This is the end Assad deserves, said Nasma. Syrians broke other Syrians out of prison. Our dreams couldnt match what were seeing now. Even two weeks ago we were saying we hoped that someday our son or maybe even his kids would be able to rebuild Syria again. But this changed everything.

The dramatic fall of one of the worlds most brutal dictators rippled across the entire Middle East, a reminder to many who joined the the Arab spring uprisings that the rule of autocrats in power across the region may ultimately prove fragile.

The popular protests that ousted dictators in Tunisia, Egypt, Syria, Libya and Yemen in 2011 have since been crushed under wars and counter-revolutions. But as statues of President Assad and his late father, Hafez, were ripped down by crowds across Syria, it marked the end of a chapter that Nasma, Haleem and their fellow activists began 14 years ago.

The idea of autocratic sustainability has taken a hit, said the writer and activist Iyad el-Baghdadi. Im looking at Egypt, at Saudi Arabia and all of their attempts to quell the voices of their people. All of these are going to come to an end, because dictatorship is ultimately unsustainable.

Assads own people had lost faith in him, said Baghdadi, and the same breakdown of the social contract could occur elsewhere in countries such as Egypt, where growing numbers are struggling amid austeritys and rising poverty. Images of people freeing other citizens from prison, he said, reminded him of the earliest images of the Libyan uprising in 2011.

The slogan of the Syrian regime was forever Hafez al-Assad, he said, in reference to Bashars father who ruled Syria for decades before him. Today we see that even forever comes to an end.

From inside his own cell in a desert facility outside Cairo, the Middle Easts most prominent prisoner of conscience, the British-Egyptian activist Alaa Abd el-Fattah will be thrilled to see the images of families reuniting, after their escape from the darkness of Assads jails, said his sister Sanaa Seif.

Even so, Seif added that the real lesson is for Middle Eastern dictators, as well as their backers in European capitals. The Egyptian president, Abdel Fatah al-Sisi, should take note that brutality and oppression are not sustainable, and the ending could be ugly for everyone, she said.

Nasma and Haleem say their relationship was sparked after the protests against Assads rule began. They stayed in touch during the siege of Aleppo, and after Nasma moved to Turkey and Haleem remained in the city as it was pummelled by Russian and Syrian airstrikes. Trapped in the eastern side of the divided city and unable to see his family or Nasma, he scrawled love notes and poems on the walls of their home town and sent her pictures of his work.

When Haleem was forced out of Aleppo on the infamous green buses used by the Assad regime to carry dissidents and opposition fighters to other parts of the country in 2016, he wept at the thought he would never return. The young couple held on to a dream to see their home town once more in their lives. Now they are planning to visit when they are able to cross the Turkish border, weighing a more permanent move, with Haleem planning to open a local radio station.

They remain cautious about what life might be like under the rule of the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, particularly as Haleem still fears for a friend who has been held incommunicado by the group during its former iteration as an offshoot of al-Qaida.

Still, they said, they are equally confident that the people of Aleppo and its network of hardened activists are unlikely to bow to conservative Islamist rule even with HTSs promises to devolve control to a local administration.

If we can get rid of Assad, anything else is possible, said Nasma.
NSW police are investigating after a body wrapped in plastic was dumped alongside Foreshore Road, near Sydney airport. Photograph: Dean Lewins/EPA

A woman whose body was found wrapped in plastic and dumped in bushes near Sydney airport was more than likely murdered, New South Wales police have alleged.

A passerby reported the incident after finding the body at 7.30am on Monday in bushes that were metres from Foreshore Road in Botany and just off a footpath in Sir Joseph Banks park.

NSW police Det Supt Danny Doherty said the womans death was suspicious and it appeared someone had attempted to hide her body.

Investigators were yet to establish the womans age, time of death and where and how she was killed, Doherty said.

At the moment she is a mystery woman. We dont know the age, so that could be someones mother, daughter, sister, friend. Were seeking assistance from anyone who may have someone whos a friend, whos a female, who may be missing or someone who may know something.

Theres someones loved one [that] doesnt know the news here that their loved ones  not only been killed but more than likely been murdered.

Related: CSIRO refutes Coalition case nuclear is cheaper than renewable energy due to operating life

Doherty said the body was found in a severe state of decomposition.

That makes the timeline a little bit difficult. So were looking at days, weeks, if not longer, he said.

Investigating officers attached to the south Sydney area command were being assisted by the homicide squad.

Its going to take some time for that crime scene to be conducted. The starting point for us is to have the victim identified, Doherty said. Once we get an identity  then we can start establishing movements and timelines.

Doherty said the nearby industrial area and airport were monitored by CCTV which could provide some answers.

Police called for anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers. Its a gruesome discovery but its a very tragic situation, Doherty said.
Eric Adams in New York City on 3 October 2024, a week after he pleaded not guilty to federal corruption charges. Photograph: David Dee Delgado/Reuters

Eric Adams was elected New York mayor as a centrist-sounding Democrat. A Black former cop who talked tough-on-crime but fit fairly squarely in the overwhelmingly Democratic politics of the city.

But Adams was also always famed for his eccentricities and foibles  scandals over the true extent of his veganism, whether or not he might actually live in New Jersey, and some of the tall tales he would recount from his past.

But few New Yorkers might have expected the most recent twist in the Adams story: his firm drift rightward, especially in the wake of Donald Trumps election victory.

In fact, Adams ever-closer relationship with Trump has sparked speculation as to exactly what the Democrat mayor of a famously liberal city  embroiled in deep legal troubles  might want from Americas soon-to-be Republican president.

Recently, Adams did not dismiss switching to the Republican party, in which he had been a party member from 1995 through 2002, before turning Democrat. Im a part of the American party, he said. I love this country.

Related: Show me the money: how Eric Adams made it to the top  and fell back down

Last week alone Adams stunned observers with the depths of his rightward tilt on one of the key issues of the election: immigration. Adapting the language of extreme Republicans  who have fear-mongered over immigrant crime  Adams came out swinging for Trump, who plans a mass deportation of millions of immigrants as soon he gets back in the White House.

Well, cancel me because Im going to protect the people of the city, Adams said when asked if he plans to cooperate with Trumps plan for federal deportation agents to remove migrants accused of felony crimes in the city.

The comment came as Adams said he had requested a meeting with Trumps incoming border czar, Tom Homan. Adams said he wanted it clear that Im not going to be warring with this administration.

He added: I would love to sit down with the border czar and hear his thoughts on how we are going to address those who are harming our citizens. Find out what his plans are, where our common grounds are. We can work together.

Adams hard line adds a new wrinkle to how Democrat-led sanctuary cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Denver will adapt to the second Trump administration and raises the prospect that some top Democrat leaders may actively assist mass deportation.

Adams is already looking to roll back sanctuary city laws approved by his predecessor, Bill de Blasio, that prohibit New York law enforcement  the NYPD and correction and probation departments  from cooperating with US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) agents unless the cases involve suspected terrorists or serious public safety risks.

Some moderate Democrats on the citys usually progressive-leaning city council are supporting the move, with the councilmember Robert Holden calling in June for a repeal, saying: Sanctuary city laws put all New Yorkers, both immigrants and longtime residents, in danger.

Kathy Hochul, New Yorks governor, said recently that while she supports legal immigrants, including asylum seekers, she will cooperate with the Trump administration to remove immigrants who break the law. Someone breaks the law, Ill be the first one to call up Ice and say: Get them out of here, Hochul said.

But some observers look at Adams tack towards Trump and see other factors at play, beyond playing to a segment of the electorate tired of Democrats traditional softer positions on immigrants.

Adams is facing a multi-count federal complaint over alleged fundraising abuses involving Turkey brought by the outgoing local US district attorney Damian Williams, a Joe Biden nominee. Adams trial is set for the spring, just as his mayoral re-election campaign moves into high gear.

Trump has nominated Jay Clayton to be Manhattans top federal prosecutor. Clayton is known for bringing white-collar corruption cases while serving as commissioner of the US Securities and Exchange Commission but has no experience litigating criminal law cases, raising the question as to whether Adams is cozying up to Trump in the hope that the complaint will be dropped.

Adams is also now on the same page as Trump when it comes to unfounded claims of the political weaponization of the Department of Justice. In September, Adams defiantly suggested prosecutors had gone after him because he had criticized Bidens immigration policies.

Despite our pleas, when the federal government did nothing as its broken immigration policies overloaded our shelter system with no relief, I put the people of New York before party and politics, he said. I always knew that if I stood my ground for all of you, that I would be a target  and a target I became.

But amid all the fresh posturing there is no doubt that immigration is a thorny political issue.

More than 200,000 people have come to New York over the past several years after entering the United States seeking asylum. The Adams administration has projected the cost of housing and support to New York taxpayers could hit $10bn by June next year, and Trump made pronounced inroads in the city in last months election, particularly among Asian voters and Hispanic voters.

Yet Adams has struck a notably hard line and nationalistic language that echoes Trump. Last week, he floated the idea of deporting migrants who had been accused but not convicted of felony crimes.

If you come into this country and this city and think you are going to harm innocent New Yorkers, and innocent migrants and asylum seekers, this is not the mayor you want to be under, Adams said last week. Im an American. Americans have certain rights. The constitution is for Americans. Im not a person who snuck into this country.

Its smart for any New York mayor to have friends in Washington because the city always has problems Hank Sheinkopf, Democratic strategist

That brought a pushback from civil rights groups.

Everyone residing in the United States regardless of their immigration status has specific inalienable rights under the constitution, including the right to due process, said the New York Immigration Coalition.

Immigrant communities have been key to New Yorks success, both past and present. The answer to the ongoing crisis in our city is not to turn our back on our values, but its to ensure fair treatment, said Andrea Gordillo, a progressive Democrat candidate for the city council.

It is possible that Adams recent sidling up to the incoming Trump administration is both a self-serving move and a pragmatic step in keeping with a shift in New Yorks political coloring and a recognition of the reality of the next four years of Trump rule.

Hes currying favor with the Trump administration, and its smart for any New York mayor to have friends in Washington because the city always has problems, said Hank Sheinkopf, a veteran Democratic strategist.

By playing that card hes also playing to the population of the city that have moved not insignificantly to the center and away from the left. New Yorkers are angry about the basic conditions of life here and tired of paying the cost of the nations problems. By doing so hes setting himself for re-election.

There is also no doubt Adams is also dealing with a nasty criminal situation. At least seven top Adams officials have resigned or announced plans to resign as a result of the federal criminal investigation.

Making it go away would a boon to Adams re-election chances. Whether it is or it isnt, everything in politics is conspiratorial by nature, says Sheinkopf. Any New York mayor who wants to make an enemy of the White House is nuts. New York mayors need the president no matter who they are.

By the end of last week Adams was even being asked whether he intended to stay in the Democratic party and join the Republicans. His answer was hardly a firm no.

The party thats most important for me is the American party  Im a part of the American party, he said.
Daniel Penny said he was trying to protect people when he put Jordan Neely in a chokehold - Juan Alberto Vazquez/Reuters

On May 1, 2023, a crazed homeless man high on synthetic marijuana entered a New York subway carriage and began to scream, shout and threaten passengers.

A former serviceman stepped in to restrain him. Six minutes later, the homeless man was dead.

The case led to a seven-weeks long trial in which Daniel Penny, a former serviceman, tried to convince the jury that he was simply doing his job as a good citizen to protect terrified commuters from Jordan Neely, 30.

Mr Penny has now been found not guilty of criminally negligent homicide, a charge which would have carried up to four years in prison.

Mr Penny was found not guilty of criminally negligent homicide - Sarah Yenesel/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

The controversial case had captured national attention, with some viewing the 26-year-old student as a hero, while others have characterised him as a white vigilante who killed a vulnerable black man.

The judge had already dismissed a more serious charge of manslaughter, which carries a prison sentence of up to 15 years, on Friday after the jury found itself deadlocked.

Mr Penny had put Neely, a homeless man, in a chokehold when he allegedly began threatening passengers on a subway train.

Manhattan DA / The Free Press

Prosecutors argued the former marine was unnecessarily reckless by holding Neely, a Michael Jackson impersonator, after he had ceased to be a threat, and that he should have known when his chokehold became deadly because of his military training.

The defence said Mr Penny had stepped in to protect his fellow subway passengers and that he could not have caused Neelys death because he was not gripping hard enough to kill him.

Footage taken by subway passengers shows Mr Penny, an architecture student, with his arm hooked around Neelys neck and his legs wrapped around the 30-year-olds waist.

Another man held Neelys wrists as he thrashed about, trying to free himself.

The video shows Mr Penny eventually releasing Neely 51 seconds after his body appeared to go limp.

The defence argued the ex-marine was not applying pressure beyond the point that Neelys body went limp.

Steven Raiser, acting for the defence, said his client had put his life on the line for strangers and asked the jury to imagine being crowded onto the subway carriage as Neely entered, screaming and throwing his jacket to the floor.

Youre sitting much as you are now, in this tightly confined space. You have very little room to move and none to run, Mr Raiser told jurors, saying Neely was filled with rage and not afraid of any consequences.

He added: The police werent there when the people on that train needed help. Danny was.

The court case polarised opinion - Reuters/Jane Rosenberg

Defence lawyers claimed that Neely, who had been arrested 42 times, moved through the subway carriage, lunging at passengers.

At one point, they claimed he had approached a woman as she attempted to shield her son and Mr Penny heard him say: I will kill.

Prosecutors said that Neely was high on synthetic marijuana and suffering from mental illness when he boarded the train at Second Avenue in Manhattan.

Dafna Yoran, an assistant district attorney, did not dispute that Neely presented a frightening figure to passengers when he appeared on the train.

He talked about being hungry, he talked about being thirsty, he also made threats about hurting people and wanting to go back to jail for life, she said.

Protesters outside court for Jordan Neely - Alex Kent/Getty Images

Ms Yoran said that Mr Pennys attempt to intervene may have been laudable but argued that he continued his chokehold well after Neely had ceased to be a threat, holding him for six minutes.

You obviously cannot kill someone because they are crazy and ranting and looking menacing, no matter what it is that they are saying, she told jurors.

Dr Cynthia Harris, a forensic pathologist with the City Medical Examiners office, spent three days walking the jury through footage showing the last moments of Neelys life, saying he had flailed about because of brain damage resulting from a lack of oxygen.

She said alternative explanations including drug use and pre-existing health conditions were not the cause of Neelys death.

He could have come back with enough fentanyl to put down an elephant. No toxicologic result would have changed my opinion, she said.

However, Dr Satish Chundru, a forensic pathologist based in Texas hired by the defence team, found that Neely was killed by a combination of factors including synthetic marijuana, schizophrenia, his struggle and restraint, and a blood condition.

The chokehold did not cause death, he told jurors.

NYPD

The defence argued that Mr Penny kept hold of Neely because he repeatedly tried to break free, and that the pressure applied to his neck would not have been enough to kill him.

Mr Raiser told jurors that his client applied a simple civilian restrain instead of a textbook chokehold that would have been applied to render someone unconscious.

Joseph Callaber, a former marine who instructed Mr Penny in chokeholds, testified after reviewing the footage that the 26-year-old appeared to be trying to use a non-lethal blood choke.

However, he said this may have turned into an air choke as the two men struggled together on the floor of the train and the homeless man shifted in his arms.

He added that Mr Penny did not appear to be applying a lot of pressure.

Jordan Neely died after being put in a chokehold - AP

In a recording of a call to 911, one woman warned Mr Penny that Neely was dying and told him: You got to let him go.

However, Ivette Rosario, another passenger who said she had put her head in her friends chest and prayed for the subway doors to open as Neely entered the train and began shouting, told the court she did not hear this and described Mr Penny as the one who stepped up.

Footage taken by the 19-year-old shows her hands shaking violently as she films Neely being restrained by Mr Penny on the floor of the train.

At one point she shouted hes getting up, and ran off.

Footage from police body cameras shows that Mr Penny was defended by witnesses who spoke to officers at the scene.

Ms Rosario, who spoke to officers on the platform, said of Mr Neely: I guess he was p----d or something he told everyone that he had a rough day, and that he dont care what happens today, he dont care about going to jail, but that someones dying today.

He was about to hurt somebody

Another witness said Neely appeared to be ready to risk it all and was about to hurt somebody.

He added that Neely was about to start hurting people, saying that the police took mad long to come.

While he was speaking, police officers were performing chest compressions on Neely, who was lying prone on the floor of the subway carriage.

A third woman, wearing a woollen hat and glasses, said Mr Penny put Neely in a chokehold that was not a hard chokehold but enough to secure him.

She added that Neely seemed to be on drugs because when he came in he was unbelievably off the charts.

He scared the living daylights out of everybody.

NYPD

Juan Alberto Vazquez, a 59-year-old Mexican reporter, told detectives that when Neely began ranting, he thought of Frank James, a Milwaukee man who wounded 10 people when he opened fire in a subway train in 2022.

Speaking in court, Eric Gonzalez, who helped restrain Neely, said he had told the former marine that he would hold the homeless mans arms in the hope he would readjust his chokehold.

I said, Im going grab his hands so you can let go, Mr Gonzalez testified, adding that Mr Penny did not appear to acknowledge his suggestion.

However, Larry Goodson, another passenger who testified, said that Neely wasnt threatening me, nor did I notice him threaten anyone else.

The 61-year-old said he warned Mr Penny that Neely appeared to have defecated as he held him, telling the student: If you dont let him go, and thats the state his body is in, youre going to lose him.

When officers turned up at the scene, Mr Penny was standing by Neelys body and said: He was threatening everybody I just put him out.

NYPD

Manhattan DA / The Free Press

In footage from police body cameras, he told detectives after the incident that he just wanted to keep him [Neely] from getting to people.

He demonstrated the chokehold for officers and described Neely as a crackhead who was acting like a lunatic, adding: Im not trying to kill the guy.

On Monday, the jury agreed.
Navjot Jo Sidhu outside the Old Bailey in June 2022 during the criminal barristers strike. Photograph: Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/REX/Shutterstock

A former chair of the Criminal Bar Association (CBA) inappropriately initiated sexual contact with an aspiring lawyer, a disciplinary tribunal has found.

A five-person panel found three charges of professional misconduct to be proven against Navjot Jo Sidhu, who was once a contender to be the director of public prosecutions.

Sidhu, 58, chaired the CBA when it launched its 2022 strike over pay, and was a kings counsel until relinquishing his practising certificate as a barrister earlier this year.

The proven charges related to his behaviour towards a paralegal, who was in her 20s and was work-shadowing him when he invited the woman  described in the hearing as person two  to his hotel room to work on a case in November 2018, then persuaded her to stay over and share his bed, despite her reluctance.

One of the charges stated: While in a position of trust, he [Sidhu] invited person two to stay overnight in his hotel room and in his hotel bed, during a mini-pupillage or work-shadowing experience, such conduct being of a sexual nature, and which invitation he knew or ought to have known was inappropriate and/or unwanted.

It said it was in circumstances where he knew or ought to have known that person two did not wish to engage in sexual activity with him.

The bar tribunal and adjudications service panel also found, again unanimously, that Sidhu initiated sexual contact with person two  which [] he knew or ought to have known was inappropriate and/or unwanted.

The chair of the panel, Her Honour Janet Waddicor, said its members had grappled with the issue of whether the sexual contact was unwanted, as person two had said in evidence, but decided this had not been proven to the criminal standard.

However, she stressed that this did not mean that it was wanted, and that the panel had found that it was inappropriate.

Charges brought by the Bar Standards Board (BSB) relating to activity occurring before April 2019 had to be proved to the criminal standard of beyond all reasonable doubt, but after that date it changed to the civil standard (on the balance of probabilities).

A fourth charge relating to person two was dismissed by the panel as were seven charges relating to a university student, known as person three  charges against person one were previously struck out  who had initiated contact with Sidhu on the LinkedIn website.

Waddicor said that however inappropriate and unequal that relationship was, and however damaging it was to person three, it was a personal relationship rather than a professional one and so outside the remit of the regulator.

However, the chair said that messages sent by Sidhu to person three were reprehensible, disgusting and shocking, adding: Its difficult to envisage more offensive ways to engage in role play than those here.

She said that Fiona Horlick KC, representing the BSB, had advocated that the panel did have a remit to find against Sidhu because the role-playing involved very serious criminal sexual offences if it had occurred in real life, but Waddicor said that as it had not occurred in real life, this was not an argument with which the panel agreed.

Sanctions will probably be decided next month. The panel ordered that, should Sidhu request one, a practising certificate should not be issued to him until the sanctions hearing has taken place.
Sister Estela Garcia Rodriguez makes flower-shaped bunuelos at the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration convent in San Antonio on Nov. 27. The sisters make the desserts each holiday season as a Christmas gift to the San Antonio community. Marvin Pfeiffer/San Antonio Express-News Sister Estela Garcia Rodriguez makes flower-shaped bunuelos at the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration convent in San Antonio on Nov. 27. The sisters make the desserts each holiday season as a gift to the San Antonio community. Marvin Pfeiffer/San Antonio Express-News Sister Estela Garcia Rodriguez takes flower-shaped bunuelos out of hot oil as Sister Anna Maria Chan Garcia looks on at the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration convent in San Antonio on Nov. 27. The sisters make the desserts each holiday season as a Christmas gift to the San Antonio community. Marvin Pfeiffer/San Antonio Express-News Sister Estela Garcia Rodriguez stacks finished flower-shaped bunuelos at the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration convent in San Antonio on Nov. 27. The sisters make the desserts each holiday season as a Christmas gift to the San Antonio community. Marvin Pfeiffer/San Antonio Express-News Sister Estela Garcia Rodriguez coats bunuelos with cinnamon and sugar at the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration convent in San Antonio on Nov. 27. The sisters make the desserts each holiday season as a Christmas gift to the San Antonio community. Marvin Pfeiffer/San Antonio Express-News Cooked bunuelos wait for a coating of cinnamon and sugar at the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration convent in San Antonio on Nov. 27. The sisters make the desserts each holiday season as a gift to the San Antonio community. Marvin Pfeiffer/San Antonio Express-News Patti Elizondo, left, and Sister Estela Garcia Rodriguez talk about the history of the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration convent on Nov. 27. Marvin Pfeiffer/San Antonio Express-News Sister Anna Maria Chan Garcia bags flower-shaped bunuelos at the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration convent in San Antonio on Nov. 27. The sisters make the desserts each holiday season as a Christmas gift to the San Antonio community. Marvin Pfeiffer/San Antonio Express-News Cecilia Nunez worships in the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration chapel on Nov. 27. Marvin Pfeiffer/San Antonio Express-News Patti Elizondo says it's a holiday tradition for her to get bunuelos from the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. Marvin Pfeiffer/San Antonio Express-News Sister Anna Maria Chan Garcia poses for a photo in front of the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration chapel in San Antonio on Nov. 27. Marvin Pfeiffer/San Antonio Express-News Children play on the playground at the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration Immaculate Conception Kindergarten in San Antonio on Nov. 27. Marvin Pfeiffer/San Antonio Express-News

On the day before Thanksgiving, the eyes of Our Lady of Guadalupe looked down on Sister Estela Garcia Rodriguez as she engaged in a long-honored tradition on the West Side of San Antonio  making bunuelos for the Christmas season.

Shed been on her feet for hours in the pantry of the Instituto de las Adoratrices Perpetuas Guadalupanas  which in English translates to the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration.

About the author A 22-year veteran of the Air Force, Vincent T. Davis embarked on a second career as a journalist and found his calling. Observing and listening across San Antonio, he finds intriguing tales to tell about everyday people. He shares his stories with Express-News subscribers every Monday morning.

ALSO READ: Seniors pass on delicious tradition to youngsters

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Wearing white gloves and a blue and white gingham apron over her beige habit, Rodriguez gripped the wooden handle of a straight aluminum rod that connected to a rosette flower-shaped mold. Standing on flattened cardboard boxes that were dotted with splattered grease, Rodriguez tended to six discs of dough at a time, repeatedly dipping the battered forge into a pot of hot oil until her right shoulder ached.

Im happy when the people enjoy them. Its the same with cooking when the people appreciate it," said Rodriguez, 55, who has been head cook of the convent for 14 years, in addition to her other duties.

Making bunuelos  a traditional fried-dough fritter  has long been part of the Sisters of Perpetual Adoration's 97-year-old community ministry. The sisters and their volunteers have been making bunuelos for more than 50 years. They typically make more than 7,000 each holiday season, with the desserts enjoyed by generations of local residents who hope the pastry will bring good luck in the upcoming year.

The origin of the fried dough goes back to medieval Spain. Some reports say the Moors, who ruled Spain for eight centuries, created the dessert. Historians say Spanish explorers to Mexico brought the pastry that evolved into a staple of Hispanic culture.

The sisters are offering bunuelos to the public for $12 per dozen. Orders can be placed by calling (210) 427-1027. The desserts will be available until Dec. 20. The only days they will not make bunuelos are Dec. 9, for the feast of St. Juan Diego, and Dec. 12, for the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe.

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The sisters goal isnt financial gain. Some of the proceeds from the sale of bunuelos will go back into suppers for the convent. But their main objective, they say, is to give the pastries to the people who support them all year through donations and volunteering.

Its their Christmas gift to the community.

Its like the icing on the cake, said longtime convent supporter Patti Elizondo. Its admirable theyre giving people these wonderful gifts and making the chapel available for people to stop by anytime of the day to pray.

A shrinking sisterhood

Rodriguez, a 10-year veteran of the bunuelos operation, this year has found herself performing tasks that in the past were carried out by an assembly line of nuns.

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The scarcity of women joining the order has depleted its ranks to the point that San Antonio location is the last one in the United States, Rodriguez said. Currently, six sisters remain in the order whose charism (mission) is the solemn and continuous adoration of the blessed sacrament and educating children. They're furthering a legacy of teaching youngsters at the Immaculate Conception Kindergarten and Nursery, a neon-yellow painted building near the convent at 2403 W. Travis St.

Elizondo had stopped by the convent the day before Thanksgiving to pick up her batches of bunuelos for the holidays. She recalled seeing them made in a variety of shapes through the years, including stars, hearts and snowflakes. Elizondo said her loyalty to the order stretches back to when her parents sold the bunuelos during the Christmas season at their West Side restaurant, La Canasta Tortilla Factory and La Tapatia Mexican Food.

She said one of the sisters first benefactors was her great aunt, Florencia Elizondo. The sisters have a specific day each month when they honor Florencia with a mass, prayers and daily activity for the repose of her soul and eternal rest.

Theyre still grateful, Elizondo said, and still talk of her to this day.

The order was founded in Mexico City in 1885 by Maria de las Mercedes de la Santissima Trinidad. The sisters have had a presence on the West Side on San Antonio since April 1927. According to lore, two sisters from the order traveled to San Antonio with nothing but a single cup to eat from. They say one morning the nuns discovered a basket of food on their doorstep, never knowing whod left it for them.

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Arthur Jerome Drossaerts, the archbishop of San Antonio, offered sanctuary to those who fled Mexico during years of religious persecution. According to the Texas State Historical Association, Pope Pius XI honored Drossaerts for raising more than $21,000 from 1926 to 1929 to help the refugees. Drossaerts authorized the nuns, who then totaled 12, to open a school on West Travis Street. Their first students were eight children: three boys and five girls.

While the order's numbers have declined, the sisters who remain are committed to their mission  and to making bunuelos for the community each holiday season.

Sister Ana Maria Chan Garcia said everyone pitches in with making the desserts, except their oldest member, who is 93 years old. After the school closes each day, the other four sisters join Rodriguez to help powder and bag the pastries.

We help the community for the glory of God, said Chan Garcia, 57. Each of us is like a little grain of wheat for the service of God.

Rodriguez packed the fritters in rows on metal trays. Her total for the day: 42 dozen.

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Elizondo said making the dessert is very labor-intensive, and said the recipe is not easy to make.

For one person to make 42 dozen in one day is shocking, she said. And to keep their operation going at 100% is pretty impressive.

ALSO READ: San Antonio community lifts spirits of former Santa Claus of Fredericksburg Road

'Joy you feel during Christmas'

Once her work was done, Rodriguez stepped away from the industrial oven top. Clean molds rested on an empty egg carton to dry  until her next shift when shed once again dip them into bowls of stirred batter. Then Rodriguez walked to the nearby chapel to kneel and pray.

Chan Garcia also escorted Elizondo to the chapel, where guests can worship without an appointment Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. The chapel is open Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. except the first Saturday of every month.

They tried not to disturb two women who had come to pray. One of them, Cecilia Nunez, 65, regularly comes to pray in the chapel. During this season, she comes for another custom the sisters offer from her homeland  the sweet flavor of cinnamon- and sugar-sprinkled bunuelos.
German police raid a network involved in assisting migrants across the Channel on Dec 4 - NCA

Germany will close a legal loophole that has allowed the country to become a hub for Channel migrant boats.

Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, signed a landmark deal with Berlin on Monday under which it agreed to introduce a law that will criminalise facilitating the smuggling of migrants to Britain.

Such activities are not currently illegal, which has hindered efforts to stop people smugglers transporting boats, engines and migrants to Germany for storage after their manufacture in Turkey before they are then sent on to the north French coast to carry people across the Channel.

More than 34,000 migrants have crossed the Channel so far this year, of which 20,399 arrived since Labour came into power in July. The figure marks a 12 per cent increase on 2023 but is down on the record year of 2022.

The agreement, which also commits both countries to sharing intelligence and joint operations, comes ahead of a Calais group meeting between ministers from France, Belgium and the Netherlands to discuss measures to tackle the migration crisis.

Ms Cooper said: Germany is already a key partner in our efforts to crack down on migrant smuggling but there is always more we can do together.

Our new Joint Action Plan will deliver a strengthened partnership with Germany, boosting our respective border security as we work to fix the foundations and ultimately saving lives.

Nancy Faeser, the German interior minister, said: By cramming people into inflatable boats under threats of violence, these organisations put human lives at risk.

Many of these crimes are planned in Germany. Together, we are now countering this unscrupulous business with even more resolve.

This includes maintaining a high investigative pressure, exchanging information between our security authorities as best as possible and persistently investigating financial flows to identify the criminals operating behind the scenes.

German police and the UKs National Crime Agency search a facility used to house boats and equipment allegedly for Channel crossings - NCA

Earlier this month, the UK, France and Germany conducted an investigation into a people smuggling network - NCA

Under German law, it is not an offence for migrants to be smuggled through Germany to a nation outside the EU, which now includes Britain after Brexit. Nor is it illegal for boats that will be used to cross the Channel to be stored in Germany, although this will become a criminal offence.

The Home Office said this would give German prosecutors more tools to tackle the supply and storage of dangerous small boat equipment, and allow the UK and Germany to better counter the continually evolving tactics of people smuggling gangs.

It is the first agreement of its kind between the UK and Germany.

The pact also commits the two countries to exchanging expertise, with a focus on removing people smuggler adverts from social media, operating more closely with Europol to target end-to-end smuggling networks and working upstream to disrupt the gangs supply lines.
Israeli troops at the border with Syria in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights on Monday. Photograph: Abir Sultan/EPA

Benjamin Netanyahu has said that the Golan Heights, occupied by Israel for almost 60 years, will remain part of Israel for eternity, amid growing criticism of an Israeli takeover of a previously demilitarised buffer zone in Syrian-controlled territory.

Speaking at a press conference in Jerusalem, the Israeli prime minister said Israeli control of the high ground ensures our security and sovereignty adding the Golan will be part of the State of Israel for eternity.

Over the weekend, Netanyahu ordered troops to move into a UN-patrolled buffer zone and attacked what it said were regime weapons depots with airstrikes, as the shock victory of Syrian rebels over Bashar al-Assad reshapes the regions frontlines.

The UN said on Monday that the move constituted a violation of a 1974 disengagement agreement between Israel and Syria.

There should be no military forces or activities in the area of separation. And Israel and Syria must continue to uphold the terms of that 1974 agreement, and preserve stability in the Golan, said Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary general, Antonio Guterres.

Most of the Golan Heights plateau has been occupied by Israel since 1967. It was fully annexed in 1981, a move not recognised by most of the international community.

The Israeli foreign minister, Gideon Saar, said the airstrikes were to stop arms falling into the hands of those who may want to harm Israel and its citizens.

Thats why we attacked strategic weapons systems, for example, remaining chemical weapons, or long-range missiles and rockets so that they will not fall in the hands of extremists, he said. Assad is widely believed to have still possessed large amounts of chemical weapons.

The Israeli deployment to Syrian territory was immediately met with concern among Syrians and others that Israel would seek to permanently occupy or annex the area. Jordan, which neighbours the Golan and is a key Israeli partner in the region, described the Israeli deployment as a violation of international law.

We condemn the fact that Israel has entered Syrian territory and taken control of the buffer zone, the Jordanian foreign minister, Ayman Safadi, told parliament.

Saudi Arabias foreign ministry condemned the move as an act of sabotage, saying: The seizure of the buffer zone in the Golan Heights  confirms Israels continued violation of the rules of international law, and its determination to sabotage Syrias chances of restoring its security, stability and territorial integrity.

A spokesperson for the US state department said the incursion must be only temporary, but gave no timetable for a withdrawal.

Syrian army sources told Reuters that overnight, Israel struck a Hezbollah convoy of 150 armoured vehicles on a route well known for taking arms and materiel from Syria to Lebanon, where the Shia group is based.

The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Israel had also targeted several locations in coastal and southern Syria the night before. Verified pictures of Mezzeh military airport, on the outskirts of Damascus, showed destroyed helicopters and jets.

Since Syrias civil war erupted in 2011, Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes in the country, mainly targeting the Syrian army and allied Iran-backed groups. It rarely comments on actions in Syria but has repeatedly said it will not allow Iran to maintain a foothold there.

Since the Hamas attack on Israel on 7 October 2023, Israel has fought on two fronts: the Gaza Strip and southern Lebanon. It has managed to decimate both the Palestinian group and Hezbollah, Irans major ally, but security sources quoted in Israeli media on Monday said the countrys intelligence services were unprepared for the dramatic developments in Syria over the last two weeks. Israel had reportedly been considering making overtures towards the regime in Damascus.

On Sunday, Israel also strengthened its air defences in the Golan and moved ground troops into Syrian territory for the first time in 50 years to help UN forces repel an assault by rebels on a UN post near the Druze village of Khader.

Two extra brigades had now been deployed and troops sent into the buffer zone to keep armed actors and potential refugee flows away, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said.

IDF soldiers took control of Syrian army positions on Mount Hermon and in Quneitra province after the Assad troops abandoned their posts on Saturday. The Israeli military also said that orders had been issued for deterrent fire to be used against any attempts to breach the border fence, ordering residents of five Druze Syrian villages to stay at home until further notice.

A day earlier, Netanyahu said he had ordered the IDF to deploy to the buffer zone, which was demilitarised in 1974 in the aftermath of the Yom Kippur war.

Related: Luxury cars and high-end labels: shocked Syrians roam Assad family residences

In a video address in English, he described the move as a temporary and limited step in response to the dramatic events in Syria of the last two weeks, which culminated in Assad fleeing to Russia on Sunday.

This agreement has collapsed  Syrian soldiers abandoned their positions, he said of the 1974 disengagement pact. We will not allow any hostile forces to establish themselves at our border.

While Assads downfall has been widely celebrated across the world after 13 years of brutal civil war and more than 60 of Baathist rule, his sudden departure has left Syrias future uncertain.

Regional actors have already scrambled to protect their interests in the fractured country: as well as the Israeli action, Turkish-backed rebels have launched an offensive against US-backed Kurdish-led forces on the northern border with Turkey, and the US has carried out dozens of airstrikes against Islamic State targets in the vast Syrian desert.

US Central Command said late on Sunday that the strikes were intended to disrupt, degrade, and defeat Isis [Islamic State], in order to prevent the terrorist group from conducting external operations and to ensure that Isis does not seek to take advantage of the current situation to reconstitute in central Syria.
Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of the Syrian rebels - Balkis Press/ABACA/Shutterstock

Joe Biden warned Syrias leading rebel group against working with Islamic State (IS) terrorists in secret messages exchanged during the collapse of Bashar al-Assads regime.

The US president, using the Turkish government as an intermediary, was reassured by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) it had no intention of allowing IS into its movement, according to Turkish and US officials.

HTS, which led the rebel uprising across Syria that toppled the Assad regime on Sunday, was once affiliated with al-Qaeda but claims to have grown more moderate in recent years. It remains proscribed as a terrorist group by the US, UK and UN.

Mr Biden is now debating the extent to which they should engage directly with Islamist-led rebel groups amid concerns they could still team up with jihadists, The New York Times reported.

In a televised address on Sunday, the outgoing president noted that some of the rebel groups had their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses.

Rebels wave an Islamic flag in Damascus on Monday - Omar Haj Kadour/AFP

He added: Weve taken note of statements by the leaders of these rebel groups in recent days and theyre saying the right things now. But as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words but their actions.

US officials have also discussed removing a $10million (7.8million) bounty on Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of HTS, a senior Arab official told Middle East Eye.

Mr Bidens warning came as the US carried out precision air strikes against IS targets in Syria on Sunday and overnight.

Meanwhile, Russia vowed to hold talks with Syrias next leaders over the future of its military bases in the Middle East region.

On Monday, the Kremlin said it was too early to predict how HTS would view its military facilities, including the Khmeimim air base in Latakia province and its naval base in the coastal city of Tartus.

Joe Bidens warning came as the US carried out precision air strikes against IS targets in Syria - Pete Marovich/Getty Images

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said: Its premature to talk about it yet. This is all a subject for discussion with those who will be in power in Syria.

Western nations have broadly welcomed the collapse of Assads brutal regime but have warned against automatically welcoming HTS given its past terrorist links.

Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, said it was very early days when asked whether his Government would engage with HTS.

But on Monday, a senior Cabinet minister acknowledged calls to remove the Syrian rebel group from the UK terrorist list.

Pat McFadden, who oversees the Cabinet Office, said that the Government would review the designation of HTS as a terrorist group.

A joint statement released by the European Union called for a peaceful transition of power that is Syrian-led.

Germany, meanwhile, said HTS would be judged based on how it treats Syrian minorities.

A foreign ministry spokesman said: In recent months and years, HTS has endeavoured to distance itself from its jihadist origins and to build up civilian structures.

HTS has vowed to respect the rights of ethnic and religious minorities. A message sent out by the groups central command on Monday told fighters not to interfere with womens clothing.
Keir Starmer at a business roundtable meeting in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA

Keir Starmer has defended his trip to Saudi Arabia, saying it was needed to fulfil his number one mission of growing the UK economy.

Speaking during a visit to Riyadh, where he met the Saudi crown prince, Mohammed bin Salman, the prime minister said his sole intention there was to help drive up living standards in the UK.

Starmer told broadcasters that he had made it clear that economic growth in the UK is my number one mission and for that to happen we have to win contracts and investment around the world, and UAE and Saudi Arabia are key partners of ours.

So Ive been making the case that nows the time for further investment into our country, he said.

According to an official readout from their meeting, the prime minister invited the Saudi crown prince to the UK. A Downing Street spokesperson said Starmer hoped the leaders would be able to watch a game of football in between meetings if he took up the offer.

The pair also discussed the steps taken by the crown princes government to improve human rights under Saudis Vision 2030.

Earlier on Monday, Downing Street said Starmer would still be able to raise concerns about the Saudi governments human rights record.

The prime ministers official spokesperson told reporters that no aspect of the relationships that were building internationally and abroad stops us from raising issues around human rights and protecting our values globally. He reiterated that promoting economic growth was the prime ministers number one priority.

Asked whether this meant human rights were a lower priority, the spokesperson said: You saw the prime ministers plan for change last week. You can see the governments clear priorities for the British people as part of that.

When Boris Johnson met the Saudi crown prince in 2022, Starmer accused him of going cap in hand from dictator to dictator. Asked about these comments, the spokesperson said: This is about driving growth and building a network of partners across the world who will invest in the UK.

Starmer argued that the governments recent deals with Saudi Arabia were creating 4,000 jobs in the UK. Im here driving growth with the sole intention of making sure that when I say that living standards will go up in the UK, [and that] people will feel better off, that weve got the plan to follow through and deliver on that, he told broadcasters in Riyadh.

The UK and Saudi Arabia have agreed a new defence partnership, including on combat air capabilities, which is set to last for generations. The Royal Saudi air force has operated UK-manufactured Typhoon combat aircraft since 2008.

The prime minister held a round table with Saudi businesses and senior Saudi ministers including the commerce minister, Majid al-Kassabi. Speaking at the start of the meeting in Diriyah, near Riyadh, Starmer praised the UK-Saudi relationship, which he said was built on the values of trust and friendship.

Hailing an increase in trade between the two countries, he said he wanted to enhance and build upon what I believe is a very strong existing partnership between our two countries.

Ahead of the trip, the widow of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi urged Starmer to question the crown prince about the case. Speaking to the Guardian, Hanan Elatr Khashoggi said: I hope my husbands case has not been forgotten, and I will always maintain to make sure it is not forgotten. There is unfinished business here.

Campaign group Reprieve called on Starmer to raise the issue of children facing the death penalty in Saudi Arabia. Its deputy executive director, Dan Dolan, said that if the prime minister publicly raises the cases of child defendants Abdullah al-Howaiti and Abdullah al-Derazi when he meets the crown prince, he could save their lives.

Starmer travelled to Saudi Arabia after visiting the United Arab Emirates, where he met president Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

In a statement issued during the trip, the prime minister said the UK wanted to play a more present and consistent role in the region because what happens in the Middle East matters at home.
Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, leads HTS, the dominant faction in the rebel alliance. Photograph: Abdulaziz Ketaz/AFP/Getty Images

Related: Assault on Aleppo: who are the Syrian rebels HTS and why are they advancing?

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS; Levant Liberation Union) is led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, and is the dominant faction in the rebel alliance which toppled the regime of Bashar al-Assad with a lightning offensive launched late last month from its stronghold in the north-west. The group has its origins in al-Qaida and Islamic State, and was formally founded in 2017 after breaking with both. HTS has since governed 2 million people in Idlib province, and evolved a more pragmatic ideology, many analysts say. Concerns remain about its extremist roots and the presence of veteran jihadist fighters among its forces.

The Syrian National Army (SNA) is a coalition based in northern Syria backed by Ankara. It was founded in 2017 and includes a diverse range of Arab and Turkmen groups and fighters, including some veterans from the very earliest days of the rebellion against the Assad regime. The SNA participated in the campaign against IS, but has also intensively battled the Kurdish forces in Syria. In recent days, the SNA has launched an offensive against Kurdish groups and has made gains around Manbij, a strategic northern town. Turkey wants to prevent Kurdish groups establishing a solid, contiguous presence on the Syrian side of its southern border and stabilise the zone to allow the return of refugees.

Related: Who is Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, leader of Syrian insurgents HTS?

The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is a Kurdish dominated alliance that holds a vast swathe of territory in north-east Syria and is backed by the US. The SDF, which includes some Arab fighters, was founded in 2015 and did much of the hardest fighting against IS. Led by the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG), the SDF is viewed by Ankara as part of the broader Kurdish separatist movement that has fought a bloody nationalist campaign against Turkey for decades. Kurds make up sizeable minorities in Iran, Iraq, Syria and Turkey.

The Southern Operations Room is a newly formed coalition of rebel groups in southern and south-eastern Syria, drawn mainly from Druze communities and opposition groups. The region was an early stronghold of opposition to the Assad regime but suffered heavily from brutal repression. Fighters from the Southern Operations Room were the first to reach Damascus at the weekend.

The Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (Isis) has its origins in the Islamic State of Iraq (ISI), which included many al-Qaida militants who fought against US-led and government forces there. The civil war in Syria opened up new opportunities, and eventually allowed the foundation of a caliphate by a breakaway group that by 2015 had amassed massive military and economic resources. Defeated by an international coalition including Syrian factions in a four-year campaign, the organisation has remained active, particularly in central Syria, and was targeted by US warplanes earlier this week.
The search for Brian Thompsons killer is now in its sixth day - Reuters/Mike Segar

A man apprehended in connection with the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has been named.

The insurance executive was gunned down on Wednesday in New York by a masked man who escaped on foot before mounting a bike and disappearing into Central Park. Officials later suggested he had fled the city by bus.

Luigi Mangione, 26, was detained in a McDonalds this morning carrying identification with his name on it as well as fake IDs allegedly connected to the killing, law enforcement officers told The New York Times.

With the manhunt now in its sixth day, the 26-year-old was found in possession of a manifesto and a similar gun to the one used in the assassination is being held for questioning by authorities in Altoona, Pennsylvania, multiple outlets reported.

Mr Mangione has been arrested on local charges, The New York Times reported, and the NYPD is said to be sending detectives to the central Pennsylvania city, which lies 100 miles east of Pittsburgh.

The New York Police Department had no update for the media, while the Altoona Police Department did not respond to requests for comment.

Eric Adams, the New York mayor, is due to provide an update at 1.30pm EST.

CNN reported that the man was travelling by bus in the Keystone State when he was stopped by police, who uncovered the gun, a silencer and a number of fake IDs.

The man was allegedly recognised by a McDonalds worker who called the police.

The pistol reportedly used by the assassin who gunned down Mr Thompson was a VP9: a weapon sold to vets to put down wounded animals adapted from a Second World War spy gun. They can be bought online for around $5,700.

A Welrod silent pistol designed during the Second World War and believed to be similar to the murder weapon - Tim Ockenden

The man was also found with a handwritten manifesto criticising healthcare companies for valuing profits over care, officials told The New York Times.

Last week, detectives investigating the killing recovered DNA samples from a water bottle, believed to have been discarded by the masked killer as he fled the scene, as well as bullets.

A Starbucks coffee cup used by the shooter was also analysed for DNA evidence, sources told The New York Post.

If the DNA samples can be matched to the man being questioned, they could prove the identity of the killer.

Meanwhile, if the weapon he was allegedly found carrying can be matched to ballistics of the bullets recovered from the scene, it could prove to be the decisive evidence required to charge the man.

Police recover bullets at the scene - Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Police have declined to confirm reports that shell casings left at the scene after the CEO was shot were etched with the words delay and deny  language often used by insurance companies to reject claims.

CNN reported that one of the identity documents the man is carrying could match the fake ID used by the killer to check into a hostel the day before carrying out the attack.

A CCTV image of the suspect grinning at a member of staff at the hostel earned him the tabloid nickname the smiling assassin.

A police-released image of the suspect smiling at a hostel - Nypd/Handout/UPI/Shutterstock

Joe Kenny, New Yorks chief of detectives, told The New York Post on Saturday that the killer may have been a disgruntled employee or disgruntled client of UnitedHealthcare.

The masked shooter arrived in New York at around 9pm on a cross-country bus which set off from Atlanta, Georgia, on Nov 24.

After fleeing the scene of the shooting, the killer left the park at around 77th Street, while still on the bicycle, Mr Kenny told CNN. He was then seen walking further north, before getting a cab to a bus station near 178th Street and Broadway.

Mr Kenny said the police had video of him entering a bus terminal the day of the attack, but not exiting, which led to the theory he had skipped town.

Those buses are interstate buses, Mr Kenny said. Thats why we believe he may have left New York City.
Victoria police say Fridays arson attack on the Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne is being treated as an act of terrorism.

The Victoria police chief commissioner, Shane Patton, made the declaration about Fridays Ripponlea fire being regarded as a suspected terrorist attack on Monday morning.

He said the decision followed advice provided at a meeting between Victoria police, the Australian federal police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (Asio).

Based on that, I am very confident that we now have had an attack  a terrorist attack  on that synagogue, Patton said at a press conference, alongside the AFPs deputy commissioner, Krissy Barrett, and the state premier, Jacinta Allan.

He said it was clear that the fire was targeted, it was callous and an horrific attack on the synagogue.

But by default, its an attack on the Jewish people, he said.

Related: CSIRO refutes Coalition case nuclear is cheaper than renewable energy due to operating life

Patton said police were searching for three suspects over the fire, which occurred early on Friday morning. About 60 firefighters and 17 trucks were called to the site about 4.10am.

He said the investigation will be handed over from the arson squad to the joint counter-terrorism team, consisting of Victoria police, AFP and Asio officers.

What concerns me is the callous nature of this attack, the emboldened nature of this attack, and the fact that the attack has taken place where it occurred, Patton said.

When you have a crime like this that strikes at the fabric of the community. That is very, very concerning to us.

Barrett said the declaration allows for more powers, more capability and more intelligence.

I want to thank Victoria police investigators for the significant information they have gathered so far, which has helped lead us to believe that this is likely to be politically motivated attack, she said.

This is now a terrorism investigation.

Allan said the fire was an evil attack and vowed to support the Addas Israel community rebuild the synagogue.

Patton said he did not believe firearms were involved in the incident, despite the discovery of a very old damaged two calibre bullet on the footpath outside the synagogue many hours after this attack.

We have nothing to suggest whatsoever that has any connection with [the arson attack]. Nonetheless, as a result of completeness, weve taken that away for examination, he said.

The synagogue has sustained significant damage and has been boarded up.

Floral tributes and notes have been left outside, as well as signs from the synagogue saying We will rebuild. The Victorian government has already committed $100,000 to the rebuild effort and the community had raised about $300,000 online.

Meir Chaim Spigelman, president of the Adass Israel community, said it was too early to know the extent of the damage but expected it would run into the tens of millions of dollars.

Initially, we thought it wasnt so bad because the structure outside has stayed intact but inside, it has been completely destroyed, he said.

The fire tore everything apart except for our scriptures. They arent burnt but the heat has singed some of them.

The opposition leader, Peter Dutton, has for days accused the federal government of dragging its feet in declaring the fire an act of terrorism, and creating a hostile climate for the Jewish community.

The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, on Sunday said he personally believed the attack met the criteria for being labelled a terrorist act but that there was a process to be followed.
Wes Streeting with Amanda Pritchard, the NHS England chief executive who said the service is already seeing unprecedented demand going into winter - Ben Whitley

Wes Streeting has hauled in NHS chiefs to warn them not to attempt to game A&E performance this winter.

The Health Secretary and Amanda Pritchard, NHS England chief executive, urged hospital bosses to put safety first and focus on patients facing long waits in casualty departments.

At Mondays meeting at NHSEs headquarters in London, Mr Streeting warned trusts not to attempt to game A&E targets, by prioritising the easy cases.

He told NHS leaders that he did not want to see trusts prioritising patients who could be seen and discharged more quickly over those with the greatest clinical need.

Officials said the meeting was convened because the situation in A&E departments has become critical.

The meeting this morning comes amid record pressures on the NHS, with warnings of a quad-demic facing Britain, as a surge in flu combines with norovirus, Covid and respiratory syncytial virus.

Ambulances are enduring the worst delays on records, with mounting queues outside A&E departments, the latest data show.

Flu admissions are four times as high as last year, with health chiefs pleading with those eligible to get vaccinated.

Mr Streeting urged chiefs to improve emergency ambulance response times, address handover delays and tackle the longest waits in A&E  putting patients ahead of targets.

Mr Streeting talked to NHS staff at the services headquarters to discuss increasing pressures facing A&E departments across the country - Ben Whitley

The Health Secretary said: We inherited a broken NHS that saw annual winter crisis as the norm. This year, were seeing record pressures on services as we move into December.

This winter I want to see patient safety prioritised as we brace ourselves for the coming months. Im asking trusts to focus on ambulance delays, handovers and the longest A&E waits.

Weve already taken immediate action to keep patients safe by ending strikes  meaning this is the first winter in three years without staff on the picket line.

He said a 10-Year Health Plan published next year would deliver fundamental reform to build an NHS that is there for us all year round.

Id appeal to all eligible people to join the 27 million who have already protected themselves and the NHS, and get vaccinated, Mr Streeting said.

Last week, Sir Keir Starmer said cutting hospital backlogs so that 92 per cent of patients wait no longer than 18 weeks for hospital treatment by 2029 will be one of six milestone targets.

Amid concern that targets to cut A&E waits would receive less focus, the Government said cutting backlogs would lay the foundations of a sustainable health system  including in A&E.

Ms Pritchard said: The NHS is already seeing unprecedented demand going into winter, with flu cases quadrupling, thousands more ambulance callouts and rising pressures causing unacceptable waits for patients.

While staff have worked hard to prepare  including expanding virtual wards so more patients can receive hospital-style care at home and delivering over 27 million vaccinations since September  we know services are set to come under even more strain.

Patient safety must be paramount, and speaking to local leaders today, the message was clear: we need every part of the NHS, and social care partners, working together to manage demand and ensure patients with the most urgent needs are prioritised.

As always, the public has an important part to play in helping NHS staff over winter, by calling 999 and using A&E in an emergency only, while using NHS 111 to access the right support for urgent health needs.

Dr Tim Cooksley, the immediate past president of the Society for Acute Medicine, said: It is concerning that the Secretary of State feels it reasonable to reiterate the need to focus on the key priorities that frontline clinical and operational staff aim to optimise every day under extreme pressure.

The stark reality is not that hospitals and staff on the frontline are manipulating targets but that they are simply unable to deliver safe and effective care even when trying their utmost to do so given the impossible situations they are in.

He added: There is insufficient workforce and capacity to meet the demands of an increasingly ageing population with multiple health issues with simply no resilience to cope with any excess strain and the sooner the government acknowledges this reality  along with the need to adequately fund and reform social care  the better for everyone.

The extra cases of winter viruses, such as Covid, flu, norovirus and RSV, mean many hospitals will fall into critical incidents and patient safety will be compromised - but not as a result of hard-working staff not putting patient safety first but because the hospitals simply cannot cope.

This message also comes days after the prime minister announced a drive to reduce referral to treatment waiting times as a priority but without factoring in that there will be no elective recovery without emergency care recovery  and adequate social care provision as well.

Cases of flu skyrocketing

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is monitoring rates of winter viruses and has urged people who are eligible to come forward for the jabs.

Professor Susan Hopkins, Chief Medical Advisor at UKHSA, said: Flu is sharply increasing and putting higher numbers in hospital. Unless more of those at risk and eligible for a vaccine come forward, this trend is likely to continue, resulting in more hospitalisations over Christmas and tragically resulting in more deaths than we saw last year over Christmas. We shouldnt forget flu can still be very serious for some and the vaccine is our best defence.

There is still time to change this trajectory and reduce the spread of flu, but time is running out. Its vital you book your vaccine online as soon as possible before the NHS booking system closes on 19 December. Healthcare workers  who are particularly at risk  should also get the jab, not only to protect themselves but their patients, colleagues and families.

On Monday health officials urged people to get their jab now or never to be protected by Christmas, warning that cases of flu were skyrocketing.

An average of 1,099 flu patients were in hospital beds each day in the week to Dec 1, including 39 in critical care.

At the moment, cases of flu are highest among those aged five to 14, with health leaders warning that this could lead to a wave of adult cases further down the line.

Officials said those eligible for the flu vaccine should get it now to protect themselves ahead of Christmas.

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, the national medical director for NHS England, said: Flu cases are skyrocketing so its now or never for older people and children to get themselves jabbed and protected ahead of any family get-togethers they have planned over the festive period.

Every Christmas we see far too many older adults and children admitted to hospital because of flu, and the best way to avoid this situation is getting your flu jab if you are eligible.

The flu vaccine is our best defence against winter viruses, and it also helps to reduce pressure on hospitals and hard-working NHS staff who will be working flat out over the Christmas break.

So I would urge anyone eligible to add booking their flu jab to their list of things to do in the run-up to Christmas so they can protect themselves and their families this December.

It comes as a record number of people are occupying hospital beds for this time of year because of a variety of illnesses and injuries, with Englands provision about 95 per cent full.

Saffron Cordery, the interim chief executive of NHS Providers, told BBC Breakfast: Quad-demic  its an awful word, but it does mean that weve got four different viruses running around at the moment  weve got flu, weve got Covid, weve got norovirus and RSV, and all of those coming together makes it incredibly challenging.
Paul Hollywood, the Great British Bake Off presenter, rode the bike on a 3,000-mile road trip from New York to Los Angeles - Iconic Auctioneers/SWNS

Paul Hollywoods cherished motorbike will go under the hammer after racking up 3,000 miles (4,830km) in his US road trip mini-series five years ago.

The 58-year-old Great British Bake Off presenter and judge rode the bike during his journey from New York to Los Angeles in the 2019 series, Paul Goes to Hollywood.

Built by Big Dog Motorcycles in Kansas and fitted with a 1750cc v-twin engine, the red and black machine is described as old school chopper style  bikes known for their long front forks and low-slung saddles.

Listed as being in good condition, it is estimated that the 21-year-old Big Dog Ridgeback will fetch between 12,000 and 14,000 when it goes under the hammer at the MCN London Motorcycle Show on Feb 16.

Mark Bryan of Iconic Auctioneers, said: Celebrity provenance is always great and when you combine it with someone like petrolhead Paul Hollywood, a US road trip TV programme and a cool bike, then it all fits together nicely.

An avid collector, Hollywood previously put two other superbikes, a pair of limited edition Italian Ducatis, up for auction at the NEC Classic Motor Show in November.

A 2014 Ducati 1199 Superleggera, one of only 500 ever manufactured, was sold for an undisclosed sum alongside another Superleggera 2017 model, also sold to an anonymous buyer for an undisclosed amount.

Hollywood, who is a keen motorbike collector, auctioned two limited edition Italian Ducatis in November - Planet Photos

Hollywood has hosted The Great British Bake Off since 2010 and is a keen amateur racing driver.

In 2015 he made his debut in the Beechdean AMR Aston Martin Vantage GT4 alongside Andrew Howard, the founder of a dairy company.

Two years later he raced in his first 24 hour race at Circuit of the Americas coming second in class in an Aston Martin GT8.

In an Instagram post in 2021 he said: Bikes have always been a big part of my life, nothing like going out on a beautiful day with a few mates hitting the roads... bring it on.
Ro Khanna questions witnesses during a roundtable on supreme court ethics in Washington DC earlier this year. Photograph: Allison Bailey/NurPhoto/Rex/Shutterstock

Progressive congressperson Ro Khanna has sympathy for the murdered UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson  yet at the same time is not surprised that the killing reignited a national dialogue about inequities in the US healthcare system, he said in an interview on Sunday.

It was horrific, the California Democrat said on ABC This Week with respect to the slaying of Thompson, whose survivors include his widow and two sons ages 16 and 19. I mean, this is a father were talking about  of two children, and  there is no justification for violence.

But the outpouring afterwards has not surprised me.

Khanna told the shows host, Martha Raddatz, that he agreed with fellow liberal and US senator Bernie Sanders when he wrote recently on social media: We waste hundreds of billions a year on health care administrative expenses that make insurance CEOs and wealthy stockholders incredibly rich while 85 million Americans go uninsured or underinsured. Health care is a human right. We need Medicare for all.

After years, Sanders is winning this debate, Khanna said, referring to the Vermont senators support for a single-payer national health insurance system seen in other wealthy democracies.

While police have stopped short of offering a possible motive behind Thompsons 4 December shooting death, the apparent targeted nature of the attack  as well as shell casings found at the scene of the killing displaying the words delay, deny and possibly depose have suggested it was maybe linked to the largely privatized US healthcare industrys routine denial of payments to many Americans.

Healthcare debt has emerged as a leading cause of bankruptcy in the US while for-profit health insurers such as UnitedHealthcare are among the countrys richest companies. Thompson, 50, who lived near UnitedHealthcares headquarters in Minnesota, commanded a salary of $10m annually before a gunman wearing a mask shot him dead outside a hotel in Manhattan as he prepared to attend a meeting with investors of his company.

Many greeted news of Thompsons death not with sympathy but with mockery. A widely shared example of the sentiment was a social media post from Columbia School of Social Works Anthony Zenkus, which read: Today, we mourn the death of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, gunned down. wait, Im sorry  today we mourn the deaths of the 68,000 Americans who die needlessly each year so that insurance company execs like Brian Thompson can become multimillionaires.

Khanna on Sunday said his status as a member of the US House has not immunized him from absurd insurance battles.

Related: Brian Thompsons killing inspired rage  against the healthcare industry

Though he acknowledged it paled in comparison to people with cancer, heart disease and diabetes being denied coverage while they battle for their lives, Khanna said: I, as a congressperson had UnitedHealthcare deny a prescription for a nasal  a $100 pump spray, and I couldnt get them to reverse this. So imagine what ordinary people are dealing with.

Khanna said some modest steps that the US could take to begin addressing injustices in the countrys healthcare include capping out-of-pocket costs while also requiring the private insurers relied on by many Americans to cover anything that Medicare would.

Medicare is the public US health insurance program for those older than 65 and people who are disabled.

We have to understand people with cancer, with heart disease, with diabetes, with insurance arent getting the care that they need. Theyre getting stuck with huge medical bills.
Waffles, a 1-year-old female reticulated giraffe, joined the San Antonio Zoo's three male giraffes, Alan and his offspring Cosmo and Brayden, on Nov. 29. Waffles has been described as a curious and avid eater. San Antonio Zoo

The San Antonio Zoo welcomed Waffles, a reticulated giraffe, to its herd recently, providing visitors with one more of the worlds tallest mammal to feed and observe.

Waffles joins the zoos three male giraffes, Alan and his offspring Cosmo and Brayden, in the recently opened Naylor Savanna, the largest habitat in the San Antonio Zoos history. Visitors will be able to observe the four reticulated giraffes through floor-to-ceiling windows.

In honor of Waffles' arrival Nov. 29, guests can enjoy a one-of-a-kind waffle flight at the zoos restaurant, Longnecks Bar & Grill, through December, according to the zoos Facebook page.

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The 1-year-old female giraffes arrival marks a significant step in the Association of Zoos & Aquariums Species Survival Plan, an initiative that facilitates the breeding of selected species.

Reticulated giraffes, native primarily to Kenya, have suffered significant population declines. About 16,000 of those giraffes, distinguished by distinctive white lines that separate their orange-brown patches, exist in the wild, according to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation. Thats half the number of those giants that roamed the grasslands 35 years ago, according to the foundation.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature added reticulated giraffes to its endangered list in 2018, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is expected to add these giraffes to their threatened species list.

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Waffles arrival reflects San Antonio Zoos dedication to wildlife conservation and its role within the community, the zoo said in a news release posted on Facebook. By supporting critical programs like the Species Survival Plan, the zoo continues to set the standard in safeguarding the future of vulnerable species while creating unforgettable experiences for its guests.

Female giraffes reach sexual maturity around the age of four, the news release said.
Russia wants to keep hold of key sites like the Khmeimim air base near Latakia, Syria - Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation/Handout via Reuters

Russia is scrambling to make a deal with Syrias victorious rebels to keep hold of its vital military bases after the collapse of Bashar al-Assads regime.

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said communication lines with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) had been opened but it was premature to talk about Russia retaining its naval and air bases in Syria.

Everything possible is now being done to get in touch with those involved in ensuring security and, of course, our military is also taking all the necessary precautions, he said.

Mr Peskov also confirmed that Vladimir Putin had personally allowed Assad to flee into exile to Russia.

The murderous Syrian dictator fled Damascus on Sunday after the collapse of his army allowed Jihadi-linked HTS forces to complete their capture of Syria in only 12 days.

Putin (right) personally allowed Assad to flee into exile to Russia, the Kremlin says - Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/via Reuters

In Russia, shocked Kremlin-linked news agencies and propagandists have tried to explain the humiliating collapse of a key Russian ally in the region by saying that it took everybody by surprise.

They also framed Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the leader of HTS, as a CIA agent and blamed Iran for failing to back up Russian airstrikes.

Boris Rozhin, an analyst at the Centre for Military-Political Journalism, told the Moskovskaya Kommsomelts newspaper that Russia had been stabbed in the back in Syria because Iran had not passed on information about the HTS attack and not committed soldiers to support Assads forces.

What happened can be regarded as a betrayal, he said.

Russia and Iran have developed strong relations through their joint military actions in Syria. Iran has also supplied missiles and drones to Russia since the Kremlins invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

In the week before the capture of Damascus, Russian warplanes had bombed HTS convoys before Putin, frustrated with the collapse of Assads forces, ordered a halt. Instead, Russian warplanes at its Khmeimim air base and warships at its Tartus naval base 75 miles further south along the Mediterranean coast have been evacuated.

Analysts said that although he has been humiliated, Putin was determined to keep hold of his prized bases.

John Foreman, a former Royal Navy officer who was previously the British defence attache in Moscow, said: Russia lacks permanent bases generally, so both are important and both had significant investment over the past seven years.

The Khmeimim air base was given to Russia in 2015 as a thank you from Assad for Russias ruthless carpet-bombing of rebels that helped reverse the civil war.

As well as hosting some of Russias most advanced fighter jets, it was used by Russia as a refuelling stop for military and cargo planes heading to Africa. The Tartus naval base was originally built in 1971 by the Soviet Union. Putin modernised and enlarged the base again in 2012 and 2015 because he had designs on Africa.

Without the Tartus naval base, analysts said that Putin can still operate in Africa but it becomes far more difficult to resupply and support the estimated 20,000 Africa Corps mercenaries operating there, mainly in Libya, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

Their likely loss is a significant strategic setback for Russia on its southern flank, Mr Foreman said.

Russias Tartus naval base along Syrias Mediterranean coast - Planet Labs PBC/AFP via Getty Images

Putin sees Africa as a Western weakness that he can exploit. He has encouraged a series of coups against pro-West governments by promising security support, as well as bilateral energy and communication projects.

In return, Putin expects his West African crony allies to spread his anti-Ukraine policies. When a group of rebels ambushed Russian mercenaries and Malian government soldiers in the Sahara Desert in July, killing dozens, the pro-Russia Mali government was quick to blame Kyiv.

These West African coup leaders regularly turn up in Moscow for meetings and to take orders, before returning to Africa to do the Kremlins bidding by promoting Russia as a force for peace.

They also come with vital votes at the UN, which Russia leverages, and access to valuable metals and rare earth deposits that the Kremlin wants to control.

Key to Russias influence had been the Wagner mercenary group, which also fought in Ukraine. This has been rebranded as the Africa Corps and is still highly regarded for beefing up local security services who are fighting wars against various rebel groups.

On Telegram, the Rybar blog, which has strong links to the Russian military, published a map showing the Kremlins two bases in Syria as vital staging posts for its operations in West Africa via Libya.

It said alternative options now needed to be considered, including boosting its presence in Libya and Sudan. The problem, it said, was that cargo planes can only reach Libya from Russia if they are empty and Sudans ongoing civil war makes it unstable.

The loss of Syria as a transit base is a blow not only to our positions in the Middle East, but also in Africa, it said.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a US-based think tank, echoed Rybars analysis, saying the loss of the Russian bases would have major implications for Russias global military footprint and ability to operate in Africa.

The ISW added that Russias inability or decision to not reinforce Assads regime as the Syrian opposition offensive made rapid gains throughout the country will also hurt Russias credibility as a reliable and effective security partner throughout the world.

This, it said, would negatively affect Putins ability to garner support for his desired multipolar world.
HMS Ambush, an Astute class attack submarine of the Royal Navy. An Astute class boat will be based in Australia as part of the Australia-UK-US (Aukus) alliance

On November 26, USS Minnesota, a new Virginia-class attack submarine, arrived at her new homeport in Guam. The 377-foot, nuclear-powered attack boat and her 134 sailors joined four older Los Angeles-class boats that have sailed from Guam for years.

What may have looked like a routine ship movement in fact signalled a sea-change in US and allied naval posture in the Pacific region. The coming change could prove critical in the most frightening  and increasingly likely  contingency: a Chinese attack on Taiwan.

The US Navy is moving more of its best attack subs to Guam in order to cut down the time it takes the boats to reach their hunting grounds around Taiwan. The Royal Navy means to follow suit in the coming years  sending an Astute-class attack boat to join American and future Australian boats at a planned coalition sub base in Australia.

In all three navies, the submarine force is traditionally known as the Silent Service, due to their habit of never disclosing what theyre doing. As a US sub admiral explained during World War II:

Combat with the enemy ... is the point at which most submarine news stops, and silence begins.

The submariners battle area is the enemys doorstep ... our submarines are in contact with the enemy from the time they leave their base until they return. At the present writing, the Navy Department has reported the sinking of 461 Japanese ships by our submarines, with an additional 150 possibly sunk or damaged. These are mortal blows to the enemy. And you can be sure he would spare nothing, and give much for the smallest facts of how our submarines operate and what their methods are.

If all goes according to plan, by the late 2030s there could be 25 American, British and Australian nuclear attack subs forward-deployed at Pacific bases: 12 USN boats in Hawaii and five in Guam plus one RN, four USN and three planned RAN boats in northern Australia.

Basing more subs within a quick voyage of Taiwan has the effect of increasing allied naval presence without requiring the fleets to acquire more subs, which can cost billions of dollars apiece and take years to build. The US naval shipbuilding industry in particular has been struggling to deliver new submarines on time as it struggles to address a deepening labour shortage.

The map tells the story. Its 6,900 miles from the US Navys main West Coast base in San Diego to Taiwan. It can take a warship two weeks or longer to make the trip  two weeks that consume stores, wear out equipment and tire sailors.

By contrast, its just 2,700 miles from Darwin in northern Australia to Taiwan. And its a mere 1,700 miles between Guam and Taiwan. An attack boat running at top speed could deploy from Guam and reach Taiwanese waters in fewer than three days.

If Taiwans alliances hold and a Chinese attack triggers a coalition intervention on Taipeis behalf  two big ifs  the Australian-UK-US sub alliance, or Aukus, could surge dozens of the worlds best attack boats into the China Seas, the Philippine Sea and the Taiwan Strait within days of a crisis.

These vessels, plus any Japanese subs that join the coalition, could hold the maritime line around Taiwan as reinforcements set off from other bases around the world. Crucially, nuclear powered attack boats could operate freely around Taiwan more or less regardless of Chinese air and missile forces. The only things that would worry them would be opposing Chinese subs and specialist anti-submarine ships and aircraft. The undersea battle is a very specialised military art, which America and Britain have brought to a high pitch over decades of silent struggle against the Russians. China is new to this, and would soon be badly outnumbered below the waves as well. The Aukus submarines would probably wreak havoc on Chinas invasion fleet.

The effect could be decisive. War games have demonstrated that submarines and long-range bombers firing cruise missiles are the key weapons for a successful defence of Taiwan. Bombers can react very quickly to a massing Chinese invasion fleet, but submarines cant unless theyre already forward-based in the region.

The forward deployments arent cost-free, of course. The Aukus alliance  which should also see the US Navy sell used Virginia-class subs to Australia ahead of the construction of a new British-Australian class of nuclear attack sub  could cost hundreds of billions of dollars over the 35-to-40-year service life of the future boats.

Its not clear how much of that cost would result from the greatly-expanded forward-basing of RN and USN subs, but its undoubtedly a lot. Nuclear submarines require months of expensive maintenance between front-line cruises plus dedicated facilities for year-round crew training. The new and expanded bases themselves will require defences against Chinese missiles.

But its cheaper to stage more submarines closer to China than it is to lose a war with China  and potentially lose the whole global order for generations. USS Minnesotas arrival in Guam is evidence that, so far, the Americans understand the proposition.
Islamic State militants in northern Syria in 2015. About a dozen of the groups British fighters are said to be held in prisons in the region

The UK is at risk from British jihadists returning from Syria, security sources have told The Telegraph, as all asylum claims from the country were suspended following the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

Around a dozen hardened Islamic State fighters from the UK are being held in prisons in northern Syria controlled by Kurdish forces. However, the overthrow of Assad has raised the prospect of camps and jails holding foreign fighters being shut down and the jihadists freed to head to Britain.

On Monday afternoon, the Home Office announced it was suspending decisions on Syrian asylum applications, after calls to do so from Conservative and Reform MPs.

Several countries in Europe had already taken that step, with Austria going further and preparing to deport Syrians already settled in the country.

Whitehall sources stressed it was early days, with the upheaval still playing itself out, but that fighters with direct operational experience currently behind bars in northern Syria would pose a threat if ever they managed to return to the UK.

In Syria, the rebels who overthrew Assad, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), installed a new prime minister and gave amnesty to all regime soldiers in the latest step to try to convince the West that they will be a moderate government, despite previous links to al-Qaeda.

Joe Biden, the US president, has reportedly held secret talks with HTS via the Turkish government. However, speaking on a visit to Saudi Arabia, Sir Keir Starmer said it was far too early to assess whether HTS should remain a proscribed terror group.

Sir Keir Starmer with Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh on Monday - Reuters

Israel bombed chemical weapons depots in Syria on Monday to keep Assad-era weapons out of the hands of the rebels, and occupied more of the Golan Heights region on its border.

Iran, which lost a key ally in Assad, was on Monday gripped by infighting and an angry blame game, sources in Tehran told The Telegraph.

Speaking in the Commons on Monday, David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary, warned that the change of regime in Syria could trigger a migration crisis across Europe by prompting a new flow of refugees out of the country.

He appeared unaware of the Home Offices decision to pause Syrian asylum applications as he addressed MPs, saying he had not considered calls to suspend claims.

Mr Lammy warned that the overthrow of the Assad regime was a moment of danger as well as opportunity.

Referring to Syrians returning to their home country, he said: Seeing so many start to return to Syria is a positive sign for their hopes of a better future now that Assad is gone, but a lot depends on what happens now.

This flow into Syria could quickly become a flow back out and potentially increase the numbers using dangerous, illegal migration routes to continental Europe and the UK.

In response to a question from Dame Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, about the risk to the UK from terrorist fighters being freed from prisons, Mr Lammy conceded that there was a potential threat.

There was confusion on Monday night over whether the Government was reviewing whether HTS should be removed from the list of proscribed organisations.

It is banned in the UK because of its past association with al-Qaeda, although its leader cut ties with the terrorist group and has sought to present his group as moderate and inclusive.

Speaking on the Today programme on Monday morning, Pat McFadden, the Cabinet minister, said the groups status would be looked at in the days to come. However, the Prime Minister later told broadcasters on a diplomatic visit to Saudi Arabia there was no decision pending at all, adding it was far too early.

The Governments position was criticised on Monday night as a shambles.

Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, said: Starmers foreign policy in the Middle East appears to be a complete shambles. Yesterday we had the Deputy Prime Minister welcome an Islamist government and today the Prime Minister and his closest Cabinet minister were at complete odds with each other. What on earth is going on?

Dame Priti said: At this crucial time for Syria, when the risks of further instability and the proliferation of extremism and terrorism is a major risk, the Government must have a clear, united position on the actions it will undertake in relation to assessing the threat that Hayat Tahrir al-Sham poses immediately for Syria, the region and our own interests.

This issue and the confusion across government on its approach to asylum only furthers the view that ministers are not working together.

Syrians wait to cross into Syria from Turkey at the Cilvegozu border gate in Reyhanli district of Hatay - KAZIM KIZIL/SHUTTERSTOCK

It is estimated that somewhere between 10 and 15 British, male jihadists are serving sentences in prisons operated by the Syrian Democratic Forces [SDF], a Kurdish-backed militia that controls swathes of northern Syria.

Shamima Begum, one of three London schoolgirls who travelled to Syria in 2015 to join Islamic State, is in one of the camps after courts rejected her attempt to return to the UK on grounds of national security.

Intelligence services have compiled lists of British jihadists with direct fighting experience currently in Kurdish-controlled jails. Many have had citizenship revoked in cases where other nationalities are available to them. However, it is against international law for people to be made stateless, regardless of the danger they pose.

The SDF face being squeezed out of territories they control by HTS and its Turkish backers.

Syrians gather at Umayyad Square in Damascus to celebrate the collapse of 61 years of Baath Party rule with songs and convoys of cars - Emin Sansar/Getty Images

Donald Trump, the US president-elect, has suggested the US will withdraw its support for the SDF.

Lord Carlile, the former government adviser on terrorism laws, said the rapidly changing situation could increase the terror threat on UK streets. He said Sir Keir needed to make sure his government increased funding to both MI5 and MI6 in the event that the terror threat levels rose as a result of any instability in Syria.

Lord Carlile also said that the Government should at least temporarily revoke the banned status of HTS, allowing officials to talk to the leaders of the group now in charge in Damascus. Under present British law, he said, it was an offence to open up a dialogue with HTS members.

It is estimated about 900 Britons travelled to Syria to join Islamic State, about half of whom returned to the UK. Hundreds more were killed in the defeat of the terrorist group, which at one time occupied huge areas of Syria and Iraq. Only a fraction are held in prisons and camps, according to official reports.

In the Commons, Dame Priti asked Mr Lammy to comment on the risk to our security from foreign terrorist fighters being freed from prisons, and can he give his assessment of the risk of the states weapons, including potential chemical weapons, falling into the control of those who would cause us harm and threaten our security?

David Lammy appeared not to be aware of the Home Office decision to suspend asylum claims when he spoke in the Commons - AFP via Getty Images

The Foreign Secretary said: None of us want to see Syria become like Libya next door, fractured and vulnerable to different terrorist groups potentially and we will do all we can.

On Monday, the Home Office said that asylum claims from Syria had been paused until there was more clarity on the situation in the country.

The Home Office has paused decisions on Syrian asylum claims whilst we assess the current situation, said a Home Office source. We keep all country guidance relating to asylum claims kept under constant review so we can respond to emerging issues.

The change in regime raises the prospect that Syrians who fled persecution under Assad might now be no longer in danger.

There are currently more than 6,500 Syrians claiming asylum in the UK, most of whom have arrived by small boats across the Channel rather than through any resettlement scheme. Their applications will now be paused.

Germany announced on Monday it was freezing Syrian asylum applications, as did Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Greece. Austria went further, with its interior ministry instructed to start preparing to deport Syrians already living there.

Speaking before the Home Office announced the decision, Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said: Given the change in circumstances, the UK should do the same as Austria and Germany and suspend all Syrian asylum processing until the situation becomes clearer. If Syria becomes safe in the future, Syrians here should return.

Farage: Murderers will enter if we leave door open

Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, said: We should immediately follow the swift action of the German and Austrian governments and suspend Syrian asylum applications. With Assad gone the basis for those claims has been removed and if the door stays open we allow murderous members of the fallen regime to come.

The UK has provided asylum or resettlement to 41,535 Syrians in the 10 years since 2014, a sixth of the total 256,840 granted refugee status. More than half (22,194) of these have come directly from the region, largely through the Governments Syrian resettlement scheme, where those fleeing conflict come directly from Syria or neighbouring countries.

However, July to September this year saw a record 1,460 Syrians arrive in the UK in small boats across the Channel, bringing the annual total to a high of 5,548. Excluding resettlement cases, they rank fifth in terms of asylum claims behind Pakistanis, Afghanis, Iranians and Bangladeshis.

About 99 per cent of asylum claims by Syrians are successful, according to the latest figures, putting them on a par with Sudanese, Eritreans and Afghanis.

In the Commons, Mr Lammy indicated the freeze on asylum claims would not immediately affect those Syrians who were part of the UKs resettlement scheme.

Parliament TV

Responding to concerns raised by Dame Priti over implications for the scheme, Mr Lammy said: She raises the issue of Syrian resettlement; let me just say that that is premature. This House on a cross-party basis has sought to support the humanitarian needs of Syrians.

We recognise the displacement next door in Lebanon, Jordan, Turkey and in Iraq and neighbouring countries.

We will continue to support people in those refugee camps and through humanitarian aid.

Responding to claims that Assads wife Asma, who is British, could come to the UK, Mr Lammy said: I want it confirmed that shes a sanctioned individual and shes not welcome here.

I will do everything I can in my power to ensure that none of that family find a place in the UK.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham led a two-week march on Damascus - Ugur Yildirim/Ugur Yildirim

The Syrian rebel group that led the overthrow of Bashar al-Assads regime could be removed from the UK terrorist list.

Pat McFadden, who oversees the Cabinet Office, said that the Government would review the proscription of the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led the rebels two-week march on Damascus.

Asked if the Government would look again at the ban, Mr McFadden told Sky News: Yeah, we will and we will consider that and I think it will partly depend on what happens in terms of how that group behaves now.

But I think countries around the world who proscribed this [group], it is not just the UK, the United States, European countries as well, I think probably will look at that now and see what is going to happen in the future. But we have not made any decisions on that over the weekend.

Asked how long it would take to make a decision, he said: Well, it wont take that long. I think we will need to do it quite quickly.

On Sunday, John Sawers, the former chief of MI6, said the UK should reconsider the ban because it would be rather ridiculous, actually, if were unable to engage with the new leadership in Syria because of a proscription dating back 12 years.

I think Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader, has made great efforts over the last 10 years to distance himself from those terrorist groups. And certainly the actions weve seen of [Hayat] Tahrir al-Sham over the last two weeks have been those of a liberation movement, not of a terrorist organisation, he said.

Asked if we should engage with the new regime, he said: Absolutely. You know, theres a new reality in Syria now. Weve seen the collapse of a brutal, terrible organisation, regime thats been in power for over 50 years in Syria.

Pat McFadden said the outcome of the review of HTS will partly depend on what happens in terms of how that group behaves now - Tayfun Salci

Dame Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, called for a cross-government review of the security and defence implications and the terrorism risk to the UK of the fall of the Assad regime in Syria.

In a hint that there could be a change, the Home Office, which is responsible for the proscribed list of groups, noted that HTSs relationship with al-Qaeda had changed since it was proscribed in 2017.

HTS was added to the proscribed list in 2017 because it was judged to be an alias of al-Qaeda (AQ), but since then, the Home Office said: HTSs relationship with AQ has changed, with a splintering between the two organisations.

The situation on the ground in Syria is very fluid. The priority must be the safety of Syrian civilians and securing a political solution to the unfolding events.

The Government does not routinely comment on whether a group is being considered for proscription or de-proscription.

Membership or support for a proscribed group carries a maximum sentence of 14 years in jail. An organisation is deemed to be banned if it commits or participates in acts of terrorism, prepares for terrorism or promotes or encourages terrorism.

Jolani has said he will work with Assads former prime minister to ensure an orderly transition of power

Jolani, whose real name is Ahmed al-Sharaa, was once a member of al-Qaeda, but he and HTS split with the international terrorist group in 2016.

He has since sought to present himself as a moderate pragmatist, publicly ordering fighters to protect minority ethnic and religious groups after his forces captured Aleppo last week.

Since the split, Jolani has said he had abandoned al-Qaedas goals of global jihad and was now only focused only on ousting Assad and delivering Islamic governance in Syria.

In 2021, he told the US broadcaster PBS: Our involvement with al-Qaeda in the past was an era, and it ended.

And even at that time when we were with al-Qaeda, we were against external attacks and its completely against our policies to carry out external operations from Syria to target European or American people.

This was not part of our calculations at all, and we did not do it at all.

In the interview, he said the designation of HTS as a terrorist group was unfair and political.

On Sunday, Sir Keir Starmer warned the new leaders of Syria they must renounce terrorism and violence following the collapse of Assads regime.

Speaking as he arrived in the Gulf for trade talks, the Prime Minister said it was very early days when asked whether the Government would engage with the Syrian rebel group that has overthrown Assad.

He welcomed the fall of the barbaric regime but said: We do need a political solution, and thats what we are talking to regional allies about. It is a good thing that Assad has gone, a very good thing for the Syrian people.

What we must also ensure is the rejection of terrorism and violence, and that civilians are protected, minorities are protected and that can only be through a political process.

Assad family thought to be in Russia

Mr McFadden also confirmed the Government has had no contact or no request for the British wife of Bashar Assad to come to the UK.

Asma Assad was born in London in 1975, and was raised and educated in the city. She is now believed to be in Moscow with her husband, where the ousted Syrian leader has fled.

Asked by the BBC what the Government would do if Mrs Assad wanted to live in the UK, he said: The family are in Russia as far as we know, thats what Russian state media have said.

Weve certainly had no contact or no request for Mr Assads wife to come to the UK.

Andrew Mitchell, the former deputy foreign secretary and international development secretary, said that Britain should lift the proscription of HTS to enable diplomats and officials to talk with the group.

Asked if the ban should be lifted, he said: Yes, in so far as it enables us to talk to them, it is the right thing to do. But if they revert to type then they will be proscribed again.

We deal with extremely unpleasant people all around the world and we must try to ensure that the regime which takes over in Syria is one that is not abusing and murdering their citizens and respects their rights. It would not be possible to do that without talking to the de facto people on the ground who are in control.

He also said that it was incumbent on the UK, EU and US to do what it could to engage with HTS to ensure there was the best chance that they would embrace UN human rights values as opposed to the brutal tactics of Assads security operation.

There is no reason yet to be optimistic that al-Jolani will be a good, human rights-respecting democrat but we have to do everything we possibly can to encourage that, he said.
Samia Suluhu Hassan ended bans on newspapers and political rallies but one analyst said: As elections are nearing, were seeing the real her. Photograph: Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

When Samia Suluhu Hassan took office as Tanzanias president in 2021, many in the east African country hailed what they hoped was a new dawn after the authoritarian and repressive rule of her predecessor John Magufuli.

The signs were positive in her first few years in office: Hassan ended bans on newspapers and political rallies, and legislation that kept pregnant girls and young mothers out of school, all policies that Magufuli had endorsed.

But opposition leaders say recent killings of officials, a spate of disappearances, and arrests of government critics and bans on opposition gatherings suggest the end of the reformist approach.

In late November the Chadema opposition party said three of its members were killed in incidents linked to local elections, which the governing Chama Cha Mapinduzi party won in a landslide. Chademas chair, Freeman Mbowe, said on X that one candidate was shot dead by police in Tanzanias commercial capital, Dar es Salaam, as he attempted to stop fake and invalid ballots being delivered to a polling station.

Chadema said another candidate was shot dead at his home in Mkese in central Tanzania and that a party official was killed in a machete attack at his home in Tunduma near the border with Zambia.

On Monday 2 December, the ACT Wazalendo opposition party said the head of its youth wing had been found alive on a beach with serious injuries after an apparent abduction. The party claimed that Abdul Nondo was kidnapped on Sunday morning by individuals they believed were state security agents. Police said investigations were continuing to identify those responsible.

The deaths follow the killing in September of a member of the Chadema secretariat who was found beaten and with his face doused with acid. There is no evidence that Hassan has had any involvement in the deaths, which have been condemned by the government.

In an interview with the Guardian, Tundu Lissu, another Chadema leader, said that, with the benefit of hindsight, his partys expectations about political freedoms under Hassan were wildly, wildly unrealistic.

Lissu, the partys vice-chair, came second against Magufuli in the 2020 presidential election and is expected to take another stab at the presidency in polls slated for next year. Like Mbowe, he has been arrested twice in the past few months.

Lissu said the opposition was naive for thinking Hassan would bring change and they should have pressed harder to compel her to carry out comprehensive constitutional, legal and institutional reforms.

He said: She inherited the state machinery which was created by Magufuli and which was responsible for the repression that we went through for six years. How could we have thought that, given all this baggage, this would be a reformist?

An ardent campaigner for democracy, human rights and anti-corruption, Lissu was shot 16 times in an assassination attempt in 2017 that forced him to live largely in exile in Belgium for five years. No one has been charged with the attempt on Lissus life. In September, a former employee of the telecoms company Tigo told a London court that the firm secretly gave the Tanzanian government Lissus mobile phone data weeks before the shooting.

Hassan, who was vice-president under Magufuli and succeeded him after his death, made some reconciliatory moves with the stifled opposition in the months after she took office, dropping terrorism charges against Mbowe and releasing him after months in detention, and meeting Lissu in Brussels, where he was in exile. These steps gained her local and international support.

However, the events of the past few months have reignited fears of a return to intolerance. She has done with a smile what Magufuli did with a snarl, said Lissu. He did it with relish. He had no pretence. Samia does the same things, but she does them with this motherly smile.

Among the missing is Deusdedith Soka, a 30-year-old Chadema youth leader who disappeared in August after calling for a demonstration against abductions.

His uncle Didas Soka said the day Deusdedith disappeared, someone who identified herself as a police officer called him to ask him to go to a police station.

Didas Soka said: Deus was fighting for constitutional reform for a better country and for better governance systems. How can we have faith if hes been disappeared when fighting for that?

Related: Tanzania suspends news websites over ad referencing killings of dissidents

Some who disappeared have emerged alive, such as Edgar Mwakabela, a 27-year-old activist who was abducted in June and found abandoned four days later at a national park with gunshot wounds and signs of torture.

Mwakabela, popularly known as Sativa, said his abductors tortured him at a police station and questioned him about his role in organising a traders strike against what they deemed excessive taxes and fees.

Mwakabela said such incidents were meant to scare people before the presidential polls. Its part of letting people know shes in charge and scaring those wholl try to run against her in the election, he said.

The Guardian has approached spokespeople for the police and the government for comment.

In response to a joint statement by western diplomatic missions in September condemning reports of violence and disappearances and deaths of political and human rights activists, Hassan warned against meddling in Tanzanian affairs. She said: It is our own responsibility to find out why they are happening at this moment in time.

Hassans party, CCM, has governed Tanzania since independence from Britain in 1961. The opposition and civil society have repeatedly called for reform of the constitution, which was created in favour of the authoritarian systems of a single-party state. But Hassan has said changes will take place after the presidential election.

Tito Magoti, a human rights lawyer, said Hassan missed a chance to build democratic institutions that would guard human rights and allow citizens to participate in government. It was a missed opportunity that has ultimately made the regime look like a replica of what John Pombe [Magufuli] did, he said.

Hassan first got into public office in 2000 when CCM nominated her for a special seat in Zanzibars house of representatives. As Magufulis former deputy and someone who had been brought up politically through the CCM system, her primary interest was to ensure that CCM survives, said Aikande Kwayu, a political analyst. As elections are nearing, were seeing the real her, and we keep realising that whatever changes she was talking about were only cosmetic, she said.

Despite recent developments, Lissu remains optimistic about change. I remain hopeful that we will get the kind of Tanzania that we deserve, he said. However, I should add that it is not going to be easy. The Tanzanian regime has been in power without any interruption since independence 63 years ago. They are as entrenched as entrenched can mean.
Only a third of the poorest parents with young children use formal childcare, compared with nearly three-quarters of the highest-earning families. Photograph: Jacek Makowicz/Alamy

Two-thirds of the poorest families in England are missing out on childcare, according to a report.

Analysis by the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) and Save the Children has found that access to affordable and good-quality childcare is defined by class. Among the poorest fifth of parents with young children, only a third (36%) use formal childcare, compared with double that (73%) of the highest-earning families.

The report found that over two-thirds of the parents who worked in professional jobs, for example as lawyers, doctors and architects, used formal childcare, compared with less than half of parents in occupations such as cleaning, care work and hairdressing.

Researchers warn that the expansion of free childcare which is under way is therefore at risk of not meeting the needs of poorer families unless the government thinks differently about its delivery.

The report also found significant variation in regional access to childcare within a reasonable travel time. The more deprived or more rural a local area is, the fewer and lower-quality childcare options families tend to have.

The most deprived areas have 32% fewer places per child and 25% fewer places with good Ofsted ratings compared with the most affluent areas. Rural areas have 31% fewer places and 29% fewer good places compared with inner cities and town centres. For example, three in four children in Walsall, in the West Midlands, live in areas that have some of the worst access to childcare in England.

The researchers said these differences in levels of access could not be fully explained by the number of in-work households with children. They said part of the problem was due to falling numbers of childminders and warned that at the current rate, a drop of about 3,000 childminders a year, there may be none left by 2033.

The researchers also pointed to the issue of the lack of places in school-based nurseries. While the number of schools offering nursery provision has grown since 2018, the headcount of children in primary school nurseries has reduced by 14% between 2015 and 2024.

The report calls for a series of policies to boost Englands market of childcare providers, including establishing new not-for-profit nursery trusts to rival private equity-backed, for-profit chains.

Other policies it cites include:

Empowering local authorities to pool funding to secure new childcare in the areas of greatest need and organise the new schools-based nursery expansion.

Ensuring childminders are paid monthly.

Increasing funding for deprived areas and children living in deprivation.

Reforming the SEND funding system.

Jodie Reed, an associate fellow at IPPR, said: The extension of funded childcare entitlements currently under way is unprecedented. But our analysis shows that if the government doesnt think differently about the delivery, it could leave the poorest children and families far behind  without access to decent quality provision which matches their needs  and the government far from reaching its opportunity mission goals to reduce poverty and narrow gaps in early childhood outcomes.

Ruth Talbot, a policy and advocacy adviser at Save the Children UK, said: A new focus on children with SEND is essential and we support making better use of the standard two-year-old health checks to unlock funding. Local leadership and the development of not-for-profit childcare trusts is also something the UK government should consider, ensuring the poorest children are targeted.
David Lammy discusses Syria in the House of Commons. Photograph: Reuters

Bashar al-Assad is the rat of Damascus fleeing to Moscow with his tail between his legs, the foreign secretary has said after Islamist rebels took control of the Syrian capital over the weekend.

Speaking in the Commons, David Lammy said the Labour government had resisted pressure to re-engage with Assad because he was a criminal and a butcher who was never, ever going to change.

Meanwhile, Keir Starmer said it was far too early to take a decision about lifting the UKs ban on the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which has overthrown Assad. HTS was proscribed as a terrorist group in 2017 because of its association with al-Qaida.

There were those who used to call Assad the lion of Damascus, Lammy told the Commons. Now we see the reality: Assad is the rat of Damascus, fleeing to Moscow with his tail between his legs. How fitting he should end up there.

Increasingly, other governments were also starting to step up their presence in Damascus. This government chose not to engage. We said no, because Assad is a monster. We said no, because Assad was a dictator whose sole interest was his wealth and his power.

We said no, because Assad is a criminal who defied all laws and norms to use chemical weapons against the Syrian people. We said no, because Assad is a butcher with the blood of countless innocents on his hands. We said no, because Assad was a drug dealer funding his regime through Captagon and illicit finance. We said no because he was never, ever going to change.

A string of Arab countries including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan restored relations with Assads regime in recent years. Italy faced criticism for pushing the EU to normalise relations with Syria and strike an agreement to return refugees there.

In September, Lammy told the BBC that the UK was interested in discussing with Italy the schemes theyve developed, not just with Albania but upstream schemes with Syria and Libya as well.

A Foreign Office source said Lammy was referring to discussions with Italy, not Syria, about the lessons it had drawn from its migrant repatriation schemes and that upstream work did not necessitate engagement with governments.

In the Commons on Monday, Lammy said Assads departure was a moment of danger for the region that could see greater numbers of people using dangerous illegal migration routes to Europe and the UK. The UK has paused decisions on Syrian asylum claims due to the uncertainty, after several other European countries including Austria and Germany did the same.

There is confusion about the governments assessment of HTS, which has distanced itself from al-Qaida over the past decade. Its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, has begun using his real name, Ahmed al-Sharaa, wearing western-style clothing and presenting himself as a moderate.

There have been calls for the government to remove HTS from its list of banned terrorist groups so as to engage with the rebels who have taken control of Damascus. But speaking on a diplomatic visit to Saudi Arabia, the prime minister told broadcasters: No decision is pending at all on this, it is far too early. At the moment the focus has to be on talking to our allies.

The prime ministers comments contradicted earlier remarks by Pat McFadden. The Cabinet Office minister told the BBC on Monday morning that the ban on HTS would be looked at in the days to come and that it should be a relatively swift decision  given the speed of the situation on the ground.

Related: Who are the main actors in the fall of the regime in Syria?

Lammy told MPs that HTS would be judged by its actions. Thus far, HTS has offered reassurances to minorities in Aleppo, Hama and Damascus, he said. They have also committed to cooperating with the international community over monitoring chemical weapons. We will judge HTS by their actions, monitoring closely how they and other parties to this conflict treat all civilians in areas they control.

The foreign secretary added: We should recognise that al-Qaida killed hundreds of British citizens in barbaric attacks spanning decades and that was the original reason that this organisation HTS was proscribed.

He said it was premature to discuss resettlement schemes for Syrian refugees and that the government was working to record human rights offences carried out by the Assad regime.

James Cleverly, the former foreign secretary, asked what the timeline was for re-engaging with the Syrian government. Cleverly said reopening an embassy in Damascus already would be hasty and that the priority was international aid.

Emily Thornberry, the chair of the Commons foreign affairs committee, said the last thing that Syrian people want  is for one tyrant to be replaced by another, but the second has an Islamic flag. She called for inclusive transitional arrangements to be put in place.
A Taiwanese ship launches a missile during a drill. Taiwans stockpiles of mid-range anti-ship missiles would be spent within a week of fighting - SAM YEH/AFP

The US would run out of missiles within days if war breaks out with China, a House committee has found.

American supplies of long-range anti-ship missiles will run dry within three to seven days if China invades Taiwan, according to a wargame simulation conducted by the House select committee on China.

Within a month, the US would run out of long-range cruise missiles. Meanwhile, Taiwans own stockpiles of mid-range anti-ship missiles would be spent within a week of fighting.

The findings will raise alarm bells among lawmakers, who worry that Americas defence industry is woefully underprepared to protect Taiwan should Beijing make good on its repeated threats to invade.

What we learned is that in a protracted war, our defence industrial base does not have the resources it needs to win that war, John Moolenaar, the China committees chairman, said, according to The Washington Free Beacon.

Its stretched thin with different regional conflicts around the world. We need to make sure we shore up our defence industrial base so that we can win a war if it were ever necessary.

US military stressed

US military experts have projected 2027 as the year by which China would be fully equipped for a military invasion of Taiwan.

While Chinas military industrial base continues to expand rapidly, the wargames session found that US military and defence industrial base [is] being stressed by intervention in global conflicts, including turmoil in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine.

Hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies at the end of November, the simulation was run more than 25 times and repeatedly found that the United States had insufficient stockpiles of critical munitions for protracted war.

The US possesses just 440 long-range missiles, which would run out within a week if war were to break out.

US Navy aircraft carrier USS George Washington during an exercise in the East China Sea in November - Kim Kyung-Hoon/REUTERS

Under current conditions, the report found it would take roughly two years to produce key munitions needed to compete with China, including Tomahawk missiles, cruise missiles, and surface-to-air munitions.

The war would have devastating consequences for the US fleet, with the military estimated to lose 10-20 warships, two aircraft carriers and 200-400 warplanes, Fox reported.

The report also outlined the multi-decade timeframe it would take to build new US vessels destroyed in a standoff with Beijing.

Aircraft carrier replacements would take an estimated 40 years to resupply, while new attack submarines would take around eight years, the report found.

As for aircraft, replacement planes could take anything between a year-and-a-half to 12 years to produce.

Faced with US underpreparedness, China has invested heavily across naval, land and air warfare.

Chinese drills in the South China Sea in October - Liu Fang/Xinhua News Agency / eyevine

Beijing holds a particular advantage in naval production, where its capacity to build ships is 230 times larger than the US.

It comes after US strategic command warned last year that China had outstripped America in its supply of land-based intercontinental ballistic missile launchers.

Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, recently expressed grave concerns about the consequences of direct conflict with China at an event with the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

God forbid we end up in a full-scale war with the PRC [Peoples Republic of China], he said last week. But any war with a country like the PRC, a military like the PRC, is going to involve the exhaustion of munition stockpiles very rapidly.

Relations between the US and China are only expected to deteriorate when Donald Trump returns to the White House on Jan 21.

The president-elect has pledged to impose sweeping tariffs on Beijing to which China has responded with counter-threats of its own, including restricting shipments of rare metals.

Whether Mr Trump chooses to act on the growing military production gap could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of a potential armed conflict between the two superpowers.
Al Carns, the veterans minister, became an MP for the first time in the July general election - PO Phot Lee Blease/Royal Navy

The veterans minister has been accused of refusing to assist a public inquiry examining claims that British Special Forces committed war crimes in Afghanistan.

Al Carns is alleged to have held back information until he became a Labour MP and then minister following the July 4 general election.

The 44-year-old, who served in Afghanistan, was one of a number of sources that Johnny Mercer, his predecessor as veterans minister, had chosen to protect when he gave evidence to the inquiry earlier this year.

Lord Justice Haddon-Cave is chairing an inquiry into alleged extrajudicial killings committed by the SAS in operations in Afghanistan between 2010 and 2013.

The senior judge had threatened to jail Mr Mercer for failing to co-operate with the inquiry by refusing to reveal the identities of his sources. The stand-off  that could have led to a minister being jailed  was first disclosed by The Telegraph.

It can now be disclosed that one of his sources was Mr Carns, a friend with whom Mr Mercer had served in Afghanistan.

The Telegraph understands that Mr Mercer asked him to come forward to the inquiry but that he declined to do so.

At the time, Mr Mercer, a former Tory MP who lost his seat in the general election, was facing possible contempt proceedings over his failure to hand over names to the judge.

Lord Justice Haddon-Cave accused Mr Mercer of completely unacceptable behaviour.

Pair not spoken in months

Mr Carns finally wrote to the inquiry offering his support in July, by which time he had been elected to the safe Labour seat of Birmingham Selly Oak.

Mr Carns, who joined the military in 1999, rose up the ranks to become a colonel and was mentioned in despatches, including being awarded the Military Cross for bravery in Afghanistan while on a tour of duty in 2010/11.

In all he led four tours of Afghanistan, working alongside Special Forces troops.

Mr Carns was appointed veterans minister at the Ministry of Defence just days after winning a parliamentary seat for the first time on July 4.

He was selected to contest the safe Labour seat at the end of May, some months after Mr Mercer was first threatened with contempt by the judge.

Mr Mercer and Mr Carns, who had been close friends, have not spoken in some months.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: We are fully committed to supporting the Independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan as it continues its work.

Within a week of being appointed, the Minister for Veterans and People wrote to the inquiry to offer his support.
Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old suspected in the shooting death of the UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson, has been charged with murder by prosecutors in New York, court records show.

The move follows his arraignment at the Blair county courthouse in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Monday night, where gun and forgery charges were read against him. The judge asked Mangione if he understood the charges against him, and he said he did. No plea was entered.

Prosecutors in Pennsylvania, citing false IDs and a large sum of cash found on Mangione, argued he was a flight risk and asked that bail be denied, which it was.

Pennsylvanias governor, Josh Shapiro, said he expected Mangione to face charges in New York shortly.

The Mangione family later released a statement saying :Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigis arrest. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.

On Monday morning, Mangione was seen at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and was recognized by someone who then called local police.

Related: Gun control is dead, and we killed it: the growing threat of firearms that can be made at home

Today at 9.14am, Altoona police officers were dispatched to a McDonalds restaurant for reports of a male matching the description of the UnitedHealthcare CEO murder suspect. Officers made contact with the male who was subsequently arrested on unrelated charges. At this time, the Altoona police department is cooperating with local, state, and federal agencies, local police said in a statement on Monday.

Police found Mangione in possession of a firearm suppressor, a mask consistent with that worn by the gunman, a fraudulent New Jersey ID matching the ID the man used to check into the New York City hostel before the shooting, and a handwritten document that speaks to both his motivation and mindset, Tisch noted.

This apprehension is thanks to the tireless work of the greatest detectives in the world and, of course, the strong relationships we have with our local law enforcement partners on every level, local, state and federal, said Jessica Tisch, New York City police commissioner.

Upon arrest, police said that Mangione was in possession of a ghost gun that may have been made on a 3D printer, that had the capability of firing a 9mm round and a suppressor. A ghost gun is a weapon put together with parts sold online, and the one found, police say, matches descriptions of the gun used in the shooting.

Mangione was born and raised in Maryland, officials said, with ties to San Francisco, California, and his last known address was Honolulu, Hawaii.

His LinkedIn page indicates he studied at the University of Pennsylvania for both his undergraduate education and his masters degree, graduating in 2020.

A Penn spokesperson confirmed to the Guardian that Mangione had received his bachelor of science in engineering and master of science in engineering at the school.

His most recent employment appears to have been in Santa Monica, California, per his LinkedIn.

Related: Brian Thompsons killing inspired rage  against the healthcare industry

Earlier on Monday, citing a senior law enforcement source, the New York Times reported that the man we now know was Mangione was confronted at a McDonalds  and showed the same fake New Jersey identification that police believe Thompsons killer presented when he checked into a hostel on Manhattans Upper West Side on 24 November. The outlet said an elderly employee had spotted the man and called 911.

Mondays development came after police on Sunday again searched a Central Park lake for evidence  including the murder weapon  connected to the Midtown shooting.

Law enforcement sources told CBS News that the New York police department and the US marshals had sent investigators to Atlanta to make inquiries and review surveillance footage from Greyhound bus stops on the route from Georgia.

Before Mangiones arrest, two additional images were also released of a masked man in the back of and outside a taxi he used soon after Thompson was fatally shot outside a Midtown hotel the morning of 4 December. Thompsons killer used a gun with a suppressor, surveillance video showed.

Only one photograph of the suspect without a mask had previously been made public: an image taken at a hostel soon before the murder when he apparently dropped the mask at the request of a front desk employee.

NYPD divers searched Central Parks lake on Sunday after failing to recover anything from a similar underwater drag a day earlier, police confirmed in Mondays press conference. That came after a backpack containing a jacket and Monopoly money that is believed to be the Thompson murder suspects was found in the park.

In a statement to the Guardian, a UnitedHealthcare spokesperson responded to the news of the arrest of a person of interest in connection with the killing of Brian Thompson.

Our hope is that todays apprehension brings some relief to Brians family, friends, colleagues and the many others affected by this unspeakable tragedy, the statement said. We thank law enforcement and will continue to work with them on this investigation. We ask that everyone respect the familys privacy as they mourn.

Though his survivors include a widow and two sons aged 16 and 19, Thompsons death elicited a grim schadenfreude from many in the US who had been mistreated by the countrys rapacious health insurance industry. A private funeral for Thompson was planned for Monday, NBC New York reported.
Improving trade ties with the European Union could boost the economy and drive up living standards, Rachel Reeves claimed, as she attended a meeting of EU finance ministers.

She said becoming the first Chancellor to attend a meeting of European counterparts since Brexit was a milestone moment as the UK seeks to reset its relationship with Brussels.

It is in our national interest to have more normal trading relations with our nearest neighbours and trading partners, she said.

Ms Reeves told reporters in Brussels: Economic growth is not a zero-sum game.

Countries right across Europe, inside and outside the European Union, including the UK, have struggled with low growth, poor productivity and stagnant living standards these last few years.

Competitiveness and trade, crucially, are really important for driving productivity and growth.

And so, as we reset our relations, it is with the purpose of growing our economy and improving living standards for ordinary working people.

German finance minister Jorg Kukies said it was a good signal that the Chancellor was visiting Brussels, but suggested there were limits to what could be achieved within the Governments red lines of not rejoining the single market or customs union.

#Eurogroup | Today finance ministers will exchange views with @RachelReevesMP and also discuss: macroeconomic developments budgetary situation and outlook for the euro area 2025 draft budgetary plans of euro area member states Read the agenda for more   EU Council (@EUCouncil) December 9, 2024

He said: Its a good signal that there is this dialogue now and that there are these ideas.

But of course, the new British Government has made commitments to the British electorate and I dont think it would be appropriate for us to call those into question, because those are part of the electoral platform on which it was elected.

Asked if he wanted to be as ambitious as possible on lowering trade barriers, Mr Kukies said: Germany is a very open country to trade, and weve seen that the intensity of trade with the United Kingdom has gone down quite substantially, if I measure it against our trade partners in the world.

We used to do a lot more on relative basis with United Kingdom than we are doing now, and we are very actively looking to diversify our trade partners and to do more in terms of trade.

So, of course, any progress would be highly welcome, but we completely understand that the UK population has taken a different decision. And we have to respect that.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves speaks to the media as she arrives for a meeting of eurozone finance ministers at the European Council building in Brussels (Virginia Mayo/AP)

Irelands Jack Chambers said Ms Reeves presence at the meeting of eurozone finance ministers marked the turning of a new leaf in UK-EU relations.

He said it was an important day in terms of wider EU-UK reset of relations, adding: I think the fact that, as a starting point, the British Government wants to have such an engagement compared to what was there in the previous number of years, where we had a very different type of language from the British Government, is welcome.

Paschal Donohoe, the Irish public spending minister and president of Eurogroup, said Monday had not been about laying out detailed views regarding what the future could like but instead setting the tone for negotiations due to start in the new year.

The issue of fisheries, of youth mobility, all those other matters are for another day. Instead what we had was an exchange of views and a reminder of what we have in common, he later told a press conference alongside the Chancellor.

Ms Reeves said: I did not come here today to start a negotiation or to lay down a set of demands. Those conversations about the reset and those negotiations will begin in the new year.

But what I was aiming to do today was to begin to rebuild those bonds of trust that have been fractured in the last few years under the previous government and to show our friends, neighbours and allies in the European Union that we want a reset of those relationships I hope thats what I achieved in the meeting today.

Ms Reeves said the notion that Britain or the EU should choose between allies was completely wrong.

Yes, the UK will always remain committed to our relationship with the US And yes, we must also find the right way to build a stable, long-term relationship with China where we recognise both the value of co-operation in addressing global challenges like climate change but also the importance of robust challenge where needed, she said.

But we want to and we will seek a deeper, more mature relationship with our European neighbours too after too many years of actively looking to move away.

Asked whether the UK Government needed to be more ambitious in the scope of its reset with Brussels in order to boost growth, the Chancellor said: We got a mandate at the election in July to grow our economy and we also included in that manifesto a number of red lines in terms of our relationship with the European Union: no return to the single market, the customs union or free movement of labour.

Those red lines remain, but subject to those we want to build closer trade relationships, but also defence and security co-operation with our neighbours and trading partners in the European Union, because it is in our collective national interest to do so.

I recognise that the deal the previous government secured post-Brexit was not the best one for our country and indeed has reduced trade flows not just from the UK to the European Union but also from businesses based in the European Union into the UK.

And so there is a shared objective and a shared challenge to improve those trade flows, to improve those investment flows in the interests of citizens not just in the UK but also in countries in the European Union too.

Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith suggested Ms Reeves should look to Donald Trump rather than the EU for trade growth.

He said: If she is interested in growth, she should tell the Prime Minister to jump on a plane to the US and talk to Trump about getting a US-UK trade deal done, not trying to take Britain backwards into the slow-growth EU.

Shadow chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Alex Burghart said: Looks like Labours plan is to follow EU rules for nothing in return.

If the Chancellor wants to improve growth and trade, she should learn the lesson that clobbering businesses with high taxes and unleashing borrowing sprees will make our country less attractive, not more.

Daisy Cooper, Liberal Democrat deputy leader and Treasury spokeswoman, said: Its difficult to understand why they are failing to pursue the UK-EU youth mobility scheme, which would be a good first step, provide a boost to the economy and give young people opportunities to live and work across Europe.
Bashar Assads barbaric regime has met a welcome end, the Prime Minister suggested, as reports emerged that the Syrian leader is seeking sanctuary in Moscow.

Syrians are celebrating the demise of Assad government, after 13 years of civil war sparked by the presidents violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters following the Arab Spring.

A coalition of rebels seized control of the capital Damascus in a lightning offensive overnight on Sunday, 11 days after launching a major operation.

Mr Assad has been granted asylum by Russia, according to the Tass state news agency, where he met his British-born wife Asma and their children  who had already fled Syria.

Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the end of Mr Assads rule, but said it was early days yet in deciding how Britain would choose to engage with those who have overthrown him.

The rebels efforts were led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist group which is banned in the UK because of its past association with al Qaida, the terrorist organisation once led by Osama bin Laden.

HTSs leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani cut ties with al Qaida years ago, and is said to embrace tolerance of different religious groups and communities.

Sir Keir urged all sides in the conflict to protect civilians and ensure aid could reach the vulnerable, and also insisted on the need for a political solution to safeguard Syrias future.

The Syrian people have suffered under Assads barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure, the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister, who has travelled to the Persian Gulf on a trade mission, added: Our focus is now on ensuring a political solution prevails, and peace and stability is restored.

Asked whether he would be wiling to deal with HTS, Sir Keir told broadcasters in Abu Dhabi: Its very early days at the moment.

We do need a political solution, and thats what we are talking to regional allies about. It is a good thing that Assad has gone, a very good thing for the Syrian people.

Syrian President Bashar Assad fled his country following the insurgency (Amir Nabil/AP)

The Home Office recognised that HTSs relationship with al Qaida had changed, as there had been a splintering between the two organisations.

A spokesperson for the department said the Government did not routinely comment on whether a group was being considered for proscription or deproscription.

Former spy chief Sir John Sawers said it would be rather ridiculous if the UK was unable to engage with HTS because of the ban.

The ex-head of MI6 also told Sky News: I think the Home Secretary will be asking MI5 and the joint terrorism assessment centre for a review of the situation about Tahrir al-Sham and whether it should remain on the proscribed entity list.

Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said the Government would have to assess the threat that HTS posed (Lucy North/PA)

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner had earlier told broadcasters the Foreign Office had a plan to ensure that people were evacuated ahead of whats happened, but did not reveal how many UK nationals had been helped.

Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said the Tories wanted to put the Syrian people first and called on the Government to review the security and defence implications as well as the terrorist risks posed by the rebel groups.
Taylor Swift appeared emotional as the crowd began to sing Happy Birthday during the final night of her juggernaut Eras Tour in Canada.

The US pop superstar is rounding off her record-breaking tour with her third and final night at the BC Place in Vancouver, having begun her mammoth string of dates in March last year.

After completing her track Champagne Problems from the Evermore album, Swift took out her earpieces to soak up the ovation, before fans took the opportunity to wish her a happy birthday ahead of her 35th birthday on Friday.

The Eras Tour at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh (Jane Barlow/PA)

Swift appeared emotional as she bowed her head and absorbed the applause for several minutes, before describing the tour as the adventure of a lifetime.

I just wanted to say on behalf of all of us, we will never forget you giving us that moment, she said.

Swift also became sentimental ahead of the 10-minute version of her track All Too Well, praising her fans for their traditions, passion and the way you care about this tour  it is unparalleled.

The lasting legacy of this tour is that you have created such a space of joy and togetherness and love, and I couldnt be more proud of you, she said.

The billion-dollar tour takes fans through Swifts back catalogue, including hits from albums 1989, Red, Midnights and her latest chart-topping 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department.

Taylor Swift described the tour as the most challenging thing I have ever done in my entire life (Doug Peters/PA)

It has been the most exciting, powerful, electrifying, intense, most challenging thing I have ever done in my entire life, Swift said, as she opened the final three-hour show.

We have got to perform for over 10 million people on this tour and tonight we get to play one last show for you tonight, in beautiful Vancouver.

The Canadian show was filled with elaborate production, multiple costume changes and a setlist that spanned dozens of songs.

During her last surprise set, Swift said she decided to go back to the beginning with a mash-up of A Place In This World from her debut self-titled 2006 album alongside New Romantics from her 1989 (Taylors Version) album  which she played on the guitar.

While on the piano she changed the lyrics to her 2010 track Long Live to say it was the end of an era instead of a decade, which was mashed with New Years Day from the Reputation album and The Manuscript from The Tortured Poets Department.

Opening for Swift for the final time, US star Gracie Abrams told fans: Im not ready for it to be over.

In a pre-prepared speech, Abrams praised Swifts music, as well as her generosity, curiosity, her wild and unparalleled pen, her superpower of seeing into our lives and creating soundtracks for every single formative moment that weve had that we will have.

Among stars at the show were musician Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam and The Office US star Jenna Fischer, who recently announced she is cancer free after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease, while Agatha All Along actress Aubrey Plaza was filmed trading friendship bracelets with fans.

Canadian superstar Michael Buble and his family were guests of Swifts kindhearted parents during her penultimate show in his hometown.

I witnessed something last night that Ive never experienced before and, frankly, may never experience again. Taylor is truly an incredible entertainer, Buble said in a post on Instagram.

Buble said his daughters were in awe of Swift, and watching the joy on their faces is something I will never forget as long as I live.

The power of connection and the shared experience between generations is a testament to Taylors incredible talents, he said.

I am grateful to have seen the Eras tour and in my very own hometown. What an unforgettable night.

Swift wrapped up the European leg of the tour in August before further dates in the US and Canada in October and November.

Taylor Swift performing on stage at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, during the Eras Tour (Liam McBurney/PA)

She made history as the first solo artist to perform at Londons Wembley Stadium eight times on a single tour.

Hollywood actor Tom Cruise, film director Greta Gerwig, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Prince of Wales and his two eldest children were among those who attended her shows in London earlier in the year.

In the summer, Swift had to cancel three sold-out shows in Vienna after police uncovered an alleged plot by terrorists.

The CIAs chief later said the suspects had sought to kill tens of thousands of fans before the agency discovered intelligence that disrupted the planning and led to arrests.

After finishing the European leg of her tour, she said it was devastating to cancel the shows but the reason filled me with a new sense of fear.

Earlier this week Swift was named Spotifys most-played artist of the year with more than 26.6 billion streams.

She also won seven awards at the MTV Video Music Awards and was nominated for six Grammy Awards.

The Tortured Poets Department soared back to the top of the UK album charts this week after a new anthology version was released.
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery is relishing the opportunity to take his side one step closer to Champions League knockout qualification at RB Leipzig in an important game for both teams.

A loss at Club Brugge and a draw at home to Juventus means Villa have failed to win either of their last two European games after starting the competition with three straight victories.

But Emerys side still sit only one place outside the top eight and a win on Tuesday could see them climb back into the automatic qualification places with two games to play.

Although Leipzig are still to claim a single point this campaign, the Spaniard thinks it will be a tough encounter against an experienced Champions League side.

He said: Tomorrow is day six and its very important because we can feel were close to the next round, but we have the opportunity to be in the top eight.

They played against Liverpool, they lost. They played against Juventus, they lost. They played against Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan and Celtic as well and they dont have one point. They have nil, but tomorrow is an opportunity for them to get some chance to be in the next round.

I like matches like that because its a key match for them to get to the next round  its a good match to see how the players face a team with more experiences in this competition than us.

Striker Jhon Duran returned to the scoresheet on Saturday as he netted the only goal of the game against Southampton to fire Villa to back-to-back wins.

Durans introduction into the team meant Ollie Watkins dropped down to the bench for the first time in the Premier League this campaign.

Emery admitted he is still working on a formula to start with both players.

They are both very good strikers  each of them are different, he added. Watkins is getting more experiences with the national team and with us in Europe, being consistent, being competitive always in everything we need on the field.

Another like Jhon Duran has big potential. He is progressively getting better. His adaptation started two years ago and its much better than the process we had.

Villa are aiming for their fourth win of the competition (David Davies/PA)

The commitment now for them is to try to understand each moment, playing more minutes or less, is very, very important. The next challenge I have is to play with both.

We are trying and I will try again to play with both. We have to keep the balance, tactically, playing with both. The team is always first.

Villa were knocked out in the semi-finals of the Europa Conference League last season by Olympiakos in their first European campaign in 13 years.

Emery is keen to use that experience for his side to go even further this year.

He said: Our expectation at the beginning was to try to enjoy, try to use the experiences we had last year in Europe with another level.

Even when we lost away against Brugge, it was very good to learn how difficult it is the challenge we faced last year and this year. Tomorrow is a new test. To be consistent as a team is our challenge.
West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen has backed team-mate Michail Antonio to come back stronger from his horror car crash.

Bowen admitted Saturdays news that Antonio had been involved in a road traffic accident in Essex had everyone at the club fearing the worst.

Thankfully, West Ham were able to confirm he was in a stable condition, conscious and communicating, by Saturday evening.

The 34-year-old striker has since undergone surgery on a broken leg, but he still faces weeks in hospital recovering from multiple injuries, the PA news agency understands.

"Michail's a warrior and a fighter, he always has been."  Our captain shares some words on Antonio who is in recovery following his road traffic accident on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/C9GSyW6xXv  West Ham United (@WestHam) December 9, 2024

It has been one of those things you never think you will be involved in, Bowen told Sky Sports.

Everyone loves Mich, he is a big character and waiting for news on the Saturday was difficult.

He is not just a team-mate, he is a friend and has been for many years. A dad as well to beautiful children.

I just want to say thank you for all the support from everyone. As captain Ive seen all the messages and support Mich has got.

It is one of those things where life is bigger than football. The main thing is Mich is safe and well and here to tell the story. Saturday was a really difficult time.

He is a warrior and a fighter, he always has been, and I know he will be back stronger for this.

West Ham players warmed up ahead of their game against Wolves in Antonio 9 shirts (Zac Goodwin/PA).

West Ham boss Julen Lopetegui added: Its a miracle, looking at the pictures of the car.

The most important thing is the person, the father, the dad, the son that he is, and these are the most important things about Mich.

He has undergone surgery yesterday and after lets see about (how long he will be out for).

We talked with him today and we are happy for him, despite, for sure, (the fact) he has suffered a lot.

West Hams squad warmed up in Antonio shirts ahead of their match against Wolves on Monday evening to show support for their stricken team-mate.

The Antonio 9 shirts will be signed by all the players, including Antonio, and auctioned off, with proceeds going to the NHS and Air Ambulances UK.

The Antonio 9 shirts will be auctioned off to raise money for the NHS and Air Ambulances UK (Adam Davy/PA).

West Ham said: Everyone at the club would like to reiterate their heartfelt thanks to the first responders, emergency services, air ambulance staff and the NHS for the incredible support given to Michail in the wake of the accident.

West Ham vice-chair Karren Brady, speaking in the House of Lords on Monday, said: It was a real shock to me on Saturday when I received a call from the police about his car accident, but I am pleased to report that he has had an operation and is recovering well.

And I would like to take the opportunity to thank all of the NHS staff, all of the emergency services including the air ambulance and firefighters who cut him free from his car.
President-elect Trumps first sit-down interview since winning a second White House term aired Sunday, giving the public a view into his mindset as he prepares to return to office.

Trump spoke with Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker, and the two discussed Trumps plans for his first day in office, some of his controversial Cabinet choices, and whether he would like the Justice Department to go after his critics and rivals.

Here are five takeaways from the interview.

Questions about retribution

One of the biggest questions facing Trump is whether he will use the Justice Department to go after critics and political rivals, something he has previously spoken about as he faced criminal charges of his own.

In his interview with NBC, Trump indicated he would not explicitly order his appointees to go after his rivals, even as he continued to attack special counsel Jack Smith and again suggested lawmakers who investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol, such as former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), should be in jail.

Welker asked Trump about Kash Patel, his choice to lead the FBI, who has spoken about the need to target the deep state.

If they think that somebody was dishonest or crooked or a corrupt politician, I think he probably has an obligation to do it, Trump said.

Are you going to direct him to do it? Welker asked.

No. Not at all. Not at all, Trump responded.

He similarly said he would leave it up to his nominee for attorney general, Pam Bondi, to determine whether to prosecute figures such as special counsel Jack Smith, who led the investigations into Trump in recent years.

I will say this: No, Im not doing that unless I find something that I think is reasonable, but thats not going to be my decision, Trump said. Thats going to be Pam Bondis decision, and, to a different extent, Kash Patel, assuming theyre both there, and I think theyre both going to get approved.

Trump did suggest he would not specifically go after President Biden, telling Welker he was not looking to go back into the past. Im looking to make our country successful.

Outlining immigration crackdown

Trump made clear during his interview with Meet the Press that his vow to deport millions of individuals in the country illegally and, more broadly, reshape the immigration system was not idle talk on the campaign trail.

You have no choice. First of all, theyre costing us a fortune. But were starting with the criminals, and weve got to do it. And then were starting with others, and were going to see how it goes, Trump said.

The president-elect echoed comments from his appointed border czar, Tom Homan, saying families with mixed immigration status could be deported together to avoid being separated.

Trump said he still intends to end birthright citizenship, something he previously listed as a task for his first day in office. But doing so would almost certainly face legal challenges, as the 14th Amendment says all persons born in the United States are citizens.

Well, were going to have to get it changed, Trump said on NBC. Well maybe have to go back to the people. But we have to end it. Were the only country that has it, you know.

Trump did signal an openness to finding a way for Dreamers, people who were illegally brought to the U.S. at a young age, to stay in the United States.

The Dreamers are going to come later, and we have to do something about the Dreamers because these are people that have been brought here at a very young age. And many of these are middle-aged people now, Trump said. They dont even speak the language of their country. And yes, were going to do something about the Dreamers.

A glimpse at Day 1 and beyond

Trumps interview was his first major sit-down since winning the election, and it offered insight into what the president-elect intends to prioritize upon taking office.

Trump told Welker he would likely act on his first day to pardon individuals involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, storming of the Capitol, including those who have pleaded guilty.

He repeated his mantra that he would drill, baby, drill, a nod to his plans to roll back regulations and increase drilling for oil.

And he doubled down on his pledge to carry out mass deportations upon taking office, despite the financial and logistical hurdles.

Trump also gave some insights into other policy views likely to shape his second term. He told Welker he would not raise the age requirement for Social Security or Medicare, that he was inclined to leave current conditions around access to abortion pills as they are and that he agreed the federal minimum wage was a low number.

He also left open the possibility of replacing ObamaCare if we find something better, and suggested the U.S. could look to leave the NATO alliance if other members do not increase their contributions to defense spending.

No guarantees on tariff consequences

Tariffs are a cornerstone of Trumps proposed economic agenda, and he would not guarantee that they would not increase consumer costs.

Can you guarantee American families wont pay more? Welker asked.

I cant guarantee anything. I cant guarantee tomorrow. But I can say that if you look at my  just pre-COVID, we had the greatest economy in the history of our country, Trump responded.

For months, the president-elect has pledged to impose blanket tariffs on all imports, a plan economists have warned could spike the cost of goods in the United States and cause companies to pass along increased costs to consumers. But Trump has shrugged off those concerns, claiming the tariffs will cause more companies to do business inside the U.S.

Trump, in recent weeks, threatened tariffs against Canada and Mexico, two of the United Statess biggest trading partners, unless they did more to crack down on the flow of migrants and illegal drugs across the border.

Tariffs are a  properly used, are a very powerful tool, not only economically, but also for getting other things outside of economics, Trump said.

Standing by controversial picks

Trump has already seen one Cabinet nominee withdraw from consideration in former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), his first choice to serve as attorney general, but he offered praise for others likely to face intense scrutiny from the Senate.

The interview took place as Pete Hegseth, Trumps pick to lead the Pentagon, is facing a steep climb to get confirmed amid allegations of sexual misconduct and excessive drinking at his previous jobs.

Hes a very smart guy. Ive known him through Fox, but Ive known him for a long time, Trump said of Hegseth. And hes basically a military guy. I mean I  any time I talk to him, all he wants to talk about is the military. Hes a military guy.

Trump was asked about Patel, his choice to lead the FBI, and his past criticism of Democrats and journalists whom he considered parts of the deep state. The president-elect said he felt confident Patel would get confirmed.

Trump offered his support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his choice to lead the Department of Health and Human Services. Kennedy is likely to be grilled over his anti-vaccine rhetoric and other controversial views on raw milk and fluoride.

Trump, in the interview, said Kennedy would look into any connection between vaccines and autism, even though there is no evidence of a link between the two.

Hes not going to upset any system, Trump said of Kennedy. Hes not looking to reinvent the wheel totally. But when you look at the numbers, we really dont have a very healthy country.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Svetlana Dali sits in federal court flanked by the court translator, from left, and her defense attorney Michael Schneider, from right, on Dec 5, 2024. (Elizabeth Williams)

The woman who was federally charged with boarding a New York-to-Paris flight as a stowaway during the Thanksgiving holiday was released from U.S. custody Friday with strict pretrial conditions.

Svetlana Dali, 57, appeared Friday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Joseph A. Marutollo in Brooklyn federal court in New York, where he ruled that she must submit to GPS monitoring and a curfew and banned her from all airports pending trial.

Marutollo ordered Dali to turn over travel documents and undergo a mental health evaluation and treatment. Dali, who is a U.S. permanent resident, is also restricted to the city of Philadelphia, where she will live with an acquaintance from church, and the Eastern District of New York, where she faces one count of being a stowaway on a vessel or aircraft without consent.

If she is convicted, she could face up to five years in prison, a fine or both. She has yet to enter a plea.

Marutollo said he was deeply concerned about releasing Dali, citing her risk of flight, lack of connection to the community and inability to secure a third-party custodian who would be legally responsible for her compliance with the release conditions.

Dali, who sat between her attorney and a Russian translator, appeared to scowl at Marutollo from time to time as he raised his concerns.

Dalis attorney, Brooklyn federal defender Michael Schneider, told the court that her family and her fiance are in Europe and that she had no way of securing a third-party custodian.

Schneider said Dali didnt have a criminal record and wasnt a danger to the community, adding that she wasnt a serious risk of flight and that her offense was similar to jumping a subway turnstile.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Brooke Theodora echoed Marutollos unease, saying the government believed Dali was a flight risk, pointing to several incidents in which Dali previously tried to sneak on flights at domestic and international airports.

Theodora said Dali tried to travel for free as recently as February at Miami International Airport, where she tried to get through a secure area to reach departures.

Dalis actions raised very significant national security concerns and very significant public security risks, said Theodora, who insisted the bail conditions needed to ensure that Dali would attend future court hearings.

According to the FBIs criminal complaint, Dali boarded a Delta flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Charles de Gaulle Airport on Nov. 26. The complaint said agents were busy helping other passengers board and did not stop her or ask her to present a boarding pass.

Dali bypassed two security and ticketing checkpoints before she boarded the plane without a ticket, a spokesperson for the Transportation Security Administration said.

French authorities detained Dali when she landed in Paris, the complaint said. Dali returned to the U.S. last week and was taken into custody in New York, a senior law enforcement source said.

According to the FBI complaint, agents interviewed Dali at JFK, where she admitted that she took the flight without a boarding pass and that she knew her conduct was illegal.
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -China-based ByteDance and its short-video app TikTok on Monday asked an appeals court to temporarily block a law that would require that parent company ByteDance divest TikTok by Jan. 19 or face a ban, pending a review by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The companies filed the emergency motion with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, warning that without the order the law will take effect and will "shut down TikTokone of the nations most popular speech platformsfor its more than 170 million domestic monthly users on the eve of a presidential inauguration."

Without the injunction, TikTok could be banned in the U.S. in six weeks, making the company far less valuable to ByteDance and its investors, and slamming the businesses that depend on TikTok to drive their sales.

On Friday, a three-judge panel of the appeals court upheld the law requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok in the United States by early next year or face a ban in just six weeks.

Lawyers for the companies said the prospect the Supreme Court will take the case "and reverse is sufficiently high to warrant the temporary pause needed to create time for further deliberation."

The companies also noted President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to prevent a ban, arguing the delay "will give the incoming administration time to determine its position -- which could moot both the impending harms and the need for Supreme Court review."

The Justice Department said the appeals court should quickly deny the request "to maximize the time available for the Supreme Courts consideration" of petitions from ByteDance and TikTok.

TikTok asked the appeals court to decide on the request by Dec. 16.

The decision -- unless the Supreme Court reverses it -- puts TikTok's fate in the hands of first President Joe Biden on whether to grant a 90-day extension of the Jan. 19 deadline to force a sale and then of Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20. But it is not clear whether ByteDance could meet the heavy burden to show it had made significant progress toward a divestiture needed to trigger the extension.

Trump, who unsuccessfully tried to ban TikTok during his first term in 2020, said before the November presidential election he would not allow the ban on TikTok.

Trump's incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz told Fox Business Network Friday that Trump "wants to save TikTok. We absolutely need to allow the American people to have access to that app but we have to protect our data as well."

The decision upholds the law that gives the U.S. government sweeping powers to ban other foreign-owned apps that could raise concerns about collection of Americans' data. In 2020, Trump also tried to ban Tencent-owned WeChat, but was blocked by the courts.

TikTok also warned on Monday the court ruling would interrupt "services for tens of millions of TikTok users outside the United States," The app said hundreds of U.S. service providers that enable maintenance, distribution and updating would not be able to provide support for the TikTok platform starting Jan. 19.

(Reporting by David Shepardson, Editing by Nick Zieminski)
The Nvidia headquarters in Santa Clara, Calif.

China on Monday accused U.S. chipmaker Nvidia of violating its anti-monopoly law, a move likely to escalate already-tense trade relations between the two countries as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office for a second time.

China's state market regulatory arm said the probe is related to Nvidia's 2019 acquisition of Mellanox, a global supplier of computer networking equipment.

China had conditionally approved that acquisition in 2020.

In a statement, Nvidia said it was "happy to answer any questions regulators have" about its business.

Nvidia wins on merit, as reflected in our benchmark results and value to customers, and customers can choose whatever solution is best for them," the company said. "We work hard to provide the best products we can in every region and honor our commitments everywhere we do business.

The company's shares were down roughly 3% after markets opened Monday.

Last week, the outgoing Biden administration announced a fresh set of export controls on U.S.-made semiconductors designed to limit China's ability to use them to develop weapons and advanced artificial intelligence systems.

China immediately responded by accusing the U.S. of bullying and hypocrisy while issuing embargoes on critical materials to the U.S.

The U.S. 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, China's Commerce ministry said in a statement.

The U.S. and France have also opened investigations related to Nvidia's market dominance, though on different grounds.

In the past year, the Santa Clara-based company, whose chips have become the processor of choice for tech firms leading the AI revolution, has powered the entire U.S. stock market higher. In 2024, Nvidia's share price has nearly tripled, making it one of the most valuable firms in the world.

Trump has promised to levy stiff tariffs on China when he takes office. He recently picked former Georgia Sen. David Perdue, whom a Chinese think tank has accused of being "anti-China," for U.S. ambassador to China. He also tapped economist Peter Navarro, who favors tariffs, as trade and manufacturing adviser.
A Manhattan jury has cleared Daniel Penny of criminal wrongdoing in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely on a crowded subway  a caught-on-video killing that sparked fierce debate over the citys mental health system and crime underground.

The courtroom erupted in applause as the panelists acquitted Penny of criminally negligent homicide  which could have put him behind bars for up to four years  in Neelys chokehold death aboard a crowded uptown F train in May 2023.

We the jury have come to a unanimous decision on count two, the foreperson on the jury told the courtroom.

Daniel Penny leaves court after being found not guilty Monday morning. Steven Hirsch

Neelys father Andre Zachary had to be escorted out of the court after the verdict was read. REUTERS

Penny immediately broke out a huge smile and turned to hug defense attorney Thomas Kenniff  even as Neelys father, Andre Zachary, was escorted from the courtroom.

Racist fing country, one Black Lives Matter supporter yelled as she left the room. Another Neely supporter, turning to Penney, screamed, Its a small world, buddy, before leaving the room.

Manslaughter, the top charge against Penny, was tossed on Friday after jurors twice said they couldnt reach a unanimous verdict.

Jurors sided with Pennys defense attorneys, who had argued that the Marine veteran was justified in rushing to protect his fellow subway straphangers when he subdued the erratic homeless man. The lawyers had also questioned whether there was sufficient evidence that the chokehold caused Neelys death.

Who do you want on the next train ride with you? one of his lawyers, Steven Raiser, in his closing statement in Manhattan Supreme Court.

Follow The Posts live blog for the latest updates on Daniel Pennys not guilty verdict

The guy with the earbuds minding his own business who you know would be there for you if something happened? Or perhaps you just hope that someone like Jordan Neely does not enter that train when you are all alone, all alone in a crowd of others frozen with fear?

The lawyers had also questioned whether there was sufficient evidence that the chokehold caused Neelys death.

Penny was acquitted of criminally negligent homicide stemming from Neelys death. Steven Hirsch

Penny and his legal team reacting to the verdict. REUTERS/Jane Rosenberg

Penny and his lawyers Steve Raiser (left) and Thomas A. Kenniff celebrating at Stone Street Tavern in Manhattan. Steven Hirsch

The verdict drew an immediate reaction from across the nation.

Daniel Pennys actions were heroic & protected the lives of people on that train, House Speaker Mike Johnson wrote on X.

We used to celebrate bravery like this in America, but the Left continues their crusade to protect criminals and prosecute heroes, Johnson said. Good to see this charge dismissed.

In the Big Apple, city Councilman Joe Borelli (R-Staten Island) said the jurys decision underscores nothing other than the perverse sense of justice held by [Manhattan DA] Alvin Bragg.

A demonstrator is detained outside Manhattan Criminal Court after Daniel Penny was found not guilty. REUTERS

Every New Yorker is fearful on the subway and had no problem understanding the context of Daniel Pennys actions, he said. The district attorney should resign in shame.

The acquittal comes after jurors heard from more than 40 witnesses, including passengers who described Neelys terrifying outburst on the train before Penny approached him from behind and took him down at the Broadway-Lafayette station.

One straphanger testified she was scared stless hearing Neely ranting about being willing to die and go to jail. She later thanked Penny for stepping in to restrain Neely, who also raged that someone is going to die today.

Another woman on the train told jurors that she feared for her life after hearing Neelys satanic rant.

Hawk Newsome speaks next to the father of Jordan Neely during a press conference after Daniel Penny was found not guilty. REUTERS

And a mother who was taking her 5-year-old son to a doctors appointment testified that she was so scared of a belligerent and unhinged Neely that she barricaded her son behind his stroller.

No witness testified that Neely put his hands on anyone, or lunged at a specific person, before Penny put him in the chokehold. Evidence during the month-long trial also revealed that Neely was not carrying a weapon at the time  with cops finding only a muffin in his pocket.

The polarizing case kicked off fierce conversation about a mentally ill man who was failed by the citys broken system  a sentiment even Mayor Eric Adams expressed, saying Penny did what we should have done as a city by protecting others that day.

The father of Jordan Neely looks on during a press conference after Daniel Penny was found not guilty. REUTERS

Prosecutors argued that Penny went too far  and that his actions turned criminal when he kept Neely in the hold after nearly all of the frightened passengers had fled the train.

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, prosecutor Dafna Yoran said in her closing statement.

Jurors watched frame-by-frame footage from a bystanders six-minute video of Penny holding Neely  including for 51 seconds after Neelys body appears to go limp. Penny kept holding Neely despite witnesses pleading with him to let him go!, the video shows.

A supporter of Daniel Penny holds a sign outside Manhattan Criminal Court on Monday before Penny was acquitted. REUTERS

Dr. Cynthia Harris, who ruled that Neelys death was a homicide caused by Pennys chokehold, pointed out for jurors the exact moment when Neely passed out on the subway cars floor  with Penny still wrapping his arm around Neelys neck.

The city medical examiner, who made her ruling before Neelys toxicology report came back, testified that she was so confident after watching video of the encounter that shed stand by her decision even if it later turned out that Neely had enough drugs in his body to put down an elephant.

Jurors asked for a readback of that specific portion of Harris testimony during deliberations.

Dozens of protesters gathered outside the protest against Daniel Penny Monday morning as well. Gregory P. Mango

Trial evidence revealed that Neely had the synthetic marijuana drug K2 in his system at the time of the confrontation. Jurors also heard that he was diagnosed with schizophrenia, telling doctors in 2021 that hed heard the devils voice.

Pennys mother, sister, friends and fellow Marines took the stand to vouch for his character.

The defenses medical expert, forensic pathologist Dr. Satish Chundru, claimed that Neely died not from Pennys chokehold, but by the combined effects of sickle cell crisis, the schizophrenia, the struggle and restraint, and the synthetic marijuana.

Penny declined to take the stand. But jurors heard him tell arriving cops on the train platform, I just put him out, before making a choking gesture with his arms.

Hours later, at Chinatowns 5th Precinct, a relaxed Penny insisted during an interrogation that he was merely trying to de-escalate the situation and that he didnt mean to hurt Neely.

Pennys lawyers had argued that his actions were justified to defuse what he believed was a deadly threat. NYC Courts

Im not trying to kill the guy, the Marine veteran told two detectives, as prosecutors watched him through a one-sided mirror. Im just trying to keep him from hurting anybody else.

In an apparent reference to the mentally ill Neely, Penny added during his questioning that all these people are pushing people in front of the train and stuff.

Neelys death, and Pennys arrest 11 days later, sparked a national political firestorm about whether Pennys actions were justified.

The episode also sparked outrage about how Neely fell through the cracks of the citys mental health system, failing to get the treatment he needed despite the NYPD treating him as an emotionally disturbed person in more than two dozen prior encounters with him.

This case is about a broken system, a broken system that does not help our mentally ill or

our unhoused, Pennys attorney Raiser said at the end of his closing statement.

Neely had suffered from schizophrenia and had been menacing passengers before Penny took him down, trial evidence showed. Provided by Carolyn Neely

In fact, it is that broken system that led us, that is interwoven into the very fabric of this case.

In a statement, the city councils progressive caucus denounced the verdict, saying it highlights the deep-seated [ck] societal discomfort with unhoused individuals.

Jordan Neely was failed by the citys social service system for years, the statement said. He was failed by our city when Daniel Penny put him in a chokehold on the subway. And today Jordan was failed once again, this time by the citys justice system.

Others Big Apple lawmakers, however, celebrated the outcome of the high-profile and divisive trial.

Justice has prevailed, city Councilwoman Joanne Ariola (R-Queens) said following Mondays verdict. Daniel Penny is a hero and Im happy to see that a good man was not punished for doing the right thing and defending his fellow New Yorkers from a mentally ill criminal who fell between the cracks.
President-elect Donald Trump reacted Saturday on the intensifying conflict in Syria, where opposition forces have reportedly taken control of several cities.

In a social media post, Trump declared, "THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!"

He further added that if Syrian rebels succeed in ousting President Bashar al-Assad, it could ultimately work to Russia's advantage. Trump also noted that Moscow is heavily distracted by its ongoing war in Ukraine and unable to effectively counter the rebel forces.

Trump criticized the Obama administration for its failure to enforce the 2013 "red line" on Syria, which promised U.S. military action if chemical weapons were used. Trump reiterated his "America First" stance, emphasizing that Syria is not the U.S.'s fight. "Syria is a mess but is not our friend," he wrote on social media, advocating for a hands-off approach.

Trump's comments come in contrast to his actions while in office. In 2017, he ordered a military strike on a Syrian government airbase in response to a chemical weapons attack that killed dozens of civilians. The strike involved 59 Tomahawk cruise missiles targeting the airbase responsible for launching the attack, marking the first direct U.S. military action against al-Assad's regime during the civil war.

The decision represented a notable shift from Trump's earlier opposition to U.S. military intervention in Syria during his first presidential campaign.

On Sunday, al-Assad fled the country for an unknown destination, ending a fifty-year regime as opposition forces took over the capital city of Damascus.

"We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains and announcing the end of the era of injustice in Sednaya prison," Syrian Opposition said.

The escalating crisis in Syria is reverberating across the region, prompting Lebanon to shut all land border crossings with Syria except one linking Beirut and Damascus. Meanwhile, Jordan also closed a key border crossing.

Amid the turmoil, eight major countries convened with the U.N. special envoy on Syria for two hours of discussions during the Doha Summit on Saturday night, with further talks planned. The U.N. envoy is pushing for urgent negotiations in Geneva to facilitate an "orderly political transition" in Syria as the situation continues to unfold.
By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -China-based DJI and Autel Robotics could be banned from selling new drones in the United States market under an annual military bill set to be voted on later this week by the U.S. House of Representatives.

The 1,800-page bill says a national security agency must determine within one year if drones from DJI or Autel Robotics pose unacceptable national security risks.

DJI, the world's largest drone manufacturer that sells more than half of all U.S. commercial drones, said if no agency completes the study, it would be automatically added to the Federal Communications Commission's "Covered List."

DJI said that would mean the company "would be prevented from launching new products in the U.S. market through no fault of its own, but simply because no agency chose to take on the work of studying our products."

DJI said Chinese drones are unfairly singled out for scrutiny, saying it has "proactively submitted its products to regular independent security audits and expanded the range of built-in user privacy controls in our consumer and enterprise drones."

Autel Robotics could not immediately be reached for comment. Last year, a bipartisan group of 11 lawmakers asked the Biden administration to investigate and potentially sanction Autel, citing national security concerns.

In September, the U.S. House voted to bar new drones from DJI from operating in the U.S. The Commerce Department is considering whether to impose restrictions on Chinese drones that would effectively ban them in the U.S., similar to proposed Chinese vehicle restrictions.

In October, DJI sued the Defense Department for adding it to a list of companies allegedly working with Beijing's military, saying the designation is wrong and has caused the company significant financial harm.

DJI told Reuters in October that Customs and Border Protection is stopping imports of some DJI drones from entering the United States, citing the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act. No forced labor is involved at any stage of its manufacturing, DJI said.

U.S. lawmakers have repeatedly raised concerns that DJI drones pose data transmission, surveillance and national security risks, which the company rejects.

(Reporting by David ShepardsonEditing by Bill Berkrot)
By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Two of President-elect Donald Trump's most controversial nominees, Pete Hegseth and Tulsi Gabbard, sought support from U.S. senators on Monday, but it remained uncertain whether they would get the near-unanimous Republican backing they will need to win confirmation.

Former Fox News personality Hegseth held a second meeting with Senator Joni Ernst, a combat veteran and sexual assault survivor seen as a key to the decorated Army National Guard veteran's hopes for becoming secretary of Defense.

Ernst's statement afterward seemed to open the door to voting for Hegseth. She said the nominee had committed to completing a Pentagon audit and selecting an official who would address the issue of sexual assault within the ranks.

"As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources," Ernst said.

Hegseth faces concerns about allegations of misconduct in his professional and personal life, including accusations of sexual assault, which he denies. Several of his supporters have called for his accusers to come forward publicly.

Trump has kept his support strongly behind Hegseth, predicting he will be confirmed.

Hegseth told reporters the meeting with Ernst had gone well, saying, "The more we talk, the more we are reminded that we are two combat veterans and we are dedicated to defense."

Trump's fellow Republicans will hold only a slim 53-47 Senate majority next year, meaning nominees can afford just three Republican no's and still be confirmed, if Democrats unite against them.

Former Representative Gabbard, Trump's choice for director of national intelligence, arrived for Senate meetings as the abrupt fall on Sunday of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad prompted renewed scrutiny of her 2017 visit to Damascus.

Gabbard, a former Democrat who lacks significant intelligence experience and in the past had been critical of Trump, is also seen as soft on Russia. However, her supporters say she has a healthy skepticism about foreign U.S. military involvement, in keeping with the America First policies of Trump, whom she endorsed this year.

After his meeting with Gabbard, Senator Mike Rounds said he thought there was "a path forward" for her.

"This is a case of where people will ask her questions about her knowledge of the intelligence community, about the information that's out there. And they'll ask her about some of her past statements with regard to President Trump," Rounds said on Fox News.

Her selection to be director of national intelligence in November sent shock waves through the national security establishment, adding to concerns that the intelligence community would become increasingly political.

Gabbard did not respond on Monday when reporters at the Capitol asked her to respond to events in Syria.

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Stephen Coates)
A 5-year-old girl was killed by two of her familys dogs and another person was injured in California on Sunday, according to local media.

The dogs are a 10-year-old Rottweiler and a 6-year-old Rottweiler mix, reported television station WLS-TV and the Associated Press.

The incident happened around 12:05 p.m. Sunday in Covina, part of Los Angeles County, Luis Garcia, a spokesperson for the Los Angeles County Fire Department, confirmed to USA TODAY Monday afternoon.

The victim who died was a 5-year-old girl who had grown up around the dogs, Lt. Steve De Jong of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department confirmed to USA TODAY Monday afternoon.

She was in the backyard spending time with her father when the attack occurred. Someone then made a "vicious animal call" to 911 as the family tried to help the girl, De Jong said.

Emergency responders arrived by 12:15 p.m. and took two patients to the hospital. The girl later died from her injuries, according to the fire department.

'The child has had contact with the dogs her entire life'

According to De Jong, there were four dogs in the home altogether but only two were involved in the attack. There had been no prior incidents with the dogs, he told USA TODAY.

"The dogs were described as family pets," De Jong said. "The child has had contact with the dogs her entire life."

He added that authorities do not suspect any foul play and he does not anticipate anyone facing charges in the matter.

"The family has been 100% cooperative and her father is devastated by what occurred," De Jong said. "It's just a very, very tragic incident."

Dogs taken into custody by animal control

All four dogs in the home were taken into custody by animal control, including the two involved in the attack, De Jong and the Los Angeles County Department of Animal Care and Control confirmed Monday afternoon.

"All four dogs have been impounded at the Baldwin Park Animal Care Center," wrote Animal Control Manager Christopher Valles in an email. "The Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department is currently conducting an investigation into the matter."

De Jong said the sheriff's department will work alongside Animal Control. Animal Control will likely wait for the sheriff's department to conduct their investigation and then complete theirs.

"(Animal Control) will ultimately make the determination on the fate of the animals," De Jong said.

Saleen Martin is a reporter on USA TODAY's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia  the 757. Follow her on Twitter at @SaleenMartin or email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: California family's Rottweilers kill 5-year-old girl
Billionaire Frank McCourt told Yahoo Finance he is still interested in acquiring TikTok if it isn't able to overturn a federal law that demands the Chinese-owned social media app be sold to a US buyer.

"There's a deal to be made here so that US TikTok can stay in business," McCourt said in an interview on Yahoo Finance's Opening Bid podcast. "We want to see the platform stay in business and the 170 million people enjoy it."

The executive chairman of McCourt Global said his team at Project Liberty is "beginning" conversations with the incoming Trump administration but is not at the moment negotiating anything with ByteDance, the Chinese owner of TikTok.

Frank McCourt, executive chairman of McCourt Global and founder of Project Liberty. Photo: REUTERS/Andrew Kelly (REUTERS / Reuters)

Axios reported that McCourt's Project Liberty has secured "informal commitments of more than $20 billion of capital" for a TikTok bid. Other investors, including former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, have in the past also expressed a desire to purchase the social media app.

ByteDance is still hoping it will not have to consider a sale of TikTok. On Monday, the company filed an emergency court document asking for a D.C. appeals court to temporarily block the government from enforcing the law so that the Supreme Court has time to review it.

The law, called the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, gives ByteDance an ultimatum to either sell TikTok to a US owner by Jan. 19, 2025, or have it banned from operating in the country.

TikTok challenged the law in court, saying it ran afoul of the First Amendments free speech protections.

Last Friday, a panel of three judges from the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit concluded the law withstood constitutional scrutiny by protecting free speech in the US "from a foreign adversary nation and to limit that adversary's ability to gather data on people in the United States."

The laws deadline of Jan. 19 means that ByteDance would need the Supreme Court to either issue a ruling before then or pause enforcement until it renders a decision. However, the high court is under no obligation to take up the company's requests.

The U.S. head office of TikTok in Culver City, Calif. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo (REUTERS / Reuters)

McCourt said his company started work on a possible TikTok bid eight months ago, including technology, capital, and legal requirements to buy the platform.

He didnt say how much it would cost to acquire the app. That, he added, would depend on what parts of TikTok would be sold. ByteDance has maintained that it would not sell TikTok's algorithm, which is technology that belongs to the Chinese Communist Party.

McCourt is a longtime advocate for consumer privacy and data protection. He said his goal of acquiring TikTok is part of a broader plan to allow consumers to monetize their own data, as opposed to current models that largely withhold technology unless users give their data away for free.

He also said TikTok in the hands of an American owner would close Chinas backdoor access to American users' information.

But McCourt said he didnt yet know what TikTok would do if the law were ultimately held valid.

"They may let it shut down," he told Yahoo Finance. "I hope not. President-elect Trump hopes not," he said.

In September, the president-elect suggested in a post to his social media website, Truth Social, that he would "save TikTok" and prevent federal law enforcement from shuttering the app.

US President-elect Donald Trump attends a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, on Dec. 7. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier/Pool/File Photo (Reuters / Reuters)

But neither President Biden nor incoming President-elect Trump is empowered to repeal the law. New legislation to overturn the measure would need to be approved by a majority of federal lawmakers.

The D.C. appeals court gave Biden an option to issue a 90-day extension, during which the law would not be enforced, but only in the event that TikTok was progressing toward divestment.

"We're negotiating with nobody on the ByteDance side, at the moment," McCourt said. "We've reached out unsuccessfully because they've taken the position, initially, that they were going to win the litigation  and they're not talking about a sale as of yet."

In TikTok's new request for the D.C. appeals court to put the law on hold, the company said a pause was "especially appropriate" because it would allow Trump's incoming administration "time to determine its position."

The request went on to say that the new administration's position could "moot" impending harms, as well as "the need for Supreme Court review."

TikTok requested that the D.C. appeals court make a decision no later than Dec. 16.

Alexis Keenan is a legal reporter for Yahoo Finance. Follow Alexis on X @alexiskweed.

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Although she was just in her mid-20s, Tulsi Gabbard's hair had already started turning white shortly before she first set foot in the U.S. Senate as a legislative aide in 2006.

Coming from her native Hawaii, she had landed a job with longtime Hawaii Democratic Sen. Daniel Akaka, chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, who would become her mentor.

Now, almost 20 years later, the former Democratic congresswoman returns to the Senate to meet with lawmakers, including members of the Senate Intelligence Committee, as President-elect Donald Trump's pick to be director of national intelligence after appearing with him a number of times on the campaign trail and serving as an honorary co-chair of his transition team.

Gabbard spent the past week in Oklahoma on Army National Guard duty. She currently holds the rank of lieutenant colonel, something supporters argue qualifies her for the job as critics cite her lack of experience.

She's also facing renewed scrutiny over her past comments on Syria and her meeting with now-overthrown dictator Bashar Assad.

PHOTO: President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard walks with Sen. Joni Ernst, Dec. 9, 2024, in Washington. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

From Hawaii to Kuwait to Congress

By the time she came to the Senate, Gabbard had already made history in Hawaii as one of the youngest lawmakers elected to a state legislature at age 21. Serving alongside her father, Hawaii state Sen. Mike Gabbard, she became part of the first father-daughter combination in a legislature in the country.

As a Senate staffer, Gabbard remained in Hawaii's National Guard, drilling on the weekends.

During her first yearlong deployment at Joint Base Balad in Iraq, nicknamed "Mortaritaville" for being hit with daily attacks, she's said fumes from a nearby burn pit would regularly sicken her fellow service members, causing flu-like symptoms they called the "crud."

In 2007, she attended the Accelerated Officer Candidate School at the Alabama Military Academy, graduating at the top of her class as its first distinguished woman honor graduate. After two years working in the Senate, Gabbard volunteered for a deployment to Kuwait.

PHOTO: Former president and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump embraces former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard at a campaign rally in Greensboro, North Carolina, Oct. 22, 2024. (Erik S Lesser/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

As a military police platoon leader and trainer for the Kuwait National Guard's counterterrorism unit, Gabbard achieved another milestone in 2009, becoming one of the first women to set foot in a Kuwaiti military facility and the first woman to be honored by the Kuwait National Guard.

In her limited free time, Gabbard continued working on her bachelor's degree from Hawaii Pacific University, taking online classes in an education tent.

Although her hair returned to its natural color, she told ABC News in 2019 she eventually kept a distinctive streak of white.

"It's a reminder, every single day of the cost of war of those we lost and my mission in life to to seek peace and to fight for peace," Gabbard said.

Gabbard later returned to Hawaii and ran for Honolulu City Council, serving from 2010 until 2012, before being elected to Congress as the then-youngest female member.

PHOTO: Tulsi Gabbard is seen in uniform in this undated photo posted to her Facebook page. (Tulsi Gabbard/Facebook)

MORE:Former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is Trump's pick for director of national intelligence

Bipartisan outreach

As a new member of Congress, Gabbard worked to forge relationships with members on both sides of the aisle.

She arrived armed with 434 boxes of macadamia nut toffee, homemade by her mother, for every member of Congress and an additional 435 boxes for staffers. Each box came with a handwritten letter, a form of diplomacy as a Democrat facing a Republican-controlled House.

During her freshman year in Congress in 2013, Gabbard was appointed vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, but stepped down from that position to endorse Sen. Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential bid.

She co-chaired the Future Caucus, a bipartisan effort to engage members of Congress under 40 years old. Gabbard also bonded with lawmakers over sports, playing on the Congressional Softball Team with New York Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema and joining early morning workouts with colleagues such as Oklahoma GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin. She and Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul co-sponsored legislation, including the Stop Arming Terrorists Act.

PHOTO: Sen. Bernie Sanders is introduced to speak by Rep.Tulsi Gabbard during a campaign stop at the Bream Wright Hauser Athletic Complex at Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pa., April 22, 2016. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

MORE:2020 presidential candidate Rep. Tulsi Gabbard surfs and pitches sports in an appeal to voters

After an unsuccessful bid for the party's 2020 presidential nomination, she left the Democratic Party and became an independent and campaigned for Republicans, including Sens. Mike Lee and Chuck Grassley. She told Trump on a rally stage in October that she was registering as a Republican.

PHOTO: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is announced before the Congressional Women's Softball game that pits Congresswomen against female journalists at Watkins Recreation Center on Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., June 18, 2014. (Tom Williams/Getty Images)

MORE: Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick for top intel role, draws scrutiny over Russia comments

Controversial views on Russia, Syria

Gabbard was one of the first to enter the crowded Democratic 2020 primary and was one of the last three remaining candidates. One of her rivals in that race, Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren, announced she would oppose Trump's choice of Gabbard, alleging she had suggested NATO had provoked Russian President Vladimir Putin to invade Ukraine.

"Do you really want her to have all the secrets of the United States and our defense intelligence agencies when she has so clearly has been in Putin's pocket? That just has to be a hard no," Warren said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" in November.

MORE: Tulsi Gabbard's views on Russia shaped in part by Kremlin propaganda outlet, ex-aides say

However, Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri defended Gabbard in November on NBC's "Meet The Press," taking aim at accusations that Gabbard was a "Russian asset."

"It's a slur, quite frankly. You know, there's no evidence that she is an asset of another country. She served this country honorably," Schmitt said.

Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, who entered the Senate as the first female combat veteran while Gabbard was doing the same in the House, has opposed her pick for DNI, alleging she's been compromised.

"The U.S. intelligence community has identified her as having troubling relationships with America's foes. And so my worry is that she couldn't pass a background check," Duckworth said on CNN's "State of the Union" in November.

Mullin struck back at Duckworth's comments, saying "That's the most dangerous thing she could say -- is that a United States lieutenant colonel in the United States Army is compromised and is an asset of Russia."

"If she was compromised, if she wasn't able to pass a background check, if she wasn't able to do her job, she still wouldn't be in the Army," he said.

MORE: On 'The View,' Tulsi Gabbard defends non-intervention stance in Syria, Venezuela

Now, with the rebel takeover of Syria and the fall of Assad, Gabbard is drawing renewed attention to her controversial visit to Syria in 2017 -- what she called a fact-finding mission -- and sympathy she expressed after meeting with the Syrian dictator, saying the U.S. should stop aiding the "terrorists" trying to overthrow him.

Gabbard noted in 2019 that a CIA program "was directly and indirectly helping to equip and train and provide support to different armed groups, including those who are allied with and affiliated with al-Qaeda, to overthrow the Syrian government."

The "Stop Arming Terrorist Act" she worked on with Paul in the Senate said the U.S. should stop aiding the "terrorists" trying to overthrow Assad.

Assad has been accused of war crimes against his own people during the Syrian civil war, in which hundreds of thousands have been killed. A few months after meeting with Assad, Gabbard said she was skeptical he had used chemical weapons against his own people, despite evidence from the U.S. government that he had, to argue against military intervention during Trump's first administration.

Gabbard warned in June of 2019 that she was concerned that the toppling of Assad's regime could lead to terrorist groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda to step in to fill the void and "completely massacre all religious minorities there in Syria."

In a 2019 interview on ABC's "The View" while running for president, she called Assad a "brutal dictator," but said the U.S. regime-change strategy had not improved the lives of the Syrian people.

-ABC News' Selina Wang contributed to this report.

Gabbard's bipartisan congressional connections could be crucial to confirmation originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The man police identified as a person of interest in the killing of a UnitedHealthcare executive in New York City had a ghost gun when he was arrested Monday in Pennsylvania, according to Joseph Kenny, the chief of detectives for the New York police.

Along with fake identification cards, police seized a firearm and silencer when they detained Luigi Mangione at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Both appeared to be made with a 3D printer, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday in Altoona.

Police say they recovered the pistol with a metal slide and plastic handle. The pistol had a loaded Glock magazine and six rounds remaining.

Ghost guns are firearms without serial numbers that are manufactured at home with do-it-yourself kits. Critics of the firearms say the concern is they are not traceable like traditional firearms with serial numbers. They can also be cheaply purchased online without a background check and assembled with minimal tools.

President Joe Biden announced a federal rule to require manufacturers of the kits to perform background checks and mark the weapons with serial numbers  the same requirement of standard gun producers.

"Ghost guns" seized in federal law enforcement actions are displayed at the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) field office in Glendale, California on April 18, 2022.

The U.S. Supreme Court held arguments in October about the regulation that could be struck down this summer. The ruling would not impact the legality of privately made firearms by individuals, which is legal for personal use as long as its not sold or transferred.

More: Supreme Court discusses omelets when debating whether 'ghost guns' can be regulated

The number of suspected ghost guns recovered by law enforcement and submitted to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives for tracing increased by more than 1,000% between 2017 and 2021. The number more than doubled from 2020 to 2021.

Gun control groups seized on the news Monday that a ghost gun may have been involved in the high-profile New York shooting.

This news is yet another reminder that ghost guns are a dream come true for criminals who want to avoid detection, and a nightmare for anyone tasked with stopping them, said John Feinblatt, president of Everytown for Gun Safety. Ghost guns look like a regular gun, shoot like a regular gun, and kill like a regular gun  so our lawmakers must ensure they continue to be regulated like regular guns.

Gun rights groups are battling in state courts to maintain rights for privately made firearms they say are built on historical precedent.

"Americans have been free to make their own firearms since before this countrys founding. As history and binding Supreme Court precedent shows, Oregons claim that this right isnt protected by the Constitution is just absurd," said Brandon Combs, president of the Firearms Policy Coalition in statement about a brief filed in Oregon to support overturning a ban there.

Nick Penzenstadler is a reporter on the USA TODAY investigations team. Contact him at npenz@usatoday.com or @npenzenstadler, or on Signal at (720) 507-5273.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ghost gun seized in NYC shooting case adds to debate
By Nidal al-Mughrabi

CAIRO (Reuters) - Palestinian group Hamas congratulated the Syrian people on Monday for achieving their "aspirations for freedom and justice" after toppling President Bashar al-Assad.

It was Hamas' first public comment since rebel forces swept into the Syrian capital Damascus on Sunday after a lightning advance that sent Assad fleeing to Russia after a 13-year civil war and six decades of his family's autocratic rule.

"We stand strongly with the great people of Syria... and respect the will, the independence, and the political choices of the people of Syria," the Islamist faction that has been governing the Gaza Strip said in a statement.

Hamas said it hoped that post-Assad Syria would continue "its historical and pivotal role in supporting the Palestinian people".

In a separate statement,, Ziad al-Nakhala, head of the Islamic Jihad, an Iranian-backed group and an ally of Hamas, echoed that sentiment.

"The Islamic Jihad hopes Syria will remain a real support for the Palestinian people, their just cause, as it has always been," said Nakhala.

Hamas publicly endorsed the 2011 Sunni Muslim street uprising against Assad's rule and vacated its Damascus headquarters in 2012, a move that angered Iran, an ally of both Assad and the Palestinian group.

Hamas, whose ideological roots stem from the Sunni Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, distanced itself from Assad - a member of the minority Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam - as he cracked down on the mainly Sunni Muslim protesters and rebels.

The Palestinian group decided in 2022 to restore ties with the Assad government and sent a delegation to Damascus, where Hamas leaders met Assad in the hope of repairing relations.

Assad's Syria and Iran formed an "axis of resistance" with Lebanon's Hezbollah movement and Palestinian militant groups to oppose Israel.

Hamas's positive response to the fall of Assad contrasted with that of Shi'ite Muslim Hezbollah, which played a major part propping up Assad through years of war. Assad's Syria long served as a vital conduit for Iran to supply arms to the group.

A senior Hezbollah politician on Monday described events in Syria as a "major, dangerous and new transformation".

(Reporting by Nidal al Mughrabi; Editing by Gareth Jones)
Syrians wait to cross into Syria from Turkey at the Oncupinar border gate, near the town of Kilis, southern Turkey, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)

CILVEGOZU BORDER CROSSING, Turkey (AP)  Hundreds of Syrian refugees gathered at two border crossings in southern Turkey on Monday, eagerly anticipating their return home following the fall of Bashar Assads government.

Many arrived at the Cilvegozu and Oncupinar gates at daybreak, draped in blankets and coats. Some camped by the barriers, warming at makeshift fires. The crossings correspond to the Bab al-Hawa and Bab al-Salameh gates on the Syrian side.

Among those waiting at Cilvegozu was 28-year-old Muhammed Zin, who fled Damascus in 2016 and has been living and working in Istanbul.

Assad was shooting us, killing us, he told The Associated Press. I will return to Syria now. Thank God, the war is over.

Assads fall has sparked widespread joy among Turkeys 3 million Syrian refugees, with many taking to the streets of Istanbul and other cities to celebrate. On Sunday, Syrians removed the governments flag from the Syrian Consulate in Istanbul, replacing it with the oppositions flag.

At the Oncupinar border gate, Mustafa Sultan, 29, said he was crossing into Syria to find his older brother who was imprisoned in Damascus under Assads rule.

I havent seen him for 13 years. The prisons have been emptied so I am going to go see whether hes alive, he said.

Turkish officials have not said how many Syrians have returned since Assads downfall on Sunday. But Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the numbers would increase as Syria stabilizes, and announced plans to reopen a third border crossing to prevent congestion.

As Syria gains more stability, God willing, voluntary, safe and honorable returns will increase, Erdogan said in a televised address following a Cabinet meeting.

Turkey welcomed Syrian refugees with open arms in the early years of Syria's civil war that broke out in 2011  becoming host to the world's largest number of refugees. Ankara believed the conflict would end quickly and the influx would be temporary.

But as Turkey faced economic challenges, public opinion toward the refugees soured, forcing Erdogans government to seek ways to ensure their safe and voluntary repatriation.

Turkish officials now hope that a significant number of Syrians will return voluntarily.

We will continue our efforts to ensure the safe and voluntary return of Syrians and to rebuild the country, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Monday.

At Cilvegozu, some refugees wheeled their suitcases while others carried belongings in sacks. Authorities set up a checkpoint some 5 kilometers (3 miles) away, only allowing Syrians with proper documents to the border gate, HaberTurk television reported.

Zakariya Mori al-Shami, 31, who arrived in Turkey in 2019, was waiting to cross with his wife and two children to return to Aleppo. He hopes to rebuild his home, which was destroyed during the conflict.

Anxious to rejoin his family in Damascus, Mohammed al Muhbuhar, 27, said he headed to the border immediately after Assad left.

There is no more torture. God willing, Syria will be better, he said.

Hundreds of displaced Syrians were also returning Monday from Lebanon.

Sami Abdel-Latif, a construction worker from Hama who hoped to join his wife and four children, said while the future in Syria is uncertain, anything is better than Bashar. He said he expected some chaos initially but that eventually the situation would settle down.

Look at Aleppo now, Abdel-Latif said, referring to the first major city taken by opposition forces more than a week ago, where life has continued more or less as normal.

Malak Matar, who was preparing to return to Damascus, said: You feel yourself psychologically free  you can express yourself, saying people had waited 14 years for that.

Now, he said, Syrians have to create a state that is well-organized and takes care of their country. Its a new phase.

___

Guzel reported from the Oncupinar border crossing. Associated Press writers Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey and Robert Badendieck in Istanbul contributed to this report.

___

Follow the APs Syria coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/syria
By James Mackenzie and Nidal al-Mughrabi

JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Reuters) -Israel is now more optimistic about a possible hostage deal in Gaza, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Monday, amid reports that Hamas had asked for lists of all hostages still held by militant groups in the Palestinian enclave.

He said indirect negotiations were under way about the return of about 100 hostages and that, while it was still too early to be sure, prospects had improved.

"We can be more optimistic than before but we are not there yet. I hope we will be there," Saar told a press conference in Jerusalem, reiterating Israel's position that the hostages still held in Gaza must be returned before Israel agrees to an end to the fighting.

"There will not be a ceasefire in Gaza without a hostage deal," he said.

A Palestinian official with knowledge of the mediation effort said Hamas had asked other factions in Gaza to start listing the names of Israeli and foreign hostages in their custody, whether dead or alive.

The official gave no further details of the mediation effort but said the mediators, backed by the United States, had stepped up contacts with Israel and Hamas.

Hamas officials declined immediate comment.

An official of a militant group allied with Hamas expressed hope that talks could lead to a deal.

Hamas gunmen took over 250 hostages back to Gaza after their attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed some 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies. Over 44,700 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive on Gaza that followed, Gaza health authorities say.

Some hostage families voiced cautious optimism after meeting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday. Netanyahu told them the time had come for a hostage deal, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said.

Each side accuses the other of standing in the way of a deal but Saar said Hamas' previous position "might have changed during recent times".

"So if both parties are interested in an agreement, there is a better chance it will be achieved," he said.

Israeli strikes across Gaza continued overnight and on Monday, medics said. One strike killed at least four people near Jabalia camp on the northern edge of the enclave, they said.

In Rafah, near the southern Gaza border with Egypt, health officials said rescue teams have recovered at least 11 bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes overnight and on Monday.

Residents of Al-Maghazi camp in the central Gaza Strip said some Israeli tanks pushed into the eastern area of the camp early on Monday, forcing some residents to flee their homes.

Later on Monday, medics said an Israeli strike in Al-Maghazi killed four children aged between 4 and 13, while an airstrike in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip killed six people.

The Israeli military has not commented on Monday's strikes on Gaza.

(Reporting by James Mackenzie and Nidal al-Mughrabi; Editing by Ros Russell and Toby Chopra)
Jay-Z, the star rapper and entrepreneur whose real name is Shawn Carter, was accused in a lawsuit Sunday of raping a 13-year-old girl in 2000 allegedly along with Sean Diddy Combs.

The anonymous accuser, identified only as Jane Doe, said the assault happened after she was driven to an MTV Video Music Awards after-party.

The federal lawsuit was originally filed in October in the Southern District of New York, listing Combs as a defendant. It was refiled Sunday to include Carter.

Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee, who filed the suit, did not comment.

Carter called the allegations "idiotic" in a lengthy statement Sunday evening and alleged that Buzbee was engaged in unprofessional behavior.

"These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree?" Carter said in a statement to NBC News. "These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case."

A spokesman for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York declined to comment on whether the office is pursuing the case when shown NBC News' report on the lawsuit.

Buzbee has filed several lawsuits in recent months  all have withheld their complainants names  accusing Combs of assault and rape. This is the first suit in which he has named another high-profile defendant.

In a statement, legal representatives for Combs called the suits "shameless publicity stunts, designed to extract payments from celebrities who fear having lies spread about them, just as lies have been spread about Mr. Combs."

"As his legal team has said before, Mr. Combs has full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyoneman or woman, adult or minor, the statement read.

Federal prosecutors in New York criminally charged Combs in September with racketeering, sex trafficking and other offenses, and he is behind bars at Brooklyns Metropolitan Detention Center after he was denied bail for a third time last month. His trial is scheduled for May 5.

Prosecutors said in a court hearing last month that they are in the process of potentially bringing more charges against Combs in a superseding indictment.

Before the lawsuit was refiled Sunday, "Carter received a letter from Plaintiffs counsel requesting a mediation to resolve this matter," Buzbee wrote in the suit. In response to the letter, which NBC News has seen, Carter filed his own lawsuit against the accuser's attorneys, Buzbee wrote in the suit.

You have made a terrible error in judgement thinking that all celebrities are the same, Carter added in his statement Sunday. Im not from your world. Im a young man who made it out of the project of Brooklyn. We dont play these types of games. We have very strict codes and honor. We protect children.

The lawsuit claims that in 2000, when Doe was 13, Combs and Carter raped her at a house party after the MTV Video Music Awards in New York.

Jay-Z at the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York on Sept. 7, 2000.

The lawsuit says a friend dropped her off at the VMAs at Radio City Music Hall. She did not have a ticket, and she approached various limousine drivers to try to gain access to the show or an after-party.

One driver, the lawsuit says, told her that he worked for Combs and that she fit what Diddy was looking for. He invited her to a party after the show and told her to return to his car later in the evening after he transported Combs, the suit says.

Later, the driver picked her up, the suit says, and after 20 minutes they arrived at a white house with a U-shaped driveway, the suit says. She had to sign a document she believed was a nondisclosure agreement on arrival  and did not receive a copy  to enter the party, which the suit says was filled with celebrities and people doing marijuana and cocaine.

She was offered a drink that made her feel woozy, lightheaded and felt [like] she needed to lie down, the suit says, and she went into a room to rest.

Shortly afterward, the suit says, Combs and Carter entered the room with Combs saying, You are ready to party!

Thats when, she alleges, Carter removed her clothes, held her down and raped her while Combs and an unnamed female celebrity watched. She says Combs also raped her as Carter and the woman looked on.

The suit says that she was able to resist being forced to perform oral sex on Combs by hitting him in the neck and that he stopped.

After the alleged assault, the suit says, she grabbed her clothes and left. She made her way to a gas station, where she called her father, it says.

The accuser is seeking unspecified damages. The lawsuit is filed under New Yorks Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act.

"My only heartbreak is for my family," Carter said in the statement. "My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people. I mourn yet another loss of innocence.

"Only your network of conspiracy theorists, fake physics, will believe the idiotic claims you have levied against me that, if not for the seriousness surrounding harm to kids, would be laughable," Carter added.

CORRECTION: (Dec. 16, 2024, 4:14 p.m. ET): A previous version of this article misstated who a limo driver was transporting to an after-party. It was just Combs, not Combs and Carter.
In the early morning hours of Dec. 26, 1996, JonBenet Ramsey was reported missing from her familys sprawling Boulder, Colo., home.

Hours later, her father John Ramsey found his little girls body in the basement of the home. She had a garrote around her neck, and her skull was smashed from an apparent blow to the back of her head.

For the last 28 years, the case has gone frustratingly unsolved. The Boulder Police Department has named and cleared suspects, changed personnel and organized task forces that have failed to hold anyone accountable for the 6-year-old beauty queens murder.

JonBenet Ramsey was found dead in the basement of her family home in 1996 in an unsolved mystery. SUPPLIED BY GLOBE PHOTOS, INC.

Police have reviewed more than 1,400 pieces of evidence and interviewed 140 possible suspects and witnesses. There are more than 50,000 pages of documents in the Boulder Police Department archives  but no one has been brought to justice.

Nothings off the table, a Boulder police department source told The Post. Were open to any possibilities to solve the case.

The case is now getting renewed interest with the Nov. 25 release of the Netflix docuseries Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey? The show examines the failures of the Boulder Police Department.

Here are some of the suspects who have been investigated throughout the last three decades.

The Ramsey Family

From the start, police have focused on the other people who were in the house: her parents, John and Patsy Ramsey and her 9-year-old brother Burke. At the start, Boulder police initially focused almost exclusively upon John and Patsy  and suspected that it was Patsy who wrote a ransom note found at the scene that demanded $118,000.

JonBenets parents John and Patsy Ramsey were the first suspects the police considered. 5.1.97

Then, for decades, the public has focused on Burke. Internet theorists speculate that he got into a fight with his sister over some pineapple she had eaten, and somehow accidentally hurt or killed her. Then, the theory claims, John and Patsy Ramsey covered up for their son by making it look like a home invasion.

But those theories dont account for the presence of an unknown males DNA that was found on JonBenets clothes. Within two weeks of the murder, DNA evidence seemed to indicate that someone else had been present at the time of the murder.

It was not until July 2008  nearly a dozen years after JonBenets murder  that the Boulder District Attorneys office announced that the Ramsey family members were no longer possible suspects in the case.

Patsy Ramsey was initially suspected of writing the ransom note found at the murder scene. Courtesy of Netflix

But the relief came too late for Patsy Ramsey, who died in 2006 from ovarian cancer. While some authorities questioned the public exoneration, the Boulder Police tells The Post that they are not actively looking into the Ramseys.

John Mark Karr

In 2002, John Mark Karr began communicating with an investigative journalist about the case  and seemingly knew details about the murder that were not public knowledge. By 2006, journalist Michael Tracey contacted authorities.

With Traceys help, Karr was tracked to Bangkok, where he was hiding to avoid unrelated child pornography charges in the US. He was extradited to Boulder and arrested. He confessed to murdering JonBenet, but the case against him soon fell apart: His DNA didnt match the samples taken from the crime scene. His estranged wife also provided an alibi, saying he was in North Carolina on the day that JonBenet was killed.

John Mark Karr confessed to the murder  but his DNA didnt match samples from the crime scene. ABACAUSA.COM

But when Karr was released, not everyone agreed with the decision. The FBI questioned whether Karr was being set free too soon. To me, hes still the one who might have gotten away, a Boulder police source tells the Post. Something about the guy still seems fishy to me.

In 2023, Karr spoke out publicly, saying that he was not crazy and not a liar  and doubling down on his claim that he was with JonBenet when she died. He also claimed he might be protecting someone. I know the truth, he said at the time, but no one will listen.

Gary Oliva

A convicted sex offender who lived in Boulder at the time of JonBenets murder, Oliva was fixated on the case, and even attended a candlelight vigil after the murder.

Oliva, who was a drifter at the time, had pictures of the little girl in his tent. He was frequently seen in the familys neighborhood. He even told police that he was fascinated with the case.

Olivas behavior caught the attention of the Ramsey family. John Ramsey told authorities that Oliva must be the killer.

Convicted sex offender Gary Oliva lived in Boulder and was fixated on the case. MediaNews Group via Getty Images

But there were problems with that theory: no physical evidence tied Oliva to the case. The DNA found at the scene was not a match and he was ruled out as the killer.

Oliva has spent the past 8 years in jail on child pornography and exploitation charges. He was released from prison earlier this year.

Oliva has acknowledged his obsession with JonBenet. In an interview obtained by Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey?, he said, When you see the footage of her in her little cowboy suit going, I want to be a cowboys sweetheart and all that, Ive never seen anything like it.

John Brewer Eustace

The investigation into the JonBenet went cross-country in 1997, after a 31-year-old drifter broke into a home in Charlotte, NC and kidnapped and raped a 2-year-old toddler. When police searched John Brewer Eustaces belongings, they found a notebook of clippings about the Ramsey case.

But authorities soon ruled him out: he was working at the time of the murders, and his DNA didnt match that found at the scene. Eustace is currently in prison for unrelated charges.

John Brewer Eustace was found with press clippings on the Ramsey case after getting arrested for raping a 2-year-old. Netflix

The Boulder Police investigator told The Post that Eustace was never a serious suspect, but they had to rule him out. There was a point where we looked at anyone across the country who had committed violence against little girls. We needed to eliminate suspects.

Michael Helgoth

An electrician in the area, Helgoth owned a pair of Hi-Tec boots that appeared to match a print left at the crime scene. He also owned a stun gun and detectives determined that JonBenets broken body showed marks from a similar device.

Helgoth also had a potential motive: he was embroiled in a property dispute with the Ramseys at the time. A private investigator hired by the Ramseys seemed to imply that authorities should focus on Helgoth.

Michael Helgoth was invovled in a property dispute with the Ramseys at the time of the murder. YouTube/Inside Edition

The mystery deepened in 1997, when authorities said that they were closing in on a suspect. Two days later, Helgoth committed suicide, leading many to believe that he killed himself because charges were imminent.

But authorities told The Post that Helgoth was never a serious suspect, and his DNA did not match any that was collected at the murder scene.
Shintartanya / Getty Images

Celebrating Kwanzaa matches my more is more holiday mindset: more opportunities to connect with family and friends, more chances to discover diaspora dishes, and more reasons to innovate with interesting ingredients. From December 26 to January 1, each day is anchored in one of the holidays seven principles (unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith), offering meaningful ways to sustain seasonal vibes for a full week.

I grew up in a household where our holiday festivities focused on Christmas and New Years. After relocating to Southern California, we started observing the nonreligious Kwanzaa holiday, too. This gave us seven more days of celebration rooted in African-centered culture, history, and traditions  plus plenty of communal cooking and concocting. Unlike other holidays, during which one cook is often burdened, Kwanzaas honoring of collective work calls for camaraderie in the kitchen.

Related: Jamaican Brown Stew Chicken

Kwanzaa is often criticized as new or made-up, but its rooted in centuries-old African teachings. The word Kwanzaa comes from a Swahili phrase meaning first fruits, reflecting weeklong harvest festivals celebrated throughout Africa at the end of one year and start of another. Created in 1966 in Southern California by the activist professor Maulana Karenga, Kwanzaa was designed for Pan-African peoples everywhere to rescue and reconstruct our history and culture. I conducted a rare interview with Dr. Karenga when I was writing the Kwanzaa entry for The Oxford Encyclopedia of Food and Drink in America, and he advised to first start with recipes from the African continent when planning fare for Kwanzaa, and then look to its broader diaspora, to dishes like Jamaican brown stew chicken.

As a culinary historian focused on foundational influences of the African crops, peoples, and food cultures that shaped American foodways, I keep in mind my underacknowledged ancestors, who endured indescribable loss and gave multitudes to this New World. I appreciate that Kwanzaa offers a culinary bridge of sorts for their descendants, uprooted and forever disconnected from their African homelands, to reconnect with foods from their place of origin. I also love Kwanzaas centrality of sustenance. Its core symbols evoke a place setting: a mat with fruits and vegetables, a unity cup for libations honoring ancestors, a candle-filled kinara (candleholder), and gifts as an extension of ourselves (usually food-related from me!).

Related: The 46 Best Food Gifts for Everyone on Your List

Throughout the holiday, I exercise the seven principles through a culinary lens: I embrace cooperative economics by gifting bottles from BIPOC wine and spirits makers, and choosing them for pairings at the karamu feast, which takes place on the evening of December 31. I harness creativity by developing new holiday recipes. I choose restorative African-originated superfoods like hibiscus and spirulina to incorporate Kwanzaas festive red and green colors. With more African products, including grains like fonio and teff, becoming increasingly available, its an exciting time for Kwanzaa menu-making.

Kwanzaa gatherings with extended family and friends allow for food-sharing and fellowship; old and young together, we reflect on the past and plan for the future collectively. Kwanzaas principles are meant to be applied year round, bringing more goodness not just to the holidays, but to the days and years ahead.



Read the original article on Food & Wine
A HelloFresh facility is under investigation by the United States Department of Labor after an ABC News report revealed allegations that migrant children were working at the facility in Aurora, Illinois, as recently as this summer.

At least six teenagers were found working night shifts at the facility, according to the report published by ABC, citing Cristobal Cavazos, executive director for advocacy group Immigrant Solidarity. The Department of Labor is also investigating a potential violation of federal child labor rules by Midway Staffing, which is said to have hired employees to work at the facility, the report said.

In a statement to USA TODAY, the Department of Labor said an investigation is ongoing for the facility in Illinois.

We can confirm that there is an open investigation of a HelloFresh facility in Aurora, IL, a spokesperson said.

When pressed about the reported allegations of child labor at the HelloFresh facility, a Department of Labor spokesperson declined to share further details about the investigation. USA TODAY has reached out to advocacy group Immigrant Solidarity for more information.

HelloFresh says it has cut all ties to staffing agency

A spokesperson for HelloFresh told USA TODAY that they had cut all ties with the staffing agency.

We were deeply troubled to learn of the allegations made against a former temporary staffing agency, Midway Staffing, the statement said. We have strict protocols in place to ensure all vendors follow our robust global ethics and compliance policies. We have zero tolerance for any form of child labor, and we have taken action to ensure no minors perform work in or have access to our facilities."

The company said the staffing agency provided services to a Factor75 foods facility which has been owned by HelloFresh since 2020.

Alleged child labor violations have been found across the country

A sanitation contractor was fined nearly $172,000 after federal authorities discovered that the company employed 11 children to do "dangerous work" at a pork processing facility in Iowa, USA TODAY reported earlier this month.

In the fiscal year 2024, the Department of Labor concluded 736 investigations uncovering child labor violations that affected 4,030 children and assessed employers more than $15.1 million in penalties for violating federal child labor laws, an 89 percent increase since 2023.

Back in February, the Department of Labor fined a Tennessee parts supplier for John Deere, Toro and Yamaha for illegally employing children as young as 14 in dangerous jobs.

Tuff Torq of Morristown in eastern Tennessee was ordered to pay a $296,951 penalty after the department's Wage and Hour Division confirmed the outdoor power equipment parts manufacturer "subjected 10 children to oppressive child labor," the Labor Department said in a statement.

Contributing: Mike Snider, Keenan Thomas, Kevin Baskins, Thao Nguyen

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach him at fernando.cervantes@gannett.com and follow him on X @fern_cerv_.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: HelloFresh facility in Illinois investigated by Department of Labor
Liz Cheney said: There is no conceivably appropriate factual or constitutional basis for what Donald Trump is suggesting. Photograph: Kamil Krzaczynski/AFP/Getty Images

The former Republican congresswoman Liz Cheney has described a threat by President-elect Donald Trump to imprison her alongside others involved in an investigation of his supporters 2021 US Capitol attack an assault on the rule of law and the foundations of our republic.

Cheney was responding to comments made by Trump during an interview with NBCs Meet the Press on Sunday in which he said members of the House committee investigating the January 6 Capitol attack should go to jail  but said he would not direct the attorney general or FBI he appoints during his second presidency to pursue the matter.

During that interview, Trump said: Cheney did something thats inexcusable, along with [Bennie] Thompson and the people on the  committee of political thugs and, you know, creeps.

They deleted and destroyed all evidence, Trump alleged without evidentiary support, adding that those responsible were Cheney and Thompson, a Mississippi Democrat. For what they did, honestly, they should go to jail.

In a statement containing her response and obtained by the New York Times, Cheney said Trump had lied about the Jan. 6  committee and that there was no conceivably appropriate factual or constitutional basis to go after the panels members.

There is no conceivably appropriate factual or constitutional basis for what Donald Trump is suggesting  a Justice Department investigation of the work of a congressional committee  and any lawyer who attempts to pursue that course would quickly find themselves engaged in sanctionable conduct, Cheney added.

She added that Trump attempted to overturn the 2020 presidential election that he lost to Joe Biden so that he could remain in the Oval Office by mobilizing an angry mob.

Related: Biden administration considers pardons for people Trump may target in revenge

This was the worst breach of our Constitution by any president in our nations history, said Cheney, the daughter of the former US vice-president Dick Cheney. Donald Trumps suggestion that members of Congress who later investigated his illegal and unconstitutional actions should be jailed is a continuation of his assault on the rule of law and the foundations of our republic.

The exchange comes as Biden is reportedly considering offering sweeping pardons to those who could become targets of Trumps promised retribution against his political enemies.

Efforts to prosecute Trump over the Capitol attack have been abandoned after he defeated Vice-President Kamala Harris in the 5 November White House election. But Cheney  a former Harris campaign surrogate  said material collected by the special counsel Jack Smith should be preserved and as much of that information as possible should be disclosed in the special counsels upcoming report.
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2025 will be the year of "Mocha Mousse" and "mocha moments," and Peet's Coffee is celebrating the color with free mochas on New Year's Day.

"You deserve a sweet treat!" Peet's said in a post on Instagram. "Ring in 2025 with a FREE small Caffe Mocha on 1/1/25 from 12pm  close when you mention 'Mocha Mousse' at checkout at participating Peets retail coffeebar locations."

As noted in caption, free mochas will be available at Peet's retail coffeebar locations starting 12 p.m. local time on Jan. 1, 2025 with the code "Mocha Mousse."

The offer is limited to one beverage per customer and is valid which stock lasts. It cannot be redeemed or used online or for in-app purchases. Peets locations within airports, supermarkets, etc. are excluded from the offer, the company said.

Peet's says the deal is being offered to "celebrate mocha lovers everywhere."

A sweet treat: Peet's Coffee will be giving out free mochas on New Year's Day at Peet's retail coffeebar locations starting 12 p.m. local time with the code "Mocha Mousse."

What is Mocha Mousse?

Last week, the Pantone Color Institute announced "Mocha Mousse" as the shade for 2025.

PANTONE 17-1230 (Mocha Mousse's government name), is a serene, lightly pigmented color. It's "a mellow brown infused with a sensorial and comforting warmth," Pantone Color Institute vice president Laurie Pressman previously told USA TODAY.

Pressman explained the color is meant to engage multiple senses and was inspired in part by "little treat culture"  a growing trend in which people punctuate their day with small pleasures like a store-bought coffee.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Peet's to give out free mochas inspired by Pantone's 'Mocha Mousse'
The City Council intends to file a lawsuit over Mayor Eric Adams' executive order flouting a controversial solitary confinement ban in city jails.

The City Council has filed a lawsuit over Mayor Eric Adams executive order flouting a controversial solitary confinement ban in city jails  arguing his push is an overstep and unprecedented abuse of power.

The suit, filed in Manhattan Supreme Court on Monday, is pushing to quash the emergency order Hizzoner enacted back in July to suspend parts of a newly passed law seeking to limit the amount of time inmates can be isolated from the general population.

The mayor only issued the orders  just one day before Local Law 42 was due to go into effect  as a retaliatory move after the council overrode his veto of the confinement ban, the suit argues.

The City Council intends to file a lawsuit over Mayor Eric Adams executive order flouting a controversial solitary confinement ban in city jails. Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock

The democratic process of lawmaking cannot justifiably be declared a state of emergency, and Mayor Adams emergency orders are an unlawful and unprecedented abuse of power, Speaker Adrienne Adams said.

The City Council overrode the Mayors veto to ban solitary confinement in city jails because its use has been proven to cause physical, psychological, and emotional harm and makes our city and jails less safe, she continued.

Mayor Adams decision to exceed his legal authority, simply because he was overruled, undermines the foundation of our democracy, and it must be invalidated.

If enacted, Local Law 42, which was passed by the council last December, would have banned punitive segregation in jails  including at the troubled Rikers Island Correctional Facility  beyond a four-hour de-escalation period.

It also would have changed the way jailers transported inmates from place to place by axing the practice of keeping them in handcuffs and leg irons while on buses or in other vehicles.

If enacted, Local Law 42, which was passed by the council last December, would have banned punitive segregation in jails  including at the troubled Rikers Island Correctional Facility. AP

The mayors order, however, modified the ban to allow the Department of Corrections to tailor solitary times depending on individual inmates needs.

City Hall, at the time, justified the emergency order because the ban could have been dangerous for jail staffers and other inmates.

Still, the council argues in court papers that Adams acted beyond lawful authority  and is asking for it to be scrapped entirely.

Since issuing the orders, Hizzoner too has extended the emergency declaration every 30 days and his order suspending the law every five days, the suit charges.

This lawsuit is aimed at ensuring mayoral abuse of democratic government cannot stand, and the human rights and safety crisis on Rikers caused by maintaining the status quo of failed policies and practices is discontinued, Speaker Adams said.

Despite his desperate power grabs, this mayor cant just ignore the laws he doesnt like, Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams added.

Ending the harmful isolation of solitary is a moral and legal imperative, yet the administration is desperately trying to maintain a status quo on Rikers that is dangerous to people on both sides of the bars.

Several organizations are set to back the legal filing  including the the Bronx Defenders and the New York Civil Liberties Union.
Mae Dulay | Unsplash

The Insurance Research Council (IRC) recently released a report on auto insurance affordability in Louisiana. Unfortunately, the findings are not new. As has been the case for years, Louisiana is still the least affordable state in the nation for personal auto insurance, with drivers paying 40% above the national average for annual premiums. According to the IRC, one of the key drivers of higher auto insurance costs in Louisiana is the high rate of claims litigation and attorney involvement in auto injury claims.

I applaud Louisiana Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple and state lawmakers for taking steps to address the auto insurance crisis by implementing some positive legal system abuse reforms, including direct action reform and litigation funding transparency laws, during the legislative session. However, their work was largely overshadowed by Gov. Jeff Landrys veto of critical collateral source reform, which was the most significant legal reform bill passed by the Legislature in 2024.

It is unclear why the governor decided to align himself with the trial bar on this issue, but what we do know is that Louisiana families and small businesses cannot afford to wait another year for our leaders to deal with the ongoing auto insurance crisis thats shrinking our pocketbooks and hurting our states economy.

In order to adequately address Louisianas sky-high auto insurance rates, Commissioner Temple and lawmakers are going to have to outwork the governor and his plaintiff attorney allies to enact veto-proof reforms that will promote competition in private passenger and commercial auto markets and bring more transparency and balance to our civil justice system. It wont be easy, but it must be done. It appears they are off to a good start.

Since Gov. Landrys veto this summer, lawmakers have spent more than 27 hours in committee meetings hearing from more than two dozen witnesses who provided testimony about different cost drivers that impact insurance premiums. From small business owners to hospital operators, ambulance service providers, lawyers, consumers and many others, a variety of perspectives have been presented. One message that seems to be consistent: there are several different factors that contribute to the crisis of availability and affordability in Louisianas auto insurance market  but none more so than the longstanding issue of legal system abuse.

According to the IRC, Louisianans are twice as likely to file an injury claim once an accident has occurred compared to the rest of the country. I dont think its any coincidence that Louisiana also experiences more than double the countrywide rate of attorney advertising. Simply put, they sue. We pay.

From brightly colored billboards to catchy commercials and radio ads, we are constantly bombarded with trial lawyer advertising that appears to be designed to fuel lawsuits. Why? Because more lawsuits equal more money in their pockets? Who benefits the most from the broken system we have now? Who is fighting hardest to stop reforms and maintain the status quo while our premiums keep going up?

We cannot continue down this road. We have to enact common sense solutions to prevent abuse of the legal system and level the playing field in Louisiana. Villainizing insurance providers, cherry-picking data that doesnt tell the whole story, and imposing new taxes will not help attract new companies into the state and it's certainly not going to help bring down costs.

It is long past time for Gov. Landry to put consumers and local businesses above special interests who benefit from the current system at the expense of everyone else. After all, the goal of Louisianas legal system should be providing justice for injured parties, not lining the pockets of trial lawyers.
A Indiana couple is facing felony charges after police said they left their 2-year-old daughter in a closet overnight with a space heater and the toddler was found dead the next day.

The toddler's temperature registered at nearly 109 degrees after death, according to court papers obtained by USA TODAY on Monday.

Sintia Perez, 21, and Jace Hirschy, 23, are each charged with one count of neglect of a child resulting in death and two counts of neglect of a dependent, according to Adams County Circuit Court online records.

The couple live in an apartment in the city of Berne, about 110 miles northeast of Indianapolis, court papers show.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed Dec. 2 in Adams County, Berne Police Department Assistant Chief James Newbold said police responded to the couple's home for a death investigation on the afternoon of Nov. 27 after Hirschy called the Adams County Sheriff's Office for medical assistance.

Botched at-home circumscison: Parents charged with abuse after child's circumcision using a utility tool, officials say

Child's body temperature read nearly 109 degrees hours after she was found dead

When Newbold arrived at the home, he wrote in charging documents, he met deputies, local EMS responders and the Indiana Department of Child Services, and learned Hirschy lived in the home with Perez and their three biological children ages 2, 3 and 5.

According to the four-page complaint, Newbold went into the apartment's main bedroom and went to a closet.

"I felt an immediate heat difference from the main bedroom to the interior of the closet," the assistant chief wrote. "The heat was much more significant in the small closet than in the main bedroom. A door separates the main bedroom and the closet, which was opened when I entered the room."

Inside the closet, the officer reported, he saw the couple's dead 2-year-old child lying on her left side in a crib inside the 6-foot by 8-foot closet.

"Due to the increased observation of the heat levels in the closet and concerns about other safety issues for other tenants in the apartment complex, property destruction, and the potential for fire, temperature readings were obtained in the room with an Infrared Thermal Device," the officer wrote in the complaint.

At 3:57 p.m., Newbold reported he documented them to read the following including:

Heat of the ceiling: 108.3 degrees

Heat of the crib railing, 101.8 degrees

Child body temperature after death: (Taken twice) 108.8 degrees and then 109.4 degrees

Space heater recalls: More than 500K space heaters sold on Amazon, TikTok recalled after 7 fires, injury

Closet door 'was closed nearly all the way' overnight

According to Newbold, Perez said her year-old daughter was placed in the crib about 7 p.m. on Nov. 2 and a space heater in the closet was turned on the closet door "was closed nearly all the way."

Perez said woke up at 12:30 p.m. but neither she nor Hirschy checked on the well-being of the child until after 3 p.m.

An autopsy conducted on Nov. 29, found the child died as a result of of hyperthermia (overheating of the body). The child's extended exposure to extreme heat resulted in her death.

The other two children in the home were detained by the Department of Child Services, according to the complaint.

"The children were found with lice," the complaint continues, and living conditions inside the apartment were "extremely unhealthy."

Court papers do not list the victim's name.

USA TODAY has reached out to the coroner in Adams County.

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Parents charged in child's space heater death due back in court next year

Online court records show both parents are represented by the Adams County Public Defender's Office.

USA TODAY has reached out to the office.

Neither were listed as inmates at the Adams County Jail on Monday.

Perez and Hirschy are due back in court on Feb. 14 for a pretrial conference and set for a jury trial in March, online records show.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Indiana child dies after being left in closet with space heater
A heavy police presence was reported near Spring High School Monday morning after a male was shot during a physical altercation involving juveniles, according to a Facebook post by Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman. Houston Chronicle

A heavy police presence was reported near Spring High School Monday morning after a Spring ISD student was shot during a physical altercation involving juveniles, according to officials with the school district.

CHICKEN RESTAURANT EXPANDS: Laynes Chicken Fingers continues Houston expansion with new Pasadena restaurant

Spring ISD officials told the Houston Chronicle the student who was injured in the shooting was transported to a nearby hospital and is currently in stable condition.

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The shooting occurred at Topgolf Spring at 560 Spring Park Center Blvd., according to an emailed statement from the school district, and resulted in both McNabb Elementary and Spring High School were placed on Secure status during law enforcement investigation, according to a Spring ISD statement.

The student was transported to a nearby hospital and is currently in stable condition, our thoughts are with them and their family during this difficult time. Law enforcement is actively investigating the situation," the statement reads.

Deputies responded to reports of two juveniles fighting in the parking lot, Harris County Precinct 4 Constable Mark Herman said in a Facebook post. One person was detained, and another was shot.

Health officials and Spring ISD Police were at the scene as the investigation continued.

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The safety of our students and staff remains our top priority. Counseling services are available for those needing support. Spring ISD officials said in the statement.
Shaurn Thomas

A Philadelphia man who was exonerated and given a $4.1 million settlement after serving 24 years in prison for a murder conviction that was dropped is headed back to prison  for a separate killing.

Shaurn Thomas  who was freed from a life sentence in 2017 after his 1992 murder conviction was overturned  pleaded guilty last Thursday to a 2023 slaying, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported.

Thomas, 50, was convicted of gunning down his girlfriends friend, Akeem Edwards, last year after the 38-year-old father allegedly failed to pay out $1,200 for the cocaine Thomas gave him to sell, according to the local paper.

Shaurn Thomas, 50, pleaded guilty to murder Thursday for the 2023 killing of Akeem Edwards, 38.

The judge at the plea hearing appeared nearly stunned by the facts of the case  that a multimillionaire who spent nearly half his life in prison would risk being sent back over a comparably measly amount of cash, the Inquirer reported.

Are these facts true? Common Pleas Court Judge Roxanne Covington asked Thomas on Thursday.

Yes, your honor, he replied.

In addition to the murder charge, Thomas pleaded guilty to conspiracy, illegal gun possession and other crimes.

Edwards family members told the Inquirer they hope his killer gets sent back to prison for the rest of his life at his sentencing scheduled for February.

Thomas was awarded a $4.1 million settlement by the city of Philadelphia after his 1992 murder conviction was overturned in 2017. ABC

Theres not enough time for them to possibly give him, Edwards sister, Tyeisha Marshall, told the newspaper.

Thomas had already been sentenced to life in prison once when he was just 20 years old before his conviction was overturned.

At the time, a jury convicted him of second-degree murder for the 1990 shooting death of a North Philadephia businessman in a robbery gone wrong, according to the local publication.

But a judge vacated his conviction in 2017 after issues with the police investigation  including the failure to verify his alleged alibi  and interrogation tactics involving alleged co-conspirators were unearthed. The Pennsylvania Innocence Project helped secure Thomas freedom.

Prosecutors said they werent 100% convinced that Thomas was completely innocent of the killing, but the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office declined to retry his case, the Inquirer reported.
Billionaire Elon Musks new Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is attracting interest from an unlikely corner: the left.

Progressives arent likely to support much of what Musk and his partner, entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, are aiming to do with DOGE  cut some $2 trillion from the federal government, which could include critical programs for Americans.

But Musk has been critical of wasteful spending at the Pentagon and of overbudgeted programs helmed by defense contractors, potentially aligning DOGE with progressive lawmakers who have long called to slash a defense budget that is approaching a trillion dollars per year.

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) drew headlines when he said Musk was right about defense spending, because the Pentagon has lost track of billions.

Last year, only 13 senators voted against the Military Industrial Complex and a defense budget full of waste and fraud. That must change, Sanders wrote on the social platform X.

Other progressive lawmakers have also backed the opportunity to potentially work with DOGE on the Pentagon budget.

Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.), a progressive lawmaker who has long pushed to reduce the Pentagons budget, said he was unsure if DOGE was a complete joke or a play toy for Musk.

Elon Musk is somewhat more of a colorful figure than an expert in government funds, he said, but if they actually give them some staffing and put in some responsible efforts and they seek bipartisan input, like I said, Im more than willing to try to work with them on things, but especially on the defense budget.

Progressive policy analysts are also taking the new DOGE commission with a grain of salt, but say they would welcome any real cuts.

Stephen Semler, nonresident senior fellow at the progressive think tank Center for International Policy, said he was approaching DOGE with high scrutiny, but with optimism.

If theres common ground, lets play ball, he said. But I think there needs to be more dialogue steering Musk and creating a groundswell of public support, encouraging him and DOGE to focus on the Pentagon waste.

DOGE will act as an advisory commission under President-elect Trump, who in his first term increased the defense budget.

But Musk, who poured in a quarter of a billion dollars to support Trumps campaign, appears to have the ear of the president-elect, at least on some decisions. Whether hes open to Pentagon budget tightening is an open question.

Phyllis Bennis, program director at the progressive think tank Institute for Policy Studies, said Trump stands on five sides, and there is uncertainty as to whether he would support cuts to a Pentagon budget she said is preposterously inflated.

I dont have any sense, and I would certainly not make any predictions, about how he would answer a proposal from Elon Musk about cutting the military budget, she said. Certainly [Trump] loves big, giant corporations that make a lot of money, and that pretty much describes the military producers.

Bennis said she was skeptical of DOGE sparking a real effort to cut the Pentagons budget, which she said should be focused on operations, such as cutting down the 750 military bases the U.S. operates across the globe when Washingtons biggest rival, China, has just four.

Im not so sure that [Musk] is going to be looking at the almost trillion-dollar military spending  and how it distorts the spending of the entire country, she said. If he did, that would be a good thing.

Most of the more than $6 trillion federal budget goes to mandatory programs such as Social Security and Medicare, but defense is the next largest piece of the funding and the bulk of discretionary spending. If Musk wants to make big cuts, he will likely have to target one of those areas.

In a Wall Street Journal op-ed last month, Musk and Ramaswamy said they would trim the federal workforce and target federal expenditures unauthorized by Congress, such as grants to international organizations or progressive groups.

They also noted the procurement process and federal contracts that have gone unexamined for years, pointing to the Pentagon failing its seventh audit in a row this year, which they said suggested the agencys leadership has little idea how its annual budget of more than $800 billion is spent.

Musk has often been critical of what he sees as wasteful spending at the Pentagon.

Our defense budget is pretty gigantic. Its a trillion dollars, he said at an event last month. The interest we owe on the debt is now higher than the defense budget. This is not sustainable.

And in a post on X, Musk pointed to concerns about the F-35 fighter jet program, which has long faced scrutiny for its high cost, production delays and unreliability.

On Capitol Hill, some Democrats are seeing the comments as a possible indicator that Musk is serious about defense cuts.

Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) said in a statement he would welcome a real effort to cut the bloated, wasteful defense budget that only enriches defense contractors and does not make Americans safer.

And Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.), a progressive lawmaker on the House Armed Services Committee, said defense contractors are ripping off American taxpayers.

We should work with DOGE to rein in waste and fraud, increase competition, and invest in technology that will strengthen our national security, Khanna said in a statement.

DOGE is just an advisory group, and even if Trump gave an endorsement for defense cuts, Congress will have to sign off.

Most of Congress remains supportive of increasing the defense budget, including the incoming chair of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.), who has called for a generational investment in defense to meet a challenging geopolitical security environment.

Peter Juul, director of national security at the Progressive Policy Institute, a center-left think tank, said the defense budget should increase given the dangerous state of the world, even though he agreed the Pentagon could be more efficient.

Its hard to see where you can do that right at this point, unless youre [proposing] a massive personnel cuts, he said. You might be able to shave the top line a bit, but its not going to be this massive savings.

On Capitol Hill, Juul said there is more appetite to keep things where they are or to push them even further, calling the hope for defense cuts wishful thinking by progressives.

But some Republicans are leaving the door open to defense cuts, including Sen. Joni Ernst (Iowa), a veteran who is leading a new DOGE caucus in the Senate.

Senator Ernst believes it is time to declare war on wasteful spending throughout the federal government including the Pentagon, which has failed seven straight audits and self-admittedly has $125 billion in unnecessary bureaucratic overhead, the senators spokesperson said.

Pocan said there is room on Capitol Hill for persuading some of his colleagues.

Lets make people who talk the talk walk the walk. If they really want to reduce spending and have a more efficient and lean government, then why wouldnt you care about something where theres definite, indisputable inefficiency?

Musk and Ramaswamy met with Republicans on Capitol Hill on Thursday to discuss DOGE and potential federal cuts, but the meetings were reportedly light on details.

Besides the F-35 program, progressives have long decried a slate of wasteful Pentagon initiatives such as the littoral combat ship, a 22-year-old effort meant to field small warships close to shore. The Navy, which has spent billions on the program only to decommission some ships just years after building them, is now moving away from buying more of the ships.

The U.S. is also spending more than $1 trillion over several years to modernize its nuclear triad of bomber planes, submarines and intercontinental ballistic missiles, the last of which has been criticized for growing costs and irrelevancy.

And defense contractors, which more than half of the defense budget goes to, have long been accused of overcharging the Pentagon for basic services such as soap dispensers, which Boeing once overcharged by nearly 8,000 percent.

Gabe Murphy, policy analyst at Taxpayers for Common Sense, a nonpartisan federal budget watchdog, said there is a no shortage of opportunity for DOGE if it wants to make cuts, explaining his organization is making a list the commission could use.

Murphy pointed to excess basing capacity as one area for cuts, noting the Pentagon has said it has 19 percent more staffing at military bases than needed.

We are hopeful this can lead to serious and thoughtful and targeted cuts, Murphy said. To cut wasteful and inefficient spending practices ultimately strengthens national security, [which] isnt achieved by a certain dollar amount. Its achieved by a sound strategy. And to have a sound strategy [is] by operating in a budget-informed 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.
Multiple college students in Colorado were taken to a hospital overnight after overdosing at a fraternity house due to a "possibly tainted batch of cocaine," police said.

Boulder police are investigating the overdoses after officers responded to the Kappa Sigma fraternity house between 10 and 10:30 p.m. on Saturday, according to the department's news release.

Preliminary information indicates that at least six men were taken to a hospital and treated by medical personnel, police said. One of the men's "prognosis was initially grave," but he and the others are now in stable condition, according to the release.

Further investigation determined that the sick individuals had consumed alcohol and the alleged tainted cocaine while at a party, police said. Detectives are also investigating whether the overdoses were related to pledging at the fraternity, according to the department.

"The Boulder Police Department would like to remind the community about the dangers of illegal drug and alcohol consumption," the release reads.

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The Boulder Police Department is investigating after several college students were taken to the hospital overnight after overdosing.



Full news release: https://t.co/KgEgvxnS98 pic.twitter.com/SeVUED5Nrz  Boulder Police Dept. (@boulderpolice) December 8, 2024

Kappa Sigma is an expelled fraternity off of University of Colorado Boulder's campus

Kappa Sigma has not been a recognized Greek chapter at CU Boulder for nearly 20 years and was expelled from an unaffiliated interfraternity council in 2015 "due to violations over time involving safety and welfare concerns," a spokesperson for the university told USA TODAY in a statement on Monday.

"CU Boulders Division of Student Affairs, Counseling and Psychiatric Services (CAPS) and the Office of Victim Assistance (OVA) are working together to communicate with those directly impacted and provide support," the statement reads.

"We are also working closely with the Boulder Police Department as it continues its criminal investigation. CU Boulders Division of Student Affairs will determine whether any necessary disciplinary action will be taken."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Students overdose on possibly 'tainted' cocaine at Boulder, CO frat
Abu Mohammad al-Jolanis road to Damascus has been long. He has talked openly about his change along the way. From young al Qaeda fighter two decades ago, to rebel commander espousing sectarian tolerance.

Its a journey along which he has had plenty of time to plan where and how he would mark his arrival, and to fine-tune his narrative  his message for those who put him in power, those who might bring him down, and others who can keep him in power.

It is no surprise that the Islamist rebel chose Damascuss venerated Umayyad Mosque  not a TV studio, nor newly absented presidential palace, but a place of towering religious significance, which at 1,300 years old is one of the worlds most ancient mosques  to deliver that message.

This victory, my brothers, is a victory for the entire Islamic nation, he told his tiny entourage, who stumbled behind him against the backdrop of the mosques distinctive black and white stone splendor.

It was a message to all those who had taken him to power, and propelled his Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) fighters at startling speed across Syria to oust President Bashar al-Assad.

It was a message too to the newly liberated Syrians. This victory, my brothers, by the grace of God Almighty (follows) the sacrifices of the martyrs, the widows, and the orphans. This victory, my brothers, has come through the suffering of those who endured imprisonment, he said.

In a country where the God you chose, and how you pray, can define your class, limit your aspirations and pit you against your neighbor, Jolani sent a very clear signal in the Umayyad Mosque. He is a Sunni Muslim, part of Syrias majority. Assad was an Alawite. There are Christians, Druze, Shia Muslims, Ismailis and more.

Yet the words he chose appeared intended to break those old bounds. This new triumph, my brothers, marks a new chapter in the history of the region, a history fraught with dangers (that left) Syria as a playground for Iranian ambitions, spreading sectarianism, stirring corruption, he said.

People welcome the leader of Syria's Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, before his speech at the Umayyad Mosque on December 8, 2024. - Aref Tammawi/AFP/Getty Images

Singling Iran out appears to be a message to Tehrans theocracy  that their meddling is over, their easy land access to their mega proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon is over, their support for Syrian Hezbollah is over, and gone too is the home they once had for Irans weapons stockpiles.

But it is a message Jolani will know is being heard in Tel Aviv and Washington, where he is considered to be a member of a proscribed terrorist organisation with a $10 million dollar bounty on his head. A message that says to them, your interests are understood in the new Syria, and an understanding on his part that these are the powers capable of bringing him down.

Jolani has been at pains on his race to Damascus to make sure US President Joe Biden and even President-elect Donald Trump know his intent. It is no coincidence that he picked a US TV network, CNN, and not an Arab one, for a key interview in the days before he ousted Assad, claiming he had parted company from other jihadists because of their brutal tactics.

Speaking a few hours later, Biden said he had heard Jolani saying the right things, but insisted the rebel leader be judged by his actions.

Jolanis message was also tuned for regional powers hell need to keep onside, promising to clean shop. Syria is being purified, he said, referring to the countrys regional reputation as a narco-state, saying Assads Syria had become the worlds leading source of Captagon, an amphetamine-type drug, and criminality through the region.

Jolanis mosque speech was about arrival and survival. Its his actions, though, that will secure the latter.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A 17-year-old boy was killed and another teen wounded during a vicious stabbing on a New York City sidewalk Thursday night - that left onlookers horrified by the blood massacre.

A 17-year-old boy was killed and another teen wounded Thursday night during a vicious stabbing in Lower Manhattan that was committed after the victims told their attackers they didnt speak English, according to police and sources.

The two teens were outside 17 John St. in the Financial District around 7:39 p.m. when they were approached by three male suspects, the NYPD and sources said.

The trio asked the teens if they could speak English  and when the victims said they couldnt, the suspects launched their attack, the sources said.

A 17-year-old boy was killed and another teen wounded Thursday night during a vicious stabbing in Lower Manhattan. Kevin C Downs forThe New York Post

Yeremi Colino, 17, was stabbed in the chest and an 18-year-old man was knifed in the left arm.

Both victims were rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where Colino succumbed to his injuries, police said. The other victim remains in stable condition.

The duo were stabbed with a knife, according to law enforcement sources.

No arrests have been made.

Colinos address, according to cops, is listed as Midtown, Manhattans Roosevelt Hotel, which houses migrants.

Three suspects approached the two teens outside 17 John St. in the Financial District around 7:39 p.m. Kevin C Downs forThe New York Post

Witnesses were left horrified by the brutal slaying that happened on the sidewalk outside Kuu, a popular ramen restaurant.

I was walking back from class and I saw a bunch of people screaming. I kinda look up and it looks like this kid is holding his neck and his friends are screaming, one witness, who requested anonymity, told The Post.

It was just a bunch of blood coming out of his mouth and maybe his neck as well. Ive never seen so much blood in my life. The kid collapsed. He looked like he tried to get back up again. He collapsed again. It was like straight out of a horror movie.

Yeremi Colino, 17, was stabbed in the chest and rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where he later died. Kevin C Downs forThe New York Post

Javier Pau was enjoying a bowl of spicy pork ramen inside the eatery when he looked up and saw one of the teen victims covered in blood and two other people in jackets running away.

He said the stabbing left him sick to his stomach.

I got lightheaded. I went to the bathroom, Pau told The Post.

That was my first time seeing that. It sucked. I lost my appetite.

Police had the area cordoned off as investigators probed the scene.

The investigation remains ongoing.
A Texas police officer was killed in the line of duty after being shot during a traffic stop, according to his department.

Terrell Police Department Officer Jacob Candanoza, 28, died on Monday from injuries he sustained during the traffic stop that occurred around 11 p.m. Sunday on South State Highway 34, according to a news release shared on the Department's Facebook page.

Candanoza requested additional units for assistance during the stop, but within moments of this dispatch, the department received two 911 calls about an officer being shot, police said. A radio transmission from a citizen gave police the same information, according to the release.

Pictured is Terrell police officer Jacob Candanoza

When officers arrived at the scene, they confirmed that Candanoza had been shot, police said. Candanoza received medical attention immediately before being taken to a nearby hospital where he ultimately died from his injuries, the department added.

Candanoza had only been an officer with the Terrell Police Department since July 2024, according to the release.

"Our deepest condolences go out to his family as they navigate this tragic time," police said.

Candanoza is survived by his wife and child, according to the Officer Down Memorial Page.

Suspect in custody for allegedly killing Jacob Candanoza

On Monday, Terrell police shared a Facebook post announcing that as of 5:30 a.m., a "suspect has been apprehended and is currently being held at the Kaufman County Detention Center."

Police said the investigation is ongoing. The department did not release the suspect's name or say if the individual has been charged.

The suspect in custody is a 25-year-old man from Mississippi, according to CBS News. He was taken into custody at the Mill Creek Ranch Resort, an RV park in Canton, Texas, about 30 miles east of Terrell, according to the outlet.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jacob Candanoza killed in the line of duty during traffic stop
A zoo employee is dead after being fatally attacked by a tiger while he was cleaning the animal's cage, officials in Romania are reporting.

City officials posted on social media that the attack took place in the morning hours Monday in the city of Pitesti, a city in the southcentral region of Romania.

A preliminary investigation by police revealed the 52-year-old victim, an employee of Pitesti Zoo, entered the tiger's cage without complying with safety protocol and was fatally attacked, according to the release.

USA TODAY Network file photo of a tiger in a zoo

The employee had worked at the zoo since 2015, officials announced. It was the first such attack in 50 years at the zoo.

Officials said an internal investigation is underway.

Polar bear attack: Man severely injured in polar bear attack while defending wife in Ontario

Mayor: Zoo activities suspended after employee fatally mauled by tiger

The city's mayor, Cristian Gentea shared thoughts with he victim's family in a post on his Facebook page, adding that he ordered a pause on activities at the zoo while the investigation is carried out.

Witnesses told Romanian outlet Evenimentul Zilei the attack was extremely violent, and a criminal case for manslaughter has been opened by local police.

Zoo leaders and workers were deeply affected by the incident, officials wrote in the news release.

Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@usatoday.com and follow her on X @nataliealund.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tiger kills employee at Romania zoo while he was cleaning cage
TikTok's offices in Culver City, Calif.

TikTok in a court filing Monday warned that U.S. small businesses and social media creators would lose $1.3 billion in revenue and earnings in just one month if the popular app is effectively shut down in the United States on Jan. 19, under provisions of a law targeting national security concerns about its China-based parent company.

Those numbers would only increase if the shutdown extends for more than a month, said Blake Chandlee, president of global business solutions for TikTok, in that court filing.

Chandlees declaration came as his company asked a federal appeals court to temporarily block a law that would require app stores operated by Apple and Google and internet providers to stop supporting TikTok on Jan. 19 unless its parent company ByteDance sells the app.

TikTok and ByteDance plan to ask the Supreme Court to overturn a recent ruling upholding the law, issued by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

The Supreme Court should have an opportunity, as the only court with appellate jurisdiction over this action, to decide whether to review this exceptionally important case, TikTok and ByteDance said in the filing, seeking a temporary injunction.

The injunction, if granted, would allow the app to continue operating until the Supreme Court decides whether to hear the appeal.

The filing also argued that an injunction is especially appropriate because it will give the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump, who will be sworn in on Jan. 20, the opportunity to decide if it wants to enforce the law.

If TikTok is effectively shut down in the United States in January, Chandlee wrote, American small businesses alone would lose more than $1 billion in revenue  even if the prohibitions are lifted after only a month.

Almost two million creators in the United States would suffer almost $300 million in lost earnings, and TikTok itself would lose 29% of our targeted global advertising revenue for 2025, Chandlee wrote.

He said that as of November, more than 7 million U.S. accounts use TikTok to do business.

And 69% of these businesses say that using TikTok has led to increased sales for their businesses in the last year, and 39% say that access to TikTok is critical to their businesss existence, he said, citing an economic impact report prepared for the company by Oxford Economics.

Chandlee also said in the filing that those businesses advertising, marketing and organic reach on TikTok contributed $24.2 billion to U.S. gross domestic product in 2023, with TikToks own operations adding another $8.5 billion to U.S. GDP.

The law TikTok wants blocked for now was passed by Congress and signed by President Joe Biden last spring after concerns about ByteDances alleged connections to the Chinese government.

In its unanimous ruling Friday, a three-judge panel on the appeals court in the District of Columbia rejected ByteDances argument that the ban would violate the First Amendment rights of 170 million U.S. users of the app, or other parts of the Constitution.

The panel, in its written opinion, said that the U.S. government offered persuasive evidence demonstrating that the divestment law is narrowly tailored to protect national security, and noted that TikTok never squarely denies that it has ever manipulated content at the direction of the Peoples Republic of China.

More from CNBC:
President-elect Donald Trump described Italys conservative Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as a real live wire after meeting her and other world leaders in Paris.

Trump, 76, told The Post that his meet-and-greet with the Italian leader at the reopening of the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral on Sunday was great and that she had a lot of energy.

I was with her a lot, Trump said of Meloni  noting that they dined together during a 60-member world leader reception.

President-elect Donald Trump described Italys conservative Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as a real live wire after meeting her and other world leaders in Paris on Sunday. ZUMAPRESS.com

We got along great, Trump added.

The Republican acknowledged that the group of world leaders at the reopening of the church was a similar group from four years ago when he was last in the White House  and that he hoped they could straighten out the world a little bit.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni smiles on the day she meets NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at Chigi Palace in Rome, Italy, November 5, 2024. REUTERS

Meloni, meanwhile, was elected Italys first female PM in 2022 after Trump left office.

The 47-year-old has since become a conservative force in European politics with polls showing her among one of the popular national leaders in the region.
President-elect Donald Trump announced that Alina Habba, his senior adviser and attorney, will serve as counselor to the president.

The appointment was shared through a post on Truth Social on Sunday evening, in which he wrote, "Alina has been a tireless advocate for Justice, a fierce Defender of the Rule of Law, and an invaluable Advisor to my Campaign and Transition Team. She has been unwavering in her loyalty, and unmatched in her resolve - standing with me through numerous 'trials,' battles, and countless days in Court."

"As a first generation American of Middle Eastern Heritage, she has become a role model for women in Law and Politics, most recently being named Chaldean Woman of the Year," the post continued, before congratulating Habba and her family on the appointment.

In his former administration, the position was held by Kellyanne Conway. It is not associated with the White House counsel's office.

PHOTO: Celebrity Sightings In New York City - May 30, 2024 (James Devaney/GC Images)

In additional social media posts the same evening, Trump announced several State Department roles, including Michael Anton as director of policy planning, Michael Needham as counselor and Christopher Landau as deputy secretary.

MORE: Trump meets with Macron in first international trip since reelection: 'World is going a little crazy right now'

"Michael served me loyally and effectively at the National Security Council in my First Term," Trump's post regarding the director of policy planning position said.

"He spent the last eight years explaining what an America First foreign policy truly means," it added.

For Needham, he wrote, "Mike has capably served Senator Marco Rubio for many years, and is a key leader in the America First Movement. He has been on the front lines of the fight for the Forgotten Men and Women of America for nearly two decades, and will do a great job at State."

MORE: Trump promises pardon for Jan 6 rioters on his first day

In while appointing the deputy secretary of the State Department, the president-elect posted, "Chris will work closely with our great Secretary of State Nominee, Marco Rubio, to promote our Nation's security and prosperity through an America First Foreign Policy. Chris served as my Ambassador to Mexico, where he worked tirelessly with our team to reduce illegal migration to the lowest levels in History."

"He is also one of our Country's great lawyers, and clerked for both Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas on the United States Supreme Court," the post continued. "He graduated from Harvard College, first in his Class, and Harvard Law School, and has argued nine cases in the U.S. Supreme Court."

All four of the posts appeared on Trump's account within the span of about one minute, just before 7 p.m.

Trump names Alina Habba counselor to the president, with other State Department roles originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Elizabeth Sander is an Education Reporter at the Houston Chronicle. She covers K-12 schools across the Greater Houston area, with a focus on issues that impact the 500,000+ students enrolled in Houston's suburban ISDs, charter schools and private schools.

She can be reached at elizabeth.sander@houstonchronicle.com.

Previously, Elizabeth was a Hearst fellow covering education, local politics and breaking news for the Houston Chronicle and the San Antonio Express-News.
In his first sit-down broadcast interview since the Nov. 5 election, President-elect Donald Trump said he would begin pardoning rioters who participated in the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol on "Day One."

Im going to look at everything. Were going to look at individual cases, Trump said in his Meet the Press interview, which aired on Sunday.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump arrives for a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron as part of ceremonies to mark the reopening of the Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral in Paris, France, Dec. 7, 2024.

In what has been billed as Americas largest-ever criminal investigation, at least 1,572 defendants have been charged in the Jan. 6 attack, according to Reuters, with crimes ranging from unlawfully entering restricted grounds to seditious conspiracy and violent assault.

Of that total, more than 1,251 have been convicted or pleaded guilty and 645 have been sentenced to prison, with punishments ranging from a few days to 22 years, according to the latest data from the Justice Department.

Did Trump promise to pardon everyone charged with a crime on Jan. 6?

Trump told moderator Kristen Welker that he planned to issue the pardons very quickly, starting on his first day in office which begins Jan. 20.

There could be some exceptions to his pardons, Trump said, if an individual had acted radical or crazy during the assault. He then referred to debunked claims that some members of Antifa and law enforcement officers had infiltrated the crowd.

Welker asked Trump whether the 900 people who had already pled guilty, including those who assaulted police officers, would be considered for pardons.

Trump would not rule them out, saying they had no choice but to attack the officers.

Pro-Trump protesters storm into the U.S. Capitol during clashes with police, during a rally to contest the certification of the 2020 U.S. presidential election results by the U.S. Congress in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 6, 2021.

Trump argued that a very nasty system caused many of the defendants to plead guilty, saying that the prisoners were given unfair plea deals and that their whole lives have been destroyed.

Trumps continued support echoes his rhetoric on the campaign trail. He repeatedly referred to Jan. 6 defendants as political prisoners and hostages during his re-election campaign. The former president even featured a song by the J6 Prison Choir, a group of men imprisoned for their participation in the attack on the Capitol, at his first 2024 campaign rally.

US Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn becomes emotional as he testifies during the Select Committee investigation of the January 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol, during their first hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, on July 27, 2021.

Where do the Jan. 6 convictions stand now?

The Justice Department notes that of the 900 people who have pled guilty, 321 defendants have pleaded guilty to felonies. Among those felonies, 170 pleaded guilty to assaulting law enforcement; 128 to obstructing law enforcement during a riot; 69 to assaulting law enforcement with a dangerous or deadly weapon; and four to seditious conspiracy.

According to a report by NBC News, existing cases against Jan. 6 defendants are expected to continue until President Joe Biden leaves office on Jan. 20. Shortly after the election, federal prosecutors in the Justice Departments Capitol Siege Section received guidance to proceed with pending cases, trials, sentencing hearings, and plea agreement hearings.

The guidance instructed prosecutors to focus on the most egregious conduct and cases until the end of the administration, including those who have yet to be arrested for assault on a law enforcement officer.

Supporters of US President Donald Trump gather across from the US Capitol on January 6, 2021 in Washington, D.C.

Jake Lang, a New York man who was charged with assaulting police officers and has been held in jail before trial, told Reuters he was hopeful he would be swept up in a blanket pardon.

I think on January 20, 2025 we are going to see a similar situation to Hunter Biden, Lang said in a phone interview. Everybodys pardoned, full exoneration. Get them all out of prison and get this thing over with, so that we can start the national healing process."

Reuters contributed to the reporting of this story.

Melissa Cruz is an elections reporting fellow who focuses on voter access issues for the USA TODAY Network. You can reach her at mcruz@gannett.com or on X, formerly Twitter, at @MelissaWrites22.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump vows to pardon Jan. 6 defendants. Does that mean everyone?
The home of a Jewish member of the University of Michigans Board of Regents was vandalized early Monday, in what the university described as a clear act of antisemitic intimidation.

The incident marks the third time Jordan Acker, a Michigan attorney elected to the board overseeing the universitys governance, has been targeted since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

The University of Michigan condemns these criminal acts in the strongest possible terms, the school said in a statement. They are abhorrent and, unfortunately, just the latest in a number of incidents where individuals have been harassed because of their work on behalf of the university. This is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

The sound of shattering glass jolted Acker from his sleep just after 2 a.m. Monday, he told CNN. He went downstairs to find his front windows had been smashed and his wifes car vandalized with what he described as messages about Palestine with a Hamas upside triangle.

The upside-down triangle has become a symbol of violent resistance to Israel, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Photos provided by Acker show someone scrawled Divest and Free Palestine on the vehicle.

Acker said his neighbors captured the incident on their ring camera and called the police. CNN has reached out to the Huntington Woods Police Department for comment.

As a public official, you expect a certain level of criticism  even protests  but this is not protest, this is terrorism, Acker said, adding the incident took place while his daughters were asleep upstairs.

This has nothing to do with the First Amendment, has nothing to do with Palestine, nothing to do with Israel and everything to do with trying to harass and intimidate Jews, Acker said, And this Jew will not be intimidated by it.

Jordan Acker, who is on the University of Michigan Board of Regents, is seen during a meeting, Wednesday, July 13, 2022, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) - Carlos Osorio/AP

The latest incident comes after months of escalating tensions between the universitys administration and students who have used increasingly confrontational tactics to demand leaders divest from Israel.

In May, protesters held late-night demonstrations outside the private homes of several university regents, placing fake bloody body bags on their lawns and tacking a list of demands to their front doors, according to a statement from university president Santa J. Ono. Ackers home was among those targeted.

Then, in June, Ackers law firm, Goodman Acker, was vandalized with pro-Palestinian language, CNN previously reported. At the time, the Southfield Police Department said they would investigate the incident as a hate crime.

Acker said hes received numerous private messages of sympathy following each of the attacks against him, but he said it is no longer enough.

Public leaders have public obligations, and I would call on every member of our congressional delegation  any elected official in Michigan  to call this out publicly as antisemitism because thats exactly what this is, he said.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Gilbert Flores/Variety via Getty Valerie Bertinelli

Valerie Bertinelli is paying tribute to her late father while reflecting on her relationship with complicated men.

Bertinelli, 64, shared an Instagram poston Saturday, Dec. 7, that featured a carousel of photos of herself with her dad, Andrew Bertinelli, who died in 2016 at the age of 82.

Its been eight years since my father passed, the former Food Network star shared in the caption of her post. She then went on to share some thoughts on how her perception of her father changed when she began putting him in the context of his own parents and childhood, noting that he "never had a model of what a father could or should be.

His father, Nazzareno Bertinelli, left a wife and son in Italy, moved to America, worked in the coal mines and married my grandmother Angelina," she shared. "I still dont know whether Nonnie knew or not. I know my father eventually knew because we found a couple of letters from his half brother after my fathers death. He never spoke to us about it.

Related: Valerie Bertinelli Says Its Sad Food Network Is Not About Cooking and Learning Any Longer

She recalled that her grandfather could scare the hell out of me while also showing kindness in other moments.



Valerie Bertinelli/Instagram Valerie Bertinelli and her father, Andrew Bertinelli

Men have mystified me ever since, she admitted. I witnessed that they could be kind and yet scary, never knowing which I was going to get.

The Hot in Cleveland actress then shared that her relationship with her father wasnt easy  and that it has had a lifelong impact on her romantic relationships.

My father had crazy high expectations. He was a stern and aggressive father to his sons and a loving but judgmental father to me  I dont even know how to explain how he treated my mother. I am still trying to undo the tangled yarn of being modeled what love is between two people.

I loved my father, she wrote. I still do. I just see him with clearer eyes now. And not without some guilt for judging him and his behavior. I have compassion for him. He was only able to work with the knowledge and experience that he had. He was a complicated man.

I still fall for complicated men, she concluded.

Valerie Bertinelli/Instagram Valerie Bertinelli and her father, Andrew Bertinelli

Bertinelli finalized her divorce from ex-husband Tom Vitale on Nov. 22, 2022. She posted about the split on social media in November 2024, celebrating what she called two years of freedom.

Two years of walking through self doubt and doing my best to get to the other side, she continued. Two years of knowing that I didnt deserve to tolerate the intolerable. Two years of working through shame and self loathing. (Still working on that partlong tail that) Two years of working to find my true self.

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.

Bertinelli dated writer Mike Goodnough from March until their relationship ended in November, according to a source. She's since shared several vulnerable messages to fans about her journey with mental health.

Related: Valerie Bertinelli Claps Back at Critics Who 'Sit in Judgment' of Her Figure: 'For the First Time... I Love My Body As It Is'

"So I dont know if you can tell from this video (and my heart is still beating a little rapidly as I write this) I had a really bad anxiety attack today," she wrote in the caption of a Nov. 17 Instagram video, which showed shaking hand. "I havent had one like this in a very, very long time. A few hours ago, I was weeping uncontrollably, and my heart felt like it was pounding out of my chest. I couldnt stop shaking.

Anyone else experience an extreme anxiety attack, and then the after effects still take a bit to calm? she asked fans in the post.

Anyway she added, This little bit of vulnerability is brought to you by someone who wants you to know youre not alone. Love you ."



Read the original article on People
A month after a devastating blaze in Southern California, red flag warnings have been issued across Los Angeles and parts of the region Monday as strong wind gusts could potentially cause extremely rare and dangerous fire conditions along with power outages, officials said.

The warnings are in effect from Monday through Wednesday night as damaging Santa Ana winds with gusts up to 40 to 65 mph will blow through, according to the National Weather Service in Los Angeles.

"This is a particularly dangerous situation with volatile conditions to cause fires that could spread rapidly and affect millions of people," Ariel Cohen, chief meteorologist for the National Weather Service in Los Angeles, told USA TODAY Monday.

Cohen said peak winds could reach up to 80 mph and were expected to occur late Monday night into Tuesday afternoon. The gusts will affect stretches in Los Angeles and Ventura counties including the Santa Monica Mountains and several coastal areas and valleys along the western San Fernando Valley. Cohen said residents should brace for possible evacuations as local authorities monitor the situation.

The warnings come about a month after a blaze raging northwest of Los Angeles known as the Mountain Fire, driven by strong winds burned tens of thousands of acres and destroyed and damaged hundreds of homes in western Ventura County. That blaze was the third most destructive wildfire in Southern California since at least 2013, Cohen said.

"As a result, there is the increasing threat for fire weather conditions to rival other historical fires in recent times including the Mountain and Thomas Fires," Monday's warning from the weather service added. "Dry offshore conditions will likely persist into Thursday morning."

Robert Munroe, another weather service meteorologist based in L.A., said the last time the region saw measurable rain was in late October and it has been more than six months or longer since the region has had "widespread meaningful" rainfall, except for the "occasional monsoon thunderstorms in the mountains and deserts late in the summer. In October, there was just "light rain off and on" for three days, he said, while most areas received less than a quarter of an inch and some foothill and mountain areas received a bit more.

"Since then, it's been dry, dry, dry," Munroe said. "And with relatively low humidity."

Santa Ana winds typically happen when air from a region of high pressure over dry desert flows westward toward low-pressure areas off the California coast. The activity commonly occurs in the fall around September and can last through the winter season through early spring.

Under a red flag warning, damaging wind gusts of 60 to 80 mph, likely along with humidity in the single digits, flow across windier mountains and foothills.

Power outages could also take effect as SoCal Edison notified more than 200,000 of its customers in the area that they may have to shut off their power as a precaution due to the red flag warnings.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Strong Santa Ana winds prompt red flag warnings in Southern California
Chinese device and EV maker Xiaomi (XIACF) on Monday revealed its latest offering in the ultracompetitive Chinese auto market, doubling down on the success it's already achieved with its SU7 EV sedan.

As first revealed on Xiaomis Weibo account, and subsequently on the head of marketing Leo Hes X account, the YU7 is a crossover SUV EV that closely resembles the SU7 sedan, which itself looks like a cross between a McLaren supercar and Porsche Taycan EV.

According to a Xiaomi regulatory filing translated by Chinese EV outlet CNEVPOST, the pure EV YU7 has similar dimensions to the Tesla Model Y and will be powered by a lithium-ion battery supplied by CATL, just like the SU7. The YU7 will have a dual-motor setup, with the front and rear motors outputting a combined 508 kW (681 hp), with a top speed of 253 kph (157 mph).

Xiaomi YU7 all-electric SUV. (Credit: Ministry of Industry and Information Technology) (Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT))

Xiaomi, along with its automotive partner BAIC, will build its latest vehicle at its Shanghai factory, to officially launch in June or July next year.

While no price has been revealed, when Xiaomi unveiled its current SU7, the base model had a starting price of 215,900 yuan ($29,720). The YU7 may have a similar low cost, though it is bigger and has a dual-motor setup.

The SU7 EV sedan has been a smashing success for Xiaomi: The company claims that its EV sales have been surging, with October deliveries alone topping 20,000 units and monthly deliveries of more than 10,000 units every month in Q3.

The company said it would boost production of the car to 130,000 units for 2024 after having already topped its production target of 100,000 last month.

Xiaomi YU7 all-electric SUV. (Credit: Ministry of Industry and Information Technology) (Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT))

The SU7, with its striking looks and tech-forward interior powered by a version of Android called HyperOS, has clearly been a hit with Chinese consumers who look to their cars as extensions of their digital devices. Xiaomis phones connect seamlessly to its vehicles and give users a unified experience across the products, a level Western automakers have not been able to achieve in China.

In assessing the China threat, Ford (F) CEO Jim Farley and CFO John Lawler reportedly traveled to China to test-drive a Chinese-made EV, with Lawler reportedly claiming China had surpassed them.

Farley later admitted to driving an imported SU7 for the past six months in the US, claiming it is fantastic. Farley told the Fully Charged podcast that Ford "flew [an SU7] from Shanghai to Chicago, and Ive been driving it for six months now, and I dont want to give it up.

The Xiaomi SU7 sedan and new YU7 SUV (credit: Xiaomi) (Xiaomi)

The YU7's tech and feature set will likely be very comparable to Farleys SU7, ramping up concern among Western automakers.

For now, the SU7 and YU7 will only be sold in China, but the company has intentions of rivaling the biggest and most innovative automakers. Our goal is to build a vehicle that matches up to Porsche and Tesla [models], a dream car for the new era of the automobile industry, Xiaomi chairman, founder, and CEO Lei Jun said last year at the SU7 launch event.

He went on to say that his goal is for Xiaomi to be a top-five global carmaker in the next 15 to 20 years.

Pras Subramanian is a reporter for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on X and on Instagram.

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Integrators and vendors are poised to play pivotal roles as governments in Australia are at crossroads as they adopt emerging technology to meet the internal needs of agencies and external needs of citizens.

Within government agencies, personalisation is a growing expectation, similar how to the private sector has integrated personalisation and customer experience to drive engagement and trust.

In an interview with ARN, John Mackenney, Adobe director of digital strategy group for Asia Pacific, said while commercial sectors had to compete on customer experience because products were standardised, the public sector is now realising that a personalised experience can rebuild trust.

Looking ahead to 2025, there will be a fundamental shift in how citizens interact with [the] government, he said. Governments need to leave assisted channels for complex cases and free up capacity for simpler digital interactions.

According to Mackenney, these interactions utilising interfaces are changing, with technologies like AI and conversational agents like ChatGPT transforming the way people engage.

The commercial sector is already ahead in terms of digital adoption, particularly with retail and ecommerce, he said. But at the rate [the] government is going, it will take five years to reach where the banking sector is today.
by Steve Suwannarat

The death penalty is again a topical issue in Southeast Asia after a Philippine woman sentenced to death for drug possession is set to go home where the death penalty is not in force. Capital punishment is widely enforced in Indonesia, Singapore, and Vietnam. A call is getting louder for the protection of vulnerable communities, with many voices warning that no justice system is immune to error.

Jakarta (AsiaNews)  Indonesias decision to repatriate Philippine national Mary Jane Veloso by Christmas has been welcomed as an important step by those committed those to the abolition of the death penalty in Southeast Asia. The only thing that remains is for Indonesian President Pabowo Subianto to sign the clemency measure.

The 39-year-old Philippine national was arrested in 2010 with 2.6 kilograms of heroin and sentenced to death in 2015. Since then, she has been waiting for her sentence to be carried out, until yesterday when she was informed of her release and repatriation to the Philippines where her case will be submitted to the local justice system.

This case highlights the importance of regional cooperation on justice and human rights issues.

This outcome is a testament to the enduring power of collective action, solidarity and the relentless efforts of advocates across Southeast Asia, said Mercy Chriesty Barends, APHR Co-chairperson and a member of Indonesias House of Representatives.

Mary Janes case is a poignant reminder of the vulnerabilities migrant workers face and the systemic failures that expose them to exploitation and injustice, she added.

APHR calls on the Philippine government to grant clemency to Veloso upon her return, recognizing her as a victim of human trafficking rather than a criminal, said Arlene D. Brosas, APHR Board Member and member of the Philippines House of Representatives.

In Southeast Asia, calls are getting louder for the regions governments, especially those that have the death penalty, to prioritise the protection of the most vulnerable groups, boost safeguards for migrants, and abolish punitive measures that perpetuate inequalities and lead to blatant errors, which are, as is precisely the case of capital punishment, irreversible.

At present, Indonesia, Singapore, and Vietnam still have capital punishment for the purpose of deterrence.

Myanmar, Laos, and Brunei have reduced the number of executions in recent years, but since civil broke out in the former, the situation in that country is uncertain, while in Muslim majority Brunei, the death penalty is imposed in a rigid application of Sharia, Islamic law.

Despite its illiberal and autocratic regime, Cambodia abolished capital punishment in 1989, followed in 2006 by the Philippines (where pressures for its reinstatement persist). In July 2023 Malaysia abolished the death penalty for a long list of offences after a five-year moratorium of executions. That still leaves some 1,300 inmates on death row whose fate remains uncertain.

A moratorium is also in place in Thailand, while Timor Leste, the only country that is not a full member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), excludes it from its Constitution.

Photo: Flickr/Lennon Ying-Dah Wong
SYRIA

After the fall of the regime of Bashar al-Assad, who found refuge in Russia, the US reported that it had hit more than 75 Islamic State targets in Syria. Turkey targeted Kurdish positions, while Israel advanced into the buffer zone dividing the two countries. Meanwhile, Abu Mohammed al-Julani, the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader who led the liberation from the regime, described the fall of Assad as an opportunity to turn Syria into a beacon for the Islamic nation.

SOUTH KOREA

The tug-of-war between President Yoon Suk Yeol and the opposition continues: the Chief Prosecutor of the Corruption Investigation Bureau for Senior Officials has issued travel bans against Yoon, who is currently under investigation for declaring martial law, and the police said they are reviewing the decision. The Defence Minister is also under investigation for alleged treason, and the Democratic Party has also accused the Prime Minister of insurrection, while the People Power Party, from which the President comes, has in recent days called for an orderly exit of Yoon from the national political scene.

TAIWAN - CHINA

Taiwan's military has raised the alert level saying China has set up seven areas with air navigation restrictions and sent coast guard boats to waters around the island following contacts between President Lai Ching-te and US officials in the Pacific. Taiwan's Ministry of Defence announced that it had initiated combat exercises in response.

INDIA

Indian farmers' protest march was suspended for the second time in two days after police used tear gas against protesters in Shambhu, on the Punjab-Haryana border. Since February, groups of farmers have been camped out between the two states and have repeatedly attempted to march towards New Delhi to demand that the central government implement a series of reforms, including greater guarantees on so-called minimum support prices, which protect the production of agricultural products even in the event of sharp declines.

TONGA

The Prime Minister of Tonga, Siaosi Sovaleni, resigned this morning for the good of the country, as he said, preceding a no-confidence motion against him due to clashes with the monarch, King Tupou VI, over constitutional issues. Parliament will reconvene on 24 December to consider candidates for premier.

PHILIPPINES

Three out of five signatures on receipts provided by the education department to justify expenses are non-existent. The chairman of the House Committee on Good Governance, Joel Chua, made this finding public today on documents that were produced during the period when Vice President Sara Duterte was head of the department. The misuse of funds was cited in two impeachment motions against her.

TURKMENISTAN

With the approach of the national holiday of Neutrality Day in Turkmenistan, President Serdar Berdymukhamedov ordered to meet the needs of the population by supplying the markets with products and items that are currently in short supply, opening special markets in the country's major centres, especially in Asgabat and Arkadag.

RUSSIA

The mayor of Moscow, Sergei Sobjanin, has announced that there will be no fireworks display for New Year's Eve in the capital this year, a sensational choice given Moscow's great tradition of illuminations in the sky, without giving an explanation, but evidently to set an example to other Russian cities by saving funds to be used only for defence.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

Moscow granted asylum to the leader of the Damascus regime that collapsed in a few days under the offensive of Islamic militias from the north. In Soviet times, Syria was considered the sixteenth republic of the Union, but Moscow's relationship with Damascus is much older, also due to ties with the patriarchate of Antioch. The node of the military bases in Tartus and Latakia, over which they will try to negotiate with the country's new leadership.

Moscow (AsiaNews) - Last stop Moscow: the Kremlin confirmed last night that the deposed Syrian President Bashar al Assad along with some family members arrived in the Russian capital fleeing Damascus. According to Russian agencies, Putin offered him asylum for humanitarian reasons.

Russia is a privileged observatory from which to watch the sudden fall of the Assad regime in just ten days due to a completely unexpected attack by radical Islamic militias from the north-west of Syria.

Damascus' army and special services have melted away like snow in the sun, but above all, the Russians, who had been protecting the regime for decades, have withdrawn. The new situation puts Moscow's forces, which have their main base in Syria in the Middle East and Mediterranean area, on hold.

In Soviet times, Syria was considered the sixteenth republic of the Union, and Moscow's relationship with Damascus also goes back centuries, both in relation to the political balance in the area, and because of the special connection of the ancient Orthodox patriarchate of Antioch with the more recent patriarchate of Moscow, to which the Syrians have always given their support.

Now the country is dominated by the jihadist group Hay'at Tahrir ash-Sham, considered terrorist in America, throughout the West and in Russia itself. The soldiers of the Syrian army have made it known that with the fall of the dictator, who had been in power since 2000 after succeeding his father Hafiz, who had ruled the country for 30 years, they now feel disbanded from their oath of allegiance, fleeing to Jordan or Iraq to escape enemy fighters.

It is clear that the action of the Islamists had been prepared for some time, and is a direct consequence of the Russian war in Ukraine. In Syria, Russia's most heinous militias, the battalions of the Chechen butchers and the mercenaries of the Wagner Company, assembled by the then-deceased Putin's cook, Evgenij Prigozin, had been formed, and there has been no trace of them in the Syrian lands for some time.

The mercenaries have themselves dispersed after the tragedy that caused the founder to disappear, and the Chechens who massacred the Ukrainians in the early years of the current war are now concentrated on the Kursk region, partly occupied by Kiev troops.

If one also considers the actions of Israel, which has reduced the pro-Iranian forces of Hamas and Hezbollah, also supporters of the Assad regime, to nothing, one realises that the timing was perfect for the final assault of the Islamic opposition forces.

Syrian Prime Minister Muhammad Gazi al-Djalali made himself available to the new victors led by Abu Muhammad al-Jawlani, remaining in Damascus under their custody. The Russian embassy in Damascus stated that the situation is under control, and everyone is working at full capacity.

The most important Russian bases in Tartus and Hmeimim, near Latakia, are currently awaiting instructions, and the Russian Foreign Ministry informed that the soldiers stationed in these and other locations are in full war footing, but at the moment there is no threat to their security.

As Russian political scientist Nikita Smagin explains, Russian operations in Syria over the past decade have been the first attempt to re-present itself as a major power on the international stage.

Now Moscow's reaction to the current events is very cautious and confused, as it is an entirely unforeseen situation, but the Russians may not be entirely upset by the regime change. While officially defending Assad from Islamic terrorists, what matters most for Russia is to remain in the region to defend its interests in the big geopolitical picture, keeping soldiers, ships and planes near the Mediterranean.

The Russians blame the West for the fall of Assad, because of the sanctions regime against him, and do not seem to be averse to an agreement with the new winners.
Milby High School is seen in this March 16, 2020, file photo. Godofredo A. Vasquez/Staff photographer

A Milby High School student was killed by a train around 7:30 a.m. Monday near campus, highlighting the dangers confronting thousands of Houston students who cross train tracks to get to school.

A Union Pacific train appeared to be moving slowly when the teen was fatally hit, according to witness accounts, Houston Homicide Division Sgt. Bill Elsbury said, adding that the death is being investigated as an accident.

"It's terrible, anytime you lose a child," Elsbury said. "Everything indicates right now that this is just a tragic accident. There's no indication of foul play or that anybody else was involved."

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The student was pronounced dead about two-tenths of a mile down the tracks, Elsbury said.



Houston Police have not identified the 15-year-old victim, and are working with Union Pacific to obtain surveillance footage and analyze the train's speed, Elsbury said. The railroad crosses and other safety measures appeared to be functioning properly at the time, he said.



Parents should remind students not to walk around railroad crosses when its safety arms are down, Elsbury said.

Union Pacific is investigating and cooperating with the community, according to a statement issued Monday.

Houston Homicide Division Sgt. Bill Elsbury, far right, and others investigate after a Milby High School student was struck by a train around 7:30 a.m. near campus in Houston, TX on Monday December 9, 2024. A Union Pacific train appeared to be moving slowly when the teen was hit, according to witness accounts, Houston Homicide Division Sgt. Bill Elsbury said. Sharon Steinmann/Houston Chronicle

"Our hearts go out to the family of a teenager who was struck and killed today in Houston," Union Pacific spokesperson Robynn Tysver wrote.

READ MORE: HISD students are crawling under trains to get to school

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A train blocked Broadway Boulevard, and police cars and crime scene tape lined the railroad tracks near the high school Monday morning. The train began moving at 1:37 p.m.

Families gathered in a supermarket parking lot nearby Monday.

Resident Chica Santos, who knows many students who attend Milby, said trains have posed a problem for at least a decade. Trains often stop in their tracks or cross at pickup and departure times, and students are often distracted with headphones or phones and rush to cross to get to school on time, Santos said.



While she said parents should do more to ensure student safety, she hopes to see Union Pacific adjust its crossing times around the school day and build a bridge for students to safely cross.



I hope that trains dont cross at this time of day for the safety of the kids, Santos said. I see a lot of things that aren't good. Kids climb over the train and that's also dangerous because they can slip. A passing would be good but I don't know, I don't know why they haven't put one. It would be good to have something where the kids could pass over the train, or have a specific schedule in which the kids don't cross."

An HISD spokesperson said a crisis response team, with professionals trained to provide support such as counseling, would be on campus.

"This loss is sure to raise emotions and concerns for our entire school, especially our students," a letter to parents reads.

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Milby sophomore Veronica Villafana said the school day has been "very emotional" for the entire community after their classmates' death was announced this morning.



"It feels so sad being there, seeing a lot of teachers cry," Villafana said. "There's a lot of emotions everywhere."



Villafana said students were already crawling under and over train cars when she and her father encountered the train, which had stopped in the middle of Broadway Boulevard near the school after the student's death Monday morning. As she had already once before, Villafana texted her mother that she had to "go under a train" to get to school.



"(My dad) told me, 'You'll be OK' .... He held my hand while I went under," Villafana said.



She said the train often crosses during school pickup and departure times or stops for minutes at a time, keeping students stuck yards away from the school. Milby's principal has a "three-strike rule" on tardies, Villafana said, which pressures students into making unsafe choices or risk being put into in-school suspension.



"That pressures the kids ... they want to make it there on time, and I guess that's what he was trying to do," Villafana said. "I guess they're saying, 'school is more important.'"

Remembering the student

A heaviness hung in the air for students as they left campus that afternoon. Those who knew the 15-year-old described him as a genuine, kind person who made friends easily and played on the junior varsity football team.



Students said rumors began to trickle into the school through social media and, later, announcements from the school after it entered a lockdown early Monday morning. Pictures of the student on the football team were circulated through social media as classmates and teammates tried frantically to contact him, senior Jasmin Gonzalez said.



Some were unaware of safety concerns due to the railroad tracks. Others, including Gonzalez, said Milby students with too many tardies risk enduring in-school suspension or removal from the schools magnet program.



Many students said theyd seen students crawl through a stopped train in order to get to class, which both Gonzalez and sophomore Veronica Villafana said some school employees had encouraged.



The principal hopefully would look into safety for the kids, because  if you're late, you're late, and you'll get in trouble, Gonzalez said. I guess thats why they would make that decision, do I go or not go?



Classmates gathered in groups while waiting for their parents to pick them up from the East Houston high school campus Monday afternoon. Steps away, a man in a neon-yellow uniform stood tearfully by the railroad tracks while a woman pushing a stroller paused somberly near the site of his death.



Milby has mourned one of its students in recent years. In 2022, Milby student-athlete Emily Castilleja died after crashing through a guardrail on Brays Bayou.



Students said they hope to see enhanced safety precautions, such as building a bridge over the railroad tracks or fewer morning train crossings, especially for students in Milbys Program for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.



In the meantime, junior Abraham Torres said he hopes the school and the student's family can find peace.



What happened to him was pretty tragic, Torres said. For now, I really hope that the family can get some comfort and closure for what has happened to them.

Longtime issue

Several students have been injured and at least one HISD employee was killed over the last two decades navigating the city's trains near their schools.

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The Houston Chronicle's Editorial Board wrote about the dangers in June, including that McReynolds Middle School students made a presentation to Union Pacific officials that trains are blocking students' paths home and students resort to going over and under the often stalled trains. A year later, nothing changed for these students, the Editorial Board reported, but local officials have applied for federal grants.

Council Member Joaquin Martinez, whose district includes Milby, said the district office has long been working on this issue and funding continues to be one of the biggest challenges. The district applied and received a federal grant for a separation grade at York, Sampson and Commerce.

"It's sad news, and prayers go to the family and the school, the faculty and the students there," Martinez said. He added, "As the investigation happens, we hope to be able to identify some solutions across the city where we can avoid especially incidents of this nature in the future."

State Rep. Christina Morales said she and her colleagues will work with law enforcement and Union Pacific to determine what happened and to make sure that the family's questions are answered. She and other elected officials have said for years these trains are blocking the way, she said, noting the trains' proximity to schools.

And Precinct 2 Commissioner Adrian Garcia said in a statement that he prioritized working with city and federal government to build new grade separations for safety.

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U.S. Rep. Sylvia Garcia called for a full investigation to understand what led to the student's death and identify ways to enhance safety in the community.

"I am deeply saddened by the tragic death of a student near Milby High School this morning," she commented. "My heart goes out to the family, friends, and community as they grieve this devastating loss. Please keep them in your prayers. I am closely monitoring the situation and have been in contact with Mayor Whitmire and officials at the local, state, and federal levels, including the Federal Railroad Administration."

State Sen. Carol Alvarado, joining Garcia's call for a full federal investigation, has had qualms with Union Pacific since she was a student at Milby.

Standing steps away from her alma mater and from the railroad tracks, Alvarado said the site has posed a safety concern for decades.

This is nothing new, Alvarado said. Its unfortunate that weve become used to these stories, deaths occurring.

Alvarado said she and other legislators will look to see what state authority it has over railroad companies and work with both Union Pacific and Houston ISD to ensure that student safety improves.

Maybe you don't have a train crossing during the morning and afternoon hours, Alvarado said. We're going to work with HISD and other authorities and officials and see if they can do that.

Officials at the local, state and federal level have long lamented the lack of investment around rail crossings, particularly on Houstons East End where stopped or slowed trains have led to years of complaints. Close to schools, the lack of safe crossings has led to criticism and concerns that students might try to climb on or under the stopped trains.



The Broadway crossing, however, has not been identified as a priority by the city, county or regional transportation officials. More than a decade ago, it ranked 35th of 55 crossings examined during the regions freight rail study.



Grants have been sought in recent years for underpasses closer to downtown, such as along Commerce, Milby and Lockwood, along with a traffic-related crossing where train tracks cross Griggs, Long and Mykawa south of MacGregor Park.

In the past decade, there has not been a vehicle or pedestrian incident at the crossing related to a train, according to a review of crash data maintained by the Texas Department of Transportation.

How many more generations of kids at McReynolds Middle School should have to risk life and limb to get to a school blocked by trains? Houston Chronicle
Due to the security situation in Syria, the diplomatic staff of the Armenian Embassy in Damascus will temporarily continue its work from Beirut, the Armenian Foreign Ministry said in a statement released on Sunday.

Armenia also effectively shut down its consulate in Aleppo shortly before the northern Syrian city fell late last month to the rebels led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) Islamist militant group. Both diplomatic missions had functioned throughout the Syrian civil war.

An estimated 80,000 ethnic Armenians lived in the Middle Eastern country when the war broke out in 2011. The once thriving community is believed to have shrunk by more than half since then. Thousands of its members took refuge in Armenia over a decade ago.

Armenias Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs said on December 5 that the first group of Syrian Armenians that managed to flee Aleppo is due to be flown to Yerevan from Damascus December 14. The Armenian Foreign Ministry statement indicated, however, that the flight has been cancelled. It said that there is no safe possibility of evacuating Syrian Armenians at the moment.

Meanwhile, the spiritual leadership of the local Armenian community urged its members to stay discreet and cautious in the current circumstances and leave their homes only if necessary. It also said that the community will continue to strive for Syrias territorial integrity and welfare and assist in its reconstruction efforts.

There are widespread concerns in Armenia about the security of the community and the uncertain future facing it after the rebel takeover.

The situation is calm right now. It was much worse yesterday and the day before, Hagop Khajarian, an ethnic Armenian resident of Damascus, told RFE/RLs Armenian Service on Monday.

But things are uncertain and we dont know how this will end, he said.

Khajarian said that although no Armenian is known to have been hurt in recent days, many community members plan to leave Syria.

Everyone I have spoken to has the following plan: when things calm down and there is an opportunity, they will think about getting out, added the man.

HTS is a U.S.- and EU-designated terrorist organization. In recent years, the group severed ties with Al-Qaeda and sought to remake itself as a pragmatic alternative to the Syrian government.

But concerns remain over its alleged rights abuses and ties to terrorist groups. Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the HTS leader, has sought to reassure Shi'ite Alawites and other Syrian minorities, including Christians, that he will not discriminate against them.

Turkeys support for the rebels is another source of Armenian fears. Before its lighting offensive that toppled Assads regime, HTS controlled much of Syrias northern Idlib province where Ankara reportedly recruited thousands of mercenaries and sent them to fight on Azerbaijans side in the 2020 war in Nagorno-Karabakh.
9 December 2024 13:59 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

Notre Dame Cathedral, known as a symbol of the political and economic crisis in Europe and the West due to the massive fire accident, has finally been restored and returned to the service of the Christian community. Although the incident was claimed to be an accident, analysts have not ruled out that there were many political motives behind the Cathedral fire.

On April 15, 2019, amid political turmoil in France, a massive blaze at Notre-Dame Cathedral in central Paris devastated a large part of the church, leaving the landmark's roof entirely destroyed and the iconic spire collapsed.

The famous French writer Victor Hugo, in his novel Notre Dame de Paris, better known as The Hunchback of Notre Dame, used expressions such as great edifice and the work of centuries about Notre Dame Cathedral, emphasizing its product of human intelligence. He also described the magnificence of the Cathedral, which was built by human hands.

But over time, the Cathedral began to literally become a center of suicides. Dominique Venner, the far-right French essayist who shot himself before the altar of Notre Dame Cathedral astounded the Parisians. Although many have linked the cause of his suicide to Islam, in fact, Venner was lamenting the crisis in which Europe was rapidly falling into decline. He strongly protested against same-sex marriage and the migrant chaos in France and Europe. His views were based on the preservation of a pure Christian society and the prevention of unhealthy traditions that infected society. By committing suicide, Verner expressed his frustration with the threat that France and the European world as a whole would face and his desire to get rid of it.

So it turns out that the Notre Dame fire accident was a cry from the entire Christendom and a stark message about the miserable state the country was in. Accidents are often caused by carelessness, which can result in devastating consequences, as we usually assume.

The 2019 Notre-Dame fire was also characterized as a reflection of the building's historical weight, such as the political motives and the lack of governments ruling the country in a proper manner. It also vented anger against the Macron government, which came to power in France in 2017 but failed to deliver on its promises.

Crowd Behind the Grand Opening

Massive protests broke out in France amid the ongoing political crisis in the country. Thousands of workers took to the streets in Paris, demanding French President Emmanuel Macron's resignation. According to news releases, the protest was organised by 'discontented public workers'.

Despite all this, the bells of Notre Dame rang again, as French President Emmanuel Macron said in the reopening ceremony of the world-famous cathedral in Paris. The opening of this magnificent building welcomed the worlds famous leaders, including the US President-elect Donald Trump. Many have said Macrons organizing the opening ceremony is a glimpse of hope for standing upright in his presidential position, despite heavy protests calling for his immediate resignation. In addition, the ceremony came at the end of a challenging week for the French president, after the collapse of the government, which left the country with no prospect or plan.

Macron on the ropes after his hung parliament leaves him an undesirable choice

Emmanuel Macrons new government faced no-confidence votes less than 12 hours after it was unveiled.

Michel Barnier, the French prime minister, unveiled his new centre-right cabinet, awarding plum posts such as interior and finance ministers to mainstream conservatives and Macron allies, provoking anger from the opposition and threats to topple the government.

Thus, three months after he was appointed prime minister by French President Emmanuel Macron, Michel Barnier and his government were toppled on Wednesday, December 4, after a majority of MPs voted in favor of a motion of no-confidence.

Many asked a question  Why so early?

For the first time in over sixty years, the National Assembly lower house toppled the incumbent government, approving a no-confidence motion that had been proposed by the hard left but which crucially was backed by the far right headed by Marine Le Pen.

Barnier's rapid ejection from office comes after snap parliamentary elections this summer which resulted in a hung parliament with no party having an overall majority and the far-right holding the key to the government's survival.

President Emmanuel Macron now has the unenviable choice of picking a viable successor with over two years of his presidential term left.
9 December 2024 11:37 (UTC+04:00)

Nazrin Abdul Read more

Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia discussed opportunities to promote trade and investment, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry of Economy.

These discussions took place during Minister Mikayil Jabbarov's visit to Saudi Arabia.

Jabbarov met with Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, the Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia, where they highlighted the growing economic and business relations between the two countries. The conversation focused on economic diversification and ways to promote trade and investment in alignment with the sustainable development goals of both nations.

During a meeting with Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, the two sides exchanged views on the "green energy" agenda, discussing successful joint efforts and potential future cooperation on energy transition projects.

The importance of increasing the efficiency of renewable energy and expanding alternative energy sources in Azerbaijans economic development strategy was also emphasized, with cooperation from Saudi Arabia seen as key in this effort.
9 December 2024 13:00 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Azerbaijan and Turkiye are set to deepen their cooperation in water resources management, according to the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency, Azernews reports.

During a visit to Turkiye, Agency representatives, including Afsana Asgarova, Elmar Orujov, Ruslan Salmanov, Ilgar Hasanov, and Elnur Nasirov, met with Mehmet Akif Balta, Head of the State Water Affairs Department, and other specialists. The discussions focused on improving state oversight of water resource use and protection.

The meetings featured exchanges of expertise, presentations, and dialogue on shared interests. Both sides highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration and knowledge-sharing to advance water management practices in their respective countries.
9 December 2024 14:17 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

A meeting with Honored Artist, Associate Professor of the Azerbaijan National Conservatory, and kamancha performer Elnur Ahmadov will take place at Gabil Aliyev Children's Music School No. 1 in the city of Aghdash on December 11, Azernews reports.

The event is organized in the framework of the project "Sntkarn dostu" (Friend of Artist), initiated by the Culture Ministry's Scientific-Methodological and Qualification Center of Culture with the support of the Central Aran Regional Cultural Department.

The meeting in the city of Aghdash will be dedicated to the kamancha musical instrument, the tradition of performing on it, the role of kamancha in the development of professional musical culture, pedagogical activity, and will also discuss stimulating the creativity of children and youth.

In 2017, the "Art of crafting and playing with Kamantcheh/Kamancha, a bowed string musical instrument" was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az, and Milli.Az

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9 December 2024 17:10 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

The Arts Council Azerbaijan has celebrated International Artist Day with an exhibition by Samira Faizova, a member of the Azerbaijan Artists' Union, Azernews reports.

The exhibition "Colors of My Soul" opened its doors to art lovers at the 1969 Gallery in Baku.

December 8 is celebrated as International Artist Day, established in 2007 by the International Association "Art of the Peoples of the World."

In his speech, the head of the Arts Council Azerbaijan Dadashe Mammadov stressed that International Artist Day is a celebration not only for professionals and art enthusiasts. Creativity preserves within a person the ability to rejoice in the world and love it. Familiarity with visual arts allows one not only to expand their knowledge and horizons but also to connect with this wonderful realm. Today, in honor of the holiday, various events are held worldwide, including exhibitions, plein airs, master classes, installations, and performances.

The exhibition "Colors of My Soul" provides viewers the opportunity to appreciate the multifaceted creativity of the young artist and experience moments of personal revelations through the prism of artistic images, expressing deep emotions and experiences through painting. The paintings showcased in the exhibition not only reflect the beauty of nature but also symbolize the subtle emotions and aspirations of the artist, revealed in each brushstroke.

Samira Faizova was born in Baku and graduated with honors from the Azerbaijan State Academy of Arts. She has participated in numerous exhibitions in Azerbaijan, Germany, and the Czech Republic. Samira Faizova is a member of the Arts Council of Azerbaijan.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az and Milli.Az.
Water cremation is considered more gentle than traditional cremation and releases less fossil fuels. ManuelBurgos/Getty Images

An illegal cremation method got a medical center in North Texas a cease-and-desist letter from the Texas Funeral Service Commission and its body donation program under internal review in November. But water cremation  or alkaline hydrolysis  is legal in 28 other states, and its ecological benefits have piqued the interest of a growing number of Texans.

So much so that a few years ago, a cremation service in Austin started offering to fly the body of a person's loved-one on a Southwest flight to St. Louis, Missouri, to liquefy them using alkaline hydrolysis.

Water cremation has faced the Texas Legislature multiple times in the past few years with no success. The most recent attempt came through a senate bill that died on the table last legislative session.

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To some, the back and forth speaks to an issue of separation of church and state. To others, the process is too new to cut the red tape on. And to complicate a debate about what Texans get to do with their bodies when they die, and who decides, theres a statutory conflict about the process that has led to confusion over what exactly is allowed.

So what is alkaline hydrolysis, and why is it so contested?

What is Alkaline Hydrolysis?

Alkaline hydrolysis  also known as water cremation, green cremation and flameless cremation  uses water, heat and alkaline chemicals along with pressure to speed up the process of natural decomposition. It leaves a small amount of bone fragments and a neutral liquid called effluent, according to the Cremation Association of North America.

The body goes in an air- and water-tight chamber with approximately 100 gallons of liquid. The process typically uses 95% water and 5% alkaline, or basic chemicals, which include potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide or a mix of the two. Pressure or heat are often added, and the process takes anywhere from 3 to 16 hours depending on the equipment and body mass.

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Essentially, the process accelerates the decomposition a body goes through after its burial by using chemicals.

Its generally considered more gentle than traditional cremation and releases less fossil fuels. But to Barabara Kemmis, executive director of the Cremation Association of North America, the carbon-footprint point depends on how you look at it.

If youre looking at fossil fuels, theres almost no usage, but hundreds of gallons of water  theres some usage, Kemmis said.

So, what happens to the water?

Though it might sound weird, the water is considered cleaner than most wastewater, according to the Cremation Association of North America. Its considered sterile and contains some sugars, amino acids and peptides.

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The water is discharged through drains into the local wastewater system and is subject to state or local laws. It can even in some instances be used for fertilizer due to the potassium and sodium content.

Why are people interested in alkaline hydrolysis?

Eric Neuhaus, the founder of Green Cremation Texas  an Austin-based cremation service that offers to fly the deceased out on a Southwest flight to a partner practicing alkaline hydrolysis in St. Louis Missouri  said over the past five years hes offered the service, hes seen families choose it for a few common reasons.

For one, some people are afraid or uncomfortable with the fire and high temperatures involved in traditional cremation, so water cremation offers a comforting alternative. The other is the environmental advantage that comes with a lower amount of energy consumption.

But regardless of the driver, Neuhaus boils it down to finding comfort in an inherently uncomfortable part of life.

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The idea of death is very discomforting, and having to make these decisions is extremely difficult, Neuhaus said. There are options, and (alkaline hydrolysis) is certainly a very real option for a lot of families, and the environmental impact is an added bonus.

Is alkaline hydrolysis a new process?

Not exactly. It was developed in 1888 by a resourceful farmer eager to make fertilizer from animal carcasses. Then in the early 1990s, a medical college in Albany picked up the process to deal with human cadavers, leading to more and more universities and hospitals starting the process.

But despite the growing interest in the alkaline hydrolysis, Kemmis said the practice still makes up a small number of cremations, as its only been available to consumers for about a decade.

There are fewer than 100 alkaline hydrolysis facilities across the country. The demand or interest is not even close to flame cremation yet, but its definitely increasing as more people learn about it.

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Who opposes water cremation?

A good number of folks have a bone to pick with the process  enough so, that bills to authorize alkaline hydrolysis in Texas have all failed in the legislature.

The opposition can be geographically dependent, Kemmis said. But in the Lone Star State, the loudest voice against it is religious.

For people in desert areas, its a big objection. Its how can we justify doing this in the desert? But in Texas, its been primarily the Catholic church, Kemis said.

For this committee to approve of this method of disposition would be a direct contradiction to the states profound respect for human life and human remains as expressed by other laws, the statement reads.

Texas proponents of legalizing alkaline hydrolysis argue the religious opposition bars on blurring the lines between church and state. Beyond that, they consider the legislatures power to decide what happens to a persons remains unfair  whether lawmakers agree with liquid cremation or not.

Its important for all people to have the option to choose the method of disposition, and the state government combined with religious groups keep these important options out of the hands of many Texas families, Neuhaus said. I think a healthier separation of church and state could change that.

Having the overreach of the Texas government is an embarrassment as a life-long Texan.

Legal loophole? History of failed bills

Last legislative session, Sen. Nathan Johnson, D-Dallas, filed a bill to add alkaline hydrolysis to the Texas Funeral Service Commissions definition of cremation, but it was left pending in committee.

The process has a lot of clear advantages, and whether you choose to do it or not is a consumer choice, Johnson said. I dont see any compelling reason for the state to be prohibiting it.

Right now, state law does not include alkaline hydrolysis in the definition of cremation. But a section of Texas Administrative Code that governs what medical centers can do with cadavers once it's time for disposition does list it as a viable option.

The legislature should make nice and clear instructions so that we dont have to engage in such prohibitive guess work, Johnson said.

The confusion the statutory conflict created has been a thorn in the side of the Texas Funeral Service Commissions job regulating willed body programs, which took over the duties of the shuttered State Anatomical Board in September of this year.

The murky back and forth between administrative code and state law was a major point in the suspension of the willed body program at the University of North Texas Science Center this fall. University officials said they performed hydrolysis under the go-ahead from the administrative code, and the funeral commission laid down state law, which they said supersedes it.

Scott Bingaman, executive director of the Texas Funeral Service Commission, said since the commission absorbed the State Anatomical Board, it has reminded medical centers that state law on liquid cremation reigns supreme, and the commission plans to propose repealing the section of administrative code that allows for it.

With the attention from headlines about the debacle at the university, Bingaman said hes got a feeling a law to authorize hydrolysis this upcoming legislative session wont garner too much favor.

Johnson said renewed doubt that may spring from the issue at the university isnt a blunder on alkaline hydrolysis itself, even if some are likely to take it that way.

It wasnt something they did wrong that was the product of scientific process; its just another thing where people might get uncomfortable, Johnson said. Certain people feel its icky and dont want to see it go forward for that reason, and I dont think thats good policy. We are denying people something meaningful to them.

Previous legislative attempts in 2017 and 2019 to legalize liquid cremation also met an unsuccessful end.

But proponents like Johnson, see the path to legalizing alkaline hydrolysis, as one rooted in personal choice and freedom.
9 December 2024 11:18 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

A dazzling solo concert by Azerbaijani People's Artist Miri Yusif took center stage at one of Londons elite concert venues, celebrating the World Azerbaijanis' Solidarity Day, Azernews reports.

Organized by the Azerbaijani Embassy in the United Kingdom with the support of the Azerbaijani Diaspora Support Fund under the State Committee for Work with Diaspora, the event brought together more than 400 Azerbaijani community members, including students and professionals, living in the UK.

Miri Yusif captivated the audience with his soulful performances of iconic songs such as "Agh Teyyara," "Tark-i Hayat," "Senden bir denedir," and "Ad gune." His vibrant energy and heartfelt renditions, accompanied by DJ China, created an electric atmosphere, leaving the audience mesmerized and applauding thunderously.

Azerbaijans Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Elin Suleymanov, addressed the gathering, extending his heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of the World Azerbaijanis' Solidarity Day. He expressed gratitude to Miri Yusif for his outstanding performance and thanked the State Committee for Work with Diaspora for their invaluable support in organizing the event.

In his remarks, Suleymanov highlighted Azerbaijans growing achievements under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, which serve as a source of pride for Azerbaijanis worldwide. He called on the diaspora to uphold unity and solidarity, ensuring that Azerbaijans tricolor flag continues to soar. Concluding his speech, he wished Azerbaijanis a prosperous and successful New Year.

The celebration wrapped up on a high note with a vibrant set by DJ China, leaving attendees with cherished memories of an evening filled with music, pride, and togetherness.
9 December 2024 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Baku prepared for COP29 in a very short time. In comparison, Australia has not yet been officially announced as the host of COP31, but their diplomatic team has already begun preparations for this event, Azernews reports, citing Dr. Stuart Brocklehurst, Vice-Chancellor for Business Relations and Innovation at the University of Exeter, as he said at the conference "Caspian Energy Security and Beyond COP29" organized by the Caspian Policy Center in London.

He added that Baku, on the other hand, had less than a year to prepare. Organizing such an event in such a short time is a great achievement.

Brocklehurst said that the event in Baku was attended by a wide range of people, from political leaders to business leaders and experts.

"Some of them would not normally visit the Caspian Sea region. The participants came away with very positive impressions of the hospitality of the Azerbaijani people and culture during the event. Among the veteran COP participants, there were many who emphasized that the event was better organized than any COP in recent years," he noted.

Stressing the importance of COP29 for the future, the scientist added that this event played an important role in preparing the ground for COP30, which will be held in Brazil next year.

This COP was not only important in itself, but also provided a solid basis for the climate change discussions next year, he noted.
9 December 2024 13:38 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Republic of Azerbaijan (Ombudsman), Sabina Aliyeva, continues efforts to raise awareness about human rights protection and promotion through events across the country, Azernews reports.

As part of the 2024 action plan, a recent awareness-raising seminar at the Ombudsmans Office focused on protecting the rights of persons with disabilities, promoting equality, and combating discrimination. The event was attended by representatives from civil society institutions and regional Ombudsman centers, including the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

Zaur Valimammedli, Head of the Department for Cooperation with International Organizations and Civil Society Institutions, highlighted the Ombudsmans role in fostering human rights practices nationally and internationally. He emphasized the establishment of monitoring groups under the Constitutional Law amendments to oversee the implementation of the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and the Convention on the Rights of the Child. Valimammedli called for strengthened collaboration with civil society to enhance the effectiveness of these initiatives.

The seminar featured presentations by Ombudsmans Office staff Shahla Aslanova and Sevinj Shener, who discussed monitoring activities related to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, equality promotion, and discrimination prevention. The event also included an interactive exchange of views with participants, encouraging dialogue and cooperation for advancing human rights.
National Carpet Museum has opened an exhibition "Sultan's Prayer Shirts", co-organized by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, Baku Yunus Emre Institute, and the Azerbaijan National Carpet Museum, Azernews reports.

The exhibition features works based on prayer shirts worn by Ottoman sultans. A total of 23 works reflecting the historical peculiarities of the Ottoman period, were created by calligrapher and PhD Mehmet Vanlioglu, light artist Ayshe Vanlioglu and their team of 16 people.

Ottoman sultans wore prayer shirts to achieve victory in wars, protect themselves from evil, as well as for healing and spiritual strength.

These shirts were decorated with ayahs and prayers embroidered with thuluth, kufic, jeli, and ruq'ah scripts, as well as with motifs bearing special meanings, such as the Gadam-I-Sharif, the seal of Suleiman, and the sword of Zulfiqar.

They were intended not only for sultans, and princes but also for children and other persons, they were perceived as a guarantee that their owner was protected by the divine.

Shirts with qasidas dedicated to the prophet Muhammad, sacred texts such as Ayatul Kursi and Muavvizeteyn have survived from the time of the Ottoman Empire to this day. Today, these shirts are part of the cultural heritage, as well as important archive documents, as well as a reference source for the newly created collection.

The exhibition curated by Ayshee Vanlioglu and Dr. Mehmet Vanlioglu will run until December 20.

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.
9 December 2024 20:46 (UTC+04:00)

Jeyhun Bayramov, Azerbaijans Minister of Foreign Affairs, held a telephone conversation with Feridun Hadi Sinirlioglu, the newly appointed Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Azernews reports, citing Azertag that, during the call, Jeyhun Bayramov extended his sincere congratulations to Ambassador Sinirlioglu, who brings extensive diplomatic experience from the Turkish Foreign Ministry, on his unanimous election as OSCE Secretary General. He also wished him success in his new role.

FM Bayramov emphasized the significance of Azerbaijans cooperation with the OSCE.

The two officials also exchanged views on various issues and prospects for the OSCE cooperation agenda.
9 December 2024 18:59 (UTC+04:00)

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9 December 2024 15:44 (UTC+04:00)

By Prof Fahrettin Altun

The current era presents not only novel opportunities but also significant challenges for humanity. In an era characterised by the rapid generation and circulation of information, the communications ecosystem is undergoing a profound transformation. However, this transformation process encompasses moral, cultural, and humanitarian challenges alongside positive advancements. Artificial intelligence (AI) and algorithms, as they are integral to daily life in this new and challenging era of rapid technological advancement, have evolved from mundane tools to actors who are also reshaping the power dynamics. Today, as humanity grapples with a tangle of uncertainty known as the "crisis of truth" and the line between truth and lies becomes increasingly blurred, we face significant challenges and understand that the only way to navigate this uncertainty is through the development of effective communication strategies.

Our priority should be to effectively analyse and manage the opportunities and risks associated with a communication ecosystem transformed by technology for the benefit of society. Recent innovations are altering society's communication habits, with digital media growing into an increasingly significant component of our daily lives. The most striking feature of this transformation is the influence of AI on communication processes.

AI tools are swiftly transforming our globe and all sectors. Today, AI stands out as a paradigm-shifting force in strategic communication. The opportunities it offers in fields like data analysis, content creation, and crisis management provide a speed and efficiency that were inconceivable just a few years ago. Imagined only in science fiction films not long ago, these concepts are now within everyone's reach. Regrettably, this technology runs the risk of becoming a digital weapon unless its beneficial potential is harnessed for the right purposes. AI, capable of generating deepfakes, renders authentic content indistinguishable from the fake, eroding societal trust and exacerbating the crisis of truth. This significantly amplifies the devastating effects of disinformation, manipulation, and ethical violations. The confinement of individuals to echo chambers in an algorithm-controlled world only fuels social polarisation, with manipulation replacing truth. This circumstance serves as yet to highlight the importance of ethical principles in governing AI. The use of AI in the digital sphere additionally generates numerous concerns, including ethics, transparency, and accountability.

We have all witnessed the use of AI-driven disinformation to mislead international public opinion during the recent tragedies in Gaza. Algorithms rapidly spread disinformation on social media while blocking access to accurate information. Therefore, the public faced difficulty in obtaining accurate information on current events and human rights violations.

Without question, there is no denying the significant advantages that technological and digital tools offer to humanity. Just as there is no denying that the climate of global security and stability is placed at risk by the existence of those who maliciously employ these tools. As Turkiye, we are making strenuous efforts to prevent misinformation, uphold the truth, and ensure that the international public has access to accurate information through our strategic communication mechanisms in the face of such detrimental implications. Our top priorities in the fight against the diverse array of risks that are prevalent today include raising awareness about digital threats and promoting media literacy. It is becoming more widely acknowledged how crucial international collaboration is to managing the profound transformation occurring in the digital sphere. As Turkiye, we persist in our efforts to foster international collaboration in the struggle for truth.

Turkiye is adopting a strategic stance that is consistent with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's Century of Turkiye vision during this era of transformation. Our communication strategy is founded on the principle of utilising technology to serve humanity, prioritising social benefit, and emphasising the truth. In this new era, we deem strategic communication key for navigating uncertainty and building trust. Turkiye is an effective player in this field, both at the national and international levels. As the Presidency's Directorate of Communications, our initiative to combat disinformation has been consistently addressing the crisis of truth and developing effective solutions as part of this framework for a long time. We consider crisis communication one of the most critical fields for the use of AI-supported strategic communication processes. In times of crisis, rapid access to accurate information and effective public information is vital.

During this era of palpable digital transformation, the "STRATCOM: International Strategic Communication Summit," scheduled for December 13-14, 2024, serves as a pioneer forum for in-depth global discourse on the associated risks and opportunities. This summit, which brings together representatives from the public sector, media, academia, civil society, and the private sector worldwide, serves as a hub for blending ideas that will shape the strategic communication ecosystem of the future. It is faulty, however, to think of STRATCOM as only a summit. "STRATCOM: International Strategic Communication Summit" is also a global call to unite efforts in addressing the challenges of the digital era and the crisis of truth. As the AI and strategic communication revolutions usher in new responsibilities, we realise the significance of this global call. We are fully aware that, for the sake of humanity's common future, we must act with an understanding that makes no compromises on the principles of truth, conscience, and justice. Guided by this understanding, Turkiye will continue to serve as a role model not only in its region but also on a global scale.

The author, Professor Fahrettin Altun is the Head of Communications of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkiye
9 December 2024 21:21 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

The Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Korea has imposed a travel ban on President Yoon Suk-yeol, Azernews reports.

"The travel ban on President Yoon Suk-yeol has been in effect since about 15:30 (10:30 Baku time) on December 9," an employee of the department in charge of migration issues told The Ton Ilbo newspaper.

This is the first time that a travel ban has been applied to the current president. Earlier, the head of the Anti-Corruption Investigations Department for High-Ranking Officials had announced that he instructed officials to request a ban on Yoons departure from the country. The investigation into President Yoons actions is related to suspicions of mutiny and possible unconstitutional behavior.

Under South Korean law, the sitting president can face criminal prosecution on charges of rebellion or treason.

The controversy escalated on the evening of December 3 when President Yoon, in response to what he described as "pro-North Korean elements" and the paralysis of the executive branch due to opposition actions in Parliament, imposed martial law. However, the martial law was lifted about six hours later. On December 4, the opposition initiated impeachment proceedings, arguing that the president had violated the constitution, as there were no legal grounds for declaring martial law.

On December 7, the South Korean National Assembly voted on the impeachment of President Yoon. However, the vote was not passed due to a boycott by members of the ruling party. Prior to the vote, President Yoon publicly apologized to the citizens of South Korea, stating that he had entrusted the resolution of the crisisincluding the issue of his potential removalfrom office to the ruling party and the government.

The situation is rapidly evolving and is closely watched both domestically and internationally. The political turmoil comes amid growing tensions within South Korea regarding the balance of power between the presidency and the opposition-controlled Parliament.
Attorneys for Idaho Power Company have filed two more condemnation lawsuits in Baker County seeking permanent easements for the Boardman-to-Hemingway power line, bringing the total number of complaints for the project in Baker County to 21.

The company is also seeking easements in other counties along the power line route, including Malheur, Union and Umatilla.

The two newest suits were filed Dec. 6 in Baker County Circuit Court by attorney Timothy Helfrich of the Yturri Rose firm in Ontario.

Idaho Power is seeking about 111 acres from the Troy Family Ranch LLC. The property is north of Interstate 84 near Pleasant Valley.

The company offered $110,040 for easements for the power line itself, access roads and a temporary easement during construction, but was not able to reach an agreement with the property owner, according to the lawsuit.

The other suit seeks easements totaling about 173 acres from Trindle Land LLC. The property is a couple miles east of Baker City, and south of Highway 86. Idaho Power offered $137,420 for the easements, according to the lawsuit.

Since September 2023, attorneys have filed 17 other condemnation lawsuits against private property owners for the 500-kilovolt transmission lines Idaho Power wants to finish by 2027.

The company is also suing Baker County, seeking easements totaling about 29 acres across county-owned land along Grey Eagle Mine Road near Highway 86 a few miles east of Interstate 84, an area also known as the Dino Pits.

The property includes a rock quarry the county uses. Idaho Power offered the county $54,490 for the easements.

Also known as eminent domain, condemnation is a legal process in which a judge or jury orders a property owner to sell land, or an easement, to make possible a particular project, and decides the price.

Eminent domain lawsuits can be filed by public agencies, such as a state department of transportation to acquire land for a highway or other project, or, as in this case, by a private firm.

On Oct. 29 Judge Matt Shirtcliff in Baker County Circuit Court on Oct. 29 dismissed one of the lawsuits, involving property owned by Tel and Lacey Abbe near Farewell Bend.

However, Shirtcliff issued his order without prejudice, meaning Idaho Power can file a new lawsuit against the Abbes.

The issue in the couples appeal was language in the original lawsuit that they argued, and the judge agreed, imposed personal obligations on the Abbes that Oregon law prohibits in property easements. Attorneys have removed that language from the lawsuits they filed since the judges ruling.
Family members of Americans held hostage abroad gluing wheat paste mural of the hostages for the Bring Our Families Home Campaign on Monday, July 3, 2023 in Houston. Six of the 15 hostages in the campaign are from Texas, including Zack Shahin, from right, journalist Austin Tice, Mark Swidan and Jerrel Kenemore. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer Debra Tice, mother of Houston journalist Austin Tice, who was kidnapped in Syria five years prior, holds a dated portrait of him during a press conference in the Lebanese capital Beirut on July 20, 2017. Joseph Eid/AFP, HO / TNS Debra Tice, mother of Austin Tice, watches daughter, Meagan Malone, speaking during the Bring Our Families Home Campaign, a campaign led by family members of Americans wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad, press conference on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 in Houston. Austin Tice, a former U.S. Marine Corps officer and journalist, has been detained in Syria for over 10 years. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

The parents of Austin Tice, a Houston journalist who went missing in Syria over a decade ago, will return to Washington this week as part of a continued push to bring their son home.

Tice's brothers and sisters will join his parents for a meeting at the White House on Friday, marking the first time his entire family has visited Washington to advocate for his release. Following the meeting, the family will host a news conference at the National Press Club to discuss the White House meeting and the status of Tice's situation.

As his imprisonment extends over 12 years, Tice is the longest-held journalist in captivity, according to the National Press Club.

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Here's what to know about Tice and the efforts to bring him home.

Who is Austin Tice?

Tice is a Houston native who went missing 12 years ago in Syria while covering the country's ongoing civil war as a freelance journalist for the Washington Post, McClatchy News and other publications.

A graduate of Georgetown University, Tice is a veteran Captain in the U.S. Marine Corps and has won numerous awards for his reporting, including the 2012 George Polk Award for War Reporting, according to a website created by his family.

U.S. officials believe Tice is being held by the Syrian government and have made continued efforts to negotiate his homecoming.

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Where was Austin Tice captured?

Shortly after leaving the Damascus, Syria, suburb of Darayya on his way to Lebanon, Tice was detained at a checkpoint, according to his family.

A little over a month after his capture, a 43-second video featuring Tice with a group of armed men was sent to his family with the title "Austin Tice is Alive."

Since the video was sent to them, Tice's family said they have received no additional information regarding who is responsible for his capture, but along with the U.S. government, still believe he is alive.

What has the U.S. government done to push for Austin Tice's release?

Four years after Tice was captured, former President Barack Obama met with his parents shortly before leaving office.

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Four years after that, President Donald Trump released a statement on Aug. 14, 2020, the eight-year anniversary of Tice's capture, calling for his release from Syria.

"There is no higher priority in my Administration than the recovery and return of Americans missing abroad," Trump's statement reads. "The Tice family deserves answers. We stand with the Tice family and will not rest until we bring Austin home."

In a statement months later, Tice's family thanked Trump for his ongoing dedication to bringing him home.

"His efforts for our son are unmatched and his support and commitment mean the world to us," the statement reads. "The President has our deepest appreciation."

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President Joe Biden organized a meeting with Tice's family in May 2022 after his mother was introduced at the White House correspondents dinner that year. Biden's Administration officials met with Tice's family several times during his time in office.
The Wall Street Journal has published an article detailing how the Democrats went about using their control of election machinery to try to steal the US Senate seat won in Pennsylvania by Senator-elect Dave McCormick. It turned out that they were frustrated by the fact that his margin was "too big to rig". The writer suggested that if it had been a smaller margin, the Democrats would still be trying to manufacture votes.

The Democrats set about trying to count large number of ballots that clearly violated Pennsylvania election laws. One Democrat official even publicly stated that they were above the law. The top national Democrat election shyster Marc Elias was dispatched to the state to assist in trying to undo McCormick's election.

It was all for naught. Even the Democrat controlled Pennsylvania Supreme Court would not go along with flagant disregard of its own previous rulings by Democrat election officials. They acted on a Republican filed lawsuit to shut down the shananigans the Democrats were trying to pull on McCormick.

The details can be read here: https://www.wsj.com/opinion/pennsylvania-almost-saw-a-stolen-election-mccormick-democrats-scheming-senate-race-41761dcb?st=3Hiegp

Meanwhile, in California, the evidence mounts on Democrat shananigans that may have stolen as many as three Congressional seats in usually conservative Orange County, where Governor Newsome sent in Democratic operatives to oversee the election count.

As the count was starting on genetral election ballots, the Orange County elections board received a bomb threat and the building was evacuated. Oddly, the livestream camera that kept watch over the ballot room was turned off for several hours until the all clear was given to reenter the building. When election results were announced there were some very odd results, and an unusually high turnout number.

Then there was the fact that the Orange County board of elections in the all mail-in election is recorded as having mailed out 325,111 MORE ballots than there are registered voters in the county. All in all, this is a situation that needs a very thorough investigation, and probably a new election.

https://www.thegatewaypundit.com/2024/12/huge-ballot-discrepancies-uncovered-orange-county-ca-that/

And, of course, there is the NC Supreme Court race where a radical Democrat was shown about 700 votes ahead with challenges on over 60,000 ballots. That one, too is ripe for a new election.
Here are 10 other things to know about the poll:

1. The results are based on Gallups annual Health and Healthcare survey, conducted Nov. 6-20.

2. The percentage of U.S. adults who think that the federal government is responsible for ensuring citizens have healthcare coverage is 62%.

3. This is the highest percentage in more than a decade. In 2006, 69% of U.S. adults said that the federal government is responsible for health coverage.

4. This figure slipped to a low of 42% in 2013 during the rollout of the Affordable Care Act.

5. Among Republicans, 32% said that the federal government is responsible for ensuring all Americans have healthcare coverage, up from 22% in 2020.

6. Among Democrats, 90% said that healthcare coverage for Americans is the federal governments responsibility, the highest percentage measured in this group to date.

7. Americans were divided almost evenly on the question of public support for a government-run healthcare system similar to that of Canada or the United Kingdom. Forty-six percent were in favor of a public system, while 49% remained in favor of mostly private health insurance.

8. The ACA hit its second-highest approval rating in the poll at 54%, just below the all-time highs of 55% in 2017 and 2020.

9. Among those who disapproved of the ACA, 66% thought it should be repealed and replaced with a different plan, compared with 27% who believed it should be kept in place but significantly changed.

10. Of those who approve of ACA, 48% thought it should be kept in place but significantly changed.
Editors note: These responses were edited lightly for clarity and length.

Brent Ashby. CEO and administrator at Jankat Services (Pueblo, Colo.): Hospital systems are actively engaged in either acquiring or developing their own ASCs. They are offering physician ownership but usually at least than majority ownership. These activities are making it much more challenging for independent ASCs to compete. I believe the move by CMS to allow ASCs to take on higher-level procedures such as total joint replacement, spine surgery, and cardiology procedures has finally spurred the hospitals to action, so it will be a new frontier going forward.

David Fitzgerald. CEO of OrthoNY ((Albany, N.Y.): Leadership teams thrive and exceed expectations when all working towards the same goals and communicate with each other. Working hard is fine, working together produces top quartile results.

Thomas Frimpong, MD. Neurosurgeon and Spinal Surgery Specialist in Wichita, Kan:

Streamlined workflow and efficiency: Operating in an ASC demands seamless processes  from preoperative planning to postoperative care. Efficient workflows cut overhead costs and enhance patient throughput, satisfaction and outcomes. Prioritizing patient-centered care: Patients are more informed and actively participate in their care decisions. Clear communication, empathy and shared decision-making have become non-negotiable. Providing transparency and education builds trust and improves adherence to postoperative protocols. Driving interdisciplinary collaboration: Spine surgery requires coordinated efforts among surgeons, anesthesiologists, physical therapists and nurses. Continuous communication and teamwork are critical to achieving optimal outcomes in an ASC environment. Embracing change and flexibility: Adapting to new reimbursement models, adopting minimally invasive techniques and responding to regulatory updates demand flexibility.

Moving forward, these lessons emphasize that excelling in spine surgery and ASC management requires quick pivots without compromising care quality, patient engagement and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Leasa Hermanson, RN. Administrator of Ambulatory Care Center (Vineland, N.J.): I learned many big lessons in 2024, but one of the most impactful is the importance of direct oversight of outsourced tasks. Although it is easy to be lulled into a sense of security when reporting and services seem consistent, it is important to take the time to confirm results. I think this is especially true as we see an increase in AI integration. There are many benefits to automating some systems in the ASC environment; however, evaluation is still crucial to understanding how well it is functioning and identifying areas for improvement.

Sandra Jones. Founder and President of Ambulatory Strategies (Dade City, Fla.): More complexity in state and federal regulations has not deterred physicians from wanting their own surgical facility. Having their own surgery center improves physician productivity and helps them focus on exceptional patient care and excellent outcomes.

Chantell Preston. CEO and Founder of Preston Partners (Houston, Texas): The biggest lesson I learned in 2024 is that employees expectations of their work environment will not revert to pre-COVID times. The mindset has fundamentally shifted from valuing job security above all else to prioritizing job fulfillment. Employees now seek more than just a paycheck  they want purpose, work-life integration and agency in their roles. Work-life balance has become non-negotiable, with flexible schedules and remote work viewed as standard rather than perks. Employees also demand a sense of meaning in their work, looking for roles that align with their values and contribute to a greater purpose.

Moreover, the emphasis on well-being has grown exponentially. Workers now expect organizations to prioritize mental health, create inclusive environments, and actively avoid fostering toxic cultures. They are less willing to tolerate poor leadership or workplaces where they feel undervalued or unsupported. Professional growth and development are also high on the list of priorities. Employees want clear paths for advancement, opportunities for continuous learning and actionable feedback.

Transparency is critical, as workers expect open communication about how their roles align with the companys mission and broader goals. This permanent shift underscores a need for organizations to adapt quickly. Businesses must create environments that offer not only competitive compensation but also meaning, balance, and respect for individual agency. The workforce has evolved, and so must the workplace.
The American Medical Group Association, which represents more than 175,000 providers, are pushing back against the 2.8% cut to Medicare Part B reimbursements and a 4% across-the-board reduction tied to Medicare payments due to statutory Pay-As-You-Go rules in 2025.

In a Dec. 4 letter written to Congress, health systems and medical groups warned Congress that these cuts could trigger further layoffs, service reductions and delays in addressing social health needs.

AMGA President and CEO Jerry Penso, MD, stressed that nearly 8% in cumulative Medicare cuts over recent years  excluding the pending 2.8% reduction  have become unsustainable. An AMGA survey found that nearly 30% of its members plan layoffs, 40% have reduced Medicare services, and more than 50% expect continued delays in social health investments in 2025.

"We urge Congress to listen to those on the front line of delivering care. We're clearly hearing that the continued strain on our provider organizations brought on by multiple years of cuts to the conversion factor is unsustainable," AMGA President and CEO Jerry Penso, MD said. "As indicated in our survey results, our organizations are being forced to consider policies impacting patient access and care. No healthcare group wants to be left with only those choices  their mission is improving the health of their communities. We need Congress' help to continue that mission."

For the past three years, Congress has delayed PAYGO cuts, which equal 4% or at least $36 billion in cuts annually to Medicare. If Congress does not address the cuts by Dec. 31, access to timely, quality care will be affected, according to AMGA.

The letter to Congress was signed by 79 medical groups and health systems, including Charlotte, N.C.-based Advocate Health, Cleveland Clinic, Livonia, Mich.-based Trinity Health and Sacramento, Calif-based Sutter Health.
Meridian Health Plan of Illinois, a subsidiary of Centene, has terminated its Medicaid contract with Chicago-based Northwestern Medicine, effective Dec. 31.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2025, patients with this health plan must select a new plan during open enrollment to continue receiving care at the 11-hospital system. Tens of thousands of patients will be affected by the change the Daily Herald reported Dec. 8.

"It's unfortunate because they're the ones that dropped Northwestern Medicine," Christopher King, a spokesperson for Northwestern, told the publication. "That was not an us decision. They alerted us, and we were kind of surprised and shocked they did that. And so those patients that were impacted, and it was significant, we're reaching out to them to get them transitioned to another plan within the Northwestern Medicine system."

The Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services is working to ensure Medicaid patients continue accessing care after Northwestern's contract with Meridian ends Dec. 31. A special enrollment period will allow affected patients to select new plans, with HFS enforcing continuity of care requirements.

Northwestern also accepts Medicaid plans from Blue Cross Community Health and CountyCare, which is available for Cook County residents only, according to the report.

"We're doing everything we can for the continuum of care, because a lot of Meridian users are Medicaid patients as well," Mr. King told the Daily Herald. "We're trying to make sure their coverage isnt dropped."

A spokesperson for Northwestern said the system was "surprised" by Meridian's decision to terminate the contract. The system reaching out to patients to inform them of Meridian's decision and with the hopes of transitioning them to a new plan.

Centene did not respond to Becker's request for comment.
Scott Raynes, president and CEO of Brunswick-based Southeast Georgia Health System since 2022, will step down in March 2025 for a new role.

Mr. Raynes has been named president and CEO of Huntington, W.Va.-based Marshall Health Network, according to a Dec. 9 news release from the system.

During his tenure at Southeast Georgia Health, Mr. Raynes oversaw three hospitals and two skilled and long-term care facilities, according to the Marshall Health Network release. Since 2022, he has guided Southeast Georgia Health through the post-pandemic financial recovery and implemented new patient safety processes, according to a Dec. 5 news release.

He will succeed Kevin Yingling, RPh, MD, Marshall's inaugural CEO, who announced his retirement in April.

Marshall Health is a four-hospital, academic health system.
Children's National Hospital in Washington, D.C., is partnering with Microsoft to explore how generative AI can improve pediatric care.

"We've always been very interested in the power of generative AI," Jessica Herstek, MD, chief medical informatics officer at Children's National Hospital, told Becker's. "Microsoft has been pushing the envelope in clinical AI, and we saw an opportunity to work with them to prototype tools that could really benefit both our staff and patients."

During a recent two-day workshop with Microsoft experts, Children's National focused on prototyping AI applications to address key challenges in the hospital. Dr. Herstek explained that developing these use cases was a collaborative effort involving clinical, operational, and technical leaders. Input from frontline staff helped identify pain points and prioritize areas where AI could make the most immediate impact.

"Collaboration is key when developing AI tools in healthcare," Dr. Herstek said. "We made sure to include diverse voices  from clinicians to technical experts  to ensure the prototypes were grounded in real-world needs. The more input we get, the more successful these tools will be."

Addressing healthcare documentation and workflow challenges

One prototype explored during the workshop was "Beacon," an AI-powered tool designed to simplify access to policy and procedure documents. Beacon enables staff to search internal documents in real time.

"As we all know, having quick access to information is critical in healthcare," Dr. Herstek said. "Tools like Beacon could drastically reduce the time it takes for our team to find and reference the documents they need, especially during stressful moments."

Another focus of the workshop was improving documentation efficiency. Dr. Herstek highlighted the burden clinicians face in documenting patient information in EHRs.

"In my role as a hospitalist, writing discharge summaries is an ongoing challenge," Dr. Herstek said. "I often find myself spending too much time documenting the same things over and over. The hope is that with AI, we can automate some of that documentation and allow clinicians to focus more on patient care."

The team worked on generative AI tools to summarize patient information more effectively. AI could convert medical language into understandable summaries for patients and families while generating concise reports for primary care providers, coders, and insurers. According to Dr. Herstek, this could significantly reduce repetitive documentation tasks.

The workshop also explored using AI to extract data from physicians' notes, addressing challenges with free-text documentation in EHRs. The prototype could identify critical follow-up appointments, streamlining the process of transferring information to case managers or scheduling systems.

Additionally, the team experimented with AI to improve pediatric medication management.

"The challenge in pediatrics is that our medication alerts are often too broad, and clinicians become desensitized to them," Dr. Herstek said. "With AI, we could develop more targeted alerts that make sense for individual patients, reducing alert fatigue and improving safety."

By integrating generative AI, Children's National would be able to create personalized, context-sensitive alerts based on patient history, medications, and specific needs.

Next steps

Children's National plans to refine the four prototypes created during the workshop with Microsoft.

"We're still in the very early stages of this, but we hope to start testing these prototypes in clinical settings within the next few months," Dr. Herstek said. "Once we gather more data, we can refine the tools and roll them out more broadly."
A federal judge in the Northern District of Texas has ruled that the FDA must release key documents related to the emergency use authorization of the Pfizer-BioNtech COVID-19 vaccine, according to court documents obtained by Becker's.

The decision came after a lawsuit was filed by the group Public Health and Medical Professionals for Transparency which had requested detailed data on the vaccine under the Freedom of Information Act.

The court sided with PHMPT, directing the FDA to provide documents from the EUA file, which includes clinical trial data, safety information and manufacturing details.

Although the FDA had argued that the EUA and the Biologics License Application for the vaccine were separate and that the EUA data did not need to be released, the court found that the EUA data was incorporated into the vaccine's BLA and must be disclosed.

The ruling mandates that the FDA release the requested documents by June 30, 2025.
Johnson City, Tenn.-based Ballad Health is facing scrutiny for alleged poor quality of care that critics say stem from its monopoly, KFF Health News reported Dec. 6.

The investigative report is based on KFF Health News' review of written complaints to the Tennessee government and state lawmakers, public hearing testimony and interviews with patients and family, local leaders and officials.

The 20-hospital system in Northeastern Tennessee and Southwestern Virginia was created six years ago, when lawmakers in both states waived federal antitrust laws so two health systems could merge. Ballad became the largest state-sanctioned hospital monopoly in the nation, according to the report.

Four takeaways from the report:

1. Since the system's formation, it has faced accusations from residents and local officials about care quality tied to allegations of "paper-thin staffing" at its hospitals and emergency departments. Annual reports from Ballad and the state show the system has failed to meet about 75% of the care quality goals set by Tennessee and Virginia over the last three fiscal years. This year, the Federal Trade Commission cited Ballad as a cautionary tale when opposing a similar hospital merger under consideration. Some residents also told KFF that they are wary, afraid or unwilling to seek care at Ballad hospitals, according to written complaints to the Tennessee government.

2. Larry Fitzgerald, a retired Tennessee consultant who monitored the system for more than five years, told KFF Health News that the state's grading system "allowed Ballad to succeed on paper even when it failed to meet the state's quality-of-care goals." Mr. Fitzgerald also said he is unconvinced that the monopoly has prevented any hospital closures and that the merger was "probably not" benefiting local residents overall.

However, Mr. Fitzgerald always gave Ballad high marks in his annual reports. Ballad told Becker's that Mr. Fitzgerald never expressed concerns about the quality of care at the system. The state's current commissioner of health and its former commissioner of health also documented that Mr. Fitzgerald never expressed concerns about quality issues.

3. Ballad Health CEO Alan Levine told KFF Health News that the hospitals are quickly recovering from a care quality slump caused by COVID-19 and that the issues around turnover and staff shortages are not related to the Ballad merger, but are issues hospitals are facing across the nation. Mr. Levine also noted that all of the complaints from patients were about medical decisions made by physicians, not about "any policy or practice at Ballad."

4. Each year, Tennessee and Virginia have determined that the benefits of the Ballad monopoly outweigh any negative impact and continue to approve it to continue. Ballad Health serves about 1.1 million people in a 29-county region across Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky and North Carolina, the report said.
11 notes:

1. G. Russell Huffman, MD, an orthopedic surgeon at Rothman Orthopedic Institute, completed the first reverse total shoulder arthroplasty using the Apple Vision Pro.

2. Independence Blue Cross and Rothman Orthopaedic Institute extended their value-based care agreement for three more years.

3. Rothman Orthopaedic Institute broke ties with the NFLs Philadelphia Eagles over future malpractice risk.

4. Physicians with Rothman Orthopaedic Institute assisted with the in the promotion and dissemination of the NeuroSleeve, a device for patients with paralysis.

5. Mike West, who led Rothman Orthopaedic Institute, for 22 years died Sept. 16 at age 65.

6. Rothman Orthopaedics partnered with the Hurt! orthopedic mobile application in its Florida market.

7. Rothman Orthopaedic Institute laid off 5% of its workforce, and the process began in January.

8. Rothman Orthopaedic Surgery Center in Bensalem, Pa., was ranked as one of the cleanest by CMS Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems.

9. As of Dec. 5, Rothman has more than 35 locations.

10. Rothman opened a new office in Philadelphia on Dec. 9. The new facility replaces the Center City Philadelphia office. The practice also leased space in Newtown, Pa.

11. Rothman Orthopaedic Institute unveiled its relocated Lake Nona office in Orlando, Fla.
Lisa Michael, left, helps Triston Covell bag desserts as volunteers distribute meals for 200 families as part of H-E-B Feast of Sharing in partnership with the Montgomery County Food Bank at Conroe High School in 2021 in Conroe. The annual holiday food distribution event rolls into to Yellow Parking Lot at NRG this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Jason Fochtman, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

Thousands of Houston area residents will receive holiday meals as part of H-E-Bs annual Feast of Sharing celebration from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at NRG.

At this drive-thru event, H-E-Bs mobile kitchen will roll into the NRG parking lot to hand out holiday meal boxes and fresh hot meals to families in the first 5,000 vehicles to show up.

H-E-B employees will be handing out 5,000 holiday meals and an additional 20,000 hot meals.

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No registration is needed, said Martha Barrera, public affairs manager for H-E-B in the Houston region, but recipients must have a vehicle for this drive-thru-only event.

People begin lining up early while H-E-B employees collect information on the number of families needing food, said Barrera.

Kids get fun bags with crayons and a coloring book to keep them entertained while they're waiting in the car as a DJ plays live music, and Santa, H-E-Buddy and other mascots from vendors walk around.

More than a food distribution event, Feast of Sharing is a way for H-E-B to celebrate the holidays with its communities.

"It's just a fun opportunity for people to come and engage with us, and a way for us to celebrate the holidays and give back to the community," said Barrera.

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Patrons will be able to take home a holiday box filled with non-perishables, and a ready-to-eat hot meal from H-E-B's mobile kitchen, coming in from San Antonio.

The hot meal includes traditional holiday fare like turkey, ham and all the fixings. Non-perishable items include a pie crust and pie filling, green beans, corn and other holiday staple ingredients.

The mobile kitchen will be cooking and preparing on site and distributing four meals per family while supplies last, said Barrera.

HOLIDAY FOOD DRIVES: Holiday help in Houston: Ways to donate food and get meal assistance this month

Feast of Sharing has been an annual holiday event since 1989 and the event is held in 34 cities in Texas and in Mexico.

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The Houston event, said Barrera, is the largest for H-E-B.

Feast of Sharing is mostly a sit-down affair in other cities, she said, but because of its size, Houston is only drive-thru event.

The event is part of the grocery chains hunger relief efforts, which include senior programs. Feast of Sharing serves more than 250,000 meal boxes every year, according to the news release.

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Where: NRG Yellow Lot, 9051 S Main St.
A DfI official had suggested an extra day out of the office for workers could ease congestion in the city

A Stormont officials suggestion that workers spend an extra week day working from home to help ease gridlock in Belfast city centre is deeply disheartening, an NI business leader has said.

Department for Infrastructure (DfI) deputy secretary Colin Woods made the suggestion on Monday morning during a lengthy interview with BBC NIs The Nolan Show.

"If people would use public transport or work from home one day a week even, you would start to see significant reductions in congestion," he said.

"We hear the frustration people are expressing.

"There is not enough space for vehicles trying to use (the roads) and we can see the impact on peoples journey times.

"The network of streets in Belfast were laid out when horses and pedestrians were the only people using them and there isnt the space to put as many vehicles as possible.

It follows an increasing number of traffic snarl-ups in Belfast, with accidents, road closures and work relating to the opening of the new Grand Central Station causing delays across the city centre.

The suggestion however has been rejected by Belfast ONE Chief Executive Martina Connolly, who said encouraging people to stay away from the city centre was not the answer.

"Congestion in Belfast has been worsening for months, yet despite numerous proposals and practical recommendations submitted to DFI to improve traffic flow, only a handful have been implemented, she said.

"The result is a city that is increasingly paralysed by gridlock, with little urgency from DFI to tackle the issue.

"It was therefore deeply disheartening to hear a senior roads official suggest this morning that the answer lies in asking people to work from home an additional day, effectively encouraging them to stay away from the city centre.

"This approach is completely at odds with the needs of our retail and hospitality sectors, particularly during a crucial trading period like December. Businesses and their employees rely on vibrant footfall to thrive.

Martina Connolly, CEO of Belfast ONE

"Instead of urgently implementing measures to ease congestion, the Departments message seems to be that staying at home is preferable. That is simply not an option.

Ms Connolly said she had requested a meeting with Infrastructure Minister John ODowd in relation to the traffic congestion.

"I have written to the Minister today to request an urgent meeting to convey the damaging impact these ongoing issues could have on the city centre, she said.

"I am also urging the Department to accelerate the implementation of the full range of short-term measures we and others have proposed. The limited measures introduced so far have proven ineffective.

"Looking ahead, it is critical that the Department learns from this and commits to consulting with key stakeholders in advance of any major roadworks to fully understand their potential impact.

"Had this been done previously, businesses would have insisted on postponing these works to the New Year, mitigating the current challenges.

"If the Department fails to act decisively now, January will see businesses grappling with the fallout of a December marred by traffic disruption, lower footfall, and poor sales figures during what should be the busiest time of year.

Ms Connollys comments were echoed by Belfast Chamber of Commerce CEO Clare Guinness, who said the festive period was a make-or-break period for business.

"A lot of retailers, in particular, hotels and leisure operators really rely on this period, it makes their year, she told BBC Radio Ulsters Evening Extra programme.

Infrastructure Minister John O'Dowd

"At a time when we need the shops to be busy, we don't need anything that would reduce spending. So, if people are at home, they're not spending money, they're not buying lunch or going out for a drink.

"They're not doing a bit of shopping so all of that will reflect negatively on businesses.

"I think someone needs to look at the scheduling and I think they need to look at practical interventions that will make a difference tomorrow.

Earlier in the Assembly chamber, Mr ODowd said anyone driving into Belfast city centre should expect congestion.

In response to an urgent question from SDLP Opposition leader Matthew OToole, the Minister appealed to motorists to consider other options they can take to avoid congestion, such as public transport, park and ride, active travel, or if possible, planning their journey to use an alternative route or avoid peak times.

"The fact remains there are too many cars and too limited a space, so therefore each of us have to make a decision in terms of how we deal with that, he added.

"If you do travel into Belfast city centre, using a car, you should expect congestion, and that leads to congestion for other people as well.
Britains Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves arrives for a meeting of eurogroup finance ministers at the European Council building in Brussels, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

Improving trade ties with the European Union could boost the economy and drive up living standards, Rachel Reeves claimed, as she attended a meeting of EU finance ministers.

She said becoming the first Chancellor to attend a meeting of European counterparts since Brexit was a milestone moment as the UK seeks to reset its relationship with Brussels.
If youre silly enough to get wound up by Jamie Brysons comical observations on social media, then the joke is on you
Pitiful sentence for paedophile who abused nine teenage girls he met through school and army work, says MLA

PPS urged to review overly lenient punishment that will see sex offender released from prison after 18 months

Neil Beckett

Allison Morris Mon 9 Dec 2024 at 08:22







An MLA says he will be writing to the Public Prosecution Service over the pitiful sentence handed down to a child sex offender.
Woman given jail sentence after terrifying 4am assault on 12-year-old child

This is 48-year-old who barged into a house in middle of the night and then assaulted child in a random attack

Nicola Moore was jailed for five months

Roisin Gorman Mon 9 Dec 2024 at 15:38







This is the woman whose terrifying early morning assault on a child has landed her in prison for five months.
This car was lifted by the roots of a tree emerging from the ground after it was blown over.

Simon Grant from NIE Networks and Cookstown resident Thomas McDonald at the NIE Networks Community Assistance Centre in Cookstown Leisure Centre on Sunday afternoon, one of a number of centres set up across Northern Ireland by NIE for people affected by Storm Darragh.

A bus collided with a building outside Templepatrick as Storm Darragh arrives in Northern Ireland on December 7th 2024 (Photo by Kevin Scott)

The property owner John O Donnell surveys the damage to his garden. John reports the authorities have been and assessed the damage. Specialist Tree Surgeons are required to deal with such a massive tree.

Around 1,500 customers remain without power on Monday morning following extensive damage to the network caused by Storm Darragh, NIE Networks has said.

And while the operator said it will be working to restore power to homes as quickly as possible, some homes may have to wait until Tuesday.

Around 95,000 customers were hit by power cuts over the course of the storm following sustained gusts of up to 70mph.

At Darraghs peak, over 48,000 homes were without power.

An amber warning for wind  the second highest level of weather warning  had been issued from 1am-3pm on Saturday. A yellow wind warning was then in place until 6am on Sunday.

Among the events cancelled on Saturday was the Christmas Market in Belfast. It re-opened to visitors on Sunday but as a knock-on effect traffic around the city centre ground to a halt as shoppers made their way in during one of the busiest weekends of the year.

Alex Houston, Network Operations Manager for NIE Networks, said his team had been dealing with over 900 faults across the network as a result of storm damage.

Our teams will be working to restore customers as quickly as they can, he said.

We estimate that the vast majority will be restored by Monday evening however there is the potential that small pockets will remain off supply into Tuesday.

Adding to the power problems, electricity generation was temporarily suspended at Ballylumford, one of Northern Irelands main power stations, after the natural gas-fired power station reported structural damage to one of its smaller chimneys.

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) said 1,336 incidents were reported on our roads, over 1,000 of which were caused by fallen trees and branches

Essential travel only was advised on Saturday and there were several road traffic accidents, one resulting in a Translink driver needing hospital treatment as his double decker bus left the road near Belfast International Airport.

The property owner John O Donnell surveys the damage to his garden. John reports the authorities have been and assessed the damage. Specialist Tree Surgeons are required to deal with such a massive tree.

Watch: Bus collides with building and roads blocked as storm Darragh batters Northern Ireland

A substantial number of road closures remain in place, and road users are advised to plan their journeys in advance, including in Lurgan where a large tree came down to block Cottage Road. Property owner John ODonnell said a specialist tree surgeon will be needed to remove the fallen tree.

Chainsaws were also needed across roads in Belfast, including along the Falls Road, to help remove fallen debris and make them passable again.

At one point on Saturday morning there were no trains running in Northern Ireland but journeys have now resumed, with knock-on delays.

Bus services, flights and ferries were also affected with many travellers seeing weekend plans cancelled.

All six Irish Premiership games scheduled for Saturday were called off, with late postponements leaving fans in an appalling situation, according to Communities Minister Gordon Lyons.

The strongest gusts on Saturday included 78mph at Orlock Head, Co Down; 71mph at Killowen, Co Down; and 68mph at Magilligan, Co Londonderry

NIE Networks is now facing a challenge to restore power to affected homes and businesses.

Mr Houston added: At this stage we have worked through a lot of the faults which impact on larger numbers of customers and are now moving towards those faults where small numbers are affected.

The public are reminded to stay clear of any damaged electricity equipment, keep children and animals away and to report any incidents of damage immediately to the NIE Networks Customer Helpline on 03457 643 643.

On Sunday afternoon, NIE Networks manned community assistance centres at several locations around Northern Ireland to provide a warm place for those affected to stay warm..

Simon Grant travelled from Newry to help out at Cookstown Leisure Centre.

Were here to provide a service and reassure people that NIE is doing all it can to have power restored as quickly as possible, and that we are in constant contact with all the relevant authorities to make sure that happens, he said.

Cookstown resident Thomas McDonald, who has been without power at home since the early hours of Saturday morning, said the assistance centre was welcome, but added that he had only found out about it from a neighbour who hadnt lost power.

With no internet and no social media there will be a lot of people who maybe needed the assistance but didnt know it was available, he said.

That shows just how vital it is to get the supplies restored as quickly as possible.

Im fortunate enough to have been able to take the family out for breakfast and dinner.

I have an office in the town with a kitchen, so we went there for breakfast this morning (Sunday) but some will be sitting at home alone in the cold, with no television, no heating and isolated.

On Sunday morning around 60 homes in the immediate Cookstown area remained affected, though that number had been reduced to single figures by Sunday afternoon as NIE worked overnight to restore the supply.

Members of the public have been asked to check in on relatives, friends and neighbours who may require further support and to also ensure that their power cut has been reported.

Infrastructure Minister John ODowd thanked the multi-agency staff who have once again risen to the challenge and have worked together very effectively to keep the public safe.

When those who could were staying indoors, teams from my department were outside working in the atrocious weather conditions to keep people safe. Infrastructure staff were out on the ground all weekend monitoring river levels and removing accumulated material as well as clearing debris and trees off the roads to get all major routes open. I want to thank and pay tribute to them for doing so, he said.

I also want to commend all of the emergency services who have been to the forefront of the weekends operation keeping people safe in very difficult conditions. Thank you also to the Community Resilience Groups who were kept up to date with advance notice of severe weather warnings so that they were prepared and ready to respond in their communities. We will continue to work with other agencies as the clear up continues.

NIE Networks will open community assistance centres tomorrow from noon-2pm and 5-7pm to offer assistance to those still without power:

South Lake Leisure Centre in Craigavon

Seven Towers in Ballymena

Kilkeel Leisure Centre

Joey Dunlop Leisure Centre, Ballymoney

Omagh Leisure Centre

Donaghadee Community Centre
Matthew OToole said the Executive had set itself a low bar (Mark Marlow/PA)

An SDLP MLA has criticised the Executive for failing to table less than half of its promised legislation by the end of the year.

Matthew OToole said the Executive had initially set itself a low bar to introduce 19 pieces of legislation by the end of December.

Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle ONeill told the Assembly on Monday that seven Executive Bills have begun their passage through the Assembly, but that some slippage has led to the delay of other legislation.

Mr OToole, leader of the opposition in the Northern Ireland Assembly, accused Ms ONeill of not being so keen to talk about the delivery of the Executive legislation programme.

To be clear, you refer to it as the programme for 2024/25. You didnt call it that whenever it was published in a statement to the Assembly, it was the Executive legislation programme for 2024, a year which is about to end, Mr OToole said.

To confirm, you set yourself a low bar of 18 to 19 Bills. You will fail to reach even half of that number.

Can you account for why the Executive has failed to reach even 50% of the modest legislative programme that it set itself?

Ms ONeill said she cannot get into the ins and outs of why other individual ministers have not brought the legislation forward.

She told the Assembly that some pieces of legislation are delayed because of policy development issues.

Ms ONeill added: Some is going to take a little bit longer. It may be the other side of Christmas before some things are advanced compared to when they were initially intended.

But I hope that we can get there, because I still want us to get to that point.

I think we all want to get into the nitty gritty of the pieces of legislation that are coming forward.

I can assure you that the executive, the deputy First Minister and I, have actually written to all ministers again to ask for an update on the legislative programme.

We intend to (make) a statement early in the new year, where we can actually set out exactly where were at with every piece of current legislation and what else is coming in the next year as well.

The Sinn Fein MLA said she expects all the Bills included in the Executives legislation programme will be introduced during this 2024/25 session of the Assembly.

Further Bills will be introduced in the first quarter of 2025.

However, it is important for the underlying policy issues to be resolved and finalised so that a Bill can be presented to the assembly in as complete a form as possible.

We intend to make a statement to the assembly in the new year.

This will include an update on all those Bills that are already being announced.

Were going to continue to work with Executive colleagues to ensure the outstanding Bills are introduced in a timely manner, to meet the commitment set out in the executive legislative programme.
Mark H Durkan raises doubt over figures after departments fail to agree on targets

SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan has raised doubt over figures after departments fail to agree on targets

The Executive has been accused of gaslighting the public over social housing figures after claiming that 1,400 new homes would be built this financial year.

It follows comments made by Finance Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald during the October monitoring round.

On November 11, she said: Given the importance of social housing, 24m is being allocated to help enable the delivery of 1,400 houses in this financial year.

Responses to Assembly Questions tabled by SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan to both the Minister of Finance and Minister for Communities have cast doubt on those figures.

Dr Archibald said: The figure of 1,400 new social home starts referred to reflects discussions that took place between DoF (Department of Finance) and DfC (Department for Communities) officials as part of the October monitoring process.

It was always clear that this is an assessment of the final total that could potentially be achieved given the new allocation in October monitoring.

The actual figure of new social home starts will not be available until the year has finished and relies on the delivery of projects on the ground, including land purchases, planning and construction which may be subject to delays or cost increases.

Northern Irelands Finance Minister Caoimhe Archibald (PA)

But when Communities Minister Gordon Lyons was asked how the target of 1,400 new homes was determined, he said it had not yet been set.

He was also pressed on whether he had engaged with the Housing Executive prior to setting this figure and asked if the potential costs of water and wastewater connections had been considered as part of this calculation.

In response, Mr Lyons said his department had not yet set a target for new social homes based on the recently announced increased allocation and it would be set following engagement with the Housing Executive.

Around 47,000 households are on the social housing waiting list in NI which, when adjusted for population size, is proportionately much worse than 58,000 in the Republic.

In Derry, around 6,000 applicants are on the waiting list and the Communities Minister has said that around 1,800 new social homes in the city are facing delays due to ongoing issues with NI Water infrastructure. Mr Durkan said: The Minister of Finances excessive use of terms like could, potentially, and actual figures suggests a clear effort to backtrack her earlier claims that this allocation would result in the construction of 1,400 homes.

At no point did she clarify that this was merely an assessment.

In fact, during the October monitoring round, when I sought clarification, she stated that the figure was provided by the DfC.

It would now appear that the DfC has neither set a target nor engaged with the Housing Executive regarding the social housing allocation.

Not only is the Executive gaslighting the public about the reality of the housing crisis, but they seem to be misleading one another. Sadly, ministers seem to be in the habit of plucking figures out of thin air, presenting numbers without proper analysis.

This was the case with the Housing Supply Strategy which promised to deliver 100,000 homes in 15 years.

SDLP MLA Mark H Durkan

The Foyle MLA added: Two years on, its clear this strategy, which is yet to be published, is undeliverable.

The delivery of homes relies on water and sewerage capacity, but with no resolution in sight for the escalating funding crisis at NI Water, areas with the greatest housing need, such as Derry and Strabane, will be the hardest hit. The Executives delivery and accountability in terms of housing continues to fall woefully short.

Inconsistency has been their only constant when it comes to housing.

People expect and deserve better from their government. If they cant be honest with themselves, what hope is there that theyll be transparent with every person and family languishing on the housing waiting lists in appalling conditions?

At a time when homeless families in my own constituency are being told theyll have to leave temporary hotels over Christmas, the blase approach from leadership adds insult to injury.
Rosemary Nelson: There were some rogue police officers who would have been quite happy for her not to be around
Exclusive | Unbelievable figures: More than 1,200 arrests for non-fatal strangulation since new NI law introduced

Unbelievable figures show just how much last years legislation was needed, says Womens Aid

Of the 1,233 arrests, 1,160 were male.

Kathryn Torney Mon 9 Dec 2024 at 07:30

There have been 1,233 arrests for non-fatal strangulation since it became a standalone criminal offence in Northern Ireland.
Breaking news Houston Chronicle

Roughly 80 to 100 people have been displaced after a fire broke out Sunday morning at an apartment complex in northwest Houston, officials said.

Around 4:18 a.m., firefighters from neighboring agencies  including Klein, Spring, Little York, Champions and Ponderosa fire departments as well as other volunteer fire departments and the Harris County Sheriff's Office  arrived at the Santa Cruz Apartments at 15915 Kuykendahl Road and immediately began battling a major structure fire, said District Chief Dustin Creager with the Klein Fire Department.

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The fire had affected 24 units, with roughly 80 to 100 people living in the units, Creager said in a Facebook post.

While no one was injured during the fire, the people living in the apartments were displaced, only able to take the clothes on their backs.

Red Cross has created a temporary shelter and was providing necessities such as blankets.

"Red Cross is working out well with us, making sure that we're giving them the information that they need and also giving them temporary shelter," Creager said.

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The Harris County Fire Marshall's Office is investigating the nature of the fire.
Ferry sailings between Dublin and Holyhead have been cancelled after damage was caused to the Welsh port during Storm Darragh.

Irish Ferries and Stena Line cancelled their scheduled sailings from Dublin to Holyhead after the category 5 storm brought strong winds to Ireland and parts of the UK.

In a statement issued earlier, Irish Ferries said the Ulysses 8.05am and 8.55pm sailings and the James Joyce 2.30pm sailings from Dublin are cancelled.

The 8.45pm Rosslare to Pembroke sailing is still available for passengers wishing to make the journey.

Stena Line said its four scheduled sailings today have been cancelled due to "technical reasons" at Holyhead port.

Irish Road Haulage Association President Ger Hyland told RTEs Morning Ireland some of his members have trucks waiting for trailers in both the UK and Ireland.

For the next two days trucks will be idle and when ferries move again there will be a three to four-day catch-up process, he said.

We're limited to the number of hours we can work.

Meanwhile, passengers aboard a ferry bound for Belfast endured a 13-hour delay over the weekend after the captain deemed it "unsafe" to dock due to severe weather conditions.

Across Ireland and Northern Ireland, hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses were left without power following Storm Darraghs landfall.

Around 1,500 customers here remained without power on Monday morning following extensive damage to the network, NIE Networks said.
Existing legislation states the prohibited degrees of relationship for marriage include those to a sibling, parent or child, but not marriages between first cousins (Anthony Devlin/PA)

Marriages between first cousins would be banned in the UK under a proposal to be tabled in Parliament.

Conservative former minister Richard Holden said such marriages have been linked to a higher rate of birth defects and can also reinforce negative structures and control women.

The MP for Basildon and Billericay will seek to introduce the Marriage (Prohibited Degrees of Relationship) Bill to the House of Commons on Tuesday for further consideration.

Existing legislation states the prohibited degrees of relationship for marriage include those to a sibling, parent or child, but not marriages between first cousins.

Justice minister Alex Davies-Jones, in response to a written parliamentary question about placing restrictions on first-cousin marriages, said the Government will take time to properly consider our marriage law before stating a public position.

Conservative MP Richard Holden will seek to introduce the legislation to the House of Commons on Tuesday (James Manning/PA)

Mr Holden said: People already think it is illegal and then are surprised when you mention it isnt.

He said cousin marriages can be cultural rather than religious in some of the communities where it is more prevalent, adding: Marriage and relationships should be about individual choice in modern Britain, it shouldnt be about anything else.

Mr Holden said the issue has been under discussion in other countries and suggested it is a sensible time for the UK Government to look at the issue.

The MP also said: First-cousin marriage raises serious concerns both in the UK and globally.

Studies show that it is associated with approximately double the rate of birth defects compared to the general population and can reinforce negative structures and control women.

Building on my previous work to ban hymenoplasty and so-called virginity testing in the last Parliament, I will urge the Government to reconsider the legality of first-cousin marriage in the UK.

Many nations and states have taken action on this issue in recent years and it is time for us to do the same.

For the Government, Ms Davies-Jones said: Section one of the Marriage Act 1949 sets out that any marriages that take place within prohibited degrees of relationship are void.

Under the legislation, prohibited degrees of relationship for marriage include marriages to a sibling, parent or child, but not marriages between first cousins.

The Sexual Offences Act 2003 also makes sexual activity with the above family members, amongst others, a criminal offence, but this does not include first cousins.

Placing restrictions on first-cousin marriage would require changes to the Marriage Act 1949 and potentially the Sexual Offences Act 2003.

We are aware that all aspects of weddings, including first-cousin marriage, are important issues. We will take the time as a new Government to properly consider our marriage law, including the Law Commissions 2022 wedding report, before publicly setting out our position.

Mr Holden will seek to introduce his private members bill (PMB) to the Commons on Tuesday using the 10-minute rule process.

He will have up to 10 minutes to make a speech on why he wants to introduce his PMB and an MP wishing to oppose it can also make a 10-minute speech.

The House will then decide whether or not the PMB should be introduced.

If successful, the PMB is taken to have had its first reading and Mr Holden will set a date for its second reading debate.

PMBs face a battle to become law due to the amount of parliamentary time available to them to clear the necessary stages, although its progress could be accelerated if it attracts Government support.
Asma Assad was born in London in 1975, and was raised and educated in the city (Chris Young/PA)

The Government has had no contact or no request for the British wife of Bashar Assad to come to the UK, a Cabinet minister has said.

Pat McFadden told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that the issue is not something thats been raised with the Government.

Asma Assad was born in London in 1975, and was raised and educated in the city. She is now believed to be in Moscow with her husband, where the ousted Syrian leader has fled.

The rapid collapse of the Assad regime saw a coalition of rebel groups seize control of Damascus on Sunday.

Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Mr McFadden was asked by the BBC what the Government would do if Mrs Assad wanted to live in the UK.

He told the station: The family are in Russia as far as we know, thats what Russian state media have said.

Weve certainly had no contact or no request for Mr Assads wife to come to the UK.

Pushed again on whether she could exercise the right to come to the UK, Mr McFadden added: I couldnt comment on her individual rights.

I dont know her exact circumstances, so I dont know what would happen in those circumstances, but its not something thats been raised with us.

He also suggested that the Government would not have to think about it unless its raised with us.

From the point of view of the UK Government, our main concern at the moment is what the future is, whether the rights of citizens and minorities are protected and whether stability can come to a country that has had so much violence and war over the past 15 years, Mr McFadden added.

It is understood that referrals were made to the Metropolitan Polices war crimes team in relation to Mrs Assad in 2020 and 2021, but the matter was subsequently dropped.
Labour peer Dame Margaret Hodge has been appointed anti-corruption champion as the Government seeks to stem the flow of dirty money.

Her appointment came as the Foreign Secretary announced up to 36 million in support for the National Crime Agencys international corruption unit over five years and sanctions targeting the illicit gold trade.

Five people are subject to assets freezes under the sanctions, including British-Kenyan gold smuggler Kamlesh Pattni.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said the Government is working to make the UK a hostile environment for the corrupt and their ill-gotten gains.

Baroness Hodge of Barking will work with Parliament, the private sector and civil society to clamp down on corruption and organised crime in the UK and overseas, the Foreign Office said.

Dame Margaret said: After years of campaigning on the issue, I feel privileged and delighted to be able to work as the Governments champion, combatting corruption and the illicit finance that flows from it, both at home and abroad.

The time has now come to put an end to dither and delay. We must take determined and effective action and I look forward to playing my part in that work.

Dame Margaret was MP for Barking from 1994 to 2024 and entered the House of Lords this year.

She has chaired Parliaments Public Accounts Committee and all-party parliamentary group on anti-corruption and responsible tax.

Transparency International UKs director of policy and programmes called her a tireless campaigner against corruption and advocate for reforms to restore integrity in politics.

Duncan Hames said: After almost two years without a champion, Margaret Hodge will face a full in-tray from day one, as she seeks to turn the tide on dirty money and tackle corruption here in the UK.

Holding government departments to account on their anti-corruption commitments and demanding the highest standards of government itself will be essential if she is to restore confidence in this vital work.

John Penrose, who held the role under the Conservatives, resigned in 2022, saying Boris Johnson had broken the ministerial code by failing to address the very serious criticisms of the leadership at 10 Downing Street.

Russian leader Vladimir Putins war efforts in Ukraine are bolstered by the illicit gold trade, which Moscow uses to launder money and evade sanctions, the Foreign Office said.

Gold trader Anto Joseph has been designated under the sanctions.

One of his companies, Paloma Precious, has bought more than 300 million US dollars worth of Russian gold. The business was designated in 2023.

The Foreign Secretary said: Corruption poses a real threat to the UK. It enables the activities of dictators, smugglers and organised criminals around the world, making our streets less safe and our borders less secure.

Take Syria, where Bashar al-Assad was ousted from power this weekend after decades of brutal suppression, financed in recent years by laundering the proceeds from the illegal Captagon trade abroad.

This government will make the UK a hostile environment for the corrupt and their ill-gotten gains as we put national security as a foundation of our Plan for Change and decade of national renewal.

Thats why Im delighted to confirm further funding to the National Crime Agencys International Corruption Unit and welcome Baroness Hodge as the UKs Anti-Corruption Champion to bear down on this menace.

The new funding for the NCA will help the international crime unit investigate cross-border corruption, money laundering and bribery cases overseas.

The unit has frozen more than 441 million worth of assets linked to international corruption since 2020.

A Government-wide anti-corruption strategy will be put forward in 2025.

The sanctions on gold smuggling cover Mr Pattni, who the FCDO says exported gold from southern Africa to launder dirty money, and his sister and brother-in-law.

They also target Belgian gold trader Alain Goetz, who has smuggled gold from mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo controlled by armed groups involved in human rights violations.
MPs have backed a new law aimed at preventing terror attacks at events venues, including nightclubs, concert halls and churches.

The Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill, also known as Martyns Law, will compel all UK venues with a capacity of more than 200 people to have plans for an attack on their premises.

Figen Murray campaigned for the law after her 29-year-old son Martyn Hett died in the Manchester Arena bombing, at the end of an Ariana Grande concert in May 2017.

The Bill, which passed its third reading without a division, will now face scrutiny in the House of Lords.

Security minister Dan Jarvis told the Commons at the Bills third reading: After seven years, and as Figen has said, its time to get this done.

He had earlier described the draft law as one part of our already extensive efforts across Government including those of the police and the security services to combat the threat of terrorism.

Mr Jarvis added: The first responsibility of any Government is to keep the public safe and this cross-party commitment to improve the safety and security of venues in the wake of the Manchester Arena attack must be delivered without further delay.

Figen Murray, mother of Manchester Arena bombing victim Martyn Hett, in Downing Street, London (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

Conservative shadow home office minister Matt Vickers replied: Implementing this legislation will require us all to work together.

National security is a collective endeavour.

Organisations affected by these changes are acutely aware of their responsibility.

They understand the importance of protecting their customers from terror and are committed to ensuring that people can attend concerts, exhibitions and performances with the confidence that they are safe.

Its in this spirit of collaboration and mutual responsibility which will ultimately make the provisions in Martyns Law a success.

This responsibility goes both ways, just as we expect venues to take the necessary steps in this Bill, they expect the Government to approach its implementation in a measured and sensible manner.

Venues hosting qualifying events will have to report to the Security Industry Authority (SIA) watchdog, which will have investigation and enforcement powers.

Operators may need to make changes to comply with the rules, by locking doors, closing shutters and identifying safe escape routes.

Big venues expected to host 800 or more individuals will face an enhanced duty, looking at how people move in and out of events, and the security of information which might be useful to a person preparing an attack.

Some MPs raised fears small venues may be unable to cope with the new requirements, including the Liberal Democrats shadow attorney general Ben Maguire who said: There are of course concerns from many micro and small businesses about the financial impacts and the additional bureaucracy that these requirements may bring.

He called for a practical training plan for business staff and event volunteers.

Jim Shannon, the DUP MP for Strangford, said: What were doing tonight in this debate is were asking our churches, our charities, our missionary groups, those who run community halls to consider these things, who have no experience.

He added that churches tell him they want to be equipped, they want to be able to respond, and Mr Jarvis pledged to work closely with religious institutions which are covered in the Bill to provide them with support.
Scotlands First Minister has said a stable solution is needed for Syria after the welcome fall of a brutal regime.

The Assad regime fell on Sunday as a rebel coalition seized control of the capital Damascus, after 13 years of civil war.

Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) swept to power as part of the rebel alliance, with the countrys former president Bashar Assad fleeing to Russia where he has been granted asylum.

First Minister John Swinney stressed the need for a stable solution to the situation.

Speaking on a visit to a hospital in Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, he told the PA news agency: There will be an enormous sense of relief that the Assad regime has fallen in Syria, its brutality is without doubt, and when we look at some of the images, and I was looking at some images of prisoners being released from the most appalling conditions imaginable, it illustrates the brutality of the Assad regime.

There will of course be anxiety over what comes next and what I hope for, and what we should all work for, is stability in Syria and stability and peace in the Middle East.

There are a whole variety of factors that need to be addressed there, a ceasefire in Gaza, we need to have political stability in Syria, so the importance of ensuring we have a stable solution is essential in the aftermath of the welcome fall of a brutal regime.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who is visiting the Persian Gulf, has welcomed the demise of the Assad regime in Syria. (Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Bashar Assads barbaric regime has met a welcome end, the Prime Minister suggested, as reports emerged that the Syrian leader is seeking sanctuary in Moscow.

Syrians are celebrating the demise of Assad government, after 13 years of civil war sparked by the presidents violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters following the Arab Spring.

A coalition of rebels seized control of the capital Damascus in a lightning offensive overnight on Sunday, 11 days after launching a major operation.

Mr Assad has been granted asylum by Russia, according to the Tass state news agency, where he met his British-born wife Asma and their children  who had already fled Syria.

Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the end of Mr Assads rule, but said it was early days yet in deciding how Britain would choose to engage with those who have overthrown him.

The rebels efforts were led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist group which is banned in the UK because of its past association with al Qaida, the terrorist organisation once led by Osama bin Laden.

HTSs leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani cut ties with al Qaida years ago, and is said to embrace tolerance of different religious groups and communities.

Sir Keir urged all sides in the conflict to protect civilians and ensure aid could reach the vulnerable, and also insisted on the need for a political solution to safeguard Syrias future.

The Syrian people have suffered under Assads barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure, the Prime Minister said.

The Prime Minister, who has travelled to the Persian Gulf on a trade mission, added: Our focus is now on ensuring a political solution prevails, and peace and stability is restored.

Asked whether he would be wiling to deal with HTS, Sir Keir told broadcasters in Abu Dhabi: Its very early days at the moment.

We do need a political solution, and thats what we are talking to regional allies about. It is a good thing that Assad has gone, a very good thing for the Syrian people.

Syrian President Bashar Assad fled his country following the insurgency (Amir Nabil/AP)

The Home Office recognised that HTSs relationship with al Qaida had changed, as there had been a splintering between the two organisations.

A spokesperson for the department said the Government did not routinely comment on whether a group was being considered for proscription or deproscription.

Former spy chief Sir John Sawers said it would be rather ridiculous if the UK was unable to engage with HTS because of the ban.

The ex-head of MI6 also told Sky News: I think the Home Secretary will be asking MI5 and the joint terrorism assessment centre for a review of the situation about Tahrir al-Sham and whether it should remain on the proscribed entity list.

Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said the Government would have to assess the threat that HTS posed (Lucy North/PA)

Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner had earlier told broadcasters the Foreign Office had a plan to ensure that people were evacuated ahead of whats happened, but did not reveal how many UK nationals had been helped.

Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel said the Tories wanted to put the Syrian people first and called on the Government to review the security and defence implications as well as the terrorist risks posed by the rebel groups.
Zouhir Al-Shimale says he is happy that his country is finally free (Zouhir Al-Shimale/PA)

A Syrian journalist living in London says he hopes to return to his home city of Aleppo after the fall of the Assad regime.

Zouhir Al-Shimale, 33, who has lived in the UK since 2018, says he is happy that his country is finally free, but angry that the ousted president did not face justice in Syria.

President Bashar Assad fled to Moscow, Russian state media has reported, after rebels launched a major offensive against the government.

Mr Assad reportedly left Syria early on Sunday, and Syrians have been pouring onto the streets in celebration of the end of the Assad familys 50-year reign.

Mr Al-Shimale joined hundreds of his fellow countrymen in Trafalgar Square in London on Sunday, to rejoice at the overthrow of a man who led his country through 13 years of a civil war which left half a million Syrians dead and displaced millions to countries around the world.

Zouhir Al-Shimale joined hundreds of other Syrians in Trafalgar Square (Zouhir Al-Shimale/ PA)

Its hard to describe it in one word, I feel happiness, joy and shock, Mr Al-Shimale told the PA news agency.

In contrast there is also rage and anger and frustration, having Assad leaving easily without being held to justice in Syria.

Mr Al-Shimale, who reported from east Aleppo, when it was under siege, was forced out of his home in 2016 after Assads regime started carrying out chemical attacks on the city.

He initially moved to Idlib, in north-western Syria, and then on-to Turkey, before coming to the UK.

Mr Al-Shimales family, including his parents and younger sister, still live in Aleppo, where their home was bombed but is now being repaired.

I havent seen my father for 13 or 14 years, he said.

Weve been on non-stop calls over the last week.

He plans to return to Aleppo soon, with his brothers, who also live in Europe, for a long-awaited family reunion.

Hundreds of Syrians gathered in London on Sunday (Zouhir Al-Shimale/PA)

I want to go back to see and enjoy the hustle and bustle of the city centre, the shops, the restaurants and the people, he said.

I want to have a traditional meal in a cafe or in the famous souks and bazaars and smell the authentic scent of the Old City and the Citadel.

I want to enjoy having a conversation with my friends about how the politics of the country are, without having to look around us to see if theres someone coming to kind of kidnap us, or if intelligence is coming to chase us.

Mr Al-Shimale said that while the future of his country is unknown there are good indicators that political process and transition is under way.
Voting against the Scottish Governments Budget will be an albatross around Labours neck, the First Minister has said, as he pledged to be the one putting it there.

Finance Secretary Shona Robison published the Governments draft Budget last week, with the SNP two votes short of a working majority, although still able to rely on support from expelled MSP John Mason.

Put to him that the most politically viable partners to support the Budget in its final vote in February were the Scottish Greens or Scottish Lib Dems, First Minister John Swinney disagreed, believing Labour could back the proposals.

These include a scaled-back winter fuel payment scheme for next year and the beginnings of work to mitigate the two-child benefit cap in Scotland.

Speaking to the PA news agency, the First Minister said: Youre telling me its going to be alright for a Labour Party to vote against winter fuel payments and vote against steps to abolish the two-child cap?

If thats what the Labour Party want to do, then theyll be held to account for that.

He added: Im simply pointing out that the Labour Party has run out of luxury space on the Budget  they are in the frame.

So if the Labour Party wants to vote against the Budget, theyre obviously free to do so, but theyll be held to account for that, because theyll be voting for the third time against providing support and assistance for pensioners in winter.

If Labour want that hanging round them, then it can hang round them like an albatross  and believe you me, Ill be the one putting it there.

The Scottish Governments Budget has been described by some as a political one, with ministers announcing proposals with one eye on the 2026 Holyrood election.

John Swinney at Bute House in Edinburgh (Jane Barlow/PA)

The Government has asked the Department for Work and Pensions to divulge the data required to allow Social Security Scotland  the devolved benefits agency  to begin the work to mitigate the controversial policy which Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has said he is in favour of doing when it is financially viable to do so.

Mr Swinney spoke in the hours after a meeting of the British-Irish Council, where he met privately with the Prime Minister.

The First Minister said Sir Keir was open to providing the necessary data.

We cannot succeed in our policy objective of lifting the two-child cap, which will then succeed in lifting children out of poverty, unless the Department for Work and Pensions gives us access to that data, he said.

The Prime Minister assured me that we will have their co-operation going forward and thats really welcome because that allows us to get on with the policy commitment that we set out to Parliament.

John Swinney met Sir Keir Starmer at the British-Irish Council this week (Andy Buchanan/PA)

Mr Swinney has made the eradication of child poverty his driving mission since the beginning of his time in Bute House.

But the figure has remained stubbornly around 24% of children living in relative poverty in recent years, with statutory targets of reducing the figure to at most 18% in 2023-24 and less than 10% by 2030

With data on the interim target due to be published next year, the First Minister said he was confident the goal would be reached.

I dont know the detail yet, but I think we can, he said.

I think the combination of measures that are contained in the Best Start, Bright Futures policy approach is a properly calibrated balance between income support, income maximisation and whole family support, which is necessary because that approach recognises the complexity of many of the challenges, and I think that can be achieved.

Scottish Labour finance spokesperson Michael Marra said This weeks Budget failed to provide the new direction Scotland so badly needs.

With our NHS in crisis and our public finances spiralling further out of control this was a moment for a reset; instead we got more of the same.

It is a strange contradiction that the SNP voted against a UK Labour Government Budget delivering record levels of investment in Scotland and now it expects universal support for using that funding to fix its own glaring mistakes.

Scottish Labour fully supports reinstating winter fuel payments but the SNP voted against our attempts to make it happen in law.

This Budget wont deliver a single penny to families affected by the two-child cap and it is worrying that John Swinney thinks it acceptable to pretend otherwise.

We will continue to discuss the Budget with SNP ministers to try and convince them to change direction. That looks unlikely while their top priorities are spin and political posturing.

They are a government that has long since lost its way. Scottish Labour is focused on delivering the new direction Scotland needs.
Syrians wait to cross into Syria from Turkey at the Cilvegozu border gate, near the town of Antakya, southern Turkey (Metin Yoksu/AP)

By Mucahit Ceylan and Mehmet Guzel, Associated Press

By Mucahit Ceylan and Mehmet Guzel, Associated Press

Hundreds of Syrian refugees gathered at two border crossings in southern Turkey, eagerly anticipating their return home following the fall of president Bashar Assads government.

Many arrived at the Cilvegozu and Oncupinar border gates at daybreak, draped in blankets and coats.

Some camped by the barriers of the border crossing, warming themselves with makeshift fires or resting on the cold ground.

Syrians wait to cross into Syria from Turkey at the Cilvegozu border gate, near the town of Antakya, southern Turkey (Metin Yoksu/AP)

The border crossings correspond to the Bab al-Hawa and Bab al-Salameh gates on the Syrian side of the border.

Among those waiting at Cilvegozu was 28-year-old Muhammed Zin who voiced excitement at the prospect of returning to his homeland.

He fled Damascus in 2016 and has been living and working in Istanbul.

Assad was shooting us, killing us, he told the Associated Press.

I will return to Syria now. Thank God, the war is over, he said.

Seer Ali, 18, who left Damascus six years ago, had been working in the nearby city of Gaziantep to support his mother and siblings back home.

Syrians arrive to cross into Syria from Turkey at the Cilvegozu border gate, near the town of Antakya, southern Turkey (Metin Yoksu/AP)

We are very happy, very happy. Not just me, but everyone, all of us Syrians here are very happy, he said.

Everyone will return, no one will stay here. They will all go to their families.

Turkish officials have not said how many Syrians have returned since Mr Assads downfall.

Authorities set up a checkpoint some five kilometres (three miles) from Cilvegozu, only allowing Syrians with adequate documentation to advance to the border gate, HaberTurk television reported.

Mr Assads fall has sparked widespread joy among Turkeys three million Syrian refugees, with many taking to the streets of Istanbul and other cities to celebrate.

On Sunday, Syrians also removed the Syrian governments flag from the Syrian Consulate in Istanbul, replacing it with the oppositions flag.

Syrians wait to cross into Syria from Turkey at the Oncupinar border gate, near the town of Kilis, southern Turkey (Khalil Hamra/AP)

Turkey welcomed Syrian refugees with open arms in the early years of the Syrian civil war that broke out in 2011  becoming host to the largest number of refugees in the world.

Ankara believed that the conflict would end quickly and refugee influx would be temporary.

But as Turkey faced economic challenges, public opinion toward the refugees soured, forcing President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government to seek ways to ensure their safe and voluntary repatriation.

Turkish officials now hope that a significant number of Syrians will return voluntarily.

We will continue our efforts to ensure the safe and voluntary return of Syrians and to rebuild the country, Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan said on Monday.

Hundreds of displaced Syrians were also returning Monday to Syria from Lebanon, with dozens of cars lining up to enter.

Syrians arrive to cross into Syria from Turkey at the Cilvegozu border gate, near the town of Antakya, southern Turkey (Metin Yoksu/AP)

The day before, Lebanese residents had handed out congratulatory sweets to Syrians waiting to go back to their country.

Sami Abdel-Latif, a construction worker and refugee from Hama who was heading to Syria to join his wife and four children, said while the future in Syria is still uncertain, anything is better than Bashar.

He said he expected some chaos initially but that eventually the situation would settle down.

Look at Aleppo now, Mr Abdel-Latif said, referring to the first major city taken over by opposition forces more than a week ago, where life has continued more or less as normal.

He said he is also hoping that there will now be plentiful work in Syria to rebuild.

Malak Matar, who was preparing to return to Damascus, said: This is a feeling weve been waiting 14 years for.

You feel yourself psychologically free  you can express yourself, he said. The country is free and the barriers have been broken down.

Now, he said, Syrians have to create a state that is well-organised and takes care of their country. Its a new phase.
Louie Kendrick, left, and Chris White help load up letters after they were removed Tuesday from the Enron sign at Astros Field. Meanwhile, Enron sought permission to hire Street Bank and Trust to manage its employee retirement plans. Carlos Antonio Rios/Houston Chronicle

In the 23 years since Enrons demise, much of the outrage associated with the companys decline has begun to fade from public consciousness.

But since news broke of a new company inhabiting the shell of Enrons fallen brand making a return  heralded by tongue-in-cheek advertisements promising a renewed and repentant Enron  old memories, once shrouded in the mist of decades past, have resurfaced.

The Houston Chronicle spoke with a former Enron employee and a man tasked with assisting in the aftermath of it's demise to get a better idea of what made the company so infamous.

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The beginning of the end

Former Enron Chairman Ken Lay departs from the Bob Casey United States Court House in Houston, at the conclusion of his bench trial before Judge Sim Lake on bank fraud charges. Steve Ueckert/Houston Chronicle

Its late September, 2001.

At an Enron all-hands meeting, the late Kenneth Lay, then the CEO and president of Enron, assured employees that, although the companys share price had already tanked by more than half over the previous year, Enrons future was looking bright.

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My personal belief is that Enron stock is an incredible bargain at current prices and we will look back a couple of years from now and see the great opportunity that we currently have, Lay said.

Lay held a significant amount of sway over the more than 20,000 employees who worked under him  many of whom saw Lay as the architect of the electric, efficient and fast-paced company culture that saw Enron named "America's Most Innovative Company" by Fortune six years in a row.

One of those employees was Ezzatollah Sadrerafi.

Sadrerafi, then the 40-year-old regional director of Enrons midwest operations, joined the company in 2000 and quickly became a believer in what Lay had built.

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We really saw Ken as our granddad, he talked and we listened to him. We all loved him big time, Sadrerafi said. He was one of those people that you would trust, just the way he talked, the way he did things, all that.

But the ship was sinking. By the end of 2001, Enrons share price would plummet from an average of around $30 a share in September to just 60 cents. In December, around 5,000 of Enrons employees, including Sadrerafi, were summarily dismissed.

The light shines on Astros owner Drayton McLane Jr. during the ceremonial grand opening of Enron Field's roof. Smiley N. Pool/Houston Chronicle

I was at home working on my computer, and the computer suddenly just went away. I mean, the internet connection, everything just went away, Sadrerafi said. That was how we found out that we were no longer employed.

Sadrerafi worked remotely from Illinois, where he still lives. In one fell swoop, the plug was pulled on him and the rest of his colleagues in Enrons midwest region. A more dramatic scene played out at Enrons Houston headquarters, where employees were herded out of the building by the thousands.

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But that was only the beginning.

Employee retirement accounts, many of which were heavily invested in Enrons stock as a result of senior leaderships bullish outlook on the companys value, were wiped out. Retirees, now with a pension worth just a fraction of what it was just months ago, were forced to return to the workforce.

I lost over a million dollars  I lost everything, Sadrerafi said. The corporate management, Ken Lay included, kept promising everything is hunky dory, everything is wonderful, keep buying more stock.

A fiscal shockwave sent ripples throughout U.S. markets  state investment accounts for government employees posted staggering losses in Washington, California and Ohio, and the Texas Teachers Retirement System lost $35.7 million in the immediate aftermath, according to the Associated Press.

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Ed Hirs is an economics lecturer at the University of Houston and was a consultant to the Department of Justices Enron Task Force formed in the immediate aftermath of the companys downfall.

Lots of people lost their jobs. Kids got pulled out of private schools that minute. Lawn services went bankrupt, Hirs said. At the end of the day, the Enron 401K was 99% Enron stock, and the other 1% was Worldcom, which also had a magnificent collapse.

While bankruptcy proceedings and litigation filed after Enron collapsed secured a small pay out for the victims caught up in the scandal, the vast majority of benefits went unpaid. Employees were not compensated for expenses or remaining vacation days, but the Enron's top executives were paid $55 million in bonuses just days before the company filed for bankruptcy.

It was a fraud. Everything else was a smokescreen, Hirs said. They weren't making the money, and so leadership tried to present something that was profitable that simply was not.

The end and a new beginning

Sadrerafi fared better than most. The 63-year-old has since retired, and just welcomed his seventh grandchild into the family.

But while the immediate wounds have healed, the memory remains.

I went through the four stages of grief, because I was actually in denial for a while. I couldn't believe it was happening, Sadrerafi said. Enron was the largest energy company in the world. It went down to nothing. It was just kind of hard to believe. Eventually I moved on to anger, and as more stories came out, I just became more and more angry.

Rev. Jesse Jackson, right, and Damon Silvers, general counsel, American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations Associated, center, and others, looks on as Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas speaks at a news conference at AFL-CIO headquarters in Washington Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2002, to discuss helping former Enron employees. STEPHEN J BOITANO/AP

It took him more than a year to work through his grief, Sadrerafi said. In the meantime, he, his wife and their four children had to make do. Although their retirement savings had been wiped out, Sadrerafi still had some money saved, which, when combined with his wifes income, helped the family avoid losing their house.

The only silver lining was that he was not alone. Hundreds of thousands of people and businesses were impacted by Enrons demise, and through that shared experience, a curious sense of camaraderie formed between Enrons former employees and business associates, Sadrerafi said.

A company that I worked with through Enron actually contacted me and offered me a job, he said. They were also devastated. All the energy contracts and everything had fallen apart in the aftermath so they asked me to come in and help piece things back together.

Former employees sought one another out, and soon groups began meeting for drinks. They celebrated the good times and supported each other through the bad. They kept tabs on bankruptcy proceedings, and shared job prospects.

Enron, Sadrerafi said, had died, but the people who made the company the powerhouse it became remained.

Back then, we didnt have the internet like we have it now, so we created our own little internet, he said. Now I have friends in California, Kansas City, Chicago and Houston. We still stay in touch with one another, even after all these years.

Sadrerafi considers himself one of the lucky ones. It took him years to get back to where he was before Enrons demise, but he said hed do it all over again if he had to.
An explosive eruption at the summit vent of Kanlaon volcano, as seen from Mansalanao in Negros Occidental province, Philippines (Philippine Institute of Volcanology/AP)

A plume of hot ash and gases up to 1.8 miles high forced residents to seek shelter after a volcano erupted in the Philippines.

There were no immediate reports of casualties in the latest explosion of Mount Kanlaon, on central Negros island, but authorities shut schools and imposed a night-time curfew after several villages were hit by ashfalls that clouded the the visibility of motorists and sparked health concerns.

It sounded like a cannon, Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas of Canlaon city, which lies south-east of the volcano, told The Associated Press by telephone.

There have been quiet eruptions before, but this was one very loud.

Disaster-response officials raised the danger level around Kanlaon due to a greater risk of hazardous volcanic activity and ordered villagers within a six-kilometre (3.7 mile) radius of the crater to be evacuated.

About 100 people had fled to emergency shelters in Canlaon by nightfall after the mid-afternoon volcanic eruption, Mr Cardenas said.

The number of displaced people could reach more than 2,000 due to stronger prospects of more eruption, he added.

The Philippines Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the eruption had caused a pyroclastic density current  a superhot stream of ash, debris and rocks that can incinerate anything in its path.

The alert level around Kanlaon is at the third-highest of a five-step warning system, indicating magmatic eruption has begun that may progress to further explosive eruptions.

The 2,435-metre (7,988-foot) volcano, one of the countrys 24 most-active volcanoes, last erupted in June sending hundreds of villagers to emergency shelters.

Located in the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, a region prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, the Philippines is also lashed by about 20 typhoons and storms a year, making it one of the worlds most disaster-prone countries.
Siaosi Sovaleni speaks at the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in Nukualofa, Tonga in August (AP)

Tongas Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni abruptly resigned in parliament ahead of a planned no-confidence vote in his leadership, capping a period of fraught relations between his government and Tongas king.

Mr Sovaleni, who took office in 2021, did not specify a reason for his departure, but his resignation halted the no-confidence motion expected on Monday. It was not clear who would succeed him.

His resignation comes less than a year before a national election in the South Pacific island of 105,000 people and highlighted the occasional tensions between Tongas monarchy and politicians after reforms that transferred powers from the royal family and nobles to regular citizens in 2010.

A statement on the Tongan Parliaments Facebook page said Mr Sovaleni, 54, quit for the good of the country and moving Tonga forward.

Video from Tongas parliament on Monday showed the leader making brief and emotional remarks in Tongan before the no-confidence vote was scheduled to take place.

His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. His leadership had survived a previous no-confidence vote in September 2023.

In recent months, Mr Sovalenis tenure was marked by difficult relations with Tongas head of state, King Tupou VI. Although the sovereigns predecessor ceded power voluntarily in the 2010 democratic reforms, Tupou retains powers to dissolve parliament, appoint judges and veto laws.

The king at times made his dissatisfaction with Mr Sovaleni apparent, including by withdrawing confidence in him as defence minister in February.

Some lawmakers at first decried the kings pressure on Mr Sovaleni and his foreign minister as unconstitutional, but both eventually resigned their posts in April  although Mr Sovaleni remained as prime minister.

A month earlier, Mr Sovaleni had been photographed at a traditional ceremony of apology to the king, but neither side publicly addressed the event.

When Tonga hosted the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in August, the king was travelling abroad and did not attend the conference  a significant event for the small Pacific nation  which analysts said was a snub to Mr Sovaleni and his government.

Speaking to Radio New Zealand (RNZ) on Monday, Mr Sovaleni did not signal a particular reason for his departure.

Asked whether his decision was prompted by disagreements with the king, he said that differences in views were normal.

Im not sure whether thats the reason, he said, according to RNZ, adding that he still did not know why he and the foreign minister had lost the kings confidence earlier this year.

But we still provide respect to his majesty, he said. Whatever we do, we always consider that relationship. So maybe you can ask someone else.

His successor will be selected by Tongas 26 politicians in a vote. The parliament is made up of 17 people elected by the public and nine who are nobles, elected by a group of hereditary chiefs.

Mr Sovaleni entered parliament in 2014 and has been a minister since 2019.

He led Tonga as the tourism-dependent country struggled to rebound from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, growing threats from climate change and a catastrophic 2022 volcanic eruption and tsunami, which battered beachfront resorts, homes and businesses around Tongas 171 islands.

A former senior public servant who also worked in the private sector before entering politics, Mr Sovaleni is the son of a former Tongan deputy prime minister. He attended high school in New Zealand and studied at Oxford University and the University of the South Pacific, attaining masters degrees in computer science and business.
DALTON  When customers came to pick up their orders at Shire Donuts on Sunday morning, 13-year-old Nate Sykes greeted them with a smile.

Many of the patrons already knew Nate before they saw him behind the counter  this years Donuts with Santa fundraiser at the shop was held in his name. Over the past decade, Nate and his family have been raising money for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation, which supports impacted families, bolsters research and advocates for policies to alleviate the effects of childhood cancer.

To date, the family has raised nearly $178,000, according to Amy Sykes, his mother. The money raised from the event, which drew considerable crowds from 8 a.m. to noon to receive a doughnut, a cup of hot cocoa and a picture with Santa for $5, will give the effort a nice little jump, she said. The proceeds will go directly to the foundation, not to the family.

Nate was diagnosed with a pediatric brain tumor in 2013  Amy Sykes said he's basically never known life without it. Nates tumor is benign, but it takes its toll on him  hes endured a number of surgeries, including a 12-hour brain surgery in 2022 which has meant even more operations due to the resulting nerve damage. Day to day, he deals with ongoing headaches, nausea and double vision.

But youd never know it if you met him. At the doughnut shop on Sunday, organizers and staff referred to Nate affectionately as the mayor for his genial nature and willingness to help out. Christen Simmons-Smith of Two Moms for a Cure, the organizing team behind the fundraiser, said that Nate assisted with every aspect of the event, including making doughnuts, singing and greeting people as they arrived.

Amy Sykes said thats business as usual for her son, adding that his attitude toward life is infectious.

Hes a kid that lights up every room that he enters, Amy Sykes said. Everybody always says that about him.

Photos: The Reindog Parade marches through Williamstown Festive dogs and their humans make their way down Spring Street in Williamstown for the annual Reindog Parade  part of the downtown Williamst

Nates "mayor" title could be a sign of things to come  hes particularly interested in politics and government, he said, and enjoys studying history. When hes not poring over books for school, he enjoys playing video games; Fortnite and Madden are among his favorites at the moment.

Nate said he was very pleased with the turnout at the event, noting that he had no idea there were so many people out there who were supporting the cause. He also had encouraging words for others struggling with a pediatric brain tumor, urging them to keep fighting, fighting and fighting to make it to the good times yet to come.

Try to make the most of what youre going through, Nate said.

The fundraising event has become an annual highlight since it began in 2022  Shire Donuts owner Heather King said it was the staffs favorite day of the year. Stephanie Maschino, an organizer of Two Moms for A Cure, said there wasn't an official tally for attendance yet this year  the organizers also didn't have a specific fundraising goal in mind. They simply want to see the event grow each year, Maschino said.

In addition to the pictures with Santa and sweet treats, attendees had a chance to purchase merchandise and enter raffles that were donated by local businesses and community members.

One of those raffle prizes was donated by the family of Carter LaCasse, a Pittsfield boy with leukemia who the Donuts with Santa fundraiser was held for in 2022. Similarly, the family of Sawyer Dunham, who was supported by last years fundraiser, stopped by to participate in this years effort, according to Maschino.

Maschino said that was part and parcel for those affected by childhood cancer  a community that both she and Simmons-Smith are a part of. Those who have been through it have a keen awareness of the long drives to Boston for appointments, the dread of waiting for scans and test results and the feeling of anniversaries coming back around, she said.

We all know what its like, Maschino said. And everybodys willing to help each other.
PITTSFIELD  On Nov. 14, Billy Erney Buitrago-Bustos appeared in Berkshire Superior Court for a bail review.

The next day, shortly after he'd made bail, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers picked him up.

The 42-year-old Colombian national had overstayed his visa, according to immigration officials. Buitrago-Bustos was accused of rape of a child with force, and had been held in pretrial custody pending a dangerousness hearing following his arrest last year. Now, that trial appears to be on hold indefinitely, before it even started.

Buitrago-Bustos was one of 12 men whose arrest or removal by immigration authorities was publicized last month by the Boston division of ICEs Enforcement and Removal Operations, making local and national news as the incoming Trump administration prepares to carry out its pledge for large-scale deportations.

That roundup corresponded with an uptick in publicity surrounding the agency's enforcement actions, according to a review of press statements. From July to November, ICE issued 65 news releases about enforcement actions by its Boston division  about twice the number it issued over the same period last year.

When asked whether the agency was stepping up detentions and removals in Massachusetts, an ICE spokesperson declined to comment.

In a press release, the agency said it "thank[s] our law enforcement partners at the Berkshire County Jail and House of Correction for prioritizing public safety and protecting children in the communities they were appointed to serve."

The ways that local law enforcement can assist federal immigration agencies are limited  but in recent weeks, its made a difference in Berkshire County.

ICE says its enforcement strategy aims to protect the country from dangerous people, while some legal experts and local elected officials call ICE's involvement heavy-handed and unwelcome, short-circuiting ongoing prosecutions and making it difficult for crime victims to get their day in court.

So what are the rules of engagement between local and federal authorities, and what, if any, role does local law enforcement play in deportation?

HOW IS ICE NOTIF IED?

In the Buitrago-Bustos case, ICE issued a detainer  a formal request to local law enforcement to notify the agency prior to a detainee's release.

When ICE issues a detainer for someone at the Berkshire County Jail & House of Corrections, jail officials keep the agency apprised of when they're due to be released from custody.

It's then up to ICE to report to the jail and take them into custody, according to Berkshire County Sheriff Thomas Bowler. The jail cannot hold an inmate on a detainer alone  if a detainee's criminal sentence ends or pretrial incarceration expires, that person is free to leave.

"Its up to them to either come or not come," Bowler said of immigration officials. "All we do is notify the agency. If theyre at the jail at the time of the release, then they take [the detainee] into custody.

At Buitrago-Bustos bail hearing, the prosecution and defense agreed to set his bail at $5,000. His employer showed up at the Cheshire Road jail at about 4:30 p.m. the next day to bail him out.

In that case, Bowler said his office made two calls  one to immigration officials letting them know that Buitrago-Bustos was expected to be released, and one to the clerk magistrate available to process bail payments.

By the time the magistrate showed up at the jail Friday evening and processed Buitrago-Bustos' bail, ICE had arrived, Bowler said.

"As soon as he was released, he was taken into custody, Bowler said. He said there were two other detainees in the Cheshire Road facility who currently have detainers.

CANNOT BE HELD

Local law enforcement in Massachusetts have no authority to detain people on the basis of an ICE detainer alone, the state Supreme Judicial Court ruled in the 2017 case Sreynuon Lunn v. Commonwealth.

"Once a person has posted bail, there's no longer any basis to keep them in state custody," said attorney Emma C. Winger, who represented Lunn. "They cannot be held for ICE to come and get them."

Sheriffs across the state are bound by that decision, said Jordan Noe, director of communications for the Massachusetts Sheriffs' Association.

"The Lunn decision clearly articulates the scope of enforcement authority granted to law enforcement agencies within the commonwealth," Noe said in a statement. "The Sheriffs do not make the law. The Sheriffs enforce the law."

Sheriff Bowler said his agency's cooperation with ICE was limited to providing immigration officials with current information about a detainee's court process. That means notifying ICE of upcoming court dates for detainees with detainers, in addition to keeping immigration apprised of their release from custody.

A spokesperson for the Hampden County Sheriff's Office said it similarly notifies immigration officials when someone in custody who is subject to an immigration detainer is going to be released, but won't continue to hold them on an immigration detainer alone. Bowler said he believed most Massachusetts sheriff offices do as well.

"The Hampden County Sheriffs Office will not be changing our practices, regardless of the presidential administration, and we will continue to follow the law when it comes to ICE detainers," said spokesperson Robert Rizzuto in a statement.

A Massachusetts sheriff is lobbying state lawmakers to change the law and give him authority to detain people for 48 hours upon a request from ICE. Sheriff Lewis G. Evangelidis Jr., a Worcester Republican, told The Telegram & Gazette that a change to allow a two-day detention would give immigration officials more time to respond to the jail and take them into immigration custody. According to the paper, Evangelidis cited the Lunn decision that said the "better course" was for the state Legislature to act on the issue.

Bowler, a Democrat, said he would support a measure to allow his office to hold detainees with ICE detainers for two days after posting bail, citing public safety concerns.

"If they wanted to amend the law and give us up to 48 hours to hold a detainee, that's fine with me, I would support it as well, Bowler said. "It's all about keeping our community safe, to ensure that our community stays safe from the violent offenders.

He said he believed the incoming "border czar," Tom Homan, will prioritize undocumented immigrants who pose a public safety risk.

"We certainly should be concerned with those who are committing crimes and who are a threat to our public safety," said Bowler. "Every community leader wants to protect their community."

DA 'WILL NOT ASSIST' ICE

Jennifer Klein, director of the Immigration Impact Unit of the Committee for Public Counsel Services, said the practice of law enforcement officials calling ICE is common throughout the state. She said it results in removal proceedings being initiated against defendants while their cases remain open in court.

In our experience, most jails in the commonwealth call ICE when an individual with an ICE detainer is being released, even when the person is posting bail and the criminal case remains ongoing," Klein said in a statement. "Unfortunately, this often leads to ICE arresting people in the midst of an ongoing case and undermines the process for all parties involved.

Another local man, 21-year-old Mynor Stiven De Paz-Munoz of Great Barrington, also was taken into ICE custody last month. De Paz-Munoz was accused of raping a teen last year, and was out on bail when he was arrested by ICE on Nov. 12.

Whereas Bowler's office provides notifications to ICE, the office of Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue does not, according to a spokesperson.

"The Berkshire District Attorneys Office has not, and will not, assist ICE in any capacity," Julia Sabourin said.

She condemned the recent ICE arrests of De Paz-Munoz and Buitrago-Bustos, and specified that the District Attorneys Office did not report them to ICE. Sabourin said the prosecutor's office obtained "appropriate" bail to ensure their return to court.

Immigration stepped in while the court process was still playing out, she said.

"The prosecution of these individuals ought to be left to local law enforcement to ensure justice is preserved for all parties," Sabourin said, "however, ICE stepped in and thwarted the process."

A spokesperson for ICE also declined to say why deportation proceedings were initiated against the men mid-prosecution.

"ICE has no additional comment beyond the press release issued on this topic," a spokesperson wrote in separate requests for information about the two men's respective situations.

'WE HAVE A RIGHT TO PROSECUTE'

Shugrue commented in support of the Safe Communities Act, which Sabourin said would prevent law enforcement from inquiring about immigration status along with other factors.

It would also prevent any "employee of a law enforcement agency" from initiating communication with the United States Department of Homeland Security about the "pending or imminent release, from state, local or county custody" of a detainee, except at the end of a criminal sentence.

The bill's sponsor, state Sen. Jamie Eldridge, D-Acton, said the measure, initially filed in 2017 and refiled with updates since, aims to maintain trust between local police officials and undocumented immigrants, which results in immigrants being more likely to report crimes in their communities and those perpetrated against themselves.

"It's extremely dangerous to mix the enforcement of criminal laws and our immigration laws, because it really leads to a breakdown of trust," Eldridge said.

Shugrue said that when ICE "intervenes" and moves to deport people accused of crimes mid-prosecution, the accused evade criminal prosecution.

"I just think that we have a right to prosecute our cases," Shugrue said. "When people are deported, I can't give justice to the victims."
For months, municipalities across the commonwealth have been asking the state to clarify its new accessory dwelling provision.

Some of those questions are now answered  in draft form.

The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities issued draft regulations for accessory dwelling units on Monday and announced a public comment period that will open Dec. 20.

Municipalities, housing advocates and other stakeholders will have until Jan. 10, 2025, to share concerns, questions and suggestions. The EOHLC will then issue final regulations by Feb. 2, when the provision goes into effect.

In August, Governor Maura Healey signed the Affordable Homes Act, the states most ambitious housing legislation to date, into law. Among the nearly 50 policy initiatives included in the act is a provision that sets a comprehensive definition for accessory dwelling units and removes restrictions that can slow or halt the construction of ADUs.

That provision goes into effect Feb. 2, a deadline that has left municipalities  who have long had the discretion to define ADUs, set restrictions and decide whether to allow them at all  scrambling to update, or write, their bylaws.

But some municipalities have said its difficult to implement the provision when some details remain hazy.

The draft regulations are intended to clarify those questions, while also giving towns and cities a chance to provide feedback before the EOHLC issues final regulations.

As town officials and regional officials, youre going to have a lot of opinions, a lot of ideas, Secretary of Housing Ed Augustus told the audience at Berkshire Regional Planning Commission's annual meeting in September. Participate in that process because we will make changes based on the feedback that we get. Its an iterative process, but its only as good as the folks who take advantage of that process. So as youre thinking about it, as youre talking about it in our communities, come up with those good ideas and share them with us.

In the draft regulations, the EOHLC has provided a list of definitions, delineated what is an unreasonable regulation and set up a system for annual updates.

In addition to the public comment period, municipalities will also have the opportunity to share their questions and suggestions at a hybrid public hearing Friday, Jan. 10.

The EOHLC is particularly interested in feedback on whether the regulations should address pre-existing nonconformities, dimensional standards, utility connections, fees and addresses, Augustus said in a letter.

EOHLC welcomes comments on how to clarify the distinction and ensure consistency, either through these regulations or through further guidance, Augustus said.
As Massachusetts gears up for a second Donald Trump administration, advocates and officials are preparing for the statewide impacts of potential federal changes to the immigration system.

Someone at the helm of that work is Elizabeth Sweet, executive director of the Massachusetts Immigrant & Refugee Advocacy Coalition.

MIRA serves as a membership coalition of more than 140 organizations, including the Elizabeth Freeman Center in Pittsfield, that advocate for policies and changes supporting immigrant and refugee rights in Massachusetts. Over the past year, immigration has been at the forefront of Bay Staters' minds  the influx of migrants into the shelter system has occurred in the midst of an ongoing housing crisis.

The Trump administration has expressed its support for mass deportations and rescinding legal status. Recent statistics show that around 18 percent of Massachusetts residents are foreign-born, and that immigrants make up more than 21 percent of Massachusetts's labor force.

In a recent conversation, Sweet spoke about how MIRA is preparing for 2025 and how Trump's last administration could inform his next one.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity and length.

Q: Looking forward to the incoming Trump administration, how could your work and the lives of immigrants change?

A: As soon as we heard the news about Trump's election, it really sent huge shockwaves through immigrant communities. We heard in the days following the election just so much fear. People are afraid of what's coming. They're afraid, for some folks, that they could lose a status, that they could be at risk for being arrested, potentially detained, potentially deported, and could be facing family separation. And especially, I think, it's the uncertainty of it all  of what he will actually do, and how many of these policies he will push forward, how quickly and how many folks will be affected. Folks are, very reasonably, quite scared and overwhelmed at what might be coming. Immigrants are [also] so critical to our workforce and our economy here and there is a real risk that if significant numbers of folks are targeted and potentially deported, we're going to see a real impact in our economy overall.

Q: Some think that progressive states like Massachusetts might try to put protections in place to limit Trump's attempts at mass deportations. In your eyes, to what degree is Massachusetts at the mercy of those overarching federal changes?

A: It's complicated. Immigration policy is very much set at the federal level. We've seen the impact of that where, for example, these past couple of years, our state leaders have been very anxious to get new immigrants work permits quickly, and yet we're dependent on the federal processing time for those work permits. I think we're going to see a much greater impact of federal policy in the coming years. The reality is that there is a lot of power, fully at the federal level, around how Trump could go about doing this. That said, some of our leaders have already spoken up that they are doing what they can to protect folks, and we're certainly advocating for policies that we think could help protect folks and minimize how much of an impact we feel here in Massachusetts. We're hopeful that some of this goodwill in the state will translate to some actual protections.

Q: What kind of policies are you putting your support behind?

A: MIRA Coalition has long advocated for a bill called the Safe Communities Act. It's a bill that particularly helps pull apart our local and state police and any involvement that they might have in immigration enforcement  keeping that as something that really is handled by federal, trained immigration agents, [making sure] that our local and state police are very separate from that. There are a number of cities, Boston being one, that have passed a Trust Act, which is similar at the city level. And there certainly are opportunities for more cities across Massachusetts to pass similar bills. And then, of course, we hope to see that at the state level.

Q: You mentioned the contribution of immigrants to the workforce in Massachusetts, and how the economy could be impacted should mass deportations happen. How much of an impact do you expect?

A: Our immigrants are contributing to our economy at every level. Immigrants, specifically, are a huge part of our STEM sector. They are a huge part of our hospitality sector. [They are a part of] so many different parts of our economy. And sometimes people underestimate how significant the economic contributions of, say, undocumented immigrants are. The data shows that in 2022, undocumented immigrants contributed $650 million into Massachusetts. The reality is that if some of these folks are being targeted and sent home, there isn't going to be that replacement. Who's going to take those jobs, who's going to be making those economic contributions?

Q: Are there any other aspects of this transition that youre preparing for?

A: We also expect that there could be targeting by this administration of the refugee system and the asylum protection system. There are a lot of ways that they could further put more barriers toward people getting asylum, and reduce the number of refugees who are able to come into this country, which is something we saw in the first Trump administration. [It would] sort of potentially really be pulling back from the protection that this country has often stood for in the world.

We're also really concerned about the very real risk in a Trump administration of more anti-immigrant words, and potentially more  that immigrants could be victims of hate incidents, or at least really negative, xenophobic language. We already saw this incident where Springfield, Ohio, was targeted, and the Haitian community there, and some of the effects of that. And so we're really concerned about more of that kind of rhetoric happening and what that could mean for people's lives.

Q: What are you hearing from people on the ground, from the organizations who are part of MIRA?

A: Something that we are doing, and a lot of our partners and member organizations are doing, is putting a huge emphasis on Know Your Rights programs and training. We've created a whole set of materials that help explain to immigrants what their rights are  if they do have encounters with law enforcement or with immigration officials, what they can do to protect themselves, what they have to answer, what they don't have to answer, etc.

Q: Where does Massachusetts land in this conversation compared to the rest of the country?

A: One thing in terms of comparison is definitely that we actually are one of the states with a higher percentage of foreign-born folks. I don't know if everyone realizes that, but I think that we have a more significant percentage of our state who are immigrants, and we've had more growth in that percentage than a lot of other states over recent years. We also have a really diverse immigrant population here, which I think of as such a huge asset to the state, because we have folks who come to Massachusetts because of our incredible universities here, and our biotech and so much more. So our diverse immigrant population brings a lot of strength to the state and we're at risk to lose some of that.
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Chris Martinez, right, looks back at a man sliding down a hill at Buffalo Bayou Park in Houston on Feb. 15, 2021, after an overnight winter storm hit the city. Jon Shapley/Staff photographer

The Weather Channel is calling Houstons expected winter snowfall this week Enzo, their fifth named storm for the 2024-25 winter season. The thing is, winter storm names are not a real thing  at least not for the National Weather Service or any other meteorological agency in North America.

So why treat winter storms like hurricanes? Before we unpack what the Weather Channel is trying to do, lets look at why nobody else names winter storms.

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Why dont we name winter storms?

The simple answer for why nobody else names winter storms is that winter storms are nothing like tropical storms or hurricanes. Unlike winter storms, tropical cyclones have a distinct rotating center with a defined area of impact, and a life cycle that follows a particular sequence.

Winter storms are extensive weather events that pose too many multiple threats and variations for it to be considered a self-contained weather event like a tropical cyclone.

Winter storm conditions can vary widely and over a very large area, from community to community, the National Weather Service said in a statement to the Houston Chronicle. The weather service, which does not name winter storms, added that unlike tropical storms, winter storms are diverse with conditions that evolve throughout the storms life.

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That is why our forecasts, watches and warnings focus on specific impacts such as wind conditions, snowfall, ice, temperature, visibility, and other impacts, the agency said.

Freeze or winter storm?

For example, take the February 2021 Texas freeze, which the Weather Channel dubbed Winter Storm Uri. That event featured waves of distinct winter storms over multiple days. Separate snowstorms produced varying levels of snowfall across Texas, and a series of ice storms involving freezing rain made some roads impassable.

Meteorologically speaking, though, that weather event was defined more by the record-setting duration of the freezing temperatures than by any one storm.

Naming storms sort of works as long as we dont worry too much about strict definitions, state climatologist John Nielsen-Gammon told the Chronicle. Texans think that what happened in February 2021 was Uri, but we actually had a succession of three winter storms: an unnamed one, then Uri, then Vera.

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The constant factor was the freezing temperature: Its what kept wet roads icy and slick, drove demand for electricity to the point of collapsing the Texas power grid, and burst pipes that triggered water outages in cities across the state.

The cold air lasted for several storms, but I think people associate the name 'Uri' with the cold air more than anything else, Nielsen-Gammon said.

Temperatures plunged into the teens Feb. 15, 2021, in Houston after overnight storms brought light snow and freezing rain. Rolling blackouts throughout the state has cut power to many. Brett Coomer/Staff photographer

So, why name winter storms?

Longtime Weather Channel meteorologist Jim Cantore went on air in October to explain the basis for naming winter storms, a practice the channel started the winter of 2012-13.

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We do name our winter storms here, and you know, whether you love it or hate it, it certainly plays a role in awareness in getting peoples attention out there, he said.

Naming winter storms, he said, can boost awareness of major weather events, streamline communication about the weather events, and help simplify searches for weather information on social media platforms.

JUST IN: The Winter Storm Names for the 2024-2025 season have been released  pic.twitter.com/JiXnKw4G3t  The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) October 16, 2024

The World Meteorological Organization, a United Nations agency that specializes in weather and climate issues and is responsible for naming hurricanes and tropical storms, has understood the value of storm names for decades.

Using short, distinctive names  in written and spoken communications  proved quicker and less subject to error, according to the WMO on its website. Those were essential considerations when exchanging detailed storm information with hundreds of widely scattered weather stations, coastal bases, and ships at sea.

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The WMO had found that naming tropical cyclones has proven to be the fastest way to communicate warnings and raise public awareness and preparedness, adding that assigning names to tropical cyclones makes tracking and discussing specific storms more straightforward, especially when multiple storms are active simultaneously.

What does it all mean for winter?

For starters, we wont hear about a Winter Storm Uri this year because the Weather Channel has retired that name. And as far as our federal government is concerned, the National Weather Service does not name winter storms and there are no plans to consider it, the weather service said.

But public emergency management agencies have embraced the Weather Channels winter storm names and the channels goal to encourage public preparedness.

Having an indicator, and identifier, a name of some kind tends to be helpful for creating awareness and ensuring the public has something that is easily searchable on social media and identifiable when they are looking for information, said Wes Rapaport, a spokesperson for the Texas Division of Emergency Management.

Meteorology has a lot of technical language and to be able to simplify the information and present it in a way that helps people grasp it is a benefit, he said, adding that part of TDEMs standard practice is to use common language.

So if that (Weather Channel-created) name is part of that, then its absolutely something we will utilize to help direct the public to resources, Rapaport said.

Nielsen-Gammon, who is also an atmospheric sciences professor at Texas A&M, said that as long as the public likes storm names, someone is going to keep making them up. He added that the Weather Channels competitors probably dont like that the storm names come from the Weather Channel, though, so there may be pressure on NOAA to adopt their own names and level the playing field.

But Nielsen-Gammon warned that such a move would get messy fast: Do you give a storm a name if only one corner of one state is significantly impacted by it? Thatll take a lot of names.
ARCHIVE - The majority of the victims were women and men over the age of 60, whose bodies were mutilated and burned in the streets. Photo: Odelyn Joseph/AP/dpa Keystone

An armed gang has murdered more than 100 people in Haiti's capital Port-au-Prince, according to human rights organizations and media reports. According to a statement by the organization Committee for Peace and Development (CPD) on Sunday, it was apparently an act of revenge by a gang boss. He had blamed followers of the voodoo cult for the death of his son. The "New York Times" reported that the massacre was confirmed by a local resident.

Keystone-SDA SDA

According to the report, the bloodbath took place on Friday and Saturday in Wharf Jeremie, part of Cite Soleil, the most notorious slum in the capital of the Caribbean state. The majority of the victims were women and men over the age of 60, whose bodies were mutilated and burned in the street.

According to the information, a son of the gang boss Monel Felix, alias Micanord, had previously died of a mysterious illness. The gang boss then accused the people in the neighborhood of having bewitched his son and decided to punish all elderly people and voodoo followers for this. The voodoo cult, which has its origins in West Africa, is a recognized religion in Haiti.

Haiti, which shares the Caribbean island of Hispaniola with the Dominican Republic, is the poorest country on the American continent. For years, it has suffered from the violence of heavily armed gangs, most of whom have the capital under their control. Police deployed from Kenya as part of a multinational protection force have so far been able to achieve little. In November, two passenger planes from US airlines were even shot at in Port-au-Prince.
A Conroe ISD first-grade teacher is no longer employed by the district after she refused to let her students use the restroom as punishment for losing the classroom restroom pass. Jason Fochtman/Staff photographer

And some people thought that Mike Miles traffic cone bathroom passes were bad.

At least they seem to provide Houston ISD students on affected campuses an opportunity to use the restroom  albeit in a less dignified, more germ-friendly way.

On other campuses or individual classrooms, in Houston and beyond, there seems to be a proliferation of rules restricting or outright banning trips to the restroom during class, causing students in some cases to soil themselves.

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In Conroe ISD, parents voiced outrage last week after a first-grade teacher at Bartlett Elementary reportedly refused to let her students relieve themselves as punishment for somebody losing the classroom restroom pass. Several students soiled themselves during class, as others laughed, parents said, and the urine wasnt cleaned up. Nor were students provided a change of clothing, the district confirmed.

One child told Houstons KPRC-TV in an on-air interview that some people were crying to death to go to the bathroom, to no avail. The district responded quickly to Wednesdays incident, confirming Friday that the teacher was no longer employed at Conroe ISD.

HISDs Sharpstown High School also made headlines last week when the Houston Federation of Teachers filed a grievance Friday in protest of the campus restroom policy. Teachers had received an email from the dean of students stating: Effective immediately, restrooms are not permissible during instruction in order to keep students from roaming the hallways.

The teachers union complained that the policy requires teachers to jeopardize our own students safety, our livelihoods and our ethics.

The district, which leaves bathroom policies up to school administrators, issued a statement urging them and other staff to use good judgment in establishing rules and responding to student needs.

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At HISDs Worthing High School, the Chronicle recently interviewed a sophomore, Micah Gabay, who said just nine restroom passes are allotted to students each semester. That may seem sufficient, but she said some students end up donating their own passes to classmates and may find themselves short when they need one.

She recounted seeing a friend walking down the hallway slowly, with her jacket around her waist, and when she asked what was wrong, the girl told her shed menstruated through her pants because a teacher wouldnt allow her to go to the bathroom.

We just dont know when were supposed to go, Gabay told the Chronicles Sam Gonzalez Kelly.

Restroom use in public schools has long presented a vexing problem. Teachers are understandably annoyed when bored students use potty breaks to escape instruction or roam the hallways. Administrators are justifiably alarmed these days when students exploit restroom privileges to vape and vandalize. In younger grades, pee requests can become downright contagious as one kid after another raises a hand for permission, leaving the teacher with the impossible task of discerning the authenticity of desperate squirms and grimaces from desperate theatrics.

Headlines have long reported cruel and unusual solutions, from forcing a student to pee in a bucket to requiring a campus security escort.

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We wont pretend to have the magic answer, although Worthing might be on to something with its finite number of bathroom passes allotted to each student, as long as the passes were non-transferrable, and exceptions were allowed for students with medical issues.

Another solution seems to be longer passing periods. Some of our own kids have lamented how five minutes isnt enough to swing by the restroom if theyve also got to trek across a sprawling middle school or high school campus before the tardy bell rings. One or two more minutes might make all the difference.

But there should be no place in our schools for outright restroom bans during class time. Schools need to find some way to strike a balance between protecting kids health, individual rights and dignity while also deterring the relatively few students abuse of restroom access.

A fair policy is not just guided by compassion and respect for students but also common sense. In a few episodes last year at a Houston middle school that shall not be named, one of our kids reported that access to restrooms was completely shut off, causing a group of girls, some menstruating, to roam the halls looking for alternate facilities only to be turned away. Even if graffiti or plumbing problems prompted closures, students should have been provided alternatives. Meanwhile, even after school, janitorial crews routinely rushed girls out of the stalls so they could clean. Administrators, told of the issues, seemed unfazed.

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Postal Code
President Joe Biden with his son Hunter Biden. The president recently issued a full pardon for Hunter, who faced gun and tax evasion charges. Susan Walsh/Associated Press

Time of monsters

Regarding Joe Bidens pardon of Hunter Biden will justify Trumps authoritarian impulses | Editorial, (Dec. 3): At this moment in time, as we birth a new justice system, headed by a president who has been granted more power than any previous executive, it is right and proper to recognize the demise of the old system and to prepare by safeguarding ourselves.

Joe Biden has done that, in part through an expansive pardon for his son Hunter that is undoubtedly also intended to future-proof against politically motivated prosecutions. Criticisms of the pardon from the right are hard to take seriously, considering the pardons issued by Donald Trump at the end of his last term and his own continued legal troubles. Detractors on the left have mostly felt that Bidens pardon of Hunter undermines their rule of law stance; it is a quaint, outdated notion that is laughable in our new American order.

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As the plans for the incoming administration are fleshed out, it is clear that, among other seismic shifts, the Department of Justice will be transformed. Regardless of the systemic controls and precedents, we actually do not know what is going to happen. We do know, as Trump has clearly stated it, that the DOJ will likely be an arm of his administration and thus not even attempt to be politically neutral.

The United States is becoming something new. This moment is what Antonio Gramsci called the time of monsters. Regardless of what we call it, it is time to secure ourselves against an uncertain future, as the results of our choices become more immediate and unalterable. The future is not what it was. All I know is, the future is terrifying. I wish I had the power to protect those I love, like Biden has.

Kenneth L. Anderson, Houston

TMC parking

Regarding Texas Medical Center made $78M from parking last year. Why havent its busiest garages been upgraded in years? (Nov. 15): I am in total agreement that parking in the Texas Medical Center presents difficulties. However, I was surprised that you used, as your prime example, Donna Halaas' challenges with parking for her husbands radiation treatments at MD Anderson Cancer Center.

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Patients receiving radiation treatments at MD Andersons TMC locations enjoy the privilege of free valet parking. I know this because I have received radiation treatments at both the Mays Clinic and the Main building there, and my car has always been parked and readily available when I was ready to leave.

Jane Root, Houston

I found it ironic that, in the photo accompanying your story about the Medical Center parking, you can see the sign for the Dryden/TMC MetroRail station in the foreground. I live just southwest of the Loop and take the Red Line whenever I have business in Midtown or Downtown. The train is packed when it passes through the Med Center because it is easily a more pleasant commuting experience than driving or parking in that area.

I just wish city and Metro leaders would move forward in expanding our little rail system. There should absolutely be lines going to Montrose, the Heights and the Washington Avenue corridor  neighborhoods with some of our highest commercial and residential density, and where many of my Med Center friends live. Most of these friends have previously studied or worked in cities with good rail systems and know how to use this infrastructure. The ability to travel quickly and punctually between our densest areas, regardless of traffic congestion, is crucial if our city is going to keep growing and thriving.

Sebastian Lecourt, Houston

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TIRZ inequity

Regarding Controversial Houston development zones benefit mostly the rich, Baker Institute study finds, (Nov. 14): Your recent article on tax increment reinvestment zones (TIRZs) confirmed a concern that Ive had for some time. Namely, that slicing off millions of tax dollars into buckets in which control and oversight by the broader public are limited will lead to misuse. If TIRZs were ever intended for a higher purpose, it has been hijacked.

My new concern is a recent statement by Houston City Council Member Fred Flickinger, who represents the Kingwood area covered by the Lake Houston TIRZ. Its a reasonable argument that tax dollars should benefit the neighborhood that theyre generating from, Flickinger said. His lack of appreciation for what that means for neighborhoods that do not generate the taxes that other places do is a sad reflection of our current views on shared citizenship.

Public money is for public use and should be used for the greater common good. To say that everyone benefits from millions of dollars spent in already well-funded and developed areas is an embarrassing representation confirmed by your report. The cultural trend to privatize, monetize and reserve public services and funds for those who have plenty of financial resources will only result in the disrespectful and harmful segregation of neighborhoods where the tax base is low.

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In Flickingers view, the financial wall built around neighborhoods from which more taxes originate would allow him to ignore the shared values of this nation and the needs of the community as a whole.
A film about Irish rap trio Kneecap won seven gongs at the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) 2024 including Best British Independent Film.

Kneecap also won Best Debut Screenwriter for Rich Peppiatt, Best Joint Lead for the trios members Liam Og O Hannaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh, Best Casting, Best Editing, Best Original Music, and Best Music Supervision, at the ceremony at Londons Roundhouse.

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The comedy movie, which also stars Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender, follows the Belfast group on their mission to save their mother tongue through music, and is directed by Peppiatt.

It comes after Kneecap won their legal battle against Kemi Badenoch (Mark Marlow/PA)

It comes after the group won their discrimination court battle against UK Conservative leader and former business secretary Kemi Badenoch, after the then-UK government conceded it was unlawful to refuse them a 14,250 Music Export Growth Scheme funding award.

Elsewhere, Best Director went to Rungano Nyoni, for On Becoming A Guinea Fowl, an exploration of secrets and grief within a middle-class Zambian family, thriller Santosh took Best Screenplay, and Best Lead Performance went to Marianne Jean-Baptiste for comedy drama Hard Truths.

Best Supporting Performance went to Franz Rogowski for his role in drama Bird, black comedy Wicked Little Letters picked up Best Ensemble Performance, and Best Debut Director went to Christopher Andrews for Bring Them Down, a film about two warring families in rural Ireland.

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That's a wrap for #BIFA2024. 



A huge congratulations to all this year's winners and nominees. https://t.co/S3qnGKbjfE pic.twitter.com/RQViNbWx2a  BIFA (@BIFA_film) December 9, 2024

Duo Pinny Grylls and Sam Crane took the Best Debut Director  Feature Documentary award as well as The Raindance Maverick Award for Grand Theft Hamlet, which sees a performance of Shakespeares tale enacted entirely within the confines of the video game Grand Theft Auto.

Best British Short Film was awarded to stop-motion movie Wander To Wonder, while Sean Bakers Anora, about a dancer and her oligarch Prince Charming, took Best International Independent Film.

The 2024 Richard Harris Award For Outstanding Contribution By An Actor To British Film was presented to Sophie Okonedo by friend and collaborator Ben Daniels.
Taylor Swift appeared emotional as the crowd began to sing Happy Birthday during the final night of her juggernaut Eras Tour in Canada.

The US pop superstar is rounding off her record-breaking tour with her third and final night at the BC Place in Vancouver, having begun her mammoth string of dates in March last year.

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After completing her track Champagne Problems from the Evermore album, Swift took out her earpieces to soak up the ovation, before fans took the opportunity to wish her a happy birthday ahead of her 35th birthday on Friday.

The Eras Tour at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh. Photo: Jane Barlow/PA.

Swift appeared emotional as she bowed her head and absorbed the applause for several minutes, before describing the tour as the adventure of a lifetime.

I just wanted to say on behalf of all of us, we will never forget you giving us that moment, she said.

Swift also became sentimental ahead of the 10-minute version of her track All Too Well, praising her fans for their traditions, passion and the way you care about this tour  it is unparalleled.

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The lasting legacy of this tour is that you have created such a space of joy and togetherness and love, and I couldnt be more proud of you, she said.

The billion-dollar tour takes fans through Swifts back catalogue, including hits from albums 1989, Red, Midnights and her latest chart-topping 11th studio album, The Tortured Poets Department.

Taylor Swift described the tour as the most challenging thing I have ever done in my entire life Photo: Doug Peters/PA.

It has been the most exciting, powerful, electrifying, intense, most challenging thing I have ever done in my entire life, Swift said, as she opened the final three-hour show.

We have got to perform for over 10 million people on this tour and tonight we get to play one last show for you tonight, in beautiful Vancouver.

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The Canadian show was filled with elaborate production, multiple costume changes and a setlist that spanned dozens of songs.

Opening for Swift for the final time, US star Gracie Abrams told fans: Im not ready for it to be over.

In a pre-prepared speech, Abrams praised Swifts music, as well as her generosity, curiosity, her wild and unparalleled pen, her superpower of seeing into our lives and creating soundtracks for every single formative moment that weve had that we will have.

Among stars at the show were musician Eddie Vedder from Pearl Jam and The Office US star Jenna Fischer, who recently announced she is cancer free after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of the disease, while Agatha All Along actress Aubrey Plaza was filmed trading friendship bracelets with fans.

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Canadian superstar Michael Buble and his family were guests of Swifts kindhearted parents during her penultimate show in his hometown.

I witnessed something last night that Ive never experienced before and, frankly, may never experience again. Taylor is truly an incredible entertainer, Buble said in a post on Instagram.

Buble said his daughters were in awe of Swift, and watching the joy on their faces is something I will never forget as long as I live.

The power of connection and the shared experience between generations is a testament to Taylors incredible talents, he said.

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I am grateful to have seen the Eras tour and in my very own hometown. What an unforgettable night.

Swift wrapped up the European leg of the tour in August before further dates in the US and Canada in October and November.

Taylor Swift performing on stage at the Aviva Stadium in Dublin, during the Eras Tour. Photo: Liam McBurney/PA.

She made history as the first solo artist to perform at Londons Wembley Stadium eight times on a single tour.

Hollywood actor Tom Cruise, film director Greta Gerwig, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Prince of Wales and his two eldest children were among those who attended her shows in London earlier in the year.

In the summer, Swift had to cancel three sold-out shows in Vienna after police uncovered an alleged plot by terrorists.

The CIAs chief later said the suspects had sought to kill tens of thousands of fans before the agency discovered intelligence that disrupted the planning and led to arrests.

After finishing the European leg of her tour, she said it was devastating to cancel the shows but the reason filled me with a new sense of fear.

Earlier this week Swift was named Spotifys most-played artist of the year with more than 26.6 billion streams.

She also won seven awards at the MTV Video Music Awards and was nominated for six Grammy Awards.

The Tortured Poets Department soared back to the top of the UK album charts this week after a new anthology version was released.
A man who was sexually abused by his uncle 30 years ago has described a Tusla investigation into the allegations as flawed and a farce.

In a victim impact statement read to the court on his behalf, Alan Jenkins said he felt very aggrieved that Tusla found the allegations he had made against his uncle, Paul Craven (55) unfounded.

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Craven was convicted last month of a total of 11 counts, including sexual assault and two for indecent assault on dates between 1989 and 1999. He was found not guilty of two counts of sexual assault and not guilty by the direction of the trial judge in relation to two further counts of indecent assault.

Dublin Circuit Criminal Court heard on Monday that Mr Jenkins wished to waive his anonymity to allow Craven, of Meadow View, Sarsfield Rd, Dublin 10, to be named.

In his statement read by his daughter Sophie, Mr Jenkins said Tusla used the same statement that the Director of Public Prosecutions used to bring charges against Craven. He said the agency never spoke to other witnesses who gave statements.

To find the allegation unfounded without looking at the facts and by simply interviewing Paul Craven shows that the investigation you conducted was flawed and, in fact, a farce. Mr Jenkins said, adding that Craven used this finding to further shame me and make me out to be a liar.

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He said efforts he and his sister made to contact Tusla in light of the charges and Craven's conviction have been ignored, and Craven remained working with vulnerable children.

The court heard that Mr Jenkins' parents passed away when he was very young, and he then went to live with his grandparents.

He was aged six or seven when the first incident occurred. He said Craven would call him to his bedroom, and they would play a game where Craven would hide cards behind his body and ask the victim to find them. In the first incident, Craven took his hand and guided it to his genital area, where he had concealed playing cards.

The court heard the abuse continued and primarily involved inappropriate touching.

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In his victim impact statement, Mr Jenkins said he had been very vulnerable when the abuse started, and Craven used this to his advantage.

He said Craven took away my childhood, my teenage years, my young adulthood, but now I have my justice, and people will know what he has done to me and will know that justice has prevailed.

He described the criminal process as a living nightmare, but the jury's verdicts meant he could try and move on from this chapter in my life although Ill always bear the scars and the emotional turmoil that Paul Craven put me through.

Addressing Craven directly, Mr Jenkins's statement said Craven had used his job working with children to help abuse me.

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You presented yourself as an expert in your field, a man who walked alongside men of God, a man who told me that he had saved the lives of delinquent boys, a man who nobody questioned.

He said Craven was his mother's brother and should have protected him, but instead chose to abuse that trust and do things of a sexual nature to him.

This court will define your penalty for your wrongs, and that will be for a specific period of time. However, you will never be forgiven by me or my sister, and you will definitely never be forgiven by our mother.

Craven was interviewed as part of the garda investigation and denied the allegations. He also gave evidence on his own behalf during the trial. He has no previous convictions.

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The investigating garda agreed with defence counsel that Craven has not come to any other negative attention and that he voluntarily attended an interview with gardai.

Ireland Rapist who fathered own grandchild given permissio... Read More

Defence counsel asked the court to allow Craven to remain on bail until the case is finalised, as he is required to sign contracts as part of a house purchase.

Judge Ni Chulachain agreed to adjourn the case but told the defence that their client should be under no illusions and that a custodial sentence would be imposed.

She adjourned the case to January 28th next, when a full plea of mitigation will be heard.

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.
Here, we have a look at the issues likely to dominate political discourse in the week to come.

Government formation talks to begin

Fianna Fail and Fine Gael are to begin government formation talks tomorrow, after a meeting between Taoiseach Simon Harris and Tanaiste Micheal Martin on Monday.

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A joint statement said Micheal Martin and Simon Harris had a "positive and constructive" engagement.

The two party leaders met today and had a positive, constructive engagement, the statement said.

The Taoiseach and Tanaiste agreed the need for a stable government, underpinned by mutual respect and clear policy direction, for the next five years, so that it can deliver for the Irish people in the face of great challenges.

The two party leaders have now asked their negotiating teams to commence talks tomorrow.

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The negotiating teams for both parties will meet tomorrow to discuss policy.

Both leaders had phone calls with Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik today, while Simon Harris has started meeting a swathe of Independents on an individual basis.

Despite an apparent ramping up of discussions, it's still unlikely a government will be in place for the return of the Dail on December 18th.

Early to mid-January is believed to be the most likely time for a full agreement on the shape of the next government.

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Sources have indicated that Mr Martin and Mr Harris favour a deal with Independent TDs rather than Labour or the Social Democrats.

Together, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have 86 seats, two short of a Dail majority. However, they will likely target around 90 seats for a strong majority.

Fianna Fail has the stronger negotiating position, as they have 48 seats to Fine Gael's 38.

Reports have indicated Fianna Fail will push for a longer spell for Mr Martin as leader in any rotating taoiseach arrangement, possibly three years to two.

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Other issues will include how important ministeries are divided, and how many Cabinet seats each party gets.

'Parity' is the buzzword

Fine Gael has indicated they will seek "parity", mentioning the word in a number of press statements.

Speaking at the weekend, the Taoiseach said it should not be taken for granted that his party will be in the next government.

"There is far too much presumption in relation to the outcome of government talks before government talks have even taken place," Mr Harris said.

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"I wouldnt take my party for granted and I think fewer public musings and more concrete engagement is the way to proceed."

Mr Harris may well have to concede on the issue of a shorter spell as taoiseach.

The division of Cabinet roles is likely to be a more difficult point in the negotiations.

Junior ministerial roles could be important to keep figures across the parties happy.

This could be more difficult if the former, and soon to be current, coalition partners go for the Labour Party or Social Democrats to form a government.

That brings us to the next point...

Labour, Social Democrats, or Independents?

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has said her party will play an "important role" in the 34th Dail, but it looks increasingly likely that will be from the opposition benches.

Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik seems more unsure, and there is understood to be varying views within her party on whether going into power or opposition is the best route.

Ms Bacik is set to meet with Mr Harris and Mr Martin for talks this week.

In reality though, it looks like Fianna Fail and Fine Gael will look to Independents for a steady majority.

What parties would you like to form the next government? Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and Independents

Fianna Fail, Sinn Fein and Independents

Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Labour Party

Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Social Democrats

Other combination (let us know in the comments).

Mary Lou McDonald's appeal to Fianna Fail rings hollow

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald has criticised Fianna Fail for their refusal to talk, but this stance is hardly new.

She accused Mr Martin of "looking down his nose" at people who voted for Sinn Fein.

"They're [Fianna Fail] talking to Independents, they've talked to others. Interestingly, the only group that they've steadfastly refused to speak to is the second largest party in the Dail, and I really think for Micheal Martin to look down his nose at over 400,000 people who voted for Sinn Fein and to disregard those votes en masse is really a bad look."

Ireland 'Being afraid of what happened to Labour or Greens... Read More

The comments seem more performative than anything though, as Ms McDonald and her colleagues would likely prefer another few years in opposition rather than governing with a party they have consistenly said needs to be removed to "change the government".

Abroad

The fall of Syrian president Bashar Assads government continues to reverberate around the world, with Russia president Vladimir Putin providing asylum for Assad.

In the UK, Labour prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has said his government is not planning any more tax cuts, but that they cannot be ruled out.

In the US, fears are mounting over president-elect Donald Trump's pledge to deport millions of migrants and to pardon many of those who are currently serving prison sentences for their role in the US Capitol riot.
A residents group has secured a Supreme Court victory in its battle against a large scale 175 million wind farm opposed by Kilkenny hurling great, Henry Shefflin.

This follows the Supreme Court ruling that Tara Heavey and the Save The South Leinster Way can bring a High Court judicial review challenge against An Bord Pleanalas green light for the project.

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On September 26th 2022, the appeals board gave the go-ahead for the 21 turbine wind farm on a 1,434 hectare site mainly owned by Coillte to the east of the 10-time All Ireland winners native Ballyhale in south east Kilkenny.

The Castlebanny wind farm is expected to generate enough clean, green electricity to power the equivalent of around 70,000 homes annually - more than the 68,735 strong housing stock in Co Mayo, according to the latest CSO figures.

The wind farm is a joint venture between FuturEnergy Ireland - made up of Coillte and the ESB - and ART Generation.

Henry Shefflins objection was one of around 70 submissions lodged with An Bord Pleanala concerning the contentious Strategic Infrastructure Development (SID) and others to lodge objections include four time All-Ireland winner with Kilkenny hurlers and Ballyhale man, Colin Fennelly and the Save the South Leinster Way Group.

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The group had eight weeks in which to lodge High Court judicial review proceedings of the appeals board decision and lodged their papers one day outside the eight weeks, according to the High Court, on Monday, November 21st.

In October 2023, a senior High Court judge, Mr Justice Richard Humphreys ruled the judicial review challenge was one day out of time, commenting "the message to applicants is  try to avoid depleting the energy of the court with this sort of application and instead put in place some kind of margin for error, rather than living for the thrill of a do-or-die scramble to get the last seat on the last helicopter off the embassy roof in Saigon.

In his ruling, Mr Justice Humphreys stated: "Knocking out an applicant who is a day out seems harsh. But thats inherent in having any boundary rules on anything."

The objectors to the wind farm appealed that ruling to the Supreme Court and the Supreme Court has upheld their appeal.

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In his written judgement, Mr Justice Maurice Collins found that Save the South Leinster Way and Tara Heavey did have until Monday, November 21st to bring the application for judicial review "and, having brought their application within the prescribed statutory period, are now entitled to have that application adjudicated on its merits.

Mr Justice Collins stated that he reached his conclusion that the appeal should be allowed "without any sense of regret.

He said: "The eight week period for bringing an application for judicial review challenging a planning decision is short.

He said: In reality, applicants do not have the benefit of that full 8-week period, as that period begins from the date of the decision rather than the date of its notification or publication

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Asked to comment on the Supreme Court determination, a spokeswoman for the wind-farm joint venture said: "Springfield Renewables Ltd notes the decision of the Supreme Court in respect to the appeal by Save South Leinster Way with regards to actioning judicial review proceedings within the statutory time period. The case will now be remitted to the High Court.

She said: "We remain fully committed to the proposed Castlebanny Wind Farm project and its potential to contribute significantly to Irelands legally binding climate action targets.

In his original objection against the Castlebanny windfarm, Henry Shefflin told the appeals board that the residential amenity of my home would be irrevocably compromised by the construction and operation of this wind-farm.

The three time Hurler of the Year and 11 time All-Star said: It is proposed that these turbines are up to 185 metres in height. Surely, it is completely unjust and unreasonable for such gigantic moving structures to be placed in such close proximity to peoples homes.

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The Shefflin objection added that due to the enormous height and number of turbines involved, together with the proposal to build on a ridge, the visual impact of the development would be extensive and would have an extremely negative effect on the surrounding landscape, stretching into neighbouring counties.

Mr Shefflin stated that the National trail, the South Leinster Way, in particular, would be greatly compromised.

The objection by Mr Shefflin stressed I am not opposed to wind energy but I am opposed to wind farms being constructed in unsuitable areas with no concern to the health or well being of local residents.

He said: The worldwide trend is towards offshore developments where people are not adversely affected in such a devastating way.
The foreign secretaries of Bangladesh and India met in Dhaka to discuss the strained relations between the two neighbours, including the growing tensions after former Bangladeshi premier Sheikh Hasina fled into exile in India in August.

This is the first high-level visit by an Indian official since massive protests ended Ms Hasinas 15-year rule.

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Tensions spiked further over the recent arrest of a Hindu spiritual leader in Bangladesh, currently run by the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus.



Supporters of Bangladeshs former prime minister Khaleda Zia and her Bangladesh Nationalist Party participate in an anti-India protest in Dhaka (Mahmud Hossain Opu/AP)

India also stopped issuing visas for Bangladeshis except for emergency medical visas after Ms Hasinas ouster while many Indian nationals taking part in infrastructure projects left Bangladesh because of security threats.

Alleged assaults targeting minority Hindus in Bangladesh and an attack on a Bangladesh diplomatic mission in India featured prominently in Mondays talks between the Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri and his Bangladeshi counterpart, Mohammad Jashim Uddin.

After the meeting, Mr Misri told reporters that there was not any reason for the mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries not to continue.

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To that end, therefore, I have underlined today Indias desire to work closely with the interim government of Bangladesh, he said.

Mr Misri also said he discussed with Mr Uddin recent developments and relayed concerns, including those related to the safety, security and welfare of the minorities.

In a media statement later on Monday, Indias Ministry of External Affairs said that Mr Misri highlighted New Delhis support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh.



Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misri speaks to the media after meeting his Bangladeshi counterpart at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Dhaka, Bangladesh (Mahmud Hossain Opu/AP)

He also reiterated Indias willingness to build a positive and constructive relationship with Dhaka, based on mutual trust and respect and mutual sensitivity to each others concerns and interests, the statement added.

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Separately, Bangladeshs Mr Uddin told reporters that Bangladesh asked India not to interfere in its internal affairs, Dhaka-based Daily Star newspaper reported.

We said people of all religions in Bangladesh freely practice their faiths. This is our internal affair.

It is not expected (of other countries) to make comments on our internal affairs. We dont do it for other countries, the English-language daily quoted him as saying.

Following the ouster of Ms Hasina, thought to be a trusted friend of India, minorities  particularly Hindus  have reported widespread attacks in the Muslim-majority nation of Bangladesh.

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Most Bangladeshi Hindus are thought to be supporters of Ms Hasinas secular Awami League party.



Supporters of Bangladeshs former prime minister Khaleda Zia and her Bangladesh Nationalist Party shout slogans during an anti-India protest in Dhaka (Mahmud Hossain Opu/AP)

Last months arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Das Prabhu  who led large rallies in recent months demanding better security for Hindus living in Bangladesh  further fuelled more anger.

Hindu leaders in Bangladesh said lawyers willing to stand for Mr Prabhu seeking his bail were threatened, and earlier this month no lawyers appeared in court for him when a court was scheduled to hear his bail petition.

Hindus recently attacked a Bangladeshi diplomatic office in Agartala, the capital of the north-eastern Indian state of Tripura, demanding his release.

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Protesters also burned Bangladeshi flags in Kolkata, the capital of Indias eastern state of West Bengal, triggering protests and marches by political parties including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party headed by Khaleda Zia, Ms Hasinas main political foe, and Islamist groups.

In Bangladesh, reports of the desecration of the Indian flag, with some burning it and others laying it on the floor for people to step on, strained relations further.

Hindus recently attacked a Bangladeshi diplomatic office in Agartala, the capital of the north-eastern Indian state of Tripura, in reaction to the arrest of Mr Prabhu, who had led large rallies in recent months demanding better security for Hindus.

Late last month, Hindu protesters also burned Bangladeshi flags in Kolkata, the capital of Indias eastern state of West Bengal, triggering protests by the Yunus-led government.

The Indian foreign secretary is expected to pay courtesy calls on Mr Yunus and foreign adviser Touhid Hossain before leaving for New Delhi later on Monday.
Donald Trump has said Britain's King Charles is fighting very hard as the monarch continues to receive cancer treatment, describing the situation as sad.

The US president-elects remarks came after he met Britain's Prince of Wales in Paris following the ceremonial reopening of Notre Dame cathedral on Saturday.

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Mr Trump told the New York Post that William was very handsome, adding some people look better in person, with the pair having a sit-down meeting in the Salon Jaune room of the British ambassadors residence in the French capital.

Donald Trump called William very handsome after their meeting in Paris (Aaron Chown/PA)

The pair discussed Charles and the Princess of Waless health, with both being diagnosed with cancer this year.

Mr Trump revealed: I asked him about his wife and he said shes doing well.

And I asked him about his father and his father is fighting very hard, and he loves his father and he loves his wife, so it was sad.

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We had a great talk for half an hour, a little more than half an hour. We had a great, great talk, he added.

Charles as the then-Prince of Wales is greeted by then-US president Donald Trump in 2019 (Victoria Jones/PA)

The British royal family is seen by the UK government as key diplomatic players in solidifying the UKs relationship with incoming president Mr Trump.

Heir to the throne William was called on at short notice to join world leaders for the reopening of Notre Dame, which was devastated by a fire in 2019.

Mr Trump said of William: Hes a good-looking guy. He looked really very handsome last night.

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Some people look better in person. He looked great. He looked really nice, and I told him that.
Hundreds of Syrian refugees gathered at two border crossings in southern Turkey, eagerly anticipating their return home following the fall of president Bashar Assads government.

Many arrived at the Cilvegozu and Oncupinar border gates at daybreak, draped in blankets and coats.

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Some camped by the barriers of the border crossing, warming themselves with makeshift fires or resting on the cold ground.



Syrians wait to cross into Syria from Turkey at the Cilvegozu border gate, near the town of Antakya, southern Turkey (Metin Yoksu/AP)

The border crossings correspond to the Bab al-Hawa and Bab al-Salameh gates on the Syrian side of the border.

Among those waiting at Cilvegozu was 28-year-old Muhammed Zin who voiced excitement at the prospect of returning to his homeland.

He fled Damascus in 2016 and has been living and working in Istanbul.

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Assad was shooting us, killing us, he told the Associated Press.

I will return to Syria now. Thank God, the war is over, he said.

Seer Ali, 18, who left Damascus six years ago, had been working in the nearby city of Gaziantep to support his mother and siblings back home.



Syrians arrive to cross into Syria from Turkey at the Cilvegozu border gate, near the town of Antakya, southern Turkey (Metin Yoksu/AP)

We are very happy, very happy. Not just me, but everyone, all of us Syrians here are very happy, he said.

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Everyone will return, no one will stay here. They will all go to their families.

Turkish officials have not said how many Syrians have returned since Mr Assads downfall.

Authorities set up a checkpoint some five kilometres (three miles) from Cilvegozu, only allowing Syrians with adequate documentation to advance to the border gate, HaberTurk television reported.

Mr Assads fall has sparked widespread joy among Turkeys three million Syrian refugees, with many taking to the streets of Istanbul and other cities to celebrate.

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On Sunday, Syrians also removed the Syrian governments flag from the Syrian Consulate in Istanbul, replacing it with the oppositions flag.



Syrians wait to cross into Syria from Turkey at the Oncupinar border gate, near the town of Kilis, southern Turkey (Khalil Hamra/AP)

Turkey welcomed Syrian refugees with open arms in the early years of the Syrian civil war that broke out in 2011  becoming host to the largest number of refugees in the world.

Ankara believed that the conflict would end quickly and refugee influx would be temporary.

But as Turkey faced economic challenges, public opinion toward the refugees soured, forcing President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government to seek ways to ensure their safe and voluntary repatriation.

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Turkish officials now hope that a significant number of Syrians will return voluntarily.

We will continue our efforts to ensure the safe and voluntary return of Syrians and to rebuild the country, Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan said on Monday.

Hundreds of displaced Syrians were also returning Monday to Syria from Lebanon, with dozens of cars lining up to enter.



Syrians arrive to cross into Syria from Turkey at the Cilvegozu border gate, near the town of Antakya, southern Turkey (Metin Yoksu/AP)

The day before, Lebanese residents had handed out congratulatory sweets to Syrians waiting to go back to their country.

Sami Abdel-Latif, a construction worker and refugee from Hama who was heading to Syria to join his wife and four children, said while the future in Syria is still uncertain, anything is better than Bashar.

He said he expected some chaos initially but that eventually the situation would settle down.

Look at Aleppo now, Mr Abdel-Latif said, referring to the first major city taken over by opposition forces more than a week ago, where life has continued more or less as normal.

He said he is also hoping that there will now be plentiful work in Syria to rebuild.

Malak Matar, who was preparing to return to Damascus, said: This is a feeling weve been waiting 14 years for.

You feel yourself psychologically free  you can express yourself, he said. The country is free and the barriers have been broken down.

Now, he said, Syrians have to create a state that is well-organised and takes care of their country. Its a new phase.
Lara Trump will step down as co-chair of the Republican National Committee as she considers a number of potential options with her father-in-law, President-elect Donald Trump, returning to the White House.

Among those possibilities is replacing Florida Senator Marco Rubio, who has been nominated as the next secretary of state. If Mr Rubio is confirmed, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will choose who takes the seat through the remainder of his term, which expires in 2026.

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It is something I would seriously consider, Mrs Trump said. If Im being completely transparent, I dont know exactly what that would look like. And I certainly want to get all of the information possible if that is something thats real for me. But yeah, I would 100% consider it.

Elected to the RNC role in March, Mrs Trump, 42, was a key player in the Republicans retaking the White House and control of the Senate while maintaining a narrow House majority.



Eric and Lara Trump watch the second half of an NFL football game between the Miami Dolphins and the New England Patriots (AP)

The idea of placing a Trump family member in the Senate has been lauded in some Republican circles with Maye Musk, mother of Tesla and SpaceX chief executive Elon Musk, among those pushing for her to take on the role.

The Senate is an old mans club. We desperately need a smart, young, outspoken woman who will reveal their secrets, she posted on X.

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Elon Musk, who was with Mrs Trump on election night at her father-in-laws Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, responded to his mothers post: Lara Trump is genuinely great.

Alongside chairman Michael Whatley, the RNC invested heavily in recruiting roughly 230,000 volunteers and an army of lawyers for what it called its election integrity effort, four years after Mr Trump lost his re-election bid to Democrat Joe Biden, citing false or unproven theories about voter fraud.

Outside groups such as Turning Point Action and Musks America PAC took greater responsibility for advertising and get-out-the-vote efforts.

While Mr Whatley will remain RNC chairman, Mrs Trump said she felt she had accomplished her goals in the role.

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With that big win, I kind of feel like my time is up, she said. What I intended to do has been done.





She praised Mr Musks new Department of Government Efficiency, a nongovernmental task force headed by the X owner and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, given the job of firing federal workers, cutting programmes and slashing federal regulations as part of Mr Trumps Save America agenda for his second term.

I really dont think weve seen movement like this in our federal government since our countrys founding in many ways, she said. And I think if they are successful in what they plan to do, I think it is going to be transformative to America in a great way.

She said she expects a different presidency this time, beginning with the structure of the administration. While Mr Trumps daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner served as White House advisers in his last administration, Mrs Trump said she does not see any family member taking any position in the White House this time around.

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He really wants to get in there and do a good job for the four years, and thats all he wants to serve, she said. Four years, and hes out.

She said she expects the Republican Party to be more unified than it has ever been. When she became co-chair in May, the Trump campaign and the RNC merged with staffers fired and positions restructured. She said the result could spell trouble for Republican lawmakers who do not agree with Trumps agenda.

The whole party has totally shifted and totally changed, she said. I think people are feeling a little more bold in coming out with their political views.
The Constitution doesn't contain the words separation of church and state. But the First Amendment says it this way: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof. Kumpol Pijadee/Getty Images Americas founders believed government shouldnt interfere with peoples religious practices. At the time, it was a radical notion. Amanda Wayne/Getty Images

Should public school be turned into Sunday school? While this may be the goal of right-wing Christian nationalist politicians, its not good for students, families, educators, public schools or even religious Americans.

Texas officials just voted to approve a new curriculum infusing Christian references and teachings into their public school curriculum. At a time when Texas schools struggle to cover basic student needs, state government will give schools cash incentives to use this religious curriculum. This follows Louisianas mandate that all classrooms display the Ten Commandments and Oklahomas mandate that the Bible be taught in all public schools.

To justify these policies, proponents argue that since the federal Constitution does not use the explicit phrase separation of church and state, that approach was not intended by the founders. They also argue that the separation of church and state undermines religion and the fabric of the country itself.

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We couldnt disagree more. We  Sharon as a rabbi and Randi as a civics teacher, both of us deeply religious  have long researched and taught about religious freedom and the Constitution.

We share the belief that religion is a profoundly personal and important facet of American life. Its deeply personal to us.

Americas founders believed government shouldnt interfere with peoples religious practices. At the time, it was a radical notion to move away from state-sponsored religion.

While its true the Constitution doesnt contain the exact words separation of church and state, the meaning is clearly there in the First Amendment, which says: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof.

The Constitution is unequivocal that government cant enforce a state religion and that everyone is free to observe their own religion as they see fit. As with any rights, there are limits  for example, child sacrifice in the name of religion is prohibited.

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Thomas Jefferson wrote that the First Amendment amounted to an important wall of separation between Church and State. Jeffersons wall protects religion; it doesnt diminish it. Religious leaders of any faith and religious organizations are free to express their opinions in the public sphere. But the Constitution ensures that they are not allowed to codify their religious practices and beliefs into law.

As Christian theologian Jim Wallis notes, The church should speak to the state, but it should not be the state. The church should speak to the government about what justice and compassion require, but the state should not impose religious beliefs upon people.

The founders also embraced another radical concept: protecting minority religions under law as much as majority religions, for the first time in world history.

For Jews like us, this protection is quite personal. This was the first time in history that our people, as a minority religion, were treated fully equal under the law of a country. Historically, until recently, Jews in Islamic countries were treated and even often protected as second-class citizens called dhimmis, and Jews in Medieval Christian Europe were discriminated against, attacked, expelled and ultimately massacred.

Americans today are the most religious of any contemporary Western democracy. We believe thats partly because people are free to worship without coercion. It turns out that separating religion from political power and political systems helps a diversity of religions flourish.

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That brings us back to what public schools should be required to teach. No student should be made to feel out of place in a public school because of their religion. At a time when we should be fostering ties across differences, these fundamentalist efforts cause division and exclusion. They also take the joy out of religion that so many of us find in our worship.

Even religious parents have opposed attempts to force religion into schools. Several parents, educators and ministers filed a lawsuit to stop Oklahomas Bible-based curriculum. One of the parent plaintiffs argued that parents should have the sole right and responsibility to decide what religious teaching their children receive.

Its deeply ironic that the same officials clamoring for parental rights in education are pushing to mandate religious teaching in public schools.

Jeffersons wall of separation has served America well. Its why, as a rabbi, Sharon repeatedly said throughout the fight for marriage equality that she would defend the right of Catholic priests, Orthodox Jewish rabbis, or other clergy opposed to marriage equality, to refuse to provide a religious ceremony for same-sex couples or welcome them into their houses of worship.

But a religious position against marriage equality shouldnt be codified into civil law. A religious position shouldnt determine who can get or issue a civil marriage license.

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Similarly, the Catholic Church doesnt allow a divorced person to marry in the church, and an Orthodox synagogue doesnt allow a religious marriage ceremony between a Jew and a non-Jew. The separation of church and state permits these positions to exist under law, even when the law otherwise protects the rights of divorced people and same-sex couples to marry. Can you imagine what would happen if those positions were codified into civil law?

The same goes for schools. Teaching about religion  its history, practices and tenets  is different from forcing the teaching of one religion over others. Additionally, embedding one form of Christian orthodoxy into schooling betrays the promise and purpose of public education to serve all students, including Christian students who dont believe that version of Christianity. Texas curriculum violates educators duty to make learning accessible to all, meet diverse student needs, and ensure all students feel safe, seen and valued.

Instead of fomenting division and using government to push right-wing extremist Christian nationalism, our officials should work with parents and educators on common sense solutions to help all students. History and humanities, where teaching about religion could appropriately be taught, are important, but so are literacy, numeracy, critical thinking, problem-solving, resilience and relationship-building. That would require Texas to increase public school investment without strings attached.

America has had a strong wall separating church and state for nearly 250 years. This wall has strengthened religion and the ability of public schools to help all children thrive. This is one wall we support, and it shouldnt be torn down.

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Randi Weingarten is president of the 1.8-million member AFT.
Lara Trump, US president-elect Donald Trump's daughter-in-law, said she would step down as co-chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) and would consider a US Senate vacancy if Marco Rubio is confirmed as secretary of state.

"The job I came to do is now complete and I intend to formally step down from the RNC at our next meeting," she said in a Sunday night post on X that cited fundraising, election integrity and voter turnout as goals met.

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Lara Trump told the Associated Press in an interview she was open to filling the US Senate seat that would be vacated if the Senate confirms Trump pick Marco Rubio as the next secretary of state.

"It is something I would seriously consider, she told the AP. "If Im being completely transparent, I dont know exactly what that would look like. And I certainly want to get all of the information possible if that is something thats real for me. But yeah, I would 100 per cent consider it.

Florida governor Ron DeSantis would choose a replacement to serve out the remainder of Mr Rubio's six-year term, which ends in 2026.

Lara Trump and North Carolina Republican Party leader Michael Whatley in March assumed leadership of the RNC, which played a key role in marshalling voters and funds for the November 5th general election. Mr Trump last week asked Mr Whatley to remain as chair of the organisation.
Police arrested a strong person of interest on Monday in the Manhattan killing of UnitedHealthcares chief executive after a quick-thinking McDonalds employee in Pennsylvania alerted authorities to a customer who was found with a weapon and writings allegedly linking him to the ambush.

The 26-year-old man had a gun believed to be the one used in the killing and writings suggesting his anger with corporate America, police officials said.

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Members of the media gather outside of Altoona Police Department where a strong person of interest has been arrested in the investigation into Brian Thompsons murder (Gary M Baranec/AP)

He was taken into custody after police got a tip that he was eating at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.

He had clothing and a mask similar to those worn by the gunman and a fraudulent New Jersey ID matching one the suspect used to check into a New York City hostel before the shooting, Ms Tisch said.

NYPD chief of detectives Joseph Kenny identified the suspect as Luigi Nicholas Mangione, who was born and raised in Maryland, has ties to San Francisco and a last known address in Honolulu, Hawaii.



New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch and chief of detectives Joseph Kenny (Ted Shaffrey/AP)

Mangione was being held in Pennsylvania on gun charges and will be extradited to New York to face charges in connection with Mr Thompsons death, Mr Kenny said.

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Police found a three-page document with writings suggesting that Mangione had ill will toward corporate America, Mr Kenny said.

The handwritten document speaks to both his motivation and mindset, Ms Tisch said.

Mangione had a ghost gun, a type of weapon that can be assembled at home from parts without a serial number, making them difficult to trace, investigators said.



Divers have been searching a pond for three days near where police found a discarded backpack believed to belong to the gunman (Yuki Iwamura/AP)

As of right now, the information were getting from Altoona is that the gun appears to be a ghost gun that may have been made on a 3D printer, capable of firing a 9mm round, Mr Kenny said.

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Officers questioned Mangione, who was acting suspiciously and carrying multiple fraudulent IDs, as well as a US passport, Ms Tisch said.

They found a suppressor, both consistent with the weapon used in the murder, the commissioner said.



The NYPD issued this photograph, taken from CCTV footage inside a taxi, showing the suspect in the shooting of Brian Thompson (NYPD via AP)

Mr Thompson, 50, was killed last Wednesday in what police said was a brazen, targeted attack as he walked alone to the Hilton from a nearby hotel, where UnitedHealthcares parent company, UnitedHealth Group, was holding its annual investor conference, police said.

UnitedHealth Group thanked law enforcement in a statement on Monday.

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Our hope is that todays apprehension brings some relief to Brians family, friends, colleagues and the many others affected by this unspeakable tragedy, a company spokesperson said.

The gunman appeared to be lying in wait for several minutes before approaching the executive from behind and opening fire, NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch said.

In the days since the shooting, police turned to the public for help by releasing a collection of photos and video  including footage of the attack, as well as images of the suspect at a Starbucks beforehand.

Photos taken in the lobby of a hostel on Manhattans Upper West Side showed the suspect grinning after removing his mask, police said.

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The FBI is offering a reward of 50,000 dollars and the NYPD is offering 10,000 dollars for information that could lead to the arrest and conviction of the man who shot Brian Thompson in New York City (New York City Police Department via AP)

Ammunition found near Mr Thompsons body bore the words delay, deny and depose, mimicking a phrase used by insurance industry critics.

Investigators have been combing the park since Wednesdays shooting and have been searching at least one of its ponds for three days, looking for evidence that may have been thrown into it.

On Friday, police found a backpack in the park that they say the killer discarded as he fled from the crime scene outside the New York Hilton Midtown in Manhattan to an uptown bus station, where they suspect he left the city on a bus.

On Monday, K-9 units sniffed leaf-covered planters between walking paths in Central Park near where police found the backpack.



This image provided by the New York City Police Department shows the suspect sought in the killing of UnitedHealthcare chief Brian Thompson (New York City Police Department via AP)

Farther along the path that police suspect he took through the park after the shooting, scuba divers geared up and started searching a pond for the third straight day.

Late on Saturday, police released two additional photos of the suspect that appeared to be from a camera mounted inside a taxi.

The first shows him outside of the vehicle and the second shows him looking through the partition between the back seat and the front of the cab.

In both, his face is partially obscured by a blue mask.
South Koreas Justice Ministry has imposed an overseas travel ban on President Yoon Suk Yeol as authorities investigate allegations of rebellion and other charges in connection with his short-lived declaration of martial law last week.

His decree last Tuesday, which brought special forces troops into Seoul streets, plunged South Korea into political turmoil and caused worry among its key diplomatic partners and neighbours.

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On Saturday, he avoided an opposition-led bid to impeach him, with most governing party legislators boycotting a parliamentary vote, but the opposition parties vowed to submit a new impeachment motion this week.



Prime Minister Han Duck-soo speaks during the joint statements after Yoon Suk Yeol avoided an opposition-led attempt to impeach him (Lee Jin-man/AP)

Bae Sang-up, a Justice Ministry official, told a parliamentary hearing that it had banned Mr Yoon from leaving the country after requests by police, prosecutors and an anti-corruption agency as they expand their investigations into the circumstances surrounding the power grab.

On Monday, a senior National Police Agency officer told local reporters in a background briefing that police can also detain Mr Yoon if conditions are met.

A sitting South Korean president has immunity from prosecution while in office, but that does not extend to allegations of rebellion or treason. This means Mr Yoon can be questioned and detained by police over his martial law decree, but many observers doubt that police will forcefully detain him or search his office because of the potential for clashes with his presidential security service.

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In the case of former president Park Geun-hye, who was thrown out of office in 2017 after being impeached by parliament over a corruption scandal, prosecutors failed to search her office and ended up receiving documents outside the compound because presidential officials turned them away.

After refusing to meet prosecutors while in office, Ms Park underwent questioning by them and was arrested after the Constitutional Court approved her impeachment and ruled to dismiss her as president in March 2017.



Protesters stage a rally demanding Yoon Suk Yeols impeachment (Ahn Young-joon/AP)

The main opposition Democratic Party called Mr Yoons martial law imposition unconstitutional, illegal rebellion or a coup. It has filed complaints with police against at least nine people, including Mr Yoon and his former defence minister over the rebellion allegations.

Prosecutors on Sunday detained former defence minister Kim Yong Hyun, who allegedly recommended that Mr Yoon declare martial law. He became the first person detained in the martial law case.

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The Defence Ministry last week separately suspended three senior military commanders over their alleged involvement in imposing martial law. They were among those facing the opposition-raised rebellion allegations.

On Saturday, Mr Yoon issued an apology over the martial law decree, saying he would not shirk legal or political responsibility for the declaration. He said he would leave it to his party to chart a course through the countrys political turmoil, including matters related to my term in office.

Since taking office in 2022 for a five-year term, Mr Yoon, a conservative, has been on a near-constant collision course with his liberal rivals who control parliament. The liberals have introduced a series of motions seeking to impeach some of his senior officials and launched a fierce political offensive against Mr Yoon over a spate of scandals involving him and his wife.



Conservative groups supporting President Yoon Suk Yeol (Lee Jin-man/AP)

In his martial law announcement on Tuesday night, he called parliament a den of criminals bogging down state affairs and vowed to eliminate shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces.

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The martial law decree lasted only six hours because the National Assembly voted it down, forcing Mr Yoons cabinet to lift it before daybreak on Wednesday. Some members of Mr Yoons governing People Power Party cast ballots against the decree, but the party later decided to oppose his impeachment.

Experts say the party fears losing the presidency to liberals in a by-election if he is impeached and ousted, as they did after Ms Park was removed from office.

PPP leader Han Dong-hun said on Sunday that his party will push for Mr Yoons early and orderly exit from office in a way that minimises social confusion, but he did not say when that would happen. He also said Mr Yoon will not be involved in state affairs, including foreign policy.

Critics say Mr Han wants to buy time to help his party restore public confidence. His comments on sidelining Mr Yoon from state affairs have also sparked widespread concern and criticism that it violates the constitution.

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During a briefing on Monday, the Defence Ministry said Mr Yoon maintains control of the military, a power the constitution explicitly reserves for the president.
Police in South Korea said they are considering an overseas travel ban on President Yoon Suk Yeol as they investigate possible rebellion charges over his brief imposition of martial law last week.

Oh Dong-woon, chief prosecutor of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials, told a parliamentary hearing on Monday he has instructed investigators to seek a travel ban.

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The office is one of several law enforcement bodies, including public prosecutors and police, investigating the circumstances around Mr Yoons declaration of martial law.

Mr Yoons martial law decree last week, which brought armed special forces troops into the streets of Seoul, is plunging South Korea into huge political turmoil.



A rally demanding South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeols impeachment outside the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea (Ahn Young-Joon/AP)

On Sunday, he avoided an opposition-led bid to impeach him, with most ruling party lawmakers boycotting a floor vote.

But the opposition parties vowed to submit a new impeachment motion against him this week.

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On Monday, a senior National Police Agency officer told reporters in a background briefing that police are considering banning Mr Yoon from leaving the country as they investigate him on charges of rebellion.

The officer said police can also detain the president if conditions are met.

The main opposition Democratic Party called Mr Yoons martial law imposition unconstitutional, illegal rebellion or a coup. It has filed complaints with police against at least nine people, including Mr Yoon and the former defence minister, over the alleged rebellion.

While the president mostly has immunity from prosecution while in office, that does not extend to allegations of rebellion or treason.

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Members of the Emergency Committee of Medical School Professors Nationwide shout slogans during a rally demanding the resignation of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (Ahn Young-Joon/AP)

South Korean prosecutors on Sunday detained former defence minister Kim Yong Hyun, who allegedly recommended the martial law declaration. He became the first person detained over the martial law case.

The Defence Ministry said it has separately suspended three top military commanders over their alleged involvement in imposing martial law.

They were among those facing the opposition-raised rebellion allegations.

During a briefing on Monday, the Defense Ministry said Mr Yoon maintained control of the military, a power the constitution explicitly reserves for the president.

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On Saturday, Mr Yoon issued an apology over the martial law decree, saying he would not shirk legal or political responsibility for the declaration. He said he would leave it to his party to chart a course through the countrys political turmoil, including matters related to my term in office.

Since taking office in 2022 for a single five-year term, Mr Yoon has struggled to push his agenda through an opposition-controlled parliament and grappled with low approval ratings amid scandals involving himself and his wife.

In his martial law announcement on Tuesday night, Mr Yoon called parliament a den of criminals bogging down state affairs and vowed to eliminate shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces.
Syrias prime minister said that most cabinet ministers were back at work on Monday after rebels overthrew President Bashar Assad.

However, some state workers failed to return to their jobs and a United Nations official said the countrys public sector had come to a complete and abrupt halt.

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Meanwhile, streams of refugees crossed back into Syria from neighbouring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future and looking for relatives who disappeared during Mr Assads brutal rule.



President Bashar Assad fled to Russia after rebels overthrew his regime (Hussein Malla/AP)

There were already signs of the difficulties ahead for the rebel alliance now in control of much of the country.

The alliance is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant, who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and has promised representative government and religious tolerance.

The rebel command said they would not tell women how to dress.

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It is strictly forbidden to interfere with womens dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty, the command said in a statement on social media.

Nearly two days after rebels entered the capital, some key government services had shut down after state workers ignored calls to go back to their jobs, the UN official said, causing issues at airports and borders and slowing the flow of humanitarian aid.



People attend a rally celebrating the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assads government. It comes as the prime minister said that Cabinet ministers were back at work (AP Photo/Matias Delacroix)

Rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, also met with Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali for the first time.

Mr Jalali stayed in Syria when Mr Assad fled and has sought to project normalcy since.

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We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth, he told Sky News Arabia TV on Monday, saying the security situation had already improved from the day before.

At the court of Justice in Damascus, which was stormed by the rebels to free detainees, Judge Khitam Haddad, an aide to the justice minister in the outgoing government, said that judges were ready to resume work quickly.

We want to give everyone their rights, Mr Haddad said outside the courthouse. We want to build a new Syria and to keep the work, but with new methods.

But a UN official said some government services had been paralysed as worried state employees stayed at home.

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The public sector has just come to a complete and abrupt halt, said Adam Abdelmoula, UN resident and humanitarian co-ordinator for Syria, noting, for example, that an aid flight carrying urgently needed medical supplies had been put on hold after aviation employees abandoned their jobs.



Ahmad al-Sharaas rebel faction has promised representative government and religious tolerance, including announcing that they will not tell women how to dress (Omar Albam/AP)

This is a country that has had one government for 53 years and then suddenly all of those who have been demonised by the public media are now in charge in the nations capital, Mr Abdelmoula told The Associated Press.

I think it will take a couple of days and a lot of assurance on the part of the armed groups for these people to return to work again.

In a video shared on a rebel messaging channel, Mr al-Sharaa said: You will see there are skills among the rebels.

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The Kremlin said Russia has granted political asylum to Mr Assad, a decision made by President Vladimir Putin.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Mr Assads specific whereabouts and said Mr Putin did not plan to meet with him.



In public squares, many people were still celebrating. Civilian traffic resumed, but there was no public transport (Hussein Malla/PA)

Damascus was quiet Monday, with life slowly returning to normal, though most shops and public institutions were closed.

In public squares, some people were still celebrating. Civilian traffic resumed, but there was no public transport. Long lines formed in front of bakeries and other food stores.

There was little sign of any security presence though in some areas, small groups of armed men were stationed in the streets.
Chinas military appears to be preparing for widely anticipated drills in response to a recent visit by Taiwans president to Hawaii and Guam.

Taiwans defence ministry said on Monday that it detected Chinese naval and coast guard ships entering the Taiwan Strait and the western Pacific and that China had restricted airspace along its south-east coast through Wednesday.

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There was no immediate confirmation from the Chinese side.





A Taiwan defence ministry statement said it has set up an emergency response centre and launched combat readiness exercises.

It did not say what those exercises entailed.

The Chinese government says Taiwan is part of its territory and opposes American support and military sales to the self-governing island.

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Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te made stops in Hawaii and Guam during a week=long tour of the Pacific that ended on Friday.

China maintains that Taiwan is a province that should not have its own president or foreign relations.

It must be pointed out that there is no such thing as a defence ministry in Taiwan, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said when asked about the Taiwanese statement.

Taiwan is part of China, and the Taiwan issue is Chinas internal affairs. China will firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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China, which views Mr Lai as a separatist, held major military exercises around Taiwan following his inauguration in May and his national day speech in October.

It also held a major drill after Nancy Pelosi, then the speaker of the US House of Representatives, visited Taiwan in 2022.

The Taiwan defence ministry statement said China had restricted air space in seven zones off Fujian province, which faces Taiwan, and off Zhejiang province, which stretches north from Fujian to Shanghai.
Tongas Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni abruptly resigned in parliament ahead of a planned no-confidence vote in his leadership, capping a period of fraught relations between his government and Tongas king.

Mr Sovaleni, who took office in 2021, did not specify a reason for his departure, but his resignation halted the no-confidence motion expected on Monday. It was not clear who would succeed him.

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His resignation comes less than a year before a national election in the South Pacific island of 105,000 people and highlighted the occasional tensions between Tongas monarchy and politicians after reforms that transferred powers from the royal family and nobles to regular citizens in 2010.

A statement on the Tongan Parliaments Facebook page said Mr Sovaleni, 54, quit for the good of the country and moving Tonga forward.





Video from Tongas parliament on Monday showed the leader making brief and emotional remarks in Tongan before the no-confidence vote was scheduled to take place.

His office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. His leadership had survived a previous no-confidence vote in September 2023.

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In recent months, Mr Sovalenis tenure was marked by difficult relations with Tongas head of state, King Tupou VI. Although the sovereigns predecessor ceded power voluntarily in the 2010 democratic reforms, Tupou retains powers to dissolve parliament, appoint judges and veto laws.

The king at times made his dissatisfaction with Mr Sovaleni apparent, including by withdrawing confidence in him as defence minister in February.

Some lawmakers at first decried the kings pressure on Mr Sovaleni and his foreign minister as unconstitutional, but both eventually resigned their posts in April  although Mr Sovaleni remained as prime minister.

A month earlier, Mr Sovaleni had been photographed at a traditional ceremony of apology to the king, but neither side publicly addressed the event.

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When Tonga hosted the Pacific Islands Forum Leaders Meeting in August, the king was travelling abroad and did not attend the conference  a significant event for the small Pacific nation  which analysts said was a snub to Mr Sovaleni and his government.

Speaking to Radio New Zealand (RNZ) on Monday, Mr Sovaleni did not signal a particular reason for his departure.

Asked whether his decision was prompted by disagreements with the king, he said that differences in views were normal.

Im not sure whether thats the reason, he said, according to RNZ, adding that he still did not know why he and the foreign minister had lost the kings confidence earlier this year.

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But we still provide respect to his majesty, he said. Whatever we do, we always consider that relationship. So maybe you can ask someone else.

His successor will be selected by Tongas 26 politicians in a vote. The parliament is made up of 17 people elected by the public and nine who are nobles, elected by a group of hereditary chiefs.

Mr Sovaleni entered parliament in 2014 and has been a minister since 2019.

He led Tonga as the tourism-dependent country struggled to rebound from the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, growing threats from climate change and a catastrophic 2022 volcanic eruption and tsunami, which battered beachfront resorts, homes and businesses around Tongas 171 islands.

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A former senior public servant who also worked in the private sector before entering politics, Mr Sovaleni is the son of a former Tongan deputy prime minister. He attended high school in New Zealand and studied at Oxford University and the University of the South Pacific, attaining masters degrees in computer science and business.
Damascus stirred back to life on Monday at the start of a hopeful but uncertain era after rebels seized the capital and president Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia, following 13 years of civil war and more than 50 years of his family's brutal rule.

Busy traffic returned to the streets and people ventured out after a nighttime curfew, but most shops remained shut. Rebels milled about in the centre.

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The main rebel commander Ahmed al-Sharaa, better known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, met overnight with Assad's prime minister Mohammed Jalali and vice president Faisal Mekdad to discuss arrangements for a transitional government, a source familiar with the discussions told Reuters.

Al Jazeera television reported that the transitional authority would be headed by Mohamed Al-Bashir, who ran the administration in a small pocket of rebel-held territory before the 12-day lightning offensive that swept into Damascus.

Syria's banks would reopen on Tuesday and staff had been asked to return to offices, according to a Syrian central bank source and two commercial bankers. Syria's currency would continue to be used, they said.

At the Interior Ministry that ran Assad's police force, furniture had been looted and staff stayed away. Armed rebels were there to maintain order.

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The oil ministry called on all employees in the sector to head to their workplaces starting on Tuesday, adding that protection would be provided to ensure their safety.

Fighters from the remote countryside milled about in the capital, clustering in the central Umayyad Square before Damascus's great 1,300-year-old mosque.

A Syrian rebel fighter fires rounds as people celebrate near the Clock Tower in the central city of Homs after rebel forces entered Syria's third city overnight. Photo: Getty Images

"We had a purpose and a goal and now we are done with it. We want the state and security forces to be in charge," said Firdous Omar, who said he had been battling the Assad government since 2011 and was now looking forward to laying down his weapon and returning to his job as a farmer in provincial Idlib.

The advance of a militia alliance spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al Qaeda affiliate, was a generational turning point for the Middle East.

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It ends a war that killed hundreds of thousands, caused one of the biggest refugee crises of modern times and left cities bombed to rubble, countryside depopulated and the economy hollowed out by global sanctions. Millions of refugees could finally go home from camps across Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan.

Assad's fall wipes out one of the main bastions from which Iran and Russia wielded regional power. Turkey, long aligned with Assad's foes, emerges strengthened.

The Arab world faces the task of reintegrating one of the Middle East's pivotal states, while containing the militant Sunni Islam that has in the past metastasized into the sectarian violence of Islamic State.

HTS is still designated as a terrorist group by the United Nations, but has spent years trying to soften its image to reassure foreign states and minority groups within Syria.

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'A new history'

The group's leader Golani, who spent years in US custody as an insurgent in Iraq but later broke with al Qaeda and Islamic State, has vowed to rebuild Syria.

"A new history, my brothers, is being written in the entire region after this great victory," he told a huge crowd at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus on Sunday.

Assad's prime minister Jalali told Sky New Arabia he was ready to provide documents and help for the transfer of power.

The fate of Syria's army would be "left to the brothers who will take over the management of the country's affairs", Jalali said. "What concerns us today is the continuation of services for Syrians."

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Assad's police state was known for generations as one of the harshest in the Middle East, holding hundreds of thousands of political prisoners. On Sunday, elated inmates poured out of jails. Reunited families wept in joy. Newly freed prisoners were filmed running through the Damascus streets holding up their hands to show how many years they had been in prison.

One of the final areas to fall was the Mediterranean coast, heartland of Assad's Alawite sect and site of Russia's naval base.

Two Alawite residents said so far the situation had been better than expected, seemingly without retribution against Alawites. One said a friend was visited at home by rebels who told him to hand over any weapons he had, which he did.

Near Latakia, rebels had yet to enter the Assad familys ancestral village of Qardaha, site of a mausoleum for Assad's father who seized power in a coup in 1970 and ruled until his death in 2000. A resident said all senior figures tied to Assad had left.

The Kremlin said it was too early to know the future of Russia's military bases in Syria, but it would discuss the issue with the new authorities.

Israel, US launch strikes

Israel said Assad's fall was a direct consequence of Israel's punishing assault on Iran's Lebanese allies Hezbollah, who had propped up Assad for years but were decimated since September by an Israeli air and ground campaign.

Since rebels entered Damascus, Israel has struck sites in Syria. Israeli officials said those air strikes would carry on for days, to keep Assad's former arsenal out of hostile hands.

The US, which has 900 soldiers in Syria alongside Kurdish-led forces in the east, said its forces hit around 75 targets in air strikes on Islamic State on Sunday.

The US-backed Kurdish forces have clashed with Turkey-backed rebels in the north. A video, verified by Reuters, showed rebels entering the town of Manbij, captured from the Kurdish forces on Monday.
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The sunny climate, a vibrant hospitality scene and the looming Brisbane Olympics have Melbourne restaurateurs flying north.

What began as a trickle of Melbourne chefs and restaurateurs testing the warmer waters of Brisbane has become a flood.

Brisbane has enjoyed a taste of Melbourne for years. In 2019, MoVida alums Eleanor Cappa and Maris Cook opened Maeve Wine in the heritage-listed Queensland National Bank Building, and in mid-2021 fabled croissanterie Lune launched its first interstate outpost in the Queensland capital, followed by a second instalment in Burnett Lane in August 22.

Siblings Kate and Cam Reid of Lune Croissanterie. Flavio Brancaleone

Then, in February 2023, Guy Grossi introduced his brand of casual Italian dining with Settimo at the Westin Brisbane, describing it as a homage to Italys Amalfi Coast.

But this year, with the 2032 Brisbane Olympics drawing closer, the trek north has gathered pace as Melbourne restaurateurs grab a slice of the citys increasingly vibrant hospitality scene.
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Review Eating outSouth Yarra Glammed-up bordello appeal: Peek inside the southside bar where photos arent allowed Come for the stellar French wine list and stay for the snacks at Le Splendide, an exciting update to one of the citys best-loved bistros. Besha Rodell December 10, 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

As featured in the Melbourne hit list, January 2025. See all stories .

1 / 11 Red velvet seats and timber panelling has helped transform a onetime bike shop into a rococo bordello. Joe Armao 2 / 11 Gougeres, puffs of cheesy choux pastry, are a perfect foil for a glass of bubbles. Joe Armao 3 / 11 Fat, fresh oysters are served with lemon and a slightly too-sweet mignonette. Joe Armao 4 / 11 The go-to dish: house-made duck, pork and chicken terrine. Joe Armao 5 / 11 Le Splendides deep red light shades and velvet chairs evoke a bawdy Belle Epoque aesthetic. Joe Armao 6 / 11 Slider-sized lobster rolls filled with fresh, sproingy shellfish. Joe Armao 7 / 11 France-Soirs signature beef tartare has been scaled down for Le Splendide. Simon Schluter 8 / 11 Staff at Le Splendide are kitted out in stylish salmon-coloured chore jackets. Simon Schluter 9 / 11 Forget photographing Le Splendide for Instagram. Stickers are placed on customers phone cameras at the door. Joe Armao 10 / 11 Thin slices of toasted baguette ferry anchovy fillets. Joe Armao 11 / 11 France-Soir chef Geraud Fabre also oversees the menu at Le Splendide. Simon Schluter Previous Slide Next Slide Critics' Pick How we score French$$$$ Perhaps the most exciting Melbourne dining trend of late is the emergence of the side bar. This phenomenon, in which an established restaurant expands by opening a more casual, drinks-focused venue next door or nearby, is recently most commonly found next to some of our classic old-school spots. In Carlton, the owners of Scopri have given us Bar Olo; in Prahran, the Entrecote team have opened Gigi Salon; and in South Yarra, France-Soir, the beloved French restaurant that functions as the neighbourhoods living (and dining) room, has gifted us with the utter confection that is Le Splendide. Of these three newcomers, only Bar Olo functions as a proper restaurant (so much so that it was recently named the Good Food Guides New Restaurant of the Year).

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Le Splendides details seal the deal, such as oysters served with lemon and a raspberry mignonette on a silver tray. Simon Schluter Both Gigi and Le Spendide are more like antechambers for the restaurants they sit alongside, a place to go for a drink before or after the main event, or to stop in for nibbles and cocktails rather than a full meal. But theyre both glorious in their own way, and Le Splendide, in particular, is an exciting update to one of Melbournes great dining institutions. 14 / 20 Review This Melbourne icon divides food snobs  but our critic keeps going back Its fascinating to see the current design proclivities of owner Jean-Paul Prunetti. If France Soir is timeless in a classic early 20th century Parisian sense  mirrored and classy but pared-back and functional  Le Splendide is downright rococo, its deep red light shades and velvet chairs evoking a bawdier Belle Epoque aesthetic. In this way, Le Splendide reminds me less of Paris and more of New Orleans  a city with a strong French history that never let go of its glammed-up bordello appeal.

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A long zinc bar, cosy nooks in which to sit, and servers in salmon-coloured jackets make this place a fantasy that would be almost silly if it werent so damn appealing. Aside from the grandiosity of the whole, its the tiny details that seal the deal: the dainty linen napkins; the vintage French plates; the art deco-inspired coasters. Heart-shaped stickers are placed on customers mobile phone cameras at the door. Joe Armao Youll be tempted to flaunt all of this glamour on your Instagram grid, but its heavily discouraged  in fact, when they remember to do so, waiters place a heart-shaped sticker over your phone camera upon entrance. It wont stop you from checking your email (or booking your annual camping trip, which I did while nestled in this velvet paradise), but it does help to encourage you to be in the here and now, to experience the beauty of the place in real time rather than as a notch on your social media belt. France-Soirs splendid bar is here at last. But you have to do something unusual to get inside

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If ever there were a wine list to build a room and bar around, a place purpose-built to indulge those of us who might want to partake of Prunettis collection without necessarily eating a full meal at France-Soir, this is the list. Its pared back somewhat here, not the heavy tome that gets thunked onto your table next door. But even the abridged version, presented in a leather-bound booklet, would qualify as one of the best lists in town for the Francophiles among us. Le Splendide is an exciting update to one of Melbournes great dining institutions. Its a thing of great fun and beauty, with a focus on lesser-known producers of Champagne, Jura, the Loir and Burgundy, and bottles priced from less than $100 to well into the thousands. I love that you can get a glass of 2013 Taittinger for $75 (or $690 for the bottle), which is the most extreme of a wide-ranging by-the-glass selection that doesnt limit itself to the lower end of the spectrum. Cocktails are all classics, presented in gorgeous, delicate vessels. The gin martini ($25) is perfectly icy and briny when asked for dirty, but I especially appreciated the Champs-Elysees ($26), a lesser-known classic that combines cognac with chartreuse and is bright and sneakily herbaceous.

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Go-to dish: The chunky duck, pork and chicken terrine is made in-house. Joe Armao The food menu is all snackage, nothing heartier than a slider-sized lobster roll ($14) that is a tad bread-heavy but if you ditch the top of the bun, the lobster meat underneath is fresh and sproingy. Gougeres ($3) are flaky and decadent, and a perfect foil for a glass of bubbles. Unsurprisingly, pates and the like are fantastic, in particular a meaty duck, pork and chicken terrine ($11) served with thin baguette toasts. Crisp slivers of baguette underpin much of the menu, including the simple yet perfect anchovies on toast ($12 for two). You can get fat, fresh oysters ($6 each), which come with lemon and a slightly too-sweet raspberry mignonette, or, if its that kind of night, caviar service ($190-$295).

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France-Soirs signature beef tartare has been scaled down for Le Splendide. Simon Schluter Some of France-Soirs classic dishes have been reimagined as bite-sized morsels here. The famed beef tartare, for example, is served as a quenelle over a lettuce leaf ($14). Service is charming in that ineffable French way, but be sure to check your bill before you leave  I discovered later that Id been charged for a couple of drinks I believe belonged to the table to my right. Honestly, I hope they enjoyed them  it was a small extra price to pay for an evening in this space, drinking good wine, gossiping over fun nibbles. I hope Le Spendide becomes as much a part of the citys life as its older sibling  and I hope the trend of the side bar never dies. The low-down Vibe: Like a classy Paris bordello circa 1880 Go-to dish: Duck, pork and chicken terrine ($11) Drinks: Classic cocktails, and a Francophiles dream of a wine list Cost: Cocktails $17-$28; snacks $3-$295
Houston Methodist Hospital's Outpatient Center. Aker Imaging, Houston

Texas hospitals like Houston Methodist have devoted big parts of their businesses in recent years to buying up doctors' practices and rebranding them as part of their outpatient networks. But they may soon have to figure out a different strategy.

Under existing federal Medicare rules, hospital-operated outpatient facilities get higher fees than what a traditional doctor's office would receive for the same procedure or treatment  sometimes double or even five times the amount, according to KFF, formerly known as the Kaiser Family Foundation.

MORE FROM JAMES: Texas nonprofit led by Trump's ag secretary pick questioned farm subsidies

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Now Congress is considering whether to end the practice as part of a larger effort to reduce the cost of Medicare, the more than $900 billion program that provides healthcare to more than 2.3 million Texans 65 years of age or older. The Congressional Budget Office estimates such reforms could save the federal government up to $100 billion over the next decade, on the back of recent cuts to reimbursement rates for in-hospital care for Medicare patients.

"It would be a big deal for hospitals," said Kristie Loescher, a healthcare professor at The University of Texas' McCombs School of Business. "A lot of outpatient care is actually being done in hospitals (and the facilities they operate) and its driving a lot of revenue."

Hospitals are lobbying hard to block the reforms, arguing the higher fees are justified by the fact they are required to treat all those who come through their doors, regardless of whether they have insurance or not.

Without the extra fees, Texas hospitals would likely be forced to eliminate some outpatient services, hurting access for patients, said John Hawkins, president of the Texas Hospital Association, a trade group.

Baylor St. Luke's Medical Center, for instance, received more than $43 million from Medicare for outpatient care in fiscal year 2023, according to data compiled by the Rand Corporation. Houston Methodist took in more than $140 million.

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Methodist and other Houston-area hospitals declined or did not respond to requests for comment for this story.

"A lot of these systems have expanded their outpatient capability outpatient to provide a pretty high level of care without patients having to go into the medical center," Hawkins said. "A small (physicians) group wouldnt necessarily be able to do that."

With Medicare costs rising rapidly  they grew by more than 50% between 2011 and 2021  Republicans and Democrats alike are eager to rein in spending.

A legislative proposal released last month by U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy, R-La., and Maggie Hassan, D-N.H, would make Medicare payments constant regardless of where a procedure is done. At the same time, some portion of savings would be directed to inner-city and rural hospitals that serve large volumes of Medicare and Medicaid patients.

"If the same care can be safely provided in different settings, patients should not pay hundreds more simply because their doctor works in a hospital," Cassidy, a doctor by training, said in a statement.

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And with Donald Trump returning to the White House next month, momentum is likely to build. Not only is he looking to slash the federal government's $6.8 trillion budget, but in his first term he proposed Medicare reforms similar to those put forward by Cassidy and Hassan, according to KFF.

But the question hanging over the reforms is how hospitals that are already struggling financially will manage.

In Texas, 26 rural hospitals have closed since 2010. Nationwide, 24% of non-profit hospitals are facing downgrades in their credit ratings, the highest level in over a decade, S&P Global Ratings warned earlier this year.

So far, government efforts to rein in healthcare spending have largely focused on hospitals and doctors, not pharmaceutical and medical device companies that are also driving healthcare cost increases, Loescher said.

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Tips & adviceTrends The most searched recipes of 2024 prove we dont really give a Google about good food From the viral cucumber salad to an Olympian-approved muffin, this years top-10 recipes show that when it comes to setting recipe trends, TikTok rules. Andrea McGinniss December 10, 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

Its that time of the year again, when Google releases its ever-more-obscure list of Australias top 10 recipe searches of the year, guaranteed to leave us scratching our heads to find the connection (more often than not, TikToks to thank/blame). In recent years, hand sanitiser and Grimace shake topped the lists. Yes, these here are crazy times. So lets try and make sense of the latest results. The popularity of the air fryer shows no sign of slowing down. iStock 1. Jamie Oliver air fryer recipes



In Australia we love our air fryers and we love Jamie Oliver. Combine them and its a match made in Google heaven. One of his gazillion cooking shows Jamies Air Fryer Meals screened on Ten earlier this year and we mustve loved what he cooked up on it because we jumped straight onto Google for the SEO-friendly details. Of course, theres a cookbook in the works, slated for release in early 2025. For now, we reckon these very popular Jamie recipes will tide you over. Korean cucumber salad. William Meppem 2. Cucumber salad recipe



Sales of cucumber, mandoline slicers (and probably band aids) went through the roof this year thanks to TikToker Logan (@logagm) and his five million followers who finally made the oft overlooked vegetable as inexplicably popular as Taylor Swift. Armed with just a cucumber, some Tupperware, a cutting device and a variety of seasonings and sauces, Logan whips up quick, simple cucumber salads that look almost good enough to eat. We reckon Adam Liaws Korean-style version (above) should have just as much cut through, without the side of bloody fingers.

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3. Pornstar martini recipe I cant help wondering if Google got a bit confused with this search term, Ill let you work out in what way. Regardless, the classic cocktail seems to be enjoying a surge in popularity, the crowd-pleasing combo of vodka, passion fruit liqueur, passion fruit puree, lime juice and vanilla syrup hitting the sweet spot for many a sipper. At Good Food, were more into the Paloma, already declaring it early in December to be the drink of the summer. Give it a shake. Chocolate muffins were the hit of the Paris Olympics. Supplied 4. Olympics chocolate muffins recipe

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Move over Raygun, the sleeper hit of this years Paris Olympics was actually the simple chocolate muffin that athletes demolished by the dozen in the Olympic Village. Like most recent viral trends, TikTok has something to answer for. The muffins took off after Norwegian swimmer Henrik Christiansen posted about them on his account. They were just so incredibly delicious that Christiansen said he decided to see if a series of videos highlighting his love for the muffins would take off. The rest, like Raygun, is history. Craving muffins now? We can help with that. 5. Oatzempic recipe Weight-loss drug Ozempic was a big talking point in 2024, but oatzempic, the non-injectable, barely edible alternative that took over TikTok (of course) for a time was one of the most popular recipe searches of the year. Designed to make you feel fuller for longer (like the drug) the recipe is simple: blend one cup oats, one cup water and half a lime. Yummo. Think well stick to our Adam Liaw version of a viral recipe, this irresistible Marry-me chicken.

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6. Bitter melon recipe Another one to file under what the heck?. Bitter melon has had a surge in popularity, perhaps because according to the internet, in this case webmd.com, eating it may decrease cholesterol levels, help treat diabetes and help reduce blood sugar levels. Other websites claim it may trigger side effects like indigestion and diarrhea. Whatever the case, its big on (you guessed it) TikTok, where youll never run out of ideas on how to make the slimy green fruit more appetising. Crumbl Cookies CEO Jason McGowan announcing their Aussie plans in October. Dominic Lorrimer 7. Crumbl cookie recipe The Crumbl cookie fiasco (aka #Crumblgate) had TikTok influencers crying into their milk in October over the stale, days-old cookies bought by entrepreneurial scammers in Hawaii and sold by a North Bondi pop-up for an eye-watering $17.50 a pop. The American chain  which has more than 800 stores in the US  has since reassured fans that Crumbl is pleased to announce plans to open in Australia. PR stunt? Hmm Id never be that cynical. But I would shamelessly link out to our own, much better, chewy chocolate cookie recipe.

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Impossible Foods' Impossible Burger. Supplied 8. Plant-based recipes Has the Impossible Burger become as big as widely predicted a couple of years ago? Perhaps not (yet), but the growing demand for plant-based food from an environmental and health perspective is undeniable. With more than 300 different plant-based proteins now available in supermarkets, it makes sense that people are looking for a dietitians guide to whether they are healthier than their meaty alternatives, and googling ways to cook them. Of course, we also have a recipe collection for that. Recipe collection Vegan recipes: Plant-based dinners and desserts Jill Dupleixs kale colcannon mashed potato recipe. William Meppem

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9. Colcannon recipe Okay, I admit, this one makes my Irish potato-lovin heart sing. Never did I expect to see the intensely buttery mash with cabbage, spring onion, gravy and other assorted mix-ins make any kind of recipe trend list in Australia, but Im here for it. Why? Probably TikTok. Look, Ill take a win where I can get it, even from TikTok. Crank the aircon and give thisJill Dupleix version a go and get on board this bandwagon. 10. Salt tea recipe Is it a health thing? According to the internet, salt is a natural electrolyte, and it to your tea can help replenish your supplies after sweating and other physical activities. Or is it a taste thing? Other theories abound that a pinch of salt in your tea can help block the receptors that make black tea bitter. Either way, it sounds like big old gimmick to me. Ill stick with coffee - sans salt - for now, thanks! Googles top 10 trending recipe searches of 2023 are enough to make you grimace



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For many people, Coco Chanel, Vera Wang and Tom Ford are more famous for perfumes, picture frames and movies than making clothes.

Global fashion fame doesnt always come from dresses, which is why Steven Khalil is treading a path forged by fellow Australian designers Romance Was Born, Akira Isogawa and kaftan queen Camilla, by launching a range with Designer Rugs.

Dress designer Steven Khalil in his studio in Paddington, Sydney, showcasing his new rug line. Credit: Edwina Pickles

Ive spent 20 years creating a beautiful brand, say Khalil, who has dressed Kylie Jenner, Jennifer Lopez and countless Australian brides in ornate dresses anchored in elegance. Its time to evolve and challenge myself.

Im not a big risk-taker, but collaborating gives me a chance to show what I can do beyond dresses. If Vera Wang can do it ...
The severely decomposed body of a woman has been found covered in plastic in dense bushland near Sydney Airport in what police believe was an attempt to conceal it.

Homicide Detective Danny Doherty said police were now working to identify the woman, discovered by a passerby at 7.30am on Monday, only metres away from a footpath off Foreshore Drive in Botany.

Doherty said the body may have been there for days, weeks, if not longer and police were yet to establish how, where or when the woman he described as someones mother, daughter, sister, friend was killed.

He said police believed the woman had been dumped in an attempt to dispose and hide the body, and were looking through missing persons databases.
About a million people perish from mosquito-borne diseases each year. One researcher estimated mosquitoes have killed half of all people who ever lived. (Its probably more like one in 20.) Extreme weather events propelled by climate change including floods and heatwaves are fanning a spike in malaria and dengue outbreaks. Mosquitoes are also evolving to resist insecticides. Only female mosquitoes bite and drink blood. Credit: Thats why Oxitec, which grew out of Oxford University, has developed a line of self-limiting or what they call friendly Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, a sub-Saharan species that spread around the world via the slave trade. The species spreads dengue and yellow fever, and chikungunya and Zika virus. Oxitecs mosquitoes are edited to carry a lab-designed gene thats based on elements of DNA found in E. coli, fruit flies, cabbage looper moths and the herpes virus. (The gene doesnt encode for actual E. coli or herpes but was rather inspired by tiny structural sequences of their DNA.)

Loading When the modified males mate with wild females, the gene passes into their offspring and overloads mosquito cells with a protein called tTAV. The protein isnt toxic or harmful but the larval cells are so flooded with tTAV they cant produce other vital proteins and they die. The gene only kills females, which are the ones that bite and spread disease because they need blood to nourish their eggs. The non-biting males live on to deliver the deathly gene to a new generation. Just like sea monkeys

Dengue-ravaged communities in Brazil have already recruited Oxitec mosquitoes. The company produces eggs in a mosquito factory in Sao Paulo and theyre shipped out in boxes to businesses and homes in mozzie-plagued neighbourhoods. The next part is like breeding sea monkeys: you just add water, and the eggs hatch. A few hundred harmless males spawn from each box and begin their work, bringing down the mosquito population in the surrounding hectare. An Oxitec release box of genetically modified Aedes aegypti in Brazil. Credit: Oxitec Some towns have reported a 96 per cent plunge in Aedes aegypti numbers as a result. An advantage of Oxitecs approach is that male mosquitoes are female-seeking precision missiles, unlike the blunt instrument of fogging or spraying large areas with insecticide.

Our approach leaves other beneficial insects like butterflies and bees completely unharmed, Oxitecs chief strategy officer Neil Morrison says. Predators like birds or bats, that feed on our mosquitoes, are completely unharmed, too. Director of health and biosecurity at CSIRO Dr Brett Sutton says another advantage is that the genetically modified mosquitoes dont last by themselves in the wild. Its not like a genetically altered species that carries that gene on ad infinitum, he says. The gene is only inherited by the male mosquitoes, and so with every generation its halved, and therefore it doesnt last beyond a fixed number of generations. But there have been teething issues. Community distrust and a controversial paper

A controversial 2019 paper in Scientific Reports by an independent team of researchers found something troubling: wild populations had inherited fragments of the genetically modified mosquitoes genome during a Brazilian trial. Back then, Oxitecs method targeted both male and female larvae. But 3 to 5 per cent of the offspring survived despite the deadly gene. The paper sparked concern that surviving mosquitoes could adapt to withstand Oxitecs approach or even create hybrid insects more resistant to pesticides and more likely to spread disease. Oxitec mosquitoes and larvae glow red under a special light. Credit: Oxitec That speculation was unfounded  the paper didnt test for such resistance  but nevertheless sparked headlines such as Failed GM mosquito control experiment may have strengthened wild bugs. The paper was soon hit with a string of scientific and editorial concerns, including that many of the issues raised in the report were not backed up by data. (Oxitecs mosquitoes are more susceptible to insecticides.)

That paper was somewhat discredited, Morrison says. It also describes a version of the friendly mosquito that was generation one. Were now on generation-two mosquitoes  no females survive. So the same question marks dont apply. Loading But the saga does underscore the risk of distrust and sceptical community sentiment towards the release of genetically modified insects. In a Florida Keys neighbourhood in 2018, 65 per cent of residents voted to reject a trial release of Oxitecs mosquitoes. Other communities voted in favour, however, and Morrison says Oxitec has ended up oversubscribed for households wanting to host egg boxes in their front yard. Where the mozzies could be released first

Working in tandem with locals is top of mind for Morrison and Sutton as they eye the Torres Strait as a potential launchpad for Australian trials of Oxitec mozzies. Backlash tends to happen when there arent open, honest conversations with those communities, Sutton says. We dont want to push for this against community wishes. Oxitec and the CSIRO are already working on a population-suppressing version of the Asian tiger mosquito to go with the existing genetically modified Aedes aegypti males. Both are invasive to Australia. A helicopter sprays a pond to fight a mosquito infestation in Liverpool in November. Credit: Sydney Water We think theres an opportunity right now for control of those mosquitoes in the Torres Strait, Sutton says. The Asian tiger mosquito could easily expand into mainland Australia.
Nearly 900 new kindergartens will have to be built in the next 12 years, at a cost of $17 billion, to keep up with Victorias soaring demand for early childhood education places, the states infrastructure authority has warned.

Infrastructure Victoria says that another 60 government schools will also be needed in the decade to 2036. It has urged the cash-strapped state government to take a more cost-effective approach to building the next generation of schools by almost doubling their standard size.

In a report to be published on Tuesday, Infrastructure Victoria said the state governments changes providing free three and four-year-old kinder had turbocharged demand from families.

Statewide, there are about 4700 facilities delivering early education and childcare offering, but that would need to grow by 900, or almost 20 per cent, by 2036 to cope with the increased demand.
Forty Australian women and children trapped in a detention camp in Syria say the conditions on the ground in the war-torn country are deteriorating and they fear the chaos that might follow the overthrow of the central government.

The women went to Syria and Iraq during the rule of Islamic State and were imprisoned in detention camps in Syria in 2019.

The al-Roj camp in northern Syria where the Australian women and children are being held. Credit: Save the Children

The Australian government has conducted only two limited repatriations, in 2019 and 2022, during the five years of relative peace when there was a chance to bring them home.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said on Monday that there had so far been no change to the governments policy, despite the change in politics in Syria.
Three generations are set to move into a $4,543,000 Chatswood home after securing it under the hammer on Saturday.

The five-bedroom, four-bathroom red brick family home with a swimming pool at 17 Lamette Street is a 15-minute stroll to the heart of Chatswood.

Three families registered to bid, all owner-occupiers drawn to the turnkey quality and location of the home guided at $4.2 million, and all took part in the auction.

Bidding opened at $4 million, with $50,000 bids to start before erratic smaller bids ranging from $1000 to $3000 were fired in rapid increments. The final bid was $1000, securing the property for $43,000 above its $4.5 million reserve.
London: Volodymyr Zelensky said he told Donald Trump that Russian leader Vladimir Putin fears him and that only the incoming US presidents decisiveness can bring the war to a just end.

Confirming for the first time that more than 400,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed or injured during the war with Russia, the Ukrainian president said in a social media post that his top priority was to work with the US and Europe on how to end the war.

Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (from left), French President Emmanuel Macron and US President-elect Donald Trump after meeting in Paris. Credit: AP

Zelensky met Trump in Paris on Saturday after attending a ceremony for the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral, which was devastated by fire in 2019. After the talks, Trump publicly proclaimed that Zelensky was ready for peace and called on Putin to also strive for a ceasefire.

In a swipe at the current US administration, which has reportedly been pushing Ukraine to lower the age of its conscription age from 25 to 18 for men to go to the frontline, Zelensky said the priority should be providing missiles and lowering Russias military potential.
Amman: Israeli planes bombed at least three major Syrian army air bases that housed dozens of helicopters and jets in the biggest such wave of strikes on air bases since Bashar al-Assad was toppled, two Syrian security sources said.

Qamishli airbase in north-east Syria, Shinshar base in the countryside of Homs and Aqrba airport south-west of the capital Damascus were all hit, the sources said.

Smoke rises in the aftermath of suspected IDF strikes near a Damascus air base on Sunday. Credit: Getty Images

Israel also waged several strikes on a research centre on the outskirts of Damascus and a centre for electronic warfare near the Sayeda Zainab area of the capital.

The United Nations says Israeli forces are occupying a demilitarised buffer zone between Israel and Syria in violation of a 1974 ceasefire agreement following the war in 1973.
Family members of Americans held hostage abroad gluing wheat paste mural of the hostages for the Bring Our Families Home Campaign on Monday, July 3, 2023 in Houston. Six of the 15 hostages in the campaign are from Texas, including Zack Shahin, from right, journalist Austin Tice, Mark Swidan and Jerrel Kenemore. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

Gathered together in Washington on Sunday, the family of missing Houston journalist Austin Tice was hopeful and awaiting news of his release from Syria following the sudden collapse of the country's government under Bashar Assad.

The family met with national security officials at the White House Friday as part of a continued push to bring Tice home, more than 12 years after he went missing in Syria while working as a freelance journalist. Tices mother Debra said Friday she believes her son is alive and well.

"It is a very singular moment that we're in right now and the fact that the entire family is able to be together, to be here in the capital is really a blessing," Tice's brother Jonathan told the Chronicle.

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Syrian rebel groups took over the country's capital of Damascus early Sunday and freed political detainees from government prisons, the Associated Press reported, but its not yet clear how that could affect Tice's situation.

Marc Tice, father of journalist Austin Tice, gluing wheat paste mural of the American hostages for the Bring Our Families Home Campaign on Monday, July 3, 2023 in Houston. Six of the 15 hostages, including Austin Tice, in the campaign are from Texas. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer U.S. Congressman Al Green fist-bumps Samantha Edaburn, 4, while meeting Austin Tices family in front of Tices mural after the Bring Our Families Home Campaign, a campaign led by family members of Americans wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad, press conference on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 in Houston. Green has been working with the Tice family to get Austin Tice, who is detained in Syria for over 10 years, home for many years. Samantha Edaburn is Tices neice. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer President Joe Biden speaks at an event commemorating the 60th Anniversary of the Civil Rights Act, Monday, July 29, 2024, at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta) Manuel Balce Ceneta/Associated Press

As the situation unfolds, Jonathan said the family is encouraging everyone, including the U.S. government and those in Syria, to do anything and everything possible to bring Tice home.

"There are a lot of wheels in motion," he said. "It's us trying to use all of the resources and all of the connections that we can to bring Austin home."

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Tice's mother Debra said Sunday she hopes her son will soon be free.

To everyone in Syria that hears this, please remind people that were waiting for Austin," she told journalists in front of the St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square. "We know that when he comes out, hes going to be fairly dazed and hes going to need lots of care and direction. Direct him to his family please.

Debra Tice, mother of Austin Tice, watches daughter, Meagan Malone, speaking during the Bring Our Families Home Campaign, a campaign led by family members of Americans wrongfully detained or held hostage abroad, press conference on Tuesday, July 4, 2023 in Houston. Austin Tice, a former U.S. Marine Corps officer and journalist, has been detained in Syria for over 10 years. Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographer

Speaking at the White House Sunday, President Joe Biden said he is still determined to bring Tice home, as the country assesses new threats and opportunities across the Middle East.

"We remain committed to returning him to his family," he said.

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While speaking at the National Press Club Friday, Tices father Marc expressed frustration with the current administrations efforts to bring his son home, adding the meetings consisted of "finger pointing" at who is to blame for the delay of his sons release.
Thales and Avinor have partnered to implement Norways next-generation nationwide Unmanned Traffic Management (UTM) system, enhancing airspace management for both unmanned and manned aircraft while ensuring full compliance with European regulatory standards.

Thales' Topsky - UAS, powered by AstraUTM, will provide a scalable, automated platform for real-time traffic management, compliance monitoring, and safe integration of unmanned aircraft, paving the way for efficient air mobility operations across Norway.

The new UTM system supports Norways vision for unmanned aviation, enabling safe, scalable drone operations and laying the groundwork for future Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) solutions alongside traditional aviation.



This strategic partnership with Avinor, the Norwegian air navigation service provider and airport operator, will enable the deployment of Norways next-generation nationwide Unmanned Traffic Management system. This collaboration represents a major step forward in Norways airspace management, combining innovation with strict regulatory compliance. It also signifies a key milestone for Thales in the integration of AstraUTM, a recently acquired leader in cutting-edge UTM software development.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241209180613/en/

Drones flying in Norway, image generated by AdobeFireFly, December 2024 (Photo: Thales)

With its newly released product Topsky - UAS powered by AstraUTM, Thales will provide a safe and scalable digital platform for automated UTM and future AAM (Advanced Airspace Mobility). This system will efficiently manage air traffic in the vicinity of airports and metropolitan, suburban, and regional areas, offering capabilities such as compliance monitoring, authorisation management, real-time decision-making, continuous airspace surveillance, automated conflict resolution, and rapid response to dynamic conditions.

Ensuring safety and compliance in Norwegian skies

Avinors new UTM system aims to provide essential services for various stakeholders, including drone operators, air traffic service providers (ATSP), government agencies, and other key players in Norway in relation to the low altitude airspace management. The system will meet regulatory standards as specified in Implementing Regulation (EU) 2021/664, alongside the Acceptable Means of Compliance and Guidance Material for U-space management, ensuring that all services meet the highest standards of safety and operational transparency.

This UTM system will integrate safe, efficient and predictable access services such as the Common Information Service (CIS) and U-space Service Provider (USSP) provisions, ensuring complete regulatory compliance in U-space designated airspaces.

Enabling efficient UAS operations at scale nationwide

Through the implementation and management of a nationwide UTM system, Norway will benefit from robust unmanned traffic management solutions that support the diverse requirements of both civilian and governmental stakeholders. The system will deliver advanced real-time data sharing, streamlined and automated airspace access, and enhanced situational awareness to enable operations at scale in Norways dynamic airspace environment for all operators in the manned and unmanned airspace.

"We are honored to collaborate with Avinor to bring this nationwide UTM system to life in Norway, prioritising safety, innovation, and, naturally, regulatory alignment. Together with Avinor, we embrace the development of BVLOS (Beyond Visual Line of Sight) services in non-segregated airspaces, enabling technologies that make it simple and economical to perform safe, repeatable and scalable commercial UAS operations. Our UTM solutions, recently enhanced with AstraUTM, a Thales company, reflect Thales commitment to advancing airspace management and setting the foundation for safe and integrated air mobility," said Christian Rivierre, Vice-President Airspace Mobility Solutions, Thales.

"At Avinor, we are proud to be an active contributor in developing uncrewed aviation in Norway. Partnering with Thales on this next-generation UTM system reflects our dedication to advancing uncrewed operations in Norwegian airspace. This system will support Avinors role in ensuring the safe and efficient integration of drones, providing oversight, and managing airspace responsibly. We are excited to work with Thales as a strategic partner to deliver a solution that benefits all airspace users and supports air traffic services in managing drone operations," statedMats Bye Gjertsen, Vice-President Avinor Drone Programme.

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 Avinor

Avinor is a wholly-owned state limited company under the Norwegian Ministry of Transport and Communications and is responsible for 43 state-owned airports.

Avinor has taken a leading role in reducing climate gas emissions from the aviation industry, including the development of electric aircrafts and supplying sustainable jet-biojetfuel.

Avinor provides safe and efficient travels for around 50 million passengers annually, half of which travel to and from Oslo Airport.

Over 3000 employees are responsible for planning, developing and operating an efficient airport and air navigation service. Avinor is financed via airport charges and commercial sales. The air navigation services is organized as subsidiary wholly-owned by Avinor. Avinor's headquarter is in Oslo.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241209180613/en/
Bel Group, a major player in food through dairy, fruit and plant-based healthier eating portions, with iconic international brands such as The Laughing Cow, Kiri, Babybel, Boursin, Nurishh, or GoGo squeeZ, has partnered with Kinaxis Inc. (TSX: KXS), a global leader in end-to-end supply chain orchestration, and its solution extension partner 4flow, to transform its supply chain operations from demand to distribution.

As part of its strategic growth and sustainability initiatives, Bel Group sought innovative solutions to boost operational performance, enhance collaboration and strengthen sustainability. Renowned for iconic brands like Boursin, Babybel, The Laughing Cow, GoGo squeeZ, the Group needed a robust, agile supply chain capable of withstanding any disruption as it continues to grow and diversify its product offerings.

Our foremost priority is delighting our customers with fresh, premium-quality products, delivered with precision and care, said Xavier Francois, chief supply chain officer at Bel Group. Kinaxis has a strong reputation and their ability to ensure we can better answer to customers' needs, further drive end to end efficiencies and remain the trusted choice for our customers solidified our partnership. We look forward to working together.

With products distributed in over 120 countries, Bel Groups planning solution needed to connect the right information, have scenario planning capabilities, the ability to account for short term shelf-life management, multi-level distribution and transportation optimization for its fresh products, all solutions available within the Kinaxis Maestro platform. Kinaxis Maestro provides AI-infused end-to-end supply chain orchestration for fast, intelligent decision-making. Trusted by renowned global brands, it provides agility and predictability to help navigate volatility and disruptions.

In the food industry, and for a brand of this size, there is a need to be increasingly more innovative and responsible, saidFabienne Cetre, executive vice president of EMEA at Kinaxis. More efficient supply chains reduce waste, while providing fresher products to consumers. We are very excited to be working with Bel Group to help them orchestrate their end-to-end operations.

4flow will optimize transportation loads with its embedded solution extension  Kinaxis TLO by 4flow  for Bel Group, improving truck utilization and reducing transportation costs and carbon emissions.

To learn more about Kinaxis and its supply chain orchestration solutions, please visit Kinaxis.com.

About Kinaxis

Kinaxis is a global leader in modern supply chain orchestration, powering complex global supply chains and supporting the people who manage them, in service of humanity. Our powerful, AI-infused supply chain orchestration platform, Maestro, combines proprietary technologies and techniques that provide full transparency and agility across the entire supply chain  from multi-year strategic planning to last-mile delivery. We are trusted by renowned global brands to provide the agility and predictability needed to navigate todays volatility and disruption. For more news and information, please visit kinaxis.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241209005122/en/
Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 9:27AM

Image: Jaguar

Jaguar conducted a complete brand overhaul to transform from a more traditional car maker to one that aims to offer all-electric luxury vehicles. After it launched its logo redesign last month, we got a quick look at its first concept car under the brand's new "Copy nothing" tagline.

Jaguar debuted the Type 00 concept at Miami Art Week. The automaker describes it as "an example of Jaguar at its best. A fearless statement. An object of desire," and it's designed to encapsulate a new "creative philosophy [of] Exuberant Modernism."

The Jaguar Type 00 is an electric, four-door GT model that has a long front and sloped "fastback" rear. It'll be available in London Blue and Miami Pink with an anticipated launch in late 2025. Jaguar plans to eventually build this electric vehicle in the United Kingdom.

The Jaguar Electric Architecture will power its new models. The production version of the Type 00 is expected to have up to a 430-mile driving range. This EV will charge relatively quickly, promising 200 miles in a 15-minute charge window on a public fast charger. Its interiors feature sliding screens, storage areas with automatic doors, and more. Jaguar has kept the rest of its in-vehicle technology under wraps for now.

As part of its EV-only focus, Jaguar plans to axe its existing lineup and stop production on five of its six electric cars available worldwide.

SOURCE
Austin Tice, a journalist, was kidnapped in Syria in 2012. Handout, HO / McClatchy-Tribune News Service

WASHINGTON  The parents of a Houston journalist who went missing in Syria a decade ago met at the White House in May with Joe Biden, the third president to hold office since their son disappeared.

Biden, they said, issued a clear directive to national security officials in the room: Meet with the Syrians, listen to them, find out what they want and work with them.

That was huge, Debra Tice, Austins mother, said. I was astounded to hear the most perfect directive from the president of the United States.

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That was May 2  13 weeks ago. Debra Tice said Sunday, the 10th anniversary of her sons capture, that the government is still setting up the meeting Biden called for.

It is the sort of delay the Tices have grown accustomed to as they have spent a grueling decade pushing three administrations to do more to bring their son home. In that time, they have met with dozens of government officials, worked with media companies to put together pressure campaigns and traveled to the Middle East in search of information about their sons whereabouts.

But Debra Tice said Sunday that the growing efforts on the part of the Biden administration  which the Tices had previously said was not doing enough  nonetheless offer hope that things will soon change.

When I say we can feel progress, this is part of what we mean, Debra Tice said at an event at the National Press Club marking the 10th anniversary of her sons disappearance. The government is making better efforts than before. There is a strategy.

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Debra Tices comments came after Biden this week made perhaps the most forceful call yet for Tices release, issuing a statement that mentioned him by name and declaring that the U.S. knows with certainty that he has been held by the Government of Syria.

We have repeatedly asked the government of Syria to work with us so that we can bring Austin home, Biden said. On the tenth anniversary of his abduction, I am calling on Syria to end this and help us bring him home.

Tice went missing while covering the civil war in Syria as a freelance reporter for the Washington Post, McClatchy News and other publications. He was last seen being led by armed gunmen into a scrubby hillside in a video posted to YouTube in late September that year.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a recorded statement shown Sunday that the U.S. is unwavering in our commitment to bring Austin home.

Blinken said Special Presidential Envoy for Hostage Affairs Roger Carstens will continue to engage with the Syrian government until there is progress in Austins case.

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This is a priority for us, and we will continue to work everyday to bring Austin home where he belongs, Blinken said. When a journalist is held hostage, the tragedy is compounded because the world loses the benefit of their reporting. It can also have a chilling effect on other journalists and embolden those who would want to do away with a free press all together.

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The progress did not happen by accident, Debra Tice said. It was the culmination of months of concerted efforts to spur the administration to do more.

In April, Debra Tice was introduced at the White House correspondents dinner, where Biden also spoke. The president said at the event that he planned to meet with her to discuss her son. The White House meeting happened just days later.

I cautiously believe things are moving in the right direction," Debra Tice said on Sunday.

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The family has good reason to be cautious. Meagan Tice, Austins sister, recalled Sunday that their parents had their first meeting with a president almost four years after Austin Tice went missing, when former President Barrack Obama met with them during his final months in office. Obama assured them he would do everything in his power to bring their son home, Meagan Tice said.

Were now in our third administration and have been assured by two additional presidents," she said. We are no longer placated by words alone. We are looking with eyes wide open for clear and defined action to bring an end to this harrowing journey.
Idaho Department of Water Resources Director Mathew Weaver on Dec. 6 issued a final order identifying an end-of-season shortfall of 44,900 acre-feet of water to the Twin Falls Canal Companys reasonable carryover storage volume.

The order is part of the ongoing 2005 Surface Water Coalitions (SWC) conjunctive administration delivery call.

Water users with groundwater rights from the Eastern Snake Plain Aquifer (ESPA) with priority dates later than Jan. 25, 1970, who are not covered by an approved mitigation plan have 14 days from the date of the order to demonstrate they can mitigate for the shortfall.

Junior groundwater users failing to establish the ability to mitigate with an approved mitigation plan face curtailment.

Groundwater users

The order follows six months of upheaval between senior surface water users and junior groundwater users before they agreed on a stipulated mitigation plan in November.

All members of the Idaho Ground Water Association are protected under that plan, said Thomas J. Budge, IGWAs attorney.

Groundwater users who comply with approved mitigation plans have safe harbor from curtailment under the methodology order, he said

IDWRs methodology order prescribes how water rights are administered under the SWC delivery call. Under the order, IDWR evaluates the water supply and water demand of the SWC at several intervals during the irrigation season, and then orders curtailment if the predicted water demand is greater than the predicted water supply.

Reservoir storage

The latest curtailment order is based on impacts to the amount of water SWC members have in their reservoir storage accounts at the end of the irrigation season, he said.

Although the irrigation season has ended, prior court decisions entitle SWC members to a certain amount of carryover storage. When a shortfall occurs, IDWR orders curtailment, as with the latest order, he said.

Since the irrigation season has ended, the curtailment applies to non-irrigation diversions that are not covered under an approved mitigation plan, he said.

The ability for IDWR to order curtailment under the methodology order at various intervals throughout the irrigation season makes sense on paper. But it is extremely problematic in practice because it puts water users at risk of curtailment with little or no advance notice and can result in water being turned off to large amounts of growing crops and growing livestock, he said.

Safe harbor

This latest curtailment order highlights the value of the 2024 Stipulated Mitigation Plan, which prescribes a more pragmatic approach to managing groundwater supplies and meeting water needs of senior surface water users, he said.

Groundwater users covered by the following approved or pending stipulated mitigation plans are not affected by the order, if they are in compliance with their mitigation plan:

 The 2024 SWC/Ground Water District Stipulated mitigation plan.

 The A&B Irrigation District mitigation plan.

 The Coalition of Cities mitigation plan.

 The Southwest Irrigation District mitigation plan.

 Water Mitigation Coalition mitigation plan.

The majority of water users in the ESPA are in an approved mitigation plan and the impacts from this finding are relatively minor because of the smart foresight of water users in adopting these mitigation plans, Director Weaver said.
THE ballroom of the Seven Oaks Hotel was packed for the launch of Christopher Powers latest book, The Carlow Sugar Factory, by cllr Charlie Murphy, cathaoirleach of Carlow County Councils Centenary Committee, on Tuesday night, 19 November.

Abigail and Theresa Murphy

The 100-page book, subtitled The extraordinary story of an Irish industrial icon, is the culmination of four-and-a-half years work. It is a compelling read for Carlovians, generations of whom grew up working in the factory, which was the lifeblood of the county towns economy for some 80 years.

Dan Carbery, Paul Lyons and Joe McDonnell

The launch was attended by many former workers at the Athy Road sugar-processing plant, which ceased operations on Friday 11 March 2005. Also in attendance was a good number of former beet growers, who supplied the Carlow plant.

It was an occasion of genuine nostalgia, a night for people to meet up, who may not have done so since the factorys closure in 2005. And while many a work friendship was renewed, there was also a palpable, lingering sentiment of regret that the closure of Irelands first sugar factory, the countrys sugar capital, should ever have happened.

There was a large attendance at the launch

In an extensive address, Christopher Power told his audience there was hardly a person in the room, himself included, who has not had some family member involved in the Carlow sugar factory, underlining the importance of the industry.

The author said the impact of the sugar factory could not be over-emphasised through cross-pollination of skills into other local industries such as Burnside Engineering, Keenans of Borris or Carlow RTC.

Jimmy O'Toole and cllr Charlie Murphy, who officially launched 'The Carlow Sugar Factory' by Christopher Power

In a passionate 15-minute address, farmer John Kehoe, long-time former member of the Beet Growers Association (BGA) and chairman of County Carlow Executive of the Irish Farmers Association (IFA) at the time the factory closed, traced Carlow sugar factory from its establishment in 1926.

Carlow, he said, had become associated in the public mind as the headquarters of the sugar industry  the three other sugar factories had followed in 1934. By 1943, over 50,000 farmers had signed individual contracts to provide sugar beet across 22 of the 26 counties, the highest-ever number of Irish growers.

Everybody, he said, benefited from the sugar industry. Whether you were town or country, whether you worked in the Sugar Company or not, whether you were involved in hauling the pulp or molasses for animal feed, everybody benefited.

The Rathvilly farmer said that in 1991 Greencore took possession of Irish Sugar. In that time, we lost control of the company and by 2005 the Carlow factory was closed in a commercial decision by a private company, Greencore, in a year where they made 10.5 million profit!

John OGorman, executive librarian with Carlow County Library, was a very capable MC on the night.

The Carlow Sugar Factory is a commendable publication, with many photographs dotted through its pages, including a photo of the first day of the first beet campaign in 1926  nine months after the turning of the first sod on 5 January of that year by Bishop Patrick Foley of Kildare and Leighlin.
A FORMER member of the Irish Defence forces killed in action in Ukraine will be laid to rest in his home count next week.

Robert Deegan of Newbridge and Athy Co Kildare will have his life celebrated on Saturday 14 December at 12am.

In a funeral notice posted on RIP.ie, the Deegan family would like to thank everyone for the immense support, which enabled them to travel to Ukraine to bring Robert's remains home following his death in Vovchansk on the 17 September.

The ceremony will start in Newbridge Bible Church in Roseberry, Newbridge on Saturday at 12am.

On completion of the church ceremony, busses will be waiting to bring military, ex military and friends for a final salute on the Hill of Allen.

The notice said: People who are unable to endure the 20-minute climb to the Hill of Allen can make their way to Maloneys Pub in Newbridge, where they can take refreshments.

There is a reminder that there is no parking at the Hill of Allen so traffic will be marshalled by army personnel. You are advised not to take your car to the Hill of Allen.

On completion of the ceremony which should take around an hour, the busses will take all people back to the Church in Roseberry, where they parked their cars. There will be changing facilities for those who wish to shed their uniforms.

From there, military personnel, remaining family, friends, and comrades of Robert can make their way to Maloney's pub in Newbridge for refreshments where they can meet those who arrived earlier.
High Court Reporters

Ex-Fine Gael TD Josepha Madigan must file a defence to a banks debt claim within eight weeks or she may have a High Court judgement entered against her.

Ulster Bank alleges Ms Madigan, a former cabinet minister and a qualified solicitor, and her brother Patrick Madigan, also a solicitor, failed to meet repayments on foot of three loans despite demands.

The bank recently issued a High Court motion seeking judgment in default of defence against the pair in the sum of 225,869 plus interest.

However, on Monday barrister Keith Farry, for the Madigans, told the court the two sides agree his clients should be granted an eight-week extension to file their defence to the claims.

The bank should be awarded its legal costs for its motion, but such an order should be paused, said Mr Farry, instructed by McDermott Creed & Martyn Solicitors.

Mr Justice Anthony Barr noted that judgment will be granted to the bank against the Madigans if the defence is not filed within the extension period. He made the costs order as agreed between the sides.

Ulster Bank Ireland DAC, represented by barrister Nevan Powell and OSM Partners, says it advanced a 201,000 loan to the Madigans in late 2005, also extended overdraft facilities that year and, in December 2007, loaned them ST100,000.

The pair failed to repay the monies in accordance with the terms of the facilities, causing it to demand payment of 213,000 allegedly due in January 2019, the lender alleges.

Its case claims they have been unjustly enriched by the money to its detriment.

As of late August, the Madigans owed 225,869 but interest was accruing at a rate of 27.82 per day, the bank alleges.

The case seeks judgment against them jointly and severally in the sum of 225,959 plus interest and damages for unjust enrichment."

Ms Madigan, a TD for Dublin Rathdown, served as minister of state with responsibility for special education and inclusion until March of this year, when she announced she had resigned from the role and would be stepping down from politics. She opted not to run in the recent general election.

She was minister for culture, heritage and the Gaeltacht from 2017 until 2020.
The annual MBC Music Festival has always managed to delight fans with its exciting performances every year. Apart from these amazing stages, they are also captivated by the presence of its MCs, including YoonA, who will be making her last appearance as MC at the event.

On December 9, Korean news outlet Newsen reported that YoonA will now wrap up her 10-year journey as host at the MBC Music Festival.

The music event is scheduled to be held on December 31, when YoonA will also be commemorating her 10th anniversary with the festival. The idol is also expected to embed an irreplaceable status as the longest-running main MC of the year-end event.

YoonA is loved by fans globally and is currently garnering traction due to her decision to graduate as an MC from the festival, which she has passionately led since 2015 with her wit, charm, and commendable hosting skills.

The idol has also been praised every year for her warm presence and unwavering support for the performances. As a longtime member of the legendary Girls' Generation, netizens are pondering about YoonA's performance at the upcoming occasion.

To address her departure, YoonA has also shared a statement expressing her gratitude.

"I will now be celebrating my tenth year as host of MBC Music Festival. Ten years really meant a lot to me and it has been meaningful to spend these years together (as an MC)," she stated.

YoonA continued, "I would like to thank everyone who stayed by my side and I would like to ask for your support until the last event this 2024, which I will forever remember as a warm memory."
Our unelected Hamilton County Chief Operating Officer came clean about the real reason we gave our Health Department to Erlanger: creepy couches in the womens restrooms.

When asked by our elected county commissioners why the Health Department was given to Erlanger without commissioner input, our unelected county mayor told the commissioners that couches in the 300 sq foot womens restrooms were creepy.

Hamilton County taxpayers just lost our $10 million Hamilton County Health Department building because of creepy couches.

Ive got breaking news for our Hamilton County COO David Roddy. Womens bathrooms can be swanky. Some have couches. Most are carpeted and clean. They are different from the bathrooms Chief Roddy is used to at the Hamilton County Police Department.

If County Mayor Wamp did authorize the transfer of our Hamilton County Health Department to Erlanger because of its creepy couches in the womens restrooms, the Tivoli should be really concerned. Its womens bathrooms are the most opulent in Chattanooga. And they contain couches, creepy or not.

Instead of being focused on the Hamilton County Health Departments womens restrooms, how about the mayors office talking about the health services our community is going to lose in this transition. And which doctor has decided which health department services should be discontinued or privatized? Talk about the actual cost of the new building. Talk about the location of this new building. We remain in the dark because our mayor continues to thwart the Sunshine Law.

Since the mayors proposed new location of our Health Department is historic Engel Stadium, County Mayor Wamp can use its old stadium seats, instead of couches, in the new womens restrooms, whenever and however that occurs.

C. Mark Warren
The Rev. Robert Childers didnt set out to be a priest. He had other plans and was invested in them. After getting his law degree at the University of Alabama, meeting and marrying his wife, Terry, also a lawyer, he set out live a life he loved. He loved the law. Terry was pregnant with their son, Rob, and all was as hunky dory as it could be.

Robert grew up in the church in Selma, Ala., and accompanied his mother sometimes when she prepared the altar for the Sunday service, but he didnt go to church too much as an adult until he met Terry. Terry brought me to the church, Robert said simply.

In September 1985, Terry and Robert attended a retreat at Camp McDowell in the Diocese of Alabama. At the closing Eucharist for the retreat, the Reverend Tim Murphy, an old friend of Roberts, was celebrating the Eucharist. During the Eucharist, something happened. To say it as an awakening or a vision would be an understatement. It was a downright thunderbolt, and it was not on his agenda. Like, at all. All of a sudden Jesus was floating above the priest, staring directly into Roberts eyes and reaching one hand toward the priest, then stretching his arm out toward Jesus. A clear gesture. Robert squinted, to be sure of what was in front of him, then closed his eyes tight. When he opened them, Jesus was there, motioning at the priest and Robert in the same way. Robert squeezed his eyes shut, probably shaking his head and saying who knows what to himself, then opened them to see again Jesus looking right at him, clearly gesturing to him, calling him to be a priest like his friend. Three times.

Robert didnt tell a soul, only confiding this in Terry several months later. He was very relieved when she pooh-poohed the idea.

But he couldnt stop thinking about Him, the way He looked him square in the eye. Robert was clear about what he was called to do, but he wasnt sure at all about actually doing it.

Roughly two years, one toddler and lots of soul searching and marital heart-to-hearts later, Robert and his family headed to NYC for the General Theological Seminary. After ordination, he served at Christ Church in Tuscaloosa, St. Josephs, Mentone, and rector at Grace Church in Anniston, Ala., before coming to the Church of Good Shepherd. Corky Carlisle, a friend of Roberts and former missionary in Kenya, who had spoken several times at Good Shepherd through the years, knew the parish was searching for a new rector. He put a bug in Roberts ear, and he also put a bug in Jim Moores ear, the search committee chair. Both ears were doubtful, but you know how the story ends.

If you know Robert Childers at all, you probably wont be too surprised at his story. It makes perfect sense to me. But one thing Ive always wondered about him and others who serve God in the Church is how they can do this with everything else going on in their lives. Take a day when everything goes wrong, from the cat litter episode to the ailing parent to the overflowing toilet and the tree that fell on the roof. Add in needs from a dozen or so parishioners, a sudden death of a church member and a broken toilet in the church. How do you deal with that, I asked Robert, overwhelmed myself at the very question.

He laughed, then said, If I pray faithfully, I am not wiped out. And thats because it is God handling these demands, not me. Robert said that most of us give from the reserve tank, which usually stays about empty. With prayer, this tank stays full, and he is able to give freely from his reservoir, which time with God keeps full. Clearly his prayer life is crucial, and that means every single day.

Willing to up and follow Jesus no matter what other plans he had, Roberts heart was open, and not only to God. Robert did his field work at Grace Church in New York City where The Rev. Harold Barrett, formerly of Church of the Good Shepherd, was the rector. In one of their conversations, Harold asked Robert what he meant exactly by something he had said. Robert said he stumbled and stammered, unsure. And Harold chided, Never toss words out you dont understand and dont know how they will affect and influence people. Robert took this advice to heart.

He sees himself as an ambassador for Jesus, and as such is called to represent Him in all things.

Jesus is one master, obviously, and managing a church is another. And the opinions of the membership can be vast. Issues were plenty during Roberts time at Good Shepherd, including the long stressful months of the pandemic. To mask or not to mask and to stop church or continue despite risk were controversial. And folks were convinced they were right on any and all counts. How to navigate this and keep the membership happy?

This issue probably took a lot of extra prayer, but the answer was clear to Robert. Matthew 25:40 says, The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. And in this situation, he thought of Tiny Mann, a choir member who loved the church from the bottom of her heart. She was compromised, and Covid-19 could have made her seriously ill, something Robert could never forgive himself for. Tiny was one of our most vulnerable members, and I wanted her to be able to come to church with no fear of being sick, he said. Although many other members were not happy, even canceling their pledges, he was able to stand strong because of his time in prayer.

Another issue that caused plenty of contention had to do with gun safety. Robert allowed Voices for Safer Tennessee to hold a community meeting in the parish hall, and plenty of members did not approve. To Robert, again the answer was evident.

This was not about guns as much as it was about the safety of our children. Hundreds of children are in this church building six days a week. So, the answer was clear: Of course, the community can meet here, he said.

Robert Childers preached love. In no uncertain terms. All were welcome at communion. All of us are sacred and loved by God. All of us are welcome at Gods table.

His mission here on Earth is to be Christ here, and embody Christ to others, something we are all called to do.

Robert Childers makes seeking Christ a priority. And because of his commitment, not just as a priest but as a human being striving to live deliberately by the Bible, I believe he is able to see us as God sees us. Blameless. Forgiven. Holy. Sacred.

On one of the late Ellen Whitakers last trips down the aisle at Good Shepherd to receive communion, he watched her. And she wasnt struggling to keep her balance as she carefully walked toward him.

She seemed to be almost floating, moving more like a ballerina with grace and surety. And she looked as beautiful and striking as she ever did, he said.

He saw her as God saw her. And I believe he sees us all that way.

* * *

Ferris Robinson is the author of three childrens books, The Queen Who Banished Bugs, The Queen Who Accidentally Banished Birds, and Call Me Arthropod in her pollinator series If Bugs Are Banished. Making Arrangements is her first novel. Dogs and Love - Stories of Fidelity is a collection of true tales about mans best friend. She is the editor of The Lookout Mountain Mirror and The Signal Mountain Mirror.
The National Park Service said it is investigating the cause of a costly woodlands fire on the side of Lookout Mountain on Saturday.

The fire did extensive damage to the tracks and cable system of the Incline Railway, which is a major funding source for CARTA.

Incline officials said the attraction will be closed for months due to needed repairs





NPS officials said, "The wildland fire was reported on the eastern slope of Lookout Mountain within the boundaries of Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park, south of the Incline Railway, near the Hardy Trail.

"Resources were mobilized immediately, and a Type 1 Helicopter was able to successfully complete several water drops throughout the day. Currently the cause of the fire is undetermined and is still being investigated by a National Park Service fire investigator. The fire is approximately 10 acres and is 100% contained with crews continuing to monitor the fire.

"Multiple agencies have assisted with fire suppression including Lookout Mountain Fire and Police (TN and GA), National Park Service, Chattanooga Fire and Police Department, Tennessee Division of Forestry, East Ridge Police Department, Catoosa County Fire Department, West Brow, Hamilton County Rehab, Walker County Fire Department, Red Bank Fire Department, Tri community Fire Department. These agencies were instrumental at mobilizing and protecting property.

"As a result of this fire, the tracks/rails along the Incline Railway caught fire creating black smoke from the railroad ties and may be visible for the next several days."

The Mountain Beautiful Trail on Lookout Mountain remains closed until further notice.

Charles D. Frazier, CARTA CEO said, "The swift and professional response from all emergency personnel, combined with the preparedness of our Incline Railway team, prevented what could have been a far more devastating situation. The joint training exercise that CARTA initiated in April with emergency responders proved invaluable in protecting this historic landmark. While we face significant repairs ahead, I want to assure our community that we will restore this Tennessee treasure for future generations to experience and enjoy. The Incline Railway has been a part of Chattanooga's story for 129 years, and we are committed to ensuring it remains a vital part of our community's future."

Officials said, "The Lookout Mountain Incline Railway site is now under control, though some sections continue to smolder. Emergency teams have departed the site, having completed their immediate response operations."

Initial observations revealed several critical areas of damage:

The cable system has been severed and will require months to remanufacture due to its specialized nature.

Both the rail system and cross timbers have sustained damage, though the full extent remains unknown.

The railway is insured, and the insurance company has been engaged.

CARTA has already initiated key steps toward restoration:

Replacement plans are underway with the cable manufacturer for the specialized replacement cable, which was fully replaced in April 2024

Rail manufacturers have been engaged and are standing by.

Timber suppliers are on alert to provide necessary materials.

Engineers will begin their comprehensive assessment tomorrow and develop a repair plan for the rail and timbers.

Earlier this spring, and for the first time ever, CARTA initiated comprehensive emergency response training that proved fortuitously timely. The preparation included:
Drivers traveling on I-75 in Hamilton County should be aware of upcoming road construction activities that will have an impact on traffic.

Beginning Monday at 8 p.m., through Thursday, at 6 a.m., the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) will be conducting nightly rolling roadblocks for the contractor to replace overhead Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) on I-75 southbound at mile marker 13.7 and I-75 northbound at mile marker 10.2. Motorist will experience slow moving traffic and temporary ramp closures in the area of the work.

This work is weather-dependent. Should inclement weather or unforeseen circumstances cause delays, it will be rescheduled to take place at a later date. Uniformed police officers will be present to assist with traffic control and law enforcement.

As always, drivers are reminded to use all motorist information tools wisely and Know Before You Go! by checking travel conditions before leaving for your destination. Drivers should never tweet, text, or talk on a cell phone while behind the wheel. Get the latest construction activity traffic updates from the TDOT SmartWay Map. Travelers can also call 511 for statewide travel information.
County Mayor Weston Wamp said Monday he is proposing that attorney Janie Parks Varnell become county attorney next July 1.

That is when the current contract of longtime County Attorney Rheubin Taylor runs out.

County Attorney Taylor has privately asked County Commission members to give him a two-year extension.

The county mayor's office said, "The proposal comes after weeks of one-on-one meetings with county commissioners about how to facilitate a smooth transition leading up to the end of Rheubin Taylors contract on June 30, 2025."

County Mayor Wamp said, This thoughtful transition plan, along with the unique track record of our appointee, will create an opportunity for partnership between my office and the County Commission.

Throughout her career, Janie Parks Varnell has developed a reputation for her legal expertise and professionalism, most notably as the attorney of choice for law enforcement officers throughout our community.

He said Ms. Varnell, an attorney with Davis & Hoss, PC, serves as managing attorney for both the local chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and the Police Benevolent Association (PBA).

He said, "Her extensive experience spans civil litigation and criminal law in local, state, and federal courts. Varnells family has a long legacy of service in Hamilton County: her father, Steve Parks, served as Chattanoogas Police Chief, and her mother, Diane Parks, was a longtime leader at the Chattanooga Chamber of Commerce. Since taking office, Mayor Wamps administration has focused on bringing fresh perspectives to county government, appointing new directors to lead key departments such as Highway, Parks, Development Services, Accounting, Technology Services, Economic Development, EMS, and Auditing. Each of these appointees has been unanimously approved by the County Commission and received praise from county commissioners for their leadership within county government.

"The proposed transition plan, which calls for Varnell to join county government in January to begin building relationships, reflects the administrations commitment to collaboration with the County Commission and other key stakeholders, like Sheri Austin Garrett.

During the transition, it is most important that trust is developed and that the countys ongoing legal cases are handled appropriately. Our goal is to strengthen and modernize the County Attorneys office as we work together to serve the people of Hamilton County.

"Varnells professional affiliations include: Federal Bar Association, Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, Chattanooga Bar Association, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and President of the Leadership Chattanooga Alumni Association. From 2015-2021, she served as Pro Bono Defense Counsel for the Hamilton County Drug Recovery Court."

The county attorney situation will be discussed during the Wednesday agenda session of the County Commission. Pursuant to the chairmans recommended use of the County Commissions standing committees, the item will be placed under the Legal Committee, County Mayor Wamp said.
Morning Pointe Senior Living leadership recognized several of its senior living and Alzheimers memory care communities on Dec. 4 at its annual conference, honoring their unique dedication to residents and their families.Each year, Morning Pointe acknowledges top-performing teams of caregivers, directors and customer service associates from its communities across the Southeast.It is always an honor to recognize the outstanding efforts of our teams across the Southeast, said Morning Pointe President Greg A.Vital. Their unwavering commitment to providing compassionate, high quality care embodies the mission of Morning Pointe. These awards celebrate their dedication and the meaningful impact they have on the lives of our residents and their families every day.Morning Pointe Senior Living, a Chattanooga-based senior healthcare services company, operates 40 assisted living and Alzheimer's memory care communities in five southeastern states. Morning Pointe was founded in 1997 by Tennessee healthcare entrepreneurs Mr. Vital and Franklin Farrow, current CEO.Leaders presented executives from each of the winning communities with a plaque of recognition during the annual conference. Morning Pointe of Tullahoma, Tn. Assisted Living and Memory Care was awarded the 2024 Community of the Year award for overall leadership in providing exceptional senior care. Executive Director Tana Caldwell accepted the award on behalf of the team.Its so wonderful to have this recognition for our hard-working team, said Ms. Caldwell. This goes to my staff because theyre the ones who make our community a home for our residents.Other honors presented included:- The Chairmans Award was presented to Morning Pointe at Happy Valley Assisted Living and Memory Care in Walker County, Ga. (led by Executive Director Alisha Landes);- The Morning Pointe Foundation Award was presented to Morning Pointe of Franklin, Tn. Assisted Living (led by Executive Director Jenna Wetherholt);- The Fiscal Responsibility Award was presented to Morning Pointe of Spring Hill, Tn. Assisted Living (led by Executive Director Alicia Armstrong);- The Associate Satisfaction Award was presented to Morning Pointe of Frankfort, Ky. Assisted Living (led by Executive Director Amber Stansberry);- The Operational Achievement Award was presented to Morning Pointe of Athens, Tn. Assisted Living (led by Executive Director Crystal Sutton); and- The Community Outreach Award was presented to Morning Pointe of Knoxville, Tn. Assisted Living, (led by Executive Director Kristy Ritch).The winners of these community awards exemplify the spirit and values that Greg and I first envisioned for Morning Pointe more than 25 years ago, said Mr. Farrow. We are extremely grateful for these associates who have set the bar high in serving seniors for generations to come.
The City of Red Bank will host a Public Input Pop-Up at the citys upcoming Christmas Festival this Saturday. Members of the community are encouraged to stop by the tent and share their ideas on concepts for the former Red Bank Middle School site.The Christmas Festival will be held at Red Bank City Park at 3817 Redding Road. The tent for the public input pop-up will be located right next to Santa. Participants can stop by anytime between 3-6 p.m.Officials said, "Red Bank began the project in early 2024 with existing conditions analyses and preliminary public engagement, including stakeholder group interviews and a public kickoff meeting in March.The team collected feedback on draft project goals, needs and opportunities at the Red Bank Jubilee."Two community workshops have already been held. The first workshop sought feedback on draft ideas for future land use, mobility and connectivity recommendations for Red Bank. The second workshop featured an on-site visioning exercise for the Small Area Study, focusing on creating a concept plan for the Former Red Bank Middle School site."This pop-up at the Red Bank Christmas Festival will gather input from attendees on two different draft concepts for the Small Area Study, which was produced with input from each of the previous public engagement events."Community members are encouraged to be on the lookout for the next Red Bank community meeting to review the draft plans after feedback from this event. The input will be used to develop a final plan that incorporates top priorities from both plans. After this pop-up event, there will be one additional opportunity for input on the final design and Comprehensive Plan in January 2025."
Home News Man sentenced 12 years in prison for spiking woman's drink with abortion drugs to induce miscarriage

A British man has been sentenced to 12 years in prison for spiking a pregnant woman's drink with abortion drugs to induce a miscarriage.

Stuart Worby, a 40-year-old resident of Dereham, Norfolk, was sentenced last Friday for causing harm to a woman who was 15 weeks pregnant at the time.

The woman, who is entitled to lifelong anonymity due to being the victim of a sexual crime, said in a victim impact statement that she felt she had failed to protect my baby.

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This pain will never leave me knowing that this baby could have been my only chance to be a mother in this lifetime, she said, according to The Guardian.

The woman also said that, since the induced miscarriage in 2022, she has been unable to conceive again despite going from fertility clinic to fertility clinic, adding that becoming a mother was a dream to me.

A second suspect in the case, Neuza Cepeda, a 39-year-old resident of Dereham, was sentenced to 22 months in prison suspended for two years for her involvement in the crime, The Guardian reported. The court concluding that she was involved solely due to the pressure or badgering of Stuart Worby.

According to a press release from the Norfolk Constabulary, Worby had bought doses of Mifepristone and Misoprostol for 470 ($598) in July 2022, acquiring them with the aid of Cepeda.

In August 2022, Worby urged the pregnant woman to consume a drink laced with the abortion-inducing drugs, causing her to suffer a miscarriage.

The victim, who had wanted to keep her baby, was unknowingly administered the pills and immediately had to go to the bathroom to be sick and had [diarrhea] and began bleeding, explained authorities.

She then attended the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital and after enduring a number of hours of pain and blood loss, she suffered a miscarriage and had to have surgery.

The woman later found messages on Worbys phone sent to a friend of his that indicated he had caused her miscarriage. Worby was then arrested on Aug. 5, 2022.

Worby later admitted to purchasing the drugs but denied giving them to her. He was found guilty on Oct. 30 of one count of sexual assault and administering a poison to cause a miscarriage.

The Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, a U.K.-based pro-life group, believes the case proves that the government should review their regulations on the abortion pill regimen.

Even before Worby was found guilty, the woman who was complicit in his plan had already admitted to obtaining the abortion drugs for use on somebody else, said SPUC Public Policy Manager Alithea Williams in a statement last month.

Its not clear whether Ms. Cepeda in this case acquired the drugs over the phone or in person, but there is clearly something very wrong when abortion pills can be obtained to use on somebody else without their consent.
Home News The Satanic Temple unveils demonic statue near Nativity scene at New Hampshire state House

The Satanic Temple continues its annual holiday tradition of erecting satanic displays near Nativity scenes on government property by unveiling a statue of the demon Baphomet on the grounds of the New Hampshire state House in Concord on Saturday evening.

The statue  which was unveiled to shouts of Hail Satan!  depicts a black-clad statue of Baphomet clutching a bouquet of purple lilacs in its right hand, symbolizing the state flower of New Hampshire, according to a live feed of the ceremony that aired on Facebook.

The statue is also adorned with a purple stole emblazoned with the inverted pentagram and goat's head of the TST logo, as well as two inverted crosses. At the foot of the statue is a tablet listing the seven tenets of The Satanic Temple. To its left is a black and white satanic flag.

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Explaining the symbolism during the ceremony was Orpheus Gaur, a minister of TST's New Hampshire and Vermont congregation, who also designed the display and serves as director of the Satanic Representation Campaign, according to the Concord Monitor.

In its left hand, the Baphomet figure holds an apple symbolizing the forbidden fruit, which Gaur said represents "our quest for knowledge, defiance in the face of arbitrary authority and our commitment to self-determination."

A lot of people run from the word 'satanic,' but we embrace it, TST minister Vivian Kelly said during the unveiling ceremony.

TST co-founder Lucien Greaves, whose real name is Douglas Mesner, tweeted a photo of himself next to the statue, writing, "Monuments will come and go, and this one may not last the night, but the spirit of pluralism and personal freedom will not be erased."

At the New Hampshire State House where tonight our NH congregation erected a holiday display among various other religious displays. Monuments will come and go, and this one may not last the night, but the spirit of pluralism and personal freedom will not be erased. pic.twitter.com/IbMcemFldb  Lucien Greaves (@LucienGreaves) December 8, 2024

Baphomet is a Gnostic idol or deity that was first mentioned in the 11th century, but later featured in the writings and rituals of prominent occultists such as Aleister Crowley, according to the Encyclopedia Britannica.

The Satanic Temple, which claims not to believe in a personal Satan or the supernatural despite a reading list that includes material reflecting on Crowley's legacy, repeatedly features Baphomet in its displays.

The organization paid approximately $100,000 in 2015 to construct a 9-foot tall statue of the androgynous entity being adored by two children, according to the BBC. The statue has been erected in opposition to displays of the Ten Commandments on government property.

In a statement posted on Facebook Saturday, the city of Concord defended its decision to permit the satanic display, noting how they wanted to "avoid litigation."

"Throughout the country, the Satanic Temple has both threatened and brought lawsuits under the First Amendment when excluded," the city said, noting that TST's request for a permit was done ostensibly as part of "a show of unity and religious pluralism."

After reviewing its legal options, the City ultimately decided to continue the policy of allowing unattended displays at City Plaza during this holiday season and to allow the statue, the city said. "It is anticipated that City Council will review next year whether permits for unattended holiday displays should be allowed at City Plaza."

The city also noted that a Bill of Rights scene installed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation is also near the Nativity scene.

New Hampshire state Rep. Ellen Read, a Democrat from Newmarket, who helped TST secure the necessary permits, also defended the display, according to NH Journal.

"Everything has the potential to offend, even the nearby Nativity scene. Not only is over a third of the state not religious, never mind Christian, but I can imagine those who have been judged, harmed, or abused by the Christian church feeling offended by the Nativity scene displayed on public grounds," she told the local outlet. And yet the Nativity scene has stood perennially, unmolested, for years.

Earlier this year, Read introduced a proposed amendment to the New Hampshire state Constitution that would make the default oath of office a non-religious oath.

Read also claimed that someone has already attempted to knock over the display and chastised such behavior as inadequately Christian, according to the NH Journal.

"If we presume that those who have vandalized the display of Baphomet are doing so in the name of Christianity, then does that speak for a family-friendly holiday celebrating love, peace, and goodwill towards all?" Read told the outlet.

Last year, a satanic display in the Iowa state Capitol that also featured Baphomet made headlines when U.S. Navy veteran and former Mississippi House of Representatives candidate Michael Cassidy was charged with a felony hate crime for toppling the statue and tossing its silver ram's head in the trash.

Cassidy ultimately pleaded guilty to criminal mischief in May in exchange for having the hate crime charge against him dropped.

During an interview with The Christian Post shortly after the incident last December, Cassidy maintained that he did the right thing and that legislators are overcomplicating evil by suggesting that the U.S. Constitution protects devil worship on government property.

The people who wrote our Constitution would be shocked to think of defending Satan as consistent with their beliefs when they wrote the laws that govern our nation, he said.

People start overcomplicating the truth, which is that God is great and should be honored, and the devil is evil and should not be honored, he said. "I think people are tying themselves in knots trying to justify it, and it's really a lot simpler than that."

In 2021, Illinois featured a satanic holiday display when members of that state's chapter of TST installed a statue of baby Baphomet swaddled in a manger in the rotunda of the Illinois state Capitol in 2021.

In 2018, a "Snactivity" statue depicting a serpent coiling around Eve's hand to offer her the forbidden fruit also featured in the Illinois state Capitol, next to a menorah and Nativity scene.

Last week, TST was banned in Russia, with the country's Prosecutor General's Office accusing the organization of promoting "occult ideology" and using satanic symbols to "discredit traditional spiritual and moral values."
Home News Trump calls for ceasefire in Ukraine: 'Could go on forever'

President-elect Donald Trump has called for a ceasefire and negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in light of the heavy losses on both sides in nearly three years of conflict.

In a post made to his Truth Social account early Sunday, Trump mentioned the recent overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad by rebels in Syria over the weekend.

"Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer. There was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place," wrote Trump.

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"They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where close to 600,000 Russian soldiers lay wounded or dead, in a war that should never have started, and could go on forever."

Trump stated that "Russia and Iran are in a weakened state right now, one because of Ukraine and a bad economy, the other because of Israel and its fighting success."

"Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness. They have ridiculously lost 400,000 soldiers, and many more civilians," he added, saying that he knew Russian President Vladimir Putin "well" and that it was "his time to act."

"There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin. Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, and if it keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse."

On Feb. 24, 2022, Russian forces invaded Ukraine under the guise of protecting pro-Russian communities in the eastern portion of the Eastern European nation.

The Ukrainians under Zelensky offered a stiffer-than-expected resistance, inflicting considerable losses on Russia and later launching a counter-invasion in the Kursk region.

Since Trump's reelection, some, including Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, believe that the Republican president-elect could help end the war between Russia and Ukraine.

In an interview with the Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne published last month, Zelensky expressed optimism over Trump's election, saying he was "on the side of supporting Ukraine."

Zelensky said that "with the policies of the team that will now lead the White House, the war will end sooner," though he admitted that he did not have an "exact date" for such.

"I think Putin does not want peace. But this does not mean that he does not want to sit down at the negotiating table with one of the leaders. For him, this is the destruction of political isolation. It is beneficial for him to sit down and talk," he stated.

Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron met with Zelensky in Paris on Saturday as many world leaders gathered in France to celebrate the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral.

The trilateral meeting, proposed by Macron and hastily put together, occurred at the Elysee Palace shortly before the cathedral ceremony, France 24 reported, with Zelensky describing the discussion as "good and productive."
Home News Trump, Macron meet with Zelensky as world leaders gather in Paris for Notre Dame opening

US President-elect Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris on Saturday as world leaders gathered to celebrate the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral. The meeting was part of ongoing diplomatic efforts to address global security concerns while marking the restoration of the iconic landmark five years after a devastating fire.

The trilateral meeting, proposed by Macron and hastily arranged, occurred at the Elysee Palace shortly before the Notre Dame ceremony, France 24 reported .

Zelensky described the discussion as good and productive, noting that the three leaders agreed to continue working toward peace.

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President Trump is, as always, resolute. I thank him, Zelensky wrote on X. Macron also released a public statement on the social media platform, calling for continued joint efforts to achieve peace and security.

The meeting came as European leaders sought assurances from Trump regarding his commitment to continue supporting Ukraine against Russia, according to The Associated Press.

Trumps victory in the recent U.S. presidential election has raised concerns in Kyiv about the potential shift in American foreign policy, especially regarding military aid. During his campaign, Trump pledged to end the war swiftly, though he has not shared how he intends to achieve this goal.

Ahead of the trilateral talks, Macron hosted a bilateral meeting with Trump at the Elysee Palace, where the two leaders reportedly exchanged warm gestures.

Trump praised their relationship, saying, We had a great relationship as everyone knows. We accomplished a lot. Macron responded by saying it was an honor to host Trump for the cathedrals reopening. You were president at that time, and I remember the solidarity and the immediate reaction, Macron said, referring to the fire that started on April 15, 2019.

During the meeting with Zelensky, concerns over the war in Ukraine took center stage. Macron, who had long planned to meet with Zelensky separately, extended the discussion to include Trump upon his arrival.

According to the French presidential office, the trilateral discussion lasted about 35 minutes, with all three leaders speaking in English. While Macrons office called the meeting a constructive dialogue, questions remain about the terms Trump might propose for ending the conflict.

In an effort to build trust with Trumps incoming administration, Zelenskys aide Andriy Yermak recently met with key members of Trumps team in the U.S. A senior Ukrainian official described these preliminary talks as productive but declined to provide details.

A red carpet and a full guard of honor greeted Trump at the Elysee Palace, with Macron projecting an image of close ties. Trump described the event as a great honor, adding, It seems like the world is going a little crazy right now, and well be talking about that.

Security in Paris was heightened for the Notre Dame reopening, with over 20 French government security agents reportedly collaborating with U.S. Secret Service to ensure Trumps safety.

The cathedral underwent extensive restoration after the fire that nearly destroyed its iconic spire.

The reopening ceremony drew numerous dignitaries, including Prince William, who met with Trump at the British ambassador's residence later in the day. The Prince of Wales described their interaction as warm and friendly, according to the BBC. During their meeting, Trump praised the prince as a good man and discussed global issues, including the special relationship between the US and the UK

First lady Jill Biden attended the ceremony on behalf of President Joe Biden, who declined the invitation citing a scheduling conflict.

The reconstruction of Notre Dame, completed at a cost of 800 million (roughly $845 million), restored the cathedral's 19th century spire and its intricate stained glass windows, reported The Telegraph.

Some 40,000 square meters of stone were cleaned and repaired. The structure now features an even more luminous interior than before. The restoration involved removing 150 years of accumulated dirt, revealing the blond stone walls and soaring ceilings in their intended brilliance.

The stained glass windows, including the iconic rose windows, have renewed their vibrant colors, making them appear gem-like under the restored lighting. The cathedral's great organ, which survived the fire but required extensive cleaning and reassembly of its 8,000 pipes, now sounds as powerful as ever.

New liturgical furnishings, such as a bronze baptistery and altar, complement the historic interior, blending modern artistry with medieval craftsmanship.
Home Opinion The theology of Christmas: The Incarnation

Albert Einstein, one of the most brilliant minds in history, transformed our understanding of the universe. His theory of relativity reshaped physics, while his discovery of the photoelectric effect won him the Nobel Prize in 1921. Yet, for all his genius, Einstein famously dismissed trivial facts. When asked how many feet are in a mile, he replied, I do not clutter my mind with insignificant information that I can find in less than two minutes in a book.

Though Einstein acknowledged a divine order in the universe, he rejected the God of the Bible  the personal God who is both knowable and redemptive. He once remarked, The more I study science, the more I believe in God, but tragically, he never came to know the one true and living God.

This contrast between human intellect and divine revelation sets the stage for John 1:14, a verse that declares the profound truth at the heart of Christmas: The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth. In this one staggering statement in John 1:14, we see a God who enters His creation, reveals His glory, and provides grace and truth for fallen sinners.

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The Word became flesh

John begins this verse with a profound declaration: The Word became flesh. This phrase encapsulates the mystery of the incarnation, where the eternal Logos took on human nature without ceasing to be divine.

The term Logos () was familiar to Johns Greek and Jewish audiences, but John redefines it in the opening of his Gospel. For Greek philosophers like Heraclitus, the Logos referred to the rational principle and non-personal deity governing the universe. But John declares that the Logos (Word) is not an impersonal force but a person  Jesus Christ, who was both with God and was God (John 1:1).

Jesus, the eternal Word, is the Creator of all things (John 1:3). He is the I AM who declared, Before Abraham was, I AM (John 8:58) and I and the Father are one (John 10:30). Jesus is sovereign over creation, having formed humanity in His image, established the laws of nature, and upholds the cosmos by His power. As the Nicene Creed affirms, He is very God of very God, worthy of all worship.

Johns declaration that the Word became flesh unveils the miracle of the incarnation. The eternal Son of God entered His creation by taking on human nature. This is the mystery that Thomas Watson called the infinite love of God. Christ did not cease to be God but added humanity to His deity, becoming truly God and truly man.

Consider the humility of the incarnation: the creator of the universe was born in a lowly stable, veiled in flesh, and subjected to the limitations of humanity in his human nature. Charles Wesley beautifully captures this truth in his hymn:

Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,

Hail thincarnate Deity,

Pleased with us in flesh to dwell,

Jesus, our Immanuel.

The incarnation is not only a theological truth but a deeply personal one. Without the Word becoming flesh, humanity would remain lost in sin, alienated from God. As Watson reminds us, Had not Christ been made flesh, we had been made a curse.

The Word tabernacled among us

John continues, and dwelt among us. The Greek word for dwelt () means to take up residence, or to pitch a tent, evoking the imagery of the Old Testament tabernacle where Gods presence dwelled among His people.

In Exodus, God commanded Moses to construct the tabernacle, a portable sanctuary where His presence would reside. The tabernacle was central to Israels worship, housing the Ark of the Covenant. The Arks mercy seat was the place of atonement, where the high priest sprinkled the sacrificial blood once per year on the Day of Atonement.

This structure symbolized Gods desire to dwell among His people, yet it was limited by layers of separation. Only the high priest could enter the Most Holy Place, and only once every year. When John writes that Jesus dwelt among us, he declares that Christ is the fulfillment of the tabernacle. Unlike the temporary, veiled presence of God in the Old Testament, in the person of Jesus Gods presence is fully revealed. As Hebrews 1:3 states, He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of His nature.

Through Christ, humanity can approach God directly, without fear or separation. He is not only the greater High Priest who offers Himself as the perfect sacrifice, but he is the greater tabernacle granting access to the Father for all who believe. This is the wonder and thrilling truth of the birth of Jesus that is celebrated at Christmas.

The Word revealed the glory of God

John writes, We have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father. The incarnation reveals the radiant glory of God in a way that humanity could see, hear, feel, and touch.

Throughout Scripture, Gods glory is depicted as overwhelming and unapproachable. At Mount Sinai, Gods presence was so terrifying that the Israelites trembled in fear (Exodus 19). When Moses asked to see Gods glory, he was only permitted a partial glimpse, for no one could see God and live (Exodus 33:20). In the tabernacle and later the temple, Gods glory filled the sanctuary, yet it remained hidden behind the veil.

In Jesus, the glory of God is fully revealed. At the transfiguration, Peter, James, and John witnessed His divine majesty shining through His humanity (Matthew 17:2). After His resurrection, Paul encountered the risen Christ in glory, a vision so blinding it left him temporarily blind (Acts 9:39).

Jesus miracles also revealed His glory, demonstrating His divine authority over sickness, nature, and even death. From calming the storm to raising Lazarus, each miracle pointed to His identity as the Son of God. Even as Jesus deity was clothed in human flesh, it could not veil his glory. Throughout his earthly ministry, bursts of glory and rays of his majesty are visibly seen in his powerful miracles. Yet, the greatest display of His glory was seen in His humility and suffering. On the cross, Jesus bore the wrath of God for sinners, displaying the glory of divine love and justice and the vindication of it all was his glorious resurrection.

The Word delivered grace and truth

Finally, John declares that Jesus is full of grace and truth. These two attributes summarize the purpose of the incarnation: to bring salvation through grace and to reveal the truth of God.

Grace is the unmerited favor of God toward sinners. In Jesus, grace is personified and extended to all who believe. As Paul writes, For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8). From His first breath in Bethlehem to His final cry on the cross, Jesus life was marked by grace. He came not to condemn the world but to save it (John 3:17). His death and resurrection provide eternal life to those who trust in Him.

Jesus not only embodies grace but also truth. He declared, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me (John 14:6). In a world filled with deception, Jesus stands as the ultimate standard of truth. His teachings reveal the truth about God, humanity, and salvation. He exposed the hypocrisy of the Pharisees, corrected false interpretations of Scripture, and proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom. As the Spirit of Truth, Jesus sanctifies believers, transforming them into His likeness through the power of the Word (John 17:17).

The incarnation is the foundation of the Christian faith. In Jesus, the eternal Word became flesh, dwelt among us, revealed Gods glory, and brought grace and truth to a lost world. As we celebrate Christmas, let us marvel at the humility and majesty of Christ, who entered His creation to redeem it. And let us live in anticipation of the day when He will dwell with His people forever:

Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God (Revelation 21:3).

This is the true theology of Christmas: God became man so that we might dwell with Him in glory. Let us worship the incarnate Word, our Immanuel.

Originally published at G3 Ministries.
Home News Daniel Penny not guilty; verdict met with a mix of cheers and curses

Former U.S. Marine Daniel Penny has been found not guilty of criminally negligent homicide in the May 2023 death of Jordan Neely in New York City, with the verdict eliciting mixed reactions.

On the fifth day of deliberations, the jury found 25-year-old Penny not guilty of criminally negligent homicide related to the death of Neely, a homeless man whom the veteran placed in a chokehold after his erratic behavior reportedly frightened passengers on a city subway train.

While some in the courtroom cheered and clapped when the jury read the verdict, others reacted with anger.

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A court officer had to remove Neely's father, Andre Zachary, who cursed loudly after the jury read the verdict, reports ABC 7, adding that others broke out in tears. Zachary filed a civil lawsuit against Penny, requesting damages for his son's death.

Last week, New York Judge Maxwell Wiley dismissed the manslaughter charge against Penny after the jury failed to reach a unanimous decision. The jury could not consider the criminally negligent homicide charge until they had resolved the more serious charge of manslaughter.

During the trial, the jury heard testimony from passengers aboard the subway train at the time of the incident. One of the witnesses, a 38-year-old woman from Brooklyn, testified during the trial that she thought Neely's threats were "very believable."

Neely, who was often homeless and sometimes earned money through street performances, was yelling and making threats. The Brooklyn woman testified that she believed she was going to die that day in May 2023.

Another witness, an 18-year-old high school student, Morielyn Sanchez, testified that she felt scared but felt a little relief when she saw Penny place Neely in a chokehold.

Throughout the trial, the defense argued that the veteran acted to defend fellow subway passengers from Neely. One video played during court proceedings showed Penny telling New York police detectives that he did not intend to harm Neely and that he had been trying to prevent him from hurting the other passengers.

At the time of his death, Neely had an open warrant for his arrest in relation to a violent attack on an elderly woman. Before his death, the street performer was also under investigation for allegedly pushing someone onto the subway tracks.

Throughout his life, Neely was arrested over 40 times for multiple assaults, attempted child abduction, drugs and indecent exposure, according to reports.

Prosecutors argued that Penny used too much force when restraining the 30-year-old homeless man. One of the prosecution's witnesses during the trial included Dr. Cynthia Harris, the medical examiner who performed Neely's autopsy.

Harris had ruled that Neely died due to the chokehold based on the autopsy and video of Penny restraining the homeless man. She also testified that Neely had a sickle cell trait that is typically benign. According to the medical examiner, Neely being in a "low oxygen situation" resulted in his death.

While a toxicology report showed that Neely had a synthetic cannabinoid known as K2 in his system, Harris stood by her assessment, noting the challenges with testing for K2 due to the limits of current technology.

The medical examiner argued during the defense's cross-examination that she would not change her opinion, even if Neely had enough fentanyl in his system to take down a small elephant.

According to the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the side effects of K2 are often unpredictable because the chemicals used can vary from packet to packet. The adverse health effects associated with K2 include paranoia, rapid heart rate, kidney failure, vomiting and reduced blood supply to the heart.

A pathologist the defense called to testify, Dr. Satish Chundru, disagreed with Harris' assessment, arguing that Neely died due to a mix of schizophrenia, K2 use, his medical condition and struggling against Penny's hold. As Harris noted during the cross-examination, medical examiners often disagree on the cause of death, and the science is not always perfect.
Home News 'Duck Dynasty' star Phil Robertson diagnosed with Alzheimers; social media floods with prayers

Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson is in the early stages of Alzheimers and battling another blood-related disease that is causing problems with his entire body, his family has revealed, sparking an outpouring of support on social media.

Last week, Robertsons son, Jase, revealed the state of his 78-year-old fathers health on an episode of the Unashamed with the Robertson Family podcast.

Phils not doing well. We were trying to figure out the diagnosis, but according to the doctors, they are sure that he has some sort of blood disease causing all kinds of problems, Jase said.

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He added, And he has early stages of Alzheimers. So, if you put those things together, hes just not doing well.  Weve got a team of doctors, and then we have another set of doctors who are looking at all the tests, and theyre all in agreement that theres no curing what he has.



Despite his diagnosis, Jase said his father is hoping to return to hosting the podcast: Im like, Well Phil, you can barely walk around without crying out in pain, and your memory is not what it once was, said Jase. Hes like, Tell me about it.

Following the news, social media was flooded with messages of support for the Robertson patriarch.

On X, former Gov. of Louisiana Bobby Jindal wrote, Praying for (Phil Robertson) and his family, while Samaritans Purse CEO Franklin Graham wrote, Would you join me in praying for Phil Robertson, his wife Miss Kay, and their family? Phil is having serious health issues. Ive appreciated Phils bold faith in Jesus Christ and the way he points to Gods Word.

Robertson and his family became household names through the hit A&E reality show "Duck Dynasty, which ran from 2012 to 2017. The show chronicled the lives of the Robertsons and their business, Duck Commander, while highlighting the familys faith and conservative values.

In a previous interview with The Christian Post, Phil Robertson reflected on how, in 2013, he was suspended from Duck Dynasty over his candid comments about homosexuality and religion in a GQ profile. He was swiftly condemned as a bigot by LGBT activist groups, including The Human Rights Campaign and GLAAD.

Five or six years ago, a guy came up and asked me, did I believe homosexual behavior was a sin, Robertson told CP. I quoted 1 Corinthians 6:9-10: Don't be deceived. Neither the sexually immoral, the adulterers, the idolaters, the male prostitutes, the homosexual offenders, the thieves, the greedy drunks, they won't inherit the Kingdom of God,' Robertson said, citing [Paul's letter] to the church at Corinth. But you've been washed, you've been cleansed by the blood of Jesus, he added.

I just simply quoted him a verse, a Bible verse, where God stated what it is, he added. So it took him two weeks to figure out all I did was quote a Bible verse. He asked me a question  and I just quoted [the Bible]. And when I quoted it, he took it and ran with it, because he thought I was just blowing smoke just off the top of my head.

Though backlash from the secular media was swift, the father, grandfather and great-grandfather noted that as a result of his boldness, a lot of good came forth.

We converted way more after that, he said. See what I'm saying? God works in mysterious ways.

Robertson has authored several books, including Happy, Happy, Happy: My Life and Legacy as the Duck Commander and The Theft of Americas Soul, which delve into his personal story, faith and worldview. In 2022, he released Uncanceled: Finding Meaning and Peace in a Culture of Accusations, Shame, and Condemnation.

The film The Blind, released in 2023, delved into the Duck Commanders backstory and Phil's struggles with addiction and anger prior to his conversion to Christianity.

Phil's son, Willie, told CP the family's lives would look drastically different if it werent for an Arkansas pastor, who, in the 1970s, drove across state lines to share the Gospel with his father.

After we came out with The Blind last year about Phil and Kays life, I thought, What if that hadn't happened? What if that guy didnt go up there and preach the Gospel out of fear? Willie Robertson reflected.

Dad had not become a Christian. He'd already kicked us out, so we knew where it was headed. It was heading towards divorce for sure, split up family. When you take that out of the mix, there would have been no Duck Commander, there would have been no company, there would have been no 'Duck Dynasty.' I don't even know if I would be a believer today.

Every day of my life, someone has been impacted by what happened 50 years ago, he continued. Because of what was able to come out of that, when you start thinking about the television show that reached hundreds of millions of people, still does every day  all the books, the movies, the podcast, all the things that have pointed people in some way to the Gospel, to the light, I can trace all that back.

Korie Robetson, who is married to Willie, told CP the family wanted to portray the raw and broken parts of their story to underscore God's unwavering faithfulness.

Phil said, from day one, If it impacts one person, if one person changes their life and gives their life to Jesus, because of my story, because of the darkest parts of my story, I'll do it. It'll be worth it. One of the greatest rewards has just been to read the comments and read the emails that have come in that have told us the life change that has happened in people's lives after seeing this film.

She said the family has heard countless stories of those who've been baptized, delivered from addiction or seen their marriages healed after watching the movie. Some of the baptisms, she said, have happened right in Phils backyard.

I wish we knew how many thousands of people have been baptized in that river right behind Phil and Kay's house, because Phil loves to baptize people and has done it right there in his backyard for years and years and years," she said.

"People would head straight to the church or head straight to the body of water right after seeing the movie; one group had like 27 baptisms, and right after the film, everyone just kind of continued and went somewhere worshiped.

One woman said her husband had been an alcoholic for 17 years, he never goes to the movies with her. She convinced him to come to the movie with her because he loved Phil and our show. He reached over and held her hand for the first time in years while they were watching the movie. I read that and just bawled.
Home News Evangelical leader says churches must 'close the doors' on Candace Owens over Israel remarks

An Evangelical leader has urged churches to cut ties with Candace Owens following her statements on Israel and Jews that resulted in Australia and New Zealand denying entry to the political pundit.

Laurie Cardoza-Moore, president of the nonprofit Proclaiming Justice to The Nations who served as special envoy to the United Nations for the World Council of Independent Churches, condemned a series of remarks from the 35-year-old Owens about Israel and the Jewish people that many deemed antisemitic.

Owens' comments led to her public departure earlier this year from The Daily Wire, a conservative news outlet founded by Orthodox Jew Ben Shapiro.

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"Candace Owens has verged into the abyss of blind Jew-hatred, rooted in the sewers of historical Christian antisemitism, which led to the death of millions of Jews in the name of Christianity," Cardoza-Moore said in a statement published by The Jerusalem Post late last month. "Her ideas are a lethal cocktail of conspiracy theories and heresy, rejected by almost every denomination in Christendom."

"It's time that churches close the doors on Candace. The Candace Owens we once knew is no longer there," Cardoza-Moore continued. "She has no substance beyond her repugnant, unfounded, and obsessive hate for God's Chosen People. There is no place for her anywhere in the Conservative Christian world."

Cardoza-Moore's nonprofit seeks to encourage Christians to support the Jewish people. Her weekly broadcast, Focus On Israel, which airs on NRB TV, reaches a global audience.

The activist's statement follows New Zealand denying entry to Owens for speaking engagements, as The Associated Press reported last Thursday. Owens faced a similar rejection weeks earlier from neighboring Australia, where she had other speaking engagements.

Australian officials cited remarks Owens made in July on her independent podcast "Candace," in which she referred to reports of Nazi experiments on Jews as "bizarre propaganda."

Before leaving the Daily Wire, Owens accused Israel of genocide against Palestinians after it launched a military offensive in Gaza responding to Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attack in southern Israel that killed nearly 1,200 people.

During a November 2023 interview with Jewish comedian Ami Kozak, Owens suggested that an area in Jerusalem known as the "Muslim Quarter" is where Israel forces Muslims to live.

Owens compared this to "Jim Crow" policies in the American South before Kozak corrected her, explaining that Israel doesn't force Muslims to live in the quarter and that there is also a Christian Quarter and a Jewish Quarter.

During an online disagreement between Owens and author Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, Owens liked a tweet that asked if Boteach was "drunk on Christian blood," an antisemitic stereotype. Shortly after the online interaction, The Daily Wire and Owens went their separate ways and Owens launched her podcast.

In a statement shared with The Christian Post, Cardoza-Moore, who has made over half a dozen documentary films on Israel, said she believes Owens' "hatred" of Jews is a "violation of God's word." She stressed that followers of Christ are commanded to "stand as Watchmen on the Walls of Jerusalem" and show "zero tolerance for Jew Hatred." She stressed that Christians must "banish people like Candace Owens from all churches."

"Owens leans on outdated Catholic dogma that was long dismissed by the Vatican to justify Holocaust Denial and conspiracy theories," Cardoza-Moore said. "Had she simply opened her Bible, she would have read that God chose the people of Israel and gave them the land of Israel  anything else is political propaganda. The Bible is Zionist. Abraham was the first Jew to move to Israel on Gods personal invitation. The majority of Jews are Zionists and so are many Bible-believing Christians. Therefore, the idea that you can separate the Body from the Soul is disingenuous."

Cardoza-Moore further notes that the Muslim Quarter "predates the modern Jewish state."

"Far from being a designated area for Muslims, it was home to a majority of Jews before they were ethnically cleansed by the invading Muslim Jordanian Army in 1948," Cardoza-Moore told CP. "Till this day, one can see antique Hebrew engravings on Muslim family homes, and holes in the doorposts from where Mezuzahs were ripped out."

Owens' new podcast has also attracted criticism for comments about Israel and the Holocaust.

In September, PragerU co-founder Dennis Prager published a letter he wrote to Owens, stating that Owens' statements needed to be addressed. Owens hosted a podcast on PragerU from 2019 to 2021 before she began working for The Daily Wire.

Prager, who was raised in an Orthodox Jewish home, answered various accusations that Owens made regarding Israel, Jews and the Zionist movement.

In his letter, the conservative talk show host noted that Owens depicts Zionism as an "evil movement" on her podcast, adding that it is fair to then say that Owens is an "anti-Zionist."

Zionism is focused on reestablishing a homeland for the Jews in Israel, as Prager highlighted in his letter. There is only one Jewish state out of hundreds of countries throughout the world, according to Prager, but anti-Zionists only appear to have an issue with Israel.

He clarified that anti-Zionists are not antisemitic for criticizing Israel, but they are considered as such because the only country they "delegitimize is Israel."

"Why don't anti-Zionists devote their energy to delegitimizing Pakistan? There was an Israel from 1020 BC to 586 BC and from 516 BC to 70 AD, but there was never a Pakistan until it was created in 1947-48 (the same year Israel was reestablished). Pakistan was wrenched from India to create a Muslim state," Prager wrote.
A dramatic transformation is underway in Africa, where the continent is slowly splitting in two, paving the way for a new ocean to form.

This geological event is centered in the Afar region of Ethiopia, where the earth's crust is pulling apart due to the movement of tectonic plates.

Scientists Witness Early Stages of Africa's Continental Breakup

The East African Rift (EAR), a massive crack in the earth's surface, is at the heart of this phenomenon.

Discovered in 2005, the 35-mile-long fissure highlights the region where the Somali and Nubian plates are gradually moving away from each other.

This process, driven by heat from the Earth's mantle, mirrors the mechanism that created the Atlantic Ocean millions of years ago.

The Afar region is one of the few places on Earth where rifting can be observed on land. Typically, such events occur underwater. The rifting process has been active for millions of years, shaping iconic African landscapes like the Great Rift Valley, Mount Kilimanjaro, and the Red Sea.

In 2005, a volcanic eruption at the Dabbahu volcano triggered a series of earthquakes, rapidly widening the rift. Within just ten days, the ground split open, forming a 26-foot-wide fissure, EarthlyMission said.

This dramatic event provided scientists with a rare opportunity to witness the initial stages of a new ocean's formation.

Since then, the rift has continued to expand, though more slowly. Occasional bursts of activity, including volcanic eruptions and landslides, have revealed new cracks and fissures. Satellite images have shown the rift widening by several centimeters annually.

Africa's Splitting Plates May Birth a New Ocean, Reshaping the Continent

While the complete separation of the Somali and Nubian plates is still millions of years away, researchers believe the process will eventually create a new ocean.

According to Express, the Red Sea is expected to flow into the region, connecting with the Gulf of Aden and forming a new body of water that will reshape Africa's landscape.

This rifting event isn't just a geological marvel  it has wide-ranging implications. The Afar region is home to unique wildlife, fossils, and artifacts that provide insights into human evolution.

The formation of a new ocean could also affect the region's climate, biodiversity, and socio-economic development.

The East African Rift serves as a reminder of the Earth's dynamic nature and highlights how much we still have to learn about the processes shaping our planet. Scientists will continue to monitor this evolving phenomenon, offering a front-row seat to one of geology's most captivating events.
Home News GOP senator introduces 'STOP Act' to ban trans procedures for minors, fine doctors up to $100K

Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., recently introduced a bill in Congress that would outlaw trans procedures for minors and punish the doctors who perform them with civil penalties of up to $100,000.

The Safeguarding The Overall Protection of Minors Act or "STOP Act," which Marshall introduced Wednesday, will prohibit sex-change procedures from being performed on minors and authorize the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services to impose civil penalties on persons who "knowingly perform, attempt to perform, conspire to perform, or provide a referral for any gender transition procedure on a minor, according to the text of the proposed legislation.

The bill would also allow people who have been subjected to trans procedures as minors the right to sue if they come to regret their decision. It would also empower the attorney general to establish a grant program to assist those seeking to reverse the effects of such procedures.

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"Americans resoundingly rejected the Left's dangerous transgender agenda. Let's call it exactly what it is: child abuse," Marshall said in a press release. The days of demented doctors and activists getting rich off of mutilating, sterilizing, and castrating children are over.

"Our legislation keeps children's safety paramount by prohibiting anyone from performing, facilitating, or even conspiring to give these irreversible therapies and procedures to minors," he added. "This bill is just the beginning of what's to come with President Trump at the helm and our unwavering commitment to protecting children from transgender activists' twisted and criminal agenda."

During a recent interview with Newsmax, Marshall conceded his bill faces "an uphill battle" to find co-sponsors and that it will require the support of some Senate Democrats if it is to avoid a filibuster.

"One of President Trump's promises was to stop the mutilation of children and our bill does exactly that," Marshall told the outlet, adding that it is "really important that we protect the children who don't have the emotional maturity to make this type of decision yet."

Marshall's bill comes a week after he participated in a panel on Capitol Hill regarding the negative impact of the burgeoning $4.4 billion "gender industrial complex" and the importance of legislative protections against it.

Marshall, a nondenominational Christian and obstetrician by profession, acknowledged the financial incentive behind the medical aspect of transgender ideology, but also noted that he believes there are other forces behind the movement.

"I think there's something probably even deeper, though, that's really nagging at me here," he said. "This is an attack on our values. It goes even deeper than just profit margin and how much money you can make from this."

But I think ultimately, people who are saying that God is wrong  that the sex we were given, that God must have been wrong on this, and if you would just change your sex, it would solve all your problems.

Marshall's proposed legislation came the same day that the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in United States v. Skrmetti, which will determine the constitutionality of a Tennessee law that prohibits puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones to treat gender dysphoria in minors. Similar laws exist in 23 other states, and the court's decision in the case could have an effect on such state laws.

Some liberals protesting outside the Supreme Court who spoke to The Christian Post explained their belief that banning trans procedures for minors transcends the political divide and is "a human rights issue."
Home News Supreme Court won't stop school district from hiding gender transition from parents

The U.S. Supreme Court will allow a Wisconsin school district policy requiring teachers to hide the preferred gender identity of a trans-identified student from their parents to remain in effect.

In an orders list released Monday morning, the high court declined without comment to hear oral arguments in the case of Parents Protecting Our Children, UA v. Eau Claire Area School District.

The denial of appeal allows for a lower court decision in favor of the school district to remain in place that ruled that the parents' group lacked standing, thus upholding a guidance on "gender identity support" for students to be implemented.

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Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito, along with Justice Clarence Thomas, dissented against the denial of certiorari in comments included in the orders list, arguing that the relevant topics of the case warranted review.

"This case presents a question of great and growing national importance: whether a public school district violates parents' 'fundamental constitutional right to make decisions concerning the rearing of' their children  when, without parental knowledge or consent, it encourages a student to transition to a new gender or assists in that process," wrote Alito.

"I am concerned that some federal courts are succumbing to the temptation to use the doctrine of Article III standing as a way of avoiding some particularly contentious constitutional questions."

In 2021, the Eau Claire Area School District issued a document known as "Administrative Guidance for Gender Identity Support," which sought to expand inclusion for trans-identified students.

This led to the school district later adopting a "Gender Support Plan" template that, among other things, allowed for school officials to exclude parents from any possible gender transition efforts on the student.

In September 2022, a group of local parents filed a complaint against the school district in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin under the unincorporated association Parents Protecting Our Children.

"ECASD requires a school and its staff to hold secret meetings with children to develop a 'Student Gender Support Plan.' At the same time, when interacting with the child's parents, the Gender Identity Policy requires school officials, teachers, and administrators to continue using the child's actual name and pronouns so the parents will not be alerted to the changes the school has made," reads the complaint.

"The obvious purpose of such secrecy is to prevent parents from making critical decisions for their own minor children, from interfering with the school's ideologically-driven activities, from caring for their children, or from freely practicing their religion.  The insidious invasion of parental rights at issue in this case cannot be tolerated by a free people who value liberty."

Eau Claire Area School District Board of Education President Tim Nordin has defended the support program in comments to Wisconsin Public Radio in 2022 as necessary to help marginalized students.

"And for some students, in some situations, we have to understand the context of that and know that if they're not safe and they trust an adult at the school, that might be the only adult that they have to trust in their lives," said Nordin. "And that's important to keeping children safe."

In March, the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the parents, upholding a lower court decision from last year siding with the school district and its support program.

The appeals court concluded in part that since the policy has not directly impacted any of the parents suing the school district as of the present, they lack the standing to lodge the complaint.

"No doubt Parents Protecting's allegations punch with conviction and concern. But nowhere does the complaint allege that even one of the association's members  any particular parent  has experienced an actual or imminent injury attributable to the Administrative Guidance or a Support Plan," read the appeals court opinion.

"Parents Protecting's expressions of worry and concern do not suffice to show that any parent has experienced actual injury or faces any imminent harm attributable to the Administrative Guidance or a Gender Support Plan. Maybe that day will come for a member parent. Maybe not. All we can say with certainty today is that Parents Protecting's allegations fall short of establishing a Case or Controversy."
(Photo: Getty/iStock)

(CP) Christians in Syria confront an uncertain and perilous future under the control of Islamist-led rebel forces, a human rights group has warned. The city's minority Christian population, significantly diminished by years of civil war, now grapples with fears of escalating threats and restrictions.

Islamist rebel forces, led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is designated as a terrorist organization by the US and UK, captured Aleppo about a week ago, followed by Homs and Damascus late Saturday night in a sweeping offensive that toppled Syrian government forces. Bashar al-Assad fled the country on a flight to Russia on Saturday night.

Since Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham's takeover of Aleppo, many Christians have fled, leaving behind a small but resolute group trying to maintain their faith and traditions.

A key highway between Damascus and Aleppo has also been blocked, leaving residents with only a congested and hazardous alternative route, according to CNA.

The isolation has claimed lives, including that of Dr Arwant Arslanian, a Christian physician killed by sniper fire while attempting to flee the city, reported the Facebook page of Armenians of Syria.

A bus carrying young Christians was also stranded on the Aleppo Road, later finding refuge at the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese.

Many Christian leaders have remained in the city, providing spiritual guidance and practical support to their communities.

Syriac Orthodox Metropolitan Bishop Mor Boutros Kassis and other Christian leaders have been communicating through social media where they held prayers and liturgies. They are encouraging Christian residents to face the reality with awareness, courage and faith, he was quoted as saying.

Franciscan Father Bahjat Karakach, representing the Latin Church, acknowledged, "The Church knows no more than the people do." It's up to individuals and families to decide if they want to stay or leave Aleppo, he stressed. "No one can make it on behalf of another. We friars are staying and waiting to see how things unfold," he was quoted as saying.

Meanwhile, the Islamist faction, an offshoot of al-Qaeda, has pledged to protect civilians, including Christians. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani visited Aleppo's citadel and stated, "Aleppo has always been a meeting point for civilizations and cultures, and it will remain so, with a long history of cultural and religious diversity," as reported by Al-Monitor.

Despite assurances, fears persist among Aleppo's estimated 30,000 Christians, down from hundreds of thousands before the Syrian conflict began in 2011.

Switzerland-based group Christian Solidarity International responded to the assurance given by HTS, saying, "HTS' ideology and history give religious minorities in Aleppo serious reason to doubt these promises."

HTS has often targeted Christians throughout Syria in violent attacks and kidnappings, repeatedly killing Christian civilians and confiscating their property, CSI explained.

"In the Salafist worldview that animates HTS, Christians are not heretics to be destroyed (like the Alawites and the Druzes), but 'people of the Book'  followers of religions that were revealed before the coming of the [Islamic] prophet Muhammad. In lands ruled by Islam, they should be made dhimmis  a protected people who are kept in legal subjugation and pay an additional tax called the jizya," CSI continued.

"Until now, HTS has avoided imposing dhimmi status on Christians in Idlib by referring to them as musta'min, or temporary residents," the group acknowledged. "But how long will HTS maintain this distinction?" CSI asked.

However, Archbishop Boutros Marayati of the Armenian Catholic Church sought to reassure worshippers during a Mass, telling them, "Do not fear, dear brothers. We have received assurances from all parties. Continue living normally, and everything will remain as before, even better," as quoted by AL Monitor.

The Christian community in Aleppo has historically aligned with the Syrian government, which President Bashar al-Assad, a member of the Alawite minority, has positioned as a protector of minorities.

The rebel takeover represents a dramatic shift, stirring memories of prior persecution during the Islamic State's reign over parts of Syria. IS systematically targeted Christians, destroying churches and engaging in mass kidnappings before being defeated in 2019.

 The Christian Post
Kemi Badenoch with US Vice-President-elect JD Vance during her recent trip to Washington DC. (Photo: X / JD Vance)

UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has accused some church leaders of being "naive" in allowing asylum seekers to convert to Christianity as a way to exploit the UK's immigration system.

Speaking to a politically right-leaning audience during her December keynote address in Washington DC, Badenoch expressed concerns that such practices not only undermine border controls but also exploit the UK's values of liberalism and tolerance.

"It turns out that over many years, we have had very naive church leaders converting people who had no interest in Christianity as a means to circumvent border control," Badenoch said.

She highlighted a troubling example where a migrant, after converting to Christianity, claimed persecution fears to remain in the UK. The individual later committed sexual assaults and attacked a mother and her two children with chemicals in London.

Badenoch, a vocal critic of leftist ideologies, argued that liberal democratic systems have been "hacked" by extremists who exploit them for their own agendas. "This is what I mean when I say that liberalism has been hacked," she explained. "When a system that has accommodations made for the vulnerable is being exploited by opponents of that system, something needs to change."

Her remarks highlighted a broader critique of Western institutions failing to adapt to evolving threats. "Because we don't know the value of what we have, and we are failing to adapt as the world is changing and new threats emerge, we don't recognise when opposing ideologies are taking over," Badenoch warned.

Badenoch's comments come amid growing pressure on the UK government to address migration challenges. She stressed that simplistic approaches to migration reform would fail, urging a clear long-term vision.

"These aren't features of the system; they are bugs and they need fixing," she said, noting that public frustration over ineffective policies could have significant political consequences, as seen in the Conservative Party's poor performance in July.

Embracing her label as a "culture warrior", Badenoch declared, "If I don't stand up for Britain's culture, who will?" She warned of ideologies that demand tolerance while undermining the very institutions that foster it. "Ideologies and beliefs that demand our tolerance even as they seek to undermine the very culture and institutions that create that tolerance," she highlighted as a growing concern.

During her US visit, Badenoch attended the International Democracy Union, a think tank co-founded by Margaret Thatcher, and sought to strengthen ties with Republican leaders. Her visit aligns with the upcoming inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has been outspoken about both immigration control and his Christian faith.

Drawing from her upbringing in Nigeria, Badenoch shared her deep appreciation for the freedoms afforded by democratic societies. She cautioned against complacency, stating, "We are giving away our freedoms by stealth."

Badenoch has stated in previous interviews regarding her beliefs that she identifies as agnostic and describes herself as a "cultural Christian" - someone who aligns with Christian values and traditions without actually holding a personal faith.
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Brussels, Belgium (PANA)  The European Union has reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to the universal respect, protection and fulfilment of human rights for everyone, everywhere
Where to start. Firstly, what an incredible feat of fundraising that galvanised a nation to give in times of extreme fear and uncertainty. And secondly, what a gut-punch to that legacy.

The sad story of the Captain Tom Foundation and how family members personally benefited from their connections with it (see opposite), will likely undermine trust in fundraising and probably charity more broadly. A selection of recent headlines brings home how it was perceived and the lasting impact it may have: The Captain Tom charity scandal is a warning to us all to be careful who you donate to  Telegraph. How Captain Toms misleading daughter hoodwinked Britain  The Sun. The hypocrisy of Captain Toms daughter exposed in damning report: Watchdog finds Hannah Ingram Moore and her husband misled public as they pocketed 1.5m  Daily Mail. Tough reading to be sure.

In response, NCVOs director of strategic communications and insight, Saskia Konynenburg, said: We know this news could dent public confidence in giving, but it shouldnt. This case doesnt reflect the hard work of thousands of charities that abide by the principles of ethical decision-making, champion integrity and openness while also transforming millions of lives every day. The circumstances of this case are unique.

In a statement, ACEVO said the case underscores the crucial role of robust and effective regulation in maintaining the health and integrity of our sector. The trust that individuals and organisations place in charities must be protected, and it is essential that regulators take proportionate action.

So, what lessons can be learned? For one thing, trustees have to be serious about their responsibilities. And they need to be made aware of that from the very point of application. Its not a trophy or badge of honour; its a critical role that can entirely decide a charitys (and its beneficiaries) future. Whether the foundation should have ever been allowed to be run by a family who had limited charity experience is another question. Perhaps the legal framework for new charity registrations is not robust and effective enough.

And, as Konynenburg says, it will dent public confidence. The sector knows the majority of those who work in it operate at the highest ethical standards, but the public doesnt necessarily. As if fundraising in the current climate wasnt already tough enough! All fundraisers can do is prepare for the questions from donors and the public and construct a robust response. And above all else, look after yourselves. Its tough when things like this happen and it will reflect on the sector, but it doesnt reflect on you and the crucial work you do day in, day out.

@stevejcotterill is the editor of Fundraising Magazine

Fundraising Magazine is a practical and inspiring magazine that provides fundraising professionals with the tools to unlock new revenue streams, yield better results from campaigns and boost donor income. Subscribe today to receive 10 issues per year and access to premium fundraising content on civilsociety.co.uk. Find more information here and subscribe today! is a practical and inspiring magazine that provides fundraising professionals with the tools to unlock new revenue streams, yield better results from campaigns and boost donor income. Subscribe today to receive 10 issues per year and access to premium fundraising content on civilsociety.co.uk.
jaswooduk from UK, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Glastonbury Festival has reported that it will have made payments of over 5.9m to charitable causes and campaigns by the end of 2024, up from 3.7m last year .

The overall 2024 sum includes 4.3m in the form of donations, including 2m to the NHS Somerset Charity and 126,000 to support hospitals in Bristol and nursing staff across the UK.

Meanwhile, another 1.6m was given as payments for services such as stewarding.

The music festival said it supported joint charity partners Oxfam, WaterAid and Greenpeace, as well as War Child, UNHCR and other projects and organisations in the UK and overseas.

Glastonbury Festival raised 639,000 through its emergency fundraiser crowdfunder appeal which it match-funded to total over 1.27m for the British Red Cross, Oxfam and War Child.

It donated to the Music Venue Trust, which supports access to music for emerging artists, grassroots music, audiences, and promoters.

The festival donated to Bristol-based charities the Bristol Childrens Charity, Youth Moves, Young Bristol and Black2Nature, with many of the events community and crew based in the city.

It donated towards the Somerset Carers network and local organisations like the Food Forest Project and the Somerset Wildlife Trust.

The festival also supported initiatives such as enrichment projects for local primary schools and vegetable growing for community food banks in its native Pilton and other nearby towns and villages.

It is thanks to your support for the festival that these donations and charitable payments have been possible and together we have been able to help those facing challenges across the world, organisers said.

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Sight Concern Bedfordshires website has been rated as the most accessible in the UK voluntary sector, ahead of several larger charities.

The sight loss charity, serving visually impaired people in Bedfordshire and Luton, this month overtook Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF), with a score of 99 out of 100.

It entered the listings earlier this year in second spot, with a rating of 95, before rising to first place after redesigning its website.

Trailing behind Sight Concern Bedfordshire was JRF at second place with a score of 98, followed by Blind Veterans UK in the third place with a score of 94.

Sight Concern Bedfordshire also outperformed national charities like RNIB (ranked fourth), British Red Cross (ranked fifth) and Wellcome (ranked sixth).

The data ranking came from Silktide Index , which evaluates the web accessibility of organisations and assigns them a score based on their level of compliance with the globally-recognised standard for web accessibility.

Accessibility is at the heart of our mission

Carol OBrien, Sight Concern Bedfordshire chief executive, said: Accessibility is at the heart of our mission.

When you lose your sight you may lose the ability to see and read text. Its vital that our website can be used by people with sight loss.

As a sight loss charity we want to show whats possible: achieving the most accessible charity website in the UK with a small team on a low budget.

What once seemed like an impossible task, perpetually slipping down our to-do list, was transformed by the Developer Society: building our new site, and continuing to support us with insights and guidance to help us improve further.

The sight loss community relies on a variety of assistive technologies and text-to-speech tools. Our site must function seamlessly with all of them.

The charity had a total income of 313,000 for the financial year ending in 30 September 2023 and a total expenditure of 329,000 over the same period.

You dont need the biggest budgets

The Developer Society, a not-for-profit software company that helped Sight Concern to redesign its website, told Civil Society that its service for Sight Concern was a mix of pro-bono and paid work and cost in the single digits of thousands.

Stephen Hawkes, co-founder of the Developer Society, told Civil Society: Sight Concern already had a website, and we used that as a basis for offering an alternative website.

Our process was to radically reverse the process, starting with the screen-reader experience and working backward toward users without visual impairment. This not only helped to leap to good accessibility results, but also naturally distils down the content effort.

As a not-for-profit ourselves, were keen to re-use the work we have done elsewhere and advance the access and quality of technology that the third sector can make use of. Thats basically what open-source should be.

We want to make this something other organisations could use, especially small charities, so designated it to be highly replicable and adaptable and we could rebuild something similar for a small charity for around 5,000 to 9,000.

Its a great project and really shows that you dont need to have the biggest budgets to get to accessibility outcomes.

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Jane Street Group and Millennium Management agreed to settle a lawsuit over the alleged theft of a secret billion-dollar India options trading strategy, effectively ending a court battle that captivated Wall Street.

In a filing Thursday in Manhattan federal court, the parties said they had agreed to dismiss Jane Streets lawsuit against Millennium and two traders, Doug Schadewald and Daniel Spottiswood, who left the proprietary trading firm to join Izzy Englanders hedge fund group earlier this year. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed.

The resolution ends a case that had pitted two of Wall Streets biggest names against each other and raised the question of whether a trading strategy could be protected as a trade secret. The court fight also spotlighted international firms growing interest in the Indian securities market.

Jane Street sued Millennium, Schadewald and Spottiswood in April, claiming the two traders had taken an immensely valuable trading strategy with them. It later emerged at a court hearing that the strategy involved India options and had generated $1 billion in 2023 profits for Jane Street.

In separate statements, a Jane Street spokesperson and a lawyer for the two traders both said Thursday that the case was resolved on mutually agreeable terms. Millennium, where Schadewald and Spottiswood continue to work, declined to comment.

Novel Disputes

The allegedly stolen strategy as well as many other details of the case were redacted from court filings. But Schadewald, Spottiswood and Millennium disputed from the start that Jane Streets strategy could be considered a trade secret.

The two traders claimed credit for building the Indian options business at Jane Street but said it was based on their experience and expertise rather than any secret algorithms or automated signals.

Though trade-secrets suits are fairly common on Wall Street, most have been over client lists and business plans. The Jane Street-Millennium fight was perhaps the highest-profile example of a more novel breed of disputes focusing on quantitative or automated trading activity itself.

Citadel Securities last year sued a pair of ex-employees alleging they took confidential strategies from the firm while forming a high-frequency crypto startup. BTIG LLC has accused rival brokerage StoneX Group Inc. of stealing code for automated trading technology.

Ryan Baker, an intellectual property lawyer in Los Angeles, said the law contemplates formulas, methods or processes as trade secrets, so is broad enough to cover trading strategies. The key is to show that the secret holds independent economic value from not being known and is being protected by reasonable efforts, Baker said.

Dumb Strategies

US District Judge Paul Engelmayer, who oversaw the case, initially expressed skepticism about whether Jane Street had identified an actionable trade secret. He subsequently ordered Jane Street to provide a more detailed filing on its strategy and to share it with its former traders. However, the judge later threw out counterclaims by Millennium and traders, who argued Jane Street brought the suit in bad faith.

Jane Street recently highlighted alleged comments by Schadewald criticizing Millenniums dumb strategies before he joined that firm, aiming to push back on defense arguments that the ones at issue in the case were textbook. If the strategies were well-known, other Millennium traders would have been using them, Jane Street said, but that hadnt been the case.

Indeed, before he joined Millennium, Schadewald derided Millenniums volatility traders, saying none of those guys can make money because they all do the same dumb strategies,' Jane Street said in its filing.

Schadewalds alleged statements, part of a Jan. 18 text message conversation, came to light because, just before reaching a settlement, the parties were exchanging evidence in preparation for trial. The process threatened to make public more information both firms might prefer to keep to themselves.

For its part, Millennium touted Jane Streets record profits from India trading since Schadewald and Spottiswood left to argue it suffered no economic harm from the alleged trade secrets theft. Millennium also unsuccessfully sought to force Jane Street to disclose the compensation of eight senior officers.

Record Revenue

The lawsuit also brought attention to Wall Streets growing focus on India, where the options market has exploded in size in the last five years. Along with Jane Street and Millennium, Citadel Securities and Jump Trading have also become active in that market.

But the revelation that Jane Street was making billions raised eyebrows in India, as many retail investors have been suffering heavy losses in options trading. The countrys securities regulator in September introduced a set of measures aimed at shielding those small investors.

The settlement comes days after Bloomberg reported that Jane Street had $14.2 billion of net trading revenue for the first three quarters of 2024, already surpassing the 12-month record it set last year.

Jane Street said in April that the suit was the first it had brought against former employees, noting that it doesnt require staffers to sign non-competition agreements. But Schadewald and Spottiswood, who said they left Jane Street largely due to unhappiness over pay, said their former employer was using the trade secrets case to try to intimidate other workers who might be thinking about leaving.

The case is Jane Street Group LLC v. Millennium Management LLC, 24 cv 02783, US District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).

Top photo: Wall Street near the New York Stock Exchange in New York, US. Photographer: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg.

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.
COLUMBUS, Ohio  State officials voted Monday to award Gulfport Energy rights to frack about 30 acres of the Egypt Valley Wildlife Area in Belmont County and initiated the bidding process for additional fracking at Salt Fork State Park as well.

The bids came after another chaotic meeting of the Oil and Gas Land Management Commission. Its members have grown accustomed to conducting their business while being heckled by a group of roughly two dozen protesters who chanted, sang and shouted while the meeting proceeded, leaving votes and discussion at times inaudible over the noise.

At Egypt Valley, Gulfport plans to access gas thousands of feet underground from a well pad roughly two miles outside the wildlife area. The Oklahoma City-based company is already active in eastern Ohio and owns stakes in operations on the gulf coast in Louisiana and the Alberta Oil Sands in Canada. Gulfport will pay about $152,000 as a lease bonus plus 18% in royalty fees for the mineral rights.

Egypt Valley spans nearly 18,000 acres in Belmont County. Ohio acquired the land via a federal program that pays for states conservation projects. Ohio chose the site, a fruitful bald eagle and osprey spotting locale with a history of mining underfoot, to provide opportunity and access for the wildlife recreational user.

The commissioners also approved two other industry requests  state law shields the identity of the requesters  to open an additional 884 acres of Salt Fork in Guernsey County to oil and gas development. The votes trigger a competitive bidding process that occurs over the next few months.

The decisions Monday come despite overwhelming public feedback in opposition. Nearly 600 Ohioans submitted written comments to the board in the run up to Mondays votes. About 98% of the comments opposed the oil and gas development. All told, three individuals (one of whom is the director of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources) submitted nine comments in support of the idea.

The near universal opposition is a sharp turn from the hundreds of pro-fracking form letters that pushed commissioners to allow drilling under the parks when they began their work in 2023. A Cleveland.com investigation -- later backed up by the Ohio attorney general -- revealed that the names of people on those form letters had been used without their knowing consent.

Opponents to drilling in the parks raised concerns that fracking endangers environmental and human health in the area; that its noisy and industrial nature will spoil otherwise peaceful and preserved green space; and the government shouldnt further expand fossil fuel extraction given methane gas role in overheating the planet and worsening climate change.

At the meeting, affiliates of Save Ohio Parks and a Sunrise Movement chapter at Ohio University yelled, sang protests to the tune of Christmas songs, and chanted over the commission meeting. During the Salt Fork votes, they chanted that nine criteria must be discussed, a reference to state law directing commissioners to consider current land use, finances, environmental health and other facts as they vote. However, the protesters chants drowned out the commissioners few points of discussion during the meeting.

The Salt Fork requests have proven particularly contentious. At 20,000 acres, Salt Fork is Ohios largest. It sits around a 3,000-acre lake, attracting 30,000 overnight stays last year alone on its campgrounds. Its also the biggest moneymaker  West Virginia-based Infinity Natural Resources paid more than $58 million for mineral rights to 5,700 acres inside, plus a 20% royalty fee.

Other companies, exclusively from out of state, have purchased mineral rights to other smaller parcels around the state. Houston-based Encino Energy bought 303 acres of Valley Run Wildlife Area; Houston-based EOG Resources bought 85 acres of Keen Wildlife Area; and Encino bought 66 acres of Zepernick Wildlife Area.

Earlier this year, the commission voted to open a parcel at Leesville Wildlife Area, which is currently out to bid. The commission Monday declined to hold a final vote on a request for another tract of land on the same site.

Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer reached out to Gulfport for comment and information on its plans.

Statehouse Republicans facilitated the state lands leasing via legislation enacted into law by Gov. Mike DeWine in 2023.

The Oil and Gas Land Management Commission initially said Gulfport paid a $158,000 signing bonus. A spokeswoman corrected herself Tuesday.

Jake Zuckerman covers state politics and policy for Cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is moving to ban red food dye 3 in food sold in the country, a move that comes after years of concern over the adverse health impacts it has on children.

The FDA will decide on a ban on Red 3 in the coming weeks after receiving a petition to review the safety of the product, as first reported by NBC News.

The agency has said it reviewed the safety of Red 3 "multiple times" since the product was first approved for use in food and drugs in 1969. The petition, which has been filed by multiple health and food safety nonprofits and organizations, is asking the FDA to review it once more.

What Is Red Dye 3?

Red Dye 3, also known as Erythrosine, is a synthetic food coloring agent derived from petroleum. When used in food or medication, the dye gives the product a bright, cherry-red, or watermelon-red color.

The additive is used in certain food products, including candies, cereals, dairy, beverages, gelatin desserts, baked goods, processed meats, ice pops, and fruit cocktails. It is important to note that the FDA said the dye is safe to consume if done correctly, but it was found to be carcinogenic in animals. As such, it has been banned for use in cosmetics in 1990.

Read Also: FDA Proposes Ban on Brominated Vegetable Oil in Popular Drinks Amid Health Concerns

How Does Red Dye 3 Affect Children?

The additive has been associated with several potential health concerns for children. Multiple studies have linked erythrosine to increased hyperactivity and exacerbation of ADHD symptoms in children. These can manifest as constant fidgeting, excessive movement, inability to concentrate, interrupting conversations, and little or no sense of danger.

Animal studies have also suggested that Red Dye 3 increases the risk of thyroid cancer. While these have yet to be proven in humans, they have raised concerns. Some research also indicated that the additive could cause thyroid dysfunction.

To keep children safe, parents and guardians are advised to read the ingredient list on the product packaging. By law, manufacturers are required to disclose the presence of Red Dye 3 on food labels wherein they could be written using the terms Erythrosine, FD&C Red No. 3, and Red 3.
AFP, December 3, 2024

Health officials met with directors of education institutes on Monday in the capital Kabul to inform them of the ruling, an official from the public health ministry who was not authorised to speak to the media told AFP.

"There is no official letter but the directors of institutes were informed in a meeting that women and girls can't study anymore in their institutes," he said.

"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 manager of an institute who attended the meeting and asked not to be named for fear of reprisal said dozens of managers were in attendance.

A senior employee of another centre told AFP his boss had been at a separate meeting with health officials on Tuesday after confusion about the rule.

The employee said institutes had been given 10 days to hold final exams.

Some managers petitioned the ministry for clarity, while others carried on as normal in the absence of a written order.

Not long after Taliban authorities swept back to power in 2021, they barred girls from education beyond secondary school as part of restrictions labelled "gender apartheid" by the United Nations.

Women students then flocked to health institutes, one of the few avenues still open to them.

They now make up the majority of students in these centres.

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 percent of our students?" one manager said.

Aysha -- not her real name -- a midwifery teacher at a private institute in Kabul, said she received a message from management telling her not to come to work until further notice with little explanation.

"This is a big shock for us. Psychologically, we are shaken," the 28-year-old said.

"This was the only source of hope for the girls and women who were banned from universities."

The United Kingdom's charge d'affaires said he was "deeply concerned" by the reports.

"This is another affront to women's right to education and will further restrict access to healthcare for Afghan women and children," he posted on social media platform X.

The health ministry source said the ban would squeeze an already suffering health sector.

"We are already short of professional medical and para-medical staff and this would result in further shortages."
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Luigi Mangione Arrives at Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg, Pa.. NBC News

A 26-year-old man identified as a "strong person of interest" in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York was denied bail as he was arraigned Monday evening in a Pennsylvania court on gun and forgery charges. Hours later, the Manhattan District Attorney's Office filed murder and other charges against the man, University of Pennsylvania graduate Luigi Mangione, for the fatal shooting of Thompson last week. Mangione was detained by Altoona, Pennsylvania, police on Monday morning after officers confronted him at a McDonald's and found a pistol, a silencer and seven 9mm full metal jacket rounds, multiple fake IDs and a U.S. passport in his backpack, authorities said. The gun and the silencer had been 3-D printed, according to a criminal complaint against Mangione, a member of a prominent Baltimore family whose businesses have included country clubs, a nursing home, and a radio station. "We didn't even twice about it," Altoona Patrolman Tyler Frye said about he and his partner recognizing Mangione at McDonald's from photos distributed by police in New York showing a person of interest in Thompson's slaying. "We knew that was our guy."

Closed-circuit screenshots of a person of interest in the UnitedHealthcare CEO killing. Source: NYPD

And the gun is "consistent" with the pistol armed with a silencer that was used by a masked gunman to fatally shoot Thompson on Wednesday morning outside the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan, where the 50-year-old father of two headed to attend an investor meeting by his company's parent, UnitedHealth Group , New York police said. Thompson's company, the largest private payer of health insurance benefits in the United States, had revenues of $281 billion and earnings of $16.4 billion in 2023. "At this time, [Mangione] is believed to be our person of interest in the brazen targeted murder of Brian Thompson, CEO of United Healthcare," New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters at a news conference in Manhattan on Wednesday afternoon. Mangione, who reportedly suffered from chronic back pain, was carrying a handwritten document that suggests "he has some ill will toward corporate America," a top NYPD official said. Law enforcement officials said the manifesto referenced the health-care industry and also references avoiding detection, NBC News reported. Before Mangione's arrest in Altoona, the NYPD did not know the identity of the person of interest the that department was seeking in connection with Thompson's slaying, officials said. Officials said it would be up to Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg to determine whether to charge Mangione in connection with Thompson's killing and what charges to file. Blair County District Attorney Peter Weeks, whose office is prosecuting Mangione on the gun and forgery charges, said he expects Mangione to be charged with homicide "in the very near future." Mangione's family in a statement said, "Unfortunately, we cannot comment on news reports regarding Luigi Mangione." "We only know what we have read in the media. Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi's arrest. We offer out prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved," the statement said. "We are devastated by this news." The statement was released by Mangione's cousin, Nino Mangione, who is a Republican member of the Maryland House of Delegates. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said that Mangione in recent days had traveled between Philadelphia, where he went to college, and Pittsburgh, "making stops in between ... here in Altoona." Mangione, a native of Towson, Maryland, who recently had lived in Honolulu, was approached by police after an employee of a McDonald's restaurant in Altoona reported a customer there was acting suspiciously at 9:14 a.m. ET. About 1,000 miles away, Thompson's family was preparing to hold his private funeral in Minnesota on the same day.

McDonald's restaurant, where an employee alerted authorities to a customer who was found with a weapon and writings linking him to the the brazen Manhattan killing of UnitedHealthcare's CEO, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, in Altoona, Pa. Gene J. Puskar | AP

Police arrived at the McDonald's to find Mangione, who was wearing a face mask, sitting at a table in the rear of the restaurant with a silver laptop computer, and a backpack on the floor near the table. An officer "asked the male to pull down his medical mask so that he could see his face," according to a. criminal complaint. "The male compiled and pulled down his mask; Affiant and Co-Affiant immediately recognized him as the suspect from [the] New York City incident after seeing photos of him released from media sources," the complaint said. Officers then asked him for identification, and Mangione handed them a New Jersey driver's license bearing the name of a 26-year-old named Mark Rosario, the complaint said. That is the same name from a fake New Jersey ID used by a man to check into a Manhattan hostel more than a week before Thompson's killing.

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One of the Altoona police officers then asked Mangione "if he had been to New York recently and the male became quiet and started to shake," the complaint said. After other police arrived at the McDonald's, and after his ID could not be matched with a known license, Mangione gave his real name.

An office asked Mangione "why he lied [about] his name and the Defendant replied 'I clearly shouldn't have,' " according to the complaint. Mangione was then arrested on charges of forgery and false identification to law enforcement.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson (L) and person of interest Luigi Mangione (R). Source: UnitedHealthcare (L) | NYPD (R)

Police found the gun, silencer and bullets in his backpack, the complaint said. He later was charged with firearms not to be carried without a license, and tampering with records or identification, in addition to the original charges. NYPD investigators arrived hours later in Altoona, which is located in central Pennsylvania, about 100 miles east of Pittsburgh. Mangione did not enter a plea when he was arraigned Monday evening in the Blair County Court House in Hollidaysburg.

The gun found on the person of interest in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Source: Altoona P.D.

Investigators are looking into a photo that Mangione posted in the profile of his X social media account, which shows an x-ray of a back with screws in it, whether it belongs to him or a relative, and if it is relevant to the shooting of Thompson, two senior law enforcement officials told NBC News. Mangione received a Bachelor of Science in engineering, computer and information science, as well as a Master of Science for that concentration from the University of Pennsylvania in 2020.

A copy of the fake New Jersey ID found on the person of interest. Source: Altoon P.D.

Before his time at Penn, he graduated from the all-boys Gilman School in Baltimore, where he was a valedictorian, according to his LinkedIn profile. A Stanford University spokesperson said a person with Mangione's name was employed in 2019 as a head counselor by that university's Pre-Collegiate Studies program. Mangione is known to have ties to San Francisco, which is located about 35 miles north of Stanford's campus.

An image of the individual sought in connection to the investigation of the shooting death of Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealth's insurance unit, is seen in an undated still image from surveillance video taken in a taxi in New York City, released on Dec. 8, 2024. NYPD News | Via Reuters

In a statement Monday, UnitedHealth Group said, "Our hope is that today's apprehension brings some relief to Brian's family, friends, colleagues and the many others affected by this unspeakable tragedy." "We thank law enforcement, and we will continue to work with them on this investigation," the company said. "We ask that everyone respect the family's privacy as they mourn." Investigators are looking into how Mangione traveled to Altoona. Police previously said the person who shot Thompson fled the area on a bike and pedaled into nearby Central Park.

A New York City police officer walks through brush and foliage in Central Park near 64th Street and Central Park West in New York on Dec. 6, 2024, while searching for a backpack police believe was dropped in the park by the person suspected of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Dec. 4, 2024. Ted Shaffrey | AP
DETROIT  Well-known Stellantis executive Tim Kuniskis is returning to the automaker effective immediately, CNBC has learned.

Kuniskis, who retired from the automaker in May, will once again lead the company's Ram Trucks brand, according to two people familiar with the decision. The people, who agreed to speak on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss the move, said the company's leadership team alerted employees about the decision earlier Monday.

His return comes roughly a week after Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares unexpectedly resigned from the automaker following problems with its North American market.

"Today's changes will enable us to operate in a structure that will drive the best outcomes for the region, unlock significant potential and win in the market. A main lever is for the Ram brand to have its CEO singularly focused on that brand," the company said in an emailed statement confirming the appointment.

Kuniskis, who has overseen several of the carmaker's brands in North America, had led the company's Ram and Dodge brands before retiring.

Kuniskis is arguably best known for leading Dodge for most of the last decade or so. He is considered the "father" of Dodge's high-performance Hellcat models and "the unofficial spokesman" for American muscle cars.

During his tenure, Dodge reestablished itself as a quintessential American muscle car brand. The brand did so with vehicles such as the more-than-700-horsepower Challenger and Charger Hellcat models and controversial Challenger Demon drag race cars. He also introduced the Hellcat-powered Ram TRX pickup truck.

Kuniskis' return was announced in conjunction with several other changes for the automaker's North American operations. Chris Feuell, who had been leading the Ram and Chrysler brands, will now oversee Chrysler and Alfa Romeo; Jeff Kommor will solely lead North American sales; and Larry Dominique, who was leading Alfa Romeo for North America, will depart.

Stellantis' U.S. sales struggled under Tavares' leadership, despite increases in the overall market. That includes a 17% year-over-year decline for the company through the third quarter, including a 24% sales decline for Ram.
Recording artist Jay-Z is pictured before the Champions League Final at Wembley Stadium, London, Britain on June 1, 2024. Hannah Mckay | Reuters

Jay-Z, the star rapper and entrepreneur whose real name is Shawn Carter, was accused in a lawsuit Sunday of raping a 13-year-old girl in 2000 allegedly along with Sean "Diddy" Combs. The anonymous accuser, identified only as "Jane Doe," said the assault happened after she was driven to an MTV Video Music Awards after-party. The federal lawsuit was originally filed in October in the Southern District of New York, listing Combs as a defendant. It was refiled Sunday to include Carter. Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee, who filed the suit, did not comment. Carter called the allegations "idiotic" in a lengthy statement Sunday evening and alleged that Buzbee was engaged in unprofessional behavior. "These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree?" Carter said in a statement to NBC News. "These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case." A spokesman for the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York declined to comment on whether the office is pursuing the case when shown NBC News' report on the lawsuit. Buzbee has filed several lawsuits in recent months  all have withheld their complainants' names  accusing Combs of assault and rape. This is the first suit in which he has named another high-profile defendant. In a statement, legal representatives for Combs called the suits "shameless publicity stunts, designed to extract payments from celebrities who fear having lies spread about them, just as lies have been spread about Mr. Combs."

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"As his legal team has said before, Mr. Combs has full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyoneman or woman, adult or minor," the statement read. Federal prosecutors in New York criminally charged Combs in September with racketeering, sex trafficking and other offenses, and he is behind bars at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center after he was denied bail for a third time last month. His trial is scheduled for May 5. Prosecutors said in a court hearing last month that they are in the process of potentially bringing more charges against Combs in a superseding indictment. Before the lawsuit was refiled Sunday, "Carter received a letter from Plaintiff's counsel requesting a mediation to resolve this matter," Buzbee wrote in the suit. In response to the letter, which NBC News has seen, Carter filed his own lawsuit against the accuser's attorneys, Buzbee wrote in the suit. "You have made a terrible error in judgement thinking that all 'celebrities' are the same," Carter added in his statement Sunday. "I'm not from your world. I'm a young man who made it out of the project of Brooklyn. We don't play these types of games. We have very strict codes and honor. We protect children." The lawsuit claims that in 2000, when Doe was 13, Combs and Carter raped her at a house party after the MTV Video Music Awards in New York.

Joseph Okpako | Getty Images
Activist investor Barington Capital revealed Monday it has a position in Macy's and wants the company to cut spending, explore selling its luxury brands and take a hard look at its real estate portfolio.

It marks the fourth activist push at the struggling department store in the last decade.

Macy's shares rose roughly 3% on the news in premarket trading. The activist has partnered with private equity firm Thor Equities in its push, according to a Barington presentation. The two investors did not disclose the size of its stake.

The activist said it believes Macy's can trim back its inventory and sales and administrative costs, according to a slide deck the firm provided. Barington said in the presentation that while the business continues to generate cash, management has chosen to spend nearly $10 billion on capital expenditures while neglecting buybacks or dividends.

Macy's shares have underperformed the S&P 500 and Retail Select indexes over the last 10 years.

In a statement Monday, Macy's stood by its plans to close struggling namesake stores and invest in the stronger parts of its business.

"We remain confident in our Bold New Chapter strategy," Macy's said in the statement. "We look forward to engaging with our shareholders, including Barington and Thor."

The department store operator announced in February that it would shut about 150  or nearly a third  of its namesake stores by early 2027. It plans to invest in the roughly 350 locations that remain and invest in its stronger chains, higher-end department store Bloomingdale's and beauty retailer Bluemercury.

Barington wants Macy's to beef up its share buybacks and consider selling off its Bluemercury and Bloomingdale's brands.

Barington, like other activists that have preceded it, also believes that Macy's should take a fresh look at its real estate portfolio. Barington values it at anywhere from $5 billion to $9 billion, echoing analyses done by other activist investors. Barington said Macy's should create a separate subsidiary, which could in turn charge rent to Macy's parent company while the subsidiary's management assessed how to maximize value from those assets.

Barington pointed to smaller department store operator Dillard's , where it also criticized management, as an example of effective capital allocation. Dillard's has a market cap of more than $7 billion and says it operates 273 stores in the U.S.

Macy's has become an activist target again as sales at the company's namesake stores decline and it continues to close many of the mall anchors.

In the most recent quarter, which ended Nov. 2, Macy's said the company's sales fell 2.4% to $4.74 billion. Comparable sales for its owned and licensed businesses, plus its online marketplace, dropped 1.3%.

Macy's postponed releasing full results for the quarter as it faces scrutiny for another reason. The company said it is investigating after it discovered an employee intentionally hid up to $154 million in delivery expenses on its accounting books for nearly three years. It said it plans to share full results and its outlook by Dec. 11.

Selling real estate as Macy's closes stores could free up cash for the business. Macy's owns many of its mall-anchor stores, but has not said which locations it has sold. In late November, it said asset sale gains in the most recent quarter totaled $66 million and were higher than its expectations.

In recent quarters, Macy's has started to report the sales performance of stores that will remain open once it closes the latest round of namesake locations. That cuts out some mall stores that are struggling. At the Macy's stores that will remain open beyond early 2027, comparable sales were down 0.9% on an owned-plus-licensed basis, including the third-party marketplace.

Barington has mounted campaigns at other big consumer names, including Mattel, The Children's Place, Hanes and Steve Madden. Thor Equities is a retail-focused private equity firm and was part of the buyout group that acquired Hurley several years ago.

Correction: This story has been updated to correct the name of the private equity firm that Barington Capital has partnered with.
Here are Monday's biggest calls on Wall Street: Bank of America downgrades Advanced Micro Devices to neutral from buy Bank of America said it is concerned about market share gain potential slowing. "Higher competitive risks in AI against best-of-breed NVDA's dominance, and growing cloud preference for custom chips from MRVL/AVGO, limiting AMD' s market share gain potential" Morgan Stanley upgrades Reddit to overweight from equal weight Morgan Stanley said the engagement and ad pipelines for the social media platform are "flowing." "We think it's still early for RDDT's platform as we expect RDDT's engagement and advertising pipelines to drive industry leading user, time spent and ad rev growth." Morgan Stanley reiterates Nvidia as overweight Morgan Stanley said the tech giant is best positioned for artificial intelligence growth. "Our Top Pick is NVDA, and we remain very positive on AI idiosyncratic growth drivers while lackluster cycle plays limit options elsewhere." Goldman Sachs initiates Atour Lifestyle Holdings as buy Goldman Sachs said it is bullish on the China hotel chain. "Having a relatively short history  only founded in 2013  Atour is one of the fastest-growing chain hotel operators in China, with its hotel count more than tripled, or +30% CAGR from 420 at end-FY19 before the pandemic to 1.5k as of end-3Q24, covering close to 200 cities nationwide." UBS initiates Elanco as buy The firm said it is bullish on the pet health company. "We launch coverage of ELAN with a Buy and $18 PT. Wells Fargo upgrades C.H. Robinson to overweight from equal weight Wells Fargo said in its upgrade of C.H. that the third-party logistics company is well positioned. "We're upgrading to OW from EW and setting a $130 price target, as we see a unique opportunity for earnings to compound through '27, driven by improved execution (led by technology), which should lead to share gains and margin expansion. " Deutsche Bank initiates First Citizens as buy Deutsche Bank said it has a favorable long-term view of the commercial banking company. "We are initiating coverage on First Citizens (FCNCA; market cap of ~$31b and total assets of $220b), with a BUY rating and PT of $2600; representing 18% upside potential vs. the 12/6 closing price." Bernstein upgrades JD.com to outperform from market perform Bernstein said the China retailer is well positioned heading into 2025. "A macro environment where government support acts as a periodic crutch for durables consumption should favour JD  and JD's greater focus on profit growth versus market share should help to protect earnings in a downside case for macro and consumption incentives." Jefferies initiates Six Flags as buy Jefferies said it is bullish on the combined companies of Six Flags and Cedar Fair. "We initiate with a BUY rating on FUN. " Jefferies upgrades McCormick to buy from hold Jefferies said it sees growth potential for the food products company. " MKC's meal-related portfolio positioning provides a more favorable backdrop, advantaged core category growth potential, and increased defensibility compared to other large-cap branded food manufacturers." JPMorgan reiterates Broadcom as overweight JPMorgan said it is bullish on the stock heading into earnings on Thursday. " Broadcom is set to report October quarter (F4Q24) earnings Thursday, and we continued to see a strong demand profile for its AI products combined with continued cyclical recovery in its diversified semiconductor (ex-AI) end markets (e.g., enterprise, server/storage) and VMWare revenue synergy unlock." Citi upgrades Xylem to buy from neutral Citi said the water solutions company has "good growth" potential. "We're also upgrading XYL given what we view as good growth potential over time and relatively modest valuation vs. historical levels." Jefferies downgrades Biogen to hold from buy Jefferies said in its downgrade of Biogen that the setup looks "tough" heading into 2025 for the biotech company. "We move to HOLD as 2025 has a tough setup." Wells Fargo upgrades Real Real to overweight from equal weight Wells Fargo said in its upgrade of RealReal that the luxury retailer is the "next big turnaround" story. "The story has changed, and the market has not fully caught up yet. As the margin structure has shifted and top-line growth is re-accelerating, we see material room to run from here." Morgan Stanley downgrades Bank of America to equal weight from overweight The firm said it sees a more balanced risk/reward. "We are downgrading BAC to EW as we now see a more balanced risk reward and prefer money centers with a higher skew to capital markets." Morgan Stanley upgrades Bank of New York Mellon to overweight from equal weight The firm said the financial services company has robust operating leverage. "Upgrade to Overweight from Equal-weight, $94 PT: Operating leverage  the number one driver of Large Cap Bank stock alpha  is BK's North Star." Morgan Stanley upgrades Jefferies to overweight from equal weight The firm said it sees "favorable" M & A conditions for the investment bank and financial services company. "Laterally-hired MDs [managing director's] bring decades of experience and relationships and can typically fully ramp in around three years. Hires during the 2022/2023 downturn are now well into their ramping periods at a time when M & A deal conditions look increasingly favorable. Top way to play recent MD hiring: Jefferies (JEF, OW)." TD Cowen upgrades Blackstone to buy from hold TD Cowen said in its upgrade of Blackstone that the alternative asset management company is well positioned. "We like the set-up on the shares into '25E, with the recent pull back offering an opportunity to add another high quality Alt Manager to our Buy roster." Barclays upgrades Robinhood and Charles Schwab to overweight from equal weight Barclays said Robinhood is a beneficiary of a changing regulatory environment. The firm said Schwab should see improving margins. "We see SCHW's medium-term EPS growth trajectory as one of the 'easiest' in our coverage, with cash sorting and M & A-related attrition likely coming to an end, supporting meaningful NII [net interest income] and NIM [net interest margin] improvement over the next few years, while for HOOD, we see a uniquely differentiated growth opportunity set and an increasingly demonstrated ability to execute." Bank of America upgrades PayPal to buy from neutral The firm said the stock is a turnaround story. "We upgrade PYPL to Buy from Neutral. Just over a year after C-level management change, PYPL is demonstrating increased turnaround progress, warranting a higher valuation multiple." Bank of America downgrades Capital One to neutral from buy Bank of America said the Trump trade has played out for Capital One. "We are downgrading Capital One (COF) to Neutral from Buy after a strong run. Following the election, shares for COF rallied as investors believed the potential Discover (DFS) acquisition would be more likely to close as the Trump administration is considered to be more accommodative of bank M & A." Bank of America downgrades SoFi to underperform from neutral The firm said the stock is overvalued right now. " SOFI has already provided long-term guidance and even assuming SOFI achieves the high-end of the range, shares are trading at 20x '26 EPS, a premium to peers. At this valuation, we view risk-reward less favorably and downgrade from Neutral to Underperform." Bank of America upgrades TaskUs to buy from neutral Bank of America said the outsourcing company is "best in class." "We upgrade TaskUs (TASK) to Buy from Neutral as we believe material and sustainable revenue growth acceleration to double-digits may be closer than consensus expects, while margins remain best-in-class." JPMorgan upgrades Synchrony to overweight from neutral JPMorgan said the consumer financial services company is undervalued. " SYF's discount to the SPX remains wider than its historical average (creating the opportunity for relative outperformance)." Truist upgrades Newell Brands to buy from hold Truist said the consumer goods company is a turnaround stock. "We are upgrading Newell Brands (NWL) to Buy from Hold and raising our 12-month price target to $17 from $10." Benchmark initiates Rivian as buy The firm says it likes the electric vehicle company heading into 2025. "We are initiating coverage of RIVN with a BUY rating and a $18 PT." Deutsche Bank names Tesla a top 2025 pick Deutsche Bank said the stock is well positioned in 2025. "While there has been debate over the right approach to achieving full autonomy, our view is that true commercial success in robotaxi is achieved through end-to-end AI. As such, we believe Tesla is well positioned." JPMorgan upgrades Nokia to overweight from neutral The firm said the telecom company is poised for a "re-rating." "This makes Telecom equipment companies like Nokia relatively interesting to investors. Nokia goes into '25 with beatable earnings estimates and thus we upgrade the stock to Overweight (from Neutral) and adjust our Dec-26 target price to 6.05." JPMorgan upgrades Victoria's Secret to neutral from underperform The firm said comps are easing for shares of Victoria's Secret. "Our math points to a +mid-single-digit comp growth opportunity throughout 1H25 (above Street +0.9%) carrying forward our modeled 2H24 comp CAGR of -2.2%." Citi upgrades Timken to buy from neutral Citi said the engineered bearings manufacturer is attractive at current levels. "We upgrade TKR to Buy from Neutral and raise our TP to $90 from $85." Roth MKM reiterates Amazon as buy The firm said the e-commerce giant is a top idea in 2025. " AMZN is our top Mega Cap pick for 2025."
Jensen Huang, Nvidia's founder, president and CEO, speaks about the future of artificial intelligence and its effect on energy consumption and production at the Bipartisan Policy Center in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 27, 2024.

Nvidia shares were under pressure Monday after a regulator in China said it was investigating the chipmaker over possible violations of the country's antimonopoly law.

Shares ended the session lower by about 2.6%.

The State Administration for Market Regulation opened an investigation into the chipmaker in relation to the acquisition of Mellanox and some agreements made during the acquisition, the Chinese government said Monday. Nvidia acquired the Israeli technology company that creates network solutions for data centers and servers in 2020.

"In recent days, due to Nvidia's suspected violation of China's anti-monopoly law and the State Administration for Market Regulation's restrictive conditions around Nvidia's acquisition of Mellanox shares  the State Administration for Market Regulation is opening a probe into Nvidia in accordance with law," according to a statement translated by CNBC.

The news comes as competition heats up between the U.S. and China over chipmaking capabilities, with the Biden administration on Dec. 2 announcing a final slew of curbs targeting semiconductor toolmakers. The news could also be a response to mounting trade tensions as President-elect Donald Trump readies for office in January, promising to slap hefty tariffs on foreign goods.

The U.S. has amped up restrictions on chip sales to China in recent years, barring Nvidia and other key semiconductor manufacturers from selling their most-advanced artificial intelligence chips in an effort to limit China from strengthening its military. The company has worked to create new products to sell in China that abide by the U.S. regulations.

Shares of the AI chip darling have outperformed this year, rallying 180% as investors ramp up bets on the sector more than two years after the debut of ChatGPT. Shares have also helped push the market to new highs, along with the broader technology sector.

In a statement obtained by NBC News, Nvidia said that it was "happy to answer any questions regulators have" about its business.

"Nvidia wins on merit, as reflected in our benchmark results and value to customers, and customers can choose whatever solution is best for them," the chipmaker said.

 CNBC's Evelyn Cheng contributed reporting.
Every weekday the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer holds a "Morning Meeting" livestream at 10:20 a.m. ET. Here's a recap of Monday's key moments. 1. Wall Street was under some pressure to start off the new week after the S & P 500 posted another record-high close Friday and jumped for the third straight week. In his Sunday column, Jim Cramer wrote about never seeing a stock market that just keeps going up like this in his 42 years of investing and how to approach it. Jim remarked Monday that, on the heels of his column, maybe there are some sellers out there after all in some of the high-flying stocks like Applovin . Jim used the software provider as a metaphor for this market. On Monday, Applovin stock fell more than 15% after it was not added to the S & P 500 on Friday as many investors had hoped. But it's still up nearly 750% year to date. 2. China pledged "moderately loose" monetary policy and "more proactive" fiscal policy next year, according to a readout from a key Communist Party meeting . Jim said that China has been promising meaningful economic stimulus for a while now. Jeff Marks, director of Club portfolio analysis, posited that China might be waiting until President-elect Donald Trump takes office and his tariff threats take shape before acting. In the back and forth with the current Biden administration about export restrictions on the fastest AI chips, China is investigating Nvidia over possible antimonopoly violations. Jim said, "I think Nvidia is fine," but he would expect the U.S. chipmaking giant's stock to come down some more in the coming days. Shares of Club name Nvidia were down 3% on the news. 3. As tech stocks take a breather Monday, Meta Platforms shares dropped more than 2% after another record close Friday on TikTok news. The U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington, D.C., upheld the act that requires ByteDance to divest TikTok by Jan. 19 or risk a ban in the U.S. TikTok has asked for a pause, with the deadline being one day before Trump is inaugurated. Trump had been all for a TikTok ban during his first term until he more recently changed his stance. Meta's short-form video service Reels would be a clear beneficiary of a TikTok ban and so would Alphabet 's YouTube shorts. Jim said TikTok is too ingrained in American society and predicted it won't be banned. Meta and Alphabet are also Club holdings. 4. Stocks covered in Monday's rapid fire at the end of the video were: Bank of America , Morgan Stanley , Workday , Macy's , Omnicom and Interpublic . (See here for a full list of the stocks in 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.
A trader works in front of a monitor displaying the Omnicom Group Inc., logo on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York, U.S., on Monday, July 29, 2013.

Omnicom is buying Interpublic Group in a stock-for-stock deal that will create the largest ad agency in the world with a combined annual revenue of almost $26 billion.

The names may be unfamiliar to many Americans, but some of their marketing campaigns are iconic. Those include "Got Milk" for the California Milk Processor Board, "Priceless" for Mastercard, "Because I'm Worth It" for L'Oreal and "Think Different" for Apple.

The combined company will be worth more than $30 billion.

"Through this combination, we are poised to accelerate innovation and harness the significant opportunities created by new technologies in this era of exponential change, said John Wren, Chairman and CEO of Omnicom. "Now is the perfect time to bring together our technologies, capabilities, talent and geographic footprints to bring clients superior, data-driven outcomes."

The company will keep the Omnicom name and trade under the "OMC" ticker symbol on the New York Stock Exchange.

The size of and reach of the new marketing giant will have multiple advantages, including the use of new technologies like artificial intelligence.

"We estimate both companies have an approximately 50/50 split between advertising and marketing services, setting up a strong position not only in creative and media, but also across areas like specialty healthcare, experiential, and PR," wrote JPMorgan analyst David Karnovsky.

"For the industry, some amount of consolidation is a positive following a couple of years of divergent growth among agencies and ahead of an investment cycle for Gen-AI," Karnovsky added.

Shareholders of The Interpublic Group of Companies Inc. will receive 0.344 Omnicom shares for each share of Interpublic common stock that they own. Omnicom shareholders will own 60.6% of the combined company and Interpublic shareholders will own 39.4% after the transaction is complete.

Wren will be chairman and CEO of Omnicom, while Phil Angelastro will continue as executive vice president and chief financial officer. Interpublic CEO Philippe Krakowsky and Daryl Simm will be Omnicom's co-presidents and chief operating officers.

Three current members of Interpublic's board, including Krakowsky, will join the board of Omnicom.

The deal is expected to have annual cost savings of $750 million and is expected to close during the second half of next year. It still needs the approval of Omnicom and Interpublic shareholders.

Shares of Interpublic jumped 10% Monday, while Omnicom's stock fell more than 6%.
Simu Liu speaks on stage during the People's Choice Awards on Feb. 18, 2024, in Santa Monica, California. Rich Polk| NBCUniversal | Getty Images

Marvel's first Asian superhero star, Simu Liu, says he hit "rock bottom" before finding "enlightenment" as an actor  after his career as an accountant was a flop. "I spent maybe the first 22 years of my life trying to live somebody else's definition of success," he told CNBC's Samantha Vadas. "In the process of losing my job and kind of hitting a rock bottom, but then ultimately being liberated from that idea allowed me to define success on my own terms," he said. Liu was born in China and moved to Canada as a child. In 2011, he joined accounting firm Deloitte in Toronto, losing his job after eight months when he "skipped work" to take a role as an extra in the action movie "Pacific Rim," according to his LinkedIn profile. "Suffered an existential crisis that led to enlightenment regarding the definition of success on one's own terms. Became an actor instead," Liu's profile states.

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When he was starting out as a "struggling actor," he would take bit parts. "I was auditioning for roles with no names, you know, 'desktop number one,' 'paramedic number three,' and that was kind of it for people who looked like me," he told CNBC. "We were not the main characters of our own  story, by any means. And fast forward to 2018 when a movie like 'Crazy Rich Asians,' you know, comes out and really shakes the world," Liu said. "Crazy Rich Asians" was Hollywood's first movie release to feature a mostly Asian cast since 1993's "The Joy Luck Club." In 2019, Liu was cast as the star of Marvel's "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings," and in the same year, "Saturday Night Live" cast its first Asian member, Chinese American actor Bowen Yang.

Simu Liu stars as Shang-Chi in Marvel's "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings." Disney

"We have an Asian  superhero, but we also have, you know, an Asian cast member on SNL. We have incredible Asian stand-up comedians we have, you know, Asian movies like 'Minari' and 'The Farewell' and 'Past Lives'," Liu said. These movies explore the experience of "growing up in between cultures and generations and languages," he said. In 2023, Liu played a prominent "Ken" character in the movie "Barbie," which broke box-office records, and in May he starred in the movie "Atlas," with Jennifer Lopez. More recently, Liu has added a new string to his bow: investing. Earlier this year, he became a general partner at Markham Valley Ventures, a firm that invests in Asian American and Pacific Islander startups. "I graduated with a degree in finance and accounting, and I worked at Deloitte for a shockingly short amount of time before I was fired. But I think, you know, getting into this world is a  natural progression for my career," he told CNBC.

'Representative of our community'
A protester holding a cardboard reading "Leader of insurgents" on an image depicting the face of South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol takes part in a protest calling for his ouster outside the National Assembly in Seoul on December 8, 2024. Philip Fong | Afp | Getty Images

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been banned from leaving the country over a failed attempt at imposing martial law, a justice ministry official said on Monday, amid growing calls for him to step down and a deepening leadership crisis. Yoon has apologized for the botched attempt and said he was leaving his political and legal fate to his ruling People Power Party (PPP) but has not resigned. He has become a subject of criminal investigation, according to local media reports. On Monday, the defense ministry said Yoon was still legally commander in chief, but his grip on power has come into question with dissent growing among senior military officers against the president, and his own party saying it would establish a task force to handle his eventual resignation. Oh Dong-woon, the head of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, said he has ordered a ban on foreign travel for Yoon, when asked at a parliament hearing what actions have been taken against the embattled president. A justice ministry official, Bae Sang-up, told the committee the travel ban order has been executed.

People gather outside the National Assembly, after South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, in Seoul, South Korea, December 4, 2024. Soo-hyeon Kim | Reuters

The panel was established in 2021 to investigate high-ranking officials including the president and their family members but it does not have authority to prosecute the president. Instead it is by law required to refer the matter to the prosecutors' office. While Yoon survived an impeachment vote in parliament on Saturday, his party's decision to delegate presidential authority to the prime minister has plunged the key U.S. ally into a constitutional crisis. Yoon has refused calls, including some from within his own ruling party, to resign, and his future looked more uncertain over the weekend when Yonhap news agency reported he was under criminal investigation for alleged treason. Prosecutors on Sunday arrested ex-defense minister Kim Yong-hyun over his alleged role in the declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, Yonhap reported. Yoon gave the military sweeping emergency powers on Dec. 3 to root out what he called "anti-state forces" and obstructionist political opponents. He rescinded the order six hours later, after parliament defied military and police cordons to vote unanimously against the decree. Amid the backlash, multiple military officials, including the acting defense minister, have said they would not follow any new order to impose martial law again. The main opposition Democratic Party has called for Yoon to be stripped of authority to control the military. The DP has also demanded the arrest of Yoon and any military officials implicated in the martial law fiasco.

People march in heavy rain to protest against South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol, as strike and protests continue amid the martial law crisis, in Seoul, South Korea, on December 05, 2024. Daniel Ceng | Anadolu | Getty Images

Yoon's People Power Party (PPP) had established a task force to deal with, among other matters, "political stabilization after martial law and (Yoon's) orderly early resignation", a spokesperson said on Monday. On Sunday, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon said the president would be excluded from foreign and other state affairs, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would manage government affairs until Yoon eventually stepped aside. That proposal has drawn criticism from the opposition, which says it is unconstitutional. It says Yoon must be impeached or resign and face legal prosecution, and plans to table another impeachment bill on Saturday. Chang Young-soo, professor at the School of Law at Korea University, said the president is able to delegate authority to the prime minister, especially his control of the military, but there is debate whether the prime minister has authority to act as head of state on diplomatic matters. "Also, unlike a U.S. vice president, a South Korean prime minister is not elected, which means democratic legitimacy is weak. So it will also be an issue how long this system can go on," he said.

Military backlash

Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung warned on Monday that the political crisis threatened to do irreversible harm to Asia's fourth-largest economy, major global supplier of memory chips. South Korea's finance ministry and regulators said they would make all-out efforts to stabilize financial markets by deploying contingency plans and boosting liquidity by end-December. In the latest sign of dissent within military ranks, the commander of South Korea's special forces said he was ordered to send his troops into parliament last week to stop a vote to reject martial law. Colonel Kim Hyun-tae, the commanding officer of the 707th Special Missions Group, told reporters he took responsibility for his troops' actions but he was acting under orders from then defense minister Kim Yong-hyun.

Colonel Kim Hyun-tae, Commander of the 707th Special Mission Group, holds a press conference in front of the Defense Convention Center in Yongsan, Seoul, South Korea, on December 9, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. Chris Jung | Nurphoto | Getty Images
Check out the companies making headlines in premarket trading. Nvidia  Shares slid 2% after China said a regulatory body launched an investigation into the chipmaker. The State Administration for Market Regulation was looking at potential antimonopoly law violations, according to the Chinese government. Advanced Micro Devices  The chipmaker dropped more than 1% after a Bank of America downgrade to neutral from buy. Analyst Vivek Arya cited potential market share losses as Big Tech hyperscalers signal their preference for Nvidia and other semiconductor makers. Palantir Technologies  Shares advanced more than 6% after the software platforms company said it expanded its contract with the U.S. Special Operations Command to develop artificial intelligence mission management. The contract is valued at nearly $37 million. Interpublic Group of Companies , Omnicom Group  The stocks moved in opposite directions after the companies announced that Omnicom will acquire Interpublic in a stock-for-stock transaction . The deal is expected to close in the second half of 2025. Following the announcement, shares of Interpublic jumped nearly 15%, while Omnicom shares fell about 3%. Macy's  Shares moved 3% higher after activist investor Barington Capital called on the department store chain to change its capital allocation plan and create a real estate unit to maximize the value of its owned assets. It also wants Macy's to reevaluate alternatives for its Bloomingdale's and Bluemercury operations. Dow  Shares popped 4% on news that the chemicals maker plans to sell 40% of its stake in some of its U.S. Gulf Coast infrastructure assets for $2.4 billion to a fund managed by Macquarie Asset Management. Reddit  The social media platform surged nearly 5% following an upgrade to overweight from equal weight at Morgan Stanley . Analyst Brian Nowak said he believes Reddit has yet to reach its full potential, especially with U.S. ad revenue growth that could be up to six times faster than that of its peers. He also expects ad spending to increase with Reddit's technological adoption, which includes end-to-end automation and machine-learning modeling. SoFi Technologies  The fintech stock slipped 2% after a downgrade to underperform from neutral at Bank of America. The investment firm said SoFi is "priced to perfection" after its recent rally. PayPal  Shares of the fintech company rose 2% after Bank of America upgraded the stock to buy from neutral. The firm cited increased turnaround progress a year after some management changes.  CNBC's Fred Imbert, Jesse Pound, Lisa Kailai Han, Sean Conlon, Samantha Subin, Michelle Fox and Hakyung Kim contributed reporting.
A set of "sensible" regulatory guidelines can help make the U.S. a cryptocurrency superpower, according to Eric Trump, executive vice president of the Trump organization and son of president-elect Donald Trump.

Speaking to CNBC's Dan Murphy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Eric Trump said Monday that he'd been a "big fan of crypto for a long time" and his father intends to "make America the crypto capital of the world" on his return to the White House.

His comments come shortly after the price of bitcoin, the world's largest cryptocurrency, climbed above $100,000 for the first time.

The highly anticipated milestone was hailed as a landmark moment for digital assets, with investors increasingly confident the new U.S. administration will seek to cement the crypto industry's place in financial markets.

Bitcoin, which is up a whopping 137% year-to-date, has since dipped back below the six-figure mark. The flagship digital currency was last seen trading at around $99,808.62, according to Coin Metrics.

"The modern banking system is antiquated. It's just a matter of time before crypto not only catches up, but just really leaps ahead. And so, we're incredibly excited on a lot of fronts," Eric Trump said.

"I think America will be the crypto capital of the world. I fully support it. My father fully supports it. Our family, you know, is fully embracing it. We believe in DeFi ... We believe that's the way of the future. And again, America, you know, better lead the way, otherwise we're going to leave a lot behind," he added.

DeFi refers to decentralized finance, a system of applications that aim to recreate traditional financial instruments with cryptocurrency.
Midcap stocks could hit the sweet spot next year for investors looking for quality at an attractive price. Midcap stocks, which are loosely defined as companies with market capitalizations between $2 billion and $10 billion, are often considered the overlooked middle child in the asset class universe, squeezed between their large-cap and small-cap peers. Lately, however, they've been outperforming. The SPDR S & P Midcap 400 ETF Trust (MDY) and the iShares Core S & P Mid-Cap ETF (IJH) rallied 7.5% this quarter, better than the S & P 500's 5.6% gain, though weaker than the Russell 2000's 8% advance. In November, the MidCap S & P 400 notched its best month of the year. MDY YTD mountain MDY Many investors expect further gains for midcaps as the market continues to rotate. They say medium-size companies offer better quality businesses than small caps, as well as better growth than large caps. "Our fundamental view on mid-caps is that we want to invest in companies that do all the hard work for us, essentially, and own them for a long period of time," said Thomas Browne, portfolio manager at Keeley Teton Advisors who runs a small-cap and midcap fund. "From a near-term perspective, we think mid-caps are attractive today, particularly relative to larger caps." Sweet spot Many investors heading into 2025 worry the S & P 500 is overvalued, after notching more than 20% advances this year and last year. Wall Street strategists who have trotted out their outlooks thus far expect the broader index will return roughly 10% in the coming year. But midcaps are more attractively valued. Browne noted the S & P 400 is trading at roughly 79% of the S & P 500 on a forward P/E basis, when it historically traded at roughly 107% of the broader index over the past 20 years  meaning midcaps will have to eventually close the performance gap of 28 percentage points. Browne expects this will happen over a period of five years. Similarly, small caps are trading at roughly 82% of a long-term average 113%. However, midcaps are less risky than small caps, given that the Russell 2000, for example, is made up of many companies that are over-leveraged, with unproven business models. "There are so many junky companies in [the Russell 2000], and they could benefit theoretically here, but we would prefer to stay a little bit higher quality in terms of companies," said Luke O'Neill, portfolio manager at Catalyst Dynamic Alpha Fund. "We don't think we're going to have a junk stock rally anytime soon." O'Neill said a pivot to bigger rate cuts from the Federal Reserve than investors are currently anticipating could mean a rally in the Russell 2000, but the portfolio manager said he prefers to stick with quality companies. Stock picks O'Neill, who said his fund has roughly 40% to 50% exposure to midcap stocks, is bullish on several stocks. One pick is Ralph Lauren , the American luxury fashion company. O'Neill said the company has "double-digit growth potential over the next few years" as a corporate restructuring and a more premium presence in Europe boosts the stock's growth potential. The stock is up 58% this year, and is a consensus buy on the Street, according to LSEG. Another pick is Evercore , a midsize investment bank, that O'Neill said is no longer cheap, but can get a boost from President-elect Donald Trump's pro-business stance. Keeley Teton Advisors' Browne named Columbia Banking System and Gen Digital as favorite stock picks.
Pharma company Supriya Lifescience Ltd on Monday (December 9) announced it has crossed two milestones, which it says will bolster its international presence.The company says it has become the first Indian outfit to secure approval from Brazil's health authority, ANVISA (Agencia Nacional de Vigilancia Sanitaria), for Esketamine Hydrochloride. This allows Supriya Lifescience to expand its product portfolio across Brazil and the broader Latin America (LATAM) region.Esketamine hydrochloride is used to treat mental illnesses and could find takers in the LATAM market. The company said ANVISA's approval will enable it to provide state-of-the-art, high-quality healthcare solutions in a market where demand for novel, reasonably priced drugs is growing.In another development, the company said it has filed a patent for a cost-effective manufacturing technique for Atorvastatin, a widely prescribed medication for managing cholesterol and preventing cardiovascular diseases."This ground-breaking technique makes drugs more affordable for patients by increasing their efficacy while reducing production costs," the company said.Satish Wagh, Executive Chairman and Whole Time Director of Supriya Lifescience said, "Our commitment to transforming pharmaceutical manufacturing while maintaining affordability is demonstrated by our invention in the synthesis of atorvastatin.""Our global presence is strengthened by the (Brazilian authority's) approval, which also allows us to introduce cutting-edge therapies like Esketamine Hydrochloride in important foreign countries, starting with Brazil," he added.The company said it will continue its focus on innovation, regulatory compliance, and its mission to make high-quality healthcare accessible.Shares of Supriya Lifescience Ltd ended at 783.10, up by 8.95, or 1.16% on the BSE.
Concordia will hold CU Celebrate, the third virtual graduation event since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, on June 17. This time, students from the Class of 2021 have played an integral part in the planning process, consulting with the events committee on how best to create an engaging experience over Zoom.

Salma Adem (BA 21), Adewunmi Ajike (BA 21) and Isaiah Joyner (BComm 21) were among the graduating students who participated in a focus group earlier this spring. They provided feedback about the last two instalments of CU Celebrate and proposed new ideas for the upcoming event.

I suggested we come up with ways to add more student content, says Adem, a human relations and child studies grad. We all wanted to see more student videos made by students themselves. We also suggested sending a gift to those who are graduating along with their diplomas.

Ajike, who studied economics, echoes the relevance of a graduation memento.

It would be meaningful to receive some sort of item to keep as a memory of my virtual celebration.

Students also emphasized a desire for more live content. This edition of CU Celebrate will include live speeches over Zoom from Concordia President Graham Carr along with Anne Whitelaw, interim provost and vice-president, academic.

Student presenters will also be featured at the June event. Ajike, Joyner and Adem, each of whom have been widely involved in student life at Concordia over the course of their studies, are preparing short videos with their messages for students.

Garnet Key Society also weighs in

Several members of the Garnet Key Society have also recorded messages to congratulate and encourage graduates for their future.

Liberal arts student and Garnet Key member Sydney Gervais says she wanted to participate to help make the event feel special for new grads and to fight some of the Zoom fatigue that many students are feeling.

I think the event organizers really just want to demonstrate what the Concordia community is  thats what brought me here, she says.

Joyner, who is graduating with a business degree, notes that they all want to help students really feel like theyre graduating. One of the most beautiful moments of an in-person graduation that I think we miss is talking with your friends after the event is over, taking photos, all being together, he says.

To help recreate some of that celebratory togetherness in a virtual context, Joyner will be hosting a Zoom dance party featuring a lineup of alumni DJs. This is the third time a Zoom dance party will be part of the virtual celebration.

This is not convocation  this is a celebration, Joyner adds. Once things reopen and its a little safer, will there be an actual convocation to honour these three classes that graduated virtually? I believe theres going to be an in-person element when the time arises.



Register to participate in the June 2021 CU Celebrate events.
I recently came across a treasured memento of my university days. My Garnet Key Society blazer  which I wore 60 years ago  brings back a flood of happy memories and a recognition of how instrumental the Key has been in my lifes journey.

It all began with Sir George Williams University, one of Concordias founding institutions, giving me a chance in life, the opportunity to better myself and realize my potential.

In 1960, I was a recent immigrant to Canada, having arrived in 1957 with my family as exiles from Egypt after the Suez Crisis. My parents could not afford to send me to university, but I learned that employees of Sir George Williams could benefit from free tuition as evening students.

I soon got a job at the university library, in the original Norris building on Drummond Street, where I would meet my future husband, Brahms [BA 63, MA 96]. I am happy to say that we will soon be celebrating 60 years of marriage.

By fall 1962, I had saved enough to leave my job to become a day student. I was then able to apply to the Garnet Key Society. Members of the honour society acted as university ambassadors at various events.

I still remember how jubilant and proud I felt when I put on my uniform for the first time. At my first formal function, I believe we hosted the prime minister of Barbados, who was in Montreal on an official visit.

Brahms and I were married in 1963 and I graduated the following year. Just two weeks later, I became the proud mother of our firstborn son, Jeffrey. I had written my last exam sitting sideways at my desk, while my sons kicks cheered me on.

That autumn, I worked as a part-time receptionist in the guidance office at my alma mater, where I tutored students with their French or English literature courses. I discovered my love of teaching  and it became my profession. I taught for the next 43 years at Montreals Dawson College and John Abbott College, retiring in 2012.

Brahms and I went on to have two more sons, Jonathan and Joshua. The latter graduated from Concordia in 1996, alongside his father who received a masters degree in Judaic Studies. I deviated somewhat, earning a masters degree at McGill University in 1985, yet I always treasured my connection to Concordia.

Fifty years after my arrival in Montreal, I published a memoir, 42 Keys to the Second Exodus, in 2007. In it, I discuss being part of the last generation of Jews to have lived in Egypt, my familys immigration to Canada, as well as my experience at Sir George Williams University and profound gratitude to the Garnet Key Society.

Being a Garnet Key gave me a sense of confidence and self-esteem  and the courage to aspire to the possibility of higher achievement. It helped me to be in touch with an inner sense of commitment and integrity, which I carried throughout my life.

Many years ago, Brahms and I attended a lecture given by famous author and poet Maya Angelou, who shared reflections of her own lifes journey. She spoke of the rainbows in the clouds  the ones that come along and give you hope.

The Garnet Key was one such rainbow for me. Many doors were to open beyond the clouds. It was indeed a transformational experience.

Vivianne M. Schinasi-Silver, BA 64, is a writer, educator and community leader, and volunteer docent at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. She was a member of the sixth Garnet Key (1962-63).
Hey, the Mayor of Bitchfield called while you were out

From Penistone to Assling, from Shitterton to Cumbum Americans shouldnt be allowed to travel anywhere.

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14 Horni Police Police means shelf in Czech, referring to its geographical flatness, and horni means upper. All 700 people in this small town were given free premium accounts on PornHub in 2018, against the wishes of the deputy mayor. Advertisement

13 Pussy This is a small village in France with an extremely yonic history. In the Roman era, it was known as Pusiacum, which referred to its ownership by a guy named Pussius.

12 Shitterton As far as historians can tell, this place may actually be named after shit. The nearby Shiter Brook means brook used as a privy, and the local stream runs into the River Piddle. The chairman of the parish council in 2012 defended the name: Those of us who live here are not the least bit embarrassed by it.

11 Shit There are at least three villages in Iran called , or Shit. Narc-ass footer notes will tell you it can also be Romanized as Sheet, but dont listen to them. Advertisement Advertisement

10 Twatt There are two different Scottish settlements called Twatt. The term comes from the Old Norse word veit, meaning small parcel of land. Every other place in the British isles has translated it to Thwaite, except for these two stubborn Twatts.

9 Dildo Dildo Island is one of three islands at the entrance to Dildo Tip in the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It also refers to the nearby town of Dildo, located on Trinity Bays Dildo Arm. Theres a chance this was intentional  dildo had referred to dong-shaped things about 200 years before they named all those Canadian Dildos (and the Dildo arm is strikingly dildo-shaped). Advertisement

8 Prickwillow This British village is, appropriately, known for its cutting-edge drainage techniques, as the boggy land sits mostly below sea level. Advertisement

7 Assling Assling is a gorgeous hillside community in Austria whose name sounds like what a Guinness bro says when he sees his buddy order a Yuengling. Advertisement

6 Cumbum This Indian town in Andhra Pradesh is home to Cumbumb Lake, one of the oldest human-made lakes in the country. Appropriately, its known for irrigation  the Cumbum Tank was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Irrigation Structure in 2020.

5 Fingringhoe (Fingering Hoe) This is a naughty little parish in Essex, England. It technically means people who dwell on the finger of land. Advertisement

4 Nedumbassery In some ways, this suburb of the Indian city of Kochi does produce dumbassery, as the local English-language high school is known for graduating many future government bureaucrats. Advertisement

3 Bitchfield Originally known as Billesfelt in an 11th century survey of England, somewhere along the way they changed it to sound like its Neville Longbottoms fictional hometown in an early draft of Harry Potter. The Lower Bitchfield parish church is dedicated to St. Mary Magdalene, which is a nice gesture that shes probably sick of explaining to the other Saints. Advertisement

2 Penistone This British town was originally called Pangeston, meaning the farmstead at the hill called Penning, but it was slowly dick-icized over the centuries. Its modern name begs the question: What tone would a penis make if it worked like a wind instrument?
Marin County officials have begun accepting applications for a new licensing program that will limit the number of short-term rentals in prime vacation areas from Stinson Beach, seen above, to Tomales Bay. Noah Berger/Special to the Chronicle

Marin County officials have begun accepting applications for a new licensing program that will limit the number of short-term rentals in prime vacation areas from Stinson Beach to Tomales Bay.

Property owners who rent residential units in the popular coastal communities of unincorporated Marin County must obtain licenses under the program, which the Board of Supervisors approved in January after a long debate. Officials are hoping the program will free up housing for local residents and cut down on the number of homes operating as full-time Airbnbs and VRBOs.

We are encouraging everyone who is running a short-term rental in unincorporated Marin to submit their application this winter, said Daisy Sanchez of the Marin County Community Development Agency. Were here to help if people have questions.

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Marin homeowners and county officials spent years debating the merits of a short-term rental cap, which proved popular but controversial amid a housing crunch that has seen many longtime residents priced out of the coastal area. Some locals said increasing numbers of visitors pushed up prices and upset the tranquility of the previously quiet beach towns.

But an outspoken group of homeowners opposed the idea, arguing that it would prove burdensome and adversely affect the local real estate market. Over those objections, the five-member Marin County Board of Supervisors voted in January to establish the rental cap, the countys first.

County staffers said Friday they expect the program will help reduce problems related to noise, trash, and parking while ensuring that the countys water supply, septic systems and emergency teams are not overtaxed by visitors.

Commercial lodging businesses such as hotels, motels, agricultural homestays, bed and breakfast inns and campgrounds are not required to obtain a license under the program, even if they advertise on VRBO or Airbnb.

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San Pablo police say a woman who was mad about her order at a fast food restaurant threatened employees with a gun last week. Benjamin Fanjoy/Special to the Chronicle

San Pablo police say a woman who was mad about her order at a fast food restaurant threatened employees with a gun last week.

The confrontation occurred Thursday afternoon after the woman, upset because french fries were missing from her order, sent her children inside the restaurant to express her concerns, police said. The kids were asked to send in their mom with their receipt to resolve the issue.

When the woman went inside, she threatened to attack employees, telling them she had a gun in her purse, police said.

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Once officers arrived, the woman admitted there was a loaded pistol in her purse, which she had asked her 9-year-old daughter to hold. The girl handed the purse to officers, who unloaded the gun, police said.

The woman was arrested, accused of criminal threats with a firearm and child endangerment. She did not get fries after all. Instead she got a sandwich and milk in jail, police said.

Her children were turned over to their father, who picked them up, police said.
What is the most wanton damage that Labour will inflict on us over the next few years? It could be the irreversible destruction of much of our countryside.

Onerous taxes can be undone by a future government that is sane, if we ever have one again. Spending can be reduced. Defence expenditure can be increased. The NHS can be reformed.

But once England is ruined (I say England because the devolved administrations largely have their own planning powers), theres no turning back, nothing anyone can do to clear up the mess.

Labour wants to concrete over England with new homes  1.5 million of them in this Parliament. It plans to criss-cross the country, and in particular East Anglia, with more than 600 miles of pylons. It wants to double the amount of onshore wind, and quadruple offshore wind.

It also intends to carpet the countryside with new solar panels at the expense of good farming land, despite their notorious inefficiency in a country where the sun doesnt shine all that often.

Labour wants to concrete over England with new homes  1.5 million of them in this Parliament. Pictured, Sir Keir Starmer and Angela Rayner ahead of the PM's 'plan for change' speech on Thursday

Dishonesty

These revolutionary measures will be rammed through  so ministers hope  by changing planning laws so that local communities will be powerless to resist these huge, transformational developments.

You may say: some things are inevitable, even if they are undesirable. We need more houses and, in a world where the reality of climate change can hardly be denied, we must have more sources of alternative energy.

I disagree. I believe that the case for more housing is built on a fundamental dishonesty, and the argument that we must have a never- ending stream of new onshore wind farms, pylons and solar panels is flawed.

Yesterday, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner wrote an article in the Sunday Telegraph in which she whacked so-called Nimbys, who are supposedly concerned only with their own backyards. She promised a faster planning system in which officials will rubber stamp developments, and more or less ignore local representatives.

Ange was repeating what the PM said last week, when he unveiled his underwhelming six milestones, one of which is to build 1.5 million new homes. Sir Keir undertook to deal with an alliance of naysayers who oppose planning applications, and to end the nonsense of red tape holding up major projects.

What struck me about the Prime Ministers remarks and Angela Rayners article  and indeed every single utterance about the housing shortage ever made by Labour ministers  is that there was no mention of the major contributory cause: mass immigration. Thats what I mean by dishonesty.

The deputy PM, pictured on BBC1's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg yesterday, has promised a faster planning system in which officials will rubber stamp developments and more or less ignore local representatives

In every single utterance about the housing shortage made by Labour ministers, there is no mention of the major contributory cause  mass immigration

This Government wants to rip up planning laws. It has no qualms about building new houses on the green belt and farming land. But it never, ever admits that there is a choice. If immigration were controlled, there would be no need to cover England with new homes.

The Office for National Statistics recently admitted that it had underestimated the number of people arriving in the UK (nearly all of them in England). Net migration in the year to June 2023 was a record 906,000. That is twice the population of Bristol. In a single year.

Foolishness

These are extraordinary numbers, for which the previous government was entirely responsible. Voters wont easily forgive the Tories. But Sir Keir is also much at fault. Although he said last week that he has a duty to bring down immigration, he didnt say how and its not one of his milestones.

Huge numbers of immigrants have to be found somewhere to live. Some of those who are students will go into university accommodation but many will enter the rental market. Over time, a significant number will buy homes  as have their predecessors before them.

The Migration Watch think tank has an excellent record for accurately predicting immigration figures. Last year, it suggested that the UK population will increase from around 67 million to between 83 and 87 million by 2046 if net migration persists at a rate of just over 600,000 per year, a figure which it has in fact recently exceeded.

According to Migration Watch, a population explosion of this magnitude would require between six and eight million new homes in little more than 20 years. That is equivalent to up to 18 cities the size of Birmingham.

If immigration were controlled, there would be no need to cover England with new homes. Net migration in the year to June 2023 was a record 906,000  twice the population of Bristol

Migration Watchs analysis of Office for National Statistics data suggests that, even at around half its present level, immigration would account for 57 per cent of all additional households in England until 2043.

In other words, even if the number of people arriving in this country were cut in two, the majority of new homes would still be attributable to immigration. At present levels, the proportion would be much higher.

Many young people have been priced out of the housing market, which has all kinds of undesirable social consequences. But unless net migration is much more significantly reduced than is contemplated by Labour, its hard to see how the young will benefit from Angela Rayners new homes, assuming that they are built.

There is a parallel foolishness in the mind of Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband. Supported by the PM, he intends to despoil the countryside with pylons, wind turbines and solar farms. He, too, will bin planning restrictions so he can proceed with the desecration of England unimpeded.

Few doubt the benefits of alternative energy, though it will never supply all our energy needs, and if Mr Miliband believes otherwise (which he may well) we will be waiting in our scarves and overcoats to boil our kettles before the end of the decade.

Zealot

It is the sheer manic lunacy of his project that so appals. Why do we need so many more onshore wind turbines? Why the obsession with inefficient solar farms? Does he never consider the unsightliness of pylons, which are required by new sources of energy such as offshore turbines? If pylons really are needed, why cant cables be put underground instead, albeit at greater cost?

Mr Miliband is a zealot, as is Ms Rayner, and probably the seemingly stolid Sir Keir. They pursue their goals blindly, without employing such grey matter as their maker cared to bestow on them.

So-called planners in the 1960s were encouraged by the then Labour government and Labour councils to pull apart the centres of our ancient historic towns and cities, though the Tories certainly joined in, too.

Now Labour is coming back, with millions of houses and countless monstrosities, to lay waste precious countryside  the soul of England, where the hearts even of city folk often reside. This destruction is either avoidable or needless or both.

I hope Nimbys across our land will rise up and take on this blinkered, rapacious Government by every legal means within their grasp. They wont be fighting for their own backyards, but for England.
World leaders must dread their photo calls with Donald Trump.

The incoming US president likes to dominate foreign statesmen physically, pulling them in for hard handshakes, talking over them in press conferences. At a NATO summit early in his first term, he elbowed a couple of prime ministers aside in order to be in the middle of a photo.

How different his body language was with the Prince of Wales in Paris at the weekend. A good man, this one, he jokily told reporters, before sitting down with Prince William for an amiable private chat.

Yes, it seems that even the Donald is  at least by his standards  a little subdued in the presence of royalty.

The prince plainly wants to be a statesman in his own right and, according to his aides, the meeting was arranged at short notice.

Though Kensington Palace would never dream of hinting at such a thing, there may well have been a sense that the prince would get on better with the leader of our strongest ally than those Labour ministers who called him every name under the sun before he was elected.

Did they discuss Ukraine, or the prospects of a US-UK free trade agreement? I doubt it. Heirs to the throne are not meant to be political. But the very fact that there was this meeting will have bolstered Britains interests on both issues.

A good man, this one, Donald Trump jokily told reporters in Paris before sitting down with William for an amiable private chat on Saturday

Trump sees Sir Keir Starmer as a woke milksop, a man who kneels for Black Lives Matter and has released violent criminals to free up space for people who have posted controversial or hurtful opinions online. But he views the Crown very differently.

As head of government, a US president deals with the British prime minister. But, as head of state, his counterpart is the sovereign. And this second relationship has been crucial down the years, bolstering the Atlantic alliance at key moments.

The late Queen met all but one of the 14 US presidents who served during her reign, from Harry S Truman to Joe Biden. The only exception  no great loss, it should be said  was the coarse Lyndon Johnson.

These were more than just formal meetings. Queen Elizabeth kept up a lifelong correspondence with Dwight D Eisenhower, for example, among other things sharing a recipe for some scones that he had enjoyed at Balmoral.

Ronald Reagan was as fond of the Queen as he was of Margaret Thatcher and recalled riding with her through the Windsor estate as the highlight of his presidency. Barack Obama, who had written some harsh things about this country before he became president, notably associating Britain with colonial repression in Kenya, was smitten.

She is truly one of my favourite people, he recalled at the end of his presidency. Shes an astonishing person, and a real jewel to the world.

The everyday give-and-take between allies rests on much more than personal relationships, of course. But friendship at high levels never hurts.

Trump sees Sir Keir Starmer as a woke milksop, but he views the Crown very differently. The US President-Elect is pictured with William at the UK Ambassador's residence in Paris

Britains status as a major nuclear power derives in no small part from a deal in 1962, in which John F Kennedy overruled his own State Department to share Polaris missiles with us.

Why? Largely because JFK was a committed Anglophile  for all that his wife, Jackie, found the set-up at Buckingham Palace dowdy which, by her standards, it doubtless was.

Will the same magic work on the President-elect? The question now matters perhaps more than at any moment since the 1956 Suez crisis.

We have real policy differences to bridge, especially on defence and trade, and there is no chemistry between Trump and our political leaders.

The incoming US administration has so far defied the worst expectations of those who feared that it would side with Vladimir Putin. Recently, I listened as Mike Waltz, the former Green Beret and the nominated National Security Adviser, gave a superb explanation of Western interests from Europe to China. He did not sound like a man minded to cave in to autocrats.

Yet tensions between our two countries remain. After the Russian annexation of Crimea in 2014, Britain became Ukraines chief military backer, providing the training and equipment that allowed Ukrainians to repulse the invaders from their gates in 2022.

At the time, we were acting in co-operation with the Americans, who wanted a freer hand in the Pacific. More recently, though, Trump and his supporters have suggested freezing the front lines, which would leave Vladimir Putin in possession of the vast territories he has seized by force.

It is the Royal Family, not a Prime Minister elected on barely a third of the popular vote, which represents Britain as a whole. Pictured, Trump greets William at the Notre-Dame Cathedral re-opening earlier on Saturday

Rewarding aggression begets more aggression. If Putin were to come away with a clear win, the West would suffer a Suez-level loss of prestige. Dictators everywhere would be emboldened.

There are people in the Trump team who share this analysis. But there are others who resent spending billions of dollars on what they see as an unwinnable war.

Britain, whose interest since 1940 has been to maintain an US commitment to Europe, aims to keep Trump engaged.

When it comes to trade, things might seem more straightforward. Trump is signalling that he wants to exempt the UK from his proposed global tariff and negotiate a bilateral trade deal.

Such a deal is unquestionably in the interest of both countries. The US is our main trading partner, bigger than our second, third and fourth combined.

Our sensible trade secretary, Jonathan Reynolds, has correctly argued that Britain should aim for the freest possible trade with the US and EU.

But Labour has made such a fuss about the growth hormones used in non-EU cattle and what it calls chlorinated (i.e., rinsed) chicken, that it may struggle to agree a deal  especially when Brussels wants Britain to suffer in solidarity with the EU.

The two governments could get an early win by signing into law the chapters that were already at, or near, completion when Joe Biden halted trade talks in 2021, leaving the contentious issues to one side. But that requires an element of goodwill on both sides, a readiness to put the Atlantic relationship above short-term pandering to their domestic lobbies. If anyone can nurture that goodwill, it is the Royal Family.

Trump fondly recalls the monarchism of his Scottish mother, and shows visitors photos of his time spent with the Royals with something that, in anyone else, would look almost like humility.

Which is just as well. Trump does not care for Labour ministers, who have called him everything from a racist, misogynistic, self-confessed groper (Ed Miliband, 2016) to a neo-Nazi sympathising sociopath (David Lammy, 2018). And he did not take kindly to Starmers attacks on Elon Musk  one of his closest associates  in the aftermath of the Southport riots.

I spent last week in Washington, where there was general astonishment that Starmer and Lammy had seen their meetings with their Republican counterparts as a success. Are they that lacking in self-awareness? one senator asked me.

But if Trump has little respect for our PM, he sees Britain as a whole in a more positive light. And it is the Royal Family, not a Prime Minister elected on barely a third of the popular vote, which represents Britain as a whole.

The late Queen put it best when, recalling her experience of the Second World War, she spoke of the power of the Anglo-American alliance in defence of freedom. That is the lesson of my lifetime. Administrations in your country, and governments in mine, may come and go, she said. But united we must always remain.

She was right. And, whatever else we may say of him, Trump knows it, too.
By the end, the psychopathic dictator Bashar al-Assad was everybody's enemy.

His hardcore supporters who haven't managed to flee the country will be doing all they can to distance themselves from his toppled regime and the rest of Syria will be partying riotously.

Rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani has tried to keep things calm, ordering his fighters not to celebrate by loosing bursts of automatic fire into the air. But as Assad's palaces, the properties of cronies and the Iranian embassy were looted, that command has been frequently disregarded.

Once the party is over, though, Syria will suffer a hangover that could well last for years. All too often, the fall of a Middle Eastern strongman is followed not by stability but anarchy.

The lawlessness and infighting that came in the wake of the 2011 overthrow of Colonel Gaddafi in Libya, for instance, is a terrible warning from history.

Jolani heads a small army of no more than 20,000 soldiers. They are heavily armed, fanatically motivated and highly experienced, the veterans of battles against many foes, from Assad's army to the Islamic State, Russia and the US.

What they have achieved in a very short space of time - dislodging a deep-rooted regime and taking control of all Syria's major cities, including now Damascus - is testimony to their remarkable discipline and organisation.

But it is one thing to oust a dictator, quite another to maintain a grip on power. Even after waves of civil war and an exodus of refugees, Syria's population is close to 20 million - a thousand times larger than Jolani's army. And it has one of the world's biggest stockpiles of weapons, amassed not only by Assad but by many rebel factions and even civilians.

By the end, the psychopathic dictator Bashar al-Assad (pictured) was everybody's enemy

Rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, addresses a crowd at the capital's Umayyad Mosque

The lawlessness and infighting that came in the wake of the 2011 overthrow of Colonel Gaddafi in Libya, for instance, is a terrible warning from history

It's no exaggeration to say that guns in Syria are more commonplace than umbrellas in England.

More worrying still are the arsenals of artillery, mortars, rockets and even chemical weapons. Israel carried out numerous air strikes on ammunition and weapons depots in Syria over the weekend in a bid to stop them falling into enemy hands, but it will not have destroyed them all.

Jolani has sought to present himself as a moderate, courting Western governments and media, and even speaking to the Israeli press.

As far as the outside world is concerned, his brand is anti-Iran, anti-Hezbollah and anti-terrorism.

But having laid his hands on power, at the cost of so much blood, he will find it hard to become a conventional politician. He might want peace, but the warriors who back him do not. They have fought in extreme conditions against the heaviest odds for many years. After all the sacrifices they have made, they do not think in terms of truces and tolerance.

So many factions will be competing for influence in Syria's future, many of them from opposing ideologies and religions, that prolonged internal unrest looks inevitable.

Jolani commands Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Organisation for the Liberation of the Levant, which grew out of the Al Qaeda-linked Front for the Conquest of the Levant.

Meanwhile, Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan is backing the Syrian National Army  which used to be called the Free Syrian Army - to repress the Syrian Democratic Forces, drawn from the Kurdish people straddling the border.

A masked Islamic State soldier poses holding the ISIL banner somewhere in the deserts of Iraq or Syria

People celebrate in the street after Syrian rebels captured the city of Damascus, waving rebel flags and cheering

A person holds a Syrian opposition flag with the word 'Freedom' on it during a demonstration celebrating the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime, outside the Syrian embassy in Madrid

People standing on a tank celebrate after Syrian rebels captured the city of Damascus

Then there is, of course, Islamic State and various Druze militias, including the Men Of Dignity Movement and Mountain Brigade Gathering.

All this may have grim echoes of Monty Python's Life Of Brian and the endless variations on the People's Front Of Judea, but infighting among these groups can make life a misery for locals.

For Western Europe, the immediate fear is two-fold: terrorism and organised crime. No one knows how many foreign jihadis are in Syria, mercenaries driven by fanatical Islamism rather than money.

Some come from former Soviet republics such as Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan, others from China and Afghanistan, but most are from Muslim areas of Russia: Chechnya and Dagestan.

Unlike Jolani, their ambitions go beyond deposing Assad. Indeed, some are already talking about taking the fight eastward to China.

As Jolani may be looking for powers such as China to support his government at international forums like the UN in the months and years to come, he may well want to get rid of his lunatic fringe.

If they are expelled, some are likely to head for Britain and the EU, where they will try to continue their war against Western civilisation.

People climbed onto abandoned tanks to celebrate the downfall of the regime

A group of regime supporters, including soldiers, flee the city of Damascus in Syria

Syrians celebrate the collapse of 61 years of Baath Party rule in Damascus, waving rebel flags

Syria is also a major source of drugs to the Middle East and increasingly to the West, and whoever gains control of the trade in narcotics - a business once run by Assad's younger brother Maher - will have a major stake in Europe's illegal drugs market, which is often supplied via refugee routes.

The combination of several-sided power struggle and organised crime means that Syria's chaos will soon spread beyond its borders.

Mark Almond is director of the Crisis Research Institute in Oxford
In theory, the fall of a brutal dictator, especially one who tortured and gassed his own people, would be a cause for unqualified celebration in the free world.

In practice, we know from bitter experience that when such despots are deposed, new chaos and tyranny all too often follow in their wake.

Elation over the horror of Saddam Hussein and Colonel Gaddafi quickly turned to horror as Iraq and Libya were consumed by anarchy and civil war.

So following the abrupt fall of Bashar al-Assad, the world is asking with some trepidation: What comes next for Syria, the wider Middle East and the West?

Not for the first time, Western intelligence agencies were blindsided by the speed of the Islamist rebel offensive. After capturing Damascus yesterday, and forcing Assad into exile, the insurgents declared total victory.

Most prominent among the militias is Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Its leaders may be preaching moderation right now, but they have their roots in Isis and Al Qaeda. Extremism and vengeance lurk behind the mask.

The various rebel factions have little in common except their hatred of Assad. Will they manage to unite to form a national government  or plunge into a bloody power struggle?Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the toppling of Assads barbaric regime and called for peace and stability, but with Islamists now in charge he risks looking dangerously naive.

These events represent a profound challenge to the West. The renewed violence and instability in Syria will almost certainly trigger fresh waves of refugees heading for Europe and the UK. There is also the danger that the rebels will radicalise and embolden a fresh generation of extremists intent on wreaking terror on our shores.

Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the toppling of Assads barbaric regime and called for peace and stability, but with Islamists now in charge he risks looking dangerously naive

Following the abrupt fall of Bashar al-Assad, the world is asking with some trepidation: What comes next for Syria , the wider Middle East and the West?

Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, addresses a crowd at the capital's landmark Umayyad Mosque

Syrians celebrate the collapse of 61 years of Baath Party rule in Damascus, Syria

Having David Lammy as Foreign Secretary doesnt help matters. His suspension of some arms sales to Israel and support for the International Criminal Court charging Israels prime minister with war crimes has surely provided succour to jihadists.

To cope with the disquieting and unpredictable crisis sparked by Assads downfall, Britain needs cool-headed, grown-up politicians. The question is, do we have any?

Police funding revolt

First pensioners, then farmers. Now chief constables are in open revolt against Labour.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has been warned that forces face axing thousands of officers because of a funding shortfall.

The problem is they are struggling to foot the bill for police pay rises, and looming National Insurance and minimum wage hikes.

Without more cash, they say their ability to fight crime will significantly deteriorate.Yes, the Government was too inept to spot this obvious consequence of the Budget.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has been warned that forces face axing thousands of officers because of a funding shortfall

But the priorities of some chief constables are also highly questionable, for instance investigating non-crime hate incidents.

If they stopped wasting precious resources on such cases and caught a few more burglars, they might find a more sympathetic hearing to their pleas for more money.

A load of rubbish

Having bins emptied frequently ought to be the minimal expectation of a civilised society.

Depressingly, Labour has quietly abandoned plans to force councils to collect household rubbish fortnightly.

Local authorities are predictably delighted as this allows them to send out the dustbin lorries once a month or even less regularly.

What kind of service is that for people who are paying exorbitant rates of council tax? This represents both a health hazard and an environmental outrage.

The only locals who will benefit are the rats.
As Christmas draws ever closer, many Brits will be seeking to enter the festive spirit by stocking up on alcohol in time for their seasonal celebrations.

One particularly popular tipple at this time of year is Irish cream liqueur Baileys, which is often enjoyed in December thanks to its smooth texture, which provides a feeling of warmth as the days get colder.

As the days tick down to Christmas Day, major UK supermarkets have announced they will be slashing the price of the flavoured spirit.

Sainsbury's, Tesco and ASDA have all redused their prices of Baileys to just 10 in a move that will come as welcome news to shoppers hunting for a bargain.

The move has also been followed by online delivery service Ocado, which works in partnership with M&S.

At Sainsbury's, the deal is available to anyone with a Nectar card, which slashes the usual price of 21.95 down by 54 per cent.

An even bigger discount can be found at rival chain Tesco for shoppers with a Clubcard, which sees the price reduced to 10 from an original price of 22.

For people looking to make the most of discounted prices, be sure to keep an eye on how big the bottles are, as they come in varying sizes of 500ml, 700ml and one litre.

As Christmas draws ever closer, many Brits will be seeking to enter the festive spirit by stocking up on alcohol in time for their seasonal celebrations (stock photo)

If you are looking to save even more money, there are numerous off-brand offerings to take advantage of.

Popular low-cost supermarket Aldi offers up Ballycastle liqueur, which comes in several flavours, including a new Milk Chocolate Clementine version for 7.49.

Meanwhile, budget rival Lidl's Deluxe Irish cream liqueur has a 700ml bottle available for the slightly more expensive price of 7.99.

This works out at just 1.14 per 100ml, and costs for less than half the price of the branded bottle if you do not have any of the above discounts.

Earlier this year, Baileys released a new beverage to get Britons in the festive spirit early.

Established in Ireland in 1974, the Baileys Original Irish Cream mixes the taste of whiskey with notes of rich chocolate and vanilla.

And now, the household brand has created a limited edition drink with added decadence - Baileys Chocolate with 15.7 per cent ABV.

The rich tipple, which launches in UK supermarkets this week, blends the indulgent flavours of Irish Cream with Belgian chocolate, making it a warming treat for the colder months.

Sainsbury's , Tesco and ASDA have all redused their prices of Baileys to just 10 in a move that will come as welcome news to shoppers hunting for a bargain (stock photo)

Earlier this year, Baileys released a new beverage to get Britons in the festive spirit early

Charlotte Gibbon, Director of Baileys said: 'This might just be our sweetest launch yetwe're so excited to bring UK fans another unmissable Baileys treat - Baileys Chocolate.

'The perfect adult treat to relax with as cosy season approaches, and consumers are looking for something sweet to brighten up the darker days. I'll be having mine over ice!'

Bailey enthusiasts can enjoy the beverage neat on ice or get creative and make a Baileys mocha martini.

Priced at 16.50, the decadent drink is available in Tesco this week before rolling out across other major supermarkets across October.
Aldi has announced its new range of men's fragrances that are a whopping 94 per cent cheaper than Burberry.

Launching a range of colognes for just 6.99, they make the ideal gift for shoppers looking to get something special for their loved ones this Christmas.

Fragrances include Island Oasis, Iconic Man and Ambition, and offer captivating scents with sophisticated notes of cashmere, cedar and incense.

All available in 100ml bottles, the scents were released on Sunday.

Refreshing and invigorating, the new Lacura Island Oasis Eau de Parfum will transport shoppers to an island escape.

Notes of sea salt, coconut, and zesty lemon awaken the senses, while warm undertones of cashmere wood and sandalwood linger on the skin, creating an unforgettable sensory experience.

Meanwhile, the Lacura Ambition Eau de Parfum redefines modern masculinity with an intriguing blend of fresh herbal and deep, musky notes.

Invigorating cardamom, sage, and French Narcissus are complemented by a rich base of Madagascan vetiver, warm vanilla, and earthy cedar lingers, leaving a lasting impression of confidence and sophistication.

Aldi has announced that it will launch a range of men's fragrances that are a whopping 94% cheaper than Burberry (File image)

Another option is the Lacura Iconic Man Eau de Parfum charms with key notes of pine, olibanum, benzoin, and incense.

A grounding trio of cedar base notes adds depth and sophistication, making it the perfect scent for men this Christmas.

This would also save you an enormous 94% compared to Burberry's Hero Eau de Parfum.

If you have left Christmas shopping until the very last minute, Aldi has festive gifting sorted with its December Specialbuys offering, covering a huge range of products across beauty, baby, tech and more.

Aldis Specialbuys offering has become notorious amongst savvy shoppers looking to bag a bargain, and its product range if the perfect opportunity to stock up on gifts theyll love, for less.

And with a whole host of categories on offer, youre sure to find something everyone will love, whether you want to stock up on the latest skincare, find something that will keep little ones entertained on the big day, or nab great deals on the latest tech - coffee machines and headphones included.

Throughout December, new Specialbuys will launch in-store every week on Thursdays and Sundays, while stocks last.

Though if you want to plan ahead or are looking for a sneak peek, weve got the latest intel on what products will launch on which dates throughout the run up to Christmas - youre welcome.

Launching a range of colognes for just 6.99, they make the ideal gift for shoppers looking to get something special for their loved ones this Christmas (File image)

Each Specialbuy product will be available to shop online every Friday before each launch, and will remain available to purchase for up to two weeks after, so if you dont find what youre looking for in-store, dont fret.

For anyone keen to check out more dupes when it comes to fragrances from other retailers, M&S has a new line of fragrances that include some fabulous alternatives for our favourite designer scents.

And helpfully, perfume connoisseurs on social media have sniffed through the range to match which M&S version is inspired by which cult-favourite designer fragrance, from YSL'S Black Opium to Le Labo's Santal 33.

Not only are they nearly indistinguishable scent wise, people are raving about the M&S perfumes' intensity and staying power.

According to one review, the brand's Warmth Eau de Parfum not only 'smells amazing' but 'lasts for ages'. Another agrees it 'lasts all day' adding they 'get compliments whenever I wear it'.

Each 10 fragrance also comes in a chic bottle that'll look super stylish on your vanity table.

It comes after TikTok content creator Gabby Jay, 30, in Massachusetts, USA, shared a now viral video where she asked her followers to recommend scents men hate.

Gabby wrote, 'Hey ladies, what perfumes do you love that men seem to hate?' asking her followers for ideas.

Some perfumes are meant to attract members of the opposite sex, but it's possible that there are certain scents that are universally disliked by men (File image)

The artist, author, and therapist continued, 'I'm trying to repulse men. I don't want their compliments.

'Give me all the recs. I'm here for the girls, gays, and theys only.'

Women raced to the comments to share the scents men seemed to despise - including patchouli, powdery florals, and cherry, as well as ones they liked, including warm vanilla.

'They HATE patchouli but it smells so good to me,' one commenter responded, as another added, 'Guys seem to hate those musky incense smells.'

'Patchouli, cedar, teakwood, ANYTHING AGGRESSIVELY EARTHY they seem to hate -coming from someone who's had several experiences with men not liking what I'm wearing,' another woman agreed.

'I love powdery florals, men always hate them bc they smell like "old lady perfume,"' another woman weighed in.

'Women love my cherry perfume. Men seem to hate it. I wear Not Another Cherry by Fine'ry,' one commenter explained about the affordable Target option.
Christmas markets, once considered a cornerstone of seasonal shopping, may have lost their festive sheen a little.

Shoppers have been reporting underwhelming visits to the nation's pop-up yuletide stalls at towns and cities across the UK this year.

Consumer complaints have taken a common thread, with some saying that for every artisan seller you find, there's another type of vendor, selling 'overpriced tat' - including merchandise that might have been picked up online via sites including Amazon, Shein, Temu and Etsy.

Others have complained that the markets themselves are sparse, with little to peruse - and overpriced food items.

One TikTok user, @laura_leannne14 recently took to the platform to share a video of her trip to Glasgow Fort Market.

Accompanying her video, she shared a caption that said: 'I popped into the Fort today looking forward to having a nosey around the stalls, to my disappointment there was barely anything.'

Among the few items shown in the clip was a stall selling 'personalised' ornaments for a staggering 12 a piece.

Similar pieces can be snapped up online via sites like Not on the High Street starting at around just 3.

Here, FEMAIL highlights a few of the potential presents that might have been given a not-so-merry mark-up when compared to similar items being sold online...

Belfast: Slogan baby-gros sold with a 7 inflation

Baby onesies were spotted at one Christmas market, priced at 10 each. Very similar item can be bought online, including a 3.12 version from Temu

Pictured: A similar babygro sold on discount website Temu, bearing a similar slogan to the one at the market

One of the items on offer at St George's Market in Belfast this year is a baby onesie priced at 10, bearing the slogan: 'I drink til I pass out - like my da.'

While the comedy gift may be the perfect pressie for a newborn, similar slogan onesies can be purchased online from Temu for just 3.12.

Birmingham: Swiss style chalets more than triple in price

A photo taken from a stall at Birmingham market this winter season revealed traditional-style weather houses selling for between 30 and 85 - but similar ones can be snapped up cheaper online

This version of a 'wetterhaus', styled around a German or Swiss chalet and featuring a thermometer, is selling online at Amazon for less than a tenner

Chocolate box Swiss and German chalet decorations add an element of Alpine chic to seasonal decorations - but buying them online as opposed to at festive markets could save shoppers almost a third.

A pretty-looking stall at Birmingham Christmas market is currently bedecked with cuckoo clocks and mini chalets - the latter often featuring thermometers and known as 'Wetterhaus'.

The traditional-looking items sell for from between 40 to 85 at the market, but a similar version is available on Amazon at a cut of the cost. A weather house currently retailing on Amazon via the brand Masinies costs 9.96 before delivery.

Edinburgh: Paper stars up to 19 pricier than online

Another TikTok user who enjoyed their day out showed some of the craftier items on offer at Christmas markers, including wooden ornaments of owls and candles made in vintage teacups.

The social media user, who uses the handle @cliosarahjackson, enjoyed the occasion, accompanying the clip with a caption.

It read: '10/10 we went in the day and was nowhere near as busy! We had a walk through and seen all the stalls and as we had eaten before we didnt stop at any of the food stalls but they looked soooo good [...] Definitely recommend.'

However, while they enjoyed the market, the video showed paper stars on offer, with a price tag that appeared to read 21. While some of the decorations were very elaborate, the simpler ones are similar to ones that can be picked up via Temu for just 2.

Images from a Christmas market showed decorative stars, which a sign appeared to suggest cost in excess of 20

Meanwhile, paper star lanterns which are similar the lesser decorated stars cost just 2.54 from Temu

Key rings priced at 12 were spotted at a Christmas market in York, however, they appeared extremely similar to a cheaper version available online

Pictured: These key rings in the shape of mini ballet shoes appear extremely similar to the ones sold at the market for almost 9 more

York: keyrings sold for 9 more than online

While York's Christmas Market is now over, it is a hugely popular event that often brings in people from outside the city for a festive day out.

However, among the vendors' unique items, one stall was spotted selling ballet-themed keyrings that appeared to be the same as some available on Temu.

The pointe shoe keyrings were priced at 12 at the market stall. Keyrings that appear to be the same can be picked up from the low-priced website for just 3.12.

Belfast: 9 mark-up on mug

It comes after it was revealed that a stall at a Christmas market in Belfast was offering a 'Just a Girl' hamster meme mug for 14.

The item, which retails for 5 on Shein, was being offered alongside some illustrated reusable Starbucks cups which were priced at a staggering 20.

Meanwhile, TikTok users have also spotted near identical garlic grater plates on sale at Bristol and York Christmas markets - when they can be sourced for half the price online.

Pictured: The Belfast Christmas Market stall selling a TikTok meme mug with a 9 mark-up and Starbucks cups, which are 10 more expensive than on Etsy

Pictured: The hamster mug inspired by the 'Just a Girl' trend that took TikTok by storm earlier this year

Liverpool: 5.50 mark-up on Christmas decorations

Earlier this year, Liverpool Christmas market, which has been running for the past 18 years, opened its doors again.

In 2023, over 750,000 visitors flocked to the festive market - and its proving to be equally as popular this time round.

TikTok user Lauren was among the first guests to return to the market and filmed a video browsing some of the Christmas tree decorations on sale.

In her video, the social media user paused to take a look at some personalised 2D wooden baubles, which retail for 7 each.

TikTok user Lauren filmed a video of herself browsing some of the Christmas tree decorations on sale in Liverpool

Pictured: the 1.50 personalised wooden Christmas tree decorations that are best-sellers on Etsy

On Etsy, an incredibly similar design - which can also be personalised - can be ordered for 1.50 and remains one of the online marketplace's best-sellers.

Lauren captioned the post: 'Only in the Liverpool Christmas markets!'

Bath: Paper lanterns 13 more expensive than Temu

Edinburgh was not the only market spotted selling star-shaped paper lanterns at high prices - some were also on offer at a stall in Bath.

There, the ornaments were being sold for 15 - despite the similar designs that can be found on Temu for as little as 2.

Giving the market one star out of five last year, one TripAdvisor user wrote: 'The items for sale (if you could actually access the sheds) were generally very expensive.

'The impression gained is that Bath is not a big enough location to host this type of tourist attraction.'

Pictured: The 15 paper lanterns on sale at Bath Christmas Market, which has been criticised for being 'overpriced' and 'overcrowded'

The star-shaped paper ornaments are sold for 15 in Bath - but similar designs can be found on Temu (pictured) for as little as 2

After the lanterns appeared in a TikTok last month, one local commented: 'As someone who lives in Bath I cant go out on weekends bc the whole centre is gridlocked with people coming from everywhere to the Christmas market.'

Another added: 'It's so crowded you can't move or actually see any of the stalls.'

Belfast: 15 TikTok meme mug that can be bought for a fiver on Shein

In Belfast, one stall appeared to be making a killing selling items you can buy on Amazon and Etsy for an inflated price point.

Last month, the TikTok user Northern Ireland Traveller posted a tour of the Belfast Christmas market - which ended with footage of the stall selling slippers, key chains, mugs and Starbucks cups.

Pictured: the Belfast Christmas Market stall that is selling 'viral' presents, like the 'Just a Girl' hamster mug

Pictured: an almost identical Starbucks cup design can be purchased on Etsy for as little as 9.99

Pictured: these 16 Etsy slippers can also be personalised and also feature a seam running down the front

Among the items on sale was a pair of 23 pink monogrammed slippers. A near identical pair - with a seam running down the middle - can be purchased on Etsy for 16.

On top of this, the stall - which was also selling a 14 hamster mug based on a TikTok meme - was flogging illustrated Starbucks cups for 20.

Again, almost identical designs can be purchased on Etsy for 9.99.

What's more, the stall also capitalised on the popular 'Just a Girl' TikTok meme by putting the 'sad hamster' illustration on a mug, which they're selling for 14.

On Shein, shoppers can pick up the same version - complete with matching text and baby pink inside - for 5 on Shein.

Edinburgh: Pricey chalet ornaments that appear in other markets

TikToker Dave Mani showcased how Edinburgh Christmas market also has a stall selling chalet ornaments of varying sizes

This Amazon Christmas chalet ornament (pictured) retails for 13 - while the Edinburgh market offerings seem to start from 27

Meanwhile, TikToker Dave Mani showcased how Edinburgh Christmas market also has a stall selling chalet ornaments of varying sizes - just like Belfast and York's.

In Edinburgh, the cheapest ornament appears to be around the 27 mark. In contrast, a very similar version of the Christmas chalet is only 13 on Amazon.

Writing on TripAdvisor, one Edinburgh local moaned the market has changed beyond all recognition.

They wrote: 'I've lived in Edinburgh all my life (30 years) and the Christmas market used to be one of my favourite events of the year in Edinburgh, it was truly magical and so much fun right through until my early 20's.

'In the last 5-10 years it's changed a lot, much more expensive, the stalls feel less independent and more tat and the main issue is the crowds. Makes it honestly unbearable to visit, you queue for 20 minutes for 1 cup of overpriced mulled wine and don't bother with any of the rides because you'll wait all day to get on.'

Since Christmas markets have been opening, people have been sharing videos of the overwhelming crowds that have gathered in city centres for the festivities.

Last month, one TikToker called Rachel shared a video of her walk into York when she found herself in the hoards of people trying to get to the market.

She wrote: 'Every year, I make the mistake of going into York centre on a Saturday in Xmas season.'

'Literally forget how stressful it is every year,' she added in the caption.

One viewer replied: 'I simply do not go into town on weekends once the markets start. Weekdays and evenings only.'

'I live in York,' another added. 'This time of year is a nightmare.' 'Imagine trying to get to work on time and having to walk through that,' a third said.

Social media users have also threatened to 'boycott' their local markets in York and Birmingham

During a visit, X user Jack spotted a stall serving steak and chips for 14 - while a single portion of chips with a sauce was 7.

He fumed: 'Christmas markets need to be stopped. It's a shameless money grab from families (usually) and there's f*** all traditional about it anyway!'

And Jack isn't the only former Christmas market fan who is now pledging to boycott them entirely over the food prices.

Kristina from Hereford eating a half-a-metre long Bratwurst sausage at Birmingham's Frankfurt Christmas Market

Pictured: Birmingham Christmas market, where visitors can pay 9 for a hot dog or 4.50 for a bag of roasted almonds

Around the same time, X user Alice fumed: 'I never want to go to a Christmas market in the UK. Stand around a grotty high street and pay 10 for a cup of lukewarm wine? No thank you.'

Meanwhile, Birmingham Christmas market - which has enforced a one-beer rule for visitors - was slammed last month for its 'rip-off' 9 hot dog and 4.50 bag of almonds.

John Beard, 35, from Birmingham, said: 'This will be the first time in ten years I'm not going to bother [going].

'It's a combination of the rip-off prices and that one beer rule is just daft. You can queue for half hour there easily so sometimes you want to double up.

'People are watching the pennies more than ever and don't want to spend nearly a tenner on a sausage. You can blow about 50 in ten minutes.'
A man was arrested on suspicion of smuggling firearms, ammunition and other military items from California to North Korea by concealing the contraband inside shipping containers, according to the U.S. Justice Department. Rafe Swan/Getty Image

A man smuggled firearms, ammunition and other military items from California to North Korea by concealing the contraband inside shipping containers, according to the U.S. Justice Department.

Shenghua Wen, 41, a Chinese citizen who resides in Ontario (San Bernardino County) in Southern California, was arrested last week on a federal criminal complaint alleging that he shipped the military-grade weapons from Long Beach through Hong Kong to North Korea in December 2023. He is charged with violating federal law and U.S. sanctions against North Korea.

Prosecutors allege that Wen, who was living in the Los Angeles area after overstaying a student visa, intended to send other weapons in future shipments, including ammunition, a chemical threat identification device and a hand-held broadband receiver used to detect eavesdropping devices. Agents seized those items during raids at his home in August and September, the department said.

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In messages with co-conspirators, Wen allegedly discussed shipping the equipment to North Korea and sent photographs of weapons banned under international law, prosecutors said. From January to April, he allegedly exchanged messages about obtaining an airplane.
Brand new Netflix documentary series The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga is already being dubbed the next Tiger King  and subscribers are patiently awaiting its arrival.

The upcoming true crime show follows a small-town feud, an internet conspiracy, an Elvis impersonator, black-market body parts, and an assassination attempt on former president Barack Obama.

Due for release on December 11, the series has been described as an 'outrageous Southern fever dream' and its easy to see why after watching the wild two-minute trailer.

'I had the most controversial story in the entire state of Mississippi and possibly the entire country,' contributor and leading character Paul Kevin Curtis declares in the teaser.

'My mama raised me on Jesus, Elvis, and cornbread. And yes, in that order. I had a peaceful, nice life. But one person hated me and made my life a living hell.

'James Everett Dutschke - a karate instructor in Tupelo, Mississippi.'

Curtis's feud with Dutschke is set to be laid bare in the documentary, including drive-by shootings and arson.

'He shot my dog with a tranquilizer!' Curtis exclaims in the teaser, before adding, 'This is my rival enemy stalking every move I made.'

Paul Kevin Curtis takes center stage in the upcoming Netflix docuseries The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga

He claims James Everett Dutschke (pictured), a karate instructor in Tupelo, Mississippi, made his life a 'living hell'

'This thing became a war,' he adds. 'I said quit stalking me, b**ch!'

Unsurprisingly, viewers were left gripped by the trailer, with many sharing their excitement for the release of the docuseries.

Commenting on YouTube, one said: 'I will be seated for this.'

'OMG this looks so good,' wrote another.

A third wrote: 'I live about 15 minutes outside of Tupelo and work there. I remember when all of this was happening. Can't wait to watch this!'

A fourth continued: 'I am always looking for the next "Tiger King." High hopes for this.'

In 2014, Dutschke was sentenced to 25 years in prison. His sentence came one year after he was arrested for sending ricin-laced letters to Obama.

Curtis, however, was initially charged over the crime.

In the gripping two-minute trailer, Curtis claims Dutschke shot his dog with a tranquilizer

Curtis's brother, Elvis impersonator Jack Curtis, is also dragged into the saga

Dutschke was sentenced to 25 years in prison in 2014 for sending ricin-laced letters to Obama

Speaking to AP in 2014, he claimed Dutschke had 'hated' and 'stalked' him.

'To this day I have no clue of why he hates me,' he added to the publication.

The official synopsis for The Kings of Tupelo: A Southern Crime Saga teases: 'When an eccentric Elvis impersonator makes a shocking discovery in a morgue, he goes right to the internet and down a rabbit hole into a world of conspiracy.

'His mission to expose the dark underbelly of Tupelo sparks a rivalry that starts local but climbs to the highest office in Washington, D.C.'

The docuseries is from the directors of the Emmy-winning series Wild Wild Country and the studio that made Tiger King.
Princess Josephine, has made her acting debut on the screen and has taken after her grandmother Queen Margrethe.

The 13-year-old starred in second season of the Danish show, Tidsrejsen, which translates to The Voyage Through Time.

It is told in the form of a Nordic Christmas calendar and each series contains 24 episodes which are released daily in December up until Christmas Eve.

But fans got a shock when they saw the daughter of Queen Mary and King Frederik appear on their screens in episode four.

Tidsrejsen is set in the 90s and focuses on a character named Romeo, whose greatest wish is to find his missing father.

The description reads: 'Romeo discovers that his substitute, Sofie, has a time machine, and when he, together with the new girl in class, Holly, gets hold of the time machine, they embark on a journey filled with adventure and action.'

Josephine plays a character called Kate, who appears to be a similar age to Romeo and attends the same school as him.

The royal household and DR - who produced the series - did not announce that the royal would be involved in the production.

The 13-year-old starred in second season of the Danish show, Tidsrejsen, which translates to The Voyage Through Time

The palace said Josephine had attended the casting call for Tidsrejsen 'on an equal footing' with other young budding actors, according to Danish publication Billed Bladet.

Princess Josephine looks wildly different from her usual polished self, donning 90s street wear including a patchwork denim jacket and a scrunchie in her hair.

She also wore her blonde tresses up in a half up half down hairstyle and could be seen wearing silver hoop earrings to fit in with the decade.

But this is not the first time Josephine has taken to the stage, as she also appeared in a production of Peter Pan at Tivoli Copenhagen last year.

It seems Denmark may have a star in the making, as the royal appears to be following in the footsteps of her mother, Queen Mary.

A resurfaced clip posted by blog Royal Fashion Police shows the 52-year-old, originally from Australia, star in an advert.

In 1998, the mother-of-four was seen on a broadcast for V-Line trains, a regional transport company in Victoria.

The short, funny commercial sees Mary playing a passenger reading a newspaper as a passenger next to her opens a packed lunch with some sandwiches.

Pictured L-R: Princess Josephine, Queen Mary, Prince Vincent, King Frederik, and Princess Isabella arrive for the re-premiere of 'The Nutcracker' at Tivoli Concert Hall in Copenhagen in November

Fans got a shock when they saw the daughter of Queen Mary and King Frederik appear on their screens in episode four.

In 1998, Queen Mary was seen on a broadcast for V-Line trains, a regional transport company in Victoria (far left)

He then surreptitiously passes one of them into a huge briefcase on the luggage storage space above them. A hand peeks out from the briefcase and takes it.

'Now it's easier to a get a friend on the train free,' the ad then says. 'Two for One ticket, during May.'

Josephine's other side of the family also has a penchant for acting, as her grandmother, Queen Margrethe has been very successful in the industry.

The former Monarch, who abdicated in January 2024, made her on-screen debut in 2009, as an extra in the film The Wild Swans.

The movie is a retelling of the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairytale and she also worked on it as a screenwriter.

And she's been highly commended for her work, winning a Robert Award for her input in Ehrengard: The Art of Seduction, a Danish film produced by Netflix.

The story follows a shy prince and an expert who attempts to teach him the art of seduction - but things go wrong.

Margrethe bagged herself the title of Costume Designer of the Year for the movie and posted about her success on Instagram.

The palace said Josephine had attended the casting call for Tidsrejsen 'on an equal footing' with other young budding actors, according to Danish publication Billed Bladet

Josephine appears to be following in the footsteps of her grandmother, Queen Margrethe

She said: 'I am deeply grateful, touched and proud of the recognition that the Robert Award represents.

'Receiving an award that the industry itself awards makes me particularly happy, and it has been a great joy and pleasure to be able to contribute to the expression of the film.

'I would like to thank the entire team behind the film, but I especially thank all those who have made my ideas, sketches and drawings a reality  not least the talented people who have sewn and worked with the many costumes.'

This comes as Queen Margrethe delighted a Copenhagen audience on Saturday night when she walked on stage at the end of The Nutcracker to reveal that she was the brains behind the production's costume and set and design.

She played a key role in a new version of the ballet staged at Tivoli's Concert Hall in the Danish capital - and the rest of the royal family was there to support her.

As the set and costume designer, Margarethe, who arrived in a full-length fur coat, was responsible for three new costumes and three spinning tops, Hello! reported.

Set in Copenhagen, the festive dance production centres on a young girl called Clara who finds herself swept up into a fantasy world on Christmas Eve.

Dressed in a purple ensemble, the popular royal was greeted with enthusiastic applause when she walked on stage with the cast and crew at the end of the show, curtsying five times as the audience gave a standing ovation.

According to the publication, the queen said: 'I take great joy in contributing to the ballet production of The Nutcracker.

'Even now, in our sixth staging, it's still inspiring for the whole team to work on small adjustments and refinements that elevate the overall experience. It's been an exciting project.'

Margrethe's eldest son King Frederik and his wife Queen Mary were in the audience, along with three of their children, Princess Isabella, 17, and 13-year-old twins Prince Vincent and Princess Josephine.
From mascara to haircare, have your say in our seventh annual beauty awards

A gorgeously groomed welcome to this, Inspires eighth annual beauty awards.

Since I had the joy of taking over your cosmetics column in 2021, the industry  like the country at large  has been on a wild ride: Covid, lockdowns, cost-of-living crises, and more leaders than you can shake a (cuticle) stick at. And its not as if the rest of the globe has been a bastion of calm.

Still, beautification rituals have always steadied, thrilled and diverted us, lifting humanitys spirits when the world feels like a vast and confusing place. Caring for our hair, nourishing our bodies, and decorating our faces provide simple, but profound pleasures.

As a result, the beauty industry is booming, worth an annual 27.2 billion, according to the British Beauty Council.

The trades employment rates expanded by 10 per cent in 2023, supporting a workforce of more than 603,000, many of them hard-grafting women. Its an achievement all Brits should be proud of.

Our creatives, our business moguls, our products lead the globe, whether its Charlotte Tilburys foundations, Pat McGraths palettes, Lisa Eldridges lipsticks, Victoria Beckhams eye pencils, or the wonderful wares so lavishly available at Superdrug and Boots; the former turning 60 this year, the latter 175 years young.

All things considered, the industry grew by an impressive 11 per cent last year, with more brands  and more dazzling levels of choice  than ever.

How do you, the satisfaction and solution-seeking punters, navigate such a vast array of wares?

From mascara to haircare, eyeliner to nails, have your say in our seventh annual beauty awards

The answer, as ever, is with the help of your friends here at Inspire, which is where this years Inspire Beauty Awards come in.

We asked three beauty obsessives for their product passions of 2024: CEO and founder of the British Beauty Council Millie Kendall OBE; make-up artist and brand owner Ruby Hammer MBE; plus skincare fanatic and Inspire Editor Katherine Spenley.

Naturally, I have also given you my own favourites. After all, I have sampled countless blushers, balms and brushes on your behalf during the past 12 months. My list marks the creme de la creme: the beauty buys I have lived with, loved and relied on time and time again.

So stop what youre doing right now and take a look at our inventories of excellence. Cherry-pick for your loved ones Christmas stockings, then vote for your winners.

INTRODUCING OUR PANEL OF JUDGES

MILLIE KENDALL, OBE

Whether as a brand founder, consultant or PR, Millie, who is the CEO of the British Beauty Council, has been involved in the industry for almost 40 years.

Millie Kendall (pictured) chose a flannel by Skin Rocks as her favourite beauty tool

Im seeing a lot of brands going for line extensions rather than new launches, and I think thats very clever. Its the way Glossier works  you give the consumer what they want. For example, LOccitane expanded its Almond line, although Ive picked the original shower oil that I love. So theyve built on what they know works. I think that means youll find more in the shops that you like.

If you dont know about Canadian brand 19/99, designed to appeal to everyone from 19 to 99, you really should. Their brow pencil is hard enough to draw lines that look like hairs, and the shades are brilliant  the light is the perfect taupe shade for dirty blondes like me.

When it comes to tools, you might expect me to pick a make-up brush but, as Ive got older, its so much about looking after skin, and a good cleanse is the foundation. Some love muslins, but I prefer flannels and Skin Rocks has the best. Its great quality and big enough to cover your face. My household couldnt live without them.

(instagram.com/milliekendall)

RUBY HAMMER, MBE

Make-up artist Ruby has been a beauty world go-to since the 1980s, and launched her range, Ruby Hammer, in 2019.

Ruby Hammer (pictured) chose Natrium's body wash for her top shower pick

Im price-conscious when it comes to beauty, but that doesnt mean everything has to be inexpensive. If something works then youre prepared to pay for it. I particularly enjoy discovering smaller brands that deliver at an affordable price.

Take Hildun, an Irish company  their Beauty Silk to Set Kajal Liner is a lovely, versatile eyeliner. Its not dissimilar to the Victoria Beckham, but Hildun are half the price. Refy is another brand you might not have heard about  their brow pencil is the perfect texture and lasts, as well.

I first discovered my shower pick, Naturium, in the US. The body wash comes in 500ml bottles, and its one of those products people love.

Rehab is an eco-conscious British brand and I love their hair oil capsules. Theyre versatile  you can use on wet or dry hair  and I find theyre great when you get those grey hairs that have a different texture, they just smooth and soften them.

(instagram.com/rubyhammer)

HANNAH BETTS

Inspire beauty columnist Hannah, lives in London with her partner Terence and dog Pimlico.

According to Inspire's beauty columnist Hannah Betts (pictured), Glossiers Boy Brow Arch gives the natural-look dream

Make-up has been truly beautiful in 2024: state-of-the-art tints taking over from foundation; blusher usurping contour; mascara flatteringly eye-opening; lipstick giving way to subtle, plumping pencils.

Eyebrow tech came on too  great news for the overplucked. Glossiers Boy Brow Arch is the natural-look dream: a precision tip for hair-like strokes and flat side to fill gaps, long-lasting, and its water, smudge and humidity-resistant.

But, then, I could have included Glossier for base, concealer, lip pencil and body cream. Its an exceptional brand for all ages. I could also feature Kiko across several categories  a budget choice, but brilliant.

I have become devoted to Heliocare 360 A-R Emulsion SPF50+. Loved by dermatologists for its comprehensive protection, its sheer beige glow vanishes into skin, minimising redness. Its also a terrific primer, keeping make-up looking good.

As ever, I am a high/low shopper: expensive on (Bobbi Brown) base, cheap on (Avene) cleanser; spenny on (Olverum) bath oil, cheap on (M&S) body lotion  both sublimely scented. You pays your money, you makes your choice. This is mine.

KATHERINE SPENLEY

Inspire editor Katherine lives in London with her husband Anthony.

Inspire editor Katherine Spenley (pictured) can't live without Batiste dry shampoo

For me, the best beauty products are the ones that make me  or fake me  an upgraded version of myself. Im a skincare obsessive and devoted to the minimal look.

Take Every & One, my body cream pick. My main criteria for a body cream is that it works quickly. Id love to have time for a gorgeously scented oil to slowly work its magic, but, every day? Frankly, who does? This is also gentle enough to use on your face.

I have very fine long hair and am always looking to add volume  I really cant live without Batiste dry shampoo  a fine mist on clean hair is an instant shortcut to oomph. Similarly, my Shiseido eyelash curlers are, without doubt, the best way to fake an extra hours sleep.

I adore taking a long bath with a generous swirl of Jo by Jo Loves gel. And when it comes to an indulgent night cream, Hannah introduced me to the excellent, if expensive, Tatcha Dewy skin range. I love the ritual of scooping up a tiny bit of this rich cream with its delicate gold spoon and the results too.

VOTING HAS NOW CLOSED FOR THE BEAUTY AWARDS 2024.
Army veteran and TV explorer Levison Wood has reacted to Prince Harry's controversial Afghanistan 'kill count' admission in Spare - admitting he 'wouldn't have done that'.

Wood, 42, trained with Harry, 40, at the Royal Military College of Sandhurst in Berkshire and both men have served together in Afghanistan in 2008.

Writing in his 2023 memoir Spare, the Duke of Sussex claimed he killed 25 Taliban soldiers during his second tour of Afghanistan in 2012 - an admission that sparked widespread backlash from several members of the armed forces.

Speaking to The Times about Harry's claim, Wood said: 'I personally wouldn't have done that, but he's sold a lot more books than me, hasn't he?'

When asked about Prince Harry, who he recently caught up with during a charity event in London, the former paratrooper said simply: 'He's great.'

Wood was promoting his latest travel book, Walking the Nile, documenting his arduous 4,250-km journey along the world's longest river.

Elsewhere in the interview, the bestselling author-turned-TV adventurer confirmed he is still single - but did not rule out the possibility of getting married 'if anyone will have me'.

One of Britain's most eligible bachelors, Wood added that, while his mother pesters him for grandchildren, the pressure has somewhat been eased since his brother 'just had a baby'.

Levison Wood with Prince Harry and his then-fiancee Meghan Markle at the 2018 Endeavour Fund Awards in London

Wood, 42, snapped a selfie with Harry, 40, when the duo crossed paths at the 2024 WellChild Awards in London earlier this year

Prince Harry during his first tour of Afghanistan, with the royal seen patrolling the deserted town of Garmisir on January 2, 2008 in Helmand Province

'Very considerate,' he quipped, but refused to comment on his current relationship status after a female stalker was jailed for a three-month stalking campaign against Wood.

Prince Harry sparked fierce criticism after he admitted he killed 25 Taliban fighters in his controversial memoir Spare referring to them as 'chess pieces'.

'Most soldiers can't tell you precisely how much death is on their ledger,' he wrote. 'But in the ages of Apaches and laptops, everything I did in the course of two combat tours was recorded, time-stamped.

'And I felt it vital never to shy away from that number,' Harry continued. 'Among the many things I learned in the Army, accountability was near the top of the list.

'So, my number: Twenty-five. It wasn't a number that gave me any satisfaction. But neither was it a number that made me feel ashamed.

'While in the heat and fog of combat, I didn't think of those twenty-five as people. You can't kill people if you think of them as people.

'You can't really harm people if you think of them as people. They were chess pieces removed from the board, Bads taken away before they could kill Goods.

'I'd been trained to 'other-ize' them, trained well,' Harry, who was known as 'Captain Wales' in the military, continued.

Prince Harry, who was known as Captain Wales in the British Army, sparked fierce backlash for revealing the number of Taliban fighters he killed in his memoir Spare

Former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace accused Harry of 'boasting' about his 'kill count' in an interview with LBC's Nick Ferrari

Following its release, Prince Harry's memoir became the fastest-selling non-fiction book in the UK

Several high-profile figures - including former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace - and army veterans criticised Harry for revealing his 'kill count' while warning it could pose a serious security risk to the Duke and his family.

Reacting to Harry's comments, Iraq veteran Colonel Tim Collins told Forces News: 'That's not how you behave in the army; it's not how we think. He has badly let the side down. We don't do notches on the rifle butt. We never did.'

Wallace, 53, who also went to Sandhurst and served in the army, accused Harry of 'boasting' about his kill count in an interview with LBC's Nick Ferrari.

'I frankly think boasting about tallies or talking about tallies distorts the fact that the Army is a team game. It's a team enterprise. It's not about who can shoot the most.'

Following the release of Spare, which became the fastest-selling non-fiction book in the UK, Prince Harry branded the suggestion he 'boasted' about his kill count in Afghanistan a 'dangerous lie' after excerpts from the book were leaked online.

During an appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, Harry said certain media outlets had chosen to intentionally 'strip away the context' of his account.

'Without a doubt, the most dangerous lie that they have told, is that I somehow boasted about the number of people I killed in Afghanistan,' he said.

'If I heard anyone boasting about that kind of thing, I would be angry. But it's a lie.

'It's really troubling and very disturbing that they can get away with it... My words are not dangerous - but the spin of my words are very dangerous to my family. That is a choice they've made.'

Prince Harry recently met Wood during his most recent visit to the UK, when the Duke attended the 2024 WellChild Awards.

The Duke has been a patron of the UK charity, which supports seriously ill children and their families, since 2008.

Since Harry and wife Meghan Markle quit the royal family in 2020 - and relocated to the US - he has returned to the UK for the WellChild Awards in 2022, 2023, and 2024.

Recounting his meeting with Harry at this year's ceremony, Wood wrote on X: 'Very honoured to give an award at the WellChild awards this evening and catch up with some old friends! A wonderful organisation doing heroic work.'

His post was accompanied by a selfie of Wood with Prince Harry.

Wood previously defended Harry in the wake of 'Megxit' in January 2020, when the Sussexes announced their decision to step down as senior members of the royal family.

In a post on X/Twitter, he wrote: 'Prince Harry has served this country in & out of uniform. We trained together at Sandhurst and he served in Afghan with distinction.

The Duke has been a patron of the WellChild, the UK charity which supports seriously ill children and their families, since 2008. Here, he is seen in conversation with 14-year-old Jude Allen during this year's WellChild Awards ceremony in London

His September visit marked Harry's most recent trip to the UK

Prince Harry and then-fiancee Meghan Markle seen leaving the 2018 Endeavour Fund Awards that were held in London

'He's been a champion of the Forces Community throughout his career.

'Worth remembering this for those commenting on duty.'

He also documented his 2018 meeting with Harry and Meghan at the Endeavour Fund Awards - honouring wounded, injured, and sick veterans who conquered sporting and adventure challenges - in a social media post.

Alongside a picture of him shaking hands with Harry, Wood wrote on X: 'Great to catch up with HRH Prince Harry and all the Endeavour Fund team last night at the awards.

'Truly humbling and inspiring stories.'

The Parachute Regiment veteran was named as the Endeavour Fund's first ambassador, with Wood presenting the 2018 awards ceremony attended by Harry and Meghan.

The Endeavour Fund, which was set up as a part of the Royal Foundation, was transferred to the Invictus Games Foundation in June 2020.
It caused controversy at the time for its glowing review of Bashar Al Assad's wife Asma which hauntingly coincided with war breaking out in Syria over the former President's brutally repressive regime.

But Vogue's surprising profile of the former First Lady - who is thought to have been granted asylum in Moscow with her deposed husband - is likely to resurface in the minds of many following the collapse of the al-Assad family's iron rule after five decades.

However, few will be able to discover the full article, entitled 'A Rose in the Desert' and written by former French Vogue Editor Joan Juliet Buck, since shortly after it was published in the March 2011 edition of US Vogue, the feature suddenly vanished from the internet.

Despite being quickly pulled from the magazine's website, some snippets remain online, showcasing the way in which the embarrassing profile praised the Assads as a 'wildly democratic' family-focused couple who lived in the 'safest country in the Middle East'.

British-born Asma, who gave up a successful career as a banker in London to marry her husband of nearly 24 years, was described as 'glamorous, young, and very chic - the freshest and most magnetic of first ladies'.

But the gushing profile, published as Assad began terrorising his own people, was met with a wave of criticism and both Buck and Vogue's editor, Anna Wintour, were accused of pushing a public relations campaign on the regime's behalf, reported The Guardian.

In June 2012, Wintour issued a statement about the feature, saying, via The New York Times: 'Like many at that time, we were hopeful that the Assad regime would be open to a more progressive society.

'Subsequent to our interview, as the terrible events of the past year and a half unfolded in Syria, it became clear that its priorities and values were completely at odds with those of Vogue.

Syrian's former President Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma in Paris in 2008

Vogue's surprising profile (pictured) of the former First Lady - who is thought to have been granted asylum in Moscow with her deposed husband - is likely to resurface in the minds of many following the collapse of the al-Assad family's iron rule after five decades

'The escalating atrocities in Syria are unconscionable and we deplore the actions of the Assad regime in the strongest possible terms.'

But the year prior, the senior editor at Vogue who was responsible for the story, Chris Knutsen, defended the controversial article, explaining: 'We thought we could open up that very closed world a very little bit', reported The Atlantic.

He said the profile strived to offer 'a balanced view of the first lady and her self-defined role as Syria's cultural ambassador', but conceded that Assad's country was 'not as secular as we might like'.

From Al Assad and his wife attending a Catholic carol concert, where he rang a Christmas bell and declared 'This is the diversity you want to see in the Middle East... This is how you can have peace!' to discussing the despot's love of photography, the profile painted a cosy and modern picture of Asma and her husband.

'[Asma's] a rare combination: a thin, longlimbed beauty with a trained analytic mind who dresses with cunning understatement... She's breezy, conspiratorial, and fun,' insisted the feature, which detailed her efforts to give Syria a 'brand essence'.

In the article, Asma, whose parents are both Sunni Muslims, recalled teasing Brad Pitt about security during his and Angelina Jolie's visit for the United Nations in 2009, embracing other religious such as Christianity by decorating a Christmas tree and travelling to the Louvre.

Indeed, instead of questioning the Queen's College alumna about the oppression faced in the country, or seemingly anything of real consequence, Buck chatted with Asma about the early days of her romance with her now husband.

They also talked about her 'central mission' to encourage 'active citizenship' and the centres the former First Lady had founded to urge children and young adults to engage in their civic responsibility to 'move this country forward'.

British-born Asma (thought to be pictured with her 21-year-old daughter Zein) gave up a successful career as a banker in London to marry her husband of nearly 24 years

The gushing profile, published as Assad began terrorising his own people, was met with a wave of criticism. Pictured, Bashar al-Assad and his wife in 2023

Meanwhile, Buck discussed photography with al-Assad and asked him about why he studied eye surgery as a student.

The profile also explained how their family was apparently run on 'wildly democratic principles', with the two parents and three children all voting on what they want.

It also mentioned how alAssad was elected president in 2000, after the death of his father, Hafez al-Assad, with a 'startling' 97 per cent of the vote - but fails to mention that he was apparently the only candidate, according to The Atlantic.

Elsewhere, the feature has a compliment for Asma from her younger brother, who praises her 'intelligence', as well as notes how she starts her work days at 6 and never has a lunch break.

The backlash to the profile cost Buck her 'livelihood', claimed the writer, and ended the association she'd had with Vogue since she was 23 years old.

She penned an article for Newsweek in 2012 about the feature, explaining how she'd initially rejected the assignment and didn't know she was 'going to meet a murderer'.

The author said was taken in by Asma's 'well-rounded and glossy presentation of a cosy, modern, relaxed version of herself, her family, and her country'.

However, she also suggested that her phone and computer were monitored, couldn't 'shake a driver' when trying to go about her journeys alone in the country and claimed to notice a 'mobile prison' outside a marketplace. None of which was mentioned in the original profile.

Despite being quickly pulled from the magazine's website (pictured), some snippets remain online, showcasing the way in which the embarrassing profile praised the Assads as a 'wildly democratic' family-focused couple who lived in the 'safest country in the Middle East'

Bashar al-Assad (pictured left) and Asma (pictured centre) and Tony Blair (pictured right) in 2002

According to Buck, she was told by a features editor at the magazine that they 'don't want any politics, none at all' in the article, adding '[Asma] only wants to talk about culture, antiquities, and museums'.

It came after The Hill had reported that US lobbying firm Brown Lloyd James had been paid $5,000 per month by the Syrian government to arrange the Vogue feature.

Buck - who later labelled Asma the 'first lady of hell' - noted that the 'Assads' PR firm' Brown Lloyd James took care of her visa.

Born in London in 1975, to Fawaz Akhras, a successful cardiologist at the private Cromwell Hospital and her mother, Sahar, a senior Syrian diplomat, Asma, 49, was sent to Queen's College, in Marylebone where fees are almost 9,000 a term.

From there she graduated at King's College London in 1996 with a degree in computer science and French literature and embarked upon a career in investment banking at major companies including Deutsche Bank and JPMorgan.

Four years later she married Assad, now 59, in Syria in the same year he took control of the country, after the death of his father, Hafez al-Assad, who died aged 69.

Together they have three children, who are aged between 19 and 23, and are presumed to be with their parents in Moscow.

On the international stage Mrs Assad cut a demure figure, with her understated attire and photogenic looks, and her veilless face was emblematic of Syria's reputation for relative freedom for women in a Muslim country.

The couple during a visit to Schoenbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria, on April 28, 2009

For years Asma was the face of female liberation in the Middle East; with her successful career in banking and her secular British upbringing

But during the war, the couple are understood to have drifted apart, yet with Assad's mother dying in 2016 and Mrs Assad's diagnosis of breast cancer in 2018, she was repositioned at the heart of the regime's economy.

But this new role was nothing more than a 'shakedown' operation of the country's middle class merchants and businessmen.

She orchestrated a secretive labyrinth of committees and policies, run by her henchman, which controlled everything from access to the internet to subsided food rations.

Her empire also extended to the distribution of foreign aid - effectively she controlled who got what when.

With her role within Assad's dictatorship growing, she was unable to maintain her early image of the liberated woman operating at the heart of power in a Muslim country. She became one and the same with the Syrian regime's terrible suppression of its people.

Despite the challenges to her public image, she was still seen on the international stage meeting with the heads of state in Europe.

But her role in Syria's financial policy earned her the widespread, unenviable nickname of 'Lady Macbeth' from rebels and commentators alike.

Now, as she, her husband, and their three adult children begin a new life in Russia after being granted asylum by Vladimir Putin, her once gilded facade has been utterly torn apart.

Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma al-Assad pose during a visit to the Great Wall of China at Badaling on June 22, 2004

Al-Assad and his wife Asma arrive at official lunch held at the Hotel Marigny in Paris, France on July 14, 2008

Asma has become accustomed to a life of luxury, with reports that she spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on home furnishings and clothes during her husband's reign of terror.

The US state department estimates that the family are worth $2billion, with their wealth concealed in numerous accounts, shell companies, offshore tax havens and real estate portfolios.

Now they are likely to draw on their family connections and extensive assets in Moscow in the hope of keeping up their comfortable lifestyle in exile.

The Syrian dictator's extended family bought up at least 20 Moscow apartments worth more than 30 million in recent years, illustrating Russia's status as a safe haven for the clan.

The Kremlin today confirmed that the family was given asylum on the direct orders of Putin. Moscow disclosed no further details, with presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov telling reporters today: 'We have nothing to say about Assad's whereabouts.'

Mrs Assad, who has been battling an aggressive form of leukaemia, is widely believed to have arrived in Moscow with her daughter and two sons days before her husband finally fled Syria.

Secret tunnels beneath an Assad family mansion were reportedly uncovered after rebels seized the capital Damascus on Sunday, with the network serving as a possible escape route for the dictator and his allies.

Meanwhile reports have suggested that Assad could have fled via Russia's Khmeimim airbase, with flight trackers reportedly showing a Russian plane taking off from near the north-eastern city of Latakia just hours before he was reported to be in Moscow.

The unopposed takeover of the Syrian capital after a lightning offensive by rebel groups on Sunday brought to an end a 13-year civil war and six decades of the Assad family's autocratic rule.

The family - including sons Hafez and Karim, aged 24 and 21, and 22-year-old daughter Zein - are now expected to move their lives to Russia, though it is unclear whether they will live in a private property or be forced to stay in a government safehouse.

Whatever the case, they are likely to expect some level of luxury given their previous living conditions and inordinate wealth.
Bangkok locals have been left baffled after a newly renovated bus stop was ruined by workers who poured cement over the seating area.

People heading to catch the bus near at Luang Phaeng Road in the Samut Prakan region of the Thai capital where left confused by to see the bottom of eight green plastic seats totally submerged under concrete.

contractor was instructed to lay concrete on the ground below the seats, according to Nation Thailand, but instead completely submerged them, forcing commuters to position themselves onto the ground to wait for their bus.

Bizarrely, reports further suggest the contractor was not told to remove the bus stop structure before pouring the concrete.

The contractor has since claimed full responsibility for the mistake and is reportedly working on resolving the issue.

Facebook page Sanam Khao Muang Prakan uploaded photos of the bus stop along with the caption: 'No communication once again,'.

The post has since made waves on social media, with many poking fun at the scenario.

On Reddit, people took to the subreddit r/Thailand to share their thoughts, with one person commenting: 'No brain detected.'

Locals in a Thai province have been left scratching their heads after a newly renovated bus stop saw concrete poured over the seating area - making it impossible to use

Another, responding, wrote: 'Sometimes you'll find it's actually malicious compliance.

'The guy pouring the cement knows the seats are there, but just knows it's not his problem, he's paid to pour cement, no one instructed him to deal with seats, and they're certainly not paying him to deal with the seats.'

Meanwhile, a third joked: 'A real down to earth experience.'

On Facebook, one user criticised the shoddy work done on the bus stop, writing: 'People with sense and ideas don't do that, but lazy people do.'

Another wrote: 'Who thought of this? People with common sense wouldnt do this.'

A third quipped: 'The designer, contractor, and project inspector must all be the same person.'

Another wrote: 'As Thais, we prioritise proper manners and posture in public spaces.

'The creator clearly understood this and wanted to pass on these values directly to society through this work. A perfect demonstration of how to properly wait for public transport!'

It comes after people were in hysterics after a young woman had the most amusing shopping experience of her life while visiting a plus-size mall in Thailand.

The comedian, who wears a size 10, had to resort to shopping at the special mall in Bangkok, as she couldn't find any clothes that fit her in the regular shops.

'This is the first time in my life that I've been considered plus-size. B****, I'm a size six (UK 10) but out here in Asia, that's 'thicc', that's big,' the woman said.

'So I had to go to a specific mall to get some shopping done - and let me just say that the mall was cutting it up (behaving hilariously).'

Inside the mall, the traveller was confronted by the following 'crazy' shop names: Love Calories, FitFat, Fat Boys, Fat Girls, Chubby, Big Girl and Fatty Fatgirl.

'When you first step in they hit you with 'the bam'! They're not giving a d*** about being politically correct...If you're big, you're big,' the amused comedian said.

After recovering from the shock, she was surprised to find that the massive range of clothes was 'beating down' (really good) - and priced at around $10 per item.

'If you're plus-size you've got to come and shop in Thailand,' the American added.

Love Calories was one of the hilariously-named plus-size women's clothing shops inside of a Thai mall

Fatty Fatgirl is a women's store that specialises in clothing for 'plus-size' women, some of who are an Australian size ten

'There's nothing passive aggressive here, just aggressive,' one woman said of the hilariously named plus-size shops inside of a Thai mall

People reacting to the video couldn't contain their laughter with many having a hard time believing the 'wild' shop names.

'Why is this all in English, though - they're throwing direct shots,' one man said.

'There's nothing passive aggressive here, just aggressive,' another chimed in.

Medium-build westerners who have also had trouble shopping for clothes in Asia were quick to share their own experiences.

One woman, who was 170 cm tall and weighed 70 kg, attempted to indulge in some light retail therapy when she visited the Thai capital while on her honeymoon.

'I tried to walk into a shop and the shopkeeper roared, 'no, no, too big - too long', it's been ten years now and my husband still shouts it at me sometimes,' she said.
The future Queen of Norway's son is in hot water again after breaching a restraining order against one of his alleged victims.

Marius Borg Hoiby, often referred to as the 'black sheep' of the royal family of Norway, is currently awaiting trial on charges of rape and domestic violence.

After leaving rehab facility in London, the stepson of Crown Prince Haakon, is said to have contacted one of the women, breaching the terms of the order, according to Norwegian media.

It's not clear if Hoiby has been arrested again.

His first arrest was on August 4th for an assault, he was then arrested again on September 13 for a different alleged assault and a third time in November on rape charges.

Late last month, Hoiby was released from custody after he was arrested on suspicion of rape.

The 27-year-old - who has been accused of a second rape - was banned from having visitors and letters during his stay in custody due to the risk of tampering with evidence, NRK reported.

Police have said they would not seek further detention of Borg Hiby because they believe there is no longer a danger that evidence will be lost or destroyed.

The future Queen of Norway's son is in hot water again after breaching a restraining order against one of his alleged victims

Marius Borg Hoiby, often referred to as the 'black sheep' of the royal family of Norway, is currently awaiting trial on charges of rape and domestic violence

At the time, police allegedly requested that Borg Hiby be detained for two weeks, but he was only held for one, according to local paper Se Og Hor.

They also reported that he has been given two new restraining orders. Speaking of Borg Hiby's release, his defence lawyer yvind Bratlien told NRK: 'This was not surprising. He shouldn't have been imprisoned at all. I think it was wrong, I won't say more.'

Oslo police also began an investigation into a new allegation of a sexual offence, for which he has not been charged, NRK reported. Details about the new allegations were not immediately available.

Borg Hiby is the stepson of the heir to the Norwegian throne, Crown Prince Haakon, and the son of Crown Princess Mette-Marit from a previous relationship. He has no royal title or official duties.

He was arrested last week in Oslo on a preliminary charge of having had 'sexual intercourse with someone who is unconscious or for other reasons unable to resist the act.'

A preliminary charge comes before a formal charge and allows authorities to detain suspects during an investigation.

Borg Hiby is the stepson of the heir to the Norwegian throne, Crown Prince Haakon, and the son of Mette-Marit from a previous relationship

The Norwegian royal family was rocked by Hiby's first arrest at the beginning of August. Pictured with his mother in 2016

At the time, police did not say when the alleged rape occurred, but only that 'the victim must have been unable to resist the act.' Norwegian media reported that Borg Hiby has denied the accusation.

'Marius is facing serious accusations, which the police and the judiciary will deal with... I am convinced they will do a good job,' Prince Haakon told public broadcaster NRK before the detention order last week.

Speaking about the second allegation, police lawyer Andreas Kruszewski had said it 'involves sexual intercourse without consent with a woman incapable of resisting the act'.

Investigators searched and seized items from Borg Hiby's home. The police investigation is ongoing, and no trial date has been set.

Since his arrest, a shocking video of Borg Hiby has been shared with the Norwegian publication Se og Hr, which allegedly shows the former mechanic illustrating how he ended the relationship with an ex.

When he turned 20, the royal court announced Marius was stepping away from public life and his profile was removed from the family's official website

In the clip, Borg Hiby is reportedly asked: 'How did you break up with your last girlfriend?'. Shrugging his shoulders, he then leans forward towards the camera as he makes a slapping gesture with his hands.

It is not known when the video was recorded - but it was allegedly published in a group in Borg Hiby's own network, which consists of around 50 people.

Borg Hiby's lawyer, Bratlien, said his client was innocent and was opposed to being held in preventive detention.

Bratlien said he would appeal the detention ruling, but welcomed the fact that judges had not granted the police request for a two-week detention. 'We consider that promising,' he said in a written statement to NRK.

The rape charge comes after he was accused of bodily harm following a late-night row on August 4 at the Oslo apartment of a woman he was having a relationship with, police said.

Norwegian media reported that police found a knife stuck in one of the woman's bedroom walls at the time.

Borg Hiby in a later statement to the media admitted to causing her bodily harm while he was under the influence of cocaine and alcohol and of damaging her apartment. He said he regretted his acts.

Borg Hiby was arrested again in September for breaching a restraining order.

When he was detained last Monday, he was in a car with the alleged victim of the August incident, according to police.

Borg Hiby was raised by the royal couple alongside his step-siblings Princess Ingrid Alexandra, 20, and Prince Sverre Magnus, 18. Unlike them however he has no official public role.

The Norwegian royal family was rocked by Borg Hiby's first arrest at the beginning of August, after a woman - Rebecca Helberg Arntsen - was left in hospital with her injuries following an attack.

Prince Sverre Magnus, Crown Prince Haakon, Princess Ingrid Alexandra, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Marius Borg Hiby pictured in 2019 in Oslo

A week after his arrest, Borg Hiby admitted to the assault on Rebecca, whom he referred to as his 'girlfriend' (her lawyers have refuted this claim).

In a statement issued via his own lawyer, Borg Hiby said he suffers from 'several mental disorders' and has 'struggled with substance abuse for a long time', which he said he is resuming treatment for.

The statement read: 'Last weekend something happened that should never have happened. I committed bodily harm and destroyed objects in an apartment in the intoxication of alcohol and cocaine after an argument.

'I have several mental disorders which mean that throughout my upbringing and adult life, I have had, and still have, challenges. I have struggled with substance abuse for a long time, something I have been in treatment for in the past.

'The drug use and my diagnoses do not excuse what happened in the apartment at Frogner on the night of Sunday last weekend. I want to be responsible for what I have done, and will explain myself truthfully to the police.

'For me, the most important thing is to say sorry to my girlfriend. She deserved neither what happened that night, nor the extreme pressure from both the Norwegian and foreign press afterwards.'

Mette-Marit's eldest son also apologised to his family for his actions that have 'greatly affected you'.

Weeks later, the 27-year-old was taken into custody after breaching a restraining order.

The restraining order in question was for the protection of Rebecca Helberg Arntsen, whom Borg Hiby admitted to assaulting, in a booze and drug-fuelled attack on 4 August, which saw him arrested for the first time and held in a police cell overnight.
The Dutch royal, 53, joined her husband in visiting the wreckage

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands appeared solemn today as she visited the wreckage of an apartment building that exploded in The Hague on Saturday.

The royal, 53, was joined by her husband King Willem-Alexander, 57, on Monday as she visited the scene of a tragic explosion in an apartment building that left at least six people dead on Saturday.

Maxima appeared sombre as she surveyed the rubble alongside her husband and a group of firefighter and other officials.

The mother-of-three arrived in a camel coloured trench coat with a warm beige scarf wrapped snuggly beneath.

She wore a simple pair of jeans, trading her usual high heels for white trainers to visit the rubble remaining from the disaster.

The wore her hair neatly brushed down at her sides and sported a typically smart and polished makeup look for the visit.

The queen looked soberly towards King-Willem-Alexander as he spoke to press during their visit.

NL Times reported that the king described being 'in complete shock' following the tragedy.

Queen Maxima of the Netherlands appeared solemn today as she visited the wreckage of an apartment building that exploded in The Hague on Saturday

The queen looked soberly towards King-Willem-Alexander as he spoke to press during their visit

'It is beyond imagination. You follow what is happening minute by minute, but when you see the site, the impact of the explosion on those buildings, all those people there, I am shaking as I think of it,' he said.

The Dutch royals also told media outlets: 'Our thoughts are with those affected.'

The pair were briefed by the police and firefighters before going on to speak with surviving residents and loved ones of victims.

Fundraising action across the city in hopes of support the victims, had already gathered 340,000 as of Monday morning.

As of Monday morning, six people have been found killed following the explosion that left half of the building collapsed.

The explosion at the block of flats left a path of destruction after firefighters were called to the blaze on Saturday at 6.15am local time (5.15am GMT).

Plumes of smoke could be seen from the three-storey building in the Hague on Saturday morning as firefighters battled the blaze.

The royal, 53, was joined by her husband King Willem-Alexander , 57, on Monday as she visited the scene of a tragic explosion in an apartment building that left at least six people dead on Saturday

The pair were briefed by the police and firefighters before going on to speak with surviving residents and loved ones of victims

As of Monday morning, six people have been found killed following the explosion that left half of the building collapsed

As of last night, 10 people had been rescued from the rubble, four of which were taken to hospital while another was being seen to by paramedics on the scene before being taken to shelter.

It's not currently known how many are left amongst the buildings remains though it's thought that up to 20 people had been present at the time. Sniffer dogs are currently being employed to search for the remaining residents.

It's not clear how the explosion happened, however Dutch Police have said a car sped away from the scene at the time of the blast.

Elite search and rescue teams, specialised in searching for victims in natural disasters and earthquakes have been sent to the scene and a large excavator has been installed at the site to help clear the debris.

Dutch Media have also reported that five flats were destroyed by the explosion.

Mayor van Zanen has previously said the chance of survivors was slim and warned the community to prepare for the 'worst case scenario'.

He said: 'It is not known how many people are still under the rubble. But the reality is that there is only a slim chance of survival for them.'

The sixth victim was discovered in the cellar at around 2:30am on Monday according to the Veiligheidsreio Haaglanden.

Residents described hearing a small explosion before the massive set the place ablaze. They described the impact of the blast as 'like an earthquake'.

It's not currently known how many are left amongst the buildings remains though it's thought that up to 20 people had been present at the time. Sniffer dogs are currently being employed to search for the remaining residents

As of last night, 10 people had been rescued from the rubble, four of which were taken to hospital while another was being seen to by paramedics on the scene before being taken to shelter

It comes after the Dutch royal stepped out in a monochromatic ensemble for an event on financial health in London last week.

She picked an elegant calf-length cream dress for her visit on Wednesday - one day after she addressed the Financial Times Global Banking Summit.

Former banker Maxima put on a glamorous display as she wore a matching cape over the dress and finished the look with a pair of tan suede stilletos.

As she stepped out of her car on a chilly morning in London, Maxima kept herself warm by adding a belted camel-coloured coat over her dress and leather gloves.

Maxima wore her hair in a simple bun and kept her makeup looking fresh and natural.

She accessorised with a pair of diamond earrings, a couple of bracelets, and a watch - with Maxima looking completely focused on her tour of what appeared to be the Mastercard offices in London.

The wore her hair neatly brushed down at her sides and sported a typically smart and polished makeup look for the visit

'It is beyond imagination. You follow what is happening minute by minute, but when you see the site, the impact of the explosion on those buildings, all those people there, I am shaking as I think of it,' the king said

The visit followed just a day after she spoke at the Global Banking Summit in the capital.

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.

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.
Josie documented her experience at the Paco Hotel in Guangzhou

An Australian influencer was blown away after she realised her hotel in China used robots to deliver room service orders to its guests.

Josie documented her experience at the Paco Hotel in Guangzhou in a series of TikToks that have since gone viral - with several users in stitches over the high-tech robot's mannerisms.

Josie, who has nearly 80,000 followers, first came across the large rectangular robot while she was riding the elevator back up to her room at the hotel.

The travel vlogger decided to follow the robot down the hotel's hallways, as it sped along on its way to deliver dinner to one of the guests.

As the robot exited the lift at its designated floor, a rather confused Josie wondered: 'How did you know we were here?'

She also pointed out a message on the back of the robot that read 'Working, do not disturb' in multiple languages, alerting tourists against interacting with it during the delivery run.

Josie was so impressed by the robot, she decided to place a room service order and film her experience in a video that has over 85,000 likes at the time of writing.

She called up the front desk and said: 'When we were checking in, we saw robots coming down the hallway and I know that they deliver food so I thought I'd check it out.'

Australian influencer Josie was blown away after she realised her hotel in China used robots to deliver room service orders to its guests

Shortly after she placed her order, Josie got a call from staff saying that her meal was on its way, so she decided to wait by her room door and film the interaction.

'Oh my god, that's him! That's him!' Josie exclaimed, as she saw the robot's bright, blue eyes glowing in the hallway.

The phone in Josie's room then rang with an automated message informing her that the robot had arrived with her hot food.

After opening the door, Josie greeted the robot by saying 'Ni hao,' which translates to 'hello' in Mandarin Chinese.

The robot then operated its sliding door to reveal Josie's dinner inside, as the social media influencer noted: 'I didn't even have to press open.'

'There's a lot of food in there,' she continued, before thanking the robot by saying 'Xie Xie'.

After executing Josie's delivery seamlessly, the robot closed its hatch and reversed itself down the hallway - presumably on its way to deliver another order.

Since it was posted, Josie's video has earned nearly 500 comments about her futuristic food delivery experience.

The food delivery robots at the Paco Hotel in Guangzhou, China

Several social media users were impressed with Josie's futuristic food delivery experience

One user wrote: 'Im laughing so much [at] the way it just casually reverses down the hall.'

Another person said: 'A robot delivering my food instead of a person is the dream.'

A third said: 'I wish we had them in the UK.'

Some people pointed out that hotels in Newcastle and Milton Keynes have robots like the one Josie interacted with.

One TikTok user shared that a Chinese restaurant in Bolton, Lancashire, 'has robots deliver your food to your table', adding it is 'pretty cool'.

Still others said the thought of a robot delivering takeaway 'terrified' them, with one person writing: 'This is actually quite scary.'

Meanwhile, in Japan, diners at the Dawn Avatar Robot Cafe are served by machines that are remotely controlled by people with medical or physical limitations.

Although it is not feasible for them to come in, the staff can still remain connected to society through their jobs at the specialised diner.

A French travel content creator, who only goes by the name 'ksouchh', went to the eatery and filmed his experience in an Instagram clip.

The Paris-based influencer proceeded to have a friendly chat with one of the waitresses, communicating with her via a white robot with pink lit-up lips.

The pair greeted each other by saying 'hello', before he asked his server: 'Where are you now?'

She responded: 'I'm in Saitama in Japan, do you know Saitama?'

The man told her he was not familiar with the area, but recognised the name of the city.

'Where is it?' he asked her, before the woman informed him Saitama is 'not far' from Tokyo.

'But I have a disease so I can't go out at all,' she continued. 'So I am using the robot. I come here and I can work here.'

'That's perfect,' the travel vlogger said, with the woman thanking him for his kindness.

They ended their heartwarming interaction by saying 'arigatou gozaimasu', the polite way to say 'thank you; in Japanese.

He then filmed the robot slowly turning around and rolling away from their table.
Police were left baffled with 'absolutely nothing' to give them clues

Police have unveiled a chilling 999 call that triggered a race against time to save a woman in danger - before her boyfriend claimed he had 'brain fog' around her attack.

In tonight's episode of 24 Hours In Police Custody on Channel 4, Bedfordshire Police receive an initial anonymous call from a woman before the line mysteriously clears.

As they scrambled to find an address for the caller, they received another emergency call seven minutes later, this time from a man saying his 'girlfriend' was 'blue in the face' and 'unconscious'.

After locating both calls to the same address in Luton, police raced against time in an attempt to save the woman.

Upon arrival, neither caller could be found at the address - but 29 minutes after the first emergency call, they burst into a nearby flat to find a man lying on top of a woman, who was unconscious and not breathing.

While the woman was taken to hospital in a coma, the man only responded that he had 'really bad brain fog' and was 'completely lost' due to having diabetes.

What's more, neither party had any local ties in the UK, leaving police with a baffling mystery to solve based on 'absolutely nothing'.

The episode features the shocking moment police first received a call alerting them to the emergency.

Jorge Blanco made an anonymous 999 call to police and said his girlfriend was 'unconscious'

Police managed to track him to an address in Luton and arrested him on suspicion of murder (pictured). But Blanco said he had 'brain fog' due to his diabetes

At 4.35am, a female voice could be heard saying 'Leave now or else I will call them.'

Seven minutes later, a second call came through - this time from a man. He said he 'needed police and an ambulance', before saying: 'She kept threatening me. I'm safe, she's not. Oh god, she's blue in the face.'

Police arrested the man for murder, and after initial investigations found out that his name was Jorge Blanco, who was originally from Mexico but had been living in Nevada.

The woman, who he said was his 'girlfriend', was identified and her family were found, though in the programme she is only referred to as 'Jane Doe'.

At just 26 years old, the only information known about her was that she was an 'overseas student'.

When police arrived, Jorge appeared confused, asking: 'What time is it?' and repeating only that he needed his medication for diabetes.

Later, when he was taken into custody, he told officers: 'I have really bad brain fog, I'm diabetic, I'm completely lost', adding that he didn't know why he'd been arrested.

In police interviews Jorge appeared to fall asleep and became 'dizzy' in his cell, saying he needed to visit the nurse. But officers soon began to wonder if he was just 'manipulating' them in the hope of escaping a formal charge.

In police interviews Jorge appeared to fall asleep and became 'dizzy' in his cell, saying he needed to visit the nurse

Officers saw he had scratches on his face, consistent with someone employing self-defence measures

Little by little, they began to piece together the baffling case. After receiving both parties' phones, they could tell Jane Doe had hit the SOS button on her phone five times at 4am.

Meanwhile Jorge had marks on his body consistent with being scratched by someone attempting to fend off an attacker.

Texts between the couple sent five weeks prior to the attack revealed valuable insights about their relationship, showing it had been one of coercion and control on Jorge's part.

Messages from Jorge had read: 'I miss you' and 'I'm getting a flight', while replies from Jane had read: 'I never asked you to come' and 'You've done things I can't forgive.'

SOCO pictures taken of Jane in hospital showed a mark on her neck, suggesting the suspect had been holding something around her neck. And when they revisited the crime scene again, police came across a handbag with a strap, close to where police had found them after the initial 999 call.

Then police uncovered shocking bodycam footage that changed everything.

A rambling Jorge had confessed everything to police when he was arrested. He said he'd been heading out and tried to grab Jane's phone. When she refused, he ended up holding her down and strangling her.

DI Jenny Riddy led the investigation, but admitted the team had 'nothing to go on'

DC Suzanne Seagrove from Bedfordshire police major crime unit said the victim had 'nearly got away'

He then issued his bombshell confession, admitting: 'I should have just let her threaten me. I did it, I did it. I was pleading and I didn't know I was that tight on her. I was laying on her.'

Tragically, the results of Jane's CT scan showed a large bleed on her brain and extensive swelling.

This meant doctors were forced to conclude her injuries were an end of life event due to the severe brain trauma.

A pathology report determined Jorge Blanco may have strangled his victim for up to five minutes after she fell unconscious. She died with her family at her bedside a week after the incident.

It appeared Jorge and the victim had known each other for around two years, with a judge describing him as 'a controlling, manipulative, jealous man with narcissistic characteristics'.

They added that the murder was motivated by him feeling like he could no longer control his victim.

Jorge Blanco was found guilty of murder and sentenced to serve a minimum of 20 years in prison.

DC Suzanne Seagrove from Bedfordshire police major crime unit said: 'She was a bright woman with a bright future in front of her. And she nearly got away.'

24 Hours In Police Custody: The Murder Of Jane Doe airs Monday 9 December at 9pm on Channel 4.
Lamees Dahbour (left) owner of catering company Mama Lamees and local business owner Samir Salameh will open a new restaurant named Falasteen in January. Provided by Samir Salameh New Palestinian restaurant Falasteen will seat 50 across its dining room and bar. The restaurant opens in January. Provided by Samir Salameh

Its been nearly seven years in the making, but when Falasteen, Noe Valleys new Palestinian restaurant, opens in January, it will be a celebration of family cooking and resilience.

The new restaurant is the latest from Lamees Dahbour, best known for her Palestinian cuisine catering company Mama Lamees and a now-closed outpost of the same name at the Emeryville Public Market. Dahbour says she will cook dishes that are not just Middle Eastern, but truly Palestinian.

Inside Noe Valleys new Palestinian restaurant Falasteen, which will open in January. The menu will feature traditional cooking from Lamees Dahbour, owner of San Francisco catering company Mama Lamees. Provided by Samir Salameh

Falasteen  named after the Arabic name for Palestine  is the latest venture from owner Samir Salameh, the local entrepreneur behind home design company Room Service. His family owns the business space where the restaurant will open at 4018 24th St., formerly the French bakery and cafe La PanotiQ, and home goods store Global Exchange.

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Salameh met Dahbour in 2018, and they immediately connected as both their families hail from the same olive tree-dotted region of the West Bank, though Dahbour was born and raised in Kuwait. Salameh recalls Dahbours cooking made a major impression after his first taste. She makes the most incredible foods, he said.

At Falasteen, Dahbour will prepare dishes like makloubah, a layered pilaf with lamb, eggplant, tomato and roasted almonds thats most often served at weddings. Another classic in the plans is musakhan, considered Palestines national dish: chicken thigh baked with onions, sumac and pine nuts and served over large flatbreads. At the new restaurant, the chicken flatbread will arrive rolled up, and a vegan flatbread option will be served open-faced with caramelized chopped onions, drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with sumac and other spices.

Simply put, Dahbour says the food at Falasteen will be as Palestinian as it gets.

This is what my grandmother cooked for us, she said.

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Cooking has been a key aspect of Dahbours life from her childhood. She learned how to prepare Palestinian dishes from her mother and grandmother when she was 10 years old. Before making cooking her profession, she worked as an administrator for the governor and the Central Bank of Kuwait, the Qatar embassy in Kuwait and United Nations field offices in Jordan before arriving in San Francisco in 1991 to work for the embassy of Yemen.

In 2015 she joined San Francisco nonprofit La Cocinas food entrepreneur incubator program. It was through the program that she had access to run her first brick-and-mortar location at the Emeryville Public Market, a food hall with space for a rotating La Cocina participant. Other notable tenants of the Emeryville hall kiosk include Minnie Bells Soul Movement chef Fernay McPherson and Lunette chef Nite Yun.

Following her departure from the food hall, in 2021, Dahbour has focused on her catering business, but hoped to open a new permanent location. Meanwhile, Salameh said he has wanted to open a restaurant for some time.

Salameh first contacted Dahbour about the possibility in 2018, but Dahbour was busy with her kiosk and catering arm. The two stayed in touch and eventually resumed talks last year.

Salameh began work to transform the former bakery into a full restaurant space in 2018, following La PanotiQs departure. But the process dragged on due to construction delays

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The dining room and marble bar combine for 50 seats set against a dining room with contrasting black and white walls. The dining room features a reproduction of British artist Banksys Love is in the Air stencil, originally painted on a West Bank wall and depicting a young man throwing a bouquet of flowers as a peace message. Outside there is a more explicit mural calling for an end to the attacks on Gaza painted by local muralist Chris Gazaleh.

We will support the people back home no matter what, Dahbour said.

There is still some cosmetic work left to do inside the restaurant and a few more staff to hire, but Dahbour and Salameh have already held a test service for friends and family. That night, guests dined on mezze plates of hummus and baba ghanoush, musakhan, racks of lamb and mujadara, a homey rice and lentil dish flavored with crispy onions.

We really want to get this right, Salameh said.

Falasteen. Opening January. 4018 24th St., San Francisco. instagram.com/falasteen_sf
Her Today hosts were stunned when they viewed a clip of her back in 1987

Hoda, 60, landed her first TV role at the age of 23 at then-CBS affiliate WXVT

Hoda Kotb's fans have claimed the Today host is 'aging backwards' after a throwback clip of her interviewing Santa Claus at the age of 23 resurfaced.

The segment was filmed way back in 1987 and Hoda - who celebrated her 60th birthday earlier this year - confirmed that it was her very first on-air job at then-CBS affiliate WXVT in Greenville, Mississippi.

Hoda was chatting to a man dressed up as Father Christmas as four young children sat on the floor below, and she was dressed in a long-sleeve purple sweater, with a patterned scarf draped across her shoulders.

The TV host was sporting a rather bouffant hairdo and a pair of statement gold earrings as she said to the man dressed as Santa: ''I know that you are the best ho-ho-ho-er in the place, let me hear one,' as he replied with his best impression.

The epic throwback footage aired on the Today show on December 5, and Hoda's current cohosts Al Roker, Carson Daly, and Savannah Guthrie were stunned.

'What is happening?' Carson, 51, asked, as Al, 70, added" 'Wow! Oh my Gosh,' to which Savannah, 52, added: 'Incredible! Why are we just now seeing this video?'

'I've never seen that Hoda hair before!' Al then joked, as Hoda giggled and thanked WXVT for employing her all those years ago.

When the clip was shared on Instagram days later, Hoda's fans couldn't resist commenting on it and were shocked by the difference in her appearance.

Hoda Kotb's fans have claimed the Today host is 'aging backwards' after a throwback clip of her at the age of 23 resurfaced

The old footage (left) showed Hoda during her first job at then-CBS affiliate WXVT in 1987. She is pictured in October 2024 (right)

'Hoda is LITERALLY aging in reverse. She looks amazing right now!!!' one person wrote.

Another person asked: 'Why does Hoda look 50 in 1987 and 40 in 2024!??' and a third claimed: 'Fashion then made people look so much older!'

A fourth person pondered: 'How does Hoda look older in 1987!? What a transformation,' and a fifth commented: 'Hoda has not aged!'

Someone else agreed and said: 'Hoda looks so much younger now than she did back then.,' while another posted: '@hodakotb is aging backwards.'

A different fan wrote: 'Hoda got older and yet some how looks younger now then she did back in the 80s.'

Another Instagram user asked: 'How was she 23 years old in this video?! Its so disorienting! She looks like at least late 30s and yet shes aged sooo gracefully and still looks so young!'

One more fan begged: '@hodakotb precious. And, how do you look younger and healthier now than you looked then? Tell us your secrets!!!'

Others were more focused on Hoda's hair as one person joked: 'Hoda's hair was "hairing"!!!!!' and another said: 'The hair was everything. So beautiful and fluffy!'

Hoda was interviewing a man dressed as Santa Claus while three young children joined the segment too

Last week, Hoda admitted to her cohost Jenna Bush Hager that people often mistake her for CBS Mornings host Gayle King

A third person commented: 'Hoda was channeling Oprah with the hair and scarf in '87. A great tribute now to aging backwards!'

The comments came just days after Hoda admitted that fans often mistake her for Oprah's bestie and fellow morning show host Gayle King.

Hoda, who announced in September that she was leaving Today in January 2025, made the admission during a chat with Jenna Bush Hager on last Wednesday's episode of Today with Hoda & Jenna.

Referring to Jenna's comments on last Tuesday's show, Hoda said: 'Here's what happens to me... I know we're talking about you and Gayle and your secret plan to anchor together,' as the mother-of-three interrupted her and blurted out: 'Friendship!'

Hoda continued: 'Well, whenever I go out anywhere, inevitably somebody will say to me, "Oh my God, I love you and your bestie Oprah," and I always go "okay" and I just stop saying anything coz then it gets...,' as Jenna questioned her: 'Oh you just pretend you're Gayle?'

'I go, "Thank you,"' Hoda replied, as Jenna added: 'You pretend your bestie is Oprah! I know exactly what you're doing!'
A lip reader has revealed Donald Trump described Prince William as 'a big man' after photos from their recent meeting in Paris showed the future king towering over the US president-elect.

Trump, 78, met the Prince of Wales, 42, at the residence of the British ambassador in Paris, following the historic reopening of the Notre-Dame over the weekend.

Expert lip reader Jacqui Press analysed a clip of their meeting on Saturday, telling MailOnline how the incoming US president referred to William as 'a big man' while posing for photographs together.

After exchanging a warm handshake with William, Trump - who was voted back to power after defeating Kamala Harris last month - told the reporters 'he's a big man, this one'.

William then asked Trump whether he had 'warmed up after the cathedral', after they attended the ceremonial reopening of the Parisian landmark earlier in the day.

Trump confirmed he had, before adding: 'I had a good time there.'

Ms Press also noted how Trump praised Prince William by telling reporters that were present that he is 'doing a fantastic job'.

Pictures showed William, who stands at a statuesque 6ft-3in or 191 cm, appeared much taller than Trump - despite the latter's claims he is the same height.

Trump, 78, met the Prince of Wales, 42, at the residence of the British ambassador in Paris, following the historic reopening of the Notre-Dame over the weekend

Expert lip reader Jacqui Press analysed a clip of their meeting on Saturday, telling MailOnline how the incoming US president referred to William as 'a big man'

Trump later lifted the lid on his conversation with William, telling the New York Post they had a 'great chat' that lasted 'for a little more than half an hour'.

He also told the outlet Prince William gave Trump an update on King Charles' health, explaining that the 76-year-old monarch his 'fighting very hard' as his cancer treatment continues.

William also said his wife, the Princess of Wales was 'doing well' after completing a preventative course of chemotherapy in September.

Trump told the Post: 'I had a great talk with the prince. And I asked him about his wife and he said she's doing well. And I asked him about his father and his father is fighting very hard, and he loves his father and he loves his wife, so it was sad.

Trump also shared he told the bearded prince, who has recently been sporting a more rugged appearance, that William was looking 'very handsome'.

'He's a good looking guy. He looked really, very handsome last night,' he continued. 'Some people look better in person? He looked great. He looked really nice, and I told him that.'

Body language expert Judi James detailed how Trump, who has five children, appeared to be 'parental' towards William during their meeting.

She claimed the American real-estate mogul-turned-politician took a 'friendly, almost parental' approach towards the prince throughout the day.

William has now become the first member of The Firm to meet Trump since his re-election last month, with experts noting the future king could play a crucial role in forging a positive relationship between the UK and the US

Trump later lifted the lid on his conversation with William, telling the New York Post they had a 'great chat' that lasted 'for a little more than half an hour'

After their photocall, William and Trump proceeded to the Salon Jaune room at the British ambassador's residence, which had gold-coloured patterned wallpaper, a Christmas tree in the corner and a chandelier overhead.

Ms Press said William told Trump 'we can warm our toes up after the cathedral' - seemingly referring to the inclement weather that forced the Notre-Dame's grand reopening indoors on Saturday.

Ahead of his visit to Paris, Kensington Palace said William will hold talks with both Trump as well as America's First Lady Jill Biden to discuss the 'special relationship' between the UK and US.

William has now become the first member of The Firm to meet Trump since his re-election, with experts noting he could become a 'key asset' in forging a positive relationship with the US after the Labour government found itself on the back foot.

When we have a Government that has been insulting the President-elect, a chancellor struggling to handle threats of tariffs... if ever there were a need to a have a head of state with a non-partisan relationship with him, then now is the time to value it,' a source previously told MailOnline.

In a statement about William's 40-minute meeting with Trump, Kensington Palace said the pair discussed a range of global issues but focused on the importance of the relationship between the UK and the US, with the President-elect sharing fond memories of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

The prince last met the 78-year-old in 2019 when the then-president made a state visit to the UK.
A Faberge cigarette case given to King Edward VII by his favourite mistress  an ancestor of Queen Camilla - will go on display for the first time at Buckingham palace next spring.

It is among a treasure trove of royal mementos, many on display for the first time, in a new exhibition, The Edwardians: Age of Elegance, which will run at the King's Gallery.

The show will delve into the family lives, personal collections, global travels and glittering social circles of two of British history's most fashionable royal couples, Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, and King George V and Queen Mary.

And it will bring together more than 300 items - almost half previously unseen outside of the Royal Family - including jewellery, fashion, paintings, photographs, sculptures, ceramics and books by famous figures such as Cartier, Oscar Wilde, Sir Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris.

Among 20 Faberge pieces will be a famed blue enamel Art Nouveau cigarette case featuring a diamond-encrusted snake biting its own tail, which Edward VII received from his mistress Alice Keppel in 1908, with the unbroken serpent a symbol of her eternal love. Alice Keppel is Camilla's great-grandmother.

Remarkably, after Edward died in 1910, Queen Alexandra - whose husband's many affairs were no secret to - returned the case to Mrs Keppel as a memento.

Equally astonishingly, Mrs Keppel gave the case back to Queen Mary twenty-five years later, in 1936, ensuring that it would remain in royal ownership.

The British royal family were introduced to Faberge by Alexandra's sister Dagmar, the wife of the Tsar of Russia, and became avid collectors.

A Faberge cigarette case given to King Edward VII by his favourite mistress  an ancestor of Queen Camilla - will go on display for the first time at Buckingham palace next spring. Pictured: Faberge, Cigarette case, 1908

Franz Xaver Winterhalter, King Edward VII when Prince of Wales, 1864

Prince Edward was the eldest son of Queen Victoria and in 1863 married Princess Alexandra of Denmark - theirs was the first royal wedding to take place at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle - ushering in a glamorous new era for the royal family.

Queen Victoria was still mourning Prince Albert, but Edward and Alexandra established their own vibrant court, filled with contemporary art, opulent balls and society events  a lifestyle later continued by their son, the future King George V, and his wife Queen Mary.

George V and Princess Victoria Mary of Teck wed in 1893 and, like Edward and Alexandra, surrounded themselves with fashionable society figures known as the Marlborough House Set.

Curator Kathryn Jones said: 'The Edwardian era is seen as a golden age of style and glamour, which indeed it was, but there is so much more to discover beneath the surface.

'This was a period of transition, with Britain poised on the brink of the modern age and Europe edging towards war.

'Our royal couples lived lavish, sociable, fast-paced lives, embracing new trends and technologies.

Attributed to R. & S. Garrard, Love Trophy Collar, 1901 which will also be on display

Cartier, Pencil case, c.1910 which will also be on display

'Yet in their collecting we also see a need to retain tradition and record the rapidly changing world around them, as if to preserve a fading way of life.

'The outbreak of World War I shattered their world, marking the end of an age and forever changing the face of monarchy.'

Visitors to the exhibition in The King's Gallery at the Palace from April will see dazzling jewellery up close including Alexandra's Dagmar necklace, a wedding gift from the King of Denmark, and Mary's Love Trophy' Collar necklace, on show for the first time.

Stylish Alexandra was named by Vogue as 'the legitimate head of fashion throughout the British dominions'.

Displays will evoke the fashionably cluttered interiors of the royal couples' private residences at Marlborough House and Sandringham House, where decorative objects and family photographs covered every surface.

A previously unseen Cartier crystal pencil case set with diamonds and rubies will be exhibited, alongside a personally inscribed copy of Oscar Wilde's Poems and an early edition of the first book printed by William Morris's Kelmscott Press.

Both couples also collected works by the great contemporary artists of the period, such as a previously unseen study of Sleeping Beauty by the Pre-Raphaelite artist Sir Edward Burne-Jones, and Charles Baugniet's After the Ball, a Lady in a Ballgown Asleep on a Sofa.

The painting, on public view for the first time in more than a century, depicts the exuberance of the era, with a society beauty resting on a blue sofa, still dressed in her ballgown.

Jules Diderikson, The Dagmar Necklace, 1863

Phillips Bros. & Son, Brooch, 1863

The royal family also embraced the new medium of photography, and the exhibition will include images by pioneering female photographers Mary Steen and Alice Hughes, as well as photographs taken by Alexandra, using portable Kodak cameras to capture official events and family moments.

These include a ever-before-seen photograph of Edward in fancy-dress as a knight of the Order of Malta, at a ball celebrating Queen Victoria's 1897 Diamond Jubilee, attended by 700 guests in historical costume.

All four royals travelled further than any family members before them, collecting objects, receiving gifts, and employing tour artists and photographers, as well as capturing their own memories.

Visitors will see items from their travels on five continents, including an Egyptian scarab brooch given to Alexandra by Edward following his tour of the Middle East in 1863; Alexandra's handwritten notes, watercolours and snapshots from her visit to Norway in 1893; and an embroidered hanging of a eucalyptus tree, given to George and Mary by 'the ladies of Adelaide' during their 1901 Australia visit.

Four years into George V's reign, war broke out, and the glitz and glamour of the Edwardian age came to an abrupt end.

The royal family began to collect works that recorded and honoured the sacrifices made by so many during the 'Great War' and its aftermath  including haunting wartime landscapes by Olive Edis, Britain's first official female war photographer, and Frank O. Salisbury's painting showing the unveiling of the Cenotaph on 11 November 1920.

By the end of the conflict, a more restrained and dutiful monarchy had emerged: a monarchy shaped for the 20th century.

The Edwardians: Age of Elegance is at The King's Gallery, Buckingham Palace, from 11 April to 23 November 2025.

It is organised by The Royal Collection Trust, the charity which overseas the priceless and historic Royal Collection of arts and antiques held in trust by the sovereign on behalf of the nation.
President Biden's daughter Ashley has left people divided after she wore the $5,080 gold Jenny Packham dress that Kate Middleton famously donned at the No Time To Die premiere.

The Princess of Wales, 42, wowed her fans in the glittering gold gown from the British label - which counts Taylor Swift, Martha Stewart, and Angelina Jolie as fans - in September 2021.

The elaborate tulle dress is part of a capsule collection that celebrates 60 years of James Bond, and is described online as embodying 'Old Hollywood glamour,' with structured shoulders, embellished crystals, and a dramatic, floor-length cape.

When Kate wore the gown at the Royal Albert Hall event, social media users praised her for her 'stunning' and 'showstopping' appearance.

The First Daughter, 43, stunned in the same gown, but some people on social media were unimpressed with her re-wearing the now famous gold dress.

'Why would anyone in their right mind even attempt this?' one Kate fan account asked on X (formerly Twitter).

'After the Princess of Wales retired that dress for life. It screams socially unaware!' another chimed in.

Kate has worn many heavily-embellished creations from the designer over the years, but has not repeated the specific gown in question.

Kate stunned in the glittering gold gown from the British label - which counts Taylor Swift, Martha Stewart, and Angelina Jolie as fans - in September 2021 at the No Time To Die premiere

Ashley Biden, 43, stunned in the same gown, but some people on social media were unimpressed with her re-wearing the now famous gold dress

Ashley shared a series of photographs on Instagram, including one of her wearing the embellished sequined tulle gown

'Good question - I'm an American and think Ashley (if it were her idea to wear the dress), should have declined to wear the same dress. Not saying she shouldn't wear it because of Catherine having "ownership" of the dress, but it just doesn't look well on Ashley. But then imitation is the greatest form of flattery,' another X user agreed.

'One bad decision after another,' a royal supporter tweeted.

An X user tweeted a side-by-side photo of the two women and wrote, 'One of the photos from the Biden women's last trip on our dime.'

'That gold dress looks like a cheap Temu version of Kate Middleton's golden dress from a few years ago. Kate was elegant. Ashley and Jill... well, not so much,' they continued.

The First Lady wore custom Oscar De La Renta for the White House donor dinner.

Jill's black and blue floor-length sequined gown was hand-embroidered with three-dimensional rosettes.

Ashley shared a series of photographs on Instagram, including one of her wearing the embellished sequined tulle gown.

'Last International Trip as First Lady + First Daughter,' the Tulane graduate captioned the snaps.

The elaborate tulle dress is part of a capsule collection that celebrates 60 years of James Bond, and is described online as embodying 'Old Hollywood glamour'

When Kate wore the gown at the Royal Albert Hall event, social media users praised her for her 'stunning' and 'showstopping' appearance

Kate has worn many heavily-embellished creations from the designer over the years, but has not repeated the specific gown in question

Poll Who wore the gold Jenny Packham gown best? Ashley Biden Kate Middleton Who wore the gold Jenny Packham gown best? Ashley Biden 103 votes

Kate Middleton 5373 votes Now share your opinion





On Instagram, Ashley called her time 'a whirlwind of a tripfilled with moments that I will cherish and remember forever.'

'And the best part was I shared them all with my forever First LadyMama,' Ashley, who accompanied her parents to the reopening of Notre Dame, continued.

Many of the social worker's followers celebrated the dress on social media, calling the two women 'beauty queens' and a 'first class family.'

The designer herself commented with a glitter emoji, giving her seal of approval.

'Ashley is wearing Princess of Wales's iconic gold dress from 2021!!' one supporter applauded.

'Slide 4 gown reminds me of Catherine, Princess of Wales wore couple of years ago,' another agreed, pointing out the regal connection.
A mom who leaves her husband and kids at home while going on eight solo holidays a year swears it 'makes her a better wife and mother' - as she encourages others to do the same.

Huda Alvi, 39, loves to travel and has spent her 30s prioritizing 'me time' - rebranding her solo holidays 'an act of self-love.'

She jets off for up to five nights at a time and can spend up to $5,000 on each trip - from solo backpacking around Colombia, jaunts to Paris, France, and dreamy cruises exploring Vietnam.

The mom-of-three makes sure she fills each trip with culture and adventure, whether it's paragliding in the mountains of Guatemala, Mexico, or exploring Costa Rica on the back of a quadbike.

Huda says her solo trips make her a better wife and mother as she's more fulfilled and better rested because it 'fills her cup back up.'

Huda, a lifestyle entrepreneur, from Toronto, Canada, said her husband understands that travel is an important part of her life.

'I don't need his permission to book a solo trip as he knows that I need to do it as part of my wellbeing,' she explained.

'He and those around me see the effects traveling has on me - it makes me a better mom and wife I'm more refreshed and emotionally available.

Huda Alvi, 39, loves to travel and has spent her 30s prioritizing 'me time' - rebranding her solo holidays 'an act of self-love'

'To me, it's an act of self-love because you can't pour from an empty cup.'

The mom said she finds it very freeing to travel alone, because you don't have to answer to anyone else, and doesn't listen to naysayers when they question why she doesn't travel with her family.

'I refuse to listen to society telling me "you can't do that because you're a mom,"' she shared.

'I've got four trips planned for 2025 and I can't wait.'

Huda became a single mom-of-two after getting a divorce at only 22 years old before moving back in with her parents and starting work as a realtor.

'Being from a Muslim background, divorce was - and still is - considered a taboo subject,' she explained.

'I felt a sense of failure when I got divorced and it took a toll on my confidence.

'But I focused on myself and my children and built it up brick by brick.'

The mom said she finds it very freeing to travel alone, because you don't have to answer to anyone else

'I refuse to listen to society telling me "you can't do that because you're a mom,"' she shared

Huda's solo travelling began in November 2018 with a five-hour flight from Toronto to California, where she road tripped from Malibu, to Los Angeles, and Monterey

Huda met her now husband, Yehhia Bub, 42, a firefighter, in October 2007, and the pair tied the knot in August 2012.

They live together with Huda's children - aged 19 and 17 - and Yehhia's son, aged 18 - in Toronto, Canada.

Huda's solo travelling began in November 2018 with a five-hour flight from Toronto to California, where she road tripped from Malibu, to Los Angeles, and Monterey.

Since then she has explored Morocco, Italy, Colombia, Costa Rica, Vietnam and France.

'Travelling in my 30s is the best thing I've ever done,' she gushed.

'It makes life more fulfilling and I'm more sure of myself now than ever.

'Backpacking around Colombia and Costa Rica was one of the most incredible experiences because I had to keep my wits about me,' she added.

Huda documents her travels on social media and has over 97k follows on TikTok where she shares her tips for solo traveling as well as her activity recommendations

She now wants to travel with her kids, and has already gone to Portugal with her daughter

In 2016, Huda and her sister, Sana Alvi, 35, set up the travel company, The Girls Trip, which helps women in their late 20s, 30s, and mid 40s with their solo travels

Huda and Yehhia make sure that they take at least two trips a year alone without the kids to 'keep the spark alive,' as well as one big trip as a blended family.

'I love solo traveling, it's something I'll never story doing, but taking trips with just Yehhia and [myself] is just as important,' the mom explained. 'It helps keep us connected and the spark alive.'

The couple are even going to a festival in Tulum, Mexico, in January to feel young again, and Huda has started going on trips with her kids.

She and her daughter have visited Portugal together and have a trip planned to Italy.

'It's great for us to spend one-on-one time together and is building her confidence with traveling.

She added: 'It even inspired Yehhia and his son to take a road trip from California to Las Vagas this year!'

Huda documents her travels on social media and has over 97,000 follows on TikTok where she shares her tips for solo traveling as well as her activity recommendations.

In 2016, Huda and her sister, Sana Alvi, 35, set up the travel company, The Girls Trip, which helps women in their late 20s, 30s, and mid 40s with their solo travels.

'I don't care what others think and I'd recommend any moms who are curious to do the same, to just book that trip,' Huda said.

She added she and her sister wanted to show women how empowering travel is, particularly by yourself - and to set a good example for her kids.

'It doesn't have to be far, you can always build up distance with time,' she pointed out.

'Solo traveling might not be for everyone but it makes me feel alive,' she shared.

'All in all, it's not the quantity of trips, it's the quality of the trip and what you get out of it.'
il Birmingham has been part of the Yellowstone cast since it premiered in 2018

If you thought that Yellowstone star Gil Birmingham looked familiar, it's most likely because he appeared in the wildly popular teen movie franchise The Twilight Saga.

The actor, 71, currently stars as Thomas Rainwater in Taylor Sheridan's acclaimed TV series.

But before he took on the role of leader of the Broken Rock Reservation, Gil played Jacob Black's dad Billy in franchise  and he appeared in all five movies.

The Twilight Saga film series, starring Kristen Stewart as Bella Swan and Robert Pattinson as Edward Cullen, were based on the books by Stephenie Meyer.

Shapeshifting werewolf Jacob was played by heartthrob Taylor Lautner.

The first movie, Twilight, was released in 2008, followed by New Moon in 2009, and Eclipse in 2010.

The fourth film, Breaking Dawn  Part 1, came out in 2011, with the final chapter, Breaking Dawn -Part 2 hitting theaters one year later in 2012.

In the movies, Billy is confined to a wheelchair due to complications from diabetes.

Yellowstone star Gil Birmingham played iconic character in popular teen movie franchise

He was Jacob Black's dad Billy in The Twilight Saga film series. Jacob (pictured with Gil in Twilight) was played by Taylor Lautner

His son, Jacob, is a werewolf of the Quileute tribe who transforms into a wolf for the first time when he's just 16.

While Jacob can phase into a wolf, Billy was never able to because there were no vampires around when he was young.

Speaking about his role in the franchise in 2021, Gil said: 'It was primarily centered on the vampires, and I think the [Native American] representation was a little less than I might have hoped for, as there was even more so in the books.

'But I'm still happy to be a part of it.'

In 2022, Gil was shocked to find out that his onscreen son Taylor, 32, was getting married.

'He is? And he didn't tell me?' the actor told E! News.

He jokingly added to the publication that he was going to 'roll right into that wedding in my wheelchair.'

Taylor married model Taylor Dome in November 2022 at Epoch Estate Wines in California.

Gil appeared in all five movies (pictured with Lautner in 2008)

The Twilight Saga is a series of romance fantasy films based on the book series Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Gil has played Thomas Rainwater in Yellowstone since it premiered in 2018

Gil has starred in the Western drama Yellowstone since it premiered in 2018.

The show is currently airing the second half of season five, which follows the aftermath of Kevin Costner's exit as John Dutton.

Last month, Gil said he was proud that the Indigenous characters on the series were equals to any of the others leads.

Speaking to Decider, he said: 'I am proud that the show took the opportunity to present Indigenous characters in the present day as having agency, intelligence, and resourcefulness.'

It's not just Gil from the Yellowstone cast who has a surprising history.

Jennifer Landon, who plays foul-mouthed, pink-haired Teeter on the smash hit series, is far from a west Texas wildcat in real life.

The 41-year-old actress is actually from Malibu and is the daughter of Little House on The Prairie star Michael Landon, who was also on the series Bonanza.
Spain's Queen Letizia and King Felipe today attended a mass at the Cathedral of Valencia in memory of the victims of the deadly floods that devastated the region in October.

When the couple attempted to calm tensions last month in the streets of Paiporta - one of the hardest-hit towns on the outskirts of Valencia - anguished locals pelted them with mud and other objects.

Today, in their third visit to Valencia since the floods, the royals once again paid respects at the event held in memory of the 230 people who died during the floods - 222 of them in the Valencia region, while four others are still missing, according to authorities.

The emotional occasion, organised by the Archbishop of Valencia, Enrique Benavent Vidal, saw relatives victims in tears.

Letizia, 52, and Felipe, 56, both dressed in full black, looked solemn as they greeted Vidal at the event.

During a trip to the devastated region in November, Letizia had mud speckled over her face as the crowd shouted 'murderers' and other insults at the royals and government officials, including Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.

The reaction forced police to step in, with some officers on horseback used to keep back the crowd of several dozens. Bodyguards opened umbrellas to protect the royal visitors and officials as protesters hurled mud at them.

After being forced to seek protection, the king and queen remained calm and made several efforts to speak to individual residents while local officials - who the angry crowd had reportedly directed their wrath at - fled.

Queen Letizia and King Felipe of Spain put on a solemn display at Valencia Cathedral today at a mass in honour of the victims of the deadly floods that devastated the region in October

56-year-old Felipe warmly waved to attendees as he arrived at the religious event alongside Letizia, 52

The king and queen spent an hour trying to calm tempers before leaving themselves, while Sanchez and the head of the Valencia region, Carlos Mazon, quickly left.

Tonight marked another show of respect from the king and queen, as they stood alongside relatives of victims for the funeral mass.

On October 29, the catastrophic rainfall saw homes and businesses demolished as well as thousands of cars piled up in the muddy streets of the eastern region of Spain.

The floods, which were the worst in a generation, killed 230 in total in the country, with telephone alerts reaching residents when water was already raging through towns.

Several municipalities went days without state help and relied on volunteers for food, water and cleaning equipment.

Outrage has since swept throughout Spain with hundreds of thousands taking to the streets on 1 December to call out the government's handling of the disaster.

Many have been demanding that Valencia's President, Carlos Mazon, step down with Spaniards furious that the government hadn't alerted citizens until it was too late.

Several people died after being caught out in the flash flooding while driving, or while trying to move their vehicles from car parks as well as those living in ground-floor flats.

Demonstrators held a banner that read 'we are the families of those that you killed' near the basilica

A woman covered her face as she held a photograph of a victim during the funeral mass in Valencia

Letizia looked towards the floor as they arrived at the funeral mass for the victims of Valencia's floods

The father-of-two greeted the Archbishop of Valencia, Enrique Benavent Vidal, who organised the event, with a handshake

Torrent's Mayor Amparo Folgado (pictured) attended the event at Valencia cathedral on Monday evening

Pictured (L-R): Spanish Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities Diana Morant, Spanish Minister of Territorial Policy and Democratic Memory Angel Victor Torres, Spanish First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Treasury Maria Jesus Montero and Valencia's Regional President Carlos Mazon attend the mass

Felipe and Letizia attend the mass service for victims of Valencia's floods, which left over 200 people dead

Both Letizia and Felipe dressed in warm black coats for the occasion at Valencia's Cathedral on Monday

Pictured: King Felipe VI of Spain and his wife Queen Letizia arrive at Valencia Cathedral to attend a funeral mass

Felipe and Letizia greeted Archbishop of Valencia Enrique Benavent Vidal (pictured centre) and other clergymen at the event

Pictured: A woman cries at the funeral mass held on December 9 at the Cathedral of Valencia in memory of the victims of the deadly floods that devastated the region

Letizia and Felipe dressed in black as they attended the funeral mass at Valencia Cathedral on Monday

On the day of the floods, Mazon was said to have taken a long lunch and came to the emergency meeting two hours late, local Spanish media reported.

Thousands chanted slogans calling for Mazon to face jail or resign as they made their way through the city centre of Valencia.

'What went wrong? Incompetence. That's why we are here, because there are a lot of incompetent people who are still being paid,' Raquel Ferrandis said.

In the days since the disaster, Letizia has continued with royal engagements, and last week, she attended the 35th anniversary of Spanish newspaper El Mundo in Madrid.

The monarch, who is herself a former CNN journalist, looked glamorous in a tweed dress as she arrived at the photocall.

The royal smiled for photographs during the presentation of the 22nd edition of the International Awards of El Mundo.

She styled her brunette locks in a sleek centre parting, while her glam makeup featured a classic smokey eye.

El Mundo (The World in English) was founded by Pedro J. Ramirez, Alfonso de Salas, Balbino Fraga and Juan Gonzalez in 1999, and it is the second most read newspaper in Spain.

Relatives of victims weeped during the emotional mass service on Monday evening in Valencia's Cathedral

Pictured: A demonstrator in Valencia held a placard as Spain's royal couple arrived at the mass service

Felipe and Letizia watched as the Archbishop of Valencia, Enrique Benavent Vidal, carried out the service

Attendees applauded as Letizia, Felipe, and clergymen arrived at the religious service for victims of Valencia's floods

Relatives of victims held photographs of their loved ones during the solemn service on Monday evening

Relatives of victims attended the mass at Valencia Cathedral on Monday evening alongside Letizia and Felipe

Pictured: Attendees during the funeral mass for those who died in the floods at the Valencia Cathedral

The event on Monday evening, organised by the Archbishop of Valencia, took place at Valencia Cathedral

A woman is seen crying upon her arrival at the mass held for victims of the floods, which killed 230 people

Spain's First Deputy Prime Minister, Maria Jesus Montero, and Valencia's regional leader Carlos Mazon, sit before a funeral mass for the victims of Valencia's floods

Pictured: Valencia Regional President, Carlos Mazon (pictured top) is seen attending the funeral mass

Previously at the 30th anniversary of the paper Letizia's husband King Felipe said the publication was 'a defender of the freedoms and rights of all citizens'.

In a speech he said: '30 years have passed; three decisive decades of the history of our country.

'And tonight we commemorate or celebrate what in them has been the extraordinary contribution to this newspaper of so many professionals, to portray them, describe them, even contribute to shaping them and leaving the testimonies of their protagonists for history. Congratulations to all of them.

'El Mundo, at this time, has become one of the most influential newspapers in our country, defender of the freedoms and rights of all citizens, especially the right to information and freedom of expression, as essential grounds of any rule of law.'
Celebrity chef Ina Garten is getting real about her fractured relationship with Martha Stewart - and is claiming that the story Stewart is telling 'isn't exactly accurate.'

Garten, 76, spoke about the star during a live Q+A at the People Magazine offices last Thursday.

Rumors of a rift between them have been going on for a few years now, with Stewart, 83, most recently claiming that Garten stopped speaking to her after she was sent to prison for insider trading in 2004.

However, according to the Barefoot Contessa star, that's not really what happened.

'Well, let's just say her story isn't exactly accurate,' Garten told People.

'And, you know, that was 25 years ago,' she continued with a laugh. 'I think it's time to let it go.'

However, whether or not we will ever know the truth behind what happened in their friendship, the two have agreed that their friendship soured in the early 2000s, with Garten claiming they 'lost touch' when she moved to Connecticut.

According to TIME Magazine, the two first met in The Hamptons, when Garten still owned a food store in East Hampton.

Celebrity chef Ina Garten is getting real about her fractured relationship with Martha Stewart - and is claiming that the story Stewart is telling 'isn't exactly accurate'

Garten, 76, spoke about the star during a live Q+A at the People Magazine offices last Thursday

Rumors of a rift between them have been going on for a few years now, with Stewart, 83, most recently claiming that Garten stopped speaking to her after she was sent to prison for insider trading in 2004

She admitted that Stewart played a big role in helping launch her career.

'My desk was right in front of the cheese case and we just ended up in a conversation,' Garten said during a 2017 appearance on How to Be Amazing with Michael Ian Black, per the outlet.

'We ended up actually doing benefits together where it was at her house and I was the caterer and we became friends after that,' Garten continued about Stewart.

Garten even shared that Stewart helped her connect with an editor when she was working on her first book proposal.

In addition to her recent comments about Garten, Stewart also spoke about it in a September profile that The New Yorker did on Garten.

'When I was sent off to Alderson Prison, she stopped talking to me,' Stewart told the outlet.

'I found that extremely distressing and extremely unfriendly,' she continued, although her publicist later told the magazine that she was 'not bitter at all and theres no feud.'

Meanwhile, Garten has 'firmly' denied that Martha's prison sentence had anything to do with their rift.

'We ended up actually doing benefits together where it was at her house and I was the caterer and we became friends after that,' Garten continued about Stewart

'When I was sent off to Alderson Prison, she stopped talking to me,' Stewart told the outlet

'And, you know, that was 25 years ago,' Garten continued with a laugh of her rift with Stewart. 'I think it's time to let it go'

In her recent Netflix documentary, Martha, which followed her life since she was a young girl, she admitted that many friends dropped her once she went to prison.

However, Stewart has said she wasn't a huge fan of the piece, as she thinks it focused too much on her 'stupid trial.'

Stewart added that felt 'so unfair'.

She also said that it didn't feature many of her collaborations in recent years.

However, the homemaking mogul said that she is currently writing an autobiography, which she claims will be published by Random House in two years.
Australian women are head over heels for a fancy budget bag that has been compared to a $5,800 designer buy.

The weave shoulder bag ($18) from Kmart Australia is available in black and cream.

Many have noticed a keen resemblance to Italian luxury fashion brand Bottega Venetas Hop bag ($5,800).

Both bags feature Bottegas signature intrecciato weave which was first used in the 1960s.

Australians have been tightening their purse strings in recent months as the country slowly climbs out of the cost of living crisis, which is why Kmart's bargain dupe of the trendy design has been such a hit.

Women have dubbed it the 'perfect' bag that will instantly dress up any outfit - and its convenient size makes it a stylish go-to for a quick supermarket run or after-school pick up.

I have the black Kmart bag - its super comfortable on the shoulder and a good size, a mum said.

Kmart is much better, another said, when comparing it's tighter weave pattern to Bottega's.

Australian women are head over heels for a fancy budget bag that has been compared to a $5,800 designer buy

Kmart Australia's popular Bottega dupe is also available in cream

Oh my god, I love it. Gorgeous, a fan added about the popular bag.

Similarly, another stylish $15 bag has been flying off Kmart shelves after shoppers noticed a similarity to a high-end designer bag costing almost $10,000.

The Shimmer Bag ($15) has a unique curvilinear base and glitter details all around, including along the crossbody strap.

Kmart's affordable product looks like Spanish fashion house Balenciaga's famous Hourglass XS handbag ($9,900).

While the luxury bag is suede calfskin and studded with rhinestones, Kmart's version is a close enough dupe to make anyone do a double take.

Hundreds of shoppers shared their love for the budget brand online.

'I just went to Kmart to buy an umbrella and spent $200,' one said. 'Kmart is making me broke.'

'I'm in love with Kmart bags,' another wrote.

A stylish $15 bag has been flying off Kmart Australia shelves after shoppers noticed a keen resemblance to a high-end designer bag costing almost $10,000

For shoppers who aren't a fan of dupes, a little-known Australian retailer has started selling high-end brands for a fraction of the price.

The 'hidden gem' discount retailer where you can find designer buys from brands like Fendi, Dior, and Aje for affordable prices.

It sells old stock from previous seasons - and shoppers have described it as a 'clearance treasure hunt'.

Many have seen bags from Fendi, Dior, and Bottega Venetta on sale.
Australia's most popular biscuit of 2024 has been revealed - with foodies across the country crowning a well-known buy as their favourite.

The original Tim Tam has taken the top spot for the second time in a row.

2022 saw Aussies favour Jatz as their go-to biscuit in every state except one - but Australia's sweet tooth has once again reigned supreme.

Arnott's sold over 300million packets of goods in 2024 across its 134 different types of biscuits and crackers.

2.8 million households devoured Australias favourite chocolate biscuit, which celebrated its 60th birthday in 2024.

Arnott's also revealed that Australians were the most 'loyal' to Tim Tams - with the most repeat purchases of any Arnotts biscuit this year.

However, Tim Tams also received a fair amount of backlash over the year, with many Aussies 'outraged' over the 'eye-watering' and 'un-Australian' price increase at Coles and Woolworths.

Earlier this year a packet of Tim Tams cost a staggering $11.70 at a petrol station in Kalumburu in far north Western Australia.

Tim Tams have taken the top spot as Australia's favourite biscuit for the second time in a row

Tim Tams were the only sweet biscuit in the top five, followed by Barbecue Shapes, Chicken Crimpy Shapes, Pizza Shapes, and Jatz.

Tim Tam Double Coat jumped up two spots from 2023 at number six, with Salada Original, Mint Slice, Scotch Finger and Monte Carlo biscuits following close after.

Arnott's has been connecting Australians through the sharing of a biscuit for over 150 years and has become a beloved brand.

The five oldest biscuits that Aussies can still buy today are: Milk Arrowroot (1882), Arnotts Water Crackers (1882), SAO, Iced VoVo, and Scotch Finger (all 1906).

What were the top ten Arnotts biscuits in 2024?

1. Tim Tam Original

2. Shapes Barbecue

3. Shapes Chicken Crimpy

4. Shapes Pizza

5. Jatz

6. Tim Tam Double Coat

7. Salada Original

8. Mint Slice

9. Scotch Finger

10. Monte Carlo
Gov. Gavin Newsom walks down the aisle at the state Capitol during the Assemblys first meeting of the new legislative session last Monday. Paul Kitagaki Jr./The Sacramento Bee

Regarding  We will fight like hell: California lawmakers kick off special session to combat Trump (Politics, SFChronicle.com, Dec. 2): As the state Legislature discusses protecting Californians from Trumpian policies, I believe it should convene a committee to study the possibility of secession.

Ideally, California remains a state, but there should be a backup plan in case of extreme federal vindictiveness.

California has one of the largest deficits of money paid to the federal government compared to federal spending for our state, and its painfully obvious to anyone who lives here where additional money could be well spent in our communities.

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Why should we fuel a federal government if that government chooses to withhold aid and benefits were owed? If Donald Trump continues and magnifies this, we should seriously consider forming our own more perfect union.

Noreen Wauford, Emeryville

Elk are free at last

Regarding Point Reyes elk to roam free after major National Park Service change; cattlemen sue (Climate, SFChronicle.com, Dec. 2): Thank you to the National Park Service for acting decisively to finally remove the elk fence in the Point Reyes National Seashore.

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Tule elk are indigenous to California, were nearly extinct and are still at 1% of their historic numbers. With intensifying droughts, hundreds of elk have died behind the fence at Tomales Point while free-ranging herds outside the confined area were relatively unaffected.

Hopefully, this marks a trend of prioritizing true park values like wilderness and recreation over polluting cattle operations.

Hopefully, soon people will be able to visit this jewel of a park and not have to navigate barbed wire, cow pies and dangerously polluted waterways.

Ken Bouley, executive director, Turtle Island Restoration Network

Use nonviolent means

The assassin who killed United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week aimed at the wrong target, used the wrong weapon and wasnt the right person to do the job.

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The target should be United Healthcares profit-seeking business model.

The weapon must be legislation to replace private health insurance with universal health insurance through a fair publicly financed program.

The right folks to do the job are the voters and our elected legislators.

We must remove health insurance CEOs by nonviolent political action. Lets go on the offense to establish single-payer health insurance (improved Medicare for all).

We know how to do this. Weve done the research, developed the policies, written the legislation and shown the cost savings.

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Its up to us to help abolish private for-profit health insurance, may it RIP. Then we can enjoy the health care we deserve.

Henry L. Abrons, Berkeley

Cutback on paper

One overlooked contributor to the rapid warming of our planet is the waste generated by unnecessary paper production.

At Green America, we work with corporations to reduce unnecessary printing. CVS, notorious for long receipts, saved 87 million yards of receipt paper within four months of our Skip the Slip campaign.

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Now, weve found another ally in the fight against climate change. Health care companies are required by law to produce 90 billion sheets of printed prescribing information each year  a practice that the Food and Drug Administration has proposed ending, but Congress has prevented the change.

Printed prescribing information, which is provider-facing and available online, uses paper made from 11 million trees each year, accelerating the climate change that is impacting our communities.

Its time for Congress to stop blocking the logical, sustainable climate change solution.

Dan Howells, director for climate campaigns, Green America

Shooting is senseless

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

Regarding Gunman used ruse to get on Northern California campus, laid out written motive, sheriff says (Crime, SFChronicle.com, Dec. 5): Im sure Im not the only one who finds it incomprehensible that this monster was arrested driving a stolen vehicle, using a fake ID and had outstanding warrants and yet was still allowed to walk free.

Two innocent children in Oroville would not be in the hospital if the South San Francisco police had done their job. Please make it make sense.
Considering they had never met, the death last month of 90-year-old actor Timothy West hit Caroline Bailey hard. Its because I knew he was leaving behind his beloved wife Prunella Scales, who has dementia, she says.

I also know exactly what that means for the grieving family who will have to care for her, because thats my life, too.

Prunella, 92, who has vascular dementia, was cared for in part by Timothy in their south London home, where they had lived for almost all of their 61-year marriage. Although the actor eventually died in a care home in Wandsworth.

Since her own fathers death, the daily reality for Caroline, 56, is now looking after her 78-year-old dementia-stricken mother Pat Capell. And just as Timothy Wests son Samuel has said that the family are unsure if Prunella understands her husband has passed away, Caroline fears the same is true for her mum.

Last month also brought news that Martin Frizell, editor of This Morning, was stepping down next spring to focus on family priorities. His wife of 27 years, TV presenter Fiona Phillips, announced last year that she had been diagnosed with Alzheimers, aged 62.

Caroline knows better than many the impact this diagnosis has on the wider family. For four years, her dad Keith was his wifes primary carer. He became the woman of the house, Caroline says. Before Mums diagnosis they had a very happy marriage that lasted 50 years.

Sadly, Keiths loving and tender care of Pat was cut short in 2021, when he was diagnosed with bowel cancer and died within five months, aged 75.

For four years Keith Bailey was his dementia-stricken wife Pats primary carer, says daughter Caroline

They were never apart. It was a beautiful love story. They only needed each other, Caroline says.

Pat and Keith were teenage sweethearts and married in 1967. Working as an engineer for a firm in Leicester, Keith was the breadwinner, while Pat looked after Caroline and her younger brother Mark.

Mum was a strong woman who knew her own mind, but she was devoted to Dad and, years later, Dad did the same for her.

But in June 2016, their domestic bliss was totally upended. After a month of growing concerns about Pats forgetfulness, she was in hospital for a routine appointment when a nurse agreed with Carolines suggestion that she should be assessed for dementia.

At one point, Mum was asked to plot the numbers on to a clock face and she put them all back to front, Caroline recalls.

All the signs were there, just as they were for Prunella Scales, who was officially diagnosed with dementia in 2014.

Timothy West had talked about how initially, Prunella would forget her lines on stage or ask him the same questions. For Pat, it was making a cup of tea and forgetting to put the hot water in.

Once her condition was confirmed, we noticed so many more things. Shed forget the Sunday joint was in the oven and it would come out incinerated. Or Id mention a neighbour she knew well and she wouldnt have a clue who I was talking about.

The death last month of 90-year-old actor Timothy West, pictured, hit Caroline hard because she knew he was leaving behind his beloved wife Prunella Scales

Initially, Carolines dad wanted to protect his wife from what was happening. Dad didnt want her to feel any embarrassment or shame, says Caroline. Theres no doubt he was a little in denial and afraid of facing their uncertain future and what it meant.

However, within six months of the diagnosis it was clear her mum was not coping. Dirty washing was piling up or left in the machine, clean washing wasnt put away. Whenever we left the house, we had to give her instructions one at a time or she couldnt cope. It had to be put your shoes on, now put your coat on.

By this time, Keith, who had retired in 2010, was taking lessons from Caroline about operating the washing machine. I had to show him where the soap powder went, how much to use and what all the buttons were for.

Then in July 2020, Keiths health deteriorated. He took months to recover from a bout of shingles initially put down to his age and being tired from caring for Pat.

In December that year he was given his bowel cancer diagnosis.

By the time Dad received his awful news, Mum couldnt be left on her own, says Caroline. But she had also made it clear she did not want to go into a care home.

There was only one other option. My husband Ray and I left our cherished home of 32 years and moved into Mum and Dads. I realised quite quickly that my life was going to change, and so was my husbands.

Caroline, who has no children, quit her customer service job to become Pats primary carer. Meanwhile, Ray changed his job as a computer programmer so he could work from home in customer service for British Gas.

Since her fathers death from bowel cancer in 2021, the daily reality for Caroline, 56, is now looking after her 78-year-old mother

Pat and Keith are pictured with Caroline's younger brother Mark in 1974

Mum knew Dad was poorly, so us arriving didnt surprise her. We never told her about Dads cancer. There would have been no point.

In May 2021, Carolines dad passed away on her 32nd wedding anniversary. When I told Mum, it broke her heart and she sobbed for hours. Then a few hours later that day, she asked me where he was, and I had to remind her he was gone.

The following day she asked me again, and again she burst into tears. It was so hard for me to relive Dads death over and over.

Mum would cry, I didnt know. Why has nobody told me? So we stopped telling her, it felt too cruel. We just said Dad was working late  and shed jokingly ask if he was with another woman.

Pat was involved in all of the funeral plans  even though she had no understanding of whose funeral they were planning. He was still her husband, and it felt wrong to exclude her, Caroline says.

On the day of the funeral, Pat never once asked whose it was. Mum behaved like she was on a day out with all her family, smiling and waving at everyone. She only cried when I cried but when I asked, she didnt know why she got emotional. Mum rarely mentions him now. We cant be sure if she understands hes gone or not.

Martin Frizell, editor of This Morning, is stepping down next year. His wife of 27 years, presenter Fiona Phillips, announced in 2023 that she had been diagnosed with Alzheimers, aged 62

Nowadays, Pat cannot be left alone, so Caroline and Ray never leave the house at the same time. Mum has a very structured routine that I stick to every day. If I didnt, she wouldnt wash, shed sit in her nightie all day.

The evenings can be challenging, too. Caroline makes sure Pat takes her medication, has a milky drink and is in bed by 9.30pm.

If she falls asleep within the next hour, well probably be OK, but if not, we could be up all night.

She might come into our room and stand at the side of our bed looking at us. She likes to tuck me in because in her head Im still her five-year-old daughter. Sometimes I might not get even an hours undisturbed sleep.

I remind myself that she doesnt understand shes causing frustration. Im not sure I could cope without Rays help. Hes been nothing but supportive, but there are times when he will just go outside and sit in the car for half an hour to give himself some space.

Time alone together is a thing of the past for the couple. But looking after Pat has brought them closer together.

I have a lot of admiration and love for Ray. He gets on so well with Mum and wanting to help is part of his DNA. Hell take her out when he can tell Im getting overwhelmed.

There is little respite, even TV is limited because Pat cannot distinguish between whats real and whats not. During the day theyll look through old photographs together, do some colouring or take a drive listening to Pats favourite music from the 1950s.

Losing half of their income means Caroline and Ray swapped foreign holidays for trips to Dorset or Somerset where Pat will join them. It can be very hard at times but when I was growing up, Mum gave me everything she could. Just like Dad did for as long as he could... This is my time to pay that back.

As told to JADE BEER
Abigail Whitlock's dream pregnancy turned to a nightmare when doctors discovered she was suffering from a rare condition and urged her to terminate one of her unborn identical twins.

She was due to have two boys but five months into the pregnancy they were diagnosed with twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS).

The condition happens when blood vessels in the placenta aren't equally connected, causing one of the fetuses to take more of the nutrients.

Doctors booked her in for a risky laser surgery where a tiny beam of radiation was used to to seal off abnormal blood vessel connections on the placenta.

But there were complications and doctors gave Abigail and her husband Stuart an impossible ultimatum: sacrifice one to save the other or risk losing both.

The medical team strongly recommended that the smaller boy's umbilical cord was clamped to allow the other twin a greater chance of survival.

But the couple, aged 27 and 28, refused to let one of their twins go and they chose to 'defer on that decision for a few days.'

By chance - which Abigail chalks up to the 'faith of friends and family, and the mercy of God' - at the next check-up, the ailing twin's condition had miraculously improved and Abigail said they were 'shocked, overwhelmed and ultimately overjoyed with the good news.'

When Abigail Whitlock and her husband, Stuart, found out they were expecting twins , they were overwhelmed with joy. But sadly, that was only short-lived

The boys - Harvey and Bellamy - are now thriving and healthy at 15 months old.

Explaining the harrowing ordeal, Abigail told DailyMail.com: 'It was the most emotionally taxing experience we've ever had. I would cry all the time and just envision the worst possible outcome.

'Both myself and Stuart were in complete doubt of what the future held and we had lost all hope at one point.'

Their pregnancy had gone without a hitch, and they fell pregnant within days of starting to try.

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It was five months into their pregnancy that they realized something was wrong.

At their 20-week screening scan, the so-called 'anomaly scan', the sonographer expressed difficulty getting the images, as there was too much amniotic fluid.

Due to this, they were referred to a specialist, who also found trouble due to the large amount of fluid surrounding the twins.

A few days later, Abigail was diagnosed with TTTS.

TTTS - which impacts around 4,500 babies in the US each year - is a potentially fatal condition that can occur in identical pregnancies when twins share a placenta.

Abnormal blood vessel connections form in the placenta and prevent blood from flowing evenly between the babies.

One twin then becomes dehydrated, which affects its growth. The other develops high blood pressure and produces too much urine.

This leads to an enlarged bladder and excessive amounts of amniotic fluid, which can put a strain on the twin's heart, leading to heart failure. Without treatment, TTTS can be fatal for both twins.

There's just a 50/50 chance of both twins surviving.

Abigail was told that her tots had developed twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) while in the womb - and they were showing late signs of organ failure

TTTS - which impacts around 4,500 babies in the US each year - is a potentially fatal condition that can occur in identical pregnancies when twins share a placenta

Recalling how she felt at the time of the diagnosis, Abigail recalled: 'I wanted to hear their little cries after entering the world - not say goodbye before they had even got here.'

The couple were told that their case was 'dire and critical' and they were referred to a specialized hospital in Seattle to have the necessary laser surgery, called fetoscopic laser photocoagulation (FLP).

A small laser was inserted into Abigail's uterus to cauterize the blood vessels on the placenta, which was connecting the twins.

FLP, though crucial for fetal survival, is not without risk.

FLP for TTTS has has a survival rate of more than 90 percent for at least one twin and 50-70 percent for both twins.

However, there is still an 11 to 14 percent risk of long-term neurodevelopment impairment.

Other complications can include fetal loss, premature delivery and accidental injury to tissue or organs near the operative field.

The surgery was initially a success and around 12 hours later Abigail said doctors told her and Stuart that the twins were showing all of the right signs and things were looking positive.

However, when the couple returned home they suffered 'another devastating blow'.

They were told the smaller of the twins, Bellamy, had sadly developed hydrops fetalis, a buildup of fluid in his body, resulting in severe swelling and organ failure.

It was likely that he wouldn't survive much longer.

To allow the other twin, Harvey, a greater chance of living, the doctors recommended for the umbilical cord was clamped, which they denied.

She said: 'The doctors recommended it though because it was apparent to them that he was going to imminently pass away and clamping his cord would cause him to pass away immediately.

'And allow Harvey a greater chance at survival. We chose to defer on that decision for a few days.'

But then, a miracle happened.

She said: 'At the next checkup, we learned that Bellamy had miraculously recovered.

'We were shocked, overwhelmed and ultimately overjoyed with the good news.

Looking back on the harrowing ordeal, Abigail said: 'It was the most emotionally taxing experience we've ever had. 'I would cry all the time and just envision the worst possible outcome'

In August 2023, at only 34 weeks, the decision to deliver the twins via c-section was made

Thanks to intervention and dedicated care in the NICU ward, the twins' strength grew day by day. Today, they are completely healthy

'All of the fluid had disappeared and he was on track to be here with us once again.'

In August 2023, at 34 weeks, the decision to deliver the twins via c-section was made.

Weighing only 4lbs, Harvey and Bellamy entered the world.

Thanks to intervention and dedicated care in the NICU ward, the twins' strength grew day by day. Today, they are completely healthy with no issues, despite their troubling past.

Abigail and Stuart hope to share their story to warn other parents going through a similar situation and to provide a message of hope. Especially as the situation could've been very different.

Abigail talks openly about her birthing journey on her TikTok channel @twinmomtales, where she has more than 150,000 followers.

The content creator added: 'It's been overwhelming and disparaging.

'My husband and I could barely function or complete the tasks of our everyday life because we were so heavily weighed down by the fact that either one - or both - of our twins that we were so in love with could pass away at any moment, and there was nothing we could do about it.

'Even for months after the twins were born, we would hold them and cry, and think of how we almost lost them.

'We credit the miracle of the birth of our twins to the expertise of the medical experts we saw, the faith of our friends and family, and the mercy of god.

'I know that not all pregnancy stories have a happy ending like ours.

'For all of the mums out there who struggle with pregnancy or who have lost a child, I would say that miracles do happen.

'I can also say that the joy that we feel now from having our twins in our lives greatly outweighs the sorrow we felt when we didn't know if we would ever get to meet them. Don't lose hope.'
The number of patients waiting more than six weeks for NHS diagnostic checks has soared 23-fold in less than a decade to 364,000, a study reveals.

The tests and scans are used to detect, diagnose and predict the likelihood of many diseases, including cancer.

Patient groups last night described the figures as 'alarming' and warned that people are being 'left in limbo', unable to start the treatment they need.

Delays can prevent doctors from prescribing drugs or performing surgery, during which time conditions can worsen and potentially become incurable.

The overall NHS waiting list for diagnostic checks, including MRI and CT scans, currently stands at a record 1.6million, NHS England figures show, almost double the number waiting in July 2015.

Of these, 22 per cent  364,544  have been waiting over six weeks.

The number of six-week waiters is up 23 times  from 15,706  since 2015, according to House of Commons Library research.

The findings come as Sir Keir Starmer promised that 92 per cent of patients would wait no longer than 18 weeks for hospital treatment by 2029.

The overall NHS waiting list for diagnostic checks, including MRI and CT scans, currently stands at a record 1.6million, NHS England figures show (file image)

The number of six-week waiters is up 23 times  from 15,706  since 2015, according to House of Commons Library research (file image)

But the Liberal Democrats, who commissioned the study, warned that the Prime Minister's pledge will be 'meaningless' if people cannot get a timely diagnosis.

Helen Morgan, the Liberal Democrats health and social care spokesperson, said: We know just how important diagnostic scans and tests are for catching diseases early, giving patients the best chance of having successful treatment and keeping pressure off the NHS.

If the government is going to truly fix our NHS, they must tackle these sky-high waiting lists so people arent left waiting weeks or even months for a vital scan or test.

The Prime Ministers milestone on treatment times risks being meaningless if people cant even get the scans they need to get diagnosed.

Rachel Power, chief executive of the Patients Association, described the figures as alarming and added: These are not just figures, they represent millions of people left in limbo, unable to start treatment or even get a diagnosis.

This echos what we heard in our patient survey earlier this year with over a third of patients reporting their physical or mental health had deteriorated while waiting for tests.

As we've consistently emphasised, investment in equipment alone isn't enough.

We need proper staffing capacity to deliver these tests, robust administrative systems to manage appointments, and clear communication with patients throughout their diagnostic journey.

Helen Morgan, the Liberal Democrats' health and social care spokesman, said: 'The Prime Minister's milestone on treatment times risks being meaningless if people can't even get the scans they need.'

Michelle Mitchell, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, said: Catching cancer at an early stage saves lives, but people across the UK are waiting too long to access vital diagnostic tests.

Taking on the biggest killer in the UK requires greater investment in staff and equipment, alongside reform.

Adam Brimelow, director of communications at NHS Providers, which represents NHS trust executives, said: The health service is delivering more diagnostic tests, but trust leaders and their frontline teams know they need to go further and faster drive to down waiting times for patients across all parts of the health service.

To do even more, the NHS needs diagnostic equipment that is fit for purpose as well as staff to carry out these vital tests.

'The Budget provided a welcome funding boost for diagnostic scanners, but trusts need much more to tackle years of under-investment in facilities across the health service, which has left many of them with failing equipment, such as old CT and MRI scanners and unreliable X-ray machines.

Rory Deighton, acute director at the NHS Confederation, said: We know it is crucial for all patients to get these diagnostic tests on time so they can gain a comprehensive understanding of their health.

The rising wait times for these tests since 2015 highlight the serious repercussions of years of underfunding, further exacerbated by the challenges posed by the pandemic.

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: 'Patients have been let down for too long whilst they wait for the care they need.

'Our Plan for Change will get the NHS back on its feet and bring waiting lists under control.

'The Budget provided the funding to deliver an extra 40,000 operations, scans and appointments per week to ensure patients can expect to be treated within 18 weeks.

'We are investing around 1.5 billion capital funding for new surgical hubs, diagnostic scanners and beds across the NHS estate to create more treatment space in emergency departments, reduce waiting times and help shift more care into the community.'
Marrying a first cousin would become illegal in Britain under a proposal brought to Parliament.

On Tuesday, Conservative MP for Basildon and Billericay, Richard Holden, will set out plans for his Bill that states how such unions result in a higher rate of birth defects, meaning their legal status should be reconsidered.

'Studies show that it is associated with approximately double the rate of birth defects compared to the general population and can reinforce negative structures and control women,' he said.

Marriages between certain blood relatives  as well as some step relationships  is already illegal in Britain.

However, it is still legal to marry your cousin in the UK, despite the health risks.

Data suggests the risk of a child of first cousins developing a genetic condition is between 3 to 6 per cent, which is double the risk compared to children from unrelated parents.

While this still means the majority of children born in such circumstances will be healthy, the increased risk is undeniable.

Potential conditions children of first cousins are at increased risk of include birth defects, developmental delays, and ongoing genetic disorders.

One of the most famous modern-day examples of inbreeding related to cousin marriage is the Whittaker family from Odd, West Virginia. Left to right is Danny Rae, Timmy Allen and Freddy Lee who are descended from a family tree featuring such unions

These can include conditions such as blindness, hearing loss, neonatal diabetes, limb malformations, low IQ, cleft palate, heart problems, cystic fibrosis, and even an increased risk of infant death.

Risks broadly increases if there is a family history of such unions, as genetic errors can compound between generations.

During conception, children receive one copy of genes from each parent, with the harmful genetic mutations typically overridden by healthier genes.

But when closely related individuals have a child there is a decrease in genetic variation, resulting in an increased risk that these harmful mutations remain and cause problems.

Cousin marriage is still common in some UK communities.

Experts have previously found that a preference for such unions among British Pakistanis was a contributing factor in child mortality rates in Bradford due to an increased risk of genetic conditions.

NHS studies between 2007-11 found consanguineous marriages, a genetics term meaning parents are at least second cousins or more closely related, accounted for 60 per cent of marital unions in people of Pakistani heritage in Bradford.

This compared to just 1 per cent among white British couples in the area.

This graphic, from NHS material distributed to couples in Bradford, explains some of the genetic risks of having children with a close relative. Two parents with a recessive gene have an increased chance of having a child with an inherited condition

An NHS website hosting the Born in Bradford (BiB) research project describes marrying your cousin is a cultural practice similar to White British women and couples choosing to have kids after the age of 34, another risk factor for genetic conditions

Of the Pakistani-heritage marriages, 37 per cent were specifically to a first-cousin and would be the type of unions that Mr Holden's bill would forbid if passed into law.

Subsequent NHS studies, conducted between 2016 and 2020, found the rate of consanguineous unions among this community has fallen to about 43 per cent.

The NHS has previously stated in leaflets distributed to families in Bradford, that cousin marriage accounts for about a third of birth defects.

Under a scheme tracking rates across the area, health chiefs describe cousin marriage as a cultural practice.

Wording, still available online today, says that a cousin marriage is no different to white British people choosing to have children over the age of 34, in terms of increasing the risk of genetic conditions in a baby.

Worldwide, one in 10 people are thought to be the result of a consanguineous union.

Studies have put Pakistan as having one of the highest rates globally at 65 per cent.

This is followed by India (55 per cent), Saudi Arabia (50 per cent), Afghanistan (40 per cent), Iran (30 per cent) and Egypt and Turkey (20 per cent each).

This map, by Professor Alan Bittles an Australian expert in genomics, shows rates of consanguineous marriage, that between cousins, around the world

Other data sets used by genetic experts studying consanguineous marriage have put the UK as having a rate of 1 to 4 per cent, while the US has a lower rate of less than 1 per cent.

First cousin marriages were once far more common and include some famous historical figures.

The father-of-evolution Charles Darwin married his first cousin Emma Wedgwood, and the famous physicist Albert Einstein married his first cousin Elsa Lowenthal.

Authors Edgar Allan Poe and H.G. Wells were also known to have married their cousins.

The British Royal family have also, like many among the European nobility, engaged in consanguineous unions.

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were first cousins, sharing a set of grandparents.

In more modern times, former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's first wife was his cousin Sajida Talfah.

Musician Jerry Lee Lewis, of 'Great Balls of Fire' fame controversially married his cousin Myra Gale Lewis Williams when she was just 13, he was 22 at the time.

One of the most famous modern day examples of cousin-related inbreeding is the Whittaker family from Odd, West Virginia.

Siblings Ray, Betty, Larry and Lorene, as well as her son Timmy, are struggling with heartbreaking mental and physical conditions.

The siblings are the descendants of two sets of first cousins who got married. DailyMail.com previously revealed the bloodline continued with a set of identical twin brothers whose children got married.

John and Henry Whittaker were born in 1897. John went on to marry his own first cousin Ada Riggs  the daughter of Mary Perkins, who was the sister of John and Henry's mother Eliza.

Ada and John had nine children, including Gracie Irene Whittaker who was born in 1920. John's brother Henry married Sally Burton and they had seven children, including John Emory Whittaker, born in 1913.

Gracie and John were first cousins, but married in November 1935 and had their first child in 1937, having 15 in total.

Many members of the family have suffered from a heart attack, while two did not make it through infancy.

Some of the 15 children died early of an array of illnesses, including heart attack and cancer, believed to be tied to inbreeding.

While cousin marriage remains legal in the UK, incest  the sexual intercourse between immediate relatives  is illegal in Britain even if consensual.

Scientific titans Charles Darwin (left) and the famous physicist Albert Einstein (right) both married their first cousins

Queen Victoria and Prince Albert were first cousins, sharing a set of grandparents

Former Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's (left) first wife was his cousin Sajida Talfah. Musician Jerry Lee Lewis (right), of 'Great Balls of Fire' fame also controversially married his cousin Myra Gale Lewis Williams when she was just 13, he was 22 at the time

However, inbreeding in Britain is probably more common than you think.

One academic study examining rates of 'extreme' inbreeding  where parents of a child are considered to be first- or second-degree relatives  found 125 Brits out of a sample of 450,000 were the result of such unions.

First degree relations include those between parent and child, while second-degree includes more distant, but still genetic close relatives, such as half-siblings.

Extrapolated to the wider population, the 2019 study was reported as meaning some 13,000 Brits were conceived through extreme inbreeding.

The authors noted, given the nature of the subject and the limited variety of Brits included in the sample, true rates could be significantly higher or lower.

Of the 125 Brits identified, about 43 per cent were found to be the result of the first-degree relations.

Some were adopted as children and thus likely had no idea of their parentage.

An increased interest and availability of DIY genealogy kits, enabling people to track their genetic family history, is leading some people to uncover uncomfortable truths about themselves and their relations.

Some have discovered they are the result of an incestuous union, or in other shocking cases learning they have married or had sex with someone who later turned out to be a close genetic relative.
A doctor has revealed the medications he avoids prescribing to patients  including an antidepressant taken by millions of people.

Dr Ahmed Abd Elbary, a UK-based GP, told his 291,000 followers on TikTok that some medications 'don't work very well' and others just have 'too many side effects'.

In the video, which has amassed 4.5 million views, he said that there are often far better alternatives to prescribe.

One medication listed by Dr Ahmed is citalopram, a type of antidepressant known as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).

It can cause side-effects such as tiredness, nervousness, a dry mouth and sweating, but that's not why Dr Ahmed avoids prescribing it.

Instead he claims there are better alternatives to treat depression.

He said: 'I don't particularly have a huge issue with citalopram, the only thing is there's a far better alternative called escitalopram which studies have shown works far better to treat depression and I found this in my own clinical practice.'

There are a few differences between the two drugs, such as that twice as much citalopram is needed to have the same effect as escitalopram.

Escitalopram can also be useful for anxiety is also used to treat social anxiety disorder and obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) as well as depression, according to the NHS.

Another drug Dr Ahmed avoids prescribing is gabapentin, which is used to treat nerve pain and epilepsy.

'The issue I have with gabapentin is that there's no real evidence that it actually works that well for pain,' he said.

'Even when it does work, the doses you need are so high. So, most of the time people stay on it for many years, get the dose increased every few months and all it does is make them sleepy, cause confusion and reduce their memory.'

Feeling tired and sick, getting swollen arms and legs, a dry mouth and blurred vision are just some of the long list of common side effects caused by the drug, according to the NHS.

The third drug Dr Ahmed mentioned is sumatriptan  a medication used to treat migraines and cluster headaches.

However, Dr Ahmed prefers zolmitriptan, another type of drug known as a triptan that works to relieve headaches in a slightly different way.

'You need a lower dose and it's far more effective,' he said.

In the video which has amassed 4.5 million views, he admitted that in some cases there are often better alternatives to prescribe

Triptans are often given in cases whereby painkillers do not work. They have a different mechanism of action to painkillers and work by imitating the action of a brain chemical called 5- hydroxytryptamine, also known as serotonin.

Bursts of the hormone, which is known for boosting mood, can trigger headaches due to its effect on the blood vessels inside the brain.

One study, carried out in 2000, showed 2.5 mg and 5 mg of zolmitriptan was as effective as ten-times the dose of sumatriptan at treating migraines.

Other doctors have recently taken to social media to warn of the risks of commonly prescribed medication.

Dr Zain Hasan, a Los Angeles-based anesthetist, told his 635,000 followers on TikTok that there are at least five drugs linked to dementia  including some antidepressants, painkillers and allergy meds.

He explained long-term use of antihistamine medication used to help ease the symptoms of allergies, as well as anticholinergics, also used to treat allergies have been linked to dementia.

Deborah Grayson, a top pharmacist, also noted that proton pump inhibitors (PPIs)  used to relieve acid reflux  could trigger depression.

PPIs are a type of medication that helps reduce stomach acid and are one of Britain's most commonly taken medications with over 74million prescriptions in England alone in 2023.

But they can also cause symptoms of depression among those who take them.

This is because PPIs, two examples being omeprazole and lansoprazole, can stop the body from properly absorbing vitamin B12  a vital nutrient found in meat, fish, dairy, eggs and some fortified cereals that keeps the nervous system healthy.

A lack of it is a known cause of psychological problems which the NHS says can range from 'mild depression or anxiety to confusion and dementia'.
A mystery illness being dubbed 'disease X' has infected more than 400 and killed dozens of children in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The WHO sent investigators to the remote Panzi region in the southwest of the country last week to help with outbreak, who have now issued their first report of the situation.

The agency said Sunday that, since October 24, there have been 406 cases and 31 deaths - mostly children - from the undiagnosed disease, though the true number is likely higher than this.

That official figure only includes patients who died in hospital and not those who died at home.

Exactly what's causing the illnesses is still not clear. Rapid response teams at the say it could be pneumonia, flu, Covid, measles, malaria, E. coli infection or a combination of many of those infections hitting at once.

The Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is calling the infection 'disease X' until the source is confirmed.

The WHO said the risk from the disease to people in the local area was 'high', while marking the rest of the DRC as at 'moderate' risk.

Internationally, however, it said that the disease posed a 'low' risk. The CDC has told DailyMail.com it stands ready to help the country.

2018: Congolese officials and the World Health Organization officials wear protective suits as they participate in a training against the Ebola virus near the town of Beni in North Kivu province of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Affected patients are mostly children under 14 years old and are suffering from a range of flu-like symptoms including a fever, cough, fatigue and a runny nose.

They said it was possible that patients were infected with more than one disease at once, and that many homes in the area had poor malaria protections.

'This is a remote area with limited laboratory and other health capacitythere is no laboratory in the regionso it's possible that it's an existing pathogen that hasn't yet been diagnosed,' a WHO spokesperson told Newsweek.

'Laboratory test results are still due, so this is an undiagnosed disease rather than unknown at this time.'

Of the 33 deaths in the hospital reported by the WHO, 71 percent were among those under 15 years old and 55 percent were among those under five years old.

A fever and cough were the most common symptoms, suffered by 96.5 percent of patients.

Other common symptoms include fatigue, suffered by six in 10 percent of patients, and a runny nose, 58 percent of patients.

The main symptoms in patients who had died included difficulty breathing, signs of acute malnutrition and anemia  or a lack of healthy red blood cells.

WHO officials also noted that the area had been suffering from malnutrition since September, with the first case reported on October 24.

A flu and Covid are among the diseases that have been mentioned as the most likely causes

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Cases appeared to peak in the week ending November 9, they said, with the number diagnosed per week since then being smaller.

There has been a delay in testing patients in the region for disease because of the wet season, which meant it took two days for teams to reach the area from the DRC's capital Kinshasa.

There are also concerns that the team could be targeted by armed groups, hindering their efforts.

It comes after three countries and a territory brought in restrictions for arrivals coming from the affected area.

Honduras yesterday became the latest country to say it would screen all new arrivals from the area for infections.

Authorities in Thailand are also closely monitoring arrivals from the area, while those in Japan have advised against 'all unnecessary travel' to the DRC. Passengers arriving in Hong Kong from the area are also being screened for infection.

A passenger who arrived in the US from Tanzania was hospitalized late last week with a 'flu-like illness', prompting concern they may have been infected. But reports later suggested that it was a 'routine illness'.

A traveler in Italy was also hospitalized with a mystery illness in Italy this weekend after traveling to the country from the DRC. It is not clear what they are infected with at this stage.
Most Americans agree with Robert F Kennedy Jr that US food is loaded with too many chemicals, a DailyMail.com poll suggests.

But they don't share the vaccine-skeptic's concerns about vaccinations for diseases, the results show.

The survey asked more than 1,000 adults about their views on ultra-processed foods, and vaccines, which have come into focus after the nomination of RFK Jr to head of the Health and Human Services (HHS).

Two-thirds of respondents said they agreed that US food has too many oils, fats, and other additives, which could be fueling the country's obesity crisis.

Four in 10 Americans said they 'strongly agree,' meanwhile just one in 15 respondents disagreed with this sentiment.

Those who identified as Republicans were more likely to demonize ultra-processed foods than democrat, with 76 percent of Republicans vs 64 percent of Democrats saying America's food is too high in unhealthy ingredients.

Americans were also asked about their views on the Covid shots and more conventional vaccines.

Covid boosters had the least support. Only about half (51 percent) said they were 'very comfortable' or 'somewhat comfortable' with taking them.

A DailyMail.com poll found that most Americans agree with health and human services secretary nominee Robert F Kennedy Jr (pictured here) about unhealthy US foods. However, they did not share his vaccine sentiments

The above chart shows responses from 1,000 Americans about the US food supply. Overall, four in 10 said they 'strongly agree' it has too many saturated fats and cancer-causing nitrates, blaming it for rising obesity rates

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Meanwhile, the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine was the most supported, with 67 percent of Americans stating they were comfortable taking it.

RFK Jr has been vocal about his opposition to many vaccines, claiming that no shot is 'effective' and floating the idea that childhood vaccines could be driving a rise in autism rates.

In 2021, he suggested that the Covid shot 'has killed more people than all vaccines combined over the past 30 years,' which experts called 'inaccurate representation of data.'

Meanwhile, the poll found that people ages 30 to 49 were the most likely to suggest US food is fueling the country's obesity crisis, with 67 percent saying they agree.

Among younger millennials and Gen Z, however, just 59 percent selected 'agree.'

The poll found that 69 percent of white Americans agree about the unhealthiness of the food compared to 66 percent of Hispanic respondents and 55 percent of black respondents.

When looking at political affiliations, three quarters of Republican respondents believe the food supply is too unhealthy compared to 64 percent of democrats and 62 percent of independents.

The results come as 40 percent of Americans are now obese, according to the latest CDC data, which experts have blamed on greater access to ultra-processed foods and a growing lack of physical activity.

Saturated fats and added sugars have long been shown to cause plaque to build up in the arteries and blood sugar to spike, increasing the risk of conditions like heart disease and diabetes.

The above chart shows respondent answers regarding vaccines. While most were comfrotable with vaccines overall, Covid boosters had the least support

Americans were most comfortable overall with MMR, polio, and flu shots overall

In addition to food, the poll also asked respondents how comfortable they were receiving vaccines.

Overall, Americans felt the most confident about the MMR and polio shots, with 67 percent saying they were comfortable getting them.

For each of those, just one in 10 said they were 'very uncomfortable.'

The chickenpox vaccine followed closely behind, with 67 percent of respondents claiming to be the most confident.

And shots for Hepatitis B, TDAP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis), and the flu all had 42 percent of respondents saying they were 'very confident.'

However, Americans were least confident about Covid vaccines and Covid boosters.

The poll showed that only 54 percent of Americans were 'confident' about the Covid vaccine, and 51 percent felt this way about the booster.

Meanwhile, one in four respondents said they were 'very uncomfortable' receiving these shots.

This could be due to a growing amount of misinformation about vaccine side effects spreading from wellness influencers and right-wing politicians, including RFK Jr.

Among his claims, he has suggested that vaccines cause autism, which has long been disproven.

Covid vaccines, however, have prevented millions of deaths worldwide. While serious side effects like autoimmune conditions and paralysis do occur, these are extremely rare, affecting around one in 200,000 people, according to federal data.

Dr Paul Offit, Director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, previously told DailyMail.com: 'These are probably one of the world's most studied vaccines.'
My wife and I have been caught by the Child Benefit state pension trap you've written about before.

In essence, we never claimed Child Benefit (as we understood it would be tapered away) and didn't realise the impact this would have on National Insurance contributions.

As a result, there were several years between 2013 and now when my wife wasn't working and was a full-time carer, leaving gaps in her NI record.

In your article, you mentioned the Government is planning to allow families to repair their NI records from April 2026. At the same time, I'm aware there is a deadline to top up historic NI contributions, which ends in April 2025.

My question is: should we pay to top up my wife's historic contributions now (before April 2025) and then hopefully be able to reclaim those top-ups in 2026?

Or should we wait and rely on the government's proposed repair process, avoiding the need to pay upfront? Clearly, the risk with the second approach is that the 'repair' process might not materialise.

I'd be grateful for any insight or advice you can provide. I imagine this question might also be relevant to other readers in a similar situation.

SCROLL DOWN TO FIND OUT HOW TO ASK STEVE YOUR PENSION QUESTION

Tax trap: We never claimed Child Benefit and didn't realise the impact this would have on National Insurance contributions

Steve Webb replies: One of the most valuable features of the National Insurance system is that it provides 'credits' to certain groups who have not actually paid NI contributions in a given year.

These credits help to protect the NI record of those who are not in paid work because of caring responsibilities or who are claiming benefits because they are unable to work due to ill health etc.

Until the High Income Child Benefit Charge was introduced in 2013, take-up of Child Benefit was close to 100 per cent and anyone on Child Benefit with a child under 12 (or under 16 prior to 2010) automatically had protection on their NI record towards their state pension.

But once higher income families faced a tax charge which could wipe out some or all of the value of the Child Benefit, hundreds of thousands of people - such as you and your wife - decided not to claim Child Benefit.

Unfortunately, this meant that you also lost the associated National Insurance credit. And even if you put in a claim for Child Benefit now, this would only be backdated for three months, leaving your wife with several years of gaps in her NI record.

The original 'workaround' introduced by the government was that people would be allowed to claim Child Benefit NI credits but not the benefit itself.

This meant obtaining a Child Benefit claim form and filling it in, but ticking a box to say that you didn't actually want the money, just the credits on your NI record.

Not surprisingly, many people were unaware of this system and it never occurred to them that they should fill in a benefit claim form but ask not to be given the money.

Belatedly, the previous government realised that many mothers (in particular) were at risk of reduced state pensions because of multi-year gaps in their NI record during periods when Child Benefit was not claimed.

Got a question for Steve Webb? Scroll down to find out how to contact him

The solution proposed was a new category of NI credit for those who would have got NI credits if they had claimed Child Benefit (since 2013) but did not do so because of the High Income Charge.

However, although the intention to introduce this new system was announced, no legislation has so far been implemented or even published.

My assumption is that the new government is likely to carry through the policy announced by their predecessors.

You would imagine that a Labour government would be concerned about the 'gender pension gap' and would want to take steps to avoid a new state pension gap arising because of the Child Benefit issue.

However, I am not aware that this policy has been formally confirmed by the new Government.

As you say, the ability to pay historic voluntary contributions (going back more than six years) runs out on 5th April next year so if the Child Benefit fix were to be dropped you would want to know sooner rather than later.

I do, however, think it would be risky to make voluntary payments in the hope of being reimbursed if or when the new credits are introduced.

The best thing that I can suggest is that you (and other readers) ask your local MP to write to the Treasury (who oversee HMRC and the National Insurance system) and ask for written assurances that the new credits will be introduced.

The more letters from MPs that a Government department receives, the more likely are Ministers to take note of an issue and give it the priority that it deserves.

Ask Steve Webb a pension question Former pensions minister Steve Webb is This Is Money's agony uncle. He is ready to answer your questions, whether you are still saving, in the process of stopping work, or juggling your finances in retirement. Steve left the Department for Work and Pensions after the May 2015 election. He is now a partner at actuary and consulting firm Lane Clark & Peacock. If you would like to ask Steve a question about pensions, please email him at pensionquestions@thisismoney.co.uk. Steve will do his best to reply to your message in a forthcoming column, but he won't be able to answer everyone or correspond privately with readers. Nothing in his replies constitutes regulated financial advice. Published questions are sometimes edited for brevity or other reasons. Please include a daytime contact number with your message - this will be kept confidential and not used for marketing purposes. If Steve is unable to answer your question, you can also contact MoneyHelper, a Government-backed organisation which gives free assistance on pensions to the public. It can be found here and its number is 0800 011 3797. Stev e receives many questions about the state pension and 'contracting out'. If you are writing to Steve on this topic, he responds to a typical reader question about the state pension and contracting out here.
Mining magnate Gina Rinehart has spoken at a series of Bush Summits where the billionaire businesswoman outlined five key priorities for Australia.

Below is a transcript of one of Mrs Rinehart's speeches in the series. In this address, delivered in Launceston, Tasmania, Mrs Rinehart spells out her argument how government tax and regulation should be wound back to put the country on an upward trajectory.

Hi and welcome to all our farmers, small businessmen, miners and other regional Aussies, struggling with time taking government paperwork, and policies that don't consider the people in our country areas!

It's fantastic to be welcoming you to the Bush Summit here in Launceston.

The Bush Summit, like defence, has become increasingly important as I hope it is one that enables those in the country areas to be heard, rather than taken for granted and overlooked.

No matter how hard we work, no matter how much we contribute, and that we have developed primary industries that shine on the global stage.

Our agricultural produce is amongst the best in the world, aren't we fortunate to be able to enjoy it, and our mining companies are world leaders.

Again, lucky us, as that is the engine room of Australia and massively contributes more than all other industries combined, to give us the high living standards we currently have.

Thank you to all members of our primary industries. And to our small and medium businesses.

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart has spoken at a series of Bush Summits

These standards of living are not an accident. They are the result of investment and our incredible people in our primary industries.

Mining provides not only jobs that pay more on average than the national average of salaries and wages, but massive export earnings, the largest of any industry, and taxation revenue too.

Yes, without the billions in taxation revenue mining provides - 65,000 police and 210,000 nurses each year - Australia would simply not be the same.

Yes, the mining industry is a stand out contributor, but too often we just think of this in economic terms, rather than the lives it helps.

Mining revenue helps to provide for our elderly, our people in trouble in emergencies, our uni students, and is essential for the houses we built.

The copper those in Tasmania explore for or mine, is used in pipes and to convey electricity. The iron ore you explore for or mine, helps to build machinery and equipment essential to build houses - from scaffolding, cement mixers, saws, to the everyday shovel and scrapers needed for brick mortar and tiling, and much more. In short, lack of supply of these minerals forces up the cost of housing. The housing crisis doesn't stop on the mainland, I know it reaches Tassie too.

It is upon these primary industries that all other activity is built. We cannot have manufacturing without mining and agriculture. We cannot have healthcare without mining, including oil and gas. And we cannot have defence, which is meant to be the government's prime responsibility to its citizens, without the revenue-creating industries and the many companies they support that contribute tax revenue.

It seems it is too easy for some to forget that every aspect of our lives is touched by either the mining or the agricultural industry. As you'd know, everything either has to be grown or mined, be it the food on our tables, the energy used to refrigerate or cook it, or the utensils used to eat it, and much more.

These Bush Summits are a refreshing opportunity to hear from those in country areas, and I hope with the help of the Bush Summit media, that our governments listen.

This is our time to let our politicians know we don't want to go down as an industry or country, we want to go up. We want to see policies that don't frighten away investment, that instead lead to increased investment, increased living standards, and more in your pocket after tax, to spend as you wish. We want to hear from pollies that they will be the leaders that deliver the up.

We've sure had enough of the 'down'. The down makes many parents worry for the future of their children and grandchildren. And many in agriculture worry if the agricultural industry can even survive.

Down will continue if we don't cut government approvals and tape, that add costs and delays. But it's not just businesses that are hurt. Given these expensive government burdens, there's less money available for wages and staff benefits, less money available for employing more staff, less money for training and retraining, less for donating to charities or for research. And it worsens if expansions or new projects are delayed or lost thanks to government tape and slow approvals, as all of the above gets even worse. Let's stop the view that government burdens don't matter, they only affect businesses, they don't, they add costs to all, and many people suffer.

The Minerals Council of Australia has recently estimated that we are missing out on some $68 billion of investment because our major mining projects are 'increasingly put in the too-hard basket because of the challenging investment environment in Australia'.

The MCA found that only 5 per cent of projects at the feasibility stage will move to a favourable financial decision each year, and that only 20 per cent of projects that debut on Australia's major projects list are progressed to completion, while 80 per cent are abandoned altogether. Not the pipeline of projects list our media or pollies talk about, when 80 percent are abandoned!

Without cutting government tape and abandoning negative policies, this situation will only get worse.

And we all know of the rising costs of living. I especially feel during these rising costs for all those trapped in poverty on pensions of one type or another, our 2.5 million pensioners, incredible veterans, uni students and disabled, not permitted to work without onerous paperwork, and then only permitted a few hours per week. Each of these people should be permitted to work as long as they'd like, so they are not trapped unable to cope with the rising costs crisis.

Too many in our country are with these government restrictions wrongly facing 'heat or eat'. This is unacceptable; our politicians should act immediately. And we have a worker shortage crisis, scarcely helped by expensive immigration, while making it difficult for our own Aussies to work if they chose. Let's not forget, the approx. one million migrants this government has brought in, resulted in only approx. 40,000 added to the workforce. Yet, causing many disadvantages, the nearly one million people adding to our housing crisis, increasing the cost of rentals, straining police with more crime resulting, and increased delays into hospitals, even being turned away from emergency, as our doctors, nurses, medical facilities simply can't cope. And delays in medical treatments too.

If only our governments would truly consider the farmers and many struggling, instead of nice sounding words, even saying they like visiting here and meeting country people from around Launceston. We don't want empty words, we want to know taxes that were to be dropped when GST came in, payroll, licence fees and stamp tax will be dropped. Wouldn't that help the cost of living. Wouldn't that help to lower housing costs.

We want to hear that the federal government will drop its excise tax on fuel, not just lowering costs for our cars and other vehicles, but lowering the cost of all transported goods, and all goods that require fuel for their processing or manufacture! Removing excise duty on fuel would actually help the cost of housing crisis, rather than the government building housing, when the record of government building infrastructure yells, big mistake, too inefficient, too expensive!

We are unfortunately on the 'down' path. Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows that we have now seen five consecutive quarters of negative economic growth per person.

Let's instead lift our country 'up'.

Please use your time and voices, at every opportunity, for Australia to return to this 'up' path.

I've encouraged in my speeches at the bush summit in Townsville and Bendigo, increasing our defence and defence industries, and fixing our curriculum, to help with the path up. Continuing now with my outline of what I believe needs to be done for our country, I'm sad to say we are over governed and overtaxed, I believe it should be a priority for our governments, in the interests of Australians, to cut the size, expense, and intrusion of government.

On my last visit to Tasmania, to see my relatives on my father's side of our family, mixed farmers, I asked what they and their friends found to be their greatest concerns. Then the concerns were IR related and excessive environmentalism. Now I read it's the housing crisis.

Australia will continue in a downward direction if we don't cut government approvals and tape, that add costs and delays, Mrs Rinehart says

Our major resources projects and primary producers spend much of their time, energy and money dealing with an ever-increasing burden of government tape. As mentioned above, few mines even proceed to development. It seems that government don't realise you must have new mines or even extension of mines, as mines are not sheep with fleece that grow each year,. When depleted, the revenue, jobs and opportunities stop. And all the many businesses they support suffer too.

Our politicians may forget, but we cannot afford to, governments do not create wealth, they only consume it.

Governments do not make money, there is only taxpayers' money. Whether it has come from current contributors and workers through the many different taxes they are charged, or if it comes as those charges to future contributors and workers by being run up as debt, for our children and grandchildren to be high taxed in future to repay. We should remember, handouts from government cost the taxpayers, there's no such thing as a free lunch. Indeed, government handouts to their favourites or the noisy, are a very inefficient way to redistribute wealth, and taxes must pay for this.

In the first two years of its existence, the current federal government added an average of an extra 50 bureaucrats each and every day. But remember these are not new productive revenue creating jobs. These are new revenue consuming jobs, eating up the revenue produced by Australians, you and me. For each new bureaucrat role created by Canberra, the cost to all of us increases.

It's time to turn this around. It's time to get back to common sense and get back to the 'up' path. Getting government out of the way, reducing the number of bureaucrats employed to tie up our economic development. Cutting the government's tape and tax burdens is the path to increased levels of investment, essential for higher levels of growth, higher levels of living standards, and more after-tax monies in your pocket for you to spend as you would wish.

I'll continue with the other important priorities as I see them as the Bush Summit travels to each destination.

And please don't forget to join us at this year's National Agriculture and National Mining and Related Industries Days, this year to be held at Penfolds and Santos, with more information on the screen. These are important national days, they are your days, November 21 and 22 each year, please make sure they're in your calendar. Hope to see you there.

Thank you.
Daniel Penny has been found not guilty of killing homeless man Jordan Neely on a New York City subway.

The Marine veteran, 26, faced 15 years in prison for charges of second-degree manslaughter and criminally-negligent homicide after the incident on the F train last spring, which was partially recorded and sparked a passionate national debate.

After a bombshell decision to drop the manslaughter charge on Friday, the jury returned on Monday to decide if Penny committed criminally negligent homicide by putting Neely in the chokehold.

He then faced four years on a single count of the charge.

Today, the jury found him not guilty. There was cheering and clapping in the courtroom as the verdict was announced after a tense weekend of waiting and questioning the judge's bias.

Neely's family yelled horrendous threats, calling Penny a 'racist c**t' and warning: 'It's a small world, buddy.'

They were escorted out of the courtroom.

Judge Wiley allowed the prosecution's request to drop the manslaughter charge even after previously questioning the legality of it last week.

Daniel Penny, 26, pictured arriving at court on Monday

Penny says he acted to protect himself and fellow passengers, but prosecutors have painted him as unskilled, saying he improperly administered a choke for a duration that resulted in the victim's death

Penny's lawyers argued he acted in self-defense and in defense of other passengers after Neely terrorized their subway car and threatened them, but prosecutors say he overstepped into vigilantism and criminally killed Neely with a chokehold.

The state said it was admirable at first that Penny stepped up to intervene, but that he failed to recognise Neelys humanity and went too far when he took him down.

Neely, 30, was once among the citys corps of subway and street performers and was known for his Michael Jackson impersonations. He struggled with drug abuse and a mental illness, and had a criminal record that included assault convictions.

Neely's death on the subway car last spring sparked racial tensions in the Big Apple as groups such as Black Lives Matter sought to paint Penny as an overzealous, white ex-Marine targeting an innocent black man.

However, the national attention on the trial also saw many conservatives question why Penny, who was studying to be an architect, was even charged.

Despite a wave of public support and testimony from others on the train who said Penny acted out of bravery, Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's office pushed ahead with the prosecution. While two other men helped Penny subdue Neely, they were never charged.

Bragg was under intense pressure to charge Penny, with Democrats and protesters calling his death murder. Protests erupted near the Broadway Lafayette subway station where Neely died.

During closing statements defence attorney Steven Raiser theorised that the District Attorneys office caved to pressure from furious protesters who divided the case on racial lines early on.

Penny has been described by fans as a hero and modern day Batman who selflessly came to the aid of women and children on the train despite the risks to himself.

Penny was released from custody on a $100,000 bond after handing himself in to the NYPD. Under the bail terms, Penny's parents put up $10,000 in cash and guaranteed the other $90,000 if he were to flee.

A crowdfunding effort for the ex-Marine received over $3million in donations. The page hit $1million in the hours after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis tweeted a link to it.

Donald Trump was one of many Republican voices to express support for Penny, saying he 'was in great danger and the other people in the car were in great danger.'

During the monthlong trial, the anonymous jury heard testimony from subway passengers who witnessed the roughly six-minute chokehold, 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.

Jurors watched videos recorded by bystanders and police body cameras and saw how Penny explained his actions to officers on the scene and later in a stationhouse interview room.

Neely, 30, was once among the citys corps of subway and street performers and was known for his Michael Jackson impersonations (Pictured in 2009)

Despite a wave of public support and testimony from others on the train who said Penny acted out of bravery, Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg's office pushed ahead with the prosecution

Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg was under pressure from protesters to bring charges against the Marine. Protests erupted near the Broadway Lafayette subway station where Neely died

'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.

Penny did now take the stand in his own defense, with one of his lawyers noting that jurors did hear from Penny, in the form of his recorded statements to police minutes and hours after he put Neely in a chokehold.

'Virtually everything he said then is consistent with credible testimony of his fellow passengers,' Penny's attorney Daniel Kenniff said.

A key debate between the prosecution and defense was whether Neely died from the chokehold.

Prosecutors noted 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.

Multiple witnesses said Neely shouted about needing food and something to drink, whipped his jacket to the floor and said he didnt care if he died or went to jail. They differed in descriptions of his movements and whether they were threatening. Several said they were alarmed by him and some were thankful when Penny subdued him.

A number of other passengers testified that they were scared of Neely and relieved that Penny grabbed hold of him.

Daniel Penny emerges from the NYPD's 5th Precinct after being booked on a single manslaughter charge last year

A crowdfunding effort for the ex-Marine received over $3million in donations

A man who later stepped in and held down Neely's arms, however, told jurors that he urged Penny to let go but that the veteran kept choking Neely for a time.

The defense contended Penny held on because Neely tried to break loose at points and that the pressure on the mans neck wasnt consistent enough to kill him.

Dr. Satish Chundru, who was called to testify by Penny's attorneys, blamed Neely's death on a combination of a sickle cell crisis and the effects of schizophrenia and synthetic marijuana.

The former Miami-area medical examiner's statement came in stark contrast to one delivered just days earlier, from the doctor who conducted the city's autopsy.

City official Dr. Cynthia Harris had maintained it was neither drugs nor the victim's genetic disorder that took Neely's life, while also ruling out cardiac arrest.

Dr. Alexander Bardey, a defense expert who reviewed Neely's medical history, said on the stand he suffered severe schizophrenia for years, including believing dead rapper Tupac Shakur was ordering him to 'change the world.'

Neely also suffered 'paranoid fears that people want to hurt him,' 'grandiose delusions that people are jealous of him', and reported hearing 'the devil's voice.'

Despite the shocking nature of Neely's history, Manhattan prosecutors had sought to bar Bardey's testimony from the trial, and attempted to have evidence of Neely's mental illness and drug abuse withheld from Penny's jury.

Penny, a former infantry squad leader said he did not mean to kill Neely but that he felt like he needed to step in to protect fellow passengers

Penny's military service, which included two deployments, earned him various ribbons and awards, and he reached the rank of sergeant before leaving active duty in 2021. He is seen with his three sisters and his mom

In his testimony, Bardey said he reviewed thousands of pages of Neely's medical records dating back to 2015.

Bardey previously worked for Rikers Island jail, and witnesses said Neely was screaming about his willingness to return to the prison when he threatened subway passengers.

He said he had worked on hundreds of cases involving schizophrenia patients, and said Neel's case was among the worst of his career.

'His symptoms, I would classify as severe,' Bardey testified.

'He describes paranoid fears that people want to hurt him, grandiose delusions that people are jealous of him, said that Tupac instructed him to change the world, and thats what he was doing.'
Raw milk is for sale at a grocery store in Torrance (Los Angeles County) on Nov. 29. State health officials have detected the bird flu virus in retail raw milk samples. Patrick T. Fallon/AFP/Getty Images

The first case of H5N1 bird flu in a U.S. child was just confirmed in Alameda County by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Canada, a teenager is hospitalized and in critical condition from the virus. H5N1 has been detected in animals across the continent, is ripping through dairy cattle in 15 states and has sickened dozens of dairy workers.

As we teeter on the edge of a bird flu pandemic, the Senate will soon decide whether to approve President-elect Donald Trumps nomination of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to oversee the Department of Health and Human Services. Doing so would be a disaster.

We need human vaccines for bird flu at scale as soon as possible. The worst thing we could do is hand the reins over to someone who would block this process.

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Kennedy is an outspoken opponent of vaccines. His organization, the World Mercury Project, is responsible for spreading vaccine misinformation and debunked health claims. The American Public Health Association said in a statement that Kennedys previous remarks on vaccines alone should disqualify him from leading the nations health agencies.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture on Friday ordered nationwide testing of milk for bird flu to halt the virus.

Alarm bells are ringing for scientists as the variations in known bird flu cases grow. The Canadian teens case suggests mutations that could increase the risk of human-to-human transmission. In October, a backyard pig was discovered in Oregon with bird flu.

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This is troubling as pigs are mixing vessels for viruses that become more likely to mutate and develop into threats to humans and other species. In September, a Missouri man with no known exposure tested positive for bird flu.

While there is no confirmed evidence that bird flu is spreading between people, if it does, we are in real trouble.

Most of the reported adult cases of bird flu in the United States this year are farmworkers exposed to infected dairy cattle. The most common vectors are direct exposure to infected wild birds or dairy cattle, but transmission pathways arent clear. The World Health Organization reports that 52% of people known to be infected with H5N1 have died from the disease. Historically, the virus rarely jumps to humans. However, mild cases have likely gone unreported and uncounted. But what we know about a potential human pandemic is developing daily.

Environmentalists have long warned that pandemics will result from mass producing meat and dairy. Bird flu highlights the problems of factory farming , which opens the floodgates to the spread of pathogenic disease through the destruction of habitat and intensive confinement.

Meanwhile, endangered California condors and more than 180 other species of wild birds and mammals have also contracted H5N1. Millions of poultry have been culled because of bird flu, causing ecological havoc and disrupting food chains.

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California is the largest dairy-producing state in the nation and the worlds fifth-largest economy. The virus has been detected in cattle across 15 states, with 402 infected herds in California. If we dont act soon, the disease could make many people very sick and impact our economy, rural communities and the security of our food system. The CDC should ramp up testing and reporting immediately; the USDAs testing order is a good start.

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

Trump doesnt want another pandemic on his hands  no one does. The incoming administration has to ensure the production and distribution of a bird flu vaccine. Given the crisis we face, handing our health care system to the most outspoken opponent of vaccines is the wrong decision and could lead to unimaginable death and chronic illness. And it will further overwhelm an already overwhelmed health care system.
Her crusade against transgender bathroom access has cemented her role as a hardline culture warrior and MAGA favorite.

But an eye-popping video unearthed exclusively by DailyMail.com suggests that U.S. Rep Nancy Mace wasn't always as uptight about personal boundaries.

The lurid clip shows Mace, 47, downing a shot of liquor before locking lips with a spikey-haired female friend and dribbling it into her mouth.

The gal pal, wearing a Trump T-shirt, uses the same revolting technique to relay the booze to a male reveler.

He barely manages to spit it into the mouth of the next participant before violently retching and throwing up on the kitchen floor.

The final recipient is a queasy looking woman who clutches her mouth and struggles to swallow as the gross drinking game, set to blaring hip hop music, concludes.

DailyMail.com understands the boozy episode was filmed while twice-divorced Mace was campaigning for Donald Trump's 2016 Presidential campaign.

It was leaked to social media when she ran for the South Carolina State House in 2017 prompting Democrat opponent Cindy Boatwright to brand her immature and 'totally unfit' for public office.

South Carolina congresswoman Nancy Mace can be seen downing a shot before dribbling it into another woman's mouth, in an eye-popping video unearthed exclusively by DailyMail.com

DailyMail.com understands the boozy episode was filmed while twice-divorced Mace was campaigning for Donald Trump's 2016 presidential bid. Mace locks lips with a female friend, wearing a Trump t-shirt

The mom-of-two won the seat regardless and her star continued to rise when she was elected to Congress three years later.

Reached for comment, Mace didn't dispute the authenticity of the video but said it was taken nearly a decade ago, well before she entered Congress.

'This is why good people don't run for office,' she remarked.

But Boatwright insisted that nothing she had seen from Mace had altered her view that she was unfit for office.

'She is the worst sort of politician, an opportunist who is solely interested in her fame,' Boatwright told DailyMail.com

'She wants to be known as National Nancy.'

Fast forward to 2024, and Mace is rarely out of the news  most recently for introducing a resolution to stop trans Rep.-elect Sarah McBride from using women's bathrooms in the Capitol building.

The combative pol posted about the restroom issue more than 300 times in three days, labeling trans people 'mentally ill' and describing McBride as a 'man in a skirt'.

The female friend then uses the same revolting technique to relay the booze to a male reveler

The stomach-churning party game ended with the final recipient, a queasy looking woman who clutches her mouth and struggles to swallow

But critics pointed out that Mace had previously positioned herself as a moderate and as recently as July 2023 declared in a TV interview that she was 'pro-transgender rights'.

In 2021 she co-sponsored the Fairness for All Act which sought to ban discrimination based on gender and sexual orientation, saying her position was informed by 'having been around gay, lesbian and transgender people  over my lifetime.'

'Nancy has always been vocally pro-gay which makes her swing to the right on the transgender issue all the more puzzling,' a former friend told DailyMail.com.

'She had several gay friends and has told stories about going to gay bars with them. She's especially comfortable around gay women.

'As you can see in the drinking video, Nancy is certainly not some sort of ultra-conservative prude.'

Another close acquaintance doubted whether Mace's sudden reinvention as a right-wing firebrand was sincere.

'She craves attention above everything else,' the source scoffed.

'Her thirst to be in the news is what is motivating this latest escapade.'

Mace's hardening rhetoric has also coincided with multiple bust-ups with her Congressional staff, DailyMail.com has learned.

The lawmaker's offices in South Carolina and Washington, D.C. are said to have suffered an exodus of staffers since 2023 amid complaints about her erratic behavior.

One disillusioned senior aide quit to become a ski instructor while several others are said to have sought therapy after walking out.

'Huge doesn't even come close to describing it. We are talking about a 100 percent turnover in D.C.,' dished a former aide.

'Nancy would send profanity-laden messages. She would drop the F-bomb. She would make people cry.

Mace has become a Republican firebrand who has made headlines most recently for introducing a resolution to stop trans Rep.-elect Sarah McBride from using women's bathrooms in the Capitol building

Delaware Democratic Rep.-elect Sarah McBride is the highest-ranking elected trans politician in U.S. history

Mace turned 47 on December 4 and posted a celebratory picture of herself eating a pink taco  saying it was 'on brand'

'You could be absolutely berated at any given time.'

The ex-staffer traces the implosion to a fanciful rumor that began circulating in summer 2023 suggesting Mace was under consideration to become Trump's running mate.

Mace condemned the former President over the January 6 riot but the pair patched up their differences and she endorsed him in the 2024 Republican primary.

'I think the illusion of becoming Vice President caused her to shift her ideology,' the source reflected.

'The biggest shame of all is that if she just trusted people and stayed true to her values she would be unstoppable.'

The daughter of a United States one-star general, Mace grew up on military bases and was the first woman to graduate from The Citadel, the storied South Carolina military college, in 1999.

She has worked in real estate and previously ran a PR firm that boasted leading Republicans such as Tim Scott and former White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney as clients.

Mace made a run at the Senate in 2014 but lost to Lindsey Graham in the primary before becoming a social media director for the Trump 2016 campaign.

Last month, Mace issued a brutal verbal takedown to a transgender activist who confronted her over her campaign to ban transgender women from using women's bathrooms on Capitol Hill

After representing the 99th district in the South Carolina House from 2018 to 2020 she beat Democrat incumbent Joe Cunningham to become the first Republican woman to be elected to Congress from the Palmetto State.

Mace notably teamed up with Matt Gaetz and six more GOP rebels in the headline-grabbing 2023 ouster of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

And last month she took aim at incoming Delaware Democrat McBride who became the first openly transgender person to be elected to the US House of Representatives.

When Speaker Mike Johnson agreed that lawmakers must use the bathroom that corresponds to their biological sex, Mace went further by filing another bill that would apply to all federal buildings and federally funded schools.

'Oh, you thought threatening me would silence me?' she declared on X, formerly Twitter.

Mace doubled down by launching a provocative new line of merch adopting a women's bathroom sign as a battle logo.

That's despite telling CBS last year that, while she stopped short of supporting transgender surgery in kids, she was happy to see young people exploring their gender identities.

'If they want to take on a different pronoun or a different gender identity or grow their hair out, or wear a dress or wear pants, or do those things as a minor, those are all things that I think most people would support,' Mace said.

Mace shares custody of her own two teenage kids with her second husband Curtis Jackson, a 53-year-old software developer from Charleston. The couple's 14-year marriage ended in 2018

The D.C. property Mace owned with her ex-husband has been a source of further controversy over claims that the Republican misused a taxpayer-funded reimbursement program to recoup $23,000 from the cost of living there

'Be who you want to be but don't make permanent changes as a child.'

Mace shares custody of her own two teenage kids with her second husband Curtis Jackson, a 53-year-old software developer from Charleston.

They married in 2004 but the 14-year marriage ended in 2018 and they divorced a year later, neither party demanding alimony or spousal support.

Prior to that, Mace was wed to Chris Niemiec, 47, a former Citadel classmate and college sweetheart, for two years.

She got engaged to South Carolina entrepreneur Patrick Bryant in May 2022 but called things off 18 months later after discovering that he had a Tinder account.

Bryant told DailyMail.com at the time that it was an old profile and he had simply accessed the site long enough to delete it so it wouldn't show up on internet searches.

Their split triggered a messy legal fight over two pricey properties the ex-couple jointly purchased, one in South Carolina's exclusive Isles of Palms, the other close to her D.C. office.

The six-bed Lowcountry home they had hoped to turn into a luxe beachfront rental is back on the market at $4.8 million after a lawsuit was filed by Mace but quickly settled in mediation.

The D.C. property, meanwhile, was the source of further intrigue when a report suggested Mace may have misused a taxpayer-funded reimbursement program while recouping $23,000 from the cost of living there.

According to the Washington Post, she faced the possibility of a House ethics probe for claiming back taxes and monthly bills relating to the entire dwelling rather than for the portion of it that she owned.

A spokesperson for Mace dismissed the Post's reporting, insisting: 'There was no ethics investigation, like at all.'

The Republican recently moved out of the three-bed, $1.6 million pad, a stone's throw from Congress, while she and Bryant try to disentangle their financial affairs and find a buyer.

Bryant, 51, did not respond to requests for comment.
With time saved from commuting almost half of Britons are going into business with their own side hustle.

Almost half of Britons (45%) have reported starting a side hustle while working from home, helping them to earn extra income or explore passions like fashion, handmade crafts, art and baking.

As we look ahead to 2025, nearly a third of us are considering it, research conducted by Adobe UK found, that side-hustlers find time at weekends and in the evenings to build their businesses, devoting between three and four hours per week.

Side-hustlers do everything from selling vintage clothes and hand-made crafts to social media management

Levelling up with Adobe Express Entrepreneur Carla Pyke, founder of The Circle Planner, says Adobe Express has helped to level up her business. Not only is it her go-to for creating on-brand social media posts and engaging email designs, its fast, easy, and helps her stay consistent, no matter how busy her day gets. Here's how she uses Adobe Express: 1. Pretty Product Mock-ups  She creates mock-ups and content to show off her planners. Lots of the Circle Planner collections are done via presale, so it helps show her customers what to expect. 2. Keeping It On-Brand  Using the brand kit feature to create and save fonts, colours and logos so every post, story, and email is beautifully branded while looking seamless. 3. Engagement Goals  Whether its creating countdowns or fun polls for social media, she brings the Circle Planner community together by building buzz and getting everyone excited about launches and restocks.

Side-hustlers do everything from selling vintage clothes and hand-made crafts to social media management, marketing and design, with others focus on teaching services and personal training.

Small business owners and solopreneurs like this are the backbone of the UK economy, driving innovation and contributing to local communities, but for many, balancing their entrepreneurial dreams with the realities of everyday life can feel like an uphill battle, with 42% of side-hustlers saying they lack the time to create content like social media posts, logos, flyers and videos.

For entrepreneurs aiming to get a business off the ground, Adobe Express provides the perfect solution to visualise and create content, with AI-powered design tools for everyone, even those who have never designed anything before.

Adobe Express  the quick and easy to create anything app  is accessible to all with no design experience necessary.

With drag-and-drop video creation, fonts and stock images, its perfect for any side-hustler to pick up and get started.

Almost half of Britons (45%) have reported starting a side-hustle while working from home, with saved commuting hours helping Brits to earn extra income or explore passions

With free and paid versions available, ready-made templates that make all aspects of design easy, and cutting-edge generative AI-powered features including generative fill, it is easier than ever to create content from scratch, removing and adding objects in images instantly.

Plus, many of todays entrepreneurs work on the go, so the fact Adobe Express works just as well on mobile as it does on desktop helps ensure that side-hustlers can keep creating content whenever (and wherever) they need to.

Why does content matter?

Research found that unique, visually appealing content is increasingly key to reaching customers

We live in a digital world and for side-hustlers starting their own business, its never been more important to reach customers online.

In fact, the research found that unique, visually appealing content is increasingly key to reaching customers.

Not only is finding the right audience a challenge, but a third (33%) of respondents said they're feeling the pressure of standing out in a crowded market.

While Facebook and Instagram are among the most popular channels for connecting with customers and brand-building, the research also found that video is becoming more and more important to small businesses too.

Many side-hustle businesses exist online, of course, so being able to produce blogs, social posts and videos is vital to building a brand that stands out.

Finding the time

Side-hustlers are short on time and that's where Adobe Express comes in

Almost half (47%) of side-hustlers have not told their employer about their new venture, meaning they're using their commute, lunch breaks and evenings and weekends to complete a multitude of tasks.

So it's no surprise that time-saving apps like Adobe Express are becoming ever more popular, enabling entrepreneurs and small business owners to create eye-catching and professional-looking designs on the go.

It's a game-changer for anyone looking to promote and grow their business so perhaps one day their side-hustle can be their main-hustle.

Want to learn more? Visit Adobe Express here to discover the best way to build a successful business
In a quaint Alabama town, where twinkling lights and festive cheer now paint the streets, a dark and unresolved legacy continues to haunt its citizens.

Cullman, deemed one of America's 'cutest Christmas' towns, is still wrestling with its racial past - a history rooted in segregation and the infamous 'sundown' laws that once made it a perilous place for black people after dark.

The small Southern town, with a black population of just over one percent, hosts an annual Christmas themed celebration, Christkindlmarkt, which honors the town's German roots and invites tourists from all over.

The month-long celebration features a Weihnachtspyramide, a 40ft Christmas pyramid - the country's tallest - an ice-skating rink, Ferris wheel, and a life-size nativity scene.

The Hallmark-inspired market recently caught the attention of Southern Living for its iconic festivities as the publication noted the market was 'in the perfect small town.'

But even with all the festive holiday cheer, the town still remains split on whether or not the population 20,000 town is really a 'sundown' town.

Dating back to the 1950s, a 'sundown town' refers to a predominantly white community that uses intimidation, violence, or discriminatory laws to exclude non-white people.

The term comes from the signs that would direct non-white people to leave town before the sun goes down.

Cullman, Alabama (pictured), deemed one of America's 'cutest Christmas ' towns, is still wrestling with its racially charged past - a history rooted in the grim days of segregation and the infamous 'sundown' laws that once made it a perilous place for black people after dark

The small Southern town, with a black population of just over one percent, hosts an annual Christmas themed celebration (pictured), Christkindlmarkt, which honors the town's German roots and invites tourists from all over

Now, Cullman has now been forced to confront the racist ghost of its past after a TikTok video sparked widespread discussion over its unpleasant decades-long reputation.

'Ya'll, we got drama in Alabama,' the now viral video states. 'Ain't nobody coming to Cullman,' the poster says with a laugh.

'Cullman, Alabama is a sundown town. Was, is, forever will be,' the video continues. 'If they really are changing and becoming more welcoming . They need to put some marketing effort into that first.'

Yet some disagree, claiming change happened a long time ago and that they hope people will see how far Cullman has come.

Cullman's Parks and Recreation Executive Director, Nathan Anderson, said that even though the town's history is complex, 'like most Southern communities,' he hopes that the people will see for themselves that it has changed for the better.

'Our message is, please come and experience it. I can assure you, it is not what you're hearing from those that aren't familiar with us, that haven't been here, definitely not in recent decades,' Anderson told AL.com.

'All I can say is, that's not our story for today. We are the opposite, and we go to church with a diverse group of people. My kids go to school with a diverse group of people. You know, we play ball with them. It is it is the opposite of what others are saying.'

Anderson added that 16.6 percent of event attendees over the Thanksgiving weekend were from the black community. The data was compiled using an AI analytic tool that tracks consumer foot traffic called Placer.ai.

The month-long celebration features an ice-skating rink, Ferris wheel, and a life-size nativity scene and runs from November 21 to December 23.

Yet, even with Anderson's affirmation the town has drifted from its racist roots, many have taken to social media to share their concerns for the town and its practices.

'Born and raised in Montgomery.this is so true!!! We've been told to never stop in between Birmingham and Huntsvillemake sure your tank is FULL!' one user commented on the viral video.

Christkindlmarkt also features a Weihnachtspyramide, a 40-foot-tall Christmas pyramid - the country's tallest.

'Born and raised in Bama, this is true. My hubby was looking at houses in Bama and he found one in Cullman I said um, NO he said why I said YOU wouldn't be safe there after dark. So I had to tell him,' another commented.

Another commented: 'As a Tuscaloosa Alabama native currently living in VA this is so true. My family is still in the state they/we know better.'

Several other social media posts also argued that Cullman was as it was in the 1950s. However, former State Representative James C. Fields Jr., a black Democrat and lifetime resident of the area, said nothing could be further from the truth.

'Cullman did have the name sundown town, but to lay that now at the feet of the progress that has been made in Cullman, the diversity that is all over the area I didn't bother to go on TikTok to see what was actually said, but that is an injustice, and it is an unfairness to the city of Cullman,' Fields told 1819 News.

'I've worked in Cullman all my life, and I'm 70 years of age; sat on various boards locally and statewide,' he continued.

'But why someone would be motivated or moved to post something like that  that would be the furthest thing from the truth that people of color would not be comfortable going to the park and enjoying everything they have in there.'

'I have lived in Cullman County my whole life and it is not fair seeing the bad history of this community from 80 years ago resurface,' Senator Garlan Gudger said. 'Cullman is a family community that is safe and welcoming for all who attend our Christmas events or any event.' Pictured: A Ferris Wheel at the December event

Even with all the festive holiday cheer, the town still remains split on whether or not the town is really a 'sundown' town - a predominantly white community that uses intimidation, violence, or discriminatory laws to exclude non-white people. Pictured: A Ku Klux Klan special forces command unit in Cullman, Alabama, circa 1975

Another state representative, Senator Garlan Gudger agreed with Fields that calling Cullman a sundown town was unjust.

'I have lived in Cullman County my whole life and it is not fair seeing the bad history of this community from 80 years ago resurface,' Gudger said.

'Cullman is a family community that is safe and welcoming for all who attend our Christmas events or any event.'

Cullman's Christkindlmarkt is slated to run from November 21 to December 23, seven days a week.
Billionaire developer Harry Triguboff has called on Australia to increase its immigration intake, but issued a warning about China.

The founder of Meriton Group explained his reasons for supporting increased immigration during an appearance on the popular Straight Talk with Mark Bouris podcast.

'We need more immigration, because if we have no migrants, it's very, very difficult (to build),' he said.

Mr Triguboff, estimated to be the fourth-richest person in Australia, suggested that the country would collapse due to an aging population unless immigration levels were increased.

'Life is so difficult in so much of the world that everybody would love to come here. Not to destroy us, they just want to come to live here. It's a good place to live,' Mr Triguboff said.

He advocated for a diverse immigration policy that welcomes migrants from a wide range of backgrounds.

'Chinese are wonderful migrants but if we bring many of them, they will take over,' Mr Triguboff explained.

'Now, I like east Europeans very much, because they know how to work. They're well educated, they will be good. I think South Americans are good, too. But we can't just depend on one lot.

Meriton founder and managing director HarryTriguboff (pictured) said the number of immigrants arriving in Australia should be increased, not reduced

Mark Bouris (pictured) conducted a wide-ranging 90-minute interview with Harry Triguboff

'Of course Chinese are the best -they have money and they work and they study, and they're young, but we can't depend on one type.

'I mean, if you talk about Vietnamese, or a guy from Taiwan, they are still the same Chinese  there's no difference between them.

'So we have to just make sure we have all kinds. And they themselves want all kinds. If they love themselves so much to be Chinese, why did they come in the first place?'

During the conversation with Mr Bouris, Mr Triguboff said local councils are partly to blame for Australia's housing crisis, due to their slow approval of new developments.

'The councils don't approve anything fast. I have a lot of money, I would love to build more, but I can't get approval,' Mr Triguboff said.

He suggested council staff should receive bonuses to encourage them to approve more development applications.

'The problem is that councils are voted in,' he said of the third tier of government. He reported councillors tell him, 'Harry, what you said is perfectly right  but if we approve it, we'll lose the seat'.

'So I say, alderman shouldn't have the right to approve. Because they're not doing it for the good of the country, they're doing it for the good of themselves,' Mr Triguboff said.

'The bureaucrats (should approve). If the bureaucrats approve more, they should be given bonuses.'

Harry Triguboff is the owner of the Meriton Group and said local councils are partly to blame for Australia's housing crisis, due to their slow approval of new developments

A Meriton spokesperson said Mr Triguboff's comments were 'part of a broader discussion highlighting the vital role migration plays in Australia's growth and the contributions of various communities to the nation'.

'In the podcast, Mr Triguboff expressed his enduring respect for Chinese migrants, recognising them as hardworking, entrepreneurial and deeply committed to education,' the spokesperson said.

'However, he also reaffirmed his advocacy for a balanced and diverse migration approach, which he believes would better serve Australia's long-term interests.'
The International Union of Police Associations has thrown its weight behind South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to head Donald Trump's Department of Homeland Security, and is demanding her rapid Senate confirmation.

In a letter to Sen. Rand Paul, the incoming chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the union's president spells out why Noem is the best person to stem an 'epidemic of crime' caused by weak enforcement of immigration laws.

'The United States Senate must confirm Gov. Noem as soon as possible,' writes Samuel A. Cabral, in a letter obtained by DailyMail.com.

'The border security crisis demands immediate action, we cannot afford to wait on this critical job in President Trump's Administration.

'Confirming Kristi Noem is a national security priority.'

Noem was a surprise choice in some quarters for Homeland Security, which addresses border security, emergency relief and cybersecurity.

But she came with the support of incoming border czar Tom Homan.

And the latest backing comes hard on the heels of similar endorsements by the National Association of Police Organizations and the Fraternal Order of Police.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is Donald Trump's choice to lead the Department of Homeland Security. She has won the backing of three major police unions

The International Union of Police Associations has given its backing to Noem

'There is definitely strong and growing support for Noems quick confirmation from law enforcement,' said a source familiar with her nomination.

'There is a clear sense among the people whose job it is to keep Americans safe that Gov. Noem is the right choice and she must be confirmed without delay, once the administration takes office.'

The International Union of Police Associations is an affiliate of the AFL-CIO, and says it represents 100,000 full time employees of law enforcement agencies.

In his letter, Cabral writes that foreign criminal gangs such as Tren De Aragua 'terrorize entire neighborhoods across many states.

'Too many scarce public resources are being spent on people in our country illegally. Our nation is facing a security crisis,' he writes.

I.U.P.A. supports Donald Trump's nomination of Gov. Kristi Noem for secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, and we believe she is the best leader to restore the rule of law and protect our homeland.

'Gov. Noem has a proven record of making tough decisions and taking immediate action to address problems head on.

Trump is facing headwinds on other Cabinet picks. Matt Gaetz stood aside after it became clear his nomination for attorney general would get bogged down on Capitol Hill and Pete Hegseth has been hit by waves on negative publicity after being picked to head the Department of Defense.

Trump has seen other nominees hit headwinds, but Noem has the support of major law enforcement organizations

Noem should an easier confirmation.

Paul, whose committee holds a key role, has already said he will 'expeditiously move President Trumps critical nominees, including Governor Kristi Noem, in time for Inauguration Day.'

The National Association of Police Organizations also called on the Senate to expedite her confirmation so that she could immediately get to work.

'Governor Noem has a proven record of supporting the men and women of law enforcement and making the rule of law a priority,' wrote its executive director William Johnson.
Securing a softer Brexit deal is central to Labours plan to boost economic growth, Rachel Reeves will tell EU finance chiefs today.

In a statement of intent, Ms Reeves will travel to Brussels today to attend a meeting of EU finance ministers - the first British Chancellor to do so since the UK left the bloc almost five years ago.

She will tell them that she sees breaking down barriers to trade as a key goal. And she will offer to work with them to make the case for free trade with the incoming Trump regime in Washington, which has threatened to impose tariffs on all imports.

Ms Reeves is among the ministers pushing hardest for a reset of relations with Brussels in the hope of boosting exports and growth.

A Treasury source last night said that Labours manifesto red lines would remain in place, meaning that the UK will not rejoin either the single market or the customs unions or reinstate free movement.

But the source said a central part of the governments growth plan will be achieved through a closer relationship with the European Union.

The Chancellor will acknowledge Britain and Europes fractious relationship in recent years, telling her counterparts: Division and chaos defined the last governments approach to Europe. It will not define ours.

She will add: We want a relationship built on trust, mutual respect, and pragmatism. A mature, business-like relationship where we can put behind us the low ambitions of the past and move forward, focused instead on all that we have in common. And all that we might achieve together to keep our countries safe, secure and prosperous.

Rachel Reeves will today travel to Brussels for a meeting of EU finance ministers - the first Chancellor to do so since the UK left the bloc five years ago

Ms Reeves will tell her EU counterparts that 'breaking down barriers to trade' is one of her key priorities

Ms Reeves will argue that a closer economic relationship between the UK and the EU is not a zero-sum game. Its about improving both our growth prospects.

She will say this means breaking down barriers to trade, creating opportunities to invest and helping our businesses sell in each others markets.

A Treasury source said the Chancellor would also make the case for the UK and the EU to join forces in championing free trade against a potentially protectionist White House administration.

Ministers fear that a US-inspired trade war could wreck the governments hopes for boosting economic growth in the coming years.

Sir Keir Starmer has put the idea of an EU reset at the top of his diplomatic priorities during his first months as Prime Minister, holding private talks with a string of EU leaders.

But he has given little clue publicly about what trade offs he is willing to accept in return for Brussels removing some of the economic barriers imposed in the wake of the UKs departure from the EU.

Privately, EU diplomats complain that ministers have also been coy with them about exactly what the PM is seeking. And there is frustration in Brussels at the UKs failure to embrace proposals for a youth mobility scheme which would allow young people from across the EU to live and work in the UK for a set period.

A diplomatic source said it would be tough for the UK to get any significant concessions on trade unless it gives ground on the youth mobility issue.

A Treasury source said the Chancellor would also make the case for the UK and the EU to join forces in championing free trade against a potentially protectionist White House administration (file photo)

But ministers fear the scheme would be seen as Labour bringing back a form of free movement. And Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has warned it would add to net migration figures at a time when they are already at near-record levels.

Labours manifesto pledged a new veterinary agreement to reduce barriers to trade in food, along with a push for greater mutual recognition of professional qualifications.

But Brexiteers fear this would involve the UK aligning itself with EU rules and accepting a role for the European Court of Justice in settling disputes.

Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper urged ministers to move further and faster in cosying up to Brussels, saying warm words were not enough.

The Government needs to be more ambitious about rebuilding stronger ties with our European allies, she said.

Its difficult to understand why they are failing to pursue the UK-EU Youth Mobility Scheme, which would be a good first step, provide a boost to the economy and give young people opportunities to live and work across Europe.

Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith urged the Chancellor to focus on reversing her devastating Budget measures.

He added: If she is interested in growth, she should tell the Prime Minister to jump on a plane to the US and talk to Trump about getting a US-UK trade deal done, not trying to take Britain backwards into the slow growth EU.
Conspiracy theories and extreme misogyny are in danger of becoming mainstream in the UK, a report from the Government's former counter-extremism tsar warns.

Extremist narratives are becoming normalised among all age groups thanks to a 'growing appetite for conspiracy theories', the report adds.

A 'pick 'n'mix' approach to believing in different conspiracy theories puts the UK at 'chronic risk of democratic decline' and threatens social cohesion, the report by Dame Sara Khan warns.

The research found that Britain is seeing the 'normalisation of extreme misogyny', with 45 per cent of young men saying they have a positive view of misogynistic influencer Andrew Tate.

People such as Mr Tate are fuelling the 'growing normalisation of harmful attitudes toward women among young men, particularly within schools', the report adds.

The research found that that every 29 minutes a post about rape is made on a popular 'incel' - a misogynistic online subculture with men who say they are involuntarily celibate - forum with over 17,000 members.

Meanwhile 34 per cent of people in a poll of 20,000 UK adults believe in a conspiracy theory which claims that a single group of people secretly controls world events, it found. This is increases to more than half among people who primarily get their news from social media.

Conspiracy theories are also becoming increasingly mainstream, with 30 per cent of 45 to 54-year-olds believe that the number of deaths from coronavirus was being deliberately reduced or hidden by the authorities.

A report by the Government's former counter-extremism tsar Dame Sara Khan has warned that conspiracy theories and misogyny are in danger of becoming mainstream in the UK

Dame Sara, who was previously the commissioner for countering extremism and advised the government on social cohesion from 2021 to 2024, warned this is contributing to a 'gradual democratic decline and extremism being mainstreamed in society'.

The research found that this is having a harmful effect on social cohesion and trust in government, with the UK having the highest level of polarisation between the political left and right between 2017 and 2022 outside of the United States.

Some 45 per cent of people now say they never trust the government to put the nation's interests first, regardless of which political party is in power, while only 41 per cent of people believe they can trust the other people living in their neighbourhood.

Dame Sara said: 'This poses a long-term and chronic threat to the wellbeing and functioning of our democracy and requires a new and strategic approach.

'Relevant existing policies including the Prevent programme, counter-extremism, and social integration, have failed to prevent long-term extremism concerns or address what are now chronic trends.

The research found that Britain is seeing the 'normalisation of extreme misogyny', with 45 per cent of young men saying they have a positive view of influencer Andrew Tate (pictured)

'This is untenable. Nothing short of a radical approach is now needed in government policy to effectively address these emerging challenges.'

The report, from think tank Crest Insights and Dame Sara, advises the Government to reform the Prevent counter-terror programme so that its sole focus is on preventing people from being radicalised or de-radicalising those that are at risk.

It adds that the Government should also develop a long-term strategy to strengthen democratic resilience and social cohesion in the UK, with a new Cabinet Office unit set up to deliver this.

Dame Sara added: 'Global trends suggest economic pressures, global migration, and institutional distrust are likely to persist, while misinformation will continue to deepen societal divides. Both domestic and foreign actors can exploit these tensions to undermine social cohesion and democratic stability.'
Video footage has captured the terrifying moment a schoolgirl dangled 60ft in the air after she fell out of the pod of a Ferris wheel.

The 13-year-old could be seen hanging from the structure as people watched on in horror.

Tthe incident reportedly took place on December 4 in the village where the young girl lives in Rekehti, Pradesh State, in India.

As operators turned the wheel to try and get the girl to safety, she was forced to support her weight by grabbing onto the metal frame.

It is not clear why she fell out of the pod, but footage showed it was nearer the highest point when the ride stopped.

To get the young girl down, operators needed to move the girl even higher as the wheel could only travel in one direction.

Instructions were shouted at the girl from operators below and she can be seen readjusting her position so that her legs and arms are both resting on the metal frame.

As the wheel started to descend and pick up pace, the little girl could be seen hanging on for dear life as she was temporarily held upside down.

Pictured: The girl, 13, could be seen hanging from the structure as people watched on in horror

It is not clear why the girl fell out of the pod, but footage showed it was nearer the highest point when the ride stopped

Thankfully, operators were ready to catch the girl when she made it to the bottom of the wheel.

According to The Sun, the girl reportedly fell from her pod after a sudden jolt during the Ferris wheel ride.

Local officials confirmed the young girl was unharmed in the incident but operators did not have the correct permits for the ride.

An investigation is now underway into hoe the ride was able to operate at the fun fair.

It comes after terrified riders were trapped on a rollercoaster at a major California theme park for three hours last month after it broke down mid-cycle.

The Sol Spin ride at Knott's Berry Farm was brought to a screeching halt at around 2pm on Monday, with thrill seekers being left to dangle until the were evacuated at 4:30pm.

A total of 22 people were stuck in mid-air. While some were left on their side, no one was left upside down.

Footage from ABC7 news choppers showed technical crew from the 102-year-old theme park being lifted in cranes to repair the broken ride at around 3:30pm.

Two female riders were taken to hospital 'out of an abundance of caution', a spokesperson told the LA Times.

The Sol Spin ride at Knott's Berry Farm was brought to a screeching halt at around 2pm on November 19

A total of 22 people were stuck in mid-air. While some were left on their side, no one was left upside down

Eventually, everyone was evacuated - though two women were hospitalised

KTLA reported that several people were seen limping away, while at least one was seen being carried out in a wheelchair.

The Sol Spin ride is made up of six swinging arms that go as high as six stories, and rotate 360 degrees.

According to local media, it opened in 2017 and was made by the Dutch company Mondial Rides.

Knott's Berry Farm says on its website that the 'thrilling ride is one for the brave.'

It comes just months after a man claimed in a lawsuit to have suffered a horrific spinal injury that left him quadriplegic after he got on his 'first roller coaster ride' at a well-known South Carolina amusement park.

Kul Sannyashi rode the 'Swamp Fox' coaster at Family Kingdom Amusement Park in Myrtle Beach in July 2021, when the alleged incident took place.

His wife, Gangia Adhikari, filed a lawsuit against the 'biggest seaside amusement park' on Thursday, suing for negligence and ultra hazardous activity. She is seeking unspecified financial damages.

Sannyashi, who also filed a lawsuit against the park, rode the 2,640-foot coaster that can reach a maximum speed of 75mph. He sustained 'an acute injury to his spinal cord' that made him quadriplegic, the lawsuit said.

The Swamp Fox, originally known as the 'Red Devil,' started running May 1966, and is one of the few wooden roller coasters left in the US.
A severe heatwave is set to batter both Australia's east and west with residents in one state warned to stay inside or risk heatstroke.

Parts of central and eastern Queensland have been put under a heatwave warning with the Bureau of Meteorology urging residents to stay in air conditioned buildings.

'Severe heatwaves can be dangerous for many people, especially older people, babies, children, pregnant and breastfeeding women, people with medical conditions and people who are unwell,' it said.

'Seek a place to keep cool, such as your home, a library, community centre or shopping centre. Close your windows and draw blinds, curtains or awnings early in the day to keep the heat out of your home.'

Weatherzone meteorologist Tim Woebbeking warned Brisbane will see high temperatures in the 30Cs all week, except Wednesday.

'High humidity and cloud cover will keep nights from dropping below 23C, while making the daytime oppressively muggy,' he said.

Severe heatwave conditions are also forecast in parts of Western Australia's west while isolated pockets in the Kimberley and the southeast are set to see a low-intensity heatwave.

The Bureau of Meteorology is monitoring tropical storm activity with severe thunderstorm warnings issued for the Pilbara, Gascoyne, North Interior, South Interior and Goldfields regions.

Low-intensity heatwave conditions will also affect isolated pockets over Cape York Peninsula, central Northern Territory and northern NSW - including the Mid North Coast and Northern Tablelands.

Several states will be affected by a severe to low-intensity heatwave (pictured, forecast for temperature on Monday)

Parts of central and eastern Queensland have been put under a heatwave warning with the Bureau of Meteorology urging residents to stay in air conditioned buildings

Sydney

Tuesday: Sunny day. Slight chance of a shower in the evening. Light winds becoming south to southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h in the morning then tending south to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h in the middle of the day. Min 20C. Max 26C.

Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. Light winds becoming east to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening. Min 19C. Max 26C.

Thursday: Sunny. Light winds becoming east to southeasterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day then tending east to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the evening. Min 19C. Max 29C.

Melbourne

Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h in the middle of the day then tending southerly 15 to 25 km/h in the early afternoon. Min 14C. Max 21C.

Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower in the morning. Light winds becoming west to southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h during the morning. Min 13C. Max 23C.

Thursday: Cloudy. Slight chance of a shower. Winds westerly 15 to 20 km/h turning southerly 15 to 25 km/h during the afternoon. Min 14C. Max 24C.

Brisbane

Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely from the late morning. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming northerly 15 to 20 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the evening. Min 24C. Max 30C.

Wednesday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming easterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then becoming light during the afternoon. Min 23C. Max 29C.

Thursday: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening. Min 22C. Max 32C.

Weatherzone's Tim Woebbeking warned Brisbane will see high temperatures in the 30Cs all week, except Wednesday

The Bureau warned: 'Seek a place to keep cool, such as your home, a library, community centre or shopping centre'

Perth

Tuesday: Sunny. Winds easterly 30 to 45 km/h. Gusts to 70 km/h are possible about the hills and foothills in the morning. Min 19C. Max 36C.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower about the hills, near zero chance elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm in the northeast in the afternoon and evening. Winds easterly 25 to 35 km/h shifting southwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening. Gusts to 60 km/h are possible about the hills and foothills in the morning. Min 24C. Max 38C.

Thursday: Sunny. Light winds becoming southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening. Min 24C. Max 36C.

Adelaide

Tuesday: Sunny. Winds southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h turning south to southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h in the middle of the day then tending south to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the late evening. Min 15C. Max 27C.

Wednesday: Mostly sunny. Light winds becoming southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h during the morning then tending southerly 15 to 20 km/h during the evening. Min 13C. Max 25C.

Thursday: Partly cloudy. Light winds becoming southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening. Min 14C. Max 27C.

Hobart

Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers in the morning and afternoon. Winds northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h tending northwest to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h early in the morning. Min 13C. Max 18C.

Wednesday: Cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the evening. Winds northwesterly 20 to 30 km/h increasing to 25 to 40 km/h during the day then tending westerly 25 to 35 km/h during the evening. Min 11C. Max 18C.

Thursday: Cloudy. Medium chance of showers. Winds westerly 20 to 30 km/h tending northwesterly 15 to 20 km/h during the evening. Min 12C. Max 19C.

Canberra

Tuesday: Mostly sunny. Slight chance of a shower. Light winds becoming west to northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h in the middle of the day then becoming light in the late evening. Min 9C. Max 28C.

Wednesday: Slight chance of a shower in the morning. Sunny afternoon. Light winds becoming west to northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening. Min 12C. Max 27C.

Thursday: Sunny. Light winds becoming northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h during the day then becoming light during the evening. Min 12C. Max 30C.

Sydney has a slight chance of seeing a shower on Monday evening and a top temperature of 26C

Darwin

Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm, most likely in the afternoon. Light winds becoming east to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the morning then becoming light in the early afternoon. Min 25C. Max 32C.

Wednesday: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds becoming northerly 15 to 20 km/h during the afternoon then becoming light during the evening. Min 26C. Max 32C.

Thursday: Partly cloudy. Medium chance of showers, most likely in the morning and afternoon. The chance of a thunderstorm. Light winds. Min 26C. Max 33C.
The daughter of Kamala Harris' running mate Tim Walz has shared her 'litmus test' when it comes to chatting with men online - and it concerns a popular podcast.

Hope Walz, 23, who has almost 200,000 followers on TikTok explained how she checks whether potential dates follow Joe Rogan on Instagram - and if they do, it's an instant 'red flag'.

'A litmus test for me and my friends for like years now has been if the guy we're talking to follows Joe Rogan on Instagram, they're a red flag and we should probably stop talking to them,' Walz began.

'And the times when they do follow him on Instagram and we haven't stopped talking to them, it's never ended well,' she explained.

Rogan, an MMA color commentator who is highly influential among young men, officially endorsed Donald Trump on the eve of the election - a move Trumps team touted as a major win in the final hours of their campaign last month.

'I just want to say that I stand by that. It's literally never failed us and at this point it's like the first thing we do when someone starts talking to a new person,' Walz explained in her 90 second video.

'If they follow him we're like, yeah this person probably isn't a great person and probably our values don't align so we're gonna move on from that. And honestly it's worked out well for all of us.'

Walz explained that there had 'been some heartbreak' by sticking to the rule but that for the most part it works.

The daughter of Kamala Harris' running mate Tim Walz, Hope Walz, 23, has shared her 'litmus test' when it comes to suitable dating partners and it concerns whether they follow Joe Rogan

Hope Walz is getting off a campaign plane with her father Governor Tim Walz for a stop on the campaign trial

Joe Rogan officially endorsed Donald Trump on the eve of the election, a move Trumps team touted as a major win in the final hours of their campaign last month

'There's been some heartbreak in there because of it or at least some disappointment but it truly is a litmus test and I got you ladies. You should start doing it,' Walz urged.

'I very much stand by that. He's questionable and unprofessional in my opinion,' she said before directing her message directly at Rogan.

'I don't know how you have the largest podcast in the world and are able to just lie and put out misinformation and straight up lies on your platform,' Walz said.

Many of Walz followers praised her for sharing such advice.

'That sinking feeling when they mention something they heard on Joe Rogans podcast,' shared one woman in the comments.

'My favorite is when you express your disapproval and then they try and find an episode to show you and it makes it worse,' shared another.

'Asking them how they feel about Taylor Swift also works like a charm (or just mentioning her in general),' added a third.

But there were also plenty who didn't agree with with Walz' suggestions.

Hope Walz got to know the vice president as her family while campaigned furiously for the Democratic presidential ticket after her father, Minnesota 's governor, was picked as Harris' running mate in August

There were also plenty who did not agree with Walz' suggestion

'The whole Walz family are just a bunch of retarded weirdos, aren't they!?' wrote one.

'This child has been brainwashed and successfully indoctrinated. She will never be in touch with reality again,' another stated.

Hope Walz got to know the vice president as her family while campaigned furiously for the Democratic presidential ticket after her father, Minnesota's governor, was picked as Harris' running mate in August.

Walz was seen at campaign events with her dad across the country as he met with voters.

She also delivered some memorable online social media content of their close relationship from the campaign trail.
Several potential candidates are still mulling whether to jump into the California governors race, including (clockwise from top left): Xavier Becerra, Rob Bonta, Laphonza Butler, Katie Porter, Steve Hilton and Kamala Harris. Becerra: Salgu Wissmath/The Chronicle; Bonta: Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle; Butler: Gabrielle Lurie/The Chronicle; Harris: Saul Loeb/Agence France-Presse; Hilton: Jessica Christian/The Chronicle; Porter: Damian Dovarganes/Associated Press

The impending end of Gavin Newsoms second term means theres a rare opportunity on the horizon: a truly open California governors race. Not only will there be no incumbent (Newsom will reach his term limit at the end of 2026), theres also at this point no clear front-runner the way there was in 2018, when Newsom was elected, or in 2010, when Jerry Brown won an unprecedented second governorship after previously leading the state in the 70s and 80s.

A long list of Democratic officials have already declared their candidacy, including former Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins, Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis, state schools chief Tony Thurmond, former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa and former Controller Betty Yee. But there are many other possible candidates who say they are considering a run, or who are seen as likely contenders.

The gubernatorial election in 2026 will likely be shaped by Californias relationship with President-elect Donald Trumps administration, which under Newsom promises to be rocky.

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Heres a look at candidates who may be considering running but havent formally declared their candidacy, and what theyve said about the prospect.

Katie Porter

Former Orange County Rep. Katie Porter, D-Irvine, hinted in October that she may jump into the race.

Im grateful that Californians recognize we need fresh voices in our politics who are not afraid to call out nonsense, from Republicans or Democrats, Porter wrote in a post on the social platform X, linking to a story about a poll that found she would be a front-runner if she ran for governor in 2026. Our next Governor needs to be laser focused on solving Californians biggest challenges, most of all cost of living.

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Last month, she told Fox 11 Los Angeles she is still thinking about running, but hasnt made up her mind. Spokesperson Jordan Wong pointed to those comments and said her position has not changed.

California has challenges, we also have so many opportunities, Porter told Fox 11. With Donald Trump as president, having that strong state leadership, someone whos really tough, whos willing to stand up to Donald Trump, as Gavin has been, is going to be important.

Porter previously ran for Senate, but placed third in the primary behind Republican Steve Garvey and Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, who ultimately won the seat.

Xavier Becerra

Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra has dodged questions about whether he will jump into the governors race, saying hes focused on his health care role in the Biden administration, but Politico has reported hes considering a run.

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Becerra led Californias legal challenges to Trump during his first term as the states attorney general, a role Brown appointed him to. California sued the Trump administration more than 100 times during his tenure and successfully defended the states clean-air rules, health care policies and legal protections for undocumented people.

Chad Bianco

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco told the Los Angeles Times in June that he was considering running. Bianco, a conservative Republican, has long criticized Californias Democratic leaders as not tough enough on crime.

Sheriff Bianco has not made a final decision regarding a run for governor, Sgt. Wenndy Brito-Gonzalez, a spokesperson for Biancos office, wrote in an email to the Chronicle. He is still considering his options and is expected to reach a decision by early next year.

Rob Bonta

Although Attorney General Rob Bonta is widely seen as a likely candidate, last month he told the Chronicle he had not made up his mind about whether to run for governor in 2026.

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In the meantime, he says hes focused on his day job, which will likely involve many lawsuits against the incoming Trump administration. Bonta has raised significant money in a campaign account to run for reelection as attorney general that he could draw on if he decides to run for governor.

In an interview the day after the election, Bonta said he does not have a timeline for making a decision about running for governor and criticized those who have already jumped in.

Folks that got ahead of that and were looking past 2024, not focused on 2024, focused on their own ambitions and their own declarations for candidacy for 2026 were just premature, he said.

Brian Dahle

Former state Sen. Brian Dahle ran unsuccessfully for governor two years ago against Newsom. Dahle said many people have asked him if he will run again. He said hes still deciding and hasnt committed one way or another. Dahle, who ended his final term as a state lawmaker last month, said he is taking some time off and considering his next move.

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I love California and I think we need some different leadership, he said. People want something different.

Kamala Harris

Vice President Kamala Harris has vowed to continue standing up to Trump despite her loss to him in the presidential election. One avenue that could give her that opportunity once she leaves office in January would be running for California governor.

A recent poll shows she would be a front-runner in the race. Harris has not publicly expressed any interest in the job, however. A spokesperson did not respond to multiple messages seeking comment for this story.

Steve Hilton

Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host and adviser to former British Prime Minister David Cameron, is interested in investigating a possible gubernatorial run, spokesperson Matt Shupe said.

Hilton, who has never held elected office, became a U.S. citizen in 2021. He lives in Atherton.

Laphonza Butler

Longtime Democratic political operative Laphonza Butler just wrapped up her term as Californias junior senator, a role Newsom appointed her to last year. She opted not to run for the seat, meaning shes now free to pursue other opportunities, including possibly a run for California governor.

In a brief conversation at the Capitol last month, Butler declined to answer a question about whether she was considering a run for governor. A representative for Butler didnt respond to several requests for comment.
A Philadelphia man who received a $4.1million settlement from city officials after he served 24 years behind bars for a murder he did not commit is headed back to jail.

Shaurn Thomas, now 50, pleaded guilty in court on Thursday to killing 38-year-old Akeem Edwards on January 3, 2023 over a $1,200 drug debt, the Philadelphia Inquirer reports.

He had previously been convicted of second-degree murder for the November 1990 shooting death of a Puerto Rican businessman, and was sentenced to life in prison.

But Thomas had long maintained his innocence - saying at the time of 78-year-old Domingo Martinez's death he was incarcerated at a juvenile jail, according to the Innocence Project, which helped get him released in 2017.

Attorneys from the organization discovered detectives knew Thomas had a potential alibi, and even had 36 pages of undisclosed witness statements pointing to other suspects, but zeroed in on Thomas because of statements made by two alleged co-conspirators.

Those co-conspirators' stories, however, changed over time, and one even wound up recanting his testimony - claiming that cops fed him a false story and assaulted him until he repeated it.

The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office ultimately declined to retry the case, despite prosecutors saying they were not entirely convinced Thomas was innocent.

Thomas was then released from prison and said at the time he had 'no animosity' toward the police, and planned to 'just move on forward,' according to ABC News.

Shaurn Thomas, now 50, won a $4.15million settlement in 2020 for his wrongful conviction of a 1990 homicide

Thomas was released from prison in 2017 with the help of the Innocence Project

Three years later, Thomas settled a suit against the city for $4.15million.

He had also joined a network of other Philadelphians who were freed from prison after their convictions overturned.

There, he met Ketra Veasy, whose brother, Willie, had his murder case overturned in 2019.

The two dated on and off for six years, and last fall, Thomas asked her to connect him with her childhood friend, Akeem Edwards, to see if he might sell some cocaine for him, prosecutors had said.

The ex-convict then gave Edwards a sandwich bag filled with drugs and told him to bring back $1,200 from the proceeds, which Edwards never paid by January 3, 2023.

That day, Thomas and Veasy met at her Delaware home and drove to Philadelphia to run some errands.

But before they returned home, she said, Thomas suggested they drive through the neighborhood to see if they could find Edwards.

When they ultimately spotted him, Veasy said, Thomas got out out of the car.

She later testified that she did not know Thomas had a gun with him that day and never wished any harm on Edwards.

He told ABC News he had 'no animosity' toward the police, and planned to 'just move on forward'

The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office ultimately declined to retry the case, despite prosecutors saying they were not entirely convinced Thomas was innocent

But soon, she heard gunshots and saw Thomas running back to the car and putting the gun in his waist band.

He told her, 'He's hit, he's down, just drive,' Veasy recounted, saying she did just that.

On the drive back to Delaware, Veasy said her boyfriend made a shocking admission.

'He said it's his third homicide and he said he can't go back to jail,' Veasy testified.

She further claimed Thomas told her he knew where her children and her family lived and to 'keep my mouth quiet or else.'

But a few weeks later, a federal informant told homicide detectives that Thomas had discussed Edwards' murder with him and said Veasy was with him.

The informant also claimed Thomas put out a hit on Veasy out of concern she might cooperate with investigators, the Inquirer reports.

That led to a search of Thomas' home, where cops recovered five guns and a Gap hoodie that resembled the one Edwards' shooter wore.

Thomas was then arrested and charged with illegal gun possession, but was released on bail.

After being released, he had an on-and-off relationship with Ketra Veasy (center), whose brother, Willie, had his murder case overturned in 2019

Meanwhile, Philadelphia police continued their investigation, and received cell phone data that placed Veasy and Thomas at the scene.

They were both arrested in March and charged with murder.

While behind bars, Thomas sent Veasy letters she said were intimidating, and she ultimately agreed to cooperate with police and testify against Thomas in exchange for less serious charges.

Veasy wound up pleading guilty last year to aggravated assault and conspiracy charges, and is awaiting sentencing.

For his part, Thomas did not deny any of the claims in court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to six crimes, including third-degree murder, conspiracy and illegal gun possession.

He is due to be sentenced in February.
Thousands of Syrians tried to begin the long journey back to their homes yesterday after the end of 13 years of civil war, with huge queues forming to get into the country.

Dramatic pictures showed hundreds of Syrians with bags and suitcases gathered on the Lebanese border hoping to cross back into their country.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has said there is already some evidence of Syrians returning.

It has verified 34,000 returning home in the first eight months of 2024 and says the 'actual figure may be significantly higher'.

'Spontaneous returns to Syria are expected to continue throughout 2025,' the UN refugee agency added in its assessment of the country.

Video footage shows traffic jams are cropping up in some areas as refugees scramble to return home.

Syrian rebels seized the capital Damascus unopposed on Sunday, sending fleeing after a 13-year civil war and six decades of his family's autocratic rule.

Thousands of people in cars and on foot congregated at a main square in Damascus waving and chanting 'Freedom'.

Deposed president Bashar al-Assad and his family fled the country and have been given asylum in Moscow, Russian state media confirmed.

Top rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani's group was once Syria's branch of al Qaeda but has softened its image to reassure members of minority sects and foreign countries.

Syrians in Lebanon flock to the Masnaa Border between Lebanon and Syria to return home

Dramatic pictures showed hundreds of Syrians with bags and suitcases gathered on the Lebanese border hoping to cross back into their country

Syrians in Lebanon flock to the Masnaa Border Crossing to return home

Video footage shows traffic jams are cropping up in some areas as refugees scramble to return

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has said there is already some evidence of Syrians returning

Syrians get warm as they wait overnight to cross into Syria from Turkey at the Cilvegozu border gate, southern Turkey

Rob McNeil, deputy director of the Migration Observatory at Oxford University, said that it is too soon to know what effect Assad's deposition will have on Syria's population.

He said: 'The fundamental question is what happens next, and we obviously can't know that. In the optimistic scenario, that this is the beginning of a period of greater stability for Syria, then we may actually see return migration beginning to happen.

'The flip side is, if this is the harbinger of another period of greater chaos in Syria, then there is still a large number of people in the country who have not left, many of whom may feel unsafe and may try to leave the country.'

Mr McNeil said most of these refugees would likely seek safety in neighbouring countries, such as Lebanon and Turkey, and for those that did come to Europe it is expected that the majority would travel to Germany.

He added: 'However a share of people might attempt to come to the UK, and if so the expectation would be that they would probably try to do so via the same way that other people try to enter the UK to claim asylum, which in recent times has commonly been small boats.'

Assad's downfall spells uncertainty for the millions of refugees estimated to have fled Syria since the brutal civil war began 14 years ago, experts have said.

Almost 400,000 Syrians have left their homes since rebel forces launched a major offensive last week, sparking fears that thousands could flee to the UK and Europe in the coming months.

Syrians gather with their belongings at Lebanon's Masnaa border crossing east of Beirut

Syrian refugees are seen waiting to enter to their country at the Lebanese border with Syria

Smoke rises from the Syrian side, as people walk at the damaged site on the Lebanese-Syrian border crossing of Arida

Rebel forces pressing a lightning offensive in Syria aim to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad's rule, their Islamist leader said in an interview published on December 6

Local residents celebrate after opposition forces led by HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) took control of Hama city center and surrounding villages on December 6

Russian president Vladimir Putin meets with al-Assad at the Kremlin in Moscow in July

The fall of Bashar al-Assad's routine appeals all but assured (pictured: rebels ride past a damaged government vehicle in Hama)

However experts believe that if deposed president Bashar al-Assad's downfall leads to more stability in the country then it could have the opposite effect, with Syrians returning home in their thousands.

An estimated seven million Syrians have fled Assad's murderous regime since the civil war began in 2011 - most of them to refugee camps in neighbouring countries such as Turkey and Jordan.

More than a million have since settled in Europe, with a majority in Germany. Between 2015 and 2021, 20,319 Syrian migrants came to the UK under a government relocation scheme.

A further 9,766 Syrians have been granted asylum in the UK in the last three years after arriving irregularly, with Syrian nationals making up about eight per cent of small boat arrivals in the last six years.

Alp Mehmet, chairman of MigrationWatch UK, said: 'We can expect tens, if not hundreds, of thousands of those displaced, or who flee from the new regime, to make their way to the EU and UK - both legally and illegally.

'Many will want to join the 20,000 who came in 2015/16 as part of the Syrian resettlement scheme.'

There are some signs that this may already be happening. Cyprus, one of the nearest gateways to Europe, has already seen a surge in Syrians fleeing from neighbouring Lebanon following conflict between Israel and Hezbollah.

Asma al-Assad, wife of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, casts her vote during the country's presidential elections in Douma, Syria, with her husband in this file photo taken in 2021

A picture believed to be showing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad wearing only speedos is taken by Rebels following the capture of his palace in Aleppo

A military vehicle belonging to the Syrian regime forces and seized by anti government forces burn after it was hit by regime forces in the Hama governorate

A government armoured vehicle burns as rebels ride along the road south of Hama

The UN's special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, has also warned that 'further military escalation risks mass displacement' if the country descends into conflict following Assad's downfall.

However, he said there is 'cautious hope' that it could mark a new chapter in Syria's history, with those who previously fled the war now hoping to return to their country.

He said: 'To those displaced, this moment renews the vision of returning to homes once lost. To families separated by war, the beginnings of reunions bring hope.'

Sir John Jenkins, senior fellow at Policy Exchange [must leave in if used] and a former UK Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said that if stability is restored to Syria 'there'll be the basis for orderly returns - which is what Lebanon, Turkey and Jordan all desperately want'.

He added: 'Now's the time for a concerted international effort - led by Jordan and the Gulf states - to stabilise the situation in the interests of Syrians themselves.

'That will serve our interests too. It will help Lebanon reduce Hezbollah's influence. And it will create a buffer against Iran. If that doesn't work, then brace yourself.'

The Assad police state - one of the harshest in the Middle East with hundreds of thousands of political prisoners - melted away overnight.

Bewildered and elated inmates poured out of jails after rebels blasted away locks on their cells. Reunited families wept and wailed in joy.

Newly freed prisoners were filmed at dawn running through the Damascus streets holding up the fingers of both hands to show how many years they had been in prison.

A toddler is seen walking out of a Syrian prison cell inside tyrant President Bashar al-Assad's 'human slaughterhouse'

Inmates were boarded onto buses waiting outside the prison before being taken to their homes

People yelped joyfully as they were freed where some had been incarcerated for decades, holding up their hands to signal how long they were imprisoned for

US President Joe Biden cheered Assad's fall but acknowledged that it was also a moment of risk and uncertainty.

The US Central Command said its forces conducted dozens of airstrikes on Islamic State targets in central Syria on Sunday.

In a statement, the CENTCOM said its strikes were aimed to ensure that the Islamic State does not take advantage of the current situation in Syria.

Jubilant supporters of the revolt crowded Syrian embassies in various cities around the world, lowering red, white and black Assad-era flags and replacing them with the green, white and black flag flown of his opponents.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Assad's fall was thanks to blows Israel had dealt to Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah, once the lynchpin of Assad's security forces.

'The barbaric state has fallen,' French President Emmanuel Macron said.

Supporters of the rebels who toppled Assad have entered some Syrian embassies around the world to hoist their flag.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the fall of the 'barbaric regime' and called for 'peace and stability'.

Syrian opposition leaders had agreed to guarantee the safety of Russian military bases and diplomatic institutions in Syria, a Kremlin source told state media.

Unverified footage reportedly shows rebels 'opening cells one by one' by breaking down walls, and they are said to have rescued 'hundreds of inmates' in Syria

Screengrabs from footage reportedly filmed of inmates being released from prison

But some Russian war bloggers said the situation around the bases was extremely tense and the source did not say how long the security guarantee lasted.

A deal to secure Russia's air base in Syria's Latakia province and its naval facility at Tartous on the coast would come as a relief to Moscow.The facility is Russia's only Mediterranean repair and replenishment hub, and Moscow has used Syria as a staging post to fly its military contractors in and out of Africa.

Losing Tartous would be a serious blow to Russia's ability to project power in the Middle East, the Mediterranean and Africa, say Western military analysts.

Influential Russian war blogger 'Rybar', who is close to the Russian Defence Ministry and has over 1.3 million followers on his Telegram channel, said the situation around the bases was a serious cause for concern whatever Moscow's official line.

'Russia's military presence in the Middle East region hangs by a thread,' Rybar said.

Rescuers are battling to liberate Syria's alleged hellhole the 'Red Prison', but rebels who freed caged women and children reportedly still can't access the men trapped.

Saydnayah Prison near Damascus - nicknamed the 'Human Slaughterhouse - is said to contain 'highly secured underground' cells in its Red Building.

Unverified footage reportedly shows rebels 'opening cells one by one' by breaking down walls, and they are said to have rescued 'hundreds of inmates, including women and young children'.

Residents in Hama set ablaze a large banner bearing a picture of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad hanging on the facade of a municipal building

Bashar al-Assad gestures during an interview in the capital Damascus on February 11, 2016

A giant portrait of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad sets on a building, as empty streets seen in Damascus, Syria

But there are men trapped in cells three floors underground in a section named the 'Red Prison', some have said.

The military prison, dubbed the 'industrial torture chamber', has reportedly seen between 5,000 to 13,000 inmates hanged since 2011, according to AlJazeera.

Heartbreaking video showed a toddler walking out of the unlocked cell doors looking confused as rebel soldiers shout 'Allahu Akbar' - meaning 'God is greatest' - as they free hundreds of inmates.

It comes as an alleged Russian plot to spread fake news of an Assad 'plane crash' has been uncovered.

The Centre for Strategic Communication and Information Security of Ukraine posted on X to claim Russia 'covered their trail' of helping Assad escape by spreading false reports that he died in a crash.
An Ohio mother was found dead inside a hammock after vanishing two months prior during a camping trip in Alabama.

On Wednesday, the Alabama Department of Forensic Science confirmed the deceased body found by a hunter in Talladega National Forest on November 30 belonged to Vendula Wendy Rose, 41.

The Walmart employee and Czech Republic native set off for a solo camping trip on September 20, but when she did not arrive back to her home in Marysville on October 2, her loved ones grew worried.

Before she left, she called her family and friends and told them that she was going hiking, adding that she would be 'leaving some personal belongings in a safe deposit box at her bank' and that she also 'left her work keys with her employer,' according to police.

According to a timeline released by the Cleburne County Sheriff's Department, Rose made it from Ohio to Alabama that same day - about a 10 hour drive - where she 'hiked that portion of the Pinhoti Trail' located in the Dugger Mountain area of Cleburne and Calhoun County.

Three days later she made her way to South Carolina before driving back to Alabama late the following day, where camera footage captured her 'making a purchase at a business' before exiting alone in Oxford.

She was reported missing on October 4 after failing to show up for work, as police located her car at the Pinhoti Trail Head, where 'an immediate search of the park was conducted,' including the use of K9 teams, multiple law enforcement agencies, fire departments, and rescue squads.

Although authorities did not locate her remains until about a month later, they did search her vehicle, which contained 'multiple notes that were deemed as abnormal for Rose unless she was having a mental health crisis,' as well as a 'magazine' and 'a box of ammunition missing seven rounds'.

On Wednesday, the Alabama Department of Forensic Science confirmed the deceased body found in Talladega National Forest on November 30 by a hunter belonged to Vendula Wendy Rose, 41

Rose had set off for a solo camping trip on September 30, but when she failed to come home on October 2, her loved ones grew worried. (Pictured: The hammock she was found in)

Rose's cause of death has not yet been released, but at the time police said they had 'no evidence that would lead us to believe that there is any foul play suspected in this case,' adding that they think she was 'suffering a mental health crisis'.

Her loved ones quickly set out to help find Rose after she went missing back in October, as a 'Missing Wendy Rose' Facebook page was made.

Her daughter, Dana Rose, posted constant updates about the status of her mother from the very start.

On October 7 Dana posted several pictures of Rose and said: 'This is my mom. Shes stubborn, frustrating, innovative, smart, silly, and, in true motherly fashion, one of the most important people in my life.

'She is missing from me in the Talladega forest area, but that doesnt mean she didnt travel to the Appalachian Trail area. PLEASE if you see her or know anything, call your local police department and give them information about Vendula Rose,' Dana said, adding 'i love you mom, and i hope youre safe.'

As the weeks went on with no answers, Dana continued to post to the page in hopes of finding her mother alive.

Rose was a mother to her daughter Dana, as the pair shared a passion for flying planes. (Pictured: Rose with her husband David and their daughter David)

By the time Thanksgiving rolled around, just days before her mother's body was found, Dana shared her sadness of not celebrating the holiday together.

'Happy thanksgiving, everyone. This year, my dining room table will be empty. there will be no bramborova kase, no turkey breast, no steamed vegetables or stuffing.

'The quiet absence of my mom will echo off my walls. the memories of years past will haunt me in my home while I make pierogi dough with only my kitties for company,' her heartbroken daughter wrote.

Despite hoping that she and her mother would come together next year to cook for the holiday, three days later Dana shared that her mother's remains were found.

'I miss you more than words describe. the pain in my heart only grows with every minute without you,' she wrote.

The mother and daughter shared a passion for flying planes as Rose became a pilot in 2016, with Dana later following in her footsteps as a flight instructor at Bowling Green State University.

Dana previously told WIAT that Rose was more than a mother, saying: 'You can't put her in a box.'

Rose's cause of death has not yet been released, but police said they have 'no evidence that would lead us to believe that there is any foul play suspected in this case,' adding that they think she was 'suffering a mental health crisis'

Rose's coworkers also reacted to the tragic news of her death, as one of them, Cindy Taylor Sheldon, set up a memorial for her inside the Walmart store they worked at together

Rose, who often went by 'Wendy' was born in the small Czech Republic town of Kolin before moving to the United States in 2001 at the age of 18 after meeting her husband David while he visited Prague.

'He got lost and asked her for directions, and then he asked if she wanted to go dance with him. From there they fell in love,' Dana shared with the outlet.

Other than working security at Walmart, Rose kept busy with multiple jobs and pastimes, including training dogs, writing poetry, working as a mechanic, test driving cars, and riding horses.

Dana added that her mother really thrived in nature and 'always talked about living in a cabin.'

She also noted that more than anything, she will always remember her mother's big heart as she recalled Rose giving a homeless man food while hiking in Zaleski State Forest in September.

Sarah Rose, who said she was Rose's sister-in-law, took to Facebook to share the devastating discovery as well.

'It is with great sadness that we report that Wendy was found deceased today. Although this was not the outcome we were hoping for we realize that having closure is a blessing.

Rose, who often went by 'Wendy' was born in the small Czech Republic town of Kolin before moving to the United States in 2001 at the age of 18 after meeting her husband David while he visited Prague

'We want to thank the hunter that found her and immediately reported it so that she could be recovered. We also want to thank the hiking and general community for how they all pulled together to look for her and the words of support we got throughout this process,' Sarah said.

Rose's coworkers also reacted to the tragic news of her death, as one of them, Cindy Taylor Sheldon, set up a memorial for her inside the Walmart store they worked at together.

'I set this up at the Marysville Walmart where Wendy was employed. Wendy actually made the wire trees and theyre just beautiful on display. Were all blessed to have known her!,' Sheldon said.

Several frames with Rose's pictures, a candle and two wire trees that she made were left on a small table in memory of her.

Sheriff Jon Daniel with the Cleburne County Sheriff's Department thanked everyone who helped find Rose, adding that he will keep her family in his prayers.

'I would like to ask each of you who have watched this case and shared the updates along the way to continue to pray for this family as well,' Daniel added.

DailyMail.com contacted the Cleburne County Sheriff's Department, the Alabama Department of Forensic Science and Walmart for comment.
A father has been found dead at a popular beach after he told his mate to 'Hold my beer' before jumping over the edge of a shark net and being swept out to sea.

Jake Brown, 29, was swimming in an enclosed area at Paradise Point Parklands, on the Gold Coast, when he became stuck in the nets around 4pm on Sunday.

Bystanders desperately rushed to his aid, but were unable to locate him after he then was swept away by the current.

His body was recovered four hours later after a massive search operation involving water police, Polair, and the dive squad.

A witness said he saw Mr Brown and his male friend sitting on the net moments before the tragedy unfolded.

The man said Mr Brown told his friend 'hold my beer' before he jumped over the edge of the net.

'I said 'stop', you could see what was going to happen,' the witness told the Courier Mail.

'He tried to jump off but the current took him, he came up once and I swam to him but then he went under the net.

Jake Brown, 29, has been found dead after a four-hour search operation on the Gold Coast

Mr Brown was swimming in the enclosed area at Paradise Point Parklands (pictured) when he encountered trouble at 4pm on Sunday

'It was so f***ing obvious what was going to happen, it's why I yelled, "Don't!" It's so sad.'

Mr Brown's heartbroken partner Kama Robinson has hit back at trolls online after social media users suggested Mr Brown must have been 'another refugee' or 'not known how to swim'.

'You're a maggot,' Ms Robinson responded to one troll.

'This is my partner. He was not just a man he was a very very loved friend, partner, father, brother, son, grandson, [and] uncle.'

'He was a beautiful man whos smile lit up every room he walked in [and] unfortunately we lost a beautiful human.'

In another tribute, friend Nissa Janbroers wrote: 'RIP brother, we love you so much.'

The tragedy took place as the beach was packed with families enjoying the warm weather as the temperature soared to 32 degrees.

Hundreds of beachgoers gathered to watch as the frantic search got underway, with firefighters with snorkels entering the water and helicopters circling overhead.

Rescuers could be seen examining the net amid the desperate search for Mr Brown on Sunday

A devastated friend could be seen speaking to emergency services at the scene

A council spokeswoman said an investigation was underway into the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

'The City is aware of the incident that occurred this afternoon within the swimming enclosure at Paradise Point Parklands, she said in a statement.

'We are actively co-operating with authorities to understand the cause of the incident.

'The city will provide any assistance it can to emergency services to assist in this matter.'
A Melbourne model is accused of ripping off $180,000 from a hapless victim with a cunning alleged email scam - and her former boss is breaking his silence.

Bianca Kowalczyk, 32, is desperately trying to lay the blame on her former lover after she was slapped with multiple fraud charges.

Kowalczyk fronted a Melbourne court on Monday after she allegedly dealt with $188,070 in suspected proceeds of crime.

The racy Instagram poser also allegedly rorted $51,000 in US currency and fleeced $90,579 in gold bullion during the suspected three-day fraud racket in November last year.

Kowalczyk met her co-accused and former flame Harpreet Dhaliwal several months prior to the alleged offending.

Dhaliwal, 31, is behind bars after he was slapped with 16 fraud and deal with the proceeds of crime charges.

In details aired during a previous court hearing, police alleged a suspected pro grifter crew 'hacked' an email trail from a conveyancer and altered bank account details.

Melbourne model Bianca Kowalczyk has been charged with fraud

The prosecution alleged some of the stolen cash - from an unnamed victim - was diverted to bank accounts suspected of being opened by Kowalczyk.

Kowalczyk, who has no prior matters before the court, gave a statement to police before she was charged on May 30 this year.

'I blindly followed him as I thought he loved me I trusted him,' Kowalczyk said in her statement to police.

In another shock move, Kowalczyk 'may be called as a witness' to spill the beans on her incarcerated ex, the court was told.

Lawyers who acted for Kowalczyk at an earlier hearing submitted Dhaliwal allegedly 'used' his then girlfriend to 'assist in the deception'.

'We (Kowalczyk) participated purely out of our blinded love for the co-accused,' the defence told the court.

'(Kowalczyk) doesnt deny attending, opening bank accounts, she doesnt deny any of that'

Kowalczyk, who is pressing to have her matter dealt with at a lower court, was allegedly linked to the suspected offending via WhatsApp messages.

Kowalczyk worked at an exclusive modelling agency

'(The WhatsApp messages) had a certain flavour a level of dishonesty or a conspiratorial flavour, a magistrate said in September.

The court heard Dhaliwal was 'well and truly in it deeply' but he wasnt the 'mastermind'.

'Its devastating for the victim,' the defence submitted.

'Theyve professionally fleeced the poor victim  using Dhaliwal in Melbourne who then enlists his partner, as she thought, to help him in what she thought was his legitimate transactions

'Clearly after the event shes wise to it, she knows, shes devastated by his betrayal  he used her

'It would be ultimately for a finder of fact to determine whether she was criminally responsible or just naive

She just thought she was helping the co-accused and it was all legal transactions because he had duped her she did what she was told and believed his lies

The prosecution had previously submitted there was a 'degree of organisation involved.

Kowalczyk allegedly committed multiple frauds

Kowalczyk, who had her criminal matters adjourned on Monday, was previously employed as a director at exclusive Sydney-based events and modelling agency Media Belle Productions and Events.

Media Belle boss Dominic Surace told Daily Mail Australia it parted ways with Kowalczyk and was not aware she faced criminal charges until her mutual exit. .

'Shortly after her appointment, communication with her ceased with useful or meaningful information eventually leading to revelations that Victoria Police had visited her residence seizing both her personal and company mobile phones,' Mr Surace said.

'Kowalczyk claimed the police were investigating a former boyfriend and insisted that she had not engaged in any wrongdoing.

'Subsequent developments revealed that the police investigation was linked to fraud allegations...'

Kowalczyk was allegedly caught with more than $90,000 in gold bullion

Mr Surace, who also runs Elite Showcase Modelling Agency of which Kowalczyk was a director, said the company did everything it could to support the suspected grifter's 'dream job'.

'Regrettably, despite this extensive support provided and time invested in assisting Kowalczyk, the company feels a profound sense of disappointment,' he said.

'Nevertheless, since Kowalczyk's departure, the company has made significant strides in various areas, and we are very optimistic about the bright and promising future that lies ahead.'

Kowalczyk, of Gowanbrae in Melbourne's north west, and Dhaliwal, of Mulgrave in the city's southeast, will front court at later dates.
A Chicago woman accused of fatally stabbing her boyfriend allegedly asked her speaker to play music so she could dance while police arrested her.

Whitney Wilcox, 40, was arrested on December 2 for the February 26 murder of her 43-year-old boyfriend Jeremy Rodgers.

Chicago police arrived at their shared apartment on the 6200 block of N. Hoyne Ave after Wilcox called for help at 2:20 a.m. the day of the crime.

Initially, Wilcox claimed she did not know who had hurt Rodgers, according to court documents viewed by The Chicago Sun-Times.

While police were attending to Rodgers in the bathroom bleeding from the wound to his abdomen, Wilcox reportedly appeared 'distressed but otherwise clean and free from blood.'

Before the boyfriend succumbed to his injuries, he allegedly told police, paramedics and the hospital staff that Wilcox stabbed him.

As she waited for cops to take her for questioning, court records state the woman 'ordered her Google device to play several songs and danced while handcuffed in the living room.'

Prosecutors said she stabbed Rodgers in self-defense as they were fighting and she was released without being charged.

Whitney Wilcox, 40, was arrested on December 2 for the February 26 murder of her 43-year-old boyfriend Jeremy Rodgers

Officers recovered a large bloody knife next to the kitchen sink from the apartment. Testing determined that Wilcox's DNA was on the handle of the knife and Rodgers' blood was on the blade.

Wilcox was charged with first-degree murder on December 2. She was order to be held without bail pending trial. Her next court appearance is schedule for December 24.

In a similar case out of Chicago, the body of Caitlin Walch Tracey, 36, was found 'pulverized' and missing a foot in the stairwell of her partner Adam Beckerink's luxury South Loop condo in October, according to court documents seen by DailyMail.com.

Chicago Police Department cops rushed to the scene and detained Beckerink, 46, who had reported his wife missing the day before. They released him after 48 hours without filing any charges.

In the weeks that followed, Tracey's heartbroken parents, retired real estate developer Andrew Tracey, 69, and college professor Dr Monica Tracey, 65, battled against Beckerink for custody of their daughter's remains.

Beckerink, a former partner of international law firm Duane Morris who had been married to Tracey for six months, argued that he had the rights to her body as the surviving spouse.

But her family hit back on November 6, accusing him of wreaking a 'campaign of abuse and terror' against their daughter during her final months, including allegedly throwing a glass pickle jar at her head and pouring vodka on her wounds.

Amid the acrimonious wrangling for control of her body, her parents accused Beckerink of manipulating their daughter, of purposefully isolating her from her family and being responsible for her tragic and highly suspicious death.

Wilcox allegedly told her Google device to play music and she danced around the living room of her apartment on the 6200 block of N. Hoyne Ave (pictured) when police detained her

To support their argument, the Michigan-based family presented a since-rescinded petition Tracey made to Cook County Court a year before she died in a desperate attempt to obtain a restraining order against her husband.

In her October 4, 2023 filing, Tracey detailed three examples of horrific attacks by the tax attorney.

Tracey said that on July 11, 2023, at around 3pm, Beckerink stripped her naked and attacked her at her three-story home in New Buffalo on the banks of Lake Michigan, where her parents said she lived to be close to them and away from her partner.

(Beckerink) physically abused me by throwing a pickle jar, which struck me on my head, punching me, pushing me, pulling my hair, dragging me by my clothes, and stripping me out of my clothes,' Tracey wrote in the petition seen by DailyMail.com.

'(He) also poured Vodka on my body, which burned my wounds, and would motion as if he was going to hit me with the alcohol bottle.

Tracey said she managed to escape on foot, before her husband later took her to hospital for treatment to an 'open head wound'.
An explosion in The Hague which killed at least five people could be linked to the Mocro Mafia, according to reports.

Rescue workers are still combing through the wreckage of the explosion and resulting inferno in a bid to recover bodies from the blast that levelled five homes early Saturday, but the number of people possibly still buried in the debris is unknown.

Five bodies have so far been pulled out of the husk of the three-storey apartment block. One person was hauled out still alive and rushed to hospital.

'We cannot yet say whether this incident is drug-related, but that is being investigated,' chief public prosecutor officer Margreet Froberg told reporters.

Froberg and The Hague police chief Karin Krukkert refused to say why investigators believe the incident was linked to the criminal underworld, according to NL Times.

Similar comments were made by Dutch justice and security minister David van Weel, who told local outlet De Telegraaf that the Netherlands had a 'huge problem' with explosions.

There have reportedly been several incidents in the Netherlands in which criminal drug gangs tried to intimidate rival dealers with bomb attacks.

The Dutch-Moroccan Mocro Mafia had recently moved its criminal activities to Germany, where bomb attacks, torture and murders were attributed to the criminal entity, according to tabloid Bild.

Emergency services search for victims under rubble in Tarwekamp, The Hague, the Netherlands, December 8, 2024, following an explosion that caused havoc and destroyed several homes

Emergency services search for victims a day after a fire and an explosion that partially collapsed a residential building in The Hague on December 8, 2024

A burnt out car is pictured near the explosion site in The Hague

'What caused the explosion is still unknown. What is clear to us is that there are indications that it is a crime,' Froberg said at the press conference.

'What these indications are, we cannot yet share in the interest of the investigation. As soon as we can, we will of course do so.'

Authorities confirmed that there are a total of four injured people in hospital but they said the intensity of the blaze made identifying victims only possible via DNA records.

This in turn complicated calculations as to how many people could still be missing in the disaster.

Krukkert said investigations were focused on a car seen speeding away from the scene shortly after the explosion at 6.15am on Saturday.

'Clearly, we would very much like to speak to the driver of this vehicle,' she said, although the link between the car and the building explosion remained unclear.

A burnt-out vehicle was discovered near crime scene, with investigators probing whether it is related to the explosion, according to local media.

Two separate teams have been established, one to identify victims and another to investigate what caused the explosion, Krukkert said, warning the probe would last a long time.

Half the flats have collapsed following the explosion, with a wardrobe being the last thing standing in one of the flats (pictured above)

The Hague's Mayor Jan van Zanen (L), local police chief Karin Krukkert (2R) and chief public prosecutor Margreet Froberg address a press conference in the City Hall about the explosions and fire at Tarwekamp, The Hague, Netherlands, December 8, 2024

Rescuers carry a body found at the site of a partially collapsed building after a fire and an explosion, in The Hague

A view of damaged buildings following an explosion in a residential building on Tarwekamp in The Hague, Netherlands, on December 7, 2024

Four of the five victims have since been identified as a 31-year-old man from Voorburg, a 45-year-old man from The Hague and two women aged 17 and 41, also both from The Hague, local media reports.

City mayor Jan van Zanen said the elite recovery teams working on site were scouring the basements of the collapsed building in a final bid to locate bodies.

He said that work should be completed overnight or early Monday morning.

'We are witnessing an unprecedented disaster here... the suffering is incalculable,' the mayor said.

Van Zanen praised the solidarity of his city's citizens, including a crowdfunding effort that has garnered more than 250,000 (300,000 euros) from more than 10,000 people.

The three-storey building consisted of shops on the ground floors and five two-storey apartments, authorities said, with living rooms on the second floor and bedrooms on the top.

Residents told local media the apartment block was mainly inhabited by elderly people and families with children.

Around 40 residents of other blocks near the collapsed building have been evacuated. Some have been taken away by bus to an unknown location.

The incident has rocked the Netherlands with the King and Queen issuing a statement on the tragedy

Pictured above is the damage to one shop near the explosion site

Rescuers carry a body found at the site of a partially collapsed building after a fire and an explosion, in The Hague, The Netherlands, December 7, 2024

Dutch Prime Minister Dick Schoof (C) and Justice and Security Minister David van Weel (R) visit the disaster site on the Tarwekamp, The Hague, Netherlands, December 8, 2024

Froberg, chief public prosecutor officer, described the events that rocked the city before daybreak on Saturday as 'unimaginable and terrible.'

'One moment you are lying quietly in your warm bed and the next moment total chaos and destruction,' she said.

The incident has rocked the Netherlands, with the King and Queen issuing a statement on the tragedy.

King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima said: 'Our thoughts are with those affected in The Hague after the explosion and fire this morning.

'Including those who are afraid of the fate of their loved ones.'

Prime Minister Dick Schoof said in a statement he was shocked by the images of the disaster. 'My thoughts go out to the victims, all other people involved, and the emergency services who are now working on the scene,' he said.

National police commissioner Janny Knol said there was 'disbelief and uncertainty' in the community.
The leader of one of Scotlands largest local authorities was last night facing growing calls to resign after Labour suspended him amid a police probe into alleged sexual misconduct.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said the situation involving City of Edinburgh Councils Cammy Day, who reportedly sent Ukrainian refugees explicit messages, was deeply distressing.

The Holyrood politician insisted his party acted immediately after being told of the claims on Saturday.

Mr Day has run a minority administration in Edinburgh since 2022 thanks to Tory and Liberal Democrat support.

But both parties yesterday called for him to stand down as leader.

It followed the Sunday Mail reporting claims by two refugees who came to Edinburgh after fleeing the war in Ukraine that they were pestered by messages from Councillor Day.

One said they received sexually explicit messages via a dating app.

I was surprised that a person of such a high position was interested in me, and then I saw him a couple of times at pro-Ukrainian events, they said.

Leader of Edinburgh City Council Cammy Day allegedly sent explicit messages to Ukrainian refugees

He found and subscribed to me on social media and started liking my stories intensively, sending kissing emojis, especially when I posted gym and pool photos. Every time he wrote to me in the dating app I felt under pressure, afraid to say no or say something wrong.

I tried to ignore all his hints about sex or meeting up because I was afraid of his influence and just tried to be polite to avoid any conflict.

Another told the paper they had received multiple messages through social media and dating sites.

They said: It was too much and I didnt know how to say I didnt want him to contact me any more because of his position. It is a bit strange for a council leader to be doing it.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: We received a report of inappropriate behaviour. Inquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.

The force confirmed a report was made about Mr Day earlier this year but no criminality was established.

Lothian Tory MSP Sue Webber said: Cammy Day should step down as leader of the council while these allegations are investigated. There is surely no way he can command the support of the local Labour group, and will be unable to carry out the critical and important role as leader of the council.

Lib Dem council group leader Kevin Lang urged Mr Day to resign for the sake of the council and the City of Edinburgh. He said it was clearly untenable for him to remain leader given the exceptionally serious allegations.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar insisted his party acted immediately after being told of the claims on Saturday

In a letter to Mr Day, he wrote: It is vital the council has a leader who is able to focus properly on important matters and someone who commands the confidence of a majority of members of the council. It is obvious this cannot continue to be you.

SNP group leader Simita Kumar said Mr Day must resign as leader immediately and asked officials to suspend his council access.

On BBC Scotlands Sunday Show, Mr Sarwar said the situation was deeply distressing.

Asked if Mr Day should resign, he said: There will now be a police process. I imagine there will probably be a council process. We took immediate action. The people that matter are... the ones that have allegedly been the victims of these messages.

Scottish Labour added: The Labour Party takes all complaints seriously. They are fully investigated and any appropriate action is taken.
Israeli ground forces have crossed into Syrian territory for the first time in 50 years to protect residents after Bashar al-Assad's government fell.

Troops seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established by a 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed on Sunday.

The Israeli military (IDF) said that it also sent troops to 'other places necessary for its defense', like the the Mount Hermon summit on the Syrian side of the border. It added that the force deployment was meant to provide security for residents.

IDF chief Herzi Halevi said that Israel had 'deployed troops into Syrian territory', confirming that troops were sent to the country for the first time in 50 years.

This came after a lightning rebel advance early on Sunday ended Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's rule in Syria, which triggered chaos in the country, with burning buildings illuminating the sky overnight.

Deposed president Bashar al-Assad and his family fled the country and have been given asylum in Moscow, Russian state media confirmed.

But US President Joe Biden said it was a moment of risk and uncertainty because the Syrian rebels had a grim record of terrorism.

It came as Netanyahu said the decades-old ceasefire agreement had collapsed and Syrian troops had abandoned their positions, necessitating the Israeli takeover to protect Israeli residents.

An Israeli armored vehicle maneuvers near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams, December 8, 2024

A fire burns after explosions at a security compound that houses the Syrian Military Intelligence Interrogation Division, on December 8, 2024 in Damascus, Syria

An Israeli armored vehicle crosses the security fence into the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams, December 8, 2024

'We gave the Israeli army the order to take over these positions to ensure that no hostile force embeds itself right next to the border of Israel. This is a temporary defensive position until a suitable arrangement is found,' Netanyahu said, according to the New York Times.

Independent monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, said that Israeli tanks and armored vehicles had been deployed in Golan Height's Quneitra region which borders Israel, Lebanon and Jordan.

Israel captured the Golan in the 1967 Mideast war and later annexed it.

The developments came on a monumental day that saw:

Keir Starmer cautiously welcomed Assads fall and urged for a political solution;

The Home Office was considering whether to lift the terror ban on HTS to allow ministers to engage with its leaders;

Celebrations erupted around Syria and the world as refugees tried to return home;

Crowds ransacked Assads luxurious home and offices in Damascus;

Thousands were released from jails notorious for torturing political opponents.

The international community, except for the US, views it as occupied, and the Arab League on Sunday condemned what it called Israel's efforts to take advantage of Assad's downfall to occupy more territory.

A later ceasefire agreement created a demilitarized buffer zone between the two countries' territories, prohibiting military presence or activity from either side in the area. UN peacekeepers have patrolled the area since 1974. Halevi said the military is monitoring the Syrian border to make sure that 'local factions do not direct actions towards us,' adding that Israel is not intervening in the events in Syria.

The IDF said it is reinforcing its deployment along the border with Syria. Halevi said if 'confusion' arises and actions are directed toward Israel by 'local factions' taking control of parts of Syria, Israel has a strong 'offensive response.'

It had also warned residents of five southern Syria communities to stay home for their safety. The restrictions on four Golan Heights communities were later lifted.

Meanwhile, Israel has also launched strikes on weapons depots in the country's east on Sunday, a war monitor said.

An Israeli army tank maneuvers near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams

A building burns after Bashar al-Assad fled the country and Damascus was taken over by the National Syria Army on December 8, 2024 in Damascus, Syria

A fire burns after explosions at a security compound that houses the Syrian Military Intelligence Interrogation Division, on December 8, 2024 in Damascus, Syria

A man treads on a picture of Syria's ousted president Bashar al-Assad as people enter his residence in Damascus' Malki area on December 8, 2024

Israeli tanks take position on the border with Syria near the Druze village of Majdal Shams in the Israel-annexed Golan Heights on December 8, 2024

Smoke rises over the Damascene Sword monument in Umayyad Square, following explosions at a security compound that houses the Syrian Military Intelligence Interrogation Division, on December 8, 2024

'Israel has conducted airstrikes on weapon depots and positions that belonged to the defunct regime and Iran-backed groups in the eastern Deir Ezzor province,' Rami Abdel Rahman who heads the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

He reported 'increased Israeli strikes' on such targets since al-Assad fled the country.

The strikes were launched to prevent Syrian government military assets from falling into the hands of rebel forces, two Israeli officials anonymously told the New York Times.

The targets reportedly included small stockpiles of chemical weapons like mustard gas and VX gas as well as air defence missile vehicles.

On Sunday, the sound of celebratory gunfire echoed through the streets of Damascus after HTS rebels declared: The future is ours.

Reading from a sheet of paper, a presenter on Syria TV announced: In the name of Allah, for the proud people of our nation, the sun of freedom has risen.

The time has come to lift the oppression and dispel the darkness overshadowing our beloved country. We are the rightful owners and this land belongs to us. We, the Syrian people of all sects, colours and walks of life, stand united, hand in hand, looking forward to a brighter tomorrow  a future where injustice and tyranny are eradicated.

Israeli soldiers stand on the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams, Sunday, December 8

Israeli soldiers stand near an armored vehicle near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams, Sunday, December 8

Tens of thousands of Syrians rushed home after the end of the 13-year civil war

Rebels escorted Syrian prime minister Muhammad Razi al-Jalali out of his office to the Four Seasons Hotel in a move intended to symbolise the transfer of power and removal of the Assad regime.

Statues of Assad and his father Hafez were vandalised and their homes were looted. There were also reports of looting at banks in the capital.

One woman in Damascus said: I have never felt this happy in my whole life. You can never describe this feeling  you have to be here.

However, Western leaders were only cautiously optimistic because HTS is an offshoot of Al Qaeda and a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK and US.

Its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, has sought to portray himself as a moderate and tolerant leader who cut ties with Al Qaeda in 2016, but his long-term goals remain unclear.

Geir Pedersen, the United Nations envoy to Syria, called the ousting of Assad a watershed moment for the country marred by nearly 14 years of civil war. But he warned: What is important is that we are able to find a political way out of this.

That political way needs to be very different from what it has been before. There are lots of wounds that need to be healed.

Mr Biden said the fall of Assad was a fundamental act of justice, a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria. But he added: Its also a moment of considerable risk of uncertainty as we turn to the question of what comes next. The United States will do whatever it takes to support [the people of Syria].

Syrians celebrate the collapse of 61 years of Baath Party rule in Damascus, Syria on December 8

Syrians living in Essen gather to celebrate the overthrow of the 61-year Baath Party rule in Syria with the Syrian opposition's 'revolution flag'

Syrians gather with their belongings at Lebanon's Masnaa border crossing east of Beirut on December 8

We will remain vigilant. Make no mistake, some of the groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses.

Sir Keir said the UK welcomed the fall of Assads barbaric regime and called for the restoration of peace and stability. He added: The developments in Syria are unprecedented, and we are speaking to our partners in the region and monitoring the situation closely.

The Syrian people have suffered under Assads barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure. Our focus is now on ensuring a political solution prevails, and peace and stability is restored.

We call on all sides to protect civilians and minorities, and ensure essential aid can reach the most vulnerable in the coming hours and days.

Iran has spent billions keeping Assad in power over the years, allowing it to use Syria as a transit route for weapons and ammunition to Hezbollah in Lebanon. Last night, this chain appeared to have been broken. US President-elect Donald Trump said Russia and Iran had been unwilling to help the despot because they are in a weakened state right now.

He urged Russian president Vladimir Putin to prevent his countrys further decline by negotiating a ceasefire with Ukraine. Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, and if it keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse, Mr Trump wrote. I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The world is waiting!

In a message posted before Damascus had fallen, Mr Trump insisted that the US should not get involved in the crisis, writing: Syria is a mess, but is not our friend.

Moscow officials said Assad had decided to resign from the presidency and left the country, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power. It added: Russia did not participate in these negotiations.

We appeal to all parties involved with a strong call to renounce the use of violence and resolve all governance issues through political means. The Russian foreign ministry urged the rebels to establish an inclusive political process under the supervision of the United Nations.

Syrians who fled the country during Assads dictatorship celebrated around the world last night.

Refugees in Istanbul partied in the streets and tore down the flag at the Syrian consulate. Traffic built up at the Lebanon-Syria border as many tried to return home.

HTSs offensive, which captured Syrias three biggest cities in the space of a week, was supported by the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army, formerly known as the Free Syrian Army.

Anwar Gargash, the United Arab Emirates most senior diplomat, insisted he did not know Assads whereabouts  but dismissed the detail as a footnote in history.

Speaking in Bahrain, Mr Gargash said: The collapse of [Assads] regime is due to a major political failure. He didnt use the lifeline that was thrown to him by various Arab countries, including the UAE.

There is a real concern about

Syria holding itself as a sovereign country. Where Assad goes is a

footnote in history. The main concern for us is really the territorial integrity of Syria.

Irans top diplomat Abbas Araghchi said Assad had never asked for Tehrans aid against the rebels.
The wife of Skye shotgun killer Finlay MacDonald claims he is tormenting her from prison by blocking access to the family home and trying to have their children taken away from her.

MacDonald was last month jailed for a minimum term of 28 years for murdering his brother-in-law and attempting to murder his wife Rowena and two other people.

But Mrs MacDonald, who suffered life-threatening stab injuries at her husbands hands, has told how he has continued to make her life a misery from behind bars after he was arrested over the gun and knife rampage in August 2022.

The mother-of-four told The Scottish Sun on Sunday that MacDonald has refused to allow her access to the family croft they shared in Tarskavaig, on Skyes Sleat peninsula, in order to retrieve her and her childrens belongings.

Mrs MacDonald, 34, said her estranged husband, whom she is planning to divorce, has attempted to claim that anything she now owns should belong to him.

She said: He tried to take my car and claim on my new house too. He got a solicitor to say the property was half his as we are still married. He did warn me that if I were ever to leave him he would make sure I had nothing.

She said MacDonald contacted social services to claim his wife wasnt fit to take care of their children. She said: He attempted to get the kids taken off me.

He reported me to social services. Their only concern was that I kept him away from them.

Rowena MacDonald, the wife of shotgun killer Finlay MacDonald claims he is threatening her from prison and trying to have her children taken from her

MacDonald has refused to allow Mrs MacDonald access to the family croft they shared in Tarskavaig, in order to retrieve her and her children's belongings

Ive gone to Womens Aid and the police for help but its all legal what hes doing. Its just unfair. I hoped there would be a way he was forced to stop but I knew hed make it as hard as he could.

Mrs MacDonald, who was stabbed nine times by her marine engineer husband, said: He has no limits. He is awful.

He has left his own kids destitute and is doing everything he can to make things harder.

If I can get away with it I will never talk to or see him again. What hes done will affect me, the kids and so many others for the rest of our lives.

MacDonald, 41, carried out the attacks on August 10, 2022. The High Court in Edinburgh heard he stabbed his wife after accusing her of having an affair, something she denies, before driving to nearby Teangue, where he fatally shot his brother-in-law John MacKinnon, 47.

Tailed by police, he travelled to the mainland and shot his former osteopath John MacKenzie  whom he blamed for making a back injury worse  and his wife Fay, both 65, at their home in Dornie, Wester Ross.

MacDonald stabbed his wife nine times after accusing her of having an affair, something she denies

Forensics officers at the MacDonalds' home in Teangue on the Isle of Skye

Last month, a jury found MacDonald guilty of one count of murder, three counts of attempted murder, and one count of possession of a shotgun with intent to endanger life.

At the High Court in Edinburgh Lady Drummond told MacDonald there is no guarantee he will ever be released. MacDonald has since lodged appeals against his conviction and life sentence.

Mrs MacDonald said she had been considering leaving her husband for some time before the attacks: I fell out of love years and years ago, she said. Theres only so much abuse you can take and still love someone.

Told about MacDonalds trail of destruction while recovering from surgery in hospital, she said: Nothing surprised me by that point. He was so calm and deliberate when he attacked me and then collected his things and left.

I was just so shaken that John had lost his life and that Finlay had actually tried to kill John and Fay  all for no good reason.

Mrs MacDonald is seeking to finalise her divorce, saying: I want all our freedoms back.
Former California Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado speaks with former President Donald Trump supporters at a Team Trump bus tour across North Carolina on Oct. 17, 2024 in Rutherfordton, N.C. Kathy Kmonicek/AP

A little more than a decade ago, then-Lt. Gov. Abel Maldonado was viewed as the future of the Republican Party. He was a moderate who supported a more benevolent view on immigration.

Now hes the latest case study in how many moderate Republicans have transformed into obedient MAGA foot soldiers to survive in the Republican Party of President-elect Donald Trump.

After a summer of unblinkingly performing surrogate duty for Trump, the 57-year-old Santa Maria (Santa Barbara County) native is now reportedly on the short list to be Trumps secretary of agriculture (he was in a similar position in 2016). Trump has promised to implement a mass deportation program on Day One of his presidency, and apparently that is OK with Maldonado, whose fealty to Trump was best illustrated when he was unable to tell CNN in October whether he disagreed with any decision Trump has made: Hes not going to change, ever, Maldonado said of Trump.

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But Maldonado has. He appears poised to abandon a core position he held when he became the highest-ranking Latino Republican in California in a century when Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger appointed him lieutenant governor in 2009 during Schwarzeneggers appearance on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. Schwarzenegger praised him as a terrific, loyal man. . Hes also into bipartisanship and post-partisanship, so he can cross the aisle. He makes decisions based on whats best for the people rather than whats best for the party.

Maldonado was a longtime supporter of a guest worker program.

Because in 1963, and in 64 and 65, my father was a temporary worker until 1966, when he was such a good temporary worker that America gave him a green card. Actually, no, he earned a green card, Maldonado told Monterey County Now in 2010 when he was running for a full lieutenant governor term against Gavin Newsom. The system worked then, and it can work again.

California Labor Secretary Victoria Bradshaw, California State Sens. Abel Maldonado (R-Santa Maria) and Dean Florez (D-Shafter) and United Farm Workers President Arturo Rodriguez look on as California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger speaks during a news conference at the state Capitol onAug. 2, 2005. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Thats not likely under Trump. And even though the agriculture secretary does not directly oversee federal immigration policy, immigration policy intrinsically affects the job, as an estimated 50-70% of field workers in Californias Central Valley -- the breadbasket of the nation -- and the Napa/Sonoma wine region are believed to be undocumented.

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Back in 2010, Maldonado said he believed some undocumented workers should be able to stay if they pay a fine or perform community service and pass background checks. I'm not in the business of dividing families, he told The Sacramento Bee in 2010.

If Maldonado gets the Cabinet gig, the president he serves likely will be in the family-dividing business, as he was during his first term.

Family is sacrosanct to Maldonado, who grew up working on the family farm started by his dad, who came to the U.S. as part of the bracero program, which legally brought more than 2 million Mexican agricultural workers into the United States starting in 1942 during World War II worker shortages, and continued until 1964. After attending college, he returned to help run the farm. After being frustrated trying to obtain a city permit to install equipment on the farm, he ran for the Santa Maria City Council at the age of 26 and won. Two years later, he was elected mayor. In 1998, he won an Assembly seat. Six years later, he became the first person to deliver a speech entirely in Spanish at the 2004 Republican National Convention. But that was a different party. At this years RNC, in Milwaukee, Republican delegates danced jubilantly to YMCA while holding signs that read Mass deportation now!

He was on a rocket ship, said Mike Madrid, a former political director of the California Republican Party who has known Maldonado since his first Assembly campaign. He absolutely was the future of the Republican Party then, Madrid said.

But there were some bumps along the way.

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In 2014, Maldonado angered his fellow Republicans by casting a deciding vote to approve $13 million in tax increases to help Schwarzenegger close a $41 billion budget deficit. In exchange, Maldonado convinced Schwarzenegger and his fellow lawmakers to drop a 12-cent-per-gallon gas tax increase and authorize a ballot measure asking voters to freeze lawmakers' salaries when the state runs a deficit. In addition, he got legislators to put one of his pet ideas on the ballot: a primary system where the top two finishers, regardless of party affiliation, advance to the general election. Still in place today, it was meant to help moderates like Maldonado.

But his own career had trouble lifting off.

Where he was trying to go with the party ended in a dead end, Madrid said.

In 2010, he lost the lieutenant governor race to Newsom. In 2012, he lost to Democratic Rep. Lois Capps in a Central Coast House race. In 2013, when he ran for governor against Gov. Jerry Brown, then-California Republican Party Chair Ron Nehring hailed him as a different kind of Republican. His campaign imploded within months.

Abel Maldonado leaves Mar-a-Lago after meeting with President-elect Donald Trump on Dec. 28, 2016 in Palm Beach, Florida. The Washington Post/The Washington Post via Getty Im

Now, said Madrid, Maldonado represents many former moderates who have since fallen in lockstep with Trump.

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Abel probably reflects 95% of the Republican Party. They've all changed. The party's changed. Certainly not unique to him, said Madrid.
An Indigenous group has furiously rejected the notion that the public should be consulted over the closure of popular rock climbing sites.

Mount Arapiles in western Victoria is renowned for its spectacular rock formations but this has led to a bitter fight between climbers and the traditional owners, who want popular climbing spots in the area closed for cultural reasons.

Barengi Gadjin Land Council Aboriginal Corporation chairman Dylan Clarke has written to Premier Jacinta Allan blasting a draft management plan that has called for public consultation on closing half of the Mount Arapiles-Tooan State Park climbing routes.

Mr Clarke called the planned public consultation along with working groups 'unnecessary and unprecedented' as he accused a 'radical rock climbing minority' of 'launching a misinformation campaign aimed at undermining cultural heritage laws'.

'Cultural heritage laws for the entire state of Victoria are under attack,' Mr Clarke wrote.

He said the Premier needed to 'remain steadfast during this critical time and not to deviate from the current plan' of closing the climbing sites or else bring into question the state's cultural heritage laws.

Australian Climbing Association Victoria president Mike Tonkins responded by asserting all Victorians should have a say on how public land is used.

'You can't deny consultation for public land,' he told the Herald Sun.

Mount Arapiles in western Victoria is renowned for its spectacular rock formations that attract climbers

'Parks Victoria has to manage the parks, and it has to manage the parks for everyone, and so, consultation with different user groups is absolutely essential to achieve that.'

Residents of a nearby small country town have rallied against the ban with local publican Bill Lovell arguing the closure would devastate the town of around 500 residents.

'If the climbers don't come here, the staff don't get hours,' he told A Current Affair.

Amanda Wilson from Lister House Medical Clinic in nearby Horsham, said that four of her 17 doctors relocated to the area specifically to be close to the rock climbing landmark.

'To lose 25 per cent of our doctors, we would have an impact on 30,000 patients,' she

Following public backlash against closing half the climbing routes, environment and tourism minister Steve Dimopoulos announced Parks Victoria chief Matthew Jackson would leave the organisation, with Graeme Dear named as interim boss.

Auditing firm Korda Mentha has also been engaged to conduct an independent review of the agency, that will include its financials and performance.

The review will focus on enabling the agency to open up more forests and state parks to the public.

There have been a growing number of complaints that the agency is failing to meet goals on providing public access to vast tracts of land.

Mr Dimopoulos said that it was clear 'Parks Victoria's current operations need to be improved to meet community expectations'.

Mr Tomkins said sacking Mr Jackson was not the answer to the agency's fundamental problems and 'was an attempt to save the job of Mr Dimopoulos'.

'It's not even a band aid fix  the captain of the ship is not the issue,' he said.

'The review of the Parks Victoria Act is what is needed. It's the legislation that is the problem... and climbing is just the tip of the iceberg.'

Ms Allan has plans to convert another 440,000ha of state forest into new national parks.
Comedian Bill Burr compared United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson to a 'gangster' while claims the possible 'motive' behind the shocking murder of the exec outside a NYC hotel.

The 50-year-old Thompson was in Midtown Manhattan to attend the company's Investor Day conference last week when he was gunned down by a masked assailant outside the Hilton in the early morning hours.

Burr, 56, initially expressed his sympathy for Thompson and his family but revealed how his feelings soon shifted as he learned more about the circumstances surrounding Thompson's career.

'I was sitting there reading an article, and a guy was like, "Oh my god, he's such a great guy; he had a wife and kids, and he's such a great guy,"' Burr began.

'And then you find out, he and the other guys he's working for are getting sued for $121 million for dumping a stock, and not letting the other people know.'

Burr didn't mince words about his view of corporate misconduct.

'It's like there's your motive,' he said about the targeted killing. 'They're gangsters, dude. And then one of them gets whacked or something, they're like, I was good, he was such a good guy. It's a dirty game.'

The legal controversy referenced by Burr refers to a lawsuit accusing Thompson and other executives of insider trading.

Comedian Bill Burr has revealed the chilling 'motive' that may have played a part in the shocking death of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was shot and killed last week in New York

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot dead Wednesday morning outside the Hilton

As Thompson stumbled down the street, a witness in the hotel's entryway sprinted away

The case involves allegations that they sold off company stock ahead of public disclosures that negatively affected share prices, leaving other investors in the dark.

Thompson had been a prominent figure in the healthcare industry, serving as CEO of United Healthcare, a division of UnitedHealth Group, since 2021 with his murder sending shockwaves through the health insurance world.

As the frustrating search for the killer got underway for a fifth day on Sunday, investigators reckoned with a tantalizing contradiction: they have troves of evidence, but the shooter remains an enigma.

One conclusion they are confident of, however: It was a targeted attack, not a random one.

They know he ambushed Thompson at 6:44 a.m. Wednesday as the executive arrived at the Hilton for his company's annual investor conference, using a 9 mm pistol that resembled the guns farmers use to put down animals without causing a loud noise.

They know ammunition found near Thompsons body bore the words "delay," "deny" and "depose," mimicking a phrase used by insurance industry critics.

The fact that the shooter knew UnitedHealthcare group was holding a conference at the hotel and what route Thompson might take to get there suggested that he could possibly be a disgruntled employee or client, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.

The suspect was caught on surveillance camera as he checked into a youth hostel on the Upper West Side

The suspect was picked up on 86th Street and Columbus Avenue two minutes after he left Central Park in Manhattan's Upper West Side

The bag was found by cops on their second sweep of the park and was placed between boulders just south of the park's carousel

Over the weekend, police divers were seen searching a pond in Central Park, where the killer fled after the shooting.

Officers have been scouring the park for days for any possible clues and found his backpack there Friday.

They didn't immediately reveal what, if anything, it contained but said it would be tested and analyzed.

Early on Sunday afternoon, police declined to comment on the contents of the backpack, or on the results of the search in the pond, saying no updates were planned.

Investigators have urged patience, saying the process of logging evidence that stands up in court isn't as quick as it looks like on TV.

Hundreds of detectives are combing through video recordings and social media, vetting tips from the public and interviewing people who might have information, including Thompson's family and coworkers and the shooter's randomly assigned roommates at the Manhattan hostel where he stayed.

Investigators caught a break when they came across security camera images of an unguarded moment at the hostel in which he briefly showed his face.

Retracing the gunman's steps using surveillance video, police say, it appears he left the city by bus soon after the shooting outside the New York Hilton Midtown.

He was seen on video at an uptown bus station about 45 minutes later, Kenny said.

A New York City Police officer walks through brush and foliage in Central Park while searching for a backpack police believe was dropped in the park by the person suspected of killing Thompson

With the high-profile search expanding across state lines, the FBI announced late Friday that it was offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, adding to a reward of up to $10,000 that the NYPD has offered.

Police say they believe the suspect acted alone.

Police distributed the images to news outlets and on social media but so far haven't been able to ID him using facial recognition - possibly because of the angle of the images or limitations on how the NYPD is allowed to use that technology, Kenny said.

Late on Saturday, police released two additional photos of the suspected shooter that appeared to be from a camera mounted inside a taxi.

The first shows him outside the vehicle and the second shows him looking through the partition between the back seat and the front of the cab. In both, his face is partially obscured by a blue, medical-style mask.
The CEO of the parent company that oversees UnitedHealthcare defended the insurer as a 'critical' part of the healthcare industry amid online support for the gunman who opened fire on the insurance company's CEO.

UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty addressed staff members in a two-minute forty six-second long video three days after the unidentified killer fatally shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, outside of a Manhattan hotel.

In the aftermath of the shooting, many expressed online outrage over the company's history of rejecting necessary treatment - especially under Thompson - as they praised the gunman for his actions.

But Witty touted Thompson as dedicated to the role of the company and shared how proud he was of 'what this company does on behalf of people in need across the country.'

He even claimed few people 'in the history of the US healthcare industry [have] had a biggest effect on American healthcare than Brian.'

Witty reassured staff members in his video, which was leaked to independent journalist Ken Klippenstein, that the insurer would continue to do as it has always done.

He said UnitedHealthcare - the largest health insurance company in the US - would keep putting 'patients, consumers and members' first in the company's 'journey to help everyone who needs it within the health environment.'

Witty argued that the insurance company's 'mission... is truly to make sure that we help the system improve by helping the experiences of individuals get better and better.'

UnitedHealth Group CEO Andrew Witty addressed staff members in a two-minute forty six-second long video

It came three days after an unidentified gunman fatally shot UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, 50, outside of a Manhattan hotel

He said its 'role is a critical role' in making sure that care is 'safe, appropriate and is delivered when people need it.

'We guard against the pressures that exist for unsafe care or for unnecessary care to be delivered in a way which makes the whole system too complex and ultimately unsustainable,' Witty argued.

'So we continue to make that case,' Witty said. 'We will continue to do the work we do.'

The big boss concluded his brief speech by encouraging staff members 'to tune out that critical noise that we're hearing right now.

'It does not reflect reality. It is simply a sign of an era in which we live,' Witty insisted, as he urged his colleagues to 'focus on what we know to be true.

'And what we know to be true is that the health system needs a company like UnitedHealth Group.'

But insured Americans have long complained that UnitedHealthcare refused to cover their care, as an analysis by ValuePenguin concluded it denies 32 percent of claims - double that of the industry average for large health insurance companies.

Witty praised Thompson as being dedicated to the role of the company

In July, more than 150 protesters from the People's Action Institute campaign group even gathered outside UHG's headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

The protesters sent a letter to Wiley, arguing the company's 'profiteering by denying care is a disgrace, leaving people across Minnesota and all of the United States without the care they desperately need.'

Aija Nemer-Aanerud, campaign director with the People's Action Institute, further claimed to CBS News that UHG's leadership 'refused to acknowledge that prior authorizations and claim denials are a widespread problem.'

Police ultimately arrested 11 people in the demonstration, who were charged with misdemeanors related to blocking the public highway outside the building, according to online clinical publication Dark Daily.

Afterward, UnitedHealthcare released a statement saying it had 'resolved the member-specific concerns raised by this group and remain open to a constructive dialogue about ensuring access to high-quality, affordable care.'

Yet the criticisms did not stop there, with many posting online about their experiences with the company following Thompson's death.

UnitedHealthcare Group has come under fire in recent years by furious patients who claim the insurer refused to cover their care. Many staged protests like the above demonstration in Minnesota in April

In July, more than 150 protesters from the People's Action Institute campaign group gathered outside UHG's headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota

'Im an ER nurse and the things Ive seen dying patients get denied for by insurance makes me physically sick. I just cant feel sympathy for him because of all of those patients and their families,' one TikTok user wrote of the father of two.

Another user wrote on Twitter/X: 'I saw the news of this literally while on the phone with UHC about them denying my prior authorization for medication. Wild stuff.'

The moderators of the r/medicine forum even had to close a Reddit thread after news of Thompson's death collected more than 500 replies, often critical of UnitedHealthcare.

The top comment, from a nurse, was a lengthy parody of a template response denying pay-out for the victim.

'We understand that you were actively bleeding out, but this does not exempt you from exploring lower-cost care pathways,' the post said.

A post by a nurse on r/medicine on Reddit parodied UnitedHealthcare's responses to claims

Users showed apathy towards the news in posts on social media

Meanwhile, UnitedHealthcare had also been facing legal challenges.

Earlier this year, the Department of Justice launched a probe into whether UnitedHealthcare was unfairly restricting competitors and running a monopoly.

The DoJ also sued to block the company's acquisition of home health and hospice provider Amedisys, naming Thompson and others and accusing them of unlawful practices.

Thompson was accused of being aware of the DoJ probe into the company and not telling investors before he unloaded over 31 percent of his stock.

'We are challenging this merger because home health and hospice patients and their families experiencing some of the most difficult moments of their lives deserve affordable, high quality care options,' Attorney General Merrick B. Garland said.

'The Justice Department will not hesitate to check unlawful consolidation and monopolization in the healthcare market that threatens to harm vulnerable patients, their families, and health care workers.'

UnitedHealthcare had been facing legal challenges before Thompson's death

UnitedHealthcare was also accused of using AI to deny claims for post-acute care services in Medicare Advantage plans in a lawsuit filed earlier this month, according to Fierce Healthcare.

The proposed class action was filed by families of two senior Medicare Advantage members who died after the insurer allegedly used the NaviHealth platform illegally to reject care, as UHG profits ballooned.

According to the lawsuit, the technology has a '90 percent error rate, and the company relies on patient complacency or lack of knowledge about the systems to keep using it.

'Defendants bank on the patients' impaired conditions, lack of knowledge, and lack of resources to appeal the erroneous AI-powered decisions,' they said in the lawsuit.

In a statement to Fierce Healthcare, UnitedHealth said the lawsuit 'had no merit' because they were not using NaviHealth to make decisions on coverage.

'The NaviHealth predict tool is not used to make coverage determinations,' a spokesperson said. 'The tool is used as a guide to help us inform providers, families and other caregivers about what sort of assistance and care the patient may need both in the facility and after returning home.

'Coverage decisions are based on CMS coverage criteria and the terms of the member's plan.'

It is believed the gunman may have been a disgruntled client of the health insurance company.

It is now believed that Thompson's as-yet unidentified killer may have been a disgruntled client of the health insurance company.

Police have said the shooter opened fire on Thompson in the back and leg outside the New York Hilton Midtown at around 6.45am on Wednesday

He fired several shots during the ambush and even jammed his gun in the process, which he managed to clear quickly to continue firing.

The attacker is believed to have used a rare World War Two era-inspired 9mm gun, which the New York Post reported was a Swiss-made Brugger & Thomet VP9.

Ammunition found near Thompson's body bore the words 'delay,' 'deny' and 'depose', mimicking a phrase used by insurance industry critics.

The killer then fled the scene by riding an electric bike up 6th Avenue towards Central Park, and he was spotted leaving the park at 6.56am.

The latest images of the killer appear to have been taken inside the taxi which picked him up on 86th Street and Columbus Avenue two minutes after he left Central Park

The latest images of the killer appear to have been taken inside the taxi which picked him up on 86th Street and Columbus Avenue two minutes after he left Central Park.

Retracing the gunman's steps using surveillance video, police say, it appears he left the city by bus around 45 minutes after the shooting.

He was seen on video at an uptown bus station, according to NYPD chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny.

Authorities are now investigating the Midtown Manhattan murder as an assassination, while the hunt for the mystery assailant continues beyond New York state lines.

The FBI is now offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

That is on top of a reward of up to $10,000 dollars offered by the NYPD. Police say they believe the suspect acted alone.
READ MORE: The 53 cheapest and priciest countries to be an expat in 2024

A Scottish family who moved to Sydney less than two years ago have revealed they are packing up and returning home after struggling to adapt to Australian life.

Mother-of-two Kimberley Lucas has been upfront about the financial and social challenges her and her family have faced since moving to Australia in early 2023.

In a recent video shared to TikTok, Ms Lucas explained why the Aussie lifestyle isn't for them.

One reason for their departure was their shock at the long hours expected of blue collar workers.

'My husband works crazy hours here compared to the UK,' Ms Lucas said.

'He's in construction and works a minimum of 50 hours per week, sometimes 60+ hours.

'He's away before we wake up and usually just makes it home for the kids' bedtime.

'His contract hours are 39 but everyone works longer with no overtime, which is just insane.'

Kimberley Lucas (pictured with her husband) and her family have decided to move back to Scotland after spending just under two years in Australia

Ms Lucas and her partner have also struggled to keep up with the high childcare costs non-permanent residents experience.

'Childcare is so expensive. We are not on a permanent resident visa so get no help with costs,' she said.

'Public school is $7,000-per-year for us and daycare is $23,700-per-year for three days (a week).

'In Scotland, education is free and we get 30 hours each week towards nursery fees.

'Permanent residency takes eight to 10 months after applying which means we would be $31,000 just for childcare next year.'

Ms Lucas was also worried about the family bonding her children would miss out on while living away from Scotland.

'It seems like an obvious one, but I miss family so much,' she said.

'Just popping in for a coffee whilst the kids get spoilt at their grandparents house or a sleepover at their aunties.

'Some of my best childhood memories were with my grandparents, and I hate that my kids can't get to experience that.

'People visit, but it feels so bittersweet as you know they are leaving again and you won't see them for another year.'

Ms Lucas said her family had struggled to adapt to many things in Australia, including the cost of living, social life and distance from their family in Scotland (stock image)

The mother has struggled to 'make friends' and maintain a close relationship with her husband while living abroad.

'People are happy to talk to you but it doesn't seem to go any further,' she wrote.

'A lot of mums seem to be a little older which means I don't have a lot in common - I may be a mum but I love to go out once in a while and let my hair down.

'I miss quality time with my husband. Because he works crazy hours here, I'm so limited to time with him without us both being tired and tapped out.

'I see him so much less here and without family support we are sacrificing date night/popping out together or even booking a last minute city break to Europe.

'I felt like we were happier in our relationship when we had time for one another.'

Several social media users agreed with Ms Lucas that the expat life isn't always all it's cracked up to be and applauded her for putting her family's happiness first.

'As a Kiwi living in Aus I agree with the friends thing. It's so hard to make friends here!' one said.

'Life isnt linear & when things no longer feel right we should makes changes. No regrets, its just another chapter in your story,' another wrote.

'I relate to the making friends part and this didnt happen for me until the kids went to school,' a third wrote.

'I found that people have already got their friends and their family so have little need for it.'

'All the best lovely least you gave it a shot!! Were from NZ and been here 11 years. Cost of living and work-life balance has defo gotten hard lately!' another wrote.

In other posts, Ms Lucas explained that while her family were 'incredibly grateful' for the chance to live in Australia, it didn't 'feel like home'.

'There's no doubt it's a beautiful country. But there are many people who visit and don't have the same "love" for it as many others, and that's okay,' she wrote.

'I'm forever feeling like I have to explain to people why I don't feel the same - when reality is, it's just not home.'
A 'defund the police' advocate was left pleading for help to find a stolen moving truck after her U-Haul was nabbed by thieves on the streets of San Francisco.

Darcie Bell, who goes by Jerque Cousteau on X, posted a call for help finding the truck when it was stolen on December 7.

'Hey guys. If you see a 26 foot U-Haul truck with the Arizona plate AL50003- would you let me know because it had like everything I own on it,' Bell said.

'It was stolen near Noe and Market and fun fact: @uhaul doesnt put GPS on their trucks and thieves apparently know this.'

The rental company replied to the post informing the anti-cop activist that she needed to report the crime to police.

'If you haven't already, please be sure to contact the local authorities to report this matter. Please be sure to contact us back to provide the police report to the Equipment Recovery department,' U-Haul said.

Critics were quick to call out the irony of Bell needing police given her history of posting about needing to defund them.

'Anti police person asking for the police to help, peak clown world,' one person said.

Darcie Bell was left pleading for help to find a stolen moving truck after her U-Haul was nabbed by thieves on the streets of San Francisco

Bell said truck with the Arizona plate AL50003 was stolen between Market St & Noe St (pictured)

'I never thought the Leopards would eat my face,' said another.

'Funniest part of this is a vehement defund the police advocate now needs the police. Classic,' a third person said.

'Ha ha! Defund the Police Darcie suddenly wants criminals to stop criming when its her s**t. So rich,' said a fourth person.

Users resurfaced her posts calling to defund the police after she complained the cops weren't helping her.

'Defunding the police is good actually. We pay them a whole lot to do less,' Bell posted on October 4.

In May 2022, she said: 'When we locked down & people had time to get angry & organize, we took to the streets to demand justice. Lots of promises to defund cops that never happened.

'No matter how bad this pandemic gets, theyll never give us the ability to do that again. Theyll always prioritize cops.'

Bell slammed the police for not immediately finding the truck and U-Haul required her to file a report.

'I havent found my s**t! The cops didnt do s**t! U-Haul made me file a f*****g police report! she told The New York Post.

'Theres cameras all over this city. They havent done s**t I just want my stuff back!'

As of December 1, there have been 4,985 reported motor vehicle thefts and 19,013 larceny thefts in 2024, according to San Francisco Police data.
The Assad family's secret escape tunnels have been revealed after Syrian rebels discovered the huge luxury underground network amid their raids.

A video claiming to show Major General Maher al-Assad's 'mansion' shows a white staircase cut into the floor, spiralling underground.

From there, it is another two staircases descending even further into the white-and-grey depths.

The footage, said to have been snapped by a rebel, then cuts to show a vast network of empty, wide tunnels with tall, curved ceilings.

Maher al-Assad - who is the deposed President's brother and is known for his ruthlessness - holds a rank equivalent to major general and leads the elite Fourth Division of the Syrian army.

The video was captioned: 'Massive tunnel complex beneath Maher Assad's mansion, wide enough for trucks carrying Captagon and gold to drive through.'

Another claimed the tunnels were 'ready with ventilation, sitting rooms, bedrooms, locks and metal doors'.

Syrian rebels seized the capital Damascus unopposed on Sunday, sending President Bashar al-Assad fleeing after a 13-year civil war and six decades of his family's autocratic rule.

The deposed leader and his family fled the country and have been given asylum in Moscow, Russian state media confirmed. His brother's whereabouts, however, are unknown.

The Assad family's secret escape tunnels have been revealed after Syrian rebels were left stunned by the huge luxury underground network

A video claiming to show Major General Maher al-Assad's 'mansion' shows the tunnels

Massive mechanical doors are opened at the press of a button to more tunnels

Top rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani's group was once Syria's branch of al Qaeda but has softened its image to reassure members of minority sects and foreign countries.

It comes as dramatic pictures showed hundreds of Syrians with bags and suitcases gathered on the Lebanese border hoping to cross back into their country.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has said there is already some evidence of Syrians returning.

However experts believe that if deposed president Bashar al-Assad's downfall leads to more stability in the country then it could have the opposite effect, with Syrians returning home in their thousands.

An estimated seven million Syrians have fled Assad's murderous regime since the civil war began in 2011 - most of them to refugee camps in neighbouring countries such as Turkey and Jordan.

More than a million have since settled in Europe, with a majority in Germany. Between 2015 and 2021, 20,319 Syrian migrants came to the UK under a government relocation scheme.

Massive tunnel complex beneath Maher Assad's mansion, wide enough for trucks carrying Captagon and gold to drive through. pic.twitter.com/q7lmlLOfqi  Aknc (@YavuzSelim23_1) December 8, 2024

Pictured is a tunnel schematic and corridor shown in the video

The clips were allegedly filmed under Maher al-Assad's 'mansion'

Russian president Vladimir Putin meets with al-Assad at the Kremlin in Moscow in July

Syrian refugees are seen waiting to enter to their country at the Lebanese border with Syria

A further 9,766 Syrians have been granted asylum in the UK in the last three years after arriving irregularly, with Syrian nationals making up about eight per cent of small boat arrivals in the last six years.

US President Joe Biden cheered Assad's fall but acknowledged that it was also a moment of risk and uncertainty.

The US Central Command said its forces conducted dozens of airstrikes on Islamic State targets in central Syria on Sunday.

In a statement, the CENTCOM said its strikes were aimed to ensure that the Islamic State does not take advantage of the current situation in Syria.

Jubilant supporters of the revolt crowded Syrian embassies in various cities around the world, lowering red, white and black Assad-era flags and replacing them with the green, white and black flag flown of his opponents.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Assad's fall was thanks to blows Israel had dealt to Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah, once the lynchpin of Assad's security forces.

'The barbaric state has fallen,' French President Emmanuel Macron said.

There are tunnels under Assad's house, ready with ventilation, sitting rooms, bedrooms, locks and metal doors... pic.twitter.com/M5KYQU6jge  purple pickle (@ummukhayr) December 8, 2024

Syrians in Lebanon flock to the Masnaa Border between Lebanon and Syria to return home

Syrians get warm as they wait overnight to cross into Syria from Turkey at the Cilvegozu border gate, southern Turkey

Asma al-Assad, wife of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad, casts her vote during the country's presidential elections in Douma, Syria, with her husband in this file photo taken in 2021

A military vehicle belonging to the Syrian regime forces and seized by anti government forces burn after it was hit by regime forces in the Hama governorate

Supporters of the rebels who toppled Assad have entered some Syrian embassies around the world to hoist their flag.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the fall of the 'barbaric regime' and called for 'peace and stability'.

In Britain, Trafalgar Square was crowded with people celebrating the news, and refugees swore to return to their homeland.

Muhamad Khatib came to Trafalgar Square with his son to celebrate. He said Al-Assad was 'the worst dictator in the world'.

He said he and his wife were 'wanted' people in Syria and he would 'love to go back and live there in a big democracy'.

Others called it a 'dream' come true and they are looking forward to seeing what Syria will look like in the future.

Syrian opposition leaders had agreed to guarantee the safety of Russian military bases and diplomatic institutions in Syria, a Kremlin source told state media.

But some Russian war bloggers said the situation around the bases was extremely tense and the source did not say how long the security guarantee lasted.

A deal to secure Russia's air base in Syria's Latakia province and its naval facility at Tartous on the coast would come as a relief to Moscow.

The facility is Russia's only Mediterranean repair and replenishment hub, and Moscow has used Syria as a staging post to fly its military contractors in and out of Africa.

Losing Tartous would be a serious blow to Russia's ability to project power in the Middle East, the Mediterranean and Africa, say Western military analysts.

Influential Russian war blogger 'Rybar', who is close to the Russian Defence Ministry and has over 1.3 million followers on his Telegram channel, said the situation around the bases was a serious cause for concern whatever Moscow's official line.

Rebel forces pressing a lightning offensive in Syria aim to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad's rule, their Islamist leader said in an interview published on December 6

Local residents celebrate after opposition forces led by HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) took control of Hama city center and surrounding villages on December 6

A picture believed to be showing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad wearing only speedos is taken by Rebels following the capture of his palace in Aleppo

The fall of Bashar al-Assad's routine appeals all but assured (pictured: rebels ride past a damaged government vehicle in Hama)

'Russia's military presence in the Middle East region hangs by a thread,' Rybar said.

Rescuers are battling to liberate Syria's alleged hellhole the 'Red Prison', but rebels who freed caged women and children reportedly still can't access the men trapped.

Saydnayah Prison near Damascus - nicknamed the 'Human Slaughterhouse - is said to contain 'highly secured underground' cells in its Red Building.

Unverified footage reportedly shows rebels 'opening cells one by one' by breaking down walls, and they are said to have rescued 'hundreds of inmates, including women and young children'.

But there are men trapped in cells three floors underground in a section named the 'Red Prison', some have said.

The military prison, dubbed the 'industrial torture chamber', has reportedly seen between 5,000 to 13,000 inmates hanged since 2011, according to AlJazeera.

Heartbreaking video showed a toddler walking out of the unlocked cell doors looking confused as rebel soldiers shout 'Allahu Akbar' - meaning 'God is greatest' - as they free hundreds of inmates.

It comes as an alleged Russian plot to spread fake news of an Assad 'plane crash' has been uncovered.

The Centre for Strategic Communication and Information Security of Ukraine posted on X to claim Russia 'covered their trail' of helping Assad escape by spreading false reports that he died in a crash.
Nearly three quarters of Australians arent prepared to vote for the Labor Party according to an opinion poll released today.

Just a tick over one in four voters - 27 per cent - said they would cast their first preference vote for the government in the latest Resolve poll.

That is an extraordinary result for a first term administration just months away from a federal election.

And one of the reasons for it is clear, according to an elected Labor MP, who is increasingly despondent.

'He just looks like he doesn't give a sh** anymore,' the MP told Daily Mail Australia. It's low energy Albo.

The purchase of a $4.3m retirement home on the NSW central coast didn't help. But it doesn't fully explain the feeling among Labor that Albo's performance of late has been lacklustre.

Another opinion poll released today, Newspoll, found that Albo is viewed as a weak leader, while Opposition Leader Peter Dutton regarded as decisive by 60 percent of voters. The Newspoll did regard Dutton as more arrogant than Albo, however.

Of course it did - what has Albo got to be arrogant about, anyway? the disgruntled Labor MP sarcastically asked.

Nearly three quarters of Australians arent prepared to vote for the Labor Party according to an opinion poll released today

Today's Resolve polling result is actually so grim that, even if every single Greens voter's preferences flowed Labor's way, that would only lift the ALP vote to 39 per cent.

That would require the government to find a further 11 percent support amongst voters for crossbench parties and independents just to hit the 50 percent mark on the two party preferred vote after preferences.

At the 2022 federal election Labor won a narrow majority of seats in the Parliament with a two party preferred vote of 52.13 percent.

The same poll also revealed that a comfortable majority of voters (59 percent) feel worse off than they did before Labor came to power.

It's a sentiment backed up by the economic data, including the ongoing per capita recession, which is exacerbating the cost of living crisis.

The bad results comes as the PM faces growing criticism for inadequately responding to the rise in violent anti-semitism around the country, including Fridays arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue.

The PM and his senior ministers appear loath to weigh in too strongly by condemning the attacks, fearing a backlash in Labor seats with significant Muslim populations. It's a deeply cynical fence sitting exercise.

Albo and his team may also be reluctant to take a stronger stand for fear of the political impact doing so would have amongst Green voters in inner city seats. It could also trouble the Greens parliamentary party itself, which Labor is likely to need the support of after the next election if its able to cobble together a minority government.

'He just looks like he doesn't give a sh** anymore,' the MP told Daily Mail Australia. It's low energy Albo (above, in Parliament, on November 27)

But could Albo even get the party over the line in the first place?

It's often forgotten about but 2022 Albos campaigning efforts werent great, despite Labor winning.

He stumbled with economic figures on day one of the campaign before recovering to get Labors campaign back on track.

The then-Oppositions best week started at the end of week two when Albo was forced into isolation with Covid.

That meant that senior shadow ministers, such as Jason Clare, took the lead rather than Albo. They proved themselves better on the hustings than their leader.

Unless Albo can find his mojo and quickly, there is a growing risk that the government wont be able to recover its position sufficiently to press for a majority victory.

No first term opposition has lost a re-election bid since 1931, suggesting Albo nonetheless remains in the box seat to win the next election, despite all the problems hes having.

However, while there is nearly 100 years of precedent showing that first term governments successfully get re-elected, the last three first term governments to do so only won their re-election efforts narrowly.

Can Albo get his mojo back? He's going to need it, if today's polls are any indication

John Howards Coalition was re-elected in 1998 with less than 50 percent of the two party vote, successful only because it sandbagged enough key marginal seats to claim victory.

Julia Gillard won Labor a second term in 2010 but only as a minority government, after the fallout from rolling Kevin Rudd as PM during Labors first term.

And Malcolm Turnbulls victory at the 2016 election saw the Coalition majority reduced to a single seat, after the tumult of deposing Tony Abbott as PM in his first term.

As difficult as each of the above re-elections were for these first term governments, they all started with bigger majorities to defend than Albo has now, adding to the degree of difficulty for the current government as the next election looms large.

My prediction is that Labor finds a way to win, with enough voters giving it a second chance rather than turfing it out unceremoniously after just the one term.

That said, retaining majority government given all the problems and missteps during Albos first three years as PM might be a bridge too far.

He really has been a disappointment as PM.
An anti-British Irish-language movie paid for by UK public money has won the top honour at this year's British Independent Film Awards.

Titled Kneecap - after the rap trio of the same name - the comedy-drama was not only named the Best British Independent film but also bagged six more of the prestigious trophies and received 14 nominations.

The storyline is based on a semi-fictionalised account of how the Belfast rap group came to be and follows the reaction to their performances - born from their love for the Irish language.

An astonishing 1.6million of public money was used to fund the movie - despite the rap group being accused of glorifying the IRA and stoking sectarian hatred.

Victims of Republican and Loyalist terror atrocities said they were appalled that vast sums of public money and National Lottery cash was spent on the semi-autobiographical film.

But, despite the controversy the movie still landed a string of BIFAs with cast members Liam Og O Hannaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh being named best joint lead stars at last night's ceremony.

Former teacher O Dochartaigh celebrated the film's haul of awards by baring his backside at the London audience, a repeat of a typically vulgar scene in the film where he moons a crowd with BRITS scrawled on one buttock and OUT on the other.

The film's English writer-director, former tabloid journalist Richard Peppiatt, won the best debut screenwriter prize.

Anti-British movie Kneecap - based on the Irish rap trio Liam Og O Hannaidh, JJ O Dochartaigh and Naoise O Caireallain (left to right) - has won the top honor at this year's British Independent Film Awards

The comedy-drama was not only named the Best British Independent film but also bagged six more of the prestigious trophies and and received 14 nominations

The storyline is based on a semi-fictionalised account of how the Belfast rap group came to be (pictured from left band members Liam Og O Hannaidh, JJ O Dochartaigh and Naoise O Caireallain plus director Richard Peppiatt)

The rap trio are known to challenge views on British culture - pictured protesting outside the Egyptian Theatre in Utah in January

Hollywood A-lister Michael Fassbender - who learnt Irish at the age of six - also stars in the movie which The Times described as 'raucous' and 'stacked with politicised one-liners'.

Among the jokes in the 18-rated, drug-filled film is one that compares the Brighton Bombing to a sex act.

The group  named after the paramilitary punishment of shooting someone in the knee  dress in balaclavas and promote themselves using images of petrol bombs.

They also chant Republican slogans used by the IRA, have unveiled murals depicting violent attacks on police, mocked the Queen's death and called for 'Brits out of Ireland'.

Despite politicians in Northern Ireland previously accusing Kneecap of 'fostering hatred', they have enjoyed fawning national coverage on the BBC where they were hailed as being at the 'forefront of Irish hip hop'.

Kneecap arrived at Sundance Film Festival in Utah for the premiere of their eponymous Irish language film in an armoured police Land Rover graffitied with the band's name.

Bomb victims accused the group of being 'sectarian bigots' and glamourising terrorism, adding that they were sickened by the BBC coverage and the film's public funding.

The handout was especially galling when many who were bereaved or disabled in terror attacks during the Troubles had been denied payouts from a government compensation scheme, they added.

Kneecap, who Jeremy Corbyn has hailed as 'inspiring', use a black balaclava as their social media symbol, the headgear famously worn by IRA terrorists when appearing in public.

Band member JJ O Dochartaigh  who uses the stage name DJ Provai  is always pictured wearing a balaclava and makes shooting gestures at audiences during gigs.

Balaclava-wearing former school teacher JJ O Dochartaigh celebrates by baring his backside from the stage

The trio's tour poster from 2020 showed the then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson and DUP leader Arlene Foster strapped to a rocket on top of a burning bonfire

He posted one image reading a book entitled Provos  the nickname for the Provisional IRA. Another post by the band said the terrorist group had been 'resisting' British imperialism.

Just last month Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch accused the Labour Government of a 'cowardly decision' after it it reached an agreement in a legal challenge from Kneecap.

The band launched the legal case after Ms Badenoch refused them a 14,250 funding award when she was Business Secretary.

They claimed the decision to refuse the grant discriminated against them on grounds of nationality and political opinion.

The UK Government has admitted that the decision was 'unlawful'.

However, a spokesman for Ms Badenoch has said: 'It is unbelievable Labour have chosen not to pursue this case - yet another cowardly decision after giving away the Chagos Islands.

'Labour will always capitulate rather than defend UK interests.

'This case is not about whether a band promotes violence or hates the UK, as Kneecap clearly do; this is about whether government ministers have the ability to stop taxpayers' money subsidising people who neither need nor deserve it.'
A 'desperate' sheriff's deputy resigned after her porn career was exposed, but the struggling mother has gained tons of support for her decision.

Shannon Lofland, a veteran of the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office for 21 years in Colorado, decided to step down from her position on Tuesday after the department got word of her second job, leading them to open up an internal investigation.

Lofland, 44, a sheriff's office driver training instructor, decided to start performing in 'mainstream' adult videos because she 'was drowning' trying to support her family with just her paycheck.

'I was desperate, I was drowning. I found a legal, lucrative means for providing that support for my family that I needed at that time to save my home for them and feed my family,' Lofland told CBS News.

The mother and wife told the outlet she knows that not telling her department about her side gig was wrong, but now that her secret has been revealed and she's been suspended, Lofland decided it was best to leave so the department didn't have to 'waste resources' on something she fully admits to participating in.

'The mainstream in the adult industry is not something that the sheriff's office would approve of and I understand that.

'It was a violation of policy to not request permission to work secondary employment. I know that and I knew that,' Lofland added.

After confessing to participating in sex scenes and leaving her long-time job because of it, Lofland received tons of support from people who were happy that she spoke out.

Shannon Lofland, 44, who served as a sheriff's office driver training instructor for the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office in Colorado for 21 years, resigned on Tuesday after word of her online porn side hustle got out

Lofland, a sheriff's office driver training instructor, decided to started performing in 'mainstream' adult videos because she 'was drowning' trying to support her family with just her paycheck

'She shouldn't have to resign for making legal money on adult sites. anyone who says otherwise doesn't actually care about women,' one user wrote.

'Good for her for real,' another said.

'You go girl. No shame. Congrats on a new career. Do you,' someone commented.

Another said: 'People need to mind their own damn business. She was trying to provide for her family and keep them from homelessness.'

Lofland started her adult film career due to rising debt, especially after her family home was destroyed in a storm last year, causing an estimated half a million dollars in repairs from hail and water damage.

She told the outlet that the rising cost of living has also severely impacted her family financially.

Even after borrowing money from family and cutting costs wherever she could, Lofland felt that she had to go down this path to save her and her family's lives.

Now, after receiving support from her husband, appearing in online videos for about a month and being in approximately six sex scenes for several companies, Lofland finally has enough to make her mortgage payment.

'My actions have been made out of desperation. ... Some may judge and say there are "better" ways to make money, but at the time I had no other lucrative means for doing so,' she said.

Moving on to her new full-time career, Lofland still noted her love for law enforcement, but is not sure what is next for her.

'I found my niche in the law enforcement world as a support role. I have been dedicated and loyal. I truly enjoy what I do and all of the lives I have been able to touch,' she said.

Lofland also noted that she is not the only one looking to other jobs to make a living, adding: 'There are many deputies and officers doing what they can to make extra money, with or without permission.

She chose to resign so the department didn't have to 'waste resources' on the investigation that she has fully confessed to

Lofland started her adult film career due to rising debt, especially after her family home was destroyed in a storm last year, causing an estimated half a millions dollars in repairs from hail and water damage

'People are doing what they can to survive at this time.'

In addition to resigning from her position on the force, Lofland said she chose to step down from her role at Colorado's Peace Officer Standards and Training board several weeks prior.

'I am here to simply put the reasons out there on why I made the choices that I made and took the actions that I did,' she said.

When contacted by DailyMail.com, the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office declined to comment.

'The case you speak of is an open active Internal Affairs Investigation. Any complaint made to Internal Affairs is fully investigated to its conclusion even if the subject of the investigation resigns.

'Because it is an open investigation we can not speak to it until its conclusion,' a spokesperson with the department said.
Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has claimed Welcome to Country ceremonies have become a commercial product rather than an expression of culture.

The Shadow Indigenous Australians Minister told Sky News on Sunday there is an 'Aboriginal industry' in Australia.

'The whole Welcome to Country ceremony has just broadened that industry,' she said.

'There are those right around the country, who basically their only role, their only source of income, is delivering Welcome to Country.'

Senator Price said a Welcome to Country was not traditionally a business transaction where there would always be payment.

'This commercialisation of culture, which is exactly what is going on, I can understand there will be those that will be upset if we try to bring it to an end,' Senator Price said.

'But I think there are other ways we can encourage people to take up employment, to take up opportunities.'

Sky News host James Macpherson suggested how Aussies could respond if they are asked to pay for a Welcome to Country ceremony.

Coalition spokesperson for Indigenous Affairs Jacinta Nampijinpa Price said Welcome to Country ceremonies have become money spinners for some Indigenous people

'Next time an Indigenous group says "it's culture, we want to perform a Welcome to Country" the response should be we want to honour the culture, so we're not going to give you any money,' he said.

Senator Price's comment follow the Juru people of the Burdekin in north Queensland who voted to ban Welcome to Country ceremonies on their ancestral land from Thursday.

Juru spokesperson Randall Ross told Melbourne radio station 4BC that 'the elders have had enough' with the commercialisation of the traditional ceremony.

Senator Price said the decision reflects a wider weariness with the ceremony.

'This is demonstrating that everyone is getting sick of Welcome to Country, Indigenous groups and the broader community,' she said.

Mr Ross told 4BC host Bill McDonald that some of those performing Welcome to Country were not even connected in any meaningful way to the Burdekin area.

'Our Welcome to Countries are being not only overused but misused for the wrong purpose,' Mr Ross said.

'We still have people not connected to country doing the ceremonies because they have been identified as preferred suppliers by governments and other agencies.

'It's an insult to many of our traditional owners.'

Mr Ross said the Elders of his community saw the ritual being 'well and truly abused' and it made them feel embarrassed.

A Welcome to Country is performed before a Super Netball Round 13 match in July of this year

'You've got poor organisations and they're trapped in that situation and they've got to pay, whether it's just a five minute, two minute or ten minute service.'

'The Elders have had enough because it's being abused and want to put a stop to it.'

Mr Ross said Welcome to Country normally involve a gifting process, but that 'doesn't always mean money'.

Last year it was revealed the federal government has spent over $45,000 on Welcome to Country ceremonies in 12 months.

Of the departments and agencies willing to reveal what they had spent, the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations racked up the highest amount on Welcome to Countries, forking out more than $14,000 on 20 ceremonies.

Figures obtained by Sky News from Budget Estimates sessions in Federal Parliament show that the Welcome to Country typically cost between $5,000 and $7,500 but can reach up to $10,500 for the opening of parliament.

The Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council booking sheet for a Gadigal Welcome to Country for the Sydney area gives the typical cost as $560 but advises an extra $112 is required if the ceremony is performed out of business hours.

A digeridoo performance also costs an extra $400.
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff speaks to thousands at Moscone Center South Hall during Dreamforce in San Francisco on Sept. 17. Bronte Wittpenn/The Chronicle

Marc Benioff, the Salesforce tech titan and one of San Franciscos biggest philanthropists, has become a surprising cheerleader for President-elect Donald Trump since the election, riling liberal residents who have questioned the billionaires motives for expressing excitement about Trumps second trip to the Oval Office.

In an exclusive interview with the Chronicle, Benioff defended his post-election public statements, which have included fawning social media messages adorned with American flags and heart emojis.

I feel that when we elect a new politician we have to absolutely support them  this is our president now, he told the Chronicle in an hourlong phone interview. This is a moment where we are turning the page.  Its an opportunity for a new chapter.

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His hope: Trump is a successful president and that we continue to be great leaders in the world. He said, I think its only appropriate to want our president to be successful.

The enthusiastic tone of the messages echo recent public statements from other powerful tech titans eager to congratulate the next president and wish him success. The growing list of Silicon Valley power brokers who have courted favor from Trump include Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Apple CEO Tim Cook, Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg and Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk, who spent more than a quarter of a billion dollars to help Trump win.

Their companies and their own pocketbooks are poised to benefit from Trumps planned tax cuts and sweeping deregulation. Yet, many of Trumps supporters across the country, including some prominent Silicon Valley figures, were also motivated by backlash to liberal policies related to race, transgender rights and immigration  largely supported in San Francisco, a city thats frequently been in the crosshairs of the president-elect and his allies.

President Trump has proven to be vindictive, and I think that every corporate leader right now is walking on eggshells around him and trying to say what it takes in order to not get on his bad side, said political consultant Jim Ross.

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But while Musk has a long history of espousing right-wing views, Benioffs public embrace of a second Trump presidency has struck many observers as a notable contrast to some of his previous political causes such as supporting public education and addressing homelessness.

A former Republican who now considers himself nonpartisan, Benioff in 2016 was a vocal supporter of Hillary Clintons presidential campaign against Trump and was even mentioned as a possible vice-presidential pick. He was a leading champion of a 2018 San Francisco ballot measure, Proposition C, that raised taxes on big businesses  including Salesforce  to fund homeless services. That aligned him with some of the most progressive politicians and groups in the city, a crowd that loathes Trump.

And over the past 15 years, the billionaire and his company have poured hundreds of millions of dollars into San Franciscos public schools, parks and hospitals. Yet, the city could see fewer federal dollars under Trump.

Benioffs most ebullient praise of Trump came a day after the election, when the fourth-generation San Franciscan took to social media to congratulate the president-elect on his remarkable achievement.

This has now become a time of great promise for our nation, and we look forward to working together to drive American success and prosperity for all, Benioff wrote.

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Later in the month, Benioff signaled support for Trumps plans to curtail the size of government by sharing with his 1.1 million X followers a quote from a Time magazine opinion piece: It is now clear that Trump will reform government & country like a corporate raider engaging in a hostile takeover of an inefficient company, making huge reforms by changing people, slashing costs, & infusing new technologies.

Benioff, who also owns Time magazine, described the sentiment as Amazing!

The replies to his recent posts included fire and American flag emojis from Musk and a stream of angry, often profanity-laden replies from the presumably non-MAGA crowd. Some reasoned that a socially conscious billionaire was simply sucking up to the winner. A few even wondered whether Benioffs account had been hacked.

Are you serious? one person wrote. Another asked: What happened to Benioff I thought I knew? Disgraceful. Disgusting.

Supervisor Hillary Ronen, one of San Franciscos most progressive lawmakers, was taken aback by Benioffs comments about Trump and Musk. Ronen said she had long been a big fan of Benioff because of his willingness to pay his fair share of taxes to address inequality.

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Ive always respected Marc Benioff as a really smart and ethical person, Ronen said. Im really disappointed. What has changed for him? Because let me tell you, nothing has changed for me.

In his interview with the Chronicle, by phone from his second home in Hawaii, Benioff wouldnt say who he voted for in the election, citing his decision to abstain from political endorsements after he and his wife, Lynne, bought Time for $190 million in 2018.

Ross, the political consultant, said hes not shocked that the CEO of a huge business like Salesforce  San Franciscos largest private employer  would support whoever is in office to make sure that company is successful. Business leaders throughout the country think that Trump will be good for their bottom lines, he said.

Salesforce, with an expected $38 billion in revenue this year, had nearly quadrupled the number of government contracts it signed over the previous five years, outpacing Google but trailing Microsoft, according to a Business Insider report in 2022.

Mark Buell, a prominent Democratic Party donor from San Francisco, said Benioffs public statements were likely strategic moves reflecting the realities of doing business. Buell doesnt know the Salesforce chief personally, he said, but Benioff has always struck him as being a decent guy who wants to support the improvement of his hometown.

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While Trump repeatedly slammed the city, Benioff called it the greatest city in the world  my home, my place of birth. His roots run deep: His grandfather, Marvin Lewis, was a longtime city supervisor who was a huge supporter of BART and champion of the poor.

Still, he shrugged off Trumps condemnation of his beloved hometown, saying it wasnt insulting, but rather just politics.

At the same time, Trump has avowed policies that stand in stark contrast to San Francisco values, including his commitment to launch mass deportations, roll back rights for transgender people and cut back diversity programs.

Benioffs policies as CEO have expanded benefits to LGBTQ employees, including significant support for transgender and non-binary workers, and the company also calls for supporting pro-LGBTQ+ legislation.

In addition, Salesforce will pay to move any employee to another city or state if they feel threatened in whatever their political situation is, Benioff said, adding its a common-sense business practice.

Locally, Benioffs most political public act was his support for Prop C, which roughly doubled the amount San Francisco spends on homelessness by raising taxes on corporate revenue above $50 million. He gave millions of his own and Salesforces money to help pass the measure.

Benioff sparred with other tech leaders during and after the heated campaign, including Musk and Twitter founder Jack Dorsey, and remains a vocal defender of Prop C.

Hes actually quite proud of the results, said Christin Evans, a progressive Haight-Ashbury bookstore owner who was a lead advocate in favor of Prop C. Evans persuaded Benioff to get on board with the measure after a late-night social media exchange with him.

While his support of Prop C and other public programs have given him something of a liberal aura, Benioff shifts right on other issues, including public safety. Hed like to see the police force doubled and the return of pretextual stops, allowing officers to pull over drivers for minor offenses as a pretext to search for drugs or other evidence of unrelated criminal activity.

Historically, Benioffs political roots lie with the GOP. He served in the George W. Bush administration as president of the Information Technology Advisory Committee.

I was the only Republican in San Francisco, Benioff said. I became more of an independent.

In later years, he was a frequent political donor who gave to Democrats such as Pelosi, Harris, Clinton and Sen. Cory Booker over the last decade, federal records show. But in the same time period, he also donated to Republicans.

He has worked with the past five presidential administrations, he said, lobbying for equal pay for women and an effort to plant a trillion trees around the world.

Benioff deviated from his no-political-endorsements rule just once in the Chronicle interview.

He said he wants to see fiscal responsibility and a balanced federal budget during the next administration, which is why he supports Trumps Department of Government Efficiency, led by Musk and the entrepreneur and right-wing crusader Vivek Ramaswamy. They are tasked with recommending cuts to wasteful spending, regulations and federal agencies.

If I did have one political position I did articulate, I would say (strong fiscal responsibility) is extremely important, Benioff told the Chronicle. I feel that has to become a bipartisan issue.

He has described Musk as the Edison of our era and someone poised to revolutionize government. Musk, the richest man in the world, hopes to cut $2 trillion in government spending out of a $6.75 trillion budget.

Imagine $2T in savings, a leaner, smarter system, & a future-ready nation, Benioff said in a late November social media post. If Elon makes the USA as innovative as Tesla, SpaceX, & X, it could reshape our country & world.

Benioff remains optimistic about the future of San Francisco, with philanthropist and Levis heir Daniel Lurie as the next mayor and the city at the heart of artificial intelligence innovation.

We are the center of what is probably going to be the greatest revolution in our lifetime, he said. We should all be very excited about the future of our city.

Hes also upbeat about where the country is headed.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for a just and enduring peace with Russia following a meeting with Donald Trump in Paris.

In crunch talks with the US President-elect - who has vowed to end the conflict in a day when he takes office next year - Zelensky appeared to soften his position on possible peace negotiations.

Mr Trump yesterday took to social media to call for an immediate ceasefire and claimed Kyiv would like to make a deal to end a war that has now lasted more than 1,000 days.

Their surprise meeting had been organised at the Elysee Palace by Emmanuel Macron ahead of the reopening of Notre-Dame, to discuss future cooperation on defence and offence.

Speaking after the talks, Mr Zelensky said he and Mr Trump agreed to purse a just peace and even repeated the billionaires mantra peace through strength.

He said: We all want this war to end as soon as possible and in a just way. We spoke about our people, the situation on the ground, and a just peace.

There is much at stake for Mr Zelensky and the Ukrainian people when Mr Trump begins his second term in the White House.

A long-time critic of US involvement in foreign conflicts, he has indicated he would be prepared to pare back financial support for the Ukrainian war effort.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for a just and enduring peace with Russia following a meeting with Donald Trump

Trump yesterday took to social media to call for an immediate ceasefire and claimed Kyiv would like to make a deal to end a war (pictured together in New York on September 27)

Putin is seen delivering a threat to the West about the capabilities of his latest missiles

A serviceman of the Ukrainian Armed Forces's 24th Mechanized Brigade fires his weapon in the Donetsk region, eastern Ukraine on November 29

In this photo taken from video released by Russian Defense Ministry Press Service on December 3, a Russian navy frigate launches a Zircon hypersonic cruise missile during drills

Military aid from the US has been crucial in sustaining Ukraines fight against the Russian invaders, with a new $1 billion (780million) support package announced this weekend by the outgoing Biden administration.

Zelensky has previously played down any prospect of peace talks with the Kremlin, which he fears would inevitably require occupied areas of eastern Ukraine to be ceded to Vladimir Putin.

Nonetheless, the Ukrainian leader told reporters on Saturday that his meeting with Mr Trump had been constructive.

Yesterday, Mr Trump claimed on his Truth Social platform that Moscow and Kyiv have both lost hundreds of thousands of soldiers in a war that should never have started.

Calling on Mr Putin to act to bring the fighting to an end, Mr Trump said: There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin. Too many lives are being needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed.

Ukrainian soldier during infantry training in a building at an undetermined location in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on December 2

Ukrainian servicemen of the mobile air defense unit fire a machine gun at Russian drones during night patrol on December 2

A drone view shows an apartment building hit by a Russian drone strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Ternopil, Ukraine on December 2

In a separate social media update on Sunday, Mr Zelensky asserted that Kyiv has so far lost 43,000 soldiers since Moscows all-out invasion on February 24, 2022, while a further 370,000 have been injured.

Both Russia and Ukraine have been reluctant to publish official casualty figures, but Western officials have said the past few months of grinding positional warfare in eastern Ukraine have meant record losses for both sides, with tens of thousands killed and injured each month.
A Wilton teen, who was allegedly stabbed to death while camping with friends, has been been laid to rest on what would have been his 16th birthday.

Isaac Walton was farewelled by family, friends and classmates who gathered for a private ceremony held at Belgenny Farm in Camden South on Sydney's south-western outskirts on Monday.

His family walked solemnly behind the hearse as hundreds of well-wishers lined the road leading to the venue.

After the 'beautiful,' ceremony, Isaac's parents and siblings released white doves as they shared special memories of the schoolboy they say will be forever 15.

Heartbroken schoolmates later shared heartfelt tributes to social media remembering special moments they had once shared.

'I will forever miss you Isaac, I'm forever grateful I got to call you a friend,' one friend wrote.

Another wrote: 'You making me laugh when I was down, your laughter and smile made everything better, your presence would light up the room, I miss you gorgeous boy.'

'RIP our sweet Isaac, forever in our hearts.'

Isaac Walton, 15, was farewelled on Monday on what would have been his 16th birthday

Hundreds of friends and family lined the road as Isaac's loved ones walked behind the hearse

Isaac Walton's parents and siblings released white doves during the ceremony

Isaac Walton has been remembered as being forever 15

Isaac had left the campground near Maldon Weir on November 8, telling his friends he was heading home because he was cold and hungry.

Police allege the teen later came across a car on a dark and lonely country road, occupied by chef Jacob Greig and a female companion.

Greig, 32, had allegedly been driven to the secluded area by local duck breeder, Johanna Martin, after finishing his shift at the nearby Bargo Hotel about 10pm.

But when Isaac tried to get into the car after asking for a lift home, father-of-one Greig allegedly confronted the teen and is accused of slashing him with a knife.

Police, who have since seized the car, allege that video and audio of the incident from nearby CCTV captured the altercation.

Isaac's body was discovered a short distance away the next morning by the same friends he was setting up tents with just hours earlier.

Greig was later arrested and charged with Isaac's murder after he handed himself in at Narellan Police station..

Isaac's father, Paul, who gave his permission for his son's name and picture to be used, said that he wanted Isaac to be remembered as a beloved son, brother and mate, whose life was taken far too soon.

Father of-one Jacob Greig (pictured) has charged over the alleged murder

It's alleged that the teenager, Isaac, stumbled across the red Hyundai i30 belonging to fowl enthusiast Johanna Martin, 21, (pictured) on a back road near Wilton, south-west of Sydney

Greig faced Parramatta Local Court via a video livestream on November 10, where three family members were in attendance.

He was refused bail and will remain behind bars until he next fronts court on January 8

Ms Martin has not been charged with any offence and there is no suggestion of any wrongdoing on her behalf.

The family used the GoFundMe donations towards the ceremony at the picturesque private estate, which was closed to the public as loved ones said their final goodbyes.

Family friend, Donna Young, helped raise almost $30,000, to cover the financial burden and to 'say goodbye to him in a way that reflects his spirit'

'The emotional toll of this loss is impossible to measure, and the family will need support in the coming months for counselling, therapy and other forms of emotional healing.' She said.

Isaac's family never imagined they would be In a position like this, and their strength and love for Isaac is unwavering,

'but they need the support of their community during this incredibly difficult time.'
As Donald Trump takes to the global stage with a flurry of high-profile meetings and bold policy declarations, President Joe Biden's muted presence in Washington is drawing sharp criticism from within his own party.

Democrats, still grappling with the fallout from a bruising election loss, are openly lamenting what they view as Biden's failure to capitalize on what is a critical transition period.

Instead of Biden using the time to assert his party against the incoming administration, it is Trump's post-election moves that are dominating headlines.

It has left some Democrats frustrated by what they describe as a 'communications and policy vacuum while Trump already appears to be dictating trade and immigration policy and sharing his vision of the new shape of U.S. government.'

While Biden stayed in Washington this weekend, Trump traveled to Paris, meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky who is attempting to lobby Trump in the hope he will continue wartime aid when he takes power.

The trip marked Trump's first major diplomatic engagement as president-elect, underscoring his intention to take charge even before his inauguration on January 20.

Their discussions centered on wartime aid for Ukraine and the broader challenges of European security, with Trump seizing the opportunity to address reporters briefly and post about U.S. interests in Syria.

The stark contrast was particularly evident as Damascus fell to rebels in Syria, a pivotal moment that saw Trump offering remarks on Ukraine and Syria while Biden refrained from public comment until the following day.

President Joe Biden appears to be having a muted presence in Washington in the final six weeks of his term in office

Meanwhile, Donald Trump has taken to the global stage with a flurry of high-profile meetings and bold policy declarations. He is pictured on Friday with French President Emmanuel Macron, and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right

The optics left an impression: Trump, the incoming president, appeared to be dictating U.S. foreign policy while Biden, who is still president for six weeks, remained largely silent.

The subdued approach from Biden has ignited a firestorm among Democrats, with many accusing him of ceding the spotlight to Trump.

Critics argue that Biden's reluctance to engage more forcefully during the transition has allowed Trump to dominate the narrative unchallenged.

'The American tradition is that the nation has only one president at a time. Right now, that president looks like Donald Trumpbecause President Biden is ceding the spotlight,' said one Democratic strategist to the Wall Street Journal.

Progressive voices have been especially critical.

Usamah Andrabi, spokesman for the progressive group Justice Democrats, described Biden's actions as 'one of the lamest of lame ducks we've seen with a Democratic administration. A massive missed opportunity.'

Andrabi warned that Trump's ability to shape the public discourse uncontested could have long-term repercussions for the Democratic Party.

Trump's rapid maneuvering has only intensified the frustrations Democrats are feeling.

Trump's assertive post-election moves have been dominating the headlines including his unusual handshake with France's President Emmanuel Macron

President-elect Donald Trump is seen at the reopening ceremony of Notre Dame on Saturday after five years of restoration work following the 2019 fire

In the weeks following his victory, Trump has managed to assembled his cabinet and senior staff with unprecedented speed, dining with world leaders including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau at Mar-A-Lago and Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum.

Trump's proposed nominees, including controversial picks for key positions like Kash Patel for FBI director, have sparked debate, but his decisiveness has largely kept Democrats on the defensive.

'We should be less hobbled and more spurred. We should be vocal, pushing back against these nominees who are nothing but a disaster in the making,' said Washington's Democratic Gov. Jay Inslee.

Biden's more restrained approach contrasts sharply with how President Barack Obama handled Trump's 2016 victory.

After Trump's election, Obama allowed the U.N. Security Council to pass a resolution criticizing Israeli settlement expansion, held a White House press conference, and took steps to assert his administration's continued authority.

Biden, by contrast, has focused on judicial appointments and international trips to Brazil and Africa, leaving his critics questioning his priorities.

All appeared to be well between Donald Trump and Canadian Prime Minister at Justin Trudeau at Mar-a-Lago last month, following Trump's election win

'President Biden is making every day of this term count as he accelerates the implementation of an unprecedented agenda that will benefit hardworking Americans for generations,' said White House spokesman, Andrew Bates.

Democratic governors meeting in Los Angeles over the weekend expressed concern about the party's direction under Biden, particularly in countering Trump's aggressive moves.

Many warned that Biden's muted response to Trump's transition period risks creating a perception of Democratic passivity.

'If your values are being attacked, or you've got communities or people who are being attacked that don't deserve it, you've got to fight like hell,' said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy.

Yet, Murphy acknowledged the need for Democrats to maintain a pragmatic relationship with the incoming administration.

'Every diner I go to, it's the same message: 'How are you going to make my life more affordable?' said New Jersey Rep. Josh Gottheimer who has launched his own campaign for New Jersey governor.

Others within the party pointed to a deeper issue: the lack of a cohesive, clear message that resonates with voters.

'The only way to win the war of attention is by going to the voters and explaining things to them, which President Biden has consistently avoided doing,' said Waleed Shahid, a progressive Democratic strategist.

'Most voters don't know Kash Patel or even who Matt Gaetz or Tulsi Gabbard are,' said Shahid, referring to Trump's nominees to lead the FBI. 'But many more Americans would know, if President Biden spoke about them.'

Vice president Harris has been largely silent despite vowing to continue 'the fight that fueled this campaign.'

She has been on vacation in Hawaii and has now returned to her duties in Washington D.C. but has done little to influence voters' minds about the incoming Trump administration.

Biden has focused on judicial appointments and international trips to Brazil and Africa, leaving his critics questioning his priorities

Biden is seen looking down at his notes during a summit in Angola in Africa

As Trump's approval ratings for his transition efforts hover around 59 percent according to a recent CBS/YouGov poll, Democrats face an uphill battle in shaping public opinion of the incoming administration.

Trump appears energized and focused on following through on many of his campaign promises.

When Trump was asked if he would prosecute the Biden family, he gave a measured response.

'I'm not looking to go back into the past. I'm looking to make our country successful. Retribution will be through success,' he said.

When Trump visited the White House following his electoral victory, Biden offered him a cordial 'Welcome back!' rather than making any challenges towards some of the policies the president-elect had been airing.

Some argue that Biden's reluctance to challenge Trump more directly has squandered an opportunity to highlight the dangers of his agenda.

'The only way to debunk the notion that Trump has a mandate is by showing the consequences of his agenda on the middle class,' said Democratic strategist Jesse Ferguson to WSJ.com.

When Trump visited the White House following his election victory, Biden offered him a cordial 'Welcome back!' rather than making any challenges towards some of the policies the president-elect had been airing

Joe Biden didn't even visit the reopening of Notre Dame this past weekend. Instead it was down to First Lady Jill Biden, with Donald Trump seen sitting close by

Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden were seen attending the 47th Kennedy Center Honors gala at the Kennedy Center in Washington on Sunday night

But as Trump builds momentum, many Democrats fear that their window to shape the narrative is rapidly closing.

Some have suggested how following Hunter Biden's pardon Democrats would like to see him pardon other potential targets of the incoming Trump administration and offering a shield.

Others would like Biden to use his powers to introduce safeguards against vulnurable people in the U.S. including undocumented immigrants that Trump is keen to deport.

With six weeks remaining in Biden's presidency, the stakes are high for a party searching for a way to counter Trump's dominance.

For now, the president-elect is seizing the moment, leaving Democrats to question how their own leader failed to meet it.
This video is no longer available

This video is no longer available

Locals have remembered how a couple would feed penniless customers for free at their burger restaurant before they were allegedly stabbed to death by their son.

Hoa Tek Chiem, 69, and Heang Kim Gau, 68, were found dead inside Buzzy Bee's Burger House at Cambridge Park, in far west Sydney, about 9.40am on November 30.

Police arrested their son, 31-year-old Allan Chiem, about 12.30am the following day at a Canley Heights home before he was charged with two counts of murder.

Hundreds of locals gathered outside the couple's restaurant during a candlelight vigil on the weekend to remember the generosity of the burger restaurant owners.

'I've seen people walk in there, and they absolutely have no money, and they will give them food,' Brian Donovan told 7News.

Another said they 'helped everyone in the community' and that their deaths came as 'a big shock'.

Other locals told the vigil they would 'keep their memory going'.

Mr Chien and Ms Ga's oldest son contacted police after he came across the grim discovery of his parents' bodies at the venue.

Locals have remembered Hoa Tek Chiem, 69, (left) and Heang Kim Gau, 68, (right) as generous owners of a burger store after they were allegedly murdered by their son on November 30

Chiem will spend Christmas behind bars after he was refused bail in Parramatta Local Court on Sunday.

His matter was adjourned to Penrith Local Court in January.

Chien's lawyer Mohamed Sakr has asked corrective services to conduct a mental health assessment on his client before he faces court again in the new year.

He later confirmed that his client was filmed on the roof of the burger bar on Saturday.

'Every accused deserves representation,' Mr Sakr told Nine News.

The couple were well-known for their dedication to their business, which was open seven days a week.

It's understood the couple were making plans to retire shortly before their deaths.

Former employees of Buzzy Bee's Burger House said the couple were more like family than bosses.

Hundreds of locals left flowers outside of the couple's burger store during a candlelight vigil (pictured) on the weekend and recalled them giving penniless customers food for free

Their 31-year-old son, Allan Chiem, was arrested early the following the day and will spend Christmas behind bars after being charged with allegedly murdering them at their store (pictured)

Buzzy Bee's Burger House was shut following the alleged attack as flowers and cards piled up outside it with messages paying tribute to the hard-working couple.

'They dedicated themselves to this place. I pray that you both rest easy,' one card read.

Owner of a nearby bakery Thanh Tran, recalled seeing the couple's family while officers cordoned off the shop.

'About 9.30am the eldest son visited the store and then the youngest came and the two hugged and cried for an hour,' Mr Tran said.

'Police got them milk crates to sit on and they hugged and sat down and cried, and they looked so sad, it was so sad.

'And the police stood around and watched them (as they talked and cried).'
The Texas attorney who filed several anonymous complaints against hip hop mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs has declared he won't be intimidated following strong remarks from Jay-Z.

Tony Buzbee shared a photo of him in uniform as a platoon commander on Instagram Sunday night, claiming people were harassing him and his family.

He did not accuse Jay-Z of engaging in any of the harassment, but earlier in the day added his name to an anonymous lawsuit accusing him and Diddy of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl.

'Recognize this guy?' Buzbee asked as he shared the photo from his time in the Marines. 'This is a picture of the Weapons Platoon Commander, Alpha Company, First Battalion, Fourth Marines from our old Western Pacific cruise book.

'Despite a coordinated and aggressive effort that has included harassing my kids, contacting my clients and former clients to encourage them to sue me, contacting my colleagues and former employees asking if I've "abused" them, showing up at my current employee's house to harass them, filing frivolous cases against me and my law firm defaming me with outrageous assertions to anyone who will listen and having mysterious people follow me and my family, I'm still THAT guy.

'I won't be bullied or intimidated,' he continued.

'People will see through this effort to discredit me and my clients, and the truth will be revealed.

'I also won't allow anyone to scare my clients into silence,' Buzbee said. 'Sunlight is the best disinfectant and I am quite certain the sun is coming.'

Tony Buzbee, the Texas lawyer who filed several anonymous complaints against hip hop mogul Sean ' Diddy ' Combs has declared he won't be intimidated

He shared a photo of him in uniform on Instagram Sunday saying he is still the Marine platoon commander he once was

Buzbee claimed people have been harassing him and his family

Buzbee has filed more than 100 lawsuits accusing Combs of sexual assault.

Many of the suits did not survive because the plaintiffs declined to have their identities unveiled.

But a judge had ruled that one case alleging that Combs and Jay-Z raped a 13-year-old girl at an after party following the MTV Video Music Awards in September of 2000 may move forward, saying the victim showed sufficient cause to continue with the suit in anonymity.

It had originally been filed in New York's Southern District this past October against Combs, with a refiling on Sunday naming Jay-Z, 55, whose real name is Shawn Carter, as a defendant.

The suit alleges that the then-teenager took a drink at the VMA afterparty that had 'a reddish-yellow mixture that tasted like orange juice, cranberry juice, and something bitter' and 'began to feel woozy and lightheaded, making her need to lie down.'

She claimed she laid down in 'what appeared to be an empty bedroom' and then Combs, Jay-Z and a female celebrity referred to as "Celebrity B" entered the room.

'Combs aggressively approached Plaintiff with a crazed look in his eyes, grabbed her, and said, "You are ready to party!"' legal documents read.

The lawyer added Jay-Z's name to an anonymous lawsuit accusing him and Diddy of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl in September 2000

The accuser said in the lawsuit that Combs threw her 'toward a wall,' leading her to fall, then 'grabbed her again and threw her on the bed.'

She went on to claim that Jay-Z began stripping her down 'as she grew more and more disoriented' and held her down as 'he vaginally raped her, while Combs and Celebrity B watched.

'After [Jay-Z] finished, he stepped back toward the wall. Combs then stepped forward and vaginally raped Plaintiff while Carter and Celebrity B watched,' the suit says.

According to legal docs, 'another celebrity stood by and watched as Combs and Carter took turns assaulting the minor. Many others were present at the after party, but did nothing to stop the assault.

The accuser also said that Combs tried to force her 'to perform oral sex on him,' at which point she 'fought back, standing up quickly and punching out at the same time, hitting Combs in the neck,' at which point he 'stopped his attempt.'

The alleged victim now 'suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and a seizure disorder caused by stress and trauma,' and 'has had difficulty maintaining normal relationships and lives largely withdrawn from society,' according to the suit.

She is asking the court for unspecified damages in the suit, which had been filed under New York state's Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act.

Diddy was seen at an afterparty shot following the MTV Video Music Awards in 2000 alongside Jennifer Lopez

Diddy, pictured at the event 24 years ago, has been in custody in NYC for almost three months as he awaits his sex trafficking trial in May

Jay-Z hit out at Buzbee in the aftermath, suggesting he was not a legitimate lawyer, as he launched into a slew of insults.

'My lawyer received a blackmail attempt, called a demand letter, from a "lawyer" named Tony Buzbee,' the Roc Nation founder began.

He accused Buzbee of taking on the case for 'personal gain' and wrote: 'What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle.'

'No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion,' he continued. 'So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!'

'These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree? These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case,' he continued.

'This lawyer, who I have done a bit of research on, seems to have a pattern of these type of theatrics! I have no idea how you have come to be such a deplorable human Mr. Buzbee, but I promise you I have seen your kind many times over. I'm more than prepared to deal with your type,' he added.

'You claim to be a marine?! Marines are known for their valor, you have neither honor nor dignity'

The rapper then mentioned how it is 'unfair' that his family, particularly his eldest daughter Blue Ivy, will also be affected by the lawsuit.

'My only heartbreak is for my family,' he wrote. 'My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people.

'I mourn yet another loss of innocence,' he wrote.

Jay-Z hit out at Buzbee after he was named in the lawsuit, suggesting he was not a legitimate lawyer, as he launched into a slew of insults

'Children should not have to endure such at their young age. It is unfair to have to try to understand inexplicable degrees of malice meant to destroy families and human spirit,' he added.

'My heart and support goes out to true victims in the world, who have to watch how their life story is dressed in costume for profitability by this ambulance chaser in a cheap suit.'

'You have made a terrible error in judgment thinking that all "celebrities" are the same. I'm not from your world,' he wrote.

'I'm a young man who made it out of the project of Brooklyn. We don't play these types of games. We have very strict codes and honor,' he continued.

'We protect children, you seem to exploit people for personal gain. Only your network of conspiracy theorists, fake physics, will believe the idiotic claims you have levied against me that, if not for the seriousness surrounding harm to kids, would be laughable.'

He concluded his statement and wrote: 'I look forward to showing you just how different I am.'

The legal documents filed against Jay-Z indicate that he was past referred to as 'Celebrity A' in a prior legal filing, and says he has homes in New York City and Los Angeles

Combs, who is being held at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, has denied all of the allegations against him.

Combs in September was charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and additional offenses by federal officials. He has tried in vain to get bail on three occasions.

Attorneys for Combs issued a statement to TMZ on Sunday evening calling Buzbee's latest move one in a series of 'shameless publicity stunts;' and reiterated their stance on the case against Combs.

'This amended complaint and the recent extortion lawsuit against Mr. Buzbee exposes his barrage of lawsuits against Mr. Combs for what they are: shameless publicity stunts, designed to extract payments from celebrities who fear having lies spread about them, just as lies have been spread about Mr. Combs,' the statement read.

It continued: 'As his legal team has said before, Mr. Combs has full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone - man or woman, adult or minor.'

For all the latest updates on this story, listen to The Trial of Diddy - available wherever you get your podcasts now.
President-elect Donald Trump claims that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky 'wants to have a ceasefire' with Russia and described Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni as a 'real live wire'.

Trump, 78, told the New York Post about his discussion with Zelensky during his time in France where he and other world leaders gathered for the opening of Notre Dame over the weekend.

Speaking of Zelensky, Trump told the outlet 'He wants to make peace. That's new.'

'He wants to have a ceasefire. He wants to make peace. We didnt talk about the details. He thinks its time, and Putin should think it's time because hes lost  when you lose 700,000 people, its time. Its not going to end until theres a peace,' the 45th president added.

The president-elect added that he is 'formulating a concept of how to end that ridiculous war'.

The move comes as Vladimir Putin's army seeks to seize as much territory as possible ahead of Trump's return to the White House.

Putin is adamant that Ukraine must remain a 'neutral state' that is not part of NATO. He claims that Western powers - particularly the US and UK - are fighting a war with Russia through Ukraine which he sees as a vassal state.

The war is now entering what some Russian and Western officials say could be its most dangerous phase amid fears Trump could dramatically reduce aid to Ukraine as he seeks to force a ceasefire deal.

President-elect Donald Trump said that he Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky 'wants to have a ceasefire' and 'wants to make peace' amid the ongoing war between Russia

The Republican also branded Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni (middle) a 'real live wire' after spending a lot of time with her at the opening of Notre Dame over the weekend

Recapping his meetings, Trump went on to detail his interaction with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, as he called her a 'real live wire'.

'I was with her a lot,' he said, referring to the time they spent together during the world leader's reception. 'She's a real live wire. I will tell you. She's great.'

During his time in France, Trump was seen awkwardly shaking hands with the President Macron as part of the ceremony to commemorate the renovation of the iconic cathedral, which was ravaged by a devastating fire in 2019.

The leaders first vigorously shook hands at Macron's official residence, with Trump clasping the French premier's from above in a bizarre gesture.

A second, even longer handshake took place at Notre Dame where the presidents clasped hands so tightly they almost appeared to be tussling as they jerked their arms back and forth.

The handshakes have been described as a 'power move' by online commenters who pointed out the pair had a history of such behavior.

Trump wrote when he accepted the invitation earlier this week that the French premier had 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 touched down at Paris' Orly Airport on Saturday morning and has more than 20 French government security agents helping ensure his safety alongside the Secret Service, according to French national police.

The Republican leader added that he is 'formulating a concept of how to end that ridiculous war' between Russia and Ukraine

A special French police van has also provided anti-drone protection for Trump's convoy.

'President Trump is back to dominating world leaders with his handshake,' one person wrote on X.

'Macron is going to need a hand massage after all that twisting and pulling Trump did to him,' another said.

'Trump is going to rip out Macrons arm if they exchange another handshake tonight,' a third joked.

He told The Post that he shared a 'firm handshake' with the leader of France.

'He understands that. It's just a firm shake,' he added.

Macron, who has had an up-and-down relationship with Trump, has made a point of cultivating ties with the president-elect since he defeated Vice President Kamala Harris last month.

But his office nonetheless played down the significance of the invitation, saying that other politicians who do not currently hold office had been invited as well.

Trump was invited as president-elect of a 'friendly nation,' Macron's office said, adding, 'This is in no way exceptional, we've done it before.'

President Joe Biden was invited as well, but did not attend as White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre cited a scheduling conflict.

In his absence, First Lady Jill Biden attended alongside their daughter Ashley, as Trump made a suggestive statement about his viral intimate moment with her.

Pictures of the soon-to-be president with the smiling first lady at the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, France, sent social media users into a frenzy.

Many claimed that Jill looked incredibly animated during the cordial rendezvous - as the partisan pair leaned into one another and made small talk in the City of Love.

And Trump, 78, has now monopolized on the viral comments, implying that Mrs Biden is attracted to him by sharing a screenshot of the moment on Truth Social.

First Lady Jill Biden attended alongside their daughter Ashley, as Trump made a suggestive statement about his viral intimate moment with her

He overlaid the photo of beaming Jill Biden with the caption: 'A fragrance your enemies can't resist', while plugging his 'Fight Fight Fight' perfume brand.

After seeing the doting images of the political pair online, internet personality Nick Sortor wrote on X: 'Jill DEFINITELY voted for President Trump.'

Trump told The Post that the chat he had with the first lady was 'very nice' and that 'she couldn't have been nicer.'

'Its politics. You have to get used to it. She was very nice and we had a very nice conversation.'

He also shared a one-on-one moment with Prince William, where the future president was 'parental' toward him, according to a body language expert.

The Prince of Wales and president-elect were all smiles when they met at the residence of the British ambassador.

In what was his first meeting with a member of the Royal Family since his election victory last month, Trump praised William, calling him a 'good man'.

Speaking to MailOnline, expert Judi James said: 'Trump uses several touch rituals with William to suggest a friendly, almost parental approach, even adding some verbal endorsements as though William needed his approval.'

Footage showed Trump fondly touching William on the shoulder as they greeted each other at the Notre-Dame Cathedral reception.

Trump told The Post that he talked to Prince William about his wife and father amidst their cancer recovery.

The Prince of Wales and president-elect were all smiles when they met at the residence of the British ambassador

Other than saying he 'had a great talk with the prince,' Trump also noted 'He's a good looking guy'

'I had a great talk with the prince. And I asked him about his wife and he said shes doing well. And I asked him about his father and his father is fighting very hard, and he loves his father and he loves his wife, so it was sad.

'We had a great talk for half an hour, a little more than half an hour. We had a great, great talk,' Trump revealed.

He also nodded at the Prince's good looks, telling the outlet: 'He's a good looking guy.'

'He looked really, very handsome last night. Some people look better in person? He looked great. He looked really nice, and I told him that.'

Overall, Trump said he really enjoyed his time there, adding that 'we got along great,' in reference to the group of world leaders that were in attendance.

He noted that the group was 'similar' to what he experienced four years ago when he was president, and that he hopes they can all come together to 'straighten out the world a little bit.'

In terms of the French cathedral, Trump was very honored to be there following the 'very sad day in the world when it was burning.'

'You know, it represented one of the ultimate places for religion and for Christianity, and I thought it was a really sad day. So I was invited by the prime minister and he treated our country very nicely, and he did a great job.'
Last week's murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in the heart of Midtown Manhattan has left investigators scrambling to piece together a chilling puzzle.

It's one that retired FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer says bears all the hallmarks of a killer driven by a calculated desire to send a message.

Thompson, 50, was gunned down in broad daylight on December 4 outside the Hilton Hotel, where he was set to attend an investor meeting.

But the brazen nature of the crime and the cryptic clues left behind have captivated public attention and led Coffindaffer to conclude this was far more than a random act of violence.

'This seems much larger, like a vigilante,' Coffindaffer told The Daily Beast. 'Somebody who is well prepared to make a big statement and blames UnitedHealthcare.'

Among the evidence left at the scene were shell casings etched with the words 'deny,' 'defend,' and 'depose.'

Days later, police recovered a backpack believed to belong to the suspect, stuffed with Monopoly money.

Coffindaffer believes the killer's choice of symbols underscores a broader grievance against the healthcare industry.

Last week's murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in the heart of Midtown Manhattan has left investigators scrambling to piece together a chilling puzzle

The brazen nature of the crime and the cryptic clues left behind have captivated public attention

Thompson, 50, was gunned down in broad daylight on December 4 outside the Hilton Hotel, where he was set to attend an investor meeting

'With 'depose,' I think people assumed it referred to legal depositions, but I think it meant something more forcefultaking someone from office, which is exactly what he did,' Coffindaffer explained.

'To me, this seems like somebody far beyond just a personal situation that he lost a family member or a loved one due to lack of being insured,' Coffindaffer said.

As for the Monopoly money, Coffindaffer said she believed that it served as an indictment of UnitedHealthcare's practices, possibly symbolizing greed or corporate monopoly.

'This is not someone acting on impulse,' she added. 'This is a sign of somebody that is truly narcissistic in nature. They're just trying to really make themselves stand out as this intelligent, smarter than police type figure. That's the motivation here, more than the messaging.'

Coffindaffer also noted the extensive planning that likely went into the attack.

'I don't think I've seen this level of operational preplanning in any crime, never mind in a murder,' said former chief of department in the NYPD Kenneth E. Corey to the New York Times.

'Manhunts are all very different, and they get more complicated when they go outside the area.'

The suspect reportedly spent 10 days in Manhattan, including Thanksgiving, staying in a local youth hostel. Such a timeline suggests meticulous preparation.

'I think he would have practiced. He would have done the route. He knew exactly what he wanted to do. I'm wondering what family might not be noticing that their loved one was gone,' Coffindaffer said. 'I just found the timing very interesting.'

Law enforcement has since tracked the suspect to an uptown bus terminal and have been using divers to search Central Park's lakes and ponds for additional evidence.

A bag believed to belong to the killer was found near Bethesda Fountain last week, adding another piece to the puzzle.

FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer says the murder bears all the hallmarks of a killer driven by a calculated desire to send a message

Among the evidence left at the scene were shell casings etched with the words 'deny,' 'defend,' and 'depose'

A New York City Police officer walks through brush and foliage in Central Park while searching for a backpack dropped in the park by the person suspected of killing Thompson on Wednesday

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he is determined to find the killer.

A 'Wanted' poster is put up by the New York City police department outside of the New York Hilton hotel near the scene where UnitedHealthcare's CEO Brian Thompson was shot dead

Coffindaffer believes the killer is deliberately toying with police by leaving behind such clues, feeding into a larger-than-life persona.

'This is someone who wants to be perceived as smarter than everyone else,' she said. 'More than the message, they want to elevate themselves as a figure who can outmaneuver the system.'

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he is determined to find the killer.

'Let him continue to believe he can hide behind a mask. We're going to reveal who he is, and we're going to bring him to justice,' he said.

As the investigation enters its second week, the pressure is mounting to identify the masked assailant and uncover the motive behind this high-profile assassination.

Forensic analysis of the shell casings, surveillance footage, and the recovered backpack may provide critical breakthroughs.

Coffindaffer's insights suggest that the killer is not only deeply motivated but also eerily confident in their ability to evade capture

'This isn't over,' Coffindaffer said. 'But whoever this person is, they've left a trail. And sooner or later, that trail is going to lead right to them.'
A fundamentalist Islamic cleric who labelled the Jewish race as 'vile' and 'treacherous' has spread a disturbing theory online in the wake of the Melbourne synagogue firebombing.

Controversial preacher Wissam Haddad told followers on Sunday he believed the Jewish community burned the place of worship 'in order to draw public sympathy'.

The Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne's east has been boarded up in the days since it was gutted by a devastating arson attack last Friday morning which rocked the Jewish community.

The incident has been labelled an act of 'terrorism' by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Victorian Police.

Mr Haddad claimed that the synagogue attack was a 'false flag' in a social media post.

'If Israel would kill its own citizens in a 'Hannibal directive', call me a conspiracy theorist, but is it plausible that a synagogue would be burnt in order to draw public sympathy or swing a parliamentary vote falseflag,' he wrote on Sunday.

The outspoken preacher previously told worshippers that Jews were 'cowards' in the Quran and still are today, before likening them to 'rats' under the name Abu Ousayd.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Mr Haddad regarding his comments.

Controversial preacher Wissam Haddadis currently being sued over previous comments he made about Jewish peoples

A post shared to Wissam Haddad's Instagram story suggested the firebombing was committed as a 'false flag' operation to draw sympathy

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry is currently suing Mr Haddad in the Federal Court as a result.

The organisation alleges he breached the Racial Discrimination Act in speeches made in 2023 at the Al Madina Dawah Centre in Bankstown.

Mr Haddad repudiated the suit in a video posted to YouTube last month, arguing he made the comments in reference to Islamic scriptures.

He claimed some anti-Semitic comments were 'facts'.

'I brought up verses from the Koran  and sayings (from) Mohammad that speak about the Jews, and said things that the Jewish community felt they'd been insulted over,' he said at the time.

A firebombing was carried out against a Melbourne synagogue in the early hours of Friday morning, authorities have since classed it a 'terrorist attack'

Messages and flowers are seen attached to the fence at the gutted Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea in Melbourne's east

'We can speak about the Koran and what it says about Jews, the Christians can do the same, and the Jews can speak about us ... (The Jewish council) turned it into a big issue.'

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has since labelled the synagogue attack as a labelling the attack as an act of terrorism

'My personal opinion is yes (it is terrorism), but there is a technical process,' he said on Sunday.

'...But if you want my personal view quite clearly, terrorism is something that is aimed at creating fear in the community and the atrocities that occurred at the synagogue in Melbourne clearly were designed to create fear in the community.'

Victoria Police deliberated on the firebombing attack's classification over the weekend and ultimately decided to treat it as an act of terrorism on Monday morning.

Victoria Police Commissioner Shane Patton made the declaration following advice from Australian Federal Police counterparts and ASIO.

He said it was 'clear' the 'callous' firebombing was 'targeted and a horrific attack on the synagogue'.

'By default, it's an attack on the Jewish people,' Commissioner Paton said.

Police are currently looking for three suspects, and the investigation will be handled by the joint counter-terrorism team.
A mother-of-two who drinks and baths in her own urine for health reasons is under investigation for giving it to her pet dog.

Lucy Goldswain, 42, from Kuranda, north of Cairns in Queensland's far north, sought advice on social media after finding a tick on her dog Gayaa, which was causing adverse side effects including paralysis.

The yoga teacher then ignored dozens of comments begging her to seek professional help and instead, 'asked the Pendulum' if the tick was alive and gave the animal her 'aged urine,' to treat it.

'Ask the pendulum' is a technique that involves asking a question to a pendulum and interpreting its movements as a response.

Outraged followers have since reported Goldswain's reckless behaviour to the RSPCA, which has launched an investigation into the matter.

Goldswain has shunned modern day medicine for years and claims she can cure illness and even grow new teeth by drinking her urine 'on loop straight from the cup you pee into,' or after it's stored and 'aged.'

The bizarre situation unfolded on November 30, when Goldswain, who lives in a converted school bus with her two children, noticed the tick on her dog's head.

Going by the user name Lucy Aura, she initially asked her 2766 TikTok followers for advice, before deciding to follow her 'intuition,' and use essential oils to treat the parasite.

However, days later when the tick still attached to the small dog, Goldswain continued her videos explaining that while Gayaa seemed to be suffering from paralysis, a known side effect from tick bites, she was confident her urine would heal him.

Lucy Goldswain has come under fire for treating her dog with aged urine for a tick bite

Lucy Goldswain's dog Gayaa was showing signs of paralysis and was unable to move one eye

'The eye has been rolling heaps and not blinking,' Goldswain said.

'Gayaa is absolutely fine otherwise apart from the eye not blinking.

'He is running around, he is eating and I actually gave him some of my aged urine because I have a pot of it here.

'And he happilyyou know dogs happily lick urine and it's medicine so I decided to give it to him.'

Goldswain explained that she didn't feel the need to pay a vet bill because she has been able to 'speak to animals for a long time'.

'I'm following my intuition and I'm not going to get a consultation because I feel like a lot of times we just pay this money for reassurance so I have decided not to take him to the vets,' she said.

Her comments sparked outrage from viewers who immediately took to the comment section trying to change her mind.

'Sounds and looks like paralysis! He needs a vet, it isn't about intuition and giving him your urine! Do the right thing by him at the very least. This is what happens with ticks,' one viewer urged.

Another added: 'You are insane. Someone needs to call the RSPCA to go and check on that dog. You need serious help and we all know you wont get it, but at the very least do it for your defenceless dog.'

The RSPCA has received multiple complaints about the matter

Lucy Goldswain is pictured with her dog Gayaa

A third wrote: 'I work in animal emergency. You need to take this dog to the vet as a priority. No vet will give you advice over the phone as they need to do their own physical assessment in order to treat properly.

Furious followers later shared their replies from the RSPCA after they reported the situation.

The email replies confirmed that animal inspectors were looking into the matter.

'Thank you for contacting the RSPCA Queensland, we appreciate your concern.

'We have received a number of reports about this matter, our inspectors are aware and currently dealing with the situation.'

Goldswain later addressed numerous the reports to the RSPCA claiming she was a neglectful dog owner, admitting that she had not registered her dog.

'Personally I would like to go for some sort of sovereign citizenship, sovereign identity you know, there are lots of people I know who are doing it and there is a whole movement going on up here,' Goldswain said.

'I wonder if he is going to be the first free dog? The first sovereign dog? I would love to fight for his freedom. Fight for his sovereigness not having to be registered and be a free animal on the land.'

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to Goldswain for comment.
A major airline has finalised plans to axe a popular route which has been in operation for almost three decades, leaving many Aussie travellers scrambling to find alternative plans.

Emirates announced on Monday that direct flights between Melbourne and Singapore will end March 30 next year.

The news first emerged in September but a date wasn't revealed at the time.

At the same time the popular route will cease, Emirates will begin a third non-stop service from Melbourne to Dubai.

Passengers who have tickets for the Singapore-Melbourne route beyond March 30 will be offered alternative travel arrangements or receive a full refund from Emirates.

But Aussie travellers who have already booked flights now fear that their trip will be at risk if they can't make alternative arrangements.

Chelsea Carden was booked to fly business class from Melbourne to Singapore with Emirates, before boarding an Air France flight to Paris next June.

She used Qantas points that she had saved up for years to lock in the flights.

Emirates will be scrapping its flights between Melbourne and Singapore after servicing the route for 28 years

'I cant believe they havent told us anything yet,' Ms Carden told news.com.au.

'I will now have to find a new flight to get to Singapore for our flight to Paris.'

Once the Melburnian realised she needed to find new flights, she started looking immediately.

But airfares that she could buy with Qantas points were 'so expensive'.

Qantas is in the process of contacting customers to help them find alternate travel plans or to issue a refund.

At the moment, Emirates has two non-stop flights between Dubai and Melbourne daily using the airline's A380 planes.

It will become three daily flights from March 30 after a refurbished Boeing 777 is added to the route.

The addition of the extra plane means Emirates will have a staggering 3,472 weekly premium economy seats across Melbourne and Sydney.

The refurbished Boeing 777 has eight first class suites, 40 business class seats and 25 economy, in addition to the 24 premium economy spots.

Emirates won't be stopping its route between Singapore (pictured) and Dubai

Emirates said the third daily non-stop flight from Melbourne will give passengers 'more convenient schedules and choice' to travel to Dubai and then to Europe.

The airline also has multiple daily flights from Dubai to 27 European cities, such as London, Paris and Frankfurt.

Despite ceasing the Melbourne to Singapore route, Emirates will continue operating its Singapore-Dubai route but with new flight numbers.

Daily Mail Australia contacted Emirates and Qantas for comment.
Striking San Francisco hotel workers and members of Unite Here Local 2 march downtown in October. The workers are calling on JPMorgan to cancel its January conference, which often fills downtown hotels. Carlos Avila Gonzalez/The Chronicle Hotel workers picket outside the San Francisco Marriott Marquis at Fourth and Mission streets in San Francisco earlier this fall. Unite Here Local 2

Striking San Francisco hotel workers are calling on JPMorgan Chase to cancel its January health care conference in the city, escalating demands amid a months-long contract dispute.

The JPMorgan event is billed as one of the largest health care conferences in the world and draws over 8,000 attendees. Hotel rates during the event typically spike to over $1,000 per night. The companys 2025 conference is scheduled for Jan. 13-16, a week after Daniel Lurie is sworn in as San Franciscos mayor. The event would kick off a critical year for the citys tourism industry, which is seeking to bounce back after major convention bookings dropped in 2024.

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Around 2,500 workers have been on strike at some of the citys largest hotels since September, demanding better wages and health care benefits. Dozens of members of the hotel union Unite Here Local 2 were arrested in October after blocking the street outside the Westin St. Francis, one of the hotels where workers have walked out  and where the health care conference is centered.

Attendees of the JPMorgan Healthcare Conference and other pedestrians walk on Powell Street outside the Westin St. Francis hotel in San Francisco in early 2024. The conference returns to the city in January. Lea Suzuki/The Chronicle

The big pharma and insurance executives who do deals at J.P. Morgan every year have driven up the price of health care, and now, thousands of workers are on strike because the hotels dont want to pay these out-of-control costs. We are calling on J.P. Morgan to cancel its 2025 Healthcare Conference in San Francisco because the event simply cannot be held successfully with workers on strike at hotels accounting for 27.5% of the citys full-service hotel rooms, said Lizzy Tapia, president of Unite Here Local 2, in a statement.

She said the union is emailing, calling and visiting prospective attendees in person to discourage them from going to the event. The effort comes as the nations health care industry is already on edge after the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York last week.

JPMorgan declined to comment.

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The union is negotiating with the largest hotel management firms, including Hilton, Hyatt and Marriott. Hotel representatives have said they remain willing to negotiate.

Weve been in ongoing conversations with both sides and have encouraged them to seek mediation to come to a solution. Weve offered to help bring them together, including using our labor team to support, and we reiterated that offer just last week, said Jeff Cretan, Mayor London Breeds spokesperson.

In contrast, striking hotel workers reached contract deals in San Jose, Hawaii, San Diego and Boston to end labor actions.

San Francisco has lost numerous major conventions since the pandemic, including events from Meta, Google and medical groups. Remote work has also lessened business travel, further hurting the hotel market, which has lagged almost every other major U.S. city. Moscone Center bookings are up to 30 events in 2025, with hotel room nights tied to conferences up 59% to 659,000 compared to 2024. (The JPMorgan conference is not held at Moscone.)
The assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan last week has captured national attention, not only for the brazen nature of the act but also for the bizarre clues left behind.

Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Carole Lieberman believes the items discovered in the wake of the killing, including a backpack stuffed full of Monopoly money, offer a disturbing insight into the mindset of a killer intent on delivering a chilling message.

Lieberman believes the killer meant to throw a stack of Monopoly bills over the body of Thompson, 50, as he lay dying after being shot, but forgot to take them out of his backpack following the shooting on December 4 outside the Hilton Hotel.

While the manhunt for the masked gunman continues, the focus has shifted to the evidence recovered at the scene and nearby locations.

Among the items left behind were shell casings inscribed with the words 'deny,' 'defend,' and 'depose', phrases tied to common healthcare practices.

Days later, a backpack believed to belong to the suspect was found, stuffed with Monopoly money.

Dr. Lieberman believes the clues are both an intentional and sinister commentary on UnitedHealthcare and its business practices.

'The Monopoly money conveys messages, both that UnitedHealthcare is a ripoff that steals money from patients in order to pay its executives millions, and that it is itself a monopoly,' Lieberman said in an interview with The Daily Beast.

The assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan last week has captured national attention, not only for the brazen nature of the act but also for the bizarre clues left behind

A backpack was found by cops in Central park which was said to be stuffed with Monopoly money

The suspected shooter, complete with backpack, is seen at a Starbucks before the shooting, on Sixth Avenue

'He may have planned to scatter the Monopoly money around the CEO's body after he shot him, but he forgot to take the bills out of his backpack.'

Lieberman's interpretation of the Monopoly money further solidifies the theory that the suspect harbored deep-seated animosity toward UnitedHealthcare.

By using symbols tied to greed and financial manipulation, the killer seemingly sought to expose the industry's perceived injustices in the most dramatic way possible.

Forensic psychiatrist Dr. Carole Lieberman believes the items discovered in the wake of the killing, including a backpack stuffed full of Monopoly money, offer a disturbing insight into the mindset of a killer intent on delivering a chilling message

Dr. Lieberman's analysis points to a calculated and symbolic act designed to indict the healthcare industry.

'This wasn't just about taking a life,' Lieberman said. 'This was about sending a messagea deeply twisted, deeply calculated one.'

The shell casings, emblazoned with terms like 'deny' and 'defend,' may refer to insurance practices that some critics argue prioritize profit over patient care.

Police believe the suspect spent 10 days in New York, including Thanksgiving, staying at a Manhattan hostel while planning the attack.

Surveillance footage captured the suspect fleeing toward Central Park immediately after the killing, where additional evidence, including the backpack, was later recovered.

A forensic psychiatrist believes the killer intended to scatter the Monopoly money around the CEO's body after he was shot but forgot to remove the stack of bills from his backpack

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot dead Wednesday morning outside the Hilton

As Thompson stumbled down the street, a witness in the hotel's entryway sprinted away

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said he is determined to find the killer.

Lieberman also highlighted the precision and forethought involved in carrying out such a high-profile crime during the holiday season.

'This was not an impulsive act,' she noted, adding that the suspect's intention to scatter the Monopoly money suggests a premeditated plan to amplify the crime's symbolic weight.

Authorities are now working to piece together the suspect's movements and motivations.

A scuba team has been deployed to search Central Park's waters for more evidence, while detectives analyze the recovered items for potential forensic leads.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has vowed to bring the assailant to justice. 'Let him continue to believe he can hide behind a mask,' Adams said. 'We're going to reveal who he is, and we're going to bring him to justice.'
A man was killed when he was struck by an object which flew off a passing caravan as two teens in the backseat watched on in horror.

The Canberra man, 49, was driving along Burley Griffin Way at Galong in NSW Hilltops region on Sunday night when an item from a caravan travelling in the opposite direction was dislodged.

The unknown object smashed through the front windscreen and struck the man in the head.

The man died before emergency responders arrived at the scene.

A woman, 48 and two girls, 16 and 13, travelling in the same vehicle weren't injured but were taken to Canberra Hospital suffering from shock.

The man, 32, towing the caravan wasn't injured.

A man, 49, was killed on Burley Griffin Way at Galong (pictured) after an item fell from a caravan and penetrated his windshield

He was transported to Harden Hospital for mandatory testing.

Crash Investigation Unit officers have spent time examining the crime scene

Police investigations into the incident continue.

Anybody with information, dashcam or mobile phone footage has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers.

Hilltops Mayor Brian Ingram urged drivers to take care on the Burley Griffin Way this holiday season.

'Any time during the year is busy but especially this time, the traffic volume gets increased,' he told the ABC.

'This accident is extremely sad.'
BBC world affairs editor John Simpson is facing a backlash after describing deposed Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad as 'weak rather than wicked'.

The renowned journalist also said on Sunday he had found Assad 'meek' and the 'reverse of the traditional dictator' in person.

Writing on X, Mr Simpson said: 'Bashar al-Assad has done many evil things, but he's weak rather than wicked.

'His family members, Iran and especially Russia told him what to do, and he feebly did it. In person, I found him meek and anxious to please  the reverse of the traditional dictator.'

Within minutes of sending the post, Mr Simpson faced criticism from people such as Piers Morgan and former Tory skills minister Robert Halfon - who labelled the tweet as 'disgraceful'.

Mr Halfon said: 'This is a disgraceful tweet Assad is the dictator who imprisoned thousands and massacred many many more of his own people using chemical weapons.'

Mr Morgan added: 'Try telling the people he tortured, murdered and unleashed chemical weapons on, that he isn't wicked'

In the wake of the outrage, Mr Simpson responded: 'I'm not defending Assad, I'm trying to explain the precise nature of his crimes.'

BBC world affairs editor John Simpson said on Sunday he had found Assad 'meek' and the 'reverse of the traditional dictator' in person

Within minutes of sending this post, Mr Simpson faced criticism from the likes of Piers Morgan and former Tory skills minister Robert Halfon

In the aftermath of Assad's regime being toppled, a number of politicians who had previously warned against the UK taking action in Syria have remained silent

His comments came as Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the fall of President Assad's 'barbaric' regime on Sunday night as he flew to the region, while deputy PM Angela Rayner said that the former leader 'wasn't exactly good for the Syrian people'.

Clarifying his comments on BBC Breakfast on Monday morning, Mr Simpson said: 'I thought he [Assad] was incredibly weak and feeble. I've interviewed quite a lot of dictators over the years. I don't think I ever dared to ask Sudam Hussain "Are you in charge here?", he would have gone crazy.

'Bashar al-Assad had to explain the whole thing about how he really was in charge and it was clear he wasn't.

'That doesn't absolve him of any of the blame for any of the evil things his regime does, but he was the glove puppet that other people were ordering him to do.'

In the aftermath of Assad's regime being toppled, a number of politicians who had previously warned against the UK taking action in Syria have remained silent.

Despite having said in 2018 that his popularity in Syria had been underestimated, the head of the foreign affairs select committee Emily Thornberry described Assad as 'a murderous tyrant' this weekend.

Speaking on Sunday, Ms Thornberry told The Telegraph: 'We can only celebrate the end of the reign of a murderous tyrant who prosecuted the most brutal of wars upon his own people. The question we have to ask, even in these moments of celebration, is what happens next?'

But in 2018, she told Prospect magazine: 'I think there has been a depth and a breadth of support for Assad that has been underestimated ... there is an argument that if he had been as overwhelmingly unpopular as the rebels told the West at the outset, then he wouldn't be there.'

Despite having said in 2018 that his popularity in Syria had been underestimated, the head of the foreign affairs select committee Emily Thornberry described Assad as 'a murderous tyrant' this weekend

Ms Thornberry had been criticised alongside Jeremy Corbyn, the then Labour leader and now-independent MP, for their response to a 2018 chemical attack on Douma, which the US, France and Britain concluded was conducted by the Assad regime.

Mr Corbyn said at the time: 'The horrific deaths and injuries in Douma point to a chemical attack, which must be fully investigated by the UN and those responsible held to account. The need to restart real negotiations for peace and a political settlement in Syria could not be more urgent.'

Meanwhile, George Galloway, the former Workers Party of Britain MP, said on Sunday that the toppling of the Assad regime meant 'the last castle of Arab dignity has fallen'. He had called the former president a 'breath of fresh air' in 2005.

MailOnline have approached the BBC for a comment.
An 'iron press' that was allegedly used to crush and execute prisoners in Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's infamous Sednaya Prison has been revealed in new videos shared by rebels as they liberate inmates.

The notorious prison near Damascus - nicknamed the 'Human Slaughterhouse' - is synonymous with heinous torture, executions and human rights abuses carried out by the Assad regime, which was toppled by Syrian rebel forces this weekend.

Amnesty International claims dozens of people were secretly executed every week in Sednaya, estimating that up to 13,000 Syrians were killed between 2011 and 2016.

Footage of what appears to be some kind of large hydraulic press within the prison is yet to be verified, but tales of torture, deprivation, starvation and executions at Sednaya have been widely documented.

Syrian rebels are now exploring a labyrinth of underground tunnels and cells where many prisoners were reportedly held to ensure the jail is fully liberated.

Syria's 'White Helmets' civil defence group declared on X it has deployed 'specialised emergency teams' who are being helped by a guide familiar with the prison's layout to aid the rebels in freeing the detainees.

Earlier reports by the BBC said local officials had reported that the rebels were in a race against time to free thousands of inmates they claimed were trapped in underground, unventilated cells amid fears they could 'choke to death'.

But a statement by the campaign group Association for Detainees and the Missing in Saydnaya Prison (ADMSP) later said these reports were inaccurate and that there were no prisoners trapped in unventilated underground cells.

This device uncovered inside the Sednaya prison is said to be a hydraulic 'iron press' used to execute or torture inmates

Nooses were found after rebel fighters liberated the Sednaya Military Prison near Damascus

Amnesty International claims dozens of people were secretly executed every week in Sednaya

Ropes are seen strewn across the floor of the facility, which has become notorious for its brutal treatment of inmates

Teams continue to investigate allegations of a secret compartment in Sednaya Military Prison

Inmates are freed from the notorious Sednaya prison

Unverified footage reportedly shows rebels 'opening cells one by one' by breaking down walls, and they are said to have rescued 'hundreds of inmates' in Syria

As Syria's rebels swept towards the capital city last week, they made a point of liberating inmates from every jail they found, claiming most of the inhabitants were political prisoners of the Assad regime.

Over the past 10 days, insurgents freed prisoners in cities including Aleppo, Homs, Hama as well as Damascus.

Widely circulated footage has shown rebels 'opening cells one by one' by breaking down walls, and they are said to have rescued 'hundreds of inmates, including women and young children'.

At Sednaya, the terror experienced by the inmates was evident when the liberators arrived.

Women detainees, some with their children who were born behind bars, screamed as men broke the locks off their cell doors.

Others seemed almost reluctant to leave their cells, fearing reprisals, while one man freed from the prison wasn't able to speak when people asked him who he was.

'Don't be afraid - Bashar Assad has fallen! Why are you afraid?' one of the rebels was heard saying as he tried to rush streams of women out of their jam-packed tiny cells in one clip.

Another heartbreaking video showed a toddler stumbling out of unlocked cell doors looking confused.

Syria's prisons are infamous for their harsh conditions.

Torture is systematic, say human rights groups, whistleblowers, and former detainees.

Secret executions have been reported at more than two dozen facilities run by Syrian intelligence, as well as at other sites.

In 2013, a Syrian military defector, known as 'Caesar,' smuggled out over 53,000 photographs that human rights groups say showed clear evidence of rampant torture, but also disease and starvation in Syria's prison facilities.

Syria's feared security apparatus and prisons did not only serve to isolate Assad's opponents, but also to instill fear among his own people said Lina Khatib, Associate Fellow in the Middle East and North Africa program at the London think tank Chatham House.

'Anxiety about being thrown in one of Assad's notorious prisons created wide mistrust among Syrians,' Khatib said. 'Assad nurtured this culture of fear to maintain control and crush political opposition.'

Inmates are freed from the notorious Sednaya prison

Rebels are seen breaking through the Sednaya prison

CCTV screens purportedly showing inmates and cells deep underground in Sednaya

Women detainees, some with their children who were born behind bars, screamed as men broke the locks off their cell doors

Some terrorised prisoners seemed almost reluctant to leave their cells, fearing reprisals

A man explores the depths of Sednaya prison after being freed by rebels

The Sednaya prison (pictured in satellite imagery) is famed for its inhumane conditions, systematic torture and mass executions

This is the heartbreaking moment a toddler is seen walking out of a Syrian prison cell inside tyrant President Bashar al-Assad's 'human slaughterhouse'

Women and children have been freed from despot President Bashar al-Assad's prison as Syrian rebels seize power of the country

Unverified footage on X reportedly shows inmates coming out of Sednaya Prison

Though some inmates were terrified when the rebels came to break the locks off their cell doors, many more were jubilant.

A torrent of videos circulating social media networks showed men, women and children screaming with delight as they poured out of prison walls to taste freedom for the first time in years.

They were boarded onto buses waiting outside the prison before being taken to their homes.

The rebels who were filmed releasing inmates at the Sednaya prison said: 'We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains and announcing the end of the era of injustice.'

Amnesty International research said the Syrian authorities had committed crimes against humanity at Sednaya, with thousands of inmates in the prison 30km north of Damascus believed to have been tortured and exterminated.

They determined that the violations committed at the brutal facilities over the last decade under Assad, which has seen over 10,000 political detainees vanish, were part of a systematic attack against civilians.

Assad previously denied accusations that his regime had killed thousands of detainees at Sednaya and had used a secret crematorium to dispose of their remains in 2017.

He also branded the allegations by the US State Department of up to 50 people being hanged daily at the brutal military prison as 'a new Hollywood story detached from reality'.

They were boarded onto buses waiting outside the prison before being taken to their homes

People yelped joyfully as they were freed where some had been incarcerated for decades

Toddlers could be seen in a video posted on X wandering around near unlocked prison doors while women yelped joyfully as they were freed where some had been incarcerated for decades

A rebel fighter walks down the stairs of the military prison near Damascus dubbed the 'industrial torture chamber ' has reportedly seen between 5,000 to 13,000 inmates hanged since 2011, according to AlJazeera

Journalist Samer Daboul, whose uncle was taken into custody for smuggling bread and vanished behind the prison walls in 2012, eagerly awaits news regarding the man who was 'one of the most influential people in his life'.

'He taught me about Syria's history, the revolution, and why it was necessary,' he told the BBC.

'I want him to know that the young man he inspired 12 years ago is now a journalist reporting on Syria. I want him to be proud of me.'

Several have taken to social media to encourage the rebels to reach the notoriously cruel prison and liberate its inmates, while others hope their relatives, who they have not seen or heard from - some in years - are still alive.

Meanwhile, many Syrian families skipped celebrations of the downfall of the Assad dynasty.

Instead, they waited outside prisons and security branch centres, hoping their loved ones would be there.

'This happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of prison and know where he is,' said Bassam Masri.

'I have been searching for him for two hours. He has been detained for 13 years,' - since the start of the Syrian uprising in 2011 - she said.

Rebels struggled to control the chaos as crowds gathered by the Court of Justice in Damascus.

Heba, who only gave her first name while speaking to an AP reporter, said she was looking for her brother and brother-in-law who were detained while reporting a stolen car in 2011 and hadn't been seen since.

'They took away so many of us,' said Heba, whose mother's cousin also disappeared. 'We know nothing about them... They (the Assad government) burned our hearts.'

Rebel soldiers could be heard shouting 'Allahu Akbar' - meaning 'God is great' - as they frantically cut through padlocks on jail cell doors

Syrians have pleaded for their loves ones to be freed from the notorious prison of Sednaya (pictured) after rebels freed thousands of detainees elsewhere in Homs

Rebel fighters stand on a military vehicle in Homs countryside, after Syrian rebels pressed their lightning advance on Saturday

A rebel fighter gestures in Homs countryside, after Syrian rebels pressed their lightning advance and later took control of the city

Residents in Hama set ablaze a large banner bearing a picture of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad hanging on the facade of a municipal building

A giant portrait of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad sets on a building, as empty streets seen in Damascus, Syria

Some Syrian prisoners freed this weekend were facing execution and have been granted a second chance at life.

Bashar Barhoum woke in his dungeon prison cell in Damascus at dawn Sunday, thinking it would be the last day of his life.

The 63-year-old writer was supposed to have been executed after being imprisoned for seven months.

But he soon realised the men at the door weren't from Assad's notorious security forces, ready to take him to his death.

Instead, they were rebels coming to set him free.

'I haven't seen the sun until today,' Barhoum told an AP reporter after walking in disbelief through the streets of Damascus following his jailbreak thanks to rebel forces.

'Instead of being dead tomorrow, thank God, he gave me a new lease of life.'

Barhoum couldn't find his phone and belongings in the prison so set off to find a way to tell his wife and daughters that he is alive and well.

Syrian rebels reached Damascus over the weekend and overthrew President Bashar al-Assad's government following nearly 14 years of civil war.

Assad fled to Moscow, where he and his family were granted asylum.

The successful uprising has raised hopes for a more peaceful future but also concerns about a potential security vacuum in the country, which is still split among armed groups.
A US woman who flew to Australia with a gold plated pistol in her luggage has been sentenced to a year behind bars, despite claiming she brought it with her for protection.

Liliana Goodson pleaded guilty to charges of illegally importing an unauthorised firearm and illegally importing ammunition.

The 30-year-old on Monday was sentenced in Sydney's Downing Centre Local Court to a 12-month jail term, of which four months will be served in full-time custody.

Goodson was taken into custody immediately following the hearing and forced to remove her extensive jewellery before being handcuffed and led from the court.

She was initially arrested at Sydney Airport in April 2023, after customs officers uncovered the 24-carat gold-plated pistol, worth about $3000, in her luggage.

The court was previously told she had come to Australia to attend clown school and claimed she brought the gun for protection.

Goodson had searched online whether she was allowed to bring the weapon into Australia, despite telling officers at the time she forgot she had it with her.

When asked at the airport if she was carrying any prohibited items with her Goodson claimed she was not, the court was told.

Liliana Goodson has been sentenced to 12 months after bringing a gold firearm into Australia. Four months will be served in full-time custody (pictured arriving to court on Monday)

Liliana Goodson (pictured) travelled from Florida to attend clown school in Sydney but will now be spending time behind bars

'What about the gun in your bag?' she was asked by a customs officer.

Goodson replied: 'Oh yeah, I forgot about that.'

A review of Goodson's phone revealed she had searched online 'can I have a gun in my suitcase?' and set a calendar entry with a note reminding her to 'put gun in suitcase'.

Magistrate Susan Horan said there was a strong need to deter others from committing similar offences in the future, which could only be achieved by way of a period of incarceration.

'Australia has a strong stance against firearms,' she said.

Prosecutors submitted earlier that the gun looks particularly confronting and would 'terrify members of the community', which Horan agreed with.

The court heard that American had searched online if she was allowed to have a gun in her suitcase on her trip to Australia (pictured the gold pistol, worth about $3,000)

When asked by a custom's officer about the gun, Goodson replied that she had forgotten about it (pictured an x-ray of her luggage with the gun)

Goodson told police she was actually 'scared' of shooting the gun and hoped simply producing it would be enough to deter potential threats.

'If that didn't do it I would probably just pistol whip,' Goodson was quoted as having said.

When asked where she planned to store the gun while she was in Australia, she indicated under a vehicle's passenger seat, the court was told.

The court was told in recent years, Goodson was using psychedelic drugs, synthetic cannabis and crystal meth amphetamines.
Keir Starmer is on a whirlwind tour of the Middle East today as the world reels from the dramatic downfall of the Syrian regime.

The PM is visiting Abu Dhabi, the UAE and Saudi Arabia on a trip that was originally intended to be banging the drum for British business.

But the end of Assad's rule has been dominating, with Sir Keir hailing it as a 'very good thing' - while urging the restoration of 'peace and security'.

Syrians have been celebrating the overthrow of Assad after 13 years of civil war sparked by the president's violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters following the Arab Spring.

A coalition of rebels seized control of the capital Damascus in a lightning offensive overnight on Sunday, 11 days after launching a major operation.

Assad has been granted asylum by Russia, according to the Tass state news agency, where he met his British-born wife Asma and their children  who had already fled Syria.

Sir Keir welcomed the end of Assad's rule, but said it was 'early days' yet in deciding how Britain would choose to engage with those who have overthrown him.

The rebels' efforts were led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist group which is banned in the UK because of its past association with al Qaida, the terrorist organisation once led by Osama bin Laden.

Syrians have been celebrating the overthrow of Assad after 13 years of civil war sparked by the president's violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters

Keir Starmer meets UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi today

The PM and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahya shook hands for the camera today

Keir Starmer at the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque in Abu Dhabi this morning

Sir Keir welcomed the end of Assad's rule, but said it was 'early days' yet in deciding how Britain would choose to engage with those who have overthrown him

Russian president Vladimir Putin meets with al-Assad at the Kremlin in Moscow in July

HTS's leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani cut ties with al Qaida years ago, and is said to embrace tolerance of different religious groups and communities.

Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden said in a round of interviews this morning that the UK would look at the status of HTS 'in the days to come'.

He also insisted there had been 'no contact or no request' for the British wife of Bashar Assad to come to the UK.

Asma Assad was born in London in 1975, and was raised and educated in the city. She is now believed to be in Moscow with her husband, where the ousted Syrian leader has fled.

Sir Keir urged all sides in the conflict to protect civilians and ensure aid could reach the vulnerable, and also insisted on the need for a 'political solution' to safeguard Syria's future.

'The Syrian people have suffered under Assad's barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure,' the Prime Minister said.

The PM added: 'Our focus is now on ensuring a political solution prevails, and peace and stability is restored.

Asked whether he would be wiling to deal with HTS, Sir Keir told broadcasters in Abu Dhabi: 'It's very early days at the moment.

'We do need a political solution, and that's what we are talking to regional allies about. It is a good thing that Assad has gone, a very good thing for the Syrian people.'

The Home Office recognised that HTS's relationship with al Qaida had changed, as there had been a 'splintering between the two organisations'.

A spokesperson for the department said the Government did not routinely comment on whether a group was 'being considered for proscription or deproscription'.

Former spy chief Sir John Sawers said it would be 'rather ridiculous' if the UK was unable to engage with HTS because of the ban.

The ex-head of MI6 also told Sky News: 'I think the Home Secretary will be asking MI5 and the joint terrorism assessment centre for a review of the situation about Tahrir al-Sham and whether it should remain on the proscribed entity list.'

A Cabinet minister has suggested that people cannot be 'sure about what will happen next' in Syria.

Mr McFadden told Times Radio that the situation should be monitored 'very closely'.

He said: 'I don't think anyone can be sure about what will happen next. It's been a very fast-moving situation over the last week or so...

'I think there'll be mixed feelings after what's happened.

A woman celebrates the defeat of the Assad regime in the city of Qamishli

'The Assad regime was a brutal regime responsible for killing a huge amount of its own people, responsible for many people fleeing Syria over the years, so of course there'll be relief that the Assad regime has fallen.

'But that will also be mixed with huge uncertainty.'

Mr McFadden added: 'Will people's rights be respected? [...] That applies to women, it applies to religious minorities. What will the nature of this regime be?'
Have YOU been affected by dealings with Craybeck Law? Email aidan.radnedge.mol@mailonline.co.uk

A law firm is at the centre of a probe over allegations that at least 30 elderly or vulnerable people signing up with them lost control of their money and property.

Craybeck Law, based in Benfleet in Essex, is accused by the BBC of causing concern over how it dealt with clients who were handing over lasting power of attorney (LPA).

The company has today hit back in a statement on its website denying any wrongdoing and criticising the corporation over the claims made in a new BBC Radio 4 series.

Alleged victims are said to have felt under pressure to grant LPA to one of the firm's partners Ron Hiller before becoming worried about how their finances were being handled.

The opening episode of BBC Radio 4's new series Shadow World: The Willpower Detectives, broadcast today, draws attention to what reporters called 'a disturbing pattern of events' found when investigating 30 cases involving the company.

People granting LPA - a legal agreement handing over authority to make decisions on their behalf - told of then discovering they could not access their bank accounts.

They have also alleged that payments were taken out of their accounts without sufficient explanation and properties were sold for lower amounts than could have been expected.

Possessions were also cleared and disposed of without the knowledge of owners nor their informed consent, according to the BBC which also featured the allegations in a report on this morning's Today programme on Radio 4.

Have YOU been affected by dealings with Craybeck Law? Email aidan.radnedge.mol@mailonline.co.uk

One worried former client of Craybeck Law, named Petra, has told a new BBC investigation that she felt uneasy after signing up with the firm to handle her finances

Ron Hiller, a partner with Essex-based firm Craybeck Law, is at the centre of a new BBC Radio 4 investigation - the company has issued a statement denying any wrongdoing

Among those raising fears was a woman named Petra, from Letchworth in Hertfordshire, who told the programme Mr Hiller was brought to her home by an NHS social worker named Margaret Falegan.

Petra, who suffers from anxiety and had previously spoken to the social worker about struggling with her bills, says she felt 'very much' under pressure to sign up with Mr Huller and grant him LPA.

She managed to suspend the process after going to her local Citizens Advice Bureau and discussing her sense of unease.

Petra allegedly then received a letter from Mr Hiller stating: 'I've informed the mental health team, Stevenage, of your decision, as this may impact on the level of support they may have planned to provide you in the future.'

Consultant psychiatrist James Warner told the BBC: 'If an NHS or care worker is making introductions between their clients and potential attorneys that is very concerning.

'If [elderly or vulnerable people] don't have the ability to decide who they want to appoint as their attorneys, they shouldn't be appointing attorneys.'

Ms Falegan told the BBC she had not put pressure on anyone to sign up with Mr Hiller.

Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust has now opened an investigation into her and any other employees introducing Mr Hiller to potential clients.

An HPFT spokesperson told MailOnline today: 'Safeguarding of service users is our priority. We are clear that the concerns raised with us by the BBC are not in line with Trust policy, and are also not in line with Social Work Englands code of practice.

'We have launched an internal investigation and raised the matter with the appropriate professional bodies and the police. We cannot comment further on an ongoing investigation.'

Also featured in the new BBC investigation is a woman named Carole, in her 60s and who was living alone in Uxbridge, west London, before being admitted to hospital with an infection in April 2022.

She was subsequently transferred to a care home in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire, and says she was introduced there to Mr Hiller and granted him LPA over her finances.

Former neighbours in Uxbridge, Bert and Hazel, told the BBC of their concerns about her home there being cleared and sold for 355,000 despite other properties in the street being valued at up to 500,000.

The BBC quoted Carole as saying she had been advised by Craybeck Law to sell her house to pay care home fees and later informed the lower price was due to a lack of wider interest in buying in the area.

Her closest relative, a cousin Sandie, who lives 100 miles away, told the BBC she had asked the law firm for detailed accounts and received bank statements showing a series of 300 cash withdrawals from ATMs in Essex.

Sandie said Mr Hiller told her Carole had authorised the withdrawals.

Petra, who suffers from anxiety and had previously spoken to a social worker about struggling with her bills, says she felt 'very much' under pressure to sign up with Mr Hiller

The BBC also highlighted the sale of a house in Watford for 350,000 after its elderly owner named Elizabeth went to live in a care home and appointed Craybeck Law - before it was then allegedly left empty and sold several months later for 52,000.

The corporation quoted Craybeck Law as saying it would not comment on individual cases but that properties it handled were often in poor condition and could need to be sold swiftly to cover care home charges and 'to avoid the risk of a sale falling through'.

MailOnline has contacted Craybeck Law for comment.

In a statement posted on the home page of the firm's website, Craybeck Law hit back at the BBC and denied wrongdoing - while also saying it was respecting clients' confidentiality.

The company said it had been 'featured in a highly misleading and inaccurate way' in the new Radio 4 series, adding: 'We believe that we provide a high quality, understanding and empathetic service to our clients and fully refute any insinuation by the BBC to the contrary.

'The firm has clear processes and procedures to ensure we uphold the highest standards while working with clients in challenging circumstances.

'If a client is unhappy with our services, we have a clearly advertised complaints procedure and would encourage them to raise any issues or concerns with us so that we can address these with them.

'As you probably know if you are reading this, we provide services to vulnerable individuals that have been let down by a stretched care and social services system - an ongoing societal problem that impacts many people around the country and is well documented.

'We were asked to comment on client matters which, as a regulated law firm, the Solicitors Regulation Authoritys Codes of Conduct (as well as our obligations under the UK General Data Protection Regulation) prevent us from discussing without informed client consent.

'We know that you rely on us to protect your confidential information and in this instance we have done so despite the fact that this limits our ability to protect our own reputations and livelihoods.

'Looking after our clients' best interests will remain at the heart of everything we do. In the meantime, what we can say is that much of what has been put to us is inaccurate and is based on second or third hand hearsay.'
Comedian Sam Taunton left other hosts on The Project speechless after making a joke about the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was gunned down in the heart of New York.

The panel were discussing the bizarre details of the December 4 murder case, after U.S. police located the unknown gunmans backpack in Central Park and discovered a wad of Monopoly money inside.

'Well let's hope there's not a "get out of jail free" card in that backpack, 'cause he might go free,' Taunton joked.

The remark prompted awkward silence followed by scattered laughter in the audience.

His co-hosts remained stony-faced as Hamish Macdonald inhaled sharply.

'That's nice,' Steve Price eventually responded.

'Thanks, Pricey,' Taunton replied, before Sarah Harris looked to change the subject.

'Thanks for bringing it home for us Sammy,' she said diplomatically, as she quickly wrapped up the segment.

Hosts on The Project were left shocked by a quip made by comedian Sam Taunton about Brian Thompson's killer

Sam Taunton said he hoped the suspected killer didn't have a 'get out of jail free' card following the discovery of Monopoly money in the gunman's backpack

The hosts had earlier voiced their distain toward the public reaction to the brazen shooting outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan.

A post on UnitedHealthcare's Facebook page following Mr Thompson's death had garnered thousands of 'laughing' reactions, which Harris described as 'a touch ghoulish'.

'Can it get any more bizarre than this?' Price commented.

'People talking about how good-looking the killer is. I suppose it goes back to the fact in the U.S. that it's hard to get medical insurance.'

Price's disapproval of the widespread public support for the gunman contrasted with Taunton making light of the killing highlights the stark generational divide that has emerged in response to the NYC shooting.

Generally, young people support the assassin and believe Mr Thompson deserved to die. By contrast, older people believe the gunman's actions were inexcusable.

Police found a backpack in Central Park containing a wad of Monopoly money some believe the killer intended to litter over Mr Thompson's body.

Bullet casings inscribed with the words 'deny', 'defend' and 'depose' were also left behind, perhaps linked to common healthcare practices.

Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare was shot dead in New York on December 4

Many have theorised the suspect harboured deep-rooted animosity towards UnitedHealthcare and the American health insurance industry.

One expert even suggested the killing wasn't about 'taking a life' but that it 'was about sending a message  a deeply twisted, deeply calculated one'.

Police believe the suspect had spent about 10 days in New York in a hostel while he planned the attack.

CCTV footage nearby to the scene appeared to capture the gunman making off toward Central Park after the shooting.

The Mayor of New York City earlier vowed to find the assailant.

'Let him continue to believe he can hide behind a mask,' Mr Adams said. 'We're going to reveal who he is, and we're going to bring him to justice.'

In breaking news on Tuesday morning (AEDT), American authorities announced they had arrested 'anti-capitalist' Ivy League graduate Luigi Mangione in Pennsylvania on firearms charges. He has not been charged with Mr Thompson's murder.

The killer remains at large as US authorities ramp up the manhunt to track him down

Thousands declared they were happy the chief executive had been killed and mocked the US' widely-criticised private healthcare system.

Democrat congressman Dean Phillips condemned the online remarks.

'Seems like leftists opposed to killing terrorists in the Middle East support killing CEOs in Midtown Manhattan,' he said.
The dramatic downfall of Syria's iron-fisted leader Bashar al-Assad marks an end to over 50 years of his family's brutal rule.

Rebel forces ousted the dictator after taking control of the capital, Damascus, on Sunday - the latest chapter in a bloody civil war that started in 2011 and saw the country become a hub for extremist group ISIS.

Assad - who is now believed to be in Russia with his family after being granted asylum by Putin - ruled Syria for 24 years, just five short of of his father's time in power. But it was never intended for him to take control of the dynasty.

Before his political career began, Assad was based in London, where he met his wife and worked as an ophthalmologist.

But a devastating family tragedy which saw his elder brother die suddenly would throw a spanner in the works and bring Assad back to Syria where he began his brutal reign, despite his lack of military or political experience.

His forces have since been accused of severe human rights violations and cruel assaults against civilians throughout the 13-year civil war, including the use of chemical weapons against their own people.

The heavily Western-sanctioned and internationally isolated regime has clung to power until now, thanks to opposition forces reaching Damascus and recapturing areas on the outskirts of the capital following a years-long siege.

Bahsar al-Assad ruled Syria for 24 years, just five short of of his father's time in power, but it was never intended for Assad to take control of the dynasty

Early years as an eye doctor

Before Assad took control of Damascus, he was an eye doctor in London.

He received his early education in Damascus and studied medicine at the University of Damascus, graduating as an ophthalmologist in 1988.

Assad then served as an army doctor at a Damascus military hospital and in 1992 moved to London to continue his studies.

The only official position he held in his home country was the head of the Syrian Computer Society.

During his time in the UK capital, Assad met his future wife, Asma Akhras, a former investment banker at JPMorgan who grew up in Acton, west London.

Four years after the pair met, they married in Syria in the same year he took over control of the county - following the death of his father Hafez al-Assad, who died aged 69.

Assad was thrown into the political fray in 1994 after his older brother - and heir to the presidency - Bassel was killed in a car crash in Damascus.

The eye doctor was called back to Syria where he would be prepared through the country's intense military training to take on the role as leader.

After gruelling training at a military academy, Assad eventually went on to gain the rank of colonel in the elite Republican Guard.

But there was never any question around who would take over, as when Hafez al-Assad died in 2000, parliament rushed to lover the presidential age from 40 to 34.

His rise to president was then confirmed after a nationwide referendum placed him as the only candidate for the role.

Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma al-Assad pose during a visit to the Great Wall of China at Badaling on June 22, 2004

For years Asma was the face of female liberation in the Middle East; with her successful career in banking and her secular British upbringing

The pair married in Syria in the same year Assad took over control of the county - following the death of his father Hafez al-Assad, who died aged 69

A picture believed to be showing Syrian President Bashar al-Assad wearing only speedos is taken by Rebels following the capture of his palace in Aleppo

The images of Assad wearing speedos has generated ridicule on social media

The optimism for reform

After the death of his father, Assad was 10 days later appointed secretary-general of the ruling Ba'ath Party, and two days after that, the party congress nominated him as its candidate for the presidency.

Less than a month later, running unopposed, Assad was elected to a seven-year term.

Although many Syrians objected to the transfer of power from father to son, Assad's ascent initially gained optimism both in Syria and internationally.

His youth, education, and exposure to the West appeared to offer the potential of a departure from what the country had been subject to - an authoritarian state policed by a network of powerful security and intelligence agencies.

In his inaugural speech, Assad reassured citizens of his commitment to economic liberalisation and promised to carry out a political reform - but he rejected a Western-style democracy as am appropriate model for Syrian politics.

Assad began his presidency with promises to fight corruption and open up to the media.

He quickly freed political prisoners and allowed for a more open discourse, and in the Damascus Spring, hubs appeared for intellectuals to discuss the arts, culture, and politics.

But these did not last long after 1,000 intellectuals signed a public petition calling for multiparty democracy and greater freedoms in 2001.

Assad continued to lift economic restrictions, let in foreign banks, and made way for imports while bolstering the private sector.

Syrian cities went on to see a rise in shopping outlets and new eateries as tourism levels rose throughout the nation.

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with Assad during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow on July 24, 2024

Iran's former president Mohammad Khatami (R) welcomes Assad (L) at the Saad Abad palace in Tehran on July 4, 2004

Syrian President Assad (L) talks to hisTunisian counterpart Zine El Abidine Ben Ali at the opening session of the Arab Summit in Damascus on March 29, 2008

Foreign policy

Abroad, Assad maintained his father's hard-line stance in Syria's decades-long conflict with Israel - insisting on a full return of the Israel-annexed Golan Heights.

In 2004, the United Nations Security Council ordered Syria to end its occupation of neighbouring Lebanon, leaving Assad to choose between complying or ignoring the demand.

He decided to comply and in turn ruin some of his father's legacy which left his family angered.

Assad became a key component in Iran's Axis of Resistance, allowing Iranian military forces to operate virtually unimpeded from Iran to Lebanon.

The leader then began to believe that the West was weak, deciding the more he demonstrated strength, the more he would achieve.

In early 2005, after the assassination of Lebanon's former prime minister Rafic al-Hariri, Assad - under pressure from Western and Arab nations - committed to the removal of Syrian troops from Lebanon, where they had been stationed since a 1976 military intervention.

When Hariri was killed by a bomb while driving in Beirut, the Syrian government was blamed and a pro-American government came into power there instead.

Assad became a key component in Iran's Axis of Resistance, allowing Iranian military forces to operate virtually unimpeded from Iran to Lebanon

The Syrian Civil War

Some years after turning his back on his father's legacy, Assad would embrace his brutal tactics when protests erupted against his rule in March 2011, during the Arab Spring.

While Syrian security forces used lethal force against demonstrators, Assad offered a variety of concessions, first shuffling his cabinet and then announcing that he would seek to abolish Syria's emergency law and its Supreme State Security Court, both of which were used to suppress political opposition.

However, implementation of those reforms coincided with a significant escalation of violence against protesters, drawing international condemnation for Assad and his government.

Deep levels of unrest spread around the country which led the government to deploy tanks and troops to several cities that had become centres of protest.

In May 2011, then US President Barack Obama said Assad's regime had 'chosen the path of murder and the mass arrests of its citizens' and called on him to lead a democratic transition 'or get out of the way.'

By September 2011, armed opposition groups had emerged and began launching attacks against Syrian forces.

Protesters in the southern city of Daraa were shot dead by government forces which sparked nationwide unrest.

Attempts at international mediation by the Arab League and the United Nations then proved to be unsuccessful as by mid-2012, the crisis had evolved into a full-blown civil war.

This would then go on to become world's largest refugee crisis, according to the UN, with more than 14million Syrians forced to flee their homes in search of safety.

A giant portrait of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad sets on a building, as empty streets seen in Damascus, Syria

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

Syrians in Lebanon flock to the Masnaa Border between Lebanon and Syria to return home

Assad's atrocities

In 2013, UN weapons inspectors returned 'overwhelming and indisputable' evidence of the use of nerve gas in Syria.

Assad faced calls for international military action against his government after the alleged chemical weapons attacks in the suburbs of Damascus.

Then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called the August 21 attack 'the worst use of weapons of mass destruction in the 21st century.'

The United States said that attack may have killed more than 1,400, including hundreds of civilians.

The Syrian opposition accused pro-Assad forces of having carried out the attacks, but Assad denied having used chemical weapons and asserted that, if such weapons had been used, rebel forces were to blame.

Assad's tactics against the rebels continued to draw international condemnation even when his forces refrained from using chemical weapons.

So-called 'barrel bombs' - dropped from helicopters and airplanes - were routinely used to devastating effect against military and civilian targets in rebel-held areas even though human rights groups insisted that employment of such indiscriminate weapons constituted as a war crime.

There have also been widespread reports of rape, beheadings, and torture.

Assad was propped up largely thanks to Russia - who stepped in to carry out decisive airstrikes in 2015 - and Iran, who both backed Syria militarily.

In 2020, Moscow backed a government offensive, which ended with a ceasefire with Turkey and froze most front lines.

Syrian officials have repeatedly denied allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The downfall

Many did not see the end of Assad's reign appearing in the near future, but just as his fortunes relied heavily on Moscow and Tehran, so did his fate, tied to their geopolitical priorities.

With Russia's brutal invasion of Ukraine lasting almost three years and Iran rocked by Israeli attacks on Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Syrian government's defences were exposed.

Rebel forces launched an attack on the northern city of Aleppo, which the government has held since 2016, and within a matter of days had stormed the country.

The leader had vowed to retaliate, with the Syrian military claiming they were preparing a counter-offensive, but the rebels continued to sweep their way to the capital where Assad said he remained until Saturday evening.

Assad has not been seen in Damascus since the rebels gained full control, with Russian TASS news agency revealing he and members of his family arrived in Moscow on Sunday.

A Kremlin source told the outlet: 'Russia, for humanitarian reasons, has granted them asylum.'

Assad's location was confirmed as Russian news agencies said Moscow had struck a deal with Syrian opposition leaders.

A source said the rebels have guaranteed the safety of Russian military bases and diplomatic institutions in Syria.

Syrians took to the streets to celebrate the downfall of Assad's government with chants and prayers, but what comes next for the county, and who governs it, is yet to be seen.

Residents in Hama set ablaze a large banner bearing a picture of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad hanging on the facade of a municipal building

Rebel fighters stand on a military vehicle in Homs countryside, after Syrian rebels pressed their lightning advance on Saturday

An opposition fighter steps on a broken bust of the late Syrian President Hafez Assad in Damascus on December 8

People kick a poster depicting Syrian President al-Assad after Syria's army command notified officers that his 24-year authoritarian rule has ended
An anti-abortion group has called for a ban on abortion pills being sent by post after a man was convicted of poisoning a woman with them.

Stuart Worby, 40, secretly spiked the orange juice of a woman with an abortion-inducing drug.

He was found guilty of sexual assault and administering a poison or using an instrument to procure a miscarriage and has been jailed for 12 years.

Worby, of Dereham, Norfolk, crushed a tablet of mifepristone into the drink of his victim then inserted another abortion drug inside her, after sexually assaulting her while she was blindfolded.

She had a severe physical reaction within a few hours, suffering vomiting, diarrhea, a high temperature and bleeding.

Right To Life UK is now calling on the government to suspend the ability for people to receive the pills by post, which was introduced during the pandemic, BBC News reported.

The British Pregnancy Advisory Service argued women should be able to have safe access to abortions and should not be punished for the 'actions of abusive men'.

Portuguese-national Nueza Cepeda was caught on CCTV giving Worby the drugs that he used to spike the victim.

Stuart Worby, 40, obtained two types of abortion drugs by persuading a friend's partner to pretend she was pregnant so she could have them prescribed them privately and give them to him

A photo issued by police of an example of the blue packet containing Mifepristone which was never recovered. Worby crushed a tablet of mifepristone into his victim's drink on the night of August 3, 2022, without her knowledge or consent

The woman, who is entitled to lifelong anonymity as the victim of a sexual offence, was 15 weeks pregnant when she miscarried.

A team of detectives who investigated the crime described it as one of the most shocking cases they had ever seen.

Cepeda had obtained the drugs by calling a London clinic posing as a pregnant woman who already had a family and wanted to terminate her pregnancy.

Cepeda, 39, of Dereham, pleaded guilty to supplying an instrument to procure a miscarriage, and was given a 22 month jail sentence suspended for two years.

The video, released by police also shows officers at Worby's home where he was arrested.

Worby accepted he had obtained the medication unlawfully but denied he ever gave it to the woman. One of the drugs used was found in foetal tissue following a post mortem examination.

The scheme which provides abortion pills by post enables women who are less than ten weeks pregnant to access abortion pills after a consultation with the doctor over the phone or via a video consultation.

The scheme was made permanent in March 2022 after initially being set up during the pandemic to ensure women had access to early terminations.

Stuart Worby (right) pictured on CCTV with a bag containing the drugs that were used to spike the victim. The bag was passed to him by Nueza Cepeda (left)

The blister pack found in Worby's bin after he drugged his victim, causing her to lose her baby

Some critics of the scheme say the lack of in-person appointments leaves the process open to abuse.

Earlier this year, a cross-party group of MPs called for face-to-face medical appointments to come back as a requirement.

Right To Life UK campaigns on issues such as abortion, assisted suicide and euthanasia.

Catherine Robinson, a spokesperson for the group, has called on the government to end the ability to obtain abortion pills by post in light of the Worby case.

She told BBC News: 'If at-home abortions had not been introduced, Stuart Worby would not have been able to obtain these pills from this abortion provider, and this tragic case would not have happened.

'The woman involved would not have been poisoned and her baby would not have had his or her life ended.'

The Department for Health and Social Care said there are no plans to review the system.

A spokesperson described it as a 'horrific case' and gave their sympathies to the victim.

Stuart Worby, of Dereham, Norfolk pictured outside Norwich Crown Court on October 29

They said: 'It is crucial that women who choose abortion are able to do so safely, and the department works closely with NHS England, the Care Quality Commission and providers to ensure that abortions are provided legally and with robust clinical oversight.'

They added that women prescribed medication to terminate a pregnancy were warned that it was illegal to give it to anyone else.

At first, Worby refused to take the victim to Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital, but he later did so and the following day she miscarried her healthy baby.

As she lost her baby, Worby text a friend saying, 'it's working' and, 'there is lots of blood'.

In a victim impact statement read to the court the victim said she felt she had 'failed to protect my baby'. She said she had 'gone from fertility clinic to fertility clinic' and 'being a mother was a dream to me'.

She added: 'This pain will never leave me knowing that this baby could have been my only chance to be a mother in this lifetime. I haven't been able to conceive and have another baby.'

Worby obtained two types of abortion drugs by persuading a friend's partner to pretend she was pregnant so she could get prescribed them privately, then give them to him.

He crushed a tablet of mifepristone into the drink of his victim - who was around 15 weeks pregnant - without her knowledge in what was described by prosecutors as 'deliberate, well planned and callous'.

Worby's friend Wayne Finney (pictured on October 29), of Swaffham, denied intentionally encouraging or assisting in the offence. He was found not guilty by the jury

Worby, of Dereham, Norfolk, later inserted a number of tablets of another abortion drug - misoprostol - inside the woman after using deception to engage in sexual activity with her.

He was jailed for 12 years for administering poison or using an instrument with intent to procure a miscarriage, and a concurrent eight years for sexual assault by penetration.

At Norwich Crown Court, Worby was also ordered to pay 10,000 compensation to his victim. He had denied both charges, but was found guilty at an earlier trial.

The woman who miscarried described her anguish at losing her baby in an emotional victim impact statement, saying she was now unable to have children after being diagnosed with an ovarian deficiency.

She said that her miscarriage had left her suffering 'grief that will never heal' knowing that she 'had failed' to protect her baby.

The woman said in her statement: 'I keep thinking what I could have done to protect my baby, but I have the deep pain of knowing that I have failed.

'This pain will never leave me, knowing that this baby could have been my only chance of being a mother in this lifetime.

'Although I now have a wonderful partner, we have been unable to conceive. I have to face the knowledge that the only baby I could have had was lost.'

The victim described being cross examined at Worby's trial as 'a horrible feeling' which had made her 'more upset'.

She added: 'I had a healthy pregnancy and was looking forward to giving birth to a beautiful baby. Becoming a mother was a dream that I was always hoping for.'
Wild parrots perch in a tree at Ina Coolbrith Park in San Franciscos North Beach neighborhood on June 24. Minh Connors/The Chronicle Wild parrots fly alongside the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco. The parrots are now roosting in Redwood Park alongside the iconic tower. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

San Franciscos colorful flock of wild parrots have only become more iconic, starring in a movie and last year being named the official animal of San Francisco.

Now theyve chosen an iconic new home. Recently, the birds moved from the Embarcadero and began roosting in the park adjacent to the Transamerica Pyramid  just as the skyscraper completed a major renovation and is being framed as a symbol of rebirth for the beleaguered post-pandemic downtown.

Its a cinematic move by the citys most cinematic creatures. (Apologies to the Pier 39 sea lions.) But experts who follow the wild parrots  officially cherry-headed conures  say its less about publicity and more likely about predators. Transamerica Redwood Park, it turns out, is good cover from hawks.

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I was genuinely very shocked because they are creatures of habit, said Sarah Lemarie, CEO of the parrot rescue nonprofit Mickaboo. They love routine. Theyre usually very predictable. So its kind of a big deal that they did something new and different.

Wild parrots perch on a window ledge at the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco. Theyre now roosting in the park next door and often take flight at dawn. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

The parrots arrived in San Francisco sometime before the mid-1980s, gaining fame when they were featured in Judy Irvings acclaimed documentary The Wild Parrots of Telegraph Hill, featuring author and steward of the parrots Mark Bittner.

I reached out to my parrot contacts after my colleague columnist Emily Hoeven posted a private social media photo of two birds outside her San Francisco window. At the time I wondered whether the flock had expanded beyond its approximate population of 220.

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Lemarie and Irving reported some bigger news: The flock had shacked up next to the most identifiable office building in the city, maybe the entire West Coast.

Lemarie discovered the move in March, when she traveled to release rehabilitated parrots in their last roosting place, in the poplars of Sue Bierman Park north of Embarcadero Center and the Vaillancourt Fountain. Many of the trees had fallen during strong 2023 storms, and the parrots were gone.

A Mickaboo volunteer on a scooter began searching nearby trees.

He started doing a little reconnaissance, Lemarie said. Pretty soon he started texting me, Theyre by the Pyramid! Come down here! 

Wild parrots flock above their new home, the Transamerica Redwood Park in San Francisco. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

My recent (very) early morning visit to Transamerica Redwood Park exceeded expectations. The birds were roosting  settling in to sleep  in trees surrounding the Pyramid, including eucalyptus trees along Washington Street and in the parks 50-year-old towering redwoods.

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Around dawn an early group bolted up Columbus Avenue in North Beach, presumably for their daytime travels to Lafayette Park in Pacific Heights, Aquatic Park and the Presidio. But a larger group of more than 100 birds congregated on the roofs of office buildings across from the Pyramid, at 450 and 475 Sansome St.

They chirped with increasing excitement before launching as a group high above the trees and circling the Pyramid twice in formation. It was, for those of us who retain faith in San Francisco, almost indescribably majestic.

An office worker shared a video with the Chronicle, showing the brilliant green birds landing on one of the rooftops, vocalizing and launching again.

Oh, my God, thats so cool!  Its like right there! the clearly enchanted workers can be heard exclaiming. Ive never seen them this close before. Theyre always so far away.

Wild parrots, the citys official animals, recently left their go-to roosting spot along the Embarcadero in favor of a new home: Transamerica Pyramids Redwood Park. San Francisco Chronicle

Transamerica Redwood Park was recently redesigned as a posh gathering place, with concerts, events and an endless flow of delivery trucks, Waymo drop-offs and other chaotic traffic patterns. But Irving and Bittner stressed that the birds seem to know best. The redwood trees, which unlike the poplars dont lose their needles in the fall, may be safer.

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Theyre canopy dwellers, Irving said. They dont really care what goes on at the street level. They dont like to go down there. So the fact that its a busy urban park might not be that different for them than Sue Bierman Park.

Wild parrots fly alongside the Transamerica Pyramid in San Francisco. The parrots previously roosted along the Embarcadero but have moved to Redwood Park alongside the iconic tower. Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

Lemarie said shes concerned office workers may complain about the noise. Wild parrots have the joyful but raw and high-pitched squawk of a small child opening presents on Christmas morning. But a source close to the Transamerica Pyramid said the reception has been positive  the parrots made an appearance during a recent fashion show and respected the classical music being played for an hour.

Asked how to keep the animals safe, Bittner had an unexpected answer: publicity.

When he was first concerned about the birds in the 1990s, after there was talk of ridding San Francisco of nonnative species, Bittner said he was told by an ornithologist friend: You need to make them famous to protect them.

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A poll worker displays wild parrot I voted stickers at a polling place inside El Mansour Restaurant in San Francisco. Stephen Lam/The Chronicle

The thing I always want to add is for people not to worry about them, Bittner said. Theyre thriving. Theyre not in any kind of trouble.

So enjoy the parrots. If you see one in distress, call Mickaboo. (Become a foster parrot parent, too!) And consider every squawk and overhead flyby a blessing to a city that could use a lift.
Will YOU go back to Syria or stay in the UK?

Jubilant Syrians flocked to London's Trafalgar Square yesterday to celebrate the ousting of former President Bashar Al-Assad as they vowed to return home.

Hundreds waved Syrian opposition flags and lit green flares in emotional scenes of ecstasy as people hugged one another after the fall of the Assad family's brutal 54 year dynasty rule in the country.

Chants of 'Mabrouk' (Congratulations) were heard after rebel soldiers stormed Syria's capital Damascus in a lightning offensive.

Commander Hasan Abdul Ghani wrote a message on X calling on displaced Syrians to return to their homeland.

'To the displaced all over the world, free Syria awaits you,' he wrote.

Among the scenes of jubilation in London was Muhamad Khatib, who owned a car rental office near El-Hamidiyah, Syria, who are come to the celebrations alongside his son.

He told the Telegraph: '[Assad] stole Syria, brought poverty to Syria, he killed Syrians, he imprisoned Syrians illegally. He was, I think, the worst dictator in the world.'

Mr Khatib claimed he and his wife's names were on a security service list in Syria and said he would 'love to go back'.

Will YOU go back to Syria or stay in the UK? Email matt.strudwick@mailonline.co.uk

There were emotional scenes in London's Trafalgar Square as people hugged and celebrated the fall of Syrian president Bashar Assad's government - December 8, 2024

People waved Syrian flags and lit green flares as chants of 'Mabrouk' (Congratulations) were heard - December 8, 2024

A tearful supporter embraces in a hug during celebrations in London's Trafalgar Square - December 8, 2024

Likewise, Ibrahim Tolaymat, who left Homs 11 years ago when it was 'very bad', said his children were looking forward to returning 'to just seeing what Syria looks like'.

Clasping onto two roses that were being handed out in the crowd, Aisha Ekrayem said it was 'a dream' and that 'we can all go back now'.

There were tears of joy on the streets of Manchester as people danced and sang and waved flags saying 'freedom'.

Yasser came to the city as a refugee in 2015 and although he was happy to stay, he said he was looking forward to boarding the first flight to Syria.

He told Sky News: 'Every moment there they could be in danger. But finally this dream has become true now.'

An estimated seven million Syrians fled Assad's murderous regime since the civil war began in 2011 - most of them to refugee camps in neighbouring countries such as Turkey and Jordan.

More than a million settled in Europe, with a majority in Germany. Between 2015 and 2021, 20,319 Syrian migrants came to the UK under a government relocation scheme.

A further 9,766 Syrians have been granted asylum in the UK in the last three years after arriving irregularly, with Syrian nationals making up about eight per cent of small boat arrivals in the last six years.

An elderly man wearing a knitted Syrian scarf wipes his tears as people gather in London's Trafalgar Square - December 8, 2024

Two demonstrators hold red roses as they take part in a gathering with other supporters and members of Syrian community in Trafalgar Square - December 8, 2024

People wave Syrian opposition flags as they gather in Trafalgar Square, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted al-Assad - December 8, 2024

A man draped in a Syrian opposition flag at the celebrations in London's Trafalgar Square - December 8, 2024

People wave Syrian opposition flags and light green flares as they gather in Trafalgar Square - December 8, 2024

A man holds up his mobile phone to video the celebrations in Trafalgar Square - December 8, 2024

Between 2015 and 2021, 20,319 Syrian migrants came to the UK under a government relocation scheme - Pictured is the celebrations in Trafalgar Square on December 8, 2024

Food is handed out to supporters and to Syrian people who gathered in Trafalgar Square to celebrate the ousting of Syria's despot president Assad

Some supporters were lifted onto shoulders in jubilant scenes - Pictured: Trafalgar Square in London on December 8, 2024

Assad fled on a plane as insurgents closed in with the Russian state media confirming yesterday he had been granted asylum in Moscow.

Last night, dramatic pictures showed hundreds of Syrians with bags and suitcases gathered on the Lebanese border hoping to cross back into their country.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has said there is already some evidence of Syrians returning.

It has verified 34,000 returning home in the first eight months of 2024 and says the 'actual figure may be significantly higher'.

However experts believe that if deposed president al-Assad's downfall leads to more stability in the country then it could have the opposite effect, with Syrians returning home in their thousands.

'Spontaneous returns to Syria are expected to continue throughout 2025,' the UN refugee agency added in its assessment of the country.

Video footage shows traffic jams are cropping up in some areas as refugees scramble to return home.

Thousands of people in cars and on foot congregated at a main square in Damascus waving and chanting 'Freedom'.

Syrians in Lebanon flock to the Masnaa Border between Lebanon and Syria to return home

Dramatic pictures showed hundreds of Syrians with bags and suitcases gathered on the Lebanese border hoping to cross back into their country

Syrians in Lebanon flock to the Masnaa Border Crossing to return home

Video footage shows traffic jams are cropping up in some areas as refugees scramble to return

Syrian refugees are seen waiting to enter to their country at the Lebanese border with Syria

Top rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani's group was once Syria's branch of al Qaeda but has softened its image to reassure members of minority sects and foreign countries.

Jubilant supporters of the revolt crowded Syrian embassies in various cities around the world, lowering red, white and black Assad-era flags and replacing them with the green, white and black flag flown of his opponents.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Assad's fall was thanks to blows Israel had dealt to Iran and its Lebanese ally Hezbollah, once the lynchpin of Assad's security forces.

'The barbaric state has fallen,' French President Emmanuel Macron said.
The assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan last week has captured national attention, not only for the brazen nature of the act but also for the bizarre clues left behind that have raised more questions than answers.

While many are horrified by the killing, which saw the CEO of one of the US' biggest healthcare providers get gunned down in an early morning shooting on December 4 by an as-yet-unidentified shooter, even more are fascinated by the killing, which has still not been solved.

Though the manhunt for the masked gunman continues, the focus has shifted to the evidence recovered at the scene and nearby locations.

Among the items left behind were shell casings inscribed with the words 'deny,' 'defend,' and 'depose', phrases tied to common healthcare practices.

Days later, a backpack believed to belong to the suspect was found, stuffed with Monopoly money.

But many questions have still not been answered in the case.

The murderer's identity has still not been revealed by investigators, nor has a motive.

Though they claim to be closing in on him, the NYPD is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to his capture, while the FBI is offering even more for information.

Many other questions remain unanswered, five days on from the fatal shooting.

DailyMail.com takes a look at some of the still unanswered questions five days on from his cold-blooded murder

Why was Brian Thompson murdered?

Brian (pictured) didn't have a security detail with him when he killed in midtown New York

Brian Thompson was murdered at 6:44am on December 4 outside a Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan by an as-yet-unknown assailant (pictured)

This dearth of information released to the public in this case has allowed countless theories on the killer's motive to spring up, ranging from plausible to bonkers.

One theory is that the shooter was a disgruntled person who was furious with Thompson for his work at the top of one of the biggest deniers of healthcare in the US.

Insured Americans have long complained that UnitedHealthcare refused to cover their care, as an analysis by ValuePenguin concluded it denies 32 percent of claims - double that of the industry average for large health insurance companies.

As the CEO of the healthcare firm, Thompson was described as a 'critical' part of the healthcare industry by the CEO of the parent company that owns UnitedHealthcare, Andrew Witty.

Bolstering the theory was the fact that bullet rounds and casings with the words 'delay', 'deny', 'depose', referencing a 2010 book by law professor Jay Feinman called 'Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don't Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It', etched into them.

A related theory claims that the shooter was denied coverage by UnitedHealthcare.

The brazen nature of the crime and the cryptic clues left behind have captivated public attention and led retired FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer to conclude this was far more than a random act of violence.

'This seems much larger, like a vigilante,' Coffindaffer told The Daily Beast. 'Somebody who is well prepared to make a big statement and blames UnitedHealthcare.'

Among the evidence left at the scene were shell casings etched with the words 'deny,' 'defend,' and 'depose.'

Another theory for the motive stems from the fact that Thompson was being investigated by the Department of Justice for alleged insider trading.

According to a lawsuit filed in May, Thompson and three other UnitedHealth Group executives were accused of selling more than $120million of stock amid an antitrust investigation before disclosing it to investors.

The news of an antitrust investigation, revolving around UnitedHealth's desire to purchase rivals, would've tanked the price of the stock.

As of today, the New York City Police Department has not announced a motive.

Who is the killer?

The killer's (pictured) identity has not yet been publicly released

The killer's identity has not yet been publicly released. On Saturday, NYC mayor Eric Adams claimed a press conference that it was in the NYPD's interest not to release a name.

He said, without justification: 'If you do, you're basically giving a tip to the person we are seeking, and we do not want to give him an upper hand at all. Let him continue to believe he can hide behind the mask.'

Despite Adams' bold words, the NYPD is still offering a reward of $10,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the shooter.

The FBI is offering an even bigger award of $50,000 for information, and has now put him on its most wanted list.

The secretive agency said it is 'seeking the public's assistance in identifying the unknown suspect responsible'' for Thompson's fatal shooting.

Why didn't Brian Thompson have a security detail, despite receiving threats?

Paulette Thompson (pictured) said her husband had received death threats in the leadup to his murder

Thompson's widow Paulette told NBC in an interview that her husband had been receiving threats related to medical coverage in the run-up to his death.

'There had been some threats. Basically, I don't know, a lack of [medical coverage? I don't know details', she said.

'I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him.'

Despite these threats, Brian didn't have a security detail with him when he was in midtown New York.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters last week: 'Speaking to other employees that traveled with him to New York, it doesn't seem like he had a security detail.

'He left the hotel by himself, was walking, didn't seem like he had any issues at at all.'

This, according to NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch, was Thompson's fatal mistake.

'Many people passed the suspect, but [the gunman] appeared to wait for his intended target.'

The move comes as a surprise in the context of increasing threats made against corporate leaders, according to the New York Times.

The newspaper reported that the median amount of money S&P 500 companies are spending on executive security doubled from 2021 to 2023, amid a rise of online and in-person threats made by disgruntled people.

Michael Julian, CEO of MPS Security & Protection, a firm that specialises in corporate protection, told Axios: 'I'm just shocked the guy didn't have a protective detail.'

Who is the mysterious woman who fled the scene?

Footage of the attack shows a figure, who appears to be a woman dressed in dark clothing and holding a coffee cup, fleeing from a doorway as the assassin opens fire just meters away.

While most people have focused on the shock shooting, online sleuths have been baffled by the mystery woman who was seen fleeing from the scene of the attack.

Footage of the attack shows a figure, who appears to be a woman dressed in dark clothing and holding a coffee cup, fleeing from a doorway as the assassin opens fire just meters away.

We do not yet know who this person is, but there has been no suggestion that they were involved or knew Thompson.

Indeed, they appeared to be surprised by the shooting, cowering in a doorway when the first shot rang out, before making a run for it.

Police will no doubt be desperate to identify this key witness.

Where is the killer and why is it taking cops five days to find him?

The killer was seen wearing a mask in a taxi following the shooting

Minutes after attacking Thompson, the killer was seen entering Central Park on a bike at the 60th Street and Center Drive entrance. Its in the park and away from security cameras that police believe he discards a gray backpack.

Just before 7am on December 4, the killer left the park at West 77th Street and Central Park West, still on the bicycle, before passing another camera on 85th Street and Columbus Avenue.

Just two minutes later he was seen at 86th street, this time without the bicycle. There, he gets into a taxi and heads northbound at 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue.

Half an hour later, he is spotted at the bus terminal near George Washington bridge.

The travel hub offers train rides to New Jersey and Greyhound routes to Philadelphia, Boston and Washington.

From there, his route is unknown, and cops are still searching for him five days on from the killing.
President Assad, his British wife and their three adult children have left behind their Syrian palaces and will begin a new life in Russia after being granted asylum by Vladimir Putin.

Asma Al-Assad, a London-born doctor's daughter who married into the brutal autocratic dynasty, has become accustomed to a life of luxury, with reports that she spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on home furnishings and clothes during her husband's reign of terror.

The US state department estimates that the family are worth $2billion, with their wealth concealed in numerous accounts, shell companies, offshore tax havens and real estate portfolios.

Now they are likely to draw on their family connections and extensive assets in Moscow in the hope of keeping up their comfortable lifestyle in exile.

The Syrian dictator's extended family bought up at least 20 Moscow apartments worth more than 30 million in recent years, illustrating Russia's status as a safe haven for the clan.

The Kremlin today confirmed that the family was given asylum on the direct orders of Putin. Moscow disclosed no further details, with presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov telling reporters today: 'We have nothing to say about Assad's whereabouts.'

Mrs Assad, who has been battling an aggressive form of leukaemia, is widely believed to have arrived in Moscow with her daughter and two sons days before her husband finally fled Syria.

Secret tunnels beneath an Assad family mansion were reportedly uncovered after rebels seized the capital Damascus on Sunday, with the network serving as a possible escape route for the dictator and his allies.

Meanwhile reports have suggested that Assad could have fled via Russia's Khmeimim airbase, with flight trackers reportedly showing a Russian plane taking off from near the north-eastern city of Latakia just hours before he was reported to be in Moscow.

Assad's extended family reportedly purchased at least 18 luxury apartments in the City of Capitals complex (pictured), located in Moscow's glittering skyscraper district

A picture shows the inside of an apartment in Moscow's City of Capitals complex, where members of Assad's family reportedly own property (illustrative picture shows an apartment in the building)

Pictures of apartments in the complex show luxury fittings and high-end furnishings, as well as panoramic views of Moscow (illustrative picture shows an apartment in the building)

The Assads, their daughter daughter Zein and son Karim will now all be in Russia with Hafez

Asma Al-Assad, a London-born doctor's daughter who married into the brutal autocratic dynasty, has become accustomed to a life of luxury

The fall of the Assad regime in Syria is widely seen as being a major embarrassment for Putin

The unopposed takeover of the Syrian capital after a lightning offensive by rebel groups on Sunday brought to an end a 13-year civil war and six decades of the Assad family's autocratic rule.

It has also been deeply embarrassing for Putin, after Moscow pumped military and financial aid into his government and bombed Syria for years to help prop up the Assad regime.

Russian media yesterday quoted an unnamed source in the Kremlin as saying: 'Assad and members of his family have arrived in Moscow. Russia, based on humanitarian considerations, has granted them asylum.'

The family - including sons Hafez and Karim, aged 24 and 21, and 22-year-old daughter Zein - are now expected to move their lives to Russia, though it is unclear whether they will live in a private property or be forced to stay in a government safehouse.

Whatever the case, they are likely to expect some level of luxury given their previous living conditions and inordinate wealth.

In 2012, Wikileaks disclosed Mrs Assad's private correspondence, which showed that she spent $350,000 on the palace's furnishings and $7,000 on crystal-encrusted shoes.

Assad's relatives the Makhloufs, headed by his uncle Mohammed Makhlouf, have long been considered Syria's second wealthiest and most important family after his and have significant assets in Russia.

To keep tens of millions of dollars out of Syria as the country's civil war raged, the family purchased at least 18 luxury apartments in the City of Capitals complex, located in Moscow's glittering skyscraper district, according to the FT.

The two-towered skyscraper - which until the unveiling of London's Shard in 2012 was Europe's tallest building - is home to some of Russia's wealthiest businessmen, government ministries, five-star hotels and multinational companies.

Pictured: A luxury apartment in the City of Capitals complex in Moscow. The two-towered skyscraper is Russia's eighth-tallest building (illustrative picture shows an apartment in the building)

Assad's relatives the Makhlouf family, headed by his uncle Mohammed Makhlouf, reportedly bought up 18 flats in the City of Capitals complex (illustrative picture shows an apartment in the building)

To keep tens of millions of dollars out of Syria as the country's civil war raged, the family reportedly purchased at least 18 luxury apartments in the City of Capitals complex (pictured)

The two-towered skyscraper is home to some of Russia's wealthiest businessmen, government ministries, five-star hotels and multinational companies

The ostentatious building could now become home to the Assads as they begin a new life in exile.

Pictures of apartments in the complex show luxury fittings and high-end furnishings, as well as panoramic views of Moscow.

The Assad family have strong personal ties to the Russian capital, with the ousted president's eldest son a PhD candidate at Moscow State University.

Hafez al-Assad, who is in his 20s, defended his dissertation at MSU and became a candidate of physical and mathematical sciences, Russian media reports.

The defense reportedly took place on November 29 - during the offensive of Syrian rebels on the second largest city of Syria, Aleppo.

It is possible that Assad could have been on an unannounced visit to Moscow at the time. The Kremlin refused to comment on whether he or his wife had visited the country.

Mrs Assad previously attended her son's graduation in June 2023, with pictures showing her hugging him in front of MSU's main building and meeting with university officials.

Hafez al-Assad's work is written in Russian and is 98 pages long. It is devoted to analytical and algebraic number theory, namely issues of polynomials.

At the end of the dissertation, Al-Assad expressed gratitude 'to the martyrs of his homeland - Syria - and first of all to the martyrs of the Syrian Arab Army.'

He also expressed gratitude to his parents, Bashar and Asma, to the rector of Moscow State University, Viktor Sadovnichy, to the university staff, and to teachers and lecturers from Syria.

The Assad family's secret escape tunnels have been revealed after Syrian rebels were left stunned by the huge luxury underground network

A video claiming to show Major General Maher al-Assad's 'mansion' shows the tunnels

Russian news agencies last night cited an unidentified Kremlin source on Sunday as saying Assad was in Moscow with his family.

'Such decisions cannot be made without the head of state. This is his decision,' Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters today, without giving any further details on Assad's movements.

Assad's departure removes a bastion from which Iran and Russia wielded power across the Middle East.

Assad's father, Hafez al-Assad, sided with the Soviet Union to try to achieve parity with U.S.-backed Israel.

The Kremlin said Syria was subject to 'extreme instability' and it was too early to speak about the future of Russian bases in the country.

'We are in dialogue with Ankara and other regional states, including on Syrian affairs,' Peskov said.

'Indeed, Syria is going to have a very difficult period now, due to instability. And, of course, it is very important to maintain a dialogue with all regional countries here. We are determined to do this.'

It is unclear how Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a former al-Qaeda affiliate that led the rebels' advance, will view Russia's military facilities in Syria - the Hmeimim airbase in Latakia province and a naval facility at Tartous on the coast.

The Syrian Embassy in Moscow last night as the Baath Party regime flag is removed following collapse of sixty-one years of its rule in Syria

The Syrian opposition flag flies at the Syrian embassy building in Moscow after being raised on Monday

'It's premature to talk about it yet,' Peskov said. 'This is all a subject for discussion with those who will be in power in Syria.'

'Of course, everything is being done now that is necessary and everything that is possible in order to get in touch with those who can deal with security. And, of course, our military is also taking all necessary precautions,' Peskov said.

The Tartous facility is Russia's only Mediterranean repair and replenishment hub and Moscow has used Syria as a staging post to fly military contractors in and out of Africa.

Moscow has supported Syria since the early days of the Cold War, recognising its independence in 1944 as Damascus sought to throw off French colonial rule. The West saw Syria as a Soviet satellite.

'We see the situation around Ukraine, we see many contradictory statements in this regard, we see a growing conflict potential in other regions, we can say the burning Middle East,' Peskov said.

At the Syrian Embassy in Moscow this morning, a group of men raised the opposition flag - replacing the banner of the Baath regime after 61 years of it ruling the country.

An embassy representative told TASS state news agency: 'Today the embassy opened and is working normally under a new flag.'
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Syrian rebel groups capped off their lightning offensive against government forces this weekend when they seized the capital city Damascus, thus sealing the stunning fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's longstanding regime.

The president's last-ditch escape to Russia to avoid certain death at the hands of the rebels marked the end of some five decades of the Assad family's dynastic rule - and the end of a brutal 14-year civil war.

Mass celebrations erupted in Damascus on Sunday as hopeful civilians took to the streets to greet the insurgents who liberated thousands of prisoners from Assad's torturous jails.

All roads into Syria were also gridlocked as thousands more jubilant refugees flocked from neighbouring countries, desperate to return to their homes.

Now, after years of death and destruction, the war-torn nation is at a pivotal crossroads with the fate of its long-suffering population hanging in the balance.

There are hopes that Assad's toppling could herald a new dawn in which various rebel factions can hash out a power-sharing arrangement and begin rebuilding toward a peaceful, more prosperous future.

But many analysts warn this could prove just another chapter in Syria's violent history in which rival militias become embroiled in a bitter power struggle as civilians continue to suffer.

All the while, the likes of Turkey, Russia, Israel, Iran and the US are seeking to advance and safeguard their regional interests - and all are wary of the threat of a possible ISIS resurgence amid the chaos.

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Syrians celebrate at the gates of the notorious Saydnaya prison near Damascus where thousands of prisoners were tortured and executed under the Assad regime

A Syrian rebel fighter fires rounds as people celebrate near the Clock Tower in the central city of Homs on December 8, 2024

HTS and rebel forces

The rebel offensive was led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a Sunni Islamist group that burst out of its stronghold in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib less than two weeks ago.

HTS has its roots in the jihadist al-Qaeda, but since its founding in 2017 has tried to reposition itself as a more moderate Syrian nationalist organisation.

Its leader Ahmad al-Sharaa - better known by his nom-de-guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani (also written Jawlani or Julani) - insists that he will work to create a tolerant, civilised nation where religious and ethnic minorities can live peacefully.

The Sunni Islamist insurgents have also claimed they won't impose any harsh restrictions or religious dress codes on women.

But major doubts persist over HTS' commitment to upholding such equality - and whether the group will be willing to work with other factions as part of a coalition government, thereby loosening its grip on power.

Regional analysts and human rights activists point out that HTS imposed an authoritarian Islamist rule over its territory in Idlib and there are suspicions that the group's jihadist origins remain.

Besides HTS, the other major player in the rebel offensive against the Assad regime is the Syrian National Army (SNA) or Free Syrian Army (FSA) - an umbrella group of rebel militias that have long been financed and armed by Turkey.

The rebel factions were able to fight effectively side-by-side to topple Assad, but now their divisions could be highlighted in the resulting power vacuum.

Analysts and observers hold out hope these factions can reach an agreement and create a stable administration, laying the foundations for re-development.

Top rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani speaks to a crowd at Ummayad Mosque in Damascus, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted President Bashar al-Assad, Syria December 8, 2024

Syrians gather at Umayyad Square to celebrate the collapse of 61 years of Baath Party rule in Damascus, Syria on December 9, 2024

A military vehicle belonging to the Syrian regime forces burns in the Hama governorate on December 7, 2024

Signs on Monday were limited but encouraging.

While Assad fled to Moscow, Syria's prime minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali remained in post along with other cabinet ministers, declaring he is working with the rebels to ensure a peaceful transfer of power.

The mood in towns and cities recaptured by HTS and other armed groups also appears hopeful, with civilians reporting they were being treated positively by rebel militants.

HTS is currently designated a terror organisation by the US, UK and EU, and Washington is yet to remove a bounty it placed on Golani's head.

But if HTS follows through on its commitments to cultivating tolerance and achieving peace, it could stand to benefit from greater engagement with the West.

British senior minister Pat McFadden said on Monday that Britain could drop its proscription of HTS as a terrorist organisation based on how it operates after Assad's ouster - a step towards legitimacy in the eyes of the West that could precipitate increased aid and investment.

Edmund Fitton-Brown, Senior Advisor to the Counter Extremism Project, told MailOnline that a best-case scenario could see HTS work with other factions to achieve stability.

'Will there be democracy? Probably not in the Western sense - but some kind of consultative system, possibly involving elections, could emerge,' he said.

'HTS seem clear that they want Islamic governance but also show awareness of minority rights. It is not clear that they will fall into the Taliban trap of ignoring domestic and international opinion, women's rights and other key issues.'

A fighter of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) celebrates with residents after the SDF took control of the city of al-Hasakah, northeast Syria, 08 December 2024

A member of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) stands near a military aircraft inside Qamishli International Airport, after rebels seized the capital and ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, in Qamishli, Syria December 9, 2024

The Kurds

For Syria's large Kurdish population, the Assad regime's collapse presents both opportunity and danger in equal measure.

Many Kurds in Syria live in an area called Rojava, an autonomous region in northeastern Syria adminstered by the Kurdish People's Democratic Union (PYD).

Meanwhile, the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) - a Kurdish-majority militia - occupied a leading role in the bitter fight against ISIS during the Civil War and are supported by the US.

But Turkish officials see these Kurdish groups as an extension of the PKK - a Kurdish group based in southeastern Turkey that has been engaged in a decades-long fight for independence and is designated a terror organisation by Ankara.

The Turkish-backed SNA and other rebel groups have launched attacks on SDF positions in recent days, forcing the Kurds from several towns they had liberated from ISIS in northwestern Syria.

For now, Kurdish officials remain hopeful that their autonomy will be safeguarded in the wake of Assad's downfall.

But leaders cautioned that the SNA and other Turkish-backed groups must not be allowed to infringe further on Kurdish territory.

It also remains to be seen whether a future Syrian transition government will accept the SDF's control over the important Iraqi border and regions that host several important oil and gas resources.

Mazloum Abdi, the Commander-in-Chief of the Syrian Democratic Forces, said in a post on X: 'In Syria, we are living through historic moments as we witness the fall of the authoritarian regime in Damascus. This change presents an opportunity to build a new Syria based on democracy and justice that guarantees the rights of all Syrians.'

This aerial photo shows burnt-out cars as smoke billows from a government building in Damascus on December 9, 2024

Syrians celebrate at Omayyad Square in Aleppo, Syria, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, amid the fall of the Assad regime

Turkey

Turkey is a hugely influential player in Syria and its support of the SNA was a key factor in the toppling of Assad.

Ankara was heavily involved in the negotiations that brought the civil war to a half with a tenuous ceasefire in 2020 and worked with Russia's military to implement patrols and buffer zones in northern Syria to prevent further clashes.

But even after hostilities subsided, Ankara continued to finance and arm the SNA and other militant groups while maintaining relations with Assad's backers, Russia and Iran.

Now, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan enjoys considerable leverage over Syria's future thanks to its involvement with the SNA and what is believed to be a cautious agreement with HTS.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Monday that Ankara hopes the fall of the Syrian government will usher in a new era where different ethnic and religious groups can live peacefully under an inclusive new government.

Fidan also said his country hopes that a 'new Syria' would maintain good relations with its neighbours and bring stability to the volatile region.

These good intentions do not extend to the Kurds, of course, and Turkish-backed militants have already forced the SDF out of several towns further west.

Fidan said it was important that the Islamic State group and Kurdish militants do not take advantage of the situation, adding that Turkey 'would work with determination' to prevent Syria from turning into a 'haven for terrorism.'

Turkey maintains its disdain for the SDF despite the Kurdish militants' efforts to eliminate ISIS.

People hold a banner featuring Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as members of the Syrian community and supporters gather to celebrate the fall of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad in the face of an offensive by Islamist-led rebels, in Istanbul on December 8, 2024

Citizens in Syria take down statues of Hafez al-Assad the father of Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria on December 9, 2024

A multi-barrel rocket launcher fires against regime forces, in the northern outskirts of Syria's west-central city of Hama on December 4, 2024

Russia

The fall of Assad's regime in Syria represents a significant blow to Vladimir Putin's pride and his insistence that Russia remains a global power.

Russia, along with Iran and Hezbollah, ensured that Assad's regime survived the civil war that stemmed from the Arab Spring protests in 2011 and the brutal crackdown Assad imposed on his people.

In 2015, thousands of Russian troops were deployed to the country while the air force conducted incessant bombing campaigns of rebel positions and major cities in a ruthless but effective intervention to prop up Assad.

But with Moscow now contributing huge resources to wage its war in Ukraine, the Kremlin was powerless to prevent the rapid collapse of the Syrian government amid the renewed rebel onslaught.

Beyond the damage to Russia's status, Assad's ousting could also prove a real strategic defeat for the Kremlin.

Putin's armed forces maintain a series of airbases along the nation's eastern flank, as well as Russia's only Mediterranean naval base in the city of Tartus.

Dr Burcu Ozcelik, Senior Research Fellow for Middle East Security at the RUSI think tank, told MailOnline: 'It is in Russia's interest to seek to maintain access to its bases, but its ability to project power in and through Syria is now severely debilitated.

'It will take time and negotiations with the new Syrian administration - a yet-to-be-determined entity - before it is clear what Russia's stakes in Syria will be.

'But this is now a radically transformed Syria, and Russia has no good options.'

Russian officials have remained tight-lipped on the situation, but Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said maintaining Russia's bases in Syria was 'very important'.

'We are doing everything that is possible and necessary to get in touch with those who can provide security. And our military are also taking precautionary measures,' he added.

Foreign intelligence chief Sergei Naryshkin said that Russia was holding talks on the security of its citizens in Syria, Interfax news agency reported on Monday.

Meanwhile, Russian media outlets quoted anonymous lawmakers as saying that any attacks on Russian bases in Syria would be met with a harsh response.

Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad

This handout satellite picture provided by Planet Labs PBC, shows the Russian Tartus naval base along Syria's Mediterranean coast on December 3, 2024

Israel

The crushing defeat of Assad's government forces by rebel groups in the past fortnight was due in no small part to Israel's war against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The Lebanese group - often referred to as the 'jewel in the crown' of Iran's Axis of Resistance - was instrumental in providing military support and arms to Assad's forces throughout the Syrian civil war.

But it has suffered widespread attacks on its command-and-control centres, financial institutions and key military infrastructure by Israel in recent months which dramatically reduced its capabilities and eliminated much of its leadership.

Now, the Jewish state is focused on securing its borders and ensuring that Islamist rebel forces cannot threaten Israeli citizens with future strikes.

Analysts have said there is little prospect of Syria's rebels attacking Israel in the aftermath of Assad's downfall, but Israeli officials say they cannot afford to leave it to chance.

Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military would 'destroy heavy strategic weapons throughout Syria, including surface-to-air missiles, air defence systems, surface-to-surface missiles, cruise missiles, long-range rockets, and coastal missiles'.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar added that the IDF sent a few hundred troops to firm up its presence along the demilitarised zone separating the Israeli occupied Golan Heights from Syria, but stressed Israel did not want to meddle in Syria's internal affairs.

'It's basically near our borders, sometimes a few hundred metres, sometimes one mile or two miles,' he said. 'It is a very limited and temporary step we took for security reasons.'

Former Israeli intelligence official and regional analyst Avi Melamed told MailOnline: 'Rebel groups in Syria are unlikely to directly confront Israel due to Syria's need for reconstruction and Israel's military strength. However, emerging threats from radical Sunni groups in northern Syria remain a possibility.

'The collapse of the Assad regime is reshaping the region's security dynamics, alleviating some key threats to Israel... but Israel remains vigilant and prepared to act decisively to safeguard its security.'

Israeli tanks and armoured vehicles line up on the fence with the buffer zone that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from the rest of Syria on December 9, 2024

A Syrian man flashes the victory sign, while passing by a burned military vehicle that was hit by Israeli strike, in Damascus, Syria, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024

Iran

The defeat of Assad's regime complicates woes for Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, whose Islamic Republic has suffered considerably since the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel.

The resulting war has seen Israel systematically degrade Iran's proxy forces Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, while authoring several missile and drone attacks on Iranian soil.

Several key members of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) have died in the Israeli strikes, along with former Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh who was assassinated in Tehran this summer.

The IRGC committed massive resources to recruit, train, finance and arm various militias that reinforced Assad's Syrian government troops during the 13-year-long civil war against rebel groups.

With the Assad dynasty overthrown, Khamenei is now left without a major regional ally while its two most prominent proxies, Hamas and Hezbollah, lie crippled.

Only the Houthi rebels in Yemen and a patchwork of pro-Iranian militias that keep Iraq under Tehran's thumb remain, with Tehran's ability to project power across the Middle East significantly eroded.

RUSI's Dr Burcu Ozcelik said: 'There is no doubt that the fall of the Assad regime is a highly consequential defeat for Iran, the implications of which will unfold in ripples and waves.

'Syria was the conduit for Iran's systematic support for Hezbollah in Lebanon, this supply chain has now been cut off.'

Jonathan Panikoff, a former US deputy national intelligence officer for the Middle East, said Assad's exit could make it more difficult for Iran to rearm Hezbollah, increasing the prospects that a ceasefire with Israel agreed last month would hold.

Iran will now likely look to double down on its budding relations with international powers Russia and China.

A member of the Syrian opposition burns a picture of late Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

The defeat of Assad's regime complicates woes for Iran which has suffered considerably since Hamas launched its October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel

US

The fall of the Assad regime was welcomed by the US and its Western allies.

US President Joe Biden said Assad should be 'held accountable' for his despotic rule but also warned that his departure was a moment of 'risk and uncertainty'.

The US' main priority remains the repression of the Islamic State, which still maintains a small presence in Syria despite its defeat in 2019.

Washington maintains roughly 900 soldiers on the ground in Syria operating several bases alongside Kurdish-led forces in the east.

This weekend, the US air force embarked on a bombing campaing of ISIS positions, with officials reporting some 75 targets were hit in air strikes by B-52 bombers and A-10 air-to-ground aircraft.

'There's a potential that elements in the area, such as ISIS, could try to take advantage of this opportunity and regain capability... Those strikes were focused on those cells,' Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said.

The US also continues to support the SDF and other Syrian Kurdish groups in northeastern Syria, with whom the White House cooperated closely in the fight against ISIS.

But concerns remain that Donald Trump, who has long decried US involvement in Syria, could seek to withdraw America's military presence from the region following his return to the White House next month.

Analysts warn that could not only fuel a potential resurgence of ISIS, but could also leave Kurdish groups vulnerable to more attacks by the Turkish-backed SNA.

The SDF has been pushed out of several towns in northern Syria by the SNA in recent days, and Turkey sees the SDF as a terrorist organisation.

US soldiers patrol the countryside of Rumaylan (Rmeilan) in Syria's northeastern Hasakeh province

The prospect of a resurgent ISIS in Syria is slim, but fears persist as Britain's former secret service chief warned of a 'serious spike' in the terror group's threat to Europe

ISIS

The Islamic State was once the most feared jihadist group in the region and played a major role in the Syrian civil war, capitalising on the chaos to expand its caliphate.

By 2014 it had managed to conquer huge swathes of Syria and neighbouring Iraq.

But it was met by huge resistance from the US-backed Kurdish SDF; a US-led coalition force of more than a dozen countries including the UK, France, Saudi Arabia and Jordan; Turkish-backed groups; Russian forces and even the Syrian government.

The extremists wilted under this onslaught and rapidly lost territory before suffering effective defeat in Syria by 2019. Remnants of ISIS in Syria withdrew to a smattering of camps in the Badiya desert.

Now, the prospect of a resurgent ISIS in Syria is slim, but fears persist as Britain's former secret service chief warned of a 'serious spike' in the terror group's threat to Europe.

Sir Alex Younger, the former head of MI6, said fighters from the terrorist group are being detained in camps in eastern Syria by Kurdish groups and US troops.

But if the SDF redirects its resources to protect Kurdish areas from assaults by Turkish-backed militants and Donald Trump pulls US troops out of Syria, the ISIS prisoners could break out.

Sir Alex told BBC Radio 4 Today: 'The camps represent a hotbed of radicalisation and haven't been sorted out. If the SDF were to go off the job, our security situation here would worsen.'

He added: 'For us, I think we need to be realistic. The reality, the one thing you know about Syria for sure, proven by history, is that attempts to impose change from the outside will not work.

'But we also have some hard interests and the primary one of those as I have said before is the existence of a very large number of ISIS detainees left over from the destruction of the caliphate, currently contained by the Kurdish groups in the east.

'But if they go off the job you can expect a serious spike in the threat posed to Europe by ISIS.'
A government minister has ruled out looking at whether Shamima Begum can return to the UK.

Begum, whose British citizenship was withdrawn on national security grounds in 2019, is believed to be living at the Al Roj, a filthy, brutal temporary tent city teeming with dangerous ISIS loyalists who use threats and beatings to enforce their extremist ideology.

With rebels advancing across Syria, concerns are growing the camp could be abandoned.

However, when asked whether the government may revisit the question of whether Begum should be allowed to return to Britain, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden told Sky News there were 'no plans to do that right now'.

The former East London schoolgirl, who moved to Syria to join ISIS in 2015 at the age of 15, lost an appeal last year against the decision to revoke her citizenship on national security grounds at the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC).

In August, justices at the UK's highest court said Begum could not appeal again after she lost a Court of Appeal bid in February.

Her lawyers are now hoping to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.

It came as the former head of MI6 warned that Britain faces a heightened terror threat if Syrian camps holding Begum and other ISIS extremists collapse.

Shamima Begum is living in Al Roj detention camp, which is home to around 2,600 detainees from 55 countries, many of them ISIS brides and their children

Asked whether the government may revisit the question of whether Begum should be allowed to return to Britain, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Pat McFadden (pictured) said there were 'no plans to do that right now'

Al Roj is a filthy, brutal temporary tent city teeming with dangerous ISIS loyalists who use threats and beatings to enforce their extremist ideology

Govt minister Pat McFadden is asked, considering the developments in Syria, will Shamima Begum now be allowed back to Britain. pic.twitter.com/H462dO2MUW  Saul Staniforth (@SaulStaniforth) December 9, 2024

Sir Alex Younger spoke out as the country's civil war reignited in dramatic fashion after Islamist rebels seized full control of Aleppo city following a lightning offensive.

Part of Syria's north east remains under control of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, who are backed up by 900 US troops.

However, there are fears Donald Trump could pull these forces out, which would risk a 'power vacuum' in the region - which houses the detention camps.

'There is a key operational issue for the UK which is going to be driving a lot of our policy which is that the SDF, the Kurdish group, are holding many, many ISIS prisoners and their families who were taken after the end of the caliphate,' the former head of MI6, who is known as 'C', he told the BBC.

'The camps represent a hotbed of radicalisation and haven't been sorted out. If the SDF were to go off the job, our security situation here would worsen.

'So, I'm sure a big part of our policy is just making sure at least the eastern part of Syria remains stable.'

Al Roj, where Ms Begum was moved after being found in nearby Al Hol, is home to around 2,600 detainees from 55 countries, many of them ISIS brides and their children.

Sir Alex, who led MI6 from 2014 to 2020, said the Assad regime was guilty of 'merciless brutality' and he welcomed 'any setback' to it.

'So, no I do not want him back in charge of Aleppo,' he said.

Sir Alex Younger spoke out as the country's civil war reignited in dramatic fashion after Islamist rebels seized full control of Aleppo city following a lightning offensive

A view of a vehicle on fire in the aftermath of what the White Helmets say is a strike, in Idlib, Syria, released December 1, 2024

Part of Syria's north east remains under control of the the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, who are backed up by 900 US troops

'Equally, you cannot pretend that a hardline Islamist group, albeit one that is trying to moderate its image, represents a great future either.'

Syria's prime minister said on Monday that most Cabinet ministers are still working from offices in Damascus after rebels entered the capital over the weekend and overthrew President Bashar Assad.

Streams of refugees crossed in from neighboring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future.

But there were already signs of the difficulties ahead for the rebel alliance now in control of much of the country, which is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and has promised representative government and religious tolerance.

Israel said it is carrying out airstrikes on suspected chemical weapons sites and long-range rockets to keep them from falling into the hands of extremists.

Israel has also seized a buffer zone inside Syria after Syrian troops withdrew.

In a separate development, the Kremlin said Russia has granted political asylum to Assad, a decision taken by President Vladimir Putin.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Assad's specific whereabouts and said Putin was not planning to meet with him.

In northern Syria, Turkey said allied opposition forces seized the town of Manbij from Kurdish-led forces backed by the United States, a reminder that even after Assad's departure to Russia the country remains split among armed groups that have fought in the past.

Local residents celebrate after opposition forces led by HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) took control of Hama city center and surrounding villages on December 6

Rebel forces pressing a lightning offensive in Syria aim to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad's rule, their Islamist leader said in an interview published on December 6

Smoke rises from the Syrian side, as people walk at the damaged site on the Lebanese-Syrian border crossing of Arida

Damascus was quiet on Monday, with life slowly returning to normal while most shops and public institutions were closed. In public squares, some people were still celebrating. Civilian traffic resumed but there was no public transport, leaving some to hitchhike. Long lines formed in front of bakeries and other food stores.

There was little sign of any security presence, and Associated Press reporters saw a few SUVs on the side of a main boulevard that appeared to have been broken into, with their windows shattered and their doors open.

In some areas, small groups of armed men were stationed in the streets. A video circulating online showed a man in military fatigues holding a rifle attempting to reassure residents of the Mezzeh neighborhood in Damascus that they would not be harmed.

'We have nothing against you, neither Alawite, nor Christian, nor Shiite, nor Druze, but everyone must behave well, and no one should try to attack us,' the fighter said.

Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali, who remained in his post after Assad and most of his top officials vanished over the weekend, has sought to project normality.

'We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth,' he told Sky News Arabia TV on Monday, saying the security situation had already improved from the day before, when joyful crowds gathered in public squares and celebratory gunfire rang out across the capital.

Syrian refugees are seen waiting to enter to their country at the Lebanese border with Syria

Syrians get warm as they wait overnight to cross into Syria from Turkey at the Cilvegozu border gate, southern Turkey

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has said there is already some evidence of Syrians returning

He said the government is coordinating with the insurgents, and that he is ready to meet rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who made a triumphal appearance at a famed Damascus mosque on Sunday.

Syrians who only days ago were working at all levels of the bureaucracy in Assad's regime were now flipping to the new reality.

At the court of Justice in Damascus, which was stormed by the rebels to free detainees, Judge Khitam Haddad, an aide to the justice minister in the outgoing government, said Sunday that judges were ready to resume work quickly.

'We want to give everyone their rights. We don't want their rights to be wasted,' Haddad told AP outside the courthouse. 'We want to build a new Syria and to keep the work but with new methods.'

Meanwhile, a Syrian opposition war monitor said a top aide to Assad's brother, Maher, was found dead in his office near Damascus.

A video that circulated on social media purportedly showed Maj. Gen. Ali Mahmoud covered with blood and with his clothes burned.

The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it was not clear if he was killed or died by suicide.

Maher Assad, whose whereabouts are unknown, led the army's 4th Armored Division, which played a major role in the civil war that erupted in 2011, after a popular uprising against Assad led to a violent crackdown on dissent and the rise of an insurgency.
A baby died after an overdue mother wasn't induced for 60 hours due to a hospital's 'lack of capacity'.

Chelsea Wootton, 31, was sent home from Birmingham City Hospital after being told there wasn't enough room despite being 41 weeks pregnant.

The first-time mother even asked for a C-section after her waters broke but said she was refused this because of other emergencies on the labour ward.

During her 60-hour admission, Ms Wootton was told she could not be induced because of 'a lack of hospital capacity,' Birmingham and Solihull Coroner's Court was told.

She was sent home at around 4pm on August 26 and told to return to hospital the following midday.

But she was readmitted around two hours after being sent home when her waters broke and she was originally classed as low risk for intermittent monitoring.

Ms Wootton - who also wasn't warned of the dangers of going over 41 weeks - gave birth to daughter Ava-Lea Humphries on August 27 last year.

However, Ava-Lea developed sepsis and died at just a day old as a result of being starved of oxygen in the womb and breathing in meconium.

Adyn Humphries and Chelsea Wootton with baby Ava-Lea , who died after developed sepsis at just a day old

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, which runs City Hospital, has since accepted liability for Ava-Lea's death. Pictured Birmingham City Hospital

The first-time mother asked for a C-section after her waters broke but said she was refused by the hospital

Ms Wootton has now spoken for the first time about her heartbreaking loss after an inquest heard delays in her maternity care contributed to her baby's death.

The care home receptionist says she believes she wasn't listened to by medics at the hospital and has urged other mothers to 'push for their voices to be heard.'

Ms Wootton, of Pheasey Farm Park, Birmingham, said: 'It's almost impossible to find the words to describe what the last year has been like.

'When we found out we were expecting we were overjoyed and couldn't wait to welcome Ava-Lea into our lives and start our family.

'I wasn't told about any risks of going overdue and even after my readmission to hospital, I was never given the impression there was anything to worry about.

'Even though I was a first-time mum deep down I knew something wasn't right.

'I kept trying to raise concerns and I asked for a caesarean but I felt I was being ignored.

'It was only when concerns were raised about Ava-Lea's heartrate did it feel that our care was a priority. By then it was too late.

'Seeing Ava-Lea after she was born was awful. We can't thank the neo-natal doctors and nurses for everything they did for Ave-Lea and make her as comfortable as she could be.

'We'll always cherish those precious few hours we got to spend with her but I'm not sure we'll ever get over what happened.

'Instead of bringing her home and starting our new lives together, we had to say goodbye and leave her in hospital.'

Ms Wootton first underwent a sweep on August 16 last year - the day after her due date - when 40 weeks and a day pregnant.

She was given an advice leaflet and an induction of labour was planned for nine days later on August 25 when she was 41 weeks and three days pregnant.

Ms Wootton who had gone past her due date, couldn't be induced for 60 hours because of 'a lack of hospital capacity'



The mother has spoken for the first time about her devastating loss and how she believes she wasn't listened to by medics at Birmingham's City Hospital

The day before she was due to attend hospital, Ms Wootton believed she may be in labour and was admitted to Birmingham City Hospital.

In the early hours of August 27 traces of meconium which can be a sign of distress in a baby was detected.

Ava-Lea's heartrate began to deteriorate and she was delivered with the help of forceps at around 1.50pm.

She had been starved of oxygen as a result of breathing in meconium and needed to be resuscitated and was transferred to neo-natal intensive care.

A decision was made to put on her palliative care and Ava-Lea tragically passed away aged 35 hours on August 29.

Following Ava-Lea's death, Ms Wootton and partner Adyn Humphries, 29, a welder and fabricator, have been supported by the charity Libby Mae's Little Angels.

Ms Wootton added: 'What should have been the happiest moment of our lives turned to total despair. When we lost Ava-Lea our lives changed forever.

'We can't thank enough those who have supported us following Ava-Lea's death for everything they've done.

'Losing a baby is such as traumatic experience but people shouldn't suffer alone as help and support available.

'By sharing our story I hope I can help other families so they don't have to go through what we have.

'Mums know their body and need to be listened to more. I'd urge any mums to push for their voice to be heard and if they need demand a second opinion.'

A Healthcare Safety Investigation Branch investigation found there was an opportunity to review Ms Wootton earlier and speed up birth by caesarean section.

The inquest concluded Ava-Lea died as a result of being starved of oxygen in the womb and breathing in meconium which were 'contributed to by a delay in her delivery.'

An earlier birth would have likely made a difference to the outcome for Ava-Lea, according to the family's lawyers Irwin Mitchell.

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust, which runs City Hospital, has since accepted liability for Ava-Lea's death.

Jessica Allan, the specialist medical negligence lawyer representing the couple, said: 'This is truly tragic case in which worrying failings in Ms Wootton's and Ava-Lea's maternity care have been identified.

'While most babies remain healthy over their due date the longer past this a mum goes, the increased risk there is of developing complications.

'We firmly believe that Chelsea had been appropriately advised about the risks associated with pregnancy beyond 41 weeks, she would have arranged to be induced before she reached that milestone and the sequence of devastating events that unfolded would have been avoided.

'Sadly, this isn't an isolated case and we too often see the catastrophic consequences families can be left to face because of pressures on maternity units nationally.

'Staff need to be supported so they can uphold the highest standards of care at all times.

'While it's too late for Ava-Lea, we join Chelsea in calling for lessons to be learned to improve maternity safety for others.

'We continue to support her and Adyn at this distressing time so they can access the specialist support they require to try and come to terms with their ordeal the best they can.'

Helen Hurst, Director of Midwifery said: 'This is unbearably sad and we are deeply distressed at the loss of Ava-Lea.

'We extend our deepest sympathies to her parents, wider family and friends. We have all learned from this tragedy and have already enacted a plan to monitor the improvements we have made.

'We apologised to Ava-Lea's family when we met with them to share the findings of our own investigation.'
More than 25 police officers have been sacked or disciplined in the past two years after being caught having sex on duty.

Dozens of cops lost their jobs after they were found guilty of leaving their posts for steamy romps with lovers or to have affairs with their colleagues.

According to The Sun, information requests to UK forces found at least 26 officers faced disciplinary hearings in the last 24 months for having sex on duty, 20 of whom lost their jobs.

But a number of forces  including the Met, West Midlands and Derbyshire  refused to give details, meaning the true total is likely to be higher.

In one case, a Sussex officer turned off his body cam to have sex with a woman in her house after she had made a 999 call.

In Northumbria, another member of the force was sacked for having sex with his lover in a police van parked up outside a supermarket.

One Cleveland Police officer was also banned from policing after filming herself performing a solo sex act in a toilet.

The figures led one former Chief Superintendent to blast these disgraced officers as 'damaging the reputation of the police service'.

Dozens of cops lost their jobs after they were found guilty of leaving their posts for steamy romps with lovers or to have affairs with their colleagues (file image)

PC Matt Simpson was sacked for gross misconduct after having regular secret sexual trysts while on duty in 2020

Shamraze Arshad (pictured) was slammed by his international student victim for having 'ruined the image of the great British police'

Retired Detective Chief Superintendent Kevin Moore told The Sun: 'Officers engaging in such activities should be sacked forthwith.

'Similarly, officers involved in sexual activity, even with colleagues, on duty is totally unacceptable.

'Taxpayers have a right to expect officers to act professionally.'

In one case earlier this year, an 'arrogant' PC was stripped of his police pension and jailed for four years after he was found guilty of having sex sessions with a vulnerable young woman while on duty.

Shamraze Arshad was slammed by his international student victim for having 'ruined the image of the great British police', while chiefs at Greater Manchester Police branded him 'a disgrace to the force'.

The 21-year-old, whom he met on duty after she threatened to kill herself, told a court how Arshad would come round and stay for 15-20 minutes 'for a fun time in bed.'

Their 'friends with benefits' relationship petered out after about seven months, but the illicit relationship was exposed after detectives from the professional standards team began investigating improper use of the force computer.

He had been accessing information about road traffic accidents, his trial heard - including one he himself had been involved in.

The 21-year-old, whom he met on duty after she threatened to kill herself, told a court how Arshad would come round and stay for 15-20 minutes 'for a fun time in bed'

In another case in 2020, PC Matt Simpson was sacked for gross misconduct after having regular secret sexual trysts while on duty.

The officer admitted having late night liaisons during a 'casual relationship' between 2014 and 2016 whilst he was based in Barrow, Cumbria.

Cumbria Police misconduct panel was told by his lover that 'he didn't even take his pants off properly in case he had to rush off'.

The hearing was also told he had more than 20 illicit meet-ups when he should have been working.

Deputy Chief Constable Mark Webster said at the time that Mr Simpsons actions 'fell far below the standard we expect'.
A man was inflicted with second degree burns after a hot water tank exploded from the ceiling of his girlfriend's flat and rained 'boiling water' and 'rubble' down his back.

Oliver Thompson, 28, claims he had complained to Kingston Council in London seven times this year about leaks and flooding before the nightmare event but all to no avail.

He was walking up a stairwell to his partner Chantelle Bedward's, 31, flat after returning home from the school run on November 30 when suddenly around '20 litres' of hot water came gushing down.

The labourer had to get treatment at Kingston Hospital for the burns that covered his back and shoulders following the shocking event that took place on the communal stairway in Malden Manor, Kingston, Greater London.

Mr Thompson and Ms Bedward alleged council contractors had said there was 'nothing they can do' about the fault that led to the leakage in the home the couple share with Ms Bedward's daughters, Emily, 6, and Charlotte, 3.

A distraught Mr Thompson described the incident as stemming from 'gross negligence'.

He added: If I'd been one step further back, my whole body would have been soaked in boiling water.

'I had just returned from the school run with my partner when it happened, when the fire engine arrived they had to open all the flat windows just to let all the steam out!

The labourer had to get treatment at Kingston Hospital for the burns that covered his back and shoulders following the shocking event

Mr Thompson said: 'Now there's a hole in the roof, and still, no one has come out to properly inspect the damage'

The young family had been living in the flat for a year and a half and say they feel let down by Kingston Council's handling of the situation

'My partner was dropping her kids' scooters downstairs, and as I reached the top of the stairwell, the roof gave way and boiling water poured onto my back and neck - it was 20 litres of it.

'I'm in so much pain, and I've had to have my dressings changed regularly - it's completely stopped me from working'.

The young family had been living in the flat for a year and a half and say they feel let down by Kingston Council's handling of the situation.

Mr Thompson said: 'There have been six or seven inches of water throughout the property at times and multiple tenants in the building have reported the same problems, but the council and their contractors keep doing botched jobs.'

He also added that emergency response on the day of the accident was 'inadequate'.

'The fire brigade told us not to leave the house because it was unsafe, but the council's contractor, Axis, didn't arrive until 10pm,' Mr Thompson said.

'When they did, they said there was nothing they could do.

'Now there's a hole in the roof, and still, no one has come out to properly inspect the damage.'

Mr Thompson's clothing was left covered in debris from the ceiling after the water tank burst above a communal stairwell

Mr Thompson claims he had complained to Kingston Council in London seven times this year about leaks and flooding before the nightmare event but all to no avail

Mr Thompson and Ms Bedward alleged council contractors had said there was 'nothing they can do' about the fault that led to the leakage

Ms Bedward described how she was particularly anxious about the impact on her children.

Mr Thompson said: 'Her daughters have to walk past this unsafe area every day.

'I can't let this go on - it's gross negligence.

'This is their property - their responsibility. They said they'd send emergency repairs, but they've done nothing. It feels like I'm screaming into an echo box.'

He added he plans to pursue a personal injury claim to hold the council accountable.

'I can't stay silent about this,' Mr Thompson said.

'It's a matter of safety for my family and everyone else living in this building.'

A spokesman for Kingston Council said: 'The safety of residents living in council properties is a priority. We carry out safety checks on appliances for heating and hot water each year to ensure they are well maintained and meet safety standards.

'We are committed to responding to repair requests in a timely way. Residents are provided with our expected response times for emergency, urgent and routine repairs and these are published on our website.

'Three requests for repairs at this property were logged this year. Council contractors attended each time and carried out the required work.

'Any complaints made to the council will be fully investigated.'
England's countryside protection watchdog is locked in a court fight with a rogue farmer they say is ploughing through 'irreplaceable archeological remains' and historic WWII relics in fields that he rents.

In 1991 Andrew Cooper became the tenant of National Trust-owned 67 hectare Croyde Hoe Farm, in North Devon, where he was paid around 200,000 in grants to maintain nine of his fields.

The land has been assessed by experts as containing important stone-age era remains and D-Day relics of 'national significance' - as uncultivated pasture.

But in 2012, Mr Cooper decided to return to 'normal farming' and has since unlawfully ploughed up a number of the fields and planted them with crops.

Lawyers for landscape protection watchdog Natural England say his action is threatening 'irremediable harm' to 'irreplaceable archeological remains' below the surface of the soil.

He was ordered to stop ploughing up the fields pending an archeological evaluation survey in 2017, but ignored the notice and at Exeter Crown Court in April 2021 was convicted on a guilty plea of cultivating without a Natural England environmental impact screening assessment and breaching the notice to stop.

He was hit with 31,500 in fines and costs in June 2021, but has continued his 'unlawful activity,' having gone on to plough up three more of the protected fields, 'despite criminal convictions,' lawyers for Natural England say.

But having obtained an interim injunction to stop him ploughing in May last year, Natural England then lost a bid to make the injunction permanent after a judge said they didn't have the power to seek such an injunction.

Farmer Andrew Cooper outside the Court of Appeal in London ahead of a court battle with Natural England

They are now asking top judges in the Court of Appeal to overturn that ruling.

But Mr Cooper is fighting them, saying Natural England does not have the power or standing to bring the claim against him and challenging their lawyers to 'bring it on' in their bid to sue him.

The fields at the centre of the fight are at Croyde Hoe Farm, on Baggy Point headland on the north Devon coast.

They have been assessed by archeological experts who made preliminary investigations to be the site of a buried Mesolithic settlement, with thousands of flint arrowheads and other artefacts having been found there, the court heard.

They were also used as training grounds by American forces in the Second World War ahead of the D-Day landings and contain historic remains, including dummy pillboxes, trenches and graffiti left by a soldier who was killed in the battle.

The poignant signature 'A.A. Augustine' written in concrete when it was still wet, was left by Private Alfred Augustine of B Company, 146th Engineer Combat Battalion, before he was killed on Normandy's Omaha Beach during the D-Day landings on 6 June 1944.

When Mr Cooper ploughed and planted some of the land, he was ordered to stop and remediate the fields by Natural England in September 2017.

But the farmer ignored the stop notice and continued to plough and lime most of a neighbouring field as well by March 2018.

Natural England took enforcement action against Mr Cooper for not complying with the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulations, leading to his criminal conviction and fine.

Then it sought a permanent civil court injunction to restrain the farmer from keeping on ploughing without Natural England's consent for the land to be cultivated.

But at the High Court in Bristol in February this year, Judge Jonathan Russen KC dismissed Natural England's claim, whilst leaving in place an earlier interim injunction, preventing damage to flint artefacts and other historical features at the site.

The remains of a pillbox used for training by WWII soldiers near Croyde Hoe Farm, on Baggy Point, near Woolacombe, Devon

The judge ruled that as a regulating body which has the power to prosecute under criminal law, Natural England does not have the legal standing to bring a civil claim, including applying for the injunction they are seeking against Mr Cooper.

The judge also found that whilst Natural England are responsible for preventing damage and harm to the 'landscape' of England, it does not have responsibility for archeological remains which lie hidden under the surface of the soil.

Archeological remains can form part of the landscape by definition, but only if they are visible on the surface in the contours of the land, the judge found.

Arguing that conclusion was wrong in the Court of Appeal, Richard Honey KC said that buried remains should be legally regarded as part of the fabric of the landscape, telling the court:

'Natural England's purpose of conserving the landscape includes for historic as well as aesthetic purposes. Lots of hidden things are still part of what comprises the landscape.'

The barrister said that vast quantities of arrowheads and other primitive tools had been found on the fields at the farm.

'A number in the hundreds would be significant, but there were thousands on this farm,' he told the judges.

'What comprises the landscape of England?' he asked.

'The landscape is not only made up of the surface of the land, but the substance of the land itself.

'This is a landscape of archeological significance. Finds indicate the presence of a hunter gatherer society in the stone age and marks the start of the continuous human presence in Devon after the last ice age.

'It gives a historic aspect, time, depth and a sense of place to the landscape here.

'The landscape does have a cultural or temporal aspect to it, not just an aesthetic aspect. It includes the sense of place and the historic dimension of the landscape on particular.

'The injunction is (needed) to preserve the irreplaceable archeological remains, particularly when we are dealing with somebody as determined as Mr Cooper...to prevent irreversible and irremediable environmental damage.'

He argued that Natural England does have standing to bring a claim for an injunction.

Andrew Cooper became the tenant of National Trust-owned 67 hectare Croyde Hoe Farm in 1991

'Statutory corporations such as Natural England can do anything which is reasonably incidental to their express general powers,' he said.

'There is no reason why these would exclude a power to litigate.'

However Mr Cooper, representing himself, urged appeal judges Lord Justice Coulson, Lord Justice Males and Lord Justice Holgate to uphold the High Court's refusal to let Natural England sue him.

'They said to me 'would you rather take it to court?' and I said, 'bring it on',' he told the court, claiming that he had been given a document from Natural England in July 2012 before he started ploughing which classified all his fields as 'cultivated land,' not uncultivated.

'The stop notice was totally unsupported....I don't think they've got the standing.'

He said he believes Natural England is 'ultra vires,' a legal term meaning it does not have the authority to make the claim.

Mr Cooper also urged the judges to stand by the finding that Natural England have no power to protect England's buried artefacts.

He criticised the findings on the site as being based on 'bunkum' and 'archeology which is at best debatable'.

'If you ask people who come to the farm - and there are thousands, it's a tourist hotspot - they say 'ooh, cows and sheep'. They don't say it should be rewilded or say about the arrowheads or whatever.

'All I want to do is be left alone to do my farming. The agreement I took was to be able to farm arably.

'I am the legal tenant and until the National Trust try to evict me I am the land holder.

'I say I want to go normal farming again. I don't want to mess around with these silly environmental payments.

Overhead view Croyde Hoe Farm, where Andrew Cooper is the tennant, near Woolacombe, Devon

'They are not interested in farming, they want to go all environmental.'

Mr Cooper told the court he is also relying on Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects respect for family and private life.

'I could lose my home with this injunction,' he said.

Summing up, Lord Justice Coulson told the farmer: 'You say they were ultra vires and effectively archeology was nothing to do with them.

'We recognise this is extremely serious and important for you and your family.'

The appeal judges have now reserved their decision in the case until a later date, with Lord Justice Coulson saying' 'We need time to think about it..'

Speaking after Mr Cooper's criminal conviction, Dawn Enright, of Natural England, said: 'The historic environment is a finite, non-renewable resource. Once it is lost, it is gone forever. It cannot be recreated.

'Impacts from cultivation are irreversible and over time may lead to the complete removal of archaeological remains and the significant displacement of remains such as flint tools.'

Bill Horner, county archaeologist of Devon County Council, added: 'The making of stone tools by Mesolithic hunter-gatherers over a long period makes this a particularly important archaeological site. It marks the start of a continuous human presence in Devon after the ice ages.'

As a non-departmental public body, Natural England is independent of government, but the Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has the legal power to give it guidance.

Its powers include defining ancient woodlands, awarding grants, designating Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Sites of Special Scientific Interest, managing certain national nature reserves, overseeing access to open country and other recreation rights, and enforcing the associated regulations.
Gino D'Acampo has been accused of harassment by a woman who worked with him at ITV for five years and allegedly claimed: 'He said and did whatever he wanted'.

The Italian chef, 48, has been accused of inappropriate behaviour by the alleged victim when he was the resident chef on This Morning and on Saturday Cooks between 2006 and 2011.

The woman, who hasn't been named, is said to have been inspired to speak out after Gregg Wallace was forced to step away from MasterChef after complaints about his behaviour.

She is said to have complained to ITV last week, just as Mr Wallace apologised for claiming 'middle class women of a certain age' were to blame for his fall from grace.

It came after reports over the weekend that Gino refused to sign a 'morality clause' for his most recent ITV series with his friend Fred Sirieix.

He was also quietly dropped from foodie travel show Gordon [Ramsay], Gino and Fred last year. In one episode he bared his bottom in lewd chaps while visiting cowboy-country in Texas.

Gino, whose new series of Family Fortunes, which has already been filmed and is due for broadcast next year, also has a sporran, which he calls Justin Beaver, and regularly flashes on location. An insider has claimed that Gino sees himself as a 'cheeky Italian chappy' and there is no malice in his jokes.

A source said of the new complaint: 'She worked [with Gino] for five years. She has come forward after being spurred on by the Gregg Wallace scandal and the comment he made about his accusers being middle-class women of a certain age'.

Gino has been complained about by a woman who worked with him for five years. He has also been accused of jokingly flashing and crew members on his show Emission Impossible with Fred Sirieix were reportedly offered counselling

Gino bares all in a recent visit to Texas with his friends Gordon Ramsay and Fred Sirieix for their travel series

Gino D'Acampo was seen playing the guitar naked in the new Gino and Fred: Emission Impossible trailer

Gino has a sporran, which he calls Justin Beaver, and regularly flashes on location and wears on social media

Gino D'Acampo, pictured with Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield, honours his promise to cook naked on This Morning if they won at the 2011 NTA Awards

The insider told The Sun: 'Her view is she is the middle-aged woman who believes young women shouldn't have to put up with this kind of behaviour any more.

'Gino was younger and not as well-known then. He used to say he didn't want to become famous as he would have to curtail his behaviour.

'He said and did whatever he wanted. Everyone was aware and she was subjected to shocking behaviour which she told ITV about last week.'

While father-of-three D'Acampo did not respond to an opportunity to comment over the weekend, a source on set did admit that the accusations could be a 'generational issue' and that the 48-year-old thinks of himself as a 'cheeky Italian chappy'.

It came as it emerged that Gino was ordered to complete a language and behavioural course by ITV.

The flamboyant chef was placed on the programme amid concerns about the way he treated female colleagues on his new show Emission Impossible.

Sources said filming of the programme was halted after crew complained he made inappropriate jokes behind the scenes.

Some were allegedly offered counselling after filming of the show, co-hosted by Fred Sirieix, was complete.

ITV sources said it comes four years after channel bosses had 'a serious word' with D'Acampo, 48, about his off-screen exploits on foodie travel show Gordon, Gino And Fred: Road Trip.

It was claimed he had acted inappropriately towards women and made off-colour jokes. He was also caught with cannabis in his luggage by sniffer dogs.

D'Acampo was quietly dropped from the programme last year after he refused to sign a morality clause in his contract.

Yesterday, sources claimed that he is being sidelined by ITV amid concerns he may turn into 'another Gregg Wallace'.

D'Acampo was quietly dropped from foodie travel show Gordon, Gino and Fred, on which he appeared alongside Gordon Ramsay and Fred Sirieix. Pictured: The trio in Galicia, Spain in 2023

Father-of-three D'Acampo did not respond to a request for comment last night.

ITV said: 'We made our position clear following the outcome of our KC Review last year after which we said, "We are completely committed to creating an environment where everyone is treated with respect and feels able to give of their best".

'Our promise to those we work with is that where a complaint is made, or serious concerns raised, we will always investigate and if we find that something inappropriate has happened, we will take action.

'We will continue to develop our efforts to give junior colleagues the confidence to speak up if they have something to raise.

'Following the review we reiterated our expectations and introduced Conduct and Standards Guidelines for On Screen Personalities which outlines our expectations in terms of behaviour, and have also previously offered training in language and behaviour, either directly or through our third party producers, where appropriate.'

On Saturday it was reported that D'Acampo is being slowly sidelined by ITV amid a string of inappropriate behaviour claims.

It is understood the Italian chef was secretly ditched from Gordon, Gino and Fred: Road Trip after refusing to sign a morality clause in his contract.

A morality clause, also known as a morals clause, is a provision within a contract that requires an individual or party to adhere to certain behavioural standards. The clause gives the other party the right to terminate the contract if the first party behaves in a way that negatively impacts the other party's reputation or image.

A source told The Sun: 'Whilst Gino is very well-liked by some, he has fallen out with many. He loves a party and, ultimately, refused to sign the morality clause in his contract which would keep him on the straight and narrow. This was the final straw and the decision was made to part ways.

'He was quite stroppy on the set of Emission Impossible and, following an accident on set, the crew were offered therapy because they found the resulting fall-out very hard.

'Filming was halted and Gino was put on a training course.'

The source explained Gino has a sporran, the pocket on a Scottish kilt, which he calls Justin Beaver and regularly flashes.

Gino is due on air next year for a series of Family Fortunes which has already been filmed.

Last November Gino was caught with cannabis in his luggage by sniffer dogs as he flew into the UK after filming with Gordon and Fred.

Gino was allegedly given a warning and a source reported that he called Gordon and Fred the following day to explain he had been smoking it to help his bad back, as they added that he was released by police 'without issue'.

It is claimed Gordon and Fred were both angry about the situation, particularly as Gordon has always been vocal about his anti-drugs stance.

Meanwhile the star found himself at the centre of complaints from staff left feeling 'uncomfortable' by his behaviour towards them back in March 2023.

The Mail on Sunday understands that employees working on Gordon, Gino & Fred: Road Trip had made their concerns known to producers.

One source said that 'some people' who work with him do not like how he operates both on set and at extra-curricular events such as wrap parties.

The news followed Gino admitting that he has decided to quit the show, saying he doesn't want 'stressful' contract talks to ruin his friendship with his co-stars.

Although the complaints are not thought to be a contributing factor to his decision to leave after four series, they have been noted by bosses at Studio Ramsay  the company founded by Gordon Ramsay that makes the programme.

Gino is due on air next year for a series of Family Fortunes which has already been filmed

A show insider said: 'Crews, contributors and television executives see how Gino behaves. It is much discussed around the industry, which isn't ideal.'

While father-of-three D'Acampo did not respond to an opportunity to comment on the complaints yesterday, a source on set did admit that the accusations could be a 'generational issue' and that the 46-year-old thinks of himself as a 'cheeky Italian chappy'.

They said: 'Gino has an old-school attitude and often thinks he is being funny when perhaps those who are somewhat younger than him would take a different view.

'There are times that he has made people feel uncomfortable but there is currently the whole millennial versus older generation thing going on in television at the moment.'
EQS-WpUG: SCUR-Alpha 269 GmbH (kunftig: Caesar BidCo GmbH) / Tender Offer

Tender Offer / Target company: CompuGroup Medical SE & Co. KGaA; Bidder: SCUR-Alpha 269 GmbH (in future: Caesar BidCo GmbH)

09.12.2024 / 09:08 CET/CEST

Dissemination of an announcement according to the German Securities Acquisition and Takeover Act (WpUG), transmitted by EQS News  a service of EQS Group AG.

The bidder is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION (IN WHOLE OR IN PART) IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE SUCH RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.

Publication of the decision to issue a voluntary public

takeover offer pursuant to Section 10 (1) in conjunction with Sections 29, 34 of the German Securities Acquisition and Takeover Act (WpUG)

 Convenience Translation 

Bidder:

SCUR-Alpha 269 GmbH

(in future: Caesar BidCo GmbH)

c/o Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP

An der Welle 4

60322 Frankfurt am Main

Germany

registered with the commercial register (Handelsregister) of the local court (Amtsgericht) of Frankfurt am Main under HRB 135553

Target:

CompuGroup Medical SE & Co. KGaA

Maria Trost 21

56070 Koblenz

Germany

registered with the commercial register (Handelsregister) of the local court (Amtsgericht) of Koblenz under HRB 27430

ISIN: DE000A288904 (WKN: A28890)

Today, SCUR-Alpha 269 GmbH (in future: Caesar BidCo GmbH) (the Bidder), a holding company which is indirectly held by funds which are advised and managed by affiliates of CVC Capital Partners plc, decided to make a voluntary public takeover offer (the Takeover Offer) to the shareholders of CompuGroup Medical SE & Co. KGaA (CGM) to acquire all no-par value registered shares in CGM (the CGM Shares). The Bidder intends to offer a cash consideration in the amount of EUR 22.00 per CGM Share. This represents a premium of approximately 51% to the volume-weighted average price of the CGM Share over the past three months up to and including December 6, 2024.

The Bidder, CGM, CompuGroup Medical Management SE, the majority shareholder of CGM, GT 1 Vermogensverwaltung GmbH (the Majority Shareholder), Kronen 2944 GmbH (in future: GT2 Beteiligungen und Software GmbH) and SCUR-Alpha 1776 GmbH (in future: Caesar HoldCo GmbH) signed an investment agreement today regarding the terms and conditions of a strategic investment by the Bidder in CGM (the Investment Agreement). CompuGroup Medical Management SE, acting as general partner of CGM, and the supervisory board of CGM, each of which have approved the conclusion of the Investment Agreement, have agreed in principle in the Investment Agreement to support the Bidders intention to carry out a potential delisting of CGM immediately after the settlement of the Takeover

Further, the Majority Shareholder and the Bidder have today entered into a shareholders agreement (Shareholders Agreement) to establish a strategic partnership, subject to the completion of the Takeover Offer.

The Majority Shareholder and further members of the shareholder group around the Gotthardt family will continue to hold the same stake in CGM and will not tender their CGM Shares in the context of the Takeover Offer. The parties have undertaken not to enter into a domination and/or profit and loss transfer agreement for a period of two years after the consummation of the Takeover Offer.

CompuGroup Medical Management SE, acting in its capacity as the general partner of CGM, and the supervisory board of CGM, welcome the Takeover Offer and will carefully review the Offer Document after its publication and provide a reasoned statement pursuant to section 27 WpUG. Subject to their careful review of the Offer Document, they assume they will recommend the shareholders of CGM to accept the Takeover Offer.

The Takeover Offer will be subject to a minimum acceptance threshold of 17% of all issued CGM Shares and is aimed at the current free float of approximately 46.16% (i.e. excluding the approximately 50.11% holding of the members of the shareholder group around the Gotthardt family and approximately 3.72% treasury shares).

In addition, the Takeover Offer will be subject to customary conditions, including, among others, merger control and other regulatory clearances. Settlement of the Takeover Offer is expected to take place in the first half of 2025.

The offer document for the Takeover Offer (in German and a non-binding English translation) and further information on the Takeover Offer will be published and available on the internet at www.practice-public-offer.com.

Important Notices:

This announcement is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell CGM Shares. The final terms of the Takeover Offer as well as other provisions relating to the Takeover Offer will be communicated in the offer document after the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (Bundesanstalt fur Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht) has permitted the publication of the offer document. The Bidder reserves the right to deviate from the key items presented here in the final terms and conditions of the Takeover Offer to the extent legally permissible. Investors and holders of CGM Shares are strongly advised to read the offer document and all other documents relating to the Takeover Offer as soon as they have been made public, as they will contain important information. The offer document for the Takeover Offer (in German and a non-binding English translation) with the detailed terms and conditions and other information on the Takeover Offer will be published after approval by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (Bundesanstalt fur Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht) amongst other information on the internet at www. practice-public-offer.com.

The Takeover Offer will be implemented exclusively on the basis of the applicable provisions of German law, in particular the German Securities Acquisition and Takeover Act (Wertpapiererwerbs- und Ubernahmegesetz  WpUG), and certain securities law provisions of the United States of America (United States) relating to cross-border takeover offers. The Takeover Offer will not be conducted in accordance with the legal requirements of jurisdictions other than the Federal Republic of Germany or the United States (as applicable). Accordingly, no notices, filings, approvals or authorizations for the Takeover Offer have been filed, caused to be filed or granted outside the Federal Republic of Germany or the United States (as applicable). Investors and holders of CGM Shares cannot rely on being protected by the investor protection laws of any jurisdiction other than the Federal Republic of Germany or the United States (as applicable). Subject to the exceptions described in the offer document and, where applicable, any exemptions to be granted by the respective regulatory authorities, no takeover offer will be made, directly or indirectly, in those jurisdictions in which this would constitute a violation of applicable law. This announcement may not be released or otherwise distributed in whole or in part, in any jurisdiction in which the Takeover Offer would be prohibited by applicable law.

The Bidder and/or persons acting jointly with the Bidder within the meaning of section 2 para 5 of the German Securities Acquisition and Takeover Act (Wertpapiererwerbs- und Ubernahmegesetz  WpUG) and/or their subsidiaries within the meaning of section 2 para 6 WpUG may acquire, or make arrangements to acquire, CGM Shares in a manner other than pursuant to the Takeover Offer on or off the stock exchange during the Takeover Offers term, provided that such acquisitions or acquisition arrangements are made outside of the United States, comply with the applicable German statutory provisions, in particular the WpUG, and provided that the takeover offer price is increased to correspond with any higher consideration paid outside of the Takeover Offer.

The Takeover Offer announced in this announcement will relate to shares in a German company admitted to trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange and will be subject to the disclosure requirements, rules and practices applicable to companies listed in the Federal Republic of Germany, which differ from those of the United States and other jurisdictions in certain material respects. This announcement has been prepared in accordance with German style and practice for the purposes of complying with the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany. The financial information relating to the Bidder and CGM included elsewhere, including in the offer document, will be prepared in accordance with provisions applicable in the Federal Republic of Germany and will not be prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. As a result, it may not be comparable to financial information relating to United States companies or companies from other jurisdictions outside the Federal Republic of Germany. The Takeover Offer will be made in the United States on the basis of the so-called Tier II cross-border exemption from certain requirements of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act). This exemption allows the Bidder to comply with certain substantive and procedural rules of the Exchange Act for takeover bids by complying with the law or practice of the domestic legal system and exempts the Bidder from complying with certain other rules of the Exchange Act. Shareholders from the United States should note that CGM is not listed on a United States securities exchange, is not subject to the periodic requirements of the Exchange Act and is not required to, and does not, file any reports with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

CGM Shareholders whose place of residence, seat, or place of habitual abode is in the United States should note that the Takeover Offer is made in respect of securities of a company that is a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the Exchange Act), and the shares of which are not registered under section 12 of the Exchange Act. The Takeover Offer is being made in the United States in reliance on the Tier 2 cross-border exemption from certain requirements of the Exchange Act and is governed principally by disclosure and other regulations and procedures in Germany, which are different from those in the United States. To the extent that the Takeover Offer is subject to U.S. securities laws, such laws only apply to CGM Shareholders whose place of residence, seat, or place of habitual abode is in the United States, and no other person has any claims under such laws.

Any contract entered into with the Bidder as a result of the acceptance of the planned Takeover Offer will be governed exclusively by and construed in accordance with the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany. It may be difficult for shareholders from the United States (or from elsewhere outside of the Federal Republic of Germany) to enforce certain rights and claims arising in connection with the Takeover Offer under United States federal securities laws (or other laws they are acquainted with) since the Bidder and CGM are located outside the United States (or the jurisdiction where the shareholder resides), and their respective officers and directors reside outside the United States (or the jurisdiction where the shareholder resides). It may not be possible to sue a non-United States company or its officers or directors in a non-United States court for violations of United States securities laws. It also may not be possible to compel a non-United States company or its subsidiaries to submit themselves to a United States courts judgment.

To the extent that this document contains forward-looking statements, they are not statements of fact and are identified by the words intend, will and similar expressions. These statements express the intentions, beliefs or current expectations and assumptions of the Bidder and the persons acting jointly with it. Such forward-looking statements are based on current plans, estimates and projections made by the Bidder and the persons acting jointly with it to the best of their knowledge, but are not guarantees of future accuracy (this applies in particular to circumstances beyond the control of the Bidder or the persons acting jointly with it). Forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and are usually beyond the Bidders control or the control of the persons acting jointly with it. It should be taken into account that actual results or consequences in the future may differ materially from those indicated or contained in the forward-looking statements. It cannot be ruled out that the Bidder and the persons acting jointly with it will change their intentions and estimates stated in documents or notifications or in the offer document yet to be published after publication of the documents, notifications or the offer document.

Frankfurt am Main, 9 December 2024

SCUR-Alpha 269 GmbH (in future: Caesar BidCo GmbH)
The UK has had 'no request' to give refuge to the British wife of Bashar Assad, a minister said today.

Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden said the issue is 'not something that's been raised' with the Government as the world digests the sudden collapse of the Syrian regime.

Asma Assad was born in London in 1975, and was raised and educated in the city. She is now believed to be in Moscow with her husband, where the ousted autocrat has fled.

The rapid collapse of the Assad regime saw a coalition of rebel groups seize control of Damascus on Sunday.

Mr McFadden was asked by the BBC what the Government would do if Mrs Assad wanted to live in the UK.

He said: 'The family are in Russia as far as we know, that's what Russian state media have said.

Asma Assad, pictured with her husband in 2008, was born in London in 1975, and was raised and educated in the city

The rapid collapse of the Assad regime saw a coalition of rebel groups seize control of Damascus on Sunday

'We've certainly had no contact or no request for Mr Assad's wife to come to the UK.'

Pushed again on whether she could exercise the right to come to the UK, Mr McFadden added: 'I couldn't comment on her individual rights.

'I don't know her exact circumstances, so I don't know what would happen in those circumstances, but it's not something that's been raised with us.'

He also suggested that the Government would not have to think about it 'unless it's raised with us'.

'From the point of view of the UK Government, our main concern at the moment is what the future is, whether the rights of citizens and minorities are protected and whether stability can come to a country that has had so much violence and war over the past 15 years,' Mr McFadden added.

Mrs Assad's father Fawaz Akhras was a successful cardiologist at the private Cromwell Hospital and her mother Sahar a senior Syrian diplomat.

She was sent to Queen's College in Marylebone where fees are almost 9,000 a term.

She graduated from King's College London in 1996 with a degree in computer science and French literature and embarked upon a career in investment banking at major companies including Deutsche Bank and JPMorgan.

Four years later she married Assad, now 59, in Syria. That same year he took control of the country after the death of his father, Hafez al-Assad, aged 69.

Together they have three children, who are aged between 19 and 23, and are presumed to be with their parents.

On the international stage Mrs Assad cut a demure figure, with her understated attire and photogenic looks, her veilless face was emblematic of Syria's reputation for relative freedom for women in a Muslim country.

This image seemed to be cemented when in February 2010, Vogue magazine called an interview with her 'A Rose in the Desert' describing her as the 'freshest and most magnetic of first ladies'.

Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma al-Assad pose during a visit to the Great Wall of China at Badaling on June 22, 2004

For years Asma was the face of female liberation in the Middle East; with her successful career in banking and her secular British upbringing

The couple during a visit to Schoenbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria, on April 28, 2009

But the next year war broke out in Syria between rebels and Assad's regime over his brutally repressive regime and the reputation of the country as open and secular was trashed.

During the conflict the couple are understood to have drifted apart, but with Assad's mother dying in 2016 and Mrs Assad's diagnosis of breast cancer in 2018, she was repositioned at the heart of the regime's economy.

But this new role was nothing more than a 'shakedown' operation of the country's middle class merchants and businessmen.

She orchestrated a secretive labyrinth of committees and policies, run by her henchman, which controlled everything from access to the internet to subsided food rations.

Her empire also extended to the distribution of foreign aid - effectively she controlled who got what when.

With her role within Assad's dictatorship growing, she was unable to maintain her early image of the liberated woman operating at the heart of power in a Muslim country.

She became one and the same with the Syrian regime's terrible suppression of its people.
Donald Trump has revealed Prince William told him King Charles III 'is fighting very hard' as his cancer treatment continues - and the Princess of Wales is 'doing well'.

The US president-elect also told how they had a 'great chat' in Paris for 'a little more than half an hour' and described the bearded prince as looking 'very handsome'.

Mr Trump met the Prince of Wales for talks after they both attended the ceremonial reopening of Notre Dame cathedral following a devastating fire in 2019.

They spoke at the British ambassador's residence on Saturday, and Mr Trump later revealed more about their conversation in an interview with the New York Post.

Kate is making a gradual return to public events after completing her cancer treatment in September, and joined her husband William and their children at Westminster Abbey for her annual Together at Christmas carol service last Friday.

Meanwhile the King has been stoically carrying on with his royal duties in recent months following his own cancer diagnosis being announced in February, after it was discovered while he was treated in hospital for an enlarged prostate.

Mr Trump told the Post: 'I had a great talk with the prince. And I asked him about his wife and he said she's doing well. And I asked him about his father and his father is fighting very hard, and he loves his father and he loves his wife, so it was sad.'

He added: 'We had a great talk for half an hour, a little more than half an hour. We had a great, great talk.

Donald Trump meets Prince William at the UK ambassador's residence in Paris on Saturday

Donald Trump said the Prince of Wales is 'doing a fantastic job' as the pair met in Paris

The Prince of Wales and US president-elect Donald Trump pose for a photo on Saturday

'He's a good looking guy. He looked really, very handsome last night. Some people look better in person? He looked great. He looked really nice, and I told him that.'

Earlier, the pair shook hands in front of photographers and greeted one another before Mr Trump turned to reporters and said 'wow, what a nice group'.

He then gestured to the prince and said: 'Good man, this one.'

William asked the president-elect if he had warmed up after the event and Mr Trump replied that he had and that 'it was a beautiful ceremony'.

The two men stood next to each other, facing reporters, and Mr Trump said 'hello everybody' before pointing his thumb at William and adding: 'He's doing a fantastic job'.

After speaking in the entrance of the building, they walked upstairs to begin their meeting.

Mr Trump and William sat on light-yellow sofas in the Salon Jaune room, which had gold-coloured patterned wallpaper, a Christmas tree in the corner and a chandelier overhead.

The Prince of Wales greets US president-elect Donald Trump in Paris on Saturday

William went to the residence of the British ambassador for a meeting with Mr Trump

The Prince of Wales and US president-elect Donald Trump have a meeting on Saturday

The Prince of Wales greets US president-elect Donald Trump in Paris on Saturday

Before the meeting started, William said that 'we can warm our toes up after the cathedral' and Mr Trump smiled and responded 'right, you're right'.

The two paused in front of the cameras for a few seconds before Mr Trump said: 'Thank you very much everyone.'

Kensington Palace said that during their 40-minute meeting, the pair discussed a range of global issues but focused on the importance of the relationship between the UK and the US, with the President-elect sharing fond memories of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Earlier in the cathedral, Mr Trump gave William a pat on the shoulder before they shook hands.

The prince last met the 78-year-old in 2019 when the then-president made a state visit to the UK.

William received a warm greeting in the rainy French capital from President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron.

The Prince of Wales shook hands with Donald Trump in Notre Dame Cathedral earlier on

President-elect Donald Trump greets Prince William at Notre Dame Cathedral on Saturday

Guests stand as the doors to Notre Dame Cathedral open during the ceremony in Paris

The prince also spoke to America's outgoing first lady Jill Biden at the ceremony.

He was expected to discuss the importance of the US-UK relationship with Mr Trump and Mrs Biden.

Mr Trump did not mention any discussion about Williams estranged brother Prince Harry, having previously warned he would get no special privileges in America.

Mr Trump has lambasted the Duke of Sussex since he left Britain in 2020, criticising him for the 'unforgiveable betrayal' of his late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II .

He also suggested in March that Harry - who lives in Montecito, California - could be deported from the US if his drug use was not declared on his visa application.

It comes as an American think-tank is trying to reopen its case to get Harry's secret visa application made public after he admitted taking drugs in his memoir.

Back in September 2020, soon after Harry and his wife Meghan Markle had moved to the US, the couple urged American voters to 'reject hate speech, misinformation and online negativity' in that year's election which was eventually won by Joe Biden .

The Princess of Wales is making a gradual return to public events after completing her cancer treatment in September, and joined her husband William and their children at Westminster Abbey for her annual Together at Christmas carol service last Friday (pictured)

Mr Trump did not mention any discussion about Williams estranged brother Prince Harry, pictured at the New York Times DealBook summit at Lincoln Center on December 4

(From left) Donald Trump, Queen Elizabeth II, Melania Trump, Charles and Camilla at a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace in June 2019

Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II at a state banquet at Buckingham Palace in June 2019

While the Sussexes did not endorse a candidate, the wording of their video message prompted accusations that they were referring to Mr Trump and had therefore breached UK protocol keeping members of the Royal Family political neutrality.

As for William, his last official visit to Paris was in 2017 when he travelled with wife Kate for a two-day trip in the aftermath of the Brexit result.

Earlier this year, he joined world leaders in Normandy for the 80th anniversary commemorations of the Second World War D-Day landings.

Notre Dame's reopening included the ritualised opening of the cathedral's massive doors, the reawakening of its thunderous organ and the celebration of the first Mass.

Tickets for the first week of Masses were snapped up in 25 minutes, the cathedral's rector said.
This is the moment brave passengers wrestled a father as he attempted to hijack a plane .

The shocking incident took place yesterday during a Volaris Airlines flight from El Bajio in central Mexico.

Its intended destination was Tijuana however the would-be hijacker - who is reportedly called Mario - wanted to divert the aircraft to nearby San Diego.

Video footage from inside the cabin shows fellow passengers grabbing Mario in an attempt to stop him storming the cockpit.

Other people can be heard screaming, crying, and shouting as they pleaded with him not to open the door.

A witness has claimed that the commotion started after he grabbed a flight attendant and took hold of the aircraft's door handle.

The 31-year-old then allegedly threatened to jump out of the plane to his death taking the staff member with him.

After a passenger intervened, crew members helped to detain the man, who was travelling with his wife and children.

Video footage from inside the cabin shows fellow passengers grabbing Mario in an attempt to stop him storming the cockpit. Other people can be heard screaming, crying, and shouting as they pleaded with him not to open the door

The shocking incident took place yesterday during a Volaris Airlines flight from El Bajio in central Mexico . Its intended destination was Tijuana however the would-be hijacker - who is reportedly called Mario - wanted to divert the aircraft to nearby San Diego

A witness has claimed that the commotion started after he grabbed a flight attendant and took hold of the aircraft's door handle

The chaos forced the plane to make an emergency landing in Guadalajara where the suspect was removed and taken into custody.

A Volaris spokesperson said: 'On flight 3041, which covered the route of El Bajio to Tijuana, a passenger tried, through the use of force, to divert the plane to the United States.'

'The crew acted in accordance with the established safety procedures and, according to the protocol, the plane was diverted to Guadalajara airport.

'Where the airline made the passenger available and in the custody of the competent authorities.

'Volaris has been constituted as an accusing party to ensure that it faces the full weight of the law, until its last consequences.

'All passengers, crew and aircraft are safe.

'The rest of the passengers were protected to continue their flight to the final destination.

'Volaris regrets the inconvenience caused by this situation.

'For Volaris, the safety of our passengers and crews is the top priority.'
Nearly half of Britons fear the speed of technological change - amid the growth of Artificial Intelligence (AI) - will leave their skills redundant by 2030, a major poll has revealed.

The survey of thousands of people across the world, conducted as part of a new report by the Global Labor Market Conference, showed the scale of anxiety in 14 different nations.

More than two-fifths (44 per cent) of respondents in the UK thought technological change could make some or all of their skills obsolete within the next five years.

The survey also found that one in five (21 per cent) Britons feared computers and robots could eventually take over their jobs.

Across all nations, the pace of technological change was by far the most selected option when respondents were asked which global trends could leave their skills worthless.

There was more anxiety about the issue than globalisation, climate change, or demographic shifts among people in Asia, Africa, Europe and the Americas, the research revealed.

In Brazil (61 per cent) and China (60 per cent) almost two-thirds of respondents thought some or all of their skills could become obsolete within the next half-a-decade due to technological change.

This compared to more than half in the US (51 per cent), India (55 per cent), Spain (54 per cent), Saudi Arabia (56 per cent), South Africa (57 per cent), and Nigeria (59 per cent); and one-third of those surveyed in Japan (33 per cent).

Across all nations, the pace of technological change was by far the most selected option when respondents were asked which global trends could leave their skills worthless

More than two-fifths (44 per cent) of respondents in the UK thought technological change could make some or all of their skills obsolete within the next five years

China was found to have the most technogically anxious labour market, with more than one in three (36 per cent) fearing that computers and robots could eventually take over their jobs.

This compared to around a quarter in India (26 per cent), Australia (25 per cent), Vietnam (25 per cent), the US (24 per cent), South Africa (24 per cent), and Saudi Arabia (23 per cent).

More than one-fifth shared the same fear in Brazil (21 per cent), Nigeria (21 per cent) and Japan (20 per cent).

The survey indicated that in countries where there had been a rapid technological shift in the last five years, workers had been more inclined to acquire new skills to bridge the gap between their current capabilities and the demands of a changing job market.

The research also found that a large share of people (44 per cent) feel the responsibility for upskilling in the labour market should fall on them.

Despite more than 60 per cent of respondents reporting that employers have opted to re-skill employees, two-fifths (40 per cent) identified a lack of time as the most significant barrier to further developing skills.

This was closely followed by financial constraints (39 per cent), while almost one-fifth (19 per cent) of respondents felt the current educational system was out of step with the new skills context.

Respondents had significantly more confidence (49 per cent) in businesses to support upskilling and reskilling efforts when compared to governments (20 per cent), NGOs/community organisations (19 per cent), or trade unions (12 per cent).

Only in Saudi Arabia (35 per cent) and India (31 per cent) did governments enjoy a substantial share of trust to support upskilling and reskilling efforts.

Trust in government was markedly lower in most other markets, including the US (15 per cent), UK (12 per cent) and Norway (9 per cent).

The survey collected data from a total of 14,000 adults - who were either employed, unemployed or self-employed - across Australia, Brazil, China, India, Japan, Jordan, Nigeria, Norway, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Spain, the UK, the US, and Vietnam.

Dr Seamus McGuinness, a member of the GLC scientific committee, told MailOnline: 'This is quite novel research.

'We don't have a lot of data at all understanding how changes in these global mega-trends - technological change, globalisation, demographic change, climate change - affect workers.

'These trends really do affect workers in a number of ways.'

Dr McGuinness said the research found there was 'quite a lot of anxiety out there in terms of how people's skills remain relevant in the face of these global trends'.

'If you look under the bonnet of that, you find the impact of technological change is the largest, followed by globalisation,' he added.

'To a lesser extent, people are worried about impacts emerging from demographic change and climate change.

'On the other side of the equation, these global trends are actually prompting workers to upskill in order to make their skills resilient to change.'

Dr McGuinness said that improving their salary was 'the most important factor' for workers in wanting to upskill, but after this was a wish 'to make their skills resilient to change'.

He added that government policy 'needs to be supportive of workers in terms of their upskilling opportunities and needs'.

'Upskilling is a key factor in labour markets to make workers resilient to these changes and these global mega-trends, and the policy environment needs to support that,' he said.
Mystery surrounds a plane that vanished from a flight-tracker while above Syria - sparking theories it was carrying President Assad and could have crashed or even been shot down.

Flight-tracking website Flightradar 24 showed a plane believed to be carrying Bashar Al-Assad leaving the Syrian capital Damascus in the early hours of Sunday morning and heading towards the Mediterranean Sea, before making a U-turn and disappearing from the map.

Reuters quickly reported that 'there was a very high probability that Assad may have been killed in a plane crash as it was a mystery why the plane took a surprise U-turn and disappeared,' citing two anonymous Syrian sources.

But Russia has now called for the story to be retracted amid reports the Syrian dictator had landed in Moscow and been granted asylum there in the wake of his regime's humiliating collapse.

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Reuters of spreading 'fake' news following the story linking Assad to the alleged crash.

'I wonder if Reuters, which reported on Assad's 'highly likely' death, will refute itself?' she asked.

In an earlier statement, Russia's Foreign Ministry said Assad had resigned as president and left Syria, but it did not provide details on where he had relocated.

It was later reported Assad and his family had arrived in Russia after being granted asylum in Moscow, the country's state media claimed, citing a Kremlin source.

Al-Assad and his family have arrived in Russia and have been granted asylum in Moscow, Russian state media claimed, citing a Kremlin source (file image of al-Assad, his wife Asma al-Assad (C) walking with their children, Hafez (2nd-R), Karim (R) and Zein (L) in 2022)

Russia's President Vladimir Putin (R) shakes hands with his Syrian counterpart Bashar al-Assad during their meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow on July 24, 2024

Here is the screen recording on Flight Radar of SYR9218 going off the radar. Allegedly, with Assad on board. #Syria pic.twitter.com/cK3Dd3yLjI  SpiltyTea (@Spiltea) December 8, 2024

The Interfax news agency quoted the unnamed source as saying: 'President Assad of Syria has arrived in Moscow. Russia has granted them (him and his family) asylum on humanitarian grounds.'

Asked whether Assad was confirmed to be in the Russian capital, a Western official said they believed that was likely the case and had no reason to doubt Moscow's claim.

He reportedly left his home country early Sunday, and Syrians have been pouring into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire after a stunning rebel advance reached the capital, ending the al-Assad family's 50 years of iron rule.

'Maybe he thought he knew that this was coming so kind of tried to take himself and leave everyone else,' Colonel Philip Ingram, a former British Army intelligence officer, told MailOnline about al-Assad's rumoured move to Russia.

Assad's reported asylum, his longtime ally and protector, comes as Syrian opposition leaders guaranteed the safety of Russian military bases and diplomatic missions inside Syria, Russian news agencies reported on Sunday, citing a Kremlin source.

The TASS state news agency said: 'Russian officials are in contact with representatives of the armed Syrian opposition, whose leaders have guaranteed the safety of Russian military bases and diplomatic institutions on the territory of Syria.'

Russia, Assad's biggest backer along with Iran, holds a naval base in Tartus and a military airfield in Khmeimim.

Moscow's forces became militarily involved in the Syrian conflict in 2015, providing support for Assad's forces to crush the opposition in the bloody civil war.

Flightradar24 showed a plane heading from the Syrian capital Damascus towards the Mediterranean Sea in the early hours of Sunday morning

The plane then appears to make a U-turn before vanishing off the map

People kick a poster depicting Syrian President Bashar al Assad after Syria's army command notified officers that al-Assad's 24-year rule has ended

Residents in Hama set ablaze a large banner bearing a picture of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad hanging on the facade of a municipal building

People celebrate at Umayyad Square in Damascus on December 8, 2024, as rebel soldiers declare that they have taken the capital

'Russia has always been in favour of a political solution to the Syrian crisis. Our starting point is the need to resume negotiations under the auspices of the UN,' the Kremlin source added.

A Russian representative to the United Nations announced that Moscow had requested an emergency closed-door meeting of the UN Security Council on the situation in Syria for Monday afternoon.

'The consequences (of the events in Syria) for this country and the whole region have not yet been measured,' the official said on Telegram.

Joyful crowds gathered in squares in Damascus, waving the Syrian revolutionary flag in scenes that recalled the early days of the Arab Spring uprising, before a brutal crackdown and the rise of an insurgency plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war.

Others gleefully ransacked the presidential palace and residence after Assad and other top officials vanished.

Syrian state television broadcast a rebel statement early Sunday saying Assad had been overthrown and all prisoners had been released.

They called on people to preserve the institutions of 'the free Syrian state'. The rebels later announced a curfew in Damascus from 4pm to 5am.

The rebels said they freed people held at the notorious Saydnaya prison, where rights groups say thousands were tortured and killed.

A video circulating online purported to show rebels breaking open cell doors and freeing dozens of female prisoners, many of whom appeared shocked. At least one small child was seen among them.

'This happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of prison and know where is he,' said one relative, Bassam Masr. 'I have been searching for him for two hours. He has been detained for 13 years.'

Rebel commander Anas Salkhadi later appeared on state TV and sought to reassure Syria's religious and ethnic minorities, saying: 'Syria is for everyone, no exceptions. Syria is for Druze, Sunnis, Alawites, and all sects.'

'We will not deal with people the way the al-Assad family did,' he added.
Labour today echoed a plan by a former Tory aide to Boris Johnson to bring 'weirdos and misfits' into the Civil Service as it seeks to reform Whitehall.

Pat McFadden namechecked a 2020 plan by former No10 chief of staff Dominic Cumming to recruit into Downing Street from outside the usual gene pool of Oxford and Cambridge graduates.

In a speech in east London today the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster outlined plans to reboot the Civil Service, including asking tech whizzkids to do a year-long tour of duty in the public sector to share their working practices.

Mr McFadden 'You might remember a few years ago, there was a call for weirdos and misfits in the system.

'Well, whatever term you want to use, we do want innovators and disrupters and original thinkers.

'My message to creative thinkers is this is your chance to serve your country, use your brain power, your technological talents, to fix some of the biggest problems we face today.

'Britain needs you, and if you choose to serve I want government to empower you to help us deliver, to move fast and build things.'

However, the decision to namecheck Mr Cummings plan may attract controversy - he left government after a string of controversies including breaking Lockdown rules.

And one of his hires was forced to quit over social media posts including discussing forced contraception of the 'underclass'.

Pat McFadden namechecked a 2020 plan by former No10 chief of staff Dominic Cumming to recruit into Downing Street from the usual gene pool of underperforming Oxford and Cambridge graduates.

However, the decision to namecheck Mr Cummings plan may attract controversy - he left government after a string of controversies and one of his hires was forced to quit over social media posts including discussing forced contraception of the 'underclass'.

In January 2020, shortly before the Covid pandemic hit, Mr Cummings used a blogpost to unveil plans to shake up recruitment to No 10, adding: 'We need some true wild cards, artists, people who never went to university and fought their way out of an appalling hell hole.'

He said that 'confident public school bluffers' need not apply - and warned that those who failed to make the grade would be 'binned' within weeks.

He later claimed more than 35,000 self-styled 'weirdos' and 'misfits' applied.

However the next month adviser Andrew Sabisky was forced to resign over past comments in which he talked about forced contraception of the 'underclass' and suggested black people had lower IQs.

Other historic posts surfaced in which Mr Sabisky, then aged 27, apparently advised a woman that her boyfriend liking pornography about incest, paedophilia and rape was not 'all that much to worry about'.

According to Reddit posts unearthed by The National, Mr Sabisky also said he had 'a thing for incest erotica myself despite never having had those fantasies relating to my actual family'.

The following July a second advisor, Will O'Shea, then 57, who was a data architecture and governance specialist in the Cabinet Office, was sacked after saying police should use 'live rounds' on Black Lives Matter protesters.

Mr McFadden said today that 'world-class technologists' could come into central government for 'a six or a 12-month tour of duty and use their digital and data experience to help us tackle a number of challenges' through a Number 10 fellows programme.

He had earlier said the Civil Service needs to take tech tips from the likes of Sportify, WhatsApp and Airbnb.

He said reform of the state is 'essential' and suggested the Government could learn from the 'creativity' of start-ups.

It is likely to be seen as another shot across the bows of civil servants, with ministers growing increasingly frustrated in public at poor performance in Whitehall.

Last week, Sir Keir Starmer came under fire after he said 'too many people in Whitehall are comfortable in the tepid bath of managed decline'. And Rachel Reeves will this week launch a crackdown on wasteful departmental spending.

Asked about his plans before the speech, Mr McFadden told Times Radio: 'What I'm talking about today is reform of the state, and I think reform of the state is essential.

'We all depend on the state for lots of different services, but in some ways it does things in the same way as it's done for a long time and we're in a world where things have changed very rapidly in the private sphere.

'I'm talking today in my speech about businesses that didn't exist maybe 15 or 20 years ago, like Airbnb or Spotify or WhatsApp, and they've completely changed the way that we think about travel or the way that we consume music, and so on.

Andrew Sabisky was forced to resign over past comments in which he talked about forced contraception of the 'underclass' and suggested black people had lower IQs.

People will be asked to put their skills to use to tackle challenges such as criminal justice or healthcare reform and the Government's five missions

Last week, Sir Keir Starmer came under fire after he said 'too many people in Whitehall are comfortable in the tepid bath of managed decline'. And Rachel Reeves will this week launch a crackdown on wasteful departmental spending

The minister will also launch a 100 million 'innovation fund' to underpin his plans, which will be used to deploy 'test and learn teams' in public services around the country.

The test and learn approach is used across the business world, and allows new ideas to be tried out on a small scale to see their impact before being rolled out more widely if they are successful.

Under the plans, the test and learn teams will be set a challenge, and allowed to experiment and try new things to meet it.

Mr McFadden compared these reforms with what he will describe as the 'pointless distractions' and 'headline grabbing gimmicks' of the previous government.

Two projects on family support and temporary accommodation will be the first outing for the test and learn approach.

These will begin in January 2025, with teams deployed in Manchester, Sheffield, Essex and Liverpool.

While Mr McFadden acknowledged 'each of these projects is small', he said 'they could rewire the state one test at a time'.
This video is no longer available

This video is no longer available

A heartbroken mother who was left in an induced coma and lost her unborn baby in a horror crash is still waiting for an apology from the teenage driver who avoided jail time in a landmark sentence.

Haylee Loccisano wants the girl, then 17, to understand how the head-on crash changed her life forever after the teen was recently sentenced to community service and suspended from driving for six months.

The girl pleaded guilty in Ipswich Childrens Court to driving without due care causing grievous bodily harm to Ms Loccisano and destroying the life of her unborn baby Celeste.

The grieving mum appeared on A Current Affair on Monday night with a poignant message for the teen.

'I just want her to understand how much this has affected my life and all I want from her is just to know that she's sorry and feels some sort of remorse,' Ms Loccisano said.

'It's been our goal to have a child for years.'

'And, I mean, we have one, but she's just not earth side so we'd like to have an earth side baby one day.'

The teen's sentencing a fortnight ago marked the first use of Sophie's Law in Queensland. It meant the judge was empowered to adjust a custodial sentence on account of the death of an unborn baby killed in a criminal act.

Hailey Loccisano and her husband Connor want an apology from the 17-year-old driver who caused their unborn daughter's death

The teen was driving a Toyota RAV4 when she veered into oncoming traffic and collided head-on with the Toyota Hilux utility which Ms Loccisano was a passenger in

'I feel very lucky in a very unlucky situation,' Ms Loccisano said

I'm very grateful that Celeste can be the first step to giving unborn babies the voice that was ripped away from them.

Ms Loccisano also read an excerpt from her harrowing victim's impact statement to that was readout to the teen in court.

'[After waking from a coma] I see a caesarean scar and no baby. I was leaking milk for two months and no baby,' she said.

'I feel as the victim only I am the one who is living a lifelong sentence.'

Ms Loccisano fell pregnant with her 'miracle baby' Celeste after four miscarriages due to a rare genetic disease she has which stop her body from ovulating properly.

'I couldn't believe my luck- it seemed too good to be true,' she recalled.

'And I guess it was too good to be true.'

Her husband Connor couldn't even touch his baby daughter when she was born at 25 weeks, who was unable to be saved by doctors.

'I was unable to hold my baby because she had to go to a Coroner's report,' he said.

'So I wasn't allowed to touch her. All I could do was look at her.'

Sophie's Law is now in effect in NSW and Queensland.

It followed years of campaigning by Sarah Milosevic, who lost her unborn baby at 39 weeks after a drunk and drug-affected driver crashed into her car in 2014 and was later handed a fine.

'Sophie's Law means that at the point of sentencing, an aggravating factor can be added,' Mrs Milosevic told the program.

'It gives the powers to the magistrates and the judges to give that additional time to a custodial sentence.'

Ms Loccisano, then 24, was 25 weeks pregnant and a passenger in a Toyota Hilux utility being driven by her mother Teresa Burn at Purga, west of Brisbane in May this year.

Father-to-be Connor Loccisano revealed he wasn't allowed to touch the baby before it was taken to the coroner

Haylee Loccisano expressed her frustration outside court last month after the 17-year-old driver who caused the crash that killed her unborn baby was given community service and a driving suspension

The teenage girl driving a Toyota RAV4 became distracted and veered into oncoming traffic, causing a head-on collision with the Hilux.

'I guess that saying 'life flashes before your eyes' is very true because a million and one things went through my head in that second that I realised these headlights were coming directly towards our car,' Ms Loccisano said.

She was rushed to hospital and whisked into emergency surgery.

She recalled being told Celeste still had a heartbeat but that it was very low.

Sadly, attempts to save Celeste via caesarean section failed and Ms Loccisano spent the next eight days in intensive care with major abdominal injuries that required several surgeries.

I thought I'd literally just woken up from a cesarean and I woke up a week later to be told that you've been on life support for a week, you've been in a coma, you nearly died, your stomach's still open, your daughter didn't survive and you've had six surgeries so far,' she said.

In her harrowing victim statement, Ms Loccisano told the court that Celeste was her miracle 'rainbow baby' after she was told she could not get pregnant.

'She was taken away from me at the hands of a reckless driver ... her being taken away from me in that way has affected me in ways that are hard to describe,' she said.

'I remember every little detail about the accident. I remember the fear that filled my body... my baby was all of a sudden not moving.'

Ms Loccisano said her extensive scars were a daily reminder of her loss and she continued to suffer ongoing physical and mental health issues.

'I just wish she had more justice,' she told reporters directly after the sentencing.

'It was not enough for the life that was taken.'

Ms Loccisano spent eight days in intensive care with major abdominal injuries that required several surgeries

Acting Magistrate Sue Ganasan sentenced the teen to 100 hours of community service and disqualified her from holding a licence for six months with no conviction recorded.

The maximum sentence the teen could have faced was one year in detention.

'There's no getting away from the fact that any sentence I impose will still leave the parties to deal with the tragic consequences of what has occurred,' Ms Ganasan said.

The teen's barrister James Godbolt told reporters outside court that his client was 'obviously very sorry'.

'It's a terrible tragedy and nothing can make it right,' he said.

After years of campaigning for Sophie's Law, Ms Milosevic has called for more change after she attended sentencing.

She's lobbying for minimum custodial sentences for offending that invoked Sophie's Law.

'(Community service) is a free ride. I don't think she will learn anything from that,' Ms Milosevic said of the teen driver.

Queensland Attorney General Deb Freckington will review the sentence to consider an appeal.

'My thoughts are with Haylee Loccisano and her family, she told A Current Affair in a statement.

I have sought preliminary Crown Law advice and I am consulting with the Police Minister.'
One of Britain's former head spies has warned of a 'serious spike' in Isis's threat to Europe after the fall of Assad in Syria.

Sir Alex Younger, the former head of MI6, said fighters from the terrorist group were being detained in camps in eastern Syria by Kurdish groups and US troops.

However, there are fears Donald Trump could pull these forces out, which would risk a 'power vacuum' in the region - which houses the detention camps.

He told BBC Radio 4 Today: 'The camps represent a hotbed of radicalisation and haven't been sorted out. If the SDF were to go off the job, our security situation here would worsen.'

He added: 'For us, I think we need to be realistic. The reality, the one thing you know about Syria for sure, proven by history, is that attempts to impose change from the outside will not work.

'This is very much a Syrian future for Syrians to decide and we should of course support anything that moves Syria towards a more positive state.

'But we also have some hard interests and the primary one of those as I have said before is the existence of a very large number of Isis detainees left over from the destruction of the caliphate, currently contained by the Kurdish groups in the east.

'But if they go off the job you can expect a serious spike in the threat posed to Europe by Isis.'

Sir Alex Younger, the former head of MI6, said fighters from the terrorist group Isis were being detained in camps in eastern Syria by Kurdish groups and US troops.

Kurdish forces patrol al-Hol camp, which houses families of members of the Islamic State group in Hasakeh province, Syria

Al Roj is a filthy, brutal temporary tent city teeming with dangerous ISIS loyalists who use threats and beatings to enforce their extremist ideology

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 it's more likely that we are seeing a reignition of the civil war and the conflict in all its dimensions.'

HTS, an al-Qaeda's splinter group, has faced accusations of human rights abuses including torturing detainees.

While Syria has been at war for 13 years, the government's collapse ended up coming in a matter of days, with a lightning offensive launched by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

Rooted in Syria's branch of Al-Qaeda, HTS is proscribed by Western governments as a terrorist group.

While it remains to be seen how HTS operates now that Assad is gone, it has sought to moderate its image and to assure Syria's many religious minorities that they need not fear.

In central Damascus on Monday, despite all the uncertainties for the future, the atmosphere was filled with joy.

'It's indescribable, we never thought this nightmare would end, we are reborn,' 49-year-old Rim Ramadan, a civil servant at the finance ministry, told AFP.

Shamima Begum is living in Al Roj detention camp, which is home to around 2,600 detainees from 55 countries, many of them ISIS brides and their children

'We were afraid for 55 years of speaking, even at home, we used to say the walls had ears,' Ramadan said, as people honked their car horns and rebels fired their guns into the air.

'We feel like we're living a dream,' she added.

Assad fled the country as Islamist-led rebels swept into the capital, bringing to a spectacular end on Sunday five decades of brutal rule by his clan over a country ravaged by one of the deadliest wars of the century.

He oversaw a crackdown on a democracy movement that erupted in 2011, sparking a war that killed 500,000 people and forced half the country to flee their homes.

At the core of the system of rule that Assad inherited from his father Hafez was a brutal complex of prisons and detention centres used to eliminate dissent by jailing those suspected of stepping out of the ruling Baath party's line.

During the offensive launched on November 27, rebels wrested city after city from Assad's control, opening the gates of prisons along the way and freeing thousands of people, many of them held on political charges.

Syria's prime minister said Monday that most Cabinet ministers are still working from offices in Damascus after rebels entered the capital over the weekend and overthrew President Bashar Assad. Streams of refugees crossed in from neighboring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future.

Local residents celebrate after opposition forces led by HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) took control of Hama city center and surrounding villages on December 6

Rebel forces pressing a lightning offensive in Syria aim to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad's rule, their Islamist leader said in an interview published on December 6

But there were already signs of the difficulties ahead for the rebel alliance now in control of much of the country, which is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and has promised representative government and religious tolerance.

Israel said it is carrying out airstrikes on suspected chemical weapons sites and long-range rockets to keep them from falling into the hands of extremists. Israel has also seized a buffer zone inside Syria after Syrian troops withdrew.

In northern Syria, Turkey said allied opposition forces seized the town of Manbij from Kurdish-led forces backed by the United States, a reminder that even after Assad's departure to Russia the country remains split among armed groups that have fought in the past.

The Kremlin said Russia has granted political asylum to Assad, a decision made by President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Assad's specific whereabouts and said Putin was not planning to meet with him.

Damascus was quiet on Monday, with life slowly returning to normal while most shops and public institutions were closed.

In public squares, some people were still celebrating.

Civilian traffic resumed but there was no public transport. Long lines formed in front of bakeries and other food stores.

In some areas, small groups of armed men were stationed in the streets. A video circulating online showed a man in military fatigues holding a rifle attempting to reassure residents of the Mezzeh neighborhood in Damascus that they would not be harmed.
An Instagram influencer has admitted using her job at a government health agency to help a drug dealer obtain mobile phones through identity theft.

Jaylie Tori Bonow, 28, pleaded guilty to one count of obtaining identification information to facilitate an offence and one count of using a restricted computer without consent in Brisbane Magistrates Court on Monday.

Bonow, appearing via phone from Western Australia, admitted using the Queensland Health's computer system while she was working in payroll services to obtain the details of three drivers' licences.

It comes two months after Bonow faced criticism after posting a video about feeding a whole cooked chicken to a wild crocodile in far north Queensland.

The court previously was told Bonow obtained copies of the licences on August 24, 2017 for her then-boyfriend to use them to obtain mobile phones for his drug dealing business.

Police prosecutor Laura Cook said Bonow had engaged in 'very dishonest offending' but had also confessed to both her employer and police before any investigation.

'Whilst they are serious charges, a good behaviour bond or substantial fine would serve as a deterrent,' Cook said.

Magistrate Ross Mack said Bonow's offending was too serious for a good behaviour bond as it 'goes to the heart of the integrity' of privacy protections in the health system.

'So much information is digitally stored and with that convenience a responsibility follows that it should be protected,' Mack said.

Defence lawyer Chelsea Waters said Bonow had been young at the time of offending, had derived no benefit and had been in an abusive relationship.

'She made full admissions. She was remorseful... She was in a relationship with a level of control,' Waters said.

The court appearance comes two months after Bonow faced criticism for posting a video about feeding a whole cooked chicken to a wild crocodile in far north Queensland.

Mack said Bonow must have known she was providing the licences to aid in a crime and she would have been trained by her employer not to improperly disclose information.

'You might have succumbed to pressure from a violent man but still you made a choice and it was the wrong choice,' he said.

Bonow was fined $3000 and no convictions were recorded.

In October, Bonow was slammed for bragging about feeding a roast chicken to a saltwater croc on the shores of the Russell River and then shared footage of the brazen act online

'I'm in Far North Queensland at the moment and I thought it'd be a good idea to get a whole chook and feed it to one of the crocs,' she said video, which was later deleted.

'There are some big salties up here and he is absolutely loving it. Rest assured I have stayed away from the [river] bank'.

Bonow then turned her phone to show the massive four metre beast emerging from the water.

The daring act has led to an investigation by the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).
A popular swimming spot has been shut down after a potentially-fatal organism was detected.

The water in Drakesbrook Weir in Waroona, south of Perth, came back positive for the naegleria amoeba after routine fortnightly testing.

The worrying discovery sparked an urgent warning for the public to stay out of the water 'until further notice'.

The organism detected is similar to the horrific brain-eating naegleria fowleri.

The Shire of Waroona is now working to rule out the presence of the deadly naegleria fowleri, The West Australian reported.

It's the third time the weir has been closed this year due of the presence of amoeba after earlier detections on January and April.

The Shire of Waroona has urged any swimmer who had recently submerged their head underwater at the swimming spot and has felt unwell or concerned to seek medical attention.

The amoeba organism thrives in warm stagnant water - so as temperatures rises over summer, swimmers should be cautious about going into untreated bodies of water.

Drakesbrook Weir in Waroona, south of Perth (pictured) has been closed to swimmers for the third time this year after a potentially fatal organism was found in the water

Swimmers have been urged to stay out of the water at the popular weir until further notice

The council has erected warning signs around the weir to make swimmers aware of the serious health risks.

Drakesbrook Weir is a popular spot for locals and tourists due to its grassy picnic area, floating swimming platform and freshwater beach.

Naegleria fowleri causes the disease primary amoebic meningoencephalitis (PAM), also called amoebic meningitis, which is a brain infection that leads to the destruction of brain tissue, according to NSW Health.

In its early stages, symptoms of PAM may be similar to symptoms of bacterial meningitis.

Initial symptoms may include headache, fever, nausea, or vomiting.

Later symptoms include a stiff neck, confusion, lack of attention to people and surroundings, loss of balance, seizures, and hallucinations.

The disease progresses quickly after the symptoms are first experienced and death usually occurs within five days.

The amoeba organism thrives in warm, stagnant water and swimmers are being urged to be careful of entering an untreated body of water as the temperatures become hotter over summer

The organism grows in warm water between 25C and 46C, and can be found in lakes, rivers, dams, bores, tanks and pipelines.

It can also grow in natural hot waters such as hot springs and can also be found in swimming pools that are poorly maintained, under-chlorinated or unchlorinated.

There have only been three reported cases of amoebic meningitis in Western Australia since the 1980s but swimmers have still been warned to practice caution.

People have been known to be struck down by the infection from bodies of freshwater that don't have enough chlorine such as pools or water parks.
Prisoners held inside Bashar al-Assad's notorious Syrian torture chamber prison were forced to suck their own blood off the floor and rape fellow inmates.

Sednaya Prison, nicknamed the 'Human Slaughterhouse', is where huge numbers of detainees were tortured, subjected to all manner of inhumane treatments and executed.

Survivors of the Syrian hellhole have provided chilling testimonies about life behind Sednaya's bars, describing a world 'carefully designed to humiliate, degrade, sicken, starve and ultimately kill those trapped inside'.

It comes amid the downfall of Assad's government, with rebels freeing thousands of detainees in Homs while Syrians plead for their loved ones to be freed from the notorious torture chamber of Sednaya.

Assad previously denied both killing thousands of detainees at Sednaya as well as using a secret crematorium to dispose of their remains in 2017.

Many detainees have revealed they were raped while imprisoned, and in some cases, forced to rape other inmates.

Torture and severe beatings from guards were used as a regular form of punishment and degradation, often leading individuals to life-long damage, disability, and even death.

Cell floors were covered with the blood and pus from injured prisoners, according to a 2017 Amnesty report, with the corpses of dead detainees collected by prison guards at 9am each morning.

It comes as:

President Bashar al-Assad flees Syria and is granted asylum in Moscow

Islamist HTS rebels and other rebel factions take Damascus and topple regime

Syria's Prime Minister is set to meet with HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani

International observers urge 'peaceful transition' of power to rebel groups

HTS promises to grant amnesty to Syrian government troops who surrender

Israel launches strikes on Syrian weapons stockpiles, US hits ISIS targets

Syrian civilians search for loved ones freed from Assad's brutal prisons

This illustration shows one of the methods used by Syrian intelligence agencies to torture detainees. With Dulab the victim is forced to bend at the waist and stick his head, neck, legs and sometimes arms into the inside of a car tire

Some of those being held in the torture centres would be beaten with objects including cables, whips, sticks, batons and pipes

Shabeh is another torture method which was used on detainees. It involved hanging the victim from the ceiling by the wrists

Syrians have pleaded for their loved ones to be freed from the notorious 'slaughterhouse' prison of Sednaya (Pictured) after rebels freed thousands of detainees elsewhere in Homs

This device uncovered inside the Sednaya prison is said to be a hydraulic 'iron press' used to execute or torture inmates

Detainees at Sednaya Prison were forced to obey a set of sadistic and dehumanising rules, as staff deprived inmates of food, water, medicine and medical care.

When food was delivered, it was often scattered over the cell floors by guards where it mixed with blood and dirt, forcing detainees to ingest the gruesome bodily fluids left behind by those wounded and killed.

It was also reported an iron press that was allegedly used to crush and execute prisoners in Sednaya Prison was found in new videos shared by rebels as they liberated inmates.

Footage of what appears to be some kind of large hydraulic press within the prison is yet to be verified, but tales of torture, deprivation, starvation and executions at Sednaya have been widely documented.

Other harrowing accounts have revealed mass hangings at Sednaya were carried out once or twice a week, usually on Monday and Wednesday, in the middle of the night.

Those whose names were called out were told they would be transferred to civilian prisons in Syria, and as many as 50 people were called in one night.

Instead, they were moved to a cell in the basement of the prison and beaten severely before being transported to another prison building on the grounds of Sednaya, where they were hanged.

Throughout this process, they remained blindfolded, meaning they did not know when or how they would die until the noose was placed around their necks.

'They kept them [hanging] there for 10 to 15 minutes. Some didn't die because they are light. For the young ones, their weight wouldn't kill them. The officers' assistants would pull them down and break their necks,' said a former judge who witnessed the hangings in the Amnesty report.

Detainees held in the building on the floors above the 'execution room' reported that they sometimes heard the sounds of these hangings.

'If you put your ears on the floor, you could hear the sound of a kind of gurgling. This would last around 10 minutes We were sleeping on top of the sound of people choking to death. This was normal for me then,' said 'Hamid', a former military officer arrested in 2011.

A terrifying 'special rule' within the prison also meant prisoners were not allowed to make any sounds, speak or even whisper.

Nooses were found after rebel fighters liberated the Sednaya Military Prison near Damascus

Ropes are seen strewn across the floor of the facility, which has become notorious for its brutal treatment of inmates

As many as 50 people were hung in one night. They remained blindfolded, meaning they did not know when or how they would die until the noose was placed around their necks

Mass hangings at Sednaya were carried out once or twice a week, usually on Monday and Wednesday, in the middle of the night

Detainees at Sednaya Prison were forced to obey a set of sadistic and dehumanising rules, as staff deprived inmates of food, water, medicine and medical care

Torture and severe beatings from guards were used as a regular form of punishment and degradation, often leading individuals to life-long damage, disability, and even death

The military prison (Pictured from an aerial view) is famed for its inhumane conditions, systematic torture and mass executions

They were forced to assume certain positions when the guards came into the cells and faced death as a punishment if they even looked at the guards.

'The horrors depicted in this report reveal a hidden, monstrous campaign, authorised at the highest levels of the Syrian government, aimed at crushing any form of dissent within the Syrian population,' said Lynn Maalouf, Deputy Director for Research at Amnesty International's regional office in Beirut, at the time of publication.

'We demand that the Syrian authorities immediately cease extrajudicial executions, torture and inhuman treatment at Sednaya Prison and in all other government prisons across Syria. Russia and Iran, the government's closest allies, must press for an end to these murderous detention policies,' she added.

In 2012, it was revealed Syrian intelligence agencies were running torture centres across the country where detainees were beaten with batons and cables, burned with acid, sexually assaulted, and their fingernails torn out, a report released today has said.

Human Rights Watch identified 27 detention centres that it said intelligence agencies had been using since Assad's government began a crackdown in March 2011 on pro-democracy protesters trying to oust him.

The New York-based rights group found that tens of thousands of people had been detained across Syria. It conducted more than 200 interviews with people who said they were tortured.

This included a 31-year-old man who was detained in the Idlib area in June 2012 and was made to undress.

He told the group: 'They started squeezing my fingers with pliers. They put staples in my fingers, chest and ears. I was only allowed to take them out if I spoke. The staples in the ears were the most painful.'

Inhumane: This map shows the various locations and descriptions by some of those who claimed they were tortured by Syrian intelligence agencies

Basat al-reeh involves tying the victim down to a flat board with the head suspended in the air so the victim cannot defend himself

Electrocution was also used on those being held in the 27 torture centres

Falaqa involves beating the detainee with sticks, batons, or whips on the soles of the feet

'They used two wires hooked up to a car battery to give me electric shocks. They used electric stun-guns on my genitals twice. I thought I would never see my family again. They tortured me like this three times over three days,' he said.

Speaking to CNN, the former officer, who later fled to Turkey with his family, said: 'Whatever we wanted the prisoner to say, he would say. We took their fingernails out with pliers and we made them eat them. We made them suck their own blood off the floor.'

These horrific practices, which according to human rights groups amount to war crimes and crimes against humanity, were authorised at the highest levels of the Syrian government during Assad's reign.

As Syria's rebels swept towards the capital city last week, they made a point of liberating inmates from every jail they found, claiming most of the inhabitants were political prisoners of the Assad regime.

Over the past 10 days, insurgents freed prisoners in cities including Aleppo, Homs, Hama as well as Damascus.

Widely circulated footage has shown rebels 'opening cells one by one' by breaking down walls, and they are said to have rescued 'hundreds of inmates, including women and young children'.

At Sednaya, the terror experienced by the inmates was evident when the liberators arrived.

Women detainees, some with their children who were born behind bars, screamed as men broke the locks off their cell doors.

Upsetting: This image released by the Syrian opposition's Shaam News Network shows mass burial of people allegedly killed by Syrian government forces in Douma

Bashar al-Assad ruled Syria for 24 years, but was ousted as president over the weekend after rebel forces gained control of the capital

People kick a poster depicting Syrian President Bashar al-Assad after Syria's army command notified officers that al-Assad's 24-year rule had ended

Rebel fighters stand on a military vehicle in Homs countryside, after Syrian rebels pressed their lightning advance on Saturday

The rebels who were filmed releasing inmates at the Sednaya prison said: 'We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains and announcing the end of the era of injustice.'

But Assad's atrocities and human rights violations spread beyond prison walls after UN weapons inspectors returned 'overwhelming and indisputable' evidence of the use of nerve gas in Syria in 2013.

Assad faced calls for international military action against his government after the alleged chemical weapons attacks in the suburbs of Damascus.

Then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called the August 21 attack 'the worst use of weapons of mass destruction in the 21st century.'

The United States said that attack may have killed more than 1,400, including hundreds of civilians.

The Syrian opposition accused pro-Assad forces of having carried out the attacks, but Assad denied having used chemical weapons and asserted that, if such weapons had been used, rebel forces were to blame.

Assad's tactics against the rebels continued to draw international condemnation even when his forces refrained from using chemical weapons.

So-called 'barrel bombs' - dropped from helicopters and airplanes - were routinely used to devastating effect against military and civilian targets in rebel-held areas even though human rights groups insisted that employment of such indiscriminate weapons constituted a war crime.

Syrian officials have repeatedly denied allegations of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Jay-Z has been unmasked as the star who sued the lawyer for alleged Diddy victims, as the rap mogul angrily denied a filing claiming he gang-raped a 13-year-old girl with Sean Combs.

The anonymous victim previously referred to the rapper, whose real name is Shawn Corey Carter, as 'Celebrity A' in the bombshell filing, which also implicated a still-unnamed female star known as 'Celebrity B'.

This makes Jay-Z the first celebrity to be named alongside Diddy in one of the myriad lawsuits filed against Sean Combs. Both rappers have denied all allegations.

Her lawyer, Tony Buzbee, who is representing more than 100 alleged Diddy victims, has now also named Jay-Z as the celebrity who allegedly 'filed a frivolous case under a pseudonym' against the accuser's legal team.

The Texas-based attorney claimed Jay-Z has 'tried to bully and harass' him and his client over the incident said to have happened at a 2000 VMA's afterparty - but this has backfired by 'emboldening' them to take the case to court.

'Regarding the Jay-Z case and his efforts to silence my clients: Mr. Carter previously denied being the one who sued me and my firm,' Buzbee said in a statement.

'He filed his frivolous case under a pseudonym. What he fails to say in his recent statement is my firm sent his lawyer a demand letter on behalf of an alleged victim and that victim never demanded a penny from him.

'Instead, she only sought a confidential mediation. Since I sent the letter on her behalf, Mr. Carter has not only sued me, but he has tried to bully and harass me and this plaintiff.

'His conduct has had the opposite impact. She is emboldened. Im very proud of her resolve. As far as the allegations in the complaint filed, we will let the filing speak for itself and will litigate the facts in court, not in the media.'

Jay-Z has been unmasked as the mystery celebrity accused of gang-raping a 13-year-old girl with Diddy at a 2000 VMA's afterparty, according to a lawsuit. (Pictured: Jay-Z and Sean Combs at Puffy's Fourth of July Party at Sean Combs' House on July 2, 2000)

The anonymous victim previously referred to the rapper, whose real name is Shawn Corey Carter, as 'Celebrity A' in the bombshell filing. Jay-Z has denied the allegations. (Pictured: Diddy and Jay-Z during "S.O.S" The BET Telethon Relief Show at CBS Studios in 2005)

Tony Buzbee, who is representing more than 100 alleged Diddy victims, has now also named Jay-Z as the celebrity who allegedly 'filed a frivolous case under a pseudonym' against the accuser's legal team

Buzbee told The New York Times Monday in an email that he follower proper 'legal practice' in 'sending a basic litigation demand letter' to Jay-Z and his camp.

Buzbee told the paper he had sought to get a 'confidential sit down' with the rapper to protect his client's identity.

'We won't get bogged down in a silly sideshow that tries to make the lawyers the focus of what are very serious allegations brought by a courageous woman,' Buzbee told the paper.

Jay-Z, 55, issued a blistering response to DailyMail.com, accusing the victim of attempting to 'blackmail' him, while saying he feared that his three children with Beyonce would have to 'endure' harassment in the wake of the allegations.

The rapper said he is especially worried about Blue Ivy, 12. He is afraid she will face questions from her friends about the lawsuit. The couple also share twins Rumi and Sir, seven.

'My only heartbreak is for my family,' Jay-Z told DailyMail.com on Sunday.

'My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people.'

Jay-Z said he mourned 'yet another loss of innocence' and declared that his 'children should not have to endure' the graphic accusations at their young age.

Jay-Z has been unmasked as the mystery celebrity who sued the lawyer for alleged Diddy victims after he was accused of gang-raping a 13-year-old girl. (Pictured: Diddy and Jay-Z during Jay-Z's Roller Bash CD Release Party taping for MTV in Northridge, California in 2000)

Pictured: (L-R) Natane Adcock, Damon Dash, Aaliyah, Jay Z, Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs and Jennifer Lopez at Puff Daddy's Fourth of July Party on July 2, 2000 in East Hampton

'It is unfair to have to try to understand inexplicable degrees of malice meant to destroy families and human spirit,' he said.

The accuser said she was assaulted at a party after the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards, which took place September 7, 2000 at New York City's Radio City Music Hall.

The lawsuit had initially been filed in New York's Southern District this past October against Combs, with a refiling on Sunday that identified the rapper, whose real name is Shawn Carter.

DailyMail.com has also reached out to a Beyonce representative on the story.

The accuser was hoping to attend the VMAs as a 'bucket list' aspiration, according to the lawsuit, and 'believed she could gain entry.'

As the show started, the accuser said she 'approached several limousine drivers parked nearby and attempted to talk her way into either' the event or afterparties associated with it.

The accuser said in the lawsuit that a limo driver who said they worked for Diddy 'told her that Combs liked younger girls and said she "fit what Diddy was looking for."'

The driver said that he would return to pick ho the accuser after dropping Combs off at the location of the bash.

Jay-Z pictured during the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in NYC

Jay-Z issued a lengthy statement Sunday denying the claims made in the re-filed lawsuit

The accuser said that following a 20-minute drive, she 'arrived at what she believed to be a large white residence with a gated U-shaped driveway' and was told to sign her name to a document she 'now believes to have been a non-disclosure agreement,' as she didn't receive a copy.

Once in the home, the accuser 'recognized many celebrities' and 'attempted to mingle in the crowd' and speak with people.

'Marijuana and cocaine' use was a part of the 'widespread drug use' she witnessed once inside, the accuser said in the suit.

The accuser said she took a drink that had 'a reddish-yellow mixture that tasted like orange juice, cranberry juice, and something bitter' and 'began to feel woozy and lightheaded, making her need to lie down.'

The accuser said in legal documents that she laid down in 'what appeared to be an empty bedroom' and subsequently, Combs, Jay-Z and a female celebrity referred to as "Celebrity B" entered the room.

'Combs aggressively approached Plaintiff with a crazed look in his eyes, grabbed her, and said, "You are ready to party!"' legal documents read.

The accuser said in the lawsuit that Combs threw her 'toward a wall,' leading her to fall, then 'grabbed her again and threw her on the bed.'

The accuser said Jay-Z began stripping her down 'as she grew more and more disoriented' and held her down as 'he vaginally raped her, while Combs and Celebrity B watched.

Diddy seen at an afterparty shot taken the same evening alongside ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez

Diddy, pictured at the event 24 years ago, has been in custody in NYC for almost three months as he awaits his sex trafficking trial in May

'After [Jay-Z] finished, he stepped back toward the wall. Combs then stepped forward and vaginally raped Plaintiff while Carter and Celebrity B watched.'

According to legal docs, in the 2000 incident, 'another celebrity stood by and watched as Combs and Carter took turns assaulting the minor. Many others were present at the after party, but did nothing to stop the assault.

'Carter has been with Combs during many such instances described herein. Both perpetrators must face justice.'

The accuser said Combs tried to force her 'to perform oral sex on him,' at which point she 'fought back, standing up quickly and punching out at the same time, hitting Combs in the neck,' at which point he 'stopped his attempt.'

She added that she managed to escape the property and 'retrace the route taken by the limo driver,' arriving at 'a gas station she noticed on the way to the party.

After 'a female clerk noticed her distress and allowed her to use the phone,' the accuser said she 'called her father, admitted that she had lied about her whereabouts, and asked him to pick her up,' which he did.

The accuser 'fell into a deep depression which continues to affect every facet of her life,' according to the lawsuit.

She 'suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and a seizure disorder caused by stress and trauma,' the suit states.

The accuser has also 'has had difficulty maintaining normal relationships and lives largely withdrawn from society.'

The accuser is asking the court for unspecified damages in the suit, which had been filed under New York state's Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act.

The legal documents filed against Jay-Z indicate that he was past referred to as 'Celebrity A' in a prior legal filing, and says he has homes in New York City and Los Angeles.

The rap staple, whose hits include Empire State Of Mind, Big Pimpin' and Can I Get A, took personal aim at Buzbee, who has taken on more than 100 cases against Combs.

'I have no idea how you have come to be such a deplorable human Mr. Buzbee, but I promise you I have seen your kind many times over,' Jay-Z said in his reply.

'Im more than prepared to deal with your type. You claim to be a marine?! Marines are known for their valor, you have neither honor nor dignity.

'My heart and support goes out to true victims in the world, who have to watch how their life story is dressed in costume for profitability by this ambulance chaser in a cheap suit.'

The legal documents filed against Jay-Z indicate that he was past referred to as 'Celebrity A' in a prior legal filing, and says he has homes in New York City and Los Angeles

Jay-Z said in his statement that Buzbee 'made a terrible error in judgement' in categorizing all celebrities as the same, referencing his own rise amid humble New York City beginnings.

'Im not from your world,' he said. 'Im a young man who made it out of the project of Brooklyn. We dont play these types of games.

'We have very strict codes and honor. We protect children, you seem to exploit people for personal gain.'

Jay-Z wrapped up his statement in saying, 'Only your network of conspiracy theorists, fake physics, will believe the idiotic claims you have levied against me that, if not for the seriousness surrounding harm to kids, would be laughable. I look forward to showing you just how different I am.'

The statement was initially sent to DailyMail.com then published on the Instagram account for Jay-Z's Roc Nation label.
A man was killed and at least three others were seriously injured after a 'gang' were seen 'chasing a man with a tomahawk axe.

Police and paramedics rushed to Birkbeck Road in Acton, London, at around 4am on Sunday following reports of a fatally wounded man.

Police say they are confident that the victim was 33-year-old Nash Clyne, originally from Grenada. Although formal identification is yet to take place, his family has been informed.

He was found at the scene with serious injuries but despite the efforts of the emergency services the man died a short time after.

A murder investigation has been launched by the Metropolitan Police.

Witnesses told Metro that before police arrived they saw a gang of four people chasing a 'middle-aged' man through the area, with one 'swinging a tomahawk axe as the others brandished broken bottles'.

The 24-year-old witness said: 'I looked out and there was a man swinging and running after a middle aged guy. He had an injury above his eyebrow. Others chasing him had bottles. They were really going for him. As they were attacking him I was on the phone to the police describing what was happening.

'It was so violent I saw another man injured as well. It all seemed to be connected with the barbers. There was a room on a red dress there as well they had been at a sorry party.'

Police were called to the scene on Birkbeck Road at around 4am on Sunday morning

A man was found fatally wounded and at least three others were injured in an attack

A large crime scene remains in place on Birkbeck Road in London with road closures in place

Another witness told Metro: 'There was a birthday party at the barbers. Something happened and it all kicked off. The guy who died wasn't young, he was an older guy seen like a father figure in the community. People look up to him.'

Barber shops near the scene of a violent crime in Acton are 'noisy', playing music late into the night, a local resident has said.

The resident, who declined to give her name, said residents had complained to police about the noise coming from the shops on Acton High Street, saying: 'They are noisy people.

'They have music on all of the time. Sometimes there are two or three people outside drinking beer.

'They're always playing music under the bridge on Friday evening, Saturday evening, when people are trying to relax. The music is very loud.'

She said the noise had impacted local residents' sleep.

'People upstairs say they cannot sleep,' she said.

'The neighbours have complained so many times.'

The incident has left the community shocked as authorities work to uncover the circumstances surrounding the fatal disturbance.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward

It is believed that at least three other people were injured during the incident. None of those injuries are thought to be life threatening but police say enquiries are still ongoing.

A large crime scene was put in place with a number of road closures following the attack.

A police cordon remains in place at the scene of a violent attack by an armed gang in Acton.

Forensic officers could be seen examining the area around a barber's shop on Acton High Street on Monday afternoon.

The road remains blocked off, with officers redirecting traffic and members of the public.

Detectives are appealing for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

Police said the nature and cause of the injuries, including identifying what weapons may have been used, will form part of the investigation into the incident.

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie from the Met's Specialist Crime Command, who is leading the investigation, said: 'We are in the early stages of our investigation and my team of experienced detectives is working at pace to establish why Nash was murdered and bring those responsible to justice.

Police said the nature and cause of the injuries, including identifying what weapons may have been used, will form part of the investigation into the incident

'We are urging anyone who was in the area or who knows anything about what happened to come forward. We particularly want to hear from anyone who was at the Front Line Cuts barber shop or the Paradise Cuts barber shop, both in Acton High Street, between 10pm on Saturday and 04.30am on Sunday.

'What you know, however insignificant it may seem now, could hold the key to this investigation.'

In an earlier statement, The Met Police said: 'A number of other people are believed to have been injured nearby with some receiving treatment.

'The public can expect to see a significant police presence in the area as officers begin their investigation.

'A large crime scene is in place including a number of road closures. While we recognise the impact this will have on local residents and businesses, it is essential to provide us with the best chance to secure evidence.

'Anyone with information about the incident is urged to call police on 101 providing the reference 1132/08DEC. Information can also be provided to Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

'We will provide further updates when we are able to.'
A zoo employee in Romania has been killed by a tiger after entering the animal's cage and failing to follow safety protocols, local media reports.

The 52-year-old man, who has not been named, was reportedly bitten on the head by the animal at Pitesti Zoo on Monday morning.

While bringing food to the big cat, the caretaker allegedly ignored health and safety rules which require tigers to be completely separated from the access area.

The zookeeper forgot to close the safety door, according to reports, and the animal was able to launch itself at the man, mauling him over several minutes.

Emergency services quickly arrived at the scene and the man was rushed to hospital. Tragically, he could not be saved.

Police are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding the death and a criminal case has been filed for manslaughter and failure to comply with legal health and safety measures, according to local news site Gandul.

The zoo, located 60 miles outside of Bucharest, said it was the first time in its 50-year history that such an incident has happened, and vowed to investigate internally and support the police probe.

'We will work with all the authorities involved to understand exactly what happened and to ensure that such tragedies do not happen again,' it said in a statement.

The zoo posted a picture of one of its tigers, Ares, over the weekend before the deadly incident on Monday morning

The zoo, located 60 miles outside of Bucharest, said it was the first time in its 50-year history that such an incident has happened

'We reiterate our commitment to maintaining the highest safety standards in all activities carried out at the Zoo. It is our responsibility to protect the lives of all those who work there and also to ensure the welfare of the animals.'

The mayor of Pitesti shared his condolences in a statement on Facebook. 'It is a huge loss, and our thoughts go out to the victim's family and all his loved ones 'in these moments of pain,' he said.

'I have ordered the temporary suspension of activities at the Zoo in order to conduct a thorough investigation,' the statement went on. 'We will take all necessary measures to prevent other tragedies of this kind.'

The zoo's security protocols are expected to be radically overhauled in the coming weeks in order to prevent similar attacks from taking place, The Sun reports.

It is currently closed to the public as the police investigation continues.

The facility is home to a number of tigers, including a Siberian tiger called Ares which it posted a picture of on Facebook last Friday.

Picture shared by Pitesti Zoo in September shows a Siberian tiger called Ares

A number of incidents with tigers have occurred at Romanian zoos, including Pitesti, over recent years.

In 2000, a tiger escaped from Pitesti Zoo because a worker forgot to lock doors.

Fortunately, the tiger was located within an hour later roaming a nearby forest and was taken back to its cage.
Former chancellor George Osborne and his wife suffered 'psychological harm' as a result of a 'stalker' journalist who kept tabs on them for over a year, a court heard.

Lydia Suffield, 27, has denied the offences alleged to have taken place between June 8 2022 and July 5 2023 against Mr Osborne, 53, and his spouse Thea Rogers, 41.

The accused red head was all smiles as she arrived at court today sporting a black leather jacket and book titled 'Anatomy of a Scandal'.

It is alleged that Suffield, from Liverpool, sent emails and messages on Instagram to the couple as well as 'filing false referrals to the NSPCC', a children's charity.

She is also said to have sent a gift intended for their young children.

Rhianne Neil, prosecuting, told Westminster Magistrates' Court: Both complainants have spoken about the psychological harm this has caused, including having to pay for extra security at their wedding and not feeling safe in public, or even breastfeeding their child.

False anonymous tip-offs were made to the NSPCC which caused an investigation into drug abuse and neglect.

But defending, Alexandra Maria-Eugenicos said that any communication sent by Suffield had been done 'in her professional capacity as a journalist'.

The accused red head was all smiles as she arrived at court today sporting a black leather jacket and book titled 'Anatomy of a Scandal'

Lydia Suffield (right) leaves Westminster Magistrates' Court, central London, where she is accused of stalking George Osborne and his wife, Thea Rogers

Former UK Chancellor George Osborne and Thea Rogers leave after their wedding at St Mary's Church, on July 8 2023 in Bruton, England

In addition to the leather jacket, Suffield appeared in court wearing a red shirt and black trousers as she denied the two stalking charges.

District judge Anabelle Pilling bailed her ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing at Isleworth Crown Court on January 6 2025.

This was done on condition Suffield does not contact Mr Osborne or Ms Rogers either directly or indirectly.

You must not email them, write to them or use social media to contact them, the judge said.

The first stalking charge alleges Suffield pursued a course of conduct, namely sending emails, Instagram direct messages and filing false referrals to the NSPCC, which amounted to stalking causing George Osborne serious alarm or distress, which had a substantial adverse effect on his usual day-to-day activities when you knew or ought to have known that your course of conduct would cause alarm or distress.

The second count alleges she pursued a course of conduct, namely sending emails, Instagram direct messages and filing false referrals to the NSPCC, which amounted to stalking causing Thea Rogers serious alarm or distress, which had a substantial adverse effect on her usual day-to-day activities when you knew or ought to have known that your course of conduct would cause alarm or distress.

Mr Osborne served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2010 to 2016 under David Cameron.

He now works for boutique investment bank Robey Warshaw and is also chairman of the British Museum.

Mr Osborne served as Chancellor of the Exchequer from 2010 to 2016 under David Cameron and now works for an investment bank

Mr Osborne married his former Treasury adviser Ms Rogers in July last year, and they have three children together. The pair are pictured here in 2013 attending the Conservative Party Conference

Lydia Suffield arrived at court with a book titled 'Anatomy of a Scandal'. Two stalking charges have been brought against her

The first stalking charge alleges Suffield pursued a course of conduct, namely sending emails, Instagram direct messages and filing false referrals to the NSPCC, which amounted to stalking'

The second count alleges she pursued a course of conduct, namely sending emails, Instagram direct messages and filing false referrals to the NSPCC, which amounted to stalking'

District judge Anabelle Pilling bailed Suffield ahead of a plea and trial preparation hearing at Isleworth Crown Court on January 6 2025

He married his former Treasury adviser Ms Rogers in July last year, and they have three children together.
After Donald Trump announced last month that he would tap Florida Sen. Marco Rubio for Secretary of State, speculation swirled over who would take his seat in the U.S. Senate.

Emerging as an immediate frontrunner was Trump's daughter-in-law and co-chair of the Republican National Committee Lara Trump.

And the biggest indicator yet that she is considering the role came Sunday evening when Lara, 42, announced she was stepping down from her role with the RNC.

Serving as co-chair for less than a year, Lara was elected co-chair as the Party shifted to a more pro-Trump platform ahead of his official nomination at the Republican Convention in July.

Despite her short tenure, Lara said her work is finished with the RNC.

'Serving as the GOP co-chair throughout the course of the most consequential election in American history has truly been the honor of my life,' she posted to X on Sunday evening.

She added: 'The job I came to do is now complete and I intend to formally step down from the RNC at our next meeting.'

The leadership shakeup came when former GOP chairwoman Ronna McDaniel was forced out in March.

Lara Trump seems to be positioning herself to take the opening Florida Senate seat next month

Donald Trump's daughter-in-law announced on Sunday evening that she is stepping down as co-chair of the Republican National Committee because 'the job I came to do is now complete'

Former Chairman of the North Carolina Republican Party Michael Whatley was elected to replace McDaniel and serve alongside Lara.

While some Trump Cabinet picks are controversial, Rubio's is not and he is likely to easily be confirmed by the Senate to serve as the next Secretary of State  leaving his Senate seat up for grabs.

Nearly six in 10 Republicans  59 percent  say that Lara is their top pick to replace Rubio, according to a J.L. Partners poll for DailyMail.com earlier this month.

Only ten percent are opposed.

When all respondents regardless of party were considered, the response was more split. Thirty-three percent say they support Lara being a senator, with 30 percent opposed.

The mother-of-two and wife of Trump's middle son Eric was instrumental in helping the GOP reclaim the Senate and the White House while maintaining their majority in the House of Representatives in the 2024 election.

Since last year, Lara's political stock in MAGA world and the Republican Party has risen considerably.

The idea of a Trump family member in the U.S. Senate has garnered enthusiasm, including from Maye Musk, the mother of billionaire Trump ally Elon Musk.

'The Senate is an old man's club. We desperately need a smart, young, outspoken woman who will reveal their secrets,' she posted on X last month.

Once Rubio officially steps down from the Senate, which he is expected to do next month, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has the authority to fill his seat if confirmed to Trump's Cabinet.

Trump announced last month his intention to nominate Florida Sen. Marco Rubio as Secretary of State, which means his U.S. Senate seat will open up in the Sunshine State

Lara Trump's profile has risen over the last year as she helped the GOP retake the Senate and White House while maintaining a majority in the House. She has indicated that she is interested in being appointed to the U.S. Senate

Lara Trump was elected in March to serve as co-chair to new GOP Chairman Michael Whatley (right) after there was a leadership shakeup towards a more pro-Trump platform

Last month, DeSantis said he is conducting '[m]ore extensive vetting and candidate interviews' throughout December so he is ready to announce Rubio's replacement 'by the beginning of January.'

'Florida deserves a Senator who will help President Trump deliver on his election mandate, be strong on immigration and border security, take on the entrenched bureaucracy and administrative state, reverse the nation's fiscal decline, be animated by conservative principles, and has a proven record of results,' DeSantis wrote on X.

The Florida governor ran in the 2024 primary to challenge Trump for the Republican presidential nomination.

Despite being one of the remaining contenders for the position, DeSantis fell in line over the summer when he endorsed Trump and spoke on his behalf at the Republican Convention in July.

Picking Lara would indicate that the DeSantis's truce with Trump is holding after their bitter election scrap.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has the responsibility of filling the opening seat and said he will make his decision by the start of January. But Republican have made clear that their preference is for Lara Trump to fill the role

Your browser does not support iframes.

But the governor has plenty of local options if he is bold enough to break with Trump and elevate one of his allies instead.

DeSantis' No. 2, Lt. Gov Jeanette Nunez, is an obvious choice.

Other names floated include Florida's Attorney General Ashley Moody and former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner.

But this leaves Lara Trump with the most national name recognition and some of the most high-profile backing.

Sen. Rick Scott, who preceded DeSantis as Florida governor supports Lara.

'We need more Republicans in Washington who actually represent the Republican Party back home and will be steadfast in their commitment to fulfill the mandate from this election  to Make America Great Again,' Scott wrote on X.

'Lara Lea Trump is that person,' he insisted.
A 'devoted and loving' husband and wife killed themselves in a suicide pact after she was diagnosed with motor neurone disease.

Lynn Hunt said that she did not want to be fed with a tube, have her voice recorded and 'sound like Stephen Hawking' or have her head strapped to a chair as her brain remained fully functional but her limbs failed.

Mrs Hunt, 77, and her diabetic husband Ian Hunt, 81, were found dead in the bedroom of their bungalow home in Carnkie, Cornwall, on March 15 this year.

A coroner ruled they died from an insulin overdose even though a post-mortem was not able to ascertain the cause of their deaths.

The couple left a final note along with their wills and funeral plans on their kitchen table and said a close friend would care for their beloved dog.

Mrs Hunt was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in January this year and given between two and five years to live.

But her condition rapidly deteriorated and in March 2024 she was given no more than two years to live after she suffered three falls in one day.

Her younger sister Kerry Todd told an inquest in Truro today: 'Lynn was terrified of what was happening. She did not want to leave Ian, she did not want to leave Fern and leave the house. Ian was very dependent on her.'

Ian and Lynn Hunt were found at a property in Carnkie in Cornwall (file picture)

She said Mrs Hunt was angry she had motor neurone disease and was 'scared' what the disease was doing to her body.

Mr Hunt had been a diabetic from his 40s but they were very close and 'did everything together' and he was a private man who 'kept himself to himself'.

Detective Constable Victoria Swann told the coroner there was no third party involvement and their final note thanked family, friends, NHS staff and carers.

She said: 'They did everything together throughout their marriage, they were inseparable and lived for each other and their dog Fern.'

She said 'they decided they wanted to fall asleep together'.

Ms Todd wept as she said it was 'a great sadness' that they had to do this in secret without friends and family with them but added: 'I respect my sister and Ian's choice.'

Ms Todd said the Hunts moved to Cornwall in 2002 and were a 'very sociable couple' who had been married for 49 years.

They took their dog Fern on long walks but Mrs Hunt's health deteriorated after she retired and she knew there was something medically wrong with her, then the motor neurone disease was diagnosed, the inquest heard.

In what was a final phone call from Mrs Hunt, Ms Todd said she told her she loved her in an assertive manner and different tone at the end of the conversation.

The assistant coroner for Cornwall, Guy Davies, said the Hunts were 'clearly a loving and devoted couple'.

He said following Mrs Hunt's motor neurone disease diagnosis, 'they clearly resolved not to be parted and took their own lives in secret together'.

'They did everything together in life and in death,' he said.

The coroner concluded that their deaths were both due to suicide.

For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
A senior Cabinet minister today warned Whitehall departments there will be 'more to come' in the Treasury's demand for savings.

Pat McFadden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, hinted at a fresh squeeze across Government during Chancellor Rachel Reeves' upcoming spending review.

Since entering 11 Downing Street, Ms Reeves has already urged departments to find 2 per cent in savings in their 'back-office' costs.

And the Chancellor will this week launch a major review of all Government spending with ministers told to expect a 'bruising' process.

The Treasury will reportedly tell every department they need to find 5 per cent savings from waste and inefficiences, as well as to reform public services to get better value for money.

Mr McFadden this morning said the size of a budget is 'not the only question' when it comes to Whitehall spending, but 'it's what you're using it for'.

After unveiling an eye-watering 40billion tax raid at her Autumn Budget in October, Ms Reeves is under pressure not to hike levies further over the coming years.

The Chancellor has refused to repeat her previous pledge that she will not 'come back' for more tax rises on businesses after her raid on employers' national insurance.

But both she and Sir Keir Starmer have insisted they're not planning a repeat of the massive tax-raising fiscal event.

Pat McFadden, the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, hinted at a fresh squeeze across Government during Chancellor Rachel Reeves' upcoming spending review

Since entering 11 Downing Street, Ms Reeves has already urged departments to find 2 per cent in savings in their 'back-office' costs

In a speech in east London, Mr McFadden indicated Labour would instead be pursuing an efficiency drive across Whitehall.

'At the recent Budget, the Chancellor demanded efficiency and productivity savings of 2 per cent across departments, and there'll be more to come,' he said.

'As we launch the next phase of the spending review, at its heart must be reform of the state in order to do a better job for the public.'

Mr McFadden also urged the civil service to find 'innovators and disrupters' as he called for it to follow the 'test and learn' approach of tech firms and start-ups.

He recalled former No10 aide Dominic Cummings' drive to recruit 'misfits and weirdos' into the ranks of government advisers under the previous Tory administration.

Mr McFadden said 'world-class technologists' could join the Government for 'a six or a 12-month tour of duty and use their digital and data experience to help us tackle a number of challenges' through a No10 fellows programme.

He cited Airbnb, WhatsApp and Spotify as examples of start-ups the civil service could emulate in its approach.

Mr McFadden said: 'You might remember a few years ago, there was a call for weirdos and misfits in the system.

'Well, whatever term you want to use, we do want innovators and disrupters and original thinkers.

'My message to creative thinkers is this is your chance to serve your country, use your brain power, your technological talents, to fix some of the biggest problems we face today.

'Britain needs you, and if you choose to serve I want government to empower you to help us deliver, to move fast and build things.'

He acknowledged that 'tour of duty' salaries would not match what people can earn in tech and start-up jobs.

'Many of the people probably could earn more work in private sector, so they are appealing to their sense of public service,' he said.

He said the reform was about bringing in faster decision-making, cutting waste, eliminating or speeding up repetitive tasks and using data.

Asked if he would take inspiration from Elon Musk's department of government efficiency in the US, Mr McFadden said: 'Let's see how he gets on.'

'One thing that's clear is, in the technological world and in the industrial world, he's been an incredible innovator, and he's managed to do things in new ways. So let us see how that works out,' he added.
An Albanian drug dealer who came to the UK in a small boat has been jailed for a minimum of 20 years after he repeatedly stabbed a countryman to death in an argument over a handshake.

Kozma Papa, 22, was seen standing over Bledi Petraj, 37, and repeatedly stabbing him in the chest shortly before 2pm on February 4.

The violent attack occurred on Queen Elizabeths Drive, Enfield, after Mr Petraj refused to shake hands with Papa at a nearby cafe in Southgate, North London.

Words were exchanged between the pair and others around the two had to stand in between them to separate them after Mr Petraj pushed Papa in the upper chest. Papa then picked up a coffee cup and threw it at Mr Petraj, a court heard.

Papa then called a cousin of Mr Petraj, Alexander Petrai via Instagram and told Mr Petrai that he had hit Mr Petraj but had not sworn at him, Mr Petrai told Papa that he had to sort it out.

Shortly after that phone call Mr Petraj drove his BMW into Queen Elizabeths Drive and moments later Papa arrived in his Ford Mondeo.

The pair were parked on opposite sides of the road when they both got out of their cars armed with large knives during the fight Mr Petraj dropped or lost control of his knife.

Papa then picked up his knife and, armed with two knives, held Mr Petraj down and repeatedly stabbed his torso.

Papa, of Fairview Road, Cheltenham, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years on Friday, December 6.

Kozma Papa (pictured), 22, was seen standing over Bledi Petraj, 37, and repeatedly stabbing him in the chest

Papa arrived illegally on a boat to the UK in September 2022 and subsequently applied for asylum at the time of the murder, he had yet to be granted asylum.

The application has subsequently been declined, meaning he could be deported.

The 22-year-old briefly walked away, before coming back to Mr Petraj and again crouching over him and forcefully stabbing him twice more.

Prosecuting, Julian Evans, KC said: Mr Petraj and Mr Papa both got out of their cars.

Each man emerged from his car armed with a knife both men confronted each other in the road, it would appear that each man was aiming blows at the other with his knife.

As the fight continued, Mr Papa advanced towards Mr Petraj in turn, Mr Petraj moved onto the nearby pavement followed by Mr Papa.

For a brief moment, their movements are obscured by a hedge seconds later, Mr Petraj came back into view, by now, he was moving backwards along the pavement.

Mr Papa was moving quickly towards him at some point, Mr Petraj either dropped or lost control of his knife.

Thereafter, at some point, Mr Papa picked up Mr Petrajs knife.

Mr Papa continued to advance towards Mr Petraj armed with two knives. By now, Mr Petraj was unarmed.

Mr Petraj fell to the floor on his back by the rear of the Mondeo, there, he started to kick out at Mr Papa, who continued to advance towards him.

Mr Papa was standing above him, both knives in hand. As Mr Petraj lay on his back on the floor, Mr Papa crouched down over him and straddled him.

Holding Mr Petraj down, Mr Papa delivered multiple blows at the victim, repeatedly stabbing him in the torso.

This violence lasted for about 25 seconds a few seconds later, Mr Papa walked slowly towards the victim.

Mr Petraj was still on his back on the floor looking up at Mr Papa, he tried to kick out to keep him away.

Mr Papa then crouched down over the victim and delivered two further forceful stabs at the victim, both aimed at his upper body.

Queen Elizabeth's Drive in Enfield, North London, shortly before 2pm on February 4

The latter stages of the horrific incident were seen by stunned members of public, who saw that Mr Petraj was completely defenceless when Papa delivered the final blows.

Mr Petraj was taken to hospital, but despite the best efforts of the doctors, he was pronounced dead at 4.10pm.

Papa was arrested at 3.25pm, driving around in the same bloodstained clothes he had been wearing during the incident. He pleaded guilty to murder.

The court heard victim impact statements from the family of Mr Petraj, who described him as a wonderful and funny person.

A newphew said: He was the most caring person I have ever seen. It makes me so upset that I will never see him again, I really miss him so much, thank you for being the best uncle, we miss you uncle Bledi.

Defending Papa, Tyrone Smith, KC, The defendant had been was acting in a normal and sociable way.

It was a chance meeting, as he came out of the cafe, he offered to shake hands but Mr Petraj did not and refused to shake hands with this defendant.

We dont say the defendant behaved well, he too behaved poorly, (insults) may have been less provoking to other members of society but it clearly was to this defendant.

The defendant appeared by the end of events to be perfectly happy to engage or at least to say that he wished to fight the deceased as the deceased said to him.

It appeared there was an agreement to subsequently meet and fight.

Events that unfolded are deeply unattractive, they essentially showed two men fighting in broad daylight.

He was arrested shortly after and effectively said to the police well done youve got me

He unwisely entered a not guilty plea to murder but you must remember he is 21, in a foreign country facing the gravest charge.

We see no reason why he would call a close friend of the deceased were he not trying to avoid further violence.

He recognises what he does, he recognises the consequences of what he has caused, he recognises he is going to receive a lengthy sentence.

But, unlike so many other defendants, he had the decency and the courage to accept responsibility for his actions.

Papa, of Fairview Road, Cheltenham, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of 20 years at the Old Bailey (pictured) on Friday December 6



It is not an easy thing to do, it is not an easy thing to do to explain to all those people who hold him in such high regards. He has done the right thing.

The Recorder of London, Judge Mark Lucraft, KC, told Papa: You were 21 at the time, now 22, there are no previous convictions, reprimands, warnings or cautions against you in this country.

In the defence statement, you admit some involvement in drug dealing. At the time of these offences, you remained an asylum seeker.

It may well be that you are deported. Having armed yourself, you used it to attack and went on to use two knives a number of times during the course of the altercation, I note this attack takes place in a public street in daylight.

There is a lack of significant pre-meditation. There was clearly animosity between the two of them.

As Mr Smith rightly concedes in his sentencing note, even if this court was to accept there was no intention to kill, it would afford little if any mitigation.

To some extent, I do accept there was an element of provocation and loss of control. In mitigation, reliance is placed on your age.

I have seen and read documents from prison that show you have used time on remand well.

Those who know you are shocked you have been involved in such grave violence. I have seen and read an articulate letter where you express remorse.

A person sentenced to life who is released remans on licence for the rest of their life.
A 15-year-old schoolgirl was stabbed to death during a fit of 'white-hot anger' in a row over a teddy bear, a court has heard.

Hassan Sentamu, 18, is accused of lashing out at Elianne Andam with a kitchen knife during a prearranged meeting in Croydon town centre with his ex-girlfriend and her group, the Old Bailey was told.

He was on his way to a meeting with his ex-girlfriend, who he had split up with about 10 days before, and her group of friends, which included Elianne.

Rather than returning a teddy bear as part of a belongings swap, he plunged his knife into Elianne's neck having lost his temper at perceived 'disrespect', jurors heard.

He has admitted manslaughter but denied Elianne's murder on the basis of 'loss of control' because he has autism.

Prosecutor Alex Chalk KC told jurors on Monday: 'Having heard the evidence you may feel that the catalyst for this dreadful attack was rather more simple: anger.

'White-hot anger at having been disrespected in public by girls, both by Elianne on the day of the killing and previously.'

The defendant, then aged 17, was already armed with the kitchen knife when he took the bus from his home in New Addington, south London, to the Whitgift Centre on the morning of last September 27, jurors heard.

Elianne Andam (pictured) had met two female friends before she was knifed. It is alleged that Sentamu, wearing a mask and gloves, removed a large knife from his waistband and stabbed Elianne repeatedly

18-year-old Hassan Sentamu (pictured) is charged with murdering Elianne Andam in Wellesley Road, near the Whitgift Centre, at around 8.30am on Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Family and friends of Elianne Andam at the scene of the stabbing in Croydon, south London

Mr Chalk told jurors: 'The purpose of the meeting was to exchange belongings. (The ex-girlfriend) in particular was anxious to recover her teddy bear.'

During the meeting in a car park at the Whitgift shopping centre, Sentamu's ex-girlfriend, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, stuck with her side of the bargain.

She handed over a plastic bag containing his belongings but the defendant arrived empty-handed, jurors were told.

Mr Chalk said: 'Elianne was aggrieved on her friend's behalf. So, at around 8.30am whilst Hassan was walking outside the Whitgift Centre, Elianne took the plastic bag back.

'It was a gesture of solidarity with (her friend) that cost Elianne her life.

'The defendant chased after her, cornered her and used the kitchen knife to stab her repeatedly.

'He drove the knife 12cm into her neck, severing the carotid artery and causing injuries that were unsurvivable.

'Despite the rapid arrival of the emergency services and intensive efforts over the course of nearly an hour, Elianne died at the scene.'

Sentamu fatally stabbed the 15-year-old in a fit of 'white-hot anger', a court heard (pictured are investigators at the scene of the attack on September 27, 2023)

CCTV footage captured the attack, Sentamu running from the scene and disposing of the knife.

He only got as far as the bus stop near his home before being arrested less than 90 minutes later, the court was told.

Mr Chalk said the defendant did not deny wielding the knife and causing Elianne's death in the face of 'overwhelming' evidence against him.

He said that Sentamu had pleaded not guilty to murder on the basis that his responsibility was diminished having been diagnosed with autism in 2020.

He also denies having a blade claiming he had a 'lawful reason' for carrying it.

The prosecution acknowledged 'with compassion' the challenges posed by autism and the impact 'adverse' childhood experiences can have.

But Mr Chalk asserted that neither amounted to an 'excuse, justification or defence' for Elianne's murder.

Sentamu had a 'short fuse' and on the day of the killing, he came to the end of it, jurors heard.

The prosecutor said: 'His calculated decision to bring a knife to the scene meant that the consequences of that outburst for Elianne and her family were utterly devastating.'

Members of Elianne's family sat in the well of the court as Mr Chalk outlined the case against Sentamu.

The Old Bailey trial before Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb continues.
The judge at the center of a controversial decision to drop the manslaughter charge against Daniel Penny in his highly-publicized subway death trial is no stranger to contentious decisions.

Justice Maxwell Wiley is an acting Justice of the New York County Supreme Court, having presided over controversial trials in the role for 20 years.

On Friday, Justice Wiley risked creating 'reversible error' and handing the defense a pathway to appeal any conviction when he contradicted his own jury instructions which demanded they don't consider a secondary charge of negligent homicide until they'd reached a verdict on the manslaughter charge.

The strict instructions they received stated that negligent homicide could only be deliberated on if they returned a not guilty verdict on the manslaughter charge.

Jurors are deliberating on a month's worth of testimony and evidence to determine whether Penny committed negligent homicide when he placed homeless mentally ill street performer Jordan Neely in a chokehold on a subway train in May 2023.

Neely died on the floor of the subway carriage, but jurors heard differing testimony about his death. The state's witness said he died as a direct result of the chokehold, while the defense expert said it could have been a combination of factors.

Neely had drug K2 in his system at the time of his death and a sickle cell disorder.

Justice Maxwell Wiley is an acting Justice of the New York County Supreme Court , having presided over controversial trials in the role for 20 years

On Friday, Justice Wiley risked creating 'reversible error' and handing the defense a pathway to appeal any conviction when he contradicted his own jury instruction

Penny held Neely in a chokehold on the subway car floor while others assisted on May 1, 2023

'The judge is letting the jury do what he said he couldn't do. And the defense is right. This is coercive, sort of forcing the jury to convict by changing the rules after the fact. It's not just unorthodox, it's legally wrong,' Fox News legal analyst Gregg Jarrett said.

'The judge's only option was to declare a mistrial on the deadlocked jury.'

There has been an uptick in interest for the Judge since the ruling, with critics accusing him of being soft on Assistant District Attorney Dafna Yoran and bending to her requests.

He was also slammed for allowing Penny to be referred to as 'the white man' throughout the trial in front of a jury.

Justice Wiley was the man who dismissed an attempt to prosecute Donald Trump's 2016 campaign chairman Paul Manafort.

The District Attorney's office in 2019 was trying to pursue state charges for mortgage fraud and other felonies, similar to the federal charges he was convicted of, and later pardoned for by Trump.

But Justice Wiley shot down the attempt due to double jeopardy.

There has been an uptick in interest for the Judge since the ruling, with critics accusing him of being soft on Assistant District Attorney Dafna Yoran and bending to her requests

He also presided over the highly-publicized Etan Patz murder case, which took place three decades after the six-year-old boy vanished from his home

At the time, he said 'the law of double jeopardy in New York State provides a very narrow window for prosecution.'

But he's also got a history of handing down harsh sentences in death cases - and of encouraging jurors to keep working through deliberations when the going gets tough.

He sentenced Queens man Lloyd T. McKenzie to 85 years in prison, the maximum sentence for murder in the second degree, after presiding over his three-month jury trial in 2017.

Even as McKenzie continued to protest his innocence, Justice Wiley said 'I think the evidence was extremely powerful.'

He also presided over the highly-publicized Etan Patz murder case, which took place three decades after the six-year-old boy vanished from his home.

Justice Wiley handed store clerk and father Pedro Hernandez a sentence lasting 25 years to life after he was convicted by a jury.

'The defendant kept a terrible secret for 33 years,' the judge said. 'His silence caused the Patz family indescribable anguish and served to compound their grief.'

Justice Wiley was the man who dismissed an attempt to prosecute Donald Trump's 2016 campaign chairman Paul Manafort (center)

During an initial trial against Patz' killer, Justice Wiley urged jurors to continue deliberating twice after they told him they could not reach consensus.

By the third juror note, he agreed to declare a mistrial.

Similarly in the Penny case, jurors told him twice they could not reach an agreement on the manslaughter charge.

He was inclined to send them back in for deliberations once more when Yoran's sensational intervention took place, revealing the state was willing to dismiss the top charge.

Yoran hoped that in doing so, jurors would be free to move onto the negligent homicide charge, and reach a verdict.
A disgraced multi-millionaire tech tycoon has been stripped of his MBE after he was jailed for drugging and raping two women.

Lawrence Jones, 55, who was once dubbed 'Britain's nicest boss', was handed a 15 year prison term in December 2023 after being found guilty of sex attacks on three women.

The father-of-four was convicted of drugging and raping two 'stupefied' women in the early 1990s while earning a living as a hotel pianist.

Following their verdicts, it was revealed that back in January he was convicted of sexually assaulting a woman employee of UKFast back in 2013.

Jones was appointed a MBE for 'services to the digital economy' in the 2015 New Years Honours list. However, he has now had this honour 'cancelled and annulled' by King Charles following his convictions late last year.

It was announced in the London Gazette on Friday.

The official statement reads: 'THE KING has directed that the appointment of Lawrence Nigel JONES to be a Member of the Civil Division of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, dated 31 December 2014, shall be cancelled and annulled and that his name shall be erased from the Register of the said Order.'

Jones was convicted following two trials at Manchester Crown Court last year.

Disgraced tech tycoon Lawrence Jones, 55, has been stripped of his MBE after he was jailed for drugging and raping two women (pictured with his medal)

Businessman Jones - seen outside court - pounced on both women at his flat while working as a hotel pianist in the early 1990s. Pictured outside Manchester Crown Court in January

Shortly after, Manchester Metropolitan University stripped him of his honorary doctorate which he was awarded in 2016.

Jurors were unanimous in their decision to find him guilty of two counts of rape.

It was then revealed that Jones, who founded the Hulme based tech firm UK Fast, had already spent 10 months in jail after being convicted of sexual assault after another trial in January.

He was found guilty of sexually assaulting a woman in a hotel room during a business trip a decade ago.

In the second trial later in the year, the court heard that Jones also attacked two women in the 1990s while he was a piano player in pubs and hotels across the city.

Jones was sentenced to 14 years for the rape of Woman A, concurrently with a sentence of seven years in respect of the rape committed on Woman B.

He was ordered to serve a year, consecutively, for sexual assault.

Jones's success saw him appointed MBE in 2015 for services to the digital economy (pictured with wife Gail)

Jones, who was once dubbed 'Britain's nicest boss', was handed a 15 year prison term in December 2023

A combined sentence of 15 years was handed down by Judge Sarah Johnston who told him he had behaved with 'entitlement, dominance and a total lack of regard for the rights and freedoms of women'.

She said the success of the 700million business empire Jones created with his 'loyal' wife hid the reality of a workplace that was 'tainted by your attitude to women'.

Jones had built a reputation as a business guru, playing chess against Sir Richard Branson on Necker Island and regularly featuring on the BBC.

Jones, of Brooks Drive, was also ordered to sign the Sex Offender Register for life, and pay court costs of 52,242.
A group of special-needs students was denied service at Cracker Barrel in Maryland, with the mother of an autistic boy expressing outrage after the restaurant's manager told them not to come back.

Stacey Campbell said her non-verbal son Jojo, 9, was refused sit-down service at the restaurant in Waldorf on Tuesday along with 10 other special-needs children.

Jojo was on the trip with his school's community-based instruction (CBI) program, which gives special-needs children the opportunity to go on field trips and participate in educational activities.

According to an email from a teacher, the kids and the seven adults with them were denied service at the Cracker Barrel even though they called beforehand to confirm they did not need a reservation.

The email said that the decision had nothing to do with the children's behavior and that the manager told the group not to come back for any future field trips.

'So, if youre telling them to take us off the list, then they're not welcomed there. Why?' Campbell told WJLA.

The restaurant only allowed the group to place a to-go order and made the students sit in the back of the eatery, where they waited for more than an hour, the teacher's email said.

'We did take the food back to the school and the students enjoyed their lunch and were so well behaved,' it stated.

'I am however disappointed about this experience and am still stunned that this happened in a public setting.'

The email also noted that Cracker Barrel staffers were very rude to the group.

Jojo,9, was denied service at a Cracker Barrel on a school trip with 10 other special-needs children on December 3

Jojo's mom, Stacey Campbell, said visits like this are very helpful for her son

The Cracker Barrel in Waldorf, Maryland, attributed the students' experience to a staffing issue

The concerned mother shared the letter on social media to bring attention to the situation, sparking hundreds of reactions.

'I posted it for awareness. And again, it was more so for my community of moms and dads who have children who cannot speak for themselves - who cant advocate for themselves,' she told WJLA.

'These types of trips are extremely beneficial to them, or for him specifically, because it allows him to be able to explore without all of the white noise and all of his senses being overloaded.'

Charles County Superintendent of Schools Maria Navarro defended her staff and the children, sharing a public statement of her own.

In the letter, she said that Cracker Barrel was told before the group arrived that the goal of the program is for children to 'practice generalizing skills they are learning in the classroom' before the group arrived.

'Our students and staff are our number one priority, and we are disheartened to learn about the alleged treatment they received while participating in an activity designed to educate our students using real-world applications,' Navarro wrote

Cracker Barrel attributed the students' experience to a staffing issue.

The program aims to help children with special needs practice the skills they learn in the classroom in the real world

Campbell said she does not believe the excuse Cracker Barrel gave for denying the kids and the staff members service

In a statement, a representative for the business said: 'A staffing challenge that day led to the closure of part of our second dining room, creating confusion that impacted the group's experience.'

But Campbell and the other parents involved are still skeptical.

'I do not buy the excuse that they're giving,' she told WJLA. 'I for one, and my family, will not be spending a dime in supporting that establishment.'

The superintendent revealed that the student group has been contacted by other restaurants and businesses who are more than happy to host their group.
A criminology student researched methods of murder before 'butchering' a personal trainer at random on a beach because he wanted to know how it felt to take a life, a court has been told.

Nasen Saadi, 20, is said to have taken inspiration from 'high profile' stabbings such as the murder of teenager Brianna Ghey when he carried out the 'horrifyingly savage' attack on Amie Gray, prosecutors said.

Saadi allegedly searched online for weapons as well as 'busiest beaches' before settling on Durley Chine Beach in Bournemouth, Dorset, where he allegedly attacked Mrs Gray, 34, and her friend Leanne Miles, then 38, at random.

Mrs Gray was pronounced dead at the scene while Ms Miles suffered 20 injuries but survived the attack on the evening of May 24 after screaming 'Please stop, Ive got children'.

Saadi, a student at Greenwich University in London, had taken such an 'interest' in true crime his lecturer had once asked him 'Youre not planning a murder are you?' when he 'plied' her with questions about forensics and how different police forces operated.

In March, Saadi is said to have researched 'why is it harder for a killer to be caught if he does it in another town' and 'which is the deadliest knife'. The following month, he allegedly carried out online searches for the 'busiest beaches' and then the following day looked at 'whether Bournemouth beach was open at night' and if sand or pebbles were easiest to run on.

On May 21, Saadi travelled down from his home in Croydon to Bournemouth, where he checked into a Travelodge hotel which he had booked in advance, the court heard.

Two days before the alleged attack, Saadi went to the cinema and watched 'The Strangers  Chapter 1' which the prosecutor described as a 'slasher home invasion movie' where the male and female leads are both stabbed.

Amie Gray (pictured) died after being stabbed on Durley Chine Beach, Bournemouth, at about 11.45pm on May 24 this year - a man has now gone on trial charged with murdering her

Nasen Saadi, from Croydon in south London, has been accused of murdering Amie Gray on Bournemouth beach - a court artist sketch depicts him at Winchester Crown Court last week

Sian Gray, wife of Amie Gray, is pictured outside Winchester Crown Court - she attended today's court proceedings, watching from the public gallery

Saadi, 20, has gone on trial charged with the murder of the 34-year-old physical trainer at Durley Chine Beach, West Undercliff Promenade, on May 24, as well as the attempted murder of Leanne Miles at the same location.

Amies wife Sian attended today's proceedings at Winchester Crown Court in Hampshire and watched from the public gallery.

Sarah Jones KC, prosecuting, today told jurors that, while the defendant was studying for a degree in criminology at Greenwich University in south-east London, he had asked his lecturers a series of questions about getting away with murder.

She said one of them then felt prompted to ask him: 'You're not planning a murder, are you?'

The prosecutor said that Ms Gray and Ms Miles had been chatting next to a fire to keep warm on the Dorset beach under a full moon when they were targeted by Saadi.

She said: 'Nasen Saadi, as he walked along that promenade and thought about the culmination of a plan he had worked on for who knows how long but which he had spent the last couple of nights walking through and researching.

Amie Gray (left) is pictured here with her wife Sian (right) in a photo provided by Dorset Police

'Nothing fine or glorious in his plans, I'm afraid - nothing of self-improvement or to benefit anyone else.

'This defendant seems to have wanted to know what it would be like to take life - perhaps he wanted to know what it would be like to make women feel afraid, perhaps he thought it would make him feel powerful, make him interesting to others.

'Perhaps he just couldn't bear to see people engaged in a happy normal social interaction and he decided to lash out, to hurt, to butcher.'

Ms Jones added: 'With purpose, slowly, stealthily and quietly, when he thought no-one would observe him, he hovered at the edges of the promenade, then stepped on to the sand, and walked directly towards the two women with a knife in his hand.

'In an act horrifying in its savagery and in its randomness he stabbed them both multiple times, chasing after them as they tried to escape or divert him from the other and he continued his attack.

'He left them on the sand to bleed to death whilst he moved away and tried to disappear back into the shadows, away from the glare of the streetlights or the moonlight and back into anonymity.

'He got rid of his weapon. He changed his clothes and shoes and got rid of them.'

Ms Jones said that during his university lectures, Saadi would ask questions not related to the subject of the talk.

Dorset Police issued this family picture of Amie Gray, 34, from Poole, who was killed on Durley Chine Beach, West Undercliff Promenade in Bournemouth, on May 24 this year

Nasen Saadi has denied the murder of 34-year-old personal trainer Amie Gray (pictured)

These included raising queries about self-defence justification for murder, DNA analysis and other forensic evidence, the prosecutor told the court.

She added that a lecturer 'explained his questions were not relevant to the lecture but there would be police input later in the course and he could save his interest for then.

The lecturer was said to have then followed up with, 'You're not planning a murder, are you?' - to which Saadi did not reply, jurors heard.

Ms Jones said Saadi also did online research about knives which he then bought, and looked into the murder of teenager Brianna Ghey in Warrington, Cheshire, and her killers.

She added: 'In March he researched, "why is it harder for a killer to be caught if he does it in another town", the merits of one weapon over another, swords or daggers over knives, or "which is the deadliest knife".'

Ms Jones said Saadi also researched Bournemouth beach and how many people visited and whether it was open at night, as well as about which hotels accepted cash payment and did not have CCTV cameras.

The prosecutor told the court he booked a stay at a Travelodge hotel from May 21 but also the nearby Silver How guest house into which he booked on May 23.

She added that on the previous evening, Saadi had gone to see the movie The Strangers: Chapter 1, which the prosecutor called a 'slasher home invasion movie'.

A court artist sketch from June 4 this year of Nasen Saadi who has been charged with murdering Amie Gray, which he denies

Describing the plot, she said: 'The male and female leads are both stabbed - the male dies and the female survives.

'It suggests, doesn't it, that the defendant gravitated to what he likes to watch or sought inspiration or encouragement from what he saw?'

Ms Jones said that on each of the evenings he stayed in Bournemouth, Saadi walked at night along the promenade to Durley Chine for what she described as a 'recce' of the area.

She told how Ms Miles described the incident to police while in hospital and said Ms Gray had attempted to escape their attacker who then returned to stab her.

The court heard that Ms Miles said: 'I ran to the top of the promenade, and I could hear Amie saying, "Get off me".

'I couldn't see her because she was down by the beach where it was dark.

'I think the guy must have chased back up to the promenade. I couldn't see anybody - there wasn't, there was nobody around.

'And he came back on to me, and he was continuously stabbing me, and I told him to stop. I kept turning my back to him, so all my injuries are on one side of my back.'

Floral tributes to Amie Gray were left on Bournemouth beach following her death on May 24

She also said: 'I didn't want to look at him. I couldn't look at him. And I told him, I said, "Please stop". I said, "Please stop, I've got children". And then I think that's when he started to go, he walked away.'

Ms Jones said that analysis of CCTV footage, capturing the attack, had led to the identification of the defendant and a positive ID was made by a photographer named Michael Priddle who had been in the area at the time.

Ms Jones said that after Saadi was arrested, he initially declined to answer questions but went on to say that he had an interest in true crime and enjoyed horror movies.

She said that he then admitted he had visited Bournemouth but would not give details of his whereabouts at the time of the killing, while saying he might have suffered a 'blackout' or 'been affected because he had been drinking'.

Ms Jones added: 'The footage of the attack was played and he stated simply, "That's not me". He said he had no reason to attack someone for no reason and he wouldn't attack anyone for no reason.'

The prosecutor added that a search of the defendant's home by police found a number of knives, which showed his 'fascination' with them, as well as latex gloves, a torch and a black balaclava.

Saadi, who has pleaded guilty to failing to provide his mobile phone code to police, denies the charges of murder and attempted murder. The trial continues.
More than 9,000 warrants have been issued for suspected criminals wanted by police for offences including murder and rape.

The huge scale of outstanding warrants for crimes such as domestic abuse, assault and housebreaking has been exposed in damning new Police Scotland figures.

The legal documents are sent out when accused people fail to attend court when ordered or when they are wanted as suspects in connection with investigations.

But officers say the service is struggling to cope with 'relentless demand' - and executing warrants is often not seen as a priority.

Last night Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr said: 'The public will be deeply alarmed about the high number of outstanding warrants - given so many of them relate to serious and violent crimes.

'If police are to get on top of these, SNP ministers must apply some common sense and finally give the police every resource they need to uphold community safety.'

Figures released by Police Scotland show that, on November 5 this year, there were 9,071 outstanding warrants - seven of them for murder, 45 relating to rape and 13 for indecent exposure.

There were 1,373 for assault, 41 for domestic abuse, five for attempted murder and 157 for theft by housebreaking.

Scottish Tory justice spokesman Liam Kerr has said the public will be 'deeply alarmed' about the high number of outstanding warrants - given so many relate to serious and violent crimes

The figures show 600 were for the supply or use of drugs, while one was for 'escape from custody' and three were for human trafficking.

Last night David Threadgold, chairman of the Scottish Police Federation, representing rank-and-file officers, said: 'Executing warrants should be a priority - and the public would expect it to be. But the reality is very often it isn't, because of the relentless demand on the officers trying to service them.'

Mr Threadgold said that it was possible the outstanding murder warrants related to foreign criminals no longer in the UK.

Arrest warrants are issued daily. The number outstanding at any one time is higher than the number of individuals wanted, as there can be multiple warrants in place for each person.

Scottish Labour justice spokesman Pauline McNeill said: 'The SNP must ensure police have the capacity to catch suspected criminals, otherwise police morale and public trust will suffer.'

Chief Superintendent Pat Campbell, of Police Scotland's criminal justice services division, said: 'We will use dedicated resources and intelligence techniques to pursue and locate those who pose the greatest risk.'

A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'Execution of warrants is a matter for Police Scotland.'
The in-laws of former Syrian President Bashar Al Assad have fled the UK and are believed to be in Moscow, their neighbours and friends have told MailOnline.

Fawaz Akhras, a renowned cardiologist, and Sahar Akhras, a retired diplomat, are the parents of Asma Al Assad, who married the deposed Syrian dictator in 2000 when he was studying in London.

The couple live in a smart, modest home in North Acton, west London where they raised Asma before she went on to live a life of opulence as the Syrian First Lady while her husband waged a campaign of terror to suppress his political opponents.

The owner of a Syrian supermarket in Acton, who knows Mr Akhras but did not wish to be named told MailOnline: 'I saw him about ten days ago and he said he was going abroad for a while and that his wife was already out of the country.

'He didn't say where but there is a large Syrian community in Acton and the word is that he and his wife have gone to Moscow to console their daughter and son-in-law.

'It doesn't surprise us because they are a close family and they've always supported their daughter.'

One neighbour, who has known the family for 30 years but did not want to reveal her name, said that the property had been empty for the past week and that Mr Akhras and his wife have likely flown to Russia to meet their daughter and her family.

She added: 'The house is empty and we've heard that they are abroad. They are usually around but keep a low profile because there are a lot of Syrians living around here.'

Syrian First Lady Asma Assad's parents, London-based doctor Fawaz Akhras and former diplomat Sahar Akhras, pictured in Syria in 2012

The couple's modest home in North Acton, west London, appeared to be empty today

Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma al-Assad pose during a visit to the Great Wall of China at Badaling on June 22, 2004

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's wife, Asma, smiles during a reception in Paris during an official visit in 2001

The house of the Akhras family in West London where Asma Akhras grew up is pictured today

The Kremlin has confirmed that Al Assad, Asma and their three children were given asylum on the direct orders of Vladimir Putin after fleeing Syria.

The west London suburb of Acton has one of the capital's largest Syrian communities and many had gathered in a local coffee shop to discuss events in the country.

One man, Tariq, said: 'We all know that Asma's parents live in Acton, but we don't bother them because it's not their fault that their son in law was such a brutal tyrant. And we also don't want to do anything illegal in this country.

'We've heard that they have left the UK for now, partly for their own safety and because they want to be with their daughter.'

Meanwhile Abdel, who said that his father knows Mr Akhras, added: 'He (Mr Akhras) and his wife are not in the UK. They're probably with their daughter comforting her and helping to spend all the money they've stolen from the Syrian people.'

Mr and Mrs Akhras raised their daughter Asma in their terraced house, which is worth 1million today.

Born in 1975, Asma enjoyed a gilded childhood before carving out a successful career in international banking.

On the face of it, she was destined for a glamorous career, having been raised by her hard-working Syrian parents.

For years Asma was the face of female liberation in the Middle East; with her successful career in banking and her secular British upbringing

The couple during a visit to Schoenbrunn Palace in Vienna, Austria, on April 28, 2009

Queen Elizabeth II hosts Asma Al-Assad and her husband, the President of Syria Bashar Al-Assad, 17 December 2002, at Buckingham Palace

As a child, she was enrolled at a prestigious public school, Queen's College, Marylebone, where fees are almost 9,000 a term before graduating at King's College London in 1996 with a degree in computer science and French literature.

Not even Asma, who was known simply as 'Emma' by friends at school, could have imagined that she would go on to marry an authoritarian president who would rule over Syria with an iron fist. She was later branded the 'First Lady of Hell' herself.

It was during the 90s in London that she grew close to future President Bashar al Assad, who had moved to the capital in 1992 to train as an eye doctor.

But two years later, his own ambitions to break into the medical profession in London were stalled as his elder brother died in a car crash and he was suddenly propelled to being the heir apparent for his father Hafez, who had ruled over Syria since 1971.

The London student, more interested in technology and medicine, was called back home.

And after fast-track military training, rising from captain to colonel in three years, Bashar was ready to succeed his father.

When Hafez died in June 2000, Bashar kept the Assad dynasty going, winning 97 per cent of the vote and taking over as president.

Asma's banking career, which started at major companies including Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan, was dramatically put on hold as she embarked on a new life, marrying Bashar the same year he came to power.

Her seemingly 'normal' upbringing had taken a fatal turn after her husband's 'accidental' rise to presidency transformed her life forever.

The couple have three children, who are aged between 19 and 23, and are presumed to be with their parents trying to find a safe haven

Bashar Al Assad and his wife Asma are pictured in Paris in 2008 (left and right)

Asma, who holds dual citizenship, British and Syrian, was born in London in 1975.

Her parents, both Sunni Muslims, moved from Syria to London in the Fifties so that her father, a cardiologist at the Cromwell Hospital and in Harley Street, could get the best possible education and medical training.

She was first educated at a Church of England school in Ealing before attending Queen's College, Harley Street.

The former president and first lady, whose 24-year dynasty came crashing down when Syrian rebel forces stormed the country, have three children who are aged between 19 and 23.

At Queen's College  alma mater of heiress Christina Onassis, broadcaster Emma Freud and celebutante Peaches Geldof  the girl fated to become a president's wife was said to have often 'bunked off lessons'.

Queen's girls are known for their tendency to frequent the nearby shops of Oxford Street in break time - and it seems Asma was no exception.

A former pupil once said: 'Like Peaches Geldof, they are mouthy and precocious, or outspoken and opinionated, depending how you look at it. No shrinking violets there.'

Another said: 'The girls are concerned about global poverty, but they also love designer handbags.'

From Queen's, where she achieved four A-levels, Asma went to King's College London to read Computer Science and take a diploma in French Literature.

She graduated with a First and, after six months of travelling, joined Deutsche Bank as an analyst in hedge-fund management.

She then moved to the investment bank JP Morgan and worked in Paris and New York, as well as London. On family holidays back in Syria, she met Bashar.

Then he, too, came to London to study ophthalmology, though he had to leave early to return to Syria after his elder brother's death.

Asma started seeing him in secret, resigning from JP Morgan just a month before the wedding without being able to explain the real reason.

As she told American Vogue, her boss couldn't believe her timing, as she quit after closing a major deal and two months before her bonus was due.

She said: 'He thought I was having a nervous breakdown because nobody quits two months before bonus-time after closing a really big deal.

'He couldn't accept my resignation. I was like: 'Please, I just want to get out, I've had enough.' And he [said]: 'Don't worry, take time off, it happens to the best of us.' '

Syrian president al-Assad and his wife Asma visit the Sednaya convent, and meet with children and religious personalities on Christmas day, in Sednaya, near Damascus, Syria on December 25, 2016

Asma became one and the same with the Syrian regime's terrible suppression of its people

After their wedding in December 2000, Asma told The Observer that she spent the first weeks of her marriage travelling around rural areas of Syria in jeans and a t-shirt, so that she could 'meet ordinary Syrians before the world met her'.

Before the outbreak of the civil war in Syria in March 2011, the first lady had projected an image of a reformer. For years, she was was the face of female liberation in the Middle East.

In February 2011, Vogue magazine called an interview with her 'A Rose in the Desert' describing her as the 'freshest and most magnetic of first ladies'.

But that year, war broke out in Syria between rebels and Assad's regime over his brutally repressive regime and the reputation of the country as open and secular was trashed.

The gushing profile, published as Assad began terrorising his own people, was met with a wave of criticism and both Buck and Vogue's editor, Anna Wintour, were accused of pushing a public relations campaign on the regime's behalf, reported The Guardian.

In June 2012, Wintour issued a statement about the feature, saying, via The New York Times: 'Like many at that time, we were hopeful that the Assad regime would be open to a more progressive society.

'Subsequent to our interview, as the terrible events of the past year and a half unfolded in Syria, it became clear that its priorities and values were completely at odds with those of Vogue.

'The escalating atrocities in Syria are unconscionable and we deplore the actions of the Assad regime in the strongest possible terms.'

During the conflict the couple are understood to have drifted apart, but with Assad's mother dying in 2016 and Mrs Assad's diagnosis of breast cancer in 2018, she was repositioned at the heart of the regime's economy.

But this new role was nothing more than a 'shakedown' operation of the country's middle class merchants and businessmen.

She orchestrated a secretive labyrinth of committees and policies, run by her henchman, which controlled everything from access to the internet to subsided food rations.

Her empire also extended to the distribution of foreign aid - effectively she controlled who got what when

With rumours swirling that she and her husband are seeking haven in despotic regimes such as Russia and Iran, her once gilded facade has been torn asunder utterly

Her empire also extended to the distribution of foreign aid - effectively she controlled who got what when.

With her role within Assad's dictatorship growing, she was unable to maintain her early image of the liberated woman operating at the heart of power in a Muslim country.

She became one and the same with the Syrian regime's terrible suppression of its people.

But as pressure mounted on the oppression of the Syrian people, even Vogue pulled its interview with her from its website in 2012 after public backlash to the war.

Despite the challenges to her public image, she was still seen on the international stage meeting with the heads of state in Europe.

But Assad's forces have clung to power until now, thanks to opposition forces reaching Damascus and recapturing areas on the outskirts of the capital following a years-long siege.

The regime has been accused of severe human rights violations and cruel assaults against civilians throughout the 13-year civil war, including the use of chemical weapons against their own people.

President Assad, his wife, and their three children have been driven out of Syria, leaving their presidential palace to begin a new life in Russia after being granted asylum by Vladimir Putin.

Ms Al-Assad has become accustomed to a life of luxury, with reports that she spent hundreds of thousands of dollars on home furnishings and clothes during her husband's reign of terror.

The US state department estimates that the family are worth $2billion, with their wealth concealed in numerous accounts, shell companies, offshore tax havens and real estate portfolios.

Now they are likely to draw on their family connections and extensive assets in Moscow in the hope of keeping up their comfortable lifestyle in exile.

The Syrian dictator's extended family bought up at least 20 Moscow apartments worth more than 30million in recent years, illustrating Russia's status as a safe haven for the clan.

The Kremlin today confirmed that the family was given asylum on the direct orders of Putin.

Moscow disclosed no further details, with presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov telling reporters today: 'We have nothing to say about Assad's whereabouts.'
Beyonce's mother Tina Knowles liked an Instagram post reporting that son-in-law Jay-Z was accused of gang-raping a 13 year-old girl with Diddy.

The post she liked was shared on Instagram by abc7Chicago and was captioned: 'Breaking news: Jay-Z, Diddy named in lawsuit alleging rape of girl, 13.'

Knowles social media move was spotted by eagle-eyed followers. 'Not Ms Tina Knowles liking the post!' one person wrote, sparking a frenzy of speculation.

'Tina most likely doesn't even like him bc of what he did to her daughter,' one person mused, in an apparent nod to Jay-Z's past admission that he'd cheated on Beyonce. Others pointed out that the 'like' could have been a mistake.

Knowles, 70, has not commented in public about the bombshell accusation against Jay-Z, real name Shawn Corey Carter, who is the father of her three grandchildren.

Jay-Z has denied the attack the victim claims took place at a VMA's afterparty in September 2000, while an unidentified female celebrity watched.

The anonymous victim previously referred to Jay-Z as 'Celebrity A' in the bombshell filing, with the female star accused of watching anonymized as 'Celebrity B.'

This made Jay-Z the first celebrity to be named alongside Diddy in one of the myriad lawsuits filed against Combs. Both rappers have denied all allegations.

Beyonce's mother Tina Knowles has quietly responded to Jay-Z being unmasked as the first celebrity to be named in a Diddy lawsuit with a subtle move on social media. (Pictured: Beyonce, Tina Knowles and Jay-Z at the 46th Grammy Awards in October 2002)

The 70-year-old 'liked' an Abc Instagram post (shown above) announcing the news that son-in-law had been accused of raping a 13-year-old girl with Sean Combs

Beyonce and Jay-Z married in 2008 and share three children: Blue Ivy, 12, and twins Rumi and Sir, seven. The family are pictured in 2021

The accuser said she was assaulted at a party after the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards, which took place September 7, 2000 at New York City's Radio City Music Hall.

In the lawsuit, she said she took a drink at the afterparty which had 'a reddish-yellow mixture that tasted like orange juice, cranberry juice, and something bitter' and 'began to feel woozy and lightheaded, making her need to lie down.'

She said she laid down in 'what appeared to be an empty bedroom', until Combs, Jay-Z and a female celebrity referred to as 'Celebrity B' entered the room.

'Combs aggressively approached Plaintiff with a crazed look in his eyes, grabbed her, and said, "You are ready to party!"' legal documents read.

The accuser said Combs threw her 'toward a wall,' leading her to fall, then 'grabbed her again and threw her on the bed.'

She said Jay-Z began stripping her down 'as she grew more and more disoriented' and held her down as 'he vaginally raped' her, while Combs and Celebrity B watched.

'After [Jay-Z] finished, he stepped back toward the wall. Combs then stepped forward and vaginally raped Plaintiff while Carter and Celebrity B watched,' the document reads.

The lawsuit had initially been filed in New York's Southern District this past October against Combs, with a refiling on Sunday which identified Jay-Z.

Jay-Z has been unmasked as the mystery celebrity accused of gang-raping a 13-year-old girl with Diddy at a 2000 VMA's afterparty, according to a lawsuit. (Pictured: Jay-Z and Sean Combs at Puffy's Fourth of July Party at Sean Combs' House on July 2, 2000)

The anonymous victim previously referred to the rapper, whose real name is Shawn Corey Carter, as 'Celebrity A' in the bombshell filing. Jay-Z has denied the allegations. (Pictured: Diddy and Jay-Z during "S.O.S" The BET Telethon Relief Show at CBS Studios in 2005)

Tony Buzbee, who is representing more than 100 alleged Diddy victims, has now also named Jay-Z as the celebrity who allegedly 'filed a frivolous case under a pseudonym' against the accuser's legal team

Beyonce and Jay-Z have been an R&B power couple for more than 20 years. They got married in April 2008, and by April 2014, they had sold a combined 300 million records together.

They share three children together - Blue Ivy, 12, and six-year-old twins Rumi and Sir Carter.

But their relationship was rumbled in the early days by rumors that Jay-Z had cheated on her with his protege, Rihanna, and there was speculation that they went on a break for a time in 2005.

Jay-Z admitted to cheating on Beyonce in a New York Times interview published in 2017, but didn't say who the betrayal was with.

Beyonce has not been implicated in any of the Diddy lawsuits.

Jay-Z, 55, issued a blistering response to the lawsuit via DailyMail.com, accusing the victim of attempting to 'blackmail' him.

The rapper claimed he feared that his three children with Beyonce would have to 'endure' harassment in the wake of the allegations.

Jay-Z said he is especially worried about Blue Ivy. He is afraid she will face questions from her friends about the lawsuit. The couple also share twins Rumi and Sir, seven.

'My only heartbreak is for my family,' Jay-Z told DailyMail.com on Sunday.

Jay-Z pictured during the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in NYC

Jay-Z issued a lengthy statement Sunday denying the claims made in the re-filed lawsuit

'My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people.'

Jay-Z said he mourned 'yet another loss of innocence' and declared that his 'children should not have to endure' the graphic accusations at their young age.

'It is unfair to have to try to understand inexplicable degrees of malice meant to destroy families and human spirit,' he said.

Tony Buzbee, who is representing the alleged Diddy victim from the 2000 VMA's afterparty along with more than 100 others, also named Jay-Z as the celebrity who allegedly 'filed a frivolous case under a pseudonym' against their legal team.

The Texas-based attorney claimed Jay-Z has 'tried to bully and harass' him and his client over the incident said to have happened at a 2000 VMA's afterparty - but this has backfired by 'emboldening' them to take the case to court.

'Regarding the Jay Z case and his efforts to silence my clients: Mr. Carter previously denied being the one who sued me and my firm,' Buzbee said in a statement.

'He filed his frivolous case under a pseudonym. What he fails to say in his recent statement is my firm sent his lawyer a demand letter on behalf of an alleged victim and that victim never demanded a penny from him.

'Instead, she only sought a confidential mediation. Since I sent the letter on her behalf, Mr. Carter has not only sued me, but he has tried to bully and harass me and this plaintiff.

'His conduct has had the opposite impact. She is emboldened. Im very proud of her resolve. As far as the allegations in the complaint filed, we will let the filing speak for itself and will litigate the facts in court, not in the media.'

For all the latest updates on this story, listen to The Trial of Diddy - available wherever you get your podcasts now.
A former inmate who was wrongly convicted for murder has now been found guilty for another killing after lawyers won him a $4.1million payout and boasted about securing his freedom.

Upon Shaurn Thomas' release after two decades behind bars, lawyers celebrated the overturning of the conviction and congratulated themselves for giving the 'innocent man' a future.

Attorney James Figorski - who had worked on the case pro-bono since 2011 and met Thomas outside prison when he was freed - said he 'ecstatic' upon his release.

This was in 2017 when, with the help of the Innocence Project, Thomas' conviction for the murder of Domingo Martinez in 1990 was overturned.

Figorski said: 'It is gratifying to know that we were able to help Shaurn Thomas obtain his freedom after witnessing the injustice to which he was subjected.

'All of us are ecstatic that Shaurn Thomas will finally be free with his family.'

Then in 2020, the same lawyers helped Thomas secure a record breaking $4.1million from the City of Philadelphia. At the time Dechert Attorneys, who worked alongside the Innocence Project, celebrated the deal as a 'historic settlement'.

Figorski told local media at the time: 'There were clearly flaws in the system at the time at best and those flaws are being addressed today in the court.'

Upon his release, the Innocence Project celebrated the overturning of Shaurn Thomas' (centre) conviction with some lawyers meeting him outside the prison. Pictured with attorneys James Figorski and Marissa Bluestine (left and right)

Thomas was sentenced to life imprisonment for the murder of Domingo Martinez in 1990 - but he had long maintained his innocence

But last Thursday their client pleaded guilty in court to killing 38-year-old Akeem Edwards on January 3, 2023 over a $1,200 drug debt.

And his girlfriend made the shocking testament that Thomas admitted this was the third time he had killed.

This comes just seven years after Thomas made headlines across the nation after his murder conviction was overturned after he served 24 years behind bars.

Thomas had long maintained his innocence - arguing at the time of 78-year-old Martinez's death he was incarcerated at a juvenile jail.

Attorneys from the Innocence Project discovered detectives knew Thomas had a potential alibi, and even had 36 pages of undisclosed witness statements pointing to other suspects, but zeroed in on Thomas because of statements made by two alleged co-conspirators.

Those co-conspirators' stories, however, changed over time, and one even wound up recanting his testimony - claiming that police fed him a false story and assaulted him until he repeated it.

The Philadelphia District Attorney's Office ultimately declined to retry the case, despite prosecutors saying they were not entirely convinced Thomas was innocent.

In 2020, the same lawyers helped Thomas secure a record breaking $4.1million from the City of Philadelphia. At the time Dechert Attorneys celebrated the deal as a 'historic settlement

Thomas embraces his attorneys in 2017. Upon Thomas' release after two decades behind bars, lawyers celebrated the overturning of the conviction and congratulated themselves for giving Thomas a future

Thomas was then released from prison and said at the time he had 'no animosity' toward the police, and planned to 'just move on forward,' according to ABC News.

Former police officer-turned lawyer Figorski worked on the case pro-bono for over eight years and in a statement upon his release said: 'Shaurn engaged in a decades' long struggle to prove his innocence.

'I joined him in that struggle, and many times it seemed that we would never succeed and he would remain in prison for the rest of his life.'

When he received his multimillion-dollar settlement three years later, it was the second largest of its kind in American history.

It was upon his release that Thomas met Edwards through Ketra Veasy, whose brother Willie had his murder case overturned in 2019, who he met at a network of other Philadelphians who were freed from prison after their convictions overturned.

The two dated on-and-off for six years, and last fall, Thomas asked her to connect him with her childhood friend, Edwards, to see if he might sell some cocaine for him, prosecutors had said.

The ex-convict then gave Edwards a sandwich bag filled with drugs and told him to bring back $1,200 from the proceeds, which Edwards never paid by January 3, 2023.

That day, Thomas and Veasy met at her Delaware home and drove to Philadelphia to run some errands.

Thomas speaking to the press after his release in 2017. He made headlines across the nation after his murder conviction was overturned after he served 24 years behind bars

But before they returned home, she said, Thomas suggested they drive through the neighborhood to see if they could find Edwards.

When they ultimately spotted him, Veasy said, Thomas got out out of the car.

She later testified that she did not know he had a gun with him that day and never wished any harm on Edwards.

But soon, she heard gunshots and saw Thomas running back to the car and putting the gun in his waist band.

He told her, 'He's hit, he's down, just drive,' Veasy recounted, saying she did just that.

After committing the murder, Veasy said Thomas made a shocking admission.

'He said it's his third homicide and he said he can't go back to jail,' Veasy testified.

She further claimed Thomas told her he knew where her children and her family lived and to 'keep my mouth quiet or else'.

But a few weeks later, a federal informant told homicide detectives that Thomas had discussed Edwards' murder with him and said Veasy was with him.

The informant also claimed Thomas put out a hit on Veasy out of concern she might cooperate with investigators, the Inquirer reports.

That led to a search of Thomas' home, where cops recovered five guns and a Gap hoodie that resembled the one Edwards' shooter wore.

It was upon his release that Thomas met Edwards through Ketra Veasy (center), whose brother Willie had his murder case overturned in 2019

Thomas was then arrested and charged with illegal gun possession, but was released on bail.

Meanwhile, Philadelphia police continued their investigation, and received cell phone data that placed Veasy and Thomas at the scene.

They were both arrested in March and charged with murder.

While behind bars, Thomas sent Veasy letters she said were intimidating, and she ultimately agreed to cooperate with police and testify against Thomas in exchange for less serious charges.

Veasy wound up pleading guilty last year to aggravated assault and conspiracy charges, and is awaiting sentencing.

For his part, Thomas did not deny any of the claims in court on Thursday and pleaded guilty to six crimes, including third-degree murder, conspiracy and illegal gun possession.

He is due to be sentenced in February.

DailyMail.com have approached the Innocence Project and Dechert Attorneys for a comment.
Camera footage caught the moment an e-scooter rider risked his life by travelling along a busy motorway during Storm Darragh.

as the city was battered by 60mph winds over the weekend. The man was filmed riding along the Aston Expressway in Birmingham





Dressed in a long black jacket and a balaclava, he can be seen slowly ambling down the middle lane of the motorway at 10mph in dark conditions and heavy rain.

The footage was filmed on Saturday, the same day a man died in Birmingham when a tree fell on his car.

The Aston Expressway is a motorway, but with a 50mph speed limit, and one of the busiest commuter routes into and out of Birmingham.

The video of the incident has been viewed thousands of times since being uploaded to social media where baffled residents expressed their dismay.

Taking to social media one person said: 'Not a brightest idea on the best of days but to do it during that storm is braindead moronic. Must have a death wish.'

Another added: 'Lucky he wasn't killed....dark clothes, no helmet, madness.' A third put: 'How the f*** he stay on that in these winds.'

A man was filmed riding along the Aston Expressway in Birmingham as the city was hit by 60mph winds over the weekend

Dressed in a long black jacket and a balaclava, the man can be seen travelling down the middle lane of the motorway in heavy rain

Another commented: 'The budget hit Batman hard too.. downsized to a scooter'

Another wrote: 'Is that Darth Vader heading downtown for the fancy dress Xmas doo.'

It is not the first time an e-scooter rider has been caught risking their life while driving down a busy road.

In December last year, the Daily Mail reported that a man had been caught on camera riding on the M5 in Somerset.

Jamal Rabeh, 29, of Staplegrove, near Taunton in Somerset, was arrested when police stopped the scooter heading northbound between junction 24 and 25 of the M5.

A similar incident happend in June of this year when an e-scooter rider was caught racing down a dual carriageway at 40mph, in Wembley, North London.

Speaking in June Sarah Gayton, who runs the UK's National Federation of the Blind, which wants to see e-scooters and bikes off Britain's streets called on the new government to stop all 'imports of the vehicles' branding the users 'idiots'.

'The riders are putting their own lives at risk and those of others. They terrorise people in towns and cities and there is no reason one should ever be sold.'

The Aston Expressway is one of the busiest commuter routes into and out of Birmingham

The video of the incident in Birmingham has been viewed thousands of times since being uploaded to social media

With nearly a million e-scooters on Britain's public roads, anyone using a privately owned e-scooter is likely to be committing an offence such as driving a motor vehicle with no insurance.

The driver could be liable for a fixed penalty of 300 and six points on their driving licence.

Pilot e-scooter rental schemes in various towns and cities including London, Bristol, Liverpool and Bournemouth enable riders to travel legally on public roads. But this is limited to certain roads and it is illegal to ride e-scooters on motorways.

The Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety's latest figures show there have been six deaths this year involving e-scooters.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: We are aware of the video and have reviewed it.

It is illegal to ride private scooters on public land in the UK. An e-scooter scheme is now available in Birmingham as part of a Government trial, but the scooters cannot be ridden on motorways.
A dramatic video captured the moment an electrical box exploded under a pedestrian in Peru.

A street surveillance camera showed Elvira Taipe walking on a sidewalk in the Lima town of Comas on Thursday.

The mother-of-two was about step over the underground electrical box's concrete covering when it suddenly exploded and sent her crashing through the street pavement.

The impact of the blast blew the cement lid into the air before it slammed down over Taipe's shoulder as she attempted to climb out.

Two soldiers, including one who was standing near Taipe, rushed over to render aid.

Taipe was taken to Sergio Bernales de Collique Hospital, where she was treated for a fractured right shoulder.

She was still hospitalized as of Sunday, her sister, Rosaura Taipe, told RPP Radio.

An underground electrical power exploded and injured Elvira Taipe in Lima, Peru last Thursday. The mother-of-two suffered a fractured right shoulder and remained hospitalized as of Sunday

Engineers were on site Sunday working to repair the electrical box that exploded and injured a pedestrian last Thursday

'She is an entrepreneur,' Rosaura said. 'She works for her children and now she will not be able to work.

'She situation is bad, and it is not fair that she stays there, just like that. We have to help her, we have to feed her,' she added.

The family initially told the radio station that they feared Elvira was going to have her arm amputated.

'She cries and cries because of the helplessness of not being able to move and because of the fear of what will become of her two youngest daughters," Rosaura said.

Elvira Taipe is carried by first responders moments after she stepped on the concrete cover of a sidewalk underground electrical box that exploded in Lima, Peru last Thursday

Elvira Taipe, a mother-of-two, steps on the concrete cover of an electrical box before it exploded

A soldier removes the concrete slab away from Elvira Taipe moments after the mother-of-two was knocked off her feet and landed inside under the pavement after an underground electrical box exploded in Lima, Peru last Thursday

A hospital official told the radio station that Elvira will undergo medical imaging to determine if the tissues in her shoulder have been compromised.

An initial inspection conducted by the Department for Investment in Energy and Mining found that the electrical box's cover was blown off due to a short circuit.

The agency said the electrical box featured the wiring that is required to operate the network of traffic lights along Tupac Amaru Avenue.

The explosion knocked out power to certain parts of the neighborhood.

Engineers were at the site Sunday working to repair the electrical box and restore electicity.

In a statement the Lima Public Ministry said the Comas city government and Pluz Energia Peru, which supplies electricity, are being investigated.
The wind turbine manufacturer Nordex experienced a notable upswing in trading, with shares climbing 2.2 percent to reach 11.75 on XETRA. This positive momentum represents a significant recovery from the companys 52-week low of 8.62, with current trading levels approximately 35 percent above that nadir. The Hamburg-based company, now commanding a market capitalization of 2.7 billion, has demonstrated remarkable resilience in its long-term performance, achieving a yearly gain of 13.78 percent despite experiencing a monthly decline of 4.06 percent. Analysts maintain an optimistic stance on the stocks potential, setting an average price target of 18.13. Financial Results Show Recovery Signs Nordexs latest quarterly results paint a nuanced picture of the companys financial health. While revenue slightly decreased by 3.07 percent to 1.67 billion compared to the previous years quarter, the company achieved a significant improvement in earnings per share, posting 0.02 compared to the previous years loss of 0.15. Looking ahead, market experts project earnings per share to reach 0.049 for the full fiscal year 2024, suggesting continued financial stabilization. Ad Nordex Stock: New Analysis  10 December Fresh Nordex information released. Whats the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends. Read our updated Nordex analysis

The wind turbine manufacturer Nordex experienced a notable upswing in trading, with shares climbing 2.2 percent to reach 11.75 on XETRA. This positive momentum represents a significant recovery from the companys 52-week low of 8.62, with current trading levels approximately 35 percent above that nadir. The Hamburg-based company, now commanding a market capitalization of 2.7 billion, has demonstrated remarkable resilience in its long-term performance, achieving a yearly gain of 13.78 percent despite experiencing a monthly decline of 4.06 percent. Analysts maintain an optimistic stance on the stocks potential, setting an average price target of 18.13.

Financial Results Show Recovery Signs

Nordexs latest quarterly results paint a nuanced picture of the companys financial health. While revenue slightly decreased by 3.07 percent to 1.67 billion compared to the previous years quarter, the company achieved a significant improvement in earnings per share, posting 0.02 compared to the previous years loss of 0.15. Looking ahead, market experts project earnings per share to reach 0.049 for the full fiscal year 2024, suggesting continued financial stabilization.

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Fresh Nordex information released. Whats the impact for investors? Our latest independent report examines recent figures and market trends.
Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna is ready to get to work with Donald Trump supporters Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy to cut waste and make the government more efficient.

The progressive California lawmaker is one of a handful of Democrats backing Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) which will be led by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy.

'I'm ready to work with @doge, @elonmusk + @VivekGRamaswamy to slash waste. I have a track record of doing so,' Khanna wrote on X.

'I led the charge to get TransDigm to refund $16 million after investigative reporting exposed price-gouging. Let's look to the Truman Committee and ensure Americans get their money's worth with DOD spending,' he continued.

The lawmaker also appeared on ABC This Week on Sunday where he was asked about his talks with Musk and how the effort is going.

He heaped praised on Musk for his 'brilliant' strategy to work with former President Barack Obama on his SpaceX venture.

'Well there was one area Elon Musk was brilliant in that he worked with President Obama and [Defense Secretary] Ash Carter to have SpaceX, and that disrupted Boeing and Lockheed,' Khanna said of the world's richest man.

'We were getting ripped off, the American people, in putting satellites up to space, and President Obama, under his leadership, Ash Carter's leadership, they said "Elon, with SpaceX you can bid on launching these rockets,"' Khanna said.

Rep. Ro Khanna is pushing to work with DOGE to help cut government waste. He said he believes when it comes to cutting costs, especially on defense spending, there would be bipartisan support

The lawmaker said that what was done with SpaceX could be done with other parts of the government to reduce costs.

'I think when there comes to defense, getting better defense for a value and cutting costs, there can be huge bipartisan cooperations,' Khanna said.

In a separate X post, Khanna also wrote 'Millions of Americans want us to work with @DOGE to cut wasteful spending. I am for spending money to improve peoples' lives, not wasting money. It's common sense.'

'Bernie Sanders and I have said we could work together on the defense costs - defense contractors,' Khanna said in his This Week interview.

'Look, Lockheed Martin with the F-35s has gone about $200 billion over. There is waste when it comes to breast pumps being purchased at $1,400 instead of $200,' he noted.

'Soap dispensers: $150,000 we paid Boeing for soap dispensers. That's the waste they should go after,' Khanna continued.

Rep. Khanna has put out a series of X posts about his willingness to work with DOGE to cut government waste

Billionaire Elon Musk, co-chair of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) on Capitol Hill on December 5

During that same ABC appearance, Khanna argued health care is another area where he could also work with DOGE.

It came after Khanna was asked by anchor Martha Raddatz about retweeting Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) who reposted Musk on the topic of health care.

Khanna had reposted Sanders on X who has also signaled a willingness to work with DOGE.

The Vermont senator had reposted Musk's tweet about making sure the people 'get their money's worth.'

'Yes. We waste hundreds of billions a year on health care administrative expenses that make insurance CEOs and wealthy stockholders incredibly rich while 85 million Americans go uninsured or underinsured. Health care is a human right. We need Medicare for All,' Sanders wrote.

Senator Bernie Sanders reposting Musk about Americans getting their money's worth to make the case for Medicare for All

Raddatz noted during Khanna's interview that Medicare for All was 'not really going to happen' but asked him what he would to say to frustrated Americans.

The lawmaker pointed out if DOGE really cares about administrative waste, Medicare is just two percent administrative fees while private insurance is 18 percent.

'As we fight for Medicare for All what we can do is require private insurance to cover anything that Medicare would cover,' he said.

Khanna argued DOGE will find that the Congressional Budget Office has said 'Medicare is the most efficient' and said the new agency should 'be looking at where the other private costs are.'

The progressive lawmaker, who has served in Congress since 2017, did say there were areas he believes DOGE should not touch including Social Security, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Medicare funding.

While some Democrats are jumping at the opportunity to work with Musk and Ramaswamy to cut government waste, some lawmakers, political pundits and watchdogs are skeptical of the effort being headed up by two men who have never worked in government.

It also has been pointed out that Musk heading up the new department is a likely conflict of interest.

While he is tasked with cutting government waste, Musk has benefited immensely off his own companies' government contracts and could push to eliminate other agencies he has clashed with over regulations.

Podcast host Keith Olbermann called Khanna out directly for his willingness to work with DOGE and claimed the lawmaker is 'being played' but the lawmaker pushed back.

He responded to Olbermann on X: 'with respect your support for the establishment, platitudes & constant criticism of @BernieSanders is why we are in this mess. Bernie gets having an open mind with on defense cuts. Maybe have dignity & let a new generation build a party that can win.'

Other progressives have taken aim at Musk directly. Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called him out for posting about defunding the ACLU which does not receive taxpayer money.

'They receive $0 in taxpayer funds,' she wrote on X. 'Meanwhile, yall are proposing defunding Veterans healthcare, Medicare, and Social Security when you think no one is watching. Doesnt get lower than gutting some of the only lifelines left for veterans, seniors, widows, and the disabled.'
Improving trade ties with the European Union could boost the economy and drive up living standards, Rachel Reeves claimed today.

She spoke as she became the first Chancellor to attend a meeting of European finance ministers since Brexit, saying it was a 'milestone moment' as the UK seeks to 'reset' its relationship with Brussels.

It is 'in our national interest to have more normal trading relations with our nearest neighbours and trading partners', she said.

And she suggested that the UK should look to close ties with Europe to help stimulate growth and improve living standards.

It comes as Labour tries to thaw the UK/EU relationship after the tensions of the Conservative years.

However, her remarks will fuel concerns among critics that the government is moving too close back into Brussels orbit.

Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith suggested Ms Reeves should look to Donald Trump's United States, rather than the EU, for trade growth.

He said: 'If she is interested in growth, she should tell the Prime Minister to jump on a plane to the US and talk to Trump about getting a US-UK trade deal done, not trying to take Britain backwards into the slow-growth EU.'

She spoke as she became the first Chancellor to attend a meeting of European finance ministers since Brexit, saying it was a 'milestone moment' as the UK seeks to 'reset' its relationship with Brussels.

It is 'in our national interest to have more normal trading relations with our nearest neighbours and trading partners', she said.

Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith suggested Ms Reeves should look to Donald Trump 's United States, rather than the EU, for trade growth.

But Sean McGuire, CBI director for Europe and international, said: 'We welcome the UK Government's commitment to take meaningful action to ''reset'' the EU-UK relationship. The Chancellor's meeting with EU Finance Ministers is an important milestone on this journey as both of our economies face shared geopolitical, security, economic and climate challenges.

'Further action on regulatory co-operation, progress on mutual recognition across different areas, and a reduction in customs and administrative burdens are just some of the areas of focus that can boost business confidence and make the most of our trading relationship with the EU.

'By putting in the diplomatic ''hard yards'' now, the government can start the process for unlocking the untapped potential of our trading relationship with the EU as part of its focus for delivering sustainable growth.'

Ms Reeves told reporters in Brussels: 'Economic growth is not a zero-sum game.

'Countries right across Europe, inside and outside the European Union, including the UK, have struggled with low growth, poor productivity and stagnant living standards these last few years.

'Competitiveness and trade, crucially, are really important for driving productivity and growth.

'And so, as we reset our relations, it is with the purpose of growing our economy and improving living standards for ordinary working people.'

German finance minister Jorg Kukies said it was a 'good signal' that the Chancellor was visiting Brussels, but suggested there were limits to what could be achieved within the Government's red lines of not rejoining the single market or customs union.

He said: 'It's a good signal that there is this dialogue now and that there are these ideas.

'But of course, the new British Government has made commitments to the British electorate and I don't think it would be appropriate for us to call those into question, because those are part of the electoral platform on which it was elected.'

Asked if he wanted to be as ambitious as possible on lowering trade barriers, Mr Kukies said: 'Germany is a very open country to trade, and we've seen that the intensity of trade with the United Kingdom has gone down quite substantially, if I measure it against our trade partners in the world.

'We used to do a lot more on relative basis with United Kingdom than we are doing now, and we are very actively looking to diversify our trade partners and to do more in terms of trade.

'So, of course, any progress would be highly welcome, but we completely understand that the UK population has taken a different decision. And we have to respect that.'

Ireland's Jack Chambers said Ms Reeves' presence at the meeting of eurozone finance ministers marked the 'turning of a new leaf' in UK-EU relations.

He said it was 'an important day in terms of wider EU-UK reset of relations', adding: 'I think the fact that, as a starting point, the British Government wants to have such an engagement compared to what was there in the previous number of years, where we had a very different type of language from the British Government, is welcome.'

Ministers fear that a US-inspired trade war could wreck the government's hopes for boosting economic growth in the coming years.

Sir Keir Starmer has put the idea of an EU reset at the top of his diplomatic priorities during his first months as Prime Minister, holding private talks with a string of EU leaders.

But he has given little clue publicly about what trade offs he is willing to accept in return for Brussels removing some of the economic barriers imposed in the wake of the UK's departure from the EU.

Privately, EU diplomats complain that ministers have also been coy with them about exactly what the PM is seeking. And there is frustration in Brussels at the UK's failure to embrace proposals for a 'youth mobility scheme' which would allow young people from across the EU to live and work in the UK for a set period.

A diplomatic source said it would be 'tough' for the UK to get any significant concessions on trade unless it gives ground on the youth mobility issue.

A Treasury source said the Chancellor would also make the case for the UK and the EU to join forces in 'championing free trade' against a potentially protectionist White House administration (file photo)

But ministers fear the scheme would be seen as Labour bringing back a form of free movement. And Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has warned it would add to net migration figures at a time when they are already at near-record levels.

Labour's manifesto pledged a new veterinary agreement to reduce barriers to trade in food, along with a push for greater mutual recognition of professional qualifications.

But Brexiteers fear this would involve the UK aligning itself with EU rules and accepting a role for the European Court of Justice in settling disputes.

Lib Dem deputy leader Daisy Cooper urged ministers to move further and faster in cosying up to Brussels, saying 'warm words' were not enough.

'The Government needs to be more ambitious about rebuilding stronger ties with our European allies,' she said.

'It's difficult to understand why they are failing to pursue the UK-EU Youth Mobility Scheme, which would be a good first step, provide a boost to the economy and give young people opportunities to live and work across Europe.'

Shadow business secretary Andrew Griffith urged the Chancellor to focus on reversing her 'devastating Budget measures'.

He added: 'If she is interested in growth, she should tell the Prime Minister to jump on a plane to the US and talk to Trump about getting a US-UK trade deal done, not trying to take Britain backwards into the slow growth EU.'
Under murderous dictator Bashar Al-Assad, Syrians faced massive crackdowns for alleged drug use for years, often being handed long sentences in prisons where they would be subjected to horrific torture.

But for years, the hypocritical tyrant's regime secretly netted three times more money than all of Mexico's cartels, by one estimate, with a small white pill that everyone from ISIS terrorists to construction workers chased after.

Captagon, known locally as the 'drug of jihad', and 'poor man's cocaine', was originally sold as a cure for attention deficit disorders, narcolepsy and depression when it was first developed by a German pharmaceutical firm in 1961. In 1986, Captagon was banned in almost all countries after it was listed as a Schedule II drug by the UN.

But junkies found the drug was a cheap and quick way to get massive bursts of energy and productivity, alertness and sometimes a sense of euphoria. As a result, it became the drug of choice for everyone from high-end revellers to construction site workers, and even terrorist rampagers.

Israeli media reported that Hamas' fighters pumped themselves full of the drug right before they carried out their deadly October 7 massacre, in which they killed around 1,200 people and kidnapped a total of 251.

ISIS fighters were also known for their use of the drug, with experts telling CNN in 2015 that it made people feel impervious to bullets.

'You can stay awake for days at a time. You don't have to sleep,' Dr. Robert Keisling, a psychiatrist at MedStar Washington Hospital Center, told the outlet.

A heavily-built jihadi, dressed in military fatigues and wearing a black balaclava, can be seen swinging a 4ft sword down on to the head of his victim in Raqqa, Syria

Under murderous dictator Bashar al-Assad (pictured), Syrians faced massive crackdowns for alleged drug use for years

A customs officer displays Captagon pills, part of the 789 kilograms (1739 pounds) of confiscated drugs, before its incineration in Sofia, 12, 2007

'It gives you a sense of well-being and euphoria. And you think that you're invincible and that nothing can harm you.'

Syria is responsible for around 80% of the world's production of Captagon, and for years Bashar al-Assad, who has now been deposed thanks to a lighting offensive led by an Islamist rebel group, was a key player in the industry.

In 2021 alone, $5.7 billion of the pills were sold.

Experts estimate that Assad's illict trade of Captagon was worth 'approximately 3 times the combined trade of the Mexican cartels.'

An investigation by the New York Times in 2021 revealed that much of the country's production and distribution of the drug was supervised by the Fourth Armoured Division of the Syrian Army, an elite unit commanded by Maher Assad, Bashar's younger brother.

Intelligence sources based in the region say Captagon is still produced in small factories along the Syrian-Lebanese border as well as larger ones closer to Syria's frontier with Jordan.

Some quantities are also produced in Lebanon, with the help of Hezbollah, according to security sources.

Despite its lucrativeness, Assad began stepping away incrementally from the trade in the years before his regime fell in a bid to build up his fractured relationships with other Arab states.

In this June 23, 2014 file photo, fighters from the Islamic State group parade in a commandeered Iraqi security forces armored vehicle in the northern city of Mosul, Iraq

A car burns after an airstrike next to a hospital in Idlib, Syria, Monday Dec.2, 2024

Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have long seen Captagon as a scourge on their nations, and spent considerable resources cracking down on smuggling operations.

In February 2022, Jordan's army said it killed 30 smugglers in just two months, and foiled attempts to smuggle 16million Captagon pills from Syria, an amount that was far beyond the entire volume seized in 2021.

Months later, in August 2022, Saudi Arabia said they had uncovered 46million pills that were smuggled in a shipment of flour.

And in February 2023, a man was arrested in Abu Dhabi, in the UAE, for trying to get 4.5million Captagon pills in cans of green beens.

Last May, Assad reportedly gave Jordan consent to kill a well-known Captagon dealer, Merhi al-Ramthan, in southern Syria with an airstrike, and allowed a Captagon factory near the Jordanian border to be destroyed.

The strikes came just a day before Syria was formally readmitted to the Arab League, which it was kicked out of in 2011 over Assad's brutal crackdown on protesters in the leadup to the Syrian Civil War.

'Assad gave assurances that he would stop the regime from supporting and protecting smuggling networks,' a former brigadier general of Jordan's intelligence service, Saud Al-Sharafat, told The Associated Press. 'For example, he facilitated the disposal of al-Ramthan.'

Al-Ramthan was considered 'the most prominent drug trafficker in the region, and the number one smuggler of drugs, including Captagon, into Jordan', the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) said.

But for all the money Assad was netting, he simply couldn't stop power from slipping out of his hands.
Austria has said it is preparing to deport Syrian refugees while Germany and France are planning to stop processing asylum applications from the country after the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad and his brutal regime.

Austrian interior minister Gerhard Karner said he has 'instructed the ministry to prepare an orderly repatriation and deportation programme to Syria'.

The country's conservative Chancellor Karl Nehammer has ordered the suspension of 'all ongoing Syrian asylum applications' and a 'review' of all asylum grants, the interior ministry said in a statement.

Some 100,000 Syrians live in Austria, one of the biggest populations of displaced people from the country in Europe, with thousands waiting for asylum applications to be approved.

Meanwhile Germany has taken in almost one million Syrians, the biggest diaspora from the war-ravaged country in Europe, with the majority arriving in 2015 and 2016 under ex-chancellor Angela Merkel.

The country's interior ministry today said it has suspended decisions on asylum requests from Syrians amid the 'unclear situation' in the war-torn country.

Meanwhile the French government has said it is working on a suspension of current asylum cases from Syria, with a solution expected to be similar to Germany's decision to put applications on hold.

Politicians in Switzerland have also urged their country's government to follow suit, with the leader of the right-wing People's Party (SVP) saying: 'If Syrians in Switzerland are celebrating the end of Assad, they should all go back.'

A man stands next to tents housing asylum seekers in the intake center in Thalham near St Georgen im Attergau, Upper Austria (file image)

Migrants and refugees arriving from Austria wait to be registered at a processing center on January 27, 2016 in Passau, Germany (file image)

A group of migrants is seen at a centre near Calais in France in 2021 (file image)

Security staff walk inside a reception centre for asylum seekers in Switzerland (file image)

Marcel Dettling reportedly called for the country's asylum minister to begin repatriations as soon as possible, telling him: 'The people fled from Assad at the time and were temporarily taken in. But this reason for fleeing is no longer there.'

But it remains unclear whether the developments in Syria will stabilise the country, with politicians across Europe urging their governments to wait and see what sort of leadership will fill the power vacuum left by the Assad regime.

Swiss liberal leader Thierry Burkhart argued that while Assad's ousting is a positive development, he is 'skeptical whether the situation for the population will really improve'.

Germany's interior Minister Nancy Faeser said that the end of Assad's 'brutal tyranny... is a great relief for many people who have suffered from torture, murder and terror,' adding that many refugees will now 'finally have hope of returning to their Syrian homeland and rebuilding their country.'

But, she cautioned that 'the situation in Syria is currently very unclear,' meaning that 'concrete possibilities of return cannot yet be predicted at the moment and it would be unprofessional to speculate about them in such a volatile situation.'

'In view of this unclear situation, it is right that the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees has today imposed a freeze on decisions for asylum procedures that are still ongoing until the situation is clearer,' she said.

Foreign ministry spokesman Sebastian Fischer also emphasised that the changing events are no guarantee of peace.

'The fact that the Assad regime has been ended is unfortunately no guarantee of peaceful development,' he told a media briefing.

Families arriving from Syria walk at the Lebanese Masnaa border crossing on the way to Lebanon on December 9, 2024

Syrian refugees wait in a queue at Cilvegozu crossborder gate before entering in Syria at Reyhanli district in Hatay, on December 9, 2024

A Syrian resident who lives in Turkey holds a baby as he waits in a queue at Cilvegozu crossborder gate before entering in Syria at Reyhanli district in Hatay, on December 9, 2024

'Whether this new situation will result in new refugee movements or whether, on the contrary, if the situation stabilises, displaced persons and refugees will have the opportunity to return to their homeland in the long term, remains to be seen,' Fischer said.

Germany's interior ministry says there are now 974,136 people with Syrian nationality residing in the country.

Of these, 5,090 have been recognised as eligible for asylum, 321,444 have been granted refugee status and 329,242 have been granted subsidiary protection, a temporary stay of deportation, with tens of thousands of other cases still pending.

Between 2015 and 2021, 20,319 Syrian migrants came to the UK under a government relocation scheme.

A further 9,766 Syrians have been granted asylum in the UK in the last three years after arriving irregularly, with Syrian nationals making up about eight per cent of small boat arrivals in the last six years.

An elderly man wearing a knitted Syrian scarf wipes his tears as people gather in London's Trafalgar Square - December 8, 2024

Two demonstrators hold red roses as they take part in a gathering with other supporters and members of Syrian community in Trafalgar Square - December 8, 2024

A man draped in a Syrian opposition flag at the celebrations in London's Trafalgar Square - December 8, 2024

Assad fled on a plane as insurgents closed in, with Russian state media confirming yesterday he had been granted asylum in Moscow.

Last night, dramatic pictures showed hundreds of Syrians with bags and suitcases gathered on the Lebanese border hoping to cross back into their country.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees has said there is already some evidence of Syrians returning.

It has verified 34,000 returning home in the first eight months of 2024 and says the 'actual figure may be significantly higher'.

However experts believe that if deposed president al-Assad's downfall leads to more stability in the country then it could have the opposite effect, with Syrians returning home in their thousands.

'Spontaneous returns to Syria are expected to continue throughout 2025,' the UN refugee agency added in its assessment of the country.

Video footage shows traffic jams are cropping up in some areas as refugees scramble to return home.

Thousands of people in cars and on foot congregated at a main square in Damascus on Sunday waving flags belonging to the Syrian opposition and chanting 'Freedom'.
The downfall of Syria's tyrant leader Bashar al-Assad has marked a dramatic end to over half a century of his family's brutal rule.

Rebel groups, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, made significant lightening advances over the weekend, leaving Damascus vulnerable and causing the collapse of Assad's once impenetrable government.

Shifting power dynamics have long reflected who has control over the Middle Eastern nation, with Assad surprisingly thrown into the political role as a result of his elder brother being killed in a car crash.

Often described as a dictator, his power relied on not just his leadership and international allies, but on the unyielding support of his inner circle made up of family members.

This included his 'ruthless' mother, his sister, known as 'the Iron Lady', and his calculating brother-in-law, who is believed to be linked to a high-profile assassination.

But their once unified structure now falls under immense pressure as he reportedly fled Syria for Russia along with some family members after rebels gained control of the capital.

They left with no announcement, as other toppled Arab potentates did before them, supposedly with as much of their 2billion fortune as they could bring with them.

The only confirmation that Assad and his family were no longer either in power or in their homeland came not from any of his officials, but from his patrons in Moscow as reports emerged they have now been granted asylum in the Russian capital.

A family picture dated 1985 shows Syrian President Hafez al-Assad and his wife Anisa Makhlouf (seated) and, behind them, from R to L their five children: Bushra, born in 1960, Majd, born in 1967, Bassel (1962-94), Bashar, 1965, and the youngest, Maher, 1968

Assad and members of his family left Syria with no announcement on Sunday, as other toppled Arab potentates did before them, supposedly with as much of their 2billion fortune as they could bring with them after rebel groups gained control of Damascus

The 'ruthless' mother - Anisa Makhlouf

Anisa Makhlouf was the widow of the former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, and mother of Bashar al-Assad.

She was the Syrian First Lady from 1971 to 2000 and died aged 86 on February 16, 2016.

Although she was known to keep a low profile, Makhlouf is believed to have the 'final say' on all matters within the Assad family.

'Decisions are made collectively in the family's inner circle, but Anisa has the last say,' said Wael al-Hafez, a member of the Syrian opposition in exile, according to the blog Les Martiennes.

Makhlouf accompanied Hafez on 'several business trips outside Syria' one state media said in its obituary when she passed away eight years ago.

'[She] was concerned with the issues of women, family affairs, martyrs, martyrs' children, the elderly, and orphans, and alongside him was part of the process of establishing modern Syria throughout 30 years,' it added.

Although the regime carefully crafted Makhlouf's public profile, analysts believe she played a prominent role behind the scenes.

She was also seen as part of the old guard, and some have linked her to the regime's ruthless suppression of pro-democracy demonstrations in 2011, through her relationship with her son, former Bashar al-Assad.

Former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad (left) with his wife Anisa Makhlouf (centre) and daughter Bushra (right), June 4, 1974

Hafez al-Assad with his wife Anisa Makhlouf and his children from left: Majd, Maher, Bashar, Bushra and Basel, June 4, 1974

Makhlouf (second from right) was known to keep a low profile, Makhlouf is believed to have the 'final say' on all matters within the Assad family

Makhlouf was also seen as part of the old guard, and some have linked her to the regime's ruthless suppression of pro-democracy demonstrations in 2011. Pictured: Hafez al-Assad with his wife Anisa Makhlouf and his children from left: Majd, Maher, BaseL, Bushra and Bashar, June 4, 1974

The brutal crackdown confirmed that the young president would follow a path similar to his father when dealing with dissent.

'What we know is restricted to people who fled the regime or what she said in public because she was a pretty reclusive figure. But what we can gather is that she was a driving force behind the family,' said Chris Doyle, director of Caabu, a British-Middle East policy reform group.

'She was crucial to Hafez's assent to power in the first place. She came from a notable Alawi clan, which allowed him to go forward in terms of social mobility.'

The calculating brother-in-law - Asef Shawkat

General Asef Shawkat was an Alawite military officer who married Assad's sister Bushra in 1995.

He was initially rejected by the Assad family, but quickly built trust with them after curating a close friendship with the future Syrian president.

Shawkat climbed through the military ranks, serving as Head of Military Intelligence, then Deputy Military Intelligence Chief, and later Chief of Military Intelligence until 2005.

Despite facing a swathe of international controversies, he was reassigned as Deputy Chief-of-Staff in 2008.

He was one of an inner circle of security chiefs focused on the Assad family, one of the top three in the regime, alongside the president's younger brother Maher although he was not always in favour.

Shawkat proved to be a dedicated and intrepid officer who earned respect. Syria's former vice-president Abdul Halim Khadadam described him as a 'smart, cultivated and courageous officer with great ambitions'.

He, along with Maher, is linked to the 2005 assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri.

He was named as a key suspect in a preliminary UN report on the assassination, after Hariri was killed in a suspected terrorist attack in Beirut on February 14.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad (right), his brother Maher (left) and brother-in-law Major General Assef Shawkat (centre) stand during the funeral of late president Hafez al-Assad in Damascus in this June 13, 2000

He, along with Maher, is linked to the 2005 assassination of Lebanese Prime Minister Rafik Hariri who was killed in a suspected terrorist attack in Beirut

Pictured from left: Syrian General Asef Shawkat (brother-in-law of Assad), Maher al-Assad (third from right), partially hidden is General Mustafa Hamdan, and Lebanese president Emile Lahoud, attending president Hafez al-Assad's funeral in Qirdaha in 2000

The US Department of Treasury sanctioned Shawkat in 2006 for orchestrating the assassination, describing him as 'a key architect' of Syrian occupation in Lebanon.

The size and sophistication of the device used in the blast was considered to have involved a state intelligence agency, and United Nations investigators implicated Shawkat in the plot.

He was also implicated in the assassination of Imad Mughniyah in Damascus on 12 February 2008.

Shawkat was subsequently detained, and in July 2009, he was dismissed as head of military intelligence, 'ridding the regime of the key suspect in the international investigation into Hariri's assassination', given the rank of general, and named as deputy chief of staff of the armed forces.

He was also an officer in the notorious Defence Company paramilitary force.

The military chief was also thought to be behind many of the regime's clandestine activities outside Syria, which he carried out with brutal discipline.

Shawkat was killed in a bomb attack at the headquarters of Syria's national security bureau on July 18, 2012

His death, along with two other members of Assad's inner circle, Defence Minister Dawoud Rajha and the Assistant Vice-President, Hassan Turkmani, dealt a grievous blow to Assad's prospect of remaining in power.

The powerful sister - Bushra al-Assad

Bushra al-Assad, 64, was once considered one of the most eligible women in Damascus.

After falling in love with Shawkat she annulled her engagement to Dr Muhssin Belal, Minister of Information and personal doctor to her father.

Like her brother Maher, she is known as a hawk within the regime and plays a significant role as Assad's secretary.

Since the death of her brother Bassel al-Assad in 1994, Bushra was credited with increasing influence in Syria.

She was reported to have played a major role in guiding the development of Syria's pharmaceutical industry.

Bushra was also reported to have worked for her late husband to gain acceptance and recognition.

Assad's sister has reportedly had a strained relationship with Assad's wife, Asma.

Bushra al-Assad, 64, was once considered one of the most eligible women in Damascus

Syrian President Hafez al-Assad family, left to right: Bushra, Majd, Bashar, Bassel and Maher President Bashar Al-Assad of Syria

According to former Syrian diplomat Mohammed Daoud, Bushra long prevented Asma from assuming the title of Syria's 'First Lady,' a title she preferred to keep with her mother, Makhlouf.

Since Asma's marriage to the Syrian president in 2000, Asma defied social conventions by frequently appearing in public and in the media.

It was reported that Bushra disapproved of Asma taking such a public role.

After her husband Shawkat died, Bushra left Syria to live in the United Arab Emirates, a source close to the UAE government said in 2012.

'Bushra al-Assad is a frequent visitor to the UAE. She comes here for personal and humanitarian reasons. She is currently in the UAE, on one of these visits, and has been here for some time,' the source said at the time.

Lebanese and Gulf officials also confirmed that Bushra had come to the United Arab Emirates with her five children following her husband's death.

In January 2013, she was joined by her mother in Dubai.
The tycoon husband of missing Texas real estate agent Suzanne Simpson cracked a smile in court on Monday during his first appearance since being charged with his wife's murder.

Brad Simpson, 53, revealed a sly grin during his brief hearing as he stands accused of first-degree murder.

Dressed in an all-red prisoner outfit, he appeared jittery as his sat in a swivel chair and swayed back and forth in a San Antonio courtroom.

Brad sat mostly silent during the brief hearing, only uttering 'yes' when the judge confirmed his identity and speaking quietly with his attorney, Steven Gilmore.

He stood with his gaze directed toward the ground and his muscular arms handcuffed in front of him as the judge spoke.

The judge in the case scheduled a new hearing before dismissing Brad and his legal team. The accused quickly turned away and left the courtroom.

Brad was arrested on October 9 in Kendall County for his wife's murder, three days after she was seen arguing with him in from of their $1.5 million home in Olmos Park.

A neighbor witnessed the altercation, claiming he heard screaming. It was the last time Suzanne, 51, was seen.

Brad Simpson, 53, revealed a sly grin during his brief courtroom appearance on Monday as he stands accused of first-degree murder

Brad has been accused of murdering his real estate agent wife Suzanne after an altercation

Brad exchanged words with his lawyer, Steven Gilmore, in the courtroom on Monday

The neighbor said he saw Brad 'grabbing her upper torso area to gain control of her body,' according to a police report.

Police presume the mother-of-four is dead, but her body has not been found.

On December 3, Brad was also formally charged with second-degree tampering with evidence with the intent to impair a human corpse, third-degree possession of prohibited weapons and third-degree tampering/fabricating physical evidence with the intent to impair.

If found guilty, he could face anywhere from two to 99 years or life in prison, depending on the charges he is convicted of.

Brad's family, who have cooperated with the police investigation, said they were 'deeply troubled and heartbroken' after the indictment.

'Our family is deeply troubled and heartbroken by the events surrounding the grand jury indictment of Brad for the tragic death of his wife. The details outlined in the case are disturbing and painful for all involved,' Bart Simpson, Brad's brother, wrote in a Facebook post.

'We want to express our profound gratitude to the law enforcement agencies for their tireless work and dedication to seeking justice. Their commitment to uncovering the truth is something we hold in the highest regard.

Brad was mostly quiet during the brief hearing and appeared jittery in the courtroom

The 53-year-old starred blankly during the hearing and quickly turned away when he was excused

The 51-year-old mother-of-four was last seen late out the front of her $1.5million home in the city's ritzy Olmos Park having an altercation with Brad

'We have faith in our criminal justice system and believe that the grand jury has done their sworn duty to review the evidence and determine that it is sufficient to move forward to trial.

'We urge Brad to do the right thing by fully cooperating with the authorities. For the sake of his children and the family who loves him, we ask him to accept responsibility and place himself at the mercy of the court. It is our sincere hope that through accountability, healing can begin for everyone affected by this devastating loss.

'We ask for privacy as we navigate this difficult time and thank the community for their understanding and support.'

Brad and Suzanne's daughter, Chandler Simpson, claimed on social media that Brad 'took my mother's life in a state of rage and control,' adding that he was abusive.

The missing woman's mother, Barbara Clark, echoed this sentiment at a vigil that was held to honor her daughter.

The heartbroken mother said that just hours before Suzanne went missing, she received a harrowing call from her.

A neighbor told police that he heard the couple arguing from his window and saw the two engaged in a physical fight, with Brad 'grabbing her upper torso area to gain control of her body'

Brad was arrested just three days after his wife of 22 years went missing

A thorough investigation of the four-bedroom, five-bathroom Olmos Park family home (pictured), worth an estimated $1.5million, took place and investigators have begun looking for a body

'She called me up and told me things Brad had done to her physically,' Clark said.

Clark explained that Suzanne confided in her, revealing that at about 9pm on October 6, the last day she was seen, Simpson had injured her arm and her back.

Court documents revealed that Brad showed 'no emotion' in the days that followed his wife's disappearance. Despite being married for over 22 years, Brad was allegedly indifferent about her vanishing.

Detectives said his cold behavior was a contributing factor to his arrest. They said they believe Brad 'intentionally and knowingly caused the death' of his wife.

Brad is being held at Bexar County Jail.
A second primary school teacher has been banned from the classroom over a vile WhatsApp chat where sexist and homophobic messages about female staff were swapped with male colleagues.

Curtis Austin, 35, was part of a 'barbaric' group chat at Engayne Primary School in Upminster, east London, in which he cracked racist jokes, branded pupils 'annoying', and 'retarded' and called a female colleague 'f*** buddy material'.

Austin sexually objectified female workers with lecherous messages in sordid WhatsApp conversations with other male teachers  in a scandal that has already seen one teacher being banned from the profession and a third quitting his job.

The slew of obscenely offensive texts was exposed after police seized Austin's phone and referred the matter to the local council.

In the chat between the disgraced educators, female staff were degraded and branded as 'kinky sluts' and 'pure filth', the Teaching Regulation Authority (TRA) said.

Austin sent messages describing one female colleague as 'f*** buddy material'. In another text he said one had a 'cracking a** too', while in a third he wrote about one woman, saying: 'That rack alone makes her top 2 material.'

In another abhorrent sex-fuelled exchange about a female worker at the school, Austin said he would 'pound the s*** out of her' and 'put her in a wheelchair'.

And in a series of homophobic jibes, Austin  who previously delivered lessons about 'cyber bullying' and 'text bullying' to nine and 10-year-old Year 5 pupils - labelled a female colleague a 'carpet munching s***' and a 'skin head carpet muncher'.

Curtis Austin, 35, was part of a 'barbaric' group chat at Engayne Primary School in Upminster, east London , in which he cracked racist jokes, branded pupils 'annoying', and 'retarded' and called a female colleague 'f*** buddy material'.

Austin would refer to female staff members as 'c****' and being on the 'c*** list',' the TRA said, while other posts discussed what they thought might be colleagues' preferred sexual positions, with Austin lecherously describing one female, saying: 'She'd 100% be the dirtiest shag'.

The disgraced married father has now become the second teacher to be banned from the profession over the scandal, following Matthew Clare, 36 - while all the others involved in the chat have resigned from the primary.

Teaching watchdogs heard that the messages were found on Austin's phone when it was seized in March 2021 by the Metropolitan Police who then raised the matter to the local authority.

He participated in the group between July 2019 and February 2020. He was suspended in April 2021 after the chat was exposed by cops. He resigned in May 2021.

The TRA heard that as well as the misogynistic messages, Austin and colleagues also spoke of a sordid game of 'tagging' that he and other members of the chat would play at school, which would see them trying to touch another person.

'Tag her right on the boob... with our cocks', he wrote in one text about another colleague. In another, he described a female at the school as an 'ideal 3some'.

The panel also noted that Austin had described pupils as 'all pretty thick in their own ways' and that he referred to one youngster as 'retarded'.

One message about pupils sent in the group, referring to a parent of one child, read: 'Does she expect me to stand next to her deformed kid 24-7'. Another added: 'if your kids fat, has a s*** on her feet, [what the f***] do you expect me to do.'

Matthew Clare, 36, has been banned from teaching after becoming involved in an offensive WhatsApp chat called Nip Clockers

Other children were called 'annoying', 'a bit wet' and a 'douche', the TRA report said.

Giving evidence to the panel, Austin accepted the messages were highly offensive and 'wholeheartedly wrong'.

The TRA noted that, in Austin's oral evidence, he accepted there were sexually objectifying messages about female colleagues. However, he denied the comments were of a sexual nature, saying they were 'stupid' and 'immature'.

Austin also said that although some messages referred to touching women with their penises in a 'tag game' scenario, that this had never actually happened in 'reality'.

But the panel rejected his defence and said his messages were 'by their very nature, explicitly sexual and contained graphic sexual comments' about his female colleagues.

'In the panel's view, the messages spoke for themselves and, based on its own knowledge and experience, the panel was satisfied that they were sexual in nature,' the TRA report said.

During an earlier misconduct hearing into Matthew Clare, the TRA revealed he had been part of a group chat called the 'Nip Clockers'.

it was heard that Clare admitted the messages gave the impression he was regularly ogling his female colleagues breasts.

One read: 'Clocked the Ns massively coming on from lunch. This cold weather.'

Scores were kept about many teachers, with Clare posting 'T*** looked cracking tho' which received the response of 'that rack alone makes her top 2 material'.

Another discussion revolved around 'Do you reckon all the women from work have a go (group chat) about our massive shlongs?'

Clare replied 'Ha Ha Hopefully!!!' and 'Is that sexual assault?'.

The pair were teachers at Engayne Primary School, in east London (pictured)

A third teacher involved in the scandal was Grant Twist, who taught Year 3 at Engayne, before resigning in May 2021 when the WhatsApp group was exposed.

He has been spared a teaching ban and has since moved to 16,818-a-year Snaresbrook Preparatory School in South Woodford, north-east London.

Twist's messages included: 'No brarisky when bending over a tableno kid wants a lose boob smacking them in the faceimagine tagging her on the boob.'

In response to a discussion about 'tagging' a female colleague on the breasts, bottom and vagina, Mr Twist sent a message saying 'With my dick', the TRA said.

In the chat, he also referred to some of the pupils in his English class as 'spaz boys', the TRA said.

And Twist received a message from a Austin about one female colleague with the comment 'someone is going to have to take one for the team and donkey punch her.'

This referred to the controversial Britflic film Donkey Punch in which a girl dies from a blow after her attacker learns of an urban myth that hitting women during sex will enhance their orgasm.

Another message received by Twist and Clare in the group referred to female staff members as 'c** slave' and 'kinky sl** bucket', with Austen writing: 'She'd make a decent porn hub video'.

In a report, the TRA said Austin's messages about female colleagues were 'highly offensive' and were a 'significant factor' in the panel reaching its decision to ban him.

The third teacher was Grant Twist, who taught Year 3, before resigning in May 2021 when the WhatsApp group was exposed

Replying, the 35-year-old educator said the message were used to 'distract' him from the 'horrible realities' and stress in his life.

While acknowledging the messages were inappropriate, he insisted that by 'no means were they a true reflection of his beliefs or a true representation of him as a man, a father, a husband or as a teacher', the TRA report said.

'He stated that none of the messages sent were to cause harm or malice to anyone, and that he and his family are embarrassed by the messages, and he cannot apologise enough,' the report continued, adding: 'Mr Austin stated that by no means does he have any excuses for the messages; he is extremely embarrassed by his actions and behaviour during this time.'

Austin was banned from teaching for at least three years, after which he can apply for his ban to be lifted. Clare was banned from the profession for at least two years.

Banning Austin, David Oatley, for the Education Secretary, said: 'The findings of misconduct are particularly serious as they include a finding of sending and/or receiving inappropriate messages which discussed his female colleagues in a way which was sexually objectifying, homophobic, misogynistic and denigrating... with racist content; an... inappropriate messages about students and the parent of a pupil.'

While the panel determined that Mr Clare was guilty of unacceptable professional conduct as a result of these posts, they noted that he had apologised for his actions and expressed regret for not reporting the conversations.

Clare was banned from the profession for at least two years.

Twist was spared a teaching ban after the panel accepted he had shown genuine remorse over his behaviour and was getting counselling.

Professor Antony Moss, chairman of governors at the school, said the behaviour of the perverted educators left staff horrified.

Speaking to MailOnline, he added: 'As soon as this matter was brought to our attention, the teachers involved were immediately suspended in the interest of pupils and staff.

'Engayne Primary School leadership conducted a thorough investigation and passed the findings to the relevant bodies, including the Teacher Regulation Agency (TRA), to ensure this matter was dealt with as quickly as possible so sanctions could be brought.

'We were shocked and appalled by this incident and the behaviour of the teachers named in the report. We have a zero-tolerance approach to this type of behaviour.

'We recognise this news will impact members of school community and have already offered support to those directly affected.'
Greta Thunberg has sparked massive outrage after yelling 'f*** Israel and f*** Germany' while cackling at a 'Palestine and climate movement solidarity' rally.

The climate activist was reportedly speaking at a rally held in the city of Mannheim on Friday that was organised by the Zaytouna group.

It was held in the city's main market square, where Thunberg, 21, was heard laughing as she shouted the expletives, which the crowd cheered and clapped at.

A spokesperson for the city said that over 700 people attended, adding that the demonstration was peaceful.

But critics said the young activist's words were far from harmless.

'Mannheim does not need a platform for such dehumanizing positions and our country does not need the presence of people like Greta Thunberg,' Conservative regional parliamentary party leader Manuel Hagel told the Jerusalem Post.

Hagel added that Thunberg was moving 'very consciously in close proximity to antisemitism.'

Thunberg has a long history of civil disobedience.

Greta Thunberg, 21, sparked massive outrage after yelling 'f*** Israel and f*** Germany '

Thunberg has previously come under fire for her pro-Palestine stance by Jewish groups

Greta Thunberg and German activist Hassan A-zbay (L) speak at a solidarity with Palestine event in Mannheim, Germany

Thunberg, who was a central figure in the global movement calling for action on climate change, has been outspoke in her support for Palestine ever since the Israeli invasion of Gaza

People who attended the event in Germany turned on the lights on their phones to show solidarity

A man waves a Palestine flag at a solidarity with Palestine

Thunberg, 21, was heard laughing as she shouted the expletives, which the crowd cheered and clapped at

Earlier this year, she was taken away by police as they fired a water cannon at demonstrators protesting against fossil fuels in the Netherlands.

The Swedish climate activist protested alongside members of Extinction Rebellion (XR) as they blocked a busy junction leading onto a motorway in The Hague.

Footage shows Thunberg and others being sprayed with water after police deployed a cannon before removing the group of about 50 demonstrators.

More XR activists also blocked another road, near the building of the House of Representatives and the Ministry of Economic Affairs, as well as a lane on the local motorway.

She was also taken into police custody a month earlier after she spoke as an Extinction Rebellion protest in Helsinki in June.

Thunberg, speaking at the massive rally while wearing a keffiyeh, a piece of clothing associated with Palestinian resistance, was taken to a police bus, according to local media, after she spoke.

According to Helsinki Police Chief Commissioner Heikki Porola at the time, while the protest was peaceful, arrests were made after protesters refused to leave the area.

Thunberg has previously come under fire for her pro-Palestine stance by Jewish groups.

The German branch of climate movement Fridays for Future has also distanced itself from her.

Greta Thunberg was taken away by police as they fired a water cannon at demonstrators protesting against fossil fuels in the Netherlands earlier this year

She was also taken into police custody at an Extinction Rebellion event in Finland, Helsinki

Ms Thunberg takes part in a march for climate and justice in Amsterdam in November 12 2023

Thunberg had accused 'the people in power of not listening' to the 'voices of those who are being oppressed' in the Gaza Strip during her speech in front of tens of thousands

She spoke out at an event held at climate protest in Amsterdam in November last year, where she urged 'ceasefire now' while wearing a Palestinian black and white scarf.

She had accused 'the people in power of not listening' to the 'voices of those who are being oppressed' in the Gaza Strip during her speech in front of tens of thousands of climate demonstrators.

Her outburst marked 'the end of Greta Thunberg as a climate activist,' said Volker Becker, the president of the German-Israel Society DIG, adding that 'from now: Israel hater is the main job' for the Swedish activist.

At the time, Luisa Neubauer, head of the German chapter of the Fridays for Future movement, said Ms Thunberg was 'extraordinarily reflective and far-sighted' in the past but that the German branch will now have to examine 'with whom we still have a basis to work based on common values'.

'It is obvious that for many global organisations, global realities diverge when it comes to Israel and Palestine. But that does not justify disinformation,' she added.
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The New York Police Department has said they are on high alert for any 'copy-cat' violent activity following Luigi Mangione's arrest over the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Mangione, 26, who comes from a wealthy Maryland family, has been charged with second-degree murder, after Thompson, 50, was assassinated on a New York City street early on the morning of December 4.

Since the grizzly murder, 'wanted' posters emblazoning other healthcare CEOs have popped up in Manhattan - triggering a special warning from the NYPD.

Our live coverage has now ended but for a full recap see below
A brilliant student who graduated his school's valedictorian and appeared to have a job in a tech company has been arrested over the execution murder of healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan.

Luigi Mangione, 26, was arrested in McDonald's Altoona, Pennsylvania, at 9am after both a worker and an elderly patron spotted him and called the police.

He was detained on firearm charges and and was carrying a 'ghost gun', believed to have been made with a 3D printer, when he was arrested.

He is the prime suspect in the execution-style killing of Thompson, 50, outside the Hilton hotel on December 4th.

Mangione is originally from Towson, Maryland, and is an anti-capitalist former Ivy League student who attended one of Baltimore's most prestigious schools, the $40,000-a-year Gilman.

Mangione was valedictorian in 2016 and made a powerful speech about his experiences at the school.

Gilman School Head of School Henry P.A. Smyth said in the email on Monday that the arrest was 'deeply distressing news on top of an already awful situation'.

After leaving school Mangione attended the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania where he studied computer science and engineering. He has spent four years working in a software company based in Santa Monica, California, called TrueCar.

The musclebound suspect has ties to San Francisco, and used to live in Honolulu, Hawaii, cops confirmed.

Police sources said he was was angry at the way the medical insurance industry treated a sick relative, according to the New York Post.

Further details on that relative or their identity have not been shared, although online obituaries show Mangione lost a grandmother in 2013 and a grandfather in 2017.

His X account also shows an x-ray of complicated neck surgery.

Pictured: Luigi Mangione

Pictured: The suspect believed to be involved in the shooting of Brian Thompson

The suspected killer was also a fan of 'Unabomber' Ted Kaczynski, and referenced quotes from him on health and sickness on his Goodreads page.

'Imagine a society that subjects people to conditions that make them terribly unhappy then gives them the drugs to take away their unhappiness,' read one excerpt from a Kaczynski quote on Mangione's Goodreads page.

'The concept of 'mental health' in our society is defined largely by the extent to which an individual behaves in accord with the needs of the system and does so without showing signs of stress,' read another.

Cops arrested Mangione after a 911 call was made from the cafe about 9.15am on Monday.

The 911 caller who potentially identified the gunman at the Altoona McDonald's was an 'elderly patron' according to an anonymous law enforcement official.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed on Monday afternoon that Mangione was in possession of a gun, silencer and a fraudulent New Jersey ID.

Luigi Mangione was arrested on firearm charges and is the person of interest

Mangione was a known anti-capitalist, according to his social media

Luigi Mangione, pictured with a McDonald's Happy Meal, was spotted in a Pennsylvania McDonald's

The ID matched the one the suspected killer used to check into a NYC hostel on November 24.

He was also found with a manifesto - which allegedly showed he was irate about the healthcare industry and its profits.

According to Tisch, 26-year-old Mangione also had clothing on him that matched the gunman's clothing.

The Commissioner thanked the public for their help, saying: 'We should never underestimate the power of the public to be our eyes and ears.'

'He had ill will against corporate America,' Joseph Kenny said of Mangione.

Kenny said that the 'ghost' gun he allegedly used to kill Brian Thompson may have been made with a 3D printer.

Thompson was gunned down outside a Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan at 6:44am on Wednesday December 4.

The doomed CEO had arrived in the city to host UnitedHealthcare's annual investor meeting, where he was set to detail bumper profits.

Brian Thompson is seen in a professional headshot taken before he was brutally gunned-down by a suspect police say is Luigi Mangione

Harrowing surveillance camera footage showed Thompson being shot at point blank range by three bullets.

Afterwards the shell casings were found to have the words 'deny,' 'defend', 'depose' written on them, in an apparent attack on health industry practices.

Thompson lived in a $1 million mansion in Minnetonka, Minnesota, a mile from the home of wife Paulette, from whom he was separated.
December 8, 2024: All is well on the Caspian Sea exit. In 2023 Russia brought in dredging equipment for a major, and overdue, dredging of the heavily used Volga-Don Canal that enables ships to get from the Caspian Sea to the Black Sea. Because of the war in Ukraine, and Iran supplying weapons and equipment to Russia, canal traffic was up 15 percent in 2022 over the previous year. In 2023 traffic increased by another 4.5 percent. Since 1952, a 101 kilometers long canal, linking the Don and Volga rivers, gave the Caspian Sea access to the Black Sea and the world's oceans. However, ships that can use the canal cannot displace more than 5,000 tons and be no more than 140 meters long, 17 meters wide, and have a draft of no more than 3.5 meters. Normally the canal moves over 12 million tons of cargo a year. About half of that is oil or oil products. In 2021 Russia agreed to allow Iran to use the Volga-Don Canal so that Iranian ships can reach the Black Sea from the landlocked Caspian Sea. This is the first time Russia has ever given a foreign nation free access to the canal. Russia and Iran are now using each others Caspian Sea ports heavily for trade and getting Iranian weapons to Russia. Both nations have agreed to establish a joint-shipbuilding operation in the Caspian Sea and cooperate in dredging the canal, something that has not been done since 1991. The prolonged lack of dredging has made portions of the canal shallower and forced ships to carry less cargo.

The 13 locks on the canal connect the Volga River, the longest in Russia that empties into the Caspian, and the Don River which empties into the Sea of Azov, which is connected to the Black Sea via the Kerch Strait. The Caspian is the world's largest lake, at 371,000 square kilometers. It is about a thousand kilometers long and 430 kilometers wide. It's saline but is only about a third as salty as ocean water. The Caspian has a 7,000-kilometer-long coastline, with the largest chunk, 1,900 kilometers, belonging to Kazakhstan.
Kate Middleton has been shortlisted for Time magazine's Person of the Year.

The Princess of Wales was hailed for stirring a 'conversation about privacy and health for public figures'.

She was joined on the shortlist by other leading figures including Donald Trump, Yulia Navalnaya, Elon Musk, Kamala Harris and Joe Rogan.

Time has named a Person Of The Year since 1927. The gong is for the person, group or concept that has had the biggest impact, either positively or negatively, on the world this year.

Catherine announced in March that she had embarked on a gruelling course of cancer treatment after doctors found evidence of the disease following 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 as she continued on her slow road to recovery.

Royal-watchers will be delighted at the news that Catherine could be recognised for her courage and brave demeanour.

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.

Kate Middleton has been shortlisted for Time magazine's Person of the Year

Prince Louis and the Princess of Wales during the Together At Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey in London on December 6

Catherine appeared in good health as she smiled and waved to the public

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 preventive 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.

Also on the list for Time's Person Of The Year is President-elect Donald Trump

Kamala Harris, who lost the American Election to Trump, is also on the list

Telsa and X owner Elon Musk is also on the shortlist of ten people

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.

Kate is thought to have gotten closer to Charles, as the King announced that he was 'so proud of Catherine for her courage in speaking as she did,' via a statement after revealing her cancer diagnosis.
U.S. officials are working with contacts inside Syria to try to find Austin Tice, an American journalist who was captured in the war-torn country 12 years ago, according to a top White House figure.

Hopes for his rescue faded over the years with no confirmed sightings.

But on Sunday, President Joe Biden said he believed the former U.S. Marine was still alive.

His national security adviser said on Monday that officials were working with people on the ground after the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's brutal regime.

'This is a top priority for us ... to find Austin Tice, to locate the prison where he may be held, get him out, get him home safely to his family,' Jake Sullivan told ABC's Good Morning America.

'We have offered a reward to anyone who can provide information, and we are talking through the Turks and others, to people on the ground in Syria, to say, help us with this, help us get Austin Tice home.'

The FBI reissued its $1 million reward for information leading to his safe recovery and return.

Tice was 31 when he was abducted in August 2012 while reporting in Damascus on the uprising against Assad, who was eventually ousted by Syrian rebels on Sunday.

Austin Tice, a former U.S. Marine and freelance journalist, was abducted while reporting on the civil war in Syria on Aug. 14, 2012

The FBI reissued its offer of a $1million reward for information leading to his safe return

Crowds descended on Sednaya Prison, where thousands of people were said to be detained and tortured by the Assad regime during the past decade

Syrian officials had always denied he was in their custody.

In a prepared speech about Syria on Sunday, Biden raised his case.

'We are mindful that there are Americans in Syria, including those who reside there, as well as Austin Tice, who was taken captive more than 12 years ago.

'We remain committed to returning him to his family,' he said using language consistent with other officials who in the past have said they had no evidence he was still alive.

But moments later Biden went further in response to questions shouted by journalists.

'We believe he's alive,' he said. 'We think we can get him back, but we have no direct evidence of that yet.'

Meanwhile, Syrian prisoners are emptying of their political prisoners.

'Austin Tice is alive, in Syria, and it's time for him to come home,' said his parents Marc and Debra Tice.

Trump's national security adviser Jake Sullivan said rescuing Tice was 'a top priority'

'We are eagerly anticipating seeing Austin walk free and we are asking anyone who can do so to please assist Austin so he can safely return home to our family.'

The Assad regime crumbled at the weekend as the armed Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham stormed into the capital Damascus.

Assad was reported to have been granted political asylum by his allies in Moscow.

In the wake of his departure, crowds descended on Sednaya prison to find relatives missing since the early years of the civil war.

The Syrian Network for Human Rights estimated this year that 130,000 people were subject to arbitrary arrest or detention during the conflict.
A powerful House Republican's daughter tragically passed away over the weekend.

House Rules Committee Chairman Michael Burgess's oldest daughter Christine Burgess passed in her sleep, the congressman's office posted in a statement.

'Its with heavy hearts we regret to share that Congressman Burgess eldest daughter, Christine Burgess passed away in her sleep this past weekend,' the Texas Republican's staff wrote on his X account.

'Congressman Burgess appreciates all of the thoughts & prayers & respectfully requests privacy for his family at this difficult time.'

Burgess, 73, has represented the north Dallas area in the House since 2003.

He did not run for re-election and will be leaving Congress after serving for 22 years later this month.

Before serving in Congress the Republican practiced as a doctor of obstetrics and gynecology.

Speaker Mike Johnson offered his condolences on social media Monday morning.

Representative Michael Burgess, a Republican from Texas and chairman of the House Rules Committee

Burgess' staff wrote on his X Monday that his daughter Christine had passed away over the weekend while she was sleeping

A photo of Christine shared by the congressman's staff

'It is with deep sadness that we share the tragic news about the passing of Congressman Burgess beloved daughter, Christine,' Johnson posted on X.

'Our hearts and our prayers go out to our dear friend and colleague and his family at this very difficult time.'

Republican Rep.-elect Brandon Gill, 30, who just won the race to replace Burgess, also posted in honor of the congressman's daughter.

'Please join Danielle and me in praying for Dr. Burgess and his family,' he posted.

Burgess announced he would not seek reelection in November 2023.

His statement then did not specify a reason for his retirement from Congress.

'It has been the honor of my life to have gone from a small-town doctor delivering babies, with no prior political experience, to elected to represent my friends and neighbors in the United States Congress,' the statement said.

Fellow Texan Rep. Troy Nehls wrote on X: 'Jill and I are saddened to learn of the passing of Michael Burgesss daughter, Christine. Please join us in praying for the entire Burgess family during this incredibly difficult time.'

In November 2023 Burgess announced he would not seek re-election

The Texas Republican will have served for 22 years in Congress following his upcoming retirement

There was no other specifics in the announcement made by Burgess' office.

Another Republican, Kentucky Rep. Brett Guthrie, also posted a message of comfort for Burgess.

'Beth and I are so sorry for Dr. Burgess, Laura, and your family following this tragic loss,' he wrote on X.

'The loss of a child age is profoundly sad. Our thoughts and prayers are with your family during this difficult time.'
A Minnesota girl who was struck by lightning on a Florida beach more than a year ago is still unable to move, talk or hear - as her single mother holds on to hope that her health will improve.

Mila Vang, 13, has not been able to return home since the freak accident in August 2023.

'Every time I come home I cry. I cry and I cry everyday,' Mila's mother, Nalee Yang, told FOX 9.

'She cannot talk, she cannot hear, she's just like a baby, like a newborn baby. She doesn't know nothing at all.'

Mila was on vacation in Florida with her mother and brother, Joshua, to celebrate her 12th birthday when the horrifying strike occurred.

All three were on Sebastian Inlet Beach when Mila was struck by lightning. Yang, who was standing nearby, was also hurt.

While Yang was hospitalized for only a day, her daughter was left unconscious and unresponsive.

'When she was flipped over, she was burned everywhere. It looked like she already died,' Yang told FOX 9.

She added that her son ran to his sister's aid and performed CPR before an ambulance arrived.

Mila Vang, 13, was on vacation to celebrate her birthday with her family when she was struck by lightning

Mila has been bound to a hospital bed for more than a year and was recently transferred to a hospital in Minnesota closer to home

Mila, pictured before the accident, will be returning home for the first time since August 2023

Mila suffered burns and severe brain injuries. After being rushed to a local emergency room, the young girl was taken by helicopter to AdventHealth Children's Hospital in Orlando, where she had to stay for more than a year.

Her breathing tube was taken out after a month, according to a GoFundMe set up for Mila, but there has not been much progress since then.

She was transferred to Childrens Minnesota in St. Paul last month to continue her recovery.

'I'm so happy that we're home close to family,' Yang told FOX 9.

'I was so happy that we have a place to sleep and not in the hospital. I had to stay there for a long time.'

During Mila's entire stay at the Orlando hospital, her mother was by her side, constantly making trips between Minnesota and Florida while juggling work and raising Mila's 15-year-old brother.

'I've been a single mom for a long time, [since] when the kids were very little. I planned to take the kids on vacation, take kids to Disneyland to see the ocean,' she said.

'We go on August 14. That was the day we went to the beach and that's how it happened.'

To Yang's delight, her daughter will soon be joining her back at her Vadnais Heights home. The mother had medical equipment installed throughout her house to properly care for her daughter.

Mila was severely burned from the lightning and her mother thought she looked dead when she was struck

Nalee Yang has installed hospital equipment in her home to prepare for Mila's return

Yang would travel back and forth between Minnesota and Florida to visit her daughter, all while trying to remain optimistic

Yang also installed a wheelchair lift to the stairs outside of her home to get Mila inside the house.

Despite trying to stay optimistic, the mother remains heartbroken about the tragic situation, which has bound her child to a hospital bed ever since.

Every picture of her daughter before the accident sparks a wave of sadness, Yang explained.

The GoFundMe Yang created to to help pay for her daughter's care had raised nearly $65,000 as of Monday afternoon, and Yang expressed gratitude to everyone who has financially and physically helped Mila.
A schizophrenic artist who stabbed a dog walker to death was repeatedly allowed to leave her mental hospital despite having threatened 'a bloodbath', an inquest heard today.

Roger Leadbeater, 74, was walking his springer spaniel Max when he was knifed multiple times in a frenzied attack in a Sheffield park in August last year.

The dog stayed by his side.

Emma Borowy was charged with his murder, but four months later the 32-year-old was herself found dead in prison after a 'suspected suicide'.

Mr Leadbeater was described by his family as a 'good, hard-working and decent man' whose job was to drive children with special needs to school.

Relatives have demanded to know why doctors kept granting his killer spells of leave despite Borowy repeatedly going missing for days at a time.

Today's inquest heard that she had been sectioned at a unit in Bolton, Greater Manchester after slaughtering two goats in a 'witchcraft' ceremony in October 2022.

However in the months that followed, Borowy was twice found armed with a knife after going absent without leave from the unit.

Artist Emma Borowy, 32, was said to be a schizophrenic obsessed with witchcraft

Borowy was charged with murdering council worker Roger Leadbeater (pictured) in a Sheffield park in August

Ahead of the inquest, Mr Leadbeater's family (pictured) said their concern was that doctors 'just didn't follow' procedures for protecting mental patients

Police who found the mother-of-one in Sheffield in January last year recorded that she had spoken about creating a 'bloodbath', Mr Leadbeater's inquest heard.

She also told officers 'she wanted to murder hundreds of people', it was told.

Before being sectioned, Borowy had been convinced that she was 'an alien' and that extra-terrestrials could contact her through a special crystal, consultant psychiatrist Dr Hayley Thomas told the inquest in Sheffield.

However the regular cannabis user wouldn't take anti-psychotic medication due to the side-effects, and her son was put in care.

But Dr Thomas said there was nothing to justify sectioning her under the Mental Health Act until she knifed the goats, which Borowy described as 'witchcraft'.

Afterwards police found a rucksack containing a hammer and rope, as well as teddy bears floating in the bath and a 'shrine for unicorns'.

'It was felt she may be a risk to animals and people,' Dr Thomas said.

She was admitted to a mental health ward at Royal Bolton Hospital, but smashed a window and escaped after becoming 'hostile' and 'agitated'.

Six days later she was found armed with a knife at a local station, later saying she was going to 'kill someone'.

In January last year she went missing from the unit for 12 days after being allowed into the hospital grounds.

Pictured is the family of Roger Leadbeater at the inquest in Sheffield

Emma Borowy had previously been arrested for slaughtering two pet goats in a form of 'sacrifice' and allegedly threatened to 'stab someone in the heart'

Mr Leadbeater's family wore these blue ribbons to the inquest in Sheffield

Pictured is Mr Leadbeater's niece Angela Hector at the inquest

After she was found in Sheffield, armed with a 'Stanley knife', police recorded that she had spoken about creating a 'bloodbath' and killing people, although she later denied doing so.

However Dr Thomas said that over the weeks that followed, Borowy's mental health was assessed as being 'stable'.

'The main concern was about her vulnerability and her ability to care for herself,' she said.

Over June and July she made repeated attempts to abscond, smashing windows, assaulting staff and scaling walls.

Tragically, after being granted supervised leave on August 7, Borowy ran off from the healthcare worker accompanying her and travelled to Sheffield where she killed Mr Leadbeater two days later.

Asked by senior coroner Tanyka Rawden if granting leave in the preceding weeks had been the 'right decision', Dr Thomas insisted they had a duty to prepare Borowy for discharge from hospital.

'There was a history of aggression and carrying weapons, but not of serious violence,' she said.

Borowy was found dead following a 'suspected suicide' in New Hall Prison in Wakefield, West Yorkshire last December.

Ahead of the inquest, Mr Leadbeater's family said their concern was that doctors 'just didn't follow' procedures for protecting mental patients and ensuring they didn't harm anyone else.

'Roger was just a nice, hard-working guy,' his niece Angela Hector told the Guardian.

'He wouldn't have harmed anybody, and what he endured that night and how she killed him  that could have been prevented.

'It was a domino effect among different services  if they'd have done this, if they'd have done that.

'It seems like her treatment and care was very poor.'

Her father Karl, 64, said Borowy, who had a young son, had been admitted to mental health units in Warrington, Salford and Bolton, but had frequently walked out

It is understood Borowy was in the care of the Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust

The tragic case comes after another shocking killing carried out by a patient who was also under the supervision of Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust.

Emily Jones, seven, was fatally attacked as she rode her scooter in her local park in Bolton on Mother's Day in March 2020.

She was stabbed to death by Albania-born Eltiona Skana, 33, who had developed paranoid schizophrenia after lying about being a victim of trafficking in order to win asylum.

Skana admitted manslaughter by diminished responsibility and is serving a life sentence.

NHS bosses ordered an independent review which later said the trust's understanding of the risks posed by Skana was 'poor'.

Ahead of Mr Leadbeater's inquest, Dr Arasu Kuppuswamy, chief medical officer at the trust, said his 'thoughts and sympathies' were with his family but that it was 'inappropriate' to comment further at this stage.

The hearing continues.

For confidential support, call Samaritans on 116 123, visit samaritans.org or visit https://www.thecalmzone.net/get-support
David Lammy has warned the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's dictatorship in Syria could spark a fresh migration crisis in Europe and a surge in illegal arrivals to Britain.

The Foreign Secretary welcomed the downfall of Assad's brutal regime in the Middle Eastern country and said it presented an 'opportunity' for Syrians.

But he also cautioned it was a 'moment of danger' for the war-torn nation and the wider region, as Mr Lammy noted Syria had proven to be a 'hotbed of extremism'.

His warning came as the Home Office copied Germany and France by pausing decisions on asylum applications from Syrians amid the current turmoil.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urged the victorious Syrian rebels who ousted Assad to reject violence after seizing control of capital Damascus.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), an Islamist group formerly known as the Al-Nusra Front before a merger with various other groups, was previously an offshoot of Al-Qaeda.

Although it severed ties with Al-Qaeda a number of years ago, HTS remains on the UK's list of proscribed terror groups.

Syrians gather at Umayyad Square in Damascus to celebrate the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime

A policeman from the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham's (HTS) so-called 'Salvation Government' stands guard in front of Syria's Central Bank in Damascus

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer urged the victorious rebel group who ousted Assad to reject violence after seizing control

Speaking in Saudi Arabia during his visit to meet Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Sir Keir said: 'The situation is obviously very volatile in Syria.

'It is very good that Assad is gone, but it doesn't necessarily mean that what follows is settled by any means at all.

'It is really important that we talk to our regional allies, our global allies about the way forward, which has to be a political way forward.

'And that does mean a rejection of terrorism, a rejection of violence, we have to be very clear about the terms.

'It's very early days but these are the discussions we are having with our allies.'

Millions of Syrians fled the country after the outbreak of civil war more than 13 years ago and the Assad regime's brutal crackdown on opponents.

Thousands of Syrians have since been granted asylum in the UK, but Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said decisions on applications would be paused while events unfold.

She said: 'We know that the situation in Syria is moving extremely fast after the fall of the Assad regime.

'We have seen some people returning to Syria, but we also have a very fast-moving situation that we need to closely monitor.

'And that is why - like Germany, like France and like other countries - we have paused asylum decisions on cases from Syria while the Home Office reviews and monitors the current situation.'

A Home Office spokesman said it would keep 'all country guidance relating to asylum claims under constant review so we can respond to emerging issues'.

In a statement to the House of Commons on the events of recent days, Foreign Secretary David Lammy said there had been an 'extraordinary change' in Syria over the past fortnight

In a statement to the House of Commons on the events of recent days, Mr Lammy said there had been an 'extraordinary change' in Syria over the past fortnight.

But he warned that Assad's removal was 'no guarantee of peace' and could have far-reaching consequences.

The Foreign Secretary told MPs the current flow of refugees back into Syria from neighbouring areas 'could quickly become a flow back out'.

He suggested this could see a repeat of the events of 2015, when Europe faced an influx of migrants, and even lead to an uptick in small boat crossings in the Channel.

Mr Lammy also signalled Britain would not yet be removing HTS from a list of banned terror groups and said the Government would judge the group 'by their actions'.

The Foreign Secretary said: 'Assad's demise brings no guarantee of peace. This is a moment of danger, as well as opportunity, for Syrians and for the region.

'The humanitarian situation in Syria is dire with almost 17 million people in need.

'Millions of refugees - largely still in neighbouring Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan.

'Seeing so many start to return to Syria is a positive sign for their hopes for a better future now that Assad is gone.

'But a lot depends on what happens now. This flow into Syria could quickly become a flow back out and potentially increase the numbers using dangerous, illegal migration routes to continental Europe and the UK.'

HTS was added to the Home Office's list of terror groups in 2017 due to it being an alternative name for Al-Qaeda.

But its leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani is said to have cut ties with Al-Qaeda years ago and has sought to present his group as a more moderate organisation.

Mr Lammy warned Syria had 'proven a hotbed of extremism' in recent times.

'This House will know the group whose offensive first pushed back the regime, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham or HTS, are also a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK as an alias of Al-Qaeda,' he added.

'That should rightly make us cautious. Thus far HTS has offered reassurances to minorities in Aleppo, Hama and Damascus.

'They have also committed to cooperating with the international community over monitoring chemical weapons.

'We will judge HTS by their actions, monitoring closely how they and other parties to their conflict treat all civilians in areas they control.'

He later said: 'I want to make it clear that the situation on the ground in Syria is very fluid. Our priority at this time is the safety of Syrian civilians.

'But let me be absolutely clear: we don't comment on issues of proscription for good reason.

'We should recognise that Al-Qaeda killed hundreds of British citizens in barbaric attacks spanning decades and that was the original reason that this organisation HTS was proscribed.'

On his visit to Saudi Arabia, Sir Keir said no decision on unproscribing HTS was pending 'at all'.

He told broadcasters: 'No decision is pending at all on this, it is far too early.

'At the moment the focus has to be on talking to our allies, making sure that this is an opportunity for Syria and therefore we have to work to make sure that this is a peaceful opportunity.'

Tory shadow home secretary Dame Priti Patel urged the Government to consider the 'potential threat' posed by HTS.

'Security considerations should always be a number one consideration for us all,' she said.

'And we should not forget where this group originally came from. We need to be looking not just at their words, but at their actions.'
A Black Lives Matter leader who has been in the courtroom daily during the Daniel Penny subway trial called on 'black vigilantes' to step up after the Marine veteran was found not guilty on Monday.

Walter 'Hawk' Newsome, who says he is Jordan Neely's uncle, threatened Penny inside the courtroom during the chaos which immediately followed the verdict.

He shouted 'it's a small f**king world, buddy.'

Then, speaking to media and later protesters outside the courthouse, Newsome said it was time for 'black vigilantes.'

'Everybody else has vigilantes. We need some black vigilantes,' he said.

'People want to jump up and choke us and kill us for being loud, how about we do the same when they attempt to oppress us.'

The comments came as protesters across the street set their sights on police, chanting 'f**k the police' and questioning why they weren't patrolling the train to defend Neely.

Walter 'Hawk' Newsome, who says he is Jordan Neely's uncle, threatened Penny inside the courtroom during the chaos which immediately followed the verdict

Speaking to media and later protesters outside the courthouse, Newsome said it was time for 'black vigilantes.'

Penny was found not guilty of negligent homicide on Monday, after the state dismissed the top charge of manslaughter

The homeless, mentally ill black man had been threatening to kill people and telling commuters he was willing to 'go back to Rikers' when Penny, then just 24, intervened and took him to the ground.

He held Neely in a chokehold, alternating between applying pressure and not, in an effort to keep commuters safe until police arrived.

Protesters have stood outside the courtroom every day of the mammoth trial. It took two weeks to even select a jury, followed by four weeks of evidence, and then six days of deliberations.

Those protesters called Penny the 'subway strangler' and warned that there would be 'no peace without justice', which Penny's lawyer argued was a direct threat to jurors.

Outside the courthouse on Monday, after calling for black vigilantes, Newsome told those same protesters he 'loves them.'

He singled out several by name who have been there 'every day, in the freezing cold' shouting insults at Penny.

Newsome told the crowd that black people could no longer rely on authorities to keep them safe or place value on their lives.

The courtroom erupted after the not guilty verdict, as Penny was ushered out of the courtroom

Neely was a Michael Jackson impersonator who was known and recognized in Times Square (pictured in 2009)

Penny held Neely on the subway car floor while others assisted on May 1, 2023

'We patrol our community,' he said. 'We keep us safe.'

'America will never fix the issue of black people because America needs a punching bag. They have designated us as the punching bag.

'So, f**k America. How dare you laugh and cheer when someone gets away with murdering us. I dont want a march. I want a step.

'Racists: burn in hell.'
President-elect Donald Trump's selection to lead the FBI scored early support from a crucial Senate Republican tasked with confirming the controversial nominee.

Kash Patel's ascent through Trump world has been buoyed by his past experience working as a public defender and then as a Justice Department prosecutor.

He previously helped Trump navigate the claims he had inappropriate connections to Russia during the 2016 election while working as a counselor on the House Intelligence Committee.

For his efforts Patel, 44, later was promoted to high-ranking White House positions, first as the chief of staff to the secretary of defense, then as a senior advisor to the president and finally as deputy director of national intelligence.

Now senators are vetting whether he has the bona fides to serve atop the FBI, though Patel's controversial past comments about shutting down the agency have caused a stir on Capitol Hill.

Earlier this year the nominee said on ex Navy SEAL-turned-podcaster Shawn Ryan's show he wants to 'shut down' the FBI's D.C. headquarters and then 'reopen it the next day as a museum of the deep state.''

His fiery takes about the agency Trump has tasked him with leading show that he is not a traditional candidate, which some Senate Republicans obviously like.

And Sen. Chuck Grassley, who will be leading the powerful Senate Judiciary Committee overseeing Patel's confirmation, is signaling that he's a fan.

The Iowa senator sent a scathing letter to the current FBI Director Christopher Wray on Monday, telling him he's 'seen enough' and it's time for him to 'move on' to make room for Patel to take over.

President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to head the FBI Kash Patel on Monday

Kash Patel, President-elect Donald Trump's selection to run the FBI, has gotten positive feedback from lawmakers over his nomination

Patel spoke at several different campaign events for the president-elect earlier this year

Wray was appointed to a 10-year term to lead the agency in 2017 during Trump's first presidency.

But with Trump's nomination of a new director, and with Grassley's lengthly letter of disapproval, in essence, the memo was a warning to Wray - resign or you will be fired.

'For the good of the country, its time for you and your deputy to move on to the next chapter in your lives,' Grassley told Wray.

The 91-year-old Iowan likened the letter to a 'vote of no confidence' in the FBI's top brass.

The 11-page letter obtained by DailyMail.com details issues plaguing the FBI from sexual misconduct, whistleblower retaliation, agency politicization and more.

Wray 'prevented the truth on some issues from ever reaching the American people,' Grassley wrote.

'Ive spent my career fighting for transparency, and Ive always called out those in government who have fought against it. For the public record, I must do so once again now. I therefore must express my vote of no confidence in your continued leadership of the FBI.'

Patel and Cornyn met Wednesday, afterwords Cornyn wrote about the meeting on X: 'Insightful conversation with FBI Director nominee @Kash_Patel about the path to overhauling and restoring the bureau to its original mission: Ensuring equal justice under law'

Kash Patel, right, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to be the director of the FBI, leaves after a meeting in the office of Sen. John Cornyn

Sen. Chuck Grassley will lead the hearings overseeing Patel's confirmation come January. On Monday, he wrote to Wray its time for him to 'move on' from the FBI

'President-elect Trump has already announced his intention to nominate a candidate to replace you, and the Senate will carefully consider that choice. For my part, Ive also seen enough, and hope your respective successors will learn from these failures,' Grassley concluded.

Among the specifics of the letter, the Republican states that Wray showed a double standard when authorizing the FBI raid on then former President Trump's Mar-a-Lago home.

By contrast, the FBI did nothing when presented with bribery allegations regarding the Biden family, the senator argues.

Similarly Grassley slams Wray and Abbate for not helping Congress investigate matters related to sexual misconduct, vetting Afghan nationals after the tragic U.S. military withdrawal in 2021 and pulling security credentials from agency whistleblowers.

Meanwhile on Capitol Hill, Patel received positive feedback from Republican Sens. John Cornyn of Texas and Joni Ernst of Iowa.

FBI Director Christopher Wray testifies before a Senate committee in June

Deputy Director of the FBI Paul Abbate testifies at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on the attempted assassination of Donald Trump, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S., July 30, 2024

FBI Director nominee Kash Patel meeting with Sen. John Cornyn now pic.twitter.com/40HOHc9ZGb  Jon Michael Raasch (@JMRaasch) December 9, 2024

Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa and Patel on Monday morning

'Insightful conversation with FBI Director nominee [Kash Patel] about the path to overhauling and restoring the bureau to its original mission: Ensuring equal justice under law,' Cornyn wrote on X after their morning meeting.

Following their sit-down the Texan told reporters he's 'inclined to support' the nominee, and he said the two spoke of reforming the agency.

'Eventually, I assume Mr. Patel will be confirmed as the FBI Director,' he said. 'We talked about the importance of restoring the reputation of the FBI as a nonpartisan law enforcement investigative agency.'

Ernst had a similarly positive post after the two's meeting.

'Kash Patel will create much-needed transparency at the FBI,' she said.

'He shares my passion for shaking up federal agencies, downsizing the D.C. bureaucracy, and having public servants work on behalf of the American people!'

Patel said they discussed the FBI's involvement in fighting the spread of the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl and crime in Iowa.
Netflixs new feature Mary - a biblical epic about the mother of Jesus - is facing backlash for what some are calling antisemitism.

A senior lecturer in religious studies at the University of Sheffield wrote an opinion piece on Monday that dissected what she claimed was 'Christian antisemitism' in the film.

'The story of a Palestinian mother who gave birth in a ruined building, on the run from murderous soldiers, could have been timely and important,' Meredith Warren wrote in the piece penned for the Conversation.

'Instead, [the film] reinforces many dangerous stereotypes that have historically led to violence against Jews, while avoiding showing the holy familys embrace of Jewish practices.

'For Netflix to have so clearly missed the mark is disappointing,' she concluded in the piece published three days after the title started streaming.

Echoing criticisms of Mel Gibson's take on the nativity story in The Passion of the Christ, Warren pointed to one 'especially problematic scene' that shows a pregnant Mary being chased through the streets by a Jewish mob.

The crowd is heard hurling the Hebrew word for 'prostitute' at the Bethlehem woman following her immaculate conception - a scene Warren said serves an offensive stereotype that paints Jewish law as cruel and violent.

The film was produced in part by millionaire megachurch pastor Joel Osteen, and features Anthony Hopkins as a Jewish king the Christian Bible says ordered the execution of all male infants in Bethlehem following the birth of Christ.

Scroll down for video:

Netflixs new feature Mary is facing flak for what some are calling antisemitism in the film, which started streaming Friday

The film features Anthony Hopkins as Herod the Great, a Roman Jewish king the Christian Bible says ordered the execution of all male children two years old and younger following the birth of Christ

'The murderous Jewish mob', Warren wrote, 'is a dangerous trope with a long history in Christian antisemitism.

'[It] foreshadows the Jewish crowd calling for Jesuss execution... and the antisemitic charge of deicide - killing God in the form of Jesus - against the Jews.'

Pointing to how the murderous crowd is heard speaking Hebrew - 'hardly used elsewhere in the film' - she concluded showrunners purposely 'set the crowd apart as distinctly Jewish.'

'At this and several other points, characters note how according to the law Mary should be stoned to death,' the lecturer who also serves as Director at the Center for Interdisciplinary Biblical Studies in Sheffield explained.

'This idea of Jewish law as cruel and violent is an age-old stereotype. In reality, those applying the law often went to extreme lengths to avoid a death penalty.

'What makes this scene worse is that the would-be murderers yell in Hebrew.'

At another point, Warren wrote that the film 'insists on Christian exceptionalism'  or, in her words, that 'Jesus and his family were radically different from Jews of their time.'

She claimed the decision to portray Mary as a teen was also seemingly made by Christians. 'The trope of an unwed teenager, carrying an unexpected pregnancy to term, certainly aligns with right-wing Christian anti-choice rhetoric,' she sniped.

Meredith Warren, a senior lecturer in biblical and religious studies at the University of Sheffield used her experience to hone in on what she saw was 'Christian anisemitism' present in the film - pointing out how one of its executive producers is megachurch pastor Joel Osteen (right)

An entire section toward the end of the opinion piece, meanwhile, was pointedly titled 'Right-wing funding' - and tore into the film's association with executive producer Joel Osteen without mercy.

'A mega-church pastor and televangelist renowned for promoting a prosperity gospel (the belief that financial blessings and physical wellbeing reflect the favor of God), [Osteen] is an executive producer of the film,' she began.

'Mary also claims input from faith leaders across a range of Christian denominations, as well as other religions.

'However, only one religious expert is listed on the films credits,' she proceeded to point out, citing the mention of Adam W. Schindler as the production's 'biblical scholar.'

However, on his website, he describes himself as a pastor and digital strategy consultant.

'Schindler also holds a leadership position in the America First Policy Institute (AFPI). AFPI is a right-wing thinktank launched in 2021 by former Trump administrators in order to promote Trumps policies,' she wrote.

'Several AFPI members have now accepted leadership positions in president-elect Donald Trumps cabinet,' she added, mentioning figures like Brooke Rollins, set to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Echoing criticisms of Mel Gibson's take on the nativity story in The Passion of the Christ, Warren pointed to one 'especially problematic scene' that shows a pregnant Mary being chased through the streets by a Jewish mob

'It is this organization... that seems to be providing policy input for Trump,' Warren noted. 'As part of this, AFPI has published an 80-page booklet outlining the ten biblical pillars to restore America to its so-called Judeo-Christian foundations

'This includes opposing abortion and comparing abortion to infanticide, declaring unconditional support for the state of Israel, promoting conservative understandings of gender as a binary and repeating the tired myth about Christians being widely persecuted in America.

'It is no wonder, then, that Mary leans in to many of these conservative talking points,' she concluded.

Mary - which stars Israeli actress Noa Cohen in the titular role - is now available on Netflix.
A 15-year-old schoolgirl posted on social media moments before she was fatally stabbed in the neck after standing up for a friend who wanted to get her teddy back from her ex-boyfriend.

Hassan Sentamu, 18, is accused of lashing out at Elianne Andam with a kitchen knife during a prearranged meeting in Croydon town centre with his ex-girlfriend and her group, the Old Bailey was told.

He was on his way to a meeting with his ex, who he had split up with about 10 days before, and her group of friends, which included Elianne.

Rather than returning a teddy bear as part of a belongings swap, he plunged his knife into Elianne's neck having lost his temper at perceived 'disrespect', jurors heard.

In a Snapchat video, seen by the court, Elianne can he head saying: 'We've come to collect the stuff from Hassan yeah, there was meant to be an interchange - she gets her stuff, he gets his stuff - he didn't even bring the stuff.'

Video footage also shows the day before the killing, where Sentamu met the girls at the Whitgift Centre where they 'teased' him and his ex-girlfriend threw water on him, jurors heard.

He was splashed again and at least one of the girls joked that 'tomorrow he would kill them all', Prosecutor Alex Chalk KC told jurors on Monday.

That night, Sentamu 'brooded' about what happened and allegedly told a friend: 'Bro, I can't let this slide.'

Sentamu has admitted manslaughter but denied Elianne's murder on the basis of 'loss of control' because he has autism.

In a Snapchat video, seen by the court, Elianne Andam can he head saying: 'We've come to collect the stuff from Hassan yeah, there was meant to be an interchange - she gets her stuff, he gets his stuff - he didn't even bring the stuff'

Elianne (pictured) had met two female friends before she was knifed. It is alleged that Sentamu, wearing a mask and gloves, removed a large knife from his waistband and stabbed Elianne repeatedly

18-year-old Hassan Sentamu (pictured) is charged with murdering Elianne Andam in Wellesley Road, near the Whitgift Centre, at around 8.30am on Wednesday, September 27, 2023

Footage appears to show Elianne running away from Sentamu carrying the bag of belongings

Prosecutor Alex Chalk KC told jurors on Monday: 'Having heard the evidence you may feel that the catalyst for this dreadful attack was rather more simple: anger.

'White-hot anger at having been disrespected in public by girls, both by Elianne on the day of the killing and previously.'

The defendant, then aged 17, was already armed with the kitchen knife when he took the bus from his home in New Addington, south London, to the Whitgift Centre on the morning of last September 27, jurors heard.

Mr Chalk told the court: 'The purpose of the meeting was to exchange belongings. (The ex-girlfriend) in particular was anxious to recover her teddy bear.'

During the meeting in a car park at the Whitgift shopping centre, Sentamu's ex-girlfriend, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, stuck with her side of the bargain.

She handed over a plastic bag containing his belongings but the defendant arrived empty-handed, jurors were told.

Mr Chalk said: 'Elianne was aggrieved on her friend's behalf. So, at around 8.30am whilst Hassan was walking outside the Whitgift Centre, Elianne took the plastic bag back.

'It was a gesture of solidarity with (her friend) that cost Elianne her life.

'The defendant chased after her, cornered her and used the kitchen knife to stab her repeatedly.

'He drove the knife 12cm into her neck, severing the carotid artery and causing injuries that were unsurvivable.

'Despite the rapid arrival of the emergency services and intensive efforts over the course of nearly an hour, Elianne died at the scene.'

Bodycam footage shows Hassan Sentamu being arrested near his home on September 27, 2023

Footage appears to show Elianne grabbing the bag of belongings from Sentamu before running off

Video footage also shows the day before the killing, where Sentamu met the girls at the Whitgift Centre where they 'teased' him and his ex-girlfriend threw water on him, jurors heard

Family and friends of Elianne Andam at the scene of the stabbing in Croydon, south London

Sentamu fatally stabbed the 15-year-old in a fit of 'white-hot anger', a court heard (pictured are investigators at the scene of the attack on September 27, 2023)

CCTV footage captured the attack, Sentamu running from the scene and disposing of the knife.

He only got as far as the bus stop near his home before being arrested less than 90 minutes later, the court was told.

Mr Chalk said the defendant did not deny wielding the knife and causing Elianne's death in the face of 'overwhelming' evidence against him.

He said that Sentamu had pleaded not guilty to murder on the basis that his responsibility was diminished having been diagnosed with autism in 2020.

He also denies having a blade claiming he had a 'lawful reason' for carrying it.

The prosecution acknowledged 'with compassion' the challenges posed by autism and the impact 'adverse' childhood experiences can have.

But Mr Chalk asserted that neither amounted to an 'excuse, justification or defence' for Elianne's murder.

Sentamu had a 'short fuse' and on the day of the killing, he came to the end of it, jurors heard.

The prosecutor said: 'His calculated decision to bring a knife to the scene meant that the consequences of that outburst for Elianne and her family were utterly devastating.'

Members of Elianne's family sat in the well of the court as Mr Chalk outlined the case against Sentamu.

The Old Bailey trial before Mrs Justice Cheema-Grubb continues.
December 9, 2024: The Russian navy has not been mentioned much during the last year. The reason is that there is not much of a navy left. Case in point is the nuclear-powered Nakhimov, a 28,000-ton battlecruiser that entered service in 1988. After the Soviet Union collapsed in 1991, the naval budget was slashed to a subsistence level. The Nakhimov was scheduled to start a five year refit and upgrade in 1997. As of this year the rehab is still not finished and may not be for a few more years, or even never.

Since 2022 the war in Ukraine has been absorbing most of Russias military budget. Worse, the Ukrainians destroyed the Black Sea fleet with airborne and naval drones. The few surviving ships fled to the Sea of Azov, a branch of the Black Sea in the northeast, 1,300 kilometers from Crimea, where a few Russian ports and garrisons hold out against the encroaching Ukrainian forces. The Russians are under fire from cruise missiles and drones, and escape by sea is difficult because of the Ukrainian drones patrolling the air and able to direct naval drones against any Russian ships trying to reach or escape Crimean ports.

Another problem is the Kerch Straits, the three kilometer wide entrance to the Sea of Azov. There used to be a bridge across the Kerch Straits but the bridge is currently down, making it impossible to get from Crimea to Russia save by sea. That is difficult because Ukrainian drones spot the ships and call in missiles or naval drones. Russians keep trying to repair the Kerch bridge but Ukrainian missiles and drones keep disrupting that work.

While Russia has given up on the Black Sea, it still seeks to maintain control of the Northern Fleet bases in the northwestern Russian White Sea where the Sevmash shipyards are located. This is where the Nakhimov and two or three of its sister ships are based. The shipyards are currently preparing the Nakhimov for a return to service by 2026. That may be optimistic because repairs have missed their deadlines several times already.

Since the Cold War ended, Russian warship construction and refurbishment capabilities have declined considerably. An example of this in action are the extended and problem-plagued efforts to refurbish the lone carrier and four nuclear powered battle cruisers. For example, in 2022 a Russian shipyard announced it was ready to deliver the refurbished battlecruiser Nakhimov to the fleet. Work on the Admiral Nakhimov began in 2014 and was supposed to be completed by 2018. As usual, there were technical, economic and political problems that delayed delivery unto 2022. To get this done, the plans to refurbish the two oldest Kirovs (Admiral Ushakov and Admiral Lazarev) were canceled after it was discovered that these ships were in worse condition than expected and in 2021, they were officially retired and scrapped.

The Russian navy never recovered from the end of the Cold War and its sharp, continuing reductions in the navy budget. Efforts to replace the aging Cold War era ships failed. At the end of the Cold War in 1991 Russia had the second-largest fleet in the world. Now it is in third place, behind the United States and China. While China is now the most prolific builder of warships. Russian ship building capabilities continue to decline. This was particularly obvious in the case of major surface ships like carriers, battlecruisers and destroyers. There are only 29 large surface ships including a carrier, four cruisers, 13 destroyers and eleven frigates. The subs and large surface ships only account for 36 percent of the vessels in the fleet. The rest are smaller craft, including some amphibious warfare boats and ships. A third of the subs are diesel-electric boats. The carrier and four large cruisers are not much of a surface strike force. That task is assigned to the eleven guided missile armed nuclear subs. Only 16 of the 40 attack subs are nuclear, the rest are diesel electric. There are eleven special purpose subs carrying a wide variety of exotic weapons. The Chinese and Western fleets keep it simple, using nuclear and diesel-electric subs with very few special purpose subs.
A Russian spymaster who headed an espionage ring from a Norfolk guesthouse was being advised by an agent with connections to the Chinese secret service, jurors heard.

Orlin Roussev, 46, tasked a network of spies from his 'Indiana Jones cave' in Great Yarmouth but had 'friends and contacts operating out of China', a court was told.

Bulgarians Katrin Ivanova, 32, Vanya Gaberova, 29 and her ex-boyfriend Tihomir Ivanchev, 38, all deny working for Russian intelligence services between August 2020 and February 2023.

Lead spy Roussev and Biser Dzhambazov, 43, have accepted that they were involved in carrying out espionage.

The court has heard beautician Gaberova and decorator Dzhambazov were found in bed together when they were arrested on suspicion of spying for Russia in February 2023.

Ivanova and Gaberova were both deployed as 'sexual bait' to capture more information from their targets, it is said.

A police officer, known as 2363, told the trial today that Roussev and Marsalek had friends in China - including Russian agent Jan Marsalek - and a 'supply-line' could be traced.

Orlin Roussev (pictured) tasked a network of spies from his 'Indiana Jones cave' at a guesthouse in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk. He took instructions from a Russian agent who had connections to the Chinese secret service, jurors heard

Biser Dzhambazov (pictured) and Roussev have accepted that they were involved in carrying out espionage



Bulgarians Katrin Ivanova, 32, Vanya Gaberova, 29 and her ex-boyfriend Tihomir Ivanchev, 38, all deny working for Russian intelligence services between August 2020 and February 2023. Pictured: Vanya Gaberova

Prosecuting Alison Morgan KC asked: 'Is it clear that both Marsalek and Roussev have contacts operating out of China and use them to gain information and equipment?'

Officer 2363 replied: 'Yes, yes, you've got mobile phones that are Chinese too.'

'Is it clear that supply lines are coming from China?' asked Ms Morgan.

The officer said: 'Yes.'

Marsalek asked Roussev on May 24, 2022: 'Would our Chinese friends be interested if we infiltrated this place by using German nationals?'

Roussev replied: 'Just sent the message to the Beijing Bureau they will update us in a day or two.'

Ivanova used spy glasses to film Bellingcat journalist Christo Grozev as he boarded a flight to Montenegro, the court heard.

Court artist sketches from left to right: Katrin Ivanova, Vanya Gaberova, Orlin Roussev, Ivan Stoyanov and Bizer Dzhambazov appearing via video link at Westminster Magistrates' Court

UK-based Bulgarian national Katrin Ivanova (pictured), 33, is one of the defendants who allegedly carried out surveillance on individuals and places of interest to Russia

The video feed from the glasses showed Ivanova take a video of Grozev on her phone and then send it to 'Max' Dzhambazov.

In their text discussions, Marsalek and Roussev discussed a new piece of spy equipment, which could copy the unique ID of a key card, in order to open hotel rooms, gates and offices.

The 'magic device' cost 400,000 and Roussev said they had ordered two.

He wrote: 'So basically like with Grozev in Valancia we walk to his hotel room, take my magic device, it will need between 30-50 seconds to read actual code and then replay and feed back to unlock the door.'

He later admitted he bought two because 'as soon as I give it to the minions they will find a way to break my new toy'.

Ivanova, of Harrow, Gaberova, of Camden, northwest London, and Ivanchev, of Erith, deny conspiring to gather information that would be useful to an enemy between 30 August 2020 and 8 February 2023.

Ivanova also denies possession of false identity documents.

The trial continues.
A 57-year-old Syrian man who 'vanished' after his arrest by al-Assad thugs as a teenager has been spotted by stunned relatives looking dazed outside a prison after he was freed four decades later.

In 1986, Syrian soldiers arrested 18-year-old university student Ali Hassan al-Ali in north Lebanon and his family hadn't seen or heard from him in 40 years.

But on Thursday his younger brother Moammar Ali had the greatest surprise of his life as - after 39 years of searching - he found Ali.

His phone exploded with texts and calls as people sent him a photo of a man in his late 50s standing outside the Hama central prison in north Syria.

His friends said the man looked like Moammar and he realised 'this is my brother'.

The amazing sibling said: 'He has come out of prison as an old man.'

Moammar was just one of thousands of people finally released from prison after decades of being locked up.

Rebels liberated inmates from jails in Aleppo and Hama after they took control and toppled deposed President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Moammar Ali had the greatest surprise of his life as - after 39 years of searching - he found his older brother Ali, pictured right, outside of a prison - now aged 57

Ali is pictured when he 'vanished' at just 18-years-old

Rebels parade in the streets of Hama after forces captured the central city, on December 6

People wait today as teams carry out investigation in secret compartments at Sednaya Prison after the fall of the Assad regime in Damascus

Speaking to The Guardian, Moammar said: 'There was no place in Syria we didn't visit. We went around the whole country asking what happened to him. One day they would admit they had him in prison, the next day they would deny it.'

The last information he received was that he was being held on charges of political agitation.

But he will now finally be reunited with his brother - who is now 57.

However the fast-changing political dynamics means it is hard for authorities to identify who has been released.

Ali hasn't been able to speak to his lost brother yet, and has spent the last day trying to track down who took the photo of him.

He added: 'When he comes home, we will have a big celebration. But until I smell him, until I can say, "Here he is, my brother," nothing counts.'

Last night, rescuers were battling to liberate Syria's alleged hellhole the 'Red Prison', but rebels who freed caged women and children reportedly still can't access the men trapped.

Saydnayah Prison near Damascus - nicknamed the 'Human Slaughterhouse' - is said to contain 'highly secured underground' cells in its Red Building.

Unverified footage reportedly shows rebels 'opening cells one by one' by breaking down walls, and they are said to have rescued 'hundreds of inmates, including women and young children'.

Teams carry out investigation in secret compartments at Sednaya Prison

People stand on the roof of Saydnaya prison as Syrian rescuers search for hidden basements

Rebels inspect the cells of the infamous Saydnaya military prison

But there are men trapped in cells three floors underground in a section named the 'Red Prison', some have said.

President Bashar al-Assad's military prison, dubbed the 'industrial torture chamber', has reportedly seen between 5,000 to 13,000 inmates hanged since 2011, according to AlJazeera.

Heartbreaking video showed a toddler walking out of the unlocked cell doors looking confused as rebel soldiers shout 'Allahu Akbar' - meaning 'God is greatest' - as they free hundreds of inmates.

It comes as an alleged Russian plot to spread fake news of an al-Assad 'plane crash' has been uncovered.

The Centre for Strategic Communication and Information Security of Ukraine posted on X to claim Russia 'covered their trail' of helping al-Assad escape by spreading false reports that he died in a crash.

One man freed from the prison wasn't able to speak when people asked him who he was.

Militants frantically cut through padlocks on jail cell doors at Saydnaya prison to free hundreds of female prisoners and their youngsters after al-Assad's brutal regime was toppled.

In a video posted on X women yelped joyfully as they were freed where some had been incarcerated for decades. They were boarded onto buses waiting outside the prison before being taken to their homes.

Russian president Vladimir Putin meets with al-Assad at the Kremlin in Moscow in July

Rebel forces pressing a lightning offensive in Syria aim to overthrow President Bashar al-Assad's rule, their Islamist leader said in an interview published on December 6

Local residents celebrate after opposition forces led by HTS (Hayyet Tahrir al-Sham) took control of Hama city centre and surrounding villages on December 6

The rebels who were filmed releasing inmates at the Syrian prison said: 'We celebrate with the Syrian people the news of freeing our prisoners and releasing their chains and announcing the end of the era of injustice in Saydnaya prison.'

Omar Saoud, a local activist, said in a video: 'Three floors underground, there is a prison known as the red prison, it has not yet been opened.

'They are not being able to open it because it requires a certain mechanism, and the soldiers and officers who used to be here have left.'

Amnesty International research said the Syrian authorities had committed crimes against humanity with thousands of inmates in the prison 30km north of Damascus being murdered, tortured, and exterminated.

They determined that the violations committed at the brutal facilities over the last decade under dictator's Bashar al Assad regime, which has seen over 10,000 political detainees vanish, was part of an attack against civilians.

The release of thousands of prisoners has renewed hope for families who have heard nothing about their loved ones for years.

Screenshots of released inmates have circulated on WhatsApp groups around Syria as relatives strain to try and identify familiar faces.
The Veterans Minister allegedly ignored a High Court judge's plea to provide evidence to a public inquiry into claims British Special Forces committed war crimes.

Al Carns, who served in Afghanistan as a Royal Marines officer before becoming a Labour MP in July, may have withheld critical information for several months.

Leading judge Lord Justice Haddon-Cave is currently heading an investigation into claims the SAS executed up to 80 Afghans while in UK custody.

The inquiry's hearings have taken evidence from witnesses including former veterans minister Johnny Mercer and former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace.

Mr Mercer, who served alongside Mr Carns in Afghanistan, was involved in a furious spat with Lord Justice Haddon-Cave earlier this year over his refusal to name his sources.

But he was not the source for this story.

The ex-Tory MP, who lost his seat at the general election, told the inquiry that, among others, an officer and a junior ranking soldier had shared information with him in confidence.

At a tense hearing in February the judge insisted he should name his sources, and threatened Mr Mercer with a jail sentence, describing his stance as 'completely unacceptable'.

The Mail can reveal for the first time that Mr Carns, who was appointed Veterans Minister in July, was one of the sources Mr Mercer chose to protect.

Al Carns, who served in Afghanistan as a Royal Marines officer before becoming a Labour MP in July, may have withheld critical information for several months, the Mail revealed yesterday - he is pictured here following the announcement Birmingham will host the 2027 Invictus Games

Johnny Mercer, who served alongside Mr Carns in Afghanistan, was involved in a furious spat with Lord Justice Haddon-Cave earlier this year over his refusal to name his sources

Mr Mercer apparently asked Mr Carns to come forward to the inquiry  but it is understood he declined to do so.

The Mail learned that Mr Carns was one of his sources from two unrelated individuals before approaching Mr Mercer, who refused to comment.

Yesterday a Ministry of Defence spokesman confirmed that it was not until July that Mr Carns wrote to the inquiry to offer his support - five months after Mercer was threatened by a judge for protecting his sources.

In the interim period Mr Carns was selected by Labour to stand for a parliamentary seat, won the constituency in the general election and was then selected as a minister.

During this time he failed to provide any evidence to the inquiry from his personal experience and knowledge, which could have been relevant to the court.

Mr Mercer has previously spoken of the 'unacceptable pressure' he was placed under from the inquiry to name whistleblowers. He said his sources were 'vulnerable'.

Before entering politics Mr Carns led four tours of Afghanistan and was decorated for bravery while participating in Special Forces operations.

Mr Carns, 44, grew up in Scotland and joined the military aged 19. He left the Royal Marines earlier this year having reached the rank of colonel.

Former UK military intelligence commander Phil Ingram said: 'This revelation generates more questions than it answers.

'Al Carns needs to explain what he knows, why he confided in Johnny Mercer and why he has let him continue to suffer the threats of jail from the head of the enquiry.

'His actions seem at odds with his current role as Defence Minister for People and Veterans and unless answers come out quickly I will be surprised if he can stay in post.'

Mr Mercer apparently asked Mr Carns (pictured addressing an audience at the National Exhibition Centre) to come forward to the inquiry  but it is understood he declined to do so, the Mail learned

Leading judge Lord Justice Haddon-Cave (pictured) is currently heading an investigation into claims the SAS executed up to 80 Afghans while in UK custody

In 2011 he was awarded the Military Cross (MC) 'in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan', and he received an OBE in 2022.

From 2017 he served as an adviser to three UK defence secretaries, in which role he would have been fully aware of the situation surrounding allegations against UK Special Forces in Afghanistan.

This period also coincided with Operation Northmoor, an initial Royal Military Police investigation into alleged SAS war crimes in Afghanistan.

Mr Carns was appointed Minister for Veterans and People at the Ministry of Defence just days after winning a parliamentary seat for the first time at the General Election on July 4.

His ministerial responsibilities include the welfare of armed forces families, veterans and the service justice system.

That he appears to have allowed Mr Mercer to be threatened by the inquiry for withholding his identity  when he could have come forward himself  could lead to Mr Carns facing questions about his suitability to hold a ministerial appointment.

Mr Mercer remains under the threat of criminal action. An appeal by the former MP against the threat was rejected by the inquiry.

Mr Mercer and Mr Carns were previously close friends, having fought side by side against the Taliban.

They have not spoken since Mr Carns stood for Labour at the general election.

Mr Mercer (pictured) remains under the threat of criminal action. An appeal by the former MP against the threat was rejected by the inquiry

Mr Carns' decision to leave the Royal Marines after 24 years to becoming an MP surprised many of his colleagues. He was due to be promoted from colonel to brigadier and was expected to rise further in the corps.

Had he ascended to that higher rank he would have been the youngest brigadier in the armed forces and a potential future candidate to become Chief of the Defence Staff, the head of the armed forces.

Instead he chose Parliament. Much of his service history cannot be made public for security reasons due to the delicate and daring nature of his roles.

But while in Afghanistan he learned a lot about the controversial tactics adopted by the SAS in a bid to eliminate the threat posed by Taliban roadside bomb units.

The ongoing public inquiry has heard evidence that SAS squads would raid Afghan compounds at night and arrest suspects, then execute them rather than returning them to base for further questioning.

The rationale was that there was effectively no judicial process in Helmand Province, so the bomb makers would be released, the hearings at the High Court in London were told.

As the SAS could not be seen to be murdering fighting age males taken into UK custody, they apparently covered their tracks, including falsifying reports.

Photographic evidence would be submitted to suggest the deceased had been engaged in combat at the time he was shot dead.

The inquiry's hearings have taken evidence from witnesses including former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace (pictured)

The court has heard that, in fact, SAS squads would purposely place a weapon next to the corpse for photographic purposes. This tactic became known as 'drop weapons'.

The Mail understands Mr Carns - like many UK Special Forces commanders in Afghanistan - was aware of the 'drop weapons' tactics.

In an interview during the general election campaign Mr Carns said Britain 'needed leadership' and that 'Keir Starmer, without a shadow of a doubt, is the person who can provide it'.

He also described the shock of other Royal Marines officers regarding his career change: 'My phone didn't stop ringing. I had never strongly expressed political views, because we are meant to be apolitical while serving.

'My view is that the military is all about public service and I want to extend that to politics, a broader church.'

When approached by the Mail Mr Mercer refused to comment. He remains under the threat of a Section 21 notice by the Afghanistan Inquiry as he still refuses to name his sources.

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said: 'We are fully committed to supporting the Independent Inquiry relating to Afghanistan as it continues its work.

'Within a week of being appointed, the Minister for Veterans and People wrote to the inquiry to offer his support.'
Former Donald Trump economic advisor Larry Kudlow said there was 'outright flirtation' between first lady Jill Biden and Donald Trump at the reopening ceremony for Notre Dame over the weekend.

Kudlow, who served as director of the National Economic Council under Trump, made the bold statement about the intimate moment and drew guffaws from his Fox News cohosts by referencing grinning images from inside the cathedral.

It happened during a segment that tried to contrast the outgoing administration's acceptance of Trump during the transition period despite calling him a threat to democracy and top figures comparing him to Adolph Hitler in the last days of the election.

'I just want to go back inside the church for a minute, take a careful look at that. That wasnt nice conversation, that was outright flirtation,' said Kudlow, 77, speaking to co-panelists on 'Outnumbered' over images of Trump leaning over to talk to the president's wife.

'Oh my goodness!' exclaimed cohost Harris Faulkner.

'That was almost heavy duty petting at the G7 level. I've been there and seen these things before,' said Kudlow, including an odd reference to the grop of powerful democracies.

That remark drew an 'oh my god' from someone off screen.

Former Trump economic advisor Larry Kudlow said there was 'outright flirtation' between first lady Jill Biden and President-elect Donald Trump

'I'm just saying, the evidence is mounting,' he continued.

Then he referenced President Biden's Oval Office meeting with Trump after the election, where Biden spoke of the importance of the peaceful transition of power not long after calling Trump a dire threat.

'Go back when Joe met with Trump in the Oval Office and [in front of the] great fire in the background with the two of them sitting, looking the happiest he has looked in years. Why? Because he voted for Trump also.'

The crack by Trump's former aide, who said recently he isn't rejoining the administration, asserts a form of dominance over the outgoing president with the unverified claim of affection.

There are no indications that Biden or the first lady voted for Trump.

Immediately after Kudlow spoke, former White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany interjected: 'Larry with a hot take for the day  and when I say hot take, no pun intended, Emily,' she said.

Cohost Emily Compagno told Kudlow: 'You nailed it,' after a segment that showed an image of Jill Biden sporting red on Election Day, launching a meme that posited she voted for Biden amid reported chill between Biden and Kamala Harris.

Then Compagno gushed about Trump: 'He is charming and lovely and wonderful and kind and warm and funny and all of these things, so of course shes going to smile at him because he is a wonderful and normal human.'

Kudlow, a former Trump economic advisor, compared the exchange to 'heavy duty petting'

'Larry with a hot take for the day,' said former Trump White House Press Secretary Kayleigh McEnany

'Oh my goodness!' exclaimed cohost Harris Faulkner

Many claimed that Jill looked incredibly animated during the cordial rendezvous - as the partisan pair leaned into one another and made small talk in the City of Love

Donald Trump has made a suggestive statement about a viral intimate moment he shared with Jill Biden during a trip to Notre Dame with the above post on Truth Social

Faulkner weighed in with her own long-distance diagnosis, telling Kudlow that 'outside of some of the extracurricular activity you described, I do believe that in these moments you do want to gravitate  clearly she gravitates towards power.'

Kudlow wasn't the only one trying to make something of the brief exchange at Notre Dame. Trump posted an image of it on his Truth Social fight and used it to try to hawk his new fragrance, for sale for both women and men for $199 per bottle.

'Here are my new Trump Perfumes & Colognes! I call them Fight, Fight, Fight, because they represent us WINNING,' Trump posted. 'Great Christmas gifts for the family.'

DailyMail.com has reached out to the White House for comment.

The thrice-married Kudlow's eyebrow-raising accusation came as Biden was coming in for criticism from insiders for a 'cavalier' attitude in the last days of his administration, ceding the ground to Trump and making it seem like he 'is president already.'

The warm exchange came inside the cathedral while the two were seated next to each other. The first lady was seated next to daughter Ashley Biden. It was a display of unity reflecting the president's meeting with Trump. Former first lady Melania Trump did not attend the traditional tea with her predecessor, sending a note instead.

Trump launched a PR offsensive with an appearance on NBC's 'Meet the Press' where he said he would not demand that his picks Kash Patel as FBI Director or Pam Bondi as attorney general pursue 'retribution' against his political enemies.

Trump didn't reveal any particular interest in prosecuting the Bidens, saying 'I'm really looking to make our country successful.' He said members of the House January 6 Committee should be in jail, but said he wouldn't direct his AG or the FBI Director to probe them. 'I think they'll have to look at that,' he said, but 'I'm not going to' order them to do so, he said.
Peter Dutton has confirmed that if elected prime minister next year, he will only display the Australian flag at press conferences, claiming that displaying three flags is 'dividing our country unnecessarily'.

Anthony Albanese has displayed the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags alongside the Australian flag at press conferences since he became prime minister in 2022.

Only the Australian flag was shown before Mr Albanese secured the top job.

'We didn't make a fuss, we didn't put out a media release ... we just did it,' Mr Albanese said at the time, before the failed Voice to Parliament referendum.

'We have flags that represent our entire nation. It's an opportunity to speak about our full history.'

However, Mr Dutton called out the move and revealed he would never address the nation with both the Australian and Indigenous flags behind him, arguing that it sent a confusing message.

'I'm very strongly of the belief that we are a country united under one flag, and if we're asking people to identify with different flags, no other country does that, and we are dividing our country unnecessarily,' he told Sky News.

'We should have respect for the Indigenous flag and the Torres Strait Islander flag, but they are not our national flags.'

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton said he would only stand in front of the Australian flag when addressing the country if elected as prime minister

Since Anthony Albanese became Prime Minister, the Australian flag is seen alongside the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags at press conferences

Mr Dutton also slammed Mr Albanese for sending 'a very confusing message' to Australians about the country's values and celebrating Australia Day.

He labelled Mr Albanese as 'the weakest Prime Minister' in the country's history and claimed Aussies should celebrate the national holiday under 'one flag'.

'The Prime Minister is not out there calling out Woolworths and not out there calling the pubs who don't want to celebrate Australia,' Mr Dutton said.

'He wants to be all things to all people, which is why people rightly perceive him as being the weakest Prime Minister that we've had in our country's history.

'I think the fact is that we should stand up for who we are, for our values, what we believe in.

'We are united as a country when we gather under one flag, which is what we should do on Australia Day.'

Mr Dutton said Australians should instead reflect more on the country's rich migrant story and 'value and respect' the history of migration.

'The incredible story of people who came here, particularly in the post Second World War period with nothing, and have worked hard as trades, as farmers, and they've educated their children,' Mr Dutton said.

'The next generation has done incredibly well... we're a great country today because of that. We don't talk anything of that part of our history and so that's a view that I've taken.'

Meanwhile, the Coalition's Indigenous Australians spokeswoman Jacinta Nampijinpa Price has called for Welcome to Country ceremonies to be rolled back.

'There are those right around the country, who basically their only role, their only source of income, is delivering Welcome to Country,' she said on Sky News on Sunday.

'This commercialisation of culture, which is exactly what is going on, I can understand there will be those that will be upset if we try to bring it to an end.'

The comments come as a a shock poll conducted last week indicates that Mr Dutton is on track to secure a major historical upset at the next federal election.

Seat-by-seat analysis of the latest polling shows the Albanese government currently has a 'near zero' chance of retaining its majority in the House of Representatives with the Coalition set to snatch at least nine seats away at next year's federal election.

Dutton labelled Anthony Albanese as the 'weakest' Prime Minister, claiming he was sending a 'very confusing message' to Australians about the country's values

The shock prediction comes after almost 5,000 voters were surveyed by Accent Research and the RedBridge Group, which then modelled what the federal parliament make-up will likely to look like after the next election.

RedBridge found the Coalition's strategy of targeting outer suburban and provincial seats hit hard by the cost of living crisis was working to win over voters.

On current voting intentions, there's an 82 per cent probability the Coalition would have the most seats in the lower house, winning between 64-78 seats, compared with 59-71 for Labor, according to Accent Research principal Dr Shaun Ratcliff.

The Greens and crossbenchers were likely to win 13 seats while 14 other electorates were too close to call.

Parties need to win 76 Lower House seats to form government.
The man suspected of killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson shared a series of quotes from the 'Unabomber' Ted Kaczynski online among other excerpts referencing health and sickness.

Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League grad from Maryland, posted at least a half a dozen quotes from the homegrown terrorist, who plagued the nation for nearly 20 years with his homemade bombs.

'Imagine a society that subjects people to conditions that make them terribly unhappy then gives them the drugs to take away their unhappiness,' read one excerpt from a Kaczynski quote on Mangione's Goodreads page.

'The concept of "mental health" in our society is defined largely by the extent to which an individual behaves in accord with the needs of the system and does so without showing signs of stress,' read another.

Mangione was arrested Monday in Altoona, Pennsylvania in connection with last week's fatal shooting in Manhattan.

He was caught with a 3D-printed gun, as well as a handwritten manifesto.

Kaczynski, who died of cancer last year, famously saw his reign of terror thwarted after his brother recognized his writing style in Industrial Society and Its Future, an anti-technology essay he wrote and had published in The Washington Post.

Mangione, a computer science major at at the University of Pennsylvania, appeared to find inspiration from Kaczynski, quoting extensively from Industrial Society and Its Future on his Goodreads page.

Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League grad from Maryland, was a known anti-capitalist, according to his social media

Post show how the detained person of interest - seen here in a still secured at an Upper West Side hostel before the murder last week - shared a series of quotes from the 'Unabomber' online, along with others referencing health and sickness

He also included excerpts from authors and thinkers ranging from Socrates and Marcus Aurelius to Aldous Huxley and Dr. Seuss.

'They say a healthy person has a thousand wishes but a sick person has only one wish - to get well,' read another quote on his Goodreads page attributed to bestselling fitness author Joe De Sena from his book The Spartan Way: Eat Better. Train Better. Think Better. Be Better.

Some of other Kaczynski quotes featured on Mangione's page included: 'The conservatives are fools: They whine about the decay of traditional values, yet they enthusiastically support technological progress and economic growth.'

Another criticized conservatives for increasing 'the life-expectancy of those of us who live in "advanced countries,' at the expense of society.

'[They] have made life unfulfilling, have subjected human beings to indignities, have led to widespread psychological suffering (in the Third World to physical suffering as well) and have inflicted severe damage on the natural world,' the excerpt reads.

'The continued development of technology will worsen the situation. It will certainly subject human beings to greater indignities and inflict greater damage on the natural world.

'[I]t will probably lead to greater social disruption and psychological suffering, and it may lead to increased physical suffering even in "advanced" countries.'

Others, like a quote from the Indian philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti, took aim at 'sick society.'

'It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society,' the exceprt read.

He posted at least a half a dozen quotes from the homegrown terrorist, as well as other figures ranging from Socrates and Marcus Aurelius to Aldous Huxley and Dr. Seuss

Some details from Mangione's manifesto, which was found on him when he was arrested, have been published by CNN.

The document, which spanned two pages, read: 'These parasites had it coming.

'I do apologize for any strife and trauma, but it had to be done.'

The document is currently being investigated by law enforcement.

Mangione was taken into custody after a McDonald's employee in Altoona, around 100 miles east of Pittsburgh, believed they recognized him as the gunman.

He reportedly had the 3D-printed ghost gun similar to the one used in the killing, along with a gun silencer, a manifesto, and four fake IDs when he was arrested by cops.
Officers are searching for the victim of a reported XL Bully attack after a 'woman was bitten as she tried to protect her dog'.

Armed police were called to Dunella Road in Sheffield at around 1.10pm on Saturday afternoon following reports that an XL Bully had bitten a woman.

It is believed that the victim was holding a small dog above her head for its own safety before a passer-by stopped to help, putting the woman and her dog into their car and driving them to safety.

South Yorkshire Police have confirmed that the dog which launched the attack was destroyed at the scene.

In a statement, the force said: 'Were urging the victim of a reported dog attack to come forward and assist us with our investigation.

'On Saturday 7 December at 1.10pm, armed officers attended Dunella Road in Sheffield following reports an XL Bully had bitten a woman.

'Upon officers arrival, the dog ran towards officers and it was deemed necessary to destroy the dog at the scene.

'As our investigation into how the dog became loose and its actions continue, we are keen to speak to a woman who we believe was fearful for her own dogs safety and subjected to fear from the dog.

Police are searching for the victim of a reported XL Bully attack in Sheffield (Stock Image)

Armed police were called to Dunella Road in Sheffield at around 1.10pm on Saturday afternoon following reports that an XL Bully had bitten a woman

'It is reported that the woman was holding her small dog above her head for its own safety, before a passer-by stopped to help, putting the woman and her dog into his car and driving them to safety.

'We are keen to speak to the woman'.

It comes following a surge of dog attacks in South Yorkshire, with thirteen reported incidents over the course of 48 hours, prompting police to warn that 'someone will die'.

Videos circulating online have shown some of the attacks including one harrowing encounter where a young mother found herself and her baby in a frightening situation after a loose XL Bully went on the attack.

The American Bulldog's owner was taken to hospital after suffering lacerations to his face, neck and head when he stepped in to break up a dog fight in his home in Sheffield.

The bulldog was seized by officers and is currently being held in police kennels.

An elderly woman and her grandchild were also among those attacked by another loose hound in the city

In October, horrifying footage was made public by South Yorkshire Police of a man being mauled by a pair of dogs after they reportedly escaped onto the street.

This is the horrifying moment a man is mauled by pair of dogs after they reportedly escaped onto the street on Dagenam Crescent in Sheffield

In September, a young girl was attacked in a park Sheffield at around 5.30pm while playing with her mother (Stock photo of a park in the city)

A South Yorkshire Police handout of the four-year-old's injuries after she was attacked in Sheffield by two XL bullys in September

A man and a girl, 14, were attacked on Dagenam Crescent in Sheffield on September 29. The two dogs, believed to be a Mastiff and a Cane Corso, are thought to have escaped from a property on the street.

The victim, aged 47, suffered deep cuts and puncture wounds across his body and was taken to hospital via ambulance, requiring surgery.

The second victim suffered minor injuries from attempting to intervene.

In September, a four-year-old girl was attacked by two XL Bullys while she played in the park with her mother in Sheffield.

She was rushed to hospital for her injuries to her body, which were not life-threatening.

Moreover in September last year, shocking footage emerged of a mother trying to protect her young daughter - after an out of control dog attacked her own pet.

Video grab of an out-of-control dog attacking another dog on Richmond Road in Sheffield on September 2 last yea

Dog attacks have risen by a fifth in one year, with police recording more than 80 incidents a day (Stock Image of American XL Bully)

The woman was pushing her one-year-old child in a trike while walking her dog when a Staffordshire bull terrier came running up to them on Richmond Road in Sheffield.

The bull terrier then attacked the woman's dog while she tried to move her daughter, who can be heard crying, out of the way.

And just days earlier, a man was dragged into the middle of the road as he tried to fight off an attacking dog.

The wave of violence is compounded by the heart-wrenching case of 10-year-old Savannah Bentham, who was mauled to death by her own pet XL Bully, which North Yorkshire Police described as having a 'close, loving relationship' with its owner.

The numbers spell out a grim story for the region, as from February 2023 to July 2024, there have been 796 dog attacks in South Yorkshire - 370 in 2023 and 426 in 2024. That has doubled from 2020.

Dog attacks have risen by a fifth in one year, with police recording more than 80 incidents a day.

Police forces recorded 30,539 offences of a dog injuring a person or a guide dog last year - up from 25,291 in 2022.

In 2023, there were over 6,000 recorded incidents of dog bites requiring hospital treatment.

It comes after a ban on XL Bully dogs came into force following a spate of devastating attacks by the dogs, leaving people dead or seriously injured.

A number of attacks are being driven by unscrupulous breeds, including XL Bullies (pictured)

The ban, which came into affect in February this year, making it a criminal offence to own or possess an XL Bully Dog in England and Wales with a valid Certificate of Exemption.

It is also an offence to sell or abandon an XL Bully Dog, or to let it stray. It's also illegal to have an XL Bully in public without a lead and muzzle.

Owners whose dogs are dangerously out of control are considered to be breaking the law, and penalties including prison time, disqualification from ownership or euthanasia of the dog can be enforced.

Anyone with information about the attack on Saturday on Dunella Road in Sheffield should get in touch with South Yorkshire Police online, via live chat or by calling 101 quoting incident number 446 of 7 December 2024.

Information can also be provided anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Hunter Biden's baby mama Lunden Roberts said Monday that she understood President Joe Biden's decision to pardon his son - and supported that decision.

The statement comes after Roberts had demanded Hunter be jailed in April 2023 for refusing to hand over his financial records in a child support dispute.

Roberts put out a statement through her publisher Skyhorse one week and one day after the president announced that he would pardon Hunter after months of insisting he wouldn't.

She penned the book Out of the Shadows: My Life Inside the Wild World of Hunter Biden, which was released in August, about her whirlwind relationship with Hunter at the height of his drug addiction, giving birth to the couple's 6-year-old daughter Navy Joan in August 2018.

'I think what Joe did is what the love of any parent would do and not everybody will understand that,' she said.

'I'd like to see more of that love towards Navy Joan and hope that Biden will take the steps to become a grandparent for my daughter,' she added.

As part of her eventual child support agreement with Hunter, Roberts OKed getting paid less money each month as long as Hunter started working toward having a real relationship with their child - and they have connected over Zoom calls.

Roberts has also expressed that she'd love Navy Joan to have a relationship with her famous grandparents, admitting in the past that it's been hurtful that her daughter wasn't included in the White House's Christmas stocking display.

Hunter Biden's baby mama Lunden Roberts said Monday that she understood President Joe Biden's decision to pardon his son - and supported that decision

President Joe Biden (left) and Hunter Biden (right) go shopping in Nantucket together over the Thanksgiving holiday. The president pardoned his son the day after the trip

She started the statement by saying, 'I don't know what it's like to be president so I can't say what choices I would make if I was in Biden's shoes, but I am a mother.'

'There's nothing I wouldn't do for my child. No barrier I wouldn't break for Navy Joan,' Roberts said.

She added that she believed Hunter was 'targeted because of who his dad is.'

'Many people have done what he's done and have never gotten in trouble,' she continued. 'But because his dad is president, he's being held to a different set of circumstances.'

In June, Hunter had been convicted of three felony charges for federal gun violations - after lying about his sobriety when purchasing a firearm.

Hunter's drug use was widely known about after he penned a memoir on the subject.

He also pleaded guilty in a federal tax case.

The first son was due to be sentenced in both these cases this month but was pardoned by his father on December 1.

A picture of Navy Joan (left) with her mother Lunden Roberts (right) last year. Roberts said in her statement that she hoped the president 'will take the steps to become a grandparent for my daughter'

The Bidens had just returned from their annual Thanksgiving trip to Nantucket when the president issued the controversial pardon, before making his first and only trip to Africa as president.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre has been peppered with questions since, since Biden had adamently said he would not pardon Hunter.

She told reporters Friday that the reason for the flip-flop was that 'circumstances have changed.'

'Look, if you look at his statement, it's pretty comprehensive. It's in his own voice. I think it takes you through his thinking. And he did - he wrestled with this. He wrestled with this,' Jean-Pierre said. 'And again, he said, in his statement, in his own voice, that he made that decision this past weekend.'

'And the fact is, when you think about how the president got to this decision, circumstances have changed. They have,' she argued.
The suspected killer of UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson is the heir to a holiday resort fortune created by his grandparents - and the brother of a top doctor.

Luigi Mangione, 26, comes from a powerful Maryland family centered on the late patriarch Nicholas Mangiano, a first-generation American who built a real estate empire in the state, including country clubs and media.

Nicholas, who died in 2008 aged 83 after suffering a stroke, was the owner of Turf Valley Resort and Hayfields Country Club, as well radio station WCBM-AM.

Nicholas was born in Baltimore's Little Italy to a poor family but worked his way up from nothing. He also founded the nursing home Lorien Health Services. Luigi volunteered at his grandpa's nursing home in 2014, according to his LinkedIn.

Nicholas had 10 children, including Luigi's father Louis, and was married to his wife Mary until his death. The couple lived in a $1.9 million mansion on their country club, with Mary dying in 2013.

Luigi Mangione is also the cousin of Republican Maryland House of Delegates member Nino Mangione, The Baltimore Sun reported.

Meanwhile, Luigi's mother Kathleen Zannino Mangione, owns a boutique travel company, and his sister MariaSanta Mangione is a respected doctor.

She now works as a medical resident at UT Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas after graduating from Vanderbilt medical school.

Luigi Mangione is being held at a jail in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after the UnitedHealthcare CEO was shot dead on the streets of Manhattan after his arrest Monday morning.

He was detained at McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania just after 9am ET on firearm charges after an employee at the store called police.

Luigi is pictured with his mom Kathleen and dad Louis (both in purple) and sister MariaSanta (in burgundy) at a San Diego wedding ceremony

Luigi Mangione is a person of interest in the killing of UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson

Luigi's mother Kathleen Zannino Mangione owns a boutique travel company specializing in the Mediterranean

Prior to his death, the patriarch of the Mangione family, Nicholas, was very proud of his roots, as he told The Baltimore Sun in 1995: 'They asked me what family I belonged to. I told them, "I belong to the Mangione family. The Mangione family of Baltimore County".'

He and his wife Mary shared 37 grandchildren together, including Luigi.

Luigi's family has an extensive background in the medical field, as they repeatedly donated to hospitals, nursing homes and even ran their own foundations.

For decades, the Mangione family has supported the Greater Baltimore Medical Center (GBMC), donating more than $1million to the hospital, The Baltimore Banner reported.

All 37 of Nicholas's grandchildren - including Luigi - were born in the hospital since 1983.

One grandchild, Victoria Smith, said: 'It becomes subconscious. Delivering at GBMC is not even a thought,' according to a 2022 blog post.

Because of the family's dedicated support, the hospital went on to name its high-risk obstetrics unit after them.

In addition to funding GBMC, the family has also shared their philanthropy efforts with other top-name medical facilities, including the Kennedy Krieger Institute, the University of Maryland St. Joseph Medical Center and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, the outlet reported.

Luigi Mangione's great-grandfather founded the nursing home Lorien Health Services. Luigi volunteered at the nursing home in 2014, according to his Linked In

Nicholas even opened up his very own medical building, Harford County's Fallston General Hospital, after serving in the Navy, attending college and working as a contractor, according to The Sun.

Though that hospital has since closed its doors, Nicholas proceeded to expand his portfolio, opening up nursing homes, office buildings, and Turf Valley Resort.

The Mangione family purchased the first-ever full-service resort and conference center in Howard County in 1978.

It contains 220 hotel rooms, a 10,000 square-foot ballroom, 85-seat amphitheater, among other features, according to its website.

In 1986, the couple bought the Hayfield Country Club, a wedding and gold venue, also located in Maryland.

Nicholas then purchased the conservative radio talk show WCBM-AM 680 two years later, along with two more after that.

The family's patriarch, the late Nicholas Mangiano, was the owner of Turf Valley Resort, pictured, and Hayfields Country Club, as well as the radio station at the WCBM-AM

The pair also founded their very own senior living company and nursing home, Lorien Health Services, where Luigi volunteered in high school, according to his LinkedIn.

By 1995, the patriarch revealed his plans to start passing down the family enterprise to his two eldest sons, John and Louis - Luigi's father.

Nicholas died of a stroke in 2008 and his wife Mary died last year from complications with Parkinson's disease.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed on Monday afternoon that Mangione was in possession of the gun, silencer and a fraudulent New Jersey ID.

The gun is suspected of being a 'ghost gun' made using a 3D printer so it cannot be traced.

The ID matched the one the suspected killer used to check into a NYC hostel on November 24.

Nicholas Mangiano lived in the above $1.9million home when he died, which was located within the bounds of his country club

He was also found with a manifesto - which allegedly showed he was irate about the healthcare industry and its profits.

According to Tisch, 26-year-old Mangione also had clothing on him that matched the gunman's clothing.

A McDonald's worker called the police after recognized Mangione from his images of him that had been widely circulated following the shooting.

Mangione is originally from Towson, Maryland, and is an anti-capitalist who attended Baltimore's elite $40,000-a-year Gilman School, where he graduated valedictorian in 2016.

He then attended the Ivy league University of Pennsylvania where he studied software engineering. After completing his studies, he worked as software engineer at TrueCar, a Santa Monica, California-based online car market.

He stopped working there in February 2023. He is also believed to have suffered a spinal injury the same year, and on his X account is what appears to be an x-ray for his surgery.

He has not been charged in connection to the death of Thompson, but was angry at the way the medical insurance industry treated a sick relative, police sources said.

Mangione grew up in considerable comfort in this $800,000 home in Towson, Maryland

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed outside Manhattan's Hilton Hotel on Wednesday

He grew up in considerable comfort in an $800,000 home in Towson, Maryland, where his parents still live.

The musclebound suspect also has ties to San Francisco, and used to live in Honolulu, Hawaii, cops confirmed.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed on Monday afternoon that Mangione was in possession of a gun, silencer and a fraudulent New Jersey ID.

The ID matched the one the suspected killer used to check into a NYC hostel on November 24.

He was also found with a manifesto - which allegedly showed he was irate about the healthcare industry and its profits.

According to Tisch, 26-year-old Mangione also had clothing on him that matched the gunman's clothing.

The Commissioner thanked the public for their help, saying: 'We should never underestimate the power of the public to be our eyes and ears.'

'He had ill will against corporate America,' he said of Mangione.

Footage of the attack shows a figure, who appears to be a woman dressed in dark clothing and holding a coffee cup, fleeing from a doorway as the assassin opens fire just meters away.

Kenny said that the 'ghost' gun he allegedly used to kill Brian Thompson may have been made with a 3D printer.

Thompson was gunned down outside a Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan at 6:44am on Wednesday December 4.

The doomed CEO had arrived in the city to host UnitedHealthcare's annual investor meeting, where he was set to detail bumper profits.

Harrowing surveillance camera footage showed Thompson being shot at point blank range by three bullets.

Afterwards the shell casings were found to have the words 'deny,' 'defend', 'depose' written on them, in an apparent attack on health industry practices.

Thompson lived in a $1 million mansion in Minnetonka, Minnesota, a mile from the home of wife Paulette, from whom he was separated.
Daniel Penny has been vindicated. So has America.

In finding the 26-year-old not guilty in the death of Jordan Neely, the jury has rejected a racialized criminal justice system that sees white people as inherently evil and black people as perpetual victims.

But we still have a long way to go. After the verdict was announced on Monday, Neely's father erupted in the Manhattan courtroom and had to be escorted out.

'Racist f***ing country,' one Neely supporter yelled.

Another, to Penny: 'You're a racist f**king c***.'

Black Lives Matter leader Hawk Newsome, who claims to be Neely's 'uncle', clearly threatened Penny.

'Small f***ing world, buddy,' he said. Later, at a press conference, Newsome went further: 'We need some black vigilantes people want to jump up and choke us and kill us... How about we do the same when they attempt to oppress us?'

He should have been arrested on the spot.

In finding Daniel Penny (pictured) not guilty in the death of Jordan Neely, the jury has rejected a racialized criminal justice system that sees white people as inherently evil and black people as perpetual victims.

Black Lives Matter leader Hawk Newsome (pictured) clearly threatened Penny. 'Small f***ing world, buddy,' he said. He should have been arrested on the spot.

Meanwhile, protestors chanted 'No justice, no peace' and 'f*** the police'  though the police had literally nothing to do with Neely's death. The very lack of police in the subway system caused Penny to intervene and take Neely down.

There was sobbing and wailing and rending of garments, with one person outside the courtroom declaring: 'That is the sound of black pain.'

Please. This has to stop. Jordan Neely was a violent, mentally ill homeless man who was on an internal list of New York City's 'Top 50' most critical cases.

Neely was once arrested  one of his 44 arrests  for attempting to abduct a 7-year-old girl in broad daylight.

In 2021, he randomly punched a 67-year-old woman in the face, breaking her nose and orbital bone. A judge released Neely from Rikers in a plea deal that sent him to inpatient treatment but, 13 days into his 15-month sentence, Neely simply walked out, never to return.

If only the criminal justice system had been as dogged with Neely as with Daniel Penny.

In 2010, Neely reportedly threatened to murder his own grandfather. And in that subway car last year, he said that he was going to kill someone and was ready to go back to prison. Penny and his fellow passengers had every reason to believe Neely.

Even New York City's Mayor Eric Adams, a former cop, suggested Penny should never have been charged.

'Those passengers were afraid,' Adams said last week. 'I've been on the subway system. I know what it is as a police officer to wrestle or fight with someone You have someone [Penny] on that subway who was responding, doing what we should have done as a city.'

Yet Neely's family members, who had all but abandoned him, are now playing victim. Last week, as the jury deliberated, Neely's father Andre Zachary filed a civil suit against Penny.

The system, Zachary said after the verdict, is 'rigged'. It sure is, but not the way Zachary claims.

Let's get real: If Penny had been a black man, or Neely white, this case would never have been brought to trial. Daniel Penny wouldn't have lost over a year of his life to this politically, racially motivated case.

It was so paper-thin that even prosecutors said on Friday  in what seemed to be a desperate attempt to sway the jury into delivering a favorable verdict  that there was a chance Penny might not even serve jail time if found guilty. So spare us the racial justice canard.

'My son didn't have to go through this,' Neely's father said Monday.

He sure didn't. If only Neely had a father and family that would have done something.

Instead, Neely was left to flagrantly threaten a subway car of passengers last May, most of whom were daily riders and had never been so terrified.

Meanwhile, protestors chanted 'No justice, no peace' and 'f*** the police' - though the police had literally nothing to do with Neely's death. The very lack of police in the subway system caused Penny to intervene and take Neely down.

Neely's family members, who had all but abandoned him, are now playing victim. Last week, as the jury deliberated, Neely's father Andre Zachary (pictured) filed a civil suit against Penny.

Neely was left by his family to flagrantly threaten a subway car of passengers last May, most of whom were daily riders and had never been so terrified.

Caedryn Schrunk, senior brand manager at Nike, in her court testimony: 'I was scared that I was going to die in that moment.'

Ivette Rosario, 19, said that she thought she might 'pass out' from fear.

The defense team did an expert job in medically proving that Penny's chokehold did not cause Neely's death. In fact, police bodycam video shown in court confirmed that Neely still had a pulse when first responders arrived.

It's heartening, really, to see this jury  despite hearing the racially-charged chants of outside protesters  deliver a fair verdict.

'It's a great day for our city and our nation,' said Brooklyn council member Inna Vernikov. 'We all feel the tide turning now. Today the jury decided that the woke mob is no longer the arbiter of right and wrong.'

Yes, yes, yes  a million times yes.

Wokery is done. The pendulum of sanity is swinging rightward, as the election of Trump and the rejection of outre progressivism augurs.

House Speaker Mike Johnson called Marine veteran Penny a hero who 'protected the lives of people on that train. We used to celebrate bravery like this in America, but the left continues their crusade to protect criminals and prosecute heroes.'

Exactly right.

New York City councilman Joe Borelli called for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg whose only other major case this year was the politically-motivated Trump hush-money trial  to go.

'The verdict in this case underscores nothing other than the perverse sense of justice held by Alvin Bragg,' Borelli said. 'Every New Yorker is fearful on the subway and had no problem understanding the context of Daniel Penny's actions. The district attorney should resign in shame.'

Let me assure my fellow New Yorkers: Alvin Bragg won't resign, because he has no shame. Governor Kathy Hochul should fire him.

Not since Al Sharpton has one figure done so much to wreck race relations in New York, a city notable the world over as a true melting pot. Nowhere else do so many different people get along so easily.

But Bragg and his ilk are doing their best to divide us.

After all, Bragg, whose soft-on-crime policies are destroying New York, refused to bring charges against the other man who helped restrain Neely. Could it be because that man is black?

It's heartening, really, to see this jury, despite hearing the racially-charged chants of outside protesters, deliver a fair verdict. (Pictured: A person protesting the not guilty verdict being arrested outside the Manhattan court.)

Anyone with an iota of common sense knows exactly why Penny was tried and charged. Penny should sue the City of New York, because this isn't over for him.

He was just openly threatened in a court of law. Neely's father is now looking for a hefty payday. And Penny and his family will be looking over their shoulders for the foreseeable future.

Indeed, his vindication comes at great personal cost, not just to him but to every American.

Who in their right mind would ever risk standing up for fellow innocents again, only to be branded a racist, face criminal charges, costly legal battles and potential prison time?

Daniel Penny is a hero. It's up to decent people everywhere to cheer him as such  and make it beyond clear that if anything happens to him, there will be all hell to pay.
Apple has been the sole monopoly in the digital wallet space for a long time, but the changes this time are driven by the EU's Digital Markets Act. They are opening the door for competitors.

In a historic turn of events, Norway's Vipps has become the first company to take advantage of this law as its app now works with the iPhone's NFC technology. Here is everything you should know about this change in the digital payment landscape.

The Digital Markets Act: Opening the Door for Competitors

The Digital Markets Act, enacted by the EU to regulate the dominance of big tech companies, compelled Apple to open its NFC technology for third-party apps. As a result, Vipps, a rival, was able to create an alternative to Apple Pay that is available to iPhone users, MacRumors discovers.

The legislation is designed to promote competition and provide users with more options for digital wallets.

"We have fought for years to be able to compete on equal footing with Apple and it feels almost surreal to finally be able to launch our very own solution," Rune Garborg, CEO of Vipps MobilePay, said in a blog post.

Vipps Leads the Way in the Fight Against Apple Pay

Vipps MobilePay is the first digital wallet service to be integrated with iPhone NFC technology, and thus, users can now avoid using Apple Pay.

According to Garborg, a Vipps representative, this is the first time the company has made such a milestone. For him, being the first in the world to roll out an Apple Pay alternative on the iPhone serves as a huge achievement for the company.

How Vipps Beats Apple Pay

The integration with Norway's local banking system is one of the major advantages Vipps has over Apple Pay. A user of Norway's SpareBank 1, DNB, or over 40 other local banks can enjoy the use of Vipps as his one-stop wallet.

According to Garborg, the reason simplicity of having all of one's transactions in one app is persuasive to customers. And with the convenience of Vipps being used everywhere one would traditionally use a plastic card, many a customer base is sure to win over.

Vipps' Expansion Plans: Adding Visa and MasterCard Support

Currently, Vipps is in operation with all card payment terminals that accept BankAxept, Norway's national payment system. However, the company has plans to extend its support to major credit card networks.

By summer, Vipps will introduce support for MasterCard and Visa. This will expand its reach and functionality. Vipps will then become even more competitive than Apple Pay, which already supports these two payment networks.

Other Competitors Getting Ready to Launch

Although Vipps is the first to take advantage of the new rules of the EU, it is not the only company that has ambitions, Apple Insider reports. Other companies in the EU are developing their own payment systems that will compete with Apple Pay.

After introducing NFC access in the EU, Apple has started offering the same option to developers in other regions, such as the US. That would mean a lot more competition for the digital payment landscape, and probably further pressure building up on Apple Pay as new entrants like Vipps make their way to the market.
British Jewish students have suffered a wave of anti-Jewish hatred on university campuses in the last two years as the number of reported antisemitic incidents hit a record high.

The Community Security Trust [CST], an antisemitism awareness charity, recorded 325 university-related antisemitic incidents across British universities in the last two academic years.

This was more than double (up 117 per cent) the number of university-related anti-Jewish incidents in the previous two academic years.

The vast majority of these - 272 of them - took place in 2023/24 in the wake of the October 7 Hamas terror attack which saw a spike in antisemitic incidents in Britain.

The damning report documents ten incidents of violent assault against students and 23 incidents of threats - including death threats and a bomb hoax inside a synagogue used by Jewish students.

At St Andrews University visibly Jewish students had eggs thrown at them as they returned from an event with the Chief Rabbi in November 2023 and in May 2024 a student wearing a Jewish society fleece was spat at as they walked down the street.

In April 2024, a university Jewish Society, along with numerous other Jewish communal organisations received a bomb threat via email.

The email stated: I placed multiple explosives inside of the Synagogues. The explosives are well hidden and they will go off in the morning. Everyone inside will die in a pool of blood.

A man wearing a kippah pushes his bicycle past a banner reading 'Jews for a free Palestine' at Oxford University in May (file image)

A poster pinned on a tree by UCL Marxist Society reading 'Intifada until victory'

A Swastika scrawled on a toilet in Blackpool

Of the 23 university-related antisemitic incidents involving threats recorded during the academic year 2023/24, 11 were recorded in October 2023 five days after the October 7 attacks. Some 15 of the 23 recorded threats during that year were carried out online.

This included a Jewish student at the University of Birmingham receiving the message May a slow and painful death be granted to you and every other Zionist like you on a University WhatsApp group.

On October 12, 2023, a Jewish society freshers WhatsApp group chat was infiltrated in a coordinated attack and scores of threatening messages were sent to students.

The perpetrators began by engaging in a fake conversation between themselves in which one asked U selling any kosher meat? Struggling to find some round here [SIC], after which one asked Everyone agree w [with] whats going on in Israel right?.

This was immediately followed by the three individuals sending a tirade of messages including: F*** ISRAEL, F_G DIRTY TERRORIST C****; F_G DIRTY JEWISH C****; MURDERING B******S.

There were also 21 instances of desecration to Jewish property reported in Nottingham, Birmingham, Leeds, Kent, Norwich, London, Sussex, Oxford, Sheffield, Brighton, and Canterbury.

This included a case of FREE PALASTIAN [sic] being graffitied on to a Chabad house which provides services to university students in the Midlands.

By comparison there were zero cases of damage to university-related Jewish property in the 2020/21 or 2021/22 academic years.

Pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrate outside SOAS University of London as students occupied part of the campus in May (file image)

Tents in a student encampment outside the Oxford University Museum of Natural History (file image)

At last years NUS conference in April 2024 there were at least two occasions where swastikas were graffitied in different toilets in the venue.

Other disturbing incidents include Jewish students being screamed at from cars while walking home from Jewish events, and a Jewish society freshers fair stall - which was unmanned due to it being a religious holiday - being vandalised.

It also includes many cases of explicit and implicit support of terrorism.

Responding to the disturbing findings Sami Berkoff, Union of Jewish Students (UJS) President said: Universities must not be indifferent to the rise of antisemitism within their institutions.

'Let us all unite against hate, ensuring that campuses remain spaces for education, not exclusion.

Responding to CSTs report Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson said: These findings are sickening.

It is an absolute disgrace that Jewish students feel unable to participate fully in university life due to the abhorrent rise in antisemitic abuse detailed in this report and we are determined to change this as a matter of urgency. It shows we have a long way to go to combat antisemitism in our society.

'The Government remains firmly committed to tackling antisemitism across the country and stamping out hatred wherever it occurs.

'We have pledged 7 million to combat antisemitic abuse in schools, colleges, and universities, with 500,000 already allocated to the University Jewish Chaplaincy to support student welfare.'
Anyone know whats going on in Syria? David Lammy certainly didnt. The Foreign Secretary lumbered into the Commons and proceeded to claim that Syria was next door to Libya. Close. They are only a thousand miles apart.

If anyone is looking for Christmas present ideas for Brother Lammy, a globe might do.

You can get them these days with space inside for tumblers and a bottle of Bells.Mr Lammy, once of TVs Mastermind, was in heavy-seas mode.

He rose to the despatch box with portentous tread. He spoke exceedingly slowly, perhaps hoping no one would notice he was churning on only half a propeller.

He tried statesmanlike denunciation, washing it round his mouth like a delicious malt and dropping his voice to the bottom of its register. Then he went all whispery. Man of destiny. A poet catching the miseries of war.

None of this quite disguised a lack of substance. John Healey, Defence Secretary, was sitting next to him and wore the face of a man who had just bitten on some hard butterscotch and chipped a filling.

Mr Healey did not stay for the entire 80 minutes of his colleagues bluff-athon. Nor did Emily Thornberry who chairs the foreign affairs select committee and therefore really should have seen things to the bitter end.

She asked a windy question about the United Nations and sat down with a magnificent thespian flourish, half-twisting her torso, fluttering her eyelashes. It was like seeing Judi Dench resume her pose at the end of a gala performance of Portias soliloquy in The Merchant of Venice.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy lumbered into the Commons and preceded to say that Syria was 'next door' to Libya

Lammy spoke exceedingly slowly, perhaps hoping no one would notice he was churning on only half a propeller

Shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel speaking at the dispatch box. She noted that the Conservatives called for Assad to go a decade ago

Bashar al-Assad was ousted as Syria's president last week

Some 15 minutes later her ladyship wound a long white scarf round her stubby neck and waddled out. Not such an important debate after all, clearly.

At times of international peril, particularly one so fast-moving and in which we have no embassy in the affected capital, a foreign secretary will usually be terse, taciturn and unshowy. Mr Lammy could not resist giving it maximum gravy.

He became David Hammy, going into a long riff about how we said no to Assad who had been a monster, a dictator, a criminal, a butcher. He was never, ever going to change.

Some saps, reflected Mr Lammy with disgust, had regarded Assad as the lion of Damascus but it was now apparent to all enlightened souls  such as me, the far-sighted Lammy!  that he had been the rat of Damascus.

Yet in 2013 the same D. Lammy voted against finishing off Assad. He even said it was great news the Cameron government was prevented from moving against the tyrant. Now he was calling him a rat and pretending to be a moral prophet.

Priti Patel, Shadow foreign secretary, could have speared this bogus pose but settled for noting, albeit tartly, that the Conservatives called for Assad to go a decade ago.

Dumfriesshires David Mundell (Con) said he never regretted voting to act against Assad in 2013, even though the peaceniks won that vote. Mr Lammy actually nodded in apparent agreement at Mr Mundells words.

It was left to Sir Julian Lewis (Con, New Forest East) to make the intellectual argument for that 2013 moment of hesitation.

An opposition fighter steps on a bust of the late Syrian president Hafez Assad in Damascus

Syrians in the UK gather at Piccadilly Circus to celebrate the fall of Bashar Assad's government

People celebrating the overthrow of Assad with the presidential palace in the background on Mount Mezzeh in Damascus

Sir Julian remained of the view that one should never idealise the oppositions in these scenarios and that it was again a choice between monsters and maniacs.

The optimistic noises at present reminded Sir Julian of things that were said at the fall of Saddam in Iraq and Gaddafi in Libya (which, as Mastermind Lammy will tell you, is practically a suburb of Damascus).

Mr Lammy informed MPs that he had spoken to numerous foreign ministers round the world. One suspects that the conversations, at least from the London end, may have included the words Where is this place Syria again? Is it near the Chagos Isles?

But Mark Sewards (Lab, Leeds SW & Morley), my favourite backbench bootlicker, was ecstatic, expressing wonderment at Mr Lammys detailed and nuanced answers to some very complex questions.
The suspect in last week's high-profile shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson is related to a Republican politician.

Maryland State Delegate Antonio 'Nino' Mangione, 37, is the cousin of 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, who was arrested Monday at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania in connection with the crime.

A member of the House of Delegates since 2019, the elder Mangione has yet to address the arrest.

As word spread that Mangione had been detained, Fox News hosts Sandra Smith and Jeanine Pirro reported on the revelation in real-time.

'Another twist in this story, this just into our newsroom, the suspect's cousin is a Maryland State Delegate,' Smith said on the air.

'This is now being confirmed, the suspect's cousin is a Maryland State Delegate, Antonio D. Mangione - goes by Nino.'

Smith proceeded to criticize the politician, asking how someone of his status had not already turned the Ivy League grad in.

'How was it possible there wasn't anyone, anywhere in the country who was saying, that person's in my family, I know that guy?' she said.

Former FBI investigator Bill Daly, joining the hosts as a guest, appeared to agree, pointing to how photos of the younger Mangione's face were sent out across the country.

Maryland State Delegate Nino Mangione (right) is the 37-year-old cousin of 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, who was apprehended Monday in connection with the crime. The Republican has yet to issue a statement on the arrest

As word that Mangione was being held for questioning spread, Fox News hosts Sandra Smith and Jeanine Pirro reported on the revelation in real-time

Former FBI investigator Bill Daly, joining the hosts as a guest, pointed to how photos of the younger Mangione's face were sent out across the country

'How does anybody who is related to this person not say, I know that guy, and call the police?' the veteran federal investigator added.

Daly, who worked for the FBI for more than a decade, said that it was 'quite surprising that it took a McDonald's employee in Pennsylvania to identify this person.'

The tipster made the call to cops after recognizing Mangione's likeness from photos released by the NYPD.

'Well, that is certainly a very relevant question,' Pirro agreed.

'Once a guy at McDonald's can pick up the phone, and a relative and someone who is in a particular job - where he's working for the government, essentially, and for the people - can't, you know you've got a problem,' she concluded.

The Mangione are currently Facebook friends and still follow each other on social media, where a trove of anti-establishment posts from the suspect have been uncovered.

On his Goodreads account, the data scientist shared a series of quotes from the 'Unabomber' Ted Kaczynski, along with others referencing health and sickness.

'Imagine a society that subjects people to conditions that make them terribly unhappy then gives them the drugs to take away their unhappiness,' read one excerpt from a Kaczynski quote on Mangione's Goodreads page.

Smith proceeded to criticize the politician for what she viewed as an oversight, asking how someone of his status had not already turned the Ivy League grad in. The lone shot of the person of interest's face available during the search is seen here

A member of the House of Delegates since 2019, the elder Mangione is seen here. The pair are Facebook friends and follow each other on social media

'The concept of "mental health" in our society is defined largely by the extent to which an individual behaves in accord with the needs of the system and does so without showing signs of stress,' read another.

Mangione, meanwhile, is being held questioned, with extradition eventually needed to bring charges against him in New York.

He was cuffed after being found with a 3D-printed gun, a handwritten manifesto, and an array of IDs on him - at least one of which matched the identification he produced at a hostel in Manhattan, cops said.

A section of his manifesto reportedly read: 'I do apologize for any strife or trauma. But it had to be done. These parasites had it coming.'
Top fashion designer Wayne Cooper has been charged after he allegedly assaulted his second wife.

Cooper, 61, allegedly became involved in an argument with Elizabeth Adams, 47, at an apartment complex on Campbell Parade at Bondi, in Sydney's eastern suburbs.

Ms Adams went to police with her claims on Sunday, sparking an investigation into the alleged incident.

The British-born designer was charged with one count of assault and slapped with an interim Apprehended Violence Order (AVO) later that night.

He is due to appear before Waverley Local Court on Thursday.

The alleged incident is the latest hurdle for the couple after Ms Adams was slapped with a two-year-long AVO in September after an incident with her new husband.

The order restricted her from assaulting or threatening Cooper, intentionally or recklessly destroying or damaging any of his properties or animals.

The couple had just celebrated their first marriage anniversary on December 1 last year, having tied the knot nine months after meeting and falling 'madly in love'.

Wayne Cooper, 61, tied the knot with Elizabeth Adams (both pictured) in December last year after meeting for the first time just nine months prior

Both Ms Adams and Cooper insisted their relationship was going strong and dismissed the impact of the AVO that was handed down in September.

'Everything is fine,' Cooper told Daily Mail Australia at the time.

'It's a storm in a teacup. We're together and we're happy and that's it.'

Cooper popped the question to Ms Adams when he hid an engagement ring in a bowl of caviar during a romantic dinner at Bondi Icebergs.

The couple had been dating for just eight months following the breakdown of Cooper's 25-year relationship with former model Sarah Marsh.
Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick has called on ministers to immediately begin deporting Syrians asylum seekers in the wake of Assads fall.

The former immigration minister said the Government should begin removing Syrians who have claimed refugee status here  many of whom arrived by small boat across the Channel.

It came as the Home Office confirmed Syrian asylum cases have been put on hold.

The vast majority of claims will hinge on human rights issues relating to the former dictators regime.

A Home Office spokesman said: The Home Office has paused decisions on Syrian asylum claims whilst we assess the current situation.

We keep all country guidance relating to asylum claims kept under constant review so we can respond to emerging issues.

But Mr Jenrick urged the Government to go further.

Many of the asylum claims of Syrian nationals will now be baseless, the Conservative frontbencher said.

Shadow Justice Minister Robert Jenrick has called on ministers to 'immediately' begin deporting Syrian migrants

Members of the Syrian community in the UK gather at Piccadilly Circus, central London to celebrate the collapse of the Assad regime

The Government should be immediately facilitating the returns of Syrians here whose asylum claims are now groundless.

Between January and September, almost 2,900 Syrians arrived in the UK by small boat, according to Home Office figures.

In the year to September, 3,888 Syrian asylum claims were granted by the Home Office.

The grant rate during that period  the proportion of decisions which led to asylum or another form of humanitarian protection being granted  was 99 per cent, and one of the highest of any nationality.

In the previous 12 months 5,149 asylum cases were granted.

Thousands more Syrian asylum claims are awaiting a decision from the Home Office.

There were just over 5,500 claims in the year to September but it is not known how many of those are still awaiting completion.

Germany, France, Austria and several Nordic countries said on Monday they were also freezing all pending asylum requests from Syrians.

Vienna said it would review asylum cases that had already been granted and soon begin deporting migrants back to Syria.

Conservative chancellor Karl Nehammer instructed the interior ministry to suspend all ongoing Syrian asylum applications and to review all asylum grants.

Migrants being escorted by Border Force officials into the Port of Dover on October 31

Interior minister Gerhard Karner added he had instructed the ministry to prepare an orderly repatriation and deportation programme to Syria.

Alice Weidel of the anti-immigration Alternative for Germany said of Sundays mass rallies in Berlin by jubilant Syrians celebrating Assads downfall: Anyone in Germany who celebrates free Syria evidently no longer has any reason to flee.

They should return to Syria immediately.

Germany has taken in almost one million Syrians, with the bulk arriving in 2015-16 under ex-chancellor Angela Merkel.

Jimmie Akesson, leader of the far-Right Sweden Democrats, a coalition partner in the government, said residence permits for Syrian refugees should now be reviewed.
A woman who was held hostage at a bus stop in Brazil was hailed for keeping her cool - even as her crazed captor held a knife held to her throat.

Video of the terrifying incident shows the hostage taker gripping her victim and holding her right hand to the woman's neck as she shouts at police negotiators on Paulista Avenue in Sao Paulo on Monday.

The victim appeared calm during the ordeal, with her arms crossed and a stoic look on her face.

The assailant requested that media outlets be present as negotiators attempted to get her to surrender.

Police negotiated with the suspect for almost 40 minutes before an officer approached over and shot her with a taser.

The attacker froze momentarily as two cops stepped forward to restrain her as witnesses cheered in the background.

The cop with the taser then pulled the victim to safety.

She was taken to Vergueiro Emergency Care Unit and was treated for multiple bruises on her neck.

A woman held another hostage while pointing a knife near the neck for about 40 minutes at a bus stop in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Monday before police restrained her by tasering her. The victim suffered neck bruises

Cops restrain and arrest the knife-holding kidnapper (left) with the victim (right) was rescued after being held hostage for 40 minutes at a bus stop in Sao Paulo, Brazil on Sunday

The suspect was also rushed to the same medical facility and later taken to a police station, where she was processed for kidnapping.

'Teams isolated the area with the support of a patrol car and, after a brief negotiation, the police used a stun gun to neutralize the perpetrator, without the need for further shots.

'The victim was unharmed,' the Sao Paulo Public Security Department said in a statement.'

According to Veja Sao Paulo news outlet, the attacker was arrested in 2018 for a similar incident on the same avenue. She was released on bail.

User on X, formerly Twitter, were quite impressed with how the victim managed to keep her composure during the episode.

'I love the face of the hostage, fed up, just waiting for the crazy woman to be caught by the police, lol,' one person commented.

Sao Paulo Military Police negotiators keep their distance while attempting to get the suspect to surrender and release the hostage

Social media users applauded the victim for keeping her poise while her captor held a knife near her neck for almost 40 minutes

'The girl has no patience at all because this is just another obstacle in her path, poor thing,' another wrote.

Another person was critical of how insecure the city has become.

'Sao Paulo is getting worse and worse. I was there and I couldn't believe what I saw,' the user wrote.

'I would never have imagined that happening in this area. But since I saw the old center of Sao Paulo turn into a shanty town, I have no doubt that Paulista Avenue will soon be the same.'
More than 50 children who visited a remote holy island off the coast of Wales were raped or subjected to vile sex abuse by paedophile monks, a leaked report reveals.

Children as young as three were allegedly groomed and attacked in 'plain sight' on Caldey Island, a picturesque tourist spot off the Pembrokeshire coast.

For more than 100 years, the island has been home to Caldey Abbey and a small community of Trappist monks. It receives up to 60,000 visitors a year.

In April, an independent review was launched after several people came forward to report allegations of historic sex abuse, dating back more than 60 years.

The review found that monks, and men with criminal records who claimed to be monks, were able to join the monastery without checks.

They hid behind their 'chosen' religious names to carry out the horrific attacks, which took place while children were on summer holidays with their parents, often paid for by the Catholic church, or during visits with Catholic schools or youth groups, between 1960 and 1992.

Some victims claim they told the then Abbot immediately, or later reported the sex attacks to teachers, police and the Catholic Church, but all were 'largely ignored', the investigation found.

As part of the review, Jan Pickles, the former assistant police and crime commissioner for south Wales, interviewed 17 survivors who either lived on or visited the island.

More than 50 children who visited a remote holy island off the coast of Wales were raped or subjected to vile sex abuse by paedophile monks, a leaked report reveals. The review focuses on Father Thaddeus Kotik (pictured), a prolific abuser of children in the 1970s and 80s

Children as young as three were allegedly groomed and attacked in 'plain sight' on Caldey Island, a picturesque tourist spot off the Pembrokeshire coast. Pictured: Caldey Island

Father Thaddeus Kotik was described by one victim as a 'Michael Jackson-like' character, who used a pet tortoise, kittens and gifts of sweets, biscuits and yoghurt from the island's dairy, where he worked, to groom, rape and molest children

The monks were 'reckless', did nothing to stop the abuse and were openly 'hostile and cruel' to those who complained about it, Ms Pickles said.

One victim told the Mail: 'Caldey Island is the perfect place for paedophiles and sex offenders to hide away or go undercover. They should change its name to Paedophile Island  no tourists would visit then.'

Sex offender Paul Ashton lived on the island under a false name between 2004 and 2011, while wanted by police in England for possessing illegal images of children.

Another paedophile, Father John Shannon, who was a priest on the island for nine months in 2008, was jailed for possessing extreme sexual images of children as young as nine.

However, the review focuses on Father Thaddeus Kotik, a prolific abuser of children in the 1970s and 80s.

The Polish-born monk was described by one victim as a 'Michael Jackson-like' character, who used a pet tortoise, kittens and gifts of sweets, biscuits and yoghurt from the island's dairy, where he worked, to groom, rape and molest children.

He died in 1992 without being interviewed by police.

In 2018, six women were paid compensation in out-of-court settlements for the abuse they suffered at his hands. They should receive official apologies and their cases should be reviewed, Ms Pickles said.

Thousands of tourists visit Caldey off the Pembrokeshire coast each year unaware of its dark history of sex abuse

Caldey Island Abbey

Father Thaddeus Kotik died in 1992 without facing any criminal charges into claims he abused children on the holy island

The abbey is now under new leadership in the form of Fr Jan Rossey

The Caldey Island Survivors Campaign insists other monks, as well as Father Thaddeus, were responsible for the abuse of 54 victims who have come forward.

The 540-acre island is a 20-minute ferry ride from Tenby.

Father Jan Rossey, the new Abbot of Caldey Abbey who commissioned the review, has insisted he is committed to fostering openness and transparency.

He was contacted for comment.
This is the moment a fuel depot went up in flames, killing two people and injuring dozens of others after an inferno at an Italian oil company.

The explosion in the central region of Tuscany on Monday and more people are feared missing, authorities said.

The blast demolished an office building, regional environmental official Monia Monni told SKY TG24.

The horror unfolded at an ENI fuel depot north of Florence.

A dark plume of smoke was seen rising into the air. Witnesses who were nearby reported a large bang and tremors.

Flames were quickly contained, preventing the fire from spreading to storage tanks from a loading dock area where the explosion occurred.

Residents were advised to keep their windows closed, but environmental officials later determined that the air quality was safe.

A fuel depot went up in flames. Two people died and dozens of others were injured after an inferno at an Italian oil company

A view from the site after an explosion at an oil refinery owned by ENI

Pictured are the devastating effects of the fire in Calenzano

Italy's ENI oil company said the cause of the blast at the depot in Calenzano, near Florence, was under investigation. Pictured is the scene nearby

Deposito #ENI di #Calenzano. 15 min. fa botto assurdo. speriamo non ci siano vittime. pic.twitter.com/YXZlkQhn1n  Lorenzo Arcidiaco (@LArcidiaco) December 9, 2024

The smoke temporarily interrupted regional train services.

Shocking footage posted on X of the blaze was captioned: A Warehouse 15 mins ago. Absurd bang.'

One of the victims is reportedly a father-of-two in his 50s from Prato.

Many homes and businesses had shattered windows and the column of smoke was visible for hours throughout the city.

The search for those missing following the explosion has been suspended and will resume tomorrow at dawn.

The president of the Tuscan region said: 'All of Tuscany is united in grief for the tragedy that happened today,' Eugenio Giani wrote in a social media post.

The explosion in Calenzano, on the northern outskirts of the Tuscan capital, occurred in an area where trucks load fuel to be taken to petrol stations. Other depots nearby were not affected.

In a statement, Eni expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and others involved in the accident, and said it was fully cooperating with judicial authorities.
Ministers were in disarray last night over whether to remove the Islamist group at the heart of the Syrian revolution from the UKs terrorist list.

Cabinet Office minister Pat McFadden said the Government was looking to take a swift decision on lifting the ban on Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) which has emerged as the leading player in the removal of tyrant Bashar al-Assad.

The move would allow ministers and officials to engage with the group and its leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani.

But his comments triggered a backlash, and Sir Keir Starmer said on Monday night it was far too early to decide whether to engage with a group which began life as an offshoot of al-Qaeda.

Downing Street also insisted there were no plans to allow Isis bride Shamima Begum, who is living in a camp in Syria, to return to the UK.

HTS was designated as a terrorist group in 2017. At the time the Home Office declared it to be an alias of al-Qaeda.

But in a rare statement on the issue on Sunday, the Home Office said the groups relationship with the terror organisation founded by Osama bin Laden has changed. A spokesman said there had been a splintering between the two organisations in recent years.

Former MI6 chief Sir John Sawers said HTS now appeared to be acting as a liberation movement and should be removed from the terrorist list. Sir John said it would be ridiculous if ministers were barred from engaging with a major power broker in Syria because of its history.

Sir Keir Starmer (pictured with Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman) on Monday night said it was far too early to decide whether to engage with a group which began life as an offshoot of al-Qaeda

Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, addressing a crowd in Damascus on Sunday

Syrians in the southern Turkish city of Gaziantep celebrate the downfall of Bashar Al-Assad

Mr McFadden suggested that a decision was imminent.

He told the BBC that Golani, a former al-Qaeda and Isis fighter, had distanced himself away from some of the things that have been said in the past. He is saying some of the right things about the protection of minorities, about respecting peoples rights. So well look at that in the days to come.

He added: I think it should be a relatively swift decision so its something that will have to be considered quite quickly, given the speed of the situation on the ground.

His comments came despite grave concerns about the nature of HTS and the true intentions of its leader.

Emily Thornberry, Labour chairman of the Commons foreign affairs committee, said it would be premature to engage with HTS given the groups past.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy told MPs that the government would judge HTS by their actions, adding: We are monitoring closely how they treat civilians in areas they control.

But he added: al-Qaeda killed hundreds of British citizens in barbaric attacks. That was the original reason this organisation was proscribed.

HTS is also designated as a terrorist organisation by a string of other countries, including the United States which put an 8 million bounty on his head.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy told MPs that the government would judge HTS by their actions' and said it was monitoring how the group treats civilians in areas it controls

People gather to celebrate the fall of Syrian President al-Assad in Damascus

An anti-government fighter tears down a portrait of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Aleppo, after jihadists and their allies entered the northern Syrian city, on November 30

Whitehall sources suggested that any move to normalise relations with HTS would follow discussions with allies.

The PM last night insisted that a decision on the issue was not imminent. Speaking in Saudi Arabia, he said there was no decision pending at all.

Mr Assads British wife Asma is believed to be with him in Moscow, but the Prime Minister declined to say whether he would consider stripping her of her UK citizenship, adding it was too early to say.

The Home Office declined to comment on the proscription of HST.

Only a handful of groups have been removed from the banned list in the past. In each case they formally requested a change in the law.

It is not clear whether Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has the power to remove them from the list unless a request is made.
A British convert may have found himself at the heart of Syrias rebel ruling force after impressing leaders with his communications skills.

Lucas Kinney, from Surrey, became a key player of the extremist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham after proving his worth over social media in a hard-hitting social media campaign.

Kinney gained extra notoriety for his online videos because as well as carrying an AK-47 over his shoulder, he had a toothbrush amid the ammo. Viewers joked dont forget your toothbrush.

He was the first white British convert known to have joined the jihad in Syria, the only one in the now triumphant group.

But there is some doubt about whether he has survived the vicious fighting and his parents back hom in London last night have refused to comment on his whereabouts.

Kinney was born in Hammersmith, west London, the son of American Patrick Kinney, now 68 and living in Florida, and British mother Deborah, now 62.

Patrick worked with Steven Spielberg on films including Indiana Jones and The Last Crusade and Empire of the Sun.

A British convert may have found himself at the heart of Syria's rebel ruling force after impressing leaders with his communications skills. Lucas Kinney (pictured here age 13) became a key player of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham

Kinney gained extra notoriety for his online videos because as well as carrying an AK-47 over his shoulder, he had a toothbrush

Kinney's parents divorced when he was at a catholic primary school in Surrey, and his mother, now Deborah Phipps, lives with her second husband in the West Country. This image is from Kinney's old social media account

Kinneys parents divorced when he was at a catholic primary school in Surrey, and his mother, now Deborah Phipps, lives with her second husband in the West Country.

Kinney received Holy Communion as a teenage Catholic and talked of becoming a priest while at private school.

But he started going to a mosque - then travelled to the Middle East to take up a Kalashnikov against dictator Bashar al-Assad, boasting about it in propaganda videos.

The group he joined in 2013 was an offshoot of Osama bin Ladens feared Al Qaeda, the Nusra Front.

It changed its name to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham - which on Sunday entered Damascus in triumph as hated Assad fled.

Kinneys stepfather, who lives in a honeyed stone cottage on the west country, refused to speak to the Daily Mail about the jihadi convert.

But Kinney - who had taken the nom de guerre Abu Basir al-Britani - was last reported to be living in the countryside in Idlib province, north west Syria, in 2018, with a wife and two children. If still alive, he is 35.

Speaking to the Daily Mail in 2015, Mrs Phipps told of her fears he could be killed by an RAF drone strike or Russian bombardment, saying: Lucas is a target. Im glad hes associated with Al Qaeda rather than Islamic State, but obviously I worry.

The group Kinney joined in 2013 was an offshoot of Osama bin Laden's feared Al Qaeda, the Nusra Front. It changed its name to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham

Kinney - who had taken the nom de guerre Abu Basir al-Britani - was last reported to be living in the countryside in Idlib province, north west Syria, in 2018, with a wife and two children. If still alive, he is 35. This image is another still from a propaganda video

On Mothers Day last year I spoke to his father and he told me he thought our son was dead because there was a picture of him on the internet lying on a bed in Syria and you couldnt tell if he was alive.

We found out he had been struck by a mortar so his arm basically was hanging off. He had to have a big operation and said he wouldnt be able to fight for 18 months.

She went on: I dont get anything for months, then an email, and think, Well, at least hes still alive.

We just want him home. If hes done something wrong Id like him to accept the consequences.

After attending a Catholic primary in Surrey, Kinney lived in Cairo, where his stepfather was working, attending the elite private Modern English School.

He grew his hair long, dyed it red, played electric guitar in a rock band called Hannahs Got Herpes - and posted pictures of scantily clad girls on Facebook.

Kinney began Middle Eastern Studies with Arabic at Leeds University in 2009 but dropped out after a year.

He went to live with his father in Vienna, and there appears to have been radicalised.

Kinney (pictured left) during his school days in Cairo. He grew his hair long, dyeing it red, and played electric guitar in a series of rock bands

Lucas's old social media account included a picture of him proudly posing outside a sex shop in Cairo

Mrs Phipps said: I dont think he became involved in Islam at university. He liked drinking and smoking and girls, all things they cant do.

When Lucas went to Vienna - that was where everything changed.

We used to talk on Skype so we could see him - he had a beard and the robes.

His father said, His religion is very important to him.

Then Mrs Phipps suddenly heard from her son in Syria, saying of his emails: He kept using koranic phrases and wants everyone to convert. Special Branch has been in touch of course.

In 2016, Kinney was considering volunteering for a suicide mission, telling a western journalist: My dream is to make martyrdom operation. God willing.

Two years later however he was reported to still be in Idlib, but with his wife and two children. There were so many Britons there and Jaffa Cakes, Maltesers, Smarties and Rolos were stocked in shops.

Whether they have kept him alive for the victory he sacrificed his life in the west for remains to be seen.
A Turkish hair clinic believes the Prince of Wales' stubble is behind an explosion in beard transplants.

Istanbul-based EsteNove has trebled the number of transplants being carried out, with men willing to pay 2,750 to get the heir to the throne's 'rugged fuzz', in what they dub the 'Prince William effect'.

EsteNove's co-founder Murat Alsac said: 'People are bringing in pictures of Prince William on their phones and saying, 'Make me look like that'.'

William, 42, debuted his bristles in August when he and his wife Kate, 42, posted a video message praising Team GB's athletes at the Paris Olympics.

Quizzed at the time on his rugged appearance, the future King revealed that not everyone in his household was best pleased, particularly his daughter Charlotte, nine.

'I got floods of tears, so I had to shave it off,' he said. 'And then I grew it back. I convinced her it was going to be OK!'

When the Duke of Sussexs memoir was published last year, the clinic said demand for beard transplants doubled.

Mr Alsac continued: Previously, they might have cited Harry. Right now its all about his brother.

Istanbul-based EsteNove has been inundated with men willing to pay 2,750 to get the heir to the throne's 'rugged ' fuzz, in what they dub the ' Prince William effect'

When quizzed on his rugged appearance, the future King revealed that not everyone in his household was best pleased, particularly his daughter Charlotte, nine

EsteNove's co-founder Murat Alsac (pictured) said: 'The number of transplants we are carrying out has increased by 200 per cent - and we have christened it the 'Prince William effect'

'People seem captivated that one of the most famous men in the world has chosen to grow a beard and they like his new look.'

The cover of the autobiography - which became the fastest-selling non-fiction book since records began in 1998 - shows a steely-looking Prince Harry, 40, with his signature ginger beard.

In Spare, Harry claimed he argued with William after being told to shave his beard off before his wedding to Meghan, 43, in 2018.

As it is customary to be clean-shaven when dressed in military uniform, the groom was expected to razor his beard before the ceremony.

The Duke explained that he had to ask permission from the late Queen to have facial hair on the day- a privilege that was not granted to his older brother when he wed Kate in 2011.

William, 42, debuted his bristles in August when he and his wife Kate, 42, posted a video message praising Team GB's athletes at the Paris Olympics. Here he is pictured on December 7 during his meeting with President-Elect Donald Trump

Beard transplants - which sees a surgeon remove hair follicles from a donor area, usually the scalp, and transplants them into the face to improve beard growth and density - normally accounts for 7 per cent of the 250 procedures EsteNove carries out per month on average. Pictured: The operation room at EsteNove

EsteNove - which treats 3,000 patients a year, half of whom are British - previously claimed that demand for beard transplants doubled weeks after the Duke of Sussex's bombshell memoir Spare was published last year. Pictured: EsteNove's other co-founder Batuhan Kizilcan

Beard transplants - which sees a surgeon remove hair follicles from a donor area, usually the scalp, and transplants them into the face to improve beard growth and density - normally accounts for seven per cent of the 250 procedures EsteNove carries out per month on average.

In recent weeks, however, this has tripled, with facial hair procedures accounting for a fifth of procedures.

EsteNove treats 3,000 patients a year and around half are British.
The leader of one of Scotlands biggest councils has resigned after being accused of sending explicit messages to Ukrainian refugees.

Cammy Day quit as head of City of Edinburgh Council a day after the allegations emerged, leaving the Labour administration running the capital in turmoil.

The 50-year-old said reports about his personal life were undermining the councils work, but did not address the claims head-on.

Police Scotland is investigating his conduct and the Labour Party has suspended him. Councillor Day, a former community development worker who has been a councillor in the Forth ward since 2008, bowed to public pressure after the revelations came to light.

It has been claimed he bombarded Ukrainian refugees with explicit messages on social media and dating apps and asked to meet them.

One said they felt under pressure and afraid of his influence given his high position.

Another said: It was too much and I didnt know how to say I didnt want him to contact me any more.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called the situation deeply distressing on Sunday but stopped short of saying Mr Day should resign.

Leader of Edinburgh City Council Cammy Day allegedly sent explicit messages to Ukrainian refugees

The party yesterday installed his former deputy, Mandy Watt, as the new Labour group leader on the council. Mr Day then took six hours to issue his resignation statement.

He said: The recent commentary on my personal life is detracting from the important work this Labour-led council does for the people of Edinburgh. It undermines the dedicated efforts of my colleagues and council officers.

Thats why its time for me to step aside as leader.

I have yet to be contacted by the police but want to reiterate that I will cooperate fully with their ongoing inquiries.

Labour, which is the third largest party on the council, has led the city since 2022 with support from the Tories and Liberal Democrats, but now faces a political meltdown.

Recent by-election wins have buoyed Lib Dem hopes of regaining control of the authority.

The matter is likely to be settled when councillors choose a new leader on December 19.

Lib Dem group leader Kevin Lang said he was pleased Mr Day had gone given the extremely serious allegations.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar called the situation deeply distressing on Sunday but stopped short of saying Mr Day should resign

For the council, its now important to choose a new leader who can focus properly on the big issues facing our city, he said.

SNP group leader Councillor Simita Kumar added: This resignation should have come sooner, and in my view should have come with an apology.

Our city deserves better, and so do the complainants.

Earlier, First Minister John Swinney said the allegations were deeply concerning.

He added: When matters of this type are raised, regardless of who they are raised about, they have got to be examined and examined fully and comprehensively so that the concerns that have been expressed can be properly addressed.

Police Scotland said inquiries are ongoing.
A unit block in Newcastle has sustained extensive fire and water damage after a 'petrol bomb' was reportedly thrown at a front door.

Firefighters rushed to Brunker Road in Adamstown just before 6pm on Monday after a doorway of a unit on the third floor was set alight.

Crews were able to contain the blaze to the exterior of the building and carried out 'salvage work' across the three levels.

An automated sprinkler system in the block was activated and caused water damage from the third floor down to the ground floor.

Four Fire and Rescue NSW tankers were sent to the unit block in addition to a rehabilitation van to put out the blaze.

Crews handed the scene over to police after the fire was extinguished at 8pm.

'Police attached to Newcastle City Police District have established a crime scene and inquiries into the fire are underway,' NSW Police told Daily Mail Australia.

Anyone with information about the fire has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
EXCLUSIVE

A university professor was killed in front of his wife and children when a mystery object smashed through his car windscreen as the family drove home from a day out picking cherries for Christmas.

Dr Majharul Talukder, 49, an assistant professor at Canberra University, was driving along Burley Griffin Way at Galong in NSW Hilltops region on Sunday night when the lethal object flew off a caravan travelling in the opposite direction.

The unknown item smashed through the front windscreen and struck Dr Talukder in the head, killing him before emergency responders could get to the scene.

His wife, 48 and two daughters, 16 and 13, travelling in the same vehicle weren't injured but were taken to Canberra Hospital suffering from shock.

In a tribute online, the Canberra Bangladeshi community revealed Dr Talukder had spent the day cherry picking in nearby Harden at an event organised by a charity organisation and was returning home when the tragedy unfolded.

'Dr. Majhar was a highly esteemed Assistant Professor at the University of Canberra and a dedicated supporter of the Islamic School of Canberra and Belconnen Masjid. His family members are unharmed at this stage,' the post reads.

'We extend our deepest condolences to the family. We pray to Almighty that he grants him with Jannatul Firdaus and gives strength to his family to withstand this irreparable loss.'

Dr Majharul Talukder, 49, (pictured) was an assistant professor at Canberra University in their business faculty

Tributes have continued to flow online for Dr Talukdar, with devastated friends describing him as 'determined', 'hardworking' and 'pious'.

A University of Canberra (UC) spokesperson said Dr Talukdar was a 'well-respected' member of the UC community.

'Over the 16 years of his tenure, Assistant Professor Talukder made a significant contribution to UC through his teaching and research collaborations and will be remembered as a kind and dedicated academic,' they said.

Friend and former colleague Md Saidul Islam said he had 'thousands of memories' with him.

'Determination, hard work, and continuous persistence are the key to success, that I have seen in him a hundred, and I have given his example in many places,' he said.

'He was extraordinary, gentle, beneficial, and a dedicated soul to the religion. He loved me so much that he often told me to settle in Australia. I also liked him very much, and loved him with all my heart for Allah.'

Friend Abdul Jalil said he became close to Dr Talukdar while they were both working at a university in Malaysia.

'He was very firm and dedicated to achieve his aim of life and above all was very pious to Allah,' he wrote.

A man, 49, was killed on Burley Griffin Way at Galong (pictured) after an item fell from a caravan and penetrated his windshield

'From Malaysia, he went to Germany and came back to Malaysia, then went to USA and again came back to Malaysia and then went to Australia to pursue [a] Ph.D. degree and settled there as a dedicated academician in Canberra University.'

The man, 32, towing the caravan wasn't injured during the incident.

He was transported to Harden Hospital for mandatory testing.

Crash Investigation Unit officers have spent time examining the crime scene

Police investigations into the incident continue.

Anybody with information, dashcam or mobile phone footage has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
Police are closing in on three suspects

A synagogue firebombing in Melbourne has been officially declared a terrorist attack as police chiefs reveal they are closing on three suspects.

Victoria Police Commissioner Shane Patton said on Monday that detectives were on the hunt for three people they believe are behind the attack on Adass Israel Synagogue of Melbourne, in the city's south-eastern suburb of Ripponlea.

The decision to officially brand the attack an act of terrorism follows the release of images showing the destruction inside the synagogue.

Three masked offenders are believed to have torched the building early last Friday morning as worshippers began arriving for morning prayers on the eve of the Jewish Sabbath.

The damage bill of the attack is estimated to be in the millions, with the synagogue almost completely destroyed.

Photographers were granted access to the building on Monday morning, with images showing the burnt-out devastation left inside.

Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett said the fire appeared to be 'politically motivated'.

'We will not tolerate crimes that undermine Australias security or our way of life,' she said.

Total carnage: Inside Adass Israel Synagogue of Melbourne

Images from within Adass Israel Synagogue of Melbourne appeared on Monday

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan told reporters the declaration of the attack as one of terrorism allowed more powers and resources for the investigation.

'What this means is  additional resources can now be deployed to this investigation, an investigation I know that we will look  [to have] resolved as quickly as possible,' Ms Allan said.

'We must let our police officers do the work, the good work that they have been doing to bring us to this point this morning.'

The investigation will now transition to the Joint Counter Terrorism Team.

The declaration opens up a raft of extra powers for investigators including the ability to stop, search and seize people without a warrant as well as detain and question those they believe have knowledge of, or links to, the attack.

Two of the synagogue's three buildings were gutted in the fire that erupted in the early hours of Friday.

Two people who were inside at the time preparing for morning prayers escaped, with one suffering minor injuries.

Jewish Community Council of Victoria CEO Naomi Levin said she had been told five Torah scrolls, handwritten copies of the book of Moses used during prayers, won't be salvaged.

Members of the synagogue recover items from the Adass Israel Synagogue on December 06

A man is seen reading a message left on the fence of the Adass Israel Synagogue after a firebombing

'The intelligence that has been gained from that joint management committee meeting has recommended that their belief is that this is likely a terrorist incident that has occurred,' Mr Patton said on Monday.

'We are treating this as a terrorist attack.'

Mr Patton defended not making the terrorism declaration sooner.

'Based on the assessment at the time of having a crime scene, albeit in a circumstance and on a synagogue, it was not believed to be sufficient to establish the threshold for a terrorist attack to be declared,' he said.

'We've investigated over the weekend, we've had significant progress.'

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan had also come under fire after refusing to refer to the attack as one of terrorism.

Addressing reporters just after midday, Ms Allan described it as an 'evil anti-semitic (terrorist) attack'.

'This has been an awful, evil, anti-semitic and now we know has been confirmed as an attack, a terrorist attack,' she said.

Congregate member of the Adass Israel Synagogue, Sam, on Monday

Sky News host Sharri Markson was given access to the torched synagogue

Mr Patton said police had no evidence to suggest there would be further terrorist attacks, but would not rule anything out.

'We have between 20 and 30 extra police officers deployed in those areas where there are high numbers of Jewish persons living and congregating, we have our public audit response teams there, we have high visibility police presence,' he said.

Sky News host Sharri Markson was given access to the torched synagogue on Monday, beaming out disturbing images from within.

'You can by no means see the extent of the damage until you go inside. It has been utterly destroyed. A room once filled with people studying, praying and children and families. It has been destroyed,' she said to News Day host Kieran Gilbert.

Ms Markson went on to describe it as 'heartbreaking' to see hundreds of prayer books damaged or completely burnt to ashes and that the lingering smell was 'so thick'.

The Sky News host likened it to the scenes in kibbutz in Israel where homes had been set alight and burnt to the ground by Hamas terrorists on October 7 last yuear.

'And now we've seen that here in Australia. It was truly devastating and definitely a shock to the system,' she said.
Australian teenager Holly Bowles has been farewelled by hundreds of mourners just days after her best friend was laid to rest.

The 19-year old died in Thailand from suspected methanol poisoning during a holiday in Laos, a day after the death of her best friend, Bianca Jones, also 19.

On Monday, the family of the 19-year-old released a statement through staff at her former school, Beaumaris Secondary College where tearful teenagers gathered for the service.

'We would like to thank the people of Australia, Canada and the rest of the world for the outpouring of love, support and compassion during this extremely difficult time,' Beaumaris Secondary College assistant principal Peter Bartlett said on behalf of Ms Bowles' parents Shaun and Samantha, and brother James.

'Your kindness has been a source of strength and comfort for our family. Today is a profoundly significant day for our family as we come together to celebrate Holly's life.

'Holly was loved and adored by so many people. Today is a reflection of her life however she will remain in our hearts forever.'

The family reminded people a GoFundMe honouring both their daughter and Ms Jones was still operational.

The fundraiser, which aims to raise awareness about the dangers of methanol poisoning, had raised more than $413,000 of its half-a-million dollar target as Ms Bowles made her sad, final journey to her resting place.

Australian teenager Holly Bowles has died after suffering alleged methanol poisoning during a holiday in Laos with her best friend

Holly Bowles' casket was adorned with dozens of pink roses. Pink was her favourite colour

Mourners gather outside Beaumaris Secondary College on Monday

Mourners attend a service for Holly Bowles on Monday

Holly Bowles was farewelled by up to 1000 people on Monday

Asking for privacy going forward, the family reiterated how difficult it had been dealing with the death of their beloved daughter.

'This is the most difficult times of our our lives and we thank you for respecting our privacy,' the statement ended.

Known for her love of music, the service for Ms Bowles included songs such as Mamma Mia, by Abba, and Chihiro, by Billie Eilish.

Mourners lined the street outside the school in a guard of honour as Ms Bowles made her tragic final journey.

A picture of her smiling and dressed in snow gear was displayed by a person who walked ahead of the hearse.

Ms Bowles had died in a Bangkok hospital surrounded by her loved ones late last month. Ms Jones died in a different hospital a day earlier.

'It is with broken hearts, and we are so sad to say that our beautiful girl Holly is now at peace,' Ms Bowles' family said in a statement.

'We find comfort and solace in knowing that Holly bought so much joy and happiness to so many people.

'Holly was living her best life travelling through South East Asia meeting new friends and enjoying incredible experiences.

'As her parents we were always so incredibly proud of everything Holly did. Holly was an amazing big sister to James and she always looked out for him.'

Almost 700 mourners packed Beaumaris Secondary College for Holly's funeral

Holly Bowles was farewelled by loved ones and friends just three days after her best friend Bianca Jones was laid to rest

Holly Bowles was farewelled on Monday

Tears flowed outside outside Beaumaris Secondary College on Monday where Holly Bowles was farewelled

Holly Bowles in happier times

Young mourners enter Monday's service for Holly Bowles

They added: 'The immense love shown by so many is a testament to the profound impact she had, reflected in the scale of todays farewell.

'We remain committed to ensuring that awareness of Bianca, Holly and others, internationally impacted by this tragic story, continue.

'Their legacies are far too important to be forgotten and our childrens lives are too important not to protect.'

Ms Bowles was the sixth person to die after drinks were allegedly mixed with methanol and served to guests at the Nana Backpackers Hostel in the popular party town of Vang Vieng.

She and Ms Jones had been on a gap year holiday when they both fell ill on November 12.

Ms Jones and Ms Bowles did not leave their dorm at the Nana Backpacker Hostel 24 hours after going to Jaidee Bar and reported feeling unwell on November 13, before being rushed to hospitals in Bangkok.

CCTV from inside the hostel shows one of the women being transported to a local clinic on the back of a motorbike being driven by a hotel staff worker.

Thai authorities have confirmed Ms Jones died of 'brain swelling due to high levels of methanol found in her system'.

Melbourne teen Bianca Jones (pictured) died in hospital on Thursday

Bianca Jones makes her final journey after a service in her honour on Friday

Bianca Jones' mother is seen on the left being supported by the mother of Holly Bowles. The family's golden retriever, Zara, was also at the service

Hostel manager and bartender Duong Duc Toan (pictured), has claimed it wasn't his Tiger Vodka that made the tourists sick

Both girls' bodies were flown back to Australia a week after their deaths.

On Friday, Bianca Jones was farewelled at Mentone Girl's Grammar in Melbourne's south-east.

Hundreds of mourners gathered dressed in every colour of the rainbow in honour of the teenager.

Ms Jones' family said they hoped to spend 'the most important day' of their lives farewelling and grieving their beautiful daughter.

'Bianca was a private young woman, with a wonderful network, but she was not a celebrity,' they said in a statement.

'It is our wish Bianca be farewelled in a manner that reflects her life.'

About eight people have been detained over the deaths of an American man and two Danish women in Van Vieng, according to local media, but there was no mention of the two Australians or a British woman who also died of suspected methanol poisoning.

The men detained were identified as hotel staff and management.

Australian Federal Police have offered to help the Laos investigation, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese saying the government had made it clear to officials they expect a thorough and transparent investigation.
He tossed away his crown and an empire for 'the woman I love' - and she repaid him by having a fling with a playboy young enough to be her son.

The legend of King Edward VIII and his abdication has filled a thousand books and inspired countless films, TV documentaries and stage plays. But the story of how Wallis Simpson cheated on Britain's king remains  even seventy years on  something few people know about.

Edward fled the throne in December 1936. He married double-divorcee Wallis the following year, and as their lives slid from majestic grandeur into a welter of glittering parties, cocktails and photo calls, they became the world's first media superstars.

Again and again, their romance was labelled the greatest love story ever told. But the truth was somewhat different.

By 1950, thirteen years after they wed, Edward  now 56 - and Wallis, 54, had been everywhere, done everything, met everybody. The Duchess of Windsor was bored beyond endurance.

You don't know how hard it is to live out a great romance, she snapped when a friend asked her how things were going.

But all that was to change when the Windsors boarded the liner Queen Mary in New York, bound for France, on May 24 1950.

Also on the passenger-list was Jimmy Donahue, 34, grandson of the legendary Frank Woolworth  whose five-and-dime stores were in every town and city centre throughout Britain and the United States.

American divorcee, Wallis Simpson and Edward with Jimmy walking behind them, who was the grandson of the legendary Frank Woolworth  whose five-and-dime stores were in every town and city centre throughout Britain and the United States

The Duke and Duchess of Windsor onboard the Queen Mary in New York bound for France in May 1950

The Windsors on board the liner sailing to France from America

Jimmy had no fortune of his own but his mother Jessie Donahue was wealthy - and was ready to give him whatever he wanted. He never had to do a day's work in his life, So he made a job out of wicked pranks and tricks.

He was slim, dazzlingly attractive and gay. But Jimmy loved the company of women and he knew how to make them laugh.

On that voyage to France he made Wallis laugh. And then, as he measured his success, the prankster in him took over. He started romancing her, despite the fact she was nearly 20 years older and one of the most famous women in the world. And despite the fact he was homosexual.

In Paris, he bought her jewels and sent her flowers. The duke, seeing how flamboyantly gay Jimmy was, never for one second thought the boy could present a threat to his marriage and, bankrolled by the Woolworth millions, the Windsors and Jimmy became a threesome fixture on the nightclub circuit of the French capital.

'The duchess became infatuated with him', the duke's godson David Metcalfe told me. 'He had control of her. She couldn't do without him.'

Did they have sex? Mona Eldridge, secretary to Jimmy's cousin Barbara 'Poor Little Rich Girl' Hutton, says yes.

'I know it was physical,' she added. 'There was sexual activity. She was besotted by him, she chased him. She really fell for him.' In the history of love, it was the greatest betrayal of all.

Apart from this unexpected sexual re-awakening, the affair's allure, for the duchess, was its clandestine nature  she became skittish at the prospect of secret night-time adventures.

Billy Livingston, Jimmy's lifetime friend, reported finding Wallis hiding on the floor of a limousine as she went off on a date with Jimmy. 'She enjoyed all the wildness and the things they did,' he recalled.

Thirteen years after they wed, Edward  now 56  and Wallis, 54, had been everywhere, done everything, met everybody. The duchess was bored beyond endurance

The Windsors kept a private suite at the Waldorf Astoria where they were seen here dancing

Jimmy's mother Jessie Woolworth Donohue bankrolled him as she was ready to give him whatever he wanted seen here (third from left) with the Duke of Windsor

But the duke finally twigged what was going on. In an emotional showdown witnessed by his private secretary, the ex-king called his wife out. He pleaded with her to give him up. She refused.

The scene took place in the Waldorf Towers in New York, where the Windsors kept a private suite, in 1953.

According to a note written by Anne Seagrim, the duke's private secretary: The day that he came back from the Racquets Club  where someone had told him in his own interests that the Duchess had been out every night till dawn with the same young man  he went to his room and lay on his bed. She came in and, gaily unknowing, and went into his room.

I heard him choking back the tears in his voice, telling her what he had heard. I heard him say what he had no doubt rehearsed over and over again  Its not because you are the Duchess of Windsor, its because you are my wife. Any man would mind his wife doing this.

His voice wavered. She never said a single word  or at any rate I didnt hear her voice, and very soon she came out, all her gaiety gone  walking slowly with her head bent, her face submissive, her eyes blue & bewildered. She gave me a quick glance as she went through my room.

She was very quiet and submissive for a long time afterwards. She telephoned immediately cancelling whatever arrangement she had made with the young man.

But the affair continued. And, Ms Seagrim says damningly of the duchess: She revelled in this shoddy little success. Jimmy gained in boldness. He proposed marriage to Wallis.

And she, American-born and all too conscious of the colossal Woolworth fortune  far greater than that of her husband  faltered for a moment before realising the futility of it all.

American-born Wallis was all too aware of Jimmy's colossal fortune

The duchess at the Palm Beach in Cannes with Jimmy

The affair is said to have ended when Jimmy kicked Wallis on the shin and Edward ordered him out of the room

Then adversity struck. On a tour of Austria with the duke and duchess, and probably drunk, Jimmy kicked her on the shin under the dinner table. Her leg started to bleed.

The duke jumped up in anger. 'We've had enough of you, Jimmy,' he shouted. 'Get out!'

And that was that  after four years and three months, Wallis's autumn fling was over. A friend bumped into Jimmy in New York soon after and asked him how the duchess was. 'Haven't you heard?' he replied. 'I've abdicated!'
When I saw an interview with American filmmaker Tyler Perry published by the Times of London was causing a stir online, my first thought was...

'Who the hell is Tyler Perry?'

Well, it turns out he is fairly well-known as a purveyor of lowbrow comedies that rarely see release outside the United States. He writes, directs and even stars in them. He's famous for playing a grandmother named Madea, apparently.

He's also known for being Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's original benefactor when they fled the Royal Family in 2020 and took up residence in California.

Yes, before they set themselves up in their Montecito mansion, Perry swooped in and let them stay at his own palatial Beverly Hills home worth $18million until they found their feet.

And now, almost five years after saving the Sussexes from homelessness, it seems Perry is still throwing favours their way.

When asked by the Times reporter how he helped Meghan and Harry prepare for their LA move, the Hollywood entrepreneur made a point of not only shutting the question down with two frosty words, but also taking a swipe at the British press in general.

'I didn't,' he shot back, prompting The Times to note that 'any conversational intimacy evaporated' and the interview soon went off the rails. Ouch.

Tyler Perry was Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's original benefactor when they fled the Royal Family in 2020 and took up residence in California. He still seems to be slinging favours their way, writes Amanda Goff. (Perry and Meghan are pictured on December 4)

When asked by the Times of London how he helped Meghan and Harry prepare for their LA move, Perry made a point of not only shutting the question down with two frosty words, but also taking a swipe at the British press in general. (Harry and Meghan are pictured in September 2023)

While we can't know for certain whether Perry was acting as a mouthpiece for the Sussexes here - and bear in mind they have a history of briefing their A-list friends on what to say to the press - his words immediately sounded off to me.

When he told the Times journalist to back off, I read it as: 'They're ours now - and I won't let you hurt them anymore.'

Noble? Yes. Cringe? Also yes.

More importantly, it shows that almost five years after Megxit, the Sussexes still see the world as in terms of 'us versus them' - with America firmly entrenched as the 'good guys' and the Brits cast as the plum-voiced Hollywood villains.

It also suggests to me that any chance of a reconciliation with the Royal Family remains vanishingly slim, despite reports King Charles deeply misses his wayward son.

Perry and Meghan were pictured together this week at The Paley Honors gala in Beverly Hills, where the 55-year-old filmmaker and philanthropist was honoured with a celebration of his illustrious career.

Meghan, who - let's be honest - rarely misses the opening of an envelope, was pictured all over her friend who so valiantly rescued her in her time of need. In terms of saviours, he's only second to her husband Harry, who rescued her from the Canadian set of Suits, a TV sitcom that she was apparently on her way out of when they met anyway.

Anyway, back to *that* question. There was nothing terribly offensive about it, was there?

While we can't know for certain whether Perry was acting as a mouthpiece for the Sussexes here - and bear in mind they have a history of briefing their A-list friends on what to say to the press - Perry's words immediately sounded off to me, writes Amanda (pictured). When he told the journalist to back off, I read it as: 'They're ours now - and I won't let you hurt them anymore'

After brushing off the reporter, he added: 'Meghan is from California. She knows California well. So there was nothing to prepare them for. But I will say this: what I learnt about mentioning them - because theres this insatiable appetite to know all about them - is that any question that is asked becomes the headline of anything I say.'

Then, when asked why the appetite for news about the couple was so insatiable, Perry fired back, 'You're from the UK, you tell me.' The suggestion that Americans might also have equally strong feelings about Harry and Meghan prompted Perry to remark: 'You think? Well, you would know better than I would because I'm not paying attention to that world.'

Of course, the truth is Perry did indeed help them prepare for life in LA. In 2020, he sent Meghan, whom he did not know, a note saying: 'If you ever need anything, I'm here.'

Meghan leapt at the offer to live in his $18million home with access to his private jet and security team. I mean, what girl wouldn't say yes to that? Meghan knows a good deal when she sees one.

Not only did she seize the offer with both hands, but once she and Harry were safely ensconced in Beverly Hills - where they could at last escape the paparazzi! - she made Perry godfather to their daughter Lilibet.

Perry seems to relish his role as the exiled royals' protector. And his blunt words offer a brief but fascinating insight into how Harry and Meghan - or at least their inner circle - continue to view their relationship with Britain and the monarchy.

Yes, despite being part of the furniture in Montecito, Perry still acts as though Harry and Meghan require some American muscle to scare off the mean old English.

Please.

Perhaps this is even how Meghan views the situation herself, almost five years after she fled Britain. Who could possibly say? But Perry's interview certainly invites speculation.

Personally, I never had too much sympathy for the Sussexes. After that Oprah interview in 2021, I was done. Talk about biting the hand that feeds; their unforgivable tell-all was like chewing off the arms of the people who loved you.

I grew up in London. Londoners loved the Queen, especially in working-class areas. I remember excitedly waving my Union Jack flag and eating trifle at a street party in the East End on the Queen's Silver Jubilee in 1977.

I was three years old and if you're not British, it's hard to understand the magic of the royals and how they unite the country. They are beacons of light especially in dark times - not to mention a boon to our tourism industry.

When Princess Diana announced her pregnancy with William, an eight-year-old me wrote her a poem. Imagine my excitement when I received a handwritten thank-you note in the mail a few weeks later, signed simply 'Diana'.

As a little girl, it made my year. As a 50-year-old woman, it still makes me smile.

And then came along Meghan, an actress who, apparently, had her sights set on Harry for a while. We all know the story  they meet, they marry, the Brits (for the most part) loved her. Then they buggered off to America, leaving the Queen broken-hearted.

Then came Oprah, Spotify, Netflix. That book. Royal-bashing sold to the highest bidder.

Seeing Tyler Perry reinforce the view held by some Americans - and Britons - that the Sussexes are victims in all this and need protection made my eyes roll.

My message to Meghan is simple: Hollywood is a fickle friend; Britain, on the other hand, isn't your enemy, and you don't require protecting from its monarchy, its press or its people.

Despite everything that has happened, you know the Royal Family would welcome you two back in a heartbeat. Charles' love for his youngest son runs too deep.

The longer you leave Britain behind, the harder it will be for your husband to eventually go home. Remember, the British are a forgiving lot. Look how they welcomed Camilla into the fold.

One day you may find that family - real family - are what matters more than Hollywood friends.
Tears filled the eyes of Trump's border czar Tom Homan as he described seeing the migrant child whose death 'broke' him, adding the experience made him hardcore about securing the border.

'I'm standing in the back of a trailer with 19 dead people at my feet who baked to death,' Homan, who previously served with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, recalled.

'All the ones who died were in their underwear trying to get some relief from the heat.'

The revelation is part of an interview between the border hawk and Dr. Phil, the Texas talk show host turned closed border advocate. It will air in part tonight, with a second installment airing tomorrow.

'When I went to that crime scene and I keyed in on a five-year-old little boy wearing batman underwear - the same underwear my son had, my five-year-old son,' the border czar with his eyes welling up.

'You think about what that little boy went through, how he suffered. No one should suffer like that, and it broke me because I know it can be fixed. I know it can be prevented. When you have a secure border and people aren't making that journey, they're not dying.'

President-elect Donald Trump has tapped Homan to lead the 'largest' deportation of migrants in US history when his administration takes over Jan. 20.

Trump border czar Tom Homan revealed the migrant child's death that broke him to Dr. Phil. The full interview will air Dec. 9 and Dec. 10

The preview clip from Dr. Phil's network did not specify when or where Homan witnessed the dead migrants, however, not a year goes by without similar tragedies happening across the country.

Illegal immigrants who pay smugglers in Mexico to sneak them into the US are often lied to and put in life-threatening conditions as they're moved from the border into the interior of the US.

The deadliest smuggling incident in US history happened in June 27, 2022 when 53 migrants were discovered dead in San Antonio.

The Mexicans and Central Americans had been trapped in a locked 18-wheeler, and scratched and clawed the inside of the vehicle when they were unable to escape 140-degree temperatures.

The big rig the migrants were trafficked in lacked air conditioning, ventilation and exits.

Six children and a pregnant woman among the dead, prosecutors stated.

Homan shared that he sought counseling after witnessing the migrant deaths in the tractor trailer he saw first-hand.

'That incident back in the tractor trailer, that changed me forever,' he said.

Homan told Dr. Phil he's become 'hardcore' about the border after seeing so many migrants die

Dr. Phil McGraw interview Homan at his Fort Worth, Texas studio, before heading to Sierra Vista, Arizona for an on-the-ground discussion

The 53 migrants who were found dead in San Antonio in June 2022 is the deadliest case of human smuggling in the US

Shoes and clothes are seen in the area where an abounded truck was found with 46 dead migrants and 5 more died after hospitalized in San Antonio, Texas

'I'm a tough guy but I had to get help. When you deal with so much tragedy, it wears on you.'

'People want to know why I'm so emotional about this and why I'm so hardcore, because I'm sick and tried of burying children and having women being raped.'

Homan's full interview with Dr. Phil will air on Merit TV Monday and Tuesday night.
The first-ever 'tomb' for nuclear waste, located nearly 1,500 feet below the surface, will soon be sealed off from humans for 100,000 years to break down safely.

Finland's $4 billion Onkalo project consists of a six-mile network of underground tunnels designed to store the country's 6,500 tons of uranium waste generated by a nearby nuclear power plant.

The nation is a leader in nuclear power, with its reactors boasting an average lifetime capacity factor of over 90 percent.

Finland's waste management organization, Posiva, launched the initiative in 2019, explaining that nuclear waste would be stored in water-tight canisters.

By 2026, Posiva plans to bury 3,250 copper canisters of waste, each measuring 17 feet long and containing about two tons of spent reactor fuel.

The canisters will be transported to 230-foot-long deposition tunnels and surrounded by bentonite clay for permanent storage.

Each one will then be lowered into a vertical borehole within the repository's disposal tunnels, which feature about 30 to 40 boreholes each.

Once all the boreholes in a tunnel are filled with canisters and isolated with bentonite clay buffers, the tunnels will be backfilled with clay and sealed.

Finland 's $4 billion Onkalo project is located on on Olkiluoto Island

The underground facility features six miles of tunnels, which will soon be home to the country's 6,500 tons of uranium released by a nearby nuclear power plant

The fuel, which contains plutonium and other byproducts of nuclear fission, will remain radioactive for tens of thousands of years.

However, encased in two-inch-thick copper, surrounded by bentonite clay, and embedded in ancient granite, the waste poses no risk of contamination to future generations, according to Posiva.

Originally a research facility, Onkalo became the first-of-its-kind nuclear waste repository after Posiva proposed using it to permanently house high-level radioactive material.

'Many countries using nuclear power have final disposal facilities for low- and medium-level waste, but final disposal of high-level spent nuclear fuel has not yet been launched anywhere,' Posiva stated on its website.

Currently, spent nuclear fuel is typically stored in large, secure tanks at dedicated facilities.

Another method involves encasing the waste in glass and burying it approximately 500 feet underground, a process known as Deep Geological Disposal.

While effective, this method carries risks due to the long timescales and the potential for unforeseen geological changes that could compromise containment over thousands of years.

Posiva claimed that its tunnel system and containers are engineered to withstand earthquakes, future glaciations for up to a million years, and stress caused by continental ice.

For over four decades, Posiva studied and tested the bedrock near the Olkiluoto nuclear power plant, ensuring that even if one or more containment barriers were to fail, radiation would not seep into the environment.

Onkalo consists of a spiral-shaped access tunnel, vertical shafts, central tunnels, final disposal areas, technical rooms, welfare facilities and even a cafe-canteen for personnel.

Posiva, a waste management organization, built a tunnel to house spent nuclear fuel to prevent radioactive material from harming the environment

The canisters will be lowered into a vertical borehole in a the repository's disposal tunnels, which have about 30 to 40 holes

When all the holes contain a canister and the canisters have been isolated with bentonite clay buffers, the whole tunnel is backfilled with clay and sealed

The tunnels are too narrow to carry the canisters to the final depository, so they will be brought to a service area using a lift from an encapsulation plant on the surface which houses the spent fuel canisters until they're ready to be placed in the tunnel.

The canisters will then be picked up by robotic vehicles and taken to deposition holes in an area where they'll be stored for the next 4,000 generations.

At the time that the spent fuel will be disposed, Posiva said only one-thousandth of its original radiation levels will remain, but this small amount is still highly radioactive.

'A small portion of the radioactive materials contained by the fuel have an extremely long life, which necessitates their isolation from nature,' Posiva said.

'For this reason, the final disposal canisters are designed to remain tight and impervious in their final deposition place long enough for the radioactivity of spent fuel to decrease to a level not harmful to the environment.'

The tunnel is located 1,480 feet below ground on the west coast of Finland and will be sealed off for 100,000 years starting in 2025

The canisters are made of copper and are filled with bentonite to prevent it from releasing into the surrounding bedrock

The copper and cast-iron canisters will be wrapped in bentonite clay and deposited in 1,410 feet of 1,800-year-old bedrock - otherwise known as a natural release barrier

The organization said that even after the initial tunnel is sealed off next year, it will continue to expand and excavate more deposition areas and central tunnels, allowing final disposal operations to continue until the 2120s.

As each tunnel is completed and filled with the spent fuel, it will be sealed off and when the final disposal is made, the access connections to the ground level including the vehicle tunnel, shafts and test holes will be shuttered.

The researchers explained that the radiation levels will decrease to one-hundredth of their original amount within the first year.

The researchers tested the final disposal starting in 2019, when two canisters were installed in deposition holes buried deep in the tunnel.

Each hole is separated by bedrock and is about 26 feet deep and 5.7 feet in diameter.

It was filled with bentonite - a soft, plastic clay formed from volcanic ash and sedimentary rocks - and sealed off with a concrete plug.

Posiva built a facility above the tunnels to hold the spent fuel canisters and then will deposit them into the tunnels using a lift

Researchers then activated 500 sensors that monitored whether the radioactive material seeped into the bedrock.

The bedrock at Olkuluoto's final disposal area was thoroughly studied to look for any weakness zones, chemically unstable sections and water flow routes that would carry radioactive material to the surface.

Their findings showed that the material wouldn't harm the environment when placed in the canister, prompting the company to begin construction on the tunnels the following year.

Posiva started its final test on August 30 to confirm the tunnel was ready for final disposal and said at the time that it would take several months to complete the entire process.

DailyMail.com has reached out to Posiva for comment and to confirm the official date the tunnel will be sealed.
Last month was officially the second hottest November on record.

That's according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), which has revealed that global average temperatures hit a balmy 14.10C.

That's just 0.12C short of November 2023, which was the hottest November on record.

It's also 0.73C above the 1991-2020 average for November.

The news will probably come as a surprise to many Britons, who faced storms, snow, and heavy rain towards the end of last month.

However, based on the findings, scientists say that 2024 is now 'virtually certain' to be the hottest year on record.

'With Copernicus data in from the penultimate month of the year, we can now confirm with virtual certainty that 2024 will be the warmest year on record and the first calendar year above 1.5C,' said Samantha Burgess, Deputy Director of C3S.

'This does not mean that the Paris Agreement has been breached, but it does mean ambitious climate action is more urgent than ever.'

Last month was officially the second hottest November on record. That's according to the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), which has revealed that global average temperatures hit a balmy 14.10C

Based on the findings, scientists say that 2024 is not 'virtually certain' to be the hottest year on record. Pictured: Sydney beach on November 27

CS3 takes billions of measurements from satellites, ships, aircraft, and weather stations around the world.

This allows it to track the global surface air and sea temperatures, sea ice cover, and hydrological variables.

Its recordings confirm that November 2024 was the second-warmest November globally, coming in at 1.62C above the pre-industrial level.

It was also the 16th month in a 17-month period for which the global-average surface air temperature exceeded 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.

The year-to-date global average temperature is currently 0.72C above the 1991-2020 average, which is the highest on record for this period and 0.14C warmer than the same period in 2023.

At this point, CS3 says that it's 'effectively certain' that 2024 is going to be the warmest year on record.

In Europe, it was a very different story.

The average temperature for November 2024 5.14C, which leaves it outside the top 10 warmest Novembers on record for Europe.

November 2024 was the second-warmest November globally, coming in at 1.62C above the pre-industrial level

At this point, CS3 says that it's 'effectively certain' that 2024 is going to be the warmest year on record

Temperatures were most above-average over eastern Canada and the central and eastern USA, most of Mexico, Morocco, northwest Africa, China, Pakistan, most of Siberia, and Australia. Pictured: a wilfire in New York on November 16

However, outside of Europe, temperatures were most above-average over eastern Canada and the central and eastern USA, most of Mexico, Morocco, northwest Africa, China, Pakistan, most of Siberia, and Australia.

C3S also tracks the sea surface temperature, and found that this was 20.58C.

This makes it the second-highest value on record for the month, second only to November 2023.

Finally, C3S's recordings reveal that Arctic sea ice reached its third lowest monthly extent for November, at nine per cent below average.

Meanwhile, down at the South Pole, Antarctica's sea ice extent reached its lowest monthly value for November, at 10 per cent below average.

The report comes shorty after scientists warned that the Arctic could be ice-free in just three years.

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.

Study author Dr Celine Heuze said: '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.'
Getting caught out in the rain might soon be a thing of the past thanks to a powerful new AI weather forecaster.

Google DeepMind has unveiled an AI-powered weather model called GenCast which it claims is faster and more accurate than traditional forecasts.

Compared to the top-performing supercomputer Google's GenCast model was more accurate across 99.8 per cent of predictions up to 15 days in advance.

According to Google, this will not only help commuters decide whether to bring an umbrella but also spot natural disasters like Typhoons before it is too late.

Normally, weather agencies like the Met Office predict the weather by using huge supercomputers to crunch the complex maths which simulates the climate.

GenCast, on the other hand, uses AI to spot patterns in historical weather data and create 50 possible outcomes which form the basis of an 'ensemble forecast'.

When the majority of these possibilities show the same weather events occurring, scientists can predict the weather with a high degree of confidence.

Google DeepMind engineer Ilan Price says: 'Such ensemble forecasts are more useful than relying on a single forecast, as they provide decision makers with a fuller picture of possible weather conditions in the coming days and weeks and how likely each scenario is.'

Google DeepMind has unveiled an AI-powered weather forecast which can predict the weather better than the best supercomputers up to 15 days in advance (stock image)

Across 1,320 tests, the new AI forecast was more accurate than 98 per cent of predictions created by a traditional supercomputer forecast (stock image)

Since weather patterns are so complex, the best weather forecasts are 'probabilistic' - meaning that each outcome is assigned a likelihood of occurring.

Although this provides a fuller picture of the weather, it is also extremely demanding in terms of time and computer power.

In a new paper published in Nature, Google DeepMind shows that its new AI model is more accurate than the top-performing ENS model from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMRWF).

Both GenCast and ENS are probabilistic, but the way they create their set of predictions is totally different.

Rather than trying to simulate the complex physics of the atmosphere, GenCast uses a type of AI called a diffusion model which is typically found in video, image and music generators.

When provided with the most recent state of the weather, the AI generates 50 predictions for the future state of the weather just like some AIs might make images from a text prompt.

The difference is that GenCast has been specifically adapted to work on the Earth's spherical surface and has been trained on 40 years of weather data.

Google claims that this method is not only faster, but also provides a better forecast for both day-to-day weather and extreme events than ENS.

Traditional weather forecasts rely on massive supercomputers crunching the numbers to simulate how the weather will evolve over time. Instead, the new AI model looks for patterns in past weather data to make a series of predictions about what the weather might look like in the future. Pictured Laura Tobin presents the weather forecast on Good Morning Britain

In a new study, Google DeepMind shows that its new AI model is more accurate than the top-performing ENS model from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMRWF)

The AI was trained on data leading up to 2018 and then evaluated against the real weather data from 2019 and ENS's forecasts for that year.

GenCast was more accurate than ENS on 97.2 per cent of predictions and on 99.8 per cent when making predictions more than 36 hours in advance.

Most notably, when both systems were tasked with predicting the arrival of Typhoon Hagibis, GenCast was able to produce a warning 12 hours earlier.

When Typhoon Hagibis hit Japan in 2019, it was the worst storm in 60 years and led to widespread devastation.

The engineers behind GenCast hope that, by giving authorities an earlier warning, AI-powered weather forecasts could help save lives.

Mr Price says: 'As climate change drives more extreme weather events, accurate and trustworthy forecasts are more essential than ever, yet weather cannot be predicted perfectly and forecasts are especially uncertain beyond a few days.

'Getting better and more advanced warnings of where theyll strike land is invaluable.'

Poor predictions based on traditional methods have led to deadly consequences in the past when reports downplayed the dangers of incoming storms.

The AI generates a set of possible outcomes based on the latest weather data which become closer and more accurate as they get closer to the time. This image shows the predicted paths for Typhoon Hagibis (purple) compared to the real path (red)

Typhoon Hagibis was Japan's deadliest storm in 60 years and caused widespread flooding (pictured). GenCast was able to warn of its arrival with 12 hours of extra lead time, which could have helped coordinate emergency responses in advance

For example, in 1987 BBC weatherman Michael Fish assured viewers that there was no hurricane making its way to the UK.

The next day, devastating hurricane-force winds hit Britain killing 18 people and causing 1 billion ($1.3 billion) of damage.

However, the power of computational weather forecasts has come a long way since the 1980s.

When Michael Fish made his fateful prediction, the Met Office's supercomputer had the processing power equivalent of an average smartphone today.

Currently, the Met Office has upgraded to the Cray XC40 supercomputing system which is capable of more than 14,000 trillion arithmetic operations per second.

Even the ENS model against which GenCast was measured has improved significantly in the last few years.

In their paper, Google DeepMind used ENS 2019 predictions but ECMRWF has made some major improvements since this time.

In particular, ENS is now capable of producing significantly higher-resolution forecasts than GenCast can produce.

Google says that the world will still need traditional forecasts like those created by the Met Office's Cray XC40 supercomputer (pictured) but says that AI forecasts will become more useful over time

Dividing the world into a grid, GenCastlooksat squares that are 0.25 degrees across by latitude and longitude.

By contrast, the ENS weather forecast now operates at a resolution of just 0.1 degrees, which means finer predictions.

Google DeepMind admits that traditional models are likely to be irreplaceable for the foreseeable future - not least because they provide the data to train AI.

However, AI forecasts have a major advantage in terms of speed and computer power.

Traditional forecasts such as the ENS take hours on a supercomputer with tens of thousands of processors.

GenCast, on the other hand, takes just eight minutes to produce a 15-day forecast using a single processing unit.

In the future, this means AI models could become far more common for applications like extreme weather prediction or planning around renewable energy sources like solar and wind.
In the days leading up to December 25, it's a question that many parents will repeatedly hear  is Father Christmas real?

Last week an academic waded in on the matter with the controversial claim that the jolly gift giver is a 'preposterous lie'.

But now another expert insists parents should tell kids that Santa exists because it makes Christmas better and encourages a dose of 'healthy suspicion'.

In an article for the Conversation, Tom Whyman, lecturer in philosophy at the University of Liverpool, argues that 'kids need Santa'.

'Without that sweet embellishment, there would be no ritual of writing to him, of leaving out sherry and mince pies, of waiting desperately to see if hes been on Christmas morning,' he says.

'Without the Santa myth, what would Christmas for the average child even be?

'An arbitrary date when they are finally allowed to play with presents their parents maybe bought months in advance  what would be the point?'

Dr Whyman also questions the implications of being 'fully honest' with a child from a young age.

It's a question most of us have asked early in our lives - is Father Christmas real? A philosopher has waded in on the matter with the claim that the jolly gift giver is a 'preposterous lie'

'If I felt compelled to tell my children everything, I would pull no punches in relating the wretched state of the world, of existence, of my still-deepening resignation that nothing positive can be done about it,' Dr Whyman says.

'When you think back to your first experiences of Christmas, do you really think they would have been improved if your parents had been honest about Santa?'.

Meanwhile, Dr Joseph Millum, a senior lecturer in philosophy at the University of St Andrews, thinks parents shouldn't tell their children that Santa exists because it 'breaches trust'.

'In healthy parent-child relationships, children trust their parents,' Dr Millum said in his own piece for The Conversation.

'Young children may have absolute trust. Thats why a lie as preposterous as Santa can endure for so long, even in otherwise sceptical children.'

Throughout the year, parents often use the threat of Santa not leaving any presents at Christmas as a tactic to get kids to behave, according to Dr Millum.

But the academic calls this 'manipulative', adding that 'deception is wrong because it breaches trust'  a belief shared by many philosophers.

'Of course, young children dont have the capacity to make important decisions for themselves, but still, telling children lies to make them behave is manipulative,' he says.

Santa Claus is based on St. Nicholas of Myra, who, according to Christian tradition, was a bishop in that small Roman town during the 4th century AD. This image shows a 13th-century depiction of Saint Nicholas from Saint Catherine's Monastery in Sinai, Egypt

St Nicholas: The original Santa Claus St Nicholas was Bishop of Myrna in what is now Turkey in the 4th century. He was known for his secret gift giving, such as putting coins into the shoes of people who left them out for him. This practice is still celebrated on his national feast day, December 6. The bishop was popularized in 6th century Europe as Father Christmas, who secretly gave gifts to young children. Young Dutch arrivals to the US called Saint Nicholas 'Sinterklaas', which later became Santa Claus. In modern depictions, he's shown as a portly old bearded man dressed in red and white. It's an urban myth that CocaCola created the legend of Santa Claus, as is the rumour that CocaCola made Santa red. Before CocaCola was invented in 1886, Santa had appeared in many illustrations and books wearing a scarlet coat. Advertisement

'It stops them from deciding for the right reasons. This includes telling a child that they wont get Christmas presents unless they are good.'

Dr Millum adds that there is 'no solid evidence' that believing in Santa is important for enjoying Christmas when you are a child, contending what Dr Whyman says.

Overall, parents shouldnt be overly worried about any psychological repercussions of believing in Santa, according to Jared Piazza, lecturer in moral psychology at Lancaster University.

'Children continually take stock of what those around them believe  and actively assess the uniformity of such beliefs to reach conclusions,' he previously said.

Santa Claus is based on St. Nicholas of Myra, who, according to Christian tradition, was a bishop in that small Roman town during the 4th century AD.

He is tracked every year on Christmas Eve by the US military, while a recent study even worked out the carbon footprint of his journey.

Another festive study found his sleigh could fly even without magic, albeit with a few technological adaptations.

According to a study published last year, the average age when disbelieving about Santa begins is eight years old, but most kids intend to celebrate Santa with their own children later in life.

In an attempt to find out the truth, young internet users have been turning to Google Search by typing 'does Santa exist?'

Last year, Jake Moore, tech expert and security advisor at ESET, said his daughter Googled the big question 'is Father Christmas real?' and was dismayed by the results

But last Christmas, Google was slammed for giving the Scrooge-worthy reply: 'There is no man in the sky riding a sleigh pulled by reindeers'.

The top response was a blog post by Hotel Chocolat, which said 'there is no man in the sky riding a sleigh pulled by reindeers', although it acknowledged Santa Claus 'isn't a completely made-up person'.

Since the outrage, Google Search appears to have tweaked its algorithm to be more in-keeping with the festive spirit.

Now searching the words 'is Santa real' leads to a post by Parade.com showing as the top result, which reads: 'According to historical records, Santa is real.'

According to a 2019 report by Exam Paper Plus, 1.1 million children are told on Google Search that Saint Nick is a fictitious character.

However, it found smart assistants such as Google Assistant and Amazon Alexa are more considerate and creative when it comes to their responses to the query, neither confirming nor denying the truth.
The UK has so far successfully fought off invasion by the Asian hornet - thanks to vigilant members of the public.

A new study has shown that although the UK has suitable climate and habitat for the yellow-legged hornet, also known as the Asian hornet, effective action has prevented this voracious predator of pollinators from establishing here.

The invasive non-native species, which can kill 50 bees a day, has devastated honeybee colonies in France and Italy.

It arrived in France in a container of pottery from China about 20 years ago, then spread rapidly across the continent, and was first seen in the UK in 2016.

There have been regular sightings in the UK including 44 confirmed so far this year, mostly in Kent and East Sussex, but the National Bee Unit responds rapidly to reports, destroying the insects and nests found.

The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) has led a study to assess the environmental suitability of European countries for establishment and spread of the yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina).

This work was the first to consider the potential extent of invasion by this species that would have occurred in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands if rapid eradication had not taken place.

The EU-funded study, published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, found that over 1,500km2 in the UK would have been colonised by 2020 without action to tackle the invasive non-native species.

Asian hornets were first introduced to the UK in 2016 but began to spread far more aggressively in recent years. But experts say the UK has so far successfully fought off invasion by the Asian hornet - thanks to vigilant members of the public

An immediately identifiable feature of the Asian Hornet is its bright yellow leg tips compared to the European's brown legs

Lead author Dr Richard Hassall of UKCEH explains: 'No significant spread has yet been reported in UK.

'While there has been recent establishment in Germany and the Netherlands, our predictions suggest that the attempts to tackle the yellow-legged hornet in these countries have so far been successful in limiting its spread.

'This is due to the fantastic efforts by vigilant members of the public who report suspected sightings of yellow-legged hornets, then rapid action by the authorities to locate and eradicate the insects and nests found.

'Significant resources have gone into monitoring and slowing the spread of this invasive non-native species in the UK and parts of Europe, so it is encouraging to find these efforts appear to have been effective.'

UKCEH oversees the alert system for Britain which enables people to report potential sightings of a number of priority invasive non-native species.

The yellow-legged hornet is one such species and there are various ways that people can submit their reports.

The Asian Hornet Watch app has received around 12,500 reports of sightings from the public in the UK so far this year.

But only a fraction of these are confirmed as yellow-legged hornet, with most observations actually of the native European hornet or hoverflies and other insects that look similar to the yellow-legged hornet.

Britons have been urged to be on the lookout for invasive Asian hornets (pictured) as 25 sightings have already been reported this year

The Asian hornet has recently been renamed the yellow-legged hornet in part to aid correct identification.

In addition to checking the guides on the app and online, the public is asked to submit a clear photograph with their recorded sightings to help experts quickly identify whether it is a yellow-legged hornet.

Professor Helen Roy of UKCEH and the University of Exeter, a co-author of the study, said: 'We are grateful to everyone who is helping to track the spread of the yellow-legged hornet.

'The contributions of volunteers to citizen science initiatives such as the Asian Hornet Watch app are inspiring.

'The yellow-legged hornet is a voracious predator and has caused notable losses of honeybees in parts of Europe, and we predict there would be major impacts to wild pollinators in the UK if it establishes here.'

Yellow-legged hornets were first introduced to the UK in 2016 but began to spread far more aggressively in recent years.

The species' activity has so far been largely in the South East of England, with Kent being the most affected.

However, they have also appeared in Sussex, Surrey, Hampshire and London, with isolated confirmed sightings across parts of South-West England and as far north as Yorkshire and Northumberland.

So far one hornet nest has already been identified and destroyed. Pictured, an Asian Hornet nest on a roadside cafe near Canterbury in May this year

Recent modelling shows that every part of the UK, with the exception of some areas in Scotland, has a habitable climate for these invasive insects.

That is particularly worrying since Asian hornets feed on our native pollinators like wasps and honey bees.

Each hornet nest can eat about 11 kilos of insects in a year and they prefer to predate social insects honey bees which have little defence against these fierce hunters.

The invasive species is often mistaken for the native and ecologically important European hornet.

'One of the easiest ways to identify them is by looking at their legs,' said Professor Helen Roy, an ecologist at UKCEH and the University of Exeter.

'Yellow-legged hornets have yellow and brown on their legs, whereas European hornets' legs are only brown.'

The Asian hornets are also smaller and more slender than their European counterparts and will appear orange when viewed from the front.

If you do see an insect you believe to be an Asian hornet, you are urged to report it via the Asian Hornet Watch app or online via UKCEH's online reporting form.

All sightings reported on the app are double-checked by UKCEH, but ensuring you only report genuine sightings helps resources be used more effectively.

Professor Roy adds: 'The vast amount of data we receive from citizen scientists is helping to develop the alert system and our experiences are proving useful for sharing with others in developing similar systems around the world.'
As the search for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's killer enters its sixth day, police are using cutting-edge technology to zero-in on his identity and whereabouts.

Artificial Intelligence, drones and DNA analysis are all playing a critical role in the ongoing manhunt for the 'brazen' assassin who shot Thompson, 50, in broad daylight Wednesday.

AI-powered facial recognition software is being used to analyze CCTV and other images of the killer from the days around the shooting and cross-reference them with NYPD databases of known individuals.

This database includes 'lawfully possessed arrest photos' which the AI compares to photo and video evidence from the investigation.

The department also has use of more than 100 drones for surveilling the more than 450-square-mile city.

And items collected from the crime scene are currently undergoing DNA analysis, as police believe they may have belonged to the gunman.

These technologies are already piecing together the events that took place before, during and after Thompson's murder, as officials revealed Monday they are questioning a man about the slaying.

New images released by the NYPD show the suspect wanted in connection with UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's shooting, captured by taxi dashcam footage

The NYPD is using AI-powered facial recognition software, drones and DNA analysis to catch the person of interest as the investigation enters its sixth day

Surveillance cameras recorded the shooter lying in wait outside the New York Hilton Midtown on West 54th Street around 6:45am on December 4.

The video then shows him locking in on his target, approaching Thompson, and firing a gun several times at his back at roughly 7:00am. The CEO was declared dead at the hospital.

While the NYPD cannot make an arrest based on facial recognition evidence alone, it is a valuable tool for narrowing down suspects. When used effectively, it can crack a case.

In 2019, the department's Facial Identification Section received 9,850 requests for comparison and identified 2,510 possible matches, according to the NYPD website.

That included possible matches in 68 murders, 66 rapes, 277 felony assaults, 386 robberies and 525 grand larcenies.

But this technology has its limitations.

'This man was wearing a mask, which could hinder facial recognition software because it recognizes points in the face and measures the distance between them,' Herman Weisberg, retired NYPD detective and current managing director at private investigations agency Sage Intelligence, told the New York Post.

The photo of the assassin smiling as he flirted with a worker at the Upper West Side hostel is the only image that shows him with his mask down.

Security camera footage captured the suspect smiling as he spoke with a worker in the Upper West Side hostel he was staying at

Cameras also spotted him standing at the counter of a Starbucks near the crime scene just before Thompson was attacked

But the angle of his head and the fact that he was still wearing a hood may interfere with AI analysis, according to experts.

What's more, 'the technology is there and fine in a controlled environment like a Las Vegas casino, but it's less effective on footage shot on a street in low light or bad weather,' Weisberg added.

But New York City is so densely surveilled that the police can gather video and photo evidence from practically any location.

'As far as trailing someone with a gray hoodie and a backpack on a bike, the cameras are so voluminous that if you miss him on one block, you can find him on the next and start canvassing there,' Weisberg said.

'It's painstaking, tedious work and not as easy as it looks... but the NYPD has become very good at utilizing the public's videos for a crime of this magnitude.'

Currently, officers are combing through more than 200 images of Thompson's suspected shooter, as AI facial recognition must be used in combination with human analysis and additional investigation.

'We had to go through lots of video evidence to get that one money shot with the mask down,' said police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.

Surveillance imagery isn't just used for facial recognition.

Videos that capture an assailant's behavior before, during and after a crime can also help law enforcement understand their background, motive and intent.

Moments before the assassination, security cameras caught the suspect walking down West 55th street

NYPD officers recovered the suspect's backpack in Central Park while searching for the murder weapon, but the pack only contained a jacket

For example, footage recorded during the shooting showed the gunman swiftly clearing a jam in his gun, then continuing to fire at Thompson.

This suggests the shooter must have had some training prior to the attack, Weisburg said.

'To have that clarity under that pressure means he kept a cool head and had ample training to clear jams, which every police and military person has and keeps in the back of their head.

'He's definitely done some training at a shooting range at the very least.'

After attacking Thompson, surveillance video showed the suspect running into an alleyway, getting on an electric bike and fleeing northward up Sixth Avenue toward Central Park.

The park's entrances and subway stations are fitted with security cameras, but there are many surveillance blind spots within the park, Jill Snider, a former NYPD officer who now serves as an adjunct lecturer at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, told Gothamist.

That's partly why the NYPD recently launched a drone patrol program that regularly surveils Central Park.

'The drones NYPD are using are highly sophisticated,' Snider said.

The NYPD recently launched a drone patrol program that regularly surveils Central Park, but the department has not confirmed whether these drones have been deployed in the search for Thompson's killer

Officers are still searching for the gun in the park, sending divers into the lake

The department has a team of 60 officers that operate more than 100 drones from the NYPD headquarters in Lower Manhattan.

The drones are equipped with high-resolution cameras and a 40-minute battery life.

These drones are used to respond to emergencies, 'including searches for missing people, alerts from gunshot detection systems, robberies and grand larcenies, and other crimes in progress,' New York City Mayor Eric Adams has said.

The NYPD has not explicitly confirmed whether they are being used to search for Thompson's killer.

Objects recovered at the scene of the crime have also become crucial evidence, especially those that bear traces of DNA.

Officers collected a water bottle, a protein bar wrapper and a Starbucks coffee cup, finding DNA on all of them.

These discarded items are believed to have been purchased by the shooter, but only DNA analysis will confirm that suspicion.

Similar to facial recognition, forensic DNA analysis compares a suspect's DNA to a database of DNA legally obtained from known individuals.

This is a highly effective strategy that officers use to identify an assailant, as DNA matching is estimated to be more than 99 percent accurate.

The latest timeline indicates the suspect's last known location was near the George Washington Bridge and the bus terminal there, which offers commuter service to New jersey and Greyhound routes to Philadelphia, Boston and Washington

The NYPD is still awaiting the results of the water bottle, wrapper and coffee cup's analysis. But these aren't the only items that caught officers' attention.

Police also collected live rounds and shell casings inscribed with the words 'deny,' 'defend' and 'depose' from the scene.

Recovering this ballistic evidence will not only help the NYPD identify the murder weapon, but also understand the killer's motive, as those three words could reference tactics insurance companies allegedly use to avoid paying claims.

Officers are searching Central Park for the weapon, but have not found it as of Monday. They did, however, recover what they believe to be the suspect's backpack in the park on Friday.

The pack contained a jacket, but not the gun.

Though the investigation is still ongoing, it has already revealed important information about the primary suspect's movements before and after the fatal attack.

Evidence suggests the person of interest traveled from Atlanta to New York City on a Greyhound bus on November 24. Greyhound and Atlanta police is cooperating with authorities on the investigation.

Shortly after arriving in New York, the suspect used a fake ID to check into the Upper West Side hostel, where he stayed for 10 days leading up to the shooting.

After gunning Thompson down and fleeing into Central Park, the suspect left the part at West 77th Street and Central Park West, still on the bicycle.

He passed another camera on 85th Street and Columbus Avenue, but by the time he reached 86th street, he no longer had the bike.

He entered a northbound taxi at 86th street and Amsterdam Avenue, and by 7:30am, he was near the George Washington Bridge and the bus terminal there.

This terminal offers commuter service to New jersey and Greyhound routes to Philadelphia, Boston and Washington.

On Saturday, Mayor Adams hinted that authorities may be getting closer to publicly identifying the suspect.

'The net is tightening and we're going to bring this person to justice,' Adams said.

'We don't want to release that now. If you do, you are basically giving a tip to the person we are find  we're seeking, and we do not want to give him an upper hand at all. Let him continue to believe he can hide behind the mask,' he added.

The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to the gunman's arrest and conviction  on top of a $10,000 reward offered by the NYPD.
The Vatican is set to open sacred portals for the first time in 25 years to uphold a Biblical tradition.

The opening of five Holy Doors, starting on Christmas Eve, marks the beginning of the 2025 Jubilee Year.

Jubilees have been celebrated every 25 years since Christians adopted the tradition in 1300 and this year's theme is 'Pilgrims of Hope'.

Pope Francis has invited Catholics to focus on hope as the world suffers from the impacts of war, the ongoing effects of COVID-19 pandemic and the climate crisis.

He also encourages Catholics to reconnect with God and renew their focus on their spiritual life. The opening of the Holy Doors symbolizes the doorway to salvation.

The doors are located at the basilicas of St Peter, St John Lateran, St Mary Major and St Paul Outside the Walls, which are all within a 30 minute drive of the Vatican in Italy.

For the first time, the Pope will also being opening on at the Rebibbia prison, Italy's largest correction facility, but as delivering a message of hope to prisoners.

Some of the churches are said to house remains of saints and are the oldest basilicas in the world.

The Catholic church began the ritual on December 2, praying at the door in St Peter's Basilica and removing a metal box that held a key, which was followed by ceremonies at the other four doors.

St Peter's is deemed one of the holiest sites of Christianity. Its construction started in the 4th century when Roman Emperor Constantine decides to build a basilica where the apostle had been buried

The Catholic church began the ritual on December 2, praying at the door in St Peter's Basilica and removing a metal box (pictured)that held a key, which was followed by ceremonies at the other four doors

The first Holy Door was opened in 1425, the archbasilica of St. John Lateran. This is the oldest church in Rome being built in 324 AD.

'I propose that in this Jubilee Year governments undertake initiatives aimed at restoring hope; forms of amnesty or pardon meant to help individuals regain confidence in themselves and in society; and programs of reintegration in the community,' shared Pope Francis.

The process of opening the four basilica doors involves removing the brick wall that covers each door from the inside of the basilica, followed by the Pope pushing the doors open to signal the beginning of the Holy Year.

When Jubilee finishes on January 6, 2026, the Pope will be the last person to walk through each of the four doors before closing them, which will then be bricked up and sealed.

The prison door is a hypothetical Holy Door. As the Pope will walk through the main door as 'a symbol of all the prisons dispersed throughout the world.'

Pope Boniface VIII was the first to Christianize the ceremony and later proclaimed it to be held every 100 years, but two years later Jubilee was changed to every 50 years.

It was not until 125 years after the first celebration the first Holy Door was opened in the archbasilica of St. John Lateran, the oldest public church in Rome being built in 324AD.

In 1474, Pope Paul II established Jubilee should be held every 25 years, which followed the tradition of opening all four basilica doors.

St Peter's, located in Rome, is deemed one of the holiest sites of Christianity.

Saint Peter the Apostle, originally named Simeon, or Simon, was a deciple of Jesus. He died in around 64 AD in Rome and was recognized in the early Christian church as the leader of the disciples.

The Basilica of Saint Paul is the second largest basilica after St Peter's and is believed to be the burial site of St Paul. It has been a pilgrimage destination since 300AD

The process involves removing the brick wall that covers the door (pictured inside St Peter's) from the inside of the basilica, followed by the Pope pushing the door open to signal the beginning of the Holy Year

The basilica of St Mary Major was tied to the Council of Ephesus of 431 AD, which proclaimed Mary Theotokos, which is Greek for 'Mother of God'

The basilica construction started in the 4th century when Roman Emperor Constantine decides to build a basilica where the apostle had been buried.

Constantine was the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity.

The basilica of St Mary Major was tied to the Council of Ephesus of 431 AD, which proclaimed Mary Theotokos, which is Greek for 'Mother of God.'

It is the largest of the 26 churches in Rome dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Constantine also ordered the construction of the basilica of St Paul, completing construction in 324, which is believed to house the remains of the Biblical figure.

This year is the first to a Holy Door in the Roman prison of Rebibbia, which will be seen as a 'symbol of all prisons in the world,' said Archbishop Rino Fisichella.




An archaeologist on a quest to find the long-lost tomb of Cleopatra VII has made a 'significant' discovery at a site believe to be queen's final resting place.

Kathleen Martinez, who has been searching for the tomb for nearly 20 years, uncovered a statue that may depict the true face of the queen who ruled 51 to 30 BC.

The white marble statue, which is just the head, features the likeness of a woman with a small nose, pouty lips and the hair braided around the head.

Martinez and her team also found 337 coins bearing the image of Cleopatra, along with an assortment of pottery, oil lamps, figurines and other artifacts at the Temple of Taposiris Magna.

The expert has long believed the queen's tomb has been hiding somewhere in the temple's ruins, which sit atop a 4,281-foot-long tunnel 43 feet underground.

Martinez believes Cleopatra's body was moved from the palace through the tunnel and buried at a secret location.

However, other archaeologists have suggested that the statue depicts another royal woman.

Critics of Martinez have also slammed her theory of the queen's burial, saying Cleopatra was laid to rest in the city of Alexandria, not 25 miles outside of it.

Archaeologists have uncovered a statue that may depict Cleopatra VII, the Egyptian Queen famous for her beauty and intelligence who ruled 51 to 30 BC

Cleopatra ruled from 51 BC to 30 BC - right up until the day she died. She was the queen of Egypt and the last and most famous of the Ptolemaic dynasty

This is another 'significant finding,' according to Mohamed Ismail Khaled, Secretary General of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities.

The Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities has said that discoveries at Taposiris Magna are crucial for improving experts' understanding of the architectural, cultural and ceremonial practices of the time.

In addition to the potential statue of Cleopatra, Martinez and her team also unearthed a limestone bust of a king adorned with the Nemes, the ceremonial headdress of the pharaohs.

Martinez led a team of Egyptian and Dominican archaeologists for this dig, conducted in collaboration with the National University Pedro Henriquez Urena,

The researchers discovered foundation deposits beneath the southern wall of the temple's outer enclosure, according to a statement.

The female statue was the most significant finding, some experts have questioned whether it actually depicts Cleopatra, as Martinez believes.

Others have pointed out differences in facial features between the statue and the ancient Queen, suggesting that it may depict a princess instead.

But this artifact isn't the only discovery that bears Cleopatra's resemblance.

Martinez and her team also found more than 300 coins, many of which are decorated with her image.

Other notable findings include a scarab-shaped amulet inscribed with the phrase 'The justice of Ra has shone,' a bronze ring dedicated to the goddess Hathor and ancient burial sites.

The statue and other artifacts - including coins engraved with Cleopatra's face as well as an assortment of pottery, oil lamps, figurines and more - were found at the Taposiris Magna temple complex 25 miles west of Alexandria

Martinez and her team also found more than 300 coins, many of which are decorated with Cleopatra's image

The researchers discovered a large cemetery containing 20 burial chambers, and a tomb with three chambers beneath the Taposiris Magna lighthouse.

Martinez discovered the tunnel in 2022, which was said to resemble the Tunnel of Eupalinos on the Greek island of Samos  revered as one of the most important engineering achievements of the Classical world.

Martinez told Heritage Key in 2022: 'If there's a oneper cent chance that the last queen of Egypt could be buried there, it is my duty to search for her.

'This is the first time that any archeologist has found tunnels, passages underground [and] inside the enclosure walls of the temple, so we have changed forever what they know about the architecture.'

The archaeologist believes that, after Mark Antony killed himself following his defeat to Caesar Augustus, also known as Octavian, Cleopatra put detailed plans in place for them both to be buried there, in echoes of the myth.

In addition, the mission found the remains of a Greek temple dating back to the fourth century BC. It was destroyed between the second century BC and the beginning of the AD era.

Martinez and her team also found 337 coins bearing the image of Cleopatra, along with an assortment of pottery, oil lamps, figurines and o ther artifacts at the Temple of Taposiris Magna

Martinez discovered the tunnel in 2022, which was said to resemble the Tunnel of Eupalinos on the Greek island of Samos  revered as one of the most important engineering achievements of the Classical world

That temple is connected to a complex underground tunnel system that stretches from Lake Mariout to the Mediterranean Sea.

Analysis of ceramic fragments uncovered by the dig also confirmed that the construction of the Taposiris Magna temple dates to the 1st century BC.

The temple's name means 'great tomb of Osiris,' suggesting it was dedicated to the god Osiris and his queen - the goddess Isis - who Cleopatra was believed to be a reincarnation of.

Today, Taposiris Magna is in ruins because the Egyptian coastline was battered by earthquakes over the centuries, causing parts of the temple to collapse and sink into the sea.

The site has been excavated multiple times, with the first dig dispatched by Napoleon in the early 19th century.

Martinez first began investigating the site in 2005, as she believes that Cleopatra may have been laid to rest there after her suicide in 30 BC.

She thinks that Cleopatras death was a ceremonial act - part of a ritual apotheosis, or the shedding of her mortal body to ascend to the states of a goddess.

If that were true, she would have been buried in a temple, most likely a temple erected in the name of Iris.

Over the last 20 years, Martinez has made numerous discoveries that strengthen experts' understanding of the Ptolemaic period, including skeletal remains, but she still has not found the ancient queen's tomb.
Archaeologists say they've found Tomb of St Nicholas who inspired the story of 'Santa Claus.'

They uncovered a six-foot-long limestone tomb with a raised lid and pitch roof buried up to six feet underground near the Church of Saint Nicholas in Turkey.

The sarcophagus was found within a two-story structure that borders the church's courtyard to the south.

Now the team is searching for an inscription on the sarcophagus, which could reveal the date and identity of the deceased.

'The fact that we have found a sarcophagus near the church, which is thought to house his tomb, may indicate that this is the sacred area we have been searching for,' said Associate Professor Ebru Fatma Findik from Hatay Mustafa Kemal University.

The tomb was found in the ruins of an ancient basilica submerged by rising sea levels in the Mediterranean during the Middle Ages.

Historical records have shown that shortly after, the Church of Saint Nicholas was built on top of the foundation to protect the saint's tomb.

But it was not until recently that archaeologists uncovered mosaic and stone flooring from the previous sanctuary that led them to St Nicholas' final resting place.

They uncovered a six-foot-long limestone tomb with a raised lid and pitch roof buried up to six feet underground near the Church of Saint Nicholas in Turkey

Its design features a raised lid and a pitched roof, consistent with other sarcophagi from the region

Stories about the holy figure, who lived between 270 and 343 AD, suggest he inherited money and gave it away to the poor, specifically three girls to save them from a life of prostitution.

However, these ideas are not presented in historical documents, only passed down in verbal stories.

Santa Claus is based on stories about St Nicholas who built a reputation for performing miracles and secretly giving gold to the needy.

The name Santa Claus evolved from Nick's Dutch nickname, Sinter Klaas, a shortened form of Sint Nikolaas, which is Dutch for Saint Nicholas.

'Currently, we can see the lid part of the sarcophagus and we have uncovered a small part of its trough. In the future, we will dig deeper and reveal it completely,' Fndk stated, according to Anadolu.

Records have shown that St Nicholas was buried at the church built in his name, but his body's exact whereabouts have always been a mystery.

The Byzantine church built over the foundation was a place of worship for Orthodox Christians between the 5th and 12th centuries and was surrounded by statues of St Nicholas.

It was also added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage sites in 1982.

St Nicholas, who lived between 270 and 343 AD, is most famous for inheriting money that he gave away to the poor and specifically the story about how he gifted three girls with bags of gold to save them from a life of prostitution

Archaeologists have long believed St Nicholas' tomb was hiding near the church in Turkey

The second church was found after researchers conducted electronic surveys under St Nicholas church, finding gaps between the floor and the ground.

Then, in 2022, the team announced they may have found the tomb, but were still working to remove the Byzantine church's flooring to not damage it.

Osman Eravsar, the head of the provincial cultural heritage preservation board in Antalya, told Demiroren News Agency that year: 'The first church was submerged with the rise of the Mediterranean Sea, and some centuries later, a new church was built above.

The Byzantine church (pictured) built over the ancient foundation was a place of worship for Orthodox Christians between the 5th and 12th centuries

Inside the Church of St Nicholas. Records have shown that St Nicholas was buried at the church built in his name, but his body's exact whereabouts have always been a mystery

'Now we have reached the remains of the first church and the floor on which Saint Nicholas stepped.

'The tiling of the floor of the first church, on which Saint Nicholas walked, has been unearthed.'

Records do show that St Nicholas was buried at the church built in his name, but his body's exact whereabouts had always been a mystery.

St Nicholas' bones were believed to have been smuggled to the Italian city of Bari by merchants in 1087.

But archaeologists are now suggesting the wrong bones were removed - and the ones that went to Italy belonged to an anonymous priest.

St Nicholas relics remain enshrined in the 11th-century basilica of San Nicola at Bari, though fragments have been acquired by churches around the world.
We all know how the hordes descend on Barcelona, Rome and Paris at whatever time of the year. But its perfectly possible to get that cultural fix with the crowds dialled down at lesser-known cities. Here are ten urban escapes that fit the bill...

BORDEAUX, FRANCE

A little gastronomy? Oui! Southwestern Bordeaux plates up fine food, big wines and more cultural sights  more than 350  than you can squeeze into a weekend. Its cheap to arrive, thanks to easyJet and Ryanair flights.

Enjoy grandiose architecture in the citys squares and the shopping boulevard Rue Sainte-Catherine is ideal for a spree. Need a photo to send to those back home? Head for La Grosse Cloche, Bordeauxs beloved 7,750kg city bell.

Dont miss: Drink in the knowledge at La Cite du Vin, a museum dedicated to Bordeauxs biggest export.

Book it: Three nights at the four-star Hotel de Seze and flights from 739pp B&B (kirkerholidays.com).

VALLETTA, MALTA

Small but mighty, the Maltese capital has historic sites in spades with St Johns Co-Cathedral and the 16th Century Grand Masters Palace among its landmarks. Malta also boasts an average of 300 sunny days a year.

Dont miss: A blast of modernity at City Gate, crafted by Italian architect Renzo Piano in 2011.

Book it: Doubles at five-star Iniala Harbour House Malta from 341 B&B (inialamalta.com); return London-Malta flights from 103 (kmmaltairlines.com).

ZURICH, SWITZERLAND

Dismiss Switzerlands largest city as a business destination at your peril (and also, dont let the suits have all the fun). This German-speaking metropolis, at the easy-on-the-eye spot where Lake Zurich bumps into Limmat River, serves up crowd-pleasing attractions such as the Lindt and Fifa museums and stunning architecture such as the university library. Who can resist bircher muesli for breakfast and Geschnetzeltes, veal with rosti potatoes, for dinner?

Dont miss: A little couture (window) shopping on swanky Bahnhofstrasse.

Book it: Doubles at the four-star 25 Hours Hotel from 168 (25hours-hotels.com); return flights to Zurich from 90 (ba.com).

CORK, IRELAND

Dubbed Irelands real capital, Cork hits just like Dublin when it comes to old pubs, galleries and exuberant sociability  only without the 24/7 tourist masses. Cork City Gaol offers a stark snapshot of what incarcerated Corkonians once faced, St Fin Barre Cathedral has gargoyles galore and the Franciscan Well Brewery celebrates the links with Irelands amber nectar.

Dont miss: A gourmet sausage from OFlynns at the citys 18th Century English Market.

Book it: Doubles at the Montenotte Hotel from 182 B&B (themontenottehotel.com); return flights to Cork from 124 (aerlingus.com).

THESSALONIKI, GREECE

Athens wins the tourist dollar but Greeces second city has much to shout about. Thessaloniki  where a shiny new, long-awaited 13-stop metro opened last week  is buzzy and beats its ancient sister hands down on gastronomy.

Dont miss: Climb the 96 steps of the stocky 15th Century White Tower for a 360-degree vista.

Book it: Three nights at the five-star Met Hotel from 469pp B&B including flights (olympicholidays.com).

SAN SEBASTIAN, SPAIN

How to win the late-in-the-year sun lottery and dine like royalty? Step up San Sebastian, the Basque regions gourmet show-stopper. Michelin-starred restaurants huddle around golden La Concha Bay but a simple San Miguel and pintxos  local tapas  is equally inviting. Those crowds? They are 70 minutes away in Bilbao, where you will fly into.

Dont miss: Take the 1912 cog funicular up to Mount Igueldo for bay views.

Book it: Doubles at five-star Nobu San Sebastian from 338 B&B (sansebastian.nobuhotels.com); return flights to Bilbao from 69 (vueling.com).

LJUBLJANA, SLOVENIA

Airfares to Slovenias photogenic capital tumble once summer bows out and Ljubljanas old town  easy to negotiate and where pedestrians rule  abounds with understated elegance. Cutting through it is the Ljubljanica river, crossed with ornate bridges, with Triple Bridge the pick of them. Cycle or walk along its banks or save your legs and book a boat tour.

Dont miss: The citys optimum vista is found if you ride the funicular up to 16th century hilltop Ljubljana Castle.

Book it: A four-day escorted tour including transfers and accommodation costs from 689pp B&B (untravelledpaths.com); return flights to Ljubljana from 51 (easyjet.com).

GHENT, BELGIUM

If you can easily access Kents ferry terminals, Ghent is a win city break. Bag a bargainous low-season sailing to Dunkirk and you are just over an hours drive from this Flemish beauty. Belgiums walkable oldest city is much less busy than Bruges but has similar appeal with cobbled streets, gabled houses, slim waterways and cosy pubs.

Dont miss: Time travel at 12th Century Gravensteen Castle, complete with moat, turrets and arrow slits.

Book it: Doubles at the five-star 1898 The Post from 249 (1898thepost.com); return Dover-to-Dunkirk crossings from 159 (dfds.com).

KRAKOW, POLAND

Much of the action in Polands one-time royal capital is focused on cafe-lined Rynek Glowny, one of Europes largest market squares. Home to the magnificent St Marys Basilica and Renaissance shopping mall, the Cloth Hall, its where you will head for a short, sharp espresso in the morning and a short, sharp wodka shot come nightfall.

Dont miss: A hot plate of pierogi, Krakows beloved stuffed dumplings.

Book it: Doubles at the five-star Hotel Copernicus from 150 (relaischateaux.com); return flights to Krakow from 32 (wizzair.com).

BRINDISI, ITALY

Ryanair jets into Brindisi all year round with the lions share of tourists driving off to see Puglias rural charms. Slow-paced and great value, Brindisi is made for idle wandering and lazy lunches. Get lost among ornate palazzos and churches, take a port-side stroll and give the day up to a plate of orecchiette pasta and a bottle of Primitivo.

Dont miss: The one surviving Roman column that marks the end of the ancient Appian Way.

Book it: Doubles at the four-star Grande Albergo Internazionale from 91 B&B (booking.com); return flights to Brindisi from 44 (ryanair.com).
Ready for the biggest family movie of the holiday season?

Sonic the Hedgehog is back on the big screen with another hair-raising adventure to unwrap just in time for Christmas.

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 sees the return of everyone's favourite blue hedgehog, along with his faithful sidekicks, Knuckles and Tails, as the dynamic trio experience their most thrilling adventure yet.

This time Team Sonic reunites against mysterious villain Shadow, who's been in a state of suspended animation for decades but is now about to be unleashed - and, yes, he wants revenge.

Shadow's impressive suite of superpowers - including teleportation and awesome strength - could not only defeat Sonic and his friends, but could put the planet's future in jeopardy.

Here are 5 things to love about Sonic's latest outing...

HELLO KEANU REEVES! A-LISTER JOINS ALL-STAR CAST

Hollywood star Keanu Reeves takes on the role of Shadow, a rogue alien who's been suspended in animation for 50 years - and is plotting revenge

The film sees Sonic once again perfectly brought to life by US actor and funnyman Ben Schwartz

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is once again led by an all-star cast - with fan favourite Ben Schwartz taking on the role of Sonic for a third time.

The US funnyman brings Sonic to life with his immaculate comic timing and extraordinary voice.

Elsewhere, British star Idris Elba is the vocal talent behind Knuckles and Colleen O'Shaughnessey voices Tails.

British star Idris Elba takes on the role of Knuckles in this exhilarating adventure

Sonic's adoptive parents Tom (James Marsden) and Maddie (Tika Sumpter) are also back in the third Sonic installment

There's a newbie in town too, as Hollywood legend Keanu Reeves joins the cast, taking on the role of Shadow.

Reeves has revealed it was an 'intense' experience bringing Shadow to life, saying he went on an 'internal journey' to get the emotion of the character just right.

And Sonic's adoptive parents, Tom and Maddie Wachowski, played by James Marsden and Tika Sumpter respectively, are also in the mix once more, guiding Sonic and his friends with their words of wisdom.

IT'S THE ULTIMATE FAMILY MOVIE - JUST IN TIME FOR CHRISTMAS

Team Sonic are back! Sonic, Knuckles and Tails face their biggest challenge yet as they face off with mysterious villain Shadow in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, released December 21

Released on December 21, just as school and work finally winds up for the holidays, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is the cinematic gift that will leave the whole family captivated.

Rated PG, this fun, adventure comedy presents the perfect excuse to take the kids - and the grandparents! - to your local cinema this Christmas.

There's exhilarating energy throughout, stacks of feel-good moments and wise-cracks galore that'll leave you chatting about it long after the credits have rolled.

So, whether you grew up playing Sonic the Hedgehog - guiding him over obstacles and picking up those famous gold rings - on your Sega console, or have a youngster discovering the anthropomorphic hero for the first time, this blockbuster promises fun on a supersonic level.

COME FOR THE FUNNIES - SONIC'S GENIUS COMEDY TIMING IS BACK

Allies? Sonic the Hedgehog 3 sees everyone's favourite blue hedgehog, voiced by Ben Schwartz, joining forces with Eggman, aka Doctor Robotnik, played by Jim Carrey, in a bid to defeat Shadow

Time to go supersonic: The blue anthropomorphic hero made famous by Sega for his faster than sound speed has to do everything he can to outwit his latest foe

Sonic's trademark quick wit has been ramped up to another level in his latest outing, with the trainer-wearing, video game jester serving up laugh-out-loud gags from beginning to end.

Even the trailer is packed with jokes.

And who's the butt of all his wisecracks? Well, everyone of course, from his besties Knuckles and Tails, to his adoptive parents, Maddie and Tom, as well as the bad guys he meets along the way.

Once thing's for sure, this is going to be one hilarious ride...

'DOUBLE YOUR VILLAIN, DOUBLE YOUR FUN! JIM CARREY PLAYS TWO ROBOTNIKS!

Fans will see double in Sonic the Hedgehog 3, as Jim Carrey takes on the roles of both Doctor Robotnik, and his grandfather Doctor Gerald Robotnik

Jim Carrey is back as Doctor Ivo Robotnik, Sonic's moustachioed nemesis - who the hedgehog dubs 'Eggman'.

In a jaw-dropping twist, this time around he's joined by an accomplice that even he didn't anticipate - his grandfather Doctor Gerald Robotnik.

He quickly gets used to his new partner in mischief though, exclaiming: 'Double your villain, double your fun!'

Fans watching in the cinema might think the family resemblance is a little too uncanny - and they'd be right, Carrey shaved his head so he could convincingly play both members of the Robotnik family.

Could Team Sonic and the Robotniks form an unlikely alliance to try and undo arch-rival Shadow?

SHOWTIME! A CGI MASTERPIECE - AND SOME VERY COOL LOCATIONS

Prepare to be thrilled! Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is a CGI-animated live-action film...and some of the world's most famous skylines, including London's, feature

Directed by Jeff Fowler, Sonic the Hedgehog 3 serves up a fast-paced visual extravaganza that'll leave those who see it this Christmas wide-eyed.

As a CGI-animated live-action sequel, the film blends animation and reality into one thrilling watch.

Fans will recognise real-life cities including Tokyo and London, in the movie. Keep your eyes peeled for Big Ben, Tower Bridge and a classic red London bus!

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 is in cinemas on December 21. Book your tickets now at SonicMovie.co.uk
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Cindy Crawford proved once again why shes the reigning supermodel icon, showing off her ageless beauty and killer physique as she hit the beaches of Cancun on Saturday.

At 58, the brunette bombshell defied time, frolicking in the surf with her husband Rande Gerber, and looking every bit the glowing goddess she is.

Rocking a slinky red bikini, the Fair Game actress flaunted her toned figure, accessorized with dark sunglasses and a sparkling bracelet, as she stepped into the turquoise Gulf waters like she owned them.

Her signature chestnut locks cascaded effortlessly around her shoulders as she playfully splashed in the surf, radiating relaxation on the sun-soaked shores.

Its no surprise shes living her best lifejust recently, Cindy was spotted enjoying a chic dinner date with her lookalike daughter Kaia Gerber at New Yorks famed Hotel Chelsea.

Cindy's bikini moment comes hot on the heels of some nostalgic throwback snaps she shared, showcasing her modeling days in iconic swimsuits from past photo shoots.

Cindy Crawford proved once again why shes the reigning supermodel icon, showing off her ageless beauty and killer physique as she hit the beaches of Cancun on Saturday

At 58, the brunette bombshell defied time, frolicking in the surf with her husband Rande Gerber , and looking every bit the glowing goddess she is

The mother of two, who shot to fame in the 1980s, turned back time as she posted a jaw-dropping pic of herself in a fitted, yellow one-piece from 1990proving that some looks never go out of style.

Cindy also gave fans a peek at her 1993 swimsuit calendar, including a shot of her rocking a sculpting white one-piece adorned with a heart-shaped American flag on the front.

The supermodel stunned in an eye-catching red swimsuit and a black-and-white shot that captured her running on the beach in a playful polka dot bikini.

And because shes Cindy Crawford, naturally she followed up with a sultry brown one-piece with a bold cutout that showed off her enviable midriff.

Cindy then wrapped up her nostalgic swimwear journey with snaps of her modeling a shimmering blue bathing suit and a classic black one, all while basking in the sunshine.

Her legendary career began in the 80s, quickly cementing her status as one of the original supermodels.

In a recent interview with The Cut, Cindy opened up about the term 'supermodel,' admitting she never really defined it.

'I remember when I first heard that phrase and I thought it was so silly,' she confessed.

Rocking a slinky red bikini, the Fair Game actress flaunted her toned figure, accessorized with dark sunglasses and a sparkling bracelet, as she stepped into the turquoise Gulf waters like she owned them

Her signature chestnut locks cascaded effortlessly around her shoulders

Cindy playfully splashed in the surf, radiating relaxation on the sun-soaked shores

Its no surprise shes living her best lifejust recently, Cindy was spotted enjoying a chic dinner date with her lookalike daughter Kaia Gerber at New Yorks famed Hotel Chelsea

'It was unique in the 80s and 90s. We didnt have social media; we were just two-dimensional images on the covers of magazines.'

In 1990, Cindy graced the pages of British Vogue alongside other trailblazing models like Christy Turlington, Linda Evangelista, Naomi Campbell, and Tatjana Patitz.

She strutted the runway for top brands like Chanel and graced the covers of Vogue, Elle, and Harpers Bazaar.

And lets not forget those Pepsi commercials.

In fact, Cindys reach extended beyond modeling. In 1992, she released the Shape Your Body workout video, a cult classic that has not been forgotten.

Fast forward to today, and shes still killing iteven though, as she told W Magazine, 'Im aware that I dont look the same as I did when I was 25, but I bring experience and confidence in front of the camera that I didnt have then.'

Its not just her modeling career thats going strongher kids, Kaia and Presley, are now following in her supermodel footsteps.

Kaias already walked for the likes of Miu Miu, Fendi, and Moschino, and she recently starred in the period comedy Palm Royale alongside Kristen Wiig, Laura Dern, and Carol Burnett.

Cindy's bikini moment comes hot on the heels of some nostalgic throwback snaps she shared , showcasing her modeling days in iconic swimsuits from past photo shoots

Cindy's legendary career began in the 80s, quickly cementing her status as one of the original supermodels

In 1992, she released the Shape Your Body workout video, a cult classic that has not been forgotten

Its not just her modeling career thats going strongher kids, Kaia and Presley, are now following in her supermodel footsteps

Kaias already walked for the likes of Miu Miu, Fendi, and Moschino, and she recently starred in the period comedy Palm Royale alongside Kristen Wiig, Laura Dern, and Carol Burnett

Cindy and Rande enjoyed the sun-soaked escape

And Cindys still got her finger on the pulse of beautyher brand Meaningful Beauty is still going strong after nearly 20 years, providing skincare and haircare products to a global audience

And Cindys still got her finger on the pulse of beautyher brand Meaningful Beauty is still going strong after nearly 20 years, providing skincare and haircare products to a global audience.

In fact, Cindy even launched a haircare line in 2021, inspired by the hair she used to have (and now wants back).

'I look at my daughter and notice that her hair is shiny and healthy lookingshe has my old hair, and I want it back!' she explained to InStyle.

From supermodel to business mogul, shes still living her best lifeshowing us all that age is truly just a number.
Australia's most sexually active woman Annie Knight has hit back at critics after she came under fire from fans for sharing a seemingly innocuous post, calling the criticism 'unfair'.

Annie, 26, took to social on Sunday, to share a clip that showed her getting into the Christmas spirit.

In the video the OnlyFans star is in a shopping centre, where she stops two teenage girls.

'So Christmas is coming up and I'm trying to go around and surprise people and get them anything they want from the store,' she explained in the video.

The shocked shoppers, who were keen to purchase some new perfume, then asked Annie if she was serious.

Annie said she was, before informing the girls they could choose anything up to $500 value each.

Australia's most sexually active woman Annie Knight has come under fire from fans after sharing a seemingly innocuous post

Annie, 26, took to social on Sunday, to share a clip that showed her getting into the Christmas spirit, offering to by presents for two teenaged shoppers

'My mum is going to be mad that I spent money so i'll have to explain it to her,' one of the shoppers laughed.

As they stood at the counter with their purchases one of the shoppers offered their heartfelt thanks to Annie.

'We're actually so grateful right now,' she said to which Annie replied: 'Oh, you're so welcome, this makes me so happy.'

The video ended with Annie giving the two surprised shoppers a hug.

'These girls are so sweet,' Annie captioned the clip. 'I hope they have the best Christmas.'

However, not everyone was happy that Annie, whose fame is centred around creating adult content, featured children in the video.

'Mixed feelings,' one fan wrote. 'Kind of you to do that but they WILL learn who you are and what your claim to fame is.

'Their parents will have a difficult conversation with them. So how can they look up to you?'

The shocked shoppers then asked Annie if she was serious to which the sex worker replied in the affirmative, informing the youngsters that they could choose anything up to $500 each

However, not everyone was happy that Annie, whose fame is centred around creating adult content, featured children in the video

Another chimed in, claiming that Annie was only using the teens in the video for 'clout'

'This would be nice if you weren't using it for clout,' they said. 'Keep kids off your platforms.'

Another went further, suggesting that Annie appearing with young girls in the video was 'unsettling'.

'This is so unsettling. Preying on young boys, then spending your earnings on underage girls. You should be banned from interacting with kids,' the follower commented.

'If only these young girls knew,' yet another chimed in, referring to Annie's line of work. 'This is wrong.'

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Annie hit back at the negative comments revealing that she asked the two year for their permission to be in the clip, to which they both consented.

She added that she believed the criticism was unfair and based on biased opinions about her.

'I was just trying to do something nice at Christmas,' Annie said. 'But because people have a preconceived idea of who I am, and that I'm some sort of predator, they have a negative reaction to this, which is unfair,' she said.

'Mixed feelings,' one fan wrote. 'Kind of you to do that but they WILL learn who you are and what your claim to fame is'

'This would be nice if you weren't using it for clout,' they said. 'Keep kids off your platforms,' another follower wrote.

Annie added that she was unperturbed by the criticism.

'I think people are always going to hate, so i just let them hate, and I'm going to keep doing me ,' Annie said.

It wasn't all negativity however, with many jumping in to the comments to praise Annie for her Yuletide generosity.

'Okayyyy why am I crying? This is so damn sweet. You can tell they were genuinely grateful,' one fan wrote.

Another jumped in with a similar: Super wholesome!! Love this Annie. Wishing you and ur family a safe and happy Christmas.

Annie, who recently realised her goal of sleeping with 600 men in a year, broke her silence on being 'deported' from Fiji over filming X-rated content with fellow OnlyFans star Bonnie Blue during Schoolies Week in November.

The Fijian authorities claimed the sex workers had been declared prohibited immigrants, but Annie has set the record straight.

Speaking on The Kyle and Jackie O Show on Thursday, Annie claimed she was not deported and left Fiji of her own accord.

Annie, better known as 'Australia's Most Sexually Active Woman', shared: 'I want to clear something up, I actually didn't get deported.

'What happened was Bonnie and I were about to go for a photo shoot when our publicist called us.

'She was like, "Are you guys okay?" And we're like, "Why?" And she's like, "Oh, well, I've just seen a news article so that the police are coming to get you to arrest you and deport you".

'So, she's like, "Pack up your stuff, head to the airport and book a flight and maybe just leave now".'

Annie described the incident as 'scary' and said she and Bonnie had both packed their bags and fled the hotel within 10 minutes, before booking flights at the airport.
Weekend Sunrise host Matt Doran engaged in a hilarious prank during his final day on air on Sunday.

The breakfast host, 41, took on the role of a roving reporter before signing off for the final time and explored various areas of the studio as Mark Beretta and Monique Wright hosted the show.

At one point, Matt manned the autocue station as his colleagues were talking directly to camera.

'Matt is here and to be honest, were a little overwhelmed. This is a moment in history. How do you farewell such a living legend and absolute master?' Monique read aloud as another camera showed Matt furiously typing on the autocue machine.

'Hes so handsome - oh, I see, hes writing this. Hes clearly superior to me as a journalist. I cant adequately communicate it in words.'

'In fact, Im feeling compelled to dance. Hit it, maestro!' she said, before the studio erupted into giggles.

Weekend Sunrise host Matt Doran (pictured) engaged in a hilarious prank during his final day on air on Sunday

In his final episode, Matt took on the role of a roving reporter, exploring various areas of the studio as Mark Beretta and Wright anchored the show. At one point, Matt manned the autocue station as his colleagues were talking directly to camera

Doran called time on his five years at Weekend Sunrise.

He made the emotional announcement live on air at the end of the show late last month.

The Seven star recently opened up about his struggles with depression on The Morning Show.

He said he will be taking time to focus on family and to pursue other opportunities.

'Before we go today, a bit of breaking news from the Doran household,' the host began.

'I want to share with you a decision I've made, with my beautiful wife Kendall - and of course in earnest consultation with our beloved Italian greyhound Murphy - and this is, after five years at Weekend Sunrise, I will be finishing up at the end of the year,' he said.

'This is something I've agonised over because it's honest to say this is one of the best jobs on earth, but we think it's right and at the right time - for our little family.

'While I'm sad, and I'm doing everything possible presently not to look Monique in the eye, where I am right now is honestly a place of incredible gratitude for the laughs, the lessons, the tears.

'Matt is here and to be honest, were a little overwhelmed. This is a moment in history. How do you farewell such a living legend and absolute master?' Monique read aloud as another camera showed Matt furiously typing on the autocue machine

'Hes so handsome - oh, I see, hes writing this. Hes clearly superior to me as a journalist. I cant adequately communicate it in words. In fact, Im feeling compelled to dance. Hit it, maestro!' she said, before the studio erupted into giggles

'It is my unshakeable belief this role - specifically, being entrusted with the telling of people's most intimate, most personal stories - is one of the more privileged positions on the planet.'

The breakfast show host broke down in tears speaking about his friendship with his closest colleague.

'Mon, you are not just a colleague, you are my best friend and I am going to miss you, any chance of a hug?' he said.

In September - when Matt appeared on Morning Sunrise to spruik his latest book, Mental State, on Australia's mental healthcare system - he bravely opened up about his own struggles with depression.

'Are we getting better, do you think, Doctor, at putting our hand up like you did and saying, "I've got a problem with anxiety"?' Matt asked Dr Cross.

'I've had huge problems with depression over the last couple of years, too, but people, I think, are still frightened to come forward and say that.'

'It's amazing you say that the more we talk about it the better it is,' Dr Cross said, commending Matt for speaking so openly about his depression on television.

Matt has sparked concerns in recent years after he mysteriously disappeared from work on two separate occasions.

Doran called time on his five years at Weekend Sunrise. He made the emotional announcement live on air at the end of the show late last month

In June, he failed to arrive to the Seven studios for work on Weekend Sunrise.

He was replaced by news reporter Chris Reason who returned to host the breakfast show alongside Monique on Saturday, June 8.

A network spokesperson told Daily Mail Australia at the time that Matt was 'on leave'.

A major Channel Seven star has been tipped to replace Doran, after his shock on-air resignation.

Seven's US Correspondent David Woiwod, who is based in Los Angeles, is likely to step into the co-hosting role opposite Monique Wright, according to news.com.au.
Pete Wicks has hailed Jowita Przysta as a 'friend for life' in a new Instagram post.

The TOWIE star, 36, was voted off Strictly Come Dancing alongside his professional partner in Sunday night's results show after the semi-finals and had nothing but good things to say.

Pete, who has been surrounded by rumours about a possible romance with Jowita, wrote: 'This experience wouldnt have been anything without Jowita. She believed in me since the first day and never stopped.

'She supported me, listened to me, made me laugh and cry but most of all she made me believe in myself when I didnt think I could do it.

'We did everything our way, and for me that was the right way. Im so sorry that I couldnt get you to a final, I tried my best and you deserve to be there. The show may have ended for us but one thing wont, you will always have a friend in me.

'You have become such a special person in my life and just because that wont continue on a ballroom floor doesnt mean it wont continue.

'Unfortunately for you, youve gained a friend for life. You will always be my dancing gnome.'

Pete Wicks has hailed Jowita Przysta as a 'friend for life' in a new Instagram post just hours after their Strictly exit

The TOWIE star, 36, was voted off Strictly alongside his professional partner in Sunday night's results show after the semi-finals and had nothing but good things to say

The reality star also noted that the 'only reason' he stayed on the show in the first place was because of his loyal fans as he insisted he 'tried [his] best' throughout.

He said: 'The only reason I stayed in the show for so long is because of you, the people.

'You supported me throughout and that is something Ill never be able to forget and something I never expected.

'We went on this journey together, the ups and downs and with the right attitude, its about learning and its about entertaining.

'I tried my best from day 1 and I took the show seriously, I did what I could and I appreciate every single one of you that gave me the opportunity to keep doing that week on week.

'You dont always have to be the best or have the most talent, but you should never stop trying! Thank you.

Elsewhere in his reflective post, the TV favourite was keen to remind fans that the show is not exactly as fun as it comes across on screen and that there is hard work involved.

He added: 'The show isnt just what you see on a Saturday night, its not all jazz handa.

'There are an unbelievable amount of wonderful people that make it all happen.

'From top to bottom, the people that make the show are f**king magical.

He said: ''We went on this journey together, the ups and downs and with the right attitude, its about learning and its about entertaining.'

The television favourite took to Instagram just hours after their results show had aired (pictured during Saturday night's live show)

Elsewhere in his reflective post, the TV favourite was keen to remind fans that the show is not exactly as fun as it comes across on screen and that there is hard work involved

'Every department is full of people who care, who create and work so hard to make Strictly what it is. Thank you all for putting up with me for so long!'

Pete and Jowita had come up against Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec in the bottom two, and now the Love Island star will be vying for the Glitterball Trophy in next week's final.

They will be up against Miranda star Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola, comedian Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell, as well as JLS star JB Gill and Lauren Oakley.

Pete's exit from the competition could be perfect timing for the former TOWIE star, 36, who has told pals he would like to 'make it official' with Maura Higgins, 34.

Fans joked he now had time to catch the next flight out to see Australia to see his new love interest who was booted out of the I'm A Celeb camo this weekend.
Coleen Rooney has revealed the one thing that she was shocked by when she watched herself back on Im A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

The WAG, 38, who came in second place to Danny Jones during Sunday night's final reflected on her time in the jungle on ITV's Unpacked.

Speaking with hosts Joel Dommett as well as Kemi Rodgers and Sam Thompson, Coleen admitted that she was left surprised at her appearance.

She explained: 'I got a shock when I saw myself on camera and thought I was so shiny!'

Despite her thoughts, Coleen has been receiving praise for her glowing complexion and has sparked speculation from fans as to how she's managed to achieve it.

During her time in the jungle she was also seen maintaining her exercise routine, Coleen added: 'I managed to do squats most of the way through but I missed a few towards the end when it got busy.'

Coleen Rooney has revealed the one thing that she was shocked by when she watched herself back on Im A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!

The WAG, 38, who came in second place to Danny Jones during Sunday night's final reflected on her time in the jungle on ITV's Unpacked

Reflecting on her time in camp, she continued: 'Doing chores comes naturally to me, I can't be bothered with moaning, when I job needs doing I just do it. I had to stick to my chores but I just like to get on with it but I've learnt to be patient.

'I would think the public knows the real Coleen being on screen all day. Obviously its not in my home environment but it does test you.

'So if I was going to break and snap it would be in there, that was one of the things I was surprised at that I didn't do. Wayne warned me before and said: "Don't take off in there".

'I didn't think I would make it that far, I was ready to go a week ago, i had my bag packed every morning with everything and then I would go back and unpack.

'I think that people vote meant a lot, i have celebrated a lot of people in my life, so for people to celebrate me felt special.

'It came round really quick, saying yes to the show, I was busy organising everything before i came, it was until I was in there that I thought, "What am I doing?"

'Day three the headache set in and I was surrounded by a lot of big personalities and I thought, "How am I going to survive in here?" But it got easier.

'I'm glad I chose this year, previous years there was a few tricky characters in there.'

She explained: 'I got a shock when I saw myself on camera and thought I was so shiny!'

Coleen's beauty secrets have been revealed amid praise from viewers over her faultless skin in camp with sources saying she had been taking hair, skin, and nails supplements

Coleen's beauty secrets have been revealed amid praise from viewers over her faultless skin in camp.

Production sources revealed the WAG had been taking hair, skin, and nails supplements every single day during her time in the jungle made by UK company Applied Nutrition - a brand she's invested in.

The products are packed with collagen, biotin, and zinc, which are said to be Coleen's secret weapon for maintaining her radiant look.

The source explained: 'People keep asking how Coleen manages to look so fresh after a week of bush tucker trials.

'She's been taking these capsules every day for quite some time now, so it wouldn't be surprising if she brought them into the jungle with her. 'Even after the toughest challenges, her skin is glowing. It's her little secret, and it's making all the difference!'
Azealia Banks sent a cease and desist letter to Matty Healy after he sent her a threatening tweet amid their online feud.

On Sunday, Banks shared a copy of the cease and desist letter, which was dated Saturday from Wallace J. Collins III in New York City, on her X, formerly Twitter, account.

In the legal document, the rapper, 33, demanded he immediately cease and desist from making any further or defamatory statements against her.

She also demanded the 1975 frontman, 35, make a prompt and public apology to her for his aggressive statements he tweeted on X earlier this week and has since deleted.

Via her lawyer, she also demanded he pay her $1 million after he said he wanted to 'f***ing slap her' when she made public remarks about him and his fiancee Gabbriette Bechtel amid their online feud.

The tense back-and-forth reportedly shocked and 'disappointed' his ex, Taylor Swift, a source exclusively told DailyMail.com on the same day.

Azealia Banks sent a ceast and desist letter to Matty Healy after he sent her a threatening tweet amid their online feud. On Sunday, Banks shared a copy of the cease and desist letter on X; pictured September in London

In the legal document, the rapper, 33, demanded he immediately cease and desist from making any further or defamatory statements against her. She also demanded he make a prompt and public apology to her for his aggressive statements he tweeted on X earlier this week and has since deleted; pictured June 2022 in Paris

The insider revealed that the nasty spat and his threat of physical violence helped the superstar 'reaffirm' why their relationship was never more than just a brief romance.

This comes after a tense social media exchange occurred between the musician on X after Healy reactivated his X account and went after Banks for tweeting about his bandmate George Daniel's fiancee  Charli XCX.

In response to Banks saying Charli XCX 'used to be soooo pretty,' Healy clapped back.

He tweeted: 'All the women you attack seem to be culturally relevant, attractive, divisive and NICE people. I think this makes you jealous cos you're so talented but everything else about you is a failure. Just rap bro.'

Banks replied to his insult by making a public remark about his fiancee in response to another tweet he had made in defense of the model.

Standing up for Bechtel, whom he started dating in September 2023, he ranted: 'And on that point if I see one little s*** bag twitter barista say ONE thing about my Gabi, EVER, I will use my mental illness to full affect and I will dox and f*** you up. Im so over pretending to have different standards online cos its "not real". Well, a f***in slap is.'

Banks tweeted an insult back and wrote that that he and his model fiancee 'both look like you share needles.'

She also wrote: 'The b**** look like Frankenstein to me.'

Via her lawyer, she also demanded The 1975 frontman, 35, pay her $1 million after he said he wanted to 'f***ing slap her' when she made public remarks about him and his fiancee Gabbriette Bechtel amid their online feud

This comes after a tense social media exchange occurred between the musician on X after Healy reactivated his X account and went after Banks for tweeting about his bandmate George Daniel's fiancee  Charli XCX. In response to Banks saying Charli XCX 'used to be soooo pretty,' Healy clapped back; pictured March in London

Banks replied to his insult by making a public remark about his fiancee in response to another tweet he had made in defense of the model. Banks tweeted an insult back and wrote that that he and his model fiancee 'both look like you share needles.' She also wrote: 'The b**** look like Frankenstein to me'

An enraged Healy then issues a wildly dramatic threat and tweeted: 'Talk to me like that Im not gonna side eye you at an awards do I'll f****** slap you so hard I'll get a Guinness world record for the highest a rat some b**** calls a wig has ever flown.'

Recognizing the inappropriate nature of his outburst, Healy then quickly backtracked and apologized after deleting the tweets.

'Nah I can't be saying I'm gonna hit a girl that's insane I'm sorry. You just can't keep being so mean about my mates and my mrs it's really hurtful gets me well defensive,' he wrote before going on to deactivate his X account again.

However, Banks was quick to save screenshots of his tweets and her lawyer wrote in her cease and desist letter that the demands are in response to Healy's 'threats of violence.'

'Your attacks against my client's professional reputation, your overt racial epithets and your most recent threats of physical violence against my client have been well-documented since you published them worldwide online,' Collins wrote.

He called Healy's actions 'wrongful, bad faith and malicious' and said they have 'seriously damaged and will continue to damage my client.'

An enraged Healy then issues a wildly dramatic threat and tweeted: 'Talk to me like that Im not gonna side eye you at an awards do I'll f****** slap you so hard I'll get a Guinness world record for the highest a rat some b**** calls a wig has ever flown.'

Recognizing the inappropriate nature of his outburst, Healy then quickly backtracked and apologized after deleting the tweets. However, Banks was quick to save screenshots of his tweets and her lawyer wrote in her cease and desist letter that the demands are in response to Healy's 'threats of violence'; pictured March 2017 in Paris

The letter continued: 'Your removal of the damaging attack posts and your acknowledgement that your reaction was inappropriate does not undo the damage, but rather constitutes evidence of an admission of guilt by you.'

He went on to note that he had drafted a summons and complaint per Banks request, but that 'I have usually found it beneficial for all parties to try to resolve such matters amicably without the need for court intervention.'

After Banks threatened to sue him over his threat of physical violence, he later took to The 1975s Reddit page to issue a groveling apology saying he had 'let himself down' and that he felt 'gross' for having 'acted violent'.

He wrote: 'What a bad day, I really let myself down. I have worked so hard to move past these impulsive self destructive and honestly quite volatile outbursts I have.

'I'm constantly making trouble for myself for no reason, I come back to social media after depressive episodes (which is NOT an excuse) because I often become sober, so as an addict when Im not using I pick up social media my new way of 'consuming' and changing how I feel. I just feel dreadful about how I acted violent  I think Azealia and all obvious flawed people all deep down have a heart and I hate that I have contributed to her mental fragility. She's a human.

'This cultural discourse has become so violent in general. I don't wanna act like I regret who I am or who have been. But Tbh at this point I feel gross even having said anything negative ever about anything  if its contributed to this culture.'
Jay Z has revealed he will sit down with Beyonce to explain a bombshell civil lawsuit which accuses the rapper of raping a 13-year-old girl with Sean Sean 'Diddy' Combs.

The couple, who were romantically linked around 1999 before the alleged incident took place, married in 2008 and share three children: Blue Ivy, 12, and twins Rumi and Sir, seven.

The accuser, who identifies herself as Jane Doe in the legal documents, claims the assault took place at a party after the the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards.

The lawsuit had initially been filed in New York's Southern District this past October against Combs, with a refiling on Sunday naming the rapper, 55, whose real name is Shawn Carter.

The woman accusing the rapper claims that the assault took place at an afterparty following the event, which took place September 7, 2000 at New York City's Radio City Music Hall.

Jay-Z issued a lengthy statement to Dailymail.com Sunday denying the claims made in the re-filed lawsuit. DailyMail.com has also reached out to Beyonce's representative for comment.

He referenced Beyonce in the emotionally charged response and said he was dismayed his children would have to hear about the allegations.

He said: 'My only heartbreak is for my family. My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people.

Jay Z has revealed he will sit down with Beyonce to explain a bombshell new civil lawsuit which accuses the rapper of raping a 13-year-old girl with Sean Sean 'Diddy' Combs. Diddy, Beyonce and Jay Z are pictured here together in 2004

The couple, who are understood to have met before the alleged incident, married in 2008 and share three children: Blue Ivy, 12, and twins Rumi and Sir, seven. The family are pictured in 2021

He continued: 'I mourn yet another loss of innocence. Children should not have to endure such at their young age. It is unfair to have to try to understand inexplicable degrees of malice meant to destroy families and human spirit.'

Jay Z insists the accusations are a shakedown and went on to make a blistering attack on the lawyer representing Jane Doe: 'My lawyer received a blackmail attempt, called a demand letter, from a 'lawyer' named Tony Buzbee,' he said. 'What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle.

'No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!'

The musician continued, 'These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree?

'These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case. This lawyer, who I have done a bit of research on, seems to have a pattern of these type of theatrics!'

The rap staple, whose hits include Empire State Of Mind, Big Pimpin' and Can I Get A, took personal aim at Buzbee, who has taken on more than 100 cases against Combs.

Jay-Z issued a lengthy statement Sunday denying the claims made in the re-filed lawsuit

'I have no idea how you have come to be such a deplorable human Mr. Buzbee, but I promise you I have seen your kind many times over,' Jay-Z said in his reply. 'I'm more than prepared to deal with your type. You claim to be a marine?! Marines are known for their valor, you have neither honor nor dignity.

'My heart and support goes out to true victims in the world, who have to watch how their life story is dressed in costume for profitability by this ambulance chaser in a cheap suit.'

Jay-Z said in his statement that Buzbee 'made a terrible error in judgement' in categorizing all celebrities as the same, referencing his own rise and New York City beginnings.

'I'm not from your world,' he said. 'I'm a young man who made it out of the project of Brooklyn. We don't play these types of games.

'We have very strict codes and honor. We protect children, you seem to exploit people for personal gain.'

Jay-Z wrapped up his statement in saying, 'Only your network of conspiracy theorists, fake physics, will believe the idiotic claims you have levied against me that, if not for the seriousness surrounding harm to kids, would be laughable.

'I look forward to showing you just how different I am.'

Buzbee, the lawyer bringing the action against Jay-Z, said 'the pleading speaks for itself. This is a very serious matter that will be litigated in court.'

Rapper Combs, known as 'Diddy,' has separately been charged with sex trafficking and racketeering.

Federal prosecutors allege that Combs, 55, sexually abused women and coerced them into drug-fueled sex parties using threats and violence.

He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and his criminal trial is currently slated to begin on May 5, 2025.

Combs has also faced a massive wave of suits promised by lawyers including Texas attorney Buzbee, who said in October that more than 100 alleged victims were planning legal action against him.
Olivia and Alex Bowen had an emotional day out with their son at Lapland UK on Sunday.

The Love Island star, 30, has two-year-old son Abel with husband Alex and they looked every bit the happy family as they attended the festive attraction over the weekend.

They had braved Storm Darragh - which is currently sweeping the UK - although it seemed worth it for the three of them.

But the reality star did admid that she broke down in tears several times over the course of the day as she watched her son embrace the Yuletide sprit.

She wrote on Instagram: ' Hands up if you cried 172929 times at @laplanduk today

'I dont know what I was expecting but every thought I had was truly blown out the water, the most magical place

Olivia and Alex Bowen had an emotional day out with their son at Lapland UK on Sunday as they prepared for Christmas

The Love Island star, 30, has two-year-old son Abel with husband Alex and the happy family attended the festive attraction over the weekend

'I will never forget the look on Abels face when he was about to meet Father Christmas

'Honestly, the way its set up, the amount of tiny little details, the costumes, the people, the productions - everything was so so magical - its the only way I can describe it!'

Olivia shared a carousel of pictures from the big day out, where she marvelled at how the little one was enjoying his time in the winter wonderland.

Another star braving the weather was Made In Chelsea's Binky Felstead, who has seven-year-old India with ex-partner Josh Patterson, as well as sons Wolfie, three, and Wilder, 20 months with her husband Max.

She wrote: 'Our 6th year at @laplanduk and I think it was the best yet!

'Our favourite christmassy day - never sure who loves the day more, me or the kids!!

'Friends have gone after seeing my posts over the years & always agree and say just how special it really is.'

The reality star, 34, concluded her cheery post by thanking Mr and Mrs Lapland for yet 'another incredible year' as she revealed that her children are in Sana's favour.

She said :''Honestly, the way its set up, the amount of tiny little details, the costumes, the people, the productions - everything was so so magical - its the only way I can describe it!'

Another star braving the weather was Made In Chelsea's Binky Felstead, who has seven-year-old India with ex-partner Josh Patterson, as well as sons Wolfie, three, and Wilder, 20 months with her husband Max

She wrote: 'Thank you Mr & Mrs Lapland for another incredible year in your magical forest & thank you Father Christmas for putting my babes on the Good List!

She wrote: 'Thank you Mr & Mrs Lapland for another incredible year in your magical forest & thank you Father Christmas for putting my babes on the Good List!

Lapland UK can cost 1,000 or more per family with celebrities and royalty among those queuing to see Santa in the middle of the Berkshire countryside, MailOnline revealed last year.

Britain's most exclusive festive grotto has the pricetag to match, with more than 100,000 people queuing virtually in March to grab tickets costing up to 179 each for Christmas 2023.

The Prince and Princess of Wales and their three children have been among the well-heeled visitors to the Whitmoor Forest site near Ascot - just 15 minutes drive from their home in the grounds of Windsor Castle.

The family run business has just announnced plans to launch a second location in the UK, expanding to Manchester. The new site is set to open its doors to the public for Christmas 2025.
Jay-Z has broken his silence after being accused of raping a 13-year-old girl with Sean 'Diddy' Combs in 2000.

The 55-year-old rapper, born Shawn Corey Carter, released a statement denying and condemning the allegations in the filing via the Roc Nation X account.

An updated complaint in a civil case against Combs alleges that Jay-Z and Combs raped the girl at an after party following the MTV Video Music Awards in September of 2000.

Jay-Z was added to the lawsuit which was originally filed as one of several anonymous complaints in October by Texas attorney Tony Buzbee.

Many of the lawsuits did not survive because the plaintiffs declined to have their identities unveiled. However, the judge said the then-13-year-old victim showed sufficient cause to continue with the lawsuit in anonymity.

In Jay-Z's statement, he slammed Buzbee, suggesting he was not a legitimate lawyer, and launched a slew of insults, calling him a 'deplorable human' and 'ambulance chaser in a cheap suit.'

Jay-Z broke his silence after being accused of raping a 13-year-old girl with Sean 'Diddy' Combs in 2000, according to an amended civil lawsuit. He is pictured July 2023 in New York City

The rapper added the allegations, which he said were 'so heinous in nature,' were all 'idiotic claims.'

In the letter, the Roc Nation founder began: 'My lawyer received a blackmail attempt, called a demand letter, from a "lawyer" named Tony Buzbee.'

He accused Buzbee of taking on the case for 'personal gain' and wrote: 'What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle.'

'No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion,' he continued. 'So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!'

'These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree? These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case,' he continued.

'This lawyer, who I have done a bit of research on, seems to have a pattern of these type of theatrics! I have no idea how you have come to be such a deplorable human Mr. Buzbee, but I promise you I have seen your kind many times over. I'm more than prepared to deal with your type,' he added.

'You claim to be a marine?! Marines are known for their valor, you have neither honor nor dignity'

The rapper then mentioned how it is 'unfair' that his family, particularly his eldest daughter Blue Ivy, will also be affected by the lawsuit. He also shares twins Rumi and Sir, seven, with Beyonce.

He was added to the amended lawsuit that was originally filed in October against Diddy; pictured in January 2020 in at the Pre-Grammy Gala

The 55-year-old rapper, born Shawn Corey Carter, released a statement denying and condemning the allegations in the filing via the Roc Nation X account

'My only heartbreak is for my family,' he wrote. 'My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people.

'I mourn yet another loss of innocence,' he wrote.

'Children should not have to endure such at their young age. It is unfair to have to try to understand inexplicable degrees of malice meant to destroy families and human spirit,' he added.

'My heart and support goes out to true victims in the world, who have to watch how their life story is dressed in costume for profitability by this ambulance chaser in a cheap suit.'

'You have made a terrible error in judgment thinking that all "celebrities" are the same. I'm not from your world,' he wrote.

'I'm a young man who made it out of the project of Brooklyn. We don't play these types of games. We have very strict codes and honor,' he continued.

Diddy, Beyonce and Jay Z are pictured here at a party in 2004

Carter is pictured here in 2000 in New York City

'We protect children, you seem to exploit people for personal gain. Only your network of conspiracy theorists, fake physics, will believe the idiotic claims you have levied against me that, if not for the seriousness surrounding harm to kids, would be laughable.'

He concluded his statement and wrote: 'I look forward to showing you just how different I am.'

On the same day, Combs also shared a statement via his legal representatives.

His legal representatives responded to the latest filing and stated: 'This amended complaint and the recent extortion lawsuit against Mr. Buzbee exposes his barrage of lawsuits against Mr. Combs for what they are: shameless publicity stunts, designed to extract payments from celebrities who fear having lies spread about them, just as lies have been spread about Mr. Combs.'

'As his legal team has said before, Mr. Combs has full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone -- man or woman, adult or minor,' Combs' representatives said in the statement.

Combs has separately been charged with sex trafficking and racketeering.

Federal prosecutors allege that Combs, 55, sexually abused women and coerced them into drug-fueled sex parties using threats and violence.

He has pleaded not guilty to all charges, and his criminal trial is currently slated to begin on May 5, 2025.

Combs has also faced a massive wave of suits promised by lawyers including Texas attorney Buzbee, who said in October that more than 100 alleged victims were planning legal action against him.

For all the latest updates on this story, listen to The Trial of Diddy - available wherever you get your podcasts now.
Tammy Hembrow jetted back into Brisbane Airport on Sunday as she returned from her honeymoon with her new husband Matt Zukowski.

The fitness influencer, 30 and her Love Island star husband, 29, were spotted arriving back in Australia after enjoying a romantic winter holiday in Lapland, Finland.

Tammy, who is usually dolled up and dressed to the nines, went makeup free for the flight as she pushed her luggage through the airport.

Despite regularly posing on Instagram, the influencer did appear shy when she noticed photographers and hid her face from the cameras.

She dressed casually in a tight white shirt that showed off her eye-popping assets, as well as black activewear leggings.

Tammy's new husband Matt was also casually dressed in a black T-shirt and pants, with a black cap worn backwards.

Tammy Hembrow jetted back into Brisbane on Sunday as she returned from her honeymoon with her new husband Matt Zukowski

Tammy, who is usually dolled up and dressed to the nines, went makeup free for the flight as she pushed her luggage through the airport

Later, Matt was spotted picking up some McDonald's before the newlyweds left for their home on the Gold Coast.

The pair personified wedded bliss last week as they shared snaps on social media from their wintery honeymoon.

The newlyweds documented their idyllic post-wedding vacation in Finland on Instagram.

Tammy and Matt didn't shy away from showing their affections for one another in their post as they packed on the PDA while soaking up the local sights.

During their stunning winter wonderland honeymoon, the couple cuddled up to one another and shared a kiss as the star-light sky and the Northern Lights could be seen behind them.

Holding his new bride around her waist, Matt bent down to lovingly kiss Tammy, who happily cosied up to her husband in the picture-perfect scene.

Another photograph gave an insight into their luxurious $1100-per-night accommodation as the view of the Northern Lights could be seen from their honeymoon digs.

The Northern Lights, also known as the aurora borealis, are a natural light display in the Earth's sky and can be seen in high-latitude regions.

She wore a tight white shirt that showed off her eye-popping assets, as well as black activewear leggings

Tammy's new husband Matt was also casually dressed in a black T-shirt and pants, with a black cap worn backwards

The best time to see the phenomena in Finland is from mid-September to early April, with Finnish Lapland being a popular viewing location.

'Honeymooning under the northern lights with my husband>>> an actual dream,' Tammy captioned the romantic images.

For their honeymoon, Tammy and Matt stayed at the stunning Aurora Collection Lapland Resort in Saariselka which is famed for views of the Northern Lights.

Clocking in at as much as $1100 per night, the resort offers 'Arctic scenery from the comfort of your own cabin', according to the website.

Tammy shared a glimpse at her cosy room in an Instagram Stories post on Friday, panning around to show off her snow-covered view.

'This place doesn't feel real,' Tammy gushed in her caption, while tagging the stunning resort.

Tammy tied the knot with Matt in a beautiful ceremony at Chateau Du Soleil in Byron Bay, surrounded by family and friends on November 23.

She looked stunning on her big day in a strapless ivory and blush pink gown that featured an elaborate tulle train and a corset bodice, highlighting her ample cleavage.

The newlyweds didn't shy away from showing their affections for one another in their latest social media posts as they packed on the PDA while standing in front of the Northern Lights

Tammy tied the knot with Matt in a beautiful ceremony at Chateau Du Soleil in Byron Bay, surrounded by family and friends

The blonde beauty completed her look with a long ivory veil and her hair was styled with long hair extensions in a half ponytail.

As the couple held hands while exchanging vows, Tammy became emotional and broke down in tears as they said 'I do'.

She was supported by her bridesmaids: her sisters Amy, 34, and Emilee, 32, along with her half-sister Ava Olympia and Starlette Thynne.

Tammy and Matt got engaged during a romantic trip to the Maldives in December last year following just three months of dating.

Tammy has been engaged twice before, the first time to influencer Reece Hawkins, who she shares her son Wolf and daughter Saskia with.

In November 2021, she then became engaged to restaurateur and former Ironman Matt Poole. The pair split in December 2022 and share their daughter Posy.
MBABANE -The 6th edition of the Dance Ignition was yet another remarkable event as attendees were left in awe from the moves displayed by the young performers.

Held at the Mbabane Theatre Club on Saturday, the event showcased the dedication and enthusiasm of the next generation of dancers. The Director of Talent and Motion Academy, Velile Dube expressed her unwavering commitment to empowering young people through dance and fostering a vibrant arts community in Eswatini. Since 2016, we have been training children all across Eswatini. We started with only four kids, but now we have over 100, Dube said.

This years event served as a culmination of the hard work put in by local dancers throughout the year. Dube emphasised the importance of dance as a powerful form of expression and cultural exchange, reflecting on the impressive growth of the academy. This particular edition is a testament to our dedication to promoting dance, she added. Tinyiko Chauke a performer from the National School of Arts shared her excitement about being on stage in Eswatini. It has been an amazing experience. I have been at the school for two years and every time we perform, it is a blast. This is actually my first time in Eswatini and the audience was fantastic. The screams were a validation of how much they enjoyed our moves, she said.

Chauke also expressed her delight in witnessing the performances of the younger dancers. I got to peek through the curtains during some of the little ones performances and they were just so adorable, she added with a smile.Local young performer Kitso Makgeledisa shared her initial nerves before taking the stage but highlighted how dancing helped calm her down. I was really nervous at first, especially when I saw all those people in the audience. I was scared of performing for them, but I just danced it all away and I did not mind the audience, she said.

Experience

Her experience resonated with many young performers proving that despite their nerves the joy of dancing ultimately prevailed. The event also drew the support of proud parents like Phindile Lukhele, who attended to watch her child perform. Talent and Motion are doing an exceptional job with the kids. Watching them master the art at such a tender age means they are destined for greatness, she said.Lukhele expressed gratitude to the choreographer for her dedication to the children. Every moment here was just too cute. Watching my four-year-old execute those moves really touched me. If they continue like this, they are surely going to take the world by storm, Lukhele said.

Another parent, Muzi Dlamini echoed similar sentiments stating that he has witnessed significant growth in his daughter who has been with the school for two years. She is definitely growing and I am very proud of her. This shows that the kids love what they are doing. Performing for so many people requires strength so big-ups to them, he said. The audience was treated to a surprise performance by Welcome Makova, a choreographer who joined the young girls on stage for a captivating dance titled God is Good.

This Hip-Hop-infused routine was well-received adding an extra layer of excitement to an already vibrant event. The 6th edition of Dance Ignition not only showcased the remarkable talents of young dancers but also highlighted the importance of community support and dedication to the arts. As the event concluded it was clear that the future of dance in Eswatini is bright with passionate young performers ready to take the stage and make their mark.
Brenda Song vamped it up in a plunging black dress while attending the 8th Astra Creative Arts, Film & TV Awards - which were held at the Taglyan Complex in Los Angeles on Sunday night.

The 36-year-old former child star's cocktail attire, selected by stylist Jordan Grossman, featured spaghetti straps and a flirty corseted bodice.

Brenda's highlighted brunette mane was middle parted and styled in waves.

Song's complexion was fully contoured with false lashes, defined brows, and a mauve pout for the Hollywood Critics Association ceremony.

The Blue Eye Samurai star got to cuddle adorable Petco-sponsored puppies on the red carpet alongside her castmate from The Last Showgirl, Kiernan Shipka.

The 25-year-old Mad Men alum and The Last Showgirl scribe Kate Gersten both donned black cocktail dresses to coordinate with Brenda.

Brenda Song vamped it up in a plunging black dress while attending the 8th Astra Creative Arts, Film & TV Awards - which were held at the Taglyan Complex in Los Angeles on Sunday night

Gia Coppola's indie drama shot in 18 days impressively managed to beat The Apprentice, Hundreds of Beavers, Late Night with the Devil, Strange Darling, and Thelma for the best indie film trophy.

In her acceptance speech, the 45-year-old screenwriter singled out the 'gorgeous human angels standing next to me' and the rest of the cast and crew for making The Last Showgirl 'as personal to them as it has always been to me.'

'[It's] a love letter to women, to working mothers, [and] especially to those of us who have been underestimated,' Kate - who penned the script in 2014 - gushed onstage.

'It's also for artists in it for the sheer passion of craft.'

Song portrays showgirl Mary-Anne who - like Kiernan's Jodie and Pamela Anderson's Shelly - must plan for her future when their Las Vegas revue abruptly closes after a 30-year run.

The Last Showgirl - hitting US theaters January 10 and UK theaters February 28 - currently has a 'certified fresh' 81% critic approval rating out of 58 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.

The highly-anticipated movie also features Jamie Lee Curtis, Billie Lourd, Dave Bautista, and Jason Schwartzman.

Earlier that same day, the Cali native attended a special SAG-AFTRA screening of The Last Showgirl moderated by Oscar-winning screenwriter Aaron Sorkin at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood.

On the personal front, Brenda has two sons - Dakota Song Culkin, 3; and Carson Song Culkin, nearly 2 - with fiance Macaulay Culkin, whom she met in 2017 on the Thailand set of Changeland.

The 36-year-old former child star's cocktail attire, selected by stylist Jordan Grossman, featured spaghetti straps and a flirty corseted bodice

Brenda's highlighted brunette mane was middle parted and styled in waves

Song's complexion was fully contoured with false lashes, defined brows, and a mauve pout for the Hollywood Critics Association ceremony

Co-star Kiernan Shipka, 25, also made a very stylish appearance in a semi-sheer black gown

The gorgeous gown showcased the stunner's sensational figure

The Blue Eye Samurai star got to cuddle adorable Petco-sponsored puppies on the red carpet alongside her cast mate Kiernan (R)

The duo beamed as they cuddled up together

Both actresses looked sensational in their gorgeous gowns

They flashed huge smiles and posed with their hands on their hips

The Mad Men alum (M) and The Last Showgirl scribe Kate Gersten (R) both donned black cocktail dresses to coordinate with Brenda

The trio beamed as they cosied up together for snaps

Gia Coppola's indie drama shot in 18 days impressively managed to beat The Apprentice, Hundreds of Beavers, Late Night with the Devil, Strange Darling, and Thelma for the best indie film trophy

In her acceptance speech, the 45-year-old screenwriter (M) singled out the 'gorgeous human angels standing next to me' and the rest of the cast and crew for making The Last Showgirl 'as personal to them as it has always been to me'

Kate - who penned the script in 2014 - gushed onstage: '[It's] a love letter to women, to working mothers, [and] especially to those of us who have been underestimated. It's also for artists in it for the sheer passion of craft'

Song portrays showgirl Mary-Anne who - like Kiernan's Jodie and Pamela Anderson's Shelly - must plan for her future when their Las Vegas revue abruptly closes after a 30-year run

The Last Showgirl - hitting US theaters January 10 and UK theaters February 28 - currently has a 'certified fresh' 81% critic approval rating out of 58 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes

The talented trio appeared to have a blast sitting together at the ceremony

Earlier that same day, the Cali native attended a special SAG-AFTRA screening of The Last Showgirl moderated by Aaron Sorkin (L) at the Pacific Design Center in West Hollywood

On the personal front, Brenda has two sons - Dakota Song Culkin, 3; and Carson Song Culkin, nearly 2 - with fiance Macaulay Culkin (L, pictured October 19)

The 8th Astra Creative Arts, Film & TV Awards were hosted by The Real alum Loni Love.

The 53-year-old comedian joked of her performance onstage: 'There's no way I could bomb harder than Joker 2!'

One of the biggest winners of the evening was Emilia Perez, but the only member of the cast or crew attending was actress Karla Sofia Gascon.

The Spanish 52-year-old - wearing a black caped cocktail dress - pulled double duty portraying Mexican cartel leader Juan 'Manitas' del Monte and Emilia Perez in the hit Netflix musical.

Karla accepted the trophies for game changer and best international feature (on behalf of director Jacques Audiard) as well as best original song and best original score (on behalf of composers Camille and Clement Ducol).

Another big winner was Wicked director Jon M. Chu, who took home the prizes for best picture as well as best director clad in a black suit sans necktie.

Quantum Leap star Ernie Hudson won best supporting actor in a broadcast network or cable drama series.

The 78-year-old Ghostbuster donned a blue suit with a golden-striped necktie and was supported at the industry event by his second wife of 39 years, Linda Kingsberg.

The 8th Astra Creative Arts, Film & TV Awards were hosted by The Real alum Loni Love

The 53-year-old comedian joked of her performance onstage: 'There's no way I could bomb harder than Joker 2!'

One of the biggest winners of the evening was Emilia Perez, but the only member of the cast or crew attending was actress Karla Sofia Gascon

The Spanish 52-year-old - wearing a black caped cocktail dress - pulled double duty portraying Mexican cartel leader Juan 'Manitas' del Monte and Emilia Perez in the hit Netflix musical

Karla accepted the trophies for game changer and best international feature (on behalf of director Jacques Audiard) as well as best original song and best original score (on behalf of composers Camille and Clement Ducol)

Another big winner was Wicked director Jon M. Chu, who took home the prizes for best picture as well as best director clad in a black suit sans necktie

Quantum Leap star Ernie Hudson won best supporting actor in a broadcast network or cable drama series

The 78-year-old Ghostbuster donned a blue suit with a golden-striped necktie and was supported at the industry event by his second wife of 39 years, Linda Kingsberg (R)

Saturday Night star Gabriel LaBelle - who played SNL creator Lorne Michaels in the movie - accepted the trophy for cast ensemble in a clingy brown suit and Oxfords sans socks

A Complete Unknown actress Monica Barbaro won the breakthrough performer award for her portrayal of real-life folk singer Joan Baez

The 34-year-old FUBAR star showed a hint of cleavage in a black strapless dress, featuring white blouse sleeves, which was selected by stylist Jeanann Williams

Jennifer Esposito won the filmmaker on the rise award for her helming her feature directorial debut Fresh Kills, which she mortgaged her own home in order to finance

The 51-year-old Blue Bloods alum - who was married to Bradley Cooper for five months - took the plunge in a black peplum dress, slingback heels, and sheer opera gloves

Friends alum Giovanni Ribisi suited up to be honored with the artisan breakthrough award for his feature cinematography debut, Strange Darling

Livening up the non-televised awards show were RuPaul's Drag Race #16 alums Mirage (L) and Hershii LiqCour-Jete (R), who accepted the reality competition series award on behalf of Mama Ru

The leggy drag queens - clad in embellished creations - joked that they 'finally won something' after they 'were the first two to go home'

A Complete Unknown actress Monica Barbaro won the breakthrough performer award for her portrayal of real-life folk singer Joan Baez.

The 34-year-old FUBAR star showed a hint of cleavage in a black strapless dress, featuring white blouse sleeves, which was selected by stylist Jeanann Williams.

Jennifer Esposito won the filmmaker on the rise award for her helming her feature directorial debut Fresh Kills, which she mortgaged her own home in order to finance.

The 51-year-old Blue Bloods alum - who was married to Bradley Cooper for five months - took the plunge in a black peplum dress, slingback heels, and sheer opera gloves.

Friends alum Giovanni Ribisi suited up to be honored with the artisan breakthrough award for his feature cinematography debut, Strange Darling.

Livening up the non-televised awards show were RuPaul's Drag Race #16 alums Hershii LiqCour-Jete and Mirage, who accepted the reality competition series award on behalf of Mama Ru.

The leggy drag queens - clad in embellished creations - joked that they 'finally won something' after they 'were the first two to go home.'
Samantha Armytage shocked fans when she and husband Richard Lavender split just weeks before their fourth anniversary, but insiders have claimed it was a long time coming.

Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed on Thursday that the TV presenter, 48, and her equestrian businessman husband, 61, had gone their separate ways.

Now some sources have revealed the biggest sign Armytage and her partner were breaking things off was her big from Seven to Nine, reported Yahoo Lifestyle on Monday.

'As soon as Sam announced she was leaving Seven for Nine and making a big TV comeback, we all started suspecting something had happened,' the insider said.

'Her main reason for initially quitting Sunrise was to be with him and settle down away from the industry.'

Armytage began co-hosting Seven Network's breakfast television program in 2013 alongside former co-anchor David 'Kochie' Koch.

Samantha Armytage, 48, (right) shocked fans when she and husband Richard Lavender, 61, (left) split just weeks before their fourth anniversary, but insiders have claimed it was a long time coming

However, she sensationally quit the show in 2021 and appeared to trade in her bustling showbusiness life for a quiet one with her husband Lavender in the country.

After appearing on Farmer Wants A Wife Australia for two seasons, Armytage jumped ship from Seven to Nine in October, snatching up gigs as fast as they were offered.

Armytage confirmed to Woman's Day in 2021 that her relationship with Lavender was part of the reason why she left Sunrise, saying she enjoyed their new life in Southern Highlands.

'[Farming] is in my blood. I'm back to where I began. This is sort of Act Two of my life,' she said at the time.

'I'm proud of myself that I made that jump into the complete unknown, because I didn't know what would come after that.

'I was newly married, so I had Rich to help me through, and I knew I wanted to be back in the country, so I jumped off the cliff.'

Now a source has claimed their split has been widely speculated about for months in the TV industry.

'Sam's been keeping the details pretty quiet but the impression everyone gets is she just wasn't ready to retire and give everything up yet, which is more likely to have caused tensions as Rich is notoriously private,' they said.

Some sources have revealed the biggest sign Armytage and her partner were breaking things off was her big from Seven to Nine, reported Yahoo Lifestyle on Monday

Armytage was seen for the first time on Sunday since her split from Lavender, looking downcast as she ran errands in Surry Hills without her wedding ring on.

The incoming Golden Bachelor host kept a low profile in dark sunglasses as she was spotted returning to her car.

Armytage and Lavender's separation was planned to be leaked to a Sydney newspaper on Friday, but sources confirmed the news to Daily Mail Australia in advance.

'Yes Richard and I have separated. All breakups are hard, but its somewhat lessened by the fact its amicable and we wish the best for each other,' Armytage then told media late Thursday evening.

'I appreciate you respecting our privacy. I wont be making any further comment.'

While the news just emerged publicly, it is understood Armytage's television presenter friends have been comforting the star behind the scenes for some time.

Armytage is no longer followed on Instagram by Lavender's two daughters, Sascha and Grace, although the former couple still follow each other.

Armytage started dating Lavender in April 2019, and they announced their engagement in June 2020, before tying the knot at his property in rural NSW six months later.

Daily Mail Australia exclusively revealed on Thursday that the TV presenter and her equestrian businessman husband had gone their separate ways

In a wedding photo, Armytage was seen holding hands with her new husband as they strolled across his Southern Highlands estate on New Year's Eve, shortly after saying 'I do'.

She captioned the heartwarming picture, which was taken after their wedding ceremony but before their reception: '11.58am on a Thursday. How lucky are we?'

The intimate ceremony only featured a small number of guests due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with Lavender's daughters believed to have attended.

Armytage also posted a photo from later in the evening, which showed the couple cuddling alongside the words: 'HNY from the Lav's.'

Amid her marriage breakdown, Armytage has also undergone a huge career change after stepping down from Channel Seven after 21 years with the network.

She has moved to rival network Nine and been signed up as the host of brand new reality dating show The Golden Bachelor.

The Golden Bachelor is a spin-off of The Bachelor series, but differs in that the contestants of the reality dating show are singletons in their 50s and 60s.

In her new position at Nine, she will also become a 'fill in' presenter on Today while regular hosts Karl Stefanovic and Sarah Abo go on leave over the summer.

Once the host of Seven's rival breakfast show Sunrise, Armytage will be co-hosting with Weekend Today star Clint Stanaway.

The journalist will 'wake up with Today' for a week and a half, putting her eight years anchor experience at Sunrise from 2013 until 2021 to good use in the rival hot seat.
Jay-Z issued a blistering response to a civil lawsuit filed Sunday that claims he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl in 2000 with Sean 'Diddy' Combs at his side.

The rapper, 55, insists he is the victim of a 'blackmail attempt' and fears his three children with Beyonce will have to 'endure' harassment in the wake of the shocking allegations.

Jay-Z is especially worried about Blue Ivy, 12. He is afraid she will face questions from her friends about the lawsuit. The couple also share twins Rumi and Sir, seven.

'My only heartbreak is for my family,' Jay-Z said in a statement to Dailymail.com Sunday.

'My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people.'

Jay-Z, who was accused of the assault at a party after the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards, said he mourned 'yet another loss of innocence' and declared that his 'children should not have to endure' the graphic accusations at their young age.

'It is unfair to have to try to understand inexplicable degrees of malice meant to destroy families and human spirit,' he said.

Jay-Z, 55, was accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl alongside Sean 'Diddy' Combs, 55, at a party after the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards in a civil lawsuit filed Sunday. Diddy and Jay-Z pictured at a Grammy event in January of 2020

Jay Z has revealed he is worried about what his children with Beyonce will have to 'endure' and the questions Blue Ivy will face bfrom her peers. Beyonce and Blue Ivy pictured at the Grammys in LA this past February

The accuser, who identifies herself as Jane Doe in the legal documents reviewed by Dailymail.com, says she was assaulted at a party after the award show, which took place September 7, 2000 at New York City's Radio City Music Hall.

The lawsuit had initially been filed in New York's Southern District this past October against Combs, with a refiling on Sunday that identified the rapper, whose real name is Shawn Carter.

Jay-Z issued a lengthy statement to DailyMail.com on Sunday denying the claims made in the re-filed lawsuit.

DailyMail.com has also reached out to a Beyonce representative on the story.

The civil lawsuit comes about a month before Blue Ivy becomes a teenager, as she turns 13 on January 7. Like her parents, she has an interest in music, and attended a Sabrina Carpenter concert last month in LA.

In recent years, she has gravitated toward the spotlight commanded by her famous parents, joining her mother onstage during her tour last year. Her first appearance alongside her mother came May 26, 2023 when she danced onstage to Beyonce's My Power/Black Parade at France's Stade De France.

In a GQ interview published this past September, Beyonce said that Blue Ivy worked hard to prove to her she deserved a spot on the stage during the tour.

'Shes a natural, but I did not want Blue onstage,' Beyonce said. 'Blue wanted it for herself. She took it seriously and she earned it. And most importantly, she had fun! We all watched her grow more and more every night before our eyes.'

Beyonce said that accommodations had to be made with Blue Ivy's school to streamline her academic schedule to the five-month, 56-show trek, noting that her eldest child has demonstrated talent in multiple areas.

'Blue is an artist,' she added. 'She has great taste in music and fashion. She is a fantastic editor, painter, and actress. She has been creating characters since she was three.'

Jay-Z pictured during the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in NYC

Jay-Z said he and Beyonce will have to 'explain the cruelty and greed of people' to their eldest child in addressing the issue to her. Pictured earlier this year

In the GQ interview, Beyonce specifically mentioned that she wanted to keep her children's upbringings as normal as possible amid the family's rare level of fame and wealth.

'One thing Ive worked extremely hard on is making sure my kids can have as much normalcy and privacy as possible, ensuring my personal life isnt turned into a brand,' she said. 'Its very easy for celebrities to turn our lives into performance art.

'I have made an extreme effort to stay true to my boundaries and protect myself and my family. No amount of money is worth my peace.'

In his statement denying the claims, Jay-Z said, 'My lawyer received a blackmail attempt, called a demand letter, from a lawyer named Tony Buzbee.

'What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle. No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!' the statement read.

'These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree?

'These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case. This lawyer, who I have done a bit of research on, seems to have a pattern of these type of theatrics!'

The rap staple, whose hits include Empire State Of Mind, Big Pimpin' and Can I Get A, took personal aim at Buzbee, who has taken on more than 100 cases against Combs.

Jay-Z issued a lengthy statement Sunday denying the claims made in the re-filed lawsuit

Diddy seen at an afterparty shot taken the same evening alongside ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez

Diddy, pictured at the event 24 years ago, has been in custody in NYC for almost three months as he awaits his sex trafficking trial in May

'I have no idea how you have come to be such a deplorable human Mr. Buzbee, but I promise you I have seen your kind many times over,' Jay-Z said in his reply. 'Im more than prepared to deal with your type. You claim to be a marine?! Marines are known for their valor, you have neither honor nor dignity.

'My heart and support goes out to true victims in the world, who have to watch how their life story is dressed in costume for profitability by this ambulance chaser in a cheap suit.'

Jay-Z said in his statement that Buzbee 'made a terrible error in judgement' in categorizing all celebrities as the same, referencing his own rise amid humble New York City beginnings.

'Im not from your world,' he said. 'Im a young man who made it out of the project of Brooklyn. We dont play these types of games.

'We have very strict codes and honor. We protect children, you seem to exploit people for personal gain.'

Jay-Z wrapped up his statement in saying, 'Only your network of conspiracy theorists, fake physics, will believe the idiotic claims you have levied against me that, if not for the seriousness surrounding harm to kids, would be laughable. I look forward to showing you just how different I am.'

The statement was initially sent to Dailymail.com then published on the Instagram account for Jay-Z's Roc Nation label.

Dailymail.com has reached out to Tony Buzbee, the lawyer representing Jay-Z's accuser, for comment.

Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee, who has taken on more than 100 cases against Combs, named Jay-Z in Sunday's filing. Pictured in 2022

Buzbee told TMZ in a statement Sunday evening, 'Mr. Carter previously denied being the one who sued me and my firm. He even filed his frivolous case under a pseudonym.

'What he fails to say in his recent statement is my firm sent his lawyer a demand letter on behalf of an alleged victim and that victim never demanded a penny from him. Instead, she only sought a confidential mediation.'

In the suit filed by Buzbee's firm, the accuser said that the sexual assault occurred at a house party following the VMAs.

The accuser was hoping to attend the VMAs as a 'bucket list' aspiration, according to the lawsuit, and 'believed she could gain entry.'

As the show started, the accuser said she 'approached several limousine drivers parked nearby and attempted to talk her way into either' the event or afterparties associated with it.

The accuser said in the lawsuit that a limo driver who said they worked for Diddy 'told her that Combs liked younger girls and said she "fit what Diddy was looking for."'

The driver said that he would return to pick ho the accuser after dropping Combs off at the location of the bash.

The accuser said that following a 20-minute drive, she 'arrived at what she believed to be a large white residence with a gated U-shaped driveway' and was told to sign her name to a document she 'now believes to have been a non-disclosure agreement,' as she didn't receive a copy.

The legal documents filed against Jay-Z indicate that he was past referred to as 'Celebrity A' in a prior legal filing, and says he has homes in New York City and Los Angeles

Jay-Z was snapped chatting with Beyonce and her Destiny Child's bandmates Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland in January of 2001

Once in the home, the accuser 'recognized many celebrities' and 'attempted to mingle in the crowd' and speak with people.

'Marijuana and cocaine' use was a part of the 'widespread drug use' she witnessed once inside, the accuser said in the suit.

The accuser said she took a drink that had 'a reddish-yellow mixture that tasted like orange juice, cranberry juice, and something bitter' and 'began to feel woozy and lightheaded, making her need to lie down.'

The accuser said in legal documents that she laid down in 'what appeared to be an empty bedroom' and subsequently, Combs, Jay-Z and a female celebrity referred to as "Celebrity B" entered the room.

'Combs aggressively approached Plaintiff with a crazed look in his eyes, grabbed her, and said, "You are ready to party!"' legal documents read.

The accuser said in the lawsuit that Combs threw her 'toward a wall,' leading her to fall, then 'grabbed her again and threw her on the bed.'

The accuser said Jay-Z began stripping her down 'as she grew more and more disoriented' and held her down as 'he vaginally raped her, while Combs and Celebrity B watched.

'After [Jay-Z] finished, he stepped back toward the wall. Combs then stepped forward and vaginally raped Plaintiff while Carter and Celebrity B watched.'

Diddy and Jay-Z pictured at a 2005 event in NYC, four years after the alleged incident

According to legal docs, in the 2000 incident, 'another celebrity stood by and watched as Combs and Carter took turns assaulting the minor. Many others were present at the after party, but did nothing to stop the assault.

'Carter has been with Combs during many such instances described herein. Both perpetrators must face justice.'

The accuser said in legal documents that Combs tried to force her 'to perform oral sex on him,' at which point she 'fought back, standing up quickly and punching out at the same time, hitting Combs in the neck,' at which point he 'stopped his attempt.'

The accuser said she was able to escape the property and 'retrace the route taken by the limo driver,' arriving at 'a gas station she noticed on the way to the party.

After 'a female clerk noticed her distress and allowed her to use the phone,' the accuser said she 'called her father, admitted that she had lied about her whereabouts, and asked him to pick her up,' which he did.

The accuser 'fell into a deep depression which continues to affect every facet of her life,' according to the lawsuit.

She 'suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and a seizure disorder caused by stress and trauma,' the suit states.

The accuser has also 'has had difficulty maintaining normal relationships and lives largely withdrawn from society.'

Beyonce and Jay-Z were pictured earlier this year at the Grammy Awards in LA

The accuser is asking the court for unspecified damages in the suit, which had been filed under New York state's Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act.

Sunday's filing marks the first time Buzbee has named a public figure apart from Combs in legal documents.

The legal documents filed against Jay-Z indicate that he was past referred to as 'Celebrity A' in a prior legal filing, and says he has homes in New York City and Los Angeles.

The attorney wrapped up in saying, 'Since I sent the letter on her behalf, Mr. Carter has not only sued me, but he has tried to bully and harass me and this plaintiff. His conduct has had the opposite impact. She is emboldened. Im very proud of her resolve.'

The timeframe of the incident appears to align with when Jay-Z and Beyonce's relationship began getting serious.

Beyonce told Seventeen magazine that she initially met Jay-Z at the age of 18 (a timeframe spanning from September of 1999 through August of 2000), People previously reported.

Beyonce told Oprah Winfrey on OWN in 2013, 'We were friends first for a year and a half before we went on any dates.

'We were on the phone for a year and a half, and that foundation is so important for a relationship. Just to have someone who you just like is so important, and someone [who] is honest.'

Combs, who is being held at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, has denied all of the allegations against him

By November 2001, they were seen with one another on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine, with Jay-Z telling the publication they 'were just beginning to try to date each other,' adding: 'She's a charming Southern girl, you know ... but I would have definitely had to be this cool.'

Combs, who is being held at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, has denied all of the allegations against him.

Combs in September was charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and additional offenses by federal officials. He has tried in vain to get bail on three occasions.

Attorneys for Combs issued a statement to TMZ on Sunday evening calling Buzbee's latest move one in a series of 'shameless publicity stunts;' and reiterated their stance on the case against Combs.

'This amended complaint and the recent extortion lawsuit against Mr. Buzbee exposes his barrage of lawsuits against Mr. Combs for what they are: shameless publicity stunts, designed to extract payments from celebrities who fear having lies spread about them, just as lies have been spread about Mr. Combs,' the statement read.

It continued: 'As his legal team has said before, Mr. Combs has full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone - man or woman, adult or minor.'

For all the latest updates on this story, listen to The Trial of Diddy - available wherever you get your podcasts now.
Dani Lyons has hit back after being accused of having plastic surgery.

The My Mum Your Dad star debuted her new look recently after getting some refreshing treatments.

The 51-year-old is looking especially youthful - but says that she has undergone non invasive procedures to achieve the look.

Dani say she has been using InMode's new Morpheus 8 Burst at her local cosmetic clinic in Essendon after being inspired by the Kardashians.

The Morpheus 8 Burst is a fractional radiofrequency device that causes soft tissue contraction using a pulse action.

'I had initially seen the Kardashians using it so thought I'd give it a go as it's non invasive and there is no downtime,' Dani said in a statement on Monday.

Dani Lyons (pictured) has hit back after being accused of having plastic surgery

The results encouraged Dani's onscreen partner Des Milson to have a go at the treatment as well.

Dani has been showing off the results of her treatment and her fans have been impressed.

'Wow Amazing! Thank you for sharing one of your beauty secrets!' said one person in her comments.

'Looks amazing. I so need this! I have bad hooding and bags under my eyes,' another fan said.

Dani, who starred on the reality dating show My Mum Your Dad last year, lost her husband Paul Lyons in 2019.

Paul, who was an Australian Ninja Warrior star, met Dani in 2014, and he died in his sleep five years later.

Dani last year decided to open herself up to a second chance at love, appearing on the Channel Nine program.

The show, hosted by Kate Langbroek, follows a group of single parents looking for love - and who don't know their adult children are secretly pulling the strings of their dating life.

The My Mum Your Dad star debuted her new look recently after getting some refreshing treatments

The 51-year-old is looking especially youthful - but says that she has undergone non invasive procedures to achieve the look

While Dani found love with foreman Wes Milson on the second season, other middle-aged romantics will have to go elsewhere, since the dating show was cancelled late last year.

According to TV Blackbox, Nine confirmed last December that it had pulled the pin, saying that '2024 is a big Olympic year and it won't be in the schedule.'

The publication claims that news of the show's cancellation leaked before several Nine employees were even told.

The show's production house ITV studios published an online casting call for the 2024 season last September.

However the casting website at the time said that casting for season 3 has now 'closed'.

My Mum, Your Dad has struggled in the ratings since season two's lacklustre debut in November.

The 2023 season premiere drew 290,000 fans in the metro ratings, 26 per cent down on the show's debut episode in 2022, reports TV Tonight.

It comes after Dani unleashed on a driver whose parking trapped her car in its spot.

Dani say she has been using InMode's new Morpheus 8 Burst at her local cosmetic clinic in Essendon after being inspired by the Kardashians

The results encouraged Dani's onscreen partner Des Milson to have a go at the treatment as well

The reality star took to social media to share her parking predicament after a driver parked just centimetres away from her car's rear.

'Not sure why old mate thought it was okay to park right at my bum hole,' she said in a TikTok video showing just how close the cars were to each other.

'Left me 10 centimetres to reverse out of a tight parking spot (I was there first by the way).'

Dani then made a surprising revelation to her followers as she attempted to move her car out of the parking spot.

'He also underestimates that I don't give a s**t about my car and I'm happy just to nudge his out of the way,' she added.

'So...whoopsie daisy, you're going to get a little tap from my tow ball,' she said over footage of her reverse view camera display.

She later revealed in the comments that she managed to eventually get out of the car spot after five attempts.
Deborah Symond O'Neil headed out for a spot of lunch and shopping on Monday.

The Aussie Home Loans heiress was spotted leaving Bondi hot spot Totti's with a female friend while carrying a large white paper bag.

The 36-year-old cut a chic figure in a crisp blue dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up paired with wide-leg shorts in white.

She added a thin brown belt to the ensemble, which matched her Hermes leather bag in the same tone.

Deborah added a pair of simple black thongs and completed her look with dangling earrings and a watch with a white strap.

She was busy texting on her phone as she left the venue, and eventually made an animated phone call as she waited on the pavement outside.

Deborah Symond O'Neil (right) headed out for a spot of lunch and shopping on Monday

The Aussie Home Loans heiress was spotted leaving Bondi hot spot Totti's with a female friend while carrying a large white paper bag

The 36-year-old cut a chic figure in a crisp blue dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up paired with wide-leg shorts in white

The owner of high-end leisurewear store Mode Sportif pulled her blonde hair off her face and opted for a clean makeup look with a soft pink lip balm.

The socialite rose to prominence after her elaborate wedding to Ned O'Neil became national news in April 2018.

Deborah walked down the aisle surrounded by 120 esteemed guests and the couple's very famous fathers, including Aussie Home Loans founder John Symond.

Hamilton Island's exclusive Qualia resort was booked out for the three-day long celebration.

The couple exchanged vows in front of Symond and Ned's father Denis O'Neil, a superyacht broker and owner of Rose Bay Marina.

The couple flew 120 guests, including the 10 men and women in their wedding party, to North Queensland.

Speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald's Private Sydney, newly-married Ned said: 'I am marrying the love of my life and I am the happiest man on earth to be able to share the rest of it with Deb.'

In 2020 Deborah gave birth to her first child, son Beau, in Sydney's leading private hospital, Mater.

She added a thin brown belt to the ensemble, which matched her Hermes leather bag in the same tone

Deborah added a pair of simple black thongs and completed her look with dangling earrings and a watch with a white strap

She was busy texting on her phone as she left the venue, and eventually made an animated phone call as she waited on the pavement outside

The owner of high-end leisurewear store Mode Sportif pulled her blonde hair off her face and opted for a clean makeup look with a soft pink lip balm

The daughter of Australian financier John Symond announced her pregnancy on August 14, 2019.

It came 18 months after her extravagant wedding on Hamilton Island to property developer Ned.

The pair looked radiant in professional photos Deborah released just days after the birth on February 13, cradling the newborn in matching navy blue designer ensembles.

It is the first child for the couple, who met over a decade ago through family friends before realising their father's were old associates - Ned's being super-yacht broker and owner of Rose Bay Marina, Denis O'Neil.

'Beau Symond O'Neil. Our darling boy, we dreamed of you and now you're here, our hearts have never been so full,' Deborah wrote on Instagram.

The owner of high-end leisurewear label Mode Sportif thanked her 'birth team' for their help before leaving Mater Hospital in North Sydney on February 17, her bundle of joy wrapped up in French luxury brand Tartine et Chocolat.

At 38 weeks pregnant, Deborah ensured all eyes were on her by wearing a glamorous white feathered $861 midi-dress from Ganni and a trendy pair of $1,125 silver lace-up stilettos by Gianvito Rossi to her baby shower.

The businesswoman wore her short blonde hair in loose waves, opting for subtle makeup punctuated with smokey brown eyeshadow and a pair of glittering diamond hoop earrings.

No detail was overlooked by luxury Sydney event planners The Curated Life.

They filled every corner of the room with white, blue and gold balloons and covered the table with piles of pale blue hydrangeas and white orchids.

The elaborate flower arrangements were created by award-winning florist Seed Flora.

The company decorates star-studded fashion shows, Westfield shopping centres and even Sydney Town Hall.
Keira Knightley and her husband James Righton were spotted touching down at John F. Kennedy Airport on Sunday.

The Pirates of the Caribbean star, 39, and her musician partner, 41, looked weary after their long flight to New York.

However Keira was seen beaming as she walked alongside James, as she sported a pair of light-wash denim wide-leg jeans and a winter jumper complete with a geometric pattern.

She finished off her airport look with a black oversized aviator jacket finished with fluffy lining, as well as a pair of chunky black boots.

Meanwhile James looked stylish as he wore a black hoodie underneath a long coat, as well as a cap, as he pushed the trolley with their luggage.

The couple's appearances came days after Keira joked that her marriage to husband James Righton will only survive if he follows one very strict rule over Christmas.

Keira Knightley and her husband James Righton were spotted touching down at John F. Kennedy Airport on Sunday

The Pirates of the Caribbean star, 39, and her musician partner, 41, looked weary after their long flight to New York

The pair were married in 2013 in the South of France, where she wore Chanel couture as they exchanged vows in front of eleven guests.

The couple tend to keep their private life under wraps, but in a new interview, Keira gave a rare comment about James as she opened up about their traditions over Christmas.

Speaking to Nick Grimshaw on his BBC Radio 6 show on Thursday, Keira sarcastically quipped that the pair would be headed for 'divorce' if James' OCD spilled out of the kitchen on Christmas Day.

The thespian, who is currently starring in new Netflix thriller series Black Doves, revealed that while she doesn't partake in the cooking on the day, her husband takes charge instead, but can be very particular when it comes to the kitchen.

Detailing the drama, Keira told Nick: 'He's the cook! he's a good cook. He loves food, he's a good cook and he's also a little bit OCD so as long as the OCD stays in the kitchen, then the marriage survives!

'He's allowed to be as OCD as he likes in the kitchen but it's not allowed to come out of the kitchen! But that does mean Christmas dinner will be very very good.'

As Nick told how it's good to have a barrier, Keira agreed, responding: 'We have found like as far as trying to keep a relationship, you know OK for a while, if one person does have a bit of OCD, you have to give them paces where it's allowed. And then places where it's not allowed! So I feel like the kitchen is a good place for OCD.

'If it comes into the living room, not happy', she then laughed as she added: 'Divorce! Unfortunately.'

James looked stylish as he wore a black hoodie underneath a long coat, as well as a cap, as he pushed the trolley with their luggage

The pair were married in 2013 in the South of France , where she wore Chanel couture as they exchanged vows in front of eleven guests [pictured in June]

The couple share two daughters, Edie, nine, and five-year-old Delilah.

During the chat, Keira noted that she's feeling 'pretty festive' after a spot of wreath making with the girls, and told how she's got a another week of promoting her series before she can 'hibernate' over the festive period.

The beauty's breakthrough role came in 2002 movie Bend It Like Beckham and she's since gone on to star in several huge projects including Pride and Prejudice, Love Actually and the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise.

However, despite her international fame, Keira admitted she's 'not good' at the celebrity side of her fame and considers herself to be like a hermit.

She explained: 'As you get older, you learn what you're good at and what you're not good at and I'm not good at the celebrity side of it. I'm not good at being 'on' all the time, I like have a 'off' button.

'I think I've got a strong hermit that lives inside me and the hermit must be respected. If the hermit is respected, then there's happiness.

'The hermit isn't allowed to take over because then you get lonely and that's not happy, but the hermit has to be respected.

Speaking to Nick Grimshaw on his BBC Radio 6 show on Thursday, Keira sarcastically quipped that the pair would be headed for 'divorce' if James' OCD spilled out of the kitchen on Christmas Day [pictured in July]

She's found herself in the spotlight once again thanks to her new Netflix thriller Black Doves in which she stars alongside Ben Whishaw and Sarah Lancashire

'And basically, if you've gotten in a hermit, you're not very good at being a celebrity all the time, that doesn't work.'

However, she's found herself in the spotlight once again thanks to her new Netflix thriller Black Doves in which she stars alongside Ben Whishaw and Sarah Lancashire.

The six part action series which is set against the backdrop of London at Christmas will follow Keira's character Helen Webb, a quick-witted, down to earth, dedicated wife and mother  and professional spy.

For ten years, shes been passing on her politician husbands secrets to the shadowy organisation she works for: the Black Doves.
Saoirse Ronan cosied up to husband Jack Lowden on Sunday night as they attended the 27th British Independent Film Awards in London.

The pair, who tied the knot earlier this year, in good spirits as they posed on the red carpet, before Jack subsequently clutched his wife's arm later in the evening.

Saoirse looked stunning on the night, wowing in a shimmering navy gown which featured high neck and a sheer cape that trailed behind her.

The Irish beauty, 30, teamed the elegant gown with a pair of black heels, kept her make-up to a minimum and pulled her hair back into a sleek updo.

Meanwhile, Scottish actor Jack, 34, cut a sharp figure in an all black ensemble, accessorised with a diamond and pearl brooch on his lapel.

The couple were in good company as they mingled alongside the likes of Alicia Vikander and Ellie Bamber on the star-studded carpet.

Saoirse Ronan cosied up to husband Jack Lowden on Sunday night as they attended the 27th British Independent Film Awards in London

The pair, who tied the knot earlier this year, in good spirits as they posed on the red carpet, before Jack subsequently clutched his wife's arm later in the evening

Saoirse and Jack started dating in 2018 and got married in 2024 in a wedding ceremony in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Saoirse and Jack met while filming Mary Queen of Scots and secretly married in July this year after six years together.

Saoirse has remained fiercely private about their relationship and does not have a social media presence, but gave a small insight during a new interview.

Appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last month, the star joked that her husband keeps disappointing her by refusing to perform a 'cheesy karaoke duet' of her choice.

Saoirse said: 'I've been desperate for myself and my husband Jack to do a cheesy karaoke duet.

'It's Shallow from A Star is Born. I want him to be my Bradley, and I'll be his Gaga. And he won't do it. He hasn't committed.

'And I'm sort of like, well, what's marriage for? You know what I mean? What are we doing here?'

It comes after the actress recently joked about her 'baby' with Jack in rare discussion about their relationship.

Saoirse looked stunning on the night, wowing in a shimmering navy gown which featured high neck and a sheer cape that trailed behind her

The Irish beauty, 30, teamed the elegant gown with a pair of black heels, kept her make-up to a minimum and pulled her hair back into a sleek updo

Scottish actor Jack, 34, cut a sharp figure in an all black ensemble, accessorised with a diamond and pearl brooch on his lapel.

Speaking on the Ryan Tubridy Show on Virgin Radio UK on Wednesday, she said it's very much 'here we go again'.

'We've been together a long time, and we've had a really busy year with work,' Saoirse explained.

She continued: 'We have the Outrun out as well, which is a movie that we produced together and that's kind of our baby right now.

'So we're putting a lot of time and our energy into that and we're incredibly proud and excited about the reception that that's gotten.

'That's still in the cinemas now as well for anyone who wants to go and see it. Again, I would really urge anyone to take the time out to go and see it in the cinema.

Saoirse and Jack started dating in 2018 and got married in 2024 in a wedding ceremony in Edinburgh, Scotland [pictured in September]

Appearing on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last month, the star joked that her husband keeps disappointing her by refusing to perform a 'cheesy karaoke duet' of her choice. (pictured in September)

'And yeah, we're doing great - hes doing the washing right now.'

She recently told British Vogue: 'I became successful when I was quite young. So it meant that, actually, by the time I found my partner, Im now at the stage where, if it happened, I would like to have a kid.

'I feel fortunate enough that, if I step out of this for a minute, Im hopefully not giving it up forever. But, yeah, Ive always wanted that.'

Saoirse played the titular role while Jack played Lord Darnley, the Queen's second husband, known for his salacious sexual nature. Their on-screen romance foreshadowed what was to come, and they started dating in December 2018.
Russell Crowe has revealed the contract he had to sign to appear on Joe Rogan's top rated podcast.

The Australian actor was a guest on The Joe Rogan Experience earlier this year and beforehand, he was informed he would have to commit to three hours on air.

Speaking to on Nova 96.9's Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie on Monday, the 60-year-old actor said he was initially not keen on the terms.

'He goes, "we'll chat for about three hours." And I'm like, three hours? No you won't. That's kind of ridiculous,' Crowe said.

'And then you get in there, and that's what he fully intends. But once you're there you have to sign a thing that you're not going to leave until the chat is over.'

Crowe said that Rogan has the ultimate call on when the episode ends, and he was at his mercy.

Russell Crowe (pictured) has revealed the contract he had to sign to appear on Joe Rogan's top rated podcast. The Australian actor was a guest on The Joe Rogan Experience earlier this year and beforehand, he was informed he would have to commit to three hours on air

'[The episode] is basically the length of a cigar,' the actor explained.

While on the episode, Crowe got down to brass tacks and had a hearty chat with the controversial podcaster about politics.

He argued that the rise of independent politicians are better representing the views of everyday Australians, unlike the two-party-dominated system in the United States.

The Oscar-winning actor made the claim in response to host Rogan complaining that Americans were 'completely trapped in the two-party system'.

'We have the same sort of situation, but we have a very interesting thing that's happening in Australia at the moment, which is the rise of independents,' Crowe countered.

'The main parties have to deal with the fact those independents have to bring a non-party-line series of points to the argument.

'And it's working well. It's working for us. In that it's making both of the main parties re-examine who they are and what they stand for.'

Rogan mused 'we could use that here, for sure', highlighting how US politics is completely dominated by the Democrat and Republican parties.

Joe Rogan (pictured) is one of the most powerful media figures in the world

'He goes, "we'll chat for about three hours." And I'm like, three hours? No you won't. That's kind of ridiculous,' Crowe said

Crowe made the comments while Speaking to on Nova 96.9's Fitzy & Wippa with Kate Ritchie on Monday (pictured on the show)

There are other parties, including the Green, Libertarian, and Reform parties, but these receive vanishingly few votes in comparison.

Independent candidates can also stand and have been known to perform well on occasion.

Crowe's three-hour conversation with Rogan, which was first aired in August, has recently resurfaced in teal social media adverts.

It comes after news that nearly 25 years after he starred in the original smash hit film Gladiator (2000), Russell is set to battle the Roman Empire once again.

Deadline is reporting that the New Zealandborn actor and director has signed on to star in The Last Druid.

William Eubank will serve as the director, and work from a screenplay he wrote with Phil Gawthorne and Carlyle Eubank.

The movie will 'tell the story of a Roman Emperor who discovers a secluded Druid stronghold in the mountains of Caledonia,' according to the publication.

'A peaceful Celtic elder (Crowe) must take up arms to protect his family and people from annihilation,' the synopsis read.

The casting process is still ongoing, so there will be more actors brought in ahead of the shoot over the coming weeks.

Ben Pugh is producing alongside Range Media Partners' Brian Kavanaugh-Jones and Fred Berger, along with Adrian Guerra, who's also producing for Nostromo.

Felix Farmer's Brandon Millan and Sam Wasson will executive-produce alongside George Hsieh.

Crowe did not appear in the sequel, Gladiator II, which stars Paul Mescal as Lucius Verus, the former heir to the Roman Empire and son of Maximus, who was played by Crowe in the original.
The Great British Bake Off star Paul Hollywood is offering his impressive Chopper to the highest bidder.

The celebrity baker has listed the motorcycle - a Big Dog Ridgeback - for auction.

Hollywood, 58, well-known bike enthusiast rode the high-powered motorcycle on his 2019 road trip mini-series Paul Goes to Hollywood.

It was built by Big Dog Motorcycles in Kansas in an "old school" hard tail chopper style.

Fitted with a 1750cc v-twin engine, Hollywood covered 3,000 miles (4,830 km) from New York to Los Angeles on it.

Mark Bryan of Iconic Auctioneers, said: 'Celebrity provenance is always great and when you combine it with someone like petrolhead Paul Hollywood, a US road trip TV programme and a cool bike, then it all fits together nicely.'

The Great British Bake Off star Paul Hollywood is offering his impressive Chopper to the highest bidder

The celebrity baker has listed the motorcycle - a Big Dog Ridgeback (pictured) - for auction

The bike is estimated to fetch 12,000 - 14,000 at the MCN London Motorcycle Show on 16 February.

Neighbours living close to Hollywood previously claimed the Bake Off star had been thundering over their homes in a rather different kind of chopper..

In August, MailOnline captured the moment the star landed his Robinson Raven helicopter on a strip of land between his farmhouse and the local pub in the tranquil village of Smarden, Kent.

Local Sue Keys, 72, said: 'You certainly hear him when he's overhead, there's a lot of aircraft noise anyway what with us being so close to Headcorn air field.

'He's been using the helicopter for the last three months or so and when he first started I'd be thinking to myself 'what's that? he's a bit low' and It'd give me a bit of a startle but I've got used to it now.'

Another neighbour, who only gave his name as John, 62, said: 'We have horses so when the helicopter comes in on certain days they get a bit spooked and don't like it.

'But having said that, we live in a noisy spot. There's an airfield around the back of us from which Spitfires fly out from, other helicopters and aircraft come flying across over the fields.

'The road is busy during rush-hour and there's a busy pub opposite.'

It was built by Big Dog Motorcycles in Kansas in an "old school" hard tail chopper style

The bike is estimated to fetch 12,000 - 14,000 at the MCN London Motorcycle Show on 16 February

A woman who lived a few doors down from Hollywood, however, said she liked him buzzing around, adding: 'I actually like seeing him flying over, it's quite exciting. It makes a change from all the old spitfires that roar over the house.'

Hollywood is said to keep his Robinson Raven chopper at Manston airport rather than the nearby Headcorn Aerodrome as he continues to work towards his private license.

A private license is obtained after 45 hours of flight instruction consisting of 25 hours of dual flight instruction and 10 hours of supervised solo flight time, including at least five hours of solo cross country.

Five hours may be completed in an approved flight simulator.

Paul, who forked out 21,000 for sessions in a Second World War Spitfire, began training to become a pilot two years ago in a bid to escape the 'madness' of his celebrity life.

He explained at the time: 'It's just you, a machine, and you're away from all the madness. Of course I'm a bit nervous. But up there you've got total freedom.'

Hollywood has hosted The Great British Bake Off since 2010.
Scott Cam has warned his fans that fake advertisements are using his image.

The Block host posted to Instagram to complain that AI deepfakes were pretending to be him while shilling weight loss products.

'It has come to my attention that there are some deep fakes of me promoting weight loss products,' he said.

'That is not me! Do not purchase anything you see online like this,' Scott went on.

He added, joking: 'I am here to tell you that Christmas time is not the time I will be losing weight'.

Scott rang in his 62nd birthday in style last month.

Scott Cam (pictured) has warned his fans that fake advertisements are using his image

The Block host, whose special day was on a Sunday, spent his days off with family and friends in a rural setting to celebrate the occasion.

In a series of Instagram photos, the television personality rode quad bikes in the bush with loved ones.

Further images showed a classic Aussie BBQ loaded up with bacon for an al fresco breakfast.

'Had a beautiful birthday weekend with all my family In the bush,' he explained in his caption.

It comes after reports that Scott is ready to hang up his tool belt and retire from The Block after 14 years as its host.

The media personality, who took over as host from Jamie Durie in 2010 during season three of the series, is said to be frustrated with contestants in recent years.

Woman's Day reports that Scott's had enough and 2025 will be his last year, but Nine says that's just not the case.

An insider alleges that Scott revealed his retirement plans while filming season 20, saying he was only doing 'this year and next' on the show.

The Block host posted to Instagram to complain that AI deepfakes were pretending to be him while shilling weight loss products

'When Jesse [Maguire] and Paige [Beechey] quit the series mid-season, it really shocked him and made him even more determined to walk away in 2025,' they said.

'Scott holds The Block very dear to his heart and he couldn't understand why anyone would leave his hit series and the highly emotional decision they made.

'It reinforced to him the idea of leaving on a high next year to spend more time with his family.'

The source went on to reference similar rumours which spread in 2023 about Scott retiring soon, but Nine 'squashed' those by signing him onto a new deal.

However, the deal is said to have only covered two years, keeping Scott on as host for the 2024 20th anniversary season and the 2025 Daylesford season.

According to the insider, it was all 'part of a grand plan for Scott to leave on a high with very two different and challenging seasons of the renovation show'.

The Block was originally set to film in Daylesford this year, but complications with receiving council permits pushed that renovation back to next year.

Producers scrambled at the last second to secure a run down resort on Phillip Island, dropping a staggering $9.5 million on Island Cove Villas.

Scott rang in his 62nd birthday in style last month. Pictured during his birthday weekend

In a series of Instagram photos, the television personality rode quad bikes in the bush with loved ones. Further images showed a classic Aussie BBQ loaded up with bacon

The insider said Scott was 'bitterly disappointed' when Daylesford was put on the backburner because he wanted to host that season 'then bow out graciously'.

However, Nine has once again put those rumours to rest, telling Daily Mail Australia on Monday: 'Scott Cam has no plans to step down from The Block.'

The Block host Scott addressed rumours of his impending retirement from Nine's hit renovation show to Daily Mail Australia as recently as last year.

The builder-turned-reality TV host attended a launch party for the 2023 season of his show and told the crowd he was planning on staying for a long time.

'Two months ago I signed a multiple year deal with the Nine Network. It was an easy decision as I love this show and couldn't think of going anywhere else,' he said.

Scott then said while he had no immediate retirement plans, when that day came in the distant future he had the perfect person in mind to take over as host.

'I reckon the only person who could do it is my current co-host Shelley Craft, that's right,' he said.

Shelley, 48, added there was no one better suited than her to take over the reins when the time finally came.

'That's my job, isn't it? Don't I step up and then I get a sidekick?' she joked.

In 2022, Scott addressed speculation about his future on the show yet again, telling Daily Mail Australia he would be on building sites for decades to come.

The veteran tradie has a 40 plus-year career behind him and has hosted The Block for the past 14 yearswith seemingly no desire to stop any time soon.

'I'm 60 this year and I'm physically fit, I'm doing a renovation of my home now because of the mould from all the rain,' he told Daily Mail Australia at the time.

'I've got at least another decade on the tools. I told my wife recently, we've got 20 years of good health left so from January 1, let's start a 20-year odyssey of living life.

'I'll keep going till I can't anymore because I love it. I reckon I can do 20 years on the tools, and I'll pull up when my body tells me to.'
MBABANE - A pastor has taken his client to the Small Claims Court for allegedly failing to pay him for spiritual services when applying for a loan.

The prophet said he charged his client a sum of E8 000 for the loan prayer. He said he also charged him E2 000 for attracting customers to his business.In evidence, Nhlanhla Mbingo said the money was in relation to spiritual services he offered to Mprofethi Dlamini, whom he said was struggling to obtain a loan at First Finance. He said after being informed about the difficulty and requested for his services, he prayed for Dlamini who, was then awarded the loan amounting to E100 000. According to Mbingo, the agreement was that Dlamini would pay him 10 per cent once his loan application succeeded.

Certificate

However, Mbingo told the court that Dlamini refused to pay him, claiming that he did not have a certificate to render the services which he did. Mbingo then furnished the court with the certificate, saying that he reserves the right to use the name, Pentecostal Assemblies Church. He said he had no other option to ensure that Dlamini pays him, bedside approaching the Small Claims Court. He told the court that Dlamini only paid for consultation (inkanyiso), transport and ritual (kubetsela) to the tune of E2 000. When sharing his side of the story, Dlamini confirmed knowledge of Mbingo, saying he met him at Buhleni through his son-in-law.

He confirmed that Mbingo prayed for him after he informed him about his challenges in relation to the loan application at First Finance. He said as part of the introduction, his son-in-law informed him that the Mbingo was so helpful in praying for people with life challenges.He said his son in-law also informed him that Mbingo charged E200 for transport and E500 for consultation.As a result, he said he then requested for Mbingos contacts from his son-in-law.

It so happened that I became a victim of the facata scam, where I lost a sum of E1 000 from my Mobile Money account. I recalled that I have a number of someone who can help me. I then called and asked Mbingo to pray for me, he said. He told the court that he made it clear to Mbingo that he wanted a prayer in relation to the Mobile Money scam.

Mobile Money

He said he then mentioned in passing that he had applied for a loan at First Finance to purchase stock for his empty shop.We agreed that we meet for prayer and I was in Mbabane at the time. I sent him money via Mobile Money, so that he could come and pray for me. Before he prayed, he gave me rocks to hold with one hand while the other held a coin, he said. Dlamini further told the court that Mbingo instructed him to speak to the rock. He said there was never any agreement entered in relation to the claim before court. He said, when engaged in the business, he was only aware that Mbingos money was E500 and E200, which he demanded upfront.

I did not extend credit to Mbingo, so how then can I owe him? asked Dlamini. Dlamini further told the court that Mbingo threatened him. Mbingo interjected and told the court that the E500 was not a payment but merely a consultation fee. He added that he charged a certain percentage of what his client got once they were successful. In the case of Dlamini, Mbingo said he wanted E8 000 from the E100 000 loan.

He told the court that Dlamini would not have received the money had it not been for the spiritual services rendered to him. He said all he expected from Dlamini was to deposit the money into his bank account. However, Dlamini denied having entered into any agreement with Mbingo over the payment for services rendered after the loan payment. He also denied that his children called and thanked Mbingo after the loan payment. He said it was not his first time working with finance, which gave him the impression that Mbingos prayer helped him to obtain the loan. As I stated earlier, Mbingo is threatening my life, he collected soil from my premises and around the four tyres of my car. May I further state that Mbingo failed to show what exactly he did, warranting me to pay him the sum of money stated in his claim, he said.
Eva Longoria was every inch the doting mother as she treated son Santiago with a fun filled trip to the Aquarium in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

The actress, 49, who shares her son with husband Jose Baston, looked effortlessly stylish in a form fitting black top and matching high-waisted trousers.

Eva sported glam make-up and wore her glossy brunette tresses loose while Santiago, six, wore a graphic T-shirt and khaki shorts.

The pair, who are in UAE capital for the Grand Prix, beamed as they explored the venue and met the wildlife.

Desperate Housewives star Eva, who recently relocated to Spain, raised eyebrows on November 13 when she told Marie Claire she was 'privileged' enough to be able to 'escape' this 'dystopian country' following President Donald Trump's re-election.

Two days later, Eva - who owns homes in Beverly Hills, Mexico, and Spain - called The View: Behind the Table podcast host Ana Navarro to clarify her remarks.

Eva Longoria, 49, was every inch the doting mother as she treated son Santiago, six, with a fun filled trip to the Aquarium in Abu Dhabi on Monday

The actress, who shares her son with husband Jose Baston, looked effortlessly stylish in a form fitting black top and matching high-waisted trousers

'Will you please let them know I didn't move out of the United States because of Trump?' Baston pleaded over speakerphone.

'I've been in Europe for almost three years. That's in the article, by the way, the article says that. People just grabbed some clickbait stuff to be divisive. Which makes me so sad that everything you say is just meant to be divisive when we can't be that way right now.'

The Kamala Harris campaigner continued: 'I didn't leave because of the political environment. I left because my work took me there. I'm a proud American. I've always been a proud American.

'Proud Texan, proud American. I didn't want it to be taken that I left because of Trump  absolutely not  or because of the elections.'

It comes after Eva revealed the surprising secrets behind her happy marriage to Jose and admitted that she doesn't think of her husband as a 'best friend'.

She and the Mexican businessman first began dating in 2013, before going on to tie the knot three years later, and the actress noted that something that has always helped their relationship is the fact they 'don't compete for attention'.

Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, the Only Murders In The Building star gushed: 'He makes me laugh, and he's a really good partner, and he supports me in everything I do.

'I support him in everything he does. We don't compete for attention or spotlight.'

Eva sported glam make-up and wore her glossy brunette tresses loose, while slipping her feet into chunky white trainers

While Santiago, six, wore a graphic T-shirt and khaki shorts

The pair, who are in UAE capital for the Grand Prix, beamed as they explored the venue and met the wildlife

Santiago couldn't wipe the smile off his face as he tended to a turtle

Eva, who campaigned hard for Kamala Harris to win the presidential election, has warned that if Donald Trump 'keeps his promises' the US will be a 'scary place'

Naturally, the L'Oreal Paris spokesperson's position in the industry often means that she has to actively remain in the spotlight.

However, her husband shies away from the limelight - to the point where he actually begged the actress to keep him out of her social media posts.

Eva continued: 'He loves for me to be on the red carpet. It's one place he hates and he hates it.

'He hates Instagram. He's like, please don't put me on your Instagram. That's why he's never on my social media. Once a while I try to slip him in there.'

The actress admitted that Jose's aversion to the spotlight has been one of the reasons why he is a great partner as she continued: 'It's actually refreshing to be with somebody who doesn't need that constant validation of like "remind people we're together", "remind people, I need to be on a red carpet". Hes just a really kind partner.

When asked if her husband was like a best friend, the Sylvie's Love star explained: 'No, I have best friends. He doesn't need to occupy that role. It's a different relationship.

'My best friends are my best friends, and I go to them for things. And my husband is my partner. Hes there for a different function, and he really excels in that role in my life.'
Helen Flanagan has hit back at 'mean' trolls who branded her face a 'mess' as they took aim at the her excessive lip fillers.

The former Coronation Street star, 32, was targeted after posting a video of herself getting ready for a night out in Liverpool, where she showcased her heavily lined lips.

Helen took to her Instagram Stories on Sunday evening where she shared a glimpse of some of the hateful comments she received, including one who said her lips looked like a 'baboon's a**'

She penned: 'I never understand why people can be so mean x it doesn't actually matter how someone looks if you've got a good heart your beautiful anyway x'

The comments came under a video of the actress getting glammed up for the evening, with the clip firstly seeing Helen make-up free with a towel on her head as she leaned in close to check her complexion.

She then transformed in the video, rocking a full make-up look with her locks styled in glamorous waves.

Helen Flanagan has hit back at 'mean' trolls who branded her face a 'mess' as they took aim at the her excessive lip fillers .

The former Coronation Street star, 32, was targeted after posting a video of herself getting ready for a night out in Liverpool, where she showcased her heavily lined lips

However, while many praised her glam look, many were quick to lash out at her appearance, branding her lips 'ridiculous' and too large.

Back in January 2023, Helen revealed she's had lip filler just a month after having breast augmentation.

The former soap star shared a video of herself applying lipstick as she detailed the reasons behind her latest cosmetic procedure.

She said: I've got big lips, but my bottom lip was bigger and because I've been overlining my top lip, I wanted a little bit of filler to even them out.

Admitting she has also had Botox in the past, mother-of-three Helen advised: 'Don't do anything when you're too young.'

She continued: 'I'm 32 now. I have Botox and that's my choice. I support women whatever choices they make. I thought about this for a long time before going ahead with it.'

Helen's cosmetic doctor, Dr Natalie Haworth told MailOnline: 'The treatment Helen had with me at my Whalley based clinic in Lancashire, The Doctor & Company, is what I like to refer to as a "tweakment".

'A little tweak here and there achieves a more natural result, and is quickly becoming the preferred go-to look for 2023.'

Helen took to her Instagram Stories on Sunday evening where she shared a glimpse of some of the hateful comments she received, including one who said her lips looked like a 'baboon's a**'

However, while many praised her glam look, many were quick to lash out at her appearance, branding her lips 'ridiculous' and too large

This isn't the first time that Helen has had to fire back at trolls who commented on her plump lips.

In a video posted in July, Helen replied to a critic who told her to 'stop sticking her lips out' in all of her photographs, as she told them that women should be 'uplifiting' each other.

In the original post about her hair extensions, Helen wrote: 'Can't wait to get my Extentions back in tomorrow 'Had a break for two weeks of them not in so I can do my hair ups, but feel so much better with my Extentions in and so much more confident x

'My hair is so thin, I so wish I had naturally thick hair x I don't know if having the kids so close together made my hair worse or if I get stressed x.'

This isn't the first time that Helen has had to fire back at trolls who commented on her plump lips

In a video posted in July, Helen replied to a critic who told her to 'stop sticking her lips out' in all of her photographs, as she told them that women should be 'uplifiting' each other

But she was forced to respond when one person felt the need to ask: 'I Like following you and your page, i just wonder why you have go constantly stick your lips out non-stop. You are pretty and great mum, but every picture and post is you with your mouth open showing your pout'.

Commenting underneath the message, Helen replied: 'I've naturally got big lips and that's just my face x it shouldn't bother you that much x women should uplift each other x'

'no youve blown up your lips with fillers love nothing natural there' another troll responded.

Helen added: 'I've had the smallest bit in my top lip to even out as my bottom lip is big. Why say it in such a catty way? What is wrong with women having lip filler anyway?'
Elizabeth Hurley flaunted her ample cleavage as she posed up a storm for a sizzling Instagram snap on Sunday.

The actress, 59, sent pulses racing while going braless beneath a skin-tight black dress with daringly plunging neckline.

Elizabeth's outfit fitted like a glove and she accessorised with a gold pendant necklace which sat just inches from her eye-popping assets.

The stunner accentuated her dainty features with make-up and styles her brunette tresses into bouncy curls as she fixed the camera with a sultry stare.

She captioned the snap: 'Happy Sunday'.

It comes after Elizabeth revealed she no longer speaks to ex Hugh Grant after being coupled to fame in THAT Versace dress at the premiere of his 1994 movie Four weddings And A Funeral.

Elizabeth Hurley, 59, flaunted her ample cleavage as she posed up a storm for a sizzling Instagram snap on Sunday

The actress, 59, sent pulses racing while going braless beneath a skin-tight black dress with daringly plunging neckline, captioning the snap: 'Happy Sunday'

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, Hugh 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 Elizabeth 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 earlier this month, 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.'

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 comes after Elizabeth revealed she no longer speaks to ex Hugh Grant after being coupled to fame in THAT Versace dress at the premiere of his 1994 movie Four weddings And A Funeral

'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 (pictured together 1996)

'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, she 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 Elizabeth 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 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'
Kathy Burke played a foul-mouthed cupid as she helped a fan propose to his partner at a live recording of her podcast Where Theres A Will, Theres A Wake at London's Prince Edward Theatre, on Sunday.

The comedian, 60, read questions from the audience at the sell-out Sony Podcast live event, presented in collaboration with Fane Productions, with the final - pre planned - one from Brendan asking partner Richard to 'finally f*****g marry him'.

The couple, who have been together for 35-years, flew over from Northern Ireland to see the show and sent the audience wild over the 'beautiful moment'.

After Richard said yes the two men threw their arms around each other and were congratulated by their comedian heroine and her guest, Wonka actor Tom Davis.

Taking to Instagram following the proposal onlookers gushed: 'Absolutely ended me, they were so sweet'.

'So gorgeous to see this! And what a fab show': 'It was a beautiful moment to witness! congratulations!'.

Kathy Burke, 60, played a foul-mouthed cupid as she helped a fan propose to his partner at a live recording of her podcast at London's Prince Edward Theatre, on Sunday

The comedian, 60, read questions from the audience, with the final one from Brendan asking partner Richard to 'finally f*****g marry him'

Earlier this year Kathy sparked a feud with duo Ant McPartlin and Declan Donnelly as she shared what she really thinks of the Geordie presenters.

She didn't hold back as she branded the pair 'f*****g a******s' and she reprimanded them for their career choices and accused them of 'betraying' their heritage.

Speaking with fellow comedian Seann Walsh on her podcast, she revealed her disparaging opinion on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here!, and most notably the reality show's choice of contestant.

Ant and Dec are the long-running hosts of the popular ITV series. However the show has received criticism in recent years after it began welcoming unpopular politicians on the show for huge pay checks.

While former Health Secretary Matt Hancock appeared on the show in 2022, despite the controversy surrounding his affair during a national lockdown, Nigel Farage was the latest controversial politician to appear on the show last November for a 1.5million fee.

Speaking to Seann, who appeared himself as a contestant in 2022, she said 'I didn't watch this year's because of Farage being in it.'

'It was a step too far having [Matt] Hancock in there I felt but I thought I'd watch it anyway. But when they announced Farage I just thought, you f***ing a**eholes.'

Making reference to Nigel's strong opinions on immigration, Kathy continued: 'And I don't know was really angry with Ant and Dec. They're Irish descent, man.

The couple, who have been together for 35-years, flew over from Northern Ireland to see the show and sent the audience wild over the 'beautiful moment'

After Richard (L) said yes the two men threw their arms around each other and were congratulated by their comedian heroine and her special guest, Wonka actor Tom Davis

Taking to Instagram following the proposal onlookers gushed: 'Absolutely ended me, they were so sweet'

'And also I think it was really unfair on the rest of you, on the other contestants.'

However while Kathy shared her disappointment in Ant and Dec, the pair themselves also called for a year on I'm a Celebrity with 'no politicians' amid accusations from Nigel's team that ITV is 'stitching up' the former UKIP leader.

Allies of Nigel hit out at the broadcaster on various claims back in December including cutting his airtime, breaking an 'indecency' clause and alleging plans to release a video in which the Brexit Party founder makes a racial slur.

When asked if they would have Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on the show, Dec replied: 'I think we do a year without any politicians.'

Meanwhile Ant pumped his fists in the air on their Instagram Live and said: 'Agreed, agreed, agreed.'

Previous political figures on the show include Nadine Dorries in 2012, Edwina Currie in 2014, Stanley Johnson in 2017 and Matt Hancock.

Nigel became an unlikely favourite amongst viewers on last year's series and ended up finishing in third place behind Tony Bellew and winner Sam Thompson.

He caused a quite stir at ITV following his 'attention-seeking' tactics in the jungle which saw him stripping completely naked on a number of occasions.

His team fired off a legal letter to ITV bosses for showing him naked in the I'm A Celebrity jungle shower.

His furious aides claimed there was an 'indecency' clause in his contract which banned the channel from showing footage of him nude.
Bethenny Frankel was seen with her new boyfriend Tom Villante on Monday in Miami as they took in the Art Basel show.

They were seen side by side as they walked on the coastline.

The 54-year-old Real Housewives of New York veteran wore a summery long blue-and-orange dress with sunglasses and a hat on.

Her partner, 56, modeled a navy blue Alo hoodie, ivory shorts, a blue royal cap, sneakers and sunglasses.

The reality TV diva has been dating the Yapstone founder since this summer as they have been seen holding hands while out to dinner together.

This comes after the diva from NYC posed in a colorful string bikini at her hotel in an image shared to Instagram.

'Not here for the art... Just here for life. Art Basel weekend in Miami wouldnt be complete without good friends, amazing food, and a little sun! ' wrote the TV siren in her caption as she added the hashtags #miaminightlife #momsnightout.

Bethenny Frankel was seen with her new boyfriend Tom Villante on Monday in Miami as they took in the Art Basel show. They were seen side by side as they walked off the beach

The 54-year-old Real Housewives of New York veteran wore a summery long blue-and-orange dress with sunglasses and a hat on.

She has been seen with Tom for the past several months.

They were last spotted together on Friday as they held hands while strolling on the shore in Miami. She wore a white dress while he had on dark colors.

Her last romance was with fiance Paul Bernon.

Frankel has one child, daughter Bryn Hoppy, with her ex Jason Hoppy, whom she wed in 2010 and finalized her divorce from in 2021.

This comes after Frankel said she hasn't always enjoyed celebrating her birthday.

The star shared her birthday with her mom Bernadette - who died of lung cancer in April - and Bethenny has now admitted that their 'complicated' relationship made it difficult for her to celebrate the occasion.

The TV star wrote on Instagram: 'I was born on my mother's 20th birthday. I was never public about sharing her birthday.

'Our relationship was complicated at best and it represented pain and shame. Its symbolism was inescapable.

'Birthdays have always been an incredible source of anxiety. Like Goldilocks, too little was too little and too much was too much.

'The biggest trauma in my life was this mother daughter relationship, and we were tethered to one another on this one day. As a child I would get physically sick every year.'

This comes after the diva from NYC posed in a colorful string bikini at her hotel in an image shared to Instagram. 'Not here for the art... Just here for life. Art Basel weekend in Miami wouldnt be complete without good friends, amazing food, and a little sun! ' wrote the siren

Frankel made her first public appearance with Villante in November at the Yellowstone season 5B premiere in New York City

By contrast, Bethenny admitted that she now feels 'lighter' and 'happier'.

The TV star also revealed that she feels proud of her age and who she's become.

Bethenny continued: 'This year, I feel free, lighter, happier as if something has been lifted. It has been profoundly transformative. I am proud of my age and of the mother, friend, partner and person I am and I am truly happy. I have everything I want and need.

'Thank you for giving me the greatest gift I could ever ask for which is your love, understanding and support. I learn from you every day.

'Happy Birthday to myself xoxo [celebration emojis].

'PS. I can't wait to show you the vintage Mercedes I bought in her honor #happybirthday.'
Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie turned heads in stylish ensembles while arriving to the Today show to promote their new Peacock series, Paris & Nicole: The Encore.

As the longtime best friends sat down with journalist, Hoda Kotb, on Monday, the duo spoke about celebrating the 20th anniversary of their hit show, The Simple Life, with an opera song and returning to Arkansas for their new reunion series.

When asked what inspired them to reboot The Simple Life after two decades, Richie, 43, explained she and Hilton, also 43, had been 'talking about it over the phone' for a long time.

'We were talking about it over the phone and we just decided, you know what, it's been 20 years, we are excited to do it and celebrate a reunion,' the fashion designer explained.

After thinking long and hard what a reunion would involve and 'look like' for them, Richie said they settled on doing an opera together.

Paris Hilton and Nicole Richie turned heads in stylish ensembles while arriving to the Today show to promote their new Peacock series, Paris & Nicole: The Encore

'Nicole and I always like experiencing things that we have never experienced before. The opera world, obviously, is very new to us. But that's what makes our shows funny,' Hilton chimed in.

On Paris & Nicole: The Encore, the women attempt to produce an opera based on their iconic song, Sanasa, which they proudly wrote when they were both just seven.

Kotb went on to ask the duo if they could remember who said which famous lines from The Simple Life.

This included: 'Do they sell Marc Jacobs or Chanel in this grocery store?'

This was famously uttered by Hilton while Richie admitted she once said: 'I don't like good looking guys. I like them be really skinny and pale and look like they're dying.'

For their appearance, Hilton wore a white midi dress with a diamond silver bow at the neckline and Chanel purse.

Her other half stunned in a furry snow leopard coat over a matching skirt and black turtleneck.

The upcoming, three-part show will see the reality legends teaming up again to turn their Simple Life ditty, Sanasa, into an opera, more than 20 years after they first made it famous on their hit Y2K era series.

As the longtime best friends sat down with journalist, Hoda Kotb, on Monday, the duo spoke about celebrating the 20th anniversary of their hit show, The Simple Life, with an opera song and returning to Arkansas for their new reunion series

When asked what inspired them to reboot The Simple Life after two decades, Richie, 43, explained she and Hilton, also 43, had been 'talking about it over the phone' for a long time

'We were talking about it over the phone and we just decided, you know what, it's been 20 years, we are excited to do it and celebrate a reunion,' the fashion designer explained

A glamorous trailer teasing all the hilarity was released earlier this month - and fans were left 'screaming' and 'physically shaking' in response to the trailer.

In the comments section of Peacock's post promoting the trailer, one fan boldly declared, 'This will heal America.'

'i'm shaking. i'm PHYSICALLY SHAKING,' another proclaimed.

'The founding mothers are back,' one fan wrote.

The new trailer captures the women transforming Sanasa, the song they sang on the original Simple Life series, into a full-blown opera and returning to the state where their show kicked off, Arkansas.

'We decided to turn our famous song, Sanasa, into an opera,' Nicole explains to Paris' mother Kathy Hilton.

'What?' she bluntly replies.

'Sanasa, sanasa,' the women begin singing.

After thinking long and hard what a reunion would involve and 'look like' for them, Richie said they settled on doing an opera together.

'Nicole and I always like experiencing things that we have never experienced before. The opera world, obviously, is very new to us. But that's what makes our shows funny,' Hilton chimed in

With the help of singing sensation Sia, the duo hold auditions and stage a full opera centered around their simple song.

The trailer even sees the duo returning to Arkansas on a private jet, where they stop by an intersection named after them.

They even return to some of their old Simple Life hijinks as they work at a Sonic drive-in.

The three-part reunion special will premiere on Peacock on December 12.

Recently the duo admitted their parents warned them against signing up for now iconic reality series The Simple Life.

The three-part series will see the duo turning their Simple Life ditty 'Sanasa' into a full-blown opera

A glamorous trailer teasing all the hilarity was released earlier this month - and fans were left 'screaming' and 'physically shaking' in response to the trailer

With the help of singing sensation Sia, the duo hold auditions and stage a full opera centered around their simple song

Launched in 2004, the show turned childhood friends Paris and Nicole into Y2K era icons with its depiction of the pair as hopelessly spoiled socialites who try their hand at a variety of low paying, menial and frequently thankless jobs - with hilarious results.

But a reported rift between its two principal stars led to the show's cancellation in 2007, with season five - in which the girls take jobs as summer camp counsellors- their last, until now.

Seventeen years older and considerably wiser, the pair are set to revive the format for a surprise return - but it might never have happened at all had they heeded the advice of their concerned parents.

Reflecting on its original concept with the digital December edition of Glamour UK, Paris - the daughter of businessman Richard Hilton and his TV personality wife Kathy - and Nicole - legally adopted by Motown legend Lionel Richie as a baby - admit their respective families vetoed the idea as soon as they heard it.

Launched in 2004, the show turned childhood friends Paris and Nicole into Y2K era icons with its depiction of the pair as hopelessly spoiled socialites who try their hand at a variety of low paying, menial and frequently thankless jobs - with hilarious results

But a reported rift between its two principal stars led to the show's cancellation in 2007, with season five - in which the girls take jobs as summer camp counsellors- their last, until now

'Our parents did not want us to do it and told us not to,' recalled Paris. 'It was the first of its kind. They hear that were going to be sent somewhere and we dont know where were going.

'But after the first episode aired, my mom called me and shes like, This is the most hilarious show Ive ever seen in my life. You and Nicole are incredible. Shes like, I was wrong for once.

Thrust into a series unfamiliar working environments, the pair were routinely portrayed as airheaded brats with no real understanding of the world beyond their cossetted Beverly Hills surroundings.

'For me, its definitely a character,' Paris said of her onscreen persona. 'When Nicole and I got approached to do this, they described it as Green Acres meets Clueless, so I knew what the audience wanted - that blonde-airhead type of character.

Seventeen years older and considerably wiser, the pair are set to revive the format for a surprise return; seen in 2004

'So I really played into that with questions like, "Whats Walmart?" I always knew what I was doing because Im not a dumb blonde. Im just very good at pretending to be one.'

Now 43 years old, the pair will resurrect their ditzy alter-egos for a three-part reunion special, available to watch on Peacock and Amazon Prime.

And they hope to win a new, younger legion of fans when it finally streams.

'The people that watched The Simple Life when it originally came out might know that weve been friends since we were two, but I dont necessarily think everyone is as familiar with that now,' said Nicole.

'And so we take you around parts of LA where we used to hang out, what we used to do in our childhood.

'So really just painting a picture of what our friendship and our life was before we even did the show so that you really understand why when the opportunity came up for us to do it, it was just an automatic yes.'
Tamara Ecclestone has insisted she will 'not be pushed out of her house' despite the terrifying 25million burglary in her London home in 2019.

The British model and F1 heiress, 40, was with her husband Jay Rutland, and daughter Sophia, 10, in Lapland when three thieves broke in and plundered 25million worth of jewellery and cash from their home on 'Billionaire's Row' in Kensington.

In just over an hour the burglars cleared the mansion of 400 items of jewellery and large sums of cash.

While the horrific robbery sometimes makes Sophia and her youngest daughter Serena, four, 'anxious', Tamara revealed they have moved on as a family.

Describing her home as their 'happy place', Tamara explained she now doesn't wear jewellery out and has security with her 24/7.

She told The Sun: 'I dont wear any jewellery if I am out, not even my wedding ring. I have security with me all the time. But if I am out with my girls, Fifi and Serena, I dont really want something to happen or for them to see security intervening.

Tamara Ecclestone, 40, has insisted she will 'not be pushed out of her house' despite the terrifying 25million burglary in her London home in 2019

In just over an hour the burglars cleared the mansion of 400 items of jewellery and large sums of cash

'I tell myself its just material things and really it doesnt matter. I dont have anything to prove. I dont need to wear all the bling. I wont be pushed out of this house. This is my happy place.

'It took me a while to settle back in. I think anyone who has experienced returning home after a burglary can relate but we have moved on as a family. I still havent told Fifi [Sophia] exactly what happened because she can be quite anxious.'

Tamara is the daughter of former chief executive of Formula One Bernie Ecclestone.

She spoke out on the robbery for the first time last month and revealed she believes it was an 'inside job' and fears some of the culprits will never face justice in the UK.

Italian defendants Jugoslav Jovanovic, Alessandro Maltese and Alessandro Donati were jailed for a total of 28 years at Isleworth Crown Court in November 2021 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to burgle.

Donati, 46, was given an eight-year sentence as was Alessandro Maltese, 47, while Jugoslav Jovanovic, 26, got 11 years. A cleaner was charged in connection with the burglary but later cleared of involvement.

MailOnline revealed Donati was freed just before last Christmas under the early release scheme for foreign prisoners, with Tamara later telling in a statement of her anger and 'disappointment' at him being released 'so soon after the burglary occurred'.

Following the convictions an international manhunt was launched for the fourth man, named in court as Daniel Vukovic.

The British model and F1 heiress was with her husband Jay Rutland, and daughter Sophia, 10, in Lapland when three thieves broke in and plundered 25million worth of jewellery and cash from their home on 'Billionaire's Row' in Kensington (pictured with their other daughter Serena)

While the horrific robbery sometimes makes Sophia and her youngest daughter Serena, four, 'anxious', Tamara revealed they have moved on as a family

Describing her home as their 'happy place', Tamara explained she now doesn't wear jewellery out and has security with her 24/7

He is reported to have been charged in Serbia in June this year in connection with the crime, under the name Ljubomir Romanov, but has not been extradited to the UK.

Tamara says she now goes everywhere with two bodyguards out of fear of being kidnapped, as her 5ft 4in father has fallen victim to several burglaries.

She described how the burglary has 'definitely made me feel that things aren't always as they appear, people you think you can trust, you can't always trust, which is a lesson I've learnt time and time again. This time it really hit home.'

And the socialite told of her frustration that potential offenders remain on the run, while none of the 400 stolen items have been recovered.

She added: 'The biggest letdown really is that the [other] people who did it will probably never be extradited to the UK.

'I think it is worse getting caught and then nothing actually happening to them.'

When asked whether she thought the burglary was an 'inside job', she replied: 'Im not really allowed to speak about that but I dont see how its not.'
Cillian Murphy is continuing to film scenes for Peaky Blinders' upcoming movie The Immortal Man in Manchester.

The Oscar-winning actor, 48, was seen on set this week, shooting scenes for his role as gangland boss Tommy Shelby.

The actor donned Tommy's trademark newsboy hat as well as a long coat, matching suit and patent leather shoes.

The Oppenheimer star looked somber while engaging in what looked like an animated conversation with a co-star.

Fans of the show are eagerly anticipating the feature film after six seasons of the BBC show.

Cillian and the rest of the crew have made Manchester their home for the time being, although the drama is based in Birmingham, after recently shooting in north-east Wales.

Cillian Murphy is continuing to film scenes for Peaky Blinders ' upcoming movie The Immortal Man in Manchester

The Oscar-winning actor, 48, was seen on set this week, shooting scenes for his role as gangland boss Tommy Shelby

It was confirmed in June that the Peaky Blinders' original writing and directing team would be returning alongside Cillian for a Netflix film adaptation of the hit series.

The streaming service confirmed the news on X with a photograph of the script, while the Oscar winning actor told Deadline: 'It seems like Tommy Shelby wasn't finished with me

'It is very gratifying to be re-collaborating with Steven Knight and Tom Harper on the film version of Peaky Blinders. This is one for the fans.'

Director Tom shared: 'When I first directed Peaky Blinders over 10 years ago, we didn't know what the series would become, but we did know that there was something in the alchemy of the cast and the writing that felt explosive.

'Peaky has always been a story about family - and so it's incredibly exciting to be reuniting with Steve and Cillian to bring the movie to audiences across the world on Netflix.'

Peaky Blinders launched in 2013 and garnered huge audiences both in Britain and overseas, attracting roles for silver-screen stars such as Tom Hardy and Anya Taylor-Joy.

The show is loosely based on a real Birmingham gang of the same name operating from the 1880s to the 1920s who took part in similar illegal activities.

Peaky Blinders aired six series over nine years and ended with Tommy, who had been tricked into believing he had a terminal illness, surviving an assassination attempt orchestrated by his own nephew before killing him and moving away for a new life.

The actor donned Tommy's trademark newsboy hat as well as a long coat, matching suit and patent leather shoes

The Golden Globe winner rocked a matching suit as gangster Tommy

Also sporting black leather gloves, the pictures show the feature movie will be set in a cold season

The Oppenheimer star looked somber while engaging in what looked like an animated conversation

Cillian was captured pointing his finger during the serious exchange

The acting legend hasn't aged a a day since his early days playing the gangland boss

The hugely popular BBC crime drama, set in Birmingham during the city's early 20th century industrial revolution, ended its six series run in 2022.

Paul Anderson who plays Tommy's eldest and troubled brother Arthur - is also returning to the show.

The actor, 46, has ditched his usual look in favour of a platinum blonde style while continuing to film for The Immortal Man.

Earlier this year, he raised fears about his acting future as a drug conviction in January and allegations of bad behaviour on set threatened his participation.
Jay-Z has filed to dismiss a civil lawsuit accusing him of raping a 13-year-old alongside Sean 'Diddy' Combs in 2000.

The rapper, 55, was accused of committing the alleged child rape alongside Combs, 55, after the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards in a civil lawsuit filed Sunday.

The accuser, who identifies herself as Jane Doe in legal documents reviewed by Dailymail.com, says the assault took place at a party after the award show.

Now attorneys for Jay-Z - real name Shawn Carter - have asked for the case to be dismissed or Jane Doe's real name publicly revealed in new motions filed in federal court in New York Monday.

A memorandum accompanying the filed motion from Jay-Zs Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan attorney Alex Spiro obtained by DailyMail.com reads: 'Defendant is respectfully seeking either dismissal of the allegations or disclosure of the Plaintiffs identity. Fair is fair.

The memo continued: 'Mr. Carter deserves to know the identity of the person who is effectively accusing him - in sensationalized, publicity-hunting fashionof criminal conduct, demanding massive financial compensation, and tarnishing a reputation earned over decades.

Jay-Z has filed to dismiss a civil lawsuit accusing him of raping a 13-year-old alongside Sean 'Diddy' Combs in 2000 - Diddy and Jay-Z pictured at a Grammy event in January of 2020

Jay-Z pictured during the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in NYC

Taking aim at the plaintiff's attorney Tony Buzbee, it continues: 'This Court has recognized the nearly identical claims brought by other Plaintiffs represented by Attorney Buzbee do not meet the criteria to proceed anonymously.

'Here, the balance of the equities afford all the more reason why this Plaintiff should be proceeding under her true name, if she wishes to proceed at all.'

Attorneys for Carter also described Buzbee as having 'devoted himself to the business of extracting large settlements from a multitude of celebrities, high net worth individuals, and businesses with any public ties to Sean Combs.

Furthermore, the motion claims Buzbee has 'a history of targeting celebrities by making false allegations of misconduct' and alleges that the case against Carter 'is about retaliating against the rare target who would not pay.'

The motion adds Carter 'should not have to defend himself in the brightest of spotlights against an accuser who hides in complete darkness while leveling allegations.'

DailyMail.com has contacted Buzbee for comment.

The lawsuit had initially been filed in New York's Southern District this past October against Combs, with a refiling on Sunday naming Jay-Z.

The woman accusing the rapper claims that the assault took place at an afterparty following the event, which took place September 7, 2000 at New York City's Radio City Music Hall.

Dailymail.com reached out to Tony Buzbee, the lawyer representing Jay-Z's accuser, for comment.

Jay-Z issued a lengthy statement to DailyMail.com on Sunday denying the claims made in the re-filed lawsuit. DailyMail.com also reached out to a Beyonce representative on the story.

'My lawyer received a blackmail attempt, called a demand letter, from a lawyer named Tony Buzbee,' he said. 'What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle.

'No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!'

The musician continued, 'These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree?

A memorandum accompanying the filed motion from Jay-Zs Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan attorney Alex Spiro read : 'Defendant is respectfully seeking either dismissal of the allegations or disclosure of the Plaintiffs identity. Fair is fair' - Jay-Z pictured November 2024

Now attorneys for Jay-Z - real name Shawn Carter - have asked for the case to be dismissed or Jane Doe's real name publicly revealed in new motions filed in federal court in New York Monday - Diddy and Jay-Z pictured at an October 2004 event in NYC

Jay-Z issued a lengthy statement Sunday denying the claims made in the re-filed lawsuit

'These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case. This lawyer, who I have done a bit of research on, seems to have a pattern of these type of theatrics!'

Jay-Z, who has three children from his 16-year marriage to Beyonce, referenced his family in his reply.

'My only heartbreak is for my family,' Jay-Z said. 'My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people.

Jay-Z, who is father to daughter Blue Ivy, 12, and twins Rumi and Sir, seven, with the superstar songstress, said he was dismayed his children would have to hear about the allegations.

'I mourn yet another loss of innocence,' he said. 'Children should not have to endure such at their young age. It is unfair to have to try to understand inexplicable degrees of malice meant to destroy families and human spirit.'

Diddy seen at an afterparty shot taken the same evening alongside ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez

Diddy, pictured at the event 24 years ago, has been in custody in NYC for almost three months as he awaits his sex trafficking trial in May

The rap staple, whose hits include Empire State Of Mind, Big Pimpin' and Can I Get A, took personal aim at Buzbee, who has taken on more than 100 cases against Combs.

'I have no idea how you have come to be such a deplorable human Mr. Buzbee, but I promise you I have seen your kind many times over,' Jay-Z said in his reply. 'Im more than prepared to deal with your type. You claim to be a marine?! Marines are known for their valor, you have neither honor nor dignity.

'My heart and support goes out to true victims in the world, who have to watch how their life story is dressed in costume for profitability by this ambulance chaser in a cheap suit.'

Jay-Z said in his statement that Buzbee 'made a terrible error in judgement' in categorizing all celebrities as the same, referencing his own rise amid humble New York City beginnings.

'Im not from your world,' he said. 'Im a young man who made it out of the project of Brooklyn. We dont play these types of games.

'We have very strict codes and honor. We protect children, you seem to exploit people for personal gain.'

Jay-Z wrapped up his statement in saying, 'Only your network of conspiracy theorists, fake physics, will believe the idiotic claims you have levied against me that, if not for the seriousness surrounding harm to kids, would be laughable. I look forward to showing you just how different I am.'

The statement was initially sent to Dailymail.com then published on the Instagram account for Jay-Z's Roc Nation label.

Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee, who has taken on more than 100 cases against Combs, named Jay-Z in Sunday's filing. Pictured in 2022

The legal documents filed against Jay-Z indicate that he was past referred to as 'Celebrity A' in a prior legal filing, and says he has homes in New York City and Los Angeles

In the suit filed by Buzbee's firm, the accuser said that the sexual assault occurred at a house party following the VMAs.

The accuser was hoping to attend the VMAs as a 'bucket list' aspiration, according to the lawsuit, and 'believed she could gain entry.'

As the show started, the accuser said she 'approached several limousine drivers parked nearby and attempted to talk her way into either' the event or afterparties associated with it.

The accuser said in the lawsuit that a limo driver who said they worked for Diddy 'told her that Combs liked younger girls and said she "fit what Diddy was looking for."'

The driver said that he would return to pick ho the accuser after dropping Combs off at the location of the bash.

The accuser said that following a 20-minute drive, she 'arrived at what she believed to be a large white residence with a gated U-shaped driveway' and was told to sign her name to a document she 'now believes to have been a non-disclosure agreement,' as she didn't receive a copy.

Once in the home, the accuser 'recognized many celebrities' and 'attempted to mingle in the crowd' and speak with people.

'Marijuana and cocaine' use was a part of the 'widespread drug use' she witnessed once inside, the accuser said in the suit.

The accuser said she took a drink that had 'a reddish-yellow mixture that tasted like orange juice, cranberry juice, and something bitter' and 'began to feel woozy and lightheaded, making her need to lie down.'

Jay-Z was snapped chatting with Beyonce and her Destiny Child's bandmates Michelle Williams and Kelly Rowland in January of 2001

The accuser said in legal documents that she laid down in 'what appeared to be an empty bedroom' and subsequently, Combs, Jay-Z and a female celebrity referred to as "Celebrity B" entered the room.

'Combs aggressively approached Plaintiff with a crazed look in his eyes, grabbed her, and said, "You are ready to party!"' legal documents read.

The accuser said in the lawsuit that Combs threw her 'toward a wall,' leading her to fall, then 'grabbed her again and threw her on the bed.'

The accuser said Jay-Z began stripping her down 'as she grew more and more disoriented' and held her down as 'he vaginally raped her, while Combs and Celebrity B watched.

'After [Jay-Z] finished, he stepped back toward the wall. Combs then stepped forward and vaginally raped Plaintiff while Carter and Celebrity B watched.'

According to legal docs, in the 2000 incident, 'another celebrity stood by and watched as Combs and Carter took turns assaulting the minor. Many others were present at the after party, but did nothing to stop the assault.

'Carter has been with Combs during many such instances described herein. Both perpetrators must face justice.'

The accuser said in legal documents that Combs tried to force her 'to perform oral sex on him,' at which point she 'fought back, standing up quickly and punching out at the same time, hitting Combs in the neck,' at which point he 'stopped his attempt.'

The rap staple, pictured in August in NYC, took personal aim at Buzbee, who has taken on more than 100 cases against Combs, in his response to the legal filing

Jay-Z said in his statement that Buzbee 'made a terrible error in judgement' in categorizing all celebrities as the same, referencing his own rise amid humble New York City beginnings

The accuser said she was able to escape the property and 'retrace the route taken by the limo driver,' arriving at 'a gas station she noticed on the way to the party.

After 'a female clerk noticed her distress and allowed her to use the phone,' the accuser said she 'called her father, admitted that she had lied about her whereabouts, and asked him to pick her up,' which he did.

The accuser 'fell into a deep depression which continues to affect every facet of her life,' according to the lawsuit.

She 'suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and a seizure disorder caused by stress and trauma,' the suit states.

The accuser has also 'has had difficulty maintaining normal relationships and lives largely withdrawn from society.'

The accuser is asking the court for unspecified damages in the suit, which had been filed under New York state's Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act.

Sunday's filing marks the first time Buzbee has named a public figure apart from Combs in legal documents.

The legal documents filed against Jay-Z indicate that he was past referred to as 'Celebrity A' in a prior legal filing, and says he has homes in New York City and Los Angeles.

Beyonce and Jay-Z were pictured earlier this year at the Grammy Awards in LA

Buzbee told TMZ in a statement Sunday evening, 'Mr. Carter previously denied being the one who sued me and my firm. He even filed his frivolous case under a pseudonym.

'What he fails to say in his recent statement is my firm sent his lawyer a demand letter on behalf of an alleged victim and that victim never demanded a penny from him. Instead, she only sought a confidential mediation.'

The attorney wrapped up in saying, 'Since I sent the letter on her behalf, Mr. Carter has not only sued me, but he has tried to bully and harass me and this plaintiff. His conduct has had the opposite impact. She is emboldened. Im very proud of her resolve.'

The timeframe of the incident appears to align with when Jay-Z and Beyonce's relationship began getting serious.

Beyonce told Seventeen magazine that she initially met Jay-Z at the age of 18 (a timeframe spanning from September of 1999 through August of 2000), People previously reported.

Beyonce told Oprah Winfrey on OWN in 2013, 'We were friends first for a year and a half before we went on any dates.

'We were on the phone for a year and a half, and that foundation is so important for a relationship. Just to have someone who you just like is so important, and someone [who] is honest.'

By November 2001, they were seen with one another on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine, with Jay-Z telling the publication they 'were just beginning to try to date each other,' adding: 'She's a charming Southern girl, you know ... but I would have definitely had to be this cool.'

Combs, who is being held at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, has denied all of the allegations against him

Combs in September was charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and additional offenses by federal officials. He has tried in vain to get bail on three occasions. Pictured in NYC in 2018

Combs, who is being held at Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, has denied all of the allegations against him.

Combs in September was charged with sex trafficking, racketeering and additional offenses by federal officials. He has tried in vain to get bail on three occasions.

Attorneys for Combs issued a statement to TMZ on Sunday evening calling Buzbee's latest move one in a series of 'shameless publicity stunts;' and reiterated their stance on the case against Combs.

'This amended complaint and the recent extortion lawsuit against Mr. Buzbee exposes his barrage of lawsuits against Mr. Combs for what they are: shameless publicity stunts, designed to extract payments from celebrities who fear having lies spread about them, just as lies have been spread about Mr. Combs,' the statement read.

It continued: 'As his legal team has said before, Mr. Combs has full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone - man or woman, adult or minor.'
She boasted about his manhood shortly after being released from prison, famously bragging the 'D is fire.'

But Gypsy Rose Blanchard is now singing a different tune about her sex life with then-husband Ryan Anderson.

'Ryan and my sex life was not ideal. I told him privately. Maybe it was a lack of attraction in that area or if I still wasn't processing properly,' Blanchard told People.

Blanchard, 33, and Anderson wed in 2022 and the marriage was consummated shortly after her release.

A newly-freed Blanchard famously proclaimed 'the D is fire' after Anderson was hit with cruel comments over a selfie he shared back in January.

'Ryan, don't listen to the haters. I love you, and you love me,' the famous felon - who admitted to People she was still struggling shortly after regaining freedom - wrote in the comments.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard is now saying she didn't enjoy sex with her ex Ryan Anderson even though she previously bragged about his manhood

'We do not owe anyone anything. Our family is who matters. If you get likes and good comments great, if you get hate then whatever because THEY DON'T MATTER.'

She continued: 'I love you...besides they jealous because you are rocking my world every nightyeah I said it, the D is fire...happy wife happy life.'

Blanchard and Anderson have since gone their separate ways and she has since moved on with boyfriend Ken Urker, whom she was previously engaged to prior to meeting Anderson.

Blanchard and Urker are now expecting their first child together, a baby girl.

Blanchard and Anderson have since settled their divorce.

The duo, who married in 2022 when Gypsy was still in prison for conspiring to kill her mother, have come to a resolution in their split, according to TMZ. The agreement has yet to be approved by a judge.

Blanchard (born Gypsy-Rose Alcida) filed for divorce from Anderson on April 8 shortly after they publicly announced their split.

She announced her separation from Anderson, a special education teacher, on March 28.

Blanchard and Anderson's split occurred just three months after her release from Missouri's Chillicothe Correctional Center, where she had served seven years for her involvement in the conspiracy to kill her mother, Dee Dee.

Anderson and Blanchard obtained a marriage license in Chillicothe, Missouri, in late June 2022, while she was still serving time in prison, as reported by Springfield News-Leader.

And then, less a month later, they decided to tie-the-knot in a small prison ceremony without any guests.

The duo, who married in 2022 when Gypsy was still in prison for conspiring to kill her mother, have come to a resolution in their split

The pair would end up calling it quits about three months after Blanchard was released from Chillicothe Correctional Center in Missouri in March 2024.

'Unfortunately my husband and I are going through a separation and I moved in with my parents,' she shared on Facebook at that time. 'I have the support of my family and friends to help guide me through this. I am learning to listen to my heart. Right now I need time to let myself find who I am.'

Soon after revealing her discovery process to find out 'who I am' she was spotted spending time with Urker, her ex-fiance.

After their split, she reconnected with her ex-fiance Ken Uker, and the couple are now expecting their first child together

Some four months later she and Urker would make the announcement that they're expecting their first baby together.

The Munchausen by proxy victim was released from Chillicothe Correctional Center in Missouri in December, 2023, after serving the mandatory seven years of her 10-year sentence for conspiring to kill her mother, Dee Dee.

In what has become one of the best-known cases of Munchausen by proxy, Blanchard spent her childhood posing as a wheelchair bound invalid while Dee Dee subjected her to years of ill health, shaving her head, pumping her full of unnecessary medications, and convincing the world that she was suffering from leukemia and muscular dystrophy.

Blanchard's mother's stranglehold came to an end in 2015 when she persuaded the boyfriend she had met online, Nicholas Godejohn, to creep into their home in Springfield, Missouri, and stab her mother to death.

Godejohn and Gypsy were arrested and sentenced to prison terms, with Gypsy sentenced to 10 years for second-degree murder in July 2016 and Godejohn ordered to spend life in behind bars for first-degree murder in February 2019.
MBABANE  A bank manager in one of the international financial institutions and her husband, who is also a manager in one of the mobile telephony companies, endured a night of misery, as three thieves broke into their house and held them captive.

The couple was said to have been held hostage in their own household on Friday night at Mpolonjeni, Mbabane. The robbers stole items valuated at E158 000. The wife is reportedly holding a high position at an international bank, which has its offices in the country, while the husband also holds a high position at one of the local mobile network operators.

The items that the robbers went away with include a Mazda 2 vehicle, furniture, clothes, kitchen cutlery, an electric stove and other valuables, whose total amounts to E158 000.

Recovered

The stolen property included a fridge, deep-freezer, TV set, speakers, electricity plugs, a solar, electric stove, dishes, washing and bathing soaps, suitcase, cooler-boxes, which were later recovered. The couple, from Mpolonjeni in the Hhohho Region, were left tied with ropes by the robbers and their mouths were stuffed with material that made it hard for them to raise the alarm. Sources have shared that a neighbour suspected that there might be something wrong and called the police who, in line with their Seskhona slogan, attended to the scene swiftly.

Police are said to have to come to the rescue of the couple, who remained tied after the robbery incident and they detailed their ordeal to the men in blue.

For some strange reason, the neighbour suspected that something was amiss at the couples homestead and decided to call the police, who attended the scene, only to find that the robbers had long left, said the source. The trio were reportedly arrested by the police as they returned from Ludzeludze, where they had disposed some of the stolen items through selling them.

The sources said the three suspects, aged 24, 28 and 34, did not just hold the couple hostage, but they also went away with the goods valued at E158 000, including a vehicle which the police later recovered. The vehicle, as detailed by the sources, was driven by one of the robbers when police pounced on it, leading to the arrest of the trio.

Our sister publication, Eswatini News, on Saturday, reported that it took robbers about five minutes to bomb and rob two ATMs over E1.3 million and the Royal Eswatini Police Services (REPS) swift intervention saw some of them being arrested within an hour. The incident took place at Mpaka Shopping Complex in the Lubombo Region, in the early hours of Saturday morning, around 1am, and the two affected automated teller machines (ATMs) belong to First National Bank (FNB) and EswatiniBank.

Chief Police Information and Communications Officer, Senior Superintendent Phindile Vilakati, said there were no new arrests made on the case and police are still investigating.

On the matter concerning the robbery of the couple, Vilakati confirmed the incident. She detailed that three suspects had been arrested by the police in connection with the robbery and the vehicle they stole was recovered and it is in police custody. Fortunately, when the police were doing their patrols at night, they discovered the vehicle, leading to the arrest of the three suspects, said Vilakati.

Burglary

According to the REPS Second Quarter Performance Report, tabled in Parliament recently, housebreaking with intent to steal and theft criminality occurred in both business and residential areas when the residence was unoccupied and occupants would only discover the burglary on their return. The targeted areas are mainly urban and peri-urban, where quick escape routes are easily accessed by the offenders, as revealed in the report.

The Royal Eswatini Police Service, in partnership with relevant stakeholders continues to intensify the existing neighbourhood watch schemes through capacitation as an intervention for target hardening which, therefore, has a propensity of decreasing and limiting the occurrence of the offence thereto, reads the report. According to the report, with regard to prioritised and serious crimes, there has been a decrease of three per cent. There were 595 robberies reported in the period between July 1 to September 30 in 2023, and the figure declined to 516 in the same period in 2024.

Serious crimes that were on the decrease include armed robbery (-61.8 per cent), Murder (-39.3 per cent), attempted murder (-50 per cent), robberies (-13.3 per cent), stock theft (-16.7 per cent) and car theft (-5.7 per cent). This decline is as a result of a combination of strategies or programmes including visible policing, public educational programmes and partnerships with various categories of stakeholders in the crime-fighting value chain, reads the report. The incident occured at a time when there is a high crime wave in the country, which has seen police reporting multiple crimes across the country, with murder being the most reported offence.
Technology companies were ranked among the best-run in the US this year, as companies like Walmart and Tractor Supply were labeled as 'red flag' employers.

Apple unseated Microsoft for first place in the Management Top 250 for 2024, while Nvidia came in second, Microsoft ranked third and Intel rounded out the top four, the Wall Street Journal reports.

Management Top 250 rankings compare companies using lFate management guru Peter Drucker's principles to identify the most well-managed businesses each year.

For 2024, 842 companies were graded against five categories -- including customer satisfaction, innovation, social responsibility, employee engagement and development and financial strength.

Those categories are measured based on 35 indicators supplied by third-party data providers, using a statistical model created by researchers at Claremont Graduate University's Drucker Institute.

Companies that are in the top 15 percent in each of the categories are designated 'all stars,' while those that score in the bottom 25 percent in any category are designated as 'red flags.'

But this year, Apple was listed as the only all-star. That marks the first time the list has only one all star -- usually there are about half a dozen.

Other companies like Nvidia and Microsoft came close this year, as tech companies emerged as this year's big winners following a downturn that saw them laying off thousands of workers.

Management Top 250 compared 842 companies against five categories -- including customer satisfaction, innovation, social responsibility, employee engagement and development and financial strength

'Technology is thriving,' said Michael H Kelly, the executive director of Drucker Institute.

'Companies that know how to best incorporate technology into their organization, not just for innovation, but that realize their workers are customers too, and what their employees experience is what their customers will also experience are companies that thrive.'

For Apple, 2024 marked a rebound after it started off the year with faltering iPhone sales and new competition from rivals in China only to beat Wall Street expectations in the quarter that ended in June.

It was bolstered by the company's services unit, which includes App Store revenue and streaming services, that helped provide a cushion for declining iPhone sales.

At the same time, sales of iPads and MacBooks rose, and by September, Apple reported record revenue.

The company has also been trying to catch up on its rivals in the AI arms race, unveiling an array of new tools in June that investors hoped would encourage users to upgrade their iPhones.

The new Apple Intelligence software will now retrieve information from across a user's apps and scan personal information to help users proofread text, retrieve photos of specific family members or gauge traffic ahead of their commute.

Users can also create their own images and emojis, and convert sketches into diagrams, the Journal reports.

To achieve these functions, Apple partnered with OpenAI and ChatGPT.

Apple topped the list and was listed as this year's only 'all-star' company

Some experts now credit CEO Tim Cook with the company's success.

'While he hasn't been the pioneer in areas like AI, he's very wisely a quick adapter,' Jeffrey Sonnenfeld, senior associate dean for leadership studies at Yale School of Management.

'And in a company that used to be resistant to partnerships on the outside, what he's done with the very promising Apple Intelligence, working with OpenAI, is an example of why people are so excited about the company.'

Sonnenfeld also cited Cook's public championing of consumer privacy and his collaborative style as factors that made the company excel in the areas of social responsibility and employee engagement.

'Steve Jobs would often have a fair bit of internecine warfare and Tim Cook had none of that. He got these folks to work together collaboratively,' he said.

'Employees feel really engaged. They feel really valued.'

Experts credited CEO Tim Cook with Apple's success this year

The tech giant unseated Microsoft to claim the number one spot

Other companies that performed well include Mastercard, Philip Morris International and Johnson & Johnson.

Mastercard executives have told investors they are working to enhance convenience and security of payment technology through contactless cards and tokenization, while they are also building banking and retail experiences that can be personalized through augmented reality and AI-powered cybersecurity to thwart potential scammers.

Johnson & Johnson also benefitted from a high score in innovation, after submitting 28 regulatory filings in the US and EU for Innovative Medicine business and launching 10 major products in the US and EU as of December 2.

Tobacco giant Philip Morris International, meanwhile, ranked high in innovation and social responsibility amid a years-long mission to transition from cigarettes to smoke-free products like its Zyn flavored nicotine pouches and a device called IQOS that heats, but doesn't burn tobacco.

The company announced earlier this year that its Zyn pouches had become so popular that its only US factory couldn't churn them out fast enough.

Retail giant Walmart received a red flag for employee engagement

This year's list also included some newcomers, like Airbnb and Netflix.

Airbnb had just missed ranking on the list last year, but benefitted from strong scores in innovation and financial strength as it generated more revenue than forecasted due to the Olympics in Paris and the Euro Cup in Germany.

Netflix also had high scores across the board, except in employee engagement.

Its ranking on the list suggests its efforts to change its plan pricing, limit password-sharing and expand advertising is working.

Companies that received red flags include Meta Platforms, Walmart and Tractor Supply - which received a low score on employee engagement.

It announced in June that it is eliminating all jobs focused on DEI-efforts and withdrawing its carbon-emission goals. The company also said it would stop sponsoring pride festivals.

Meta, meanwhile, was afflicted by criticisms of its data-privacy practices, its handling of misinformation and its algorithms, which continue to promote problematic content like underage sex.

And while Walmart moved up five spots in the rankings, it received a red flag for employee engagement.

Over the past year, the retailer changed pay and titles for corporate staff, including a reduction in stock compensation, changed the wage structure for hourly workers, cut pay for some new hires and laid off hundreds of workers.

Walmart also asked most remote corporate workers to return to the office.

Yet a Walmart spokeswoman pointed out a number of ways the company has invested in its associates, including raising the average store-manager salary, starting a new bonus program for hourly associates and launching a program that helps hourly supply-chain workers learn new trade skill and move into higher-paid technician roles.

Pfizer was one of the worst performers this year, following the COVID emergency

Among the worst performers were healthcare, life-sciences and pharmaceutical companies that have gone by the wayside following the pandemic.

Once the COVID emergency receded, sales of Pfizer's vaccine and anti-viral products fell more than executives had anticipated while its new drugs failed to gain steam.

Eli Lilly also had a rough start to the year as supply constraints for a popular class of diabetes and obesity drugs limited its first-quarter sales.

Separately, in the automotive industry, Tesla received low scores in every category except innovation, and Chevron suffered from lower scores in satisfaction, innovation and financial strength.

Top 10 financially strong companies Nvidia Apple Microsoft Alphabet Amazon.com Procter & Gamble Walmart Meta Platforms JPMorgan Chase Progressive Advertisement

Top 10 companies for customer satisfaction Iron Mountain Intel Ball Owens Corning Estee Lauder Deere Johnson Controls International Prologis Caterpillar & Trane Technologies (tied) Advertisement
Mondelez International, the maker of Oreo cookies and Ritz crackers, is reportedly eyeing a takeover of iconic US chocolate maker Hershey.

The a potential blockbuster deal, first reported by Bloomberg this morning, that could create a $50 billion snack powerhouse.

According to sources close to the matter, the Chicago-based snack giant has made a preliminary approach to Hershey, famous for its Kisses and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups.

Mondelez, valued at $84 billion, is keen to combine forces with Hershey, which has a market worth of about $35 billion.

But the company - then known as Kraft - faced the wrath of Cadbury's chocolate fans after the takeover of the British brand.

Mondelez International is a spin-off of US giant Kraft Foods, which bought out Cadbury's in 2010. The firm was established in Britain in 1824 by John Cadbury.

A string of complaints including changing the recipe of the brand's iconic Creme Eggs, shrinking bars, bizarre new recipes, and job losses.

It led to claims that Cadbury had 'betrayed its heritage' after the takeover, according to a 2016 TV documentary from the respected Dispatches series.

Cadbury-parent Mondelez International is exploring the acquisition of chocolate maker Hershey, Bloomberg reported on Monday

Mondelez, valued at $84 billion, is keen to combine forces with Hershey, which has a market worth of about $35 billion. The deal would create one of the world's largest confectioner.

This isn't Mondelez's first attempt to woo Hershey. Back in 2016, the company walked away after its $23 billion bid was rejected.

But with the packaged-food industry facing sluggish growth and changing consumer habits, the stakes are higher than ever for consolidation.

If successful, the acquisition would top this year's largest deal - Mars' $36 billion purchase of Kellanova. Its brands include Pringles, Carrs and Special K.

But the road to a takeover isn't easy: any deal would need approval from the Hershey Trust, which holds 80 percent of the company's voting power.

Hershey shares have slipped 6 percent this year, and the company has been battling sky-high cocoa and sugar costs.

After Bloomberg's report, shares of Hershey rose 17 percent, while those of Mondelez were down about 4 percent.

CEO Michele Buck recently slashed the company's sales outlook as cash-strapped consumers tighten their belts.

Both Mondelez and Hershey have remained tight-lipped, with no official comments on the deal speculation.
India must take decisive action to safeguard the persecuted and assert its role as a defender of minority rights, cultural identity and regional stability

The escalating persecution of Hindu minorities in Bangladesh cloaked under the guise of political shifts and regime change, underscores an alarming resurgence of communal violence. With reports of systematic targeting and atrocities emerging over months, the role of the current regime, reportedly influenced by Jamaat-e-Islami, demands scrutiny. India, as the worlds largest Hindu-majority nation and a protector of minority rights, cannot afford to stand as a passive observer.

Instead, it must respond with decisive and proactive measures to safeguard not only the Hindu minority in Bangladesh but also its own cultural and historical ethos. Reports of widespread violence against Hindus in Bangladesh reveal a pattern of calculated aggression. From desecration of temples and destruction of property to orchestrated violence, these acts are not isolated incidents but part of a broader, systematic campaign. The roots of this antagonism can be traced back to the Great Bengal Partition of 1905 when radical elements sought to establish an Islamic dominion in the region.

Although temporarily disrupted by Bangladeshs liberation in 1971, the vision of Darul-ul-Islama dominion governed by Islamic lawhas been rekindled.

Under the current regime, these historical grievances have been weaponised to erode Hindu culture and population. What makes the situation more alarming is the reported nexus between the Bangladeshi government, Pakistans ISI, radical jihadi groups, and influential ideologues like Jamaat-e-Islami. These forces seem united in their goal of reshaping Bangladeshs demographic and cultural landscape to align with extremist ideologies.

Mohammad Yunus and the Shadow of Global Influence

Central to this crisis is the controversial figure of Mohammad Yunus, a Nobel laureate who reportedly plays a significant role in the regimes ideological alignment. While his global reputation as a microfinance pioneer lends him an aura of credibility, his alleged affiliations with anti-Hindu policies and his ties with external powers, including China and certain factions in the United States, raise concerns.

These alignments have not only emboldened the regime but have also enabled it to criticise India under the pretext of democracy and human rights violations. This geopolitical manipulation, leveraging both soft power and hard alliances, directly challenges Indias sovereignty and its role as a regional stabiliser. India must counter these narratives with truth and assert its position as a defender of minority rights. The current crisis mirrors the challenges faced by India in 1971.

The liberation of Bangladesh under Indira Gandhi was driven by humanitarian and strategic imperativesprotecting millions of refugees and dismantling a regime that perpetuated genocide. Today, the targeting of Hindus in Bangladesh represents a similar humanitarian catastrophe and a strategic threat. India, home to the largest Hindu population in the world, bears a unique responsibility to safeguard its diaspora and kin. The Narendra Modi government has a historic opportunity to emulate the bold decisions of 1971, reaffirming Indias role as a protector of justice and a regional powerhouse.

A Strategic Path Forward

Indias response to the crisis must be multifaceted, encompassing aggression, diplomacy, and strategic recalibration.

Indias security apparatus must transcend reactive measures. By identifying and dismantling rogue elements within Bangladesh that orchestrate attacks on minorities, India can send a strong message. Targeted strikes, similar to Israels precision operations, could serve as a deterrent and emphasise Indias commitment to protecting its Hindu diaspora. Bangladeshs economic reliance on India provides a powerful tool. By imposing strategic trade sanctions and mobilising international opinion, India can isolate the current regime, pressuring it to reconsider its policies.

Efforts must also focus on highlighting the human rights abuses faced by minorities in Bangladesh, garnering global support for the cause. Long-term stability in Bangladesh hinges on a government that respects minority rights and values democratic principles. India must support the emergence of a favourable and inclusive regime that can counter extremist ideologies. This approach, while controversial, aligns with Indias strategic and humanitarian interests.

A bolder proposition involves addressing the demographic realities of 1971 when Hindus comprised around 21 per cent of Bangladeshs population. Securing territories proportional to this demographic could provide a haven for minorities while addressing historical injustices. Such a solution would echo the decisive territorial realignments of 1947 and 1971, albeit adapted to contemporary challenges.

The Hindu community worldwide must unite against these atrocities. India, with its population of over one billion Hindus, should lead by example, adopting a robust stance to counter persecution. Strengthened solidarity, coupled with decisive government action, can set a precedent for minority protection globally.

Rebuilding Regional Stability

The crisis also necessitates a reevaluation of Indias relationship with Bangladesh. Despite Indias pivotal role in Bangladeshs liberation, successive regimes have displayed hostility and indifference. This lack of gratitude underscores the need for a recalibration of Indias foreign policy toward its neighbour. Through a combination of economic, social, diplomatic, and military strategies, India must assert its dominance in the region.

The message should be unequivocal: any violence against Hindus or hostile actions will be met with resolute action. Israels unwavering commitment to its sovereignty and people offers valuable lessons for India. Despite being a small nation, Israel has consistently demonstrated the effectiveness of decisive measures in safeguarding its citizens. India, with its vast resources and geopolitical influence, must adopt similar strategies to protect its minorities and assert its regional leadership.

A Turning Point for India

The Bangladesh crisis represents more than a regional issue; it is a defining moment for Indias foreign policy and its identity as a nation. By taking bold and proactive measures, the Narendra Modi government can reaffirm Indias role as a defender of justice and humanity.

Protecting Hindus in Bangladesh is not just about addressing a humanitarian crisisit is about asserting Indias sovereignty, preserving its cultural identity, and ensuring regional stability. Instead of hoping for UNHRC intervention, the Indian government must rise to the occasion, transforming the crisis into an opportunity to redefine Indias role in South Asia. With decisive action, India can prevent history from repeating itself, ensuring that justice prevails and that the legacy of protecting minorities endures.

(The writer is prominent columnist and Public Policy Expert; the views expressed are personal)
Russians abandoning Assads is a stark reminder of the fact that promises of steadfast allegiance can falter when geopolitical will and resources wane

The Vietnam War was fought between the forces of the North (supported by the Soviet Union and China) and those of the South (supported by the United States of America). While it lasted twenty years (1955 to 1975) the direct involvement of the American troops lasted about a decade from 1965 onwards. The scars of 58,281 US fatalities and 303, 644 wounded had tired the spirits, emotions and morale of the Americans, and they secretly negotiated a pull-out plan under the garb of the Paris Peace Accords that the Americans knew would not hold up.

The Americans made many insincere and knowingly immoral promises to intervene on behalf of its ally, the Southern side, but when the push came to shove, it pushed the Southern side under the bus with non-intervention or support. Later day US President Ronald Reagen was to coin the term Vietnam Syndrome to suggest a reluctance to support an international military intervention, beyond a point. A similar reneging of support after almost a decade of direct military intervention was to face the Soviet-propped puppet government of Afghanistan, under Mohammad Najibullah.

Ultimately the political and popular will of the Soviets had waned as the human and financial cost of continuing the war in Afghanistan had waned. A few years later, exactly as it had happened in Vietnam, the Afghan government was ousted in a bloody offensive and Najibullahs corpse was dragged behind a truck through the streets of Kabul. Eventually, the Soviets left him to his fate. It was the sort of end of a regime that was far less than ideal as the land of many Great Games earlier i.e., Afghanistan, had seen similar consequences of bloodlust with the British troops leaving Afghanistan in Jan 1842 (only one survivor had managed to reach the British controlled township of Jalalabad). Sadly, even Najibullahs ouster wasnt to be the last of the abandoning of a regime in Kabul.

In 2021, an exhausted and dispirited American force abandoned its ally i.e., the Ashraf Ghani government, in Kabul on the pretext of a deal signed between the Taliban and the US in Doha.

Everyone knew that the deal would not hold up and lo behold the Taliban stormed into Kabul, soon after. The longest war in US history with a two trillion financial cost, a no-win situation, and mounting pictures of US body bags had yet again forced the Americans to push their ally under the bus. By blindsiding its purported ally, the Americans had unilaterally let down its ally after making promises to defend the same. Afghan Vice President Amrullah Saleh was left mocking the US on its pusillanimous stand, when a superpower decided to become a mini power.

Recently, and yet again, it was the decisive reluctance of a major power and ally i.e., Russia and Iran, that left the beleaguered Syrian Government of Bashar Al Assad, to its inevitable fate and within days of some token support, the Syrian capital of Damascus fell to rebels, who routed the Russia-Iran supported Bashar Al Assad regime. To be fair, the abandonment of Bashar Al Assad cannot be compared to the Vietnam or Afghanistan situations, as the principal power behind the Syrian regime no longer had the wherewithal to continue supporting, even if they wanted to.

Russia is already bleeding and reeling under the humiliating and costly stalemate on the Ukrainian front, whereas the Iranians and their strategic regional proxies (e.g. Hezbollah and the Houthis) were getting systematically decimated and attacked with literal impunity.

After the Syrian rebels had taken over Idlib and were dashing the next profile target of Homs, the Russian fighter planes did bomb some rebel strongholds, but it simply wasnt enough. Soon, the Syrian rebels made the kill for Damascus, and the isolated and unsupported forces of Bashar Al Assad simply couldnt hold on. History repeated itself and in the face of supporting foreign allies failing the regime, it was tantamount to pushing the same under the bus!

The lessons are substantial for other regions facing similar belligerence or circumstances i.e., counting on declared allies cannot be assumed, definitely and certainly not, infinitely. When there were grave tensions on Indo-Sino borders in 2020, then President Donald Trump (author of a book aptly titled, The Art of Deal) made meaningless offers to negotiate between the two sides, as opposed to denouncing Chinese expansionism and aggression, unequivocally. While certain military orders with Delhi were indeed signed and expedited  the same made great transactional and commercial sense to the American defence sector. This is something that the already cornered Ukrainian President Zelensky must be fearing as President-elect Donald Trump sheepishly talks about yet another deal to supposedly end the Russia-Ukraine war. History is instructive of the consequences that await whenever similar deals (read, abandonment) are made by a Superpower, be it the Americans or most recently, the Russians in Syria. Reveling on the latest situation in Syria, Donald Trump tweeted, Assad is gone. He has fled his country.

His protector, Russia...led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer  while it is true, it has been no different for the US, throughout history. Trump too has the blood of letting down Afghanistan on his hands.

(The writer, a military veteran, is a former Lt Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Puducherry. The views expressed are personal)
Bomb threats once again targetted prominent Delhi schools on Monday, and over 40 institutions across the National Capital reportedly received emails threatening to cause injury to the students. This lead to panic and fear among the children and their parents. The bomb threat, which turned out to be a hoax, prompted immediate evacuations and emergency responses.

The e-mail, which was sent by the id scottielanza@gmail. com and username Scottie Lanza11, was delivered to the different schools in a single mail on Sunday night at 11.38 pm when the schools were closed, according to the sources.

The email read, I planted multiple bombs (lead azide) inside the building. The bombs are small and hidden very well. It will not cause very much damage to the building, but many people will be injured when the bombs detonate You all deserve to suffer and lose limbs. If I do not receive $30,000, I will detonate the bombs. The group KNR is behind this attack.

The threat was received by prestigious schools including DPS RK Puram; GD Goenka, Paschim Vihar; The British School, Chanakyapuri; The Mothers International, Aurobindo Marg; Modern School, Mandi House; DPS Vasant Kunj; Delhi Police Public School, Safdarjung; Bal Bharati Public School, Ganga Ram Hospital Marg; Bharat National Public School, Karkardooma; Golden Bells Top Pre School, Ashok Vihar; Cambridge School, Srinivaspuri; DPS East of Kailash and Salwan Public Schools.

With the news spreading across Delhi and guardians receiving messages from school authorities about the threats, parents rushed to the schools, their faces etched with anxiety, to ensure the safety of their children. Expressing his concerns, a parent Vipin Bhatra said, I rushed to the school as soon as I received the message about the bomb threat. If situations like this persist, how can we send our children to school with peace of mind?

Another parent, Anuradha shared similar concerns saying that she took her child home but she is still tense. Education is important but incidents like these are terrifying to all parents. Schools should be safe, not a place of constant threats, she said.

With fears gripping among children waiting anxiously to be picked up, chaotic scenes were witnessed at different schools as anxious parents led their children away from the institution premises.

Teachers and staff managed the crisis by gathering students to safe locations before coordinating their dispersal once the parents arrived. Akanksha Soni, a parent, expressed concerns about the long-term impact of such incidents on children. These threats dont just disrupt the day they plant fear in the minds of our children. How will they focus on their studies when safety feels uncertain?, Soni said.

Other schools that received the emails include Richmondd Global School (RGS), Paschim Vihar; Delhi International School Edge, Dwarka; DAV Public School, Daryaganj; Don Bosco school, Alaknanda; St. Thomas Girls Senior Secondary School, Dwarka among others.

Principal of GD Goenka Paschim Vihar Inderjit Kaur Batra said, We informed parents immediately and evacuated the school promptly to ensure everyones safety. Emergency teams, including bomb squads, police and fire officials, combed through the premises. Authorities later confirmed that no suspicious items were found.

Around 40 schools in Delhi received a bomb threat mail Monday morning with the sender demanding USD 30,000, prompting a multi-agency search of the premises but nothing suspicious was found, a police official said. Most schools that received the threat suspended classes and sent students back home. Officials said the premises of the schools that received the threat were thoroughly checked and nothing suspicious was found.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Southwest) Surendra Choudhary said the e-mail was received by four schools located within his district as well. Soon after getting the information, we conducted a thorough check of the school premises. Nothing suspicious was found. I request parents to not panic.

A Delhi Fire Services (DFS) official said they received the first alerts about the bomb threats from G D Goenka, Paschim Vihar, (6.15 am), and DPS RK Puram (7.06 am). He said bomb detection teams, fire officials, local police and dog squads responded immediately and conducted searches at the schools. In a message to parents, Mother Marys School, Mayur Vihar, said, An email was received this morning regarding a bomb threat in school. As such, the students are being dispersed immediately as a precautionary measure. You are requested to kindly collect your wards from your respective bus stops.

While taking his daughter back from the school, Harish, one of the parents, said, I received a message about an emergency from the school. This is the failure of the government as the schools are getting such threats regularly. The Delhi Police Special and Crime Branch have started the probe. In May, more than 200 schools, hospitals and other important government installations in the city received a similar kind of bomb threat but the case is yet to be solved as the mail was sent using Virtual Private Network (VPN).
The fate of the Winter Session of the Parliament continued to be under a stalemate with both the Bharatiya Janata Party-led ruling parties and Congress led Opposition taking turns to lock horns, both in and out of the Parliament, over the Adani Group controversy and now the grand old partys alleged links with forces to destabilise the country.

The BJP has alleged that Congress leaders led by their tallest leader Sonia Gandhi are colluding with foreign billionaire investor George Soros to destabilise the country to which Opposition termed the ruling partys attempt to divert the attention from the Adani issue that has rocked the Parliament ever since it started on November 25.

The heat was turned up last Thursday against the Opposition who till then were belligerent after BJP member Nishikant Dubey sought to draw some links between Soros, Sonia and Rahulm, as he went on with his claims of an international conspiracy was afoot to derail Indias success story under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

While both, Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, witnessed acrimonious scenes on Monday as BJP and Congress traded charges against each other, Congress members staged protest outside the Parliament. Special session to debate to mark celebrations of Constitution Day is scheduled this weekend which will also see participation by the Prime Minister.

The proceedings of the Parliament were washed out in the first week of the Winter Session starting November 25 due to protests by opposition members demanding discussion on issues like the indictment of industrialist Gautam Adani in a US court and Sambhal violence. Last week, the House functioned properly for only two days, Tuesday and Wednesday.

Both sides attempts for smooth functioning has turned futile with no relenting from either the treasury bench or Opposition which emerged stronger in this General Elections by improving their margins to be led by Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.

Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan termed Rahul as a comedy king trying to be relevant after every electoral loss while Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankar said anyone within or outside India cannot be allowed to sacrilege our unity, integrity and sovereignty. Dhankhar held a meeting with leaders of both sides and said its purpose was to ensure that the House runs smoothly.

Leaders of some INDIA Bloc parties on Monday protested in Parliament complex over the Adani row, with Rahul Gandhi conducting a mock interview over the issue with Congress members wearing masks of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and industrialist Gautam Adani.

The BJP has claimed that Soros and some United States-based agencies, investigative media platform Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), and Rahul Gandhi occupy three sides of a dangerous triangle trying to destabilise India and stoke public disaffection for a regime change.

The US has, however, rejected the BJPs allegations that organisations funded by the US State Department and elements in the American deep state were behind attempts to destabilise India. A spokesperson at the US embassy described the allegations as disappointing and asserted that the US government has been a champion of media freedom around the world.

Leader of the Upper House JP Nadda said BJP members were agitated over an issue that involved Congress leaders and wanted a discussion. Nadda alleged the FDL-AP sees Jammu and Kashmir as a separate entity and gets financial support from the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation. This maligns Indias image and raises concern about national security, he said, claiming that people are concerned about the manner in which the Congress is siding with such forces.

As Dhankhar sought to know in the upper house why the ruling party members were protesting, few BJP MPs alleged that the top Congress leadership has links with Soros and demanded that the issue be discussed in the House as it is connected to national security. Leader of the Opposition in RS Mallikarjun Kharge and other MPs asked how the chairman was allowing the ruling party members to raise the issue when he had rejected their notices in this regard.

Congress members were heard saying that they had submitted notices to move a privilege motion against a BJP member for attempts to link Rahul Gandhi and former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi with US-based billionaire George Soros-backed outfits allegedly involved in anti-India activities.

Opposition members joined by INDIA Bloc members SP and RJD raised slogans like Modi Sarkar down down, Modi Sarkar shame shame and we want justice. TMC members however remained confined to their seats.

Dismissing the BJPs allegations Congress said the real conspiracy unravelling during the Parliaments Winter session is that the government would even put Indias ties with another country at stake just to save Gautam Adani.
The turbulent relations between Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar and the INDIA Bloc came to a head on Monday with opposition camp sources saying they are considering submitting a notice very soon for moving a resolution to remove the Vice President from his office.

They said the Opposition parties had required signatures from all INDIA Bloc parties in August itself but did not move as they decided to give Dhankhar another chance but his conduct on Monday convinced them to go ahead with it. INDIA Bloc parties had in August this year also considered submitting a notice for moving a resolution to remove the Vice President from his office.

Sources said Congress had taken the lead on the issue and the TMC and the Samajwadi Party, besides other INDIA Bloc parties, were supportive of the move. On Monday morning when the Rajya Sabha resumed, Congress MPs Digvijaya Singh, Jairam Ramesh accused Dhankhar of being partisan.

Dhankhar said forces within or outside India cannot be allowed to sacrilege our unity, integrity and sovereignty, and asserted that all must unite to neutralise the evolving deep state, amid uproar in the Upper House over BJPs allegations of Congress leaders colluding with billionaire investor George Soros to destabilise the country.

We cannot afford to overlook such kind of evil designs, the Chairman said, adding that the 1.4 billion Indians are extremely concerned. Earlier in the day, amid disruption in Rajya Sabha, he urged members to adhere to discipline and decorum.

According to Article 67(b) of the Constitution, Vice-President may be removed from his office by a resolution of the Council of States (Rajya Sabha) passed by a majority of all the then members of the Council and agreed to by the House of the People; but no resolution for the purpose of this clause shall be moved unless at least fourteen days notice has been given of the intention to move the resolution.
Over 900 miscreants were arrested in 6 hours of combing patrol by 1000 police officials and personnel of 4 zones of the city police.

In view of security arrangements, Bhopal Police conducted 16th combing patrol to arrest absconding criminals and warranties.

During combing patrol, a total of 927 absconding miscreants including 529 permanent and 398 arrest warrants were arrested.

In the night on Saturday under the guidance of Deputy Commissioner of Police of all zones, Riyaz Iqbal, Deputy Commissioner of Police Sanjay Agarwal, Deputy Commissioner of Police Jitendra Singh Pawar, Deputy Commissioner of Police Priyanka Shukla and Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, the station in-charge and his team remained active throughout the night and arrested the accused and warranties.

Senior officers kept monitoring the patrol throughout the night and kept guiding them.

The patrol started at 11.00 pm and continued till around 5 am. In just 6 hours of patrolling, action was taken against a total of 1067 miscreants including 529 permanent warrants and 398 arrest warrants, 140 bailable warrants. Also, 152 goons, miscreants and 168 monitored miscreants were checked.

In zone-4, Nishat Pura police station has arrested a total of 70 miscreants including 40 permanent and 30 arrest warrants.

In zone-2, Bagh Sevania police station has arrested a total of 56 miscreants including 37 permanent and 19 arrest warrants.

In zone-3, Hanuman Ganj police station has arrested a total of 51 miscreants including 28 permanent and 23 arrest warrants.

In zone-1 area, Ratibhad police station has arrested a total of 35 miscreants including 19 permanent and 16 arrest warrants.

A total of 1067 miscreants including 529 permanent, 398 arrest warrants and 140 bailable warrants were arrested in all four zones and legal action was taken.

The main objective of combing patrol is an important and special campaign of the police for the arrest and search of absconding permanent, arrest, bailable warrants, which is mainly run at night, which includes objectives like arrest of permanent, arrest, bailable warrants issued by the court checking of goons and miscreants, checking of surveillance miscreants etc. In which the police gather the force of police stations, the force of the protected center, briefs them and forms a team and sends them to the area. This has been done 16 times by Bhopal Police Commissionerate, in which legal action has been taken by arresting 9335 permanent arrest warrants and miscreants so far.

Senior officials claim that the campaign will definitely instill the fear of police and law among the criminals. Along with this, peace and security will be ensured in the city. Control over crimes will remain.

Permanent and arrest warrants were issued in all the police stations of the city. Cases were pending in the court due to the accused absconding and warrants not being executed.

With the execution of warrants, the cases will be resolved and the victims will get justice. The warrants executed include many serious and economic related crimes including murder, rape, robbery, cheque bounce, fraud.
Come December 11, the state capital will echo with chants of the Bhagavad Gita as 6,000 students will recite from the scripture to set a new world record, said the district administration on Sunday.

The chanting by the Batuks (Students) will coincide with the commencement of the Chief Ministers Public Welfare Festival, with camps set up in every village panchayat and ward of the district.

The decisions were announced following a meeting chaired by the Minister for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises and the in-charge minister for Bhopal, Chetanya Kumar Kashyap.The Gita Jayanti programme will be held at the Lal Parade Ground.

Addressing officials at the meeting, Minister Kashyap said that the Chief Ministers Public Welfare Campaign will begin on December 11 and will conclude on January 26, 2025, on Republic Day.

During this period, the Public Welfare Festival will also be observed. The main objective of the Chief Ministers Public Welfare Campaign is to ensure that the benefits of government welfare schemes reach all eligible beneficiaries.

The Minister issued instructions for the setting up of camps at all village panchayats and urban local bodies to provide direct benefits to eligible beneficiaries.

He told officials to prepare the groundwork to ensure that the benefits of the schemes reach all eligible individuals. The Minister also instructed that preparations for the event on Gita Jayanti be completed within the stipulated time.

He said that at this event, 6,000 students will chant the Gita together, setting a world record. Additionally, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav will transfer the December month's amount of the 'Laadli Behna Yojana' to beneficiary accounts during the programme.

All district departments have been instructed to work together with coordination and ensure effective action at every level to make the campaign a success.The meeting was attended by Minister of State for Backward Classes and Minority Welfare, Krishna Gaur; MLA Rameshwar Sharma; MLA Bhagwandas Sabnani; Mayor Malti Rai; District Panchayat President Ramkunwar Navrang Gurjar; Municipal Corporation President Kishan Suryavanshi; Collector Kaushalendra Vikram Singh; Police Commissioner Harinarayan Chari Mishra; CEO of District Panchayat Rituraj Singh; Municipal Commissioner Harendra Narayan; and other officials.
In a significant statement marking a milestone in the fight against Naxalism, Jharkhand's newly appointed Director General of Police (DGP) Anurag Gupta announced that 95% of the Naxal issue in the state has been resolved. However, he acknowledged that the remaining 5% is concentrated in the Chaibasa district, where intensified operations are underway to eradicate the menace completely.

DGP Gupta was addressing the media after an in-depth review meeting with senior police officials in Chaibasa on Sunday. The meeting, held at the police office auditorium, saw the participation of officers from the Jharkhand Police Headquarters, including the Chaibasa Superintendent of Police (SP) and Deputy Inspector General (DIG). Discussions focused on ongoing anti-Naxal campaigns, the states surrender policy, and strategies for strengthening policing in affected regions.

The DGPs visit to Chaibasa underscores the states commitment to addressing the lingering Naxal challenge in its most affected district. During the meeting, Gupta highlighted the importance of continued vigilance and coordination among security forces. He emphasized that the operations against Naxalites must remain uncompromising, with a focus on flushing out remaining insurgents.

In his directives, Gupta announced a policy of rotation for police personnel stationed in Naxal-affected areas for extended periods, aiming to boost operational efficiency and morale. Additionally, the DGP reviewed the progress of various initiatives launched post-formation of the states new government, which has prioritized eliminating Naxalism.

DGP Guptas tenure has seen several critical successes, including recent encounters and strategic actions. Among the highlights was the killing of Lambu, a prominent PLFI Maoist area commander, in an encounter near Tebo police station in Chaibasa. Describing this as a significant victory, Gupta reiterated the resolve of the police force to dismantle the remnants of Naxal strongholds.

According to a report by the Special Branch of the Police Headquarters, 66 Naxalites and extremists remain absconding in the state. The DGP assured that targeted operations and enhanced intelligence-sharing mechanisms are being implemented to apprehend them. He also expressed confidence that Jharkhand is on the verge of becoming a Naxal-free state.

Since assuming office, Anurag Gupta has taken proactive measures to streamline the policing system and intensify anti-Naxal operations. On December 6, he conducted a statewide review of law and order, issuing stringent directives to concerned officials. His visit to Chaibasa marks another step in his hands-on approach to resolving longstanding security challenges.

The gradual resolution of the Naxal issue has significant implications for Jharkhands development. Chaibasa and its surrounding areas have long grappled with Naxalite influence, which has hindered infrastructure projects and economic progress. The ongoing operations aim to restore normalcy, boost investor confidence, and enable uninterrupted development activities in the region.

While acknowledging the achievements, the DGP also underscored the need for vigilance, as isolated pockets of insurgents remain active. Our efforts are focused on ensuring that the gains made so far are irreversible, he said. The police force, in collaboration with central agencies, is determined to maintain the momentum.

DGP Anurag Guptas visit to Chaibasa and his unequivocal declaration about the near-resolution of the Naxal problem signal a turning point in Jharkhands battle against insurgency. With robust operational strategies and unwavering commitment, the state is inching closer to a peaceful and prosperous future.
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has filed a complaint with Electoral Registration Officers (EROs) across all 70 Assembly constituencies in Delhi, alleging that attempts were being made for "secret" deletion of voter names from the electoral rolls at the behest of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

AAP National Secretary Pankaj Gupta has written to the EROs, warning that legal action would be taken under the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS) 2023 and the Representation of the People Act 1950 if any voter names are wrongfully deleted.

Gupta emphasised that the Election Commission of India's (ECI) Manual on Electoral Rolls prohibits any individual or organisation from submitting bulk applications for the deletion of voter names. He called for an immediate halt to any further voter deletions in Delhi to protect the integrity of the electoral process.

Bulk deletion of voters, against the spirit of free and fair elections, would undermine the Summary Revision process of the Election Commission itself, Gupta stated.

In a strongly worded letter to the EROs of all 70 constituencies, AAP alleged a "pattern of bulk voter deletion" applications allegedly submitted by the BJP across Delhi.

The party expressed concern over the processing of these applications by EROs without uploading them on the website, a mandatory requirement under the Election Commission's guidelines.

AAP cited the example of Shahdara Assembly Constituency (AC-62) where it claimed more than 11,000 voter names have been targeted for deletion in the past six weeks under claims of shifted residences, duplications, or deaths.

It has come to our knowledge that in Shahdara Assembly Constituency (AC No. 62), BJP has submitted applications for the deletion of over 11,000 existing voters in the last six weeks on the premise that the voters have shifted, deceased, or there is duplication, the letter stated.

"In case the Election Commission deems it necessary to delete any voter, we demand that this be done through a ground verification exercise by the concerned BLO (Booth Level Officer) in the presence of our BLA-2 to ensure genuine voters are not wrongfully removed from the voter list," it added/

The party claimed that the concerned ERO has issued orders for the mass deletion of voters based on BJP's applications, but these lists have not been uploaded on the website. AAP alleged that these applications were being processed "surreptitiously".

"AAP is taking appropriate legal action against the errant officials of the Election Commission and the officials of the BJP in Shahdara, the letter reads.There was no immediate reaction from the BJP to the allegations.

Last week, Delhi BJP president Virendra Sachdeva dismissed similar allegations by AAP as baseless and accused Arvind Kejriwal-led party of shielding fraudulent voters.

Rohingyas and Bangladeshis are being caught, and Kejriwal is panicking because this vote bank, funded by money he allegedly receives from foreign sources, is being exposed, Sachdeva had said.

The Delhi Assembly elections are scheduled for February. AAP is seeking a third consecutive term after securing a landslide victory in 2020, winning 62 out of 70 seats.
The Delhi Polices Crime Branch on Monday claimed to dismantle a gang and arms smuggling network, by arresting three members of the notorious Neeraj Bawania-Naveen Bali-Bhau gang along with two arms smugglers.

According to the police, this syndicate was responsible for a range of criminal activities, including armed robbery, extortion, and illegal firearm trafficking. The accused have been identified as 34 year old Subeg alias Shibhu, 31 years old Gaurav alias Saurabh and 38 years old Sharvan alias Hunny, who were all active members of the gang and 34 years old Shoib and 28 years old Azeem, who were arms smuggler.

The police also recovered 12 firearms, including sophisticated Beretta pistols, an IOF revolver, and country-made firearms. In addition, 15 live rounds of ammunition were recovered, along with two vehiclesa Fortuner SUV and a Baleno car, both used for criminal activities.

A senior police officer said that the firearms were sourced from smuggling networks operating out of Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihars Munger and Bhagalpur regions.

The crackdown began on December 2, when police received a tip-off about Shoib, a known arms smuggler based in Aligarh, planning to deliver illegal firearms in South-East Delhi.
Claims of curbing the population of stray canines have been proved hollow with the surfacing of a video showing a Bhopal Municipal Corporation (BMC) truck releasing mongrels in the Hathi Khana area of the state capital.

The seven-minute CCTV footage shows more than nine dogs, earlier captured from various neighbourhoods, being unloaded from the truck.

Residents in the area say that the dog squad vehicle is doing this continuously. If refused, they threaten and intimidate. If someone makes a video, they force them to delete it.

Resident Mohammad Ayub said that the BMC Dog Squad vehicle consistently unleashes stray dogs in the area before speeding away."There must be 200 to 250 dogs from Bhoipura Hathi Khana to Budhwara Square. Such a large number of stray canines has become a cause of trouble for the people here," he said.

"We are afraid to go out. We do not allow our children to go out. The situation is such that these dogs even come to our homes and pounce on vehicles. We have complained about this many times, but instead of rescuing them, BMC workers release them in our area," he complained.

Animal activist Swati Gaurav said that it is wrong to release dogs from one area to another in this way, because vaccinated and non-vaccinated dogs become aggressive towards each other.

On one hand, they are at risk from each other; on the other hand, it also enhances the risk of dog bites. By releasing dogs in residential areas in this way, they enter the colonies. Aggression is also seen between the dogs already present in the area and the new arrivals.

As a result, this can increase the risk of dog bites in humans. This is a violation of the rules of the ABC Rule 2023.

BMC Health Officer Rajiv Saxena said, "I have seen the video. The dogs that have been left were picked up from there. They were left there. As per the rules, the dogs are left at the same place from where they are picked up."

On Saturday morning, a pack of five dogs attacked printing press businessman Krishna Ranjan Sharma, who was riding a bike in the Govindpura area.Sharma was on his way to drop his daughter at school at the time of the incident. When Sharma threw stones to chase away the attacking dogs, he was assaulted by the pet owners, Ritu and Namrata Vishwakarma, who beat him up.The attacking dogs were pets of the duo, who have been named as accused in the FIR lodged with the Govindpura police.
Chief Minister Hemant Soren today inspected the entire residential complex including the newly constructed residence for the ministers of the state government in Smart City Ranchi.

During the inspection, the Chief Minister gave necessary guidelines to the officials on various points related to the newly constructed residence. Chief Minister Shri Hemant Soren directed the officials that all the work of the newly constructed residence and the entire residential complex should be completed by January 15, 2025 so that houses can be allotted to the ministers.

The Chief Minister inspected the club house, badminton court and police barracks etc. built in the residential complex and gave necessary instructions related to all the facilities to the officials. The Chief Minister also directed to make arrangements for children to play, swings etc. in the residential complex.

MLA Kalpana Soren, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Avinash Kumar, Principal Secretary Urban Development Department Sunil Kumar, Secretary Building Construction Department Arwa Rajkamal, CEO Smart City Amit Kumar, GM Smart City Rakesh Nandkuliar and other officials were present on the occasion.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said that the life and teachings of Lord Shri Krishna, as encapsulated in the Gita, have always been a source of inspiration. He highlighted that while countless civilizations have perished or been corrupted over time, India remains resilient because it has consistently placed spirituality at the forefront.

For us, cultural values, life principles, and traditions hold the highest significance. Yadav emphasized on plans to develop all places in the state visited by Lord Shri Krishna to resemble Mathura and Vrindavan. He also inaugurated the Gita Utsav, a state-wide celebration running until December 12, aimed at spreading the teachings and importance of the Gita to every household.

He further remarked that the Gita, Ganga, and Gaumata are integral to shaping our destiny, symbolizing the essence of our spiritual and cultural heritage. Yadav was addressing the inauguration programme of the new bus stand in Shajapur on Sunday.

He dedicated 13 development works costing Rs 22 crore 43 lakh 37 thousand and performed bhoomi pujan of 11 works costing Rs 27 crore 58 lakh 64 thousand. Yadav also participated in the recitation of the works in a programme organized on the occasion of the birth anniversary of Pandit Balkrishna Sharma Naveen.

Yadav said that Pandit Balkrishna Sharma Naveen was an ideal litterateur, freedom fighter, and politician. It was because of him that the railway line came to Shajapur. I salute his strong willpower and creativity.

Former Prime Minister Late. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was also a great poet. Poets and litterateurs have a valuable contribution to the upliftment of the society. If Maharishi Valmiki had not been there then who would have conveyed the various aspects of Lord Shri Ram's life and if Ved Vyas had not been there then who would have conveyed the various aspects of Lord Shri Krishna's life to the people. I also salute the great poets of Malwa, Mahakavi Kalidas and Ghatkharpar.

Yadav said that Gaumata is extremely revered by us. Cow shelters are being built in the entire state and people are being motivated to rear cows at every home. The house where cows are reared is known as Gokul. Farmers are being motivated to produce milk along with adequate water and electricity for farming, the government will give bonuses on milk purchases. At present the state produces 9 percent milk in the entire country, and the government is making efforts to increase it to 20 percent.

The Chief Minister said that due to the continuous efforts of the government, the area under irrigation in the state is increasing rapidly. Chief Minister Dr. Yadav described Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi as the Bhagiratha of modern India and said that it was due to his efforts that former Prime Minister Late. Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee's dream of linking the rivers of the country is now coming true. Yadav said that the Ken-Betwa link project costing Rs 1 lakh crore has been approved by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi.
The first validation test flight for the upcoming Noida International Airport was conducted successfully on Monday, with an Airbus 320 of IndiGo receiving a ceremonial water cannon salute upon the maiden landing at the greenfield facility, officials said.

The airport is being built in the Jewar area of Gautam Buddh Nagar district in Uttar Pradesh, some 75 km off Delhi and will be the national capital regions second international airport after the Indira Gandhi International Airport.

Concessionaire Yamuna International Airport Private Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of Swiss firm Zurich International Airport AG, is building the airport for the Uttar Pradesh government in a public-private partnership model.

A validation flight is conducted to verify that an airport meets safety, operational, and regulatory standards and is a vital element of the aerodrome licensing process.

At the event, Union Minister for Civil Aviation Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu said, With the validation flight happening today, we are committed to finishing the airport project before the end of April.

Today marks a very important occasion in the progress of the airport and definitely whatever support is required from the Ministry of Civil Aviation we will continuously provide so that the early operations from the airport can begin, he said.

Naidu noted that this project has so far had 50 million man-hours and not a single incident has happened.

I dont think any other project in the country of such scale can boast of that record so I congratulate the whole team who has made this possible, the minister said.

Noida International Airport CEO Christoph Schnellmann said the successful completion of validation flights reflects the dedication and meticulous planning that has gone into ensuring the airport is ready for commercial operations.

We are gearing up for the airports opening and look forward to welcoming passengers to the airport, he added.

The validation flight is being conducted on an Airbus A-320 to test the RNP (Required Navigation Performance) procedures and ILS (instrument landing system) approach procedures. RNP is a set of navigation specifications that allow aircraft to fly precise flight paths with high accuracy.

Meanwhile, Naidu said the country is witnessing exceptional success in the civil aviation industry because of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In the last 10 years, the number of airports in the country has almost doubled, he added.

The minister lauded Gautam Buddh Nagar Lok Sabha MP Mahesh Sharma and Jewar MLA Dhirendra Singh for the progress of the airport project.

Everyone has worked together as a team to see that the stream becomes reality. From the ministry I can tell you that Jewar International Airport is the most prestigious project in the whole country especially because of the idea that it is catering to the Delhi-NCR territory and also for the Western Uttar Pradesh, Naidu said.

In the future also, it is going to be a wonderful airport. Not only India but the whole world is going to be proud of the airport, he said.

I need to especially thank the farmers who have made this airport a reality and all the workers who have worked day and night to ensure that the timeline is also met, he added.

In a statement, the Uttar Pradesh government said, The successful landing at Jewar, dubbed to be Asias largest international airport, marks another milestone for Uttar Pradesh, now home to the highest number of airports in India.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for the airport on November 25, 2021. Following this, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath made several visits to oversee progress, ensuring that work was carried out with the highest quality standards, it added.

The airport is set to open new avenues for growth in Gautam Buddh Nagar, Aligarh, Bulandshahr, Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, and surrounding areas, the government said.

It said this is Uttar Pradeshs fifth international airport, joining the ranks of Lucknow, Varanasi, Ayodhya, and Kushinagar.
Former Uttar Pradesh chief ministers Mayawati and Akhilesh Yadav on Monday extended birthday greetings to senior Congress leader and Rajya Sabha MP Sonia Gandhi who turned 78 on Monday.

She is the longest-serving Congress president but has taken a back seat from active politics in the last few years for health reasons.

Heartiest congratulations to Congress Parliamentary Party chief and former Congress President Sonia Gandhi on her birthday today and best wishes for her good health and long life. Heartiest congratulations to her family members and followers on this day too, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati posted on X in Hindi.

Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav posted, Heartiest congratulations and best wishes to Sonia Gandhi on her birthday.

Yadavs SP was part of the opposition INDIA bloc along with the Congress and other parties. In the past, the two parties had tied up for the 2017 Uttar Pradesh state assembly polls. More recently, the Congress decided not to contest the bypolls to nine assembly seats and instead supported SP candidates.

The BSP on the other hand is officially aligned with neither the BJP-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) nor the INDIA bloc.

Meanwhile, the Uttar Pradesh Congress also greeted Gandhi through social media posts.

The symbol of women power, Sonia Gandhi is an embodiment of service and dedication, synonymous with harmony and harmony and an embodiment of affection and sacrifice. Her personal and political life will always light the lamp of inspiration and show the path to all of us. May God give her a long, healthy and successful life. With congratulations and best wishes on your birthday! it posted on X in Hindi.
Kolar police have arrested the main accused and his 5 accomplices who had kidnapped a youth from Sarvadharam area on December 6; accused wanted to force the victim's wife to live with the main accused.

On Sunday, the police arrested the accused and his 5 companions.

The incident took place in the Sarvadharma area of Kolar. In the afternoon, Hemraj Parte was kidnapped by the accused in car bearing vehicle registration number MP07ZM5735.

DCP Jitendra Singh Gurjar said, 'Hemraj's wife Pinky was friends with Golu Purvia, a resident of Biaora (Rajgarh), on Instagram. Both used to talk and when Pinky stopped talking, Golu threatened to kidnap her husband.'

The DCP said, 'On December 6, on receiving information about Hemraj's kidnapping, the police laid a siege and when the footage of CCTV cameras was searched, the Ertiga car was seen going towards Biaora. This information was given to the Biaora police.

The police tracked and stopped this car at Rajgarh crossing. Driver Brijmohan Lodha and Satish Sondhia were found in the car. During interrogation, they told that Hemraj was taken by Golu, his companions Satya Gurjar, Ravi Sondhia, Arun Sen, Ghanshyam Lodhi, Rahul Gurjar. They had left from Biaora in another car. All these 6 accused have been arrested. Both the cars used in the crime have also been seized.'

The accused told during interrogation that everything was done on the instructions of Golu.

The plan was to take Hemraj hostage and connect him to Pinky on video call. After this, in exchange for releasing her husband, they would force her to live with Golu. Even before this, the police became active. Scared of the continuous raids, they left Hemraj near Biaora bus stand on the evening of December 6.

Two years ago, some youths had murdered a youth in a dispute during Holika Dahan in Baghsewania. Hemraj was the accused in this case and remained absconding.
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has said that the Public Welfare Campaign for the welfare and development of youth, women, farmers, and the underprivileged will be launched in Madhya Pradesh from 11th December and will run until 26th January 2025. This campaign will benefit the identified beneficiaries of various welfare schemes, including both central and state government programs. Yadav mentioned that from 11th to 26th December, a Public Welfare Festival will also be celebrated during this period, which will include inaugurations and foundation-laying ceremonies of various development activities, along with the showcasing of the achievements of the state government over the past year. The Chief Minister was discussing the action plan for the Public Welfare Campaign and Festival with officials at Samatva Bhavan, located in the Chief Ministers residence.

Yadav said that the primary objective of the Public Welfare Campaign is to work with strong determination for the welfare and development of the youth, women, farmers, and the underprivileged by implementing the welfare schemes launched by the central and state governments. It will cover 34 beneficiary-oriented schemes, 11 target-based schemes, and 63 other services, aiming to reach the common citizens effectively. The activities of the campaign will be monitored through the CM Helpline Dashboard, which will be accessible to the Chief Minister, collectors and department officials. Additionally, the Chief Minister instructed to extend the duration of the ongoing Revenue Mega Campaign-3 till 26th January 2025.

The Chief Minister said that during the campaign, camps will be organized in both rural and urban areas to resolve public grievances and identify eligible beneficiaries to provide them the benefits of various welfare schemes. Cards will be issued under the Ayushman scheme for citizens aged 70 years and above. He emphasized that the environment of these camps and the facilities offered should be promoted in such a way that citizens voluntarily participate in them.

Yadav also directed officials to constitute contact teams within the prescribed timeline to identify eligible citizens who are yet to benefit from the schemes. The camps will be organized under the guidance of the district in-charge minister by the district collector. He instructed that the schedule and locations of these camps in every village panchayat and urban ward should be publicized. To monitor the camps effectively, a sector officer should be designated at the zone level in urban areas and for each Panchayat cluster in rural areas.

Yadav announced a series of development activities as part of the Chief Minister Public Welfare Festival, to be celebrated across Madhya Pradesh from December 11 to 26, 2024. The festival will commence on December 11 in Bhopal with the distribution of funds under the Ladli Behna Yojana and a grand Gita recitation on Gita Jayanti. Key events during the festival include the Bhoomi Pujan of the Sandwa Micro Irrigation Scheme in Alirajpur, cultural programs, and a central exhibition showcasing the state government's achievements over the past year. Highlights include a youth bike rally near Ratapani Sanctuary from Bhopal, Sehore, and Raisen, distribution of nutrition kits to children under the Akshaya Patra program, cultural performances as part of the Tansen Samaroh in Gwalior, and the inauguration of a Convention Center with the unveiling of Maharaja Jiwaji Rao Scindia's statue. Other significant events include the unveiling of a Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel statue in Jabalpur, Bhoomi Pujan of a Gaushala in Umaria village, a Big Youth Dialogue focusing on self-employment and employment opportunities, presentations by the Police Band, the inauguration of a Forest Fair, and the Parvati-Kalisindh River Linking Project.
Allu Arjun-starrer blockbuster "Pushpa 2" has led to a poster war between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Delhi and the opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ahead of the Assembly polls scheduled early next year.

AAP recently issued a poster on the lines of the movie, titling it in bold letters "Kejrwal Jhukega Nahi" based on the cult dialogue of the movie.

In the poster, AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal poses as the protagonist of the flim, carrying AAP's symbol 'jhaadu' (broom) on his shoulder. "4th Term Coming Soon" read the poster, referring to the previous electoral successes of Kejriwal-led AAP in 2013, 2015 and 2020 in the Delhi Assembly polls.

The Delhi BJP on Monday issued its own poster showing the party's state president Virendra Sachdeva posing as the movie's character Pushpa on a throne with "Bhrashtachariyon Ko Khatam Karenge" (will finish the corrupt) written in bold letters.

"Rappa-Rappa" the poster read, copying Pushpa's dialogue in the movie.

AAP is working hard to retain power in Delhi for a third sucessive time after its massive electoral successes in 2015 and 2020 in which it routed the BJP, winning 67 and 63 seats, respectively, in the 70-member Legislative Assembly.

The leaders in the BJP, out of power in Delhi since 1998, consider the upcoming Assembly polls their best opportunity to end AAP's sway in Delhi's politics.

The two sides have been hitting out at one another through various media, including on social media with slogans, posters, memes and animation videos.

Earlier, the BJP gave the slogan "Ab Nahi Sahenge, Badal Kar Rahenge" (won't tolerate now, will bring the change), asserting to end the AAP rule.

The BJP has accused the Kejriwal-led AAP of indulging in corruption and failing to deliver the basic services to the people of Delhi during its 10-year rule.

AAP has focused on raising the issue of law and order situation in the city, citing incidents of crime to attack the BJP-led Centre and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

The party has also released a lot of social media content, including posters to slam the BJP over the alleged rise in crime in the national capital.

As the election season draws close, residents can look forward to being bombarded with popular culture inspired posters, memes, advertisments and other campaign material.
Washington, Dec 9 (UNI) US President Joe Biden called the Bashar al-Assad regime's fall in Syria as a "historic opportunity" and outlined a blueprint for US support in the region, media reports said on Monday.

Speaking at the White House in his first substantive comments since President Bashar al-Assads regime fell in the face of an astonishingly swift rebel offensive, CNN reported.

Biden also announced the US had conducted dozens of airstrikes in Syria as it remains committed to preventing the resurgence of ISIS.

Its a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country, CNN quoted Biden.

Its also a moment of risk and uncertainty. As we all turn to the question of what comes next, the United States will work with our partners and the stakeholders in Syria to help them seize an opportunity to manage the risk,  he added.

According to reports, Biden vowed to support Syrias neighbours during the transition and to protect US personnel in their continued mission against ISIS.

The president plans to meet with his counterparts in the area in the coming days, and US officials will be deployed to the region.

As part of that effort, US forces on Sunday conducted dozens of airstrikes, striking more than 75 ISIS targets using Air Force assets, including B-52 bombers, F-15 fighter jets, and A-10 aircraft, according to US Central Command.

Bidens comments come as President-elect Donald Trump  who takes the oath of office in just over six weeks has urged a hands-off approach to the conflict, saying Saturday that the US should not get involved. Early Sunday, as rebel groups took Damascus, he said the regimes fall showed the weakened state of Russia and Iran, both of which supported Assad.

Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer, Trump said in a post to social media.

Assad and his family fled to Moscow, where they were granted asylum, Russian state media said Sunday, according to reports.

The Assad regimes collapse represented a spectacularly fast fall from power for the Syrian dictator after a 14-year war, one that had been relatively stagnant until just last month.

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Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasised on Monday that a Sashakt Bharat (Empowered India) is only possible with a Swasth Bharat (Healthy India). He highlighted that both the Central and state governments are working with unwavering commitment to ensure the health and well-being of every citizen.

Speaking at the Ayushman Vay Vandana Card distribution ceremony for citizens above 70 years of age at Mahant Digvijaynath Park, the chief minister remarked, From Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana and Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana to the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya State Employee Cashless Medical Scheme, Ayushman Vay Vandana Yojana, and financial aid through the Chief Ministers Relief Fund, all these initiatives reflect our dedication to creating a strong and empowered India through a healthy India.

The chief minister distributed Vay Vandana Cards to 19 beneficiaries, interacting warmly with them to inquire about their well-being and wishing them a long and healthy life.

Highlighting the governments strides in strengthening the health and medical sector, Yogi noted, Before 2017, in the 70 years since independence, Uttar Pradesh had only 12 government medical colleges. Today, the double-engine government has established medical colleges in 65 out of 75 districts in the state.

He added, This year alone, 16 medical colleges have commenced operations13 under government management and three on a PPP model. Additionally, two new private medical colleges have also been inaugurated, further expanding the states healthcare infrastructure.

Discussing the transformation in the health sector in eastern Uttar Pradesh, Yogi highlighted the significant strides made since 2017. He recalled how, before 2017, encephalitis claimed the lives of a large number of children annually in Gorakhpur and surrounding areas.

Post-2017, the double-engine government has effectively controlled and eradicated this deadly disease, he stated.

Drawing comparisons to the past, the chief minister remarked, Before 2017, the only medical institution in eastern Uttar Pradesh was BRD Medical College in Gorakhpur, which itself was in a dilapidated state. Today, under the double-engine government, AIIMS has been established in Gorakhpur, and BRD Medical College has been upgraded to offer super-specialty services.

He further emphasised the expansion of medical infrastructure in the region, pointing out that districts like Deoria, Kushinagar, Maharajganj, Siddharthnagar, Basti, Balrampur, Gonda, and Bahraich had no medical colleges in the past.

Today, medical colleges have been built or are under construction in all these districts, ensuring accessible healthcare for the people of eastern Uttar Pradesh, he added.

Yogi highlighted the governments efforts to provide advanced healthcare facilities across the state. He stated that government hospitals in every district are now equipped with state-of-the-art facilities such as ICUs, dialysis units, CT scans, colour Doppler, MRI, blood banks, and blood component units, benefiting a large number of citizens.

Along with controlling encephalitis, the government made significant efforts to safeguard 25 crore citizens of the state during the COVID crisis. After eradicating encephalitis, we also managed to overcome the challenges of COVID-19. This was made possible by the strengthened health infrastructure, the chief minister said.

Speaking about the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September 2018, the CM described it as the worlds largest health insurance scheme.

Under this scheme, beneficiaries receive free medical treatment worth Rs 5 lakh per year without paying anything. They only need to renew their Ayushman Health Card annually, he explained.

The chief minister further shared that Uttar Pradesh has been the biggest beneficiary of the Ayushman Bharat Yojana, with health cards issued to over 5.25 crore individuals and more than 9 crore beneficiaries listed under the scheme.

To ensure seamless access to healthcare, the government has made special arrangements in hospitals, including dedicated staff and counters for Ayushman cardholders, so that beneficiaries do not face any inconvenience, he added.

For those unable to avail of the Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, CM Yogi noted that the Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana in Uttar Pradesh has been implemented to extend healthcare benefits to the needy, ensuring no one is left behind. Yogi emphasised that the residents of Gorakhpur are fully benefiting from the Ayushman Bharat Yojana. He shared that in Gorakhpur alone, 280 hospitals91 government and 189 privateare covered under the scheme.

The government has provided Rs 320 crore to these hospitals for the treatment of beneficiaries under the Ayushman Yojana, he stated.

CM interacts with

beneficiaries

During the programme, Yogi interacted with six beneficiaries who had received financial assistance for the treatment of serious illnesses through the Ayushman Yojana, Deendayal Cashless Yojana, and the Chief Ministers Relief Fund. These beneficiaries expressed heartfelt gratitude to the chief minister for the governments support in covering their treatment costs.

Israwati Devi from Rustampur, a beneficiary of the Mukhyamantri Jan Arogya Yojana Ayushman Card, shared that she had her eye surgery done without spending a single rupee, thanks to the card she obtained just a month ago.

Sandhya Rai from Nakha, a beneficiary of the Deendayal Cashless Scheme, explained that she underwent gall bladder surgery through the scheme and didnt have to bear any expenses.

Sharda Devi from Nakha, an Ayushman Bharat beneficiary, shared that she received a free stone operation after getting her Ayushman card in August.

Ashutosh Sharma, another Deendayal Cashless Scheme beneficiary, told the chief minister that he had his leg operated on and didnt have to pay anything due to the scheme's benefits.

Bhuwari Devi from Gulriya Bazaar, who received cancer treatment support through the Chief Ministers Relief Fund, expressed gratitude for the Rs 1.75 lakh assistance, which is helping her continue her treatment. When she mentioned not having an Ayushman card, the chief minister assured her that the government would ensure her treatment remains uninterrupted until her card is issued.

Sudhir Singh from Hasa Hussain, another recipient of assistance from the Chief Ministers Relief Fund, shared that he is undergoing treatment for mouth cancer and received Rs 3 lakh in financial aid. The chief minister assured him of continued support as needed for his ongoing treatment.
Agriculture Minister Shilpi Neha Tirkey assumed charge at the departmental office located at Nepal House on Monday. After assuming charge, Tirkey said that along with improving the supply chain system, work will be done on the utility of cold storage.



The Agriculture Minister said that first the focus will be on three things. "Agriculture University will be improved so that more and more work can be done in the interest of farmers. The functioning of cooperative societies will be improved. The role of middlemen will be eliminated. The Agriculture Department will try to generate revenue. Youth will also be involved in this sector," she added.



The Agriculture Minister was welcomed by Agriculture Secretary Abubakar Siddiqui.



Just a day earlier, the State's Finance Minister Radhakrishna Kishore said in a conversation with the media that a high-level team from Jharkhand will visit these two States to study the mining model of neighboring States Odisha and Chhattisgarh.



Kishore said that despite having 40 per cent of the Country's minerals, Jharkhand gets only Rs 11 to 12, 000 crore revenue, while Odisha gets Rs 50, 000 crore revenue from mining. In 2016-17, "Odisha received Rs 4,900 crore revenue from mining, which increased to Rs 50, 000 crore in 2021-22," he added.



The Finance Minister also said that the Government has started covering the cost of many welfare schemes including the Maiya Samman Yojana scheme. "Despite an annual budget of Rs 1.28 lakh crore, the State Government will need at least Rs 17,700 crore per year for the Maiya Samman Yojana alone. For a woman, even an amount of Rs 2,500 matters a lot. This means that she will no longer have to beg to afford basic medicines like cetirizine or Calpol tablets. Nor does she need to depend on her husband to buy small things," he added..



Kishore also put forth his views on the pending dues of Rs 1.36 lakh crore with the Centre. On the pending dues of Rs 1.36 lakh crore, he argued that political morality is to demand the Central Government to act impartially and release the funds. "Under our federal system of governance, going to court to demand one's dues from the Centre would be a stigma. The Centre should admit its mistake and come to the negotiating table and discuss how they plan to release Jharkhand's pending funds," he added.
In a tragic incident, two BBA students died after falling from the fourth floor of their paying guest (PG) accommodation in Rohini on Monday. The incident occurred at their PG accommodation where they were residing whilst pursuing their studies.

The police had earlier said the duo -- Ishaan, a resident of Rajasthan's Bharatpur, and Harsh of Delhi's Palam Colony -- had jumped to their death. They were pursuing BBA from Delhi Technological University (DTU) and Bhagwan Parshuram Institute of Technology (BPIT), he said.

"A PCR call was received at 1:10 am at the KNK Marg police station informing that two boys had fallen from the terrace of a building. The police team immediately visited the scene. "Upon local enquiry, it was found the two individuals, who were in a room on the fourth floor of a PG accommodation, had fallen through the window," a senior police officer said.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Rohini) Amit Goel, in a statement, said the spot was visited by a forensic department team and the cause of the fall was found to be accidental. A source said both the students were roommates and they shifted to the paying guest (PG) accommodation two months ago. On Sunday night, a few of their common friends had come to meet the duo.

The police also checked if they were partying or if any scuffle had taken place."Other witnesses were also examined and they said the students indulged in a friendly scuffle which led to their fall from the window," the officer added.

The CCTV footage near the spot was scanned but nothing suspicious has been found, the officer said, adding the bodies have been sent for a post-mortem examination.An inquest proceedings were underway, police said.

According to BPIT principal Payal Phawa, Ishaan was a first-year BBA student at the private institute affiliated with the IP University.

"We received the information about Ishaan's death this evening from the police. We are currently looking into the records of the student and will be able to make any comment accordingly." Pahwa said.

In November this year, a 19-year-old man allegedly died by suicide at a mall in Dwarka. The incident took place at Vegas Mall in Sector 14, according to the police. The deceased was identified as a second-year BTech student who lived in a hostel.
Five days after assuming office, the Mahayuti alliance government in Maharashtra led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday comfortably won a confidence vote in the state assembly.

The trust motion, tabled by Shiv Sena MLA Uday Samant and others, was passed by a voice vote on the last day of the three-day special assembly session.

Some opposition members were absent when the trust motion was approved in the assembly. They included Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray.

On December 4, when Governor C P Radhakrishnan handed Fadnavis the letter inviting him to form the government, he had stipulated in the document that the BJP leader must clear the trust motion in the House in 21 days, sources said.

Speaker Rahul Narwekar, elected unopposed for a second straight term earlier in the day, announced that the trust motion has been approved by the newly-constituted House.

The BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP 'Mahayuti coalition has a commanding majority of 230 seats in the 288-member assembly, where the majority mark is 145.

"The confidence motion has been passed with a majority," Narwekar said.

BJP leader Fadnavis was sworn-in as the chief minister for a third time on December 5 at a grand ceremony in Mumbai's Azad Maidan. Eknath Shinde (Shiv Sena) and Ajit Pawar (NCP) took oath as deputy CMs at the ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The 15th assembly officially began its tenure on December 7, two weeks the poll results were announced. With the BJP-led alliance enjoying a super majority in the lower House, the floor test was a mere formality.

Shiv Sena leader and former minister Samant, BJP legislator Sanjay Kute, former minister Dilip Walse Patil (NCP), and independent MLA Ravi Rana tabled the proposal for a confidence motion in the lower House.

With Narwekar's appointment as Speaker, the ruling coalition now enjoys the support of 229 MLAs, including small parties and independent MLAs.

Narwekar (47), the BJP MLA from Mumbai's Colaba seat and a lawyer by training, was elected unopposed as the Speaker of the 15th assembly. Opposition alliance Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA), which has less than 50 MLAs, did not put up a candidate.

Fadnavis, in his congratulatory speech, highlighted that Narwekar is only the second member of the lower House to be re-elected to the post since the state's formation in 1960.

"Balasaheb Bharde was the only Speaker of the legislative assembly to be re-elected to the post twice since 1960 when Maharashtra was formed. After Bharde, Narwekar is the second member of the assembly to receive the honour," the chief minister said.

He pointed out that Kundanmal Firodia was the first Speaker of the House to be reappointed, but it was during the time of Bombay state, and Sayaji L Silam was elected to the post before the formation of Maharashtra, and he was re-elected after the state came into existence.

During his first tenure, Narwekar had ruled that the party led by Eknath Shinde was the "real" Shiv Sena after a split in the Uddhav Thackeray-led party in 2022. He also held that the faction under Ajit

Pawar was the "real" Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), which was founded by Sharad Pawar.

Making a cursory reference to the verdict on the disputes involving the Shiv Sena and NCP, Fadnavis said, "During his first tenure as Speaker, Narwekar underwent some excruciating tests of his mettle, such as the decisions related to recognising the parties in the House. It was his 'agnipariksha' (trial by fire). His legal acumen proved invaluable during several debates in the chamber."

In the evening, Governor Radhakrishnan addressed a joint sitting of the legislature where he said

Maharashtra has emerged as the No.1 destination among all states in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI).

Maharashtra contributes more than 14 per cent to the countrys GDP, he said.

In 2023-24, Maharashtra topped in the country in FDI with Rs 1,25,101 crore investment, and has again topped in the country in the first two quarters, from April to September of the year 2024-25 with FDI of Rs 1,13,236 crore, which is more than 90 per cent of last years total FDI, he said.

The government has set a very ambitious target of making Maharashtra the first state to achieve the target of becoming a USD one trillion economy by the year 2027-28, the Governor emphasised.

The state government has announced a policy of giving anchor industry status to mega projects and hi-tech manufacturing sector like semiconductors, electric vehicles, aerospace and defence, chemicals and polymers, lithium ion batteries, steel and other products, the Governor noted.

Projects approved in the last eight months under this policy will attract a total investment of Rs 3.29 lakh crore and generate direct and indirect employment for 1,18,000 people, he told the legislature.

The government is implementing the Ladki Bahin Yojana for empowerment of women in the age group of 21 to 65 years. An amount of Rs 1,500 per month is being given to more than 2.34 crore women under this scheme and five monthly instalments from July to November, 2024 have been paid, the Governor said.

This scheme will continue, the Governor insisted.

Radhakrishnan said the government has commenced the recruitment process to fill 1.53 lakh vacant posts to enhance employment opportunities for the youth.

He informed the legislature that 1,19,700 candidates have joined for training under the Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojana, started to provide skilled manpower to industries and promote skills among the youth.
China sent 14 warships, seven military aircraft and four balloons near Taiwan between Saturday and Sunday, according to Taiwans Defence Ministry, as Beijing ramps up pressure on the island it claims as its own.

Chinas military activities come amid speculation Beijing might organise military drills around the island in response to Taiwanese President Lai Ching-tes recent visit to Pacific allies, including US stops in Hawaii and Guam.

China claims Taiwan, a self-ruled democracy of 23 million people, as its own territory, and bristles at other countries formal exchanges with Taiwan. The United States, like most countries, doesnt recognize Taiwan as a country but is its main unofficial backer and sells it arms.

The Chinese government has pledged to annex Taiwan, through military force if necessary, and sends ships and military planes near the island almost daily.

The 14 warships, seven military planes and four balloons were reported over 24 hours between 6 am on Saturday and 6 am on Sunday, according to Taiwans Defence Ministry. The ministry said six of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait, an unofficial demarcation zone between Taiwan and China.

One of the balloons brushed over the islands northern tip, according to the ministry.

Lai on Friday called on China to refrain from threats and said Beijings military exercises will not be able to win the respect of neighbouring countries.

Lais first overseas trip since taking office in May included visits to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu and Palau, three of the 12 countries that have diplomatic ties with Taiwan. The rest of the world, including the US, has official ties with China.

Lais stops in Hawaii and Guam  from where he had phone calls with US Congress leaders  angered China, which opposes US arms sales and military assistance to Taiwan.

There was widespread speculation China might organize war games around Taiwan in response to the visit, though it was unclear when they might start.

In October, China held drills around Taiwan involving a record one-day total of 153 aircraft, 14 navy vessels and 12 Chinese government ships in response to a Lai speech in which he rejected Beijings claims over Taiwan.

Beijing has labelled Lai a separatist and refuses to speak to him.
This is probably the greatest fear The West has  an Islamic Caliphate. It could be a possibility, though, as the likes of ISIS and Al-Qaeda are still very much active in Syria amongst the multiples of Jihadist groups.

Now that Assad has fled to Moscow with his billions of plundered dollars, there is naturally a large power vacuum to fill, and when it comes to the Middle East where democracy does not, and will never work, this means that whatever the US/Israel or EU want, will probably not happen. Under Starmer, the UK is now inconsequential in global matters.

The CIA operatives on the ground do not have many friends in Syria, and the US only supports the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, who have been opposed to both Assad and ISIS.

The Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led the two-week march on Damascus, is controlled and orchestrated by Turkey, but one wonders what the ultimate goal of this venture will be?

As well as Assad having blood on his hands for decades of vicious brutality, it goes without saying that Iran and Russia are co-conspirators in the mass bloodletting that has been ongoing in Syria for decades.

Along with Afghanistan being run by militant Islamists like the Taliban, to see another rogue state being built from the ashes of Assad may not be such a favourable outcome for the beleaguered West.

Millions of Syrians are now making their way to the Turkish border, and will then go onto the EU.

Who knows what the fuck is going to happen in the ruined country, but as mentioned before, there will never be a democracy in Syria because the Arabs just dont do that sort of thing. Maybe a Libya 2.0, an Islamic State Caliphate, and more war? To control any Arab state, one needs a tyranny, and thats the only way to do it.
Dhaka/New Delhi, Dec 9 (UNI) Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday reiterated Indias willingness to build a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh, based on mutual trust and respect and mutual sensitivity to each others concerns and interests, during his meetings with the leadership of the army-backed Bangladesh Interim Government.

FS Misri, who was in Dhaka on a day-long visit for the Foreign Office Consultations, called on Chief Advisor Mohammed Yunus and the Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain. He earlier held the FOC with his Bangladeshi counterpart Jashim Uddin.

During these meetings, Foreign Secretary Misri highlighted Indias support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh. Foreign Secretary emphasized that people are the main stakeholders in India-Bangladesh relations, and noted that Indias development cooperation and multifaceted engagements with Bangladesh, including in the areas of connectivity, trade, power, energy and capacity building, are all geared towards the benefit of the people of Bangladesh, a statement said.

Referring to the attacks on Hindus and other minorities and on temples and properties of Hindus, Foreign Secretary Misri also discussed certain recent developments and issues and conveyed Indias concerns, especially those related to the safety and welfare of minorities. He also raised some regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious and diplomatic properties.

During the Foreign Office Consultations, both sides held comprehensive discussions on a wide range of issues covering political and security matters, border management, trade, commerce and connectivity, cooperation in water, power and energy sectors, development cooperation, consular, cultural and people-to-people ties. They also exchanged views on sub-regional, regional and multilateral issues, and agreed to enhance consultations and cooperation to advance regional integration, including under the BIMSTEC framework.

Foreign Secretarys visit will help in sustaining bilateral engagement between India and Bangladesh with a view to addressing concerns as well as advancing the substantive issues in the relationship, the statement added.

In the morning, FS Misri landed in Dhaka on an Indian air force plane before 8:30 am and was received by director general (South Asia) of the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry Ishrat Jahan.

His visit is the first high-level one from India after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5.

The FOC talks began at 12:45pm.

On Sunday, Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Adviser Touhid Hossain expressed optimism that Bangladesh and India would be able to overcome the kind of stalemate that the two neighbouring countries have witnessed over the last couple of months.

We expect that we will be able to overcome this impasse. Establishing mutual communication and meeting each other are very important to overcome any such stalemate, he said.

Speaking at a seminar at the Jatiya Press Club, Hossain said it is also important to note that the relations between Bangladesh and India witnessed changes after August 5 and both sides need to try and take forward the relations accepting this changed reality.

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A Tesco store in Derry is selling Northern Irish Aberdeen Angus carvery beef rib roast for 60 per kilogram.

One shopper was shocked to find the product on sale at this price in the Lisnagelvin Tesco store.

Sinead Aoibheann Quinn took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to inform consumers about the price of this product.

She said: I commented on a post about the price of meat in a fridge in a shop in Dalkey a week ago. Mate just sent me this. He's in Tesco Lisnagelvin doing his shopping. 250 piece of meat. But don't worry; the clubcard price is only 125."

While the product in the image costs 251.88, it can be reduced to 125.94 if the consumer has a clubcard.

Chris, a butcher at Maiden City Butchers, was shocked when he saw the price that Tesco was charging.

In comparison, Maiden City Butchers were charging 15.20 per kilo for Aberdeen Angus, which is four times less than the price listed on the Tesco product, and half the price if a consumer has a

He said: That is ridiculous, for that Aberdeen angus, no that is not right.

We would never do that here, or charge anywhere near that, but I suppose that is a big corporation for you.

It is why people should shop local when buying their meat, for that better quality and evidently price too.

A spokesperson from Tesco confirmed the pricing on the product was correct.
A man has been given a suspended sentence at Derry Magistrates Court charged with disorderly behaviour following an incident in the hospital.

David Hamilton (29) of no fixed abode was charged after police were alerted to an aggressive male at Rockmills on December 6.

Police found Hamilton walking away from the building and spotted a cut on his face, taking him to Altnagelvin to get it looked at.

In the police car, Hamilton attempted to get into the front seat, telling police he wanted to drive.

In the hospital, Hamilton began acting aggressively to staff and was subsequently arrested and charged with disorderly behaviour.

READ NEXT: NIFRS urges Derry residents to keep safety top of your list this holiday season

Defence solicitor Seamus Quigley said that Hamilton was 'in bad form' not because he didn't get to drive but because he had been assaulted that night but had accepted his offences and pleaded guilty to the charges.

He was sentenced to three months in custody, suspended for twelve months.
The Workspace Group, a social enterprise based in Draperstown has been named Social Enterprise of the Year at this years UK Social Enterprise Awards.

The Workspace Group was established in 1985 to stimulate social and economic regeneration in the local area.

Hosted by national sector body Social Enterprise UK, the awards are the UKs biggest celebration of social enterprise success, recognising excellence and innovation across 15 categories. There are an estimated 131,000 social enterprises in the UK. Workspace faced stiff competition from hundreds of entries across the UK to take home the top award.

The Social Enterprise of the Year award is for a social enterprise that has a clear vision, excellence in impact, and that has demonstrated and promoted social enterprise beyond the sector.

Workspaces commercial businesses generate surplus profits, which are then gifted back to the parent company, to enable Workspace to carry out its social mission.

This reinvestment of surpluses enables Workspace to deliver projects and provide facilities to the Draperstown community and surrounding areas which would not otherwise be available without their intervention.

These projects include Workspace Community Hub, Sperrin Foodbank, a new purpose-built youth club, the Workspace Recreation Centre and 3G pitch, and an After School Club.

In addition, they provide over 90,000 per annum in free space to local community/voluntary organisations and have distributed almost 150,000 in grants to local groups through the Workspace Community Fund.

Upon winning the award, Georgina Grieve, Chief Executive of The Workspace Group, commented: "To win Social Enterprise of the Year in Northern Ireland earlier this year was fantastic but to win overall UK Social Enterprise of the Year tonight is an absolute honour.

We celebrate our 40th anniversary next year and this award is a testament to our staff, directors, local community and everyone who has been involved with Workspace over the years."

Laurence OKane, Chairman of The Workspace Group, added: I am so proud of what the Group and our local community has achieved over the last 40 years. To be recognised as the best social enterprise across the whole of the UK celebrates what a group of like-minded individuals from a small rural village can achieve by working together.
Local RegTech partners joined the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Alastair King, and over 100 delegates who attended a special event held by Derry City and Strabane District Council, Invest Northern Ireland and Ulster University showcasing the North Wests potential to lead in regulatory and supervisory technology, addressing pressing global challenges in governance, risk, and compliance.

The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Alastair King, was in Derry today for a series of engagements building on the North Wests strong connection with the City of London.

Alderman King and the visiting delegation were welcomed to the Guildhall by the Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Lilian Seenoi Barr, who took the opportunity to discuss shared interests in business, the adoption of technology and innovation.

The City of London is a global leader in the Financial and Professional Services sector, and the visit was a timely opportunity to highlight the City Deal projects that will bring about growth, investment and prosperity for the region and ongoing collaborative work locally to establish the worlds first multi-sector RegTech Supercluster here in the North West to the Citys international ambassador.

Welcoming the Lord Mayor on his first visit to Derry, Councillor Barr said: I was delighted to welcome Alderman King to the city, building on the strong ties we already enjoy with the City of London. We discussed the many strategic advantages of living and working here in the North West, in particular the work that is going into developing our RegTech proposition. We offer a compelling package for global investors, which is why it's so important to get the message out there through our partners in the US and the City of London, who can assist in tapping into RegTech global market opportunities.

Speaking after the meeting, Alderman King said: It was pleasure to meet the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Lilian Seenoi Barr, policymakers and business leaders across Derry today to discuss how we can further grow our already strong relationships, build on the Northern Irelands excellent work in the RegTech sector and on bringing out further regulatory reform.

Northern Ireland is a leader in financial services and we look forward to continuing the conversation on how to grow the financial and professional services sectors across the UK.

The delegation went on to attend a special RegTech Forum event led by Council, Invest Northern Ireland and Ulster University where the Lord Mayor and London City representatives met with partners from DCSD Council, Donegal County Council, Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Ulster University, and Catalyst, and over 100 industry leaders, regulators, academics, and innovators.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Lilian Seenoi Barr, welcomed the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Alastair King to the Guildhall today for a meeting during a special delegation visit by the City of London Corporation.

The Forum was chaired by Invest N. Ireland Chair John Healy, and during the event Councils Investment Manager Rosalind Young, launched a special Innovation Challenge in partnership with the City of London Corporation.

The initiative encourages local companies to generate creative solutions for regulatory challenges which could contribute to shaping the future of RegTech.

READ NEXT: St. Eugene's Primary School 2025 souvenir calendar celebrates the Derry school's 170th Anniversary

Speaking afterwards Ms Young said: We are inviting innovators to showcase their ideas and help address critical ESG and AI issues with support from global experts. Its an exciting opportunity to foster collaboration between cutting technology companies to address the challenges faced by the financial services sector and contribute to developing new technologies and identifying solutions that could assist businesses by addressing real-world regulatory challenges.

To find out more about the RegTech Supercluster and how local companies can get involved, go to https://www.regtechsupercluster.com
A new Stormont housing plan aims to facilitate the delivery of at least 100,000 new homes in Northern Ireland in the next 15 years.

One third of the target set would be social homes, Communities Minister Gordon Lyons told the Assembly.

The cross-departmental strategy aims to address some of the infrastructure issues that are currently constraining the number of homes built by the public and private sector, including waste water capacity and connections to transport, energy and digital networks.

Mr Lyons said the present day challenges around housing supply are significant, as he noted nearly 48,000 households are currently on the social housing waiting list, of which more 36,000 are considered in housing stress.

He said those numbers continue to rise  a trend he insisted was not sustainable.

Mr Lyons Housing Supply Strategy, which was approved by the wider Stormont Executive last week, is centred on five key objectives. They are:

 Creating Affordable Options  Increase housing supply and affordable options across all tenures to meet housing need and demand;

 Prevention and Intervention: Prevent homelessness, reduce housing stress and improve and prioritise housing solutions for those most in need;

 Quality and Safety  Improve housing quality;

 Better Places  Ensure a greater mix of housing tenures are available within areas, to help build and maintain an improved sense of community;

 A Fair Path to Low Carbon Housing  Ensure that the construction of new housing and retrofitting of existing homes enables people to afford to heat their homes as well as allowing Northern Ireland to meet its greenhouse gas emission targets.

In order to stimulate investment in housing projects, Mr Lyons vowed to make more use of Financial Transactions Capital (FTC).

FTC is funding allocated to the Executive by the Government that can be deployed as a loan or an equity investment in a capital project delivered by the private sector.

Acknowledging the reliance on the construction sector to deliver much of the strategys ambitions, the blueprint also includes measures around upskilling and reskilling workers and the delivery of apprenticeships.

Mr Lyons outlined the strategy in the Assembly on Monday.

The housing issues we face are significant, and the current situation is not sustainable, he said.

For too long, there has been no joined-up, cross-departmental approach to housing supply. That ends now.

I am pleased to have the support of Executive colleagues to work together in new and innovative ways to deliver the supply of good quality, affordable and sustainable homes that we need in Northern Ireland.

My ambition is to create a housing system that can deliver at least 100,000 homes  and more if needed. One third of these will be social homes, alongside an increased supply of intermediate homes delivered throughout the strategy lifetime.

A safe, warm and affordable home is the foundation of so many things in life, and is linked to a broad range of positive health, education and economic outcomes. In addressing this we are seeking to change peoples lives for the better.

The minister added: This strategy goes beyond bricks and mortar, and looks at wider areas such as energy efficiency  making sure energy costs remain affordable and manageable for everyone.

Mr Lyons said he would also launch a consultation on a Fuel Poverty Strategy imminently. He said fuel poverty continues to affect too many households across Northern Ireland.

The Housing Supply Strategy has been endorsed by a range of organisations in the sector, including the Chartered Institute of Housing Northern Ireland; Homeless Connect; the Construction Employers Federation; The Northern Ireland Housing Executive; and Northern Ireland Federation of Housing Association.

I am pleased there is a recognition of the collective effort required to address these issues, across the Executive but also from a range of organisations throughout the sector, said the minister.

All involved appreciate the enormity of the task in front of us, and the need for both investment and transformative action. Yet in harnessing the collective will, and setting out the next steps, we are moving in the right direction.

We are looking to work collaboratively, think different and promote change. This means being novel and innovative in our approach. It also means being ambitious in what we want to achieve.

But most importantly, the whole system approach must put people, places and communities at its heart.
New Delhi, Dec 9 (UNI) Nearly 40 schools across Delhi received bomb threat emails on Monday morning, following which students from some schools, including Delhi Public School in RK Puram and GD Goenka School in Paschim Vihar, were sent home.

The police said that a ransom of USD 30,000 was demanded in the threat emails.

As soon as the police received the information, a team from the Delhi Police and the Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) arrived at DPS RK Puram and GD Goenka in Paschim Vihar, along with officials from the fire department.

Following this incident, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) National Convener Arvind Kejriwal questioned Home Minister Amit Shah over the state of law and order in Delhi.

The people of Delhi have never seen such a bad state of law and order before. Amit Shah ji should come and answer the people of Delhi, he tweeted.

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi said, After the daily incidents of ransom demands, murders, and shootings in Delhi, we are now receiving threats to bomb schools.

The law and order situation in Delhi has never been so bad. The BJP-ruled central government has failed in its only task of providing security to the people of Delhi, she added in a tweet.

The schools that received the threat emails include Delhi Public School in RK Puram, GD Goenka in Paschim Vihar, Mother Marys School in Mayur Vihar, The British School in Chanakyapuri, Salwan Public School in Mayur Vihar, Modern School in Mandi House, Cambridge School, Delhi Public School in Vasant Kunj, and a few DAV schools, among others.

UNI-PSP KK
India has about 700 million smartphone users, with close to 14 billion UPI transactions worth 20 lakh crores happening on a monthly basis. Beneath the glossy veneer of consumer technology lies this complex ecosystem where smartphone innovation meets the necessity of digital commerce. And safeguarding these devices and the apps ecosystem inside them goes beyond a simple antivirus program. Its about runtime defenses, cloud-based analytics, and AI-driven intelligence that adapt to evolving cyber threats, according to Pankaj Patankar, Head of Marketing for Protectt.ai Labs Pvt Ltd.

In an exclusive interview, Patankar explains how Protectt.ai is aiming to reshape the mobile app security landscape. What struck me most was Protectt.ais intense focus on real-time, in-app threat protection and the level of sophistication they bring to fighting the hidden  and sometimes not-so-hidden  adversaries lurking behind every suspicious link, tampered APK, or cleverly disguised piece of malware.

Providing constant mobile app security

Mobile security is often portrayed as a tug-of-war between developers who patch vulnerabilities and hackers who exploit them. Protectt.ai flips this dynamic on its head. Their approach is not just to block known threats, but to anticipate and neutralize them as they happen.

At Protectt.ai, our core strengths in the mobile app security landscape are centered around our advanced Runtime Application Self-Protection (RASP) technology, which sets us apart from competitors, Patankar explained. The mention of RASP (Runtime Application Self-Protection) particularly piqued my interest. Rather than relying solely on perimeter defenses, RASP technology defends the app from within, making it harder for attackers to manipulate code or data.

As Patankar put it, We leverage sophisticated AI and ML algorithms for enhanced threat detection, allowing us to adapt quickly to evolving attack vectors. Its a sentiment that encapsulates the companys approach: treat security as a living, evolving system, not a static checklist of defenses.

Also read: Cybersecurity in Age of AI: Black Hat 2024s top 3 LLM security risks

Traditional mobile antivirus solutions rely on signature-based detection, which are great for known threats but less effective against zero-day exploits or entirely new malware species. Protectt.ai, on the other hand, uses a cloud-based analysis system and next-gen runtime capabilities.

Our RASP solution provides continuous, in-app security, detecting and responding to threats as they occur, ensuring immediate mitigation of vulnerabilities, Patankar told me. This is critical because a threat can appear out of nowhere  a malicious snippet of code injected into a supposedly benign update, or a cleverly disguised phishing attempt exploiting a users trust in a familiar brand.

By maintaining a scalable cloud infrastructure, Protectt.ai can correlate threat intelligence across vast data sets. According to Patankar, Our scalable cloud infrastructure enables efficient threat intelligence and provides actionable insights to strengthen our clients mobile app security posture.

How Protectt.ai is bridging the mobile app security gap

Downloading apps only from official app stores like Google Play or Apples App Store is often the first recommended step towards mobile app safety that we all know. These platforms do perform initial security scans, creating a reliable environment for users. However, even after these apps are downloaded, vulnerabilities can emerge.

While Play Store and App Store conduct rigorous security checks before publishing apps on their platform, challenges arise after installation, Patankar explained. Attackers can reverse-engineer apps, tamper with their code, and repackage them to distribute malicious versions via phishing links. Once installed, these rogue apps can compromise user data or even carry out unauthorized financial transactions.

This evolving threat landscape requires a proactive approach beyond the initial checks offered by app stores. Protectt.ai addresses this critical gap with AppProtectt, a state-of-the-art solution that continuously monitors apps in real-time, detecting and neutralizing dynamic threats such as malware, reverse engineering, and tampering. Patankar emphasised. Its a proactive stance  while stores focus on a one-time approval, Protectt.ai ensures the app remains safe throughout its lifecycle.

When you think of mobile security, the word antivirus might come to mind. But as Patankar noted, antivirus solutions mainly target known malware strains. Todays threats extend much further. Reverse engineering, debugging, root detection bypasses, API manipulation  the list goes on and on.

AppProtectt provides 75+ security capabilities such as Anti-Malware, Unsecured Wi-Fi, Reverse Engineering, Decompilation, Debugging, Root Detection, App Tampering protection, Screen sharing and Screen Mirroring Fraud Protection. All of thats quite a mouthful, but it boils down to a comprehensive, layered defense that doesnt just check for malware signatures  it watches for anything suspicious happening in the runtime environment.

Also read: WazirX hack: Confusing aftermath of the biggest cyberattack on Indian crypto exchange

Patankar summed it up: While traditional antivirus software covers known malware and viruses, AppProtectt offers multi-layered defense mechanisms tailored to safeguard apps from a wide range of sophisticated mobile security threats.

Few industries exemplify the need for robust mobile security more than BFSI (Banking, Financial Services, and Insurance). With millions of users performing sensitive transactions daily, a single breach can be catastrophic.

Patankar painted a vivid picture: Our internal research suggests that more than 90% of apps in the BFSI sector are prone to reverse engineering. Thats staggering, considering how many of us rely on mobile banking apps for everything from checking balances to making mortgage payments.

To drive the point home, he shared a real-world example: For a leading private sector bank in India with 5+ million users, we implemented our solution. In 3 months, we saw an 87% reduction in screen mirroring cases. Thats the kind of tangible result that stands out  less theoretical and more like a real-life intervention that prevents fraud and preserves trust.

AI-driven threat detection in zero trust environment

Looking beyond the present, Patankar predicted emerging scenarios where the complexity of mobile apps would continue to grow. Super apps are the future, combining multiple services like messaging, payments, shopping, and travel into a single platform, he said. More functionalities mean broader attack surfaces, reinforcing the need for a robust, adaptive security posture.

AI-driven threat detection, behavioral analytics, and zero trust frameworks are all on the horizon. Patankar was optimistic: By offering diverse functionalities under one roof, super apps boost user engagement and stickinessThese technologies will help identify and neutralize threats in real-time, often before the user is even aware, by analyzing patterns and anomalies in data.

In other words, tomorrows mobile app security wont just react to threats  itll anticipate them.

One negative about security solutions is often that they sacrifice user experience for protection. If apps become sluggish or start throwing false positives left and right, users lose patience  and possibly trust.

Patankar addressed this: Protectt.ai uses deep technology solutions  advanced AI and machine learning to analyze threats. This helps enhance product security capabilities and minimize false positives. The result? Users can go about their business without constantly encountering unnecessary red flags.

Balancing top-tier security with seamless usability is no small feat. Yet, Protectt.ai seems committed to ensuring their solutions become unobtrusive guards that work quietly in the background, delivering peace of mind without making daily tasks more complicated.

As we wrapped up our conversation, Patankar hinted at whats next for Protectt.ai. We are all set to expand our footprint in the USA, Dubai, and the MEA region. Were set to launch a series of innovative products to secure the end-to-end user mobile app journey, he confirmed. This forward momentum signals that mobile app security is no longer a niche concern. With cyber threats evolving daily, the industry  and Protectt.ai in particular  must remain agile, continually refining defenses and preempting new vulnerabilities.

Also read: McAfees Pratim Mukherjee on fighting deepfake AI scams in 2024 and beyond
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi recently gained attention after a video of her mistaking Satya Nadella for Google CEO Sundar Pichai went viral. The slip happened during her speech at an education award ceremony at Delhis Thyagraj Stadium, where she was discussing Indians global business achievements. During the event, 207 Class 10 and Class 12 students from government and private schools in the NCR were recognized for their outstanding academic achievements.

During her speech praising the global influence of Indian-origin leaders, Atishi stated, The biggest global companies whose products we use in our daily lives be it through our phones and apps Even Google CEO Satya Nadella is of Indian origin. However, she correctly herself later in the event but the moment captured on the camera was quickly floated all over the internet.

The speech mentioned the accomplishments of notable Indian business leaders such as Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and former Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal, as well as World Bank President Ajay Banga, praising them for their success and contributions to various industries.

READ: Samsung Galaxy S25 India launch: Date, display, camera, processor and other details

The video quickly went viral on social media platform X, and netizens were seen trolling the Delhi Chief Minister over her remarks. In addition, opposition party leaders intervened and responded to Atishis remark. Users shared videos, memes, and trolls on the internet, and here are some of the best ones.

Atishi claims that Satya Nadella is the CEO of Google! Even when reading from her speech, she gets a basic fact wrong, a BJP leader wrote in his post. Delhi CM Atishi Marlena appointed Satya Nadella as Googles CEO, replacing Sunder Pichai, posted another user.

Here are a few of the posts and memes:

Delhi CM Atishi Marlena appointed Satya Nadella as Google's CEO, replacing Sunder Pichai.  pic.twitter.com/Fg46pW38ON  Oxomiya Jiyori  (@SouleFacts) December 6, 2024

Delhi CM Atishi Marlena just unveiled a groundbreaking tech revelation: Satya Nadella is Googles CEO. Guess Sundar Pichai needs to update his LinkedIn. Maybe next week, Apple will be run by Elon Musk? pic.twitter.com/CM9dYMADeD  Vishnu Vardhan Reddy (@SVishnuReddy) December 6, 2024

Google's CEO Is Satya Nadella!  Delhi CM Atishi Marlena

pic.twitter.com/Zz0cdhSxaq  Abhi Vats (@abhivatsa) December 6, 2024
LGES acquires GM battery plant after Trump's election

In light of the sluggish electric vehicle (EV) market and uncertainties following Donald Trump's re-election, LG Energy Solution (LGES) will acquire all shares of the battery plant jointly constructed with General Motors (GM) in Michigan. However, both parties will continue their collaboration on battery technology, focusing on the development of prismatic batteries.

According to reports from media outlets including ZD Net Korea and The Seoul Economic Daily, GM recently announced a non-binding agreement with LGES to sell its nearly completed Ultium Cells battery plant in Lansing, Michigan. The sale is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2025, with GM anticipated to recover approximately US$1 billion of its investment.

GM and LGES established the battery joint venture Ultium Cells, which has its first two plants located in Ohio and Tennessee, while Michigan serves as the site for the third plant, with a total investment scale of US$2.6 billion. It was reported that the third plant was originally scheduled to be completed in the second half of 2024, with initial production set to begin in early 2025. However, due to poor EV market conditions, automakers have started adjusting their investment pace, leading to delays in the operation of the third plant.

Some analysts believe that concerns over long-term low demand for EVs, especially after Trump proposed eliminating EV subsidies, have prompted GM to reduce its investment scale.

Nevertheless, since LGES's first wholly-owned factory in the US is also located in Michigan, it possesses geographical advantages in terms of workforce adjustment and technical cooperation. If LGES successfully acquires the third plant, it can effectively regulate production volume from Michigan, which is described as the new center of the American EV industry.

While GM is reducing its investments in battery manufacturing, it continues to maintain a strong partnership with LGES. Recently, both companies signed an agreement to conduct joint research for prismatic battery and core materials, promoting R&D of diverse batter types. This collaboration marks LGES's first development of prismatic batteries, which are advantageous for resisting external impacts but have poorer internal space utilization efficiency.

However, global EV manufacturers are continuously segmenting the market based on vehicle types, sizes, and regions. Considering the differences across various markets, there is an increasing number of customers planning to adopt batteries for different purposes. Through this collaboration with GM, LGES will enhance its capability to meet the supply demands of various customer requirements.

LGES stated that discussions are underway regarding the purchase of Ultium Cells' third plant, aiming to improve investment and operational efficiency at North American factories and maximize utilization rates. An official announcement will follow once confirmed.
India roundup: Indian manufacturing draws chip distributors with looming Trump 2.0

IC distributors are eyeing growing opportunities in India, as foreign and local firms, including Indium, expand their semiconductor investments.

Trump 2.0 looms: Indian manufacturing draws chip distributors

Global supply chains have gradually diversified in recent years, with India emerging as a potential replacement for China in the electronics manufacturing sector. As geopolitical dynamics shift, particularly influenced by the recent US presidential election, interest from European and American clients in Indian manufacturing is on the rise.

Indium Corporation expands Chennai plant, aims to drive India's chip ambitions

Indium Corporation is expanding its operations in India to support the country's growing semiconductor sector. The company is investing in its Chennai facility, collaborating with local partners, and supporting government initiatives like IDSPS. By addressing challenges like supply chain disruptions and skill development, Indium Corporation aims to contribute to India's semiconductor ecosystem and foster innovation in the industry.

Dixon to make Google Pixel smartphones with Compal in India

Dixon Technologies has partnered with Taiwan's Compal Electronics to manufacture Google Pixel smartphones through its subsidiary Padget Electronics. The production will take place at Padget's manufacturing facility in Noida, India, marking a significant expansion of Google's manufacturing presence in the country.

India's EV manufacturing push sees policy updates amid low disbursements

India is eager to establish a robust local EV manufacturing ecosystem, driven by the growing adoption of low-carbon vehicles in global markets. However, official data reveals a lack of investor enthusiasm, suggesting either limited interest in the schemes or eligibility criteria that may be overly stringent.

India reportedly to expand incentive to attract EV manufacturers

India plans to broaden its electric vehicle incentives to include automakers producing EVs at existing factories, moving beyond its initial focus on new facilities. The revised policy aims to attract investment from established manufacturers like Toyota and Hyundai, according to ministry meeting minutes seen by Reuters.
Prime Time presenter Fran McNulty tied the knot with his fellow RTE colleague Doireann O'Hara over the weekend.

The Longford native previously held the post of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs Correspondent, Prime Time and Morning Ireland presenter as well as reporting for RTE News for radio, television and online.

An award-winning journalist, Fran began his career in Shannonside Northern Sound radio, where he worked as a current affairs presenter and Agriculture Editor before joining RTE in 2005.

Sharing a photo of the newlyweds to his X account, McNulty added the caption: "After a beautiful weekend celebrating our wedding, the out of office is on and some time away celebrate some more!"

After a beautiful weekend celebrating our wedding, the out of office is on and some time away to celebrate some more! pic.twitter.com/hSivLsDiEs  Fran McNulty (@franmcnulty) December 9, 2024

Among the guests at Fran and Doireann's big day was his Prime Time co-host Miriam O'Callaghan who shared a series of snaps to Instagram.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Miriam O Callaghan (@instmiriam)

She said in the post: "It was such a special day yesterday celebrating the wedding of the beautiful couple @franmcnulty & @dee_tv_irl - gorgeous couple & all of us Prime Time & RTE folk had a truly wonderful day.

"We all greatly missed though our former recently departed colleagues Rhona & Paul who no doubt whatsoever were watching it all from Heaven."
A film about Irish rap trio Kneecap has won seven gongs at the British Independent Film Awards (BIFA) 2024 including Best British Independent Film.

Kneecap also won Best Debut Screenwriter for Rich Peppiatt, Best Joint Lead for the trios members Liam Og O Hannaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh, Best Casting, Best Editing, Best Original Music, and Best Music Supervision, at the ceremony at Londons Roundhouse.

The comedy movie, which also stars Oscar-nominated actor Michael Fassbender, follows the Belfast group on their mission to save their mother tongue through music, and is directed by Peppiatt.

It comes after the group won their discrimination court battle against UK leader of the opposition and former business secretary Kemi Badenoch, after the then-UK government conceded it was unlawful to refuse them a 14,250 Music Export Growth Scheme funding award.

Elsewhere, Best Director went to Rungano Nyoni, for On Becoming A Guinea Fowl, an exploration of secrets and grief within a middle-class Zambian family, thriller Santosh took Best Screenplay, and Best Lead Performance went to Marianne Jean-Baptiste for comedy drama Hard Truths.

Best Supporting Performance went to Franz Rogowski for his role in drama Bird, black comedy Wicked Little Letters picked up Best Ensemble Performance, and Best Debut Director went to Christopher Andrews for Bring Them Down, a film about two warring families in rural Ireland.

That's a wrap for #BIFA2024. A huge congratulations to all this year's winners and nominees. https://t.co/S3qnGKbjfE pic.twitter.com/RQViNbWx2a  BIFA (@BIFA_film) December 9, 2024

Duo Pinny Grylls and Sam Crane took the Best Debut Director  Feature Documentary award as well as The Raindance Maverick Award for Grand Theft Hamlet, which sees a performance of Shakespeares tale enacted entirely within the confines of the video game Grand Theft Auto.

Best British Short Film was awarded to stop-motion movie Wander To Wonder, while Sean Bakers Anora, about a dancer and her oligarch Prince Charming, took Best International Independent Film.

The 2024 Richard Harris Award For Outstanding Contribution By An Actor To British Film was presented to Sophie Okonedo by friend and collaborator Ben Daniels.
Two graduates of DkIT School of Engineering have been recognised for their outstanding projects and were recently awarded the Peter Rice Medal and Dr Niamh Shaw Award.

Kian OBrien was awarded The Peter Rice Medal for the best Level 8 Engineering student project for his design of a Portable Shock Absorber Dynamometer, while Christopher Duffy was presented with The Dr Niamh Shaw Award, which is awarded to the best Level 7 Engineering student project at DkIT, for his Water Monitoring System.

The Peter Rice Medal honours Dundalk-born engineer, Peter Rice who was renowned for his collaboration on some of the most iconic structures of the 20th century, including the Sydney Opera House, Pompidou Centre, the Louvre Pyramid, and Lloyds of London. Other candidates for this award included Electrical Engineering graduate Jinyan Yang for her project on a Water Quality Monitoring System, and Civil Engineering graduate Mark Nilan for his investigation in to the Role of Local Authorities in Converting Vacant Homes and Derelict Sites into Occupied Homes

The Dr. Niamh Shaw Award honours the Irish engineer, scientist, writer, and performer, a native of Dundalk, who is known as one of Irelands top science communicators and STEAM specialists. With a mission to reach space as both artist and citizen, she has travelled to all 7 continents, sharing human stories of space and science education. Niamh reports on science from remote locations, advocating for a healthier, more sustainable planet. Mechanical Engineering graduate Padraic Bellew was also in the running for the Award, presenting his groups project which explored a Hybrid Car Cycle.

Both awards were kindly sponsored by Engineers Ireland Northeast and the event provided an opportunity for the students to showcase their work, with student posters and projects on display during the event. Maeve Martin, Student and Graduate Engagement Officer at Engineers Ireland, also gave insights into the organisations vision and membership opportunities at the event.

Chairperson of the Engineers Ireland Northeast Region, Pat McCormick opened the event and spoke of the role of the engineer in looking to the future.

Dr Niamh Shaw gave a keynote speech where she discussed how her passion for science and space has become such a huge part of her identity, changing perceptions around failure and success. She spoke of her global travels, with a particular focus on her recent adventure to Antarctica with the Women in STEMM group.

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Dr Breda Brennan, Head of School of Engineering, DkIT said:

The Dr Niamh Shaw Award and Peter Rice Medal recognise the creativity and innovation of our engineering students and highlight the quality of teaching and project supervision across the School of Engineering in DkIT. This event is a wonderful chance for students to demonstrate their skills across the engineering disciplines. We are very grateful to Engineers Ireland Northeast for providing our students with this opportunity and to Dr Niamh Shaw for her inspiring contribution to todays event.

The judging panel for this years event included: Mary Arthur Smyth, CAPA Program Manager at Abbott, a Food Engineer with over 25 years of experience in the food industry; Breen Jackson, a Chartered Engineer with over 30 years of experience in civil engineering and construction projects in Ireland and the UK; Peter Nowak, an Automation Engineer at Controlsoft and winner of the Peter Rice Medal in 2020; Adam Graham, an Executive Engineer at Louth County Council, Fire & Building Control Section with over nine years of experience across various Local Authorities; Eamon Dillane, an Electrical Engineer and Business Owner at EMelecSolar Ltd specialising in High Tension Power Distribution, Low Voltage Switchgear and Renewable Energy consultancy, and Sean McCarthy, a Lean and Leadership Consultant with extensive Project Management experience in the pharmaceutical and semiconductor sectors, including roles at Intel.
Almost three out of four young people aged 14-29 in Ireland (73 per cent), including in Louth, are anxious when thinking about climate change, while one out of three are feeling hopeful regarding climate action.

Thats according to newly released interim findings from the 2024 Youth Climate Justice Survey, a joint initiative between ECO-UNESCO and SpunOut.ie, which highlights how young people in Ireland feel about climate justice issues.

The new data was announced by ECO-UNESCO  Irelands leading environmental education youth organisation  together with five other prominent national youth organisations  Feachtas, Irish Girl Guides, the No Name Club, Poppintree Youth Project and Young Irish Filmmakers  as part of ECO-UNESCOs annual Earth Gala climate justice event held on Saturday at the Irish Museum of Modern Art.

The climate justice event was attended by special guest the Deputy Lord Mayor of Dublin Donna Cooney, while Stefania Giannini, assistant director-general for education at UNESCO, welcomed participants to the day with a video message highlighting the importance of youth participation.

A new Youth Climate Justice Manifesto drawn up at the Earth Gala brought together young people, scholars, policymakers, charity leaders and advocates from across the country to collaborate on solutions for a more sustainable and equitable future.

The day celebrated young people action projects as ECO-UNESCO Youth Climate Advocates, and participants worked closely with noted illustrator and artist Maeve Clancy to develop a climate justice communications campaign with interactive comics. Partner organisations presented local climate action projects that they developed over the past months, which included a climate justice mural in Dublins Ballymun.

A youth panel discussion on the topic of Voices for Change: How Can Young People be Advocacy Champions? was led by the UN Youth Delegate for Ireland and representatives from the Youth Advisory Panel at the Ombudsman for Childrens Office.

Commenting, national director, ECO-UNESCO, Elaine Nevin said: We were thrilled to welcome over 70 young people from around Ireland to our annual Earth Gala, which is a fantastic opportunity for our Youth Climate Advocates to come together, to share their local action projects and to celebrate their achievements. This year, young people had the opportunity to speak with key experts and policy makers, and to develop a manifesto around climate and environmental issues.

Our interim Youth Climate Justice Survey results for 2024 show that young people are feeling very anxious about climate change, including young people in Louth, but that one in three are also hopeful. This is important as young people can feel overwhelmed considering the climate and biodiversity loss, but it is important that organisations like ECO-UNESCO can provide a positive outlet and a channel through which young people can take action.

The Youth Climate Justice Survey collects the views of more than 1,000 young people in Ireland aged 14-29 every year, including from Louth. The 2024 survey is running until 31st December and can be accessed here. The survey is also available in Irish and can be accessed here.

The Earth Gala climate justice event is an in-person event which is part of the Youth Climate Advocate Programme at ECO-UNESCO, funded by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, through the Youth Climate Justice Fund. It is an annual celebration of youth-led climate action that fosters meaningful conversations on climate justice and advocacy.

Saturdays Earth Gala showcased innovative projects addressing the climate crisis led by young people from ECO-UNESCO and partner bodies, including fellow national youth organisations Feachtas, Irish Girl Guides, the No Name Club, Poppintree Youth Project and Young Irish Filmmakers.

For more information about ECO-UNESCO, see www.ecounesco.ie.
The Lord Mayor of Cork's chamber has hosted some important visitors down the years, including US president John F Kennedy in 1963, but the current Lord Mayor, Green Party councillor Dan Boyle, made it clear that the highlight of his Christmas was meeting young Cork artists aged from four to 11.

As part of Cork City Councils Corkmas celebrations, city libraries recently organised an art competition for Cork schoolchildren to design Christmas images for display in bus shelters across the city.

The competition received mote than 140 submissions of an extraordinarily high standard, and in what was a very difficult process, 20 winners were eventually chosen from the age groups four to six, seven to eight, and nine to 11.

The Lord Mayors chamber was packed as Mr Boyle welcomed the winners and their parents, presenting each artist with a Cadburys Selection Box and a specially produced poster of their artwork.

Lord Mayor of Cork Dan Boyle with Reiltin Donoghue, one of the winners of the Corkmas Christmas Art Competition. Picture: Aisling Hayles

Mr Boyle praised the talent, imagination, and commitment of all who entered the competition, saying they all deserved a big round of applause for their hard work.

As Lord Mayor, its my great honour to meet such a group of very special people here in City Hall, Mr Boyle said.

Lord Mayor of Cork Dan Boyle with James Donoghue, one of the winners of the Corkmas Christmas Art Competition. Picture: Aisling Hayles

Asked by one young artist what the oldest item in the chamber is, Mr Boyle responded that the ceremonial mace's go back to the 1750s, making them even older than the Lord Mayors chain, which dates back to 1787, and older than me, anyway.

After the presentation, Mr Boyle brought the artists and their families to the council chamber for a group photo, and while there, some of them spoke with The Echo.

P.S. Kavinayaa, one of the winners of the Corkmas Christmas Art Competition, with the Lord Mayor of Cork, Green Party councillor Dan Boyle. Picture: Aisling Hayles

Carrie Quirke, who is aged eight and from Rochestown, had to re-draw her earlier submission Because I did Baby Yoda, after concerns were raised that the Walt Disney Company might object, but a seamless substitution of Santa visiting Blackrock Castle looked fantastic.

Sophie Hynes is six and from Vicarstown and did a gorgeous job dressing St Annes Shandon in rainbow colours and painting the goldie fish a moody blue. Sophie said the work only took her a few minutes and would put the poster on her bedroom wall.

Lord Mayor of Cork Dan Boyle with Faye Mohally, one of the winners of the Corkmas Christmas Art Competition. Picture: Aisling Hayles

James Donoghue (eight) is from Montenotte, and he drew Santa outside the GPO on Oliver Plunkett, with a hurley in one hand and a Cork flag in the other. James' sister Realtin (six) drew Santa and his reindeer flying over Shandon.

Three pupils from fourth class in Our Lady of Lourdes in Ballinlough were winners, with Nina OCallaghan (nine), drawing a slightly reimagined Cork coat of arms, with Statio Bene Fide Carinis becoming A safe haven for Santa.

Working on a related theme, Laura Walsh (10), had Santa piloting the ship to a statio bene fide.

Potential future lords mayor Nina, Laura, and Mariana, from Our Lady of Lourdes Ballinlough, each of whom is a winner of the Corkmas Christmas Art Competition. Picture: Aisling Hayles.

Mariana Pineda Pena (10) drew Santa and his reindeer flying over Shandon and the Firkin Crane.

Emma Avaram (seven) is from Bishopstown and she drew a really cute portrait of a baby reindeer with a red nose.

Joanna Holland (seven) is originally from Paris but lives in Bishopstown. She drew an action-packed picture of Santa at Shandon, with a gingerbread man running up the tower.

Lord Mayor of Cork Dan Boyle with Emma Avaram, one of the winners of the Corkmas Christmas Art Competition. Picture: Aisling Hayles

Meabh Kelleher (11) is from Ballincollig and goes to Gaelscoil Ui Riordain. She painted a water colour picture of the crib in The Lough. She has already seen her picture in a bus shelter in Glanmire.

Cait Stapleton (10) is from Ovens and she drew an atmospheric and colourful pencil picture of Santa looking out over the rooftops.

Faye Mohally (11) is from Glanmire and goes to Gaelscoil Ui Drisceoil. She drew a picture of Santa placing the Shandon goldie fish on top of a Christmas tree.

The drawings will feature on bus shelters across the city throughout the Christmas period.
The planned route for a road described as a critical enabler for Cork city will go to public consultation early next year, the National Transport Authority (NTA) has confirmed.

Responding to a parliamentary question submitted by Fianna Fail TD for Cork North Central, Padraig OSullivan, the NTA confirmed that it was reviewing recommendations made by Cork City Council for the Northern Distributor Road, and expected public consultation to begin in early 2025.

Proposals for the multi-modal Cork Northern Distributor Road were contained in the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy, published in 2020, which detailed the transportation investment required to support the ongoing development of Cork until 2040.

Approximately 14km in length, the proposed distributor road would provide a strategic orbital transport corridor around the northside of Cork city, including dedicated bus lanes and bus stops, dedicated cycle lanes, high-quality footpaths, and pedestrian crossings.

Mr OSullivan said: This much-needed route will significantly help congestion in the city and allow the rollout of sustainable transport measures, including public transport services for the North Cork area.

In its report, CMATS said the eventual route would need to take several considerations into account, including the River Lee and its associated floodplain, the need for a new bridge, and a desire to avoid severing the Lee Fields.

ASSESSMENT

In its reply to Mr OSullivan, the NTA said Cork City Council had been undertaking a comprehensive assessment process to identify a preferred route.

The Northern Distributor Road is proposed as a separate project to the long-proposed Northern Ring Road, which was also referenced in Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy.

The Northern Ring Road, which has been on various drawing boards for over two decades, is proposed to extend from the South Ring Road west of the city, extending north-east past Ballincollig, Blarney, and Monard, linking with the planned M20 Cork to Limerick motorway and the M8 Cork to Dublin motorway.

Sinn Fein Cork North Central TD Thomas Gould said: In recent weeks theres been a number of accidents on the South Link, or in the tunnel, causing traffic chaos  if the Northern Ring Road was in place, if there was an accident, traffic could flow the other way.

Calling on all Cork TDs to prioritise the project, Mr Gould expressed fear that if the Northern Distributor Road was not progressed at pace, it would fall behind the Cork-Limerick M20 development and might not actually happen until the 2030s.

At the moment, there is no plan to deliver the Northern Ring Road, there is no commitment from either Fianna Fail or Fine Gael to deliver the necessary funding to deliver it, he added.

Oliver Moran, the northside-based Green Party city councillor, said the Northern Distributor Road would be a critical enabler for the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy.

Thats because, as well as allowing a northern orbital route, it means a freer city centre for pedestrians, cyclists, and public transport by reducing the need for cross-city motor traffic, he said.

Labour Party councillor John Maher said the Northern Distributor Road needed to be a priority for the next government.
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This years panto at The Everyman, Red Riding Hood, is high-energy and fast-paced and packs in all the singing and dancing, the colour and costumes, and the cheers and boos, youd expect, but there is a lot more going on.

The panto follows the classic Red Riding Hood fairytale, but with a modern twist. Granny, or, as she prefers to be called, Peggy Twomey (played by Fionula Linehan), leads a successful cereal company, with her magical granola popular across the land.

But this, and the very fate of Fairytale Land, is all put in jeopardy when the evil wolf, Deco, arrives from Dublin.

Dejected from Peggys refusal to go into business with him, Deco (played by Michael Sands) hatches a plan to steal Peggys secret ingredient from the forest for his own cereal.

Hilarious

Cue lots of hilarious antics, big musical numbers, and a few scary moments, as Red, played on Friday by 11-year-old Grace OHalloran, sets out on a quest to save the land. (Grace shares the role with 10-year-old Robyn ORiordan). She is joined by best-friend, Pip, played by Aoife Hosford, and her imaginary friend, Boo-Boo, played by Andrew Lane.

Along the way they meet Jack the Woodcutter, played by Padraic Di Fusco, as hes just about to record a Tik-Tok clip, a scene that proved particularly popular with the audience. Of course, Pip and Jack later fall in love, but the romance is more of an aside than anything else.

Back at base, Granny is oblivious to the potential peril facing her granddaughter, as she spends time with her pooch, Pana the Poodle, played by Graham McDermott.

While pantos can sometimes feel predictable, it was nigh impossible to know what was coming next with this one.

In a show that spanned just over two hours, the writers managed to squeeze in plenty of drama and comedy for children and adults alike, all with a decidedly Cork flavour.

Red Riding Hood continues at The Everyman until January 12.
Our Lady Crowned Church, Mayfield, is hosting a festive evening of song on Friday, December 13, at 7pm, performed by Our Lady Crowned Church Choir and guests, including conductor Michael Joyce.

The event is fundraising for the churchs Lourdes 2025 trip. Tickets are 10, and children go free.

The Parish Pastoral Council of Our Lady Crowned Church has also organised the annual Christmas giving tree.

Anyone can take a tag from the tree at the back of the church and then attach it to their gift, marking on your tag the boy or girl and the age, or the adult male or female.

These should be returned to the church on or before the weekend of December 14 and 15. The gifts will be distributed that weekend to families in need.

On the same weekend, the church will have their popular annual Christmas-cake raffle. The 10 Christmas cakes have been made, decorated, and donated by Mary Hurley.

Our Lady Crowned Church, St Josephs Church, and Holy Family Church are inviting the community to bring a potted Christmas poinsettia to the church to be placed at the nativity scene.

The plant can be in thanks for something you received during the past year or in memory of a loved one. Poinsettia plants can be dropped to the church the week before Christmas Day.

Visits to the sick and housebound will take place the week prior to Christmas Day, with details available in the parish newsletter. If you are not on Fr Charlies list and would like a visit, please contact the parish office on 021 4551276.

The Cork and Ross pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place Friday, September 19, to Wednesday, September 24, 2025. They will be travelling with the diocese as a family of parishes, which includes Our Lady Crowned Church, St Josephs Church, and Holy Family Church.

Full details will be available in the new year in parish newsletters: See [url=https://olcmayfield.ie/newsletter/here.

Remembrance event

Members of the community are invited to attend the Mayfield Tree of Remembrance launch this evening at 7pm.

The Christmas Tree of Remembrance is on Iona Road and, at the event, which is organised by Lotamore Family Resource Centre Cork CLG, a candle-lighting ceremony will take place and Mayfields Mens Shed Choir will perform.

Trees of remembrance are a special way of honouring friends and family members who cannot be with you during the festive season, a time when people will miss their presence most.

All are welcome this evening, and are invited to place a note of remembrance in memory of their loved one on the tree itself, as a tribute to them, either at the event or any time throughout the pre-Christmas period.

Willie McAuliffe, Cork Learning City; Siobhan ONeill, Mayfield Community Development Project; and Denis Barrett, Cork Learning City co-ordinator, at the Cork Access Network (CAN) Access: Transforming the Framework of Community Education event, at the Clayton Hotel Silver Springs, Cork. Picture: Jim Coughlan

Craft event on award shortlist

Mayfield Pride Crafting Day has been shortlisted for LGBTI+ Community Event of the Year at the Gay Projects Out & Outstanding in Cork awards.

The Mayfield event took place in July and was well attended by old and young members of the community, who created art including Gelli prints, paper crafts, textile crafts, and more to display in Mayfield during Cork Pride.

The event was hosted by Mayfield Community Development Project in their premises on Old Youghal Road, a collaboration between Mayfield CDP, Mayfield Arts, Mayfield Health Action Zone, Foroige St Josephs, Newbury House Family Centre CLG, Cork City Council, and Cork City Partnership.

The Sexual Health Centre also ran an information stand about their services, while Gay Project and LINC provided leaflets about their supports in the city.

The group shared their joy with the nomination, saying they have their fingers crossed that they can bring the trophy back to Mayfield at the awards ceremony.

Community education talk

Mayfield CDP was invited to present as a case study research on the role of community education for lone parents.

The Cork Access Network (CAN): Transforming the Framework of Community Education conference took place at the Clayton Hotel Silver Springs last week.

Siobhan ONeill, the Mayfield groups new outreach worker, is funded by Community Foundation Ireland to connect lone parents with community educators and education services.

A spokesperson for the group said: It was heartening to see the passion and value the agencies in attendance place on community education.

Swimming lessons

Swimming lessons for children are available at Lota Pool in Lotamore, at one of five times: 5pm, 5.30pm, 6pm, 6.35pm, and 7.10pm.

This course entails seven weeks of swimming lessons of 30 minutes duration. Lessons will take place on December 11 , with further dates scheduled for January and February.

The goal is to improve a childs ability to swim confidently, and swimming skills will improve as a result.

Text or ring Diarmuid for more information and booking on 086 0460333.

Letter of commendation

To mark International Volunteers Day on Thursday, December 5, a well-deserved letter of commendation was presented to Glanmire community first responder John Sreenan by Stephen OFlaherty from the National Ambulance Service, in recognition of his service to the community.

Last June, John resuscitated Henry, a Glanmire local, after a cardiac event. He and the other members of the Glanmire community first responders are always available to help those living in Glanmire and surrounding areas in the event of an emergency.

Daisy Quinn and Carrie Scannell from Glanmire who attended the annual Christmas panto, Cinderella, at Cork Opera House. Picture: David Creedon

Litter collecting

The Mayfield and St Lukes Tidy Towns will meet on Saturday, December 14, for their Santa Hat litter pick and last outing of the year. The group meet every second Saturday to pick up litter, and also do other things to make the area more appealing, including planting and painting.

Anyone interested in attending the festive litter-picking session or getting involved in the group in the new year can contact councillor Joe Kavanagh at 086 2307507.

Childrens yoga

A new six-week block of childrens yoga classes, with Grow and Glow with Yoga, is starting in Mayfield.

The classes will begin on Wednesday, January 22, at the following three times. A 30-minute class at 2pm for three- to five-year-olds; a 45-minute class at 2.45pm for six- to nine-year-olds, and a 60-minute class at 3.45pm for 10- to 13-year-olds.

The classes will be located at St Josephs Community Centre in Mayfield. For more information or to book a place, email growandglowwithyoga@gmail.com or call 086 0306999.

Have Mayfield news to share? Contact amy.campbell@theecho.ie
The annual Christian Brothers College (CBC) Awards ceremony took place recently.

The ceremony is a massive date in the CBC calendar. Past and present students are rewarded for their academic, sporting, and social triumphs over the previous 12 months.

Sam O'Driscoll who was presented with the Breifne O'Callaghan Award for Youth Leadership at the recent CBC Awards Night.

French, CSPE, and history teacher Gearoid OBrien said one of the great things about the awards is the variety of accomplishments acknowledged.

Its a good opportunity to showcase all the work that has been done throughout the year and its often only on the night you recognise how much was achieved, Mr French said.

Former Munster and Ireland rugby star Billy Holland, who has achieved much in the world of rugby since he left the school 20 years ago, was the guest speaker on the night.

Capped for Ireland

He represented Ireland at schools level, U19, U21, and he was capped for Ireland at senior international level in 2016.

He retired from the sport in 2021 having lined out for Munster 247 times, of which 48 were as captain.

Dr Larrie Martin, chairman, board of management, presents Mark Skelly with the Peter Wilson Perpetual Trophy for Rugby at the recent CBC Awards Night.

Holland won the Peter Wilson Award for Rugby 20 years ago, and, this year, he had the honour of presenting Mark Skelly with the award.

Peter Wilson played in the centre for CBC when they won the Senior Cup in 1984.

Sadly, Mr Wilson died within a year of graduating from CBC.

The award was named in his memory.

Essay

Jonathan Walsh was named Student of the Year. Jonathan was one of 13 CBC students to pick up 625 points in the Leaving Certificate.

Guan Hui Lin received this years Ed Kenny Award. His essay on genetics and artificial intelligence was awarded first in Ireland by the Irish Society of Human Genetics.

Luca Bonnet receives the first place Leaving Certificate Award from school principal David Lordon at the recent CBC Awards Night. Pictures: Howard Crowdy

Ronan OKeeffe was awarded the prestigious Gretchen Crosbie Award for the Arts. Ronan OKeeffe displayed great confidence by bringing his artwork outside of the classroom and exhibiting his work across the city.

French teacher Gearoid OBrien said the awards are very useful and some students include them on their CVs.

When transition-year students are making a CV, before they go looking for work experience, its something they put on their CV as an accomplishment.

All smiles from Mark Scally as he is pictured with the Barry Russell Award for French at the recent CBC Awards Night.

Some students would use them when they are looking for a college (work) placement as well.

For example, if they are looking for a science work placement or if they won an award for science in school, it looks good, he concluded.
Stashes of drugs with a combined value of 100,000 were uncovered in a house in Carrigaline and a 27-year-old man was brought to court on drug-dealing charges.

Garda Bryan English and Garda Emmet Long carried out the search, under warrant, on Tuesday, December 3 and brought Graham Bowdren, of Heatherfield, Carrigaline, County Cork, before Cork District Court.

He was charged with having cocaine and cannabis for his own use and having both drugs for sale or supply at his home in Carrigaline on December 3. While these were the charges, there was evidence of other drugs.

Garda English objected to bail being granted and referred to the seriousness of the evidence against Graham Bowdren.

He testified that the Togher divisional drugs unit of An Garda Siochana obtained a warrant to search the defendants house. When gardai called, the defendant was present.

Alleged

It was alleged that there was one stash of cocaine with a street value of 69,500, another with a value of 25,000, and another worth 2,000, together with ketamine valued at 5,400, and ecstasy (MDMA) valued at 2,000.

Garda English said all of these were found in the defendants bedroom.

Graham Bowdren showed the officers another quantity of drugs, in the form of 1,800 worth of cannabis, in a shed at the rear of the property.

Eddie Burke, solicitor, suggested that the accused co-operated, but disagreed with the Garda view of the quantity of cocaine, claiming that a lot of it is the mixing agent creatine.

Mr Burke applied for the accused to be released on bail on conditions. Judge Treasa Kelly acceded to this application.

She remanded Graham Bowdren in custody, with consent to bail, to appear again at Cork District Court on Tuesday, on his own bond of 500 and an independent surety of 5,000 to be approved by the court.

He must be contactable by gardai by phone at all times, keep an 11pm-to-6am curfew, surrender his passport, and sign daily at Togher Garda Station.
An American biotechnology company has announced a 60m expansion of its Cork plant, its only manufacturing facility outside of the United States.

BioMarin Pharmaceutical, which employs more than 500 people at its plant at Shanbally and at its commercial office in Dublin, has said the addition of a new, four-story laboratory facility will enable the company to increase production capacity for currently approved medicines and create room for future growth.

This will be the second major expansion of the Shanbally site by the company, which has been in Ireland for 13 years, and develops and commercialises targeted therapies that address the root causes of genetic conditions.

BioMarin opened an aseptic production facility there last year, a four-year build that enabled increased production of commercial and clinical products.

The Shanbally plant has end-to-end manufacturing capabilities, producing medicines from bulk drug substance to drug product to final packaging.

Founded in 1997, BioMarins research and development capabilities have resulted in eight transformational commercial therapies for patients with rare genetic disorders.

Evelyn Marchany Garcia, senior vice president at BioMarin Pharmaceutical, said the latest investment reflected the companys ongoing commitment to enhancing its manufacturing capabilities and supporting the growth of innovative medicines for people living with rare conditions around the world.

The Shanbally facility plays a crucial role in our global network, and this expansion emphasises our confidence in Irelands skilled workforce and the strategic importance of this site to BioMarins long-term success, she said.

Welcoming the announcement of the investment, Aaron Mansworth, president of the Cork Business Association, said it underscored the strength of Cork as a hub for innovation and global business.

While BioMarins facility is located in the county, its impact will be felt across the entire region, driving economic growth, creating high-value jobs, and enhancing Corks reputation as a leader in the life sciences sector.

We applaud BioMarins continued commitment to Cork and look forward to seeing the positive ripple effects of this investment for businesses and communities throughout the region, Mr Mansworth said.

Michael Lohan, CEO of IDA Ireland, said BioMarins ongoing investment in Ireland was a welcome endorsement of the countrys position globally as a location of choice for biopharmaceuticals and as a trailblazer in advancing healthcare solutions.

By opening this new quality control and process development laboratory, BioMarin will create new opportunities for collaboration, talent development and growth, ensuring that the life sciences sector in Ireland continues to make an impact on patients lives worldwide, he said.
A district court judge told two women who admitted to stealing just over 1,000 worth of property from a pharmacy in Ballincollig that there is absolutely no excuse to steal that value of goods from a pharmacy.

34-year-old Victoria Sava of Maryville Cottages, Old Youghal Road, Cork, already had two convictions for theft when she pleaded guilty to the charge of stealing the property.

Her accomplice, 18-year-old Argentina Rostas of 30 Ballyhooley Road, Cork, had no previous convictions. Dennis Healy solicitor said the defendants both used some of the stolen products and gave the rest away as presents.

Mr Healy said that in fairness to the 18-year-old she had gathered the full amount of compensation for the pharmacy since the matter was last adjourned. And she had never been in any kind of trouble before.

Judge Mary Dorgan imposed a 250 fine on the accused, adding: The only reason she is escaping without a prison sentence is that she has paid compensation in full.

For 34-year-old Victoria Sava, Judge Dorgan imposed a sentence of three months suspended. It was suspended on condition that she would stay out of trouble for the next two years.

It is up to her to stay out of trouble, Judge Dorgan warned.

Sergeant Gearoid Davis said the charge against each woman was that on June 30 at Hickeys pharmacy, Ballincollig shopping centre, they did steal 1,006 worth of property.

Garda Niall McGrath charged both women with the theft.
Tomas Doherty

The Dail has the worst gender balance of parliaments in western Europe, with women making up only 25 per cent of TDs.

Analysis of data from the Inter-Parliamentary Union also reveals that the incoming Dail ranks among the lowest in the world for the proportion of female parliamentarians.

Out of 174 seats in the Dail, 44 have been filled by women, placing Ireland 96th in a global ranking of national parliaments.

Across Europe as a whole, women make up an average of 32 per cent of parliamentarians.

It comes despite a record number of female candidates in the recent election, with 246 women standing across the State's 43 constituencies (36 per cent of candidates).

Political parties were issued with a gender quota in the election, requiring them to have women making up at least 40 per cent of candidates.

The election results mean there are 14 constituencies with no female representation  Donegal, Galway East, Laois, Tipperary North, Tipperary South, Limerick City, Limerick County, Cork North West, Cork South-Central, Cork North-Central, Cork East, Wicklow-Wexford, Dublin North West and Dublin South West.

Just four constituencies have more women than men: Galway West (three out of five), Dublin South Central (three out of four); Dublin Fingal West (two out of three) and Carlow-Kilkenny (three of five).

Fianna Fail, the largest party after the recent election, has seven women TDs among its ranks, which is only 15 per cent of its new Dail team.

Sinn Fein has the highest number of female TDs at 16, equivalent to 38 per cent of its representatives in the Dail.

Fine Gael is next with 10 women, followed by four for the Social Democrats, two for Labour and one People Before Profit-Solidarity TD.

Independent Ireland and Aontu have no female TDs.

Women for Election, a campaign group to promote the participation of women in politics, said female representation in the Dail was going in the right direction but it is far too slow.

Chief executive Brian Sheehan described the election as historic because more women than ever before will walk through the gates of Leinster House, and that is something to be celebrated.

The National Womens Council of Ireland noted that the results meant there was still no breakthrough for women in Irish politics.

Orla OConnor, the councils director, said the election results showed that gender quotas are not enough to achieve equal representation for women.

There is evidence that many women were added late to the ticket to make up the gender quota, she said in a statement.

We are calling on all political parties to ensure women candidates are selected as early as possible to ensure they have sufficient time, support and resources for their election campaign.
Ken Foxe

Taoiseach Simon Harris was given a briefing on how his favourite childhood book from Roald Dahl had been sanitised since he first read it as he prepared for an interview with Ryan Tubridy.

Mr Harris agreed to be a guest on the Bookshelf podcast and was asked to pick three novels he loved, ideally a childhood book, a book that made you cry [and] a book that changed your life".

Staff at the Department of the Taoiseach prepared a four-page primer, including notes on Roald Dahls Esio Trot at the specific request of Simon Harris.

The briefing advised how the book would have changed from the version the Taoiseach read in childhood as it had been edited in recent years alongside other Dahl works".

The briefing said: In Esio Trot, more than a dozen changes were made, including removing [a] reference to Mrs Silver being attractive, changing Ill be your slave for life to youll be my hero for life (and similar).

[A] reference to a woman changing her surname upon marriage [was also edited out].

The briefing said it was the last of Roald Dahls books to be published during his lifetime and unlike other works did not feature tyrannical adults and heroic [or] magical children.

[It] is the story of an aging lonely man (Mr Hoppy), trying to make a connection with a person that he has loved from afar (Mrs Silver).

The document then went on to give a brief summary of the plot before advising about changes to the text since he read it.

In a note, the Taoiseach was also told to be as generic as possible on the podcast when it came to talking about days and dates as it would not go live immediately.

The briefing said: For example, you are recording the podcast one week before you welcome the British prime minister to Ireland, but it will not be made available online until October 1, three weeks after that meeting.

It said the format of the interview would be conversational and relaxed aiming to get the life story of the guest through the lens of their favourite books".

The podcast is not a test on books, Tubridy uses them to springboard into a phase of a guests life and then goes all over that period, staff told Mr Harris.

It said Esio Trot would represent his childhood and reading by yourself before a quick segway [sic] into the Taoiseachs background.

The next book chosen was Mark Haddons The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time and its representation of an autistic child and how this opened up Mr Harris early advocacy.

Two books were listed as life changing, Say Nothing by Patrick Radden Keefe and Lost Lives by David McKittrick, both about the conflict in Northern Ireland.

The briefing said: The thinking being the way the author (Radden Keefe) tells a story from the Troubles as a novel and as your life changed this year in becoming Taoiseach, a reminder of how far Ireland has come.

Say Nothing could then be linked to Lost Lives which the notes said was an extraordinary piece of work but a deeply sobering reminder of the Troubles and the responsibility of being a co-guarantor of the Good Friday Agreement".
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.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has banned two chemicals commonly used in dry cleaning because of their toxicity and cancer risks.

The EPA announced on Dec. 9 that it finalized the risk management regulations for trichloroethylene (TCE) and perchloroethylene (PCE) under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA).

PCE is commonly used for dry cleaning clothing, and TCE was once used for dry cleaning but has been phased out for that use, according to a 2016 study. Still, both substances are also used in industrial degreasers, consumer adhesive products and paint and stain removing products, the Minnesota Department of Health reported.

According to the EPA, both chemicals are volatile organic compounds and exposure to each comes with its own elevated risks of certain forms of cancer.

Its simply unacceptable to continue to allow cancer-causing chemicals to be used for things like glue, dry cleaning or stain removers when safer alternatives exist, Michal Freedhoff, assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, said in a statement. These rules are grounded in the best-available science that demonstrates the harmful impacts of PCE and TCE.

TCE is considered extremely toxic, even in small concentrations, and has been linked to liver cancer, kidney cancer, non-Hodgkins lymphoma, fetal heart defects and damage to the central nervous system, kidneys, liver, immune system and reproductive organs, the EPA reported.

Most uses of TCE will be fully banned within the next year, while it will be phased out over a longer timeframe in select industrial uses that will still limit the amount during the phase-out period. The new ban also establishes an inhalation exposure limit that the EPA said would reduce long-term exposure for workers by about 97%.

PCE has been linked to liver cancer, brain cancer, kidney cancer and testicular cancer, along with kidney, liver and immune system damage. It has also been known to cause neurotoxicity and reproductive toxicity, according to the EPA.

The use of PCE in dry cleaning will now be phased out over a 10-year period, except for in new dry-cleaning machines, which will have to stop using PCE within six months. In other industrial and commercial uses, PCE is expected to be phased out within three years, as the EPA determined safer alternatives that are comparably effective to PCE are already available. The finalized PCE rules will be explained in an EPA announcement scheduled for January 15, 2025.

For workplaces that will continue using TCE and/or PCE in limited amounts or during a phase-out timeline, the EPA established a Workplace Chemical Protection Program, which companies have 30 months to implement.

Despite their dangers, these chemicals could still be found in industries like dry cleaning, automotive repair and manufacturing, Sen. Ed Markey (Mass.) said in a statement. With no doubt that these chemicals are deadly, there is no doubt that this final rule will save lives  especially our childrens lives  around the country.

For small businesses, the Biden administration has proposed funding to assist with the chemical phase-outs and TSCA compliance.

As Chemical and Engineering News reported, the EPA initially announced plans to phase-out PCE in 2023 after identifying related health risks to workers and consumers exposed to the chemical in 2020.

But at the state level, some states have established limits and bans to PCE use several years earlier. California initiated a phase-out of PCE in dry cleaning uses in 2007, with the full phase-out finalized by January 1, 2023, Chemical and Engineering News reported.

As reported by The Council of State Governments Midwestern Office, Minnesota banned PCE use in 2021, with the full phase-out to be completed by January 1, 2026. The Minnesota legislation also includes funding to help dry cleaning businesses with the transition to alternatives as well as to financially support soil and groundwater cleanup of PCE contamination.
NVIDIA, graphics chip maker and recent backbone of the AI industry, is under investigation by Chinese regulators over potential antitrust violations, The New York Times reports . The concerns center on the acquisition of Mellanox Technologies, a computer networking company NVIDIA bought in 2020 .

As part of the conditions of that acquisition, Chinese regulators required NVIDIA to provide information about new [Mellanox] products to rivals within 90 days of making them available to NVIDIA, Bloomberg writes . Chinas State Administration for Market Regulation is kicking off its investigation because it believes that those terms were violated. This wouldnt be the first time NVIDIA has been investigated for monopolistic behavior  The US Department of Justice reportedly launched its own antitrust investigation into NVIDIA in September 2024  but it has a different flavor in the context of the escalating trade war between the US and China.

On December 1, the US Department of Commerce announced export restrictions and sanctions on 140 Chinese companies producing chipmaking tools, and on China-bound shipments of high bandwidth memory chips, Reuters writes . The goal was fairly clear: the US wanted to limit Chinas ability to develop advanced AI by preventing it from creating the kind of chips used to train and run it. This fight goes both ways, of course. It seems safe to say that the Chinese ban on all shipments of gallium, germanium, and antimony to the US was a response.
Daniel Craig revealed that taking on the role in Luca Guadagnino's "Queer" would not have been feasible for him while involved in the "James Bond film" series.

The movie "Queer" dives into the story of William Lee, an American expatriate drawn to Eugene Allerton, a former US Navy serviceman. It is adapted from William S. Burroughs's novel of the same name.

In an interview with The Sunday Times, Craig revealed, "I couldn't have done this while doing Bond. It would look reactionary, like I was showing my range."

"Early on with Bond I thought I had to do other work, but I didn't. I was becoming a star, whatever that means, and people wanted me in their films. Incredible."

He continued, "Most actors are out of work for large chunks so you take your job offers  but they left me empty. Then, bottom line, I got paid. I was so exhausted at the end of a Bond it would take me six months to recover emotionally."

"I always had the attitude that life must come first and, when work came first for a while, it strung me out."

For 15 years, Craig portrayed the iconic role of the British Secret Service agent in five Bond films, starting with "Casino Royale" and concluding his time as 007 with "No Time to Die" in 2021.

In a separate part of his conversation with the publication, Craig rejected the notion that depicting a gay character while continuing to star in the Bond series would have conveyed a specific message about masculinity.

He expressed, "It's just not a conversation I wanted. I had it all the way through Bond anyway."

"Could there be this Bond? That Bond? So anything that is going to inflame that conversation? No  life's too short."
Dave Franco is currently trending on social media, though the reason why may be surprising.

Police have identified 26-year-old Luigi Mangione as the suspect in last week's fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

When an employee at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania alerted authorities after identifying Mangione as the potential suspect, he was searched by local police and found carrying multiple fraudulent IDs, a US passport, and a firearm and suppressor "consistent with the weapon used in the murder," New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch shared.

However, as social media began to scour Mangione's digital footprint, it was hard to negate his uncanny resemblance to Franco.

Dave Franco has a role waiting for him once this inevitably becomes a movie. https://t.co/26tfHC5MYS pic.twitter.com/94WU1687Sl  Tymbria (@TymbriaLashae) December 9, 2024

The resemblance is so undeniable, in fact, that some are calling for Franco to portray Mangione in the murder's inevitable film adaption. "Can't wait to see Dave Franco play Luigi Mangione in whatever TV series Ryan Murphy is currently creating, wrote one user on X. "Somebody get Dave Franco's agent on the horn ASAP," wrote another.

Netflix and hbo executives getting ready to hire Dave Franco to play Luigi Mangione in a 4 part documentary pic.twitter.com/5f6qA5asW1  John (@iam_johnw) December 9, 2024

Besides his resemblance to Franco, the internet also discovered that Mangione is an avid reader with 295 books listed on Goodreads. Academically, he holds both a Master's and Bachelor's degree in Computer Science from the University of Pennsylvania and earned valedictorian at Gilman School in Baltimore.

NYPD detectives are on their way to Pennsylvania, where they hope to interview Mangione further.
Tracy T had choice words for his ex-bae, Kash Doll, who posted what she thought would be an adorable and emotional post about a potential new love interest.

"Single" and "DGAF" Kash Doll was vocal this past summer after announcing her breakup from her former lover. However, it seems she's celebrating another romance and her ex Tracy T is not impressed.

Fans across social media broke their ankles running to the comments when 'The Neighborhood Talk' captured what appeared to be a shady clapback by Tracy T, prompting fans to call out the catty behavior.

The "Single & Happy" rap star took to her social media to post several bouquets of pink roses, adding a track by songstress Jhene Aiko, "While We're Young" (2017) to complement her post.

"Thank you booo [smiley face emoji]," Kash Doll, 32, wrote in the video clip. The media outlet captured Tracy T, who is the father of her two children, petty response to the heartfelt post, simply asking on his Instagram Story: "Why she post them cheap a*s flowers??"

Fans believed firmly that Tracy T was exuding jealousy, as many called out his lack of effort while he was still with Kash Doll  real name Arkeisha Antoinette Knight. "Nah but why baby daddies be the biggest haters though?" one fan asked in the comments.

Read more: Dave Franco Trends Due to His Striking Similarity to Suspect Luigi Mangione in UnitedHealthCare CEO Shooting

"You never know how much a man hate on you till yall end things!!!!!!" a second penned. "You literally had a chance to do our girl RIGHT!" a third poked, along with a string of laughing emojis. "Men be funny AF... lmao why you on her page," a fourth joked. "They be so mad but ain't buying s**t," another added.

It was January 2022 when Doll went on record saying, "I think I found the love of my life." That love was her son, Kashton Prophet Richardson, who the musician says has stolen her heart.

Two years later in July, she announced she broke up with fellow artist and ex Tracy T just one month after the two parted ways. "I'm single,"she wrote in an Instagram post at that time.

Read more: Brandi Glanville Shares Shocking Photo Of Facial Disfigurement

"IDGAF ABOUT Y'ALL SAYING I HAVE TWO KIDS BY HIM NOW. I'M JUST A BABY MAMA," she wrote. "BLAH, BLAH, BLAH... I'M NOT DEALING WITH JUST ANYTHING TO KEEP MY FAMILY TOGETHER."

The Detroit, Michigan, native and Tracy T began dating back in March 2021.

The two announced Kash Doll's pregnancy with their first child on Instagram in September 2021 before their second child was announced on Instagram in March 2024.

The estranged duo share two children together: Kashton, 2, and Klarity Doll, born in June.
Jasper, IndianaKevin Schewe's Bad Love Medicine has won FIRST PLACE in the Australian BREW Fiction Book Excellence Awards in the Time-Travel Fiction category. The Chrysalis Books, Reviews, and Everything Written (BREW) Project is an award-winning Australia-based global platform for books, blogs, poetry, reviews, news, press releases, promotions, other content, authors, writers, bloggers, creators, readers, and audiences. Officially registered as The Chrysalis BREW Project, and often called BREW

The BREW Fiction Book Excellence Award is an annual award to honor fiction books that deserve the utmost acclaim as determined by a distinquished judging panel. These awards honor outstanding literary achievements across fiction genres, celebrating books that fascinate, inspire, and impact readers

Most-recently Bad Love Medicine won FIRST PLACE in the Time Travel Category from the Hollywood-based Halloween Book Festival. The highly acclaimed Bad Love Medicine has also won an award in the Young Adult category at the Southern California Book Festival plus an International Book Impact Award in the same category with the addendum of Excellence for Book Content Quality.

Creating time travel fiction requires an attention to detail predicated on intense research. Kevin Schewe's zealous fascination with everything World War II, which began at a young age, gave him a headstart and inspiration to write his four-book Bad Love sci-fi adventure series. With his background in physics and time travel as a primary element driving all the books, Schewe started with the premise of the WWII Manhattan Project and the race to become the first nation with the atomic bomb. Throughout the books, real life characters such as Presidents Roosevelt, Truman and Ford and British PM Winston Churchill make appearances and are portrayed with historical accuracy. Weapons, aircraft and classic cars are also highlighted with key specifications and in proper historical context.

In Bad Love Medicine the Bad Love Gang return to Earth after saving an alien planet from an extinction event in order to reunite a love-struck couple while saving one of them from a deadly disease in the future. At the same time, they must prevent Hitler and the Nazis from creating a time machine of their own in a quest to take their evil agenda to the future. They battle Russian KGB agents in the 1970s, Nazi military forces and scientists in the 1940s and travel from London to Liverpool in 1945.

Official Book Trailer for Bad Love Medicine





"These stories have come to life in such an organic way," says Schewe. "They combine my childhood friendships and memories with my love of history, music, military aviation, WWII, science fiction and time travel." Whether you're a history aficionado, a time-travel buff, a sci-fi lover, or are just in need of a fun book to cheer you up, Bad Love Medicine is the adventure you've been waiting for.

In book one, Bad Love Strikes, the Gang discover The White Hole Project, a time machine created by Albert Einstein at the request of President Franklin Roosevelt as a back-up plan in case the Nazis had won the race to be first with an atomic bomb. In the exciting sequel, Bad Love Tigers, the gang use the White Hole Project to travel back to 1945 to thwart Russian spies and protect the U.S. top-secrets of Area 51. In Bad Love Beyond, the gang travel not just through time but through space as well to learn the reason behind Blue Nova One's mysterious visit to earth and help save her planet from an extinction event.

Other awards the books have won are the Wishing Shelf Red Ribbon Winner, Literary Titan Silver Book Award, NABE Pinnacle Book Achievement Award, AMI Indie Book Awards, and an eLit Award to name a few.

"Skillful writing (both historical and fantastical), a zesty sense of humor, an appreciation for pop culture, and the ability to create memorably entertaining characters combine to make this an immensely impressive noveland experience! Very highly recommended." Grady Harp, Amazon Top 100 Reviewer, 5-Stars

"If history was taught this way in school, everyone would be a scholar and educating ourselves not only about our accomplishments but the horrors of the past that should awaken and give insight to the path of a better future. A rare gem!"David Holladay, MD, 5-Stars

The screenplay for Kevin Schewe's Bad Love Tigers, the second book in the series, has also taken the world by storm with 450 international screenplay awards. It has won awards at Cannes World Film Festival, Madrid Arthouse Film Festival, Rome International Movie Awards, New York International Film Awards, and The Los Angeles Movie Awards, to name a few.

Be sure to watch the exciting book trailers for the Bad Love series: https://bit.ly/BadLoveStrikes-Trailer and https://bit.ly/BadLoveTigers_Trailer and https://bit.ly/BadLoveBeyondTrailer.

About: Kevin L. Schewe, MD, FACRO, is a board-certified cancer specialist who has been in the private practice of radiation oncology for 37+ years. Join 57K followers of Schewe on Instagram @realkevinschewe and discover all of his books at KevinSchewe.com
Monday, December 9, 2024

Commentary by Edward Segal, a crisis management expert and author of Crisis Ahead: 101 Ways to Prepare for and Bounce Back From Disasters, Scandals, and Other Emergencies.

The federal indictment of New York Mayor Eric Adams on bribery-related charges triggered reminders about allegations of bribery that have been made against business leaders and organizations in the corporate world.

Adams denied any wrongdoing, according to Reuters, and pleaded not guilty at his arraignment, CBS News reported.

The headline-making indictment of the first term mayor may have raised concerns and questions for executives how to respond if their organizations are ever confronted with bribery chargeswhether against employees or the entire companyand the steps to take to help prevent bribery-related behavior.

Corporate Examples

"Bribery is a particularly dangerous charge, as the underlying facts may trigger not only criminal and civil liability, but for companies engaged in business overseas, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act may come into play if bribes were paid to even low-level foreign government officials," Colin Ram, a civil litigation attorney, warned via email.

Microsoft

In 2019, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation based in Hungary agreed to pay a criminal penalty of more than $8.7 million to resolve the government's investigation into violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) arising out of a bid rigging and bribery scheme in connection with the sale of Microsoft software licenses to Hungarian government agencies," the Justice Department announced on its website.

Walmart

Also in 2019, Walmart "agreed to pay $282 million to settle a seven-year bribery investigation by the U.S. government concerning certain payments that were made to foreign officials in places like Mexico and China," Forbes reported at the time.

Rolls-Royce

In 2017, Rolls-Royce plc, the United Kingdom-based manufacturer and distributor of power systems for the aerospace, defense, marine and energy sectors, "agreed to pay the U.S. nearly $170 million as part of an $800 million global resolution to investigations by the department, U.K. and Brazilian authorities into a long-running scheme to bribe government officials in exchange for government contracts," according to a press release that was posted on the Justice Department's website

How To Respond To Bribery Allegations

There are steps companies can take when they become aware of allegations of bribery about their organizations or executives.

Move Quickly

"When allegations of bribery arise, transparency and swift action are essential. Companies should immediately acknowledge the issue, initiate an independent investigation, and keep stakeholders informed throughout the process. Handling it [in] this way limits speculation, protects the company's reputation, and demonstrates a commitment to integrity," Adrienne Uthe, founder and strategic advisor at Kronus Communications, a public relations firm, recommended via email.

The initial period after allegations become known to corporate officials are important.

"The first few hours and days after the bribery allegations come to light are criticalcompanies want to avoid making haphazard comments to the public because what they say in the early days may not only prove to be inaccurate but can be used against them later. Company employees should be cautioned against feeding the rumor mill at work. An off-the-cuff remark about the bribery charges made in a private text message can create headaches for the sender down the line," Ram, the civil ligation attorney, recommended.

Investigate

Investigating the allegations is criticaland so is who conducts the investigation.

"As soon as an allegation surfaces, companies must launch an independent, thorough investigation led by a neutral third party to demonstrate a commitment to accountability and allow leadership to assess the scope of the issue before making public statements,"Amanda Orr, a public relations expert at Orr Strategy Group, advised via an email message.

Disclose

"Disclose issues transparently while the investigation is ongoing. Express commitment to compliance and ethical conduct. Outline corrective actions, like placing executives on leave. This reassures stakeholders the company takes governance seriously," David Greiner, a corporate law and governance attorney, advised in an email interview.

Act Based On Findings

"Take definitive action based on findings. If executives are cleared, reinstate them. If found guilty, terminate them immediately and cooperate fully with authorities. The company must show illegal behavior is not tolerated," he counseled.

Communicate

"In the court of public opinion, silence can be the right move, but in allegations of bribery, it can be perceived as guilt. Companies should communicate with stakeholders promptly, acknowledging the allegation and outlining the steps they are taking to address it. The key is to express responsibility without prematurely admitting fault," Orr of Orr Strategy Group advised.

Repair Damage

"Work to repair reputation damage. Issue a sincere public apology acknowledging mistakes. Highlight strengthened controls and ethical policies to rebuild trust. It takes time, but companies can recover by demonstrating real change,'' Greiner concluded.

Prevention

There several actions businesses can initiate now to discourage executives from taking or offering bribes.

"Demonstrating that the company is taking steps to prevent future issues is essential. This could include enhancing compliance programs, retraining staff, and working with regulators to rebuild trust," Orr said.

Some companies have strict bribery-related policies which other organizations could consider emulating.

Microsoft

"We prohibit corrupt payments of all kinds, including facilitating payments. We expect our representatives to share our commitment to integrity, and if we see signs that a representative is unethical or could be engaging in corrupt conduct, we prohibit doing business with them," Microsoft says in a statement on its website.

Rolls-Royce

"Following bribery allegations, Rolls-Royce implemented extensive internal changes, including stronger anti-corruption policies, which helped restore its credibility," Orr recalled.

On its website, Rolls-Royce says that its policy is to:

"Not give or receive bribes, and will report to the Ethics and Compliance team if we are asked for, or offered, bribes or facilitation payments;

"Only offer, or accept, gifts or hospitality allowed within policy; and

"Consult our Ethics and Compliance team about any business partners that we engage with to make sure that we are conducting the appropriate due diligence on the partner."

Walmart

According to the retailer giant's website, "We compete fairly and honestly everywhere we do business around the world. We never attempt to gain a business advantage through bribery, and we do not tolerate bribery or corruption in any form."

Similarities And Differences

The bribery allegations against Microsoft, Rolls-Royce, and Walmart share important connections and differences with those that are now facing New York Mayor Eric Adams.

Federal And Foreign Focus

All of the allegations were the result of federal investigations into suspected wrongdoing by the businesses and mayor.

The charges had something to do with seeking favors from or trying to influence the decisions of foreign governments.

Fines And Settlements

Each of the three companies agreed to pay fines to settle the cases and put the matters behind them.

Adams, however, pleaded not guilty to the bribery and other charges. He vowed "to fight the case, even as a growing number of New York politicians call for his resignation and as Gov. Kathy Hochul, a fellow Democrat weighs whether to force him from office," according to CNBC.

Resources And Priorities

Compared to elected officials, corporations have much deeper pockets and more extensive resources for fighting against bribery charges. Businesses may be more inclined to settle and pay hefty fines in the hopes that memories of the allegations will fade from the public's memory.

Politicians, on the other hand, might decide to dig in, deny the charges, and fight as long as they can in the hope of clearing their namesespecially if they, like Adams, are facing re-election.

Of course, having anti-bribery policies is no guarantee that corporate executives will not offer or accept bribes.

But enacting and enforcing those policies would be good first steps in the right direction.

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There is an ancient group of vascular plants known as the clubmosses that evolved over 400 million years ago. Detailed fossil records from the Carboniferous period show that they once existed in the form of trees that reached heights of nearly 100 feet. These formed vast forests that contribute to todays coal deposits. Although presently not found in this type of grandeur, these primitive plants still exist, albeit in smaller forms. Splashes of verdant patches in the winter woods reveal the location of such vegetation, offering a reprieve from the sullen landscape.

Clubmosses (traditionally referred to as lycopodiums) are perennial evergreen plants. Connected by horizontal runners that travel above the ground and shallow rhizomes that anchor them in place, the plants form extensive colonies on the forest floor over long periods of time. Contrary to their name, they are not related to mosses at all, but rather, stand alone in their primitive reproductive strategy.

Clubmosses are not flowering plants. Instead, they sport club-like structures known as strobili which produce tiny reproductive cells known as spores. Resembling candles, they are held up on stiff stems, allowing for the wind or rain to disperse the minuscule spores efficiently when mature in late summer or fall.

Long ago, it was ascertained that the spores of clubmosses were exceptionally flammable, due to their elevated oil content. Native Americans discovered that a bright flash of light was produced when the spores were set afire, making the plant popular in many of their ceremonies. Lycopodium powder was utilized by photographers to produce a flash of light before snapping a photo and was also used in fireworks and other pyrotechnic spectacles. This spore powder is available on the market today, often purchased for chemistry labs, magic acts and special theatrical effects.

There are upwards of 400 different species of clubmosses worldwide. Without any effort whatsoever, I can step from my front door into the surrounding woods and immediately spot two of them. Ground cedar (Diphasiastrum digitatum), also known as running cedar or crowsfoot, is a striking plant often found in large colonies, covering the forest floor. The most common member of its genus, its glossy green, scale-like leaves are horizontally flattened, giving it a waxy appearance, feeling almost like plastic to the touch. Low growing, the plants spread by runners along the top of the ground forming a vast network. Sadly, because of their beauty and resemblance to cedar boughs, they are often ripped from their habitat and sold as Christmas greenery, dangerously depleting wild populations.

Also growing in the understory of the deciduous forest near my home is another clubmoss with a beauty all its own. Princes pine (Dendrolycopodium obscurum) is often referred to as ground pine, rare clubmoss or princess pine. With a stem that sends up vertical branches that give way to several layers of branchlets, each plant appears as a tiny pine tree with a height rarely reaching 6 inches.

Clubmosses take years and years to attain their colonial status on the forest floor. Often their true beauty isnt divulged until the landscape dulls and snow covers the ground. This is when they can truly be appreciated for the unique evergreen plants that they are. After all, removing them from their natural habitat only lessens the allure they bestow upon us from the depths of the forest. For me, nothing comes close to surpassing Mother Natures natural beauty as her clubmosses brighten the winter woods.
The end of Chinas Covid-era restrictions on unprocessed pork exports from two key UK sites have been lifted, which could lead to an 80m boost for the sector.

Premium pork products can once again make their way to China, as two major producers have gained the green light to restart their exports immediately.

The pig sector estimates this could boost revenues by around 80 million, as the Chinese market is a significant consumer of pork.

China bought around 180m worth of the meat in 2023 alone  making them the UKs biggest non-EU customer.

During the Covid pandemic in 2020, China suspended export licences from numerous UK pork factories following outbreaks in the sites.

Some sites saw their licences resumed, but Cranswicks Watton plant and Scotlands Brechin plan remained banned, until now.

The development comes following top-level talks during the Foreign Secretary's recent visit to China.

Food Security Minister Daniel Zeichner hailed it as a 'massive win' for British pork producers.

He said: Its a further example of this government delivering on our Plan for Change, boosting growth and benefitting businesses across the country.

Our pork is world-famous for its quality, and now we can give Chinese customers what they're hungry for."

Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer, Dr Jorge Martin-Almagro said the reopening of the market for the affected companies was 'fantastic news'.

China is a crucial market for UK pork and this advance opens opportunities for our industry to continue to grow our exports.

"This achievement is a testament to the significant collaboration between government and industry to resolve a longstanding issue."

It follows another recent victory for British farmers, as access to the US market for UK beetroot growers was secured earlier this year.

This deal will be worth approximately 150,000 per year in increased exports, according to the sector.
An annual competition which aims to put a spotlight on those farmers who are leading the way in improving soil health has launched again for next year.

The Soil Farmer of the Year 2025 competition, run by Farm Carbon Toolkit and Innovation for Agriculture, is now open for farmers to apply.

Running since 2015, it now supports a network of farmers and growers passionate about their soil.

The competition is open to all farmers in the UK, regardless of system, enterprise or farm size.

Emma Adams, senior soils advisor at Farm Carbon Toolkit, has urged any farmer who is prioritising the management of soil to apply.

If the impact on soil is at the heart of your decision making, with implemented practices driving improving soil health as part of a fully functioning farm ecosystem, this is the competition for you.

Online application forms are available via the Farm Carbon Toolkit website, with applications open until 5 June 2025.

Winners will be announced at Groundswell 2025, with the top three farms hosting farm walks to share ideas alongside demonstrating their practices and approaches.

Deborah Crossan, head of soils at Innovation for Agriculture, explains that farm walks are a key part of the competition, as it gives others the opportunity to see how each winner has approached soil management.

Nothing beats digging a hole and looking at the soil in the field while hearing directly from the farmer how that field has been managed and seeing the impact its had on the soil structure over time.

This competition champions farmers who understand the importance of soil and are using management practices to protect and improve it.

"Crucially, it also enables others to learn from what theyre doing via the farm walks."
Results from a regenerative grazing study have shown that an adaptive multi-paddock (AMP) grazing system can boost farm resilience while cutting costs.

As part of the study, FAI Farms, near Oxford, transitioned from a rotational grazing system to an AMP system over four years, after formerly set stocking.

Positive impacts were recorded on daily liveweight gains, antibiotic use and weather resilience.

The AMP shift involved grazing a total of 170 cattle at higher densities for shorter amounts of time with longer rest periods.

Karl Williams, director at FAI Farms, in Oxfordshire, said the study found numerous benefits of shifting to an AMP grazing system for the 80 cow suckler herd and 90 store cattle.

He said: AMP grazing allows the ground to rest, grass covers to grow longer, and roots to grow deeper, improving soil structure and water infiltration.

Notably, by not having to house livestock over winter, weve saved at least 200 on bedding and forage costs per cow per year.

As well as reducing reliance on bought-in inputs, improving pasture productivity have also benefitted cattle performance.

The Oxfordshire farm is achieving more from grass - daily liveweight gains for its suckler finishers have increased to over 0.8kg per day on average.

This has meant weve been able to reduce finishing ages to approximately 23 months on average, while keeping a similar slaughter weight," Mr Williams said.

The farm's low antibiotic use has reduced even further since the AMP project was started - down to 0.95 mg/kg PCU last year.

And the metrics collected during the project demonstrates the environmental benefits of the grass-reared beef, which became Pasture for Life certified in 2021.

Dr Amanda Deakin, science lead at FAI Farms said: Carbon sequestration modelling data from Trinity AgTechs Sandy tool has suggested our beef business is not only carbon neutral, but were actually sequestering more carbon than were emitting.

We have also shown that water is infiltrating almost three times faster, on average, across our fields since shifting to an AMP system.

Our soils can hold much more water when its available  not only extending the grass growing season but improving drought resilience and reducing the flooding risk downstream too.

The AMP system also supports high levels of biodiversity: Use of bioacoutics devices showed us that the farm is supporting over 50 bird species, Dr Deakin said.

The project was undertaken by FAI Farms and sponsored by McDonalds UK and Ireland.
Hill farmers' livelihoods are 'at risk' because of continued delays to new government support schemes, new analysis has warned.

Upland farmers are only receiving 8% or 39m of the new Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI), despite these areas occupying around 15% of Englands area, it noted.

The expansion of the Countryside Stewardship higher tier scheme, which is seen as vital for the uplands, is also delayed until next summer.

Incomes from farming in the uplands are typically amongst the lowest of all farm sectors, with data for 2023-24 giving an average income for hill farms of 23,500.

The analysis, included in a report by Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit (ECIU), said that delays to the higher tier scheme therefore 'present a particular risk' to the incomes of hill farmers.

It suggested that a big increase in spending and uptake of the higher tier scheme was needed to meet climate and nature targets.

Tom Lancaster, land, analyst at the ECIU, said that any further delays would put hill farmers' finances in 'jeopardy'.

Hill farmers are often not rich and are less likely to be affected by changes to inheritance tax, but delays to new government schemes could have an outsized negative impact on their livelihoods.

The Countryside Stewardship higher-tier scheme, designed to support farmers to create and restore habitats, has been repeatedly delayed under previous governments."

The delays to the higher-tier schemes are compounded by fears that when it does launch, not enough farmers will be able to get into it, the report said.

Neil Heseltine, an upland farmer from Malham in North Yorkshire, explained that he had been 'waiting for years' for Defra to provide support.

"We are ready, willing and able, but the support to do so just hasnt been there yet," he said.

"I dont begrudge our lowland peers the funding theyre getting, I just want some of it to flow up the hill to allow us to do the same.

If it doesnt, climate and nature will suffer. As the old subsidies are phased out, I dont know what hill farmers will do if we cant get into these more ambitious, higher-paying, higher-tier schemes."
Twice as many voters now say that Labour doesnt 'understand or respect rural communities,' up from a third before the general election, a new poll shows.

The figures reveal that voters are starting to reject the party's stance on rural and farming issues following major backlash over the recent autumn budget.

Concern is particularly centred on the government's farm inheritance tax plans, which will impose a 20% inheritance tax on farm assets worth 1m or more from April 2026.

Now a Survation poll of Englands 100 most rural constituencies shows that two-thirds (66%) say Labour doesnt 'understand or respect' countryside communities, up for 33%.

Commissioned by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA), it shows that over half (58%) oppose the tax hike, with less than a quarter in support.

It reveals that even Labour voters in rural areas are 44% against the so-called 'family farm tax;' while 37% say they are for.

The polling of more than 1,000 respondents also exposes the damage the budget has done to the party in rural communities.

Nearly a quarter (23%) of Labour voters from July are unhappy with their vote. As a result, Labour drops into third place across Englands most rural constituencies, behind the Conservatives (34%) and Reform (21%).

The polling also shows deepening fears over Labours rural agenda, with 60% saying its already broken its pledge to reverse countryside decline, and 70% doubting its ability to boost the rural economy.

Victoria Vyvyan, the CLA's president, warned that the recent autumn budget threatened business viability and the future of rural communities.

"The government promised growth, and to be the party of the countryside, but you cant tax your way to prosperity," she said.

Trust, once lost, is hard to win back. Can Labour regain it? Only with a sincere apology, real action, and a clear commitment to the rural economy. Anything less, and the damage could be irreversible.

Rural communities arent here to be taxed and forgotten. Were here to drive growth, to feed the nation, and to fuel the economy. All we want is a government that matches our ambition.

It comes as recent economic modelling by the CLA revealed the significant impact of inheritance tax on rural businesses.

A 200-acre farm could face a 370,000 bill, wiping out more than 100% of annual profits, according to the modelling.

Even couples arent spared, with a 350-acre farm facing a 475,000 hit, erasing 99% of profits over a decade.

Gavin Lane, deputy president of the CLA, that while the government framed it as a tax on the wealthy, the reality was that family farms would be hit just as hard.

He said: Either the government isnt being honest with the public about the true impact of these reforms, or they dont understand the nature of rural businesses.

"I'd like to believe it is the latter and that they are prepared to listen to our input rather than continually trying to dismiss it.

"Asking farms to use their income to pay a huge capital tax bill over ten years, if indeed it is possible, will threaten the future of investment and the viability of the business.
A single case of atypical bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) has been confirmed on a farm in Dumfries and Galloway.

Precautionary movement restrictions have been put in place at the impacted farm, the Scottish government said.

Further investigations to identify the origin of the disease - which was found in a single cow - are ongoing.

Atypical BSE is not known to be a risk to public health and the animal did not enter the human food chain, the government confirmed.

And Food Standards Scotland said there was 'no risk to human health as a result of this isolated case'.

Scotland's agriculture minister, Jim Fairlie said the government and other agencies took 'swift and robust action to protect the agriculture sector'.

The fact we identified this isolated case so quickly is proof that our surveillance system for detecting this type of disease is working effectively.

I want to thank the animals owner for their diligence. Their action allowed us to identify and isolate the case at speed which has minimised its impact on the wider industry."

Scotland's Chief Veterinary Officer Sheila Voas added that the fast detection of this case was 'proof that our surveillance system is doing its job'.

We are working closely with the Animal and Plant Health Agency, and other partners to identify where the disease came from," she said.

I want to reassure both farmers and the public that this is an isolated case and of the aytypical strain of BSE which is not transmissible and not connected to contaminated feed.

"But, if any farmers are concerned, I would urge them to seek veterinary advice."

BSE is a notifiable animal disease, which must be immediately reported to the Defra Rural Services Helpline on 03000 200 301.

In Wales, BSE must be reported by contacting 0300 303 8268, and in Scotland, the local Field Services Office should be notified.

Failure to report BSE is an offence.
Brendan Fraser says his late horse Pecas "saved an emotional part of me".

Brendan Fraser reveals his late horse was an emotional support animal

The 56-year-old actor, who has struggled with his mental health over the years, has paid tribute to his late support animal which he adopted after seeing his four-legged companion in the 2015 miniseries 'Texas Rising'.

Speaking at the Red Sea Film Festival in Saudi Arabia Sunday (08.12.24), he said: I had a horse for a while there. Hes not with us anymore, Im sad to say. Hes in horsey heaven. He saved not my life, but he certainly saved an emotional part of me.

On the journey to transport Pecas, he added: I put him on FedEx. I flew him through El Paso. I dropped him off at JFK. He came. He walked right into the barn close to my home, where Id rented a stall for him, and he happily laid down on fresh cedar shavings and thought, yep, okay, Im done.

Elsewhere, Brendan revealed the real reason director Darren Aronofsky cast him as the lead Charlie in 'The Whale' - which he won the Best Actor in a Leading Role Oscar for - was because he hadn't been onscreen for a while.

The actor underwent a major transformation for the part, donning a prosthetic suit and through CGI and makeup he appeared as the 600-pound man.

The 'Mummy' star explained: "He was looking for an actor who hadn't been seen in a while. He told me. And that was me. He wanted to reintroduce that actor through a performance that would be transformative and have an element of this is the last person you might expect to do this role."

Brendan previously admitted he thought there had been another huge Oscars mix-up when he heard his name called in the Best Actor category.

Speaking backstage after his win, Brendan confessed: "When I first heard my name, I heard my name and I thought: 'That can't be right'... but it was, so I guess I should get up there and say something quick."
Brian Cox fantasizes about how he's going to die.

Brian Cox often thinks about how he's going to die

The 'Succession' actor, 78, has revealed he thinks about death "all the time" and has run through all the "different scenarios" about how he could pass away - revealing his top choice would be to die at home with a cup of tea and the TV on.

He told the Guardian newspaper: "Yes, [I think about death] all the time. I have a fantasy every night about how Im going to die. I dont think about it in a depressing way. I just think of all the possible scenarios.

When asked to share his "favourite" scenario, Brian added: "Going without fuss, wrapped up in bed with a cup of tea, maybe with the telly on."

During the interview he was also asked about his grumpy persona and Brian admitted he may have "upset" a few people over the years because he's "quite a loudmouth".

He explained: "I feel Ive upset a few people over the years. The problem is, I can be quite a loudmouth. Sometimes I have been fairly volatile, and I think, Why the f*** did you say that?'"

Brian is married to Nicole Ansari and he previously revealed they got married in 2002 after two years of dating because he gave her an ultimatum - telling her they either needed to exchange vows or split up.

In an interview with The Sunday Times newspaper, he explained: "Over the next two years [after they started dating], I was away so much with work she ended up spending more time with my assistant in London than she did with me.

"I was playing Dennis Quaid's father in 'The Rookie' and she came out to see me in Austin, Texas. She wasn't happy.

"I said we can either split or we can get married."

Nicole agreed to marry Brian and the pair eloped to Las Vegas the next day.

The actor went on: "We went to the Little White Wedding Chapel in Vegas the next day. That was 24 years ago. It was great fun and that's been our relationship ever since."
Sian Welby has got a "new perspective" on life since welcoming her daughter Ruby into the world.

Sian Welby at Capitals Jingle Bell Ball with Barclaycard

The 'Capital Breakfast' co-presenter and her fiancee Jake Beckett had their first child together in June and, five months on, the star has said the little one is doing really well, and she is enjoying "every moment" of parenthood.

Speaking to BANG Showbiz at Capitals Jingle Bell Ball with Barclaycard, the 38-year-old broadcaster admitted: "Like any parent at the minute at this time of the year, shes been ill, shes had a cold, Ive been sucking snot  its not been very glamorous, and Ive not had much sleep as normal, and youve still got the 4am alarm for work!

"However, its been just amazing, and Ive just enjoyed every moment, really  even those tough days, its just given me a whole new perspective."

From back in February when she announced she and Jake were expecting Ruby, to the revelation the 'This Morning' guest host underwent an emergency C-section to deliver her baby after a water birth did not go to plan, Sian has kept listeners and fans updated throughout.

Since then, 'Capital Breakfast' listeners have reached out to the Nottingham-born radio star to ask how Ruby is doing, and she feels the connection between her and co-hosts Jordan North, 34, and Chris Stark, 37, and their fans is akin to a family.

Sian said: "Whats been amazing for me is the listeners from Capital saw me through the whole pregnancy, and then through the birth, and then while I had Ruby, theyve been on that journey with me.

"I honestly, genuinely, get stopped in the lift or in the street, and people ask, Hows little Ruby?

"And its lovely that people feel like they know me, and they ask after her, and I feel like thats what our show has become  a real family but also like a friendship where people do feel like they know us, and we feel like that about them as well."

Now five months old, Sian spilled what Ruby likes to do to keep herself occupied.

When asked what she is really into at the moment, Sian confessed: "The Dancing Fruit  if you know, you know!

"She just loves bouncing. Shes this kid that loves to bounce on anything, shes got a bouncy seat.

"Im going to try and get her one of those things that you hang in the door in the way you just spring up and down."
Peter Andre has booked an "emotional" trip home to visit his sick mom in Australia.

Peter Andre is heading back to Australia very soon

The 51-year-old pop star - who was born in London but grew up Down Under - was left devastated after his elderly mother Thea was diagnosed with Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disease but was unable to visit her because his wife Emily was expecting their daughter Arabella but Peter has now confirmed he's going to head off on a trip to see her alongside his brother Michael.

In his column for OK! magazine, Peter wrote: "I am going to Australia very, very soon to see my mum and dad. Im going with my brother Michael, just the two of us and were going to spend some real quality time with my mum, dad and sister.

"I need to spend time with my mum, which is going to be emotional. When it comes to her health, we just have to hope and pray that shes doing OK. It will mean so much to have this time with her."

Peter couldn't visit Thea during her last stint in hospital in April because Emily had just given birth to their daughter, so his two eldest kids - Junior, 19, and Princess, 17, from his marriage to Katie Price - flew Down Under to visit her.

He previously paid tribute to the teens for rushing to see their new baby sister and then getting on a plane to go visit their grandparents.

In a post on social media, he wrote: "Junior and princess. The fact that you drove to Somerset to be with us hours before and the days that followed to see the arrival of your baby sister, AND THEN to get on a plane and travel 12,000 miles to be with your grandmother in a very difficult time for her shows me what beautiful children you are.

"I will never forget this moment. Thank you for being truly amazing. Love you all so much. Keep cuddling mum for me please and tell her I love her and we will come out soon."
Selena Gomez feels "grateful and honoured" after being nominated for two Golden Globes.

Selena Gomez has been nominated for two Golden Globes

The 32-year-old actress has been nominated for the Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series  Musical or Comedy gong, as well as the Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role award, and Selena has already taken to social media to react to her nominations.

The brunette beauty - who has been nominated for her performances in 'Only Murders in the Building' and 'Emilia Perez' - said on Instagram: "I dont even know what to write. Im so proud of @zoesaldana and I am so grateful and honored @goldenglobes. (sic)"

Selena - who starred in 'Emilia Perez' alongside Zoe and Karla Sofia Gascon - also expressed her support for Ariana Grande, who is among the contenders for the Best Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role gong for 'Wicked'.

Reacting to Ariana's nomination, Selena simply said: "Oh, my God! Ari!"

Meanwhile, Selena previously admitted that she relished the challenge of making 'Emilia Perez'.

The actress - who plays Jessi Del Monte in the Jacques Audiard-directed movie - told 'Extra': "I think Ive been dreaming of doing a role like this for many reasons.

"I felt challenged and I felt excited and eager to see all the places that Jacques was going to take me and it was a million times better than I even imagined because I got to meet these women and it just felt like a whole experience that I had never felt before and I hope this is just the beginning."

Selena also admitted that she feels "really lucky" to have been a part of the movie.

The actress said: "Im just enjoying it moment by moment. I feel really lucky to be with these amazing women and I just love every moment, so Im soaking it all in."
Ariana Grande has already watched 'Wicked' ten times.

Ariana Grande feels proud of the hit movie

The 31-year-old star plays Glinda in the Jon M. Chu-directed adaptation of the hit stage musical, and Ariana has revealed that she still loves watching the acclaimed movie.

Asked how many times she's seen the film, Ariana told The Hollywood Reporter: "I lost count. I think Im at ten.

"When I saw it with my nonna in Florida, I did check my phone a few times and my mom was like, Ariana, get off your phone! And I was like, Mommy, not only have I seen it, but Im in it! I was like, I know what happens here. I think I can quickly check what was just sent to me! Shes like, Ariana, youre talking!'

Ariana has been nominated for a Golden Globe for her role in the film, and she feels "grateful" to have been recognised.

She said: "It just feels incredibly surreal. Its certainly not something that you expect. I think its just so surreal and I just feel so deeply grateful.

"We were just very immersed in the work and I was so grateful to have the chance to do the work and I was so excited to do the work every single day. From the lead up to my first audition to the last day on set on both of the films, I was sort of leading with deep gratitude every day."

Ariana has also heaped praise on the film's director.

The actress explained: "Jon Chu is such a brilliantly meticulous and thoughtful director and he comes in with shot by shot land and the perfect storyboard and its set to music. And he has this meticulous vision that he has in his head.

"But my favourite thing is that he gets that version of it and then he just wants to play and hell just completely end up with something that is full of surprises and he calls it 'catching butterflies.' And I think thats what all of us were able to feel and do every day thanks to that environment, that inspired freedom, truth and honesty in play and improv."
Catherine, Princess of Wales has been shortlisted for Time's Person of the Year 2024.

Catherine, Princess of Wales is on the shortlist for Time's Person of The Year award

The 42-year-old royal has been listed alongside public figures including US President-elect Donald Trump, tech billionaire Elon Musk and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who are all in the running for the magazine's coveted title - with Catherine being credited with "stirring a conversation about privacy and health for public figures" following her battle with cancer this year.

A message posted on the magazine's website reads: "The Princess of Wales made international headlines this year and stirred a conversation about privacy and health for public figures.

"In January, Kate Middleton was hospitalised for two weeks for a 'planned abdominal surgery' and Kensington Palace said she would be out of the public eye until Easter.

" But after conspiracy theories circulated online in March about Middletons whereabouts, the royal put the rumours to rest by revealing that she had been diagnosed with cancer. In September, Middleton announced that she had completed her chemotherapy treatment."

The Princess was previously included on the TIME100 list of Most Influential People back in 2013, and she was one of the runners-up for the Person of the Year title in 2011.

Kamala Harris, who lost the US election to Trump last month, was also included on the shortlist with the publication praising her "remarkable 107-day presidential campaign" after current US President Joe Biden bowed out of the race while Trump landed his place on the list for his "stunning political comeback" four years after leaving office.

Also featured on the shortlist are Russian economist Yulia Navalnaya, chairman of the U.S. Federal Reserve Jerome Powell, podcaster Joe Rogan, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg, who was praised for the way he handled "government scrutiny" into his company which owns both Facebook and Instagram.

Last year's Person of the Year title went to Taylor Swift, who was absent from the 2024 shortlist despite dominating the world music scene over the last 12 months with her 'The Eras Tour' and latest album 'The Tortured Poets Department'.
Prince William spread some festive cheer by serving Christmas lunch at a homeless shelter in London.

Prince William served Christmas lunch at a homeless shelter

The Prince of Wales donned an apron to volunteer at a facility run by The Passage charity which he first visited with his late mother Diana, Princess of Wales back in 1993 with the royal being seen spooning carrots and parsnips onto plates and chatting with attendees.

In a video posted on the royal's Instagram account, he was seen listening to attendees' stories and talking to fellow volunteers. The caption read: "A pleasure to be back serving Christmas lunch at @passagecharity.

"Thank you to Claudette and the incredible volunteers who dedicate their time to supporting those experiencing homelessness. The selflessness and compassion shown in creating a warm and welcoming space during the festive season makes a profound difference."

It comes after it was revealed William and his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales helped make a dream come true for an aspiring teen photographer before her death from cancer aged 17.

Liz Hatton - who passed away in November following a battle with a rare and aggressive form of cancer - managed to live out her dreams when the Prince and Princess of Wales arranged for her to photograph celebrities on the red carpet during an investiture at Windsor Castle.

Liz's mother Victoria Robayna, 43, told The Mirror newspaper: "Liz was still independent and loving life until the very end, which is exactly how she would have chosen it to be. We could not have asked for it to have been a better way for Liz.

"All any parent wants is for their childs dreams to come true, and the Prince and Princess of Wales were a big part in making that happen.

"Lizs final two months with us were the happiest we have ever seen her, and a lot of that was down to their kindness  we truly cant thank them enough. Before that day at Windsor Castle Liz had had some opportunities, but the meeting really brought her into the public eye and allowed her dreams to become reality."

Catherine and William were among the first to pay tribute to the teenager shortly after her death was announced.

In a personal message shared to their Instagram Story, the couple wrote: "We are so sorry to hear that Liz Hatton has sadly passed away.

"It was an honour to have met such a brave and humble young woman. Our thoughts and prayers are with Lizs parents Vicky and Aaron and her brother Mateo at this unimaginably difficult time. W and C."
Queen Elizabeth used to wear her Imperial State Crown to bath her kids.

Queen Elizabeth wore her crown to bath her children

The late monarch - who died in September 2022 aged 96 - ascended to the throne following the death of her father King George VI in 1952 and her coronation was held the following year - and now her son King Charles has revealed she used to wear her crown while bathing him and his sister Anne, Princess Royal in the run-up to the big day because she wanted to get used to wearing a heavy headpiece before she did it in public.

Speaking in new documentary 'Coronation Girls', Charles explained: "I remember it all so well then, because I remember my sister and I had bath time in the evening.

"My mama used to come up at bath time wearing the crown to practice. You have to get used to how heavy it is. I've never forgotten, I can still remember it vividly."

He added of the crown: "It is very important to wear it for a certain amount of time [ahead of the coronation], because you get used to it then. But the big one that you're crowned with, the St Edward's Crown, it weighs five pounds.

"It is much heavier and taller, so there's always that feeling of feeling slightly anxious, in case it wobbles. You have to carry it, you have to look straight ahead."

Charles was only four years old at the time of his mother's coronation, but he insisted he still has clear memories of the event.

He said: "My grandmother explained things to me while I was there. I can remember quite a lot, yes, well, particularly what I was dressed in and what the barber did to me before."

The film - directed by Douglas Arrowsmith - follows the story of a group of Canadian women who were hand-picked to attend Queen Elizabeth's coronation with the women returning to the UK to retrace their steps and being invited to Buckingham Palace to meet King Charles.

The group had previously written to Queen Elizabeth to ask for a meeting but she died just months after they sent their note.
Feminas Fab 65 For 2024

Think you need everyday motivation from an app? We bring you better - we bring you the journeys of 65 fabulous women. Be inspired by their trials and tribulations. They have broken barriers, bent rules and marched ahead towards their goal. They have had a cracking year, and are looking forward to going that one step further to do better in the future! From our active president to dynamic doctors, trom the industry's top actors to athletes who put the country on the international map, from responsible entrepreneurs to bold creators and more, let's celebrate them all...

Prachi Dhabal Deb

Award-Winning Royal Icing Cake Artist & Founder - Cake Decor India

"Trust the process and stay committed to your progress"  Prachi Dhabal Deb

From the world of finance to the intricacies of cake artistry, Prachi Dhabal Deb s journey is a testament to the transformative power of passion and perseverance. Once a financial analyst with a multinational firm, Prachi found her creativity stifled by the rigid structure of the corporate world. It was during a break for health reasons that her creative spark was reignited on a trip to Australia with her husband. What started as a hobby soon turned into a flourishing career when Prachis cakes began making waves at social gatherings. In 2012, Prachi embarked on her professional baking journey, and soon discovered her true calling  royal icing. Inspired by Sir Eddie Spence MBE, a renowned cake artist who had baked for the British royal family, she travelled to London to learn the craft from him. Upon her return to India, she not only perfected her skills but also created a vegan royal icing recipe, distinguishing her work from others in the field.Her meticulous attention to detail has earned Prachi global recognition, including multiple world records, a Women Achiever in Hospitality award from the International Hospitality Council in London, and the prestigious Cake Masters Award in 2019. One of her most remarkable achievements has been the creation of an Indian-inspired palace made entirely of royal icing  a masterpiece weighing 200 kilograms, standing 10 feet long and 4.7 feet high, which earned her a third world record. As the Head Judge for Cakeology, Indias biggest cake event, she continues to inspire with her dedication to craftsmanship and her belief in the importance of hard work over innate talent.For Prachi, success isnt just about talent  its about putting in the grind. And her incredible journey proves it: with passion, creativity, and unshakable determination, the skys the limit!Don't forget to check out her creations here:
Despite the strong will and desire to transform the European fashion industry and adopt sustainable practices, significant barriers hinder many brands from making substantial changes, according to The Status of European Fashion Report 2024, recently released by the European Fashion Alliance (EFA) in Brussels.

A significant lack of knowledge, financial resources and human capacity are pressing as brands face increasingly stringent environmental and social regulations, it said.

The European fashion industry is at a pivotal moment where sustainability, technological innovation, and talent development must converge to secure its future, it noted.

Despite the strong will and desire to transform the European fashion industry and adopt sustainable practices, significant barriers hinder many brands from making substantial changes, according to The Status of European Fashion Report 2024. Transition to a more ethical, transparent and sustainable business model is possible by embracing new regulations and adopting cutting-edge technologies.

The industry can transition into a more ethical, transparent and sustainable business model by embracing new regulations, adopting cutting-edge technologies and investing in training.

Clear and standardised guidelines, as well as financial support and incentives to bridge the financial gap and investment in dedicated personnel to enable companies to adopt greener practices are needed.

Industry-specific roadmaps that simplify compliance processes would help businesses align with sustainability goals more easily and avoid missteps, said the report.

Additionally, collaboration among policymakers, industry leaders and educators is key to navigating these complex changes.

The report is based on a survey conducted among 211 creative-driven industry representatives, supplemented by qualitative interviews with leading opinion leaders.

There is widespread recognition of the negative public perception of the fashion industry, largely driven by concerns about ethics and sustainability, driven by profitable business models promoting rapid consumption at the expense of quality and value. Restoring trust in Europes textile industry has become a crucial endeavour now, the report noted.

A large majority of companies is investing in sustainability practices driven by consumer demand, regulatory pressure and a general shift in corporate responsibility. However, while 88 per cent of surveyed organisations have invested in sustainability, over half still lack the tools or support needed for a full transition to sustainable practices.

Though digital transformation is reshaping how European fashion operates, only a portion of the industry has fully adopted such tools, with many companies citing high costs and a lack of technical expertise as barriers, the report added.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Avoiding unnecessary freight spend, preparedness to act decisively and quickly, and understanding actual transit times to choose the right carrier will help shippers protect supply chains and manage freight spend in the face of any uncertainty arising out of additional tariffs to be imposed by the next US administration, according to Xeneta, which feels 2025 will not be easy for shippers.

During the election campaign, Trump vowed 60-per cent tariffs on all imports from China and up to 20 per cent from the rest of the world.

The fact only China, Mexico and Canada are within scope of Trumps first round of tariffs means shippers who frontloaded imports from any other nation following his election victory may have wasted time and money, Xeneta noted.

Avoiding unnecessary freight spend, preparedness to act decisively and quickly, and understanding actual transit times to choose the right carrier will help shippers protect supply chains and manage freight spend in the face of any uncertainty arising out of additional US tariffs, Xeneta said. Next year will not be easy for shippers, with the risk of further disruptions emerging, it noted.

They may have needlessly moved containers on the elevated spot market if they exceed minimum quantity commitments (MQC), while bloated inventories increase warehouse costs and take up working capital, the Norway-based ocean and air freight rate benchmarking and market analytics platform said in a release.

As Trump will make further announcements on tariffs, and they could impact any category of goods or region in the world, so shippers must be ready to act decisively if they want to frontload imports while avoiding unnecessary freight spend, it said.

If a shipper is against the clock to import goods before tariffs come into effect, understanding actual transit times to choose the right carrier for their trade lanes is vital, or else they risk incurring the substantial cost of frontloading but see their goods arrive in the United States too late to benefit from it, it said.

Average spot rates on major front-haul trades are an important barometer for the marketand numerous ocean freight rate indexes offer thisbut, in isolation, they do not provide the depth and breadth of data required to effectively manage freight spend and supply chain risk in this scenario.

A shipper may look at average spot rates on their trade and be willing to pay a higher rate to ship goods if a carriers announced transit time ensures the container arrives in the United States before tariffs come into effect, Xeneta suggested.

Given the heightened geopolitical tension globally, there is also the risk of further, as-yet-unknown, disruptions emerging that threaten supply chains.

Average spot rates will only take you so far in understanding how to manage these threats. You must have visibility at a port-to-port level on the different rates carriers are offering across long and short term markets as well transit times, schedule reliability and capacity, Xeneta added.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)
Ranveer Singh's mother Anju Bhavnani donates her hair in honour of her granddaughter Dua Padukone Singh's third month birthday. Ranveer and Deepika's fans took to social media to share more about this gesture. Many posted screengrabs of Anju's heartwarming note for Dua.



Awwww aAAAiAAA This is such a sweet gesture from her grandmother! AAA Dua is truly the apple of her family's eye. May God always bless our little cutie and her family. aAAAiAAA https://t.co/xwZPwNiBBb  M aAAAiAAA (@JabMeeet) December 8, 2024

Anju wrote, "Happy 3rd month birthday my darling Dua. Marking this special day with a gesture of love and hope. As we celebrate the joy and beauty of Dua growing up, we are also reminded of the power of goodness and kindness. Hoping that this small act might bring comfort and confidence to someone going through difficult time."

Meanwhile, Deepika recently returned to Mumbai with Dua after spending quality time in Bengaluru. The actress was seen enjoying her heart out at Diljit Dosanjh's concert, as she was welcomed on stage.
CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - ANZ Group announced that Nuno Matos will assume the role of Chief Executive Officer on July 3, 2025, succeeding Shayne Elliott, who is retiring after a nine-year tenure. Matos will also join the boards of ANZ Group Holdings Limited and Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited as an Executive Director.Elliott will step down as Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director on 2 July 2025.With more than 30 years' experience across retail, commercial and wholesale banking, 57-year-old Nuno Matos most recently served as CEO of Wealth and Personal Banking at HSBC.Matos joined HSBC in 2015 from Santander where he was most recently Global Head of Consumer in its Retail and Commercial Division. At HSBC Mr Matos held senior roles including Chief Executive Officer of HSBC Bank plc and HSBC Europe, where he oversaw the transformation of its European business. He had previously also served as CEO Mexico, one of HSBC's largest markets, and Regional Head of Retail Banking in Latin America.Matos began his career as an analyst in the banking supervision department of Banco de Portugal. He has worked in many different markets including Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, the United States, Spain, France,Brazil, Mexico and Peru.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.
CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - Woolworths Group Limited (WOW.AX) said it has reopened its four distribution centres after reaching an agreement with striking workers. Despite the resolution, the company expects a negative impact of approximately A$140 million on food sales due to the strike.The endorsed deals come after 17 days of indefinite strike action impacting store service levels in Woolworths Supermarkets across Victoria, ACT and parts of NSW.The company said its individual enterprise agreement offers were endorsed by the United Workers Union on 7th December. Melbourne South Regional DC (MSRDC) had previously been endorsed by the SDA. The new agreements provide team members with wage increases over three years of approximately 11% in total, which provide team members with competitive rates of pay that are also sustainable for the business, with the individual increases varying by site and year.Australian Food sales have been negatively impacted by approximately A$140 million in total (up to 8 December). The estimated direct one-off negative impact of this dispute to date on Australian Food EBIT is approximately A$50 million - A$60 million, reflecting the impact of lost sales, additional transport and supply chain contingency costs and elevated levels of stock loss.While all sites are now operational, Woolworths Group anticipates there will be further sales and earnings impacts for Australian Food in the second quarter, due to the time and effort required to rebuild stock levels at both the DCs and stores ahead of the busy Christmas trading period.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.
FPT has signed a five-year Master Service Agreement (MSA) with RWE, further strengthening the longstanding partnership between the two companies. The agreement aims to advance technological innovation, operational excellence, and sustainable growth, supporting RWE's ambitious initiatives in IT/OT convergence, renewable energy, and data-driven solutions.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241208877842/en/

The signing ceremony took place in Essen, Germany, with the participation of Ms. Katja van Doren, Member of the Executive Board of RWE AG (L), Mdm. Chu Thi Thanh Ha, FPT Software Chairwoman (R), and senior leaders of both companies. (Photo: Business Wire)

The signing ceremony in Essen, Germany, marks the beginning of an enhanced collaboration where FPT will provide a robust offshore utilization strategy through its Offshore Delivery Center. This will enable cost-effective, scalable solutions tailored to RWE's evolving needs. Additionally, FPT will establish a local Center of Excellence (CoE) focused on providing PMO Consulting Services.

With this partnership, FPT and RWE are set to accelerate their shared vision of transforming the energy sector. FPT's Offshore Delivery Center will enable RWE to scale its resources effectively, providing solutions that meet their dynamic needs, while the establishment of the Center of Excellence will deliver additional PMO Consulting practices automation practices that will improve operational efficiency and ROI. FPT will also support RWE's business expansion into IT/OT convergence, renewable energy, and advanced data and AI solutions, helping them stay at the forefront of innovation and sustainability.

The agreement between FPT and RWE will further strengthen the partnership, which includes contributions to the RWE Academy, loyalty programs for key experts, and an innovation budget focused on AI and automation. These efforts underscore FPT's commitment to supporting RWE's growth and fostering a culture of learning, resilience, and forward-thinking.

Mdm. Chu Thi Thanh Ha, Chairwoman of FPT Software, FPT Corporation said: "This agreement reflects our strategic focus on partnering with European businesses to accelerate innovation in critical sectors like renewable energy and green transformation, tackling the complex challenges of sustainability. With workforce development as a key pillar in FPT's strategy, we are confident in building a capable, future-ready IT talent pool that can meet the evolving demands of partners like RWE to create lasting values for businesses and society alike."

Mr. Dzung Tran, Chief Executive Officer of FPT Software Europe, FPT Corporation, commented:"Today's signing represents a key milestone in our collaboration with RWE and reinforces our commitment to driving digital transformation and energy transformation across Europe. Building on FPT's strengths and know-how from a decade of partnership with RWE, we can deliver more sustainable values to RWE and its customers, supporting our partner's growth while strengthening our presence in the European market."

Ms. Gulnaz Ones, Chief Information Officer of RWE AG, said:"As a leading energy company, RWE is committed to leveraging innovative digital solutions to enhance its operational excellence. Today's signing with FPT Software is an integral part of our digital transformation journey. By combining our industry expertise with FPT Software's capabilities, we are able to integrate our digital business and production systems and implement data-driven solutions to drive sustainable growth in the energy sector."

About FPT

FPT Corporation (FPT) is a globally leading technology and IT services provider headquartered in Vietnam. FPT operates in three core sectors: Technology, Telecommunications, and Education. During over three decades of development, FPT has constantly provided practical and effective products to millions of people and tens of thousands of business and non-business organizations worldwide, establishing Vietnam's position on the global tech map. Keeping up with the latest market trends and emerging technologies, FPT has developed the Made-by-FPT ecosystem of services, products, solutions, and platforms, which enables sustainable growth for organizations and businesses and offers distinctive experiences to customers. In 2023, FPT recorded a total revenue of USD 2.17 billion and 48,000+ employees. For more information about global IT services, please visit https://fptsoftware.com/.

About RWE

RWE is leading the way to a clean energy world. With its investment and growth strategy, Growing Green, RWE is contributing significantly to the success of the energy transition and the decarbonisation of the energy system. Around 20,000 employees work for the company in almost 30 countries worldwide. RWE is already one of the leading companies in the field of renewable energy. RWE is investing billions of euros in expanding its generation portfolio, particularly in offshore and onshore wind, solar energy, and batteries. It is perfectly complemented by its global energy trading business. RWE is decarbonising its business in line with the 1.5-degree reduction pathway and will phase out coal by 2030. RWE will be net-zero by 2040. Fully in line with the company's purpose Our energy for a sustainable life.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241208877842/en/

Contacts:

Media

Mai Duong (Ms.)

FPT Corporation

FPT Software PR Manager

MCP.PR@fpt.com
The Brazilian company opens an office in Portugal and delivers solutions for five solar plants in France and Poland in 2024

PORTO, Portugal, Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Automa, a technology and software company focused on the operation of and efficiency gains for the electricity sector, has just announced its expansion into the European market. This November, the company opens a new base in Portugal, which will serve renewable energy generators and distributors throughout Europe. Five new photovoltaic plants with Automa solutions are expected to start operating in 2024, four of them in France, and one in Poland.

Expansion into the European market is the result of significant growth in Brazil, serving the largest energy companies in the country. In the last three years, the company has grown by more than 40% a year, considering all its operational fronts: hydro, wind, solar, energy storage, and substations. "Our goal is for international revenue to outstrip today's revenue in Brazil within four years," explains Marcelo Ferreira, CEO and founder of Automa. In Brazil, Automa is responsible for managing a quarter of all renewable energy generation in the country (40 GW).

Automa's operational team is now working in the city of Porto, Portugal. In 2025, a new commercial office will start operating in Madrid, Spain, led by Giorgio Inforzato, a professional who has extensive experience of 15 years in the European renewable energy market.

Automa's operations in Europe coincide with the delivery of the company's first projects in the region. Solutions are expected to be delivered for monitoring and operating solar plants in France and Poland, all owned by EDP Renewables.

"Going through the screenings of European companies in the approval process for our solutions is very representative of Automa. It is a validation of our effort to develop first-rate products and services, which are being approved by the largest and most demanding renewable energy companies in the world," explains Marcelo Ferreira.

In 18 years of operation, Automa has become a leader in technologies for the automation sector, offering solutions such as SCADA, Automatic Maneuver Control, Power Limitation Optimizer, Turnkey Automation, Power Plant Controller, and SunOp. With these technologies, its customers have obtained an increase of up to 5% in energy generation. In all, more than 1,000 projects, 50 operations centers, and more than 200 substations with technology developed by the company have been delivered.

Contact: Automa@pina-una.com

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DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Self-driving Cars Market is projected to reach from 37,090 thousand units in 2024 to 76,217 thousand units in 2035, at a CAGR of 6.8%, according to a new report by MarketsandMarkets. The self-driving cars market is poised for significant growth, driven by advancements in sensor technologies like LiDAR and radar, the adoption of vehicle-to-everything (V2X) communication, and the rise of mobility-as-a-service (MaaS) solutions such as robotaxis and autonomous shuttles. This growth is further fueled by supportive government policies and high consumer demand for safer and more convenient mobility solutions. The development of cloud computing and AI-based decision-making is also critical, enabling real-time data processing and dynamic improvements to autonomous vehicle performance. Emerging markets and intelligent city initiatives further amplify the market's expansion potential.

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Personal Mobility segment is estimated to hold the largest share during the forecast period.

The personal mobility segment is expected to lead the self-driving cars market during the forecast period, driven by a surge in demand for autonomous vehicles that offer convenience, flexibility, and on-demand transportation. Urbanization and smart city initiatives fuel the need for innovative mobility options to reduce congestion and improve travel efficiency. In 2024, Toyota's Corolla, a Level 1 autonomous vehicle, sold over 1.2 million units globally from January to September, showcasing rising consumer interest in ADAS-equipped vehicles. This trend underscores the appeal of autonomous features in personal transportation. AI, sensor technology, and connectivity advancements further drive this adoption, particularly with electric self-driving vehicles. As of October 2024, companies like Tesla (US) are increasing their push toward fully electric and autonomous models. New releases like the Tesla Model S Plaid focus on safety and efficiency. OEMs such as Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (Japan), Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (Japan), General Motors (US), and Mercedes-Benz Group AG (Germany) are also developing their Level 2 and 3 semi-autonomous cars for personal use. For instance, in June 2024, Japanese automaker Nissan showcased its in-house developed self-driving tech as part of its plan to provide autonomous mobility services by 2027.

The C&D segment is estimated to lead the self-driving cars market during the forecast period.

The C&D segment of self-driving cars is expected to dominate the market during the forecast period, driven by a strong preference for mid-size sedans and SUVs equipped with advanced autonomy and safety features. Popular models such as the Audi A4, an L2 autonomous car, ranked among Audi's best-sellers in the US and Europe in 2023, while the Hyundai Elantra, an L1 car, recorded significant sales in South Korea the same year, illustrating broad demand across regions. Supporting this growth, BMW Group (Germany) began production at its Leipzig, Germany, plant in July 2024, with a focus on vehicles such as the BMW 3 Series, a popular L2 model from the C&D segment. Such production expansions highlight manufacturers' efforts to meet rising demand and reinforce the segment's leadership in the market.

North America is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period.

North America is expected to grow significantly in the self-driving cars market during the forecast period, driven by technological advancements, supportive policies, and strong consumer demand. The region benefits from the presence of leading automakers like Ford, General Motors, and Tesla, as well as start-ups such as Waymo, Motional, and Aurora, spearheading autonomous vehicle development. For example, Ford's BlueCruise system now covers 130,000 miles of controlled-access highways in the US and Canada. In comparison, General Motors has expanded its Super Cruise functionality to approximately 750,000 miles of roads, including highways and major arterials, as of February 2024. Regulatory initiatives, such as the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) mandate for autonomous emergency braking (AEB) by 2029, further accelerate adoption.

Additionally, Waymo's driverless taxi services expanded to Los Angeles in August 2024, marking a milestone in public acceptance of fully autonomous vehicles. These advancements, combined with investments in intelligent transportation infrastructure and the increasing popularity of semi-autonomous features. Position North America as a key growth region for self-driving cars.

Key Market Players Self-driving Cars Industry:

The major players in the Self-Driving Cars Market include Toyota Motor Corporation (Japan), Tesla (US), BYD Co., Ltd. (China), Volkswagen Group (Germany), Ford Motor Company (US), Hyundai Motor Group (South Korea). These companies offer self-driving feature-enabled vehicles and have strong global distribution networks. Companies are also actively launching new products to expand their market presence. Tesla (US) launched a robotaxi named Cybercab in October 2024. Similarly, in June 2024, Cruise LLC, a General Motors subsidiary, announced that it has resumed manual driving in Phoenix, Houston, and Dallas, with supervised operations ongoing in Phoenix and Dallas.

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This report provides insights on:

Analysis of key drivers (InFocus on improving road safety, Government regulations for integration of advanced safety technologies, and Rise of autonomous ride-hailing services), restraints (High development costs and Data privacy concerns), opportunities (Emergence of subscription-based service offerings and Consumer focus on sustainable transportation solutions), and challenges (Substantial cost of ADAS integration, Lack of software standardization, and Inadequate infrastructure for self-driving cars)

Product Development/Innovation: Detailed insights on upcoming technologies, research & development activities, and new product & service launches in the self-driving cars market.

Market Development: Comprehensive information about lucrative markets - the report analyses the self-driving cars market across varied regions.

Market Diversification: Exhaustive information about new products & services, untapped geographies, recent developments, and investments in the self-driving cars market.

Competitive Assessment: In-depth assessment of market share, growth strategies, and service offerings of leading players like Toyota Motor Corporation (Japan), Tesla (US), BYD Co., Ltd. (China), Volkswagen Group (Germany), Ford Motor Company (US), Hyundai Motor Group (South Korea) among others in self-driving cars market.

Related Reports:

Autonomous Construction Equipment Market

Autonomous Driving Software Market

Automotive RADAR Market

Autonomous Trucks Market

Get access to the latest updates on Self-driving Cars Companies andSelf-driving Cars Industry Growth

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SHENZHEN, China, Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On December 6, the Qianhai Forum, themed "New Situation, New Reform, and New Action: Shenzhen-Hong Kong Cooperation to Build a Hub for High-Quality Development of Modern Service Industries", kicked off in Qianhai, Shenzhen. The Forum consisted of a main forum, four parallel forums on financial opening-up and innovation, Shenzhen-Hong Kong technological innovation, rule of law related to foreign affairs, and new cultural industries, as well as a series of strategic events on upgrading the pilot free trade zone. Over 100 representatives from Hong Kong SAR and Macao SAR, industry leaders, and renowned experts gathered in Qianhai to explore the latest developments in the cooperation zone.

Maintaining a vibrant momentum for development

With institutional innovation at its core, Qianhai is steadily expanding institutional opening-up in terms of rules, regulations, management, and standards. To this end, Qianhai has launched a total of 882 institutional innovation achievements. With the modern service industry as its primary sector, Qianhai is vigorously facilitating the construction of 18 industrial clusters. Statistics released by the Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone at the forum show that, in the first three quarters of 2024, its GDP grew by 8.2% and its import and export volume increased by 50.1%. This has indicated a vibrant momentum for development.

Qianhai is systematically upgrading the Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Youth Innovation and Entrepreneur Hub. In cooperation with universities such as the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and City University of Hong Kong, a wide variety of innovation and entrepreneurship projects have been incubated at the Hub. Overall, Qianhai has aimed to become a leading area for deep integration between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

Further creating an innovative Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation pattern

After the expansion of Qianhai, the Shenzhen-Hong Kong cooperation has been further enhanced, providing a convenient channel for Hong Kong's modern service enterprises to enter the market of the Chinese mainland and significantly broadening the space for industrial chain cooperation between Shenzhen and Hong Kong.

Mr. Cheuk Wing-hing, Deputy Chief Secretary for Administration of the Hong Kong SAR Government, said that Qianhai is a major cooperation platform within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA). Hong Kong is deeply involved in Qianhai's development, with over 9,000 Hong Kong-invested enterprises operating and more than 10,000 Hong Kong residents working and residing in Qianhai. The Hong Kong SAR Government will further fulfill its role as the central city of the GBA and the core engine for regional development. Hong Kong is well poised to advance mutually beneficial integration with Shenzhen and other GBA cities and more actively integrate itself into the overall national development. Leaders in both the government and business sectors are expected to seize the abundant opportunities presented by the GBA's development and embrace win-win cooperation in the GBA, especially Qianhai.

Building a hub for the high-quality development of modern service industries facing the future

Mr. Zheng Yongnian, Professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, and President of the Institute for International Affairs, Qianhai, emphasized that Qianhai must chart a path of high-quality and sustainable development and make its contributions as a "special zone within a special zone" amid the virtuous cycle of expanding opening-up.

On December 7, the thematic event of the Qianhai Forum, the 2024 Annual Meeting of the China Pilot Free Trade Zone Research Institute Alliance and Seminar on Deepening the Pilot Free Trade Zone Upgrading Strategy, was held. The event featured the unveiling ceremony of the Institute of International Trade Rules at the University of International Business and Economics (UIBE) and the launch of the 2024 International Trade Rules Observation Report by UIBE. The report summarized global trade and economic developments in 2023, offering valuable insights into the global economic governance system.

Source: The Authority of Qianhai Shenzhen-Hong Kong Modern Service Industry Cooperation Zone
Q Precious and Battery Metals Corp. ("QMET" or the "Company") (CSE:QMET) is pleased announce recommencement of diamond drilling over the 2024-2025 winter at their La Corne South project located north of Val d'Or, Quebec. The winter drilling will continue testing geophysical anomalies similar to those tested by the three drill holes completed to date.

Three drill holes that have been completed to date were designed to test coincident TDEM conductors with magnetic highs (attached figure EMG-6). As reported in previous news releases, results from hole 24LCS-01 indicate robust VMS-style mineralization containing elevated copper, zinc, silver, and gold. Results from core samples submitted from holes 24LCS-02 and 24LCS-03 are expected to be released soon.

Using weighted averages combined with copper equivalents, the following has been calculated for the massive sulphide zone intercepted in hole 24LCS-01 (previously released September 8, 2024):

1.8 % copperequivalent** over 6.1 metres* (122.75-127.6), including,

2.56% copperequivalent over 3.95 metres (122.75-126.7)

The weighted average for the total mineralized zone from 102.15 metres to 127.6 metres is calculated at:

0.83% copper equivalent over 25.45 metres

*True widths of mineralization have not yet been determined

**Copper equivalents utilize USA $80 per gram gold, $0.95 per gram silver, $1.30 per pound zinc, and $4.2 per pound copper.

The successful drilling of the TDEM anomaly at holes 24LCS-01 to 24LCS-03 indicates that these targets are of primary interest for further testing. The geophysics shows a cluster of TDEM anomalies further to the south, with the largest of the anomalies located approximately 215 m below surface. This anomaly (attached figure EMG-1) has potentially significant thickness as modelled by TMC (Maxwell plates). This will be the primary target for continued drilling at La Corne South.

The geophysics indicates a possible corridor of magnetic and electromagnetic anomalies over a two kilometer strike. The corridor is open to the northwest where surveying has yet to be completed, and the company plans to extend the geophysical surveying in that direction once exploration resumes.

The company is looking forward to receiving results from holes 24LCS-02 and 24LCS-03 which will aid in exploration planning.

Explo-Logik Inc, located in Val d'Or, is managing exploration including core logging and sampling at their facility. A total of 278 samples of core from the first three holes were directly delivered by Explo-Logik staff to the ALS laboratory in Val d'Or, Quebec. The samples underwent ALS ME-MS61L process that uses 4-acid digestion of pulverized samples followed by mass spectrometer detection for 48 elements, and process Au-ICP21 that analyzes for gold, platinum, and palladium using fire assay. For quality assurance and control Explo-Logik inserted blanks, standards, and duplicates at one insert every 10 samples.

Q PRECIOUS & BATTERY METALS CORP

QMET exploration programs undertaken in Quebec are supervised by Dr. Mathieu Piche, OGQ, with office located north of Val d'Or. He is also a Q Battery Metals company director. The company has 100% interest in mineral claims within Quebec, targeting critical and precious metals. Projects include the La Corne SouthVMS Project, McKenzie East Gold property, Lorrain Hydrogen Property and the recently acquired Pontax Lithium and Versant rare earth elements (REE) properties.

Cautionary Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions as of that date. These statements reflect management's current estimates, beliefs, intentions and expectations; they are not guarantees of future performance. The Company cautions that all forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain and that actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such factors include, among other things: risks and uncertainties relating to exploration and development; the ability of the Company to obtain additional financing; the Company's limited operating history; the need to comply with environmental and governmental regulations; fluctuations in the prices of commodities; operating hazards and risks; competition and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's Prospectus dated September 8, 2017 available on www.sedar.com. 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, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Richard Penn

CEO

(778) 384-8923

SOURCE: Q Precious & Battery Metals Corp.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 9, 2024) - Torex Gold Resources Inc. (the "Company" or "Torex") (TSX: TXG) provides an update on the carbon monoxide exposure at the El Limon Guajes underground mine ("ELG Underground") that claimed the lives of two employees and one contractor and injured a second contractor. The relevant authorities have all been notified and the Company is fully cooperating with regulators. Operations within ELG Underground have now resumed.

Jody Kuzenko, President & CEO of Torex, stated:

"There are no words to properly express the sorrow we feel as we mourn the three individuals who lost their lives at ELG Underground. Our focus has been on supporting the families of our employees to the fullest extent, and on supporting our team at site through this very difficult time.

"Authorities have undertaken their initial assessments and regulator-led investigations at various levels will continue with our full and transparent cooperation. We have also commenced our own internal investigation to determine how, despite multiple levels of safety protocols and controls, such a tragedy could have occurred. Findings from all audits and investigations will be used to reinforce safety protocols as required.

"While the full investigation is only just beginning, early indications are that the exposure was an isolated incident in an area of the mine that was being prepared for ventilation following a stope blast. Two experienced individuals went into a restricted area where carbon monoxide was present, and in an effort to rescue their colleagues who suffered exposure, two other individuals entered the area as well. Three of the individuals passed away as a result, while the fourth was transported to a local hospital and is now at home recovering.

"Following a 24-hour stand down, operations at ELG Underground have resumed, as have underground development and construction activities at Media Luna. Full-year 2024 production guidance and the Media Luna Project schedule have not been impacted.

"Our sincerest condolences remain with the families and loved ones of those who lost their lives. We commit to honouring their memory by working together at our operations and with the mining industry more broadly, to prevent something like this from ever happening again."

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 INFORMATION

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information includes the confirmation of the full-year 2024 production guidance and the Media Luna Project schedule and the Company's key strategic objectives. 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 identified in the Technical Report released on March 31, 2022, entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report ELG Mine Complex Life Of Mine Plan and Media Luna Feasibility Study", which has an effective date of March 16, 2022, and the Company's annual information form ("AIF") and management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") or other unknown but potentially significant impacts. Forward-looking information and statements are based on the assumptions discussed in the Technical Report, AIF and MD&A 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, MD&A and AIF are filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and available on the Company's website at www.torexgold.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232964

SOURCE: Torex Gold Resources Inc.
XXIX acquired Cuprum and its 100% owned Thierry Copper Project in an all-share deal

XXIX becomes one of Eastern Canada's largest copper developer

The combined Company was rebranded as XXIX Metal Corp., reflecting copper's atomic number 29

New TSXV Ticker symbol is XXIX, effective December 11

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 9, 2024) - XXIX Metal Corp . (TSXV: QCCU) (OTCQB: QCCUF) ("XXIX" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed the acquisition (the "Acquisition") of 100% of the issued and outstanding common shares of Cuprum Corp. ("Cuprum"), establishing XXIX as one of Canada's largest copper resource developers, with two multi-billion-pound copper deposits in Quebec and Ontario.

Link to XXIX's Corporate Presentation

"This transformative acquisition is a significant milestone in XXIX's growth strategy. Thierry, Ontario's largest copper resource, is a complementary addition to Opemiska, with both projects located in mining-friendly regions and benefiting from access to critical infrastructure. The Acquisition enhances XXIX's scale, establishing the Company as one of Eastern Canada's largest copper developers with a multi-billion-pound resource portfolio. With the transaction now complete, XXIX's technical team will focus on advancing both Opemiska and Thierry in tandem, accelerating the development of these cornerstone assets," said Stephen Stewart, CEO of XXIX.

The Company is also pleased to announce that the Company has changed its name from "QC Copper and Gold Inc." to "XXIX Metal Corp ." (the "Name Change"). Accordingly, it is anticipated that the Company's common shares ("Common Shares") will commence trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") under the new name and new stock ticker symbol "XXIX" at the start of trading on December 11, 2024. In connection with the Name Change, the following new CUSIP 901320101 and ISIN CA9013201012 numbers have been assigned to the Common Shares.

Pursuant to the Acquisition, the Company acquired all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Cuprum in consideration for the issuance of 1.1538 Common Shares for each one common share of Cuprum, based on the Common Share price of $0.13, for an aggregate total of 83,906,251 Common Shares. Following the completion of the Acquisition, the Company has 258,277,607 Common Shares issued and outstanding.

Completion of the Acquisition is subject to the final approval of the TSXV. The Acquisition was approved by disinterested shareholders and other matters at the special meeting held on December 4, 2024.

For more information on the Acquisition, please see the management information circular of the Company dated October 25, 2024, and the news releases dated October 1, 2024 and December 4, 2024 available on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

About XXIX Metal Corp .

XXIX (formerly QC Copper and Gold Corp.) is advancing its Opemiska and Thierry Copper projects, two significant Canadian copper assets. The Opemiska Project, Canada's highest-grade copper resource, spans 13,000 hectares in Quebec's Chapais-Chibougamau region, with strong infrastructure and nearby access to the Horne Smelter. A January 2024 resource update reported a 16% increase in contained Copper Equivalent (CuEq) and a 10% grade boost, including 87.3 million tonnes at 0.93% CuEq (Measured & Indicated) and additional Out of Pit resources. The Thierry Project hosts two past-producing open pits that transitioned to underground mining-producing 5.8Mt @ 1.13% Cu, 0.14% Ni between 1976 - 1982 by UMEX Inc. Historically, copper concentrate was shipped to the Horne Smelter in Rouyn-Noranda, QC. Significant infrastructure is already in place, with the Thierry property being accessible via all-season road, an airport within 5km, a provincial power grid within 8km, and nearby rail. With these two high-potential projects, the Company has solidified its position as a key player in the Canadian copper sector, and has established itself as one of Eastern Canada's largest copper developer.

Qualified Person Statement

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Charles Beaudry, P.Geo and geo., Director and Vice President Exploration for XXIX Metal Corp., a Qualified Person, as defined in "National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects."

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements. When used in this document, the words "may", "would", " could", "will", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "seek", "propose", "estimate", "expect", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Many factors could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to vary from those described in this news release. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in this news release as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Specific forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements pertaining to the commencement of trading of the Common Shares on the TSXV under the new name and new stock ticker. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of the risk factors set forth above and elsewhere in this news release. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. These statements are given only as of the date of this news release. The Company does not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232969

SOURCE: XXIX Metal Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 9, 2024) - GoviEx Uranium Inc. (TSXV: GXU) (OTCQB: GVXXF) ("GoviEx") and GoviEx Niger Holdings Ltd. ("GoviEx Niger"), GoviEx's fully owned subsidiary (together the "Companies"), have commenced arbitration proceedings (the "Arbitration") against the Republic of the Niger (the "State") under the Convention on the Settlement of Investment Disputes Between States and Nationals of Other States (the "ICSID Convention").

The Companies commenced the Arbitration pursuant to the arbitration clause set out in the Mining Convention signed on 26 May 2007 by GoviEx Niger and the State (the "Mining Convention") which is governed by Nigerien Law, including the 1993 Mining Law as supplemented in 1999 and amended in 2006 (the "Mining Code"), on the basis that the State breached its obligations, as set out in the Mining Convention and Nigerien Law.

In July 2024, the Niger Ministry of Mines informed GoviEx Niger of its decision to deprive the company of its rights under a mining permit (the "Mining Permit") granted to GoviEx Niger (the "Withdrawal Decision") for the Madaouela uranium project (the "Project"), and the Niger Council of Ministers later that month issued three decrees withdrawing the Mining Permit and abrogating the decrees granting the Mining Permit and approving the Mining Convention (together, the "Withdrawal Decrees").

The Companies consider that the Withdrawal Decision and Withdrawal Decrees constitute a breach of the State's obligations under the Mining Convention, the Mining Code and the Niger Civil Code, and that the conduct of the State vis-a-vis the Companies in relation to the Project constitutes a breach by the State of its obligation to execute its undertakings in good faith.

Over the last year and a half, the Companies received expressions of interest in excess of USD 200 million for Project related debt finance, started social and environmental due diligence with a prospective lender, updated the Project's Environmental and Social Impact Assessment, commenced Front-End Engineering Designs and initial ground works, including the construction of an access road necessary for exploiting the Project's mine.

With the recent recovery in uranium prices, the Project was poised for development and the Companies had started to advance despite the political changes in Niger since the coup d'Etat of July 2023. The Companies believe that the State's withdrawal of their rights to the Project will have a negative impact on the economic and social development of the region. With a forecast initial capital expenditure of USD 343 million, as well as considerable employment opportunities, the Project was forecast to create up to 800 jobs over its projected 20-year mine life, with substantial royalty payments and taxes payable to the State.1

While the Companies have attempted to settle their dispute with the State amicably, including through initiating a local administrative recourse before the Niger President of the Republic, the State has shown no willingness to engage with the Companies to reach an amicable settlement.

The Companies strongly believe that they are entitled to be reinstated in their rights to the Project and/or be awarded monetary compensation as a result of the State's conduct in relation to the Project and are accordingly pursuing a legal remedy under the Mining Convention to safeguard their rights. The Companies may, as required, pursue other available remedies, including international arbitration under the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding signed by GoviEx Niger and the State.

Notwithstanding the commencement of this Arbitration, the Companies remain committed to engaging constructively with the State to resolve the dispute.

Qualified Person Statement

The scientific and technical information in this release has been reviewed, verified, and approved by Mr. Jerome Randabel, MAIG, Chief Geologist of the Company, a Qualified Person as defined in Canadian National Instrument 43-101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects".

Notes:

1. See technical report titled, "A Feasibility Study for the Madaouela Uranium Project, Niger" dated effective November 01, 2022, available under the Company's profile on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca.

About GoviEx Uranium Inc.

GoviEx (TSXV: GXU) (OTCQB: GVXXF), is a mineral resource company focused on the exploration and development of uranium properties in Africa. GoviEx's principal objective is to become a significant uranium producer through the continued exploration and development of its mine-permitted Muntanga Project in Zambia.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release may contain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All information and statements other than statements of current or historical facts contained in this news release are forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed here and elsewhere in GoviEx's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. When used in this news release, words such as "will", "could", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "potential", "should," and similar expressions, are forward- looking statements. Information provided in this document is necessarily summarized and may not contain all available material information. Forward-looking statements include those in relation to (i) GoviEx's ability to establish in the Arbitration that the Withdrawal Decision and Withdrawal Decrees constitute a breach by the State of its relevant contractual and legal obligations; (ii) GoviEx's ability to be reinstated in its rights to the Project and/or be awarded monetary compensation as a result of the State's conduct in relation to the Project; (iii) GoviEx's ability to pursue other available remedies against the State, including through international arbitration under the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding; and (iv) GoviEx maintaining its commitment to engaging constructively with the State and stakeholders. Although GoviEx believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurances that its expectations will be achieved. Such assumptions, which may prove incorrect, include the following: (i) GoviEx will be able to establish in the Arbitration that the Withdrawal Decision and Withdrawal Decrees constitute a breach by the State of its relevant contractual and legal obligations; (ii) GoviEx will be able to obtain an arbitral award reinstating it in its rights to the Project and/or awarding GoviEx monetary compensation as a result of the State's conduct in relation to the Project; (iii) GoviEx will be able to pursue other available remedies against the State, including through international arbitration under the 2019 Memorandum of Understanding; and (iv) GoviEx will be able to maintain its commitment to engaging constructively with the State and stakeholders. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include (i) GoviEx not being successful in establishing in the Arbitration that the Withdrawal Decision and/or Withdrawal Decrees constitute a breach by the State of its relevant contractual and legal obligations (ii) GoviEx not being able to pursue the Arbitration or secure an arbitral award in its favour in the Arbitration, (iii) decisions made by the arbitral tribunal in the Arbitration, (iv) counterclaims or defences by the State in the Arbitration, (v) and any hurdles to the enforcement against the State of any award rendered in favour of GoviEx. In addition, the factors described or referred to in the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the MD&A for the year ended December 31, 2023, as well as the Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2023, of GoviEx, which are available on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca, should be reviewed in conjunction with the information found in this news release. Although GoviEx 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. 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. As a result of these risks and uncertainties, no assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking information in this news release will transpire or occur, or, if any of them do so, what benefits GoviEx will derive therefrom. 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 news release, and GoviEx disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law.

Cautionary Note to United States Persons:

The disclosure contained herein does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities of GoviEx.

Safe Harbor Statement under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: Except for the statements of historical fact contained herein, the information presented constitutes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements including but not limited to those referenced above collectively as "forward-looking statements" under the "Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information" involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, the performance or achievements of GoviEx to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232998

SOURCE: GoviEx Uranium Inc.
TOKYO, Dec 9, 2024 - (JCN Newswire) - Hitachi, Ltd. announced today that it received an order for five units of Hitachi Energy's sulfur hexafluoride (SF6)-free EconiQ 300 kilovolt (kV) circuit-breaker from Chubu Electric Power Grid. This is the first project in Japan where SF6-free circuit-breakers will be installed at voltages of 275 kV and above. It marks a milestone in achieving sustainable power grids in Japan and Chubu Electric Power Grid's ambition of reducing emissions to zero by 2050. The SF6-free EconiQ circuit-breaker reduces CO2-equivalent emissions from the insulating gas by 99.3 percent.SF6 gas has excellent insulation and switching performance and has been used for decades in power grids. It also has a global warming potential of 24,300 times higher than CO2 and remains in the atmosphere for more than 1,000 years if it leaks from the equipment.Governments around the globe are working on regulations to phase out the installation of new SF6 gas equipment to address climate change. Still, no regulations regarding eliminating SF6 gas equipment in Japan exist yet.With Japan's electricity demand expected to increase due to electrification and the expansion of data centers, it becomes crucial to strengthen the power grids while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. SF6-free switchgear, such as Hitachi Energy's EconiQ, is the only solution to this two-fold challenge - it has proven reliability, stays compact, and has the lowest carbon footprint.In 2022, Chubu Electric Power Grid announced its policy to adopt SF6-free circuit breakers up to 77 kV when they are replaced. Today, Chubu Electric Power Grid announced a progressive policy to accelerate its decarbonization initiatives by adopting SF6-free circuit breakers for 275 kV and above.Hitachi Energy launched EconiQ high-voltage products in 2021 to meet the demand for SF6-free equipment. The EconiQ high-voltage portfolio eliminates greenhouse gas emissions by replacing SF6 gas with an eco-efficient alternative gas while maintaining the same performance, size, safety, and reliability as conventional equipment using SF6 gas. The company is progressively expanding its EconiQ high-voltage product lineup. It has already developed SF6 gas-free products for grid-level voltages up to 550 kV.About Hitachi, Ltd.Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We solve customers' and society's challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products. Hitachi operates under the 3 business sectors of "Digital Systems & Services" - supporting our customers' digital transformation; "Green Energy & Mobility" - contributing to a decarbonized society through energy and railway systems, and "Connective Industries" - connecting products through digital technology to provide solutions in various industries. Driven by Digital, Green, and Innovation, we aim for growth through co-creation with our customers. The company's revenues as 3 sectors for fiscal year 2023 (ended March 31, 2024) totaled 8,564.3 billion yen, with 573 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 270,000 employees worldwide. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at https://www.hitachi.com.About Hitachi EnergyHitachi Energy is a global technology leader that is advancing a sustainable energy future for all. We are advancing the world's energy system to be more sustainable, flexible and secure and we collaborate with customers and partners to enable a sustainable energy future - for today's generations and those to come. Hitachi Energy has a proven track record and unparalleled installed base in more than 140 countries, serving customers in utility, industry, transportation, data centers and infrastructure sectors. With innovative technologies and services including the integration of more than 150 gigawatts of HVDC links into the power system, we help make the energy value chain more efficient, making electricity more accessible to all. Together with stakeholders across sectors and geographies, we enable the digital transformation required to accelerate the energy transition towards a carbon-neutral future. Headquartered in Switzerland, we employ around 45,000 people in 60 countries and generate business volumes of around $13 billion USD.https://www.hitachienergy.comhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/hitachienergyhttps://twitter.com/HitachiEnergySource: Hitachi, Ltd.Copyright 2024 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
Including 0.5 metres @ 2,541.9 g/t gold

Mawson Gold Limited ("Mawson" or the "Company") (TSXV:MAW)(Frankfurt:MXR)(OTC PINK:MWSNF) announces Southern Cross Gold Ltd. ("Southern Cross Gold" or "SXG") has released results from five drill holes from the Apollo prospect, with yet another significant discovery of 186 m @ 8.8 g/t Au * ("gold") (uncut) including 0.5 m @ 2,541.9 g/t Au at its 100%-owned Sunday Creek Gold-Antimony Project in Victoria. At Apollo, as for the adjacent Rising Sun mineralization, grades are increasing at depth.

High Level Take Away:

Sunday Creek Latest Results Setting New Records and Validating Growth Potential

The latest drill results continue to reinforce Sunday Creek as one of the best gold-antimony discoveries in the world, with a globally leading drill hit rate (fifty greater than 100 g/t AuEq x m from152 holes for 67,623 m drilled). Discovery hole number SDDSC145 delivered exceptional gold grades, including:

2,541.9 g/t Au over 0.5 metres , representing the third-highest composite intercept in the project's history 4,880.0 g/t Au over 0.3 metres within this interval, being the highest-grade assay at Apollo and second highest across the entire project

A broader mineralized zone of 8.8 g/t Au over 186 metres* (uncut), traversing 8 distinct high-grade vein sets

These intersections rank among the most impressive gold intercepts reported globally in recent years and are typical of the geology in the region, where spectacular high-grade gold is found at depth.

The systematic approach of testing the extensions of the deposit to depth has identified eight distinct mineralized vein-sets within SDDSC145. These vein-sets are like a "Golden Ladder" structure where the main host (100 m to 200 m wide) extends between the side rails deep into the earth, with multiple cross-cutting vein sets that host the gold forming rungs. These rungs are characterized by high-grade intercepts ranging from 20 g/t to over 7,330 g/t Au mineralization with at least 67 defined to date.

Approximately 20% of Sunday Creek's in-situ recoverable value is from antimony. Sunday Creek is on track to become one of the most significant antimony projects in the Western world. China last week ratcheted up further supply pressure, imposing an outright ban on exports of antimony to the United States. This positions the project as one of the few significant future antimony sources in the Western worl d at a time when defence supply chains face mounting pressure sourcing antimony and other critical metals.

Further drill results from the fourteen holes being processed at the laboratory will be soon released. SXG has one of the larger exploration drill programs globally with five rigs (moving to six shortly) drilling with 60,000 m planned by Q3 2025.

The combination of a globally significant discovery with exceptional gold grades and strategic antimony content, in a tier-one jurisdiction an hour by road from Melbourne, suggests that the next 12 months of SXG's systematic exploration and pre-developments plans will prove transformative.

For Those Who Like the Details:

SDDSC145 , drilled 186.0 m @ 9.6 g/t AuEq (8.8 g/t Au, 0.4% Sb ) * (uncut) which included nine intercepts of >50 g/t Au (up to 4,880.0 g/t Au over 0.3 m from 876.7 m) and eight intercepts of >5% Sb (up to 32.2% Sb) . Eight mineralized high-grade vein-sets were intersected with five being new discoveries outside the January 2024 exploration target area. Selected highlights including: 11.6 m @ 5.8 g/t AuEq (3.5 g/t Au, 1.3% Sb) from 708.6 m 8.0 m @ 11.9 g/t AuEq (10.6 g/t Au, 0.7% Sb) from 722.5 m, including: 0.5 m @ 133.2 g/t AuEq (131.2 g/t Au, 1.1% Sb) from 724.4 m 1.5 m @ 29.4 g/t AuEq (18.9 g/t Au, 5.6% Sb) from 753.2 m 0.9 m @ 45.9 g/t AuEq (44.1 g/t Au, 0.9% Sb) from 797.2 m 0.5 m @ 93.4 g/t AuEq (48.9 g/t Au, 23.6% Sb) from 828.8 m 2.3 m @ 19.2 g/t AuEq (19.2 g/t Au, 0.0% Sb) from 870.6 m 0.5 m @ 2,544.0 g/t AuEq (2,541.9 g/t Au, 1.1% Sb) from 876.4 m 4.8 m @ 21.8 g/t AuEq (14.7 g/t Au, 3.8% Sb) from 887.2 m, including 1.7 m @ 59.8 g/t AuEq (40.4 g/t Au, 10.3% Sb) from 890.3 m

SDDSC143, drilled 155 m up-dip of SDDSC145 intercepted nine vein mineralized vein sets and included five intercepts of >20 g/t Au (up to 86.6 g/t Au)and twelve intercepts of >5% Sb (up to 34.9%) . Selected highlights include: 2.8 m @ 17.5 g/t AuEq (9.9 g/t Au, 4.1% Sb) from 525.0 m, including: 1.6 m @ 29.7 g/t AuEq (16.1 g/t Au, 7.2% Sb) from 525.6 m 3.1 m @ 8.8 g/t AuEq (4.9 g/t Au, 2.1% Sb) from 630.4 m, including: 1.6 m @ 14.6 g/t AuEq (7.3 g/t Au, 3.9% Sb) from 631.9 m

Ongoing Exploration: Fourteen holes are currently being processed and analysed, with five holes in progress (Figure 1 and 2).

Mawson owns 96,590,910 shares of SXG (48.7%), valuing its stake at A$313.9 million (C$315.3 million) based on SXG's closing price on December 6, 2024 AEDT.

Michael Hudson, Mawson Interim CEO and Executive Chairman, states: "Sunday Creek again proves truly remarkable as demonstrated by these outstanding results. The intersection of 4,880 g/t Au over 0.3 metres in SDDSC145 marks not only the highest grade ever intersected at Apollo, but also stands as our second-highest grade across the entire project. Importantly, these high-grade results demonstrate excellent vertical continuity, with SDDSC145 extending our known high-grade mineralization 76 m down-dip.

"These latest drill results represent a significant advancement in understanding the deposit's scale and grade potential. Five vein sets were new discoveries outside the January 2024 exploration target area, including the 0.5 m @2,541.9 g/t Au intersection.

"The results align with the characteristic pattern of Victorian epizonal deposits, where grades typically improve at depth. We are now seeing Apollo mirror these same characteristics (as did the adjacent mineralized body at Rising Sun), as we explore deeper vertically below 600 m.

"Our systematic drilling approach continues to yield compelling high-grade and continuous drill results. The combination of exceptional gold grades and significant antimony content distinguishes Sunday Creek globally, particularly given antimony's critical metal status and limited production outside China, accentuated by the current export restrictions and bans from China.

"With fourteen holes currently being processed and five rigs actively drilling, our exploration program maintains strong momentum. These results further strengthen our conviction that Sunday Creek has the potential to emerge as a globally significant gold-antimony discovery right here in Victoria, just an hour by road from Melbourne."

Drill Hole Discussion

Results from drill holes SDDSC133, SDDSC136, SDDSC139, SDDSC143 and SDDSC145 (Figures 1 and 2) at the Apollo prospect at the 100%-owned Sunday Creek Gold-Antimony Project in Victoria are described below (Figure 4).

Drill hole SDDSC145 continues the systematic stepdown drilling program at Apollo, delivering exceptional results including a 0.5 m intersection grading 2,554 g/t AuEq. The hole achieved the highest-grade gold intersection ever recorded at Apollo and the second highest across the entire Sunday Creek Project, while also representing the fourth highest composite intercept to date.

The hole was strategically drilled parallel to the mineralized corridor (but at a high angle to the mineralized vein sets), testing a prospective window of 310 m within the host position and averaged 186.0 m @ 9.6 g/t AuEq (8.8 g/t Au, 0.4% Sb ) * (uncut).

A key achievement was extending the high-grade core of the A138 vein set in SDDSC145 0.5 m @ 2,544.0 g/t AuEq (2,541.9 g/t Au, 1.1% Sb) from 876.4 m, by 76 m down-dip below previously drilled SDDSC0128 0.3 m @ 43.4 g/t AuEq (28.6 g/t Au, 7.9% Sb) from 704.7 m, confirming strong vertical continuity of the mineralization (Figure 2).

Significant mineralization was intersected throughout the hole from 708 m to 890 m depth, with the deepest sections (>870 m) yielding some of the most impressive grades. This pattern of increasing grade with depth aligns with typical characteristics of Victorian epizonal deposits.

The drill hole intersected eight distinct mineralized vein-sets:

Four represent down-dip extensions

Four are infill intersections

Nine intervals exceeded 50 g/t Au (with a high of 4,880.0 g/t Au)

Eight intervals contained over 5% antimony (Sb), with values up to 32.2% Sb

These multiple high-grade zones demonstrate the presence of a robust mineralising system that continues to improve with depth, supporting the ongoing systematic deeper drilling program at Apollo. At Apollo, as for the adjacent Rising Sun mineralization, grades are increasing at depth. Extended highlights include:

2.1 m @ 1.3 g/t AuEq (1.3 g/t Au, 0.0% Sb) from 548.8 m

11.6 m @ 5.8 g/t AuEq (3.5 g/t Au, 1.3% Sb) from 708.6 m, including: 1.6 m @ 9.8 g/t AuEq (6.5 g/t Au, 1.8% Sb) from 710.2 m 2.7 m @ 7.3 g/t AuEq (3.8 g/t Au, 1.9% Sb) from 713.0 m 1.8 m @ 11.7 g/t AuEq (6.4 g/t Au, 2.8% Sb) from 716.9 m

8.0 m @ 11.9 g/t AuEq (10.6 g/t Au, 0.7% Sb) from 722.5 m, including: 0.5 m @ 133.2 g/t AuEq (131.2 g/t Au, 1.1% Sb) from 724.4 m 2.2 m @ 6.5 g/t AuEq (4.2 g/t Au, 1.2% Sb) from 727.5 m

2.0 m @ 1.1 g/t AuEq (0.5 g/t Au, 0.3% Sb) from 733.4 m

1.5 m @ 29.4 g/t AuEq (18.9 g/t Au, 5.6% Sb) from 753.2 m, including: 0.7 m @ 62.9 g/t AuEq (39.8 g/t Au, 12.3% Sb) from 753.4 m

6.2 m @ 1.3 g/t AuEq (0.6 g/t Au, 0.4% Sb) from 758.8 m

5.4 m @ 2.0 g/t AuEq (1.2 g/t Au, 0.5% Sb) from 781.1 m, including: 1.2 m @ 5.5 g/t AuEq (2.3 g/t Au, 1.7% Sb) from 783.9 m

0.9 m @ 45.9 g/t AuEq (44.1 g/t Au, 0.9% Sb) from 797.2 m, including: 0.3 m @ 130.5 g/t AuEq (127.0 g/t Au, 1.9% Sb) from 797.2 m

1.4 m @ 5.2 g/t AuEq (4.2 g/t Au, 0.5% Sb) from 801.7 m, including: 0.4 m @ 15.5 g/t AuEq (13.1 g/t Au, 1.3% Sb) from 801.7 m

4.1 m @ 1.4 g/t AuEq (0.5 g/t Au, 0.5% Sb) from 805.6 m

1.3 m @ 8.0 g/t AuEq (3.6 g/t Au, 2.4% Sb) from 822.5 m

0.5 m @ 93.4 g/t AuEq (48.9 g/t Au, 23.6% Sb) from 828.8 m

1.8 m @ 4.4 g/t AuEq (2.6 g/t Au, 0.9% Sb) from 837.3 m, including: 1.5 m @ 4.6 g/t AuEq (2.7 g/t Au, 1.0% Sb) from 837.3 m

2.3 m @ 19.2 g/t AuEq (19.2 g/t Au, 0.0% Sb) from 870.6 m, including: 0.5 m @ 85.3 g/t AuEq (85.2 g/t Au, 0.1% Sb) from 872.3 m

0.5 m @ 2,544.0 g/t AuEq (2,541.9 g/t Au, 1.1% Sb) from 876.4 m

4.8 m @ 21.8 g/t AuEq (14.7 g/t Au, 3.8% Sb) from 887.2 m, including: 1.7 m @ 59.8 g/t AuEq (40.4 g/t Au, 10.3% Sb) from 890.3 m



Drill hole SDDSC143 , positioned 155 m up-dip from SDDSC145, successfully tested a 224 m prospective corridor, delivering strong infill results across nine mineralized vein sets. The hole extended three high-grade vein sets by 20 m to 40 m while returning five intercepts greater than 20 g/t Au (with values up to 86.6 g/t Au) and twelve intercepts exceeding 5% Sb (reaching up to 34.9% Sb) . This infill hole has effectively enhanced the understanding of the mineralization between previously drilled sections. Extended highlights include:

1.5 m @ 8.0 g/t AuEq (3.9 g/t Au, 2.2% Sb) from 449.7 m

1.6 m @ 2.1 g/t AuEq (1.5 g/t Au, 0.4% Sb) from 459.9 m

1.9 m @ 1.6 g/t AuEq (0.5 g/t Au, 0.6% Sb) from 496.9 m

2.1 m @ 5.3 g/t AuEq (4.5 g/t Au, 0.4% Sb) from 508.1 m, including: 0.5 m @ 21.4 g/t AuEq (20.2 g/t Au, 0.7% Sb) from 509.8 m

2.8 m @ 17.5 g/t AuEq (9.9 g/t Au, 4.1% Sb) from 525.0 m, including: 1.6 m @ 29.7 g/t AuEq (16.1 g/t Au, 7.2% Sb) from 525.6 m

4.9 m @ 1.5 g/t AuEq (1.1 g/t Au, 0.2% Sb) from 537.7 m

1.3 m @ 5.1 g/t AuEq (3.7 g/t Au, 0.8% Sb) from 545.3 m

5.4 m @ 1.8 g/t AuEq (1.0 g/t Au, 0.4% Sb) from 553.3 m

3.7 m @ 1.0 g/t AuEq (0.8 g/t Au, 0.1% Sb) from 602.4 m

2.5 m @ 6.4 g/t AuEq (2.0 g/t Au, 2.3% Sb) from 611.9 m, including: 0.4 m @ 34.3 g/t AuEq (7.2 g/t Au, 14.4% Sb) from 612.4 m

3.1 m @ 8.8 g/t AuEq (4.9 g/t Au, 2.1% Sb) from 630.4 m, including: 1.6 m @ 14.6 g/t AuEq (7.3 g/t Au, 3.9% Sb) from 631.9 m

0.9 m @ 21.9 g/t AuEq (12.1 g/t Au, 5.2% Sb) from 640.8 m, including: 0.6 m @ 34.0 g/t AuEq (18.5 g/t Au, 8.2% Sb) from 641.2 m

0.8 m @ 3.5 g/t AuEq (0.8 g/t Au, 1.5% Sb) from 649.9 m

Drill hole SDDSC139 , originally designed to extend vein sets at Apollo East, deviated from its planned trajectory and was unsuccessful at intersecting the original target position. While the hole intersected four mineralized zones, only one achieved significant grades - the A130 vein set, which returned 1.1 m @ 19.2 g/t AuEq. The hole included three intercepts of >10 g/t Au (up to 77.5 g/t Au) and three intercepts of >5% Sb (up to 7.36% Sb) . Extended highlights include:

0.7 m @ 3.6 g/t AuEq (0.8 g/t Au, 1.5% Sb) from 367.5 m

0.9 m @ 5.5 g/t AuEq (1.6 g/t Au, 2.1% Sb) from 395.1 m

0.2 m @ 13.1 g/t AuEq (3.7 g/t Au, 5.0% Sb) from 401.2 m

1.1 m @ 19.2 g/t AuEq (16.4 g/t Au, 1.5% Sb) from 436.3 m, including: 0.9 m @ 21.2 g/t AuEq (18.4 g/t Au, 1.5% Sb) from 436.3 m



SDDSC133 and SDDSC136 were designed as control holes at Apollo East, with the intention to locate the dyke position. Both holes drilled N-S striking faults at the expected dyke location and hence did not intercept the dyke body. SDDSC133 intercepted the Goliath Fault, and SDDSC136 intercepted the Gatekeeper Fault.

Highlight from SDDSC136:

1.6 m @ 2.6 g/t AuEq (2.6 g/t Au, 0.0% Sb) from 147.0 m

Pending Results and Update

Fourteen holes (SDDSC120W1, 129, 140, 142, 144, 146, 146W1, 147-151, 153, 155) are currently being processed and analyzed, with five holes (SDDSC149W1, 152, 154, 155A, 157) in progress (Figures 1 and 2).

Further Information

No upper gold grade cut is applied in the averaging and intervals are reported as drill thickness. However, during future Mineral Resource studies, the requirement for assay top cutting will be assessed. The Company notes that due to rounding of assay results to one significant figure, minor variations in calculated composite grades may occur.

Figures 1 to 4 show project location, plan and longitudinal views of drill results reported here and Tables 2 to 4 provide collar and assay data. The true thickness of the mineralized intervals reported individually as estimated true widths ("ETW"), otherwise they are interpreted to be approximately 25% to 50% of the sampled thickness for other reported holes. Lower grades were cut at 1.0 g/t AuEq lower cutoff over a maximum width of 2 m with higher grades cut at 5.0 g/t AuEq lower cutoff over a maximum of 1 m width unless specified unless otherwise* specified to demonstrate higher grade assays.

About Sunday Creek

The Sunday Creek epizonal-style gold project is located 60 km north of Melbourne within 16,900 hectares ("Ha") of granted exploration tenements. SXG is also the freehold landholder of 133.29 Ha that form the key portion in and around the main drilled area at the Sunday Creek Project and is closing on a 921.22 Ha (total 1,054.51 Ha or 2,605.8 acres) subject to Foreign Investment Board ("FIRB") approval.

Gold and antimony form in a relay of vein sets that cut across a steeply dipping zone of intensely altered rocks (the "host"). When observed from above, the host resembles the side rails of a ladder, where the sub-vertical mineralized vein sets are the rungs that extend from surface to depth. At Apollo and Rising Sun these individual 'rungs' have been defined over 600 m depth extent from surface to 1,100 m below surface, are 2.5 m to 3.5 m wide (median widths) (and up to 10 m), and 20 m to 100 m in strike.

Cumulatively, 152 drill holes for 67,623.19 m have been reported by SXG (and Mawson Gold Ltd) from Sunday Creek since late 2020. An additional 12 holes for 582.55 m from Sunday Creek were abandoned due to deviation or hole conditions. Fourteen drillholes for 2,383 m have been reported regionally outside of the main Sunday Creek drill area. A total of 64 historic drill holes for 5,599 m were completed from the late 1960s to 2008. The project now contains a total of fifty (50) >100 g/t AuEq x m and fifty-eight (58) >50 to 100 g/t AuEq x m drill holes by applying a 2 m @ 1 g/t lower cut.

Our systematic drill program is strategically targeting these significant vein formations, initially these have been defined over 1,350 m strike of the host from Christina to Apollo prospects, of which approximately 620 m has been more intensively drill tested (Rising Sun to Apollo). At least 67 'rungs' have been defined to date, defined by high-grade intercepts (20 g/t to >7,330 g/t Au) along with lower grade edges. Ongoing step-out drilling is aiming to uncover the potential extent of this mineralized system (Figure 3).

Geologically, the project is located within the Melbourne Structural Zone in the Lachlan Fold Belt. The regional host to the Sunday Creek mineralization is an interbedded turbidite sequence of siltstones and minor sandstones metamorphosed to sub-greenschist facies and folded into a set of open north-west trending fold.

Exploration Target

On January 23, 2024, SXG announced the maiden gold and antimony Exploration Target at its flagship 100%-owned Sunday Creek Project in Victoria, Australia. The Exploration Target ranges reported are shown in Table 1. Notably, the Exploration Target was constrained to the current drill footprint at Apollo (in shallower areas broadly above holes report here) and Rising Sun, as at the time these areas only contained sufficient drilling to determine continuity and infer grade ranges. Significant potential exists to increase the size of the exploration target with high grade drill results now drilled for up to 650 m beyond the Exploration Target area.

Table 1. Sunday Creek Exploration Target for Apollo and Rising Sun at the Sunday Creek Project

Range Tonnes (Mt) AuEq g/t* Au g/t Sb % Au Eq (Moz) Au (Moz) Sb (kt) Lower Case 4.4 7.2 5.3 1.2 1.0 0.74 53.5 Upper Case 5.1 9.7 7.8 1.2 1.6 1.28 62.8

The volume of the modeled areas determines the potential tonnage statement in the exploration target. The grade range given in the exploration target is determined with consideration to the drill results within the modeled exploration target area and consideration of the geological setting in an established mining camp. The potential tonnages and grades are conceptual in nature and are based on previous drill results that defined the approximate length, thickness, depth and grade of the portion of the historic mineral resource estimate. There has been insufficient exploration to define a current mineral resource and the Company cautions that there is a risk further exploration will not result in the delineation of a current mineral resource.

The gold equivalent calculation applied for exploration target was ???????? = ???? (??/??) + 1.58  ???? (%), whereas today the Company is applying ???????? = ???? (??/??) + 1.88  ???? (%) (see below for further description).

Further Information

Further discussion and analysis of the Sunday Creek project by Southern Cross Gold is available on the SXG website at www.southerncrossgold.com.au.

Critical Metal Epizonal Gold-Antimony Deposits

Sunday Creek (Figure 4) is an epizonal gold-antimony deposit formed in the late Devonian (like Fosterville, Costerfield and Redcastle), 60 million years later than mesozonal gold systems formed in Victoria (for example Ballarat and Bendigo). Epizonal deposits are a form of orogenic gold deposit classified according to their depth of formation: epizonal (<6 km), mesozonal (6-12 km) and hypozonal (>12 km).

Epizonal deposits in Victoria often have associated high levels of the critical metal, antimony, and Sunday Creek is no exception. China claims a 56 per cent share of global mined supplies of antimony, according to a 2023 European Union study. Antimony features highly on the critical minerals lists of many countries including Australia, the United States of America, Canada, Japan and the European Union. Australia ranks seventh for antimony production despite all production coming from a single mine at Costerfield in Victoria, located nearby to all SXG projects. Antimony alloys with lead and tin which results in improved properties for solders, munitions, bearings and batteries. Antimony is a prominent additive for halogen-containing flame retardants. Adequate supplies of antimony are critical to the world's energy transition, and to the high-tech industry, especially the semi-conductor and defence sectors where it is a critical additive to primers in munitions.

The Chinese government placed export limits on September 15, 2024 on six antimony-related products. Additionally, the new policy bans gold-antimony smelting separation technology exports without permission from the ministry. This week China further ratcheted up supply pressure, imposing an outright ban on exports of gallium, germanium and antimony to the United States. This puts pressure on Western defence supply chains and negatively affect the supply of the metal and push up pricing given China's dominance of the supply of the metal in the global markets. This is positive for SXG as we are likely to have one of the very few large and high-quality projects of antimony in the western world that can feed western demand into the future.

Antimony represents approximately 20% in situ recoverable value of Sunday Creek at an AuEq of 1.88.

Technical Background and Qualified Person

The Qualified Person, Michael Hudson, Executive Chairman and a director of Mawson Gold, and a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, has reviewed, verified and approved the technical contents of this release.

Analytical samples are transported to the Bendigo facility of On Site Laboratory Services ("On Site") which operates under both an ISO 9001 and NATA quality systems. Samples were prepared and analyzed for gold using the fire assay technique (PE01S method; 25 gram charge), followed by measuring the gold in solution with flame AAS equipment. Samples for multi-element analysis (BM011 and over-range methods as required) use aqua regia digestion and ICP-MS analysis. The QA/QC program of Southern Cross Gold consists of the systematic insertion of certified standards of known gold content, blanks within interpreted mineralized rock and quarter core duplicates. In addition, On Site inserts blanks and standards into the analytical process.

MAW considers that both gold and antimony that are included in the gold equivalent calculation ("AuEq") have reasonable potential to be recovered at Sunday Creek, given current geochemical understanding, historic production statistics and geologically analogous mining operations. Historically, ore from Sunday Creek was treated onsite or shipped to the Costerfield mine, located 54 km to the northwest of the project, for processing during WW1. The Costerfield mine corridor, now owned by Mandalay Resources Ltd contains two million ounces of equivalent gold (Mandalay Q3 2021 Results), and in 2020 was the sixth highest-grade global underground mine and a top 5 global producer of antimony.

MAW considers that it is appropriate to adopt the same gold equivalent variables as Mandalay Resources Ltd in its Mandalay Technical Report, 2024 dated March 28, 2024. The gold equivalence formula used by Mandalay Resources was calculated using Costerfield's 2023 production costs, using a gold price of US$1,900 per ounce, an antimony price of US$12,000 per tonne and 2023 total year metal recoveries of 94% for gold and 89% for antimony, and is as follows:

???????? = ???? (??/??) + 1.88  ???? (%).

Based on the latest Costerfield calculation and given the similar geological styles and historic toll treatment of Sunday Creek mineralization at Costerfield, SXG considers that a ???????? = ???? (??/??) + 1.88  ???? (%) is appropriate to use for the initial exploration targeting of gold-antimony mineralization at Sunday Creek.

About Mawson Gold Limited (TSXV:MAW, FRANKFURT:MXR, OTCPINK:MWSNF)

Mawson Gold Limited has distinguished itself as a leading Nordic exploration company. Over the last decades, the team behind Mawson has forged a long and successful record of discovering, financing, and advancing mineral projects in the Nordics and Australia. Mawson holds the Skelleftea North gold discovery and a portfolio of historic uranium resources in Sweden. Mawson also holds 48.7% of Southern Cross Gold Ltd. (ASX:SXG) which owns or controls two high-grade, historic epizonal goldfields in Victoria, Australia, including the exciting Sunday Creek Au-Sb discovery.

About Southern Cross Gold Ltd (ASX:SXG)

Southern Cross Gold holds the 100%-owned Sunday Creek project in Victoria and Mt Isa project in Queensland, the Redcastle joint venture in Victoria, Australia, and a strategic 6.7% holding in ASX-listed Nagambie Resources Limited (ASX:NAG) which grants SXG a Right of First Refusal over a 3,300 square kilometer tenement package held by NAG in Victoria.

On behalf of the Board,

"Michael Hudson"

Michael Hudson, Interim CEO and Executive Chairman Further Information

www.mawsongold.com

1305 - 1090 West Georgia St., Vancouver, BC, V6E 3V7

Mariana Bermudez (Canada), Corporate Secretary

+1 (604) 685 9316 info@mawsongold.com

Forward-Looking Statement

This news release contains forward-looking statements or forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). All statements herein, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Although Mawson believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as: believe, expect, anticipate, intend, estimate, postulate, and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Mawson cautions investors that any forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future results or performance, and that actual results may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements as a result of various factors, including, Mawson's expectations regarding its ownership interest in Southern Cross Gold, capital and other costs varying significantly from estimates, changes in world metal markets, changes in equity markets, the potential impact of epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises on the Company's business, risks related to negative publicity with respect to the Company or the mining industry in general; exploration potential being conceptual in nature, there being insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource on the Australian-projects owned by SXG, and uncertainty if further exploration will result in the determination of a mineral resource; planned drill programs and results varying from expectations, delays in obtaining results, equipment failure, unexpected geological conditions, local community relations, dealings with non-governmental organizations, delays in operations due to permit grants, environmental and safety risks, and other risks and uncertainties. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Mawson disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

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.

Figure 1: Sunday Creek plan view showing selected results from holes SDDSC133, SDDSC136, SDDSC139, SDDSC143 and SDDSC145 reported here (blue highlighted box, black trace), with selected prior reported drill holes and pending holes.

Figure 2: Sunday Creek longitudinal section across A-B in the plane of the dyke breccia/altered sediment host looking towards the north (striking 236 degrees) showing mineralized veins sets. Showing hole SDDSC133, SDDSC136, SDDSC139, SDDSC143 and SDDSC145 reported here (blue highlighted box, black trace), with selected intersections and prior reported drill holes. The vertical extents of the vein sets are limited by proximity to drill hole pierce points. For location refer to Figure 1.

Figure 3: Sunday Creek regional plan view showing soil sampling, structural framework, regional historic epizonal gold mining areas and broad regional areas tested by 12 holes for 2,383 m drill program. The regional drill areas are at Tonstal, Consols and Leviathan located 4,000-7,500 m along strike from the main drill area at Golden Dyke- Apollo.

Figure 4: Location of the Sunday Creek project, along with the 100% owned Redcastle gold-antimony project and simplified geology.

Table 2: Drill collar summary table for recent drill holes in progress.

Hole-ID Depth (m) Prospect East GDA94_Z55 North GDA94_Z55 Elevation Azimuth Plunge SDDSC120W1 1088.5 Rising Sun 331108 5867977 319 267 -55 SDDSC129 1269.8 Rising Sun 330339 5867860 277 77 -58 SDDSC133 347.2 Apollo East 331376 5867742 335 8 -42 SDDSC136 349 Apollo East 331375 5867742 335 329 -41 SDDSC139 469.2 Apollo East 331464 5867865 333 267 -38 SDDSC140 352.9 Christina 330075 5867612 274 9 -70 SDDSC141 935.3 Golden Dyke 330809 5867842 301 272 -53 SDDSC142 500.67 Christina 330075 5867612 274 292 -70 SDDSC143 667.6 Apollo 331464 5867865 333 270 -39 SDDSC144 800.7 Rising Sun 330338 5867860 277 76 -56 SDDSC145 941 Apollo 331594 5867955 344 264 -40 SDDSC146 245.7 Christina 330073 5867612 274 273 -42 SDDSC146W1 461.2 Christina 330073 5867612 274 273 -42 SDDSC147 977.2 Golden Dyke 330809 5867842 301 278 -57 SDDSC148 563.6 Christina 330073 5867611 274 278 -57.2 SDDSC149 970.8 Apollo 331594 5867955 344 266 -47 SDDSC149W1 In progress plan 990 m Apollo 331594 5867955 344 266 -47 SDDSC150 638.8 Christina 330333.4 5867860 276.9 244 -65 SDDSC151 737.2 Golden Dyke 330809 5867842 301 273.8 -56.5 SDDSC152 In progress plan 1100 m Rising Sun 330815.9 5867599 295.8 328 -65 SDDSC153 641.6 Christina 330333.4 5867860 276.9 244.8 -52.5 SDDSC154 In progress plan 330 m Christina 330075.1 5867612 273.6 60 -26.5 SDDSC155 31 Rising Sun 330338.7 5867860 276.9 72.7 -63.5 SDDSC155A In progress plan 1025 m Rising Sun 330338.7 5867860 276.9 72.7 -63.5 SDDSC157 In progress plan 900 m Golden Dyke 330818 5867847 301.2 276.6 -58.4

Table 3: Table of mineralized drill hole intersections reported from SDDSC136, SDDSC139, SDDSC143 and SDDSC145 using two cutoff criteria. Lower grades cut at 1.0 g/t AuEq lower cutoff over a maximum of 2 m with higher grades cut at 5.0 g/t AuEq cutoff over a maximum of 1 m.

Hole-ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au g/t Sb% AuEq g/t SDDSC136 147.0 148.6 1.6 2.6 0.0 2.6 SDDSC139 367.5 368.2 0.7 0.8 1.5 3.6 SDDSC139 395.1 396.0 0.9 1.6 2.1 5.5 SDDSC139 401.2 401.4 0.2 3.7 5.0 13.1 SDDSC139 436.3 437.4 1.1 16.4 1.5 19.2 including 436.3 437.2 0.9 18.4 1.5 21.2 SDDSC143 449.7 451.2 1.5 3.9 2.2 8.0 SDDSC143 459.9 461.5 1.6 1.5 0.4 2.1 SDDSC143 496.9 498.8 1.9 0.5 0.6 1.6 SDDSC143 508.1 510.2 2.1 4.5 0.4 5.3 including 509.8 510.3 0.5 20.2 0.7 21.4 SDDSC143 525.0 527.8 2.8 9.9 4.1 17.5 including 525.6 527.2 1.6 16.1 7.2 29.7 SDDSC143 537.7 542.6 4.9 1.1 0.2 1.5 SDDSC143 545.3 546.6 1.3 3.7 0.8 5.1 SDDSC143 553.3 558.7 5.4 1.0 0.4 1.8 SDDSC143 602.4 606.1 3.7 0.8 0.1 1.0 SDDSC143 611.9 614.4 2.5 2.0 2.3 6.4 including 612.4 612.8 0.4 7.2 14.4 34.3 SDDSC143 630.4 633.5 3.1 4.9 2.1 8.8 including 631.9 633.5 1.6 7.3 3.9 14.6 SDDSC143 640.8 641.7 0.9 12.1 5.2 21.9 including 641.2 641.8 0.6 18.5 8.2 34.0 SDDSC143 649.9 650.7 0.8 0.8 1.5 3.5 SDDSC145 548.8 550.9 2.1 1.3 0.0 1.3 SDDSC145 708.6 720.2 11.6 3.5 1.3 5.8 including 710.2 711.8 1.6 6.5 1.8 9.8 including 713.0 715.7 2.7 3.8 1.9 7.3 including 716.9 718.7 1.8 6.4 2.8 11.7 SDDSC145 722.5 730.5 8 10.6 0.7 11.9 including 724.4 724.9 0.5 131.2 1.1 133.2 including 727.5 729.7 2.2 4.2 1.2 6.5 SDDSC145 733.4 735.4 2 0.5 0.3 1.1 SDDSC145 753.2 754.7 1.5 18.9 5.6 29.4 including 753.4 754.1 0.7 39.8 12.3 62.9 SDDSC145 758.8 765.0 6.2 0.6 0.4 1.3 SDDSC145 781.1 786.5 5.4 1.2 0.5 2.0 including 783.9 785.1 1.2 2.3 1.7 5.5 SDDSC145 797.2 798.1 0.9 44.1 0.9 45.9 including 797.2 797.5 0.3 127.0 1.9 130.5 SDDSC145 801.7 803.1 1.4 4.2 0.5 5.2 including 801.7 802.1 0.4 13.1 1.3 15.5 SDDSC145 805.6 809.7 4.1 0.5 0.5 1.4 SDDSC145 822.5 823.8 1.3 3.6 2.4 8.0 SDDSC145 828.8 829.3 0.5 48.9 23.6 93.4 SDDSC145 837.3 839.1 1.8 2.6 0.9 4.4 including 837.3 838.8 1.5 2.7 1.0 4.6 SDDSC145 870.6 872.9 2.3 19.2 0.0 19.2 including 872.3 872.8 0.5 85.2 0.1 85.3 SDDSC145 876.4 876.9 0.5 2541.9 1.1 2544.0 SDDSC145 887.2 892.0 4.8 14.7 3.8 21.8 including 890.3 892.0 1.7 40.4 10.3 59.8

Table 4: All individual assays reported from SDDSC133, SDDSC136, SDDSC139, SDDSC143 and SDDSC145 reported here >0.1g/t AuEq..

Hole-ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au ppm Sb% AuEq (g/t) SDDSC136 142.6 143.6 0.9 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC136 143.6 144.6 1.0 0.1 0.0 0.2 SDDSC136 146.3 147.0 0.7 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC136 147.0 148.0 1.0 1.6 0.0 1.6 SDDSC136 148.0 148.6 0.7 4.0 0.0 4.0 SDDSC136 148.6 148.9 0.3 0.4 0.0 0.5 SDDSC139 195.1 195.5 0.5 0.5 0.0 0.5 SDDSC139 349.5 349.8 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC139 349.8 350.3 0.5 0.4 0.0 0.4 SDDSC139 350.3 351.6 1.3 0.2 0.0 0.3 SDDSC139 351.6 352.0 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.2 SDDSC139 361.9 363.2 1.3 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC139 363.2 364.0 0.8 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC139 364.0 365.1 1.1 0.4 0.0 0.4 SDDSC139 365.1 365.5 0.4 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC139 365.5 366.2 0.7 0.4 0.0 0.4 SDDSC139 366.2 366.7 0.6 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC139 366.7 367.0 0.2 0.8 0.0 0.9 SDDSC139 367.0 367.5 0.5 0.5 0.1 0.7 SDDSC139 367.5 367.6 0.2 0.5 4.5 8.8 SDDSC139 367.6 368.1 0.5 0.7 0.4 1.5 SDDSC139 368.1 368.2 0.1 1.8 1.6 4.8 SDDSC139 368.2 369.0 0.8 0.2 0.1 0.5 SDDSC139 369.8 370.5 0.7 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC139 371.3 372.1 0.8 0.3 0.0 0.4 SDDSC139 372.1 373.0 0.9 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC139 373.0 374.2 1.2 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC139 374.2 375.3 1.1 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC139 376.2 377.1 0.8 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC139 380.2 381.1 0.9 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC139 382.8 384.0 1.1 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC139 386.1 387.1 0.9 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC139 387.8 388.3 0.5 0.4 0.0 0.4 SDDSC139 391.9 392.1 0.2 1.1 0.1 1.2 SDDSC139 393.0 394.1 1.1 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC139 395.1 395.2 0.1 12.5 0.9 14.1 SDDSC139 395.7 396.0 0.2 0.2 7.4 14.1 SDDSC139 396.0 396.3 0.4 0.3 0.1 0.4 SDDSC139 399.2 399.9 0.7 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC139 401.2 401.4 0.2 3.7 5.0 13.1 SDDSC139 401.4 402.0 0.6 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC139 402.0 403.1 1.1 0.4 0.0 0.4 SDDSC139 403.1 403.2 0.1 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC139 403.2 404.3 1.1 0.6 0.0 0.6 SDDSC139 408.6 409.3 0.7 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC139 416.4 416.9 0.6 1.0 0.0 1.0 SDDSC139 421.2 421.8 0.6 0.4 0.0 0.4 SDDSC139 427.6 428.3 0.8 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC139 430.0 431.0 1.0 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC139 431.7 432.2 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC139 433.1 434.0 0.9 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC139 435.2 436.3 1.1 0.7 0.0 0.8 SDDSC139 436.3 436.8 0.5 5.2 0.3 5.7 SDDSC139 436.8 436.9 0.1 77.5 6.2 89.1 SDDSC139 436.9 437.1 0.2 2.5 0.0 2.6 SDDSC139 437.1 437.2 0.1 62.6 6.7 75.2 SDDSC139 437.2 437.4 0.1 2.3 1.4 4.9 SDDSC139 437.4 438.1 0.7 0.8 0.0 0.8 SDDSC139 438.1 438.5 0.4 0.4 0.0 0.4 SDDSC139 438.5 439.5 1.0 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC139 442.6 442.8 0.2 0.4 0.0 0.4 SDDSC139 442.8 444.1 1.3 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC139 446.0 446.5 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC139 446.5 446.9 0.4 1.1 0.0 1.2 SDDSC143 206.9 207.3 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC143 207.3 207.7 0.4 0.4 0.0 0.4 SDDSC143 207.7 208.4 0.7 1.0 0.0 1.0 SDDSC143 208.4 208.7 0.3 0.5 0.0 0.5 SDDSC143 378.6 379.4 0.8 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC143 407.9 409.0 1.2 0.6 0.0 0.6 SDDSC143 409.0 410.2 1.2 0.5 0.0 0.5 SDDSC143 412.8 413.9 1.1 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC143 414.4 415.6 1.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC143 415.6 416.9 1.4 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC143 416.9 418.0 1.1 0.4 0.0 0.4 SDDSC143 418.0 419.3 1.3 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC143 419.3 420.5 1.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC143 420.5 421.2 0.7 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC143 433.7 434.7 1.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC143 449.0 449.7 0.7 0.1 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 449.7 450.2 0.5 1.8 0.1 2.1 SDDSC143 450.2 450.6 0.3 4.9 0.0 4.9 SDDSC143 450.6 451.1 0.5 2.5 1.2 4.8 SDDSC143 451.1 451.2 0.1 14.9 18.3 49.3 SDDSC143 451.2 451.4 0.2 0.4 0.0 0.5 SDDSC143 453.2 454.2 1.0 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 454.2 455.0 0.7 0.3 0.0 0.4 SDDSC143 455.0 455.9 1.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC143 455.9 456.7 0.8 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC143 456.7 457.2 0.5 0.4 0.5 1.4 SDDSC143 457.2 457.6 0.4 0.2 0.0 0.3 SDDSC143 457.6 458.4 0.8 0.5 0.0 0.6 SDDSC143 458.4 458.7 0.3 0.6 0.0 0.6 SDDSC143 458.7 459.7 1.0 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 459.7 459.9 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 459.9 460.1 0.2 2.6 1.5 5.3 SDDSC143 460.1 461.2 1.0 1.3 0.2 1.7 SDDSC143 461.2 461.5 0.4 1.2 0.1 1.4 SDDSC143 461.5 462.0 0.5 0.7 0.0 0.7 SDDSC143 465.4 466.0 0.6 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 466.0 466.5 0.5 0.6 0.1 0.7 SDDSC143 471.0 471.6 0.6 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC143 471.6 472.4 0.8 0.8 0.0 0.8 SDDSC143 472.4 473.0 0.6 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC143 481.2 481.5 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 481.5 481.8 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 481.8 482.3 0.5 0.6 0.0 0.6 SDDSC143 489.2 489.7 0.5 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC143 490.3 490.8 0.5 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 496.9 497.2 0.3 1.3 0.0 1.3 SDDSC143 497.2 497.6 0.4 0.4 0.1 0.6 SDDSC143 497.6 498.1 0.6 0.4 0.1 0.5 SDDSC143 498.7 498.8 0.2 1.0 7.1 14.3 SDDSC143 499.8 500.1 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 500.1 500.6 0.5 0.6 0.0 0.7 SDDSC143 500.6 501.5 0.9 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC143 501.5 502.2 0.7 0.5 0.0 0.5 SDDSC143 502.2 503.3 1.1 0.4 0.0 0.4 SDDSC143 503.3 504.0 0.7 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC143 507.4 507.6 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 508.1 508.6 0.5 0.5 0.8 2.0 SDDSC143 508.6 509.1 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC143 509.1 509.2 0.2 0.3 0.9 2.0 SDDSC143 509.2 509.8 0.6 0.2 0.0 0.3 SDDSC143 509.8 510.0 0.3 5.1 0.4 5.9 SDDSC143 510.0 510.2 0.2 39.0 1.0 40.9 SDDSC143 510.2 511.0 0.8 0.2 0.0 0.3 SDDSC143 511.0 511.5 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.3 SDDSC143 511.5 512.1 0.6 0.3 0.1 0.4 SDDSC143 512.1 512.4 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 512.4 512.7 0.3 0.6 0.1 0.7 SDDSC143 513.9 514.5 0.6 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 514.5 515.8 1.3 0.4 0.0 0.4 SDDSC143 515.8 516.3 0.5 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC143 516.3 516.7 0.3 3.8 0.0 3.8 SDDSC143 518.9 520.2 1.3 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 520.2 521.3 1.1 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC143 521.3 521.8 0.5 0.4 0.0 0.4 SDDSC143 523.8 525.0 1.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC143 525.0 525.6 0.6 2.6 0.1 2.8 SDDSC143 525.6 525.7 0.1 86.6 30.4 143.8 SDDSC143 525.7 525.9 0.2 13.1 2.6 18.0 SDDSC143 525.9 526.2 0.3 17.5 6.3 29.4 SDDSC143 526.2 526.5 0.3 1.5 4.2 9.3 SDDSC143 526.5 526.6 0.1 2.1 11.1 23.0 SDDSC143 526.6 527.0 0.4 4.6 2.5 9.2 SDDSC143 527.0 527.2 0.2 34.2 11.5 55.8 SDDSC143 527.2 527.8 0.6 1.1 0.0 1.2 SDDSC143 535.3 535.9 0.7 0.1 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 537.1 537.7 0.5 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC143 537.7 538.1 0.5 1.8 0.2 2.2 SDDSC143 538.1 538.4 0.2 1.5 0.3 2.1 SDDSC143 538.4 538.7 0.3 1.2 0.0 1.2 SDDSC143 538.7 539.2 0.6 1.1 0.0 1.1 SDDSC143 540.0 541.2 1.2 0.4 0.0 0.5 SDDSC143 541.2 541.4 0.1 2.5 1.0 4.4 SDDSC143 541.4 541.9 0.5 2.2 0.5 3.0 SDDSC143 541.9 542.3 0.4 2.3 0.3 2.8 SDDSC143 542.3 542.6 0.3 1.7 0.6 2.8 SDDSC143 542.6 543.3 0.7 0.5 0.0 0.5 SDDSC143 543.3 544.4 1.1 0.4 0.0 0.5 SDDSC143 544.4 545.3 0.9 0.5 0.0 0.5 SDDSC143 545.3 546.2 0.8 1.8 0.5 2.9 SDDSC143 546.2 546.5 0.4 1.7 1.3 4.1 SDDSC143 546.5 546.6 0.1 26.9 0.6 28.1 SDDSC143 546.6 547.1 0.5 0.6 0.1 0.7 SDDSC143 547.8 548.7 1.0 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 549.4 550.2 0.8 1.4 0.0 1.4 SDDSC143 552.3 553.3 1.0 0.3 0.1 0.4 SDDSC143 553.3 553.4 0.2 0.8 5.9 11.8 SDDSC143 553.4 554.1 0.7 1.0 0.2 1.4 SDDSC143 554.1 554.9 0.7 1.0 0.7 2.3 SDDSC143 554.9 555.2 0.3 2.0 1.6 5.1 SDDSC143 555.2 555.9 0.7 0.3 0.0 0.4 SDDSC143 555.9 556.4 0.5 1.5 0.1 1.7 SDDSC143 556.4 557.0 0.6 1.3 0.2 1.7 SDDSC143 557.0 557.9 0.9 0.9 0.0 1.0 SDDSC143 557.9 558.2 0.3 0.8 0.0 0.9 SDDSC143 558.2 558.6 0.4 1.1 0.0 1.1 SDDSC143 558.8 559.3 0.4 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC143 559.3 560.2 1.0 0.4 0.0 0.5 SDDSC143 560.9 562.0 1.1 0.2 0.0 0.3 SDDSC143 562.0 562.5 0.5 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 562.5 563.4 0.8 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 566.3 567.5 1.2 0.2 0.1 0.3 SDDSC143 567.5 568.7 1.2 0.7 0.2 1.0 SDDSC143 568.7 569.9 1.2 0.3 0.1 0.4 SDDSC143 571.1 572.3 1.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC143 572.3 573.5 1.2 0.8 0.1 0.9 SDDSC143 573.5 574.4 0.9 0.2 0.0 0.3 SDDSC143 574.4 575.5 1.1 0.8 0.1 1.0 SDDSC143 575.5 576.7 1.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC143 576.7 577.9 1.2 0.6 0.1 0.8 SDDSC143 589.1 590.3 1.2 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC143 593.6 593.8 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC143 593.8 594.4 0.5 0.5 0.1 0.6 SDDSC143 597.6 597.7 0.2 2.0 0.0 2.0 SDDSC143 597.7 598.0 0.3 0.7 0.0 0.8 SDDSC143 598.0 598.8 0.8 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 599.9 600.0 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 602.4 602.8 0.4 1.1 0.0 1.1 SDDSC143 602.8 603.8 1.0 0.1 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 603.8 604.8 1.0 1.3 0.0 1.3 SDDSC143 604.8 605.3 0.5 1.1 0.0 1.2 SDDSC143 605.3 606.1 0.8 1.0 0.2 1.4 SDDSC143 607.0 608.0 1.0 0.1 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 608.0 609.0 1.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC143 609.0 609.5 0.5 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 609.5 609.8 0.3 0.4 1.0 2.3 SDDSC143 609.8 611.0 1.2 0.5 0.0 0.6 SDDSC143 611.0 611.9 0.9 0.8 0.0 0.9 SDDSC143 611.9 612.4 0.5 1.4 0.1 1.5 SDDSC143 612.4 612.7 0.3 1.9 2.1 5.8 SDDSC143 612.7 612.8 0.2 16.2 34.9 81.8 SDDSC143 612.8 613.3 0.5 1.8 0.1 2.0 SDDSC143 613.3 614.0 0.7 0.1 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 614.0 614.4 0.4 1.2 0.0 1.2 SDDSC143 630.4 630.6 0.2 1.3 0.0 1.3 SDDSC143 630.6 630.9 0.4 1.2 0.0 1.2 SDDSC143 630.9 631.4 0.5 3.8 0.0 3.9 SDDSC143 631.4 631.7 0.3 2.4 0.2 2.7 SDDSC143 631.7 631.9 0.2 1.8 0.9 3.5 SDDSC143 631.9 632.3 0.4 9.6 6.4 21.6 SDDSC143 632.3 632.7 0.4 2.4 0.6 3.6 SDDSC143 632.7 633.0 0.3 2.8 4.1 10.4 SDDSC143 633.0 633.3 0.3 1.1 0.3 1.6 SDDSC143 633.3 633.5 0.2 30.3 11.4 51.7 SDDSC143 638.3 639.0 0.7 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 639.0 640.0 1.0 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 640.4 640.8 0.5 0.5 0.0 0.5 SDDSC143 640.8 641.2 0.3 1.2 0.1 1.4 SDDSC143 641.2 641.7 0.6 18.5 8.2 34.0 SDDSC143 641.7 641.9 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.8 SDDSC143 641.9 642.5 0.6 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC143 642.5 642.8 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC143 644.7 645.8 1.1 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC143 645.8 647.0 1.2 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC143 648.2 649.4 1.2 0.2 0.0 0.3 SDDSC143 649.4 649.9 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 649.9 650.1 0.2 1.4 0.5 2.3 SDDSC143 650.1 650.6 0.5 0.1 0.2 0.4 SDDSC143 650.6 650.7 0.2 2.1 6.5 14.3 SDDSC143 651.9 652.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC143 652.6 652.7 0.2 0.3 0.0 0.4 SDDSC143 652.7 653.0 0.2 0.7 0.1 1.0 SDDSC143 653.2 653.8 0.6 0.4 0.0 0.5 SDDSC143 656.0 657.0 1.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC143 657.0 658.0 1.0 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 658.0 659.0 1.0 0.2 0.4 0.9 SDDSC143 661.5 662.6 1.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC143 663.2 664.0 0.8 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 665.0 665.9 0.9 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC143 666.5 667.6 1.1 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 537.3 537.5 0.2 5.7 0.7 7.0 SDDSC145 537.5 538.4 0.9 0.3 0.2 0.6 SDDSC145 538.4 539.3 1.0 0.4 0.0 0.4 SDDSC145 543.8 544.5 0.7 0.6 0.2 0.9 SDDSC145 544.5 545.3 0.8 0.1 0.1 0.2 SDDSC145 545.3 545.7 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 546.5 547.1 0.6 0.1 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 547.1 548.0 0.9 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC145 548.0 548.8 0.8 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 548.8 549.1 0.3 2.1 0.1 2.2 SDDSC145 549.1 550.2 1.1 0.2 0.0 0.3 SDDSC145 550.2 550.6 0.4 1.4 0.0 1.4 SDDSC145 550.6 551.0 0.3 4.1 0.0 4.1 SDDSC145 551.0 552.3 1.3 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC145 554.2 554.5 0.3 0.5 0.0 0.5 SDDSC145 559.9 560.0 0.1 3.2 0.2 3.5 SDDSC145 563.7 564.3 0.6 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC145 565.3 565.8 0.4 0.4 0.0 0.5 SDDSC145 565.8 566.5 0.8 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC145 573.4 574.4 0.9 0.6 0.0 0.6 SDDSC145 574.4 575.6 1.3 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC145 575.6 576.7 1.0 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 577.4 577.6 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 577.6 578.4 0.9 0.5 0.0 0.5 SDDSC145 580.8 581.3 0.5 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC145 581.3 582.3 0.9 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 584.1 585.0 0.8 0.7 0.0 0.7 SDDSC145 585.0 585.4 0.4 0.7 0.0 0.7 SDDSC145 585.4 586.3 1.0 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 586.3 587.1 0.8 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC145 587.1 587.9 0.8 0.5 0.0 0.5 SDDSC145 587.9 588.4 0.5 0.6 0.0 0.6 SDDSC145 589.7 589.9 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC145 589.9 591.0 1.1 0.4 0.0 0.4 SDDSC145 591.0 592.0 1.0 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 592.0 593.0 1.0 1.5 0.0 1.6 SDDSC145 593.0 594.1 1.1 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC145 594.1 595.1 1.0 0.5 0.0 0.6 SDDSC145 597.2 598.0 0.8 0.4 0.0 0.5 SDDSC145 598.0 598.7 0.7 0.7 0.0 0.8 SDDSC145 598.7 599.5 0.7 1.0 0.0 1.0 SDDSC145 599.5 600.1 0.6 1.8 0.0 1.8 SDDSC145 600.1 600.9 0.8 0.7 0.0 0.7 SDDSC145 600.9 601.6 0.8 0.4 0.0 0.4 SDDSC145 601.6 602.9 1.3 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 602.9 603.9 0.9 0.4 0.0 0.4 SDDSC145 603.9 604.4 0.5 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC145 604.4 605.2 0.8 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 605.7 606.9 1.2 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 606.9 607.6 0.7 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC145 607.6 608.3 0.7 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC145 650.5 651.0 0.5 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 686.9 687.1 0.2 1.0 0.0 1.1 SDDSC145 688.5 689.1 0.6 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 692.5 692.8 0.3 0.4 0.0 0.4 SDDSC145 695.1 695.8 0.7 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC145 697.7 699.0 1.3 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 708.1 708.2 0.1 0.6 0.0 0.7 SDDSC145 708.2 708.6 0.4 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC145 708.6 708.8 0.2 14.1 1.3 16.5 SDDSC145 708.8 709.4 0.6 0.3 0.1 0.5 SDDSC145 709.4 710.0 0.7 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC145 710.0 710.2 0.1 1.3 1.2 3.6 SDDSC145 710.2 710.3 0.2 51.5 11.5 73.1 SDDSC145 710.3 710.6 0.3 0.3 0.4 1.1 SDDSC145 710.6 711.0 0.4 1.1 0.8 2.6 SDDSC145 711.0 711.3 0.3 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 711.3 711.7 0.4 3.6 1.2 5.7 SDDSC145 713.0 714.1 1.1 5.6 3.8 12.7 SDDSC145 714.1 714.6 0.5 0.7 0.1 0.9 SDDSC145 714.6 715.1 0.5 1.3 0.3 1.8 SDDSC145 715.1 715.7 0.6 5.5 1.3 8.0 SDDSC145 715.7 716.5 0.8 1.4 0.6 2.4 SDDSC145 716.5 716.9 0.5 2.6 0.5 3.4 SDDSC145 716.9 717.4 0.5 11.7 2.7 16.7 SDDSC145 717.4 717.8 0.4 0.9 1.0 2.7 SDDSC145 717.8 718.3 0.4 10.6 4.2 18.6 SDDSC145 718.3 718.7 0.5 1.7 3.2 7.7 SDDSC145 718.7 719.6 0.8 2.1 0.5 3.1 SDDSC145 719.6 720.2 0.6 1.5 0.3 2.1 SDDSC145 720.2 720.6 0.4 0.2 0.1 0.4 SDDSC145 721.2 721.9 0.7 0.5 0.1 0.7 SDDSC145 722.2 722.5 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.4 SDDSC145 722.5 723.0 0.5 1.7 0.9 3.4 SDDSC145 723.0 723.7 0.7 0.3 0.9 1.9 SDDSC145 723.7 724.4 0.7 3.1 0.8 4.6 SDDSC145 724.4 724.6 0.2 136.0 1.5 138.8 SDDSC145 724.6 724.8 0.2 187.0 0.7 188.3 SDDSC145 724.8 724.9 0.1 14.2 0.7 15.6 SDDSC145 724.9 725.3 0.4 0.6 0.2 1.0 SDDSC145 725.3 725.7 0.4 0.4 0.2 0.7 SDDSC145 725.7 726.3 0.6 3.0 0.1 3.2 SDDSC145 726.3 726.7 0.4 1.6 0.3 2.2 SDDSC145 726.7 727.5 0.9 0.9 0.1 1.1 SDDSC145 727.5 727.7 0.1 0.3 3.0 5.9 SDDSC145 727.7 728.1 0.4 0.1 0.1 0.3 SDDSC145 728.1 728.4 0.3 0.5 0.7 1.8 SDDSC145 728.4 728.6 0.2 2.7 0.3 3.2 SDDSC145 728.6 729.4 0.8 1.0 2.5 5.6 SDDSC145 729.4 729.8 0.4 21.0 0.3 21.5 SDDSC145 729.8 730.5 0.8 0.6 0.3 1.2 SDDSC145 730.5 731.1 0.5 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 731.1 731.5 0.4 0.7 0.0 0.8 SDDSC145 733.4 733.6 0.2 1.2 0.5 2.1 SDDSC145 733.6 734.2 0.6 0.2 0.1 0.3 SDDSC145 734.2 734.7 0.5 0.4 0.3 1.0 SDDSC145 734.7 735.4 0.7 0.7 0.4 1.4 SDDSC145 735.4 736.5 1.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC145 736.9 737.9 1.1 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC145 739.8 740.3 0.5 0.3 0.0 0.4 SDDSC145 741.0 742.2 1.2 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC145 742.9 743.9 1.0 0.1 0.1 0.3 SDDSC145 751.0 752.0 1.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC145 752.5 753.2 0.7 0.6 0.1 0.8 SDDSC145 753.2 753.4 0.2 2.1 0.1 2.2 SDDSC145 753.4 754.1 0.7 39.8 12.3 62.9 SDDSC145 754.1 754.6 0.5 0.7 0.1 0.8 SDDSC145 754.6 754.7 0.1 3.9 0.1 4.1 SDDSC145 754.7 755.2 0.4 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC145 755.2 755.8 0.6 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC145 758.8 759.0 0.1 4.9 4.7 13.7 SDDSC145 759.0 759.5 0.5 1.0 0.0 1.0 SDDSC145 760.3 760.9 0.6 1.0 0.0 1.1 SDDSC145 761.3 761.8 0.6 0.4 1.2 2.7 SDDSC145 761.8 762.7 0.8 0.7 0.6 1.8 SDDSC145 762.7 763.3 0.6 0.8 0.3 1.3 SDDSC145 763.3 763.9 0.6 0.2 0.1 0.3 SDDSC145 763.9 764.2 0.3 0.4 0.1 0.5 SDDSC145 764.2 764.3 0.1 1.1 0.5 2.0 SDDSC145 764.3 765.0 0.7 0.7 0.5 1.7 SDDSC145 765.0 765.8 0.8 0.3 0.2 0.6 SDDSC145 769.0 769.1 0.1 0.1 0.5 1.1 SDDSC145 770.3 770.4 0.1 17.1 0.3 17.6 SDDSC145 776.6 777.0 0.4 0.3 0.1 0.5 SDDSC145 777.0 777.2 0.2 0.5 0.1 0.6 SDDSC145 777.2 778.0 0.9 0.2 0.0 0.3 SDDSC145 780.2 781.1 0.9 0.1 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 781.1 782.0 0.9 1.0 0.0 1.1 SDDSC145 782.8 783.1 0.3 2.6 0.1 2.8 SDDSC145 783.1 783.9 0.9 1.6 0.1 1.7 SDDSC145 783.9 784.3 0.4 7.7 4.5 16.1 SDDSC145 785.0 785.2 0.1 0.4 3.7 7.4 SDDSC145 785.2 786.2 1.0 0.1 0.1 0.3 SDDSC145 786.2 786.5 0.4 1.1 0.6 2.2 SDDSC145 786.5 787.4 0.8 0.7 0.1 0.8 SDDSC145 789.0 790.0 1.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC145 792.4 792.6 0.2 0.1 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 792.6 793.2 0.6 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 793.2 794.2 0.9 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC145 794.2 794.7 0.6 0.8 0.0 0.9 SDDSC145 794.7 795.0 0.3 0.8 0.4 1.5 SDDSC145 795.0 795.4 0.4 0.4 0.0 0.5 SDDSC145 795.6 796.5 1.0 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC145 797.0 797.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.5 SDDSC145 797.2 797.5 0.3 127.0 1.9 130.5 SDDSC145 797.5 798.1 0.6 0.7 0.5 1.5 SDDSC145 801.7 802.1 0.4 13.1 1.3 15.5 SDDSC145 802.1 802.9 0.8 0.1 0.1 0.3 SDDSC145 802.9 803.1 0.2 1.7 0.6 2.8 SDDSC145 805.1 805.6 0.5 0.1 0.5 0.9 SDDSC145 805.6 806.3 0.7 1.3 1.7 4.4 SDDSC145 806.6 806.7 0.1 0.8 1.4 3.5 SDDSC145 806.7 807.5 0.8 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC145 807.5 807.8 0.3 1.4 0.1 1.6 SDDSC145 808.9 809.3 0.5 0.1 0.1 0.2 SDDSC145 809.3 809.7 0.4 0.8 1.3 3.3 SDDSC145 811.2 811.4 0.2 0.3 0.3 0.9 SDDSC145 815.3 816.0 0.7 0.2 0.1 0.4 SDDSC145 816.0 816.9 0.9 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 816.9 817.0 0.1 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 819.4 820.2 0.8 0.1 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 820.4 820.7 0.2 0.1 0.3 0.7 SDDSC145 821.4 822.5 1.1 0.2 0.0 0.3 SDDSC145 822.5 822.7 0.2 9.6 17.3 42.1 SDDSC145 822.7 823.3 0.6 0.5 0.3 0.9 SDDSC145 823.3 823.8 0.5 5.8 0.1 6.0 SDDSC145 823.8 824.6 0.8 0.3 0.0 0.4 SDDSC145 828.5 828.8 0.3 0.4 0.1 0.5 SDDSC145 828.8 829.0 0.1 29.2 1.0 31.1 SDDSC145 829.0 829.3 0.4 56.4 32.2 116.9 SDDSC145 829.3 829.7 0.3 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC145 837.1 837.3 0.2 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 837.3 837.5 0.2 4.8 6.6 17.1 SDDSC145 837.5 838.0 0.5 0.2 0.1 0.4 SDDSC145 838.0 838.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 0.9 SDDSC145 838.4 838.9 0.5 6.6 0.6 7.6 SDDSC145 838.9 839.1 0.3 2.0 0.7 3.3 SDDSC145 839.1 839.8 0.6 0.4 0.3 0.9 SDDSC145 847.2 847.8 0.6 0.1 0.1 0.3 SDDSC145 849.6 850.0 0.4 0.4 0.1 0.5 SDDSC145 850.0 850.4 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC145 850.4 851.2 0.9 0.3 0.4 1.1 SDDSC145 855.8 856.0 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC145 859.7 860.6 0.9 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC145 870.6 870.7 0.1 2.4 0.0 2.4 SDDSC145 870.7 871.9 1.2 0.4 0.0 0.4 SDDSC145 872.3 872.5 0.2 205.0 0.1 205.2 SDDSC145 872.5 872.8 0.3 17.8 0.0 17.9 SDDSC145 872.8 873.4 0.6 0.6 0.1 0.7 SDDSC145 874.5 875.2 0.7 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC145 875.2 876.4 1.2 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 876.4 876.7 0.2 9.0 1.1 11.2 SDDSC145 876.7 876.9 0.3 4880.0 1.0 4881.9 SDDSC145 876.9 877.3 0.3 0.9 0.0 0.9 SDDSC145 877.3 878.0 0.8 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 878.0 878.1 0.1 0.1 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 883.0 883.3 0.3 0.3 0.0 0.4 SDDSC145 884.2 884.8 0.6 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC145 884.8 885.3 0.5 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 886.6 887.2 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC145 887.2 887.6 0.5 1.4 0.5 2.3 SDDSC145 887.6 888.2 0.6 4.0 0.8 5.5 SDDSC145 889.3 889.9 0.6 0.8 0.4 1.6 SDDSC145 889.9 890.3 0.4 0.8 0.3 1.4 SDDSC145 890.3 890.4 0.1 8.7 7.7 23.1 SDDSC145 890.4 890.8 0.3 50.6 17.0 82.6 SDDSC145 890.8 891.1 0.4 118.0 24.5 164.1 SDDSC145 891.1 891.4 0.3 15.2 3.9 22.5 SDDSC145 891.4 891.7 0.3 9.7 1.4 12.4 SDDSC145 891.7 892.0 0.3 5.6 2.2 9.6 SDDSC145 892.0 892.6 0.7 0.3 0.1 0.5 SDDSC145 892.7 893.2 0.4 0.6 0.0 0.6 SDDSC145 894.0 894.1 0.1 0.6 0.0 0.6 SDDSC145 905.1 905.6 0.5 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 906.8 907.2 0.4 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC145 914.2 915.5 1.3 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC145 924.7 925.3 0.6 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 926.4 927.1 0.7 0.4 0.0 0.5 SDDSC145 927.1 928.0 0.9 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC145 928.0 928.6 0.6 0.2 0.0 0.2 SDDSC145 928.6 929.1 0.5 0.1 0.0 0.1 SDDSC145 929.1 929.8 0.7 0.3 0.0 0.3 SDDSC145 929.8 930.1 0.3 0.4 0.0 0.5 SDDSC145 930.1 931.3 1.2 0.4 0.0 0.4

SOURCE: Mawson Gold Limited

View the original press release on accesswire.com
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Apax Partners LLP, a private equity advisory firm, announced Monday that its funds have entered into a definitive agreement to sell their minority stake in AssuredPartners, a global insurance brokerage firm, to Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AJG) as part of a $13.45 billion all-cash transaction.Earlier in the day, insurance company Arthur J. Gallagher said it has signed a deal to acquire the stock of AssuredPartners' parent company from GTCR and funds advised by Apax Partners LLP.Apax Funds originally acquired a majority interest in AssuredPartners from GTCR in 2015 and later partnered with GTCR to recapitalize the company in 2019.The minority stake sale, which is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conductions, is expected to close during the first quarter of 2025.Apax noted that during the Funds' ownership, AssuredPartners expanded rapidly, completing around 400 acquisitions as it implemented its strategic M&A program.Jim Henderson, Executive Chairman at AssuredPartners, said, 'The Apax team's experience in insurance distribution, thoughtful collaboration, and deep partnership over the past nine years has been fundamental to our success and is key to where we stand today. Gallagher is a premier leader in insurance brokerage and, together, I believe we will be even more successful offering clients best-in-class capabilities with industry-leading depth and offerings.'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, Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Terra Balcanica Resources Corp. ("Terra" or the "Company") (CSE:TERA; FRA:UB10) is pleased to highlight the polymetallic potential of its 168 km2 Viogor-Zanik project in eastern Bosnia in anticipation of the Phase II drilling results.

After approximately 2,200 m of diamond drilling completed at Chumavichi, high grade Ag-Sb-Pb-Zn-Au mineralization has been confirmed at three targetsspanning over 2 km along this shallow, fault-hosted, intermediate sulfidation, polymetallic vein system (Figures 1 and 2). At the Company's second Viogor-Zanik target of Brezani (Figure 3), Terra discovered an auriferous skarn starting from surface, superimposed on a >1.2 km long, NE-shallowing Ag-Sb-Pb-Zn mineralized, fault-hosted permeability corridor itself overlying a porphyry andesitic stock (see the Company's news release from April 11th, 2024). The Company completed over 1,200 m of diamond drilling at Brezani with additional drill hole assays to be released imminently.

The significant potential of silver (Ag) and antimony (Sb) mineralization is highlighted by the drill results from Chumavichi (Table 1) and preliminary drill core observation from the Phase II drilling at Brezani.

Highlights

Chumavichi Ridge drillhole CMVDD001 intercepted 824.2 g/t AgEq. with 1.85 wt.% Sb over 4.0 m from 29 m of depth, including 1,634.4 g/t AgEq. with 3.7 wt.% Sb over 2 meters;

Chumavichi Ridge drill hole CMVDD002 intercepted 816.1 g/t AgEq. over 2.0 m;

CMVDD003, 83-meter away from CMVDD001, intercepted a vein interval of 465.5 g/t AgEq. and 1.2 wt.% Sb over 8.7 m, including 1196.6 g/t AgEq. with 3.5 wt.% Sb over 2.0 meters;

Drillhole CMVDD005 returned 284 g/t AgEq over 10.0 m including 895.8 g/t AgEq with 1.8 wt.% Sb over 2.0 m approximately 50 m west-northwest of CMVDD002 (Figure 2);

The Chumavichi Ridge drillhole CMVDD004 along the same drill fence 40 m northeast of CMVDD005 returned 505.3 g/t AgEq with 1.48 wt.% Sb over 11.0 m from 43.0 m depth including 3075.4 g/t AgEq (108.5 oz/t AgEq) with 9.4 wt.% Sb over 1.7 m;

Shallow, polymetallic mineralization was also intersected 600 m NW of the Cumavici Ridge where two drill holes through a new parallel structure returned 1,041 g/t AgEq with 2.95 wt.% Sb over 0.75 m (CMV23007), and 554 g/t AgEq with 1.17 wt.% Sb over 1.10 m (CMV23009);

Drillhole CMV23004 intersected 1,489 g/t AgEq with 1.98 wt.% Sb over 1.35 m from 36.2 m downhole to add 42 m strike length SE of CMVDD002 with mineralization open down-dip;

Drillhole CMV23003 intersected 557 g/t AgEq with 0.77 wt.% Sb over 4.15 m from 43.85 m and points to a down-dip continuation of the high-grade mineralization from CMV23004.

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au (g/t) Ag

(g/t) Zn

(%) Pb

(%) Sb

(%) AgEq* (g/t) CMVDD001 29.0 33.0 4.0 0.84 131.5 4.59 2.12 1.85 824 CMVDD002 30.0 32.0 2.0 0.23 144 8.26 4.27 0.44 816 CMVDD003 89.0 97.7 8.7 0.81 105 1.17 0.70 1.20 466 CMVDD004 43.0 54.0 11.0 0.30 225 0.83 0.56 1.48 505 CMVDD005 81.0 91.0 10.0 0.78 75 0.61 0.40 0.68 284 CMV23001 11.0 15.8 4.8 1.61 132 1.51 0.57 1.56 819* CMV23002b 22.0 25.8 3.8 0.70 124.5 5.53 2.72 0.48 549* CMV23003 43.85 48.0 4.15 0.71 57.1 4.39 3.18 0.77 557* CMV23004 36.2 37.55 1.35 3.49 452 3.36 2.14 1.98 1489*

Table 1.Previously released drill core assay from the Chumavichi target. Interval lengths reported are drilled lengths, not true widths. Silver equivalents ("AgEq") for Phase II assays marked by * are recalculated based on the latest assumed metal prices of US$2,600/oz for gold (Au), US$30/oz for silver (Ag), US$1.40/lb for zinc (Zn), US$15.22/lb for antimony (Sb) and US$0.90/lb for lead (Pb). Metal recoveries of 90% Au, 93% Ag, 95% Sb, 94% Pb and Zn are based on published metallurgical tests from analogous intermediate sulphidation epithermal vein deposits in the region.



Figure 1. Geological map of the Chumavichi ore corridor illustrating the drilled targets, namely: Cumavici Ridge, Cumavici Crest and Joseva. The Seoce and Cumurnica targets remain to be drilled in 2025. The yellow strips represent Yugoslav ore block segments from 1983 used for non-43-101 compliant resource calculaton





Figure 2. Fence diagram of Phase I and II drilling completed at the Cumavici Ridge target. Polymetallic mineralization intervals are highlighted in red. The mineralization remains untested and open down dip to the southwest and entirely open to the NW. The high-grade mineralization footprint currently sits at approximately 150 m



The 674 m Brezani drillhole BREDD002 has intercepted base metal-rich (Sb-Ag),epithermal mineralization between 482.1 and 505 m of depth (Figure 3). The zone of mineralization consists of banded veins and massive sulphide-cemented breccias with structural and mineralogical characteristics of low and intermediate sulphidation epithermal deposits. The upper vein contact is sharp with minimal alteration progressing into the hornfels, whereas the vein footwall is brecciated and strongly clay altered. The margins of the vein host repeating bands of chalcedonic quartz, rhodochrosite, calcite, sulphides, and sulphosalts including stibnite, pyrite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite, galena, and jamesonite. The core of the mineralized structure is dominated by hydrothermal breccia with a sulphide-quartz-carbonate cement and banded vein fragments as clasts.

The mineralized body is interpreted to be coincident with the zone of elevated conductivity as it shallows to NE (Figure 3). Where the coincident conductivity body and magnetic low response is matched with a N/S trending topographic depression, which grades into a steep sided creek. Exploration efforts within this creek have revealed numerous showings of As-Bi-Pb-Sb-Zn anomalous gossans and semi-massive specular hematite. These gossans are evidence of epithermal fluids reaching the current surface level. It is possible that future drilling targeting this structure would intersect a series of veins and breccias in the hanging wall of the major target structure.

Figure 3. Section profile through the Brezani target integrating the location of the NE-shallowing, tabular mineralized structure identified downhole in BREDD002 between 482 and 505 m with the magnetic shell and smoothed conductivity voxel clipped to values above 27 mS/m. The conductivity feature is interpreted as the continuation of the host structure dominated by Sb-Ag-Zn-Pb sulphides and clay within the broken rock mass

Qualified Person

Dr. Aleksandar Miskovic, P.Geo, is the Company's designated Qualified Person ("QP") for this news release within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure of Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). The QP has reviewed and validated that the information contained in this news release is factual and accurate.

About the Company

Terra Balcanica is a polymetallic and energy metals exploration company targeting large-scale mineral systems in the Balkans of southeastern Europe and norther Saskatchewan, Canada. The Company has 90% interest in the Viogor-Zanik Project in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Canadian assets comprise a 100% optioned portfolio of uranium-prospective licences at the outskirts of the world-renowned Athabasca basin including the Charlot-Neely Lake, Fontaine Lake, Snowbird, and South Pendleton claim clusters. The Company emphasizes responsible engagement with local communities and stakeholders. It is committed to proactively implementing Good International Industry Practice (GIIP) and sustainable health, safety, and environmental management.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Terra Balcanica Resources Corp.

"Aleksandar Miskovic"

Aleksandar Miskovic

President and CEO

For the complete information on this news release, please contact Aleksandar Miskovic at amiskovic@terrabresources.com , +1 /en/news .

Cautionary Statement

This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively "forward-looking statements"). The use of any of the words "will", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. 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. Such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. Actual results achieved may vary from the information provided herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors. The Company believes the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. The Company does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
Announces Share Buyback Program

Bitmine Immersion Technologies, Inc. (OTCQX:BMNR) ("Bitmine" or "the Company"), a leading blockchain technology firm specializing in immersion-cooled bitcoin mining, today announced annual results and achievements for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2024 summarized in key metrics below. BitMine continues to expand its operational footprint and is currently deploying 3000 recently purchased ASICs to its existing fleet of approximately 1,640 units. Separately, BitMine has established a corporate share buyback plan, and established a relationship with a brokerage firm that specializes in corporate share repurchases.

Key metrics summary:

Management Commentary

Jonathan Bates, CEO of BitMine Immersion Technologies, stated:

"2024 has been a transformative year for Bitmine, as we substantially expanded revenue and scaled operations. We are very excited about the prospects for 2025, especially given the significant rise in the price of bitcoin. In order to fully understand our operating results, it is important to note that despite our losses on a GAAP basis, there are several key metrics to analyze in our financial results. There are a number of significant non-cash charges on our income statement which include stock-based compensation, depreciation, and certain items included in other expenses. As a result, net cash used in operating activities on our statement of cash flows for the fiscal year ended 2024 was $(28,753) which is close to breakeven, and a big improvement over 2023 net cash used in operating activities of $(809,715). "

Mr. Bates continued, "Our operating expenses are low compared to our peers, and more importantly we were able to leverage our low overhead and significantly increase sales without adding any additional employees. We expect this trend to continue in the short-term. Finally, the interest of management is fully aligned with our shareholders as evidenced by the fact that management are the largest shareholders, and collectively our executive officers and Board members have taken virtually no cash compensation since the inception of the Company.Furthermore, by diversifying our offerings to include advanced financial services through hashrate buying and selling, and exploring new opportunities within the Bitcoin ecosystem, we are creating additional pathways for growth. Leveraging technology and strategic geographic expansion, we remain focused on delivering sustained value to our shareholders while broadening our focus on the continued adoption of Bitcoin."

Lastly, Mr. Bates stated, "We have made the decision to establish a corporate share buyback program, because we feel it is a prudent use of shareholder capital at this time. Our board has approved the repurchase of up to $250,000 of our common stock through December31_, 2025. The purpose is to reduce the issued share capital of the Company an opportunistic basis when management believes that the prevailing share price is less than the intrinsic value of the Company."

Key Highlights

Record Self-Mining Operations:

Bitmine's bitcoin self-mining operations achieved record annualized revenue of $3.03 million, marking a 679% year-over-year increase in self-mining. This growth underscores the Company's focus on driving strong revenue growth and expanding bitcoin operations, and the ability to creatively finance ASICs.

Trinidad Operations:

The Company resolved prior utility disputes at its Trinidad facility, and is now operating at a competitive electricity rate of $0.035 per kWh. This site has become a cornerstone of Bitmine's low-cost hosting strategy. The company has 1.6 Megawatts deployed as part of up to 100 Megawatts available. BitMine is scouting locations for the next 1.6 Megawatts, with all of the data center equipment already in Trinidad.

Pecos, Texas Operation

Revenue Growth and Diversification:

Bitmine reported a 400% year-over-year increase in total revenue, driven primarily by gains in self-mining. The Company also capitalized on equipment sales and plans to expand both throughout fiscal 2025. The Company opted to terminate its existing hosting contracts, and utilize all of its capacity for its self-mining operations for the foreseeable future.

Exploration of Bitcoin Services Expansion:

Bitmine continues to integrate complementary Bitcoin services into its operations, aiming to enhance long-term value creation and solidify its position within the growing Bitcoin ecosystem. The Company has been both a buyer and seller, at various times, of bitcoin-denominated hashrate. The Company is exploring various non-mining efforts within the Bitcoin Network and data center arenas that will diversify the company into a unique overall Bitcoin operating company, rather than simply a pure-play miner.

This site is approved for 5 Megawatts. The company operates one immersion container with 0.6 Megawatts of capacity for its own use and owns approximately 30% of an immersion data center operation that utilizes the remaining 4.4 Megawatts of electricity capacity. BitMine is in discussions to expand its footprint at this site.

Looking Ahead

The company is excited about the growth in Bitcoin adoption, as well as the price of Bitcoin itself. Bitmine remains poised to navigate market dynamics by optimizing operations, expanding capacity, and diversifying into complimentary lines of business that support the growth of Bitcoin adoption and the Bitcoin Network. The Company will continue to pursue innovative solutions and partnerships that align with its commitment to drive revenue growth and value to BitMine shareholders.

About Bitmine Immersion Technologies, Inc.

BitMine is a technology company focused on Bitcoin mining using immersion technology, an advanced cooling technique where computers are submerged in specialized oil circulated to keep units operating at optimal ambient temperature. Immersion technology is more environmentally friendly than conventional mining methodologies, while lowering operating expenses and increasing yield. BitMine's operations are located in low-cost energy regions in Trinidad, Pecos, Texas, and Murray, Kentucky.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements." The statements in this press release that are not purely historical are forward-looking statements which involve risks and uncertainties. Actual future performance outcomes and results may differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to numerous conditions, many of which are beyond BitMine's control, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of BitMine's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on December 9, 2024, and any other SEC filings, as amended or updated from time to time. Copies of BitMine's filings with the SEC are available on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov/edgar/searchedgar/companysearch. BitMine undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

For more information, visit https://www.bitminetech.io

Contact:

Jonathan Bates

Chairman and CEO

info@bitminetech.io

SOURCE: BitMine Immersion Technologies Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 9, 2024) - Miivo Holdings Corp (TSXV: MIVO) ("MIIVO" or "the Company"), an AI investment-focused company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Prasanth Parameswaran as Chief Technology Officer ("CTO"), effective December 9th, 2024.

Prasanth has over 15 years of expertise in software development, specializing in building and launching app-based products across the US and India. Most recently, as CTO at GIVA Jewellery, a leading brand in India's jewelry market, he scaled the technology team to support sales through their website, mobile apps, and over 100 retail outlets. Before GIVA, Prasanth successfully launched and scaled a SaaS business and previously led a services company. He also played a key role as a developer for The Nerd Machine, an innovative project that inspired the hit TV series The Nerd HQ.

Furthermore, MIIVO is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Sohrab Jahanbani to its Board of Directors, effective immediately.

Sohrab, currently a strategic advisor to MIIVO, has over 28 years of experience in founding and scaling early-stage ventures across diverse sectors, including telecoms, mobile payments, SaaS, e-commerce, and marketplaces. Sohrab's appointment as a director marks a valuable addition to the MIIVO leadership team. With his extensive expertise and proven track record, Sohrab brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will be instrumental in driving the company's strategic initiatives forward. Sohrab will serve in place of Mr. Peter Dickson in his role as a director of the Company. The Company would like to extend its appreciation to Mr. Dickson for his years of guidance and wishes him continued success in his future endeavours.

Alexander Damouni, CEO stated, "On behalf of the Board and everyone at the Company, I would like to welcome Prasanth to the Company and Sohrab to the Board and look forward to their contributions. Having worked alongside Prasanth for several years, I have witnessed his exceptional expertise in the sector, where he has held numerous leadership roles and successfully spearheaded the development and launch of app-based products. Prasanth brings considerable expertise and is accompanied by a team of talented software developers, further strengthening our capabilities. His proven track record perfectly aligns with MIIVO's vision as we continue advancing the development of our AI CFO Copilot platform. We are excited about the invaluable expertise Prasanth brings to our strategic initiatives and operational goals, and we look forward to the impactful innovations ahead."

About Miivo Holdings Corp.

Miivo Holdings Corp. (TSXV: MIVO) is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and is classified as an "Investment Company" under applicable Exchange policies.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

(signed) "Alexander Damouni"

Alexander Damouni, Chief Executive Officer

Cautionary Note Regarding Production Decisions and Forward-Looking Statements

This news release may include forward-looking information that is subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward-looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking information are based on reasonable assumptions, such information is not a guarantee of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, fluctuations in market prices, successes of the operations of the Company, continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such information will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking information except as required under the applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada 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/232962

SOURCE: Miivo Holdings Corp.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 9, 2024) - Urban Infrastructure Group Inc. (TSXV: UIG), a leading stage-one concrete and drainage infrastructure construction group, specializing in large scale new residential housing developments, is pleased to announce the addition of Luca Filice to its Board of Directors.

Luca adds decades of construction experience to the governance of UIG. As a partner and General Manager leading the custom home building operations of PCMnow.com Inc., a Canadian custom home builder, based Oakville, Ontario, specializing in planning, design and turnkey construction services, Luca has built some of the finest luxury homes in southeast Oakville and surrounding areas. Notably, Luca has been the builder of choice for the annual Princess Margaret Lottery Home and other projects, many of which are $10M per home projects. Luca's deep experience across the entire spectrum of home construction from start to finish, will benefit UIG and its strategy and execution. Further, Luca's preeminent reputation in the construction community and deep network of business partners in the excavation, forming, utilities and site servicing circles is an asset that UIG will benefit from.

Ungad Chadda, CEO of UIG stated, "I feel very fortunate to have met and worked with Luca over the past year and am thrilled with his appointment to the Urban Infrastructure Board of Directors. Luca's reputation as a seasoned home building and construction professional at PCM, along with his extensive experience in financial valuations within the alternative assets sector at Canadian Pension Plan and Goldman Sachs, will offer invaluable counsel and expertise for UIG's growth strategy."

Before entering the construction business, Luca obtained a BA in economics from the University of Western Ontario and Masters of Law (LLM) degree from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and held significant roles at firms including Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and Goldman Sachs.

"I am excited to join Urban just as the Canadian market for residential and industrial construction returns to a strong growth curve," said Luca Filice. "The UIG team has put together an impressive partner and customer ecosystem, which will propel the Company forward. I look forward to contributing to the ongoing development and execution of the Company's growth strategy."

Additionally, the Company announces today that Jennifer Labrecque has resigned as a member of the Board of Directors so that she may focus her efforts on other professional duties. The Board of Directors would like to thank Jennifer for her contribution over the past year and wish her well in her future endeavors.

About Urban Infrastructure Group

Urban Infrastructure Group Inc. (TSXV: UIG) is a leading concrete and drainage infrastructure construction group engaged in the earliest stage of the construction process - known as Stage One. Urban Infrastructure Group specializes in large-scale, master-planned residential communities, with partners and customers behind some of Ontario's most significant residential development projects.

Connect with UIG: https://urbaninfrastructuregroup.com/.

# # #

CAUTIONARY NOTES

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange 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 release.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. 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 acts, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". 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. Some of these risks are described under the "Caution on Forward-Looking Information" section and "Risk Factors" section of the MD&A. 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. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/233005

SOURCE: Urban Infrastructure Group Inc.
CHANGCHUN, China, Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- November 2024: HONGQI, the "World's New Luxury" automotive brand, has reached a key milestone in its global strategy by shipping its first batch of 600 electric vehicles to Europe, including the EH7 and EHS7. This achievement represents steady progress in HONGQI's development into overseas markets.

In October 2024, HONGQI made a significant impact at the Paris Motor Show with the debut of its all-electric EH7 sedan and EHS7 SUV. The EH7, featuring a refined design, cutting-edge technology, and an impressive 655 km WLTP range, has received widespread praise for its exceptional driving dynamics and comfort. Both models showcase HONGQI's dedication to innovation and sustainability, but the EHS7 stands out with its industry-leading battery safety features, offering multiple layers of protection and unparalleled reliability under extreme conditions.

Among these vehicles, the HONGQI EHS7, a fully electric luxury SUV, stands out for its exceptional battery safety features, designed to ensure reliability and durability under extreme conditions. The advanced battery system adopts a reinforced hexagonal honeycomb structure and multi-layer sealing technology, ensuring industry-leading durability and reliability in various conditions. Utilizing aerospace-grade thermal insulation materials, the battery withstands voltages up to 10 kV and temperatures reaching 1,000C, effectively preventing thermal diffusion. This allows the battery system to pass not only traditional extreme tests such as puncture, underbody impact, fire exposure, and prolonged water immersion, but also to endure extreme challenges like electric shocks and electromagnetic radiation. Thanks to triple-sealing technology, the battery achieves the industry's highest IPX8 waterproof rating, maintaining stability even after 60 hours of immersion in 1-meter-deep water. This breakthrough alleviates concerns about driving in heavy rain, providing drivers with peace of mind during adverse weather conditions.

The launch of the HONGQI EH7 and EHS7 comes at a time when the demand for luxury all-electric vehicles in Europe is steadily increasing. These new energy models cater to the growing demand among European consumers for eco-friendly, innovative, and high-quality mobility solutions. The successful shipment of the EH7 and EHS7 marks a further expansion of HONGQI's presence in the European new energy vehicle market. Moving forward, HONGQI will continue to deepen its presence in overseas markets, offering high-quality products and excellent services to provide an exceptional mobility experience for more European customers.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2576380/image.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hongqi-exports-first-batch-of-600-eh7-and-ehs7-vehicles-to-europe-marking-a-new-phase-in-overseas-development-302326185.html
DUBAI, UAE, Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Bybit , the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has unlocked new perks for users in a rewarding year-end campaign. From now to Jan. 4, 2025, Bybit users may be entitled to cashback benefits by making a deposit using BCB, ZEN or BLIK on Bybit Fiat Deposit or One-Click Buy.

Offering eligible users 5 USDT in coupons, the event takes two simple steps: sign up for the event and make a deposit using BCB, ZEN or BLIK:

New User Exclusive : Eligible users may make a first-time deposit valued at $100 or more via Bybit Fiat Deposit or One-Click Buy using any of the three channels to qualify.

: Eligible users may make a first-time deposit valued at or more via or using any of the three channels to qualify. Existing User Perk: To qualify, current users must register for the event and deposit an equivalent to $500 via one of the three channels.

The coupons are distributed on a first come, first serve basis. Restrictions apply.

"The diversification of tools and access in the crypto ecosystem benefits our users and fosters healthy competition. We are committed to improving the quality and the ease of access to crypto across the industry, while crafting a rewarding experience for our users who log in daily to look after their digital assets," said Joan Han, Sales and Marketing Director at Bybit.

Crypto adoption has been growing at a record high rate in the recent rally as more and more investors normalize diversification with digital assets. Bybit is constantly expanding its offerings and on and off-ramp experience, integrating reliable payment solutions to meet users' diverse demands for user experiences and competitive spreads.

With Fiat Deposits and a variety of crypto trading products and services, Bybit helps plug the gap between fiat currencies and crypto investments for users with its intuitive platform, high security standards, and rewards all year round.

Bybit / TheCryptoArk

About Bybit

Bybit is the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving over 50 million users. Established in 2018, Bybit provides a professional platform where crypto investors and traders can find an ultra-fast matching engine, 24/7 customer service, and multilingual community support. Bybit is a proud partner of Formula One's reigning Constructors' and Drivers' champions: the Oracle Red Bull Racing team.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press

For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com

For more information, please visit: https://www.bybit.com

For updates, please follow: Bybit's Communities and Social Media

Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bybit-unveils-exclusive-rewards-for-crypto-deposits-via-bcb-zen-or-blik-302326213.html
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 9, 2024) - Palamina Corp. (TSXV: PA) (OTCQB: PLMNF) has concluded its 2024 scout drill program in the Sol de Oro ('SDO') zone at its Usicayos Gold Project in Peru.

Highlights:

Broad intervals of gold mineralization in both the SDO S and SDO N zones

Drilling identifies blind mineralized intrusive within a 0.63 g/t Au over 40m intercept

Gold assays up to 24.6 g/t over 0.5m

Results from 5 drillholes completed in the SDO South and SDO North zones are as follows:

Zone Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m)* Gold (g/t) SDO S USI24-04 43 47 4 0.82



91 107 16 1.52

Including 91 93 2 8.69



118 158 40 0.63

Including 129 132 3 2.22

Including 141 143 2 5.83



181 185 4 0.47



207 208 1 2.38



223 224 1 2.71



248 259 11 0.80 SDO S USI24-05 22 26 4 0.71



53 75 22 0.50

Including 62 64 2 1.42



86 123 37 0.47

Including 86 86.5 0.5 24.6 SDO S USI24-06 45 60 15 0.13 SDO N USI24-07 35 87 52 0.72

Including 56 64 8 2.59

Including 61 63 2 5.12 SDO N USI24-08 21 56 35 0.75

Including 46 48 2 8.45

*Intervals are drilled core length as insufficient drilling has been completed to calculate true widths.

Andrew Thomson, President of Palamina commented: "Palamina's drilling program at Sol de Oro has confirmed the potential for the zone to host an orogenic gold deposit and identified a previously unknown mineralized intrusive. This round of drilling also confirmed the north and south limbs of our interpreted flower structure. Testing the mineralization at depth, where the north and south structures converge, will be a priority for follow-up drilling."

At SDO S, drillhole USI24-04 intercepted a mineralized blind microdiorite intrusive 113 metres down hole, with gold mineralization associated with pyrite and pyrrhotite, occurring as disseminations and in massive sulfide veinlets. USI24-05 is a scissor hole drilled from the same platform. Mineralization at SDO S dips to the north on the south end of the flower structure. Both drillholes intercepted multiple visible gold zones associated with pyrite and pyrrhotite.

Figure 1: SDO S hosts mineralization in both Paleozoic sediments and a blind diorite intrusive

(both holes are projected onto section line)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4727/232993_palaminaimg1.jpg





Select Photos of Drill Core with Visible Gold - Pyrrhotite Intercepts

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4727/232993_palaminaimg2.jpg

At SDO N drillholes USI24-07 & USI24-08 both intercepted broad zones of gold mineralization above the Corihausi fault, a gently south-dipping shear zone at the north end of the flower structure. Mineralization remains open to the south and to the east where multiple gold anomalies have been identified in previous surface sampling programs. Gold mineralization at SDO N occurs in a metasedimentary sequence consisting principally of carbonaceous shale and sandstone, with a well-developed penetrative foliation dipping to the south.

Figure 2: SDO N hosts broad mineralized gold zones above the Corihuasi fault open to the south & east

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4727/232993_palaminaimg3.jpg

Figure 3: Location of 9 drillholes testing 4 zones at SDO & section lines A & B in Figures 1, 2 on TMI magnetic map

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4727/232993_palaminaimg4.jpg

The SDO N and Cayos Zones are both hosted in metasediments within the north end of the proposed Usicayos flower structure, with gold mineralization controlled by south dipping shear zones. The Cayos zone returned 3m of 35 g/t Au in a channel sample at surface and has yet to be drill tested. Positive flower structures develop in transpressional structural regimes and can represent ideal fluid pathways for gold-rich fluids in orogenic systems. At Sol de Oro, structural mapping and interpretation by Palamina geologists postulates a flower structure centred between SDO N and SDO S, with reverse faults and shear zones dipping towards a central fault zone.

At the south end of the flower structure shown in Figure 3, drillholes USI24-06 and USI24-09 have established that pyrite and pyrrhotite likely account for the WSW-ENE magnetic trend extending over 1km from the SDO W zone to the SDO S zone. While assay results for drillhole USI24-06 did not return economic grades, the hole visually confirmed the presence of the same pyrrhotite-pyrite-chalcopyrite-arsenopyrite assemblage as seen in USI2404. Results for USI24-09 are pending.

Select Photos of Drill Core with Quartz-Pyrite-Pyrrhotite Intercepts

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/4727/232993_palaminaimg5.jpg

Palamina's drilling program tested the 4 main SDO zones. In total, 2,306 metres in nine drillholes were completed using a portable diamond drill. Drilling is expected to resume early in the second quarter of 2025 at the end of the rainy season. Palamina plans further drilling in the SDO N zone to continue to test the 500 x 400 metre geochemical anomaly, test the intersection of SDO N and SDO S at depth and to test the northern extension of the SDO E zone, north of USI24-03.

Sampling, QA/QC, and Analytical Procedures

Palamina follows systematic and rigorous sampling and analytical protocols which meet industry standards. These protocols are summarized below.

All drillholes are diamond core holes with HQ or NQ core diameters. Core is typically sampled over a 1-2 metre sample interval unless the geologist determines the presence of an important geological contact.

Palamina quality assurance/quality control ("QA/QC") protocol is implemented on all its exploration projects. Prior to delivery of samples to the analytical laboratory, Palamina QA/QC staff insert coarse and fine blank samples, field duplicates and certified standards into the sample stream with the objective to provide a check on precision, accuracy, and contamination in the laboratory. To assure best practice compliance, assay results are only reported once the results of internal QA/QC procedures have been reviewed and approved. Samples are collected and transported by Palamina personnel to the Certimin S.A preparation facility in Juliaca, Peru where they are processed and then sent for assay to the Certimin S.A. laboratory in Lima, Peru.

The Company uses both Fire Assay and metallic screening methodology to obtain accurate gold results, considering the presence of coarse gold. Metallic screening is a method designed to quantify the proportion of coarse gold in deposits where it has been observed. Metallic screening is used by Palamina only for intervals where quartz veining or presence of sulfides indicates possible coarse gold mineralization. At Usicayos, coarse gold has been observed both in drill core and in outcrops of the shear zone. Unlike conventional Fire Assay, where a 30g or 50g sample is analyzed, metallic screening requires a 1kg sample, which, following initial preparation, is screened to separate a fine grained portion (less than 106 microns) from a coarse grained one (over 106 microns). The fine-grained sub-sample is assayed using 30g nominal fire assay, while the coarse portion is assayed in its entirety. Each portion is weighed and a weighted average of both portions is reported. This method better quantifies the coarse grained portion.

The technical information herein has been reviewed and approved by Alvaro Fernandez-Baca, P. Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Fernandez-Baca is Vice-President, Exploration of Palamina.

About Palamina Corp.

Palamina is an exploration company with a land bank of gold projects in the Puno Orogenic Gold Belt in southeastern Peru. Palamina is adding value through drill discovery at its Usicayos gold project. Palamina also has an "acquire and hold" strategy with copper silver assets in southeastern and northeastern Peru. Palamina holds a 15.4% equity interest in Winshear Gold Corp. (TSXV: WINS) and a 2% NSR royalty on all their Peruvian projects. Winshear has completed an inaugural drill program on its 100% owned Gaban Gold Project with assays from four drillholes pending at the time of this release. Palamina has 71,634,836 shares outstanding and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol PA and on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol PLMNF.

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.

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of such statements under applicable securities law. Forward-Looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release. Forward-Looking statements include, but are not limited to, the use of proceeds of the Offering and the Company's future business plans. Forward-Looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management 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 projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. A more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company appears in the Company's continuous disclosure filings, which are available at www.sedarplus.ca.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/232993

SOURCE: Palamina Corp.
ISTANBUL, Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Social activist Monica Lewinsky visited Istanbul in October at the invitation of Agnivesh Agarwal, founder of Primeks Medical, a medical supplies company with investment interests in local clinics and laboratories.

Lewinsky toured Primeks Medical's state-of-the-art pathology lab, Istanbul Laboratories, export facilities of premium medical products and actively run wellness programs, as well as Estpoint aesthetic clinics in Istanbul. She praised the facilities for their innovative health technologies and advanced diagnostic capabilities, which are significant advancements, adding to Turkey's increasing prominence in health tourism.

Monica Lewinsky is an advocate, writer, producer and public speaker known for her work in anti-bullying, fighting public shaming, and digital privacy. She gained a Master's degree in Social Psychology from the London School of Economics in 2006, where she focused on the intersection of human behaviour and societal norms.

Leveraging her personal experiences, she became a prominent voice in the fight against cyberbullying and online harassment, partnering with organizations like the Anti-Bullying Alliance and producing impactful campaigns such as BeStrong and her TED Talk, The Price of Shame, which has garnered tens of millions of views. Lewinsky also serves as a contributing editor at Vanity Fair, where she writes about societal issues. Her efforts have earned her recognition as a significant advocate for digital compassion and mental health awareness. Monica hosted a well-received talk at a high school in Istanbul during her time with Primeks.

About Agnivesh Agarwal:

Agnivesh is expanding his industrial reach globally, which will eventually include platinum group metal recovery in the USA and the UAE.

Primeks Medical was founded in 2015 by Agarwal, a prominent UAE-based industrial entrepreneur who also heads Fujairah Gold in the UAE. With a mission to promote both physical and mental well-being, Primeks Medical aligns closely with Lewinsky's advocacy, underscoring the importance of psychological health alongside medical advancements.

Agarwal, the majority shareholder of Primeks Healthcare in India, has been expanding his global footprint by planning to acquire diagnostic pathology labs and medical clinics in Istanbul. His investments intend to extend to the Platinum Group Metals (PGM) recovery industry in the USA, and he is set to become the controlling majority shareholder in Aluworks Limited, a premium aluminum manufacturer in Ghana, by year-end. He is currently the second largest shareholder.

Primeks Medical, founded in 2015 by Agnivesh Agarwal, is a healthcare provider dedicated to improving both physical and mental health.

Agarwal will be joining a college program at a university in Singapore from July 2025, where the interactive experience will help him address and overcome issues which resulted in a severe setback in social interactions. This would provide a graduate certificate in business fundamentals and a masters of international business. This literature-based course would assist in interacting with young, social persons, to assist in his expressing himself in a balanced way. This would be supplemented by a course in Australia, for a blended experience. This resulted from a history of social anxiety originating from thoughts of hoarding pretty girls and women, when impulsively attempting to talk to them.

Source: Primeks Medical

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d0e11362-2f5a-4dbc-8313-b30c8ec5043e
Online Community and Marketplace offers Graduate-Level Training, Bespoke Attribution Services, and Expert Guidance on Marketing Optimization Offered All in One Place

BOSTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / December 9, 2024 / Marketing professionals and measurement experts from across the industry have joined M-Squared to create the only one-stop shop for advanced attribution education, services, and community resources. At Msquared.club , marketers and executives can access graduate-level attribution training, best-in-class tools, project-based consulting services, and a diverse community of experts and peers offering around-the-clock measurement guidance and support.

"With hundreds of potential attribution solutions available, it's difficult to sort out exactly what each one can tell you," said Paul Baumgarthuber, CMO at LaserAway. "M-Squared does a great job of understanding our business and our data to determine the best strategy for our brand and which methodologies will deliver the insights we need."

With the mission to demystify and democratize advanced attribution for every brand, M-Squared is built on the premise that there is no one-size-fits-all marketing measurement solution. Rather than favoring a specific attribution methodology, M-Squared promotes an unbiased, triangulation approach to measurement.

"The industry has long been plagued by a lack of integrity and transparency around how attribution really works. Information available about the pros and cons of each approach is fragmented and often misleading," said Madan Bharadwaj, Founder and CEO of M-Squared. "In reality, there is no perfect truth for understanding marketing's business impact. By triangulating reads from across a combination of methods, marketers can turn the data into decisions that drive growth in a scientific and repeatable way."

M-Squared's services, content, and community are all meant to embrace the uniqueness of every brand:

Customized attribution projects with fractional expert teams

In an environment where brands are required to constantly evolve their marketing recipe, measurement must do the same. No attribution approach works for all brands, and none will work for the same brand, for all time. Business questions asked by a young brand acquiring customers exclusively on Meta are different from those asked by a mature brand selling across DTC, Amazon, and retail sales channels. Committing to one solution for measurement often results in frustration and unused software.

M-Squared offers advanced measurement tools like incrementality testing, marketing mix modeling (MMM), triangulation and geospatial analysis, wrapped in a bespoke consulting approach, to deliver answers brands need right now. M-Squared's unique engagement model offers bite-sized projects , supported by a team of certified attribution experts, to help brands pursue a crawl-walk-run approach to implementing an in-house advanced attribution program.

Comprehensive educational content and live training workshops

Led by seasoned professionals and renowned experts, M-Squared live masterclasses and self-paced on-demand learning modules provide a rare opportunity to learn directly from those who have successfully navigated the challenges of attribution. Educational content from M-squared covers every aspect of attribution and includes interactive training for all experience levels - from introductory courses to immersive exercises designed for data science experts.

"The Attribution Masterclass completely transformed the way I approach data analysis and attribution modeling," said Jamarius Taylor, Data Scientist at HoneyLove. "The course's comprehensive content and real-world examples provided invaluable insights for optimizing our marketing strategies and had a significant impact on our data-driven decision-making process."

Community of peers and experts solving attribution problems together

Spend optimization has been a permanent tenant on marketing priority lists for decades, and analytics experts have been working at solving attribution for equally as long. M-Squared brings everyone together to develop standards and share knowledge, ideas, and advice in an exclusive community dedicated to supporting individuals and advancing the industry.

"With about half of our customers coming through word of mouth, it was a challenge getting an accurate read on our advertising and its effectiveness," said Jennifer Fenton, growth marketing leader at JOLYN. "The Advanced Attribution Masterclass gave us a deeper understanding of Advanced Attribution and offered a clear direction throughout. We came away with highly actionable next steps for optimizing our marketing strategies."

In 2024 more than 450 marketers and executives attended certified masterclass training offered through M-Squared. Each course is presented by a rotating roster of experts including analytics professionals and marketing leaders from leading brands. The next live masterclasses will take place in late January 2025. Registrations for the exclusive two-day executive crash course or the six-day comprehensive class are currently open with limited spots available.

Contact Information

Jen Cadmus

jen.cadmus@msquaredattribution.com

512-934-8350





Source: M-Squared

View the original press release on accesswire.com
BANGALORE, India, Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- AI Data Center Market is Segmented by Type (GPU Data Center, ASIC Data Center, Hybrid Data Center), by Application (Financial Services, Medical Insurance, Smart Manufacturing, Smart Transportation).

The Global AI Data Center Market was valued at USD 22615.04 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 68317.57 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 17.11%during the forecast period 2024-2030.

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Major Factors Driving the Growth of AI Data Center Market:

The AI data center market is experiencing robust growth, driven by the rising adoption of AI technologies across industries, the proliferation of big data, and advancements in AI hardware. Key sectors such as financial services, healthcare, and autonomous systems rely on AI data centers for high-performance computing and real-time analytics. As organizations prioritize scalability, energy efficiency, and regulatory compliance, AI data centers are poised to remain integral to the evolution of AI applications and infrastructure globally.

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TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF THE AI DATA CENTER MARKET:

GPU data centers are a major driver of the AI data center market, providing unparalleled computational power to handle complex AI workloads. Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) excel in parallel processing, making them ideal for training and deploying AI models in sectors like healthcare, automotive, and technology. The rising adoption of machine learning and deep learning applications has significantly increased the demand for GPU-powered data centers. These facilities enable faster data processing, reducing training times for AI algorithms and improving overall efficiency. GPU data centers are also highly scalable, allowing businesses to meet growing demands for AI-driven insights. Their role in supporting high-performance applications such as natural language processing, image recognition, and autonomous systems has further boosted their adoption. As AI applications become more sophisticated and data-intensive, GPU data centers remain critical for meeting the computational needs of organizations, driving substantial growth in the AI data center market.

Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) data centers are driving the growth of the AI data center market by offering customized solutions optimized for specific AI tasks. ASICs are purpose-built for applications such as neural network acceleration, enabling them to deliver superior performance with lower power consumption compared to general-purpose processors. These data centers are gaining traction in industries like financial services, healthcare, and autonomous driving, where efficiency and speed are critical. The cost-effectiveness of ASICs, combined with their ability to process large volumes of data in real-time, has made them a preferred choice for AI-intensive operations. Additionally, ASIC data centers contribute to energy efficiency, addressing growing concerns about the environmental impact of large-scale data processing. As AI adoption expands across industries, the demand for specialized ASIC data centers is expected to grow, solidifying their role in the evolving AI data center ecosystem.

The financial services sector is a key driver of the AI data center market, leveraging AI technologies to enhance decision-making, fraud detection, and customer experience. AI data centers power advanced analytics and machine learning models used in risk assessment, algorithmic trading, and credit scoring. These applications require immense computational power, making high-performance data centers essential for the industry. Financial institutions also rely on AI data centers to process large volumes of transactional data in real-time, ensuring efficient operations and improved accuracy. The increasing adoption of chatbots and virtual assistants for customer support has further boosted demand for AI-enabled infrastructure. As the financial sector faces growing regulatory and security challenges, AI data centers offer robust solutions for compliance and data protection. The integration of AI into core financial operations ensures the sector's continued investment in AI data centers, driving market growth.

The rising need for high-performance computing (HPC) to support AI applications is a significant driver of the AI data center market. Industries such as healthcare, automotive, and finance rely on HPC for training complex machine learning models and performing data-intensive tasks. AI data centers equipped with advanced processors provide the necessary computational power to handle these workloads, ensuring efficient operations and rapid innovation.

The exponential growth of data generated by digital platforms, IoT devices, and social media has fueled the demand for AI data centers. These facilities enable organizations to store, process, and analyze vast datasets, unlocking insights for business optimization and decision-making. The integration of AI with big data analytics has amplified this trend, driving the need for scalable and efficient data center solutions.

Cloud-based AI services have driven the need for AI-focused data centers, providing scalable and cost-effective solutions for organizations adopting AI technologies. Cloud AI platforms offer access to advanced computing resources without the need for significant upfront investment, enabling businesses of all sizes to implement AI-driven strategies. This trend supports the growth of AI data centers designed for cloud applications.

The emphasis on energy-efficient computing has driven investments in AI data centers optimized for sustainability. Advanced cooling systems, energy-efficient processors, and renewable energy integration reduce operational costs and environmental impact. As organizations prioritize green initiatives, the demand for sustainable AI data centers continues to rise, driving market expansion.

Innovations in AI hardware, including GPUs, TPUs, and ASICs, have enhanced the capabilities of AI data centers. These advancements support faster processing speeds, improved accuracy, and reduced latency, meeting the demands of modern AI applications. The continuous evolution of AI hardware technologies ensures the relevance and growth of AI data centers. Furthermore, the shift toward edge computing has created demand for localized AI data centers capable of processing data closer to its source. This approach reduces latency and enhances real-time decision-making, supporting applications such as autonomous vehicles and smart cities. Edge-focused AI data centers are critical for industries requiring immediate insights and rapid response times.

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AI DATA CENTER MARKET SHARE

The AI data center market exhibits dynamic growth across regions. North America leads the market, driven by robust investments in AI technologies and the presence of major tech companies. Europe follows closely, supported by strong regulatory frameworks and increasing adoption of AI in healthcare and manufacturing.

Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region, fueled by rapid digital transformation, expanding AI adoption, and government-led initiatives in countries like China and India. Emerging markets in Latin America and the Middle East are also witnessing growth, driven by increasing investments in digital infrastructure and AI capabilities. Each region's unique dynamics contribute to the global expansion of the AI data center market.

Key Companies:

NVidia

IBM

LG CNS

Tachyum

Scaleway

Google Cloud

Oracle Cloud

Cadence

Digital Realty

Vertiv

AMD

Sugon

NexGen Cloud

Chayora

Suiyuan Technology

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DISCOVER MORE INSIGHTS: EXPLORE SIMILAR REPORTS!

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- Modern AI Infrastructure market was valued at USD 26380 Million in 2023 and is anticipated to reach USD 41970 Million by 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 7.2% during the forecast period 2024-2030.

- Cloud Data Center Market

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- AIGC Large Model Market

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- Managed AI Data Center Market

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Specialist investment managers Brandywine Global, Clarion Partners and ClearBridge Investments also recognized as best employers in industry

SAN MATEO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / December 9, 2024 / Franklin Templeton and three of its specialist investment managers were recognized in the 2024 Best Places to Work in Money Management awards announced by Pensions & Investments. Franklin Templeton was included in the Super Employers category for those with 1,000+ employees, while Brandywine Global, Clarion Partners and ClearBridge Investments were included in the Large Employers category for those with 100 to 499 employees.

Presented by Pensions & Investments, the global news source of money management and institutional investing, the 13th annual survey and recognition program is dedicated to identifying and recognizing the best employers in the money management industry.

"We are truly honored to be named once again as one of the Best Places to Work in Money Management by Pensions & Investments," said Jenny Johnson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Franklin Templeton. "Franklin Templeton's culture is based on three C's -- Client-centric focus, Collaboration to achieve the best results and Continuous improvement. I'm incredibly proud to lead such talented and dedicated employees who live these ideals every day."

"We are committed to developing employee programs that encourage dialogue, build trust and recognize achievements, with an over-arching goal to cultivate an inclusive, values-driven environment," said Penny Alexander, Franklin Templeton's Chief Human Resources Officer.

Pensions & Investments partnered with Workforce Research Group, a research firm specializing in identifying great places to work, to conduct a two-part survey process of employers and their employees.

The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company's workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems and demographics. This part of the process was worth approximately 20% of the total evaluation. The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. This part of the process was worth approximately 80% of the total evaluation. The combined scores determined the top companies.

"As their employees attest, the companies named to this year's Best Places to Work list demonstrate a commitment to building and maintaining a strong workplace culture,' said P&I Editor-in-Chief Julie Tatge. "In doing so, they're helping their employees, clients and their businesses succeed.'

"Pensions & Investments is proud to honor the Best Places to Work in Money Management for the 13th year. A strong workplace culture that supports talent, advocates progress and drives innovation is paramount to driving the best outcomes and these asset managers demonstrate that. Congratulations to the 2024 honorees for their commitment to employee well-being, attractive incentive structures and talent development that demonstrate how investing in your employees can elevate our industry to greater heights," said P&I President and Publisher Nikki Pirrello.

For a complete list of the 2024 Pensions & Investments' Best Places to Work in Money Management winners and profiles of the top firms across size categories, go to http://www.pionline.com/BPTW2024

Franklin Templeton did not pay an entry fee for the program.

About Pensions & Investments

Pensions & Investments, owned by Crain Communications Inc., is the 51-year-old global news source of money management and institutional investing. P&I is written for executives at defined benefit and defined contribution retirement plans, endowments, foundations, and sovereign wealth funds, as well as those at investment management and other investment-related firms. Pensions & Investments provides timely and incisive coverage of events affecting the money management and retirement businesses. Visit us at www.pionline.com.

About Franklin Templeton

Franklin Resources, Inc. [NYSE:BEN] is a global investment management organization with subsidiaries operating as Franklin Templeton and serving clients in over 150 countries. Franklin Templeton's mission is to help clients achieve better outcomes through investment management expertise, wealth management and technology solutions. Through its specialist investment managers, the company offers specialization on a global scale, bringing extensive capabilities in fixed income, equity, alternatives and multi-asset solutions. With more than 1,500 investment professionals, and offices in major financial markets around the world, the California-based company has over 75 years of investment experience and over $1.6 trillion in assets under management as of October 31, 2024. For more information, please visit franklintempleton.com and follow us on LinkedIn, X and Facebook.

Copyright  2024 Franklin Templeton. All rights reserved.

Best Places to Work

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Franklin Templeton on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Franklin Templeton

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/franklin-templeton

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Franklin Templeton

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 9, 2024) - Besra Gold Inc. (ASX: BEZ) (Besra or the Company) is pleased to announce the despatch of its management information circular and related documents (the Meeting Materials) for the annual general and special meeting of Besra's shareholders (Shareholders) to be held on Friday, December 20, 2024 at 12:30 pm (Sydney, Australia Time) (corresponding to Thursday, December 19, 2024 at 8:30 pm Toronto, Canada Time) at Level 40, 2 Park Street, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia 2000 (the Meeting).

Besra is aware that, due to the ongoing postal strike in Canada (the Strike), some Shareholders may experience a delay in receiving the Meeting Materials. In order to facilitate the delivery of the Meeting Materials in a timely manner, Besra has sent the Meeting Materials (via courier) to registered Shareholders whose addresses, as shown on the register of Shareholders maintained by Besra's transfer agent, are in Canada (other than RR and PO Boxes to which couriers are unable to deliver the Meeting Materials).

Shareholders are encouraged to access the Meeting Materials directly on Besra's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca or on the Company's website at https://www.besra.com/financial-reports/. Shareholders may also contact Computershare Investor Services Inc. (Computershare) toll-free between the hours of 8:30 am and 8:00 pm (Toronto, Canada Time) at 1-800-564-6253 (in North America) or 1-514-982-7555 (outside of North America) or by email at service@computershare.com to request that copies of the Meeting Materials be delivered to them by email. In the event that the Strike ends prior to the Meeting, Besra will mail the Meeting Materials in the normal course, but there can be no assurance that the Meeting Materials will be received by Shareholders prior to the Meeting.

As previously announced in the Company's October 4, 2024 press release, the time period for any person to submit to the Company nominations for the election as directors at the Meeting closed on Friday, November 1, 2024.

How to Vote

Registered Shareholders are Shareholders who hold their shares directly, and not through a broker, depositary or other intermediary. Registered Shareholders can call Computershare at the phone numbers above to obtain their control number, which enables them to vote online at www.investorvote.com or by phone at 1-866-732-8683. Registered Shareholders who require assistance submitting their votes may contact Computershare at the phone numbers above or by email at service@computershare.com.

Beneficial Shareholders are Shareholders who hold their shares through a broker, depositary or other intermediary. Beneficial Shareholders should contact the broker, depositary or other intermediary through which they hold their shares to obtain instructions on how to vote.

Please note that completed proxies must be received by Computershare not less than 48 hours prior to the Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof (excluding Saturdays, Sundays and holidays). Late proxies may be accepted or rejected by the Chair of the Meeting at his or her discretion.

Financial Statements and MD&A

Copies of Besra's annual financial statements and related management discussion and analysis for the year ended June 30, 2024, as well as the interim financial statements and related management discussion and analysis for the three months ended September 30, 2024 (collectively, the Financial Statements and MD&A) have been filed and are available on Besra's SEDAR+ profile. Shareholders may request copies of the Financial Statements and MD&A by contacting the Company Secretary at michael.higginson@besra.com. Copies of such documents will be provided to Shareholders free of charge.

For further information, please contact:

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/233029

SOURCE: Besra Gold Inc.
Kelowna, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 9, 2024) - Enduro Metals Corporation (TSXV: ENDR) (OTCQB: ENDMF) (FSE: SOG0) ("Enduro") and Commander Resources Ltd. (TSXV: CMD) ("Commander") are pleased to announce that they have entered into an amalgamation agreement dated December 9, 2024 (the "Agreement") pursuant to which Enduro and Commander will combine their operations. Under the terms of the Agreement, Enduro will acquire all the issued and outstanding securities of Commander, with the result that the current securityholders of Commander will become securityholders of Enduro (the "Proposed Transaction"). The Proposed Transaction will be subject to the approval by Commander shareholders by a special resolution of at least a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the votes cast at an annual general and special meeting, and also subject to the receipt of certain regulatory, court, and TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSX-V") approvals, and other closing conditions customary in transactions of this nature.

Transaction Highlights:

Business combination creates a leading copper gold exploration company with 100% owned properties in British Columbia's premier porphyry copper and gold districts including the world-renowned Golden Triangle region along with a complementary pipeline of earlier stage exploration projects.

It is anticipated that legacy holders of Commander Common Shares would hold approximately 45.65% of Enduro upon completion of the Proposed Transaction (the " Resulting Issuer ") and legacy holders of Enduro Common Shares would hold approximately 54.35% of the Resulting Issuer.

Creation of an integrated management team with a strong technical and financial track-record and a particular strength in porphyry copper exploration and development.

Three advanced projects in British Columbia including the flagship multi-target Newmont Lake property in the Golden Triangle region, the Burn Property in the Babine Porphyry Belt of central British Columbia and the October Dome project in the central Quesnel Belt adjacent to the Mt. Polley copper-gold mine.

The Agreement sets out an exchange ratio (the " Exchange Ratio ") of 0.535 common shares in the capital of Enduro (the " Enduro Common Shares ") for each one (1) common share in the capital of Commander (the " Commander Common Shares "), representing a deemed price per Commander Common Share of $0.10 and a deemed price per Enduro Common Share of $0.19, representing the 30-day volume weighted average price (" VWAP ") of Enduro.

The Proposed Transaction was unanimously approved by Commander's board of directors and by Enduro's board of directors, in each case with David Watkins abstaining from voting due to his being a director of both companies.

The Proposed Transaction will be subject to the approval by Commander's shareholders at a special meeting of Commander's shareholders and subject to the receipt of certain regulatory, court, TSX-V approvals, and other closing conditions customary in transactions of this nature.

Robert Cameron, CEO of Commander, commented, "This business combination with Enduro builds on Commander's current exposure to copper and gold projects by adding the Newmont Lake project, one of the most exciting and prospective exploration properties in Canada, to the already broad asset base within Commander. This Transaction represents a fantastic opportunity for Commander shareholders to get exposure to the renowned Golden Triangle at the centre of Canada's critical mineral development strategy. We initiated and advanced a process to look outside of our in-house portfolio for special opportunities to grow our exposure to premium exploration projects, primarily in the copper-gold space. This process was initiated in late 2023 and this transaction represents an exceptional business combination that will create a well-funded and structured exploration company to advance a portfolio of premier copper and gold projects."

Cole Evans, CEO of Enduro, commented, "I am pleased to welcome Robert and his team to Enduro. Their extensive expertise in porphyry copper-gold deposits, coupled with a profound understanding of the mining industry, will significantly enhance our ability to unlock the full potential of Newmont Lake. Many signs suggest the Golden Triangle is on the brink of a new era of capital investment and construction, particularly at Galore Creek and KSM. Positioned strategically between these two major projects, Newmont Lake is poised to emerge as a key driver of discovery and development in the region.

In a challenging environment for exploration investment, this business combination bolsters the Enduro's balance sheet and provides our shareholders with ownership in two highly promising projects: Burn and October Dome. Together with Newmont Lake, these assets establish a presence in three of British Columbia's most significant copper - gold belts and transforms Enduro into one with year-round exploration opportunities, all while maintaining a strong focus on jurisdiction and commodity."

Benefits of the Proposed Transaction to Commander Shareholders:

Exchange Ratio of 0.535 Enduro Common Shares for each one (1) Commander Common Share, representing a deemed price per Commander Common Shares of $0.10 and a deemed price per Enduro Common Share of $0.187, representing a 30-day VWAP.

Represents a premium of 29% to the closing price of the Commander Common Shares on December 4 and a 13% premium to the 30-day VWAP of Enduro shares as at December 6, 2024.

A combination with Enduro presents an opportunity for Commander shareholders to gain meaningful ownership in a highly prospective exploration package on a larger platform.

Benefits of the Proposed Transaction to Enduro Shareholders:

The Proposed Transaction represents a modest (under 5%) premium to Commander's cash position of CAD$4.2 million as at September 20, 2024 at a challenging time for raising capital for junior exploration companies.

The Proposed Transaction will position Enduro as a multi-asset company with a focus on Cu-Au porphyry exploration in British Columbia. While Newmont Lake will remain the priority, Commander's Burn and October Dome properties will allow for year-round exploration activity and more efficient utilization of the combined groups exploration capability.

The Proposed Transaction will greatly enhance Enduro's management team. Robert Cameron and Steve Wetherup are experienced geoscientists with significant expertise in porphyry systems, particularly in North America, and a track record of partnering with established mining companies on Commander's exploration properties.

Transaction Terms

The Agreement contemplates the Proposed Transaction will be carried out by way of a three-cornered amalgamation under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) where Commander will amalgamate with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Enduro, with the shareholders of Commander exchanging their shares for shares of Enduro. The Agreement provides for an Exchange Ratio of 0.535 of an Enduro Common Share for each one (1) Commander Common Share, representing a deemed price per Commander Common Shares of $0.10 and a deemed price per Enduro Common Share of $0.187 representing a 30-day VWAP. It is anticipated that upon completion of the Proposed Transaction, legacy holders of Commander Common Shares would hold approximately 45.65% of the Resulting Issuer and legacy holders of Enduro Common Shares would hold approximately 54.35% of the Resulting Issuer. Outstanding warrants and options of Commander will be exchanged for equivalent warrants and options, respectively, of Enduro based on the Exchange Ratio.

Additionally, the Agreement contains customary deal-protection provisions, including a non-solicitation covenant in respect of Commander and a right of Enduro to match any superior proposal as defined and described in the definitive agreement. Under certain circumstances, if the Agreement is terminated, Enduro would be entitled to the payment of a $400,000 termination fee from Commander. The Agreement will also be subject to a number of conditions being satisfied or waived by one or both of Enduro and Commander, including the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of certain other closing conditions customary for a transaction of this nature.

Upon completion of the Proposed Transaction, it is anticipated that Rob Cameron and Brandon Macdonald will join the Board of Enduro. In order to facilitate these appointments, existing Enduro director, Lawrence Roulston, has advised the Enduro Board that he will resign as a director of Enduro immediately prior to the completion of the Proposed Transaction.

Non-Arm's Length Parties

David Watkins is a non-arm's length party to the Proposed Transaction by virtue of being a director of each of Enduro and Commander. Mr. Watkins has advised the directors of each of Enduro and Commander of this potential conflict of interest and has abstained from voting on any resolutions pertaining to the Proposed Transaction.

The Proposed Transaction will be exempt from the requirements of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (the "Instrument") as there are no "collateral benefits" (as that term is defined under the Instrument) due to any related parties of Commander as a result of the Proposed Transaction.

Property Portfolio of Enduro

Enduro Metals' sole focus is on its Newmont Lake Project; 688 km2 of mineral claims located within the center of northwestern British Columbia's Golden Triangle, a region widely considered to be among the most well-endowed mineral districts in the world. Notable mines/deposits within the general area include Eskay Creek, KSM, Brucejack, Galore Creek, Red Chris, Snip, Schaft Creek, Treaty Creek, Premier, Granduc, and Saddle. The Newmont Lake Property represents one of the largest contiguous landholdings in the Golden Triangle and is considered prospective for several different deposit types. The key areas of focus for Enduro have been the Burgundy Project, an alkalic copper-gold porphyry target, and the McLymont Project, an easily accessible high grade gold project.

The Burgundy Project is a 206 km2 area that Enduro views as being prospective for alkalic copper-gold porphyry deposits similar to Newmont/Teck's Galore Creek Project located approximately 25km to the northwest along the arc-trend, and includes Burgundy Ridge to the south-west and the 72' Zone to the Northeast. Approximately 14,500 metres has been drilled to date at the Burgundy Project, including BRDDH21-001 which returned 331 metres of 0.71% CuEq, including 18 metres of 2.85% CuEq.

The McLymont Project is a 70 km2 area that the Company views as being prospective for high-grade gold deposits of varying styles, associated with the over 20 kilometre long McLymont Fault. The McLymont Fault is a regional-scale geological structure that is the western-bounding normal fault of the Newmont Lake Graben; a geological feature that dominates the center of the whole Newmont Lake Property.

The McLymont Project was the target of most of the historic exploration undertaken on the Newmont Lake Property and includes the NW Zone target which has a historic, non-compliant mineral estimate based on 16,992 metres of diamond drilling completed between 1987-1990 by Gulf Minerals.

Other key targets on the Newmont Lake Property include: North Toe, an early stage Cu-Au porphyry target with encouraging porphyry-style alteration typical of alkalic copper-gold porphyry systems; Chachi, an 8 kilometre-long by 4 kilometre wide area on the eastern side of the Newmont Lake Property where at least three different types of mineralization have been observed, including the largest copper and gold in soil anomaly encountered on the Newmont Lake property to date; and Ken Zone, a topographic high situated due east of Burgundy and north of the NW Zone, which hosts a significant copper and gold bearing magnetite skarn.

Property Portfolio of Commander

Commander has an extensive portfolio of eleven mineral exploration properties across Canada along with a single property in Mexico. The South Voisey's Bay nickel property in Labrador is a joint venture with Fjordland Exploration (75% Fjordland/25% Commander), and the Pedro Gold project in Mexico is subject to an earn-in agreement with Southern Empire Resources which allows Southern Empire the right to earn a 100% interest. Within British Columbia, Commander has a 100% interest in three porphyry copper-gold projects and a partial interest (10% carried) in a fourth. The Burn and October Dome projects are the most advanced.

Commander's Burn Property is within the Babine Porphyry belt in north-central British Columbia, an area that is experiencing a revived interest from a number of funded exploration programs by larger mining companies. Exploration by Commander has identified five distinct targets on this large 170 km2 property, of which the largest is referred to as the Charleston zone where first pass drilling in 2022 and 2023 (14 holes, 5,916 metres) has identified two discrete zones referred to as the west gold zone and the central copper-gold zone. Both zones are open to expansion and many surface targets are yet to be drill tested.

The October Dome copper gold property, is located in the "Quesnel Trough" in central B.C. near the town of Likely, some 10 kilometres north of Imperial Metals Corporation's Mt. Polley porphyry copper mine, and 7 km east of the past producing QR gold mine. Historical work by previous operators including drilling and surface work by Commander has outlined a five-kilometre target defined by copper and gold soil geochemistry, induced polarization, magnetic surveys and historical drilling that indicate the presence of two alkalic-style porphyry copper gold systems and a stratabound gold skarn target.

Qualified Persons

Robert Cameron, P. Geo. is a qualified person within the context of National Instrument 43-101, and has read and takes responsibility for the technical aspects of this release in so far as they relate to Commander. Mr. Maurizio Napoli, P. Geo. is a qualified person within the context of National Instrument 43-101, and has read and takes responsibility for the technical aspects of this release in so far as they relate to Enduro.

Loan Agreement

In conjunction with the signing of the Agreement, Commander has agreed to loan Enduro $400,000 pursuant to the terms of a loan agreement between the parties dated the date of the Agreement (the "Loan"), subject to the approval of the TSX-V. The Loan bears interest at the rate of 12% per annum and is payable on April 30th, 2026. The Loan is secured by a security interest over Enduro's "Chachi" claims, an 8 x 4 kilometre area on the eastern side of the Newmont Lake Property which includes the largest copper and gold soil anomaly encountered on the Newmont Lake property to date.

Full details of the Proposed Transaction and the Loan will be included in a management information circular to be mailed to Commander shareholders and that will be available on SEDAR+.

Board of Directors and Special Committee Recommendations

The Agreement has been unanimously approved by each of the boards of directors of Commander and Enduro (in each case with David Watkins abstaining from voting on the applicable resolutions due to his being a director of both companies) following the unanimous recommendation of their respective special committees of independent directors. Commander's board of directors has unanimously recommended that the Commander's shareholders vote in favour of the Proposed Transaction.

GenCap Mining Advisory Ltd. provided a fairness opinion to the Commander special committee and board of directors, which stated that as of the date of the opinion and based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set out in such opinion, the consideration to be paid to the Commander shareholders under the Proposed Transaction is fair from a financial point of view.

Advisers and Counsel

GenCap Mining Advisory Ltd. is acting as financial adviser to the Commander special committee. Harper Grey LLP is acting as Canadian legal adviser to Commander. Pushor Mitchell LLP is acting as Canadian legal adviser to Enduro.

Completion of the Proposed Transaction is subject to a number of conditions being satisfied or waived by one or both of Enduro and Commander, including approval of Commander's shareholders together with any requisite disinterested shareholder approvals and acceptance of the TSXV. There can be no assurance that the Proposed Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular to be prepared in connection with the Proposed Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Proposed Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of Commander and Enduro should be considered highly speculative.

The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the Proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

About Enduro Metals

Enduro Metals is an exploration company focused on its Newmont Lake Project; a total 688km2 property located between Eskay Creek, Snip, and Galore Creek within the heart of British Columbia's Golden Triangle. Building on prior results, Enduro's geological team has outlined multiple deposit environments of interest across the Newmont Lake Project including high-grade epithermal/skarn gold along the McLymont Fault, copper-gold alkalic porphyry mineralization at Burgundy, newly discovered copper-gold porphyry mineralization at North Toe, and a large 10km x 4km geochemical anomaly hosting various gold, silver, copper, zinc, nickel, cobalt, and lead mineralization along the newly discovered Chachi Corridor.

About Commander Resources

Commander is a Canadian focused exploration company that has leveraged its success in exploration through a combination of partnerships and sole funded exploration. Commander has a portfolio of base and precious metal projects across Canada including its flagship Burn Project, a newly discovered porphyry copper-gold project in the Babine copper belt of central British Columbia and its October Dome copper and gold porphyry target in central British Columbia and our Sabin VMS project in Ontario.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of Commander Resources Ltd.

"Robert Cameron"

President and Chief Executive Officer

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of Enduro Metals Corporation

"Cole Evans"

Chief Executive Officer

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements". Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Enduro's and Commander'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 statements. Forward looking statements are 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 statements in this news release include statements concerning the parties' expectation that they will complete the Proposed Transaction and the Loan, and all other statements that are not historical in nature.

Although Enduro and Commander believe the forward-looking information contained in this news release is reasonable based on information available on the date hereof, forward-looking statements by their nature involve assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS NEWS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF ENDURO AND COMMANDER AS OF THE DATE OF THIS NEWS 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 ENDURO AND COMMANDER MAY ELECT TO, NEITHER OF THEM UNDERTAKES 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 accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/233036

SOURCE: Enduro Metals Corporation
Originally published in Lenovo's 2023/24 ESG Report

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / December 9, 2024 / As Senior Vice President and Chief Legal & Corporate Responsibility Officer, it is a pleasure to share our 18th annual Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) Report for FY 2023/24. I write this letter with the knowledge that our world is at a critical juncture across all elements of ESG. This past year was measured as the hottest year on Earth in recorded history, economic uncertainty and division remains for many around the world, and artificial intelligence has proven itself as a powerful tool that must be used thoughtfully. It's more important than ever to take action credibly, collaboratively, and with full accountability.

With these values in mind, Lenovo was proud to fortify our participation as a member of the United Nations Global Compact by joining the Forward Faster initiative in 2023. Through this initiative, Lenovo has committed to accelerating impact for the UN Sustainable Development Goals as they relate to climate action and water resilience. After announcing the validation of our net-zero targets by the Science Based Targets initiative in January 2023, joining the Forward Faster initiative further demonstrates our commitment to credible action through collaboration with others who are serious about mitigating climate change and conserving our planet's resources.

While we are on track to meet our near-term 2030 emissions reduction goals - the first milestone in our journey to net-zero by 2050 - we know that innovation is perhaps the most critical strength for our journey. Our people are core to our ability to innovate and it's important that our teams are composed of diverse perspectives to ensure we're getting the best ideas from a wide range of viewpoints. Workforce diversity not only supports stronger solutions to problems, but it helps us better meet the needs of our diverse, global customer base.

To better understand the diversity of our employee base, we launched a Self-ID Campaign in 2023. The Self-ID Campaign gives employees the opportunity to voluntarily provide information on their gender identity, disability status, and racial or ethnic background. With alignment from local leadership, it has rolled out in the US, the European Union, and he United Kingdom. We look forward to extending it to key markets in the Asia Pacific region in the months to come. This campaign and the aggregate workforce data it provides is critical to ensuring the safety and well-being of employees by increasing awareness of external dynamics and helping to support the development of stronger internal policies. It also provides insights for our employee resource groups, as they work to foster a sense of belonging in our workforce across seven diversity segments, many intersections, and many interest groups. Our Product Diversity Office can also leverage this data for awareness of internal stakeholders as they review new products and solutions and ensure our smarter technology is truly for all.

Lenovo is an industry leader in the inclusion of women in the workforce and representation of women in our technical teams. We remain focused on our executive representation goals for FY 2025/26, working to reach 27% female executive representation around the world and 35% representation of executives from historically excluded backgrounds in the US. To bolster this work, we've focused on our diverse talent pipeline. We continue to see success from our Women's Leadership Development Program (for Director-level women around the world) and Mosaic Leadership Development Program (for Directors from historically excluded backgrounds in the US). Recently Lenovo has added the Courageous Leadership Development Program to better retain and grow managers who are from historically excluded backgrounds in the US and not yet at the Director level.

In FY 2023/24, we were proud to receive the highest-ever engagement score on our Annual Lenovo Listens employee survey. We see this reflected in our employees' energy for our global philanthropy efforts. In 2023, employees grew our grassroots-driven Love on Month of Service for the seventh consecutive year, tracking more hours volunteered than ever before. Employees in Colombia, Brazil, the US and India gave back with our charitable partner Wine To Water to help provide access to clean water for local communities. Additionally, employees engaged with our Work for Humankind initiative in India, helping rural farmers in the Kanthaloor state revitalize cultivation of the ancient millet grain.

As we continue our sustainability journey, we are proud of recognitions that signal progress. In the past year we were proud to be recognized as one of Fortune Magazine's Most Admired Companies. We were also named a Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion by the Disability:IN, maintained our placement on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index for LGBTQ+ inclusion, and received our highest score to date on Workplace Pride's Global Benchmark Score. Our customers and partners are recognizing our efforts, as Lenovo was honored with the Canalys Sustainability Champion Award in 2023. We know that these accolades are the result of strong governance that we will persistently reinforce through our policies, decisions, behaviors, and the workplace culture they create.

As a global technology company, we continue to navigate new challenges. However, we know that our persistent commitments to collaboration, credibility, and accountability will continue to power us forward on our sustainability journey.

Laura Quatela

Senior Vice President, Chief Legal & Corporate Responsibility Officer

Lenovo Group Limited

Read more





View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Lenovo on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Lenovo

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/lenovo

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Lenovo

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Bardstown Bourbon Company, the leading custom American whiskey distiller and Brindiamo, the global leader in sourcing bulk whiskey, today announced an exclusive relationship to provide a market-leading barrel leasing program for whiskey brand contract distillation customers.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241209024956/en/

Bardstown Bourbon Company, the leading custom American whiskey distiller and Brindiamo, the global leader in sourcing bulk whiskey, will launch an exclusive barrel leasing program -- a timely, tailored solution for non-distilling brands. Roughly one-third of the cost of a new fill barrel is tied up in the wood used to make the barrel. This program allows brands to simplify this significant upfront expense into manageable monthly payments, offering customers the flexibility to plan for tomorrow while maintaining the cashflow to support their needs today. (Photo: Business Wire)

As the whiskey market continues to evolve, this financing program offers a timely, tailored solution for non-distilling brands. Roughly one-third of the cost of a new fill barrel is tied up in the wood used to make the barrel. This program allows brands to simplify this significant upfront expense into manageable monthly payments, offering customers the flexibility to plan for tomorrow while maintaining the cashflow to support their needs today.

"At Bardstown, we pride ourselves on quality, consistency, customer service and innovation. This program was designed to provide an alternative financing solution to customers looking to acquire the highest quality and most consistent distillate available," said Mark Erwin, Bardstown Bourbon Company CEO. "We are expanding our relationship with long-term partner Brindiamo to exclusively represent this program to our customers."

While the program will initially be limited to 25,000 barrels annually, Bardstown and Brindiamo are committed to growing the program to meet customer demand. Both sales teams will market and sell the program with Brindiamo serving as the exclusive manager for this innovative offering.

"Bardstown and Green River have been great partners of ours for years, and we admire their 'Never Stand Still' attitude. This program is a natural evolution of our collaboration," said Jeff Steinberg, CEO of Brindiamo. "In today's economic climate, we believe that customers will prefer the flexibility of leasing the wood to free up capital for their sales and marketing efforts. We are excited to develop this offering with Bardstown Bourbon."

"Brindiamo is the perfect partner for this as they have the scale, know-how and capability to build a superlative end-to-end experience for our customers," said Erwin. "We take great pride in creating unprecedented value for our customers and this innovation directly responds to their needs in the face of the market dynamics impacting many brands."

For questions or to learn more about the barrel leasing program visit bardstownbourbon.com/contract-distilling.

High res imagery and assets can be found here

About Bardstown Bourbon Company

Bardstown Bourbon Company is pushing the boundaries of innovation while honoring the traditional art of making great whiskey. With the most modern, technically advanced whiskey distillery, Bardstown Bourbon Co. combines distillation and spirited hospitality into a modern, authentic bourbon experience unlike any other on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail. Named 2023 Worldwide Whiskey Producer of the Year by IWSC and boasting the highest rated bourbon in the world, Bardstown Bourbon Co. is working to push the entire industry in a direction that is more innovative, more transparent and more collaborative. Bardstown Bourbon Co is a top ten distiller by volume in the U.S. For more information visit BardstownBourbon.com.

About Brindiamo

Brindiamo is a leading partner to the global whiskey industry, offering expertise and tailored solutions to brands, distilleries, and suppliers. Known for its ability to simplify complexity, Brindiamo specializes in barrel and liquid management, financing, logistics, and strategic services that help clients navigate the challenges of whiskey production. As the premier sourcing partner for bulk American, Scotch, Irish, and world whiskies, Brindiamo provides unparalleled access to premium liquid. Brindiamo supports its partners every step of the way, delivering creative solutions and unmatched value from wood to glass.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241209024956/en/

Contacts:

Holly Weyler

hweyler@bardstownbourbon.com

502.836.8715
KELOWNA, BC / ACCESSWIRE / December 9, 2024 / Diamcor Mining Inc. (TSX-V:DMI)(OTCQB:DMIFF)(FRA:DC3A), ("Diamcor" or the "Company"), announces that in connection with the ongoing Canada Post labour strike, the notice of meeting, management information circular, and form of proxy (the "Meeting Materials") for the upcoming annual general and special meeting (the "Meeting") on December 30, 2024, of holders (the "Shareholders") of Common shares ("Common Shares") of the Company, can be accessed under Diamcor's SEDAR+ profile on www.sedarplus.ca and through Diamcor's website at Diamcor Mining Inc. - 2024 AGM.

NOBO's and Registered Shareholders

The Company is encouraging Non-Objecting Beneficial Owners (the "NOBO's") and Registered Shareholders to access the Meeting Materials electronically and vote their Common Shares online. NOBO's and Registered Shareholders can request copies of the Meeting Materials delivered via email by contacting Computershare Trust Company of Canada ("Computershare"), Diamcor's registrar and transfer agent, at 1-800-564-6253 (Toll-Free North America) or 1-514-982-7555 (Toll-Free International). In addition, NOBO's and Registered Shareholders can request and receive from Computershare their Control Numbers after correctly answering a couple of security questions.

Objecting Beneficial Shareholders

Objecting Beneficial Shareholders should contact their broker/intermediary to obtain a copy of their voting instruction form or other proxy-related materials if not already provided.

Proxies and Questions

In all cases, Shareholders' votes must be received not later than 10:00 a.m. (PST) on December 24, 2024, being three (3) business days prior to the Meeting or any adjournment thereof. Shareholders with questions on voting may contact Computershare at 1-800-564-6253 (Toll-Free North America) or 1-514-982-7555 (Toll-Free International), or the Company at 1-250-862-3212.

For further information contact:

Mr. Mark F Smith

Diamcor Mining Inc

MarkS@Diamcor.com

+1 250 862-3212

About Diamcor Mining Inc.

Diamcor Mining Inc. is a fully reporting publicly traded Canadian diamond mining company with a well-established proven history in the mining, exploration, and sale of rough diamonds. The Company's primary focus is on the mining and development of its Krone-Endora at Venetia Project which is co-located and directly adjacent to De Beers' Venetia Diamond Mine in South Africa. The Venetia diamond mine is recognized as one of the world's top diamond-producing mines, and the deposits which occur on Krone-Endora have been identified as being the result of shift and subsequent erosion of an estimated 50M tonnes of material from the higher grounds of Venetia to the lower surrounding areas in the direction of Krone and Endora. Tiffany & Co. Canada, a subsidiary of New York based Tiffany & Co., provided Diamcor with loans totalling CAD $9.5M in support the advancement of the Company's Krone-Endora at Venetia Project, and in doing so retained a first right of refusal to purchase up to 100% of the future production of rough diamonds (up to 10.8 carats in size) from the Krone-Endora at Venetia project at then market prices.

Diamcor also focuses on the acquisition and development of mid-tier projects with near-term production capabilities and growth potential and uses unique approaches to mining that involves the use of advanced technology and techniques to extract diamonds in a safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible manner. The Company has a strong commitment to social responsibility, including the support of local people, communities, and the environment.

About Tiffany & Co.

Tiffany & Co., founded in New York City in 1837 by Charles Lewis Tiffany, is a global luxury jeweler synonymous with elegance, innovative design, fine craftmanship and creative excellence. With more than 300 retail stores worldwide and a workforce of more than 13,000 employees, Tiffany & Co. and its subsidiaries design, manufacture and market jewelry, watches and luxury accessories. Nearly 5,000 skilled artisans cut Tiffany diamonds and craft jewelry in the Company's own workshops, realizing the brand's commitment to superlative quality. Tiffany & Co. has a long-standing commitment to conducting its business responsibly, sustaining the natural environment, prioritizing diversity, and inclusion, and positively impacting the communities in which it operates. To learn more about Tiffany & Co. and its commitment to sustainability, please visit www.tiffany.com.

About the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project

Diamcor acquired the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project from De Beers Consolidated Mines Limited, consisting of the prospecting rights over the farms Krone 104 and Endora 66, which represent a combined surface area of approximately 5,888 hectares directly adjacent to De Beers' flagship Venetia Diamond Mine in South Africa. The Company subsequently announced that the South African Department of Mineral Resources had granted a Mining Right for the Krone-Endora at Venetia Project encompassing 657.71 hectares of the Project's total area of 5,888 hectares. The Company has also submitted an application for a mining right over the remaining areas of the Project. The deposits which occur on the properties of Krone and Endora have been identified as a higher-grade "Alluvial" basal deposit which is covered by a lower-grade upper "Eluvial" deposit. These deposits are proposed to be the result of the direct-shift (in respect to the "Eluvial" deposit) and erosion (in respect to the "Alluvial" deposit) of an estimated 1,000 vertical meters of material from the higher grounds of the adjacent Venetia Kimberlite areas. The deposits on Krone-Endora occur with a maximum total depth of approximately 15.0 metres from surface to bedrock, allowing for a very low-cost mining operation to be employed with the potential for near-term diamond production from a known high-quality source. Krone-Endora also benefits from the significant development of infrastructure and services already in place due to its location directly adjacent to the Venetia Mine, which is widely recognised as the largest diamond mine in South Africa, and one of the most prolific diamond mines in the world.

Qualified Person Statement:

Mr. James P. Hawkins (B.Sc., P.Geo.), is Manager of Exploration & Special Projects for Diamcor Mining Inc., and the Qualified Person in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 responsible for overseeing the execution of Diamcor's exploration programmes and a Member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta ("APEGA"). Mr. Hawkins has reviewed this press release and approved of its contents.

On behalf of the Board of Directors:

Mr. Dean H. Taylor

President & CEO

Diamcor Mining Inc.

www.diamcormining.com

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. While these forward-looking statements represent our best current judgement, they are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict and which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. Further, the Company expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

WE SEEK SAFE HARBOUR

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Diamcor Mining Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
The campaign to support North Texas Giving Day 2023, the nation's largest community-wide giving event, has been honored with two distinguished awards at the 9th Annual Shorty Impact Awards: the Bronze Honor in Fundraising Campaign and the coveted Audience Honor in Fundraising Campaign. The campaign was lead by North Texas-based advertising agency, The Barber Shop Marketing.

The Shorty Impact Awards celebrate excellence in purpose-driven work across social media, digital platforms, and creative storytelling. North Texas Giving Day's 2023 campaign stood out for its innovative approach to engaging donors, empowering nonprofits, and fostering a culture of philanthropy throughout the North Texas region.

"This recognition reflects the incredible generosity of our community and the tireless efforts of nonprofits working to make North Texas a better place for all," said Amy Hall, President of The Barber Shop Marketing. "As proud as we are of the work we have done together, we are thrilled to see the Communities Foundation of Texas on a national stage with every donor, volunteer, and nonprofit that made the campaign a success."

In 2023, North Texas Giving Day reached new heights, mobilizing tens of thousands of donors to contribute to thousands of nonprofits. The campaign's creative use of social media, storytelling, and digital outreach inspired widespread participation and highlighted the transformative impact of collective giving.

The Bronze Honor in Fundraising Campaign recognizes the campaign's exceptional execution and measurable results, while the Audience Honor celebrates the public's overwhelming support and admiration for the initiative.

"The awards underscore North Texas Giving Day's role as a model for philanthropy, demonstrating how innovative fundraising strategies can unite communities and drive meaningful change," said Hall. "We are thrilled to help this organization make national waves and contribute to the collective ripple effect."

About North Texas Giving Day

North Texas Giving Day, powered by Communities Foundation of Texas, is an annual online giving event designed to empower individuals, nonprofits, and businesses to create lasting impact through philanthropy. Last year, more than $60 million was raised through 97,132 donors benefiting over 3,000 local nonprofits, bringing the fifteen-year total to over $566 million for our community. North Texas Giving Day is the largest community-wide giving event in the nation.

About the Shorty Impact Awards

The Shorty Impact Awards honor individuals and organizations creating purpose-driven content and campaigns that make a difference. Celebrating creativity, innovation, and impact, the awards shine a spotlight on initiatives that inspire change across industries and communities.

About The Barber Shop Marketing:

The Barber Shop Marketing is a full-service marketing and advertising agency in Dallas with category-leading clients including Berkeys Plumbing, AC & Electrical, Baker Brothers Plumbing, Air & Electric, Yo Quiero, City of Richardson, Smith Thompson Home Security, Town of Addison, and Bill Dickason Chevrolet Buick. Their specialization includes advertising, creative, media, digital, social media, public relations, and search optimization. For more information about The Barber Shop Marketing, For more information about The Barber Shop Marketing, visit www.thebarbershopmarketing.com or phone 214-217-7177. Follow The Barber Shop Marketing on Facebook at www.facebook.com/thebarbershopmarketing or on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-barber-shop-marketing.

Contact Information

Name: Amy Hall

Title: President & CEO

Email: amy@thebarbershopmarketing.com

SOURCE: The Barber Shop Marketing

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Interview: BRI delivers benefits to all, says former S. African diplomat

Xinhua) 15:31, December 07, 2024

JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has promoted global growth and delivered mutual benefits to all involved since its launch in 2013, one former ambassador has said.

Gert Grobler, a former South African ambassador to Spain, Japan, and Madagascar, told Xinhua that Western aid programs are often limited to humanitarian efforts. Conversely, the BRI emphasizes trade, investment, and infrastructure development while addressing global challenges.

The former diplomat noted that the BRI involves countries in different regions, at different development stages and with different cultures. "It commendably transcends differences in ideologies and social systems," he added.

Grobler highlighted the BRI's significant impact on Africa, where 52 African countries and the African Union Commission have signed Belt and Road cooperation documents with China.

"Infrastructure is probably the most outstanding dimension of the BRI in Africa," Grobler remarked, citing the construction of nearly 100,000 kilometers of roads, over 10,000 kilometers of railways, nearly 1,000 bridges, and almost 100 ports.

Grobler said that the BRI is transforming Africa's economies through infrastructure, job creation, and trade.

He also commended the BRI's green development efforts, noting China's promotion of sustainable projects, including the Green Investment Principles and international green collaboration. These initiatives align BRI projects with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

"The BRI presents a unique opportunity for recipient countries to achieve modernization and inclusive growth," he said.

Addressing accusations of the so-called "Chinese debt trap," Grobler dismissed them as "lies made up by the United States and some other Western countries." He referenced a 2022 study by British charity Debt Justice, which revealed that African countries owe three times more debt to Western institutions than to China.

"The allegations against China are therefore simply untenable, and the developing countries and people with insight from the rest of the international community will not fall for this," he said, noting China is the biggest contributor to the G20 Debt Service Suspension Initiative.

Grobler added that the BRI respects the sovereignty and independence of participating nations, fosters equal partnerships and promotes a peaceful international order.

Despite potential challenges ahead, Grobler expressed optimism for the BRI's future. "Cooperation will thrive, and the BRI can look forward to an even brighter future," he said.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Sheng Chuyi)
Richmond, Victoria--(Newsfile Corp. - December 9, 2024) - Worldwide Backlinks, a renowned agency specializing in Digital PR services, is poised to guide businesses through the intricacies of Google's latest algorithm updates, which have now been fully rolled out. With a strong presence in the United States, New Zealand, Australia, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and the United Kingdom, Worldwide Backlinks is uniquely positioned to offer global insights into these significant changes.





Hopefully, this is an improvement to fight spam in Google's search results

The recent updates from Google have sent ripples across various industries, affecting search engine rankings and digital marketing strategies. As businesses strive to adapt, Worldwide Backlinks stands ready to provide expert guidance and innovative solutions. The agency's comprehensive understanding of digital marketing dynamics ensures that clients can navigate these changes effectively, maintaining their competitive edge.

Callum Sherwood, CEO of Worldwide Backlinks, emphasizes the importance of staying informed and agile in response to these updates. He states,

"Google's algorithm updates are a reminder of the ever-evolving nature of digital marketing. At Worldwide Backlinks, we are committed to helping our clients understand and leverage these changes to enhance their online presence and achieve their business goals."

With a focus on delivering tailored strategies, Worldwide Backlinks offers a range of services designed to optimize digital performance. From enhancing search engine visibility to crafting compelling digital PR campaigns, the agency's expertise spans multiple domains, including business, marketing, and adult content. This diverse experience enables Worldwide Backlinks to cater to a wide array of client needs, ensuring that each strategy is customized for maximum impact.

As the digital landscape continues to evolve, Worldwide Backlinks remains at the forefront of industry developments. The agency's commitment to innovation and excellence is reflected in its proactive approach to Google's algorithm updates. By staying ahead of the curve, Worldwide Backlinks empowers businesses to thrive in an increasingly competitive environment.

For more information on how Worldwide Backlinks can assist in navigating Google's latest algorithm updates, visit their website or reach out to their team of experts. With a proven track record of success, Worldwide Backlinks is dedicated to helping businesses achieve their digital marketing objectives in a rapidly changing world.





With A Year Fulled Of Updates, AI Integration & More - SEO Has Changed Completely

About Worldwide Backlinks

As a specialist agency, Worldwide Backlinks offers expert Digital PR services & much more!

Press Inquiries



Worldwide Backlinks

https://www.worldwidebacklinks.com/

Media

support@worldwidebacklinks.com

1800 840 999

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/233019

SOURCE: Worldwide Backlinks
Irving, Texas--(Newsfile Corp. - December 9, 2024) - DYNR-DynaResource, Inc. (OTCQX: DYNR) ("DynaResource", or "Company") today announced that due to unexpected delays in the process of printing and mailing the notice of meeting and accompanying proxy materials to certain of its stockholders, it has decided to postpone its 2024 annual meeting of stockholders (the "2024 Annual Meeting") previously scheduled for Friday, December 13, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. Central Time to Monday, January 6, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. Central Time. The postponed 2024 Annual Meeting will be held at the Ground Floor Conference Room, Suite 109, 222 West Las Colinas Blvd., Irving, Texas 75039.

The close of business on November 8, 2024 will continue to be the record date for the determination of stockholders of the Company entitled to vote at the 2024 Annual Meeting. Stockholders of the Company who have previously submitted their proxy and who do not want to change their vote do not need to take any action.

No changes have been made to the proposals to be voted on by stockholders at the 2024 Annual Meeting. The Company encourages all of its stockholders to read the Company's definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on November 12, 2024 (the "Proxy Statement") and distributed to the stockholders. Stockholders are also able to obtain, for free, copies of documents filed with the SEC at the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov.

The Company will continue to solicit votes from its stockholders with respect to the proposals set forth in the Proxy Statement. The Company encourages all stockholders who have not submitted their proxy to do so before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on January 3, 2025.

About DynaResource

DynaResource is a junior gold mining producer trading on the OTCQX under the symbol "DYNR". DynaResource is actively mining and expanding the historic San Jose de Gracia gold mining district in Sinaloa, Mexico.

On behalf of the Board of Directors of DynaResource, Inc.

Rohan Hazelton

President & CEO

For Information on DynaResource, Inc. please visit www.dynaresource.com, or contact:

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/233106

SOURCE: DynaResource, Inc.
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.
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - December 9, 2024) - Cardinal Energy Ltd. (TSX: CJ) ("Cardinal" or the "Company") confirms that our December dividend of $0.06 per common share will be paid on January 15, 2025 to shareholders of record on December 31, 2024. The Board of Directors of Cardinal has declared the dividend payable in cash. This dividend has been designated as an "eligible dividend" for Canadian income tax purposes.

About Cardinal Energy Ltd.

Cardinal is a Canadian oil and natural gas company with operations focused on low decline oil in Western Canada. Cardinal differentiates itself from its peers by having the lowest decline conventional asset base in Western Canada. Cardinal has recently announced the commencement of its first thermal SAGD oil development project which will further increase the long-term sustainability of the Company.

For further information:

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/233021

SOURCE: Cardinal Energy Ltd.
Highlights

EC-01 returned 2.01 g/t Au over 288.34m from surface including 3.07 g/t Au over 175.26m

from surface including Discovered a new high-grade zone below the previously known mineralisation that returned 13.18 g/t Au over 13.69m including 21.70 g/t Au over 6.10m

over 13.69m including Bulk composite samples of key mineralized zones with visible gold are being processed and assayed to ensure the full coarse fraction is being captured.

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 9, 2024) - Provenance Gold Corp. (CSE: PAU) (OTCQB: PVGDF) (the "Company" or "Provenance") is pleased to announce assay results from the first core hole drilled by Provenance (EC-01) on its Eldorado Gold Property in Malheur County in Eastern Oregon. Drill Hole EC-01 (HQ) was drilled to a total depth of 338.18 metres at a -68 dip and 315 Azimuth. The entirety of the hole was sampled (231 samples) with average sample lengths of approximately 1.45m each.

Hole From To Length Gold Metal Factor High-Grade Zone (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g*m) (Location) EC-01 0.00 288.34 288.34 2.01 579.06

"Including" 7.92 183.18 175.26 3.07 538.87

"And" 34.90 65.07 30.18 4.28 129.19 Upper "And" 86.01 126.34 40.33 3.48 140.34 Central "And" 167.98 181.66 13.69 13.18 180.43 Lower "Including" 175.56 181.66 6.10 21.70 132.28 Lower

Table 1 - Assays Results for Drill Hole EC-01

Provenance's Chairman Rauno Perttu stated: "This first core hole considerably extends the high-grade zone found in last year's reverse circulation drilling by over 65 meters to a depth of 183 meters with at least three distinct higher-grade zones. Our work this autumn has confirmed the presence of several broad, strongly mineralized zones that stretch across the property in a criss-cross pattern that was confirmed by surface mapping, geophysics and computer modelling. With our new understanding, the area around ED-04 has been identified as a second strongly mineralized zone that is being targeted by EC-02 & EC-03 (assays pending). We are extremely pleased with the results of EC-01 and are excited to receive the core results on the remaining drill holes. We are now planning a much larger drill program for 2025 to extend the mineralized zones further and test other prospective zones that appear to be broader and more intensely altered than our initial ones. This is truly just the beginning of this discovery."







Figure 1 - Cross Section of EC-01 with Gold Assays

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5654/233110_467fad26444bb8c9_001full.jpg







Figure 2 - Geological Drill Hole Location Map

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5654/233110_467fad26444bb8c9_002full.jpg







Figure 3 - Cross Section showing modelled key higher-grade zone.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5654/233110_467fad26444bb8c9_003full.jpg

Provenance believes that the gold-bearing fluids entered the diorite along intersecting primary northeast-trending faults and secondary northwest-trending faults that created key mineralized corridors, possibly flowing into these faults from an underlying moderately dipping fault zone. This first mineralized corridor intercepted by EC-01 appears to be approximately 100m wide (approximate true width) and has been tested to 200m vertical depth. The mineralized corridor remains open below 200m and along the strike.







Figure 4 - EC-01 Core Photo (155.45-158.19m) highlighting visible gold.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5654/233110_467fad26444bb8c9_004full.jpg

While the strongest mineralization seen in EC-01 is proximal to these recently identified broad fault zones, the mineralizing fluids also penetrated much of the more distal diorite. The younger gold-bearing geothermal system is associated with retrograde alteration of selected diorite minerals and with potassic enrichment.

Metallurgy

Following the results of last year's metallurgical testing, the large variation between bulk assay and fire assay indicated that a nugget effect could be underrepresenting the gold grade, most notably with last year's reverse circulation holes ED-07 (13.44 g/t to 22.34) and ED-11(4.86 g/t to 6.35 g/t) (see press releases dated February 07, 2024).

As expected, fire assay results from EC-01 are similarly subject to the "nugget effect" whereby the nature of the small sample size and assay technique are prone to under-represent the coarse gold component within the samples, as evidenced by the presence of visible gold throughout each high-grade zone (Table 1). EC-01 marks the first visible core and assay result at the Eldorado Project that can be compared and used to estimate a potential bias. For instance, the local intervals with visible gold at a depth of 156 m (Figure 4 and Table 1) graded 2.78 g/t which does not appear to adequately represent the visible gold in the assays.

Because of the presence of visible gold, additional bulk composite samples are currently being processed. Five of six bulk composite samples from the 2023 reverse circulation drilling program reported significantly increased assay values compared to the original fire assay. To that end, 7 bulk composite samples, including bulk samples from the visible gold bearing intervals of EC-01, are currently being tested, and results will be reported as they become available.

2024 Diamond Drill Program Update

The maiden diamond drill hole program is now complete, with a total of 698.14m drilled over 3 drill holes. Targeting the 2023 ED-04 hole (32 meters of 3.98 g/t Au; see press release dated 18 July, 2023), hole EC-02 was drilled to a depth of 156.36 meters and finished in mineralization but was unable to reach the final target depth due to drilling difficulties encountered in a fault zone, believed to be an important mineralizing structure. Hole EC-03 (200.56 m total depth) successfully reached the same target horizon at a steeper angle than hole ED-04 and just east of EC-02 with the intent of crosscutting the mineralized fault zone intersected by hole EC-02 and continuing deeper into the mineralized fault zone. EC-02 and EC-03 cores are currently being processed.

Geology

The core has been invaluable in providing key technical information that will assist the re-interpretation of the geological model at Eldorado and provide increased confidence in targeting additional mineralization across the property. Provenance believes that the Mesozoic diorite may be much older than the gold system and that the gold system may be as young as mid-to-late Tertiary in age. Regardless of age, it is clear that the gold mineralizing event was a lower-temperature late-stage event, which explains the exceptionally favourable metallurgy of the deposit. A later relatively sulphide and silica-free gold deposition event deposited gold or amalgam that is exposed to easy metallurgical recovery (Figure 4).

Provenance's Chairman Rauno Perttu comments: "Even with our strong assays last year, we never saw any visible gold. We knew it had to be there to have produced the historic placer deposits. With the core program, we have learned much more than where the placer gold originated. We have confirmed new zones of high-grade gold that are wide open to expansion and learned that the high-grade gold is not limited to breccia zones. Even after all the historic and current work to date, this system is so extensive that our exploration is just starting."

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

On receipt from the drill site, the HQ-sized drill core was systematically logged for geological attributes, photographed and sampled at Provenance's core logging facility. Sample lengths as small as 0.45 m were used to isolate features of interest, otherwise a default 1.52 m downhole sample length was used. Each sample is identified by a unique sample tag number which is placed in the bag containing the core to be assayed. Once logged, the core was transported to ALS Global in Reno, Nevada, for cutting and assaying.

Once at ALS Global in Reno, the core was cut in half lengthwise along predetermined lines, with one-half (same half, consistently) collected for analysis and one-half stored as a record.

Gold was determined by fire-assay fusion of a 30-gram sub-sample with atomic absorption spectroscopy (AA23) or 30-gram sub-sample with gravimetric finish for samples assaying over 10 g/t Au (GRA21). 36 elements including silver, arsenic, and antimony are analyzed by inductively-coupled plasma (ICP41) atomic emission spectroscopy, following multi-acid digestion. ALS Global meets all requirements of International Standards ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 9001:2015. ALS Global operates according to the guidelines set out in ISO/IEC Guide 25.

The Company has implemented a quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) program to ensure sampling and analysis of all exploration work is conducted in accordance with the National Instrument 43-101 and industry best practices. No issues with respect to the QA/QC of assays have been detected to date.

Qualified Person

The technical content disclosed in this press release was reviewed and approved by Jo Price, P.Geo., M.Sc., a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101.

About Provenance Gold Corp.

Provenance Gold Corp. is a precious metals exploration company with a focus on gold and silver mineralization within North America. The Company currently holds interests in Nevada, and eastern Oregon, USA.

Provenance is also active on social media and invites investors to follow us on X to stay up to date with our latest news and developments:

https://x.com/ProvenanceGold

For further information please visit the Company's website at https://provenancegold.com or contact:

On behalf of the Board,

Provenance Gold Corp.

Rauno Perttu, Chief Executive Officer

Safe Harbor Statement: Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange, nor its regulation services provider, accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. This news release may contain certain "Forward-Looking Statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release, the words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "target, "plan", "forecast", "may", "schedule" and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. Such statements represent the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules and regulations.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/233110

SOURCE: Provenance Gold Corp.
Blood disorders affect millions worldwide-an estimated 5% of the global population suffers from conditions like anemia, and others. Anemia is a silent epidemic, with over 2 billion people affected globally, often caused by iron deficiency or chronic diseases. With ongoing research, the treatment landscape for blood disorders continues to evolve, from targeted therapies to life-saving gene editing technologies.

LAS VEGAS, Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Blood disorders are a group of conditions that affect the production, function, or structure of blood cells, leading to various health complications. These disorders can involve issues with red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, or the plasma components of blood. Common types of blood disorders include anemia, where there is a deficiency of red blood cells or hemoglobin, leading to fatigue and weakness, and thrombocytopenia, characterized by low platelet counts, which can cause excessive bleeding. The causes of blood disorders range from genetic factors and autoimmune conditions to infections and environmental factors. Treatment options depend on the specific disorder and may include medications, blood transfusions, or bone marrow transplants.

DelveInsight has recently released a series of epidemiology-based market reports focusing on blood disorders including Immune Thrombocytopenia, Aplastic Anemia, and Diamond-Blackfan Anemia. These reports include a comprehensive understanding of current treatment practices, emerging drugs, market share of individual therapies, and current and forecasted market size from 2020 to 2034 segmented into 7MM [the United States, the EU-4 (Italy, Spain, France, and Germany), the United Kingdom, and Japan].

Additionally, the reports feature an examination of prominent companies working with their lead candidates in different stages of clinical development. Let's deep dive into the assessment of these blood disorders markets individually.

Immune Thrombocytopenia Market

Immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is an autoimmune condition marked by a low platelet count, resulting in bruising and bleeding. It manifests as acute in children and chronic in adults. The primary treatments are corticosteroids, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg), and rituximab.

In the 7MM, the United States reported the highest prevalence of ITP, with nearly 66,500 cases in 2023. Primary ITP, which accounts for 80% of cases, occurs without any underlying diseases, while secondary ITP, making up about 20% of cases, is linked to conditions such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), medications, infections, and other autoimmune diseases.

In immune thrombocytopenia, the initial treatment generally consists of corticosteroids, with prednisone prescribed at 1 mg/kg/day for 21-28 days, followed by a gradual taper. High-dose dexamethasone (40 mg/day for 4 days) may lead to a more pronounced platelet response. Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) or intravenous anti-D (Rho[D] immune globulin) may be used as first-line options, particularly in urgent situations requiring quick platelet increases.

However, many adults experience relapses or do not respond to first-line therapy, necessitating second-line treatments. IVIG is effective in 70-80% of cases, and anti-D works in 50-70% of RhD-positive patients. Splenectomy is a well-established second-line option, though it carries risks such as infection and bleeding.

Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody that targets CD20, has shown strong efficacy both before and after splenectomy. Thrombopoietin-receptor agonists, such as romiplostim and eltrombopag, are also effective second-line treatments as they promote platelet production by activating the thrombopoietin receptor.

In the US, the approved treatments for ITP are DOPTELET, TAVALISSE, PROMACTA, and NPLATE. The EU market for thrombocytopenia is primarily driven by both approved and off-label therapies. In the EU, approved treatments include DOPTELET (avatrombopag), TAVALISSE/TAVLESSE (fostamatinib), PROMACTA/REVOLADE (eltrombopag), and NPLATE/Romiplate (romiplostim). RITUXAN is only approved in Japan for the treatment of ITP.

Learn more about the FDA-approved drugs for ITP @ Drugs for Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura Treatment

As per DelveInsight analysis, in 2023, the total ITP market size in the 7MM was USD 3.1 billion. As per the estimates, PROMACTA (eltrombopag) achieved the highest revenue among all medications in the 7MM in 2023. The market is expected to show positive growth, mainly attributed to the increasing cases and also, the launch of upcoming therapies during the forecast period (2024-2034).

Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura Pipeline Therapies and Key Companies

Rilzabrutinib (PRN-1008): Sanofi/Principia Biopharma

Mezagitamab (TAK-079): Millennium Pharmaceuticals/Takeda

Efgartigimod (ARGX-113): argenx

BT-595: Biotest

Dive deeper for rich insights into the Immune Thrombocytopenic Purpura Clinical Trials

Aplastic Anemia Market

Aplastic anemia is a rare and serious non-cancerous condition marked by the autoimmune destruction of early blood-forming cells. The global incidence varies from 0.7 to 7.4 casesper million people annually, with higher rates observed in Asia compared to Europe and the United States.

As per DelveInsight estimates, the total Incident population of aplastic anemia in the 7MM were around 2,500 cases in 2023. These cases are projected to increase during the forecast period. Based on severity, severe and very severe aplastic anemia patients contributed roughly 65%-80% of the total aplastic anemia patient population.

HSCT remains the standard treatment for patients under 40 years old, while Immunosuppressive Therapies (IST) are the preferred approach for patients aged 40 and above. In terms of pharmacological treatments, Novartis' PROMACTA/REVOLADE is currently the leading revenue driver, followed by ISTs across the 7MM.

According to Novartis, the primary revenue drivers for PROMACTA/REVOLADE are its use in patients with chronic immune thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) and severe aplastic anemia (SAA). PROMACTA was first approved in 2014 for use in relapsed/refractory SAA patients in the United States, with approvals following in Europe in 2015 and Japan in 2017. However, it was approved for use as a first-line treatment in combination with ISTs like ATG in the US in 2018, which expanded treatment options for first-line patients and contributed to increased revenue.

The total aplastic anemia market size was found to be ~USD 270 million in 2023 in the 7MM, which is further expected to increase by 2034 due to several factors such as an increase in disease incidence in Asian countries, high patient uptake of PROMACTA (until expected patent expiry in 2025), approval of Teva Pharma's ALVAIZ in the US, and Kyowa Kirin's ROMIPLATE in Japan along with the expected launch of potential emerging therapies.

Aplastic Anemia Pipeline Therapies and Key Companies

REGN7257: Regeneron Pharmaceuticals

OMISIRGE (omidubicel): Gamida Cell

For a comprehensive view of the aplastic anemia market, check out the Aplastic Anemia Market Assessment

Diamond-Blackfan Anemia Market

Diamond-Blackfan anemia (DBA) is a rare genetic condition that primarily disrupts the bone marrow's ability to produce red blood cells, resulting in severe anemia. It is typically diagnosed during infancy or early childhood and presents with symptoms such as pale skin, fatigue, stunted growth, and physical abnormalities, which may include thumb deformities or heart defects in certain cases.

In 2023, there were around 7,870 reported cases of Diamond-Blackfan anemia across the 7MM, with the United States accounting for about 70% of these cases. Within the US, approximately 46% of cases in 2023 were linked to mutations in the RPS19 gene, which plays a crucial role in ribosomal protein synthesis, contributing to its high prevalence in DBA.

Diamond-Blackfan anemia is frequently associated with several congenital anomalies, with craniofacial and musculoskeletal defects being the most common. Craniofacial abnormalities were noted in over 30% of DBA patients across the 7MM in 2023.

Although DBA has a significant impact on patient health, there are currently no FDA-approved treatments available for the condition. Treatment primarily involves corticosteroid combinations, chronic blood transfusions, iron chelation, and potentially curative hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

In 2023, the total market size for Diamond-Blackfan anemia wasUSD 1.56 million in the 7MM and is projected to increase by 2034. The United States represents the largest share of the Diamond Blackfan Anemia market, accounting for a significant proportion compared to the EU4 (Germany, Spain, Italy, France), the United Kingdom, and Japan.

In 2023, corticosteroids were the leading therapy for DBA, generating USD 1.1 million in revenue, making them the preferred first-line treatment option. Since there are no FDA-approved therapies available and no emerging companies are working to fill this gap, there is a significant opportunity for innovative treatments, like gene therapy, to make a meaningful difference and address the needs of DBA patients.

For a deeper understanding of the Diamond-Blackfan anemia market landscape, explore the Diamond-Blackfan Anemia Market Outlook

Trending Hematological Disorders Reports

Multiple Myeloma Market

Multiple Myeloma Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast - 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key multiple myeloma companies, including Johnson & Johnson (Janssen), Pfizer, AbbVie and Roche (Genentech), Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Celgene, Roche (Genentech), Arcellx, Novartis, Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, BeiGene, CARsgen Therapeutics, Cartesian Therapeutics, C4 Therapeutics, Heidelberg Pharma, Bristol-Myers Squibb, RAPA Therapeutics, AbbVie (TeneoOne), Takeda, among others.

Sickle Cell Disease Market

Sickle Cell Disease Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast - 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key sickle cell disease companies, including Vertex Pharmaceuticals, CRISPR Therapeutics, Bluebird Bio, Global Blood Therapeutics, Pfizer, among others.

Beta-Thalassemia Market

Beta-Thalassemia Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast - 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key beta-thalassemia companies, including Novartis, Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb, Chiesi Farmaceutici S.p.A, Bluebird Bio, Agios Pharmaceuticals, Imara Inc., CRISPR Therapeutics, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Vifor Pharma, Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Forma Therapeutics, DisperSol Technologies, SILENCE Therapeutics, among others.

Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia Market

Warm Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia Market Insights, Epidemiology, and Market Forecast - 2034 report delivers an in-depth understanding of the disease, historical and forecasted epidemiology, as well as the market trends, market drivers, market barriers, and key wAIHA companies, including Zenas BioPharma, Sanofi, Johnson & Johnson, Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Incyte Corporation, Rigel Pharmaceuticals, Alpine Immune Sciences, Inc., Hutchison Medipharma Limited, among others.

About DelveInsight

DelveInsight is a leading Business Consultant and Market Research firm focused exclusively on life sciences. It supports pharma companies by providing comprehensive end-to-end solutions to improve their performance. Get hassle-free access to all the healthcare and pharma market research reports through our subscription-based platform PharmDelve.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-changing-market-dynamics-of-immune-thrombocytopenia-aplastic-anemia-and-diamond-blackfan-anemia--delveinsight-insights-302325788.html
Boron One Holdings Inc. ("Boron One" or the "Company") (TSXV:BONE) is providing an update to its press release dated November 22, 2024, announcing the warrant exercise incentive program (the "Program") intended to encourage the exercise of up to 11,576,000 unlisted common share purchase warrants of the Company (the "Eligible Warrants") and warrant repricing (the "Warrant Repricing"), whereby it will amend the current exercise price for such Eligible Warrants, subject to approval from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV").

The Company issued the Eligible Warrants in connection with its private placement of units ("Units") that closed on September 27, 2023 ("Tranche 1") and November 7, 2023 ("Tranche 2" and together with Tranche 1, the "Financing"). Pursuant to the Financing, each Unit was comprised of one (1) common share of the Company ("Common Share") and one (1) Eligible Warrant, entitling the holder thereof to acquire one (1) Common Share (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of $0.07 for the first six months and $0.12 for the remaining 12 months, being March 27, 2025 for Tranche 1 Eligible Warrants and May 7, 2025 for Tranche 2 Eligible Warrants, respectively.

The directors of the Company have determined it to be in the best interests of the Company to complete the Warrant Repricing, whereby it will amend the current exercise price of the Eligible Warrants from $0.12 to $0.06 per Warrant Share.

Under the Program, the Company is offering an incentive to each holder of Eligible Warrants (each, a "Warrantholder") that exercises Eligible Warrants during the early exercise period (the "Early Exercise Period") consisting of an additional warrant (hereinafter, an "Incentive Warrant"). Each Incentive Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to purchase one (1) Common Share for a period of 2 years at a price of $0.06 per Common Share, subject to the right of the Company to accelerate expiry upon 30 days' notice if the Common Shares trade on the TSXV at or above $0.10 for a period of 10 days.

The Early Exercise Period is expected to commence at 9:00 a.m. (Vancouver time) on December 10, 2024 and terminate at 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time) on December 24, 2024. The Incentive Warrants and any Common Shares issuable on the exercise thereof will be subject to a four-month and one-day statutory hold period from the date of issuance of the Incentive Warrants pursuant to applicable Canadian securities laws and TSXV policies.

To the extent that Warrantholders take advantage of the Early Exercise Period, the Company intends to use the aggregate net proceeds to fund general and working capital purposes. Eligible Warrants that remain unexercised following the completion of the Early Exercise Period will continue to be exercisable for Common Shares on the original terms as they existed prior to the Program, with the Tranche 1 Eligible Warrants expiring on March 27, 2025, and the Tranche 2 Eligible Warrants expiring on May 7, 2025, both at 5:00 p.m. (Vancouver time).

The Program and the Warrant Repricing are subject to approval from the TSXV. Under the Program, the number of Eligible Warrants to be exercised by insiders of the Company is limited to no more than 10% of the total Eligible Warrants, being 1,157,600 Eligible Warrants, and the Company will issue no more than 1,157,600 Incentive Warrants to insiders. An insider of the Company currently holds 600,000 Eligible Warrants, representing 5.18% of the total Eligible Warrants.

About Boron One Holdings Inc.

Boron One Holdings Inc. is an international mineral exploration and development company with boron assets in Serbia. Headquartered in Victoria, B.C., Canada, Boron One's shares are traded on the Exchange under the symbol "BONE". For detailed information please see Boron One's website at www.boronone.com or the Company's filed documents at www.sedarplus.ca

For further information, please contact: Boron's Public Quotations: Boron One Holdings Inc. Canada Blake Fallis, General Manager TSX Venture: BONE Phone: 1-250- 384-1999 or 1-888-289-3746 Berlin: EKV info@boronone.com US: SEC 12G3-2(B) #82-4432ERVFF www.boronone.com OTC PINK:ERVFF

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking information. Such forward-looking information is provided to inform the Company's shareholders and potential investors about management's current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Any such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as "anticipate", "proposed", "estimates", "would", "expects", "intends", "plans", "may", "will", and similar expressions.

More particularly and without limitation, the forward-looking information in this press release include (i) expectations regarding the Company's financing plans, closing times, receipt of regulatory and TSXV approvals; (ii) expectations regarding the Warrant Repricing, Program, and the timing and closings thereof; (iii) expectations regarding the use of proceeds of the Program; and (iv) expectations concerning the Company's business plans and operations. Forward-looking information is based on a number of factors and assumptions that have been used to develop such information, but which may prove to be incorrect. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information because the Company can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The forward-looking information in this press release reflects the current expectations, assumptions and/or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

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: Boron One Holdings Inc.

View the original press release on accesswire.com
Betski, a Panama City, Panama-based company providing an online casino ownership platform, raised $375K in Pre-Seed funding.

Backers were not disclosed.

The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its development efforts.

Led by CEO and Founder Alejandro Navarro, Betski offers casino games, live casino experiences, eSports betting, global lotteries, fantasy sports, and traditional sportsbooks. This variety creates multiple revenue streams for online casino owners. Players can access all gaming options through a single interface, which streamlines the betting experience and maximizes potential returns for token holders.

The company plans to launch in Latin America before expanding to Europe and Asia over 24 months.

FinSMEs

09/12/2024
Nectir, a Los Angeles, CA-based startup giving students a personalized AI learning partner, raised $6.3M in Seed funding.

The round was led by Long Journey Ventures along with Entrada Ventures, Precursor Ventures, and Behind Genius Ventures.

The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its development efforts.

Founded by Kavitta Ghai and Jordan Long, Nectir provides a solution for schools looking to deploy AI safely. The companys platform integrates with all learning management systems (LMS), allowing schools to quickly create custom AI assistants for students, teachers, administrators, and more. Its use case is an AI course assistant trained on class materials, giving every student access to personalized learning support and feedback at any time. The platform is also completely FERPA-compliant, maintaining data safety and student privacy standards.

Nectir is already used by 80,000+ students across 100 schools including UC Santa Barbara and Boston University.

FinSMEs

09/12/2024
Spexi, a Vancouver, Canada-based earth imagery company, raised $11.5M in Series A funding.

The round was led by Blockchange Ventures.

The company intends to use the funds to expand operations and its development efforts.

Led by CEO Bill Lakeland, Spexi Geospatial is a technology company improving earth imagery through its global network of drone pilots. By utilizing automated drone systems and software, it delivers detailed aerial imagery, which supports organizations and companies in disaster preparedness, smart city planning, infrastructure inspection, resource monitoring, gaming, and countless other AI applications.

Spexis dataset trains AI models, which needs large volumes of real-world data from enabling smarter urban planning to advancing AI-driven environmental monitoring.

The blockchain-based Fly to Earn network empowers drone pilot participants to capture standardized ultra-high-resolution aerial data using Spexis autopilot software. Pilots who complete Spexis onboarding programs are paid to fly automated flight paths across 24 acre hexagonal plots, using sub-250g drones, with safety systems in place to minimize the risk of collisions and ensure precise data collection.

Since closing its Seed round in late 2022, Spexi has expanded into Canada, the USA, the UK, and Mexico, imaging over 140 cities and over 1.2 million acres of imagery captured.

FinSMEs

09/12/2024
Wanda Health, a Bristol, UK-based provider of a platform for remote patient monitoring and virtual care, raised 1M in funding.

The round was led by EMV Capital Partners Limited. Following completion of the fundraising, the Groups total fully diluted equity holding in Wanda Health is 21.9%, which equates to a post-investment fair value of 1.35m. This represents a c.21.5x increase on the Groups investment of 62k (paid for by in-kind services) earlier in May 2024. The Group has also entered into an unsecured convertible loan agreement with Wanda Health for 50k by means of exchanging receivables for that value from its in-kind services. The terms of the CLA include interest accruing at 10 per cent. per annum, a two year maturity date with the Group having the ability to convert some or all of the loan into further equity in Wanda Health at a 20 per cent. discount to its next fundraising round.

The company intends to use the funds to:

Enhance its AI capabilities by developing disease specific AI algorithms for readmission risk.

Expand its market presence in US markets by targeting Fee for Service and Value Based Care models.

Develop solutions for its partner network in order to improve new revenue streams across market segments.

Advance regulatory pathways toward FDA clearance for outpatient-based adjunctive predictive cardiovascular risk indicator.

A spinout from UCLA, Wanda Health provides a remote patient monitoring and virtual care platform operating in the UK and US. Delivered as a Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solution, it is cloud-hosted with proprietary machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. The company empowers healthcare providers and payers by enabling early detection of health exacerbations across acute, chronic, and specialty disease spaces, improving patient outcomes and reducing costs.

Wanda Health recently announced a partnership with COPD Foundation providing it with access to clinical experts, clinical guideline content, as well as joint marketing and advertising opportunities. This collaboration enhances Wanda Healths ability to refine its disease monitoring platform, particularly for conditions like COPD, which affects over 400 million people globally.

FinSMEs

09/12/2024
The filmmaker said, Celebrities by their very appeal draw huge crowds whether they are Film Stars , Rock stars and even Gods for that matter. read more

Allu Arjun was recently charged with the death of a woman who died in a stampede at Pushpa 2s Hyderabad premier. The actor issued an apology but filmmaker Ram Gopal Varma has stood by the superstar and written a long tweet.

The filmmaker wrote- It is truly ridiculous to blame @alluarjun for the unfortunate death of a woman in a stampede outside a theatre playing #Pushpa2. Celebrities by their very appeal draw huge crowds whether they are Film Stars , Rock stars and even Gods for that matter.

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He added, So whether a stampede is caused by accident or by negligence or by incompetence or even by intent , that can only be known from an investigation perspective on a case to case basis. And many times even when the deaths are in thousands , no body could place the blame on anybody because of the random causes.

RGV: If Pushpa 2 star publicized his visit

Ram Gopal Varma continued and said, On one hand if Allu Arjun or his team , if they themselves publicised his upcoming visit , then that information is public and isnt it then the polices responsibility to ask him not to come. If they did not do it, it means that they too dint anticipate which makes the incident an accident.

He continued, Also there were hundreds of BENEFIT SHOWS all over the state and #alluarjun just came to one theatre and so instead of putting restrictions on a star attending a theatre , to ban BENEFIT SHOWS is like BANNING TRAFFIC because of an ACCIDENT.
The Bashar al-Assad reign in Syria has been ended by rebel fighters, led by the Hayat al-Tahrir al-Sham. This new development could be a concern for India, as it loses a key ally in the West Asian region read more

A damaged portrait of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad hangs in the city of Qamishli, as Syrian Kurds celebrate the fall of capital Damascus to anti-government fighters. AFP

Syrians in and around the world are celebrating. The more than 50 years of the Assad regime  with Bashar al-Assad in power since 2000  has come to an end with the rebels entering the capital, Damascus, on Sunday.

The Syrian rebels announced early Sunday (December 8) that it had defeated al-Assads regime, forcing the ousted president to flee the country, with Russian media reporting that he has been given asylum there.

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While the world watches the developments unfold in Syria  New Delhi is also keeping an eye on how the situation progresses with some experts fearing that it could have negative repercussions for India. Heres how.

Assads ouster

On Sunday, 11 days into the new offensive launched by Hayat al-Tahrir al-Sham, the rebels made their way into Damascus  a first since 2018  putting an end to five decades of Assad family rule. As Reuters wrote in one report  the lightning advance relied on an almost perfect alignment of stars for the forces opposed to Assad: his army was demoralised and exhausted; his main allies, Iran and Lebanons Hezbollah, were severely weakened by conflict with Israel; and his other key military supporter, Russia, was distracted and losing interest.

As rebels reached the gates of the Syrian capital, Bashar al-Assad fled the country, making his way to Russia, where he, his wife, Asma, and their children, have now been granted asylum on humanitarian grounds.

Syrian Association in Denmark demonstrates, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted Syrias Bashar al-Assad, at City Hall Square, in Copenhagen, Denmark. Reuters

Soon after his ouster, international governments welcomed the end of the Assads autocratic government. European Commission president Ursula Von der Leyen said, The cruel Assad dictatorship has collapsed. This historic change in the region offers opportunities but is not without risks. Europe is ready to support safeguarding national unity and rebuilding a Syrian state that protects all minorities.

French President Emmanuel Macron also said, The barbaric state has fallen. Finally. I pay tribute to the Syrian people, to their courage, to their patience. In this moment of uncertainty, I wish them peace, freedom and unity. France will remain committed to the security of all in the Middle East.

UK PM Keir Starmer shared similar remarks. The Syrian people have suffered under Assads barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure. Our focus is now on ensuring a political solution prevails, and peace and stability is restored. We call on all sides to protect civilians and minorities and ensure essential aid can reach the most vulnerable in the coming hours and days.

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Indias stance on Syria

While other countries hailed the end of the autocratic reign of Assad, India has remained mum on the issue.

However, on Sunday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar did point out that multiple conflicts in West Asia were challenging. Speaking at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain, S Jaishankar said, What we do in my business is essentially try to address the challenges of the day as collectively and as effectively as possible. And this today would extend from Gaza to Lebanon and now to Syria as well. But at the same time, we have to be realistic about competing interests in this region.

One of the interesting evolutions of the world today is actually on different issues, sometimes in the same region, you have a different combination of countries that are working together, he added.

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Smoke rises over Damascus the morning after rebels seized the capital and ousted President Bashar al-Assad in Damascus, Syria. Reuters

Indias old ties with Syria

New Delhi shares old ties with Damascus under the Assad rule. The two countries share a healthy trade relationship. Atal Bihari Vajpayee was the first prime minister of India to visit Syria after Bashar al-Assad had taken over as the president in July 2000 less after his predecessor and father Hafez al-Assads demise. Meanwhile, V Muraleedharan, the minister of state for external affairs, was the last dignitary from India to meet President Bashar al-Assad during a visit to Syria in July 2023.

New Delhi has also played a key role in Syrias development, including a $240 million line of credit for the MW Tishreen Thermal Power Plant Extension project, investments in IT infrastructure, steel plant modernisation, the oil sector, and significant exports of rice, pharmaceuticals, and textiles.

Diplomatically too, the two countries are close. In fact, the sixth round of India-Syria Foreign Office Consultations took place in New Delhi on November 29. At the time, the MEA said, India and Syria enjoy warm and friendly relations based on historic and civilisational ties. India has been a keen developmental partner for Syria and is also actively involved in capacity building of the Syrian youth. Both the countries also cooperate on various multilateral forums. The discussions held today will contribute in further strengthening of India-Syria bilateral partnership.

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Union Minister of State for External Affairs V. Muraleedharan meets Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. File image/PTI

India has also extended humanitarian aid to Syria after the devastating earthquake in February last year. During the Covid pandemic, New Delhi also called for the relaxation of sanctions, citing humanitarian concerns.

Even when civil war broke out in Syria in 2011, New Delhi called for the conflict to be resolved through a non-military, Syrian-led political process. And when other nations isolated Assad and Syria was suspended from the Arab League, India continued its ties with the nation.

Furthermore, according to Indias MEA, 94 Indians continue to live in the country.

Concerns for New Delhi

Now, with Assads ouster, India has reasons to worry.

Why?

Firstly, Syria, under the Assads, have backed the Indian position on the Kashmir issue for decades, including at the Organisation of Islamic Conference. When India revoked Article 370 in Jammu-Kashmir, Syria called it an internal matter. Then Syrian envoy to New Delhi Riad Abbas had commented: Every government has the right to do whatever it likes on its land to protect its people. We are always with India on any action.

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However, the rebels, who have now overthrown Assad, have had the backing of Turkey. It is common knowledge that Turkey supports Pakistan on the issue of Kashmir. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has repeatedly raised the issue of Kashmir at the United Nations.

A rebel fighter gestures from a vehicle as they gather in Homs after Syrias army command notified officers that President Bashar al-Assads 24-year authoritarian rule has ended. Reuters

Some believe that with Assads ouster, Turkish and Pakistani intelligence agencies will have the opportunity to penetrate Syria and from there cause harm to India. Abhinav Pandya, founder, director and CEO of the Usanas Foundation think tank, told ETV Bharat, They can sabotage Indias national security, he said.

Secondly, the Hayat al-Tahrir al-Sham, the rebel group that spearheaded the offensive resulting in Assads ouster, has its foundation in Al-Qaeda. Also, the leader of the Islamic State group, Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, was involved in the formation of the HTS.

Now, some experts fear that the rebels win will pave the way for these terror groups to operate freely in Syria, imperiling Indias interests in the country as well as the region. Many have stated that their success will lead to a rise in Indian Muslim youth being radicalised and being recruited into these groups. Syria will become another Afghanistan. There will be a rise in organised crime, drug trafficking and weapons smuggling, said Pandya to ETV Bharat.

The ambitious IMEEC (India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor) is also at risk now. With rebels in charge, it is unknown if they will protect the railway and ship-rail transit network and road transport routes, which will traverse the country.

Currently, Syrias future is murky. But New Delhi will hope for peace and calm in order to protect its interests in Syria and the West Asian region.

With inputs from agencies
Syrians are celebrating the fall of Bashar al-Assads brutal regime. The country is now under the control of rebels led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Ravaged by 13 years of civil war, Syrias future remains uncertain read more

People stand near a damaged statue of former Syrian president Hafez al-Assad after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted President Bashar al-Assad, in Qamishli, Syria on Sunday (December 8). Reuters

For 54 years, the Assad family ruled Syria. Now the unthinkable has happened. Bashar al-Assad, the president who ruled the country with an iron fist until a few days ago, has been ousted and fled to Russia.

The rebels led by Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) started a surprise offensive against the Assad regime from their base in Idlib in northwestern Syria. They made quick advances and captured Aleppo, the countrys second-largest city. Then they moved toward the capital Damascus, as the military was defeated.

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On Sunday (December 8), Russia announced that Assad had stepped down and left the country. This came hours after rebels gained Damascus and Syrians gathered on the streets to celebrate the end of his rule.

The former president has fled to Russia, where he is granted asylum. Assad and his family have arrived in Moscow. Russia, for humanitarian reasons, has granted them asylum, a Kremlin source said, according to TASS. Assad and his family have arrived in Moscow. Russia, for humanitarian reasons, has granted them asylum, a Kremlin source was quoted as saying by TASS.

So what happens next in Syria? What does the fall of Assad mean for the country? We explain.

What led to the fall of Bashar al-Assad?

Bashar al-Assad came to power in 2000 after the death of his father Hafez, who ruled the country for 29 years. He took over a tightly controlled regime, where there was no place for any opposition. The young Assad, at first, gave hope of change. But he was no different from his father.

A turning point came in 2011. Assad brutally crushed a pro-democracy uprising in Syria, which plunged the country into 13 years of civil war. Its brutal conflict left half a million dead and six million others became refugees.

Assad had the backing of Russia and Iran. With the help of Russias air power and Irans proxies like Hezbollah, he crushed the rebels. While they took control of the northeast and northwest regions of Syria, the dictator controlled a large part of the country.

A person gestures next to a burning picture of now ousted President Bashar al-Assad, after rebels seized the capital, in Qamishli, Syria on Sunday (December 8). Reuters

However, a lot has changed in recent years. Russia is engaged in a war with Ukraine and Iran too is facing regional challenges as Hezbollah and Hamas are weakened amid the West Asia conflict. Years of civil war and corruption left the Syrian regime on shaky grounds as well.

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With Assads two allies preoccupied and unable to offer much-needed support, the rebels saw an advantage. HTS and its allies launched the surprise offensive on November 27; they started capturing key cities  Aleppo, Hama, Homs and finally Damascus.

Who is in control of Syria after Assads fall?

HTS and its allies started the offensive to deter aggression, as it accused the government of increasing attacks on civilians.

After Assad stepped down and left Syria, the rebels entered Damascus. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, who arrived in the capital later, told Syrians, The future is ours.

Jawlani has announced the formation of a transitional authority with Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali being appointed as the caretaker of state institutions.

Jawlanis statement, signed in his real name, Ahmed al-Sharaa, banned military forces in Damascus from approaching public bodies and prohibited the firing of guns in the air.

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People waving flags ride in a vehicle after rebels seized the capital and ousted Bashar al-Assad, in Qamishli, Syria. Reuters

Jalali, who was appointed prime minister by Assad in September, said that his government was ready to hand over power to the leadership chosen by the people. I am not leaving and I dont intend to leave. I expect in a peaceful manner to guarantee the continuity of the public authorities and the institutions and the state apparatus and to guarantee the safety and security for all citizens, he said in a video statement.

And we are extending our hands even to the opposition, who extended their hands and gave assurances they will not cause any harm to any citizens who belong to this Syria of ours, he added.

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Jalani told Al Arabiya in an interview that he was in touch with the HTS leader to discuss managing the transitional period and said that Syria should hold free elections.

While Syrians are joyous over the fall of Assad, the fact remains that the HTS is a former affiliate of Al Qaeda; it is still designated a terrorist organisation by the United Nations and the United States.

What happens next in Syria?

The unexpected and sudden fall of Assad has raised questions about Syrias government and security. The rebel groups have achieved their goal of toppling the government but they too face challenges of their own.

It remains to be seen how quickly rebel groups can secure control of Damascus and prevent a power vacuum. Can they form a united coalition to bring stability to Syria?

It is hard to bring process and a smooth transition to a fast-moving situation, Sanam Vakil, director of the Middle East and North Africa programme at Chatham House, a research institute in London told The New York Times. The speed and uncertainty poses many risks for what comes next pertaining to accountability and good governance to protect the interests of the Syrian people.

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Questions also remain over the fate of Assads chemical weapons. A big concern for the international community is these stockpiles falling into the hands of armed groups.

Any possible chemical weapons inventory or related materials must be secured, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan told the media on Sunday. Turkey is believed to have backed the HTS offensive even though it has denied any involvement.

Meanwhile, Israel has struck a chemical weapons factory in Syria to stop it from falling into the hands of armed rebels, according to a report in The Jerusalem Post.

Syrians celebrate the fall of Assads government in the town of Bar Elias, Lebanon, near the border with Syria. AP

Charles Lister, the director of the Syria programme at the Washington-based Middle East Institute, told Foreign Policy that there is also growing concern about the Islamic State in Syria and whether it would try to take advantage of the current situation.

Thats not all. The future of Syrias religious minorities, including the Kurdish forces who have allied with the US military to fight the Islamic State, hangs in the balance. In months to come, Jalanis intentions will be revealed. He has been tolerant towards minorities in the Idlib Province he controlled even as he ran a conservative government with Sunni Islamist ideology.

The HTS has said that it has gone out of its way to assure Christians and other religious and ethnic minorities that they will be safe under its rule. There were some violations against them [minorities] by certain individuals during periods of chaos, but we addressed these issues, Jawlani told CNN recently when asked about concerns for their safety. No one has the right to erase another group. These sects have coexisted in this region for hundreds of years, and no one has the right to eliminate them, he added.

Mohammed al-Jawlani speaks at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus on Sunday. He was a former Al Qaeda commander who cut ties with the group. He says he has embraced pluralism and religious tolerance, as he leads the biggest rebel faction and is poised to chart the countrys future. AP

Only time will tell if the former Al Qaeda fighter can bring together an ethically and religiously diverse country that is torn apart by years of war and dictatorship. The rebels face the monumental task of rebuilding and running the ravaged nation and bringing on track an economy punctured by global sanctions. Syria will need billions of dollars in aid.

On the one hand, its amazing, remarkable that one of the worst war criminals in a very long time is out of the way, Lister told Foreign Policy. But also its opened up a can of worms that frankly nobody has a vision for at the moment.

The future remains uncertain. As of now, there are more questions than answers.

With inputs from agencies
The BJP has alleged a connection between Congress MP Sonia Gandhi and controversial George Soros, claiming she was linked to an organisation funded by the Hungarian-American billionaires foundation. The Grand Old Party has rejected the charges read more

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has upped its attack on the Congress, alleging a connection between Sonia Gandhi and Hungarian-American billionaire George Soros. A day after the saffron party levelled allegations against the former Congress chief, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said these alleged links are a serious concern.

It is an important issue that I want to raise without doing politics over it. The links between Sonia Gandhi and George Sores are serious. We do not want to see it by giving a political spin, he reportedly said.

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The Congress has dismissed the BJPs charges.

Lets take a closer look.

BJPs allegations against Sonia, Soros

In a series of posts on X on Sunday (December 8), the BJP claimed that Sonia Gandhi, as the co-president of the Forum of Democratic Leaders in the Asia-Pacific (FDL-AP), was linked to an organisation funded by the George Soros Foundation.

Notably, the FDL-AP Foundation has expressed their views that treat Kashmir as a separate entity, the saffron party said in its tweet.

This association between Sonia Gandhi and an organisation that has backed the idea of Kashmir as an independent nation expresses the influence of foreign entities on Indias internal affairs and the political impact of such connections, it said.

Sonia Gandhi's chairmanship of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation led to a partnership with the George Soros Foundation, displaying the influence of foreign funding on Indian organisations. pic.twitter.com/rxq16s2oJY  BJP (@BJP4India) December 8, 2024

The BJP further alleged that Sonia Gandhis chairmanship of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation led to a partnership with the George Soros Foundation, displaying the influence of foreign funding on Indian organisations.

The saffron party said Congress MP Rahul Gandhis conference on the Adani Group was live telecast by Soros-funded OCCRP (Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project).

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OCCRP is an investigative journalism platform focusing on stories of organised crime and corruption.

In another tweet, the BJP pointed out that Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has purportedly acknowledged George Soros as an old friend. Its something truly noteworthy, the saffron party wrote.

Speaking to reporters today (December 9), Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Rijiju urged all political parties to unite against anti-India forces.

I think that few issues before the country shouldnt be seen with political lenses. George Soros and his links that have come to light, we do not see it as an issue relating [to the] Congress party, Rahul Gandhi or Sonia Gandhi. We should take the issue seriously  if it is related to anti-India forces, he said.

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Opposition hits back

The opposition parties have slammed the BJP over its accusations against Sonia Gandhi.

Rejecting the charges, Congress MP Karti Chidambaram dubbed them dark fantasies that should be confined to the dark web.

These deep state theories should be confined to the dark web and not serious political discourse. People have dark, morbid fantasies and they can continue to have them, and there will be no credence given to all these conspiracy theories. We are always for the sovereignty and unity of India. We are patriots, we are nationalists and we are doing nothing that is against the integrity of India, he told NDTV.

RJD MP Manoj Jha asked the BJP to investigate its conspiracy theories. When the government and its top leadership started to look into conspiracy theories, it means there is something that they want to hide. You are in the government, get things investigated, he said.

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BJP on OCCRP, US link

The BJPs allegations against Sonia Gandhi came days after it accused the US State Department of trying to destabilise India by targeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

In fact, 50 per cent of OCCRPs funding comes directly from the US State Department. OCCRP has served as a media tool for carrying out a Deep State agenda, it alleged in a post adding that the Deep State had a clear objective to destabilise India by targeting Prime Minister Modi..

The Deep State had a clear objective to destabilise India by targeting Prime Minister Modi. To achieve this, they turned to OCCRP, instructing the organisation to provide material aimed at damaging PM Modi's and Indias image.



Congress then exploited this material to launch pic.twitter.com/v0kqKVltQL  BJP (@BJP4India) December 5, 2024

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The US has termed the BJPs allegations disappointing. As per PTI, a spokesperson at the US embassy said the US government has been a champion of media freedom around the world.

Its disappointing that the ruling party in India would make these kinds of accusations, the US embassy spokesperson said on Saturday. The US government works with independent organisations on programming that supports professional development and capacity building training for journalists. This programming does not influence the editorial decisions or direction of these organisations, the official reportedly said.

Reacting to the US embassys statement, BJP MP Nishikant Dubey said, Yesterday I read the statement of the US embassy officials again and again. They admitted that the US government funds OCCRP and Soros foundation also funds it.

The job of OCCRP and Soros is to ruin Indias economy and defame the Modi government in connivance with opposition leaders, he alleged in a tweet in Hindi.

With inputs from agencies
More than 40 schools in Delhi received bomb threats via emails on Monday (December 9) morning. A team of Delhi police and Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) arrived at Delhi Public School in RK Puram and GD Goenka in Paschim Vihar, along with officials from the fire department. However, no suspicious object has been found yet, and the authorities deemed the threats to be hoaxes read more

A student with his guardian returns from GD Goenka Public School, Paschim Vihar after the school received bomb threat, in New Delhi, Monday, December 9, 2024. PTI

Even as 2024 comes to an end, hoax bomb threats continue to scare people in India.

More than 40 schools in Delhi received bomb threats via emails on Monday (December 9) morning.

A team of Delhi police and Bomb Disposal Squad (BDS) arrived at Delhi Public School in RK Puram and GD Goenka in Paschim Vihar, along with officials from the fire department.

However, no suspicious object has been found yet, and the authorities deemed the threats to be hoaxes.

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Heres all we know about the threats.

Delhi schools bomb threats

A total of 44 schools received bomb threats via email.

The school names are DPS in RK Puram, GD Goenka in Paschim Vihar, Mother Marys School in Mayur Vihar, The British School in Chanakyapuri, Salwan Public School in Mayur Vihar, Modern School in Mandi House, Cambridge School, Brilliants Convent School in Pitampura, Delhi Public School in Vasant Kunj, a few DAVs, besides others.

According to ANI, the email claimed that multiple bombs had been planted inside the buildings.

The bombs are small and hidden very well, the email read.

To defuse bombs, the sender sought $30,000.

It will not cause very much damage to the building, but many people will be injured when the bombs detonate. You all deserve to suffer and lose limbs, the sender wrote.

Police personnel exit from DPS RK Puram during an investigation after the school received bomb threat, in New Delhi, Monday, December 9, 2024. PTI

The threat came at a busy hour when school buses were arriving, parents were dropping off their kids, and staff was preparing for the morning class.

The school administration took immediate action, sending students back home who came to attend classes.

The Delhi Fire Department received the first call from GD Goenka School at 6.15 am followed by another call from DPS RK Puram at 7.06 am.

The search was carried out by the fire officials, who arrived at the schools accompanied by the local police, bomb-detecting teams, and the dog squad.

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According to a police official, nothing suspicious has been discovered at either of the schools so far.

The Delhi Police are searching for the emails sender and looking into the IP address.

On the other hand, a bomb warning at three important locations in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, Delhis neighbour, also proved to be a hoax, as per Hindustan Times.

On Saturday night, an unidentified caller called the UP polices integrated emergency response line at 112, claiming to have planted bombs at the Alambagh bus stop, Charbagh railway station, and Hussainganj metro station.

Following the call, a comprehensive inspection was conducted at all three locations, according to Manish Singh, additional deputy commissioner of police (ADCP)-Central.

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Bomb threats to educational institutions on rise

The year 2024 has seen several bomb threats in the country.

Only a week before the latest threat, Rohinis Venkateshwar Global School received a bomb threat that later proved to be a hoax.

In October, bomb threats were sent by email to several CRPF schools around the country, including two in Delhi and one in Hyderabad. The Delhi Police had said the threat was first detected by a CRPF school in Tamil Nadu on the evening of October 21. All linked schools in the nation were then alerted. But it turned out that the threats were hoaxes.

Security personnel keep vigil outside DPS RK Puram after it received bomb threat, in New Delhi, Monday, December 9, 2024. PTI

On October 20, a strong explosion tore through the wall of a CRPF school in the Rohini area of Delhi, damaging surrounding businesses and cars in addition to creating a hole in the buildings wall. As a result, no casualties or injuries were reported. A pro-Khalistani group claimed responsibility for the blast on Telegram.

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Three Madurai schools had to send students home that same month after getting bomb threats via email.

Early in August, Summer Fields School in Kailash Colony, Greater Kailash-1, received an email threatening to blow up the school. The school premises were immediately evacuated. It later turned out to be a hoax by a 14-year-old student to skip school.

Many were alarmed when more than 60 Delhi-NCR schools were evacuated in May after being threatened with bombs.

Early on April 9, almost 200 government and private schools in Kolkata and the surrounding areas got ominous emails alerting them to the presence of bombs on their property and the impending widespread devastation, according to The Times of India.

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Similar hoax bomb threats to other industries

Numerous Indian hotels, rail stations, and airlines have received bomb threats in recent months, all of which have been proven to be fake.

Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol stated during the current Winter Session of Parliament that the number of hoax threat calls to airlines rose from 122 in 2023 to 999 in 2024, representing a 714.7 per cent rise.

This year, the most bomb threats were received by airlines in October (666), followed by June (122). By contrast, the highest number of threat calls last year was only 15 in September and October of 2023. According to the minister, police have received 256 reports about these threats, and 12 people have been taken into custody.

The sharp rise in hoax threats severely disrupted airline schedules and caused extensive service disruptions.

There have been other bomb threats in recent days, including at the prominent Taj Mahal. In reality, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the alleged target of a threat mail sent to Mumbai Police. Two ISI agents and a plot to carry out a bombing against PM Modi were mentioned in the Saturday WhatsApp message that was sent to the traffic police helpline.

The Delhi High Court ordered the police and the city government to create a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for dealing with these kinds of situations in November.

With inputs from agencies
An Indian American family, who was subjected to a racist tirade by a fellow United Airlines passenger, has decided to take legal action against her. The incident took place last month when Pervez Taufiq, 50, was travelling with his wife and three young children from Mexico to Los Angeles read more

A woman went viral for her racist rant against an Indian American family. Instagram/ptaufiqphotography

An Indian American man, who along with his family was subjected to a racist attack from a fellow United Airlines passenger, is mulling to press charges. A video shared by Pervez Taufiq, a 50-year-old wedding photographer from Massachusetts, showed a woman making racist remarks against him.

She can be heard calling Taufiq and his family not American" in the clip that went viral on social media recently. The video, posted on November 24, has sparked huge outrage toward the woman.

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Lets take a look at what happened.

Indian American family face racist abuse

Pervez Taufiq was travelling from Mexicos Cancun to Los Angeles, United States, with his wife and three young children when they were subjected to a racist rant by a fellow passenger on a United Airlines shuttle bus last month.

Your family is from India. You have no respect, you have no rules, you think you can push everyone, push, push, push, the woman can be heard in the video shared by Taufiq on his Instagram.

Thats what you think you are. You guys are f****** crazy.

As per an Independent report, the incident began on the flight itself when Taufiqs 11-year-old son was seated in the same row as the woman.

She was making comments to him on the flight, Taufiq told Independent. She was saying, Are you Indian? Hes 11, so he was like, Yeah, Im Indian.

Taufiq said the woman went on to ask his son if he was from New Delhi, to which his son replied: No, my familys from Bombay.

Then she said, Oh, I gotta talk to your parents.

According to Taufiq, he and his family ran into the woman after the plane landed and they boarded the shuttle bus on the tarmac.

The photographer said that he started recording the video when the woman told his other son, who is four-year-old, to shut up.

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Shes yelling at him, the four-year-old, and says shut up, just shut up. And I snapped, and I said, dont you ever speak to my son that way. You have no right, he was quoted as saying by CBS News.

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Speaking to Independent, Taufiq said this is when the womans husband got up and literally got into my face, as if hes going to hit me.

The video posted by the photographer starts after this and the woman can be seen flashing her middle fingers at the family. She can be heard yelling racist slurs at Taufiq and his family, using derogatory terms like tandoori and stinky for them. Im going to record your f****** tandoori a**, she said in the clip taking out her phone.

At one point, Taufiq says he is American, but the woman hurls back, You are not AmericanYou are fromIndia.

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Thats brutal to have someone tell you that because you dont look like them, youre not American, Taufiq told WBZ-TV.

The video shows United Airlines staff later intervening. As per CBS News, Taufiq said the airline officials asked his family if they would like to leave the bus, but he asked them to remove the woman.

The clip shows the woman getting off the bus to talk to staff members and as per Taufiq, she did not return.

She was incredibly, incredibly abusive, Taufiq said in the video. Her husband got in my face  United handled [it] like a champ and basically is going to put her on the no-fly list, he told Independent.

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It is not yet confirmed whether the woman has been placed on a no-fly list.

Pervez Taufiq to press charges

Pervez Taufiq has decided to file a police report after getting to know the attackers identity, reported NBC News. What was most disappointing is that theres no level of contrition, no level of remorse, he said.

Were going to press chargesWere heavily considering pushing it forward. We have legal people who have consulted with us and told us as much that it would be the smart move and to not let this just die into the night, Taufiq told PTI in an interview recently.

According to Taufiq, the woman has been identified as Arlene Consuela, whose name is of Mexican descent. He said this is the irony of it all that one immigrant is telling another immigrant that they are not American.

Expressing gratitude to the man who eventually spoke up for his family on the bus, Taufiq said, Im so grateful for that one gentleman who did stand by us. But I wish there were more. And going forward, Im going to make a personal note  if I see something like this, Im going to personally get involved. I wont let them (be) isolated.

He said that the fact that no one on the bus supported his family when they were being racially harassed was jarring to us, reported PTI.

Taufiq told NBC News that he felt sorry for the woman but would go on to press charges as she did not seem remorseful. He said he wanted to make it clear that her behaviour was not acceptable.

ALSO READ: Qantas ghost flights: How Australias iconic airline duped a million passengers

Woman blames Indian American family

In an interview with LA Fox News affiliate Fox 11 last week, the woman claimed she was provoked by Taufiq and his wife.

She attributed her behaviour to a previous brain injury.

Most people know me as a very kind, calm person, but since the brain injury I get agitated very easily, she said.

The woman also accused the photographer of verbally attacking her first by using a derogatory term for white people.

Taufiq has denied using any hateful terms.

With inputs from agencies
Indians, who wish to visit Dubai this holiday season, are facing a big hurdle as the visa rejection rate, which once was one to two per cent, has soared to five to six per cent. This uptick comes after UAE authorities mandated stricter requirements for tourist visas last month. Indians are losing thousands of rupees in non-refundable flight and accommodation expenses, in addition to the fact that their travel plans are going awry read more

Visa rejection rates have soared from a manageable one-two per cent to a concerning five-six per cent. Reuters

Dubai attracts millions of tourists each year.

Over six million tourists from India visited the city in 2023.

However, a recent report claims that the number of Indian visitors to the Gulf metropolis who are denied visas is at an all-time high.

Visa rejection rates have soared from a manageable one-two per cent to a concerning five-six per cent.

Indians are losing thousands of rupees in non-refundable flight and accommodation expenses in addition to the fact that their travel plans are grounded.

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But why is this happening? Lets take a look.

Dubai visa rejections

Almost 99 per cent of Dubai visa applications were once granted; however, the UAE authorities are now rejecting even the most well-prepared requests.

The Times of India said that every day, at least five-six out of every 100 applications are denied.

Earlier, the rejection rate for Dubai visas was just one to two per cent. This is before the new rules were enforced. We are now getting at least five to six visa rejections per day from nearly 100 applications daily. Even when confirmed flight tickets and hotel stay details are attached, the visa applications are being rejected, Nikhil Kumar, director of Passio Travels Pvt. Ltd., told TOI.

Travellers who have already paid for their hotel and airline reservations as well as their visa costs are experiencing financial losses as a result of the new rules.

Rishikesh Pujari, director of Vihar Travels, according to the report, said, We are seeing unprecedented rejection rates (for tourist visa applications to Dubai). Earlier, almost 99 per cent of Dubai visa applications were approved. Now, we are experiencing rejections even for well-prepared travellers.

The UAE last month imposed stricter criteria for tourist visa applications to Dubai, which led to an uptick in visa rejections. Reuters

He claimed that even the most carefully prepared application, complete with all pertinent supporting documentation, such as verified hotel reservations and airline information, is being turned down.

I had a family of four who meticulously prepared their application. Despite this, their visa application was rejected, he said.

Hasmukh Travels director, Vijay Thakkar, told TOI that two of the travellers who intended to stay in Dubai with family members had their applications for Dubai visas recently denied.

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While applying for the visa, we had attached all the relevant documents as per the new visa requirements. Yet, their applications were rejected. This resulted in significant monetary loss for the passengers, as they had spent nearly Rs 14,000 on visa fees, and ticket cancellation cost was another Rs 20,000 and more, he said.

Many people are also trying to attach fake flight tickets or other documents, which is not advised, according to Nilesh Bhansali, head of the Travel Agents Association of Pune, who spoke to the publication.

Dubai is extremely strict, and a rejection can potentially create lifelong travel complications to the destination. My advise to travellers is to avoid any dummy tickets or hotel bookings.

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Also read: From Australia to UAE, how countries are rolling out easy visas for Indians

New visa rules

The UAE last month imposed stricter criteria for tourist visa applications to Dubai, which led to an uptick in visa rejections.

When applying for a visa under the new regulation, travellers must upload a copy of their return tickets to the emigration departments website. Previously, airport officials had to request these documents.

A view of the Burj Al Arab hotel and Burj Khalifa in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, June 9, 2021. Reuters

Also, travellers must present proof of hotel reservations or other evidence of their intended accommodations in Dubai. Visitors who plan to stay with family members must submit a copy of their residency visa, their Emirates ID, the rental agreement from their host, and their contact information.

Additionally, visitors are expected to show that they have sufficient funds to stay in the city. This includes bank statements or a sponsorship letter.

For a two-month visa, applicants need to have at least AED 5,000 (about Rs 1.14 lakh) in their credit or debit accounts; for a three-month visa, they need to have AED 3,000.

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Both online and approved travel firms are options for processing tourist visa applications.

Nonetheless, trading businesses, individuals, or families may still apply for visit visas.

However, both visa categories have the same requirements for documentation.

This policy amendment came about just before the popular Dubai Shopping Festival, when hotel rooms are offered at premium rates, making the timing notable.

The festival began on December 8 and will conclude by January 14, 2025.

With inputs from agencies

Also read: Rajinikanths Gilded Honour: What is the Golden Visa that UAE has given to the superstar?
Uncover the harrowing stories from Syrias notorious prisons as survivors reveal torture, mass executions, and hidden underground cells after Assads regime collapse read more

A man stands underground at Sednaya prison as prisoners' relatives and members of the Syrian civil defence group, known as the White Helmets, search for prisoners, after rebels seized the capital and announced that they have ousted President Bashar al-Assad in Sednaya, Syria, December 9, 2024. Reuters

As the regime of Bashar al-Assad crumbled, a harrowing glimpse into the horrors of Syrias notorious prison system emerged.

The fall of Assads government marked the liberation of tens of thousands of detainees held in brutal detention facilities across the country.

This seismic event revealed the extent of atrocities committed in these prisons, including torture, starvation, and mass executions, which had long been condemned by international human rights organisations.

Following an eight-day insurgent campaign that swept across Syria, families reunited with loved ones who had vanished into the regimes detention system.

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Videos circulated online showed newly freed prisoners flooding the streets of Damascus, many raising their fingers to indicate the number of years they had spent behind bars.

The secret door of the Red Prison in #Saydnaya, three floors underground, was opened and more than 30,000 prisoners were taken out on the first floor alone. There are still thousands of people on the floors, and work is underway to open the second floor.#Syria pic.twitter.com/iFnResjPFg  Ulkum Gozde Gundogdu (@Ulkumgozde) December 8, 2024

One prisoner, overwhelmed with disbelief, asked passersby what had happened. The response, We toppled the regime, was met with tears of joy and laughter.

At Sednaya prison, known as Syrias human slaughterhouse, rebels broke down gates and cell doors, freeing detainees who had endured unimaginable suffering. In one video, a rebel reassured prisoners with the words, He [Assad] has fallen. Dont be scared.

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Among those freed were women and children who had been held in cramped, unsanitary cells. A toddler was seen walking down the corridor, held captive alongside his mother.

This is a heartbreaking video.



For years, weve heard about women prisoners in Syria being raped, giving birth in prison, and their children being imprisoned along with their mothers.



As rebels open the prison doors to release prisoners, you can see a little boy in an pic.twitter.com/hU2K4OXuNX  Yashar Ali  (@yashar) December 8, 2024

One of the freed prisoners, 63-year-old writer Bashar Barhoum, shared his story with the Associated Press. I havent seen the sun until today, he said after seven months of imprisonment. He revealed that he had been scheduled for execution on the day of his release. Instead of being dead tomorrow, thank God, He gave me a new lease of life.

Torture & death inside Syrias prisons

The atrocities committed in Syrias detention facilities have been extensively documented. Human rights groups have described systematic torture, sexual violence, and starvation as routine practices.

The most notorious facility, Sednaya, became synonymous with mass executions. Amnesty International reported that between 2011 and 2016, up to 13,000 detainees were secretly executed there. Survivors recounted being forced to watch or participate in the torture of fellow inmates.

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The images coming from Saydnaya Prison - Syria's Guantanamo - are blood-curdling.

After 10 years, we witness the eyes of a prisoner who sees the light.

Note: #Saydnaya Prison, which was also reported by Amnesty International, executed 13,000 prisoners, mostly civilian https://t.co/q8dlp4L2TF pic.twitter.com/TsyAMsO6Fw  Ulkum Gozde Gundogdu (@Ulkumgozde) December 8, 2024

In 2013, a defector codenamed Caesar smuggled over 53,000 photographs out of Syria, exposing the scale of torture and death. These images showed emaciated bodies, clear evidence of starvation, and signs of brutal mistreatment.

For many families, these photographs were the first confirmation of the deaths of their loved ones, who had disappeared years earlier.

Omar al-Shogre, a survivor of Sednaya, recalled his three-year ordeal to BBC. They forced my cousin, whom I loved so much, to torture me, and they forced me to torture him. Otherwise, we would both be executed, he said. His testimony highlights the depths of psychological and physical torment inflicted on detainees.

The search for hidden cells

Despite the liberation of major prisons, reports suggest that many detainees remain trapped in hidden underground cells. The White Helmets, Syrias civil defence force, launched a mission to access these concealed chambers.

Equipped with search-and-rescue teams, wall-breaching specialists, and medical responders, they are working to uncover the remaining horrors.

The White Helmets has deployed 5 specialized emergency teams to Sednaya Prison to investigate hidden underground cells, reportedly holding detainees according to survivors. The teams consist of search and rescue units, wall-breaching specialists, iron door-opening crews, trained  The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) December 8, 2024

In Sednaya, efforts to breach electronic doors and access lower levels have revealed a chilling possibility: more than 100,000 detainees may still be held in these subterranean cells.

Surveillance footage from inside the prison showed detainees struggling to breathe in poorly ventilated conditions. Videos shared on social media depicted rescuers hammering through walls to reach hidden spaces, exposing the dark reality of Assads prison network.

What this means for Syrians

Under the Assad regime, even minor acts of opposition could result in imprisonment. Families of detainees often received no information about their loved ones, living in anguish for years.

The liberation of these prisons has brought both relief and pain. While many families have been reunited, countless others continue to search for missing relatives. This happiness will not be complete until I see my son out of prison and know where he is, Bassam Masri, who has been searching for his son detained since 2011, told AP.

please look at their faces. Imagine the horror they saw



A group of detainees leave the red section of #SednayaPrison Military after a passage was opened to the lower floors of the prison. #Syria pic.twitter.com/lYjfzwIv9W  Qusay Noor (@QUSAY_NOOR_) December 8, 2024

Another woman, Heba, has spent years searching for her brother and brother-in-law, who disappeared after reporting a stolen car.

The fall of Bashar al-Assads regime has ended decades of repression but has left Syria grappling with the aftermath of its brutal legacy.

Rebel factions, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), played a key role in the insurgency, freeing thousands of prisoners as they advanced through cities like Aleppo, Homs, and Hama. HTS, once affiliated with al-Qaeda, declared the end of the era of tyranny in Sednaya.

Also Watch:

With inputs from agencies
Syrias Bashar al-Assad has fled as rebels captured the capital Damascus. With this, the over five decades of the brutal regime of the Assad family has ended. Heres a look at how the ousted president and his father, Hafez al-Assad, ruled Syria with an iron fist read more

Syrian refugees hold a banner bearing a picture of President Bashar al-Assad with Arabic writing referring to him as a "pig" in the eastern Lebanese town of Majdel Anjar in the Bekaa Valley on December 8, 2024, following the fall of the Syrian capital to anti-government fighters. AFP

In Syria, the decades of the brutal regime of the Assad family have ended. President Bashar al-Assad has fled to Russia and the capital Damascus has been captured by the rebels.

The insurgents lightning advance across Syria brought down the Assad familys over 50 years of rule in just 10 days. Assads fall marks a significant turn in West Asias history.

Lets take a closer look.

Hafez al-Assads authoritarian rule

Assad and his father, Hafez al-Assad, are infamous for ruling Syria with an iron fist.

After World War II, Syria saw at least eight coups from the end of French colonial rule in 1946 until 1970, as per a New York Times (NYT) report.

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Hafez, an air force officer, went on to lead the Baath Party and seize power in 1970, putting an end to years of military coups.

Hafez, a Soviet ally, oppressed his countrys population, tolerating little dissent. Belonging to the minority Alawite community, he exploited Syrias ethnic and religious differences to retain power.

Flames rise near a damaged statue of former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad, after rebels seized the capital and ousted President Bashar al-Assad, in Qamishli, Syria, December 8, 2024. Reuters

Hafez fortified his rule by elevating the Alawite minority to key political, social and military posts.

As per The Guardian, he cultivated a network of detention centres and strict governmental surveillance to stamp out any form of dissent.

In 1982, Hafezs regime bombed and killed thousands of his opponents in the central city of Hama, ending an uprising by the Muslim Brotherhood.

He died in 2000, resulting in his second son, Bashar al-Assad, taking over the countrys reins.

Bashar al-Assads iron-fisted rule

Bashar al-Assad, an eye surgeon, was not supposed to succeed his father. Hafezs eldest son, Bassel, was instead groomed to replace his father. However, his sudden death in a car crash in 1994 led to Assad stepping into the limelight.

Assad then went on to study military science and later became a colonel in the Syrian army, reported CNN.

After Hafezs death in June 2000, the Syrian government changed the Constitution to lower the age required to become president from 40 to 34 so that Assad could succeed his father.

With Assad coming to power, the West hoped the young leader would bring a progressive, moderate regime to Syria. However, those hopes were soon shattered.

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As per NYT, Assad, with his Syrian-British wife, Asma al-Assad, announced political and social reforms but soon ditched the promise after realising it would mean demolishing his fathers legacy.

To both father and son, making concessions was not acceptable, Randa Slim, a senior fellow with the Middle East Institute in Washington, told the American newspaper. Eventually that is what brought Bashar down.

As per BBC News, a dissident hinted that Assad may have struggled with feelings of inferiority or inadequacy. Bashar felt that any reform, any questioning of his way of doing things was a sign he wasnt respected. He refused to be treated any differently than his father, Abdulhamid said earlier.

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Assads police state was one of the most oppressive in West Asia, with hundreds of thousands of political prisoners held in dreadful conditions.

In 2011, Syria witnessed mass pro-democracy protests during the Arab Spring. The peaceful demonstrations were met with a violent government crackdown that plunged the country into a civil war.

Over 300,000 people are believed to have died during the ten years of the Syrian civil war, as per The Guardian.

Bashar came to power with many doubting that he had the will to rule Syria with the kind of iron fist that his father did. He had a chip on his shoulder and was out to prove that he, in fact, could be his fathers son. And in some ways, he ended up exceeding his fathers brutality, Firas Maksad, a Syria expert and the director of strategic outreach at the Middle East Institute, told NYT.

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Assad has been accused of severe human rights violations, including the use of chemical weapons on civilians.

Assads brother Maher, sister Bushra, and brother-in-law Assef Shakwat played a key role in maintaining his regimes security apparatus.

In 2015, he turned to Russia, Iran, and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah to prop up his government as rebels led by Sunni Muslim jihadist groups seemed close to overthrowing him.

Assad got their support but now his luck has run out. As per CNN, Syrian streets are filled with happy people, celebrating his fall.

Assad has left behind a legacy of 13 years of a bloody civil war that has left hundreds of thousands dead and millions displaced.

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Only time will tell what is in store for Assad and Syrias future.

With inputs from agencies
The Syrian government and the regime of Bashar al-Assad came to an end on Sunday (December 8), 11 days after rebels began their new offensive. Following the takeover, the Syrian dictator fled the country, with no one knowing where. However, Russia later confirmed that it had granted asylum to the now former president, saying Moscow doesnt betray friends in difficult situations read more

A man tears photo of Bashar Assad in front of the Syrian embassy in Belgrade, Serbia. AP

Syria is ours and not the Assad familys.

This is the start of a new era for Syria.

Chants and slogans like these rang out loud in Syria after the government collapsed and President Bashar al-Assad fled the country, reportedly now taking refuge in Russia.

Eleven days after rebels headed by the chief of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group  Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani  began their new advance, the Syrian regime collapsed on Sunday (December 8), marking the end of the Assad regime.

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As the rebels took control of Damascus, reports emerged that Assad and his family had fled Syria. Initially, there was no clarity as to where he was, but later Sunday night, Russian media reported that Assad and his family were in Moscow after Russia granted them asylum on humanitarian grounds.

But why Moscow? We get you the answers.

Assad flees Syria

On Saturday (December 7), as Syrian rebels edged towards Damascus, Assad was nowhere to be seen. CNN also reported that Assads Presidential Guard were also no longer deployed at his usual residence.

Then on Sunday, as rebels took over Damascus and announced the end of the Assad regime, the whereabouts of Assad remained unknown. When asked about Assads whereabouts, Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, Syrias prime minister, told al-Arabia that he had not been able to speak with Assad since Saturday despite claims by state media on that day that Assad remained in Damascus in office.

Later, Rami Abdurrahman, head of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, was quoted as telling AP that the president had left Damascus on Sunday morning, which was corroborated by Reuters.

A woman holds a sign as Syrian-Americans and supporters celebrate after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted President Bashar al-Assad in Syria, in Dearborn, Michigan, US. Reuters

FlightRadar24.com showed an Ilyushin aircraft departing Damascus airport around the time rebels seized the city, with no destination listed.

According to Abdurrahman, the plane was initially supposed to take off at 10 pm on Saturday. Flightradar showed that after taking off, the cargo plane flew east from the capital, then northwest before losing altitude near the central city of Homs where the flight transponder signal was lost.

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Reuters citing Syrian sources said the disappearance might be due to the tracking system being disabled or the aircraft being shot down.

There was another flight that flew out of Syria on Sunday morning, but that departed hours after rebels entered Damascus.

Flight path of the Syrian aircraft reportedly carrying ousted President Bashar al-Assad. Image Courtesy: FlightRadar24

Assad granted asylum in Russia

The mystery of Assads location was finally solved on Sunday night when Russian news agencies reported that Assad and his family had arrived in the country and had been granted asylum by the Vladimir Putin-led nation.

Russia has granted the family asylum on humanitarian grounds, the Interfax, TASS and Ria Novosti news agencies reported on Sunday, quoting an unnamed Kremlin source.

Mikhail Ulyanov, Russias ambassador to international organisations in Vienna, said on his Telegram channel: Breaking news! Bashar al-Assad and his family in Moscow. Russia does not betray friends in difficult situations.

Syrias President Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma along with his children are now in Russia after rebels took over Damascus. File image/Reuters

As per a Wall Street Journal report, Assad was in Moscow with his family on the advice of Egypt and Jordan, whereas, Bloomberg reported that Assad might agree to a self-style exile agreement in Tehran.

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US President Joe Biden, in his address on the Syria situation, said that he was unsure on the location of Assad, but that there is word he is in Moscow.

Russian news agencies also reported that the opposition leaders in Syria had vowed for the safety of Russian military bases and diplomatic institutions on the territory of Syria.

Why Assad chose Russia

That Assad chose to flee to Russia comes as no surprise. The ousted Syrian president shares a long history of friendship with Russian president Vladimir Putin. Moscow has been a staunch supporter of Assad and his regime.

According to experts, Russias support for Syria increased dramatically in 2011 amid the Arab Spring  a series of uprisings across West Asia. When Libya overthrew Moammer Gaddafi, Putin started to look for allies elsewhere in the region. As Margot Light, professor emeritus in international relations at LSE, was quoted as telling BBC, They were thinking not in the interests of Syria, but in their own interests.

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Syrian President Bashar Assad and Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two share a friendship dating back years, which may have prompted Assad to now seek refuge there. File image/AP

Since 2011, Moscow has lent Assad support  be it militarily or diplomatically. Amid the civil war, Putins military has dropped bomb on targets within Syria. His forces have also operated on the ground in government-held areas. Moreover, on occasions, Russian military police has de-escalated clashes in the region.

In 2015, Putin in a United Nations speech also called the Wests refusal to back Assad an enormous mistake. Russia has also used its veto powers on numerous occasions on the UN Security Council to block resolutions on Syria.

Many note that Putins support of Assad and Syria has helped Russia carve out a presence in West Asia, and build relations with many countries - Egypt, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates in particular.

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It remains to be seen what happens next in Syria as well as West Asia. But some experts believe that Putin will hope that Syria descends into chaos.

With inputs from agencies
Hours after Syrias Bashar al-Assad was ousted and fled to Moscow, crowds stormed his abandoned presidential palace in Damascus, looting valuables. From seizing luxurious cars and cash to grabbing utensils, they celebrated the end of the Assad familys 50-year rule read more

A man sits in an armchair outside the residential palace of Syria's ousted president Bashar al-Assad in Damascus. AFP

The Assad familys 50-year rule in Syria ended after a sudden rebel offensive that captured government-held areas and reached the capital within ten days. President Bashar al-Assad was ousted and fled the country.

Shortly after, Syrians entered his abandoned presidential palace in Damascus, looted valuables, posed at his desk, and found a collection of luxury cars.

ALSO READ | Explained: What led to Bashar al-Assads downfall in Syria?

Damascus remained calm overnight under a rebel-imposed curfew. Roads into the city were largely deserted. On Sunday, a shopping centre was looted, and some individuals raided the presidential palace.

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What happened inside the Presidential palace?

Verified videos from news agency Reuters showed citizens walking through the luxurious Al-Rawda and Muhajreen palaces.

A group of Syrians leave Syrian President Bashar Assads presidential palace in Damascus, Syria, December 8, 2024. AP

Children ran through the grand halls of the Al-Rawda Palace as men carried chairs and slid trunks across its lavish floors, visuals from the scene showed. At the Muhajreen Palace, footage showed groups of people walking through rooms with marble floors and tall wooden doors, some carrying vases and decorative items while emptying cupboards and cabinets.

One clip showed looters flaunting Assads extensive collection of luxury cars, featuring Ferraris, Aston Martins, Rolls-Royces, BMWs, Mercedes, and what appeared to be a Bugatti Veyron.

Former Syrian regime leader Assad, who fled Syria, hoarded luxury vehicles in his palace while Syrians struggled to survive by scavenging through garbage in other countries.



I spot Lambo LM002, DB9, Ferrari F50, F430, Countach, Audi R8, SLS, Continental GT, Phantom, Audi Q8 + pic.twitter.com/PGEDDKmWjS  Abdullah Tanriverdi (@xjourno) December 8, 2024

In another video, two rebel fighters fired automatic rifles into the sky as they entered the palace, which is perched on a hill overlooking western Damascus, Daily Telegraph reported. Several other videos captured five fighters roaming the marble-floored halls of the massive 510,000-square-metre complex, comprising three six-storey structures.

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ALSO READ | Why Syrias Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia after rebels led to his fall

The palace corridors were decorated with expensive paintings and ornate wooden furniture, visuals showed. Inside the bathroom, the fighters found a jacuzzi, while in the master bedroom, they found a functioning telephone and a list of phone numbers.

Residents of Damascus celebrated in the streets as rebels declared, We declare the city of Damascus free.

Assad family portraits were defaced, and parts of the palace were vandalised.

A giant picture of Syrian President Bashar Assad lies on the ground as a Syrian opposition fighter stands nearby, inside the Presidential Palace in Damascus, Syria. AP

I am taking pictures because I am so happy to be here in the middle of his house, a 44-year-old man said, showing photos on his phone.

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I came for revenge. They oppressed us in incredible ways, he added.

The looting of #Syrias presidential palace continues. In this video you can see what looks like Assads suits and Asmas shoes in their living quarters. pic.twitter.com/fkBBjqFGT9  Jason Brodsky (@JasonMBrodsky) December 8, 2024

Sale! Sale!

On Sunday, several videos circulated online that showed crowds exploring the once-restricted bedrooms of the Assad residence. People were seen grabbing clothes, plates, and other items, including a Louis Vuitton cardboard shopping bag.

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In one video, a man was heard shouting, Sale! Sale!

A group of people take a family photo while sitting on a couch in a hall of Syrian President Bashar Assads presidential palace in Damascus, Dec. 8, 2024. AP

Umm Nader, 35, visited the residence with her husband from a nearby district. The residence, once a symbol of fear and power, was now described by one visitor as a museum.

I came to see this place that we were banned from because they wanted us to live in poverty and deprivation, she told AFP.

Nader stated that the heating and electricity in the residence had been left on, adding, Meanwhile, our children are getting sick from the cold.

ALSO READ | What is the role of foreign armies in the Syria conflict? Whos fighting with whom?

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Statue of Assads father toppled

Earlier, videos showed protesters dragging statues of former President Hafez al-Assad, Bashar al-Assads father, through the streets of Damascus in a strong show of support for opposition forces.

Hafez al-Assad seized power in a 1970 coup and served as President until he died in 2000, after which his son Bashar took over and ruled Syria for over two decades before being overthrown.

In Hama, 200 km from Damascus, protesters pulled down and destroyed a statue of Hafez al-Assad amid cheers and loud slogans.

In another video, the decapitated head of the statue was tied to a vehicle and dragged through the streets. Protesters were seen sitting on the statue, kicking it, and chasing after it in mockery.

This is how the statue of the Hafez al-Assad was dragged through the streets of the liberated city of Hama. #Syria pic.twitter.com/apxTIgJoLg  DOAM (@doamuslims) December 6, 2024

Similar scenes were reported in Latakia, where a statue of the former President was toppled as celebrations erupted in the city.

The fall of Assad

Thousands of Syrians flooded the streets, celebrating with gunfire and waving the revolutionary flag in scenes similar to that of the early Arab Spring uprising. This marked the end of nearly 14 years of civil war triggered by a brutal crackdown and insurgency.

Soldiers and police abandoned their posts, while looters ransacked the Defence Ministry. Other parts of Damascus were empty and shops shuttered.

People walk in a conference room inside Syrian President Bashar Assads presidential palace in Damascus, Dec. 8, 2024. AP

Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah, Assads key allies, withdrew their support as they faced challenges from other conflicts. Iran, weakened by ongoing clashes with Israel, issued a statement saying Syrians should determine their future without destructive, coercive, foreign intervention. The Iranian Embassy in Damascus was abandoned and later ransacked.

Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali announced that the government was prepared to extend its hand to the opposition and transfer authority to a transitional government. Opposition media released footage showing armed men escorting him from his office to a hotel.

Russian state media confirmed that Assad had fled to Moscow, where he was granted asylum out of humanitarian considerations. This ended speculation about his whereabouts following the rebel takeover of Damascus.

Russia, a staunch Assad ally with two critical military bases in Syria, had intervened in the civil war to support his regime. However, it failed to prevent the collapse of his government amid a rapid rebel advance. The offensive exploited distractions faced by Iran and Hezbollah, Assads key regional supporters.

With inputs from agencies
As Syrians woke up to a changed nation following the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad and the end of the familys 50-year reign, rebel flags replaced the posters of the dictator that once lined nearly every corner. But can this become the countrys new flag? read more

Syrians flooded the streets with celebratory gunfire on Sunday after a sudden rebel advance reached the capital, ending the Assad familys 50-year reign following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad.

Cheerful crowds gathered in central Damascus, waving the Syrian revolutionary flag in scenes similar to that of the early days of the Arab Spring uprising before a violent crackdown and the rise of insurgency plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war.

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ALSO READ | Why Syrias Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia after rebels led to his fall

As Syrians woke to a transformed nation, rebel flags had replaced the posters of Assad, which once were displayed on nearly every corner. This shift could signal a major change, possibly marking the beginning of a new official flag for a country with a history of multiple flag changes.

The current Syrian flag

The current Syrian flag, featuring red, white, and black stripes with two green stars in the centre, has been in use since 1980.

A flag flies above the Syrian embassy in Moscow, Russia, December 8, 2024. Reuters

In this flag, the red represents the bloodshed in Syrias struggle for freedom, while white signifies a peaceful future. The black colour reflects the alleged oppression faced by Arabs, and the green stars symbolise Syria and Egypt, the founding states of the United Arab Republic, NDTV said in a report.

ALSO READ | Ferraris, Louis Vuitton trunk, cash: Inside Syrian dictator Assads palace

Notably, the flag was first adopted in 1958 when Syria gained independence from European influence and joined Egypt to form the United Arab Republic. The flag underwent three changes between 1961 and 1980 before settling on its current design. However, with the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, this flag could soon be replaced.

The rebel flag

On Sunday, as rebels declared on Syrias state television that the 50-year Assad family dynasty had been overthrown, green-white-black-red opposition flags were seen flying across the country.

People wave Syrian opposition flags at City Hall Square in Copenhagen, Denmark, Dec. 8, 2024. AP

Celebrations also erupted in Germany, Turkey, and Greece, where thousands of jubilant crowds waved the Syrian opposition flag.

Supporters of the rebels stormed the Syrian embassy in Athens and raised the opposition flag from the rooftop. While police detained four individuals, they allowed the flag to remain flying, Reuters said in a report.

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The rebel flag, though similar to the current Syrian flag, features green at the top, white in the middle, and black at the bottom, with three red stars in the centre.

A man waves a Syrian opposition flag at a rally in Wuppertal, Germany, Dec. 8, 2024. AP

Notably, the flag is a revised version of the independence flag first used in 1932 when Syria gained independence from France. The Syrian opposition has adopted it to symbolise their desire for freedom from the Assad regime.

ALSO READ | Explained: What led to Bashar al-Assads downfall in Syria?

What happened in Syria?

Thousands of Syrians took to the streets, celebrating with gunfire and waving the revolutionary flag to mark the end of nearly 14 years of civil war, which had been triggered by a brutal crackdown and insurgency against the Assad regime.

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Soldiers and police deserted their posts, while looters raided the Defence Ministry. Other parts of Damascus were empty, with shops closed and streets empty.

Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah, Assads key allies, withdrew their support as they faced challenges from other conflicts. Iran, weakened by ongoing clashes with Israel, issued a statement saying Syrians should determine their future without destructive, coercive, foreign intervention. The Iranian Embassy in Damascus was abandoned and later ransacked.

A giant picture of Syrian President Bashar Assad lies on the ground as a Syrian opposition fighter stands nearby, inside the Presidential Palace in Damascus, Syria. AP

US President Joe Biden stated that Syria is in a period of uncertainty, noting that it was the first time in years that neither Russia, Iran, nor Hezbollah had held an influential role in the country.

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Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali announced that the government was ready to extend its hand to the opposition and transfer power to a transitional government. Opposition media showed footage of armed men escorting him from his office to a hotel.

With a curfew imposed by the rebels, the few people seen in Damascus were rebels in fatigues, many of whom had arrived from the northwestern province of Idlib, where the offensive had begun 12 days prior.

The civil war, which began in 2011 as an uprising against Assad, had devastated the country, with Assads forces and Russian allies bombing cities into ruins. The refugee crisis created by the conflict, with millions fleeing Syria, became one of the largest in modern history and led to a huge political crisis in Europe, particularly after a million refugees arrived in 2015.

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Where is Bashar al-Assad?

Russian state media confirmed that Bashar al-Assad fled to Moscow, where he was granted asylum out of humanitarian considerations. This ended speculation about his whereabouts after the rebel forces took control of Damascus.

Following the collapse of Assads regime, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the leader of the Islamist alliance that led the offensive, said in a televised statement, We continue to work with determination to achieve the goals of our revolution We are determined to complete the path we started in 2011.

Russia, a long-time ally of Assad with two critical military bases in Syria, had intervened to support his regime. However, it was unable to prevent the rapid collapse of his government, as the offensive exploited the distractions of Iran and Hezbollah, Assads regional supporters.

With inputs from agencies
As Donald Trump vows to end birthright citizenship in America, a cornerstone of the 14th Amendment, legal experts argue his plan faces insurmountable constitutional hurdles. Rooted in over a century of legal precedent, this principle guarantees citizenship to anyone born on US soil read more

US President-elect Donald Trump attends a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, December 7, 2024. File Image/Reuters

As United States President-elect Donald Trump gears up for his return to the White House, one of the most debated aspects of his immigration agenda is his promise to end birthright citizenship.

This long-standing principle, enshrined in the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, has been a cornerstone of American citizenship law for over 150 years.

In a recent NBC interview, speaking about his deportation plans, Trump said, I think you have to do it. Its a very tough thing to do. Its  but you have to have, you know, you have rules, regulations, laws. They came in illegally. You know, the people that have been treated very unfairly are the people that have been on line for 10 years to come into the country.

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What is Birthright Citizenship in the US?

The concept of birthright citizenship, also known as jus soli (right of the soil), guarantees that anyone born on US soil is automatically a US citizen, regardless of their parents immigration status. This principle stems from the 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, which states:

All persons born or naturalised in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.

The amendment was crafted in the post-Civil War era to overturn the infamous Dred Scott v. Sandford decision, which had denied citizenship to African Americans. Its framers deliberately included broad language to ensure that all individuals born on US soil, including children of immigrants, would be recognised as citizens.

Legal precedent supporting this interpretation was solidified in the landmark 1898 Supreme Court case United States v. Wong Kim Ark, where the court ruled that children born to non-citizen Chinese immigrants in the US were citizens under the 14th Amendment.

Why does Trump want to change this?

Trump has consistently called for ending birthright citizenship, terming it a magnet for undocumented immigration. During his interview with NBC, he reaffirmed his intention, stating, I dont want to be breaking up families, so the only way you dont break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back.

However, constitutional experts widely agree that a president cannot unilaterally modify or revoke a constitutional amendment through an executive order.

Michael LeRoy, a labour and immigration law expert at the University of Illinois, noted in a university article: No president has the authority to eliminate or modify a constitutional amendment. While an executive order to this effect is possible, it would be blatantly unconstitutional.

Despite this, Trumps allies, including Stephen Miller and Tom Homan, suggest their strategy might involve halting the issuance of federal documents like Social Security cards and passports to children of undocumented immigrants. Such moves could provoke significant legal challenges and further polarise the debate.

Is Trumps vision to alter Birthright Citizen something new?

Efforts to alter birthright citizenship are not new. Over the years, questions surrounding the amendments phrase subject to the jurisdiction thereof have sparked debates. For instance, in 1884, the Supreme Court ruled that Native Americans born on reservations were not citizens because they were under tribal jurisdiction, not US jurisdiction.

More recently, American Samoans, classified as non-citizen nationals, have sought recognition as citizens under the 14th Amendment, only to be rebuffed by the courts. These cases highlight the complexities of interpreting the amendments language.

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Additionally, Trumps proposal contradicts historical precedents. In ancient Rome, Emperor Caracallas extension of citizenship to all free men and women of the empire in 212 AD was aimed at fostering economic and political stability  a stark contrast to Trumps restrictive model.

How will this impact the US workforce?

Trumps broader immigration agenda includes mass deportations and curbs on both legal and illegal immigration.

His plans to deport undocumented individuals and their US-born children have drawn criticism from labour experts who warn of severe economic consequences. Deporting millions could lead to labuor shortages in industries like agriculture, construction, and healthcare.

Trump has also floated the idea of denaturalising citizens. Under current laws, denaturalisation is rare and applies to cases involving treason, fraud, or foreign allegiance. Expanding these parameters would likely face constitutional hurdles and public backlash.

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Is an alteration to the 14th Amendment possible?

Most legal scholars, including conservatives, argue that the 14th Amendments provisions cannot be altered without a constitutional amendment  a process requiring overwhelming congressional support and state ratification.

The courts have historically upheld birthright citizenship, making significant changes unlikely without judicial reconsideration.

Also Read | Can Donald Trump really implement his mass deportation plan?

However, Trumps proposal, coupled with vocal support from Republican leaders like US Senators Tom Cotton and Marsha Blackburn, indicates that the debate over citizenship by birth is far from over.

Should the administration pursue its plans, the issue will almost certainly escalate to the Supreme Court, potentially redefining a core tenet of American identity.

With inputs from agencies
The world watched as Islamist rebels seized Damascus and Bashar al-Assad, whose family has ruled Syria for decades, fled to seek refuge with his long-time ally Russia. Now, some are concerned about the rebel groups getting their hands on Syrias stockpile of chemical weapons read more

Experts are now worried about Syria's cache of chemical weapons falling into the wrong hands. AP

The Bashar al-Assad regime in Syria has been ousted in fashion dramatic.

The world watched as Islamist rebels seized Damascus and Assad, whose family has ruled Syria for decades, fled to seek refuge with his long-time ally Moscow.

The developments have recast the balance of power in West Asia and governments across the world are watching with interest.

Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East, US President Joe Biden said.

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For years, the main backers of Assad have been Iran, Hezbollah and Russia. But over the last week, their support collapsed - all three of them - because all three of them are far weaker today than they were when I took office, Biden said.

However, many are concerned about Syrias chemical weapons.

But what do we know about them? Why are people worried?

Lets take a closer look

What do we know?

First, lets briefly examine chemical weapons.

According to OPCW, a chemical weapon is something used to intentionally cause death or harm.

According to Armscontrol.org, chemical weapons are weapons of mass destruction.

They were first deployed during World War I.

Their usage was later restricted by the 1925 Geneva Protocol.

However, the international community began looking at a comprehensive ban on chemical weapons only as late in 1980.

Talks over the ban, which lasted more than a decade, concluded only in 1993.

It took another four years for the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) to actually be put into place.

It is the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) that supervises the liquidation of chemical stockpiles.

Around 193 nations are signatories to the CWC.

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This includes Syria which joined the pact in September 2013.

However, Egypt, North Korea, and South Sudan have not joined the CWC.

Israel has signed the treaty, but not ratified it.

Despite the ban, the previous Assad regime is thought to have repeatedly used chemical weapons  particularly sarin gas  against its citizens since the outbreak of the civil war.

The previous Bashar al-Assad regime is thought to have repeatedly used chemical weapons  particularly sarin gas  against its citizens since the outbreak of the civil war. AFP

Sarin gas is a colourless, odourless gas.

It results in muscle twitches, unconsciousness, paralysis of respiratory organs and finally death via asphyxiation.

As per NDTV, the Syrian government used sarin gas to attack Ghouta in August 2013.

Human Rights Watch says that hundreds were left dead in the attack on the rebel-held stronghold occurred near Damascus.

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PBS put the toll far higher 1,400 dead including women and children.

The White House at the time claimed they had high confidence that the Assad regime was behind the attack.

At the time, Barack Obama was US president.

He had famously set a red line in Syria against the use of chemical weapons  from which he later backed away.

The president was looking for a way to not have to make good on the threat that he had made, Colonel Andrew Bacevich (Ret.), author of The Limits of Power, told Frontline. I think because the president having drawn that red line realised that he had no appetite for direct military engagement in Syria.

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According to Forbes, the UNSC in 2013 essentially struck a deal with Assad to dispose of his chemical weapons.

The country moved most of its stockpile abroad and its destruction was monitored by the OPCW.

This includes around 1,300 tonnes of chemicals and 20 secret facilities.

In doing so, it basically ended the chemical weapons program as a strategic threat to neighbouring countries and intervening powers, Aron Lund, a Syria expert and fellow with Century International, told Forbes. Thats one reason, among others, for why Syria then saw so much international involvement  the regimes main strategic deterrent was gone.

Despite this, the regime is thought to have held on to at least some of its stockpile.

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The exact numbers remain under wraps.

The Syrian government is also thought to have used a nerve agent in Khan Sheikhoun in April 2017 when Donald Trump was president.

The then Assad regime is thought to have hit the town in Idlib with Sarin gas  leaving at least 90 including 30 children dead.

The OPCW has said that the Assad regime used both sarin and chlorine gas  which is not banned as a chemical weapon due to its widespread civilian use  to leave thousands of people dead or injured in attacks between 2015 and 2018.

In 2018, then US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley accused the Assad regime of carrying out around 50 chemical weapons attacks.

Human Rights Watch in April 2018 claimed that the Assad regime carried out most of the 85 proven chemical weapons attacks in Syria.

Why are people worried?

The United States is worried about Islamist groups getting their hands on Syrias cache of chemical weapons.

Axios quoted a US official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, as telling reporters that Washington is cooperating with several West Asian nations to stop Syrias chemical weapons from falling into the wrong hands.

The official added that Washington has good fidelity on their weapons and US intelligence experts believe they have matters in hand.

We are taking very prudent measures about this  We are doing everything we can to ensure that those materials are not available to anyone and are cared for, the official said.

We want to make sure that chlorine or things that are far worse are destroyed or secured. There are several efforts in this regard with partners in the region, the official added, as per the website.

The US isnt acting alone.

Israel has over the past two days conducted air strikes against dozens of Syrian military bases, arms depots and facilities thought to be part of its chemical weapons programmes.

We have a responsibility to make sure strategic weapon systems dont fall into the wrong hands, an Israeli official told Axios.

However, the Islamist rebels have claimed they have no interest in Syrias stockpile of chemical weapons.

With inputs from agencies
Bangladeshs internet regulator has terminated a proposal made under the previous Sheikh Hasina regime to let the country become the transit point to supply internet to Indias Northeast. But what happened? And why did Dhaka suddenly pull the plug? read more

I Bangladesh has pulled a plug on a key deal with India.

According to a report in the Daily Star, Bangladeshs internet regulator has terminated a deal to let the country become the transit point for Indias northeastern states internet supply.

The permission to do so was provided under the regime of Sheikh Hasina, who has now fled to India.

But what happened? And how does it affect Indias services?

Lets take a close look

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What happened?

According to India Herald, the Bangladesh Telecommunication Regulatory Commission (BTRC) in 2023 asked authorisation from the telecom ministry to provide internet to Indias Northeast.

This would be done from the Akhaura border separating the countries using bandwidth from Singapore.

As per Daily Star, the firms, Summit Communications and Fiber@Home, would use Bharti Airtel to provide internet to the region.

Muhammad Farid Khan, the chairman of Summit Communications, is the younger brother of Awami League presidium member Faruk Khan.

Muhammad is also a close from of Hasinas son Sajeeb Wazed Joy.

Both companies, Fiber@Home and Summit Communications, were the recipient of major contracts and licenses from the Hasina government.

Former prime minister of Bangladesh Sheikh Hasina. Source: Reuters | File.

Indias Northeast states, also called the Seven Sisters, are currently linked to Singapore via submarine cables in Chennai, as per Daily Star.

India is currently using its domestic fiber optic network to provide internet to these seven states.

However, the distance between Chennai and the Northeast, which is around 5,500 kilometres, leads to a degradation in internet speed.

The regions location also makes maintaining the fiber optic networks and the installation of new networks notoriously hard.

Bangladesh providing internet from the border would have been a huge boost to Indias Northeast.

However, this decision makes things more difficult for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi governments vow to develop and empower the Northeast to help India reach its potential.

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In the last decade, we have seen a wonderful journey of the development of the northeast but it was not easy. We have taken every possible step to connect the northeastern states with Indias growth story," Modi recently said.

For a long time, we have seen how development was weighed against votes. Northeastern states had less votes and low seats so previous governments did not pay attention to the development of the region, he added.

Why has it done so?

The regulator under the interim government of Muhammad Yunus has now cancelled the decision.

The guidelines do not permit such transit arrangements, BTRC chairman Md Emdad ul Bari told the Daily Star.

The BRTC in a document said the arrangement would have made Indias secured spot as a dominant internet hub and hurt the possibility that Bangladesh could do so in the future.

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It added that it would also deter the likelihood that Dhaka could become a Point of Presence (PoP) for content delivery network (CDN) providers such as Meta, Google, Akamai and Amazon.

Ultimately, the bandwidth from India will end up in India, reducing Bangladesh to merely a transit point, Aminul Hakim, president of the Bangladesh Internet Governance Forum, told the newspaper.

Foreign Secretary visits Bangladesh

The development comes in the backdrop of Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visiting Bangladesh today (December 9).

This would be the first high-level diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and Dhaka since the Yunus government took power in August.

Misri on Monday held talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart Mohammad Jashim Uddin, amid strained bilateral ties since August following the ouster of prime minister Sheikh Hasina.

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Misri arrived in Dhaka earlier in the day on an Indian Air Force jet for a day-long visit, officials said. It is the first high-level visit from New Delhi after a massive uprising ended Hasinas 15-year rule in August.

A senior Bangladesh Foreign Ministry official received him at the airport. Indian High Commissioner Pranay Verma was also present at the airport.

Soon after his arrival, Misri held talks with Uddin. He will also meet the countrys de-facto foreign minister Mohammad Touhid Hossain.

He is also scheduled to pay a courtesy call to Yunus.

The development also comes as Bangladesh under its interim government seems to be inching closer to Pakistan and away from India.

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The two countries have made a number of moves to improve relations.

This includes Bangladesh removing a requirement for Pakistani citizens to obtain a clearance from its security agency before applying for a visa, Pakistan waiving its visa fees for Bangladeshis, direct flights resuming between the two nations the re-establishment of direct maritime links after nearly five decades with a Pakistani freight ship from Karachi docked at Bangladeshs southeastern Chittagong port.

With inputs from agencies
The visit comes amid recent reports of rise in violence against minorities in Bangladesh and the arrest of spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in Chittagong read more

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Dhaka on Monday morning to discuss bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh, officials said. This is the first high-level official visit after the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus took over in Bangladesh.

The visit comes amid recent reports of rise in violence against minorities in Bangladesh and the arrest of spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in Chittagong.

The delegation led by the foreign secretaries of the two countries is expected to discuss the overall issues of bilateral relations by participating in the Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) mechanism established between the two countries.

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On December 4, Press Secretary to the Chief Advisor of Bangladeshs interim government, Shafiqul Alam, said that the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries would hold talks on issues of mutual interest.

In September this year, the Foreign Adviser (Minister) of the interim government of Bangladesh Md. Touhid Hossain had met the Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. They decided to maintain good working relationship and also decided to hold FOC between India and Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, reports of attacks on minorties continue in Bangladesh. On December 6, another Hindu temple was allegedly set on fire in the outskirts of Dhaka. The Mahabhagya Lakshminarayan Mandir, at Dhor village, in North of Dhaka came under attack on late Friday night.

Babul Ghosh, supervisor of the temple said that a complaint has been filed against unidentified miscreants for burning down his ancestral temple. Speaking with ANI, Ghosh said that the attackers poured petrol on the idols while he was not present at the house and ran away on hearing his footsteps. He further alleged that the attackers had some ulterior motives other than burning the idols.

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Spiritual leader Chinmony Krishna Das also continues to be under arrest on alleged sedition charges. The Ministry of External Affairs has pressed the Bangladesh interim government to ensure that the legal rights of the individual are respected and that his trial is fair and transparent.

Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is associated with the Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote, was arrested in Dhaka on November 25 on sedition charges. The arrest followed a complaint file on October 31 by a local politician that accused Chinmoy Das and others of disrespecting Bangladeshs national flag during a rally of the Hindu community. On December 3, a Bangladesh court set January 2, 2025 as the next date of hearing in the case.

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West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday strongly responded to provocative remarks made by certain Bangladeshi politicians, who claimed that Bangladesh could occupy Bengal within days read more

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday strongly responded to provocative remarks made by certain Bangladeshi politicians, who claimed that Bangladesh could occupy Bengal within days.

While addressing the West Bengal Assembly, Banerjee called the statements absurd and dismissed them by saying, You will occupy Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha, and we will have lollipops? Dont even think that.

No one has the guts to take our lands, dont even think about it, she said.

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Her response came after provocative remarks from across the border, including a claim by a Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) leader that Bangladesh has territorial claims over Bengal, Bihar, and Odisha, as well as a viral video featuring Bangladesh Army veterans suggesting the country could occupy West Bengal within days.

Mocking some Bangladeshi leaders who made provocative statements recently, she said, Stay calm and healthy and have peace of mind."

She also cautioned those seeking to politicise the situation in India, saying that such actions would harm West Bengal and its people.

Those thinking of politicising this must remember that it will hurt our state too, and your friends, sisters, and brothers in Bangladesh, she said.

A certain political party is responsible for the circulation of fake videos to stoke fire. I appeal to everyone to stay away from such misinformation. We are not in favour of any one group, we care for everyone here, she said.

The chief minister condemned the ongoing persecution of minorities, especially Hindus, in Bangladesh, calling it unacceptable, and stressed the need for unity among Indias religious communities.

We condemn the ongoing violence on Hindus in Bangladesh. Communal violence is not done by Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, or Christians; it is done by anti-social elements that are burden on the society. We should all remember this and avoid making statements that could disrupt the peace in West Bengal, she said.

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The Hindu community in Bangladesh, the countrys largest minority group, has faced increasing persecution following the resignation of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, triggered by widespread student protests. They have been increasingly vulnerable to violent attacks and forced displacement.

Banerjee called upon the media to be cautious in their coverage of the Bangladesh issue, particularly regarding the spread of fake videos.

This is not Uttar Pradesh or Rajasthan where we will ban or arrest you. But I request you to be responsible. Many fake videos are doing the rounds. A political party is trying to ignite a fire. Both communities must be watchful of this, she warned.

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Banerjee addressed concerns over potential protests in the state, urging restraint, stating that while many minority groups wanted to hold protest marches, she had asked them not to.

She cautioned that some individuals might politicise the issue and use it to provoke communal riots, emphasising, We dont want riots; we want peace. The same blood flows in the veins of Hindus and Muslims and all other communities. We are all proud Indians. Banerjee also praised West Bengals secular nature, noting that both Hindus and Muslims in the state had condemned the atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh.

I am thankful that while Hindus are protesting, Imams also held a press conference to condemn the atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh. This just shows that West Bengal is first when it comes to showing an example of secularism, she added.

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Regarding the issue of Bangladesh nationals attempting to cross the border into West Bengal, Banerjee stated that the Border Security Force (BSF) was monitoring the situation.

We will not comment on this. Those with money are coming by planes or trains, but the poor cannot. We dont handle the border. Let the Centre handle it. The BSF is keeping a watch on our borders, she said.

Banerjee called for compassion and unity, urging the people of West Bengal to show solidarity with their counterparts across the border.

Let us show the Bengalis on the other side a sense of nationalism, compassion, and affection, she said.

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The West Bengal chief minister said her government and party, the Trinamool Congress, will follow the guidelines of the Ministry of External Affairs and will not speak out of turn.

Our foreign secretary is in Bangladesh for talks. Let us not speak more than what is required. Let us wait for the outcome. We are responsible citizens. Our country is united, she said.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday held talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart Mohammad Jashim Uddin, amid strained bilateral ties since August following the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. Misri arrived in Dhaka earlier in the day on an Indian Air Force jet for a day-long visit, officials said. It is the first high-level visit from New Delhi after a massive uprising ended Hasinas 15-year rule in August.

With inputs from agencies
The shifting geopolitics due to the Iran-Israel conflict, the Russia-Ukraine war, and alleged support from Turkey helped Syrian rebels to succeed in their game plan; the future of Syria now remains uncertain and dependent on the interests of the regional powers read more

With the fall of Damascus, the supposedly inalterable authoritarian Bashar al-Assad regime came to an end. It survived the Arab Spring with brutal repression. But the nemesis finally followed, and Assad had to flee. The fall of Syria signifies a churn in West Asian geopolitics. A geopolitical reset is going to take place soon. The fall of Syria to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) also indicates the weakened Iran-led axis of resistance in West Asia against Israel and the end of Russian leverage.

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Israels rigorous counteroffensive after the October 7 attack by Hamas on the Iranian proxies, especially Hezbollah and Hamas, and the war in Gaza and airstrikes on Iran targeting its defence and nuclear assets has made Iran clueless and uncertain of its next course of action. Its nuclear threat and acrimonious anti-Israel verbiage have fallen silent. Syria is a strong ally of Iran. Its collapse was allowed to take place. It establishes Irans increasing weakness. Irans masterstroke rests on weaponising proxies.

With Hezbollah and Hamas rudderless, Irans weakness was exposed. Syria was its weapon corridor for Hamas and Hezbollah. With this corridor captured, Irans supply route is blocked. Its proxies will become ineffective. With the fall of Syria, Shia dominance under the tutelage of Iran is weakened in West Asia, which is inarguably good news for Israel.

Irans diabolical anti-Israel conviction gets a hit with the Syrian disaster. Sanction-stressed Iran finds itself with a host of issues, such as debilitating domestic political conditions, weak proxy infrastructure, and possible anti-authoritarianism protests. Theology-driven authoritarianism in Iran has become increasingly unpopular from the domestic front. Last year, the Shia theocratic Republic came seriously under the global scanner for its oppression of women, human rights violations, and brutal suppression of resistance. Assads pathetic removal can send shockwaves to the authoritarian regime in Iran. Spillover may happen.

War-fatigued Russia is in checkmate on the US-NATO chessboard of geopolitics. A two-front war may have been distressing for Russia. The unending conflict, war-stressed Russians, and the defence forces constitute the compelling reasons for Vladimir Putins decision to let go of Syria. This decision buries Russian interest and influence in West Asia and marks the end of Russian hegemony. The Soviet-Syrian relationship dates back to the Cold War time. Syria was Moscows stronghold in West Asia and the centre of Russian leverage.

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The Syrian port of Tartus was Russias strategic bulwark, geoeconomic and geopolitical heft in the eastern Mediterranean and West Asia. Putins failure in Libya to obstruct regime change during the Arab uprising (2011) was not repeated in Syria. It did not veto a UN Security Council resolution of a no-fly zone in Libya. Therefore, the NATO forces succeeded in Libya. Moscow-Tehran protectionism extended to Assad saved Syria from regime change. Syria became Moscows power centre to check the US competing interests. Syria was also a Russian channel for arms sales. Despite battle-ready critical Russian installations in Syria, Putin could not prevent the fall of his close ally, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. The Ukraine war has seemingly gnawed at it. It is supposedly reduced to rhetoric and paper-tiger ferocity. Therefore, the fall of Syria is undoubtedly Russias loss and increasing insignificance in West Asia.

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Turkey reportedly supported the Syrian rebels for its expansion and strength. The weak axis of resistance under Irans leadership created a leadership vacuum. Turkey is perceived to fill the vacuum. Erdogan is known for his Islamic orthodoxy. Hagia Sophia was re-converted to a mosque under him. The Chora Church suffered the same fate. He was instrumental in the brutal suppression of Kurdish nationalism in Turkey. Kurdistan remained an imaginary narrative since Kurds were geographically divided between southeastern Turkey (northern Kurdistan), northern Iraq (southern Kurdistan), northwestern Iran (eastern Kurdistan), and northern Syria (western Kurdistan). The Syrian Civil War helped Kurds to establish the Autonomous Administration of North and East Syria (AANES). The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) is the Kurdish military wing in AANES. Ankara alleges that the SDF has close links with the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK). Turkey recognises PKK as a terrorist organisation as it espouses the cause of Kurdish nationalism intended towards an independent Kurdistan. Erdogan understands the gravity of Kurdish autonomy in Syria. Thus, he may use HTS to control any scope for Kurdish resurgence. If HTS becomes increasingly repressive, the US may use the Kurdish forces to demand Kurdistan and engender a civil war.

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The US seems to gain more from this conflict. Weak Iran and Russia will enhance the importance of the US. The US-led world order will be emboldened. Trumps US-first policy will get the required impetus. He will ensure the intensification of Irans weakness, which may lead to the end of Iranian authoritarianism. HTS is a much smaller player in West Asia. It would be easier to control it. If Turkey browbeats with HTS in Syria, Kurdish separatism may be weaponised to pose a checkmate to Erdogans misadventure. Turkey is a NATO member. It will not try to overtake the US unnecessarily. However, the US seemingly gains the most from the new reset in West Asia, which puts the US again in the drivers seat to determine the West Asian affair. The regime change, pro-democracy protests, Arab Spring, and the coloured revolution were the American exports to West Asia. They secure the American interest. Israel will ensure the return of the remainder of the hostages in Hamas custody. It will provide breathing space to reorganise itself and prepare for possible challenges in the future.

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The American Jewish lobby also significantly generated pressure to make these changes in West Asia to clear the path to workable peace. Trumps masterstroke, the Abraham Accord, will encourage economic synergy in this context. The UAE and Saudi Arabia will benefit from the economic synergy. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) may get the necessary impetus to develop robust connectivity to augment economic activity. However, the ripples of Wahhabi resentment are also felt in the Saudi political space. Mohammed bin Salmans efforts to strengthen the Saudi economy underline control of Wahhabi activity. This does not go well with some conservatives. The Gulf monarchies may become apprehensive of the iteration of the Syrian example on their land.

Given these developments, the HTS needs not to be ignored. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) replaces Assad and his authoritarian regime. The replacement is proverbially moving from Scylla to Charybdis. It is from one authoritarianism to another. It is to be underlined that it is not a pro-democratic force. Its radical ideology of exclusivism and theological orthodoxy is not pro-minority, pro-consensus, or pro-human rights. It is headquartered in Idlib province and retains the Salafi-jihadist ideology even after the split from al-Qaeda in 2017. Establishing Sharia is its primary objective. HTS profile in the past and its different avatars, from al-Qaida to the Islamic State, have been quite unsavoury. Its beginning is traced back to the Syrian Civil War in 2011. It strongly opposed Assads authoritarianism. Jabhat al-Nusra, as Al Qaedas affiliate, was its pre-HTS existence.

Though it claims its autonomy today, its past was entrenched in radicalism. Even the present profile does not seem to be any better. But, after unseating Assad, it makes high claims of its ability to govern Syria and bring a difference. HTS leader, Abu Mohammad al-Julani, asserted in the past that its aim was not just to reach Damascus but to reach Jerusalem. It explains his anti-Israel animus. Being a Sunni militant outfit, his radical objective is not confined to Syria. Syria is just a medium. With the weakening of Hamas and Hezbollah, HTS may replace them in its anti-Israel mission. In the Golan Heights, Israel shares a border with Syria. The former cannot avoid the latter. Being poised so closely and ideologically so different, confrontations are unavoidable.

However, the HTS claims to have removed in the past the Iranian militia from Fua and Kafriya, Shia-dominated towns in the Idlib governorate, aborted sectarian conflagration, fortified northern Syria and unified the Islamists under one solid rank. The result is visible today. Its strategic and structured attempt to defeat Assad finally gave the required dividend. Inarguably, the shifting geopolitics due to the Iran-Israel conflict, the Russia-Ukraine war, and alleged support from Turkey helped Syrian rebels to succeed in their game plan. However, it is pretty early to assess HTS. What turn Syria takes after Assad is crucial to observe. Different actors and divergent interests characterise Syria. What geostrategic and geopolitical interests it will serve for other regional powers underlines the essence of Syrian reality.

Jajati K Pattnaik is an Associate Professor at the Centre for West Asian Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Chandan K Panda is an Assistant Professor at Rajiv Gandhi University (A Central University), Itanagar. The views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the authors. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
It is true that Bhagat Singh occupies a stature that cannot be besmirched by pygmies such as Tariq Majeed or by countries such as Pakistan. However, Indian honour demands that the insult cannot be dismissed lightly read more

Reports had appeared in the Indian media in early November of the Lahore Municipal Corporation informing the Lahore High Court that it could not accept the request of Pakistans Bhagat Singh Foundation to rename the Shadman Traffic Circle in the city as the Bhagat Singh Circle. However, perhaps after reading this writers article carried in Firstpost on the subject (Opposition to naming a traffic circle after Bhagat Singh shows Pakistans true Islamist face: November 11, 2024), Congress MP from Chandigarh Manish Tiwari asked a question on the subject in the Lok Sabha.

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Tiwari asked Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar if the government was aware that derogatory remarks had been made in submissions to the Lahore High Court on Shaheed Bhagat Singh and, if so, whether government had taken diplomatic steps to convey Indias concerns regarding these comments. The question was admitted by the Lok Sabha as an unstarred one. Hence, in keeping with Parliamentary practice, a written response was given to Tiwari on December 6 by the Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs, Kirti Vardhan Singh.

Kirti Vardhan Singh stated, Government of India has noted the recent reports regarding objectionable remarks made against Shaheed Bhagat Singh in Pakistan and has lodged a strong protest with the Government of Pakistan on the incident through diplomatic channels. Government of India has also been raising, with Pakistan, issues concerning attacks on cultural heritage, growing intolerance and lack of respect for minority communities in Pakistan.

He added, The Government and the entire nation recognise the invaluable contribution of Shaheed Bhagat Singh in Indias freedom struggle. The death anniversary of Shaheed Bhagat Singh is observed every year in India and abroad. Indias diplomatic Missions abroad also hold events to pay tributes to Shaheed Bhagat Singh.

The issue was very serious for, as noted in this writers article of November 11, inaccurate and hurtful slurs had been made on the character of one of Indias greatest heroes and martyrs, Bhagat Singh. These were contained in the opinion of Tariq Majeed, a retired Commodore of the Pakistan Navy and that opinion was not only accepted by the Lahore Municipal Corporation but it had been filed in Court and formed the basis for rejecting the renaming of the Shadman traffic circle, as requested by the Bhagat Singh Foundation, in the martyrs name. For purposes of the readers ease Tariq Majeeds comments are given here though were quoted in the November 11 article. Majeed opined that Bhagat Singh was not a revolutionary but a criminal, in todays terms a terrorist. He killed a British police officer, and for this crime he was hanged along with two of his accomplices.

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Can greater slurs and insults be imagined against Bhagat Singh when he is called in court proceedings as a criminal and a terrorist. Now, it is good that India protested through diplomatic channels but the country has not been made aware by MEA of the contents of the diplomatic protest. Surely, this protest was not of a confidential nature. And, this writer, based on his diplomatic experience, can confidently state that once a protest has been made, no diplomatic convention is breached if it is made public.

As the contents of the protest have not been made public it is not known the date on which it was made and if the Pakistani authorities were asked to withdraw the insults against Bhagat Singh. It could have been made known to them that it is up to them to decide if the traffic circle should be re-named or not but there was simply no need to make malicious insults against a great Indian hero and martyr in the court proceedings. This was a grave and unnecessary provocation on their part. They could also have been told that the young Bhagat Singh followed an ideology which sought justice for people and was not against Islam. That too was an incorrect representation of the hero.

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While the general MEA practice is that answers to unstarred questions are not cleared by the External Affairs Minister personally, once the media reports about the proceedings of the Lahore High Court involving Bhagat Singhs name had appeared it would have been appropriate for him to personally examine them and take action. He should also have taken the country into confidence for no nationalist Indian can ever accept that Bhagat Singh is called a criminal and a terrorist. Indeed, once Parliament had convened he could have also sought to brief it on the issue. Amidst all the present acrimony it is doubtful if any political party would not have concurred with him that a strong demand, supported by the entire political class of Indiain government and opposition alikebe made that would Tariq Majeeds opinion containing the insults be withdrawn from the Lahore High Court proceedings.

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It is true that Bhagat Singh occupies a stature that cannot be besmirched by pygmies such as Tariq Majeed or by countries such as Pakistan. However, Indian honour demands that the insult cannot be dismissed lightly. In Bhagat Singhs honour lies Indias honour. That should never be forgotten.

The writer is a former Indian diplomat who served as Indias Ambassador to Afghanistan and Myanmar, and as secretary, the Ministry of External Affairs. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
The recent episode serves as a warning and a lesson: no matter how deep-rooted or seemingly robust a democracy may be, it requires constant nurturing. Nothing can be taken for granted read more

Nothing could have prepared the people of South Korea and their well-wishers abroad for the bizarre political drama that unfolded late in the evening on Tuesday, December 3. In a totally unexpected development that stunned the nation and the world, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared the imposition of martial law and then went on to rescind it within a few hours.

The move, he explained, had become necessary as the National Assembly had become a den of criminals. It was paralysing the functioning of his government, initiating impeachment motions, intimidating judges and prosecutors, turning Korea into a drug paradise, and withholding funds even for core services and functioning of his administration.

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For good measure, he also evoked the threat from North Korean communist forces and the pro-North Korean anti-state forces to the nation. He promised to rebuild and defend South Korea from ruin as soon as possible.

Some 200-300 troops were deployed at the National Assembly immediately following the imposition of martial law. Thousands of people converged at the Assembly to oppose the troops and support the parliamentarians, resulting in minor clashes. However, despite the militarys half-hearted efforts to prevent this, 190 of the 300 members of the National Assembly managed to convene a session swiftly.

In a unanimous vote, they rejected the move and demanded immediate revocation of martial law. The opposition leader Lee Jae-myung called the imposition illegal and unconstitutional. Significantly, the lawmakers of President Yoons party also supported the Assemblys motion.

President Yoon relented straightaway in another address to the nation, saying that the troops were withdrawn, and the martial law would be lifted immediately. Nonetheless, he called upon the National Assembly to immediately stop its reckless actions that paralyse the functions of the state.

Though the martial law lasted only six hours, the country has experienced it over a dozen times and for prolonged periods throughout its history. South Korea is now a vibrant democracy, but it took three decades of struggle and bloodshed to achieve this status. Syngman Rhee, the first President who took office in 1948, became increasingly authoritarian, persecuting opposition, manipulating elections, and declaring martial law to maintain power.

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A student-led uprising in April 1960 led to Rhees ouster. This event sparked a series of pro-democracy protests culminating in the June 1987 Democracy Movement, which successfully forced the government to implement constitutional reforms and reinstate direct presidential elections. However, it took another six years for President Kim Young-sam to assume office and complete the democratic transition process.

Despite these advancements, South Korean politics have remained volatile. Between 1988 and 2017, four of the countrys seven presidents were imprisoned on various charges after leaving office, though they were eventually pardoned. Another Korean President, Roh Moo-hyun, who served until 2008, tragically committed suicide while under investigation for corruption.

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Yoon Suk Yeol started his career as a prosecutor in 1994 and rose to become the Prosecutor General of South Korea in 2019, a position he held until 2021. He gained a reputation as an anti-corruption crusader. Despite a lack of political experience, he contested and won the presidential election in 2022, albeit with the narrowest margin in South Koreas historya mere 0.73 per cent.

He began his term in May 2022 with an approval rating of 52 per cent, a relatively modest start for a new president, and pledged to lead an open and transparent administration. However, he struggled to find his footing due to significant political challenges, policy controversies, and public dissatisfaction with perceived administrative missteps.

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Early in his presidency, the Itaewon Halloween tragedy on October 29, 2022, resulted in 159 deaths and numerous injuries. The administrations response was widely criticized as inadequate, with Yoon himself perceived as lacking empathy.

Scandals involving First Lady Kim Keon Hee further tarnished Yoons reputation. These include illegally accepting a luxury handbag, stock manipulation for personal gain, and influence peddling in the selection of a parliamentary by-election candidate.

Additionally, Yoons mother-in-law was sentenced to prison for forging financial documents in a real estate deal. Rather than addressing these issues directly, Yoon attempted to downplay them, even vetoing bills proposed by the National Assembly to investigate his wifes actions.

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Yoons foreign policy decisions, including efforts to normalise relations with Japan and a hardline stance toward North Korea, were met with mixed reactions from the Korean public.

However, his most critical failure has been the fundamental inability to collaborate with the opposition Democratic Party, which has held a majority in the National Assembly since May 2022. Instead of seeking mutual accommodation, Yoon adopted a confrontational approach ordering investigations into the party leaders alleged past corruption.

In retaliation, the Democratic Party blocked Yoons labour, education, and pension reforms; initiated impeachment proceedings against senior government officials; and reduced budgetary allocations.

The April 2024 elections further strengthened the Democratic Partys position, securing 175 out of 300 seats in the National Assembly. This increased majority has made it even more challenging for Yoon to implement his agenda.

By the end of November, Yoons approval rating had plummeted to below 19%. The Korean public was grappling with a rising cost of living, and a six-month-long doctors strike had strained medical services. Yoon found himself increasingly constrained in acting due to the ongoing political deadlock.

It was this mounting frustration that drove him to precipitate the December 3 crisis. The South Korean president has the authority under Article 77 of the Constitution to declare martial law under certain circumstances. At the same time, the National Assembly is empowered to demand the lifting of martial law through a majority vote, which the president must comply with.

However, this move went against the letter and spirit of the Constitution, as these powers are meant to be used to deal with genuine national emergencies rather than domestic political challenges.

Even though martial law has been revoked, many questions remain unanswered. What did President Yoon intend to do with the emergency powers? When was this decision made, and who other than the Defense Minister was part of the plot? Surely, a strong pushback from both the opposition and the public would have been anticipated. If so, what unnerved the president enough to annul martial law? Was it the resolution passed by the National Assembly or was it the realization that the military might not fully support his actions?

According to reports, President Yoon intended to arrest key political leaders and impose media censorship. However, with only the Defence Minister and perhaps no one else being privy to his plans, preparations for a swift crackdown were impossible. In this era of instant communication, the public and opposition leaders mobilised rapidly, outpacing the security establishments ability to implement the martial law orders.

Going by information available till date, it appears that this decision may have been impulsive and not thoroughly thought out. If this is true, it reinforces the widespread impression that he is a political novice struggling to navigate the complexities of governance.

President Yoon has since apologised to the nation and given assurance that no further effort to impose martial law would be made. However, this is unlikely to assuage the growing popular anger against him. Demands for his resignation are intensifying by the hour.

The combined opposition, with 192 lawmakers, is determined to impeach him and is attempting to secure the support of 8 members of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) to achieve the two-thirds majority required to pass the motion. So far, the PPP has been resistant; however, given the prevailing public sentiment, it would come as no surprise if some members break ranks and vote with the opposition.

In any event, Yoons presidency appears irreparably damaged. He may linger in office for some time, but will find it virtually impossible to recover his political standing. The likelihood of finding any common ground compromise with the opposition, whom he previously labelled a den of criminals, is essentially non-existent.

South Korean democracy, though bruised, has emerged stronger from this assault. Credit goes to the people and parliamentarians for rising to the occasion and defending it. This episode serves as a warning and a lesson: no matter how deep-rooted or seemingly robust a democracy may be, it requires constant nurturing. Nothing can be taken for granted.

The author is a foreign affairs specialist and an ex-envoy to Canada and South Korea. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views .
While Israel must be relieved with Bashar al-Assads fall, the composition of the rebel forces, comprising Sunni jihadis of different hues, is not an alliance that Tel Aviv would be comfortable with either read more

A man steps on an image of Syrias deposed president, Bashar al-Assad, as people enter his home in the Malki neighborhood of Damascus. This follows a swift offensive by Islamist-led rebels, who declared they had captured the Syrian capital, forcing al-Assad to flee and bringing an end to the five decades of Baath rule in Syria. Image: Omar Haj Kadour/AFP

On October 7, 2023, the day Israel saw one of the worst terror attacks in its history, if Tel Aviv was told that in the next 15 months, Hamas would be almost decimated, Hezbollah would be decapitated, and, more importantly, Syria would see the end of Bashar al-Assads 24-year regime, it would have refused to believe it, calling it a product of an imagination gone wild. But then, as fate would have it, thats exactly what has happened in the last one year.

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Dictators mostly go away as suddenly as they appear on the political horizon of a country. In fact, the bigger the dictator is, the more sudden and steep his fall. On Sunday, December 8, 2024, Bashar joined this long list of dictators gone too suddenly. Assad reportedly fled Damascus earlier in the day, with reports suggesting he had taken asylum in Russia. Rebel forces, led by Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), now in control of the capital, faced no visible resistance from government forces as they entered the city, ending the Assad familys 50-year grip on power in Syria.

Being the second son of Syrias long-serving dictator, Hafez al-Assad, Bashar was not destined for the leadership, as author Con Coughlin writes in Assad: The Triumph of Tyranny. Shy and diffident, he wanted to become a doctor when destiny pushed him towards dictatorship. Tall and lanky, with a tendency to lisp when nervous, he was a poor substitute for his more dashing elder brother Bassel, who had been carefully groomed to succeed his father as president. But Bassels untimely death in a car accident in 1994 had unexpectedly thrust Bashar into the limelight, and, almost overnight, he had emerged as the familys new heir apparent.

Interestingly, the shy and diffident Bashar, soon after assuming power, took to power the way a fish takes to water. Coughlin records this transformation when he writes, Gone was the diffident medical student; instead, foreign dignitaries paying their respects to the Assad family were surprised at Bashars composure. In fact, when one of his friends asked the young president-in-waiting if he had done everything that needs to be done to make sure the regime transition takes place, Bashar answered with confidence never seen before in him. You see these hands, Bashar replied, raising both his palms. When people look at my hands, they think they are soft, as though I am wearing velvet gloves. But they are very mistaken. For, if I take them off, you will see an iron fist.

It is this ruthless streak that Bashar showed when West Asia, hit by the Arab Spring in the early 2010s, was turning into a graveyard for dictators. The movement consumed, among others, Zine El Abidine Ben Ali of Tunisia, Hosni Mubarak of Egypt, Muammar Gaddafi of Libya, and Ali Abdullah Saleh of Yemen. Bashar is the latest to join the list. Interestingly, when the Arab Spring began, one least expected the Assads to be a victim of it. But then protests broke out in the city of Daraa on March 6, 2011.

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Pulitzer Prize-nominated journalist Sam Dagher, in his book Assad Or We Burn The Country, reveals how in the spring of 2011, Bashar turned to his trusted general, Manaf Tlass, for advice about how to deal with Arab Spring protests. Tlass advised him to take a conciliatory path, but Assad decided to crush the movementa move that has led to the killing of at least half a million people, with more than half the Syrian population displaced internally or forced to take refuge in neighbouring countries.

Assad could survive the worst in the past but not this time, thanks largely to the Ukraine and Gaza-Lebanon wars. In 2015, Bashar was bailed out by Russias Vladimir Putin and Irans Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. But this time, Putin has been caught in the never-ending war in Ukraine, and Khamenei has suffered massive strategic reverses in Gaza and Beirut. The two have their own wars to fight where things have not gone as per expectations. In contrast, the rebels had the backing of countries such as the US, Arab nations, and Turkey.

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The Assads may have lost a country, but it is Iran that is the biggest loser in the region, already licking its wounds over the Hamas and Hezbollah setbacks in the last few months. Till a few months back, Tehran had unfettered access and influence in Damascus, Beirut, Gaza, and Sanaa. Bashars Syria, Hamas Gaza, and Hezbollahs Lebanon provided Iran with strategic depth in the region in its war against Israel and also for the Islamic leadership against the Sunni bloc led by Saudi Arabia. Syria, in fact, had been a central pillar in Irans strategy to contain, if not destroy, Israel. With Assads fall, this strategy has received a major blow.

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Tehran, in fact, if a recent New York Times report is to be believed, has started preparing for the post-Assad phase. According to an internal memo from a member of the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, cited by the NYT, the situation in Syria was unbelievable and strange. The report, quoting the memo, adds that Iran has accepted the fall of Assad and has lost the will to resist. More interestingly, the Iranian media has already changed its tune with regard to the Sunni rebels, who are now referred to as armed groups and not infidel terrorists.

West Asia is a complex zone. In any given scenario, there cannot be an absolute winnerand loser. So, while Israel must be relieved with Bashars fall, the composition of the rebel forces, comprising Sunni jihadis of different hues, is not an alliance that Tel Aviv would be comfortable with either. The prospect of Muhammad al-Jawlani, once branded a terrorist by the United States and whose anti-Israeli stand is too obvious to ignore, becoming the head of Syria wont be a comforting scenario for Tel Aviv. So is the fact that some of these Islamist outfits have the backing of Recep Tayyip Erdogans Turkey, a sworn enemy of Israel.

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Bashar, no doubt, was a ruthless dictator. Some quarters, thus, are already busy celebrating the fall of his government as a victory for democracy and freedom. What must worry Israel and the rest of the democratic world, including India, is that in West Asia, a hard-nosed dictator is invariably replaced by a dispensation led by a motley group of hard-core Islamist terrorists. With the fall of Damascus, Iran has lost its strategic depth, but Israel may still be walking cautiouslyrelieved and yet a bit concerned. Now, thats West Asia for you!

Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views.
Announced in 2021, the plan was for Apple to scan images on iCloud for child abuse material using on-device technology. While Apple retained a nudity-detection tool for its Messages app, the CSAM detection feature was dropped in 2022 amid privacy and security concerns read more

The latest lawsuit argues that Apples decision has perpetuated the sharing of illegal material online and broken the companys promise to protect abuse victims. Image Credit: Reuters

Apple is under legal scrutiny after a woman, using a pseudonym to protect her identity, filed a lawsuit claiming the company failed victims of child sexual abuse by abandoning its CSAM detection plan.

The feature, announced in 2021, was supposed to scan iCloud images for child sexual abuse material (CSAM) using on-device technology. While Apple retained a nudity-detection tool for its Messages app, the CSAM detection feature was dropped in 2022 amid privacy and security concerns raised by experts and advocacy groups.

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The lawsuit argues that Apples decision has perpetuated the sharing of illegal material online and broken the companys promise to protect abuse victims like her.

Allegations of negligence

The 27-year-old plaintiff, who was abused as a child, claims Apples decision to eliminate CSAM detection left her vulnerable. She recounts that law enforcement informed her that images of her abuse were stored on iCloud through a MacBook seized in Vermont. She accuses Apple of selling defective products that fail to safeguard victims, calling for changes to Apples practices and compensation for impacted individuals.

The lawsuit highlights that other tech companies, like Google and Meta, employ CSAM-scanning tools that detect significantly more illegal material than Apples nudity-detection features. Her legal team estimates up to 2,680 victims could join the lawsuit, potentially resulting in damages exceeding $1.2 billion if Apple is found liable.

Similar cases raise concerns

This lawsuit isnt Apples only legal battle concerning CSAM-related issues. In a separate case, a nine-year-old victim and her family sued Apple in North Carolina. The girl alleges that strangers used iCloud links to send her CSAM videos and encouraged her to create and upload similar material.

Apple has sought to dismiss this case, citing federal Section 230 protections, which shield companies from liability for user-uploaded content. However, recent court rulings suggest these protections may not apply if companies fail to actively moderate harmful content.

Apples response and ongoing debate

Apple has defended its stance, reiterating its commitment to combating child exploitation without compromising user privacy. The company highlighted innovations like nudity-detection in its Messages app and the ability for users to report harmful content.

However, the plaintiffs lawyer, Margaret Mabie, argues that these measures are insufficient. Mabies investigation uncovered over 80 instances of the plaintiffs images being shared, including by an individual in California who stored thousands of illegal images on iCloud.

As legal proceedings unfold, Apple faces growing pressure to balance user privacy with effective protections against harmful content.
The probe, led by Chinas State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), scrutinises NVIDIAs $6.9 billion acquisition of Mellanox Technologies in 2019, which was approved by Beijing in 2020 under strict conditions to ensure non-discriminatory access to products for the Chinese market read more

China has launched an antitrust investigation into NVIDIA, the American semiconductor giant dominating the AI GPU market, in what appears to be a direct retaliation against the United States escalating chip export restrictions.

The probe, led by Chinas State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR), scrutinises NVIDIAs $6.9 billion acquisition of Mellanox Technologies in 2019, approved by Beijing in 2020 under strict conditions to ensure non-discriminatory access to products for the Chinese market.

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This move signals a calculated response by China to counter US pressure in the intensifying tech rivalry, targeting a company central to advancements in AI and computing.

Geopolitical Tensions Escalate

The antitrust investigation comes days after Chinese state-backed industry associations urged local companies to limit purchases of US-made chips, citing concerns over reliability and security. The latest restrictions from Washington had already barred NVIDIA from exporting its advanced A100 and H100 GPUs to China, forcing the company to develop modified versions, the A800 and H800, to comply with US rules.

Nigel Green, CEO of deVere Group, views the investigation as part of a broader geopolitical strategy by Beijing, highlighting its intent to retaliate against perceived US provocations. China is using regulatory scrutiny not only to push back but also to challenge NVIDIAs stronghold in a market critical for AI development.

Impact on NVIDIAs Business

NVIDIAs operations in China are significant, with the region contributing $5.41 billion in revenue for the quarter ending October 29, 2024  about 17.9 per cent of its global total. The antitrust probe could lead to heavy fines, operational restrictions, or even a forced unwinding of the Mellanox deal under Chinese law, potentially impacting NVIDIAs business ties in its third-largest market.

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The company has yet to comment on the investigation, but its US-listed shares dropped 1.8% in pre-market trading following the announcement. NVIDIAs founder, Jensen Huang, recently reaffirmed the companys commitment to maintaining a presence in China, praising the countrys strengths in AI development despite growing tensions.

The Rise of Chinese Competition

Chinas scrutiny of NVIDIA coincides with the countrys push to strengthen its domestic semiconductor industry. Huawei Technologies has accelerated efforts to develop alternatives, such as its Ascend 910C processor, which aims to rival NVIDIAs A100 chips. This adds pressure on NVIDIA, already navigating restrictions and regulatory hurdles.

The NVIDIA probe mirrors a similar action against Micron Technology in 2023, when Chinese regulators banned its products in critical sectors, citing national security concerns. These moves underline Beijings strategy to counter US tech dominance while boosting domestic players.

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As the tech war intensifies, the NVIDIA investigation highlights the high-stakes battle between the worlds two largest economies, with AI and semiconductors at the heart of their rivalry.
Some companies provide satellite-based risk scores and ratings at both farm and village levels. Combined with climatic data on rainfall, temperature, and humidity, these insights allow banks to gauge a farmers income potential and repayment capacity with greater precision read more

The geospatial data ecosystemspanning data collection, analytics, and applicationis revolutionising sectors like banking and insurance. Banks now move beyond generic credit evaluations to risk assessments rooted in hyper-localised insights. Image Credit: Reuters

Satellite imagery is becoming a powerful tool in banking, especially for assessing farmers income and repayment capacity.

According to a report by the Economic Times, the Uttar Pradesh government, in collaboration with the International Finance Corporation, is integrating state land records with companies like Bengaluru-based SatSure to enable digital farm lending for the states eight crore farmers.

This initiative is changing how banks evaluate rural creditworthiness, promising faster, more data-driven decision-making.

How satellite imagery powers lending decisions

SatSure provides satellite-based risk scores and ratings at both farm and village levels. By analysing patterns in satellite images with AI, the company can identify crops, monitor their health, and assess productivity over time.

As per the ET report, the data with the company, combined with climatic data on rainfall, temperature, and humidity, these insights allow banks to gauge a farmers income potential and repayment capacity with greater precision.

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Banks integrate SatSures APIs into their systems, enabling them to fetch risk reports for specific land parcels within minutes, streamlining loan approval processes. This eliminates delays and offers farmers better access to credit. SatSure collaborates with the Reserve Bank of India Innovation Hub, credit rating agencies like TransUnion CIBIL, and private lenders such as ICICI Bank and HDFC Bank.

Expanding the use of satellite data in agriculture

Other companies, like Dhruva Space and Pixxel, are enhancing the role of satellite data in agriculture. Dhruvas AstraView service offers high-resolution, multi-dimensional geospatial insights that track crop health, soil conditions, and environmental changes.

By simplifying access to both historical and real-time satellite data, AstraView helps optimise farming operations and resource use, as per the ET report.

Meanwhile, Pixxels hyperspectral satellites, set to launch next year, aim to bridge gaps in financial inclusion. These satellites will provide more frequent and detailed data, enabling banks to make hyper-localised lending decisions and insurers to design products tailored to rural realities. Pixxel CEO Awais Ahmed highlights the potential for precision-targeted products that reflect ground-level realities, benefiting both agribusinesses and financial institutions.

A new era of data-driven banking and insurance

The geospatial data ecosystemspanning data collection, analytics, and applicationis revolutionising sectors like banking and insurance. Banks now move beyond generic credit evaluations to risk assessments rooted in hyper-localised insights. Similarly, insurers can better evaluate risks linked to natural disasters or property, improving claims processing and policy design.

This shift marks a broader trend where industries traditionally unconnected to space, like banking, are leveraging satellite data to transform operations. With tools like SatSure, AstraView, and Pixxels Fireflies satellites, data-driven decision-making is reshaping rural financial inclusion, offering targeted support to farmers and vulnerable communities.
Just days after the release of its latest model, O1, a technical team member from OpenAI stirred the pot by suggesting that the company has already crossed the AGI threshold. He claims OpenAIs systems are now better than most humans at most tasks. read more

OpenAI has found itself at the centre of a heated discussion about artificial general intelligence (AGI) following a bold statement by one of its employees. Just days after the release of its latest model, o1, Vahid Kazemi, a technical team member, stirred the pot by suggesting that the company has already crossed the AGI thresholdat least by his interpretation.

Kazemis claim, made in a post on X (formerly Twitter), hinges on a nuanced definition of AGI. According to him, OpenAIs systems are now better than most humans at most tasks, though not necessarily superior to all humans at every task. This perspective, while provocative, has drawn mixed reactions for its unconventional framing of AGI.

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A controversial definition of AGI

Kazemis stance redefines what many perceive as AGI. Rather than asserting that the AI surpasses skilled experts in specific domains, he argues that its ability to handle a wide variety of tasks, albeit not flawlessly, positions it beyond human competition in sheer scope. This perspective challenges traditional notions of AGI as human-like intelligence capable of mastering any task to the level of a specialist.

He defended the capabilities of large language models (LLMs) like o1, likening their operation to following a recipe akin to the scientific method: observing, hypothesising, and verifying. He suggested that the learning process of LLMs mirrors human intuition, which itself is shaped by trial and error over time.

Timing and business implications

The timing of Kazemis remarks is noteworthy. His statements emerged shortly after OpenAI quietly removed AGI from the terms of its high-profile deal with Microsoft, leaving industry watchers speculating about the companys strategic intentions. Some view Kazemis claim as a reflection of internal excitement, while others interpret it as an overreach aimed at stirring public interest or justifying OpenAIs technological trajectory.

Critics argue that even if OpenAIs models demonstrate remarkable versatility, they remain far from competing with human workers across the board in the labour force. Practical AGI, as many envision it, would entail outperforming humans in a wide range of tasks with consistent reliability, which remains an elusive benchmark.

The bigger picture: Progress or hype?

Kazemis post underscores the growing debate about AGI definitions and milestones. While OpenAIs achievements continue to push the boundaries of AI capabilities, claims of AGIhowever definedinvite scrutiny. For now, most experts agree that the world has yet to see an AI capable of competing with humans in generalised, meaningful ways.

If and when such a system emerges, it will undoubtedly demand attention, not just for its technical prowess but for its profound societal and economic implications. Until then, the debate about what constitutes AGI is likely to persist, fuelled by bold statements like Kazemis and the rapid advancements in AI technology.
The prime minister of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Monday said he had agreed to transfer power to the rebel-led Salvation Government, following the rebels capture of Damascus and Assads flight to Russia, according to a report read more

People walk at a souk, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted Bashar al-Assad, in Aleppo, Syria, on Monday. Reuters

The prime minister of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Monday said he had agreed to transfer power to the rebel-led Salvation Government, following the rebels capture of Damascus and Assads flight to Russia, according to a Reuters report,

This power shift marks the end of more than 50 years of the Assad familys authoritarian rule and comes after 13 years of devastating civil war, leaving Syrians both at home and abroad hopeful yet uncertain about the countrys future.

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On Monday, Damascus began to come alive again, with traffic returning to the streets and people emerging after a nighttime curfew, although most shops remained closed. Rebel fighters from the countryside gathered in the heart of the capital, congregating in the central Umayyad Square.

We had a purpose and a goal and now we are done with it. We want the state and security forces to be in charge, Reuters quoted Firdous as saying.

Omar said he had been battling the Assad government since 2011 and was now looking forward to laying down his weapon and returning to work as a farmer in provincial Idlib.

According to Reuters, citing Al Arabiya TV, Assads Prime Minister Mohammed Jalali said he had agreed to hand power to the Salvation Government, an administration based in a small pocket of rebel-held territory in northwest Syria.

He said the handover could take days to carry out.

The main rebel commander, Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, met overnight with Jalali and Vice President Faisal Mekdad to discuss the formation of a transitional government, reported Reuters, citing a source familiar with the talks.

Al Jazeera reported that the transitional authority would be led by Mohamed al-Bashir, who previously headed the Salvation Government before the rapid 12-day offensive that captured Damascus.

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A source close to the rebels in Idlib confirmed Bashirs nomination, though no official announcement had been made.

Syrias banks are set to reopen on Tuesday, with staff instructed to return to their offices, according to sources at the central bank and commercial banks.

At the Interior Ministry, which once oversaw Assads police force, furniture had been looted and employees were absent. Armed rebels were stationed there to maintain order.

The oil ministry called on all workers in the sector to return to their posts on Tuesday, assuring that security would be provided for their safety.

The advance of a militia alliance led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), formerly affiliated with al-Qaeda, marks a historic shift in the Middle East.

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This turn of events brings an end to a war that has claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, triggered one of the largest refugee crises in modern history, and left cities in ruins, the countryside deserted, and the economy ravaged by global sanctions. Refugees in camps across Turkey, Lebanon, and Jordan may finally return home.

A new history

Assads fall wipes out one of the main bastions from which Iran and Russia wielded regional power. Turkey, long aligned with Assads foes, emerges strengthened.

The Arab world faces the task of reintegrating one of the Middle Easts pivotal states, while containing the militant Sunni Islam that has in the past metastasized into the sectarian violence of Islamic State.

HTS is still designated as a terrorist group by the United Nations, but has spent years trying to soften its image to reassure foreign states and minority groups within Syria.

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The groups leader Golani, who spent years in U.S. custody as an insurgent in Iraq but later broke with al Qaeda and Islamic State, has vowed to rebuild Syria.

A new history, my brothers, is being written in the entire region after this great victory, he told a huge crowd at the 1,300-year-old Umayyad Mosque in Damascus on Sunday.

The rebels announced on their Telegram channel that they were granting amnesty to all conscript soldiers drafted under Assad.

Assads police state was known for generations as one of the harshest in the Middle East, holding hundreds of thousands of political prisoners. On Sunday, elated inmates poured out of jails.

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One of the final areas to fall was the Mediterranean coast, heartland of Assads Alawite sect and site of Russias naval base.

Two Alawite residents said so far the situation had been better than expected, seemingly without retribution against Alawites. One said a friend was visited at home by rebels who told him to hand over any weapons he had, which he did.

Near Latakia, a rebel delegation entered the Assad familys hometown of Qardaha and met with elders there, one resident said, describing the interaction as calm. The town is the site of a mausoleum for Assads father, who seized power in a coup in 1970 and ruled until his death in 2000.

The Kremlin said it was too early to know the future of Russias military bases in Syria, but it would discuss the issue with the new authorities.

Israel said Assads fall was a direct consequence of Israels punishing assault on Irans Lebanese allies Hezbollah, who had propped up Assad for years.

Since rebels entered Damascus, Israel has struck sites in Syria. Israeli officials said those airstrikes would carry on for days to keep Assads former arsenal out of hostile hands.

The U.S., which has 900 soldiers in Syria alongside Kurdish-led forces in the east, said its forces hit around 75 targets in airstrikes on Islamic State on Sunday.

With inputs from agencies
Even as Syrian opposition forces were marching against President Bashar al-Assads forces, Turkey and a militia it sponsors opened a new front against US-backed Kurds in Syria over the weekend read more

The photograph shows US-backed Kurdish military personnel of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in Syria's Raqqa in 2017. (Photo: Reuters)

Even as Syrian opposition forces pushed against President Bashar al-Assads forces, Turkey opened another front in northern Syria over the weekend.

Turkish forces and a Turkey-sponsored militia attacked the US-backed Kurdish forces in the eastern Aleppo province, according to UK-based war monitor Syrian Observatory of Human Rights (SOHR) and Kurish forces.

Even though the United States and Turkey are allies and are joined in their opposition to Assads regime, their interests diverge regarding Kurds, the ethnic community that controls northeastern Syria under the banner of Autonomous Administration of. North and East Syria (AANES).

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While Kurds are key allies of the United States and are central to the war against the Islamic State (Isis) terrorist group in the region, Turkey is opposed to Kurds and equates their military, Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), with the Kurdish group PKK, which it blames for an insurgency in Turkey and labels as a terrorist group.

Turkey hits Kurds as Syria falls into chaos

Amid turmoil and uncertainty in Syria following Assads ouster, Turkey has opened another front against the Kurds.

Turkish forces and a militia formed of mercenaries and former criminal bands that it supports, Syrian National Army (SNA), attacked the SDF in eastern Aleppos city of Manbij on Saturday, according to SOHR and Kurds.

The SDF told The New York Times that SNAs ground assault was supported by Turkish warplanes and drones, killing at least 22 SDF personnel and injuring 40.

In a separate incident, the SOHR said that a Turkish suicide drone struck a Kurdish military base on Saturday.

Separately, the SNA claimed to have advanced in several parts of Manjib but the Kurdish local authorities denied that large parts of the city were under the control of SNA, according to VOA News.

The SDF, however, said that the attack targeted several administrative buildings in the city.

Turkey looking to rewrite Syrias map, says analyst

Turkey is looking forward to rewrite Syrias map amid the chaos of Assads ouster to suit its interests, said Devorah Margolin, a Senior Fellow at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Turkey has a long history of attacking Kurds in Syrias north bordering Turkey. Through direct action and sponsorship of groups like SNA, Turkey has sought to push Kurds away from the border and establish a buffer zone between Kurdish-controlled areas and Turkish territories.

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Now that Syria has descended into uncertainties and everyone is distracted, it is seeking to do exactly this.

Margolin tolt The Times that Turkey and its proxy SNA are looking to utilize the current chaos to rewrite the map in Turkeys favor.

Margolin further said, They are using the distraction of Damascus to continue to grab power during this time of chaos and to undermine the SDF, ensuring its negotiating power is weakened.
Following a Xi-headed Politburo meeting, China looks set to ease its monetary policy stance in a first since the 2008-09 global meltdown. This comes in the view of Donald Trumps return to the White House in the US. read more

With the possibility of the second round of trade war looming as Donald Trump inches closer to the inauguration of his second term in the US, Chinas top leaders have signalled an easing monetary policy stance.

Following a meeting chaired by President Xi Jinping, China has decided to adopt a more active set of policies to expand domestic demand in 2025 with moderately loose monetary tools. Such a language has not been used by high-level Chinese authorities since the global financial crisis in 2008-09. This signals the first shift in Chinas monetary policy stance in about 15 years.

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A statement issued after the meeting of the 24-member Politburo  a major decision-making body of the Chinese Communist Party  said, The main goals for economic and social development throughout the year will be successfully completed.

Traditionally, the December conclave of the Politburo sets the agenda for the next year.

The last time China went for a moderately loose monetary policy was in response to the global financial meltdown of 2008-09. Back then, Chinas central bank announced a series of measures to revive the economy.

Media reports also suggest that this is the first time since 2001 that Chinas authorities have described their overarching strategy for fiscal policy as more active. This signals the Xi regimes determination to push Chinas economic growth to meet its target for gross domestic product growth in 2025 at around 5 per cent.

More signals of Xis renewed resolve to revive Chinas struggling economy comes from Xinhua News Agencys report quoting officials as saying that the government will stabilize property and stock markets.

China has kept its monetary policy stance at prudent since 2011, though it has tweaked it in cycles to tighten or loosen the flow. Chinas attempt to revive its economy post-Covid has failed to materialise with measures not yielding the results it aimed for.
In the first full US reaction to Assads overthrow by an Islamist-led coalition of rebel factions, Biden also warned that Washington will remain vigilant against the emergence of terrorist groups, announcing that US forces had just conducted fresh strikes against militants from the Islamic State organization read more

This aerial picture shows a bullet-riddled portrait of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad adorning Hama's municipality building after it was defaced following the capture of the city by anti government fighters. AFP

US President Joe Biden on Sunday said deposed Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad should be held accountable but called the nations political upheaval a historic opportunity for Syrians to rebuild their country.

In the first full US reaction to Assads overthrow by an Islamist-led coalition of rebel factions, Biden also warned that Washington will remain vigilant against the emergence of terrorist groups, announcing that US forces had just conducted fresh strikes against militants from the Islamic State organization.

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The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice, Biden said from the White House. Its a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria.

Asked by reporters what should happen to the deposed president, who reportedly has fled to Moscow, Biden said Assad should be held accountable.

Biden  set to step down in January and make way for Republican Donald Trumps return to power  said Washington will assist Syrians in rebuilding.

We will engage with all Syrian groups, including within the process led by the United Nations, to establish a transition away from the Assad government toward independent, sovereign Syria with a new constitution, he said.

However, Biden cautioned that hardline Islamist groups within the victorious rebel alliance will face scrutiny.

Some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human right abuses, Biden said.

The United States had taken note of recent statements by rebels suggesting they had since moderated, he said, but cautioned: We will assess not just their words, but their actions.

Biden said Washington is clear eyed that the Islamic State extremist group, often known as ISIS, will try to take advantage of any vacuum to reestablish itself in Syria.

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We will not let that happen, he said, adding that US forces on Sunday conducted strikes against ISIS inside Syria.

The US military said warplanes hit Islamic State operatives and camps.

Strikes were carried out against over 75 targets using multiple US Air Force assets, including B-52s, F-15s, and A-10s, the US Central Command said.

Reason for hope

Assads reported departure comes less than two weeks after the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group challenged more than five decades of Assad family rule with a lightning rebel offensive that broke long-frozen frontlines in Syrias civil war.

They announced Sunday they had taken Damascus and that Assad fled, prompting nationwide celebrations and a ransacking of Assads luxurious home.

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A Kremlin source told Russian news agencies the deposed leader and family were now in Moscow.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed Bidens optimism, saying that after 14 years of conflict, the Syrian people finally have reason for hope.

He also reiterated the need for justice and vigilance.

We will support international efforts to hold the Assad regime and its backers accountable for atrocities and abuses perpetrated against the Syrian people, including the use of chemical weapons.

One outstanding concern is the fate of the Syrian governments apparent stockpile of such weapons, and whether they will fall into rebel hands.

We are taking very prudent measures in that regard, a senior US administration official told reporters Sunday.

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The US military has good fidelity on the location of chemical weapons, the official said, stressing that were doing everything we can to prudently ensure that those materials obviously are either not available to anyone or are cared for.

Damascus has been accused on numerous occasions of using chemical weapons, charges it denies.

The US military has around 900 troops in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq as part of the international coalition established in 2014 to help combat the Islamic State jihadist group.

It has regularly struck targets in the country including those linked to Iranian-backed militias. Tehran was a major backer of Assads government.

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Biden also confirmed US authorities believe the American journalist Austin Tice, who was abducted in Syria in 2012, is still alive, but they have yet to identify where he is.
Assads reported departure comes less than two weeks after the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group challenged more than five decades of Assad family rule with a lightning rebel offensive that broke long-frozen frontlines in Syrias civil war read more

World powers vowed to work for stability in Syria and the surrounding region after Islamist-led rebels on Sunday toppled its longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad.

Here is a round-up of key reactions:

High alert: Russia

Assads ally Moscow said Russian troops in Syria were on high alert but that the rebels had guaranteed the security of its army bases in the country.

Prior to reports that Assad had fled to Moscow, Russias Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday that Syria must not be allowed to fall into the hands of a terrorist group.

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Assad should be held accountable: US

We will engage with all Syrian groups to establish a transition away from the Assad regime toward independent, sovereign Syria, US President Joe Biden said.

Assad should be held accountable, he said when asked what should happen to the deposed president.

Return to stability: China

Beijing is closely following the development of the situation in Syria and hopes that Syria returns to stability as soon as possible, the foreign ministry said.

Friendly relations: Iran

Irans foreign ministry said it expects friendly relations with Syria to continue.

It said it would adopt appropriate approaches towards Syria in accordance with the behaviour of effective actors in Damascus.

Heal wounds: Turkey

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said his country, which has supported rebel movements in Syria, would help to heal Syrias wounds and guarantee its unity, integrity and security.

Cautious hope: UN

The UN envoy for Syria called the rebel takeover a watershed moment for the country marred by nearly 14 years of civil war.

Today we look forward with cautious hope to the opening of a new (chapter)  one of peace, reconciliation, dignity and inclusion for all Syrians, special envoy Geir Pedersen said.

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End to barbaric state: France

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the fall of Bashar al-Assads barbaric state in Syria.

I pay tribute to the Syrian people, to their courage, to their patience.

Contribution: Germany

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Berlin was ready to make its contribution to a political solution to bring peace back to the war-stricken country.

Bashar Al-Assad has oppressed his own people in a brutal manner, he has countless lives on his conscience, said the German leader.

Work together: UAE

A senior United Arab Emirates official urged Syrians to collaborate in order to avert a spiral into chaos.

We hope that the Syrians will work together, that we dont just see another episode of impending chaos, presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain.

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Peace and stability: UK

Britains Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for a peaceful and stable Syria, urging the protection of civilians and minorities.

Arriving in the United Arab Emirates on Sunday, the premier said he was talking to regional allies, calling the removal of Assad a real opportunity.

Long-awaited: EU

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the EU would help to rebuild a Syrian state that protects all minorities.

The EUs top diplomat Kaja Kallas hailed Assads fall as a positive and long-awaited development which also shows the weakness of Assads backers, Russia and Iran.

Blow to Iran: Israel

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Assads overthrow as the fall of a central link in Irans axis of evil.

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He called it a direct result of the blows we have inflicted on Iran and Hezbollah, the militant group that Israel has been bombarding in Lebanon.

Dont rely on Putin: Ukraine

Ukraines Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga welcomed Assads departure, saying that authoritarians who rely on support from Putin are destined to fall, while stressing Kyivs support for Syrias people.

Independent Islamic government: Taliban

Afghanistans Taliban government congratulated the Syrian people and rebels, hoping a transition would lead to an independent and service-oriented Islamic government and a Syria free from external interference.

Free will: Iraq

Iraq urged respect for the free will of all Syrians and emphasises that the security, territorial integrity and independence of Syria are of paramount importance, government spokesman Basim Alawadi said.

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Freedom and prosperity: Japan

Tokyo is watching the latest developments with great interest, Japans top government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi said.

We strongly hope that violence will cease in Syria as soon as possible and that all Syrians will be able to enjoy their basic human rights, freedom and prosperity, he added.

Immense needs: Red Cross

The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said that Syrians faced immense and urgent needs after immense suffering caused by more than a decade of conflict.
Germany, France, Austria, and several Nordic countries on Monday said they would suspend all pending asylum applications from Syrians, following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad read more

A bus arrives as people gather at the entrance of Aleppo city on Monday, waiting for the return of relatives after the release of detainees from Syrian government prisons following the ousting of Syria's president. AFP

Germany, France, Austria, and several Nordic countries on Monday said they would suspend all pending asylum applications from Syrians, following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad.

While Germany and other nations said they were closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation in Syria, Austria hinted at plans to begin deporting refugees back to Syria soon.

Meanwhile, far-right politicians, particularly in Germany  home to Europes largest Syrian community  echoed similar calls, as immigration continues to be a divisive issue across the continent.

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Alice Weidel, of the anti-immigration party Alternative for Germany, expressed her disapproval of the mass celebrations held by Syrians celebrating Assads removal.

Anyone in Germany who celebrates free Syria evidently no longer has any reason to flee, she wrote on X. They should return to Syria immediately.

World leaders and Syrians abroad watched in disbelief over the weekend as Islamist-led rebels advanced into Damascus, bringing an end to Assads brutal rule and ushering in new uncertainty.

A German foreign ministry spokesperson said that the fall of the Assad regime does not guarantee peaceful developments in the future.

Germany, which has taken in nearly 1 million Syrians, saw the majority of arrivals between 2015 and 2016 under former Chancellor Angela Merkels leadership.

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser expressed that many Syrian refugees now finally have hope of returning to their homeland, but cautioned that the situation in Syria remains highly uncertain.

The Federal Office for Migration and Refugees announced a suspension of decisions on ongoing asylum cases until the situation becomes clearer.

Faeser further stated that concrete possibilities for return cannot yet be predicted, and it would be unprofessional to speculate in such a volatile situation.

Amnesty International criticized the suspension of asylum decisions, stressing that the human rights situation in the country is completely unclear.

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The French interior ministry also confirmed it would freeze asylum applications from Syrians.

Repatriation and deportation

In Austria, where about 100,000 Syrians live, conservative Chancellor Karl Nehammer instructed the interior ministry to suspend all ongoing Syrian asylum applications and to review all asylum grants.

Interior Minister Gerhard Karner added he had instructed the ministry to prepare an orderly repatriation and deportation programme to Syria.

The political situation in Syria has changed fundamentally and, above all, rapidly in recent days, the ministry said, adding it is currently monitoring and analysing the new situation.

Denmark, Sweden and Norway also said Monday they were suspending the examination of asylum applications from Syrian refugees.

The leader of the far-right Sweden Democrats, a coalition partner in the government, said residence permits for Syrian refugees should now be reviewed.

Destructive Islamist forces are behind the change of power in Syria, wrote their leader Jimmie Akesson on X.

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I see that groups are happy about this development here in Sweden. You should see it as a good opportunity to go home.

In Greece, a government spokesman voiced hope that Assads fall will eventually allow the safe return of Syrian refugees to their country, but without announcing concrete measures.

Populist and irresponsible

In Germany, the debate gained momentum as the country heads towards February elections.

The centre-right opposition CDU suggested that rejected Syrian asylum-seekers should now lose so-called subsidiary protection.

If the reason for protection no longer applies, then refugees will have to return to their home country, CDU legislator Thorsten Frei told Welt TV.

CDU MP Jens Spahn suggested that Berlin charter flights to Syria and offer 1,000 euros to anyone who wants to return.

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Members of Chancellor Olaf Scholzs Social Democrats criticised the debate as populist and irresponsible.

Greens party deputy Anton Hofreiter also said it is completely unclear what will happen next in Syria and deportation talk was completely out of place.

Many Syrians in Germany have watched the events in their home country with great joy but prefer to wait and see before deciding whether to return home.

We want to go back to Syria, said Mahmoud Zaml, 25, who works in an Arabic pastry shop in Berlin, adding that he hopes to help rebuild his country.

But we have to wait a bit now, he told AFP. We have to see what happens and if it is really 100 percent safe, then we will go back to Syria.

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With inputs from agencies
After Syrian opposition forces overthrew President Bashar al-Assad over the weekend, India called for inclusive political process in the country that respects the interests and aspirations of all sections of the society read more

A rebel fighter gestures from a vehicle as they gather in Homs after Syria's army command notified officers that President Bashar al-Assad's 24-year authoritarian rule has ended. Reuters

Following the ouster of President Bashar al-Assads regime in Syria, India has called for an inclusive political process.

In a stunning offensive that began late last month, the Syrian opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) overthrew Assad in less than two weeks. The opposition forces captured Aleppo within three days of the offensive, followed by victory in Hama and march on Homs. Over the weekend, the opposition forces entered capital Damascus, bringing an end to five decades of dictatorial rule by the Assads family in Syria.

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In a statement on Monday (December 9), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said that India advocates a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political process respecting the interests and aspirations of all sections of Syrian society.

India continues to monitor the situation in Syria and the embassy in Damascus continues to be in contact with the Indian community in Syria for their safety and security, said Jaiswal.

We underline the need for all parties to work towards preserving the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Syria, said Jaiswal.

After Syrian military essentially surrendered before opposition forces advancing to Damascus, Assad along with his family fled to Russia.

In the Syrian Civil War that began in 2011 when the Assad regime brutally cracked down on pro-democracy protesters, the regime had lost control of most of the country in the initial years. Then, following Russias direct military intervention in 2015, the tides turned in favour of Assad and the regime clawed back to control most of the country. In 2020, the civil war essentially froze as opposition-supporter Turkey and Assad-supporter Russia reached a ceasefire.

Then, last week, for the first time in four years, the opposition forces backed by Turkey launched an offensive that overthrew Assad over the weekend.

Assads regime was essentially propped by external support from Russia, Iran, and Iran-backed Hezbollah. As Russia is bogged down in the conflict in Ukraine and Iran and Hezbollah have been battered in the war with Israel since the Hamass October 7 attack, they were in no position to support Assad against the opposition forces offensive.

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After holding talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that he raised concerns on safety of minorities in Bangladesh read more

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is likely to be in Dhaka today. File image/PTI

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday (December 9) said that he raised concerns on the safety of religious minorities in Bangladesh in the meeting with his counterpart in Dhaka.

Misri is on a visit to Bangladesh where he held talks with his counterpart, Md Touhid Hossain, earlier in the day. This is first such visit since Bangladeshi mobs and military propped an unelected regime of Mohammed Yunus to run the country after driving Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina into exile after weekslong movement.

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Since Hasinas ouster, Bangladesh has been enveloped in a wave of violence against Hindus and other religious minorities.

Following his meeting with Hossain, Misri said, We also raised our concerns on the current situation of minorities in Bangladesh, I conveyed my concerns regarding the safety of the minorities in Bangladesh.

Misri further told media in Dhaka that India wishes to have a mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh.

We want positive relationship with Bangladesh, which will mutually benefit us. I emphasised that India desires a positive, constructive, and beneficial relationship with Bangladesh. We want people-centric relationship, and we have a desire to work closely with the current interim government in Bangladesh, said Misri.

Since being roped in to lead Bangladeshs interim government, Yunus and his ministers have downplayed the violence against minorities and glossed over concerns over religious freedom in the country. They have also presided over the mainstreaming of Islamists as pro-Pakistan Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) and radical Jamaat-e-Islami have become mainstay of politics and the likes of Jashimuddin Rahmani Hafi, the chief of terrorist group Al Qaedas affiliate Ansarullah Bangla Team (ABT), have been freed from jail.
Israel has said it has launched airstrikes on sites suspected to have been storing chemical weapons in Syria. Its foreign minister said the airstrikes were carried out to prevent such weapons from ending into the hands of hostile actors. read more

An Israeli soldier stands guard at a security fence near the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from Syria, in the town of Majdal Shams, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024. (Photo: AP)

A day after Syrian rebels seized capital Damascus, toppling Bashar al-Assad after 53-year-long rule of the family, Israel said it has struck suspected chemical weapons sites and long-range rockets in the country. Israels Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Monday the strikes were carried out to prevent them from falling into the hands of hostile actors.

This comes after Syrian rebels overthrew President Assads government following nearly 14 years of civil war. The rebels victory raised hopes among Syrians for a more peaceful future. However, concerns about a potential security vacuum in the country remain there as Syria is still split among armed groups.

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Meanwhile, Israelis welcomed the fall of Assad, who was a key ally of Iran and Lebanons Hezbollah militant group. Israel fought a war against Hezbollah, which jumped into the military conflict between Israel and Hamas after the October 2023 raids by the Palestinian armed group, killing more than 1,200 people and kidnapping over 250. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are backed by Iran.

Israel is concerned

Israel expressed concern over what comes next in Syria, with which the Jewish nation has had a tumultuous relationship. Israel also said its forces temporarily seized a buffer zone inside Syria dating back to a 1974 agreement after Syrian troops withdrew in the chaos.

The only interest we have is the security of Israel and its citizens," Gideon Saar told reporters on Monday.

Thats why we attacked strategic weapons systems, like, for example, remaining chemical weapons, or long-range missiles and rockets, in order that they will not fall in the hands of extremists.

Saar did not provide details about when or where the strikes took place.

Airport targeted on Sunday

News agency Associated Press reported that its journalist in Damascus confirmed that airstrikes happened in the area of the Mezzeh military airport, southwest of the capital, on Sunday. However, it was not clear to the AP who launched the latest strike. Israel had earlier targeted the airport with airstrikes.

Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Syria in recent years. In recent months, its targets were what it described as military sites related to Iran and Hezbollah. The latest airstrike stands out as senior Israeli officials or ministers rarely comment on individual strikes.

Assads Syria and chemic weapons

Chemical weapons in Syria have been a matter of concern for the international community, especially after the Assad government was accused of launching a gas attack that killed hundreds of people in 2013. Subsequently, however, Syria agreed to give up its chemical weapons stockpile. But it is widely believed that the Assad regime kept some of the weapons.

Earlier on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israeli forces have seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights. His comments came after a lightning rebel advance ended Assads rule.

Netanyahu said the decades-old agreement had collapsed and that Syrian troops had abandoned their positions, necessitating the Israeli takeover. Israel captured the Golan Heights in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it. The international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied Syrian territory.

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(With agency inputs)
Israel conducted airstrikes across Syria over the weekend to prevent chemical weapons and missiles left behind by fleeing forces of ousted President Bashar al-Assad from falling into the hands of opposition forces read more

An F-35 Adir from Squadron 140 takes part in an Israeli air force show during the graduation ceremony for soldiers who have completed the IAF Flight Course, at the Hatzerim Air Base in the Negev Desert, June 29, 2023. File Image / X

Israel has ramped up the aerial campaign in Syria following the collapse of President Bashar-al Assads decadeslong rule, according to reports.

In a stunning offensive that began late last month, the Syrian opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) toppled the Assads regime over the weekend within two weeks, forcing Assad to flee with his family to Russia.

To prevent Assad regimes weapons, including missiles and chemical weapons, from falling into the hands of Syrian opposition forces, Israel conducted multiple waves of airstrikes across Syria over the weekend, according to Times of Israel and Reuters.

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Even though Assad, an ally of anti-Israel Iran and Hezbollah, has been overthrown, the main victor HTS is an Islamist authoritarian group which was until 2016 formally affiliated with terrorist group Al Qaeda. Even though the HTS and its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, say the group has given up its terrorist ways, there are doubts whether the group has really ceased to be a jihadist organisation.

Amid fears of Islamists utilising the chaos from Assads ouster, Israel has ramped up operations inside Syria and along Israels border with Syria.

Hezbollah has long used Syria as a base to launch operations against Israel. The ouster of Assad is a key blow to Irans so-called Axis of Resistance that has long used Syria for strategic depth and to launch operations against Israel and US interests in the region and to also transport weapons and personnel to and from Lebanon.

Israel hits missiles, chemical weapons in Syria: Reports

Dozens of Israeli warplanes struck several targets across Israel in multiple waves of airstrikes over the weekend.

The Times of Israel quoted defence sources as saying that the Israeli airstrikes focussed on destroying strategic weapons. Sources described the airstrikes as very intensive.

The newspaper reported that Israeli warplanes struck advanced missile storage sites, air defence systems, weapon production facilities, and a chemical weapons site over the weekend.

Separately, Reuters reported that Israel struck sites associated with Assads regime in capital Damascus and elsewhere in the nation in two waves of airstrikes over the weekend.

In Damascus, Israel conducted three airstrikes on Sunday against a security complex and a government research centre, the news agency reported two regional sources as saying.

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One of these sites was previously used to develop missiles, according to the agency.

The airstrikes caused extensive damage to the main customs headquarters and buildings adjoining the military intelligence offices within the security complex in Damascus, said sources.

The airstrikes also hit infrastructure used to store sensitive military data, equipment, and guided missiles parts, said a source.

Separately, Israel struck at least seven sites in southwest Syrias Khalkhala airbase near Sweida city and near Mezzah military airport southwest of Damascus, according to the agency.

At Khalkhala, the warplanes struck large stockpile of missiles, air defence batteries, and munitions left behind by fleeing Assads forces and the strikes hit ammunition depots in strikes near Mezzah, as per the agency.

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Mediated negotiations between Israel and Hamas aimed at securing a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which would include the release of Israeli hostages, have made significant progress, with both the sides now discussing the specifics of those who would be released, according to a report read more

Einav Zangauker, center, mother of Israeli hostage Matan Zangauker takes part in a protest following a Hamas video release of Matan making an emotional plea for his release and describing the conditions he and other hostages face in Gaza after being seized in the October 7 attack, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on December 7, 2024. AP

Mediated negotiations between Israel and Hamas aimed at securing a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, which would include the release of Israeli hostages, have made significant progress, with both the sides now discussing the specifics of those who would be released.

According to a Times of Israel report, citing the Qatari-owned, London-based al-Araby al-Jadeed news outlet, the Hamas delegation was in Cairo the day before and delivered a list of elderly or medically unwell hostages who would be released during the initial stages of a proposed truce. Hamas also provided names of four hostages who are US citizens but do not fall into the previous category.

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There are seven hostages with dual US-Israeli citizenship, four of them have been declared dead by Israel and its therefore unclear how four could be on the reported list.

Moreover, Hamas also submitted a list of Palestinian security prisoners held in Israel, which it wants released in exchange for the hostages. This list is under review by Israel, with an Israeli negotiating delegation scheduled to arrive in Cairo later on Monday, added the report.

Discussions on hostages release mark an advanced stage in negotiations, following earlier efforts focused on halting the fighting and securing a truce.

After a year of stalled negotiations, the latest talks follow a November 2023 agreement that saw 105 hostages freed during a weeklong ceasefire. Israel believes 96 of the 251 hostages taken on October 7 are still in Gaza, including at least 34 confirmed dead. Over the past 14 months, the IDF has rescued eight hostages and recovered 38 bodies.

Recent regional developments, coupled with US President-elect Donald Trumps hell to pay warning if hostages arent freed by his January 20 inauguration, have revitalised negotiations, with officials expressing optimism for a deal, reported Times of Israel_._

According to the report, citing al-Araby al-Jadeeds source, the US, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey are all helping with mediation.

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The current proposal, put forward by Egypt, would involve a phased Israeli withdrawal from Gaza over a two-month ceasefire period. During this time, both sides would work toward a more permanent resolution to the conflict.

Hamas has agreed to the 60-day transitional period, which will allow for increased supplies of food, medicine, and fuel to enter Gaza.

A sticking point in previous talks was Hamass insistence on a permanent end to the war and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza in exchange for releasing the remaining hostages. In contrast, Israel has called for only temporary ceasefires and has insisted on maintaining a troop presence in Gaza at least initially.

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Egyptian officials are reportedly optimistic that a deal can be reached before Donald Trumps January 20 deadline.

According to the Times of Israel report, one key issue discussed in Cairo was the proposed Community Support Committee, which Hamas and the Fatah faction, controlling the Palestinian Authority, agreed to establish to govern Gaza after the war.

The Egyptian General Intelligence Service is urging PA President Mahmoud Abbas to approve the committee, with Hamas already in full agreement.

In recent days, Egypts intelligence chief has been in contact with PA and Fatah leaders, including Majed Faraj and Jibril Rajoub, to convince Abbas to approve the plan, which would allow Palestinian factions to formally endorse the committee in Cairo.

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Cairo views the committee as crucial for both the wars resolution and Gazas future administration, added the report.

The Israel-Hamas conflict, which began on October 7, 2023 after Hamas launched a deadly cross-border attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and abducting hostages, has entered a new phase.

On Saturday, Qatars prime minister noted renewed momentum for a ceasefire and hostage release deal following Trumps election.

On Sunday, sources within Gazas Palestinian factions said Hamas had instructed them to compile information on the hostages in preparation for a potential ceasefire agreement.

With inputs from agencies
Leaders across the continent of Europe welcomed the demise of the 24-year-long reign of Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, calling him a dictator and his regime barbaric read more

People gather at Saadallah al-Jabiri Square as they celebrate, after Syria's army command notified officers on Sunday that President Bashar al-Assad's 24-year authoritarian rule has ended, a Syrian officer who was informed of the move told Reuters, following a rapid rebel offensive that took the world by surprise, in Aleppo, Syria. Reuters

While reacting to the dramatic victory of the Rebel groups in Syria, the European Union welcomed the fall of the countrys ousted President Bashar Al Assad. Top diplomats of the EU maintained that the rebel groups takeover of Syria was not only a defeat for Assads regime but also a setback for the countrys allies Russia and Iran.

The end of Syrian President Bashar Assads dictatorship is a positive and long-awaited development. It also shows the weakness of Assads backers, Russia and Iran, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said in a statement Sunday. Our priority is to ensure regional security, she said.

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In the span of just a few days, the rebel groups in Syria infiltrated and captured key cities of the Middle Eastern nation, including the capital Damascus. Amid the chaos, Assad fled Syria. While his whereabouts are still not clear, reports are emerging that Russia has granted asylum to Assad and his family on humanitarian grounds.

While sharing her take on the whole ordeal, Kallas emphasised that the process of rebuilding Syria will be a long one. The process of rebuilding Syria will be long and complicated and all parties must be ready to engage constructively, she averred.

EU watches Syria closely

European Parliament President Roberta Metsola said that as Assads regime lies in tatters, what happens in the next hours and days matters. Meanwhile, British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner also welcomed the collapse of Assads draconian regime.

What we need to see is a political resolution in line with the UN resolutions. We need to see civilians and infrastructure protected. Far too many people have lost their lives, we need stability in that region," she told Sky News. Sentiments in the EU were also shared by people in Syria as they celebrated the end of Assads regime.

In light of this, European leaders extended support to Syrians. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share his take on the matter. Today we stand with all Syrians who are full of hope for a free, just and safe Syria, Scholz wrote in his post.

Today we stand with all Syrians who are full of hope for a free, just and safe Syria.



A political solution to the conflict in Syria is possible. With international partners and on the basis of the resolutions of the UN Security Council, Germany will make its contribution.  Bundeskanzler Olaf Scholz (@Bundeskanzler) December 8, 2024

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A political solution to the conflict in Syria is possible. With international partners and based on the resolutions of the UN Security Council, Germany will make its contribution, he added. It is pertinent to note that it was Germany, that historically opened its doors to Syrian refugees seeking asylum over the years.

The barbaric state has fallen. At last, wrote French President Emmanuel Macron in his statement on the matter. I pay tribute to the Syrian people, to their courage, to their patience. In this moment of uncertainty, I send them my wishes for peace, freedom, and unity. France will remain committed to the security of all in the Middle East, he added.

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The barbaric state has fallen. At last.



I pay tribute to the Syrian people, to their courage, to their patience. In this moment of uncertainty, I send them my wishes for peace, freedom, and unity.



France will remain committed to the security of all in the Middle East.  Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) December 8, 2024

The cruel Assad dictatorship has collapsed.



This historic change in the region offers opportunities but is not without risks.



Europe is ready to support safeguarding national unity and rebuilding a Syrian state that protects all minorities.



We are engaging with European and  Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) December 8, 2024

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Similar assertions were also made by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The cruel Assad dictatorship has collapsed. This historic change in the region offers opportunities but is not without risks, she wrote. With the European leaders supporting the fall of Assad, it will be noteworthy to see how they will help Syria in the nations rebuilding process.
The director of northern Gazas Kamal Adwan Hospital, Hossam Abu Safiyeh said recent Israeli shelling and bombing had severely damaged the hospital and cut the water and electricity supply to parts of it read more

The director of northern Gazas Kamal Adwan hospital said on Sunday the lives of more than 100 patients were in danger after electricity, oxygen and water supplies were cut.

Hossam Abu Safiyeh said recent Israeli shelling and bombing had severely damaged the hospital and cut the water and electricity supply to parts of it.

The outage of electricity and water persists, and we urgently appeal to the international community for assistance, he said.

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The situation is extremely dangerous. We have patients in the intensive care unit and others awaiting surgeries. Access to the operating rooms is only possible after restoring electricity and oxygen supply.

Safiyeh said the hospital currently had 112 wounded patients, including six in intensive care and 14 children.

Continued shelling near the hospital was preventing us from conducting repairs, he said.

Israel on Friday said it was operating around the facility but had not fired directly on the hospital.

Kamal Adwan is located in Beit Lahia, a city at the centre of an intense Israeli military operation aimed at preventing Hamas from regrouping in northern Gaza.

The hospital is one of the last operational medical facilities in the north of the territory.

The World Health Organizations representative in the Palestinian territories, Rik Peeperkorn, said on Friday the hospital was operating at a minimum level.

The war in Gaza was sparked by Hamass surprise October 7, 2023 attack on Israel which resulted in the deaths of 1,208 people, mostly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures.

Israels retaliatory military campaign in Gaza has killed at least 44,708 people, mostly civilians, according to figures from the territorys Hamas-run health ministry which the UN considers reliable.

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Mask-wearing attackers set the Adass Israel Synagogue ablaze before dawn on Friday, police said, gutting much of the building. Some congregants were inside the single-storey building at the time but no serious injuries were reported. The fire sparked international condemnation, including from Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu read more

Firefighters work at the scene of a fire at the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea, Melbourne, Australia. Reuters

Australian police said on Monday they are hunting for three suspects over an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue, which has been designated as a terrorist act.

Mask-wearing attackers set the Adass Israel Synagogue ablaze before dawn on Friday, police said, gutting much of the building.

Some congregants were inside the single-storey building at the time but no serious injuries were reported.

The fire sparked international condemnation, including from Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Police have three suspects in that matter, who we are pursuing, Victorian police chief commissioner Shane Patton told a news conference.

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Investigations over the weekend had made significant progress, Patton said, declining to provide further details of the operation.

Officials from the federal and state police, as well as Australias intelligence agency, met on Monday and concluded that the fire was likely a terrorist incident, the police chief said.

Based on that, I am very confident that we now have had an attack, a terrorist attack on that synagogue, he said.

Counter-terrorism police have joined the probe.

Under Australian law, a terrorist act is one that causes death, injury or serious property damage to advance a political, religious or ideological cause and is aimed at intimidating the public or a government.

The official designation unlocks help from other federal agencies for the investigation, said Australian National University terrorism researcher Michael Zekulin.

Basically you get additional resources that you might not otherwise get, he told AFP.

Heinous act

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has condemned the fire as an outrage, describing it at the weekend as an act of terrorism and pointing to a worrying rise in anti-Semitism in Australia.

The war in Gaza has sparked protests from supporters of Israel and Palestinians in cities around Australia, as in much of the world.

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Netanyahu attacked the Australian government over the fire.

This heinous act cannot be separated from the anti-Israel sentiment emanating from the Australian Labor government, he said on Friday.

Anti-Israel sentiment is anti-Semitism.

His comments came just days after Australia voted for a United Nations General Assembly resolution that demanded the end of Israels unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

New Zealand, Britain, and Canada were among 157 countries that voted for the resolution, with eight against.

Australian Attorney General Mark Dreyfus rejected Netanyahus accusation.

Hes absolutely wrong. I respectfully disagree with Mr. Netanyahu, Dreyfus told Australias national broadcaster ABC on Monday.

Australia remains a close friend of Israel, as we have been since the Labor government recognised the State of Israel when it was created by the United Nations. Now that remains the position.

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Investigators followed up on a tip after the man was spotted at a McDonalds in Altoona by someone who believed he resembled the suspected killer, according to a report read more

An undated New York City Police Department (NYPD) handout image obtained by Reuters on December 5, 2024, shows an individual wanted for questioning in connection with the killing of UnitedHeatlhcare CEO Brian Thompson, in an unknown location. Reuters File

Authorities in central Pennsylvania on Monday were questioning a man in connection with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week, according to several media reports.

According to a CNN report, citing anonymous officials, investigators followed up on a tip after the man was spotted at a McDonalds in Altoona by someone who believed he resembled the suspected killer.

Altoona police found the man in possession of a gun, a silencer, and fraudulent identification cards similar to those used by the gunman. One of the IDs matched the one the suspect had used to check into a Manhattan hostel before the shooting, the New York Times reported.

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According to the Times, the man has been arrested on local charges, potentially for presenting a false ID to police, and New York detectives are en route to Altoona.

Brian Thompson, 50, was shot and killed outside a Manhattan hotel early Wednesday morning by a masked man who appeared to have waited for his arrival before shooting him from behind.

The suspect, whose identity has not been released by police, fled the scene, rode a bike into Central Park, and was later seen exiting the park and taking a taxi to a bus station in northern Manhattan. Authorities believe he used the bus to escape the city.

Thompson, a father of two, had served as CEO of UnitedHealth Groups insurance division since April 2021, marking the culmination of a 20-year career with the company. He had been in New York to attend the companys annual investor conference.

A spokesperson for UnitedHealth declined to comment on the latest developments, according to Reuters.

With inputs from agencies
Hopes among Jan. 6 defendants and their supporters for broad-based clemency have been growing over the past week after President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter, marking a reversal from his pledge not to interfere with his sons criminal cases read more

An explosion caused by a police munition is seen while supporters of US President Donald Trump riot at the US Capitol Building in Washington, US, January 6, 2021. File Image/Reuters

President-elect Donald Trump said in an interview that aired on Sunday that he would act on his first day in office to pardon rioters involved in the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack, further building expectations for a broad granting of clemency.

Im going to be acting very quickly, first day, Trump said on NBC News Meet the Press with Kristen Welker when asked when he planned to pardon his supporters who were charged in the attack aimed at overturning his 2020 election defeat.

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Trump told Welker that there could be some exceptions to his pardons if the individuals had acted radical or crazy during the assault, which left more than 140 police officers injured and led to several deaths.

But Trump described the prosecutions of his supporters as inherently corrupt and did not rule out pardoning the more than 900 defendants who had already pleaded guilty, including those accused of acting violently in the attack.

Im going to look at everything. Were going to look at individual cases, Trump said.

The comments - Trumps most detailed on the issue of pardons since he defeated Vice President Kamala Harris in the Nov. 5 election - will likely add to already high expectations for broad action once Trump is sworn in to office on Jan. 20.

He continues to put out the public message closer and closer to what the J6 community is asking for, which is clemency for all of the January 6ers, Suzzanne Monk, a longtime advocate for defendants charged in the riot, told Reuters.

Hopes among Jan. 6 defendants and their supporters for broad-based clemency have been growing over the past week after President Joe Biden pardoned his son Hunter, marking a reversal from his pledge not to interfere with his sons criminal cases.

Biden said Hunter deserved a pardon because he was the victim of political persecution, an argument Trump will likely use to justify mass pardons. Some Biden critics said his decision would lessen the political cost for Trump.

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Kimberly Wehle, a professor at the University of Baltimore School of Law, said she was worried broad amnesty for Jan. 6 defendants would serve to wrongly incentivize the fomenting of unrest or even violence on behalf of a president.

The idea that hes going to reward people for violating the law on his behalf in connection with an attempt to overthrow legitimate election results thats not precedented, said Wehle, author of a recent book on presidential pardon power.

Nasty system

In what has been billed as Americas largest-ever criminal investigation, at least 1,572 defendants have been charged in the Jan. 6 attack, with crimes ranging from unlawfully entering restricted grounds to seditious conspiracy and violent assault.

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Of that total, more than 1,251 have been convicted or pleaded guilty and 645 have been sentenced to prison, with punishments ranging from a few days to 22 years, according to the latest data from the Justice Department.

John Pierce, a lawyer who has represented dozens of Jan. 6 defendants, urged Trump to issue a blanket pardon for all who were charged with participating in the riot.

I just dont know how you do it otherwise, he said, noting that it would be difficult to parse which conduct out of the scores of cases that have already worked their way through the legal system would merit a pardon.

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I think you would see a lot of unhappy people in the January 6 community if pardons were granted on a case-by-case basis, he said.

In the NBC interview, Trump lamented those held for long periods of detention, saying they were being kept in a filthy, disgusting place that shouldnt even be allowed to be open. He described them as being victims of a very nasty system.

Attorney Norm Pattis believes pardons should cover his clients, Zachary Rehl and Joseph Biggs, two former leaders of the Proud Boys militant group sentenced to 15 and 17 years in prison after a jury convicted them of seditious conspiracy.

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Pattis said Trump, in promoting the idea that the 2020 election had been stolen from him through widespread fraud - an assertion for which there is no evidence - prompted his clients to believe that they had to take drastic action.

He needs to own the fact that he created a tremendous sense of expectations with his claims about a stolen election, and people responded to him as President of the United States, Pattis said. I would hope that he would pardon broadly.

Pattis said it was unclear how Trump might draw a line excluding some defendants from clemency due to acts of violence.

Jake Lang, a New York man who was charged with assaulting police officers and has been held in jail prior to trial, said he was hopeful he would be swept up in a blanket pardon.

I think on January 20, 2025 we are going to see a similar situation to Hunter Biden, Lang said in a phone interview. Everybodys pardoned, full exoneration. Get them all out of prison and get this thing over with, so that we can start the national healing process.
Yoons martial law decree last Tuesday, which brought armed special forces troops into Seoul streets, is plunging South Korea into huge political turmoil read more

Police are considering placing an overseas travel ban on South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol as they investigate possible rebellion charges over his brief imposition of martial law last week, reports said Monday.

Yoons martial law decree last Tuesday, which brought armed special forces troops into Seoul streets, is plunging South Korea into huge political turmoil. On Sunday, he avoided an opposition-led bid to impeach him in parliament on Sunday, with most ruling party lawmakers boycotting a floor vote to prevent the two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers.

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On Monday, Yonhap news agency cited police as saying that they are considering banning Yoon from leaving the country as they investigate charges of rebellion. Other South Korean media carried similar reports.

Repeated calls to the National Police Agency werent immediately answered.

The main opposition Democratic Party called Yoons martial law imposition unconstitutional, illegal rebellion or a coup. It has filed complaints with police against at least nine people, including Yoon and the former defense minister, over the alleged rebellion.

While the president mostly has immunity from prosecution while in office, that does not extend to allegations of rebellion or treason.

South Korean prosecutors on Sunday detained former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, who allegedly recommended Yoon declare martial law.
South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol is facing new allegations that he may have provoked Pyongyang to justify his controversial decision of declaring martial law in the country nearly a week ago, according to a report read more

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol is facing new allegations that he may have provoked Pyongyang to justify his controversial decision of declaring martial law in the country nearly a week ago.

According to a South China Morning Post report, Park Beom-kye, a senior politician from South Koreas main opposition party, the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), accused the countrys military of orchestrating a drone flight near the border with North Korea in October.

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Park suggested the incident was part of a plot by Yoon to consolidate his power, added the report.

It appears this was intended to create a pretext for imposing martial law, South China Morning Post report quoted Park as saying, citing Yonhap News Agency.

Park also singled out Yeo In-hyung, the head of the militarys anti-espionage unit and a close ally of former defence minister Kim Yong-hyun, as a central figure in the alleged plot.

Both Kim and Yeo have been banned from leaving the country as authorities investigate their involvement in the failed coup attempt, added the report.

Kim resigned as defence minister last week following his role in Yoons brief declaration of martial law, which was quickly overturned by parliament. He was later placed under emergency arrest on charges of insurrection, while Yeo has been suspended from his duties.

In October, North Korea reported finding unmanned aerial vehicles near Pyongyang, accusing Seoul of sending them and warning of retaliation. South Koreas Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) declined to comment, adhering to its policy of not confirming or denying drone infiltrations, reported South China Morning Post.

Park also claimed that Kim sought to provoke a military clash with North Korea, criticising army commanders for not firing warning shots at balloons launched from the North. These balloons, filled with trash, were sent into South Korea in retaliation for defectors and activists sending anti-regime leaflets into North Korea.

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Local media had previously reported that JCS Chairman Kim Myung-soo had refused orders from Kim Yong-hyun to strike North Korean balloon launch sites. However, the JCS denied these reports, stating that no such orders were given, although discussions on how to respond to North Koreas provocations did take place.

The defence ministry declined to comment on the allegations, added the report.

The unification ministry had previously said that North Korea was escalating tensions to rally support for its fragile regime and strengthen control over its population. The sudden fuss about supposed drones flown by Seoul targeting the North were designed for the same purpose, the report quoted ministry ass saying at that time.

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On Monday, unification ministry spokesman Koo Byung-sam clarified that the ministrys earlier remarks did not suggest the drone incident was fabricated by North Korea.

Weve said the North has a tendency to exaggerate external threats for its internal needs, South China Morning Post quoted Koo as saying.

Military experts also questioned the drones origins.

Lee Il-woo, an analyst with the Korea Defence Network, said although the drones initially appeared to be South Korean military equipment, a closer examination revealed they were not.

Their navigation routes and design suggest they were not military-grade drones, Lee told South China Morning Post, adding that their trajectory  flying further north rather than returning south  was inconsistent with an alleged mission to distribute propaganda in Pyongyang.

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And we have to take into account the fact that opposition parties are revving up to impeach Yoon, Lee added.

Another researcher at a government-funded think tank stated that more data was needed to assess the drones nature.

However, critics suggested that Yoon and Kim Yong-hyun may have exaggerated threats from Pyongyang to prime the public for the martial law declaration.

Yang Moo-jin, head of the University of North Korean Studies, argued that it was plausible the South Korean military could have staged the drone incident to justify imposing martial law.

Historical precedents show such tactics have been used by authoritarian leaders in the past, South China Morning Post quoted him as saying.

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With inputs from agencies
After the fall of Syrian President Bashar Al Assads 24-year-long reign, Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that his troops had temporarily seized control of a demilitarized buffer zone in the Golan Heights read more

Shortly after the demise of Syrian President Bashar Al Assads 24-year-long reign, Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that the Jewish nation had temporarily seized the control of a demilitarised buffer zone in the Golan Heights. Netanyahu said that with the end of the Assad regime, the 1974 disengagement agreement between Syria and Israel has collapsed.

In the span of just a few days, rebel groups infiltrated and took over multiple Syrian cities, including the countrys capital Damascus. Amid the chaos, Assad fled the country. While his whereabouts are still not clear, reports are emerging that Russia has granted asylum to Assad and his family on humanitarian grounds.

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On Sunday, Netanyahu announced that he had ordered the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) to enter the buffer zone and commanding positions nearby from the Israeli-occupied part of the Golan. We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border, he averred. Meanwhile, a UK-based war monitor said that Syrian troops had left their positions in Quneitra province, part of which lies inside the buffer zone, on Saturday.

IDF issues warning to residents

On Sunday, the IDF issued an advisory in which they asked the residents of five Syrian villages inside the zone to stay in their homes until further notice. The rocky plateau of Golan Heights has seen a lot of chaos and regime change over the years. Israel seized Golan from Syria in the closing stages of the Six-Day War in 1967. Tel Aviv eventually unilaterally annexed the territory in 1981.

However, the move was not recognised unilaterally. In the Sunday address, Netanyahu said that the collapse of the Assad regime was a historic day in the Middle East. The collapse of the Assad regime, the tyranny in Damascus, offers great opportunity but also is fraught with significant dangers, he said.

The Israeli premier mentioned that the events in Syria had been the result of Israeli strikes against Iran and the Iran-backed Lebanese armed group Hezbollah, Assads allies. He insisted that Tel Aviv would send a hand of peace to Syrians who want to live in peace with Israel.

Netanyahu made it clear that the IDF seizure of Syrian positions in the buffer zone was a temporary defensive position until a suitable arrangement is found. If we can establish neighbourly relations and peaceful relations with the new forces emerging in Syria, thats our desire. But if we do not, we will do whatever it takes to defend the State of Israel and the border of Israel, he concluded.

With inputs from agencies.
Syria War News Updates: International governments welcomed the end of the Assads autocratic government, as they sought to take stock of a new-look Middle East read more

Syrians celebrate the fall of Bashar Assad's government in the town of Bar Elias, Lebanon, near the border with Syria. AP

World powers vowed to work for stability in Syria and the surrounding region after Islamist-led rebels on Sunday toppled its longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad.

The end of Syrian President Bashar Assads dictatorship is a positive and long-awaited development. It also shows the weakness of Assads backers, Russia and Iran, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said in a statement Sunday. Our priority is to ensure regional security, she said.

While reacting to the dramatic victory of the Rebel groups in Syria, the European Union welcomed the fall of the countrys ousted President Bashar Al Assad. Top diplomats of the EU maintained that the rebel groups takeover of Syria was not only a defeat for Assads regime but also a setback for the countrys allies Russia and Iran.

Assads government fell 11 days after the rebels began a surprise advance, more than 13 years after Assads crackdown on anti-government protests ignited Syrias civil war  which had become largely dormant until the rebel push.

Russian news agencies said that Assad and his family were in Moscow, while rescuers on Monday searched the Syrian capitals notorious Sednaya prison for hidden underground cells holding detainees in secret.

Crowds cheered in the streets of Damascus, where celebratory gunfire erupted as five decades of brutal Baath party rule came crashing to a dramatic end with Assads flight from the capital on Sunday.

President Bashar al-Assad fled Syria as Islamist-led rebels swept into Damascus, triggering celebrations across the country and beyond at the end of his oppressive rule.

The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice, Biden said from the White House. Its a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria.

In the first full US reaction to Assads overthrow by an Islamist-led coalition of rebel factions, Biden also warned that Washington will remain vigilant against the emergence of terrorist groups, announcing that US forces had just conducted fresh strikes against militants from the Islamic State organization.

US President Joe Biden on Sunday said deposed Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad should be held accountable but called the nations political upheaval a historic opportunity for Syrians to rebuild their country.

The meeting, set for 3:00 pm (2000 GMT), was requested by Russia earlier on Sunday.

The UN Security Council will convene Monday afternoon for an emergency closed door meeting regarding Syria in the aftermath of president Bashar al-Assad fleeing the country, multiple diplomatic sources told AFP on Sunday.

Turkey, which shares a 911-kilometer- (566-mile-) long frontier with Syria, has been a main backer of opposition groups aiming to topple Assad since the outbreak of the civil war in 2011.

We are free now, everyone should return to their homeland, Mahmud Esma told the DHA news agency at the Cilvegozu border gate.

In Hatay province, which also lies on the Syrian frontier, many said it was time to go home after years of living in Turkey, which hosts some 3 million Syrians.

Large crowds waving Syrian and Turkish flags gathered in the main square of Kilis, a border city in southern Turkey.

Syrian refugees across Turkey jubilantly welcomed the downfall of Bashar Assads government Sunday, with many embracing the chance to return to their homeland.

Syria is home to multiple ethnic and religious communities, often pitted against each other by Assads state and years of war. Many of them fear the possibility that Sunni Islamist extremists will take over. The country is also fragmented among disparate armed factions, and foreign powers from Russia and Iran to the United States, Turkey and Israel all have their hands in the mix.

Insurgents control Damascus, Assad has fled into hiding, and for the first time after 50 years of his familys iron hand, it is an open question how Syria will be governed.

The extent of that transformation from jihadi extremist to would-be state builder is now put to the test.

Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the militant leader whose stunning insurgency toppled Syrias President Bashar Assad, has spent years working to remake his public image, renouncing longtime ties to al-Qaida and depicting himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. As he entered Damascus behind his victorious fighters Sunday, he even dropped his nom de guerre and referred to himself with his real name, Ahmad al-Sharaa.

Turkish forces and a Turkey-sponsored militia attacked the US-backed Kurdish forces in the eastern Aleppo province, according to UK-based war monitor Syrian Observatory of Human Rights (SOHR) and Kurish forces.

Even as Syrian opposition forces pushed against President Bashar al-Assads forces, Turkey opened another front in northern Syria over the weekend.

Shortly after, Syrians entered his abandoned presidential palace in Damascus, looted valuables, posed at his desk, and found a collection of luxury cars.

The Assad familys 50-year rule in Syria ended after a sudden rebel offensive that captured government-held areas and reached the capital within ten days. President Bashar al-Assad was ousted and fled the country.

Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20, added that Russia and Iran, Assads other main backer, are in a weakened state right now, one because of Ukraine and a bad economy, the other because of Israel and its fighting success.

There was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place, Trump wrote. They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine  a war that should never have started, and could go on forever.

Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by (President) Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer, Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said on Sunday that Russias abandonment of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad led to his downfall, adding Moscow never should have protected him in the first place and then lost interest because of a war in Ukraine that never should have started.

A sectarian war in Syria is the last thing we want right now, Kabawat continued.

Nevertheless, she advised that we shouldnt relax and continue to keep a close eye on whether the opposition forces are keeping their promise to respect religious minorities.

Were not 100 percent sure what will happen, but for the past few days, my Christian community [in Syria] has been in good shape, Kabawat, a Syrian Christian, told Al Jazeera, referring to the lack of violations.

There is a lot of work ahead in Syria to create a democratic and inclusive nation, according to Hind Kabawat, director of interfaith peace-building at the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution.

Israel conducted airstrikes across Syria over the weekend to prevent chemical weapons and missiles left behind by fleeing forces of ousted President Bashar al-Assad from falling into the hands of opposition forces.

The volunteer organisation emphasised that it can be a challenging operation and might cause delays. The White Helmets has deployed 5 specialized emergency teams to Sednaya Prison to investigate hidden underground cells, reportedly holding detainees according to survivors, The White Helmets wrote on X, formally known as Twitter.

After the rebel groups freed prisoners from Sednaya prison in Syria, reports are emerging that the subterranean cells of the so-called human slaughterhouse are still inaccessible, with fears that multiple people might be trapped inside it. Syrian Civil Defence forces, the White Helmets, said that they have deployed 5 specialized emergency teams to Sednaya Prison to investigate hidden cells.

It further said the Indian embassy in Damascus is in contact with the Indian community, for their safety and security.

We underline the need for all parties to work towards preserving the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria. We advocate a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political process respecting the interests and aspirations of all sections of Syrian society, the MEA said in a statement.

We are monitoring the situation in Syria in the light of ongoing developments, it said.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it is monitoring the unfolding developments in Syria.

A day after Islamist rebels captured power in Syria, India on Monday called for a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political process to bring stability in that country.

Syrias feared security apparatus and prisons did not only serve to isolate Assads opponents, but also to instill fear among his own people said Lina Khatib, Associate Fellow in the Middle East and North Africa program at the London think tank Chatham House.

In 2013, a Syrian military defector, known as Caesar, smuggled out over 53,000 photographs that human rights groups say showed clear evidence of rampant torture, but also disease and starvation in Syrias prison facilities.

Syrias prisons have been infamous for their harsh conditions. Torture is systematic, say human rights groups, whistleblowers, and former detainees. Secret executions have been reported at more than two dozen facilities run by Syrian intelligence, as well as at other sites.

Videos shared widely across social media showed dozens of prisoners running in celebration after the insurgents released them, some barefoot and others wearing little clothing. One of them screams in celebration after he finds out that the government has fallen.

As the insurgents swept across Syria in just 10 days to bring an end to the Assad familys 50-year rule, they broke into prisons and security facilities to free political prisoners and many of the tens of thousands of people who disappeared since the conflict began back in 2011.

The Syrian rebels announced early Sunday (December 8) that it had defeated al-Assads regime, forcing the ousted president to flee the country, with Russian media reporting that he has been given asylum there.

Syrians in and around the world are celebrating. The more than 50 years of the Assad regime  with Bashar al-Assad in power since 2000  has come to an end with the rebels entering the capital, Damascus, on Sunday.

Iran has opened a direct line of communication with rebels within Syrias new leadership after Tehrans key ally Bashar al-Assads ouster, a senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday, in a bid to prevent a hostile trajectory between the two countries.

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Syrians awakened on Monday to a hopeful if uncertain future, after rebels seized the capital Damascus and President Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia, ending a 13-year civil war and more than 50 years of his familys brutal rule.

The lightning advance of a militia alliance spearheaded by Hayat al-Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate, marked one of the biggest turning points for the Middle East in generations. Assads fall wiped out a bastion from which Iran and Russia exercised influence across the Arab world.

Moscow gave asylum to Assad and his family, Russian media reported and Mikhail Ulyanov, Russias ambassador to international organizations in Vienna, said on his Telegram channel on Sunday.

International governments welcomed the end of the Assads autocratic government, as they sought to take stock of a new-look Middle East.

U.S. President Joe Biden said Syria is in a period of risk and uncertainty, and it is the first time in years that neither Russia, Iran nor the Hezbollah militant organization held an influential role there.

HTS is still designated as a terrorist group by the U.S., Turkey and the United Nations, although it has spent years trying to soften its image to reassure international governments and minority groups within Syria.

Japans chief cabinet secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, said on Monday Tokyo was paying close attention to developments in Syria.

Assads overthrow limits Irans ability to spread weapons to its allies and could cost Russia its Mediterranean naval base. It could also allow millions of refugees scattered for more than a decade in camps across Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan to finally return home.

Now to rebuild

The rebels face a monumental task of rebuilding and running a country after a war that left hundreds of thousands dead, cities pounded to dust and an economy hollowed by global sanctions. Syria will need billions of dollars in aid.

A new history, my brothers, is being written in the entire region after this great victory, said Ahmed al-Sharaa, better known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the head of HTS.

Speaking to a huge crowd on Sunday at Damascus Umayyad Mosque, a place of enormous religious significance, Golani said with hard work Syria would be a beacon for the Islamic nation.

The Assad police state was known as one of the harshest in the Middle East with hundreds of thousands of political prisoners held in horrifying conditions.

On Sunday, elated but often confused inmates poured out of jails. Reunited families wept in joy. Newly freed prisoners were filmed running through the Damascus streets holding up their hands to show how many years they had been in prison.

The White Helmets rescue organization said it had dispatched emergency teams to search for hidden underground cells still believed to hold detainees.

With a curfew declared by the rebels, Damascus was calm overnight, with roads leading into the city mostly empty. One shopping centre had been looted on Sunday, and some people rampaged inside Assads presidential place, leaving carrying furniture.

The rebel coalition said it was working to complete the transfer of power to a transitional governing body with executive powers, referring to building a Syria together.

Golani is a Sunni Muslim, which is the majority in Syria, but the country is home to a wide range of religious sects, including Christians and Assads fellow Alawites, an offshoot of Shiite Islam.

World stunned

The pace of events stunned world capitals and raised concerns about more regional instability on top of the Gaza war, Israels attacks on Lebanon and tensions between Israel and Iran.

The U.S. Central Command said its forces conducted dozens of airstrikes targeting known Islamic State camps and operatives in central Syria on Sunday.

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said on Sunday he spoke with Turkish Minister of National Defense Yasar Guler, emphasizing the importance of protecting civilians and that the United States is watching closely.

During Syrias civil war, which erupted in 2011 as an uprising against Assad, his forces and their Russian allies bombed cities to rubble. The refugee crisis across the Middle East was one of the biggest of modern times and caused a political reckoning in Europe when a million people arrived in 2015.

In recent years, Turkey had backed some rebels in a small redoubt in the northwest and along its border. The United States, which has about 900 troops in Syria, backed a Kurdish-led alliance that fought Islamic State jihadists from 2014-2017.
There has been intense speculation about the possibility of China launching military drills in response to Taiwan President Lai Ching-tes Pacific tour last week that included two stopovers on US soil read more

This handout photograph taken between December 7-8, 2024 and released on December 9 by the Taiwan Coast Guard shows a Chinese coast guard ship (C) seen past Taiwan Coast Guard vessels (L and R) in waters east of Taiwan. AFP

Taiwans military was on high alert Monday as it launched combat readiness drills following the detection of Chinese warships and coast guard vessels in waters around the island.

The exercises were also in response to Beijings army restricting the airspace off the Chinese coast.

In response to these actions by the PLA, the MND has initiated combat readiness drills, factoring in enemy threats, weather conditions, and tactical positioning, the defence ministry said in a statement, adding that military units were on high alert.

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There was no immediate public announcement by the PLA or Chinese state media about increased military activity around Taiwan.

China insists Taiwan is part of its own territory and regularly deploys fighter jets and navy ships to press its claims of sovereignty.

There has been intense speculation about the possibility of China launching military drills in response to Taiwan President Lai Ching-tes Pacific tour last week that included two stopovers on US soil.
Even as Arab Spring sought democracy after removing dictators, long periods of political instability, Islamist violence, and rise of new autocrats followed in West Asian and North African nations where Arab Spring toppled regimes read more

More than a decade after the Arab Spring began in Tunisia, the anti-establishment movement finally materialised in Syria over the weekend.

In a lightening offensive launched late last month, the opposition forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) overthrew five decades of dictatorial rule of the Assad family over the weekend, forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee with his family to Russia.

With his ouster, Assad has become the latest dictator in West Asia and North Africa to be overthrown since the Arab Spring began in 2010. Before him, Tunisias Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali, Egypts Hosni Mubarak, and Libyas Muammar Gaddafi met similar fates.

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Even though the Arab Spring dreamt of a democratic future in these West Asian and North African nations, the dream did not materialise. While the change of regime brought relief in the sense that decades of dictatorial rule was brought to an end in these nations, the fall of these leaders led to either new autocrats, such as in Egypt, or plunged these nations into years of political instability and conflict, such as in Libya and Yemen.

How Arab Spring fared in Tunisia

The Arab Spring began with pro-democracy protests in Tunisia in 2010.

The protests led to the ouster exile of President Ben Ali in 2011, who had ruled since 1987.

After Ben Alis resignation, Prime Minister Mohamed Ghannouchi took over, who was replaced by interim President Fouad Mebazaa the following day. An uneasy coalition government was formed and a new constitution was drafted and enacted in 2014.

For the first time in decades, Tunisia held free and fair elections in 2014 and then again witnessed peaceful elections and transfer of power in 2019.

However, President Kais Saied reverted to autocratic ways soon after his election. He sacked the government in 2021 and suspended the parliament. He ruled by decree until 2022 when he bulldozed a new constitution via a referendum in which just 30 per cent people participated. The new referendum bestowed more powers with the president.

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Since coming to power, Saied has put several prominent politicians behind bars and democratic values that the Arab Spring sought remains absent in spirit even if it is there in letter.

One autocrat replaced another in Egypt

The most notable ouster from the Arab Spring was arguably in Egypt where President Mubarak, who had ruled since 1981, was forced to resign in 2011.

Following Mubaraks ouster, the Supreme Council of the Armed Forces (SCAF), a body of senior military officers that took over Egypt. Mohammed Morsi was elected as the President of Egypt in 2012, but was ousted the following year in a military coup by Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi, who became the de facto leader of the country. The next year, he was elected as the president and was then re-elected in 2018. He has therefore been at the helm of Egypt since 2013.

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Sisi has ruled for more than a decade as a strongman.

The fall of Gaddafi in Libya

In February 2011, the anti-government protests against the four-decades-long rule of Muammar al-Gaddafi spiralled into a civil war that led to his ouster and execution.

As regime forces attacked demonstrators over weeks at Gaddafis orders, the support for the regime to waver even among the military. An opposition group, Transitional National Council (TNC), took shape. As Gaddafis forces continued to attack demonstrators, the United Nations (UN) authorised military action and, as a result, US, British, and French militaries attacked Libyan military and disabled much of Gaddafis air force.

The British, French, and Italian governments sent military advisers to assist the opposition forces in the war with Gaddafis forces.

With Western support, the opposition forces kept pressing and wresting control of the country from Gaddafi, cornering him in the Libyan city of Sirte. They finally found and executed him on October 20, bringing an end to his 42-year-old rule.

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Gaddafis execution did not lead to stability. Instead, it led to greater political instability and economic misery in the country. As multiple parties staked claim to power, another civil war began in 2014 that continued till 2020. During this time, Libya witnessed living standards plunge as warfare among various factions and violence by the likes of Islamic State ravaged the country. Even today, the country is not deemed to be stable.

The worst humanitarian crisis in Yemen

As pro-democracy movements swept across West Asia and North Africa, a movement began against Yemens longtime President Ali Abdullah Saleh in 2011.

Saleh was the President of North Yemen during 1978-90 and of the unified Yemen during 1990-2012.

While demonstrators wanted Salehs resignation, he clung on to power. The stalemate led to clashes and powerful factions of the military lent support to the opposition. A bomb blast made Saleh leave Yemen for Saudi Arabia. His absence allowed for a compromise and elections were finally held in 2012 in which Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi was elected president. He ruled for two years until 2014 when the ongoing civil war began in the country.

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The Yemeni Civil War (2014-) is a conflict between the Iran-backed Houthis and the internationally-recognised government supported by Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates (UAE). The conflict plunged Yemen into the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, according to United Nations (UN).

By 2023, around 4.5 million people in Yemen had been displaced by the war and around 24.1 million, around 80 per cent of the population, were in need of humanitarian aid, according to the UN.

The UNICEF maintains that Yemen is being ravaged by famine. The UN has also reported that the breakdown of basic healthcare services because of the war led to one of the worst cholera outbreaks in the country thats suspected to have infected nearly 2.5 million people and killed nearly 4,000 people.

The UN has also said that over 350,000 had died in the conflict by 2020, with 60 per cent of them dying from war-induced hunger and healthcare crisis.

Arab Spring finally reaches Syria

In 2011, pro-democracy movement erupted in Syria which dictator Bashar al-Assad sought to suppress with brute force. This led to a civil war.

In the initial years of the war, Assads regime lost control of more than half of the country, but Russian military intervention in favour of Assad in 2015 turned the tides. With Russia, Iran, and Iran-backed militias, including Hezbollah, on his side, Assads forces regained control of most of the country with brute force.

With blessings of Russia, Assad resorted to indiscriminate bombing and usage of chemical weapons to assert his control over Syria.

In 2020, opposition-supporting Turkey and Assad-supporter Russia reached a ceasefire that essentially froze the war. Then, late last month, the Syrian opposition forces mounted a stunning offensive that toppled Assads regime over the weekend.

During these years, the terrorist group Islamic State also rose and established a state that it called Caliphate across large swathes of Iraq and Syria. Kurdish forces supported by a US-led coalition forces defeated the Caliphate over the years and the last stretch of Syrian land was freed from Islamic States hold in Baghuz in 2019.
While in Brussels, Reeves is expected to call for an easing of trade barriers, a boost to investment and help to enable our businesses sell in each others markets read more

Britains Chancellor Rachel Reeves is set to address a meeting of Eurozone finance ministers in Brussels on Monday to urge a business-like relationship between the European Union and post-Brexit UK.

She will be the first British chancellor to attend a Eurogroup meeting since the UK left the bloc, and is set to call for a relationship built on trust, mutual respect and pragmatism, according to a press release from the Treasury.

While in Brussels, Reeves is expected to call for an easing of trade barriers, a boost to investment and help to enable our businesses sell in each others markets.

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She is also due to discuss UK and EU support for Ukraine.

The visit is the latest in the Labour governments bid to reset relations with the EU after years of post-Brexit rancour under previous Conservative governments.

In October, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer met European Commission President Ursula von de Leyen to discuss strengthening relations.

The British leader, who voted in the UKs 2016 referendum to remain in the EU, has insisted his reset will not mean reversing Brexit and has ruled out a return to the European single market or customs union.

Starmers government has pledged to refire the economy and boost growth, including by resetting international relations with the EU and beyond.

While Reeves engages in bilateral talks in Brussels, Starmer will be visiting the UAE and Saudi Arabia on Monday to drum up investment from the oil-rich states and push for a free trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council.

Reeves next international visit will be to Beijing in 2025, according to the Treasury.
At least 24 terrorists of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) were on the payroll of the United Nations (UN) in the Gaza Strip, according to documents recovered by Israel during the ongoing war read more

Hamas occupied the Gaza Strip in 2007 after defeating Fatah that runs the Palestinian Authority (PA) in West Bank. (Photo: AFP)

The United Nations (UN) agency for Palestinians employed terrorists from Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in its schools in the Gaza Strip, according to documents of Hamas recovered by Israel and reviewed by The New York Times.

For more than a decade, Israel has been frustrated at the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) for its failure to check the infiltration of terrorists among its ranks. Israel has said that several UNRWA staffers were part of the Hamas-led October 7 attack on Israel as well.

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The documents reviewed by The Times show that at least 24 Hamas and PIJ terrorists, including those holding command positions, were on the UNRWAs payroll.

Israel has maintained for a long time that Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist groups have infested the UNRWA and have long used UN facilities, including schools, to store weapons, shelter terrorists, and launch rockets at Israel.

The Hamas is known to maintain extensive records of its personnel, tracking weapons issued to them and regularly documenting the evolution of personnel on various parameters ranging from fitness to loyalty, according to the newspaper.

UN employed terrorists at top posts in schools, show docs

It is not that the Hamas and PIJ terrorists were junior staffers of UNRWA.

The Times reported that most of the terrorists employed by the UNRWA were principals or deputy principals at UN-run schools and the rest were school counselors and teachers.

The newspaper reported that one Ahmad al-Khatib, a deputy principal at a UN-run elementary school in Gaza, was mentioned in the Hamas documents as a squad commander in Khan Younis. The documents said that he was an expert in ground combat and had been issued at least a dozen weapons, including a Kalashnikov rifle and hand grenades.

Such terrorists were employed by the UN in at least 24 of its 288 schools in Gaza, according to the newspaper.

In addition to revealing the terrorists recruitment, the documents also showed that two schools were notably used to hide and stash weapons, as per the newspaper.

UN employing terrorists an open secret, say locals

Residents of Gaza told The Times that Hamas terrorists being employed at UN-run schools was an open secret across Gaza.

The newspaper reported that one Hamas terrorist on UNs payroll was regularly seen in Hamas military uniform with a rifle after school hours.

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While the UN told the newspaper that Israel was pursuing a campaign to discredit the UNRWA, the Israeli government said that it was not the case of few rotten apples.

The U.N. seems intent on portraying this problem as a few bad apples, rather than acknowledging that the tree is rotten, said Amir Weissbrod, the Deputy Director for International Organizations at Israels Foreign Ministry.

Even as the UN downplays the presence of terrorists on its payrolls, such a presence has been acknowledged by terrorists themselves.

In September, Hamas announced that a school principal and a former head of UNRWAs teachers union killed in the war in Lebanon, Fatah Sharif, was a top commander. The same was even acknowledged by the UNRWA.

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After pledging to pardon Jan. 6 rioters on his first day in office, President-elect Donald Trump said that he would like to see those who investigated the insurgency behind bars. Lawmakers who led an inquiry into the 2021 Capitol Hill riots were also under Trumps radar. The proclamation from the Republican leader came in his first post-election interview with NBC News.

The provocative interview also covered the presidents thoughts on tariff plans and the upcoming cabinet hand-picked by him. Trump also promoted his aggressive immigration agenda, doubling down on his promise to launch a mass deportation program for undocumented immigrants, including their family members who are still living in the country.

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In the 45-minute-long NBC interview aired on Sunday, Trump insisted that members of the now-defunct House select committee tasked with investigating the deadly January 6 insurrection should be in jail. Everybody on that committee  for what they did, yeah, honestly, they should go to jail, Trump said, including former congresswoman Liz Cheney, who was the top Republican to be part of the Jan. 6 panel.

What did the committee find?

After a brief investigation, the committee concluded that Trump actively inspired his supporters to commit violence in his name. The committee also accused the former president of attempting to stay in office despite losing the 2020 US elections against outgoing President Joe Biden. The committee consisted of seven Democrats and two Republicans: Cheney and Adam Kinzinger (Illinois). The panel was chaired by Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-Mississippi).

Trumps latest comments marked an escalation of his usual threats to the members of the committee. In March 2023, Trump posted that the committee members should be prosecuted for their lies, accusing them of treason. However, he has largely refrained from calling for their imprisonment. He has only repeatedly expressed interest in jailing Cheney  a longtime Republican who lost her seat in Congress after refusing to excuse Trumps efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election.

Cheney faced more wrath from Trump after she endorsed and campaigned with his competitor Kamala Harris in the 2024 Presidential race. Hence, Trumps recent assertion to send the lawmakers to jail concerned many. The Jan 6 committee was shuttered when Republicans took back the House in January 2023.

Punishing the lawmakers, pardoning the rioters

In the same interview, the business mogul-turned-politician said that he is looking to pardon some of his supporters who were involved in the Capitol riots. He claimed that those who have been incarcerated are living in hell. Im going to be acting very quickly. The first day, Trump said, saying later about their imprisonment, NBC News reported.

Theyve been in there for years, and theyre in a filthy, disgusting place that shouldnt even be allowed to be open, he added. The president-elect maintained that there may be some exception to his pardons if somebody was radical, crazy, and pointed to some debunked claims that anti-Trump elements and law enforcement operatives infiltrated the crowd.

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At least 1,573 defendants have been charged, and more than 1,251 have been convicted or pleaded guilty in the attack. Out of those, at least 645 defendants have been sentenced to incarceration ranging from a few days to 22 years in federal lockup. About 250 people were in custody, and most of them were serving sentences after having been convicted. A handful are being held in pretrial custody at the order of a federal judge.
A day after Syria fell into the hands of the rebel groups, the US conducted airstrikes against 75 ISIS targets in parts of the country. The strikes came after President-elect Donald Trump suggested that Washington should stay out of Syria read more

After Syria fell to the hands of rebel groups, with the countrys president fleeing Damascus, the United States announced that it had carried out dozens of air strikes on ISIL (ISIS) targets in Syria. The strikes were conducted the day after insurgents took over the countrys capital, Damascus, marking the end of the 24-year-long reign of Assad.

The strikes were confirmed by the US Central Command (CENTCOM) on Sunday. In the statement, CENTCOM noted that it had struck more than 75 targets, including ISIL (ISIS) leaders, operatives, and camps. The authorities noted that the strikes were conducted to ensure that the armed groups did not take advantage of the end of Assads rule.

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U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted dozens of precision airstrikes targeting known ISIS camps and pic.twitter.com/E7CUPuPehf  U.S. Central Command (@CENTCOM) December 8, 2024

US Central Command (CENTCOM) forces conducted dozens of precision airstrikes targeting known ISIS camps and operatives in central Syria, on Dec. 8, CENTCOM said in a statement on Thursday.

The strikes against the ISIS leaders, operatives, and camps were conducted as part of the ongoing mission to disrupt, degrade, and defeat ISIS, in order to prevent the terrorist group from conducting external operations and to ensure that ISIS does not seek to take advantage of the current situation to reconstitute in central Syria. The operation struck over 75 targets using multiple US Air Force assets, including B-52s, F-15s, and A-10s, the statement further reads.

Where does the US stand on the Syrian Civil War?

CENTCOM stressed the risks of ISIS operation within the country after Bashars fall. There should be no doubt  we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in Syria, CENTCOM Commander General Michael Erik Kurilla said in a statement. All organizations in Syria should know that we will hold them accountable if they partner with or support ISIS in any way, he added.

The strikes were conducted hours after US President Joe Biden described Assads fall as a moment of risk and historic opportunity. During a televised address from the White House, Biden noted that Assads fall at the hands of the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) was a chance for Syrias long-suffering people to build a better future for their proud country. However, he also raised questions in regards to the power vacuum.

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Its also a moment of risk and uncertainty. As we all turn to the question of what comes next, the United States will work with our partners and the stakeholders in Syria to help them seize an opportunity to manage the risk, the president averred. The POTUS noted that Assads fall was possible by a decline in support for his government from Russia, Iran and Hezbollah.

For years, the main backers of Assad have been Iran, Hezbollah and Russia. But over the last week, their support collapsed  all three of them  because all three of them are far weaker today than they were when I took office, Biden said. Meanwhile, President-elect Donald Trump has a different take on the matter.

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Upcoming US President wants Washington out of Syria

While reacting to the sudden regime change in Syria, Trump said on Saturday that the United States should not get involved in the ongoing conflict. The proclamation from Trump reflected how the US foreign policy will look like after he takes over the Oval Office.

Trump said that Washington should stay out of the conflict, calling Syria a mess. Trumps remarks came shortly after National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said that US priorities in Syria now are to ensure the countrys conflict does not encourage a resurgence of the Islamic State militant group or lead to a humanitarian catastrophe.

Syria is a mess but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT, Trump warned in a post on his social media platform, Truth Social.

THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED! he added. In the post, Trump pointed out that the Assad regime was bolstered by Russia, Iran and outside militias and hence, does not deserve the American support. He argued that Russia seems incapable of stopping this literal march through Syria because they are so tied up in Ukraine.

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Hence, it will be interesting to see how much the US will be involved in the Syrian crisis when Trump comes back to power.

With inputs from agencies.
The fall of Bashar al-Assads regime in Syria poses a significant threat to Russias influence in key regions like the Mediterranean and Africa jeopardising its military footholds, alliances and long-term strategic objectives. read more

Russias approach to geopolitics is becoming much more complicated, like trying to solve a Rubiks Cube instead of a basic math forlula like the Pythagoras Theorem. The situation in Ukraine was already a mess and now the crisis in Syria has come at a bad time for Russia. The sudden collapse of Bashar al-Assads government in Syria has shaken the world, leading to a shift in global power dynamics. For years, Syria was a key ally for Russia, offering important military bases and a strong presence in the Middle East. With Assads regime now falling apart, Russia risks losing a vital foothold. This could weaken Russias influence not only in Syria but also in the Mediterranean, North Africa and Central Africa, regions where it has worked hard to grow its alliances and military power.

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Strategic importance of Syria for Russia

Since Russia got involved in Syrias conflict in 2015, it has used its military bases there to increase its influence and project power across the Mediterranean and other regions. These bases give Russia a strong presence in the area, helping it protect its interests and challenge Western influence. The naval base at Tartus and the Khmeimim airbase in Latakia became central to Russias military strategy. These bases served as logistical hubs for Russian operations, offering vital refuelling and resupply points for missions in North Africa and the Mediterranean. In addition to their practical military value, these bases also served as symbols of Russias return to the global stage demonstrating its ability to maintain a significant military presence far from its borders.

The loss of Assads regime puts all of this in jeopardy. Without these bases, Russia will face significant logistical challenges in maintaining its operations in regions like Africa where it has worked hard to establish strong military ties.

Threat to Russias military presence in Africa

Russias influence in Africa has grown steadily over the past decade driven by military support and political alliances. Moscow has deployed military contractors, particularly from the private company Wagner Group, to countries like Mali, Niger and the Central African Republic, where Russian support has helped to shore up fragile regimes. Russias military involvement in these countries has been built on the ability to use Syria as a critical resupply point.

With the loss of the Syrian bases, Russia faces enormous difficulties in sustaining its operations in Africa. These logistical problems are compounded by the potential loss of political confidence in Moscows ability to protect its African allies. According to The Globe and Mail, if Assads fall is perceived as a sign that Russias military backing is unreliable, leaders in countries like Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger could begin to question their partnership with Moscow. The psychological blow to Russias image as a dependable power could embolden local opposition groups and rival powers looking to undermine Russian influence in the region.

Impact on Russias influence in the Mediterranean

The Mediterranean has always been important for Russia, offering access to important sea routes, closeness to Europe, and a way to counter NATOs presence. This strategic position allows Russia to have a greater impact on both regional and global politics. Russia has used its bases in Syria not only to maintain a military presence but also to challenge Natos influence in the region. Tartus, as Russias only naval base outside its borders, has played a critical role in supporting Russian military operations in Libya and North Africa. Losing this base would significantly diminish Russias ability to project power in the Mediterranean, leaving its southern flank exposed and its operations in North Africa at risk.

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In response to the loss of Syria, Russia might attempt to establish new bases elsewhere, such as in Libya, Sudan, or Algeria. However, these efforts would likely face considerable resistance, particularly from Western powers like the US, which would strongly oppose any Russian naval presence in these regions. Even if Russia were to find new alternatives, the loss of Tartus would represent a significant strategic blow, limiting its ability to challenge Natos influence in the Mediterranean.

Fragility of Russias global alliances

The fall of Assad also highlights the fragile nature of Russias alliances. Moscow has built its foreign policy in recent years on a model of supporting autocratic regimes under threat from insurgencies. The Syrian conflict has been a prime example of this strategy with Russia offering military intervention, economic assistance and diplomatic support to a beleaguered regime. This regime survival package was a key element of Russias appeal to other autocrats around the world, particularly in Africa.

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However, the collapse of Assads regime casts doubt on Russias ability to protect its allies. If Moscow cannot secure its position in Syria, it will be harder for African leaders to trust that Russia can shield them from internal or external threats. The perception that Russias military support is no longer reliable could lead to a shift in political alliances as African countries begin to seek out alternative partners who may offer more stability.

Long-term consequences for Russia

In the long term, the fall of Assads regime represents a turning point for Russias global ambitions. The loss of Syria as a key ally severely weakens Moscows ability to maintain its influence in the Mediterranean and North Africa, regions that are vital to its strategic objectives. The logistical challenges of resupplying its African allies, combined with the potential loss of political confidence, will force Russia to reconsider its military and diplomatic strategy.

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For Russias African partners, the consequences could be equally significant. As Moscow grapples with its diminished capacity, African leaders may look for new sources of support, whether from the West, China or other emerging powers. This shift in alliances could reshape the geopolitical landscape of Africa, creating new opportunities for countries seeking to diversify their foreign relationships.

A defining moment for Russia

The collapse of Bashar al-Assads regime in Syria marks a critical moment in Russias foreign policy. It is a clear signal that Moscows ambitions in West Asia and Africa face significant challenges. The loss of its military bases in Syria if it happens in reality wont be just a logistical problem. It would be a blow to Russias credibility as a global power. How Russia responds to this setback will determine the future of its international influence. For African leaders who have relied on Moscows support, this is a moment of uncertainty. As the world watches, the fall of Assad could prove to be the beginning of a larger strategic decline for the Kremlin, one that will reshape its role in the global order for years to come.

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Bangladeshs Cheif Adviser Muhammad Yunus held talks with Miranda Sissons, Metas director for human rights policy, at the State Guest House Jamuna on Sunday read more

Bangladeshs Interim Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus on Sunday asked Meta, the parent company of Facebook, to deal with what he called a disinformation campaign against the current political climate in Bangladesh. Yunus held talks with Miranda Sissons, Metas director for human rights policy at the State Guest House Jamuna.

There is a massive disinformation campaign, and we are the sufferers, the Bangladeshi Nobel laureate averred. In response to the concern, Sissons explained to the chief adviser Metas human rights policy. He assured Yunus that people will remain alert to prevent anyone from using its platforms to spread disinformation.

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Chief Adviser asks Meta to address disinformation campaign against Bangladesh#Bangladesh #ChiefAdviser #Meta pic.twitter.com/IYT8VPZNE5  Chief Adviser of the Government of Bangladesh (@ChiefAdviserGoB) December 8, 2024

Yunus calls for the accessibility of technology

Yunus also urged Meta to make its technology more user friendly for young entrepreneurs. Technology is a tool to make things happen. But technology does not decide what we want to do with things. So we have to reengineer it to make it perfect, he said.

With Facebook, you have a tremendous amount of possibility. Facebook could be used to make young people entrepreneurs, Yunus added. The chief advisor maintained that the government of Bangladesh would remain engaged with Facebook for the benefit of the countrys young population.

According to The Dhaka Tribune, several other senior government and Meta officials were present at the meeting. In the past, Bangladesh has rejected instances of vandalism on communal lines by calling them distorted truth or fake news. Earlier, Bangladesh media went on to accuse India of overreacting when many in the neighbouring nation raised concerns about the plight of minorities.

With inputs from agencies.
Over the past year since I arrived in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, I have visited many places and talked with many people on issues of common interest. Unexpectedly I find that some Kurdish friends dont know much about the Taiwan issue, which is so important to China. To my surprise, some of them even hold wrong views on it. I have to emphasize that the One-China Principle is universally recognized by the international community, and the core of the One-China Principle is that Taiwan is not an independent state, its an inalienable part of China's territory. Here I would like to take this opportunity to explain reasons as follows.

The historical ins and outs of the Taiwan issue. The Chinese people on both sides across the Taiwan Straits have the same roots, speak same language. They are connected with each other by same blood and same ancestor. A number of historical records document the development of Taiwan by the Chinese people in early historical periods. The earliest reference to this effect is, in Seaboard Geographic Gazetteer compiled in the year 230 by Shen Ying of the State of Wu during the Three Kingdoms Period. The royal court of the Sui Dynasty had on three occasions sent troops to Taiwan, called Liuqiu at that time. Starting from the Song and Yuan dynasties, the imperial central governments of China set up administrative entities to exercise jurisdiction over Taiwan and other small islands. In 1624, Dutch colonialists invaded Taiwan and occupied the southern part of the island. In 1662, General Zheng Chenggong, one of our national heroes, led an army to liberate the island from Dutch people. Subsequently, imperial government of Qing designated Taiwan as a prefecture under administration of Fujian Province in 1684. In 1885, prefecture of Taiwan was upgraded to became the 20th province of China.

The legal facts that Taiwan is part of China. In July 1894, Japan launched an aggression against China. In April 1895, the defeated Qing government was forced to cede Taiwan and the Penghu Islands to Japan. The Cairo Declaration signed by China, the United States and the United Kingdom on December 1, 1943 stated that all the territories Japan had taken from China, including Northeast China, Taiwan and the Penghu Islands, should be returned to China. The Potsdam Proclamation signed by China, US, UK and Soviet Union on July 26, 1945 reiterated: The terms of the Cairo Declaration shall be carried out. In September of the same year, Japan signed the instrument of surrender, in which it promised that it would faithfully fulfill the obligations laid down in the Potsdam Proclamation. On October 25, 1945 the Chinese government announced that it resumed the exercise of sovereignty over Taiwan, and the ceremony to accept Japan's surrender in Taiwan was held in Taipei. From that forward, China had recovered Taiwan de jure and de facto through a host of international legal documents. On October 1, 1949 the People's Republic of China (PRC) was founded, succeeding the Republic of China (1912-1949), and the Central People's Government became the only legitimate government representing whole China. Thus the regime change in China does not change the subject of international law, and China's sovereignty and inherent territory should remain as same. Therefore, the central government of the PRC should exercise sovereignty over all Chinese territory, including Taiwan. At its 26th session in October 1971, the United Nations General Assembly adopted Resolution 2758, which restores all its rights to the People's Republic of China and to recognize the representatives of its Government as the only legitimate representatives of China to the United Nations, and to expel forthwith the representatives of Chiang Kai-shek from the place which they unlawfully occupy at the United Nations and in all the organizations related to it. This resolution settled once and for all the political, legal and procedural issues of China's representation in the UN. It also spelled out that China has one single seat in the UN, so there is no such issues as two Chinas or one China, one Taiwan. In the UN official docuemtns Taiwan is referred to as "Taiwan, Province of China".

The Taiwan issue is a legacy of the Chinese civil war and is purely China's internal affairs. Shortly after the victory of the Chinas Resistance War Against Japanese Aggression, a civil war broke out. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the Chinese people overthrew the government of the Republic of China (ROC). In the wake of defeat, the Kuomintang escaped to Taiwan and became de facto administrator of Taiwan with the support of external forces. As a result a state of protracted political separation was created across the Taiwan Straits, and the Taiwan issue started to exist. Since 1949 although the two sides of the Taiwan Straits have not yet been completely unified, but the sovereignty and territory of China have never been divided and will never be divided, and Taiwan's status as part of China's territory has never changed and will never be allowed to change.

The One-China principle has become an universal consensus of the international community. Over half a century since the adoption of Resolution 2758 by the UN General Assembly, the United Nations have unwaveringly adhered to the One-China principle and has consistently followed Resolution 2758 in handling issues related to Taiwan. At present, there are 183 countries on earth that have established diplomatic relations with China under One-China principle, covering more than 93% of the United Nations member states. These facts fully demonstrate that the One-China principle is what most people in the world aspire, the general trend of the times and history, and has long become a recognized norm governing international relations.

Between China and Iraq, One-China principle constitutes a solid foundation for our bilateral relations, which have been growing fast and strong in recent years. Based on mutual respect and equality, we believe this relationship would bring about much benefit for people of two countries.
realme has started teasing the realme 14 Pro Series 5G smartphones ahead of India launch. The company has confirmed that the phones will be powered by the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 chipset, an upgrade compared to Snapdragon 7s Gen 2 in the predecessor.

The company said that the phone is two generations ahead in terms of its superior camera capabilities, promising unmatched clarity, transforming every shot into a masterpiece.

It leads by two generations, not only by leveraging not a powerful chipset but also advanced camera algorithms. said the company. This unique combination of cutting-edge technology ensures a significant performance advantage, making the device far more capable and future-ready than its competitors, it added.

The phones will feature AI Ultra Clarity 2.0, an upgrade to the AI Ultra Clarity that can significantly enhance low resolution photos. The AI-based image stabilization technology works in conjunction with OIS to achieve better stabilization effects, said the company.

It will also come with periscope telephoto camera, which should be used in the realme 14 Pro+. realme said that it will bring a host of remarkable developments which will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024.
Monday Night

Mostly clear skies early will give way to occasional showers later during the night. Low 43F. Winds S at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
S. Korea's ruling party to vote down president Yoon's impeachment motion

Xinhua) 15:49, December 07, 2024

SEOUL, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's ruling People Power Party decided to vote down President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment motion set to be voted on Saturday afternoon, according to multiple media outlets.

After Yoon's declaration of an emergency martial law earlier this week, the opposition parties submitted the motion to remove Yoon from office scheduled to be voted at 5:00 p.m. local time (0800 GMT).

Before voting on it, lawmakers were slated to cast ballots on the bill to investigate scandals involving the first lady.

The embattled president has struggled with the scandals involving his wife, including stock price manipulation and election interference allegations.

Yoon declared an emergency martial law Tuesday night before repealing it early Wednesday as the parliament voted against it.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Sheng Chuyi)
The Glasgow School Board will meet in regular session on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 6 p.m., in the Gary F. Martin Boardroom, 229 7th St. N., Glasgow.

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Renewed concerns that US adversary behind 'Havana Syndrome'

By Jeff Seldin December 06, 2024

A series of brain injuries and other serious health ailments that struck hundreds of U.S. diplomats and intelligence officials was almost certainly the work of a U.S. adversary, according to a new report by U.S. lawmakers, who accuse the nation's intelligence agencies of trying to hide the truth.

The ailments, which the U.S. government calls anomalous health incidents, or AHIs, but are commonly known as Havana Syndrome, were first publicly reported among diplomats and other employees at the U.S. Embassy in Havana, Cuba, in 2016.

Symptoms range from nausea and dizziness to debilitating headaches and memory problems, with cases having been reported in Russia, China, Poland, Austria and the United States.

A March 2023 intelligence assessment concluded that despite some initial suspicions, the illnesses that afflicted and, in some cases, incapacitated U.S. personnel were "very unlikely" to have been caused by any of America's enemies.

But the report released Thursday by a House intelligence subcommittee calls that finding and other conclusions by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, which oversees 17 U.S. intelligence agencies, and the CIA, the nation's premier spy agency, nothing more than an effort to "create a politically palatable conclusion."

"It appears increasingly likely and the chairman is convinced that a foreign adversary is behind some AHIs," the report said.

"The IC [intelligence community] has not been a willful participant in Congress's oversight of this subject, despite the impact AHIs have had on IC personnel," the report added. "Instead, the IC has hindered this subcommittee's efforts to understand AHIs, their cause and effects, and how the IC reached their conclusions."

The report further accuses the U.S. government's 2023 assessment of using faulty methodology.

Lawmakers said the new report is based on dozens of interviews of former intelligence and military officials, as well as of medical experts, and included a review of thousands of pages of documents and evidence provided by U.S. intelligence agencies.

"There is reliable evidence to suggest that some anomalous health incidents are the work of foreign adversaries," said CIA Subcommittee Chairman Rick Crawford, a Republican.

"Our investigative work through the CIA Subcommittee will continue until we get full cooperation and thorough answers," he added.

A national security lawyer who represents more than two dozen victims of Havana Syndrome welcomed the interim report's findings.

The report "is consistent with everything I have learned over more than a decade representing AHI victims," Mark Zaid told VOA in an email Friday, noting that some of his clients provided testimony to congressional investigators.

"Having had authorized access to classified information on the topic, I agree that CIA/ODNI, in particular, are intentionally covering up the truth regarding the likelihood of a foreign adversary causing at least some of the AHI attacks," he added.

Some lawmakers and U.S. intelligence officials have pushed back.

The ranking member of the House Intelligence Committee skewered the report, describing it as sloppy, while accusing Republicans on the committee of playing games and going so far as to publish the interim report without first sharing it with committee Democrats.

The new report "has uncovered no new evidence to support the conclusion of adversary involvement or evidence of improper analytic process," Democratic Representative Jim Himes said in a statement.

"I have seen no evidence that the U.S. government was not determined to find the root cause of these incidents and to protect the men and women who go to work around the world every day to safeguard our nation," Himes added. "Nor have I observed the IC do anything to impede the subcommittee's investigation."

The ODNI and the CIA, likewise refuted the committee's conclusions.

"The [intelligence community] does not agree with many of the report's interim findings," an ODNI spokesperson told VOA.

"Most IC agencies assess that it is very unlikely a foreign adversary is responsible for the reported AHIs, and the assertion that we are withholding information that contradicts this analysis or would otherwise illuminate this complex subject is unfounded," the spokesperson added.

The CIA also challenged the report's conclusions while rejecting accusations that it sought to hinder lawmakers in their investigation.

"Any suggestion that we are withholding information that would shed new light on this complex and difficult issue could not be further from the truth," a CIA official told VOA, agreeing to share details on the condition of anonymity.

"No one cares more about understanding this than we do," the official said. "These are our friends and colleagues."

"We applied the agency's very best operational, analytic and technical tradecraft and our very best personnel to what is one of the largest and most intensive investigations in the agency's history," the official added.

Yet despite the insistence by U.S. intelligence officials that most cases of Havana Syndrome can be explained by a combination of preexisting medical conditions and environmental and technical factors, experts and outside investigations have raised persistent doubts.

A February 2022 report by a panel of experts warned that the core symptoms in a small number of cases were "distinctly unusual and unreported elsewhere in the medical literature" and suggested some sort of device must be responsible.

"Pulsed electromagnetic energy, particularly in the radiofrequency range, plausibly explains the core characteristics," the 2022 report said.

And an investigation in April by CBS' 60 Minutes, Germany's Der Spiegel and The Insider also found there is reason to believe that the U.S. intelligence assessment came to the wrong conclusion.

The news organizations said a review of travel documents and mobile phone records, along with eyewitness testimony and interviews with multiple U.S. officials and victims, shows that Russia is likely to blame.

Specifically, the investigation tied numerous reports of Havana Syndrome with the presence of members of Unit 29155 of Russia's military intelligence service, known for its role in sabotage and assassinations. It also found that members of GRU Unit 29155 had received awards and promotions for their work on sound or radio frequency-based directed energy weapons.

But the CIA official who spoke to VOA again rejected the notion that Russia was behind such attacks, despite the CIA director's initial suspicions.

Director William Burns "had his own assumptions when he became director  so much so, that he even warned his Russian counterparts in late 2021," the official said.

But the official said the CIA's work "indicates that some of our assumptions about early AHI reports, including in and after Havana, were incorrect."

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UN Security Council: humanitarian aid must reach those in need despite UN sanctions

Swiss Government

Bern, 06.12.2024 -- Humanitarian aid often takes place in contexts affected by UN sanctions. On 6 December 2024, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution setting out humanitarian exemptions for all UN financial sanctions. The resolution underlines Switzerland's long-standing commitment to reducing the negative impact of sanctions on the civilian population and on humanitarian work. It protects the civilian population - a priority of the Federal Council for Switzerland's membership of the Council in 2023-24. Switzerland, together with the United States, put the resolution to the vote in the Security Council.

On 6 December 2024, the UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution that will continue to allow humanitarian assistance to the civilian population in all areas where the UN Security Council has imposed financial sanctions. Specifically, the Security Council has decided to apply the humanitarian exemption on a permanent basis, including to the IS and Al-Qaeda sanctions regime. At the same time, the Security Council resolution adopted today refers to control mechanisms to ensure the correct application of these exemptions and to prevent abuse.

Sanctions should not impede humanitarian aid

Sanctions contribute to international peace and security. The targeted sanctions of the UN Security Council are never directed against humanitarian actors and activities. Nevertheless, difficulties can arise for humanitarian actors, especially in areas where sanctioned individuals or organisations are active. Clearly formulated, comprehensive exemption provisions are intended to provide legal clarity here. This will facilitate the provision of neutral, independent and impartial humanitarian aid that is geared to the needs of the population. Such aid is protected by international humanitarian law to help people in need. All states and parties to a conflict are obliged to ensure and facilitate rapid, safe and unimpeded access for humanitarian aid.

In order to help people in need, all states and parties to a conflict are obliged under international humanitarian law to ensure and facilitate rapid, safe and unhindered access for humanitarian aid. While sanctions and counterterrorism measures contribute to international security and peace, they can also hinder humanitarian activities. Exemptions are intended to ensure respect for international humanitarian law and to enable neutral, independent and impartial humanitarian aid that is geared to the needs of the population. These exemptions save lives.

Humanitarian exemptions have existed for a long time, but there was partially a lack of uniformity and clarity. In December 2022, the UN Security Council decided in its Resolution 2664 to introduce more comprehensive humanitarian exemptions for sanctions regimes, but to initially limit them in time with regard to the contexts in which IS, Al-Qaeda or groups affiliated with them are active. After a two-year trial period, it should be extended permanently with the necessary control mechanisms. This means that humanitarian aid is now guaranteed everywhere within a clear legal framework. The ability of humanitarian organisations to operate can thus also be facilitated in regions that fall within the scope of the sanctions regime against Al-Qaeda and IS.

Switzerland and the United States played a leading role in securing this extension, as they believe that humanitarian exemptions in favour of the civilian population around the world are crucial. It is estimated that this exemption will affect more than 100 million people who are dependent on humanitarian aid.

Switzerland's long-standing commitment

For many years, Switzerland has been committed to upholding international humanitarian law on the basis of its humanitarian tradition and to ensuring that sanctions are issued in accordance with the principles of the rule of law and have as little negative impact as possible on the civilian population and on humanitarian aid. It supports research and awareness-raising on this topic, notably through the Program on International Law and Armed Conflict (PILAC) of the Harvard Law School and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC). Both organisations have been committed to humanitarian exceptions for years. The resolution that has now been adopted is another important milestone in this regard and sends a strong political signal.

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The Netherlands - AIM-120D3 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles

Media/Public Contact: pm-cpa@state.gov

Transmittal No: 24-126

WASHINGTON, December 6, 2024 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of the Netherlands of AIM-120D3 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of up to $807 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of the Netherlands has requested to buy up to two hundred twenty-six (226) AIM-120D3 Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles (AMRAAM); up to five (5) AIM-120D3 AMRAAM guidance sections, to include precise position provided by either Selective Availability Anti-Spoofing Module or M-Code; and one (1) AIM-120 AMRAAM Integrated Test Vehicle (ITV). The following non-MDE items will also be included: AMRAAM control sections, missile containers and support equipment; KGV-135A encryption devices; spare parts, consumables and accessories, and repair and return support; weapons system support and software; classified software delivery and support; classified publications and technical documentation; transportation support; studies and surveys; U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is up to $807 million.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.

The proposed sale will improve the Netherland's capability to meet current and future threats by providing advanced all-weather, beyond-visual-range, air-to-air defense to protect Dutch and Allied forces in transition or combat and significantly improve the Dutch contribution to NATO requirements. The Netherlands already has AMRAAM in its inventory and will have no difficulty absorbing these articles into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be RTX Corporation, located in Tucson, AZ. The purchaser typically requests offsets. Any offset agreement will be defined in negotiations between the purchaser and the contractor.

Implementation of this proposed sale will not require the assignment of any additional U.S. Government or contractor representatives to the Netherlands.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.

All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military-Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov.

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Norway: fourth Dialogue on Security and Defence with the EU takes place in Brussels

European External Action Service (EEAS)

06.12.2024

EEAS Press Team

On 5 December, the European Union and Norway held their fourth Dialogue on Security and Defence in Brussels. This year our long-standing partnership has been taken to the next level through the signing of the Security and Defence Partnership, which has opened up avenues for further dialogue and cooperation.

EU-Norway security and defence cooperation is more important than ever in the face of Russia's continued war of aggression against Ukraine.

The Dialogue included strategic discussions on transatlantic partnership and strengthening EU-NATO cooperation in the current security environment. The EU and Norway reiterated their determination to step up support for Ukraine, including for its defence industry, and to continue deterring Russia and constraining its offensive capabilities, including through restrictive measures. This year, both the EU and Norway signed their respective security commitments with Ukraine, pledging sustained long-term support for Kyiv through military, diplomatic, economic and humanitarian measures.

The EU welcomed the expansion of Norway's Nansen Support Program for Ukraine. Norway has provided valuable voluntary financial contributions to the European Peace Facility in support of training the Ukrainian troops through EUMAM Ukraine and for the provision of military equipment for Ukraine.

The EU and Norway exchanged on the EU's defence agenda, including work on the White Paper on the Future of European Defence and on the European Defence Industrial Programme, in the light of Norway's participation in EU programmes aimed at strengthening the European Defence Technological and Industrial Base.

Norway is a valued partner in the PESCO project on military mobility. The EU welcomes Norway hosting the next meeting of the project on 31 March to 2 April 2025 in Oslo.

The EU appreciates Norway's contribution to EUMAM Ukraine, its interest in contributing to the EU's naval Operation ASPIDES in the Red Sea as well as to civilian CSDP missions in Armenia, Ukraine, and the Republic of Moldova, in addition to its current engagement in EULEX Kosovo.

The EU and Norway recognise space as a strategic domain. They agreed to have a dedicated dialogue on space security and acknowledged the longstanding cooperation already in place, in particular at multilateral level.

In light of Russia's unprecedented resort to hybrid attacks, it was decided to hold in early 2025 expert-level consultations on cyber and hybrid threats.

The EU and Norway also agreed to launch in the first half of next year a dialogue on peace mediation, which would enhance coordination on priority geographic and thematic areas.

The EU and Norway endeavour to organise a second edition of the symposium on the EU-Norway Security and Defence Partnership to accompany 2025 Security and Defence Dialogue to be hosted in Oslo, with a view to engaging civil society in charting our way forward.

The EU and Norway deplored the support of China, North Korea and Iran to Russia, which heightens security threats, also in the Indo-Pacific region. The EU briefed Norway on its recent signing of Security and Defence Partnerships with Japan and the Republic of Korea.

The meeting was co-chaired by Charles Fries, Deputy Secretary General for Peace, Security and Defence at the European External Action Service, as well as Eivind Vad Petersson, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Norway, and State Secretary Hans Christian Hveem Kjlseth of the Ministry of Defence of Norway.

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U.S. and Peruvian Marines Plan Together

US Marine Corps News

6 Dec 2024 | Lance Cpl. Payton Goodrich Marine Corps Forces South

NEW ORLEANS -- Leaders from the Peruvian marine corps and U.S. Marine Forces, South joined forces Nov. 12-15 as part of a Staff Planner Working Group (SPWG) hosted at the MARFORSOUTH headquarters.

The conference's primary goal was to enhance the partnership between the two organizations and to address future collaborative opportunities. By engaging in open dialogue, both the U.S. and Peruvian Marines were able to communicate and identify mutual objectives and goals and explore opportunities for combined training to improve interoperability.

As part of a continuous effort to build strong relationships with the different marine corps and naval infantry forces throughout Central and South America and the Caribbean, MARFORSOUTH hosts and participates in SPWGs. These weeklong meetings are designed to facilitate strategic planning for upcoming joint exercises and to set long-term goals for each organization.

The recent engagement with the Peruvian marines emphasized both organization's commitment to a long-term partnership, ensuring both nations are prepared for the future. The continued dialogue helps to foster trust and understanding, both of which are critical for successful military collaboration.

On the final day of the SPWG, participants visited the National World War II Museum here where they toured the exhibits and signed an agreement for future training exercises and goals discussed during the week.

"After the agreement is signed, we make some reviews throughout the year and evaluate how our goals and achievements are progressing," said Capitan de Navio Ricardo Fallaque, chief of staff for the Infanteria de Marina del Peru (Peruvian marine corps).

As MARFORSOUTH continues to host SPWGs, the focus remains on creating a cohesive strategy to benefit all participating nations. By working together, regional naval infantry and marine forces are better trained, better postured and better equipped to respond to evolving security needs and ensure a stable region in the years to come.

U.S. Marine Corps Forces, South is the U.S. Marine Corps component of U.S. Southern Command, responsible for building and maintaining relationships with our allies and partner nations in Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. MARFORSOUTH builds capabilities and capacity with like-minded democratic nations through a range of military engagements and other security cooperation events to demonstrate the value and utility of the Navy and Marine Corps team through joint and mutually supporting operations and engagements. MARFORSOUTH cultivates partnerships across the region to promote the rule of law, which is essential for security, stability, economic prosperity, and personal liberty. Additionally, strong partnerships, shared knowledge, and joint and multinational interoperability enables burden sharing and crisis response while strengthening the common defense, fostering stability and defeating threats.

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Philippines, US, Japan stage joint naval maneuvers in South China Sea

The multilateral activity comes amid a confrontation between Philippine, Chinese vessels around Scarborough Shoal this week.

By Jason Gutierrez for BenarNews 2024.12.06 -- The allied navies of the Philippines, United States and Japan staged joint maneuvers in the South China Sea, two days after Chinese coast guard and navy ships allegedly harassed Filipinos near the disputed Scarborough Shoal.

The so-called multilateral maritime cooperative activity (MMCA) took place Friday within the 200 nautical-mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ) of the Philippines, said Col. Xerxes Trinidad, chief spokesman for the Philippine military.

"It aims to reinforce interoperability among the participating nations in a manner consistent with international law and with due regard for the safety of navigation, and the rights and interests of other states," Trinidad said in a statement.

A P-8A Poseidon aircraft from the U.S. Navy and a Philippine Navy C-90 aircraft flew overhead as the JS Samidare, a destroyer from the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, sailed with the Philippine ship BRP Andres Bonifacio, the statement said.

The maneuvers marked the fifth MMCA conducted between the Philippines and "like-minded countries" in the West Philippine Sea since last year, Trinidad said, using Manila's name for South China Sea waters within its EEZ.

Previous joint maneuvers in the waterway had included ships and aircraft from the Philippines, the United States, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand.

Statements issued Friday by both the Philippine and U.S. military did not make clear whether the MMCA was a joint patrol.

In November 2023, the U.S. and Philippines launched joint air and sea patrols in the South China Sea, amid a series of tense incidents between Philippine and Chinese vessels in contested waters.

This past April, Japan joined the U.S. and the Philippines in launching trilateral patrols in the waterway.

The U.S. Indo-Pacific Command said Friday's activity demonstrated the three countries' "collective commitment to strengthen regional and international cooperation in support of a free and open Indo-Pacific."

"This builds upon previous MCAs and our continuing operations together, which strengthen the interoperability of our defense/armed forces doctrines, tactics, techniques, and procedures. MCAs are conducted in a manner that is consistent with international law and with due regard to the safety of navigation and the rights and interests of other States," the Hawaii-based command said in a statement.

Meanwhile on Friday, an American warship sailed near the disputed Spratly Islands in the South China Sea, the U.S. Navy said.

The sail-through by the USS Preble, a destroyer, challenged restrictions on "innocent passage" claimed by China, Taiwan, and Vietnam, which have competing claims to the Spratlys, the U.S. military branch said in a statement. The Philippines and Malaysia claim some portions of the islands, while Brunei claims an EEZ over the area.

"The United States challenges excessive maritime claims around the world regardless of the identity of the claimant," the statement said. "The United States upholds freedom of navigation for all nations as a principle."

On Wednesday, authorities in Manila accused vessels from the China Coast Guard and People's Liberation Army Navy of harassing Philippine Coast Guard and Bureau of Aquatic Resources (BFAR) boats in Scarborough Shoal and Sabina Shoal.

One of the BFAR vessels, the BRP Datu Romapenet, was "significantly" damaged after it was allegedly rammed by the Chinese in Sabina Shoal, officials in Manila said.

In Scarborough Shoal, BFAR vessel BRP Datu Pagbuaya was fired upon with a water cannon, they added.

On Friday, the Chinese Embassy in Manila insisted that Huangyan Dao, its name for the Scarborough Shoal, "has always been Chinese territory."

Beijing accused Manila of ignoring repeated Chinese warnings to the Philippine side not to intrude in the area.

"China took necessary actions in response to protect our territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in accordance with the law," the embassy said in a statement in Manila, saying the measures it took were "justified, lawful, professional and restrained."

China's objective in the incident earlier this week was to establish maritime control over the entire South China Sea, according to Rommel Judge Ong, a retired Philippine Navy rear admiral and security analyst.

"Any de-escalation of tension before and in the future does not sidetrack from their objective," he said, referring to an earlier agreement between Manila and Beijing to lower the tension in Second Thomas Shoal, another regional flashpoint.

In 1999, Manila deliberately grounded BRP Sierra Madre, a rusting World War II-era navy ship, on that reef to mark its territorial claim and serve as a military outpost.

Philippine authorities had accused Chinese vessels of blocking resupply missions to the Sierra Madre.

In June, a Filipino serviceman was wounded in a violent encounter with Chinese coast guard personnel during a standoff near the ship.

Jeoffrey Maitem in Manila contributed to this report. BenarNews is an RFA-affiliated online news outlet.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content December not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Hague Special Court Hits Former Kosovar President With Witness Tampering Charges

By RFE/RL's Kosovo Service December 06, 2024

Prosecutors with a special international court in The Hague confirmed on December 6 that a new indictment has been filed against former Kosovar President Hashim Thaci and four other people for allegedly attempting to influence witness testimony in a war crimes trials.

Thaci has been charged with three counts of obstruction, four counts of violating the secrecy of proceedings, and four counts of contempt of court, a statement released by prosecutors said. He was in the detention facilities of the Kosovo Specialist Chambers when served with an arrest warrant on the charges, the statement said.

A separate statement issued by the Kosovo Specialists Chambers in The Hague said "the indictment charges the accused with offences related to alleged unlawful efforts to influence witness testimonies in the Thaci et al war crimes trial."

The four others charged are former Justice Minister Hajredin Kuci, former Kosovar Intelligence Agency chief Bashkim Smakaj, former Malisheva Mayor Isni Kilaj, and Fadil Fazliu.

Smakaj, Fazliu, and Kilaj were arrested on December 5 in Kosovo and transported to the Specialist Chambers' detention facility in The Hague, the court said. They have been charged with attempted obstruction of official persons in carrying out official duties and of disobeying the court and are expected to make their first court appearance on the charges in the next few days, the statement said.

Thaci is being tried by the court in a separate case against former Kosovo Liberation Army (KLA) leaders for war crimes and crimes against humanity. He is accused of coordinating "three separate groups" along with Smakaj, Kilajn, Kuci, and Fazliu to influence the testimony of prosecution witnesses in the case against him and others for war crimes.

The indictment says that Thaci gave Smakaj, Kilaj, Fazliu, and Kuci confidential information about witnesses, instructions to influence their testimony, and details on how they should do so during nonprivileged visits to the detention facility that took place between April 12, 2023, and November 2, 2023.

The new indictment comes a day after the Specialist Prosecutor's Office announced that it was conducting ongoing operations in Kosovo in connection with its investigations.

The Specialist Chamber was established in 2015 by the Kosovo Assembly to prosecute mainly former KLA fighters for war crimes and is part of Kosovo's judicial system, but it operates with international staff and is based in The Hague. Fear of witness intimidation was one of the reasons why the court is located there.

Thaci, a former KLA commander, became president of Kosovo after it declared independence from Serbia in 2008 but resigned in late 2020 to face war crimes and crimes against humanity charges. He has pleaded not guilty.

Thaci is widely seen as a guerilla hero in Kosovo, but prosecutors said he openly oversaw a brutal reign of violence as the ethnic Albanian KLA tried to tighten its grip on power during and after the war.

The Kosovo war, which claimed some 13,000 lives, ended after a NATO bombing campaign forced Serb forces to withdraw.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/romania-election- probe-raids/33230244.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Statement by UNICEF Middle East and North Africa Regional Director Edouard Beigbeder, on the killing of children in Nuseirat and Al Mawasi, Gaza

UNICEF

06 December 2024

AMMAN, 6 December 2024 -- "In a single day of bloodshed, children in different parts of the Gaza Strip were reportedly killed while sheltering inside their tents or desperately queueing for a piece of bread amid a rapidly worsening food crisis.

"On Wednesday, an airstrike in Nuseirat Camp, central Gaza, reportedly claimed the lives of four children near a local food distribution point. They were among civilians lining up for a meal until bombs started falling from the sky. Three boys and a girl aged 5 to 11.

"Similarly, an airstrike reportedly hit 40 tents that evening in Al Mawasi, a unilaterally designated "humanitarian zone," causing a massive explosion and fires. At least 22 people were reportedly killed, including eight children, with dozens more injured. Their piercing screams, engulfed in flames as they ran for their lives, will haunt humanity's conscience for generations to come.

"This grim week was preceded by the horrific events of last week, when two children and a woman were reportedly crushed to death while waiting in line outside a bakery in central Gaza. Hungry children swept up by despair.

"Day after day, week after week for nearly 14 months now, Gaza has been nothing short of hell on Earth. No child should have to endure such atrocities and carnage, and no parent should have to bury their child. Gaza has become a graveyard for children and families. At least 43,000 people have reportedly been killed since the beginning of the war, many of them children, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

"The overall humanitarian response in Gaza is teetering on the brink of full collapse. The lives of virtually all children are at risk or have been shattered by unimaginable trauma, loss, and deprivation. Their safety and access to essential humanitarian aid are not being facilitated as explicitly demanded by international law.

"We call on the parties to the conflict to facilitate the delivery of much-needed aid by humanitarian actors into and throughout Gaza, and to take all necessary measures to ensure they always receive the required protection, in accordance with their obligations under international humanitarian law.

"With at least 50,000 children affected by acute malnutrition in Gaza - and hundreds of thousands displaced multiple times - no child queuing for a piece of bread or sheltering in a temporary tent should be trampled to death or killed by an airstrike. The ongoing normalization of such horror needs to turn into action to stop it. Enough is enough."

#####

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Gaza: No evacuation order given before hospital strike, says WHO

6 December 2024 - One of the last partially functional health centres in besieged northern Gaza was hit several times overnight into Friday, leaving four health workers among the casualties and the dead, according to the UN World Health Organization (WHO).

"All night, there was heavy bombing around the Kamal Adwan Hospital", said Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, the UN health's agency Representative for the Occupied Palestinian Territory.

Speaking from the enclave to journalists in Geneva via video, he reported that an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) tank was seen outside the hospital at around 4am on Friday, while people were told to move out the health centre.

"There was no official evacuation order," he maintained, but instead, rumours and panic.

"People started to climb the wall to escape, and this panic attracted IDF fire. There are reports of deaths and arrests."

Emergency team thwarted

The veteran UN humanitarian worker explained that very few aid deliveries and emergency health teams have reached Kamal Adwan Hospital since the beginning of the Israeli military operation in Gaza's far north in early October. This has left the facility without critical reserves, including fuel.

After seven weeks of unsuccessful attempts and denied requests for access, an international Emergency Medical Team (EMT) with basic supplies was finally deployed to Kamal Adwan "less than a week ago", only to be told to leave again seven days later, explained Dr. Peeperkorn.

The team comprised two surgeons, two emergency nurses, one gynaecologist and one logistician. "They are just there, and within one week they are gone again. This is not only for me incomprehensible but also incredibly, incredibly sad," said the senior WHO medic, who added that no surgeons remain at Kamal Adwan Hospital.

Missions denied or impeded

Since October 2023, 58 per cent of the 273 WHO-led missions inside Gaza have been either denied, cancelled or impeded.

This has added to the urgent but extremely difficult task of evacuating patients who need specialist medical support outside the enclave.

Since 7 Oct 2023 and the start of the war sparked by Hamas-led terror attacks in Israel, 5,325 patients have been evacuated from Gaza.

Evacuation crisis

Almost 5,000 travelled via the Rafah crossing before it was closed last 7 May, including 4,000 children. The UN health agency estimates that at least 12,000 patients across Gaza still need medical evacuation to survive.

At least 44,612 Palestinians have been killed and 105,834 wounded since the beginning of the war on October 7, 2023, according to the Palestinian health authorities. The majority of those killed were women and children.

Gaza's children paying horrific price

Gaza's children continued to die this week while sheltering inside tents, or desperately queuing for bread, said UNICEF Middle East and North Africa Regional Director Edouard Beigbeder on Friday.

An airstrike in Nuseirat Camp, central Gaza, reportedly claimed the lives of four children near a local food distribution point on Wednesday.

"They were amongst civilians lining up for a meal until bombs started falling from the sky. Two boys and a girl under 10 years old, and a teenage boy of 16", he said, adding that an airstrike reportedly hit 40 tents that evening in Al Mawasi, a unilaterally designated "humanitarian zone," causing massive explosion and fires. At least 22 people were reportedly killed, including eight children, with dozens more injured.

Last week, two children and a woman were reportedly crushed to death while waiting in line outside a bakery in central Gaza. "Hungry children swept up by despair," he continued.

"The overall humanitarian response in Gaza is teetering toward full collapse. The lives of virtually all children are at risk or have been shattered by unimaginable trauma, loss, and deprivation," said the senior UNICEF official."

"Their safety and access to essential humanitarian aid is not being facilitated as explicitly demanded by international law...The ongoing normalization of such horror needs to turn into action to stop it. Enough is enough."

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Surface Navy Celebrates Opening of Premier Warfighting Training Facility

US Navy

06 December 2024

From Commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center Public Affairs

SAN DIEGO -- For the first time since its establishment in 2015, the Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center (SMWDC) will bring all four Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) courses under one roof at a state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance the tactical proficiency of the Surface Fleet. This milestone marks the culmination of years of planning, collaboration, and investment in advancing surface warfare training and excellence.

The new Surface Advanced Warfighting School (SAWS), located aboard Naval Base San Diego, will host courses in Anti-Submarine/Surface Warfare (ASW/SUW), Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD), Amphibious Warfare (AMW) and Mine Warfare (MIW). For the first time, these WTI courses of instruction will be conducted in a single, centralized location, directly contributing to the Navy's Competitive Edge 2.0 initiative and enhancing the lethality and tactical proficiency of the Surface Force across all domains.

"Today's an important day for SMWDC and for the entire Navythe official opening of the Surface Advanced Warfighting School. It could not come at a better time," said Vice Adm. McLane, commander, Naval Surface Forces Pacific Fleet. "Now more than ever, we need intelligent organizations that will enhance our competitive edge and encourage prolific warfighting adaption throughout the force."

The decision to co-locate the four WTI courses was driven by the reorganization of SMWDC in 2022, aimed at streamlining operations and fostering collaboration. The initiative began in 2020, when Rear Adm. Scott Robertson, former commander, spearheaded efforts to bring the vision to life. SMWDC worked closely with Commander, Naval Surface Forces Pacific (CNSP); Commander, Navy Region Southwest (CNRSW); Commander, Naval Base San Diego; and Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command (NAVFAC) to refurbish and transform an administrative building into a cutting-edge training center.

"This state-of-the-art training facility represents years of teamwork and dedication," said Commander, Naval Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center, Rear Adm. Wilson Marks. "By co-locating our four WTI courses, we're not just improving how we train our surface Navy's elite warfighters, but also creating a center of excellence for experimentation and tactical development. This world-class facility and the training it supports are foundational for achieving tactical warfighting improvements and increasing the lethality of the Surface Fleet."

The SAWS facility underscores SMWDC's commitment to deliver tactical excellence by design. The centralized location will also integrate the Multi-Warfare Planning and Training System (MWPTS) in 2026, providing realistic combat systems training for platforms like Ship Self Defense System (SSDS), Aegis, and Surface Fires. This innovation will support the development and validation of tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs), a capability previously limited to live onboard testing.

"Your organization is crucial to our competitive edge and SAWS furthers this strategic vision, centralizing four Warfare Tactics Instructor (WTI) courses and transforming our Sailors with the tools, training, and knowledge they need to win," McLane emphasized.

Located near the west coast controlled training facility, the new SAWS schoolhouse enhances collaboration, integration, and accessibility. It also ensures parity with training facilities available to aviation and submarine communities, demonstrating the Navy's commitment to providing surface warfighters with the resources they need to excel.

"Our WTIs are leading the way in improving warfighting capabilities across the fleet," said Marks. "This schoolhouse ensures they have the tools and environment to continue excelling in their mission and delivering combat-ready warfighters."

With its opening, the SAWS facility not only honors the Navy's investment in operational excellence, but also sets the standard for the next generation of Surface Warriors. The first convening of all four WTI courses in the new schoolhouse is scheduled for January 2025, marking the beginning of a new era in surface warfare training.



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The WSP ARG-24th MEU (SOC) returns home after a 7-month deployment

US Navy

06 December 2024

Norfolk, Va. -- The Wasp Amphibious Ready Group (WSP ARG), commanded by Amphibious Squadron (CPR) 4, returned to Hampton Roads, Virginia following a seven-month deployment to the U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, Dec. 6.

The WSP ARG flagship, first-in-class amphibious assault ship USS Wasp (LHD 1) and San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ship USS New York (LPD 21) returned to Naval Station Norfolk, while the Harpers Ferry-class amphibious landing dock ship USS Oak Hill (LSD 51) is expected to return to Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek.

The embarked 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) Special Operations Capable (SOC) returned to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Dec. 3.

"This deployment demonstrated the versatility and strength of amphibious forces," said Capt. Nakia Cooper, commodore of Amphibious Squadron 4. "Whether enhancing NATO interoperability or on station as the crises response force, the Sailors and Marines of the ARG-MEU team consistently executed with precision and remained ready. To our families and loved onesthank you for your unwavering love and support."

Throughout the deployment, the ARG-MEU team operated extensively in the U.S. 6th Fleet area of responsibility under the authority of Task Force 61/2, participating in high-profile exercises such as Baltic Operations 2024 in the Baltic Sea and Neptune Strike 24.2 in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. The 24th MEU (SOC) routinely rotated its landing forces to the Republic of Cyprus to participate in bilateral training with the Republic of Cyprus National Guard and their elite special operating forces. These engagements reinforced partnerships with NATO Allies and regional partners, highlighting the strategic importance of amphibious forces in fostering multinational cooperation.

The ARG-MEU also conducted more than a dozen port visits across Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean, strengthening relationships with Allies and partners while offering opportunities for bilateral training and cultural exchanges. The port visits included Klaipeda, Lithuania and Kiel, Germany as part of BALTOPS 24; Rota, Spain and Skagen, Denmark for brief stops for fuel and resupply operations; Brest and Cherbourg, France, as part of the ARG-MEU's participation in the 80th D-Day anniversary ceremony; Aksaz and Izmir, Turkiye to strengthen relationships with NATO Ally Turkiye; Souda Bay and Thessaloniki, Greece, where 24th MEU (SOC) units were positioned to conduct bilateral training with Greek military forces; and finally, to Limassol and Larnaca, Cyprus, during bilateral training with the Republic of Cyprus National Guard and their Special Operations Forces.

"We forged stronger ties with our international Allies and partners during this deployment," said Col. Todd Mahar, commanding officer, 24th MEU (SOC). "Every Marine and Sailor displayed remarkable adaptability and professionalism, proving the value of our forward-deployed, rapid response capabilities."

The deployment displayed the ARG-MEU's mission sets as a crises response force by providing readiness and flexibility to the Combatant and Fleet Commanders. From deterring aggression in contested waters to standing by for crisis response, the team consistently demonstrated its ability to adapt and deliver results.

"Our presence ensured regional stability and deterred adversaries," added Mahar. "The ARG-MEU team was ready at every turn to uphold peace, provide aid, and project strength where it was needed most, if called upon."

The deployment's success was underpinned by the ARG-MEU's operational flexibility and the integration of sea, air, and land assets, providing combatant commanders with a versatile contingency force.

"Deployments like these prove the critical role of forward-deployed amphibious forces," said Cooper. "We are a tangible reminder of America's commitment to our Allies and partners and a powerful deterrent to any potential adversary."

The WSP ARG-24th MEU (SOC) team began deployment operations on June 1, 2024 following an extensive eight-month pre-deployment training program to certify the Navy and Marine Corps units for deployment. Together, the ARG-MEU is organized, trained, equipped, evaluated, and certified to conduct maritime expeditionary warfare and amphibious operations across the full range military operations. As a highly mobile, versatile, and integrated naval formation, the ARG-MEU offers geographic combatant commanders an organic combined arms force that remains forward deployed and capable of persistent competition.

The WSP ARG includes the Wasp, New York, and Oak Hill, with embarked units including Fleet Surgical Team 4, Tactical Air Control Squadron 22 Detachment 1, Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 28, and Beach Assault Unit 21. The 24th MEU (SOC) is a Marine Air Ground Task Force, comprised of Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 365 (Reinforced) as the Aviation Combat Element, Battalion Landing Team 1/8 as the Ground Combat Element, Combat Logistics Battalion 24 as the Logistics Combat Element, and a command element as their higher headquarters.





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Task Force 51/5-Led Operation Leads to Seizure of Narcotics At Sea

US Navy

06 December 2024

From NAVCENT Public Affairs

U.S. 5TH FLEET AREA OF OPERATIONS -- The U.S. Coast Guard Sentinel-class fast response cutter Glen Harris (WPC 1144) interdicted a large cache of illicit narcotics at sea in international waters, Nov. 25.

The boarding team discovered and seized 5,316.1 kilograms of hashish, 181.4 kilograms of heroin and 1.3 kilograms of methamphetamine and, after documenting and weighing the illicit haul, properly disposed of it. Total estimated market value of the narcotics is $4.6 million.

Glen Harris was supporting a Task Force (TF) 51/5 mission at the time of the seizure.

U.S. Marine Corps Brig. Gen. Stephen J. Lightfoot, commanding general of TF 51/5, said operations such as these help maintain freedom of the seas and is part of a larger effort with partner nations in the region.

"The collaboration between our Coast Guardsmen, Marines and Sailors is outstanding," Lightfoot said. "I'm proud of our interoperability. We are disrupting criminal acts at sea and keeping over five tons of narcotics from hurting more people."

"Glen Harris is one of six U.S. Coast Guard Fast Response Cutters performing maritime security operations throughout the region," said U.S. Navy Capt. Patrick Murphy, commodore of TF 55, also known as Destroyer Squadron (DESRON) 50, which has tactical control of Glen Harris. "The U.S. Coast Guard brings expertise and flexibility to the wide range of missions we execute."

Glen Harris is forward deployed to Bahrain as part of a Patrol Forces Southwest Asia under tactical control of TF 55, consisting of surface forces, including U.S. Coast Guard patrol boats and independently deployed ships in the U.S. 5th Fleet area of operations.

Task Force 51/5 executes operations, responds to contingencies and crises, and conducts theater security cooperation at sea, from the sea and ashore in support of U.S. Central Command, 5th Fleet and Marine Forces, Central Command theater objectives.

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Letter to the Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate Regarding the War Powers Report

December 06, 2024

Dear Mr. Speaker: (Dear Madam President:)

I am providing this supplemental consolidated report, prepared by my Administration and consistent with the War Powers Resolution (Public Law 93-148), as part of my efforts to keep the Congress informed about deployments of United States Armed Forces equipped for combat.

MILITARY OPERATIONS IN SUPPORT OF UNITED STATES COUNTERTERRORISM EFFORTS

In furtherance of counterterrorism efforts, the United States continues to work with partners around the globe, with a particular focus on the United States Central and Africa Commands' areas of responsibility. In this context, the United States has deployed forces to conduct counterterrorism operations and to advise, assist, and accompany security forces of select foreign partners on counterterrorism operations. In the majority of these locations, the mission of United States military personnel is to facilitate counterterrorism operations of foreign partner forces and does not include routine engagement in combat. In many of these locations, the security environment is such that United States military personnel may be required to defend themselves against threats or attacks, and, to that end, the United States may deploy United States military personnel with weapons and other appropriate equipment for force protection. Specific information about counterterrorism deployments to select countries is provided below, and a classified annex to this report provides further information.

Military Operations Conducted Pursuant to the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force and in Support of Related United States Counterterrorism Objectives

Since October 7, 2001, United States Armed Forces, including Special Operations Forces, have conducted counterterrorism combat operations, including against al-Qa'ida and associated forces. Since August 2014, these operations have included targeting the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS), also known as the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL), which was formerly known as al-Qa'ida in Iraq. In support of these and other overseas operations, the United States has deployed combat-equipped forces to several locations in the United States Central, European, Africa, Southern, and Indo-Pacific Commands' areas of responsibility. Such operations and deployments have been reported previously, consistent with the 2001 Authorization for Use of Military Force (Public Law 107-40), the Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002 (Public Law 107-243), Public Law 93-148, and other statutes. These ongoing operations, which the United States has carried out with the assistance of numerous international partners, have been successful in seriously degrading ISIS capabilities in Syria and Iraq. If necessary, in response to terrorist threats, I will direct additional measures to protect the people and interests of the United States. It is not possible to know at this time the precise scope or the duration of the deployments of United States Armed Forces that are or will be necessary to counter terrorist threats to the United States.

Afghanistan. United States military personnel remain postured outside Afghanistan to address threats to the United States homeland and United States interests that may arise from inside Afghanistan.

Iraq and Syria. As part of a comprehensive strategy to defeat ISIS, United States Armed Forces are working by, with, and through local partners to conduct operations against ISIS forces in Iraq and Syria and against al-Qa'ida in Syria to limit the potential for resurgence of these groups and to mitigate threats to the United States homeland. A small presence of United States Armed Forces remains in strategically significant locations in Syria to conduct operations, in partnership with local, vetted ground forces, to address continuing terrorist threats emanating from Syria. United States Armed Forces in Iraq continue to advise, assist, and enable select elements of the Iraqi security forces, including Iraqi Kurdish security forces. United States Armed Forces also provide limited support to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization mission in Iraq. United States Armed Forces, as part of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, remain present in Iraq at the invitation of the Government of Iraq.

I directed United States forces to conduct discrete strikes on November 11, 2024, and on November 26, 2024, against facilities in Syria used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated militia groups for headquarters and command and control, weapons storage, training, logistics support, and other purposes. These strikes followed attacks against United States personnel and facilities in Syria that threatened the lives of United States personnel and Coalition forces operating alongside United States forces, and that were perpetrated by the IRGC, affiliated militia groups, and other Iran-affiliated groups. I directed these discrete military actions consistent with my responsibility to protect United States citizens both at home and abroad and in furtherance of United States national security and foreign policy interests, pursuant to my constitutional authority as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive and to conduct United States foreign relations.

Arabian Peninsula Region. The United States military continues to work closely with the Republic of Yemen government and regional partner forces to degrade the terrorist threat posed by al-Qa'ida in the Arabian Peninsula and ISIS.

Since at least November 2023, Yemen-based Houthi militants have engaged in a series of attacks against United States military forces, including ships and aircraft, and against maritime commercial shipping operating in the Red Sea, the Bab al-Mandeb Strait, and the Gulf of Aden. These attacks have posed a threat to the safety of United States forces and commercial ships and their crews, regional political and economic stability, and navigational rights and freedoms. The Houthi militants continue to pose a threat of future attacks against United States forces and military vessels and against other maritime traffic in the region. In response, United States forces have conducted discrete strikes against facilities, locations, and equipment in Yemen that support and facilitate Houthi militants' attacks in the Red Sea region. These strikes protect and defend our personnel and assets, and degrade and disrupt the ability of the Houthi militants to carry out future attacks against the United States and against vessels operating in the Red Sea region that could further destabilize the region and threaten United States strategic interests. The strikes were conducted in a manner designed to limit the risk of escalation and avoid civilian casualties.

United States Armed Forces are deployed to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to protect United States forces and interests in the region against hostile action by Iran and Iran-backed groups. These forces, operating in coordination with the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, provide air and missile defense capabilities and support the operation of United States military aircraft. The total number of United States forces in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is approximately 2,027.

Jordan. At the request of the Government of Jordan, approximately 3,942 United States military personnel are deployed to Jordan to support Defeat-ISIS operations, to enhance Jordan's security, and to promote regional stability.

Lebanon. At the request of the Government of Lebanon, approximately 99 United States military personnel are deployed to Lebanon to enhance the government's counterterrorism capabilities, to support the counterterrorism operations of Lebanese security forces, and to protect United States interests in the country. The increase of approximately 24 personnel is attributable to the heightened hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, leading to increasing instability. Accordingly, a small number of personnel were deployed to protect United States diplomatic facilities and diplomatic personnel, and to ensure rapid capability to respond to crisis.

Turkey. United States Armed Forces remain deployed to Turkey, at the Turkish government's request, to support Defeat-ISIS operations and to enhance Turkey's security.

East Africa Region. United States Armed Forces continue to counter the terrorist threat posed by ISIS and al-Shabaab, an associated force of al-Qa'ida. Since the last periodic report, United States Armed Forces have conducted one airstrike in Somalia against al-Shabaab in defense of our Somali partner forces. United States Armed Forces remain prepared to conduct airstrikes in Somalia against ISIS and al-Shabaab terrorists. United States military personnel conduct periodic engagements in Somalia to train, advise, and assist regional forces, including Somali and African Union Transition Mission in Somalia forces, in connection with counterterrorism operations. United States military personnel are deployed to Kenya to support counterterrorism operations in East Africa. United States military personnel continue to partner with the Government of Djibouti, which has permitted use of Djiboutian territory for basing of United States Armed Forces. United States military personnel remain deployed to Djibouti, including for purposes of staging for counterterrorism and counter-piracy operations in the vicinity of the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula, and to provide contingency support for embassy security augmentation in East Africa, as necessary.

Lake Chad Basin and Sahel Region. OnSeptember 15, 2024, at the request of the Government of Niger, the United States ended its limited military presence in that country.

Cuba. United States Armed Forces continue to conduct humane and secure detention operations for detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, under the authority provided by Public Law 107-40, as informed by the law of war. There are 30 such detainees as of the date of this report.

Philippines. United States military personnel deployed to the Philippines are providing support to the counterterrorism operations of the armed forces of the Philippines.

MILITARY FORCES IN DEFENSE OF ISRAEL

As reported on October 15, 2024, I directed the deployment of a Terminal High Altitude Air Defense (THAAD) system and United States forces capable of operating this system to Israel. Although these forces are equipped for combat, THAAD is a defensive system, and I directed the deployment of it and accompanying United States forces for the purpose of protecting both Israel and United States persons and property.

MILITARY OPERATIONS IN EGYPT IN SUPPORT OF THE MULTINATIONAL FORCE AND OBSERVERS

Approximately 378 United States military personnel are assigned to or are supporting the United States contingent of the Multinational Force and Observers, which have been present in Egypt since 1981.

UNITED STATES AND NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION OPERATIONS IN KOSOVO

The United States continues to contribute forces to the Kosovo Force (KFOR), led by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in cooperation with local authorities, bilateral partners, and international institutions, to deter renewed hostilities in Kosovo. Approximately 403 United States military personnel are among KFOR's approximately 4,500 personnel.

UNITED STATES ARMED FORCES IN NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION COUNTRIES

Approximately 80,000 United States Armed Forces personnel are assigned or deployed to North Atlantic Treaty Organization countries in Europe, including those deployed to reassure our allies and to deter further Russian aggression.

I have directed the participation of United States Armed Forces in all of the above-described operations pursuant to my constitutional and statutory authority as Commander in Chief and as Chief Executive (including the authority to carry out Public Law 107-40, Public Law 107-243, and other statutes), as well as my constitutional and statutory authority to conduct the foreign relations of the United States. Officials of my Administration and I communicate regularly with congressional leadership, relevant congressional committees, and other Members of Congress with regard to these deployments, and we will continue to do so.

Sincerely,

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.

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December 7, 2024

Speech

Simi Valley, California

'The Common Defence': Remarks by Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III at the Reagan National Defense Forum (As Delivered)

Well, good afternoon, everybody.

Michael, thanks for those kind words.

This makes four years in a row for me at the Reagan National Defense Forum. And it's great to receive this award alongside Leader McConnell, who believes so deeply in President Reagan's legacyand who has done so much for a free Ukraine.

The Department has once again sent a superb delegation here this yearincluding members of the Joint Chiefs, combatant commanders, and other senior leaders. So let's give these outstanding public servants a round of applause.

[Applause]

It's also great to be joined here by ministers of defense, ambassadors, members of Congress, and other leaders.

Now, I spent a brief 41 years wearing a U.S. Army uniform.

I spent a long time in combat, including three lengthy tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan. And I've now served for four years as Secretary of Defense.

So I can say without reservation that America's military is the finest and most lethal fighting force on Earth.

[Applause]

Our mission is blunt. The U.S. military exists to fight and win America's wars.

Wise leaders will always try to deter conflict. But if we are forced to defend ourselves, we will fightand we will win.

[Applause]

With help from Congress, we have made major investments in America's military over the past four years.

Today's U.S. military is an extraordinary gathering of volunteersbrave men and women of every race, color, and creed. America's greatest strategic asset has always been the talents of the American people. And we are stronger when we welcome every qualified patriot who is eager to serve.

That's not just a matter of national principle. It's a matter of national security.

The U.S. military is relentless about excellence and merit. Our promotion process is ruthless by necessity and by design. We do not lower our standards. And those who want to join us must raise their game. You see, we take good people and we make them even better.

It is our sacred duty to do right by our troops, and by the families who serve right alongside them.

Now, American democracy is not a sprint but a relay race. And we are preparing to pass the baton yet again. And I am proud of the progress made by American leadership.

The state of America's defenses is strong.

You know, four years ago, America faced a moment of great challenge.

The world was reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic. And our allies and partners feared that America had lost its wayand America's rivals and foes hoped that it had.

Yet President Biden followed in the bipartisan tradition of U.S. global leadership. And America and the Department of Defense are far stronger and better postured for the challenges of the 21st century.

We invested heavily in our military. We helped secure the capabilities that America will need over the long term. And we provided principled civilian leadership for an apolitical military.

With bipartisan support from Congress, we are set to increase our defense spending in Fiscal Year 2025 by more than $100 billion compared to the 2021 projections. And the most recent National Defense Authorization Act supports a historic $841 billion in funding for the Department. And that helps to ensure that the U.S. military will remain the strongest fighting force in history.

And ladies and gentlemen, we face major national-security challenges. That includes coercion and bullying from the People's Republic of China; imperial aggression from Putin's Russia; malice from Iran, North Korea, and terrorist groups; and autocrats worldwide who believe that democracy is a thing of the past.

But we have stood up to Putin, stood up to North Korea, stood up to Iran, stood up to Hamas and Hizballah, and stood up to autocrats and thugs and bullies worldwide. We have stood up for American values and American leadership.

So I'd like to talk today about what the Department has achieved in the past four years. And I'd like to focus on a few key areas: renewing our alliances and partnerships; meeting the "pacing challenge" of the PRC; rallying the free world to stand up for what's right in Ukraine; and supporting Israel's right to self-defense and preventing full-scale war in the Middle East; investing in our capabilities; taking care of our people; and defending our values.

First, we know that our unmatched network of alliances and partnerships is one of America's great strategic advantages.

Our allies and partners magnify our strength. They project our power. And they deepen our security.

And of course, President Reagan understood that. As he said in 1983, "The starting point and cornerstone of our foreign policy is our alliance and partnership with our fellow democracies."

So here is the stark military fact: our allies and partners are huge force multipliers.

In today's world, any policy of "peace through strength" depends by definition on alliances. American power projection depends by definition on our friends abroad. And American security depends by definition on those who freely join us in common purpose.

Our alliances and partnerships have always been rooted in shared interestsand in shared values.

Ultimately, America is weaker when it stands alone. And America is smaller when it stands apart.

And there is no such thing as a safe retreat from today's interwoven world.

For our men and women in uniform, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with our allies and partners is just how we operate. And during my decades in uniform, everywhere I went on the battlefield, our allies and partners stood alongside usmaking us stronger and more effective. And the more alone we are, the more danger our troops face.

Now, serving as Secretary has only strengthened my belief in the power of partnership.

NATO now brings together 32 countries. In the Indo-Pacific, we have longstanding alliances with Australia and Japan, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, and Thailand. We have 14 other major non-NATO allies, including Israel and Brazil. India and the UAE are outstanding major defense partners. And they are joined by many steadfast friends and partners worldwide.

We have access agreements with more than 40 countries. We have logistics agreements with more than 120. And that helps us project power with our partners where we need to, when we need to, and how we need to.

You know, our rivals and foes look at that with envy. They see our alliances, and they want to wreck them.

Yes, autocrats may band together. But when Putin turns to North Korea for troops, it is not a sign of strength. It is an admission of weakness.

Autocrats resort to partnerships of convenience. But America leads partnerships of conviction. And the Department's National Defense Strategy rightly calls the U.S. network of allies and partners our "greatest global strategic advantage."

And that brings me to my second point: the profound progress that we've made with our friends in the Indo-Pacific.

We've heard decades of warnings about the rise of an increasingly aggressive and bullying PRC. It is still the only country on Earth with both the desireand, increasingly, the capabilityto reshape the international order. And this administration has done more than any other to posture the Department to meet that "pacing challenge"and to make the Indo-Pacific our priority theater of operations.

You know, I've made 12 trips to the Indo-Pacific as Secretary of Defense. And I'm leaving right after this speech for a 13th, this time to Japan.

I've led four years of sustained defense diplomacy in the region. And that has sped up what I call "the new convergence" of our Indo-Pacific allies and partners around a shared vision of security.

That means historic upgrades to U.S. posture across the Indo-Pacific, fortifying our position from Northeast Asia down to Australia and the Pacific Islands. It means modernizing our command-and-control frameworks with Japan. It means forging a Defense Cooperation Agreement with Papua New Guinea. It means signing landmark defense-industrial-cooperation deals with India. It means major strides forward for trilateral security cooperation among the United States, Japan, and the Republic of Korea. And it means drawing on every tool that we haveconsistent with our longstanding policyto provide Taiwan with the self-defense capabilities it needs.

Just think about the changes in our bonds with the Philippines. In just four years, we've expanded our Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement to allow U.S. access to four more sites in the Philippinesfor a total of nine. I visited one of those sites on the island of Palawan just 18 days agoand I was incredibly impressed by the progress that we're making together.

I just got back from Darwin, Australia, where we announced that Japan will begin to integrate into the rotation of U.S. Marines in Darwin.

We're also deepening our historic trilateral AUKUS partnership. It will provide Australia with a conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability. And that's a generational capability. And meanwhile, AUKUS will bring even more cutting-edge tech to our warfighters.

In the Indo-Pacific, we've produced steady progress, driven by a strategic vision. But that hasn't stopped us from tackling other major challenges.

In February 2022, the world was jolted by Putin's all-out invasion of Ukraine. But we understood the danger to American security and global order. And so we rallied some 50 countries to help Ukraine defend itself. And that's the most consequential global coalition since the time of President George H.W. Bush and Iraq's 1990 invasion of Kuwait.

America and our friends have become the arsenal of Ukrainian democracy. The United States has delivered two Patriot batteries, 24 HIMARS rocket systems, thousands of armored vehicles, and millions of rounds of artillery ammunition.

We've seen strong bipartisan support for Ukraine from Leader McConnell and other leaders in both parties. And I'm proud to announce today the commitment of a new Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative package worth nearly $1 billion.

[Applause]

Now, that package will provide Ukraine with more drones, more rockets for its HIMARS systems, and more support for crucial maintenance and sustainment. And that brings the total of U.S. security assistance committed to Ukraine since February 2022 to more than $62 billion.

The engine of our efforts has been the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, which first met in April 2022 at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. And the Contact Group has helped ensure that Ukraine has what it needs to defend itselfand to forge a future force to deter more Russian aggression.

And I've convened the Contact Group 24 times now. Its other members have committed more than $57 billion in direct security assistance to Ukraine. And as a percentage of GDP, more than a dozen Contact Group members now provide more security assistance to Ukraine than the United States does. And together, we have helped Ukraine survive an all-out assault by the largest military in Europe.



And meanwhile, Russia has paid a staggering price for Putin's folly. Russia has suffered at least 700,000 casualties since February 2022. It's squandered more than $200 billion. You know, in recent months, Russia has taken as many as a thousand casualties a day. And Russian losses in just the first year of Putin's war of choice seem to have been more than Moscow's losses in all of its conflicts since World War IIcombined.

And under the specter of Putin's aggression, we have led a stronger, larger, and more united NATO. We have avoided a nuclear confrontation with Russia. We've reinforced NATO's Eastern Flank. We've deterred further Russian aggression. And we've underscored our solemn commitment to Article Five of the North Atlantic Treaty. We've welcomed Sweden and Finland to the greatest defensive alliance in history. And we continue to be crystal-clear that Putin's war was not the result of NATO enlargement but the cause of NATO enlargement.

Recent years have also brought a historic increase in annual defense spending across NATOby almost $80 billion. And all NATO allies agreed in 2006 to spend at least two percent of their GDP on defense. In 2014, only three allies hit that target. In 2021, only six allies did so. But this year, a record 23 NATO allies are meeting that goal.

[Applause]

That's because we understand that Putin's assault on Ukraine is a warning. As I said in Kyiv in October, we are seeing "a sneak preview of a world built by tyrants and thugsa chaotic, violent world carved into spheres of influence; a world where bullies trample their smaller neighbors; and a world where aggressors force free people to live in fear."

So we can continue to stand up to the Kremlin. Or we can let Putin have his wayand condemn our children and grandchildren to live in a world of chaos and conflict.

This administration has made its choice. And so has a bipartisan coalition in Congress. The next administration must make its own choice. But from this library, from this podium, I am confident that President Reagan would have stood on the side of Ukraine, American security, and human freedom.

[Applause]

That brings me to my next key area, the Middle East.

On October 7th, 2023, Hamas committed the worst terrorist attack in Israel's history. Hamas murdered 1,200 civilians, including more than 40 Americans. It also kidnapped 251 hostages, including 12 Americans. It was the bloodiest day in Jewish history since the end of the Holocaust.

I flew to Israel just six days afterwards. It was the first visit by a Secretary of Defense to Israel during wartime in more than 40 years. And I made it crystal-clear that America's commitment to Israel's security is ironclad. And we have worked to support Israel to ensure that Hamas can never again commit atrocities like October 7th.

[Applause]

And so since then, we have expedited security assistance to Israel through 391 foreign military sales cases worth some $13.6 billion. At the same time, we have pushed hard to protect Palestinian civiliansand to rush far more humanitarian aid into Gaza. As I said here last year, "protecting Palestinian civilians in Gaza is both a moral responsibility and a strategic imperative."

And throughout this crisis, we've moved urgently to prevent all-out war in the Middle East. And right after October 7th, we sent a strong message of deterrence to Iran and its proxies. At the height of the crisis, the U.S. presence in the region included not one but two Carrier Strike Groups, an Amphibious Ready Group, a Marine Expeditionary Unit, more airpower, and a guided-missile submarine. And when required, we have used direct action to defend our forces and our friends.

We rallied partners to defeat two unprecedented and outrageous Iranian barrages against Israel. We helped Israel defend itself in April 2024 against more than 300 Iranian missiles and drones. And in that attack, U.S. forces destroyed more than 80 one-way attack drones and at least six ballistic missiles launched from Iran. Our forces operated side-by-side with Israeli and partner forces to defeat 99 percent of Iran's projectiles. And we were there again for Israel in October 2024, when Iran launched over 200 ballistic missiles.

To further strengthen Israel's air defenses, we have temporarily deployed to Israel a THAAD battery and its crew of U.S. military personnel.

In the Red Sea, U.S. forces have been defeating attacks on commercial and naval vessels by the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen. And we have destroyed hundreds of Houthi weapons in a series of deliberate strikes and self-defense strikes.

In Lebanon, Israel has smashed Hizballah. Now that has dramatically weakened Iran's strongest proxy. And it's created an opening for a diplomatic solution that will let civilians on both sides of the Israel-Lebanon border return safely to their homes. We've secured the November 26 ceasefire for Israel and Lebanon. And that paves the way for a ceasefire in Gaza and a deal to finally free the hostages. And we will remain focused on that. It brings us closer to a more hopeful vision for a Middle East that's peaceful and prosperous and secure.

Now, we've balanced our own readiness even as we've surged security assistance to Israel, Ukraine, and Taiwan.

Leader McConnell is right that we've all got a lot more work to do. But the Department's investments since 2021 in the defense industrial base have positioned America to outpace any rival and ensure our enduring military advantage. But he is right. We have a lot more work to do here.

And the industrial base is delivering a far more agile and lethal Joint Force.

We're growing our production capacity. We're implementing the first-ever National Defense Industrial Strategy to modernize the defense industrial base. And that will make our supply chains more resilient and our acquisitions more flexible.

But again, there is much more work to be done here. We've been buying to the limits of our defense industrial baseand we've been pushing hard with many in this room to expand those limits. This includes investing more than $5 billion since 2022 to drastically increase the production of critical munitionseverything from Patriots to 155-millimeter artillery.

And we've made major investments in cutting-edge capabilities, such as cybersecurity, AI, and autonomous systems. And we've produced the Department's largest space budgets ever.

And over the past four years, the Department has pulled the future forward. And one especially lasting legacy is our work on the Combined Joint All-Domain Command and Control. CJADC2 will connect U.S. forces across all operational domains. It used to be a pipe dream. And so many had said this cannot be done. No longer. In less than two years, we've fielded capability for CJADC2 that is in active use at INDOPACOM. And we've established a minimum viable capability for CJADC2 across other combatant commands.

Another key legacy is the B-21 Raider, which you'll recall I unveiled two years ago on my way to the Reagan Forum. The Raider is America's first new strategic bomber in three decades. And it delivers an unmatched combination of range, stealth, and durability.

To build on all of this progress, I elevated the status of the Defense Innovation Unit. I visited DIU yesterday in northern California. And I saw again how it's helping us work much more closely with commercial companies. DIU is removing barriers to innovation and letting the Department take far greater advantage of private-sector talent and tech.

DIU also advanced the Replicator Initiative, which helps the Department swiftly deliver capabilities to the warfighter at speed and scale. And Replicator is already delivering attritable autonomous systems to our forces.

Two years ago at this forum, I launched the Office of Strategic Capital. And we partnered with Congress on authorities and funding. And this office is on track to issue its first loans for equipment financing early next year.

And meanwhile, we're deepening our partnerships with private firms. And that includes new players that would have once stayed away from the so-called "valley of death." Since 2021, at least $375 billion in DOD funds have gone to nontraditional defense companiesfrom commercial firms to defense tech start-ups.

Now, in recent years, the threat of unmanned systems has grown exponentially. These systems are cheap, easy to use, and evolving at breakneck speed. And less capable foes are using them to threaten our troops, our bases, and our interests. And these systems have been front and center in both Ukraine and the Middle East.

This threat will only grow. And so yesterday at DIU, we unveiled a Department-wide strategy to counter unmanned systems. And this roadmap will help to ensure that our Joint Force can fight and win in an environment increasingly dominated by unmanned systems. And I am proud that we've mobilized the entire Department to tackle this urgent challengeand to remain masters of the changing character of warfare.

And that brings me to my sixth key area. And that's doing right by our all-volunteer force and our veterans and their families.

So we've taken concrete steps to take the best possible care of our people and their families.

Base pay for our troops is up almost 10 percent since January 2021, with the help of Congress. And we've proposed another 4.5 percent pay raise for 2025.

I've also directed actions to make moves easier, to help military spouses pursue their own careers, to introduce universal pre-K in our outstanding DoDEA schools, and to expand access to affordable childcare and high-quality early childhood education.

We've also tackled some tough problems that have no simple solutionsand no place in our ranks.

We've been driving hard to end sexual assault and sexual harassment in our military. We're implementing the approved recommendations of the Independent Review Commission that I stood up. And in Fiscal Year 2023, the prevalence of sexual assault in the military decreased for the first time in more than eight years.

We've also established the Offices of Special Trial Counsel. They take cases of sexual assault, domestic violence, and some other serious crimes out of the military chain of commandand entrust them to independent and highly trained military lawyers. Now, that's the most important reform to our military-justice system since the creation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice in 1950.

In 2022, I established the Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Commission. And we're moving out urgently on its approved recommendations. And let me be clear. The only acceptable number of suicides in the U.S. military is zero.

[Applause]

Now, I took office amid major headwinds in the recruiting environment, including a competitive job market and the aftermath of the pandemic. But we focused on a renewed call to service and on bending the curveand we turned around the recruiting picture in 2024. And I'm very proud that the Department has kept up the high levels of retention throughout all of the Services.

Finally, in everything that we do, American values matter.

Each Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, and Guardian swears to defend our countryand our Constitution. We protect not just the American people but also the American idea.

That is what we do. And that is who we are.

The Constitution charges us to "provide for the common Defence." And we will continue to do just that.

That means holding true to what makes America exceptional. It means keeping faith with our friends. It means standing up to our foes. And it means knowing the difference between the two.

I say all this as a lifelong military man. And I know a few things about the American way of war. And over my decades of service to America, I have deepened some core beliefs. They are battle-tested. They are tempered by decades in uniform. And they are forged by years at war.

So what do I believe? I believe this.

Peace is not self-executing. Order does not preserve itself. And security does not flower on its own.

The world built by American leadership can only be maintained by American leadership. As President Biden has said, "American leadership is what holds the world together."

And from Russia to China, from Hamas to Iran, our rivals and foes want to divide and weaken the United Statesand to split us off from our allies and partners. So at this hinge in history, America must not waver.

American leadership rallies our allies and partners to uphold our shared security. And it inspires ordinary people around the world to work together toward a brighter future.

But the troubles of our times will only grow worse without strong and steady American leadership to defend the rules-based international order that keeps us all safe. And if we forfeit our position of responsibility, our rivals and foes will be glad to fill the vacuum.

Those beliefs were true when I said those exact words from this podium last year. They are true today. And they will be true tomorrow.

Of course, there is far more work to be done. But as this year and this administration draws to a close, America is positioned to stand strong. Our alliances have been renewed and reinforced. Our recruiting trends point upward. Our investments in the future are vast. And our military reflects the full strengths of the great democracy that it defends.

So the baton will soon be passed. And others will decide the course ahead. And I hope that they will build on the strength that we have forged over the past four years.

Thank you very much. May God continue to bless the United States of America.

[Standing ovation]

https://www.defense.gov/News/Speeches/Speech/Article/3989588/

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PCG: Warship deployment in WPS as policy option up to PBBM

Philippine News Agency

By Ruth Abbey Gita-Carlos

December 7, 2024, 2:31 pm

MANILA -- The deployment of the Philippine warships to the West Philippine Sea (WPS) amid China's continued harassment now lies in the hands of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr., the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) said the Saturday News Forum.

At weekly forum in Quezon City, PCG spokesperson for WPS Commodore Jay Tarriela said Marcos may consider sending naval ships into the country's territorial waters as a "policy option."

Tarriela stressed that while the Philippine Navy is monitoring the situation in the WPS, it does not interfere with the harassment of the China Coast Guard (CCG) and the Chinese maritime militia against the Filipino fishermen, the PCG and the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR).

"It is up to the Armed Forces of the Philippines to carry out a policy recommendation to the President and the Commander-in-Chief, the President himself, has the full authority to decide on this," Tarriela said, adding that PCG will fully support whatever position the Armed Forces and the president will make.

"This is not a recommendation. All I'm saying is that in terms of reciprocity, that can be a policy option that can be carried out," he added.

Tarriela said in with the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) warships incursions in the WPS, said it was the first time Chinese warships "interfered and participated in the harassment of a Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) vessel."

He was referring to the Chinese vessels' aggressive actions against the Philippine vessels on Dec. 4 at the Bajo de Masinloc where PLAN vessels with bow numbers 500 and 571 also took part by tailing the PCG's BRP Teresa Magbanua "at the very close distance of 300 yards."

Also on Dec. 4, the CCG harassed the BRP Melchora Aquino, BRP Cape Engano and the BFAR vessels that were deployed at Escoda Shoal.

Tarriela said Marcos has the sole authority to decide whether there is a need to modify the Philippines' response to the WPS.

"For the past three administrations, the Philippine Coast Guard has been chosen to be deployed to the West Philippine Sea because, for the past administrations, they believed it is de-escalatory, non-provocative," Tarriela said.

"What I'm saying is, the Philippine Coast Guard, we can never replace the Philippine Navy with the issue of territorial defense. And it is very alarming in a way that [PLAN] warships are encroaching on our own exclusive economic zone," he added.

National Security Council Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said the Philippines "reserves the right" to deploy its naval vessels in the wake of China's latest hostile act in the WPS. (PNA)

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Georgian Pro-EU Protesters On Streets Again After Violent Government Crackdown

By RFE/RL's Georgian Service December 07, 2024

TBILISI -- Thousands of protesters took to the streets of the Georgian capital on December 7 following a violent crackdown the night before by riot police against demonstrators angered by the government's decision to suspend talks on joining the European Union.

Violence broke out again late in the night, as witnesses said journalists and others were beaten by groups of men in street clothes while nearby security personnel did not attempt to intervene.

Many of the protesters were calling for the release of fellow demonstrators arrested in previous rallies. Georgian police reported that 48 people had been detained the night before.

In the previous night's demonstration - which started late on December 6 -- riot police began dispersing protesters gathered on Rustaveli Avenue in front of the parliament building at about 12:30 a.m. on December 7.

Special forces detained several people at Republic Square by 1:30 a.m. local time on December 7. They had mobilized earlier on Rustaveli Avenue about 600 meters away from the main center of the demonstration on Republic Square.

Among those detained is Tsotne Koberidze, a member of the Tbilisi City Council from the opposition party Girchi (More Freedom), RFE/RL reported. A young woman who had been standing in front of the cordon for several minutes was also detained.

Warning messages urging protesters to disperse continued as the riot police attempted to break up the protest on Rustaveli Avenue. Demonstrators moved away from the avenue but did not disperse.

Tensions have been running high in Georgia since the ruling Georgian Dream party won an election on October 26 that the pro-Western opposition and Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili say was rigged with the help of Moscow.

Earlier on December 6, Zurabishvili called on Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze to step down as pressure mounts on the government amid a violent crackdown on unrest.

Zurabishvili made the call in an interview with Georgia's Channel One media group as the Prosecutor-General's Office announced that it had filed its first criminal charges against protesters who have taken to the streets to rally against the move.

"The prime minister who has failed to settle the crisis...must be replaced," Zurabishvili said.

"This is the compromise, depolarization, a way out for Georgia, stability, peace and the future, which will be unshakable, free and democratic," she added.

Zurabishvili traveled to Paris on December 7 for ceremonies marking the reopening of Notre Dame cathedral, which had been restored following a devastating 2019 fire.

She said on social media that she had an "in-depth discussion" there with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and French leader Emmanuel Macron, posting a video of the talks on X.

Zurabishvili also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and thanked him for his support for the Caucasus nation.

The announcement last week by Georgian Dream to halt talks on joining the EU until 2028 further fueled dissension, with thousands of Georgians flooding the streets around parliament in protest.

The largely peaceful protesters have been met with a sometimes-brutal crackdown by security forces, leaving dozens -- including opposition members and journalists covering the events -- in need of medical attention.

The Prosecutor-General's Office, however, said it charged nine individuals with organizing and participating in group violence during the protests on Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi.

"This is a choice between autocracy and democracy -- there is no other way," Tere Heland, an adviser to the European Neighborhood Council, which provides information on current events in Georgia, told RFE/RL in an interview on December 6.

Opposition leaders have also rejected accusations by Georgian Dream that the violence was the product of a conspiracy -- aided by foreign actors -- to provoke chaos.

Levan Tsutskiridze, leader of the Freedom Square movement and one of the most influential members of the Strong Georgia political coalition, said the actions of government forces against peaceful protesters were "tragic."

He accused the police of "mass terror, with physical violence, intimidation, and torture."

The opposition has also called for fresh elections, saying that without a new vote, the restoration of democratic legitimacy is impossible.

Georgia's Interior Ministry told RFE/RL on December 6 that a total of 338 individuals had been detained for administrative violations during the protests, which security forces have tried to put down with water cannons, vast amounts of tear gas, and harsh beatings.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/georgia-tbilisi-protest- dream-eu-zurabishvili-kobakhidze-/33230556.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Georgescu Urges Romanians To Show Up At Polls -- Despite Scrapping Of Presidential Runoff

By RFE/RL's Romanian Service December 07, 2024

BUCHAREST -- Romania's far-right, pro-Russian presidential candidate defiantly told voters to turn up at polling stations for a December 8 election runoff that has been scrapped by the Constitutional Court. While Calin Georgescu attempts to fill the streets with backers, however, his actual level of support remains uncertain.

Georgescu told supporters "to wait to be welcomed, to wait for democracy to win through their power," according to a statement on December 7 by his team.

"Mr. Calin Georgescu believes that voting is an earned right. That is why he believes that Romanians have the right to be in front of the polling stations tomorrow," the statement said, adding that Georgescu would go to a polling station near the capital, Bucharest, early in the morning.

Over recent days, thousands of mostly young Romanians have taken to the streets to protest against his pro-Russia comments.

Georgescu, who ran as an independent, had won the first round of the presidential election on November 24, ahead of reformist Elena Lasconi of the center-right Save Romania Union party, setting up a runoff originally set for December 8.

However, Romania's Constitutional Court on December 6 annulled the entire presidential election, throwing the process into upheaval even as diaspora voting had already begun at sites throughout the globe.

Georgescu had blasted the court's ruling as an "officialized coup" and an attack on democracy, while Lasconi also assailed the decision.

The Constitutional Court in its published ruling cited the illegal use of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, as well as the use of "undeclared sources of funding."

The runoff had been seen as a referendum on the NATO and EU member's future course amid accusations of Russian meddling that brought thousands of Romanians onto the streets in support of the country's place in the Euro-Atlantic community.

The Constitutional Court's unprecedented decision came just two days after President Klaus Iohannis declassified intelligence that alleged Russia had organized thousands of social media accounts to promote Georgescu -- the shock first-round winner -- across platforms such as TikTok and Telegram.

Georgescu had appeared as a favorite to win the runoff, but was passed by Lasconi in the latest opinion poll after the intelligence documents were released.

The court, without naming Georgescu, said that one of the 13 candidates in the November 24 first round had improperly received "preferential treatment" on social media, distorting the outcome of the vote.

Georgescu and Lasconi were supposed to meet in a runoff this weekend. Voting abroad had already started when the court shelved the entire election and instructed the government to set a new one.

Iohannis said he would remain in office until a new presidential election could be conducted again from the start.

He is expected to appoint a prime minister to begin forming a government from the parliament that was elected on December 1. That administration will choose the date of the new election.

Meanwhile, Romania authorities conducted searches at three homes as part of the probe into the election irregularities.

'In the central city of Brasov, police searched three homes early on December 7 as part of a probe "in connection with the crimes of voter corruption, money laundering, and computer forgery," the local prosecutor's office said in a statement.

It added that the police action had targeted a person involved in the "illegal financing of the electoral campaign of a candidate for the presidency of Romania, through the use of sums of money," without naming Georgescu.

The statement also said the investigation involved alleged violations of Romanian law prohibiting organizations and symbols of a fascist, racist or xenophobic character.

In Washington, the U.S. State Department said Romanians must have confidence their elections are free of harmful external influences.

"The United States reaffirms our confidence in Romania's democratic institutions and processes, including investigations into foreign malign influence," the department said in a statement issued late on December 6.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/romania-election- probe-raids/33230244.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Ghana votes amid electoral challenges; analysts predict free, fair election

By Senanu Tord December 07, 2024

Ghanaians headed to the polls Saturday in their ninth democratic election since 1992, with voters queuing as early as dawn to make their voices heard.

Despite minor setbacks, including water-damaged materials and initial concerns about transparency, the Electoral Commission assured the public of a credible process. Analysts say Ghana's track record and recent improvements will uphold its reputation as a democratic leader in the region.

At Teshie Central Mosque in Accra, voters began queuing as early as 5 a.m., eager to cast ballots in Ghana's highly anticipated presidential and parliamentary elections. For first-time voter Enabeen Berrick, participating was a personal choice.

"I believe that my vote can make a change, so I would like to at least put something on the ballot paper," said Enabeen Berrick.

She did just that, expressing confidence in the electoral process.

"It went very smoothly, but the timing was off," she said.

Some election materials at her polling station were damaged by water, causing delays and raising doubts for voters such as Kenneth Asamoah.

"Sorry, I don't understand how water entered that box," he said. "I am worried, to be frank, I am very worried."

Asamoah also criticized the Electoral Commission's  known as ECs  initial restrictions on media coverage and last-minute ballot recalls.

"We heard about limited media houses who are supposed to report the election, which we have never heard in the past, and some viral videos we saw about the EC people. So, me, I don't trust them," he said.

Despite these concerns, analysts argue that Ghana remains a beacon of stability in a year when several African elections have been marred by violence, fraud, and controversy.

Political analyst Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante notes that Ghana's electoral system has consistently proven its resilience.

"The posture of the Electoral Commission and the doubts people have, have been with us since time immemorial," said the analyst. "It is not a new phenomenon, but every time, we rise above reproach."

To enhance transparency, the EC has accredited about 10,000 journalists and granted full access by the media to the National Collation Center for the first time, said Electoral Commission Chairperson Jean Mensa.

"This is a historic moment in our country, as this is the first time we are opening up our collation center at the national level to our media partners," said Mensa.

The stakes are high for Ghana's ninth successive democratic election since transitioning from military rule in 1992. Power has alternated equally  16 years each  between the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress, making this a highly competitive contest between former President John Mahama of the NDC and Vice President Mahamudu Bawumia of the NPP.

Observers say Ghana's election will once again set a positive example for the region, proving that democracy can thrive in Africa, even amid challenges.

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Taliban shutter Afghan broadcaster over foreign content

By VOA Afghan December 07, 2024

The Taliban said Thursday it had shuttered an Afghan TV station over what it said was "vulgar" programming.

Around eight Taliban officials, including at least one who was armed, raided the Kabul office of Arezo TV on Wednesday morning.

Men and women were separated, and their phones taken, according to an employee who spoke with Agence France-Presse on the condition of anonymity. At least six staff members were detained and placed under investigation.

The offices were sealed and the staff told to wait for further orders, the employee said.

The Ministry for the Propagation of Virtue and Prevention of Vice said Thursday that Arezo TV had been working with foreign media to dub TV programs into the Afghan language. The content appears to have been foreign TV dramas.

"Some people were using the name of Arezo TV to carry out actions that were contrary to Islamic values and national traditions," the ministry said in a statement.

"It became clear that some people had used the name and building of Arezo TV as well as their position in the media outlet to pay temporary workers to dub vulgar serials and programs that were against Islamic and Afghan principles and traditions with the financial support of exiled media outlets outside the country," it said.

Arezo TV, which was founded in 2006, produces news, wildlife documentaries and "Islamic series" that are dubbed from Turkish. The broadcaster has a staff of about 70 in Kabul, according to a local journalists' association.

The raid and arrests will have a negative impact on media in Afghanistan, media associations said.

Mohammad Graan, president of the Afghanistan chapter of the South Asian Association of Reporters Club and Journalists Forum, or SJF, said that detaining Arezo TV staff could "dishearten" journalists.

"It is clear that it will pressure journalists psychologically and demotivate them," he told VOA.

Graan said that under the law, no one has the right to search an individual's phone or computer but, he said, "the Taliban are doing that, and that would have a negative impact on all journalists."

He said that the Taliban are selective in dealing with the media and journalists.

"It is clear that whoever is against them or whatever damages their image, they would take action against it," said Graan.

When the Taliban seized power in August 2021, they said media were free to report, if they didn't publish content that is "contrary to Islam."

Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid has said that there are no restrictions on journalists, if they "consider the national interest and Islamic values and avoid spreading rumors."

But journalists say a lack of clarity around rules makes reporting in Afghanistan hard.

A Kabul-based journalist who did not want his identity to be disclosed told VOA that the Taliban actions "show that they are not committed to their words on respecting freedom of speech."

"It is not the first time, and it won't be the last time in Afghanistan that the Taliban closed a TV [station]," he said. The journalist said that the Taliban have closed stations in the capital and other provinces for years.

Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders says that since the Taliban takeover, more than 40% of media outlets have disappeared and that media work under strict conditions.

The watchdog ranks Afghanistan as the third-worst country globally for press freedom.

The Kabul journalist said journalists are working under a lot of pressure.

He said managers at the media outlet he works for pressured him to remove a post this week about the Taliban ban on women training at medical institutes.

"They [the management] told me that if there is any problem, we would not be able to help you as we are also under a lot of pressure," he said.

Graan, of the SJF, said that the journalists in Afghanistan do not feel safe.

"They live in fear. They fear that what they report could create problems for them. They could lose their job or be put in jail."

The U.N. Assistance Mission in Afghanistan and the Human Rights Office have both said that journalists and media outlets "operate under an environment of censorship and tight restrictions."

Some information in this report came from Agence France-Presse.

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Chipmaker Nvidia teams up with Vietnam for AI amid US-China row

The agreement came after the US announced a chip export control package against Nvidia's key market, China.

By Taejun Kang for RFA 2024.12.08 -- The U.S. chipmaker Nvidia signed an agreement to establish an artificial intelligence research and development center in Vietnam, a few weeks after the U.S. announced a semiconductor export control package against China, one of the American firm's key markets.

Vietnam has recently become an attractive place for Western companies looking for ways to reduce their reliance on China, as geopolitical tensions between Washington and Beijing intensify.

"We are delighted to open Nvidia's R&D center to accelerate Vietnam's AI journey," said Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of Nvidia, in a statement on Thursday, referring to the research and development center.

"With our expertise in AI development, we will partner with a vibrant ecosystem of researchers, startups and enterprise organizations to build incredible AI right here in Vietnam."

The agreement, signed in Hanoi in the presence of Huang and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, will involve the expansion of an AI data center belonging to the Vietnamese military-owned Viettel Group, which already uses Nvidia technology.

"The new center will develop valuable platforms for Nvidia and partners to nurture AI innovation," said Nvidia in the statement.

"Researchers and startups will be able to use this infrastructure to develop AI applications for key industries such as healthcare, education, transportation and finance," the company said

Nvidia's agreement came a few weeks after the U.S. announced a new semiconductor export control package against China, curbing exports to 140 companies, its latest major effort to block China's access to and production of chips capable of advancing artificial intelligence for military purposes.

In response, China retaliated, tightening controls on the export of key raw materials to the U.S. and cautioning Chinese companies against buying American chips.

Nvidia has been a key supplier of high-performance GPUs and AI chips to Chinese companies. In the July quarter of 2024, China accounted for approximately 12% of Nvidia's revenue, amounting to about US$3.7 billion - a more than 30% increase from the previous year.

Although Huang said in November that the chipmaker remained committed to maintaining its presence in mainland China, the U.S. chipmaker has also been eyeing ways to reduce its reliance on China.

During his visit to Hanoi late last year, Huang said that his firm was committed to investing in Vietnam and making it a "second home."

At that time, he said the company planned to expand its partnerships with Vietnam's top tech firms and support it in training talent for developing AI and digital infrastructure.

Last year, Nvidia partnered with Vietnamese AI and cloud computing service provider FPT Smart Cloud. In April, FPT announced that it and Nvidia would build a US$200 million AI "factory" using Nvidia's graphic chip and software.

Apart from Vietnam, Nvidia has increased partnerships and investments in other Southeast Asian countries in recent years including Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and Singapore.

Edited by RFA Staff.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content December not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Georgescu, Supporters Protest Outside Bucharest Polling Station After Runoff Scrapped

By RFE/RL's Romanian Service December 08, 2024

Romania's far-right, pro-Russian presidential candidate Calin Georgescu and dozens of his supporters staged a protest at a shuttered polling station in Bucharest after an election runoff was scrapped by the country's Constitutional Court.

More than 100 people gathered outside a polling station in the capital on December 8 -- the originally scheduled date of the runoff vote -- chanting "Down with dictatorship," "We want to vote," and "Thieves."

Georgescu, whose pro-Russian comments have prompted protests by thousands of mostly young Romanians in recent days, said the authorities canceled the elections because they were afraid he would win.

"I'm here in the name of democracy and always will be," Georgescu told reporters outside the station in the European Union and NATO member country.

Georgescu, who ran as an independent, won the first round of the election on November 24 ahead of reformist Elena Lasconi of the center-right Save Romania Union party, setting up the second-round runoff.

However, the Constitutional Court on December 6 annuled the entire presidential election, throwing the process into upheaval even as diaspora voting in the second round had already begun at sites outside the country.

The court in its published ruling cited the illegal use of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, as well as the use of "undeclared sources of funding."

Georgescu had blasted the court's ruling as an "officialized coup" and an attack on democracy, while Lasconi also assailed the decision.

Georgescu on December 7 urged voters to turn up at polling stations and "to wait for democracy to win through their power," according to a statement by his team.

"Mr. Calin Georgescu believes that voting is an earned right. That is why he believes that Romanians have the right to be in front of the polling stations tomorrow," the statement said.

The runoff had been seen as a referendum on the NATO and EU member's future course amid accusations of Russian meddling that brought thousands of Romanians onto the streets in support of the country's place in the Euro-Atlantic community.

The Constitutional Court's unprecedented decision came just two days after President Klaus Iohannis declassified intelligence that alleged Russia had organized thousands of social media accounts to promote Georgescu -- the shock first-round winner -- across platforms such as TikTok and Telegram.

Georgescu had appeared as a favorite to win the runoff, but was passed by Lasconi in the latest opinion poll after the intelligence documents were released.

The court, without naming Georgescu, said that one of the 13 candidates in the November 24 first round had improperly received "preferential treatment" on social media, distorting the outcome of the vote.

Iohannis said he would remain in office until a new presidential election could be conducted again from the start.

He is expected to appoint a prime minister to begin forming a government from the parliament that was elected on December 1. That administration will choose the date of the new election.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/romania-calin-georgescu- supporters-protest-in-bucharest/33231107.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Romanian Police Detain People 'Carrying Weapons' To Bucharest

By RFE/RL's Romanian Service December 08, 2024

Police in Romania have detained several people as they headed toward Bucharest carrying guns, machetes, and knives to allegedly "disrupt public order and peace," authorities said on December 8.

At least 13 people were being questioned by law enforcement agencies after their vehicles were stopped overnight in the Ilfov county, police sources told RFE/RL.

Authorities did not release the names of those in custody but according to sources at the judiciary, among them is Horatiu Potra, leader of the contingent of Romanian private military contractors fighting in the African nation of Congo.

Ilfov police said a criminal probe has been launched into the issue.

According to Romanian media, Potra was sentenced to two years in prison with a suspended sentence in 2011 after being found guilty of founding a paramilitary group.

State news agency Agerpres published a photo of Potra being escorted by several armed officers as he was being taken for questioning, according to the agency.

The arrests came as dozens of supporters of Romania's far-right, pro-Russian presidential candidate Calin Georgescu were preparing to stage a protest in Bucharest after a runoff vote -- scheduled for December 8 -- was scrapped by the country's Constitutional Court.

The rally took place without incident with Georgescu in attendance.

"I came only with flowers and prayer," he told those gathered in Mogosoaia, just outside Bucharest.

"I am not calling on anyone to do anything, it is a moment of silence," he added.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/romania-police- stop-vehicles-carrying-guns-machetes-to-bucharest/33231314.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Logistics Support Team-Africa main integrator for LAR, LOGCAP support in Africa

By Cameron Porter, 405th AFSB Public Affairs Officer December 9, 2024

VICENZA, Italy -- As the main integrator for the 405th Army Field Support Brigade and U.S. Army Sustainment Command South of the Alps, Logistics Support Team-Africa is responsible for providing support to U.S. Army Southern European Task Force, Africa as well as joint forces across the continent.

Army Maj. Jeremy Evans, the LST-Africa chief, said his team is capable of doing that thanks to Logistics Assistance Representatives from U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command and U.S. Army Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, plus support from the Army's Logistics Civil Augmentation Program.

Evans is assigned to the 405th AFSB's Army Field Support Battalion-Africa and located in Vicenza, 3.5-hours away from his battalion headquarters in Livorno, Italy. He said his team includes himself and another Army officer, seven LARs and two LOGCAP Army civilians, plus three LOGCAP contractors. One of the LARs is from TACOM and the other six are CECOM.

"The main integration point for us is with Southern European Task Force, Africa," Evans said. "This is our main customer. This coming January we're going down to see Combined Joint Task Force-Horn of Africa forces in Djibouti. That's going to be the first time we'll have both capabilities there, CECOM and TACOM LARs. And it's been about a year-and-a-half project in the making to get there."

Evans said LOGCAP supports about a dozen sites in more than a half a dozen countries on the continent of Africa with a holistic approach that includes proving the professionals and the contracting capabilities. At any time, these supported sites can be in either warm or active status. These sites are considered forward deployed posture points and can be used for training missions, diplomatic visits or real-world contingency operations, he said.

For the TACOM and CECOM LARs on Evans team, they have a different mission. They provide direct support to units like the 173rd Airborne Brigade and the 207th Military Intelligence Brigade, for example. Much of their support to the continent of Africa is done via tele-maintenance, Evans said, but in January when he and his team visit Djibouti, this will be the first time they'll have TACOM and CECOM LARs on the ground there, together.

Evans said he and the other LST-Africa officer stay integrated with SETAF-AF planners to support U.S. Africa Command for all the major exercises, events and real-world contingencies. They act as integrators and connected tissue between the organizations they support and the LARs and LOGCAP capabilities on their team.

As an example, one major contingency LST-Africa supported occurred right after Evans arrived and was assigned to the team. There was a coup d'etat in Niger in July of 2023, and Evans and his team were linked in and in support of the mission to withdraw U.S. forces there and preparation for possible Noncombatant Evacuation Operation, or NEO.

"Honestly, this job has been the most eye-opening job I've ever had," Evans said. "One of the most interesting things I've done was a trip with some of my colleagues to the U.S. Embassy in Uganda where I had the opportunity to talk with U.S. Ambassador William Popp. We discussed the challenges they have, and our role and where we fit in with the site there and how we can assist."

LARs are Army civilians serving around the world. Highly trained, they bring more than two dozen specialty skills to Army equipment readiness requirements. They are part of the U.S. Army Sustainment Command's global network of Army Field Support Brigades and are linked to every echelon of the Army in the field.

LOGCAP is an Army strategic sourcing preferred source for base operations support and sustainment services. LOGCAP remains the contracted capability of choice for the Army and multiple joint partners for emergent and contingency operations. Currently, the 405th AFSB's LOGCAP program supports thousands of deployed U.S. forces in Europe and Africa with base life support and more.

AFSBn-Africa is one of four battalions under the command and control of the 405th AFSB. AFSBn-Africa is charged with receiving, maintaining, storing and issuing Army Prepositioned Stocks-2 at Leghorn Army Depot in Livorno as well as at locations forward - known as equipment configuration and handoff areas, or ECHAs.

The battalion is also responsible for linking national logistics capabilities and providing logistics solutions to Army units and joint forces South of the Alps through U.S. Army Materiel Command's Life Cycle Management Commands. That's where Evans and his team from LST-Africa come in.

The 405th AFSB is assigned to ASC and headquartered in Kaiserslautern, Germany. The brigade provides materiel enterprise support to U.S. forces throughout Europe and Africa - providing theater sustainment logistics; synchronizing acquisition, logistics and technology; and leveraging the U.S. Army Materiel Command materiel enterprise to support joint forces.

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Unanimously Adopting Resolution 2761 (2024), Security Council Approves Continued Humanitarian Exemption to Asset Freeze by Da'esh, Al-Qaida Sanctions Regime

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

9802nd Meeting (AM)

SC/15924

6 December 2024

The Security Council today decided to maintain the exemption of humanitarian aid providers from asset freeze measures imposed by the Da'esh and Al-Qaida sanctions regime  a decision that provides those personnel and entities with greater operational clarity and predictability, while maintaining systematic monitoring measures to prevent the carveout from being exploited by terrorist organizations.

Through the unanimous adoption of resolution 2761 (2024) (to be issued as document S/RES/2761(2024)) under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations, the Council decided that the provisions introduced by paragraph 1 of resolution 2664 (2022) shall continue to apply to the 1267/1989/2253 ISIL (Da'esh) and Al-Qaida sanctions regime, reiterating the importance of monitoring the implementation of these provisions.

It called on all States to cooperate fully with the 1267/1989/2253 Sanctions Committee and its Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team in the fulfilment of its tasks.

Taking into account reported cases of abuse of non-profit organizations, including as front organizations to raise, move or transfer funds by and for ISIL (Da'esh), Al-Qaida and their affiliates, the Council further affirmed the importance of its consideration of any information, including possible violations.

"We must do everything in our power to ensure that aid reaches populations in need, regardless of the context or the authorities controlling their territory," stated Switzerland's representative, introducing the text. Resolution 2664 (2022) was a historic step forward in protecting humanitarian operations while mitigating the unintended consequences of UN sanctions. It has facilitated aid access, fund transfers and the financing of humanitarian operations, and provided legal clarity for the private sector and humanitarian actors.

However, more work needs to be done to ensure the resolution's implementation by all States, she emphasized, underlining the need to realize its potential by ensuring the effective continuity of its application to all sanctions regimes. "The application of this exemption to sanctions under the 1267 regime against Da'esh, Al-Qaida and their affiliates is particularly relevant, as more than 100 million people living in the affected contexts are in need of humanitarian assistance," she stressed.

For those people, "humanitarian assistance can mean the difference between life and death," concurred her counterpart from the United States after the unanimous adoption of the draft. He stressed that hundreds of humanitarian providers are currently work in 30 countries, where individuals and entities sanctioned by the 1267 regime are active. Ten countries  including Nigeria, Afghanistan and Syria  host major humanitarian operations that deliver an exceptionally challenging context, he added.

As the world's leading humanitarian donor, Washington, D.C., recognizes its responsibility to do everything in its power to reach the world's most vulnerable. It also recognizes that humanitarians, donors, banks and suppliers serving people deserve the highest degree of legal predictability and protection. That requires that sanctions do not impede the work of legitimate, impartial humanitarian aid providers. "In fact, to date, we have seen no concrete evidence of significant aid diversion to the benefit of sanctioned actors," he asserted.

The speaker for Sierra Leone observed that the resolution balances counter-terrorism measures with the need to protect human rights and facilitate humanitarian assistance, ensuring that aid reaches those in need, without being hindered by sanctions. The application of Chapter VII underscored the severity of the threat posed by Da'esh and Al-Qaida, justifying the use of sanctions to maintain international peace and security.

However, the Russian Federation's representative pointed out that the draft fails to address the question of so-called secondary unilateral restrictions, which are imposed in addition to Council sanctions. Calling for impartial, apolitical delivery of humanitarian assistance, she said that Council sanctions should not affect humanitarian assistance. She also underscored the need for robust monitoring by the 1267 Sanctions Committee  with support from its monitoring team  to prevent assistance from falling into the hands of terrorists and counteract the activity of unverified organizations on the ground. "Preventing attempts to finance terrorism is our shared objective," she stated.

In the same vein, China's delegate emphasized the importance of Member States and humanitarian organizations adhering strictly to the resolution's requirements to ensure that terrorist organizations do not exploit the humanitarian carveout. He highlighted that, in contrast to Council-imposed sanctions, unilateral sanctions pose significant political and legal risks to humanitarian organizations and inflict considerable harm on affected countries. "The status quo is unacceptable," he asserted, calling for an immediate end to those unilateral measures.

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Minister Joly launches Canada's Arctic Foreign Policy

Global Affairs Canada

News release

December 6, 2024 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada

The Arctic is experiencing major change. The shifting geopolitical landscape, evolving security threats and acceleration of climate change are impacting the Arctic in unique ways and highlight the need for strong Canadian leadership to respond to the changing reality in the region.

That is why the Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced the launch of Canada's Arctic Foreign Policy (AFP). The launch of the AFP is the culmination of months of extensive engagement with territorial and provincial governments and Inuit, First Nations and Metis. The AFP was also informed by consultations with the Kingdom of Denmark; Finland; Iceland; Norway; Sweden; and the United States, Canada's like-minded Arctic partners.

The AFP is a comprehensive diplomatic strategy for Canada's engagement in and on the Arctic. It provides expanded presence and partnerships to address current needs and the flexibility to adapt to future challenges. This approach complements the 2019 Arctic and Northern Policy Framework (ANPF), and it will allow Canada to continue to safeguard its sovereignty, advance national interests and promote a stable, prosperous and secure Arctic based on a shared vision for the region's future.

The AFP is composed of four foreign policy pillars: asserting Canada's sovereignty; advancing Canada's interests through pragmatic diplomacy; leadership on Arctic governance and multilateral challenges; and adopting a more inclusive approach to Arctic diplomacy.

The AFP will foster a more secure, prosperous and resilient Arctic for Canadians in the face of new and emerging threats to the region. It will also advance the priorities of territorial and provincial governments and the First Nations, Inuit, Metis, Modern Treaty and Self-Governing Partners who call the Arctic home.

Quotes

"We are in a tough world, and we need to be tough in our response. Competition is growing across the globe, and the Arctic is not immune. Many countries, including non-Arctic states, aspire for a greater role in Arctic affairs. The evolving security and political realities in the region mean we need a new approach to advance our national interests and to ensure a stable, prosperous and secure Arctic, especially for the Northerners and the Indigenous Peoples who call Arctic home." - Melanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs

"Climate change is increasing access to Arctic resources and shipping lanes, enticing nations to the region and heightening competition. This evolving environment creates new security challenges. Canada's Arctic Foreign Policy responds to these growing challenges with a focus on asserting our sovereignty in the North, while supporting prosperity for those living there. This new policy complements our defence policy, Our North, Strong and Free: A Renewed Vision for Canada's Defence, which will see us expand our presence in the North." - Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence

"I am proud to support a new Arctic Foreign Policy that includes northern Indigenous knowledge, builds on the co-developed 2019 Arctic and Northern Policy Framework and reflects on the needs and priorities of the North. Placing Indigenous voices, knowledge, and wisdom at the foreground of both the policy and its implementation will ensure that the future of the Canadian Arctic on the international stage is shaped by the communities who have called the Arctic home since time immemorial." - Dan Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs

"Inuit Nunangat, the Inuit homeland in Canada, makes up 40 percent of Canada's land area and all of its Arctic coastline. Security and prosperity of Inuit Nunangat is a shared priority for Inuit and Canada, articulated through our work at the Inuit Crown Partnership Committee table. Building on our successful co-development of elements of the Arctic Foreign Policy through ICPC, we are committed to continue work to ensure that Inuit and Canada jointly deliver on the AFP's strong ambitions." - Natan Obed, President of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami

"Effective partnerships for a stronger, flourishing Arctic rely on co-development with Inuit, whether it be at home or abroad. Removing barriers for Inuit to connect with each other across borders and strengthening institutions, including the Arctic Council, are examples of what lies ahead. The Arctic Foreign Policy and policies like it must uphold Inuit self-determination, including our full and effective participation. We look forward to the work ahead with the federal government to make this happen." - Lisa Qiluqqi Koperqualuk, President of Inuit Circumpolar Council Canada

"The Yukon is stepping up as a key leader in Canada's Arctic security. I welcome the Arctic Foreign Policy for strengthening Canada's role in critical discussions and fostering collaboration in this vital region. With strategic investments, strong partnerships and northern voices included, the Yukon is ready to tackle challenges and support Canada's leadership in the Arctic." - Ranj Pillai, Premier of the Yukon

"This new Arctic Foreign Policy reflects the evolving realities of our region and highlights the importance of collaboration between Canada, Indigenous governments, and Arctic and territorial partners. In the Northwest Territories, safeguarding Arctic sovereignty and security goes hand in hand with advancing opportunities for Northerners. By investing in resilient infrastructure, housing, and climate solutions, we can ensure a stable and prosperous future for those who call the North home, while reinforcing Canada's leadership and security on the global stage." - R.J. Simpson, Premier of the Northwest Territories

"Nunavut welcomes Canada's new Arctic-specific foreign policy and looks forward to partnering with the federal government to advance our country's efforts regarding Arctic sovereignty and security. Our territory's history and geography uniquely position Nunavut to play a strategic role in Team Canada's diplomatic endeavours. We look forward to advancing the objectives of this policy through investments in transformative nation-building infrastructure that meet local community needs, forge opportunities for economic development and address reconciliation, and our country's geopolitical interests in Arctic sovereignty and security." - P.J. Akeeagok, Premier of Nunavut

"The Arctic Athabaskan Council welcomes Canada's new foreign policy on the Arctic which recognizes the autonomy and sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples. Only by working together towards common goals can we achieve our objectives." - Bill Erasmus, International Chair of the Arctic Athabaskan Council

Quick facts

The Arctic region is central to Canada's national identity, prosperity and security. The Canadian Arctic covers 40% of Canada's territory and more than 70% of its coastline and is home to many Canadians, including Indigenous Peoples, who have inhabited this land since time immemorial.

One of the core priorities for the Arctic Foreign Policy is to deepen cooperation across the North American Arctic. The North American Arctic encompasses the vast northern territories of three countries: Alaska (the United States) in the west; northern Canada in the centre; and Greenland (the Kingdom of Denmark) in the east. The relationships in this region are unique due to geographical proximity and the ancestral relations that exist among Indigenous Peoples.

Global Affairs Canada is responsible for coordinating and leading the international aspects of Canada's engagement in and on the Arctic. Canada is an active member of the Arctic Council, the main international forum for Arctic cooperation.

The Arctic Foreign Policy builds on the International chapter of the ANPF, launched in 2019. The Framework was co-developed with territorial and provincial governments and Indigenous Peoples and is still very relevant and continues to be implemented.

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Chinese National and U.S. Legal Permanent Resident Charged for Illegal Scheme to Export Controlled Data and Defraud the Department of Defense

Friday, December 6, 2024

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

Note: View the indictment here.

A four-count indictment was unsealed today charging Hang Sun, also known as Cody Sun, with conspiracy, wire fraud, smuggling, and a violation of the Arms Export Control Act for his role in an illegal scheme to send export-controlled defense-related technical data to China and to unlawfully supply the Department of Defense (DOD) with Chinese-origin rare earth magnets for aviation systems and military items.

The indictment alleges that between January 2012 and December 2018, the defendant conspired to send approximately 70 drawings containing export-controlled technical data to a company located in China without a license from the U.S. government, in violation of the Arms Export Control Act and the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. The technical data drawings were the property of two U.S. companies and related to end-use items for aviation, submarine, radar, tank, mortars, missiles, infrared and thermal imaging targeting systems, and fire control systems for DOD.

The indictment further alleges that Quadrant Magnetics imported rare earth magnets that were smelted and magnetized by a company in China. Quadrant then sold these magnets to two U.S. companies which included them in components sold to DOD for use in the F-16, the F-18, and other defense assets in violation of the Defense Acquisition Regulations System (DFARS). Under the DFARS specialty metal clause, rare earth magnets sold to DOD must be produced in the United States or an approved country. China is not an approved country. Quadrant Magnetics and three of its employees were separately charged in a superseding indictment filed in the Western District of Kentucky on Dec. 5, 2023.

If convicted, Sun faces statutory maximum penalties of up to five years in prison for conspiracy; 20 years in prison for wire fraud; 20 years in prison for exporting technical data without a license; and 10 years in prison for smuggling goods from the United States. A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.

Assistant Attorney General Matthew G. Olsen of the Justice Department's National Security Division, Director Kelly P. Mayo of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service (DCIS), U.S. Attorney Michael A. Bennett for the Western District of Kentucky, Executive Assistant Director Robert Wells of the FBI's National Security Branch, and Special Agent in Charge Karen Wingerd of the IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Cincinnati Field Office made the announcement.

The DCIS, FBI, Department of Homeland Security, IRS-CI, Naval Criminal Investigative Service, and Department of Energy's Office of Inspector General are investigating the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Joshua Judd and Christopher Tieke for the Western District of Kentucky and Trial Attorneys Alexander Wharton and Leslie Esbrook with the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section are prosecuting the case.

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

Topic: National Security

Component: National Security Division (NSD)

Press Release Number: 24-1512

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Two years on, Chinese carry 'painful' memories of COVID lockdowns

The rapid U-turn followed protests, and led to millions of infections and deaths across the country.

By Qian Lang and Hsia Hsiao-hwa for RFA Mandarin 2024.12.06 -- At the 20th party congress in October 2022, ruling Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping made it clear to the country that his hugely unpopular zero-COVID restrictions, including grueling lockdowns and the mass testing, tracking and quarantining of citizens, would remain in place for the foreseeable future.

Just a few weeks later, young people holding up blank sheets of paper started gathering in their thousands in public places and university campuses across China, sparked by a fatal lockdown fire in Xinjiang's regional capital Urumqi, calling on Xi to step down and amid growing calls for pandemic restrictions to end.

Within days, a new policy had been announced, and authorities across the country began abandoning Xi's pet policy, lifting quarantine requirements and travel bans in a bid to rescue the country's flagging economy.

Two years after the easing of restrictions, many who were there still have vivid memories of being sealed up in their apartments, and of the wave of COVID-19 infections and deaths that ripped through the country once restrictions were lifted.

Guo Bin was living at his parents' home in the northeastern city of Changchun in 2020, when the COVID-19 pandemic emerged in Wuhan and spread around the country and to the rest of the world.

His father wasn't allowed to leave the factory where he worked, while Guo and his mother were barricaded into their alleyway by police and local unemployed youths pressed into service to enforce isolation orders.

Guo and his mother were left to get by on potatoes and cabbage, while they heard of elderly people who lived alone without internet access starving to death that winter.

Their home province of Jilin was locked down for another month in the winter of 2021, just in time for Lunar New Year, he said.

"I was depressed, in such a low mood," Guo recalled of that time, drawing parallels with the Mao era of mass social controls. "I was exposed to propaganda every day that was similar to the Cultural Revolution."

"I was trapped in a few dozen square meters with no access to fresh air, freedom of movement or communication with the outside," he said. "It wasn't like being in prison; it was a prison."

Mask orders for prisoners

Citizen journalist Fang Bin, who served three years in jail after blowing the whistle on the extent of the initial COVID-19 outbreak in Wuhan in early 2020, endured strict restrictions in prison, too.

"In prison, you had to wear a mask 24 hours a day," Fang said. "You weren't allowed to take it off even to sleep."

"Anyone not wearing one would be forced to stand for three hours every day."

Former Inner Mongolia official Du Wen said the mask orders didn't always protect prisoners.

"A lot of people around us were dying, but the authorities wouldn't admit it was COVID-19," Du told RFA Mandarin in a recent interview. "Nobody dared to admit it."

"At one point, 350 people in the Hohhot No. 2 Prison had a fever, but they still didn't admit it was COVID," Du said. "Because if they did, everyone from the prison bureau to the director to the prison guards would be sanctioned [under the zero-COVID policy]."

"Some people died because of this, and they said it was tuberculosis."

Waves of deaths

When restrictions were eventually lifted, the timing meant that the newly emerged Omicron variant of COVID-19 ripped through the population, causing huge waves of deaths that have never been confirmed or fully reported, according to anecdotal evidence from funeral parlors and social statistics.

At the peak of the wave, mortuaries and funeral homes in Beijing were overwhelmed, with a weeks-long backlog of bodies awaiting cremation.

Bodies piled up in hospitals and in people's homes awaiting cremation across China, as funeral homes recruited more staff to transport the dead.

Overseas researchers estimated that cases peaked at 4.8 million a day with 62 million infections predicted across the Lunar New Year holiday of 2023.

Fang Bin remembers that time well.

"I was in the Jiang'an District Detention Center, and masks were no longer being worn, and everyone was infected," Fang said. "More than 1,000 people in the detention center were infected."

Guo, who has since fled the country, said China should learn the lesson that cover-ups never help an emerging public health crisis.

"Politics always comes first, rather than human life," he said. "I hope we can all remember these ridiculous, absurd, painful, sad and random stories, and the suffering we have been through as a nation."

He said if the government had listened to whistleblowers like Wuhan doctor Li Wenliang instead of suppressing them, the outcome could have been very different.

"We owe the world an explanation," Guo said. "An apology, or at least some self-reflection."

Translated by Luisetta Mudie. Edited by Roseanne Gerin.

Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content December not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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China arms sales experience slight growth globally as challenges remain

By Samuel Hui December 06, 2024

China's drive to buttress its military modernization through increased international arms sales has slowed, according to a new report from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, or SIPRI, with experts citing Chinese-made weapons systems' lack of combat experience as one key obstacle.

The SIPRI report issued this week shows significant growth in total international arms sales driven by the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. Revenues earned by the world's 100 largest defense companies grew by 4.2% to a total of $632 billion in 2023.

But the growth for Chinese companies in 2023 was only 0.7%, the smallest since 2019.

The United States was the world's largest arms exporter last year with 41 American companies in the top 100, earning $317 billion in arms revenue. Only nine of the top 100 enterprises were from China, with total arms revenue amounting to $103 billion, according to the survey.

The slowdown comes despite China's efforts to find overseas markets for its weapons to support its geopolitical objectives.

Over the past year, Chinese defense contractors participated in a number of defense exhibitions overseas. More than 60 defense firms participated in the Eurosatory  one of Europe's biggest defense expos  in France in July. Chinese defense companies also participated in events in Vietnam, Singapore, Qatar and together with Russia at an arms fair in Pakistan.

Analysts say Beijing still faces a range of obstacles as it seeks to grow its reputation as a major arms seller. They say Beijing's close ties to Moscow and the fact that many of its systems  while advanced  have not been battle-tested, are some of the reasons China's weapons sales appear to be lagging behind other countries.

Technology transfer

For many countries allied with the West, China's perceived support for Russia and its war in Ukraine are a key deterrent to purchasing Chinese arms.

Fenix Chiang, a senior military reporter for Taiwan's China Times newspaper, says that nations such as Poland, which see Russia as a primary threat, are unlikely to buy Chinese or Russian-aligned weaponry, opting instead for more reasonably priced South Korean alternatives.

"Poland would never choose military weapons from China or those aligned with Russia, as they would offer little security," Chiang said.

Wendell Minnick, a former journalist for the Defense News website, said China's lack of after-sales support and unwillingness to share critical technologies with buyers weakens its position in the global arms market.

"They will sell you a fighter jet, but they don't provide very in-depth training opportunity for the country they sell them to," Minnick told VOA's Mandarin Service in a webcam video interview. "That's a huge problem."

Minnick said that by contrast, Washington supplies training for Taiwan's F-16 pilots in the United States.

"They are getting face-to-face, boot on the ground experience with real U.S. fighter pilots and training. China doesn't really provide much in the way of training," Minnick said.

Lack of maintenance and spare parts support is another problem for China in promoting its weapons to the international market, he added.

"You just don't deliver an advanced weapon system and then say thank you, so long, goodbye, good luck. You have to supply them with continued maintenance and upgrade and spare parts," Minnick said. "You also have to provide manuals that are in the local languages, not in Chinese."

Not battle-tested

Analysts say the biggest challenge Chinese weapons face abroad is their lack of real combat experience.

"Nobody likes to buy an advanced weapon system that has not seen combat," said Minnick, "So that's a huge problem for China until their systems begin to actually be deployed to combat with a proven combat record."

Erich Shih, a Taiwanese military expert, also believes that a lack of combat experience is a weakness of Chinese weapons.

"When it comes to the export of mainland China's fighter jets, if there's one thing they lack, it's real combat experience," Shih said. "In other words, from the perspective of buyers, the question is whether these weapons are truly reliable."

The use of Western technology in Chinese weapons has become another obstacle for China in selling arms overseas.

Chang Ching, a senior researcher at the Taipei-based think tank Society for Strategic Studies, notes that there have long been rumors that China is interested in selling its J-10 fighter jet to Argentina, and that Argentina is interested as well.

"However, the ejection seats used in the jets are produced by Martin-Baker, and the U.K. does not approve the export of Martin-Baker's zero-zero ejection seats to Argentina," Chang said. "Unless China can replace them with domestically developed ejection seats, any equipment with components from other countries will face restrictions and limitations when sold abroad."

Dual-use advantage

On the positive side for Chinese arms companies, Chinese military drones perform well in the global market due to fewer export restrictions compared to U.S. and European counterparts, according to a report from the Mercator Institute for China Studies, or MERICS,

Fenix Chiang says drones from Da-Jiang Innovations, a Chinese technology company, can be easily adapted for military use after being exported to Ukraine.

China has reportedly exported dual-use technologies to both sides of the conflict in Ukraine.

Highlighting one example, Chiang pointed to China's sale to Russia last year of 10,000 "DesertCross 1000-3" off-road vehicles that were made for civilian use but can be useful on the battlefield.

In another example, China retired its Type 056 missile frigate and transferred the vessel to the Chinese Coast Guard.

"Several of these vessels have been sold to other countries," Chang said.

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Transcript of Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson (December 06, 2024)

India - Ministry of External Affairs

December 06, 2024

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Good evening dear friends. Let's begin this Press Briefing. I open the floor for questions.

Madhurendra Kumar, News Nation: Sir, Madhurendra Main News Nation se. Kal WMCC ki baithak hui thi aur usme jankari di gayi ki kis tarah se Bharat aur China ne Eastern Ladkah mein disengagement ke baad cheezo ko progress kiya hai. Lekin jo previous disengagement hua tha jiske baad abhi tak patrolling Gogra, Hotspring, PP14 aur Pangong ke ilaake mein shuru nahi ho payi hai. Uspar kya koi baatcheet hui? Kya waha par patrolling hum dobara shuru kar payenge? Kyunki jab tak waha par patrolling shuru nahi hogi, tab tak hamara word jo hai ki purwarti sthiti bahaal ho, who nahi ho payegi.

[Question in Hindi: Approximate Translation] Sir, I'm Madhurendra from News Nation. In yesterday's WMCC Meeting, it was informed how India and China have made progress on things following the disengagement in Eastern Ladakh. However, after the previous disengagement that was reached, we still haven't managed to resume patrolling in Gogra, Hotspring, PP14 and Pangong regions. Have there been any talks on that? Would we be able to resume patrolling in those regions? Because until the patrolling resumes there, we won't be able to achieve our stand of reaching the previously existed position.

Yeshi Seli, The New Indian Express: This is Yeshi Seli from The New Indian Express. Is the Foreign Secretary likely to travel to Bangladesh next week for Foreign Office Consultations? And what is the situation on the ground where the ISKCON member, Chinmaya Das has not been given bail and his next date is in January. What is India doing now?

Sidhant Sibal, WION: Hi Sir, Sidhant from WION. Sir, how does India see the situation in Syria? And sir secondly, Taliban has put a ban on women's medical education. How does India see that?

Ayushi Agarwal, ANI: Sir this is Ayushi Agarwal from ANI. One question on Bangladesh. If the Foreign Secretary will visit Bangladesh, will there be any meeting with the interim government? And also has India received any confirmation from the Kremlin side regarding Putin's visit to India next year?

Rishabh Madhavendra Pratap, Times Now: Sir, good evening. Rishabh from Times Now. Sir, Masood Azhar, who was mastermind of Pulwama attack and other attacks in India as well, has made a public address after 20 years and has vowed to renew attack on India. Any response to that?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Okay let me first answer these questions.

Madhu pehle aapka sawal patrolling ko lekar Eastern Ladakh mein. Is mamle par Foreign Secretary ne baat ki. Is mamle par Parliament ke andar Videsh Mantri ne apna vaktavya rakha, statement rakha. Patrolling ki jahan tak baat hai Eastern Ladakh mein, hum logo ne clear kar diya hai ki jis jagah patrolling honi thi, jo sthiti bahaal honi thi, wo sab bahaal ho gai hai.

[Answer in Hindi: Approximate Translation] Madhu, first your question regarding patrolling in Eastern Ladakh, Foreign Secretary spoke on this issue. External Affairs Minister gave his statement on this issue in the Parliament. As far as patrolling is concerned, we have made it clear wherever patrolling was to be done, whatever situation was to be restored, has been done.

Yeshi, Foreign Secretary is scheduled to visit Bangladesh on 9th of December. And he will meet his counterpart and there will be several other meetings during the visit. Foreign Office Consultations led by the Foreign Secretary is a structured engagement between India and Bangladesh. We look forward to this meeting. As far as the situation on ground regarding the individuals that you mentioned, we want to reiterate our position again that they have legal rights and we hope that these legal rights will be respected and that the trial will be fair, transparent. They will get a fair and transparent trial.

Sidhant, your question regarding Syria, we have noted that there has been recent escalation in fighting in North Syria. We are closely following the situation. There are about 90 Indian nationals, we understand. There are also several Indians there who are working with UN organizations. Our Embassy is in regular touch with our Indian nationals for their safety and security.

On your question regarding medical education, our position on such matters is very well known. So I would refer you to look at what we have said in this regard.

Ayushi, I just talked about Foreign Secretary's scheduled visit to Bangladesh on 9th December. He will be visiting Bangladesh for Foreign Office Consultations.

On the other questions regarding visit of President Putin, We have, with Russia, an arrangement of Annual Summits. The last Annual Summit was held in Moscow for which Prime Minister travelled to Moscow. The next one is scheduled to be held in India, next year that is. And the dates for the same will be worked out through diplomatic channels.

Rishabh, your question regarding this terrorist, he is a UN designated terrorist. We demand that strong action be taken against him, that he be brought to justice. There has been denial that he is not there in Pakistan. What you are referring to, if the reports are correct, then it exposes the duplicity of Pakistan. Masood Azhar is involved in cross-border terror attacks in India and we want that strong action be taken against him.

Huma Siddiqui, Financial Express: Sir I am Huma Siddiqui from the Financial Express. There has been Martial Law in South Korea, and of course it was removed now. The situation is tense. So, is there any concern about the Indians in South Korea, and what is India wanting to do in case there is a repatriation situation? And my second question is, has any date been decided for the India-Africa Forum?

Sudhi Ranjan Sen, Bloomberg: Sir, Sudhi Ranjan from Bloomberg. I wanted a clarification on the WMCC statement from yesterday. The statement says that, you know, both India and China have completed the resolution of the issues that emerged in 2020. Would that in any way mean that disengagement is done and this is the end of it and de-escalation is not on the cards? I mean discussions on de-escalation.

Raghavendra Verma, ZDF: Sir, this is Raghavendra Verma from German television ZDF. My question is regarding the scam call centres from India that target people abroad. How serious is the issue, what government is doing to tackle it and how successful are those efforts? And is there any international cooperation or any other mechanism that exists to deal with it?

Ayanangsha Maitra: Sir this is Ayanangsha Maitra. Sir, during Foreign Secretary's visit to Bangladesh, I suppose this is the maiden visit, will his discussion be only pertain to his counterpart Jashim Uddin and the Chief Adviser. If not, what sort of format it is, because this is already a structured sort of interaction. Secondly an off shoot from Sidhant Sibal's question, if sort of strict measures are taken on female medical students in Afghanistan, what support will India do to the female medical students in Afghanistan? Thank you.

Ajay Banerjee, The Tribune: Sir, I am Ajay Banerjee from The Tribune. I am asking a follow up to what Sudhi asked. Sir, the External Affairs Minister, in one of his statements in Parliament, had mentioned that the next step of de-escalation will be taken forward. What Sudhi mentioned, that WMCC yesterday kind of said it's a closed chapter. Could you please clarify on that?

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: So Huma, regarding South Korea, as you know, South Korea and India have a very important partnership. We have strong economic and political partnership. We're obviously monitoring the developments in South Korea. We have very strong investment, trade linkages. We have very strong defence cooperation with South Korea. We also have very strong people-to-people ties in South Korea. We also have a large number of Indian nationals who live in South Korea. On all these developments, we continue to maintain a close watch. So, if there is any eventuality or anything... these may have a bearing on the safety of our Indian nationals, as also bearing on our interests. We maintain a close watch and we hope that the situation in the country will stabilise soon.

On India-Africa Forum Summit, Huma I don't have any update for you at this point of time. Hopefully we will work out these details through diplomatic channels. And as and when we have an update on it, we will be sharing this with you.

Sudhi, your question regarding WMCC, the WMCC is very clear. If you look at the Press Release that we have issued, it talks about the implementation of the disengagement process. So, that is one process which is complete. And now it will move onto the de-escalation process, which is also mentioned in the External Affairs Minister's statement.

So, I hope, Ajay, that answers your question as well.

Raghavendra, on the call centres issue, we take all these things very seriously. We have agencies here who are looking into this matter. We have strong cooperation with their international partners as well. Our law enforcement agencies have been taking strong and swift action against the culprits. We have been also discussing these cyber-related issues with countries abroad, when we have these cyber conversations and dialogues. Also, our agencies here in India, through Interpol and through bilateral arrangements that we have with specific countries, they have been taking action or undertaking joint efforts for evidence, for more information, so that we can clamp down on the cybercrime call centres which are targeting people abroad. Also, to share with you, as you know, that we have specifically created an agency for this purpose, which is called the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, I4C, in the Ministry of Home Affairs, and they have been actively pursuing these efforts.

Ayanangsha, on the Foreign Secretary's visit, you know, he will be discussing all issues that are of mutual interest. Aside from his counterpart, he will have several other meetings. Those are being worked out and you will be updated on them. On the other issue that you raised, I have already said, India's views on such matters is very clear and very well known.

Ajay, I also answered your question.

Sapna, Sadhna Group: Sapna Sadhna Group se. Sir Russia lagatar invest kar raha hai Bharat mein, already kaafi invest kar chukka hai, aage bhi invest karne ka soch raha hai, to sir antrrashtriya star par iska kaisa asar padega India ka.

[Question in Hindi: Approximate Translation] Sir, Sapna from Sadhna Group. Sir, Russia is investing a lot in India. They have already invested a lot, and they are planning to invest more in India. How will this affect India on an international level?

Keshav Padmanabhan, The Print: Sir, Keshav Padmanabhan from The Print. In the statement made by the External Affairs Minister on China in the Parliament, he mentioned that now that the disengagement phase has... there's an agreement on this, we'll be looking at opening other sectors in a calibrated manner. Can you give us a sense of... because there has been news, at least from China, about the need for visas, direct flights, so can you give us sort of a sense of what is on the agenda in terms of the next steps of opening these sort of ties with China? Thank you.

Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: So, Sapna pehle aapka sawal Russia ke investment ko lekar hai, dekhiye hum log chahte hain ki Bharat ke jo program hain, Make in India ho, aur jis prakar ka hamara program chal raha hai ki duniya mein hum apne aap ko ek majboot manufacturing sector ke roop mein manufacturing industry ke liye ek majboot destination ke roop me apne aap ko prastut karen. Isme aapne dekha hoga ke kai ek saari videshi companies yaha par pichhle kuchh saalon me aayin hain aur hamara jo Make in India program hai aur Bharat ko ek manufacturing destination ko promote karne ka jo hamara silsila hai usmein kaafi majbooti aayi hai. Russia se bhi investment aaye hain aur hum chahte hain ki aur jo hamari jitni yaha par potential hain unko yaha par istemaal kiya jaaye aur hamare jo aarthik naate hain Russia ke sath, investment trade ke naate hain aur majboot ho. Ye achi baat hai, isse aur logon ko bhi protsahan milega, wo dekhenge ki kis prakar ka kaam hum yaha par kar pa rahe hain, kis prakar se hamari cheejen jo yaha banti hain, wo duniya me kis prakar se khari utarti hain, uski quality ho, uske kifayti daam ho, in sab cheej ko lekar. Low cost-high quality manufacturing ke liye Hindustan ko bade najdeek se dekha ja raha hai, ek ache destination ke roop me dekha ja raha hai

[Answer in Hindi: Approximate Translation] Sapna, on your question regarding Russia's investment, we expect that India's programs like Make in India and others, and the way in which our programs are ongoing, we want to project ourselves as a strong manufacturing sector in the world. We want to present ourselves as a strong destination for the manufacturing industry. You would have seen that many foreign companies have come to India in recent years. And we have gained strength in our efforts to promote India as a strong manufacturing destination through our Make in India program. We've received investments from Russia too, and we want that all our available potential is utilised to its best. And we expect that the economic ties, investment and trade ties that we have with Russia, should strengthen. This is a good thing and will motivate others too. They shall see how work is happening here, how the items manufactured here are of good quality and have affordable price. India is being closely viewed for low cost high quality manufacturing. We're being viewed as a suitable destination.

Keshav, on this particular matter of next steps, we have had... you know, even after when the External Affairs Minister had a meeting with his counterpart on the sidelines of G20 Summit in Rio, there again, these matters were discussed and we issued a Press Release, giving a readout of what lies ahead. In the WMCC Press Release also, you would have seen that now preparations are on for a Special Representative meeting. We also talked about the Foreign Secretary level meeting. So, once these meetings take place, we will be discussing the next steps, and then you will see how things are to be taken forward, how those things will be taken forward, the things that you are talking about.

Thank you very much ladies and gentlemen.

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Iraq: Security Council briefed on major milestones and ongoing challenges

6 December 2024 - There have been significant developments in Iraq in recent months - which has so far avoided being dragged into the widening Middle East conflict - but corruption and other challenges persist, the new UN Special Representative for the country told the Security Council on Friday.

"As you have heard many times by now, today's Iraq is not the same as the Iraq of 20 years ago, or even five years ago. Iraq today is more secure, stable and open, despite the many obstacles facing the country," Mohamed Al Hassan said in his first briefing to ambassadors.

The envoy, who also heads the UN Assistance Mission in Iraq (UNAMI), expressed confidence that the country "is capable of overcoming crises and facing challenges towards forging a more secure, bright and hopeful future."

Nationwide census, major investments

Mr. Al Hassan outlined recent milestones, starting with the successful conduct of the national census last month - the first to include the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region in the north, since 1987.

Preliminary results indicate that Iraq's population has nearly doubled over the past 30 years, surpassing 45 million, and "decision makers will now be able to plan based on reliable facts and figures."

Key political appointment

Another key development was the October election of a new Speaker of the Council of Representatives, the Iraqi parliament, "after a year of vacancy and various unsuccessful attempts."

Additionally, Prime Minister Mohammed Shia Al-Sudani continues to invest in major infrastructure projects throughout the country, including building roads, bridges, schools and transportation networks.

Promoting regional peace and integration

"In a region that is 'on fire', Iraq's Government has shown strong resolve to keep the country out of the widening regional conflict, while standing firm as a strong voice for regional peace and stability," he continued.

The Prime Minister "has consistently called for an end to regional tensions, stressing the need for respect of Iraq's sovereignty and territorial integrity."

Moreover, looking beyond the current conflicts, the Government is also striving to position Iraq as a vital corridor for transportation, energy, and trade, leveraging regional partnerships.

"Such initiatives underscore Iraq's efforts to foster regional integration and prosperity," he said.

Progress in the Kurdistan Region

Mr. Al Hassan also highlighted "positive progress" made in the Kurdistan Region, where parliamentary elections were held on 20 October "after two years of protracted negotiations and delays", thus re-establishing the legitimacy of institutions there.

UNAMI provided electoral assistance for the process in which more than two million people participated. Voter turnout reached 72 per cent - a 12 per cent increase over the previous elections, and women secured 31 of the 100 parliamentary seats, exceeding the minimum quota of 30 per cent.

"As negotiations among political parties for the formation of the new regional government are underway, political parties have a responsibility to enable women's access to political positions and a seat at the table for them," he said.

Moreover, the Prime Minister's visit to the regional capital, Erbil, following the elections "was an important step towards promoting joint dialogue to address the many important issues between the two sides."

Corruption and threats to women's rights

Mr. Hassan said, however, that these positive developments are "tempered by the threat posed by persistent and systemic corruption despite the Government's efforts to address them."

He underlined the need for "comprehensive changes and reforms that will bolster accountability, promote competency, improve transparency, and fortify governance systems," adding "I fully truly trust that the Government is taking promising steps in this direction."

While strengthening state institutions to tackle corruption is crucial, he said "bolstering state institutions, promoting and supporting human rights are all the more important in a country that is moving away from its dark past." This requires having strong institutions that safeguard people's fundamental rights and freedoms.

Debate over marriage law

He noted that there has been much public debate and international attention around the proposed amendments to the Personal Status Law, which would have far-reaching implications for women and girls.

UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed recently observed that the provisions include lowering the legal marriage age for girls from 18 years to nine years. UNAMI has extensively engaged with Iraqi stakeholders on the draft.

Displaced people 'deserve better'

Turning to other matters, Mr. Al Hassan said the impact of the terrorist group Da'esh is still visible in camps hosting thousands of displaced people, mainly members of the Yazidi minority community. He has witnessed these harsh living conditions first-hand.

"It is unacceptable for Iraq. Iraq can do better," he said. "I am certain that Iraq will be able to provide better living conditions for those who were victims in the first place. My heart and solidarity go to the Yazidis and others who are displaced for so many years. They deserve better."

The Prime Minister's decision to establish a National High Committee in consultation with the UN to tackle displacement, therefore marks a step in the right direction but it is not enough. He urged Iraq to invest concretely in creating the conditions for Yazidis and others who have been uprooted to return home.

Repatriations from Syrian camps

"And let's not forget the Iraqi citizens still in Al Hol camp in northeastern Syria," he added, referring to the site where thousands of people of various nationalities, including children, are being held for alleged ties to Da'esh.

Although Iraq is one of the very few countries working to repatriate citizens, again more action is needed to accelerate returns from "the hell-like conditions" there.

"We have renewed commitments from the Iraqi Government and institutions .... to repatriate Iraqi citizens from Al Hol and other camps in northeast Syria, hopefully before the end of 2025," he said, urging other countries to follow suit.

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Despite Many Obstacles that Remain, 'Iraq Today Is More Secure, Stable and Open', Special Representative Tells Security Council

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

9803rd Meeting (AM)

SC/15925

6 December 2024

More Must Be Done on Missing Kuwaiti Nationals, Property, Underline Many Delegates More Must Be Done on Missing Kuwaiti Nationals, Property, Underline Many Delegates

With its recent national census and long-overdue parliamentary elections in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq is secure and stable despite the obstacles it faces, the senior United Nations official in the country told the Security Council today as speakers expressed concern over proposed changes to the country's Personal Status Law and its impact on women and children.

"Today's Iraq is not the same as the Iraq of 20 years ago, or even five years ago," said Mohamed al Hassan, Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Iraq (UNAMI), briefing the 15-member organ for the first time and presenting the latest Secretary-General's reports on key developments in the country since May (document S/2024/844) as well as on progress on the issue of missing Kuwaiti and third-country nationals and Kuwaiti property (document S/2024/857). "A major milestone was the successful conduct of the national census on 20 November, which I had the opportunity to watch live together with the Prime Minister," he said, pointing out that preliminary results from the first census to include the Kurdistan Region since 1987 indicate a doubling of the population in 30 years to more than 45 million people. "Decision makers will now be able to plan based on reliable facts and figures," he said.

On the security front, despite the region "on fire", Iraq's Government has shown resolve in staying out of the widening regional conflict while standing firm as a strong voice for regional peace and stability, he continued, citing Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' Al Sudani's consistent calls for an end to regional tensions. Turning to the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, he noted that parliamentary elections took place after two years of negotiations and delays, re-establishing the legitimacy of the Region's institutions. With 2 million people casting their votes, voter turnout reached 72 per cent, an increase of 12 per cent over the previous elections, he said, also highlighting that "out of the 100 parliamentary seats, women secured 31 seats, more than the minimum quota of 30 per cent".

However, such positive developments are tempered by persistent and systemic corruption, he said, underscoring that "while public debate on corruption is frequent, and politicians engage widely on the topic, the issue continues to prevail in Iraq's socioeconomic life". Therefore, he called for reforms to bolster accountability, promote competency, improve transparency and fortify governance systems, voicing regret that the selection of a new Board of Commissioners for the Iraqi High Commission for Human Rights is still pending. On the proposed amendments to Iraq's Personal Status Law, he cited his engagement with Iraqi stakeholders, stressing that any reforms align with the country's international human rights commitments.

Turning to the issue of missing Kuwaiti and third-country nationals, on which UNAMI continues to participate as observer through the Tripartite Mechanism chaired by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), he called for redoubled efforts to identify and excavate potential burial sites and for the search for missing Kuwaiti property, including the national archives, to be expedited. A potential follow-on mechanism is being explored, should outstanding issues remain unresolved upon termination of UNAMI's mandate, in line with the Council's request, he added. On UNAMI's transition and liquidation plan, he stated that his Office is working with Iraq's Government, UN Headquarters and the UN country team to finalize the plan for submission to the Council by 31 December 2024.

Council members also heard from Hanaa Edwar, President of Iraqi Al-Amal Association, who expressed concern over the proposed amendments to Law 188 [of 1959], the Personal Status Law guaranteeing personal, religious rights to women and children. The proposed changes undermine the foundations of the law, replacing it with a "doctrinal code of unknown content" that abolished the rights of women to divorce, alimony, custody and inheritance as well as legalized child marriage and marriage outside civil courts, all of which ran contrary to Iraq's international obligations as well as its own Constitution, she warned, citing the grave concern voiced by UN experts in this regard.

Therefore, on behalf of her colleagues in Coalition 188, a civil society group formed to defend the existing Personal Status Law, she called on Baghdad to immediately withdraw its proposed amendments and not to not vote on them as they are part of a "basket" of controversial laws, such as one of general amnesty. This would, in effect, "release prisoners accused of terrorism and corruption while incarcerating women in patriarchal prison", she stressed, calling on the Government to open space to discuss addressing problematic aspects of the present law and to pass laws against domestic violence and for child protection. "We will not go back; we will continue our struggle to bring a State of equal citizenship that embraces diversity and social justice," she said.

In the ensuing discussion, several Council members welcomed the positive strides by Baghdad, including the representative of France, who praised the holding of parliamentary elections in the Kurdistan autonomous region, which represents an important political step  the next step will be the formation of the regional government. Calling for continued dialogue between Baghdad and Erbil, particularly regarding the sharing of oil revenues and security issues, he commended Iraq's implementation of a reform agenda led by its Prime Minister. Iraq must continue to diversify its economy and fight corruption and impunity, he said.

"High voter turnout testifies to the growing public trust in democratic institutions," echoed Mozambique, also speaking for Algeria, Guyana and Sierra Leone, welcoming progress made by Baghdad while underscoring the need for all parties to prioritize inclusive and effective governance. He went on to voice concern over rising regional tensions, underscoring the importance of respecting Iraq's sovereignty "amidst the complex dynamics in the region"  a point echoed by the representatives of Ecuador and Switzerland, with the latter stressing that "it remains important for Iraq to fully control the use of force throughout its territory".

Slovenia's delegate concurred that the country must not get dragged into wider regional escalation, reversing hard-earned progress, adding: "Iraq should not be used by regional players as a space to settle scores." Calling on its Government to maintain its commitment to reforms that include protecting human rights, fighting corruption and building democratic institutions, he also highlighted how climate change has become a major risk multiplier for Iraq's stability.

Echoing such concerns, the delegate of the Russian Federation stressed that the agreements reached on the phased withdrawal of "the U.S.-led so-called Global Coalition to defeat ISIS" must be timely implemented. Delaying this process, as well as the presence of foreign troops in Iraq, is a "destabilizing factor" and adversely impacts the already fraught regional situation, he emphasized, objecting to any interference in Baghdad's internal affairs. "In the 20 years of its existence, UNAMI has fully realized its potential in rebuilding and strengthening Iraqi State institutions," he said, adding that his delegation looks forward to the joint plan, which should be agreed by the end of 2024, for the Mission's drawdown and technical liquidation, scheduled for 31 December 2025.

The United Kingdom's delegate was among several speakers urging the Government of Iraq to forge progress on the Kuwait missing persons and property file, citing his country's membership in the Tripartite Commission for the Missing from the First Gulf War. Welcoming Mr. Al Sudani's personal commitment to this issue, he voiced hope that the transitional period provides Iraq with an opportunity to demonstrate tangible progress.

In a similar vein, the representative of the United States, Council President for December, speaking in his national capacity, also underscored that more needs to be done on missing Kuwaiti nationals and their property, adding that his country "understands the importance of identifying missing persons and repatriating their remains, based on its own experience from the war in Viet Nam and, more recently, at the World Trade Center here in New York City". Given the importance of Iraq-Kuwait relations for regional stability, it is necessary to consider a mechanism as appropriate to support progress on this. High-level engagement is sometimes required to spur progress, and his country will continue to provide strategic support, he said, noting that it has provided new satellite images for the identification of four potential burial sites in Iraq.

Similarly, Japan's delegate, echoing that the resolution of this problem is important for lasting peace and reconciliation between Iraq and Kuwait, pointed out that "the task of searching for those who went missing or died during the war is not an easy one and will require a lot of time and effort" such as obtaining aerial photographs and conducting detailed DNA testing. He underscored that Iraqi authorities must make every effort to resolve this issue and consider options for a mechanism that provides continuous reporting.

Malta's delegate was among several speakers voicing concern over the proposed amendments to the Personal Status Law that would legalize child marriage and remove critical protections for divorced women. He called on Iraq to ensure that any amendments to the Personal Status Law align with its international human rights obligations  an appeal echoed by several other delegations. The Republic of Korea's delegate, adding to that, urged a more effective implementation of the 2021 Yazidi Survivors' Law to ensure accountability for Da'esh atrocities and securing survivors' reparations.

Speaking towards the end of the meeting, Iraq's representative outlined recent positive developments in his country, including parliamentary elections conducted in the Kurdistan Region, anti-corruption and social reforms, and the first national census held in 37 years. On the latter, he highlighted the assistance of UNAMI and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), stating that the census would help understand the population's needs and distribute resources fairly. On relations between Baghdad and Erbil, he said they made progress on outstanding issues, including the budgetary allocation for oil revenue sharing and regional security, pointing to high-level meetings on the resumption of oil exports, halted in March 2023. On the security front, including counter-terrorism, he highlighted notable progress, including by Iraqi security forces, through enhanced border control and improved intelligence sharing, also citing support of the United States military, which will help curb the need for foreign interventions.

In that context, he rejected the use of his country's airspace or bases to launch military interventions on any country, citing his delegation's 29 October 2024 letter on Israel's violation of his country's sovereignty in its attack on Iran. He also cited diplomatic progress on "issues of mutual interest, including sensitive issues" between his country and Kuwait, adding that Iraqi officials are working to address challenges, including those involving Kuwaiti remains. In that context, he pointed to a joint initiative analysing satellite pictures and conducting ground missions to collect evidence and identify burial sites. On UNAMI's transition and liquidation phase, he underscored his Government's full cooperation, including through the provision of necessary security assistance, until it closes at the end of 2025.

"We need to expose any delays or hesitation or procrastination that would obstruct progress on this file," urged the representative of Kuwait, noting ongoing efforts in the follow-up, search and identification of the remains of the remaining missing 308 persons. The level of delays on the ground is "well known", he said, pointing to "the reluctance by some" to advance in the search and identification process related to this matter, which should not be politicized. Regarding the establishment of a UN mechanism that advances this process, he voiced support for the UN's reappointment of a high-level coordinator who would focus separately on this file relating to prisoners, missing persons and property. Pointing to other setbacks, such as the cancellation of several agreements concerning protocol, reciprocal security and maritime navigation, he called on his "brothers in Iraq" to rectify the legal status of the agreements and resume the planned meetings.

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Kokang rebels execute 6 after public trials in Myanmar's Shan state

The proceedings were filmed in front of hundreds and posted on social media.

By RFA Burmese 2024.12.06 -- Ethnic Kokang rebels in northern Myanmar have executed six people following a public trial in front of hundreds of people that was filmed and posted on social media, including murder, the group confirmed Friday.

The six were among 14 individuals tried on Thursday by the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, or MNDAA, which had been fighting the junta since a military coup in early 2021, until agreeing to a ceasefire earlier this week.

In the video, which appeared to be professionally produced -- including a militaristic soundtrack and drone shots -- the convicted individuals in blue jumpsuits are held by guards as authorities in uniforms read out their crimes in Mandarin Chinese, the Kokang's main language.

As the crimes are read out, MNDAA soldiers draw red X's over signs displaying their names and that they were convicted criminals.

One of the accused, a woman, was convicted of murdering her husband, sources close to the MNDAA said via their social media accounts.

The other male suspects were charged with the murder of a female driver, the killing of a friend, and plotting to kill the owners of a construction and natural gas company.

Eight other individuals, accused of other crimes, were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 10 to 20 years.

The event took place Thursday in northern Shan state's Laukkai township.

On Friday, the MNDAA's Kokang Information Network confirmed that the group had executed the six in a post to its social media page.

The video concludes with the six being paraded around the township in the back of pickup trucks as they are driven to what appears to be an execution site, before being led off by soldiers.

"After the public trial, police officers from the judicial branch escorted the criminals, who had been sentenced according to the law, through the streets for a public display," the post said. "Then, the convicts were brought to the execution ground to be executed."

It was not immediately clear how the six were executed.

Attempts by RFA to contact MNDAA officials for comment on the sentences went unanswered Friday.

The MNDAA has executed individuals it convicted of crimes in staged trials before. In April, another similar video showed several convicted people being publicly condemned for crimes, including three to death.

On May 2, 2023, the MNDAA executed four individuals for their involvement in murders, robberies, and 25 kidnappings in northern Shan's Lashio township.

'No way consistent'

Legal experts have expressed concerns over the MNDAA's actions, noting that the practice of public executions, which occurred during Myanmar's British colonial era, has long been abolished.

RFA spoke with a lawyer who noted that the Kokang, who speak Mandarin Chinese and share ethnic characteristics with their northern neighbors, "follow the Chinese legal system, as they are subordinate to China and must adhere to its directives."

The lawyer, who asked to remain anonymous due to security concerns, said that denying the six an appeal of their conviction and publicly executing them, "is in no way consistent with or acceptable under Myanmar's current legal system."

"In Myanmar, there are only two ways the death penalty can be carried out: if a civilian court issues a death sentence, the execution takes place in prison, while if a military court issues a death sentence, it is carried out by prison authorities within the prison, or by relevant military commanders," he said. "There is no provision in our laws that mandates public executions."

Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.



Copyright 1998-2024, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content December not be used in a manner which would give the appearance of any endorsement of any product or support of any issue or political position. Please read the full text of our Terms of Use.

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Clashes kill 6 Pakistani troops, 22 militants near Afghan border

By Ayaz Gul December 07, 2024

Pakistan said Saturday that a predawn assault on a security post and intelligence-driven counterinsurgency raids in its northwestern province bordering Afghanistan killed at least six troops and 22 militants.

The military's media wing said that the violence occurred in several districts, including Tank and North Waziristan.

The statement identified the slain militants as "khwarij," a term employed by the government to categorize insurgents affiliated with the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, a globally recognized terrorist organization.

Area security officials said that dozens of heavily armed TTP militants staged a multipronged attack on the security outpost in the town of Thall, resulting in the deaths of six paramilitary troops and injuries to several others in the ensuing gun battles.

The TTP reportedly claimed responsibility for the attack but did not comment on its casualties in the reported military raids elsewhere.

Intensified TTP-led attacks in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and separatist ethnic Baloch insurgents in Pakistan's southwestern Balochistan province, which borders Afghanistan, have resulted in the loss of hundreds of lives, including many security personnel this year alone, according to official data.

Pakistan alleges TTP leaders and fighters orchestrate terrorism from Afghan hideouts with the support of the neighboring country's Taliban government, which is not recognized by any country.

Taliban leaders reject the charges, saying they are not allowing anyone to use Afghanistan to threaten other countries, including Pakistan.

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Yoon survives impeachment attempt; opposition vows another vote within days

By William Gallo, Lee Juhyun December 07, 2024

South Korean lawmakers failed Saturday to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his attempt to impose martial law, an outcome that delivers at least a temporary reprieve for the embattled conservative president.

During a tense session at South Korea's National Assembly, nearly all conservative lawmakers of the People Power Party, or PPP, walked out of the legislative chamber just minutes before the vote was to be held, effectively boycotting the opposition-led impeachment motion against Yoon.

For about four hours, opposition forces made an emotional, last-minute plea to persuade their conservative colleagues to return and support the impeachment measure. They ultimately failed to get even enough PPP members in the chamber for a vote to be formally held.

The liberal Democratic Party, which has a solid majority in the unicameral legislature, has vowed to quickly hold another impeachment vote, possibly as soon as next week, raising the prospect of a prolonged period of political instability. To pass, the impeachment effort needed the votes of eight conservative PPP lawmakers.

"The public will continue to demand that the president, the instigator of this rebellion, will face prosecution or arrest," Representative Kim Min-seok told VOA Saturday.

Kim, a senior Democratic Party leader, said the Korean public is not satisfied with Yoon's explanation for imposing martial law. "Public anger will intensify, and impeachment will just be a matter of time," he said.

Outside the legislative compound, an estimated 100,000 people gathered to express support for the impeachment measure. The mood was a mixture of festivity and anger, as candle-waving protesters called for the arrest of Yoon and also sang popular Korean pop songs. Activist and labor groups say they will continue to hold regular demonstrations and strikes until Yoon resigns.

The protests could eventually echo those that led to the impeachment of South Korea's former conservative president, Park Geun-hye, in 2016 on corruption-related charges after weeks of demonstrations. Those developments deeply fractured the conservative party  an outcome the PPP would like to avoid this time.

After the failed impeachment effort, a PPP spokesperson said the country cannot repeat the tragedy of another paralyzed government.

Declaration of martial law

Yoon declared martial law late Tuesday, claiming it was necessary to "crush anti-state forces" and "protect constitutional order." The decree was overturned by opposition lawmakers within hours.

Earlier on Saturday, he apologized for causing public anxiety and vowed he would not attempt a second martial law decree.

In an apparent attempt to find a path forward that does not involve his resignation, Yoon also said future governance "will be jointly handled by our party and the government."

It is not clear how Yoon would yield any presidential authority to his ruling People Power Party, analysts said, since there does not appear to be an established political process for doing so.

Some PPP lawmakers have begun pushing for a compromise proposal, whereby South Korea's constitution would be amended to shorten presidential terms to four years, rather than the current five.

Under such a rumored proposal, Yoon apparently would step down early and the powers of the presidency could be reduced in some manner.

However, opposition party lawmakers have given no indication they would support such a deal.

"This is a cunning tactic only in order to buy time," Kim Joon-hyung, a lawmaker with the opposition Rebuilding Korea Party, told VOA. "This regime, and the ruling party, is dead and dysfunctional, even if the impeachment vote fails."

South Korea's presidential office has not clarified Yoon's remarks or whether he would support such an arrangement.

A Seoul-based law professor, who preferred not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the ongoing discussions, said there is no process by which the president can transfer the powers of the presidency to the party.

"But more importantly, I don't think that's what [Yoon] meant," he said. "I think he merely meant that he will follow whatever decision the party makes regarding how to stabilize the situation. ... Whether that refers to constitutional revision is unclear."

Yoon and his party may be trying to avoid a vacancy in the office of the president, because under such a scenario, an election must be held, according to the constitution, he said.

"President Yoon seems to be trying everything he can to hang on to power," said Hans Schattle, a professor of political science at Yonsei University. "But the idea of him staying in office any longer seems totally out of sync with the public outrage right now."

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Ahead of impeachment vote, Yoon apologizes for anxiety over martial law decree

By William Gallo, Lee Juhyun December 07, 2024

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday apologized for causing public anxiety and vowed he would not attempt a second martial law decree, in an apparent last-minute bid to save his presidency ahead of an impeachment vote.

In a televised address, Yoon said his decision to impose martial law late Tuesday was a "desperate decision made by me, the president, as the final authority responsible for state affairs."

"I deeply regret the anxiety and inconvenience this has caused to people. I sincerely apologize to the citizens who were greatly appalled by this," Yoon added in the two-minute speech, before bowing in front of the camera.

Yoon also said he will take "full legal and political responsibility" and will "leave the responsibility of stabilizing the political situation, as well as my term, to our party."

"The future governance will be jointly handled by our party and the government," he added.

It is not clear how Yoon would yield any presidential authority to his ruling People Power Party, the PPP, analysts said, since there does not appear to be an established political process for doing so.

"The only way I know of that he can be relieved from duty is impeachment or resignation," said Ben Engel, who teaches political science and international relations at Dankook University outside Seoul.

Yoon, frustrated for months by what he saw as opposition attempts to obstruct his governance, declared martial law late Tuesday, claiming it was necessary to "crush anti-state forces" and "protect constitutional order."

Within hours, South Korean lawmakers overturned the decree, after fighting their way through police and military personnel who had been sent to the National Assembly Building.

The opposition, which holds a majority in the National Assembly, plans to vote on Yoon's impeachment late Saturday. For the measure to pass, eight members of the PPP must support it.

If Yoon is impeached, he would be immediately suspended while the Constitutional Court deliberates on whether to remove him from office, a process that could take weeks or months.

So far, only two PPP lawmakers have publicly said they will support impeachment. However, one of those lawmakers, Rep. Cho Kyung-tae, changed his mind and will no longer support the impeachment motion on Saturday, according to a South Korean media report.

Following Yoon's speech, ruling party chief Han Dong-hoon called it impossible for the president to perform his duties as normal, noting that Yoon's early resignation remains "inevitable," according to the Yonhap news agency.

In a surprise announcement on Friday, Han signaled he personally supports Yoon's impeachment, but later made clear this is not the official position of the party. Rep. Shin Ji-ho, a key member of Han's party faction, later said he does not support impeachment.

As both sides held intense, closed-door discussions ahead of the impeachment vote, some PPP lawmakers have begun pushing for a compromise proposal, whereby South Korea's constitution would be amended to shorten presidential terms to four years, rather than the current five.

Under such a rumored proposal, Yoon would apparently step down early and the powers of the presidency could be reduced in some manner.

However, opposition party lawmakers have given no indication that they would support such a deal.

"This is a cunning tactic only in order to buy time," Kim Joon-hyung, a lawmaker with the opposition Rebuilding Korea Party told VOA. "This regime, and the ruling party is dead and dysfunctional, even if the impeachment vote fails."

South Korea's presidential office has not clarified Yoon's remarks or whether he would support such an arrangement.

A Seoul-based law professor, who preferred not to be identified because of the sensitivity of the ongoing discussions, said there is no process by which the president can transfer the powers of the presidency to the party.

"But more importantly, I don't think that's what [Yoon] meant," he added. "I think he merely meant that he will follow whatever decision the party makes regarding how to stabilize the situation ... whether that refers to constitutional revision is unclear."

Yoon and his party may be trying to avoid a vacancy in the presidential office, because under such a scenario an election must be held, according to the constitution, he said.

"President Yoon seems to be trying everything he can to hang on to power, but the idea of him staying in office any longer seems totally out of sync with the public outrage right now," said Hans Schattle, a professor of political science at Seoul's Yonsei University. "It isn't even clear that his own political party will be on board."

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Secretary Blinken's Call with Foreign Minister Fidan on the Situation in Syria

US Department of State

Readout

Office of the Spokesperson

December 6, 2024

The below is attributable to Spokesperson Matthew Miller:

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken spoke today with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to discuss developments in Syria. Secretary Blinken emphasized the importance of protecting civilians, including members of minority groups, across Syria. The Secretary discussed the need for a political solution to the conflict, consistent with UN Security Council Resolution 2254. Secretary Blinken also extended his congratulations to Foreign Minister Fidan on the selection of Ambassador Feridun Sinirlioglu as the OSCE Secretary General and looks forward to continued cooperation in the region.

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Statement by the Spokesperson on the situation in Syria

European External Action Service (EEAS)

07.12.2024

EEAS Press Team

The European Union is closely monitoring the fast-moving and volatile situation in Syria. With fighting between armed groups escalating throughout the country, we urge all parties to protect civilians and ensure the safety of humanitarian aid workers.

We reiterate our call for a political solution consistent with UN Security Council Resolution 2254.

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Statement by the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi

Israel Defense Forces

December 7, 2024

07.12.24

"We are monitoring to ensure that local factions do not direct actions towards uswe have very strong offensive and defensive responses"

Today (Saturday), the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi, conducted a situational assessment and approval process for defensive and offensive plans in the 210th Division, alongside members of the General Staff Forum and the Commanding Officer of the 210th Division.

The Chief of the General Staff emphasized the high level of offensive and defensive readiness, the reinforcement of troops along the border, and the continued monitoring of developments. He also stressed that, alongside these efforts, we are not intervening in events in Syria, are working to thwart and prevent threats in the area, and are preparing plans for various options.

Due to developments, the IDF has reinforced its deployment along the border, including intelligence and reconnaissance units. Ground and aerial forces have been bolstered along the border, and sector readiness has been heightened.

The IDF is determined to prevent any violation of the sovereignty of the State of Israel.

Attached are the full remarks of the Chief of the General Staff:

"We must conduct a situational assessment every few hours. At this cadence, every event here defines the new standard and causes changes. In order to understand developments, we are monitoring the situation very closely with all our intelligence-gathering capabilities. The primary focus is on observing Iran's movements and interests, which is our top priority. The secondary focus is on local factions who are taking control of the area, assessing their actions, behavior, and deterrence levels, and ensuring they do not mistakenly direct their actions toward us. If such confusion does arise, there is an offensive response, backed by very strong defensive responses. We must be prepared both offensively and defensively."



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Syrian Rebels 'Liberating' Homs, Eye Damascus As Assad Regime Hangs In Balance

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda December 07, 2024

Syrian rebels led by Islamist militants have entered the central city of Homs as they close in on Damascus while the country's main allies -- Russia and Iran -- scrambled to protect the regime of authoritarian President Bashar al-Assad and their own assets in the country.

Abu Mohammad al-Golani, a leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebel group, said late on December 7 that the insurgent fighters were "in the final moments of liberating" Homs, a city of 775,000 people.

HTS is considered a terrorist group by the United States, Britain, Canada, and the European Union.

Experts said the future of the Assad regime was hanging in the balance -- and that, if it fell, it would also represent a major geopolitical setback for the Kremlin which, along with Tehran, has supported the Syrian government through many years of civil war.

Media reports said many residents of Damascus were stocking up on supplies as thousands were attempting to leave the country through the border with Lebanon -- itself a war-torn nation in the increasingly chaotic Middle East.

As fighting on the ground and rebel gains intensified, the foreign ministers of Russia, Iran, and Turkey held emergency talks in Doha, Qatar, on December 7 calling for an end to hostilities in the most serious challenge to Assad's rule in years.

The U.S. State Department told RFE/RL that Washington was closely monitoring the situation on the ground in Syria.

A spokesperson said the United States and its partners and allies urged that civilians, including members of minority groups, be protected.

The spokesperson said it was time to negotiate an end to the Syrian conflict consistent with principals established in UN Security Council Resolution 2254. The spokesperson added that the refusal of the Assad regime to engage in the process has directly led to the current situation.

The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that "Assad regime forces have collapsed and Assad's backers do not appear willing to bolster the Syrian Arab Army by rapidly deploying additional forces."

Russia has multiple military sites in Syria, including an air base at Hmeimim and strategic naval facilities at Tartus, which are also used to support the Kremlin's actions in Africa.

The ISW said that Moscow had not yet begun to evacuate the base, "but it remains unclear whether Russia will keep its vessels at the port as Syrian rebels continue to advance swiftly across regime-held territory."

The American Enterprise Institute's Critical Threats blog said the Assad regime "faces an existential threat given the widespread collapse of regime forces and lack of sufficient external backing to bolster these forces."

It added that "Russia will face logistic challenges that will undermine its Africa operations if it loses its footprint in Syria."

Mark Katz, a professor emeritus at George Mason University who focuses on Russia and the Middle East, told RFE/RL that the Kremlin risks losing its air assets in Syria if it can't agree with Turkey on the use of its airspace.

"In one sense, the Turkish government might be happy to grant permission as the more the Russian Air Force is out of Syria, the happier Ankara will be," he said.

"Russia would also face difficulties relocating its warships because they would need Turkey's permission to get into the Black Sea. They would have to go through NATO waters," he added.

Meanwhile, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said the United States "should have nothing to do" with the war in Syria, where a small contingent of U.S. forces remain deployed in some areas.

"Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT," he wrote on the Truth Social platform.

"THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!"

Fast-moving developments on the ground were difficult to confirm, but media outlets quoted witnesses as well as rebel and Syrian army sources as saying militant fighters were continuing to make large gains on December 7 in their effort to topple Assad.

Some reported signs of panic in Damascus, with shortages of critical supplies, although the government said Assad was at work as usual in the capital.

Government forces and their Russian allies appear to have failed in their attempt to halt the rebel push toward Homs, which stands at an important intersection between the capital, Damascus, and Syria's coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus. Homs is 140 kilometers from the capital.

Witnesses and army sources told Reuters and other news agencies that rebels had entered Homs amid reports that government forces had pulled out. Celebrations were reported in some areas of the city.

Homs Province is Syria's largest in size and borders Lebanon, Iraq, and Jordan. The city is also home to one of Syria's two state-run oil refineries.

The AFP news agency quoted security sources as saying hundreds of Syrian government troops, some injured, had fled across the border into Iraq.

The surprising offensive was launched last week by a coalition of rebel groups led by the Islamist HTS faction.

Besides HTS, the fighters include forces of an umbrella group of Turkish-backed Syrian militias called the Syrian National Army. Turkey has denied backing the offensive, though experts say insurgents would not have launched it without the country's consent.

The U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights monitoring group said civilians were fleeing from Homs toward the Mediterranean coastal regions of Latakia and Tartus, strongholds of the government and the site of the Russian air and naval bases.

Russia Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov declined to comment on the fate of the Russian bases, saying he "wasn't in the business of guessing."

The United Nations said on December 6 that almost 300,000 people in Syria had already been displaced since late November by the fighting, and that up to 1.5 million could be forced to flee as the rebels advance and inflict losses on Assad, as well as his Russian and Iranian allies.

Assad has relied on Iran and Russia to remain in power since the conflict erupted in 2011.

Following the foreign ministers' meeting in Doha, Lavrov said -- referring to HTS rebels -- that it was "inadmissible to allow terrorist groups" to take control of Syrian territory and that Russia would oppose them with all means possible.

Since the rebels seized control of Aleppo a week ago, they have moved on to capture other major cities with Assad's forces providing little resistance.

Besides capturing Aleppo in the north, Hama in the center, and Deir al-Zor in the east, rebels rose up in southern Suweida and Deraa, saying on December 6 they had taken control of the two cities and posting videos showing insurgent celebrations there.

Taking Deraa and Suweida in the south could allow a concerted assault on the capital, Damascus, the seat of Assad's power, military sources said.

Video posted online showed protesters in the Damascus suburb of Jaramana chanting and tearing down a statue of Assad's father, Hafez al-Assad, who ruled Syria from 1971 until his death in 2000, when his son took power.

Golani, the HTS leader, told CNN in an exclusive interview on December 5 from Syria that Assad's government was bound to fall, propped up only by Russia and Iran.

"The seeds of the regime's defeat have always been within it," he said. "But the truth remains, this regime is dead."

With reporting by AFP and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/syria-assad-rebels-advance- homs-russia-iran-turkey/33230341.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Syria crisis: UN delivering life-saving assistance; relocates non-critical staff

7 December 2024 - The United Nations humanitarian coordinator for Syria announced on Saturday that the Organization is removing non-critical staff from the country, emphasizing that this is a precautionary step to protect UN personnel "while maintaining essential operations".

"The UN is strategically reducing its footprint by relocating non-critical staff outside the country... amid the evolving circumstances," Adam Abdelmoula said in a statement issued by the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, known as OCHA.

At the same time, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator stressed that "this is not an evacuation and our dedication to supporting the people of Syria remains unwavering," and stressed that "rumours suggesting that the United Nations is evacuating all staff from Syria are false."

"The United Nations remains steadfast in its commitment to stay and deliver life-saving assistance to the people of Syria during this critical time," Mr. Abdelmoula stated.

Dire humanitarian situation

More than 300,000 people have been uprooted in northwest Syria in recent days following the sudden and massive offensive into Government-controlled areas led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is sanctioned by the UN Security Council as a terrorist group.

According to Mr. Abdelmoula, the humanitarian situation "continues to deteriorate" with many of the displaced with many of the displaced "seeking refuge in the northeast and others trapped in front-line areas, unable to escape".

"Civilian casualties, including women and children, continue to rise, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated humanitarian action," he said, calling on all parties to protect civilians and aid workers, and to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law.

Mr. Abdelmoula said that the UN remains operational in Syria, with personnel on the ground ensuring the continuation of vital humanitarian efforts.

"Whether delivering food, water, or medical assistance, we are committed to reaching those in need - wherever they may be," he stated.

Call for urgent political talks

Meanwhile, on the political front, the UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure "orderly political transition".

Speaking to reporters earlier on Saturday in Doha, Qatar, Mr. Pedersen said: "I reiterate my call for de-escalation, for calm, for the avoidance of bloodshed and the protection of civilians in line with international humanitarian law."

Urging the "the start of a process that leads to the realisation of the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people," he said that he had just met the ministers of Iran, Russia and Turkiye together, and had consultations with representatives from the United States, France, Great Britain, Germany and the European Union.

"I have called for urgent political talks in Geneva to implement Security Council resolution 2254," he said, recalling the unanimously adopted 2015 text that set out a roadmap for peace in Syria and initiate a Syrian-led political process, four years after the initial outbreak of war in the country, sparked by a civil uprising against the Government.

"I'm pleased to say that the ministers and all I'm talking to are backing this call. My hope is that I will be able to announce a date for this very soon," Mr. Pedersen said.

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Statement by the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria, Adam Abdelmoula, On the United Nations' Commitment to Supporting the People of Syria

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Damascus, 7 December 2024, recent rumors suggesting that the United Nations is evacuating all staff from Syria are false. The United Nations remains steadfast in its commitment to stay and deliver life-saving assistance to the people of Syria during this critical time.

To ensure the safety of our personnel while maintaining essential operations, the UN is strategically reducing its footprint by relocating non-critical staff outside the country. This is a precautionary measure to protect our teams amid evolving circumstances. Let me emphasizethis is not an evacuation and our dedication to supporting the people of Syria remains unwavering.

The humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate. Hostilities have displaced over 370,000 individuals, with many seeking refuge in the northeast and others trapped in front-line areas, unable to escape. Civilian casualties, including women and children, continue to rise, underscoring the urgent need for coordinated humanitarian action.

We call on all parties to uphold their obligations under International Humanitarian Law. Civilians must be protected, and humanitarian workers must be allowed to carry out their mission without obstruction. Safe and unhindered access to those in need is a fundamental requirement.

The UN remains operational in Syria, with personnel on the ground ensuring the continuation of vital humanitarian efforts. Whether delivering food, water, or medical assistance, we are committed to reaching those in needwherever they may be.

7 December 2024

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Fleeing Assad Arrives In Moscow, Russian State Media Reports

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda December 08, 2024

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Moscow, Russian state media reported, as rebels have taken control of the Syrian capital, Damascus, bringing to an end the brutal, half-century rule of the Assad family.

Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Assad "decided to resign" after "negotiations" with a "number of participants in the armed conflict" and left office "giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power."

"Russia did not participate in these negotiations," the ministry added.

Russia has been a longstanding ally of Syria, providing significant military and political support to Assad's regime, especially during the Syrian civil war, which began in 2011.

The Russian Foreign Ministry's statement came as the rebels said in a statement aired on state TV that Damascus is "now free of Assad," whose family ruled the country with an iron fist since 1971.

Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said in a video that the government is "ready to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the people."

"We believe that Syria is for all Syrians and that it is the country of all its sons and that this country can be a normal state that builds good relations with its neighbors and the world without entering into any regional alliances and blocs," Jalali said.

He was later seen leaving his home on December 8, escorted by armed men, reportedly to meet the leadership of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Sunni rebel group that led the current offensive against the Assad regime.

HTS is a U.S.- and EU-designated terrorist organization. In recent years, the Islamist militant group severed ties with Al-Qaeda and sought to remake itself as a pragmatic alternative to the Syrian government. But concerns remain over its alleged rights abuses and ties to terrorist groups.

Abu Mohammad al-Golani, the leader of the HTS, has sought to reassure Shi'ite Alawites and other Syrian minorities, including Christians.

In Washington, the White House press office told RFE/RL that U.S. President Joe Biden and his team "are closely monitoring the extraordinary events in Syria and staying in constant touch with regional partners."

Setback For Russia

Experts have said the fall of the Assad regime represents a major geopolitical setback for the Kremlin, which, along with Tehran, has supported the Syrian government through many years of civil war.

The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that Russia and Iran did not appear to bolster the Syrian Arab Army (SAA), which was rapidly collapsing, by rushing in additional forces.

Russia has multiple military sites in Syria, including an air base at Hmeimim and strategic naval facilities at Tartus, which are also used to support the Kremlin's actions in North and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov declined to comment on the fate of the Russian bases, saying he "wasn't in the business of guessing."

Konstantin Kosachyov, deputy chairman of Russia's upper house of parliament, said on December 8 that Syrians will have to cope with a full-scale war alone, but he suggested Moscow was ready to support the Syrian people in certain circumstances.

The ISW said Moscow had not yet begun to evacuate the naval base, "but it remains unclear whether Russia will keep its vessels at the port as Syrian rebels continue to advance swiftly across regime-held territory."

Ruslan Suleymanov, a Russian expert on the Middle East, told RFE/RL that Moscow would "cooperate with the rebels" if they take power in Damascus and that HTS too has "claimed previously that it was ready to negotiate" with the Kremlin.

"Putin wants to save his military presence in the region. In any case, to do that, he has to make concessions -- both to jihadists and to [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan who supports [the rebels]," Suleymanov said.

The surprising offensive began on November 27 during which a coalition of rebel groups led by HTS captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria's second largest.

Since then, they moved on to take other major cities with Assad's forces providing little resistance.

Besides HTS, the fighters include forces of an umbrella group of Turkish-backed Syrian militias called the Syrian National Army. Turkey has denied backing the offensive, though experts say insurgents would not have launched it without the country's consent.

The United Nations said on December 6 that almost 300,000 people in Syria had already been displaced since late November by the fighting, and that up to 1.5 million could be forced to flee as the rebels advance and inflict losses on Assad, as well as his Russian and Iranian allies.

Assad has relied on Iran and Russia to remain in power since the conflict erupted in 2011.

Neighbors, World Powers React

The developments in Damascus prompted Syria's neighbors to take urgent measures, with Lebanon announcing it was closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for one that links Beirut with Damascus.

Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria, too.

Israel said on December 8 it has deployed forces in a demilitarized buffer zone along its northern border with Syria and sent troops "other places necessary for its defense."

The Israeli military said the deployment was meant to provide security for residents of the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights.

The United States said it will maintain its presence in eastern Syria and will take measures necessary to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State (IS) in the region. The United States has about 900 soldiers in Syria.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Daniel Shapiro said Washington is "aware that the chaotic and dynamic circumstances on the ground in Syria could give [IS] space to find the ability to become active, to plan external operations."

Speaking at a security conference in Bahrain on December 8, Shapiro said the United States is determined to work with its partners to "continue to degrade [IS] capabilities."

"[We're determined] to ensure [IS's] enduring defeat, to ensure the secure detention of IS fighters and the repatriation of displaced persons," Shapiro added.

UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen described the latest developments as a "watershed moment in Syria's history" and urged all armed actors in the country to maintain law and order and preserve pubic institutions.

Speaking in Doha on December 8, Pedersen also said he has no information on Assad's whereabouts.

Tom Fletcher, head of the UN humanitarian aid agency, warned about the plight of the millions of Syrians displaced by nearly 14 years of the country's civil war. Now many more are in danger, Fletcher said.

"We will respond wherever, whenever, however we can, to support people in need, including reception centers -- food, water, fuel, tents, blankets," he said.

British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner called for a "political solution" while the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement it was time in Syria for unity, a peaceful political transition, and for fighting to end.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, AFP, and dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/syrian-rebels-claim-control- over-damascus-assad-s-whereabouts-unknown/33231019.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Losing Syria Is A 'Huge Slap In The Face' For Russia

By Michael Scollon and Frud Bezhan December 08, 2024

When Vladimir Putin took the reins of power in a post-Soviet Russia in shambles a quarter-century ago, he immediately set about restoring Moscow's status as a global power.

It took 15 years, but Russia heralded its military intervention in the Syrian civil war as proof of its return as a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.

Moscow leveraged that image to expand its influence throughout the Middle East and beyond as a counterweight to the West.

Now, the fall of the government of President Bashar al-Assad, a key ally of Moscow, has dealt a serious blow to Russia's great-power ambitions.

"Putin's military adventure in Syria was designed to demonstrate that Russia is a great power and can project its influence abroad," said Phillip Smyth, a Middle East expert. "Losing Syria is a huge slap in the face for Putin."

Assad's ouster represents not only a reputational hit to Russia but likely a major strategic setback.

Syria is home to two major Russia military installations: an air base in Hmeimim and a naval base in Tartus. The latter is Russia's only warm-water naval base and provides Moscow access to the Mediterranean Sea.

"Russia has used its bases in Syria to project its power both into the eastern Mediterranean and into the broader Middle East," said Smyth.

High-Maintenance Asset

Russia's military intervention in Syria in 2015 changed the tide of the war. Moscow's devastating aerial campaigns against rebel positions helped the Syrian Army regain swaths of territory and keep Assad in power.

Moscow's Syria campaign came a year after its invasion of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula as well as its support for separatist forces in Ukraine's east.

Moscow capitalized on its involvement in both Syria and Ukraine to sell itself as a power capable of challenging the United States, NATO, and the West in general while expanding its global reach from the Mediterranean to Africa and Latin America.

Following Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Syria became more of an asset for Moscow, experts say, while also presenting the challenge of maintaining military campaigns on two fronts.

With the anticipated fall of Russian military assets in Syria, following the collapse of Assad's government, the task has become even more daunting.

Russia is already heavily invested in a major counteroffensive to regain captured territory in its southwestern Kursk region that it lost to Ukraine, to the point that it is relying on help from North Korean troops. At the same time, it is trying to take as much territory as it can in Ukraine's east before possible peace talks.

Russia military facilities along the Mediterranean coast in western Syria could be overrun by militants led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, and its allies.

Aaron Zelin, senior fellow at the Washington Institute, said Russia simply does not have the same firepower at its disposal to protect its assets in Syria.

"It is important to remember that Russia has to deal with its larger war in Ukraine now compared to when they first went in Syria in 2015," said Zelin.

"Russia also has its assets fighting in sub-Saharan Africa, too. And unlike a decade ago, when Russia had the Wagner Group led by [the deceased Yevgeny] Prigozhin ... Russia doesn't have the same level of capacity or capability to deal with this now in the same way."

Zelin said losing the Tartus naval base, in particular, would be an "extremely huge loss for Russia."

"It's Russia's only warm-water port that it can use for its naval activities and power projection," he said. "Losing it would essentially cut Russia out of the core of the Middle East."

Moscow did not send ground troops to help Damascus, which fell to the HTS and its allies on December 8. Russia conducted dozens of air strikes since the militants launched their offensive against Assad's forces in late November, but Moscow's limited intervention did little to stop the rebel advance.

Russia will pay a huge price for its failure in Syria, experts say.

The fall of Assad is a "major blow to Russia's claim of still being a global power in terms of sustaining military and political influence abroad," said Hamidreza Azizi, fellow at the German Institute for International and Security Affairs.

From there, actors in other regions such as Latin America and Africa might "start rethinking their ties and their reliance on Russia as well," he said.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia- syria-assad-ukraine/33229577.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Foreign Ministry statement

8 December 2024 14:28

2396-08-12-2024

We are following the dramatic developments in Syria with extreme concern. Following his talks with a number of participants in the armed conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic, Bashar al-Assad decided to step down as the Syrian President and leave the country, instructing the government to transfer power peacefully. Russia was not a party in those negotiations. However, we call on all the parties involved to renounce the use of violence and resolve all governance issues through political efforts.

In this regard, the Russian Federation maintains contact with all Syrian opposition groups. We urge all the parties to respect the opinions of all ethnic and religious groups in Syrian society. We strongly support efforts to establish an inclusive political process based on Resolution 2254, unanimously adopted by the UN Security Council. We hope that these approaches will be taken into account by the UN and all stakeholders, including in the context of implementing UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen's recent initiative for urgent inclusive intra-Syrian talks in Geneva.

Additionally, Russia is taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety of our citizens in Syria.

Russian military bases in Syria are on high alert. There is no serious threat to their security at the moment.

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Statement on the situation in Syria

Spain - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

PRESS STATEMENT 078

8 Dec 2024

We call on all parties in Syria, in the region and in the international community, so that the historic events in the country lead to a peaceful and inclusive political transition, according to the terms of UN Security Council Resolution 2254, which guarantees the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country.

Through the Spanish Embassy in Damascus, we remain in permanent contact with the Spanish community in the country to deal with any possible eventuality.

-NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION-

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Russian State media report Syria's Assad fled to Moscow

By VOA News December 08, 2024

Russian news reports say that ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family arrived in Moscow Sunday, after a stunning rebel advance through Syria forced him flee.

The Russian media reports said the Assad family was granted asylum. Russia has been a close ally of Assad.

Earlier, joyful crowds jammed into the capital city's squares, waving the three-starred Syrian revolutionary flag reminiscent of the earliest days of the Arab Spring uprising, before Assad's brutal crackdown and the rise of an insurgency plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war. Some Syrians prayed in mosques.

Rebel forces opened the cell doors of the country's prisons, freeing political prisoners and criminals Assad had jailed and tortured. Others rampaged through the presidential palace and the Assad family residence after the deposed strongman and other top officials fled the country.

The downfall of Assad was stunningly quick, with the rebels capturing the cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs in a matter of days as the Syrian army ended any opposition. The rebels are led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group (HTS) which has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the United States and the United Nations.

Some celebrants tore down and ripped apart Assad portraits in the palace, while others walked out carrying dinnerware, chairs, furniture and any palatial belongings they were claiming as keepsakes of the overthrow of the government.

Some celebrants could be seen on video footage torching pictures of Assad plastered prominently on Damascus buildings while people in the streets nonchalantly walked across posters bearing his likeness.

In the streets, people chanted "God is great" and anti-Assad slogans. Some honked car horns. Teen boys picked up weapons that had apparently been discarded by security forces and fired them in the air.

The last Assad years, since 2011, were marked by a bitter and bloody civil war in which more than half a million Syrians died and at least half the country's pre-war population of 22 million was displaced.

Now, the immediate fate of Syria is uncertain. Assad's overthrow is a major blow to Iran, a key supporter of his, and its allies in the Mideast, who have focused their attention on more than a year of conflict with Israel. Hezbollah militants only recently reaching a ceasefire with Israel in Lebanon while the war between Iran-funded Hamas and Israel rages on in Gaza.

Abu Mohammed al-Golani leads HTS and could chart the country's immediate direction. He is a former al-Qaida commander who cut ties with the group years ago and says he embraces pluralism and religious tolerance.

But there are bitter divides in the country. Turkey-backed opposition fighters are battling U.S.-allied Kurdish forces in the north, and the Islamic State group is still active in some remote areas.

A group of rebels aired a video statement on Syrian state television saying the "criminal regime has fallen" and that all prisoners had been freed. They called on people to preserve the institutions of "the free Syrian state." The rebels later announced a curfew in Damascus from 4 p.m. to 5 a.m.

One video circulating online purported to show rebels breaking open cell doors and freeing dozens of female prisoners, many of whom appeared shocked and confused. At least one small child could be seen among them.

Rebel commander Anas Salkhadi, who appeared on state TV later in the day, sought to reassure Syria's religious and ethnic minorities, saying: "Syria is for everyone, no exceptions. Syria is for Druze, Sunnis, Alawites, and all sects."

"We will not deal with people the way the Assad family did," he added.

One Syrian, Mohammed Amer Al-Oulabi, 44, who works in the electricity sector, said, "I did not sleep last night, and I refused to sleep until I heard the news of his fall. From Idlib to Damascus, it only took them [the opposition forces] a few days, thank God. May God bless them, the heroic lions who made us proud."

Syria's Al-Watan newspaper, which was historically pro-government, wrote: "We are facing a new page for Syria. We thank God for not shedding more blood. We believe and trust that Syria will be for all Syrians."

The newspaper said that media workers should not be blamed for publishing government statements in the past, saying: "We only carried out the instructions and published the news they sent us."

The Alawite sect  to which Assad belongs, and which has formed the core of his base  called on young Syrians to be "calm, rational and prudent and not to be dragged into what tears apart the unity of our country."

The rebels mostly are part of the Sunni Muslim majority in Syria, which also has sizable Druze, Christian and Kurdish communities.

Assad was accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the country's civil war, including a 2013 chemical weapons attack on the outskirts of Damascus. There was no immediate comment from Iran, which had been Assad's staunchest supporter. The Iranian Embassy in Damascus was ransacked after apparently having been abandoned.

The U.N.'s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, called Saturday for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an "orderly political transition."

The Gulf nation of Qatar, a key regional mediator, hosted an emergency meeting of foreign ministers and top officials from eight countries with interests in Syria late Saturday. The participants included Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Turkey.

Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari, Qatar's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, told reporters that they agreed on the need "to engage all parties on the ground," including HTS, and that the main concern is "stability and safe transition."

The Israeli military said Sunday it has deployed forces in a demilitarized buffer zone along its northern frontier with Syria following the rebel offensive there.

The military said the deployment was meant to provide security for residents of the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights. Israel captured the territory in the 1967 Mideast war and the international community, except for the United States, views it as Israeli-occupied.

VOA's Edward Yeranian contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press.

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UN calls for unity in Syria as rebels topple Assad regime

By Margaret Besheer December 08, 2024

The U.N. secretary-general called for calm and avoiding violence Sunday, in the aftermath of the sudden and stunning fall of Syria's Assad regime to rebel forces.

"After 14 years of brutal war and the fall of the dictatorial regime, today the people of Syria can seize an historic opportunity to build a stable and peaceful future," Antonio Guterres said in a statement.

"The future of Syria is a matter for the Syrians to determine, and my Special Envoy will be working with them towards that end."

His envoy, Geir Pedersen said that the country is in a "watershed moment" in its history, with immense challenges ahead, and must avoid bloodshed and preserve unity as it transitions.

"This dark chapter has left deep scars, but today we look forward with cautious hope to the opening of a new time  one of peace, reconciliation, dignity, and inclusion for all Syrians," U.N. Syria envoy Pedersen told reporters in Doha, Qatar where he is attending meetings about the situation.

On November 27, multiple rebel groups aligned under the leadership of U.N.-designated terror group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched their biggest challenge in years to the regime of President Bashar Assad.

They made stunning gains in just over one week, first sweeping into the northwest city of Aleppo, then taking towns and villages in Idlib governorate. Emboldened, they continued to the central city of Hama and then Homs, capturing them. Late Saturday, the rebels made their way to the capital, Damascus. President Assad and his family reportedly left the city ahead of their arrival to an unknown destination.

The U.N. envoy said he had no information on Assad's whereabouts.

On their telegram channel Saturday, HTS announced Assad's fall and said it is the beginning of a new era for the country, which has been torn apart by nearly 14 years of civil war. It will be a "new Syria" where "everyone lives in peace and justice prevails," the group said.

The Assad family has ruled Syria with an iron grip since 1971, first Hafez and then his son, Bashar.

"Let me urge all Syrians to prioritize dialogue, unity, and respect for international humanitarian law and human rights as they seek to rebuild their society," Pedersen said. "Let me stress that there must be a collective effort to secure peace and dignity for all."

He said he is ready to support the Syrian people in their journey toward a stable and inclusive future that they will decide and shape themselves.

"But to this end, let me emphasize the clear desire expressed by millions of Syrians that stable and inclusive transitional arrangements are put in place urgently, and that the Syrian institutions continue to function, and that the Syrian people are enabled to begin to chart the path to meeting the legitimate aspirations of the Syrian people and restore a unified Syria, with its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity, in a way that can receive the support and engagement of the entire international community," Pedersen said.

Pedersen acknowledged that the fact that HTS is a designated terrorist group "creates challenges."

"It's extremely important that we now see on the ground a development that proves that we can achieve, you know, a transition to what I hope will be a democratic future for Syria," he emphasized.

The U.N. has been involved in trying to end the Syrian conflict since its start in 2011. Security Council resolution 2254 in 2015 laid out a road map for a Syrian-owned and led process with U.N. facilitation for reaching a political settlement. Mediation has been stalled for years. Pedersen is the fourth in a string of U.N. envoys who have tried to resolve the conflict, which has killed an estimated half-million Syrians and displaced more than 12 million others.

The United Nations said Friday that at least 370,000 people have been displaced in northwest Syria in the latest fighting.

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As Assad falls, fighting intensifying over northern Syria town

By Sirwan Kajjo December 08, 2024

Hours after Syrian rebel forces announced the overthrow of Syrian President Bashar Assad's regime, Turkish-backed armed groups launched an attack Sunday on a town in northern Syria under the control of U.S.-backed, Kurdish-led forces.

The Syrian National Army, or SNA, a coalition of Turkish-backed militias, announced advances in several parts of Manbij, a town in northern Syria, as intense clashes erupted with fighters from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), according to the Turkey's state-run Anadolu.

But the Manbij Military Council, which is affiliated with the SDF, denied that "large parts of the city" have been controlled by Turkish-backed groups, saying in a statement Sunday that its fighters were continuing their military mission in Manbij.

The SDF said that several administrative buildings in Manbij were targeted in Turkish military strikes. The Turkish military has not commented on the developments in the city.

Manbij, located in Aleppo province, has been under the control of U.S.-backed SDF fighters since it was liberated from Islamic State militants in 2016. But Turkey, which views the SDF as a terrorist organization, has been supporting rebel groups in efforts to expel the Kurdish-led forces from the area.

A reporter with VOA's Kurdish Service in northern Syria said that after hours of fierce fighting between the two sides, some Turkish-backed groups have retreated from Manbij while others remain positioned outside the city. He added that SNA's Sunday attack was aided by some sleeper cells inside the city.

The 11-day rapid rebel offensive across the country, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization, resulted in the capture of the capital Damascus and other strategic cities in northwest and central Syria. Simultaneously, an operation led by SNA factions aimed at dislodging Kurdish forces from parts of Aleppo province.

Following the collapse of the Syrian regime in Damascus, SDF General Commander Mazloum Abdi stated that the country was experiencing a historic moment.

"This change is an opportunity to build a new Syria based on democracy and justice that guarantee the rights of all Syrians," he said on social media platform X, formerly Twitter.

This story originated in VOA's Kurdish Service.

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Biden: Assad's Syrian collapse a 'fundamental act of justice'

By VOA News December 08, 2024

U.S. President Joe Biden declared Sunday that the sudden demise of the Syrian government under Bashar Assad was a "fundamental act of justice," but that it was "a moment of uncertainty" for the Mideast.

Biden, speaking at the White House, said the collapse of the decades-long iron rule by the Assad family was "the best opportunity in a generation for the Syrian people to forge their own destiny."

Biden said that action by the U.S. and its allies over the last two years weakened Syria's backers  Russia, Iran and Iran-supported Hezbollah militants in Lebanon  to the extent that "for the first time" they could no longer defend the Assad government.

"Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East," Biden said, after a meeting with his national security advisers at the White House.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said Sunday that Assad had fled his country, which his family had ruled for decades, because close ally Vladimir Putin, the Russian president, "was not interested in protecting him any longer."

Trump's comments on his social media platform came a day after he decried the possibility that the U.S. might intervene militarily in Syria to aid the rebels as they moved to oust Assad, declaring, "THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT."

The Biden administration had no intention of intervening, according to Biden's national security adviser, Jake Sullivan.

The U.S has about 900 troops in Syria, including forces working with Kurdish allies in the opposition-held northeast to prevent any resurgence of the Islamic State group.

Biden said he intends for those troops to remain, adding that U.S. forces on Sunday conducted "dozens" of what he called "precision airstrikes" on Islamic State camps and operations in Syria.

Biden said the U.S. is "clear eyed" that ISIS will try to take advantage of the situation in Syria.

The Syrian opposition that brought down Assad is led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. The Biden administration has designated the group as a terrorist organization and says it has links to al-Qaida, although Hayat Tahrir al-Sham says it has since broken ties with al-Qaida.

"We will remain vigilant," Biden said. "Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses." He added that the groups are "saying the right things now."

"But as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words, but their actions," Biden said.

Trump, who takes office January 20, linked the upheaval in Syria and Russia's war in Ukraine, noting that Assad's allies in Moscow, as well as in Iran, the main sponsor of Hamas and Hezbollah, "are in a weakened state right now."

Vice President-elect JD Vance, a veteran of the U.S.-led war in Iraq, wrote on his own social media Sunday to express skepticism about the insurgents.

"Many of 'the rebels' are a literal offshoot of ISIS. One can hope they've moderated. Time will tell," he said.

With the collapse of the Assad regime, the family of missing U.S. journalist Austin Tice renewed calls to find him.

"To everyone in Syria that hears this, please remind people that we're waiting for Austin," Tice's mother, Debra, said in comments that hostage advocacy groups spread on social media. "We know that when he comes out, he's going to be fairly dazed & he's going to need lots of care & direction. Direct him to his family please!"

Tice disappeared in 2012 outside Damascus.

"We've remained committed to returning him to his family," Biden told reporters. "We believe he's alive, we think we can get him back, but we have no direct evidence to that yet. And Assad should be held accountable."

The president added: "We have to identify where he [Tice] is."

Some material in this report came from The Associated Press.

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Remarks by APNSA Jake Sullivan at the 2024 Reagan National Defense Forum

December 08, 2024

The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

Simi Valley, California

MS. BREAM: And thank you, Jake. I'm glad you made it here this year. I know you've had to cancel in the past, and it's a very busy time, so we appreciate your time that you were able to make it here today.

MR. SULLIVAN: Well, thank you for having me.

MS. BREAM: Okay, so let's start with the headlines. Obviously, minute by minute, there are new advances by rebel forces in Syria. Did the administration see this coming? Assad doesn't seem to have the support he would have 10 years ago from the likes of Russia and Hezbollah and Iran, who have been weakened. What's your take on the current state?

MR. SULLIVAN: Well, it's important to start by observing why this is happening, and it's really happening for two reasons.

First, Assad has been brutal and repressive to his own people and totally intransigent in terms of actually trying to provide a better life or better future for the people of Syria, and so the people of Syria are fed up.

Second, Assad's backers  Iran, Russia, and Hezbollah  have all been weakened and distracted, and so he has not had the support from those three actors that he expected to be able to count on, and has been left basically naked. His forces are hollowed out.

And so, while we saw preparations for a rebel offensive, the speed and scale of it and the fact that it's moving so rapidly through the country, this is a feature of having lost the support of these backers, because each of them  Iran having been exposed and weakened; Hezbollah having been badly degraded by Israel; and Russia being ground down in a war of attrition in the east in Ukraine  none of them are prepared to provide the kind of support to Assad that they provided in the past. So here we are.

MS. BREAM: So the primary group leading the insurgence has been classified as a terrorist group by the U.S. How worried are you about what comes next?

MR. SULLIVAN: Well, it is a source of concern. I mean, this is a group, HTS, that has been designated by terrorist  as a terrorist organization by the United States, that has had elements affiliated with groups that have American blood on their hands.

We really think that there are three things we have to be particularly focused on.

One, that the fighting in Syria not lead to the resurgence of ISIS. And we are going to take steps ourselves directly, and working with the Syrian Democratic Forces, the Kurds, to ensure that does not happen.

Two, that our friends in the region  Israel, Jordan, Iraq, others who border Syria, or who would potentially face spillover effects from Syria  are strong and secure, and we're in touch with them every day.

And three, that this not lead to a humanitarian catastrophe, both in terms of civilians' access to lifesaving necessities and in terms of the protection of religious and ethnic minorities in Syria.

And we're going to work with all the players in the region to try to make sure that we are accomplishing those three goals which are in the interests and consistent with the values of the United States.

MS. BREAM: Of course there's a lot of instability in the region, so how worried are you about this spilling over the borders? You mentioned those bordering countries there.

MR. SULLIVAN: It is a concern. I mean, we've seen, obviously over the course of the Syrian civil war, spillovers and refugee flows. And at its worst, we saw the explosion of ISIS onto the scene, which not only led to the fall of cities in Syria, but the fall of cities in Iraq and pressure on some of our closest partners in the region.

So, whether it's from the border with Jordan to the Golan Heights, to trying to maintain a fragile ceasefire in Lebanon, to that long border between Syria and Iraq, these are all areas that we have to pay close attention to, that we have to coordinate closely with our friends on, and stay vigilant to try to ensure that we contain the potential violence and instability, that we protect our friends, and that we ensure that ISIS not get new oxygen out of this that could lead them to become a greater threat to the United States or our friends.

MS. BREAM: What about our troops in the region, the impact on them?

MR. SULLIVAN: So, we have a presence, both in Iraq and in Syria. That presence in Syria is there to work hand in hand with local partners, to continue to suppress the threat that ISIS has posed, going back many years now. And we've had significant progress in that fight, just even in the last few months. Major players taken off the battlefield. Large-scale degradation of those ISIS forces.

But of course, an event like this happens, and ISIS immediately looks to take advantage. And we have seen reports of ISIS trying, out in the Syrian Badiya, the desert, to try to reconstitute to a certain extent.

So we will continue to take action against that. And we will continue to make sure that force protection, the protection of our service members who are serving at a range of bases in eastern Syria, is the paramount concern from the President on down.

Now, the threat to those service members is not just from ISIS or from this violence; it is also from Iranian-backed Shia militia groups who themselves could try to take advantage of this.

And so, we are also doing what we believe we need to do to prepare for, deter, and protect against any potential attacks from that group of actors, which, of course, we have seen over the course of the past few years, and which we, under the Biden administration, have responded to at several points with direct strikes against those forces, both in Syria and in Iraq.

MS. BREAM: So, a lot of the conversation this week is about the transition to a new administration, a second Trump administration. He's weighed in on social media, as he often likes to do. I'll get you to the all-caps part of this post in which he says, "THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!"

So, you've referenced ways that we could be aware and preparing for the situation, responding as we can. But what is our role, or isn't our role, with regard to Syria?

MR. SULLIVAN: Well, first I would note  and I was a little bit struck by it  earlier in the post, he said part of the reason this is happening is because of Russia's war against Ukraine. And I think he even referenced the sheer scale of the casualties that Russia has suffered in Ukraine, and for that reason, they're not in a position to defend their client, Assad. And on that point, we're in vigorous agreement.

Equally, the United States is not going to dive into the middle  militarily dive into the middle of a Syrian civil war. What we are going to do is focus on the American national security priorities and interests. And I name the three of them that I see.

The first, critically, is: Do not let this allow for the resurgence of ISIS. And we are going to take steps to make sure that that happens. That's not about the move down the highway from Hama to Homs to Damascus. That's about what's happening out in the east, and we will remain critically focused on it.

Second, we do have a profound interest in shoring up the security of our partners, and we'll  in the region: Israel, Jordan, Iraq, others. We'll do that.

And third, we will attend to the humanitarian situation because we believe that we have an obligation to do that. And frankly, attending to the humanitarian situation, defending religious and ethnic minorities, that was a feature of the Obama policy in Syria, the Trump policy in Syria, the Biden policy in Syria, and I would expect that to continue as well.

MS. BREAM: So, it's a very long post, but you mentioned his wording here about the loss of 600,000 soldiers for Russia and how they're stretched very thin and tied up in other areas.

He also, though, in this post, not in all caps, says, "This is where former President Obama refused to honor his commitment of protecting the RED LINE IN THE SAND, and all hell broke out," and that's when Russia stepped in. You were part of that administration. So how do you respond to that?

MR. SULLIVAN: Well, first, I think, you know, going back to the entire set of events that unfolded in Syria, from the outbreak of the civil war through to the Russian involvement, an incredibly complex set of factors came into play. No one thing led from point A to point B.

Equally, President Obama made clear he did not want to see the United States directly militarily involved in the middle of the civil war. That is precisely what President Trump is saying at the end of his post today. So it seems to me that on that point they agree.

Ultimately, the future of Syria should be up to the Syrian people. That has been true from the moment this civil war broke out. It's been true across multiple administrations.

What is amazing about the moment we find ourselves in right now, though, is that Iran, Hezbollah, and Russia are all in a position of relative weakness in the Middle East. And our core security partner in the region, Israel, is in a position of relative strength in the region. And we believe that the United States has taken steps over the course of the past year, through military deployments, through diplomacy, and through engagement with all of our partners that have helped to bring about this set of conditions.

Now, there are positives in that, and there are risks in that, and we've just talked about some of those risks. So what we have to do is try to take advantage of those positives and manage those risks as best as we can through a handoff back to the Trump administration in just a few weeks' time that's got to be as seamless as possible. And for that reason, I'm in contact with my successor. Our Middle East team is in contact with their successors to make sure that we have transparency, coordination, and that the baton gets passed smoothly, because we don't want to miss anything between January 19th and January 21st.

MS. BREAM: How is that going, the coordination between incoming and outgoing?

MR. SULLIVAN: It has been professional, it has been substantive, and frankly, it has been good. Obviously, we don't see eye to eye on every issue, and that's no secret to anybody. But there is a deep conviction on the part of the incoming national security team that we are dealing with  including my successor, and, on our part, directed from President Biden  that it is our job, on behalf of the American people, to make sure this is a smooth transition. And we are committed to discharging that duty as relentlessly and faithfully as we possibly can.

That's true in every transition, but I think it's more true in this transition because you have a war in Ukraine that requires a very smooth handoff, you have the ongoing conflicts in the Middle East that require a very smooth handoff, and then, frankly, you have the continuing pacing challenge of China and events unfolding there on a day-to-day basis that requires smooth handoff.

So, the nature of the world we find ourselves in today only elevates our responsibility to be engaged, to talk regularly, to meet regularly, to be transparent, to share, and to make sure it's an effective transition. And we are doing all we can to live up to that responsibility.

MS. BREAM: So, you know, Reagan does a national defense survey every year where they ask people about a lot of these really pressing topics. In one of them, they were asked about the increased economic and military cooperation between Iran, Russia, North Korea, and China. Eighty-six percent of Americans have significant concerns about that.

So how do you answer critics who say this alliance of bad guys has actually gotten tighter and, you know, in a way, more solidified under this administration?

MR. SULLIVAN: Well, look, I think there is no doubt that there is increasing alignment among these four actors. That is true. And it's something actually I've spoken about, we've pointed out. We have a national security memorandum that we are in the closing phases of pulling together that is memorializing the work we have done within the U.S. government over the course of the past four years, across defense, diplomacy, development, all aspects of American power, to deal with what is an emerging reality.

But why has this happened? It has not happened because these countries are so strong. It has happened out of necessity because these countries are under pressure.

Russia, under pressure in Ukraine, had to turn to Iran for munitions and North Korea for personnel.

Iran, under pressure, tried to turn to Russia to get help because its attacks against Israel were defeated and its own air defenses were badly degraded.

And so  and if you look at China, when we came into this administration, the prevailing storyline was: China will surpass the United States in economic strength by the end of this decade. Now there's a lot of people who say it will never happen. When we came into this administration, serious people said China is going to dominate the future of AI. Now that script has been flipped.

So, you look at these countries and the relative challenges that they are facing, all four of them, and then you look on the other side of the ledger at America's alliances, and they have never been stronger. NATO is bigger, more unified, more purposeful than ever before, and NATO Allies are paying their fair share. When we came into office, nine NATO Allies were paying 2 percent; now it's 23. And the remaining nine have all committed to get to 2 percent and have a path to do it.

You look at the Indo-Pacific. We've started AUKUS. We've elevated and institutionalized the Indo-Pacific Quad. Our alliances with Japan and Korea are at an all-time high, and our trilateral cooperation with Japan and Korea is at an all-time high. And you just saw the resilience of South Korean democracy after this declaration of martial law and its retraction by President Yoon.

India, the Philippines, Vietnam  we have new partnerships that are dynamic and effective.

So, on the one hand, you've got the American alliance system and the free world strong, vibrant, coordinated, organized. On the other hand, you do have this increase in convergence, but among a group of actors that is facing serious challenges, serious pressures, and serious strategic dilemmas. And even within that group, this Russia-North Korea cooperation is not something that sits very well in Beijing. So there are internal contradictions that are problematic on their side of the ledger that we will continue to look at and see how we can deal with from a strategic perspective going forward.

The final point I will make: If you look at the hand we are passing off in terms of just the basic foundation of American power at home, our economic and technological engine, arresting the slide in our defense industrial base, diversifying and making more resilient our supply chains  these are steps where we feel that the United States has a foundation of national power domestically that is healthy and strong at a time when the Russian economy, the Chinese economy, and the Iranian economy are all in various states of disrepair.

So, for all of these reasons, it's a challenging world. It's a complex world. The post-Cold War era is over. A strategic competition is underway to determine what comes next. But America has a good hand to play, and it is a hand that we believe we have made stronger when we pass it off to the next administration.

MS. BREAM: I want to go back to Iran, since there's some news this week. An intelligence report out from the DNI office this week says that they now have enough fissile material to make more than a dozen nuclear weapons. And so, when you talk about them being worsened, there are critics who will say sanctions waivers, unfreezing assets and giving them access to that. It was a top Treasury Department official, Wally Adeyemo, who himself said that if they get their hands on cash, they're going to use it for nefarious reasons, admitting things are fungible. And that  you know, the Reagan Defense Survey also shows Americans think it is time for us to actually get tougher with Iran and that this administration hasn't been tough enough.

MR. SULLIVAN: What I find odd about that argument is Iran's major proxy in the region, Hezbollah, is absolutely weakened, shattered. Iran's own capacity to project conventional military capacity in the region has been exposed and defeated directly by the United States, working with Israel and other countries. Iran's economy is in absolute shambles, and Iran is nowhere to be found in defending its main client state, Assad, as rebels take city after city on the way to Damascus.

So, is Iran in good shape? I would say they are not. Has American policy over the course of the past four years and over the course of the past year contributed to the circumstances Iran finds itself in? I would submit to you that it has.

Now, the nuclear program in Iran remains a source of immense concern. President Biden made the same commitment President Trump made and President Obama made, that we will never allow to get Iran a nuclear weapon. That is a promise we intend to keep till every last day in our administration, and I presume the incoming administration will also do what is necessary.

They have advanced their nuclear program. They've done so because the nuclear deal that was in place that put enormous restraint on the program was removed by the last administration, and because we haven't been willing to just lift sanctions to get back into it. In fact, we have not lifted sanctions. We've imposed more sanctions on Iran over the course of the past four years.

The Middle East right now is in a period of considerable transformation. But one thing is for sure: Iran is in a weaker state today than they were when we took office, and that creates both opportunities, but it also does create risks, including the need for us to continue to constrain and deter their move should they choose to make it as a matter of policy towards a nuclear

weapon.

MS. BREAM: But to be clear, there were some sanctions waivers.

MR. SULLIVAN: Well, for example, we did authorize the movement of $6 billion for humanitarian purchases, which was a policy of the previous administration that money in certain bank accounts could be spent down by Iran for food, medicine, and other approved humanitarian transactions. We used that same mechanism that Secretary Pompeo put into place as part of a deal to get American citizens who had been held for years  predating our own administration  in Iran, in part because some of those Americans were getting  were facing significant health challenges. After October 7th, we froze that. So those $6 billion were frozen in Qatar; have not, in fact, been used.

But this President has shown a willingness to take tough decisions to get Americans home. He stands by those decisions. And in this case, we actually ended up freezing the $6 billion in place in Qatar.

MS. BREAM: I want to give you a chance to respond to a critic from within your own party. This comes from Senator Chris Van Hollen. He says, in an op-ed piece in The Washington Post, "Nothing will haunt President Joe Biden's foreign policy legacy as much as his failed policies in the Middle East. For too long, President Biden has been unwilling to uphold our values and enforce our interests in the Middle East." What do you say to him?

MR. SULLIVAN: Well, the main point that he was making in that op-ed was that we should have cut off weapons from Israel because of what they were doing in Gaza. That's his view. I would guess that there are many people in this audience who would take the exact opposite view and say, "Actually, the problem with the Biden administration was you paused the 2,000-pound bombs because you were worried about their use in densely populated civilian areas. You shouldn't have done that."

So we have critics on one side saying you should have cut off weapons  the Van Hollen argument; critics on the other side who said  or you should have cut off all offensive weapons. Critics on the other side who say you shouldn't have cut off or paused any shipments of any particular munition. And this is faced with a very difficult situation where we are going to back our partner to the hill to take out a murderous terrorist organization like Hamas, but we also care about protecting civilians and the humanitarian situation in Gaza.

We chose a course of making sure Israel had what it needed to beat its enemies, backed up by American power, including American aircraft carriers, fighter squadrons, and other capabilities in the region. But we were going to take certain steps, like saying, "You do not need to drop 2,000-pound bombs in densely populated areas because you are going to kill too many civilians, and you can take out the terrorists without them," which Israel has.

That's the position we've taken. That's going to draw criticism. We're willing to take that criticism because we believe that we have alighted on a course that has stood up for our ally, has stood against our common enemies, and at the same time has done our best to alleviate the humanitarian suffering in Gaza.

MS. BREAM: What's the latest on negotiations over a ceasefire and getting the hostages out? Are you hopeful that will help  that will happen on the Biden administration watch, before January 20th?

MR. SULLIVAN: I have now learned not to use the word "hopeful" and "Middle East" in the same sentence. (Laughter.) So, I will not do that.

There are ongoing talks. We are going to use every day we have an office to try to get a ceasefire and hostage deal in place. I meet regularly with the families of the American hostages, both those still living and those who have tragically  either were killed on October 7th or, like Hersh, were murdered, gunned down in tunnels during the conflict in Gaza.

It is just a paramount priority of ours to make this happen, to get this in place. We're coordinating with the incoming team on it. We're coordinating with the Israelis on it. I can't make any predictions about whether it will or won't happen. I can only tell you that we're going to use every ounce of effort and every last hour to see  to try to push this across the finish line.

MS. BREAM: So when people were asked here in the survey, Reagan Defense Survey, what's the biggest threat to the U.S., they far and away had China as the number one on that list, followed by Russia, North Korea, and then Iran. How would you assess that? Does that line up with what the Biden administration thinks the current threat assessment is?

MR. SULLIVAN: Well  and I think you heard this from Secretary Austin  China is the pacing challenge and threat to the United States for a very simple reason: It's the only power with the capacity and, frankly, the aim of displacing the United States as the world's leading military, economic, technological, and diplomatic power. And we are determined to make sure that never happens.

And I think if you rack and stack where we are today from where we were four years ago, the picture looks strong from the point of view of the United States' leadership position in the world, the health of our alliance systems, the health of our economy, the health of our technological advantage, and increasingly, the health of our military capacity, including in areas like the submarine industrial base, which we've invested heavily in after decades of decline in that capability, and also bringing new concepts to the fore, like AUKUS.

So, I think China is the challenge of the next quarter century. It is a challenge we are prepared for and a challenge that I will be proud to hand off to the next team a strategy that we have been executing against, I think quite effectively, so that America is in a position to succeed in that competition.

MS. BREAM: Second on the list was Russia. And of course, with Ukraine, there's a lot of polling information, too, from the survey about that. How people think this will end: The largest group said that Russia is going to take some territory from Ukraine, and that's going to be part of wrapping it up. What do you think? How does it come together to an end?

MR. SULLIVAN: Well, President Zelenskyy himself has said that this war has to end at the negotiating table, and our job has been to try to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position on the battlefield so that it's in the strongest possible position at the negotiating table. And that has required us to mobilize the largest effort of security assistance since the Second World War and flow massive quantities of munitions to Ukraine.

And they are taking that fighting courageously, innovating themselves, particularly in the drone space. I cannot predict exactly how the war will end, nor can I dictate to President Zelenskyy or the Ukrainians how it should end. Our job is to take that 50-nation coalition of countries that we built from scratch and continue to surge capability until we're out of here.

And President Biden has directed me, and I have directed all of our agencies in our national security enterprise, to do a massive surge of assistance and to up the economic pressure on Russia. And if you look at Russia's economy right now, just in the last few weeks, you've seen the warning bells begin ringing much more strongly, and Russia really has mortgaged its economic future. All of this can help build the kind of pressure that can be put to bear at the negotiating table to generate an outcome consistent with Ukraine's future as a sovereign, free, independent state that can deter future aggression, backed by its partners like the United States.

MS. BREAM: Okay. And one last chance to answer some critics  again, from your own party  with respect to Ukraine.

Top Democrats like Senators Coons and Blumenthal, Congressman Gregory Meeks over on the House side, they disagreed with hesitation, they say, from the White House, first to provide equipment or materials, but then to limit the use of it. They say it's been too little too late with respect to Ukraine. How do you answer that critique?

MR. SULLIVAN: Well, first, I very much respect the bipartisan support from the Congress. But we have spent every dollar that Congress has given to us, and we've been waiting for Congress to give us more money, not the other way around.

So the idea of too little too late, we have surged everything that we've had forward. Now, there are certain capabilities that people have 

MS. BREAM: The limitations on weapons.

MR. SULLIVAN:  have mentioned. I'd identify two that our military raised questions about whether the limited dollars that we had should be spent on them. One was Abrams tanks. The other was F-16s.

When it comes to Abrams tanks, we have sent Abrams tanks to Ukraine. Those Abram tanks units are actually undermanned because it's not the most useful piece of equipment for them in this fight, exactly as our military said. When it comes to F-16s, President Biden authorized the sending of F-16s to Ukraine last May. It's now December of 2024, and we've had a limited number of pilots train not because we're not prepared to train them  we are, as many as possible  but because the Ukrainians do not have the pilots to be able to build a full F-16 capability in time.

So I think this focus on these types of capabilities misses the point, which is this war is about munitions. And we have surged munitions to an unbelievable degree, as fast as humanly possible. Air defense capabilities. And we have gone so far as to take the extraordinary step of asking everyone who buys air defense from the United States: Wait in line; we're sending it all to Ukraine.

These were not things that Congress or critics asked of us. These are things we developed and we did.

Third was making sure they had cluster munitions and now land mines so they could defend their territory effectively. Again, critical capabilities they need that we generated; not something that we were being told by critics or Congress or anyone else to do, but stuff we went and did, with some controversy.

And then finally, on the question of ATACMS long-range strike: The issue there has always been both the size of the U.S. arsenal, the shot volume capable, and here too, when we were able to develop a sufficient number of these to send, we sent them for their use. And then, when the Russians took certain actions, we authorized their use inside Russian territory, which has happened now.

But I would just say to everyone: Anyone who thinks that is a silver bullet for this war does not understand what is happening in this war. It is not a silver bullet. It's one additional capability. But where this war is really being fought is on basic munitions and then the question of manpower, which is something Ukraine has been trying to surge over the course of the past few months.

At the end of the day, I think when history actually records what we have done predating the war, building the supply line and capacity; what Secretary Austin has done, building the UDCG, 50 nations flowing munitions in; and how we have been able to execute that over the last two and a half years, it is an extraordinary feat of logistics, production capacity, and delivery capability from the United States.

And first reason Ukraine is where it is is because of the bravery of the Ukrainians. Second reason is because of the munitions provided by the United States of America. And I'm damn proud of what we have done to help Ukraine stand up for its freedom.

MS. BREAM: Well, in the midst of all of that  (applause)  yes  thank you for taking a break from all of that. You're never really taking a break  for giving us a few minutes. So I'll leave you with one last question. What are you looking forward to most as a semi-retired  I don't know  a congressional spouse?

MR. SULLIVAN: (Laughs.) I think I get a pin, actually.

MS. BREAM: Oh, okay.

MR. SULLIVAN: Which would be cool if that's true. I'm not actually sure if that's true or not.

But mainly I'm looking forward to sleeping. (Laughter.) MS. BREAM: That's true. Well, thank you for taking a break from all of that, and your nap, for us. Thank you. (Applause.)

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UN Security Council To Meet On Syria Amid Calls For Stability

By RFE/RL's Radio Farda December 09, 2024

The UN Security Council is to convene for an emergency session on the situation in Syria on December 9 following the ouster of longtime President Bashar al-Assad's brutal regime and the fall of Damascus to Islamist-led rebels.

The emergency session, called by Russia according to Dmitry Polyansky, the country's first deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, will be held behind closed doors as world and regional powers call for stability in the civil war-wracked Middle East country.

Assad and his family fled the country on December 8 and are in Moscow, where they have been granted asylum, Russian media reported. The U.S. administration could not confirm the information but said it had no reason to doubt it.

Air strikes could be heard in Damascus early on December 9, media reports said, although it was not immediately clear who conducted the strikes. Earlier, Reuters reported that Israel had conducted three air strikes on the Syrian capital on December 8.

Russia, a longstanding supporter of Assad, said he "decided to resign" after "negotiations" with a "number of participants in the armed conflict" and left office "giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power." "Russia did not participate in these negotiations," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

In Damascus and other Syrian cities, people took to the streets to celebrate Assad's ouster, pulling down statues, and ransacking government buildings and Assad's residence.

Social media footage showed crowds of men entering the presidential place in Damascus, with reports of looting.

The rebels, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) Islamist militant group, said in a statement aired on state TV that Damascus is "now free of Assad," whose family ruled the country with an iron fist since 1971.

HTS is a U.S.- and EU-designated terrorist organization. In recent years, the group severed ties with Al-Qaeda and sought to remake itself as a pragmatic alternative to the Syrian government. But concerns remain over its alleged rights abuses and ties to terrorist groups.

Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of the HTS, has sought to reassure Shi'ite Alawites and other Syrian minorities, including Christians, that he will not discriminate against minorities.

In Washington, President Joe Biden said the United States "will engage with all Syrian groups" as the country transitions to a post-Assad government.

"Assad should be held accountable," Biden said, but cautioned that some of the rebel groups that helped overthrow Assad "have their own grim record" of human rights abuses even though they have been "saying the right things" in recent days.

He said the United States will be closely watching the activities of the Islamic State (IS) extremist group, which could seek to use the power vacuum to again establish rule in Syria.

Biden said the United States conducted precision strikes on IS positions in Syria earlier in the day.

A senior Biden administration official told reporters on background it was a "significant" strike on 75 IS targets in eastern Syria using B-52s and F-15s.

"These guys want to reconstitute...and we are going to make sure that if they think they can seize advantage in this situation, that they can't," the senior official said.

The Syrian civil war began in 2011 after Assad's regime unleashed a brutal crackdown in March 2011 against peaceful demonstrators inspired by the wave of protests known as the Arab Spring that were sweeping the Middle East at the time.

Beginning in 2015, Russia intervened in the civil war on Assad's side, unleashing a massive bombing campaign against the rebel groups, including Islamist militants, causing numerous civilian casualties and prompting tens of thousands to flee.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that the Assad regime's refusal since 2011 to engage "in a credible political process and its reliance on the brutal support of Russia and Iran led inevitably to its own collapse."

"After 14 years of conflict, the Syrian people finally have reason for hope," he added.

The fall of the Assad regime marks a major geopolitical setback for the Kremlin, which, along with Iran, has propped his government, experts believe.

Biden said Russia has been weakened by the nearly three-year war in Ukraine while Iran's proxies in the region have been crushed by Israel.

Besides Russia, Assad has relied on Iran and its Hezbollah proxies to remain in power since the conflict erupted in 2011. Iran's Foreign Ministry said it expects "friendly" relations with Syria to continue and it would take "appropriate approaches" towards Damascus.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Assad's fall "a direct result of the blows we have inflicted on Iran and Hezbollah."

He hailed Assad's overthrow as the fall of a "central link in Iran's axis of evil."

Israel has launched a months-long air-raid campaign in Lebanon against Hezbollah, which has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States.

Russia has an estimated 7,500 troops and multiple military sites in Syria, including an air base at Hmeimim and strategic naval facilities at Tartus, which are also used to support the Kremlin's actions in North and Sub-Saharan Africa.

The ISW said Moscow had not yet begun to evacuate the naval base, "but it remains unclear whether Russia will keep its vessels at the port as Syrian rebels continue to advance swiftly across regime-held territory."

Ruslan Suleymanov, a Russian expert on the Middle East, told RFE/RL that Moscow would "cooperate with the rebels" if they take power in Damascus and that HTS too has "claimed previously that it was ready to negotiate" with the Kremlin.

"Putin wants to save his military presence in the region. In any case, to do that, he has to make concessions -- both to jihadists and to [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan who supports [the rebels]," Suleymanov said.

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the fall of Assad's "barbaric state."

"I pay tribute to the Syrian people, to their courage, to their patience," Macron said in a statement.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Germany would bring "its contribution" to a political solution for peace.

"Assad has oppressed his own people in a brutal manner, he has countless lives on his conscience," Scholz said.

China's Foreign Ministry on December 9 said that Beijing in "closely following the development of the situation in Syria and hopes that Syria returns to stability as soon as possible."

The United Nations said on December 6 that almost 300,000 people in Syria had already been displaced since late November by the fighting, and that up to 1.5 million could be forced to flee as the rebels advance and inflict losses on Assad, as well as his Russian and Iranian allies.

On December 8, Israel said it has deployed forces in a demilitarized buffer zone along its northern border with Syria and sent troops "other places necessary for its defense."

The Israeli military said the deployment was meant to provide security for residents of the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights.

The United States said it will maintain its presence in eastern Syria and will take measures necessary to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State (IS) in the region. The United States has about 900 soldiers in Syria.

Tom Fletcher, head of the UN humanitarian aid agency, warned about the plight of the millions of Syrians displaced by nearly 14 years of the country's civil war. Now many more are in danger, Fletcher said.

"We will respond wherever, whenever, however we can, to support people in need, including reception centers -- food, water, fuel, tents, blankets," he said.

Human Rights Watch (HRW), meanwhile, cautioned that the armed groups that ousted Assad should ensure humane treatment for all Syrians.

"The fall of Bashar al-Assad's government offers Syrians an unprecedented opportunity to chart a new future built on justice, accountability, and respect for human rights, HRW said in a statement.

Amnesty International also called the end of the Assad regime "a historic opportunity to end and redress decades of grave human rights violations" in Syria.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, AFP, and dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/un-security-council- to-meet-on-syria-amid-calls-for-stability/33232002.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on the impact of the situation in Syria on children

UNICEF

09 December 2024

NEW YORK, 8 December 2024 - "With the situation in Syria rapidly evolving, UNICEF reiterates the UN Secretary-General's appeal for calm, to refrain from violence, and to protect the rights of all Syrians - especially children, at least 80 of whom have been killed in the past two weeks.

"UNICEF remains steadfast in its commitment to remain on the ground, working alongside our partners to deliver life-saving assistance to children and their families.

"Humanitarian conditions inside the country are dire, with millions of children and families facing extreme deprivation. More than a decade of war has caused massive damage to critical infrastructure, widescale displacement, and severely limited access to essential services - including safe water, sanitation, protection, education, health, and nutrition.

"UNICEF calls on all parties to ensure that humanitarian actors have safe, unimpeded access to reach children and families with assistance. This is critical to our ability to rapidly scale up our response to meet the growing humanitarian needs.

"UNICEF also calls on all parties to commit to a sustained peace, so that Syria's children can survive and thrive. The children in Syria have suffered enough. They deserve a future of peace, dignity, and opportunity."

###



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UN Security Council to discuss Syria after Assad's ouster

By VOA News December 09, 2024

The U.N. Security Council is set to hold closed-door talks Monday on the situation in Syria, following the lightning advance by rebels that ousted President Bashar al-Assad.

Russia, which provided military assistance to Assad during the nearly 14-year Syrian civil war, requested the Security Council session to discuss the developments, including the potential implications on the U.N.'s peacekeeping mission in the Golan Heights.

Israeli troops deployed Sunday to the U.N.-monitored buffer zone in the Golan Heights, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying the move was necessary to protect Israelis after Syrian forces abandoned their positions.

Many questions remained Monday about who will lead Syria and how the country will try to recover after years of war and nearly five decades under the rule of the Assad family.

This aerial picture shows a bullet-riddled portrait of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad adorning Hama's municipality building after it was defaced following the capture of the city by anti government fighters, Dec. 6, 2024.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement late Sunday that the United States will be "closely monitoring developments as they unfold and engaging with our partners in the region."

"The United States strongly supports a peaceful transition of power to an accountable Syrian government through an inclusive Syrian-led process," Blinken said. "During this transitional period, the Syrian people have every right to demand the preservation of state institutions, the resumption of key services, and the protection of vulnerable communities."

Blinken said the United States will support international efforts to hold Assad and others accountable for abuses against the Syrian people and detention of civilians such as U.S. journalist Austin Tice.

Assad was accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the country's civil war, including a 2013 chemical weapons attack on the outskirts of Damascus.

More than half a million Syrians died in the war, and the conflict displaced at least half the country's pre-war population of 22 million people.

Assad's fall prompted crowds to gather and celebrate in Damascus and elsewhere.

Rebels opened prisons where the Assad government held thousands of people as part of its crackdown against the uprising that began in 2011 against his rule.

There was continued focus Monday on the Saydnaya prison outside of Damascus, where the White Helmets rescue organization said it deployed teams to search for potential hidden, underground cells where people may still be held.

Russian news agencies said Sunday that Assad and his family arrived in Moscow and were granted asylum in Russia.

The downfall of Assad was stunningly quick, with the rebels capturing the cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs in a matter of days as the Syrian army ended any opposition. The rebels are led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group (HTS) which has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the United States and the United Nations.

Abu Mohammed al-Golani leads HTS and could chart the country's immediate direction. He is a former al-Qaida commander who cut ties with the group years ago and says he embraces pluralism and religious tolerance.

But there are bitter divides in the country. Turkey-backed opposition fighters are battling U.S.-allied Kurdish forces in the north, and the Islamic State group is still active in some remote areas.

Some information came from The Associated Press. Agence France-Presse and Reuters.

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US to stick with Kurdish allies in Syria

By Jeff Seldin December 09, 2024

The fall of the Assad regime in Syria will not impact U.S. support, at least for now, for one of Washington's most steadfast allies in the fight against the Islamic State terror group, according to senior American officials.

Speaking just hours after Russian officials confirmed former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad had fled Damascus and taken refuge in Moscow, and a day after rebel forces entered the Syrian capital, U.S. officials insisted there are no plans to alter the U.S. military footprint in Syria, which includes some 900 troops, most of them working in the country's northeast with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces or SDF.

Maintaining U.S. positions across eastern Syria "is something we will continue to do," a senior U.S. administration official said Sunday, briefing reporters on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss sensitive information.

"We think that presence is critically important for the stability of those areas and for denying the efforts of ISIS to resurge, and also for the integrity of the SDF and the groups that we work with in the East to maintain stability out there," the official said, using an acronym for the Islamic State group, also known as IS or Daesh.

The SDF, an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias formed in 2015, mustering a force of 30,000 to 40,000 fighters that played a key role in eroding IS's hold on large swaths of territory, including the terror group's self-proclaimed Syrian capital of Raqqa.

Four years after its creation, in March 2019, the SDF announced the fall of the town of Baghuz, IS's last stronghold in Syria.

But the defeat of the self-declared IS caliphate in Syria came at a cost. SDF officials estimated some 11,000 fighters were killed in the yearslong campaign. And fighting with remnants of the terror group has persisted.

Intelligence shared both by the U.S. and by United Nation member states earlier this year indicated an uptick in IS activity, especially by small cells in Syria's central desert, describing it as a growing logistic hub for the terror group.

Various estimates warn the number of IS fighters across Syria and Iraq has grown to between 2,500 and 5,000.

This past July, U.S. Central Command, which oversees U.S. forces in Syria and Iraq, warned IS was on pace to "more than double the total number of attacks they claimed in 2023."

And IS has made repeated attempts to free some 9,000 of its fighters being held in about 20 SDF-run prisons across northeastern Syria, described by one senior U.S, official as "the largest collection of terrorist fighters in the world."

Additionally, the SDF has been charged with overseeing security at displaced persons camps, like al-Hol and al-Roj, which house about 30,000 people, most of them children under the age of 12, and many from families loyal to IS.

U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday said Washington has no intention of letting Syria, or the SDF, face those challenges alone.

"Our mission against ISIS will be maintained, including the security of detention facilities where ISIS fighters are being held as prisoners," the president said.

"We're clear eyed about the fact that ISIS will try to take advantage of any vacuum to reestablish its capabilities, to create a safe haven," Biden added. "We will not let that happen."

To underscore the U.S. commitment, Biden said U.S. forces Sunday carried out dozens of airstrikes against IS camps and operatives.

U.S. Central Command said the operation struck more than 75 targets using a combination of long-range bombers, fighter jets and close air support.

"We targeted a significant gathering of ISIS fighters and leaders," the senior administration official said, adding U.S. war planes dropped about 140 munitions during the strikes, which were authorized earlier Sunday.

"It's a significant strike, I think, just given the collection of ISIS individuals in that area and the size of the area," the official added.

But U.S. concerns about instability extend beyond the threat from IS itself.

There are fears that ongoing tensions between the SDF and Turkey could also bring additional instability and danger.

Already, there have been reports of clashes between Turkish-backed forces and the SDF in northern Syria.

Turkey has also long voiced objections to the U.S alliance with the Kurdish-led SDF, arguing many of the fighters are also People's Protection Units, or YPG, a Syrian-based offshoot of the Turkey-based Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), labeled by both Ankara and Washington as a terrorist organization.

And though the U.S. views the SDF and YPG as different entities, in Turkey's view, they are one and the same.

U.S. officials said Sunday that there have already been high-level talks between officials at the Pentagon and State departments with their Turkish counterparts, describing the calls as "constructive."

"Additional conflicts, additional fronts opening up, not in anybody's interest," the official said.

Some analysts, however, worry the Turkish-Kurdish tensions will not be so easily resolved, pointing in part to Biden's failure to mention Turkey Sunday while discussing U.S. outreach to Syria's other neighbors.

"[It] indicates that behind the scenes there's continuing to be ongoing machinations between American diplomats and Turkish officials about their aims for occupying portions of north and east Syria and thereby jeopardizing the Syrian Democratic Forces and civilians who live under the [Kurdish-led] Autonomous Administration," said Myles Caggins, a nonresident fellow at the New Lines Institute and former spokesperson for the U.S.-led, anti-IS coalition in Syria and Iraq.

"President Biden made it very clear that U.S. forces will remain in north and east Syria in the foreseeable future to continue the anti-ISIS mission," Caggins told VOA. "The United States government has an opportunity to showcase and highlight its strong support of the Syrian Democratic Forces and people of Northeast Syria."

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PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

ROC Ministry of National Defense

2024/12/07

PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan

1.Date

6 to 6 a.m. (UTC+8) Friday to Saturday, Dec. 6-7

2.PLA activities

15 PLA aircraft, 8 PLAN vessels and 4 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 11 of the aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern and southwestern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy vessels, and coastal missile systems in response to the detected activities.

3.PRC Balloon Activities

One PRC's balloon was detected at 1420hr yesterday at the location 92 nautical miles west of Keelung City and at the altitude of approximately 20,000 feet. The balloon headed east and disappeared at 1439hr yesterday.



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Denmark pushes further donations to Ukraine before the end of the year

Danish Ministry of Defence

Further funds will be allocated for donations to Ukraine of defence equipment bought through the defence industry. At the same time, scheduled donations from both Denmark and France will be moved forward. The Government consulted the Foreign Policy Committee earlier today on the matter.

December 6, 2024 - 14:24

Approaching the end of the year, Ukraine is still dependent on the support it receives from Denmark and other Allies, to defend itself from Russia's illegal war. Therefore, the Government consulted The Foreign Policy Committee of further donations to Ukraine.

"We are doing it to secure Ukraine's possibility to continue the fight against its aggressor, but also to show the way for other", says Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen.

More resources are allocated for the Industrial Fund, which was established in order to procure new defence equipment to Ukraine by involving the Danish defence industry.

"From the beginning of the war, Denmark has focused on the most urgent Ukrainian needs. The Defence industry has shown that they can deliver what is needed in Ukraine. Therefore the government will increase the funding for the industry in order for the last contracts to be resolved this year". Says Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen.

The extra funding will be added to the approximately 2,6 bill. DKK, which has previously been set aside for the industry.

"The war in Ukraine is at a critical stage. It is crucial that we support Ukraine as much as possible. Europe needs to step up, and with today's donation package, we are fulfilling specific requests from Ukraine on Denmark's behalf, once again demonstrating that Denmark is at the forefront of Ukraine's fight for freedom. I hope more countries will follow suit," says Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen.

The Foreign Policy Committee has also been informed that Denmark together with France will be moving the delivery of a number of CEASAR artillery systems to Ukraine forward.

The CAESAR artillery systems were originally planned to be delivered throughout 2024 and 2025 with the final deliveries in 2026, however Ukraine will receive the artillery system in 2025.

"The CAESAR artillery systems have been requested by Ukraine, thus it is possitve that Denmark can now assist Ukraine with more artillery capacities next year," says Troels Lund Poulsen.

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Russian Strike Kills 10, Injures 20 In Southern Ukraine

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service December 06, 2024

An attack by Russian troops on the Ukrainian city of Zaporizhzhya on the evening of December 6 killed 10 people, according to regional Governor Ivan Fedorov as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy slammed Russia for carrying out the attack.

Fedorov said that another 20 people were injured, including three children. One of the injured adults, a 23-year-old man, is in extremely serious condition, he added.

The impact destroyed a service station and damaged nearby houses and shops, Fedorov said on Telegram. His post included a video of smoke rising from a building and debris strewn across the street.

The state emergency service said that attack caused the fire, which engulfed six cars, a garage, and the service station. The fire has been put out, the service said.

A separate attack on Kryviy Rih in the southern region of Dnipropetrovsk killed two people. A three-story building was destroyed in the attack, and residential buildings and cars were damaged, the emergency service said on Telegram.

Zelenskiy said the attacks showed Russia has no interest in striking a deal to end the full-scale invasion it launched in February 2022.

"Thousands of such strikes carried out by Russia during this war make it absolutely clear that [Russian President Vladimir] Putin does not need real peace," Zelenskiy said on Telegram.

"Only by force can we resist this. And only through force can real peace be established," he added.

Zelenskiy is set to travel to Paris for a ceremony on December 7 to mark the reopening of the Notre Dame cathedral after a restoration following a devastating fire in 2019, according to news reports quoting unidentified sources.

A source in the Ukrainian government was quoted by the AFP news agency as saying that Zelenskiy will attend the celebrations marking the restoration of the cathedral and will meet with French President Emmanuel Macron.

He also hopes to meet with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, who is expected to attend the ceremony. It would be their first meeting since Trump was elected president for a second non-consecutive term on November 5.

Trump has repeatedly criticized U.S. military aid to Kyiv and said he would end the war within 24 hours of returning to the White House but has yet to provide details.

There are fears in Kyiv that Trump could try to force Ukraine to the negotiating table and accept peace terms favorable to Russia. Trump has named Keith Kellogg, a retired general who has called on Kyiv to make concessions to end the war, as his Ukraine envoy.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden's outgoing administration is seeking to bolster Kyiv before leaving office on January 20. The administration announced on December 2 that it will send $725 million worth of missiles, ammunition, anti-personnel mines, and other weapons to Ukraine.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia- zaporizhzhya-kryviy-rih-zelenskiy-fedorov/33229760.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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The United Kingdom Can Demonstrate Leadership in Strengthening Ukraine - Andriy Yermak in His Speech at Chatham House

President of Ukraine

6 December 2024 - 22:02

The United Kingdom can demonstrate leadership in strengthening Ukraine, which will enable the creation of a new sustainable system of European security. This was stated by Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak in his speech at the Chatham House roundtable on Ukrainian issues.

Andriy Yermak stressed that the United Kingdom is one of the leaders in shaping a just, secure and free world order. He called for continued training of Ukrainian brigades and increased sanctions pressure on Russia.

The Head of the Presidential Office noted that the end of the war is possible only if Ukraine is strengthened and urged the United Kingdom to take joint actions.

"A joint victory plan is more than strategies or agreements. It is a shared responsibility. Ukraine has proven its commitment to being a reliable partner. We are fighting not just for our land, but for the future of the entire democratic world. Together we can end this war and build a peace that people will believe in. A peace based on justice, the rule of law and true leadership," Andriy Yermak said.

He emphasized the importance of forming new contours for European security and eliminating any uncertainties.

"We offer deeper integration of Ukraine into the European security framework. This means enhancing the role of the United Kingdom. This means strengthening all of Europe. This means that we all must work together to create a new sustainable system," the Head of the Presidential Office concluded.

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Andriy Yermak Held a Meeting with the Adviser to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

President of Ukraine

6 December 2024 - 19:19

During a stopover in London on his way back from the United States, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak met with the National Security Adviser to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Jonathan Powell.

At the meeting, the parties discussed ways to enhance defense cooperation between Ukraine and the United Kingdom, as well as the decisions needed to counter Russian aggression.

Special attention was paid to the efforts that must be made to achieve a sustainable and just peace based on the Peace Formula proposed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The meeting also focused on the development of bilateral relations, including the preparation of the agreement on the 100-year partnership between Ukraine and the United Kingdom, which is nearing its final stages.

Andriy Yermak thanked the United Kingdom for its decisive and consistent support of Ukraine since the first days of Russia's full-scale invasion. He emphasized the importance of continuing cooperation to safeguard European and global security, and of increasing sanctions pressure on the aggressor country.

The Head of the Office of the President noted that the United Kingdom was among the first countries to support the use of long-range weapons to defend Ukraine and has consistently advocated for Ukraine's membership in NATO.

Andriy Yermak and Jonathan Powell also exchanged views on the results of the Ukrainian delegation's visit to the United States and discussed further coordination of joint actions.

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Serial Production of the "Peklo" Drone-Missile Begins in Ukraine - First Batch Already Delivered to Defense Forces

President of Ukraine

6 December 2024 - 14:35

Ukraine has launched serial production of the "Peklo" (Hell) drone-missile. Today, with the participation of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the first batch was handed over to the Defense Forces. This weapon already has proven combat effectiveness.

"It is crucial that our defenders receive such modern, Ukrainian-made weaponry. Now, the task is to continue ramping up its production and deployment," said the President.

The "Peklo" drone-missile has a range of 700 kilometers and a speed of 700 km/h.

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Former Ukrainian President Poroshenko: We can stop the war in 24 hours

By Tatiana Vorozhko December 06, 2024

Former Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, now leader of the opposition European Solidarity Party, sat down with Voice of America during a visit to Washington to attend the annual forum of the International Democracy Union, an alliance of center-right political parties.

While in the U.S. capital, Poroshenko met with Biden administration officials and members of the incoming Trump administration to share his assessment of the situation Ukraine is facing more than two and a half years after Russia launched its full-scale invasion, and his vision of how to end the conflict.

The following interview has been edited for brevity and clarity.

VOA: How would you describe the situation on the front lines in Ukraine?

Petro Poroshenko, former Ukrainian president: Every week, I travel to the front lines to deliver needed equipment and armaments. Russia is increasing its pressure. Russia has more sophisticated weapons than even half a year [ago]. Ukrainian soldiers are tired because some have served for over two and a half years, but they still wouldn't allow Russians to break through the Ukrainian positions.

At the moment, we shouldn't think about offensive operations but [how] to strengthen fortifications. I appreciate the decision of the United States government to give us anti-infantry mines. Having three, four, five kilometers of a minefield is an excellent response to the new tactics of Russia, which is penetrating Ukrainian positions with small groups of five to 12 persons with the support of Russian artillery, which has an unlimited number of artillery shells.

If we have fortifications, minefields and reconnaissance drones, including thermal night drones and [an] unlimited number of FPV drones to destroy these small groups, [an] effective radio-electronic warfare system, including against Russian reconnaissance drones, I'm confident we can keep [the] defense lines.

VOA: Ukraine is under pressure to start negotiating. Is this a good time for that?

Poroshenko: No other nation in the world wants peace more than Ukrainians because we pay an enormous price. However, the negotiations should start when both sides are ready. Everybody asks if Ukraine is ready, and nobody asks if [Russian President Vladimir] Putin is ready for these negotiations. Putin is not ready. We should undertake enormous efforts to prepare Putin for these negotiations. What language should we speak to Putin? The language of strength, including sophisticated and modern weapons for Ukraine. Putin should feel that he is paying a high price. We need stronger sanctions to destroy the shadow fleet. The sanctions should lower Russian exports from $600 [billion] to $200 billion to cut Putin's ability to finance the war.

VOA: Do you think the new Trump administration will support your vision?

Poroshenko: I strongly believe in the global leadership of the United States. I worked with [President Donald] Trump in 2016-2019. Meeting him was one of my first meetings as president of Ukraine. Our meeting was scheduled for five minutes  just to shake hands and take a photo  and lasted for two and a half hours. As a result, he gave Ukraine the first lethal weapons after three years of the war, the legendary Javelins [anti-tank missiles]. They saved lots of lives in the Donbas region. Even without additional consultation with our European partners, we agreed that the United States introduce sanctions against the company contractor for the North Stream 2 [natural gas pipeline], which was vital. In President Trump's presence we discussed with [his former CIA Director Mike] Pompeo the coordination of efforts to recognize the Ukrainian independent church. Trump is a person of results, not process. He is decisive enough to make tough decisions.

VOA: Trump nominated General Keith Kellogg as the U.S. special representative for Ukraine and Russia. What do you think about him and his ideas?

Poroshenko: I've met him several times when he was a member of [then] Vice President [Mike] Pence's team. I welcome President Trump's approach to appoint a special presidential envoy to Ukraine. When President Trump appointed Kurt Volker [as U.S. special representative for Ukraine negotiations], that was extremely efficient. And now, General Kellogg's level of professionalism gives us careful optimism.

We can stop the war in 24 hours, as President Trump promised, and without a single shot [fired] or a dollar spent. We need just one signature for one treaty  the Washington Treaty [the April 1949 treaty establishing the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance]. Inviting Ukraine to join NATO will be a powerful demonstration to Putin that we are not afraid of his blackmail. We are decisive enough, and we want to have sustainable security on the continent.

I propose my plan  the "Poroshenko Plan." Within one year, partners guarantee that Ukraine will get a full [NATO] membership if it meets specific criteria and fulfills certain conditions. During that year, while we are not in NATO, we will receive the same security guarantees as Finland and Sweden before their full NATO membership. During that year, I also suggest having peacekeepers under the mandate of the United Nations Security Council to guarantee a ceasefire. That's how to stop the war in 24 hours.

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Zelenskiy Hails Talks With Macron, Trump, Says 'A Just Peace' Was Discussed

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service December 07, 2024

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called his trilateral talks with French counterpart Emmanuel Macron and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump "good and productive" and said the leaders discussed the situation on the ground in Ukraine and the potential for "a just peace."

"We talked about our people, the situation on the battlefield, and a just peace for Ukraine. We all want to end this war as quickly and fairly as possible," Zelenskiy said on Telegram from Paris on December 7 as world leaders gathered to mark the reopening of Notre Dame cathedral.

"President Trump, as always, is determined. We are thankful for that," he added.

Macron said, "Let us continue joint efforts for peace, security."

It was not immediately known if Trump would make public comments following the talks.

Zelenskiy, looking to bolster support for his nation's fight against the full-scale Russian invasion that began in February 2022, arrived in the French capital at midday as more than three dozen global dignitaries gathered for the ceremonies, many of whom applauded the Ukrainian leader at the Notre Dame event.

Zelenskiy arrived at the Elysee Palace for the three-way talks at 5:30 p.m. Paris time. The three men posed for photos at but made no public comments before the talks began.

Zelenskiy is expected to leave Paris immediately following the ceremonies at Notre Dame, which was restored following a devastating 2019 fire, aided by some $1 billion in donations from around the globe.

Trump, who will take office on January 20, has criticized the billions of dollars the United States has poured into Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion.

Trump has also said he could end the war within 24 hours of retaking the White House, a statement that has been interpreted as meaning that Ukraine would have to surrender territory that Russia now occupies.

The two also have a long history, mainly through an infamous phone call.

During that July 2019 call, Trump asked Zelenskiy to look into the activities in Ukraine of Joe Biden and his son, Hunter. The elder Biden went on to defeat Trump in the 2020 presidential election.

The call led to accusations that Trump had conditioned the release of nearly $400 million in military aid on an investigation into the Bidens, and Trump was impeached by the U.S. House of Representatives in December 2019 on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress. The Senate acquitted Trump on both charges in February 2020.

"We expect a good decision from today's meeting with Macron," a source within the Ukrainian delegation told the AFP news agency before the announcement of the three-way talks.

AFP also reported that Elon Musk, the world's richest man and one of Trump's closest allies, is expected to attend the ceremonies.

On social media, Zelenskiy earlier said that Ukraine had received a second shipment of sophisticated F-16 fighter jets from Denmark.

"The second batch of F-16s for Ukraine from Denmark is already in Ukraine. This is the leadership in protecting life that distinguishes Denmark," he wrote on Telegram.

"The planes provided by the Danes from the first batch are already shooting down Russian missiles and saving our people, our infrastructure. Now our air shield is additionally strengthened. If all partners were so determined, it would be possible to prevent Russian terror," he said.

In November, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen announced that Denmark would transfer two more batches of F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. Six had already been transferred, with a total of 19 aircraft earmarked for delivery by Copenhagen.

Separately, Washington said it is preparing a $988 million package of arms and equipment to Ukraine, funds taken from the remaining $2.21 billion available in the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.

The funds will be used to buy ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and for drones, the Pentagon said, as the administration of President Joe Biden attempts to bolster Kyiv before he leaves office.

With reporting by AFP and Reuters

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/zelenskiy-notre-dame- paris-trump-macron-ukraine-russia/33230499.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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Russian Defence Ministry reports on repelling AFU attempt to invade Russian territory in Kursk region (7 December 2024)

07.12.2024

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the operation to neutralise an enemy group, which broke into the territory of Kursk region.



The Sever Group of Forces engaged the units of three mechanised brigades, a heavy mechanised brigade, a tank brigade, three air assault brigades, a marine brigade, a guard brigade as well as three territorial defence brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Agronom, Viktorovka, Kurilovka, Lebedevka, Leonidovo, Martynovka, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Nikolsky, Novoivanovka, Plyokhovo, and Sverdlikovo.



Operational-Tactical aviation and Army aviation, and Artillery inflicted fire damage on enemy manpower and hardware in the areas of Aleksandria, Guyevo, Kruglenkoye, Kurilovka, Lebedevka, Leonidovo, Martynovka, Makhnovka, Mirny, Nizhny Klin, Nikolayevo-Daryino, Plyokhovo, and Cherkasskoye Porechnoye as well as Basovka, Belovody, Glukhov, Zhuravka, Miropolye, and Pavlovka in Sumy region.



Over the past 24 hours, the AFU losses amounted to more than 380 troops. An armoured fighting vehicle, four motor vehicles, and three mortars were neutralised. Three AFU servicemen surrendered.



Since the beginning of hostilities in Kursk region, the AFU losses were more than 38,865 troops, 232 tanks, 169 infantry fighting vehicles, 123 armoured personnel carriers, 1,231 armoured fighting vehicles, 1,096 motor vehicles, 308 artillery guns, 40 MLRS launchers, including 11 of HIMARS and six of MLRS made by the USA, 13 anti-aircraft missile launchers, seven transport-loading vehicles, 72 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

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Russian Defence Ministry reports on the progress of the special military operation (7 December 2024)

07.12.2024

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.



In Kharkov direction, the Sever Group of Forces hit units of a Ukrainian territorial defence brigade and one border detachment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine near Tikhoye, Volchansk, and Liptsy (Kharkov region). Two counter-attacks launched by AFU assault detachments were repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 60 troops, an infantry fighting vehicle, two motor vehicles, and three D-30 howitzers.



The Zapad Group of Forces took more advantageous lines, inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of two mechanised brigades, an airborne brigade, and three territorial defence brigades close to Grigorovka, Zagryzovo, Kupyansk (Kharkov region), Novoyegorovka (Lugansk People's Republic) and Torskoye (Donetsk People's Republic). Eleven counter-attacks of AFU assault groups were repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 490 troops, a tank, two armoured fighting vehicles, five motor vehicles, a UK-made 155-mm FH-70 howitzer, a U.S.-made 155-mm M198 howitzer, and a 105-mm M119 gun, a 152-mm Msta-B howitzer, and a 122-mm D-30 howitzer.



The Yug Group of Forces improved the tactical situation and defeated the units of the two mechanised brigades, an airmobile brigades, and an air assault brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine close to Ulakly, Kurakhovo, Nikolayevka, and Dachnoye (Donetsk People's Republic). Two counter-attacks of AFU assault detachments were repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 325 troops, two motor vehicles, a 155-mm M-777 howitzer, and a 105-mm M119 gun made in the USA, a 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, and a 122-mm D-30 howitzer.



The Tsentr Group of Forces continued advancing to the depths of the enemy's defence and liberated Berestki (Donetsk People's Republic).

Russian units hit manpower and materiel of two mechanised brigades, a motorised infantry brigade, a marine brigade, close to Dzerzhinsk, Shcherbinovka, Petrovka, and Novoalekseyevka (Donetsk People's Republic). Ten AFU counter-attacks were repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 525 troops, five armoured fighting vehicles, including a U.S.-made M113 armoured personnel carrier, three motor vehicles, three 152-mm D-20 guns, and two 122-mm D-30 howitzers.

The Vostok Group of Forces took more advantageous lines, hit a mechanised brigade of the AFU, two territorial defence brigades, and a National Guard brigade close to Konstantinopol, Novoocheretovatoye, and Otradnoye (Donetsk People's Republic). Three counter-attacks of enemy assault groups were repelled.

The AFU losses amounted to up to 100 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, a motor vehicle, a 155-mm Bogdana self-propelled artillery system, and a 122-mm Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system.



The units of the Dnepr Group of Forces engaged the manpower and materiel of two mechanised brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a territorial defence brigades close to Malaya Tokmachka (Zaporozhye region) and Antonovka (Kherson region).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 60 troops, two infantry fighting vehicles, six motor vehicles, and a counter-battery station.



Operational-Tactical Aviation, attack unmanned aerial vehicles, and Missile Troops and Artillery of the Russian Groups of Forces have engaged the energy facilities that support the work of the Ukrainian defence industry as well as clusters of enemy manpower and military hardware in 142 areas during the day.



Air defence systems shot down 26 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, 649 aircraft, 283 helicopters, 37,380 unmanned aerial vehicles, 586 anti-aircraft missile systems, 19,698 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,497 MLRS combat vehicles, 19,145 field artillery guns and mortars, and 29,080 units of support military vehicles have been neutralised.

Department for Media Affairs and Information

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Comment by Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov

Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office - Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov commented on the recent statement by US President-elect Donald Trump on Ukraine.

December 8, 2024

15:00

We carefully reviewed the statement that US President-elect Donald Trump made after his meeting with President Macron and Vladimir Zelensky in Paris.

The President of Russia has repeatedly said that Russia is open to talks on Ukraine and welcomes peace initiatives coming primarily from the countries of the Global South, our BRICS partners - Brazil, China, India and South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Saudi Arabia working on the humanitarian track.

Our stance on Ukraine is well known. The conditions for an immediate stop of hostilities were set out by President Vladimir Putin in his speech at the Russian Foreign Ministry in June of this year.

It is important to recall that it was Ukraine that refused and continues to refuse negotiations. Moreover, by his own decree, Zelensky prohibited himself and his administration to have any contacts with the Russian leadership. They refuse to change their stance. Meanwhile, to enter a peace trajectory, it will suffice for Zelensky to cancel his decree and issue instructions on resuming the dialogue based on the agreements reached in Istanbul and with due account for the current realities on the ground.

As concerns the figures announced with regard to losses on both sides, it is obvious that they were presented in the Ukrainian interpretation and reflect Ukraine's official position. The actual numbers are completely different. Ukraine's losses are multiple times higher than those of Russia.

Continuing at the same pace will lead to a complete exhaustion of the Ukrainian army, lowering the draft age to 18, and introducing tougher measures to achieve involuntary mobilisation. And even that will not overturn the disastrous situation in the Ukrainian army. This is no news for Ukraine itself and for international observers.

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Trump Says Russia, Iran In 'Weakened State,' Calls On Putin To Make Ukraine Deal

By RFE/RL December 08, 2024

President-elect Donald Trump said Russia and Iran are in a "weakened state" and called on Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin to end the nearly three-year war in Ukraine.

Trump made the comments in a post on Truth Social on December 8 as Syrian rebels captured Damascus, ending the half-century rule of the Russia- and Iran-backed Assad family.

The incoming U.S. president said Russia and Iran couldn't come to the support of Syrian dictator Assad because they were in a "weakened state right now, one because of Ukraine and a bad economy, the other because of Israel and its fighting success."

Russia has lost about 600,000 soldiers since invading Ukraine in February 2022, Trump said, adding that Ukraine has lost about 400,000 defending its territory.

"There should be an immediate cease-fire and negotiations should begin," Trump said. "I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The world is waiting!"

The Kremlin did not immediately respond to Trump's comment.

Paris Meeting

Trump said in the post that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy "would like to make a deal."

Trump held talks with Zelenskiy and French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris on December 7 to discuss the war. Zelenskiy called the trilateral talks "good and productive" and said the leaders discussed the potential for "a just peace."

Trump and Zelenskiy were among world leaders who gathered in Paris on December 7 to mark the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral.

"We talked about our people, the situation on the battlefield, and a just peace for Ukraine. We all want to end this war as quickly and fairly as possible," Zelenskiy said in a December 7 post on Telegram.

"President Trump, as always, is determined. We are thankful for that," he added.

Macron said, "Let us continue joint efforts for peace, security."

Trump, who will take office on January 20, has criticized the tens of billions of dollars the United States has poured into Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion.

He has claimed he could end the war within 24 hours of retaking the White House, a statement that has been interpreted as meaning that Ukraine would have to surrender territory that Russia now occupies.

Experts say it will be difficult to hammer out a peace deal quickly because there are so many aspects, including security guarantees for Ukraine and sanctions relief for Russia.

In the meantime, the outgoing Biden administration has been accelerating weapons shipments to Ukraine ahead of the transfer of power to Trump to bolster its defenses.

Washington said on December 7 that it is preparing a $988 million package of arms and equipment to Ukraine, funds taken from the remaining $2.21 billion available in the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative.

The funds will be used to buy precision missiles for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), and for drones, the Pentagon said.

European countries are also stepping up aid in case the Trump administration ends U.S. support for Kyiv.

Zelenskiy announced on December 7 that Ukraine had received a second shipment of sophisticated F-16 fighter jets from Denmark. Copenhagen announced last year it would deliver a total of 19 aircraft to Ukraine.

"The second batch of F-16s for Ukraine from Denmark is already in Ukraine. This is the leadership in protecting life that distinguishes Denmark," he wrote on Telegram.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-russia- weakened-state/33231410.html

Copyright (c) 2024. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

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NEW YORK, Dec. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces an investigation of potential securities claims on behalf of Western Asset Management Company mutual fund investors resulting from allegations that Western Asset may have issued materially misleading business information to the investing public.

So What: If you purchased Western Asset mutual funds you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. The Rosen Law Firm is preparing a class action seeking recovery of investor losses.

What to do next: To join the prospective class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=31956 call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

What is this about: On November 25, 2024, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission issued a press release entitled SEC Charges Ken Leech, Former Co-Chief Investment Officer of Western Asset Management Co., with Fraud. This press release stated that Leech had been charged with fraud for engaging in a multi-year scheme to allocate favorable trades to certain portfolios, while allocating unfavorable trades to other portfolios, a practice known as cherry-picking.

Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions. 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 firms attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

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

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SHENZHEN, CHINA, Dec. 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On 6 December, China Medical System Holdings Limited (CMS or the Group) is pleased to announce that the first prescriptions for the innovative drug Lumeblue (Methylthioninium Chloride Enteric-coated Sustained-release Tablets) (the Product) have been issued in China, which marks that the first oral methylthioninium chloride enteric-coated sustained-release tablets in China has officially entered clinical application. The Product is indicated for enhancing visualization of colorectal lesions in adult patients undergoing screening or surveillance colonoscopies.

Lumeblue is an oral diagnostic drug that uses patented multi-matrix (MMXTM) technology to deliver active substances directly to the colon and release them locally in a controlled manner. As an enhancer dye, the Product increases the contrast between colorectal lesions and healthy mucosa. The results of the Phase III clinical trial in China show that the Product can significantly improve the detection rate of non-polypoid colorectal lesions (the primary endpoint of the study), leading to an improved detection rate of dangerous lesions such as non-polypoid adenomas (the secondary endpoint)[1]. In addition, the Product can be taken during the bowel preparation step, ensuring that colorectal staining is completed by the time colonoscopy is conducted. This not only enhances the detection rate of colorectal lesions but also potentially simplifies the colonoscopy procedure, making the examination more efficient and improving the screening benefits.

According to the diagnosis and treatment data of the Digestive Endoscopy Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, approximately a total of 28 million gastroenteroscopies were completed nationwide in 2012, including 5.83 million colonoscopies. In 2019, approximately 38.73 million gastroenteroscopies were completed nationwide, an increase of 34.62% compared with 2012[2]. The Expert consensus on the early diagnosis and treatment of colorectal cancer in China (2023 edition) recommends colorectal cancer screening for individuals aged 40 to 74[3]. Based on the China Statistical Yearbook (2023), the total population of this age group in China is 643.36 million[4]. With the popularization of early colorectal cancer screening in China, the number of colonoscopies performed is expected to have significant growth potential in the future. Early diagnosis and removal of lesions are crucial for prevention. Lumeblue provides an innovative solution for colorectal disease screening and management in response to this growing demand.

The Product has been approved by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) to be commercialized in the European Union under the trade name Lumeblue in August 2020. The Group obtained an exclusive license for the Product from Cosmo Technologies Ltd., a fully-owned subsidiary of Cosmo Pharmaceuticals NV, on 3 December 2020. Following its approval in China in June 2024, CMS worked collaboratively across its business segments to ensure the rapid importation of the first batch of products. The Group has also actively leveraged its existing gastroenterology portfolio and resources to orderly advance the commercialization and academic promotion of Lumeblue, facilitating its successful prescriptions launch in China.

With this milestone, CMSs five innovative drugs have been successfully approved in China and fully entered clinical application. This achievement demonstrates the Groups ongoing capability of innovation transformation, while reflecting CMS's commitment to focusing on medical value and fulfilling its corporate social responsibility. Looking ahead, CMS will continue to be patients-centered, efficiently advancing the clinical development and commercialization of innovative products. The Group is dedicated to improving the accessibility and affordability of innovative drugs, benefiting a broader patient population.

About CMS

CMS is a platform company linking pharmaceutical innovation and commercialization with strong product lifecycle management capability, dedicated to providing competitive products and services to meet unmet medical needs.

CMS focuses on the global first-in-class (FIC) and best-in-class (BIC) innovative products, and efficiently promotes the clinical research, development and commercialization of innovative products, enabling the continuous transformation of scientific research into clinical practices to benefit patients.

CMS deeply engages in several specialty therapeutic fields, and has developed proven commercialization capabilities, extensive networks and expert resources, resulting in leading academic and market positions for its major marketed products. CMS continues to promote the in-depth development of its advantageous specialty fields and expand business boundaries. While strengthening the competitiveness of the cardio-cerebrovascular/gastroenterology business, CMS independently operates its dermatology and medical aesthetics business, and ophthalmology business, aiming to gain leading positions in specialty therapeutic fields, whilst enhancing the scale and efficiency. At the same time, CMS has expanded its business territory to the Southeast Asian market, striving to become a "bridgehead" for global pharmaceutical companies to enter the Southeast Asian market, further escorting the sustainable and healthy development of the Group.

References:

The results of the Products Phase III clinical trial in China were published and are available at: https://web.cms.net.cn/en/2022/12/positive-results-for-china-phase-iii-clinical-trial-of-methylthioninium-chloride-enteric-coated-sustained-release-tablets/ Data from the Digestive Endoscopy Branch of the Chinese Medical Association Early Diagnosis and Treatment Group of the Chinese Society of Oncology. Expert Consensus on Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Colorectal Cancer in China (2023 Edition). Chinese Medical Journal, 2023, 103(48): 3896-3908. DOI: 10.3760/cma.j.cn112137-20230804-00164 National Bureau of Statistics. (2023). China Statistical Yearbook 2023. Retrieved from https://www.stats.gov.cn/sj/ndsj/2023/indexch.htm

CMS Disclaimer and Forward-Looking Statements

This press release is not intended to promote any products to you and is not for advertising purposes. This press release does not recommend any drugs, medical devices and/or indications. If you want to know more about the diagnosis and treatment of specific diseases, please follow the opinions or guidance of your doctor or other medical and health professionals. Any treatment-related decisions made by healthcare professionals should be based on the patients specific circumstances and in accordance with the drug package insert.

This press release which has been prepared by CMS does not constitute any offer or invitation to purchase or subscribe for any securities, and shall not form the basis for or be relied on in connection with any contract or binding commitment whatsoever. This press release has been prepared by CMS based on information and data which it considers reliable, but CMS makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, whatsoever, and no reliance shall be placed on, the truth, accuracy, completeness, fairness and reasonableness of the contents of this press release. Certain matters discussed in this press release may contain statements regarding the Groups market opportunity and business prospects that are individually and collectively forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Any forward-looking statements and projections made by third parties included in this press release are not adopted by the Group and the Company is not responsible for such third-party statements and projections.

Media Contact

Brand: China Medical System Holdings Ltd.

Contact: CMS Investor Relations

Email: ir@cms.net.cn

Website: https://web.cms.net.cn/en/home/

Source: China Medical System Holdings Ltd.
Riyadh, Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Red Sea Global (RSG), the developer behind regenerative tourism destinations The Red Sea and AMAALA, has celebrated a landmark aviation agreement. The new partnership will see Jetex operate the private aviation terminal at Red Sea International Airport (RSI).

The collaboration was formalized through an agreement between Jetex and daa International (daai), the operator of RSI, marking a new chapter in exceptional luxury aviation experience on Saudi Arabias western coast.

With RSI, we were determined to create an airport that seamlessly blends beautiful design, exceptional experiences and a commitment to honoring nature. Soon, every passenger transiting through our airport will experience this firsthand. With Jetex onboard, guests using our private aviation terminal will also experience elevated levels of service that reflects the very best of The Red Sea destination, said John Pagano, Group CEO of Red Sea Global

RSIs main terminal, set to open fully next year, is designed with five independent mini terminals arranged as a series of pods. One of these mini terminals, is reserved for private aviation and will be operated exclusively by Jetex.

Dubai-based Jetex was selected as the fixed base operator of RSI following a competitive tender process. This is Jetexs first significant venture into the Saudi market and the agreement will see Jetex first fit-out the private aviation terminal. Jetexs service offering will cover all aspects of private jet handling including managing the private terminal, aircraft turnarounds, concierge services and luxury electric airport transfers in line with the destinations sustainability priorities.

Adel Mardini, Founder & CEO of Jetex, said: Jetex is excited to embark on its first major venture in Saudi Arabia through the innovative Red Sea International Airport, a pioneering project in sustainable tourism. In collaboration with both daa International and Red Sea Global, we aim to transform the airport into a top-tier destination that resonates with the most discerning international and domestic travelers."

With a global reputation for excellence in executive aviation, Jetex brings unparalleled expertise in private terminal operations, aircraft fueling, and ground handling to The Red Sea destination.

Michael White, Chief Commercial Officer of RSI, said: By partnering with Jetex, we reaffirm our service promise to the world. Together, we will pioneer new global standards in private aviation, consistent with the unparalleled service quality of The Red Sea destination. We look forward to welcoming guests to the private aviation terminal and showcasing its unique design and service.

Last year, The Red Sea welcomed its first guests, with four of its hotels now open and Desert Rock expecting its first guests later this month. RSI has been receiving a regular schedule of domestic flights since September 2023 and international flights began in April 2024, with a twice-weekly route between The Red Sea and Dubai International. The airport is strategically located, situated within three hours flying time of 250 million people and eight hours flying time for 85% of the worlds population.

ENDS

About Red Sea Global

Red Sea Global (RSG) is a vertically integrated real estate developer with a diverse portfolio across tourism, residential, experiences, infrastructure, transport, healthcare, and services. This includes the luxury regenerative tourism destinations The Red Sea, which began welcoming guests in 2023, and AMAALA, which remains on track to welcome first guests in 2025.

A third destination, Thuwal Private Retreat, will open this year, and RSG has also been entrusted with refurbishment works at Al Wajh Airport, focused on upgrading the existing terminal and infrastructure, and building a new international terminal.

RSG is a PIF company and a cornerstone of Saudi Arabias ambition to diversify its economy. Across its growing portfolio of destinations, subsidiaries and businesses, RSG seeks to lead the world towards a more sustainable future, showing how responsible development can uplift communities, drive economies, and enhance the environment.

www.redseaglobal.com

Contact details

For more information please contact:

Jack Williams: Public Relations Director jack.williams@redseaglobal.com

About Jetex

An award-winning global leader in private aviation, Jetex is recognized for delivering flexible, best-in-class solutions to customers worldwide. Jetex provides exceptional private terminals (FBOs), lifestyle concierge and aircraft charter services, as well as fuelling, ground handling and global trip planning. The company caters to both owners and operators of business jets for corporate, commercial and personal air travel.

Press Enquiries:

T: +971 4 212 4900 | E: teamorange@jetex.com

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Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V. Presents Topline Phase 2 Data from

VIVA-MIND Strongly Supporting Varoglutamstats Potential to

Improve Kidney Function

VIVA-MIND Phase 2 data confirm results of varoglutamstats benefit on eGFR in VIVIAD; Company now has two independent double-blind placebo-controlled Phase 2 studies demonstrating a clinically meaningful treatment effect on kidney function

Topline analysis of kidney function data in VIVA-MIND shows a statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement of eGFR; average improvement of >4mL/min/1.73m 2 with varoglutamstat versus placebo across all visits (weeks 472) and all patients (p<0.004*)

with varoglutamstat versus placebo across all visits (weeks 472) and all patients (p<0.004*) VIVA-MIND, a Phase 2 study in early Alzheimers disease (AD), was discontinued early and did not meet its primary and key secondary endpoints in early AD, in line with the previously reported results from VIVIAD

Varoglutamstat continues to demonstrate a favorable safety and tolerability profile in VIVA-MIND with no new safety signals detected and a total of over 400 participants treated with varoglutamstat in Phase 1 and Phase 2 studies to date

Further detail on the topline results from VIVA-MIND to be shared in the Companys Q3 financial results webcast to be held on December 10, 2024, at 3:00 pm CET





Halle (Saale) / Munich, Germany, December 9, 2024  Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V. (Euronext Amsterdam: VVY; NL00150002Q7) (Vivoryon), a clinical stage company focused on the discovery and development of small molecule medicines to modulate the activity and stability of pathologically altered proteins, today announced positive Phase 2 topline data from its U.S. VIVA-MIND study of varoglutamstat (PQ912), an investigational oral glutaminyl cyclase (QPCT/L) inhibitor, in early AD. Analysis of kidney function data revealed a statistically significant improvement of >4mL/min/1.73m2 in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients treated with varoglutamstat 600mg BID versus placebo across all visits and all patients (weighted average weeks 4-72; p<0.004*; total treated n=109; varoglutamstat n=52, placebo n=57). Analysis of eGFR was prospectively defined as a safety parameter in VIVA-MIND. These data reinforce the previously reported beneficial effect of varoglutamstat on eGFR in the completed Phase 2b VIVIAD study and support the Companys development strategy to advance into a Phase 2 study in diabetic kidney disease (DKD)1.

In clinical development it is highly relevant to replicate results in two independent high-quality studies. The topline VIVA-MIND data showed a consistent, statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvement of kidney function, as measured by eGFR, in patients treated with varoglutamstat versus placebo and clearly corroborate previously reported results from VIVIAD, said Frank Weber, M.D., CEO of Vivoryon.

Analysis of VIVA-MIND data in AD showed no clinically meaningful and no statistically significant differences between varoglutamstat 600mg BID and placebo for the primary endpoint of CDR-SB, and key secondary endpoints including CFC2, ADAS-Cog 13, in patients treated with varoglutamstat compared to placebo, in line with the previously reported results in AD from VIVIAD.

Frank Weber continued, As for the results in AD, these confirm the data seen in VIVIAD and are therefore not unexpected. While we would have wished for a different outcome of this study, we would like to thank all patients, their families and caregivers, the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS) at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine and clinical study investigators as well as the U.S. National Institutes of Health  enabling the VIVA-MIND study through a grant  for their commitment to the study and the varoglutamstat program.

VIVA-MIND met its safety endpoints with varoglutamstat being generally well tolerated with no new safety signals observed at the 600mg BID dose.

All topline VIVA-MIND results are preliminary and may be subject to change based on additional analysis and quality checks, however, the overall interpretation of the results is not expected to change significantly.

The Company will provide further detail on the topline VIVA-MIND data on December 10, 2024, in its Q3 financial results webcast.





Q3 Financial Results Conference Call and Webcast

Vivoryon will host a conference call and webcast on December 10, 2024, at 3:00 pm CET (9:00 am ET). A Q&A session will follow the presentation of the third quarter 2024 results and operational progress updates.

A live webcast and slides will be made available at: https://www.vivoryon.com/news-and-events/presentations-webcasts/



To join the conference call via phone, participants may pre-register and will receive dedicated dial-in details to easily and quickly access the call via the following website: https://register.vevent.com/register/BIf0be17873ad0409b83edd4eedbe3b7ac



It is suggested participants dial into the conference call 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time to avoid any delays in attendance.

Approximately one day after the call, a slide-synchronized audio replay of the conference will be available on: https://www.vivoryon.com/news-and-events/presentations-webcasts/



Definitions and notes: 1.The timing and execution of the planned Phase 2 study is subject to additional funding / partnership. CDR-SB: Clinical Dementia Rating Sum of Boxes; CFC2: Cognitive-Functional Composite 2, ADAS-Cog-13: Alzheimer's Disease Assessment Scale cognitive subscale.

* Corrected from the previously reported p<0.001



###

About VIVA-MIND

VIVA-MIND is a Phase 2 study that was conducted in the U.S., coordinated by the Alzheimer's Disease Cooperative Study (ADCS) at the University of California San Diego (UCSD) School of Medicine and supported by the National Institute on Aging (NIA), part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) with a $15 million grant (NIA award number R01AG061146). The study originally sought to enroll 180 patients into the Phase 2a adaptive dose-finding portion and an additional 234 patients into the Phase 2b portion, with a total of 414 patients being treated on stable doses of varoglutamstat for 18 months. Based on the negative outcome reported from Vivoryons VIVIAD study, which had also investigated the dose of 600mg varoglutamstat BID in a similar patient population in early AD, VIVA-MIND was discontinued early to enable accelerated data analysis and inform the overall varoglutamstat development strategy. Due to this change, the VIVA-MIND study only recruited a smaller number of patients (112 randomized and 109 treated) into Phase 2a and did not move into Phase 2b.

Varoglutamstat in Kidney Disease

Varoglutamstat (PQ912) is a proprietary, potent and selective inhibitor of human glutaminyl cyclases QPCT and QPCTL with therapeutic potential in indications including inflammatory and fibrotic diseases, neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and others. Initially advancing development aiming to treat Alzheimers disease (AD), varoglutamstat has been investigated in a number of different clinical studies, all of which have consistently demonstrated a favorable safety and tolerability profile both in healthy volunteers and patients with AD. Based on the known anti-inflammatory activity of varoglutamstat, the protocol for the Phase 2 VIVIAD study in AD, which was completed in the first half of 2024, included the investigation of kidney function and measurement of biomarkers of kidney inflammation and fibrosis to explore the role of QPCT/L inhibition on kidney function. Although patients in VIVIAD were selected for their AD status and not for their kidney function level, many of them had reduced kidney function due to age and/or comorbidities. Analysis showed a statistically significant benefit of varoglutamstat on a prospectively defined key kidney function endpoint (eGFR) and a significant reduction of the pro-inflammatory cytokine pE-CCL2. A substantially higher treatment benefit of varoglutamstat on eGFR was observed in a post-hoc diabetes subgroup, triggering plans to advance varoglutamstat into Phase 2 study in DKD, which is currently in planning.

About Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V.

Vivoryon is a clinical stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative small molecule-based medicines. Driven by its passion for ground-breaking science and innovation, the Company strives to change the lives of patients in need suffering from severe diseases. The Company leverages its in-depth expertise in understanding post-translational modifications to develop medicines that modulate the activity and stability of proteins which are altered in disease settings. The Company has established a pipeline of orally available small molecule inhibitors for various indications including Alzheimers disease, inflammatory and fibrotic disorders, including of the kidney, and cancer. www.vivoryon.com.

Vivoryon Forward Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, those regarding the business strategy, management plans and objectives for future operations of Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V. (the Company), estimates and projections with respect to the market for the Companys products and forecasts and statements as to when the Companys products may be available. Words such as anticipate, believe, estimate, expect, forecast, intend, may, plan, project, predict, should and will and similar expressions as they relate to the Company are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance; rather they are based on the Managements current expectations and assumptions about future events and trends, the economy and other future conditions. The forward-looking statements involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties and other factors could materially adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein. The Companys results of operations, cash needs, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, future transactions, strategies or events may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements and from expectations. As a result, no undue reliance should be placed on such forward-looking statements. This press release does not contain risk factors. Certain risk factors that may affect the Companys future financial results are discussed in the published annual financial statements of the Company. This press release, including any forward-looking statements, speaks only as of the date of this press release. The Company does not assume any obligation to update any information or forward-looking statements contained herein, save for any information required to be disclosed by law.

For more information, please contact:

Investor Contact

Vivoryon Therapeutics N.V.

Dr. Manuela Bader, Director IR & Communication

Email: IR@vivoryon.com



Media Contact

Trophic Communications

Valeria Fisher or Verena Schossmann

Tel: +49 175 8041816 / +49 151 219 412 77

Email: vivoryon@trophic.eu



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TOKYO, Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading semiconductor test equipment supplier Advantest Corporation (TSE: 6857) today announced an integrated test cell designed to maximize die-level test yields for wide-bandgap (WBG) devices essential to power semiconductors. The Advantest Known Good Die (KGD) Test Cell combines the companys CREA MT series power device testers with the new HA1100 die prober.

Demand for power semiconductors continues to grow with the rapid escalation of electric vehicles (EV) and power infrastructure. WBG devices, particularly silicon carbide (SiC) and gallium nitride (GaN), are essential for the design and manufacture of power semiconductors, enabling them to be smaller, faster and more efficient than silicon-based devices. However, screening for failures in WBG devices is challenging, as the probe card, chuck and devices can be damaged due to the high voltage and current at which they operate.

Essentially serving as a one-stop shop for efficient equipment management, the Advantest KGD test cell solution helps reduce customers manufacturing costs. CREAs proprietary probe card interface (PCI) technology can eliminate damage risk. However, if damage does occur, Advantest can investigate it using the test cell, allowing customers to minimize downtime. The HA1100 die prober for the CREA MT series test systems enables the assembly of dies in power modules using only passed (KGD) die, ensuring no failed die find their way into the module. This prevents yield loss at module test, thus reducing the loss of final multi-die assembled power modules.

Our new KGD test cell is the first solution to combine the CREA MT testers with Advantests proven handling technology, enabling dynamic test at the die level, said Kazuyuki Yamashita, executive vice president, DH Group, Advantest. The CREA PCI technology regulates power/energy to protect the probe card, the chuck and the devices from damage while testing failing die  a competitive differentiator that lets customers assemble their modules with confidence.

Currently under development, the HA1100 die prober will be released to the global market in the second quarter of 2025.

To learn more about the new KGD Test Cell, as well as Advantests full line of automated test equipment and materials, visit booth 1648 at SEMICON Japan 2024, December 11-13, Tokyo Big Sight.

About Advantest Corporation

Advantest (TSE: 6857) is the leading manufacturer of automatic test and measurement equipment used in the design and production of semiconductors for applications including 5G communications, the Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous vehicles, high-performance computing (HPC) including artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, and more. Its leading-edge systems and products are integrated into the most advanced semiconductor production lines in the world. The company also conducts R&D to address emerging testing challenges and applications; develops advanced test-interface solutions for wafer sort and final test; produces scanning electron microscopes essential to photomask manufacturing; and offers system-level test solutions and other test-related accessories. Founded in Tokyo in 1954, Advantest is a global company with facilities around the world and an international commitment to sustainable practices and social responsibility. More information is available at www.advantest.com.

Advantest Corporation

3061 Zanker Road

San Jose, CA 95134, USA

Cassandra Koenig

cassandra.koenig@advantest.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/bcfdfc01-cdb9-4446-a363-f8213df1ed4b




PLAY airlines carried 99,393 passengers in November 2024, compared to 107,236 passengers in November 2023. This reflects the 17% reduction in PLAYs capacity in November which is a direct affect from the decision to lease one of PLAYs aircraft to GlobalX in Miami and adjust the network to better suit seasonality of demand, as stated before. PLAY in return achieved a load factor of 82.4% in November, up from 74.5% in November 2023. This marks the best November load factor in the history of PLAYs operations.

Of the passengers flying with PLAY in November 2024, 29.6% were traveling from Iceland, 38.9% were traveling to Iceland, and 31.5% were connecting passengers (VIA).

Even though capacity was reduced in November, PLAY saw a year-on-year growth in Icelandic passengers. In November 2024, 29,400 passengers flew from Iceland with PLAY, compared to 28,095 passengers in November 2023a 4.65% year-on-year increase.

There was also a rise in passengers flying to Iceland, with 38,659 passengers choosing PLAY in November 2024, compared to 35,059 in November 2023an increase of 10.27%.

PLAYs on-time performance for November 2024 stood at 90.7%, up from 88.9% in November 2023.

Overperforming Black Friday and Increased Unit Revenue

PLAY had a successful Black Friday campaign, targeting consumers in North America, Europe, and Iceland. Revenue from the campaign increased by 10% year-on-year, and forward bookings for 2024 and into 2025 are trending positively.

November marked the third consecutive month where PLAY saw positive year-on-year improvement in unit revenue following a challenging summer. As PLAY has stated in its previous traffic release, the unit revenue outlook for December and into 2025 remains positive.

Einar Orn Olafsson, CEO of PLAY:

"We continue to see positive results from our strategic decision to adjust our business model, focusing more on leisure destinations in Southern Europe and scaling back on North American routes. It is encouraging to see 7% year-on-year growth in passengers traveling both to and from Iceland with us, despite 17% reduction in our capacity. This reflects the value that both Icelanders and visitors see in PLAY, where they can travel for less with a carrier known for excellent service, a young Airbus fleet and an enviable on-time performance.

This period of transformation has been demanding, but my coworkers at PLAY have risen to every challenge with professionalism and dedication. Their commitment to making PLAY the airline of choice for travelers is evident, and I am confident we are moving in the right direction.

As the busy holiday season approaches, we remain focused on delivering exceptional service to passengers traveling for leisure or to spend time with loved ones. We look forward to this festive season and I personally cant wait for this robust company to show its strength in 2025."





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TORONTO, Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The rising congestion across the province, particularly in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA), is more than a transportation problem; its a crisis impacting Ontarios economy and the well-being of residents. In a report commissioned by the Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO) and the Ontario Road Builders' Association (ORBA), researchers found that traffic gridlock in the GTHA negatively impacts the region by $44.7 billion per year due to lost economic productivity, 88,000 fewer jobs and the reduction of commuters quality of life due to stress, health issues and time lost. The study warns that without increased infrastructure investment, congestion could surge up by 59% over the next 20 years.

The study, Impact of Congestion in the GTHA and Ontario: Economic and Social Risks, conducted by the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis (CANCEA), reveals congestion consequences are already spreading beyond the GTHA, with Ontarios overall impact rising to $56.4 billion in 2024. The report emphasizes the need for significant, immediate government action to alleviate congestions toll on industries, workers, and households.

Traffic congestion is strangling our economy and making daily life harder for millions of Ontarians, said Nadia Todorova, Executive Director of RCCAO. Beyond the billions of dollars lost each year, congestion underscores an urgent need for continued critical infrastructure investment. Without a sustained commitment to improve our infrastructure, Ontarios economic growth and residents quality of life will continue to be at risk.

The reports findings likely come as no surprise to everyday people and workers in Ontario who spend hours on their daily commute instead of quality time with their loved ones, said Walid Abou-Hamde, Chief Executive Officer, ORBA. While we welcome and support the Ontario governments historic commitments to building and modernizing the provinces roads, bridges and transit, we call on all levels of government to take immediate action by significantly increasing infrastructure spending and getting projects to market faster across all regions of the province.

In light of these findings, RCCAO and ORBA are calling on all three levels of government to prioritize infrastructure expansion by implementing the following recommendations to combat the congestion crisis:

Increase investment in core public infrastructuresuch as roads, bridges, and transitto mitigate the significant economic and social risks of gridlock, which could cost Ontario up to $145 billion and 558,000 jobs by 2044.

Continue collaborating with industries to encourage innovative solutions for congestion, benefiting businesses, commuters, and families.

Explore ways to expedite the tendering and construction of major transformative transit and transportation projects, such as the Ontario Line, Highway 413, the Bradford Bypass, the Morriston Bypass, and Highway 69 twinning.

Key Findings from the Report:

$56.4 billion annually  The impact of congestion for Ontario in 2024 is estimated at $56.4 billion, of which 79% is in the GTHA ($44.7 billion).

 The impact of congestion for Ontario in 2024 is estimated at $56.4 billion, of which 79% is in the GTHA ($44.7 billion). 112,000 jobs at risk  Province-wide, congestion costs Ontarios economy $12.8 billion annually, resulting in 112,000 fewer jobs due to stifling job growth and reducing productivity.

 Province-wide, congestion costs Ontarios economy $12.8 billion annually, resulting in 112,000 fewer jobs due to stifling job growth and reducing productivity. Quality of life reduction  Impact of congestion on commuters quality of life due to stress, health and time lost valued at $43.6 billion.

 Impact of congestion on commuters quality of life due to stress, health and time lost valued at $43.6 billion. Transportation costs  On average, transportation costs for Ontario households are 23% higher than food expenditure, making transportation costs the second-largest household expense in Ontario.

This new, in-depth look at the impacts of congestion equips policymakers with the latest data needed to shape a sustainable, growth-oriented infrastructure agenda. RCCAO and ORBA remain committed to working with all levels of government and industry partners to mitigate congestions devastating impact on Ontarios economy and quality of life, advocating for a better future for the people of Ontario.

Read the full report here.

RCCAO Executive Director Nadia Todorova, ORBA, and CANCEA report authors are available for interviews.

Background on RCCAO: The Residential and Civil Construction Alliance of Ontario (RCCAO) is a labour-management construction alliance. Since its formation in 2005, RCCAO has been a leading industry advocate for infrastructure investment. It has commissioned 61 independent, solutions-based research reports to help inform decision makers. www.rccao.com

Background on ORBA: The Ontario Road Builders Association (ORBA) is the voice of the transportation infrastructure sector in Ontario. Our members build provincial and municipal roads, bridges and transportation infrastructure across the province. The road building sector directly and indirectly supports 56,000 workers, and over $5.5B in annual GDP impact. To learn more about ORBA, visit www.orba.org.

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Next Generation Drives the Future of Mobility at Stellantis Third Annual Student Awards

Global education program recognized more than 660 recent high school and university graduates of Stellantis employees from 22 countries with a monetary award

Stellantis Chairman John Elkann and Xavier Chereau, Human Resources and Heritage, celebrated the winners during an online award ceremony

Six regional winners received the Sergio Marchionne Award of Excellence out of nearly 280 applicants, recognizing them as passionate and motivated leaders

Nearly 16,000 students recognized with a monetary award since the programs launch in Italy in 1996

AMSTERDAM, December 9, 2024  Stellantis proudly concluded its third global Student Awards Program, recognizing more than 660 recent high school and university graduates of Stellantis employees from 22 countries with prestigious monetary awards during an online ceremony. The year-long education program encourages the innovative spirit of talented minds.

This years applicants shared their vision of future mobility in a written essay and designed examples of future mobility technologies, showcasing their creativity and forward thinking. Since the programs inception in Italy in 1996, it has recognized nearly 16,000 students globally with monetary awards. Stellantis Chairman John Elkann and Xavier Chereau, Human Resources and Heritage, celebrated the winners in this years ceremony.

For the past 28 years, the Student Awards have celebrated thousands of passionate learners, said Elkann. We were deeply impressed by this years submissions and thank our graduates for their thoughtful contributions. Stellantis remains dedicated to fostering continuous education. Awarding resources to this generation of talented individuals ensures the creativity and agility needed for a sustainable future.

Further highlighting the importance of the Companys employees, Elkann in the first week of his new role as Chair of the Interim Executive Committee, visited Stellantis foundational locations in Auburn Hills, Michigan (US); Modena, Italy and finally, Velizy, France also for the awards ceremony.

Education is the foundation of innovation and growth, said Chereau. The Student Awards program for our employees children is of great value to Stellantis, allowing us both to value the curiosity and desire to learn from new generations, and to share their vision and expectations for future mobility.

This year, 46% of the award winners applied for the Sergio Marchionne Award of Excellence, a secondary award recognizing six regional winners who demonstrated passion for a brighter future.

2024 Sergio Marchionne Award Winners:

China: Nathan Ren, China

Enlarged Europe: Felix Regler, Germany

India & Asia Pacific: Shraddha Murali, India

Middle East & Africa: Adrielle Naidoo, South Africa

North America: Grace Liu, United States

South America: Maria Luiza Francisco Moreira, Brazil

The six regional winners were offered the opportunity to interview for a position within Stellantis.

# # #

About Stellantis

Stellantis N.V. (NYSE: STLA / Euronext Milan: STLAM / Euronext Paris: STLAP) is one of the worlds leading automakers aiming to provide clean, safe and affordable freedom of mobility to all. Its best known for its unique portfolio of iconic and innovative brands including Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Chrysler, Citroen, Dodge, DS Automobiles, FIAT, Jeep  , Lancia, Maserati, Opel, Peugeot, Ram, Vauxhall, Free2move and Leasys. Stellantis is executing its Dare Forward 2030, a bold strategic plan that paves the way to achieve the ambitious target of becoming a carbon net zero mobility tech company by 2038, with single-digit percentage compensation of the remaining emissions, while creating added value for all stakeholders. For more information, visit www.stellantis.com .

@Stellantis Stellantis Stellantis Stellantis





For more information, contact:



Fernao SILVEIRA +31 6 43 25 43 41  fernao.silveira@stellantis.com



Nathalie ROUSSEL +33 6 87 77 41 82  nathalie.roussel@stellantis.com



communications@stellantis.com

www.stellantis.com

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NEW YORK, Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE) celebrated the contributions of the companies and the leaders of BASF Corporation and Celanese Corporation, and lauded the good works of chemical engineers, at the 2024 AIChE Gala, held December 4 in New York City.

The BASF Corporation  the North American affiliate of BASF SE, a multinational producer of chemicals, materials, surface technologies, and solutions for industry, nutrition, personal care, and agriculture  was recognized for operational excellence and for improving health, safety and environmental performance for a more-sustainable future. The award for BASF Corporation was accepted by Michael Heinz, Chairman of BASF Corporation and a member of the Board of Directors of BASF SE.

In his remarks at the gala, Heinz reflected on the values that BASF shares with AIChE, in particular those related to safety and an inclusive future workforce. BASF is very much committed to  on the one hand  helping young people feel safe and included in a society that needs their talents. And, at the same time, helping these young people to bring their skills to the chemical industry  inspiring the next generation of engineers, scientists, and problem solvers that the world needs, Heinz said.

Also honored at the gala was Celanese Corporation, a global leader in chemistry and specialty materials. Celanese was recognized for promoting women in leadership roles, supporting the next generation of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professionals, and for sustainability initiatives that have benefitted society.

Lori J. Ryerkerk, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Celanese Corporation, accepted the honor on behalf of Celanese. The ability to provide STEM opportunities to a more diverse set of future leaders is something that both Celanese and I are passionate about, said Ryerkerk. Thats why Celanese partners with AIChE. Theres no better investment we can make than owning our collective responsibility for inspiring the next generation of STEM professionals  who will continue to change the world for the better.

Opening the evening, AIChEs Doing a World of Good medal was presented to Gregory Stephanopoulos, the Willard Henry Dow Professor of Chemical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Stephanopoulos was cited for his groundbreaking contributions in metabolic and biochemical engineering  which are paving the way for improvements in health care, renewable chemicals, and the sustainable production of biofuels and other cost-efficient fuels to help reduce industrys carbon footprint. He was also cited for his dedication to nurturing early talent both as a mentor and challenger of ideas.

Stephanopoulos, who is also a founder of AIChEs Society for Biological Engineering (SBE), expressed gratitude for the gala honor, and reflected on his involvement with SBE as an important milestone and a valuable contribution to the chemical engineering profession. Fulfilling the need to belong should be emphasized more when we recruit new members [for organizations like AIChE and SBE], he said. Nurturing the intellectual core of the discipline and applying it to doing a world of good is an intangible member benefit critical to us achieving our personal and professional goals.

Organized around the theme Inspiring the Power of Good, the 2024 AIChE Gala raised approximately $450K to underwrite programs designed to advance the chemical engineering profession by attracting and retaining diverse talent, and by investing in research that drives innovation for the benefit of society.

Jennifer Sinclair Curtis, Chair of the AIChE Foundation Board of Trustees and Distinguished Professor of Chemical Engineering at the University of California, Davis, said As its Doing a World of Good campaign approaches a decade in making a positive impact in chemical engineering and world, the AIChE Foundation has galvanized supporters to invest more than $64 million to look forward, to think bigger, and to power the future.

The 2024 Galas chairs were Victoria Brifo, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Air Products; Vanessa Dupuis, Senior Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Celanese Corporation; Michael Finelli, Chief Technology & Innovation Officer and Chief North America Officer, Syensqo; Erin Kane, President and Chief Executive Officer, AdvanSix Inc.; and John Y. Televantos, Senior Partner at Arsenal Capital Partners.

For more information about the 2024 AIChE Annual Gala, including details about its honorees and supporters, visit www.aiche.org/gala.



Photo caption: Honorees at AIChEs 2024 Inspiring the Power of Good Gala (December 4) included (from left): Michael Heinz, Chairman and Member of the Board of Directors at BASF Corporation; Lori J. Ryerkerk, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of Celanese Corporation; and Gregory Stephanopoulos, the Willard Henry Dow Professor in Chemical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Photo credit: Natural Expressions NY.

About AIChE  The Global Home of Chemical Engineers

AIChE is a professional society of more than 60,000 chemical engineers in 110 countries. Its members work in corporations, universities and government using their knowledge of chemical processes to develop safe and useful products for the benefit of society. Through its varied programs, AIChE continues to be a focal point for information exchange on the frontiers of chemical engineering research in such areas as energy, sustainability, biological and environmental engineering, nanotechnology, and chemical plant safety and security. More information about AIChE is available at www.aiche.org .

Contact: Gordon Ellis (gorde@aiche.org)

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/38168f7d-6b1d-4064-a22c-16bf0e41814e
MUMBAI, India, Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lumina Datamatics, a leading Mumbai-based global services provider of digital Content Services, Retail Support Services, and Technology Solutions to global companies in the publishing and retail industries, has signed a definitive agreement on December 9, 2024, to acquire a controlling stake in TNQTech, a Chennai-based publishing technology and services company renowned for quality, efficiency, and innovation.

TNQTech empowers scholarly publishers with AI-enabled technology for efficient publishing processes and offers end-to-end services for scholarly content. The company is trusted by commercial and open-access publishers and learned societies across Europe and North America. Its innovative approach to publishing and content technology, combined with a strong focus on technological advancements, has led to several patents for its products.

Commenting on the acquisition, Sameer Kanodia, Managing Director & CEO, Lumina Datamatics, said, We are excited to welcome TNQTech to the Lumina Datamatics family. This acquisition will collectively strengthen us to over 6,500 employees globally and establish us amongst the dominant service providers in the world of digital content. It aligns perfectly with our growth strategy of expanding our capabilities in being part of the future of publishing content and technology as we continue to stay ahead in the ever-changing publishing landscape. He added, In combination with our existing capabilities at the forefront of content workflows by managing the entire publishing process  from content creation to product delivery  this acquisition will enable us to strengthen our suite of AI-enabled technology and products which are used by some of the largest commercial publishers, prestigious learned societies, associations, and university presses, and through them, by millions of authors.

Mariam Ram, Managing Director, TNQTech, said, We are excited to be part of Lumina Datamatics. We look forward to taking advantage of the synergies that will result from the collaboration between TNQTech and Lumina Datamatics. We will benefit from Lumina Datamatics rich experience of working with global enterprise customers, and their broad range of publishing and technology solutions. We see a clear alignment with TNQTechs offerings in these areas. We look forward to sharing our expertise and our suite of products, our deep domain knowledge, our use of AI/ML models and data-driven intelligence, all of which serve to make the process of scholarly publishing simpler, faster, and smarter. We look forward to Lumina Datamatics serving as a platform for our combined growth.

About Lumina Datamatics

Lumina Datamatics is a trusted partner in providing digital Content Services, Retail Support Services, and Technology Solutions to companies in the Publishing and Retail Industries worldwide. We are among the largest service providers in the Content space and our customers include eight of the ten largest Publishers and three of the five largest Retailers and Marketplaces. Lumina Datamatics expert solutions combine its various in-house and client-facing platforms, partnerships with global technology leaders, and more than 4,000 professionals across the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Philippines, and India.

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu India LLP acted as exclusive M&A financial advisor to Lumina Datamatics. ICICI Securities acted as exclusive financial advisor to the shareholders of TNQTech.

To learn more about Lumina Datamatics, please visit www.luminadatamatics.com.
LONDON, Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- GFO-X announces ABN AMRO Clearing, IMC, Standard Chartered Bank and Virtu Financial as strategic partners ahead of launch in Q1 2025.

GFO-X is the UKs first regulated and centrally cleared trading venue dedicated to digital asset derivatives. GFO-X has been working closely with these partners to deliver the requirements necessary to grow the institutional digital asset index futures and options market.

GFO-X provides a cutting-edge trading platform built for institutions, delivering investors a secure and efficient trading environment to seamlessly manage digital asset exposure.

The company looks forward to announcing additional exciting partnerships with leading financial institutions in the immediate future.

Arnab Sen, CEO and Co-Founder of GFO-X, said, We are delighted to announce our strategic partners as we drive towards launch in Q1 next year. Their support is a clear and strong endorsement of our vision of the market structure required to deliver digital asset derivatives to large institutional clients. It demonstrates the need for a highly regulated venue to bring additional depth, breadth, and diversification to the current limited choices in centrally cleared digital asset index derivatives. We believe the digital asset derivatives market will grow exponentially over the coming years.

Barry Polak, Lead Product Commerce, ABN AMRO Clearing, said, We are excited to partner with GFO-X, the UK's first regulated and centrally cleared trading venue dedicated to digital asset derivatives. This strategic collaboration underscores our shared commitment to advancing the institutional digital asset futures and options market. By leveraging LCH DigitalAssetClear's clearing services, we enhance transaction security and minimise counterparty risk, offering our clients unparalleled confidence in trading Bitcoin futures and options. A logical step to continue to lead the way to safe and transparent markets.

Osi Lilian, IMC Strategic Investments Co-Lead, said, IMC was proud to be one of the earliest investors in GFO-X in 2021. We aligned with their vision of establishing the UK's first regulated and centrally cleared trading venue for digital asset derivatives, built on secure, high-performance technology and robust risk management. As a market maker, our strategic connection with GFO-X underscores our commitment to the institutional digital asset futures and options market  a rapidly evolving space we believe holds significant potential for continued growth and opportunity.



Andy Ross, Global Head, Prime & Financing, Financing & Securities Service, Standard Chartered, said, Were delighted to support the launch of GFO-X derivatives and to join LCH SA as a general clearing member to enable our clients to trade and clear. We continue to invest in servicing our clients broadly across the crypto space in coin, token and derivative form.

Virtu makes markets globally and is excited to support new and innovative platforms for digital assets in this role. We see broadening adoption and increasing demand as the crypto markets continue to mature and embrace the risk management benefits and capital efficiencies of centralised clearing.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Eterna Partners for GFO-X

eternapartners@gfo-x.com

Serra Balls + 447775763018

Lucas Blasco Argullos

About GFO-X

GFO-X is the UKs first regulated and centrally cleared trading venue dedicated to digital asset derivatives. Combining proprietary high-performance technology with industry-leading partnerships and infrastructure, GFO-X delivers the requirements necessary to grow the institutional digital asset derivatives market.

GFO-X provides comprehensive risk management for transactions in digital asset derivatives through clearing provided by LCH DigitalAssetClear. Backed by M&G Investments and authorised by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) in 2022, GFO-Xs regulation-first approach has enabled it to partner with some of the largest financial institutions in the world.

GFO-X believes the digital asset futures and options markets will grow exponentially over the coming years as the asset class matures and more sophisticated investors begin to participate in greater size. By solving market constraints such as counterparty risks and technology challenges, GFO-X delivers a robust market structure and innovative products to propel the next leg of growth of the digital asset ecosystem.

About ABN AMRO Clearing

ABN AMRO Clearing is recognised as a global leading provider of integrated solutions in clearing, execution, custody, financing, and risk management. With 11 offices globally, we are able to service clients on 160+ exchanges, MTFs and FX liquidity centres, processing over 20 million trades daily. ABN AMRO Clearing consistently ranks amongst the top 3 clearing firms on most relevant derivatives exchanges globally. With over 1000 colleagues, and together with our partners and our clients, it is our responsibility to encourage and support sensible and sustainable regulatory frameworks. We use our knowledge and expertise to lead the way to safe and transparent financial ecosystems.

About IMC

IMC is a leading global trading firm powered by a cutting-edge research environment and a world-class technology backbone. Founded in 1989, IMC employs more than 1,600 talented individuals across offices in Europe, the US, and Asia-Pacific. Its core business is to provide essential liquidity in financial assets on trading venues, and to deliver the best outcome in value and risk to investors. IMC engages in trading activities on its own account and employs advanced algorithms, statistical techniques, and innovative technologies to execute its strategies. IMC Strategic Investments is IMCs venture capital arm. This entrepreneurial initiative is focused on collaboration, connecting start-ups and scale-ups with IMCs world-class expertise and financial backing to drive long-lasting value and success across industries specialising in blockchain technology, quantum technology, DevOps, and cloud computing.

About Standard Chartered

We are a leading international banking group, with a presence in 52 of the worlds most dynamic markets. Our purpose is to drive commerce and prosperity through our unique diversity, and our heritage and values are expressed in our brand promise, here for good. Standard Chartered PLC is listed on the London and Hong Kong stock exchanges. For more stories and expert opinions please visit Insights at sc.com. Follow Standard Chartered on X, LinkedIn, Instagram and Facebook.

About Virtu Financial, Inc.

Virtu is a leading provider of financial services and products that leverages cutting-edge technology to deliver liquidity to the global markets and innovative, transparent trading solutions to its clients. Leveraging its global market making expertise and infrastructure, Virtu provides a robust product suite including offerings in execution, liquidity sourcing, analytics and broker-neutral, multi-dealer platforms in workflow technology. Virtus product offerings allow clients to trade on hundreds of venues across 50+ countries and in multiple asset classes, including global equities, ETFs, foreign exchange, futures, fixed income, cryptocurrency and myriad other commodities. In addition, Virtus integrated, multi-asset analytics platform provides a range of pre-, intra-, and post-trade services, data products and compliance tools that clients rely upon to invest, trade and manage risk across global markets.
NEW YORK, Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Myriad Uranium Corp. (CSE:M, OTC:MYRUF), based in Vancouver, British Colombia, focused on the Copper Mountain Uranium Project in Wyoming, USA, today announced that Simon Clarke, Chair of the Board of Directors, will present live at the Precious Metals & Critical Materials Virtual Investor Conference hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on December 11th, 2024.

DATE: December 11th

TIME: 10:00 am EST

LINK: https://bit.ly/4h5wQv6

Available for 1x1 meetings: December 11th

This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com .

Recent Company Highlights

Myriad Uraniums maiden drill program at Copper Mountain recently intercepted high-grade uranium mineralization validating historic exploration by Union Pacific Railroad.



About Myriad Uranium Corp.

Myriad Uranium Corp. is a uranium exploration company with an earnable 75% interest in the Copper Mountain Uranium Project in Wyoming, USA. Copper Mountain hosts several known uranium deposits and historic uranium mines, including the Arrowhead Mine which produced 500,000 lbs of eU 3 O 8 . Copper Mountain saw extensive drilling and development by Union Pacific during the late 1970s including the development of a mine plan to fuel planned California Edison reactors. Operations ceased in 1980 before mining could commence due to falling uranium prices. Approximately 2,000 boreholes have been drilled at Copper Mountain and the Project Area has significant exploration upside. Union Pacific is estimated to have spent C$117 million (2024 dollars) exploring and developing Copper Mountain, generating significant historical resource estimates which are detailed here. A recent detailed update with Crux Investor can be viewed here. The Companys presentation can be viewed here. News releases regarding historical drilling can be viewed here and here.

Myriad also has a 50% interest in the Millen Mountain Property in Nova Scotia, Canada, with the other 50% held by Probe Gold Inc. For further information, please refer to Myriads disclosure record on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca), contact Myriad by telephone at +1.604.418.2877, or refer to Myriads website at www.myriaduranium.com.

Myriad Contacts:

Thomas Lamb

President and CEO

tlamb@myriaduranium.com

About Virtual Investor Conferences

Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors.

Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

CONTACTS:

Myriad Uranium Corp.

Name Thomas Lamb

Title CEO

Phone 604-418-2877

Email tlamb@myriaduranium.com

Virtual Investor Conferences

John M. Viglotti

SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access

OTC Markets Group

(212) 220-2221

johnv@otcmarkets.com


DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bybit, the worlds second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, will be joining forces with the Sui Foundation, Ondo, DeepBook, Scallop, NAVI, and more, to debate the future of Sui. A special livestream event, Mass Adoption vs. Native Growth: Whats Next for Sui , will take place at 8 AM UTC on Dec. 13, 2024, live at the Taipei Blockchain Week where the audience can watch the great debate in action. Virtual participants may also get a chance to win from a prize pool of $1,000 in SUI on Bybit Livestream .

The Sui blockchain, following notable growth in 2024, has reached a pivotal milestone that may play an important role in shaping its future trajectory. The livestream will take the audience on an exploration of the Sui protocol, highlighting its standout features and growth potential. This is followed by a debate on the strategy that may shape Suis future: each camp will make its case for either mass adoption or native growth as the key driver of success for Sui in 2025.

Going live at the Taipei Blockchain Week, the session will also capture and broadcast the latest insights and happenings at the premium blockchain event as it happens.

The event also offers a glimpse into Bybit Web3s exclusive Sui Wonderland , unlocking access to a rewarding SUI experience. Running through December 25, 2024, Sui Wonderland integrates three key Bybit Web3 productsairdrops, Web3 staking, and DEX Prooffering participants access to a prize pool valued at $310,000.

Hosted by Emily Bao, Head of Bybit Spot and Web3, a heated debate from two formations with deep expertise can be expected:

Team Mass Adoption

Sui Foundation

Joe Takayama, Angel Investor

Aslan Tashtanov, Deep Book

Nathan Ramli, Scallop

Team Native Growth

Carl Leung, NAVI

Mia, Loopy

Sarah Chang, LumiWave

Sean Mikha, SuiNs

The live audience will get a front-row seat to the latest Web3 breakthroughs in the Sui universe, discover Bybit Web3s extensive offerings, and try their luck to win a Red Packet from the $1,000 SUI prize pool at the livestream.

#Bybit / #Livestream / #BybitWeb3

About Bybit Web3

Bybit Web3 is redefining openness in the decentralized world, creating a simpler, open, and equal ecosystem for everyone. We are committed to welcoming builders, creators, and partners in the blockchain space, extending an invitation to both crypto enthusiasts and the curious, with a community of over 130 million wallet addresses across over 30 major ecosystem partners, and counting.

Bybit Web3 provides a comprehensive suite of Web3 products designed to make accessing, swapping, collecting, and growing Web3 assets as open and simple as possible. Our wallets, marketplaces, and platforms are all backed by the security and expertise that define Bybit as the worlds second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, trusted by over 50 million users globally.

Join the revolution now and open the door to your Web3 future with Bybit.

For more details about Bybit Web3, please visit Bybit Web3.

About Bybit

Bybit is the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume with 50 million users. Established in 2018, it offers a professional platform where crypto investors and traders can find an ultra-fast matching engine, 24/7 customer service, and multilingual community support. Bybit is a proud partner of Formula Ones reigning Constructors and Drivers champions: the Oracle Red Bull Racing team.

For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press

For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com

For more information, please visit: https://www.bybit.com

For updates, please follow: Bybit's Communities and Social Media

Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube

Contact

Head of PR

Tony Au

Bybit

tony.au@bybit.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/edae49aa-8755-4f67-81a3-e74207f2aaaa
Nashville, TN, Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Healthcare Integrated Technologies (OTC PINK: HITC), a global leader in AI-driven safety and monitoring solutions, proudly announces the appointment of Theo Davies as its Chief Commercial Officer.

A former Google executive who was the Head of Sales Enablement for Asia-Pacific, Mr. Davies brings a wealth of global expertise and leadership to HITC. His exceptional background, including a Masters in Mathematics from the University of Edinburgh and an MBA from Indias top business school, SP Jain, Mr. Davies has consistently demonstrated his ability to develop world-class business strategies, build high-performing teams, and drive groundbreaking innovation. Mr. Davies was also the Grand Champion of Googles most competitive internal competition, the AI Hackathon earlier this year.

Under Mr. Davies leadership, HITC is poised to expand its influence beyond the United States, solidifying its global presence across Europe and Asia. Team members in Singapore and the United Kingdom have already begun operating under Mr. Davies guidance, signaling HITCs commitment to global expansion across several industries.

Industry Leader in AI-Driven Safety and Monitoring

HITC is the global leader in AI safety and monitoring solutions. While its core focus remains on senior living and healthcare, HITC is actively expanding into education, transportation, commercial industries, and beyond.

HITCs Chief Strategy Officer, Dustin Hillis, remarked, Theo possesses extraordinary technical and strategic skills, but he also has the rare ability to craft a world-class business plan, sales strategy, and go-to-market strategy while recruiting an A+ teamall in the same day. He is a well-rounded superstar.

Echoing this sentiment, HITCs CEO, Scott Boruff, said, Theo is one of the most talented people Ive ever met. His global expertise, innovative mindset, and leadership abilities will help HITC expand our reach and bring unparalleled solutions to industries worldwide. With Theo on board, we can officially say that the sun never sets on HITC.

Brightening Horizons Beyond the U.S.

As HITC continues to lead the global AI safety and monitoring space, Mr. Davies appointment marks a pivotal moment in the Companys history. HITC is now equipped to deliver its cutting-edge solutions to more regions and industries, bringing its mission of enhancing safety and efficiency through AI to a truly global audience.

About Healthcare Integrated Technologies (HITC)

Healthcare Integrated Technologies (OTC PINK: HITC) is a publicly traded, fully reporting audited company specializing in AI-powered safety and monitoring solutions. The Companys core focus is on senior living and healthcare, with growing expansions into education, transportation, and commercial industries. HITCs innovative product suite is designed to improve safety, operational efficiency, and quality of care across various settings.

For more information, visit www.gethitc.com or contact HITCs media team at contact@gethitc.com.

Media Contact:

Dustin Hillis

Healthcare Integrated Technologies

Email: dustin.hillis@gethitc.com

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain 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 forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainty and may not come to fruition. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement including statements that list numbers and dates.

###
NEW YORK, Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Questexs Vibe Conference, the premier event for on-premise beverage professionals, today announces its highly anticipated keynote, Generations 2.0: The Next Era, presented by Kim Lear, Founder and Content Director of Inlay Insights. This engaging keynote will take place during the conference, held March 3-5 in San Diego.

Returning by popular demand, Lear captivated last years Vibe Conference audience with her deep insights into generational dynamics. The overwhelming feedback from attendees was a call for more information, particularly around Generation Z as both employees and consumers. This year, shes back to deliver a deeper dive into the unique characteristics of this generation and the ways Generation Z is reshaping the workplace and marketplace.

In her session, Lear will delve into the emerging impact of Generation Z, the newest generation entering the workforce and marketplace, and how their unique perspectives are reshaping everything from consumption patterns to workplace culture. With birth years spanning from 1996-2010, Generation Z brings a fresh set of values and priorities to the tablechallenging conventional norms around work, leisure, and even beverage preferences.

Through her lens as a generational researcher, Lear will explore how businesses can better understand and engage this dynamic group, equipping leaders to adapt and thrive in the ever-evolving hospitality landscape.

Im thrilled to be returning to the Vibe Conference to dive into the world of young consumers and workers, said Lear. This generation is reshaping the beverage industry in exciting ways, and I cant wait to explore how businesses can adapt and thrive in this dynamic landscape. We will spark great conversations together.

Attendees can expect actionable insights and data-driven strategies to align their offerings and workplace culture with the needs of Generation Z, ensuring continued relevance and success in the marketplace of tomorrow.

Operators can register here through February 14, 2025. Contact Andrea Hutchinson, Industry Relations Director, at ahutchinson@questex.com with any questions.

To attend Vibe Conference as a supplier, companies must be a sponsor. Learn how to become a sponsor by contacting Donna Bruns (Companies A-L) at donna@vibeconference.com and Fadi Alsayegh (Companies M-Z) at falsayegh@questex.com.

About Vibe Conference

Vibe Conference is the premier event for chain and hotel adult beverage executives and suppliers. This top on-premise conference is held annually and delivers high-level content, tastings and networking opportunities. The 2025 conference will be held at the Town and Country Resort in San Diego, CA March 3-5, 2025.

About Questex

Questex helps people live better and longer. Questex brings people together in the markets that help people live better: hospitality and wellness; the industries that help people live longer: life science and healthcare; and the technologies that enable and fuel these new experiences. We live in the experience economy  connecting our ecosystem through live events, surrounded by data insights and digital communities. We deliver experience and real results. It happens here.

Media Contact
This annual program acknowledges those who have made significant contributions to the myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) community through advocacy, research, patient support or health care innovation

CRANBURY, N.J., Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- CURE Media Group, the industry-leading multimedia platform devoted to providing cancer updates and research to more than 1 million patients, survivors and caregivers, today announced the recipients of the 2024 MPN Heroes Recognition Program. Since 2013, the program has recognized the individuals and organizations that have dedicated themselves to improving the lives of people with MPNs.

We are proud to recognize these exceptional individuals as our 2024 MPN Heroes, said Mike Hennessy Jr., president and CEO of MJH Life Sciences, the parent company of CURE. Their unwavering commitment to the MPN community is nothing short of inspiring. Through their tireless efforts, they have made a profound difference in the lives of patients and their families, helping to shape a brighter future for all affected by these diseases.

After a rigorous selection process, the following individuals have been chosen as the 2024 MPN Heroes:

Joy Anderson is an MPN Hero for her unwavering commitment to supporting patients and families of people affected by myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Mrs. Anderson has been living with essential thrombocythemia (ET) for 24 years and is a champion of community support to fellow MPN patients on their journey. She is a liaison for the MPN Research Foundation where she leads the Florida Central region support group. Joy also unites the greater MPN community through her organization of online groups, including a private Facebook group, MPNs R Us, and as the author of her personal "I have an MPN" blog.

John Crispino, PhD, MBA, is an MPN Hero for his extraordinary impact on the myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) community through mentorship, selfless service, and for the critical role he plays as an advisor to the MPN Research Foundation. Dr. Crispino is an MPN Research Scientist and Advisor for the Department of Hematology and Comprehensive Cancer Center at St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital. His research has helped pave the way for new therapeutic strategies, giving hope to thousands of patients with MPNs. Dr. Crispino exemplifies the heart of an MPN Hero: a leader, mentor, and visionary who has positively impacted the entire MPN community.

Mikaela Dougherty is an MPN Hero for her extraordinary compassion and dedication to raising awareness and improving the lives of people affected by myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). As a Clinical Trial Manager, Mikaela is a true leader in the fight against MPNs and an invaluable asset to The Derald H. Ruttenberg Treatment Center, part of The Tisch Cancer Institute at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

Kathryn Johnson, DNP, is an MPN Hero for her unwavering dedication to providing the highest level of care to patients living with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Her extraordinary compassion shines through as she has difficult conversations with patients. She goes above and beyond to connect patients with support groups and social workers, and she tirelessly advocates for them with insurance companies to secure the resources they need. Kathryn serves as a Clinical Program Manager for The Derald H. Ruttenberg Treatment Center, part of The Tisch Cancer Institute at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

The MPN Research Foundations (MPNRF) Patient Impact Council (PIC) is a patient organization that is well-deserving of the title of MPN Hero. This inspiring group of patients and caregivers spans a diverse range of myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) experiences, diagnoses, demographics, and geographic locations. Each council member brings their lived experience in MPNs, interest in medical research, community engagement, and unique insights forward, helping MPNRF advocate for the patient experience.

Ned Weinshenker, PhD, is an MPN Hero, as both a patient, having been diagnosed with myelofibrosis (MF) in 2018, and as a patient advocate. He is dedicated to improving the treatment of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) and raising awareness for the MPN community at large. Through his participation in clinical trials and by sharing his experience, Ned helps raise awareness of MPNs and helps others in navigating the complicated course of the disease and the treatment options.

Richard Rick" Winneker, PhD, is an MPN Hero for dedicating 20+ years of his career to leading patient-centered research programs, with the last 10+ years having specifically focused on improving the lives of people affected by myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs). Dr. Winneker dedicates his scientific training, industry research experience, and deep curiosity to overseeing research and discovery programs that will be the most meaningful to patients.



These remarkable individuals have demonstrated exceptional dedication to improving the lives of those affected by MPNs, raising awareness and advancing research in this critical area of oncology. Nominations for the 2025 MPN Heroes program are now open through February 28, 2025. Please visit mpnheroes.com to learn more.

Incyte partners with CURE Media Group to support the program, with CURE hosting the annual MPN Heroes recognition ceremony. Supporting the MPN community is an ongoing priority for Incyte, a global biopharmaceutical company focused on finding solutions for serious unmet medical needs through the discovery, development and commercialization of novel medicines.

About Incyte

A global biopharmaceutical company on a mission to Solve On., Incyte follows the science to find solutions for patients with unmet medical needs. Through the discovery, development and commercialization of proprietary therapeutics, Incyte has established a portfolio of first-in-class medicines for patients and a strong pipeline of products in Oncology and Inflammation & Autoimmunity. Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, Incyte has operations in North America, Europe and Asia.

For additional information on Incyte, please visit Incyte.com or follow us on social media: LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube.

About CURE Media Group

CURE Media Group is the leading resource for cancer updates, research and education. CURE has become the most widely distributed and read consumer publication in the United States for patients with cancer, survivors and their caregivers. The platform includes its industry-leading website curetoday.com; innovative video programs; a series of educational and inspirational events; and CURE magazine, which reaches more than 1 million readers. CURE Media Group is a brand of MJH Life Sciences, the largest privately held, independent, full-service medical media company in North America, dedicated to delivering trusted health care news across multiple channels.

Media Contact:

Gary Hagestad

MJH Life Sciences

ghagestad@mjhlifesciences.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9bb7af1f-59cc-4ed7-af1d-fdcee87c61f2
DALLAS, Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lone Star PACE, a leading administrator of Texas Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) program, is proud to announce it was selected to participate in the award-winning Viewpoint series hosted by critically acclaimed actor Dennis Quaid.

The episode, scheduled for distribution on public television stations in Texas and across the U.S. beginning Dec. 9, will explore the push for sustainability in commercial real estate. Lone Star PACE President Lee McCormick and Chief Operating Officer Glenn Silva were selected to explain the significance of Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) financing in this new, environmentally conscious landscape.

Lee McCormick, president of Lone Star PACE, said: It was a true honor to participate in the Viewpoint series. Our primary purpose as an administrator is to educate the public about the benefits of C-PACE financing for both commercial real estate and the environment. We are grateful to have been able to spread the word via this powerful program.

Viewpoint with Dennis Quaid provides cutting-edge content on a range of important contemporary topics to educate, inform and inspire audiences across North America. The series features short documentaries covering a variety of topics, including business, technology and culture.

Glenn Silva, COO of Lone Star PACE, said: Demand for C-PACE financing has exploded in recent years due to capital markets dislocation happening alongside a groundswell of corporations committing to sustainability. Seeing C-PACE highlighted by the Viewpoint series is a testament to its significance as a commercial real estate financing tool."

Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) allows property owners to access low-cost, long-term financing for energy and water conservation systems at commercial buildings. Property owners can use C-PACE to finance new construction, renovations, retrofits or recapitalizations.

The Viewpoint segment can be viewed online here. The episode will air in full on public TV stations across the U.S. for up to one year.

About Lone Star PACE

Lone Star PACE serves as a program administrator for city and county Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (C-PACE) programs in Texas. We help local governments, economic development corporations, chambers of commerce and trade associations promote economic development and conservation by facilitating C-PACE projects with property owners, PACE lenders, contractors and other stakeholders. Our goal is to promote energy and water conservation as well as increased property values while positively impacting cash flow and utility savings for property owners.

Media Contact

Olivia Lueckemeyer

Director of Marketing & Media Relations at Lone Star PACE

Olivia@LoneStarPACE.com
Scottsdale, Arizona, Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black Rock Coffee Bar, founded in Oregon and known for its premium roasted coffees, teas, smoothies and flavorful Fuel Energy drinks, has announced the grand opening of its 39th store in Phoenix, Arizona. Phoenix is Black Rocks 49th store to open in the Grand Canyon State.

Located at 3322 E Greenway Rd, the new Black Rock Store opens its doors on Thursday, December 12, 2024. To celebrate the grand opening, the boutique coffee chain will offer all customers $2.00 Medium drinks all day at this location as well as other specials throughout the following week.

We are thrilled to expand our presence in Phoenix and across Arizona, showcasing the strong connection weve built with the communities here, said Mark Davis, CEO, Black Rock Coffee Bar. With 33% of our U.S. locations now in Arizona, its clear that our brand is thriving in the state, and were excited to build on this momentum.

The new 2000-square-foot Black Rock Coffee Bar store showcases the boutique coffee chains signature industrial modern design. The design philosophy is aimed at ensuring that visitors can not only enjoy their favorite beverages but also relax, work, socialize in a laidback and inviting environment.

To enhance the guest experience, Black Rock Coffee Bar recently announced the relaunch of Black Rock Rewards, making it easier for rewards members to order and get rewarded quicker whether in-store, online, or through the new mobile app. Special offers and promotions will continue post-opening through this program.

With 147 stores across the U.S., the popular coffee chain is set to become the go-to destination for all coffee enthusiasts seeking fast and friendly service. The skilled team of baristas at Black Rock are committed to enhancing the overall customer experience making it their duty to brighten their customers' day. Black Rock Coffee Bars mission is to be a positive force in the communities it serves.

Founded in 2008 in Portland, Oregon, an area of the Pacific Northwest known for its coffee excellence, Black Rock Coffee Bar continues its rapid expansion in the West and into the Sunbelt with locations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon, Texas and Washington. The boutique coffee chain recently was named the Fastest Growing Private Company in Oregon and SW Washington in 2021 by the Portland Business Journal. In 2023, Black Rock Coffee Bar ranked 1179th among Americas Fastest-Growing Private Companies by Inc. Magazines 5000 Annual List.

The Black Rock culture prides itself on providing opportunities for young people to learn how to lead, run a business, and develop people skills.

About Black Rock Coffee Bar

Black Rock Coffee Bar is a national boutique coffee shop that is known for its premium roasted coffees, teas, smoothies and flavorful Fuel energy drinks. Founded as a family owned and operated business in Oregon in 2008, Black Rock Coffee Bar has grown to 147 retail locations in seven states.

The Black Rock culture prides itself on not only being a positive force for the communities it serves, but also the team members that fuel their locations day in and day out. An important aspect of their team mission is to recognize those that go above and beyond by displaying the 4Gs of Black Rock - grit, growth, gratitude, and grace.

For more information, visit https://br.coffee/

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SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On October 23, 2024, Moodys downgraded the long-term ratings of The Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE: TD) and its U.S. subsidiaries in response to the companys guilty plea earlier in the month to having engaged in a conspiracy to commit money laundering and agreement to pay a $3 billion fine.

The ratings downgrade comes on the heels of a recently filed federal securities class action lawsuit against The Toronto-Dominion Bank and several of its most senior executives and alleges that they misled investors about the extent of the bank's anti-money laundering (AML) program deficiencies.

Hagens Berman urges only investors who purchased The Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE: TD) shares on the New York Stock Exchange and who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.

Class Period: Feb. 29, 2024  Oct. 9, 2024

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Dec. 23, 2024

Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/td

Contact the Firm Now: TD@hbsslaw.com

844-916-0895

The Toronto-Dominion Bank Securities Class Action (TD):

The truth about TDs malfeasance emerged on October 10, 2024, when the U.S. Department of Justice announced that TDs U.S. subsidiaries had pleaded guilty to violating the Bank Secrecy Act and conspiracy to commit money laundering. The resolution included a $3.09 billion fine, an asset cap, and increased regulatory oversight.

The DOJ found that TD Bank intentionally did not automatically monitor a staggering 92% of transactions, or $18.3 trillion, from January 1, 2018 to April 12, 2024. The DOJ also said that the companys internal audit  repeatedly identified concerns about its transaction monitoring program, a key element of an appropriate AML program necessary to properly detect and report suspicious activities.

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said [f]or years, TD Bank starved its compliance program of the resources needed to obey the law.

Attorney General Merrick Garland said [b]y making its services available for criminals, TD Bank became one[,] adding [t]oday, TD Bank also became the largest bank in U.S history to plead guilty to conspiracy to commit money laundering[] and TD Bank chose profits over compliance with the law.

Following the announcement, TD Bank's stock price plummeted, losing over 10% in the two days after the news broke.

TD Banks alleged misconduct represents a serious breach of trust with its investors. We believe that investors deserve to be compensated for the losses they suffered as a result of the banks alleged misleading statements, said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.

If you invested in Toronto-Dominion and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firms investigation, submit your losses now 

If youd like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the Toronto-Dominion case and our investigation, read more 

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Toronto-Dominion should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email TD@hbsslaw.com.

About Hagens Berman

Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Bermans team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw.
Media Contact:

madegood@webershandwick.com Consumer Hotline:

855-215-5695



CHICAGO, Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Riverside Natural Foods Inc. is voluntarily recalling certain batches of MadeGood granola bars due to the potential presence of a piece of metal in the product, which, if consumed, may result in a safety hazard. The health and safety of our consumers is our highest priority. This recall is being initiated as a precautionary measure; no injuries have been reported.

Specific products impacted by this recall include the following MadeGood products: Chocolate Chip Granola Bars, Mixed Berry Granola Bars, Strawberry Granola Bars, Cookies & Creme Granola Bars, Chocolate Banana Granola Bars, Chocolate Drizzled Birthday Cake Granola Bars, Chocolate Drizzled Cookie Crumble Granola Bars, and Chocolate Drizzled Vanilla Granola Bars. Recalled products were produced between January and November 2024 and distributed throughout Canada, the United States and other international markets. Product UPCs and best by dates included in the recall can be found on the website madegoodfoods.com.

Riverside has conducted an extensive investigation where the recalled products were manufactured, and has identified the source of the issue in the manufacturing process. The company has remediated the issue and tested the new processes to ensure that any future risk is fully mitigated.

The company is conducting the voluntary recall with the knowledge of regulatory authorities and working closely with retailers for the removal of recalled products from store shelves.

Consumers who have purchased these products are asked to check them against the list and return the recalled product to the store where they bought it for a full refund.

The health and safety of our consumers is our highest priority. If you have questions regarding the recall, please contact the MadeGood Consumer Hotline at 855-215-5695 between 8am and 5pm EST. For more information, visit the MadeGood website.

Impacted product list can be found below:

December 9, 2024  Voluntary Recalled Products:

*Items with a Z after the Best By Date are excluded from this recall [e.g., 10/14/2025 Z].

Product Description Size UPC Best By Date* Chocolate Chip Granola Bars























34oz (40 bars)



X002FK5HCF 05/03/2025 up to and including 12/06/2025 10687456216451 05/03/2025; 10/12/2025 53.55 oz (63 bars) 10687456216055 08/05/2025; 10/25/2025 5.1oz (6 bars) 687456213057 05/03/2025 up to and including 01/16/2026 and 02/01/2026 10.2oz (12 bars) 687456214115 05/10/2025; 05/11/2025; 06/13/2025; 06/28/2025; 06/29/2025; 07/01/2025; 07/05/2025; 07/06/2025; 07/07/2025; 08/04/2025; 08/05/2025; 09/09/2025; 09/10/2025; 09/22/2025; 09/232025; 10/12/2025; 10/13/2025; 12/19/2025; 12/20/2025; 12/21/2025; 12/22/2025; 01/11/2026; 01/12/2026; 01/13/2026; 02/07/2026; 02/08/2026; 02/21/2026 20.4oz (24 bars) 687456215587 05/10/2025 up to and including 02/21/2026 and 02/25/2026; 5.1oz (6 bars) 00687456215792 02/01/2026 Chocolate Banana Granola Bars 5.1oz (6 bars) 687456213088 05/11/2025 up to and including 01/17/2026 Mixed Berry Granola Bars











34oz (40 bars)



X002FK87OZ 10/04/2025; 11/23/2025; 11/24/2025 10687456216475 10/04/2025; 11/24/2025 5.1oz (6 bars) 687456213064 05/22/2025 up to and including 12/30/2025 and 02/11/2026 5.1oz (6 bars) 00687456215808 07/19/2025; 09/08/2025; 09/16/2025; 01/19/2026 Strawberry Granola Bars



30.6oz (36 bars) X00485O4XN 09/06/2025; 10/03/2025; 11/22/2025 5.1oz (6 bars) 687456215983 09/06/2025; 10/03/2025; 11/22/2025; 01/18/2026; Cookies & Creme Granola Bars



30.6oz (36 bars) X002H3FXVZ 05/29/2025 up to and including 10/27/2025 5.1oz (6 bars) 687456213743 05/29/2025 up to and including 12/26/2025 and 02/10/2026 Halloween Chocolate Chip Granola Mini Bars 12.6oz (30 bars) 687456216508 11/02/2025; 11/03/2025 Chocolate Drizzled Birthday Cake Granola Bars















25.5oz (30 bars) X002SSIRIF 01/09/2025 up to and including 06/16/2025 4.2oz (5 bars) 687456214160 01/09/2025 up to and including 09/21/2025 17oz (20 bars) 687456215594 03/05/2025 up to and including 07/25/2025 8.5oz (10 bars) 687456215709 01/09/2025 up to and including 09/04/2025 4.2oz (5 bars) 00687456215815 04/25/2025; 08/29/2025; 05/17/2025 Chocolate Drizzled Cookie Crumble Granola Bars



4.2oz (5 bars) 687456214177 01/04/2025 up to and including 09/15/2025 25.5oz (30 bars) X002SSOR5H 01/05/2025 up to and including 06/02/2025 Chocolate Drizzled Granola Bars Variety Pack 25.5oz (30 bars) X002SSNEF1 01/05/2025 up to and including 07/12/2025 Holiday Sprinkles Chocolate Drizzled Granola Mini Bars 10.5oz (25 bars) 687456214696 08/15/2025; 08/22/2025 Chocolate Drizzled Vanilla Granola Bars



25.5oz (30 bars) X002SSLE1R 02/14/2025; 03/08/2025; 05/10/2025; 06/25/2025 4.2oz (5 bars) 687456214153 02/14/2025 up to and including 08/06/2025 and 09/17/2025 MadeGood Variety Pack



37 count X0043RL9KR 12/12/2024 up to and including 07/16/2025 7 count B079LY41VY 02/17/2025; 02/22/2025; 03/24/2025; 03/25/2025



About Riverside Natural Foods

Riverside Natural Foods is a family-owned business and the parent company of MadeGood, Good To Go, and Cookie Pal brands. Our purpose is to inspire a healthier and more compassionate world, where access to good food becomes a reality for all. We are a certified B Corporation and part of a group of for-profit companies certified by the nonprofit B Lab to meet rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, accountability, and transparency. For more information, visit www.riversidenaturalfoods.com.

About MadeGood

MadeGood is dedicated to providing healthier snacks that are organic, allergy-friendly, rich in nutrients, and minimally processed. All MadeGood products contain wholesome organic ingredients that are ethically sourced.

Media requiring further information can contact:

madegood@webershandwick.com

Photos represent the traditional package sizes of the recalled varieties. Other package sizes can be found on the recall list.





A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/090536e0-7be1-4eed-b1d0-34233c84fc9d
Washington, DC, Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Coming from Tennessee, Florida and Ohio, are Arwood, Ernest and Yana, three of the hundreds of AmeriCorps NCCC members supporting disaster recovery after Hurricanes Helene and Milton. They are serving with FEMA Corps, an innovative, team-based national service program that provides 18-to-26yearolds the opportunity to gain experience and training in emergency response while supporting immediate needs after a disaster for survivors and their communities.

Arriving immediately in Florida after Hurricane Helene, their team of six members has been on the ground for the past two months. The AmeriCorps NCCC team is helping survivors connect to the resources they need by tabling at sites, canvassing neighborhoods, and more. They were previously in Selma, Ala., inspecting travel trailers and mobile housing units for water damage, decay, and other issues, helping supplement housing in areas facing housing shortages due to disaster impacts.

The Leader

Arwood is the AmeriCorps NCCC Team Leader and joined after graduating from American University in December 2023. Arwood was struggling to find a job that was both inspiring to work for and that he was qualified to hold when he found AmeriCorps.

"The opportunities of AmeriCorps NCCC FEMA Corps were incredibly enticing," said Arwood, from Tennessee. "I was very interested in the chance to serve my country in such a unique way while also gaining valuable practical experience in an industry so interesting and robust as emergency management. AmeriCorps has put me in an incredible position both socially and professionally. Bayou 4 is composed of incredibly capable and compassionate members whose dedication to service and kindness is as palpable as admirable."

Together with the team, Arwood is making a difference in affected communities. At the beginning of the deployment, the team spent most of the time registering survivors for support. Since deployment, the team has transitioned to canvassing neighborhoods to ensure that everyone in the community who needs assistance is registered.

"The quick response and our team's efforts in supporting this response, led to many survivors being granted aid early in the recovery process, allowing for the community to move towards recovery."

Passion Meets Opportunity

Ernest is a Floridian who is helping his home state recover from the disasters. Before AmeriCorps, Ernest worked in retail while pursuing a degree from Florida State College. He chose to serve with AmeriCorps because emergency management was his passion. AmeriCorps service was an opportunity for Ernest to gain the experience needed to kickstart his career in emergency management.

Ernest shares that his most memorable moment was when a small act of compassion gave survivors the hope they needed.

"When I first got deployed to help with Hurricane Helene, I was stationed at a registration intake center," said Ernest. "A local florist gave us flowers she needed to get rid of, so our team set them at each table. About halfway through the day, a woman started to break down. She told me that she was putting on the bravest face ever since the disasters to get herself through the day. But, when she came in to get help, she was stunned to see the flowers. She was unsure where to go for help, but when she walked in and saw the flowers, she felt a sense of comfort that we would help her."

Since deployment, Ernest has visited nearly 1,000 homes across communities and has helped more than 150 people register for disaster assistance.

Finding Careers

For Yana, AmeriCorps was an opportunity to find a carer pathway. Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Yana joined AmeriCorps NCCC after graduating from college. He decided to take a gap year before attending graduate school to help people in need and gain work experience. What he's learned is far more than experience.

"There was this one interaction where I was so thankful for being there to help this survivor," said Yana. "When he first came in, he was extremely worried that he wouldn't get any aid due to not having things or not being qualified. I registered him and explained a bit of the process as far as I knew, which helped. Having heard that the aid he would be given was a grant to do with it what he needed it for  that his spending of the money wasn't tracked or needed to be sure for what it was given out for  he teared up knowing he was receiving the help he desperately needed. That moment, I was just grateful to be there and help this community member be relieved and grateful for the aid."

This team's experience is one of many for AmeriCorps members. Through national service, Americans are provided the opportunity to explore careers beyond their work experience and education. Whether it's gaining skills in emergency management systems, using tools to repair roofs, or learning how to interact with people coping with unforeseen challenges, it's a chance to seek challenges and grow.



Learn more about the more than 750 AmeriCorps members and AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers who have and continue to support disaster recovery after Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

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Wilmington, Del., Dec. 09, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Participating in a tradition that has evolved since 1792, today, employees from Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) gathered on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange as Guillermo Novo, chair and chief executive officer, Ashland, joined by company executives, rang the trading days opening bell. The event signifies a decade of evolution, resilience and sustainable solutions for the additives and specialty ingredients company and recognizes its 100-year anniversary.

I want to thank our employees for their dedication, our customers for their trust and our shareholders for their support over the years which continues to be the foundation of our success, said Guillermo Novo, chair and chief executive officer, Ashland.

From its origin of gavel banging to the modern workday bell ringing, the ritual marks the start and end of trading through the years and has come to celebrate economic growth and progress. One year ago, Ashland introduced seven new technology platforms aligned to the companys pharmaceutical, personal care and specialty additives core, that extend to secondary markets with new and differentiated capabilities to unlock organic growth for Ashland and its customers worldwide. The platform solutions bring new to the world sustainable innovations, offering tunable choices to customers to enable the reshaping of their product portfolios, answering global megatrends, and responding to various regulatory landscapes.

As the stock market has demonstrated resilience through devastating lows and exuberant highs over time, Ashland has consistently transformed itself ahead of market trends from an oil and refining company to a matrixed chemical company, and from a broad chemicals and materials provider to the focused additives and specialty ingredients company we are today; integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) in our operating plans to responsibly solve for a better world, said Novo.

strategy update event

Ashland is hosting a strategy update event for analysts and investors on December 10, 2024, in New York City. The company will provide an in-depth review of Ashlands strategic priorities, key initiatives and financial objectives while emphasizing a proactive approach to market uncertainty in fiscal year 2025. The event includes presentations and prepared remarks from members of Ashlands executive team, as well as breakout sessions for in-person attendees and an opportunity for both live and webcast attendees to ask questions during moderated Q&A sessions.

This was a year marked by recovery from prolonged inventory destocking in the materials sector, yet Ashland was able to deliver strategic progress, margin expansion, high-quality free cash flow, and disciplined execution across our global portfolio, continued Novo. Despite a complex operating environment, we demonstrated our ability to drive value through portfolio optimization, commercial excellence, and focused growth in our core markets. As we execute our strategy, we remain focused on delivering sustainable, profitable growth and long-term shareholder value. I look forward to providing more context during our upcoming event, concluded Novo.

To participate in Ashlands strategy update event, interested participants must register for the event and have the option to attend via live webcast or in person. Presentations are expected to begin at 9:00 a.m. ET and conclude following Q&A sessions at 11:00 a.m. ET. After Q&A, in-person attendees will have the opportunity to discuss key initiatives with business line leaders and scientists in breakout sessions until 12:00 p.m ET. To register, participants should use the following link: registration page .

Registration information and further event details will be posted on Ashlands investor website at http://investor.ashland.com.

A webcast of the event will be available live and can be accessed, along with supporting materials, through the Ashland website. A replay will be available within 24 hours of the live event and will be archived, along with supporting materials, on Ashlands website for 12 months. Copies of the presentation may also be requested by sending an email to investor_relations@ashland.com

About Ashland

Ashland Inc. (NYSE: ASH) is a global additives and specialty ingredients company with a conscious and proactive mindset for environmental, social and governance (ESG). The company serves customers in a wide range of consumer and industrial markets, including architectural coatings, construction, energy, food and beverage, personal care and pharmaceutical. Approximately 3,200 passionate, tenacious solvers thrive on developing practical, innovative and elegant solutions to complex problems for customers in more than 100 countries. Visit ashland.com and ashland.com/ESG to learn more.

 Trademark, Ashland or its subsidiaries, registered in various countries.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION:

Investor Relations: Media Relations: William C. Whitaker Carolmarie C. Brown +1 (614) 790-2095 +1 (302) 995-3158 wcwhitaker@ashland.com ccbrown@ashland.com

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Alstom to supply 35 additional RER NG trains for the RER E line on the Ile-de-France Mobilites network

SNCF Voyageurs has confirmed an order for 35 additional RER NG trains from Alstom for a total of almost 520 million euros, 100% financed by Ile-de-France Mobilites

With this new order, a total of 166 RER NGs have been ordered for the RER D and RER E lines.

RER NG has been running on the RER E line since November 2023 and will be gradually rolled out on the RER D line by the end of the year.





9 December 2024  Alstom, global leader in smart and sustainable mobility, will supply SNCF Voyageurs with 35 additional RER NG trains for the RER E line on the Ile-de-France Mobilites network.

Worth almost 520 million euros, this new order was awarded to Alstom by SNCF Voyageurs on behalf of Ile-de-France Mobilites. It follows on from the financing voted for by the organising authority last April.

Financed 100% by Ile-de-France Mobilites, this order is part of the framework agreement signed in 2017 between SNCF Voyageurs and Alstom. The firm tranche of the RER NG contract included the delivery of 71 trains. A further 60 trains were ordered in 2023. To date, 166 RER NGs have been ordered, including 130 for RER E and 36 for RER D.

Alstom is delighted with this announcement, which reflects the renewed confidence of Ile-de-France Mobilites and SNCF Voyageurs in this new-generation equipment. Specially designed for the Ile-de-France region and manufactured by nine of our sites in France, RER NG is a real asset for modernising the network and improving the passenger experience, said Frederic Wiscart, President of Alstom France.

Since November 2023, the first RER NGs have been gradually brought into service on the RER E line.

They are due to be deployed on the RER D line by the end of 2024.

About RER NG

The New Generation RER is a double-deck rolling stock designed for the RER D and RER E lines operated by Transilien SNCF Voyageurs on behalf of Ile-de-France Mobilites to improve passenger comfort and regularity on these lines.

A train with more capacity and greater accessibility



This train has been designed, both in terms of architecture and interior design, to optimise capacity and passenger flow. Thanks to an entirely open boa architecture and wide doors, it allows passengers to enter and leave with ease and offers three distinct travel areas. In each of the end cars, platforms allow wheelchair passengers direct and rapid access to their dedicated areas.

A more comfortable train



RER NG offers a high level of comfort, with air-conditioning, LED lighting adapted to each moment of the journey (day/night/stopovers in stations), USB sockets and numerous screens giving passengers rapid access to various transport information. Particular attention has also been paid to the seats.

A more reliable and efficient train



Based on Alstoms urban and suburban solutions, RER NG has been designed to guarantee the highest levels of availability, reliability, and safety. In particular, RER NG has eight motor bogies, which provide better acceleration and deceleration performance than previous generations of equipment, an undeniable advantage for operations.

Key figures for RER NG

166 RER NG trains ordered for the RER E and RER D lines

A maximum speed of 140 km/h

8 motor bogies



RER NG for the RER E line, per train:

112 m long, for a 6-car trainset

Maximum capacity of 1,563 passengers (including 501 seats)

More than 280 km of cables

More than 250 USB ports

45 information screens

48 surveillance cameras

Alstoms Valenciennes-Petite Foret and Crespin sites, in Hauts-de-France, are responsible for designing and assembling the trains. In total, nine of Alstoms 16 French sites are contributing to the project, with the participation of component manufacturing sites (Ornans, Tarbes, Le Creusot, Petit-Quevilly, Villeurbanne) as well as La Rochelle and Saint-Ouen sites.

ALSTOM is a registered trademark of the Alstom Group.

About Alstom





Alstom commits to contribute to a low carbon future by developing and promoting innovative and sustainable transportation solutions that people enjoy riding. From high-speed trains, metros, monorails, trams, to turnkey systems, services, infrastructure, signalling and digital mobility, Alstom offers its diverse customers the broadest portfolio in the industry. With its presence in 64 countries and a talent base of over 84,700 people from 184 nationalities, the company focuses its design, innovation, and project management skills to where mobility solutions are needed most. Listed in France, Alstom generated revenues of 17.6 billion for the fiscal year ending on 31 March 2024.



Its 12,000 or so employees in France have the know-how to serve French and international customers. Around 30,000 jobs are generated in France by its 4,500 French suppliers.

For more information, please visit www.alstom.com Contacts Press :

Philippe MOLITOR  Tel: + 33 (0)7 76 00 97 79

philippe.molitor@alstomgroup.com









Pauline LE CARO - Tel: +33 (0)6 07 25 50 59

pauline.le-caro@alstomgroup.com



Investor Relations :

Martin VAUJOUR - Tel: +33 (0)6 88 40 17 57

martin.vaujour@alstomgroup.com









Estelle MATURELL ANDINO - Tel: +33 (0)6 71 37 47 56

estelle.maturell@alstomgroup.com

Attachment
Vancouver, Dec. 9, 2024 - Goldshore Resources Inc. (TSXV: GSHR) (OTCQB: GSHRF) (FSE: 8X00) ("Goldshore" or the "Company" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce that, further to the Company's press release on November 25, 2024, all three components of the winter exploration program, including diamond drilling, top-of-bedrock sonic drilling, and ground-based induced polarization geophysics, are underway at the 100% owned Moss Gold Project in Ontario, Canada. The 15,000 meter diamond drill program is targeting resource expansion in the top 200 meters from surface within the conceptual open pit defined by the current mineral resource estimate; whereas the sonic drill and geophysical programs are designed to develop discovery-focused drill targets along 23 kilometers of prospective structural corridors that share similar characteristics to the Moss Deposit structure.

Michael Henrichsen, Goldshore CEO commented "We are excited to begin our winter exploration program that we expect will provide numerous catalysts to our shareholders over the coming months. We believe the diamond drill program will continue to demonstrate the potential to expand the Moss Deposit and that the discovery based sonic drill and geophysical programs will define targets that will begin to daylight the true ounce potential of the Moss Gold Project."

Qualified Person

Peter Flindell, PGeo, MAusIMM, MAIG, Vice-President, Exploration, of the Company, and a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"), has approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release.

About Goldshore

Goldshore is a growth-oriented gold company focused on delivering long-term shareholder and stakeholder value through the acquisition and advancement of primary gold assets in tier-one jurisdictions. It is led by the ex-global head of structural geology for the world's largest gold company and backed by one of Canada's pre-eminent private equity firms. The Company's current focus is the advanced stage 100% owned Moss Gold Project which is positioned in Ontario, Canada, with direct access from the Trans-Canada Highway, hydroelectric power near site, supportive local communities and skilled workforce. The Company has invested over $60 million of new capital and completed approximately 80,000 meters of drilling on the Moss Gold Project, which, in aggregate, has had over 235,000 meters of drilling. The 2024 updated NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate ("MRE") has expanded to 1.54 million ounces of Indicated gold resources at 1.23 g/t Au and 5.20 million ounces of Inferred gold resources at 1.11 g/t Au. The MRE only encompasses 3.6 kilometers of the 35+ kilometer mineralized trend, remains open at depth and along strike and is one of the few remaining major Canadian gold deposits positioned for development in this cycle. For more information, please visit SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and the Company's website (www.goldshoreresources.com).

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 release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news 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. Forward looking statements are 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 statements in this news release include, among others, statements relating to expectations regarding the exploration and development of the Moss Gold Project and other statements that are not historical facts.

By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors and risks include, among others: exploration and development of the Moss Gold Project will not be undertaken as anticipated; the Company may require additional financing from time to time in order to continue its operations which may not be available when needed or on acceptable terms and conditions acceptable; compliance with extensive government regulation; domestic and foreign laws and regulations could adversely affect the Company's business and results of operations; and the stock markets have experienced volatility that often has been unrelated to the performance of companies and these fluctuations may adversely affect the price of the Company's securities, regardless of its operating performance. The forward-looking information in this news release is based on management's reasonable expectations and assumptions as of the date of this news release, including that the Company's business and financial position and general economic conditions will not be adversely affected.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news 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. 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.


Vancouver, Dec. 09, 2024 - Terra Balcanica Resources Corp. ("Terra" or the "Company") (CSE:TERA; FRA:UB10) is pleased to highlight the polymetallic potential of its 168 km2 Viogor-Zanik project in eastern Bosnia in anticipation of the Phase II drilling results.

After approximately 2,200 m of diamond drilling completed at Chumavichi, high grade Ag-Sb-Pb-Zn-Au mineralization has been confirmed at three targets spanning over 2 km along this shallow, fault-hosted, intermediate sulfidation, polymetallic vein system (Figures 1 and 2). At the Company's second Viogor-Zanik target of Brezani (Figure 3), Terra discovered an auriferous skarn starting from surface, superimposed on a >1.2 km long, NE-shallowing Ag-Sb-Pb-Zn mineralized, fault-hosted permeability corridor itself overlying a porphyry andesitic stock (see the Company's news release from April 11th, 2024). The Company completed over 1,200 m of diamond drilling at Brezani with additional drill hole assays to be released imminently.

The significant potential of silver (Ag) and antimony (Sb) mineralization is highlighted by the drill results from Chumavichi (Table 1) and preliminary drill core observation from the Phase II drilling at Brezani.

Highlights

Chumavichi Ridge drillhole CMVDD001 intercepted 824.2 g/t AgEq. with 1.85 wt.% Sb over 4.0 m from 29 m of depth, including 1,634.4 g/t AgEq. with 3.7 wt.% Sb over 2 meters;

Chumavichi Ridge drill hole CMVDD002 intercepted 816.1 g/t AgEq. over 2.0 m;

CMVDD003, 83-meter away from CMVDD001, intercepted a vein interval of 465.5 g/t AgEq. and 1.2 wt.% Sb over 8.7 m, including 1196.6 g/t AgEq. with 3.5 wt.% Sb over 2.0 meters;

Drillhole CMVDD005 returned 284 g/t AgEq over 10.0 m including 895.8 g/t AgEq with 1.8 wt.% Sb over 2.0 m approximately 50 m west-northwest of CMVDD002 (Figure 2);

The Chumavichi Ridge drillhole CMVDD004 along the same drill fence 40 m northeast of CMVDD005 returned 505.3 g/t AgEq with 1.48 wt.% Sb over 11.0 m from 43.0 m depth including 3075.4 g/t AgEq (108.5 oz/t AgEq) with 9.4 wt.% Sb over 1.7 m;

Shallow, polymetallic mineralization was also intersected 600 m NW of the Cumavici Ridge where two drill holes through a new parallel structure returned 1,041 g/t AgEq with 2.95 wt.% Sb over 0.75 m (CMV23007), and 554 g/t AgEq with 1.17 wt.% Sb over 1.10 m (CMV23009);

Drillhole CMV23004 intersected 1,489 g/t AgEq with 1.98 wt.% Sb over 1.35 m from 36.2 m downhole to add 42 m strike length SE of CMVDD002 with mineralization open down-dip;

Drillhole CMV23003 intersected 557 g/t AgEq with 0.77 wt.% Sb over 4.15 m from 43.85 m and points to a down-dip continuation of the high-grade mineralization from CMV23004.

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au (g/t) Ag

(g/t) Zn

(%) Pb

(%) Sb

(%) AgEq* (g/t) CMVDD001 29.0 33.0 4.0 0.84 131.5 4.59 2.12 1.85 824 CMVDD002 30.0 32.0 2.0 0.23 144 8.26 4.27 0.44 816 CMVDD003 89.0 97.7 8.7 0.81 105 1.17 0.70 1.20 466 CMVDD004 43.0 54.0 11.0 0.30 225 0.83 0.56 1.48 505 CMVDD005 81.0 91.0 10.0 0.78 75 0.61 0.40 0.68 284 CMV23001 11.0 15.8 4.8 1.61 132 1.51 0.57 1.56 819* CMV23002b 22.0 25.8 3.8 0.70 124.5 5.53 2.72 0.48 549* CMV23003 43.85 48.0 4.15 0.71 57.1 4.39 3.18 0.77 557* CMV23004 36.2 37.55 1.35 3.49 452 3.36 2.14 1.98 1489*

Table 1. Previously released drill core assay from the Chumavichi target. Interval lengths reported are drilled lengths, not true widths. Silver equivalents ("AgEq") for Phase II assays marked by * are recalculated based on the latest assumed metal prices of US$2,600/oz for gold (Au), US$30/oz for silver (Ag), US$1.40/lb for zinc (Zn), US$15.22/lb for antimony (Sb) and US$0.90/lb for lead (Pb). Metal recoveries of 90% Au, 93% Ag, 95% Sb, 94% Pb and Zn are based on published metallurgical tests from analogous intermediate sulphidation epithermal vein deposits in the region.



Figure 1. Geological map of the Chumavichi ore corridor illustrating the drilled targets, namely: Cumavici Ridge, Cumavici Crest and Joseva. The Seoce and Cumurnica targets remain to be drilled in 2025. The yellow strips represent Yugoslav ore block segments from 1983 used for non-43-101 compliant resource calculaton (WGS84/UTM Zone 34N; click here to view image).





Figure 2. Fence diagram of Phase I and II drilling completed at the Cumavici Ridge target. Polymetallic mineralization intervals are highlighted in red. The mineralization remains untested and open down dip to the southwest and entirely open to the NW. The high-grade mineralization footprint currently sits at approximately 150 m (strike length) by 200 m in down dip direction (click here to view image).



The 674 m Brezani drillhole BREDD002 has intercepted base metal-rich (Sb-Ag), epithermal mineralization between 482.1 and 505 m of depth (Figure 3). The zone of mineralization consists of banded veins and massive sulphide-cemented breccias with structural and mineralogical characteristics of low and intermediate sulphidation epithermal deposits. The upper vein contact is sharp with minimal alteration progressing into the hornfels, whereas the vein footwall is brecciated and strongly clay altered. The margins of the vein host repeating bands of chalcedonic quartz, rhodochrosite, calcite, sulphides, and sulphosalts including stibnite, pyrite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite, galena, and jamesonite. The core of the mineralized structure is dominated by hydrothermal breccia with a sulphide-quartz-carbonate cement and banded vein fragments as clasts.

The mineralized body is interpreted to be coincident with the zone of elevated conductivity as it shallows to NE (Figure 3). Where the coincident conductivity body and magnetic low response is matched with a N/S trending topographic depression, which grades into a steep sided creek. Exploration efforts within this creek have revealed numerous showings of As-Bi-Pb-Sb-Zn anomalous gossans and semi-massive specular hematite. These gossans are evidence of epithermal fluids reaching the current surface level. It is possible that future drilling targeting this structure would intersect a series of veins and breccias in the hanging wall of the major target structure.

Figure 3. Section profile through the Brezani target integrating the location of the NE-shallowing, tabular mineralized structure identified downhole in BREDD002 between 482 and 505 m with the magnetic shell and smoothed conductivity voxel clipped to values above 27 mS/m. The conductivity feature is interpreted as the continuation of the host structure dominated by Sb-Ag-Zn-Pb sulphides and clay within the broken rock mass (click here to view image).

Qualified Person

Dr. Aleksandar Miskovi?, P.Geo, is the Company's designated Qualified Person ("QP") for this news release within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure of Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). The QP has reviewed and validated that the information contained in this news release is factual and accurate.

About the Company

Terra Balcanica is a polymetallic and energy metals exploration company targeting large-scale mineral systems in the Balkans of southeastern Europe and norther Saskatchewan, Canada. The Company has 90% interest in the Viogor-Zanik Project in eastern Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Canadian assets comprise a 100% optioned portfolio of uranium-prospective licences at the outskirts of the world-renowned Athabasca basin including the Charlot-Neely Lake, Fontaine Lake, Snowbird, and South Pendleton claim clusters. The Company emphasizes responsible engagement with local communities and stakeholders. It is committed to proactively implementing Good International Industry Practice (GIIP) and sustainable health, safety, and environmental management.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Terra Balcanica Resources Corp.

"Aleksandar Miskovi?"

Aleksandar Miskovi?

President and CEO

For the complete information on this news release, please contact Aleksandar Miskovi? at amiskovic@terrabresources.com, +1 (514) 796-7577, or visit www.terrabresources.com/en/news.

Cautionary Statement

This news release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively "forward-looking statements"). The use of any of the words "will", "intends" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. 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. Such forward-looking statements should not be unduly relied upon. Actual results achieved may vary from the information provided herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors. The Company believes the expectations reflected in those forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct. The Company does not undertake to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.
The second stage of the 9,000 metre drill program recently commenced on the eastern side of the Target 1 resource area at El Cometa where recent drill hole CDH-159 intercepted 33m from surface at 31.8 g/t gold and 274 g/t silver (including 7m at 144 g/t gold and 1,162 g/t silver from 18m)1

~1,500 metres of core drilling have been completed since restarting in November after a scheduled break for drill maintenance and drill hole location update

First two holes of this second stage of the campaign are at the laboratory, the next has left site, two more being logged and sampled and a sixth hole commencing, all on the eastern side of the Target 1 area at El Cometa where we are expanding the resource footprint

The Target 1 area maiden resource2 update is on schedule for end of Q1 2025

The municipal access road upgrade is progressing well and on schedule for completion late March 2025 by which time drilling is scheduled to commence at the first of two further advanced target areas in the district

The road upgrade and current site preparations will facilitate the significantly expanded and fully funded exploration activities (A$12.5m placement 28 October 2024), which includes completion of ~40,000 metres additional drilling by the end of 2025

Mithril Silver and Gold Ltd. ("Mithril" or "the Company") (MTH:ASX, MSG:TSXV) provides an update for current drilling at the Target 1 area and the program for 2025 at its Copalquin Silver-Gold District project, Durango State, Mexico.

John Skeet, Mithril's Managing Director and CEO commented:

"Drilling is progressing well at the Target 1 resource area, the first of several targets at our district scale high-grade Copalquin silver and gold project. With ~1,500 metres completed since the recent restart, we have now completed 6,300 metres of the expanded 9,000 metre Target 1 resource update drill program, announced late June 2024. The recent drill core logging supports the 'big picture' geologic model for the widespread silver and gold mineralisation across this 10 km wide district. Preparations are on track for the major expansion of exploration activities, which includes commencement of drilling at two further resource target areas during 2025 and development and testing of the district geologic model for this large epithermal silver-gold system. Upgrading of the Copalquin District municipal access road is progressing well, facilitating the expanded drilling activities for 2025 and beyond. With the significant treasury and established 70km2 silver-gold project in Mexico's prolific Sierra Madre Trend, Mithril is on track for exceptional progress and news flow throughout 2025.

COPALQUIN GOLD-SILVER DISTRICT, MEXICO

With 100 historic underground gold-silver mines and workings plus 198 surface workings/pits throughout 70km2 of mining concession area, Copalquin is an entire mining district with high-grade exploration results and a maiden JORC resource. To date there are several target areas in the district with one already hosting a high-grade gold-silver JORC resource at El Refugio (529koz AuEq @6.81 g/t AuEq)2 supported by a conceptional underground mining study completed on the maiden resource in early 2022 (see ASX announcement 01 March 2022 and metallurgical test work (see ASX Announcement 25 February 2022). There is considerable strike and depth potential to increase the resource at El Refugio and at other target areas across the district, plus the underlying geologic system that is responsible for the widespread gold-silver mineralisation.

With the district-wide gold and silver occurrences and rapid exploration success, it is clear the Copalquin District is developing into another significant gold-silver district like the many other districts in this prolific Sierra Madre Gold-Silver Trend of Mexico.

Drilling is in progress at the Target 1 drill area where the current maiden resource is scheduled to be updated by the end of Q1 2025. Channel sampling work, using a diamond rock saw, has continued at the Target 1 area and immediately to the south towards the Copalquin creek, as highlighted below in Figure 1.



Click Image To View Full Size

Figure 1 LiDAR hill shade image with the historic workings identified across the district and 2020-2022 highlight drill and channel sample results. Target 1 area current drilling location, channel sampling area and the high priority drill target areas of Las Brujas-El Peru and La Constancia-El Jabali. Several new areas highlighted across the district for follow-up work

Figure 3 below, shows the location of the historic underground mine workings relative to the maiden resource block model at the Target 1 area. Drilling has been in progress in this area with a total of 9,000m to be completed prior to a resource update late Q1 2025, aiming to double the resource at Target 1.



Click Image To View Full Size

Figure 3 Map showing the locations of the historic underground workings of El Cometa, La Soledad and El Refugio relative to the maiden resource block model of November 2021, (see About Copalquin section at end of this Announcement for maiden resource details)

ENVIRONMENTAL, SOCIAL AND GOVERNANCE

The Company philosophy operating in the Copalquin district is to support communities via children's education and providing employment opportunities. This includes supporting community schools in the district, employing twenty people from within the district under the federal employment laws, supporting routine medical visits and developing infrastructure in the district for long term benefit. This includes the municipal access road, connecting to the township of El Durazno 12 km east of the Copalquin District, with support for the municipal upgrade works commencing in October 2024.

ABOUT THE COPALQUIN GOLD SILVER PROJECT

The Copalquin mining district is located in Durango State, Mexico and covers an entire mining district of 70km2 containing several dozen historic gold and silver mines and workings, ten of which had notable production. The district is within the Sierra Madre Gold Silver Trend which extends north-south along the western side of Mexico and hosts many world-class gold and silver deposits.

Multiple mineralisation events, young intrusives thought to be system-driving heat sources, widespread alteration together with extensive surface vein exposures and dozens of historic mine workings, identify the Copalquin mining district as a major epithermal centre for Gold and Silver.

Within 15 months of drilling in the Copalquin District, Mithril delivered a maiden JORC mineral resource estimate demonstrating the high-grade gold and silver resource potential for the district. This maiden resource is detailed below (see ASX release 17 November 2021)^ and NI43-101 Technical Report filed on SEDAR+

2,416,000 tonnes4.80 g/t gold, 141 g/t silver for 373,000 oz gold plus 10,953,000 oz silver (Total 529,000 oz AuEq*) using a cut-off grade of 2.0 g/t AuEq*

28.6% of the resource tonnage is classified as indicated

Tonnes (kt) Tonnes (kt) Gold (g/t) Silver (g/t) Gold Eq.* (g/t) Gold (koz) Silver (koz) Gold Eq.* (koz) El Refugio Indicated 691 5.43 114.2 7.06 121 2,538 157 Inferred 1,447 4.63 137.1 6.59 215 6,377 307 La Soledad Indicated - - - - - - - Inferred 278 4.12 228.2 7.38 37 2,037 66 Total Indicated 691 5.43 114.2 7.06 121 2,538 157 Inferred 1,725 4.55 151.7 6.72 252 8,414 372 TOTAL 2,416 4.80 141 6.81 373 10,953 529

Table 1 - Mineral resource estimate El Refugio - La Soledad using a cut-off grade of 2.0 g/t AuEq*

* The gold equivalent (AuEq.) values are determined from gold and silver values and assume the following: AuEq. = gold equivalent calculated using and gold:silver price ratio of 70:1. That is, 70 g/t silver = 1 g/t gold. The metal prices used to determine the 70:1 ratio are the cumulative average prices for 2021: gold USD1,798.34 and silver: USD25.32 (actual is 71:1) from kitco.com. Metallurgical recoveries are assumed to be approximately equal for both gold and silver at this early stage. Actual metallurgical recoveries from test work to date are 96% and 91% for gold and silver, respectively. In the Company's opinion there is reasonable potential for both gold and silver to be extracted and sold. Actual metal prices have not been used in resource estimate, only the price ratio for the AuEq reporting.

^ The information in this report that relates to Mineral Resources or Ore Reserves is based on information provided in the following ASX announcement: 17 Nov 2021 - MAIDEN JORC RESOURCE 529,000 OUNCES @ 6.81G/T (AuEq*), which includes the full JORC MRE report, also available on the Mithril Resources Limited Website.

The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the original market announcement and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the relevant market announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed. The company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Person's findings are presented have not been materially modified from the original market announcement.

Mining study and metallurgical test work supports the development of the El Refugio-La Soledad resource with conventional underground mining methods indicated as being appropriate and with high gold-silver recovery to produce metal on-site with conventional processing.

Mithril is currently exploring in the Copalquin District to expand the resource footprint, demonstrating its multi-million-ounce gold and silver potential.

Mithril has an exclusive option to purchase 100% interest in the Copalquin mining concessions by paying US$10M on or any time before 7 August 2026 (option has been extended by 3 years). Mithril has reached an agreement with the vendor for an extension of the payment date by a further 2 years (bringing the payment date to 7 August 2028).



Click Image To View Full Size

Figure 4 - Copalquin District location map with locations of mining and exploration activity within the state of Durango

-ENDS-

Released with the authority of the Board.

For further information contact:

John Skeet Managing Director and CEO jskeet@mithrilresources.com.au +61 435 766 809 Mark Flynn Investor Relations mflynn@mithrilresources.com.au +61 416 068 733

Competent Persons Statement - JORC

The information in this announcement that relates to metallurgical test results, mineral processing and project development and study work has been compiled by Mr John Skeet who is Mithril's CEO and Managing Director. Mr Skeet is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. This is a Recognised Professional Organisation (RPO) under the Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) Code.

Mr Skeet has sufficient experience of relevance to the styles of mineralisation and the types of deposits under consideration, and to the activities undertaken, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Mr Skeet consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on information in the form and context in which it appears. The Australian Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release.

The information in this announcement that relates to sampling techniques and data, exploration results and geological interpretation for Mithril's Mexican project, has been compiled by Mr Ricardo Rodriguez who is Mithril's Project Manager. Mr Rodriguez is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. This is a Recognised Professional Organisation (RPO) under the Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) Code.

Mr Rodriguez has sufficient experience of relevance to the styles of mineralisation and the types of deposits under consideration, and to the activities undertaken, to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves. Mr Rodriguez consents to the inclusion in this report of the matters based on information in the form and context in which it appears.

The information in this announcement that relates to Mineral Resources is reported by Mr Rodney Webster, Principal Geologist at AMC Consultants Pty Ltd (AMC), who is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy. The report was peer reviewed by Andrew Proudman, Principal Consultant at AMC. Mr Webster is acting as the Competent Person, as defined in the 2012 Edition of the Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves, for the reporting of the Mineral Resource estimate. A site visit was carried out by Jose Olmedo a geological consultant with AMC, in September 2021 to observe the drilling, logging, sampling and assay database.

The Australian Securities Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release.

Qualified Persons - NI 43-101

Scientific and technical information in this Report has been reviewed and approved by Mr John Skeet (FAUSIMM, CP) Mithril's Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. Mr John Skeet is a qualified person within the meaning of NI 43-101.

JORC Code, 2012 Edition - Table 1

Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Sampling techniques Nature and quality of sampling (eg cut channels, random chips, or specific specialised industry standard measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling.

Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample representivity and the appropriate calibration of any measurement tools or systems used.

Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are Material to the Public Report.

In cases where 'industry standard' work has been done this would be relatively simple (eg 'reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 30 g charge for fire assay'). In other cases more explanation may be required, such as where there is coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems. Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (eg submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed information. Samples for the Copalquin, Mexico drill programs consist of  HQ core cut lengthwise with a diamond saw. Intervals are nominally 1 m but may vary between 1.5 m to 0.5 m based on geologic criteria.

Deeper portions of holes from CDH-075 onward consist of  NQ core. Sample sizes are tracked by core diameter and sample weights.

The same side of the core is always sent to sample (left side of saw).

Reported intercepts are calculated as either potentially underground mineable (below 120m below surface) or as potentially open-pit mineable (near surface).

Potentially underground mineable intercepts are calculated as length weighted averages of material greater than 1 g/t AuEQ_70 allowing up to 2m of internal dilution.

Potentially open-pit mineable intercepts are calculated as length weighted averages of material greater than 0.25 g/t AuEQ_70 allowing for up to 2m of internal dilution.

Rock chip sampling is done with hammer and chisel along continuous chip lines oriented perpendicular to the mineralized structure. The samples are as representative as possible. Drilling techniques Drill type (eg core, reverse circulation, open-hole hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and details (eg core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc). Drilling is done with an MP500 man-portable core rig capable of drilling HQ size core to depths of 400 m. Core is recovered in a standard tube. Less than 7% of the total core drilled is NQ size core (as of 2022-01-15). Drill sample recovery Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample recoveries and results assessed.

Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure representative nature of the samples.

Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material. Drill recovery is measured based on measured length of core divided by length of drill run.

Recovery in holes CDH-001 through CDH-025 and holes CDH-032 through CDH-077 was always above 90% in the mineralized zones. Detailed core recovery data are maintained in the project database.

Holes CDH-026 through CDH-031 had problems with core recovery in highly fractured, clay rich breccia zones.

There is no adverse relationship between recovery and grade identified to date. Logging Whether core and chip samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies.

Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Core (or costean, channel, etc) photography.

The total length and percentage of the relevant intersections logged.  Core samples have been geologically and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies and metallurgical studies.  Core logging is both qualitative or quantitative in nature. Photos are taken of each box of core before samples are cut. Core is wetted to improve visibility of features in the photos. All core has been logged and photographed. Sub-sampling techniques and sample preparation If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or all core taken.

If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc and whether sampled wet or dry.

For all sample types, the nature, quality and appropriateness of the sample preparation technique.

Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling stages to maximise representivity of samples.

Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is representative of the in situ material collected, including for instance results for field duplicate/second-half sampling.

Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled.  Core is sawn and half core is taken for sample.  Samples are prepared using ALS Minerals Prep-31 crushing, splitting and pulverizing. This is appropriate for the type of deposit being explored.  Visual review to assure that the cut core is  of the core is performed to assure representativity of samples.  field duplicate/second-half sampling is undertaken for 3% of all samples to determine representativity of the sample media submitted. Sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of the material being sampled. Quality of assay data and laboratory tests The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying and laboratory procedures used and whether the technique is considered partial or total.

For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF instruments, etc, the parameters used in determining the analysis including instrument make and model, reading times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, etc.

Nature of quality control procedures adopted (eg standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (ie lack of bias) and precision have been established.  Samples are assayed for gold using ALS Minerals Au-AA25 method a 30 g fire assay with an AA finish. This is considered a total assay technique. Samples are assayed for silver using ALS Minerals ME-ICP61 method. Over limits are assayed by AgOG63 and AgGRAV21. These are considered a total assay technique. Standards, blanks and duplicates are inserted appropriately into the sample stream. External laboratory checks will be conducted as sufficient samples are collected. Levels of accuracy (ie lack of bias) and precision have not yet been established.

Soil samplingis also subject to a program of standards and blanks using the X-ray florescence (XRF) analyser. Results are acceptable. Samples were analysed using three wavelengths 50Kv, 40 Kv and 15 Kv for times of 120 seconds, 30 seconds and 30 seconds respectively.

Samples with significant amounts of observed visible gold are also assayed by AuSCR21, a screen assay that analyses gold in both the milled pulp and in the residual oversize from pulverization. This has been done for holes CDH-075 and CDH-077. Verification of sampling and assaying The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel.

The use of twinned holes.

Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols.

Discuss any adjustment to assay data.  The verification of significant intersections by either independent or alternative company personnel has not been conducted. A re-assay program of pulp duplicates is currently in progress.  The use of twinned holes. No twin holes have been drilled. MTH has drilled one twin hole. Hole CDH-072, reported in the 15/6/2021 announcement, is a twin of holes EC-/002 and UC-03. Results are comparable.  Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures, data verification, data storage (physical and electronic) protocols are maintained in the company's core facility. Assay data have not been adjusted other than applying length weighted averages to reported intercepts. Location of data points Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation.

Specification of the grid system used.

Quality and adequacy of topographic control.  Drill collar coordinates are currently located by handheld GPS. Precise survey of hole locations is planned. Downhole surveys of hole deviation are recorded for all holes. Locations for holes CDH-001 through CDH-048 and CDH-051 through CDH-148 have been surveyed with differential GPS to a sub 10 cm precision. Hole CDH-005 was not surveyed  UTM/UPS WGS 84 zone 13 N High quality topographic control from Photosat covers the entire drill project area. Data spacing and distribution Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results.

Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to establish the degree of geological and grade continuity appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied.

Whether sample compositing has been applied.  Data spacing is appropriate for the reporting of Exploration Results.  The Resource estimation re-printed in this announcement was originally released on 16 Nov 2021 No sample compositing has been applied. Orientation of data in relation to geological structure Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures and the extent to which this is known, considering the deposit type.

If the relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this should be assessed and reported if material.  Cut lines are marked on the core by the geologists to assure that the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased sampling of possible structures. This is reasonably well observed in the core and is appropriate to the deposit type. The relationship between the drilling orientation and the orientation of key mineralised structures is not considered to have introduced a sampling bias. Sample security The measures taken to ensure sample security. Samples are stored in a secure core storage facility until they are shipped off site by small aircraft and delivered directly to ALS Global. Audits or reviews The results of any audits or reviews of sampling techniques and data. A review with spot checks was conducted by AMC in conjunction with the resource estimate published 16 Nov 2021. Results were satisfactory to AMC.

Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results

Criteria JORC Code explanation Commentary Mineral tenement and land tenure status Type, reference name/number, location and ownership including agreements or material issues with third parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding royalties, native title interests, historical sites, wilderness or national park and environmental settings.

The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting along with any known impediments to obtaining a licence to operate in the area. Concessions at Copalquin No. Concession Concession Title number Area (Ha) Location 1 LA SOLEDAD 52033 6 Tamazula, Durango, Mexico 2 EL COMETA 164869 36 Tamazula, Durango, Mexico 3 SAN MANUEL 165451 36 Tamazula, Durango, Mexico 4 COPALQUIN 178014 20 Tamazula, Durango, Mexico 5 EL SOL 236130 6,000 Tamazula, Durango and Badiraguato, Sinaloa, Mexico 6 EL CORRAL 236131 907.3243 Tamazula, Durango and Badiraguato, Sinaloa, Mexico Exploration done by other parties Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other parties. Previous exploration by Bell Coast Capital Corp. and UC Resources was done in the late 1990's and in 2005 - 2007. Work done by these companies is historic and non-JORC compliant. Mithril uses these historic data only as a general guide and will not incorporate work done by these companies in resource modelling.

Work done by the Mexican government and by IMMSA and will be used for modelling of historic mine workings which are now inaccessible (void model) Geology Deposit type, geological setting and style of mineralisation. Copalquin is a low sulfidation epithermal gold-silver deposit hosted in andesite. This deposit type is common in the Sierra Madre Occidental of Mexico and is characterized by quartz veins and stockworks surrounded by haloes of argillic (illite/smectite) alteration. Veins have formed as both low-angle semi-continuous lenses parallel to the contact between granodiorite and andesite and as tabular veins in high-angle normal faults. Vein and breccia thickness has been observed up to 30 meters wide with average widths on the order of 3 to 5 meters. The overall strike length of the semi-continuous mineralized zone from El Gallo to Refugio, Cometa, Los Pinos, Los Reyes, La Montura to Constancia is almost 6 kilometres. The southern area from Apomal to San Manuel and to Las Brujas-El Peru provides additional exploration potential up to 5km. Drill hole Information A summary of all information material to the understanding of the exploration results including a tabulation of the following information for all Material drill holes:

easting and northing of the drill hole collar

 elevation or RL (Reduced Level - elevation above

sea level in metres) of the drill hole collar

dip and azimuth of the hole

down hole length and interception depth

hole length.

If the exclusion of this information is justified on the basis that the information is not Material and this exclusion does not detract from the understanding of the report, the Competent Person should clearly explain why this is the case. Drillhole Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip Final Depth CDH-167 289607 2823791 1,176.4 240 75 357 MTH-EC24-01 289612 2823837 1,155.7 250 50 291 MTH-EC24-02 289662.6 2823808.2 1,152.7 250 50 258 MTH-EC24-03 289594 2823842 1145.6 250 50 330 MTH-EC24-04 289618.8 2823765.7 1165.2 330 50 240 MTH-EC24-05 289603 2823896 1146.4 250 50 In progress Data aggregation methods In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging techniques, maximum and/or minimum grade truncations (eg cutting of high grades) and cut-off grades are usually Material and should be stated.

Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths of high grade results and longer lengths of low grade results, the procedure used for such aggregation should be stated and some typical examples of such aggregations should be shown in detail.

The assumptions used for any reporting of metal equivalent values should be clearly stated. Intercepts are reported for all intercepts greater than or equal to 1 g/t AuEQ_70 using a 70:1 Silver to gold price ratio. No upper cut-off is applied to reporting intercepts.

Length weighted averaging is used to report intercepts. The example of CDH-002 is shown. The line of zero assays is a standard which was removed from reporting. Au raw Ag raw Length (m) Au *length Ag *length 7.51 678 0.5 3.755 339 11.85 425 0.55 6.5175 233.75 0 0 0 0 0 0.306 16 1 0.306 16 0.364 31.7 1 0.364 31.7 3.15 241 0.5 1.575 120.5 10.7 709 0.5 5.35 354.5 15.6 773 0.5 7.8 386.5 From To Length Au gpt Ag gpt 4.55 25.6675 1481.95 91.95 96.5 4.55 5.64 325.70 Metal equivalent grades are reported using a 70:1 silver to gold price ratio. This ratio is based on the gold and silver prices reported on kitco.com as of 11 July 2021 (actual ratio at that date 69.3:1) Relationship between mineralisation widths and intercept lengths These relationships are particularly important in the reporting of Exploration Results.

If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be reported.

If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are reported, there should be a clear statement to this effect (eg 'down hole length, true width not known'). True widths at Refugio between sections 120 and 1,000 vary according to the hole's dip. Holes drilled at -50 degrees may be considered to have intercept lengths equal to true-widths, Holes drilled at -70 degrees have true widths approximately 92% of the reported intercept lengths and holes drilled at -90 degrees have true widths of 77% of the reported intercept lengths.

True widths are not known at La Soledad and downhole intercepts are reported. Diagrams Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and tabulations of intercepts should be included for any significant discovery being reported. These should include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole collar locations and appropriate sectional views. See figures in announcement Balanced reporting Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration Results is not practicable, representative reporting of both low and high grades and/or widths should be practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration Results. All exploration results are reported. Other substantive exploration data Other exploration data, if meaningful and material, should be reported including (but not limited to): geological observations; geophysical survey results; geochemical survey results; bulk samples - size and method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk density, groundwater, geotechnical and rock characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating substances. No additional exploration data are substantive at this time.

Metallurgical test work on drill core composite made of crushed drill core from the El Refugio drill hole samples has been conducted.

The samples used for the test work are representative of the material that makes up the majority of the Maiden Resource Estimate for El Refugio release on 17th November 2021.

The test work was conducted by SGS laboratory Mexico using standard reagents and test equipment. Further work The nature and scale of planned further work (eg tests for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large-scale step-out drilling).

Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible extensions, including the main geological interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this information is not commercially sensitive. Exploration progress reported in this announcement

1 See ASX announcement MTH Drills 144 g/t Gold, 1,162 g/t Silver over 7.0 metres dated 20 September 2024

2 See 'About Copalquin Gold Silver Project' section for JORC MRE details and AuEq. calculation.


Next article: Lydia Forson: Ghanaian voters are becoming more discerning, no more tribal politics

Featured

Medikal: I believe in John Mahama

Graphic Showbiz Showbiz News Dec - 09 - 2024 , 15:02 2 minutes read

Rapper Medikal has confessed his total belief in president elect, John Dramani Mahama, encouraging him to transform the lives of the youth.

In a series of post on Twitter(X), Omo Ada artiste, challenged him to seek the welfare of the youth when he is sworn into office

Let it be known to the incoming president, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama that,I do not trust him but rather believe in him. Let this new change be exhibited drastically ! If not for anything, he should foresee the generation of Sharaf, a good friend of mine (His Son) and the betterment of the youth in Ghana and beyond. Thank you, he said.

In a move that has been widely applauded, Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, the flagbearer of the incumbent New Patriotic Party (NPP), has conceded defeat to former President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the December 7 Presidential and Parliamentary election. (More articles: Tourism Minister Egyapa Mercer loses Sekondi seat, Lydia Forson: Ghanaian voters are becoming more discerning, no more tribal politics)

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Although the Electoral Commission of Ghana has announced that it will officially announce the results at 4:30 pm today, Dr. Bawumia acknowledged John Mahama's victory in a public address broadcast from his residence on Sunday, December 8.

In his concession speech, Dr. Bawumia expressed his gratitude to Ghanaians for the opportunity to serve as Vice President and presidential candidate.

He also acknowledged the provisional results from the NPP's internal collation, which indicated a victory for the opposition NDC and its candidate, John Mahama.

Dr. Bawumia's concession has been seen as a significant moment in Ghana's democratic history, demonstrating his commitment to peaceful transfer of power and respect for the democratic process.
Foreign institutions upbeat about Chinese economy as supportive policies take effect

Xinhua) 08:13, December 09, 2024

This panoramic aerial photo taken on Jan. 10, 2023 shows a view of Lujiazui area in the China (Shanghai) Pilot Free Trade Zone in east China's Shanghai. (Xinhua/Fang Zhe)

BEIJING, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Foreign banks are becoming increasingly bullish concerning the Chinese market, given that the raft of incremental policies implemented by Chinese authorities since late September, and other earlier policies aimed at vitalizing growth momentum, have started making a sustained and positive impact.

Bill Winters, group chief executive of Standard Chartered, told Xinhua that policy measures introduced by Chinese authorities have been highly impactful in reducing financing costs, especially in the property sector, while such initiatives are also sending a signal that the country's leadership is prepared to act if there are any signs of concern.

"The policy measures had the desired effect of changing the sentiment around, both within consumers and investors in China," Winters noted.

Economists and analysts believe these policies will have profound and far-reaching implications for the Chinese economy.

"We expect the strong policy measures since September, ranging from rate cuts to public outlays, will help the Chinese economy maintain 5 percent growth in 2024," said Ji Mo, chief China economist of DBS Group Research, adding that Chinese policymakers are focused both on the short-term and providing the foundations for long-term continued growth.

Being more bullish about the Chinese economy, multiple foreign institutions have revised their China 2024 growth forecasts upwards.

UBS has raised its China 2024 growth forecast to 4.8 percent from 4.6 percent, while Goldman Sachs lifted China's GDP growth prediction this year from 4.7 percent to 4.9 percent. Nomura also raised its China annual GDP growth forecast to 4.8 percent from 4.7 percent.

The effect of policy measures is clear in China -- with improvement achieved in consumption, production and home sales, as well as acceleration in export growth and elevated stock trading.

The purchasing managers' index (PMI), which measures sentiment in the manufacturing sector, showed expansion in November, rising to 50.3 from a reading of 50.1 in October, and has bounced back to expansion territory for two consecutive months, according to the National Bureau of Statistics.

According to Desmond Kuang, chief investment officer for China at HSBC Global Private Banking and Wealth, incremental policies since late September have improved the production willingness of manufacturers and bolstered confidence -- as both supply and demand in the manufacturing sector saw recovery.

In October 2024, retail sales of consumer goods expanded 4.8 percent year-on-year, quickening from an increase of 3.2 percent a month earlier. Specifically, household appliances posted a surge of 39.2 percent -- driven by the national trade-in program.

"We expect the trade-in program to continue playing a crucial role in boosting consumption," said Lu Ting, chief China economist at Nomura.

Resilient external trade also remained a bright spot. Export growth increased from 2.4 percent year-on-year in September to 12.7 percent in October, with Chinese exports to ASEAN, Latin America and Africa showing an increased rate of expansion.

"China is better positioned to withstand a protectionist climate when compared to the past," said Ji, adding that burgeoning demand from emerging markets may help cushion external shocks.

Regarding the property market, which saw both new and second-hand home sales registering growth in October after eight months of decline, Wang Yi, head of the China real estate team at Goldman Sachs Research, said the Chinese government has made reversing the property market downturn and stabilizing the sector a major policy focus. "A series of forceful measures are helping realize the goal," Wang added.

Looking ahead, Xiong Yi, chief China economist at Deutsche Bank, believes domestic demand will continue to be a major driving force of the Chinese economy in 2025. With both incremental and existing policies taking hold, China's economy is expected to continue to gain momentum.

Several high-profile business executives from foreign financial institutions, including John Waldron, president and chief operating officer of Goldman Sachs Group, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, and Citigroup CEO Jane Fraser, recently paid visits to China. They voiced optimism about the prospects of the development of China's economy, and expressed their willingness to continue to deepen engagement with the Chinese market.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Featured

Nigerian President Tinubu congratulates Ghanas President-elect John Dramani Mahama

Kweku Zurek International News Dec - 08 - 2024 , 22:03 3 minutes read

President Bola Tinubu has congratulated Ghanas President-elect, John Dramani Mahama, on his victory in the recent general elections held on December 7.

Mahamas win marks his return to leadership after previously serving as President of Ghana from 2012 to 2017.

Tinubu conveyed his congratulations during a telephone call, expressing confidence that Mahamas return to power would strengthen stability within the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), where Tinubu currently serves as Chairman.

In a statement issued by Tinubus Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the Nigerian leader commended the Ghanaian people for their peaceful and democratic electoral process. In a telephone call to Mahama, President Tinubu hoped that Mahamas ascension to power for the second time would further bring stability to the Economic Community of West African States, of which President Tinubu is the chairman. he said.

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Tinubu also praised Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, Ghanas Vice President and candidate of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), for his dignified concession of defeat even before the official results were announced. Bawumias stance reinforced Ghanas democratic ethos, Tinubu remarked.

Furthermore, Tinubu noted that Mahamas victory is a testament to the trust Ghanaians have in his leadership and vision. He also expressed gratitude to outgoing President Nana Akufo-Addo for his significant contributions to Ghanas development and regional stability.

Looking ahead, President Tinubu expressed eagerness to collaborate with Mahamas administration to further strengthen Nigeria-Ghana relations and promote unity in West Africa.

Below is the entire statement;

STATE HOUSE PRESS RELEASE

GHANA: PRESIDENT TINUBU CONGRATULATES PRESIDENT-ELECT John Mahama IN A TELEPHONE CALL



President Bola Tinubu has congratulated President-elect John Dramani Mahama on his victory in the December 7 general election in Ghana, following his opponent's concession speech.



In a telephone call to Mahama, President Tinubu hoped that Mahamas ascension to power for the second time would further bring stability to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), of which President Tinubu is the chairman.



President Tinubu commended the people of Ghana for their commitment to democracy, which was demonstrated through the peaceful and successful conduct of both the presidential and parliamentary elections.



He applauded Ghanaians for demonstrating again to the world that democracy is the preferred path to achieving political stability, economic development, social justice, and transparent governance in Africa.



He affirmed that Nigeria's and the regions belief in the principles of the people's right to choose their leaders freely will remain a source of pride.



The Nigerian leader applauded the candidate of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), the Vice President of Ghana, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, for conceding defeat before the official announcement by Ghanas Electoral Commission.



President Tinubu said Bawumias stance reinforced Ghanas democratic ethos.



President Tinubu noted that President-elect Mahamas return to Jubilee House, having served as President from 2012 to 2017, reflects the Ghanaian peoples trust in his stewardship and vision to take the country to greater heights.



Mahama served as Vice President of Ghana from 2009 to 2012, Member of Parliament from 1997 to 2009, and held deputy and ministerial roles between 1998 and 2001.



President Tinubu renews his steadfast support for deepening the fraternal bonds between Nigeria and Ghana, underpinned by shared history, cultural ties, mutual support and cooperation, Pan-African goals, democracy, the rule of law, and economic integration.



The Nigerian leader thanks President Nana Akufo-Addo for his exemplary leadership and numerous contributions to Ghanas progress and regional peace and stability.



The President looks forward to working with President Mahama's incoming administration to strengthen bilateral ties across various sectors and build a brighter future in the West Africa region.



Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

December 8, 2024
Featured

Post election issues: Two killed during looting of fertilizer at Akomadan, NADMO head office ransacked

Enoch Darfah Frimpong Dec - 09 - 2024 , 12:28 2 minutes read

Two people have been reported dead at Akomadan in the Offinso North constituency of the Ashanti Region in a suspected looting incident.

The incident happened on Monday morning [Dec 9, 2024].

This is part of a number of post election issues in relation to looting, vandalism and destruction of properties in some locations across the country.

The head office of the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO) in Accra, has also been ransacked.

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Tarkwa Nsuem

Some youth at Tarkwa Nsueam led by the Assembly member on Monday morning besieged a community mining site and give the workers a one day ultimatum to vacate the premises.

Akomadan incident

The parliamentary candidate for the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Fred Kyei Asamoah is said to have purchased some bags of fertilizer with the intention of sharing it to farmers, especially members from the NPP and they were in storage at a warehouse at the cocoa station at Akomadan.

On Monday morning, some youth said to be supporters of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) reportedly stormed the warehouse to loot the bags of fertilizer, with the explanation that they are now in charge, according to a report filed by local radio station reporter.

While there, some others, reportedly members of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) moved in to stop the looting.

This degenerated and in the process one person was reportedly beaten to death.

The younger brother of the deceased, identified only as David in a retaliation stabbed two others.

One of them was stabbed in the head and the other in the abdomen.

They were both rushed to the A.M.E. Zion Hospital at Akomadan Afrancho for medical attention.

Later reports emerged that one of the injured victims sent to the hospital has also died.

David, the person who reportedly stabbed the two went into hiding and when the police visited the scene, the youth protested and prevented the police from arrested the suspect named David.

The police called for reinforcement from Offinso and managed to arrest the suspect David amidst the firing of warning shots and teargas.

During the incident, another person was hit and the youth attempted to go after the police officer they suspected fired the shot that hit the third person.

The police officer took refuge in a house and the youth surrounded the house.

Attached below is a copy of a statement issued by the police on how it was handling the post election issues.
Featured

Have women lost out in parliament?

Rebecca Quaicoe-Duho Dec - 09 - 2024 , 09:57 2 minutes read

Women groups have been concerned over the years about the inadequate number of women in the decision-making process of the country.

The results of the December 7, 2024 parliamentary elections seem to be giving credence to the fear of the women groups as a lot of women in parliament have lost their seats.

The wish of the women groups is that all the incumbent female MPs retain their seats while new ones are added to them so that the percentage of women in parliament will move from the current 14 per cent to an appreciable level.

The newly passed Affirmative Action Act stipulates that there is at least 30 per cent women representation in all decision-making bodies but the fear of women groups is that the yet-to-be-formed parliament will not meet that target as not much was done to push more women to contest the December 7 elections.

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In the 2020 elections, 40 women sailed through and represented women in the 275 parliament.

However, as results trickle in for the 2024 elections where a total of 801 people made up of 119 women and 682 men are vying for 276 parliamentary seats across the country, it is evident that the already inadequate number of women would further dwindle as a lot of the old faces have lost their seats while a handful of new entrants are being recorded.

Some of the notable faces that have lost their seats are Ursula Owusu-Ekuful in Ablekuma West; Dakoa Newman, Okaikwei South; Ophelia Mensah Hayford, Mfantseman, Hawa Koomson, Awutu Senya East, and Lydia Seyram Alhassan, Ayawaso West Wuogon Constituency seat.

Some retained

Some of the notable female members of parliament who have, however, been retained are the NDC Member of Parliament for the La Dadekotopon Constituency, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah; Zanetor Agyemang-Rawlings, who also won the Klottey Korle seat; Dzifa Gomashie, Ketu South, and Joycelyn Tetteh, NDC MP for North Dayi.

Others are Comfort Doyoe Cudjoe-Ghansah, Ada, and Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Krowor.

New entrants

However, there are some new entrants who are Rachel Owusuaa incoming NDC MP for Dormaa East, and Phillis Naa Koryoo Okunor, who won the Awutu Senya East seat, snatching it from another woman, Hawa Koomson.

Other new entrants are Lawrencia Dziwornu of the NDC who is also entering parliament as the Member of Parliament for the Akuapem South Constituency in the Eastern Region, and Hajia Fatahiya Abdul Aziz of the NPP for Savelugu in the Northern Region.

Writers email:rebecca.quaicoe-duho@graphic.com.gh
Featured

Election 2024: Mahama makes comeback

Michael Quaye Dec - 09 - 2024 , 10:32 4 minutes read

Spontaneous jubilation echoed across the country yesterday as Vice-President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia conceded defeat in the 2024 presidential election even before the Electoral Commission (EC) could declare a quarter of certified results.

The concession secured a landmark comeback of former President John Dramani Mahama to the presidency eight years after he left the seat of government after only a term in office.

It was the quickest concession in Ghanas political history in 32 years and came about 15 hours after polls closed at 5 p.m. last Saturday as the country elected a new president and the ninth Parliament under the Fourth Republic.

The electoral results also delivered the first female Vice-President of Ghana, with Mr Mahamas running mate, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, now set to be sworn in along with her boss on January 7, 2025.

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Provisional results available to the Daily Graphic had put the National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate at more than 56 per cent of the votes in about 39,000 of the 40,648 polling stations across the country.

Unprecedented defeat

Dr Bawumia, who stood on the ticket of the governing New Patriotic Party (NPP), suffered an unprecedented defeat in the nations presidential poll with the biggest margin of loss in the presidential race in the Fourth Republic that also ushered Mr Mahama back to the seat of government.

Not only did the Vice-President fail in his bid to lead the NPP to a third consecutive term but he was also unable to spur his charges either to retain their parliamentary seats or win more slots as the party lost more parliamentary seats of a magnitude that no party has ever suffered in the Fourth Republic.

Although the Electoral Commission (EC) was yet to officially certify the full presidential and parliamentary results, the political parties knew their standing from the results they had collated, which from both sides, gave the NDC the convincing lead over the NPP in both elections, as provisional results trickled in.

Before Dr Bawumias concession, the NDCs Director of Communications, Sammy Gyamfi, had addressed a news conference, indicating that results collated by the partys mechanism showed the NDC was on the path to a resounding victory.

That projected victory included clean sweeps of the 11 parliamentary seats in the Upper West Region, all 15 seats in the Upper East Region, all 18 seats in the Volta Region, and all nine in the Oti Region; 31 of the 34 seats in the Greater Accra Region, seven of the 47 seats in the Ashanti Region and 18 of the 23 seats in the Central Region.

Results

At the early morning news conference, he said the party had secured 185 of the 276 parliamentary seats.

Two independent candidates had secured a seat each in the Central and Ashanti regions, leaving the NPP with 89 seats as its best possible shot in the legislature if they were to win all of the other seats.

For the NDC faithful, it had been a difficult journey of hope, ambition and resilience following the rather humbling defeat in 2016 when the NPP swept the majority in Parliament on its way to a truly comfortable victory margin of more than 900,000 votes.

One supporter remarked afterwards: This is for every Ghanaian. Take this as our second independence.

It was like a tsunami; they were taking us for fools. The Free SHS does not work; we pay more money than fee-paying SHS, another said.

What have they done; its a shame. We will vote against them today, tomorrow and anytime, the supporter said.

Indeed, the celebrations were reminiscent of a liberation festival on the back of one of the fiercest electioneering exercises in Ghanaian contemporary history.

The NDC had bounced from the abysmal showing of 2016 to even the stakes in Parliament in 2020, pegging the NPP at 137 seats apiece, with an independent candidate completing the list of the eighth Parliament.

The party had also questioned the 2020 presidential results and contested the outcome at the Supreme Court but was unsuccessful as the apex court ruled that the party had no case.
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Miscreants ransack Social Welfare, Community Development, Veterinary offices in Tamale

Mohammed Fugu Dec - 09 - 2024 , 09:57 1 minute read

Some persons have ransacked the offices of the Social Welfare, Community Development and Veterinary Services in Tamale, looting valuable belongings.

The items looted include furniture, official documents and essential equipment.

The Daily Graphic gathered that the perpetrators forcefully gained access to the premises and carried away items meant for public services.

The police have since announced the arrest of 12 persons for their involvement in various infractions in public, including participation in the break-in and theft of state assets.
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Vice-President Bawumia concedes defeat - Urges party faithful to look into future with optimism

Chris Nunoo Dec - 09 - 2024 , 06:30 3 minutes read

The flag bearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has conceded defeat to former President John Dramani Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) in the countrys tightly contested presidential election.

Let me say that the data from our own internal collation of the election results indicate that former President, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, has won the Presidential election decisively.

Dr Bawumia, however, assured the rank and file of the party that they would take stock of events that contributed to its loss in last Saturdays poll and pick lessons to guide the future.

He has, therefore, encouraged members of the party to look into the future with optimism and hope.

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We may have lost the battle but not the war, Dr Bawumia stated during a media briefing at his residence in the morning and indicated that while that was not the desired outcome of the poll for the party, it was part of the democratic process.

The Vice-President said although the party put its best foot forward in the contest and explained its policies and programmes, it was sometimes the case that the voter would have other ideas.

Dr Bawumia used the occasion to thank President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for his support and guidance over the years and his wife, Rebecca Akufo-Addo, for her support and wise counsel throughout his tenure as Vice-President and during the 2024 electioneering.

The NPP flag bearer again thanked his wife, Hajia Samira Bawumia, who he said had gone above the call of duty in her support for him.

The Vice-President also thanked former President Kufuor, the Council of Elders, Executives, Members of Parliament, particularly those on the side of the NPP, as well as the rank and file of the NPP for their "solid" support.

My thanks also go to my children, my brothers and sisters and the entire Bawumia family for their support. I also thank my running mate, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, and his wife, Alma, for their strong support in this campaign, he added.

Dr Bawumia again expressed gratitude to traditional rulers, religious leaders and all Ghanaians for their support and for the confidence they reposed in him and the NPP.

To all Ghanaians who did not vote for us and the NPP in this particular election, I thank you for considering my proposals even though you exercised your right to choose by settling on the eventual winner.

Let me also thank the EC for overseeing yet another transparent and fair election in Ghana, Dr Bawumia said.

He further thanked the security services for their role in maintaining the peace as well as the media for their excellent reportage.
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Wild NDC jubilation in Kumasi ahead of EC's declaration

Emmanuel Baah Dec - 09 - 2024 , 09:57 2 minutes read

Hundreds of National Democratic Congress (NDC) supporters thronged the streets of the Kumasi Metropolis yesterday afternoon to jubilate, even before the Electoral Commission officially declares John Dramani Mahama as the president-elect.

A visit to some communities, including Atonsu, Esereso, Oforikrom, indicated that supporters, based on figures they had gathered, believed their party was in a 'comfortable lead' hence their celebration.

The situation was heightened at Asawase, Aboabo and Asokore-Mampong - NDC dominated communities - as some took to the streets.

While some rode in the buckets of tricycles, popularly known in Kumasi as Aboboyaa, others were seen on motorbikes, with some perching on moving vehicles.

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Jubilation

Carried away by music from blurring sound systems, supporters danced to some party songs and that of the NPP. Prominent among the songs was "Aseda" by King Paluta, which in recent times resonated among members of the NPPs.

Some NDC supporters in the bucket of a tricycle popularly known as Aboboyaa in Kumasi, jubilating

Most of the supporters were in party T-shirts, with some holding portraits of their candidate, their presence on the streets resulting in pockets of traffic congestion in parts of Kumasi.

At Atonsu High School Junction, supporters had 'hijacked' the main Atonsu- Lake road.

Some of the supporters had no option than to perform the task of the Motor Traffic and Transport Department (MTTD), by helping to direct moving vehicles to avoid a gridlock.

Some road users, as usual, were not too happy at the traffic congestion created by the supporters, but were considerate in moving slowly on the stretch to avoid accidents.

Some of the supporters perched precariously on the bonnets of moving vehicles at the peril of their lives to express their satisfaction to Ghanaians for voting massively for their candidate.
Previous article: Vice-President Bawumia concedes defeat - Urges party faithful to look into future with optimism

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Police arrest 18 more suspects in looting and property damage investigations

GraphicOnline Dec - 08 - 2024 , 21:47 1 minute read

The Ghana Police Service has apprehended 18 more individuals in connection with ongoing investigations into looting and property damage in various parts of the country.

This latest development brings the total number of suspects arrested to 30. The arrests are part of an ongoing crackdown on those involved in violent disturbances that have affected several regions during the electoral period.

One suspect, who was reportedly shot by an accomplice during an attack, has been confirmed dead by medical authorities. Additionally, an Electoral Commission official who was injured during the unrest is currently receiving medical treatment.

The Police have assured the public that intelligence-led operations are still underway, with efforts focused on apprehending other perpetrators involved in these criminal acts.

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Authorities have also stressed the importance of remaining calm, with police officers deployed to key locations to bolster security and ensure the maintenance of law and order.

The looting incidents occurred in the aftermath of the December 7 Elections.
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Alan Kyerematen congratulates Mahama, NDC on 2024 election victory

Graphic.com.gh Politics Dec - 09 - 2024 , 14:10 2 minutes read

Founder and leader of the Movement for Change and Alliance for Revolutionary Change, Alan John Kwadwo Kyerematen, has extended his congratulations to former President John Dramani Mahama and the National Democratic Congress (NDC) on their success in the 2024 elections.

In a statement, Mr Kyerematen acknowledged that while the Electoral Commission (EC) has yet to formally declare the results, it is clear that the Ghanaian electorate has made their choice.

He called on all Ghanaians to respect the will of the people once the official announcement is made, stressing the importance of maintaining the nation's peace and stability.

"Although the Electoral Commission is yet to formally declare the elections, it is very clear that the people of Ghana have spoken. I urge all Ghanaians to accept the decision of the Ghanaian electorate once the official results are released, in order to preserve the peace of our dear nation," the statement read.

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Mr Kyerematen also commended the responsible conduct of all presidential and parliamentary candidates, noting that their actions contributed to making the 2024 elections one of the most peaceful in Ghanas history.

"I wish in the same vein to commend all Presidential and Parliamentary Candidates for their responsible conduct which has without doubt, made this year's General Elections one of the most peaceful in our nations history," the statement added.

While acknowledging the unfortunate incidents that marred the electoral process, Mr Kyerematen expressed his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives and extended sympathies to those who were injured during the elections.

"Let us all remember that there are no winners or losers in this election. It is Ghana that has emerged victorious, through the mercy and grace of our Living God," he added. Read statement below.
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Cheddar is indeed the 'new force', beats Alan by 53,276 votes in presidential election

Enoch Darfah Frimpong Politics Dec - 09 - 2024 , 18:40 3 minutes read

Nana Kwame Bediako of the New Force movement, who is commonly referred to as Cheddar has proven that he is indeed the new force in Ghana's political terrain as he beat Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen by a difference of 53,276 votes in the 2024 presidential election.

He garnered a total of 84,478 votes to place third in the presidential election as against a well established political colossus in the name of Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen who placed 4th with a total of 31,202 votes.

The Electoral Commission on Monday declared John Dramani Mahama as the winner of Ghana's 2024 presidential election.

Per the results declared from 267 constituencies, excluding nine constituencies, Mr Mahama polled 6,328,397 votes representing 56.55 per cent of the valid votes cast to beat the current Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), his closest competitor in the 12 candidates presidential election.

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Dr Mahamudu Bawumia got 4,657,304 votes representing 41.61 per cent of the valid votes cast.

This declaration is based on results from 267 constituencies, excluding nine constituencies, where the results are still outstanding.

The total votes cast in the 2024 presidential election, per the declaration excluding the nine outstanding constituencies is 11,191,422.

The total rejected votes are 239,109

Total votes cast - 11,430,531

Total registered voters - 18,774,159

Voter turn out based on 267 constituencies is 60.9 per cent.

The nine constituencies where the results are still outstanding are Awutu Senya East, Nsawam Adoagyiri, Akwatia, Suhum, Techiman South, Dome Kwabenya, Ablekuma North, Ahafo Ano North and Damango.

Declaring the results, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Jean Mensa explained that the total registered voters in all the nine constituencies add up to 947,116.

This means in the event that all the valid voters from the nine constituencies above voted for the candidate who placed second, [Dr Mahamudu Bawumia], the total number of votes he would have garnered will be 5,604,420 representing 46.17 per cent of the total valid votes cast, which would have been 12,138,538.

The inclusion of the outstanding constituencies, the chairperson of the EC said would have given the leading candidate 52.13 per cent, which is still greater than the over 50 per cent required to be declared winner and so even with that scenario, John Dramani Mahama is clearly the winner of the 2024 presidential election.

In the light of the above, Mrs Jean Mensa, the Returning Officer of the 2024 presidential election declared John Dramani Mahama as the winner of the election, and President-elect of Ghana.

"Congratulations sir, it is finished," she said.

The table below is the results from all 12 candidates in the race

T

Presidential Results - Constituency No. Candidate Party Votes Percentage 1 Mahamudu Bawumia NPP 4,657,304 41.61 2 Daniel Augustus Lartey GCPP 16,673 0.15 3 Akua Donkor GFP - - 4 Christian Kwabena Andrews GUM 16,461 0.15 5 Kofi Akpaloo LPG 5,219 0.09 6 Mohammed Frimpong NDP 4,413 0.04 7 Nana Akosua Frimpomaa Kumankuma CPP 23,397 0.21 8 John Dramani Mahama NDC 6,328,397 56.55 9 Hassan Ayariga APC 17,461 0.16 10 Kofi Koranteng Independent 1 3320 0.03 11 George Twum-Barima-Adu Independent 2 3091 0.02 12 Nana Kwame Bediako Independent 3 84,478 0.75 13 Alan John Kwadwo Kyeremateng Independent 4 31,202 0.28

Writer's email: enoch.frimpong@graphic.com.gh

Follow @enochfrimpong Follow @Graphicgh
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EC awaits results from 4 regions to announce winner of 2024 Presidential Election

Samuel Duodu Politics Dec - 09 - 2024 , 11:17 1 minute read

The Electoral Commission (EC) has announced that it is awaiting the final results from four regions out of the 16 to declare the winner of the December 7 presidential election. These regions are Greater Accra, Upper East, Savannah and Ashanti.

Fred Tetteh, the Deputy Director of Research and Evaluation at the EC, provided this update at the National Collation Centre at the Commission's headquarters in Accra on Monday, December 9, 2024.

He also listed the regions from which presidential results have already been received: Ahafo, Central, Western North, Oti, Eastern, Upper West, Bono East, Volta, North East, Bono, Northern, and Western regions.

The collated results for the Eastern Region, however, excluded Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Suhum and Akwatia constituencies.

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"Outstanding regions yet to be received are Greater Accra, Upper East, Savannah and Ashanti, he said.

"So these are the four regions to go. We are wrapping up the processes at the regional level and we are within the 32 to 35 hours after close of poll on Saturday, December 7, 2024. So we are doing our best."

"We ask Ghanaians to be patient with us. We want to do it and have it exact and accurate," Mr Tetteh stated.

The EC has given an assurance that it would declare the presidential election results within 72 hours which translates into three days.

The 2024 presidential and parliamentary elections ended on Saturday, December 7, across the country.

At the national level, the Returning Officer to declare the results and winner of the presidential election is the Chairperson of the EC, Jean Mensa.

The Presidential Candidate of the governing New Patriotic Party, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, on Sunday Monday conceded defeat in the elections.
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EC resumes collation of parliamentary results in Tema Central

Benjamin Xornam Glover Politics Dec - 09 - 2024 , 12:58 1 minute read

Officials from the Electoral Commission (EC) have resumed the collation of parliamentary ballots in the Tema Central Constituency after the process was suspended on Sunday, December 8, 2024, due to disturbances at Chemu Senior High School.

The Tema Metropolitan Director of the EC, Manasseh Ofosuhene Asante, explained that the process was originally scheduled for Tuesday but was brought forward to Monday following a directive from the Regional Director.

The ballots will now be collated and transmitted to Accra for further processing.

Both parliamentary candidates, Charles Forson of the New Patriotic Party and Ebi Bright of the National Democratic Congress, along with their agents, were present at the Regional Police Headquarters in Tema, where the collation took place.

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Also in attendance were Greater Accra Regional Minister, Daniel Titus-Glover, former MP for Tema Central Kofi Brako, Greater Accra NDC Regional Chairman Divine Aghorhom, NDC Women's Organiser Dr Hannah Louisa Bissiw, the NDC Tema Central Constituency Chairman Benjamin Dzakuma and the representative of the Independent candidate, Fredrick Aniagyei.

The collation process took place under a heavy security presence, with party supporters from both sides gathering outside the gates to witness the proceedings.
Previous article: Cheddar is indeed the 'new force', beats Alan by 53,276 votes in presidential election

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Electoral Commission declares John Mahama as winner of Ghana's 2024 presidential election

Enoch Darfah Frimpong Politics Dec - 09 - 2024 , 17:52 2 minutes read

The Electoral Commission has declared John Dramani Mahama as the winner of Ghana's 2024 presidential election.

Per the results declared from 267 constituencies, excluding nine constituencies, Mr Mahama polled 6,328,397 votes representing 56.55 per cent of the valid votes cast to beat the current Vice President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), his closest competitor in the 12 candidates presidential election.

Dr Mahamudu Bawumia got 4,657,304 votes representing 41.61 per cent of the valid votes cast.

This declaration is based on results from 267 constituencies, excluding nine constituencies, where the results are still outstanding.

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The total votes cast in the 2024 presidential election, per the declaration excluding the nine outstanding constituencies is 11,191,422.

The total rejected votes are 239,109

Total votes cast - 11,430,531

Total registered voters - 18,774,159

Voter turn out based on 267 constituencies is 60.9 per cent.

The nine constituencies where the results are still outstanding are Awutu Senya East, Nsawam Adoagyiri, Akwatia, Suhum, Techiman South, Dome Kwabenya, Ablekuma North, Ahafo Ano North and Damango.

Declaring the results, the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Mrs Jean Mensa explained that the total registered voters in all the nine constituencies add up to 947,116.

This means in the event that all the valid voters from the nine constituencies above voted for the candidate who placed second, [Dr Mahamudu Bawumia], the total number of votes he would have garnered will be 5,604,420 representing 46.17 per cent of the total valid votes cast, which would have been 12,138,538.

The inclusion of the outstanding constituencies, the chairperson of the EC said would have given the leading candidate 52.13 per cent, which is still greater than the over 50 per cent required to be declared winner and so even with that scenario, John Dramani Mahama is clearly the winner of the 2024 presidential election.

In the light of the above, Mrs Jean Mensa, the Returning Officer of the 2024 presidential election declared John Dramani Mahama as the winner of the election, and President-elect of Ghana.

"Congratulations sir, it is finished," she said.

The table below is the results from all 12 candidates in the race

T

Presidential Results - Constituency No. Candidate Party Votes Percentage 1 Mahamudu Bawumia NPP 4,657,304 41.61 2 Daniel Augustus Lartey GCPP 16,673 0.15 3 Akua Donkor GFP - - 4 Christian Kwabena Andrews GUM 16,461 0.15 5 Kofi Akpaloo LPG 5,219 0.09 6 Mohammed Frimpong NDP 4,413 0.04 7 Nana Akosua Frimpomaa Kumankuma CPP 23,397 0.21 8 John Dramani Mahama NDC 6,328,397 56.55 9 Hassan Ayariga APC 17,461 0.16 10 Kofi Koranteng Independent 1 3320 0.03 11 George Twum-Barima-Adu Independent 2 3091 0.02 12 Nana Kwame Bediako Independent 3 84,478 0.75 13 Alan John Kwadwo Kyeremateng Independent 4 31,202 0.28

Writer's email: enoch.frimpong@graphic.com.gh

Follow @enochfrimpong Follow @Graphicgh
Featured

Ensure Presidential results declaration is not unduly delayed - NDC to EC

GraphicOnline Politics Dec - 09 - 2024 , 06:02 2 minutes read

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has reiterated its commitment to driving Ghana toward progress and prosperity following what it describes as a decisive victory in the December 7 general elections.

Speaking at a press briefing at the partys headquarters on Sunday, December 8, NDC General Secretary Fifi Fiavi Kwetey assured the public of the partys readiness to responsibly utilise its newly acquired mandate for the benefit of the nation.

We have secured a very significant majority and a majority that we aim to use responsibly and for the progress of the people of Ghana, Mr Kwetey declared.

In his address, Mr Kwetey also urged the Electoral Commission (EC) and its Chairperson, Jean Mensa, to expedite the process of announcing the presidential results. He emphasised the NDCs confidence in the outcome, noting that their victory of John Dramani Mahama was indisputable.

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The process as far as the presidential results is also concerned, we will urge the Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Jean Mensa, and her team to make sure the declaration is not unduly delayed because we know for a fact that nothing can be done about it because it is already in the bag, he remarked.

The NDC has positioned this victory as a stepping stone to realising its vision of national development, promising to uphold the trust placed in them by the electorate.

The party said it will continue to monitor the electoral processes closely as the nation awaits the final declaration from the EC.
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Nana Kwame Bediako congratulates Mahama, pledges support for new government

Justice Agbenorsi Politics Dec - 09 - 2024 , 16:45 1 minute read

Independent presidential candidate and leader of the New Force Movement, Nana Kwame Bediako, has congratulated former President John Dramani Mahama on his success in the 2024 elections.

Speaking at a press conference in Accra today (December 9), Mr. Bediako acknowledged that while the new government had achieved success, there is still much work to be done.

As a result, he said he was ready to support Mr Mahamas administration adding, We are having some crises and we should never expect anyone from outside to solve them. It must be done by us,

Whatever they need me for and whatever I can do to contribute to this country just count me in.

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Im here to contribute anything to make this nation a better place and to support him in any way that I can, he said.

Voters

The New Force Movement leader further expressed appreciation to Ghanaian for the support he received during the elections

It is not easy for people to give me the vote that can only be paid for, but you gave me without paying anything .

We are not the new force without Ghanaians, Ghanaians made us. You did not give up on me and Im so grateful, he said adding that he will also not give up on the public."

I will always stand by you, I dont want you to give up because Ill never give up, he added.
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NDC urges members to celebrate with decorum, avoid vandalism

Pacome Emmanuel Damalie Politics Dec - 09 - 2024 , 16:08 3 minutes read

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has urged its members to celebrate with respect and refrain from damaging state property.

The party acknowledged reports of incidents where some of its supporters have engaged in vandalism of state property across the country.

Addressing a press conference at the party's Head Office at Adabraka-Accra, the National Communication Director of the NDC, Sammy Gyamfi condemned the acts of vandalism by some of the party supporters and instances of violence which has resulted in the death of some party supporters.

"These unfortunate incidents are reported to have been carried out by over jubilant supporters of the NDC, who have been carried away by the excitement of the party's resounding victory in the just ended presidential and parliamentary elections. The NDC hereby condemns, in no uncertain terms, these acts of lawlessness, whether carried out by NDC supporters or other party supporters," he said.

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He called on party faithfuls to exercise restraint and go about their jubilations with a sense of responsibility as the NDC remain committed to upholding proper accountability in government in accordance with the law beginning from January 7 next year.

Mr Gyamfi explained that the vandalism of state property, mob justice, and any form of lawless retribution have the potential to undermine the peace and stability of the nation; hence, the call for calm among all its supporters across the 16 regions of Ghana.

"Comrades, our hard-fought and long-awaited victory is finally here. Our long-awaited victory, the change we've all been waiting for, has finally arrived. Let's celebrate this victory responsibly and trust the incoming NDC Mahama government to do the needful as far as probity and accountability are concerned in accordance with the rule of law. The day of accountability is finally here. Our patience is very critical at this stage," he said.

Mr Gyamfi added that, although the act of vandalism were attributed to the NDC, "there are many disgruntled and frustrated NPP supporters who are looking for an opportunity to cause mayhem and must not be given the opportunity to use these acts as smokescreens to erase some evidence for their prosecution".

He alleged that the NPP Parliamentary Candidate for Nsawam-Adoagyiri, Annoh Dompre has been mentioned to have shot a sympathiser of the NDC in the thigh; stating, that Mr Dompre will face accountability after the swearing-in of Mr Mahama as the President of the country.

President-elect address

Mr Gyamfi indicated that by 4.30 pm, the President-elect would be officially declared by the EC and by close of day, he would address the nation awaiting his swearing-in in the next 28 days as President.

The National Communication Director of the NDC said the party would need its supporters to be present at the swearing-in of the President-elect on January 7. Hence, must not be caught up in incidence that injure them or dead because of excesses currently ongoing with the jubilation.

For supporters at the various regional collation centres, he said, regional executives are there in their numbers and would continue to work to ensure that none of the results declared we're changed.

Mr Gyamfi affirmed that, "once results have been declared, the results cannot be changed at the regional collation centre. If the declaration was legally made at the constituency collation center by the designated returning officer".

Contestation

Mr Gyamfi indicated that the party was keenly following constituencies whose results were yet to be declared due to the EC trying to swap pink sheets.

"We are keenly monitoring constituencies that have not yet been declared, like Okaikoi Central, Ablekuma North, Fanteakwa North, Nsawam Adoagyiri because EC officials have tried without success to swap pink sheets," he said.

Mr Gyamfi expressed confidence that the end of the day, the truth would prevail and parliamentary candidates of the NDC would be declared as the duly elected members of parliament for those constituencies under contestation.
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Francis-Xavier Sosu retains in Madina constituency seat

Graphic.com.gh Politics Dec - 09 - 2024 , 16:23 1 minute read

The Member of Parliament for Madina Constituency, Francis-Xavier Sosu, has retained the Madina constituency seat in the 2024 parliamentary elections.

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) candidate got 56,008 votes, as against Robert Lamptey of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), who received 29,777 votes.

The certified results from the Electoral Commission showed that a total of 86,880 votes were cast in Madina, with 86,512 valid votes and 368 rejected ballots.

Independent candidate Awal Mohammed secured only 727 votes, further emphasizing Sosus commanding lead in the constituency.

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In addition to his legislative achievements, Sosu has been widely praised for his developmental projects in Madina, ranging from improved healthcare and education infrastructure to initiatives aimed at enhancing livelihoods.

These efforts have solidified his reputation as a leader who not only speaks for the people but also delivers tangible results.

As the MP prepares to embark on his second term, the people of Madina and observers nationwide are hopeful that he will build on his impressive legacy and further enhance the lives of his constituents.

With such overwhelming support, Sosus influence is poised to grow, not just in Madina, but across Ghanas political landscape.
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NDC wins 15 out of 17 Western Region parliamentary seats, party extends gratitude to voters

Dotsey Koblah Aklorbortu Politics Dec - 09 - 2024 , 06:19 2 minutes read

The Western Regional Office of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) extended gratitude to voters in the region for the confidence reposed in the NDC the just-ended 2024 general elections.

In a statement issued by the Regional Secretary, Joe Nelson stated: "the party [NDC] acknowledges the significant challenges that the region, and indeed the entire country, has endured due to the mismanagement and lack of leadership displayed by the New Patriotic Party (NPP) government. These difficult times have tested our resolve as a nation."

However, we in the NDC assure you that under the leadership of the NDC and the President-elect of Ghana, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, the country will be reset and repositioned on the path of growth and progress, he stated.

He said the victory would not have been possible without the wise counsel and support of traditional leaders, religious figures, the business community, and well-meaning individuals across the Western Region.

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I can emphatically say, together, we have achieved an unprecedented triumph over a group that pretended to lead Ghana while prioritising self-enrichment over national development, he said.

After months of tireless campaigning and preparation, he said the NDC has won 15 out of the 17 parliamentary seats in the Western Region  a remarkable achievement. This historic success is a testament to the trust and confidence that the people of the region have placed in us.

Beyond the parliamentary victories, Mr Nelson said the people of the Western Region also played a pivotal role in delivering a decisive win for our presidential candidate, His Excellency John Dramani Mahama.

We also take this opportunity to congratulate all the newly elected Members of Parliament from the Western Region. To our regional and constituency executives, branch leaders, gallant foot soldiers, members of the Accra Caucus, and the media who worked tirelessly to support our campaign, we say a big thank you.

He said together, we have laid the foundation for a better future, and under the leadership of the NDC, the Western Region and Ghana as a whole will witness meaningful development and prosperity.
As we enter the final month of 2024 we have the most frequently seen trio this year on top of our trending chart. The Samsung Galaxy A55 yet again leads from the Galaxy S24 Ultra and Redmi Note 13 Pro.

Samsung Galaxy A55

The iPhone 16 Pro Max got back to fourth position, while the iQOO 13 was the biggest gainer shooting to fifth position.

Redmi Note 13 came in sixth, ahead of the Galaxy A15 in seventh - the two are exactly where we left them last year.

The vivo X200 Pro returns to the chart to capture eight, while the Galaxy A35 is once again ninth.

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ takes the last position in the top 10 in week 49.
Fiscal 2025 was off to a bad start for Guams tourism industry, with October arrivals plunging to just 39% of pre-pandemic levels.

Despite the Guam Visitors Bureaus optimistic forecast of 1 million arrivals by the end of fiscal 2025, this was even lower than the entire fiscal 2024 arrivals representing 46% of pre-COVID numbers, signaling a troubling beginning to the year.

The first month of fiscal 2025 saw only 53,077 arrivals to Guam, a 60.6% drop from the 134,830 reported in pre-COVID October 2019, based on preliminary numbers from GVB.

The GVB board just recently formally unveiled a $60 million tourism recovery plan, but the bureau has yet to firm up funding sources to get the plan off the ground.

During GVB board discussions, Vice Chairman Joaquin Cook said if the tourism recovery plan is successful, the projected 830,000 arrivals will result in an additional several hundred million dollars in economic impact, opening up thousands of new jobs.

Cook, the chairman of the Tourism Recovery Committee, said the $60 million in new taxes will bring in a 100 percent return on investment for the government.

He noted that by 2027, the difference between no intervention and the plan results will yield $2 billion in additional economic impact and over $200 million in new taxes.

However, its still unclear how quickly this plan will help reverse the current trend.

In October, arrivals from Guams major market of Korea alone dropped significantly by 58.4%  from 67,124 to 27,897.

Numbers from Japan were down by 70.8%  from 49,218 to 14,381 last month.

Taiwan arrivals plummeted by 92.4%  from 2,131 to 161 last month.

For the month of December, however, arrivals from this Asian country could see a boost following the Dec. 4 to 5 visit of Taiwan President Lai Ching-te, as well as the resumption of direct flights between Taipei and Guam via China Airlines on Nov. 28. United Airlines also announced Taipei-Guam flights to start in April 2025.

Arrivals from China were also weak, with last month reaching only 452, down 57.6% from pre-pandemic 1,066.

The only market that posted an increase for October was the U.S./Hawaii segment, going from 5,486 to 5,760.

Heres a breakdown of some October arrivals by market:

Korea: 27,897 vs 67,124 or 58.4% drop

Japan: 14,381 vs 49,218 or 70.8% drop

U.S./Hawaii: 5,760 vs 5,486 or 5% increase

Philippines: 1,325 vs 2,009 or 34% drop

CNMI: 1,037 vs 1,534 or 32.4% drop

FSM: 940 vs 1,179 or 20.3% drop

China: 452 vs 1,066 or 57.6% drop

Palau: 405 vs 414 or 2.2% drop

Taiwan: 161 vs 2,131 or 92.4% dropGovGuam also saw a 35.3% drop in hotel occupancy tax, reducing the funds available for the Tourist Attraction Fund.

The administration collected over $7.585 million in hotel occupancy tax in the July-September 2024 period, down from $11.79 million-plus during the same quarter in 2019.

Here are approved fiscal year appropriations for GVB and arrival numbers in recent years:
By Jennifer Peltz | The Associated Press

NEW YORK  A Marine veteran who used a chokehold on an agitated subway rider was acquitted Monday in a death that became a prism for differing views about public safety, valor and vigilantism.

A Manhattan jury cleared Daniel Penny of criminally negligent homicide in Jordan Neely s 2023 death. A more serious manslaughter charge was dismissed last week because the jury deadlocked on that count.

Penny, who had shown little expression during the trial, briefly smiled as the verdict was read. Both applause and anger erupted in the courtroom, and Neelys father and two supporters were ushered out after audibly reacting. Another person also left, wailing in tears.

It really, really hurts, Neelys father, Andre Zachery, said outside the courthouse. I had enough of this. The system is rigged.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, the Democrat whose office brought the case, said prosecutors followed the facts and the evidence from beginning to end and respect the verdict.

There was no immediate comment from lawyers for Penny, who rushed to a waiting car after the verdict. The anonymous jury, which had started deliberating Tuesday, was escorted out of court to a van.

Pennys attorneys had said he was protecting himself and other subway passengers from a volatile, mentally ill man who was making alarming remarks and gestures.

The case amplified many American fault lines, among them race, politics, crime, urban life, mental illness and homelessness. Neely was Black. Penny is white.

There were sometimes dueling demonstrations outside the courthouse, including Monday, when chants could be heard through the courtroom window ahead of the verdict. High-profile Republican politicians portrayed Penny as a hero while prominent Democrats attended Neelys funeral.

Penny, 26, served four years in the Marines and went on to study architecture.

Neely, 30, was a sometime subway performer with a tragic life story: His mother was killed and stuffed in a suitcase when he was a teenager.

As a younger man, Neely did Michael Jackson tributes  complete with moonwalks  on the citys streets and subways. But Neely also struggled with mental illness after losing his mother, whose boyfriend was convicted of murdering her.

He subsequently was diagnosed with depression and schizophrenia, was repeatedly hospitalized, and used the synthetic cannabinoid K2 and realized it negatively affected his thinking and behavior, according to medical records seen at the trial. The drug was in his system when he died.

Neely told a doctor in 2017 that being homeless, living in poverty and having to dig through the garbage for food made him feel so hopeless that he sometimes thought of killing himself, hospital records show.

About six years later, he boarded a subway under Manhattan on May 1, 2023, hurled his jacket onto the floor, and declared that he was hungry and thirsty and didnt care if he died or went to jail, witnesses said. Some told 911 operators that he tried to attack people or indicated hed harm riders, and several testified that they were afraid.

Neely was unarmed, with nothing but a muffin in his pocket, and didnt touch any passengers. One person said he made lunging movements that alarmed her enough that she shielded her 5-year-old from him.

Penny came up behind Neely, grabbed his neck, took him to the floor and put him out, as the veteran told police at the scene.

A person protests the not guilty verdict of Daniel Penny, not pictured, outside the criminal court on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, in New York.Stefan Jeremiah | The Associated Press

Passengers' video showed that at one point during the roughly six-minute hold, Neely tapped an onlookers leg and gestured to him. Later, he briefly got an arm free. But he went still nearly a minute before Penny released him.

Hes dying, an unseen bystander said in one video. Let him go!

A witness who stepped in to hold down Neelys arms testified that he told Penny to free the man, though Pennys lawyers noted the witness' story changed significantly over time.

Penny told detectives shortly after the encounter that Neely threatened to kill people and the chokehold was an attempt to de-escalate the situation until police could arrive. The veteran said he held on as long as he did because Neely periodically squirmed.

I wasnt trying to injure him. Im just trying to keep him from hurting anyone else. Hes threatening people. Thats what we learn in the Marine Corps, Penny told the detectives.

However, one of Pennys Marine Corps instructors testified that the veteran misused a chokehold technique hed been taught.

Prosecutors said Penny reacted far too forcefully to someone he perceived as a peril, not a person. Prosecutors also argued that any need to protect passengers quickly ebbed when the train doors opened at the next station, seconds after Penny took action.

Although Penny himself told police hed used a choke or a chokehold, one of his lawyers, Steven Raiser, cast it as a Marine-taught chokehold modified as a simple civilian restraint. The defense lawyers contended that Penny didnt consistently apply enough pressure to kill Neely.

Contradicting a city medical examiners finding, a pathologist hired by the defense said Neely died not from the chokehold but from the combined effects of K2, schizophrenia, his struggle and restraint, and a blood condition that can lead to fatal complications during exertion.

Penny did not testify, but several of his relatives, friends and fellow Marines did  describing him as an upstanding, patriotic and empathetic man.

The manslaughter charge would have required proving that Penny recklessly caused Neelys death. Criminally negligent homicide involves engaging in serious blameworthy conduct while not perceiving such a risk. Both charges were felonies and carried the possibility of prison time.

While the criminal trial played out, Neelys father filed a wrongful death suit against Penny.

Associated Press journalists Joseph B. Frederick and Ted Shaffrey contributed.
By Cedar Attanasio and Michael R. Sisak | The Associated Press

NEW YORK  Police have arrested a 26-year-old with a weapon consistent with the gun used in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, New York Citys police commissioner said.

Thompson, 50, died in a dawn ambush Wednesday as he walked to the companys annual investor conference at Manhattan hotel. Thompson had traveled from Minnesota for the event.

Police apprehended the man after receiving a tip that he had been spotted at a McDonalds near Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 233 miles west of New York City, said a law enforcement official, who was not authorized to discuss details of the investigation and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

Along with the gun, police found a silencer, fake IDs and writings that appeared to be critical of the health insurance industry, according to the official.

The NYPD is sending detectives to Pennsylvania to question the person taken into custody. New York City Mayor Eric Adams was expected to address this development at a previously scheduled afternoon news briefing in Manhattan.

Thompson was killed last Wednesday in what police said was a brazen, targeted attack as he walked alone to the Hilton from a nearby hotel, where UnitedHealthcares parent company, UnitedHealth Group, was holding its annual investor conference, police said.

The shooter appeared to be lying in wait for several minutes before approaching the executive from behind and opening fire, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. He used a 9 mm pistol that police said resembled the guns farmers use to put down animals without causing a loud noise.

In the days since the shooting, police turned to the public for help by releasing a collection of photos and video  including footage of the attack, as well as images of the suspect at a Starbucks beforehand.

Photos taken in the lobby of a hostel on Manhattans Upper West Side showed the suspect grinning after removing his mask, police said.

New York Police Department officers in diving suits search a lake in Central Park on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, in New York.Yuki Iwamura | The Associated Press

Investigators have suggested the gunman may have been a disgruntled employee or client of the insurer.

Ammunition found near Thompsons body bore the words delay, deny and depose, mimicking a phrase used by insurance industry critics.

The gunman concealed his identity with a mask during the shooting yet left a trail of evidence, including a backpack he ditched in Central Park, a cellphone found in a pedestrian plaza and a water bottle and protein bar wrapper that police say he bought at Starbucks minutes before the attack.

Mondays development came as dogs and divers returned to New Yorks Central Park while the dragnet for Thompsons killer stretched into a sixth day.

Investigators have been combing the park since the Wednesday shooting and have been searching at least one of its ponds for three days.

On Friday, police found the backpack that they say the killer discarded as he fled from the crime scene to an uptown bus station, where they believe he left the city on a bus.

Retracing the gunmans steps using surveillance video, investigators say the shooter fled into Central Park on a bicycle, emerged from park without his backpack and then ditched the bicycle.

He then walked a couple blocks and got into a taxi, arriving at the George Washington Bridge Bus Station, which is near the northern tip of Manhattan and offers commuter service to New Jersey and Greyhound routes to Philadelphia, Boston and Washington, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.

The FBI announced late Friday that it was offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, adding to a reward of up to $10,000 that the NYPD has offered. Police say they believe the suspect acted alone.

Late Saturday, police released two additional photos of the suspect that appeared to be from a camera mounted inside a taxi. The first shows him outside the vehicle and the second shows him looking through the partition between the back seat and the front of the cab. In both, his face is partially obscured by a blue mask.

Through the park search, the NYPD has taken steps to minimize disruption to visitors, leading to an odd juxtaposition of joggers, tourists and an active crime scene.

On Monday, a small section of the park was cordoned off with blue and white police tape, giving divers searching a pond an area to change and get in the water. K-9 units sniffed leaf-covered planters between walking paths.

At one point, a group of about 30 French-speaking tourists followed a guide down a path, but they couldnt go any further because of the police tape. Before turning back, many of them whipped out their phones to snap a photo of the divers.




Haiti - FLASH : American Airlines will not resume flights to Haiti in February 2025





American Airlines has announced that it will not resume daily service between Miami International Airport and Toussaint Louverture International Airport in Port-au-Prince in February 2025, as originally planned https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43622-haiti-flash-american-airlines-suspends-flights-to-haiti-for-3-months.html . According to a spokesperson for the airline, the possibility of resuming operations of the only daily service from Miami International Airport towards the end of 2025 will be evaluated.



"American has made the difficult decision to suspend daily service between Miami (MIA) and Port-au-Prince, Haiti (PAP)," a spokesperson for the company said, emphasizing American Airlines commitment to Haiti. "We are proud of our more than 50-year-commitment to Haiti and we will continue to monitor the situation, assessing safety, security, and customer demand, in evaluating a return of service."



"We will proactively reach out to impacted customers to offer a full refund of their travel itinerary."



American Airlines, JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines announced last month that they were suspending daily flights to Haiti after confirming that one of their aircraft was hit by gang gunfire on November 11, 2024 over Port-au-Prince airspace. https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-43623-icihaiti-insecurity-the-ministry-of-justice-condemns-the-shootings-on-planes.html Neither Spirit nor JetBlue Airways have said if and when they will resume flights to Haiti.



As a reminder, JetBlue Airways operates flights from both Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport to Port-au-Prince.



See also :

https://www.icihaiti.com/en/news-43623-icihaiti-insecurity-the-ministry-of-justice-condemns-the-shootings-on-planes.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43622-haiti-flash-american-airlines-suspends-flights-to-haiti-for-3-months.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43621-haiti-flash-us-airlines-banned-from-flying-over-haiti-for-30-days.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43615-haiti-flash-port-au-prince-airport-closed-update-on-airlines.html

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43614-haiti-flash-spirit-airlines-plane-hit-in-flight-by-several-bullets-video.html



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - Security : Human Rights Watch calls for a mission of blue helmets in Haiti





In a briefing note published on December 9, 2024, Human Rights Watch believes that the United Nations Security Council should urgently authorize and rapidly deploy a United Nations mission in Haiti (blue helmets) that should ensure a human rights-based response to restore security, the rule of law, and democratic governance in Haiti.



Human Rights Watch presents the key elements and human rights safeguards that are necessary for the success of the new UN peacekeeping mission and to prevent the failures and abuses of previous international interventions in Haiti.



The crisis in Haiti has reached catastrophic proportions due to the intensification of large-scale coordinated attacks by criminal groups against the population and key infrastructure of the country.



"Haitians say that the fear of attacks by criminal groups has taken over their daily lives, and millions struggle to find food, water, and health care," said Ida Sawyer, crisis, conflict and arms director at Human Rights Watch, adding "A new, full-fledged UN mission that respects rights and builds on the initial UN efforts could provide the Haitian people a genuine opportunity to reconstruct their lives with hope and dignity."



In a letter dated November 29, the UN Security Council asked UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to present strategic recommendations on the role the UN could play in helping to resolve the security, economic and humanitarian crisis in Haiti.



Human Rights Watch believes that the UN Secretary-General should act quickly to respond to the Security Councils request and, in line with this, the UN should take rapid and concrete measures to support Haiti. Forgetting to take into account in its plea the opposition of Russia and China to this option, whose vote is essential for this possible transformation...



https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43682-haiti-politic-china-and-russia-oppose-a-mission-of-blue-helmets-in-haiti.html



The Multinational Mission remains in the pre-deployment phase due to a shortage of funds and personnel, only 400 of the expected 2,500 officers have been deployed, the Mission has not yet received the resources necessary to be effective and fully operational, recalls Human Rights Watch.



See also :

https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-43682-haiti-politic-china-and-russia-oppose-a-mission-of-blue-helmets-in-haiti.html



HL/ HaitiLibre


















Legal setback for TikTok in the USA. For the time being, the operator of the platform for short videos has not succeeded in overturning a US law that would have effectively banned the service in the United States from mid-January. With its unanimous ruling, the court of appeals responsible for the government district of Washington followed the arguments of the US Department of Justice, which sees the company as a threat to national security. TikTok is backed by the Chinese company ByteDance. Politicians from both major US parties feared that Chinese authorities could gain large-scale access to user data from the USA and misuse the application, which is particularly popular with young people, to exert political influence.

Anzeige

TikTok wanted to obtain a court injunction against the law coming into force. Its lawyers argued that the US government had failed to prove that TikTok posed a national security risk. They also argued that the legislative initiative violated the US Constitution. However, the Appeals Court for the District of Columbia (D.C.), which already had jurisdiction in the first instance under the provisions of the law, did not see any violation of the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech. The law also did not violate the principle of equal treatment guaranteed in the Fifth Amendment. Despite the ban, US citizens could in principle continue to "read and share as much PRC propaganda (or other content) as they wish", the judges explained. The law was rightly directed against the ability of the rival power to "secretly manipulate" content.

Trump's zigzag course

TikTok intends to appeal the ruling, which would be a case for the US Supreme Court. It is assumed that the Supreme Court will review the decision and protect the right to freedom of expression for the 170 million TikTok users in the US, a spokesperson said. The law was designed and enforced on the basis of "inaccurate, erroneous and hypothetical information, which would lead to outright censorship of the American people". US civil rights organizations such as the ACLU and the Center for Democracy & Technology (CDT) also expressed concern that a ban would blatantly violate the rights of millions of US citizens. They too are counting on the next stage of the review to correct this injustice.

US Attorney General Merrick Garland, on the other hand, spoke of an important step in preventing the Chinese government from "weaponizing TikTok". According to the law, ByteDance must sell  TikTok's US assets by January 19,  one day before the end of the current US President Joseph Biden's term of office. Otherwise, the application will be banned from the app stores and thus effectively prohibited. ByteDance considers the required sale to be technically, economically and legally unfeasible. For example, the Chinese government has already banned the export of the recommendation algorithm, TikTok's crown jewel. Donald Trump tried in vain to ban TikTok during his first term of office in 2020. He has since apparently changed his mind: Most recently, the former and future US president stated that he would not allow the service to be banned. According to reports, Trump advisor and X owner Elon Musk is campaigning for TikTok.

(nie)
The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) has identified a mutated type 2 poliovirus (VDPV2) in wastewater samples collected in the Tampere region in November. This strain, derived from an oral polio vaccine, is similar to findings reported in several European countries this autumn. Despite the detection, no cases of the disease have been identified, and Finland maintains high vaccination coverage against polio.

The presence of VDPV2 in wastewater indicates that one or more individuals in the area were shedding the virus at the time of sampling. If an unvaccinated or partially vaccinated person encounters this virus, there is a risk of infection and, in rare cases, symptomatic polio.

Leif Lakoma, Chief Physician at THL, described the detection as rare but not unexpected. A similar finding was made in Finland about ten years ago. The risk of a polio epidemic in Finland remains low. We have one of Europes best surveillance systems for polio, and our vaccination coverage is high, he said.

Poliovirus monitoring through wastewater is conducted in several European countries. Similar detections of mutated type 2 polioviruses have been reported this year in Spain, Poland, and Germany. Genetic analysis by the World Health Organization (WHO) linked these viruses to a strain initially identified in Nigeria, which continues to circulate in several African countries. No cases of polio have been reported in Europe.

Polio vaccination in Finland began in 1957, and the last case was recorded in 1985, the same year a booster vaccine was offered to the entire population. Currently, Finland uses an injectable polio vaccine that does not contain live viruses, eliminating the risk of vaccine-derived infections. This vaccine is provided free of charge under the national vaccination programme.

Polio vaccination coverage among children in Finland exceeds 98%. The vaccine is administered at three, five, and 12 months of age, with a booster at four years old. Adults are advised to ensure they have received three doses of the polio vaccine over their lifetime.

Hanna Nohynek, Chief Physician at THL, urged individuals to check their vaccination status. Its important to ensure that everyone in your close circle is fully vaccinated. This is particularly relevant for adults who have come to Finland from abroad for work or study, as their childhood vaccination records may be incomplete, she said.

Travellers to regions with a higher risk of polio infection are recommended to receive a booster dose if their stay exceeds four weeks and their last booster was over a year ago.

Since 2014, WHO has classified polio as a global public health emergency. In Finland, polio remains a nationally notifiable disease. The virus spreads through the digestive tract, often via contact with contaminated surfaces, food, or, more rarely, respiratory droplets. In some cases, the virus can spread to the central nervous system, causing paralysis and muscle atrophy.

Europe eliminated wild poliovirus over 20 years ago, but vaccine-derived poliovirus strains are occasionally detected in wastewater. These strains pose little risk of further transmission. However, isolated cases of polio caused by mutated vaccine-derived strains have occurred, such as in Ukraine in 2021 and Israel in 2023.

While Finland uses the injectable polio vaccine, many countries still rely on the oral vaccine, which contains live virus and provides stronger mucosal immunity. WHO is developing a new plan to phase out the live oral polio vaccine to reduce the risk of vaccine-derived strains, highlighting the urgency of eradicating all forms of poliovirus.

HT
The Finnish public broadcasting company reported last week that popular support for the opposition party has fallen by 0.3 percentage points to 24.0 per cent since early November. With the National Coalition and Finns Party either treading water or sinking, though, it remains comfortably the most popular political party in Finland.

THE SOCIAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY has held on to the top spot in the latest opinion poll commissioned by YLE.

Support for the National Coalition stood at 18.8 per cent for the second consecutive month. The Finns Party, in turn, was the one of the biggest losers of the poll, dropping 0.6 points to 15.1 per cent.

Whenever the Finns Partys support falls, the supporters go to the so-called porch, Tuomo Turja, the research director of Taloustutkimus, stated to YLE on Friday.

Supporters of the populist right-wing party thus have a tendency to pull back to the sidelines rather than shift their support to the likes of the Centre or Social Democrats.

YLE highlighted that the popularity of the ruling coalition has eroded more rapidly than its predecessors, dwindling to 41.2 per cent in only about 18 months. Prime Minister Sanna Marins (SDP) five-party coalition government had an approval rating of 56.4 per cent and Prime Minister Juha Sipilas (Centre) three-party coalition one of 47.1 per cent at the corresponding point of their terms.

Support for the Centre stayed unchanged at 13.1 per cent, leaving the centre-right opposition party two points behind the Finns Party.

[The Centre and the Finns Party] are getting closer to one another, and it remains to be seen what that means going forward, especially with the upcoming municipal elections. The Centre has traditionally been stronger in [the elections] than the Finns Party, said Turja.

Antti Kaikkonen, the chairperson of the Centre, has seemingly succeeded in stabilising the partys support at around 13 per cent by seeking to distinguish it from the left-leaning members of the opposition, the Green League and Left Alliance.

The Left Alliance saw its popularity decrease by 0.5 points to 8.8 per cent, the Swedish Peoples Party by 0.7 points to 3.3 per cent. The Green League gained 0.2 points to climb to 8.2 per cent, the Christian Democrats 0.5 points to climb to 4.0 per cent and Movement Now 1.2 points to 2.3 per cent.

Turja estimated that geographical variation in the poll could explain the gains made by both the Christian Democrats and Movement Now. This is a single poll, and Id wait until next month to see if theres something bigger behind this, he said to YLE.

Taloustutkimus conducted the poll between 6 November and 3 December, receiving responses from 1,826 of the 2,572 people it contacted. The respondents were asked which party would receive their vote if the parliamentary elections were organised today.

The poll results have a margin of error of no more than two percentage points.

HS: Makynen offers another indication of split within Social Democrats

Although the Social Democratic Party has dominated opinion polls for the past couple of months, its leadership has appeared far from united, according to reporting by Helsingin Sanomat.

Matias Makynen, a deputy chairperson of the Social Democrats, stated to the newspaper last weekend, after the party had unveiled its shadow budget, that the party should do more to challenge the economic policies of the ruling right-wing coalition. The shadow budget would adjust public finances almost to the same degree as the coalition government and call off hardly any of the social security cuts the opposition party has criticised vehemently in parliament.

Makynen told Helsingin Sanomat that the party should dare to question the economic policy and time-frame for fiscal adjustment due to weaker-than-expected economic growth and the adoption of stimulus policies in other countries.

I am committed to the shadow budget despite its shortcomings, and I will vote for our proposals in parliament, he assured. The more important question is how the Social Democrats will position itself in this economic policy debate, in creating economic growth and in managing public finances.

Tytti Tuppurainen, the chairperson of the Social Democratic Parliamentary Group, downplayed what the newspaper had described as unusual criticism later on Saturday.

Makynen himself can surely best assess what his motive is here, but I wouldnt say this is completely unusual. He should be aware of how politicians can profile themselves in public if they want to, she said to Helsingin Sanomat.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
Carter Wrenn traces the 'Trail of the Serpent'

Back in 1975, I met Ronald Reagan at a dinner in Raleigh. That fall he ran for President  I ran his North Carolina primary, working with Jesse Helms (one of two U.S. senators who endorsed Reagan) and Tom Ellis (Reagans North Carolina chairman).

Reagan lost the first five primaries to Gerald Ford  his campaign split into warring camps with Tom Ellis on one side and John Sears, the lobbyist heading Reagans campaign, on the other.

We parted ways with Sears, took Reagans North Carolina primary down a new road. Due to a 30-minute film  and one issue  Reagan won.

We met with Reagans Chairmen in Texas, California, other states, told them the road wed followed to beat Ford  winning more primaries, Reagan closed on Ford. But in the end lost by a hundred votes at the Republican National Convention in Kansas City.

In 1978, Jesse ran for reelection. Using direct mail we raised more money than had ever been raised in a Senate election, built a political juggernaut with donors in every state  two years later ran one of the first independent campaigns to elect Reagan.

A week before the 1980 election Reagan was neck n neck with Jimmy Carter, an invisible hand moved on election night. Reagan swept 44 states.

In 1984, Jim Hunt, the only man elected governor four times, ran against Jesse Helms for Senate. Jesse trailed by 25 points  nothing we did for a year worked then, out of a clear blue sky, a gift fell into our lap.

After Reagan was wounded Tip ONeill went to the hospital, knelt by Reagans bed, said a prayer. Reagan and ONeill fought for years but, at the same time, treated each other with mutual respect.

The Berlin Wall fell. The Cold War ended. A political era passed. A new era began  that changed politics.

Trump beat Hilary. Covid struck. Biden beat Trump. Trump ran again. Biden got out. Trump called Harris dumb as a rock. She called him a fascist. He called her a communist.

Mutual respect flew out the window. Lies were once taboo in politics  now people cheer lies.

History, once a lodestar, is all but forgotten today. Hardly a soul remembers the fear felt during the Cold War, when the Soviet Union launching a nuclear missile spelled Armageddon.

In my memoir, I tell how that fear gave birth to a river of people that elected Reagan; about the rise of conservative politics under Reagan; how, after we won the Cold War, a long decline started  led to Trump and Biden; and stories about faith  how Reagan lying on a hospital gurney said a prayer for the man who shot him.

Living in a fallen world we inherit some flowrets of Eden but as poet Thomas Moore added, The trail of the serpent is over them all.'

In my memoir, I follow "The Trail of the Serpent" twisting and turning through politics  from Reagan to Trump.

A Republican strategist, Carter Wrenn has worked with candidates for president, Senate, and Congress. His book, "The Trail of the Serpent: Tales from the Smoke-filled Rooms of Politics," is out now.






Syrian capital falls to rebels as al-Assad leaves Syria

Xinhua) 08:15, December 09, 2024

Locals rally in a street in Damascus, Syria, Dec. 8, 2024. (Photo by Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Armed opposition forces seized full control of Damascus on Sunday, ending over five decades of the Assad family rule.

The rapid fall of President Bashar al-Assad's government followed an intense rebel offensive spanning less than two weeks. The campaign culminated in the opposition's announcement that Assad had fled the capital and relinquished power.

Later in the day, Russian state media announced that Assad had landed in Moscow, and was granted asylum along with his family.

Russia's Foreign Ministry issued a statement saying Assad had "decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully."

In Syria, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) head Abu Mohammad Al-Jolani, spearheading the lightning assault, said Mohammad Ghazi Al-Jallali, appointed prime minister by al-Assad in September, would temporarily oversee public institutions.

Al-Jolani instructed opposition forces in Damascus to refrain from approaching public institutions and banned celebratory gunfire.

Al-Jallali, the prime minister, also called on Syrians to protect public facilities, saying they belonged to all citizens. "We extend our hands to every Syrian citizen committed to safeguarding the country's resources," Al-Jallali said in a televised address. "Syria belongs to all Syrians, and I urge everyone to think rationally about the nation's best interests."

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows the city view in Damascus, Syria, Dec. 8, 2024. (Photo by Monsef Memari/Xinhua)

However, crowds of people stormed the house of Assad and two presidential palaces amid recorded cases of looting. Abandoned arms left by Syrian soldiers were taken by young men. The Iranian embassy in Damascus was also stormed by armed militants.

The military command of the opposition imposed a curfew starting from afternoon till the next day while issuing warnings and threatening jail penalties against looters and those firing guns in the air.

In midst of the upheaval, Israel mounted a series of unprecedented airstrikes, hitting former Syrian security and military sites in Damascus and Quneitra repeatedly within a single day, according to local reports.

Some of these strikes targeted abandoned army positions and facilities previously associated with the now-defunct Fourth Division near Damascus. Israeli ground forces also reportedly pushed into parts of Jabal al-Sheikh, taking over old surveillance posts without opposition.

Meanwhile, the Syrian National Coalition, an alliance of opposition groups formed in exile following the 2011 uprising against Assad, vowed Sunday to continue working towards the transfer of authority to a transitional governing body with full executive powers, with the goal of ushering in a free, democratic, and pluralistic Syria.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy are set to visit Capitol Hill on Thursday to meet with Republican lawmakers from both the House and Senate, focusing on strategies to reduce waste in the federal government. This comes shortly after the formation of the Trump administration's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

As co-heads of the newly created agency, Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, and Ramaswamy, a biotech entrepreneur and former presidential candidate, aim to collaborate with Congress to tackle government inefficiencies and curb misuse of taxpayer funds.

Through social media posts, podcasts, op-eds, books, and speeches, Musk and Ramaswamy have outlined their vision: a 75% reduction in the federal workforce, a $2 trillion cut in federal spending, and the elimination of entire agencies, including the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Musk and Ramaswamy are also scheduled to attend the inaugural Senate DOGE Caucus meeting, chaired by Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa. Rep. Aaron Bean, R-Fla., and Rep. Pete Sessions, R-Texas, lead a similar initiative in the House, with around three dozen members, including several House appropriators. On Tuesday, Rep. Jared Moskowitz of Florida became the first Democrat to join the group.

"If there are people with legitimate suggestions on how we can improve government efficiency, maybe bring technology to government, figure out where there's waste and fraud and save the American taxpayer dollars, we should do that," Moskowitz said on Morning Edition Thursday, according to Fox News. "And it shouldn't be a partisan issue."

In the last fiscal year, the government spent over $6.75 trillion, with more than $5.3 trillion allocated to politically sensitive and challenging-to-reduce areas such as Social Security, health care, defense, veterans' benefits, and interest on the national debt.

Last month, Trump described the DOGE as the "Manhattan Project of our time," drawing a parallel to J. Robert Oppenheimer's covert World War II initiative to develop the atomic bomb.

"Republican politicians have dreamed about the objectives of DOGE for a very long time," Trump said.
In pics: Starlight Night Market in Jinghong, Yunnan

Xinhua) 08:20, December 09, 2024

This photo shows a view of the Starlight Night Market in Jinghong City of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 7, 2024. The night market is a destination to experience the customs of Dai ethnic group. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

Tourists visit the Starlight Night Market in Jinghong City of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 7, 2024. The night market is a destination to experience the customs of Dai ethnic group. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

Tourists visit the Starlight Night Market in Jinghong City of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 7, 2024. The night market is a destination to experience the customs of Dai ethnic group. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

Tourists watch a performance at the Starlight Night Market in Jinghong City of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 7, 2024. The night market is a destination to experience the customs of Dai ethnic group. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

Tourists visit the Starlight Night Market in Jinghong City of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 7, 2024. The night market is a destination to experience the customs of Dai ethnic group. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

This photo shows a view of the Starlight Night Market in Jinghong City of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 7, 2024. The night market is a destination to experience the customs of Dai ethnic group. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

A tourist poses for photos at the Starlight Night Market in Jinghong City of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 7, 2024. The night market is a destination to experience the customs of Dai ethnic group. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

Tourists take a ride on a hot air balloon at the Starlight Night Market in Jinghong City of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 7, 2024. The night market is a destination to experience the customs of Dai ethnic group. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

This photo shows a view of the Starlight Night Market in Jinghong City of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 7, 2024. The night market is a destination to experience the customs of Dai ethnic group. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

Tourists visit the Starlight Night Market in Jinghong City of Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 7, 2024. The night market is a destination to experience the customs of Dai ethnic group. (Xinhua/Hu Chao)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
While revealing his plans of first day in office, President-elect Donald Trump said Sunday that he plans to pardon supporters involved in the Jan. 6 Capitol attack, describing their imprisonment as "living in hell."

Trump also said he believes the House members on the select Jan. 6 committee who investigated the 2021 Capitol riot, including Democratic Rep. Bennie Thompson and former GOP Rep. Liz Cheney, "should go to jail." His comments were made in an exclusive interview with Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker.

"I'm going to be acting very quickly. First day," Trump said, later adding about their imprisonment, "they've been in there for years, and they're in a filthy, disgusting place that shouldn't even be allowed to be open."

Trump acknowledged that his proposed pardons would "have some exceptions," specifying cases where individuals were "radical" or "crazy."

Since the Capitol riot, at least 1,572 individuals have faced charges, with more than 1,251 convicted or pleading guilty. Of these, at least 645 have received sentences ranging from a few days to 22 years in federal prison, NBC News reported. Around 250 individuals remain in custody, most serving sentences post-conviction, while a few are held in pretrial detention as ordered by federal judges.

When asked about the more than 900 individuals who pleaded guilty in connection to the Capitol attack but were not charged with assaulting officers, Trump suggested that many were unfairly pressured into accepting plea deals.

"I know the system. The system's a very corrupt system," Trump said. "They say to a guy, 'You're going to go to jail for two years or for 30 years.' And these guys are looking, their whole lives have been destroyed. For two years, they've been destroyed. But the system is a very nasty system."

Welker also asked Trump if he intended to appoint "a real special prosecutor to go after the most corrupt president in the history of the United States, Joe Biden and the entire crime family," as he said he would last year on Truth Social.

Trump replied saying: "No, I'm not doing that unless I find something that I think is reasonable... But that's not going to be my decision." He said he would leave the decision on Pam Bondi, who he intends to name attorney general and Kash Patel, his pick for FBI director.

Trump also said that he would let Bondi decide whether to investigate special counsel Jack Smith, who brought both federal criminal cases against Trump.

"I want her to do what she wants to do... I'm not going to instruct her to do it," Trump added.
The United States launched dozens of air strikes on ISIS camps in Syria following the ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime. On Sunday, as Islamist rebels took control of Damascus, Assad escaped to Russia where he was granted asylum.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said on Sunday that it had struck more than 75 targets, including ISIL (ISIS) leaders, operatives and camps. The attacks used B-52 bombers, F-15 fighters and A-10 Warthogs, which have already been flying over the country this month for other attacks. The move came to make sure that the Islamist terrorist group did not take advantage of the end of al-Assad's rule.

Citizens flooded the streets to celebrate the overthrow of Assad, marking a pivotal moment in Syria's long-running civil war.

While the uprising raises questions about the nation's future and the broader regional landscape, U.S. General Michael Erik Kurilla emphasized that there "should be no doubt" the U.S. will act decisively to prevent ISIS from reconstituting amid the ongoing developments.

"All organizations in Syria should know that we will hold them accountable if they partner with or support ISIS in any way," he said in a statement.

President Biden announced Sunday that the U.S. will maintain its anti-ISIS operations, describing Assad's fall a "fundamental act of justice" but also said the current moment was full of "risk and uncertainty."

The Syrian civil war contributed to the rise of ISIS in the 2010s, prompting the U.S. military to lead an international coalition to combat the terrorist organization. Currently, around 900 U.S. personnel remain in Syria, with the mission expected to conclude within two years.

Assad's fall was accelerated by the diminished strength or focus of his key alliesRussia, Iran, and Hezbollahover the past year. As rebel forces captured major cities in rapid succession over the past two weeks, the government's military disintegrated, leading to Assad's ouster.

Meanwhile, the military arm of HTS signaled wishes to take over from the transitional government soon.

"Our forces are about to finish controlling the capital and preserving public property, and the new government will begin its work immediately after its formation," the military operations centre of the opposition forces said in a short statement on its Telegram channel.
The highly anticipated Corinthia Brussels, situated on Rue Royale, opens today amidst the celebrated Maltese group's global expansion. Formerly the Grand Hotel Astoria, this iconic Belle Epoque landmark has undergone a complete transformation, now featuring 126 rooms and suites, and a subterranean spa. Following an extraordinary journey of rebirth, the hotel reaffirms its position as a cornerstone of Belgian hospitality, partnering with exceptional local talent to elevate its bar and dining experiences. It promises to be an unparalleled destination for both locals and international travellers.

Originally opened in 1910, the project to restore this Brussels landmark has been reimagined by the Corinthia Group - owners, developers and operators of luxury hotels worldwide - whose operating company, Corinthia Hotels, now take on the management of this beloved palais at the heart of Europe's capital.

Place setting design

Situated in Notre Dame aux Neiges, Corinthia Brussels has long symbolised grandeur and sophistication. Commissioned by royal decree and designed by Henri Van Dievoet, it was originally conceived as a palace to host distinguished guests of the King. With its era-defining architecture and opulent interiors, it became synonymous with elegance, hosting illustrious guests like Winston Churchill and Andy Warhol. Now, after a four-year restoration programme, meticulously preserving the ground floor and facade, undertaken in collaboration with Urban Brussels, Patrimoine Brussels and the Royal Commission, it becomes a beacon of gastronomy, urban relaxation and refined Belgian living.

At its heart is the Palm Court, graced by a magnificent stained-glass skylight restored under the direction of Belgian architect Francis Metzger. Guests will pass through this breathtaking space before ascending the grand staircase to reach the hotel's 90 bedrooms, 31 suites and five signature suites. Designed by GA Design, the rooms evoke regal opulence with palettes of blue and rust gold, inspired by the building's rich history.

Beacon of Gastronomy

As Corinthia Brussels has respected the crafts of architecture and design, so too does it honour the artistry of gastronomy. The hotel has partnered with two much-loved, Michelin-starred, Belgian chefs with dining concepts;

Le Petit Bon Bon and Palais Royal, while Belgian mixologist sensation Hannah Van Ongevalle opens her first solo bar concept with Under The Stairs.

While their concepts are unique, chefs David Martin and Christophe Hardiquest share a similar work culture; nurturing young talent in a kind, creative and collaborative kitchen, working seamlessly and wholly between kitchen and service staff, and respecting the culinary heritage of Belgium. Open for lunch and dinner from Thursday to Monday, Christophe Hardiquest's brasserie concept

Le Petit bon bon serves traditional Belgian favourites with a modern twist. With both street and hotel access, this vibrant brasserie has been designed by local interior designer We Want More studio and feels at once exciting and homely thanks to the team's palpable energy and personable service. Under Hardiquest's leadership, the kitchen is steered by Venezuelan Andrea Mesa adding a distinct South American and female flair to proceedings.

Palais Royal by David Martin serves a menu of French cuisine inspired by the flavours and philosophy of Japan in a seven, ten or 12-course degustation. For time-pressed or weary travellers, any dish on the menu can be ordered a la carte, reflecting Martin's commitment to inclusivity and breaking down the barriers of traditional fine dining. The restaurant serves lunch, Tuesday to Friday and dinner, Tuesday to Saturday.

Beneath its magnificent skylight the Palm Court serves coffees, teas, light snacks and drinks throughout the day and leads to Salon Elisabeth which serves breakfast, as well as providing a flexible space for events, hosting anything from intimate dinners to screenings and press conferences.

Hannah Van Ongevalle embarks on her first solo venture with Under The Stairs, serving cocktails and mocktails in a seasonally changing menu. Opening in February 2025 and operating daily from 12noon to 1am, the inaugural menu,

From Dust We Rise, is a spin on classic cocktails inspired by those invented in famed hotel bars around the world over the past century.

Refined Belgian Living

Wellness is redefined in this first for Brussels, as Corinthia opens with an elegant underground sanctuary created through the addition of a newly excavated floor beneath the hotel. Over 1200 square metres, the spa features seven private treatment rooms, a steam room, sauna, experience showers, tea room and fitness centre with personal training by former British Army physical training instructor Paul Tucker.

The hotel's concept store Coutume, champions Belgian excellence presenting a curated selection of luxury local brands. From ready-to-wear fashion and fine jewellery to distinctive design pieces, it features celebrated names like Maison La Collection and Daniel Ost, alongside emerging designers.

Located in the heart of Europe, Brussels offers a rich mix of cultural heritage and contemporary flair. Known for its Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture, the city will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Art Deco in 2025. Guests at Corinthia Brussels are perfectly positioned to explore the city's museums, vibrant arts scene and culinary delights, all within a short distance from Brussels' most fabulous address.

Hotel website
Un-beat-able Design: The Aussie hotel brand brings bold vibes to Dusseldorf.

TRIBE continues to expand it European portfolio with the opening of TRIBE Dusseldorf, its second hotel in Germany. Centrally located in Dusseldorf, in walking distance from the central station and Konigsallee, the hotel has opened after an extensive refurbishment of the former Intercity Hotel. The building once housed the Bhagwan-Disco, a party icon of the 1980s and 1990s. The new hotel boasts a bold design following the vision of the London-based design studio Feix&Merlin, 146 stylish rooms, a California-style 'TRIBE Table' restaurant, a gym, a multifunctional lounge and co-working space with an all-day bar, as well as four meeting rooms. Property owner is Dr. Ruger Holding GmbH & Co.KG, a family owned real estate investment corporation.

Founded in 2017 in Australia, TRIBE promises "more for less" and represents a bold design edit for travellers who crave stylish and modern hotels at an affordable price. TRIBE hotels are designed to give guests everything they need and nothing they don't. TRIBE Dusseldorf is the brand's 20th hotel globally and the second in Germany, following the opening of TRIBE Baden-Baden in 2023.

One for all - Inclusivity as design-inspiration

The interior designers of the TRIBE Dusseldorf are Feix&Merlin, an LGBTQ+ led design practice based in London. Rooted in the concept of bringing like-minded individuals together through shared values, the design takes its inspiration from the inclusivity symbol [+].

Housed in what was once the legendary Bhagwan Disco, the inclusivity theme resonates throughout the hotel's design. The layout of the Social Hub and the floor patterns echo the symbol's brackets, with the reception area forming the central "plus," serving as a unifying focal point.

In the guest rooms, this symbol transforms into a bespoke monogram pattern on the drapery, created through an innovative graphic process. The fabric incorporates photographic artwork by Isabella Bellis, a local artist and rising talent, who captured images during an exclusive photoshoot in one of the rooms. The photos feature individuals from diverse backgrounds, celebrating inclusivity. These images also appear as framed prints in the guest rooms and as striking visual elements within the elevators.

The TRIBE Dusseldorf's design is a seamless blend of artistry and inclusivity, creating a space that welcomes and connects all who visit. The heartbeat of the hotel is the central, multifunctional "Social Hub," which serves as the hotel's reception, coffee bar, and trendy evening venue. The surrounding lounge space offers the perfect setting for everything from coffee dates and fancy cocktails to focused co-working, with flexible booths and plug-in stations for added convenience.

The "TRIBE Table Cali" restaurant accommodates up to 60 guests and serves Californian-inspired dishes. Whether for a quick lunch or a casual dinner with friends, this sophisticated restaurant has exactly what guests and locals are looking for.

In line with the TRIBE vibe, the 146 rooms offer key essentials, featuring smart design, premium bedding, and amenities, including KEVIN.MURPHY beauty products.

The hotel also offers four flexible meeting rooms, each capable of hosting up to 50 people, which can be combined into two larger spaces as needed. Additionally, all hotel guests have complimentary access to the in-house gym.

Hotel website
Veteran hotelier, Brett Skinner, is headed for a tropical sea change as the newly appointed General Manager of the dual-branded Adina-Vibe Darwin Waterfront. Brett has more than 20 years of hospitality experience in diverse markets across Australia - including prior experience in the Northern Territory - and brings a strong operational and commercial focus to the role.

In his most recent role, as General Manager of Novotel Newcastle Beach, Brett led strategic operations across rooms, food and beverage, and conferencing - driving business development and fostering team growth. Prior to this, he managed Novotel Darwin CBD, where he successfully increased market share and profitability, engaging closely with local government and industry stakeholders. At Cooinda Lodge Kakadu, he worked collaboratively with Traditional Owners, developing culturally immersive experiences and community-driven strategies.
Hameed Ali has been appointed general manager of Mercure Khamis Mushait, which is set to open later this year. Previously serving as general manager of the Gulf Hotel Bahrain complex, Ali brings extensive leadership experience to the role. Mercure Khamis Mushait will be the first internationally branded hotel in the city, located in the Aseer Province.
Karen Luna brings over a decade of expertise in luxury hospitality marketing, with a focus on digital strategy, F&B marketing and brand development. Before joining Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, she was a multi-property assistant director of marketing at Marriott International, leading initiatives for iconic properties and four different brands such as JW Marriott Marquis Dubai and Al Maha, a Luxury Collection Desert Resort & Spa.

Her previous roles at W Dubai - The Palm and The Abu Dhabi EDITION highlighted her talent for launching impactful brand campaigns, managing digital platforms, and driving R&B and room revenue. With a Master's in Global Management from the City University of Seattle, Switzerland, Luna is a recognised leader in the field, bringing a proven track record of success to Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers.
Dedicated to Dr. Michael D. Olsen, the new Strategic Management Kendall-Hunt Publishers textbook co-written by Dr. Fred DeMicco ( a former Ph.D. student of Dr. Olsen) and with contributions from former Ph.D students of Dr. Mike Olsen, covers strategic planning for hospitality firms as the world of hospitality and travel is rapidly changing. Abrupt shifts in the external environment can have an enormous impact literally overnight.

Strategic Management for Hospitality & Travel: Today and Tomorrow focuses on strategy for companies during a time of prosperity and uncertainty. Written with an entrepreneurial and an environmental-scanning approach, this NEW title helps students learn to read and interpret the trends in society that bring opportunity and threats to hospitality firms.

Strategic Management for Hospitality & Travel:

Serves as a primer on strategy and strategic management while heavily focusing on the scanning and careful observation of the complex, dynamic, and competitive environment the firm operates in.

Provides the management and forecasting theory and tools that students and practitioners will need for effective strategic planning.

Integrates strategic planning tools in many segments of the hospitality and tourism industry: cruise ships, hotels, restaurants, airlines, casinos, sports, and more!

Strategic Management for Hospitality & Travel adopts the Co-Alignment Model as a framework for discussing strategic management for hospitality and travel businesses. This model allows students to forecast trends and gain an advantage over the competition  which is particularly necessary in the complex, fast-changing hospitality and travel space. This four-step process includes: Step 1  Environmental Scanning Step 2  Strategy Setting Step 3  Structure Step 4  Strategy Financials Students reading this text will gain both theoretical understanding of the Co-Alignment Model and valuable practice in each of its component processes. These lessons, unique to this book, will serve them throughout long, successful careers in hospitality and travel management.

Former Ph.D. Graduates from Virginia Tech and mentored by Dr. Mike Olsen and have had a sizable impact on Hospitality education include:

Dr. Chekitan Dev, distinguished professor the Cornell Hotel School, to Dr. Ines Blal, EHL Lausanne, the former Executive Dean, and Dr. Kaye Chon, Dean of Hong Kong Polytechnic University covering the global reach of hospitality education and our students who are the future of our hospitality industry

The University of Delaware Micheal Olsen Research Award

The upcoming Strategic Management book above is dedicated to Dr. Michael Olsen a university leader in Hospitality research and education.

In addition, The Prestigious Michael D. Olsen Research Award is presented at the annual Graduate Research Conference each January and is named after Dr. Olsen. The background for the Olsen Award follows.

The History of the University of Delaware Michael D. Olsen Research Achievement Award

What follows below, is written by Northern Arizona University Professor Frederick DeMicco, Ph.D., Professor, and the former Executive Director of the School of Hotel and Restaurant Management in the W.A. Franke College of Business and Visiting Professor the University of South Florida provides a historical perspective for the annual Olsen Research Award.

Since the early 2000s, the prestigious Michael D. Olsen Research Achievement Award has been presented at the annual Graduate Conference each January.

Many people ask why the University of Delaware gives the award when Dr. Olsen spent most of his career at Virginia Tech?

The following presents the best recollection of the history for the award, and it is written by former Department Chair and currently Aramark Chair Emeritus of HRIM Dr. Fred DeMicco. There are several significant and historical threads connecting Dr. Michael Olsen to the University of Delaware.

The first very important thread is Dr. Olsen was consulted by Professor Paul Wise, the Founding Chair of UD Hotel, Restaurant and Institutional Management Department (HRIM), to provide advice and counsel to start a new HRIM program at Delaware. Dr. Olsen imparted his thoughts and experiences on curriculum development, industry connections, advisory board, and the ideas for a proposal to become a new program of HRIM at the University of Delaware.

Another important thread was the former Provost at Virginia Tech, Dr. David Roselle, was the President of the University of Delaware and Dr. Roselle knew Dr. Olsen very well when he started the Virginia Tech Hospitality program. In fact, Dr. Francis Kwansa and Dr. DeMicco were completing their PhDs at Virginia Tech at the time and knew Provost Roselle. Before Professor Wises retirement, he created the first-ever Master of Science degree in Hospitality Information Management with Dr. Kwansa as the founding director of graduate studies. After Professor Wise retired President Roselle hired Dr. DeMicco to become the second Chair of HRIM Department at UD. The faculty believed it would be significant for the new Master of Science brand to present an annual research award. At this point, Dr. DeMicco consulted with the HRIM faculty, the Olsen PhD alumni (such as Dr. Francis Kwansa, Dr. Cheki Dev and others) and UD President David Roselle, about naming this prestigious award the University of Delaware Michael D. Olsen Research Achievement Award. President Roselle gave us the green light to proceed, and our HRIM faculty were very supportive to honor Dr. Olsen and present this prestigious research award in his name. Dr. DeMicco then contacted Dr. Olsen and presented the idea of an award in his name and honor from the University of Delaware. Dr. Olsen visited the University of Delaware, and we drafted the criteria for this research award. While at Delaware, Dr. Olsen met with Delaware faculty and students, and with UD President David Roselle. The Michael D. Olsen Research Achievement Award was founded. Today, this prestigious research award is presented annually in January at the Graduate Conference during the main formal dinner of the conference.

The University of Delaware Michael D. Olsen Research Achievement Award, honors Dr. Olsen of Virginia Tech for his contribution to the body of knowledge in hospitality management and for his mentoring of graduate students at Virginia Tech and around the world. The award is endowed by the University of Delaware's Hospitality and Sport Business Management Department, graduates and friends of Dr. Michael Olsen. Nomination criteria of scholars includes someone who has made a long-term contribution to:

research and scholarship in hospitality and tourism.

graduate education and mentoring of graduate students.

the hospitality and tourism academy, including serving on editorial review boards, developing international symposia and conferences

In the past Dr. Olsen was invited to speak at the annual Graduate Conference about the significance of hospitality research and provide pearls of wisdom to hundreds of graduate students and their faculty mentors in attendance. He will also assist the Department Chair of UDs HRIM in presenting the award. Dr. Olsen was an important ally and helped the University of Delaware become an innovator in research, teaching, and scholarship. Dr. Olsen is no longer with us, but his legacy of the Olsen Research Award has lived on for over twenty years now. The dozens of PhD students who studied under Dr. Olsen are all very grateful for his guidance and mentorship. They refer to themselves as the Olsenites. In fact, the Olsenites and the past Olsen Award winners have a role in nominating and voting for each years recipient. The first recipient of the University of Delaware Michael D. Olsen Research Achievement Award was Dr. Kaye Chon (please see the press release below) in January 2002.

The University of Delaware is proud to be the sponsor and home of this important research award, and it honors the legacy of Dr. Michael D. Olsen, a friend and mentor to many in the Hospitality and Tourism Management Academy.

*Dr. Kaye Chon, Chair Professor and Dean of the School of Hotel and Tourism Management at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University was the first recipient of The University of Delaware Michael D. Olsen Research Achievement Award.
Malaysia-based Pavilion REIT Management Sdn., Bhd. (Pavilion REIT) have entered separate conditional agreements to acquire the 55-key Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur from Malaysia-based Lumayan Indah Sdn., Bhd. for MYR140 million; and the 325-key Pavilion Hotel from Harmoni Perkasa Sdn., Bhd. for MYR340 million. The Banyan Tree Kuala Lumpur features multiple food and beverage options including a rooftop bar, a spa, a fitness centre, a swimming pool, and meetings and events facilities. The Pavilion Hotel offers three food and beverage options, childrens area, club lounge, an infinity pool, a fitness centre, and meetings and events facilities. As part of the agreement, the hotels will be leased back to the current operator for an initial 10-year term with the option to renew for up to 20 additional years. The fixed rental income will commence at MYR33.5 million for the first five years and will be subject to incremental adjustments every five years. Upon completion of the acquisition, the two hotels will represent 5.5% of Pavilion REITs assets under management.

BAM Acquires Hotel X Brisbane Fortitude Valley, Vignette Collection

Canada-based Brookfield Asset Management Inc. (BAM) has announced its acquisition of the 146-key Hotel X Brisbane Fortitude Valley, Vignette Collection. While the acquisition price remains undisclosed, local sources report it to be approximately AUD 90 million. The property includes an on-site restaurant, a rooftop bar and swimming pool, 1,438 square metres of leased office space, a fitness centre, and meeting facilities. It is located in Fortitude Valley, a popular destination known for its vibrant retail scene and lifestyle offerings, in close proximity to Brisbane's central business district.

Australia-based Prendiville Group has acquired 224-key Travelodge Resort Darwin including 32 self-contained townhouses from Australia-based TFE Hotels for AUD23 million, which translates to approximately AUD137,000 per key. The freehold property sits on a 1.31-hectares site, features an array of amenities, including five swimming pools, one food and beverage outlet, conference and events facilities, a BBQ area and 115 parking spaces. Conveniently located 15-minutes away from Darwin Airport, the hotel is situated directly across from the new Charles Darwin University campus which will add further demand and create new revenue streams for the hotel.

Rackson Group Launches MYR1.5 Billion Integrated Development in Penang, Malaysia

Malaysia-based property developer, Rackson Group, has unveiled plans for a MYR1.5 billion integrated development in Bayan Lepas, Penang, comprising the Le Meridien Penang Airport hotel and Avion Serviced Apartments. Slated for completion by the last quarter of 2027, the Le Meridien Penang Airport Hotel will feature 200 guest rooms, complemented by facilities such as 300 person-capacity ballroom, a sky infinity pool and all-day dining outlets. Avion Serviced Apartments will offer 608 keys in one- to three-bedroom configurations, along with amenities including an infinity pool, a multipurpose hall and a sky lounge. Conveniently situated near Penang International Airport, the development will also benefit from proximity to the planned light rail transit airport station and the upcoming Mitsui Outlet Park, with construction expected to be completed by 2030 and 2027, respectively.

Saudia Launches Non-stop Flights Connecting Riyadh, Jeddah, and Phuket

Saudi Arabias flag carrier, Saudia, has launched non-stop flights from Riyadh and Jeddah to Phuket. The airline will operate the Riyadh-Phuket and Jeddah-Phuket routes using Boeing 787-9 aircraft. Each route will have three weekly flights until 28th February 2025. Additionally, Saudia currently operates four to five weekly flights from Jeddah to Bangkok, three from Riyadh to Bangkok, and three weekly flights between Riyadh and Bangkok via Jeddah. From January 2024 to 25th November 2024, Thailand welcomed 209,929 Saudi tourists, reflecting a 28% year-over-year increase. These new direct routes highlight the growing demand for travel between the two nations.
Peachtree Group (Peachtree) has reached a significant milestone in Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (CPACE) financing, surpassing the $1.0 billion marka distinction shared by only a select few companies in the industry. In 2024 alone, Peachtree completed 22 CPACE transactions across the U.S., surpassing its previous record for CPACE originations.

"In 2019, we launched CPACE, and today we've surpassed our first billiona testament to the exceptional team and the strength of Peachtrees vision, said Jared Schlosser, Peachtrees executive vice president of hotel lending and head of CPACE. Our strong foundation has not only fueled Peachtrees success in CPACE financing but also solidified its position as a leader in the broader commercial real estate lending market.

In the most recent loan origination rankings by the Mortgage Bankers Association, Peachtree was ranked as the seventh-largest commercial real estate investor-driven lender in the U.S.

The firms $1.0 billion in CPACE financing is rooted in hospitality, which remains its largest segment comprising approximately 45% of its total. However, Peachtree has successfully expanded into other sectors, particularly residential communities (including multifamily, student housing and senior living), which now represent 22% of the portfolio or $220 million. Additionally, the firm has executed numerous CPACE transactions across industrial, mixed-use and office sectors, showcasing its versatility.

In this challenging lending market, CPACE financing has emerged as a crucial source of liquidity for all commercial real estate sectors. This financing option is becoming increasingly essential as owners grapple with looming debt maturities and limited refinancing opportunities, Schlosser said.

Commercial real estate remains in a turbulent period with trillions of dollars in debt maturing and refinancing becoming increasingly difficult due to tighter lending standards from traditional lenders. These challenges are reshaping the industry and forcing property owners to seek alternative financing solutions.

CPACE has been a game-changer, offering long-term fixed-rate financing that lowers the cost of capital while enabling property owners to pursue energy-efficient upgrades with reduced financial strain, Schlosser said. Peachtree is proud to lead the way in expanding access to this innovative solution, helping owners across all commercial real estate sectors.

In just over a decade, CPACE has reached a cumulative $7.2 billion in U.S. commercial real estate financings, according to PACENation, confirming the growing market adoption and acceptance of this financing tool.

About Peachtree Group

Peachtree Group is a vertically integrated investment management firm specializing in identifying and capitalizing on opportunities in dislocated markets, anchored by commercial real estate. Today, the company manages billions in capital across acquisitions, development and lending, augmented by services designed to protect, support and grow its investments. For more information, visit www.peachtreegroup.com.
IHG Hotels & Resorts to Open New Holiday Inn Express in Ayodhya, India - Image Credit IHG Hotels & Resorts

IHG Hotels & Resorts has inked a management agreement to establish a Holiday Inn Express hotel in Ayodhya. The hotel, which will feature 125 rooms, is slated to open by mid-2028. This move is part of IHGs ongoing strategic focus on high-growth markets in India, particularly spiritual destinations attracting a high volume of travelers.

Holiday Inn Express, IHG's largest and fastest-growing brand, operates over 3,100 hotels worldwide. The brand is popular among travelers and is known for its comfortable, affordable accommodations and efficient services. Once operational, the Ayodhya Hotel will align with these brand principles, catering to a mix of spiritual, leisure, and MICE travelers.

Ayodhya was India's most visited tourist destination in 2024, attracting over 110 million visitors in the first half of the year. The hotel's strategic location near the airport and key attractions like the main temple complex and the Railway Station will make it easily accessible for travelers. Facilities at the hotel will include an all-day dining option, a fitness center, a business center, a laundry room, a parking space, and a meeting room.

Sudeep Jain, Managing Director, South West Asia, IHG Hotels & Resorts, expressed his excitement about the signing, stating that the hotel's location and the city's appeal as a spiritual destination will ensure a steady influx of tourists. This move also underscores IHGs commitment to expanding in secondary markets, especially those with significant cultural and religious appeal.

Abhishek Jain, the hotel's owner, expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts and his hope that this venture will set new hospitality standards in Ayodhya.

IHG currently operates 46 hotels across five brands in India and plans to open 58 more in the next 3-5 years.
Aerial View of Bandung - Image Credit IHG Hotels & Resorts

IHG Hotels & Resorts is set to establish a new Voco hotel in Bandung, Indonesia. The hotel results from a partnership with PT Sun Land Investama and Nova Chandra and is scheduled to open in 2025.

The upcoming Voco Bandung Setiabudi will be a 162-room hotel along Jalan Dr. Setiabudi, a popular shopping area near local natural attractions. The hotel will provide guests with the unique experience associated with the Voco brand, which includes a welcoming, unstuffy, and charming atmosphere. The new property is part of a broader expansion of the Voco brand, which aims to double its global presence in the coming years.

Chris Anklin, Senior Director, Development, South East Asia & Korea, IHG Hotels & Resorts, expressed his excitement for the introduction of Voco hotels to Bandung. He further stated that the new Voco Bandung Setiabudi will enhance their current portfolio in Bandung, which includes InterContinental, Holiday Inn, Crowne Plaza, and Hotel Indigo.

Nova Chandra highlighted Bandung's cultural richness and potential for growth, especially with the recent introduction of a high-speed Jakarta-Bandung railway. The hotel is expected to cater to the increasing number of city travelers.

The Voco Bandung Setiabudi will feature three food and beverage outlets, nine meeting rooms, a Health Club, a Kids' Club, and a Business Centre. This is part of IHG's ongoing expansion in Indonesia, with 27 operational hotels across seven brands and 15 more in the pipeline.
Zemi Beach House Resort in Anguilla

The Dart Group recently acquired the Zemi Beach House resort in Anguilla from the New York-based Goldstein family. Established in 2016, the resort is located on the north coast of Anguilla and is recognized for its 77 rooms and extensive amenities.

Dart's CEO, Mark VanDevelde, expressed his enthusiasm for the acquisition, noting the similarities between Anguilla and the Cayman Islands, where Dart first invested in the 1990s. The group plans to enhance the resort's services and contribute to the prosperity of the Anguillan community.

Dart's hospitality portfolio includes luxury resorts such as the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Anguilla, The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman, and Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa in Grand Cayman.

Jackie Doak, a director at Dart, noted that the acquisition of Zemi Beach House will provide valuable resources and insights to enhance guest experiences and immerse them in Anguilla's culture and natural beauty.

The Anguillan government has welcomed Dart's investment. Premier Ellis Webster applauded Dart's commitment to the island, which is reflected in its infrastructure upgrades and community development initiatives. Following Dart's acquisition of the Four Seasons Resort in 2022, the group supported constructing the Landsome Bowl Cultural Centre, a community space for Anguillans. Dart is now exploring further investment opportunities in community development and resilience.

The Minister of Tourism, Haydn Hughes, also expressed his approval of Dart's contribution to Anguilla's tourism industry, pointing out the company's efforts to create exceptional spaces for visitors and development opportunities for local tourism professionals.
Hotel Lutetia in Paris - Image Credit Hotel Lutetia

Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group has revealed plans to incorporate two historic European hotels into its collection by early 2025: Hotel Lutetia in Paris and the Conservatorium Hotel in Amsterdam. The decision is pending the completion of consultations with relevant Works Councils.

Upon transaction completion, Hotel Lutetia will rebrand as Mandarin Oriental Lutetia, Paris and the Conservatorium Hotel will become Mandarin Oriental Conservatorium, Amsterdam, in January 2026. The Amsterdam hotel will remain open during a comprehensive upgrade. Adding these two hotels is a part of the Groups growth strategy under Group Chief Executive Laurent Kleitman, who aims to strengthen its presence in Europe and enhance its global portfolio.

The Mandarin Oriental Group is committed to preserving each hotel's historical significance and architectural grandeur while integrating its luxury hospitality approach.

Laurent Kleitman, Group Chief Executive of Mandarin Oriental, said the new long-term management agreements are central to the company's strategy of expanding its brand's presence in popular destinations. Incorporating Hotel Lutetia, 115 years after its opening, further strengthens Mandarin Oriental's foothold in the luxury market.

Hotel Lutetia, founded in 1910, is a symbol of Parisian elegance and culture. Over the years, it has hosted luminaries like Picasso, Matisse, Charles de Gaulle, and James Joyce. After a comprehensive restoration, it reopened in 2018, blending its historical heritage with contemporary luxuries. The hotel offers traditional elegance, modern amenities, and 184 spacious rooms, including 47 suites.

The Conservatorium Hotel in Amsterdam's renowned Museum Quarter blends historical grandeur and modern sophistication. It features 129 spacious rooms and suites. The hotel also offers innovative Asian-inspired dishes at Taiko Restaurant and all-day dining at Brasserie & Lounge.

Alfred Akirov, Founder of Locka Holding BV, which owns the hotels, expressed his confidence that Mandarin Oriental's hospitality expertise would further enhance these iconic properties. The hotels are looking forward to collaborating with Mandarin Oriental to rebrand and bring new energy to their offerings.
Chicago, IL (60637)

Today

Windy with showers and a few thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. Low 56F. Winds S at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Windy with showers and a few thunderstorms. A few storms may be severe. Low 56F. Winds S at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of rain 100%.
Can Publishers Flip the Split on $42B AI Music Licensing Opportunity?

AI is changing music licensing, giving publishers a chance to claim a bigger share of revenue. Learn how attribution technology can help songwriters and publishers take control and get paid.





Can Publishers Flip the Split on $42B AI Music Licensing Opportunity?

by Benji Rogers of Lark42 from Substack

Remember: Our human creations are what AI companies call their training data. Our work is being taken and used without permission, and most often without remuneration. Petitions wont work. Creators must show AI companies what their work is, without sending it to them, in order for them to do the right thing.

A Rare Moment, Soon to Pass

The rise of AI in music creation presents a unique licensing opportunity for publishers to potentially reverse the traditional Market Share revenue split that record labels previously negotiated with platforms like Apple Music and Spotify.

This shift is made possible by the critical role that publishers assets play in AI music generation coupled with a unique quirk that attribution technology enables.

The Original Digital Sin (As a Publisher Might See It)

When the labels licensed their sound recordings to streaming platforms like Apple and Spotify, they landed on a ~70/30 revenue split:

~70% goes to sound recordings (controlled by labels)

~30% goes to compositions (controlled by publishers)

However, it is possible that AI-generated music, when paired with accurate and persistent attribution, fundamentally reshapes this dynamic in favor of songwriters and publishers.

Why Publishers Have the Upper Hand (for Now!)

AI Prompts Focus on Songs, Not Recordings: Users who interact with AI music platforms typically request songs rather than sound recordings. (Make me a song that sounds like Taylor Swift.) To me, this fundamentally aligns more closely with the songwriter/publisher. As we have seen from our attribution technology, during generation, AI models draw from composition elements, such as melody and, since we rolled it out, the songs lyrics and, crucially, its MIDI profile. Core Copyright Elements: As we have scanned and audited various non-compliant AI platform song outputs for our clients, it has become clear that the fundamental components that AI models use to generate music  melodies, lyrics, and composition structures  would seem to fall heavily under the publisher and songwriters side of the equation. Attribution Technology: Even with non-compliant or unlicensed AI platforms, a sufficiently powerful attribution system can demonstrate how much a composition might have influenced an AI-generated song, providing a strong basis for negotiation at scale and a real-time view of where works are being used.

Share

Flipping the Split

Given these factors, publishers could negotiate with AI companies the key split in their favor. But only if they act quickly to define their assets digitally and demand attribution at the level of the compositions influence. In a best-case scenario, this could simply reverse the current market share licensing model that has long been a source of contention:

~70% to publishers

~30% to labels

No Attribution, No License. Period!

Attribution technology should be table stakes in any licensing discussion. And no, it cant be offered by the AI company itself. Thats not a thing. And if it were, could we ever trust them to audit themselves after scraping and training on our songs without permission? By providing robust attribution for lyrics, melodies, and MIDI data, songwriters and publishers now have a powerful technical solution to:

Protect their intellectual property by opting into or out of AI training. (hint  opt-in is better  but you do you) Control how and which songs AI systems use with granular and machine-readable rules. Monetize their contributions to AI-generated music and get a real-time view of when AI models are using their works and for what. (Trust but verify)

What this means

Increased Revenue: A larger share of the AI-generated music market (estimated to reach a cumulative $42 billion by 2028) is better than whatever is left over from the label and distributor deals already being executed and announced. Negotiation Power: Publishers who can show AI models what their works are via APIs can set precedents and rules in AI deals, which would lead to advantages in future negotiations, including when it comes to synthetic data. Value Recognition: This shift in technological power acknowledges the fundamental importance of songs and songwriting to the AI music creation process. New Licensing Models: Publishers can pursue innovative attribution sharelicensing tailored explicitly for AI usage, which will be far more lucrative than traditional DSP deals.

The Biggest Risk

These next months are likely the biggest potential windfall for the songwriting and publisher community or the biggest fumble in the music industrys history. I fear that they will wait and see, sue, or simply allow the sound recording owners to beat them to the party.

This is a singular opportunity to rewrite the rules and put the song in its rightful place in the AI-generated music market. A market that has not just arrived but has already spawned multiple multi-billion dollar companies with more announcing music models all the time.

Publishers can lead the charge and make their mark for a long time by leveraging their ownership of the fundamental building blocks of their creations and embracing cutting-edge attribution technology, or they can accept what is left over by the first movers in the space. Today that seems to be the case with labels and distributors.

We shouldnt fear users typing make me a song that sounds like Adele into platforms like Suno or Udio if those AI companies agree to neutral attribution technology. Knowing whose work went into creating the resulting song ensures that the songwriters and publishers can get paid accordingly.

Its Attribution Share for the win.

One final pointSo if I can get an AI to create a song, and I can see from my attribution dashboard that it was made from 5-10 other songs (to keep it simple), who would own the composition of the newly generated song? I know that an AI cant create a copyright, but what if its merely assembling a new song from 5-10 existing songs? Who should/could own the publishing on that?

Something to think about, no?

Share on:
Berkshire Organizations Awarded Cultural Council Grants

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The Mass Cultural Council awarded $7.2 Million to 394 nonprofit cultural organizations statewide for operating support, many from Berkshire County.

This funding provides unrestricted operating support to the recipients through two programs, Operating Grants for Organizations and the Cultural Investment Portfolio.

In Berkshire County:

Adams

Susan B. Anthony Birthplace Museum: $9,000

Great Barrington

Center for Peace Through Culture: $14,700

The Du Bois Freedom Center: $9,000

Lenox

Ventfort Hall Association: $15,300

Pittsfield

Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative: $9,000

Kids 4 Harmony: $12,200

Roots Rising: $9,100

As the Commonwealths independent state arts agency, Mass Cultural Council is charged with bolstering the creative and cultural sector, thereby advancing economic vitality, supporting transformational change, and celebrating, preserving, and inspiring creativity across all Massachusetts communities.

Mass Cultural Council has long provided unrestricted operating support to cultural organizations through the Cultural Investment Portfolio. First launched in 2009, this program provides multi-year grants to cultural nonprofit organizations that provide public programs in the arts, sciences, and humanities. Following the adoption of the Agencys new equity plans in 2021, the Agency paused applications to conduct a review of the program.

The result of this review was the decision to sunset the Cultural Investment Portfolio and launch a new organizational support grant program for cultural nonprofits, Operating Grants for Organizations.

In designing Operating Grants for Organizations, the Agency solicited feedback from key stakeholders and the cultural sector at large to ensure that the values that are important to grantees would be maintained, while also centering equity in the evaluation and program revisions.

FY25 is the first round of investment through Operating Grants for Organizations.

Mass Cultural Council is awarding unrestricted operating support to 56 more organizations in FY25 than FY24. In total, 155 organizations will receive funding through the Operating Grants for Organizations program, in addition to 239 organizations that will continue to receive funding through the Cultural Investment Portfolio.

Funding lists detailing the organizations receiving FY25 support from Operating Grants for Organizations and the Cultural Investment Portfolio are available online.

In this first round of Operating Grants for Organizations, when reviewing the 155 grantees, Mass Cultural Council notes that:

129 are receiving operating support from Mass Cultural Council for the first time

54 are BIPOC-Centered Organizations

66 voluntarily participate in the Card to Culture Program

Organizations receiving awards from the Operating Grant for Organizations program expressed support for the new program.
Images Lobby Art Installation

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  "ELLIPTICALS" is a solo show of recent en plein air landscape paintings by Alvin Ouellet at Images Cinema from Dec. 2 through Dec. 31, 2024.

Alvin Ouellet is a full-time professional artist based in Adams. His recent works were created and are on display at various locations throughout the Berkshires.

A Meet the Artist reception will be held at the Images Cinema Lounge on Wednesday, Dec. 11 from 5pm to 7pm. Alvin will greet guests and present an Artist Talk about the paintings featured in this show. Refreshments will be provided.

Alvin Ouellet acknowledges the support of the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshires (CCNB), a local agency with funding from the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC), a state agency. Alvin is the recipient of two grants in 2024 from the CCNB/MCC, an Individual Artist Grant and support for the "Painting the Town  Celebrating Adams" project.
BRPC Plans for Steep Cuts in Funding

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The Berkshire Regional Planning Commission is preparing for drastic cuts in the federal budget that may be in the offing.

At Thursday's meeting of the BRPC Executive Committee, Executive Director Tom Matuszko told the board that the county's lead agency for technical assistance and planning services for municipalities could take a hit if the incoming Trump administration follows through on its promises to slash spending.

"I wanted to alert the executive committee, a lot of our revenue is either direct federal contracts or 'pass through' money that goes through one of the state agencies," Matuszko said in the meeting held over Zoom.

"Ultimately, the sources of those funds are various agencies that the incoming administration has said they want to at least look at for reduction or possibly elimination."

Specifically, Matuszko mentioned entities like the Environmental Protection Agency, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Economic Development Administration and the Department of Housing and Urban Development.

"These are all agencies that Republican administrations have previously somewhat targeted, and the new administration has made some gestures about trying to reduce or eliminate them," he said. "What we've been doing is looking at, if some or all of these funds go away, how do we pivot to keep the agency strong. We're in the beginning stages of that, looking at what revenue sources are and what is the risk."

And the risk may be immediate.

Matuszko said he has heard rumors that some of BRPC's existing contracts that are funded by federal dollars might be canceled and the money "clawed back" by the administration that takes office on Jan. 20, 2025.

He said that BRPC staff is looking at what expenses  like needed information technology upgrades  can be put off or phased in to lower costs in the years ahead. And it is concentrating its efforts on state funding sources that are less dependent on federal dollars.

He also said the county agency is exploring potential private sources of funding, specifically mentioning a Boston non-profit with a focus on the environment.

And BRPC is in contact with other planning agencies across the commonwealth to talk about the potential shock to the system.

"Part of the problem with a regional planning agency is, in many ways, it's a feast or famine situation," Matuszko said. "In our community planning section, we have a lot of grants that will be hard to complete by June 30 unless we hire more staff, but after June 30, who knows what happens?"

Executive committee members  representing about a quarter of the 32 towns and cities served by the BRPC  agreed the agency should be preparing for the looming cuts but also suggested they may be short-lived or less severe than the worst-case scenario.

"We should have in the back of our minds as we make contingency plans that two years into this there could be a backlash on the part of the voting public when congressional elections happen," Windsor's Doug McNally said. "We shouldn't assume that if it all happens it will be permanent. We should try to do damage control and hang on for two fiscal years."

Stockbridge's Christine Rasmussen suggested that the most draconian cuts may not come to fruition.

"I think, from what I have read, that in Washington there's going to be a lot of chaos," Rasmussen said. "Now, even some Republican legislators are saying for things like clean energy, we should take a scalpel rather than an axe [to the budget]. Hopefully, that is somewhat encouraging."

But, Rasmussen continued, the BRPC does need to pivot, as Matuszko suggested.

"I think we need to really think about the state budget and how we can position, perhaps, some items that would get support statewide in the budget, so we're assured that when the budget is signed, there's hope of getting those funds," Rasmussen said.

"You're right, Christine," Matuszko replied. "We need to advocate this year for the [District Local Technical Assistance] program. That's state money and relatively flexible. That is a high priority from my perspective."

Adams' John Duval said local municipalities could support the BRPC by giving the local agency more contract work.

"I'm thinking about all the items our [Adams Board of Selectmen] needs to have done  for example, a search for a new town administrator, updating the policy handbook, Open Meeting Law training.

"[BRPC] already does services for towns, but do we start to look at what communities can pay for? Could we go into that arena? [Towns] are going to spend the money anyway on somebody."

Matuszko agreed it would be helpful if local cities and towns took that approach and kept more of their spending for consultants in the local economy.

"Towns would get a local product geared to towns' needs, and it would keep us strong," he said.

Matuszko said BRPC is not the only local non-profit facing funding uncertainty.

"I was on a call yesterday with non-profits, and they were very concerned their 501(c)3 status could be jeopardized if they do anything related to immigrants," he said. "There is a lot of anxiety in the non-profit sector around that."

The board agreed that an increasing need for state support of work by agencies like the BRPC should be a topic when the executive committee welcomes members of the county's legislative delegation to future meetings.

Coincidentally at Thursday's meeting, the panel unanimously agreed to a 2.5 percent increase in the agency's assessment to its member towns and cities.

"It's in line with what most select boards are expecting [for fiscal year 2026]," McNally said. "I don't think it will be a shock to anybody."

"It's also a real bargain when you understand everything BRPC does," Rasmussen said just before the vote. "It's amazing you do it for so little money."
Letter: Greylock Glen's Future Is at a Crossroads; Time to Act Is Now

To the editor:



I urge the citizens of Adams to support the citizens' petition to establish a Greylock Glen Commission  a critical step to provide the expert oversight this project desperately needs. An oversite committee was envisioned in the original Greylock Glen Amended Master Plan, and its absence has contributed to significant challenges in the development process.

Currently, the Town of Adams is the developer for the Glen, and the financial results have been disappointing for taxpayers. Leadership decisions made in haste have left the town bearing the burden of their inexperience, with key town officials departing mid-stream. This lack of continuity and expertise underscores the necessity of a dedicated commission of experts to guide the project toward a sustainable and successful future and protect Adams taxpayers.

For generations, the state and town have pursued the dream of turning Greylock Glen into a financial success for Adams. Yet, each attempt has highlighted the challenges of balancing development with sustainability. The town continues to face economic struggles  declining population, rising real estate taxes, crumbling infrastructure, empty storefronts, and underperforming schools. It's clear that developing the Glen will not be a magic solution to these challenges. Instead of continuing down this unsustainable path, we must pause and create the oversight necessary to guide the project responsibly.

State Rep. John Barrett III, who was instrumental in the success of Mass MoCA, has emphasized the importance of creating a commission for the Glen. The formation of the Mass

MoCA commission ensured that North Adams taxpayers' funds were not used. The Mass MoCA commission provided experienced oversight and careful planning before any construction began. The result? A thriving cultural and economic success story that continues to benefit the region decades later. We should heed Rep. Barrett's advice - he understands the complexities of large-scale projects and the value of expert guidance.

Establishing a Greylock Glen Commission would not only bring much-needed expertise to the project but also help relieve the financial burden on the town. Importantly, there is $150,000 already earmarked and available to the commission to help them get started. This funding ensures that the commission can hit the ground running without adding to the strain on taxpayers. By forming the commission, we can shift the responsibility to a qualified body equipped with the resources to manage the project effectively.

The leadership turnover in the Town of Adams underscores the need for consistent, qualified oversight. Key figures such as the Town Administrator, the Director of Community Development, and the Director of Finance have all departed, leaving the project without continuity. Currently, the Selectmen  who lack the time and specialized expertise to manage such a large development  are tasked with oversight. A dedicated commission would bring stability, professional experience, and accountability to the project, ensuring its success for future generations.

Taxpayers were promised that Greylock Glen would be self-sustaining, but the current state of the project suggests otherwise. No significant revenue is coming from the recently opened Outdoor Center. There is no restaurant or retail business yet. Instead of the Glen being self-sustaining, the taxpayers of Adams have spent over $2 million on this development just in the last couple years. With no end in sight, the development of the Glen is at risk, as well as the financial stability of the town itself.

The Amended Master Plan from 2004 outlined an oversight committee as follows: "The Committee would be composed of five persons, which shall include representatives of the

Department of Conservation and Recreation, the Division of Capital Asset Management. the Town of Adams, the Mount Greylock State Reservation Advisory Committee, and an individual selected by the Commissioner of the Department of Conservation and Recreation from nominees recommended by the boards of trustees or directors of the Massachusetts Audubon Society, the Massachusetts Chapter of the Sierra Club and the Massachusetts Chapter of the Appalachian Mountain Club. The Department of Conservation and Recreation will provide staff support to the Committee as needed to ensure the Committee's effectiveness and timely action."

This structure was designed to ensure the project's success while protecting the Glen's unique natural resources. Establishing a commission now would honor that vision and bring the expertise and resources this project needs to succeed.

In 2019, a commission was approved at town meeting. Unfortunately, it didn't get through the next step, the Legislature, in time. This is something that has already been approved. Now we need to say again that we want a commission. John Barret has committed to shepherding it through the Legislature.

To the residents representing us at town meeting as precinct representatives: Please vote yes to the Article 9 citizens' petition to create a Greylock Glen Commission. This is our chance to ensure the Glen is developed responsibly, with expert oversight and a clear plan for the future, while protecting Adams taxpayers. Let's protect this vital project and our town's resources by taking the right step forward  before it's too late.

Caroline Scully

Adams, Mass.
The State Police have arrested a 25-year-old from Benin for domestic abuse, stalking, and resisting a public officer; he was also reported for carrying objects intended to offend. In particular, the officers from the Vicaria-Mercato Commissariat intervened following a report received by the local operations room, at the home of a woman who had reported that her ex-partner had shown up outside her residence, as had happened on previous occasions, but this time he was armed with a knife. The operators, who promptly intervened, surprised the subject in question who, upon seeing them, fled until he was stopped with the support of police officers from the general prevention and public rescue office. Furthermore, the officers confirmed that the woman was a victim of the continuous harassment by her ex, who, having not accepted the end of their relationship, had stalked and threatened her.

 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED

This article is automatically translated
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The 2025 Golden Globes take place tonight, as stars of film and TV prepare to celebrate the best of the year.

Nominees were announced on December 9 with the divisive Emilia Perez leading the pack on 10 nominations while Hulus The Bear once again dominated the TV categories.

This years ceremony comes three years after its 2022 ceremony was boycotted following a 2021 expose by the Los Angeles Times, accusing its voting body, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA), of a lack of diversity.

The organization has since reformed, expelling problematic voters and expanding its membership from around 85 to 300, including 10 percent Black representation.

When is the 2025 Golden Globes?

The 82nd Golden Globes will be held at The Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles on Sunday, January 5, beginning at 5 p.m. PT/8 p.m. ET.

How can I watch the ceremony?

open image in gallery The 82nd Golden Globes will be held at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles ( Getty Images )

The awards show will be airing live on CBS. U.S. viewers will also have the ability to stream it on Paramount+. Once again, there is no official channel where you can watch the ceremony live in the U.K.

Who is hosting?

Stand-up comedian Nikki Glaser makes history as the first woman to solo host the Golden Globes. Her appointment comes after Jo Koy became the last-minute 2024 host, delivering a widely panned performance.

open image in gallery ( Getty Images for iHeartRadio )

Calling the gig truly a dream job, Glaser said: Its one of my favorite nights of television, and now I get a front-row seat. The Golden Globes is not only a huge night for TV and film but also for comedy. Its one of the few times that show business not only allows but encourages itself to be lovingly mocked (at least I hope so). (God, I hope so.).

Its an exciting yet challenging gig because its live, unpredictable, and in front of Hollywoods biggest stars (who also might be getting wasted while seated next to their recent exes).

Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled Try for free

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Some of my favorite jokes of all time have come from past Golden Globes opening monologues when Tina [Fey], Amy [Poehler], or Ricky [Gervais] have said exactly what we all didnt know we desperately needed to hear. I just hope to continue in that time-honored tradition (that might also get me canceled).

Who is presenting?

open image in gallery Andrew Garfield has been named among the presenters for this years ceremony ( Getty Images )

Presenters for the 82nd Annual Golden Globes include the following: Andrew Garfield, Anthony Mackie, Anthony Ramos, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ariana DeBose, Aulii Cravalho, Awkwafina, Brandi Carlile, Catherine O'Hara, Colin Farrell, Colman Domingo, Demi Moore, Dwayne Johnson, Edgar Ramirez, Elton John, Gal Gadot, Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, Jennifer Coolidge, Kaley Cuoco, Kate Hudson, Kathy Bates, Ke Huy Quan, Kerry Washington, Margaret Qualley, Melissa McCarthy, Michael Keaton, Michelle Yeoh, Miles Teller, Mindy Kaling, Morris Chestnut, Nate Bargatze, Nicolas Cage, Rachel Brosnahan, Rob McElhenney, Salma Hayek Pinault, Sarah Paulson, Seth Rogen, Sharon Stone, Vin Diesel, Viola Davis, and Zoe Kravitz.

What award will Ted Danson be receiving?

open image in gallery Ted Danson will be honored with the shows Carol Burnett Award for Career Achievements ( Invision )

Three-time Golden Globe recipient Ted Danson will be honored with the Carol Burnett Award for Career Achievements.

The Carol Burnett Award was inaugurated in 2019 and is presented to an honoree who has made outstanding contributions to television on or off screen. Burnett herself was the first recipient, followed by Norman Lear, Ryan Murphy and Ellen DeGeneres.

The 76-year-old Danson has been a TV fixture since his breakout role as Boston bartender Sam Malone on NBCs comedy Cheers. Hes since gone on to star in several other hits, The Good Place, Mr. Mayor, Fargo, CSI and CSI: Cyber, Damages and Becker. He currently stars in Netflixs A Man on the Inside.

Meanwhile, Viola Davis will receive the Cecil B. DeMille Award, bestowed annually for outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment

Who are the nominees?

open image in gallery Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande are both nominated for Golden Globe Awards in the acting categories (  Universal Studios. All Rights Reserved. )

Films in contention for trophies at the forthcoming ceremony include Jon M. Chus hit musical Wicked, Sean Bakers Palme dOr-winning Anora and Brady Corbets epic drama The Brutalist, which was hailed a masterpiece after its Venice Film Festival premiere. The latter received seven nominations.

Edward Bergers religious drama Conclave, starring Ralph Fiennes and Stanley Tucci, has also received several nominations, as has Bob Dylan biopic A Complete Unknown, which stars nominees Timothee Chalamet and Edward Norton. But it was French director Jacques Audiards divisive musical drama Emilia Perez that led the pack, with 10 nominations.

Meanwhile, in the TV categories, The Penguin, Baby Reindeer, Slow Horses and Shogun have all received recognition  but The Bear was the most nominated series, garnering five.

Find the full list of nominees here.
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Shortly after Emilia Perez arrived on Netflix on November 13  following a limited theatrical run  The Atlantic called it a film impossible to have mild feelings about. Well, the votes are in and the Golden Globes loved it.

Jacques Audiards Spanish-language musical about a transgender cartel leader (Karla Sofia Gascon) received a record 10 nominations on Monday (December 9), making it the most nominated comedy or musical film in the awards shows history.

The film is up for Best Motion Picture  Musical or Comedy, Best Director for Audiard, Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldana and Selena Gomez, Best Actress for Karla Sofia Gascon, Screenplay, Original score and more.

Its a huge vote of confidence for Emilia Perez, which divided critics, at a ceremony that is widely seen as an important predictor for the Oscars.

In her two-star review for The Independent, Clarisse Loughrey questioned Audiards depiction of the trans experience. Instead, he renders Emilia and her pre-transition self as two entirely different, disconnected people, as if he only sees his trans lead as a metaphor, an opportunity to explore his own thoughts on rebirth and second chances, wrote Loughrey. Theres a slight whiff of reductive gender essentialism here: the notion that womanhood is purity manifest, that Lady Macbeth was always clear of her damned spots.

Her sentiments were echoed by other critics, one of whom called it the Most Unique Cis Nonsense Youll Ever See. While Gomez, Loughrey argues, was miscast and robbed of the deadpan charisma that makes her so watchable on Only Murders in the Building she received nominations for both projects.

open image in gallery Selena Gomez as Jessi in Netflixs Emilia Perez ( Shanna Besson/PAGE 114 - WHY NOT PRODUCTIONS - PATHA IFLMS - FRANCE 2 CINAMA )

This year was a strong one for double nominations as Sebastian Stan was also named in two categories, one for his turn as the president-elect in Ali Abbasis Hollywood-repelling Donald Trump biopic, The Apprentice, and another for his role as a struggling actor with neurofibromatosis in Aaron Schimbergs black comedy, A Different Man. Meanwhile, Kate Winslet was recognized in Lead Actress Drama for the biopic Lee and as a Limited Series Actress for HBOs The Regime.

Behind Perez with seven nominations was Brady Corbets epic A24 drama The Brutalist, which was hailed as the next Godfather after its debut at Venice Film Festival in September. Set over 30 years, the film explores the life of Laszlo Toth (Adrien Brody), a Hungarian-born Jewish architect who survived the Holocaust and, after emigrating to the US with his wife (Felicity Jones), crosses paths with the mysterious Harrison Lee Van Buren (Guy Pearce), who changes the course of his life.

Earning six nominations was the latest film from All Quiet on the Western Front director Edward Berger , Conclave, starring Ralph Fiennes. The British actor earned a Best Actor in a Drama nomination for his turn as a vaping cardinal tasked with electing a new pope.

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open image in gallery Pope for the best: Ralph Fiennes in Conclave' ( Philippe Antonello/Focus Features )

The Globes also recognizes television and Hulus The Bear once again dominated with more nominations (five) than any other series including Best Musical/Comedy and acting nods for Jeremy Allen White, Ayo Edebiri, Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Liza Colon-Zayas.

Only Murders in the Building and Shogun earned four more nominations apiece for Hulu while newcomers Baby Reindeer, Disclaimer and Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story took home three nominations each.

Some fans were left confused by the inclusion of Squid Game, the second season of which was nominated for Best Series Drama despite the fact that it will not debut on Netflix until the end of December.

Last year, the Golden Globes managed to pull off a high-energy, feel-good event thanks largely to the charismatic stars in the room. Winners including Kieran Culkin, Ali Wong, Emma Stone, Ayo Edebiri, Billie Eilish and Cillian Murphy delivered speeches with zest and panache, following a muted response to last-minute host Jo Koys awkward presenting style.

The 2025 ceremony will take place on January 5 at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles, California. Comedian Nikki Glaser will debut as host.
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James Van Der Beek has recalled the time TSA found a Dawsons Creek-inspired adult film in his bag.

Its a 100% true story, he told USA Today in a new interview.

According to the 47-year-old, who recently revealed hed been diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer back in August 2023, the adult film was gifted to him after he finished filming a movie in 2002.

I received the Dawsons Crack porno as a wrap gift for The Rules of Attraction, he explained. It was on VHS. Thats how long ago this was.

The actor was heading back to North Carolina to continue filming Dawsons Creek, where he starred as Dawson Leery for all six seasons of The WB drama series.

At the time, Van Der Beek thought itd be hilarious to show his castmates the NSFW video. I wanted to show everybody that wed made it, he told the outlet. So, I put it in my suitcase and went through security.

James Van Der Beek admits TSA found an NSFW tape inspired by Dawsons Creek in his bag ( Getty Images )

It was right after 9/11, and security opened up every suitcase, including mine. And it was right on top. Not only was it, you know, a porno, but a porno based on a show I was in, Van Der Beek continued.

The TSA guard looked at me, got embarrassed, and just closed the suitcase. And I was on my merry way.

Nowadays, Van Der Beek may not be carrying full-frontal videos through the airport, but he is willing to star in a striptease if its for cancer awareness. In fact, the actor stars in Foxs new The Real Full Monty special today (December 9) based on the original 1997 film.

In the two-hour-long holiday show led by Anthony Anderson, Van Der Beek is joined by a cast of other male celebrities including Kansas City Chiefs player Chris Jones, Teen Wolfs Tyler Posey, and Bruno Tonioli from Dancing with the Stars.

The celebrities will practice and perform a striptease dance to raise awareness for testicular, prostate, and colorectal cancer and encourage other men to go to regular check-ups with their doctors.

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Last week (December 3), Van Der Beek joined Robin Roberts on Good Morning America to give a health update amid his cancer battle.

Physically, Im great. Im feeling really good emotionally. You know, its a lot, he said before explaining he was shocked when he first found out about his cancer after undergoing irregular bowel movements for a prolonged period.

I was doing what I thought I needed to do by getting a colonoscopy, which obviously, I did need to do, he noted.

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, Van Der Beek said of himself before hed received the news.

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 couldnt quite wake up from. And yeah, its a lot.

Van Der Beek first went public with his cancer diagnosis in November during an interview with People. The star shares six children  Olivia, 14, Joshua, 12, Annabel, 10, Emilia, 8, Gwen, 6, and Jeremiah, 3  with his wife of 14 years, Kimberly.
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Sebastian Stan has been nominated for two Golden Globe awards amid controversy over his latest project.

The I, Tonya actor, 42, was put forward for the Best Actor gongs in the Comedy or Musical and Drama categories for Aaron Schimbergs A Different Man and Ali Abbasis controversial Trump biopic The Apprentice.

Stan stars as Trump in the divisive film about the president elects early days as a real estate tycoon and his relationship with lawyer Roy Cohn, played by Jeremy Strong.

The movie, which received mixed reviews and was released prior to the US election on 5 November, received strong backlash from Trump himself, branding the people involved human scum.

Fans were quick to celebrate Stans nominations, which came days after the actor revealed fellow Hollywood actors had swerved a group interview with him due to his role as Trump.

Oh Sebastian double nomination this year, lets gooo, one person wrote on X/Twitter.

I love this for him, a second user added. He gave two of the best performances this year and Im glad theyre not being overlooked.

open image in gallery Sebastian Stan as Donald Trump in The Apprentice ( Studio Canal )

During a recent Q&A about The Apprentice the Marvel star said that he was unable to take part in Varietys Actors on Actors series due to others being unwilling to talk about Trump.

I couldnt find another actor to do it with me, because they were too afraid to go and talk about this movie. So I couldnt do it, explained the 42-year-old.

You know, Ive got to do a lot of great things, and thats not pointing at anyone specific, Stan added.

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It was we couldnt get past the publicists or the people representing them, because [they were] too afraid to talk about this movie.

And its like, thats when I think we lose the situation, he continued. Because if it really becomes like that - fear or that discomfort to talk about this - then were really going to have a problem.

open image in gallery Sebastian Stan in A Different Man ( A24 )

Elsewhere on the Golden Globes nomination list, Kate Winslet is also in contention for two awards, thanks to her lead role in Ellen Kura Lee Miller biopic Lee and the HBO political drama The Regime.

Meanwhile, Selena Gomez was also nominated twice for her divisive turn in Netflixs Emilia Perez and for Only Murders in The Building in the TV category.

Films in contention for trophies at the forthcoming ceremony include hit musical Wicked, Sean Bakers Palme dor-winning Anora and Brady Corbets epic drama The Brutalist, which was hailed a masterpiece after its festival premiere. The latter received seven nominations.

You can find the full list of Golden Globe 2025 nominations here.
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Jay-Z has denied allegations that he drugged and raped a 13-year-old girl along with Sean Diddy Combs during an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty in 2000.

A federal lawsuit, which originally only named Mr Combs, was refiled in federal court on Sunday (8 December). It cites the accuser, Jane Doe, who alleges she was assaulted at the house party by the two music moguls and that an unnamed female celebrity was in the room at the time.

In a statement shared on social media, Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, branded the legal action as a blackmail attempt.

Mr Combs is in jail after being charged in September with sex trafficking and racketeering, to which he has pleaded not guilty. He has denied all allegations against him, including this latest lawsuit.

You have made a terrible error in judgment thinking that all celebrities are the same. Im not from your moral world. Im a young man who made it out of the project of Brooklyn, Mr Carter wrote in a fiery statement addressed to lawyer Tony Buzbee posted on Sunday afternoon, Variety reports.

We dont play these types of games. We have very strict codes and honor. We protect children, you seem to exploit people for personal gain. Only your network of conspiracy theorists, fake physics, will believe the idiotic claims you have levied against me that, if not for the seriousness surrounding harm to kids, would be laughable.

open image in gallery Jay-Z denied the allegation that he raped a 13-year-old girl along with Sean Diddy Combs in 2000 ( Getty )

Mr Buzbee responded on social media, in part: Mr Carter previously denied being the one who sued me and my firm. He filed his frivolous case under a pseudonym.

What he fails to say in his recent statement is my firm sent his lawyer a demand letter on behalf of an alleged victim and that victim never demanded a penny from him. Instead, she only sought a confidential mediation.

Since I sent the letter on her behalf, Mr Carter has not only sued me, but he has tried to bully and harass me and this plaintiff. His conduct has had the opposite impact. She is emboldened. Im very proud of her resolve.

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Regarding the Jay Z case and his efforts to silence my clients: Mr. Carter previously denied being the one who sued me and my firm. He filed his frivolous case under a pseudonym. What he fails to say in his recent statement is my firm sent his lawyer a demand letter on behalf of  Tony Buzbee (@TonyBuzbee2) December 9, 2024

US media reports that the lawsuit claims Ms Doe was dropped off at the VMAs at Radio City Music Hall by a friend and, as she did not have a ticket, proceeded to approach various limousine drivers to try and gain access.

One driver allegedly told Ms Doe that he worked for Mr Combs and that she fit what he was looking for. He then picked her up, the lawsuit alleges, and dropped her off at a white house with a U-shaped driveway, where she was made to sign a document she believed to be a non-disclosure agreement.

The legal action said she was given a drink that made her feel woozy so she went into a room to lie down, soon after which Mr Combs and Mr Carter allegedly entered with the unnamed female celebrity, the BBC reports.

Plaintiff immediately recognised all three celebrities, the lawsuit said.

open image in gallery Sean Combs is in jail on sex trafficking and racketeering charges ( 2018 Invision )

Mr Carter allegedly held the plaintiff down and raped her, before Mr Combs did the same, according to the lawsuit, which said Ms Doe fought back during the alleged assault and managed to escape when Mr Combs backed away in surprise.

A statement from Mr Combss legal team said the amended lawsuit was the latest in a string of shameless publicity stunts, designed to extract payments from celebrities who fear having lies spread about them, just as lies have been spread about Mr Combs.

In his statement, Mr Carter, who is married to Beyonce and shares three children with her, said: My only heartbreak is for my family.

My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people.

The Independent has contacted Mr Carters representative for comment.
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Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson will once again make history when she becomes the first Justice to ever grace the Broadway stage.

Jackson, 54, who is the first Black woman and former federal public defender to ever be sworn into the highest court in America, will make her Broadway debut with a one-night-only, walk-on role in the Tony-nominated musical comedy & Juliet. An entirely new ensemble role was created just for Jackson.

The producers have announced that Jacksons special appearance will occur during the productions 8 p.m. show on Saturday, December 14. Following the show, audience members will be able to stay for a talkback with the Justice.

In her new memoir, Lovely One, Jackson wrote about her fantasy of appearing on a Broadway stage, writing: I, a Miami girl from a modest background with an unabashed love of theater, dreamed of one day ascending to the highest court in the land  and I had said so in one of my supplemental application essays [to Harvard]. I expressed that I wished to attend Harvard as I believed it might help me to fulfill my fantasy of becoming the first Black, female Supreme Court justice to appear on a Broadway stage.

Jackson was appointed by President Joe Biden in 2022. Her appointment became a fulfillment of Bidens pledge during his 2020 campaign that he would nominate a Black woman to the Supreme Court.

The acclaimed & Juliet has been playing at New York Citys Stephen Sondheim Theatre since November 2022, where it opened after its pre-Broadway engagement in Toronto.

It had previously run on Londons West End from November 2019 to March 2023 at the Shaftesbury Theatre.

Ketanji Brown Jackson will make a one-night-only appearance in Broadways & Juliet ( Getty Images )

& Juliet is a pop musical and acts as a sequel to Shakespeares Romeo and Juliet. It imagines a world in which Juliet doesnt kill herself and instead gathers her friends and escapes Verona. The group travels to Paris, where Juliet is introduced to an entirely new world full of love, parties and drama.

According to Playbill, & Juliet uses some of the most beloved pop songs of the last three decades to tell a multi-generational story of self-discovery, empowerment and love.

Written by Schitts Creek writer David West Read with music from legendary music producer and songwriter Max Martin, & Juliet earned nine Tony Award nominations in 2023, including Best Musical.
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The 11th celebrity has been eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing after a tense semi-final that saw two perfect-scoring performances.

Contestants were asked to perform two dances for their last attempt to be in the final. Towie star Pete Wicks had appealed for support ahead of his performance with partner Jowita Przystal, amid mounting backlash.

JB Gill impressed the judges with his Salsa to Red Alert by Basement Jaxx, alongside partner Lauren Oakley. It marked the first time in six years that a Salsa had received 10s across the board. Ghouri also scored perfectly for her Waltz with Aljaz Skorjanec to (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman by Aretha Franklin.

However, Ghouris performance was not enough to have her waltz through to the final, as she found herself in the bottom two again.

After a public vote, Ghouri and Wicks were forced to take part in a dance-off with Wicks dancing the Argentine Tango to Bitter Sweet Symphony by The Verve, and Ghouri repeating her Waltz.

Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke all chose to save Ghouri and Skorjanec, leading Wicks and Przystal to be eliminated from the competition.

That means Chris McCausland, Sarah Hadland, JB Gill, and Ghouri have all made it through to the final next week.

Its been wild. Ive been quite honest about the fact that I didnt necessarily want to do this [Strictly] in the first place, but everyone else wanted me to do it, and I am so, so glad that I did it! Wicks told Tess Daly after his elimination.

open image in gallery Ghouri and Wicks were forced to face a dance-off ( BBC/Guy Levy )

You dont always have to be the best, but if you enjoy something then why shouldnt you have a go at it? Ive tried my best from day one, I said I was in for a penny, in for a pound and Ive done it, its been beautiful.

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Speaking about his partner Przystal he said, Theres a lot of things Im going to take away from this, but one of the most special things is you [to Jowita] and I mean that, because youre one of the most incredible people  not just as a dancer  but as a person.

open image in gallery ( BBC/Guy Levy )

Youve been a ray of sunshine for me. Youve helped me through things in the past three months that I didnt think I could do and you made me believe in myself and that means more to me than anything.

open image in gallery ( BBC/Guy Levy )

Jowita said: I just want to say thank you, thank you for the trust you have given me since day one. For me, every dance was special even the Cha Cha in Blackpool!

Remember on day one you said Im not going to stay long in this competition because I cannot dance but now I can say to you, yes you can.
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At least seven crew members on board a fishing boat died after the vessel capsized following a collision in the waters off South Korea's southeastern coast on Monday.

The fishing boat, which had about 10 passengers, including five Indonesian nationals, capsized after colliding with the barge in waters near the city of Gyeongju, according to Kim Eul-dong, an official at the Pohang coast guard.

The seven crew members were found inside the boat in a state of cardiac arrest and were pronounced dead at the hospital, the coast guard said. The boat capsized about 270km southeast of capital Seoul at 5.43am (local time), Yonhap news agency reported.

South Korean authorities have mobilised dozens of emergency workers, along with 15 coast guard vessels and six helicopters to find the missing Indonesian nation. The passengers were rescued and rushed to the hospitals.

Prime minister Han Duck-soo earlier ordered an emergency rescue operation. The ship also did not appear damaged.

open image in gallery Members of South Korean coast guard conduct a search and rescue operation ( AP )

The boat accident occurred just a month after two people died a dozen others went missing after a fishing boat sank in waters off South Korea's southern resort island of Jeju.

A total of 43 vessels including three navy ships, 13 aircraft and several deep-sea divers were dispatched to assist in the rescue efforts, the government said.

One of the rescued sailors said that the boat capsized when they were hauling up fishing nets to transfer the catch to another vessel.

In September, at least three people, two South Koreans and one Indonesian, died after a fishing boat capsized in waters off South Korea's west coast.

South Korea this year marked the 10th anniversary of one of the country's worst boat diasters when 304 people died after a ferry sank in the waters.

On the morning of 16 April 2014, the Sewol ferry sank with 476 passengers and crew on board. Of the 304 people killed, 250 were students from the Danwon High School in Ansan.
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South Koreas justice ministry has imposed a travel ban on president Yoon Suk Yeol while an investigation into his brief declaration of martial law is ongoing.

Mr Yoon, who was still the commander-in-chief of the countrys military, faces an investigation for suspected treason over last weeks martial law declaration.

South Koreas police, prosecutors and anti-corruption agency have requested the ban as they expand their probes into possible rebellion charges.

Mr Yoon had said he entrusted his fate to the ruling party after a botched attempt to impose martial law prompted calls for resignation and impeachment.

Prosecutors also detained Kim Yong Hyun, who reportedly advised the president to declare martial law and resigned as defence minister soon after.

The control of the armed forces currently lies with the commander-in-chief, the Yonhap news agency quoted the defence ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-kyou as saying.

Meanwhile, Mr Yoon has been banned from foreign travel, a justice ministry official told a parliament committee hearing on Monday.

Mr Yoon declared martial law late on Tuesday evening, only to see lawmakers overturn it through a parliamentary vote. Some of the lawmakers climbed over walls and pushed past soldiers deployed at the National Assembly to cast their votes.

open image in gallery A participant wearing a mask of South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol attends a rally demanding his impeachment outside the National Assembly in Seoul ( AP )

The martial law decree was lifted by the cabinet early on Wednesday but political turmoil in the country continued as lawmakers pressed for the president to be ousted.

Mr Yoon also survived an impeachment vote on Saturday after his partys lawmakers boycotted it. But the leader of the ruling People Power Party, Han Dong-hoon, declared during a joint public address with prime minister Han Duck-soo that the president would be excluded from his duties.

The opposition said it would bring a new impeachment bill against Mr Yoon on 11 December, and put it to a vote three days later.

open image in gallery People hold posters ahead of a rally calling for the impeachment of South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul ( Reuters )

Mr Han said on Sunday that the president would step away from state affairs and diplomacy until he left office. He also claimed that stepping aside from state affairs would include his control over the military.

Mr Yoon issued an apology over his martial law decree, and claimed that he would not shirk legal or political responsibility for the decision. He said he would leave it to his party to chart a course through the countrys political turmoil, including matters related to my term in office.

The Democratic Party called Mr Yoons martial law declaration unconstitutional, illegal rebellion or a coup, and filed complaints with police against at least nine people, including the president and his former defence minister, over the alleged rebellion.

The defence minister was the first person to be held over the declaration.

Since taking office in 2022 for a single five-year term, Mr Yoon has struggled to push his agenda through an opposition-controlled parliament and grappled with low approval ratings amid scandals involving himself and his wife.

If he leaves office before his single term ends in May 2027, the constitution requires a presidential election to be held within 60 days.

Martial law has been declared more than a dozen times since South Korea was established as a republic in 1948, the last time in 1980.
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Filipino authorities issued emergency evacuation orders after a volcano in the central Philippines erupted for a second time this year, spewing a high column of ash into the sky.

Mount Kanlaon, an active volcano straddling the central provinces of Negros Occidental and Negros Oriental, sent an ash cloud up to 4,000m into the sky at about 3pm (local time). Kanlaon is one of 24 active volcanoes in the Philippines.

The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology raised its alert level to 3 on a scale of 5, which indicates an increased risk of lava flows and the potential for a hazardous eruption within weeks. It advised all local government units to evacuate the 6km radius from the summit of the volcano.

Kanlaon volcano eruption seen from Biak na Bato village in La Castellana town in Negros Occidental province, central Philippines ( Courtesy of Dianne Paula Abendan )

"We are still unable to confirm if this is a magmatic eruption. But for now we just call it as explosive eruption," director Teresito Bacolcol told Reuters. "It may lead to magmatic unrest."

Videos posted by locals showed a giant grey mass of smoke billowing above Kanlaon's crater while roads around the volcano were covered in ashes.

The civil defence office said emergency evacuations were underway for people living near the volcano, without saying how many had been evacuated so far. About 54,000 people could be affected by the eruption.

"Authorities are preparing for the worst-case scenario of raising the alert level ... which would necessitate further evacuation and safety measures," the civil defence office said in a statement.

The civil aviation regulator said flights near Mt Kanlaon were operating as normal, but advised pilots to avoid flying close to the volcano.

The Philippines is situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. The nation is also lashed by about 20 typhoons and storms a year, making the Southeast Asian nation one of the worlds most disaster-prone.

In 1991, the long-dormant Mount Pinatubo north of Manila witnessed one of the largest volcanic eruptions of the 20th century that resulted in the deaths of hundreds of people.
Sydney Nicole Gifford and Alyssa Sheils commitment to a neutral aesthetic is strong. Their wardrobes are packed with beige garments that are styled daily into head-to-toe monochromatic looks. Their homes are just as one-note, with walls covered in calm, muted tones from paints with names like bone, putty or alabaster. Their floors are decked in natural wood, large windows are covered by light-diffusing ivory voiles and oyster-coloured boucle furnishings are dotted around minimal and sparse rooms. Their dedication to their beige lifestyle even extends to the emoji they both frequently use in Instagram captions  the off-white coloured heart.

The women follow whats known as the clean girl aesthetic. Its high priestess is Hailey Bieber and it is now such a ubiquitous style that for anyone to claim ownership of it requires a great deal of magical thinking. But thats exactly what Gifford has done after she accused fellow social media influencer Sheil of stealing her neutral, beige, and cream aesthetic in a first-of-its-kind legal action. Its a case that many social media influencers are watching closely, so tied up are their incomes now with the image that they sell online.

Gifford, 24, and Sheil, 21, were once acquaintances who lived close to each other in Texas. As fashion and lifestyle influencers who both hawk Amazon products for a living, they decided to  in social media speak  collab and shoot some photographs together.

Both women scour the e-commerce site to find items they think their audience will buy to make posts that sell them hard. They link to their recommended products and earn roughly 3 to 4 per cent in commission if their viewers purchase the goods. For some products, like luxury beauty, they can earn a 10 per cent kickback.

Understanding what women want and being able to use your aesthetic and lifestyle to sell it has helped both Gifford and Sheil gain large followings. Gifford has over 600,000 on TikTok and 300,000 on Instagram, while Sheil boasts 138,000 on the same platform.

How much those audiences have translated into earnings isnt public knowledge but they both choose to be full-time Amazon influencers. After their second meet-up in early 2023, relations between the pair soured and Sheil blocked Gifford on social media. Gifford now claims thats when Sheil began to copy almost every aspect of her look, arguing that shes due tens of thousands of dollars because her former collaborator has stolen her style.

In a legal complaint filed in April, Gifford accused Sheil of mimicking her Amazon product recommendations, social media posts, poses, outfits and even her manner of speaking. Gifford says that Sheil got a nearly identical fine line tattoo in the same position on her upper arm, as well as altering her hair to mirror the same style she has. Sheil denies copying Gifford and has counter-claimed that its actually Gifford who has ripped her off.

Gifford claims that shes owed between $30,000 and $150,000 (117,000) in damages for mental anguish and lost sales commission from Amazon. She also alleges that shes seen a dip in followers and engagement on social platforms because of Sheil. If shes successful, the industry of influencing could be turned on its head and there would be far-reaching consequences for the application of copyright law. But can a person really lay claim to an aesthetic? And what if that look is  whisper it  basic and beige?

open image in gallery Fifty shades of beige: the two influencers in their neutral outfits ( @alyssasheill/@sydneynicoleslone/Instagram )

The clean girl trend sprang up around 2022 and its had enduring appeal considering the fleeting nature of fashion. Its staying power is likely down to the fact it leans into crowd-pleasing comfort with a uniform of oversized sweatsuit sets, boyfriend jeans, cosy basics and workout clothes. And while it can be far from the high-end quiet-luxury vibe of muted colours and soft fabrics such as cashmere, it can still be aspirational owing to figures like Bieber, Molly-Mae Hague and Sofia Richie Grainge who indulge in the beige craze.

The clean girl aesthetic has likely stayed the course because its achievable, photogenic and algorithm-friendly too. And given that Gifford and Sheil both make their living from their ability to make engaging content for social media, its easy to see why theyre devotees.

Given the incentives provided by the Amazon influencer programme, social media algorithms and the ubiquity of the clean girl aesthetic, its possible to argue that its sheer coincidence that Gifford and Sheils content is so similar. Women attend weddings in the same frocks after all. But when the posts are shown side by side, like they are in the legal complaint, its equally possible to entertain the argument that one is copying the other.

open image in gallery Giffords Amazon storefront, which makes up a large part of her income as an influencer ( Amazon )

One such example shows the women posing in the same cream cable-knit lounge set. They both pose with their right knee bent, their iPhones covering their faces as they take selfies in a mirror. Another shows a close-up of their ears as they pull back their dark hair to reveal a gold bow earring. They have the same doormat, side tables, storage benches, lamps, towel warmers, fake olive trees and hallway storage stools, as well as tons of the same outfits  monochrome obviously.

But even if its determined that the posts are too similar for legal comfort its not clear whether that means copyright law has been broken. If a creator screenshot and reposted anothers work but made out it was their own then thats a solid case. But to take the same items and shoot them in a similar way, in homes that are almost identical, is a more complex case to prove.

If Gifford wins her fight then it may mean that social media influencers making content in an established style could be found liable of copyright infringement. It would likely open the floodgates on many more legal battles and upend the creator industry. As huge sums can be made from influencing, many young women now make it into their full-time jobs, which means livelihoods are now at stake.

open image in gallery Sheil (left) says she being unfairly targeted ( @alyssasheill/@sydneynicoleslone/Instagram )

Gifford told The Verge that change is what shes after. She said: I hope that it makes people more mindful, because there are so many instances of other creators Ive seen getting their content completely replicated by people.

A complicating factor in Giffords claim is that she did not invent the basic, beige style. And that is ultimately the basis of Sheils defence. The world of TikTok trends depends on certain styles and aesthetics taking off  so isnt everyone, to some extent style stealing off each other?

Sheil, also speaking to The Verge, claims that shes being unfairly targeted. There are hundreds of people with the exact same aesthetic, and Im the only one thats having to go through this, Sheil says.

What happens next is for the courts to decide. But also could be determined by a shift in vibes. The clean girl look has been in vogue longer than most would have anticipated. What happens when another photogenic, algorithm-friendly aesthetic comes along? And when it does, who will own it?

Rachel Richardson writes the trends newsletter highly flammable on Substack
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Gypsy Rose Blanchard has revealed the final straw that led to the murder of her mother, Clauddine Dee Dee Blanchard, at the hands of her ex-boyfriend, Nicholas Nick Godejohn.

In her upcoming memoir My Time to Stand, the 33-year-old convicted felon  who served eight years in prison for the role she played in her mothers killing  detailed her mindset in the weeks before she asked Nick to help her kill Dee Dee.

People really want to know: What was the final straw? When was the moment when I decided it was her or me? Blanchard wrote, according to an excerpt obtained by People.

Here you go, yall, on page three. One month before the murder, my mother tried to cut my throat, she continued. At least thats how I saw it.

The cause of concern, suddenly, was my voice. Its so high-pitched; its so squeaky, my mother complained to my ear, nose and throat specialist, Blanchard recalled. On the way home, I went on and on like, well ... a squeaky wheel.

Theres nothing wrong with my voice, I said with a whimper, as she pushed me in my portable wheelchair to the parking lot where our car was parked, outside the hospital in downtown Kansas City, Blanchard wrote. You heard the doctor. That voice of yours might mean theres a problem with your larynx, and that problem could be causing your sleep apnea, she said, her word final.

Gypsy Rose Blanchard reveals last straw before her ex-boyfriend murdered her mom on new memoir ( Getty Images )

At the time, Blanchard was already well aware of her mothers medical manipulation. Dee Dee had forced her daughter to undergo several surgeries, convincing her she had several illnesses and health complications throughout the first 23 years of her life.

Blanchard noted: In fact, by this point, the entire ruse had been up between us for a while. I was 23 and had tried to run away twice. Id shot her with a BB gun. Shed chained me to the bed. I was getting older and much harder to control. The older I got, the more physical and harsher her punishments became.

Her carting me off in search of a new surgery, I believed, was her attempt to secure control, she added.

Already, Dee Dee had allegedly gone to drastic measures to make it difficult for her daughter to speak. Blanchard remembered her muzzling her mouth shut at night and using Orajel to numb her mouth, which made her slur her words and drool.

Whats more, Blanchard claimed Dee Dee was the reason her teeth fell out because she had her on several superfluous medications.

Now, the way I saw it, my literal voice, squeaky as it might be, could be taken from me. Her final play, she said. Despite my recent awakening to the reality of my life, it was here where I truly feared the scope of her malice.

Dee Dee went as far as to schedule an exploratory operation, telling her daughter itd be painless.

Its simple, Baby, its painless; it will help, Blanchard remembered her mom saying.

Blanchard and Godejohn were arrested in Big Bend, Wisconsin on June 15, 2015, the day after the Springfield, Missouri police found Dee Dee stabbed to death in her bedroom.

Almost ten years later, Blanchard is now expecting her first child with her boyfriend, Ken Urker. The happy couple plan to welcome their baby girl, Aurora Raina Urker, sometime in January 2025.

Her memoir, My Time to Stand, which Blanchard wrote alongside Melissa Moore and Michele Matrisciani,will be available to purchase online and in stores starting December 10.
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TV presenters, and married couple, Emma and Matt Willis have opened up about the driving force behind their involvement with the new Channel 4 documentary Swiped: The School That Banned Smartphones.

The two-part documentary shines a light on the impact smartphones have on childrens behaviour with a landmark social experiment, where 30 Year 8 pupils from The Stanway School in Colchester are challenged to give up their phones and iPads for 21 days, and are monitored by researchers from the University of York.

Matt and Emma revealed that their primary motivation to get involved with the programme and join in with the social experiment was to learn more about the digital world that their kids  Isabelle, 15, Ace, 13, and Trixie, eight  are absorbed in to help keep them safe.

Speaking at a panel discussion on Tuesday, concerned mum and broadcaster Emma, 48, said: I am such a technophobe, so it felt like the perfect opportunity for me to learn about this world.

None of us grew up with this, but they are, so my responsibility as a parent is to learn about the world that they are living in, because that is the only way I can help them navigate it.

How are we meant to just let them have that in their hands and sail away with it when their brains arent even fully formed.

I thought this will be the deepest dive and best education I can have and therefore, hopefully, I can help them.

open image in gallery Matt and Emma also gave up their smartphones for 21 days

Self-confessed phone addict Matt, 41, also hopes that putting a spotlight on this topic will help other parents.

Every parent is going through this exact thing, and no one knows what to do, said Matt. And its like we almost really want someone to tell us what to do.

Being involved in this documentary has given the Busted bassist a whole new outlook on not just social media, but smartphones themselves.

There are so many things that shocked me that I hadnt thought about with a smartphone, because I thought it was just social media, reflected Matt. Social media gets a bad rep and you kind of hear about that, and youre like, thats bad  but even having that device and a search engine is worrying because you can get an answer which is not necessarily true or the right thing.

And the stuff about porn, which we get into a lot more in episode two, is absolutely shocking and terrifying for kids as well.

Within the programme, young children and families share some heartbreaking stories about issues surrounding smartphones such as anxiety, online hate and suicide.

open image in gallery Emma and Matt posing in a classroom for a promotional picture for the Swiped: The School that Banned Smartphones documentary

It is so brave of the parents and the families to come forward with those stories, but they are really important to see, said Matt. I think as parents we can kind of go Oh our kids wont see that or search that  our kids are good kids, but its not a choice.

If you have this in your pocket, there is a very good chance youre going to get sent something which is going to alter the trajectory of your life.

Pretty much every kid we talked to had a story about seeing something. And all it takes is one kid seeing something that hits them in a certain way.

After uncovering some of the shocking dangers around smartphones, the musician now thinks they are too unsafe for young children.

I cannot see any safe way of having this in a childs pocket  and I didnt go into this experiment thinking that, said Matt. I thought we would just need age regulations on social media or something, but the more we go through this process, I cannot see any safe way or logical way for a kid to have a smartphone.

The husband and wife duo have experienced the disruptive impact that social media and smartphones can have on family dynamics firsthand. For example, when they first allowed their oldest, Isabelle, to have Snapchat aged 14.

open image in gallery Matt and Emma Willis sat on a sofa talking about their relationship with smartphones

Those snap scores and streaks are such a big thing, and I saw such a change in that relationship because of this debate, reflected the dad-of-three. She had a smartphone before, but it wasnt the same as soon as Snapchat was involved. It became an obsession. It was really hard.

The couple also interviewed the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Peter Kyle for the documentary, and he said something (that didnt make the final cut) that struck a chord with Emma.

When we sat down, he said that chair you sat on was tested before you could buy it, and the mug youre drinking out of was tested before you could buy it  but social media was just given to the world or created and wasnt tested. And now we are learning the implications of something that hasnt been tested, shared Emma.

So, rather than keep going down that road, why dont we just stop, maybe reverse and take a different turning so that we can make it safe for kids to be a part of it.
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Nina Dobrevs co-stars from The Vampire Diaries recently jumped into action to stop a stage backdrop from falling on her.

The 35-year-old actor, who played Elena in the hit CW series, took the stage at Epic Cons I Was Feeling Festive 2 panel in Covington, Georgia, on Friday (December 6). She was joined by her former co-stars Candice King, who played Caroline, and Kat Graham, who played Bonnie.

At one point, a backdrop nearly fell on Dobrev while she was speaking on stage, prompting her friends to come to her rescue.

In a viral video of the incident shared to X/Twitter, King and Graham could be seen jumping out of their seats and pushing the backdrop up so it didnt fall on Dobrev. Meanwhile, Dobrev quickly got out of her chair and took off her leather jacket, seemingly confused by what had happened.

Graham and King helped push the backdrop up into its correct spot, before walking back to their seats.

open image in gallery Nina Dobrev was nearly crushed by a stage backdrop at Epic Con before her Vampire Diaries co-stars came to the rescue ( Getty Images )

Not today, not today! Graham hilariously told the audience, in response to the stage piece nearly falling on Dobrev. I dont want to see any Bonnie Saves the Day memes, alright I dont want to hear it.

The Love Hard star then hugged King, before explaining why she took off her jacket amid all the commotion.

I thought it was a spider! Dobrev said, prompting laughter from the audience.

Despite Grahams attempt to avoid memes, fans have reacted to the viral moment by poking fun at how she and King saved Dobrev  much like their characters Bonnie and Caroline often saved Elena in the supernatural TV series, which ran for eight seasons.

Theyre always saving Elena to the point its breaking the fourth wall, one person quipped, while another wrote: Decades later and they are still protecting Elena.

Not this being an actual representation of the Elena, Caroline, and Bonnie dynamic???? a third person wrote.

Others quipped about how Dobrev took off her jacket when the backdrop fell.

She dropped her coat like it was on fire or an unwanted boyfriend, one user wrote, while another added: Was the jacket holding her back? She slipped outta that thing real fast.

open image in gallery Nina Dobrev reunited with Candice King and Kat Graham at Epic Con on December 6 ( Getty Images )

During Epic Con over the weekend, Dobrev took to Instagram to share a video of herself at the event with King and Graham. In the clip, Graham stood in between her two friends, as they recreated a picture from their days on the set of The Vampire Diaries.

Were still just kids, she wrote in the caption of the clip, which was set to Simple Plans song Im Just a Kid.

The Vampire Diaries reunion comes weeks after Dobrev announced that she and her longtime partner, Olympic snowboarder Shaun White, are engaged.

In an interview with Vogue last October, White explained how he wanted to surprise the actor when popping the question, so he sent her a fake invitation from CFDA/Vogue, which asked her to get dinner with the magazines editor-in-chief, Anna Wintour.

He made the invite look so legitimate, Dobrev said.

However, when she opened the door to the restaurant, she discovered that only a photographer and the professional snowboarder were there. I went into shock. I just froze and stared at him, Dobrev said.

According to the Perks of Being a Wallflower star, she doesnt remember how the proposal occurred. However, she could recall that when it happened, White said all the right things. Once she said yes, the pair were joined by the rest of their friends and family, and they all had champagne to celebrate.

Eventually we realized, other than the caviar, we hadnt eaten anything. So we ordered Shake Shack and dumplings to the Golden Swan, Dobrev said.
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Tyler Perry had a cold response to a question about his friend Meghan Markle moving to California after she and Prince Harry stepped down from their senior roles in the British royal family.

In an interview with the Sunday Times published on December 8, the 55-year-old comedian was asked how he helped the Duke and Duchess of Sussex relocate to the U.S. after they stepped down as senior working royals in 2020.

I didnt, he simply responded. Meghan is from California. She knows California well. So there was nothing to prepare them for.

But I will say this: what I learnt about mentioning them  because theres this insatiable appetite to know all about them  is that any question that is asked becomes the headline of anything I say, he continued.

When asked why the public is so invested in stories about Meghan and Harry, Perry responded: Youre from the U.K., you tell me.

The interviewer then pointed out there are also headlines about the duke and duchess in American media, to which Perry claimed he doesnt notice it.

Tyler Perry says he didnt help prepare Meghan Markle and Prince Harry for their move to the U.S. in 2020 ( AFP via Getty Images )

You think? Well, you would know better than I would because Im not paying attention to that world, the Madeas Family Reunion star said.

Perry has previously opened up about helping Meghan and Harry after they left the U.K. in 2020. The duke and duchess lived in one of Perrys homes in Southern California shortly after arriving in the U.S. from Canada.

At the time, the filmmaker also provided the couple with security, a gesture Harry and Meghan shared their gratitude for during their tell-all interview with Oprah Winfrey in March 2021. The pair noted that Perrys offer came shortly after they learned their own security was being removed amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

While we were in Canada, in someone elses house, I then got told, short notice, that security was going to be removed, Harry recalled to Winfrey. So suddenly it dawned on me: Hang on, the borders could be closed, were going to have our security removed, who knows how long lockdown is going to be, the world knows where we are, its not safe, its not secure, we probably need to get out of here.

According to Meghan, Perrys offer gave them the chance to figure out what their next move would be.

We didnt have a plan and we needed a house and he offered security as well so it gave us breathing room to try to figure out what we were going to do, Meghan told Winfrey of the couples first months in California.

The royal couple now reside in Montecito, California, with their two children: Archie, five, and Lilibet, three.

It was a very difficult time for them, and what I know about the two of them that I wish the world knew is how much they love, Perry said during a 2022 appearance on the Today show, when asked how he supported his friends after they moved.

These two people love each other. They found each other. Out of all these odds against them finding each other, they found each other, he added. The love they have is really, really moving and I just wanted to do anything I could to support them.
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After African countries struggled to get testing kits during the COVID-19 pandemic, officials vowed to make the continent less dependent on imported medical supplies. Now, in a first for Africa, a Moroccan company is filling orders for mpox tests as an outbreak continues.

Moroccan startup Moldiag began developing mpox tests after the World Health Organization declared the virus a global emergency in August. Africas Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported more than 59,000 mpox cases and 1,164 deaths in 20 countries this year.

The WHO has also announced a plan to provide mpox tests, vaccines and treatments to the most vulnerable people in the worlds poorest countries, after facing criticism for moving too slowly on vaccines. It recommends all suspected mpox cases be tested.

But in some far-flung areas of the mpox outbreak, tests have to be delivered to distant labs for processing. Most of Congos 26 provinces dont have such facilities. And some areas have no tests. In eastern Congos South Kivu province, doctors are still diagnosing patients by taking temperatures and looking for visible symptoms.

That makes it difficult to tell how the virus is spreading, health officials say.

"This is a major problem, said Musole Robert, medical director of the Kavumu Referral Hospital, one of the few treating mpox patients in eastern Congo. The main issue remains the laboratory, which is not adequately equipped.

Mpox primarily spreads through close skin-to-skin contact with infected people or their soiled clothes or bedsheets. It often causes visible skin lesions. A health worker swabs the rash and sends the sample to a lab. Mpox testing is critical because many symptoms resemble diseases like chicken pox or measles.

When mpox cases were found in some Western countries like the United States in 2022, some companies began developing rapid test kits that dont require lab processing. But they shelved those efforts when the virus was largely contained.

Then outbreaks emerged again in Africa. Scientists are concerned by the spread of a new version of the disease that might be more easily transmitted among people.

Morocco has reported three mpox cases, though most have been in central Africa.

At his factory in Morocco, Moldiag founder and chief scientific officer Abdeladim Moumen said the tests they make  sold for $5 each  can help to remedy shortages affordably.

The company last month began accepting orders from Burundi, Uganda and Congo and has also sold them to Senegal and Nigeria as well.

Its rather easy to send tests from an African nation to another one rather than waiting for tests to come in from China or Europe, Moumen said.

Moldiag was founded out of Moroccos Foundation for Advanced Science, Innovation and Research, a university-affiliated nonprofit whose research has received funding from the European Commission and Moroccos government. The startup previously developed similar genetic tests for COVID-19 and tuberculosis.

Moldiag won approval to distribute its mpox tests from the Africa CDC in November. But it hasn't submitted paperwork to be considered for expedited approval from the WHO, which during this outbreak has approved three mpox tests and is considering five others. Each is made in North America, Europe or Asia.

The Africa CDCs acting director for laboratory diagnostics and systems, Yenew Tebeje, said the organization created a process to accelerate approval of tests like Moldiags because the WHOs approval process can take months or years and be a limiting factor for access to diagnostics.

Historically, international institutions have not always ensured medical supplies like tests are quickly made available for crises in Africa, Tebeje added.

Only mpox tests that require laboratory processing have been approved by the WHO and Africa CDC, which has expressed the need for rapid tests that don't need to be sent to labs.

Moldiag and other companies are working to develop rapid tests and pursue approval.

Moldiag's $5 price for the current tests aligns with recommendations from both the WHO's target product standards and demands of health advocates who have criticized the cost of other tests. The nonprofit Public Citizen last month called on Cepheid  one of the WHO's three approved mpox test manufacturers  to reduce its price from about $20 to $5, citing a Doctors Without Borders analysis showing genetic tests can be produced for less.

Africa-based manufacturing fulfills a primary objective that African Union member states agreed on after the COVID-19 pandemic, which revealed global disparities and unequal access to medical supplies, including vaccines, tests and antiviral medications.

In 2022, shaken by the pandemic, African leaders called for action to address those disparities plaguing the continent's over 1.4 billion people, who experience the highest incidence of public health emergencies.

Moumen said experts were waking up to the fact that it makes more sense for tests to come from regions where outbreaks are taking place so manufacturers can tailor production to address issues close to home.

"They want African tests for Africa," he said.

___

Alonga reported from Goma, Congo. Houda Benalla contributed reporting from Tamesna, Morocco.

___

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.
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A Ukrainian man was rescued fleeing his war-torn country from a deep mountain ravine in subzero temperatures with an unlikely companion: his months-old kitten named Peach.

The cat has even been said to have saved his life.

More than a dozen rescuers worked in a harsh blizzard to save Vladislav Duda, 28, who was found soaked and frozen and severely hypothermic in a 400-meter (437-yard) deep ravine in the northern Maramures region on Romania last week, according to the region's mountain rescue service.

Duda had fled Ukraine to avoid being drafted into his country's armed forces fighting Russia.

open image in gallery In this image provided by Salvamont Maramures, a Romanian mountain rescue service, Peach the cat is held at the Animal Med vet clinic after being rescued along with its owner, 28 year-old Vladislav Duda from Ukraine, three days ago from a deep mountain ravine in Baia Mare

The cat was warm and was warming him  so he saved his life, Dan Benga, the director of the Maramures mountain rescue service, told The Associated Press. The only thing we saw he is caring about is the cat. He doesnt care about himself.

When the rescue team located and found the Ukrainian, they unzipped his jacket and discovered Peach snuggled up inside. Benga recalls asking Duda if he was OK, to which he replied: Im happy because my cat is alive. I got a chance from God for a new life. The happiest moment is because the cat is here with me, Benga recalled Duda saying.

The auburn-colored kitten, a tomcat named Peach in Ukrainian, was experiencing the effects of malnutrition after they ran out of food four days earlier and melted snow helped to keep him alive.

Its like a dream, after all I have been through, I only hoped to be found and to survive," Duda, who worked as a journalist in Ukraine, told the AP. Peach kept my heart warm and he kept my faith alive."

open image in gallery 28 year-old Vladislav Duda from Ukraine, is secured on a stretcher in the Carpathian Mountain

A helicopter retrieval was initially launched but was aborted due to dangerous weather that hampered visibility. Ground rescuers then embarked on a grueling mission through deep snow and temperatures as low as minus 10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit) until they reached the pair.

During the complex ascent out of the ravine which took more than five hours, the Ukrainian would not let go of his kitten. He kept Peach clutched to his chest from the bottom to the top ... until we put him in the ambulance," Benga said. He said only Please take care of the cat.'

Close to getting frostbite, Duda is now receiving anti-inflammatory medication and blood circulation treatment, said Izabella Kiskasza, who runs a community center for Ukrainian refugees in Maramures and is assisting the duo. Peach received veterinary treatment in Baia Mare on Monday and is expected to fully recover.

Duda left his home in Ukraines war-ravaged Kharkiv region more than a week before getting stranded with his feline companion in the arching Carpathian Mountain range, which straddles northern Romania and southwest Ukraine.

While Peach is the first feline rescued from the mountainous Romanian region, Duda is just one of many Ukrainian men who have risked their lives traversing the harsh conditions of the mountains to avoid being drafted into their country's grinding war with Russia.

Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, more than 160 Ukrainian men have been rescued from Romanias Maramures region and the numbers have doubled each year since, Benga said. Another 16 have been found dead.

Two other Ukrainian draft-aged men were rescued by helicopter the same day as Duda, he said.

There are a lot of people who are coming, but they have no medical problem  and they dont call for help, Benga said. The people who are calling for help are in the last few hours of their life.

open image in gallery Vladislav Duda from Ukraine poses with his cat Peach in Baia Mare after being rescued three days ago from a deep mountain ravine in where he was stuck in a state of severe hypothermia

Ukraine has taken steps to broaden its pool of draft-eligible men, but the efforts have only scratched the surface against a much larger Russian military. In April, Ukraines parliament passed a law lowering its draft-eligible age for men from 27 to 25.

Desertion is also starving the Ukrainian army of desperately needed manpower at a crucial time in its war with Russia. The U.S. has also urged Ukraine to draft more troops, and allow for the conscription of those as young as 18.

What I remember is the fear of the unknown and the fear of not making it through the night alive, Duda recalled on Monday. My Peach kept me alive. When escaping we were afraid of everybody, not to be sent back to fight in a war that is not ours.
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When President Joe Biden visited Angola last week, one of the highlights was his pledge of hundreds of millions of dollars for an ambitious trans-Africa rail project that would bring copper and cobalt from central Africa to the Atlantic port of Lobito.

The project is possible because of the commitment of a $553 million direct loan from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, created in 2019 during the first Trump administration to counter China's expansion of its global reach through infrastructure projects, such as the mega-port in Chancay, Peru, inaugurated just last month.

On Monday, the U.S. agency celebrated its five-year milestone by vowing to advance U.S. foreign policy and strategic interests through projects around the world such as the one in Angola. It also seeks re-authorization from Congress and a greater ability to invest in more countries when there's a strategic need to compete with China.

We need to be good partners while offering an alternative based on our values," said Scott Nathan, the chief executive officer of the development agency, who was in Angola last week with the president. Quite simply, we need to continue to show up.

Nathan is set to leave the post. President-elect Donald Trump is yet to name his pick to lead the agency.

Over its first five years, the agency has developed a portfolio of more than $50 billion in 114 countries, including solar panel manufacturing in India, a power plant in Sierra Leone, and digital infrastructure in South America. To do that, the agency has leveraged government funding to partner with private investments. Last year, the agency committed to $12 billion in new transactions, using the roughly $800 million in appropriations, Nathan said.

Investments by the agency are having a transformational impact on economic development while concretely advancing U.S. strategic interests, Nathan said.

In Angola, for example, the rail project would help secure the supply chain by cutting both time and cost in transporting critical minerals.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan said the agency was created when the U.S. was ceding the field" to China in a new era of geopolitics. The U.S. needed a vision calibrated to new geopolitical realities and that matched the scope of the transformational challenges we faced.

It was in 2013 when Beijing launched the massive Belt and Road Initiative to gain markets and influence around the world by building roads, railways, power plants, transmission lines and ports, usually in less-developed regions.

A recent report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office said China provided $679 billion for international infrastructure projects such as those in transportation and energy between 2013 and 2021, compared with the $76 billion the U.S. provided in the same period. Western politicians have criticized these Beijing-backed projects for creating debt traps, but Beijing argues that they have brought tangible and much-needed economic benefits to the host countries.

In 2018, Congress passed a bipartisan bill that created the U.S. development agency, aimed at bringing private investments into low- and middle-income countries through tools such as equity investment, loan guarantee and political risk insurance.

On Monday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised the agency for reimagining how the U.S. does development and said, through its work, the U.S. has shown countries that they don't have to resort to projects that are poorly built, environmentally destructive, that import or abuse workers, that foster corruption or burden countries with unsustainable debt.

"We really are the partner of choice, Blinken said.

As challenges lie ahead, Blinken said the agency needs to do even more and in more countries than before.
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A new technology for detecting harmful bugs in public water supplies is a very significant improvement on existing systems, scientists have announced.

Researchers at Heriot-Watt University have developed a new system for detecting waterborne pathogens that they say has a success rate of more than 70%, compared with an industry standard of 30%.

They said the system, which is undergoing performance testing at a major UK water company, will reduce the likelihood and severity of contamination incidents, such as the cryptosporidium outbreak in Devon earlier this year.

Our system has achieved a very significant improvement in detection rates of harmful bugs in the water Professor Helen Bridle, Heriot-Watt University

The outbreak saw about 17,000 households and businesses in the town of Brixham told to boil drinking water, and scores of reported cases of illness.

Researchers also pointed to figures showing the amount of illness linked to cryptosporidium in the UK each year is growing, with several thousand cases linked to the microscopic parasite in the UK each year.

Project lead Professor Helen Bridle said: People across the UK are very concerned about potential contamination in public water systems: incidents like the one in Devon show just how serious an impact they can have on peoples lives and livelihoods.

Our system has achieved a very significant improvement in detection rates of harmful bugs in the water so this technology will prevent illness and economic losses much more effectively in future.

Water companies routinely monitor water quality but the scientists said the different approach taken with their monitoring system allowed them to achieve a significantly better performance.

The team is in the process of setting up a spin-out company called Aquazoa to take the new system to market and it is expected to be commercialised by early 2026.

It has secured high growth spin-out funding from Scottish Enterprise, Scotlands national economic development agency.
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A criminology student butchered a woman by stabbing her to death in a random attack on Bournemouth beach after researching methods of murder, his trial has heard.

Winchester Crown Court was told today that Nasen Saadi, 20, has a fascination with knives and enjoyed horror movies. He is accused of murdering Amie Gray, 34, and attempting to murder her friend Leanne Miles at Durley Chine Beach, West Undercliff Promenade, on 24 May this year.

Jurors heard that while the defendant, from Croydon, south London, was studying for a degree in criminology at Greenwich University, he asked his lecturers a series of questions about defences for murder, which led one of them to ask him: Youre not planning a murder are you?

Sarah Jones KC, prosecuting, told Winchester Crown Court that Ms Gray, a physical trainer from Poole, and Ms Miles had been chatting next to a fire to keep warm on the Dorset beach under a full moon when they were targeted by Saadi.

She said: Nasen Saadi, as he walked along that promenade and thought about the culmination of a plan he had worked on for who knows how long but which he had spent the last couple of nights walking through and researching.

open image in gallery Nasen Saadi appearing at Winchester Crown Court, Hampshire, as the jury was sworn in ( PA )

Nothing fine or glorious in his plans Im afraid, nothing of self-improvement or to benefit anyone else.

This defendant seems to have wanted to know what it would be like to take life, perhaps he wanted to know what it would be like to make women feel afraid, perhaps he thought it would make him feel powerful, make him interesting to others.

Perhaps he just couldnt bear to see people engaged in a happy normal social interaction and he decided to lash out, to hurt, to butcher.

She added: With purpose, slowly, stealthily and quietly, when he thought no one would observe him, he hovered at the edges of the promenade, then stepped on to the sand, and walked directly towards the two women with a knife in his hand.

In an act horrifying in its savagery and in its randomness he stabbed them both multiple times, chasing after them as they tried to escape or divert him from the other and he continued his attack.

He left them on the sand to bleed to death whilst he moved away and tried to disappear back into the shadows, away from the glare of the streetlights or the moonlight and back into anonymity.

open image in gallery The scene at Bournemouth beach where Amie Gray was killed ( PA )

He got rid of his weapon. He changed his clothes and shoes and got rid of them.

Ms Jones said that during his university lectures, Saadi would ask questions not related to the subject of the talk including on self-defence justification for murder, DNA analysis and other forensic evidence.

She added the lecturer explained his questions were not relevant to the lecture but there would be police input later in the course and he could save his interest for then and then she queried, youre not planning a murder are you? but he didnt reply.

Ms Jones said that Saadi also did online research about knives, which he then bought, and also looked at the murder of Brianna Ghey and her killers.

She added: In March he researched why is it harder for a killer to be caught if he does it in another town, the merits of one weapon over another, swords or daggers over knives, or which is the deadliest knife.

Ms Jones said that Saadi also researched Bournemouth beach and how many people visited, and whether it was open at night as well as about which hotels accepted cash payment and did not have CCTV cameras.

Ms Jones said that the defendant booked a stay at a Travelodge hotel from 21 May but also the nearby Silver How Guest house which he booked into on 23 May.

open image in gallery Amie Gray (left) with her wife Sian ( PA )

She added that the previous evening, 22 May, Saadi had gone to see the film The Strangers: Chapter 1. Describing the plot, she said: The male and female leads are both stabbed  the male dies and the female survives. It suggests doesnt it, that the defendant gravitated to what he likes to watch or sought inspiration or encouragement from what he saw.

Ms Jones said that on each of the evenings that he stayed in Bournemouth, Saadi walked at night along the promenade to Durley Chine for what she described as a recce of the area.

Ms Jones said that Ms Miles described the incident to police while in hospital and said that Ms Gray had attempted to escape their attacker who had then returned to stab her.

The court heard that Ms Miles said: I ran to the top of the promenade, and I could hear Amie saying, get off me.

I couldnt see her because she was down by the beach where it was dark. I think the guy must have chased back up to the promenade. I couldnt see anybody. There wasnt, there was nobody around.

And he came back on to me, and he was continuously stabbing me, and I told him to stop. I kept turning my back to him, so all my injuries are on one side of my back.

open image in gallery Amie was repeatedly stabbed in what the prosecution say was a planned attack ( PA )

She also said: I didnt want to look at him. I couldnt look at him. And I told him, I said, please stop. I said, please stop, Ive got children. And then I think thats when he started to go, he walked away.

Ms Jones said that analysis of CCTV footage, which had captured the attack, had led to the identification of the defendant and a positive identification was made by a photographer, Michael Priddle, who had been in the area at the time.

After he was arrested, Ms Jones said that Saadi initially declined to answer questions but went on to say that he had an interest in true crime and enjoyed horror movies.

She said that he went on to admit that he had visited Bournemouth but would not give details of his whereabouts at the time of the killing. He said he might have suffered a blackout or been affected because he had been drinking.

Ms Jones said: The footage of the attack was played and he stated simply thats not me. He said he had no reason to attack someone for no reason and he wouldnt attack anyone for no reason.

The prosecutor added that a search of the defendants home by police found a number of knives, which showed his fascination with them, as well as latex gloves, a torch and a black balaclava.

Saadi, who has pleaded guilty to failing to provide his mobile phone code to police, denies the charges and the trial continues.
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Police are searching for two people who potentially witnessesed the suspected murder of a top chef in London earlier this year.

Mussie Imnetu, 41, was found unconscious with a head injury in outside the Dr Power restaurant in Queensway, West London at 11:22pm on Monday 26 August.

The chef, who worked under Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing and was visiting the UK from Dubai where he lived, was taken to a west London hospital where, despite the best efforts of medical staff, he sadly died on Friday 30 August.

A man has been charged with his murder and is due to stand trial in February at the Old Bailey.

As its investigation continues, the Metropolitan Police are looking to speak to two men they believe may have information about the devastating attack.

The force said the two witnesses were near the Dr Power restaurant in Queensway between 11:10pm and 11:30pm on the night of the attack.

open image in gallery The force said the two witnesses were near the Dr Power restaurant in Queensway between 11:10pm and 11:30pm on the night of the attack. ( Met Police )

Detective Chief Inspector Brian Howie, who is leading the investigation, said: Mussie Imnetus murder has been devastating for his family and friends.

A man will stand trial in February, but all the time we continue to investigate the attack. We need to speak to two men who were near the Dr Power restaurant in Queensway between 23:10hrs and 23:30hrs on Monday, 26 August and who we believe may hold vital information.

I would like to stress that the two men pictured have not done anything wrong. If you are one of these men, or if you know one of them, wed like to hear from you.

open image in gallery The force stressed that the two men pictured have not done anything wrong ( Met Police )

Wed also still like to hear from anyone else who has information and hasnt yet spoken to us.

Did you happen to speak with the victim or the suspect at the time? Did you hear or see anything before the attack took place? Any information you have could prove vital in our ongoing investigation.

Anyone who can identify the people in the photos or who has other information is urged to call 101 or message @MetCC on X giving the reference 8020/26AUG.

Information can also be provided to the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, by calling 0800 555 111.
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Donald Trump has described King Charles as fighting very hard against cancer and praised the Prince of Wales, saying he looks better in person following their meeting in Paris.

The US president-elect, who has often expressed admiration for the royal family, said he and Prince William discussed both the Kings health and the Princess of Waless recent cancer treatment, calling the situation sad.

Trump met Prince William during the ceremonial reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral on Saturday. Speaking to the New York Post, he said of the Prince: Hes a very handsome man. Some people look better in person, and he looked great.

Reflecting on their conversation, Trump said: I asked him about his wife, and he said shes doing well. I also asked about his father, and he said his father is fighting very hard. He loves his father, and he loves his wife, so its a sad situation.

He added: We had a great talkabout half an hour, maybe a little longer. It was really wonderful.

open image in gallery Trump sat down with William following the ceremonial reopening of Notre Dame cathedral on Saturday ( Getty Images )

The meeting took place the day after the Princess of Wales hosted her annual Christmas carol concert, marking her first major public engagement since completing chemotherapy earlier this year. The King, meanwhile, continues to undergo treatment for cancer.

Prince William stepped in at short notice to represent the royal family at the reopening of Notre Dame, which was severely damaged by fire in 2019. His attendance alongside world leaders underscored the monarchys ongoing role in British diplomacy.

The royal family remains central to the UK governments efforts to foster close ties with Trump as he prepares to assume office.

open image in gallery Charles as the then-Prince of Wales is greeted by then-US president Donald Trump in 2019 (Victoria Jones/PA) ( PA Wire )

In a video released last month, Trump was seen looking through picutures on his private jet, one of which showing him with the late Queen Elizabeth, who he called fantastic.

William and Trump first greeted at the ceremony inside Notre Dame, when Trump patted William on the shoulder before the pair shook hands.

After the service, they then went to the residence of the British ambassador for a 40-minute meeting, with the prince seen standing in the foyer as Trump arrived.

The Republican politician the prince for doing a fantastic job as Trump turned to reporters and said wow, what a nice group. He then gestured to the prince and said: Good man, this one.
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A woman who has been sleeping in her living room for four years after a row over mould in her flat said the disrepair has made her feel like less than a human being.

Tracy Nilsson, 51, who has lived in her London flat for over six years, says she has been battling with the housing association to carry out the necessary repairs.

She said her belongings, including a sofa, bed and curtains were ruined by mould and damp, adding that it was particularly bad in her bedroom.

open image in gallery Ms Nilssons bedroom is now bare due to repairs that have been carried out to prevent damp ( The Independent )

Ms Nilsson claimed that she would wake up with wet blankets, which forced her to move to the living room to sleep. She said she was sleeping on a mat on the floor for more than a year before a charity bought her a new bed.

Have you had similar experiences? Email holly.bancroft@independent.co.uk

The housing association Clarion said that they carried out repairs in a timely manner and had carried out significant work to improve the property. They dispute Ms Nilssons claim that she had to sleep outside of her bedroom at any point.

But it agreed to give her more than 5,000 in compensation following her claim.

open image in gallery The bathroom was also affected ( The Independent )

There is no longer any damp in the bedroom but the walls have been stripped bare and the room is empty. Ms Nilsson, who lives at the High Barnet flat with her teenage daughter, said: It took me many years to build my home and Ive lost it all. Im back to the floorboards and Ive got to start again. When I moved into here in 2017 it used to rain through the windows. They had to replace them.

Describing what her bedroom used to be like, Ms Nilsson explained: Id wake up and my blankets would be wet. It was so damp. I could never turn my heating off.

open image in gallery Ms Nilssons hallway amid repair work being carried out in her flat ( The Independent )

She described her experience as being like a hamster on a wheel going round and round with nothing being done. She added: All I want to do is have a comfortable, safe and peaceful home for me and my child. She said she had hoped to find a lawyer to take her case further but said she would accept the compensation money.

A Clarion spokesperson apologised for the issues that Ms Nilsson experienced, saying that all the issues in the disrepair claim are being resolved.

open image in gallery The tenant had to deal with mushrooms of mould growing in her bathroom ( Tracy Nilsson )

In 2021 we fitted the flat with a new kitchen. In 2023 we fitted a new bathroom suite, and in early 2024 we renewed all windows to the property with double glazed UPVC units, amongst other works.

Between 2021 and 2024 multiple surveyors have visited the property. Minor mould, attributable to condensation, was identified on the bathroom ceiling and above a skirting board on the back wall of a bedroom. These have since been treated and we are satisfied that at no point was the bedroom unsafe to be used.

They added that leaks in the bathroom reported in 2024 had been repaired either the same day or within three days.

Dan Tomlinson, MP for Chipping Barnet, said: "Im happy that we could work with Clarion to improve Tracys living conditions and her overall wellbeing.
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Human remains have been found inside the wreckage of a plane that went missing off the coast of Scotland more than a year ago.

Police are investigating after a fishing boat discovered the small aircraft in waters north-east of Lerwick on Friday, according to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB).

The remains of the German-registered Cessna 172 were brought to shore in Shetland on Sunday, the AAIB spokesperson said.

Police Scotland said the force is investigating after human remains were found within the four-seater craft when it was brought to shore.

The incident is also being investigated by the German Bundesstelle fur Flugunfalluntersuchung (BFU).

The plane had disappeared in the North Sea in September last year.

According to the Aviation Safety Network, the pilot had chartered the Cessna on 30 September 2023 to visit relatives in Bayreuth, with a plan to return the following day. When he did not, the owner reported the aircraft as missing on 1 October.

It is claimed that the pilots wife was supposed to be a passenger, but he told her that morning that she would no longer be flying with him. The Aviation Safety Network said the BFU reported that it was not aware of the circumstances and motives.

Tracking the crafts flight path, the Aviation Safety Networks report states: According to radar records, shortly after takeoff, before crossing the Elbe River, the aircraft took a northwesterly course (approximately 300). The stated destination, Bayreuth, is located 143 NM to the south-southeast.

At around 12.05pm, the aircraft turned further north (approximately 330) and entered Danish airspace about seven minutes later at an altitude of 6,200 feet AMSL. At 1.43pm, Norwegian air traffic control detected the aircraft on the same course in international airspace. From 2.47pm to 2.52pm, the aircraft climbed from 6,200 feet to 8,500 feet AMSL and continued flying in a north-northwest direction over the North Sea.

Around 4.38pm, the aircraft began descending at an average rate of 1,000 feet per minute and initially deviated to the right from the northern course, followed by numerous small course changes. The last radar contact was recorded by Norwegian air traffic control at 4.45pm, approximately 70 NM southeast of the Shetland Islands (UK) and just over 500 NM from the departure airfield, at 1,700 feet AMSL (about six hours and 19 minutes after takeoff and eight minutes after the descent began).

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: Police received a report of a small aircraft having been recovered from the water in the North Sea, north-east of Lerwick, around 2.20pm on Friday, 6 December, 2024.

The aircraft was brought to shore on Sunday, 8 December, and human remains were found within. Enquiries are ongoing.

An AAIB spokesperson said: We were informed that the remains of a German registered Cessna 172, which was lost in the North Sea in September 2023, had been recovered by a fishing vessel on December 6 and brought to shore in Shetland earlier today.

The loss of the aircraft was initially investigated by the Bundesstelle fur Flugunfalluntersuchung (BFU) of Germany. The AAIB is supporting Police Scotland and working with the BFU to assist their safety investigation.
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The mother of an inspirational teenage photographer who shared a heartfelt hug with the Princess of Wales at Windsor Castle has revealed the touching lengths Kate and William took to make her feel welcome.

Liz Hatton, who captured global attention by photographing an investiture as part of her bucket list, died of a rare cancer last month.

Her mother, Vicky Robayna, has opened up about the meeting, praising the royal couple for their kindness and thoughtfulness in creating a special experience for Liz and her eight-year-old brother, Mateo.

They really went out of their way to include Mateo and made him feel every bit as important as she was, Ms Robayna said, reflecting on the touching interaction between the Prince and Princess of Wales and Lizs younger brother.

Liz was not scared of dying but was terrified of leaving her brother behind, so she wanted to make memories with him that he would have for the rest of his life. The Prince and Princess made that possible.

open image in gallery Liz Hatton made headlines when she was pictured hugging Kate at Windsor Castle after being invited to take photos of William at an investiture earlier this year. ( Getty/Kensington Palace )

She told the Daily Mirror that meeting with the royal couple brought the 17-year-old from Harrogate into the public eye and gave her the chance to achieve her goals in her final months of life.

Kensington Palace said William found out about Liz through the London Air Ambulance Charity of which he is patron. Liz was then invited by the prince to take photos of investiture recipients receiving their honours from William.

As part of her bucket list, the Yorkshire teenager went on to photograph comedian Michael McIntyre, circus performers, the Royal Ballet, models from the Storm Model Agency, London Air Ambulances from a helipad, hotel doormen, the red carpet at the MTV Europe Music Awards and joined acclaimed British photographer Rankin to lead a fashion shoot.

All any parent wants is for their childs dreams to come true, and the Prince and Princess of Wales were a big part in making that happen, she said.

Lizs final two months with us were the happiest we have ever seen her, and a lot of that was down to their kindness  we truly cant thank them enough.

open image in gallery Liz Hatton with her family just a week before she died ( Getty Images )

She died at home on November 27 with her mother revealing she had left a gaping Liz-shaped hole in our lives that I am not sure how we will ever fill.

The 17-year-old fulfilled what her mother described as her biggest wish, spending two days with Los Angeles-based portrait photographer David Suh, who flew from the US to work with her.

Her hard work culminated in her own photography exhibition, which opened in London this month.
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It was neither Britains biggest tree nor its oldest. But the majestic sycamore that stood for 150 years along a stretch of Hadrians Wall in northern England was one of the most beloved.

Perched symmetrically in a dip between two hills, the Sycamore Gap tree had been the site of first kisses, wedding proposals and even a place where the ashes of loved ones were scattered.

When local residents and admirers woke to the news last fall that it had been cut down in the dark of night, they wanted to know why and who could have committed such a senseless act.

On Monday, prosecutors were expected to start providing those answers.

However, one of the men accused of felling the famous tree and causing more than 620,000 of damage was too ill to stand trial, court heard.

Daniel Graham, 39, of Milbeck Stables, Carlisle, was unable to attend Newcastle Crown Court, prosecutors said.

Graham and Adam Carruthers, 32, have pleaded not guilty to two counts each of criminal damage. Prosecutors said the value of the tree exceeded 620,000 and damage to the wall was assessed at 1,100.

This is a case that will be instantly recognisable to you, indeed anyone hearing the charges read out, prosecutor Rebecca Brown said in May, as the two defendants made their first court appearance.

The prosecution say the tree was deliberately felled on 28 September last year and the resultant fall damaged Hadrians Wall, a Unesco World Heritage Site, Brown said. The prosecution say these defendants are responsible as part of a joint enterprise.

open image in gallery The tree on Hadrians Wall was much-loved by walkers visiting Northumberland (Owen Humphreys/PA) ( PA Media )

Word of the tree's demise spread swiftly and the impact reverberated through the wild and scenic Northumberland region.

I still cant come to terms with the fact that the trees not there, said Catherine Cape, who lives nearby. I am still really angry about it. I cant understand why you would want to destroy something so beautiful.

The tree became famous after being featured in Kevin Costners 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves, and was a big draw for tourism.

Before the tree was cut down, about 80 per cent of the inquiries at Northumberland National Park 's main visitors center were from people planning to walk to the tree, the park's chief executive, Tony Gates, said after the tree was cut down.

The sycamores broad canopy framed between two hills had long been a popular draw for landscape photographers and a scenic stop for walkers on the path along the wall.

open image in gallery The tree also damaged Hadrians Wall when it fell (Owen Humphreys/PA) ( PA Archive )

Cape walked to the tree on her first and second dates with her future husband. They later watched their daughter take her first steps there. And after her mother and sister both died in 2020, she met her brother-in-law and nephews there when they couldnt gather indoors during the Covid-19 lockdown.

The tree was a huge draw for the guests that stayed at a small cabin Cape owns. Bookings dropped off after the tree was downed but they have largely rebounded.

She used to drive past the tree two or three days a week but now takes the highway instead because she doesn't like to see the empty space on the hillside where it stood.

The sycamore was removed with a crane and taken to a National Trust property for storage. A section of the trunk went on display at the park visitor center this fall and seeds from the tree that were used to grow saplings are being donated for planting around the U.K.

In time, the tree itself may grow back. More than two dozens shoots were discovered sprouting from the stump.

The tree does still live on, but just not in the form that it was, Cape said. "Well never see it in our lifetime grow into a tree, or what it was before."
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Part of the wreckage of the plane blown up in the Lockerbie bombing is being moved to the US ahead of the trial of a man alleged to have helped make the bomb.

All 259 passengers and crew onboard Pan Am Flight 103 and 11 people on the ground were killed when the plane exploded above the Scottish town in 1988, in what remains Britains deadliest terrorist atrocity.

Libyan national Abu Agila Masud, who is alleged to have helped make the bomb, is to go on trial in the US in May 2025 facing three charges, which he denies.

Scotlands prosecution service said the transfer of evidence to the US ahead of the trial is starting and includes parts of the fuselage  the main body of the plane  where the passengers and crew would have been seated.

Laura Buchan, who is head of a team of prosecutors from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) working on the case, said: Since Masud was taken into custody by the US in 2022, Scottish prosecutors and police have been engaged in a formal evidence sharing process with the US Department of Justice.

The transfer of physical items of evidence from Scotland into US custody is beginning.

The transfer includes parts of the fuselage of Pan Am 103 which are a production in the criminal investigation.

We understand that the fuselage will hold significance for many of the families of those who lost their lives and they have been informed of the transfer plans.

The plane exploded above Lockerbie, Dumfries and Galloway, on December 21 1988, 40 minutes into its flight from London to New York.

Former Libyan intelligence officer Abdelbaset al-Megrahi is the only man convicted in relation to the bombing, after being found guilty of 270 counts of murder by a panel of three Scottish judges, sitting at a special court in the Hague in 2001.

He was sent to prison in Scotland but was controversially granted compassionate release in 2009 after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, returning home to Libya where he died in 2012.

Scotlands most senior law officer, the Lord Advocate, Dorothy Bain KC, said: The trial court held that this act of state-sponsored terrorism was orchestrated by the Libyan government and that Megrahi was involved with others. That verdict has been subject of intense scrutiny and has been upheld twice in the appeal court.

The transfer of evidence for the trial in the US is a strong expression of the commitment that Scottish prosecutors and officers of Police Scotland have to bringing all those responsible for this terrible act to justice.

Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell said: My thoughts remain with the families and friends of those who lost loved ones in 1988 and who continue to show incredible dignity and strength.

Police Scotland remains committed to working with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and our law enforcement colleagues in the United States to support the investigation and bring those responsible for the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 to justice, no matter the passage of time.
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Rachel Reeves will bank on Labours Brexit reset with the European Union to help deliver the economic growth she pledged ahead of the general election.

The hope that living standards can be raised with a better Brexit deal will be the core subject of Ms Reeves keynote speech in Brussels on Monday.

With economic analysts and business leaders questioning whether Ms Reeves will achieve substantial growth after adding an extra 40bn in taxes including a hike in national insurance, the chancellor is looking towards a better deal with the EU to boost prosperity.

Already, Sir Keir Starmer downgraded the promise of economic growth  previously the centre of Labours election campaign  to focus more on raising living standards.

open image in gallery Rachel Reeves is aiming for a better deal with the EU to boost prosperity ( PA Wire )

The chancellors speech comes as deputy prime minister Angela Rayner heralded plans to tear up planning rules to allow more housebuilding and the construction of infrastructure to turn the UK economy around.

But with the Office of Budget Responsibility suggesting that growth will peak at around just 2 per cent during this parliament, Ms Reeves is looking for changes in the flawed Brexit deal to help put more money in peoples pockets.

Ms Reeves will become the first UK chancellor to attend a meeting of EU finance ministers since the UK left the EU. The Labour government is using it to clearly signal their commitment to reset the relationship with the EU and realise the economic potential of our shared future.

In her speech, the chancellor will set out that part of the governments mission to drive economic growth and make working people better off, a central part of the Plan for Change, will be achieved through a closer relationship with the EU.

She will focus on three key areas of the UK-EU relationship: tackling shared challenges, including the war in Ukraine; championing free trade as a driver of economic competitiveness; and strengthening bilateral economic partnerships.

She will go on to say that by taking these on together, leaders can put more money in people's pockets through lower prices and generate better jobs through increased investment.

Ms Reeves will say: This is the first time a British chancellor has addressed the Eurogroup since Brexit.

And there could be no more important moment to do so, than now.

open image in gallery Sir Keir Starmer and Ursula von der Leyen met in October as the government looks to reset relations with the EU ( AP )

It is a signal of the new UK governments commitment to resetting our countrys relationship with the European Union; and the importance I place in realising the economic potential of our shared future.

She will add: I know that the last few years have been fractious. Division and chaos defined the last governments approach to Europe. It will not define ours.

We want a relationship built on trust, mutual respect, and pragmatism. A mature, business-like relationship where we can put behind us the low ambitions of the past and move forward, focused instead on all that we have in common.

And all that we might achieve together to keep our countries safe, secure and prosperous.

On strengthening economic ties, she will say: I believe that a closer economic relationship between the UK and the EU is not a zero-sum game. Its about improving both our growth prospects.

The reset in relations is about doing what is in the best interests of our shared economies and those that depend on it.

That means breaking down barriers to trade, creating opportunities to invest and helping our businesses sell in each others markets.

Thats why Im here today; thats what our reset seeks to achieve.

open image in gallery Nick Thomas-Symonds is leading the Brexit reset talks ( UK Parliament/PA Media )

Ms Reeves will also underscore the importance of the UK and EUs unwavering support for Ukraine more than 1,000 days after Russias invasion, delivered most recently through a G7 loan of $50bn (39bn) backed by profits on immobilised Russian sovereign assets.

She will say that Ukraines national security ensures the UK and Europes national security too.

While in Brussels, the chancellor will also attend a series of bilateral meetings with European counterparts. International economic partnerships are a crucial part of the governments No 1 mission to grow the economy and make every part of the UK better off.

She will, however, emphasise that there will no return to the single market, the customs union, or freedom of movement in a decision that will disappoint many businesses in the UK.

Following their meeting on 2 October, the prime minister and president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, agreed to strengthen the UK-EU relationship and put it on a more solid, stable footing.

The EU reset feeds directly into the governments Plan for Change to be achieved via its five missions  one of which is growth. The reset will help contribute to the governments ambitions to grow the economy, invest to create an NHS fit for the future and tackle irregular migration.

Shevaun Haviland, director general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: Right now, UK firms wanting to trade with Europe are struggling under huge regulatory and paperwork burdens.

Businesses will be encouraged to hear the chancellor talking about a reset in our relationship with the EU which genuinely breaks down barriers to trade.

A better deal cant come soon enough for UK exporters. Its vital that talks move at pace in the coming months to make life easier for businesses to thrive.

But Tory shadow business and trade secretary Andrew Griffith said: The chancellor should be spending all her energy working out how to reverse her devastating budget measures that have crashed confidence and will see fewer jobs, lower salaries, and higher taxes.

If she is interested in growth, she should tell the prime minister to jump on a plane to the US and talk to Trump about getting a US-UK trade deal done, not trying to take Britain backwards into the slow growth EU.
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Rachel Reeves has been urged to prioritise reversing the economic damage caused by Brexit as she becomes the first chancellor since Brexit to join a meeting of European finance ministers.

She is banking on Labours Brexit reset with the European Union to help deliver the economic growth she pledged ahead of the general election.

The chancellor is expected to say the UK and EU should aim to have a businesslike relationship going forward at Mondays meeting, taking place in Brussels.

In an attempt to reset the dynamic, Ms Reeves is expected to acknowledge Britain and Europes fractious relationship in recent years, telling her counterparts: Division and chaos defined the last governments approach to Europe. It will not define ours.

But she has been urged to address the impacts of the UKs exit from the EU more explicitly, with pro-EU campaign group the European Movement saying ministers must use the meeting to end the silence around the costs of Brexit and start a conversation about how to reverse the damage.

Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves will meet with EU finance chiefs on Monday (Danny Lawson/PA) ( PA Wire )

Molly Scott Cato, a professor of economics and the groups senior vice chair said: "First we engage in the economic self-harm of creating barriers between our businesses and our largest trading market; now we face an impact on a similar scale from Trumps tariffs.

We need to end the silence around the costs of Brexit and start a conversation about how to reverse the damage as well as defending our businesses.

Reducing trade frictions is a useful start, but it is clear that our best protection would be taking our place as part of the powerful EU trading bloc and joining the customs union."

Dr Mike Galsworthy, the groups chair, said Brexit has been been the elephant-in-the-room for far too long.

It is now reckless to ignore the severe damage that continues to be done to the public finances. It has long been draining the financial and social wellbeing of every single one of us - and yet completely ignored as if it does not exist.

We must now have a forward-facing public inquiry into the true cost of leaving the European Union and the possibilities for repairing the scandalous destruction that has been done, Dr Galsworthy said.

He added We need as a matter of urgency to reach an agreement on food and farm exports with a new veterinary agreement.

We must also seek a reduction in red tape surrounding pan-European supply chains in manufacturing and textiles. Our goods exports have suffered for the past few years due to the unanticipated bureaucracy that Brexit caused our exporters and businesses.

It comes after Treasury minister Tulip Siddiq last month admitted that 60 per cent of the impact of Brexit is yet to materialise, citing Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) forecasts that the economy would shrink by 4 per cent in the long run due to Brexit.

Ms Siddiq also said that Britains imports and exports would end up 15 per cent lower than they would be had the UK stayed in the EU.

During Mondays meeting, Ms Reeves is expected to say: We want a relationship built on trust, mutual respect, and pragmatism. A mature, businesslike relationship where we can put behind us the low ambitions of the past and move forward, focused instead on all that we have in common.

And all that we might achieve together to keep our countries safe, secure and prosperous.

The meeting is expected to focus on tackling shared challenges like the war in Ukraine, championing free trade and strengthening economic partnerships.

But ministers have ruled out returning to the single market, the customs union, and freedom of movement, with a Downing Street spokesperson on Monday saying: Weve left the EU so well certainly not be going back to the situation we were in.

We want to reset our relationship with the EU and get a better deal that supports British people and the British economy, the official added.

Ms Reeves will tell her European counterparts that a closer economic relationship between the UK and the EU is not a zero-sum game.

Its about improving both our growth prospects, she will add.

The FCDO has been contacted for comment.
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Economic growth is more important than protecting human rights, Downing Street has suggested, amid questions over Sir Keir Starmers meeting with Saudi Arabias crown prince on Monday.

The meeting between the prime minister and Mohammed bin Salman is expected to be focused on boosting growth, with the prime minister saying that such a mission requires us to strengthen partnerships abroad.

He insisted his international agenda starts at home as he visits the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia on Monday in a bid to build closer economic ties with the two Gulf states.

Asked if promoting economic growth is more important for the government than protecting human rights, the prime ministers official spokesperson said: Promoting economic growth is the prime ministers number one priority, he has been very clear about that.

But they added that no aspect of the relationships that were building internationally and abroad stop us from raising issues around human rights and protecting our values globally.

In 2022, Sir Keir accused predecessor Boris Johnson of going cap in hand from dictator to dictator when the former prime minister met the Saudi crown prince.

The prime minister is facing calls to raise the wider human rights record of Saudi Arabia, as some 300 people have been executed in the country since 2024, the highest ever toll in a single year.

Legal campaign group Reprieve said the PM could help to save the lives of those awaiting the death penalty, including two child defendants, while the widow of murdered journalist Jamal Khashoggi urged the prime minister to question the crown prince about the case.

Starmer welcomed the end of Bashar Assads barbaric regime ( PA )

Reprieve deputy executive director Dan Dolan said: When Boris Johnson visited Mohammed bin Salman in 2022, three days after the mass execution of 81 people, Sir Keir Starmer was rightly scathing of Johnsons unconditional embrace of one of the worlds most prolific executioners of protesters.

Now he is the prime minister, he has the opportunity to address the escalating execution crisis in Saudi Arabia.

If he publicly raises the cases of child defendants Abdullah al-Howaiti and Abdullah al-Derazi when he meets with the crown prince, he could save their lives.

Downing Street has insisted that human rights are always discussed regularly, and we stand ready to discuss them with any country.

The prime minister arrived in Saudi Arabia on Monday morning as part of a two-day trip to the Middle East.

He said the north of England will directly benefit from closer trade ties with the region, as a Manchester-based company specialising in the potentially revolutionary material graphene has announced a deal with the Saudis to use its product in a major project.

Some 250m of investment into a research and innovation hub in Greater Manchester and more than 1,000 skilled jobs could be created as a result of the deal.

Khashoggis widow Hanan Elatr Khashoggi told The Guardian that Sir Keir should demand answers about what happened to her husband, who was killed inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018.

I hope my husbands case has not been forgotten, and I will always maintain to make sure it is not forgotten, she said. There is unfinished business here. There has to be justice for Jamal Khashoggi.

Sir Keirs visit to Riyadh follows a trip to the United Arab Emirates where he met president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan.

The two discussed the evolving situation in Syria and the prime minister welcomed His Highnesss reflections on how to achieve stability in the wider region against the broader geopolitical backdrop, a Downing Street spokesperson said.

Turning to the bilateral relationship, they agreed on the untapped potential in areas such as artificial intelligence, and a joint desire to build on existing cooperation in defence and security.

They also discussed a shared ambition for greater investment and trade, building on the close personal ties between the British and Emirati people.
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Opposition to Rachel Reeves family farm tax raid is growing ahead of a second major demonstration in London planned for Wednesday.

North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) has become the fourth local authority to publicly oppose the chancellor changes to inheritance tax rules for farms announced in the Autumn Budget. The East Midlands council has joined Cornwall, Buckinghamshire and Staffordshire Moorlands in backing the protesters.

It comes as scores of tractors are expected to descend on Westminster on Wednesday as angry farmers continue to ratchet up the pressure over tax changes they believe will destroy family farms in the UK by forcing them to be sold off or broken up.

Already farmers in north Wales have blocked the port at Angelsey in protest on a number of occasions.

The changes mean that farms worth 1 million or more will be subject to a 20 per cent inheritance tax - half the usual death duty rate of 40 per cent - having previously been exempt.

open image in gallery Reeves Budget has angered farmers ( AFP via Getty Images )

Ms Reeves and environment secretary Steve Reed have insisted that the changes are fair and proportionate and will only affect 28 per cent of farms. They have been brought in because wealthy figures like the entrepreneur James Dyson and the TV personality Jeremy Clarkson have invested in farms to bypass inheritance tax.

The government insists that farms with more than one owner and using normal inheritance tax allowances means in reality only estates valued at 3 million will be taxed under the new scheme.

However, the National Farmers Union (NFU) has claimed that Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affars (Defra) figures suggest that as many as 66 per cent of farms could be dragged into paying the tax. Defra have said that it is a misinterpretation of the figures by the NFU.

Speaking out against the changes after his council voted to oppose them, NNC leader Jason Smithers said: It seems theres a constant attack on parts of our society, private schools, businesses, old age pensioners. Theres something that you dont like rich people, obviously.

open image in gallery Farmers protested in central London last month over changes to inheritance tax rules in the recent budget (James Manning/PA) ( PA Wire )

Will Sir Keir Starmer fight for our hard-working farmers? Will this Labour group in front of us support this motion and stand shoulder to shoulder with our hard-working farmers?

Mo Metcalf-Fisher, director of external affairs for the Countryside Alliance said: We would like to thank the overwhelming number of councillors that backed this important motion. North Northamptonshire now adds its heavy weight to the growing list of councils opposing the family farm tax.

The family farm remains the backbone of rural communities and they are also central to the public vision of the British countryside. Rachel Reeves should listen to the experts and reverse this policy before its too late.

A government spokesperson said:Our commitment to farmers remains steadfast  we have committed 5 billion to the farming budget over two years, including more money than ever for sustainable food production, and we are developing a 25-year farming roadmap, focusing on how to make the sector more profitable in the decades to come. Our reform to Agricultural and Business Property Relief will impact around 500 estates a year. For these estates, inheritance tax will be at half the rate paid by others, with 10 years to pay the liability back interest free. This is a fair and balanced approach which fixes the public services we all rely on.
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Nigel Farage will be in the USA on Sunday for a sixth time since he was elected as the MP for on 4 July after he was unveiled as one of the headline acts at the biggest MAGA gala since Donald Trump won the US presidential election.

The Reform UK leader, who has been dubbed the MP for MAGA, by some political opponents in Westminster and comes amid questions over how much time he is spending in his Clacton constituency.

Recently, prime minister Sir Keir Starmer mocked Farage for a rare appearance adding: He spent so much time in America recently, I was half expecting to see him on the immigration statistics.

Farage will be giving one of the speeches at a major Republican fundraising event which will also be addressed by the president-elect via video link.

Organisers of the dinner though have delivered an extraordinary snub to Kemi Badenoch and the Tories because they do not want loser parties involved following the Tories suffering their worst election defeat in their 365-year history.

The extraordinary remarks come as Ms Badenoch has attempted to woo parts of Team Trump including strengthening her relationship with vice president elect J. D. Vance as she tries to revive her party and stave off the threat from Farage and Reform.

open image in gallery Nigel Farage is close to Trump ( Getty )

Organisers of the New York Young Republican Club (NYYRC) dinner have made a deliberate decision not to formally invite representatives of the Tories.

NYYRC executive secretary Vish Burra told The Independent: The NYYRC Gala is a party for winners, not globalist losers. MAGA Republicans are not interested in working with parties in the death throes of their moral integrity and electoral viability.

NYYRC president Gavin Wax added: For a decade and a half the UK Tories governed their nation to the left of the Democrats. It ended in record migration, legal and illegal, as well as virtually bankrupting the country and transforming it into something weak, unreliable, and unrecognisable. Worse still their fecklessness led to this even greater disaster of a Labour administration. Theyre a textbook case of how oot to govern, and the idea they would get anywhere close to any MAGA power centers is risible.

The NYYRC was founded in 1911, is the oldest and largest Young Republican club in the entire United States with its annual dinner a major fundraising event.

open image in gallery J.D. Vance met up with Kemi Badenoch recently ( JD Vance X )

The decision comes amid tensions within the Trump camp over whether to support Mr Farage and his Reform UK party or to stick with their longstanding alliance with the Tories when dealing with Britain.

The Independent revealed splits after there was criticism by some in the Trump team of J. D. Vance for meeting with Ms Badenoch at the weekend. It was the second meeting between the two who have regularly texted one another over the last 18 months.

Ms Badenoch was also endorsed by Florida governor Ron DeSantis and has been welcomed by Congress Speaker Mike Johnson among others. She also has strong relations with Texas governor Greg Abbott and senator Rick Scott, who are both influential figures.

But the row deepened when one stateside source who is an ally of Ms Badenoch suggested that Farage is not that close to Trump and described the Reform leader as an eccentric British fanboy.

It was later pointed out that Farage and Trump have each others mobile phone numbers and regularly talk.

It was also suggested that Trump really likes Boris Johnson and the Royal family. This was evident at his delight at meeting Prince William when the two attended the reopening of Notre Dame in Paris last weekend.

But the row is part of a struggle on the right of British politics with Reform splitting the traditional Tory vote with some claiming they could replace the Conservatives. Mr Farage sees his relationship with Trump as essential for success in the UK.

It is understood though that while Trump and Farage have a close relationship the two are perceived as sole traders while the Republicans have a wider view.

According to one well placed insider it means that the Tories and Republican Party are renewing their relationship with Trumps deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller crucial for work through back channels even though he likes Farage.

Meanwhile, the number of trips across the Atlantic by Mr Farage in less than six months as an MP have already led to questions about his commitment to his Clacton constituency even though he is believed to be angling for a visit there from the soon-to-be US president.
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Jamal Khashoggis widow has urged Sir Keir Starmer to raise her husbands murder at his meeting with Saudi Arabias crown prince on Monday.

The prime minister will arrive in Saudi Arabia on Monday morning as part of a two-day trip to the Middle East.

Hanan Elatr Khashoggi urged him to raise the case of her husband, a Saudi journalist, who wrote a column for The Washington Post and was regularly critical of the Saudi government.

US intelligence officials have accused Crown prince Mohammed bin Salman of personally ordering Mr Khashoggis murder, which took place inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018.

Ms Khashoggi told the Guardian: We look here to your country, to the UK and to the US and most western countries, with respect because you have justice and you care for democratic and human rights.

open image in gallery Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer welcomed the end of Bashar Assads barbaric regime (Andy Buchanan/PA) ( PA Wire )

Forgetting Jamals case does not align with the values of justice and democratic and human rights in your country.

The prime minister is also facing calls to raise the wider human rights record of Saudi Arabia, as some 300 people have been executed in the country since 2024, the highest ever toll in a single year.

Legal campaign group Reprieve said the PM could help to save the lives of those awaiting the death penalty, including two child defendants.

On Friday, Downing Street insisted that human rights are always discussed regularly, and we stand ready to discuss them with any country.

However, Mondays meeting is expected to be focused on boosting growth at home, with the prime minister saying that such a mission requires us to strengthen partnerships abroad.

He insisted his international agenda starts at home as he visits the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia on Monday in a bid to build closer economic ties with the two Gulf states.

That is why I am travelling to the Gulf this week, to build a network of partners for the UK that is focused on driving high quality growth, boosting opportunities, and delivering for the people at home, he added.

He said the north of England will directly benefit from closer trade ties with the region, as a Manchester-based company specialising in wonder material graphene has announced a deal with the Saudis to use its product in a major project.

open image in gallery Jamal Khashoggi ( AFP via Getty Images )

While the PM said he would use the trip to make the case to accelerate progress on the Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement and deepen research and development collaboration, it is likely to be overshadowed by the fall of the Assad regime in Syria.

A coalition of rebels seized control of the capital Damascus in a lightning offensive overnight on Sunday, 12 days after launching a major operation, with the Syrian leader now seeking sanctuary in Moscow, according to Russian state media.

Saudi Arabia has been communicating with all regional actors on Syria and is determined to do what is possible to avoid chaos following the downfall of President Bashar al-Assad, a Saudi official told Reuters on Sunday.

In a statement, its foreign ministry said it is monitoring the rapid developments in the brotherly country of Syria and expresses its satisfaction with the positive steps taken to ensure the safety of the Syrian people, prevent bloodshed, and preserve Syrias state institutions and resources.

Sir Keir welcomed the end of Mr Assads rule, but said it was early days yet in deciding how Britain would choose to engage with those who have overthrown him.

Ahead of his meeting with the Saudi crown prince, the prime minister met with Abu Dhabis Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed before travelling to Riyadh.

On his way home from the tour of Arab Gulf states, the PM will travel to Cyprus, becoming the first time a UK prime minister to have visited for a one-to-one bilateral meeting with the countrys president for 53 years since Ted Heath visited the island in 1971.

The FCDO has been contacted for comment.
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Rachel Reeves has stubbornly insisted that the Labour government will stick to our red lines over the Brexit reset with the EU despite growing evidence that a more fundamental change is needed in the relationship.

Ms Reeves became the first chancellor to join European member state finance ministers and EU commissioners for a meeting in Brussels since Brexit, with hopes running high that it would herald a more open-minded approach to reworking the flawed EU deal left by Boris Johnson.

But at the subsequent press conference, Ms Reeves made it clear that the government does not intend to budge from its original red lines.

Pressure has begun to mount for a more fundamental reconsideration of EU or single market membership with the re-election of Donald Trump and concerns of an international trade war with the UK being hit by US tariffs.

open image in gallery Reeves spoke at a press conference after the meeting with EU finance ministers ( Reuters )

But Ms Reeves said negotiations between Britain and the EU will start in the new year and her visit to Brussels on Monday was in order to begin to rebuild bonds of trust that have been fractured.

Asked whether the UK would be willing to give up some of its sovereignty to have a closer relationship with the EU and what her demands were in terms of defence cooperation, the chancellor said: I did not come here today to start a negotiation or to lay down a set of demands. Those conversations about the reset and those negotiations will begin in the new year.

But what I was aiming to do today was to begin to rebuild those bonds of trust that have been fractured in the last few years under the previous government and to show our friends, neighbours and allies in the European Union that we want a reset of those relationships. I hope thats what I achieved in the meeting today.

She added that at the general election, we had red lines of not rejoining the European Union, the single market or the customs union or agree to the free movement of people.

This appeared to be another rejection of the youth mobility scheme which many in the EU are prioritising in the reset talks when they officially start in January.

But Ms Reeves also noted that Labour promised voters that they would deliver economic growth.

There was disappointment from pro-EU activists.

Dr Mike Galsworthy, chair of the European Movement UK, said: The chancellor is doing the right thing by turning up to the right places, but then what? If there are no serious offers about very obvious things such as a youth mobility scheme, before we even come onto cutting obstructive red lines, then its hard to see how vague wishes get materialised into real gains.

And we badly need those gains for our small businesses, youth, and touring/travelling professionals. The warm words about a relationship reset are not translating into the practical changes that our economy needs. The question is  why the constant delays?

The chancellors speech to the finance ministers focussed on the need for a more business-like relationship and she said that they would work on reducing barriers to the flow of goods as well as a defence and security pact.

Irish finance minister Paschal Donohoe told reporters that details on whether the EU would insist on fishing rights in UK waters or a deal on a youth mobility scheme would be up to others outside the finance brief once talks get going.

But he said that it was of important and symbolic value having the chancellor in the room. It reminded us all we have more in common.
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Keir Starmer has landed in Cyprus in the midst of a diplomatic storm after he snubbed the Turkish Cypriot northern part of the island as he became the first prime minister to make an official visit for bilateral talks for more than five decades.

The prime minister is set to hold talks on Tuesday with president of the Republic of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides in the Greek Cypriot controlled south of the island. But he has refused to find time for president Ersin Tatar in the self-declared Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus (TRNC) on the visit even though he wants to reinitiate talks to reunite the island.

Sir Keir arrived on Monday evening after a brief tour of Arab gulf states and plans to talk to president Christodoulides about defence, trade, resetting the EU relationship after Brexit and the Cyprus problem.

The Cyprus problem refers to the division of the island 50 years ago after Turkish troops intervened in the north in 1974 when a Greek Cypriot military coup attempted to unite the island with Greece and initiated attacks on Turkish Cypriot communities.

open image in gallery President of Cyprus Nikos Christodoulides first met Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street in October (Dan Kitwood/PA) ( PA Wire )

The island has been divided ever since with the Greek Cypriot side recognised by the international community and the TRNC an unrecognised separate entity supported by Turkey which has military bases there.

A number of attempts to reunite the island have failed because they have been vetoed by the Grek Cypriot side. In particular, the Annan Plan in 2004 failed following the president of Cyprus urging people to vote against it in a referendum.

Labour former foreign secretary Jack Straw, who was involved in the Annan Plan talks, now supports the TRNCs call for a two state solution on the divided island.

But with the UK a guarantor power for the island along with Greece and Turkey, Sir Keirs arrival on the island is seen as an important moment to try to reignite talks.

President Tatar has requested a meeting after he learned of the visit over the weekend but Downing Street has said one is not going ahead.

open image in gallery Sir Keir Starmer speaks to soldiers at the RAF base in Akrotiri on the southern coast of Cyprus on Tuesday ( Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA Wire )

There had been hopes that Sir Keirs involvement with the Northern Ireland peace process and reshaping the police there would have meant he understood the need to engage with and include both sides.

Last night Turkish Cypriot campaigners in the UK urged the prime minister to think again.

Rikki Williams, co-chair of Freedom and Fairness for Northern Cyprus group, said: The prime minister should recall his time and involvement in the Peace Process for Northern Ireland. At that time he would not have spoken to just one side! You must speak to both parties not just one.

This is failed diplomacy and it is an error to abandon discussion. If the Cyprus issue is ever to be resolved both sides must be treated fairly and evenly.

In their statement over the weekend, the Office of the Presidency of the TRNC said: As one of the guarantor powers, the UK has an obligation to treat the two sides on an equal footing, notwithstanding the fact that the visit is being staged at a time when the UN Secretary-General will be hosting a broader informal meeting on the Cyprus issue, to which the UK will also be represented.

There are two sides in Cyprus and any settlement to be reached requires dialogue, cooperation and understanding between the sides. Simply ignoring the existence of Turkish Cypriot people and speaking to only one side of the conflicting parties will only undermine efforts to build trust and ways to paving the way for meaningful cooperation across different areas between the sides.

In a statement, the Republic of Cyprus government said: The meeting between president Christodoulides and prime minister Starmer represents another important development in the excellent relations between Cyprus and the United Kingdom, which have been further strengthened and entered into a new constructive period in the context of their Strategic Cooperation.
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Watch as David Lammy delivered a statement in Parliament on Monday, 9 December, after Syrias brutal Assad regime came to an end.

Syrians are celebrating the demise of Bashar al-Assads government after 13 years of civil war sparked by the presidents violent crackdown on pro-democracy protesters following the Arab Spring.

A rebel coalition took control of the capital Damascus in a lightning offensive overnight on Sunday, 11 days after launching a major operation.

Sir Keir Starmer has welcomed the end of Assads barbaric regime.

Russia, a close ally that has propped up the regime for years, said Assad left the country after negotiations with rebel groups and had given instructions to transfer power peacefully.

Late on Sunday, Russian state media said Assad and his family had been granted asylum and were in Moscow.

Labour minister Pat McFadden said the UK government will make a swift decision on whether to lift the ban on the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) after it ousted Assads regime.

HTS is banned in the UK because of its past association with al Qaida, the terrorist organisation once led by Osama bin Laden.

Speaking to Mishal Husain on BBC Radio 4 on Monday (9 December), the cabinet minister said the situation is very fluid but he hoped if there was a need to hold talks with HTS it should be a relatively swift decision.
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The UK has paused decisions on Syrian asylum claims due to the uncertainty following the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime.

It follows the decision of other countries, including Germany, Austria and Sweden, in suspending application decisions, after 13 years of civil war saw a coalition of rebel groups seize Damascus on Sunday.

A Home Office spokesperson said: The Home Office has paused decisions on Syrian asylum claims whilst we assess the current situation. We keep all country guidance relating to asylum claims under constant review so we can respond to emerging issues.

Millions of Syrians fled the country after the outbreak of civil war and the Assad regimes brutal crackdown on opponents.

open image in gallery Hundreds of Syrians gathered in Trafalgar Square to celebrate Assads regime collapse ( PA )

Thousands of Syrians have been granted asylum in the UK, but the Home Office said decisions on applications would now be paused while events unfold in Damascus.

Syrians generated the fifth largest number of asylum claims in the year ending September 2024, Home Office statistics showed  behind Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Bangladesh.

Some 99 per cent of claims were granted at initial decision.

Speaking in parliament, foreign secretary David Lammy said it was premature to discuss resettlement schemes for Syrian refugees and the government was working to record human rights offences carried out by the Assad regime.

He also appeared unaware of the governments decision as he addressed MPs on Monday, saying he had not considered calls to suspend claims.

Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice said Mr Lammy referred to the many displaced Syrians looking to return to Syria, adding: Will the government be providing assistance to those Syrians in this country who do wish to return their homeland? And will the government look to follow the example of European nations, like Germany, who have suspended asylum applications?

Mr Lammy replied in the Commons: I have to say that that has not been put to me in the last few hours. The issue thats been put to me is the humanitarian need in country, the humanitarian support for neighbours.

open image in gallery Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assads regime was toppled on Sunday ( Getty )

Elsewhere, he said the situation could see a flow of people using dangerous illegal migration routes to Europe and the UK.

He added that the UKs public services would support those wanting to go back to Syria, adding: Syrians have now been in this country for many, many years indeed. Their lives are here, their children have been born here.

Meanwhile, the UK is not considering whether to un-ban the Islamist group that has taken power in Syria, the prime minister has said despite a Cabinet minister earlier suggesting the government could take a swift decision on the matter.

Sir Keir Starmer told broadcasters on a diplomatic visit to Saudi Arabia there was no decision pending at all on whether to remove Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from the list of proscribed terrorist organisations, adding it was far too early.

HTS, which overthrew Bashar al-Assads regime at the weekend, is banned in the UK because of its past association with al-Qaeda, the terrorist organisation once led by Osama bin Laden.

But its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, cut ties with al-Qaeda years ago and has sought to present his group as a more moderate and inclusive organisation, leading some to suggest the group should no longer be proscribed.

open image in gallery People react to the fall of the Syrian regime in Damascus ( Getty )

Earlier on Monday, Cabinet minister Pat McFadden said a decision on HTS needed to be taken quite quickly.

Downing Street said on Monday that the government keeps the regime of proscribed organisations under regular review.

If the new regime in Syria were to use chemical weapons, it would be grievous, Mr Lammy has warned.

He told the Commons: [HTS leader] Abu Mohammed al-Golani has been clear that he will not use chemical weapons and he will work with the OPCW [Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons] on that issue going forward. We monitor that very, very closely.

Any use of chemical weapons would be grievous and the international community would have to come together and do all we could to support the Syrian people.

Meanwhile, Assads British wife Asma is believed to be with him in Moscow, but the prime minister declined to say whether he would consider stripping her of her UK citizenship, adding it was too early to say.
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Kemi Badenoch landed a major political coup when she secured a meeting with vice president elect J. D. Vance on her trip to Washington DC.

The convivial meeting saw the pair share a picture of Mr Vance with his arm around Ms Badenoch and praising the new Conservative leader on X (formerly Twitter).

He said: Great to see the leader of the UK Conservatives,  Kemi Badenoch during her trip to the US. We discussed many topics, but I was unable to persuade her that coffee is much better than tea. Cheers, Kemi!

Ms Badenoch retweeted Mr Vances post and Canadian MP Jamil Jivani who joined them in the meeting posted: Thanks to the VP-elect and Kemi Badenoch for a great conversation in DC.

open image in gallery J.D. Vance met up with Kemi Badenoch ( JD Vance /X )

The meeting is understood to have lasted for an hour. The pair discussed themes from Ms Badenochs speech at the International Democracy Union conference earlier in the trip, particularly her thesis on the rise of the bureaucratic state and size of government and why they are hindering risk taking and economic growth.

This is the second time the two met having met last year when he was a senator and she the business secretary. They are understood to have struck up a good relationship and exchanged messages frequently for the past year. Messages included him asking about the Tory leadership contest and Ms Badenoch asking about the US elections.

Ms Badenoch has other senior allies in the Republicans including Florida governor Ron DeSantis who endorsed her leadership campaign.

The Tory leader, who was only elected last month, also met House Republican speaker Mike Johnson on her trip this week.

A Badenoch ally said: J.D. sees Kemi as one of those on the global right doing the deep thinking about how we reform the state. He and Kemi are of a new generation of centre-right politicians  like Pierre Poilievre, who she met in Toronto on Friday; and Ron DeSantis, who endorsed her leadership campaign - who are using strong conservative principles to enthuse younger voters. The dinner renewed their friendship, and Kemi and J.D. will continue to stay in touch as the Trump administration gets up and running.

The connections are crucial as the Tories fight back from their worst-ever election defeat in their 365-year history returning a mere 121 MPs in July.

open image in gallery Farage is seen as close to Trump by some and an eccentric British fanboy to others ( Getty )

With President-elect Donald Trump seen to be close to Nigel Farage there are concerns that he and his allies such as Elon Musk could lend their political support to Reform UK in its bid to replace the Conservatives on the right of British politics.

Mr Trump was not available to meet Ms Badenoch because he was in Paris for the reopening of Notre Dame on his first major international engagement since winning the presidential election last month.

But Mr Vances meeting with Ms Badenoch has angered some on Team Trump who believe he should not waste his time with the Conservatives and instead fully back Mr Farage.

One Trump team source told The Independent: Trump has zero interest in meeting her [Ms Badenoch].

Addressing, Mr Vances meeting, the source added: J. D. is a curious person by nature and will therefore take meetings with most people who ask nicely enough. It shouldnt be viewed as an endorsement of Badenoch nor the UK Conservative Party, the latter of which is usually the butt of the joke when it comes up in conversation.

However, another source suggested that some within Team Trump take a very different view claiming that Farage is not that close to Trump.

Farage was described by the DC source as an eccentric British fanboy who they indulge but he hasnt been of much use and think he just wants to bask in reflected glory.

The source suggested that in reality Trump likes Boris [Johnson] and royal family.

However, a Trump supporter who was at his election night party in Mar-a-Lago pointed out that Farage was also there as a guest, adding: There were no Tories in sight.

Nigel talks to Trump on his cell phone, nobody else has that closeness.
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Ghanas former president John Dramani Mahama is set to make a stunning political comeback after the vice president conceded defeat in the presidential election overshadowed by concerns of a burgeoning economic crisis.

Former vice president Mahamudu Bawumia who was running for the top job conceded the defeat on Sunday even as no official results were declared.

"The people have voted for change," said Mr Bawumia, adding Mahama has won the presidential election decisively.

Mr Mahama, 65, who has a political career spanning over three decades in the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) party was the countrys president from 2012 to 2017.

His election victory ended the governing New Patriotic Partys (NPP) eight-years-long grip on power, which was marked by the worst economic crisis in the West African state in recent years with a high cost of living and a debt default.

Mr Mahama called it an emphatic victory in a social media post as he confirmed he received a call from his NPP rival Mr Bawumia, who said he called him to congratulate him.

open image in gallery Ghana Vice President and ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) presidential candidate Mahamudu Bawumia casts his ballot ( AFP via Getty Images )

 I have, this morning, received a congratulatory call from my brother Dr @MBawumia, following my emphatic victory in Saturdays election. Thank you, Ghana, he said.

Supporters of Mr Mahama broke into celebration following the announcement as many hit the streets waving flags, blaring horns and cheering outside the party campaign headquarters in the capital of Accra.

Mr Mahama had won 56 per cent of the vote against 41 per cent for Mr Bawumia, the NDC earlier said, according to its internal results.

open image in gallery Former Ghana President and presidential candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) party, John Mahama ( AFP via Getty Images )

The election for both the president and members of parliament was held against the backdrop of the countrys worst cost-of-living crisis in a generation.

It was seen as a litmus test for democracy in a region shaken by extremist violence and coups. West Africas regional bloc of ECOWAS said the election was generally peaceful, a continuing trend in Ghana.

Mr Bawumia, a UK-trained economist, struggled to resolve the economic crisis under outgoing President Akufo-Addo.

During the campaign trial, Mr Mahama promised to turn Ghana into a "24-hour economy" and said the election as a defining moment for Ghana.

The former president is the only person who can fix the ailing economy in Ghana, one of West Africas economic powerhouses, said Jude Agbemava, a policy analyst who voted for him.

Additional reporting by agencies
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A Massachusetts judge dismissed criminal charges Monday against a backer of Karen Read who admitted placing dozens of yellow rubber ducks and fake $100 bills around town in support of Read.

Richard Schiffer Jr. had argued in Stoughton District Court that he had a First Amendment right to support the defense theory that Read  accused of ramming into her boyfriend John OKeefe with her SUV and leaving the Boston police officer to die in a snowstorm  has been framed in the polarizing murder case.

Schiffer's attorney Timothy Bradl said Monday that the judge made the right call by quickly tossing the felony witness intimidation and criminal harassment charges against Schiffer.

The ruling comes as another judge decided Monday to push back Read's retrial to April after a mistrial was declared in July when jurors couldnt reach an agreement. Read was facing second-degree murder charges and two other charges. Her attorneys have argued that other law enforcement officers were responsible for OKeefes death.

Regarding Schiffer's charges, Bradl said, There wasn't a leg to stand on.

Hats off to the judge. He didnt make everyone wait and ruled from the bench. Everything was completely protected by the First Amendment. This was political speech," Bradl said.

The Norfolk District Attorneys office declined to comment.

Schiffer has said he got the ducks idea after thinking about a defense lawyers closing argument that Read was framed. Alan Jackson told jurors that if it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, its a duck.

Schiffer's actions did not rise to the level of witness intimidation and criminal harassment "nor does his speech, or in this case his written word on fake currency and use of rubber toys, which are afforded the protections of the First Amendment," Judge Brian Walsh wrote.

It is the view of this Court that the defendant's conduct and speech, though a rather sophomoric expression of his opinion, is nonetheless protected speech, he wrote.

Walsh concluded the two-page ruling with quotes from Indiana poet James Whitcomb Riley, believed to have coined the walks like a duck phrase, and Robert McCloskey, author of the children's book Make Way For Ducklings.

The defense alleged that OKeefe was actually killed inside the home of his fellow Boston officer Brian Albert and then dragged outside. They argued that investigators focused on Read because she was a convenient outsider who saved them from having to consider law enforcement officers as suspects.

Schiffer has been among the dozens of Read supporters who accuse state and local law enforcement of a widespread cover-up. Their demonstrations have led to confrontations, especially in the town of Canton where the murder happened, between those who support Read and others who believe she is guilty.

Schiffer, who owns Canton Fence and has said that he knows practically everyone in town through his contracting work, was accused of placing some of the ducks outside a pizza shop run by Brian Alberts brother, Canton Selectman Chris Albert. Other ducks appeared in OKeefes neighborhood.
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A tip from a McDonalds employee in Pennsylvania provided police with a major breakthrough in the manhunt for the suspect in last weeks fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

The case that gripped the nation may soon be coming to a close as the NYPD announced that a person of interest was arrested on Monday. Luigi Mangione, 26, was taken in for questioning. He was arrested on firearms charges in Pennsylvania after a McDonalds employee in Altoona, Pennsylvania, identified him from photos. He was charged Monday night with murder in connection to Thompsons killing.

He has been arraigned and transported and will be securely housed pending the filing of additional charges in New York, Lieutenant Colonel George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police said during a Monday press conference.

Local police found the 26-year-old with multiple fraudulent IDs, including the fake New Jersey ID that he used to check into the hostel on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, where the now-viral unmasked photo of the suspect was taken.

open image in gallery Luigi Mangione was allegedly arrested with a ghost gun that could fire 9-millimeter bullets and was potentially made with a 3D printer. ( Reuters )

He also had a ghost gun that could fire 9-millimeter bullets and was potentially made with a 3D printer, along with a suppresser, NYPD Comissioner Tisch said. Authorities also recovered clothing and masks that are consistent with those seen on the suspect in photos. Mangione was carrying a handwritten, three-page manifesto that was critical of the health care system. This document speaks to both his motivation and mindset, Tisch said.

He does not have an arrest record in New York, and the investigation so far suggests the suspect acted alone, authorities said.

The major development comes as a private funeral was held Monday for Thompson, the 50-year-old CEO who was gunned down as he arrived at the Hilton hotel in Midtown for an investors conference.

During the six-day manhunt, investigators combed through thousands of hours of surveillance footage, followed up on hundreds of tips, and processed DNA and fingerprint evidence, Tisch said. Drones, scuba divers, and K-9 units were deployed to search for any additional clues to finding the suspected shooter.

Mangione was born and raised in Maryland, has ties to San Francisco, and his last known address was in Honolulu, Hawaii, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.

Mangiones social media profiles suggest he is a data engineer who graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and the Gilman School, a private all-boys school in Baltimore where high school tuition begins at $37,690 per year. As the Gilman Schools valedictorian in 2016, he delivered a speech describing his class as coming up with new ideas and challenging the world around it, TheNew York Times reported.

open image in gallery The suspect wore a mask covering his face most of the time he was seen on security footage  though he lowered his mask while speaking with a hotel employee. ( NYPD )

His arrested ended a six-day manhunt for the suspect in the slaying. Footage suggests the person of interest traveled from the crime scene by e-bike, hopped into a cab at West 86th Street headed toward Port Authority, where he is believed to have caught a bus out of the city.

The gunman arrived in Manhattan ahead of the shooting and used a fake ID and paid cash during the 10 days he was in the city, Kenny told reporters Friday.

He wore a mask covering his face most of the time he was seen on security footage  though he lowered his mask while speaking with a hotel employee. Police have circulated images of the suspect without his mask hoping that someone who may know him will come forward with information.

The FBI had offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction. Thats on top of a $10,000 reward offered by the NYPD.

On Friday, the officers found the shooters backpack in Central Park. They also found bullet casings at the scene of the shooting with the words, delay, deny and depose on them.

Some of those words are often used by critics of insurance companies to criticize them for delaying payments, denying claims and defending their actions.

After Mangiones arrest, a spokesperson for UnitedHealthcare issued a statement: Our hope is that todays apprehension brings some relief to Brians family, friends, colleagues and the many others affected by this unspeakable tragedy.

We thank law enforcement and will continue to work with them on this investigation. We ask that everyone respect the familys privacy as they mourn, the statement continued.
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UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot outside of a Midtown Manhattan hotel on December 4.

He was laid to rest at a private funeral service in his Minnesota hometown on December 9. That same day, murder suspect Luigi Mangione was arrested in Pennsylvania following a week-long manhunt.

Ten days before the exec was shot dead outside a hotel in Midtown Manhattan on December 4, the suspected shooter was believed to have traveled to New York City on a Greyhound bus. Five days after the shooting, Mangione was in handcuffs. The 26-year-old suspect is being held in a federal detention center in New York, where he faces more than a dozen state and federal counts, including murder charges. He has pleaded not guilty.

Heres everything we know so far in the build-up and aftermath of the fatal attack on the 50-year-old insurance CEO:

open image in gallery UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot in the leg and back in a premeditated attack in New York City ( UnitedHealth Group )

Thompson shot in premeditated attack

The suspected shooter had been hiding behind a car outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown Manhattan for about five minutes when Thompson exited, police said. The suspect was spotted at a nearby Starbucks on West 56th Street and 6th Avenue shortly before the shooting.

The shooter, who was wearing a mask, approached Thompson from behind and shot him in the right calf and back at 6:46 a.m. Video of the incident shows the shooter calmly walking up behind Thompson before firing, then calmly crossing the street. The footage also showed a bystander running away as the killing unfolded.

open image in gallery Luigi Mangione was taken into the Blair County Courthouse on December 10 shortly after his arrest in Pennsylvania. He faces both state and federal charges in connection to killing Thompson ( AP )

The shooter then walks toward the victim and continues to shoot. It appears that the gun malfunctions as he clears the jam and begins to fire again, New York Police Departments Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters.

The shooting was a premeditated, pre-planned targeted attack, police said. Thompson appeared unaware he was in danger and had no security detail near him.

Thompson was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital about 30 minutes later.

The shooter fled the scene through an alleyway on an e-bike. He biked via 6th Avenue to Central Park. Security footage shows the suspect entering the Port Authority Bus Terminal, police said. However, they did not find footage of him leaving the depot, indicating he had left the city on a bus.

open image in gallery Surveillance footage of the suspect who shot Thompson in the middle of a New York City street ( NYPD News/Reuters )

Thompson was in the city to speak at the UnitedHealth Groups annual Investor Conference the day of his death.

Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him, the company said in a statement. Our hearts go out to Brians family and all who were close to him.

New clues emerged

On December 5, police released images of the suspect with his mask pulled down. The photos came from a surveillance video at the New York City hostel where the Mangione was staying.

Police say he arrived in New York City on November 24 after jumping on a bus departing from Atlanta.

open image in gallery The NYPD released a photo showing the face of the suspect who stayed at a hostel before the killing ( NYPD )

On the day he arrived in New York City, Mangione was captured on surveillance video stepping off the bus at around 9 p.m. and spotted walking through the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan, police said.

He then checked into an Upper West Side hostel, left on November 29 and then used a fake New Jersey ID to check back in on November 30.

While in the hostel, he slept in a multi-person room with two other men and wore a mask for the majority of his stay, according to CNN.

Both Greyhound and the hostels parent company, Hostelling International USA, told ABC News in a statement that they are fully cooperating with the NYPD but cannot comment further due to the active investigation.

Authorities found three live 9mm rounds and three discharged 9mm shell casings, as well as a cell phone, at the scene of the shooting. They also recovered a candy wrapper and water bottle believed to belong to the suspect, according to ABC News.

The bullet casings police found at the scene had the words deny, defend and depose written on them.

A 2020 book by Jay Feinman about the insurance industry bears a similar title: Delay Deny Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don't Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It. The book describes itself as an expose of insurance injustice and a plan for consumers and lawmakers to fight back. Feinman did not comment when contacted by The Independent.

At the time of his Pennsylvania arrest, Mangione was carrying a 262-page manifesto, a ghost gun, silencer and false ID cards, police said. He also had a spiral notebook which laid out his plot to wack Thompson at his parasitic bean-counter convention, according to The New York Times.

Wife reveals Thompson received threats as police search for motive

Thompsons wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News in the hours after the shooting that her husband had been receiving threats. UnitedHealth Group was aware of concerning threats against its executives, CNN reported.

"There had been some threats," she told the outlet. Basically, I dont know, a lack of [health insurance] coverage? I dont know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him.

Family and leaders mourn CEO

Family, friends and business leaders gathered for Thompsons private funeral service in his Minnesota hometown on December 9  the same day his suspected shooter was arrested in Pennsylvania.

Over a dozen state troopers, 100 cars and two dozen black SUVs lined the Life Lutheran Church in Maple Grove, as security measures were put in place for mourners, according to Fox News. The news outlet reported that a sniper was spotted on the church roof and a security code was needed to get into the service.

In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, Thompsons sister Elena Reveiz told The New York Times that her brother was a good person, and I am so sad.

Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives, Thompsons family said in a statement to Minnesota news outlet KARE. We appreciate your condolences and request complete privacy as our family moves through this difficult time, the statement continued.

open image in gallery Flags fly at half mast outside the UnitedHealthcare corporate headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Thompsons family described him as a loving, generous, talented man ( Getty Images )

Thompson was a father of two. Before taking the CEO job in 2021, he worked as the companys head of government programs. As CEO, Thompson worked out of UnitedHealthcares offices in Minnetonka, Minnesota.

Thompson kept a low profile with little public name recognition, the Associated Press reported.

Thompson was also named in a lawsuit filed by a Florida pension fund earlier this year accusing UnitedHealth of hiding an antitrust investigation by the Justice Department from shareholders while insiders sold stock, according to the Journal. Thompson had not answered the claims in court before the shooting on December 4.

Under his leadership, UnitedHealthcare provided coverage to more than 49 million people, making it the largest insurance company in the U.S. The network includes 1.3 million physicians and care professionals across nearly 7,000 facilities.

Under Thompson, the company made $74 billion in revenue in the most recent quarter, earning the title of the largest subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group. Thompson made $10.2 million annually and was one of the companys highest-paid employees.
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A New York City jury has acquitted 26-year-old Daniel Penny for the 2023 death of Jordan Neely, a homeless man with mental health issues who Penny put into a chokehold for nearly six minutes during a tense encounter on the subway.

The jury cleared Penny of criminally negligent homicide in Neelys death. A more serious manslaughter charge was dismissed earlier in deliberations because the jury deadlocked on that count. Both charges were felonies and carried the possibility of prison time.

Both applause and anger broke out in the courtroom as the not-guilty verdict came in. Neelys father was escorted out of the courtroom after an audible outburst with expletives, according to CNN.

Another person also left, wailing with tears.

Penny, who had shown little expression during the trial, briefly smiled as the verdict was read.

The not-guilty verdict was praised by Republican New York City councilwoman Joann Ariola, who said justice has prevailed.

Daniel Penny is a hero, and Im happy to see that a good man was not punished for doing the right thing and defending his fellow New Yorkers from a mentally ill criminal who fell between the cracks, Ariola said.

open image in gallery Daniel Penny was charged with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide for putting Jordan Neely, a homeless man, into a chokehold on May 1, 2023, on a New York City subway train ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Good news for NYC: Daniel Penny has been acquitted, Democratic council member Robert Holden said in a statement on X. Justice has been served for a U.S. Marine who bravely stepped up to protect fellow New Yorkers during a moment of danger.

This outcome highlights the need to focus on real solutions, like addressing untreated mental illness, to prevent future tragedies like this from happening again.

City councilman Yusef Salaam, a member of the Central Park Five who was wrongfully convicted, said the verdict represented a searing indictment of systemic failures.

His killing underscores the urgent and overdue need for a complete overhaul in how we address mental health crises and homelessness, Salaam said.

Speaking outside of court, Neelys father said his son didnt have to go through this in an emotional statement.

It hurts. really really hurts. What are we gonna do, people? Whats gonna happen to us now? Ive had enough of this. The system is rigged. Lets do something about this.

The trial, which began in October, centered on whether Penny, an architecture student and Marine Corps veteran, was justified in using potentially lethal force on Neely during the May 1, 2023, incident.

Witnesses described Neely, a street performer, entering the subway car and yelling threateningly to passengers that he didnt have food and water and didnt care if he went to back to jail. Penny, as well as some of his fellow passengers, claimed Neely also said he was willing to kill.

Prosecutors argued Pennys initial attempt to defend his fellow passengers was understandable and even laudable, but that the student went too far and used lethal force unnecessarily. They argued he continued to choke Neely after some passengers exited the train and Neely stopped moving for nearly a minute.

"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 during closing arguments.

The defense, meanwhile, argued Pennys actions were justified by the perceived threat to the passengers on the train.

Daniel Penny was the one who moved to protect them, defense attorney Steven Raiser said during closing arguments. Why? Because he had something the others didnt. Something unique to him.

The defense called a pathologist who testified other oustide factors could have contributed to Neelys death, like the mans use of synthetic marijuana, his schizophrenia, and his genetic predisposition to sickle cell ailments.

City medical examiner Dr. Cynthia Harris maintained during her testimony in the trial that Neely died from compression of the neck, and that no toxicological result imaginable was going to change my opinion.

The court also heard from a Marine Corps instructor who spoke about Pennys training using chokehold techniques.

open image in gallery A protestor outside of court holds up a Justice for Jordan Neely sign ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The defense claims Penny sought to put Neely in a civilian hold and wait for police.

During the trial, jurors watched video of Penny speaking with police after the incident, where he described Neely as a crackhead who was acting like a lunatic.

I just wanted to keep him from getting to people, Penny told police, adding, Im not trying to kill the guy.

Elsewhere, bystanders testified both that they were relieved when Penny detained Neely, and that the Marine Corps vet ignored pleas to let the homeless man go.

Penny himself did not take the stand during the trial, with his defense lawyers saying their clients statements to police adequately described the encounter.

Jury deliberation began on Tuesday, December 2.

The 12-personal panel struggled for days to reach a required unanimous verdict.

open image in gallery Penny arrives at court during the trial ( REUTERS )

The judge overseeing the case allowed prosecutors on Friday (December 6) to drop the top charge against Penny, second-degree manslaughter, clearing the way for the panel to consider the lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide.

In the face of the continued deliberations, Pennys defense moved for a mistrial, a request that couldve prompted a new trial with a new jury, but was denied.

Outside of the criminal trial, Neelys father filed a lawsuit against Penny on Wednesday (December 4) over the subway choking, accusing the student of negligent contact, assault, and battery that caused Neelys injuries and death.

The subway incident, in which a white man choked a Black man for minutes, quickly became embroiled in ongoing national debates about racism, policing, and public safety.

It came in the wake of nationwide protests after Minneapolis police killed George Floyd, a Black man, in somewhat similar circumstances, by kneeling on his neck and back for minutes as a crowd urged them to stop.

The debate around the subway killing also touched a nerve about New Yorks more local issues.

The city has struggled with fears about crime on the subway, criticisms of Mayor Eric Adams for a mandate to involuntarily hospitalize mentall ill homeless people, and continued systematic failures to provide adequate housing and care to unhoused people.

Millions of dollars were raised for Pennys legal defense through GiveSendGo, a crowdfunding platform popular for right-wing causes, and conservative media influencers and politicians hailed Penny as a veritable Subway Superman, an ordinary citizen taking back the streets in an unsafe, Democrat-led city.

Others saw the killing as an example of white vigilantism, and New York Citys failure to care for vulnerable people like Neely. His mother previously died in a violent crime, and Neely himself bounced in and out of prison and homeless shelters as he struggled with drugs and mental health challenges like depression and schizophrenia.

New York City public advocate Juamaane Williams previously toldThe Independent the public attention around the case had created a narrative that devalues the life of a Black, homeless man with mental health challenges and encourages an attitude of dehumanization of New Yorkers in greatest need.

After Neelys death, demonstrators jumped on New York City subway tracks in protest immediately after the death. They reprised their protest during the deliberations, replacing subway ads with signs reading A Man Was Lynched Here, a reference to historic anti-lynching campaigns during the Civil Rights movement.

The Associated Press contributed reporting
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Deadly stabbings, barbaric living conditions and maggots in the food: this is the state of the New Yorkprison where Sean Diddy Combs is being held.

Diddy is currently being housed in pretrial detention in the notorious Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn and will stay there until he faces trial on racketeering and sex trafficking charges.

Its a facility that is no stranger to famous faces, having previously housed sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell, Fyre Festival fraudster Billy McFarland and rapper R Kelly, who was found guilty of child sexual abuse.

Diddy was arrested on Monday in New York and hit with charges of racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution for allegedly running a decades-long criminal enterprise that forced victims to carry out sex acts.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

In his first court appearance in September, the media moguls attorneys asked the judge to release him on house arrest until the trial but the request was denied.

In the hearing, his legal team argued that several courts in this District have recognized that the conditions at Metropolitan Detention Center are not fit for pre-trial detention.

open image in gallery The Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn has been described as barbaric and dangerous ( AFP/Getty )

Just earlier this summer, an inmate was murdered, the lawyers said, according to The Daily Beast. At least four inmates have died by suicide there in the past three years.

MDC has been plagued by violence, chronic understaffing, a lack of medical care and unsanitary conditions for some time.

Earlier this year an inmate, Uriel Whyte, was stabbed to death while awaiting trial on gun charges.

Many have spoken out about the barbaric conditions inside the prison, with one inmate claiming the jail sees stabbings at least a couple of times a week.

One guy was stabbed in the eye with a makeshift knife, the inmate, only named as Eli, told Spectrum News NY1.

And these knives, again, I have never been to jail. This is my first time in jail, but these knives are six, nine inches long sometimes, you know, homemade with materials from the steel walls. Its very violent. Theres stabbings, theres stabbings at least a couple times a week.

open image in gallery The Metropolitan Detention Center is considered to be one of the toughest facilities in the US ( YUKI IWAMURA/AFP via Getty Images )

The outlet also obtained video which showed cockroaches in food, broken lights and mold in the showers.

In another criminal case, federal Judge Gary Brown threatened to vacate the sentence of a 75-year-old who was convicted of a tax scam if he was sent to the facility because of the dangerous and barbaric conditions, The Brooklyn Eagle reported.

His ruling referenced two murders and a stabbing that went unchallenged by officers until it was almost over.

These incidents demonstrate a woeful lack of supervision, breakdown of order, and an environment of lawlessness that constitute unacceptable, reprehensible and deadly mismanagement, he said in court documents.

open image in gallery A court sketch of Sean Diddy Combs on Tuesday September 17. He is awaiting trial in the MDC ( REUTERS )

David Patton, former head of Federal Defenders of New York, told NY1: A lack of medical care to real serious sanitation issues to maggots in the food to violence, everything you can think about thats problematic at a jail or prison is problematic at the MDC, and it has been for a very long time.

In 2019, more than a thousand inmates were stuck in freezing cells for days when there was no heating following a power outage in the middle of winter, according to reports at the time.

For Diddy, its a drastic change in circumstances from his rich, celebrity lifestyle.

In November, he was denied bail for the third time after appearing in federal court in New York, where his lawyers attempted to secure his release on a $50m bond, and a move from a prison cell to a luxury apartment on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, saying that he would be placed under significant restrictions while he prepared for his trial  scheduled for May 5 2025.

But in a ruling, Judge Arun Subramanian denied the application, agreeing with prosecutor arguments that Combs had shown a propensity for violence previously, and could not be trusted to obey rules if released.

See the latest allegations against Combs here.
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By 1980, April Balascio had grown accustomed to moving with her family every six months to a year.

On one particularly memorable evening that year, the 11-year-old was woken up by her father in the middle of the night and told they were leaving their Watertown, Wisconsin, home. They had only lived there for a year.

It wasnt for nearly three decades that she would learn the horrible truth as to why her dad uprooted their family so often.

Balascios father, Edward Wayne Edwards, was a charming man who loved parties as much as he loved the local newspapers crime section. But he also had a very dark side, she told Fox News Digital in a Saturday interview.

He was abusive to both Balascio and her mother. She recalled him hitting and punching her mother in the face when she was a little girl.

It was scary, she said. He was abusive. And especially as I got older, I became more scared of hearing his tires on the gravel in the driveway. I would wonder how he was going to walk through the house. Was he going to be in a good mood or a bad mood? For a while, I hated him.

Not only was it emotionally difficult moving around so much, but it was also terrifying, she recalled: It was hard starting a new school every year or even sometimes twice a year.  [Edwards] made us believe we were leaving because people were coming after us. So, there was also that fear that we were being hunted, that fear that we could be killed.

By 2009, when she was 40, she started piecing together the puzzle of her father. Balascio specifically started looking into the crimes that most fascinated Edwards. She looked up cold cases in Watertown.

open image in gallery Edward Wayne Edwards was a mystery to his daughter until she discovered he was a serial killer ( FBI )

Thats how she came across the so-called Sweetheart Murders. Kelly Drew and Timothy Hack, both 19, had disappeared in 1980 in the area. Edwards, then a handyman, had been gathering his tools to fix a sign at the site where the high school sweethearts were last seen, he told police searching for the couple, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Their bodies were discovered near a cornfield two months later, apparently prompting Edwards to leave the state with his family. Three other bodies were later found in the same area where Drew and Hack were discovered; police suspected a serial killer, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported.

I suspected my dad was doing some bad things, but I didnt verbalize it to anyone, Balascio told Fox News. There was no proof.  I cant say I suspected that it was exactly murder, but I did believe he was harming people.

She noticed that the Sweetheart Murders case had been reopened so she reached out to investigators with her childhood memories. While she had no proof that her father had committed the heinous crime, she told detectives what she remembered, including that he had talked about the missing couple constantly at the time. On one occasion, she remembered he suggested: I bet you they find them in a field.

In 2009, his DNA matched the genetic material found at the crime scene and Edwards, now 76, was arrested in Kentucky, where hed been living. When grilled by police, he confessed to the murders of three others  including his 24-year-old foster son, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Edwards collected $250,000 from the life insurance policy for his foster son Dannie Boy Edwards, whom he admitted killing in 1996, according to Fox News. He also admitted to killing young couple William Lavaco, 21, and Judith Straub, 19, in 1977 in Ohio, where he spent his childhood.

Edwards insisted he murdered only five people, and police could never connect him to the deaths of the three individuals found in the area near Hack and Drew.

After his confession, Balascio recalled: Thats when it truly hit me how evil my dad was. He was a bad man.

She details the discovery of her fathers true identity in her newly released book Raised by a Serial Killer: Discovering the Truth About My Father.

Edwards died from natural causes in 2011 at 77 years old, as he awaited execution behind bars, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

His dying before the execution was a blessing. It was a relief. It was all over, Balascio said. She and her family could avoid what would have likely been a media circus.

She still believes there may be other victims.

My dad did confess to five murders, yes, but I also believe  theres more out there, she said.
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A passenger on a Mexican flight from El Bajio to Tijuana was arrested after trying to divert the plane to the United States by use of force, according to the airline.

Volaris flight 3041 was traveling from El Bajio to Tijuana when a passenger tried to forcibly redirect the plane to the U.S., the airline announced in a statement Sunday.

Due to the incident, the aircraft was diverted to Guadalajara International Airport, where the disruptive passenger was placed in police custody.

The crew acted according to established security procedures and, according to protocol, the plane was diverted to the airport in Guadalajara, where the airline turned the passenger over to the custody of competent authorities, the airline said.

The man was reportedly traveling with his wife and two kids, Mexican authorities told ABC News. The man had told the airline crew that one of his relatives had been kidnapped just before takeoff and that he was trying to avoid Tijuana because he faced a death threat if he traveled there, the outlet reported.

All of the passengers and crew are safe and were able to reach their final destination, Volaris added.

open image in gallery A passenger on a Volaris flight to Tijuana was arrested after attempting to redirect the plane to the U.S. ( Getty Images )

Volaris regrets the inconvenience caused by this situation. For Volaris, the safety of our passengers and crew is the highest priority, the statement read.

Its not immediately clear what type of force was used and the passenger has not been identified.

Mexicos National Guard was notified about the incident, the Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) announced in a statement. Emergency assistance was provided and the aircraft was able to land without incident at the Guadalajara airport, AFAC said.

An investigation into the incident is ongoing, the agency said. The Independent has reached out to Volaris for more information.
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Elon Musk now boasts a net worth of $400 billion, making him the first person in history to ever hit that milestone.

The worlds richest person became even richer Wednesday after SpaceX and its investors agreed to buy $1.25 billion of insider shares, valuing the company at $350 billion, Bloomberg reported. The move ballooned the founders net worth by $50 billion, meaning he is now worth $439 billion, according to Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

Musk owns roughly 12 percent of Tesla, the worlds most valuable car company, Forbes noted. The companys shareholders also gave him a 2018 compensation package worth more than $50 billion. But a Delaware judge struck it down Monday. She wrote in her decision that what would have been the largest pay deal in history was an unfathomable sum that seems to have been calibrated to help Musk achieve what he believed would make a good future for humanity.

Mondays decision reaffirms her ruling in January, when she also rejected the pay package. Never incorporate your company in the state of Delaware, Musk wrote in January on X, another company he owns.

open image in gallery Elon Musk walks on Capitol Hill on the day of a meeting with Senate Republican Leader-elect John Thune (R-SD), in Washington, U.S. December 5, 2024. ( REUTERS )

He has vowed to use 58 percent of his Tesla shares as collateral for his personal loans, according to Bloomberg.

Musk acquired the social media platform, then known as Twitter, for $44 billion in 2022. Fidelity valued its stake in X at $5.53 million at the end of October, a nearly 72 percent decrease in value since Musk took over the company, according to its Fidelity Blue Chip Growth Fund monthly report.

The tech billionaire also owns about 54 per cent of xAI, an artificial intelligence company he founded in 2023. The startup was valued at $50 billion last month, according to the Wall Street Journal.

Then theres SpaceX. Musk owns roughly 42 percent of the aerospace company, which was valued at $210 billion in June, according to Bloomberg. He also founded The Boring Company, an infrastructure company that says it aims to dig transportation tunnels to solve traffic. The company announced that it was worth $5.68 billion in April 2022 after a Series C funding round.

As of Wednesday, the business is valued at $350 billion, meaning SpaceX is the most valuable private startup in the world, according to Bloomberg.

open image in gallery President-elect Donald Trump and Elon Musk watch the launch of the sixth test flight of the SpaceX Starship rocket in Brownsville, Texas, U.S., November 19, 2024. ( via REUTERS )

Neuralink, Musks computer-brain interface company that is developing brain chips, was valued at $5 billion as of June 2024, according to Reuters. In January, Musk posted on X that the first human patient received an implant from Neuralink and was recovering well.

Musk contributed a massive $230 million of his personal coffers to Trumps America PAC, which he created, in the last month leading up to the presidential election, FEC filings Thursday revealed. In the weeks leading up to Election Day, Musk made three separate $25 million donations to the super PAC, according to the records.

But that wasnt all; the SpaceX founder also donated more than $20 million to the controversially named RBG (Ruth Bader Ginsburg) PAC, which falsely presented the late Supreme Court Justice as a Trump champion, in late October, new filings show.

Trump tapped Musk to lead the newly created department of government efficiency alongside billionaire entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy.

Despite campaigning on improving economic conditions for working class Americans, Trump has filled his next administration with a hefty handful of billionares, including Musk. The net worth of Trumps second White House is estimated to be larger than the gross domestic product of more than 11 dozen countries.

Billionaires have doubled their wealth in the past decade, amounting to a combined total of $14 trillion, Swiss bank UBS reported this week.
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Ten people were injured after a police traffic officer on a motorcycle crashed into bystanders at a weekend holiday parade in Palm Springs, California, authorities said.

All of the injured were taken to hospitals Saturday night for treatment of injuries that were not life-threatening, including the officer, according to police.

Witnesses told The Desert Sun newspaper that the officer was popping a wheelie and suddenly lost control of the motorcycle.

The bike slid into the crowd of spectators and brought the festive event to a standstill for more than an hour.

Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade that typically draws between 80,000 and 100,000 spectators. ( Andy Abeyta/The Desert Sun via AP )

Authorities said some emergency responders participating in the parade helped the injured, including crews on ambulances and fire trucks still adorned with holiday lights.

The crash occurred around 6 p.m. as crowds gathered to watch the 32nd annual Palm Springs Festival of Lights Parade that typically draws between 80,000 and 100,000 spectators.

"I feel terrible about the accident and injuries to the very people we protect," Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills said on Facebook.

City officials said the California Highway Patrol is investigating the crash and looking for any witness videos.
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A polygamist religious leader who claimed more than 20 spiritual wives including 10 underage girls faces decades in prison.

Samuel Bateman, whose small group was an offshoot of the sect once led by Warren Jeffs, has pleaded guilty to a years long scheme to transport girls across state lines for his sex crimes, and later to kidnap some of them from protective custody.

His plea agreement called for 20 to 50 years in prison, though each conviction carries a possible life sentence.

He originally claimed it was Gods will for him to engage in sexual acts with his wives, the FBI said.

A federal judge will hear from a doctor who evaluated Bateman's competency. The question could determine whether the sentencing goes forward or Bateman is remanded to state custody for psychiatric treatment until hes deemed mentally fit to assist in his defense, his attorney Brian Russo said.

Authorities say that Bateman, 48, tried to start an offshoot of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints based in the neighboring communities of Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah. The fundamentalist group, also known as FLDS, split from the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after Mormons officially abandoned polygamy in 1890.

open image in gallery Hildale, Utah, sitting at the base of Red Rock Cliff mountains, with its sister city, Colorado City, Ariz., in the foreground, Dec. 16, 2014 ( Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The alleged practice of sect members sexually abusing girls who they claim as spiritual wives has long plagued the FLDS. Jeffs was convicted of state charges in Texas in 2011 involving sexual assaults of his underage followers. Bateman was one of Jeffs' trusted followers and declared himself, like Jeffs, to be a prophet of the FLDS. Jeffs denounced Bateman in a written revelation sent to his followers from prison, and then tried to start his own group.

In 2019 and 2020, insisting that polygamy brings exaltation in heaven and that he was acting on orders from the Heavenly Father, Bateman began taking female adults and children from his male followers and proclaiming them to be his wives, the plea agreement said. While none of these marriages were legally or ceremonially recognized, Bateman acknowledged that each time he claimed another wife, it marked the beginning of his illicit sexual contact with the woman or girl.

Federal agents said Bateman demanded that his followers confess publicly for any indiscretions and he imposed punishments that ranged from public shaming to sexual activity, including requiring that some male followers atone for their sins by surrendering their own wives and daughters to him.

Bateman traveled extensively between Arizona, Utah, Colorado and Nebraska and regularly coerced underage girls into his criminal sexual activity, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Arizona said. Recordings of some of his sex crimes were transmitted across state lines via electronic devices.

Bateman was arrested in August 2022 by state police as he drove through Flagstaff pulling a trailer. Someone had alerted authorities after spotting small fingers reaching through the slats of the door. Inside the trailer, which had no ventilation, they found a makeshift toilet, a sofa, camping chairs and three girls, 11 to 14 years old.

Bateman posted bond but was soon arrested again, accused of obstructing justice in a federal investigation into whether children were being transported across state lines for his sex crimes. Authorities also took nine children from Batemans home in Colorado City into protective custody.

open image in gallery Samuel Bateman ( Coconino County Sheriff's Department )

Eight of the children later escaped from foster care in Arizona, and were found hundreds of miles away in Washington state, in a vehicle driven by one of the adult wives. Bateman also admitted his involvement in the kidnapping plot.

Federal prosecutors noted that Bateman's plea agreement was contingent on all of his co-defendants also pleading guilty. It also called for restitution of as much as $1 million per victim, and for all assets to be immediately forfeited.

Seven of Batemans adult wives have been convicted of crimes related to coercing children into sexual activity or impeding the investigation into Bateman. Some acknowledged they also coerced girls to become Bateman's spiritual wives, witnessed Bateman having criminal sexual activity with girls, participated in illicit group sex involving children, or joined in kidnapping them from foster care. Another woman is scheduled to be tried Jan. 14 on charges related to the kidnappings.

Two Colorado City brothers also face 10 years to life at their sentencings, on Dec. 16 and Dec. 20, after being convicted in October of charges including interstate travel to persuade or coerce a child to engage in sexual activity. Authorities say one bought Bateman two Bentley automobiles, while the other bought him a Range Rover.

In court records, lawyers for some of Batemans wives painted a bleak picture of their clients religious upbringings.

One said his client was raised in a religious cult that taught sexual activity with children was acceptable and that she was duped into marrying Bateman. Another said her client was given to Bateman by another man as if she were a piece of property, feeling she had no choice, and was manipulated by Bateman into doing things she wouldnt otherwise do.
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A 15-year-old girl died in a car crash in Washington state while secretly delivering food for Doordash so she could afford Christmas presents for her family and friends.

During the early hours of December 2, Grace Horn, from Oak Harbor, lost control of her car, veered off the road, and struck a pole due to poor visibility, according to Washington State Patrol.

The teenager had reportedly snuck out of a friends home without her parents knowledge to earn some extra cash ahead of the holidays, her family said.

Theres no end, shed literally do anything for anyone. Shes always wanted to give things to people, her father, Jacob Horn, told Kiro7.

Grace was reportedly using her mothers account when she took on the DoorDash deliveries. Typically, users are asked to verify their identity by taking a selfie that matches with an on-file drivers license.

As the teen drove along Highway 20, she was faced with unusually low visibility and accidentally crossed into the opposite lanes, plowing into a roadside pole, said Fox12 Oregon. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

open image in gallery Grace Horn, veered off the road along Highway 20 by Libbey Road (pictured) around 3 a.m. on December 2 ( Google Maps )

Tributes have been pouring in for the teen, with a memorial scheduled for Saturday in Oak Harbor, according to a Facebook event page.

The GoFundMe states: This is something no parent should ever have to go through.

Instead of planning for Graces Christmas presents being wrapped and opened, it quickly shifted to the intrusive thoughts, the, what ifs, the planning of the funeral of your one and only princess.

The fundraiser  which aims to cover her parents funeral costs  has raised more than $20,000.

Rob Dickinson, a donor, wrote on the page that he had been traveling on Highway 20 just an hour after the accident.

I was on my way to work at the post office that morning, shortly after 4 a.m.

Highway 20 was blocked, so I was diverted to Madrona, following the utility truck that was heading to the scene. His flashing lights cast an eerie glow on the foggy trees, and I could feel the weight of the situation, even though I had no idea what was going on.

The young teen was always wanting to find a way to fix whatever problem there was, the GoFundMe says.

She was witty, and her laugh was unlike any you have ever heard. Filled with such innocence, she was taken too young, and her dreams have become memories for those who were blessed to know them, it added.

DoorDash spokesperson Julian Crowley told The Independent: This is an unthinkable and horrible tragedy, and our hearts go out to Graces parents and all who loved her.

The Independent contacted the Washington State Patrol for more information.
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Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger gave a succinct response to President-elect Donald Trumps suggestion that the Illinois Republican and his colleagues on the January 6 House panel should be jailed.

When asked during a wide-ranging Sunday interview on Meet the Press what he would do on his first day back in the White House, Trump said that each Congress member who sat on the bipartisan committee investigating the Capitol attack should go to jail for what they did. That group includes only two Republicans, Kinzinger and former Rep. Liz Cheney.

The retired Illinois congressman wrote on his Substack: Bring it on.

Trumps latest threat is nothing more than the desperate howl of a man who knows history will regard him with shame, Kinzinger wrote Sunday. Let me be clear: we did nothing wrong. The January 6 Committees work was driven by facts, the Constitution, and the pursuit of accountability  principles that seem foreign to Trump.

If Donald wants to pursue this vindictive fantasy, I say bring it on. Im not intimidated by a man whose actions on January 6th showed a cowardly disregard for democracy and the rule of law, the retired congressman continued.

open image in gallery Former Representative from Illinois Adam Kinzinger speaks on the final night of the Democratic National Convention at the United Center in Chicago, Illinois in August 2024. He gave a succinct response to Trumps threat of jailing him and his colleagues on the January 6 House panel ( EPA )

In its final 2022 report, the House select committee said Trump was the central cause of the Capitol riot. None of the events of January 6th would have happened without him, the panel wrote.

Kinzinger dared Trump to try to rewrite history before pointing to the evidence that the panel unveiled. Our hearings laid bare the reality: this was no spontaneous protest. It was an assault on the foundations of our democracy, encouraged and abetted by the former president himself, he wrote.

Im confident that the name Trump will be a stain on our history, and my son will be proud of what I did, he added. So, bring it on. We arent afraid of the truth, but I suspect you are.

The January 6 committee is hardly the first group that the president-elect has threatened to throw behind bars.

open image in gallery During an interview on Meet the Press, Donald Trump threatened to throw everybody on the January 6 committee behind bars for what they did ( NBC News )

Trump previously promoted a Truth Social post that suggested televised military tribunals for Cheney and claimed she was guilty of treason.

In response to his most recent threat, Cheney told The New York Times in a statement that Trumps suggestion that members of Congress who later investigated his illegal and unconstitutional actions should be jailed is a continuation of his assault on the rule of law and the foundations of our republic.

He has also threatened to jail journalists who refuse to identify their sources. If the reporter doesnt want to tell you, its bye-bye, the reporter goes to jail, Trump said in 2022 after the Supreme Courts draft of the Dobbs opinion was leaked.

The president-elect has also threatened to prosecute President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, and prominent attorneys who have been pursuing cases against him, including special counsel Jack Smith and New York Attorney General Letitia James.
China discovers landmark human evolution fossils

Xinhua) 08:26, December 09, 2024

People visit the Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

HEFEI, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Chinese scientists have discovered dozens of human fossils dating back 300,000 years, which are the earliest ones found in East Asia in terms of the evolution process towards Homo sapiens, the species to which all modern human beings belong.

The human fossils, along with a large number of fossilized animal bones and stone tools, have been unearthed at the Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County, east China's Anhui Province.

Chinese researchers reported their latest discoveries and studies concerning the Hualongdong ancient human site at an academic conference held in Dongzhi County from Friday to Sunday this week. Nearly 100 researchers and scholars, including over a dozen international experts, attended the event.

Discovered in late 1988, the Hualongdong site has yielded remarkable finds during continuous excavations since 2013. Approximately 20 individual ancient human fossils, including a relatively complete skull, over 400 stone artifacts, numerous bone fragments with evidence of artificial cutting and chopping, and more than 80 vertebrate fossils have been unearthed at this site.

From April to November 2024, an archaeological team conducted a new round of excavations, covering an area of 40 square meters. A total of 11 human fossils were unearthed, including one well-preserved foot metatarsal bone, one broken frontal bone, one middle femur fragment and eight skull fragments.

Wu Xiujie, a researcher at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology (IVPP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and leader of the Hualongdong excavation team, said these discoveries show that a large family of more than 20 individuals lived at the site.

"They had a 'dining hall' where they cut, chopped and processed food. A karst cave was probably their bedroom for hiding from wild beasts at night, but it has collapsed, and we have not yet excavated it. We hope to discover more fossils in the future," Wu added.

She also explained that the human fossils at Huanlongdong belong to ancient humans with physical characteristics between the Homo erectus and modern human stages -- which is unlike any other premodern human fossil ever found.

A skull fossil unearthed in 2015 is one of the most important discoveries made at Hualongdong to date. Researchers inferred that the skull belonged to a girl of 13 or 14 years old.

"The fossil displays a unique blend of primitive and modern characteristics," Wu noted. "The facial structure and mandible show early evolution toward modern humans, including a flat face, high eye sockets, slender skull, and a jawbone that displays the early development of a chin -- a defining feature of modern humans."

"She already looked very similar to us, but still retained some ancient features," Wu said.

The foot metatarsal bone found this year is the only one unearthed in China, and it could provide important information in studying both how the ancients walked and their height, Wu said.

In addition, the finely crafted stone tools found at Hualongdong show the relatively high technical level of the Hualongdong cave people 300,000 years ago. They were very intelligent, and had evolved towards the stage of Homo sapiens, according to Wu.

"The Hualongdong humans were the earliest ancient humans in East Asia who exhibited the most characteristics of Homo sapiens, and were at a key turning point in the evolution from ancient humans towards modern humans. The Hualongdong site will provide a wealth of information on how modern humans evolved," said Liu Wu, another researcher with the IVPP, who has conducted excavations at the site for more than a decade.

According to experts, Hualongdong is the second site in China, after Zhoukoudian, where the Peking Man fossils were discovered, to produce a rich collection of human fossils and stone tools -- providing crucial evidence regarding human activities during the Middle to Late Pleistocene.

Xu Xing, an academician with the CAS, emphasized the significance of the discoveries at Hualongdong. "For much of the past, fossil evidence of ancient humans primarily came from Africa or the Middle East. The 300,000-year time-frame is critical for understanding the origins of modern humans. The skull fossil unearthed at Hualongdong, with its relatively complete mandible, is an exceptionally rare find that may hold clues to answering key questions about the emergence of Homo sapiens."

A popular theory, based on studies of DNA and fossils mainly from Africa and the Middle East, as well as some human-made products, suggests that modern humans originated in Africa and spread to various parts of the world.

However, in recent decades, discoveries and research of new fossils from various places, especially in China, have shown that this process was actually not simple, but more complex, Xu said.

"The discoveries of human fossils at Hualongdong and related research will enrich our understanding of how this process was completed. Some scholars believe that the origin of modern humans may have been in different places. We will wait and see if the Hualongdong fossils can provide support for this viewpoint," Xu added.

International experts have also expressed enthusiasm about this site. Mara Martinn-Torres, director of Spain's National Research Center on Human Evolution, described the Hualongdong site as one of the most significant discoveries in human evolution over the past decade.

"We are looking at a hominin population that is different from Homo erectus, with derived traits closely linked to the origins of our species. I think this research is important for the whole international community," said Martinn-Torres.

The discoveries at Hualongdong have generated excitement in both the global anthropology and evolutionary biology communities.

"It is between Homo erectus and Homo sapiens -- a period for which fossil evidence is scarce. Additional finds like these are invaluable," said Yosuke Kaifu, a professor at the University of Tokyo. "Researchers are continuing their work, and it's a highly promising site that excites us all."

Beyond its significance for human evolution, scholars believe the Hualongdong site carries broader implications.

Charles Musiba, a professor of Evolutionary Anthropology at Duke University, highlighted the site as a model for international collaboration.

"Fossil bones and stone tools show that there is a lot of commonality among our species and our ancestors. Humans have been migrating back and forth for more than 300,000 years, and cross-cultural interactions have probably shaped us as a species," said Musiba.

"The Hualongdong site and related research bring together Chinese and global scientists, fostering collaboration instead of polarization," he added. "We are united in seeking answers to the fundamental question: Who are we, and where did we come from?"

An international expert attending the Hualongdong site academic conference visits the exhibition hall of the Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

This photo taken on Dec. 6, 2024 shows human skull fossil fragments displayed at the exhibition hall of Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

A drone photo taken on Dec. 6, 2024 shows people visiting the Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

This picture taken on Dec. 6, 2024 shows a craniofacial reconstruction on display at the exhibition hall of Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Wu Xiujie, a researcher at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, introduces the latest discoveries and studies concerning the Hualongdong ancient human site during the Hualongdong site academic conference in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

This photo taken on Dec. 6, 2024 shows a re-enactment of an ancient human hunting scene at Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

This picture provided by the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences shows the process of the craniofacial reconstruction of a skull fossil unearthed at the Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. (Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences/Handout via Xinhua)

Wu Xiujie (1st L, front), a researcher at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, introduces Hualongdong site to visitors at the site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

This photo taken on Dec. 6, 2024 shows bone fragments with evidence of artificial cutting and chopping displayed at the exhibition hall of Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

This photo taken on Dec. 6, 2024 shows a view of the Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

This photo taken on Dec. 6, 2024 shows a view of the Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

A drone photo taken on Dec. 6, 2024 shows people visiting the Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

A drone photo taken on Dec. 6, 2024 shows people visiting the Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 6, 2024 shows the Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Wu Xiujie, a researcher at the Institute of Vertebrate Paleontology and Paleoanthropology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, introduces the latest discoveries and studies concerning the Hualongdong ancient human site during the Hualongdong site academic conference in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

Experts attending the Hualongdong site academic conference visit the exhibition hall of the Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

People visit the Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

This photo taken on Dec. 6, 2024 shows stone artifacts displayed at the exhibition hall of Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

International experts attending the Hualongdong site academic conference visit the exhibition hall of the Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

This picture taken on Dec. 6, 2024 shows a model showing a human skull and mandible at the exhibition hall of Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

A visitor takes pictures of an item displayed at the exhibition hall of Hualongdong site in Dongzhi County of Chizhou City, east China's Anhui Province, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhou Mu)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
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Donald Trump wont be sworn in for his second term as president for more than a month, yet by some measures one could infer that Joe Biden has largely given up acting as Americas head of state.

When world leaders gathered in Paris over the weekend to celebrate the reopening of the iconic Notre Dame cathedral, the sitting American president was nowhere to be found. Instead, only his wife, First Lady Jill Biden, was there to represent the US government. Joe Biden remained in Washington, apparently due to an unspecified scheduling conflict.

Meanwhile, Trump  by law a private citizen with no official functions until noon on Inauguration Day  was posing for grip-and-grin shots with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting between the leaders arranged by Macron.

The scene in Paris was yet another display of the shrinking presence Biden has exhibited since the election just over a month ago.

open image in gallery President-elect Donald Trump and First Lady Jill Biden talk at the reopening ceremony for Pariss Notre Dame Cathedral ( AP )

Not long after Trumps victory, Biden left the continental United States for a ten-day trip to Peru and Brazil for the APEC and G20 summits, where he met with a succession of heads of state and government. Then, after a brief return to Washington and a Thanksgiving holiday sojourn in Nantucket  during which he issued a sweeping pardon to absolve his son Hunter of multiple federal crimes  he left for a long-planned trip to Angola, making him the first American president to visit that continent since Barack Obama.

Biden didnt hold a single press conference on either trip, even though its standard practice for American leaders to take questions from traveling reporters when overseas.

Into that vacuum has entered Trump, moving rapidly to roll out personnel picks and make bold declarations of soon-to-be US policy on his preferred social media platform, Truth Social. And to a certain extent, he has already gotten results.

A threat to impose tariffs on imported goods from Canada and Mexico immediately put him into contact with the leaders of both countries, after which he claimed to have had productive conversations. Meanwhile, his visit to Paris at Macrons invitation saw him arrive with the pomp and circumstance of a sitting head of state.

And during the days-long rebel action that toppled Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assads regime, Trump spoke publicly before Biden, with a Truth Social post in which he declared that the US should have nothing to do with it and not get involved. Biden didnt weigh in until Sunday, after it was clear that Assad had fallen, with a brief statement delivered to television cameras in the West Wing. He then took a single question on the whereabouts of journalist Austin Tice, long thought to be held captive in a Syrian prison.

Biden has also declined to offer any reaction to or opinion on Trumps proposed nominees, including his pick to run the FBI, Kash Patel, or his Secretary of Defense-designate, ex-Fox News host Pete Hegseth. Other Democrats have condemned both selections as evidence of Trumps commitment to retribution over the needs of the American people.

Privately, Biden aides dispute that he  or Trump  is doing anything differently from previous outgoing presidents or presidents-elect. And its true that its not unusual for presidents-elect to meet with or speak to foreign leaders. Nor is it abnormal for them to make announcements about personnel or policy.

People familiar with the presidents thinking also tell The Independent that Bidens relative reticence is a product of his deep desire to respect the outcome of last months election  something he said he would do on multiple occasions when pushed by reporters.

It is understood that Biden is acting out of a belief that a smooth transition of power is more important than ever, as well as a desire to set an example for the nation and the world as to how it is done in the wake of the election denial and violence that accompanied Trumps exit from office four years ago.

Biden confidantes also say that he plans to speak out more forcefully about his own accomplishments and legacy in coming weeks, including in a major address at the Brookings Institution set for Tuesday morning.

One adviser also pointed to the Democratic National Committees aggressive messaging regarding Trumps proposed nominees as evidence that Biden still takes his role as Democratic Party leader seriously in the waning days of his term.

Yet not all corners of his party are satisfied by the tone he is setting over the last weeks of his administration.

Waleed Shahid, a progressive strategist, told The Wall Street Journal that Bidens relative silence has prevented Americans from learning about the true danger of Trumps picks. Many Americans, he said, dont know Kash Patel or even who Matt Gaetz or Tulsi Gabbard are, but could be educated about them if Biden used his bully pulpit.

The only way to win the war of attention is by going to the voters and explaining things to them, which President Biden has consistently avoided doing, he said.

Another strategist  who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of criticizing the sitting president  said Biden is exhibiting the same unilateral disarmament impulse that caused Vice President Harriss campaign to not hit back more forcefully against Trumps attack ads during the election.

But the White House is defending Bidens pace and tone as appropriate for the period.

In a statement to The Independent, White House Senior Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates pointed to Biden making every day of this term count by working to accelerate the implementation of an unprecedented agenda that will benefit hardworking Americans for generations: bringing American manufacturing home from overseas, taking the most significant action to fight climate change in human history, beating Big Pharma so Medicare can negotiate lower drug costs, bipartisan legislation to protect communities from gun violence, repairing and modernizing our nations infrastructure, and hundreds of groundbreaking judicial confirmations.

Biden, Bates said, is leading by example for the sake of American democracy, honoring his campaign promise to respect the will of the voters and provide an orderly transition and also actively engaging with a wide range of leaders about the future of the Democratic Party, the need to continue fight for working people.
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President-elect Donald Trump trolled First Lady Jill Biden in an advertisement for his perfume and cologne line.

Trump posted the ad for Trump Perfumes & Colognes on Truth Social, alongside a picture of him and the First Lady greeting one another at the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris on Saturday.

The photos caption reads, A fragrance your enemies cant resist!

The president-elects official fragrance line describes itself as for patriots who never back down, like President Trump. The Trump for Men cologne and Trump for Women perfume both sell for $199, according to the website . The president-elect is also offering a buy one, get one 50 percent off sale.

The president-elect is also selling victory perfume and cologne, both of which are sold out as of Sunday.

Trump and the First Lady sat near one another at the ceremony, with photos showing them exchanging conversation.

open image in gallery President-elect Donald Trump and First Lady Jill Biden talk at the reopening ceremony for Pariss Notre Dame Cathedral ( AP )

Paris marked Trumps return to the geopolitical stage as he prepares to return to the White House on January 20.

Trump met with French President Emmanuel Macron while in Paris.

It certainly seems like the world is going a little crazy right now, the president-elect told reporters as he met Macron outside the Elysee Palace. And well be talking about that.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later joined the pair, and the three were photographed following a meeting on Saturday night before the ceremony.

Zelensky later described the meeting as good and productive.

open image in gallery Donald Trump, Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky meet at Pariss Elysee Palace ( POOL/AFP via Getty Images )

We all want this war to end as soon as possible and in a just way, he said. We spoke about our people, the situation on the ground, and a just peace.

Following the meeting, Trump pushed Russian President Vladimir Putin to reach an immediate ceasefire deal with Ukraine. In a Sunday interview, Trump also told NBC he is working toward ending the war.

Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness, Trump wrote on social media Sunday.

There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin, he added.

I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting!
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Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna has signaled that he is open to bipartisan cooperation with Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency.

The California congressman, who says he has known Musk for over 10 years, told Martha Raddatz on ABCs This Week about his recent conversations with the billionaire on his mission to cut government spending in Donald Trumps second administration.

I think when it comes to defense, getting better defense for value and cutting costs, there can be huge bipartisan cooperation, Khanna said.

Raddatz asked the Democratic lawmaker to share what the back and forth with Musk has been like.

Khanna was quick to praise Musk for previously having worked with former President Barack Obama on Space X.

Theres one area Elon Musk was brilliant in that he worked with President Obama and Ash Carter to have Space X and that disrupted Boeing and Lockheed, Khanna said. We were getting ripped off the American people and putting satellites up to space. And President Obama, under his leadership, Ash Carters leadership, they said, Elon, with Space X, you can bid on launching these rockets.

Ro Khanna said he is open to bipartisan cooperation with Musk ( ABC )

Khanna hinted that he agreed with Musk that there was an argument to be made for reducing costs.

I made the case to [Musk] that Tesla and SpaceX have been funded by the Obama government and lets have a role for government, Khanna said. But lets look at what you did with SpaceX. Why cant we do that with other parts of the five primes too, to reduce costs?

The Silicon-Valley-based Democrat did, however, warn that DOGE should not touch a penny of social security and should not touch medicare.

While Khanna is one of a handful of Democrats who has shown a willingness to engage with the SpaceX CEO, others are more skeptical.

I highly doubt that one of the largest defense contractors in the United States  and by that, I mean Elon Musk  is going to opt for the federal government to cut the money that he is receiving directly from them, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has said. He relies on the federal government to give him money.

Musk holds billions of dollars in government contracts through his companies SpaceX and Tesla.

Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the entrepreneur and former GOP presidential candidate who will head up DOGE, met with legislators on Capitol Hill last week.

The two billionaires have been tasked with firing federal workers and cutting government programs and federal regulations. Republican Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a fierce Trump ally, is set to chair a new House Oversight subcommittee to oversee DOGE.

Attempts to slash the federal government have been resisted in the past as Americans grapple with cuts to programs they know and trust. Millions of Americans depend on these programs for jobs, health care, security, and other needs.

Trump has appointed people to his administration hellbent on slashing the size of the federal government, such as Russ Vought, the former and next head of the Office of Management and Budget.
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Donald Trump called on China to help broker a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine as the incoming US president revealed he had communicated with Xi Jinping.

The conflict had caused enormous losses to both Russia and Ukraine, Mr Trump said, and Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky would like to make a deal to end the madness.

Mr Zelensky was yet to respond to the claim.

Mr Trumps outreach to China came a day after he made a proposal to end the war during a trilateral meeting with Mr Zelensky and French president Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness, Mr Trump claimed on his social media platform, Truth Social, after meeting Mr Zelensky face-to-face for the first time since winning the election.

They have ridiculously lost 400,000 soldiers and many more civilians. There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin, he added. Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, and if it keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse.

Around 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in Russias invasion of Ukraine since February 2022, Volodymyr Zelensky said in a rare update. He said 370,000 injuries had been reported in a post on his social media and said that this tally included soldiers who had been hurt more than once and some of the injuries were said to be minor.

Russia and Ukraine have not previously officially published a tally of their respective military losses of personnel in the nearly three-year-old war and treat the figure as a state secret.

Western intelligence sources estimate the number of Russian dead to be as high as 200,000, with 400,000 wounded.

I know Vladimir well, Mr Trump said, referring to Russian president Vladimir Putin. This is his time to act. China can help. The world is waiting!

open image in gallery Donald Trump with Emmanuel Macron and Volodymyr Zelensky in Paris ( AP )

In an interview with NBC aired on Sunday, Mr Trump said he held communication as recently as this week with Mr Jinping and that he and the Chinese president got along very well.

He also threatened to cut military aid to Ukraine and pull the US out of Nato.

Asked if he was actively working to end the war in Ukraine, Mr Trump replied in the affirmative, but refused to disclose if he had spoken with Mr Putin since winning election in November.

"I dont want to say anything about that, because I dont want to do anything that could impede the negotiation," Mr Trump said.

China could potentially play a significant role in ending the Ukraine war given its close relationship with Moscow. The relationship only deepened after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022 with the two sides describing it as a no limits partnership.

Mr Putin touted China as a credible negotiator after Beijing published a 12-point peace plan to end the war last year. The proposal, which did not explicitly call for Russia to leave Ukraine, was rejected by Western countries.

open image in gallery Donald Trump with Volodymyr Zelensky inside the reopened Notre Dame de Paris cathedral ( EPA )

Mr Trump held a trilateral meeting with Mr Macron and Mr Zelensky in Paris on the sidelines of the ceremony to reopen the Notre Dame Cathedral, which was destroyed in a major fire in 2019.

Mr Zelensky thanked Mr Trump for the good and productive trilateral meeting but did not provide any details. He cautioned that Ukraine needed a just and robust peace that Russians will not destroy within a few years.

When we talk about an effective peace with Russia, we must talk first of all about effective peace guarantees, Mr Zelensky said in a Telegram post on Sunday. Ukrainians want peace more than anyone else. Russia brought war to our land.

Kyiv is facing a severe shortage of soldiers as Mr Zelenskys mobilisation efforts to tide over battlefield losses falter, prompting the US to ask for lowering the recruitment age from 25 to 18, a move Mr Zelensky previously rejected due to its unpopularity.

Mr Zelenskys advisors increasingly see negotiations with Russia as inevitable but stress the need for strong Western security guarantees to make any ceasefire meaningful.

It is not clear if Mr Putin is interested in negotiations yet. The Russian president has laid out clear demands for ending the war, including control over Crimea and at least four eastern regions annexed by Moscow, disarmament of Ukraine and a ban on the country ever joining Nato.
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Saturday Night Live roasted poor little Matt Gaetz and Hunter Biden in its cold open sketch as the two scandal-plagued figures paid a visit to Church Lady following the most satanic year in history.

The Church Chat 2.0 skit, airing December 7, welcomed back Dana Carveys character, Church Lady, an elderly woman dedicated to her faith who interviews various celebrities.

In the sketch, Church Lady labeled 2024 the most satanic year in history before calling former MAGA lawmaker Gaetz, played by Sarah Sherman, to the stage.

open image in gallery Church Lady (Dana Carvey) appears alongside Matt Gaetz (Sarah Sherman), Hunter Biden (David Spade) in the December 7 Saturday Night Live cold open sketch ( Saturday Night Live )

The Florida Republican had been nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to serve as Attorney General but, days later, removed himself from consideration amid intense scrutiny over a House Ethics Committee inquiry regarding allegations of wrongdoing, including claims he had sex with a 17-year-old girl. Gaetz has denied all wrongdoing and has not been charged with a crime.

The House committee was set to release a bombshell report on its fndings two days after Trump tapped Gaetz, but Gaetzs nomination led him to resign from the House, effectively ending the probe.

This week, House Republicans voted down two efforts by Democrats to force the committee to release the report.

open image in gallery Sarah Sherman plays Matt Gaetz alongside Dana Carveys Church Lady character on Saturday Night Live' ( Saturday Night Live )

Sherman and Carvey were quick to joke about the situation.

You were involved in some little sexual peccadillos, and they wrote a whole report about it, but somehow we never got to see it, did we? Isnt that convenient, Carveys Church Lady quipped.

Poor little Matt Gaetz, you better repent, Matt, theres only 17 days left in Christmas, Carvey added.

You had me at 17, Shermans Gaetz said  a reference to the age of the girl at the center of the allegations against him.

Next up to see Church Lady was David Spade playing President Joe Bidens son Hunter Biden.

Biden announced last week he had pardoned his son 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. This comes after Hunter was convicted of three federal gun charges related to his purchase of a firearm in 2018. Three months later, he also pleaded guilty to nine federal tax charges.

open image in gallery David Spade as Hunter Biden on Saturday Night Live, cracking jokes about President Joe Bidens decision to pardon him ( Saturday Night Live )

They singled me out just because of who I am, Spades Hunter complained to Church Lady about his situation.

Much like Trump, they went after me because of my last name and all the illegal things I did.

He continued: I've gone through a lot, but my dad loves me unconditionally, and that's the greatest gift of all. Also to anyone who has seen any of those laptop photos, just remember the camera takes off two inches.

The sketch ended with a song performed by Church Lady, Gaetz, Hunter and others.

Will Christmas be about Jesus? Nobody knows, the cast sang.

Or will it be about Santa hanging with the ho, ho, hos? Satan had a good year.
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Fox News anchor Harris Faulkner and Fox Business host Larry Kudlow said that First Lady Dr. Jill Biden was engaged in heavy flirtation with Donald Trump this past weekend because she gravitates towards power.

Kudlow, a former economic adviser to Trump, also asserted that both the first lady and her husband, President Joe Biden, secretly voted for the incoming president rather than Vice President Kamala Harris.

During his Saturday trip to Paris to witness the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral, Trump was seen engaging in friendly banter with Jill Biden, prompting MAGA to go wild over the encounter. Trump later leaned into the online speculation by trolling the first lady with an online advertisement for his own personal perfume and cologne line.

The soon-to-be commander-in-chief included a photo of him and Dr. Biden alongside a Truth Social post pitching his new Fight, Fight, Fight scent, stating that its a fragrance your enemies cant resist! The Trump for Men cologne and Trump for Women perfume both sell for $199, though Trump is currently offering a buy one, get the other one half-off sale.

With Trump supporters declaring that the first lady looked like shes in love with BOSS Trump and that it is settled science that she voted for him, the hosts of Fox News panel show Outnumbered read as much as they possibly could into the Biden-Trump interaction.

Fox Business host Larry Kudlow claims Jill Biden voted from Donald Trump and engaged in almost heavy-duty petting with the president-elect. ( Fox News )

Co-host Kayleigh McEnany, who served as Trumps press secretary in his first administration, noted that Mrs. Biden wore a red suit on both Election Day and when Trump visited the White House last month, prompting Kudlow to claim this was proof that she voted for Trump. He went on to insist that once the president dropped out of the race and Harris became the Democratic candidate, the first lady decided privately to support Trump despite her previous criticism of him. At the same time, he claimed that the Notre Dame encounter showed she was smitten with the president-elect.

Take a careful look at that. That wasnt a nice conversation, that was outright flirtation, he proclaimed while Faulkner exclaimed oh my goodness and the other hosts giggled.

That was almost heavy-duty petting at the G7 level, Kudlow added as host Emily Compango shouted, Oh my God.

Not quite done, Kudlow stated that the evidence was mounting that both Bidens voted for their political rival.

McEnany reacted by saying Kudlow had the hot take of the day, prompting Compagno to insist that he should have been a prosecutor because he nailed it. She then said that of course the first lady was going to smile at Trump because he is a wonderful and normal human. Meanwhile, Faulkner doubled down on Kudlows remarks by insinuating that Mrs. Biden was indeed flirting with the incoming president because she is power hungry, seemingly referencing the Lady Macbeth narrative about the first lady that had arisen among conservatives in recent months.

What you were pointing out, outside of some of the extracurricular activities that you described, I do believe that at this moment that you do want to gravitate  clearly she gravitates towards power, Faulkner declared as Compagno punctuated the point by loudly oohing and ahhing at the suggestion.

Youre not in the White House with a husband who really could have sat down long before that debate on June 27, Faulkner continued while Compagno kept moaning. Yeah, Im just gonna say it because its the truth.

Faulkner reiterated that Dr. Biden is gravitating towards power, noting that the shiniest object in the room at that moment was Trump. So she goes over and kind of soaks that lighting up, she added.

While the entire panel broke down in laughter, Kudlow insisted that this fondness for power on Dr. Bidens behalf was what he was metaphorically describing when he brought up the heavy-duty petting between the two.

Oh, it was a metaphor! Well, now we know, she exclaimed. But honestly, the shame in all of this is it couldnt have been like this down the stretch. And thats what they are so burned about, the Bidens. It was Kamala Harris.
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Donald Trumps pick for US Surgeon General was involved in a tragic gun accident that killed her father when she was only 13 years old.

Dr Janette Nesheiwat was a teenager when she accidentally knocked a loaded gun over, which fired upon impact and fatally shot her father in the head.

The incident occurred in February 1990 at her family's home in Umatilla, Florida, according to a report by the New York Times.

A police report reviewed by the newspaper states that Nesheiwat was reaching for a pair of scissors in a tackle box on a shelf above her father's bed when the container tipped over and spilled its contents, including a handgun.

The gun discharged, and the bullet hit her father in the head. He died in a hospital the next day.

Janette Nesheiwat arrives at the Fox Nations Patriot Awards, November 16, 2023, in Nashville, Tennessee ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Though she does not frequently speak about the incident, Nesheiwat said it inspired her to become a doctor. She worked for 15 years as an urgent care doctor for the New York City-based CityMD clinic chain.

She gained some prominence among Republicans when she began appearing on Fox News as a medical contributor during the Covid-19 pandemic.

If she is confirmed, Nesheiwat will replace sitting US Surgeon General Dr Vivek Murthy. He served as the Surgeon General during the start of Trump's first presidential administration but was dismissed in 2017. Joe Biden appointed him to the spot again in 2021.

Murthy has been a proponent for treating gun violence  including accidental gun deaths like the one Nesheiwat experienced  as a public health issue. That stance has left him unpopular with Republican lawmakers, who have gone so far as to ban the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention from researching gun violence as a public health issue.

Despite her tragic experience with gun violence, there is no indication that Nesheiwat will break with fellow Republicans on the issue.

In an upcoming memoir she's writing, Nesheiwat mentions her father's death in the opening lines of the book, according to the New York Times.

When I was 13 years old, I helplessly watched my dear father dying from an accident as blood was spurting everywhere, she writes. I couldnt save his life."

The book, titled Beyond the Stethoscope: Miracles in Medicine, does not mention that he died as a result of being shot accidentally by a loaded family firearm, according to the Times.
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Ex-Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger joked that Tulsi Gabbard could offer ousted Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad safe harbor in her home.

Kinzinger, who made the jibe the day before Assads regime fell, has been outspoken about Donald Trumps pick for director of national intelligence following a 2017 visit to Syria, where she met with the tyrant when she was a Democratic House member.

Wonder if @TulsiGabbard will offer Assad safe harbor at her house? the former Illinois representative quipped on X. They are great friends.

When Assads whereabouts were unknown after he fled, Kinzinger said: Someone check @TulsiGabbard[s] house.

After Assads 50-year regime was toppled on Sunday, Kinzinger claimed that it was Tulsis nightmare scenario. Her hearing for DNI will be BRUTAL and she wont get in, he said in another post.

Gabbard has previously denied crimes were committed by the Syrian regime and said Assad is not the enemy of the United States.

open image in gallery Gabbard pictured this morning on Capitol Hill ahead of meetings with Senate Republicans ( Getty Images )

She is the latest Trump cabinet pick to fight for her nomination following Pete Hegseths struggle for his confirmation as defense secretary and Matt Gaetzs withdrawal from the running of attorney general.

On Monday, Gabbard was on Capitol Hill to meet with Senator Lindsey Graham and members of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Mike Rounds and James Lankford, to fight her case, according to Politicos Playbook.

Senator Lankford of Oklahoma previously said he wants to know the context and purpose of her meeting with the Syrian dictator in 2017 before he backs her as Trumps director of national intelligence.

Well have lots of questions. She met with Bashar Assad, well wanna know what the purpose was and what the direction for that was, as a member of Congress, Lankford told CNNs Dana Bash on State of the Union last month.

Well wanna get a chance to talk about past comments that shes made and get them into full context.

open image in gallery Adam Kinzinger joked about Gabbard offering safe harbor to Assad in a post on X ( @AdamKinzinger/X )

Lankford said the committee would get everything out about Gabbard, and referred to her being outspoken in the past.

Trumps former national security adviser John Bolton told Playbook that Gabbard has shown an inclination to believe the most outrageous propaganda against the United States by some of its strongest enemies.

Despite a barrage of criticism, Gabbards allies are coming out in support of her.

An anonymous Senate Republican told the outlet that if Gabbards 2017 visit to Syria was a problem, she wouldnt have been promoted to lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve in 2021.

In 2019 while under pressure following scrutiny over the visit, Gabbard did refer to Assad as a brutal dictator.

Trump transition team spokesperson Alexa Henning told Politico that Gabbard is in lockstep with President Trump when it comes to the events in Syria over the weekend.

This is why President Trump was re-elected to prevent endless wars and put America First, Henning said.

The president-elect said that the U.S. should not get involved nor should it have ever inserted itself into the conflict. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED! Trump wrote on Truth Social over the weekend.
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Watch live as New York City mayor speaks on Monday 9 December following an arrest in connection with UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting.

Police are questioning a man in Pennsylvania in connection with last weeks fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEOBrian Thompson, law enforcement officials sources familiar tell mutliple news outlets.

Luigi Mangione, 26, was taken in for questioning, and it was discovered that he was in possession of a ghost gun that matches the gun believed to have been used in the assassination-style killing that took place outside a New York City hotel on Wednesday, a senior law enforcement official told the New York Times.

An employee at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, called in the tip on Monday about seeing a man who looked like the person of interest police have been searching for, according to CNN.
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The foreign secretaries of Bangladesh and India met in Dhaka on Monday to discuss relations between the neighbours, including growing tensions since the fall of former prime minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled into exile in India in August.

The tensions have grown over the recent arrest in Bangladesh of a Hindu priest under the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. Alleged attacks on minority Hindus in Bangladesh and on a Bangladesh diplomatic mission in India were expected to feature prominently in the talks. India stopped issuing visas for Bangladeshis except emergency medical visas after Ms Hasina's ouster.

Indian foreign secretary Vikram Misra was holding the daylong talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart Mohammad Jashim Uddin in the first high-level visit by an Indian official since massive protests ended Ms Hasina's 15-year rule.

Ms Hasina is thought to be a trusted friend of Hindu-majority India, which has raised concerns over allegations of attacks on religious minorities, especially Hindus, in Muslim-majority Bangladesh, since her ouster.

Most Bangladeshi Hindus are thought to be supporters of Ms Hasinas secular Awami League party.

A Hindu mob recently attacked a Bangladeshi diplomatic office in Agartala, the capital of the northeastern Indian state of Tripura, in reaction to the arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Das Prabhu, who had led large rallies in recent months demanding better security for Hindus in Bangladesh. Late last month, Hindu protesters also burned Bangladeshi flags in Kolkata, the capital of Indias eastern state of West Bengal, triggering protests by the Yunus government.

Other political parties, including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party headed by Khaleda Zia, Ms Hasinas main political foe, and Islamist groups have protested against the attacks in Tripura.

Hindus also protested in parts of India against alleged attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh and the jailing of Mr Prabhu.

Mr Misra is to pay courtesy calls on Mr Yunus and foreign adviser Touhid Hossain before leaving for New Delhi later on Monday.
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A firebomb attack at a synagogue in Australia last week is being investigated as an act of terrorism, police have said.

The Adass Israel synagogue in Melbourne had to be evacuated after a fire began at around 4am local time on Friday.

The fire fully engulfed the building, causing extensive damage and leaving a person injured.

Community leaders reported seeing firebombs thrown inside the Jewish house of worship.

Victorias police chief commissioner, Shane Patton, said on Monday it was a targeted attack.

I am very confident that we now have had an attack, a terrorist attack, on that synagogue, he told a press conference. Its clear that the fire was targeted, it was callous and an horrific attack on the synagogue. But by default, it is an attack on Jewish people.

Jewish community members at the scene of a fire at the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne ( AFP via Getty )

State and federal police and the countrys domestic intelligence service, Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, were working together to identify three suspects wanted for the attack, Mr Patton said.

Victoria premier Jacinta Allan said the declaration from police was a significant step for the Jewish community. "Our thoughts again today must be with the Jewish community here in Melbourne, the Jewish community around the Adass Israel synagogue, indeed across Australia," she said. "This has been an awful, evil, anti-Semitic, and now we know it has been confirmed as a terrorist attack."

The Victoria police said they decided to treat it as a terrorist attack after a meeting with the federal police and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation.

"This is now a terrorism investigation," federal police deputy commissioner Krissy Barrett said. "We are already well-prepared, well-briefed and well-progressed."

Mr Patton denied the use of firearms in the attack after concerns were raised following the recovery of a damaged two calibre bullet on the footpath outside the synagogue following the attack.

We have nothing to suggest whatsoever that has any connection, he said. Nonetheless, as a result of completeness, we have taken that away for examination.

The federal police, meanwhile, launched an antisemitism task force on Monday called Abalight.

Special Operation Abalight will be an agile and experienced squad of counterterrorism investigators who will focus on threats, violence, and hatred towards the Australian Jewish community and parliamentarians, police chief Reece Kershaw told a news conference.

In essence, they will be a flying squad to deploy nationally to incidents.
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Rival packs of stray dogs scavenging for scraps around the Chernobyl fallout zone may be evolving faster than other animals to survive in one of the most hostile environments on Earth.

Scientists are analysing the impact of the worlds worst nuclear disaster 36 years ago on semi-feral canines that roam the decaying, abandoned buildings of the power plant and the surrounding radioactive Red Forest.

Miraculously, the wild dogs are still able to breed and endure extreme winters while relying on scraps from tourists who are warned not to touch them.

open image in gallery Many of the dogs form packs for protection, while some have surprisingly bonded with humans ( Getty )

Researchers say humans can learn from the resilience of the 500 stray dogs whose numbers have increased in the 36 years after the cataclysmic accident and Soviet coverup.

On April 26, 1986, an explosion and fire at the Chernobyl power plant in Ukraine caused radioactive fallout to spew into the atmosphere. Thirty workers were killed while the long-term death toll from radiation poisoning is estimated to number in the thousands.

The packs are thought to be descendants of dogs left behind by families during the chaotic evacuation. They are thought to have survived attempts by Soviet soldiers to shoot the animals to prevent the spread of radiation.

Somehow, two small populations of dogs managed to survive in that highly toxic environment, head researcher Dr Norman Kleiman said.

Blood samples were collected from the semi-feral dogs captured around the power plant and another pack operating in nearby Chernobyl City.

open image in gallery Stray dogs have survived radiation and attempts by Soviet soldiers to kill them ( Getty Images )

Despite sharing breed makeups with German shepherds and being separated by only ten miles, the free-breeding dog populations were found to be reproducing independently of each other.

By analysing the dogs DNA, the team identified 391 outlier regions in their genomes that differed between the two groups with some pointing to genetic repair after exposures similar to Chernobyl.

Scientists maintain there is still work to be done to evaluate how decades of radiation exposure may have altered animals genomesand even, possibly, sped up evolution.

They hope future studies will reveal the genetic effects of exposure to radiation and observe adverse health effects of other nuclear or environmental disasters on both animals and humans.

open image in gallery All 61 of the Nuclear Power Plant dogs and 52 of the Chernobyl City dogs were identified as being at least 10% German Shepherd ( AP )

According to Dr Matthew Breen from NC State: The overarching question here is: does an environmental disaster of this magnitude have a genetic impact on life in the region?

By teasing out whether or not the genetic changes we detected in these dogs are the canine genomes response to the exposures the populations have faced, we may be able to understand how the dogs survived in such a hostile environment and what that might mean for any population  animal or human  that experiences similar exposures.

open image in gallery The former Energetika cultural centre stands in the abandoned city of Pripyat near the Chernobyl nuclear power plant. ( Getty Images )

Swedish authorities were the first to detect radioactive fallout in Europe, forcing Soviet officials, who had attempted to cover up the disaster, to open up about it days later.

In 2017, a state veterinary agency in the Czech Republic said about half of all wild boars in the countrys southwest were radioactive and considered unsafe for consumption. The boars feed on an underground mushroom that absorbs radioactivity from the soil. Similar problems with radioactive wild animals were reported in Austria and Germany.

The full study on the Chernobyl dogs was published in the journal Canine Medicine and Genetics.
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Film director Christophe Ruggia will go on trial on Monday on charges of sexually abusing actress Adele Haenel when she was underage, in one of the first #MeToo cases to emerge from French cinema.

Haenel, a prize-winning actress in movies such as Portrait of a Lady On Fire, has accused Ruggia of repeatedly touching her inappropriately after they met working on the movie The Devils in 2001 when she was 12 and he was 36.

She first publicly accused him in 2019 of exercising undue control over her, isolating her from her family and crewmembers, while also forcing her and co-star Vincent Rottiers into filming gruelling scenes that they were uncomfortable with.

Ruggia denies the allegations, which carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in jail, and a 150,000-euro ($158,000) fine. His lawyer, Fanny Colin, declined to comment to Reuters.

open image in gallery Actress Adele Haenel poses as she arrives to attend the Cesar award ceremony, the equivalent of the Oscars, Friday, Feb. 28, 2020 in Paris ( Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Haenel has become the first famous face of the #MeToo movement in France, where the movement has received a much more tepid reaction than in the United States. She has recently retired from the film industry, citing complacency over alleged sexual predators still working in the business.

Ruggia is not the first man in French cinema to face charges over his behaviour on set. Gerard Depardieu, one of Frances leading actors, is due to go on trial next year on accusation of sexually assaulting two women on a film set in 2021.

Haenel accuses Ruggia of abusing her from the age of 12 to 15, during and after the filming of The Devils, which tells the story of two abandoned siblings searching for their home.

She told investigators she often went to Ruggias house, where he would touch her between her legs and caress her chest. She said his actions affected her school work, and provoked suicidal thoughts.

Christophe told me that he was in love with me and that the age difference was a curse for him and that unfortunately I was an adult in a childs body, she told police.

The trial is expected to last two days. Haenels lawyer did not respond to a request for comment by Reuters.
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Putin said the missile was called the Oreshnik  Russian for hazelnut tree.

The surveillance camera video of the Russian missile attack in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro was brief but chilling: Six huge fireballs pierced the darkness and slammed into the ground at astonishing speed.

Within hours of the November 21 attack on the military facility, Russian President Vladimir Putin took the rare step of speaking on national TV to boast about the new, hypersonic missile. He warned the West that its next use could be against Ukraines NATO allies who allowed Kyiv to use their longer-range missiles to strike inside Russia.

A satisfied smile played across Putin's face as he described how the Oreshnik streaks to its target at 10 times the speed of sound, or Mach 10, like a meteorite, and claimed it was immune to any missile defense system.

open image in gallery Russian President Vladimir Putin makes an address to the Russian armed forces personnel and citizens, at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia ( EPA )

Gen. Sergei Karakayev, head of Russias Strategic Missile Forces, said the Oreshnik could carry nuclear or conventional warheads and has a range to reach any European target.

The Pentagon said the Oreshnik was an experimental type of intermediate-range ballistic missile, or IRBM, based on Russia's RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM. The attack marked the first time such a weapon was used in a war.

Intermediate-range missiles can fly between 500 to 5,500 kilometers (310 to 3,400 miles). Such weapons were banned under a Soviet-era treaty that Washington and Moscow abandoned in 2019.

Ukraines Main Intelligence Directorate said the missile had six warheads, each carrying six submunitions. Its payload of independently targetable warheads, like a cluster of hazelnuts growing on a tree, could be the inspiration for the missile's name.

Video of the attack appeared to show six warheads surrounded by clouds of plasma raining down in a fiery descent. The six submunitions released by each warhead apparently were unarmed but had high kinetic energy estimated to deliver a destructive force equivalent to tons of explosives.

Putin claimed the weapon is so powerful that using several such missiles  even fitted with conventional warheads  could be as devastating as a nuclear strike. Its capable of destroying underground bunkers three, four or more floors down, he boasted, threatening to use it against the government district in Kyiv.

open image in gallery Fragments of what authorities in Kyiv described as a Russian hypersonic missile that struck a factory in Dnipro ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Ukraines Security Service showed The Associated Press wreckage of the missile -- charred, mangled wires and an ashen airframe  at Dnipro's Pivdenmash plant that built missiles when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union. There were no fatalities in the attack, and authorities havent described the damage to the plant. They said the missile was fired from the 4th Missile Test Range of Kapustin Yar in Russias Astrakhan region on the Caspian Sea.

Russia has used an assortment of missiles to pummel Ukraine since the start of its invasion in February 2022, but none had the range and power of Oreshnik.

They included subsonic long-range cruise missiles that carry about 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) of explosives, enough to inflict a significant damage to Ukrainian power plants and other key infrastructure. The winged, jet-propelled cruise missiles have a range of up to 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles), able to reach all of Ukraine.

open image in gallery Fragments of a rocket which struck Dnipro on November 21 are seen at a center for forensic analysis ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Russia also used swarms of inexpensive, Iranian-designed drones that carry only about 50 kilograms (110 pounds) of explosives. The slow-flying drones are relatively easy to intercept, but Russia used dozens of them at a time to overwhelm Ukrainian defenses and divert attention from simultaneously launched cruise missiles.

For some priority targets, Russia has used faster and harder-hitting missiles, including the ground-launched Iskander short-range ballistic missile with a range of 500 kilometers (310 miles).

For particularly important targets, Moscow has used the hypersonic Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile. Its high speed  able to briefly reach Mach 10  and ability to maneuver in flight helps it evade air defenses, although Ukraine claims to have shot down a few of them.

Oreshnik is even more difficult to intercept than Kinzhal. It can inflict significantly heavier damage because of its multiple high-energy warheads.

What message is Putin sending with the Oreshnik?

Putin described the Oreshnik as a response to the U.S. and U.K. allowing Ukraine to use their longer-range weapons to strike Russian territory, a move he said gave elements of a global character to the conflict.

We believe that we have the right to use our weapons against military facilities of the countries that allow to use their weapons against our facilities, he said.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Putins Security Council, said Oreshnik could reach targets in Europe within minutes, inflicting catastrophic damage. Bomb shelters will not save you, he posted on his messaging app channel.

Russian state media extolled the Oreshnik, claiming it will take just 11 minutes to reach an air base in Poland and 17 minutes to reach NATOs headquarters in Brussels. T-shirts have appeared with images of Putin and the Oreshnik, and he was told at a briefing that a couple planned to name their daughter after the missile.

open image in gallery Fragments of a Russian hypersonic missile collected for investigation ( AFP via Getty Images )

Military expert Mathieu Boulegue of Chatham House in Britain said that while the Oreshnik isnt a game-changer on the battlefield, in terms of psychological warfare, it works great in serving the Kremlins goal to scare a Western audience.

The Nov. 21 attack came two days after Putin signed a revised version of Russias nuclear doctrine, which lowered the threshold for using nuclear weapons. The doctrine allows for a potential nuclear response by Moscow even to a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power.

The use of the Oreshnik was an expression of Moscows anger at the use of longer-range Western missiles and a signal to Ukraine and President-elect Donald Trump that Russia was going to pursue its goals, regardless of the support for Kyiv, said James J. Townsend, senior fellow at the Center for New American Security.

This is a very powerful message being sent, Townsend said. Its showing Trump how serious Russia looks on what the Biden administration has been doing and how seriously they look on and how angry they are about this type of assistance.

open image in gallery A journalist walks in front of fragments of a rocket which struck Dnipro on November 21 ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Putins warning about potential strikes on NATO assets follows calls by Russian hawks for such attacks to force Ukraines allies to back down.

Unlike other Russian conventional weapons with a shorter range, Oreshnik offers the capability to launch a powerful, conventional strike anywhere in Europe, giving the Kremlin a new instrument of escalation without tapping its nuclear arsenal. There will be no way to know whether Oreshnik carries a nuclear or a conventional warhead before it hits the target.

The enemy must understand that we are ready to take the most resolute steps and strike the territory of NATO members with conventional weapons first, said Sergei Karaganov, a political expert who advises the Kremlin. At the same time, we will warn them that if they respond to that attack in an escalatory way, a nuclear strike would come second, and a third wave will target American bases.
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Around 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed in Russias full-scale invasion since February 2022, Volodymyr Zelensky said in a rare update on war casualties.

The Ukrainian president said 370,000 injuries had been reported in a post on his social media and said that this tally included soldiers who had been hurt more than once and some of the injuries were said to be minor.

Since the start of the full-scale war, Ukraine has lost 43,000 soldiers killed in action on the battlefield. There have been 370,000 cases of medical assistance for the wounded. It also needs to be mentioned that in our army approximately half of the soldiers wounded in action are later returning to the battlefield, and that our data also includes light or repeat injuries, he said on X.

Additionally, he said around 198,000 Russian soldiers had been killed and a further 550,000 wounded.

Our people are defending their homes at the cost of their lives, and every life of our soldiers and our civilians is precious to us, he said in the statement.

Russia and Ukraine have not previously shared the total military losses in the continuing war and treat the number as a state secret.

The latest information from Mr Zelensky comes as a rare admission in the recent times with the incoming US president Donald Trump calling for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations between Ukraine and Russia to end the madness

Mr Zelensky also said Russias losses have surged in the last few months. Since September of this year, Russia has been losing people on the battlefield in a ratio of 5 and even 6 to 1 for us. This is how they want to seize more land before the worlds pressure on them can become unbearable, he wrote on his Telegram channel.

In his previous update on Ukraines war casualties in February this year, Mr Zelensky said the country had seen 31,000 deaths.

This comes as on the battlefield, Russian forces kept up their grinding advance in eastern Ukraine, taking the village of Blahodatne, according to a statement on Sunday by Russias defense ministry.

If confirmed, the territorial gain would bring Russian forces a step closer toward capturing the town of Velyka Novosilka and disrupting a key logistics route for the Ukrainian army, military analysts said.
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President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that he is open to the potential deployment of Western troops in Ukraine to guarantee the countrys security as part of an effort to end the almost three-year war with Russia.

A troop contingent from one country or another could be present in Ukraine for as long as it isnt part of NATO. But for that we need to have a clear understanding of when Ukraine becomes an EU member and when a NATO member, Mr Zelensky said speaking alongside German opposition leader Friedrich Merz in Kyiv.

Mr Zelensky stressed that even with an invitation to the NATO military alliance, long-term protection would still be uncertain in the face of future Russian aggression.

Even if we get invited (to NATO), what happens then? Who guarantees our security? We can think about that and work on (French president) Emmanuel Macrons proposal, Mr Zelensky said, referring to president Macrons controversial idea of sending European troops to Ukraine.

In the same breath Mr Merz condemned chancellor Olaf Scholzs refusal to send Kyiv long-range missiles as akin to making the country fight with one arm tied behind its back.

Mr Scholz has argued that deploying Germanys Taurus missile could be seen as Germany joining the war.

Military experts believe the Taurus cruise missile, with its bunker-busting warhead, could be instrumental in destroying targets like the Kersh bridge that links Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014, with Russias mainland.

We want your army to be capable of hitting military bases in Russia. Not the civilian population, not infrastructure, but the military targets from which your country is being attacked, conservative frontrunner Mr Merz told Mr Zelensky.

Mr Merz added that a strong Ukraine is essential for bringing Russian President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table.

Echoing Mr Merz, president Zelensky said Putin doesnt want to end this war. He must be forced to And he can only be forced if Ukraine is strong.

Germany is the second largest provider of financial and military support to Ukraine after the United States and hosts more Ukrainian war refugees - over a million - than any other country.

With questions over Ukraines ability to host refugees and a flagging economy, the government is under pressure from populist parties questioning continued support for Kyiv.

Mr Scholz, increasingly positioning himself as a peace candidate, has warned against what he calls Mr Merzs willingness to escalate tensions with a nuclear-armed Russia.

The discussion on military support comes as Donald Trumps imminent return to the White House intensifies talk of a possible deal to end Russias 33-month-old war.

The Ukrainian leader told reporters he was hoping to call outgoing US president Joe Biden in the coming days to discuss NATO membership but dimissed the need to discuss with Mr Trump before he takes office.

Russia has demanded that Ukraine abandon its NATO ambitions and sees Kyivs membership of the alliance as an unacceptable security threat.
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Israels military marched into the demilitarized zone along the occupied Golan Heights for the first time in 50 years and seized Syrian territory after the fall of Bashar al-Assads government.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he had ordered his ground forces to take control of the buffer zone established by a 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria after armed rebel groups pushed out Mr Assad from Damascus and took power.

Mr Netanyahu claimed the ceasefire agreement had collapsed as Syrian soldiers allegedly abandoned their positions, necessitating the Israeli takeover.

We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border, the prime minister said as Mr Assad's fall added another layer of complexity to the Middle East crisis, which geopolitical analysts said was at the brink of regional war.

open image in gallery Israeli army tank near the Alpha Line that separates Israeli occupied Golan Heights from Syria ( AP )

The Israeli military issued an "urgent warning" to residents of five communities in southern Syria to stay home shortly after Mr Netanyahus statement.

The fighting in your area is forcing the IDF to act and we do not intend to harm you, a military spokesperson, Colonel Avichay Adraee said, referring to the Israeli forces.

Israeli warplanes, meanwhile, continued to strike weapons and intelligence facilities inside Syria. At least three airstrikes hit a security complex in the Kafr Sousa area of Damascus and a research centre where Israel had previously said Iranian scientists developed missiles.

We attacked ammunition depots in southern Syria and in the Damascus airport area for fear they might fall into the hands of armed groups and local factions, an unnamed Israeli security official was quoted as saying by Israeli public broadcaster KAN.

open image in gallery Israeli soldiers enter Syria buffer zone at northern border ( EPA )

He claimed that Israel was working to "thwart any potential threats and prevent any damage to its air superiority in Syria. The Israeli military added that it was "not interfering with the internal events in Syria".

Israel captured the Golan Heights in the 1967 Middle East war and annexed it. The international community, except for the US, recognises it as occupied Syrian territory.

Syrias takeover by insurgent groups spearheaded by Hayat al-Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, a rebranded al-Qaeda affiliate, marked one of the most significant geopolitical events in the Mideast for generations as Assad's downfall took away a bastion from which Iran and Russia exercised influence across the Arab world.

The HTS is designated as a terrorist group by the US, Turkey and the UN, although it has spent years seeking to soften its extremist image to reassure western governments as well as minority groups within Syria.

Assad fled to Russia, where he was provided asylum.

"A new history, my brothers, is being written in the entire region after this great victory," said Ahmed al-Sharaa, better known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the head of HTS.

Speaking to a massive gathering on Sunday at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, a place of considerable religious significance, Golani, a former lieutenant to slain Isis chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, said with hard work Syria would be "a beacon for the Islamic nation.

American president Joe Biden said that Syria was in a period of risk and uncertainty and it was the first time in years that Russia, Iran or Hezbollah did not have an influential role in the country.

Assad's overthrow reportedly limits Iran's ability to send weapons to its allies and could cost Russia its Mediterranean naval base at Tartus. It could also allow millions of refugees scattered for more than a decade in camps across Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan to return home.
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Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the militant leader whose stunning insurgency toppled Syrias President Bashar Assad, has spent years working to remake his public image, renouncing longtime ties to al-Qaida and depicting himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance.

In recent days, the insurgency even dropped his nom de guerre and began referring to him by his real name, Ahmad al-Sharaa.

The extent of that transformation from jihadi extremist to would-be state builder is now put to the test.

open image in gallery Syria Struggling Donors ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Insurgents control capital Damascus, Assad has fled into hiding, and for the first time after 50 years of his familys iron hand, it is an open question how Syria will be governed.

Syria is home to multiple ethnic and religious communities, often pitted against each other by Assads state and years of war. Many of them fear the possibility Sunni Islamist extremists will take over.

The country is also fragmented among disparate armed factions, and foreign powers from Russia and Iran to the United States, Turkey and Israel all have their hands in the mix.

open image in gallery Syria Fall of Assad ( AP2000 )

The 42-year-old al-Golani -- labeled a terrorist by the United States -- has not appeared publicly since Damascus fell early Sunday. But he and his insurgent force, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS  many of whose fighters are jihadis -- stand to be a major player.

For years, al-Golani worked to consolidate power, while bottled up in the province of Idlib in Syrias northwest corner as Assads Iranian- and Russian-backed rule over much of the country appeared solid.

He maneuvered among extremist organizations while eliminating competitors and former allies. He sought to polish the image of his de-facto salvation government that has been running Idlib to win over international governments and reassure Syrias religious and ethnic minorities. And he built ties with various tribes and other groups.

Along the way, al-Golani shed his garb as a hard-line Islamist guerrilla and put on suits for press interviews, talking of building state institutions and decentralizing power to reflect Syrias diversity.

Syria deserves a governing system that is institutional, no one where a single ruler makes arbitrary decisions, he said in an interview with CNN last week, offering the possibility HTS would eventually be dissolved after Assad falls.

Dont judge by words, but by actions, he said.

open image in gallery ( Getty Images )

open image in gallery ( Getty Images )

Al-Golanis beginnings in Iraq

Al-Golanis ties to al-Qaida stretch back to 2003, when he joined extremists battling U.S. troops in Iraq. The Syrian native was detained by the U.S. military but remained in Iraq. During that time, al-Qaida usurped like-minded groups and formed the extremist Islamic State of Iraq, led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

In 2011, a popular uprising against Syrias Assad triggered a brutal government crackdown and led to all-out war. Al-Golanis prominence grew when al-Baghdadi sent him to Syria to establish a branch of al-Qaida called the Nusra Front. The United States labeled the new group as a terrorist organization. That designation still remains in place and the U.S. government has put a $10 million bounty on him.

open image in gallery Syria ( Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The Nusra Front and the Syrian conflict

As Syrias civil war intensified in 2013, so did al-Golanis ambitions. He defied al-Baghdadis calls to dissolve the Nusra Front and merge it with al-Qaidas operation in Iraq, to form the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS.

Al-Golani nonetheless pledged his allegiance to al-Qaida, which later disassociated itself from ISIS. The Nusra Front battled ISIS and eliminated much of its competition among the Syrian armed opposition to Assad.

In his first interview in 2014, al-Golani kept his face covered, telling a reporter for Qatari network Al-Jazeera that he rejected political talks in Geneva to end the conflict. He said his goal was to see Syria ruled under Islamic law and made clear that there was no room for the countrys Alawite, Shiite, Druze and Christian minorities.

open image in gallery Syria ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Consolidating power and rebranding

In 2016, al-Golani revealed his face to the public for the first time in a video message that announced his group was renaming itself Jabhat Fateh al-Sham - the Syria Conquest Front -- and cutting its ties to al-Qaida.

This new organization has no affiliation to any external entity, he said in the video, filmed wearing military garb and a turban.

The move paved the way for al-Golani to assert full control over fracturing militant groups. A year later, his alliance rebranded again as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham - meaning Organization for Liberating Syria -- as the groups merged, consolidating al-Golanis power in northwest Syrias Idlib province.

HTS later clashed with independent Islamist militants who opposed the merger, further emboldening al-Golani and his group as the leading power in northwestern Syria, able to rule with an iron fist.

With his power consolidated, al-Golani set in motion a transformation that few could have imagined. Replacing his military garb with shirt and trousers, he began calling for religious tolerance and pluralism.

He appealed to the Druze community in Idlib, which the Nusra Front had previously targeted, and visited the families of Kurds who were killed by Turkish-backed militias.

In 2021, al-Golani had his first interview with an American journalist on PBS. Wearing a blazer, with his short hair gelled back, the now more soft-spoken HTS leader said that his group posed no threat to the West and that sanctions imposed against it were unjust.

Yes, we have criticized Western policies, he said. But to wage a war against the United States or Europe from Syria, thats not true. We didnt say we wanted to fight.
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Converging on Syrias most iconic mosque and spilling into the capitals best-known square, thousands of Syrians gathered on Friday to mark the start of a new era following the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad.

Chanting, Hold your head up high, youre a free Syrian, crowds flocked to the Umayyad Mosque, one of the largest and oldest in the world, for the first Muslim prayers since the spectacular collapse of the ruling regime.

Thousands more gathered in cities across the country.

The celebrations were a deeply symbolic way to mark the dramatic change of power in Syria, nearly a week after insurgents swept into Damascus  ousting the Assad family who had kept an iron grip on the country for five decades.

In the capital. the countrys interim prime minister, Mohammed al-Bashir, delivers the Friday sermon to flag-waving crowds, with a message of unity.

This is a call for all the loyal people of Syria. We have to put our hands in each others hands; we have to collaborate and come together to build Syria, he says, his voice cracking.

open image in gallery Syrians gather at the Ummayyad Mosque in Damascus ( Bel Trew/The Independent )

To return this majestic country to its majestic position among the nations, he adds.

Under Assad, sermons were tightly controlled and monitored, a fact not lost on the crowd. The symbolism was further amplified by the fact that in the early days of the revolution that precipitated the civil war, protesters would often gather at Umayyad Square. Now, fighters and civilians gathered to listen, many stepping inside the sweeping mosque for the first time ever.

Raghab, 22, a student, says it is the first time her family had prayed in the mosque because of the oversight of the regime.

I dont remember a world without war. I grew up in this revolution and civil conflict, she adds. Now I have a future. I want to be an architect so I can rebuild this country.

Many had gathered hoping to catch a glimpse of the rebel commander Ahmed al-Sharaa, formerly known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohamed al-Golani, who heads up the largest insurgent force, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). He instead appears in a video congratulating the great Syrian people for the victory of the blessed revolution.

open image in gallery Syrians listen to the sermon by new Syrian prime minister Mohammed al-Bashir ( Bel Trew/The Independent )

I invite them to head to the squares to show their happiness without shooting bullets and scaring people, he says. And then, after, we will work to build this country, and as I said in the beginning, we will be victorious by the help of God.

HTS, which was once aligned with al-Qaeda but has spent years distancing itself from its jihadi roots, has been working to establish security and start a political transition after leading the charge on the capital early on Sunday. They have also been trying to reassure a fractured society, shocked by Assads fall and concerned over extremists among the rebel ranks.

Their fighters are now on the streets, sometimes directing traffic and manning all the security and military buildings  now ransacked and strewn with defaced images of the ousted autocrat.

At Damascuss biggest roundabout, Umayyad Square, where thousands had gathered, HTS foot soldiers originally from Damascus sit on chairs outside the once feared military judiciary building, where arbitrary sentences, including executions, were handed down.

They recently returned to their families for the first time in more than a decade after fighting across the country since 2012. Pointedly, they rest their feet on the defaced image of Assad that they had torn down from the billboard behind them.

open image in gallery Two foot soldiers sitting on a portrait of Assad outside the military judicial building ( Bel Trew/The Independent )

I was just 15 when I left Damascus. I saw my mother for the first time two days ago. It was indescribable. She didnt recognise me, says Abu Hussein, who spent a year in a regime jail in the southern town of Deraa in 2011, where he said they subjected him to electric shocks.

I cant believe Im sitting here in front of the military judicial building, on a broken picture of Assad, hearing the chants of a free Syria. Its like a dream, added his friend Abu Osman al-Shami, 30.

One of the major concerns for the future is the level of damage. Even five years ago, experts estimated that the cost of rebuilding Syria could soar to as high as $400bn (313bn)  dwarfing the annual government budget before the regime collapsed.

Among those worried about this daunting challenge is Raed Salah, head of Syrias civil defence, the White Helmets, whose volunteers have for years been the first responders to regime strikes. Joining the crowds at Umayyad Square he tells The Independent the White Helmets have saved more than 129,000 people. Since the overthrow of Assad, they have been uncovering abuses in the now opened regime jails and detention centres, including searching the notorious Sednaya prison for remaining inmates.

Looking exhausted, Salah says his feelings are complicated.

open image in gallery Syrians gather near Ummayyad Mosque ( Bel Trew/The Independent )

It is happiness and heavy responsibility. We were shocked by the level of destruction to the infrastructure. We were shocked by the lack of services.

He adds that while pulling people out from beneath the rubble had stopped, rebuilding Syria was a more daunting task, saying: We have entered a new stage of work. Rescuing peoples lives wont stop. We have to keep going and help people rebuild their lives.

Fridays celebrations came as US secretary of state Antony Blinken met with allies in the region, looking to shape the transition and calling for an inclusive and non-sectarian interim government.

After talks in Jordan and Turkey  which backs some of the insurgent factions  Mr Blinken arrived in Iraq on a previously unannounced stop. So far, US officials have not held direct meetings with Syrias new rulers. Winning international recognition for the new government in Syria remains a major goal.

There are also concerns about the deeply fractured society. Fighting still rages between Turkish-backed insurgent factions, uneasily allied with HTS, and the Kurdish-led forces in the northeast, which are backed by US troops.

Since Assads fall, Israel has bombed sites across Syria, saying it is trying to prevent weapons from falling into extremist hands. It has also seized a swathe of southern Syria along the border with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, calling it a buffer zone.
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Half a century of the Assad family ruling Syria have collapsed in less than two weeks, in a seismic moment for the Middle East.

Opposition forces swept across the country and entered Damascus with little or no resistance as the Syrian army melted away. President Bashar Assad, Syria's ruler for 24 years  succeeding his father, Hafez Assad  fled the country. Anti-government protests in 2011 met with a brutal crackdown, escalating into a civil war that has killed more than half a million people and displaced half of Syria's prewar population of 23 million. Assad, backed by Iran and Russia, gradually regained control of more than two-thirds of Syria, leaving the rebels with one stronghold in the northwest of the country.

Heres a run-down of how the advance by insurgents unfolded:

27 November: Rebels launch a surprise offensive

Armed opposition groups launch a large-scale attack on areas controlled by government forces in northwestern Syria and claim to have wrested control of at least 15 villages from government forces in northwestern Aleppo province. The government and its allies respond with airstrikes and shelling in an attempt to halt the insurgent advances.

The offensive is led by the jihadi group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS. Formerly the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda and known as the Jabhat al-Nusra or the Nusra front, HTS later distanced itself from al-Qaeda, seeking to market itself as a more moderate group. It is classed as a terrorist group by the United Nations, the UK and the US

The attack on Aleppo follows weeks of simmering low-level violence, including government attacks on opposition-held areas. Turkey, a main backer of Syrian opposition groups, says the insurgents began a limited offensive to stop the attacks, but it expanded as government forces began to retreat.

28 November: Expansion into Idlib

The offensive expands to reach the countryside of Idlib province, with reports Assads troops are retreating.

29 November: The city of Aleppo

The insurgents sweep into the city of Aleppo, for the first time since they were pushed out in 2016. That involved a gruelling military campaign by Syrian government forces backed by Russia and Iran. This time, they meet with little resistance.

30 November

The rebels say they control Aleppo, raising a flag over the city's citadel and occupying the international airport.

1 December: No help for Assad

The Syrian military launches a counterattack with troops and airstrikes on Idlib and Aleppo. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi visits Damascus, telling Assad that Tehran will support the counteroffensive.

But Assad receives little, if any, help from his allies. Russia is busy with its war in Ukraine, and Iran has seen its proxies across the region degraded by regular airstrikes. Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah, which at one point sent thousands of fighters to shore up Assad's forces, has been weakened by a 13-month conflict with Israel.

2 December to 4 December: The insurgents push on

The insurgents push south, advancing to within 10 miles (six kilometres) of Hama, the country's fourth-largest city and a key crossroads in central Syria, about 125 miles north of Damascus. State media reports fierce fighting in the province, and both state media and a U.K.-based observer group say government forces, backed by Russian airstrikes, have recaptured some territory.

5 December: The fall of Hama

After several days of fighting the rebels sweep into Hama. Dozens of jubilant fighters are seen firing into the air in celebration in Assi Square, the site of massive anti-government protests in the early days of the uprising in 2011. The Syrian army rereats outside the city

6 December: The capture of Homs

Rapidly advancing now, the rebels seize two towns on the outskirts of Homs, Syria's third-largest city. About 25 miles, south of Hama, Homs is the gateway to Damascus and the location of one of Syria's two state-owned oil refineries. Capturing it would cut the link between Damascus, Assad's seat of power, and the coastal region where he enjoys wide support.

The government denies reports that its military has withdrawn from the city.

7-8 December: The fall of Damascus

Syrian rebels close in on the capital  and Assads seat of power  on Saturday and controlled the city unopposed by early Sunday, with Assad fleeing to Russia.

Syrian state television airs a video statement by a group of men saying that President Bashar Assad has been overthrown and all prisoners have been set free. HTS commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani visits the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus and calls Assad's fall a victory for "the Islamic nation."

9 December

Damascus stirs back to life. Heavy traffic returns to the streets, but most shops remained shut. Rebels mill about in the centre.

Al-Golani, met overnight with Assad's Prime Minister Mohammed Jalali and Vice President Faisal Mekdad to discuss arrangements for a transitional government, a source familiar with the discussions told Reuters.

Al Jazeera television reports that the transitional authority would be headed by Mohamed Al-Bashir, who ran the administration in a small pocket of rebel-held territory before the 12-day lightning offensive that swept into Damascus.

Associated Press contributed to this report
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Bewildered and elated prisoners have poured out of Syrian jails, shouting with joy as they emerged from one of the worlds most notorious detention systems and walked to freedom following the collapse of Bashar al-Assads government.

All across Syria, families wept as they were reunited with children, siblings, spouses and parents who vanished years ago into the impregnable gulag of the Assad dynastys five-decade rule.

Throughout the civil war that began in 2011, security forces held hundreds of thousands of people seized into detention camps where international human rights organisations say torture was universal practice. Families were often told nothing of the fate of their loved ones.

As insurgents seized one city after another in a dizzying eight-day campaign, prisons were often among their first objectives. The most notorious prisons in and around Damascus itself were finally opened on the uprisings final night and the early hours of Sunday.

When they reached Saydnaya prison, rebels shot the lock off the gate, a video showed, using more gunfire to open closed doors leading to cells. Men poured out into corridors and a courtyard, cheering and helping them open more cells.

open image in gallery People react to the fall of Syrian regime in Umayyad Square in Damascus ( Getty Images )

In what was purported to be the women's block at Sednaya prison, a rebel recorded the moment he reached cells and pulled open the doors for prisoners who seemed to have had little idea they were about to be freed.

"May God honour you!" a woman shouted to the men freeing her. As they left their cells a toddler appeared to be walking the corridor, having apparently been held in the prison along with his mother.

"He (Assad) has fallen. Don't be scared," a voice shouted, trying to reassure the prisoners that they faced no more danger.

Zakaria Al-Ashara, who had been jailed for five years in Saydnaya and looked frail, spoke of tasting freedom for the first time. He said he had been tortured and starved by his jailers and watched fellow inmates die of hunger, their injuries and illness.

Its an indescribable, beautiful feeling. I couldnt believe it when I got out. I dreamed of this moment and imagined it every day, he told The Independent, explaining how he would sometimes live on just a single piece of bread a day.

People died from humiliation, illness, and torture. Even food brought by visitors was stolen from us. At night, guards would storm our cells, killing people for sport.

Every moment was a nightmare. Yet, despite everything, I clung to the dream of freedom and never stopped praying.

Outside of the prison and in nearby cities, family members who knew their loved ones were at some point transferred to Saydnaya waited anxiously for any news as more and more people were filmed escaping.

Fakhria, whose son Abdo Sahwar, a father of two, was arrested 10 years ago and is believed to be in Saydnaya, said her family were desperate for any news.

My heart burns for him. Every day feels like a year. Waiting is worse than death, but its the only thing keeping me going, she said.

I had lost hope, but now my heart is racing with tension. I dont know if Ill find him alive. If I see him, I might die of joy.

Sara, (not her real name) was in a similar position. Her brother Mohamed Fakher al-Ward, a 24-year-old man from Idlib was initially arrested in the north of Syria before being transferred to Saydnaya at some point. They have had no information about him for years. She said even information of his death would be something. So far he has not appeared on any of the videos of inmates escaping the jail.

Every video and every piece of news drowns us further in a sea of questions. Is he alive? Did he die under torture? Will we ever receive his body? She asked in desperation.

We want a grave to mourn at. Waiting is crueler than death.

Additional reporting by Rajaai Bourhan
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Bashar Barhoum, 63, was one of the tens of thousands of prisoners freed from Bashar al-Assads prisons in Syria, as civil defence teams investigate underground cells to free more detainees.

After seven months in prison, Mr Barhoum was expecting to be executed, when he woke in his Damascus prison cell at dawn Sunday to men at the door.

But he quickly realised they were seeking to free him and were not Assads notorious security forces.

Rebels broke into prisons and security facilities to free political prisoners  and people who disappeared  in the years since civil war erupted in 2011, as they swept across Syria in a lightning offensive that ended fifty years of Assad family rule.

Videos shared on social media showed dozens of prisoners running in celebration after the rebels released them, some barefoot and others wearing little clothing. One of them screams in celebration after he finds out that the government has fallen.

I havent seen the sun until today, Mr Barhoum told the Associated Press before he set off to find a way to tell his wife and daughters that hes alive and well.

Instead of being dead tomorrow, thank God, he gave me a new lease of life.

open image in gallery People gather as Syrian White Helmets civil defence members and experts search for potential hidden basements at the Saydnaya prison ( AFP via Getty Images )

Assads prisons garnered an infamous reputation for their harsh conditions. Human rights groups, whistleblowers and former detainees reported systematic torture, secret executions, disease and starvation. The Assad regime always denied this, but in 2013 a defector known as Caesar smuggled out 53,000 photos.

Dont be afraid  Bashar Assad has fallen! Why are you afraid? said one of the rebels as he tried to rush streams of women out of tiny cells of the notorious Saydnaya prison in Damascus.

Assads security apparatus and prisons served to isolate his opponents and instill fear among his own people, according to Lina Khatib of London think tank Chatham House.

Anxiety about being thrown in one of Assads notorious prisons created wide mistrust among Syrians, Ms Khatib said. Assad nurtured this culture of fear to maintain control and crush political opposition.

open image in gallery Teams continue to investigate Sednaya ( Bekir Kasim/Anadolu/Getty )

As well as Damascus, the rebels freed prisoners in Aleppo, Homs and Hama, as families wept, waiting outside prisons hoping to be reunited with their loved ones.

But some families are still seeking out relatives who have been missing for years.

This happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of prison and know where he is, Bassam Masri told the Associated Press. I have been searching for him for two hours. He has been detained for 13 years, since the start of the Syrian uprising in 2011.

Just north of Damascus in the Saydnaya military prison, known as the "human slaughterhouse," women detainees, some with their children, screamed as men broke the locks off their cell doors. Amnesty International and other groups say that dozens of people were secretly executed every week in Saydnaya, estimating that up to 13,000 Syrians were killed between 2011 and 2016.

The Syrian White Helmets organisation said it had dispatched emergency teams to access the lower layers of the cells, but so far they have not found any hidden cells.

"The teams consist of search and rescue units, wall-breaching specialists, iron door-opening crews, trained dog units, and medical responders," the group said.

Another campaign group, the Association for Detainees and the Missing in Sednaya Prison (ADMSP), said the prison was now empty.

Far from his home in Syria, Omar Alshogre, who was detained in a Syrian prison for three years  and now splits his time between the United States and Sweden as a human rights activist  watched in awe as videos showed dozens of detainees fleeing. .

A hundred democracies in the world had done nothing to help them, and now a few military groups came down and broke open prison after prison, he said.
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Families of those imprisoned by Bashar al-Assads brutal regime desperately searched the filthy cells of Syrias most notorious prison for any signs of their loved ones as the country comes to terms with the toppling of his rule.

In the Sednaya prison, referred to by rights groups as a human slaughterhouse, thousands of people are believed to have been detained, tortured or executed during Syrias civil war, which began in 2011. Sitting just north of Damascus, it became the focus for hundreds of families demanding answers about what happened to their relatives.

It comes as Israel, US and Turkey also launched airstrikes against sites across the country to protect their interests after rebels, led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) forced Assad to flee, while the deposed Syrian presidents former backers Russia and Iran also suggesting they would reach out to the rebels  with Moscow wary of the fate of its military bases in the country.

At the prison, countless families were trawling dark corridors and hidden cells in the labyrinthine complex for a trace of loved ones detained for attending protests, defying authorities or simply voicing discontent.

Ahmed Najjar had come to Damascus from Aleppo, hoping to find his brothers two children, seized by Assads security forces in 2012. Were looking. Theyre saying theres an underground prison, he said.

In the wake of thousands spilling out of the prison having been freed on Sunday rumours had spread that thousands more inmates were still imprisoned in underground cells that could not be reached. The White Helmets rescue organisation, which for years has dug through fallen buildings after air strikes, deployed a team but on Monday afternoon they said they had yet to find a sign of such cells. Several times, a breakthrough revealed a hidden hallway, prompting bursts of gunfire from rebels to alert the thousands waiting. Cries would go up from the crowd, such as My son, Im coming, Im coming or God, please dont disappoint me.

open image in gallery A man breaks the lock of a cell in Sednaya prison ( AP )

The scenes around Sednaya were a sign of the difficulties the country will have in picking itself up after decades of rule by the Assad family, while the rest of the world tries to quickly work out how to deal with the Islamist-led rebels that now control the capital.

There are fears of a power vacuum in a region that is already facing war in Gaza and a fragile ceasefire in Lebanon. Israel, involved in those conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, has seized control of a previously demilitarised buffer zone in Syrian-controlled territory in the Golan Heights and attacked what it said were Assad regime weapons depots with airstrikes.

Gideon Saar, the Israeli foreign minister, said the strikes were to stop arms falling into the hands of those would seek to harm Israel. Thats why we attacked strategic weapons systems, for example, remaining chemical weapons, or long-range missiles and rockets so that they will not fall in the hands of extremists, he said. The US has struck targets associated with Isis in central Syria, while Turkey has targeted Washington-backed Kurdish forces.

The UKs foreign secretary, David Lammy, called Assad  who the Kremlin said has been given asylum in Russia  a monster with the blood of countless innocents on his hands and that his defeat was also a humiliation for Moscow and Tehran.

Assad is the rat of Damascus, fleeing to Moscow with his tail between his legs. How fitting he should end up there, Mr Lammy said.

But Mr Lammy said that the downfall of Assad brings no guarantee of peace and nations have been cautious about HTS and its leader, known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who now wants to use his formal name Ahmad al-Sharaa, given that HTS began as an offshoot of al-Qaeda. HTS cut ties with the jihadists years ago and has sought to project a more moderate image. Mr Lammy said that HTS is still a proscribed terrorist organisation in the UK and the prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, said no decision on removing HTS from that list is pending at all... it is far too early.

open image in gallery People gather as Syrian White Helmets civil defence members and experts search for potential hidden basements at Sednaya jail ( Getty )

Mr Lammy said: We will judge HTS by their actions, monitoring closely how they and other parties to this conflict treat all civilians in areas they control. The foreign secretary added that the group has offered assurances to minorities in Syria so far and committed to co-operating with the international community on monitoring chemical weapons.

On Monday, the collection of rebel groups led by HTS announced that they will grant amnesty to all those conscripted into Assads army, while the rebel command also suggested they would not tell women how to dress. It is strictly forbidden to interfere with womens dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty, the command said in a statement.

Assads prime minister, Mohammed Jalali, told Al Arabiya TV he had agreed to hand power to the rebels, with Al Jazeera television reported the transitional authority would be headed by Mohammed al-Bashir.

International leaders have said it is a moment of hope for Syria and this was reflected on the ground. Fares Wati, in Idlib, northwestern Syria, said: As Syrians, this day is a historic turning point for us. Across the entire country, in cities and villages alike, Syria is experiencing an overwhelming joy it hasnt known for decades. Today, the Syrian people have freed themselves from the grip of Assads rule, which for so long turned the country into his personal fiefdom.

He added: These historic moments restore hope to the Syrian people and open a new chapter of dignity and freedom. The joy we witness today is a testament to the resilience and determination of the Syrian people, who never lost hope for a better future.

open image in gallery People dance as they celebrate the overthrow of Assad, in Damascus, Syria ( EPA )

Ibrahim Olabi, a native of Aleppo who has family there and is on the board of the Syrian British Consortium, said that the international community now needs to step up, saying: We need some involvement and support for Syrians to rebuild their country.

Syrians in neighbouring nations such as Turkey, where millions fled the civil war, have been lining up at the border to return. Turkey is opening its Yayladagi border gate to manage the safe and voluntary return of Syrian migrants it hosts, Turkish president Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday.

The UK also announced it had paused decisions on asylum applications from Syrians. Thousands of Syrians have been granted asylum in the UK, but the Home Office said decisions on applications would now be paused while events unfold in Damascus. The UK followed countries including Germany, Austria and Sweden in suspending decisions on Syrian cases. Syrians generated the fifth largest amount of asylum claims to the UK in the year ending September 2024, Home Office statistics showed, behind Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Bangladesh.

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said: We know the situation in Syria is moving extremely fast after the fall of the Assad regime. We have seen some people returning to Syria. We also have a very fast-moving situation that we need to closely monitor.

And that is why, like Germany, like France and like other countries, we have paused asylum decisions on cases from Syria while the Home Office reviews and monitors the current situation.

Additional reporting by Abdalghany al-Aryan in Aleppo; Reuters contributed to this report; Chris Stevenson also contributed to this report
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The Syrian government of Bashar al-Assad has fallen, bringing a shocking end to his familys 50-year reign following a lightning offensive by Islamist rebels.

The presidents whereabouts remain unknown after reports he left Damascus early on Sunday as opposition fighters entered Damascus.

It was the first time opposition forces had reached the capital since 2018 when Syrian troops recaptured areas on the outskirts of the capital following a years-long siege.

open image in gallery People celebrate at Umayyad Square in Damascus ( AFP via Getty Images )

A video shared on Syrian opposition media showed a group of armed men escorting Syrian prime minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali out of his office and to the Four Seasons hotel on Sunday.

Interventions by Russia, Iran, Hezbollah and others have allowed him to remain in power within the parts of Syria under his control. But no international help for the deposed leader appears forthcoming.

Incoming US president Donald Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social: Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by (President) Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer,

open image in gallery Syrian president Bashar al-Assad has fled the country his family ruled for 30 years ( AFP via Getty Images )

Here is a look at some of the key aspects of the new developments:

Whats the latest?

The military command of the Syrian opposition says its fighters have entered the capital Damascus claiming that it is free of President Bashar Assads rule.

The so-called Military Command Administration said Assad had fled without giving further details.

His departure marks the end of the 54-year Assad family rule of Syria with an iron fist. His father Hafez Assad came to power in a bloodless coup in 1970 and ruled until his death in 2000. Bashar Assad was elected weeks after his fathers death and ruled Syria until he was overthrown on Sunday.

The command declared the end of the dark period and the beginning of a new era in Syria.

State television in Iran - Assads main backer in the years of war in Syria - reported terrorists had entered Damascus and that Assad had left the capital.

An Associated Press journalist in Damascus reported seeing groups of armed residents along the road on the outskirts of the capital and hearing gunshots. The citys main police headquarters appeared to be abandoned, its door left ajar with no officers outside.

Another shot footage of an abandoned army checkpoint, uniforms discarded on the ground under a poster of Assads face.

In the early hours of Sunday, Syrian rebel commander Hassan Abdul Ghany said that insurgent forces fully liberated Syrias central city of Homs.

A rebel commander said they had also taken control of an army camp and villages outside the city.

The Syrian military, which has been reinforcing Homs and hammering the rebels with intense airstrikes, did not immediately comment on the reports.

Homs, parts of which were controlled by insurgents until 2014, is a major intersection point between Damascus and Syrias coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartus, where President Assad enjoyed wide support and where his Russian allies have a naval base and airbase. Homs province is Syrias largest and borders Lebanon, Iraq and Jordan.

Earlier the rebels said they seized control of the southern city of Daraa  the birthplace of the 2011 uprising against Assad  as they pressed on with their lightning advance.

The Syrian army withdrew from much of southern Syria on Saturday, leaving more areas of the country, including two provincial capitals, under the control of opposition fighters.

This change presents an opportunity to build a new Syria based on democracy and justice that secures the rights of all Syrians, the leader of the Syrian Democratic Forces Mazloum Abdi said in a written statement, praising the fall of the authoritarian regime in Damascus.

The Kurdish-led group has a significant presence in northeastern Syria, where they have clashed with the extremist Islamic State group and Turkish-backed militias over the years.

open image in gallery Rebel forces shoot in the air as they parade in their vehicles through the streets of the central Syrian city of Homs ( AFP via Getty Images )

Rebel commander Colonel Hassan Abdulghani said the insurgents advanced in the countryside around Idlib, putting all of the province of the same name under their control. This could not be independently confirmed.

Military vehicles abandoned by Syrian troops dotted the roads in Khan Sheikhoun in Idlib province as people posed and took pictures atop an abandoned tank on a highway.

What implications could the insurgency have?

The Islamist rebels dealt a major blow to the influence of Russia and Iran in the heart of the region, key allies who propped up Assad during critical periods in the conflict.

The collapse followed a shift in the balance of power in the Middle East after many leaders of Lebanons Iranian-backed Hezbollah group, a lynchpin of Assads battlefield force, were killed by Israel over the past two months. Russia, Assads other key ally, has been focused on the war in Ukraine.

Turkey-backed Syrian forces have taken control of some 80 per cent of northern Syrias Manbij area and are close to victory against Kurdish forces there, a Turkish security source said. Stabilising western areas of Syria captured in the rebels advance will be key. Western governments, which have shunned the Assad-led state for years, must decide how to deal with a new administration in which a globally designated terrorist group - Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) - looks set to have influence.

The US will continue to maintain its presence in eastern Syria and will take measures necessary to prevent a resurgence of the Islamic State, deputy assistant secretary of defence for the Middle East Daniel Shapiro told the Manama Dialogue security conference in Bahrains capital on Sunday.

Before its defeat, Islamic State imposed a reign of terror in large swathes of Syria and Iraq.

At a conference in Doha, Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan said terrorist organisations must not be allowed to take advantage of the situation in Syria, and called on everyone to act with caution.

HTS, which spearheaded the rebel advances across western Syria, was formerly an al Qaeda affiliate known as the Nusra Front until its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, severed ties with the global jihadist movement in 2016.

The real question is how orderly will this transition be, and it seems quite clear that Golani is very eager for it to be an orderly one, said Joshua Landis, a Syria expert and director of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma.

Golani will not want a repeat of the chaos that swept Iraq after US-led forces toppled Saddam Hussein in 2003, he said, adding: They are going to have to rebuild ... they will need Europe and the US to lift sanctions.

HTS is Syrias strongest rebel group and some residents remain fearful it will impose draconian Islamist rule or instigate reprisals.

Assad has been at war with opposition forces seeking his overthrow for 13 years, in a conflict which has claimed an estimated 500,000 lives. Some 6.8 million Syrians have fled the country over the course of the war, mostly resettling in Turkey. Nearly 1.3 million people have been granted protection in EU countries, as of last year.

open image in gallery An anti-government fighter holds a weapon as he keeps position near a defaced portrait of Assad, in the city of Hama ( AFP via Getty Images )

The US has around 900 troops in northeast Syria, far from Aleppo, to guard against a resurgence by the Islamist terror group Isis.

Both the US and Israel conduct occasional strikes in Syria against government forces and Iran-allied militias. Turkey also has forces in Syria and has influence with the broad alliance of opposition forces storming Aleppo.

What do we know about the group leading the insurgency?

The US and UN have long designated HTS as a terrorist organisation.

Its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, emerged as the leader of al-Qaidas Syria branch in 2011, in the first months of Syrias war. His fight was an unwelcome intervention to many in Syrias opposition, who hoped to keep the fight against Assads brutal rule untainted by violent extremism.

open image in gallery Abu Mohammed al-Golani analyses a military map of Syria

Golani early on claimed responsibility for deadly bombings, pledged to attack Western forces and sent religious police to enforce modest dress by women.

He has sought to refashion himself in recent years, renouncing his al-Qaida ties in 2016, disbanding his religious police force, cracking down on extremist groups in his territory, and portraying himself as a protector of other religions, including by allowing the city of Idlibs first Christian mass in years.

What is the history of Aleppo in the war?

At the crossroads of trade routes and empires for thousands of years, Aleppo is one of the centres of commerce and culture in the Middle East.

open image in gallery ( AFP via Getty Images )

Aleppo was home to 2.3 million people prior to the war breaking out in 2011. Rebels seized the east side of the city in 2012, and it became the proudest symbol of the advance of armed opposition factions.

In 2016, government forces backed by Russian airstrikes laid siege to the city. Russian shells, missiles and crude barrel bombs  fuel canisters or other containers loaded with explosives and metal  methodically levelled neighbourhoods. Starving and under siege, rebels surrendered Aleppo that year.

The Russian military's entry was the turning point in the war, allowing Assad to stay on in the territory he held.

This year, Israeli airstrikes in Aleppo have hit Hezbollah weapons depots and Syrian forces, among other targets, according to an independent monitoring group. Israel rarely acknowledges strikes at Aleppo and other government-held areas of Syria.
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There appears to be some unknown feature of the universe that is affecting its expansion, scientists have said.

New measurements from the Webb telescope  Nasas most powerful space observatory  could help explain one of the deepest mysteries of the cosmos, according to the researchers behind them.

For years, scientists have been troubled by an unusual feature of our universe. It appears to be expanding faster today than it did in the past  and researchers are not sure why.

Now the Webb telescope has confirmed those unexpected measurements, which were previously shown by Nasas Hubble Space Telescope. That suggests there is something unknown happening in the universe, rather than an error in that telescopes measurements.

That might mean there are unknown forces at work in the universe, for instance, or that there is a gap in our understanding of the cosmos that could require new physics.

The discrepancy between the observed expansion rate of the universe and the predictions of the standard model suggests that our understanding of the universe may be incomplete, said Adam Riess, the lead author of a new paper on the findings. With two Nasa flagship telescopes now confirming each others findings, we must take this [Hubble tension] problem very seriouslyits a challenge but also an incredible opportunity to learn more about our universe.

For decades, scientists have been trying to calculate what they call the Hubble constant, or the speed at which the universe is expanding. But recent research has given rise the Hubble tension or conflicts between the expected rate and the one that measurements show is happening.

The new research looked at the largest sample of Webb data, taken over its first two years, to verify that telescopes measurement of the expansion. They used three different measurement techniques, looking at galaxies that have supernovae and using them to check how quickly they appeared to be moving.

They found that the new measurements were in line with those previous ones from the Hubble telescope. That rules out that the former telescope had made some inaccuracy  and indicate that it is in fact something to do with the universe.

Instead, researchers suggest there is something lacking in the current standard model of cosmology, our accepted framework of how the universe works.

A paper reporting the findings, JWST Validates HST Distance Measurements: Selection of Supernova Subsample Explains Differences in JWST Estimates of Local H0, is published in The Astrophysical Journal.
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Chinese scientists have built a cat-inspired robot designed to adjust its posture and stick its landing even in low-gravity environments, an advance that could revolutionise the exploration of asteroids.

Researchers from the Harbin Institute of Technology in northeast China developed a special control system for the quadruped robot inspired by the ability of cats to twist and successfully land on their paws whenever they fall.

The robot is capable of moving its four legs in a coordinated manner and can adjust its posture mid-air to stick landings, according to the study, published last month in the Journal of Astronautical Sciences.

Scientists checked whether the robot and its newly developed control system could potentially manoeuvre in low-gravity celestial environments like asteroids.

open image in gallery Japans Hayabusa2 spacecraft snapped pictures of the asteroid Ryugu while flying alongside it two years ago ( Jaxa )

In such space environments, researchers say even small imbalances and slight miscoordination between the legs of such a robot can cause it to tumble and crash.

In the low-gravity environment of these [small celestial] bodies, robots undergo extended periods of free fall during each jump, scientists wrote.

It is essential to utilise this time to correct any altitude deviations induced by the jump, ensuring a safe landing or adjusting the yaw angle to modify their future trajectory, they said.

open image in gallery Image captured by Rover-1B, and provided by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) shows the surface of asteroid Ryugu ( Jaxa via AP )

In 2018, Japan made history by landing two cookie jar-sized jumping rovers onto the rocky asteroid Ryugu about 280 million km (170 million miles) away from Earth.

The short-lived robots used the low-gravity conditions on Ryugu to hop across the asteroids surface for a day to beam back pictures to Earth.

What if we nuked an asteroid?

Since the missions success, scientists and space agencies have been building new types of robots to explore asteroids and moons.

The extremely weak gravity and rocky terrains of such small celestial bodies are not conducive for wheeled rovers.

open image in gallery Prototype of the SpaceHopper developed by ETH Zurich researchers ( Dominik Lindegger )

So researchers are building hopping robots to explore asteroids and prospect for valuable minerals like platinum and other rare metals.

Earlier this year researchers at ETH Zurich unveiled a three-legged jumping robot called SpaceHopper to navigate low-gravity environments like asteroids and moons.

These are thought to contain valuable mineral resources that could be of use to humankind in the future. The exploration of these bodies could also give us insights into our universes formation, researchers wrote.

In the latest study, researchers trained the cat-inspired robot for several hours in a virtual simulation.

open image in gallery Chinese cat-inspired robot learns to land on its feet using machine learning ( Journal of Astronautical Sciences )

It learned to adjust its movements for a stable landing in about seven hours, scientists say, according to South China Morning Post.

Further experiments in a microgravity simulation platform confirmed the effectiveness of the new AI learning system, they say.

A microgravity simulation test platform for quadrupedal robots employing air suspension technology has been designed and constructed, validating the effectiveness of this control strategy through prototype experiments, researchers wrote.
Was it a misstep or a deliberate act of self-destruction? This is the question workers at Gumi City Council in South Korea asked earlier this year when one of their colleagues was found unresponsive at the bottom of a two-metre staircase.

The incident was picked up by local media, with headlines asking Why did the diligent civil officer do it? and Was work too hard?. There was also an outpouring of sympathy on social media for the stricken worker, with peoples interest piqued due to the civil servant being  in fact  a robot.

Some believe it is the first ever robot suicide  that it intentionally threw itself down the stairs after growing frustrated with its job. Witnesses reported seeing it circling in one spot shortly before the fall, which led to speculation that it was suffering an emotional breakdown.

But in order to deliberately kill itself, the robot would first need to be sentient. It is an idea that has been a trope of science fiction for more than a century, but only in recent decades have technologists and philosophers begun to seriously speculate on when and how this might actually unfold.

Jonathan Birch, a professor of philosophy at LSE and author of The Edge of Sentience: Risk and Precaution in Humans, Other Animals, and AI, believes that we will very soon see what he calls ambiguously sentient AI.

By ambiguously sentient, I mean that some people will be absolutely convinced that their AI companion is a sentient being with a rich inner life, and will be angered when others deny this, he tells The Independent. Meanwhile, others will be equally convinced that these AI companions feel absolutely nothing.

It wont be possible to tell who is right because our scientific understanding of sentience is not yet mature enough for that. And this has the potential to lead to very serious social divisions.

To prepare for such an eventuality, Professor Birch has been calling on tech companies to acknowledge the risk and to support research aimed at improving our scientific understanding.

The debate that arose in South Korea following the robot workers demise centred on the integration of AI and machines into human workplaces, and whether they should be given similar rights as their flesh and blood colleagues.

The questions have particular weight in a country where automation is happening at a faster pace than any other country on Earth. A report last month from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) revealed that South Korea has become the first in the world to replace more than 10 per cent of its industrial workforce with robots. Only one other country has even passed 5 per cent.

open image in gallery ( IFR/The Independent )

Robots are finding work everywhere in Korea, from restaurant kitchens to hospital operating theatres. The Korean government sees intelligent machines as a way to address record-low birth rates and a rapidly shrinking working-age population. However, the massive influx of robots has raised new challenges about how best to treat and integrate them.

Even if they are not yet sentient and have no sense of self, many are already seeing them as some sort of semi-conscious beings that deserve a certain level of dignity. This was highlighted by the reaction to a video last year, which showed a robot abruptly collapsing to the ground while stacking boxes.

open image in gallery Proteus, Amazons first fully automated mobile robot, has been allowed to roam in areas of the factory it wasnt previously allowed ( Amazon )

While the robots manufacturer said it was an ordinary malfunction, the clip gained millions of views as people speculated over whether it was, in fact, an act of defiance or exhaustion. Stressed like the rest of us, one person wrote, while another commented: AI making its own decisions and I kinda like it #freewill.

Since the incident at the city hall in South Korea, there have been numerous other incidents of robots seeming to kill themselves.

Last month, an event billed as Man vs Machine aimed to race an AI-powered car against a human driver. But the contest in Japan never happened; the robo-racer drove itself into the barrier on the way to the start line. Some spectators joked that the AI would rather spin itself out of the race than risk facing a human driver who was once dubbed the torpedo for his reckless driving.

As for the robot in South Korea that ended up at the bottom of a set of stairs, there is a third possibility for what happened to it. Something the municipal workers and media seemed reluctant to suggest: it may have been pushed.

The IFRs report last week revealed that the average robot density globally has more than doubled over the last seven years. As this trend continues to accelerate in tandem with advances in artificial intelligence, we will increasingly be confronted with how best to live and work alongside our robot counterparts.

As the worlds leading robot employer, Amazon has spent more than a decade working on ways to integrate them into the workplace. With a staff of more than 750,000 machines working alongside 1.5 million human employees around the world, robots already make up a third of the retail giants workforce.

The firms first fully autonomous robot, Proteus, has been let loose on the companys warehouses, allowed to roam around outside fenced areas that robots have previously been restricted to. This new role alongside human workers meant that a lot of consideration went into making the robot as least annoying as possible.

We wanted to make Proteus lovable, Julie Mitchell, a director at Amazon robotics who helped bring the machine to life, told reporters on a recent tour of one of the companys fulfilment centres.

A lot of research went into that  The faces, the eyes that we put on it, the noises that it makes  it is all purposely designed to make it lovable.

As robot adoption continues to accelerate in tandem with advances in artificial intelligence, it seems we will increasingly be confronted with what it means to be a robot among humans  and vice versa. And serious ethical discussion around AI machines will inevitably expand from not just killer robots but robots killing themselves.
The UK Government will make a swift decision on whether to lift the ban on Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) after it ousted president Bashar Assads regime, Labour's Pat McFadden has said.

HTS is banned in the UK because of its past association with al Qaida, the terrorist organisation once led by Osama bin Laden.

Speaking to Mishal Husain on BBC Radio 4 on Monday (9 December), the cabinet minister said The situation is very fluid but hoped if there was a need to hold talks with HTS it should be a relatively swift decision.

It came after a coalition of rebel groups seized Damascus on Sunday, with the former president fleeing to Russia, one of his main allies.
Sniffer dogs searched Syria's Saydnaya prison following reports that there were prisoners trapped in underground cells, footage posted on social media on Monday (9 December) shows.

The Syrian White Helmets rescue group confirmed to the Independent that there was no one left inside the prison.

Farouq Habib, the group deputy general manager, said: We made contact with former regime officers who worked on the prison and researched everything. There are no hidden cells in the prison. There has been a lot of rumors and misinformation, but nothing there.

It came after dictator Bashar al-Assad's regime was toppled in a rebel offensive overnight on Sunday.
Flames rose from buildings in Damascus as suspected Israeli strikes hit the Syrian capital on Sunday, 8 December.

An airstrike hit the Kafar Sousah neighbourhood where the Bashar Assad regimes security and customs headquarters were based.

A fire was set in the building of immigration and passports in Damascus in a separate incident; the cause of the blaze was not clear.

An Associated Press journalist in Damascus reported airstrikes close to the Mezzeh military airport, southwest of the capital.

The Israeli military refused to comment on the airport strike  it often does not publicly claim responsibility for attacks in Syria.
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Washington seemed stunned by the sudden collapse of Bashar al-Assads murderous regime in Syria over the weekend. Albeit not as stunned as whoever found themselves on the ground when the US Air Force unleashed dozens of air raids on 785 sites in Syria  while Assad was still on his way to exile in Moscow.

The Americans werent suddenly swinging in behind the rebellion that swept away more than 50 years of rule by the Assads. The Pentagon unleashed B-52 bombers, F-15 fighters and A-10 Warthogs because the coalition that roared into Damascus, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has its roots in violent global Islamist extremism.

The US, aided by small units of British Special Forces and MI6, has a significant presence in eastern Syria, where it uses bases protected by Syrian Kurds, and some desert hideouts, to campaign against what remains of the so-called Islamic State.

The sudden victory of rebels over the Syrian government meant that, no matter how newly moderate HTS and its allies may say they are, Isis will want to reclaim some of the territory it once ruled. And its got a lot more in common with Syrias rebels now than it ever did with the ousted, secular, Assad regime.

In Damascus, the HTS leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, called for the establishment of a transitional government. His people have issued orders banning random shooting and insisting that women should not be forced into conservative Islamic dress. His message is were not Isis.

The HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaas nom-de-guerre is Abu Mohammed al-Golani, meaning father of Mohammed from Golan

But he was. And he was also in al-Qaeda. And plenty of the militia who make up the coalition that has won this phase of Syrias civil war are fellow travellers with the ideology of al-Qaedas Osama bin Laden and Isiss Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

Just as some areas liberated from Assad after 2012 became a magnet for jihadi fanatics from around the world, so, inevitably, a Syria entirely freed from the dictator will draw extremists to a landscape that has been freed from the hypocrisy, murder and corruption that characterised Assads secular rule.

They will have overpowering resentments to draw on, too. Whatever the HTS-led coalition and transitional team may claim to want, many will flock to Syria to create a state they hope will be a beacon in the darkness thats been cast across the Middle East.

Al-Sharaars nom-de-guerre is Abu Mohammed al-Golani  meaning father of Mohammed from Golan.

The Golan heights are Syrian territory taken by Israel in 1967. On Sunday, Israel took a bit more to establish a buffer zone. Hell want to liberate Golan from Israel every bit as much as he wanted to save Damascus from Assad.

And as an Islamist who believes in the brotherhood of Muslims through the Umma (the worldwide Muslim community), hes now presiding over a Syria that has vanquished Arab nationalism (in the form of Assads Baath Party) and may now serve as a base to recover territory, and avenge lives, lost to Muslims.

The appeal to potential recruits is obvious.

Some 43,000 people have been killed by Israel in Gaza over the past 13 months, according to the ministry of health. The United Nations was able to verfiy more than 8,100 deaths, and said that nearly 70% of those killed were women and children. The international criminal court has issued an arrest warrant for Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime Minister, and former defence minister Yoav Gallant, for war crimes. The UK seems vague about whether these Israelis risk arrest here. The US has rejected the ICCs ruling outright.

Israel continues to get military aid from America, and to be able to buy weapons from the UK.

Theres no suggestion in the West that Israel, which continues to grab Palestinian land illegally in the West Bank and appears to have a plan to drive all 2.5 million Palestinians out of Gaza, will risk economic sanctions if it does so.

Compare that to the crippling sanctions that have been rightly imposed on Moscow, the ICC ruling that would mean president Vladimir Putin would risk being collared at Heathrow, and the aggressive weapons embargo facing the Russian Federation. Putins regime has killed, the UN estimates, about 12,000 civilians in just under three years.

To many non-extremists this looks like racism and hypocrisy on the part of the West. Its just the latest example of how brown lives dont matter to Western leaders. The US-led invasion of Iraq showed how little Washington knew, or cared, for the consequences of its violence.

Barack Obamas refusal to make good on his promise to punish Assad for his chemical weapons attacks on his own people drove that point home, as did his earlier refusal to back the democratic forces that rose against the Assad regime in the first place.

Now Syrians, mostly Sunni Muslim, have solved their own problem by ridding their landscape of Assad.

As they did so the US smashed as much of Isis as it could to prevent extremists flooding west to Damascus, and Israel bombed all the sophisticated weapons it thought were in Syria to prevent anyone using them to, say, liberate the Golan.

Syrias new leadership may want to create a safe sensible new nation to create a country that the millions of refugees want to return to and make good on their promise of safety for religious and ethnic minorities.

But the very success of the rebellion may be its undoing as it will attract many who have much more dangerous plans. Americas recent bombings show how close some of those dangers now are.
Partner Content

The Nordic region has emerged as a powerhouse for Irish businesses, providing an exceptional environment for Irish companies to innovate, scale, and thrive.

Exports to the Nordics (Norway, Finland, Iceland, Denmark and Sweden) from Irish-owned companies supported by Enterprise Ireland have nearly doubled over the past five years to reach 1.7 billion in 2023, which emphasises its importance as a strategic market with lots of opportunities.

Over 560 Irish-owned companies supported by Enterprise Ireland now export to the Nordics, collaborating with global giants like Nokia, Volvo, EQT, Lyko, Danske Bank, IKEA, Vattenfall, Ericsson, and Sandvik. These achievements illustrate the deep integration of Irish innovation into the Nordic business landscape.

Irish companies are leveraging their expertise to address the unique needs of the Nordic markets, particularly in sectors where innovation and sustainability are paramount. For example, Dublin-based EVERYANGLE, an advanced analytics platform, has transformed how leading Nordic retailer Samse Samse understands in-store customer behaviour.

Through EVERYANGLEs technology, Samse Samse has gained critical insights into foot traffic patterns, customer demographics, dwell times, and engagement with key product areas. EVERYANGLEs partnership with Samse Samse epitomises how Irish companies are helping Nordic businesses unlock growth through innovative, data-driven solutions.

A major highlight of Irelands success in the Nordics this year was its strong presence at Slush 2024, the worlds leading startup event which brings together a curated crowd of European startups, world-class investors, and tech journalists.

Enterprise Ireland doubled its presence at Slush this year, leading a delegation of 24 clients to showcase their innovative solutions and connect with global stakeholders. With Slush being the largest gathering of venture capital in the world, over half (14) of the delegation were in fundraising mode (Stage A and Stage B) with plans to collectively raise over 250 million in VC funding, with Slush being a vital launchpad for this.

For Irish companies, Slush represents more than a networking opportunity- its a gateway to connect with international venture capital, forge strategic partnerships, and deepen their understanding of the Nordic market.

Among the standout participants was DevAlly, the Irish startup empowering accessibility online, who made it to the final three start-ups at Slush 2024. Selected from over 1,000, DevAlly has proven the effectiveness of its technology in enabling developers to create more inclusive digital experiences.

Its success at Slush follows the launch of DevAllys self-serve platform, which transforms how businesses achieve digital accessibility compliance ahead of the European Accessibility Act (EAA). By combining advanced AI automation with seamless product development integration, DevAlly enables businesses to audit and fix accessibility issues within minutes, with no outsourcing or specialised expertise required.

The success of Irish businesses in the Nordics demonstrates the powerful synergy between Irish innovation and Nordic opportunities. Partnerships with companies like Samse Samse, coupled with standout performances at events like Slush, showcases how Irish businesses are reshaping industries and driving growth in the region. Additionally, Irish and Nordic companies find numerous synergies to partner up and scale internationally together, leveraging their complementary strengths to expand their global footprint and drive mutual success.

With Enterprise Irelands continued support, the trajectory for Irish businesses in the Nordics is exciting with many more opportunities for collaboration and to form new partnerships. As the region continues to prioritise innovation, digitalisation, and sustainability, Irish companies are uniquely positioned to contribute to its growth while reaping significant rewards.

Viktor Heide is Senior Market Adviser for the Nordics, Enterprise Ireland
Actress Nicola Coughlan has revealed she and her Derry Girls co-stars have long overdue plans for a reunion dinner.

The Bridgerton star (37) who joins the cast of this years Doctor Who Christmas special, played Clare in the comedy set during the Troubles.

Speaking about a possible reunion with her co-stars, she told the Radio Times: Louisa Harland [who played Orla] and I talk all the time  she was at my house the other day. But otherwise everyones been so busy.

I actually have a bottle of champagne we were given on the wrap of series one, and I keep saying Im going to have them all around for dinner, and were going to toast Siobhan McSweeneys Bafta win. Its so long overdue.

McSweeney (44) won the female performance in a comedy Bafta TV award in 2023 for her role playing Sr Michael in the hit series. The show, also starring Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Jamie-Lee ODonnell and Dylan Llewellyn, ran for three series, until 2022.

Coughlan also discussed the festive episode of Doctor Who, which follows her character Joy as she opens a secret doorway to the Time Hotel, where she discovers danger, dinosaurs and the Doctor, according to the BBC.

She said: I didnt grow up with Doctor Who. In my house in Ireland, we only had the two Irish channels, no BBC, so it wasnt in my day-to-day.

When they asked me, I was super-keen. But when I tried to do the research, I thought: Oh my God... this is a full universe. But then I thought the thing to do would be just try to do my best acting and hopefully make the Who fans happy.

In the special, Coughlan stars opposite Sex Education actor Ncuti Gatwa, who first appeared as the Time Lord during the 60th anniversary episodes in 2023.

The full interview is in the Radio Times Christmas issue.
Brian Og Tolan with his mum Maeve, after his appearance on the Late Late Toy Show. Picture: Frank McGrath

A Co Tyrone mum has spoken of her pride after her schoolboy son became an overnight star after his hilarious appearance on the Late Late Toy Show.

Brian Og Tolan (11) appeared on the annual Christmas RTE special on Friday night.

The boy became an instant sensation after encouraging the audience to close their eyes as he painted a vivid picture of waking up on Christmas morning and finding a karaoke machine under the Christmas tree.

After showing off a top karaoke machine, Brian Og led the audience in a sing-along of Nathan Carters country hit Wagon Wheel.

Hes such a character  thats just the type of child he is, said Brian Ogs mum, Maeve Tolan.

Despite Brian Og being such a hit with the audience, he almost didnt get the chance to appear on the show at all.

I had probably applied every year, because theres something about Brian Og that I thought hed be good for it, but we never got a call back, said Maeve.

So this year Id just forgotten about it and then Brian Og said to me the night before the deadline: Have you done that Toy Show application? So we did it very last minute.

You had to film a bit of a recording, and Brian Ig is good at all the editing, so he did that and we sent it off, but we almost missed it.

Brian Og outside RTE

Initially, RTE invited Brian Og down to Dublin to audition for the show.

He did that audition, but RTE said they just thought he was a real character, so they wanted him to come back the following week and do an audition for a toy demonstrator, Maeve said.

Brian Og was one of 13,000 applicants, so when the family didnt hear back from RTE for a number of weeks they assumed he hadnt been selected.

But then on November 18 I got a call. They said they thought he was a brilliant toy demonstrator. Im not sure if they expected him to go as viral as he has, but they surely saw something in him.

Brian Og joined fellow Northern Ireland funnyman Patrick Kielty on stage for the Co Down presenters second Late Late Toy Show, after taking over as host from Ryan Tubridy in May 2023.

The theme of this years Late Late Toy Show was Home Alone and saw Kielty greeting children dressed up as characters from the film, as the show took viewers back in time to the 1990 Christmas favourite.

Scenes from the movie, which follows the escapades of eight-year-old Kevin McCallister as he defends his home from bungling burglars after being left behind by his family at Christmas, were reimagined throughout the set.

Maeve said Kielty was an amazing host, who created a very welcoming atmosphere for all the children.

We got to meet him at rehearsals, she explained.

We were all just waiting in the audience and Patrick came in and said: Hello, Brian Og. So he knew him already.

He wasnt at the audition, but he must have watched all the audition tapes.

He was just a proper gentleman. He was so nice and so good to kids.

He came into the green room before the show and he said: The one rule is that everyone has to have so much fun. It doesnt matter if there are any mistakes. All that matters is we all have so much fun. So he was just a really, really lovely man.

Brian Og has been praised online for his salesmanship, which Maeve said he gets this from his dad, Brian.

Hes got quite a gift for telling a dramatic story. I talk a lot, but I think he probably gets it from his dad.

He owns a hiring centre just outside Enniskillen and Brian Og would be over there with his daddy, and Id say thats where he picks up all the lingo.

Ive heard people say he could sell snow to the Eskimos. But I think he just gets that from being in the yard.

Brian Og Tolan, after his appearance on the Late Late Toy Show. Picture: Frank McGrath

Maeve said that watching the Late Late Toy Show is a family tradition and Brian Ogs two younger brothers, John Joe (7) and Hughie (3), were cheering him on.

We watch it every year, she said.

Even from when I was a child, we always watched the Toy Show and now that Ive got my three boys we just love it.

We have to have the Christmas tree up for the Toy Show. The one time Ive missed it was when it was on the same day I had my youngest, which was in 2021. The boys watched it, but I didnt get to watch it with them, Maeve said.

Despite Brian Og becoming an internet sensation, Maeve said fame hasnt gone to the youngsters head.

Hes still humble, she said.

All he wanted to do today was get up home and see his friends.
The Young Offenders (BBC1/RTE1) 3/5

Conor (Alex Murphy) and Mairead (Hilary Rose) have to get rid of a gun Conor is minding for a local hood. Photo: BBC/Vico Films

Lets get the bad news out of the way first. The upcoming Christmas special of The Young Offenders (BBC1, Friday, December 20; RTE1, Christmas Day) finds Corks Laurel still deprived of his Hardy  or should that be Hardy deprived of his Laurel?

Whatever. The point is, were still one Young Offender short of a matching pair. Chris Walleys increasingly busy schedule meant his character, Jock, had to be more or less written out of this years fourth season (currently available on RTE Player ahead of a TV screening in 2025), limiting him to a few brief appearances across the six episodes.

The conceit is that Jock was banged up in a Colombian jail for 10 years after he and best pal Conor (Alex Murphy) were arrested, having been duped into smuggling cocaine stuffed inside two ridiculously oversized parka jackets. Conor got off with three years back home.

With Walley absent, writer Peter Foott smartly reshuffled the pack to give more prominence to the other characters, including local hardman Billy (the excellent Shane Casey).

No longer just the cartoon villain, Billy is effectively filling the Jock-shaped hole. Should Walleys other commitments ever rule out a return to the series, Murphy and Casey would make a perfectly good replacement double act.

The snappy episode delivers on both the laughs and the goodwill to all langers sentiment

Now the good news: even without Jock, whos neither seen nor mentioned, this years seasonal outing is a big improvement on the previous one, in 2018. Peter Footts comedy has always walked a tightrope between the joyously silly and the stickily saccharine. But its usually managed to get the balance just right.

In 2018, however, it fell off the rope, plunging head-first into a vat of sentimentality with a tale of the boys trying to ensure Conors seriously ill mother Mairead (Hilary Rose) got a white Christmas. All very warm and fuzzy, just not funny.

Foott regains his footing this time, though, with a snappy episode that delivers on both the laughs and the goodwill to all langers sentiment. It kicks off with a mock vox pop of what Christmas means to the people of Cork.

Ham, turkey, cheese, potatoes says a woman, ponderously ticking off everything shell be eating.

Theres a lot of lonely people out there at Christmas, says an earnest-looking young man with a beard and glasses, so its a good time to get your hole!

hot toddies, Die Hard, oh, and spiced beef, the woman continues. I cant believe I nearly forgot the spiced beef.

I bloody hate Christmas! growls an oul fella in a Santa costume.

Its Christmas Eve and Mairead, now eight months pregnant, is having a hard time with both Rachel Allens chicken-inside-a turkey recipe (Allen sends herself up in a cameo on the telly) and Conors uselessness at everything other than causing her blood pressure to skyrocket.

Everything he does is stressing me out, she tells her garda partner and Conor and Jocks former nemesis Healy (Dominic MacHale).

Things get considerably more stressful when she discovers Conor has been hiding a loaded handgun in the washing basket.

Jason Byrne brings enough ham to the role to feed half of Cork on Christmas Day

Its not his, he explains; hes just minding it as a foxer (thats a nixer to us Dubliners) for Jack Hammer, a bling-draped local gangster played by Jason Byrne. Being a comedian rather than an actor, Byrne brings enough ham to the role to feed half of Cork on Christmas Day.

Jack  a man so menacing even Billy is afraid of him  got his nickname from his habit of smashing peoples knees with his hammer, which he affectionately calls Margaret.

Hes kneecapped more people than old age, says Billy. For Mairead, this is the last straw. She tells Conor that she wants him out of the house once the baby is born.

What her dopey but doting son cant tell her is that hes only holding the gun for Jack because he needs the money to buy her an expensive buggy for the imminent sprog.

If MacHale finds out, hell go nuts, so Mairead, Billy and Conor, whos wrapped the gun up to look like a Christmas present, decide to try to give it back to Jack.

Youll never be in any doubt where the Christmas special is headed or that it will end with hugs.

But theres a lot of laughs to be had getting there, and Shane Casey gets a zinger of a final line.
Uruguay's President Luis Lacalle Pou, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva react, at the Mercosur Summit in Montevideo, Uruguay December 6, 2024. REUTERS/Mariana Greif

A drone view shows the word "Mercosur" made with city signs on a road as French farmers protest against the prospect of a trade agreement between the European Union (EU) and the Latin American countries united within Mercosur, near Angouleme, France, November 18, 2024. REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File Photo

South America's agricultural sector, a key source of global food, celebrated on Friday as the regional Mercosur bloc and the European Union struck a free trade agreement, though farmers said they wanted to see the small print of the deal.

The agreement was reached after 25 years of negotiations, in Uruguay's capital, Montevideo, that were attended by the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the leaders of Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay and Brazil, the four member states of the South American bloc.

The deal still faces a lengthy process to be ratified and go into effect, which could take years. It could get blocked with France a staunch opponent, in part over fears of increased South American farm goods arriving in Europe.

"Any market opening is favorable, I think it's an opportunity, but you have to look at the fine print, what the conditions are," Carlos Castagnani, president of the Argentine Rural Confederations, told Reuters.

"We have to ensure that our way of producing is respected."

Argentina is the world's top exporter of processed soy, the no. 3 for corn, and a key supplier of wheat and beef.

South American farmers and exporters are keen to have greater access to the huge European market. However, fears that environmental clauses will limit trade and opposition from some EU countries to the agreement have dampened expectations.

Among the European demands are limits on the use of genetically modified seeds and deforestation, which have been common practices in South America in recent decades.

Argentina's grain exporters and processors' chamber CIARA-CEC said that while the agreement was a positive step for the bloc, its real impact would not be immediate.

Products such as oil or biodiesel, will only see significant tariff reductions starting in seven to ten years, CIARA-CEC president Gustavo Idigoras told Reuters.

Argentina was over a decade ago the world's largest supplier of biodiesel, but was hit badly by European tariffs and other protectionist measures.

The agreement is important for South America's producers to stay competitive, with major economies around the world threatening protectionist policies, said Pedro Galli, member of the Rural Association of Paraguay, a key soybean exporter.

However, Hector Cristaldo, president of the Union of Production Guilds, the main association of Paraguayan soybean producers, called for calm as the final text gets finalised and emphasized the complexity of the process that awaits the deal. (Report by Maximilian Heath and Daniela Desantis)
Elaine Crowley (right) with Lucy OShea and Irish Cancer Society night nurse Agnes Horan, who cared for Ms OSheas late father Tim, at Sandymount Strand. Photo: Andres Poveda

Broadcaster Elaine Crowley said cancer has touched my life an awful lot over the years, as she remembered the 9,500 people who have died of the disease this year at Sandymount Strand in Dublin.

Crowley has called for public support for the work of the Irish Cancer Society over the Christmas period, including its night nursing service.

Her mother Mary V and father Sean both died of cancer, and she also lost her nephew Ultan to a rare form of cancer when he was just 11.

For many people this Christmas, they will be faced with saying a final goodbye to a loved one, she said.

The Irish Cancer Societys night nursing service is there all year round, including Christmas time, so that cancer patients coming towards the end of life can spend their final days at home with loved ones.

This is such a special service, and I know first-hand how valuable this time with your loved one is. I encourage anybody who is thinking of giving this Christmas to donate anything you can to support the wonderful work of the Irish Cancer Society and their night nurses.

Lucy O'Shea, presenter Elaine Crowley and Irish Cancer Society night nurse Agnes Horan at Sandymount Strand. Photo: Andres Poveda

Co Kerry woman Lucy OShea joined Crowley, Irish Cancer Society CEO Averil Power and night nurse Agnes Horan at Sandymount Strand and spoke about the care her father Tim received from Ms Horan thanks to the charity.

In April 2023, our lovely dad Tim OShea passed away quietly at home just before midnight, from cancer. I feel there arent any words to describe the precious gift the night nurses gave our family, Ms OShea said. Until you need their support  until you feel their warmth and witness their amazing expertise  you dont really understand just how incredible they are.

Elaine Crowley (right) with Lucy OShea and Irish Cancer Society night nurse Agnes Horan, who cared for Ms OSheas late father Tim, at Sandymount Strand. Photo: Andres Poveda

Today's News in 90 seconds - 9th December 2024

We just knew Dad was going to be totally, and tenderly, taken care of. Today, as Christmas approaches, Im reminded that Dad adored this time of year.

This Christmas season, we will be remembering him and the time we shared together. I urge anyone who can, please donate to the Irish Cancer Society, so that every family can avail of the same vital support we had.

Anyone who would like to support the work of the Irish Cancer Society can donate at www.cancer.ie/christmas.
Limerick Hurler Kyle Hayes, who was previously convicted of two counts of violent disorder at the Icon nightclub, Limerick, in 2019. File photo

Limerick hurler Kyle Hayes will have to wait until at least February next year to find out if he is going to jail after he was convicted of violent disorder at a Limerick nightclub.
Former Government minister Josepha Madigan and her brother Patrick are being pursued through the courts by Ulster Bank for a debt of just over 225,000.
You dont expect to get a call that your child has been stabbed in school: are children becoming more violent?
Leo Varadkar with the medal presented to him by the IMO after the IMO Doolin Lecture 2024. Photo: Shane O'Neill/Coalesce

A week after the general election, Leo Varadkar returned to his medical roots for his first public foray after politics  and admitted he is relieved he will not be tanaiste again.

The former taoiseach and Fine Gael leader, who did not seek re-election as TD for Dublin West, was giving his views on the health service at the weekend while his former party colleagues were trying to form the next government.

Delivering the annual Doolin Lecture to members of the Irish Medical Organisation on Saturday, the former Fine Gael leader and health minister recalled his seven years as a GP and later his role as a rotating taoiseach.

I am really glad I am not going for tanaiste again, he told the gathering.

Speaking about health policy challenges, he also paid tribute to outgoing Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, who lost his Fianna Fail seat in Wicklow. Mr Varadkar said they will meet up for a chat this week.

He also hopes that Kildare medic and former soldier Cathal Berry will be returned to the Seanad after the Independent TD lost his Dail seat.

Mr Varadkar had some advice for medics when demanding more funding for their hospitals, saying they could work smarter and learn from the education sector.

The education sector always needs more money and resources and so does the health sector. But the education sector plays things a little bit differently and maybe a little bit smarter than the health sector, he said.

You will always see university professors or school principals demanding more resources, better pay, but you will never hear them talk down the institution and say the quality of education there is poor.

In contrast, some people in senior positions in healthcare are not putting their best foot forward when it comes to their own institutions, and I think that's not smart.

He said that while major strides have been made in life expectancy, affordability, curbs on smoking and alcohol as well as investment in buildings and training in the last 20 years, there remains a serious problem with unmet need and people having to wait for care.

Unmet need is still a big problem in Ireland and we are slightly above the EU average, Mr Varadkar said.

There remains a huge disparity between those without or with health insurance  the latter are more likely to have their healthcare needs met.

Leo Varadkar with the medal presented to him by the IMO after the IMO Doolin Lecture 2024. Photo: Shane O'Neill/Coalesce

Today's News in 90 seconds - 9th December 2024

A terrible decision was made in the past to reduce the number of hospital beds, something he stopped when he became health minister, he added.

Mr Varadkar said around 500 more hospital beds should be opened every year to cope with the growth in population.

He added that the provision of new hospitals and extensions to existing facilities was not happening fast enough.

Mr Varadkar also said he believes there should be a new 1bn hospital in Galway to replace the existing outdated facility, as well as more investment in University Hospital Limerick.

He said he is in favour of a no-fault compensation scheme for people who bring cases of alleged medical negligence. He said he had tried to raise it while in office but had met with opposition around the costs.

The time for yet another working group to look at this is over, he added.
Since the general election and the final count, the political manoeuvring between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael has become increasingly predictable.

It is clear to most observers that the likely outcome will be a coalition between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, supported either by a smaller party or, more plausibly, a collection of Independents.

Micheal Martin has stated that his party will engage with everyone, yet it is astonishing and undemocratic that Sinn Fein, the second-largest party in the new Dail, remains excluded from these conversations.

With Sinn Fein securing one more seat than Fine Gael and attracting over 400,000 votes, one might expect that democracy would compel Fianna Fail to at least initiate dialogue with Mary Lou McDonald.

Over the years, both Fine Gael and Fianna Fail have criticised Sinn Fein for perceived failures to engage in meaningful talks to form a government in Northern Ireland. However, Sinn Fein has demonstrated its capacity to bridge deep political divides in the North.

Equally disheartening is the failure of the left to unite and present a common platform to provide the electorate with a strong, viable alternative.

For now, democracy demands that Fianna Fail at least attempts to engage with Sinn Fein. If such talks were to fail, the effort itself would serve as testament to the democratic process. To refuse outright, however, suggests complacency and an alarming disregard for a large section of the electorate.

Ignoring these voters and their concerns risks further alienating an already disillusioned public. Fianna Fail should remember dialogue is not just a political necessity, it is a cornerstone of democracy.

Killian Brennan, Dublin 17

Political parties should forget the mercs and perks and focus on real change

Its disappointing, but not in the least surprising, that all the talk about forming a new government has so far focused mostly on the divvying up of government positions and who is going to be taoiseach.

In other words, all the parties focus has been on which of them is going to get the mercs and perks rather than on the serious issues facing the country such as housing and health.

Would it be too much to ask that the political parties put aside the perks and prestige of office for a while and give our country and our society real leadership, for a change?

Many communities all over the country have been totally abandoned by successive governments over many years.

Gerry Hutchs relatively large vote in the general election was at least in part a reaction to the abandonment of the community in Dublin Central. The new government and the entire membership of the new Dail and Seanad should reflect deeply on that.

Tim Buckley, Cork City

For Sinn Fein, being main opposition party is not just for Christmas, its for life

Politics is a number-crunching game. John Downing is right when he says it is now a cast-iron certainty that the smaller coalition party faces a wipeout (Who wants to be a mudguard? Irish Independent, December 7). The Greens, as predicted, bore the brunt of an electoral meltdown in last months general election.

I believe Eamon Ryan saw the writing on the wall some time ago and got out as fast as he could. The next government will be propped up by like-minded Independents. Labour and the Social Democrats are not ready for government.

Labour has renewed hope and the Social Democrats have had a day in the sun. They know well that a stint in government would destroy them. Pat Rabbitte is right  you have to be certain you are needed or else you will just be a mudguard. There is a danger that permanently staying in opposition risks a party becoming institutionalised in that position.

It is clear now that the permanent party of opposition will be Sinn Fein. This was meant to be the election it would win, but Mary Lou blew it.

After every election, the head of a losing political party rolls. When the parties of the opposition return to the opposition benches after an election, the grassroots start to ask why they are constantly the bridesmaid.

Watch out Mary Lou, there is always somebody lurking in the political background. Then again, opposition for some parties is not just for Christmas  it is for life

Thomas Garvey , Claremorris

Flowing tides of history repeat themselves  and our newspapers follow

We speak continuously about climate change, but exactly 100 years ago, this story appeared in the Evening Herald: A rainstorm passed over Dublin on Christmas Eve, the tram-tracks in Clontarf were covered by the sea, and the houses in Ringsend were flooded up to a foot in water. In Derry, business owners were having to use boats to get to their premises.

History certainly repeats itself.

Aidan Hampson

Artane, Dublin

Dickie Rock was a true Irish superstar, we will never see his like again

I was very sad to hear of the recent passing of Dickie Rock at the age of 88. He was a wonderful entertainer and home-grown legend.

Back in the day, the huge crowds that followed Dickie and the Miami Showband were utterly amazing. Venues sold out night after night.

Dickie came from an era when legends were legends. His longevity stretched from the Eurovision and the Miami Showband in the 60s right up to modern times. He was the quintessential Irish superstar and blessed with an awesome singing talent. We will never see his like again.

RIP Dickie.

John OBrien, Co Tipperary

Armaghs McGeeney will learn from best how not to stumble from great heights

Philly McMahon draws from Dublins own experience of struggling to retain the All-Ireland (Its going to be so much tougher for Armagh with a target on their backs, Irish Independent, December 7), suggesting Armaghs road to back-to-back titles will be filled with tough challenges from rivals who now see them as vulnerable champions.

Teams like Dublin, Kerry and others have faced similar challenges yet have managed to win again. Success isnt just about keeping the same edge; its about adapting, evolving and maintaining that hunger.

Armagh, with Kieran McGeeney at the helm, will, like those teams, learn that staying at the summit is as much about managing the climb as it is about reaching the top.

Enda Cullen, Tullysaran, Armagh
Four kids ranging in age from 10 down to just a year found living in squalid conditions and with little food

A woman who abandoned four kids in a rubbish-strewn house to go to Germany to meet up with her new boyfriend has been handed a one-year sentence.

Sentencing Mariyana Asenova at Craigavon Crown Court, Judge Donna McColgan KC told the 31-year-old she would have to serve half her sentence in jail and the rest on licence conditions but with time spent on remand, I think you have about a month still to serve.

At an earlier hearing Asenova, listed as current address unknown, entered guilty pleas to eight charges of being cruel to a child under 16, all committed on April 14, 2022.

In her sentencing remarks on Friday, Judge McColgan said four of the charges related to abandonment and four amounted to neglect of the children who at the time were 10, nine, five and just a year old.

Mariyana Asenova who was jailed for child cruelty offences.

The judge told the court the offences arose when early that morning, Asenova left a house in Lurgan claiming she had a hospital appointment and would be back.

However, police understand that she was in fact driven to Dublin airport by a neighbour at 7.15amand (it is believed) that the defendant flew to Germany to be with her new boyfriend, Judge McColgan told the court.

Police were alerted when one of the children, all of whom were left alone for three hours, went to a shop to buy food and nappies.

The judge described how the house was filthy, there was a strong odour, the floors were sticky, there were no floor boards, there was rubbish all over.

She added there was also little to no food, the bedrooms were filled with rubbish and only the defendants bed had sheets.

Mariyana Asenova

Asenova was contacted and she claimed she would return to Northern Ireland but failed to keep that promise and eventually, an international arrest warrant and extradition proceedings forced her back to face the court.

Defence counsel Patrick Taylor said Asenova had admitted her guilt and she feels shame and remorse.

Judge McColgan told Asenova if she had taken the case to trial and been convicted the sentence would have been 18 months but allowing credit for the guilty pleas, she was reducing that to 12 months.

Mariyana Asenova

Today's News in 90 seconds - 9th December 2024
Santa of the Phoenix Park: How Dublins Hole in the Wall pub spreads festive cheer to everyone from local children to guide dogs

Christmas display is all about giving back to the community, says owner Martin McCaffrey

Martin McCaffrey, owner of the Hole in the Wall pub in Dublin. Photo: Arthur Carron

Amy Donohoe Mon 9 Dec 2024 at 03:30

For Martin McCaffrey, owner of the Hole in the Wall beside Dublins Phoenix Park, the pubs annual Christmas display is as much about giving back to the community as providing some festive cheer.
Some people get hung up on a host of perceived ailments

An RTE documentary airing tonight will reveal the extent of experimental weight loss medication being sold on the black market in Ireland.

In an undercover investigation, RTE Investigates: Black Market Weight Loss examines how prescription weight loss medication is coming into the country illegally and without regulation.

Demand for injectable pens of weight loss medication, aimed at tackling obesity and diabetes, has increased substantially in recent years, leading to a black market for the products growing with the level of demand.

During the investigation a woman based in Tuam in Co Galway was found selling an experimental medication called Retratrutide.

The medication, developed by American pharmaceutical outfit Eli Lilly, has undergone trials. However, it has not been reviewed or approved by any regulatory agency worldwide, meaning it cannot be sold for human use.

The RTE Investigates team arranged a meeting with the Tuam-based woman, who offered to inject the medication on the spot. She told them it was Retratrutide, and that it was proving so popular she had to order more from her supplier every two weeks.

Another supplier based in the south west of the country told RTEs undercover researcher that the medication just blew up in the last six months and they have now supplied 350 people illegally.

The HSE clinical lead on obesity Professor Donal OShea told RTE Investigates: "The scale, the level of deception, is overall incredibly depressing for me, and shocking."

We dont know what is in that product. I am absolutely stunned, said former Irish Pharmacy Union president Kathy Maher.

This will be the second major investigation carried out by the national broadcaster into unlicensed pharmaceutical products this year after an earlier investigation revealed the widespread sale of unlicensed Botox-like products.

RTE Investigates: Black Market Weight Loss airs at 9.35pm tonight on RTE One and the RTE Player.
Jim Hosford-Lynch (71) had a stoma bag torn free from his stomach such was the force of the impact he suffered in the Tesco car park in Midleton last Friday after a car "appeared from nowhere" and struck his wheelchair.

The vehicle involved sped away from the scene - and locals admitted Jim was lucky to survive.

Jim underwent surgery for colon cancer and is now reliant on a wheelchair and a stoma bag.

The hit-and-run incident occurred at 4pm last Friday - and Jim pleaded with motorists to be conscious of vulnerable people reliant on wheelchairs, walking frames and mobility scooters over the busy Christmas season.

Some of the witnesses said that it sounded like someone hitting a biscuit tin," Jim told Red FM's Neil Prendeville Show.

"They brought me on to the footpath and I could smell an odour and my stoma bag had ruptured. I had nowhere to clean myself in a sterile environment."

"My wheelchair was replaced just two months ago. If I had been in the old wheelchair it would have disintegrated (with the force of the impact).

Jim said that managed to make his way home in his car and was just out of the shower when gardai arrived to speak to him.

Gardai were there within three minutes of me coming home. What I can recall is that I was halfway across the road and then there was a 'thud'.

"I saw a grey car in my peripheral vision and then I heard a thud. My chair was then spun around. He (the driver) sped away. He disappeared down past the click and collect area.

"It is the height of lunacy (that someone would do that). Put it this way if it were not I if it were a lady with a child in a pram he would have carried the pram down the road. I am very lucky to be alive.

"There are speed bumps on either side of the pedestrian crossing and he mounted the speed bumps, hit me and went over the second one and disappeared. About five other people were about to cross the road when I did and had a lucky escape.

Garda jacket. Stock image.

Today's News in 90 seconds - 9th December 2024

Jim paid tribute to Gardai, the staff at Tesco in Knockgriffin, SouthDoc and the ambulance crew for their assistance.

He admitted the situation could have been far worse.

Gardai did say that as children were off school they could have been running around the place (and been fatally struck).

He added that whilst he is not aware if the male or female driver was on a mobile phone he feels that it could have been the cause of the accident.

Can I just ask motorists this holiday season to stay off their mobile phones. I thank the man above that I am alive.

Whoever it was they definitely felt the thud on the vehicle. I am being admitted (to hospital) this morning for a hospital grade stoma pouch.

"This is not the first time something like this has happened to me. In 1994, a 40ft lorry hit six cars demolishing the bridge and I was the first one he it.

"I have a spinal injury since and am in and out of a wheelchair since.

The Midleton incident is now under investigation and Gardai can be contacted with any information on (021) 462 1550.
Its day six in the search for the man who shot dead Brian Thompson, the CEO of United Healthcare. There has been a development and it could prove significant. Police have made a possible breakthrough outside New York.

In the days since, authorities have been searching for the shooter and his weapon but with little success. However, that could be about to change as police have confirmed they are now questioning a man in Pennsylvania who was in possession of a gun and a silencer like those used in the murder of Mr Thompson.

The reaction to the murder has been unsettling in places, particularly online, where social media posts mocking and even celebrating Mr Thompsons killing are common.

Today on The Indo Daily, Fionnan Sheahan is joined by Terry Sheridan, news director at the New York-based WSHU Public Radio, to get the latest news on the manhunt gripping the world.
The missing defibrillator looks similar to the one in the picture. Photo: Carlow Town CFR

A first responders group in Carlow are urging for a missing defibrillator to be returned after it disappeared from a medical practice in the town.

The voluntary Carlow Town Community First Responders (CFR) group said they have made a statement to Gardai after the life-saving device was reported missing from its usual location at Oak Family Medical Practice in Carlow Town.

The defibrillator had been donated by a local Carlow woman in memory of her late husband.

In a statement, Carlow Town CFR said the defibrillator must be returned to Oak Family Medical Practice so it can continue to save lives in Carlow.

"Unfortunately the defibrillator located at Oak Family Medical practice, also known as Dr Morans, has not been returned and a statement had been made to the Gardai.

"The defibrillator in question is similar to the one in the picture and was donated by Winnie Lyons of New Oak Estate in remembrance of her late husband Mick Lyons Snr to the people of Carlow after being unable to host the annual Mick Lyons fishing competition that year.

The missing defibrillator looks similar to the one in the picture. Photo: Carlow Town CFR

Carlow Town CFR continued: "We are appealing for any information on its whereabouts. If you know anything please contact ourselves or the Gardai so that we can return the defibrillator that the Lyons family so thoughtfully purchased to save lives within our community.
Wool, gadgets and Carrie Bradshaws trousers  heres what you can get at Dublins Liberty Christmas Market

Dublins Liberty Market really has something for everyone this Christmas  including Carrie Bradshaws trousers from Sex and the City.

Whether you want a sentimental picture for a loved one, or to knit a hat and mittens for the newest member of your family, the market on Meath Street has it all.

Liberties legend Larry Mooney, a trader for around 50 years, says his customers and the market staff are like his family.

He started selling wool in the Liberty Market back in the 1970s and said its the tight-knit community spirit that keeps him going.

Larry sells all different types of wool, baby clothing, shawls, and teddies from his stall. But one of the most popular sellers are buttons.

Were getting people from Cork, Tipperary, from all over. The people I get have been coming here for years, I call them recycled teenagers, he said.

Weve the same faces every week. Were starting to get young people for finger wool, some kids do it in the creches. We get lads and ladies from the Philippines and China who come in and buy that wool. Id teenagers from Tallaght last week looking for wool.

Liberties legend Larry Mooney, a market trader for over 50 years

The people who come here are human beings, in other shops, theyre just a number. Here, they talk. Its important, they mightnt see another sinner if they dont come here.

Youre able to tell people that you like their hair when they get it done, it means an awful lot to them, people dont realise.

Other shops, youre in and youre out. Here, Ill show people how to do the loops with the wool, thats what its all about in this place.

Id never give it up, what would I be doing in the house on my own? Id prefer to come here and meet people. Its a real family; everyone rallies around one another.

A few stalls down is Richard Mangan, who sells personalised gifts from slates, keyrings, jigsaws, mugs, candles, and cushion covers, along with a new line of dog clothes.

Normally, I do very well at Christmas, they are a great gift. You just need to get the picture ready, give it to me and well have it done in 30 minutes. We print it while you have a ramble around the market, he said.

You always get the story behind the photo. Sometimes they bring in a physical photo if they dont have it on their phone.

We use the best of inks, even our personalised mugs are still perfect after years and years, you can put them in the microwave and dishwasher. Quality is very important to me.

Richard Mangan, who sells personalised gifts from slates, keyrings, jigsaws, mugs, candles, and cushion covers

Around the corner is Pat Clare of Whopper Gadgets, who has plenty of perfect stocking fillers for teenagers this Christmas.

When you put Whopper G into the internet, I think Burger King comes up, but if you go a little further, you might find me, he said.

I sell gadgets and gizmos, mostly blokey stuff. Weve speakers, watches, podcast kits; people are going for them this year.

I was here one day, and a couple of kids came in. I was selling crazy stuff that people havent seen before, they kept saying thats whopper, so I said okay; Whopper Gadgets.

I love the buzz here at Christmas. Everyone here is great. I love my customers. I have a website called WhopperG.ie, I believe there are folks who cant make it into the market.

Sometimes its tough for people to come in, but theres always bargains in the Liberty Market. Im semi-retired, but I come here a couple of days a week just for fun. I serve tea and coffee to everyone; it means they have to come to me for a chat.

Pat Clare of Whopper Gadgets at Liberty Market

Niamh ODwyer personally sources unique designer clothes, both new and second-hand, for her stall in the Liberty Market.

Our stall is called Assisi; Saint Francis of Assisi is a beautiful Italian saint. He had the idea to get rid of all his luxury, she said.

St Francis took the vow of poverty, to echo that sentiment, we have a 1 rail. We just dont have Versace, Dolce and Gabbana, all those fabulous designers. We have a 1 rail in support of Penny Dinners up the road.

We have print trousers by Prada that were used in Sex and the City. Carrie wore them in the show. Theyre about 350, but the great thing is that you can haggle in here.

The great thing about the market is that we love interacting with everyone. Were like an art gallery, we have clothes for accountants, people on dating apps over 60, and DJs.

Just outside the front door, customers can find Billy Armstrong, who has the biggest shoe stall in the country. At Christmas time, he also sells cards and wrapping paper with the full proceeds going to a local charity.

The market has been here 51 years and Im here 51 years. For 10 years, I was in my father's shop just down the road, 61 years on Meath Street, he said.

My father started the markets here on Meath Street, people were so interested and would come every week to see what he was selling. Youd be sure itd be cheap and good value. From this, the butchers moved in, the jewellers.

Matt Burke, the founder of Magic Minds Foundation, is set up at the Mind Your Little Self stall

I sell Christmas cards with all the proceeds going to charity, last year I gave 850 to the D8 Food Bank. That provided meals for 55 people on Christmas Day.

This year, were doing it for Arthur Griffith Park. My grandson is in it and this year, the profits are going to buy their kits, and itll help pay for their minibuses.

Matt Burke, the founder of Magic Minds Foundation, is set up at the Mind Your Little Self stall.

I sell holistic products, incense, crystals, buddhas, and jewellery. I see it as an opportunity to exchange energy, these products are all love, kindness, compassion, help, inspiration, and support, he said.

For the last 17 years, Ive been into this. I had a challenging childhood and a challenging life, then I started turning things around, I turned to meditation and mindfulness. I love helping people now.
Hundreds of people are still without electricity in County Galway two days after Storm Darragh battered the country, and some might not have their power back for another two days.

Storm Darragh hit Ireland and in particular the west coast between Friday evening, December 6, and Saturday morning, December 7.

The storm brought strong winds to the country with Met Eireann recording gusts of 141km/h at Mace Head in Galway.

After a widespread restoration work was carried out by ESB crews over the weekend, power was restored to more than 275,000 customers on Saturday and a further 65,000 on Sunday.

However, according to the ESB map, this morning December 9 about 810 houses are still awaiting for their power to be restored in County Galway.

Galways most affected areas today are Clifden, Parkmore, Recess, Athenry, Claregalway, Creagh, Glenamaddy, and Headford.

According to the ESB, many will have the power restored by the end of the day, while others might have to wait until Wednesday, December 11, over four days since the storm hit the country.

This is not the first time Galway residents have to wait days to have their power restored following a storm and elected members at Galway County Council recently expressed their frustration and concerns .

In November, Storm Bert particularly hit the Connemara area, where some homes remained without power for days.

At a Galway County Council meeting, Fine Gael Councillor Padraig Mac an Iomaire, who lives in the Carraroe area, explained to the Irish Independent he had no electricity for about three days.

Our light went out at 1.40am Thursday morning and it didnt come back until Saturday at 2pm.

Everyone depends on electricity now, with heating and everything. It was very tough the past few days, Cllr Mac an Iomaire said.

During the meeting Cllr Mac an Iomaire called for upgraded infrastructure in Connemara and, in particular, for new ESB poles.

I think its about time the ESB look at these infrastructure, poles that have been there for years, they should be changing them and make sure that this isnt happening.
Pictured beside the new solar panels on the roof of the Sligo Park Hotel are: l-r Graham Semple, Deputy General Manager Sligo Park Hotel; James Loughlin of Cool Air and Gerard Moore, General Manager and Director of Sligo Park Hotel. Pic: Donal Hackett.

Sligo Park Hotel has completed the installation of solar panels on its roof, a move which is expected to cut its energy bills by more than 25,000 annually and significantly reduce its carbon emissions.

The 400 PV solar panels were installed across the 13,000sqft of the buildings roof between June and August this year. However, the PV solar panels only began contributing to the hotels energy use last month after being commissioned by the ESB.

JV Tierney and Company Consulting Engineers engaged Cool Air Ltd to install the panels and the latter estimates that the installation of PV solar energy infrastructure will cut the hotels annual emissions by more than 47 metric tonnes of Co2. In terms of the reduction in atmospheric carbon, the total is the equivalent of planting 1,869 new trees every year.

While the PV solar panels contribute less during the winter months, it is estimated that solar energy will make up 35-45% of the hotels overall electricity usage during the April to September period. The average contribution across the year is projected to be more than 20%, leading to an annual saving of 25,000 on the hotels energy bills.

The PV solar panels are the latest measure introduced by the hotels management to reduce the impact of the facilitys operations on the environment.

Earlier this year, Sligo Park Hotel opened a bug hotel and willow dome on its grounds with aim of providing nesting sites for insects and other wildlife and educating young guests about the vital role of pollinators in the local ecosystem.

Indeed, the hotels efforts to boost biodiversity and reduce emissions were also officially recognised in July when senior managers were presented with an Eco-Label Award from the Green Hospitality Programme for the implementation of its sustainability initiative.

According to the ESB, solar energy is the fastest growing renewable power source in Ireland. During the summer months, solar energy can account for as much as 10% of the electricity produced across the country.

Sligo Park Hotel Director/General Manager Gerard Moore hailed the hotels significant capital investment in the solar panel infrastructure.

Gerard Moore said: We are delighted that our significant capital investment in solar panel infrastructure is paying dividends in terms of contributing to our energy usage and reducing our reliance on fossil fuels. Hospitality is an energy intensive industry.

"Thats why we are always exploring ways in which we can reduce the impact of the Sligo Park on the environment, whether thats through the reduction of emissions by installing solar panels or facilitating the local eco-systems rich and diverse biodiversity through the provision of bug hotels and willow domes. Our focus is not only on the here and now, but also on ensuring the future is viable for generations to come.
A Waterford woman who ran a sanctuary for animals, was given two custodial sentences at Clonmel District Court, and banned from keeping animals for 20 years in relation to a case of animal cruelty described by the Judge as a house of horrors.

Ms Pat Edwards (70), of Deise Animal Sanctuary, Knocknaree, Ballymacarbry, Co Waterford pleaded guilty at Clonmel District Court on November 26, to causing suffering to or endangering the health and welfare of a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, horses, pigs, buzzards, a Harris hawk, a pigeon, and a variety of owls in February 2023.

She also admitted offences connected to the microchipping of dogs.

Convicting Ms Edwards under section 12(1) of the Animal Health and Welfare Act and the Microchipping of Dogs Regulations 2015, Judge Brian OShea imposed two prison sentences of four months, to run consecutively, disqualified Ms Edwards from owning all animals for 20 years, and fined her two amounts of 1,500, or 3,000 in total.

An appeal against the severity of the sentence was lodged after the hearing.

The court heard evidence from Ann Quinn, Superintending Veterinary Inspector with the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine (DAFM), who described first visiting Deise animal sanctuary, along with a DAFM colleague, Veterinary Inspector Catherine OBrien, and ISPCA Senior Inspector Alice Lacey. The visit took place on February 23, 2023.

Throughout these visits repeated instructions were given to improve the accommodation for a fox named Shadow who had been confined in a small barren pen for six years

Ms Quinn said that serious and significant ongoing animal welfare problems were observed in all areas of the holding, and that there was debris, rubbish, building materials and hazards posing a significant risk to the health and welfare of the animals on site.

The following day, an Animal Health and Welfare Notice was served on Ms Edwards by DAFM officials requiring that no more animals were to be taken in, that existing animals be provided with appropriate vet treatment, housing, and care, and that records be made available to officials.

During another visit by DAFM and ISPCA personnel on February 28, 2023, it was determined that the welfare situation was critical and a total of 32 animals were surrendered to the ISPCA.

In evidence, Senior Inspector Lacey told the court how these animals included a Harris hawk with a brass ring embedded in the skin of its leg, a number of buzzards with long-standing injuries, and a pigeon with an open fracture to its wing, along with puppies with coats contaminated with faecal matter and with heavy worm burdens, cats with extensive matting, and a variety of other animals, both wild and domestic.

Veterinary examinations of the animals removed revealed a variety of health issues and six were euthanised on humane grounds.

These included the pigeon with its bone exposed and five buzzards with fractures that had not received appropriate treatment with the result that there was now no possibility of rehabilitation, and they could not be returned to the wild.

After further inspections conducted in March and April 2023 showed repeated failures to comply with the written notice, a search warrant was obtained and, on May 12, a further 17 animals were removed. These included pigs with severe skin conditions, 11 dogs and two fox cubs.

Throughout these visits repeated instructions were given to improve the accommodation for a fox named Shadow who had been confined in a small barren pen for six years, since he was a cub.

When the premises was inspected again on June 30, 2023, it was found that no improvements had been made and the pen was now completely overgrown with nettles. The fox was seized and place in a specialist wildlife facility.

Ms Lacey further told the court that an inspection conducted last week found that new animals had been admitted, in contravention of the notice and that the animals living conditions were still sub-standard. One dog had been euthanised by a vet since that visit.

Having heard the evidence, Judge OShea described Ms Edwards sanctuary as a house of horrors.

He said that there was obvious neglect with veterinary level issues left untreated, and that the offending was at the upper end of the scale in terms of gravity.

Veterinary examinations of the animals removed revealed a variety of health issues and six were euthanised on humane grounds

He described it as shameful and egregious and said it was a breach of trust. He noted the aggravating factors of the scale of the suffering and the fact that Ms Edwards was still in breach of an Animal Health and Welfare notice.

Senior Inspector Alice Lacey said: A sanctuary, in its most basic meaning, is meant to be a refuge  a safe-haven from persecution or danger.

The majority of animals entering this sanctuary would have most likely come from situations in the past where their needs were not being met  where they were ill-treated, neglected and in some cases, injured.

To then see some of those very animals subjected to further ill-treatment, a lack of urgent veterinary care and a complete disregard for their physical and mental health and wellbeing, is an extreme injustice both for the animals involved in this case and for animal welfare as a whole. It was a complete breach of the trust that they placed in the person responsible for ensuring their welfare, added Ms Lacey.
Members of New Ross District Council and John F Kennedy Trust gathered at the JFK Statue, North Quay, New Ross to the mark the anniversary of the assassination of the late President John Fitzgerald Kennedy. Photo: Mary Browne

Cathaoirleach Cllr. Bridin Murphy and John Furlong, Chairperson of John F Kennedy Trust at the JFK Statue, North Quay, New Ross to the mark the anniversary of the assassination of the late President. Photo: Mary Browne

New Ross District Committee and the John F. Kennedy Trust continue the tradition of marking the anniversary of President John F Kennedys sad passing and last week there was a wreath laying ceremony in his honour.

This was an iconic moment in world history and had a massive impact on the US and in Particular Ireland in 1963, New Ross was deeply saddened when the news of the assassination came through, with so many people remembering the late Presidents visit to New Ross and his ancestral home in Dunganstown just six months earlier, said Sean Connick, Chief Executive of the John F. Kennedy Trust CLG.

The legacy of that visit in 1963 by the late President lives on in New Ross, and in the Kennedy homestead, he said.

Mr Connick also added that it is fitting that we remember him on this occasion of his 61st anniversary.
Declan, Bernie and Louise Power cutting the cake at the 50th Anniversary celebrations and the opening of the extension to their Ferrycarrig Autobody Repairs on Sunday afternoon. Pic: Jim Campbell

Mayor Cllr George Lawlor cutting the ribbon at the opening of the extension to the Ferrycarrig Autobody Repairs on Sunday afternoon. Pic: Jim Campbell

To mark 50 years in operation, Ferrycarrig Autobody Repairs has launched Underbody Rust Busters, a state-of-the-art facility offering advanced rust protection and vehicle longevity solutions and the first of its kind in the region. A family-owned business, Ferrycarrig Autobody Repairs is now led by managing director Louise Power who took over the reins in 2016 , becoming one of the few women to lead a business in this traditionally male-dominated industry.

Growing up in the garage founded by her father Declan in 1974, Louise was immersed in the world of autobody repairs from an early age. After pursuing a successful career in social care and psychology, including over a decade with Acquired Brain Injury Ireland and a postgraduate degree in psychology, Louise felt compelled to return to the family business when her father considered retirement.

Declan, Bernie and Louise Power cutting the cake at the 50th Anniversary celebrations and the opening of the extension to their Ferrycarrig Autobody Repairs on Sunday afternoon. Pic: Jim Campbell

Taking over the family business wasnt just about preserving what my parents built; it was about evolving it with a sustainable, innovative approach while breaking barriers as a woman in this field, Louise said.

Im passionate about demonstrating the strength of female leadership and creating opportunities for future generations, all while giving back to the Wexford community.

The new Underbody Rust Busters facility is equipped with cutting-edge technology, including a grit recovery system to minimise waste and promote environmental responsibility. This expansion supports a circular economy by extending the lifespan of vehicles and reducing the environmental impact of rust and corrosion, all while creating new local jobs.
The Wicklow Escape in Donard has been named in the best winter venues in which to hold a wedding by SaveMyDay.ie.

With the festive season upon us, SaveMyDay.ie are celebrating the magic and charm of winter wedding celebrations. With over 600 couples surveyed in the SaveMyDay.ie Irish wedding trends survey, the results revealed a 25pc increase in couples choosing to say I do during winter months.

Many couples planning winter weddings referenced the opportunity to save money and increased guest availability in comparison with summer months.

The Wicklow Escape won Irelands best vegan and vegetarian wedding venue at the SaveMyDay.ie Irish Wedding Venue Awards 2024. It caters to between 18 to 60 guests and holds a civil ceremony license.

The award-winning The Wicklow Escape is described as a a charming and memorable wonderland ideal for an intimate winter wedding. At this exclusive woodland wedding venue which is known for its foodie experiences and breath-taking scenery, couples can choose to exchange vows amidst the snowy picturesque backdrop, or say I do and host their reception in the beautiful long hall in their 18th century woodland lodge.

This option of both indoor and outdoor venue spaces, in addition to their on-site accommodation which allows guests to stay overnight, ensures that the festivities can be fully enjoyed regardless of winter weather conditions.

The Wicklow Escape offers rustic and charming spaces, such as the lodge, cabin and pavilion which can be decorated with twinkling lights, candles, and festive decorations. The crackling fireplaces and snug interiors create a cosy ambiance, making newlyweds and their guests feel comfortable and relaxed.

Shell Holden, wedding expert and co-owner of SaveMyDay.ie, said: Winter weddings are becoming increasingly popular amongst couples planning their big day for several reasons including better pricing, better guest availability and the added plus of festive decor.

"Many venues and wedding vendors offer reduced pricing compared to summer months, allowing brides and grooms the opportunity to secure catering, photography and other services that may be originally out of budget. Additionally, winter months often mean fewer diary clashes and less wedding fatigue for guests, making it easier for them to attend.
A Faberge cigarette case given to King Edward VII by his mistress Alice Keppel  a relative of Queen Camilla (Royal Collection/HM King Charles III 2024/PA)

The glamour and the opulence of the Edwardian era is to be explored in a major new Buckingham Palace exhibition, featuring a Faberge cigarette case given to King Edward VII by his favourite mistress  an ancestor of Queen Camilla.

The Edwardians: Age of Elegance will delve into the family lives, personal collections, global travels and glittering social circles of two of British historys most fashionable royal couples  Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, and King George V and Queen Mary.

It will bring together more than 300 items including jewellery, fashion, paintings and books  the majority never seen before  by famous figures such as Cartier, Oscar Wilde, Sir Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris.

King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra (PA)

Among 20 Faberge pieces will be a famed blue enamel Art Nouveau cigarette case featuring a diamond-encrusted snake biting its own tail, which Edward VII received from his mistress Alice Keppel in 1908, with the unbroken serpent a symbol of her eternal love.

Alice Keppel is Camillas great-grandmother, and legend has it when a young Camilla first met the then-Prince of Wales, now her husband and the King, on a polo field in the seventies, she boldly brought up their relatives affair.

My great-grandmother was your great-great grandfathers mistress, so how about it? she is said to have quipped.

The then-Duchess of Cornwall during a visit to St Marks Anglican Church in Florence, Italy (Chris Jackson/PA)

After Edward died in 1910, Queen Alexandra, perhaps recognising the significance of the gift, returned the case to Mrs Keppel as a memento.

Edward had a series of long-term mistresses including the actress Lily Langtry.

Twenty-five years later, in 1936, Mrs Keppel gave the case to Queen Mary, ensuring that it would remain in royal ownership.

A Faberge cigarette case given to King Edward VII by his mistress Alice Keppel  a relative of Queen Camilla (Royal Collection/HM King Charles III 2024/PA)

In 1863, Queen Victorias eldest son Albert Edward had married Princess Alexandra of Denmark, and the fashionable young couple  the future King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra  ushered in a glamorous new era for the royal family.

Queen Victoria was still mourning Prince Albert, but Edward and Alexandra established their own vibrant court, filled with contemporary art, opulent balls and society events  a lifestyle later continued by their son, the future King George V, and his wife Queen Mary.

George V and Princess Victoria Mary of Teck wed in 1893, and like Edward and Alexandra, they surrounded themselves with fashionable society figures known as the Marlborough House Set.

A ball at Marlborough House attributed to Godfrey Durand (Royal Collection/HM King Charles III 2024/PA)

Curator Kathryn Jones said: The Edwardian era is seen as a golden age of style and glamour, which indeed it was, but there is so much more to discover beneath the surface.

This was a period of transition, with Britain poised on the brink of the modern age and Europe edging towards war.

Our royal couples lived lavish, sociable, fast-paced lives, embracing new trends and technologies.

The Garrard Love Trophy Collar (Royal Collection/HM King Charles III 2024/PA)

Yet in their collecting we also see a need to retain tradition and record the rapidly changing world around them, as if to preserve a fading way of life.

The outbreak of World War I shattered their world, marking the end of an age and forever changing the face of monarchy.

Visitors to the exhibition in The Kings Gallery at the Palace from April will see dazzling jewellery up close including Alexandras Dagmar necklace, a wedding gift from the King of Denmark, and Marys Love Trophy Collar necklace, on show for the first time.

Queen Alexandras opulent Dagmar Necklace (Royal Collection/HM King Charles III 2024/PA)

Displays will evoke the fashionably cluttered interiors of the royal couples private residences at Marlborough House and Sandringham House, where decorative objects and family photographs covered every surface.

A Cartier crystal pencil case set with diamonds and rubies will be exhibited for the first time, alongside a personally inscribed copy of Oscar Wildes Poems and an early edition of the first book printed by William Morriss Kelmscott Press.

Both couples collected works by the great contemporary artists of the period, such as a previously unseen study of Sleeping Beauty by the Pre-Raphaelite artist Sir Edward Burne-Jones, and Charles Baugniets After the Ball, a Lady in a Ballgown Asleep on a Sofa.

Charles Baugniets depiction of a lady in a ballgown asleep on a sofa (Royal Collection/HM King Charles III 2024/PA)

Baugniets painting, on public view for the first time in more than a century, depicts the exuberance of the era, with a society beauty resting on a blue sofa, still dressed in her ballgown.

The royal family also embraced the new medium of photography, and the exhibition will include images by pioneering female photographers Mary Steen and Alice Hughes, as well as photographs taken by Alexandra, using portable Kodak cameras to capture official events and family moments.

Edward, Alexandra, George and Mary travelled further than any royals before them, collecting objects, receiving gifts, and employing tour artists and photographers, as well as capturing their own memories.

The signed copy of Oscar Wildes Poems (Royal Collection/HM King Charles III 2024/PA)

Visitors will see items from their travels to five continents, including an Egyptian scarab brooch given to Alexandra by Edward after his tour of the Middle East in 1863.

The Edwardians: Age of Elegance is at The Kings Gallery, Buckingham Palace, from April 11 to November 23 2025.
McFly singer and guitarist Danny Jones has been named winner of Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here! 2024 and king of the jungle.

TV personality Coleen Rooney came in second place, while Rev Richard Coles  who was part of pop duo The Communards  placed third.

During Sundays final Jones, 38, joined hosts Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly in the studio and told them it felt amazing and surreal to win.

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Earlier in the episode, the campmates reflected on what it meant to them to be in the final.

Coles said: I cant believe Im one of the final three. I never thought I would make it this far.

Jones said: It feels amazing, I didnt expect this at all.

Rooney reflected in the Bush Telegraph and said: Knowing that I have made it to the final makes me proud. Im a proud mum, Im a proud wife, Im a proud daughter.

She added: Its very rare that Im proud of myself, so it means a lot. Its very rare that I put myself first, so yeah these are happy tears.

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During Sundays episode, the finalists faced fish guts, spiders and cockroaches as they embarked on the last Bushtucker trial, The Towers Of Terror.

In the first half of the challenge, the campmates were joined by snakes as they lay down inside separate levels of a wooden tower where they had to manoeuvre stars, passing them down to one another until they reached the lowest level of the tower.

The campmates managed to collect all six stars and moved onto the second half of the trial, where they were tasked with untying a variety of knots while in the company of some critters.

The trio were able to collect all of the remaining stars, meaning they won a reward of a three-course meal and drink.

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Jones, had a cold glass of beer, a starter of mozzarella sticks with sweet chilli sauce, a buttermilk chicken burger and chips for his main course, and fresh cream profiteroles with warm Nutella sauce for dessert.

Rooney, 38, had a glass of French pale Provence rose, a bruschetta starter, spaghetti bolognese with flaky parmesan cheese and garlic bread for her main course and fresh cream profiteroles with warm Nutella sauce for dessert.

Coles, 62, had a prawn cocktail starter, cottage pie and gravy for his main course, fruit cake for dessert, and Chablis for his drink.
Kim Yong Hyun arrested after he resigned over plot

Police have arrested South Koreas former defence minister Kim Yong Hyun over his role in last weeks martial law declaration that plunged the country into political turmoil.

Mr Kim had already resigned after the brief imposition of martial law by president Yoon Suk Yeol, which saw soldiers and helicopters sent to parliament last Tuesday. Mr Yoon was forced to rescind the order hours later after parliament voted down his decree.
Mohamed Al Fayed feigned dementia in order to avoid being prosecuted for multiple sex offences, his youngest son has claimed.

The Egyptian-born tycoon, who died last year aged 94, is suspected of raping and sexually assaulting more than 100 women dating back to the 1970s.
Assad flees to Moscow, as Syrian rebels seize capital city Damascus unopposed

Fighters say they entered the city with no sign of an army to stop them

Smoke rises, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, Syria. Photo: Reuters

Maya Gebeily and Timour Azhari Mon 9 Dec 2024 at 03:30







Syrian rebels seized the capital Damascus unopposed yesterday after a lightning advance that sent President Bashar al-Assad fleeing to Russia after a 13-year civil war and six decades of his familys autocratic rule.
President-elect, Donald Trumps daughter in law , Lara Trump, may be about to become a member of the US Senate. She is to step down as co-chair of the Republican National Committee.
Were not going to solve this in 60 minutes  the unanswered questions over killing of US insurance CEO Brian Thompson

New York police say net is closing on suspect, who remains at large

A photo released by the NYPD shows a suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson inside a taxi. Photo: NYPD via AP

Andrea Cavallier and Madeleine Sharratt UK Independent Mon 9 Dec 2024 at 03:30







The gunman who shot and killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a New York City hotel on Wednesday is still at large  but police appear to be honing in on the suspects identity as their search intensifies.
LATEST | Who is Luigi Mangione? The Ivy League graduate charged with murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO

Mangione (26) was taken into custody after a McDonald's employee believed they recognised him as the gunman

Luigi Mangione, who police have named as the person of interest in the case (Facebook/Luigi Mangionie)

Rhian Lubin and Katie Hawkinson UK Independent Tue 10 Dec 2024 at 07:00







Court records show that authorities have now charged Ivy League university graduate Luigi Mangione with the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson after he was initially arrested on firearms charges.
Researchers say they have discovered why most ginger cats are male. Photo: Getty

If it wasnt immediately obvious that the lazy, lasagne-eating Garfield was a tom cat, then his orange fur should have given it away.

Scientists have, for the first time, found the gene responsible for ginger fur in cats and it explains why they are almost all boys.
Indias Electronics Manufacturing: Tackling Challenges, Seizing Opportunities

Indias electronics manufacturing industry is undergoing a transformative shift, driven by strategic government initiatives, increasing domestic demand, and a commitment to self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat). Policymakers want India to become a global hub for electronics production, leveraging innovation, infrastructure, and private sector collaboration.

New initiative to boost electronics component manufacturing

India is preparing to launch a new scheme focused on manufacturing components for electronic gadgets like mobile phones, laptops, and tablets. This initiative aims to replicate the success of Indias mobile phone production sector and reduce dependence on imports.

Key highlights:

Proposed investment: The central government plans to allocate INR 400 billion (US$4.7 billion) for this initiative, expecting to attract INR 820 billion (US$9.6 billion) in private investments.

The central government plans to allocate INR 400 billion (US$4.7 billion) for this initiative, expecting to attract INR 820 billion (US$9.6 billion) in private investments. Projected output: The scheme could generate a total production value between INR 1.952 trillion (approximately US$23-23.6 billion) during its tenure.

A key goal is to strengthen local manufacturing of critical components, such as printed circuit boards (PCBs), displays, and capacitors. This aligns with the Self-Reliant India (Atmanirbhar Bharat) initiative, aiming to:

Create jobs and spur economic growth.

Develop a resilient supply chain network.

Reduce reliance on imports to bolster national self-reliance.

Growth drivers for electronics manufacturing

Indias electronics manufacturing growth is driven by mobile phones, automotive electronics, and industrial segments. Growth in the sector is fueled by several factors:

1. Policy support at the federal and state government level

Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme: Encourages domestic production of high-priority components like batteries, Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA), and displays.

Encourages domestic production of high-priority components like batteries, Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCBA), and displays. Semicon India Program: Promotes semiconductor design and manufacturing.

Promotes semiconductor design and manufacturing. Relaxations for R&D: Import duty exemptions on imports for research and development (R&D) and testing to foster innovation.

2. Expanding domestic and export markets

Electronics production is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 26 percent between 2023 and 2030, with a projected value of US$500 billion by 2030.

3. Focus on automotive electronics

Valued at US$10.6 billion in FY 2023-24, the automotive electronics market is projected to reach US$74 billion by FY32. The rise of electric vehicles (EVs) and advanced systems is driving this growth, with electronic content in vehicles expected to increase from 20 percent to 4050 percent within a decade.

Path to value-added manufacturing

According to a recent report by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), Indias electronics industry needs a fundamental shift from its current import-reliant, assembly-driven model to a focus on value-added component manufacturing.

In 2023, Indias electronics production reached US$102 billion, supported by a component and sub-assembly demand of US$45.5 billion. This demand is anticipated to surge to US$240 billion by 2030, aligning with an electronics production target of 2030. The report emphasizes the critical role of PCBAs and other essential components in achieving this transformation.

As per industry observers, PCBAs are projected to grow at a robust 30 percent CAGR, as the segment is expected to reach a demand of US$139 billion by 2030.

Additionally, five essential components, i.e., lithium-ion batteries, camera modules, mechanicals, displays, and PCBsaccounted for 43 percent of the total demand in 2022. This figure is projected to grow to US$51.6 billion by 2030, highlighting their strategic importance. While demand for these components is rapidly increasing, domestic production remains minimal, necessitating a heavy reliance on importsa trend that India aims to reverse.

Indias Top 10 Electronics Manufacturing Companies Company India presence Manufacturing locations Products Investments Samsung 1996 Noida (Uttar Pradesh) Sriperumbudur and Chennai (Tamil Nadu) Smartphones, Smart TVs, refrigerators, washing machines, air conditioners Over US$1 billion in India manufacturing till date LG Electronics 1997 Greater Noida (UP), Ranjangaon (Maharashtra), Chennai (Tamil Nadu) Smartphones, consumer electronics, home appliances Over US$250 million in India manufacturing Xiaomi Technology India 2014 Sri City (Andhra Pradesh) Smartphones, smart TVs, smartphones accessories US$200 million initial factory investment Foxconn Technology Group 2006 Sri City (Andhra Pradesh), Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Karnataka iPhones, electronics components Over US$1 billion committed investment in India Flextronics Technologies (India) 2000 Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Sriperumbudur (Tamil Nadu) High-end electronics, servers, medical devices Over US$500 million in India Elin Electronics 1979 Noida (UP), Dehradun (Uttarakhand), Roorkee (Uttarakhand) Invertors, UPS systems, stabilizers, solar products Over INR 2.5 billion (US$29 million) in manufacturing facilities Dixon Technologies 1993 Noida (UP), Dehradun (Uttarakhand) LED TVs, home appliances, security cameras, mobile phones Over INR 6 billion (US$70.8 million) in manufacturing facilities Orient Electronics 1977 Faridabad (Haryana) Lighting products (CFL, LED lighting), fans, switches, switchgear Over INR 3 billion (US$35.4 million) in manufacturing facilities Amber Enterprises India 1990 Rajpura (Punjab), Greater Noida (UP) Air conditioners, refrigerators, washing machines, microwave ovens. INR 2 billion (US$23.6 million) manufacturing facility in Rajpura Syrma Technology 1996 Chennai (Tamil Nadu), Himachal Pradesh Servers, networking equipment, healthcare devices Planning new facility investment of INR 2.4 billion (US$28.3 million)

Establishing a local semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem

India is making strategic moves to establish itself as a significant player in the global semiconductor industry, an essential component of modern electronics. With semiconductors being essential to technology, from smartphones, EVs, and telecommunications to artificial intelligence, Indias focus on building a robust domestic semiconductor manufacturing base is both timely and necessary.

India Semiconductor Mission The India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) was launched in December, 2021, as a comprehensive strategy to develop a semiconductor ecosystem in the country. The objective of this is to make India a global hub for semiconductor production, targeting not just manufacturing but also innovation, research, and design.

Key projects driving Indias semiconductor manufacturing

Under the ISM, five major projects have received approval, signaling a transformative era for the sector:

Micron Technologys Facility: A US$2.75 billion project, Microns semiconductor assembly, testing, marking, and packaging (ATMP) plant in Gujarat is set to become operational by 2025. The facility is expected to generate over 5,000 direct jobs and significantly reduce Indias reliance on imported chips.

Tata Electronics ventures: Tata Electronics is spearheading two projects, including one focused on manufacturing silicon carbide chips for electric vehicles, a rapidly growing segment. With collaborations with global technology providers, Tata is aligning itself with global standards in semiconductor production.

CG Power and Industrial Solutions: The company is venturing into semiconductor component production, particularly for industrial and automotive applications, leveraging its expertise in power solutions to cater to the emerging EV and renewable energy markets.

Kaynes Technology: With a strong base in electronics manufacturing services, Kaynes is scaling up operations to include semiconductor component design and manufacturing, supporting Indias goals of technological self-reliance.

India has inked partnerships with countries like the U.S., Japan, and Taiwan, focusing on technology transfer, joint ventures, and supply chain resilience. The U.S.-India Semiconductor Collaboration under the Quad alliance has brought together expertise from both nations to bolster Indias capabilities.

To boost research and development in semiconductor production, initiatives such as establishing the Semiconductor Research Center in Bengaluru, Karnataka, are designed to promote innovation in chip design, addressing Indias longstanding challenges in developing semiconductor intellectual property.

Growing investments

Private players such as Vedanta are also entering the semiconductor domain, announcing large-scale investments in manufacturing fabs and foundries. This complements public sector efforts and highlights the sectors growing attractiveness.

Increase in electronics exports

Exports of electronics products from India have witnessed a major jump. According to data from the Ministry of Electronics and IT (MeitY), electronics exports have surged from INR 382.6 billion (US$4.5 billion) in 2014-15 to INR 2.41 trillion (US$28.45 billion) in 2023-24, reflecting a CAGR of 22.7 percent.

Top Export Destinations for Indias Electronics Components Between April-October 2024 S. no Country / region Values in US$ million 1. USA 1,215.98 2. United Arab Emirates 129.22 3. Netherland 30.39 4. United Kingdom 60.06 5. Singapore 87.83 6. China 95.57 7. Saudi Arabia 106.08 8. Bangladesh 37.21 9. Germany 123.76 10. Australia 18.73 11. France 95.36 12. South Africa 8.78 13. Malaysia 25.12 14. Italy 35.53 15. Brazil 22.45

Source: System on Foreign Trade Performance Analysis (FTPA) Version 3.0, DoC.

Indias Exports of Principal Commodities Groups (Electronic Items) (Value in US$ Million) Commodity Apr-Oct 2023 Apr-Oct 2024 (*P) %Growth %Share Electronics items 14,919.87 18,477.66 23.85 7.33 O9 Computer hardware, peripherals 354.90 950.31 167.77 0.38 P1 Consumer electronics 336.09 362.54 7.87 0.14 P2 Electronics components 2,949.17 2,911.83 -1.27 1.15 P3 Electronics instruments 2,561.36 2,494.56 -2.61 0.99 P4 Telecom instruments 8,718.36 11,758.42 34.87 4.66

Source: Department of Commerce, System on Foreign Trade Performance Analysis (FTPA) Version 3.0

*P: The data for electronics exports from April to September 2024 is provisional and is subject to update.

One of the fastest-growing segments within the electronics industry is mobile phone manufacturing. According to MeitY, in 2014-15, only 26 percent of mobile phones sold in India were domestically produced, with the majority being imported. As of September 26, 2024, 99.2 percent of all mobile phones sold in the country are now manufactured locally.

India now produces between 325 to 330 million mobile phones annually, fulfilling domestic demand and driving substantial export growth. Mobile phone exports have surged from INR 15.66 billion (US$184.9 million) in 2014-15 to INR 1.2 trillion (US$14.1 billion) in 2023-24a 77-fold increase. This dramatic growth can be attributed to policies such as the PLI scheme for the mobile sector.

By 2023-24, the total value of production under the PLI scheme for mobile manufacturing reached INR 6.66 trillion (US$78.6 billion), supported by investments worth INR 91 billion (US$107 million). Employment generated by the scheme surpassed 122,000 direct jobs, with the broader electronics sector employing approximately 1.2 million people nationwide.

Navigating opportunities and risks amid US trade policy shifts

India may have an opportunity to expand its exports in sectors like textiles, electronics, machinery, and pharmaceuticals if the United States enforces higher tariffs on goods from China and Mexico, according to media reports. The potential tariff hikes proposed by the US President-elect Donald Trump include an additional 25 percent on imports from Canada and Mexico and 10 percent on imports from China and could take effect through an executive order on January 20 (following Trumps official inauguration).

Trump has justified the tariffs on Canada and Mexico as a measure to curb migration and on China to address issues such as the influx of drugs like fentanyl into the US.

One may note that India was not included in this initial wave of tariff measures. The US, Indias largest trading partner, accounts for annual bilateral trade exceeding US$190 billion.

Trade experts view Indias exclusion as a potential signal of strategic interest from the US to strengthen trade ties. This could lead to more favorable trade arrangements and partnerships.

However, some experts are cautious about jumping to optimistic conclusions. Ajay Srivastava, founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), points out that Trumps tariff policies might have broader implications. He notes that the current measures are focused on addressing issues like drug trafficking and immigration, leaving room for other trade policy shifts that could impact India.

Challenges within the sector

Indias electronics manufacturing sector has achieved sharp growth in a decade; however, several persistent challenges hinder its ability to scale further and become a global hub. One of the persistent challenges for India is the heavy dependence on imports for critical components such as PCBs, sensors, and advanced displays. This reliance on external sources not only drives up costs but also exposes the supply chain to potential vulnerabilities.

Another significant challenge is the higher manufacturing costs in India compared to countries like China, Vietnam, and Mexico. Indian manufacturers face production costs that are 1020 percent higher, making it difficult to compete in the global market, particularly for cost-sensitive electronics. This disparity is compounded by the limited presence of large-scale domestic corporations in the sector.

India also faces gaps in indigenous R&D. The lack of a robust R&D infrastructure limits the ability to design and manufacture advanced components domestically. Essential technologies, including semiconductors, sensors, and specialized components, remain underdeveloped. Adding to these challenges is limited access to raw materials, which further constrains local production and raises costs.

Policies to address long-standing challenges

To address these issues, the central government has introduced several initiatives aimed at strengthening the sector. Programs like the Scheme for Promotion of Manufacturing of Electronic Components and Semiconductors (SPECS) provide financial incentives to promote domestic production and reduce reliance on imports. Increased collaboration between the government and private companies are also fostering a more robust manufacturing ecosystem by encouraging technology transfer, skill development, and innovation. Efforts are underway to rationalize import tariffs on essential components to make manufacturing more cost-effective.

India is also preparing to launch enhanced programs like SPECS 2.0 to support the production of high-priority components such as PCBs and lithium-ion batteries. Investments in R&D infrastructure, including the establishment of centers of excellence and increased funding for electronics research, aim to bolster Indias domestic design capabilities. Additionally, the promotion of startups and innovation hubs is fostering advancements in electronics and semiconductor design.

Outlook

Overall, Indias electronics manufacturing sector holds immense potential. With a strategic focus on reducing import dependency, lowering production costs, and fostering innovation, the country is well-positioned to build a competitive and sustainable ecosystem. These efforts are crucial to establishing India as a global leader in electronics manufacturing and securing its place in the international value chain.

Indias electronics manufacturing industry is poised to be a key driver of economic growth. With the rollout of 5G, the expanding EV market, and increasing demand for IoT-enabled devices, the sector has ushered into a new era of sectoral growth and global demand. By 2030, it is projected to achieve a production value of US$500 billion, establishing India as a global hub for electronics manufacturing.

The central governments upcoming scheme for electronics component manufacturing is a step in the right direction. By fostering innovation, supporting infrastructure development, and incentivizing private sector involvement, India is setting the stage for sustainable growth of its electronics industry.

(US$1 = INR 84.68)
Cassandra OTT release date is set. The new thriller series centers on a malevolent artificial house assistant. The cast also features Franz Hartwig, Michael Klammer, and Mina Tander in addition to Lavinia Wilson. Benjamin Gutsche is the writer and director of the limited series, which was first revealed in September 2023. Cassandra will be released on Netflix on 6th February 2025.

The trailer was shared with the caption, A family's fresh start becomes Cassandra's second chance  and she won't lose it again. Cassandra, February 6, only on Netflix.

Plot

The summary suggests that Germany's oldest smart home has been deserted for more than 50 years after its owners passed away inexplicably. The robotic housekeeper Cassandra awakens from her decades-long sleep when Samira comes in with her family today. Cassandra, which was built in the 1970s to support a family and was shut down when its previous occupants passed away, now feels like it has a second chance. She sees herself as much more than a fairy godmother who makes things work out, though. Cassandra quickly comes to regard herself as an equal member of the family and uses every resource at her disposal to ensure she never has to be alone again.

Cast and crew

Michael Klammer, Franz Hartwig, Mary Tolle, Joshua Kantara, Elias Grunthal, and Filip Schnack play supporting roles in addition to Lavinia Wilson and Mina Tander. Benjamin Gutsche is the writer and director of the miniseries produced by Rat Pack Filmproduktion. Eva Stadler and Christian Becker are the producers, while Amara Palacios is the executive producer.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
LIC Bima Sakhi Yojana: Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Bima Sakhi Yojana (Insurance Sakhi Scheme) in Panipat, Haryana. This scheme is aimed at educated women and seeks to financially empower them, helping half of the population become self-sufficient. Women aged between 18 and 70, who have completed at least the 10th grade, are eligible to join. Those who take part in the scheme will be known as "Bima Sakhi" (Insurance Sakhi) and will support other women in their communities to access insurance, offering them an opportunity for self-employment. Let's explore more about the Bima Sakhi Yojana.

About the Bima Sakhi Scheme

This initiative by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) is aimed at empowering women aged 18 to 70 who have passed the 10th grade. As part of the scheme, educated women will receive training for three years to help raise financial awareness and explain the importance of insurance. During the training period, they will also receive a stipend.

#WATCH | Panipat, Haryana: Addressing the launch event of the LIC Bima Sakhi Yojana, PM Modi says, "... There were many such tasks which were prohibited for women. The BJP has decided to remove every obstacle from our daughters' paths..." pic.twitter.com/ff6eK3K6NR  ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2024

After completing the three years of training, these women will be qualified to work as LIC insurance agents. Additionally, women with a bachelor's degree will have the chance to become Development Officers at LIC. Here are some key details about the scheme:

VIDEO | "Today India is a taking another strong step towards women empowerment. The day is special because of other reasons too. Today is 9th, number 9 is considered very auspicious in scriptures. Number 9 is associated with the nine strengths of goddess Durga," says PM Modi pic.twitter.com/GhjWr1W9ka  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 9, 2024





Applicants must have at least a 10th-grade certificate.

- Only women between the ages of 18 and 70 can apply.

- The Bima Sakhi scheme (MCA scheme) is exclusively for women and is stipend-based. Women will be trained for the first three years and will receive a monthly stipend during this time.

- The scheme aims to make women self-sufficient as insurance agents and teach them financial literacy. Women will be trained in selling insurance policies, which will help increase their income and provide financial security for their families.

- Women participating in the Bima Sakhi scheme (MCA scheme) will not be considered regular LIC employees. They will not receive a salary like permanent employees but will work as trainees or assistants, receiving a fixed stipend without the benefits of full-time employees.

- Women selected for the scheme will need to meet specific performance standards each year. These standards are in place to track the success and progress of the participants.

How Much Money Will You Get Under the Bima Sakhi Scheme?

- Women joining the Bima Sakhi scheme will need to complete training during the first three years. During this time, they will receive some payments, as explained below.

- According to the official LIC website (https://licindia.in/test2), women who have completed their 10th grade and join the Bima Sakhi scheme must sell 24 policies in the first year. This means they need to sell two policies each month. In return, they will earn a commission of Rs 48,000 in the first year, excluding any bonuses. This works out to a Rs 4,000 commission each month for selling two LIC plans. After the first year, at least 65% of the policies sold in the first year must remain active (in-force) in the second and third years.

- Bima Sakhis are expected to help women in their local areas get insurance. They will receive special training, and during this time, they will receive the following monthly stipend:

- First Year: Rs 7,000 per month

- Second Year: Rs 6,000 per month

- Third Year: Rs 5,000 per month

Under the MCA scheme, women working as insurance agents must ensure that at least 65% of the policies sold in the first year remain active by the end of the second year. For example, if a woman sold 100 policies in the first year, 65 of these must still be active by the end of the second year. This ensures that agents not only sell policies but also maintain them, which helps improve their work stability and effectiveness.

In the third year, women must ensure that at least 65% of the policies sold in the second year stay active. For example, if a Bima Sakhi sold 24 policies in the first year and kept 65% (16 policies) active in the second year, she will need to maintain 65% of those in the third year as well.

These performance targets encourage women to offer good service to their clients and keep their policies active. The structure is designed to offer financial support to women so they can enter the insurance industry and build a career.

How to Apply:

- Visit the official LIC website at https://licindia.in/test2.

- Scroll down and click on the "Click here for Bima Sakhi" link.

- Fill in your name, date of birth, mobile number, email ID, and address.

- If you are connected with any LIC India agent, development officer, employee, or medical examiner, provide their details.

- Enter the captcha code and click the submit button.

Documents Required for the Application:

- Proof of age

- Proof of address

- 10th-grade certificate

- All documents should be self-attested by the female applicant.

Important Note: If any information is incomplete or incorrect while applying, your application may be rejected.

Things to Keep in Mind:

- If someone is already an agent or employee at LIC, their close family members cannot apply for the MCA (Master Consultant Agent) role under this scheme.

- If a person has previously worked at LIC and is now retired or a former agent, they cannot reapply to become an insurance agent under this scheme.

- Existing agents cannot apply for the MCA position under this scheme. In other words, those already working as LIC agents are not eligible to reapply for the MCA role.

- Women applying for the MCA scheme must upload a recent passport-sized photograph with their application.

For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.
Bollywood's King Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, recently attended a private wedding event in Delhi, where he added a magical touch to the couple's special day with his charismatic aura. His presence made the celebration more memorable for both the bride and groom and one of such videos is going viral on social media.

Shah Rukh Khan's unmatchable charm always leaves his fans in awe. In the viral video, he was seen performing with the newlyweds and also mesmerised his fans with his signature pose. In one of the videos shared by fan pages, Shah Rukh Khan is seen dramatically kneeling on the stage, reciting the iconic poem from the 2012 film 'Jab Hai Jaan' to the bride.

Another video, shared by makeup artist Amrit Kaur, showed him complimenting her bridal look. "I really want to tell you that you look very beautiful. Mashallah, really beautiful. Looking at you, I just want to say..." he said, while repeating a dialogue from the film Jab Tak Hai Jaan.

Shah Rukh Khan's charismatic personality leaves the bride blushing on stage

The compliment left the bride blushing, while the crowd cheered for the superstar.

On the other hand, makeup artist Amrit Kaur, while sharing the video, wrote, @iamsrk You made my day with the way you complimented my bride, Harshita, on the way she looked on her most special day!"

She noted her hard work paid off!

Have a look at the video:

How much does Shah Rukh Khan charge to perform at weddings?

Shah Rukh Khan reportedly charges a hefty amount for private events, including weddings. Taking to the comment section of Amrit Kaur's post, one netizen asked, 'How much did SRK charge for the show?' to which she replied that SRK was a family friend of the bride and the groom, and she cleared the air that Shah Rukh Khan was in attendance as a performer, not as a guest.

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending.
Walmart has been under fire for displaying Lord Ganesha prints on slippers, underwear, swimwear, and pants. Many have chastised the American multinational retail firm, demanding that these products be removed from their website and an apology for offending religious feelings.

An X (previously Twitter) posted screenshots of the products on the microblogging website and said, "Listen! Walmart, featuring Lord Ganesha on underwear and casual wear is deeply disrespectful to Hindus. Deities are not fashion statements; they hold profound spiritual significance. Please reconsider this product line to show respect for religious symbols."

Listen!! @Walmart, featuring Lord Ganesha on underwear and casual wear is deeply disrespectful to #Hindus. Deities are not fashion statements; they hold profound spiritual significance. Please reconsider this product line to show respect for religious symbols. pic.twitter.com/tWDA3dkxj8  UnApologetic Hindu (@KrishnKiKanya) December 6, 2024

The list of products included underwear, socks and more

The screenshots showed that the products were sold by several sellers. One listing for trousers stated, "Lukts celestial Ganesh blessings for men - sleek straight pyjama pants, versatile lounge pants, and cosy sleepwear all in one-xx-large." The screenshots show bikinis, slippers, and pants with Lord Ganesh prints for sale online.

This is unacceptable. You cant demean our Hindu Gods.@Walmart should immediately withdraw Celestial Ganesh Blessings collection and apologise to Hindus.  pic.twitter.com/KGCcqqObXu  Tathvam-asi (@ssaratht) December 6, 2024

Hindu American Foundation reached out to the company

The Hindu American Foundation (HAF), an advocacy group that represents Hindu Americans, criticized Walmart for "disrespectful misuse of Hindu imagery on slippers & bathing suits" and demanded that the products be removed from the retailer's website immediately.

The organisation wrote, We have written directly to Walmart regarding the disrespectful misuse of Hindu imagery on slippers & bathing suits." Ganesha is a deity worshipped by more than a billion followers of Dharma religions around the world as the remover of obstacles. We ask that these disrespectful items be immediately discontinued for sale," they added.

Dear @walmarthelp: @HinduAmerican has written directly to @Walmart regarding the disrespectful misuse of Hindu imagery on slippers & bathing suits.



Ganesha is a deity worshipped by more than a billion followers of Dharma religions around the world as the remover of obstacles. pic.twitter.com/WHrpFOYPQU  Hindu American Foundation (@HinduAmerican) December 6, 2024

The organisation has expressed a desire to engage in discussions about the acceptable commercial use of images depicting Hindu deities.

Walmart has not yet issued a statement addressing the "celestial Ganesh blessing" collection, but the majority of the items have been pulled from their website in response to the outcry.

Also read: Walmart employee Rebeca Gonzalez won $1 million jackpot after working on her day off, here's how

What do you think about this? Tell us in the comments.

To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending.
When the Phone Rings has topped the weekly ranking list for most buzzworthy dramas, despite MBC Network's highly-criticised move to postpone episodes 5 & 6 last weekend. And, it's not just in South Korea - this mystery thriller is wowing global audiences too. The Yoo Yeon Seok and Chae Soo Bin starrer has even edged out Gong Yoo's The Trunk by a comfy 9 spots on Netflix, asserting worldwide dominance.

When the Phone Rings most buzzworthy drama of the week

Good Data Corporation's weekly list has unveiled the most buzzworthy TV dramas. On expected lines, When the Phone Rings takes the top spot. This mystery thriller, adapted from a web novel titled The Number You Have Dialed follows a cold husband and his mute wife whose relationship takes a wild turn after a mysterious call.

When the Phone Rings' global dominance!

When the Phone Rings ranks #2 on Netflix's Global Top 10 Non-English Shows list, overtaking The Trunk starring Gong Yoo and Seo Hyun Jin, which is placed at 10th place in the coveted list.

So, what's the secret sauce to MBC drama's success?

The MBC drama is ringing loud and clear, igniting a global fan frenzy. But, why are fans so hooked? Below, we have shared five beloved K-drama tropes that the drama got right.

1. Contract marriage

Contract marriage has long been one of the most loved tropes among K-drama fans. Two strangers, bound by a legal document, fake a relationship while living together for their personal gains only to end up falling head over heels for each other.

2. Cold and distant male lead

Baek Sa-eon, the spokesman to the President, is as sharp as a tack but wait until you see him around his mute wife. Known for his distant personality, he won't let anyone have things their way, but when it comes to his better half, he's often left speechless.

3. Childhood connection

So this trope is highly debatable. While it was a non-negotiable staple in old dramas, some fans are now done with it, and they're not wrong. However, When the Phone Rings' leads are no childhood sweethearts, they are just acquainted, who perhaps found comfort in each other's silence.

4. The Chaebol heir/heiress

Ditching the usual chaebol heir and poor-but-plucky heroine tropes, this drama brings us a refreshing twist: two leads from affluent families, tied together in a marriage of convenience.

5. Slow-burn romance

Slow-burn romance trope has garnered immense popularity in recent times. No rushed relationships, just a deliciously gradual build-up of tension, emotions, and intimacy, making the ultimate payoff all the more satisfying.

Which is your favourite K-drama trope? Let us know.

For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment.
According to sources at the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum, there is a possibility that the asylum claims of Syrian refugees may be temporarily frozen due to the political uncertainty in the country.

The same sources said that Greece is considering this, following the example of other European countries that have done something similar.

Besides,

Immigration and Asylum Minister Nikos Panagiotopoulos, responding to a topical question in Parliament , stressed that he will seek to talk as soon as possible with the new Commissioner for Migration, in order to exchange views on developments.

However, according to the same sources at the Ministry of Immigration and Asylum, any decisions are expected to be taken by the Government Council for Foreign Affairs and Defence (KYSEA), which will meet next Friday under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

   iefimerida.gr
has reached anwith Edison International Shareholdings S.p.A. on the terms of the acquisition of 50% of the company Elpedison .Helleniq Energy Holdings S.E. announced that it

Helleniq Energy: Agreement to acquire 50% of Elpedison for 164 million euros -  
Officers of the Anambra State Police Command have arrested two persons, suspected to be cultists in Akwa area of the state.

The suspects, identified as Okechukwu Chinwuko, from Umunaga Village and Ezenwa Chinedu, were both arrested over the weekend by Police operatives attached to Anti-Cultism Squad Enugu Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area of the state.

Okechukwu and Ezenwa were accused of involving in armed robbery and cultism.

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This was contained in a statement by the Commands Spokesman, Tochukwu Ikkenga, on Monday.

READ MORE: Anambra Police Capture Suspected Cultist With AK-47

He said: Police operatives attached to Anti-Cultism Squad Enugu Ukwu, Njikoka Local Government Area of Anambra State in the late hours of Saturday, 7th December 2024, acting on credible information, raided an identified black spot in Umunaga Village, Awka South LGA.

During the operation, one Okechukwu Chinwuko (M) aged 27 years of Umunaga Village and Ezenwa Chinedu (M) 22 years of Umuneri Village were arrested.

Other incriminating objects recovered include one pump action gun, four live cartridges, Cutlass, Criminal Charms, and substances suspected to be hard drugs.

The operatives also rescued two female victims who the suspects have forcibly abused sexually.
The Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party in Ebonyi State, Comrade Richard Nwafor, has urged 2023 presidential candidate of the party, Atiku Abubakar against pursuing a candidacy in the 2027 general election.

Nwafor noted that PDP needs a new breed of politicians to mount its leadership position.

Speaking during a press briefing on Sunday, in Abakaliki, the partys chieftain proposed that the major opposition party should allocate its presidential ticket to southern region of the country.

Mr. Nwafor expressed displeasure over recent speculation regarding Atikus intentions to seek the presidency in 2027.

He said: Since the dinner in Yola, Adamawa State, I decided to keep mute and watch as it unfolds.

READ MORE: 2027 Presidency: Atiku Yet To Decide Political Future  Sowunmi

However, let it be very clear to those concerned that His Excellency Atiku Abubakar, a man I respect so much, should bury the idea of a 2027 presidential ambition and support a southerner instead of romancing Obi when the two of them couldnt reach an agreement on or before the 2023 election.

This opinion is personal and doesnt represent the generality of my office.

Those close to His Excellency should relate my message to him because the 2027 presidential ticket needs to be zoned to the southern part of Nigeria despite all odds.

We need fresh people to mount the podium of leadership in our great Party (PDP).
The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has appealed to Judges across the nation to change negative perception of the judiciary in the public domain.

Kekere-Ekun led this out on Monday, in Abuja, while declaring open the Court of Appeal 2024 Justices Annual Conference, themed Judicial Introspection.

She said: There is a growing negative perception of the judiciary. We must all individually and collectively work towards changing this negative perception and I must say that at the last meeting of the NJC, we did state when the press release was made, that while the court will look at the complaints, we will look into genuine complaints as we also stand to support our judges and justices.

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READ MORE: Alleged Defamation: Ekiti Court Grants Human Right Activist, Farotimi N50m Bail

We are looking at ways to make sure that where frivolous allegations are made, there are consequences.

Now, the issue of conflicting decisions is one of great concern in our community at present time, and one of the reasons that we have conflicting decisions is because many panels do not hold conferences to discuss all reserved judgments. It is strongly recommended that conferences be held.

I cannot overemphasise this point. We are an appellate court for a reason, and the reason is that several heads are better than one. So holding conferences, and exchanging opinions and ideas on matters that come before us is extremely essential.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has disclosed that a 4-year-old child, Hope Evans, who went missing in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State, has been located in Abuja.

The commands spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, said in a statement on Sunday that Hopes parent, Ms Lydia Jonah Gabriel, declared him missing on October 31, 2024.

According to the statement, the tragic incidence occurred at 2 p.m. when Ms Lydia became concerned about her childs whereabouts, as he was supposed to return from the community primary school in Azube, Port Harcourt.

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The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) revealed that a suspect, Blessing Okoi, currently in custody, is accused of luring the child away from the school premises with biscuits and eggs.

She said, The woman, who was not known to the school management, managed to leave with Hope unnoticed until in the evening when the childs family could not locate him.

She added, Upon realizing that her son was missing, Ms Lydia Jonah, alongside family members, visited the school to gather more information.

According to the PPRO, the individual who stole Hope from school was known locally as Destinys mother.

READ MORE: Dismissed Soldier Arrested With Seven Others For Alleged Armed Robbery, Fraud In Enugu

However, while visiting the suspects (Destiny mums) home, the family discovered that she had swiftly left the premises that same night.

According to Josephine, the childs family reported the incident to the Trans Amadi Police Station.

She stated that the case was then moved to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for a more thorough and speedy investigation.

Josephine explained that after learning that the suspect had fled to Abuja, the victims younger sister reported the incident to the FCT police command.

She stated that the FCT Police Commissioner, CP Olatunji Disu, had ordered an immediate investigation.

She stated that following a thorough investigation, police operatives traced the movements of the suspect, Blessing Okoi, to Maraba, a suburb of Abuja, where she was arrested on November 29.

She said, At approximately 8pm of that day, the 4-year-old Hope Evans was rescued.

The suspect earlier claimed to be the childs mother, even as her claims were inconsistent with information provided by the victims mother.

Josephine further mentioned that the command subsequently reached out to the childs mother, who arrived in Abuja on November 6, and the child was reunited with her.


The Kaduna State government has cautioned its political appointees to refrain from posting random and irresponsible content on social media.

According to a Sunday communique issued after a two-day capacity building workshop, such actions can cause reputational damage to the government.

Political appointees were also advised to desist from random and irresponsible posts on social media because such comments can be misconstrued as the viewpoint of the government, thereby causing reputational damage or public outcry, the communique stated.

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READ ALSO: Yoruba Dominance In Tinubus Cabinet Caused Tax Reform Bill Pushbacks  Sowunmi

The workshop, organized by the office of the Head of Service and the Principal Private Secretary of Governor Uba Sani, emphasized the importance of adhering to laid-down procedures in the conduct of government business.

Public servants must be disciplined, loyal to the government of the day, show courtesy in the discharge of their duties, cooperate with one another, and be honest in all their official engagements, the communique added.

Participants at the workshop commended Governor Sani for his leadership style, which emphasizes inclusion, pro-people policies, workers welfare, and training.

They also called for further training and workshops to be conducted for all categories of civil servants on a continuous basis.
The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service personnel have successfully rescued a 63-year-old plumber, Akin Kuboye, from a deep well in the Igando area of the state.

A statement issued by the Director of the fire agency, Mrs. Margaret Adeseye, on Sunday in Lagos confirmed this.

She revealed that the incident occurred on Sunday, 9:54 a.m., at 20, Muyibi Adebayo Street, off Agric Road, Egan-Igando, Lagos.

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She stated that the rescue team responded to a life-threatening distress call and successfully saved the survivor.

READ MORE: NDLEA Apprehends Grandma With Codeine Bottles In Lagos

On arrival at the scene of emergency, it was discovered that the man reportedly got trapped incidentally while working in a 120m deep well at the rear side of a bungalow consisting of 14 rooms of varying sizes, in a premises covering an area of about 648 square metre.

However, the tenacity of the Ejigbo Rescue crew successfully brought out the acclaimed plumber alive from the well, she said.

Adeseye stated that the plumber was handed over to the Lagos State Ambulance Service (LASAMBUS), who stabilized him after exposure to ammonia gas before transporting him to the hospital for further treatment.


A joint military operation has resulted in the arrest of two suspected terrorists and the recovery of various arms and ammunition in camps belonging to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Eastern Security Network (ESN) in the South-East region.

According to Lt. Col. Jonah Unuakhalu, spokesman for the task force, Operation UDO KA, troops cleared an IPOB/ESN camp at Uhuala-Aku in the Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo on December 5, 2024.

The combined force, acting on credible intelligence, on arrival at the terrorists camp came in contact with the irredentists who were forced to abandon their camp in disarray, escaping into the adjoining forest due to troops superior firepower, Unuakhalu said.

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Items recovered from the camp include one G3 rifle, two pump-action rifles, three Dane guns, one locally-fabricated pistol, one MG belt, two AK-47 rifle magazines, 12 rounds of 5.56mm ammunition, and five rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition.

Other items recovered are a sack containing a human skull, one Toyota Hilux vehicle, six radio chargers, 20 car keys, and one Boafeng radio. Troops also destroyed 26 makeshift accommodations in the camp.

READ ALSO: Child Abducted From Port Harcourt Found In Abuja

Additionally, troops of Sector 2 arrested two suspects terrorizing the Okposi community in Ebonyi and recovered two locally-fabricated pistols, nine live cartridges, and one motorcycle.

In another operation, troops of Sector 1, in conjunction with the Department of State Services, raided an IPOB/ESN camp at Agu Orba Ekwegbe Community in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State.

The combined team recovered various locally-fabricated items, including two General Purpose Machine Guns, one single-barrel gun, 12 rifles under construction, two single-revolver pistols, 10 pistols under construction, and two pistol magazines.

Other recovered items include 335 rounds of 7.62mm by 51mm live ammunition, 12 rounds of pump-action rifle live cartridges, and 11 empty cartridges.

The combined team also recovered 21 military desert boots, eight pairs of military raincoats, three IPOB/ESN flags, a first aid box, six cutlasses, two knives, as well as bags of rice and garri. The camp was subsequently destroyed.

Maj. Gen. Hassan Dada, Force Commander of the task force, called on all well-meaning citizens to embrace dialogue as a tool of maintaining peace and stability in the South-East.


The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has advised northerners nursing presidential ambitions in 2027 to wait until 2031.

Akume made this statement during an appearance on a Television Continental on Sunday.

According to Akume, allowing President Bola Tinubu to complete a potential second term is crucial.

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He also specifically asked Atiku Abubakar, the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2023 elections, not to seek the presidency in 2027.

READ ALSO: Bandits May Hijack Hunger Protest, Tinubu Performing Tremendously Well  SGF Akume

Akume emphasized, Today, its what I said at the convocation of Nile University.

I appealed to my brothers in the north to wait till 2031 to run for presidential election.

It is not yet the time for the north to throw in the hat in the ring. Its not yet the time.

Akume also defended the proposed tax bills, describing them as visionary legislations designed to rescue Nigerias economy.

He urged Nigerians to allow the bills to pass through the legislative process, assuring that President Tinubu still enjoys goodwill despite some of his economic policies.

The SGF noted, President Tinubu, through the reform bills, wants to reposition the nations economy.

It is very easy to destroy but difficult to build; the various reforms being rolled out are meant to rebuild the destroyed Nigeria by previous administrations.
Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, has accused the immediate past administration of Godwin Obaseki of failing to distribute school items donated by President Bola Tinubu for students.

Okpebholo alleged that his predecessor refused to share the books because the Presidents face was printed on them.

The Governor made this known on Monday, when he supervised the distribution of notebooks, textbooks, and other instructional materials in Benin City.

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Okpebholo ordered the distribution of the books across 18 local government areas of the state.

READ MORE: Pray For Gov Okpebholo To Succeed  Philip Shuaibu Begs Edo People

He described the act of hoarding the books as an act of wickedness.

The Governor said: These books you see here were donated by the President of Nigeria, Bola Tinubu for use by Edo children, but the immediate past administration did not distribute them to our children because the Presidents face is printed on the books.

I want to thank the President for his kind gesture, and for me, the action of the former administration is an act of wickedness.

This warehouse is filled with books donated by the President of Nigeria, but because of the wickedness, the then governor prevented the books from being distributed to the children. Today, we are here to distribute the books to our children.

The former governor refused Edo children the use of these books provided by the President, but he could not provide seats for the children to sit comfortably while learning. The action of the former governor is an act of wickedness of the highest order.

Keeping these books away from our children is wickedness, and his actions were wrong. He said he has developed the education system using Edobest, but what we see here today is not best for our children.
A 17-year-old boy, Emeka Odogwu, was reportedly shot dead by a trigger-happy police officer in Ozoro town, Isoko North Local Government Area, Delta State.

The tragic incident reportedly occurred on Saturday night when police officers stormed the area after discovering fireworks in the victims possession.

PUNCH Metro learned that when security operatives attempted to arrest the boy, he resisted, and as he tried to flee, one of the policemen allegedly opened fire, resulting in his death.

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A human rights organisation, Initiative For Social Rights Concerns And Advancement, responded swiftly and severely condemned the victims murder.

READ MORE: Bauchi Police Arrest Three Suspected Robbers With Firearm, Ammunition

In a statement, the initiatives National Coordinator, Derrick Agberen, encouraged the Delta State Police Command to carry out a thorough investigation on the matter and bring the erring officer to justice.

While expressing condolences to the deceaseds family, Agberen also urged Nigerians and community members to be civil in their approach at all times, especially when dealing with armed police officers.

He said, I sympathise with the family of the young boy who was allegedly shot by a police officer at Ozoro last night, arising from knockouts that were found in his possession.

It was alleged that the young man resisted arrest and while he was running, he was shot by one of the police officers.

I condemn in strong terms, the unprofessional conduct of the police operative alleged to have perpetuated the act.

When reached on Sunday, the commands Public Relations Officer, Bright Edafe, confirmed the incident and stated that the policeman has been identified and detained.

The PPRO also stated that Olufemi Abaniwonda, the State Commissioner of Police, had intervened.

The CP has assured the family of justice, Edafe affirmed.


The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned that the proposed Nigeria Tax Reform Bill 2024 will have devastating effects on tertiary education in the country.

According to ASUU National President, Prof. Emmanuel Osodeke, the bills plan to phase out the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) by 2030 will destroy public tertiary institutions and make education unaffordable for the poor.

Osodeke expressed concern that the proposed bill will redirect the Development Levy, an education tax that currently funds TETFund, to the Student Loan Scheme or NELFUND.

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READ ALSO: Military Era More Sympathetic To ASUU, Birthed TETFUND  Prof. Osodeke

With all the Development Levy going to the Student Loan Scheme or NELFUND, public tertiary institutions will be forced to increase tuition fees, which will become exorbitant, he said.

The ASUU president emphasized that TETFund has been crucial in supporting public universities, providing basic facilities that have kept many institutions afloat.

If you visit public tertiary institutions, youll see that anything new or decent on campus has been provided by TETFund, Osodeke pointed out.

Osodeke appealed to the Federal Government to reconsider its plan, warning that its implementation would effectively destroy public tertiary education in the country.
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has appealed to landlords and landowners in the state to avoid immediate increase of rents for its residents.

The Governor gave the advice on Monday, during the unveiling of the link road with bridge in Abiola, Onijemo area, Ifako-Ijaiye Local Government Area of the state.

The Governor went further to appeal to landlords to allow residents enjoy the benefits of the new road.

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He urged them to let the people, especially residents enjoy the benefits of the new road.

Governor Sanwo-Olu added that the purpose of the new infrastructure is to improve the quality of life for residents, not to increase their financial burdens.

He said: I want to appeal to landlords and landowners: do not increase your rents or land prices.

READ MORE: Respect Owners Of Land, Cooperate With Sanwo-Olu  Oba Of Lagos Urges Igbos

The essence of this infrastructure is to bring relief to the people, not create further hardship.

Please ensure the residents can enjoy the benefits after enduring years of environmental challenges. Kabiyesi, kindly ensure this bridge is not used as a dumping site.

I remain committed to addressing longstanding community issues, including flooding and commute challenges.


President Bola Tinubus administration has reiterated its commitment to improving Nigerias food security, according to Aliyu Abdullahi, Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security.

Abdullahi, speaking on Channels Televisions Sunrise Daily program, stated that the Presidents vision is to take Nigeria to a position where no man goes to bed hungry.

The Minister emphasized that food security is a priority for the administration, as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda.

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READ ALSO: God Forbid Tinubus Re-election In 2027  Atikus Aide Replies Akume

Food security is on the front burner in the agriculture sector; it is the mainstream of Nigerias economy, Abdullahi said on Monday.

He added that the government has rolled out programs to ensure food security and improve the lives of citizens.

It is expected to also play a critical role in the economy as a means of poverty alleviation and gender inclusivity, Abdullahi explained.

Despite the administrations efforts, food prices in Nigeria have surged sharply in the past year, contributing to widespread hardship among citizens.
A chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, Segun Sowunmi, has said that President Bola Tinubu should be blamed for the pushback over the tax reform bills introduced by his administration.

Mr. Sowunmi, who was a guest speaker on Channels TVs show, on Sunday, stated that too much of Yorubas in Tinubus cabinet is responsible for the controversy surrounding the bill.

The PDPs chieftain also faulted Mr. President for appointing his tribesmen as finance minister, revenue boss, governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, and tax reform chair.

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Sowunmi who admitted that the legislation is good, added that Tinubu created distrust among northerners by allegedly excluding their kinsmen from his economic and tax teams.

READ MORE: Nigerians Criticizing Tax Reform Bills Havent Read Them  Babangida Aliyu

He said: They (Tinubu and his team) created it by themselves. You cant have FIRS chairman Yoruba, finance (minister) Yoruba, Customs (boss) Yoruba, CBN (governor) Yoruba.

You cant do that. And then suddenly, the Yoruba people came and said we have a new tax regime. They (people of other tribes) will be nervous.

People are not in the National Assembly or the Senate not to protect the interest of their people; thats why they are there. They are representatives of their people. Thats why the pushbacks will come.

You may mean well but let me have some of my own seated at the table to be sure that you mean well. Nobody will sit at the table and cause injury to his tribe.

Mr. Sowunmi, urged President Tinubu to address the northern stakeholders in the language they understand over the controversial bill.

He said: I think the President needs to tell them in very clear language that I wont be sitting here as president and refusing to do the right thing for the country only because you want to threaten me with elections. When we get to the bridge of election, we will cross it.
Senator Ali Ndume, representing Borno South, has reiterated his stance on President Bola Tinubus tax reform bills, emphasizing that the timing is wrong.

Ndume, who had earlier condemned the bills, argued that the focus should be on governance reforms before tax reforms.

Ndume expressed his concerns during an interview with Punch, stating, This issue of VAT and derivation is one of the major issues in the bills. Also, why introduce a taxing system instead of solving critical issues like problems with the budget?

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He pointed out that the country spends over 50% of its budget on recurrent expenditure and debt servicing.

Ndume emphasized the need for prioritization, proper timing, and ensuring the buy-in of Nigerians.

READ ALSO: House Of Reps Proposes Bill To Limit Number Of Ministers To 37

We should be looking at cutting down our recurrent expenditure if we are trying to save money, not tax, he said.

The Senator also questioned the introduction of the tax bills, calling it an unneeded distraction that is unnecessarily heating the polity.

He advocated for the executive to withdraw the bills, consult widely, and remove parts that clash with the Constitution.

Ndume stated, They are just confusing themselves with these bills that contradict the Constitution. So, seeing all of their errors, I think that they should just withdraw the bills, do the proper things, and resend them to the National Assembly for consideration.

He also argued that Northern senators are not divided on the issue, adding that anyone who supports the passage of the bills should openly declare their stance.
The house on Meredith Road in Lower Merion that police say was the site of a home invasion slaying. Read more

Kelvin Roberts and another man broke into a house on a quiet, tree-lined block in Wynnewood to steal from its owners, prosecutors said Monday, and when Andrew Gaudio fought back, he was shot execution style and left to die in his childhood home.

His mother, Bernadette, suffered critical injuries after being shot multiple times but still had the strength to call 911 to report the violent home invasion. Her attackers could be heard in the background of that call, investigators said.

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Roberts, 42, was a fugitive from justice Monday night, being sought on criminal charges including second-degree murder, robbery, and burglary, Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said at an evening news conference.

The motive for what Steele described as a terrible crime that shocked the tight-knit Lower Merion community remains under investigation.

We cant tell you specifically right now whether this was random or targeted. Thats something were continuing to work on and explore, the district attorney said. I can tell you that people shouldnt do this in Montgomery County because we solve our cases, and Im confident were going to solve this one, too.

Around 2:20 a.m. Sunday, police said, Roberts and an accomplice police have not yet identified, broke into the Gaudios home on Meredith Drive through a basement door, Steele said. They stole Bernadette Gaudios jewelry, among other items, and left with her 2004 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Lower Merion police arrived moments later and saw Roberts as he sped away in a Hyundai sedan that investigators later learned was registered to his girlfriend, according to the affidavit of probable cause for his arrest.

Inside the home, the officers found Gaudio, 25, dead. His mother, 61, was rushed to Lankenau Medical Center, where she remained in critical condition Monday.

Detectives traced the sedan Roberts was seen driving to the girlfriend, who lives on Sansom Street near 59th in West Philadelphia, the affidavit said. About a block from that home, the officers found Gaudios stolen Jeep.

At the time of the burglary, the Hyundai bore a license plate belonging to a different vehicle whose owner is dead, the affidavit said  an apparent attempt to obscure the identity of the cars owner and driver.

Surveillance footage from Lower Merion showed Roberts arriving at the Gaudios neighborhood shortly before the burglary, and footage from West Philadelphia recorded him and another man there later, with Roberts carrying two large bags.

After serving a search warrant on the home of Roberts girlfriend, detectives discovered Bernadette Gaudios jewelry box, as well as boxes for two different handguns and ammunition.

The girlfriend told detectives that she hadnt seen Roberts since around 10 a.m. Sunday, when he took the car to take her daughter to the doctor. He never returned the vehicle, she said.

Residents of the quiet, tree-lined block of Meredith Road were shaken by the crime, and most declined to talk about it on Monday. The block of mostly two-story Tudor and Colonial homes was tranquil, save for the sounds of leaves rustling in the wind and squirrels skittering across front yards.

Aside from what appeared to be drops of dried blood on the front walkway, there were no visible traces of the shooting that took place the day before.

The Gaudios had lived in their home for decades, according to neighbors. Bernadette Gaudios husband, Richard Andrew Gaudio, died in 2007 at the age of 45, according to his obituary.

A call to a number listed for Gaudios older son, Robert, was not returned Monday.

One neighbor, who asked not to be identified for safety reasons, said he was asleep at time of the shooting but woke up later Sunday morning to see police tape surrounding the brick house where the crime occurred.

Like other neighbors, he said he was anxious to know more about what happened.

We want to know whether this was targeted or random, he said, so we can sleep better at night.

Investigators said Roberts is dangerous and has a long criminal record of convictions for crimes including assault, as well as drug and firearm offenses.

At the time of the burglary, he had warrants for his arrest for an Oct. 27 theft in North Wales, as well as for a commercial burglary in Philadelphia that took place on Oct. 12.

Anyone with information about Roberts is asked to contact Lower Merion Police at 610-645-6231 or the Montgomery County Detective Bureau at 610-226-5553. There is a $5,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
Authorities are searching for this light-colored vehicle featuring a wheelchair icon on the license plate that they said fled the area of a fatal home invasion in Lower Merion early Sunday morning. Read more

A man was shot and killed and a woman was hospitalized in critical condition with gunshot wounds after a home invasion early Sunday morning in Lower Merion Township, and police were searching for two vehicles captured on camera as they were driven from the scene, authorities said.

At about 2:20 a.m., an unidentified man entered a house on the unit block of Meredith Road in the townships Wynnewood section, according to a statement by the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office and Lower Merion Township police.

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Details of what happened on the quiet residential block were sparse Sunday.

Authorities had not released the identities or ages of the victims. A spokesperson for the district attorneys office said they appeared to be a son and his mother.

We are not sure as of right now if there was any connection between the suspects and the victims, a spokesperson for the DAs office said Sunday afternoon. Authorities said they believe they are seeking at least two suspects.

Investigators are searching for a man seen on camera fleeing the area in a light-colored sedan bearing a license plate with the number 24963 and a wheelchair icon. It is not clear from the picture what state the vehicle is registered in or what make and model it is.

A 2004 green Jeep Cherokee that police said was stolen during the home invasion had been recovered in West Philadelphia and was being processed, the spokesperson said Sunday night. A forensic analysis was not complete.

Pictures of both vehicles, with a man visible inside the sedan, were being circulated by investigators, who are offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of anyone involved in the homicide.

Tipsters are asked to call Lower Merion Township Police at 610-645-6231 or the Montgomery County Detective Bureau at 610-226-5553.

House break-ins have become a concern among Lower Merion residents. At a community meeting on burglaries in early November, people asked police what to do if they encountered a burglar in their home and inquired about the free home security survey system provided by the police department.

On Tuesday, a man was identified in connection with burglaries in Gladwyne and Philadelphia. An arrest warrant was issued, but he had not yet been detained.

Police are asking Lower Merion residents to keep an eye on their police department crime alerts and sign up for the Vacant House program if they expect to not be home for more than 48 hours.

Staff writer Alison McCook contributed to this article.
Third-party tracking is common on business and retail websites, but the practice has been controversial in health care. Read more

Robert Stewart used his Jefferson Health online patient portal to discuss ways to manage his diabetes with his doctors. Shortly after, his Facebook feed was full of ads for Ozempic and other medications to treat the condition.

The Philadelphia man says in a federal class action lawsuit that Jefferson violated his privacy rights by enabling Facebook to track confidential health information and match it to social media profiles.

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Jefferson is among a growing number of health systems facing lawsuits that claim they allowed Facebooks third-party tracking technology, Meta Pixel, access to private patient information. The lawsuit says Jefferson patients were tracked on the health systems public-facing homepage, as well as within a password-protected portal where doctors and patients communicate directly.

Main Line Health, Redeemer Health, and Tower Health have faced similar accusations in lawsuits testing patient protection laws that were written before the age of social media networks and mobile apps.

The cases could offer a rare look into health systems interactions with now-ubiquitous third-party tracking, which lets businesses learn about their customers interests to better target advertising. Retailers use tracking to get insight on what types of clothes and shoes their customers like best, and media companies use it to tailor news feeds to topics of interest to their readers.

But in health care, the practice has been controversial because peoples medical information is protected by HIPAA, a federal privacy law that prohibits doctors, hospitals, and insurers from sharing personal details about patients without their permission.

In the Jefferson case, the concern about trackers embedded within the secure portal is especially worrisome, Stewarts lawyers said, because patients logging in expect the same level of privacy as inside a doctors office. They declined to make Stewart and another patient named in the lawsuit available for interviews.

Jefferson denies using Meta Pixel on its patient portals in legal filings. It acknowledged using third-party tracking technology on its public-facing websites, which do not contain private medical information. The health system declined further comment because the lawsuit is pending.

As courts grapple with the legal issues surrounding third-party tracking, many hospital systems nationally have moved away from the practice.

An Inquirer analysis found that most hospital systems in the Philadelphia area (including Jefferson) do not currently use Meta Pixel on their publicly-facing webpages. Thats a shift from three years ago, when an analysis by University of Pennsylvania researchers found that the vast majority of hospital websites used the technology.

Doctors and hospital systems have a clear duty to do no harm through their websites, said Albert Fox Cahn, executive director of Surveillance Technology Oversight Project (STOP), a New York-based civil rights and online privacy nonprofit that is not involved in the lawsuit. It really is indefensible to see health-care providers using tracking technologies that put profits ahead of patients.

Ongoing privacy concerns

Nearly 99% of hospital websites had third-party trackers installed in 2021, according to a Health Affairs study by University of Pennsylvania researchers.

Meta offers a tool that allows anyone to check if the companys tracker is embedded on a specific webpage. The Inquirer used this tool, Meta Pixel Helper, on the websites of more than 40 hospitals in the Philadelphia area and found that two had Meta Pixel installed on their public-facing websites: Crozer Health and Shriners Childrens Philadelphia.

Crozer and Shriners did not respond to requests for comment.

The search is a snapshot in time, as Meta Pixel can be easily turned on or off. This means hospitals that did not have Meta Pixel in use when The Inquirer checked in mid-November could have been using it when Penn checked for its 2021 study.

For example, an analysis by STAT News and The Markup of Newsweeks top 100 hospitals found the tracker on a third of websites in 2022. Among those with active trackers at the time were Penn Medicine and Jefferson webpages.

The Inquirers analysis focused on Facebooks Meta Pixel because it is commonly used and has been the focus of the litigation. But other companies, including Google, use similar trackers.

The Inquirer wasnt able to check whether Pixel has been embedded on patient portals, which are password-protected and only accessible to patients.

But the ongoing lawsuits indicate the practice remains an issue, and it can be difficult for patients to win in court.

This month, a federal court dismissed a case that accused Tower Health of using Meta Pixel because the facts simply werent there and werent coming, U.S. District Judge John Murphy said in the decision. For example, the patients complaints did not describe specific HIPAA-protected information that was transmitted to Meta, he said.

Main Line Health and Redeemer Health are facing similar claims to Jefferson.

In both cases, patients lawyers have revised their original complaints multiple times in an attempt to show enough evidence for the case to proceed in court.

Spokespersons for Main Line, Tower, and Redeemer declined to comment.

Some health systems may not realize the technology is baked into their websites. Technology managers that contract out website development may not be fully aware of the unique security and privacy concerns in health care, said Andrew Tomlinson, senior director of regulatory and international affairs for the American Health Information Management Association (AHIMA), which represents health IT managers.

Its a challenge, but organizations have to understand what theyre using, he said. Theres no excuse.

Jefferson in the patient privacy spotlight

In the Philadelphia region, the case against Jefferson has cleared a critical hurdle other lawsuits have not: A judge in September denied the health systems request to dismiss, allowing the case to advance against the health system, whose 32 hospitals and $10 billion annual revenue make it the largest in the region and a national leader.

Thousands of people could have been affected by Jeffersons alleged use of Meta Pixel, the lawsuit against it says. The complaint asks for as much as $10,000 for each person affected.

The lawsuit alleges that Meta had access to information about when patients logged into the portal, when they scheduled appointments, and information they typed into the appointment form.

Meta also had access to website URLs that describe where patients go after using the portal, such as what providers, specialists, and medical condition pages they visited on Jeffersons website, the lawsuit claims.

Patients were not notified that their information would be shared and did not give permission, the lawsuit claims. HIPAA requires health-care providers to get patient permission before sharing their health information.

These folks disclosed personal, private, privileged information that was then transmitted from a provider who is sworn to keep this secret in the vault, said James Zouras, partner at Stephan Zouras, a national law firm in Chicago representing the class action.

The two named plaintiffs, Stewart and Nancy Murphy, suspected that their health information had been compromised when they started seeing Facebook ads related to medical issues, such as diabetes, kidney stones, and smoking cessation that they had discussed with Jefferson providers through the patient portal.

Zouras declined to make either available for an interview.

His lawsuit also says Jefferson received reports from Meta that offered analysis on how people used its websites and used the data for commercial purposes.

Jefferson said that it never used Meta Pixel on any of its patient portals, defending its use of third-party trackers on its public-facing websites as in line with most websites on the internet.

The deployment of these tools enabled Defendant to measure browsing traffic, ensure website optimization, and increase awareness of the services offered by Jefferson Health to the community at large, the system said in court filings.

An issue in legal and political crosshairs

Boston-area health systems agreed to a high-profile $18.4 million settlement in 2022 for their use of third-party trackers, sparking interest among academics and attorneys in the issue. The Biden administration later that year tried to prohibit the practice, but a federal judge in Texas ruled this summer that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services didnt have the authority to ban third-party tracking.

And experts think lawsuits like the one against Jefferson may be increasingly difficult to win after the Texas federal court ruling.

Theres a lot of money to be made in the short-term, said Cahn, whose New York-based organization, STOP, advocates for civil rights in online privacy. Some people view these lawsuits as the cost of doing business.

The future of cases like the one against Jefferson could depend on whether the incoming Trump administration attempts to uphold the HHS guidance or allows lower courts rulings to stand.
Yvonne Orr speaks to media gathered at news conference held by Council member Jamie Gauthier. Gauthier and members of MOVE family and friends gather in Mayors Reception Room, City Hall, Philadelphia for press conference, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024 calling for return of MOVE member remains of Delisha Africa by Penn Museum. Background left are Council members Jamie Gauthier, Nicolas ORourke, Gabe Bryant, Mike Africa, Jr., and Basym Hasan. Read more

Members of the MOVE organization on Monday called for the Penn Museum to return the remains of a 12-year-old victim of the MOVE bombing that had been kept at the museum for decades.

Delisha Africa was one of five children killed alongside six adults on May 13, 1985, when Philadelphia police dropped an incendiary device on the West Philadelphia rowhouse of the Black liberation group and activist group. For years, it was believed that the bodies of the victims had been laid to rest.

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In 2021, however, a West Philadelphia activist revealed in The Inquirer that Janet Monge and Alan Mann, anthropologists at the Penn Museum enlisted to help identify remains, had kept the bones of at least one victim and used them as teaching tools, including in an open-access video course viewed by thousands.

Although some people had raised concerns that more remains were still at the museum, the university has long cited in response an extensive report by the Tucker Law Group, which held that the museum had not retained any other remains from the bombing.

But last month, Penn acknowledged in a statement on its website that it had found additional remains at the museum and identified them as those of Delisha Africa.

 READ MORE: Read more Inquirer coverage of the MOVE bombing

On Monday, MOVE members, who often take the common surname Africa, held a news conference at City Hall, asking that Penn to return the newly discovered remains to Delisha Africas family.

They also called for the arrests of Monge and Mann, who have both since left the university.

I want you to take a moment to imagine your daughter, your sister, being cooked and burned alive, screaming, trying to get out of the house, balling up because theres nothing else that she can do. And then when others tried to escape, [they were] shot back into that burning fuselage, said Yvonne Orr, Delisha Africas older sister, referencing survivors testimony that Philadelphia police shot at MOVE members trying to escape the burning building.

Orr remembered her sister as a playful child with a streak of sarcasm who wanted to become a doctor or a teacher.

Councilmember Jamie Gauthier, who hosted Mondays news conference at City Hall, said that City Council has not taken any formal steps of accountability towards Penn but that she is open to exploring that step.

 READ MORE: Penn says it has found more human remains from the MOVE bombing at its museum

There is absolutely no possible justification for the museums barbaric treatment of a Black childs body, said Gauthier, whose district includes the site where the MOVE building was located on the 6200 block of Osage Avenue.

In a statement, a Penn spokesperson said that the university had immediately notified the Africa family after the discovery of Delisha Africas remains and have been in direct contact with the mothers of children killed in the bombing since.

We are waiting to learn more about their wishes, the statement said.

A lawyer for Janet Monge denied in an interview that the bones recently found at Penn were Delishas and said the city medical examiner had returned the childs remains to her family in 1986.

The chain of custody of the MOVE victims remains

Issues with the chain of custody around the remains of the MOVE victims began almost immediately after the deadly fire.

Philadelphia police had confronted MOVE members at their rowhouse headquarters, where their activities had stirred a string of complaints from Osage Avenue neighbors. During the daylong standoff, MOVE members fired guns from the house at police, who returned fire with 10,000 rounds of ammunition. Then police dropped explosives on the house from a helicopter.

Though firefighters were on hand, the city let the subsequent fire burn, killing 11 people in the MOVE house and destroying more than 60 houses overall, leaving hundreds homeless.

After the fire was extinguished, the city Medical Examiners Office did not immediately secure the scene, leaving the Fire Department and police to excavate the ruins with cranes  destroying crucial evidence and damaging remains of victims in the process.

Monge and Mann, then Penn researchers, were asked to help identify the remains of victims whose identities were in dispute. For decades, they kept some of those remains at the museum, and as late at 2019, Monge displayed bones of a victim in an online video.

An independent report commissioned by Penn said those remains were unidentifiable, and the university returned the remains displayed in the video to MOVE members.

But a lawsuit filed by Lionell Dotson, the brother of 14-year-old bombing victim Katricia Dotson, alleges that the bones were that of his sister and that Penn never made significant progress toward identifying them despite other experts agreeing that they were, in fact, Katricias.

In 2021, shortly after it was revealed that Penn had kept remains of a bombing victim, then-health commissioner Thomas Farley resigned after acknowledging that the city Medical Examiners office had also been in possession of the remains of MOVE bombing victims and that he had ordered them cremated to spare the Africa family pain.

A staffer in the MEs office disobeyed the cremation order, and remains identified as those of Katricia Dotson and her younger sister Zanetta were later returned to their brother.

New revelations at Penn

Last year, activist Abdul-Aliy Muhammad, who had first reported on Penns possession of MOVE victim remains in The Inquirer, held a news conference with several surviving family members of the victims alleging that they had photographic proof that Monge had kept more bone fragments at Penn.

Monge had told investigators hired by Penn and Princeton University, both working on separate, independent reports on the handling of MOVE victims remains, that she had been in possession of only one victims remains.

But Muhammad distributed to reporters a 2014 photo of Monge next to a table holding several bone fragments, saying two people trained in human osteology had independently agreed that the remains matched those of two victims  Katricia Dotson and Delisha Africa.

Through a lawyer, Monge said the allegations were nothing new and declined further comment, citing an ongoing defamation lawsuit over media coverage of the case.

Penns independent review of the MOVE victims remains was unable to find credible evidence that Mann and Monge had kept a set of remains suspected to be Delishas and concluded that the remains were never at the museum.

But last month, the Penn Museum updated a page on its website to state that it had found more human remains and identified them as Delishas during a rigorous inventory on the thousands of human remains kept at the museum.

Other allegations

At Mondays news conference, Mike Africa Jr. said he had recently spoken to Christopher Woods, the director of the Penn Museum. He said Woods assured him that he would do all he could to find any remains of the bombing victims at the museum.

He told me that it was hard to find Delishas remains because they were placed inside an unmarked box that was also placed inside another unmarked box that was tucked away in a corner of the museum, Africa said. He said that he believed it was deliberately hidden.

A Penn spokesperson said that Africa was told that the remains had been placed in an unmarked box but that Woods did not say that the box was deliberately hidden.

Questions remain about other bones that Africa family members allege are still at the museum.

Yvonne Orr said that at some point in the past few years, Penn had given her a set of remains that they said were her sister Delishas. She said that she had the remains tested and that they instead were the remains of a dog.

She declined to say more on the incident, saying it was not public record. A Penn spokesperson said the university has no information on record to validate this claim.

Mike Africa also said that the MOVE organization has documentation that Penn had also been in possession of the remains of Zanetta Dotson. Penn did not comment on the allegation.

Janet Africa, a longtime MOVE member and Delisha Africas mother, said in a voice message after the news conference that Mike Africa does not speak on her behalf about her daughters remains, and that those who identify as members of MOVE do not necessarily engage in activism together or share beliefs.

Allison Beck is a Temple University student who has been reporting on MOVE for the Logan Center for Urban Investigative Reporting at the schools Klein College of Media and Communication.
Haverford College has urged its international students to be back on campus before President-elect Donald Trump is inaugurated on Jan. 20, alerting them to potential immigration changes and reminding them their social media posts can be searched by authorities.

The University of Pennsylvania issued a similar notice to students who may be traveling to and from their homelands or other countries during winter break.

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We understand these circumstances can feel overwhelming and stressful, Haverfords Office of International Student Support wrote. We are closely monitoring developments and consulting with legal counsel.  We are committed to keeping you informed and supporting you through any challenges.

The imminent arrival of a second Trump administration, and its promised hard focus on immigration, is driving concern not only in migrant communities in Philadelphia and around the United States, but also on American campuses that collectively host more than 1.1 million foreign students.

The University of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Wesleyan University, and Yale University have issued advisories or hosted events to answer questions, the BBC reported.

Most Philadelphia-area colleges start their semesters before or immediately after Jan. 20, so its likely many local students already will have returned to the country before the inauguration.

International students say they are concerned about increased scrutiny, processing delays, and their ability to stay and work in the U.S. when their education is completed. Currently, under some conditions, international students can work for years in the United States and even seek to settle here permanently.

For me, theres somewhat of a concern whether the sentiments toward international students will change, said a Chinese underclassman at Haverford, who asked that her name not be published because she feared repercussions from the new administration.

International students represent about 13% of the 1,472 students at Haverford College, who come from 51 countries to the highly selective undergraduate liberal-arts institution outside Philadelphia.

Trump has promised to reinstate, even bigger than before, his first-term travel ban that barred people from predominantly Muslim countries, which could affect college students, and to expand the exclusion to refugees from Gaza.

 READ MORE: Penn issues new temporary guidelines on campus protests: Encampments are banned

He has threatened to revoke the visas of pro-Palestinian protesters who have rallied in favor of Hamas or other designated terrorist groups or have been suspended or expelled from their campuses. Protesters erected encampments that disrupted campuses locally and nationally in the spring.

A looming risk

More than half the international students in the U.S. come from China and India.

Temple University sophomore Moulishka Sawant, 19, here from India, wants Trump to follow through on an idea he shared about letting some students stay.

 READ MORE: Temple enrolls first international students under new #YouAreWelcomeHere scholarships

She noted that Trump said he would push for a program to provide green cards  permanent residency  to all international students upon graduation, so they could contribute to the U.S. economy. His campaign quickly clarified that such a policy would apply only to the most skilled graduates who can make significant contributions to America, the New York Times reported.

I think if he is going to stand by what he said, then I feel really hopeful, said Sawant, a computer-science major.

 READ MORE: Temple scholarship effort to welcome international students spreads to more than 50 colleges

Others are more concerned.

I think Trump being president will make it harder to study in USA, said Wang Ke, 23, a graduate student in entrepreneurship who came to Temple University from China.

Shes not planning to travel home this summer because she wants to get an internship, but also because of concern about whether she would be allowed to return.

Im scared that his attitude toward China may influence  some people to also have a bad attitude toward Chinese, she said.

The impact on schools

Together, the million-plus international scholars account for nearly 6% of all college students in this country, according to Open Doors, an information resource sponsored by the State Department. International students are attractive to colleges because they frequently pay full tuition costs. They also bring diversity, global thinking, and cultural breadth to campuses.

Their risk looms not only in travel bans aimed at specific countries, but also in processing delays that could hinder their ability to be in the U.S. in time for classes.

In late November, Haverford alerted students to potential complications under the new administration, reminding them they can seek permission to move back to campus as early as Jan. 14. It told students to be mindful of their online presence, which can be subject to review by authorities.

Some visa applications ask applicants to provide their social media handles and usernames from the last five years, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers can inspect the electronic devices of those entering the United States.

At Temple, I think theres more fear of the unknown than real concern about changes in administration policy, said Martyn Miller, assistant vice president of the Office of Global Engagement. International students saw processing delays during Trumps first term, but experienced little other impact, he said.

I might be optimistic but I believe the same will happen now, he said. If a student has the paperwork in order, I dont see any issues.

International students had an economic impact of $43 billion in 2023, which creates bipartisan political support for having students come here to learn, he said.

Losing them could post a risk for colleges. Any absence of international students could further erode enrollment at a time when schools already are competing for a shrinking number of high school students.

First-year international enrollments declined every year during Trumps presidency. Overall international enrollment increased slightly in all but his final year, largely because more students stayed in postgraduation campus positions or internships.

Now is the time to prepare, not panic

Allan Goodman, chief executive officer of the Institute of International Education, which produces Open Doors, is cautiously optimistic that campus fears might not be realized.

Its much too soon to tell, but weve seen the movie, at least the first installment of the movie, before, he said, and America led the world in hosting international students, and I think we still will.

Miriam Feldblum, executive director of the Presidents Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, whose membership of nearly 600 college presidents includes those from Rowan, Rutgers, Bryn Mawr, Penn, Haverford, and Swarthmore said, Now is the time to prepare, not panic.

Trump has pledged to carry out the largest deportation in American history, targeting millions of undocumented immigrants who live in the United States. That poses a threat to another group of college students  more than 400,000 undocumented who are enrolled in U.S. higher education. All could potentially face deportation.

About 30% of those students have protection from deportation under DACA, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, a program that allows some people who were here as children to live, work, and drive in the U.S.

DACA provides no permanent immigration status, nor does it offer a path to citizenship. Trump tried to end DACA during his first term, and a case challenging the legality of the program is in litigation.

International student Chidinma Agbara, here from Nigeria and seeking her MBA at Temple, said she became concerned when she saw online notices telling international students to return to the U.S. before the inauguration. She plans no winter travel over break but intends to travel to Nigeria this summer.

What I tell myself now is I am here legally, and I have done everything Im supposed to do as an international student, said Agbara, who works in the universitys global engagement office. Another thing that is a comfort to me is we have a department here dedicated to international students at Temple. If I have any problems, I know they would assist.

This article contains information from the Associated Press.
Tammy Donahue, 43, has been living in what can be characterized as small encampments along a section of the Delaware River Trail in South Philadelphia for about a year and a half. Donahue and the people who have made the area their home describe a sense of security, consistency, and community that cant be found in a shelter or areas like Kensington or Center City.

But that small sense of comfort is now in peril, according to people who have been pitching tents and taking shelter on the vacant piers and in foliaged sections off the path that runs from what is colloquially known as Walmart Pier to Washington Avenue.

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They say they were told  its unclear by whom  that a major sweep and breakup of living arrangements were imminent. On Thanksgiving morning, amid the cold rain, eviction defense attorneys and other homeless outreach volunteers waited for a clearing order that never came, despite earlier warnings that encampment members thought came from city employees.

Theres nothing worse than having to break down your house and then build a new one in the middle of winter, said Donahue of her tarp setup on the cold, rainy Friday evening before Thanksgiving.

The reality is that the forthcoming clearing Donahue and her neighbors are worried about will be narrower in focus, according to the Delaware River Waterfront Corp., which owns and operates the trail and some piers, acting as the waterfronts steward.

The nonprofit stays in touch with nearby property owners and was told by the stewards of 1341 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd. that the sweep would focus on that property, which includes the tucked-away setup Donahue and 10 to 12 others are calling home on an abandoned pier. But the confusion about when such a sweep would take place and who would be running it calls attention to how certain homeless populations can fall through the cracks by being out of sight.

The half-mile area Donahue and others have occupied for several years along the Delaware River Trail is a patchwork of sidewalks and privately held land.

People living along the trail describe a handful of clearings in recent months. They are often unsure who is behind them or what type of notice, if any, they are entitled to.

Encampment residents say if the goal of these sweeps has been to clear the trail or get residents into housing, they havent worked.

A patchwork of clearing efforts

Take a clearing from Nov. 4. A privately owned lot along Reed Street, tucked behind a Giant supermarket, was being cleared of a handful of RVs that had set up there. The city stepped in because people were also living on a small section of Reed Street and it had received a complaint about the living arrangements from a local business. A spokesperson for the Office of Homeless Services said people  the number was not specified  were disbanded and one tent owner relocated to the nearby pier, which is not city property.

That pier, where Donahue lives, is expected to be cleared next by its owners, though its unclear when because they are not obligated to notify the city of their plans. Who operates the pier is just as hazy. According to city records, the owner is K4 Philadelphia LLC, a firm that as recently as 2017 had ambitions to transform that section of the waterfront with residential towers. Messages to K4 were not returned, and the waterfront corporation said it has been dealing with another point of contact, but the nonprofit did not say who that was.

The city said the clearing is tentatively set to take place the second week of December, but the Delaware River Waterfront Corp., which isnt behind the clearing, was told it is slated to happen closer to the end of the year.

Complicating matters is the safety of the vacant piers. Joseph Forkin, president of the waterfront corporation, called these structures unsafe, saying they havent been inspected in years.

As we all just saw this past July with the partial collapse of Graffiti Pier in the Port Richmond neighborhood, those pier structures are just unstable for anyone to be on, he said.

The protocol for waterfront corporation employees and subcontractors who clean the trail is to issue a warning to people living outside.

If we encounter someone on a pier structure, we will approach them then and say, Hey, this is not a safe place to be, you know, well have to ask you to move it at some point in time, said Forkin, adding this could have added to rumors of a widespread sweep.

When the waterfront corporation employees come across people experiencing homelessness, they will contact the city for support, Forkin said. The nonprofit encourages others to do the same, giving notice if they plan to conduct a clearing.

The city said it does not participate in privately executed encampment clearings.

The city cannot address what may have happened or will happen with surrounding/adjacent non-city-owned or managed properties, said a spokesperson for the Office of Homeless Services in a statement. Those owners are responsible for their own cleanups or clearings, which are separate and independent of the citys encampment resolution process.

We obviously need some people in our lives

In many ways, the pending eviction along the bike path highlights the many facets of Philadelphias homeless population, which exceeds 5,000, according to city data collected at the start of the year. The count captures a variety of backgrounds and stories, including people living in emergency shelters, safe havens, and transitional housing, as well as completely unsheltered people. Some live with addiction and mental health issues and are not in touch with social services. Others work every day. Some report being on yearslong wait lists for affordable housing. Others, like Donahue, are unsure if theyre even on those lists anymore.

Were like a community, and going into shelters and breaking up is not healthy, Donahue said. This is our family. We obviously need some people in our lives or else we wouldnt be here to begin with.

Donahue and her peers are frustrated yet clear-eyed about their situation. City-led encampment clearings in Kensington have featured prominently displayed signage full of information and touting a social services-led approach  though it hasnt always worked out that way in practice. But residents on the pier say they havent received such offers.

Even if the caseworkers were to come, members of the encampment worry their only options would be to move elsewhere or take a shelter bed, which is the last thing many want.

Donahue worries about theft. Russell Bullock, 45, said he once witnessed someone get stabbed at a shelter. Forty-six-year-old Dionicio Martinez, a former assistant professor at Drexel University who lost his job during the pandemic, said the shelter curfews would make it harder for him to pick up gig work delivering food.

I can go deliver, make some good money from 2 a.m. to 6 a.m., and if my shelter is preventing me from doing that, then theyre preventing me from progress, he said.

Bullock would settle for a postponement in the pier-clearing plans until warmer weather returns. Here he has friends who check in on him and volunteers who deliver blankets, personal hygiene products, and snacks.

But its difficult for residents to advocate for themselves when they dont know whats coming, when, or from whom.

When the city leads a clearing, residents get a 30-day notice and at least 30 days of free storage of their belongings. Without contact with the pier owners, residents dont know whats in store. The Office of Homeless Services said it cant comment on peoples legal rights when they are camping on property that is not City-owned or managed.

We can keep getting moved around and shuffled, but the main problem is actual housing, Donahue said. If we had a place to go or alternatives, I think that we would use them, obviously. This is all we have left.

Staff writer Ryan Briggs contributed to this article.
Philadelphia Sheriff Rochelle Bilal, (left), attending Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers first budget address in City Council chambers, has been directed by city judges to address security failures in courts buildings. The problem is due to a shortage of sheriff's deputies. Read more

Philadelphias judges say they dont feel safe in their own courtrooms as a result of security failures under Sheriff Rochelle Bilal  and they have ordered her to fix them within three months.

An Inquirer report in September revealed that a shortage of sheriffs deputies had jeopardized order in the courts, with incidents like assaults and threats nearly tripling since 2019, the year before Bilal took office. The shortage has also caused delays and postponements of criminal proceedings because inmates are not being transported from holding cells to courtrooms.

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Monday, in a rare move, the Administrative Governing Board of the First Judicial District, a panel of judges that oversees Philadelphia court operations, filed a court order demanding that Bilal resolve the problem within 90 days.

The proper administration of justice in the Courts of the First Judicial District has been  and will continue to be  threatened due to the Philadelphia Sheriff Offices systemic failures to properly staff courtrooms and court facilities, the order states, adding that the Sheriff of Philadelphia has failed in her responsibility to timely transport incarcerated defendants between the holding rooms and courtrooms.

The lapses in security pose an imminent threat to the safety and health of all persons present in the courthouses, the order states, adding that lengthy delays due to stalled prisoner transport is burdening lawyers, jurors, and witnesses who appear for criminal proceedings.

The judges said they had repeatedly sought to resolve these operational issues with Bilal and her staff to no avail, according to the order.

Theyre now directing Bilal to submit within 30 days a corrective action plan detailing how she will address prisoner transportation problems; ensure that at least one deputy is present in every criminal, family, and traffic courtroom; and add additional security to less-sensitive court facilities.

 READ MORE: Disaster waiting to happen: Courthouse security incidents, trial delays have soared under Sheriff Rochelle Bilal

The order is signed by Common Pleas Court President Judge Nina Wright Padilla, Municipal Court President Judge T. Francis Shields, and four administrative judges  Daniel J. Anders, Joffie C. Pittman III, Margaret T. Murphy, and Sheila Woods-Skipper.

It does not outline specific penalties for failing to abide by the terms of the order.

This year in Dauphin County, an elected court clerk accused of mismanaging her office was given a similar court-imposed deadline for corrective action. She ultimately resigned from office rather than face a contempt hearing, prompting the state Supreme Court to declare a judicial emergency and appoint a replacement.

Over the summer, state Rep. Jared Solomon (D., Philadelphia) wrote to Wright Padilla, asking her to investigate the Philadelphia Sheriffs Office and take corrective action  and consider holding Bilal in contempt if she doesnt comply. Solomons tactic appeared to be modeled after what transpired in Dauphin County.

A court administrator on Monday sent a copy of the order to Mayor Cherelle L. Parker and Council President Kenyatta Johnson, along with a letter explaining the decision. Parker and Johnson did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Nor did Bilal.

Solomon thanked the court for taking this first step in making sure that our citizens are safe.

This is the court stepping in and saying, look, when our institutions are not working, we need to make sure theyre held accountable, Solomon said, referring to the sheriffs office.

Philadelphia Bar Association Chancellor Jen Coatsworth issued a statement Monday afternoon in support of the court order. She called on the sheriffs office, the mayors office, City Council, and the First Judicial District to work together to address the problem.

This disturbing rise in [security] incidents not only creates a safety risk, but also make it challenging for the courts to ensure that cases are heard in a timely manner and that litigants in already stressful situations do not experience additional trauma related to a lack of security, Coatsworth said.

The Inquirer has reported that security incidents inside city court facilities have increased rapidly under Bilal. This year, they are on track to exceed more than 80 incidents, up from 25 in 2019, the year before Bilal took office.

Its a disaster waiting to happen, one judge told the newspaper.

Judges blame the problems on the declining presence of deputies in courtrooms and common areas. In past years, each criminal courtroom was assigned a deputy. But the sheriffs office has estimated that it has less than half of the staff needed to fully secure the citys Criminal Justice Center.

That shortage has led to delays during critical moments in trials, such as sentencings, as court staff wait for Bilals office to provide a deputy.

The emotional cost to victims and defendants families waiting for hours for their opportunities to give victim impact testimony or address the court is unquantifiable, Common Pleas Court Judge Barbara McDermott said in a statement in September.

Public defenders say inmates are waiting for hours in justice center basement holding cells and, in some cases, end up being driven back to prison because a deputy failed to escort them into the courtroom.

Its shocking and disappointing, Benjamin Jaye, assistant chief of the Municipal Court trials department at the Defender Association of Philadelphia, said in September. The liberty of our clients is at stake and in jeopardy because there simply arent enough deputies.

Prosecutors in District Attorney Larry Krasners office have also been frustrated with the delays. Some cases are being postponed. They typically get weaker over time.

My ADAs are coming back and saying all these cases got rolled because we cant get a sheriff, Eleni Belisonzi, chief of the Municipal Court unit in the district attorneys office, said in September. She said she had noticed a huge increase in delayed cases over the summer.

Bilal, in City Council budget hearings this year, said her office had been unable to increase staff because of the national shortage in sworn law enforcement officers. (Additionally, the Philadelphia Police Department is short nearly 1,300 officers.)

The sheriff has argued that she is kneecapped by lower pay rates than the police department and procedural obstacles that make hiring more difficult: The closest training academy for sheriffs deputies is more than three hours away, in State College, Pa.

But Bilals office has also been dogged by dysfunction and questionable budgetary decisions.

In 2022, after Bilal sought and received additional money from the city for hires, her administration instead used some of the funds to give raises to non-uniformed executive staff, according to an internal memo. The office also initially attempted to double Bilals own salary as part of that funding shift. That is prohibited by the City Charter.

The office now has dozens of deputy positions that are funded but not filled, ending the last fiscal year with a $1 million payroll surplus due to unfilled jobs, according to a spokesperson for the city.

The sheriffs other key function  auctioning foreclosed real estate  has also been plagued by problems since Bilal took office in 2020.

Sales of tax-delinquent properties had been on hold for more than three years because of a contract dispute. During that time, the city and school district were unable to collect $35 million in delinquent taxes.

Those auctions resumed over the summer, but the office is now failing to promptly finalize the sales, leaving buyers waiting up to a year to receive property deeds. Several buyes have petitioned the court to try to obtain deeds. One lawyer recently notified the city that he intends to depose Bilal if he cant get answers about why the system isnt working.

I feel like Ive been robbed, one buyer who has been waiting for a deed since March told The Inquirer last month.

Meanwhile, the Sheriffs Office has been collecting millions of dollars in service fees  but not turning the money over to the city, as required by the City Charter. That public money has been used for a range of discretionary expenditures with little oversight, from ammunition and other supplies, to disc jockeys and even a $9,250 office mascot.
Syrians are dancing in the streets of Damascus and other cities, to celebrate the collapse of the hideous regime of Bashar al-Assad, the man responsible for an estimated 600,000 dead in a 13-year-long civil war  including tens of thousands viciously tortured to death in his dungeons.

Those still alive have been staggering out of liberated prisons, limping and running toward family and freedom.

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This is the moment of celebration, I was told by the University of Oklahomas Joshua Landis, a Syria specialist with family in the country. He told me the dispirited Syrian army had faded away and let rebels win because they had been receiving little or no pay and no further support from their Russian and Iranian backers.

Thats the good news.

The not so good news: No one is certain what kind of government will follow Assad in the weeks to come  whether it will help stabilize the region, including Lebanon and possibly Gaza, or further tear it apart.

The critical news, which may save Syria from a relapse into violence: Assads flight to exile in Moscow is a body blow to Irans ayatollahs and Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, for whom Syria had critical importance. It displays their increasing weakness and paints them as losers. It makes them more vulnerable to anyone who seeks negotiations with either.

President-elect Trump, take note.

The immediate post-Assad threat is that Syria might collapse into separate militia fiefs or into another civil war. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (known as HTS)  the main rebel group that toppled the government in a lightning advance from the north  was once the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda. Its leader, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, broke with the terrorist group several years ago and is trying to soften his image. But Syrias many minorities will have doubts.

Jolanis going to have to reach out to all these different Syrian communities, said Landis, hopefully.

I still recall my last visit inside Syria in 2012, during the Arab Spring just before the heightened civil war and Islamist kidnappings made journalistic access almost impossible.

With a Syrian translator, I visited a headquarters of a group called Ahrar al-Sham, inside an abandoned school, and the aggressive hostility of the fighters was only contained when a Belgian volunteer intervened. I soon left. I also interviewed moderate, unbearded civilian fighters who had set up militias because they wanted a democracy to replace Assads vicious rule.

How to coalesce secular Syrians, moderate Muslims, Kurds, and Christians into a government with Islamists, and whether free elections will be possible is the huge challenge Syria will face.

Yet, what gives me hope is that the Iranians and Russians will no longer be able to bend Syria to their will.

After a popular uprising in 2011, Assad was only able to retain power because of intervention by Tehran, and later by Moscow. Although Syria has a religiously and ethnically mixed population, including a plurality of Sunni Muslims along with Kurds, Christians and other minorities, Assad belongs to a minority Shiite sect, known as Alawites, who have controlled the country for decades. Thus he was close to the Shiite regime in Tehran.

The Iranians sent thousands of fighters to Syria, comprised of their own forces along with Iraqi Shiite militias and even Afghan refugees living in Iran. Led by Iranian Revolutionary Guards officers, they were much more effective combatants than the underpaid and corrupt Syrian army.

Irans quid pro quo was Assads permission to allow Iranian weapons and missiles to be trucked and flown from Tehran via Damascus to Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon to use against Israel.

Syria thus became a critical element of Tehrans effort to encircle Israel with a ring of fire that included Lebanons Hezbollah militiamen (along with Hamas in Gaza and Houthis in Yemen).

With Assad gone and Sunni Syrian rebel groups in charge, Iranians are fleeing the country. No more will they be able to transport weapons to Lebanon to be used against Israel. Nor will they be able to help the Alawite minority dominate the country.

Russia, for its part, sent planes in 2015 to bomb Syrian civilians and cities into rubble, just as they have done to Ukraine. Moscow was rewarded with a critical Mediterranean port in Tartus and a major airfield which helped support Putins expansionist ambitions.

Russia will most likely lose those bases, which gave them their only access to the Mediterranean and gave Putin an important Mideast role. His global access is thus shrinking. And Syria, hopefully, will be freed from his colonial games.

This means that the Islamists, and Jolani, will have to look to the moderate Sunni Arab world and to the West to help rebuild their country and resettle Syrian refugees who return. Which in turn gives those Arabs and Western leaders leverage to prevent any attempt to impose an ultraconservative religious state.

If this leverage is not used wisely, Jolani could become a threat, in a country where ISIS still has cells that are in touch with their counterparts in Iraq. If used wisely, Syria could revive and rebuild its shattered society.

Nothing less is owed to the thousands who died under torture during Assads rule.
Malik Davis was the first person to buy a condo from Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia in the Coltrane Commons development in Strawberry Mansion. Read more

Malik Davis holds a special distinction: He is the first person ever to buy a condo from Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia.

Habitat for Humanity is known for building single-family homes for low- and moderate-income households. But the Philadelphia affiliate of the international nonprofit is currently selling its first condos as it tries to create more homeowners and chip away at the citys shortage of affordable homes.

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As a first-time buyer, Davis, 26, was concerned about being able to afford and maintain a single-family home.

A condo was a much more reasonable purchase for myself, said Davis, who works in human resources and bought his Strawberry Mansion home in a triplex for $290,000.

On Oct. 30, Davis closed on the home, reaching his goal of owning a property so he and his parents and siblings will always have a place to call home in the city that I love, he said. In mid-November, he moved into the two-bedroom, 1-bathroom home located less than two miles from where he grew up that he plans to keep in his family for many generations to come.

Im still pinching myself every day, he said. Im the first in my immediate family to buy a home. So its pretty exciting for all of us.

Davis condo is one of three that Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia sold in its Coltrane Commons development in October. Four more condo buyers are scheduled to close on their homes on Dec. 19, and Habitat anticipates selling its last four condos by March.

Its the culmination of years of research and planning by Habitat to try something new to tackle the shortage of homes that Philadelphians can afford. With condos, Habitat can fit more families onto the lots that it acquires mostly from agencies that distribute publicly owned land. And before accounting for subsidies based on homeowners incomes, Habitats condo units cost less than its single-family homes.

Habitat is not alone in trying out condos for affordable housing. Turn the Key, an ongoing initiative to use city-owned land to build 1,000 price-restricted homes for first-time Philadelphia buyers, is also offering condos. Both are experimenting with duplexes or triplexes instead of mid- or high-rise buildings with shared common areas that are typical of most city condos. Their units are in developments with single-family homes and have limited shared elements.

Condos as a tool

Rita Calicat, Habitat for Humanity Philadelphias director of homeowner services, said she knows condos arent what people typically think of when they think about Habitat. The sweet spot for the organization is building and selling three-bedroom, 1-bathroom townhouse-type homes.

But the affiliate wanted to play a bigger role in increasing home ownership for Philadelphias low- and moderate-income households, and the organizations leaders knew it couldnt do that if it continued to offer only single-family homes, Calicat said.

So about three years ago, Habitat began seriously considering getting into multifamily housing.

Just because of the lack of land available for us to build, if we were gonna have greater impact, we were going to have to think about this in a new way ... and we know this is one of the tools to do that, Calicat said.

 READ MORE: Low-income housing vs. parking: Habitat for Humanity wins the latest round in North Philly

Whether a household is matched to a single-family home or a condo is based on how many people will be living there and how much they can afford. Habitat works with households that make between 30% and 80% of the area median income, or between $31,000 and $82,600 for a household of three.

Providing multifamily housing seemed very daunting at first, Calicat said. For guidance, the organization looked to other Habitat affiliates in urban areas that faced similar challenges, had a similarly great need for affordable homes, and had turned to selling multifamily homes.

It reached out to fellow affiliates in New York, Nashville, and Los Angeles, but Philadelphias affiliate worked most closely with Habitat for Humanity Greater San Francisco, which has lots of experience with multifamily housing, Calicat said.

 READ MORE: A New Jersey Habitat for Humanity affiliate is building modular homes to move families in faster

We can almost guarantee that multifamily is in our future, she said. It just means were widening our portfolio of options for the families that we serve.

The organization is currently looking into another project that would incorporate a similar style of multifamily housing, said Ed McColly, director of real estate development for Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia.

Creating the condos

Former City Council President Darrell L. Clarke had approached Habitat a few years ago and offered city-owned land for the organizations Coltrane Commons development to make sure Strawberry Mansion continued to have affordable home ownership opportunities as developers showed renewed interest in the neighborhood, McColly said.

Habitat really relies pretty heavily on acquiring property at nominal [cost] in order to increase affordability, he said. Land is really competitive and hard to come by.

The lots were much larger than the ones Habitat typically builds on, he said. Given the lot sizes and the scale of surrounding homes on the block, building single-family homes would not have been appropriate, McColly said.

And by increasing housing density and building multiple homes on one foundation, youre able to get more bang for your buck in terms of cost effectiveness, he said.

Eleven of the 21 homes in Habitats Coltrane Commons development are condos. To build those multifamily units in four duplexes and a triplex, Habitat partnered with an outside general contractor for the first time.

The condos are various sizes to accommodate various households. McColly said the finished homes challenged initial perceptions that he and his colleagues had that condos were small.

Theyre every bit as accommodating, spacious, and comfortable as any of our single-family homes, he said. And in terms of quality, theyre not a downgrade from what Habitat was doing previously.

Habitats experiment with condos also meant it would need to set up a condo association for the first time.

Id always heard horror stories about HOAs, said Davis, the first condo buyer. But attorneys at Ballard Spahr worked with Habitat pro bono to set up the documents and structure needed to create the condo association, and they taught homeowners what it means to live in a condo community.

In working with architects to design the condos, Habitat wanted to limit the number of shared elements to make governing the condo association easier. The condos have no shared indoor spaces, and each unit has its own entrance. The buildings exteriors, including roofs, porches, and stairs, are shared.

Turn the Keys first condos

Like Habitat, Philadelphias Turn the Key program, announced in 2022, also started with a focus on constructing single-family homes.

But Civetta Property Group is currently building what will be Turn the Keys first condos in the Carroll Park neighborhood of West Philadelphia on lots it got from the Philadelphia Land Bank. In 14 duplexes, 28 condos will be offered for $230,000 for two-bedroom units and $250,000 for three-bedroom units, before subsidies.

City Councilmember Curtis Jones Jr. requested that Turn the Key offer condos at the site to provide another affordable option for residents. He said he specifically had in mind first-time buyers who need starter homes and retirees on fixed incomes who want to stay in their neighborhood.

These condo units satisfy a growing demand for two distinct demographics of Philadelphians, Jones said. I think this kind of product can be popular in my district and in others.

David Thomas, president and chief executive officer of the Philadelphia Housing Development Corp., which administers Turn the Key, said the organization was willing to give condos a shot to provide an opportunity that the program hadnt initially considered. The agency will be gauging the success of this foray into condos to determine whether to ask developers to build more of them.

At the end of the day, I cant argue with the opportunity, Thomas said. We also have to think outside the box sometimes when were trying to solve problems.
Brazilian envoy hails growing ties with China

China Daily) 08:29, December 09, 2024

Noting that China and Brazil are committed to deepening their ties, Marcos Galvao, Brazil's ambassador to China, highlighted the strong trade ties and mutual respect that have defined the partnership, calling for more investments from China.

As this year marks the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Brazil, "President Xi Jinping's visit (to Brazil) was the culmination of the celebrations that have been preceded by the visit of Brazil's Vice-President Geraldo Alckmin (to China) in June and by the holding of the high-level committee that we have between the two countries", Galvao said.

"China and Brazil are both major countries," he told a forum last week organized by Renmin University of China's Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies. "We need to work together to push for further reforms in global governance on the G20 platform, making the G20 more effective, inclusive and equitable."

One of the key focuses of the just-concluded G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro was tackling poverty.

"Poverty reduction is something that both our countries have managed to do successfully," Galvao told China Daily.

He referred to Brazil's successful poverty reduction programs, such as the Zero Hunger initiative, which was launched by President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during his first term, with the goal of eradicating hunger and extreme poverty.

In 2023 alone, 8.7 million people were lifted out of poverty in Brazil, while extreme poverty dropped from 5.9 percent to 4.4 percent, Brazil's Institute of Geography and Statistics said in a statement on Wednesday.

China has lifted 800 million people out of poverty over the past few decades, achieving the United Nations' 2030 Sustainable Development Goal on poverty reduction ahead of schedule.

"However, we still have a long way to go, in terms of providing the living standards that our people legitimately aspire to," Galvao said of the two countries.

Reflecting on his more than two years as ambassador to China, Galvao shared his admiration for China's development. "I am impressed with the diversity of China's provinces, the dynamism of its cities," he said. "What I've seen in China is similar to what we have in Brazil."

He emphasized the "high complementarity" between the two economies, which he said are "highly relevant" to each other.

China is Brazil's largest trading partner, and Brazil is China's ninth-largest trading partner. In 2023, bilateral trade between China and Brazil reached more than $180 billion, up 6.1 percent year-on-year, according to Chinese customs statistics.

Chinese foreign direct investment stock in Brazil stands at about $72 billion, with energy accounting for about three-fourths of this investment, Galvao noted.

"One visible aspect of this is the arrival of Chinese electric vehicle companies in Brazil," he said.

Chinese EV maker BYD has had a presence in Brazil for over 10 years, and today, Brazil is BYD's largest market abroad. Another Chinese automaker, GWM, will open a factory in Iracemapolis, Sao Paulo state, in May.

Beyond the automotive sector, China's involvement in Brazil's energy infrastructure is also expanding.

Brazil's electricity consumption is concentrated in its southern and southeastern regions, while the north is rich in hydropower resources. This requires long-distance electricity transmission with minimal power loss.

"We have areas with excess generation capacity, and China has ultra-high-voltage transmission technology," Galvao said.

The Belo Monte phase II transmission project in Brazil  invested, constructed, and operated by State Grid Corp of China  is the first overseas project to use Chinese ultra-high-voltage transmission technology, which enables power transmission from the north to heavy electricity usage areas.

Looking back on 50 years of bilateral ties, Galvao said the relationship is built on mutual respect, a result of both "political determination and the efforts of both sides".

"In this world of near-shoring and friend-shoring, in our case, it's a story of trust-shoring  we trust each other," he added.

"We want China to play a role in our re-industrialization, particularly in energy transition and technology development, as we want a stronger, more competitive industry with more value-added products," he said, calling for increased investment from Chinese companies to enhance Brazil's industrial capabilities.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
As of right now, the information from Altoona is that the gun appears to be a ghost gun that may have been made on a 3D printer, capable of firing a 9mm round, NYPD chief of detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters at a news briefing today.
Sarnese said threats against healthcare employees, particularly executives, have increased since the COVID-19 pandemic. He said that the stress faced by people who not only have medical conditions, but also financial distress due to their claims being denied could push someone to threaten executives or act upon their threats.
What makes our offering first of its kind is the services we can provide in-house, he said. We have IT solutions and cyber auditing services so we dont send our clients off to find a solution themselves, or even try and source the solution externally ourselves.
In 2023, Singapore Re recorded an operating profit of SG$7.3 million, compared to SG$48 million in 2022. The decline was attributed to a one-time reserve adjustment linked to changes under IFRS 17, partially offset by increased investment income. The companys 2024 year-to-date results indicate a return to targeted profitability, supported by steady investment income from interest and dividends.
As ABIR enters 2025 under Cloutiers leadership, he will work alongside John Huff, the associations CEO, who will mark his eighth year in the role. Cloutier will also have support from ABIRs officers committee, which includes past chairs such as Hamiltons Albo, RenaissanceRes Kevin ODonnell, and Convexs Stephen Catlin.
The addition of Geoff Pratt to our aviation team underscores HDIs dedication to achieving profitable growth in the region, he said, emphasising that Pratt is widely recognised as one of the most impactful and influential underwriters in recent history, boasting strong relationships with brokers and clients throughout Australia.
Jose Maria's leadership in business transformation will drive our strategic initiatives forward, while Mikel's extensive experience in underwriting will elevate our capabilities and service offerings. Their technical expertise and people management styles will play a pivotal role in amplifying our operational excellence and delivering value to our clients, Puerta said.
For many years, Mr. Mize recruited, directed and elaborately staged automobile and boat collisions as well as other injury accidents to fraudulently obtain millions of dollars, said U.S. Attorney Vanessa Waldref. Not only did this scheme cause serious physical harm to his co-conspirators, including his wife and children, but it placed the community in significant danger.
Our pipeline for 2025 looks even stronger, signaling a potential return to pre-2024 levels of deal-making. For us, this is particularly promising. I firmly believe that 2025 will be a record-breaking year for us in terms of deal volume and overall activity. With the momentum were building, and our strategic positioning across these sectors, the coming year is shaping up to be exceptional for M&A growth."
The father of the victim at the center of the fatal New York City subway chokehold trial has sued the defendant as a Manhattan jury continued to deliberate the case Thursday.

Jordan Neely s father, Andre Zachary, filed the suit Wednesday against Marine veteran Daniel Penny in New York Supreme Court.

He accuses the Long Island native of negligence, assault and battery, which led to the death of his unarmed, 30-year-old son on May 1, 2023, on an underground train.

The then-24-year-old Penny placed Neely in a chokehold for about six minutes after Neely, who was homeless, began shouting and acting erratically on the crowded train.

Zachary is seeking a judgment awarding damages in a sum which exceeds the jurisdictional limits of all lower Courts which would otherwise have jurisdiction, according to the lawsuit.

Pennys lawyer Steven Raiser dismissed the suit as a distraction.

The timing is unfortunate as Danny is awaiting a verdict from the jury where the potential consequences are far greater than any civil suit could threaten, he said in a statement Thursday, adding that Penny had not yet been served the complaint. We will not be distracted by this attempt to attack Danny while he is under such tremendous stress.

Lawyers for Zachary didnt respond to an email seeking comment. But Christopher Neely, Jordans uncle, repeated the familys position that Neely didnt deserve to die over his tirade.

What gave Daniel Penny the right to choke Jordan nearly for six minutes? he said outside the courthouse. He had an option to go to another car. He had the option to say something and not do nothing.

The third day of deliberations ended Thursday without a verdict.

The jury, which resumes its closed-door discussions Friday, heard a readout of a city medical examiners testimony during the monthlong trial.

They also asked the judge to re-read the criminal definitions of recklessness and negligence in open court and be provided with written copies of the statutes.

Jurors relistened to Dr. Cynthia Harris testimony about issuing a death certificate for Neely after conducting an autopsy and reviewing the bystanders video and investigative findings.

Pennys defense focused, in large part, on challenging the city medical examiners offices determination that the chokehold killed Neely.

A defense pathologist testified Neely died from using synthetic marijuana, also known as K2, along with schizophrenia, a genetic condition and his struggle with Penny.

On Wednesday, jurors asked to review the police and bystander video, including the responding officers body camera videos and police video of Pennys subsequent station house interview with detectives.

Penny has pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.

Prosecutors say he recklessly squeezed Neelys neck too hard and for too long, but Pennys lawyers maintain his actions were justified in protecting fellow subway riders.

Penny and some passengers recalled Neely had ranted about being willing to die, willing to go jail  even willing to kill.

The case has been a flashpoint in long-simmering debates over race relations, public safety, homelessness and mental illness.

Some have cast Penny as a valiant protector while others view the now 26-year-old architecture student as a white vigilante who summarily killed a troubled Black man in need of help.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits
Medical device maker Insulet convinced a jury that Korean rival EOFlow owes it $452 million in damages for stealing trade secrets related to insulin pumps, according to a verdict made public in Massachusetts federal court on Thursday.

The jury in its verdict on Tuesday agreed with Insulet that EOFlow stole the Acton, Massachusetts-based companys secrets in order to create a competitor to Insulets Omnipod, a wearable insulin pump for diabetes patients.

Spokespeople for EOFlow did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the verdict. Insulet president Jim Hollingshead said the company was extremely pleased with the verdict.

EOFlow stock was down nearly 30% at the close of Thursday trading on Koreas stock market.

Insulet sued EOFlow last year. Its lawsuit said EOFlow hired away former Insulet employees to develop its EOPatch, an insulin device similar to Insulets Omnipod.

After failing for six years to design its own patch pump, the lawsuit said EOFlow began selling a completely redesigned EOPatch that was strikingly similar to the Omnipod less than two years after taking advantage of the former Insulet employees confidential knowledge.

EOFlow denied the allegations.

Medtronic announced last May that it would acquire EOFlow but canceled the deal last December, citing multiple breaches of their agreements.

(Reporting by Blake Brittain in Washington; Editing by Bill Berkrot)

Topics Fraud
The Connecticut Appellate Court on Friday affirmed a $965 million verdict from 2022 against conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, determining theres sufficient evidence to support the damages awarded to relatives of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre victims and an FBI agent.

In its unanimous opinion, the court cited the traumatic threats and harassment the families endured stemming from the lies, as propagated by the defendants, that the Sandy Hook massacre was a hoax.

Our review of the record reveals that there was sufficient evidence to support the $965,000,000 in compensatory damages awarded by the jury, according to the 62-page decision. It marks the largest jury verdict in Connecticut history.

The appellate court did grant Jones a $150 million reprieve. It determined the plaintiffs failed to assert a legally viable claim under the Connecticut Unfair Trade Practices Act and that $150 million in punitive damages awarded by the lower court must be vacated, noting the plaintiffs alleged injury came from false language and not from speech related to advertising, marketing or the sale of goods.

Were relieved that the Court protected the press with its decision reversing the damages in the unfair trade practices claim, but we are otherwise disappointed, said Norm Pattis, Jones attorney, in a statement. He said the jury in the case was sold a bill of goods and led to believe Jones made millions spreading conspiracy theories about the Sandy Hook mass shooting.

He didnt. The jury was also encouraged to believe that all the sorrow that befell the plaintiffs was Mr. Joness fault. It wasnt., Pattis said. We had hoped the Appellate Court would have seen through the charade and farce that this trial became. It didnt.

Jones now owes a total of roughly $1.2 billion, counting the $965 million to the Connecticut families and nearly $50 million awarded by a Texas jury to the parents of a Sandy Hook child who was killed.

Jones filed for personal bankruptcy in 2022, and the sale of his Infowars platform is part of that case. A bid by The Onion satirical news outlet to buy Infowars is scheduled to return Monday to a Texas courtroom, where a judge will be deciding whether a bankruptcy auction was properly run. Jones alleges collusion and fraud.

Lawyers for the Sandy Hook families hailed the Connecticut appellate courts ruling on Friday as an overall victory.

Today, Alex Joness effort to overturn the jurys historic verdict against him and his corrupt business, Infowars, was unanimously rejected by the Connecticut Appellate Court. The jurys $965 million rebuke of Jones will stand, and the families who have fought valiantly for years have brought Alex Jones yet another step closer to true justice, the lawyers said in a statement.

Pattis said he will ask the Connecticut Supreme Court to review the appellate court decision.

Jones repeatedly told his millions of followers the 2012 massacre that killed 20 first graders and six educators was staged by crisis actors to enact more gun control.

The appellate court also determined that a lower court properly exercised its discretion in finding Jones and his Infowars parent company Free Speech Systems LLC., liable for damages by default for failing to cooperate with court rules on sharing evidence.

Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Connecticut
New York Governor Kathy Hochul has signed legislation to expand workers compensation benefits to people who are facing job-related mental health crises.

The new law, which goes into effect January 1, 2025, allows any worker to file for workers compensation for specific types of mental injury premised on extraordinary work-related stress. This expands coverage to all workers in New York. A law enacted in 2017 made only first responders facing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) eligible for such benefits.

The new law by its own language expands coverage to cover all workers to ensure that work-related PTSD is properly identified and treated as part of the workers compensation system.

The Workers Compensation Board may not disallow the claim by finding that the stress was not greater than that which usually occurs in the normal work environment.

Not all injuries are physical, but all workers should get support for injuries sustained on the job, said State Senator Jessica Ramos, a sponsor of the bill.

Workers compensation is here for workers who have been injured or made ill on the job, whether their injury is one you can see or not, said New York State Workers Compensation Board Chair Clarissa M. Rodriguez.

While labor endorsed the measure, businesses including insurance lobbyists opposed it.

New York State AFL-CIO President Mario Cilento applauded Hochul for signing the bill. This law removes significant hurdles workers face when accessing care and benefits for workplace mental health claims, Cilento said.

Cost Concerns

In opposing the measure, employer and insurance groups cited in part the uncertainty over the cost of the added benefit. Hochul had cited the unknown cost as a reason for vetoing the same bill last year.

The New York Insurance Association (NYSIA) warned that the new law will dramatically expand the class of employees who can file this type of claim, from simply police officers, firefighters, and EMTs, who have an extremely high stressed, public service profession, to now all employees, regardless of their type of work performed.

Insurers said the law will also transfer the burden of proof for such claims onto the employer, thereby allowing work-related stress claims to be upheld, upon subjective allegations alone.

NYSIA expressed concern that the term extraordinary work stress is left undefined, suggesting that it would be very difficult to actually determine what stress is actually uniquely attributable to work, as compared to stress that is intertwined with the vagaries and vicissitudes of life, and intrinsically a part of the human condition.

Workers Comp and Mental Health: Panel Examines Why Worker Wellbeing Matters

The Business Council of New York State (BCNYS) similarly objected to the law because determining what qualifies as extraordinary will be up to workers compensation law judges and will result in extensive litigation.

We believe that in addition to increasing the cost of litigation, this bill would transfer the cost of treatment and disability for psychological conditions that are now not considered work-related to the workers compensation system. Given the fact that close to half of all Americans in surveys complain of stress, the cost could be substantial, NYSIA added.

While many states allow for workers compensation for mental health conditions, states differ in their definitions and eligibility. First responders generally have more access to benefits for mental health than others. The industrys National Council on Compensation Insurance (NCCI) monitored 52 bills addressing workers compensation for workplace-related mental injuries. Several states considered bills to expand coverage for mental injuries to additional workers including Vermont that enacted a bill expanding PTSD coverage to include certain state employees.

Connecticut Law

This past January, Connecticut expanded its workers compensation law regarding mental health. Prior to January 1, only first responders in Connecticut were eligible for benefits for work-related PTSD. Under the new law (SB913), all employees subject to the workers compensation law are eligible if the qualifying injury is work-related and if a mental health professional diagnoses PTSD as a direct result of an event that occurs in their course of employment in which they:

view a deceased minor;

witness someones death or an incident involving someones death;

witness an injury to someone who then dies before or upon admission to a hospital as a result of the injury and not any other intervening cause;

witness a traumatic physical injury that results in the loss of a vital body part or a vital body function that permanently disfigures the victim;

or carry, or have physical contact with and treat, an injured person who then dies before or upon admission to a hospital as a result of the injury and not any other intervening cause.

As with eligibility for first responders, the qualifying event must be a substantial factor in causing the injury and injury must not have resulted from a disciplinary action, work evaluation, job transfer, layoff, demotion, promotion, termination, retirement, or similar action.

Connecticut Extends PTSD Benefits to All Workers Under Workers Compensation

NCCI has researched worker injury claims that include a mental health diagnosis. Among other findings, NCCI reported that the cost of these claims is driven by medical conditions and that injured workers with high-severity injuries are more likely to be diagnosed with mental disorders.

Workers compensation costs in New York and other states have been going down. Loss costs on which insurers base rates were reduced in New York by 9.0% in October, which was the eighth consecutive year with a decrease. According to the New York Compensation Insurance Rating Board, the cumulative change over the last 20 years (2005 to 2024) is -32.7%. The 2024 loss cost level is about 12% below the 2008 loss cost level, when rates were converted to loss costs.

Topics Workers' Compensation New York Talent
This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Generali Global Corporate & Commercial and Ryan Financial Lines.

A summary of these new hires follows here.

GC&C Appoints Key Leaders in Mediterranean & LatAm Region

Generali Global Corporate & Commercial (GC&C) announced two key appointments within the Mediterranean & Latin America region, under the leadership of Patricia Puerta.

Effective Nov. 1, 2024, GC&C deployed an organizational change within the region by establishing the Business Transformation & Technical Excellence unit, headed by Jose Maria Romero de Tejada, reporting directly to Puerta. This new structure aims to lead business transformation and support the development of strategic initiatives across GC&C Mediterranean & Latin America functions and countries.

Additionally, effective Dec. 2, 2024, Mikel Bermejo has been appointed as head of Underwriting, also reporting directly to Puerta. Bermejo joins the group with significant experience in the corporate insurance sector.

Jose Maria Romero de Tejada has a distinguished career in the insurance industry, with over 13 years of experience at Generali spanning various areas including, civil engineering underwriting, strategic planning, operational efficiency, and technical excellence. Prior to this new role, he covered several leadership positions within GC&C Mediterranean & Latin America such as head of Claims and head of Operations & IT. He holds a Master in Insurance Business Management from ICEA  Pontifical University of Salamanca, an executive MBA in Business Administration from IESE Business School  University of Navarra and a Master of Science in Civil Engineering from Polytechnic University of Catalonia.

Mikel Bermejo brings a wealth of experience from within the corporate insurance sector. He held key positions in underwriting and risk management, most recently serving as head of Property Iberia at QBE Europe in Madrid. In this role, he managed a growing, profitable portfolio together with a multicultural team. Bermejo also led significant international projects in underwriting and operational areas, including defining new underwriting strategies for the European region. He holds a bilingual bachelors degree in business administration from Carlos III University of Madrid and a project management post-graduate degree program from IESE Business School  University of Navarra.

***

Ryan Financial Lines Names Winborn as President, Mitchell as COO

Ryan Specialty, headquartered in Chicago, expanded its executive leadership team for its international financial lines managing general underwriter, Ryan Financial Lines (RFL), effective Jan. 1, 2025

Richard Winborn, who is based in London, will join the team as president. Winborn most recently launched and served as managing partner of Themis, a division of Innovisk Capital Partners, which Ryan Specialty recently acquired. Richard will focus on continued international expansion and retail operations in the U.S.

Patrick Mitchell, RFLs chief underwriting officer, will expand his role to serve as chief operating officer. Mitchell, who is based in New York City, joined RFL in May 2024 and has over 20 years of underwriting and operational experience, most recently serving as executive risks lead at Coalition, Inc. Previous roles include management liability product head at Hiscox USA and head of SME for financial lines at AIG.

RFL was formed in December 2023 by unifying the operations of EmergIn Risk, StartPoint, Ryan Specialty Nordics, Capital Bay and the three professional liability programs of Ryan Specialty National Programs platform. Since the inception of RFL, Ryan Specialty Underwriting Managers has added several key acquisitions, including Geo Europe, Castel NAPL and various financial lines underwriting units of Innovisk.

Topics Leadership
A former Allianz SE hedge-fund manager avoided prison and will instead spend 18 months in home confinement for fraudulently inflating the value of funds that ultimately collapsed, resulting in $3.2 billion in investor losses.

Gregoire Tournant, the former chief investment officer of the US-based Structured Alpha group of Allianz hedge funds, was sentenced Friday by US District Judge Laura Taylor Swain in Manhattan. The penalty, which also included three years of probation, was far below the seven years in prison sought by federal prosecutors.

Tournant pleaded guilty in June to two counts of investment adviser fraud. Prosecutors said the fraud had allowed Tournant to earn tens of millions of dollars in compensation, much of which was based on the funds performance.

Swain said Friday that prosecutors failed to show that the billions in losses were directly tied to Tournants lies to investors. The judge pegged the loss at zero for sentencing purposes. She additionally expressed concern about Tournants ability to receive adequate medical care for severe health issues in prison.

Tournants lawyers had raised health problems requiring constant, complex and cutting-edge medical care in arguing for home confinement instead of prison.

Im Really Sorry

Details of Tournants health are redacted from public court filings, but he told the judge in June that he was being treated for multiple neurological issues and coughed throughout the proceeding. His lawyers said that prison for Tournant would be overly punitive and life threatening.

Tournant coughed frequently during the sentencing hearing at which he expressed remorse for this actions.

Im really sorry for my conduct. Tournant said, occasionally stammering. I was wrong. I failed to comply with the law. Im committed to try to do better.

Tournants sentencing comes after an Allianz unit agreed in 2022 to pay $6 billion for misrepresenting the investment risk posed by Structured Alpha funds, as part of a plea agreement with the US Justice Department. The unit, Allianz Global Investors US, pleaded guilty to a single criminal charge of securities fraud in the deal.

Read More: Inside Allianzs $4B Structured Alpha Fund Blowup: Red Flags and Fat Fees

Allianz sold 17 Structured Alpha funds to at least 114 pension funds and other institutional investors, according to the government. From January 2016 through March 2020, Tournant and two other managers made misleading statements about the funds risks and provided phony financial data to investors.

Prosecutors said the funds, which managed more than $11 billion at their height, lost about $7 billion after the Covid-19 pandemic hit in early 2020. More than $3.2 billion of that was lost principal. That amount should be attributed to Tournants fraud, they said.

An expert paid by Tournant calculated that the amount of loss tied to his actions is zero and that the investor losses were caused by the market downturn during the pandemic and other factors outside his control. Determining loss amount is a key part of calculating federal sentencing guidelines and how much a defendant has to pay in fines, forfeiture and restitution.

Two executives who worked with Tournant, Stephen Bond-Nelson and Trevor Taylor, also pleaded guilty in the case and agreed to cooperate with prosecutors in hopes of leniency when theyre sentenced in February.

The case is US v. Tournant, 22-cr-00276, US District Court, Southern District of New York (Manhattan).

Photograph: Gregoire Tournant arrives at federal court in New York, on Dec. 6, 2024; Photo credit: Yuki Iwamura/Bloomberg

Related:

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics Allianz
Japanese utility Tokyo Electric Power Co. said it removed nuclear fuel debris left inside a reactor in a demonstration at its Fukushima power plant, 13 years after a meltdown.

Radioactive debris was removed from unit 2 at Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant and was placed inside a sealed container for transportation, the power producer said in an emailed statement on Thursday [Dec. 5].

The demonstration is part of Tepcos clean-up plan for the site, after a massive earthquake and tsunami in 2011 overwhelmed the Fukushima facility and led to the worst nuclear disaster since Chernobyl. The whole process is expected to cost around 23 trillion yen ($149 billion) and take decades to complete. About 880 tons of radioactive material, like melted fuel and metal cladding, are said to be stuck at the bottom of the three reactors at the plant.

Tepco, which is decommissioning the plant alongside the Japanese government, is using a robotic arm that looks like a fishing rod with a claw grip to remove a small sample of the nuclear debris. The company had planned to remove just 3 grams as part of the demonstration.

The removed debris is set to be transported to Japan Atomic Energy Agencys research facility for analysis, according to Tepcos website.

The retrieval process began in September but faced challenges. A camera attached to the robotic arm stopped working, forcing Tepco to suspend the demonstration to replace the camera.

Photograph: Storage tanks used for storing treated water at TEPCOs crippled Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Okuma, Fukushima prefecture. Source: STR/AFP/Getty Images

Related:

Copyright 2025 Bloomberg.

Topics Training Development
U.S. judge on Friday said Southwest Airlines must face a lawsuit by a prominent affirmative action opponent claiming a now-defunct program that awarded free flights to Hispanic college students was racially discriminatory.

U.S. District Judge Sidney Fitzwater in Dallas said Southwests elimination of the 20-year-old program and offer to pay Edward Blums American Alliance for Equal Rights one cent  the amount of damages sought in the lawsuit  did not make moot claims that the airline discriminated against two students, one white and the other Asian.

Since 2004, Southwests Lanzate! program helped 1,500 Hispanic undergraduate and graduate students who lived at least 200 miles (322 km) from their school.

The Dallas-based airline, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Friday, ended the program after the lawsuit was filed in May.

Southwest had argued that its offer to provide all relief sought by Blums group made the entire lawsuit moot.

But Fitzwater disagreed, allowing the group to move ahead with claims Southwest violated a Civil War-era law barring racial bias in contracting.

Such a ruling could be cited in future cases over diversity and inclusion programs, which are facing increased scrutiny and a growing number of legal challenges.

This decision is a powerful tool to prevent case-mooting tactics from discriminators nationwide, Blum said in a statement after the ruling.

The lawsuit is among the latest in a series of cases Blum has filed challenging corporate diversity programs after another group he founded last year convinced the conservative-majority U.S. Supreme Court to bar the consideration of race as a factor in college admissions.

Topics Claims Legislation Aviation
Arthur J. Gallagher this morning said it has entered into an agreement to acquire AssuredPartners for $13.45 billion cash to expand its reach in the U.S. middle-market property/casualty and employee benefits space.

We have held in high regard the fast-growing AssuredPartners franchise since its founding in 2011. AssuredPartners entrepreneurial spirit, broad U.S. footprint and middle-market focus make them an ideal merger partner for Gallagher, said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., CEO.

He added that Orlando, Florida-based AssuredPartners 10,900 employees will be welcomed to Gallagher. Commercial organizations, public entities and individuals are served by about 400 offices in the U.S., the U.K. and Ireland. Adjusted revenue over the last year as of Sept. 30 was about $2.9 billion.

Gallagher said the acquisition increases its potential in multiple niche practice groups such as transportation, energy, healthcare, government contractors and public entity.

Randy Larsen, CEO of AssuredPartners, said the acquisition by Gallagher will bring together not only unparalleled global resources and expert insights but also a team of exceptional employees whose expertise and dedication have been the driving force behind our success.

AssuredPartners ranked No. 5 in Insurance Journals 2024 Top 100 Independent P/C Agencies list based on P/C revenue. AM Bests ranking of the worlds biggest insurance brokers put AssuredPartners in 14th based on 2023 total revenue. Arthur J. Gallagher ranked third on the list, behind March McLennan and Aon.

With todays announcement, Gallagher follows Marsh McLennan and Aon in making recent deals to tap the middle market. In April, Aon completed a $13 billion acquisition of middle-market P/C broker NFP. Last month, Marsh McLennan completed the purchase of McGriff Insurance Services for $7.75 billion.

AssuredPartners private-equity ownership GTCR and Apax Partners were reportedly looking for partners for a full or partial sale of the brokerage for several months. Chicagos GTCR said Gallaghers buy of AssuredPartners is the largest sale of a U.S. insurance broker to a strategic acquiror in the history of the industry.

AssuredPartners had been an active M&A participant over the last several years  most recently with 17 transactions year-to-date as of Sept. 30, according to investment banking and financial consulting firm OPTIS Partners. The brokers buying pace had slowed a bit in 2022 and 2023 following 32 transactions in 2021.

The Gallagher-AssuredPartners deal is expected to close during the first quarter 2025, pending regulatory approvals.

Gallagher said the deals net consideration is about $12.45 billion after a deferred tax asset. It expects to finance the purchase with long-term debt, short-term borrowings, cash, and equity.

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Trends Commercial Lines Business Insurance A.J. Gallagher
When hurricanes hit coastal areas, property insurers often breathe a sigh of relief when much of the damage appears to be the result of storm surge and flooding  losses that arent covered by most homeowners policies.

But after Hurricane Katrina slammed the Mississippi Gulf Coast in 2005, hundreds of lawsuits vehemently disputed that reasoning. In the case of a historic, 130-year-old Ocean Springs home designed in part by architect Frank Lloyd Wright and insured by USAA, the circumstances were complicated by the fact that the home was elevated to a degree, the height of the storm surge from Katrina was in dispute, and the claim was filed almost six months after the event.

Last week, the Mississippi Supreme Court upheld a state appellate courts decision in the case, awarding almost $15 million in punitive damages and attorney fees in what is reported to be one of the largest Katrina-related insurance lawsuit awards.

We find that the evidence presented at trial demonstrates a type of conduct for which punitive damages are designed, the Supreme Court wrote in its 5-3 decision, handed down Dec. 6. The Minor Estate provided sufficient proof that USAA acted in bad faith, with complete disregard for the Estates rights.

The case is one of the longest-running suits that arose after Katrina swamped the Mississippi coast and New Orleans. It has a number of historical sidelights and, perhaps, offers guideposts for property insurers in similar circumstances.

The evidence presented at trial revealed that USAA wished to reap the benefits of the insurance policy premiums while depriving the Minor Estate the full benefits of that policy, Justice David Ishee wrote for the majority of the court. The justices also noted in the opinion that USAA has a net worth of $40 billion.

USAA, based in San Antonio, said the insurer is considering its options after the large verdict.

USAA helped thousands of families recover from Hurricane Katrina, with countless employees working tirelessly to handle member claims, USAA said in a statement to local news outlets. We are very disappointed in the Mississippi Supreme Courts decision as the evidence does not support the excessive punitive damages and attorneys fees.

The lead attorney for the homeowners, James Reeves Jr., of Biloxi, said it was a win for policyholders, although many Katrina-hit homeowners had settled for minor amounts with their insurers years ago, rather than pursue lengthy litigation.

The home and other structures at the site were built in 1890 and were owned by the family of Paul Minor, a Mississippi trial attorney himself who was famous for winning large verdicts against Ford Motor Co. after car crashes in the 1990s, and against insurance companies in claims disputes. Minor was convicted in 2007 on charges that he had paid off loans and bribed judges in exchange for favorable rulings. He has steadfastly denied the charges.

Also implicated in that bribery scandal was a Mississippi Supreme Court justice at the time, Oliver Diaz Jr. Diaz was acquitted of the charges but lost a reelection bid. Diaz, it turns out, later became one of the trial attorneys for the Minors in the USAA case.

Paul Minor was released from prison in 2013, four years after his wife died. The estate was passed on to the Minors children, Stephen and Kathryn, who pressed the USAA claims dispute litigation for years.

The case began after Katrina made landfall on Aug. 29, 2005. USAA would ultimately offer the Minor family some $200,000  one tenth of the policy limits  to cover part of the wind damage.

But the insurer and its adjusters left a paper trail that the insureds attorneys used to argue that USAA had known of more extensive wind losses and had acted in bad faith.

In 1994 and in 2001, USAA had sent underwriters to the historic home, which is now restored and is a museum. Those underwriting reports were stored at USAAs records center in Tampa, a fact that apparently came back to bite the insurer in the litigation, the court explained.

After the Minors reported their loss in January 2006, six months after the storm, USAA sent adjusters to inspect, along with an engineer. The engineer, with Project Time & Cost Forensic Consulting, reported that Katrinas 110-mph winds had, in fact, damaged the roof, canopies, soffits and window systems of the home. But he also said that much of the house could not have withstood the 10-foot storm surge. The court noted that the report also mentions an elevation certificate, showing the house was elevated to 15 feet above the ground. But testimony differed on the depth of the storm surge, with some experts pegging it at 21 feet.

A USAA adjuster later called the engineer for clarification on the wind damage. The engineer said that dozens of windows all around the house had failed, not just those on the windward side. In an internal email, one adjuster acknowledged that the report opened USAA up to having to pay for all the windows and content losses in the home.

The adjuster then wrote to the Minors, offering a check for $37,245, noting that further payout was not due because the wind damage alone would not have left the home untenable. The court noted that the letter appeared to be inconsistent with the engineers report.

USAA adjusters also asked the homeowners for photos and diagrams of the property, but the Minors lawyers said the insurer was dragging its feet and pointed out that the insurer already had all that information on file in Tampa.

The plaintiffs also argued that the carriers own catastrophe claims manager had acknowledged the worrisome delay in resolving the claim. In a memo, the manager said, this was a $1 million claim and that the adjuster needed to get this file moving,' the court explained.

The Minors filed suit against USAA in 2008. Five years later, a jury in Jackson County awarded the family $1.5 million on the breach-of-contract claim. USAA paid the judgment and did not appeal.

But the Minors did appeal the trial courts grant of partial summary judgment in favor of USAA on bad-faith claims. A Mississippi Court of Appeals reversed that judgment, deciding that the insurer had known of the extensive wind damage and had delayed payments. The appellate judges remanded the case to the trial court for proceedings on the bad-faith issue.

After that second trial, a jury returned a verdict of $10 million in punitive damages and $457,858 in attorney fees for the Minors lawyers. USAA appealed. The Supreme Court held against the insurance giant.

In sum, the trial judge did not err as a matter of law by submitting the issue of punitive damages to jury, and the $10 million award of punitive damages is not unconstitutionally disproportionate, the justices wrote. We find no error in the jurys award of extra-contractual damages. Further, there are no errors (standing alone or combined) that warrant a new trial.

The justices took the fees a step further and awarded another $4 million in attorney fees  plus interest of 4% per year since the 2022 date of judgment, until paid.

Justice James Maxwell concurred in part but dissented on the fees. The dissent and full opinion can be seen here.

The lawsuit may be one of the last of many to reach a conclusion after the dark days of Hurricane Katrina. State Farm Fire and Casualty in 2021 famously settled with the Mississippi attorney generals office for $12 million, and with the federal government for $100 million after allegations that the insurer had mishandled Katrina claims. Read more here.

A lawyer for USAA in the case could not be reached for comment Sunday.

Top photo: The Charnley-Norwood House (Facebook)

Related: How Florida Lawmakers Addressed Unreasonable Bad-Faith Claims

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Hurricane Mississippi
Whats a villain that Cork audiences can really gang up on? Why a shady businessman from Dublin, of course.

Thats the foul foe we meet in Red Riding Hood at the Everyman, where Red, her best friend Pip and her granny, entrepreneur and Coal Quay legend Peggy Twomey, are threatened by the big bad wolf himself, Deco from Dublin.

Luckily they have a few friends on their side to defend grannys business from Decos scheming, including Pana the poodle, Jack the Woodcutter, and Reds imaginary friend Boo-Boo.

Grace OHalloran as Red and Fionula Linehan as Peggy Twomey

The Corkisms are out in force, with everyone from Roy Keane to the Kabin Crew referenced and there are TikTok nods aplenty thrown in too to keep the social media savvy viewers engaged  a live-streamed TikTok dance was one such moment that drew gasps from little viewers.

The 29th panto directed and produced by Catherine Mahon-Buckley, Red Riding Hood includes a talented cast of singers and dancers who shine in ensemble numbers like the opening tune One Short Day from hit stage musical-turned-movie Wicked.

Musical fans will enjoy other nods to the genre, including when panto villain Michael Sands as Deco proves his chops with a wolfish rendition of Hello Little Girl from Stephen Sondheims Into The Woods. So nefarious was Sands performance that one boy was heard heckling get off the stage every time he started to show his claws to poor Granny Peggy.

Michael Sands as Deco the wolf

Pop fans are well catered for too with the likes of Hot To Go and The Spark proving a hit with the crowd, and Swift-mania is rampant among the cast. However grown-ups in the audience might be surprised to be the only ones to appreciate other tunes: little ones sitting in front of me were quick to chat among themselves and loudly state I dont get it when the shows village people appeared to the sound of YMCA and dressed to match the 1978 song.

But there are some good topical jokes to keep the grown-ups chuckling, from bike shed costs and Lennoxs closure to a quick line about the scariest thing you could open your door to this winter: canvassers!

Michael Sands as Deco the wolf and Fionula Linehan as Peggy Twomey in Red Riding Hood

The main cast has a great rapport and they interact well with the boys and girls in the audience, not least Fionula Linehan as Peggy Twomey who has her keen eye on a few old flames in the crowd and the Dame bounces brilliant replies back to the boys and girls piping up from the audience.

Robyn ORiordan is noteworthy as Red, delivering comic and sentimental songs and scenes beautifully. Graham McDermott as Pana the poodle is a real star, giving the audience many diva-worthy moments and his antics are a quick hit.

Graham McDermott as Pana the poodle

Red Riding Hood is a fun romp through the woods for all the family and while there are some scenes that could do with a little tightening and tweaking, its most impressive feat is holding the attention of kids (and adults!) for just over two hours in a world of TikTok, Instagram and entertainment on demand. Truly a Christmas miracle  oh yes it is!

Red Riding Hood runs at the Everyman until January 12. Tickets 37 | Terrific Thursdays & Fantastic Friday 29 | Relaxed performance 25. Family pass 134.

Out and about at The Everyman

Nathan and Caelan O'Sullivan at Red Riding Hood at the Everyman. Pictures: David Creedon

Aoife Collins, Amie Lynch and Emma Stokes

Amanda and Casey Clarke with Isabelle Mulcahy and Olivia Stack

Jackie O'Donovan and Mark Fitzgerald

Narianna Kessler with Oriana and Elsa Salvina

Millie Bray and Lily McCarthy

Eloise, Phoebe and Samuel Clayton

Masyn Bray and Luke McCarthy

Anna Fitzpatrick, Macy McNamara, Jenny Davis and Jill Daly

Jack and Mollie Fitzgerald with Mia O'Donovan and Charlie Fitzgerald

Kasia, Hannah and Stephen Aherne

Aisling Ni Sheaghdha, Conn O Seaghdha, Sadhba Ni Sheaghdha and Ciaran O Seaghdha

Ellie McGeehan with Chris O'Donovan

Kathleen and John O'Leary and Logan Healy O'Leary

Alison Kearney, Maisie O'Donnell with Lisa O'Donnell and Leah Moore

Violetta Gudauskieme, Karolis Gudaskis, Meida Gudaskyte and Vilte Gudaskyte
LATE IN THE afternoon of December 1, 2010, I got a call from a features editor at Vogue. She asked if I wanted to go to Syria to interview the first lady, Asma al-Assad.

Absolutely not, I said. I dont want to meet the Assads, and they dont want to meet a Jew.

The editor explained the first lady was young, good-looking, and had never given an interview. Vogue had been trying to get to her for two years. Now shed hired a PR firm, and they must have pushed her to agree.

Send a political journalist, I said. We dont want any politics, none at all, said the editor, and she only wants to talk about culture, antiquities, and museums. You like museums. You like culture. She wants to talk to you. Youd leave in a week.

A week: clearly my name was last on a list of writers that the first lady had rejected because they knew nothing about Mesopotamia. I didnt consider the possibility that the other writers had rejected the first lady.

Let me think about it, I said. I had written four cover stories that year, three about young actresses and one about a supermodel who had just become a mother. This assignment was more exciting.

I looked up Asma al-Assad. Born Asma Akhras in London in 1975 to a Syrian cardiologist, Fawaz Akhras, and his diplomat wife, Sahar Otri. Straightforward trajectory. School: Queens College. University: Kings College. Husband: president of Syria.

My notions about the country were formed by the British Museum: the head of Gudea, king of Lagash, treasures from Ur, Mesopotamia, Sumer, Assyria, and Babylon  all of which had occupied what is now Syria. Both Aleppo and Damascus had been continuously inhabited for more than five millennia.

This was where civilisation was born, 6,000 years ago. I knew the countrys more recent past was violent, and secretive. The dictator Hafez al-Assad took power in 1970 and, until his death in 2000, ran the country as cruelly and ruthlessly as his idol Stalin. He was an Alawite; he dealt with a Sunni Muslim Brotherhood uprising in Hama in 1982 by killing 20,000 of its men, women, and children.

Bashar al-Assad looked meek. Hed been studying ophthalmology in London in 1994 when his older brother, the heir to the presidency, died in a car accident. Bashar was brought home, and groomed for power.

At Hafezs death, a referendum asked whether the 34-year-old Bashar should become president. There was no other option. He won. At first he was perceived as a reformer, but his only reforms were to do with banking.

Under Bashar al-Assad, Syria was still oppressed, but the silence and fear were such that little of the oppression showed, apart from vast numbers of secret police, called Mukhabarat.

Syria and Hezbollah were the suspects in the 2005 car-bomb murder of the former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri. Damascus was home base for Hezbollah and Hamas; Syria was close to Iran.

But these alliances also made Syria a viable interlocutor for the West, even a potential conduit to peace in the Middle East. In December 2010, Obama had just named a new ambassador, the first since George W Bush had broken off diplomatic relations in 2005.

In 2010 Syrias status oscillated between untrustworthy rogue state and new cool place. A long 2008 piece on Damascus in the British Conde Nast Traveller described its increasing hipness. It was the Soviet Union with hummus and water pipes. In the worldview of fashion magazines, Syria was a forbidden kingdom, full of silks, essences, palaces, and ruins, run by a modern president and an attractive, young first lady. Nancy Pelosi and John Kerry had visited, as well as Sting, Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Francis Coppola. It was also a Pandoras box. Syria was a dictatorship, which was the default mode throughout the region.

I called Barbet Schroeder, whod made the ultimate documentary about a dictator, General Idi Amin Dada.

Hafez al-Assad was the worst evil genius in the world, but I think his son is trying to be a reformer, said Schroeder.

Someone who had a house in Aleppo said that Asma al-Assad was a bright, energetic woman, to all appearances English, who drove herself everywhere. And, unlike other heads of state he knew, the Assads really care about their people.

Asma al-Assad. File picture: MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images

An aesthete, who went to Syria for its ruins, raved about Damascus, mentioned in passing some men seen hanged outside the Four Seasons Hotel, and then raved about Palmyra.

I should have said no right then.

I said yes. It was an assignment. I was curious. Thats why Id become a writer. Vogue wanted a description of the good-looking first lady of a questionable country; I wanted to see the cradle of civilisation. But what was the worst that could happen? I would write a piece for Vogue that missed the deeper truth about its subject. I had learned long ago that the only person I could ever be truthful about was myself.

I didnt know I was going to meet a murderer.

There was no way of knowing that Assad, the meek ophthalmologist and computerloving nerd, would kill more of his own people than his father had and torture tens of thousands more, many of them children.

In December 2010, there was no way of knowing that the Arab Spring was about to begin, and that it would take down the dictators of Tunisia, Libya, and Egypt.

There was no way of knowing, as I cheered the events in Tahrir Square, that I would be contaminated because I had written about the Assads. There was no way of knowing that this piece would cost me my livelihood and end the association I had with Vogue since I was 23.

I met the devil and his wife, with full fashion-magazine access to their improbable fishbowl apartment where they lived out their daily lives on display to the eyes of thousands, like a Middle-Eastern version of The Truman Show. They showed off their fantasy lives for me.

The Assads PR firm, Brown Lloyd James, took care of my visa. In the offices, flat-screen televisions mounted on walls played only Al Jazeera  one of their clients, along with Gaddafis son Saif and the government of Qatar.

We sat with Browns associate Mike Holtzman. They brought in their intern, a 22-year-old named Sheherazade Jaafari, the daughter of the Syrian ambassador to the United Nations. She and Holtzman would be in Damascus with me.

I landed in Damascus in the snow late on the night of December 12, 2010. Sheherazade was waiting on the runway in a government car.

The next day Sheherazade took me through Damascus; in the dark early-evening streets, I felt uneasy. Moustached men stood in our path, wearing shoes from the 1980s and curiously ill-fitting leather jackets over thick sweaters.

Two days later, December 14, I left my laptop on the desk.

A government car conveyed us to the first ladys office, a fairly anonymous little white building in a residential neighbourhood. I was to meet her alone.

Asma al-Assad was informal and cheery. A good-looking woman of 35, she wore a pale blue jacket and dark trousers. Her curly chin-length hair was sprayed into place, her eyebrows delineated in the Syrian manner.

Syrian president Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma in 2010. File picture: MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP/Getty Images

She was as brisk as a prefect, as on-message as a banker, as friendly as a new acquaintance at a friends cocktail party. She sounded like the kind of young Englishwoman youd hear having lunch at the next table at Harvey Nichols.

She was on show, on, and delivered a well-rounded and glossy presentation of a cosy, modern, relaxed version of herself, her family, and her country to an American fashion magazine. With a London accent.

Her parents came from Homs. Shed grown up with two younger brothers in what she called Ealing and what the London press calls the less upscale Acton: she rode horses; her school friends called her Emma; she cut class to hang out on Oxford Street and got her degree in computer science at Kings College. She briefly worked at Deutsche Bank in New York, and was back in London at Morgan Stanley, about to take up an MBA at Harvard, when, on holiday at her aunts in Damascus in 2000, she remet Bashar al-Assad, a family friend. She was 25, he was 35.

She said she began to go to Damascus on weekends to see the presidents son. The word president rang as glamorous in her mouth as movie star. The word dictator never got in.

You dont plan to do this, she said. After Hafez al-Assad died and Bashar became president, she quit her Morgan Stanley job and moved to Damascus. They married, and now had three children: Hafez, nine; Zein, seven; and Karim, who was about to turn six.

She liked secrets. Their wedding, she said in a conspiratorial tone, was held in secret, its exact date still private. She spent her first three months as Mrs Assad travelling through Syria with people who, to her delight, did not know who she was.

She was not wearing a wedding ring. Her husband did not either. When you meet him, youll understand why, she said. It was a little coy. She wanted to tell me about Massar, the series of youth discovery centres she was setting up.

Massar in Arabic means path, destiny, she said, and destiny is created by the choices you make. Our project is about empowering this generation of young people to become active citizens, able to be part of the change the countrys going through.

Almost half the Syrian population was under 14, she said, and Massar Green Teams had gone around the country to share its tenets of active citizenship with 200,000 children.

Wednesday I sat with Holtzman, unfed, through long meetings about fundraising for the Syria Trust.

Doesnt she stop for lunch? I asked one of her aides.

Never, the aide said proudly.

Asma unwittingly gave me a glimpse into the Assad way of thinking: I told my kids yesterday theres a journalist going to be writing about me, she said, and my eldest, Hafez, asked, Whats she going to say? And I said, I dont know. And he asked, How can you get her to write about you if you dont know what shes going to say?

I was told there was no crime in Damascus. A few days later, on a pretext involving wooden spoons, I returned to the souk alone except for a driver I could not shake. I think I saw why there was no crime.

A mysterious metal box on wheels was parked outside the souk. It was about seven feet long, six feet high, with one barred window in the back. Its surface was dangerously unfinished, raw, full of metal splinters. It looked like a mobile prison. Later, I asked a local about the box. He said hed never seen such a thing.

That night, Sheherazade was going out to dinner and Holtzman was in bed with food poisoning. I ate a bowl of stew in my hotel room and uploaded photos and reference videos to an American website. I used the Ethernet cord from the bureau drawer.

The next day Sheherazade called, sounding like a very old man with a sore throat. I ate salad last night, she said, and I had the driver take me straight to the hospital. They pumped my stomach. The first lady was making lunch at the presidential residence. It would be fondue, the familys favourite.

Holtzman and I set off for the old apartment of Hafez al-Assad, which they had redone, over five years, into three stories of modern, child-friendly open space.

Both Assads were in jeans and sweaters. Bashar turned out to have a neck so long that he looked like something you might glimpse breaking the water in a Scottish loch. He spoke with a slight lisp. He showed me his cameras, and showed me framed photos hed taken on family holidays in Qatar. He didnt strike me as much of a monster.

Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma in 2014. Picture: AP Photo/Syrian Presidency via Facebook

And he wanted to talk. I thrust the recorder at him and asked the most innocuous question I could think of.

Why had he wanted to become an eye doctor?

Because its never an emergency, he said. Its very precise, and there is very little blood.

Never an emergency. Very little blood. He wanted to talk about computers.

Their daughter, Zein, a seven-year-old with curly hair, watched Alice in Wonderland on her fathers iMac. Asmas iMac faced a side window.

The entire back half of the apartment was glass, rising from the lower level through the main reception floor above, and perhaps even farther up. Other residential buildings with hundreds of windows had an unobstructed view of the Assads doings. The apartment was like a custom-built habitat in which a rich first family could go about its domestic life in front of a large audience.

I wondered how this meshed with the secrecy Asma seemed to prize. I wondered who lived behind all those windows out there, and who they worked for.

Nosy neighbours, Asma said, had commented on their orange seating area. This curiosity is good, said the president. Even if you want to be secure, you have to choose between being secure and being ... psychotic.

The kitchen, at the opposite end from the windows, was the only place that wasnt exposed to public view.

Asma pulled open three boxes of fondue mix. The base of the saucepan she used was bright and brand new. The president attempted to ignite a little can of Sterno with a match. Ive never tried it, this is the first time, he said.

If this was a set, the props were well chosen: rubber boots and slickers piled by the lower-level door, a collection of completed Lego projects  trucks, buildings, a shark, all perfect  lining the edge of the plate-glass walls, a decorated Christmas tree. There was no staff to be seen, no nannies, maids, or cooks. Friday, the staff s day off ?

The nine-year-old, Hafez, asked sharp questions about the workings of Congress. He was blond, like his brother, Karim, who, the first lady reminded me, had just turned six the day before.

I had brought nothing. I rooted in my bag for something that could pass as a birthday present for a six-year-old. Aha. Star Wars flash drive. R2-D2, blue and white.

It was all I had. I showed R2-D2 to Holtzman, who said Why not? I asked the president if I could give his son a Star Wars flash drive of mine. He asked if I wanted to clean it up before I handed it over, and led me to his wifes iMac.

I put the R2-D2 flash drive in the socket, and a Word document popped up on her screen. I wasnt going to open the Word document with the president of Syria leaning over me.

As far as I could remember, it was a few transcribed lines about her taste for mathematics. But had I added anything more personal? Had I let rip about the security, the secrecy? About the metal box outside the souk?

I sat in his wifes chair, wondering what to do. The president suggested I might want to put the document in the trash. I pulled it to the trash. Empty it, he said. He did. I didnt dare look at Asma. I handed the R2-D2 flash drive to Karim, who was only mildly impressed.

We all clustered around the dinette table in the kitchen and dipped squares of bread into the fondue. Assad told jokes; they werent funny. Everyone laughed.

After lunch, Asma announced we were going to Massar in Latakia.

It was December 17, 2010. In Tunisia that day, the Arab Spring began when Mohamed Bouazizi, a 26-year-old street fruit vendor, set himself on fire.

We arrived in Latakia in sleet; it was sleek, well designed, and looked expensive. It was also noisy and crawling with kids.

They all stood up when Asma came in, and then cleared their throats and pulled at their sweaters and debated and argued and proudly showed off for their first lady.

Dressed like them, in jeans and a cardigan, she made an announcement.

She said: There isnt enough money for Massar, and this centre has to close down so that we can open another further up the coast.

Boys and girls went silent. Some cried.

A boy stood up. The translator whispered: He says, I understand why this should happen, but its not fair.

Asma al-Assad said: What about we fire the person who gave me this bad idea to close this centre?

Another boy responded: Lets debate with him instead.

She spoke again, this time with a big smile. The translator relayed:

Now shes saying that this centre isnt really closing. It was just a test to see how much they cared.

Asma al-Assad. Picture: AP Photo/Sana

It took a moment before the kids showed any joy or any relief. The little ride theyd just been on was no fun.

I wandered out among the kids. Boys clustered around me, sweet teenagers. They wanted to know everything about New York and movies.

More teenagers clustered around Asma as she headed for the door. She didnt seem to want to leave.

I asked her why shed made the fake announcement about closing the Massar centre.

There was a little bit of formality in what they were saying, she said. It wasnt real  it was just nerves, or respect. So the idea was to get them out of their comfort zone, throw them off. I do it all the time. We need to get past the formalities if we are to get anything done.

Back in my hotel room, I found the Ethernet cable ripped out of my laptop so violently that the plastic tab on the end had broken off.

The next day, December 18, demonstrations broke out across Tunisia as Mohamed El Bouazizi lay in a coma in hospital, dying of his burns. Snowstorms in London trapped me in Damascus for two more days.

I attended a concert. Two hundred children sang carols, Broadway hits, and Arabic rap. The president shook a little bell to Jingle Bell Rock.

I found myself in the opera-house foyer with the Assads.

Do you understand now? Asma asked, looking at her ring finger and then at her husband.

Yes, I said. I understood nothing. That was our parting.

I sat in the hotel bar with the French ambassador and asked what was really going on in Syria. He took the battery out of my Syrian cell phone and then did the same with his. This must have set off an alert, because suddenly Sheherazade materialised in front of us.

The ambassador drew maps of Syrias shifting boundaries, with dates.

The next day Sheherazade said: We dont want you to talk to the French ambassador. You cant talk to me that way, I said.

When I opened my laptop at the Vienna airport on the way back to New York, an icon on the screen announced itself as the server for someone named Ali.

I arrived in New York on December 21, 2010, and quarantined the compromised laptop.

'The Arab Spring is spreading'

I watched Al Jazeera on my other computer as I transcribed. A small uprising in Algeria at the end of December was quickly squashed. In Tunisia on January 4, 2011, Mohamed Bouazizi died of his burns, and the country erupted.

I watched the protests in Lebanon, Jordan, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. In my earpiece as I transcribed, I heard the voice of Asma al-Assad talking, on and on, about empowering children to build a civil society. I watched Al Jazeera constantly. I didnt want to write this piece. But I always finished what I started.

I handed in the piece on January 14, the day President Ben Ali fled Tunisia. The Arab Spring is spreading, I told Vogue on January 21. You might want to hold the piece.

They didnt think the Arab Spring was going anywhere, and the piece was needed for the March Power Issue.

I got an expert to clean Ali out of the laptop.

On January 25, protesters massed in Cairos Tahrir Square. Sunni Muslims in Lebanon staged a day of rage against Hezbollah.

On February 11, Hosni Mubarak was overthrown in Egypt. There were protests in Yemen, Sudan, Iraq, Bahrain, then, unbelievably, in Libya.

I asked Vogues managing editor if we could meet to discuss how to handle the Assad piece. A meeting was held, without me. I was asked not to speak to the press.

On February 25, as Libyan protesters demanded an end to Gaddafi, my piece on Asma al-Assad was published online at Vogue. They had excruciatingly titled it A Rose in the Desert.

I was attacked as soon as it went up. How dare I write about Asma al-Assad? By describing Syrias first lady in Vogue, I had anointed her.

Syria stayed quiet until the middle of March, when a small incident set off the horrifying massacres. In a town called Daraa at the end of February, 15 children broke the countrys silence.

The boys, ages nine to 15, wrote, The people want to topple the regime on the walls of their school.

The police arrested them. When they had not been released after two weeks, their families staged a protest on March 15. At a second protest, on March 18, Syrian forces fired on the crowd and killed four people.

The boys were released from prison. Their families saw that they had been tortured and took to the streets. On March 23, a grenade was hurled into a crowd of protesters in the Daraa mosque.

Assads forces began to kill Syrians every day. They fired on mourners at funerals, men gathered in mosques, women and children in the street.

They arrested more children. They tortured more children.

On April 29, a chubby 13-year-old boy named Hamza Ali al-Khateeb was arrested during a protest in Saida, near Daraa.

On May 24, Hamzas mutilated body was returned to his parents. Bashar al-Assad blamed the uprising of the Syrian people on terrorists from both al Qaeda and the United States.

Through 2011, I wondered about Asma al-Assad, the woman who cared so much about the youth of Syria. How could she not know what was happening? How could she stand by and do nothing while the Syrian regime ate its young?

In May of 2011, Vogue took the piece off its website. I kept my word and did not speak to the press. At the end of the year, my contract was not renewed.

I was now free to react to the Syrian carnage with the only medium I had: Twitter.

Last December, Bashar al-Assad told Barbara Walters the truth on ABC: No government kills its people, unless its run by a crazy person.

I wondered what their massive windows looked like now, and whether they still lived on show to the gaze of thousands.

Was Asma locked up, or back home in Ealing, or Acton?

When pictures of her appeared making charity packages with her husband or voting  voting! in a referendum, I wondered if she was drugged, compliant, indifferent, complicit.

Most of all, I wondered about Massar and her project to empower six million young Syrians to become active citizens.

Was she conscious that by empowering the children of Syria to take charge of their destinies, she was feeding them to her husbands torturers?

What is consciousness when you are first lady of hell?

I will never know.

This is an edited version of an article that first appeared in Newsweek. This article was first published in the Irish Examiner on August 12, 2012.
The mother of two boys who are being held in Egypt by their father has pleaded with the Taoiseach to raise her case with the Egyptian president when he arrives in Ireland this week.

Mandy Kelly, aged 37, has campaigned for the past two years to have her sons brought home from Egypt after a family holiday in March 2022 turned into a living hell.

It has been 1,000 days since Ms Kelly saw her children. The Co Louth mother had travelled to Cairo with her estranged husband, Ramy Gamal Maamoun Mohamed, unaware that he had planned to abduct the children.

He locked Mandy into an apartment and drove the children  Zayn, aged 6, and Kareem, aged 3  to a secret location.

Since then, both the judiciaries in Ireland and Egypt have ruled that the children should be returned to their mother. However, the father cannot be located by police in Cairo.

Ms Kelly told the Irish Examiner that she is pleading with Taoiseach Simon Harris to raise the case with president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi when he arrives in Ireland.

I really need all the help I can get she said.

The president of Egypt is coming here as part of a European tour. He will be in Denmark and Norway, and his final stop will be in Ireland.

I really need the issue of my sons being held in Egypt to be raised when he gets here

I have a court order from Ireland and Cairo to have my sons returned but, as of yet, their father is refusing to do so and cannot be located.

As a mother I feel completely and utterly helpless, I have done everything I was asked to do  every single thing and more  and yet the boys are still not home.

Ms Kelly told the Irish Examiner that she is pleading with Taoiseach Simon Harris to raise the case with president Abdel Fattah El-Sisi when he arrives in Ireland.

Ms Kelly said that two Interpol notices have also been issued preventing her estranged husband from leaving Egypt.

I have been notified that both yellow and blue Interpol notices are live, however this has brought no solution to the case.

It is a heartbreaking situation. I am living a hell on earth, but I will not give up until my children are home.

Ms Kelly said she is continuing to work with gardai in a bid to secure a red Interpol notice which would assist with the arrest of the abducting parent.

I havent seen my sons since March 11, 2022. Despite everything, they are still not with me.

I really want the Taoiseach to speak to the Egyptian president this week and urge him to get involved and help bring my children home.
Baby Alfie OReilly left hospital in his mothers arms as she and his father drove home with his tiny white coffin in the boot of the car.

He had lived for just four days but, over four years later, his memory is as clear as ever for Amanda and Aidan.

They visit him often in the graveyard near their home in Midleton, East Cork. They and his siblings Emilia, Sophie, and Brody will be there on Christmas morning as they have been every Christmas.

Since Alfie, I dont think weve managed to put up Christmas decorations without crying, all the happy moments are sad, Amanda said.

I know thats very hard for a lot of people to understand, but true joy  I dont think weve felt that since Alfie passed.

The grieving parents settled a High Court action against the HSE over the death of their son in July this year, following a legal battle Amanda described as four years of hell.

Amanda and Aidan OReillys son Alfie passed away in Cork University Maternity Hospital in July 2020. They settled a case against the HSE and eventually received an apology.

They now wish to highlight the trauma this process and the inquest caused  in the hopes of bringing about change.

Amanda is a midwife who previously worked at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH).

She described how at 39 weeks pregnant with Alfie, her second child, in July 2020, she went to CUMH very worried by not feeling kicks that Sunday night.

She was sent home again after a scan during which Alfie kicked once.

Then, I woke up during the night with pains. I thought I was labouring and went downstairs on the birthing ball. I last felt a movement from him at 6am on the Tuesday, she said.

They returned to the hospital, where Amanda had to go in alone due to the covid restrictions.

Aidan said: I was pretty much just doing laps of Wilton [shopping centre], across the way, waiting.

Over three hours, Amanda and her baby were monitored and scanned  but she was becoming steadily more and more anxious. At one point, she used the toilet.

I passed a clot, she said starkly. "And then I went onto the bed and he started kicking frantically.

They believe that is when he passed away

She was then rushed down to give birth, Aidan arriving in to see her being wheeled away. Alfie was immediately taken to the neonatal intensive care unit.

While staff tried to reassure her, Amanda could see tragedy looming because, as a midwife, she understood clearly what was happening.

I knew then in that moment. I knew he was going to die or at the very best be severely disabled. I just lost it, she said.

Initially Aidan was more hopeful. However, by Friday, an MRI on their babys brain sadly showed no activity.

Turning off the life-support on Saturday was the most difficult day of our lives, she said.

They were told an autopsy would be done as legally required. However, they found thinking about Alfie having this procedure quite disturbing.

Theres no choice, which isnt right, Aidan said. It should be up to the parents.

By October 2020, they had begun to suspect birth negligence and then contacted a solicitor.

To their further frustration, the inquest in Cork was not held until April 2022.

The couple want to raise queries about the inquest itself, including why a jury was used instead of a coroner deliberating.

They want to know why the jury asked them to remove a gorgeous framed photograph of Alfie they had in court.

Amanda and Aidan with their son Alfie. The couple were shocked that the inquest returned a verdict of death by natural causes.

We were told to face the picture down because one person in the jury was offended, Aidan said. He has since seen photographs displayed during the Stardust inquest and others.

Describing other issues, he added: At every step we took, it felt like people were disrespecting Alfie. The only voice he has is us.

However, it was the verdict of death by natural causes which really shocked them.

That was despite the coroner, the HSE, and our own legal team all requesting a narrative verdict at the end.

The jury just decided it was natural causes

In contrast, at the High Court, the HSE admitted liability in the action  where it was claimed delay in delivering the baby by caesarean section had caused or contributed to Alfies death.

Coming to that point in court almost exactly four years after Alfie died was simply traumatic, Amanda said. Its wrong, weve suffered the greatest loss that you can, she said.

Liability lies with the HSE and, in an attempt to get justice and answers for Alfie, weve been put through four years of hell. We faced tactics and manipulation and insults from the HSE and the State Claims Agency and their legal team. The system shouldnt be like that  not when admission of liability is given.

During preparation for the court, for example, Amanda was assessed by an occupational therapist for the HSEs side.

She was making recommendations that I take a year out of work, that I be funded to re-train, she said.

Impartial and fair. She was working for the HSE but, when it came to the court case, they withdrew her as a witness so we couldnt get access to her report.

An apology was discussed during mediation in late June this year between their legal team and the one representing the HSE and State Claims Agency.

To the parents' shock, the apology for baby Alfie was written by the HSEs legal team and the grieving parents had to argue over every phrase.

Money has absolutely nothing to do with it. What was important to us was we got acknowledgement it was their fault, which we never thought we would get, Amanda said.

So we got that and then we wanted an apology.

To their shock, the apology was written by the HSEs legal team and the grieving parents had to argue over every phrase.

Amanda said: They wrote the apology and sent us down a copy while we were in the mediation room.

When you think you cant possibly be insulted any further they managed it. It was the most roundabout language.

Aidan described it as copy and paste spiel.

So we re-wrote it, she said. This included replacing the phrase on the loss of your baby with on the death of your son.

The legal team then checked this with CUMH, who made further changes. The couple were still unhappy, but were told this was final.

That was why it was important we called it out in the court and to the papers that we didnt accept the apology

It was one we had to ask for and we had to write," Amanda said.

Sitting in their kitchen, Amanda gestured around and said: He is missed every day. He should be four now, running around the place.

Their solicitor is Ciara McPhillips, a partner with Michael Boylan Litigation.

She said it was April 2022 before they received a copy of the hospitals internal review. Her copy is undated.

The apology, she said, was written after a lot of toing and froing about the wording.

I know the family felt this took away from the sincerity... which is very understandable, she said.

She said both CUMH and the OReillys had sought a narrative verdict at the inquest.

In my respectful view, I do not think inquests of this nature are suited to a jury.

Further, the family had a picture of Alfie in court and the jury asked that it be removed, she said.

I say all of this with absolute respect to the coroner and the jury of lay persons, but the legislature ought to review the Coroners Act to remove the possibility of juries hearing inquests of this nature.

An apology on behalf of CUMH and its staff was read to the High Court by HSE counsel. This expressed 'heartfelt sympathies and condolences on the death of baby Alfie'.

She also said that, while open disclosure legislation is now in place in the HSE, it came after Alfies passing and is not applied retrospectively.

Keelin O Donoghue, the head of the Pregnancy Loss Research Group based in University College Cork and CUMH, has studied this area.

[We] have published lots of work over many years now to show that the current process of reviewing why babies die during pregnancy, at or after birth, isnt working well for anyone  and isnt leading to meaningful change either, she said.

Parents dont get answers and the individual healthcare professionals also get damaged within the system

An apology on behalf of CUMH and its staff was read to the High Court by HSE counsel. This expressed heartfelt sympathies and condolences on the death of baby Alfie.

The hospital apologised unreservedly and sincerely for the failings in care during the course of the fetal-maternal haemorrhage that caused the death of your son Alfie.

The hospital said it did not underestimate how traumatic it has been for the OReillys, and wished to acknowledge its enduring impact on them.
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The States regulator of the rental sector has published new figures on the chronic situation faced by tenants across the country, which confirm the size of the challenge facing a new government that will be under pressure to tackle the issue.

The Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) figures, released last week, confirmed that rents continue to rise at a sharp pace nationwide, with that growth slightly less in the areas close to and encompassing Dublin, for the simple reason that rental rates in those places have already reached saturation point.

The RTB had another piece of research to share  a property-level analysis  which focused on trends for rents being charged for individual properties.

In simpler terms, the RTB, which has faced much criticism for its toothlessness in the face of Irelands exploding rents, is now able to record and publish data on how individual rents on specific properties have changed over the past two years.

This has been made possible by the fact that tenancies have been registered with the RTB on an annual basis since 2022.

In each case, the rent charged is noted and compared with what went before.

The figures are certainly of interest.

The RTB noted that the majority, 70%, of the 182,000 individual tenancies surveyed had rent changes of 2% or less  fairly low-level hikes in other words.

Outside the rent pressure zones (RPZs)  areas where caps are imposed to control prices  71% of rentals showed no change at all, according to the presentation by the RTB.

The data on individual properties, as presented last week, suggests a functioning tenancies market, but not even the hardiest of optimistic-thinkers would describe Irelands cutthroat rentals situation in that manner.

So whats going on?

Despite the fact that many rents hardly changed, the overall figures in Ireland are still increasing at a rate of knots. The devil, as always, is in the detail.

There are a few things to note.

Cumulative increases are permitted

First, the tenancies which are increasing the most are bringing the overall average up nationwide.

More than 16,100 rental properties nationwide saw their rents increase by at least 8% over the 21-month period that the RTB was looking at.

As the RTB noted in its presentation, increases of more than 2% do not necessarily indicate non-compliance with the RPZ legislation. Rent increases can be applied cumulatively, for example  that is, a landlord can leave a figure charged unchanged for four years, and then apply each of the four 2% increases in one go.

It may seem like a harsh thing to do, but its legal.

Landlords' word is accepted in good faith

The second factor to note is that the data supplied is entirely dependent on what individual landlords say they are charging. No proof is required on the landlords part. It is, in effect, dependent on the good faith responses of the landlords registering their tenancies.

Such a system by its very nature is an open goal for abuse.

New leases bounded by RPZ limits

Finally, and crucially, the RTB notes that tenancies where one renter leaves a property and another takes over are far more likely to see a hefty rent increase than those where the incumbent tenant stays in place.

Strictly speaking, such increases are contrary to RPZ rules. In practice, putting a stop to them would seem close to impossible.

Tenants dont tend to pay much attention to their previous rental when moving on and, unless they inform the RTB about whats happened, there is little that can be done.

In Dublin, a property is four times as likely to see rent raised by 8% or more when a tenant vacates their property. The same multiplier applies to the other RPZs nationwide.

Outside Dublin, one in five of the 9,700 rentals which saw a change in tenant had their rent raised by the same amount.

Outside the RPZs, in counties like Donegal and Leitrim, the figures are even more stark  more than one in two such rentals had their asking price increased by 8% or more annually between 2022 and 2024.

Which brings us back to RPZs themselves.

Rent pressure zones

Rent pressure zones were first introduced by then housing minister Simon Coveney in 2016 in an attempt to control the trend of exploding rents.

Eight years later, Irelands rental situation is infinitely more problematic than it was, and RPZs remain the only show in town in terms of rental checks.

New locations added to the RPZ roster and the never-ending rental crisis mean that the pressure zones now account for more than 82% of the entire private rental market.

The rules for an RPZ are simple enough. Once an area has been deemed to be a pressure zone  due to the rents there being noted as both high and rising fast  landlords are prohibited from raising rent by more than 2% annually, with certain exceptions, such as the aforementioned cumulative increases, if the property has been empty for two years, or if refurbishments constituting a substantial change in the nature of the accommodation have occurred.

That 2% restriction also applies when the tenants change, as they do all the time. The problem is there is no way to monitor what a landlord is charging from one tenancy to the next.

As our case study from Athy shows, in which the landlord attempted to nearly double the rent to 2,000 when new tenants moved in, this is an area wide open to abuse.

Threshold national advocacy manager Ann-Marie OReilly says RPZs have a 'moderating' effect on rents but that little is done to monitor rent hikes between tenancies. Picture: Collins

Threshold advocacy manager Ann-Marie OReilly says that while RPZs have had a moderating impact in terms of rental levels, in her experience, little is done to monitor the raising of rents subsequent to a tenant vacating a property.

Describing herself as shocked at the near-doubling of rent at the Athy property, Ms OReilly said Threshold is only rarely made aware of instances of rent being disproportionately increased after a tenant vacates.

Another landlord in Kilkenny attempted to raise the rent from one tenancy to the next by 82%. In that case, the tenant was wise to the situation and took the matter to the RTB, where the landlord was promptly ordered to reduce the rent to within its RPZ limits.

Those situations relates to a change in tenancy.

A tenant in Galway meanwhile told us how the landlord moved to raise the rent of a four-bed house from 1,700 to 3,600 overnight after replacing the houses boiler.

In moving the houses BER (building energy rating) up a level, the landlord argued a substantial change to the accommodation had been achieved.

That case went to the RTB for dispute resolution, a process the tenants eventually lost  a result which saw them vacate the property because they simply couldnt afford it any more.

The RTB is not without corrective powers in terms of landlords (and tenants) behaving badly.

When notified of a potential breach of the Residential Tenancies Act by a member of the public, which includes raising rents unlawfully in a RPZ, the RTB can investigate the circumstances and  if improper conduct is deemed to have occurred  apply a sanction of up to 15,000 and a further 15,000 in costs.

The board can also instigate such an investigation of a landlord of its own volition.

'Tenants fear reporting RPZ breaches'

However, Ciaran Mulqueen (better known by his CrazyHousePrices social media moniker) who monitors much of the madness of Irelands housing market, describes Irish renters as feeling disempowered.

Ciaran Mulqueen, author of 'How to buy a home in Ireland', runs the Crazy House Prices podcast and social media accounts on X and Insta. Picture: Moya Nolan

Anecdotally, a lot of tenants tell me their landlords are raising rents above the RPZ limits, but theyre too fearful to report it due to the risk of eviction, he says.

The lack of rental supply means many are willing to endure this just to keep a roof over their heads, especially those with children.

There are also concerns about unregistered landlords who arent adhering to RPZ rules.

Ive heard of landlords exploiting loopholes by increasing parking or utility fees to bypass rent caps.

Mr Mulqueen says that, in terms of reporting the behaviour of errant landlords, many tenants feel disempowered by the complex reporting process and weak enforcement, with disputes taking too long to resolve, coupled with fears of being blacklisted by other landlords should they speak out.

How a rental register could help

A part solution to the problem of ever-spiralling rents could be the introduction of a rental register, one which monitors the rent paid at a location on an ongoing basis and is viewable to the public.

The idea isnt a far-fetched one  tenants advocates Threshold have been pushing for its introduction for at least six years, and Ireland already has similar registers in place for property sales and commercial rents.

An unofficial crowd-supported register has existed for the past year, to be found at HowMuchRent.com, with the sites creators inviting renters to add their story to its interactive map.

We all have a rental story to share. Details of all rents should be publicly available. Its time for rental transparency, the site states.

Nevertheless, eight years after RPZs were introduced, there is no official State-operated rental register to be seen.

Back in 2017, the Department of Housing fobbed off queries as to why there is no register in place by saying that data protection concerns  even before the arrival of GDPR in 2018  wouldnt allow for the creation of such a public portal.

Privacy concerns rebuffed

That argument would seem to be rebuffed by the existence of the property price register  if people are entitled to know what a house costs, then why shouldnt they be allowed to know what it rents for? Things have changed since 2017, of course, but we still have no register.

The Housing Commission, which delivered its final report last May, specifically suggested that a publicly available register of rents being charged be established. Asked what progress had been made towards that end, the Department of Housing said it was a matter for the Housing Agency. The Housing Agency duly said the issue is one of Government policy, and therefore falls under the remit of the Department of Housing.

Former Fine Gael Dublin North-West TD Noel Rock: 'A transparent register protects good tenants [and] honest landlords and makes enforcement of existing law more straightforward.' Picture: Leah Farrell/RollingNews

Asked for a second time what progress is being made, a spokesperson for the department said the Housing Agency is supporting the departments consideration and implementation of the Housing Commissions recommendations via an analysis of costings, feasibility, and timelines.

The department will be in a better position to answer your queries when that analysis is complete, the spokesperson said, though giving little indication as to when that might be.

Former Fine Gael TD for Dublin North-West, Noel Rock, brought forward legislation to introduce a rent register in 2017 after being given evidence too many times that RPZs were proving ineffective.

When I introduced the legislation, the reaction from some landlords locally was vicious.

"I had one visit my office to berate me for introducing it, claiming it would invade his privacy, he says.

Mr Rock subsequently queried the RTB about the introduction of a register in 2019 when he was chairman of the Oireachtas housing committee.

They informed us that it would be something they would be interested in, provided they could get access to further staffing resources, he says.

I think the reward outweighs the risk: A transparent register protects good tenants [and] honest landlords and makes enforcement of existing law more straightforward, he adds, while noting his frustration at the lack of progress.

Ms OReilly, meanwhile, says that the instance of rent being doubled in Athy underlines the need for a national rent register, but adds that any suggestions by her organisation to that effect have been consistently rebuffed by the Department of Housing over GDPR concerns.

There needs to be something to aid renters. A register would help with the enforcement of the RPZs, and would go some way towards discouraging breaches of the 2% cap in the first place.
The concept of human rights is as old as civilisation itself. But it is the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1948, that gave birth to human rights as they are known today, and the subsequent conventions to uphold them legally.

Born out of the unthinkable atrocities that took place during the Second World War, the world wanted to say never again. 1948 was also the year that an estimated 750,000 Palestinians were forced to flee their homes, lands and communities in fear of violence perpetrated by violent militias and, later, the Israeli military.

A long history of mass forced displacement, expulsion and refugeehood has overshadowed Palestinian existence since the start of the British administration of the territory, lasting from 1922-1947.

Since the creation of the State of Israel in 1948, successive Israeli governments have overseen a continuous cycle of dispossession and nearly six million Palestinians are today registered as refugees in Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, the West Bank including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.

An excavator removes the rubble of destroyed buildings as rescue workers search for victims at the site of an Israeli airstrike, in Beirut, Lebanon, in October. Photo: AP/Hussein Malla

Tragically 76 years since the adoption of our modern human rights laws the idea of never again is utterly shattered. Israels devastating military assault on the Gaza Strip  deemed recently by Amnesty International to be genocide  has precipitated a catastrophic and unprecedented humanitarian crisis.

The orchestrated destruction of Gazas civilian infrastructure together with the imposition of severe restrictions on the delivery of humanitarian aid, has rendered Gaza unliveable. Israel has starved Palestinians, massacred them in record numbers and has bombed Gaza to pieces.

Israel has starved Palestinians, massacred them in record numbers and has bombed Gaza to pieces. The magnitude of the current violence and displacement is unprecedented in the Palestinian context.

Nearly 45,000 people have been killed in 14 months, and over 100,000 brutally injured in life limiting ways. The trauma for children is so deep its unimaginable. Children are starving, have been left orphaned and without an education.

Every time we think it cant get worse, it does. Two months ago, on October 6 the Israeli military started a brutal siege of northern Gaza and since then more than 130,000 people have been forced to flee, mostly to Gaza City.

A Palestinian child looks on following an Israeli airstrike on Ibn Rushd School in Al-Zawaida, sheltering displaced people, in Deir al-Balah, Gaza in October. The trauma for children is so deep its unimaginable. Photo: Ashraf Amra/Anadolu via Getty Images

The population there has surged by around 50% in recent weeks resulting in severe overcrowding and leaving an urgent need for shelter, food and other essentials. Up to 70% of those in some displacement sites are women and children, many forced to shelter in abandoned buildings or out in the open in the bitter cold and rain.

Virtually no aid has entered the north, leaving tens of thousands of people without food, water, fuel, transport and electricity. Starvation and malnutrition are rapidly increasing. The Famine Review Committee has warned that the threshold for famine may have already been crossed.

Up to 75,000 people remain in the north of Gaza, including staff and patients at ActionAids partner, Al-Awda Hospital, where doctors are continuing to save lives and deliver babies amid unimaginable danger and despite running desperately low on fuel and medical supplies.

Lamis, a pregnant mother, told ActionAid she and her family were trapped in a school in northern Gaza for two weeks before they were forced to flee. She said: We were besieged in a school for 14 days under fire and airstrikes.

"We could not move, and we couldnt even go to the bathroom. The Israeli army started calling out on the loudspeaker telling us to evacuate the place.

My children, my husband and I ran out. My husband was arrested and taken with the young men. I took my children, and we started running. My children were screaming and were scared and cold.

What is happening to Palestinians in 2024 goes way beyond egregious human rights violations. The abuses by Israel, completely supported and armed by the United States, amount to war crimes, crimes against humanity and it seems irrefutably clear  genocide.

This abuse by Israel and its allies of the Palestinian people and ignoring human rights puts the whole system of international law at risk. It puts our humanity at risk. It is a profound moment of crisis for the world.

Will the world allow this genocide to become background noise? Will we allow an indigenous population to be exterminated? Will we allow the utter hypocrisy and moral failure of Bidens America to go unchallenged?

More aid must be allowed into Gaza urgently, and its safe delivery to those who need it guaranteed. ActionAid and other NGOs are supporting Palestinian organisations with cash transfers and trying to get aid in. It is extraordinarily difficult with rising costs, insecurity and scarce supplies.

If Israels ban on UNWRA is enforced, the level of death will be apocalyptic. Above all, there must be a permanent ceasefire now.

Occupied Territories Bill

Ireland has consistently shown solidarity with the Palestinian people. Whilst foreign policy did not feature strongly in the recent general election campaign, Irish people clearly want human rights to be upheld and justice for Palestine is at the heart of this.

Our solidarity, however, means nothing if were not willing to put condemnations into real and meaningful action. Passing the Occupied Territories Bill must be an urgent priority for the new government. While significant, it is a minimum step that must be taken in the face of genocide.

On this International Human Rights Day, lets reclaim our shared humanity: stop the arms, sanction leaders, and demand justice. The time to act is now our humanity depends on it.

Read More Israeli strikes continue in Gaza as neighbours close borders with Syria
Australian law enforcement authorities have declared an arson attack on a synagogue last week a terrorist act in a decision that increases resources available to the investigation.

Arson squad detectives have been investigating the blaze that extensively damaged the Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne on Friday.

The investigation was taken over on Monday by the Joint Counter-Terrorism Team which involves Victoria state police and Australian Federal Police, as well as the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, the nations main domestic spy agency.

The decision to transition the Adass Israel Synagogue fire attack to the Victorian Joint Counter-Terrorism Team is a crucial turning point in this investigation, Australian Federal Police deputy commissioner Krissy Barrett said.

A man reads messages left on the fence outside the fire damaged Adass Israel Synagogue in Melbourne (Con Chronis/AAP/AP)

I want to thank Victoria Police investigators for the significant information they have gathered so far, which has helped lead us to believe that this is likely to be a politically motivated attack. This is now a terrorism investigation.

The declaration gave investigators more resources, information and legal powers to pursue the three suspects, police said.

Victoria Police Chief commissioner Shane Patterson said investigators had made significant progress but declined to detail that progress.

The synagogue fire is the first declared terrorist incident in Australia since April when a 16-year-old boy allegedly stabbed a bishop and priest in a Sydney Assyrian church while a service was being streamed online.

The blaze is an escalation in targeted attacks in Australia since the war began between Israel and Hamas last year. Cars and buildings have been vandalised and torched around Australia in protests inspired by the war.

The Victoria government on Friday offered 100,000 Australian dollars (50,184) to help repair the synagogue and said there would be an increased police presence in the area.

The federal government on Sunday offered the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, an umbrella body representing more than 200 Jewish organisations, 32.5 million Australian dollars (16.3 million) to enhance security at community sites including synagogues and schools.
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Part of the wreckage of the plane blown up in the Lockerbie bombing is being moved to the US ahead of the trial of a man alleged to have helped make the bomb.

All 259 passengers and crew onboard Pan Am Flight 103 and 11 people on the ground were killed when the plane exploded above the Scottish town in 1988, in what remains Britains deadliest terrorist atrocity.

Libyan national Abu Agila Masud, who is alleged to have helped make the bomb, is to go on trial in the US in May 2025 facing three charges, which he denies.

Parts of the plane were left embedded in a street in Lockerbie (PA)

Scotlands prosecution service said the transfer of evidence to the US ahead of the trial is starting and includes parts of the fuselage  the main body of the plane  where the passengers and crew would have been seated.

Laura Buchan, who is head of a team of prosecutors from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) working on the case, said: Since Masud was taken into custody by the US in 2022, Scottish prosecutors and police have been engaged in a formal evidence sharing process with the US Department of Justice.

The transfer of physical items of evidence from Scotland into US custody is beginning.

The transfer includes parts of the fuselage of Pan Am 103 which are a production in the criminal investigation.

We understand that the fuselage will hold significance for many of the families of those who lost their lives and they have been informed of the transfer plans.

The Princess Royal laid a wreath at the Lockerbie Air Disaster Memorial (Andrew Milligan/PA)

The plane exploded above Lockerbie, Dumfries and Galloway, on December 21 1988, 40 minutes into its flight from London to New York.

Former Libyan intelligence officer Abdelbaset al-Megrahi is the only man convicted in relation to the bombing, after being found guilty of 270 counts of murder by a panel of three Scottish judges, sitting at a special court in the Hague in 2001.

He was sent to prison in Scotland but was controversially granted compassionate release in 2009 after being diagnosed with terminal cancer, returning home to Libya where he died in 2012.

Abdelbaset al-Megrahi is the only person to have been convicted in connection with the Lockerbie bombing (Crown Office/PA)

Scotlands most senior law officer, the Lord Advocate, Dorothy Bain KC, said: The trial court held that this act of state-sponsored terrorism was orchestrated by the Libyan government and that Megrahi was involved with others. That verdict has been subject of intense scrutiny and has been upheld twice in the appeal court.

The transfer of evidence for the trial in the US is a strong expression of the commitment that Scottish prosecutors and officers of Police Scotland have to bringing all those responsible for this terrible act to justice.

Police Scotland Chief Constable Jo Farrell said: My thoughts remain with the families and friends of those who lost loved ones in 1988 and who continue to show incredible dignity and strength.

Police Scotland remains committed to working with the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service and our law enforcement colleagues in the United States to support the investigation and bring those responsible for the bombing of Pan Am flight 103 to justice, no matter the passage of time.
Hundreds of Syrian refugees gathered at two border crossings in southern Turkey, eagerly anticipating their return home following the fall of president Bashar Assads government.

Many arrived at the Cilvegozu and Oncupinar border gates at daybreak, draped in blankets and coats.

Some camped by the barriers of the border crossing, warming themselves with makeshift fires or resting on the cold ground.

Syrians wait to cross into Syria from Turkey at the Cilvegozu border gate, near the town of Antakya, southern Turkey (Metin Yoksu/AP)

The border crossings correspond to the Bab al-Hawa and Bab al-Salameh gates on the Syrian side of the border.

Among those waiting at Cilvegozu was 28-year-old Muhammed Zin who voiced excitement at the prospect of returning to his homeland.

He fled Damascus in 2016 and has been living and working in Istanbul.

Assad was shooting us, killing us, he told the Associated Press.

I will return to Syria now. Thank God, the war is over, he said.

Seer Ali, 18, who left Damascus six years ago, had been working in the nearby city of Gaziantep to support his mother and siblings back home.

Syrians arrive to cross into Syria from Turkey at the Cilvegozu border gate, near the town of Antakya, southern Turkey (Metin Yoksu/AP)

We are very happy, very happy. Not just me, but everyone, all of us Syrians here are very happy, he said.

Everyone will return, no one will stay here. They will all go to their families.

Turkish officials have not said how many Syrians have returned since Mr Assads downfall.

Authorities set up a checkpoint some five kilometres (three miles) from Cilvegozu, only allowing Syrians with adequate documentation to advance to the border gate, HaberTurk television reported.

Mr Assads fall has sparked widespread joy among Turkeys three million Syrian refugees, with many taking to the streets of Istanbul and other cities to celebrate.

On Sunday, Syrians also removed the Syrian governments flag from the Syrian Consulate in Istanbul, replacing it with the oppositions flag.

Syrians wait to cross into Syria from Turkey at the Oncupinar border gate, near the town of Kilis, southern Turkey (Khalil Hamra/AP)

Turkey welcomed Syrian refugees with open arms in the early years of the Syrian civil war that broke out in 2011  becoming host to the largest number of refugees in the world.

Ankara believed that the conflict would end quickly and refugee influx would be temporary.

But as Turkey faced economic challenges, public opinion toward the refugees soured, forcing President Recep Tayyip Erdogans government to seek ways to ensure their safe and voluntary repatriation.

Turkish officials now hope that a significant number of Syrians will return voluntarily.

We will continue our efforts to ensure the safe and voluntary return of Syrians and to rebuild the country, Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan said on Monday.

Hundreds of displaced Syrians were also returning Monday to Syria from Lebanon, with dozens of cars lining up to enter.

Syrians arrive to cross into Syria from Turkey at the Cilvegozu border gate, near the town of Antakya, southern Turkey (Metin Yoksu/AP)

The day before, Lebanese residents had handed out congratulatory sweets to Syrians waiting to go back to their country.

Sami Abdel-Latif, a construction worker and refugee from Hama who was heading to Syria to join his wife and four children, said while the future in Syria is still uncertain, anything is better than Bashar.

He said he expected some chaos initially but that eventually the situation would settle down.

Look at Aleppo now, Mr Abdel-Latif said, referring to the first major city taken over by opposition forces more than a week ago, where life has continued more or less as normal.

He said he is also hoping that there will now be plentiful work in Syria to rebuild.

Malak Matar, who was preparing to return to Damascus, said: This is a feeling weve been waiting 14 years for.

You feel yourself psychologically free  you can express yourself, he said. The country is free and the barriers have been broken down.

Now, he said, Syrians have to create a state that is well-organised and takes care of their country. Its a new phase.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said that he is open to the potential deployment of Western troops in Ukraine to guarantee the countrys security as part of a broad effort to end the almost three-year war with Russia.

The deployment would be a step toward Ukraine joining Nato, Mr Zelenskyy said in a post on his Telegram channel.

But before that, we must have a clear understanding of when Ukraine will be in the European Union and when Ukraine will be in Nato, Mr Zelenskyy said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the chairman of the German Christian Democratic Party Friedrich Merz during their meeting in Kyiv (Efrem Lukatsky/AP)

His proposals tread a delicate diplomatic path amid international efforts to find a way of ending Europes biggest conflict since the Second World War at a time when Russia has gained an upper hand in the fighting.

US President-elect Donald Trump is seeking to bring about a ceasefire and met with Mr Zelenskyy in Paris on Saturday.

But Mr Zelenskyy said on Monday that he would approach outgoing US President Joe Biden about Ukraines possible Nato membership because he is still in office, while Mr Trump does not yet have legal rights to decide on the matter.

The possibilities of Ukraine joining the 32-nation military alliance and of Western troops being stationed on its soil have been deeply divisive and contentious issues since Russias full-scale invasion began on February 24, 2022.

At their summit in Washington in July, Nato declared Ukraine on an irreversible path to membership, but stopped short of inviting the country in.

The US and Germany have balked at Ukraine joining Nato while at war with Russia.

One obstacle has been the view that Ukraines borders would need to be clearly demarcated before it could join so that there can be no mistaking where the alliances pact of mutual defence would come into effect.

Russias invading army occupies about one-fifth of Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky talks during his meeting with the chairman of the German Christian Democratic Party Friedrich Merz in Kyiv (Efrem Lukatsky/AP)

French President Emmanuel Macron floated the idea of Western troops on the ground in Ukraine last February.

But it raised the same fears of escalation that have led Western leaders to place limits on weapons supplies and permissions for their use.

European military heavyweights Germany and Poland immediately said they would not send troops to Ukraine.

Mr Macron declined to provide details about which nations were considering sending troops, saying he preferred to maintain some strategic ambiguity.

Meanwhile, Chancellor Olaf Scholzs challenger in the upcoming German election, Friedrich Merz, said that there is a basic consensus in Germany on continuing to provide military aid to Ukraine.

But during a visit to Kyiv, he also highlighted differences with Mr Scholz, who has refused to send Taurus long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine as he insists that everything must be done to prevent a wider war between the West and Russia.

Mr Merz has been open to providing them and allowing Ukraine to hit military targets inside Russia.

As he met Mr Zelenskyy, Mr Merz noted that France, the UK and the US have a different position from the current German government.

Our position is clear, as is that of my parliamentary group: we want to put your army in a position to reach military bases in Russia  not the civilian population, not the infrastructure, but the military targets from which your country is being fought, he said.

With this range restriction, we are forcing your country to fight with one hand behind its back, and that is not our position, he added.

Mr Merzs centre-right Union bloc leads German opinion polls.

The election is expected on February 23.
An N.C. House Select Committee is recommending that the General Assembly change a state law forcing districts to start school the Monday closest to Aug. 26 and end no later than the Friday clo
Authorities in New York have apprehended the man believed to be responsible for the murder of UnitedHealth Chief Executive Brian Thompson last week.

The suspect, named Luigi Mangione, was taken into custody in Altoona, Pennsylvania. Someone at a McDonalds recognized him as resembling the gunman, according to details shared at a news conference by officials.

Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch stated that the 26-year-old was discovered with a firearm and silencer that matched the weapon used in Mr. Thompsons shooting, as well as clothing and a mask similar to those worn by the assailant.

Additionally, he possessed several fraudulent identification documents, including a counterfeit New Jersey ID that corresponded with the one the suspect used to check into a Manhattan hostel shortly before the incident.

Authorities also recovered a handwritten note that addresses both his motivation and his mindset, according to Ms. Tisch.

Altoona police have charged the suspect with firearms violations, and detectives from New York are en route to Pennsylvania to interrogate him, she added.

Police have indicated that Brian Thompson was likely a specific target

Mr. Thompson, 50, was shot and killed outside a hotel last Wednesday by a masked assailant who seemed to have waited for him before ambushing him from behind.

While the police have not released any details regarding a motive, they assert that he appeared to be intentionally targeted.

Reports from multiple news outlets indicated that the words deny, defend, and depose were inscribed on shell casings found at the crime scene.

These terms bring to mind the title of a 2010 book critical of the insurance industry, Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Dont Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It.

A police search conducted in Central Park as part of the investigation

The suspect fled the crime scene and pedaled a bike into Central Park.

Surveillance footage captured him leaving the park and taking a taxi to a bus station in northern Manhattan, where authorities believe he boarded a bus to escape the city.

Mr. Thompson, a father of two, had served as the CEO of UnitedHealth Groups insurance segment since April 2021, part of his 20-year tenure with the organization.

He was in New York to participate in the companys annual investor conference.

A spokesperson for UnitedHealth declined to comment on the recent developments.
US President-elect Donald Trump has called for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations between Ukraine and Russia to end the madness, leading Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelensky to assert that there can be no peace without guarantees.

Mr. Trump made his remarks shortly after meeting with Mr. Zelensky in Paris for their first in-person discussions since Mr. Trump was elected last month.

He vowed to work towards a negotiated resolution of the conflict, though specific details have yet to be disclosed.

Zelensky and Ukraine want to make a deal and stop the madness, Mr. Trump stated on his social media platform Truth Social, noting that Kyiv had suffered approximately 400,000 military casualties. There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations must commence.

During his visit to Paris for the reopening of Notre-Dame Cathedral, Mr. Trump spent about an hour discussing with Mr. Zelensky, alongside host French President Emmanuel Macron.

The two leaders shook hands and exchanged smiles, but the nature of their discussion remains unclear. Accounts from both the French and Ukrainian sides indicated that the talks were positive and productive.

In response to Mr. Trumps statement, Mr. Zelensky emphasized that lasting peace cannot be merely a formality but requires solid guarantees.

When discussing effective peace with Russia, we must prioritize effective guarantees for peace. Ukrainians desire peace more than anyone else, he expressed on X.

The conflict cannot simply conclude with a piece of paper and some signatures. A ceasefire without guarantees can be reignited at any moment, as Putin has demonstrated before.

To ensure that Ukrainians no longer face losses, we must secure the reliability of peace and not ignore the issue of occupation.

Mr. Trumps estimate of 400,000 Ukrainian soldiers lost in the conflict likely includes both those killed and wounded. Mr. Zelensky reported that 43,000 soldiers have been killed and around 370,000 wounded during the war.
The term Merci was illuminated on the facade of Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris as it reopened, a gesture of appreciation for its restoration following a catastrophic fire that nearly led to its collapse five years prior.

The first responders who safeguarded the Gothic wonder, along with others involved in its restoration, received a standing ovation after Archbishop of Paris, Laurent Ulrich, struck the cathedrals doors three times with his staff before reopening the building in a symbolic act.

I come before you to convey the gratitude of the French nation, and our thanks go out to all who saved, assisted, and rebuilt the cathedral, stated French President Emmanuel Macron.

This evening, we can collectively embrace joy and pride. Long live Notre-Dame de Paris, long live the republic, and long live France.

Pope Francis remarked that this was a day of joy, celebration, and praise.

In a message shared aloud, the pope expressed hope that the revival of this admirable church would serve as a prophetic symbol of the Churchs renewal in France.

The Primate of All Ireland, Archbishop Eamon Martin, was present and stated he was privileged to represent the bishops and people of Ireland at the ceremony.

He remarked, Today, I am honored to represent the bishops and people of Ireland, joined by bishops from Europe and civic leaders worldwide.

The 860-year-old medieval structure has undergone meticulous restoration, featuring a newly installed spire and rib vaulting, with its flying buttresses and carved stone gargoyles restored to their former magnificence, and bright white stone and gold adornments gleaming once more.

Mr. Trump greeted Britains Prince William, along with heads of state and government, as he made his way to the front of the cathedral to sit alongside Mr. Macron in the front row.

Earlier, guests applauded as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky entered the cathedral.

The facade of the restored cathedral at Notre-Dame

Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, who was a close adviser in Trumps transition team, also attended, alongside Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and former French presidents Francois Hollande and Nicolas Sarkozy.

Earlier, tourists, still unable to enter the cathedral, took pictures with the newly restored building in the backdrop as final preparations for the ceremony were underway inside.

It was heartbreaking to see it in ruins and charred, but amazing to witness its restoration. Yes, it is truly remarkable, said 26-year-old American tourist Amanda Nguyen.

Many Parisians expressed their delight.

What does Notre-Dame signify to me? This. Look, its here, said careworker Pascal Tordeux, displaying a tattoo of the cathedral on his arm. It embodies everything.

I observed the construction daily from my windowthe spire coming down and going back up. I witnessed the fire and then saw it rise again. I followed it day by day, said Mr. Tordeux, who resides across the river from Notre-Dame.

On the night of April 15, 2019, distraught Parisians rushed to the scene, as viewers across the globe horror-stricken witnessed the flames engulf the cathedral.

Notre-Dame Cathedral suffered extensive damage due to fire in 2019

The planet trembled that day, Mr. Macron said prior to the event. The impact of the reopening willat least, this is my hopebe as profound as that of the fire, but it will be a symbol of hope.

Trump, Macron, Zelensky meet in Paris

Mr. Trump, Mr. Macron, and Mr. Zelensky convened for a trilateral meeting ahead of the cathedral ceremony.

Mr. Zelensky and European leaders harbored concerns that Mr. Trump, who is set to take office next month, might withdraw US military support to Ukraine at a pivotal time in its struggle against Russia.

Mr. Zelensky noted that the meeting was productive and that the three leaders agreed to continue their collaborative efforts.

President Trump is, as always, determined. I appreciate him, Mr. Zelensky posted on the social media platform X.

We all desire an end to this war as promptly as possible and in a just manner.

The meeting was significant for Mr. Macron, who is facing domestic political challenges.

Mr. Trumps visit to Paris marked his first trip abroad following his victory in the presidential election last month, and it presented Mr. Macron with an early chance to act as a mediator between Europe and the incoming president, a role he has enjoyed in the past.

Mr. Macron is a staunch advocate for the NATO alliance and supports Ukraines efforts, while Mr. Trump believes that European nations should contribute more toward their collective defense.

He has stated that a negotiated resolution is essential for ending the conflict in Ukraine.

Upon arriving at the Elysee Palace, Mr. Trump told Mr. Macron they had achieved great success during his first presidential term.

And the world does seem a bit chaotic right now. We will discuss that, Mr. Trump added.

The meeting among the three leaders lasted approximately 20 minutes.

Thousands worked on restoration

Due to forecasts of strong winds, the non-religious portions of the festivities, including Mr. Macrons addresswhich was originally planned to take place outside the cathedralwill also occur indoors.

Tomorrow morning will see the first mass with 170 bishops and over 100 priests from Paris, followed by a second service in the evening open to the public.

Those wishing to attend can now reserve free tickets online via the cathedrals website.

However, on the first day bookings were made available for the forthcoming days, the site indicated all tickets had been claimed.

Group visits are slated to commence next yearfrom February 1 for religious groups and from June 9 for tourists accompanied by guides.

The Catholic Church anticipates that the cathedral will attract 15 million visitors annually.

Thousands of specialistsfrom carpenters and stonemasons to stained glass window artistsworked tirelessly over the past five years, applying traditional methods to restore, repair, or replace everything that was lost or damaged.

A light show is projected onto Notre-Dame de Paris Cathedral last night

Notre-Dame is more than a Parisian or French monument; its a universal monument, commented historian Damien Berne.

Its a landmark, an emblem, a reference point that brings reassurance in a rapidly evolving globalized world, said Mr. Berne, a member of the scientific council for the restoration.

The cathedrals first stone was laid in 1163, with construction spanning much of the subsequent century and significant restorations and additions occurring in the 17th and 18th centuries.

Victor Hugo immortalized the cathedral as a symbol of Paris and France when it became the setting for his 1831 novel The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.

Quasimodo, the protagonist, has been depicted in Hollywood films, an animated Disney version, and stage musicals.

An impressive sum, exceeding 840 million, was donated for its restoration from around the globe, according to the French presidents office, leaving additional funds for future investments in the building.
Trabzon, Turkey (Special to Informed Comment; Feature)  When former U.S. President Barack Obama referred to Russia as a regional power at the 2014 Nuclear Security Summit in The Hague, he minimized Moscows global influence while recognizing its ability to a have an impact on events within its immediate vicinity. Obama further downplayed the notion of Russia as a primary geopolitical threat, stating, With respect to Mr. Romneys assertion that Russia is our number-one geopolitical foe, the truth of the matter is that America has got a whole lot of challenges.  The fact that Russia felt compelled to go in militarily and lay bare these violations of international law indicates less influence, not more. Many interpreted these remarks as a rhetorical slight, considering Russias significant role in shaping post-Soviet geopolitics.

Over the following decade, Russias military intervention in Syria appeared to contradict Obamas assessment. Russias involvement in Syria during this period was often cited as evidence of its great power status. Nevertheless, the collapse of Bashar al-Assads regime on December 7, 2024, highlights the limits of Russian power and its declining ability to exert influence on a global scale.

While Russias relations with its neighbors have frequently been strained owing to competition for influence and unresolved issues from the Soviet era, its involvement in Syriaa country neither adjacent to Russia nor part of the post-Soviet spherewas significant. Russias direct engagement in the Syrian conflict marked a major shift in its Middle Eastern policy and was perceived as a challenge to the U.S. presence in the region. As Fadi Elhusseini noted, Even at the peak of the Cold War, Russias (either the Soviet Unions or the Russian Federations) role was limited to sending arms, military advisors, and logistical support to its Arab allies. This intervention represented a dramatic escalation in Russias involvement and signaled an extraordinary military engagement.

The establishment of a military base in Latakia in 2015 represented Russias first substantial intervention outside its post-Soviet sphere of influence. This action not only sustained Assads regime for nearly a decade but also positioned Moscow as a key actor in the Middle East. Russias airstrikes and military presence forced Western powers, including NATO, to navigate the Syrian conflict cautiously. At the time, this was celebrated as a reassertion of Russias standing as a global power.



Small Frog in Large Pond, Digital, Dream / Dreamland v3, 2024

The events of early December 2024, however, have undermined this perception. A series of swift offensives by opposition forces reclaimed key cities, including Aleppo, Homs, and Hama, culminating in the fall of Damascus. Despite the continued presence of Russias military base, its inabilityor reluctanceto prevent Assads downfall raises significant questions about the efficacy of its deterrence strategy. The Syrian opposition, while avoiding direct confrontation with Russian forces, demonstrated that Moscows influence in the region is far from absolute.

The implications of these developments are profound. For years, Russian military bases, like those of the United States, were regarded as a guarantee of security for allied regimes. However, the fall of Assad challenges the perception of Russian deterrence. Unlike the United States, which operates over 800 military bases worldwide and has a longstanding history of protecting client states, Russias military footprint is far more limited in scope and effectiveness. During the Cold War, U.S. bases served as a counterbalance to Soviet expansion, and they remain a cornerstone in countering both Russian and Chinese influence today. Russias failure in Syria suggests that its bases no longer function as a comparable strategic asset.

Russia may attempt to salvage its position through diplomacy or by leveraging its remaining influence in Syria. It could even claim to have facilitated the transition to protect its own interests. Yet, such efforts are unlikely to conceal the reality that Moscow failed to sustain Assads rule despite years of military and political investment. This failure will undoubtedly prompt potential allies to reconsider seeking security assurances from Russia, further diminishing its credibility as a global power.

A hallmark of great power status is the ability to operate effectively on multiple fronts. While Russia remains heavily engaged in the war in Ukraine, a true global power would possess the capability to uphold commitments in other regions simultaneously. Moscows inability to do so in Syria reinforces Obamas 2014 characterization: Russia is not a global power but rather a regional one, capable of exerting influence in its immediate vicinity but falling short of broader global ambitions.

The fall of Assad serves as a stark reminder of the limitations of Russian power. It challenges the assumption that military bases alone can ensure sustained influence and raises doubts about Moscows ability to act as a reliable guarantor of stability. As the situation in Damascus stabilizes, the world is left to reassess the extent of Russias role in shaping global affairs. Indeed, this development may serve as a cautionary message for nations whose security heavily depends on the military bases of foreign patrons - including those allied with the United States.
( Counterpunch )  Since October 7, 2023, white settler propaganda has ramped up through two insidious tactics targeting western audiences. The first rationalizes Israels brutality under the pretext of self-defense of a supposed civilized western democracy in a barbaric region, exploiting the conflation of Zionism with Judaism and dehumanizing all Palestinian people as terrorists to legitimize the ongoing genocide in Palestine and suppress dissent in the United States. The second aims to normalize genocide and Zionism, making mass violence more acceptable by breaking societal taboos, delegitimizing and attempting to destroy international law and weaving them seamlessly into the fabric of Western capitalist, liberal and consumerist culture.

Driving this normalization campaign is the mainstream media, with platforms like the talk show Piers Morgans Uncensored and the liberal Zionist outlet Haaretz playing pivotal roles.

The role of dehumanization in genocide

Recent research has advanced understanding of why people participate in genocide. Influences like peer pressure, group norms and obedience to authority often outweigh deeply held beliefs or ideologies. Class, economic inequality and lack of resources also make some individuals more vulnerable to coercion.

Several studies highlight the role of dehumanizing propaganda in promoting and shaping genocidal violence. While such rhetoric may not convince everyone, it shifts social dynamics by promoting the repression of dissent, normalizing violent ideas and emboldening those with pre-existing biases to act on them. This propaganda does not always create hatred though it can legitimize and create consent to deadly aggressive solutions, making them seem acceptable although they are illegal, morally abhorrent actions.

Dehumanization also plays a role after participation in violence. While many genocidaires initially experience intense emotional and physical distress, repeated acts of violence dull these reactions. Dehumanizing narratives then play a critical role in reframing and normalizing such actions, helping participants justify continued violence and view it as morally acceptable.

Spreading lies and debating mass murder

White settler societies, including Zionist society in Palestine, construct their identity through misinformation, dehumanization of the other and a commitment to expansion and dispossession, with media shaping public opinion and influencing policy to sustain these narratives. Since October 7, 2023, the mainstream media has perpetuated what may be one of the most elaborate and insidious misinformation campaigns in modern history. This includes the widespread dissemination of fictitious atrocity propaganda dehumanizing Palestinian people, such as claims of mass rape, beheaded babies, infants hanging on a clothesline, a baby baked in an oven and other fabricated horrors.

British media personality Piers Morgan has used his extremely popular News Corp platform to amplify debunked atrocity propaganda, facing no accountability. Through his debate show, he has provided a stage for Islamophobes, official Israeli state and military spokespersons and unapologetic antisemites to air their abhorrent, fascistic and bogus viewpoints. These reactionaries have been featured alongside anti-war, anti-apartheid, anti-genocide, pro-humanity, progressive, liberal and leftist activists, politicians and media personalities as a supposed counterbalance, muddying the waters of acceptable debate.



Piers Morgan all over the Place, Digital, Dream / Dreamworld v3, 2024

Morgans show trivializes atrocities by framing genocide as a topic for debate rather than the moral and legal outrage it is. This process of normalization, as defined by the Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions (BDS) movement, makes the inherently abnormal, illegal and repugnant apartheid, genocide and settler colonialism  seem ordinary and acceptable, while diverting focus from the Palestinian struggle for liberation. The BDS movement opposes normalization, viewing it as a tool used by oppressors to legitimize oppression and suppress resistance. Normalisation enables Israel to whitewash its apartheid, genocidal regime and weaken global solidarity with Palestinian liberation through manipulative rhetoric.

Programs like Morgans claim to be neutral platforms, yet his overt pro-Trump stance and role as a henchman for Rupert Murdochs News Corp and Fox News expose the facade, steering the narrative behind his so-called uncensored approach. Similarly, another Trump aficionado, now appointee Elon Musk claims to champion free speech while actively suppressing dissenting voices on his increasingly reactionary X platform.

Morgans show exemplifies Orwells concept of newspeak, as described in 1984. This distortion of language, repackaged as seemingly innocent discourse, aligns with what Italian philosopher Umberto Eco termed Ur-fascism, warning in his 14th point that such manipulations can even manifest in the guise of popular talk shows. Morgan positions himself much like Israeli war-criminal Netanyahu and US President elect Trump, who embrace a cult of tradition, whether rooted in the myth of a once great America or an expansive Greater Israel, syncretizing diverse and often contradictory beliefs into an immutable truth, while rejecting modernism and intellectual, academic critique.

Haaretz and justice

The foremost liberal Zionist media outlet  Haaretz (the land in Hebrew)  serves a particularly noxious normalization function; to present Zionism as aligned with human rights, claiming to encompass a political spectrum from right to left, with democratic, progressive values and a commitment to peace and justice. This facade legitimizes a hollow peace process of fruitless negotiations, all while Israeli bulldozers and developers persist in stealing Palestinian land, with some of it even marketed in the U.S. at Zionist land sales cynically hosted in synagogues.

Much like its portrayal of the anti-Netanyahu protests in the spring of 2023 as indicative of Israeli so-called democracy, Haaretz obscures the genocidal foundation of Zionism by framing the intensified violence against Palestinians since October 7, 2023, as a symptom of the Netanyahu governments extremism  a bug rather than a feature of Zionism. Additionally, similar to Piers Morgans program which fosters open collaboration with genocidal entities, Haaretz has featured reports from regime-aligned journalists embedded within the Israeli military. It played a key role in amplifying the fabricated Hamas mass rape narrative, among other regime agitprop.

Piers Morgan Uncensored and Haaretz are not merely examples of media manipulation; they are instruments of societal conditioning designed to sustain global systems of oppression. Resisting this insidious normalization demands critical engagement with media narratives and a steadfast refusal to accept these atrocities as unavoidable.

Reclaiming the language of justice is essential, standing in solidarity with the Palestinian struggle for liberation as a critical front in the global fight against white supremacist imperialism.

Reprinted from Counterpunch with the authors permission.
( Middle East Monitor )  Turkiyes Recep Tayyip Erdogan must be delighted about what is unfolding in Syria, though it is a feeling bound to be tempered by swiftly changing circumstances. Irans Shia proxies have been weakened by relentless Israeli targeting and bombing. Russias eyes and resources are turned towards war in Ukraine. With reports that Syrian rebel groups are now fighting on the outskirts of the capital Damascus, the Assad regime looks frail, its leader either in hiding or evacuated.

In the salad mix of jihadis, nationalists, and run of the mill mercenaries, Turkiyes hand looms large. Its intervention in Syrias conflict was motivated by two main goals: the containment, if not elimination of Kurdish militants in northern Syria, seen as indistinguishable from their PKK (Kurdistan Workers Party) counterparts in Turkiye itself, and creating conditions of stability or safe zones that would enable a return of Syrian refugees when feasible.

Since August 2016, Turkiye has made three incursions seizing parts of Syrias north, imposing an occupation using regular troops and auxiliary forces including the Syrian National Army (SNA) and a coalition of groups comprising former Free Syrian Army (FSA) fighters. In 2018, the Military Police was established by both Turkish authorities and the Syrian Interim Government (SIG), a force ostensibly intended to protect the civilian population. Instead, this period of Turkish rule has been marked by brutality, repression and sheer neglect.

In its February 2024 report, Human Rights Watch documented instances of abductions, arbitrary arrests, unlawful detentions (these include children), sexual violence and torture. The perpetrators spanned elements of the SNA, the Military Police, members of the Turkish Armed Forces, the Turkish National Intelligence Organisation (Milli Istihbarat Teskilat, MIT), and various military intelligence directorates. To this colourfully gruesome range of cruelties can be added the abuse of property rights, looting, pillaging, confiscation of property, extortion and the absence of any consistent system of restitution.

The group enduring the heaviest burden of suffering are Kurdish residents, notably those that had received protection from the US-backed Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) comprising the Peoples Protection Unit (Yekineyen Parastina Gel, YPG), and the Womens Protection Unit (Yekineyen Parastina Jin). These forces proved crucial in countering the Islamic State (ISIS) group. In October this year, Erdogan reiterated the long held view that such Kurdish protective units were merely the Syrian branch of the PKK terror group, destined to be abandoned, left isolated. Arabs and other groups seen as having links to the SDF and the Autonomous Administration of Northeast Syria (AANES) have also been targets of Turkish-led ire.

The SNA is no friend of the headline grabbing Islamist outfit, Hayat Tahrir-al Sham (HTS), the primary spear in the lighting operation against the Assad regime. HTS has marketed itself as a self-sufficient, modern, more considered group, less fire and brimstone from its al-Qaeda and al-Nusra iterations and supposedly more tolerant to other religions, sects and views. Its leader, Abu Mohammad Al-Jolani, has managed to receive praise and plaudits in the Western media for that change, despite his listing by the US State Department as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist worthy of a $10 million reward to anyone willing to offer information leading to his capture.

Even on the progress of HTS, Turkish influence cannot be discounted, despite Ankara eschewing open support for the group. As Fuad Shahbazov, writing for the Stimson Center remarks, the recent advances of HTS would have been unthinkable without Turkiyes military and logistical backing, and provision of advanced weaponry. It has also been suggested that Ankara gave a nod of approval to the offensive led by HTS after it failed to secure a rapprochement with Assad.

Erdogans statements on the advance show a slippery mind in operation. On December 6, he told reporters after Friday prayers that the target of the offensive was evidently Damascus. I would say we hope for this advance to continue without any issues. But he also expressed the view that these advances were problematic and not in a manner we desire. While not elaborating on that point, it could be gleaned from the remarks that he is concerned about various terrorist organisations operating in the rebel forces.

OPINION: As predicted, the revolution in Syria has reignited

The next day, the Turkish President decided to be lofty in his assessment as the rebels entered the suburbs of Homs. There is now a new reality in Syria, politically and diplomatically, he declared in a speech delivered in the southern Turkish city of Gaziantep. And Syria belongs to Syrians with all its ethnic, sectarian and religious elements.

In keeping with the views of other leaders responsible for intervening in the affairs of another state, Erdogan spoke of Syrian independence as viable, the will of its people as inviolable. The people of Syria are the ones who will decide the future of their own country. He hoped that the country would quickly regain the peace, stability, and tranquillity it has been longing for 13 years. He went on to remark that responsible actors and all international organisations should support the preservation of the states territorial integrity.

The audacity of such statements does nothing to conceal the sectarian and ethnic dangers unfolding at the end of this Ankara-sponsored mission. The fall of Bashar al-Assad will imperil Shia communities and do even more harm to the Kurds, leaving the door open for Salafism. The rebel groups, only united by the common cause of overthrowing Assad, may well find battling each other hard to avoid. As for the territorial integrity Erdogan speaks of, Turkish officialdom and policy will never wear it short of any number of guarantees Ankara is bound to extort on hefty terms. And as for refugees? Expect many more to gush out in desperation.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor or Informed Comment.

Via Middle East Monitor
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - December 9, 2024) - Palamina Corp. (TSXV: PA) (OTCQB: PLMNF) has concluded its 2024 scout drill program in the Sol de Oro ('SDO') zone at its Usicayos Gold Project in Peru.

Highlights:

Broad intervals of gold mineralization in both the SDO S and SDO N zones

Drilling identifies blind mineralized intrusive within a 0.63 g/t Au over 40m intercept

Gold assays up to 24.6 g/t over 0.5m

Results from 5 drillholes completed in the SDO South and SDO North zones are as follows:

Zone Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m)* Gold (g/t) SDO S USI24-04 43 47 4 0.82 91 107 16 1.52 Including 91 93 2 8.69 118 158 40 0.63 Including 129 132 3 2.22 Including 141 143 2 5.83 181 185 4 0.47 207 208 1 2.38 223 224 1 2.71 248 259 11 0.80 SDO S USI24-05 22 26 4 0.71 53 75 22 0.50 Including 62 64 2 1.42 86 123 37 0.47 Including 86 86.5 0.5 24.6 SDO S USI24-06 45 60 15 0.13 SDO N USI24-07 35 87 52 0.72 Including 56 64 8 2.59 Including 61 63 2 5.12 SDO N USI24-08 21 56 35 0.75 Including 46 48 2 8.45

*Intervals are drilled core length as insufficient drilling has been completed to calculate true widths.

Andrew Thomson, President of Palamina commented: "Palamina's drilling program at Sol de Oro has confirmed the potential for the zone to host an orogenic gold deposit and identified a previously unknown mineralized intrusive. This round of drilling also confirmed the north and south limbs of our interpreted flower structure. Testing the mineralization at depth, where the north and south structures converge, will be a priority for follow-up drilling."

At SDO S, drillhole USI24-04 intercepted a mineralized blind microdiorite intrusive 113 metres down hole, with gold mineralization associated with pyrite and pyrrhotite, occurring as disseminations and in massive sulfide veinlets. USI24-05 is a scissor hole drilled from the same platform. Mineralization at SDO S dips to the north on the south end of the flower structure. Both drillholes intercepted multiple visible gold zones associated with pyrite and pyrrhotite.

Figure 1: SDO S hosts mineralization in both Paleozoic sediments and a blind diorite intrusive

(both holes are projected onto section line)

Select Photos of Drill Core with Visible Gold - Pyrrhotite Intercepts

At SDO N drillholes USI24-07 & USI24-08 both intercepted broad zones of gold mineralization above the Corihausi fault, a gently south-dipping shear zone at the north end of the flower structure. Mineralization remains open to the south and to the east where multiple gold anomalies have been identified in previous surface sampling programs. Gold mineralization at SDO N occurs in a metasedimentary sequence consisting principally of carbonaceous shale and sandstone, with a well-developed penetrative foliation dipping to the south.

Figure 2: SDO N hosts broad mineralized gold zones above the Corihuasi fault open to the south & east

Figure 3: Location of 9 drillholes testing 4 zones at SDO & section lines A & B in Figures 1, 2 on TMI magnetic map

The SDO N and Cayos Zones are both hosted in metasediments within the north end of the proposed Usicayos flower structure, with gold mineralization controlled by south dipping shear zones. The Cayos zone returned 3m of 35 g/t Au in a channel sample at surface and has yet to be drill tested. Positive flower structures develop in transpressional structural regimes and can represent ideal fluid pathways for gold-rich fluids in orogenic systems. At Sol de Oro, structural mapping and interpretation by Palamina geologists postulates a flower structure centred between SDO N and SDO S, with reverse faults and shear zones dipping towards a central fault zone.

At the south end of the flower structure shown in Figure 3, drillholes USI24-06 and USI24-09 have established that pyrite and pyrrhotite likely account for the WSW-ENE magnetic trend extending over 1km from the SDO W zone to the SDO S zone. While assay results for drillhole USI24-06 did not return economic grades, the hole visually confirmed the presence of the same pyrrhotite-pyrite-chalcopyrite-arsenopyrite assemblage as seen in USI2404. Results for USI24-09 are pending.

Select Photos of Drill Core with Quartz-Pyrite-Pyrrhotite Intercepts

Palamina's drilling program tested the 4 main SDO zones. In total, 2,306 metres in nine drillholes were completed using a portable diamond drill. Drilling is expected to resume early in the second quarter of 2025 at the end of the rainy season. Palamina plans further drilling in the SDO N zone to continue to test the 500 x 400 metre geochemical anomaly, test the intersection of SDO N and SDO S at depth and to test the northern extension of the SDO E zone, north of USI24-03.

Sampling, QA/QC, and Analytical Procedures

Palamina follows systematic and rigorous sampling and analytical protocols which meet industry standards. These protocols are summarized below.

All drillholes are diamond core holes with HQ or NQ core diameters. Core is typically sampled over a 1-2 metre sample interval unless the geologist determines the presence of an important geological contact.

Palamina quality assurance/quality control ("QA/QC") protocol is implemented on all its exploration projects. Prior to delivery of samples to the analytical laboratory, Palamina QA/QC staff insert coarse and fine blank samples, field duplicates and certified standards into the sample stream with the objective to provide a check on precision, accuracy, and contamination in the laboratory. To assure best practice compliance, assay results are only reported once the results of internal QA/QC procedures have been reviewed and approved. Samples are collected and transported by Palamina personnel to the Certimin S.A preparation facility in Juliaca, Peru where they are processed and then sent for assay to the Certimin S.A. laboratory in Lima, Peru.

The Company uses both Fire Assay and metallic screening methodology to obtain accurate gold results, considering the presence of coarse gold. Metallic screening is a method designed to quantify the proportion of coarse gold in deposits where it has been observed. Metallic screening is used by Palamina only for intervals where quartz veining or presence of sulfides indicates possible coarse gold mineralization. At Usicayos, coarse gold has been observed both in drill core and in outcrops of the shear zone. Unlike conventional Fire Assay, where a 30g or 50g sample is analyzed, metallic screening requires a 1kg sample, which, following initial preparation, is screened to separate a fine grained portion (less than 106 microns) from a coarse grained one (over 106 microns). The fine-grained sub-sample is assayed using 30g nominal fire assay, while the coarse portion is assayed in its entirety. Each portion is weighed and a weighted average of both portions is reported. This method better quantifies the coarse grained portion.

The technical information herein has been reviewed and approved by Alvaro Fernandez-Baca, P. Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Fernandez-Baca is Vice-President, Exploration of Palamina.

About Palamina Corp.

Palamina is an exploration company with a land bank of gold projects in the Puno Orogenic Gold Belt in southeastern Peru. Palamina is adding value through drill discovery at its Usicayos gold project. Palamina also has an "acquire and hold" strategy with copper silver assets in southeastern and northeastern Peru. Palamina holds a 15.4% equity interest in Winshear Gold Corp. (TSXV: WINS) and a 2% NSR royalty on all their Peruvian projects. Winshear has completed an inaugural drill program on its 100% owned Gaban Gold Project with assays from four drillholes pending at the time of this release. Palamina has 71,634,836 shares outstanding and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol PA and on the OTCQB Venture Market under the symbol PLMNF.

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.

This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of such statements under applicable securities law. Forward-Looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "continue", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "may", "will", "potential", "proposed" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. These statements are only predictions. Various assumptions were used in drawing the conclusions or making the projections contained in the forward-looking statements throughout this news release. Forward-Looking statements include, but are not limited to, the use of proceeds of the Offering and the Company's future business plans. Forward-Looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management 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 projected in the forward-looking statements. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. A more complete discussion of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company appears in the Company's continuous disclosure filings, which are available at www.sedarplus.ca.
Kelowna, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 9, 2024) - Enduro Metals Corporation (TSXV: ENDR) (OTCQB: ENDMD) (FSE: SOG0) ("Enduro") and Commander Resources Ltd. (TSXV: CMD) ("Commander") are pleased to announce that they have entered into an amalgamation agreement dated December 9, 2024 (the "Agreement") pursuant to which Enduro and Commander will combine their operations. Under the terms of the Agreement, Enduro will acquire all the issued and outstanding securities of Commander, with the result that the current securityholders of Commander will become securityholders of Enduro (the "Proposed Transaction"). The Proposed Transaction will be subject to the approval by Commander shareholders by a special resolution of at least a two-thirds (2/3) majority of the votes cast at an annual general and special meeting, and also subject to the receipt of certain regulatory, court, and TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSX-V") approvals, and other closing conditions customary in transactions of this nature.

Transaction Highlights:

Business combination creates a leading copper gold exploration company with 100% owned properties in British Columbia's premier porphyry copper and gold districts including the world-renowned Golden Triangle region along with a complementary pipeline of earlier stage exploration projects.

It is anticipated that legacy holders of Commander Common Shares would hold approximately 45.65% of Enduro upon completion of the Proposed Transaction (the " Resulting Issuer ") and legacy holders of Enduro Common Shares would hold approximately 54.35% of the Resulting Issuer.

Creation of an integrated management team with a strong technical and financial track-record and a particular strength in porphyry copper exploration and development.

Three advanced projects in British Columbia including the flagship multi-target Newmont Lake property in the Golden Triangle region, the Burn Property in the Babine Porphyry Belt of central British Columbia and the October Dome project in the central Quesnel Belt adjacent to the Mt. Polley copper-gold mine.

The Agreement sets out an exchange ratio (the " Exchange Ratio ") of 0.535 common shares in the capital of Enduro (the " Enduro Common Shares ") for each one (1) common share in the capital of Commander (the " Commander Common Shares "), representing a deemed price per Commander Common Share of $0.10 and a deemed price per Enduro Common Share of $0.19, representing the 30-day volume weighted average price (" VWAP ") of Enduro.

The Proposed Transaction was unanimously approved by Commander's board of directors and by Enduro's board of directors, in each case with David Watkins abstaining from voting due to his being a director of both companies.

The Proposed Transaction will be subject to the approval by Commander's shareholders at a special meeting of Commander's shareholders and subject to the receipt of certain regulatory, court, TSX-V approvals, and other closing conditions customary in transactions of this nature.

Robert Cameron, CEO of Commander, commented, "This business combination with Enduro builds on Commander's current exposure to copper and gold projects by adding the Newmont Lake project, one of the most exciting and prospective exploration properties in Canada, to the already broad asset base within Commander. This Transaction represents a fantastic opportunity for Commander shareholders to get exposure to the renowned Golden Triangle at the centre of Canada's critical mineral development strategy. We initiated and advanced a process to look outside of our in-house portfolio for special opportunities to grow our exposure to premium exploration projects, primarily in the copper-gold space. This process was initiated in late 2023 and this transaction represents an exceptional business combination that will create a well-funded and structured exploration company to advance a portfolio of premier copper and gold projects."

Cole Evans, CEO of Enduro, commented, "I am pleased to welcome Robert and his team to Enduro. Their extensive expertise in porphyry copper-gold deposits, coupled with a profound understanding of the mining industry, will significantly enhance our ability to unlock the full potential of Newmont Lake. Many signs suggest the Golden Triangle is on the brink of a new era of capital investment and construction, particularly at Galore Creek and KSM. Positioned strategically between these two major projects, Newmont Lake is poised to emerge as a key driver of discovery and development in the region.

In a challenging environment for exploration investment, this business combination bolsters the Enduro's balance sheet and provides our shareholders with ownership in two highly promising projects: Burn and October Dome. Together with Newmont Lake, these assets establish a presence in three of British Columbia's most significant copper - gold belts and transforms Enduro into one with year-round exploration opportunities, all while maintaining a strong focus on jurisdiction and commodity."

Benefits of the Proposed Transaction to Commander Shareholders:

Exchange Ratio of 0.535 Enduro Common Shares for each one (1) Commander Common Share, representing a deemed price per Commander Common Shares of $0.10 and a deemed price per Enduro Common Share of $0.187, representing a 30-day VWAP.

Represents a premium of 29% to the closing price of the Commander Common Shares on December 4 and a 13% premium to the 30-day VWAP of Enduro shares as at December 6, 2024.

A combination with Enduro presents an opportunity for Commander shareholders to gain meaningful ownership in a highly prospective exploration package on a larger platform.

Benefits of the Proposed Transaction to Enduro Shareholders:

The Proposed Transaction represents a modest (under 5%) premium to Commander's cash position of CAD$4.2 million as at September 20, 2024 at a challenging time for raising capital for junior exploration companies.

The Proposed Transaction will position Enduro as a multi-asset company with a focus on Cu-Au porphyry exploration in British Columbia. While Newmont Lake will remain the priority, Commander's Burn and October Dome properties will allow for year-round exploration activity and more efficient utilization of the combined groups exploration capability.

The Proposed Transaction will greatly enhance Enduro's management team. Robert Cameron and Steve Wetherup are experienced geoscientists with significant expertise in porphyry systems, particularly in North America, and a track record of partnering with established mining companies on Commander's exploration properties.

Transaction Terms

The Agreement contemplates the Proposed Transaction will be carried out by way of a three-cornered amalgamation under the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) where Commander will amalgamate with a wholly-owned subsidiary of Enduro, with the shareholders of Commander exchanging their shares for shares of Enduro. The Agreement provides for an Exchange Ratio of 0.535 of an Enduro Common Share for each one (1) Commander Common Share, representing a deemed price per Commander Common Shares of $0.10 and a deemed price per Enduro Common Share of $0.187 representing a 30-day VWAP. It is anticipated that upon completion of the Proposed Transaction, legacy holders of Commander Common Shares would hold approximately 45.65% of the Resulting Issuer and legacy holders of Enduro Common Shares would hold approximately 54.35% of the Resulting Issuer. Outstanding warrants and options of Commander will be exchanged for equivalent warrants and options, respectively, of Enduro based on the Exchange Ratio.

Additionally, the Agreement contains customary deal-protection provisions, including a non-solicitation covenant in respect of Commander and a right of Enduro to match any superior proposal as defined and described in the definitive agreement. Under certain circumstances, if the Agreement is terminated, Enduro would be entitled to the payment of a $400,000 termination fee from Commander. The Agreement will also be subject to a number of conditions being satisfied or waived by one or both of Enduro and Commander, including the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of certain other closing conditions customary for a transaction of this nature.

Upon completion of the Proposed Transaction, it is anticipated that Rob Cameron and Brandon Macdonald will join the Board of Enduro. In order to facilitate these appointments, existing Enduro director, Lawrence Roulston, has advised the Enduro Board that he will resign as a director of Enduro immediately prior to the completion of the Proposed Transaction.

Non-Arm's Length Parties

David Watkins is a non-arm's length party to the Proposed Transaction by virtue of being a director of each of Enduro and Commander. Mr. Watkins has advised the directors of each of Enduro and Commander of this potential conflict of interest and has abstained from voting on any resolutions pertaining to the Proposed Transaction.

The Proposed Transaction will be exempt from the requirements of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (the "Instrument") as there are no "collateral benefits" (as that term is defined under the Instrument) due to any related parties of Commander as a result of the Proposed Transaction.

Property Portfolio of Enduro

Enduro Metals' sole focus is on its Newmont Lake Project; 688 km2 of mineral claims located within the center of northwestern British Columbia's Golden Triangle, a region widely considered to be among the most well-endowed mineral districts in the world. Notable mines/deposits within the general area include Eskay Creek, KSM, Brucejack, Galore Creek, Red Chris, Snip, Schaft Creek, Treaty Creek, Premier, Granduc, and Saddle. The Newmont Lake Property represents one of the largest contiguous landholdings in the Golden Triangle and is considered prospective for several different deposit types. The key areas of focus for Enduro have been the Burgundy Project, an alkalic copper-gold porphyry target, and the McLymont Project, an easily accessible high grade gold project.

The Burgundy Project is a 206 km2 area that Enduro views as being prospective for alkalic copper-gold porphyry deposits similar to Newmont/Teck's Galore Creek Project located approximately 25km to the northwest along the arc-trend, and includes Burgundy Ridge to the south-west and the 72' Zone to the Northeast. Approximately 14,500 metres has been drilled to date at the Burgundy Project, including BRDDH21-001 which returned 331 metres of 0.71% CuEq, including 18 metres of 2.85% CuEq.

The McLymont Project is a 70 km2 area that the Company views as being prospective for high-grade gold deposits of varying styles, associated with the over 20 kilometre long McLymont Fault. The McLymont Fault is a regional-scale geological structure that is the western-bounding normal fault of the Newmont Lake Graben; a geological feature that dominates the center of the whole Newmont Lake Property.

The McLymont Project was the target of most of the historic exploration undertaken on the Newmont Lake Property and includes the NW Zone target which has a historic, non-compliant mineral estimate based on 16,992 metres of diamond drilling completed between 1987-1990 by Gulf Minerals.

Other key targets on the Newmont Lake Property include: North Toe, an early stage Cu-Au porphyry target with encouraging porphyry-style alteration typical of alkalic copper-gold porphyry systems; Chachi, an 8 kilometre-long by 4 kilometre wide area on the eastern side of the Newmont Lake Property where at least three different types of mineralization have been observed, including the largest copper and gold in soil anomaly encountered on the Newmont Lake property to date; and Ken Zone, a topographic high situated due east of Burgundy and north of the NW Zone, which hosts a significant copper and gold bearing magnetite skarn.

Property Portfolio of Commander

Commander has an extensive portfolio of eleven mineral exploration properties across Canada along with a single property in Mexico. The South Voisey's Bay nickel property in Labrador is a joint venture with Fjordland Exploration (75% Fjordland/25% Commander), and the Pedro Gold project in Mexico is subject to an earn-in agreement with Southern Empire Resources which allows Southern Empire the right to earn a 100% interest. Within British Columbia, Commander has a 100% interest in three porphyry copper-gold projects and a partial interest (10% carried) in a fourth. The Burn and October Dome projects are the most advanced.

Commander's Burn Property is within the Babine Porphyry belt in north-central British Columbia, an area that is experiencing a revived interest from a number of funded exploration programs by larger mining companies. Exploration by Commander has identified five distinct targets on this large 170 km2 property, of which the largest is referred to as the Charleston zone where first pass drilling in 2022 and 2023 (14 holes, 5,916 metres) has identified two discrete zones referred to as the west gold zone and the central copper-gold zone. Both zones are open to expansion and many surface targets are yet to be drill tested.

The October Dome copper gold property, is located in the "Quesnel Trough" in central B.C. near the town of Likely, some 10 kilometres north of Imperial Metals Corporation's Mt. Polley porphyry copper mine, and 7 km east of the past producing QR gold mine. Historical work by previous operators including drilling and surface work by Commander has outlined a five-kilometre target defined by copper and gold soil geochemistry, induced polarization, magnetic surveys and historical drilling that indicate the presence of two alkalic-style porphyry copper gold systems and a stratabound gold skarn target.

Qualified Persons

Robert Cameron, P. Geo. is a qualified person within the context of National Instrument 43-101, and has read and takes responsibility for the technical aspects of this release in so far as they relate to Commander. Mr. Maurizio Napoli, P. Geo. is a qualified person within the context of National Instrument 43-101, and has read and takes responsibility for the technical aspects of this release in so far as they relate to Enduro.

Loan Agreement

In conjunction with the signing of the Agreement, Commander has agreed to loan Enduro $400,000 pursuant to the terms of a loan agreement between the parties dated the date of the Agreement (the "Loan"), subject to the approval of the TSX-V. The Loan bears interest at the rate of 12% per annum and is payable on April 30th, 2026. The Loan is secured by a security interest over Enduro's "Chachi" claims, an 8 x 4 kilometre area on the eastern side of the Newmont Lake Property which includes the largest copper and gold soil anomaly encountered on the Newmont Lake property to date.

Full details of the Proposed Transaction and the Loan will be included in a management information circular to be mailed to Commander shareholders and that will be available on SEDAR+.

Board of Directors and Special Committee Recommendations

The Agreement has been unanimously approved by each of the boards of directors of Commander and Enduro (in each case with David Watkins abstaining from voting on the applicable resolutions due to his being a director of both companies) following the unanimous recommendation of their respective special committees of independent directors. Commander's board of directors has unanimously recommended that the Commander's shareholders vote in favour of the Proposed Transaction.

GenCap Mining Advisory Ltd. provided a fairness opinion to the Commander special committee and board of directors, which stated that as of the date of the opinion and based upon and subject to the assumptions, limitations and qualifications set out in such opinion, the consideration to be paid to the Commander shareholders under the Proposed Transaction is fair from a financial point of view.

Advisers and Counsel

GenCap Mining Advisory Ltd. is acting as financial adviser to the Commander special committee. Harper Grey LLP is acting as Canadian legal adviser to Commander. Pushor Mitchell LLP is acting as Canadian legal adviser to Enduro.

Completion of the Proposed Transaction is subject to a number of conditions being satisfied or waived by one or both of Enduro and Commander, including approval of Commander's shareholders together with any requisite disinterested shareholder approvals and acceptance of the TSXV. There can be no assurance that the Proposed Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular to be prepared in connection with the Proposed Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Proposed Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of Commander and Enduro should be considered highly speculative.

The TSX Venture Exchange Inc. has in no way passed upon the merits of the Proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

About Enduro Metals

Enduro Metals is an exploration company focused on its Newmont Lake Project; a total 688km2 property located between Eskay Creek, Snip, and Galore Creek within the heart of British Columbia's Golden Triangle. Building on prior results, Enduro's geological team has outlined multiple deposit environments of interest across the Newmont Lake Project including high-grade epithermal/skarn gold along the McLymont Fault, copper-gold alkalic porphyry mineralization at Burgundy, newly discovered copper-gold porphyry mineralization at North Toe, and a large 10km x 4km geochemical anomaly hosting various gold, silver, copper, zinc, nickel, cobalt, and lead mineralization along the newly discovered Chachi Corridor.

About Commander Resources

Commander is a Canadian focused exploration company that has leveraged its success in exploration through a combination of partnerships and sole funded exploration. Commander has a portfolio of base and precious metal projects across Canada including its flagship Burn Project, a newly discovered porphyry copper-gold project in the Babine copper belt of central British Columbia and its October Dome copper and gold porphyry target in central British Columbia and our Sabin VMS project in Ontario.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of Commander Resources Ltd.

"Robert Cameron"

President and Chief Executive Officer

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of Enduro Metals Corporation

"Cole Evans"

Chief Executive Officer

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements". Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Enduro's and Commander'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 statements. Forward looking statements are 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 statements in this news release include statements concerning the parties' expectation that they will complete the Proposed Transaction and the Loan, and all other statements that are not historical in nature.

Although Enduro and Commander believe the forward-looking information contained in this news release is reasonable based on information available on the date hereof, forward-looking statements by their nature involve assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS NEWS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF ENDURO AND COMMANDER AS OF THE DATE OF THIS NEWS 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 ENDURO AND COMMANDER MAY ELECT TO, NEITHER OF THEM UNDERTAKES 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 accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES
VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 9, 2024 /CNW/ - 1911 Gold Corporation ("1911 Gold" or the "Company") (TSXV: AUMB) is pleased to provide an update on exploration strategy on the True North project, following the recently released updated 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE"). The Company also plans to complete a financing to support this strategy, by way of a non-brokered private placement of flow-through shares for aggregate proceeds of up to $5,000,000 (the "Offering"), with a lead investment from a corporate investor.

Highlights

Strategic and lead investment from a high growth gold producer, whose production base does not include any assets in Canada .

Non-brokered private placement of flow-through shares up to $5,000,000 .

Approximately 2,550 metres ("m") in 10 holes have been drilled to completion on testing our new near surface drill targets, with drilling now underway at the San Antonio Southeast Target.

Two (2) of the three (3) initial new targets now drill tested with follow up expected upon review of final assay results.

The MRE released on November 20, 2024 identified a number of drill targets within areas of known mineralization for potential resource extension both down plunge and along strike outside of the veins modeled supporting the MRE.

Assessment of the data and geological model supporting the existing 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate for Ogama Rockland Project is underway, results of this will define the resource potential of this project as well as identify opportunities as a potential satellite gold deposit.

Ongoing, comprehensive review of the geology and resource potential of other past producers on the property, including the Central Manitoba project is underway to generate additional exploration drill targets.

Shaun Heinrichs, President, and CEO commented: "With our work now complete on rebuilding the True North MRE, we have the right foundation to support the next phase of growth on our Rice Lake property. The progress to date has significantly advanced our understanding of the geology at the True North Project and also attracted additional investment from a growing mid-tier gold producer. With this additional capital in place, we will continue our current exploration program on surface while completing our work on an economic mine plan based on the updated MRE to provide the foundation for a re-start in the near future."

The Offering

The Offering is expected to be comprised of a combination of (i) shares of the Company issuable to residents in Manitoba ("Manitoba FT Shares") at $0.239 per Manitoba FT Share, and (ii) flowthrough shares of the Company ("FT Shares") at $0.185 per FT Share. Each of the FT Shares and the Manitoba FT Shares will qualify as a flow-through share ("FT Share") for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "ITA").

The gross proceeds raised from the Offering will be used by the Company to fund exploration programs qualifying as "Canadian Exploration Expenses" and "flow-through mining expenditures" (as those terms are defined in the ITA) at the Company's flagship Rice Lake property in Manitoba, focusing on near-mine target areas.

The closing of the Offering is expected to occur on or about December 23, 2024 (the "Closing Date") and is subject to receipt of all applicable regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). All securities issued under the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the Closing Date.

The securities referred to in this news release have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities law, and may not be offered or sold in the United States 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 nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Qualified Person Statement

The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Michele Della Libera, Vice President Exploration of 1911 Gold Corporation. Mr. Della Libera is a

Professional Geoscientist (P.Geo.) and Practicing Member of the Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia, the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario and a "Qualified Person" as defined under National Instrument 43-101.

About 1911 Gold Corporation

1911 Gold is a junior explorer that holds a highly prospective, consolidated land package totaling more than 63,000 hectares within and adjacent to the Archean Rice Lake greenstone belt in Manitoba, and also owns the True North mine and mill complex at Bissett, Manitoba. 1911 Gold believes its land package is a prime exploration opportunity, with potential to develop a mining district centred on the True North complex. The Company also owns the Apex project near Snow Lake, Manitoba and the Denton-Keefer project near Timmins, Ontario, and intends to focus on organic growth and accretive acquisition opportunities in North America.

1911 Gold's True North complex and exploration land package are located within the traditional territory of the Hollow Water First Nation, signatory to Treaty No. 5 (1875-76). 1911 Gold looks forward to maintaining open, co-operative and respectful communication with the Hollow Water First Nation, and all local stakeholders, in order to build mutually beneficial working relationships.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Shaun Heinrichs

President and CEO

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or describes a "goal", or variation 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.

All forward-looking statements reflect the Company's beliefs and assumptions based on information available at the time the statements were made. Actual results or events may differ from those predicted in these forward-looking statements. All of the Company's forward-looking statements are qualified by the assumptions that are stated or inherent in such forward-looking statements, including the assumptions listed below. Although the Company believes that these assumptions are reasonable, this list is not exhaustive of factors that may affect any of the forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, future events, conditions, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, prediction, projection, forecast, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including, but not limited to, statements with respect to the terms of the Offering, the use of proceeds of the Offering, the timing and ability of the Company to close the Offering, the timing and ability of the Company to receive necessary regulatory approvals, the tax treatment of the securities issued under the Offering, the timing for the Qualifying Expenditures to be renounced in favour of the subscribers, and the plans, operations and prospects of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although 1911 Gold 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 not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements contained in this news release are given as of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

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.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 9, 2024) - Kenorland Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: KLD) (OTCQX: KLDCF) (FSE: 3WQ0) ("Kenorland" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results from its regional exploration campaigns which covered the Flora, Western Wabigoon, Algoman, and Stormy Lake Projects in Northwestern Ontario.

During the 2024 field season, Kenorland completed first pass property-wide till geochemical surveys, with the collection of approximately 12,200 till samples systematically screening roughly 263,500 hectares of land across the four projects. Multiple priority target areas have been identified, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Company's exploration strategy to generate new targets in underexplored areas within the greenstone belts of the Western Wabigoon and Marmion geological subprovinces.

Zach Flood, President and CEO, states, "We're very excited to see several large-scale regional targets take shape in areas which have seen limited, if any, historical exploration. Our grassroots exploration strategy continues to deliver opportunities for new discoveries. The focus next year will be to develop these regional targets to drill stage."

Figure 1. Map of the Ontario Projects

Flora Project

The first pass property-wide glacial till geochemical survey, included the collection of approximately 2,560 samples (1000 m x 200 m sample spacing) covering the 57,706 hectare property. In addition, 91 rock samples were collected along previously known mineral occurrence trends, along with 35 HMC/MDMC till samples for spodumene grain counts, to confirm an undocumented spodumene bearing pegmatite dyke discovered in 2023 by a local prospector.

The till geochemical survey identified two targets, subparallel to the southwest-northeast trending Wabigoon Fault. The F1 target is a high tenor, coherent gold-in-till anomaly extending over 7 km within a sheared diorite, characterized by Au-Mo metal associations. The F2 target, located approximately 16 km along strike to the southwest is defined by a strong Au-W correlation. In addition to the till geochemical survey, prospecting confirmed the presence of a north-south trending pegmatite dyke with rock samples returning up to 4.62% Li 2 O.

Figure 2. Flora Project geology with regional glacial till sampling: gold geochemistry

The Flora Project is located within the Western Wabigoon subprovince of the Archean Superior Province. Within the project area, a variety of geological environments have the potential to host various deposit types including orogenic gold, Li-Cs-Ta (LCT) pegmatites, Ni-Cu sulphide, and VMS-style mineralisation. Significant orogenic gold deposits are located within the region including the Cameron deposit 15 km to the south along the northwest trending Pipestone-Cameron Deformation Zone (PCdz) and the Goliath deposit 50 km to the northeast along the Wabigoon Fault. Evolved muscovite bearing granites are also mapped within the northeast portions of the property, approximately 30 km from the peraluminous Ghost Lake batholith, which is spatially associated with several LCT pegmatite occurrences.

Western Wabigoon Project

Systematic, geochemical screening of the Western Wabigoon Project included the collection of approximately 2,820 till samples (1000 m x 200 m sample spacing) covering the 69,008 hectare property. A significant, approximately 19 km trend of gold-in-till anomalism follows the southwest-northeast trending Manitou-Dinorwic Deformation Zone (MDdz) that transects the northern portion of the property. Within that trend, the W1 target is defined by continuous high tenor gold-in-till results, with Au-AsSb-Te-W metal associations. A second zone of strong geochemical anomalism, located 6 km along strike to the southwest, the W2 target (Au-As-Sb), is concentrated where the MDdz orientation changes from a southwest-northeast trend to east-west. The W3 target (Ag-Mo-Te-WAu-Cu), located 5 km to the southeast follows a regional contact between mafic volcanic rocks and gabbro intrusive rocks.

Figure 3. Western Wabigoon geology with regional glacial till sampling: gold geochemistry

The northern portion of the project area marks the intersection of three major regional deformation zones: the Pipestone-Cameron (PCdz), Manitou-Dinorwic (MDdz), and Helena-Pipestone (HPdz). The PCdz hosts the Cameron orogenic gold deposit, located 30 km northwest of the property, while the HPdz hosts the Rainy River gold deposit, 50 km to the southwest. On the property, these high-strain structural corridors intersect with the MDdz which appear to be the structural control for the W1 and W2 target zones identified.

Algoman Project

Large scale geochemical surveys included fine fraction till sampling (approximately 3,110 samples) and HMC/MDMC till sampling (approximately 500 samples) for gold grain analysis and spodumene grain counts, covering the 94,437 hectare property. The till geochemical survey outlined two distinct trends of Au-AsSb-Ag-Cu anomalism, hosted within volcanics and structures sub-parallel to the Marmion-Quetico subprovince boundary immediately to the south. The A1 target is spatially associated with the intersection of the regional Quetico Fault and the Rainy Lake-Seine River Fault system. The A2 target, located 19 km to the east, lies along trend with other known high grade gold mineral occurrences further to the east, including the Black Vein Showing where Kenorland confirmed high grade gold mineralisation with up to 187.6 g/t Au in rock samples. Results from the HMC/MDMC till sampling program covering the metasedimentary rocks of the Quetico subprovince remain pending.

Figure 4. Algoman Project geology with regional glacial till sampling: gold geochemistry

The project area spans 75 km of strike-length along the structural boundary between the Western Wabigoon and Marmion geological subprovinces to the north and the Quetico subprovince to the south. The Western Wabigoon and Marmion subprovinces consist of volcanic and metasedimentary greenstone belts and felsic plutonic batholiths intersected by several major east-west to northeast-striking deformation zones including the Quetico Fault and Marmion Fault. The Marmion Fault hosts the Hammond Reef deposit located 15 km to the northeast. To the west, the Rainy Lake-Seine River Fault system- a significant east-west trending deformation zone- marks the boundary with the Quetico subprovince to the south, which is characterized by metasedimentary and felsic plutonic rocks.

Stormy Lake Project

The Company completed a first pass property-wide glacial till geochemical survey, including the collection of approximately 3,180 till samples (500 m x 200 m sample spacing) covering the 42,366 hectare property. Areas of anomalous AuAs-Mo associated with the Mosher Bay-Washeibemaga Deformation Zone, and Ag-Zn-Te-W-Bi have been identified. The Company is currently planning next steps for the Stormy Lake Project.

New Royalties

The Company announces that its wholly owned subsidiary, Kenorland Minerals North America Ltd., has granted a 2% net smelter return royalty on its 100%-owned claims within the Flora, Algoman and Western Wabigoon Projects to another wholly owned subsidiary, 1431275 B.C. Ltd.

Kenorland currently holds a portfolio of royalty interests on projects located in North America, including a 4% net smelter return royalty on the Frotet Project, located in Quebec and 2% net smelter return royalty on the South Uchi Project, located in Ontario.

QA/QC and Sampling Protocols

All 2024 till samples were collected under the supervision of Kenorland employees. Till samples were hand dug in the field targeting the 'C' or 'B' horizon soil, bagged and then transported from the field to the crew facilities where blanks and certified reference materials were inserted at regular sample intervals. Groups of samples were placed in large bags, sealed with numbered tags in order to maintain a chain-of-custody, and transported from to Bureau Veritas Commodities ("BV") laboratory in Timmins, Ontario.

Sample preparation and analytical work for this till sampling program were carried out by BV. Samples were prepared for analysis according to BV method SS230: individual samples were dried at 60oC, and then sieved up to 100g to -230 mesh (-63 m) for analysis. Samples were analyzed using BV method AQ252_EXT where a 30g split is analyzed by Aqua Regia digestion with ultratrace ICP-MS finish for both gold and multi-element geochemistry (52 elements). All results passed the QA/QC screening at the lab, all company inserted standards and blanks returned results that were within acceptable limits.

Qualified Person

Mr. Janek Wozniewski, B.Sc., P.Geo. (EGBC #172781, APEGS #77522, EGMB #48045, PGO #3824), "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release.

About Kenorland Minerals Ltd.

Kenorland Minerals Ltd. (TSX.V: KLD) is a well-financed mineral exploration company focused on project generation and early-stage exploration in North America. Kenorland's exploration strategy is to advance greenfields projects through systematic, property-wide, phased exploration surveys financed primarily through exploration partnerships including option to joint venture agreements. Kenorland holds a 4% net smelter return royalty on the Frotet Project in Quebec which is owned by Sumitomo Metal Mining Canada Ltd. The Frotet Project hosts the Regnault gold system, a greenfields discovery made by Kenorland and Sumitomo Metal Mining Canada Ltd. in 2020. Kenorland is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Further information can be found on the Company's website www.kenorlandminerals.com

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "plans", "expects", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing these forward-looking statements are reasonable based upon the information currently available to management as of the date hereof, actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Readers are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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.
MONTREAL, Dec. 9, 2024 /CNW/ - Falco Resources Ltd. (TSXV: FPC) ("Falco" or the "Corporation") is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Cantor Fitzgerald Canada Corporation to act as sole agent and sole bookrunner (the "Agent"), in connection with a "best efforts" private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$5,000,000 from the sale of units of the Corporation (the "Units") at a price of C$0.25 per Unit (the "Offering").

Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Corporation (each, a "Common Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant shall entitle the holder to purchase one Common Share (each, a "Warrant Share") at a price of C$0.35 at any time on or before that date which is 60 months after the closing date of the Offering.

The Corporation has granted the Agent an option, on the same terms and conditions as the Offering, exercisable until the second business day prior to the closing date of the Offering, to sell up to an additional C$1,000,000 in Units ("Agent's Option"). If the Agents' Option is exercised in full, the aggregate gross proceeds of the Offering would be C$6,000,000.

The Corporation intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of Units for the advancement of the Horne 5 Project and for working capital and general corporate purposes.

The Offering is anticipated to close on or about December 20, 2024 (the "Closing Date") and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals including the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

The Units are being offered by way of private placement in all of the provinces of Canada to investors who qualify as "accredited investors" under Canadian securities legislation or who are otherwise exempt from prospectus delivery requirements. The Offering may also be offered in the United States to "accredited investors" (as defined in Rule 501(a) of Regulation D) pursuant to an exemption from registration under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and in such other jurisdictions outside of Canada in accordance with applicable law.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in the United States or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements thereunder.

The Common Shares issuable from the sale of Units to "accredited investors" in Canada or otherwise on a prospectus exempt basis will be subject to a hold period of four months plus one day from the date of issuance of the Units.

About Falco Resources Ltd.

Falco Resources Ltd. is one of the largest mineral claim holders in the Province of Quebec, with extensive land holdings in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt. Falco owns approximately 67,000 hectares of land in the Noranda Mining Camp, which represents 67% of the entire camp and includes 13 former gold and base metal mine sites. Falco's principal asset is the Horne 5 Project located under the former Horne mine that was operated by Noranda from 1927 to 1976 and produced 11.6 million ounces of gold and 2.5 billion pounds of copper. Osisko Development Corp. is Falco's largest shareholder owning a 16.7% interest in the Corporation.

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 on Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Statements, other than statements of historical facts, may be forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as "plans", "expects", "seeks", "may", "should", "could", "will", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", or variations including negative variations thereof of such words and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing statements, the Corporation meeting all conditions for a timely closing of the Offering, including obtaining all required approvals, and the proposed use of the proceeds of the Offering are forward-looking statements. Forward- looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual plans, results, performance or achievements of Falco to differ materially from any future plans, results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risk and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the risk factors set out in Falco's annual and/or quarterly management discussion and analysis and in other of its public disclosure documents filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, as well as all assumptions regarding the foregoing. Although Falco believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, Falco disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - December 9, 2024) - Riverside Resources Inc. (TSXV: RRI) (OTCQB: RVSDF) (FSE: 5YY) ("Riverside" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce it has signed an option agreement to acquire a 100% interest in the Taft Project ("Project"). The Project covers a total area of 3,000 hectares (30 km2) and is located in the highly prospective Revelstoke Carbonatite Belt region of British Columbia for Rare Earth Elements (REE) and gold mineralization. This transaction aligns with Riverside's strategy of targeting high-value mineral assets in favorable jurisdictions and taking advantage of government support led by technical quality as a focus. Critical metals, such as rare earth elements (REE), are essential for national security and economic prosperity and Riverside is actively strengthening its position by acquiring and staking high-potential critical metals projects. The Company plans to begin a field program on the Project immediately.

"Riverside Resources has a long history of identifying and acquiring high-potential mineral assets in stable jurisdictions, and the Taft Project is another excellent example of this approach," stated John-Mark Staude, President and CEO of Riverside Resources. "As the demand for critical minerals continues to grow, particularly in the fields of renewable energy, electric vehicles, and advanced technologies, projects like Taft play an essential role in securing North America's access to these vital resources."

"With governments increasingly emphasizing the importance of developing domestic supply chains for critical minerals, including recent initiatives by the United States and Canada to support exploration and production, Riverside is proud to contribute to this strategic imperative. By acquiring and investing in projects like Taft, we are not only enhancing our portfolio but also progressing the global transition to cleaner energy and more resilient supply networks."

Project Option Terms:

As per the Agreement, Riverside can earn a 100% interest in the Taft Project by making staged cash payments totaling CAD $125,000 over five years, as detailed below:

a) $15,000 upon signing of the Agreement; (paid)

b) $15,000 on or before the 1st anniversary of the Effective Date;

c) $20,000 on or before the 2nd anniversary of the Effective Date;

d) $20,000 on or before the 3rd anniversary of the Effective Date;

e) $25,000 on or before the 4th anniversary of the Effective Date; and

f) $30,000 on or before the final anniversary of the Effective Date.

Additionally, Riverside will commit to a minimum of $320,000 in exploration expenditures over the same period, as detailed below:

a) $ 60,000.00 on or before the 1st anniversary of the Effective Date;

b) $ 60,000.00 on or before the 2nd anniversary of the Effective Date;

c) $ 60,000.00 on or before the 3rd anniversary of the Effective Date;

d) $ 60,000.00 on or before the 4th anniversary of the Effective Date; and

e) $ 80,000.00 on or before the final anniversary of the Effective Date.

This transaction involves no royalties, aligning with Riverside's ongoing commitment to maintaining royalty-free projects. Consistent with its business model over the past 15+ years, Riverside creates royalties only when optioning or selling projects to third parties in future business transactions.

Exploration Plans

The exploration program will begin with stream geochemistry studies initiated this summer, followed by soil and rock geochemical prospecting. Fieldwork will include geological mapping and reconnaissance traverses, building on earlier government studies and prior prospector reports. The focus is to delineate the Rare Earth Element potential associated with carbonatite intrusions, which are key mineralization targets for both the property and the company within this belt. Additionally, the program will investigate gold anomalies identified in initial surveys, building on previous exploration efforts in the area. Riverside's planned investments include geological mapping, sampling, and targeted drilling to further define the resource potential of the project.

About the Taft Project

The Taft Project presents a high-potential opportunity to discover critical mineral resources essential to the increasing demand for renewable energy, technology, and advanced materials. Its favorable geological setting and strategic location within a supportive jurisdiction highlight its importance in Riverside's portfolio. Geological mapping of the REE-rich terrane has identified promising areas along the belt, supported by favorable geochemistry and indicator minerals. Current sampling and exploration efforts, in collaboration with local prospectors, aim to refine targets through access, sampling, and mapping. These activities are paving the way for a focused exploration program in 2025, targeting both REE and gold zones.

Figure 1: Location map and mineral concession map with tenure under option in red and Riverside 100% owned tenure in yellow.

Qualified Person & QA/QC

The scientific and technical data contained in this news release was reviewed and approved by Freeman Smith, P.Geo, a non-independent qualified person to Riverside Resources who is responsible for ensuring that the information provided in this news release is accurate and who acts as a "qualified person" under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About Riverside Resources Inc.

Riverside is a well-funded exploration company driven by value generation and discovery. The Company has over $5M in cash, no debt and less than 75M shares outstanding with a strong portfolio of gold-silver and copper assets and royalties in North America. Riverside has extensive experience and knowledge operating in Mexico and Canada and leverages its large database to generate a portfolio of prospective mineral properties. In addition to Riverside's own exploration spending, the Company also strives to diversify risk by securing joint-venture and spin-out partnerships to advance multiple assets simultaneously and create more chances for discovery. Riverside has properties available for option, with information available on the Company's website at www.rivres.com.

ON BEHALF OF RIVERSIDE RESOURCES INC.

"John-Mark Staude"

Dr. John-Mark Staude, President & CEO

Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking information. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology (e.g., "expect"," estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "plans"). Such information involves known and unknown risks -- including the availability of funds, the results of financing and exploration activities, the interpretation of exploration results and other geological data, or unanticipated costs and expenses and other risks identified by Riverside in its public securities filings that may cause actual events to differ materially from current expectations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release.

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.
Thousands of jubilant Syrians gathered in Berlin on Sunday to celebrate the fall of President Bashar al-Assad, sounding car horns and waving Syrian opposition flags.

"We're happy. The dictatorship is over. Assad has gone," said 39-year-old Ahmed, who preferred not to give his last name.

"All Syrians are together now," said the railway technician, who fled the northern Syrian city of Aleppo in 2015.

Germany has the largest Syrian diaspora in the European Union, more than one million strong.

Hundreds of thousands arrived in Germany after the start of the civil war in Syria in 2011.

Many live in the capital, Berlin, notably in the working-class district of Neukoelln, where a spontaneous outpouring of relief began early on Sunday.

Scores of people poured onto a main street in Neukoelln, waving the green, white, black and red flag of the Syrian opposition, before congregating on a square in the neighbouring district of Kreuzberg.

Many brought along children with their faces painted in the Syrian national colours, to voice their joy and relief.

The crowd quickly swelled into the thousands.

Some made the V for victory sign and chanted "Allah u Akbar" ("God is greatest").

- Relief -

Ahmad al-Hallabi, 27, was at the spontaneous initial gathering in Neukoelln with his two children.

"This government has finally fallen," the mechanic from Aleppo said.

"Ten years ago, I was in Syria and saw things no-one should have to see, things that are impossible to wipe from your memory."

"Assad is the worst terrorist imaginable," he said, explaining how he had fled Syria for Germany in 2015, via Turkey and Greece.

"I hope there'll be peace and everything Assad and his men destroyed will be rebuilt," he added.

The German government issued a note of caution as to the future of Syria.

"At this point it is impossible to assess what exactly is happening in Syria right now," said Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock in a post on X.

"But one thing is clear: The end of Assad is a big relief for millions of people in Syria -- after an eternity of atrocities committed by the Assad regime."

- 'I knew moment would come' -

Chancellor Olaf Scholz said Assad had "oppressed his people brutally" and called for a political solution to stabilise the country.

Anwar al-Bunni, a Syrian human rights lawyer who was granted asylum in Germany in 2014, spoke to AFP shortly before the government was ousted but as rebel forces were closing in on the capital.

"I knew this moment was coming because I believe that the Syrian people, asking for freedom, they will get it at last," he said.

Bunni, who was imprisoned in Syria for five years, contributed in 2022 to a court case in Germany that resulted in a former Syrian army colonel being jailed for life for crimes against humanity.

It was the first trial in the world to examine abuses committed by the Assad government.

Colonel Anwar Raslan, 58, was convicted of killing 27 prisoners and torturing at least 4,000 in 2011 and 2012 in the Al-Khatib jail in Damascus.

Bunni had recognised him in the street in Berlin.
World powers vowed Sunday to work for stability in Syria and the surrounding region after Islamist-led rebels toppled its longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad.

Here is a round-up of key reactions:

- High alert: Russia -

Assad's ally Moscow said Russian troops on their bases in Syria were on high alert but that there was "no serious threat" to them.

Prior to reports that Assad had fled, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Saturday that Syria must not be allowed to fall into the hands of a "terrorist group".

- 'Russia not interested any longer': Trump -

US President-elect Donald Trump attributed the fall of Assad to flagging Russian support.

"His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer."

US National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett said President Joe Biden would meet Sunday with his national security advisors over Syria.

- 'Return to stability': China -

Beijing "is closely following the development of the situation in Syria and hopes that Syria returns to stability as soon as possible", the foreign ministry said.

- 'Friendly relations': Iran -

Iran's foreign ministry said it expects "friendly" relations with Syria to continue.

It said it would adopt "appropriate approaches" towards Syria in accordance with the behaviour of "effective actors" in Damascus.

- 'Country in turmoil': Turkey -

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said his country, which has supported rebel movements in Syria, was "ready to take responsibility for all that is necessary to heal Syria's wounds and guarantee its unity, integrity and security".

- 'Cautious hope': UN -

The UN envoy for Syria called the rebel takeover "a watershed moment" for the country marred by nearly 14 years of civil war.

"Today we look forward with cautious hope to the opening of a new (chapter) -- one of peace, reconciliation, dignity and inclusion for all Syrians," special envoy Geir Pedersen said.

UN war crimes investigators urged those taking charge to ensure the "atrocities" committed under Assad's regime are not repeated.

- End to 'barbaric' state: France -

French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed the fall of Bashar al-Assad's "barbaric state" in Syria.

"I pay tribute to the Syrian people, to their courage, to their patience. In this moment of uncertainty, I send them my wishes for peace, freedom, and unity," he wrote on X.

- 'Good news': Germany -

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz welcomed the fall of Assad as "good news" and urged a political solution to stabilise the war-stricken country.

He said it was "essential that law and order be quickly re-established in Syria" and urged protection for all religious communities.

- 'Work together': UAE -

A senior United Arab Emirates official urged Syrians to collaborate in order to avert a spiral into chaos.

"We hope that the Syrians will work together, that we don't just see another episode of impending chaos," presidential adviser Anwar Gargash said at the Manama Dialogue in Bahrain.

- 'Peace and stability': UK -

Britain's Prime Minister Keir Starmer called for a peaceful and stable Syria, adding that its people had "suffered under Assad's barbaric regime for too long".

"Our focus is now on ensuring a political solution prevails, and peace and stability is restored," Starmer said, calling for the protection of civilians and minorities.

- 'Long-awaited': EU -

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen likewise said the EU would help to rebuild "a Syrian state that protects all minorities".

The EU's top diplomat Kaja Kallas meanwhile hailed Assad's fall as "a positive and long-awaited development" which "also shows the weakness of Assad's backers, Russia and Iran".

- Blow to Iran: Israel -

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed Assad's overthrow as the fall of a "central link in Iran's axis of evil".

He called it "a direct result of the blows we have inflicted on Iran and Hezbollah", the militant group that Israel has been bombarding in Lebanon.

- Don't rely on Putin: Ukraine -

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga welcomed Assad's departure, saying that authoritarians who rely on support from Putin are destined to fall, while stressing Kyiv's support for Syria's people.

- Independent Islamic government: Taliban -

Afghanistan's Taliban government congratulated the Syrian people and rebels, hoping a transition would lead to "an independent and service-oriented Islamic government" and a Syria "free from external interference".

- 'Free will': Iraq -

Iraq urged respect for the "free will of all Syrians and emphasises that the security, territorial integrity and independence of Syria are of paramount importance," government spokesman Basim Alawadi said in a statement.

- Regional stability: Spain -

Spain's foreign ministry said it supports a peaceful "political transition" in Syria that brings stability to the region.

- Protect civilians: Ireland -

Irish prime minister Simon Harris said the protection of civilians in Syria was "paramount" and urged a "peaceful transition as well as free and fair elections".

burs-giv/rlp/jm/sbk/ju
Celebrations erupted around Syria and crowds ransacked President Bashar al-Assad's luxurious home on Sunday after Islamist-led rebels swept into Damascus and declared he had fled the country, in a spectacular end to five decades of Baath party rule.

Assad's whereabouts were not clear, but his key backer Russia said he had resigned from the presidency and left Syria.

Residents in the capital were seen cheering in the streets as the rebel factions heralded the departure of "tyrant" Assad, saying: "We declare the city of Damascus free."

AFPTV footage showed a column of smoke rising from central Damascus, and AFP correspondents in the city saw dozens of men, women and children wandering through Assad's home after it had been looted.

The rooms of the residence had been left completely empty, save some furniture and a portrait of Assad discarded on the floor, while an entrance hall at the presidential palace not far away had been torched.

"I can't believe I'm living this moment," tearful Damascus resident Amer Batha told AFP by phone.

"We've been waiting a long time for this day," he said, adding: "We are starting a new history for Syria."

Assad's reported departure comes less than two weeks after the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group challenged more than five decades of Assad family rule with a lightning offensive.

"After 50 years of oppression under Baath rule, and 13 years of crimes and tyranny and displacement... we announce today the end of this dark period and the start of a new era for Syria," the rebel factions said on Telegram.

While there has been no communication from Assad or his entourage on his whereabouts, Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali said he was ready to cooperate with "any leadership chosen by the Syrian people".

The head of war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdel Rahman, told AFP: "Assad left Syria via Damascus international airport before the army security forces left" the facility.

AFP has been unable to independently verify some of the information provided by the different parties, including the reported departure.

- Prisoners set free -

Around the country, people toppled statues of Hafez al-Assad, Bashar al-Assad's father and the founder of the system of government that he inherited.

For the past 50 years in Syria, even the slightest suspicion of dissent could land one in prison or get one killed.

As rebels entered the capital, HTS said its fighters broke into a jail on the outskirts of Damascus, announcing an "end of the era of tyranny in the prison of Sednaya", which has become a by-word for the darkest abuses of Assad's era.

UN war crimes investigators on Sunday described Assad's fall as a "historic new beginning" for Syrians, urging those taking charge to ensure the "atrocities" committed under his rule are not repeated.

The rapid developments came just hours after HTS said it had captured the strategic city of Homs, where prisoners were also released.

Homs was the third major city seized by the rebels, who began their advance on November 27.

US President Joe Biden was keeping a close eye on the "extraordinary events" unfolding in Syria, the White House said.

US president-elect Donald Trump said that Assad had "fled his country" after losing Russia's backing.

- 'Syria is ours' -

Rebel factions aired a statement on Syrian state television, urging fighters and citizens to safeguard the "property of the free Syrian state".

State TV broadcast a message proclaiming the "victory of the great Syrian revolution".

The Islamist leader of HTS, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, visited Damascus's landmark Umayyad Mosque, as crowds greeted him with smiles and embraces, AFP images showed.

HTS is rooted in the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda.

Proscribed as a terrorist organisation by Western governments, HTS has sought to soften its image in recent years.

Before Sunday's announcements, residents had described to AFP a state of panic in Damascus, but morning saw chants and cheering, with celebratory gunfire and shouts of "Syria is ours and not the Assad family's".

On Sunday afternoon the rebels announced a curfew in the capital until 5:00 am (0200 GMT) Monday.

The commander of Syria's US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which controls much of northeast Syria, hailed as "historic" the fall of Assad's "authoritarian regime".

- 'We're going home' -

The Observatory on Sunday said Israel struck Syrian army weapons depots Sunday on the outskirts of Damascus.

Assad's rule had for years been supported by Lebanese group Hezbollah, whose forces "vacated their positions around Damascus", a source close to the group said Sunday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the overthrow of Assad was a "historic day in the... Middle East" and the fall of a "central link in Iran's axis of evil".

"This is a direct result of the blows we have inflicted on Iran and Hezbollah, Assad's main supporters," he added.

The rebel offensive began the very day a ceasefire took effect in Lebanon after nearly a year of conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.

The UN envoy for Syria said the country was at "a watershed moment", while Turkey, which has historically backed the opposition, called for a "smooth transition".

Iran, a key backer of Assad throughout the civil war, said it expected "friendly" ties with Syria to continue, even as its embassy in Damascus was vandalised.

Since the start of the rebel offensive, at least 826 people, mostly combatants but also including 111 civilians, have been killed, the Observatory said.

Syria's war killed more than 500,000 people, and forced half of the population to flee their homes.

"I can barely remember Syria," said Reda al-Khedr, who was only five years old when he and his mother escaped Syria's Homs in 2014.

"But now we're going to go home to a liberated Syria," he told AFP in Cairo.
Amnesty International called on Sunday for perpetrators of rights violations in Syria to face justice after Bashar al-Assad's fall from power, calling it a "historic opportunity" to end decades of abuses.

"Suspected perpetrators of crimes under international law and other serious human rights violations must be investigated, and if warranted, prosecuted for their crimes" Agnes Callamard, head of the London-based rights group said in a statement.

She added that any prosecutions should be in "fair trials and without the possibility of the death penalty".

"The most important step is justice, and not retribution," Callamard added, urging "opposition forces to break free from the violence of the past".

An Islamist-led rebel alliance toppled Assad in a sweeping offensive culminating in the capture of the capital Damascus. Assad's key ally Russia said that he had resigned as president and left the country, without specifying where to.

In the statement, Callamard accused Assad and his father Hafez al-Assad of subjecting Syrians to multiple "war crimes" and "crimes against humanity" during their five decades in power.

The Amnesty secretary general also called for the collection and preservation of "evidence of any crimes committed, past or present, to ensure accountability".

"Such information could provide critical evidence on the fate of the disappeared and be used in future prosecutions and trials for crimes under international law," Callamard added.

"For the families of Syria's tens of thousands of forcibly disappeared, the release of detainees from the many prisons across the country... raises the prospect that they could finally discover the fate of their missing loved ones," Callamard said.

She urged the international community to "support the victims of the Assad government's atrocities to secure justice and reparations for crimes under international law in Syria".
For nearly 14 years, Syria's Bashar al-Assad resisted the Arab Spring that ousted leaders across the region, maintaining power through repression and support from Russia and Iran.

The pro-democracy movement, which began in Tunisia in late 2010 and swept across the region, toppled autocrats in Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Yemen and, eventually, Sudan.

But after nearly 25 years as president, over half of that time fighting a brutal civil war that erupted after a crack down on protesters, he was finally overthrown by Islamist-led rebels in an 11-day offensive.

AFP takes a look at the leaders brought down since the movement was set in motion:

Syria: openness and oppression

When he became president in 2000, aged 34, after his father Hafez al-Assad had ruled for 30 years, there were hopes of more openness.

This was the time of the "Damascus Spring". But it did not last long.

In 2011, when popular protests erupted in Syria in the wake of the Arab Spring, the Assad government cracked down without mercy and civil war resulted.

Only its allies Russia and Iran, and the Lebanese group Hezbollah, kept Assad's regime in power.

A 2020 truce ushered in a period of relative calm, allowing Syria to return to the Arab League group from which it had been banished for years.

But Assad's government ignored appeals for a political solution, and made no concessions to the opposition.

Tunisia: Ben Ali the first to go

The first leader to be swept away by the Arab Spring was Tunisia's Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.

He came to power on November 7, 1987, raising people's hopes for change after he staged a bloodless coup against the ageing Habib Bourguiba, declaring him unfit to rule.

But Ben Ali became even more authoritarian than his predecessor and his relatives took over whole sectors of the economy, which was likened in a US State Department cable to a mafia, according to documents released by WikiLeaks.

At the end of 2010, protests broke out in Tunisia's neglected interior and then spread to the main cities in the east.

After a huge demonstration in Tunis on January 14, 2011, Ben Ali left the country, hoping he could later return to power. He died in exile in Saudi Arabia in September, 2019.

Libya: the 'guide' Kadhafi

The self-proclaimed "guide" of the September 1969 revolution, Libya's Moamer Kadhafi was in power for 42 years.

He was known for championing Arab unity and using the country's vast oil resources to bolster his allies and fund groups including the Irish Republican Army.

At home, he oversaw a unique system of so-called democracy by the people but with himself as leader.

The Kadhafi government was accused of involvement in the December 1988 Lockerbie bombing and a 1989 blast that downed French UTA Flight 772 over Niger. These killed hundreds of people and led to Libya coming under embargo before compensating the victims.

When the people rose up against Kadhafi in 2011, NATO intervened and the former dictator was killed by rebels on October 20 in circumstances that remain murky.

Egypt: Mubarak's 30 years

Egypt's vice-president at the time, Hosni Mubarak, became president when Islamists assassinated Anwar Sadat at a military parade in 1981.

He stayed in power for 30 years, despite an Arab boycott over Egypt's 1979 peace treaty with Israel, economic problems and violence by radical Islamists.

Mubarak confronted Arab Spring protests in January 2011 at a time when he was also suspected of considering handing power to his son Alaa, along the lines of Syria's Assad dynasty.

In the end, Mubarak was abandoned by the institution that brought him to power, the military, and in February 2011 he quit.

Mubarak went on trial charged with causing the deaths of demonstrators and with corruption. He was jailed but acquitted in 2017, and died in February 2020.

Yemen: Saleh held on till the end

Ali Abdullah Saleh liked to compare ruling Yemen to dancing on the heads of snakes, as the impoverished Arabian Peninsula country was a complex and violent mosaic of tribal interests. But he had keen political instincts, and ruled for 33 years.

Saleh survived rebellions by rebels from the minority Zaidi Shiite sect of Islam who would come to be known as Huthis after their leader, and also a civil war following a failed attempt to unify the north and south.

When the 2011 protests reached Yemen, he reluctantly ceded power to his number two, Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi.

But Saleh still tried to hold on, even aligning himself with his former enemies the Huthis, who ended up assassinating him in December 2017.

Sudan: war crimes suspect Bashir

Omar al-Bashir seized power in an Islamist-backed coup in Sudan in 1989 before himself being overthrown by the army 30 years later during popular protests.

He was indicted in 2009 and 2010 by the International Criminal Court on charges of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity over the conflict in Darfur in western Sudan, where he unleashed the janjaweed militia in response to a rebel uprising.

Bashir was held in Kober prison, in the Khartoum area, but the military later said he was transferred to a military hospital, remaining under guard, before war began in April last year between the military and rival paramilitaries.
Syria's president Bashar al-Assad has fled Syria as Islamist-led rebels swept into Damascus Sunday, triggering celebrations across the country and beyond at the end of his oppressive rule.

Russian news agencies late Sunday said Assad and his family were in Moscow.

Crowds ransacked Assad's luxurious home after the rebels earlier Sunday declared he had fled, in a spectacular end to five decades of brutal Baath party rule.

The foreign ministry of his key backer, Russia, had announced earlier on Sunday that Assad resigned from the presidency and left Syria, without saying where.

Residents in the capital were seen cheering in the streets as the rebel factions heralded the departure of "tyrant" Assad, saying: "We declare the city of Damascus free."

AFPTV footage showed a column of smoke rising from central Damascus, and AFP correspondents in the city saw dozens of men, women and children wandering through Assad's home after it had been looted.

The rooms of the residence had been left completely empty, save some furniture and a portrait of Assad discarded on the floor, while an entrance hall at the presidential palace not far away had been torched.

"I can't believe I'm living this moment," tearful Damascus resident Amer Batha told AFP by phone.

"We've been waiting a long time for this day," he said, adding: "We are starting a new history for Syria."

Assad's reported departure comes less than two weeks after the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group challenged more than five decades of Assad family rule with a lightning offensive.

"After 50 years of oppression under Baath rule, and 13 years of crimes and tyranny and displacement... we announce today the end of this dark period and the start of a new era for Syria," the rebel factions said on Telegram.

Prime Minister Mohammed al-Jalali said he was ready to cooperate with "any leadership chosen by the Syrian people".

The head of war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Rami Abdel Rahman, told AFP: "Assad left Syria via Damascus international airport before the army security forces left" the facility.

AFP has been unable to independently verify some of the information provided by the different parties.

- Prisoners set free -

Around the country, people toppled statues of Hafez al-Assad, Bashar al-Assad's father and the founder of the system of government that he inherited.

For the past 50 years in Syria, even the slightest suspicion of dissent could land one in prison or get one killed.

As rebels entered the capital, HTS said its fighters broke into a jail on the outskirts of Damascus, announcing an "end of the era of tyranny in the prison of Sednaya", which has become a by-word for the darkest abuses of Assad's era.

UN war crimes investigators on Sunday described Assad's fall as a "historic new beginning" for Syrians, urging those taking charge to ensure the "atrocities" committed under his rule are not repeated.

The rapid developments came just hours after HTS said it had captured the strategic city of Homs, where prisoners were also released.

Homs was the third major city seized by the rebels, who began their advance on November 27.

US President Joe Biden was keeping a close eye on the "extraordinary events" unfolding in Syria, the White House said.

US president-elect Donald Trump said that Assad had "fled his country" after losing Russia's backing.

- 'Syria is ours' -

Rebel factions aired a statement on Syrian state television, urging fighters and citizens to safeguard the "property of the free Syrian state".

State TV broadcast a message proclaiming the "victory of the great Syrian revolution".

The Islamist leader of HTS, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, visited Damascus's landmark Umayyad Mosque, as crowds greeted him with smiles and embraces, AFP images showed.

HTS is rooted in the Syrian branch of Al-Qaeda.

Proscribed as a terrorist organisation by Western governments, HTS has sought to soften its image in recent years.

Before Sunday's announcements, residents had described to AFP a state of panic in Damascus, but morning saw chants and cheering, with celebratory gunfire and shouts of "Syria is ours and not the Assad family's".

On Sunday afternoon the rebels announced a curfew in the capital until 5:00 am (0200 GMT) Monday.

The commander of Syria's US-backed, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which controls much of northeast Syria, hailed as "historic" the fall of Assad's "authoritarian regime".

- 'We're going home' -

The Observatory on Sunday said Israel struck Syrian army weapons depots Sunday on the outskirts of Damascus.

Assad's rule had for years been supported by Lebanese group Hezbollah, whose forces "vacated their positions around Damascus", a source close to the group said Sunday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the overthrow of Assad was a "historic day in the... Middle East" and the fall of a "central link in Iran's axis of evil".

"This is a direct result of the blows we have inflicted on Iran and Hezbollah, Assad's main supporters," he added.

The rebel offensive began the very day a ceasefire took effect in Lebanon after nearly a year of conflict between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah.

The UN envoy for Syria said the country was at "a watershed moment", while Turkey, which has historically backed the opposition, called for a "smooth transition".

Iran, a key backer of Assad throughout the civil war, said it expected "friendly" ties with Syria to continue, even as its embassy in Damascus was vandalised.

Since the start of the rebel offensive, at least 910 people, mostly combatants but also including 138 civilians, have been killed, the Observatory said.

Syria's war killed more than 500,000 people, and forced half of the population to flee their homes.

"I can barely remember Syria," said Reda al-Khedr, who was only five years old when he and his mother escaped Syria's Homs in 2014.

"But now we're going to go home to a liberated Syria," he told AFP in Cairo.
16 June 2024, a Sunday not quite like any other in Bangui, the capital of the Central African Republic (CAR). The former anti-balaka local group leader, Edmond Beina, was arrested by a team from the Special Judicial Police Unit of the Central African Special Criminal Court (CPS), supported by the Central African gendarmerie. Sources close to the two courts confirm that they got logistical support from the International Criminal Court (ICC), which had provided the information needed to locate Beina, wanted for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

To date, there has been no accountability for the horrendous crimes committed in Guen, and impunity continues in the Central African Republic, said Lewis Mudge, Central Africa director at Human Rights Watch, in a press release published a few days later. The Special Criminal Court can change that narrative and finally deliver some justice to victims and their families who have been waiting for so long.

The ICC financed the operation, according to two sources. But it also seems to have made the mistake of not reaching an agreement with the Central African Ministry of Justice beforehand. When the Court in The Hague called to request his transfer, the latter  according to our sources  did not immediately find the sealed arrest warrant issued on 7 December 2018 by the ICC against Beina. The man is accused of murderous attacks against muslim civilians, particularly in Guen, in western CAR, at the beginning of 2014, when he was a local group leader of the anti-balaka, Central Africans grouped together in a self-defence militia that took up arms in 2013.

A subordinate of Mokom and Ngaissona

The warrant specifies that he committed these crimes as part of the policy put in place, in particular, by two anti-balaka leaders, Patrice-Edouard Ngaissona, whose trial ends this week in The Hague, and Maxime Mokom, for whom the ICC prosecutor abruptly dropped all charges in 2023: an act of recognition by Karim Khan of the weakness of his case, but one that caused incomprehension among the authorities in Bangui. A year earlier, Khan had announced the end of his investigations in the Central African Republic, where it was also noted that he had never set foot in the country as the ICC prosecutor.

It will therefore take a few days to find the ICC warrant at the Bangui public prosecutors office, a warrant which will not be unsealed until 7 November 2024. Meanwhile, the magistrates of the CPS, the Central African hybrid court based in Bangui, are acting without delay. They have the advantage of being on their home turf, but they also have reason to believe that the ICC will do everything in its power to obtain Beina. For one reason in particular: the looming lack of trials by mid-2025.

From left to right, ICC Deputy Prosecutor Mame Mandiaye Niang and Central African Minister of Justice Arnaud Djoubaye Abazene. On a visit to Bangui in May 2022, the ICC Deputy Prosecutor welcomed the opening of the first trial of the SCC: [t]his essential justice is first and foremost the justice of proximity: one which is rendered in the immediate environment of the alleged perpetrators of the crimes and the victims. This is what the principle of complementarity, an essential pillar of the Rome Statute, which the Prosecutor Karim Khan, has been forcefully reminding us of since he took office in June 2021, is all about. The [ICC] must remain a mechanism of last resort, and The Hague a city of last resort. Photo:  ICC-CPI

A centrepiece

For the CPS, Beina is the final, key piece in a preliminary investigation opened by its prosecutor in May 2019 into the attacks which took place in Guen in early 2014. When he was arrested, three men were already in prison in Bangui and another was under judicial supervision in this case. With Beina behind bars, the investigation is moving swiftly towards its conclusion. According to our information, the investigation was closed on Friday 6 December in Bangui.

The former anti-balaka group leader was presented with the CPS arrest warrant dated 3 May 2022, and not the ICC warrant, when he was arrested on 16 June 2024. He then made his first appearance before the CPSs investigating chambers, in camera, on the following day, 17 June. The following day, the investigating judges of the CPS wrote to the Central African justice minister, stating that they had charged Beina and remanded him in custody, so that, they added, he cannot leave without a decision to the contrary by our cabinet.

The letter from the investigating judges, which Justice Info was able to read, had the effect of suspending a transfer order already signed by the justice minister, at the request of the ICC. They were desperate, they needed Beina to support their budget request for 2025, and they didnt hide it, says a senior judicial official working in Bangui, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Five co-accused in prison in Bangui

Judicial logic seems to favour the CPS. The events took place in the Central African Republic, the perpetrators and victims are Central African, and the five suspects of the same case are in prison in Bangui, where the case has been under investigation since 2020. Whats more, the complementarity rule required by the ICC Statute and put forward by Prosecutor Khan just two months earlier in a policy paper, means that The Hague will only take on a case if the country concerned is unwilling or unable to try it.

Admittedly, in the so-called Central African Republic II situation, opened in 2014 by the Hague Tribunal, the Central African Republic had indeed referred the case to the International Criminal Court in a context where we did not have the capacity to judge, recalls the Central African justice minister, Arnaud Djoubaye Abazene, in response to a question about the Beina case, during a public debate organized on 3 December in The Hague, on the sidelines of the Assembly of States Parties to the ICC. But, since the establishment of the Special Criminal Court, we have the material capacity to prosecute the crimes that are perpetuated in our territory, and the will is there, he says.

In the Beina case, the minister considers that there is a positive conflict of jurisdiction, where the International Criminal Court considers that it has jurisdiction to judge and where the Special Criminal Court also considers that it has jurisdiction. It is up to the ICCs Pre-Trial Chamber, he says, to rule on the motion for inadmissibility that he himself submitted to challenge the jurisdiction of the International Criminal Court on 22 October. It is a copious document of more than 50 pages, not counting the many annexes, a redacted version of which was made public on 14 November.

The motion states that the ICC has not issued arrest warrants for Beinas co-accused, Mathurin Kombo, Francois Boybanda, Philemon Kahena and Dieudonne Gomitoua. As a result, the ICC could only try Edmond Beina, leaving it to the CSP to try the other co-accused. But in any case, continues the Central African minister, the spirit of the Rome Statute is absolutely clear: the International Criminal Court intervenes subsidiarily when the State is unwilling or unable. Here, we have the capacity and the will, so were waiting... we're awaiting the Courts decision.

Reached by telephone, Sonia Robla, Sonia Robla, representative of the ICC and Chief of its office of the Hague Court office in Bangui, underlines that the preliminary chamber has asked the registry to assist Beina in finding a lawyer, who has not been appointed yet. She explains that the next step could now be that the chamber asks all the parties, including the office of the prosecutor, to make observations before taking a decision on the admissibility of the case.

Common sense and judicial economy

His motion, which highlights the progress made in cooperation with the ICC, is a plea in favour of the CSP. Common sense and the notion of judicial economy dictate that a single trial should be held for the five co-accused, instead of two trials sharing one accused at the ICC and four accused at the CSP. Finally, it is undeniable that a trial before the CSP would be quicker and less costly, particularly in terms of witness transport costs and interpretation costs. All the magistrates of the CSP are French speakers, some also speak Sango, and have in-depth knowledge of the Central African context, explains the document.

The minister also suggests that some cases have been difficult to digest in Bangui. I would like to talk about the cooperation between the Central African State and the International Criminal Court, for example in the Mokom case, he adds. At the national level, he was convicted and an arrest warrant was sent so that he could be handed over to us [the defence of Mokom, who was released by the ICC, insists that he did not receive the warrant]. The victims were perplexed by what happened. We are going to work harder to ensure that there is a more effective cooperation and complementarity between the ICC and the national courts, which include the CSP.

But for Robla, Beina hasnt been the focus of particular attention by the ICC. She refers to a standard procedure that implies that as soon as a person is arrested because of a warrant of arrest that has been notified by the ICC, the States parties have the obligation to cooperate and should have initiated all the national proceedings for the surrender and transfer to the ICC. The ICC's head of public information also denies that the Court in The Hague was guided by budgetary pressure and the prospect of having no defendants in the dock by mid 2025.

For us, all the warrants of arrest have the same importance. The Court has never had so much activity in history as we have now, she adds. We are investigating in twelve countries; we have reparations orders to implement, we have 30 warrants of arrest. Our warrant of arrest [for Beina] was issued in 2018, the national authorities were informed. Do we need a different reason to expect a State party to cooperate with the Court?

The decision of the Pre-Trial Chamber is pending.
Europe embraces China's visa-free policy as catalyst for deeper ties

08:30, December 09, 2024 By Ma Ruxuan and Chen Binjie ( Xinhua

Visitors pose for photos with a giant panda mascot of China's stand at the autumn edition of Romania's Tourism Fair in Bucharest, Romania, Nov. 22, 2024. China's stand attracted visitors at the Romania's Tourism Fair, which is held here from Nov. 21-24, as China has expanded its visa-free policy to nine additional countries including Romania, allowing their citizens to enter for up to 30 days without a visa for business, tourism, and other visits starting Nov. 30, 2024. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)

By Nov. 30, 2024, China's visa-free policy covered 38 countries, most of them European countries, with the maximum stay increased to 30 days.

GENEVA, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Maltese sinologist Stephen Cachia has been brimming with excitement in recent days, thanks to China's newly-extended visa-free policy. After a one-year trial, China decided in November to further broaden the scope of this policy to more European countries, including Malta.

As a lecturer in Chinese history at the University of Malta and a fluent Chinese speaker, Cachia has developed a deep connection with Chinese culture. "I always encourage my students to visit China to experience its people, culture, and historical sites firsthand," he said. "This visa-free policy will make their trips much easier and more seamless."

Cachia, who has visited China multiple times, looks forward to returning to explore the country again.

The journey toward visa-free travel to China for Europeans began in November 2023, when China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a one-year trial of unilateral visa-free entry for ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. Under this policy, eligible individuals could visit China for business, tourism, family visits, or simply transit without a visa, with stays of up to 15 days.

Tourists from Britain pose for photo at Tiantan (Temple of Heaven) Park in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 5, 2024. Expanding visa-free policy is a milestone in China's journey toward greater openness and also shows its confidence on the global stage. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

The trial, which started on Dec. 1, 2023, proved successful, prompting an expansion throughout 2024. By Nov. 30, 2024, the policy covered 38 countries, most of them European countries, with the maximum stay increased to 30 days. The policy also demonstrates greater flexibility by including travel for the purpose of exchanges.

BOOSTING TOURISM AND EXCHANGE

China's unilateral visa-free policy has fueled a surge in international arrivals. In the third quarter of 2024, China recorded nearly 8.2 million inbound trips by foreigners, a 48.8 percent year-on-year increase. Among these, around 4.9 million entries were visa-free, a remarkable 78.6 percent rise compared to the same period in 2023.

Air China's Geneva office reported a significant growth in passenger numbers. Since the visa exemption's implementation on March 14, its Geneva-Beijing flights had carried around 29,000 passengers as of Nov. 30, marking an 80 percent increase compared to 2023.

The rise in travel has also spurred a buzz on social media, with "China Travel" becoming a top-trending term across global platforms of social media, such as Facebook and TikTok.

Luigi Gambardella, president of the Brussels-based digital association ChinaEU, highlighted the policy's role in promoting cultural exchange. "Firsthand experiences in China help visitors break stereotypes and gain a better understanding of its social and economic dynamics," he said.

Tourists from Spain visit Tianzifang, an art area in east China's Shanghai, Dec. 3, 2024. Expanding visa-free policy is a milestone in China's journey toward greater openness and also shows its confidence on the global stage. So far, 38 countries enjoy unilateral visa-free access, and the maximum stay for visitors has been extended to 30 days as of Nov. 30. (Photo by Chen Haoming/Xinhua)

In Croatia, a newly added country in November, the policy has yet to reach many people. However, Damir Kresic, managing director of Croatia's Institute for Tourism, praised the initiative as a gesture of goodwill. "This is China's way of saying to the world: You are welcome, you are all invited," he said, adding that he has been spreading the news among friends and family.

FOSTERING ECONOMIC BENEFITS

Marjana Majeric, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, noted that the extended 30-day visa-free period facilitates deeper economic ties, offering businesses better market access and opportunities for development cooperation.

Major companies, including Mercedes-Benz and BMW, have recognized the policy's impact in streamlining business travel and enhancing investor confidence. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have also benefited, as managers now find it easier to attend exhibitions and meetings in China.

Tourists from Hungary show souvenirs bought at Tiantan (Temple of Heaven) Park in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 5, 2024. Expanding visa-free policy is a milestone in China's journey toward greater openness and also shows its confidence on the global stage. So far, 38 countries enjoy unilateral visa-free access, and the maximum stay for visitors has been extended to 30 days as of Nov. 30. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

Jochen Tueting, CEO of Chery Europe, explained that the visa-free regime facilitates multinationals by improving coordination among local teams in China and fostering cooperative automotive development between China and Europe.

"I believe this is incredibly business-friendly and increases overall operational efficiency," Tueting said. "If we need to travel to China immediately, we can book a flight for the following day under this arrangement, which is incredibly simple and quick."

DRIVING GLOBAL GROWTH

Ralph Ossa, the World Trade Organization's chief economist, described the visa-free policy as "a driver of global trade in services and investment." Gambardella echoed this sentiment, noting that in an era of sluggish global economic recovery and rising protectionism, China's visa policy optimizations inject confidence and momentum into the world economy and promote economic globalization.

China's stand is pictured at the autumn edition of Romania's Tourism Fair in Bucharest, Romania, Nov. 22, 2024. China's stand attracted visitors at the Romania's Tourism Fair, which is held here from Nov. 21-24, as China has expanded its visa-free policy to nine additional countries including Romania, allowing their citizens to enter for up to 30 days without a visa for business, tourism, and other visits starting Nov. 30, 2024. (Photo by Cristian Cristel/Xinhua)

Zheng Yongnian, a professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), considers the visa-free policy an important part of China's unilateral opening-up measures, which also include opening the domestic market to foreign enterprises and hosting the China International Import Expo.

Together with multilateral and bilateral opening-up initiatives, such as Joining the WTO and free trade agreements, these measures have promoted a positive cycle of trade between China and the world, Zheng noted.

"It demonstrates China's dedication to openness and counters the misconception of retreating into isolation," said Liang Guoyong, a senior economist with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. "This experience is worth further promotion."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)




Monday, December 9, 2024 - Police are investigating the tragic death of a man who jumped from the 10th floor of KICC in Nairobi, marking the second such incident at the iconic building in a month.

According to reports, the middle-aged man took a lift to the upper floors on Friday, December 6, before jumping to his death.



Authorities confirmed he died on the spot and his body was moved to the mortuary pending an autopsy.



Concerns are rising about how victims manage to access the restricted balconies of KICC which have controlled entry.



Earlier this month another victim identified as Lily Wangeci jumped from the 14th floor of the same building after reportedly expressing suicidal thoughts on social media.



The motive for the latest incident remains unclear as investigations continue.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.




Monday, December 9, 2024 - President William Ruto has continued to drum up support for Raila Odinga's bid to secure the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.

Speaking when he opened the 14th East African Community Inter-Parliamentary Games in Mombasa, Ruto urged the East Africans to support Railas AU bid for their own goon, saying Baba is the right person to take the continent to the next level.

We have an opportunity as East Africa to produce the leadership of the African Union. This time around, it is the opportunity for East Africa to produce the chair of the African Union.

And in our midst, we have a solid candidate, a man with tremendous experience, a Pan-Africanist who can take this continent to the next level.

I ask you as the East Africans that we stand united behind the candidature of our former Prime Minister, the honorable Raila Amolo Odinga so that he can provide the leadership of this continent that is so desirable to take the continent to the next level, Ruto said.

Railas candidacy has attracted support and opposition alike.

Although some Kenyans have expressed their opposition, especially on social media platforms, his vocal supporters have come out to support the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leader.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, December 9, 2024 - Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary, Opiyo Wandayi, has vowed to continue supporting President William Ruto even as critics continue to portray him as a bad leader and a dictator.

Speaking on Sunday, Opiyo, one of six 'ODM experts' who joined President William Ruto's administration in August, reaffirmed his and the Luo community's unwavering support for Ruto's government despite facing criticism.

He said churches, civil society, and some social media critics are attacking Ruto because the Luo community which has been in opposition for decades joined the government.

"When Luos are in government, it is bad, but when they are in the streets, it is good. We can't allow that," Wandayi said, defending the current administration amidst mounting criticism.

Wandayis remarks follow a call by the National Council of Churches of Kenya (NCCK) urging Kenyans to reject donations from unverified sources and condemning the culture of celebrating corrupt leaders in government.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, December 9, 2024 - Deputy President Kithure Kindiki sought to explain why he rarely attends the same church service with his boss, President William Ruto, the way his predecessor Rigathi Gachagua used to.

Speaking at a thanksgiving service at Friends Church (Quakers) in Navakholo Constituency, Kakamega County, Kindiki explained that as the executive, they decided to interact with the people through different visits.

Therefore, attending the same services would inhibit their reach to address the masses.

We have decided to divide ourselves into various groups so that we can reach as many parts as possible. Thats why you can see there is a place where President Ruto is visiting today, he explained.

Kindiki has adopted his boss routine of visiting church services every other Sunday. However, the duo on rare occasions visit the same church together.

In his explanation, Kindiki noted that the separate visits by senior government officials are aimed at taking development to all the corners of the country.

We do this so that the government can ensure inclusion of all Kenyans. If we all stay together in one place, the speed of development will be slow, Kindiki stated.

The former cabinet secretary for Interior told Kenyans they should not be worried if they see various officials making separate visits, as it is their strategy to interact with the people.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, December 9, 2024 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has joined Kenyans in questioning President William Ruto's delay in reconstituting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), hinting at possible ulterior motives.

Speaking when he attended a Church Service at P.C.E.A Mwiki in Kasarani, Nairobi yesterday, Gachagua took another swipe at his former boss, telling him to stop taking the country in circles and reconstitute the IEBC.

And on matters of IEBC (Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission), an election is as credible as the process.

The electoral commission must be in place three years before the election, now we have two and a half years remaining there is no IEBC and people can read mischief," Gachagua alleged.

According to Gachagua, the country was behind schedule since a commission should have been constituted three years before the next General Election.

He thus urged the President to work on constituting the IEBC with urgency, with barely three years to the next general election.

"We are thus calling on the reconstitution of IEBC urgently so that the process can be as credible as the expected outcome, he added.

Gachagua's comments came barely 24 hours after Kenyans went online in an interesting campaign to apply pressure on the government to set up a functioning electoral body.

The trend, dubbed #appointiebcnow, saw hundreds of Kenyans voice their concern about what they termed a deliberate attempt by the Kenya Kwanza Government to establish a functioning IEBC.

Amid pressure from Kenyans and his political adversaries and critics to set up an IEBC, Ruto now finds himself in a tight spot since January is the earliest the process to set up a functional electoral agency can start.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Sunday, December 8, 2024 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has told President William Ruto and his close advisers to stop threatening Kenyans and the church for criticizing them.

Over the past week, allies of President William Ruto have been issuing threats to Kenyans and certain churches that have criticized him for making false promises and failing to deliver.

But speaking on Sunday when he attended a Sunday service at Mwiki PCEA church, Gachagua asked Kenya Kwanza government leaders to pay attention to the views expressed by Kenyans and align accordingly instead of lashing out at the very Kenyans.

"Makasiriko ni ya nini? Lets be tolerant of divergent views from Kenyans.

"I want to ask our leaders to be tolerant of divergent opinions. If Kenyans say things are not okay, stop lecturing them. They are the ones who employed you, Gachagua said.

The former DP further noted that church leaders are not only spiritual mentors but also champions of peace and social unity.

"Their counsel is a beacon for the country, and their voices should never be dismissed," he remarked.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, December 9, 2024 - Kiambu County Senator, Karungo Wa Thangwa, has said former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua will no longer be addressing Mt Kenya residents in the open for fear of assassination by state agents.

This came days after Gachagua claimed an attempt on his life after chaos erupted in Limuru, where he had attended a funeral.

The senator said that the team around Gachagua had devised an effective mode of communication between him and his supporters.

With some of Gachagua's rallies having been met with intolerance, presumably from the state, Thang'wa said they would employ digital means for the deposed deputy president to connect with his supporters.

"There is a plot by the government to politically charge Mt Kenya for chaos to occur in the region.

"They had planned peace caravans to suggest there was no peace in the region, but they realised there was a lot of peace.

"So they (the government) re-strategised to precede the caravans with pockets of violence.

"The chaos you witnessed in Limuru was part of the plan.

"There were no police, and goons were ferried from various locations...But we have become smart, and that is why we said we would not sit back to watch our people engage in violence.

"And that is why we asked Gachagua to retreat as we devise new tactics.

"We decided that in every function, we would always convey Gachagua's message, and for those who are capable, we would connect with him on a phone call, and he would have to say what he had.

"That way, we will not experience chaos unless they take our phones and microphones, and soon we will have screens," said Thang'wa.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Sunday, December 08, 2024 - The presidential candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, has gracefully conceded defeat in the 2024 general elections.

In a public address broadcast from his residence, hours after election results began trickling in, Dr. Bawumia acknowledged the victory of his opponent and expressed his gratitude to Ghanaians for the opportunity to serve as vice president and presidential candidate.

Dr. Bawumia confirmed that the provisional results from the partys internal collation indicated a victory for the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) and its candidate, former President John Dramani Mahama. He also revealed that he had called Mr. Mahama to congratulate him as Ghanas President-elect. I said during the signing of the peace pact that I was sure of two things: Ghana will win, and peace will reign, Dr. Bawumia remarked.

The people of Ghana have spoken. The people have voted for change at this time, and we respect that decision with all humility, he added, emphasizing the importance of preserving Ghanas peace and democratic values. Dr. Bawumia stated that his decision to concede ahead of the official announcement was aimed at reducing tension and ensuring that Ghana continues to be seen as a beacon of democracy in Africa.

It is important that the world investor community continues to believe in the peaceful and democratic character of Ghana. These are our most important assets, he said, reaffirming his commitment to the nation over personal political ambitions.

The Vice President pledged the NPPs support for a seamless transition to the new government and assured Ghanaians that the party would adopt a constructive approach as the opposition. We will not be a disruptive opposition, even though we will subject government actions and policies to strict scrutiny in the interest of our beloved nation, Dr. Bawumia stated.

To NPP supporters, Dr. Bawumia acknowledged their disappointment but encouraged them to remain hopeful. I assure you that we will regroup and come back even stronger. We may have lost the battle, but not the war.

He also extended heartfelt gratitude to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, his family, campaign team, running mate Dr. Matthew Opoku Prempeh, and supporters across the country for their contributions. Dr. Bawumia praised Ghanas traditional rulers, religious leaders, security services, and the media for ensuring a peaceful election process.

In his final remarks, Dr. Bawumia underscored the resilience of Ghanas democracy and his unwavering faith in the nations future. Ghana has won, he declared. Thank you very much, and may God bless you and God bless our homeland Ghana.






Sunday, December 08, 2024 - US President-elect Donald Trump has said that the U.S. military should stay out of the fast-escalating conflict in Syria, where a dramatic rebel offensive reached the capital on Sunday and ended the rule of Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad.

THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT, Trump declared on social media.

As world leaders watched the stunning rebel advance, with its potential to alter the balance of power in the Middle East, President Joe Bidens national security adviser separately stressed that the Biden administration had no intention of intervening.

The United States is not going to ... militarily dive into the middle of a Syrian civil war, Jake Sullivan told an audience in California.

Sullivan said the U.S. would keep acting as necessary to keep the Islamic State  a violently anti-Western extremist group not known to be involved in the offensive from exploiting openings presented by the fighting.

On Sunday, rebels entered Damascus after claiming many of the countrys other major cities within roughly 10 days. The head of a Syrian opposition war said early Sunday that Assad left the country for an undisclosed location.





Trumps comments on the dramatic rebel push were his first since Syrian rebels launched their advance late last month. They came while he was in Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame cathedral.

In his post, Trump said Assad did not deserve U.S. support to stay in power.

Trump said Russia is so tied up in Ukraine that it seems incapable of stopping this literal march through Syria, a country they have protected for years. He said rebels could possibly force Assad from power.

The president-elect condemned the overall U.S. handling of the war but said the routing of Assad and Russian forces might be for the best.

Syria is a mess, but is not our friend, & THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED! he wrote in Saturdays post.





Assads government has been propped up by the Russian and Iranian military, along with Hezbollah and other Iranian-allied militias, in a now 13-year-old war against opposition groups seeking his overthrow. The war has killed a half-million people, fractured Syria and drawn in more than a half-dozen foreign militaries and militias. The U.S. early on closed its embassy in Syria and imposed sanctions over the brutality of Assads conduct in the war.

The insurgents are led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which the U.S. has designated as a terrorist group and says has links to al-Qaida, although the group has since broken ties with al-Qaida.

The insurgents met little resistance so far from the Syrian army, the Russian and Iranian militaries or allied militias in the country.




Monday, December 9, 2024 - Former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka has insisted that the opposition coalition Azimio is not the reason the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has not been reconstituted.

Speaking on Sunday, Kalonzo said Azimio has already forwarded the name of the person to sit in the selection panel.

When Azimio was given 48 hours to forward the name of the candidate that will be in the panel that will constitute the IEBC, we gave the name of Dr. Koki Muli but there are people who are afraid of her abilities and they want to get user-friendly candidates, Kalonzo said.

The Wiper party boss noted that all Kenyans are concerned about the IEBC issue and that President William Ruto should act with speed.

The Wiper leader insisted that the individuals who have obtained court injunctions on the matter are known to the state and should be told to drop the cases.

Everybody is concerned about this IEBC matter. William Ruto should come out of the slumber and do something.

"The country is waiting for him. The fellows who have gone to court are known to the state, tell them to withdraw the case and name the panel within one week and in the next few months we should have an IEBC.

This comes a few days after Supreme Court Judge Isaac Lenaola criticized the Opposition outfit for holding the state hostage by refusing to make the appointment of a representative to the panel.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, December 9, 2024 - Flamboyant Nairobi lawyer, Donald Kipkorir, has urged President William Ruto to tame Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) 'experts' in his Cabinet for allegedly trying to alienate Members of the Kikuyu community from the rest of Kenya.

ODM experts are four members of the ODM party who were appointed as Cabinet Secretaries in Ruto's government as part of the broad-based government.

The four are Treasury CS John Mbadi, Cooperative and MSMEs CS Wycliffe Oparanya, Mining and Blue Economy CS Hassan Joho, and Energy and Petroleum CS Opiyo Wandayi.

Since their appointment, they have been jealously defending the President while firing salvos at the Kikuyu community.

In an X post on Monday, Kipkorir urged Ruto to tame Joho and other ODM luminaries, accusing them of promoting the same tribalism that led to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachaguas impeachment.

Parliament impeached DP Rigathi Gachagua for alleged TRIBALISM  Yet, every time ODM Experts in Kenya Kwanza Government see a microphone, they excitedly preach the most virulent tribal narrative that aims at isolating the entire KIKUYU NATION ..

"President William Ruto must rein in these Experts! Kenya belongs to all tribes & people regardless of their political affiliation.

"Our Constitution guarantees FREEDOMS of political association, thought, opinion & conscience, Kipkorir stated.

The Kenyan DAILY POST
Life Purpose: Why We Need It, How to Set and Achieve It





For a person who knows exactly what they want, nothing is impossible. Many people have heard this phrase or repeated it to themselves as motivation for important tasks. It seems simple enough: figure out what you want, and go for it! Yet, why do so many end up tired and disappointed on this path? What is a life purpose and how do we find it?

The Importance of Goal Setting

Setting one or more life goals is essential for self-fulfillment and personal development.

Imagine a ship with a captain who knows exactly which harbor they're heading to and why. No storm, lack of supplies, or crew rebellion can deter the captain, who has a clear goal.

Now, imagine the opposite: a captain indifferent to the ship's destination, drifting aimlessly across seas. For this ship, a storm might even become its salvation, as the captain would finally have a purpose  to survive and reach safety.

Why We Need a Life Purpose

A purpose provides a sense of direction, making us feel that our life is moving forward. Without a purpose, we get lost in everyday routine. Over time, this leads to anxiety and emptiness, accompanied by a feeling that life is unfulfilled or wasted.

A life purpose structures our inner world, activating personal potential and bringing a sense of wholeness. It also serves as a pillar of support during times of crisis and uncertainty, providing an inner compass.

From a psychoanalytic perspective, a purpose acts as a container for unconscious desires and needs, allowing them to be gradually recognized and channeled productively.

A life purpose brings:

 Self-confidence

 Balanced self-esteem

 Motivation

 Willpower training

 Decision-making skills

 Fulfillment of needs

 Daily happiness

Without a purpose, like a ship with an indifferent captain, a person drifts aimlessly, eventually becoming like a ghost disconnected from reality.

Setting a Realistic Life Goal

A life goal should be realistic, achievable, and possible within the laws of physics and everyday logic. For instance, learning to fly like Neo in The Matrix isn't a life goal. Inventing technology that enables such flight is a challenging goal, but one that's within reach with significant effort.

The SMART Goal Setting System

Psychologists often recommend the SMART model, which provides a structured approach to goal setting. Originally designed for business, it is equally useful for setting and achieving life goals.

 S  Specific: A goal must make sense and be meaningful. For example, not bet on sports, but earn $1,000 while betting on my favorite sports.

 M  Measurable: Clear criteria help track progress. Instead of study every day, aim to translate two pages from Victor Hugo without a dictionary after one month of practice.

 A  Achievable: Resources and opportunities should make the goal reachable. Rather than master French in three months to become a translator, try complete a personal translation of a short story by Exupery by year's end and share it on social media.

 R  Relevant: The goal should align with personal values and genuine interests. Instead of also learn Chinese while studying French just in case, think focus on French, then other languages if needed.

 T  Time-Bound: Set specific time frames for goal milestones. Not someday master French, but watch a movie with French subtitles in six months.

Real Goal or Mirage?

Suppose you've done everything by the book but still feel something is wrong with your goal. This often happens when external or internal factors distort your aim. How can you set true goals rather than illusions imposed by others or by social expectations?

A genuine goal resonates with a strong emotional response and aligns with core values. Real goals bring a sense of satisfaction during the pursuit itself, not only at the finish line.

True life goals come from sincere personal desires, not external pressures or a need for approval. Reflect on what genuinely brings joy and what you're willing to do without immediate reward  this is often where authentic goals lie.

Recognizing False or Imposed Goals

Illusory or imposed goals quickly drain inner resources and leave no sense of meaning. To confirm your goal is genuine, consider this reality check:

 Ask yourself: How would I feel if no one evaluated or approved my results? A real goal doesn't depend on others' reactions.

 Imagine achieving the goal: Do you feel joy, lightness, and a desire to continue? If yes, then the goal is genuine. An illusory goal usually brings anxiety and pressure instead.

 Listen to your emotions: A real goal inspires, even if it takes effort. An illusory goal drains energy, even without obstacles.

 Find the true reason behind the goal: Use the five whys technique to see if the goal connects to what truly matters to you. If it doesn't, it's likely illusory.

 Give yourself time: Don't rush into action. Let the goal settle. If your interest fades quickly, it may not be a true goal.

Checklist: How to Find and Achieve Your Life Purpose

A life purpose brings meaning, helps you get up in the morning, and makes you smile with genuine comfort when you think about it. Follow these steps to identify and pursue your life purpose:

Dream without fear: Often, a dream is the first step to discovering your purpose. Clearly define your wants and goals: Make a list and prioritize what matters most. Evaluate your motivation: Ensure that the goal truly belongs to you and is not imposed by others, societal trends, or past traumas. Assess your ability to achieve the goal: Understand the physical, emotional, and financial resources required. Create a detailed plan: Break the goal into major and minor steps, setting milestones to track progress. Find a supportive circle: Surround yourself with like-minded people who share your goal and support your journey. Prepare for setbacks: Everyone faces challenges! View them as valuable experiences. Self-reflection along the way: Feeling dissatisfied at some point is positiveit means you're growing and can now recognize previous errors. Celebrate all victories: Both big and small achievements reinforce motivation and help you appreciate progress. Rest after achieving your goal: Take a break, then set your sights on the next goal.

After all, a true life purpose evolves, changes you, and makes the world better.




Monday, December 9,2024 - A Presbyterian Church of East Africa (PCEA) clergyman has praised former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for donating to churches in secret, unlike his former boss, President William Ruto, who does so publicly.

Speaking during a sermon in Mwiki, Kasarani on Sunday, the pastor emphasied that offerings should be given in secret, praising the former deputy president for doing so quietly, without drawing attention to his contributions.

The preacher noted that Gachaguas donations, regardless of the amount, were made for the glory of God.

Gachagua gave his offering, and we dont even know if it was KSh 1 or KSh 100,000, because he gave it to God," he said.

The pastor further blasted Ruto, accusing him of hypocrisy.

He claimed that the president had been critical of the church in the past, only to offer donations later in an attempt to win favour.

The preacher argued that the church could not accept Rutos Sh 5 million donation, citing the contrast between the financial contributions of politicians and the poverty faced by many churchgoers.

"If someone comes with Sh 5 million while there are 700 people in the church starving, what is the point of that?

"Isnt it better if we do without it? It would be better if they brought maize flour, we could at least eat that.

"Then you come and throw Sh 5 million at us after insulting us.

"You can't insult us and then come with Sh 5 million and tell us to take it. Are we children?" he stated

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, December 9, 2024 - Former United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Secretary General Mukhisa Kituyi has dimmed former Prime Minister Raila Odingas hope of clinching the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairmanship.

This is after he poked holes in Raila's campaign strategy, saying it wont help him.

Bankrolled by the Kenyan government, the veteran opposition politician has been traversing Africa to court support from African heads of state.

Raila needs support either by consensus or at least a two-thirds majority vote by the AU member states represented by their heads.

Assessing the race, Kituyi observed that the Francophone bloc would create a bulwark against Raila's bid.

He said the Djibouti candidate, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, will capitalize on the French-speaking and Islamic countries to get the seat.

Kituyi further observed that Raila's continent-wide overtures are deficient in strategy and thus would not deliver him the win in the vote scheduled for February 2025.

There are other external factors that the Kenyan candidate's campaign secretariat has not explored, thus the loophole for the loss.

"I don't know if it is campaigning that gets you that seat. There are certain things that are strategically very important in consideration. The Israeli-Gaza genocide is one of them.

I have worked at the highest level in international diplomacy; I have sat in fora where major elective and appointment decisions are made. One thing I know for sure is that Francophone Africa will always vote as a bloc on any issues concerning Africa," he said.

According to Kituyi, the French-speaking and Islamic countries will always marshal support amongst themselves for the benefit of one of their natives.

"You have two candidates for a position to represent Africa, if one is from Francophone and the other is not, the Francophone candidate starts with 29 votes. If you have Djibouti and Kenyan candidates, the Djibouti one starts with 29 votes, then add those from Islamic countries, and SADC issues a statement that its countries are supporting Djibouti, where are you going to start campaigning for Raila?" Kituyi posed.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Sunday, December 08, 2024 - Syrian Prime Minister, Mohammad Ghazi Al-Jalali has been spotted being escorted by rebels in Damascus on Sunday, Decembef 8, reportedly going to a hotel to hand over government authority.

A video showed Jalali surrounded by armed men walking down some steps and entering a black SUV with another man.

The former prime minister is with the 5th Corps from the people of Hauran heading to the Four Seasons Hotel for a meeting and to hand over the countrys institutions to the heroes of the Free Army, a man is heard saying in the video.

Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Al-Jalali leaves his hotel in Damascus, where he was hiding out in, to hand over power to the leadership of the Transitional Opposition Government.

The prime minister in a video earlier said he wants to ensure the operation of public institutions, state facilities, and the preservation of safety and security for all citizens.

Rebel fighters on Sunday, December 8 declared the Syrian capital of Damascus liberated in a televised statement carried on state television.

Rebel fighters could be seen on the grounds of the Syrian presidential palace on Sunday,

Footage shared on social media showed fighters by a gate house located on the southern edge of the palace grounds.

The men can be seeing firing guns in the air in celebration on the otherwise deserted entrance area.




Sunday, December 8, 2024 - Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has asked President William Ruto to move with speed and reconstitute the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

Speaking in Mwiki, Kasarani, on Sunday, Gachagua read malice in the government's delay in reconstituting the electoral body.

The former deputy president said the country was behind schedule since a commission should have been constituted three years before the next General Election.

And on matters of IEBC (Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission), an election is as credible as the process.

"The electoral commission must be in place three years before the election, now we have two and a half years remaining. There is no IEBC and people can read mischief," Gachagua said.

Gachagua called on Ruto to urgently work on reconstituting the electoral commission, arguing that a credible election starts with the formation of an electoral commission.

"We are thus calling on the reconstitution of IEBC urgently so that the process can be as credible as the expected outcome," he added.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, December 9, 2024 - President William Ruto has once again expressed pride in Tanzania for its commendable strides in trade.

Speaking on Saturday, Ruto enthusiastically commended Tanzanias progress in surpassing Kenya in goods and services traded in the East African region.

This comes despite Ruto earlier having faced sharp criticism after uttering the same remarks in Arusha, Tanzania.

I said last week in Arusha that as Kenyans we are proud. The country of Tanzania is now leading in our business engagement.

"I say this with a lot of pride because the success of Kenya is the success of East Africa, the success of Tanzania is the success of our region of East Africa, and the success of each and every country is our collective success.

We must encourage positive competition that makes us grow our businesses, enterprises, and engagements in all aspects, the president said.

Highlighting Tanzania's progress, Ruto announced plans to upgrade the road connecting Tanzania and Kenya into a dual carriageway to boost tourism in coastal towns.

This, he says plays a significant role in boosting trade and tourism activities between the countries.

He also stated that the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) will be extended from Naivasha to Uganda, Rwanda, and DRC to boost economic ties between the countries.

Rutos statement sparked outrage among some Kenyans, who argued that Tanzanias progress highlights how his policies have hurt Kenyas economy.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, December 9, 2024 - Kapsaret Member of Parliament, Oscar Sudi has blasted the church for rejecting President William Ruto and his allys donations.

Speaking at AIC Pioneer Church in Eldoret on Sunday, Sudi said it was wrong for religious leaders to behave as if there were no needs within the churches.

Sudi, a close ally of President Ruto, said he has been attending church and donating cash for more than half his life and that there is no way he would be stopped from doing so.

The outspoken lawmaker said churches threatening to refund the president's donations are not sincere.

"They are just pretending. The church has no chairs, no CDF, and doesn't have government resources, yet you find some saying they do not want donations.

"Having been raised in a Christian family and attending Sunday school, I strongly believe in the biblical principle of giving and contributing to the work of God.

"This understanding of scripture is the reason I will continue giving to the church and in support of God's work," Sudi said.

The Kenyan DAILY POST






Sunday, December 08, 2024 - Rebel fighters on Sunday, December 8 declared the Syrian capital of Damascus liberated in a televised statement carried on state television.

Rebel fighters could be seen on the grounds of the Syrian presidential palace on Sunday,

Footage shared on social media showed fighters by a gate house located on the southern edge of the palace grounds.

The men can be seeing firing guns in the air in celebration on the otherwise deserted entrance area.

Damascus has been liberated and the tyrant Bashar al-Assad has been overthrown, and oppressed prisoners in regime prisons have been released, a spokesperson said reading from a statement surrounded by roughly a dozen other rebels.

We ask people and fighters to protect all property in Free Syrialong live Syria free for all Syrians of all sects, he added.

The rebels moved to capture the state media offices early on Sunday morning after entering Damascus.

The Syrian civil war is an ongoing multi-sided conflict in Syria involving various state-sponsored and non-state actors. In March 2011, popular discontent with the rule of Bashar al-Assad triggered large-scale protests and pro-democracy rallies across Syria, as part of the wider Arab Spring protests in the region. After months of crackdown by the government's security apparatus, various armed rebel groups such as the Free Syrian Army began forming across the country, marking the beginning of the Syrian insurgency. By mid-2012, the insurgency had escalated into a full-blown civil war.

Rebel forces, receiving arms from NATO and Gulf Cooperation Council states, initially made significant advances against the government forces, who were receiving financial and military support from Iran and Russia. Rebels captured the regional capitals of Raqqa in 2013 and Idlib in 2015. Consequently, Iran and Russia launched separate military interventions in support of the Syrian government in 2014 and 2015 respectively, shifting the balance of the conflict.

Following the Russian war on Ukraine and Israels decimation of Hezbollah, Hamas and Irans military apparatus, the rebels last week seized initiative and made a startling quick attack on government forces.

As at Sunday morning, president Bashir Al-Assad is no where to be found and has reportedly flown to a secret location.

According to CNN, rebels have been questioning Syrian military officers and intelligence officials who might have knowledge about his movements, according to a source familiar with the rebels operations.

The Syrian leader has not been seen or heard from publicly since rebels entered the capital early on Sunday morning.

Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said the government stands ready to cooperate with any leadership the people choose, in a recorded message on Sunday morning.

We are ready to cooperate with any leadership the people choose, offering all possible support to ensure a smooth and systematic transition of government functions, preserving state facilities, he said.

Ghazi al-Jalali called on Syrians to protect public facilities, saying they belonged to all citizens.

I am here in my home, did not leave and do not intend to leave it except in a peaceful manner to ensure the continuing operation of public institutions, state facilities, and to broadcast safety and security for all citizens.

We extend our hands to every Syrian citizen who is concerned about safeguarding this nations assets I urge all citizens not to harm any public property because, ultimately, it belongs to them.

The militant leader of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), the main group driving the countrys armed opposition, released a statement calling on rebel forces to leave state institutions unharmed.

To all military forces in the city of Damascus, it is strictly forbidden to approach public institutions, which will remain under the supervision of the former Prime Minister until they are officially handed over, and it is also forbidden to fire bullets into the air, Ahmed al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, wrote on telegram.

On Thursday, Jolani projected a different vision for the war-torn country in an interview with CNN. In a sign of his attempted rebranding, he also publicly used his real name for the first time  Ahmed al-Sharaa  instead of Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the nickname by which he is widely known.

Fatih Mosque, Istanbul.



Turks and Syrians celebrate Assad's fall together. pic.twitter.com/D63gcVg2GZ  Clash Report (@clashreport) December 8, 2024

"A new era opening now in Syria and across the Middle East"



Sky's @haynesdeborah gives her analysis on what has happened in Syria after President Assad has reported to have fled the country.



Live updates: https://t.co/GjA0AnuYPb



 Sky 501, Virgin 602, Freeview 233 and YouTube pic.twitter.com/H3x17q3rSB  Sky News (@SkyNews) December 8, 2024

       pic.twitter.com/OzxvFpyrjD  roi kais       (@kaisos1987) December 8, 2024

This is a statue of Assad in Syria



Having flashbacks to Saddam Hussein



pic.twitter.com/pdh8ECiOiY  Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) December 8, 2024




Monday, December 9, 2024 - Mumias East MP Peter Salasya has criticized President William Rutos administration for claiming to have lowered the cost of living, citing the reduced price of Unga as evidence.

In a post on social media over the weekend, Salasya argued that it's ignorant for the President William Ruto-led administration to base their 'economic resurrection' claims on the prices of maize flour.

According to Salasya, the prices of construction materials such as cement and steel which were somehow lower when President Ruto took power, have since skyrocketed.

The Cost of Unga (Maize Flour) is now lower, yes but Kenyans do not depend on Unga alone.

"The Price of Most of the Commodities this government found lower has hit the roof.

"The problem with the current administration is Spreading propaganda as Facts. For instance, the Price of Cement which was Sh 650, is Now Sh 950. The Prices of Other Building Materials are rising every day". Salasya stated.

Why does the government keep stealing from Kenyans, while leaders transverse the country while lying to Citizens they have reduced the cost just by reducing the price of one commodity while increasing the price of a dozen others?" He quipped.

Salasya also says that the pay slips of the employed Kenyans have been greatly affected, urging the government to have mercy.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, December 9, 2024  President William Ruto is having a real challenge reconstituting the new electoral body even as pressure piles on him to do so.

Kenyans have launched an odd social media campaign to persuade the government to speed up the process of constituting a new electoral agency.

Under the hashtag #appointiebcnow, hundreds of Kenyans voiced their concern about what they termed a deliberate attempt by the Kenya Kwanza Government to establish a functioning IEBC.

However, the process of reconstituting a new electoral agency has been stifled by two court cases and Kenyans may have to wait until January for the process to be set in motion.

In August, the Political Parties Disputes Tribunal (PPDT) issued an interim order stopping President William Ruto from appointing a panel to pick the IEBC's commissioners at least until a dispute over a nominee is resolved.

This was after Augustus Kyalo Muli of the National Labour Party moved to court to sue Azimio la Umoja for attempting to delist him from the list presented by political parties. NLP maintains that was duly elected in July amid an onslaught from Ambassador Koki Muli, who was strongly backed by Kalonzo Musyoka.

Another petition by Boniface Njogu filed at the Kiambu High Court in October also challenged the appointment of the nominees to the IEBC selection panel, claiming a lack of representation of persons living with disabilities.

This petition ultimately halted the panel-selection process as Kiambu High Court Judge Dora Chepkwony gave conservatory orders barring the appointment of the panel until the matter was heard.

The matter is set to be determined on January 25, 2025.

With the pending court cases, Ruto is helpless and cannot do anything to reconstitute the electoral body.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, December 8, 2024 - The United Nations has accused the government of President William Ruto of blocking Western countries like Canada from resettling LGBTQ+ refugees, leaving them languishing in dangerous refugee camps and safe houses in Kenya.

According to an investigative series by the Canadian Press, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees revealed that the Kenyan government has stopped processing most refugee claims based on sexual orientation or gender identity, despite both being grounds recognized for such claims.

Since 2021, UNHCR has observed that such claims have been increasingly kept on hold without a decision being made, wrote a spokesman for the Geneva-based agency.

The situation got worse in 2023, with Kenya nearly halting the registration of LGBTQ+ claimants, who they require to legally work, access benefits and health care, or open a bank account.

Critically, the restrictions have affected refugees who have completed Canadian immigration security and health checks and been issued formal Canadian travel documents, some multiple times.

The governments blocking of exit permits has led some to flee Kenya for even more precarious conditions in South Sudan, in the hopes of reaching the West.

Ibrahim Kazibwe, founder of the Community Empowerment and Self-Support Organisation in Nairobi, said refugees are increasingly being told that they wont get an interview for as long as five years if they have claimed asylum based on being a sexual or gender minority.

The UNs global head of refugee resettlement said his agency has tried negotiating with the Kenyan government to drop its restrictions and abide by international obligations, calling it a very real issue for LGBTQ+ people.

The Kenyan DAILY POST




Monday, December 9, 2024 - A 28-year-old woman is in custody at Siaya Police Station after allegedly stabbing her boyfriend to death in Mur-Ngiya sub-location, Siaya County, on Saturday night.

The suspect, identified as Vivian Akoth, is accused of attacking and fatally wounding her 35-year-old boyfriend, Charlton Obare, during a confrontation reportedly sparked by suspicions of infidelity.

Assistant Chief of Mur-Ngiya sub-location, Grace Otieno, provided details of the tragic incident. She reported that Charlton had returned home around 9:00 p.m. accompanied by a friend, Reagan. Moments later, Vivian arrived at the residence.

As Reagan was leaving, he overheard a commotion and encountered Vivian fleeing in the dark, pursued by Charlton, who had already been stabbed in the chest.

When Charlton collapsed, Vivian reportedly called Reagan to check on his condition and arranged for a motorbike to transport him to the hospital. Sadly, Charlton was pronounced dead on arrival.

Police visited the scene and transferred the body to the Siaya County Referral Hospital mortuary. By the time authorities arrived, Vivian had disappeared but later surrendered herself at Siaya Police Station, where she is now being held as investigations commence.

Assistant Chief Otieno used the incident to urge young people to resolve disputes peacefully, emphasizing the importance of dialogue in preventing such tragic outcomes.

The Kenyan DAILY POST.
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khaskhabar.com : , 09  2024 4:45 PM
A former member of the Irish Defence forces killed in action in Ukraine will have life celebrated in his home county next week.

Robert Deegan (29) of Newbridge and Athy Co Kildare will have his life celebrated on Saturday 14 December at 12am.

In a funeral notice posted on RIP.ie, the Deegan family would like to thank everyone for the immense support, which enabled them to travel to Ukraine to bring Robert's remains home following his death in Vovchansk on the 17 September.

The ceremony will start in Newbridge Bible Church in Roseberry, Newbridge on Saturday at 12am.

Robert Deegan in Ukraine

On completion of the church ceremony, busses will be waiting to bring military, ex military and friends for a final salute on the Hill of Allen.

The notice said: People who are unable to endure the 20-minute climb to the Hill of Allen can make their way to Maloneys Pub in Newbridge, where they can take refreshments.

There is a reminder that there is no parking at the Hill of Allen so traffic will be marshalled by army personnel. You are advised not to take your car to the Hill of Allen.

Robert Deegan, second from left, poses with his colleagues during his time at the Athy Fire Station

On completion of the ceremony which should take around an hour, the busses will take all people back to the Church in Roseberry, where they parked their cars. There will be changing facilities for those who wish to shed their uniforms.

From there, military personnel, remaining family, friends, and comrades of Robert can make their way to Maloney's pub in Newbridge for refreshments where they can meet those who arrived earlier.
The international spotlight shone on Padmore & Barnes in Kilkenny City last month as the iconic Wall Street Journal had included a classic P20 moccasin from the store as one of a list of great fashion items to buy for your man this Christmas.

Following its publication, staff at the local store reported a surge in sales with the volume over seven times the average. The store based on Wolfe Tone Street is one of the longest established companies in the area. The company was established as a shoemaker in 1934 and has had a storied journey through the last 90 years.

READ MORE: The Kilkenny Business of the Year is named

During that time the company actually changed hands several times, including a 25 year ownership by the famous British owned Clarks Shoes. But for the last thirty years the company has been under the control of the local Roberts family making it a true Kilkenny project.

Nowadays Padmore and Barnes are still shoemaking under their own brand in a lovely craft based shoe factory in northern Portugal. The store now caters to Japan, South Korea, USA, Canada and France as well as delivering small numbers of footwear being sold in up to 20 other countries.
Sinn Fein MEP for Ireland South and former Kilkenny TD, Kathleen Funchion, has said that any negotiations between parties and independent TDs must take the issue of Irish Unity seriously.

MEP Funchion said that the conversation around Irish Unity is an active one, and the any future government must ensure it keeps up.

"The conversation around Irish Unity is taking place across the island of Ireland in both private and public forums. It is therefore imperative that any programme for government negotiated between political parties or groups of TDs takes this into account," she said.

"The next government must appoint a Minister of State for Reunification," Ms Funchion added.

"In addition to this, the new government must establish a Citizens Assembly on our constitutional future.

FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE

"These are two very basic and practical steps that can help ensure the necessary planning and preparations are put in place to ensure that any future referendum on Irish Reunification is a fact based campaign, void of any misinformation," MEP Funchion continued.

"As a Sinn Fein MEP, I will continue to work with EU officials and other MEPs to ensure that the European Union is prepared to assist in the transition from partition to Unity," the Kilkenny politician concluded.
Munster Rugby scrum-half Craig Casey cheekily reacted to Stade Francais red card with an Instagram post after the opening round victory over the Paris outfit in the Investec Champions Cup.

Ian Costello's charges ran out bonus-point winners with a five try 33-7 win in Thomond Park over the weekend with Stade receiving not one but two red cards during the second-half of the encounter.

The first of which came just after the break when Munster were just two tries ahead of their opponents. It was second-row Pierre Azagoh who received the first red card offence after he caught Peter O'Mahony in the head with a flying arm.

The incident was quickly followed by another as Baptise Pesenti became the second Stade Francais player to be sent off within five minutes

The second French player was punished for lifting Craig Casey up into the air and flipping him in a dangerous fashion that saw him turned upside down and dropped back into the ground.

While this tackle could have lead to a serious injury for Casey, the Ireland International clearly saw the funny side to the incident.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Craig Casey9 (@craigcasey)

The Munster scrum-half took to Instagram to share a selection of images from Saturday afternoon's game while also including WWE photos and a photo of Casey posing with one of the WWE belts.

In the caption Casey joked that he was "head over heels to be back with Munster in Thomond again. Still the WWE champ though."
By KTimes

Director Park Chan-wook has spoken out on the political turmoil surrounding martial law and the push for President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, emphasizing the need for action in a Dec. 8 phone interview with MBC's investigative reporting program, "Straight."

Park said, "With the impeachment vote approaching, I believe it is crucial to have as many participants as possible to pressure People Power Party lawmakers (to take part in the vote on Yoon's impeachment.)"

The statement comes after Park, along with 599 other directors and 3,007 film professionals from 81 organizations, issued a statement on Sunday under the banner of "Filmmakers demanding Yoon Suk Yeols resignation." The statement, "Arrest and remove Yoon Suk Yeol, a perpetrator of rebellion," calls for urgent action.

Organizations participating include the Association of Korean Independent Film & Video, Women in Film Korea, the Producers Guild of Korea (PGK), the Korean Film Producers Association and the Directors Guild of Korea (DGK). The statement also features prominent filmmakers, such as Bong Joon-ho, Jang Joon-hwan, Min Yong-keun, Yoon Ga-eun, and Lim Dae-hyung.

A total of 239 actors, including Go Min-si, Moon So-ri and Cho Hyun-chul, have signed a statement calling for the president's resignation.

Go, known for her role in the KBS drama Youth of May, set in Gwangju in May 1980, has consistently paid tributes to the May 18 democratic uprising in Gwangju on social media.

Moon, a vocal advocate for political causes, made a cameo appearance in the film 1987, which portrays Korea's democratization movement. Meanwhile, actor and director Cho earned praise for addressing the 2014 Sewol ferry tragedy with sensitivity and ethical depth in his directorial debut, The Dream Songs (2022).

Reports that actors such as Son Ye-jin, Gang Dong-won, Jun Ji-hyun, Kim Go-eun, Park Eun-bin and Jeon Do-yeon had joined the statement were clarified as mistaken.

The filmmakers' group explained, "Names of individuals with the same name, such as production crew members, audience members and students, were included, leading to misunderstandings. Please ensure that names of directors and actors with identical names are not misreported."

The statement criticizes current events, saying, "Occurrences that defy basic humanistic reasoning and would be dismissed as delusions even with cinematic imagination are happening in reality."

It further asserts that President Yoon is "the greatest threat to the survival of the Republic of Korea," emphasizing his resignation as an urgent priority to safeguard the democratic republic.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.
The government is ready to deploy immediate market stabilization measures, including the injection of "value-up funds" into the country's stock market, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok said Monday.

Choi made the statement during an emergency meeting with top economic and financial officials, as Korea grapples with the fallout from President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law last Tuesday. The declaration was overturned by the National Assembly just hours later.

"We are prepared to activate market stabilization measures, such as the value-up funds, immediately if needed," Choi said.

The ministry said value-up funds worth 30 billion won ($21 million) have already been injected into the stock market, with an additional 70 billion won scheduled to be deployed this week. Another 30 billion won is set to follow shortly after.

Next week, the government also plans to roll out a second round of stabilization funds worth 300 billion won.

Structural measures to improve foreign exchange liquidity and inflows will also be announced later this month, the ministry added.

The Korean won plunged to a two-year low early Wednesday after the martial law was lifted, while the stock market suffered significant losses due to heavy foreign selling.

In response, the government has pledged to inject "unlimited liquidity" into the financial system as necessary. The Bank of Korea has begun repo operations for financial institutions. (Yonhap)
Analysts warn against participating in panic selling

By Jun Ji-hye

The Korean stock market is expected to remain weak for the time being as political and economic uncertainty, caused by President Yoon Suk Yeols abrupt declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, prolongs following the National Assemblys failure to impeach Yoon on Saturday.

The opposition-led National Assembly is pushing for another impeachment motion, saying it will do so every week until the motion is approved.

Analysts said on Monday that investor sentiment is extremely weakened amid deepening political chaos, at a time when the Korean stock market has already been in a situation where disappointment accumulated due to being sidelined in the global market. This is making it likely for small variables to cause significant volatility.

Some argue, however, that participating in panic selling holds little merit, given that the domestic stock market has already reached a historical low.

The likelihood of a worst-case scenario materializing has increased, Daishin Securities analyst Lee Kyung-min said. The KOSPI could undershoot to the low-to-mid 2,300 range or even lower. The easing or resolution of domestic political risks will be the key determinant of short-term KOSPI fluctuations.

Currently, there are no significant movements by global credit rating agencies, such as Standard & Poors, regarding Korea.

Credit rating adjustments typically take more time, so it is necessary to assess the short-term external creditworthiness and safety of the Korean market through two indicators: credit default swap (CDS) premium, a barometer of risk-hedging costs for a country on sovereign or corporate debts, and the spread on foreign currency bonds.

Analysts generally assess that there have been no sharp changes in these two indicators so far.

Kim Dae-jun, an analyst at Korea Investment & Securities, advised, however, As these two indicators are gradually rising, there is a possibility that stock market volatility could increase, and in the process, the exchange rate may rise again, causing foreign capital to exit, so continuous monitoring is necessary.

Recalling a similar crisis following the 2016 impeachment of then-President Park Geun-hye, analysts stated that the KOSPI initially fell when the Assembly was pushing to impeach her but began to rebound as the impeachment motion was passed.

They also noted that, given the current active involvement of financial authorities in the capital market, the additional decline is unlikely to be large or prolonged.

A V-shaped rebound seems difficult, but the decline is likely to be limited as well, Shinhan Securities analyst Roh Dong-gil said. The movement of the stock market from now on is more likely to be confined to specific sectors rather than reflected across the entire index.

Kiwoom Securities analyst Han Ji-young suggested, In the process of increased market volatility, it is more reasonable to respond by observing the situation or through staggered buying rather than participating in panic selling.

Daishin Securities Lee also advised investors with a large stock allocation and limited ability for short-term trading to hold their positions.

For those able to engage in short-term trading, it would be wise to manage risks if the KOSPI falls below the 2,400 level and gradually increase positions starting from the low 2,300s. If additional buying capacity exists, it is recommended to implement a pyramiding strategy, starting from the 2,400 level and extending down to below 2,300, Lee said.

In response to growing uncertainty and anxiety, the Korea Exchange (KRX) held an emergency meeting on Monday morning to assess the financial market situation and the outlook for domestic and international stock markets.

The exchange plans to strengthen monitoring of unfair trading practices, including market manipulation, to prevent investor anxiety from being fueled by baseless rumors.

Additionally, as market volatility may increase depending on the results of the U.S. Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting scheduled for Dec. 18, the KRX plans to maintain close coordination and response systems with relevant agencies, such as the Financial Services Commission, to do its utmost in ensuring market stability.
The sluggish performance of Korea's construction sector is limiting overall economic recovery amid growing uncertainties, a state-run economic think tank said Monday.

"Recently, our economy has faced restricted recovery momentum, particularly in the construction sector, while uncertainties continue to expand," the Korea Development Institute (KDI) said in a monthly economic assessment report.

The KDI noted that semiconductor production and exports have remained relatively robust, with related facility investments continuing to grow.

However, performance in the construction sector has continued to decline.

According to latest data compiled by Statistics Korea, the country's facility investment weakened in October, primarily due to a downturn in construction-related investments. Construction orders plunged 11.9 percent from a year earlier in October.

The KDI highlighted declining retail consumption and noted that delinquency rates among small business owners are on the rise.

The think tank also warned of potential risks to Korea's export-driven economy, citing a global slowdown in trade stemming from the second Donald Trump administration, set to take office in late January. (Yonhap)
The top nuclear envoys of South Korea, the United States and Japan vowed close coordination Monday to manage "future situations stably" in the event of any possible provocations by North Korea, Seoul's foreign ministry said.

Cho Koo-rae, vice foreign minister for strategy and intelligence, shared the view with Daniel Kritenbrink, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs at the State Department; and Hiroyuki Namazu, director general for Asian and Oceanian affairs at Japan's foreign ministry, during the three-way talks in Tokyo, the ministry said in a release.

The envoys agreed that the trilateral cooperation on North Korea is "more crucial than ever" and "emphasized the need for close cooperation to manage future situations stably while remaining alert to North Korea's provocations," the ministry said.

"They committed to a firm joint response in case of any provocation," it said.

Monday's gathering came as uncertainties over South Korea's leadership have raised concerns over possible military provocations by the North, following a failed parliamentary impeachment vote against President Yoon Suk Yeol over his martial law declaration last week.

Noting that China's constructive role is crucial in deterring the North, the envoys "recognized the need to strengthen communication" with Beijing on this issue, the ministry said.

They also reaffirmed the commitment to sharing relevant developments and strengthening their strategic coordination to achieve the North's denuclearization, reiterating the call on Pyongyang to cease provocative acts and hostile rhetoric, and return to dialogue.

The envoys agreed to continue efforts to lead a "firm and united response" from the international community against the illegal military cooperation between Russia and the North, the ministry said.

They also discussed efforts to block the North's illegal funding channels used for nuclear and missile development, including its illegal cyber activities and the dispatch of workers overseas.

In this vein, they welcomed the recent launch of the Multilateral Sanctions Monitoring Team, a new mechanism established jointly with partner countries to monitor U.N. sanctions on North Korea. (Yonhap)
The prospects of finalizing a deal for exporting Korean-made K2 tanks to Poland within the year have become uncertain due to the fallout from President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration and subsequent political chaos, industry sources noted Monday.

According to the sources, the Polish government's contract with Korea to procure 820 units of the K2 tank produced by Hyundai Rotem is unlikely to be finalized within the year.

Industry watchers earlier projected the contract, estimated at 9 trillion won ($6.27 billion), to be finalized before the year's end. The volume being discussed is more than four times the 180 units agreed upon in the countries' inaugural contract.

"Recent remarks from the Polish side suggest they are in no rush, possibly making it difficult to conclude the contract by year-end. It seems Poland is also factoring in Korea's political situation, which is concerning," an industry source said.

Korea's defense industry collectively signed a framework agreement with Poland for arms exports in July 2022.

This was followed in August by the signing of the first round of contracts, valued at $12.4 billion. Since December 2023, individual contracts under the second phase of agreements have been gradually executed, starting with Hanwha Aerospace's delivery of 152 K9 self-propelled howitzer units.

However, political developments within Korea have cast doubts on the year-end contract outlook for the K2 tanks, which is the largest component of the anticipated second round of contracts.

"The defense industry often involves negotiations between companies and governments or between governments themselves. During a power vacuum, we may be unable to respond adequately, which could lead to a loss of trust from our partners," an industry expert said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Last week's martial law debacle has already had immediate repercussions.

Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov, who was visiting Korea last week, canceled his planned tour of a utility helicopter production facility and returned home early.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who had shown interest in Korean-made defense systems, also canceled his planned trip to Korea from Dec. 5-7.

"While challenges can arise in all industries, the defense industry is particularly concerning because it heavily relies on government-to-government transactions, making the government's role crucial," said Chang Won-jun, a researcher at the Korea Institute for Industrial Economics & Trade. (Yonhap)
First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun met with Japanese Ambassador to South Korea Koichi Mizushima on Monday to discuss the ongoing situation stemming from the failed bid to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, the foreign ministry said.

Kim stressed South Korea's "firm determination to overcome the current difficult situation based on its democratic processes and the rule of law" at the meeting, the foreign ministry said in a message to media.

Both sides agreed to communicate closely to ensure that the bilateral relations and the trilateral cooperation with the United States will continue to advance, the ministry said.

The diplomatic engagement came as uncertainties loom over the country's leadership after Yoon survived an impeachment vote by the National Assembly over his shocking martial law declaration last week.

On the same day, Deputy Foreign Minister Chung Byung-won met with Fang Kun, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Seoul, to explain the current situation and highlight South Korea's commitment to developing the strategic partnership with China, the ministry said.

The two sides agreed to continue efforts to further promote the bilateral ties through close communication, it added.

Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul said earlier that the ministry plans to meet with the officials of South Korea's key partners, such as Japan and China, to make sure diplomatic engagements will continue smoothly without undermining the trust of other countries. (Yonhap)
By Jon Dunbar

Rory Kelly, a British comedian, actor, writer, pub quiz contestant and occasional Korea Times contributor who has lived in Korea since February 2020, has decided it's time to move on.

"I've had a lot of fun living in Seoul, and I like my life here, but I can't imagine myself staying forever," he told The Korea Times, "and the longer I leave it, the harder it will be both to leave and to start somewhere new."

Before he moves away, he said he has a lot of junk to get rid of that he's accumulated over the years, particularly from others who've left previously.

"I always get tempted to take other people's things when they're leaving, convincing myself that at some point I'll need a popcorn maker," he said. "This means that I own a hundred things that I've never touched, have no idea if they work and that I need to somehow jettison from my house. I'm not sure anyone actually ever deliberately bought the popcorn maker; it just gets passed on from one leaving hoarder to the next until it's lived with every expat in Seoul."

Another plan for before he leaves Seoul, he's hosting one final stand-up comedy show this Friday at Taco Amigo.

"I'm a part of some really cool groups here, doing improv and comedy, and those scenes are just beginning to come back into their own after the pandemic; it's so sad I won't get to see where they go next. If only I could bring them with me, but the popcorn maker takes up a lot of room in my suitcase," he said.

Kelly says Seoul's English-language stand-up comedy scene is strong but small, "like a Geodude"  a boulder-like Pokemon.

"Stage-time is a precious thing, and comedians in Seoul are lucky in that there are actually a lot of opportunities to get up and show your stuff," he said. "I love how many events there are every month and that there are people willing to give their time and energy to make things happen. That being said, the audience is naturally limited due to language and culture barriers."

He looks back on his nearly five years in Korea "almost uniformly" positively.

"It's been a blast; Seoul is one of the coolest places in the world right now, and I got to be part of that!" he said.

He also explained how he has derived humor and jokes from observing the eccentricities of life in Korea. "All countries are funny, except France. A lot of people say that comedy comes from the specific, not the general, so every country, through its eccentricity, provides a lot of material," he said. "For example, I like to joke about the process of renewing your E-2 visa at the Mokdong Immigration Office  which involves walking up and down six flights of stairs multiple times because they keep telling you to go get different bits of paper  doubling as your health exam."

He added that he doesn't want to conflate unpleasant experiences in the country with the unfunny.

"I actually make a lot of jokes about the homophobia and xenophobia in South Korea because I think joking about them is one of the best ways to draw attention to them," said Kelly, who is openly gay.

"The actual unfunny parts are the things everyone does: waiting for the bus, watching TV, burying cabbage underground etc."

Kelly said his next stop is his hometown in Britain, and after that, he is looking at jobs in several different countries.

"One of the prime motivating factors for me moving somewhere is that it affords a lot of creative and performance opportunities," he said. "I genuinely love making people laugh. It's my favorite thing, and I'll do it even if only two people are listening. All the world's a stage; I just need to find where the mic is."

He says he expects to return to Korea someday, at least to visit.

"I'm not giving up dakgalbi that easily," he said. "I certainly want to come back to visit and see how much worse everything is without me. I can even see myself moving back for a longer period if I got a good job offer. I still can't quite imagine living forever in this country unless, for a start, they legalize gay marriage."

The show starts this Friday at 9 p.m. Also joining Kelly will be comedians Paul Russel and Kris James.

Follow @rorykellycomedy on Instagram for more information, or watch some of his videos on his YouTube channel @littlepotohorrors.
The control of Korea's military forces currently lies with President Yoon Suk Yeol as the commander in chief, the defense ministry said Monday, as he faces investigation as a suspect on treason charges over last week's martial law declaration.

On Sunday, prosecutors said they booked Yoon as a suspect on insurrection charges after his surprise declaration of martial law Tuesday night that was unanimously rejected by the National Assembly hours later.

"Legally, (the control of military forces) currently lies with the commander in chief," the defense ministry's spokesperson Jeon Ha-kyou said in a regular briefing when asked whether a suspect in an insurrection case can hold such powers.

Han Dong-hoon, leader of the ruling People Power Party, said Sunday that Yoon would step away from state affairs, such as diplomacy, until he leaves office.

When asked by reporters if that also would include Yoon's control over the military, Han said: "I think that would be the same. It would cover diplomatic affairs."

When asked about who could declare martial law in the event of war, Jeon said he understands that the authority remains unchanged.

Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho, who also serves as acting defense minister, said last week that the defense ministry and the military will not obey any orders to enforce martial law should they be issued again.

In a televised public address Saturday, Yoon offered a public apology over causing public concerns due to his martial law order while vowing not to make another attempt to declare it again.

Meanwhile, Jeon said the ministry is working to verify signs that personnel from the military's intelligence command entered the National Election Commission's office in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul, on the night of the martial law declaration.

Local media earlier reported that members of the Korea Defense Intelligence Command filmed the commission's computer servers at the office, raising questions over their motive.

Separately, some troops deployed to the National Assembly defied orders to locate lawmakers and transport them to an unspecified location, issued by Lt. Gen. Yeo In-hyung, head of the Defense Counterintelligence Command, according to a source at the counterintelligence unit.

Martial law soldiers sent to the office of the National Election Commission also did not follow orders by Yeo to secure the election watchdog's computer servers on Tuesday night, it added.

When asked whether the troops were ordered to arrest lawmakers, the source, involved in the unit's operation that night, was unsure whether the orders were to simply locate and transport them or arrest them.

In last week's martial law decree, the military announced a ban on all political activities, outlining that those who violate the decree could be arrested without a warrant. (Yonhap)
By KTimes

The prospect of prosecuting the prime minister and Cabinet ministers for their roles in a Dec. 3 martial law meeting has sparked a heated debate among legal experts, with opinions divided over the potential for charges of aiding and abetting treason.

While some say that, under the treason law's broad definition of accomplices, certain officials could be penalized for "passive complicity" for following orders without independent judgment, others say criminal charges would be difficult without evidence of active collaboration.

According to sources familiar with the incident, 11 officials attended the late-night meeting on Dec. 3. They are President Yoon Suk Yeol, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, Foreign Affairs Minister Cho Tae-yul, Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung, Health Minister Cho Kyoo-hong, Unification Minister Kim Young-ho, SMEs and Startups Minister Oh Young-ju, then-Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and Justice Minister Park Sung-jae.

While their specific stances on martial law remain undisclosed, it is reported that several, including Han and Cho Kyoo-hong, opposed the declaration.

Opposition parties and civic groups have called for the prosecution of not only Yoon and former Defense Minister Kim but also the other Cabinet members for aiding and abetting treason.

The Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) criticized the prime minister and People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon for announcing their intention to handle state affairs in place of Yoon.

"Prime Minister Han is an immediate subject for investigation into treason. If he proposed or agreed to the imposition of martial law during the Cabinet meeting, he is complicit in treason," the DPK said in a statement.

Rep. Cho Kuk, leader of the Rebuilding Korea Party, also expressed intentions to pursue the impeachment of Han Duck-soo and Park.

"They attended the Cabinet meeting and abetted treason and military revolt," Cho said.

Legal experts say that for the prime minister or other officials to face charges of aiding or conspiring in treason, two conditions must be met: they must have recognized martial law as an act of treason, and they must have actively supported it.

A lawyer with experience as a prosecutor said, "For a charge of conspiracy to stand, there must first be clear intent to commit treason. While the Cabinet meeting records will clarify the situation, it currently seems unlikely."

'Material assistance' required for complicity

Determining whether Cabinet members materially aided in treason is also crucial. Merely failing to oppose or remaining silent on martial law is unlikely to meet the legal threshold for aiding and abetting. According to Article 32 of the Criminal Code, aiding and abetting requires actions that directly contribute to the commission of the crime.

A former prosecutor said, "If a Cabinet member gave the president confidence in the necessity of martial law, aiding and abetting charges could apply."

However, Lee Hwang-hee, a law professor at Sungkyunkwan University, said, "Expressing an opinion in a deliberative meeting like the Cabinet, without decision-making power, is insufficient to constitute complicity."

Some legal experts suggest that due to the treason law's broad interpretation of complicity, accusations of "passive complicity" may be more applicable than aiding or conspiracy.

A lawyer with experience at the Constitutional Court said that Park chaired a high-level meeting after the martial law declaration to discuss follow-up measures, which could qualify as passive complicity if martial law is deemed treasonous.

Finally, whether officials failed to prevent martial law, violating their constitutional duty to serve the public as stated in Article 7, is also under scrutiny. Experts say indifference to preventing treason could be seen as a breach of duty.

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.
Prosecutors on Monday raided the Defense Counterintelligence Command (DCC) as part of their investigation into alleged treason following President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law imposition last week.

The prosecution's special investigation team sent prosecutors and investigators to the DCC headquarters in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul, in the morning to search for evidence related to the martial law enforcement on Dec. 3.

Military prosecutors also participated in the raid, and the search warrant was issued from the military court. The offices and residences of DCC commander Lt. Gen. Yeo In-hyung and other ranking command officials and the DCC's branch offices in Seoul and other areas nationwide were reportedly included in the raid.

The DCC is known as a key institution in Yoon's abrupt martial law declaration that lasted six hours before being withdrawn due to a National Assembly vote against it. At that time, the DCC sent troops and personnel to the National Assembly and the National Election Commission.

Yeo and two other DCC officials were suspended from their duties last week. (Yonhap)
Shares of top 4 defense contractors extend losing streak

By Nam Hyun-woo

President Yoon Suk Yeols mysterious martial law declaration and subsequent attempt to impeach him are threatening the recent export momentum of Koreas defense contractors. Potential partner countries are calling off their planned talks in the wake of the political unrest.

According to industry officials on Monday, Kyrgyz President Sadyr Japarov planned to visit Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province, Dec. 4, to observe a test flight and the production site of the KUH-1 Surion, but canceled this following Yoons abrupt declaration of martial law and its subsequent lifting.

Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson, who was scheduled to visit Seoul from Dec. 5 to 7, also canceled his trip, citing the current situation in Korea.

During his visit, Kristersson was expected to have closed-door meetings with businesses, raising hopes over possible cooperation talks between the two countries in the defense industry. During Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soos visit to Sweden in May last year, Kristersson expressed his interest in exploring defense industry cooperation with Korea.

Shipbuilders are also expressing concerns over the possible impact on their bid to win large overseas orders, namely a $2.7 billion submarine procurement contract from Poland.

Tomasz Szubrycht, commandant of the Polish Naval Academy, visited Hanwha Ocean and HD Hyundai Heavy Industries to assess each shipbuilders capabilities. However, it remains uncertain whether the visit will result in immediate progress as the Korean government is currently in a state of inactivity due to the uncertainties arising from the president's martial law declaration.

The martial law fiasco is apparently affecting ongoing defense export deals.

Yonhap News Agency reported Monday that a contract between Korea and Poland on exporting over 800 K2 battle tanks is unlikely to be signed by the end of this year, citing an unnamed source saying the Polish side is suggesting a more cautious approach in relation to Koreas ongoing political turmoil.

In 2022, the tank's manufacturer, Hyundai Rotem, signed a framework contract for exporting 1,000 K2s to Poland and clinched a $3.25 billion executive contract to supply an initial batch of 180 tanks. Since then, the two sides have been negotiating the terms for the remaining 820 tanks, with the Korean side hoping to close the deal by the end of this year.President Yoon Suk Yeol and Peruvian President Dina Boluarte watch a video clip on the two countries' defense industry cooperation at the Government Palace in Lima, Nov. 16 (local time). Yonhap

 Since taking office in 2022, Yoon has dedicated much of his overseas trips to promoting Korea's defense systems. This resulted in a noteworthy expansion of defense exports, which the government described as "K-defense," but returned with greater uncertainties after the martial law fiasco because defense exports are mostly based on talks between governments.

As setbacks are reported, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) released a statement on Monday saying that defense cooperation activities are proceeding as usual, unaffected by the domestic situation, and collaboration with key countries continues as normal.

DAPA recently sent letters to partner countries that the defense cooperation will be pursued as usual, and contractors activities are continuing as normal, it said. All planned defense exports and scheduled cooperation activities with foreign governments are proceeding as planned.

Despite the explanation, the market is already showing fears that the countrys defense industry may lose its momentum, affecting the stock prices of Korea's so-called Big 4 defense contractors.

KAI, Hyundai Rotem, Hanwha Aerospace and LIG Nex1 all extended their losing streaks on Monday, shedding 5.98 percent, 5.93 percent, 6.38 percent and 9.42 percent from a session earlier, respectively.

The countrys defense industry used to be a domestic-centric industry, but now stands as an export driver, selling in the global market under the brand called Korea, Hana Financial Investment analyst Wee Kyung-jae said.

Following the recent events, major countries have issued travel advisories on Korea, and the world is now gazing worriedly at Korea, which may weaken expectations for weapons system exports.
Main opposition party calls for special counsel probe into Yoons treason charges

By Kwak Yeon-soo

President Yoon Suk Yeol was banned from leaving the country, Monday, as investigative authorities requested the travel restriction, a measure typically imposed on suspects in high-profile crimes, in relation to their investigation into his unconstitutional, short-lived martial law.

This is the first time such a ban has been imposed on an incumbent president of Korea for any reason. Yoon is currently under investigation as a suspect for treason and abuse of power.

Oh Dong-woon, the chief prosecutor at the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), informed the National Assemblys Legislation and Judiciary Committee on Monday that he had instructed investigators to apply for the overseas travel ban to the justice ministry, which subsequently accepted the request.

Such a ban is imposed on individuals whose departure from the country could disrupt a criminal investigation.

Regarding the possibility of arresting Yoon, Oh said it is the "principle of investigation to arrest the prime suspect of treason," but he did not elaborate on whether they are considering arresting the head of state.

Earlier in the day, the National Office of Investigation (NOI) at the National Police Agency, which is also probing the martial law case, said it was also considering imposing the travel restriction on Yoon.

Regarding the possibility of placing Yoon under emergency detention, an official at the NOI said, It is possible if it meets the requirements. However, we must first review whether his case satisfies those conditions.

An emergency detention is implemented when a suspect, believed to have committed a serious crime, is likely to destroy evidence or flee. The suspect can be detained without an arrest warrant, but investigative authorities must obtain an official warrant from a court within 48 hours.

The NOI said travel bans had already been imposed on four senior government and military officials involved in the martial law operations  former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, believed to be the mastermind behind the martial law plan, former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, Lt. Gen. Yeo In-hyung, and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su.

There are no restrictions to the subject of the investigation. We will conduct a strict investigation in accordance with laws and principles, without any exceptions, Woo Jong-soo, the chief of the NIO, said.

Currently, all relevant probe authorities  the CIO, the NOI and prosecutors  are each handling Yoon's case.

Earlier in the day, the CIO vowed to take the lead in the investigation and requested the police and prosecution to transfer their ongoing cases to them, citing concerns over fairness.

"We requested the police and prosecutors to transfer their ongoing probe cases considering the fact that their investigations may be affected by their relationship with power. As an independent investigative authority, we will thoroughly uncover the truth in line with laws and principles," Lee Jae-seung, deputy director of the CIO, said in a press briefing.

On Sunday, prosecutors said they have begun investigating Yoon in accordance with due procedures, following multiple complaints filed against him.

However, some pointed out that prosecutors should be excluded from the investigation, considering their relations with Yoon who was also a former prosecutor.

The prosecution, which played an instrumental role in the launch and retention of Yoons prosecution-led government, now claims it will investigate the president on treason charges. Charges of insurrection are not within the scope of the prosecutions investigative power. Leave the case to the NOI and CIO and keep your hands off, said Cho Kuk, a law professor-turned-leader of the minor opposition Rebuilding Korea Party.

Meanwhile, the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) put forward a proposal for a special counsel to investigate the allegations of treason and abuse of power against Yoon.

A separate motion to appoint a permanent special counsel to investigate the treason charges has been approved by the Legislation and Judiciary Committee. The DPK plans to bring the bill to a vote at the plenary session on Tuesday.

The DPK also proposed a bill mandating a special counsel investigation into allegations involving first lady Kim Keon Hee, including suspicions of involvement in a stock manipulation scheme and interference in election nominations through a power broker. This is the fourth version of the bill targeting the first lady, following a similar proposal vetoed by Yoon last month, which was ultimately discarded in a revote on Saturday.

The DPK also reiterated its call to deprive Yoon of his power to command the military due to fears of him declaring martial law again. Yoon remains in command of the military, according to the Ministry of National Defense.
Seven people died and one person remained unaccounted for after a fishing boat capsized off the southeastern coast Monday, the Coast Guard said.

The eight were crew members aboard the 29-ton Geumgwang when the fishing vessel collided with a 456-ton cargo ship and capsized in waters near Gyeongju, about 270 kilometers southeast of Seoul, at 5:43 a.m.

Seven crew members  three South Koreans and four foreign nationals  were found inside the boat in a state of cardiac arrest and taken to hospitals but were later pronounced dead, according to the Coast Guard.

A search is under way for the remaining one, who is an Indonesian national.

Ten people were aboard the cargo ship, but none were harmed, according to officials. The ship also did not appear damaged.

The Coast Guard has sent patrol ships, rescue vessels and helicopters to the scene, and requested support from the oceans ministry, the Navy and firefighting authorities.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo earlier ordered an emergency rescue operation. (Yonhap)
A drillship tasked with initiating the drilling operation for a major gas and oil exploration project in the East Sea arrived Monday at an offshore anchorage near the southeastern port city of Busan, the industry ministry said.

The arrival comes amid growing uncertainties surrounding the incumbent administration's flagship projects, including the exploration, which have been fueled by President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law attempt last week.

The West Capella, operated by Norway-based Seadrill, will load necessary supplies over the next seven to eight days before launching its first operation, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy and the state-run Korea National Oil Corp.

The drillship is set to depart for the first drilling site around next Tuesday for the exploration project, which could potentially uncover between 3.5 billion and 14 billion barrels of gas and oil.

"The large-scale ship cannot dock at Busan New Port due to its shallow waters. The West Capella will anchor at a distance where it will be faintly visible from the Yeongdo district of Busan," an industry official said.

During an interview with Yonhap News Agency earlier this month, Industry Minister Ahn Duk-geun said that while a full analysis may take some time, the government is expected to confirm evidence of the presence of gas and oil in the first half of 2025.

The government, meanwhile, only released photos and videos of the ship's arrival, refraining from holding other ceremonies or issuing press releases, apparently due to domestic political circumstances.

The 228-meter-long West Capella was built by Korean shipbuilder Samsung Heavy Industries in 2008 and boasts a maximum drilling depth of 37,500 feet, or 11.43 kilometers.

The exploration project, however, has faced hurdles as the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea has pledged to cut the entire 49.7 billion-won ($34.6 million) budget allocated for the drilling operation in 2025.

Political turmoil has also created even greater uncertainties following Yoon's short-lived declaration of martial law last week, with his subsequent remarks suggesting he would leave all decisions, including the possibility of his term ending early, to the ruling People Power Party. (Yonhap)
Korean and Chinese trade officials met Monday to discuss ways to further utilize their countries' bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) implemented in 2015 while expanding its scope to include services and investment, Seoul's trade ministry said.

Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo met with Wang Shouwen, China's international trade representative with ministerial rank, in Seoul to review the FTA's performance over the past decade, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

The trade volume between Korea and China reached $267.6 billion in 2024, marking a 17.7 percent increase from $227.4 billion recorded in 2015, the ministry data showed.

During the meeting, the two countries pledged to continue leveraging the bilateral FTA as a key platform for fostering mutually beneficial economic ties.

They also agreed to accelerate negotiations to expand the FTA to include services and investment.

Cheong and Wang further vowed to establish a predictable business environment to support their respective companies, the ministry added. (Yonhap)
Former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min has been placed under an overseas travel ban pending an investigation into his role in last week's botched martial law declaration, officials said Monday.

The travel ban was imposed by the justice ministry following requests from both the police and the prosecution, they said. (Yonhap)
Korea's quarantine agency said Monday it will implement tougher regulations on tomato leafminers as part of efforts to maintain stable exports to Japan amid reported infections.

Under the regulation, tomato farms exporting their products to Japan must conduct trap investigations two months prior to harvest to verify that the farms are free from tomato leafminer infections.

The decision follows an agreement reached between Korean and Japanese authorities, with the new rule set to take effect at the start of January, according to the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency.

The measure came after Korea reported tomato leafminer infections at local farms in March.

Korea exports around 3,400 tons of tomatoes annually to Japan, accounting for 1.2 percent of the country's total production. (Yonhap)
Prosecutors questioned former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun for the third round on Monday on treason charges related to President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration last week.

The special prosecution investigation team handling the case brought Kim in for questioning Monday morning on treason, abuse of power and other charges, marking the third time he has been interrogated since his emergency arrest the previous day.

Kim is a key suspect in the martial law turmoil, having proposed its imposition to Yoon.

He allegedly masterminded the declaration of a martial law decree banning all political activities as well as the infiltration by military forces into the National Assembly and the offices of the National Election Commission following Yoon's declaration on Tuesday night.

Kim reportedly conceded his involvement, including his proposal of martial law, during questioning, but claimed that his actions were neither illegal nor unconstitutional.

Prosecutors are expected to seek a court warrant as early as Monday afternoon to formally arrest Kim for additional questioning.

Prosecutors concluded that he is a flight risk and poses the risk of destroying evidence, given that he changed his mobile phone after the martial law declaration. (Yonhap)
By KTimes

Rep. Kim Yea-ji of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) said on Sunday that she voted in favor of the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol, citing the need to heed citizens' voices.

Kim, who is visually impaired, was the first PPP lawmaker to return to the National Assembly chamber and participate in the vote after her partys mass walkout during the impeachment vote on Saturday.

In an interview with BBC Korea, Kim said, "I didnt believe that rejecting the impeachment motion was the only way to prevent chaos in governance."

She explained her support for impeachment as part of her commitment to reforming the PPP and helping it gain the trust of citizens, even at the expense of her personal interests.

Kim recounted the reaction from opposition lawmakers during the vote. "They thanked me, saying, 'Thank you for coming back.' I was surprised," she said.

However, she clarified that her actions were not to support the opposition but to fulfill her responsibility to the citizens she represents. "It was simply the right thing to do as their representative," she said.

Facing backlash within her party

Kim disclosed that she received significant backlash from within the PPP after participating in the vote. "Ive received numerous hostile messages and calls from party members telling me to resign or leave the party," she said.

Despite this, she defended her actions, saying, "I want to make it clear that I didnt break party lines just for the sake of defiance. My primary concern has always been my duty as a lawmaker."

Kim, a pianist-turned-politician who was elected as a proportional representative in the 21st and 22nd National Assembly, criticized President Yoons inability to gain public support.

"Even the best policies cannot succeed if the president does not have the peoples trust," she said, adding that she stood in solidarity with citizens, including those with disabilities, who were excluded from critical information like the martial law declaration.

The impeachment motion, proposed by opposition parties, was nullified after failing to meet the required quorum of 200 lawmakers.

Out of 108 PPP lawmakers, 107 staged a collective walkout, leaving only Kim and Kim Sang-wook to return and cast their votes. Ahn Cheol-soo also remained in the chamber during the vote, while 105 PPP members abstained.

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.
Police said Monday they are reviewing whether to impose a travel ban on President Yoon Suk Yeol to investigate him over treason and other charges related to his short-lived declaration of martial law last week.

Yoon has been booked as a suspect in investigations by both the police and the prosecution into charges of treason, mutiny and abuse of power raised against the president and multiple senior government and military officials involved in martial law operations last Tuesday.

"Securing the necessary materials comes first," a police official said during a press briefing when asked why Yoon has not been placed under a travel ban. "We are deciding based on a comprehensive review, including the possibility he will leave the country."

When asked about the possibility of arresting Yoon without a warrant, the official said it would be possible if the requirements are met.

Police also did not rule out questioning Yoon in person.

"There are no human or physical restrictions to the subject of an investigation," Woo Jong-soo, chief of the National Office of Investigation at the National Police Agency, said during the briefing.

The police have launched a special team of some 150 investigators to handle the case.

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) has asked the police and the prosecution to transfer the case to the CIO, citing questions about "fairness" stemming from their relationships with the subjects of the investigation. (Yonhap)
The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) proposed a special counsel bill on Monday to investigate whether President Yoon Suk Yeol committed treason and other violations during his short-lived declaration of martial law last week.

Rep. Kim Yong-min, the DPK's deputy floor leader for policy, and Rep. Kim Seung-won submitted the bill, calling on the special counsel to investigate Yoon's alleged "insurrection."

The DPK also proposed a bill mandating a special counsel probe into allegations involving first lady Kim Keon Hee, including her alleged involvement in a stock manipulation scheme and interference in election nominations through a power broker.

This is the fourth version of the bill targeting the first lady following a similar proposal vetoed by Yoon last month, which was ultimately scrapped in a revote on Saturday.

The bill was just two votes short of the 200 votes needed from the 300-member National Assembly to override the veto. (Yonhap)
The South Korean military flew drones over Pyongyang in October at the order of then Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is currently under investigation for his involvement in the martial law declaration, a lawmaker said Monday.

Citing a tip-off from within the military, Rep. Park Beom-kye of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) made the claim, saying that the alleged drone infiltrations may have been part of preparations for President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration.

"The Defense Counterintelligence Command, where former commander Yeo In-hyung  a junior to Kim at the same high school  was posted, appears to have planned" the drone dispatch, Park said.

The lawmaker claimed that the project might have been part of preparations for the martial law decree.

In mid-October, North Korea claimed to have discovered unmanned aerial vehicles sent to Pyongyang by South Korea, warning of retaliation if such actions were repeated.

Col. Lee Sung-joon, spokesperson of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), said in a regular briefing that the military had nothing to confirm over the latest accusation, maintaining its stance to not confirm the alleged incident in October.

Kim stepped down as defense minister last week over his involvement in Yoon's imposition of martial law, which was lifted several hours later after a parliamentary rejection. He has since been placed under emergency arrest for investigation on treason charges.

Yeo also had his duties suspended for alleged involvement.

The DPK lawmaker also raised suspicions that Kim erupted in rage when North Korea sent trash balloons across the border to the South, accusing his military of not firing warning shots toward the North.

He said this suggests that Kim might have tried to provoke a localized conflict with the North.

Local media earlier reported that JCS Chairman Kim Myung-soo refused to follow orders from the former defense minister for the military to strike the origin of North Korea's trash-balloon launches.

The JCS spokesperson rejected the reports, noting the military was never ordered to conduct such strikes to instigate a possible military clash with North Korea.

Since late May, the North has launched thousands of trash-carrying balloons into South Korea in a tit-for-tat move against North Korean defectors and activists in South Korea sending leaflets critical of the North Korean regime across the border. (Yonhap)
Prosecutors investigating alleged treason following President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law imposition last week have questioned Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su, who had been named to lead the martial law command, informed officials said Monday.

Park was grilled by prosecutors as a witness at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office for about eight hours from 6 p.m. Sunday to 2 a.m. Monday, the officials said.

Prosecutors have called in Park and other military leaders who were under the command of former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun during the martial law enforcement on Dec. 3 before planning to request an arrest warrant for Kim on treason and abuse of power charges.

Kim, who was put under emergency detention on Dec. 6, was a central figure in Yoon's abrupt martial law declaration that lasted six hours before being withdrawn due to a National Assembly vote against it.

Park told a National Assembly session on Dec. 5 that he was not aware of the martial law declaration in advance.

Prosecutors reportedly asked the Army chief what instructions and orders he received from whom before and after the martial law declaration and what roles he played in the process of distributing the martial law proclamation and deploying martial law troops. (Yonhap)
President Yoon Suk Yeol remained out of the public eye Monday with no planned schedules or releases of official statements after the National Assembly's failed attempt to impeach him over the weekend.

Yoon has not appeared in public since his two-minute public apology aired live Saturday, hours before parliament was set to vote on the impeachment motion over his abrupt martial law declaration earlier last week.

The motion was scrapped due to a lack of quorum required to pass it, as all but three lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the proceeding. All 192 opposition lawmakers cast their ballots.

A two-thirds majority in the 300-member National Assembly was needed to pass the motion. The main opposition Democratic Party said it will propose an impeachment motion again.

On Sunday, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said they will work together to manage state affairs and prepare for "an orderly and early" resignation of Yoon, an announcement that instantly drew strong criticism from the opposition over the constitutional legitimacy of such a plan.

Yoon has not made any official comments about the announcement.

Yoon has apparently canceled a weekly meeting with the prime minister, originally set for Monday. He will not be presiding over a planned meeting with his top secretaries either.

Since his speech Saturday, Yoon has been staying at the presidential residence, according to sources. He was believed to have watched the impeachment vote result on TV.

With the president effectively in seclusion, the presidential office also appears to be taking a low-key approach, with no messages or statements being released to the media about state affairs or other pending issues.

Many officials at the presidential office also seem to be abandoning their messaging apps or social media accounts and creating new ones, possibly in preparation for ongoing investigations by the prosecution and police.

Yoon declared emergency martial law Tuesday night in a surprise move. He was forced to lift the decree hours after the National Assembly unanimously voted to reject it. (Yonhap)
Civic groups were set to stage another candlelight vigil near the National Assembly on Monday to call for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over last week's botched martial law declaration.

The rally, led by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), one of the largest umbrella labor unions in the country, is scheduled to take place near exit five of the National Assembly Station at 6 p.m.

The KCTU said it would hold the rally in the same location every day, a continuation of the massive rallies that brought a swarm of protesters to the streets during the weekend.

Another progressive civic group, named Candlelight Action, also announced plans to stage a protest at 7 p.m. demanding the immediate impeachment and arrest of Yoon.

Near Gwanghwamun in central Seoul, conservative groups will hold a separate rally in opposition to Yoon's impeachment and continue the daily protests until Saturday. (Yonhap)
Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok urged the National Assembly on Monday to expedite finalizing next year's budget amid a legislative impasse caused by the fallout from last week's botched martial law declaration.

Choi made the appeal during a meeting with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik while visiting parliament.

"To maintain external credibility and ensure economic stability, it is essential to promptly finalize the budget through bipartisan agreement," Choi told reporters after the meeting. "I requested the assembly speaker to demonstrate strong leadership in breaking the deadlock in negotiations between the ruling and opposition parties."

Discussions on the 2025 budget proposal have largely stalled following President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law last Tuesday, which was overturned by the National Assembly just hours later.

Last month, the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) railroaded a downsized budget bill in the parliamentary budget committee, aiming to pass it during a plenary session. Speaker Woo, however, had put the plan on hold, calling on rival parties to find a compromise.

Since the martial law debacle, budget discussions have completely stopped. The DPK is now pushing to pass its version of the budget in another plenary session scheduled for Tuesday.

The current bill proposed by the DPK puts next year's budget at 677.4 trillion won ($471.8 billion), down 4.1 trillion won from the government's initial proposal, while the ruling People Power Party (PPP) insisted on keeping the government's proposal.

On Sunday, the DPK announced an additional proposed cut of 700 billion won, primarily targeting salaries for presidential officials. (Yonhap)
President Yoon Suk Yeol was placed under a travel ban Monday pending an investigation into treason and other charges related to his short-lived imposition of martial law last week, with political turmoil deepening over Yoon's political future.

The ban was imposed by the justice ministry shortly after the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) said it had submitted a request for the order. (Yonhap)
Prosecutors summoned the chief of the Army Special Warfare Command on Monday over his involvement in last week's botched martial law declaration.

Lt. Gen. Kwak Jong-keun was summoned to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office to be questioned as a witness in the possible treason and abuse of power charges.

"I again send out words of sincere apology to the people," the commander said upon appearing before the prosecution.

Earlier, Kwak told opposition lawmakers that he received orders from the then defense minister to pull the people inside the National Assembly building outside.

The commander claimed he received orders from former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun over the telephone to secure the facilities of the National Assembly, the National Election Commission and Flower Research, an opinion poll company. (Yonhap)
PPP leader pressed to come up with 'resignation road map' as opposition parties push for 2nd impeachment motion

By Lee Hyo-jin

The ruling People Power Party (PPP) is grappling with internal divisions over how to navigate President Yoon Suk Yeols resignation after his de facto withdrawal from state affairs in the wake of his martial law debacle, according to party officials and political watchers, Monday.

The PPP, already under public scrutiny for boycotting an impeachment vote against Yoon last Saturday, is struggling to come up with a clear exit strategy despite party leader Han Dong-hoon's pledge to work toward an "orderly early resignation" of the president.

On Monday, the party held a series of meetings, including a Supreme Council session, an emergency plenary meeting, and a gathering of senior lawmakers.

While details of the discussions were undisclosed, the party announced plans to form a task force to discuss measures to stabilize the current turmoil, including options for Yoons early resignation.

"Discussions about the president's resignation were part of the agenda," party spokesperson Kwak Kyu-taek told reporters, although he declined to provide further details, citing ongoing deliberations.

The party remains deeply divided over the timing and process of Yoons resignation.

The PPP leadership is under growing pressure to present a unified exit plan as opposition parties have vowed to submit a second impeachment motion as early as Wednesday, with plans to table the motion at a plenary session on Thursday. The lack of a consensus on Yoon's exit plan within the PPP may threaten a unified front to boycott a second impeachment motion.

PPP lawmakers aligned with Han have advocated for Yoon to step down as early as within six months, a scenario that would trigger a presidential election within 60 days from his removal in accordance with related laws.

However, pro-Yoon lawmakers are calling for a more gradual timeline, with some suggesting a constitutional amendment to shorten the presidential term. This process could delay his resignation until 2026.

The president's five-year term officially ends in May 2027, but his political career has been cut short following the martial law fiasco on Dec. 3, with growing public calls for impeachment.

The best approach would be for the president himself to announce his timeline for stepping down, and ideally, it should not exceed the typical timeframe of an impeachment ruling, which is about three to six months, said Kim Jong-hyuk, a Supreme Council member aligned with Han, in a CBS radio interview.

Kim added, "Some lawmakers are talking about a one or two-year period, but I think this does not reflect current public sentiment."

However, five-term lawmaker Rep. Yoon Sang-hyun, a staunch supporter of the president within the ruling party, expressed concerns about a swift resignation process that could trigger an early presidential election. He argued that such a scenario would likely benefit the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK).

If early elections were held, DPK leader Lee Jae-myung would likely become president. This could lead to the dismissal of his indictment and sentencing, the lawmaker told reporters at the National Assembly.

The president has not yet been formally suspended from duty under the Constitution or the law. It is a suspension in a political sense, the lawmaker noted, marking a subtle difference from the party leader's stance that the president will not be involved in state affairs until his resignation.

The partys internal discord follows its controversial decision to boycott an impeachment vote on Saturday evening, when 105 out of 108 PPP lawmakers left the Assembly chamber during the vote. This led to the nullification of the motion, as it failed to meet the required quorum of 200 votes.

A day later, Han announced the partys intent to pursue Yoons early resignation, but without providing details.
By Anna J. Park

President Yoon Suk Yeol and the presidential office in Yongsan District, Seoul, have remained silent as of Monday, with no statements issued or official schedules conducted since the abrupt declaration of martial law last Tuesday evening.

Although presidential chief of staff Chung Jin-suk and other aides have continued working at the office and carrying out their duties, the usual bustling activity has noticeably decreased.

Yoon did not attend his usual Monday morning meetings with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and senior presidential secretaries. Instead, reports indicate that his chief of staff chaired internal meetings with aides to discuss the current political situation, including the National Assembly's impeachment motion and ongoing investigations by prosecutors and police.

The president's last public appearance was on Saturday morning, when he delivered an address in the briefing room of the presidential office.

Neither the president nor his office has issued any statements since Saturday's failed impeachment motion, which collapsed due to an insufficient number of lawmakers present to cast votes. They also remained silent following a joint announcement on Sunday by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon, in which they outlined their plans to lead state affairs.

As Yoon remains silent, the presidential office's external activities have nearly ground to a halt. Regular notifications about briefings and press releases on key policies and current issues have entirely stopped.

While the presidents staff continue to come to the office, their interactions with the press have become minimal. They have been avoiding confirming or responding to reporters' questions on various pressing issues. Luncheons and dinners between reporters and presidential aides or officials, which had been frequent and informal until last Tuesday, have all been canceled.

Some key presidential aides and officials, including the chief of staff, former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun, and several others, left and rejoined Telegram over the weekend, seemingly in an attempt to erase all previous conversations held on the platform. Telegram is the most widely used messaging platform among presidential office staff.

The official website of the presidential office has not been updated since last Tuesday evening, when Yoon made the sudden declaration of martial law.

Similarly, the last update to the press briefing center operated by the presidential office consisted of two photos from the presidents national address on Saturday, where he apologized to the public regarding the martial law situation.
Yoon criticized for exercising authority despite pledge to step back

By Jung Da-hyun

The ruling party and prime minister's announcement suggesting President Yoon Suk Yeol's "orderly resignation" is facing growing criticism, as legal experts argue that it constitutes another violation of the country's Constitution.

Additionally, efforts to restrict presidential authority face legal limitations as the president remains commander-in-chief and retains control over the military.

According to experts, the concept of an orderly resignation, which implies an early resignation and exclusion from presidential duties, is not supported by the Constitution.

They pointed out that under the current legal framework, a president cannot transfer or delegate authority while in office, stating that the only constitutional means to suspend presidential powers is through impeachment or resignation.

"The terminology they are using is incorrect, and it is disrupting the constitutional order," said Han Sang-hee, a law professor at Konkuk University.

"It seems as though the prime minister is effectively taking over the presidents duties and powers, which is essentially tantamount to usurping presidential authority."

Han further stressed that under the Constitution, impeachment is the only legal mechanism to suspend a presidents authority, citing that the Constitution provides a framework for the National Assembly to hold the president accountable through this process.

Ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo jointly addressed plans on Sunday to stabilize the government following Yoons surprise declaration of martial law last week.

While both agreed with public sentiment that Yoon should be excluded from his duties, they announced that the prime minister would work with the ruling party to ensure that the administration of state affairs proceed without any disruptions.

Attorney Noh Hee-bum criticized the ruling party's involvement in state affairs, calling it inappropriate and unconstitutional.

"A political party is not a state agency but a political organization that represents and conveys public opinion to state institutions," Noh said.

"How can a political party directly intervene in state affairs or execute administrative powers? Such actions are entirely unjustifiable."

Read More Political turmoil to intensify after botched impeachment vote

Still in charge

Prior to the two Hans statement, Yoon publicly apologized for the confusion caused by his martial law declaration, pledging to hand over state affairs to the prime minister and the ruling party.

Chung Tae-ho, a law professor at Kyung Hee University, criticized the ambiguity of Yoons public address, saying it can only be understood as a simple political declaration.

"Since Yoon is in office, he is still in charge of state affairs as the president legally," Chung said.

"It is not constitutional to say that while in the presidency, he will delegate state affairs. It is just a political declaration or promise. He made such remarks, but the president has legal authority."

Former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min resigned on Sunday, and the president swiftly accepted his resignation, just a day after his public address pledging to step back from state affairs.

The Democratic Party of Korea criticized Yoons continued exercise of executive power, accusing the president, who faces allegations of treason, of undermining his commitment to delegate responsibilities.

Criticism intensifies that Yoons exclusion from duties is merely superficial, as it has been revealed that he continues to exercise his authority over personnel decisions.

He dismissed Hong Jang-won, former first deputy director of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), and appointed Oh Ho-ryeong, a special adviser to the NIS director, as his successor.

"If this situation continues, it will inevitably lead to actions that are difficult to justify under the law," Chung said.

Concerns are also growing over uncertainty and potential chaos regarding the control of Koreas military forces, which constitutionally remain under the authority of the president.

The Ministry of National Defense confirmed that Yoon retains command of the military as commander-in-chief, despite being under investigation on treason charges.

This further highlights the limitations of the ruling party and prime ministers pledge to oversee diplomacy and national defense, as the presidents constitutional authority over the military cannot be delegated.
The ruling People Power Party (PPP) said Monday it will elect a new floor leader this week to replace Rep. Choo Kyung-ho, who stepped down after a parliamentary motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol was scrapped.

Choo resigned as the PPP's floor leader shortly after the National Assembly on Saturday failed to pass a motion to impeach Yoon to hold him accountable for the declaration of martial law last week.

The motion was scrapped due to a lack of quorum, as only three lawmakers of the 108-member ruling party cast their ballots in the vote, which required a two-thirds majority.

Choo has said he was resigning to "take responsibility" for the situation where the Assembly pushed to impeach the president for the third time under the constitutional rule.

The PPP plans to elect a new floor leader Thursday, its chief spokesperson Rep. Kwak Kyu-taek told reporters. (Yonhap)
Opposition party leader Lee Jae-myung on Monday defended the soldiers involved in last week's martial law operations, describing them as "blameless" and expressing gratitude over their restraint.

Nearly 300 armed troops were deployed to the National Assembly last Tuesday after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, with some troops breaking windows to enter the building.

No casualties or injuries were reported during a tense standoff that unfolded over two hours until lawmakers voted to overturn military rule.

Lee, chief of the main opposition Democratic Party, said most junior officers and soldiers had been "exploited" by Yoon, ex-defense chief Kim Yong-hyun, and commanding officers who ordered the forceful entry to the parliament.

"You have done nothing wrong. In fact, I am grateful to you," Lee wrote on Facebook.

Lee criticized the commanders for mobilizing soldiers without informing them of the operation's nature, which "undermined the foundation of the Constitution and democracy."

"I cannot forget the look in their eyes," Lee said. "I was saddened by their hesitant expressions as they were unwilling to use force against innocent civilians." (Yonhap)
Prosecutors said Monday they have requested an arrest warrant for former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun to investigate his alleged role in President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived declaration of martial law last week.

The special prosecution investigation team summoned Kim earlier in the day for questioning on treason, abuse of power and other charges, marking the third interrogation since his emergency arrest the previous day.

Prosecutors said they are seeking the warrant over concerns that Kim, a key suspect who proposed martial law to Yoon, might attempt to flee or tamper with evidence, given that he changed his mobile phone after the martial law announcement Tuesday night.

He allegedly masterminded the declaration of a martial law decree banning all political activities as well as the infiltration by military forces into the National Assembly and the offices of the National Election Commission following Yoon's declaration.

Kim reportedly conceded during questioning that he proposed martial law to Yoon but claimed that his actions were neither illegal nor unconstitutional. (Yonhap)
By Lee Hyo-young

As governments and businesses around the world are busily getting ready for Trumps second term in the U.S. presidential office, new cabinet positions are being filled in by loyal supporters of the presidential nominee. The newly nominated Secretary of Commerce is Howard Lutnick, the CEO of the investment firm Cantor Fitzgerald, who served as co-chair of Trumps transition team. Lutnick has also been asked to take direct responsibility for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), as mentioned by the president-elect in the nomination speech. The newly appointed USTR is Jamieson Greer, a trade and business lawyer who served as the Chief of Staff to the former USTR Robert Lighthizer under the first term of Trumps presidency. The nominations came quite as a surprise since there have been rumors about the former USTR being a likely candidate for leading cabinet positions for commerce or treasury, or at least a return to lead the USTR. Lutnicks nomination to take charge of commerce and trade under the Trump Administration implies that the U.S. government will be quite aggressive about business-friendly policies through deregulation and incentives for investment.

While there is speculation that the absence of former USTR Lighthizer from newly appointed key posts under the second Trump Administration may imply that the aggressive trade proposals from the election campaign may not be carried out, it is too early to make such predictions. The former USTR has played a key role in forming the architecture of Trumps tariff policy, imposing tariffs on China, striking a U.S.-China trade deal and renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Lighthizer has actually spearheaded Trumps first term in making a "paradigm shift" in U.S. trade policy against the rest of the world. However, even if Lighthizer does not return, his protege Greer has views that echo Lighthizers position on U.S. trade policy and a hawkish view on trade with China.

Greer mentioned the critical importance of restoring the U.S. manufacturing base to ensure that the U.S. can credibly deter escalation by China and if necessary, defend its national security interests at home and abroad. He had also recommended Congress  during Trumps first-term presidency  to consider tougher actions, such as revoking permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with China in order to impose dramatically high tariffs against China. This implies that consideration of national security will continue to be a key feature of the U.S.' trade policy against China, and may lead to an escalation in tensions that could severely strain U.S.-China trade relations.

With the appointment of the new USTR and the new Commerce Secretary, who will oversee U.S. trade negotiations as well, the direction of U.S. trade policy under Trumps second term in office is now expected to become clearer. In particular, U.S. trade policy against China is likely to become far more aggressive, with the aim of realigning existing supply chains to restore the U.S. manufacturing base. The U.S. administration is expected to demand the renegotiation of the U.S.-China trade deal and impose a prohibitively higher level of tariffs if needed to restructure the supply chains that are currently highly reliant on China. In order to impose higher tariffs, the U.S. government may go ahead with severing trade relations with China by revoking the PNTR status, which it granted to China prior to becoming a member of the WTO in 2001. Export controls against China are also expected to be strengthened in order to prevent China from taking advantage of U.S. technology developments for both commercial and military purposes.

On the other hand, U.S. trade policy against other countries is yet to be further manifested. Trump has recently vowed to impose 25 percent tariffs on imports from Mexico and Canada, in addition to an additional 10 percent tariffs on any additional tariffs on imports from China. These three countries are the top exporters to the U.S., followed by the U.K., Japan, Netherlands, Germany and South Korea.

The newly appointed USTR had mentioned the need to negotiate market-opening trade agreements with not only Britain but also with India, Kenya and the Philippines. Under the first Trump administration, Greer had been particularly contributory to negotiating the Phase One trade deal with China, and the renegotiation of NAFTA. Also, with his career background in areas ranging from trade remedy litigations to export controls and investment screening, the new USTR is expected to actively use trade negotiations to obtain deals from its trading partners for the benefit of U.S. businesses operating both in and abroad. Tariffs will also be an essential policy tool to induce U.S. trading partners to make good on "Make in America," making it tougher for U.S. trading partners to export into the U.S. market while they are welcome to make greenfield investments in U.S. territory and hire U.S. workers. Under the stewardship of the newly appointed trade hawks, Trumps aggressive trade policies are likely to be implemented in a swift manner, with little room for consideration of trading partners or allies.





Lee Hyo-young is an associate professor at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy (KNDA), teaching international trade & diplomacy. Before joining the KNDA in March 2017, she worked as a research fellow at the Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, during which she also worked as assistant secretary for trade, industry and energy at the presidential office from 2014 to 2015.
By Guy Sorman

Democracy is never, nowhere, a perfect political system. Its true meaning and superiority on all other institutions is to replace civil war and collective violence with a predictable set of rules. As the British philosopher Karl Popper wrote: Democracy does not necessarily allow selecting the best leader, but it guarantees that the leader will leave at a certain date, known in advance and without bloodshed. This modest definition of democracy seems not well understood in South Korea, where too much benefit is expected from democracy when its true value is overlooked. As a proof of this misunderstanding, let us remind that four former presidents have been sent to jail. Whatever the motives of their incarceration, this is not the way a democratic country should work.

Actually, the misunderstanding of what democracy is about has deep roots in South Korea's history and culture: This has always been a violent society punctuated with civil wars, religious rivalries, conflicts between provinces and more recently archaic conflicts between men and women on what should be the role of women in the society. Based on such a long history on confrontations, democracy is difficult to establish on stable basis in South Korea because democracy is rooted in compromise  the very notion of compromise does not seem a strong component of the Korean civilization, to say the least. Therefore, each election is fought as a kind of war and not a confrontation between programs. When elected, the presidents behave as if they were elected dictators and not the representative of the whole nation for a finite period of time. On the other side, the opposition behaves as if they were at war with the elected dictator and not the next government-to-be when their turn comes.

Therefore, confronted with another crisis, we need to wonder how to reinforce the rule of law in spite of the complexity of South Korea's society and culture.

It seems to me, the only way would be to change the Constitution. This is a proposal I expressed many times in Seoul, even in front of the National Assembly. I had no success because each member (with some exceptions of course) of the Assembly is avidly looking for power for himself, and his followers  stability comes second.

How would a new Constitution look like? It should draw a middle way between the rule of law and the tradition of political violence. It should combine a legitimate leadership, necessary in a dangerous international environment, with an obligation for compromise.

The legitimate leader should remain the president but with a shorter mandate, like four years in the U.S., and limited powers. Instead of a political activist the president should only guarantee the respect of the law, with the increased power in case of war. Germany could be considered as a reliable model, and the U.S. before Donald Trump. Day-to-day government, long-term economic and social strategy, protection of minorities and public safety should be the task of a prime minister and his government, elected by the parliament for four years as well.

In such a parliamentary democracy, the opposition would have specific rights like the so-called shadow government in the U.K.  the right to be informed on any seminal domestic or international affairs and the right to publicly interrogate the prime minister in allotted time slots. The opposition would thus become responsible and the government would respect the opposition. Dialogue would replace fistfights.

The parliament could be divided in two chambers, like in the U.S., Germany and France: The second chamber or Senate would represent the provinces, with less power than the Congress but useful to stop excesses in the name of law and order. Two successive four-year mandates for the members of the parliament and for the president could combine efficiency and modesty; politics should thus not become a full- time job but one sequence in a professional lifetime.

Supposing that a new Constitution offering a better balance of powers than the current one, could instill a culture of compromise in the political culture, who will write such a text? For sure, this would not be the task of the current or next Assembly.

Based on the history of several European countries, the way forward would be to elect a special Assembly for a short mandate and whose only purpose would be to write the new Constitution. The members of this special Assembly would have no right to run for any political office during four years after they complete their task.

Eventually, the new Constitution will need to be approved by a popular referendum.

Not being Korean but French, I will take no position in the current conflict between the president and the various factions of the Assembly. Seen from afar, I can only be flabbergasted by the political mess which is South Korea, in contrast with its phenomenal economic and cultural success. It is time for South Korea to bridge the gap between their up-to-date economic and cultural industry on one side and their obsolete institutions on the other side. It can be done if you seize the current crisis not as a crisis but as an opportunity.

Guy Sorman is a French philosopher and economist, and the author of "Economics Does Not Lie" and "Diary of an Optimist."
Economic challenges rise amid political uncertainty

Koreas economy, once considered a robust example of growth and stability, is now facing an uphill battle as political turmoil mounts, and international observers increasingly cast a skeptical eye on its prospects. Amid growing concerns about President Yoon Suk Yeols recent attempt to impose martial law, foreign investors and economists are warning of the deepening risks to the nations financial stability. While external organizations such as Bank of America and Forbes provide grim assessments of Koreas economic outlook, the government is scrambling to contain the fallout and restore investor confidence.

Bank of Americas warning that the value of the Korean won is under significant downward pressure highlights the consequences of the nations weak economic fundamentals coupled with increasing political instability. The Korean currency has come under strain, mirroring the broader challenges facing the economy. At the same time, Forbes labeled Yoons martial law attempt as a "bonkers stunt," a move that, according to the magazine, could push Korea back into a position of international disregard. It highlights the concept of the "Korea discount," referring to the perception that Korea's political unpredictability makes it a less attractive destination for investments.

The martial law episode has triggered widespread concerns not just within Korea, but internationally, about the future of the nations political and economic stability. The threat of impeachment hanging over Yoon adds another layer of uncertainty, prompting fears that Korea may face a downgrade in its external credit rating. This, in turn, could have significant economic repercussions, potentially making it harder for the country to build foreign currency reserves and for businesses to secure export orders. As the government strives to manage the situation, the economy remains vulnerable.

Despite the efforts of Economy and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok and other officials, who are spearheading initiatives to stabilize the economy, the countrys financial markets remain precarious. The stock market has taken a considerable hit, and the won continues to depreciate against the U.S. dollar. The broader economy, which has long relied on strong exports and domestic consumption, is now facing a significant slowdown. Political uncertainties are further exacerbating the situation by dampening investor and consumer sentiment, which in turn weaken the real economy.

Koreas economic challenges are compounded by sluggish domestic consumption and a slowdown in export growth. The countrys once-vibrant export sector, a key engine of its economic prosperity, is now showing signs of weakness. Domestic consumption is also stagnating. These factors create a dangerous cycle, where declining investments, weakening consumer confidence, and growing financial instability collectively threaten to erode economic growth even further. If left unaddressed, the economic downturn could disproportionately impact the most vulnerable segments of society, exacerbating income inequality and widening the gap between the rich and poor.

Global geopolitical risks are adding another layer of complexity to Koreas economic outlook. Tensions between the United States and China, combined with the return of Donald Trump to the U.S. presidency, are stoking anxiety across the region. Many Korean companies, particularly in sectors like semiconductors and batteries, have invested heavily in the U.S. in the hope of securing preferential treatment from their American ally. However, new policies under a second Trump administration  such as the possible elimination of subsidies for these industries  could threaten the viability of these investments.

In response to these challenges, Korean government officials are doubling down on efforts to maintain the nations external credit rating and shield the economy from further destabilization. The finance minister and his colleagues are pushing for the swift passage of next years budget to ensure that necessary economic policies can be implemented without delay. They have also formed a task force to monitor the economic situation, hoping to prevent further market shocks.

In this critical period, it is imperative that political leaders put national interests above partisan squabbles. Political instability is one of the most serious risks facing Korea today, and it threatens to undo years of hard-won economic progress. The government must act decisively to restore investor confidence, stimulate growth, and prevent a deepening crisis. Efforts must be made to preserve the countrys external credit rating, protect key industries, and ensure that the economic policies implemented in the coming months are effective.

The stakes are high for Korea. If political uncertainties continue to undermine the economy, it will be the people  particularly the most vulnerablewho will bear the brunt of the fallout. Therefore, all political parties must work together to stabilize the country and ensure that Koreas economic future remains strong and secure. The coming months will be critical in determining whether Korea can navigate this crisis successfully or if its economy will succumb to the political instability that currently threatens it.
By Robert Neff

The keys that unlock the past are often humble items  overlooked by historians and writers but prized by enthusiasts and collectors. These include stamps, postcards, matchbooks and, in this case, a knife.

In his book, Knife Talk II, knife collector Ed Fowler wrote:

The experiences shared between man and knife are long past. Only minute glimpses of their history are now available to us. But if we, as knife enthusiasts, listen carefully to what few memories are available, we can catch and enjoy a few moments of the events they shared.

Fowler, an avid listener, was captivated by a recently discovered knife crafted by Michael Price in San Francisco during the 1860s. Fortunately for us, his fascination wasnt confined just to the blade itself; he was equally intrigued by its original owner  John Andrew Clinton.

Clintons story feels like something straight out of the old Western novels that were so popular half a century ago. Born in 1852 in Carondelet (now part of St. Louis), Missouri, his early childhood was filled with difficulties shared by most of the country during that troubled era. At the end of the Civil War, when he was just 13 years old, Clinton ran away from home and made his way to San Francisco  a destination for many young men seeking their fortunes in gold or working on the transcontinental railroad.

Somehow, the young runaway managed to scrape together enough money to buy a Sharps Rifle, a hunting knife crafted by Michael Price, and a horse and wagon. With these, he began hunting the seemingly endless buffalo, selling the meat to railroad construction crews for five cents per pound. It was good pay, and Clinton could typically kill at least one buffalo per day.

For nearly four years he worked as a buffalo hunter. However, as the railroad completed its tracks, his services were no longer needed, and he found employment as a scout for the United States Army in the northern Great Plains. When gold was discovered in the Black Hills of the Dakotas in 1874, Clinton fell victim to gold fever and became a prospector. It was a dangerous and, technically, illegal occupation, as the lands were off-limits to non-Native Americans. If caught by his former employer, the U.S. Army, he faced legal repercussions; if discovered by Native Americans, he risked losing his life.

In June 1876, after nearly two years of back-breaking work and little gold to show for his efforts, Clinton and a group of prospectors decided to go in search of better opportunities. His timing couldnt have been better. He was among the first to witness the aftermath of the Battle of Little Bighorn, where Lt. Col. George Custer and the 7th Cavalry were decisively  and fatally  defeated by Native Americans.

Clinton then drifted to Wyoming, where he continued to prospect. In his book, Fowler provides an amusing anecdote that reinforces Clintons toughness and incredible luck. One evening, late in the fall, he shot an elk but, because of the increasing darkness, he abandoned it until daylight. The next morning, he returned to find a bear feeding on the carcass. Clinton stood his ground as the bear charged, hoping it would stop long enough for a clean shot  but the bear didnt. Without hesitation, Clinton shoved his rifle into the bears mouth and fired.

When he regained consciousness, he was surprised to find the ground covered in blood, but the bear was nowhere to be seen. Later, when asked if he searched for the animal, Clinton simply replied, No, I was just glad he was gone. He was very considerate; he left me one hindquarter of the elk.

In 1878, Clinton left the United States and became a mercenary in the African gold fields, working for both the Dutch and the British until 1881, when his contract expired. While in Africa he shot a black leopard with his Colt revolver, and the Price Knife was used to skin the big cat.

It isnt clear how long he remained in Africa, but by late fall or early winter of 1886, he was in Nagasaki, Japan, where he learned about the gold rush in the region surrounding Vladivostok. Needing a Russian passport, Clinton paid a visit to the American consul, John Birch, and allegedly gifted the official with the black leopards pelt  presumably to help facilitate the completion of his paperwork.

Around Dec. 10, 1886, the Japanese steamship Higo Maru sailed into the harbor of Jemulpo (modern Incheon). Among the passengers were Walter Laws  an American seeking employment in Korea (often described as a beachcomber or bum)  and Clinton. Although both men had been assisted by Birch, it is highly unlikely that Laws and Clinton associated with one another. Laws promptly made his way to a bar, where he found himself embroiled in a scuffle with a Chinese merchant, resulting in his arrest and subsequent expulsion from Korea.

Clinton, however, made his way to the American Legation in Seoul and applied for a Korean passport so that he could travel overland through Korea to Vladivostok. His passport application provides his physical details: he was 173 cm tall, had a broad forehead, hazel eyes, brown hair, Roman nose and a large mouth. Interestingly, a significant percentage of the American gold miners in Korea in the late 19th and early 20th centuries had blue eyes, while many of the missionaries tended to have brown eyes, making Clintons hazel eyes somewhat of an oddity.

Shortly after receiving his passport on Dec. 13, Clinton began his journey to Vladivostok. We know almost nothing about his travels as, apparently, the handful of Americans in Seoul had little interest in him and did not mention him in their correspondence.

By March 1887, Clinton had reached Hoeryong, a walled Korean city on the Tumen River. Located on the Korean-Chinese border, Hoeryong was a marketplace for Chinese merchants and was militarily important for the Joseon government. It was here that Clinton had a potentially fatal altercation.

According to his biographer (who seems to have used family anecdotes), Clinton was traveling with a group of men when they were attacked by Chinese bandits. It was his 44-40 Winchester 73 [that] decided the battle, and as a result, other merchants joined his group to be under the protection of the foreign devil with the rifle that kills many.

However, diplomatic despatches present a different picture. According to Russian Minister to Korea Carl von Waeber, the American had an altercation  presumably at a Korean inn  with three Chinese soldiers dressed in black jackets with red stripes. Words were exchanged, and one of the Chinese soldiers swung at Clinton, but the American parried the attack, striking the soldier in the face and knocking him to the ground. Another soldier struck Clinton with an iron bar. Clinton retreated to his room, snatched up his rifle and threatened to shoot anyone who entered.

According to Russian officials, some Korean officials and their underlings succeeded in getting the angry soldiers away. Clinton was then safely escorted to the Korean-Russian border where he continued his journey to Vladivostok.

In his report to the State Department, Hugh Dinsmore (the American representative in Seoul) noted that there was no evidence to show how the trouble arose, but Dinsmore was appreciative of the Korean government and local officials for their efforts to protect the life of a lone American traveling in the distant north. He also expressed gratitude to the Russian government for their assistance.

Clinton arrived safely in Vladivostok but was disillusioned with the Russian mining techniques, which he denounced as being very primitive. The local government  notorious for its authoritarian rule and strict punishments  likely added to his negative impression of mining in Russia. Considering his propensity for bending rules, it is easy to imagine Clinton feeling apprehensive of maintaining his freedom. The English-language newspapers in Japan were filled with tales of the horrific conditions American and British whalers and sealers  poachers  endured in Russian prisons. Prudently, Clinton quickly made his way back to the United States.

According to his biographer, Clinton returned to Seattle seeking passage to the gold fields in South America. However, upon hearing that gold had been discovered in Alaska, he immediately changed his plans and sailed north  his Price knife, as always, his constant companion.

Clinton spent at least two decades in the central part of Alaska. His biographer claims that in 1896, he fell in love with a Swedish American woman named Christine, and they were soon married by a steamship captain. At that point in his life, Clinton decided to abandon the search for gold and started farming. He raised vegetables, selling them to others caught by gold fever, finding life as a farmer more profitable than prospecting.

However, local newspapers and census records dispute some of these claims. We know that on March 19, 1897, Clinton lost his outfit  a good supply of provisions, tents, blankets and cooking utensils  when the steamship Willapa struck a reef while en route to Juneau, Alaska. Fortunately for Clinton, he was able to replace his outfit, but other miners had to depend upon the generosity of others to continue their journey to the gold fields.

Census reports indicate Clinton was married in 1898  presumably in Alaska. For several years following his marriage, he worked as a prospector, but he eventually turned to farming. By 1920, he and his family (his wife and their son, David) had moved back to Washington state, where Clinton lived the rest of his life tending a small farm.

Clinton died in 1938. Like many others, his name and past might have faded into obscurity with the passing of time. However, Clinton left behind a legacy  his knife  and through it he lives on forever.

I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Diane Nars for her assistance and allowing me to use two of her images.

Robert Neff has authored and co-authored several books, including Letters from Joseon, Korea Through Western Eyes and Brief Encounters.
China on Monday launched an investigation into U.S. chip giant Nvidia for allegedly violating its anti-monopoly laws, state broadcaster CCTV said.

Beijing's state administration for market regulation, the authority on antitrust issues, launched the probe "in accordance with the law," according to CCTV.

Nvidia is also suspected of violating commitments it made in 2020, when it acquired Mellanox Technologies, CCTV said.

Shares in Nvidia dropped Monday after China announced its investigation.

China and the United States have in recent weeks clashed over exports of key chipmaking technology, in which Nvidia is a major player.

Beijing last week said it would restrict exports to the United States of some key components in making semiconductors, after Washington announced curbs targeting China's ability to make advanced chips.

Among the materials banned from export are metals gallium, antimony and germanium, China's commerce ministry said in a statement that cited "national security" concerns.

In its own latest curbs, Washington has announced restrictions on sales to 140 companies, including Chinese chip firms Piotech and SiCarrier, without additional permission.

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 artificial intelligence.

The new U.S. rules also include controls on two dozen types of chip-making equipment and three kinds of software tools for developing or producing semiconductors. (AFP)
By Nam Hyun-woo

LG Electronics has officially launched its bid to go public in India, betting high on the countrys attractiveness as a budding electronic appliance market and a lucrative investor destination.

According to LG Electronics regulatory filing, Monday, LG Electronics India filed its draft prospectus with the market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on Friday. The process is anticipated to take about three months, during which the company will fix its offering price and date and file the official red herring prospectus.

Through the initial public offering (IPO), LG Electronics, which fully owns the Indian unit, will offer its 15 percent stake in LG Electronics India without issuing new rights. Local reports assume that the company will be able to raise $1.8 billion through the offering, which will value LG Electronics India at $13 billion.

LG Electronics has been exploring the timing for the Indian units IPO in a view that the Indian IPO market has been bustling in recent years.

According to an S&P Global Market Intelligence report, 298 companies have gone public on the Indian stock markets this year as of Dec. 3, raising a combined $16.6 billion. Among companies debuted this year, Hyundai Motor Indias $3.3 billion listing in October gained attention, becoming Indias largest IPO ever.

This is attributable to the countrys economic growth, favorable market environments, policies and regulations toward foreign investors. Despite ups and downs, the countrys economic growth has been hovering over 5 percent for years, while the Indian governments Make in India initiative is encouraging the countrys manufacturing sector and providing policy supports for foreign investments.

The ongoing economic rivalry between the United States and India is also highlighting Indias attractiveness as an investment destination. Not only LG Electronics, but also other big Korean businesses are tapping into the Indian market, to defy risks stemming from their high reliance on China.

Against this backdrop, the growth potential of the Indian electronic appliance market has prompted LG Electronics to bet high on the country  LG Electronics CEO Cho Joo-wan said in September that the company hopes to become the most beloved company by the Indian public.

Despite being the worlds most populated country, India has a relatively low penetration rate for household appliances. Last year, the penetration rates for refrigerators, washing machines and air conditioners in India stood at 38 percent, 17 percent and 8 percent, respectively, significantly lower than those of countries like China.

The rising trend of nuclear families and an increase in the number of working women are driving demand for new appliances that reduce household chores, contributing to the market's growth potential. According to Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, Indias home appliance market, was valued at $11 billion in 2018 and is expected to double to $21 billion by next year.

Meanwhile, Koreas logistics giant CJ Logistics is also preparing for the IPO of its Indian unit, CJ Darcl Logistics. CJ Darcl already submitted its offering document to the SEBI last year, and passed the preliminary screening process in March.
By Ko Dong-hwan

Once-boycotted Japanese fashion brands are experiencing a rebound in sales in Korea.

According to the Financial Supervisory Service on Monday, Uniqlo reported sales exceeding 1 trillion won ($700 million) in fiscal year 2024, spanning September 2023 to August 2024, while Muji's sales hit a record high during the same period after turning black last year.

Uniqlos Korean operator FRL Korea, a consortium between Lotte Shopping and Uniqlos Japanese parent company Fast Retailing, registered sales of 1.06 trillion won, a 15 percent year-on-year increase, marking the first time in three years that the company has achieved this milestone. Additionally, its operating profit grew by 5.4 percent.

In the wake of Korea's nationwide boycott of Japanese products, sparked by Tokyo's export restrictions on Korea in 2019, its sales plunged to 500 billion won in 2021.

Uniqlo has been expanding its presence in the capital this year, opening additional stores, including its largest one in Jamsil, southern Seoul, in September. Following that, 10 more stores have opened in locations such as Dongdaemun and Sangbong in northeastern Seoul. As of this month, the company operates 132 stores across Korea.

Muji reported sales of 180.5 billion won, up 20 percent from the previous year. Earnings for the same period reached 7.5 billion won, a 316 percent surge. The strong performance comes after the company suffered losses between 2019 and 2021.

Muji, currently operates 40 stores nationwide and plans to expand that number to 150 by 2030.
By Park Jae-hyuk

The National Pension Service (NPS) decided on Monday it would vote for Doosan Enerbilitys controversial plan to spin off Doosan Bobcat to place it under the control of Doosan Robotics, only if the stock prices of the plant equipment supplier and the robotics firm exceed their respective appraisal rights prices as of Tuesday.

The state pension fund said that it will abstain in order to secure its appraisal rights, if the stock prices of the two Doosan affiliates fall short of their respective appraisal rights prices.

Doosan Enerbility set its appraisal rights price at 20,890 won ($14.54), while Doosan Robotics set the price at 80,472 won.

On Monday, their stock prices closed at 17,380 won and 57,400 won, respectively.

Given that Doosan Group has been seen as the main beneficiary of President Yoon Suk Yeols policies friendly to the nuclear energy industry, their stock prices plunged sharply last Wednesday, when the president ended martial law after six hours.

Until last Tuesday, Doosan Enerbility's stock price was above 20,890 won.

Industry officials expect the NPS to abstain during the forthcoming meetings of Doosan affiliates shareholders on Thursday, as it seems virtually impossible for the companies to pull up their stock prices to above their appraisal rights prices in time.

In case of the abstention of the NPS, which holds a 6.85 percent stake in Doosan Enerbility as its second-largest shareholder, the success of the companys spinoff plan could hang on the decision of its minority shareholders, who collectively own a 64.56 percent stake.

Doosan Groups holding firm, which has around a 68 percent stake in Doosan Robotics, only owns a 30.39 percent stake in Doosan Enerbility.

However, Doosan Enerbilitys minority shareholders have opposed the conglomerates plan to include the lucrative construction equipment manufacturer as a subsidiary of the struggling robotics company.

Institutional Shareholder Services also recommended investors to oppose the plan, pointing out that it will harm Doosan Enerbilitys minority shareholders, potentially benefiting controlling shareholders, including Doosan Group Chairman Park Jeong-won and his family, at their expense.

Although the group refuted the worlds largest proxy advisers report, foreign pension funds including CalPERS, CPPIB and BCI decided to vote against the Korean firms governance restructuring.

Domestic proxy advisers, such as Sustinvest, also recommended investors oppose the plan.

On the other hand, Glass Lewis advised investors to approve the plan, citing the possibility of the firm focusing more on its core businesses. Multiple domestic proxy advisers shared the view of the worlds second-largest proxy adviser.
bi

U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday said deposed Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad should be "held accountable" but called the nation's political upheaval a "historic opportunity" for Syrians to rebuild their country.

In the first full U.S. reaction to Assad's overthrow by an Islamist-led coalition of rebel factions, Biden also warned that Washington will "remain vigilant" against the emergence of terrorist groups, announcing that U.S. forces had just conducted fresh strikes against militants from the Islamic State organization.

"The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice," Biden said from the White House. "It's a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria."

Asked by reporters what should happen to the deposed president, who reportedly has fled to Moscow, Biden said "Assad should be held accountable."

Biden  set to step down in January and make way for Republican Donald Trump's return to power  said Washington will assist Syrians in rebuilding.

"We will engage with all Syrian groups, including within the process led by the United Nations, to establish a transition away from the Assad government toward independent, sovereign" Syria "with a new constitution," he said.

However, Biden cautioned that hardline Islamist groups within the victorious rebel alliance will face scrutiny.

"Some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human right abuses," Biden said.

The United States had "taken note" of recent statements by rebels suggesting they had since moderated, he said, but cautioned: "We will assess not just their words, but their actions."

Biden said Washington is "clear eyed" that the Islamic State extremist group, often known as ISIS, "will try to take advantage of any vacuum to reestablish" itself in Syria.

"We will not let that happen," he said, adding that U.S. forces on Sunday conducted strikes against ISIS inside Syria.

The U.S. military said warplanes hit Islamic State operatives and camps.

Strikes were carried out against "over 75 targets using multiple U.S. Air Force assets, including B-52s, F-15s, and A-10s," the U.S. Central Command said.

'Reason for hope'

Assad's reported departure comes less than two weeks after the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group challenged more than five decades of Assad family rule with a lightning rebel offensive that broke long-frozen frontlines in Syria's civil war.

They announced Sunday they had taken Damascus and that Assad fled, prompting nationwide celebrations and a ransacking of Assad's luxurious home.

A Kremlin source told Russian news agencies the deposed leader and family were now in Moscow.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken echoed Biden's optimism, saying that "after 14 years of conflict, the Syrian people finally have reason for hope."

He also reiterated the need for justice and vigilance.

"We will support international efforts to hold the Assad regime and its backers accountable for atrocities and abuses perpetrated against the Syrian people, including the use of chemical weapons."

One outstanding concern is the fate of the Syrian government's apparent stockpile of such weapons, and whether they will fall into rebel hands.

"We are taking very prudent measures in that regard," a senior U.S. administration official told reporters Sunday.

The U.S. military has "good fidelity" on the location of chemical weapons, the official said, stressing that "we're doing everything we can to prudently ensure that those materials... obviously are either not available to anyone or are cared for."

Damascus has been accused on numerous occasions of using chemical weapons, charges it denies.

The U.S. military has around 900 troops in Syria and 2,500 in Iraq as part of the international coalition established in 2014 to help combat the Islamic State jihadist group.

It has regularly struck targets in the country including those linked to Iranian-backed militias. Tehran was a major backer of Assad's government.

Biden also confirmed U.S. authorities believe the American journalist Austin Tice, who was abducted in Syria in 2012, is still alive, but they have yet "to identify where he is." (AFP)
Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the militant leader whose stunning insurgency toppled Syrias President Bashar Assad, has spent years working to remake his public image , renouncing longtime ties to al-Qaida and depicting himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. As he entered Damascus behind his victorious fighters Sunday, he even dropped his nom de guerre and referred to himself with his real name, Ahmad al-Sharaa.

The extent of that transformation from jihadi extremist to would-be state builder is now put to the test.

Insurgents control Damascus, Assad has fled into hiding, and for the first time after 50 years of his familys iron hand, it is an open question how Syria will be governed.

Syria is home to multiple ethnic and religious communities, often pitted against each other by Assads state and years of war. Many of them fear the possibility that Sunni Islamist extremists will take over. The country is also fragmented among disparate armed factions, and foreign powers from Russia and Iran to the United States, Turkey and Israel all have their hands in the mix.

Hours after Damascus' capture, the 42-year-old al-Sharaa made his first appearance in the city's landmark Umayyad Mosque, declaring Assad's fall a victory for the Islamic nation. A senior rebel commander, Anas Salkhadi, appeared on state TV to declare, Our message to all the sects of Syria, is that we tell them that Syria is for everyone,

Al-Sharaa, who has been labeled a terrorist by the United States, and his insurgent force, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS  many of whose fighters are jihadis -- now stand to be a major player.

For years, al-Sharaa worked to consolidate power, while bottled up in the province of Idlib in Syrias northwest corner as Assads Iranian- and Russian-backed rule over much of the country appeared solid.

He maneuvered among extremist organizations while eliminating competitors and former allies. He sought to polish the image of his de-facto salvation government that has been running Idlib to win over international governments and reassure Syrias religious and ethnic minorities. And he built ties with various tribes and other groups.

Along the way, he shed his garb as a hard-line Islamist guerrilla and put on suits for press interviews, talking of building state institutions and decentralizing power to reflect Syrias diversity.

Syria deserves a governing system that is institutional, no one where a single ruler makes arbitrary decisions, he said in an interview with CNN last week, offering the possibility HTS would eventually be dissolved after Assad falls.

Dont judge by words, but by actions, he said.

Throughout his rise through extremist ranks, al-Sharaa was only known by the jihadi nickname he adopted, Abu Mohammed al-Golani. His ties to al-Qaida stretch back to 2003, when he joined insurgents battling U.S. troops in Iraq. The Syrian native was detained by the U.S. military but remained in Iraq. During that time, al-Qaida usurped like-minded groups and formed the extremist Islamic State of Iraq, led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

In 2011, a popular uprising in Syria against Assad triggered a brutal government crackdown and led to all-out war. Al-Golanis prominence grew when al-Baghdadi sent him to Syria to establish a branch of al-Qaida called the Nusra Front. The United States labeled the new group as a terrorist organization. That designation still remains in place and the U.S. government has put a $10 million bounty on him.

As Syrias civil war intensified in 2013, so did al-Golanis ambitions. He defied al-Baghdadis calls to dissolve the Nusra Front and merge it with al-Qaidas operation in Iraq, to form the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS.

Al-Golani nonetheless pledged his allegiance to al-Qaida, which later disassociated itself from ISIS. The Nusra Front battled ISIS and eliminated much of its competition among the Syrian armed opposition to Assad.

In his first interview in 2014, al-Golani kept his face covered, telling a reporter for Qatari network Al-Jazeera that he rejected political talks in Geneva to end the conflict. He said his goal was to see Syria ruled under Islamic law and made clear that there was no room for the countrys Alawite, Shiite, Druze and Christian minorities.

In 2016, al-Golani revealed his face to the public for the first time in a video message that announced his group was renaming itself Jabhat Fateh al-Sham - the Syria Conquest Front -- and cutting its ties to al-Qaida.

This new organization has no affiliation to any external entity, he said in the video, filmed wearing military garb and a turban.

The move paved the way for al-Golani to assert full control over fracturing militant groups. A year later, his alliance rebranded again as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham - meaning Organization for Liberating Syria -- as the groups merged, consolidating al-Golanis power in northwest Syrias Idlib province.

HTS later clashed with independent Islamist militants who opposed the merger, further emboldening al-Golani and his group as the leading power in northwestern Syria, able to rule with an iron fist.

With his power consolidated, al-Golani set in motion a transformation that few could have imagined. Replacing his military garb with shirt and trousers, he began calling for religious tolerance and pluralism.

He appealed to the Druze community in Idlib, which the Nusra Front had previously targeted , and visited the families of Kurds who were killed by Turkish-backed militias.

In 2021, he had his first interview with an American journalist on PBS. Wearing a blazer, with his short hair gelled back, the now more soft-spoken HTS leader said that his group posed no threat to the West and that sanctions imposed against it were unjust.

Yes, we have criticized Western policies, he said. But to wage a war against the United States or Europe from Syria, thats not true. We didnt say we wanted to fight. (AP)
The Kremlin declined on Monday to confirm reports that toppled Syrian president Bashar al-Assad had fled to Moscow, adding that it was "surprised" by the rebel takeover.

"As for Mr Assad's whereabouts, I've got nothing to tell you," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists.

A Kremlin source told Russian news agencies on Sunday that Assad and his family were in Moscow, hours after he fled the country as Islamist-led rebels entered Damascus.

Assad's son has been studying in the Russian capital.

Peskov said on Monday that if Russia granted asylum to Assad and his family, this would be a decision taken by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

"Of course such decisions cannot be taken without the head of state, and it's his decision," Peskov said.

He said there was no meeting with Assad on Putin's agenda.

Russia has given shelter to several ousted leaders, including former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych.

In brief comments on the dramatic events in Syria over the last few days, Peskov admitted the Kremlin was taken by surprise.

"What happened has surprised the whole world and, in this case, we are no exception," he said.

Russia has strategically important army and naval bases in Syria, where it launched a military intervention on the side of Assad in 2015.

"Now there will be a very complex period due to instability," Peskov said.

Asked what would happen to Russia's bases, he said: "It is too early to say. This is a subject for discussion with whoever is going to be in power in Syria."

The Kremlin spokesman said that the security of the bases was "very important."

"We are doing everything that is possible and necessary to get in touch with those who can provide security. And our military are also taking precautionary measures," it said.

The Kremlin source quoted by Russian news agencies on Sunday had said the rebels who ousted Assad "guaranteed the security of Russian army bases and diplomatic institutions on Syria's territory."

Syria's embassy in Moscow raised the opposition flag at the building on Monday, with a spokesman saying the facility was operating normally.

Peskov said Russia was "in dialogue" with Turkey, which supported rebel forces in Syria, saying: "Here it's important to maintain dialogue with all countries. We firmly intend to do this and analyse the situation." (AFP)
The results of the 2024 U.S. presidential election rattled the country and sent shockwaves across the world  or were cause for celebration, depending on who you ask. Is it any surprise then that the Merriam-Webster word of the year is polarization?

Polarization means division, but its a very specific kind of division, said Peter Sokolowski, Merriam-Websters editor at large, in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press ahead of Monday's announcement. Polarization means that we are tending toward the extremes rather than toward the center.

The election was so divisive, many American voters went to the polls with a feeling that the opposing candidate was an existential threat to the nation. According to AP VoteCast, a survey of more than 120,000 voters, about 8 in 10 Kamala Harris voters were very or somewhat concerned that Donald Trumps views  but not Harris'  were too extreme, while about 7 in 10 Trump voters felt the same way about Harris  but not Trump.

The Merriam-Webster entry for polarization reflects scientific and metaphorical definitions. Its most commonly used to mean causing strong disagreement between opposing factions or groupings. Merriam-Webster, which logs 100 million pageviews a month on its site, chooses its word of the year based on data, tracking a rise in search and usage.

Last year's pick was authentic. This year's comes as large swaths of the U.S. struggle to reach consensus on what is real.

Its always been important to me that the dictionary serve as a kind of neutral and objective arbiter of meaning for everybody, Sokolowski said. Its a kind of backstop for meaning in an era of fake news, alternative facts, whatever you want to say about the value of a words meaning in the culture.

Its notable that polarization originated in the early 1800s  and not during the Renaissance, as did most words with Latin roots about science, Sokolowski said. He called it a pretty young word, in the scheme of the English language. Polarized is a term that brings intensity to another word, he continued, most frequently used in the U.S. to describe race relations, politics and ideology.

The basic job of the dictionary is to tell the truth about words, the Merriam-Webster editor continued. Weve had dictionaries of English for 420 years and its only been in the last 20 years or so that weve actually known which words people look up.

Polarization extends beyond political connotations. It's used to highlight fresh cracks and deep rifts alike in pop culture, tech trends and other industries.

All the scrutiny over Taylor Swift's private jet usage ? Polarizing. Beef between rappers Kendrick Lamar and Drake ? Polarizing. The International Olympic Committee's decision to strip American gymnast Jordan Chiles of her bronze medal after the Paris Games? You guessed it: polarizing.

Even lighthearted memes  like those making fun of Australian breakdancer Rachael Raygun Gunn's performance  or the proliferation of look-alike contests, or who counts as a nepo baby proved polarizing.

Paradoxically though, people tend to see eye to eye on the word itself. Sokolowski cited its frequent use among people across the political spectrum, including commentators on Fox News, MSNBC and CNN.

Its used by both sides, he said, and in a little bit ironic twist to the word, its something that actually everyone agrees on.

Rounding out Merriam-Webster's top 10 words of 2024:

TikToker Jools Lebrons 38-second video describing her workday makeup routine as very demure , very mindful lit up the summer with memes. The video has been viewed more than 50 million times , yielding huge spikes in lookups, Sokolowski said, and prompting many to learn it means reserved or modest.

Taylor Swift's song Fortnight, featuring rapper Post Malone, undoubtedly spurred many searches for this word , which means two weeks. Music can still send people to the dictionary, Sokolowski said.

The solar eclipse in April inspired awe and much travel. There are tens of millions of people who live along a narrow stretch from Mexicos Pacific coast to eastern Canada, otherwise known as the path of totality , where locals and travelers gazed skyward to see the moon fully blot out the sun. Generally, the word refers to a sum or aggregate amount  or wholeness.

Texts developed by AI have a disproportionate percentage of use of the word resonate, Sokolowski said. This may be because the word, which means to affect or appeal to someone in a personal or emotional way, can add gravitas to writing. But, paradoxically, artificial intelligence also betrays itself to be a robot because its using that word too much.

The word was looked up 60 times more often than usual when, in March, a ship crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge in Baltimore. When you have one moving object into a fixed object, thats an allision, not a collision. Youre showing that one of the two objects struck was not, in fact, in motion, Sokolowski said.

This summer on the TV news show Morning Joe, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called Republican leaders weird. It may have been what launched his national career, landing him as the Democratic vice presidential nominee. Though it's a word that people typically misspell  is it ei or ie?  and search for that reason, its rise in use was notable, Sokolowski said.

Whether the word was used to raise questions about President Joe Bidens debate performance or Trumps own age, it cropped up often. It refers to conscious intellectual activity  such as thinking, reasoning, or remembering.

Pander was used widely in political commentary, Sokolowski said. Conservative news outlets accused Kamala Harris of pandering to different groups, especially young voters, Black voters, gun rights supporters. Whereas Walz said Trumps visit to a McDonalds kitchen pandered to hourly wage workers. It means to say, do, or provide what someone  such as an audience  wants or demands even though it is not good, proper, reasonable, etc.

In 2003, Merriam-Webster decided to make democracy its first word of the year. Since then, the word  which, of course, means a form of government in which the people elect representatives to make decisions, policies and laws  is consistently one of the dictionary's most looked up. Theres a poignancy to that, that people are checking up on it, Sokolowski said. "Maybe the most hopeful thing that the curiosity of the public shows, is that theyre paying attention. (AP)
Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba Group Holding, gave a rare public speech at the 20th anniversary of the company's fintech affiliate Ant Group, saying he had faith in the "next 20 years of Ant" and expects "more miracles", according to Chinese media reports and people who were there.

Ma's attendance at the evening event on Sunday was the first time he had addressed Ant since it withdrew its mega initial public offering (IPO) in Hong Kong and Shanghai in November 2020.

Early last year, the Chinese entrepreneur distanced himself from Ant by promising to cede control of the fintech giant. At the end of 2023, China's central bank declared that Ant's mobile payments platform Alipay had "no actual controller."

In his brief speech, Ma, one of Ant's founders, congratulated the company's achievements. While he has resigned from corporate roles and kept a low profile in recent years, Ma is still regarded as the spiritual leader of the business empire he created and a face of China's private sector.

"Twenty years ago, the internet had just begun, and my generation was fortunate to seize the opportunities offered by the internet," Ma said. "From today's perspective, the changes brought by artificial intelligence in the next 20 years will go beyond everyone's imagination, as AI will bring a greater era."

"AI will change everything, but it doesn't mean AI can dictate everything," he said. "While technology is important, the real truth to determine success or failure is whether we can create truly valuable and unique things in the coming era."

Ma, 60, said that Ant would continue to use technology to bring "progress and changes" to people's lives in the next two decades.

Ant did not publish any statement about Ma's speech, but its transcript and video clips have gone viral on Chinese social media platforms.

In a photo published by local tech news website 36Kr, Ma was seen seated at the event, sandwiched between Eric Jing Xiandong, Ant's chairman, and Peng Lei, co-founder of Alibaba and Alipay.

Ma delivered his speech just hours after Ant said Jing would hand over his CEO position to finance chief Cyril Han Xinyi from March 2025, as Jing focuses on his role as chairman.

Since its founding in 2014, Ant Group, along with Alipay, has revolutionized payments in China and ushered the country into a cashless era. At the same time, the rapid rise of fintech technologies have brought disruptions to the nation's traditional financial system, prompting regulators to respond by imposing licensing requirements and demanding business rectifications.

Ant overhauled its shareholding structure in early 2023 when Ma promised to end an acting-in-concert pact with Ant chairman Jing, former CEO Simon Hu Xiaoming and Alibaba veteran Jiang Fang. The restructuring, which gave Ma 53.46 percent of the voting power in the fintech company, was part of a regulatory campaign that followed the postponement of Ant's $39.7 billion stock sale.

Ma, who visited an Alibaba campus in Hangzhou a week ago, did not mention Ant's IPO plans or other business specifics in his speech. But he said that he was grateful to those who encouraged or "criticized" Ant over the past years.

"These encouragement and criticisms can help Ant grow and provide safeguards for Ant to go further in a more steady way," Ma said. "The future will not be easy, but we are fortunate as we can join hands to change the future and create the future."

Read the full story at SCMP.
Lee Chaeyeon received backlash for publicly showing support for the impeachment of President Yoon Seok Yeol  but the former IZ*ONE member has a counterattack.

While a plethora of celebrities are silent about South Korea's situation right now, Lee Chaeyeon bravely took to her SNS platform to send her support to the recent candlelight vigils held for the impeachment of President Yoon. She also encouraged her fans to join her.

However, due to her image as a celebrity, some expressed their concerns about her bold move, with many telling her that it is not her place to talk about politics. Many also pointed out her "carelessness."

Amid the backlash, Lee Chaeyeon surprisingly responded to her critics, writing:

"It isn't my place to talk about politics? Then what kind of position allows someone to talk about politics? I'll do what I need to do as a citizen and as a member of society. I will mention things as I need to.

I'm a celebrity, so I'm going to speak up. I know very well that you're worried about me saying this because I'm an idol. But I'm also a citizen. I appreciate your concern. Let's live in a better world. Let's love to our heart's content in that world."

Following this, the criticism of the idol didn't die down as Jeong Yura, the daughter of Choi Soon Sil, who was involved in a political issue in 2016, sniped at the K-pop idol.

READ ALSO: SNSD's 'Into the New World' Used by SNU Students To Protest Against South Korean President

Jeong Yura questioned the idol's intention and wrote on Facebook:

"It is true that the position is unnecessary when talking about politics, but it is a problem when you are suddenly talking about it when you have not been interested at all until now."

She went on:

"Wake up. Are you even aware of the fact that the Democratic Party has squandered the budget? (...) If you want to speak freely, understand the situation properly before you speak."

RELATED ARTICLE: MONSTA X I.M Goes Viral for Delivering Martial Law News in Late-Night Radio Broadcast
Pudong New Area in Shanghai introduces measures to support foreign talent in work and life

08:32, December 09, 2024 By Zhang Wanshi ( Global Times

The Pudong New Area of Shanghai has unveiled a series of measures to enhance services and the convenience of foreign talent working and living in the area, a move widely hailed as a step further showing China's stance on continued opening-up.

A total of 34 measures were released at the 2024 Pudong International Talent Hub Forum, covering work, entrepreneurship, daily life and other areas of foreign professionals' lives, according to the Xinhua News Agency.

The new measures will make it easier for foreign talent to enter and exit China, according to the report. The Pudong New Area can directly issue confirmation letters for high-caliber foreign talent, providing them with multiple-entry visas for academic exchanges, scientific research cooperation or business visits. Their family members can also enter the country with the same documents.

Electronic visas will be piloted in the entirety of the Pudong New Area and processed entirely online without the need for paper materials, original passports, or the affixing of paper visas. Upon entry, individuals can use their passports and e-visas to pass directly through immigration.

Living in the Pudong New Area will also become more convenient for foreign talent, with plans to expand international educational and medical services, aiming to create a high-quality international talent community service system, as reported by Xinhua.

Mike from the US, who has been working as a researcher at a Shanghai-based company, told the Global Times on Sunday that he has a work visa that needs to be renewed annually, but this new policy saves him time, as losing the visa would require him to go through the entire renewal process again.

According to a statement from the local government in the Pudong New Area in October, it had already officially begun issuing the Confirmation Letter for Foreign High-Level Talents, authorized by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

As the first district in China under city jurisdiction to receive this authority, Pudong is now better equipped to facilitate visa applications for overseas high-level talents, according to the statement.

It shows a higher level of openness in China's efforts to attract international students, professionals, and talent to contribute to Chinese modernization, Miao Lu, secretary general of the Center for China and Globalization, told the Global Times on Sunday.

So far, 38 countries enjoy unilateral visa-free access to visit China. Shanghai, as a pioneering region for reform and opening-up in China, is leading the way, with international professionals showing a strong preference for the metropolis, Miao said.

Events like the China International Import Expo have attracted many visitors who wish to stay in Shanghai. Implementing such policies will facilitate their decision to stay in the city, effectively promoting openness, Miao said.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
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Laois man Damien Dollard has been honoured with the Volunteer Manager of the Year award at the national Volunteer Ireland Awards. The awards, which took place in Dublin on Sunday 8th December, celebrate Irelands outstanding volunteers and volunteer managers.

Damien Dollard began volunteering with the Civil Defence since 2012 before joining the staff as Civil Defence Officer. He has been a mentor, a friend and a support to many volunteers. Having started as a volunteer himself before taking on a leadership role, knows exactly how to be there for the volunteers on the good and the bad days. Damien knows the volunteers on a personal level and is always there to offer a listening ear if needed.

Many of his volunteers have gone on to get jobs in the emergency services, and Damiens help and support has given the volunteers the confidence to apply for these jobs. He is always learning more to make sure that he is providing his volunteers with the best knowledge and equipment to do their jobs. Volunteering with the Civil Defence is not always easy and volunteers often see people at very low times in their lives, which is hard. Damien knows how to support his volunteers and help them to see how valuable they are in these moments.
VMPL

New Delhi [India], December 9: Angie Homes, a treasure trove for those who appreciate fine tastes and luxury, has launched a premium curation of bespoke products for the upcoming wedding season.

Also Read | Fashion Forward: Styling Wide-Leg Pants with Modern Tops.

Whether organising a formal dinner, an intimate soiree, or a teahouse gathering at your place before/after your wedding, Angie Homes new range offers modern and affordable opulence that will make your spaces exude fresh and distinctive finishes. From soft furnishings, hard finishes, bedding, exquisite tableware, unique accessories, finest silverware, lighting, and high-end furniture, the new range is meticulously designed to cater its customers with a fusion of art, tradition, and grace.

Gift the newly married with a regal and charming silverware tea set that fuses classic and contemporary style, offering a new look to your tableware set. You can also gift a beautiful silverware tray set that can be either used as a centre table piece or while serving your guests.

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With a background in interior architecture, AnjalekaKripalani, the Promoter and Interior Architect, aka Angie,paved a path for herself by breaking the stereotypical barriers in interior design 24 years ago. Established as an influential figure in the industry, she launched Renaissance Homez, which brought international luxury brands like Baker, Bernhard & Lexington under one roof. To her credit are noted clients like Goenka's, Jindal's, Raheja's, as well as noted hospitality names like Taj, JW Marriott, Lalit, Select Hotels to name a few.

In the words of Anjaleka Kripalani, "With our commitment to enrich your taste while capturing the essence of ancient marvels, our collection has been curated with affection and warmth that is ideal for premium luxury gifting while serving richness in every bite."

For the first time ever, Angie Homes brings to you Angie's bridal registry section - where Interior designer Anjaleka (Angie) Kripalani personally curates and designs for your special occasion - your wedding and engagement.

Available At - https://angiehomes.co/

(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)

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HT Syndication

New Delhi [India], December 9: UNOX, a leading Italian brand and manufacturer of commercial ovens, providing innovative solutions for every sector in the food industry, reaffirmed its commitment to culinary excellence in India with a spectacular Chefs' Table event held in Delhi. This exclusive gathering brought together eight renowned chefs: Chef Tarun Sibal, Chef Vanshika Bhatia, Chef Sambhavi Joshi, Chef Dhruv Oberoi, Chef Gaurav Wadhwa, Chef Osama Jalali, Chef Utkarsh Bhalla, and Chef Nikhil Rastogi, National Corporate Chef at UNOX India.

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Hosted in a vibrant setting, the event highlighted UNOX's dedication to culinary innovation and excellence. It showcased the versatility and precision of UNOX combi ovens, allowing each chef to demonstrate their skills and creativity. Guests were treated to an extraordinary culinary experience, featuring a carefully curated menu that highlighted the unique capabilities of UNOX's state-of-the-art ovens.

In the enchanting ambiance of the event, these distinguished culinary virtuosos showcased not only their gastronomic brilliance but also their mastery of various cooking techniques such as steaming, roasting, and baking, all made possible by the exceptional adaptability of UNOX's ovens.

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Nicola Michelon, CEO of UNOX S.p.A., added, "At UNOX, we believe innovation drives culinary evolution. This Chefs' Table event allows us to connect with culinary leaders and reinforce our mission to elevate the food service industry."

Matt Roberts, Director of Sales, MEA & India, highlighted the importance of the UNOX Chefs' Table event, stating, "The UNOX Chefs' Table events highlight our commitment to empowering chefs through innovative technology. These events serve as a platform where chefs can come together, push the limits of their craft, and inspire new ideas, showcasing how UNOX ovens enable culinary creativity and precision."

Vikram Goel, Managing Director of UNOX India, expressed his excitement about the event, saying, "The UNOX Chefs' Table is more than an event--it's an immersive experience where culinary talent meets advanced technology. We are thrilled to have some of the finest chefs showcase their passion and skill, using solutions from UNOX to redefine the boundaries of modern cooking. It's a proud moment for us to bring this vision to life."

The Chefs' Table event not only celebrated the brilliance of the participating chefs but also reinforced UNOX's commitment to excellence in the food service industry. By showcasing innovative cooking solutions, UNOX continues to empower chefs and businesses, ensuring they have the necessary tools to thrive in a competitive culinary landscape. This event stands as a testament to UNOX's dedication to enhancing the culinary arts and supporting the chefs who inspire us all.

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by HT Syndication. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)

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Three sacred items held in Berlin collections are going back to Colombia. The return offers a look at the collaboration behind restitution.At the end of October, Berlin's Prussian Cultural Institute (SPK) announced that three items used in sacred rituals are on the path to being restituted to the indigenous Kogi people of Colombia's Sierra Nevada de Santa Maria mountains. The items to be returned include a staff, a basket and another woven item. All are used in sacred rituals still performed today by the Kogi.

Also Read | India News | Congress Should Mourn Its Two-year Tenure in Himachal Pradesh: BJP.

The three items are currently at Colombia's anthropology and history institute, ICANH, on a loan basis. Research is being undertaken by Kogi representatives and in December, the formal restitution contract is set to be written up.

Also Read | World News | Om Prakash Meena Appointed as Next Ambassador of India to Burkina Faso: MEA.

Back in 2023, the SPK returned two Kogi ritual masks at the request of representatives of the Indigenous organization Gonavindua Tayrona and ICANH. The masks dated back to the 15th century and had been in the museum's possession for more than 100 years, ever since ethnologist Konrad Theodor Preuss, the curator of the forerunner of Berlin's Ethnological Museum, had bought them. Preuss had lived with the Kogi people for three months and acquired the wooden items from the son of a deceased Kogi priest in 1915.

After the masks' return over a year ago, Kogi activists requested the three additional ritual items also be returned due to their importance in spiritual ceremonies. Exactly how Preuss acquired these particular items remains unclear; he collected a small collection of Kogi objects during his time with them, of which 80 have been preserved until today.

Around 20,000 Kogi people live in the jungle of Colombia's Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains, and have kept their culture alive for the last 500 years. The Kogi, who refer to themselves as Kagaba, are the largest intact tribe in Colombia and live a lifestyle highly in tune with nature.

Cooperation is key

Professor Lars-Christian Koch, director of Berlin's Ethnological Museum and the Museum of Asian Art, traveled to Colombia in October and met with Kogi leaders who had come down from the Sierra Nevada to see the items firsthand.

"It was just me and another ethnologist and two Kogi representatives sitting there and discussing the details of the items  it was a very open situation," Koch told DW. "This is the first step: to just look at the items and see what to do next."

During the meeting, the function of one of the woven, basket-like pieces came into question. It was originally thought to be a headpiece, but may actually have been used as a basket  a point Kogi activists are now researching before the official legal restitution process takes place in December.

For Koch, collaborating with Indigenous communities such as the Kogi, as well as other stakeholders, such as governments and institutions, is the first and most important step to any potential restitution situation. Without close cooperation, mistakes can easily be made, he says. "We need the perspectives of both sides. In this case, Koch explained, the museum hadn't understood how important the items were in the Kogi's spiritual rituals, which are still actively practiced today."

Colombia wants items back

Colombia has been very active lately when it comes to requesting the return of cultural items from museums and private collections around the world. The country has brought back hundreds of items in 2024 alone.

In September, Colombia repatriated 115 archaeological artifacts from private collectors in the United States. The artifacts include pre-Columbian Indigenous masks, clay figurines, and ceramic vases. Daniel Garcia-Pena, Colombia's ambassador to the US, called the return a "clear example of international cooperation" and called for other collectors to return items to Colombia to preserve the country's cultural heritage.

"The majority of the objects will stay in the collections of museums nationwide," said Elizabeth Taylor Jay, vice minister for multilateral affairs in the Colombian Foreign Ministry. "We have a protocol in place to transport these objects, to ensure their conservation and safety, as well as their preservation once in the country, she told Colombian paper "El Tiempo."

Germany's restitution history

While the restitution of art looted by the Nazis has been a prominent topic in the past decades, Germany has also been restituting a number of other items, including those taken from former European colonies.

In 2022, several German museums, including the Humboldt Forum, joined forces to return over 1,130 items to Nigeria. The valuable items  sculptures and reliefs made of bronze and brass, as well as works made of ivory, coral and wood  were stolen from the former Kingdom of Benin by the British in a brutal punitive expedition in 1897.

Unlike high-profile restituted items like the looted Benin Bronzes, the Kogi's ritual items are said to have been legally acquired, although Koch points out that Pruess probably knew acquiring the items was ethically problematic due to their sacred status and the fact they were used in ritual ceremonies. The conditions around the supposed purchase also remain unknown.

"The Kalguakala [masks] are of total importance to us as they are sacred," Arregoces Conchacala Zalabata, a representative of the Kogi, told the Guardian in 2023. "They are not a historical artifact; they are alive. With the masks, we perform ceremonies to connect and work with the spirit of the sun, the waters, the mountains and the world's many species."

Setting the tone

Could the return of the supposedly purchased items send a message to other museums around Europe? The British Museum, for example, has long refrained from returning the "Parthenon Marbles" to Athens in part by arguing they were acquired legally in the 19th century.

Koch explains that restitution decisions are made on a case-by-case basis and always in cooperation with all partners in a given situation. "It's not something we are deciding only from here [Germany]," he points out. In the case of the Kogi items, the fact that they are still actively used in spiritual rituals means their return is more or less certain, he said.

Collaboration is key when it comes to figuring out how to untangle an item's often complicated past, Koch says. "For example, we have documents our partners don't have and they have histories we don't have. Understanding through collaboration means they're extending their perspective and we are also extending ours."

Edited by: Cristina Burack

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 09, 2024 07:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
New Delhi [India], December 9 (ANI): The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) will hold a crucial meeting of its Political Affairs Committee (PAC) on Monday, chaired by party convenor Arvind Kejriwal.

According to AAP, the agenda of the meeting will center around finalizing the party's list of candidates, with a particular focus on selecting individuals who can effectively represent AAP in various constituencies across Delhi.

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The meeting today at 11:30 am will focus on finalizing candidate names and likely release the second list of AAP candidates.

In view of the Delhi Assembly elections, AAP women's wing is organising small-scale meetings in all 70 constituencies of Delhi to directly interact with women and communicate the welfare schemes which the AAP-led Delhi government has provided for women, a press release stated.

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According to the release, AAP has formed 5,000 women's groups, with each group comprising eight members. Each group is tasked with connecting with ten women.

These groups hold three to four meetings daily to ensure the success of the campaign.

During these meetings, women are informed about the initiatives by AAP Convenor and former Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal's government and the benefits women have received from these programs.

They are also told about the lack of facilities for women in states governed by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

As the party continues to strengthen its position ahead of the elections, the second list of candidates is likely to include key names and potential new faces, as AAP seeks to maintain its dominance in Delhi's political landscape.

This PAC meeting comes at a time when AAP's election machinery is working to establish its strategy for retaining power in Delhi, with Arvind Kejriwal at the forefront of the decision-making process.

Earlier on Sunday, AAP announced the members of the Screening Committees for the upcoming local body elections in Punjab.

According to the list released by AAP, Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal has been made Minister in charge of screening Committee Amritsar, Lal Chand Kataruchakk has been made Minister in charge of screening Committee Balachaur, Harjot Singh Bains has been made Minister charge of screening Committee Bagha Purana, Laljit Singh Bhullar has been made Minister Incharge of screening Committee Baba Bakala, Barinder Kumar Goyal has been made Minister Incharge of screening Committee Patiala, Harbhajan Singh ETO has been made Minister Incharge of screening Committee Jalandhar among other.

Elections to five municipal corporations 44 municipal councils and nagar panchayats in Punjab will be held on December 21. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Belagavi (Karnataka), Dec 9 (PTI) The Karnataka Minister for Food and Civil Supplies K H Muniyappa on Monday said in legislative council that at least 20 per cent of the families with Below Poverty Line (BPL) ration cards should be in the Above Poverty Line (APL) category.

He blamed the previous governments for the high number of Below Poverty Line ration cards in the state and appealed to all the political parties to rise above their party line and rectify this mistake.

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I accept that there are many APL families in the BPL category. They are at least 20 per cent. I tried to remove them, which led to the confusion, he added replying to a question raised by the JD(S) MLC K A Thippeswamy in the Legislative council. Thippeswamy had asked the government about the recent confusion over the deletion of many BPL families from the list.

The MLC, however, pointed out that there are 1.43 crore families with BPL ration cards in the state, which means that almost 80 per cent of people have this ration card.

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"Why has this happened? Have you investigated it?" Thippeswamy asked. In reply, Muniyappa said, Successive governments are responsible for the increase in the BPL ration cards. I tried to bring many in the BPL to the APL. This effort created confusion. He said he would scrutinise the list.

Without causing trouble to a single BPL family, I will get a detailed inquiry conducted to bring the BPL families into the APL category, the Minister told the House. He clarified that the government will not cancel the APL card holders.

According to him, there are 25 lakh APL card holders, of which only one lakh avail food grains at a subsidised rates. Explaining the reason behind his apprehension that there are less BPL families, Muniyappa said Karnataka is the second economically strong state after Maharashtra.

Here the BPL families should be less in number but none of the southern states have above 50 per cent BPL families. However, Karnataka has 65 per cent to 70 per cent BPL families which is not right and you all are aware of it. We need to resolve it rising above the party level. Then only it can be rectified, the Minister said.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Amritsar (Punjab) [India], December 9 (ANI): BSF Punjab on Monday successfully neutralized an intruding drone and recovered a heroin packet on the Amritsar border.

The BSF continues to foil the cross-border smuggling attempts by Pakistan-based smugglers trying to exploit the foggy season along the Punjab border by sending drones.

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A BSF intelligence-based search operation culminated at about 07:10 am with the recovery of one packet of suspected heroin (Gross weight- 580 grams) from a farming field adjacent to the village Ballaharwal of district Amritsar. The narcotics packet was wrapped in yellow colour adhesive tape with a nylon loop attached to it.

One DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone was recovered at about 08:50 am by the BSF troops, while acting on an intelligence tip, from a farming field adjacent to village- Daoke of district Amritsar. The drone is presumed to have been knocked down due to the timely activation of technical countermeasures deployed on the border.

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Reliable information and diligent efforts of BSF troops effectively thwarted a few more attempts of smuggling of narcotics consignment from across the border.

Earlier on Friday, In a joint operation, the Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police recovered heroin packets from border areas in Tarn Taran and Gurdaspur districts.

Acting on reliable intelligence from the BSF, the first recovery took place around 12:30 PM near Dal village in Tarn Taran. "An intelligence-based joint search of BSF with Punjab Police culminated at about 12:30 PM with the recovery of one packet of suspected heroin (gross weight: 562 grams) from a farming field adjacent to village Dal in district Tarn Taran," the BSF stated earlier.

On December 8, the BSF, in coordination with Punjab Police seized two Heroin packets, weiging apprx 1 kg near Tarn Taran and Gurdaspur borders. At about 12:30 pm, a heroin packet wrapped in yellow tape with a copper wire loop attached, was recovered from a field on Tarn Taran border. Whereas, in the evening, one more heroin packet, similarly wrapped and having a nylon loop and illuminating sticks attached, was recovered on Gurdaspur border. These successful operations reflect the high level of coordination among the forces in curbing cross-border smuggling., the BSF 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)
New Delhi [India], December 9 (ANI): Congress leader Manickam Tagore on Monday gave an adjournment motion notice in Lok Sabha and expressed concern over the clean chits given to Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar and Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu in high-profile cases.

"I hereby give notice of my intention to ask for leave to move a motion for the adjournment of the business of the house for the purpose of discussing a definite matter of urgent importance," Manickam Tagore stated.

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"Hon'ble Speaker Sir, I rise to express concern over the clean chits given to Maharashtra Deputy CM Ajit Pawar and Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu in high-profile cases. The IT Benami Property case involving Rs. 1000 crore and the Rs. 371 crore Skill Development scam raise doubts about the fairness of our investigative agencies.," he stated.

Tagore further alleged the Modi Government cleared Ajit Pawar's name, while the ED gave a clean chit to Chandrababu Naidu.

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"We demand to know the criteria used and whether due process was followed, as the lack of proof cited only deepens questions regarding the integrity of the investigations," he added.

Manickam Tagore said that ED and CBI's "credibility is at stake," and requested the Government to provide a detailed explanation for these decisions.

"This House expresses concern over the clean chits given to Ajit Pawar and Chandrababu Naidu and demands a detailed explanation from the Government," he said.

Earlier, the Income Tax (I-T) Department cleared properties valued at over Rs 1,000 crore that were seized in 2021 from Ajit Pawar and his family. The I-T department had previously conducted raids on several properties linked to Ajit Pawar and his family on October 7, 2021.

In October this year, the Enforcement Directorate gave CM Chandrababu Naidu a clean chit in connection with an alleged Rs 371 crore skill development corporation scam. (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 9 (ANI): The Delhi High Court on Monday stayed the Bar Council of India's (BCI) decision to remove Advocate Sanjeev Nasiar from his position as Vice Chairman of the Bar Council of Delhi.

The BCI had ordered his removal on Saturday following allegations regarding the authenticity of his LL.B. (Hons.) degree.

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The court also directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) not to take any action against Nasiar at this stage, noting that the issue primarily concerns his degree, which is also held by many other students. The BCI has currently focused its investigation solely on the petitioner, without extending it to other individuals.

Advocate Sanjeev Nasia, the Chief of the AAP Legal Cell, on Monday, moved Delhi HC challenging the decision by the Bar Council of India (BCI) to immediately remove him from his position as the Vice Chairman of the Bar Council of Delhi.

Also Read | Manipur: Mobile Internet and Data Service Ban in 9 Districts Lifted After Over 3 Weeks.

The BCI has also instructed the Bar Council of Delhi's Secretary to seek a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the veracity of Nasia's academic credentials and the potential fabrication of related records.

Appearing for Nasiar, Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa argued before the Delhi High Court that the Bar Council of India's (BCI) decision to remove Nasiar from his position as Vice Chairman of the Bar Council of Delhi violated principles of natural justice, as no opportunity to be heard was provided. Pahwa emphasized that the BCI should have first investigated the role of the university involved before targeting the petitioner.

Pahwa further argued that the BCI did not have the authority to direct a CBI investigation, asserting that such a direction, if considered as information, would still violate the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act. He also pointed out that the removal of a Vice Chairman of the Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) is governed by specific rules under Rule 36, which outlines the procedure for removal. According to Pahwa, the BCI had no jurisdiction to interfere with the elected body of the BCD, and any attempt to remove a person from the BCI requires a no-confidence motion to be passed.

In response, the Bar Council of India (BCI) counsel strongly opposed the petitioner's claims, asserting that the Delhi High Court's order did not absolve Sanjeev Nasiar of any wrongdoing. The counsel emphasized that the Court had merely left the matter open for further action based on any wrongdoing uncovered, particularly by the sub-committee investigating the case.

BCI's counsel argued that Nasiar's academic records appeared to be tampered with, pointing out that the LL.B. (Hons.) degree in question was introduced in 2008, while the degree itself was from 1988, raising serious concerns that warranted further investigation. The counsel contended that in light of these irregularities, it was necessary to conduct a thorough enquiry, and during this period, Nasiar should not be allowed to hold the position of Vice Chairman to preserve the dignity of the post.

The Bar Council of India, in its meeting held on December 7, 2024, resolved to take immediate and decisive action in the matter concerning allegations of irregularities in the LL.B. (Hons.) Degree issued to Sanjeev Nasiar, Vice-Chairman, Bar Council of Delhi by Devi Ahilyabai Vishvavidyalaya, Indore.

This decision follows an inquiry conducted by a sub-committee constituted as per the resolution dated September 3, 2024, and in response to directions of the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi.

BCI issued a press statement stating that "The inquiry has revealed significant and glaring discrepancies in the records relating to Sanjeev Nasiar's Degree. The inspection of P.M.B. Gujarati Arts and Law College, Indore, disclosed that the college was not authorized to conduct an LL.B. (Hons.) Course during the relevant period."

The academic records provided to the sub-committee appeared tampered with or fabricated with uniform handwriting and ink consistency spanning an extended period. Additionally, it was established that the LL.B. (Hons) program was introduced under The Bar Council of India regulations only in 2008, rendering the degree in question, purportedly issued in 1988, inconsistent with regulatory requirements.

The non-cooperation and obstructive behaviour of university officials during the inquiry further cast serious doubts on the authenticity of the degree. The Sub-Committee constituted by the Bar Council of India, has after a thorough enquiry, concluded that the authenticity of the LL.B (Hons.) degree of Sanjeev Nasiar is highly questionable, the statement added.

Under its statutory authority under the Advocates Act, 1961, and the Bar Council of India Rules, the General Council of the Bar Council of India has resolved as follows.

"The report dated October 25, 2024, of the Sub-Committee regarding the enquiry of the LL.B (Hons.) degree of Sanjeev Nasiar is hereby adopted. The Secretary, of the Bar Council of India is directed to approach the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with the request to hold an immediate investigation into the authenticity of the LL.B. (Hons.) Degree of Sanjeev Nasiar and potential fabrication of related records and take appropriate action. Pending the outcome of the investigation, Sanjeev Nasiar is removed from the position of Vice Chairman, of the Bar Council of Delhi," to the BCI statement read. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Dec 9 (PTI) The government is keen on holding wider consultations on bills it proposes to bring for implementing its 'one nation, one election' plan, sources said on Monday.

Though the proposed legislation or set of legislations has not yet been approved by the Union Cabinet, the government may bring it as early as the ongoing Winter session of Parliament, they noted.

Also Read | One Nation, One Election Bill Likely To Be Table by Centre in Parliament This Winter Session.

The sources said once the bill or bills are introduced in Parliament, the government would like to refer the measures to a joint committee of the two Houses for wider consultations.

The government is also keen to consult all the Speakers of various state legislative assemblies through committees.

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In September, sources had said that the government is likely to bring three bills, including two to amend the Constitution, to put in place its plan to hold simultaneous elections.

Moving ahead with its one nation, one election' plan, the government in September accepted the recommendations of the high-level committee for holding simultaneous polls for the Lok Sabha, state assemblies and local bodies in a phased manner.

Citing recommendations of the high-level committee, sources had said one of the proposed bills would seek to amend Article 82A by adding sub-clause (1) relating to the appointed date'. It will also seek to insert sub-clause (2) to Article 82A relating to the end of terms of the Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies together.

It also proposes to amend Article 83(2) and insert new sub-clauses (3) and (4) relating to the duration and dissolution of the Lok Sabha. It also has provisions related to the dissolution of the legislative assemblies and amending Article 327 to insert the term simultaneous elections.

This bill will not require ratification by at least 50 per cent of the states, the recommendation said.

The proposed second Constitutional amendment bill will require ratification by at least 50 per cent of the state assemblies as it will deal with matters relating to state affairs.

It will seek to amend constitutional provisions relating to the preparation of electoral rolls by the Election Commission (EC) in consultation with State Election Commissions (SECs) for elections to local bodies.

Constitutionally, the EC and SECs are separate bodies. The EC holds elections to the post of the President, the Vice President, Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, state assemblies and state legislative councils while the SECs are mandated to conduct polls to local bodies such as municipalities and panchayats.

The proposed second Constitution amendment bill will also create provisions to hold simultaneous elections to municipalities and panchayats, along with elections to Lok Sabha and state legislative assemblies by inserting a new Article 324A.

The third bill will be an ordinary one to amend provisions in three laws dealing with Union territories having legislative assemblies  Puducherry, Delhi and Jammu and Kashmir  to align the terms of these Houses with other legislative assemblies and the Lok Sabha as proposed in the first constitutional amendment bill.

The statutes it proposes to amend are the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi Act-1991, the Government of Union Territories Act-1963 and the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act-2019.

The proposed bill will be an ordinary legislation not requiring a change in the Constitution and will also not need ratification by the states.

The high-level committee had proposed amendments to three Articles, insertion of 12 new sub-clauses in the existing articles and tweaking three laws related to Union Territories having legislative assemblies. The total number of amendments and new insertions stands at 18.

In its report submitted to the government in March, just before the general election was announced, the panel recommended implementing one nation, one election in two phases.

There was no clarity yet on the number of bills the government plans to bring for holding simultaneous polls in the country.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Junagadh, Dec 9 (PTI) Seven persons, including four college students, headed to a village to appear for an exam, were killed when two cars collided in Gujarat's Junagadh district on Monday, police said.

The incident occurred on the Junagadh-Veraval Highway around 8 AM when a car jumped the road divider at high speed and crashed into another car coming from the opposite direction near Bhanduri village, said Deputy Superintendent of Police, Dinesh Kodiyatar.

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"Due to an unknown reason, the car veered off the road and hit the road divider at high speed. The vehicle then crashed into another car coming from the opposite direction. All the seven passengers in both the cars died on the spot due to the collision," Kodiyatar said.

The car coming from Keshod and heading towards Gadu village which jumped the road divider was carrying five persons, including four college students, while another car had two passengers.

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The five passengers travelling in the car headed towards Gadu village were identified as driver Vaju Rathod (60) and four students - Vikram Kuvadia, Dharam Dhardev, Akshat Dave and Om Mugra.

The passengers travelling in another car were identified as Raju Khutan (40) and Vinu Vala (35).

(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 9 (PTI) AAP leader Dilip Pandey on Monday rejected the speculation that he was upset with the party over his exclusion from its list of candidates for the upcoming Delhi Assembly polls and said he was not going anywhere.

In a letter shared on X, the AAP's chief whip in the assembly said he decided to speak up as assumptions could be made based on his silence.

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The AAP released its second list of 20 candidates for the Delhi polls on Monday, dropping 18 sitting MLAs, including Pandey. This came days after the Timarpur MLA hinted on Friday that he might be denied a ticket for the polls due to be held in February next year.

The party has fielded Surendra Pal Singh Bittu, who recently quit the BJP, from Timarpur.

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"Yesterday I saw that suddenly a campaign has started in which directly or indirectly an attempt is being made to give the message that I am full of dissatisfaction and anger towards the party or my leader Arvind ji.

"On reading this, I laughed at first and felt like ignoring it. But many assumptions can be made about my silence, so I have to write this...," Pandey said in his letter in Hindi.

"I am not going anywhere," he said, adding that he started as a common AAP worker and went to jail for the party before entering the assembly.

Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia reposted Pandey's letter on X.

"The relationship between Arvind Kejriwal and his team is beyond the position, money and prestige of traditional politics. Those whose politics is limited to these can never understand this," the former deputy chief minister said.

In the 2015 and 2020 elections, the AAP won 67 and 62 seats in the 70-member Delhi Assembly respectively.

(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 9 (PTI) Opposition INDIA bloc leaders on Monday demanded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should visit Manipur, as they held a sit-in at Delhi's Jantar Mantar over the situation in the north-eastern state that has been reeling from ethnic violence between the Meitei and Kuki communities since May 2023.

Leaders from Congress, CPI(M), CPI, CPI(ML) Liberation and AIFB were among those who participated in the protest "for an immediate restoration of peace and normalcy" in Manipur.

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In a post on X, Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said Prime Minister Narendra Modi should urgently visit Manipur and Home Minister Amit Shah should resign on "moral grounds" over the situation in the state.

The opposition parties also demanded Chief Minister N Biren Singh's sacking as they attacked the BJP-led governments at the Centre and in the state.

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Former chief minister of Manipur O Ibobi Singh, Deputy Leader of Congress in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi, former Union minister Shashi Tharoor, Communist Party of India (Marxist) leader Prakash Karat, Communist Party of India General Secretary D Raja, All India Forward Bloc General Secretary G Devarajan, and several other leaders from Congress and Left parties joined the protest.

"People of this nation know what has been happening in Manipur for the last 19 months, but sometimes we feel the people of the entire country thought... they may or may not have thought so but this is how we feel, that what will happen, Manipur is a small state, let these two communities kill each other, whoever conquers will rule the state... sometimes we feel that," Singh said.

"What is happening in Manipur, if it had happened in any other state of the country, if it happened in Gujarat, or if it had happened here in Delhi, or UP... We are extremely sorry, they thought that Manipur is not a part of India... ," he said.

Singh said Manipur was a princely state, which became a part of India in 1949. "Then rulers decided to merge with the Union of India, because of that we are now suffering... Sometimes our young generation feels we should demand to restore the pre-merger status of Manipur. But the INDIA bloc and Congress never thought that," he said.

"We believe in Gandhian theory, in peace without violence, we will fight till complete normalcy is restored in Manipur. We are also citizens of this country and we have every right to fight," he said.

"If this kind of people rule the country, India will be like Manipur," he said.

Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi said that the whole INDIA bloc is speaking in one voice over the Manipur issue, but the BJP has "shown its back" to the people of the state.

He also said that the opposition is not being allowed to raise the issue in Parliament. "There should be a debate on Manipur in Parliament. Is it a crime to ask questions on Manipur?" he said.

CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat mocked the BJP's much-touted "double-engine" governments - a term it uses to describe the advantage of having the party in power at the Centre and in the state. "One engine is totally out of control, and the Centre is only using security force and AFSPA, and they think they can control the situation," he said.

"We are against AFSPA being reimposed in the state," he said, adding that the Centre should hold talks with stakeholders and resolve the issues.

CPI General Secretary D Raja said the Union government is not doing anything to restore peace in the state. "BJP claims that they keep the nation first... Is Manipur not a part of the nation?" he said.

"The prime minister should take some time out and visit Manipur," he said.

CPI(ML) Liberation MP Raja Ram Singh accused the ruling BJP of dividing the nation on lines of religion and community and questioned the silence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the issue.

"Prime Minister of India should be held responsible for the ongoing turmoil in Manipur and continuous violence for 19 months in the state. Union Home Minister of India should immediately resign on moral grounds for his failure to tackle the present violence in Manipur for the last 19 months.

"Chief Minister of Manipur should be immediately sacked for allowing Manipur to keep burning for the last 19 months," Ramesh said, citing the demands of the INDIA bloc, Manipur.

More than 220 people have been killed and thousands rendered homeless in ethnic violence between Imphal Valley-based Meiteis and adjoining hills-based Kuki-Zo groups since May last year.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Ranchi, December 9: The special session of the sixth Jharkhand Legislative Assembly began on Monday, marking the start of the newly formed government in the state. Finance Minister Radha Krishna Kishore stated that the Vidhan Sabha session will last for four days. "The Jharkhand Vidhan Sabha session will run from December 9 to 12. The first two days will involve the swearing-in ceremony for the newly elected MLAs. The oath can be administered in 20 languages. The second important agenda is the election of the Speaker of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly," Kishore said.

He further added, "There will also be a debate on the Governor's address and a discussion on the second supplementary budget. Over the last five years, the state has seen development that was not seen in the previous 19 years. If the opposition makes any false accusations, we will condemn it." Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) and State BJP President Babulal Marandi arrived at the assembly, emphasising the opposition's role in safeguarding democracy. "The opposition will continue to work to protect democracy," Marandi said. Jharkhand's Ruling INDIA Bloc Discusses Strategies for Assembly Session from Monday.

When asked about sitting in the opposition benches in the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly, BJP MLA Champai Soren responded, "It (joining BJP) is not new. This has happened before." Chief Minister (CM) Hemant Soren, who took the oath of office on November 28 for a second consecutive term, arrived at the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly with his wife, Kalpana Soren, as the Assembly's special session began today following the government formation. Ravindra Mahato to Be Speaker of Jharkhand Legislative Assembly: Jharkhand Minister Irfan Ansari.

Jairam Kumar Mahato, President of the Jharkhand Loktantrik Krantikari Morcha (JKLM) and newly elected MLA, expressed his commitment to upholding the people's faith in the democratic process. "The faith of lakhs of people remains intact inside the assembly complex. This is the temple of democracy... I will enter the Assembly for the first time and carry the hopes of the people," Mahato said. As the special session of the Jharkhand Assembly commenced today, State Minister for Agriculture, Animal Husbandry & Co-operation Shilpi Neha Tirkey said, "Since the day I took the oath (as a minister), I have realised this is a big responsibility."

BJP MLA Purnima Das arrived at the Jharkhand Assembly at the start of the special session and remarked, "It is a very important day for me. I will raise my voice in this assembly for justice and the benefit of the people of my constituency." Jharkhand Health Minister Irfan Ansari confirmed on Sunday that Ravindra Mahato from the Jamtara constituency would be the Speaker of the Jharkhand Legislative Assembly.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Imphal, Dec 9 (PTI) The Manipur Police on Monday detained at least three women for attempting to stage a demonstration outside the Raj Bhawan here over the disappearance of a 56-year-old man from an army camp at Leimakhong in Kangpokpi district.

Those who were detained include the wife of the man identified as Laishram Kamalbabu, an official said.

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They attempted to stage a protest in front of the Raj Bhawan, but were prevented by women police personnel deployed at the high-security zone, he said.

The women were taken to City police station and released later, the official said.

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Meanwhile, Thokchom Sujata, the convenor of Imagi Meira (a women's organisation), who accompanied the protesters, said, We wanted to meet the governor... It has been 15 days now that Kamalbabu has been missing. Authorities keep saying search is underway, but so far there has been no concrete results."

Sujata was also detained by the police on Monday evening, but the exact reason behind the action is not clear, the official said.

Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh had last week said he received a key piece of evidence which showed that Kamalbabu disappeared from an army camp at Leimakhong in Kangpokpi district.

The evidence was submitted to him by representatives of the Joint Action Committee formed in response to the disappearance of Kamalbabu on November 25, sparking protests in the northeastern state.

Met the representatives of the Joint Action Committee (JAC) Against the missing of Shri Laishram Kamalbabu and his family members, who are actively pursuing his whereabouts. Shri Kamalbabu was last seen at the 57 Mountain Division Headquarters, Leimakhong, the CM had said in a post on X.

(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 9 (PTI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to reply to the two-day debate on the Constitution in the Lok Sabha on Saturday, parliament sources said.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to initiate the debate on the Constitution, among the key demands of the opposition alliance for the Winter Session of Parliament.

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Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to initiate the debate in the Rajya Sabha on Monday and Modi will reply to it on Tuesday.

According to the agreement with the Opposition, the BJP-led NDA government had agreed to a debate on the Constitution on December 13-14 in the Lok Sabha and on December 16-17 in the Rajya Sabha.

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(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Purulia (West Bengal) [India], December 9 (ANI): Hindus in Purulia held a protest rally against the attack on minorities in Bangladesh. Udayananda Das Brahmachari from ISKCON who was also present in the protest rally said that it was everyone's right in the country to follow their religion.

Speaking to ANI, Brahmachari said "We have come here from ISKCON Mayapur. Bajrang Dal, RSS and many other organisations have come together in this rally. In India, Muslims and Christians are a minority. Today, Muslims and Christians celebrate Eid and Christmas.. there is no problem.. In Bangladesh, it is everyone's right to follow their religion. There, our Hindu brothers and sisters are being tortured. They are not allowed to come to school. Is this brotherhood? Is this the teaching of the Quran?... You follow your religion and let us follow our religion... We want them to let our brothers and sisters in Bangladesh follow their religion.."

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Meanwhile, in Tripura the All Tripura Hotel and Restaurant Owners' Association (ATHROA) has decided to deny hotel and restaurant services' to Bangladeshi citizens. In a statement, Bhaskar Chakraborty, Office Secretary, All Tripura Hotel and Restaurant Owners' Association said, "On 2nd December we took a decision in the presence of all our members that starting 2nd December, no hotel will be available for Bangladeshi citizens."The decision comes as a strong response to the growing unrest in neighbouring Bangladesh.

These protests come in the wake of reports of multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. There also have been cases of arson and looting of minorities' homes and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples. The arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in Chittagong on October 25 on sedition charges led to heavy protests.

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Another Hindu temple was allegedly set on fire in the outskirts of Dhaka. The Mahabhagya Lakshminarayan Mandir, at Dhor village, in the north of Dhaka, came under attack on late Friday night.

India had on November 26 noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote.

India had urged Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression. (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 9 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking direction to immediately clear the blockage of National as well as state highways in Punjab, and to ensure smooth passage for the general public.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Manmohan said the similar matter is already pending before the court and it cannot entertain repetitive petitions on the same issue.

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The bench said some initiatives have been taken in the case pending before it.

"Why are you filing repetitive petitions? We are already examining the larger issue. We have taken some initiatives already and despite that, you come here. Don't file repetitive petitions. Some are filing for publicity interest and some are filing to play to the gallery. We cannot entertain repetitive petitions on the same issue," the bench said.

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Gaurav Luthra, who claimed to be a social activist in Punjab, has approached the apex court seeking direction to immediately clear the blockage of National as well as State Highways in Punjab, which he said are "encroached and blocked illegally by alleged farmers and farmer unions" at various locations.

The PIL sought direction from the states of Punjab, Haryana and the Union of India to remove restrictions on farmers' protests and also to ensure that all National Highways and railway tracks are not blocked by the agitating farmers.

It further sought directions that the states and the Union should ensure smooth passage for the general public.

In September, the apex court constituted a committee headed by retired Punjab and Haryana High Court Judge Justice Nawab Singh to look into the demands and grievances of farmers agitating at the Shambhu border. (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 9 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Monday said that it will hear the West Bengal government plea challenging the Calcutta High Court decision cancelling all OBC classification of 77 communities in January 2025.

A bench of justices BR Gavai and KV Vishwanathan listed the matter in January.

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During the hearing, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for the Bengal government urged the top court to pass interim direction but the top court was convinced to issue any such direction.

Senior Advocate Sibal said that lives are at stake as many appointments are on hold. He took the court through the details of the case.

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During the hearing top court orally remarked that reservation cannot be done on the basis of religion. To this, Sibal replied that it is based on backwardness. Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, for the opposite party, countered the Bengal govt submission and raised the question of giving benefits to those who convert to Islam.

In the last hearing, the top court asked the Bengal govt to file an affidavit explaining the process to determine 77 communities as OBCs.

The top court was hearing the Bengal government's plea challenging Calcutta High Court order. Calcutta HC on May 22 cancelled all OBC certificates issued in West Bengal after 2010 had directed the West Bengal Backward Classes Commission to prepare a new list of OBCs by the 1993 Act.

Those who were on the OBC list before 2010 will remain. However, after 2010, OBC nominations have been cancelled. About 5 lakh OBC certificates are set to be cancelled. After 2010, those who have jobs under the OBC quota or are in the process of getting them cannot be excluded from the quota. There will be no impact on their job and they cannot be excluded from the quota. (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 9 (ANI): Two SpiceJet flights-one heading to Shillong and the other to Kochi-were diverted on Monday due to technical issues.

A SpiceJet Q400 aircraft bound for Kochi returned to its origin airport of Chennai due to a technical issue while another flight operating from Delhi to Shillong was diverted to Patna after a crack on its windshield was observed, the airlines said.

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The SpiceJet flight 2950 Delhi to Shillong made an emergency landing at Patna airport after a bird hit and technical glitch as per a SpiceJet spokesperson.

The spokesperson said there were multiple layers of windshield and only one layer of a particular window had a crack and the diversion was purely a precautionary measure.

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The aircraft made a normal landing and not an emergency landing. Passengers were deplaned normally. Pressurization was normal throughout the flight, added the spokesperson.

Meanwhile a SpiceJet spokesperson said, "On December 9, 2024, SpiceJet Q400 aircraft operating from Chennai to Kochi returned to Chennai due to a technical issue. The aircraft landed safely and the passengers were deplaned normally." (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Belagavi (Karnataka) [India], December 9 (ANI): As the two-week long Winter Session of the Karnataka legislature commenced on Monday, BJP leader CT Ravi said that his party will raise Waqf issue in the House, adding that "thousands of acres of land are being seized wrongly."

"There are many issues like Waqf issue. We will discuss this because thousands of acres of land are being seized wrongly. Issues like corruption, health care will also be raised in the session...We will give priority to the issues of North Karnataka and raise the issues of the public," CT Ravi told ANI.

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The BJP has conducted several protests in the state alleging that farmers land being usurped as Waqf properties. Due to the farmers' protest the state government had to withdraw notices to farmers and directing the bureaucracy not to issue any fresh notice to remove encroachment of Waqf properties in the State.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao urged the Opposition to cooperate with the government in conducting the House smoothly.

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"There are many issues, various bills that will come up for discussion. The issues of people should be discussed. The MLAs should not protest or interrupt the proceedings of the house...The opposition should cooperate," Gundu Rao told ANI.

The session will take up five bills, three private bills, and replacement bills for the two ordinances being tabled in the assembly.

Besides the Waqf issue, the Opposition is expected to raise the alleged irregularities in the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) in allotting 14 sites to Chief Minister Siddaramaiah's wife.

However, the ruling Congress is more confident in the light of its sweep of all three Assembly constituencies -- Channapatna, Sandur and Shiggaon in the recent by-elections.

On Sunday, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the Congress victory sends a strong message to BJP, whose efforts to tarnish his image through false cases and propaganda had failed.

"This win proves that the people stand with us. As long as I have their blessings, no conspiracy can shake me," Siddaramaiah said.

Taking a jab at BJP's history in Karnataka, he said, "BJP has never come to power on its own in Karnataka. They have always relied on Operation Kamala, buying MLAs and manipulating the system. Where did this money come from? They need to answer that."

On corruption allegations, including the Waqf issue, Siddaramaiah accused Modi of making baseless claims. Referring to Modi's speech in Maharashtra, where he alleged corruption worth Rs 700 crore, Siddaramaiah said, "I challenged Modi to prove this or face my retirement from politics. As expected, he did not respond." (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, Dec 9 (PTI) Patanjali Foods Ltd on Monday said Central Ground Water Authority has imposed a penalty of Rs 1 lakh on it for violation of some rule.

In a regulatory filing, the company informed that the Central Ground Water Authority, New Delhi has imposed the penalty for "Violation of non-fulfilment of previous NOC (no objection certificate) recharge criteria under Central Ground Water Regulations".

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"There is no material impact on financial or operational activities, except to the extent of penalty amount of Rs 1 lakh only imposed," it said.

Baba Ramdev-led Patanjali Group firm Patanjali Foods Ltd is one of the leading edible oil firms in the country.

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(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Shimla, Dec 9 (PTI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday said he will launch six new schemes to mark two years of his government on December 11.

Sukhu, who reviewed the preparedness of arrangements to mark the completion of two years in office being organised at Luhnu ground in Bilaspur on December 11, directed the district administration to make adequate arrangements for the rally.

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In a statement issued here, he said that the schemes to be launched include e-taxi under Rajiv Gandhi Start-up Swarojgar Yojna and Indira Gandhi Sukh Shiksha Yojna to offer financial assistance to the children of widows to pursue their higher education.

He said the other schemes are Himachal Pradesh Shiva Project, Him Bhog Atta, Cow Dung Purchase Scheme and transferring of money to those farmers whose naturally grown maize has been procured by the state government.

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Five Ayush Mobile Vans would also be flagged off on the occasion. The beneficiaries of Old Pension Scheme and Mukhya Mantri Sukh Ashray Yojna would also be delivered cheques and freedom fighters would also be honoured during the celebration.

Over 30,000 people are expected to participate in this rally to be organised on the theme of 'Vyavastha Parivartan Se Atamnirbhar Himachal', he said and added that in charge of Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee and General Secretary of AICC Rajiv Sukhla would be the Chief Guest during the celebration.

The chief minister directed the Bilaspur district administration to make adequate arrangements of vehicles and ensure a smooth flow of traffic, the statement added.

He also directed to make appropriate arrangements for potable water, toilet and food items for the people attending the rally, it added.

Meanwhile, presiding over a meeting of the Social Justice and Empowerment Department here, the CM informed that 40,000 new beneficiaries had been included in the social security pension fixed for the current financial year as per the budget announcement.

Sukhu reviewed the various schemes of the department and directed to develop an online platform to apply for the various welfare schemes adding that the present state government has prioritized the social security sector and 30 percent of the additional resources generated would be spent in this sector, another statement released here 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 9 (PTI) Torrent Power on Monday said its Rs 3,500 crore qualified institutional placement (QIP) issue was oversubscribed four times.

The issue received bids of about Rs 14,000 crore against the base issue size of Rs 3,500 crore, a company statement said.

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The issue garnered significant response from investors, including domestic mutual funds, global investors and insurance companies, demonstrating their strong confidence in the company's fundamentals and India's power sector, it said.

The entire issue was placed with investors such as SBI MF, Capital Group, SBI Pension, Kotak MF, Nippon MF, Norges Bank and Amundi. This marks the maiden equity raise by the company and first equity raise in last three decades by Torrent Group.

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The QIP is one of the largest fund raise conducted by a private utility player in India during the current financial year. The issue had opened on December 2 and concluded on December 5.

"The strong response to the QIP is a testament to the market's conviction in the Torrent's growth strategy, execution capabilities, operational excellence and best-in-class capital allocation. This capital raise will strengthen our balance sheet and accelerate our growth plans, Samir Mehta, Chairman of Torrent Group, said in the statement.

Kotak Mahindra Capital Company Ltd, Jefferies India Private Ltd and JM Financial were the lead managers for the QIP.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Jerusalem [Israel], December 9 (ANI/TPS): The IDF (Israel Defence Forces) reported that on Sunday, an Israel Air Force aircraft, directed by the fire centre of the IDF's 98th Paratroopers Division, attacked terrorists from the Hezbollah terrorist organisation who were operating in a weapons warehouse in southern Lebanon and who posed a threat in the area, violating the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon.

These terrorists planned and carried out terrorist plots against IDF forces and the citizens of the State of Israel in recent months, said the IDF.

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Also, the IDF attacked on Sunday a number of terrorists from the terrorist organization Hezbollah in the area of southern Lebanon to remove a threat to Israeli security. (ANI/TPS)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
The Supreme Court on Monday sought the CBI's response on former media executive Indrani Mukerjea's plea challenging a Bombay High Court ruling denying her to travel abroad as she is accused of killing her daughter Sheena Bora. The travel restriction matter came up to the Supreme Court after a special court on July 19 allowed Mukerjea's plea to visit Spain and the United Kingdom for 10 days over the next three months. The CBI approached the high court challenging the order passed by the special court. The high court quashed the special court's order on September 27. Sheena Bora Murder Case: Bones and Mortal Remains of Indrani Mukerjea's Daughter Are 'Missing', CBI Admits in Mumbai Court.

Mukerjea moved the apex court challenging this high court order. A bench of justices M M Sundresh and Aravind Kumar issued a notice to the agency and sought its response on the appeal filed by Mukerjea against the high court order. In her plea filed through advocate Sana Raees Khan, Mukerjea said she was a British citizen as she sought permission to visit Spain and her home country for "making necessary changes and amendments and taking care of pending work which cannot be transacted without her personal presence". She argued the activation of a digital certificate was a must for all relevant work and administration in Spain and her physical presence was mandatory.

In its verdict, the high court noted Mukerjea wanted to travel abroad on the ground that she was a British national and was required to execute documents regarding her bank account and perform other work in Spain and the UK. While setting aside the special court's order, the high court said if Mukerjea wished to perform these works from India, the statutory authorities back home would extend her the necessary support with the assistance of Embassy of Spain and the UK.

Mukerjea was arrested in August 2015 after the murder of Bora came to light. She was granted bail by the Supreme Court in May 2022. She has denied the allegations. Bora (24) was allegedly strangled to death in a car by Mukerjea, her then-driver Shyamvar Rai and former husband Sanjeev Khanna in April 2012 in Mumbai. Her body was then burnt in a forest in the neighbouring Raigad district, according to the prosecution. Bora was Mukerjea's daughter from her previous relationship. The Indrani Mukerjea Story: CBI Moves Mumbai Court To Stop Netflix Broadcast of Indrani Mukerjeas Documentary Series.

The killing came to light in 2015 when Rai reportedly revealed about it during interrogation by police after his arrest in a separate case registered under the Arms Act. Mukerjea's ex-husband Peter Mukerjea was also arrested for allegedly being a part of the conspiracy linked to the murder, probed by the CBI. All the accused are currently out on bail.
Christmas is almost here, and people have begun decorating, shopping, and preparing delicious delicacies. This also means that people will shop for Christmas favourites when it comes to foods from popular chains and supermarkets. As people get busy shopping and preparing, Tesco, the popular and well-known supermarket chain, has issued a recall for a popular Christmas dinner item over concerns that it could make people sick. Customers are being warned not to eat the product, as it may pose a health risk and should not have been sold in the first place. The issue arose because the packaging displayed an incorrect use-by date, extending the shelf life by 10 days. This mistake could lead to shoppers believing that the product is safe to eat for nearly two and a half weeks longer than it actually is. Metal Wire in Chicken Nuggets: Perdue Foods Recalls 167,000 Pounds of Frozen Chicken Nuggets After Consumers Find Metal Wire in Some Packages.

A use by date is more important than a best before date because it indicates food safety rather than just quality. By what exactly is the product that is being recalled? The product being recalled and raising concerns is the 300gm packet of red cabbage and apple. The issue lies in the packaging error where the batch with a use by date of December 29 was mistakenly labelled as best before December 29, when it should have actually been marked as December 11. This mistake could have led shoppers to believe that they could keep the cabbage for Christmas Day, which is not safe. US Pizza Recall Alert: Frozen Meat Pizzas Distributed to Grocery Stores Including Walmart Recalled Due to Soy Allergy Risk.

Tesco Recalls Popular Christmas Dinner Item

7 December: @Tesco recalls Tesco Red Cabbage & Apple 300G because of the incorrect Use By date of 29 DEC #FoodAlert https://t.co/igolHK2rzg pic.twitter.com/XktLBpDQlc  Food Standards Agency (@foodgov) December 7, 2024

Tesco told customers that if purchased, the item could be returned to any Tesco store for a full refund. Tesco warned that extending the use-by date could pose a health risk if the product is kept beyond its correct shelf life. If customers have bought the affected product, they can return it to the store, and no receipt is required. The issue only affects the 300gm packet, and no other product is affected by the issue.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 09, 2024 10:41 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Two women were among three killed when a speeding truck allegedly rammed into a bus in the Vasant Kunj area of southwest Delhi, police said on Monday. Another person was injured in the accident.
Two prominent Delhi schools, Delhi Public School in RK Puram and GD Goenka Public School in Paschim Vihar, received bomb threats via email on Monday morning, December 9. The Delhi Fire Department was alerted about the threats around 7 am. In response to the threat, both schools evacuated students and sent them home for safety. Authorities, including the police, have been informed and are currently investigating the matter. Delhi School Bomb Threat: Private School in Rohini Receives Bomb Threat Email Day After Low-Intensity Blast in Prashant Vihar.

Delhi Schools Bomb Threat

Two schools in Delhi received bomb threats via e-mail - one in RK Puram and another one in Paschim Vihar. School administrations have sent children back to their homes. Fire and police informed: Delhi Police  ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2024

2 Schools in RK Puram and Paschim Vihar Receive Bomb Threats

#WATCH | Delhi | Visuals from outside of GD Goenka Public school, Paschim Vihar - one of the two schools that received bomb threats, via e-mail, today morning pic.twitter.com/XoIBJoVsVt  ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2024

(SocialLY brings you all the latest breaking news, viral trends and information from social media world, including Twitter (X), Instagram and Youtube. The above post is embeded directly from the user's social media account and LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body. The views and facts appearing in the social media post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY, also LatestLY does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.)
Khartoum, December 9: At least 28 people were killed and 37 others injured in a bombardment targeting a fuel station south of the Sudanese capital Khartoum, according to a volunteer group and local media. "The ammonia fuel station, in the new Market 6 in Mayo neighborhood, north of Bashair Hospital, was bombed, resulting in significant human and material losses," South Khartoum Emergency Room, a local volunteer group, said in a statement on Sunday. Sudan: 8 Killed, 95 Injured in Attack by Paramilitary RSF in El Fasher.

The injuries included 29 burn cases, three of which were first-degree burns, and eight cases of shrapnel wounds, Xinhua news agency reported. The group said medical efforts were going on to deal with the incident, calling for additional medical assistance for the injured. The Sudanese news portal Al-Rakoba confirmed on Sunday that 28 people were killed and 37 others injured in the bombardment of the ammonia fuel station. Dam Collapse in Sudan: 60 People Die After Arbaat Dam Collapses in Eastern Red Sea State Due to Heavy Rainfall, Local Media Report.

So far, no party has yet claimed responsibility for the attack. Sudan has been gripped by a devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces 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 organisations.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 09, 2024 08:19 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Mumbai, December 9: Bashar al-Assad, the ousted President of Syria, reportedly fled the country on December 8, 2024, following the collapse of his government amidst ongoing rebel advances. This marks a significant turning point in Syria's brutal civil war, which has lasted for over 12 years. With his regime crumbling, the once powerful Assad family now faces an uncertain future. As power shifts in the country, attention has turned to Asma al-Assad, his wife, who played a prominent role in his regime.

Asma al-Assad, once celebrated for her beauty and image as a progressive figure, has been a controversial figure throughout the Syrian Civil War. Married to Bashar in 2000, she initially sought to present herself as a symbol of modernity and reform. However, her association with the regime and her central role in Syria's economic and political landscape led to her being targeted by international sanctions. Lets know more about Asma al-Assad, wife of ousted President Bashar al-Assad. Bashar al-Assad, His Family Granted Asylum in Russia After Syrian Rebels Capture Damascus: Reports.

Who Is Asma al-Assad?

Asma al-Assad, born in London in 1975, is the wife of Syria's former president, Bashar al-Assad. She comes from a Syrian family of Sunni Muslim origin, hailing from the city of Homs. Asma studied at Queens College and later graduated from Kings College London with degrees in Computer Science and French Literature. Before her marriage, she worked as an investment banker at JP Morgan. Known for her beauty, intelligence, and Western upbringing, Asma was once viewed as a modern and progressive figure, often referred to as "the Rose in the Desert" by media outlets like Vogue. Bashar al-Assad, Ousted Syrian President Arrived in Moscow With His Family and Given Asylum, Say Russian State News Agencies.

Asma met Bashar al-Assad in the late 1990s while he was still a young ophthalmologist in London. They were introduced through mutual friends, and their relationship developed quickly. In December 2000, Asma married Bashar, shortly after he succeeded his father, Hafez al-Assad, as president of Syria. Asma moved to Syria and became the First Lady, where she took on various roles to support her husband's regime, although her image began to shift as the Syrian Civil War unfolded in 2011.

Asma remained a steadfast supporter of her husband during the conflict, even as international sanctions were imposed on her for her close ties to the regime. In 2018, she was diagnosed with breast cancer, which further affected her public persona. Despite this, she continued her duties as First Lady, becoming an increasingly powerful figure in Syria's economic and political spheres.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 09, 2024 03:10 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
En espanol

An Iron Maiden concert in Sao Paulo, Brazil, ended on a bittersweet note as drummer Nicko McBrain bid farewell to the band after 42 years. In a heartfelt announcement on social media, McBrain revealed his decision to retire from touring to spend more time with family and friends.

Joining the band in 1982, McBrain played a crucial role in Iron Maiden's rise as one of the most iconic rock bands in history.

"After much consideration, I am both sad and happy to announce my decision to step away from the intense lifestyle of extended tours. Today, Saturday, December 7, Sao Paulo will be my final show with Iron Maiden. I wish the band the best of success in the future," McBrain wrote.

An Announcement from Iron Maiden pic.twitter.com/MzFfb8DC4A  Iron Maiden (@IronMaiden) December 7, 2024

Though not part of the original lineup created by Steve Harris in 1975, he became a fan favorite thanks to his mastery of the drum kit.

Despite his departure, McBrain expressed his intention to remain connected to Iron Maiden in a different capacity. He also plans to focus on personal projects, including business ventures.

"I will remain part of the Iron Maiden family and collaborate on various projects that my longtime representatives, Rod Smallwood and Andy Taylor, have planned for me. Additionally, I will work on personal projects and dedicate myself to my existing businesses," McBrain stated.

Homenagem do publico ao baterista Nicko McBrain, que faz neste momento seu ultimo show com o Iron Maiden. pic.twitter.com/3H6k9Um26q  Jose Norberto Flesch (@jnflesch) December 8, 2024

In his farewell letter, he fondly reflected on his time touring with the band. The ongoing 'The Future Past World Tour,' which began in May 2023, marked the end of his road with Maiden.

"Touring with Maiden for the last 42 years has been an incredible journey! To my loyal fans, you made it all worthwhileI love you," he said, expressing gratitude to his family, children, and bandmates.

This was Nicko McBrain's farewell at yesterday's concert with Iron Maiden. pic.twitter.com/PhRIR5PDHC   Rock History  (@historyrock_) December 8, 2024

The health issues behind McBrain's departure

McBrain's retirement is partly due to health challenges stemming from a stroke he suffered in 2023.

The stroke affected the right side of his body, limiting his ability to play the drums. After extensive physical therapy and unwavering determination, McBrain returned to drumming but admitted he never fully regained his former skills.

"It's not the Nicko of old, not even close. But at least a part of me is still here," he shared after his first performance on 'The Future Past World Tour.'

In an appearance on 'The Washington Tattoo' podcast, McBrain expressed frustration about no longer being able to play one of the band's iconic tracks, 'The Trooper.' "I don't play 'The Trooper' anymore because I just can't... It's the speed. I can do it slowly, but I've had to focus on maintaining the groove of the song," he said in early 2024.

Nonetheless, during his final show in Sao Paulo, McBrain played 'The Trooper' one last time, delivering a slightly slower yet equally heartfelt rendition.

Este hombre sin lugar a dudas hace vibrar la bateria!

Te contagia con esa pasion por lo que toca!



Una verdadera leyenda de la bateria del heavy metal... Nicko McBrain.



Esta gira fue especial y por suerte muchos lo pudimos disfrutar a el con MAIDEN.



"The Trooper" /////////NICKO pic.twitter.com/hZNvdTuGnP   . (@GoticSoledad) December 7, 2024

Throughout his health struggles, the band supported him, even adjusting setlists to accommodate his abilities.

McBrain's successor

Within 24 hours of McBrain's announcement, Iron Maiden confirmed that Steve Dawson would take over as drummer.

Read more: V from BTS Suffering From A Rare Disease that is Complicating His Military Service

Dawson, a member of Steve Harris's side project British Lion for the past 12 years, is a seasoned session drummer with extensive touring experience.

An Announcement from Iron Maiden



As The Future Past Tour concludes after 81 shows to over 1.4 million fans, from Ljubljana to the Coachella Valley and from Western Australia to Sao Paulo, Iron Maiden are delighted to announce that stepping in behind the kit for 2025 is a name pic.twitter.com/p3R0YZNpNn  Iron Maiden (@IronMaiden) December 8, 2024

He will debut with Iron Maiden on the 'Run For Your Lives Tour,' set to kick off on May 27, 2025, in Budapest, Hungary.
The Laois Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Laois SPCA) have asked the public to avoid buying pets as presents this Christmas season.

Laois SPCA Chairperson Finn Ryan has called for people to adopt, not shop.

If there is a big market for puppies at Christmas, you're encouraging people who may not be excellent breeders to break into this market, said Ms Ryan.

The Laois charity have closed off adoptions from December 14 to January 6 to help prevent their animals being gifted as presents this winter, and have driven the theme of adopt, dont shop across their social media platforms.

You cant surprise someone with the gift of an animal, you need to set your life up to settle that animal in, it's particularly not a good time with the lack of a schedule over the Christmas period, Ms Ryan said.

You'd want to think when is a good time, you would need to take time off to settle a dog into your home. It's a stressful transition, animals are going to their forever homes.

The Portlaoise-based charity currently has 94 cats and kittens in their care, along with 9 dogs and 11 puppies.

Ms Ryan has said that people generally forget the amount of time and work that goes into taking care of pets.

You have the crazy puppy stage where they are getting into everything, and you are up half the night toilet training them, she said.

Its always better to adopt an adult dog, generally they are already toilet trained.

The charity chair has also pointed out that over the Christmas period, you have people calling unannounced, which can be stressful for animals too.

"Generally Christmas is not a great time to introduce an animal into your life, it's a better time to move an animal into your life in a quieter period, she said.

The whole idea of gifting puppies at Christmas just encourages breeders to breed bitches to that date, which can lead puppies being removed from their mammies too early to be in time for Christmas, Ms Ryan said.

A lot of people buy their dogs off breeders that seem lovely and genuine, but you are still supporting a market where dogs are being bred, where people may use it as a cash incentive.

Even though you are attending an ethical breeder, you have to acknowledge your part in contributing to the market, there are criminals who see this market and the money attracts them into it, Ms Ryan said.

When breeders see a waiting list for their dogs, it's very easy to slide into unethical territory. You're just feeding the market then, when you see your neighbours Cockapoo puppy and want one yourself. By spending a lot of money on a dog you're just encouraging it, she said.

No matter who you are buying from, by paying for a dog, you are contributing to a market where these bitches are ethically bred dogs, but when a breeder has a waiting list, this dog will end up having 10 litters.

There is organised crime in dog breeding. When you get caught coming into the country with a van full of drugs, you're in trouble. With a van full of puppies, you only get a slap on the wrist, she said.

People are prepared to pay thousands for these dogs, dogs that are being bred with health problems to appear a certain way, Ms Ryan slammed.

Ms Ryan saw many puppies bought throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, and has seen many surrendered to the care of Laois SPCA when lifestyles returned to normal.

These dogs were surrendered and still continue to be surrendered, she said.

A puppy won't last five hours without going out to the loo. A dog loves company, so it isn't fair to leave a dog on its own for that length of time, Ms Ryan explained.

The Laois SPCA member also addressed that pet owners should consider what they will do with their animals when they must travel somewhere.

Buying a dog from a breeder is just creating more suffering down the road, Ms Ryan finished.

Laois SPCA have recently launched an appeal for office wardrobes with shelves, to keep their animal feed supplies rodent-proof.
A Laois Civil Defence Officer has been awarded the Volunteer Manager Award at the 2024 Volunteer Ireland Awards night.

Borris-in-Ossory man Damien Dollard scooped the prize on December 8 at the 17th annual Volunteer Ireland Awards in the Carlton hotel, Blanchardstown.

Mr Dollard has been described as a mentor, a friend and a support for many volunteers.

Having began as a volunteer himself before progressing to a leadership role, Mr Dollard has been described by his fellow volunteers as 'knowing exactly how to be there for volunteers, on the good days and the bad days'.

"The award category was for paid voluntary managers, it's a position I took up about two years ago," Mr Dollard explained.

"I had been volunteering with Laois Civil Defence for 14 years prior to this job, and I love it," he said.

"Though I am now in a paid position, I still see myself as a volunteer."

Now living in Portlaoise, Mr Dollard provides support to the 53 volunteers, and organises training sessions within the Laois Civil Defence.

"The event itself was excellent, it was full of volunteers from all walks of life, it was a great way to mark the voluntary work done locally, we have a great team in Laois," Mr Dollard said.

Mr Dollard first began volunteering sixteen years ago, having been encouraged to by his wife at the time.

"There is great work done by volunteers, Volunteer Ireland do a lot of work to support volunteering across the country," Mr Dollard praised.

Mr Dollard was nominated for the award by his fellow volunteers, and had no idea at the time.

Laois Volunteer Centre Manager Caitriona Ryan congratulated Mr Dollard on his award.

Volunteering doesnt happen on its own  it needs support and guidance," Ms Ryan said.

"Damien is the perfect example of a Volunteer Manager who really understands volunteering and is there to provide a friendly ear and helping hand when needed.

"Volunteering simply couldnt happen without people like Damien and its great to see that recognised at national level. Id like to congratulate Damien along with all of the winners and nominees," she finished.

Minister of State for Public Health, Wellbeing and the National Drugs Strategy, Colm Burke T.D. applauded the awards ceremony for their recognition of selfless volunteers.

These annual awards are a wonderful way to acknowledge the selfless commitment and dedication of so many volunteers whose efforts have a transformative impact on communities all over Ireland," he said.

"The work they do brings people together, strengthening our social fabric and enhancing social connections for people across all walks of life. Im delighted on behalf of Healthy Ireland to congratulate this years winners, and to commend them for devoting their time, skills and talents to enrich the lives of others," Minister Burke finished.

Mr Dollard has said that the group are always eager to welcome new volunteers. Those who wish to join can do so here, or can contact the team at civildefence@laoiscoco.ie.

Laois Civil Defence will be overseeing the annual St Stephen's Day walk for Laois Hospice in Clonaslee, along with the Christmas fair at Abbeyleix House and Farm.

Volunteer Ireland is the national organisation that promotes, supports and advocates for volunteering in Ireland. This was the organisation's 17th annual Voluntary Awards night.

The 2024 Volunteer Ireland Awards are made possible thanks to support from the Department of Rural and Community Development and award partner Healthy Ireland.
With Christmas swiftly approaching, Santa may deliver a drone but not the knowledge to fly it safely, the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) has warned.

The IAA has launched the Drone Safely This Christmas campaign, supported by Drone Innovation Partnership and Dublin City Council, issuing advice ahead of the busiest shopping days in the lead up to Christmas.

If youre thinking of getting a drone this Christmas, you need to make sure you register as an Operator on the IAA website and that you know the rules before you fly.

Drone use is on the rise and the number of drones and operators registered in Ireland has risen exponentially over past number of years. Safety is paramount, and so since 2021, the IAA has registered over 8,000 drone operators and trained over 21,500 drone pilots.

This year has seen a 24% increase in the number of pilots trained.

Consumers who own a drone that is over 250gr or has a camera, are legally required to register as a drone operator. If you are a drone operator, drone safety is your responsibility. You need to ensure you are always in control of the drone and that you remain compliant with the law.

Jim Gavin, Chief Operations Officer of the Irish Aviation Authority commenting on drone safety said: Drone use has increased significantly in recent years. Piloting a drone is fun but it comes with responsibility to fly it safely while respecting peoples privacy.

Remember a drone is not a toy and can have very serious consequences if it collides with a person, an animal or another aircraft. So, if you do get a drone this Christmas, remember its your responsibility to know the rules and fly it safely.

Veronica Mariti Sesoko, Drone Innovation Partnership (DIP) Engagement Lead added: As drones top Christmas wish lists, its crucial to remember they are not toys. Fly responsibly by checking current regulations and following safe practices.

The Drone Innovation Partnership (DIP), a collaboration between the Irish Aviation Authority, Dublin City Council, and Maynooth University, is working to ensure drones enhance public services and support emergency responses while keeping our skies safe through active stakeholder engagement, including citizens.

Enda Walsh, UAS Manager/Drones Manager from the IAA added: Thankfully the vast majority of drone users are compliant with the regulations. However, we are concerned, with the rapid growth of drone usage, that not all new pilots may be aware of their responsibilities which can lead to unsafe flying.

If you see anyone not complying with the regulations, we encourage people to contact the IAA. Reckless use of a drone or inappropriate use of a drone camera may result in prosecution.

For more information on IAA Drone Safety Regulations and registration process, visit www.iaa.ie/drones.
Irish actress Nicola Coughlan has revealed she and her Derry Girls co-stars have long overdue plans for a reunion dinner.

The Bridgerton star, 37, who joins the cast of this years Doctor Who Christmas special, played Clare in the comedy set during the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

Speaking about a possible reunion with her co-stars, she told Radio Times: Louisa Harland and I talk all the time  she was at my house the other day. But otherwise everyones been so busy!

I actually have a bottle of champagne that we were given on the wrap of series one, and I keep saying Im going to have them all around for dinner, and were going to toast Siobhan McSweeneys Bafta win. Its so long overdue.

McSweeney, 44, won the female performance in a comedy Bafta TV award in 2023 for her role playing Sister Michael in the hit series following the lives of a group of teenage friends.

The show, also starring Saoirse-Monica Jackson, Jamie-Lee ODonnell and Dylan Llewellyn, ran for three series, finishing in 2022.

Coughlan also discussed the festive episode of Doctor Who, which follows her character Joy as she opens a secret doorway to the Time Hotel where she discovers danger, dinosaurs and the Doctor, according to a description from the BBC.

She said: I didnt grow up with Doctor Who. In my house in Ireland, we only had the two Irish channels, no BBC, so it wasnt in my day-to-day.

When they asked me, I was super-keen. But when I tried to do the research, I thought: Oh my God  this is a full universe.

I was kind of overwhelmed. But then I thought the thing to do would be just try to do my best acting and hopefully make the Who fans happy.

In the special, Coughlan stars opposite Sex Education actor Ncuti Gatwa, who first appeared in his role as the Time Lord during the last instalment of the 60th anniversary episodes in 2023.

Read the full interview in the Radio Times Christmas issue.
The revival of Notre-Dame witnesses the value of cultural exchange and mutual learning: Global Times editorial





BEIJING, Dec. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The restored Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral reopened on Sunday, following a grand ceremony held the day before. In his speech at the ceremony, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed gratitude on behalf of the French people to "all those who saved, helped and rebuilt the cathedral." On the cathedral's exterior walls, the words "thank you" were displayed in multiple languages. After the fire caused the collapse of the spire and the roof, the restoration of Notre-Dame was considered an "impossible task" due to its immense difficulty. The cathedral's rebirth from the flames is the result of collective strength and effort.

"Architecture is the great book of humanity," wrote the French literary giant Victor Hugo in his masterpiece Notre Dame de Paris, also known as The Hunchback of Notre Dame, highlighting the profound value of architecture in human civilization. Standing on Ile de la Cite in Paris, a small island in the Seine River, Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral has witnessed the history of France, symbolizing the spirit of French humanism and serving as a precious heritage of human civilization. After the abrupt fire of 2019, many countries extended their support for the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris, with China being the first country to reach an intergovernmental agreement with France for the cathedral's restoration, allowing Chinese experts to participate in the restoration project. In February of this year, specialists from the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum in China's Shaanxi Province went to Paris to assist with the conservation and restoration of Notre-Dame. China and France have jointly initiated scientific research on the preservation of wooden relics and earthen sites from both Notre-Dame and the Mausoleum of Emperor Qinshihuang. This marks the first international study of charred wood samples from Notre-Dame, with the Chinese team being the first non-French professionals to ascend the cathedral's spire.

When placing Mausoleum of Qinshihuang and Notre-Dame cathedral side by side, people often focus on the "differences" and "diversity" between them. However, when viewed from the perspective of civilization, their commonalities begin to emerge: Both are symbols of ancient civilizations, both have suffered from fires, and both face complex preservation challenges, among other similarities.

It is precisely this connection through civilization that allows the people of China and France to feel a sense of shared empathy across borders for Notre-Dame's disaster. As the modern Chinese Confucian master, Gu Hongming, said in his book The Spirit of the Chinese People: "Only the French seem to understand the Chinese people and Chinese civilization best, as they have to a preeminent degree a quality of mind which, above all things, is necessary to understand the real Chinese people and the Chinese civilization."

In fact, the cooperation between China and France regarding the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is just one aspect of the broader collaboration in architectural heritage preservation and cultural exchange between the two countries. French architecture represents Western architectural art, and the traditional architectures of China and France differ not only in materials but also in styles. However, scholars from both countries have discovered through mutual learning that the similarities in their architectural arts are beyond people's imagination. For example, the "forest" of Notre-Dame is actually very similar to the Xieshan roof style architectural structure in China. This illustrates the significance of exchange and mutual learning, where both sides promote and enhance understanding through interaction, allowing the civilizations of both parties to radiate new vitality, thereby enriching the diversity of human civilization.

This is especially relevant today. In the over five years since the fire at Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, many events have occurred worldwide, such as the global COVID-19 pandemic, the stalemate in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the resurgence of conflict in the Middle East, among others. It can be said that the world, much like Notre-Dame five years ago, urgently needs "repair" and protection. In fact, when the bells of Notre-Dame ring again, it will have already demonstrated that human society can turn the "impossible" into the possible through unity and cooperation, and this exemplifies the power of mutual learning among civilizations. It indicates that the correct way to "repair" the world lies in the mutual exchange, learning, and cooperation between different civilizations.

The newly restored Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral has made a meaningful arrangement. At the top of the church's spire, a new gilded copper rooster sculpture contains a scroll naming 2,000 individuals who participated in the restoration, honoring their contributions. The rebirth of Notre-Dame is not only the result of France's own efforts but also a product of international collaboration. In today's world, humanity lives in a diverse environment composed of various cultures, races, skin colors, religions, and social systems, forming a community of shared destiny. To break down the barriers and prejudices between civilizations and to avoid conflicts and confrontations, it is essential to promote mutual respect and harmonious coexistence among different civilizations. This will allow cultural exchanges and mutual learning to serve as a bridge for enhancing friendship among peoples, a driving force for the progress of human society, and a bond for maintaining world peace.

Nearly two hundred years ago, Hugo revealed the value of equality through the contrast of beauty and ugliness, good and evil, in Notre Dame de Paris. Today, to understand the essence of various civilizations, it is even more important to uphold an attitude of equality and humility, to discard arrogance and prejudice, and to respect each other's differences with an inclusive and open spirit. Although Notre-Dame has reopened, its complete restoration will still take time. This means that cooperation across civilizations will continue to deepen, and such "repair" is something the world needs more of.

SOURCE Global Times

8 december 2024 at 21:45

News published onand distributed by:
Pan American Silver Provides Annual Exploration Update





Pan American Silver Corp. (NYSE: PAAS) (TSX: PAAS) ("Pan American" or the "Company") provides an annual exploration update and releases new exploration drill results for its Jacobina, El Penon, La Colorada, Huaron, Minera Florida and Timmins mines, as well as its La Colorada Skarn project.

"The success of our exploration program highlights the potential for long-term organic growth at many of our assets," said Christopher Emerson, Vice President of Exploration and Geology at Pan American. "Based on the results we were achieving in exploration this year, we increased our drill budget to over 450,000 metres for 2024. This exploration update highlights these results, and showcases the ongoing discovery of new mineralized structures in and around our existing mining operations."

EXPLORATION HIGHLIGHTS:

All intercepts are reported as estimated true widths in metres ("m"), except for the La Colorada Skarn, which is a massive orebody and intercepts are reported as drilled. Please refer to the Drill Result Highlights Tables beginning on page four of this news release for additional details.

Jacobina - extensional and infill drilling in the Maricota and the Morro do Vento zones demonstrate the potential for future resource expansion. Significant results at grades higher than the average resource grade include: 1.42m @ 116.41 g/t Au and 8.74m @ 5.86 g/t Au (Maricota - MRCEX00056); 12.75m @ 3.71 g/t Au, incl. 8.35m @ 5.26 g/t Au (Maricota - MRCEX00052); 5.75m @ 5.24 g/t Au, incl. 2.11m @ 11.68 g/t Au (Morro do Vento - MVTEX00223).

- extensional and infill drilling in the Maricota and the Morro do Vento zones demonstrate the potential for future resource expansion. Significant results at grades higher than the average resource grade include: 1.42m @ 116.41 g/t Au and 8.74m @ 5.86 g/t Au (Maricota - MRCEX00056); 12.75m @ 3.71 g/t Au, incl. 8.35m @ 5.26 g/t Au (Maricota - MRCEX00052); 5.75m @ 5.24 g/t Au, incl. 2.11m @ 11.68 g/t Au (Morro do Vento - MVTEX00223). El Penon - drilling of the principal structures and areas to the south continues to return high-grade intercepts that are typical for this deposit. Significant results include: 1.05m @ 18.89 g/t Au, 746 g/t Ag (Pampa Campamento - UIP0177); 1.09m @ 9.90 g/t Au, 97 g/t Ag (Pampa Sur - SEP0055); 4.10m @ 3.62 g/t Au and 1,592 g/t Ag (Dominadora - UEH0024); and 1.46m @ 0.44 g/t Au and 2,547 g/t Ag (Chiquilla Chica - UIH0049).

- drilling of the principal structures and areas to the south continues to return high-grade intercepts that are typical for this deposit. Significant results include: 1.05m @ 18.89 g/t Au, 746 g/t Ag (Pampa Campamento - UIP0177); 1.09m @ 9.90 g/t Au, 97 g/t Ag (Pampa Sur - SEP0055); 4.10m @ 3.62 g/t Au and 1,592 g/t Ag (Dominadora - UEH0024); and 1.46m @ 0.44 g/t Au and 2,547 g/t Ag (Chiquilla Chica - UIH0049). La Colorada - 13 new veins have been discovered in the eastern portion of the property, expanding the high-grade zone of the mine. Significant results within the Mariana, NC2 splay and San Geronimo veins show continued high-grade results, notably: S-104-24 with 0.95m @ 9,618 g/t Ag, 4.85% Pb, 4.82% Zn (Mariana vein); S-154-24 with 2.32m @ 2,615 g/t Ag, 2.31% Pb, 5.16% Zn (NC2 vein); and S-168-24 with 3.28m @ 308 g/t Ag, 10.18% Pb, 13.09% Zn (Cristina vein).

- 13 new veins have been discovered in the eastern portion of the property, expanding the high-grade zone of the mine. Significant results within the Mariana, NC2 splay and San Geronimo veins show continued high-grade results, notably: S-104-24 with 0.95m @ 9,618 g/t Ag, 4.85% Pb, 4.82% Zn (Mariana vein); S-154-24 with 2.32m @ 2,615 g/t Ag, 2.31% Pb, 5.16% Zn (NC2 vein); and S-168-24 with 3.28m @ 308 g/t Ag, 10.18% Pb, 13.09% Zn (Cristina vein). La Colorada Skarn project - infill drilling reinforced confidence in the large, indicated mineral resource update as at June 30, 2024. Notable intercepts include: 273.10m at 54 g/t Ag, 0.85% Pb, and 5.18% Zn, incl. 62.55m at 84 g/t Ag, 1.97% Pb, and 7.57% Zn (U-155-24); and 60.25m at 85 g/t Ag, 7.05% Pb, and 10.41% Zn (U-19-24).

- infill drilling reinforced confidence in the large, indicated mineral resource update as at June 30, 2024. Notable intercepts include: 273.10m at 54 g/t Ag, 0.85% Pb, and 5.18% Zn, incl. 62.55m at 84 g/t Ag, 1.97% Pb, and 7.57% Zn (U-155-24); and 60.25m at 85 g/t Ag, 7.05% Pb, and 10.41% Zn (U-19-24). Whitney Project (Timmins) - the increase in estimated gold mineral resources provided in the June 30, 2024 mineral reserve and mineral resource update highlights the potential of the Whitney project, while ongoing drilling of the Bonetal/Hallnor and Broulan reef has continued to yield high-grade results along the mineralized trend, including 360 g/t Au over 2.4 metres (TW24-793).

- the increase in estimated gold mineral resources provided in the June 30, 2024 mineral reserve and mineral resource update highlights the potential of the Whitney project, while ongoing drilling of the Bonetal/Hallnor and Broulan reef has continued to yield high-grade results along the mineralized trend, including 360 g/t Au over 2.4 metres (TW24-793). Huaron - significant results from drilling focused on the Horizonte zone include: DDH-U-111-24 with 2.10m @ 399 g/t Ag, 7.39% Pb and 14.58% Zn (Maria vein); DDH-U-113-24 with 1.50m @ 504 g/t Ag, 12.77% Pb and 19.97% Zn (Maria Vein); DDH-U-049-24 with 2.77m @ 768 g/t Ag, 1.85% Pb and 0.62% Zn (Cuerpo Andres);

- significant results from drilling focused on the Horizonte zone include: DDH-U-111-24 with 2.10m @ 399 g/t Ag, 7.39% Pb and 14.58% Zn (Maria vein); DDH-U-113-24 with 1.50m @ 504 g/t Ag, 12.77% Pb and 19.97% Zn (Maria Vein); DDH-U-049-24 with 2.77m @ 768 g/t Ag, 1.85% Pb and 0.62% Zn (Cuerpo Andres); Minera Florida - exploration and infill drilling have extended mineralization at several key mine structures. Significant results include: 1.98m @ 16.11 g/t Au, 13 g/t Ag and 6.44% Zn and 1.97m @ 9.38 g/t Au, 23 g/t Ag, and 4.96% Zn (Maqui Norte vein - ALH4638); and 2.57m @ 10.32 g/t Au, 12 g/t Ag, and 0.08% Zn (Mila Sur vein - ALH4562).

SUMMARY OF EXPLORATION RESULTS

Jacobina mine, Brazil

The Jacobina mine is an underground paleo placer gold mine located in the state of Bahia in northeastern Brazil. The mine has a strong track record of mineral reserve and mineral resource replacement and growth. The mine complex and resources extend over eight kilometres with exploration targets extending over a 14 kilometre trend of conglomerate reefs hosting gold mineralization, many of which remain open to depth and along strike.

Brownfield exploration drilling totaled 35,583m, primarily targeting the Joao Belo Sul, Morro do Vento, Maricota, Serra do Corrego, and Joao Belo Norte zones. Exploratory drilling focused on evaluating new near-mine targets down-dip and north of Maricota. The recent exploration results continue to highlight the significant potential for expanding mineral reserves and mineral resources at Jacobina.

Infill drilling at Joao Belo Sul confirmed gold mineralization continuity, particularly in higher-grade zones proximal to existing underground infrastructure at Joao Belo Norte mine. Notable intercepts include: 3.26m @ 8.21 g/t Au (JBS00093); 2.07m @ 5.55 g/t Au and 5.70m @ 4.63 g/t Au (JBS00094).

Infill and exploration drilling at Morro do Vento continued to extend high-grade zones in the FW reef. Significant intercepts include: 5.75m @ 5.24 g/t Au, incl. 2.11m @ 11.68 g/t Au (MVTEX00223); and 6.90m @ 3.13 g/t Au, incl. 1.74m @ 9.06 g/t Au (MVTEX00217). Exploration drilling further confirms continuity of mineralization down dip within the FW reef, with 7.03m @ 2.62 g/t Au, incl. 2.56m @ 5.08 g/t Au (MVTEX00220), extending mineralization approximately 250m down-dip of the current indicated mineral resources. Mineralization in this zone remains open to depth.

Exploration and infill drilling results at Maricota confirm the continuity of mineralization within multiple reefs (FW, HW, and Main) where mineralization remains open for expansion down dip and along strike to the north. Significant intercepts include: 12.75m @ 3.71 g/t Au, incl. 8.35m @ 5.26 g/t Au, 4.31m @ 4.49 g/t Au and 2.54m @ 11.56 g/t Au (MRCEX00052); 5.98m @ 5.12 g/t Au, incl. 2.83m @ 9.78 g/t Au and 7.46m @ 2.05 g/t Au, incl. 3.16m @ 3.50 g/t Au (MRCEX00032); and 1.42m @ 116.41 g/t Au and 4.59m @ 5.45 g/t Au, incl. 1.89m @ 10.08 g/t Au (MRCEX00056).

El Penon, Chile

El Penon is a large, high-grade gold-silver epithermal system located in northern Chile.

For the period from May 2024 to October 2024, exploration drilling totaled 56,632 metres. This included 34,965 metres of infill drilling aimed at converting inferred mineral resources to the indicated category around the principal veins, including El Valle, Pampa Campamento, Pampa Sur and Chiquilla Chica. Additionally, 21,667 metres of exploration drilling were conducted to delineate new inferred mineral resource. Highlights from El Valle include: 1.54m @ 8.55 g/t Au, 154 g/t Ag (UIV0079); 1.20m @ 4.70 g/t Au, 257 g/t Ag (UIV0078); and 0.83m @ 16.63 g/t Au, 721 g/t Ag (UIV0080). Mineralization remains open to the north and down dip. Highlights from Pampa Campamento include: 1.05m @ 18.89 g/t Au, 746 g/t Ag (UIP0177); 0.76m @ 16.13 g/t Au, 258 g/t Ag (UIP0189); 1.71m @ 10.65 g/t Au, 186 g/t Ag (UIS0028); and 0.65m @ 15.33 g/t Au, 297 g/t Ag (UIP0175).

Key results for exploration and infill drilling at the Pampa Sur vein include: 1.09m @ 9.90 g/t Au, 97 g/t Ag (SEP0055); 0.98m @ 8.49 g/t Au, 156 g/t Ag (SIP0051); and 0.42m @ 18.80 g/t Au, 1,017 g/t Ag (SIP0064). Structures identified to the east of Pampa Sur have also yielded positive results, notably 1.18m @ 6.50 g/t Au and 493 g/t Ag (SIP0067). Pampa Sur represents an important opportunity to add mineral resources near to existing mine infrastructure.

Chiquilla Chica is a silver-rich satellite deposit located approximately 20 km southwest of El Penon. Recent exploration drilling has confirmed high silver grades, including: 1.46m @ 0.44 g/t Au and 2,547 g/t Ag (UIH0049) and 1.44m @ 1.29 g/t Au and 1,181 g/t Ag (UIH0050). The Dominadora vein, a new discovery northeast of the main Chiquilla Chica structure, returned 4.10m @ 3.62 g/t Au and 1,592 g/t Ag (UEH0024) and 1.20m @ 0.23 g/t Au, and 1,349 g/t Ag (UEH0026) in initial drilling.

La Colorada mine, Mexico

The La Colorada mine is a silver-rich polymetallic operation located in the state of Zacatecas, Mexico.

For the period May 2024 to October 2024, the Company completed 47,883 metres of exploration drilling, successfully extending mineralization to the east.

Drilling on the east extension of the NC2 vein returned silver-rich intercepts from the main structure and parallel Mariana and NC2 splay veins. Notable drill highlights include: S-104-24 with 0.95m @ 9,618 g/t Ag, 4.85% Pb, 4.82% Zn (Mariana vein); 0.53m @ 4,916 g/t Ag, 9.82% Pb, 1.02% Zn (NC2 Splay); S-154-24 with 2.51m @ 1,189 g/t Ag, 0.82% Pb, 1.09% Zn (Mariana vein); and 2.32m @ 2,615 g/t Ag, 2.31% Pb, 5.16% Zn (NC2 vein).

Drilling on a new vein system discovered earlier in 2024, located parallel to the NC2 vein in the southeast area of the mine, confirms high-grade mineralization in the Cristina vein. Notable drill results include: S-168-24 with 3.28m @ 308 g/t Ag, 10.18% Pb, 13.09% Zn and S-119-24 with 1.95m @ 1,470 g/t Ag, 3.15% Pb, 3.23% Zn. These intersects now define a mineralized vein over an area measuring 450m along strike by 550m vertical, and open in all directions.

The San Geronimo vein system is now defined by 19 drillholes covering a mineralized area of 550m along the strike by 450m vertical. Specific highlights include: S-115-24 with 1.08m @ 1,637 g/t Ag, 2.08% Pb, 3.35% Zn; S-161-24 with 5.59m @ 456 g/t Ag, 1.10% Pb, 2.41% Zn; S-168-24 with 2.93m @ 528 g/t Ag, 3.04% Pb, 5.54% Zn; S-172-24 with 4.08m @ 255 g/t Ag, 3.28% Pb, 7.33% Zn; and S-44-24 with 2.25m @ 1,420 g/t Ag, 2.04% Pb, 1.93%.

La Colorada Skarn project, Mexico

The La Colorada Skarn is a large silver-bearing polymetallic deposit located below and adjacent to the producing vein system of the La Colorada mine.

Over 325,000 metres have been drilled at the Skarn project since the deposit was discovered, with 11,000 metres drilled since the mineral resource update as at June 30, 2024. The recent infill drilling, focused on the 901, 902, and 903 Skarn zones, confirmed grades and widths, as defined in the June 30, 2024 mineral resource estimate. Highlight infill intercepts include: 273.10m at 54 g/t Ag, 0.85% Pb, and 5.18% Zn, incl. 62.55m at 84 g/t Ag, 1.97% Pb and 7.57% Zn (U-155-24) and 60.25m at 85 g/t Ag, 7.05% Pb, and 10.41% Zn (U-19-24).

Huaron mine, Peru

The Huaron mine is a polymetallic (Zn-Pb-Ag-Cu) deposit situated in the Cerro de Pasco Department of central Peru.

For the period May 2024 to October 2024, 58 drillholes totaling 14,714 metres were completed.

High-grade mineralization within the Maria vein was extended by 100 metres and remains open at depth. Results include: DDH-U-111-24 with 2.10m @ 399 g/t Ag, 7.39% Pb, and 14.58% Zn and hole DDH-U-113-24 with 1.50m @ 504 g/t Ag, 12.77% Pb, and 19.97% Zn.

Silver and polymetallic-rich mineralization on the east extension of the Cuerpo Andres vein was confirmed with results including: DDH-U-040-24 with 0.56m @ 722 g/t Ag, 6.06% Pb, and 1.90% Zn; DDH-U-075-24 with 0.55 m @ 701 g/t Ag, 13.64% Pb, and 8.83% Zn; and DDH-U-049-24 with 2.77m @ 768 g/t Ag, 1.85% Pb, and 0.62% Zn at depth.

The Martin vein was extended 160 metres along strike, showing good mineralization with DDH-U-041-24 intercepting 2.46m @ 369 g/t Ag, 2.74 % Pb, and 2.01 % Zn; DDH-U-055-24 with 2.24m @ 683 g/t Ag, 10.65 % Pb, and 3.10 % Zn; and DDH-U-086-24 with 1.56m @ 535 g/t Ag, 10.02 % Pb, and 2.31 % Zn at depth.

Minera Florida, Chile

Minera Florida is an epithermal Au-Ag-Zn underground mine located in the coastal region of central Chile, southwest of Santiago.

For the period January 2024 to October 2024, a total of 58,658 metres of drilling was completed.

Exploration and infill drilling have extended mineralization at several key mine structures, particularly at Mila Sur, Maqui Norte, Lorena-Peque-Bandolera, and Sorpresa-Lo Balta.

The Maqui Norte vein is a significant contributor to production, with potential for resource expansion to the north of the current development and reserves. Significant intercepts include: 1.98m @ 16.11g/t Au, 13g/t Ag, and 6.44% Zn and 1.97m @ 9.38g/t Au, 23g/t Ag, and 4.96% Zn (ALH4638); 0.92m @ 20.61 g/t Au, 13 g/t Ag, and 0.09% Zn (ALH4701); and 1.19m @ 13.62 g/t Au, 11 g/t Ag, and 3.81% Zn (ALH4588).

Notable drill highlights at Mila Sur include: 2.57m @ 10.32 g/t Au, 12 g/t Ag, and 0.08% Zn (ALH4562); 1.70m @ 8.29 g/t Au, 110 g/t Ag, and 3.34% Zn (ALH4574); and 1.15m @ 6.52 g/t Au, 286 g/t Ag, and 2.29% Zn (ALH4467).

Key results at Sorpresa ? Lo Balta include: 2.95m @ 8.79 g/t Au, 10 g/t Ag, and 1.48% Zn (ALH4657); and 2.14m @ 5.84 g/t Au, 12 g/t Ag, and 1.35% Zn, 1.20m @ 5.99 g/t Au, 12 g/t Ag, and 2.07% Zn, and 1.19m @ 7.29 g/t Au, 7 g/t Ag, and 1.48% Zn (ALH4426).

Whitney Project (Timmins), Canada

Pan American's Timmins West and Bell Creek mines are located near Timmins, Ontario. The Whitney project is situated 4.5 kilometres south of the Bell Creek processing plant, adjacent to the Pamour open pit operated by Newmont Corporation ("Newmont").

For the period November 2023 to September 2024, drilling totaled 16,941 metres. The drilling confirmed current resources at Hallnor/Bonetal and historic resources at Broulan Reef, located 1.5 km to the west. The Hallnor/Bonetal and Broulan Reef zones are referenced in Pan American's mineral reserves and mineral resources update as at June 30, 2024, under the Whitney project, which is a joint venture (83.27% Pan American / 16.73% Newmont) operated by Pan American. The estimated mineral resources, as provided in the June 30, 2024, mineral resource update, consist of 77,900 ounces of gold in the indicated category and 477,700 ounces of gold in the inferred category.

Significant assays in the Hallnor/Bonetal zones include: 2.7m at 19.89 g/t Au (TW24-758); 7.2m at 31.50 g/t Au (TW24- 771); 11.7m at 3.28 g/t Au incl. 4.5m at 5.98 g/t Au (TW23-750); 13.7m at 2.11 g/t Au incl. 7.3m at 3.27 g/t Au (TW23-751).

Significant assays from the drilling at Broulan Reef include: 2.4m at 360.18 g/t Au, incl. 0.4m at 1,940 g/t Au, 0.3m at 140 g/t Au (TW24-793) and 0.8 at 28.4 g/t Au (TW23-749); 7.6m at 6.26 g/t Au (TW24-786); 0.3m at 378.00 g/t Au (TW24-802); and 4.3m at 4.69 g/t Au (TW24-804).

DRILL RESULT HIGHLIGHTS TABLES

Jacobina, Brazil

The following table provides infill and exploration drill result highlights for the Jacobina mine for the period May 2024 to October 2024. Full infill and exploration drill results not included in this table, together with cross sections and plans, are available at https://panamericansilver.com/operations/gold-segment/jacobina/.

Hole No. Sector Reef Incl. From (m) To (m) Int. (m) Est. True Width (m) Au g/t JBS00093 Joao Belo Sul LMPC 381.45 385.00 3.55 3.26 8.21 JBS00094 Joao Belo Sul MPC 378.17 380.50 2.33 2.07 5.55 SPC 404.20 410.64 6.44 5.70 4.63 JBS00095 Joao Belo Sul LVLPC 342.23 347.50 5.27 4.72 3.10 JBEX00126 Joao Belo Norte LVLPC 400.04 405.06 5.02 3.34 6.88 LVLPC incl. 401.00 403.72 2.72 1.81 12.12 MRCEX00025 Maricota HW 140.66 141.50 0.84 0.70 19.22 MRCEX00026 Maricota FW 561.50 571.50 10.00 4.18 2.41 EMB 677.52 680.00 2.48 1.44 7.74 MRCEX00031 Maricota BAS 647.00 664.78 17.78 10.07 2.08 BAS incl. 651.50 657.05 5.55 3.14 2.58 MRCEX00032 Maricota MR 379.92 387.50 7.58 5.98 5.12 MR incl. 379.92 383.50 3.58 2.83 9.78 FW 403.05 412.50 9.45 7.46 2.05 FW incl. 404.50 408.50 4.00 3.16 3.50 MRCEX00034 Maricota HW 488.00 498.69 10.69 5.16 3.92 HW incl. 488.00 493.50 5.50 2.70 6.80 MRCEX00037 Maricota FW 541.38 550.50 9.12 6.56 2.75 MRCEX00038 Maricota MR 236.00 239.70 3.70 2.46 5.66 MRCEX00041 Maricota HW 173.15 177.50 4.35 3.27 6.87 MRCEX00044 Maricota HW 152.00 154.76 2.76 2.19 13.00 MRCEX00049 Maricota FW 173.50 175.00 1.50 1.07 10.54 MRCEX00052 Maricota FW 299.50 307.00 7.50 4.31 4.49 FW 314.50 319.00 4.50 2.54 11.56 FW 327.88 351.55 23.67 12.75 3.71 FW incl. 328.50 344.00 15.50 8.35 5.26 MRCEX00053 Maricota LU 137.00 141.00 4.00 3.27 3.11 MRCEX00056 Maricota HW 94.00 95.50 1.50 1.42 116.41 HW 106.15 111.00 4.85 4.59 5.45 HW incl. 107.00 109.00 2.00 1.89 10.08 FW 129.00 138.20 9.20 8.74 5.86 FW incl. 130.00 133.50 3.50 3.33 13.35 MRCEX00059 Maricota HW 115.50 118.50 3.00 2.96 10.23 MRCEX00061 Maricota HW 134.39 136.50 2.11 1.95 9.16 MRCEX00062 Maricota MR 177.50 179.50 2.00 1.59 7.43 FW 202.01 205.00 2.99 2.38 4.81 MVTEX00205 Morro do Vento FW 213.00 228.68 15.68 14.11 1.17 FW 243.50 246.00 2.50 2.20 4.86 MVTEX00207 Morro do Vento OFF_ R 192.00 196.35 4.35 3.62 3.02 MVTEX00216 Morro do Vento FW 439.50 449.50 10.00 6.74 2.65 FW incl. 443.50 449.00 5.50 3.70 3.13 MVTEX00217 Morro do Vento FW 327.50 339.50 12.00 6.90 3.13 FW incl. 329.21 332.24 3.03 1.74 9.06 MVTEX00219 Morro do Vento MU 256.00 259.50 3.50 2.27 3.32 MVTEX00220 Morro do Vento FW 494.50 513.00 18.50 7.03 2.62 FW incl. 499.76 506.50 6.74 2.56 5.08 MVTEX00222 Morro do Vento FW 172.00 178.50 6.50 3.93 2.76 MVTEX00223 Morro do Vento FW 543.29 555.50 12.21 5.75 5.24 FW incl. 551.00 555.50 4.50 2.11 11.68 MVTEX00228 Morro do Vento FW 243.00 250.60 7.60 5.50 3.75 FW incl. 247.67 250.60 2.93 1.90 8.52

El Penon Chile

The following table provides infill and exploration drill result highlights for the El Penon mine for the period May 2024 to October 2024. Full infill and exploration drill results not included in this table, together with longitudinal sections and plans, are available at: https://panamericansilver.com/operations/gold-segment/el-penon/.

Hole No. Vein From (m) To (m) Int. (m) Est. True Width (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) SIH0021 Chiquilla Chica (C1) 184.30 185.90 1.60 0.88 0.77 1019 UIH0049 Chiquilla Chica (C1) 40.05 41.70 1.65 1.46 0.44 2547 UIH0050 Chiquilla Chica (C1) 72.60 75.30 2.70 1.44 1.29 1181 UIH0056 Chiquilla Chica (C1) 85.60 87.10 1.50 0.95 0.22 578 UEH0024 Dominadora 106.15 135.00 28.85 4.10 3.62 1592 UEH0026 Dominadora 50.77 55.67 4.90 1.20 0.23 1349 UIV0077 El Valle 260.20 262.20 2.00 1.38 4.70 183 UIV0078 El Valle 256.30 257.50 1.20 1.20 4.70 257 UIV0079 El Valle 259.95 262.00 2.05 1.54 8.55 154 UIV0080 El Valle 231.20 232.15 0.95 0.83 16.63 721 UIV0083 El Valle 270.15 270.93 0.78 0.76 10.11 30 UIU0052 La Paloma 114.69 116.50 1.81 1.31 10.88 26 SIE0015 Esmeralda 248.60 249.50 0.90 0.54 10.10 1139 UIP0174 Pampa Campamento 351.13 352.10 0.97 0.52 9.50 664 UIP0176 Pampa Campamento 389.88 390.25 0.37 0.32 26.50 42 UIP0177 Pampa Campamento 291.53 293.60 2.07 1.05 18.89 746 UIP0178 Pampa Campamento 213.94 215.49 1.55 0.52 9.50 420 UIP0175 Pampa Campamento (-35) 184.95 186.15 1.20 0.65 15.33 297 UIP0189 Pampa Campamento Diagonal sur 134.70 135.52 0.82 0.76 16.13 258 UIS0028 Pampa Campamento Diagonal sur 60.38 62.19 1.81 1.71 10.65 186 SEP0055 Pampa Sur 374.00 376.00 2.00 1.09 9.90 97 SEP0072 Pampa Sur 464.00 465.00 1.00 0.69 5.50 403 SIP0051 Pampa Sur 364.18 365.70 1.52 0.98 8.49 156 SIP0056 Pampa Sur 398.07 399.29 1.22 0.92 4.76 359 SIP0063 Pampa Sur 410.53 411.44 0.91 0.67 5.63 405 SIP0064 Pampa Sur 352.12 352.60 0.48 0.42 18.80 1017 SIP0067 Pampa Sur (+50) 328.00 330.00 2.00 1.18 6.50 493 SIP0080 Pampa Sur (+50) 358.50 360.00 1.50 0.79 13.90 716 SIP0073 Pampa Sur Este 378.68 379.38 0.70 0.36 16.00 1651 SES0036 Sorpresa 333.80 334.20 0.40 0.30 22.00 838 UIS0023 Sorpresa 199.30 200.90 1.60 1.30 4.29 133

La Colorada, Mexico

The following table provides the drill result highlights for the La Colorada mine for the period May 2024 to October 2024. Full drill results not included in this table, together with cross sections and plans, are available at: https://panamericansilver.com/operations/silver-segment/la-colorada/.

Hole No. Vein From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Est. True Width (m) Ag g/t Au (g/t) Pb % Zn % S-104-24 Mariana Vein 621.50 622.60 1.10 0.95 9618 0.89 4.85 4.82 and NC2 Splay 795.95 796.70 0.75 0.53 4916 0.08 9.82 1.02 S-115-24 San Geronimo Vein System 461.10 463.65 2.55 1.08 1637 1.22 2.08 3.35 S-119-24 Cristina Vein 596.00 599.40 3.40 1.95 1470 0.03 3.15 3.23 S-138-24 NC2 Vein 695.60 701.60 6.00 4.60 666 0.90 1.32 2.74 S-146-24 Mariana Vein 701.05 704.55 3.50 2.47 1846 0.41 2.66 3.95 S-154-24 Mariana Vein 466.30 469.85 3.55 2.51 1189 0.24 0.82 1.09 and NC2 Vein 540.25 544.30 4.05 2.32 2615 0.34 2.31 5.16 S-161-24 San Geronimo Splay 703.15 710.45 7.30 5.59 456 0.94 1.10 2.41 S-168-24 Cristina Vein 361.90 367.00 5.10 3.28 308 4.55 10.18 13.09 and San Geronimo Vein 597.10 602.95 5.85 2.93 528 0.50 3.04 5.54 S-172-24 San Geronimo Splay 670.60 678.75 8.15 4.08 255 0.23 3.28 7.33 S-44-24 San Geronimo Splay 558.60 562.10 3.50 2.25 1420 0.60 2.04 1.93 S-47-24 NC2 Vein 771.85 783.65 11.80 5.90 837 0.39 2.97 8.01 S-75-24 Mariana Vein 616.40 620.00 3.60 1.80 3025 0.49 4.21 3.10 S-81-24 NC2 Splay 678.30 679.75 1.45 1.36 7634 1.83 1.46 3.62 U-09-24 Sofia Vein 268.55 269.40 0.85 0.74 4914 1.34 6.69 0.03 U-151-24 CRD 66.05 84.50 18.45 17.34 110 0.23 2.20 7.96 U-158-24 Jenni Vein 45.95 49.35 3.40 1.70 1825 1.05 2.35 6.16 U-96-24 Real Vein 252.55 255.60 3.05 2.76 749 0.63 13.01 8.97

La Colorada Skarn, Mexico

The following table provides infill and exploration drill result for the La Colorada Skarn deposit May 2024 to October 2024. Full drill results not included in this table, together with cross sections and plans, are available at: https://panamericansilver.com/operations/silver-segment/la-colorada-skarn/.

Hole No. From (m) To (m) Interval (m)(1) Ag g/t Cu % Pb % Zn % D-71-12-24 1102.45 1250.60 148.15 39 0.07 1.68 3.12 U-155-24 724.00 997.10 273.10 54 0.17 0.85 5.18 Incl. 872.50 935.05 62.55 84 0.31 1.97 7.57 U-19-24 503.95 564.20 60.25 85 0.08 7.05 10.41 U-58-24 791.75 869.45 77.70 36 0.08 2.88 4.58 U-74-24 629.70 843.90 214.20 33 0.05 2.69 3.21 U-92-24 527.40 582.40 55.00 103 0.06 4.10 5.75 and 806.40 929.65 123.25 134 0.07 1.02 4.38 (1) True widths of the mineralized intervals are unknown at this time.

Huaron, Peru

The following table provides infill and exploration drill result highlights from the medium, lower and Horizonte sectors of the Huaron mine for the period May 2024 to October 2024. Full drill and channel sampling results not included in this table, together with cross sections and plans, are available at: https://panamericansilver.com/operations/silver-segment/huaron/.

Hole No Vein Zone From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Est. True Width (m) Ag g/t Cu% Pb% Zn% DDH-U-040-24 Cuerpo Andres Horizonte 51.65 52.30 0.65 0.56 722 0.12 6.06 1.90 and Labor Este Horizonte 184.10 186.55 2.45 1.70 123 0.06 3.06 5.98 DDH-U-041-24 Martin Ramal Middle 198.30 200.90 2.60 2.46 369 0.15 2.74 2.01 DDH-U-049-24 Cuerpo Andres Horizonte 59.95 63.55 3.60 2.77 768 0.02 1.85 0.62 DDH-U-051-24 Martin Ramal Middle 236.30 237.20 0.90 0.58 409 0.13 9.27 15.82 DDH-U-055-24 Martin Ramal Middle 176.20 178.45 2.25 2.24 683 0.17 10.65 3.10 DDH-U-056-24 Cuerpo Andres Horizonte 48.35 53.00 4.65 3.90 162 0.04 4.02 6.06 DDH-U-064-24 Labor Este Horizonte 186.60 188.25 1.65 1.43 181 0.04 4.34 4.73 DDH-U-065-24 Cometa Ramal Horizonte 390.80 394.80 4.00 3.04 133 0.13 2.19 4.65 DDH-U-068-24 Cuerpo Andres Horizonte 56.75 57.60 0.85 0.65 459 0.07 9.43 6.72 and Labor Este Horizonte 202.35 205.25 2.90 1.98 243 0.06 3.54 5.20 DDH-U-071-24 Labor Este Horizonte 141.20 144.00 2.80 2.56 201 0.03 4.81 4.13 DDH-U-073-24 Labor Este Horizonte 140.10 143.55 3.45 3.21 74 0.03 2.31 2.16 DDH-U-075-24 Cuerpo Andres Horizonte 39.85 40.45 0.60 0.55 701 0.09 13.64 8.83 DDH-U-084-24 Cuerpo Andres Horizonte 60.55 63.00 2.45 1.70 61 0.08 1.97 12.73 DDH-U-086-24 Martin Ramal Middle 12.60 14.20 1.60 1.56 535 0.20 10.02 2.31 DDH-U-088-24 Cometa Ramal Horizonte 398.85 404.20 5.35 3.66 114 0.10 1.83 3.55 DDH-U-100-24 Cuerpo Andres Horizonte 264.85 267.25 2.40 1.64 115 0.04 2.85 3.89 DDH-U-105-24 Cuerpo Andres Horizonte 54.90 56.65 1.75 1.40 87 0.06 1.77 8.47 DDH-U-108-24 Cometa Ramal Horizonte 489.95 493.00 3.05 1.65 304 0.08 1.86 2.18 DDH-U-110-24 Maria Ramal Horizonte 66.00 73.15 7.15 4.10 140 0.04 3.10 5.91 DDH-U-111-24 Maria Ramal Horizonte 47.70 50.55 2.85 2.10 399 0.04 7.39 14.58 DDH-U-113-24 Maria Ramal Horizonte 37.35 39.00 1.65 1.50 504 0.04 12.77 19.97 DDH-U-114-24 Maria Ramal Horizonte 36.10 38.80 2.70 2.50 272 0.03 6.06 10.39 DDH-U-116-24 Maria Ramal Horizonte 48.60 49.65 1.05 0.80 357 0.07 13.66 12.73

Minera Florida, Chile

The following table provides infill and exploration drill result highlights for the Minera Florida mine for January 2024 to October 2024. Full drill results not included in this table, together with cross sections and plans, are available at: https://panamericansilver.com/operations/gold-segment/minera-florida/.

Hole Vein From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Est. True Width (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Zn % ALH4578 Aurora 115.25 116.10 0.85 0.71 12.62 47 0.46 ALH4598 Bandolera 86.50 88.80 2.30 2.19 4.84 4 3.01 ALH4607 Bandolera 109.05 110.65 1.60 1.25 11.15 6 2.61 ALH4482 Central superior 1 119.85 124.65 4.80 2.68 8.80 410 0.20 ALH4426 Cipres_1 143.17 145.08 1.91 1.19 7.29 7 1.48 ALH4460 Cipres_1 138.90 140.05 1.15 0.72 17.92 15 1.14 ALH4421 Don Leopoldo sur 91.45 93.65 2.20 1.53 6.34 9 4.79 ALH4623 Don Leopoldo sur 116.60 118.20 1.60 1.28 8.29 7 0.40 ALH4505 Gasparin Superior 173.65 175.30 1.65 0.90 10.23 13 0.31 ALH4406 Manda Norte 148.40 149.30 0.90 0.62 29.68 13 0.04 ALH4687 Maqui CII 84.45 85.85 1.40 1.16 5.40 173 2.16 ALH4638 Maqui CII 128.85 132.25 3.40 1.97 9.38 23 4.96 ALH4690 Maqui CII 73.35 75.15 1.80 1.64 4.95 28 2.24 ALH4556 Maqui CIII 54.75 56.05 1.30 1.05 5.62 21 12.52 ALH4580 Maqui CIII 58.20 59.55 1.35 1.03 9.10 22 7.10 ALH4588 Maqui CIII 68.75 70.50 1.75 1.19 13.62 11 3.81 ALH4631 Maqui CIII 52.50 53.20 0.70 0.61 12.68 35 18.07 ALH4638 Maqui CIII 111.15 115.30 4.15 1.98 16.11 13 6.44 ALH4673 Maqui CIII 81.40 83.65 2.25 1.28 9.58 15 5.58 ALH4592 Maqui Norte 107.85 110.10 2.25 1.59 10.23 31 5.57 ALH4562 Mila 113.00 117.40 4.40 2.57 10.32 12 0.08 ALH4574 Mila 191.80 196.20 4.40 1.70 8.29 110 3.34 ALH4467 Mila 129.90 132.55 2.65 1.15 6.52 286 2.29 ALH4476 Peque 67.05 68.25 1.20 0.78 10.68 8 10.05 ALH4481 Peque 80.30 81.55 1.25 0.91 12.53 43 8.31 ALH4496 Peque 55.00 57.30 2.30 1.82 4.74 35 1.26 ALH4577 Peque 101.30 103.75 2.45 1.11 11.57 23 7.61 ALH4644 Peque 59.35 60.20 0.85 0.83 13.77 77 1.54 ALH4715 Peque 202.75 207.85 5.10 1.48 10.71 13 2.74 ALH4729 Rafael II 56.35 59.65 3.30 1.95 4.74 415 3.86 ALH4701 Sat. 1 Maqui 152.55 154.40 1.85 0.92 20.61 13 0.09 ALH4424 Satelite Mila Sur 1 371.85 373.35 1.50 1.41 2.62 627 1.44 ALH4534 Satelite Valeria 1 111.35 112.60 1.25 0.92 14.06 27 0.04 ALH4549 Satelite Valeria 1 107.25 109.90 2.65 1.88 9.05 11 0.09 ALH4594 Satelite Valeria 1 166.35 167.70 1.35 0.85 16.60 17 2.09 ALH4516 Satelite Valeria 8 72.65 73.90 1.25 1.05 3.39 1645 0.18 ALH4521 Satelite Valeria 8 91.00 92.15 1.15 0.82 11.64 55 2.60 ALH4617 Satelite Valeria 8 61.75 62.95 1.20 1.18 15.05 15 0.83 ALH4436 Satelite VCS 21 51.50 52.65 1.15 0.68 15.53 56 0.81 ALH4426 Sorpresa 41.85 44.20 2.35 2.14 5.84 12 1.35 ALH4449 Sorpresa 43.60 46.30 2.70 1.82 5.05 7 0.97 ALH4600 Sorpresa 20.90 26.50 5.60 2.93 5.34 18 3.40 ALH4657 Sorpresa 21.70 28.10 6.40 2.95 8.79 10 1.48 ALH4672 Sorpresa 13.25 15.00 1.75 1.34 6.67 13 1.61

Whitney Project (Timmins), Canada

The following table provides infill and exploration drill result highlights from the Hallnor/Bonetal and Broulan Reef deposits of the Whitney Project for the period November 2023 to September 2024. Full infill and exploration drill results not included in this table, together with cross sections and plans, are available at: https://panamericansilver.com/operations/gold-segment/timmins/.

Hole No. Zone From (m) To (m) Int (m) Est. True Width (m) Au g/t TW23-749 Broulan Reef 61.0 62.0 1.0 0.8 28.40 TW23-750 Hallnor 444.2 462.0 17.8 11.7 3.28 Incl. 454.0 461.0 7.0 4.5 5.98 TW23-751 Hallnor 411.2 430.0 18.8 13.7 2.11 Incl. 415.0 425.0 10.0 7.3 3.27 TW23-754 Hallnor 548.0 561.0 13.0 10.1 3.33 TW23-756 Hallnor 319.0 320.0 1.0 0.6 65.30 408.5 428.0 19.5 10.8 2.91 Incl. 409.0 415.0 6.0 3.3 6.07 TW24-758 Hallnor 472.7 476.9 4.2 2.7 19.89 TW24-759A Hallnor 500.0 508.0 8.0 5.1 5.15 TW24-765 Hallnor 118.0 119.0 1.0 0.8 58.20 TW24-770 Hallnor 99.0 117.0 18.0 14.5 3.42 Incl. 99.0 110.0 11.0 8.8 4.58 and 99.7 102.0 2.3 1.8 14.40 TW24-771 Hallnor 120.5 130.0 9.5 7.2 31.50 Incl. 122.0 123.0 1.0 0.8 284.00 TW24-772 Bonetal 132.0 133.0 1.0 0.8 71.40 TW24-776 Bonetal 110.0 112.0 2.0 1.5 21.75 TW24-780 Bonetal 193.0 194.0 1.0 0.8 67.80 TW24-782 Bonetal 125.0 140.0 15.0 11.4 3.78 TW24-783 Bonetal 115.0 127.0 12.0 9.8 2.74 139.0 152.0 13.0 10.6 3.37 TW24-786 Broulan Reef 169.5 180.5 11.0 7.6 6.26 Incl. 175.0 176.0 1.0 0.7 11.80 also incl. 178.6 179.1 0.5 0.3 86.30 TW24-793 Broulan Reef 197.1 200.0 2.9 2.4 360.18 Incl. 197.6 198.1 0.5 0.4 1940.00 also incl. 198.1 198.5 0.4 0.3 140.00 also incl. 198.5 199.0 0.5 0.4 31.40 TW24-802 Broulan Reef 116.8 117.2 0.4 0.3 378.00 TW24-804 Broulan Reef 138.5 144.3 5.8 4.3 4.69 Incl. 140.5 141.0 0.5 0.4 41.20

General Notes with Respect to Technical Information

Grades are shown as contained metal before mill recoveries are applied. The Company has undertaken a verification process with respect to the data disclosed in this news release.

Samples are analyzed at a variety of laboratories, including by in-house staff at the mine (Jacobina and La Colorada), mine laboratories operated by third party independent commercial labs (Huaron), and commercial laboratories off-site (La Colorada, El Penon, Minera Florida, Whitney and Jacobina). All the assay data reported in this news release has been subjected to the industry standard quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") program including the submission of certified standards, blanks, and duplicate samples. The results are reviewed on a monthly and quarterly basis by management. In general, the assay analytical technique for silver, lead, zinc and copper is acid digestion with either ICP or atomic absorption finish. The analytical technique for gold uses fire assay and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) finish. A gravimetric finish would be used if the gold assay exceeds > 10 g/t (or >5 g/t at El Penon). The results of the QA/QC samples submitted for the resource databases demonstrate acceptable accuracy and precision. The offsite commercial laboratories are independent from Pan American and certified by ISO 17025:2017.

The Qualified Persons are of the opinion that the sample preparation, analytical, and security procedures followed for the samples are sufficient and reliable for the purpose of this news release and for the purpose of any future mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates. There were no limitations on the Qualified Persons' verification process. Pan American is not aware of any drilling, sampling, recovery or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data reported herein.

Mineral resources and mineral reserves are as defined by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum.

See the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 26, 2024, available at www.sedarplus.com, or the Company's most recent Form 40-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for further information on the Company's material mineral properties, including detailed information concerning associated QA/QC and data verification matters, the key assumptions, parameters and methods used by the Company to estimate mineral reserves and mineral resources, and for a detailed description of known legal, political, environmental, and other risks that could materially affect the Company's business and the potential development of the Company's mineral reserves and mineral resources.

Technical information contained in this news release with respect to Pan American has been reviewed and approved by Christopher Emerson, FAusIMM, Vice President Exploration and Geology, and Martin Wafforn, P.Eng., Senior Vice President Technical Services and Process Optimization, each of whom is a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (??NI 43-101''). Pan American is authorized by The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of the Province of British Columbia to engage in Reserved Practice under Permit to Practice number 1001470.

Cautionary Note to US Investors

This news release has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Canadian NI 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Definition Standards, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects.

Canadian public disclosure standards, including NI 43-101, differ significantly from the requirements of the SEC, and information concerning mineralization, deposits, mineral reserve and mineral resource information contained or referred to herein may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies. The requirements of NI 43-101 for identification of "reserves" are not the same as those of the SEC and may not qualify as "reserves" under SEC standards. Under U.S. standards, mineralization may not be classified as a "reserve" unless the determination has been made that the mineralization could be economically and legally produced or extracted at the time the reserve determination is made. U.S. investors should also understand that "inferred mineral resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence and great uncertainty as to their economic and legal feasibility. Under Canadian securities laws, estimated "inferred mineral resources" may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies except in rare cases.

About Pan American Silver

Pan American Silver is a leading producer of silver and gold in the Americas, operating mines in Canada, Mexico, Peru, Brazil, Bolivia, Chile and Argentina. We also own the Escobal mine in Guatemala that is currently not operating, and we hold interests in exploration and development projects. We have been operating in the Americas for three decades, earning an industry-leading reputation for sustainability performance, operational excellence and prudent financial management. We are headquartered in Vancouver, B.C. and our shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "PAAS".

Learn more at panamericansilver.com

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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information

Certain of the statements and information in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian provincial securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements or information in this news release relate to, among other things: the extent of, and success related to any future exploration or development programs, including with respect to its Jacobina, El Penon, La Colorada, Minera Florida, Huaron and Timmins properties and for its La Colorada Skarn and Whitney projects, and the potential impact of any such drill results on the Company's mineral reserves or mineral resources.

These forward-looking statements and information reflect Pan American's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Pan American, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include: tonnage of ore to be mined and processed; ore grades and recoveries; prices for silver, gold and base metals remaining as estimated; currency exchange rates remaining as estimated; capital, decommissioning and reclamation estimates; our mineral reserve and resource estimates and the assumptions upon which they are based; prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation); no labour-related disruptions at any of our operations; no unplanned delays or interruptions in scheduled production; all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals for our operations are received in a timely manner; our ability to secure and maintain title and ownership to properties and the surface rights necessary for our operations; and our ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

Pan American cautions the reader that forward-looking statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release and Pan American has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: fluctuations in silver, gold and base metal prices; fluctuations in prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation); fluctuations in currency markets (such as the PEN, MXN, ARS, BOB, GTQ, CAD, CLP, and BRL versus the USD); operational risks and hazards inherent with the business of mining (including environmental accidents and hazards, industrial accidents, equipment breakdown, unusual or unexpected geological or structural formations, cave-ins, flooding and severe weather); risks relating to the credit worthiness or financial condition of suppliers, refiners and other parties with whom Pan American does business; inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks and hazards; employee relations; relationships with, and claims by, local communities and indigenous populations; our ability to obtain all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in a timely manner; changes in laws, regulations and government practices in the jurisdictions where we operate, including environmental, export and import laws and regulations; changes in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls or regulations and political, legal or economic developments, including legal restrictions relating to mining, risks relating to expropriation, and risks relating to the constitutional court-mandated ILO 169 consultation process in Guatemala; diminishing quantities or grades of mineral reserves as properties are mined; increased competition in the mining industry for equipment and qualified personnel; the duration and effects any pandemics on our operations and workforce; and those factors identified under the caption "Risks Related to Pan American's Business" in Pan American's most recent form 40-F and Annual Information Form filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and Canadian provincial securities regulatory authorities, respectively. Although Pan American has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. Investors are cautioned against undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Forward-looking statements and information are designed to help readers understand management's current views of our near and longer term prospects and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Pan American does not intend, nor does it assume any obligation to update or revise forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, changes in assumptions, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law.

9 december 2024 at 06:35

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Iron Mountain announces the election of June Yee Felix to the Board of Directors





Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE: IRM), a global leader in information management services, today announced that it has elected June Yee Felix to the Board of Directors, effective January 1, 2025.

Ms. Felix is an accomplished global executive with three decades of extensive leadership experience in the financial services, fintech and technology sectors. From 2018 to 2023, Ms. Felix was Group CEO of IG Group plc, a global fintech company, having served on its board as a non-executive director from 2015 to 2018. Ms. Felix was a regional president at Verifone from 2014 to 2018, and also held senior leadership positions at Citibank, IBM and Chase Manhattan Bank during her career.

Since 2020, Ms. Felix has served as a non-executive director of RELX PLC, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools, and has been an advisory board member of the London Technology Club since 2018. Ms. Felix holds a bachelor's degree in chemical engineering and pre-med from the University of Pittsburgh.

Iron Mountain Board Chairperson, Pamela Arway, said: "Our Board of Directors is pleased to welcome Ms. Felix. Our Board will gain additional strength and expertise from her experience in the financial services, fintech and technology sectors."

William L. Meaney, Iron Mountain President and CEO, said: "Having led complex global organizations through successful transformations in the U.S., Europe and Asia, Ms. Felix will bring valuable insights and perspectives to Iron Mountain as our company continues to grow."

About Iron Mountain

Iron Mountain Incorporated (NYSE: IRM) is trusted by more than 240,000 customers in 60 countries, including approximately 95% of the Fortune 1000, to help unlock value and intelligence from their assets through services that transcend the physical and digital worlds. Our broad range of solutions address their information management, digital transformation, information security, data center and asset lifecycle management needs. Our longstanding commitment to safety, security, sustainability and innovation in support of our customers underpins everything we do.

To learn more about Iron Mountain, please visit www.IronMountain.com.

9 december 2024 at 07:05

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Avantus Signs Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Arizona Public Service (APS) for Kitt Solar Project





Today, Avantus announced the signing of a power purchase agreement with Arizona Public Service (APS) for the Kitt Solar Project. This agreement marks another major milestone in Avantus' presence in Arizona and the continued growth of solar and energy storage in the state. Located in Pinal County, Arizona within the City of Eloy, the Kitt Solar Project features 100 MWac/130 MWdc of solar and 400 MWh of energy storage. Avantus will complete development and start construction of the project in 2025, with operations expected to begin in 2026.

"Avantus' agreement with APS will expand the availability of clean and reliable energy in Arizona and is a testament to our leadership in developing high-quality renewable energy projects," said Avantus Chief Executive Officer Cliff Graham. "The Kitt Solar Project will not only deliver clean solar energy and offset carbon emissions but will provide much needed energy storage capacity to meet rising demand and create a more resilient grid in Arizona."

Kitt is expected to create up to 400 construction jobs and generate local tax revenues to benefit local services, such as schools, public safety and infrastructure throughout its operating life. The project has the capacity to serve up to 32,000 Arizona homes while offsetting 200,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year ? the equivalent to taking 45,000 cars off the road.

The combination of solar and energy storage capacity will play an important role in supporting the resiliency of the electric grid in Arizona and ensuring the state can meet peak demand amid extreme heat conditions. In 2024, Arizona saw 113 consecutive days of temperatures at or above 100 degrees Fahrenheit, which also broke demand records for electricity ? a trend that will likely continue for the foreseeable future.

"Over the next several years, customer peak energy demand in Arizona is expected to grow significantly," said Derek Seaman, APS Director of Resource Acquisition. "The Kitt Solar Project will add to our growing solar power and energy storage portfolio and provide our customers with additional reliable, cost-competitive and clean electricity."

Avantus has one of the largest pipelines of solar and energy storage projects in the United States, which includes 30 GW of solar and 94 GWh of energy storage. This agreement builds on Avantus' momentum in Arizona, following the recent sale of the Catclaw Solar and Energy Storage Project in Maricopa County to D. E. Shaw Renewable Investments (DESRI), which will also deliver energy to APS through a PPA negotiated by Avantus.

About Avantus

Avantus is shaping the future by making reliable, low-cost clean energy a global reality. Our legacy of leadership in next generation solar energy includes developing one of the nation's largest solar clusters and one of the first projects to beat fossil fuel prices back in 2016. Today, we are expanding the boundaries of existing technologies to build one of the largest portfolios of solar power plants with integrated storage, capable of providing 20 million people with affordable, zero-emission energy ? day and night.

For more information, please visit www.avantus.com, and follow Avantus on LinkedIn.

9 december 2024 at 09:35

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Weave Wins 2024 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Awards





Weave (NYSE: WEAV), a leading all-in-one customer experience and payments software platform for small and medium-sized healthcare businesses, has been named a 2024 Top Workplaces Culture Excellence winner in five categories. These awards are based entirely on verified employee feedback and are part of Energage's 17-year tradition of surveying and celebrating organizations nationwide and across 60 regional markets. The Top Workplaces awards honor organizations that prioritize people-first cultures and exceptional workplace experiences.

"Being recognized as a Top Workplaces Culture Excellence winner highlights our unwavering commitment to creating a workplace that values and supports our people," said Brooke Shreeve, Chief People Officer at Weave. "By investing in our team, we enable them to develop innovative solutions that drive success for our customers and their communities."

Award Categories

Innovation

Recognizes organizations that foster a culture of innovation, empowering employees at every level to contribute new ideas and creative solutions.

Employee Appreciation

Celebrates organizations that prioritize recognizing and valuing employee efforts, creating a motivated and engaged workforce.

Employee Well-Being

Highlights organizations that place employee health and wellness at the forefront of their workplace culture.

Compensation & Benefits

Acknowledges organizations that provide competitive material rewards paired with genuine appreciation for employees' contributions.

Leadership

Recognizes organizations led by confident, inspiring leaders who prioritize understanding and addressing customer needs through direct employee feedback.

"Earning a Top Workplaces award is a badge of honor for companies, especially because it comes authentically from their employees," said Eric Rubino, Energage CEO. "That's something to be proud of. In today's market, leaders must ensure they allow employees to have a voice and be heard. That's paramount. Top Workplaces do this, and it pays dividends."

This recognition comes on the heels of several other recent accolades for Weave including ranking in the top 20 best places to work in Utah, top 25 on the 2024 Utah 100, MountainWest Capital Network (MWCN)'s annual list of the fastest-growing companies in Utah, ranking first in 21 categories in the G2 2024 Fall Report, making the Great Place to Work in the U.S. and India list, and being featured on Inc.'s Annual List of Best Workplaces for 2024. For more information on how Weave helps healthcare providers grow their practices, visit https://www.getweave.com.

Top Workplaces awards are based on feedback from a research-backed employee engagement survey. Details about how Weave builds a great workplace culture are available on Top Workplaces.

About Weave

Weave is the leading all-in-one customer experience and payments software platform for small and medium-sized healthcare businesses. From the first phone call to the final invoice and every touchpoint in between, Weave connects the entire patient journey. Weave's software solutions transform how healthcare practices attract, communicate with, and engage patients and clients to grow their business. Weave seamlessly integrates billing and payment requests into communication workflows, streamlining payment timelines, reducing accounts receivable, and supporting practice profitability. In the past year, Weave has been named an Inc. Power Partner, a G2 leader in Patient Relationship Management software and a Top 50 Product for Small Business. To learn more, visit getweave.com/newsroom/.

About Energage

Energage is a purpose-driven company that helps organizations turn employee feedback into useful business intelligence and credible employer recognition through Top Workplaces. Built on 18 years of culture research and the results from 27 million employees surveyed across more than 70,000 organizations, Energage delivers the most accurate competitive benchmark available. With access to a unique combination of patented analytic tools and expert guidance, Energage customers lead the competition with an engaged workforce and an opportunity to gain recognition for their people-first approach to culture. For more information or to nominate your organization, visit energage.com or topworkplaces.com.

9 december 2024 at 10:05

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Westinghouse Welcomes Canadian Financing for Poland's First Nuclear Power Plant





Westinghouse Electric Company welcomes the Letter of Interest (LOI) for US$1.45 billion ($2.02 billion CAD) in financing from Export Development Canada (EDC) to support the AP1000 project to build Poland's first nuclear power plant. Westinghouse helped facilitate the financing for Polskie Elektrownie Jadrowe (PEJ), the state-owned company that is responsible for developing the plant at the Lubiatowo-Kopalino site in Pomerania.

"Not only does this financing agreement underscore the important role Canada will play in helping Europe secure and diversify its energy future, but it will also help prepare the nation's nuclear supply chain to support the next AP1000 plant in North America," said Dan Lipman, President of Westinghouse Energy Systems. "We appreciate the close cooperation of the EDC in helping Westinghouse make AP1000 projects a reality for its customers while bringing home economic benefits to Canada."

This announcement demonstrates Westinghouse's deep commitment to Canada's economy by securing work for Canadian firms and trade unions supporting Westinghouse's global fleet of advanced reactors. For each AP1000 unit that is built outside of Canada, Westinghouse could generate almost $1 billion of Canadian dollars in gross domestic product (GDP) through local suppliers.

Owned by Canadian energy powerhouses Brookfield and Cameco, Westinghouse is the only nuclear vendor with a proven, fully operational Generation III+ reactor technology that is ready to be deployed in Canada and generate electricity by as early as 2035. A four-unit AP1000 facility in Canada can power at least three million homes while supporting $28.7 billion Canadian dollars in GDP during construction and $8.1 billion in GDP annually in ongoing operations. The four-unit project would also create 12,000 high-quality full-time Canadian jobs and provide Canadian firms opportunities to support the more than 30 AP1000 units in the pipeline globally.

Westinghouse Electric Company is shaping the future of carbon-free energy by providing safe, innovative nuclear and other clean power technologies and services globally. Westinghouse supplied the world's first commercial pressurized water reactor in 1957 and the company's technology is the basis for nearly one-half of the world's operating nuclear plants. Over 135 years of innovation makes Westinghouse the preferred partner for advanced technologies covering the complete nuclear energy life cycle. For more information, visit www.westinghousenuclear.com and follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and X.

9 december 2024 at 11:50

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Fortune Brands Named to Newsweek's America's Most Responsible Companies 2025 List





Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. (NYSE: FBIN or "Fortune Brands" or the "Company"), an industry-leading innovation company whose purpose is to elevate every life by transforming spaces into havens, today announced that it has been named to Newsweek's list of America's Most Responsible Companies 2025. This marks the sixth consecutive year the Company has been recognized on the list.

"At Fortune Brands Innovations, our brands are making an impact. The new Master Lock cLOTO solution can help prevent serious injuries and save lives in the workplace; Moen Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff - a game-changing product in our smart water ecosystem - has the potential to save a tremendous amount of water, help families and even entire industries; and energy-efficient fiberglass doors from Therma-Tru help to keep heat and cooling inside the house. These examples show how our products improve life not only in the day-to-day, but protect life as we know it for days to come. I am proud to be part of this company and excited for how we will continue to find new ways to elevate every life," said Fortune Brands Chief Executive Officer Nicholas Fink.

This prestigious award is presented in collaboration with Statista, the world-leading statistics portal and industry ranking provider. The awards list was announced on December 4, 2024, and can be viewed on Newsweek's website.

America's Most Responsible Companies ranking focuses on a holistic view of corporate responsibility that considers all three pillars of ESG: Environment, Social and Corporate Governance. The analysis is based on the quantitative data from more than 30 KPIs across the three areas of ESG, as well as from an extensive survey conducted among U.S. residents.

Fortune Brands' One Home approach to ESG focuses on environmental, social, and governance efforts that contribute to brand, innovation and channel leadership and help the Company create shareholder value. For more information on FBIN's product offerings that benefit people and the planet, see the Company's responsible products and digital products webpage, and view FBIN's ESG Report to learn about its responsible corporate practices.

About Fortune Brands Innovations

Fortune Brands Innovations, Inc. is an industry-leading innovation company dedicated to creating smarter, safer and more beautiful homes and improving lives. The Company's driving purpose is to elevate every life by transforming spaces into havens.

The Company is a brand, innovation and channel leader focused on exciting, supercharged categories in the home products, security and commercial building markets. The Company's portfolio of brands includes Moen, House of Rohl, Aqualisa, SpringWell, Therma-Tru, Larson, Fiberon, Master Lock, SentrySafe and Yale residential.

Fortune Brands is headquartered in Deerfield, Illinois and trades on the NYSE as FBIN. To learn more, visit www.FBIN.com.

9 december 2024 at 16:10

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Trump Advisor on Africa, HPX Chairman Says AML Rail Monopoly Is Against US Strategic Interests
GARDAI in Limerick have cautioned Christmas partygoers to be streetwise this festive season.

Crime can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere say gardai, as they issue a personal safety message in the run-up to Christmas.

Garda John Finnerty of Henry St garda station said: Many people are attending office parties on the run-up to Christmas and most people will be out socialising over the Christmas period also.

Our advice is to stay streetwise and not to put yourself in a vulnerable position.

Stay in the company that you know. The consumption of alcohol, drugs or other toxic substances not only diminishes your senses but makes you particularly attractive to criminals.

If you observe criminal behaviour, leave the area and call the gardai.

READ MORE: Limerick signs Sister Cities Agreement with Austin, Texas

Garda Finnerty also said people should stay on well-lit streets and walk against the flow of traffic, never get involved in other peoples disputes or respond to taunts or snide remarks by others and, before you go out for the night, plan on how you will get home safely.

In terms of home and personal security, garda Finnerty notes that this time of year is particularly attractive for thieves.

Thieves think that they wont be caught, and the victim thinks that it wont be him or her.

The reality is very different. Not every thief will get caught, but every victim will suffer, he said.
LIMERICK hurler Kyle Hayes will have to wait until the New Year to see if he faces jail.

The five-time All Star Limerick hurler was before Limerick Criminal Circuit Court this Monday to learn if a suspended prison sentence would be triggered by a dangerous driving conviction in Mallow District Court.

Brian McInerney SC, who represented Mr Hayes, said: The position, I am informed, is the appeal is listed for December 19, which is a Cork matter.

Judge Colin Daly said the matter will have to go back to next term. A date of February 10, 2025 in Limerick Criminal Circuit Court has been fixed. Mr Hayes was in court for the brief procedural matter.

Last March, Judge Dermot Sheehan imposed an 18 month prison sentence on Mr Hayes for the violent disorder in the Icon nightclub and a concurrent two year jail sentence for the violent disorder on Upper Denmark Street, Limerick city.

"They are both suspended in full," said Judge Sheehan. The offences occurred on October 28, 2019.

A jury had previously found Mr Hayes, aged 26, of Ballyoshea, Kildimo not guilty of assault causing harm on the same date at a trial in Limerick Criminal Circuit Court in December 2023.

The terms of imprisonment were suspended on condition that he be bound to the peace and be of good behaviour during that two-year term.

Subsequently, Mr Hayes was convicted of dangerous driving at Mallow District Court this September. He had pleaded not guilty.

Judge Colm Roberts banned Mr Hayes from driving for two years and fined him 250. The court heard the five-time All-Ireland winner was driving a vehicle which overtook nine cars at 155kms in a 100km zone on the N20 near Mallow on July 14, 2024.

The dangerous driving conviction was appealed and is due to be heard in Cork Circuit Court on December 19.
A TEENAGER has been arrested and charged in connection with a road traffic collision which saw a car he was driving launched into the air.

A number of parked vehicles were damaged in the incident on William Street in Limerick city just after midnight this Monday.

Footage has been widely shared on social media of the incident which appears to show the car in question clipping a kerb and flying in the air before colliding with vehicles that were parked up on the street. No injuries have been reported.

A garda spokesperson said officers were alerted to a vehicle driving suspiciously in the Upper William Street area of Limerick city on Monday, December 9.

The incident occurred at midnight. The driver of the vehicle, a man in his late teens, failed to stop when requested by gardai. The vehicle then collided with another vehicle, which was unoccupied at the time, said the garda spokesperson.

Gardai say the teenager has since been arrested and charged and was due to appear at Limerick District Court this Monday.

As this is now a matter for the Limerick District Court, An Garda Siochana cannot provide further comment, said a garda spokesperson.
DEFEATED General Election candidate Elisa ODonovan has appeared to suggest Fine Gael and Fianna Fails female Dail candidates were handmaidens helping men get elected.

The Social Democrats councillor missed out on a Dail seat at the last count in Limerick City, a development which means the local area does not have any female elected TDs for the second term in a row.

Her campaign manager, Karen Sugrue, posted on X, formerly Twitter, pointing out all seven of Limericks new squad of TDs are male.

READ MORE: David Gray set to play Limerick venue in summer concert

In response to this post, Cllr ODonovan wrote: The women from the establishment parties got the men elected so they did their job well #handmaidens.

Well @elisaodonovan doesnt have much respect for her fellow female candidates who ran in Limerick City, pity @deecorbettryan & @maria16byrne are genuinely great people & both got a very respectable vote pic.twitter.com/pUD9vrj1so  Cllr Sean Hartigan (@seanohartigan) December 3, 2024

The definition of a handmaiden is a personal maid or female servant, or someone whose essential function is to serve or assist.

Across the country, many running mates to male TDs were female, with many speculating this was in response to new gender quota rules.

These stipulated that in order to qualify for greater State funding, 40% of party candidates needed to be women.

In Limerick City, Fine Gael ran Senator Maria Byrne alongside Kieran ODonnell.

And Fianna Fail fielded former Chamber chief executive Dee Ryan with Willie ODea.

Mr ODea and Mr ODonnell were both elected.

In his own social media post on X, Green Party councillor Sean Hartigan wrote: Well Elisa ODonovan doesnt have much respect for her fellow female candidates who ran in Limerick City. Pity - Dee Ryan and Maria Byrne are genuinely great people and both got a very respectable vote.

When contacted by Limerick Live, Cllr Hartigan added: It's a shocking thing to write, it's childish behaviour if you ask me.

Obviously, she is referring to Dee Ryan and Maria Byrne, both very genuine people. Both of them put in enormous effort into their campaign and when they were out in the count centre had a smile on their face, and were happy to meet and greet everybody even though they were not getting over the line.

Also speaking to Limerick Live, Ms Ryan, who came sixth said: I'd like to think it wasn't a comment specific ally directed at myself or Maria Byrne. I ran my own campaign, stood on my own two feet, didn't ask anyone to do any of the work for me.

Fianna Fail activist Derek Daly added on X: I was delighted to be part of Dees campaign and see her come fourth on first preferences, the highest polling woman in the constituency, pushing the party 5% above the national result.

Dee knows, her team knows, and Fianna Fail knows, Dee is no quota filler.

Senator Byrne declined to comment.

Many people on social media agreed with Cllr ODonovan's comment.

One person wrote on X: She has a point.

Another added: Across the country women candidates were tacked onto the bottom of tickets for no other reason than gender quotas.

They had no chance to get a seat and it was humiliating to them, and to the goal of the gender quotas in the first place.

Limerick Live has contacted the Social Democrats head office for a response.

When contacted on Sunday, Cllr Elisa O'Donovan replied: Of course you're writing an article on this Nick! followed by a laughing emoji, Maybe instead you could write about the lack of women representation?

This is a non story and I'm embarrassed for you again at your poor journalism standards.

She went on to write:  You can quote me on all of the above.
THE WORLD'S first fabrication and design of a silicon chip without direct human input has been completed by researchers at Lero, the University of Limerick-based Research Centre for Software, heralding the possibility of creating a new high-tech export-based industry in Ireland.

Professor of Machine Learning at the University of Limerick Conor Ryan led the research team which has just filed a patent for the totally Irish-designed process that came from a project entitled 'Automatic Design of Digital Circuits' (ADDC) funded by Research Ireland.

This is the first time ever anywhere in the world that machine learning has been used to design and fabricate a silicon chip entirely from scratch. This could pave the way for a new era of automated digital circuit design with Ireland at its centre, creating a new export industry with many well-paying jobs.

The patent secures the proprietary methods and novel approach to automating silicon chip designs traditionally manual, complex, and error-prone process. The techniques created by Lero replace traditional methods with an entirely automated flow, reducing the need for human intervention and minimising the risks of design errors, said Prof Ryan, a lead researcher at Lero.

READ MORE: David Gray set to play Limerick venue in summer concert

The Limerick-based team plans to work with selected global chip design and fabrication companies following the successful manufacture of a Lero-designed chip by world-leading chip foundry TSMC, paving the way for a new era of automated digital circuit design.

Prof Ryan said their patent covers the use of a grammar-based optimisation engine that ensures all generated designs are manufacturable and ready for production and opens the door to smarter, faster, and more sustainable hardware design, with potential applications in consumer electronics, healthcare, automotive, and more.

The system combines cutting-edge machine learning with industry-standard tools and workflows, ensuring the results are compatible with modern manufacturing processes.

It radically reduces the time and financial resources required to produce integrated circuits, democratising access to advanced hardware innovation. Our process also eliminates an entire step in the traditional verification process, he added.

Prof Ryan acknowledged that the project was made possible through partnerships with leading experts and organisations, utilising TSMCs world-class fabrication facilities.

The process is protected under European Patent Application No. 24213734.7 held by the University of Limerick and the Technological University of the Shannon: Midlands Midwest, and covers Digital Circuit Creation Tool and Method.
Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris have held a constructive, positive meeting on government formation, the two parties have said.

A joint statement on Monday afternoon confirmed that Taoiseach Mr Harris and Tanaiste Mr Martin have asked their respective negotiating teams to begin talks around putting together Irelands next coalition administration.

The two party leaders met today and had a positive, constructive engagement, the statement said.

The Taoiseach and Tanaiste agreed the need for a stable government, underpinned by mutual respect and clear policy direction, for the next five years, so that it can deliver for the Irish people in the face of great challenges.

The two party leaders have now asked their negotiating teams to commence talks tomorrow.

Fianna Fail was the clear winner of last months general election, securing 48 of the Dail Parliaments 174 seats, while Sinn Fein took 39 and Fine Gael won 38.

Fianna Fail and Fine Gael headed up the last coalition and are expected to continue that partnership into the next mandate.

However, with a combined 86 seats, they are just short of the 88 required for a majority in the Dail.

If they wish to return to government together, they would need one smaller party as a junior partner, or a handful of independents.

Both Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have ruled out doing business with Sinn Fein.

The centre-left Social Democrats and Irish Labour Party are seen as the only two realistic options if the two larger parties seek to convince a smaller party to join the coalition.

Labour leader Ivana Bacik said she had spoken to the leaders of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael on Monday by phone, and had agreed to meet them in separate meetings this week.

Deputy Bacik will meet Micheal Martin tomorrow (Tuesday) at noon, and Simon Harris at a time later in the week, Labour said in a statement.

Deputy Bacik also spoke with the leader of Sinn Fein about future engagement.

The parliamentary party will meet again following these engagements.

The parliamentary party also agreed with Deputy Baciks proposal to write to the leaders of the Social Democrats and Green Party to seek further development of a centre-left common platform.

When Fianna Fail and Fine Gael entered coalition for the first time after the last general election in 2020, there was only a three-seat difference in their relative strength.

That resulted in an equal partnership at the head of the coalition, with the Green Party as the junior partner. The two main parties swapped the role of taoiseach half-way through the term.

With Fianna Fails lead over Fine Gael having grown to 10 seats following this election, focus has turned to the future of the rotating taoiseach arrangement and whether it will operate again in the next mandate and, if so, on what basis.

There are similar questions around the distribution of ministries and other roles.

While Mr Martin has so far refused to be drawn on the specifics, he has suggested that he expects Fianna Fails greater strength of numbers to be reflected in the new administration.

However, Mr Harris has insisted that Fine Gaels mandate cannot be taken for granted when it comes to government formation.
From Republic Day in January to Christmas, not a single month goes by without a flash sale advertised on social media.

Retailers, especially direct-to-consumer (D2C) companies, are increasingly banking on flash sales  when substantial discounts or promotions are offered for a very short period  to drive revenue and increase purchase frequencies throughout the year, hoping to remain visible in the eyes of potential consumers at all times. Every opportunity, even a traditional US concept like the Black Friday sale, is leveraged to offer discounts.

Black Friday marks the beginning of the Christmas season and has emerged as the busiest shopping day in the US. It is widely believed that the name was adopted decades ago to signify that businesses operate in the red until this day, the Friday after Thanksgiving, when massive sales allow sellers to make a profit or turn black.

Its very amusing how we draw inspiration from the West. Ive been watching the consumer space for a while now and I am surprised to see the kind of impact flash sales is having on both consumers and brands lately. Black Friday was not so big last year," said Chirag Taneja, co-founder and chief executive of GoKwik, an e-commerce enablement platform that works with over 10,000 consumer companies such as Lenskart and Mamaearth.

Most flash sales are a bonanza for sellers. According to GoKwiks estimates, the gross merchandise value (GMV) of retailers surged as much as 24% on Black Friday weekend this year, driven by consumers in metro cities. For many companies, a fifth of their November sales came from this weekend alone, which is impressive especially when demand growth for discretionary products has slowed to low single digits over the past few quarters.

GMV is the total value of goods sold on a platform, excluding discounts and other expenses.

And so, flash sales are no longer simply a year-end phenomenon. A week-long Valentines Day sale as well as a monsoon sale in June are now commonplace. Ahead of Valentines Day this year, gifting platform FNPdelivered 350 roses every minute, while Zomato-owned quick commerce company Blinkit dispatched 406 chocolates per minute.

To my surprise, most of the brands went on a Black Friday sale this year, even those that rarely offer discounts throughout the year. I expect standout occasions like this to come close to major sales like Flipkarts Big Billion Days," Taneja told Mint.

Finding value

One reason companies opt for frequent flash sales is to acquire new customers, according to Dhriti Drolia, founder of activewear brand Silvertraq. The Mumbai-based company receives 50-60% of its new customers from three or four big sale events such as Valentines Day and Black Friday.

Many consumers who want to try a new product are willing to take the risk when the prices are lower. Even though we have a flexible return policy, there is a barrier in the minds of some consumers because they havent seen the product," Drolia told Mint.

There is also the fear of missing out when rivals offer discounts.

You will definitely see a dip in revenue if you decide to not run offers while major sale periods from marketplaces and other brands are on. Brands want to ride the wave and make the most of the opportunity," Drolia added.

However, there are downsides such as the risk of being perceived as a discounted brand," potentially diluting brand value, according to Jatan Bawa, co-founder of Perfora, which sells oral and dental care products. Gross margins may take a hit even though discounts boost sales.

Discounts shouldnt become a brands business-as-usual strategy. Not only will the value of the product be lost, the brand will also end up deriving much less revenue as a proportion of ad spends," Bawa noted.

Way forward

Since frequent discounting isnt sustainable, some sellers focus on building a strong product that will attract users for its functionality and not so much the price.

Perfora plans to launch fewer sales events, a shift from its usual quarterly practice, to maintain brand value and cater to customers who prioritise quality over price. It will also gradually lower the rate of discounts in each sale from 40% to 25%, its co-founder said.

However, main sale events like Black Friday and Valentines Day will continue to be popular.

Brands have to figure out how to strike the right balance between average order value and customer acquisition costs. Thats the way forward," Bawa said.

Bundled deals like buy 2 get 1 free, instead of flat discounts, may help brands maintain average order value and lose less money during sales, GoKwiks Taneja said.
Generative AI that stormed the technology world with the launch of ChatGPT two years ago may be about to make its mark on India's $254 billion IT services industry.

The industry will see pricing pressure beginning next year as contracts heavy on coding and phone support come up for renewal, multiple analysts and industry executives said. The first to take the hit will be the businesses of making and maintaining software apps, and providing customer support.

The two businesses - applications development and management (ADM) and business process outsourcing (BPO) fetch an estimated 40% of the industry's revenue.

"We think the IT services industry is experiencing pricing pressure in many lines of business, consistent with the past few quarters. For CY25, we think BPO and application development and maintenance will continue to experience pricing pressure as well as incremental deflationary forces driven by generative AI," Keith Bachman, an analyst with BMO Capital Markets, wrote in a note dated 5 December. "In particular, we believe that renewals will be challenging since customers will seek, and likely get, lower renewal prices than historical norms as the power and capabilities of generative AI increase," said Bachman.

Also read | High-quality data is the key to unlocking value from AI, GenAI, says Snowflake AI head

The analysis, the first to signal GenAI's impact on pricing, could serve as an alarm bell for investors in large IT firms such as Tata Consultancy Services Ltd, Infosys Ltd, HCL Technologies Ltd, Wipro Ltd and Tech Mahindra Ltd, which are estimated to get a significant chunk of business from the two businesses. Queries emailed to TCS, Infosys, HCL, Wipro and Tech Mahindra remained unanswered.

"In the medium/long-term, smarter AI solutions will replace humans. Given IT services companies largely employ headcount-driven business models, they will likely struggle to maintain their value proposition," Piper Sandler analysts Arvind Ramnani and John Nutt wrote in a note dated 4 December.

Currently, none of the large IT firms disclose business from individual clients' work, and only share business from industry segments and their largest markets. However, according to four people, including two analysts and executives at TCS and Wipro, ADM and BPO account for 40% of total business. On average, at least 15% of total business is renewed annually for these large companies.

This means for a company like TCS, which clocked $29.1 billion revenue in FY24, about 40%, or $11.6 billion, is vulnerable to the impact of GenAI. At least 15% of this -- or $1.75 billion -- is expected to be up for renewal for TCS in 2025. If the fears of pricing pressure come true, the contract renewals could happen at lower rates.

Also read | Lessons for Indian IT services firms as Accenture, IBM lead GenAI charge

A related fallout could be on hiring. The IT services industry, which employs five million people, hires hundreds of thousands of engineers every year. As technology gradually replaces manual effort, hiring could slow.

"Clients will need fewer employees due to automation, and that means that IT services companies will have to scout for additional work to compensate for less work from the BPO and application maintenance arms," said Abhishek Kumar, equity research analyst at JM Financial Ltd, a Mumbai-based broker.

At the heart of the fledgling structural change is the growing ability of GenAI tools to perform work traditionally done by armies of engineers deployed by IT firms. GenAI tools have started reducing manual efforts in these areas, from writing codes to testing codes for bugs. All of this implies bad news for IT firms.

While analysts highlight pricing pressure on segments that can be automated, tech leaders are yet to follow.

"Pricing overall has remained stable. While there could be aberrations at an individual customer level or the phase in deals which we are facing, at a portfolio level, there is nothing material to call out," said Samir Seksaria, chief financial officer of TCS, in a post-earnings interaction with analysts on 11 July.

Also read | Coding is currently GenAI's killer app, says Databricks AI head Naveen Rao

His counterpart at Infosys, the second-largest software service provider, voiced a similar opinion.

"The pricing overall, the environment has remained stable," said Jayesh Sanghrajka, chief financial officer of Infosys, in a post-earnings call with analysts on 17 October.

While bosses at the IT firms have not sounded worried about pricing pressure, at least three senior executives from the industry sounded concerned.

"If you dial a hospital toll-free number, the response will come from an AI tool. Earlier, such a call would take you to the Philippines or elsewhere where a person would talk over the phone and address your query," a senior TCS executive said on the condition of anonymity. "The healthcare industry is looking to automate processes fully," added the executive.

TCS discontinued sharing business from service lines in June 2017, followed by Infosys, which stopped in June 2018, and Wipro, in April 2021. Until March 2017, nearly half of TCS's business was from ADM and BPO, while Infosys and Wipro received 36% and 44%, respectively, at the end of March 2018 and December 2020.

GenAI encompasses a wide range of technologies driving chatbots such as ChatGPT and is capable of creating new forms of content, including text, audio and video.

And read | Errors, high cost among reasons GenAI not moving beyond concept stage

"While the "revamped offerings" will incorporate a multitude of services, we believe that IT services companies will need to have a consulting front-end (which Accenture, IBM, Capgemini, Deloitte have at greater scale relative to Infosys, Cognizant, Wipro). Further, IT Services companies that are willing to cannibalise existing revenue streams are poised to emerge as net winners from AI-related work," said Piper analysts Ramnani and Nutt.
Bankrupt Go First's valuable slots could soon be reallocated among airlines such as IndiGo, Air India and Akasa Air to ease congestion at the country's top airports as demand for air travel continues to rise.

The Centre plans to set up a committee to redistribute these slots in a transparent manner, allowing other carriers to efficiently manage their operations on congested routes and airports, said two people aware of the development on the condition of anonymity.

...it gives a chance to other airlines, even regional ones, to strengthen their operations," said one of the senior government officials cited above on the condition of anonymity.

GoFirst had 330 daily flights across 36 destinations before it suspended operations in May 2023 due to financial difficulties. The airline's network included 27 domestic and 9 international destinations.

Airport slots, granting a carrier the permission to use the necessary infrastructure to operate flights, are valuable in the world's third-largest aviation marketafter the US and Chinaas a growing economy has increased demand for air travel.

Also read | Mint Explainer: The Cape Town connection to the Jet Airways, Go First insolvencies

Go Firsts lenders await the court's approval for the liquidation of its assets. Releasing the carriers slots will ease operations at so-called level 3 airports that face high congestion due to limited capacity. Level 1 airports have adequate capacity at all times, while level 2 experience occasional congestion.

The committee to reallocate the slots will be headed by the Airports Authority of India's (AAI) executive director of operations, the people quoted earlier said. Its members will include representatives from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), airlines and defence authorities.

The committee formation is expected to happen soon. As the liquidation process of Go First nears legal approval, the timely reallocation of its slots will enable other airlines to operate flights on those routes, reducing traffic congestion and improving connectivity," said the second official on the condition of anonymity.

Previously, after Jet Airways was grounded in 2019, its 810 airport slots were distributed among its peers. IndiGo and SpiceJet acquired 130 each, Vistara (operational as a separate entity then) secured 110, now-grounded Go First received 56, Air Asia got 42, and Air India was given 24 slots.

Also read | Go Firsts foreign funding push to test Indias insolvency framework

Queries emailed to spokespersons of the civil aviation ministry, AAI, DGCA, BCAS, Go First, IndiGo and Akasa Air on Thursday remained unanswered.

India has been seeing a consistent rise in the number of flyers. According to data from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the number of domestic flyers has spiked from 49.3 million in 2020 to over 132 million in 2024.

Ratings agency Icra expects India's domestic air passenger traffic to grow 7-10% to about 164-170 million in 2024-25. The market, however, has become a duopoly, with IndiGo and Air India being the major players.

Mint reported in November that the Centre was working on a mega aviation package to bolster India's civil aviation sector by providing airlines with various benefits, including tax concessions, reduced user charges, route optimization, and regulatory relaxations.

Go First, formerly known as GoAir, primarily operated on key domestic routes such as Delhi-Mumbai, Bengaluru-Chennai and Kolkata-Hyderabad. It was grounded in May 2023 after it filed for bankruptcy, citing delays in securing aircraft engines from American manufacturer Pratt & Whitney.

Also read | Reviving Go First wont be easy. Heres why

The airline owes its creditors 6,200 crore, with major claims from the Central Bank of India ( 1,934 crore), Bank of Baroda ( 1,744 crore), and IDBI Bank ( 75 crore).

GoFirst is engaged in arbitration worth $1 billion against Pratt & Whitney in Singapore. The airline's creditors are looking to finance this dispute resolution as it could be the airline's last significant assetif it gets a favourable award.

In April 2024, GoFirst took another hit when the Delhi high court ordered all 54 of its planes to be deregistered and reclaimed by lessors.
Things have never looked rosier for foreign firms in Chinaat least according to the countrys Council for the Promotion of International Trade. The body, which is controlled by the commerce ministry, claims that 90% of foreign companies rate their experience in China as satisfactory or better. According to a recent survey by the council, foreign firms say the economy is strong, local markets are attractive and their outlook is bright. Following years of isolation during the covid-19 pandemic, Chinas government insists that the country is open again for business, and that reforms have made life easier for foreign companies.

Executives of those companies scoff at all this. Many say they now struggle to justify investing in the country and talk instead of cutting staff. In a recent survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai, less than half of respondents said they were optimistic about the prospects for their business in China over the next five yearsa record low. On December 4th Mary Barra, the boss of General Motors (GM), said the American carmaker would write down the value of its joint ventures in the country by more than $5bn and close factories there. Many American and European companies with once-thriving businesses in China are watching these unravel.

In recent decades Western bosses looked to China not just as a place to make things cheaply, but as a vast and growing market. According to our analysis, the sales in China of listed American and European companies that disclose them peaked at $670bn in 2021, accounting for 15% of those firms total revenue. Things have gone south since. Last year sales were down to $650bn; their share of total revenue slipped to 14%. This year has shown no sign of improvement. Of those firms in our dataset that report quarterly sales in China, almost half saw these decline, year on year, in the most recent reporting period.

Companies confronting shrinking sales in the country range from Apple, a tech giant, and Volkswagen, a carmaker, to Starbucks, a coffee chain, and LVMH, a luxury conglomerate. At this point we should have turned a corner," complains the regional boss of a global firm. Another foreign executive laments that the days of feverish growth in China for his firm seem to have passed. Although some Western companies such as Eli Lilly, a drugmaker, and Walmart, a retail behemoth, continue to grow in the country, their ranks are steadily thinning.

One reason for this is Chinas economic stagnation. A housing crisis has sent property prices across the country plummeting and caused consumers to tighten their belts. The central government signalled in September that it would do what it takes to reflate the economy. But after months of piecemeal announcements, things have not improved much. Property sales are still falling, compared with last year, and will probably continue doing so well into 2025. Despite the governments promises to stimulate consumption, gauges of demand are down.

Deflationary pressure is hurting all companies in China, not just foreign ones, notes Bo Zhengyuan of Plenum, a consultancy in Beijing. Fully 27% of Chinese industrial firms were making losses at the end of October. Oversupply in various industries, from electric vehicles (EVs) to building materials, has led to ferocious price wars. Ms Barra has blamed a race to the bottom" for GMs difficulties making money in the country.

Yet Western companies are also being outcompeted by Chinese rivals. Starbucks has ceded market share to Luckin Coffee, a cheaper local competitor that in September had 21,000 stores in the country, roughly three times as many as the American chain and up from 13,000 a year before. Brian Niccol, the newish boss of Starbucks, told investors in October that it faces extreme" competition in China. It is reportedly weighing selling a stake in its business there to a local partner.

In many industries Western firms no longer enjoy the technological edge they once did over Chinese rivals. Chinese manufacturers of industrial robots now supply almost half the local market, up from less than a third in 2020. Apples troubles in the country have been compounded by flashy new smartphones from Huawei, including the Mate 70 range it unveiled on November 26th. The EVs produced by BYD, NIO and other Chinese carmakers are not only much cheaper than Western ones, but packed full of the clever tech that local consumers desire. When the Chinese market was still expanding briskly, Western firms were able to increase their sales there even as they lost share. They no longer have that luxury.

If all that were not bad enough, Western companies are also becoming collateral damage in the rivalry between their governments and Chinas. On December 2nd America introduced new restrictions on the sale of chipmaking tools to certain Chinese companies, as well as of high-bandwidth-memory chips. That will hurt American manufacturers of semiconductor equipment such as Applied Materials, Lam Research and KLA, as well as ASML, a Dutch maker of advanced lithography tools. Other Western chip businesses may also suffer. After the announcement, four Chinese industry associations responded with a call to reduce purchases of American chips.

Companies in sensitive industries such as chipmaking are familiar with the risk attached to their sales in China. The list of industries exposed to geopolitical ructions, however, looks to be lengthening. The shares of European brandy-makers including Remy Cointreau and Pernod Ricard slumped in October after China said it would impose anti-dumping measures on the spirit, seemingly in retaliation for tariffs levied on Chinese EVs by the EU. On December 2nd the founder of Uniqlo, a Japanese clothing retailer, incurred the wrath of Chinese netizens when he said that the company did not use cotton from Xinjiang, a region of China mired in allegations of forced labour. Chinas commerce ministry may soon slap restrictions on the local operations of pvh, the American owner of Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein, for complying with an American law that bans the use of cotton from the region.

If Donald Trump follows through with his threat to raise tariffs on Chinese goods, Xi Jinping may respond by making life harder still for American companies. Foreign firms in China are trapped in the middle of a dangerous geopolitical struggle, writes Andrew Polk of Trivium China, a consulting firm. Their troubles will not ease soon.

 2024, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
Bengaluru: Ankita Vashistha, founder and managing partner of venture capital firm Arise Ventures, had a disappointing experience with Bengaluru-based home interior company Livspace when she hired it to design a rented-out home three-four years ago. While she initially admired the concept and the experience centres, the whole process and the final outcome left her disappointed. Timelines werent met, materials didnt match specifications, and the installation and after-sales service were terrible," recalled Vashistha. Customer service was unresponsive, and I had to settle for what they provided."

Mumbai-based Kiran More, a sales professional working for a tech company, went through a similar experience this year, dealing with inferior parts, incorrect installation and delayed timelines. Vashishta and More are not alone. There is no dearth of complaints and reportage on the internet around the abysmal experiences Livspaces customers have had to endure.

Seated in a light blue shirt in a conference room at Livspaces Bengaluru office, chief operating officer (COO) Ramakant Sharma acknowledges the mountain of complaints. In his view, because interiors are a big-ticket investment for customers, when issues arise, the impact is felt strongly. But Sharma claims that despite everything over 90% of customers report a satisfactory experience. Mint has not been able to verify the veracity of that claim.

While Livspace has always made headlines for consumer complaints, its latest challenge goes beyond the consumer experience. The companys revenue growth has slowed. On a positive note, it managed to cut losses substantially (see chart).

Livspace last got a funding infusion in February 2022, when it raised $180 million at a valuation of $1.2 billion. The funding was around nine times the companys revenue at the time, said an industry executive, requesting anonymity. This, he said, has become its biggest problem. You have raised at such a high value and even three years later, you are not there," said the industry executive.

While investors have been optimistic about the growth in the sector, expecting a 50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in the next few years, industry experts feel this optimism may not align with reality. Amid all this, Sharma is looking to take Livspace public in the next 18 months. In a two-and-a-half-hour interaction with Mint, he outlined how he aims to get the company there amid the slowdown in its pace of growth.

The beginnings

Sharma, who studied metallurgical engineering from IIT Kanpur, worked with a few startups before he joined Myntra as VP of engineering. Myntra, according to Sharma, is where he learnt about ecommerce and Indian consumers. From a cultural and learning perspective, as well as understanding the consumer internet of India when it really began, it (his stint) was fortunate," Sharma said. Myntras success helped him realize new entrepreneurs could succeed, and so he decided to take the plunge.

After studying at Indian School of Business (ISB), Sharma started a beauty and fashion ecommerce startup called Violetbag. But it could never raise capital and had to be shut down. We were getting good tractionabout 500 orders a day. But cosmetics was a low-average-order-value segment at that time. The cost of logistics, payment gateway, and packaging was higher than our margin," he said, noting that investors stayed away for that reason.

Sharma continued looking for a complex problem to solve and found one when he bought a home in Bengaluru and was doing the interiors. That was the largest money I have ever given to anyone. The interior process, even if I didnt want anything fancy, just basicscurtains, bed, dining table, couch and a living roomwas not easy," he said.

I realized Indians spend almost $20 billion every year on home renovation, furniture and interiors, and theres not even one company attempting to solve it," he said. Thats how Livspace, cofounded by Sharma and Anuj Srivastava, was born in 2014.

View Full Image A file photo of Anuj Srivastava, co-founder, Livspace. (Photo: Bloomberg)

Sustainable growth

The home interiors segment has seen muted investor sentiment in recent years and all the big names have been struggling with losses. HomeLane, Livspaces direct competitor, recently acquired smaller rival DesignCafe as the latter could not raise capital to survive.

Over the last 12 months, Livspace has focused on reducing its cash burn. In a major shift, the company has hired in-house designers instead of outsourcing projects and charging a commission, as it did earlier. Today 90% of Livespaces designers are on the payroll. This has helped with control over quality and execution, and kept costs in check.

The company has also been hiring freshers and training them to cut some costs, according to over half a dozen employees who spoke to Mint. They have reduced the salary bracket for new employees. For example, the salary of an assistant general manager was around 14-15 lakhs, now they are hiring for a pay of 10-12 lakhs," said one former employee.

Discounts have come down from about 30-35% to about 18-20%, according to current and former employees. The CEO confirmed that discounts have indeed been slashed.

View Full Image An interior decor work in progress at an apartment in Bengaluru.

Pulling the plug

In another major decision, last year, the company shut its business-to-business (B2B) vertical, which was a category bigger than 120 crore, according to former employees.

The average ticket size was at least 30 lakh and the category was not restricted to offices. There was retail, hospitality, healthcare and many more sub-segments making it a complex category, according to a second industry executive.

The vertical did not take off because they tried to implement the same process into commercials and adapt the same technology," said the executive cited above. Also, it is a very price-sensitive market, so you have to be very competitive with the pricing. Plus, the profit margin is very low compared to residential," the executive added.

Sharma confirmed the closure of the B2B vertical. We discontinued most low-margin businesses. Last year, growth was lower because we shut down the one business that actually could have grown. So, it was largely a year for profitability and optimization," he said.

While residential has 55% margin, commercial has a single-digit margin or so, Sharma said. A B2B business, I believe, is never going to make money in this industry. It is a very thin margin business and requires very hard negotiation," he added.

On the other hand, HomeLane founder Srikanth Iyer believes the companys commercial vertical, branded Cubico, has the potential to become a 1,000-crore business on its own in the next five years.

A B2B business, I believe, is never going to make money in this industry.  Ramakant Sharma

Livspace also experimented with providing individual services such as painting and false ceilings to customers, as Urban Company does. But that, too, did not take off and had to be shut down, according to former employees.

We are already offering these services to Vesta and Vinciago (top-end verticals) customers in a bundled format. We thought of selling them as individual services. That hypothesis is still there but we have paused it," Sharma clarified.

Livspace has four verticals: Bello (budget offering with a 1-3 lakh price point), Select ( 3-8 lakh), Vesta ( 8-30 lakh), and Vinciago ( 30 lakh-1 crore). Another business, Casantro, a B2B vertical, sells modular interior solutions, including cabinets and wardrobes, to designers or stores, which eventually sell it to the end consumer.

Vesta and Select are the biggest categories. While Vesta covers designing of the entire house, Select includes the kitchen and wardrobes.

Tier 2 and tier 3 expansion

The company, having fairly penetrated metros, is now looking to expand into smaller towns and cities, largely in the franchise format. A successful expansion is important to drive growth in the core business.

Sharma is confident the expansion will work. We have four different offerings based on the same technology and supply chain. Let us say we have to go to a new city; we can choose to launch all four of them or just one of them. We can open in even the smallest city, where I can go with Bello," he explained.

At the moment, tier three cities only have the Select model. The launch of Bello six months ago seems aimed at making the tier 2 and tier 3 expansion work.

Livspace currently has a presence in 65 cities with 105 stores and plans to hit 250 cities in the next two-three years. With the four solutions we can even go to 300 cities," Sharma declared. At the moment 35-40% is coming from tier 3 or 4 cities and 60% from the large cities. Some day, I think well see a 50-50 situation."

In a sense, Livspace may have no choice but to go to lower tiers. Metros/tier-1 cities account for the majority of demand today, but have started saturating, with key players observing lower growth in these cities," said Mit Desai, practice leader, consumer and internet, at Praxis Global Alliance, a consultancy. That being said, tier-2 and tier-3 cities, contributing 30-35% of demand, hold immense potential, driven by urbanization and the rising affluence of an aspirational middle class," he said.

Livspace currently has a presence in 65 cities with 105 stores and plans to hit 250 cities in the next two-three years.

But there are challenges too: small-ticket-size projects, lack of resources, logistics and perhaps a lower appetite as compared to metros.

Maintaining quality and service consistency across diverse product categories and geographies is a key challenge as they scale up operations across cities. A shortage of skilled labour could further complicate timelines and budgets," said Desai.

Riding the brand

The company is now into the biggest experiment it may have ever seen, launching its own branded products, specifically furnishings and appliances. This is the first time it will retail Livspace products.

Furnishings, according to Sharma, will include about 4,000 stock keeping units (SKUs), including bedsheets, pillows, pillow covers, quilt covers, and blankets. Last month, Livspace launched hobs and chimneys in Bengaluru for Livspace customers and plans to launch furnishings and appliances such as dishwashers next March.

Earlier, Livspace sold kitchens and asked customers to buy chimneys from a third party. With the recent launch, it is selling chimneys to Livspace customers, and plans to open up to customers outside the platform as well.

Sharma believes that furnishings could become a 1,000 crore business by itself.

We are creating dedicated showrooms and retail showrooms in malls and high streets, so furnishings is going to be a full-fledged business in itself," he said. There will also be a separate website, which will launch sometime by March, for a pure-play e-commerce business with furnishings.

Optimistic outlook

According to Sharma, since October last year, Livspace has been a cash-flow positive company. Operations have not burnt money at all. In our business, consumers pay 50% advance and then we deliver. So, we are operating cash flow profitable because of the working capital, which was in our favour. Next quarter, we will be a fully Ebitda profitable company," he asserted.

While the pace of growth has slowed, Sharma is confident it will pick up. When we talked about the platform, the fundamental thing is the capability to spawn new businesses and grow them independently. This is what we have been doing," he said. There is a lot of leverage of the infrastructure, including the same supply chain, same warehouses, same logistics, same packaging, and same technology. I think this will keep multiplying for the next 15-20 years."

The Livspace founder said the company has $95 million in the bank and isnt actively seeking funding, nor is valuation a primary concern. However, Sharma is far from stress-freethe companys top priority is ensuring the success of its new initiatives. If we go public, we really want to say that this thing is working," Sharma said. Livspaces customers, no doubt, will want to say the same thing.
Wilson and Hughes India Pvt Ltd plans to invest as much as 1,000 crore in Cox & Kings over three years to bring back the liquidated and repurchased travel company as a digital-first entity catering to post-pandemic leisure and corporate travel needs, a top executive said.

The funds will primarily be used for developing the technology part of the business, investing in skilled human capital, marketing and partnerships," Ramalingam Subramanian, president of Wilson and Hughes India and Cox & Kings, told Mint exclusively. The travel agencys brand portfolio will be enhanced, its services expanded, and its market presence strengthened with offline stores.

The Singapore-based private equity firm acquired the 260-year-old travel company and about 200 sub-brands through the insolvency process in November 2024. Cox & Kings is expected to begin functioning in three to six months. It has already started soft operations.

Cox & Kings halted its services in 2019 due to financial difficulties. Wilson & Hughes confirmed that the acquisition is free from any of Cox & Kings past liabilities and is unrelated to its previous management. Subramanian did not disclose the amount spent on the acquisition.

This is Wilson & Hughes first investment in the travel sector, he said. In the past, the PE firm has invested in sectors such as fast-moving consumer goods, and cement.

As earlier, the revived Cox & Kings will focus on leisure and business travel. In its previous avatar, the company had franchised 20-25% of its work to mom-and-pop travel stores. This is also something that Wilson and Hughes will explore.

Leisure opportunity

"Our intent is to reduce the effort going into planning holidays, which includes not just long-haul but short-haul travel too," Subramanian said. "The opportunity for leisure travel is quite extensive now. India has changed in terms of travel since the pandemic and a lot of travellers are focused heavily on it now. Luxury group travel like Arctic expeditions and small-group around-the-world trips is also a new category we're seeing emerge out of Indian travellers. So that's something we will also be setting our sights on."

Before Cox & Kings shut down, its mainstay came from planning leisure holidays, which accounted for 70% of its business. Outbound travel to Europe from India was one of the hottest-selling itineraries. Inbound to India too, especially from the US and the UK, was strong and another big part of the company's business.

When the NRIs would want to travel to India, Cox & Kings was the usual choice," he said.

Subramanian said corporate and business travel has also changed considerably in the past five years.

As we are re-entering the business, corporate travel also needs more tech enablement. That's where we see a strong play as well. MSMEs (micro, small and medium enterprises) and SMEs, which aren't getting the cost advantage, also need solutions which can be used. That's also where we see some opportunity," he said.

About 70% of the business earlier came from Indians living in the country and the remaining from overseas. In FY17, Cox & Kings had gross revenue of about 7,200 crore. It went into bankruptcy court in 2019 after it defaulted on payments of loans of close to 5,500 crore.

According to data from the World Travel and Tourism Council, tourism in India was expected to have contributed 16.5 trillion to the economy in 2023, which is 3.5% lower than in 2019. The sector is also said to have created over 1.6 million new jobs, almost recovering all the employment lost during the pandemic, bringing the total number of jobs in the travel and tourism sector to 39 million - equivalent to about one in every 13 workers in India.

International visitors to India were anticipated to spend 2 trillion, while domestic tourism expenditure was forecast to exceed 12.6 trillion.
WASHINGTONThe unexpectedly rapid downfall of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria has turned the countrys future from a back-burner issue to a suddenly high stakes concern for the departing Biden administrationand almost certainly for Donald Trump.

U.S. officials are scrambling to assess the intentions of the rebel groups that drove Assad into exile, especially Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which is expected to play a pivotal role in whatever government emerges in Damascus but which is on the U.S. list of foreign terrorist organizations.

The best case scenario would be a post-Assad Syria free from Iranian influence whose territory Tehran would no longer be able to use to send weapons to the militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon.

That could bring further sweeping changes to a Middle East already in flux, removing a key member of Tehrans so-called axis of resistance," the coalition of countries and militias in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria and Yemen supported by Tehran to counter the U.S. and Israel.

But another scenario is possible: If Syria or large parts of it fall under control of Islamist militants hostile to the West or the state collapses entirely it could bring further disorder to an already inflamed region.

For now, U.S. officials are uncertain what will happen and how much influence they have.

President Biden plans to speak to Middle East leaders as U.S. officials travel to the region in coming days to consult with Syrias neighbors and a range of Syrian anti-Assad groups, a senior Biden administration official said Sunday.

In seeking to shape the political outcome in what it says will be a process led by Syrians, however, the U.S. is starting from a disadvantage.

During Bidens presidency, the U.S. has focused on supporting Ukraine following Russias invasion of the country and trying to bring an end to the fighting in Lebanon and Gaza, where Israel had battled Iran-backed militants.

Ending the bloody civil war in Syria, which U.S. officials assumed was largely stalemated given Assads backing from Hezbollah, Russia and Iran, hasnt been a White House priority.

The Biden administration from Day One has purposely distanced itself from the Syria issue," said Charles Lister of the Middle East Institute, a Washington-based think tank. As a result, the extent and the depth of the relationships that the U.S. holds with various actors that matter have decayed with time."

Following a meeting with his top national-security advisers on Sunday, Biden described the turnabout in Syria as an important chance for its people and the region.

As we all turn to the question of what comes next, the United States will work with our partners and the stakeholders in Syria to help them seize an opportunity to manage the risk," Biden said.

Eager to recover respectability abroad and potentially open the door for international aid, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, who is a Sunni Muslim, has vowed to protect religious and ethnic minorities. The White House says those promises will be carefully scrutinized, as administration officials weigh how to engage with this and other rebel organizations.

They are saying the right things now," Biden said. But as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words but their actions."

The prospects for relatively peaceful transition to a new rebel-led administration will depend to a large extent on whether rival factionsincluding Sunni groups, and Kurdish and Alawite minoritiescan avoid further conflict.

The U.S. has some 900 troops in eastern Syria whose mission has been to work with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces to battle Islamic State and prevent its resurgence.

One worry is that Turkish-backed militias might try to exploit the situation by attacking the Kurdish-commanded forces in northern Syria that Ankara has long opposed. In a call with his Turkish counterpart on Sunday, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said it was vital to avoid actions that could endanger U.S. forces and their SDF allies, the Pentagon said.

While U.S. officials are seeking to fashion a strategy to respond to Assads unanticipated downfall, they have moved quickly to prevent Islamic State and other groups from exploiting a potential security vacuum in Syria.

U.S. B-52 bombers, F-15E fighters and A-10 attack aircraft carried out dozens of airstrikes against Islamic State camps and operatives in central Syria on Sunday. In all, 140 munitions were dropped on more than 75 targets, the senior administration official said.

Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla, the head of the U.S. Central Command, followed that action with a pointed warning to Syrian groups that they should avoid helping Islamic State, formerly known as ISIS, as the country struggles to form a new government after Assads departure.

There should be no doubtwe will not allow ISIS to reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in Syria," Kurilla said in a statement. All organizations in Syria should know that we will hold them accountable if they join with or support ISIS in any way."

Another U.S. concern is some 9,000 ISIS fighters held in a network of detention centers in northeast Syria and tens of thousands of people confined at nearby Al-Hol refugee camp. The detainees and refugees are being guarded by the SDF, an arrangement that is likely to remain in place as long as some U.S. forces remain.

Assads downfall comes just six weeks before President-elect Trump is to take office and follows on the heels of Israels pummeling of Hezbollah and the cease-fire agreement in Lebanon last month. Israeli airstrikes in October also destroyed Irans most capable air defenses and set back Tehrans program to make solid-fueled ballistic missiles.

Together, these developments may present the incoming Trump administration with an opportunity to roll back Irans influence in the Middle East and step up the pressure on Tehran to curtail its nuclear program. But the region remains volatile, and U.S. intelligence has warned that the risk is growing that Iran might choose to build a nuclear weapon as its network of regional proxies weakens.

But on a Dec. seven message on X, Trump wrote that the U.S. should stay clear of the strife in Syria. This isnt our fight," Trump wrote. Do not get involved!"

It remains to be seen if Trump was merely ruling out military involvement in the conflict while leaving open the possibility of diplomatic engagement to influence the formation of the next government in Damascus.

As president in 2017, he ended the CIA program of covert military assistance to the anti-Assad opposition. But he has also zigzagged in Syria once before. In 2019, he abruptly ordered the withdrawal of the U.S. troops in eastern Syria, only to reverse the decision under pressure from advisers.

Write to Michael R. Gordon at michael.gordon@wsj.com

View Full Image U.S. Scrambles to Shape Post-Assad Syria But Has to Overcome Years of Disengagement
On the road to Damascus from Syrias border with Lebanon on December 8th, Syrian army posts lay deserted. The asphalt was littered with uniforms left behind by Bashar al-Assads forces, who had swiftly changed into civilian clothes and fled from advancing rebels. Posters with the former dictators face had been torn and defaced. Less than two weeks after rebels began their advance, the regime had fallen and Mr Assad had fled to Moscow. In Damascus and across the country, Syrians were cheering a fresh start and a reboot of their relations with the world.

What kind of fresh start will they get? Much depends on whether Syrias multi-pronged opposition, suddenly bereft of its common enemy, will band together to form a pluralist, federal civilian government over all of Syria, or descend into infighting that plunges the country into a new civil war.

View Full Image Graphic: The Economist

The early signs have been encouraging, though it is far too soon to be sure of anything. The rebels, foremost among them Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate that has ruled a slice of north-western Syria for the past few years, say they have learnt the lessons of past regime changes in the Arab world. Unlike in Iraq and Libya, the transition is being managed locally, rather than by foreign powers and returning exiles. Russia and Iran, previously Mr Assads main backers, have retreated into the shadows.

The rebels have appealed to the police and civilian authorities to remain in their posts pending the announcement of a unity government. They have imposed a curfew, which by the evening of December 8th appeared mostly to have stopped looting in the capital (the pilfering of crockery from the presidential palace aside). And though most of the rebels are from the Sunni majority that was particularly terrorised by the Alawite Assads, they have toned down their sectarian triumphalism and have promised to protect Syrias many minorities.

But things in Syria have a habit of getting complicated. The de facto partitioning of Syria that took place under Mr Assad has intensified since his fall. Rebels from the north, east and south of the country co-ordinated their takeover with remarkable discipline in recent days. Yet because Mr Assads regime collapsed far faster than they expected, they have not had time to plan for the day after. Each of the four main factionsTurkish-backed Sunni rebels in the north-west, Kurds in the north and east, Jordanian-backed rebels in the south, and the remaining loyalists from Mr Assads Alawite sect in the westhas its own army. All of them have been bolstered by the weapons, land and economic holdings seized from the Assads in recent days. Each group will want its share of the spoils and a slice of whatever package is arranged to reconstruct the devastated country, with needs estimated to cost some $200bn.

Within hours of Mr Assads fall, the fragile truce between the different groups had begun to break down as fighting flared at Manbij, on the line dividing Turkish-backed Arabs in the north-west from the Kurds in the north-east. Syrians have not forgotten that the toppling of Iraqs and Libyas strongmen triggered a decade of civil war between their would-be successors. Nor are they unaware how tricky it will be to manage relations with their neighbours. At a five-star hotel in Damascus on the evening of December 8th, the smooth jazz accompanying dinner service was occasionally interrupted by the sound of Israeli air strikes on a nearby military base.

The strongest contender to rule Syria is Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, the 42-year-old head of HTS, which launched the rebel offensive from its seat in Idlib in north-western Syria only 11 days ago, on November 27th. Mr Jolani (pictured) has ditched his Islamic nom de guerre (his Telegram channels now refer to him as President Ahmed al-Shara"), and assured Christians and women that he has no plans to impose strict Islamic codes. On the evening of December 8th he delivered a sermon in the Umayad mosque in Damascus; Syrian state television broadcast a statement in which he claimed that the future is ours". He is said to like comparisons to Saudi Arabias Muhammad bin Salman, another young Sunni strongman.

But Mr Jolanis past as al-Qaedas leader in Syria and his brutal suppression of rivals makes others wary. Getting other rebels to accept his leadership will be his hardest task. For years he fought them more than he did Mr Assad. A few hundred former rebels in the south beat Mr Jolani to Damascus. They marched on the presidential palace and detained the prime minister, Mohammad Ghazi Al-Jalali, not only to pursue Mr Assads loyalists but to prevent Mr Jolani from getting there first.

That America, Russia and the UN all regard Mr Jolani as a terrorist and HTS as a terrorist organisation could also complicate things if he does indeed take charge. His close ties with Turkey and Qatar irk Arab powers who want to limit their zone of influence. Some opposition figures talk ominously about how convenient his assassination would be. Were afraid he could spin into another Assad," says an analyst with close ties to his rivals. Many Syrians worry that they could end up replacing one dictator with another, this time an Islamist one.

Whoever takes charge in Damascus will have trouble controlling all of Syria. In the north-east, the Kurds will look to the few hundred American troops stationed there to thwart efforts to bring the lucrative oilfields, Syrias breadbasket and the Arab cities they rule back under central control. In Manbij and Raqqa, they are already fighting Turkish-backed forces to preserve the autonomy they carved out under Mr Assad. Huddled in mountain villages above the Mediterranean coast, Mr Assads sect, the Alawites, will similarly have to decide whether to fight or accept Sunni-majority rule. In addition to the heavy weapons salvaged from the regimes rout, they may also look to protection from Russia, which still keeps a naval and airbase there that it may hang on to, subject to negotiation with Turkey and Syrias new rulers.

Civilians in the exiled political opposition in Istanbul, in Turkey, seem to have been sidelined for now. According to a UN roadmap agreed in 2015, the Syrian Negotiation Commission is supposed to oversee the oppositions role in Syrias transition. It is mandated to help draw up a new constitution, prepare for elections in 18 months and integrate Syrias many militias into an army reflecting the countrys ethnic and religious groups. But the forces on the ground appear in no hurry to step aside.

Some hope foreign powers could help the rebels cobble together political and military councils or even a unity government and pave the way for a power-sharing transition. America, though, will probably do little to help. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT," Donald Trump wrote in capitals on his social-media account. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!" After 13 years of civil war and penury, an exhausted population is praying for a peaceful handover that has proved vanishingly rare in the Arab world. With so much division inside and outside Syria, consensus will be hard to find.

 2024, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
Rising incidents of copyright infringement are hurting the ability of social media influencers to monetize their content. These influencers are concerned not only about losing ad revenue, but also channel memberships where users pay to watch exclusive content on YouTube.

Samay Raina, who has 5.4 million subscribers on YouTube, went viral with his recent intellectual property Indias got latent that garnered more than 150 million views. In fact, according to YouTubes year-end report, globally, there have been over 1.5 billion views of videos related to Samay Raina in 2024.

To leverage the shows popularity, Raina decided to upload some episodes and additional content related to the show behind a paywall, starting at 59 a month. However, some notorious users re-uploaded the content for free on YouTube and other platforms, much to Rainas disappointment.

I was trying to set up a revenue stream by uploading this content exclusively for members-only, so people re-uploading it is definitely a problem I face," Raina said at a virtual YouTube press conference on 5 December, in response to a Mint's question.

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On YouTube, getting this content taken down is comparatively easier than other platforms using copyright strikes, as far as I am able to spot it. On other websites, it is quite difficult to get the content removed, and it leads to loss of revenue," Raina added.

The process to deal with such issues is that the copyright holders notify YouTube of a video that infringes on their copyright, and the platform removes the content promptly in accordance with the law," and terminate the accounts of repeat offenders.

A copyright strike, a legal request from a copyright holders to remove content that violates their copyright, can be resolved if the user submits a counter-notification and prevails in that process, YouTube explained in an emailed reply to Mints queries.

We work hard to balance the rights of copyright holders, with the creative pursuits of the YouTube community. It is not up to YouTube to decide who owns the rights to content, which is why we give copyright holders tools to make copyright claims and uploaders tools to dispute claims that are made incorrectly," YouTube said in the mail.

Legal remedies

Though usually these copyright concerns are dealt with via the platform as mentioned, without going to court, legal experts stress that seeking legal remedy for copyright infringements is important.

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For copyright infringement, both civil and criminal remedies are available under law. The most powerful remedy among these is seeking injunction which prevents the defendant from infringing copyright," said Tanu Banerjee, partner, Khaitan and Co.

Owners can also seek damages as compensation on account of infringement. Criminal remedies are in the form of imprisonment of the accused, that is, the infringing person or fines, or both," Banerjee added.

To be sure, these legal remedies are not excercised as much by creators, as it is both time-consuming and requires financial investment, and creators want to focus on content rather than getting involved in legal procedures, a macro creator told Mint on the condition of anonymity.

If we can simply make a copyright strike in 30 seconds at the comfort of our home, why would we go to court for this. Also, there is not just one but multiple such infringements on so many content pieces that we make, how many cases can we fight?" she asked.

The creator, who does not have membership, and only relies on ad revenue, also added that it is difficult to calculate the amount of revenue lost by copyright infringement, but she believes her content could have generated at least 30% more revenue for her channel, if it wasnt re-uploaded by other users.

Also read | How influencers can stay out of legal trouble

In a contrarian view, and to look at brighter side of things, analysts believe that re-uploading of their content helps creators amplify their reach, as platforms promote content from smaller creators.

"While content creators invest significant effort into original work, re-uploads by nano or micro influencers can unexpectedly amplify their reach, making content viral and eventually increasing their follower base," said Amiya Swarup, partner, marketing advisory, Ernst & Young LLP.

Platforms actively utilize technology to flag potential infringements, striking a balance between protecting creators and driving broader engagement," he added.
The growing Indian economy has significantly increased the demand for electricity. India, now the third-largest producer of electricity, is not only focused on enhancing production but also on reducing its carbon footprint. As a result, the country is steadily shifting to renewable energy sources such as hydro, solar, and wind, alongside exploring nuclear energy.

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Nuclear power plays a vital role in India's energy generation strategy. According to data from the ministry of power, as of October, the installed capacity across 24 operational nuclear reactors stands at 8,180 MW, accounting for approximately 1.8% of the country's total installed electricity capacity. Non-fossil fuel sources, including renewables and nuclear energy, collectively contribute to about 46.3% of India's total installed electricity generation capacity as of 30 September.

A report by the World Nuclear Association cites a 2018 statement by the Indian government, projecting nuclear power capacity to reach 22.5 GW by 2031. This marks a substantial 2.7x growth compared to the current capacity of approximately 8.2 GW.

This raises a key question: which companies are linked to nuclear power generation, and which stand to benefit from this growth trajectory?

Companies focused on nuclear power

Several companies in India are directly involved in nuclear power generation and related infrastructure. Prominent names include:

Nuclear Power Corp. of India Ltd (NPCIL): A state-run enterprise under the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd (BHEL): The largest engineering and manufacturing enterprise in India's energy and infrastructure sectors.

Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd (BHAVINI): A government company under the administrative control of the DAE.

Hindustan Construction Co. Ltd (HCC): An engineering and construction firm.

Other companies offering allied services include IREL (India) Ltd, Uranium Corp. of India Ltd, Electronics Corp. of India Ltd, Larsen & Toubro Ltd, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.

Among these, BHEL and HCC are publicly listed entities with exposure to the nuclear power sector. Lets delve deeper into their roles and potential benefits from India's nuclear power expansion.

Bharat Heavy Electricals Ltd

BHEL, a public-sector undertaking (PSU) under the ministry of heavy industries, is India's largest government-owned electrical and industrial technology company. Its diverse business portfolio spans multiple core sectors, including power, renewables, oil & gas, transmission, rail transportation, defence and aerospace, industrial systems, water management, and battery energy storage solutions.

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The company's power segment encompasses nuclear, thermal, hydro, gas, and renewable power plant businesses, showcasing its expertise in delivering turnkey power projects from concept to commissioning.

In the nuclear power domain, BHEL manufactures a wide range of critical components, such as steam generators, reactor headers, end shields, and nuclear turbine generator sets for reactors ranging from 200MWe to 700MWe. It handles the construction and commissioning of nuclear power reactors, while NPCIL oversees their operation and upgrades.

BHEL holds the distinction of supplying the highest number of steam generators among Indian manufacturers. Notably, in Q2 2025, it delivered its 45th steam generator for the Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut Pariyojana (GHAVP) Nuclear Power Plant.

In 2023, BHEL entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NPCIL to jointly explore opportunities in pressurized heavy water reactor (PHWR)-based nuclear power plants, strengthening its position in India's nuclear energy landscape.

As per Screener.in, the BHEL stock is currently trading at 249, approximately 3.6x its book value of 69.5. The company maintains a dividend payout ratio of 27.8%.

View Full Image (Source: Screener.in)

However, challenges persist. BHEL has reported poor sales growth over the past five years, a low interest coverage ratio, and a return on equity of just 1.77% over the last three years.

Shareholding pattern as of September reveals:

Promoters: 63.2%

FIIs: 9.5%

DIIs: 14.7%

Public: 12.6%

JM Financials issued a "BUY" recommendation in its report dated 28 October 2024, setting a target price of 371 per share, which translates to 35x the estimated earnings per share (EPS) for September 2026.

BHEL's strategic focus on nuclear power and its partnership with NPCIL underscore its potential to capitalize on India's growing energy demand, despite facing operational and financial headwinds.

Hindustan Construction Company Ltd

HCC is a prominent engineering and construction firm providing services across several core sectors, including building and industrial projects, transportation, hydroelectric power, nuclear power, and water solutions.

In the nuclear power sector, HCC specializes in constructing reactors, auxiliary buildings, turbine generator buildings, spent fuel buildings, safety pump houses, cooling towers, and control buildings.

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HCC's contributions to India's nuclear energy infrastructure are significant. The company has built plants with an aggregated capacity of 5,780 MW, which accounts for approximately 60% of Indias total nuclear power capacity of 9,580 MW. However, as some of these plants are still under construction or yet to be commissioned, the current installed nuclear power capacity in India stands at 8,180 MW.

At the Q2 2025 analyst meet, Santosh Rai, operations director and chief business officer, noted that nuclear projects are highly specialized, with only one or two projects being announced annually. He explained that the Department of Atomic Energy retains the design drawings, while NPCIL serves as the implementing body. Rai highlighted a civil works opportunity worth 15,00020,000 crore annually, of which HCC could secure 2,0003,000 crore.

Financial performance and share price

As per Screener.in, HCCs shares are currently trading at 47.01, reflecting a valuation of 29.9x the book value of 1.57. The company has successfully reduced its debt in recent years but faces challenges, including poor sales growth over the last five years and a low interest coverage ratio.

View Full Image (Source: Screener.in)

Shareholding pattern as of September is as follows:

Promoters: 18.6% (with ~76.8% of promoter holdings pledged)

FIIs: 9.7%

DIIs: 6.0%

Public: 65.7%

Promoter holdings have decreased by approximately 16.1% over the past three years.

Elara Capital issued a "BUY" recommendation in its report dated 10 June, with a target price of 63 per share, based on the sum-of-the-parts valuation method.

HCCs robust capabilities in nuclear power infrastructure and its strategic position within India's energy sector highlight its potential to benefit from new project opportunities, despite ongoing operational and financial constraints.

Challenges in nuclear power

The nuclear power industry in India operates within a highly regulated framework, with the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) controlling and monitoring all aspects under the Government of India. Companies such as BHEL and HCC are typically outsourced for construction and commissioning of nuclear plants, while the DAE handles the design, and NPCIL is responsible for the operations of nuclear reactors. Currently, NPCIL operates 24 nuclear power reactors with a total capacity of 8,180 MW.

In addition to NPCIL, BHAVINI (Bharatiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam Ltd.) is also active in the nuclear power domain and is currently constructing a 500 MW Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor at Kalpakkam. However, the limited number of projects at various stages of construction highlights the scarcity of opportunities within the sector.

The case for nuclear power

Fossil fuels, such as coal, contribute to over 40% of global energy-related carbon emissions. Although all electricity generation methods emit carbon dioxide at some stage of their lifecycle, nuclear and renewable energy sources produce no carbon dioxide during electricity production.

According to a public awareness e-newsletter from NPCIL, nuclear power generation emits the same amount of carbon dioxide equivalent per unit as wind power, which is only one-third of the emissions produced by solar power. This positions nuclear energy as a crucial component of a low-carbon future.

India's nuclear power capacity is projected to grow steadily, reaching approximately 22 GW by 2031, according to estimates from NPCIL and the World Nuclear Association. This expansion is expected to directly boost the growth of engineering and construction firms such as BHEL, HCC, Larsen & Toubro, and others, which play pivotal roles in building the necessary infrastructure.

For more such analysis, read Profit Pulse.

As nuclear energy gains traction, its role in reducing carbon emissions and supporting Indias energy demands solidifies its importance in the countrys energy strategy.

Note: This article relies on data from www.Screener.in and company presentations. In instances where such data was unavailable, alternate but widely recognized and accepted sources were used.

The primary aim of this article is to share insightful charts, data points, and thought-provoking perspectives. It is NOT an investment recommendation. Readers are strongly encouraged to consult their financial advisor before making any investment decisions. This content is intended solely for educational purposes.

About the author: Mohit Bhambhani is a seasoned financial professional with over 13 years of experience in financial research and corporate advisory. He brings a wealth of knowledge about the Indian stock markets and applies an analytical approach to deeply study company performance, delivering value to readers.

Disclosure: The author and/or his dependents hold shares of BHEL, as discussed in this article.
Android 15 is officially here, but why does it not feel like a big upgrade? Android 15 builds upon the existing Material You design language introduced in Android 12. While there are subtle UI improvements, it's not a dramatic visual overhaul. Plus, some of the anticipated features that were previewed in beta releases were absent at launch, leaving some power users underwhelmed.

Moreover, Googles ambitions with its Pixel lineup have led to many of the new innovations landing up as Pixel-exclusive. For a while now, Google offers periodic updates, called Pixel Drops, that introduces new capabilities for existing Pixel smartphones, instead of bundling those together as new features for the next Android release more widely.

That said, Android 15 follows the same-same-but-different maximso theres not nothing to look forward to. Let's break down the key changes and explore the standout features on this new Android flavour, internally codenamed "Vanilla Ice Cream."

Privacy and Security

Android 15 introduces significant enhancements and nifty upgrades that elevate Android's privacy game and safeguards your data. One of the key focus areas this time around is theft prevention to ensure your data isn't accessible if your device is stolen.

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The feature leverages the on-device AI smarts and uses the onboard sensors to determine if your phone is stolenthat is, when someone snatches your phone and runs or drives away when you were using it. In such an event, the device locks itself automatically, preventing unauthorized access to personal information.

Aside from that, theres a Remote Lock feature if you lose your phoneyou can easily lock it with a phone number by going to android.com/lock. Of course, the device needs to be online for this feature to work. If your device is offline, its screen will lock automatically once it's online. But theres a separate feature as well to help protect your data that locks your phone shortly after your device goes offline.

Then theres Private Space, a sandbox which hides selected apps from the app drawer away from prying eyes and requires additional authentication for access. It allows you to make sensitive apps (such as dating or adult-themed apps) virtually invisiblenot just from the app list, but also recent apps view, notifications, and even settings. For those who want ultimate discretion for myriad reasons, you can even hide the existence of the Private Space altogether.

Of course, weve seen similar implementations beforeSecure Folder on Samsung One UI, Hidden Space on OnePlus OxygenOS, etc. And its quite likely that most brands will continue to refine their implementation instead of offering Private Space as is. Private Space also allows you to run a second instance of an app without too much of a hassle, just like the nifty app clone feature on Xiaomis MIUI or OPPOs ColorOS, for example.

Productivity

Android 15 refines multitasking features, making split-screen mode and recent app navigation more efficient. The improvements are more pronounced on foldable devices, allowing better continuity and seamless transition of apps between cover and inner displays.

With Android 15, you can now pin a floating taskbar to the screen, making it quicker and easier to switch between apps. The update also introduces paired app shortcuts allowing users to save their favourite split-screen app combinations for quick access. These are welcome optimizations considering the significant adoption of foldable smartphones in recent times even though the Android software experience has been limited on large-sized screens, including tablets, all this while.

Android 15 also introduces changes to the built-in screen recording capabilityyou can now use partial screen recording to record just a specific app instead of the entire screen. This aids privacy while sharing content, since other details like network connectivity, unread notifications, or the status bar will not show up in the recording.

Additionally, Android 15 includes substantial improvements to the PDF experience allowing apps to incorporate advanced features such as rendering password-protected files, annotations, form editing, searching, and selection with copy.

Camera

Android 15 gives third-party apps deeper access to camera hardware and its algorithms, potentially leading to more innovative and feature-rich camera experiences in the future.

Moreover, the new Low Light Boost auto-exposure feature enhances image quality in challenging light conditions, reducing noise and improving detail. Low Light Boost provides an enhanced image preview to allow us to frame our low-light pictures better and allows scanning QR codes in low light.

User Experience

While the under-the-hood optimizations contribute to smoother performance and better user experience on Android 15, theres a few standout refinements. The haptics are better as well! Android 15 also adds features that improve accessibility for visually challenged users, making the platform more inclusive for users with disabilities.

Android 15 has a brand-new volume panel with bigger pills and chunky controls. Its cleaner, and more visually appealing. Of course, theres a chance that most smartphone manufacturers would instead continue with their own implementations, and one would be able to experience this only on Googles own Pixel smartphones.

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Google announced support for app archiving last year, allowing users to free up space by removing infrequently used apps while still having its data preserved. Android 15 includes OS level support for app archiving and unarchiving, making it easier for all app stores to implement it. Its a handy feature, and could make buying base variants with limited storage capacity more

Android 15 integrates the latest extensions around Health Connect, Googles secure and centralized platform to manage and share app-collected health and fitness data. This update adds support for additional data types across fitness, nutrition, skin temperature, training plans, and more.

Connectivity

Android 15 continues to extend platform support for satellite connectivity in areas without mobile or Wi-Fi coverage. It provides support for SMS and MMS apps as well as preloaded RCS apps to use satellite connectivity for sending and receiving messages. However, satellite connectivity isnt available in India across the entire lineup of devices that have been launched in the market.

Additionally, Android 15 enables smoother NFC experiences to make the tap to pay experience more seamless and reliable. It also allows tighter integration with the user's preferred wallet app.

Coming To a Phone Near You

Google released Android 15 for its Pixel lineup on October 15th, 2024. The rollout for other smartphones varies for different brands, but the update has already landed for flagship smartphones from major brands like vivo, iQOO, Xiaomi, and OnePlus. Samsung though is running behind, as is the companys cadence.

The mid-range and budget devices across brands typically receive updates later and it might take until mid-2025 or even later for some of these devices to get Android 15.

Android 15 represents a thoughtful evolution of the Android ecosystem, prioritizing security, multitasking, and large-screen device usability. It also lays the groundwork for future innovation with features like satellite connectivity and deeper camera API access.

However, the lack of a major visual refresh or a slew of groundbreaking new features to play with might temper expectations for some users. It's an incremental upgrade, for what its worth.
There is a unique multi-course, immersive dining experience in Kochi featuring a series of meals shaped by the chefs food memories and traditional dishes of Kerala. They are conceptualised by a local food experience curating agency, Bites & Banter. It was founded by three gourmands and friendsartist Anna Pynadath along with chefs George JP Mayne and Georgy Vinodin April.

The trio dont have a restaurant space and they pick different venues to complement their menus. It gives them the flexibility to play with decor and create a different mood each time. Their first menu titled, Burnt Butter and Bad Jokes, was unveiled in May. It has influences from Maynes Luso-Indian lineage rooted in Keralas Indo-Portuguese heritage. It is a prominent community residing in Kochi and their food is known for smoked meats and roasts. The menu reflects this in dishes such as smoky chicken tart, roasted beets served on a bed of wild greens, among others. The last itineration of this menu was held at the art studio and lounge O That Vibe in Ernakulam in October.

Their newest menu named Forgotten Cochin is a seven-course meal and was launched in October. The seating is limited and they host a sit-down experience once a month. I signed up for the November edition hosted at the Brunton Boatyard, a restored period building currently managed by the Kerala-based hospitality company Casino Group of Hotels. It was the site for one of Kochis oldest ship builders, Geo Brunton and Sons (of England), in the nineteenth century. From flavours to techniques, complete with regional influences and storytelling against the rustic background of a historic building, it was an immersive experience like no other in the coastal city.

Both the chefs, Mayne and Vinod, intended to bring something like this to the coastal city. Going beyond concepts of conventional dining is what were aiming at with these dining experiences," says Mayne, who studied culinary arts from the Delhi affiliate of Le Cordon Bleu, Paris at GD Goenka Institute, Gurugram. Vinod, who graduated from the Bangalore Culinary Academy, also holds a degree in finance from London. While in London, he worked at around four different restaurants and went on to do a six-month stint with the Hyatt in Bengaluru. Pynadath, an architect by profession, helps setting the food in the right ambience and decor. Some of the most memorable meals that Mayne enjoyed were in Bengaluru. One of them was at the restaurant Oota, where hyper local delicacies from Karnataka were served with a smattering of theatre; another at the famous Naru Noodle Bar by chef Kavan Kuttappa; and a pop-up experience at food events space, The Conservatory. These were learning curves for me," he shares.

Each of the seven courses in their current menu champion regionality and the chefs backgrounds. The meal started off with the first course of kadathala pashtel or the taro pate. It is a traditional roll found in Kerala made from rice dough and stuffed with egg and potato. Here, it was presented in the form of a pate on a cracker. Pashtel, a word of European origin means pastry or pie crust, and in this case reimagined as a cracker. The pashtel is characteristic of the Jewish community from the island of Vypeen in Kochi, Mayne informs. And taro or arbi or cherub, as it is called in Malayalam, is another key ingredient from Keralas 400-year-old culinary history and came in through trade from China, he adds. The pate was mashed taro root blended with spices of erachi ularth (beef roasted in spices).

This was followed by arancini made of the indigenous matta rice, filled with shredded, chicken cooked in vindaloo spices--a Portuguese inspiration. Now, one might say that vindaloo is more of a Goan speciality, but it is very much a Malayalee dish, with shared Portuguese origins," Mayne says. Courses five was seared yam or a mackerel option served with vattayappam (a rice cake made of fermented rice batter) on a bed of fish moilee gravy. Now, the moilee course is another one thats close to my heart as it is a Kerala-style fish curry. In the sixteenth and seventeenth century, coconut milk was added to suit the palate of the Portuguese traders living here," Mayne explains.

The fifth course was a splendid pork belly paired with sourdough bread and mussadth, a condiment unique to Luso-Indians of Kerala. It is a flavour-bomb made with fermented yellow mustard, ginger, garlic and bark of moringa tree. My favourite course was the one with succulent pork and rose cookie. A guava drink sans sugar and a shot of coconut water with ginger and lime served as a palate cleanser. The meal ended with a dessert named Queens Surprise, a medley of pumpkin payasam, banana halwa and a delish coconut cardamom crumble.

Mayne said they didnt want to open a restaurant as that wouldve limited them to one type of cuisine and set portion sizes. Also, at a restaurant, the decor cannot be changed. We opt for venues that are like a a bare shell, where we can play around with decor and other elements. The upcoming pop-ups might not even have formal seatingwe might have cooking stations, where guests can move around and be seated casually on the floor." The trio soon hopes to take the curated experiences to other metros, and are already in talks with venues in Bengaluru.

View Full Image (From left) George JP Mayne, Georgy Vinod and Anna Pynadath.

The dining experience featured musical stylings of Gung, comprising Nandana V, a pianist and vocalist from Kochi, and June, a guitarist from Kolkata. With the menu tied to the neck of a bottle, a nod to Brunton Boatyards shipping connection, the whole evening was a treat to the senses.

Bites & Banter will host another themed pop-up on December 14 and 15, at O That Vibe. The average price is pegged at  2,800-3,500 (without taxes, without alcohol). To book, visit their Instagram page, @bites.banter.

Sumitra Nair is a journalist based in Kerala.

Also read: Teas loved by crazy rich Asians
Credit cards come in two broad categories  personal and business. The fine print of personal credit cards clearly says that they cannot be used for business spending, and hence separate cards are issued for business expenses. However, the majority of self-employed or business owners bill some of their business expenses to their personal cards. This begs the question: How do banks allow this?

Banks monitor spending activities, regularly auditing suspicious transactions and on finding any misuse, they repeal the accumulated rewards, or worse, suspend the card.

How banks monitor

As per the most important terms and conditions (MITC) of banks, non-commercial credit cards can be used for personal expenses only. Non-personal usage includes buying goods or making payments to run a business, making commercial payments to merchants, and any other expense that is not for personal consumption, which includes buying things for others to maximise spending.

However, certain expenses are difficult to classify as personal or non-personal. For instance, flight or hotel bookings made by an employee for a business trip that the company reimburses later. Or say a freelancer works out of a home office and pays the houses power bill with a credit card.

For some merchants that accept both retail and business payments such as utilities, flights, hotels, and vendor payment platforms like BharatNXT, there are no separate Merchant Category Codes (MCCs) for retail and business. So, there is no straight method for banks to know whether a business or personal expense is being billed.

Queries sent by Mint to HDFC Bank, ICICI Bank, Axis Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank about how they differentiate between retail and business spends did not receive any response.

With such grey zones on what may constitute business expenses, high-value transactions that are done solely to maximise rewards are generally flagged and audited by banks. Ajay Awtaney, founder and editor of LiveFromALounge.com, said banks generally go after card owners when they notice a pattern.

Banks do not track cardholders individually. When the bank approves a card, they put the cardholder in a certain portfolio based on their income, spending capacity and types of spends they are likely to make. Based on these factors, the bank develops a model and when a cardholder starts making high-value payments that dont fit this model, they get suspicious," he explained.

View Full Image Mint

An example is when business owners started paying power bills, running into several lakhs of rupees, of their factories or manufacturing units with their personal credit cards.

A familys power bills are unlikely to cross 20,000 in a month, so anything beyond that is an immediate red flag for banks," said Sumanta Mandal, founder of Technofino.

Most banks have taken action against such transactions.

As a result of this misuse, most banks have either completely exempted utilities from earning rewards on credit cards or where allowed, they have imposed a fee on payments made beyond a certain threshold, which is typically 50,000 per month," Mandal added.

The consequences

So, is there a right way to bill business expenses on personal credit cards? Mandal said there isnt.

When you pay a business expense with your personal credit card, you have violated the bank's MITC," he said.

That said, there havent been instances of banks scrutinising expenses in the range of 5,000 to 10,000. Experts point out that small spends are generally overlooked by banks. However, that doesnt mean the bank wont ever enquire about them.

On the other hand, high spending on utilities, fuel, offline points of sale, and travelare almost always scrutinised by banks, especially when they suspect that expenses are being maximised to claim benefits and rewards. Even when smaller business spends are done across different merchants and they total up to exceed the cardholders income month after month, banks can investigate.

One-off smaller amounts dont matter but when the spends start running into crores or several lakhs, it becomes a problem as the bank is essentially underwriting unsecured loans and hence taking credit exposure. Also, there is the cost of rewards in such big-ticket transactions," said Awtaney.

Banks take action by demanding proof of the payments suspected to be business transactions. If the cardholder fails to establish that the payments under scrutiny were personal, banks repeal the rewards earned on the business transactions and in some cases, cancel the full rewards accumulated in the account.

In March this year, Axis Bank blocked reward redemption of several users on the suspicion of personal cards being used for business spends. In the email sent to cardholders, the bank said, ...a pattern of nonpersonal usage of your credit cards has been observed for the transactions undertaken by you with the following merchants We request you to reply with invoices/evidence, if you wish to establish that the transactions undertaken by you with the above-mentioned merchant were only for your personal expenses and purposes."

In extreme cases, banks can also close the card. Mandal said American Express is the most stringent in its financial reviews.

Amex asks for income proof, tax returns and on finding satisfactory proof that the cardholder was manufacturing spends for rewards, it closes the account and bars the cardholder from applying for an Amex card for a couple of years," he said.

To avoid this, it is better to get a business credit card for commercial transactions.

Business cards on offer

Business cards are different from corporate cards. Corporate cards are given by multinational companies to employees for expenses specific to the job. For instance, to book flights for business trips or pay for meals with clients using a corporate card in place of your personal card. The liability in this case is with the company.

Business cards, on the other hand, are personal credit cards for business expenses. These are issued on the individual's name and permanent account number (PAN) and not on the company's PAN. These are typically given to owners of sole proprietors or directors/founders of companies.

All banks offer business credit cards, but most are low rewarding. Awtaney said currently, cards from HDFC Bank stand out from the rest.

The most rewarding one is Biz Black, which comes with a joining fee of 10,000 (excluding 18% GST) that is waived on spending 1.5 lakh within the first 90 days. For every 150 spent, the card earns 5 rewards points that are valued up to Re 1 per point, giving up to 3.33% reward rate. The card rewards generously with 5X reward points on income tax, GST payments and bill payments on PayZapp, the banks online payment app (see grfx).

Other business credit cards by HDFC Bank are also rewarding, giving 1-3% cashbacks and 1-2% reward rate. Business cards by ICICI Bank and Axis Bank offer cashback of 1% or less and a reward rate of 1% or less.

The main draw of business credit cards for most is not the rewards but the 4055-day interest-free credit period that the business owner gets.
SEOULSouth Korean opposition leader Lee Jae-myung credits a coup and stretch of military rule more than 40 years agoduring which soldiers opened fire on pro-democracy protesters in the southwestern city of Gwangju, killing manywith propelling him into politics.

Now, a short-lived attempt by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol last week to impose martial law has thrust Lee to within striking distance of his nations top job, as Yoon faces impeachment efforts and members of his cabinet are under criminal investigation.

Lee, who narrowly lost to Yoon in presidential elections in 2022, declined to say whether he would seek the office again. But in an interview, the 59-year-old former labor-rights lawyer said he was determined to oust Yoon, whom he described as a threat to Koreas constitutional order.

We have to impeach him and restore normal democracy," Lee told The Wall Street Journal, warning that as long as Yoon and his backers stay in power there is a risk they will try to delcare martial law again.

Lawmakers last week failed to reach a voting quorum to impeach Yoon for his martial-law decree. An impeachment motion filed by Lees left-leaning Democratic Party, which controls a majority of seats in the National Assembly, fell through on Saturday, when representatives of Yoons People Power Party abstained.

Opinion polls indicate that Lee would come out on top in a snap election, which would be called if Yoon is removed or resigns. One survey released Monday found that 52% support Lee. About 10% said they would vote for Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the People Power Party.

The ruling party, whose own popularity is sinking, worries it would struggle to fend off Lee in the event of a Yoon departure, so it is trying to stall. On Sunday, Han said Yoon would be politically sidelined and uninvolved in running the country or diplomacy until an unspecified orderly early retreat."

Instead, Han said, South Koreas livelihood issues and state affairs" would be jointly handled by the ruling party and the countrys prime minister.

Lee said that this arrangement amounts to a second act of insurrection" by Han and the ruling party. He condemned it as unconstitutional and likely worthy of criminal punishment. The president is elected by the peoplenot the People Power Party," Lee said.

On Monday, Yoon was placed under a travel ban while he is investigated for charges that include insurrectionone of the few offenses that isnt protected by presidential immunity. South Koreas military also clarified the same day that Yoon, despite being sidelined, would legally remain the countrys commander in chief.

Yoon, about halfway through a five-year term set to end in 2027, has admitted he called for martial law last week out of desperation, citing fears his political enemies had made the country vulnerable to North Korean communist forces."

Warlike politics

South Korean politics is highly polarized. In January, Lee was stabbed in the neck by a politically motivated assailant who wanted to stop him from one day becoming president. Emergency surgery saved his life. Afterward, he called for an end to the countrys warlike politics." But tensions between the political right and left remain high.

Lee has five ongoing trials for alleged offenses including perjury, breach of duty and involvement in illicit fund transfers made to North Korea. Last month, a court found him guilty of election-law violations, a verdict he has appealed. Lee has denied any wrongdoing. If he is ultimately convicted in the election-law violation case, he would lose his parliamentary seat and be unable to run for office for 10 years after the conviction.

For Lee, South Koreas brief return to martial law evoked a period in May 1980, when he was a 15-year-old factory worker in a Seoul suburb who had quit school to help his family make ends meet. He recalled thinking then that the stateand the military dictator that led itwere justified in taking on protesters, who were portrayed as having stolen weapons and shot at soldiers.

Two years later, after passing a special exam to enter college, Lee learned from fellow students and others the truth about Gwangju: The citizens who rose up against military rule werent rebels, Lee said, but victims shot by the military first. He said the realization spurred him to eventually seek public office.

I decided to dedicate myself to creating a world where such things couldnt happen," Lee said.

That is part of the reason why Lee sprung into action Tuesday night. Not long after Yoon finished his speech declaring martial law, Lee sent out a Telegram message at 10:39 p.m. to the Democratic Party leadership to gather quickly.

As his wife drove him to the National Assembly from their home in the Seoul suburbs, Lee livestreamed his entrance to his more than 1 million YouTube subscribers, urging citizens to flood the legislative compound in protest.

I am a realist

In the past, Lees critics called him South Koreas Bernie Sanders," owing to offering a universal basic income to young people in the province he governed, among other progressive policies. He didnt shy away from the comparison either. More recently, due to his legal problems, passionate base and social-media presence, a different comparison has emerged. Some have even said Im like the Trump of Korea, " he said.

Lee said he doesnt see himself as hyperpartisan, calling himself a pragmatist. I am a realist," he said.

He would represent a break from the current conservative Yoon administration, which has become more confrontational with North Korea, has strengthened ties with Japan and has fortified relations with the U.S.including providing indirect aid to Ukraine by selling shells to America.

Lee said Yoon keeps wanting to get dragged" into the Ukraine war, a reference to Seoul leaving open the possibility of sending further aid to the country since North Korea sent soldiers to fight alongside the Russians. While Yoon had vowed South Korea wont sit by idly," Lee has called aid to any foreign country a national-security risk.

Lee highly values" Trumps stated goal of ending the Ukraine war, as well as Trumps apparent interest in engaging again with Kim Jong Un.

We cannot help but be very grateful," Lee said. President-elect Trump has attempted things that others find difficult."

Lee said Yoon has unnecessarily heightened tensions with China.

To get the chance to lead South Korea, Lee will need Yoon to either resign or sway more of Yoons ruling-party lawmakers to break ranks. The opposition controls 192 seats in South Koreas unicameral 300-seat National Assembly. They need a two-thirds majority to pass impeachment.

All the opposition needs, Lee said, is for eight members to cross the aisle.

When the water exceeds the limit, it will overflow quickly. And you will choose to live together rather than die," Lee said.

Soobin Kim contributed to this article.

Write to Timothy W. Martin at Timothy.Martin@wsj.com, Gordon Fairclough at Gordon.Fairclough@wsj.com and Jiyoung Sohn at jiyoung.sohn@wsj.com

View Full Image He Might Be South Koreas Next President. All He Has to Do Is Impeach the Current One.

View Full Image He Might Be South Koreas Next President. All He Has to Do Is Impeach the Current One.
Earlier this year, Singapores government noted with alarm that the countrys total fertility rate (TFR) in 2023 had fallen to a record 0.97. TFR is the average number of children born to a woman during her lifetime. For several years, it has been falling, while the share of the elderly, those above 65 years, has been rising.

From 11.7% in 2013, it hit 19.1% in 2023 and is expected to reach 24.1 % in 2030. In Singapore, the pendulum of population policy has swung from one extreme to the other. In 1966, a Family Planning and Population Board was set up to encourage birth control.

There was a Stop-at-Two" programme, with disincentives for families having more than two children. Sterilization was rewarded. By the early 1980s, the government became pro-natalist, launching a Have-three-or-more campaign in 1987. Its population control policies had been too successful and needed reversing.

But despite baby-bonus schemes and cash incentives, the fertility rate keeps falling. Hence, immigration policy is being relaxed. Roughly 40% of Singaporeans are immigrants and 39% are non-citizens. The current policy seems to aim simply to stabilize the population rather than raise or lower the TFR.

Just like Singapore, almost all major countries have tried social engineering and population control. As per the United Nations 2021 World Population Policies report, nearly two-thirds of all countries had policies on fertility: 69 governments to reduce, 55 countries to increase and 19 to maintain it. Half the countries trying to reduce TFR are developing, implying that they think that high TFR hurts economic development.

India too has traditionally subscribed to that Malthusian view. In 2022, a private members bill was introduced in Parliament, proposing incentives for limiting children in a family to two. More than six states have the two-child norm as mandatory for panchayat members.

Policies to limit family size are being pursued in India even as nearly half of all states have reached a TFR of 2.1 or below. That is the replacement rate that leads to a stable population. It is a little over two progeny from two parents to account for factors like mortality, infertility and often also a gender ratio in favour of males.

In a sign of a reversal, Andhra Pradesh has scrapped a 30-year-old law barring those with three or more children from contesting local elections. It has a TFR of 1.6 and is worried about an ageing society. Many other southern states will follow suit in relaxing the norm.

Echoing this sentiment, RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat recently said that India should aim for a TFR of 3. With a lower TFR, a society can gradually fade away on its own," he said. That may be too alarmist, but clearly the sentiment in India is shifting to tackling a low TFR, not high fertility.

The actual relationship between population and economic growth has not been settled. Does high population growth cause growth to slow down or the reverse? As per the research of Angus Maddison, continued as the Maddison Project after his death in 2010, there is strong evidence that the long-term link between population and economic growth was stable for about 1,000 years before the industrial revolution.

For instance, in England from 1,000 CE to 1820 CE, the average annual population growth rate was 0.29% and annual per capita income growth was 0.12%, so that overall economic growth (the sum of the two) was 0.41%. But in past two centuries, this relationship has broken.

Per capita GDP in England has risen 11-fold since 1820. Between 1820 and 2010, the average population growth was 0.57%, whereas per capita income was rising at 1.28%. During this phase, agricultural output outpaced population, disproving the gloomy food scarcity forecast of Malthus.

Technological innovation seemed to be winning the race against resource scarcity. But Malthus followers have not given up. Paul Ehrlich, a contemporary Malthusian, and Julian Simon had a famous bet on commodity prices in 1980, in which the latter said that brains would solve the mineral scarcity problem." Simon won the bet, as by 1990, the worlds population had risen by nearly one billion but commodity prices had fallen.

Such techno optimism still drives policymakers who argue that human capital is the ultimate resource critical for economic growth. Population growth, which parallels growth in productivity, wages and family incomes, is required. Indias predicament is that despite being one of the fastest growing economies, its per capita income at around $3,000 is the lowest in the G20.

In the early 1990s, the economies of India and China were of comparable size and shared a similar rank by per capita income. Three decades later, Chinas economy is six times bigger, and its per capita GDP rank is 70 compared to Indias 141. Growth in China has been more inclusive than Indias.

Demographic changes are driven by multiple factors. Declining mortality and rising fertility both lead to population growth, but have opposite effects on economic growth. Rising family incomes tend to increase the opportunity cost of raising children, leading to a lower TFR. There is a high correlation between female education and incomes on one hand and family size on the other.

Also read: Population decline is not a problem but hungry kids are

Controlling TFR is doomed to fail. We need policies that raise per capita income, enhance human capital and encourage technological innovation; and state policies that are immigrant friendly and compensate for inter-state TFR differentials.
In the US, a multibillion-dollar industry thrives on an invisible commodity: personal data. This sector, dominated by data brokers, collects, processes and sells vast amounts of information on individuals, often without their knowledge.

It is an opaque ecosystem with far-reaching implications for personal privacy, financial security and national interests. Despite its outsized influence, the industry remains largely unregulated, raising urgent questions about the need for oversight and consumer protection.

Data brokers operate as intermediaries, aggregating information from sources like online browsing histories, credit applications, social media interactions and public records. This data is packaged into detailed profiles of individuals with sensitive information such as credit scores, financial history, health conditions and behavioural patterns.

These profiles are sold to advertisers, corporations, political campaigns and sometimes foreign entities. While these practices enable tailored advertising, marketing and individually targeted services, they also pose dangers. Commodifying sensitive datasuch as financial or health recordsopens a Pandoras box of ethical, legal and security concerns.

There are many risks associated with data brokering. Armed with detailed personal information on us, criminals can craft sophisticated phishing scams, defraud individuals and even steal identities.

Beyond personal harm, there are broader implications. Unregulated data flows can exacerbate systemic inequalities. Errors in aggregated data, such as incorrect credit information, can unfairly deny individuals access to loans, housing or employment.

These errors often go uncorrected as we have few accountability mechanisms for data brokers. Selling personal data to foreign entities can undermine national security.

For example, foreign adversaries could buy detailed demographic and psychographic data to manipulate public opinion, identify vulnerabilities in government personnel, or sow discord through misinformation.

By analysing behavioural patterns, they could craft campaigns to widen societal divides, manipulate elections or erode trust in institutionsall without any need for hacking or direct espionage.

Consider a scenario where a foreign actor legally purchases data-sets with details on US military personnel or government employees. This data could be used for blackmail.

The USs lack of comprehensive federal data privacy laws contrasts sharply with frameworks like the EUs General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which mandates transparency, consent and accountability, giving individuals significant control over their data.

In the US, however, data privacy is addressed in a fragmented manner, with state-level initiatives such as Californias Consumer Privacy Act offering piecemeal solutions. The US needs a unified regulatory framework that addresses transparency, consumer control and broker accountability.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has emerged as a key player in addressing the darker side of data brokerage, particularly in the financial domain. Established in the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, it is tasked with safeguarding consumers in the financial services sector.

In recent years, it has acted against credit reporting agencies that are closely tied to the data broker ecosystem. For instance, the CFPB has issued fines for mishandling consumer data and failing to address inaccuracies in credit reports. It has also initiated probes of how credit reporting agencies share data with third parties.

While all this marks progress, the CFPBs reach is limited by existing legislation, such as the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA), which primarily governs the financial aspects of data handling.

This leaves a regulatory gap for non-financial data brokers, which operate with even fewer constraints. The CFPBs head Rohit Chopra has just announced new steps to expand the FCRA and let his agency police data brokers (shorturl.at/xovZq).

While the CFPBs focus is on financial data, it has the potential to spearhead broader regulatory efforts. Its work in holding credit reporting agencies accountable could serve as a model for overseeing other data brokers. But it would require legislative backing to expand the CFPBs mandate beyond its current financial scope.

Collaboration between the CFPB and other agencies, such as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), could create a more comprehensive oversight framework. The FTC, which has jurisdiction over unfair business practices, could complement the CFPBs efforts by keeping the data broker industry in check.

However, where such regulation might go after Donald Trump takes office is unknown. It appears the proposed Department of Government Efficiency may have the CFPB in its cross-hairs (shorturl.at/7U6ol).

Whatever course the regulation of data brokers may take in the US, public awareness is critical. Consumers must be informed about the data broker risks and empowered to demand greater control over their personal information. Advocacy groups, journalists and tech companies can play a pivotal role in pushing for transparency and accountability.

Without regulation, the risks will only multiply, spanning personal harm, financial exploitation and threats to national security. As we grapple with challenges of the digital age, reining in the data broker industry should be a priority. After all, in the hands of the unscrupulous, your data isnt just a commodityit can be a weapon.
The fall of Bashar al-Assads regime in Syria marks the eclipse of Irans self-styled axis of resistance in the Middle East. While the successful advance of the Syrian Sunni insurgents into Damascus seemed sudden, it didnt happen overnight. Mr. Assads flight from the country seals what has been a disastrous few months for Tehran and its allies.

By removing the Assad regime, the insurgentsknown as Hayat Tahrir al-Shamhave cut off Tehrans main proxy militia, Hezbollah, from its supply lines. This was possible because of Israels mauling of Hezbollah in November, prompting the terror group to accept a cease-fire with the Jewish state. The decision was in direct contrast with Hezbollahs goal when it entered the war on Oct. 8, 2023.

As Hassan Nasrallah, its now-deceased leader, expressed at the time: The Lebanon front will not stop before the aggression on Gaza stops. The resistance in Lebanon wont stop supporting and assisting the people of Gaza, the West Bank and the oppressed people in these holy lands." By the time both parties agreed to a cease-fire, Nasrallah was dead. Hezbollah decided that sticking by its junior ally in Gaza was no longer worth the price. The dramatic events in Syria rapidly followed.

Hezbollahs actions came after Irans decision to avoid any major retaliation for Israels Oct. 26 attacks on targets inside Iran. This reluctance persisted despite Supreme Leader Ali Khameneis promise of a crushing response to what they are doing to Iran . . . and to the resistance front" after the attack. Iran hesitated in part because of the failure of its Iraqi and Yemeni proxies to penetrate Israeli air defenses with drones and missiles. Israel continued to make progress against Hamas in Gaza, despite Irans various efforts to open support fronts to relieve the pressure. Gazas Islamists are now isolated, facing Israel alone.

The apparent eclipse of Irans proxy axis, its helplessness in the wake of Israeli countermeasures, and the loss of Syria are of particular note because the alliance had fared so well for so long. Irans first success in the field of irregular warfare came with its creation of Hezbollah in 1982. It piloted Hezbollah to a victorious insurgency against Israel from 1985 to 2000, and then to undisputed political domination of Lebanon after 2008. After the fall of Saddam Hussein in 2003, Tehran-supported Shiite militias became the dominant political-military force in Iraq. Outreach to Hamas via Hezbollah from the early 1990s secured Iran a foothold in the Israel-Palestinian conflict, with its enormous symbolic importance in the Arab and Muslim worlds.

The 2010 Arab Spring, the 2012 destruction of the Saleh regime in Yemen and Irans rescue of the Assad regime in Syria that same year all contributed to the expansion of Iranian influence across the region.

On the eve of Oct. 7, 2023, Irans proxy system seemed at the height of its power. Iran, with its formidable ballistic-missile array and its nuclear ambitions, appeared to have succeeded in turning indirect conflict into a tool of state. A year on, however, everything looks different. Irans error was that it neglected a basic rule of irregular warfare: Avoid being drawn into the open on the conventional battlefield.

Doughty proponents of irregular warfare, from George Washington to Ho Chi Minh, all lived by this rule. Iran and its allies have abandoned it and suffered the consequences. The Oct. 7 attack, in addition to being a massacre, was a strategically absurd decision by a tiny statelet to launch a conventional offensive against a vastly more powerful neighbor. Hezbollahs choice to bombard Israel in the following days constituted a similar misstep. Irans decision in April this year to abandon proxy warfare and launch a direct attack on Israel compounded the error.

In each case, Israels response laid bare the profound inferiority of the Iranians and their allies in direct confrontation. The result: Hamas and Hezbollah are decimated, Gaza is a smoking ruin, Southern Lebanon is a pile of rubble, and Iran is exposed as helpless before Israeli air power.

The region now sees Iran and its misnamed axis of resistance as a paper tiger. The rebels assault in Syria and the stunning collapse of the Assad regime are the first fruits of this new look. More will doubtless come.

Mr. Spyer is director of research at the Middle East Forum and director of the Middle East Center for Reporting and Analysis. He is author of Days of the Fall: A Reporters Journey in the Syria and Iraq Wars."
Working in a banks technology department might finally be as cool as than landing a job at Google.

The market for tech talent is more measured than a few years ago, but big banks say they are still aggressively hiring. And talent is flocking to the sector, which can offer new hires the chance to file patents and work under researchers plucked from top academic departments.

Job stability and the social cachet that comes with saying you work at JPMorgan Chase dont hurt either.

At recruitment events, students are lining up out the door, according to Christine Tu, a distinguished engineer at Morgan Stanley and the head of artificial intelligence and machine learning in its wealth management technology division. That wasnt happening a few years ago, she added.

Tu credits the interest in part to the sectors success promoting its AI and technology work. Morgan Stanley has talked extensively about its early partnership with OpenAI.

With all those long lines, people are talking to us. I feel like they also understand theres more and more utilization within the financial area that could match their skill sets and their interests," she said.

While technology companies remain the biggest employers of recent tech graduates, the financial services sector is creeping closer. Cornell University said that 22% of its 2023 computer science graduates went into financial services, up from 16% in 2022. At Carnegie Mellon Universitys Heinz College, 19% of master of information systems management graduates between 2020 and 2023 went into financial services, up from 16% between 2018 and 2021.

Prem Natarajan, said he has been able to leverage his experience working at the University of Southern California and Amazon to bring talent into Capital One, where he serves as chief scientist and head of enterprise AI.

Natarajan said Capital One is hiring tech talent as aggressively as we can," for roles across the AI stack, including experts in neural networks as well as model building, training and fine-tuning.

It is easier to get that level of talent than it was two years ago, he said. We have been out there in the market evangelizing the value of all of these technologies for the financial sector."

The market for tech talent overall is more cautious than it has been in the past few years, in part because of the economy and in part because of some over-hiring during and after the pandemic, said Ryan Sutton, technology hiring and consulting expert at Robert Half. The unemployment rate for tech occupations fell slightly to 2.5% in November, around the lowest it has been in 2024, according to the trade group CompTIA. The national unemployment rate rose slightly to 4.2%.

For job candidates, the attraction gap between working at a tech company and working at a bank is shrinking, Sutton said.

Compensation is similar for comparable roles across the two sectors. But, shaken by layoffs and a greater sense of instability, tech companies are no longer rolling out the red carpet for their employees with perks like perpetual flexibility, lavish off-site trips and wellness retreats.

Meanwhile, the finance sector is stepping in.

Banks increasingly are looking to publicize their AI work, invest in pure research departments, and focus on upskilling and internal development with events like hackathons as ways to woo talent, according to Alexandra Mousavizadeh, co-founder and chief executive of Evident, which tracks AI adoption across the finance sector.

Perhaps no one has been more successful at that than JPMorgan, Mousavizadeh said. Chief Executive Jamie Dimon created one of the most robust technology research departments outside of Silicon Valley, starting with the hire in 2019 of well known Carnegie Mellon researcher Manuela Veloso.

AI talent looks at the leadership," Mousavizadeh said. Are they making it a priority? Are they making it very clear that AI is going to be a focus?"

Talent is also looking for tangible proof of the banks commitment to technology, such as patents.

In 2023, Capital One and Bank of America joined Toyota and a dozen tech companies, including Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet and IBM in the list of the top 15 companies obtaining AI-related utility patents, according to Harrity & Harrity, a patent consulting firm.

There are plenty of people lining up [at] our doors interested in doing complex technology work," said Hari Gopalkrishnan, head of consumer, business and wealth management technology at Bank of America. If you want to do a Ph.D. in a very specific vertical topic and do research and development, that may not be us, but for a whole lot of other software development and data analytics tasks, theres plenty here and people are excited to be here."

Bank of New York Mellon woos talent with regular training events and hackathons and recently deployed an AI supercomputer with Nvidia chips, said Sarthak Pattanaik, head of the banks AI hub.

Pattanaik noted BNY is hiring for roles in machine learning engineering, data engineering, generative AI, responsible AI and information securityand is invested in showing talented candidates that they can work on meaningful problems.

We feel AI has transformational power and can be part of every product and service that we build as a bank," he said. We just needed to create a much wider set of talent who can execute on this."

Write to Isabelle Bousquette at isabelle.bousquette@wsj.com
Three Chinese items added to UNESCO heritage list

08:38, December 09, 2024 By Wang Ru ( China Daily

A video showing the Qiang New Year festival, a traditional annual event of the Qiang ethnic group in China, is displayed during the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Asuncion, Paraguay. The festive event has been included on the UNESCO-endorsed Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. (Zhu Yubo/Xinhua)

In a remarkable display of conservation success, China's dedicated efforts have revitalized and safeguarded three endangered cultural treasures, leading to their inclusion on the UNESCO-endorsed Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

The three items  the Li ethnic group's traditional textile techniques of spinning, dyeing, weaving, and embroidering; the Qiang New Year festival, a traditional annual event of the Qiang ethnic group in China; and traditional design and practices for building Chinese wooden arch bridges  have all been elevated to this prestigious status.

The decision was reached on Thursday during the 19th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Asuncion, Paraguay.

Previously listed as Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding in 2009 due to the looming threat to their survival, these cultural gems have now been rescued and restored to ensure their continued existence.

"The transition means China has achieved significant progress in the protection of intangible cultural heritage and collected precious experience," Pan Lusheng, vice-president of the China Federation of Literary and Art Circles, was quoted as saying by Shanghai-based news portal ThePaper.cn.

"It signifies the number of inheritors has reached a certain scale, and the once nearly extinct skills or practices can now be naturally passed down and developed," he added.

Zhong Xiaobo, director of the Wenzhou Covered Bridge Culture Society in Zhejiang province, who has devoted over two decades to preserving wooden arch bridges, expressed immense excitement upon hearing the news.

He said that since around 2004, when these bridges were on the brink of extinction, the local people initiated efforts in Taishun county, Zhejiang, to rediscover and support inheritors in revitalizing this craft."This recognition validates our years of hard work," Zhong added.

The wooden arch bridges are mainly found in northern Fujian and southern Zhejiang. Built out of interlocking short beams with wooden sunmao (mortise-and-tenon) joints to create an especially stable arch without nails or rivets, these bridges are the crystallization of the wisdom of people in the mountainous areas of the two provinces, said Lu Zeqi, an expert in cultural heritage in Pingnan county, Fujian, where such bridges are often seen.

The Qiang New Year festival, celebrated in Sichuan province, often takes place on the first day of the tenth lunar month, during which Qiang people gather to hold ceremonies, pay tribute to deities, celebrate the harvest and pray for blessings in festive attire.

In 2008, when the devastating 8.0-magnitude Wenchuan earthquake hit many places where Qiang people live in Sichuan, quite a number of Qiang villages were destroyed and many inheritors passed away, putting at grave risk the tradition, which is only passed on by word of mouth and face-to-face teaching.

Since then, governments at all levels have issued policies and regulations to protect and popularize the festival, while traditional Qiang villages have been restored and their infrastructure has improved.

A Li ethnic woman displays a pendant made with traditional Li textile techniques in Dongfang, Hainan province. (Pu Xiaoxu/Xinhua)

"The item's inclusion in the UNESCO list showcases the close attention the Chinese government and society have paid to vulnerable intangible cultural heritage. It also tells us that as long as we are dedicated to protection, we can save even very endangered items," said Yuan Li, a researcher at the Chinese National Academy of Arts specializing in studies of China's intangible cultural heritage.

The endangered traditional textile techniques of the Li ethnic group in Hainan province faced a crisis over a dozen years ago due to low market demand and its limited passing on by word of mouth among females. Yuan noted that with the involvement of male inheritors, product promotion, and modern integration, the craft is experiencing a revival.

UNESCO's documentation said that in the absence of a written language, the patterns on textiles record the history and legends of Li culture as well as aspects of worship, taboos, beliefs, traditions, and folkways. These are therefore an indispensable part of the cultural heritage of the Li ethnic group, allowing communities to strengthen their shared historical memory and cultural identity.

Pan said the addition of these items is hoped to bolster the inheritors' sense of mission, encouraging them to promote understanding of their skills and practices, thereby fostering a more conducive environment for the items' future growth.

Peng Chao and Chen Bowen contributed to this story.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
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CAPTION: Professor Anne Looney, Executive Dean, DCU Institute of Education with Cnoc Mhuire Secondary School Deputy Principal Sandra Durkan, Aisling Scanlon with DCU President, Professor Daire Keogh. Aisling is studying Bachelor of Education at DCU. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO

Dublin City University has recognised more than 100 undergraduate students for their academic achievement in this years Leaving Certificate and A-level exams, at the DCU Scholars Awards in The Helix, Glasnevin Campus on Wednesday, November 27.

The students were recognised for achieving more than 600 points in the Leaving Certificate exams. Recipients hail from 17 counties across Ireland and represent the universitys five faculties: the DCU Business School, the Institute of Education, the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, the Faculty of Science & Health and the Faculty of Engineering and Computing.

Speaking at the ceremony, DCU President, Professor Daire Keogh told the awardees: You represent the talent of our young people and the future of our country. I know that you will enjoy the academic challenges and opportunities that DCU offers, the chance to stretch yourselves.

"Its important to add that University is not simply about academic excellence, but about developing the whole person. At DCU, our aim is to give you a transformative student experience that develops graduates who are ready to flourish in an unscripted world.

At the same ceremony, Pearce McCrory (Methodist College, Belfast) was awarded the DCU McAleese Scholarship for achievement in A-Level examinations, and Laoise Cahill (Gaelcholaiste an Phiarsaigh, Rathfarnham) received the Fiontar agus Scoil na Gaeilge scholarship award.
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Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: December 09 2024

Funding Supports Five Projects Across Upstate To Provide Valuable Skills to 2,100 Trainees for More Than 30 Business Partners.

Governor Kathy Hochul today announced the New York State Office of Strategic Workforce Development has awarded more than $15.5 million in additional grants to support five projects across Upstate New York through the Workforce Development Capital and Pay for Performance Operating Grant Programs. These grants will support the training of more than 2,100 workers through collaboration between training providers and more than 30 employer partners in high demand fields such as advanced manufacturing, construction, nanotechnology, and clean and renewable energy. The Office, which operates under Empire State Development, supports industry-driven workforce development programs and practices to ensure that more New Yorkers have the skills for good, family sustaining jobs in the state's fastest growing industries.

A pillar of my administration is to help New Yorkers put money in their pockets and part of that strategy is to ensure that more New Yorkers have the skills needed so they can have good paying jobs in growth industries throughout the state," Governor Hochul said. "By growing and expanding access to workforce development programs that provide training and address traditional barriers to employment, we are generating new opportunities for more residents to earn good wages  especially in historically-marginalized communities. These grants will support critical Upstate projects and offer even more people the transformational skills they need to succeed and thrive in the 21st century."

The seventh round of awards from the Office of Strategic Workforce Development brings the total state investment to nearly $60 million that will leverage more than $65 million in public and private funding and support over 14,400 trainees for over 2,000 business partners.

The grants awarded to five projects today will support employer-driven, high-skilled workforce training programs and reward innovative approaches and best practices that reduce the barriers to participation for high-need communities. The $115 million Pay for Performance Operating Grant Program has flexible funding to help providers cover programmatic expenses like curriculum development and wraparound services to prepare New Yorkers with in-demand skills and industry-recognized credentials. The $35 million Workforce Development Capital Grant Program supports the capital needs of workforce training providers that seek to enhance or expand their offerings. These grant programs allow workforce training providers to expand the capacity of successful programs with high placement rates and effective wraparound services.

Empire State Development President, CEO and Commissioner Hope Knight said, "The Office of Strategic Workforce Development continues to utilize crucial public-private partnerships to create new pathways to job and skills training, further supporting New York's pipeline of trained employees for high-growth industries. Working with our partner programs, we are committed to supporting trainees in their success and to growing a more diverse economy throughout the state."

New York State Department of Labor Commissioner Roberta Reardon said, Cutting edge industries require cutting edge skills. The funds awarded today are a win-win for workers and employers. They address critical workforce needs and support skill development for success in todays fast-growing sectors. By fueling workforce development projects with a proven record of success, these grant programs will build on what works, bringing innovative training programs to more New Yorkers, including those in underserved and marginalized communities.

Round Seven Awardees:

Manufacturer's Association of Central New York (MACNY)  Central New York, Capital Region, Finger Lakes, Southern Tier, Western New York  $6.5 Million (Pay for Performance Operating Grant): Grant funding will help MACNY scale the Mohawk Valley's successful Real Life Rosies and Advance 2 Apprenticeship programs to five additional regions over two years, in partnership with local SUNY community colleges. Both programs are New York State Department of Labor-recognized direct entry programs, which seek to enroll women, people with disabilities, and other historically marginalized populations in advanced manufacturing pre-apprenticeship training. The Real Life Rosies pilot program, previously funded by OSWD, has met or exceeded all outlined goals, introducing more than 100 trainees to advanced manufacturing careers. This new expansion will scale the original pre-apprenticeship in advanced manufacturing, and develop six new pathways in nanotechnology, semiconductor, biopharmaceutical, and green/clean energy.

Clinton-Essex-Warren-Washington (CVES) BOCES  North Country  $3 Million (Workforce Development Capital Grant): Funding will support the construction of a new career and technical education (CTE) center. Programming at the original space will continue until the new facility is completed, allowing for uninterrupted training and development with the goal of enrolling qualified applicants. OSWD funding will specifically support the construction of training spaces for programs in construction, software and digital media, and advanced manufacturing.

Questar III BOCES  Capital Region  $3 Million (Workforce Development Capital Grant) : Funding will support the expansion and modernization of the Donald R. Kline Technical School in Hudson, Columbia County. The project will increase capacity in the existing welding, HVAC and construction technology labs, and build new lab spaces for electrical and plumbing trades programs. All students will receive OSHA-10 certification and relevant industry credentials and opportunities for work-based learning. Enrollment capacity will increase for high school students, create expanded opportunities for adult learners, and allow for the modernization of equipment and materials.

University at Buffalo Educational Opportunity Center (BEOC)  Western New York  $1,997,413 (Pay for Performance Operating Grant): Grant funding will support the scaling of the successful Build Pre-Apprenticeship program, bringing the nine-week paid direct entry pre-apprenticeship program for construction trades to Buffalo. The model emphasizes serving low-income and underserved populations, and services include intensive case management to identify and meet the needs of each enrollee, and stipends to offset wages lost during training. Strong relationships with community partners, including city and union leadership, ensure that trainees will receive the right training at the right time to meet local demand for construction labor. Union instructors will teach the industry recognized Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3), plus career readiness training and professional development to increase success of direct entry candidates.

Center for Employment Opportunities  Capital Region, Finger Lakes, Western New York  $1,028,026 (Pay for Performance Operating Grant): Funding will help CEO to expand its successful construction pre-apprenticeship training for justice-impacted New Yorkers, increasing capacity in Buffalo, and piloting the program in Albany and Rochester. The program provides union approved Multi-Craft Core Curriculum (MC3) pre-apprenticeship training, plus workforce readiness training, transitional employment on CEOs work crews, job development and placement, and retention services post-placement. Supportive services include housing and transportation assistance, and health care and childcare access.

Assemblymember Harry Bronson said, As Labor Chair, my priority is building a diverse, equitable economy that works for everyone. The funding through the Office of Strategic Workforce Development is opening doors to opportunity that is industry-driven and intentional so that our families and young people have access to pre-apprenticeships that lead to placement in union apprenticeships. This is critical to people accessing high-quality careers with family sustaining wages. Importantly, the Center for Employment Opportunities will pilot their successful construction union-approved pre-apprenticeship program for justice-involved New Yorkers in the Rochester region, leading to even greater impact."
Israeli soldiers train to respond to the Syrian crisis on December 6. (IDF photo)

On December 8, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) moved units into several locations in a buffer zone that separates the Israeli side of the Golan from the Syrian side of the border. The IDF said the move was designed to ensure the safety of the communities of the Golan Heights and the citizens of Israel. Israel said it is not seeking to interfere in developments in Syria. The move was one of several Israel took on December 7 and December 8 as the regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad collapsed.

The Assad regimes collapse began soon after Israel and Lebanon agreed to a ceasefire on November 27. The Syrian opposition group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) marched on Aleppo in a lightning-fast offensive from northwest Syrias Idlib province in late November. After Aleppo, the group reached Hama and then Homs. By December 7, rebels in southern Syria had seized areas between Damascus and Jordan, and it was clear the Syrian regime wouldnt last long.

The IDF began sending more forces to the Golan Heights to bolster the 210th Division in charge of defending the Israel-Syria border. The area on the Syrian side had been controlled by rebels and other groups prior to 2018. Now, the insurgents returned, and Israel was unsure if this situation could lead to threats along the border amid the chaos. IDF Chief of the General Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi visited the 210th Division on December 7 to assess Israels readiness for what might come next.

Israel prepared quickly for this turn of events. On December 6, the IDF completed a drill in the southern Golan and the Jordan Valley. During the exercise, the Operations Directorate drilled rapid General Staff readiness forces deployment, by both air and land, assessing response time and execution reacting to an emerging incident in real-time, the IDF said. Photos distributed by the IDF showed soldiers boarding a C-130 Hercules transport aircraft. The military said it was ready to rapidly respond to different scenarios that might unfold. It also said the soldiers who participated in the drill would remain in the Golan.

In another move to bolster the IDFs forces along the border, elements of the 98th Division, including the Paratrooper and Commando Brigades, were sent to the Golan. Israel has used the 98th Division to address emerging threats since Hamass attack on October 7, 2023. The unit fought in Khan Younis and other areas in Gaza, moving quickly from place to place and adapting to different enemies and terrain. The IDF then sent the division to northern Israel in September to prepare for the ground offensive against Hezbollah that began on October 1.

The additional units in the Golan gave the IDF capabilities to respond to the crisis in Syria and various threats. For example, when armed men fired on a United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) post near the border on December 7, the IDF moved to assist the UN troops. UNDOF has been deployed along the border since 1974. The IDF is currently assisting the UN forces in repelling the attack, Israels military said on the afternoon of December 7.

As the Assad regime fell from power on December 8, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu journeyed to the Golan. This is a historic day for the Middle East. The collapse of the Assad regime, the tyranny in Damascus, offers great opportunity but also is fraught with significant dangers, Netanyahu said. He stated that the collapse of the regime was a direct result of our forceful action against Hezbollah and Iran, Assads main supporters. It set off a chain reaction of all those who want to free themselves from this tyranny and its oppression.

Netanyahu said that he had ordered the IDF to take over areas in the buffer zone that has existed since 1974. This is a temporary defensive position until a suitable arrangement is found, Netanyahu said. He also said Israel was extending a hand of peace to people in Syria. As the Syrian rebels consolidated control of Damascus and other areas on December 8, Israel made several other moves throughout the day, including sending forces to the top of Mount Hermon. Israel has controlled part of the mountain since 1967; now it controls the peak in Syria, according to reports.

In the valley below the mountain on the Israeli side of the Golan, the IDF also canceled in-school activities in four Druze towns. One of those towns, Majdal Shams, was the site of a missile attack by Hezbollah that killed 12 teens and children in July. The precautions were apparently taken out of concern for a similar incident.

Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024).
A US Air Force B-52H Stratofortress conducts a combat air patrol in support of Operation Inherent Resolve over the US Central Command area of responsibility. (CENTCOM)

The US Military launched dozens of airstrikes against Islamic State targets in central Syria on December 8, the day that President Bashir al-Assads regime was overthrown by the terrorist organization known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

US Central Command (CENTCOM) announced it struck over 75 targets using multiple US Air Force assets, including B-52s, F-15s, and A-10s. The targets included ISIS leaders, operatives, and camps. No senior Islamic State leaders have been reported killed, but CENTCOM is still assessing the results of the operation.

The strike took place just one day after Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) warned that the Islamic State would take advantage of the faltering efforts by Assads now-defunct Syria Arab Army.

The SDF, which was created and backed by the United States to battle the Islamic State, is led by the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), which is also listed by the US as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.

Assad regime collapses during a lightning offensive led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham

Assad has been battling a host of insurgent and terror groups since his brutal crackdown on civilian dissent during the beginning of the so-called Arab Spring in 2011. Assads regime is responsible for imprisoning and murdering hundreds of thousands of civilians during that period.

Backed by Russia, Iran, Lebanese Hezbollah, and a host of Iranian-backed militias from Iraq, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Qatar, and other countries, Assads beleaguered forces were able to beat back opposition groups to northern and eastern Syria before the rebels latest offensive. Three large factions, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army (SNA), and the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces operating in northern and eastern Syria emerged as the three main opposition groups.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham is the successor to Jabhat al Nusrah (the Al Nusrah Front), which was Al Qaedas branch in Syria. It is a US-listed Foreign Terrorist Organization, and Abu Muhammad al Julani, its leader, is a US-listed Specially Designated Global Terrorist. Julani previously served as Al Qaedas leader in Syria and reported directly to its previous emir, Ayman al Zawahiri. In a vaguely worded statement, Julani supposedly distanced the Al Nusrah Front from Al Qaeda in 2016 in order to receive international support. However, HTS shelters foreign terrorist fighters, and terrorist groups such as the Turkistan Islamic Party fight under its banner.

By the fall of 2024, HTS was confined to the northeastern Syrian province of Idlib. The Syrian National Army, which also has jihadist terror groups such as Ahrar al-Sham operating under its banner, was holding territory along the border between Syria and Turkey. Both groups received protection and support from Turkey.

On November 27, 2024, HTS and the SNA launched an operation against both the Assad regime and the US-backed SDF. A force primarily composed of HTS quickly took the city of Aleppo and then pushed southward along the M5 Motorway as Assads Syrian Arab Army crumbled. The cities of Hama and Homs fell in short order, and the road to the capital, Damascus, was open. Assad fled the country, and HTS forces quickly captured Damascus.

As HTS-led forces advanced south on Damascus, SNA forces, backed by the Turkish military, targeted US-allied SDF forces. The SNA has gained some ground; however, the fighting is ongoing.

The massive US strikes on the Islamic State are part of an effort to degrade the terror group and keep it from gaining ground in SDF-held Syria. However, it may also serve as a warning to the SNA and HTS not to push too hard against Americas flawed ally in Syria

Bill Roggio is a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies and the Editor of FDD's Long War Journal.
Processions of people wielding flaming brooms may sound like something out of magic tales, but those used to light up a Spanish town every year are the real thing - and there is no witchcraft involved, just fun. Every year on December 7, the inhabitants of Jarandilla de la Vera, a town in western Spain about 200 km (124 miles) west of Madrid, set bundles of twigs on fire and playfully hit each other on the legs in a festival known as Los Escobazos (the broom strikes).

"This celebration represents the best (feeling) for us. All the sadness you had in your body and didn't know how to get rid of, you leave it here with the fire," local resident Vicente Berrocosa told Reuters on Saturday. The fiery festival is celebrated on the eve of the Catholic feast known as the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception.

It is believed to have originated with shepherds coming from the hills using blazing brooms to light their way. "We play with fire as if we were playing with water. For us, fire is a symbol of purity. Nothing happens, we hit each other and we don't get hurt, we don't get burned. It's wonderful!" said another resident, Jesus Ferino.
Ilia Topuria (16-0) has become a focus of attention from the UFC's biggest stars, the world's leading mixed martial arts league, which seems evident with the explosion of the Spanish fighter. He knocked out the greatest featherweight of all time, Alexander Volkanovski, and also Max Holloway, another 145-pound legend.

With that resume, everyone is vying for him in the future: Volkanovski (26-4) is close to getting a rematch, and there is a strong base of names: Diego Lopes (26-6) or Movsar Evloev (19-0), beyond the dream Islam Makhachev (26-1), who seems focused on other targets.Volkanovski represents an opportunity for the great featherweight monarch. With countless defenses of the belt against all kinds of opponents, such as Yair Rodriguez, Brian Ortega, Korean Zombie or Max Holloway. He gave the step to Topuria, who knocked him out in Anaheim.

Connor McGregor mural now being erased from gyms.

"He gave me the opportunity, now he deserves the rematch," admitted Topuria. It seems inevitable that their paths will cross, more with the PPV in Australia without the great representative of the country of Oceania and the decision to headline with the rematch of Du Plessis - Strickland for the middleweight belt in Sydney.

It seems that Spain is getting further and further away as a venue, leaving a scenario in which two names are gaining strength. Lopes' name is strong because of his level in battles against Brian Ortega, whom he dominated. He has on his side the strength of Brazil or Mexico, countries he represents, and that event that UFC wants to do in connection with the tricolor country. But he has not fought since the Sphere in Las Vegas, and may return sooner.

Evloev option

Evloev is the one who appears strongly. He did not finish, but dominated with his wrestling Aljamain Sterling at UFC 310 and remains unbeaten. A fight with Topuria had already been planned at UFC 270 and their difficult relationship is well known. "Give me the guy from Spain," the Russian told ESPN. "He doesn't need to move up to another category. I have a 9-0 in featherweight, I'm next. I don't think the rankings say anything. I think I'm the best and only what I need for the title is that opportunity," he stressed

[Ilia Topuria] doesn't need to move up a weight class. I'm 9-0 at featherweight, I'm next. I don't think the rankings say anything. Movsar Evloev

It would be a complex battle. Evloev's fighting and pressure is shocking, although he does not have the finishing touch of Topuria. "He's very good. I have nothing against him, I just want the belt," explained the Ingushetia native. "I'll go anywhere. Spain, Georgia, Antarctica..." he added

If [Makhachev] wants to do it, we will absolutely give it to him if he defends the belt in January Dana White

In the background is the name of Makhachev. Although he got into a fight with Topuria, he is thinking about other targets. He is thinking about his lightweight defense against Tsarukyan, the possible rematch against Oliveira and a double-belt option in the welterweight division. UFC CEO Dana White is not against his option to move up to 170. "We could give it to him, completely," he said.
Wizards, witches and muggles have more time to defend Hogwards against the Dark Arts now that the Harry Potter exhibition will be in Massachusetts for much longer.

Harry Potter: The Exhibitions run at CambridgeSide in Cambridge has been extended until April 27, 2025. The exhibition was originally slated to be in Massachusetts until Jan. 5, 2025.

Two new costumes displays have been added as part of the extension.

They include Professor McGonagalls costume  worn by the late Maggie Smith in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince  and a costume worn by a Herbology student in Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.

Harry Potter: The Exhibition made its New England debut on Sept. 13 as part of its tour around the country. The traveling display opened in Philadelphia in February 2022, moved to Atlanta, Georgia, then went to New York City.

The exhibition is the product of Imagine Exhibitions, the same company that has produced dozens of other exhibitions, including Titanic: The Exhibition and Downton Abbey: The Exhibition."

Weve officially announced that were extending by popular demand so more people can experience this amazing exhibition in Boston through the holidays and into next spring, the companys president and CEO, Tom Zaller, said in a press release. Remember all your friends and loved ones this holiday season and give the gift of Exhibition magic while tickets are still available.

The exhibition lets fans become fully enveloped with the iconic moments, characters, settings and beasts from the Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts films.

Each room features either an interactive element or photo opportunity. Guests can get sorted into their Hogwarts House, make a potion and defend Hogwarts from Lord Voldemort.

Stepping outside of the movie series, people can also see original costumes, props and imagery from the Tony Award-winning Broadway production Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

The exhibitions retail shop sells exclusive merchandise including apparel, jewelry, and edible treats like Chocolate Frogs and bottled Butterbeer. Visitors can also obtain professional photographs at the end of the exhibition.

Harry Potter: The Exhibition is located inside CambridgeSide at 100 CambridgeSide Place in Cambridge.

The exhibition is open seven days a week. But its hours vary by day. Its open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. on holidays.

Tickets start at $25 for adults and $19 for children during the week, then go up to $29 and $24 on weekends and holidays.

As part of the extension, the exhibition has announced a holiday pack/bundle deal that includes four FLEX tickets, four audio guides and four commemorative posters. The bundle costs $175. Tickets can be purchased online.

Click here to read more about Harry Potter: The Exhibition.
Boston police arrested a 40-year-old man Friday evening who they say fired a gun during a road rage incident in the citys South End neighborhood.

Boston resident Jair Furtado has been charged with assault with a dangerous weapon and firing a gun within 500 feet of a dwelling in connection with the incident, Boston police said in a press release Saturday.

Officers responded to the area of 145 East Berkeley St. around 10:30 p.m. Friday night for a report of a road rage incident during which a suspect had fired a gun, police said. At the scene, they saw two vehicles stopped at the intersection of Harrison Avenue and East Berkeley Street and handcuffed the driver of the suspects vehicle, who was later identified as Furtado.

Officers soon noticed a firearm inside Furtados vehicle and called detectives to the scene, police said. The gun was later determined to be a Springfield Hellcat with one round in the chamber and eight rounds in the magazine. They also discovered additional ammunition and a holster inside the vehicle.

Officers soon learned that the incident originated at the intersection of Albany Street and East Berkeley Street, police said. They were told that an argument ensued following a road rage incident, and that Furtado shot at the victims vehicle as a result.

Furtado is set to be arraigned in Boston Municipal Court, police said.
A Brimfield woman died after the pickup truck she was riding in crossed a median on the F.E. Everett Turnpike in New Hampshire and crashed into multiple other vehicles, New Hampshire State Police said.

Wanda Navarro, 63, was taken to Elliot Hospital Sunday where she was pronounced dead.

The crash happened around 12:55 p.m. Sunday on the northbound side of the turnpike near Exit 12.

Troopers believe the driver of a white Dodge Ram pickup was originally traveling southbound. But for reasons that remain under investigation, the pickup truck suddenly crossed the median and entered the northbound lanes of the turnpike, State Police said. The truck crashed into two other vehicles, including a brown GMC Sierra pickup and a white Nissan Versa sedan.

The driver of the Dodge was identified by State Police as James Navarro, 69, of Brimfield. He was taken by ambulance to be evaluated for minor injuries. A passenger in the GMC Sierra was also taken to the hospital for serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

All northbound lanes and the left lane on the southbound side were closed for about three hours after the crash.

The crash remains under investigation and no charges have been filed as of Sunday night. Anyone with information about the crash is asked to contact Trooper Abigail Wells at (603) 223-4381 or Abigail.A.Wells@dos.nh.gov.
Over a dozen geese and ducks were rescued by wildlife crews Sunday after oil leaked into the Muddy River in Brookline.

Brookline first responders said they went to Muddy River near the Longwood MBTA station around 12:05 p.m. after they got a call about a possible oil leak.

Officials believe the pollutant was home heating oil based on the color and smell, but they dont know where it came from, according to WCVB.

Crews from the states Department of Environmental Protection and Clean Harbors, a waste management company, were on the scene to evaluate the leak and consider the next steps.

Crews from the New England Wildlife Center rescued and cleaned 15 ducks and geese covered in oil, WCVB reported. The birds were then brought back to its facility for treatment.

Our priority is to clear airways and flush oil from the eyes and mouth, and provide heat support to help them compensate, the New England Wildlife Center said about the Canada geese and ducks they rescued. We will begin the washing process once they are stable enough to undergo the procedure.

The New England Wildlife Center said crews will return Monday to see if there are any more animals affected.

Police said that an investigation is ongoing. They expect an update to be released from town hall on Monday.
An Attleboro Public Schools special education teacher now faces criminal charges after police say she slapped two elementary-aged autistic students last month.

Susan Martin, 57, who was originally placed on leave from the school district after the incident was reported, has been charged with two felony counts of assault and battery on a person with an intellectual disability.

Martin pleaded not guilty in Attleboro District Court on Monday. She was ordered by a judge to stay away from the victims and have no unsupervised contact with children under 16.

Multiple staff members witnessed Martin physically assaulting students at Thacher Elementary School on at least two separate occasions on Nov. 26, according to police. Both students were 5 years old and had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

Following Martins arraignment, Attleboro Public Schools Superintendent David Sawyer provided an update on the deeply troubling situation, where he said the district has been fully cooperating with police and the Bristol County District Attorneys Office.

He said the district is supporting the affected students and their families.

When allegations were brought to our attention on Nov. 26, the teacher was immediately placed on administrative leave, and we began an internal investigation in accordance with district procedures, Sawyer said. The district also notified the Attleboro Police Department and the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families, consistent with our policies and procedures.

Sawyer said the allegations against Martin represent a profound betrayal of the trust our community places in educators and the values we hold dear as a public school district.

I would like to reiterate that the safety and well-being of our students are our highest priorities, he continued. We have taken this situation very seriously since it was brought to our attention, and we are committed to collaborating with our law enforcement partners in their ongoing investigation.

Martin is due back in court on Jan. 23, 2025.
A woman died Sunday after firefighters rescued her and a man from a second-alarm fire in Wakefield.

Around 8:44 a.m. on Sunday, multiple people nearby called 911 to report an explosion at 318 Water St.

A heavy fire was coming from the third floor of the six-family house by the time firefighters arrived.

Wakefield firefighters and police officers rescued two adults from the home. The woman was transported to Massachusetts General Hospital, where she later died. They also took a man with serious injuries to Melrose-Wakefield Hospital. He is expected to survive, officials said Sunday night. No other injuries were reported.

Officials have not released the name of the woman.

The fire was under control in about 30 minutes with mutual aid companies from Stoneham, Melrose, Reading, and North Reading.

Smoking materials and home oxygen equipment were found where the fire started on the third floor, officials said in a press release.

Medical oxygen makes it easier for fire to grow and spread, fire officials said. Additionally, smoking on or near home oxygen is especially dangerous.

Our hearts go out to the family that lost a loved one today, said Wakefield Fire Chief Michael Sullivan. This is a very sad day for them and the community.
The Worcester Police Department engaged in a pattern or practice of conduct that violated peoples civil rights, United States Attorney Joshua Levys office announced Monday.

In November 2022, the DOJ announced a federal probe into the Worcester Police Department for possible patterns of excessive force or discriminatory policing based on race or sex.

In a 41-page report, DOJ details its findings, stating that the Worcester Police Department used excessive force, including unjustified uses of Tasers, police dogs and strikes to the head. Officers rapidly escalated minor incidents by using more force than necessary, including during encounters with people who have behavioral health disabilities or are in crisis, Levys office said in a statement.

These uses of excessive force violated the Fourth Amendment of the Constitution, Levys office said.

The police department has allowed certain officers at times to engage in outrageous government conduct and violate the constitutional rights of women suspected of being involved in the commercial sex trade by engaging in sexual contact while undercover as part of official investigations, Levys office said.

This violates the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment, Levys office added.

The report also raised major concerns over some credible reports that officers have sexually assaulted women under threat of arrest and engaged in other sexual misconduct and concerns, in which the department lacks policies and practices to respond to and investigate, the statement read.

Our comprehensive investigation revealed that the Worcester Police Department uses excessive force and has allowed undercover police officers to engage in sexual contact with women suspected of being involved in the commercial sex trade, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division said in Levys statement.

Lastly, the DOJ found that Worcester police engage in racially discriminatory policing, Levys office said.

Excessive force and sexual misconduct at the hands of officers who took an oath to serve and protect deeply diminishes the publics trust in its sworn officers, Levy said in the statement. The actions by certain officers who engaged in this conduct are not a reflection of the many hard-working and ethical officers at the WPD who did not engage in such misconduct or the thousands of police officers around the Commonwealth who serve with honor every day.

This marks the first time that the DOJ issued a pattern or practice finding that involved sexual misconduct by officers, Clarke said.

Despite the serious and sobering findings, Levy said it was the start of a new chapter to work with the city and police department in implementing reforms.

The Worcester Police Department and City Manager Eric Batistas office did not immediately respond to MassLive' request for comment.

Former federal prosecutor Brian T. Kelly, who is now in private practice and was hired by the city with respect to the investigation, said prior to the reports release that the city and police department are committed to working with the DOJ to ensure public safety and a well-run police force.

Notwithstanding WPDs full cooperation and the anonymous nature of the complaints, the DOJs Civil Rights Division has issued an unfair, inaccurate, and biased report which unfairly smears the entire Worcester police force by claiming there is a pattern or practice by the WPD to engage in excessive use of force and sexual harassment of prostitutes, Kelly said in a statement obtained by MassLive.

Instead of identifying officers who could and should be prosecuted if the allegations were true, Kelly said, the report is riddled with factual inaccuracies and ignores information provided by the city which debunks many of the anonymous claims. He added that federal officials are racing to publish an inaccurate report before the change in presidential administrations, without bothering to get the facts right, DOJ has done an extreme disservice to the entire Worcester community... 

U.S. Attorney Joshua Levys office did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the accusation that the report was rushed out.

He pointed to an incident involving the use of a Taser at a train station and said the DOJs account of what happened is inaccurate and omits key details established by video evidence.

The force used in this incident was appropriate given the circumstances and consistent with the states use-of-force protocols, Kelly continued.

He then claimed that federal investigators had not found any constitutional violations regarding discriminatory policing and called allegations of sexual misconduct anonymous hearsay statements and a paper prepared by a group of Clark University students...

While the police department has implemented recommendations proposed by the DOJ, Kelly said that Worcester police urge the DOJ to promptly prosecute individual officers instead of follow anonymous allegations that serve to unfairly defame an entire police department," Kelly said.

The DOJ did not specify what triggered the investigation in Worcester. But the police department has paid out millions of dollars in lawsuits in the last decade tied to allegations of racial profiling, discriminatory racial bias regarding promotions within the department, fabricated evidence and the use of excessive force.

One lawsuit in October 2022 concluded with a former Worcester man receiving $8 million after a federal jury found Worcester police fabricated evidence that led to a wrongful conviction and 16 years of prison time. Another included the city paying out $20,000 in December of 2021 to settle a lawsuit filed by a Liberian immigrant who claimed he was racially profiled and falsely arrested by an off-duty police officer working a security detail at Walmart in 2019.

A solitary use of excessive force or an unlawful stop does not establish a pattern or practice, but it can suggest a larger problem within a police department, according to the DOJs factsheet about pattern or practice investigations. Unlawful conduct done repeatedly over time could be a violation of the law.

In 1994, Congress authorized the United States Attorney General to investigate pattern or practice conduct that deprives persons of rights, privileges, or immunities secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States, according to the DOJs website.

This authorization stemmed from an independent commissions findings that there was an institutionalized failure within the Los Angeles Police Department in connection with the beating of Rodney King, according to the Center for American Progress. This incident led to the violent Los Angeles Riots in April 1992.

The DOJs Civil Rights Division which conducts pattern or practice investigations briefly stopped these investigations shortly after President-elect Donald Trump started his first term in 2017, The Baltimore Banner reported. By that spring, investigations were allowed to continue.

A year later, the DOJ announced an investigation into the Springfield Police Department. The department reached an agreement to follow a consent decree that gave the DOJ a measure of control over it.
A Huntington woman will use a Fulbright Specialist Program grant to help journalists in Romania keep journalism independent of government interference.

Kathryn Koegel received notification of the award Friday. She will work in January with Freedom House Inc. in Romania, a non-governmental organization, in what she described as a continuation of work she started 25 years ago.
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by Adam Buckman , Featured Columnist, December 9, 2024

The TV Blog wishes to thank Conan OBrien for stepping up to host next years Oscars on ABC.

Why thank him? Because the job is thankless, except for the money, which hopefully is well north of scale.

For Conan, 61, the gig represents another feather in his cap and notch on his belt. Imagine -- he went from writing anonymously for The Simpsons, then worked for 30 years on other stuff, and now, here he is poised to host the Academy Awards. Well, Conan, look at you!

The question that sits there like the proverbial elephant in the room: Does Conan have the muscle to stop potential on-stage assaults, especially if Will Smith is in the audience?

It is said by others that Conan OBrien is a man of many talents, but Conan OBrawny he is not.

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The TV Blog helpfully suggests that he hire Mr. T, 72 -- former nightclub bouncer on Chicagos Rush Street and later, a celebrity bodyguard -- to be stationed nearby on the Oscar stage.

Conan has known Mr. T since 2000, when the Rocky III star took pity on the Late Night host and agreed to do his show for the first time.

The two clicked and Conan went on to use Mr. T in countless bits (they arent really countless in the literal sense; I just dont feel like counting them).

To get the details out of the way, Conans hiring as the next host of the Oscars was announced in November by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and ABC. It will be his first time. Next years 97th Oscars are scheduled for Sunday, March 2 on ABC.

As if to prove that Barnum-like, show-business promotion is not dead, the press release had three prepared statements from five people -- Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang in a joint statement that read as if they recited it in unison, Disney Television Group President Craig Erwich, and Oscars executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan, who also stated their prepared statement in one voice.

Taken all together, the adjectives and phrases applied in praise of Conan are breathtaking. The statements called him incomparable, brilliant, distinctive, remarkable, incredibly witty and charismatic.

They described him as the perfect person to lead our global celebration of film, a preeminent comedic voice and a master of live event television.

He may, in fact, be none of those things, but his qualifications for membership in the Hollywood movie community are undisputed by virtue of his many movie credits.

Who can forget his uncredited cameo in Pootie Tang, his cameo appearance in the Bewitched movie (credited this time), and the credited role of Farley in 2023s Please Dont Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain? I cant!

So, why is the Oscar hosting gig so thankless? For years, it was just the opposite -- a gig for a comedy star (it was almost always a comedian) that represented the very pinnacle of show business.

In recent years, however, it has often seemed as if the Academy and ABC were exhausting their Rolodexes (translation: list of contacts) every year to call everyone they knew until someone -- anyone -- said yes.

This year, the one who said yes was Conan OBrien. He is a great choice -- Simpsons writer, late-night star, world traveler, podcast powerhouse, and now host of the Oscars.

Thank you, Conan, and dont forget to bring Triumph, the Insult-Comic Dog. Just tell them hes your service dog.

Photo courtesy of Conaco/Max, from the Max travel-comedy series Conan OBrien Must Go.
by Fern Siegel , December 9, 2024



Since 2020, Montefiore Einstein Hospital has released a holiday campaign that highlights its work with patients. This years clinical focus is children living with rare diseases.

Alto created The Rarest Stars Shine Brightest, a three-minute spot that raises awareness of Montefiore Einstein as a global leader in rare diseases, while showcasing the ingenuity of the kids.

The ad centers on five special kids that save the holidays for New York after a city-wide blackout.

Steve Rogers, a Cannes Grand Prix winner, directed the work. The OOH element is by artist Steve Chorney, known for his hand-drawn movie posters of Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Who Framed Roger Rabbit.

Stars is live across TV, social, OTT, OOH and digital. It airs through years-end, while print ads run into January. The integrated campaign invites viewers to learn more about rare diseases and Montefiore Einstein's expertise.

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Hannes Ciatti, Chief Creative Officer at Alto, said: The vision of Loreen Babcock, senior vice president-CMO Montefiore Health System, to put the academic medical center at the heart of this kind of magical storytelling has been a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the community and physicians that make magic happen every day.

Altos client work includes Meta Quest, Upwork and Squarespace.
by Tanya Gazdik , December 8, 2024

Parents are planning to stage a protest at a Cracker Barrel in Maryland after the location reportedly refused to serve a group of students who have developmental and learning disabilities.

The Cracker Barrel general manager told teaching staff the restaurant cannot accommodate to your group and that the restaurant should be removed from the approved list of restaurants for community-based instruction," Charles County Public Schools special education teacher Katie Schneider told parents in an email, which has been shared online, according to USA Today.

Ultimately staff placed a carryout to-go order and had the children wait to eat on the bus.

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During this time, the servers were blatantly rude to our staff and ignored all of our students, Schneider continued in her email. "Refusing to serve them, they did not even ask if our students wanted a drink or anything. Our students were so well behaved and sat at the tables patiently, which you know can be hard, waiting for their food and drinks to-go.

Parents have expressed anger and sadness in reaction to the incident.

It broke my heart, said Dustin Reed, whose 7-year-old daughter is nonverbal, according to NBC Washington. Pushed off to the side, and just not even paid attention to. Only thing they wanted to go in there to do was eat some food and enjoy their time there and learn from it.

Cracker Barrel said in a statement that a "staffing challenge" led to impacting the group's experience.

However, the school district had informed the restaurant ahead of the visit, including how many were in the party, and were told there was no need to make a reservation, according to Charles County Public Schools Superintendent Maria Navarro.

"That we disappointed this group of students and teachers is unacceptable to us, and we sincerely apologize," Cracker Barrel's media relations team said on Saturday, according to WUSA9.

Since news of this incident became public, a number of Charles County businesses have stepped forward and volunteered to take part in the life-skills program, according to NBC Washington.

Parents, including Dustin Reed, are planning a protest at the location Dec. 15 and already 85 have indicated they plan to attend.

Reed said he hopes the protest sheds light on the fact that just because some children have different abilities, it doesn't make them less than anyone else, according to USA Today.
Conde Nast is ending the year with a round of layoffs.

There was no word on the number, but the cuts are expected to reach the C suite, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The reductions will not affect The New Yorker.

There also will be editorial changes. Jessica Cruel, the editor in chief of Allure, will take on the same role at Self, The Hollywood Reporter also reports. That magazines current editor in chief, Rachel Wilkerson Miller, is stepping down in February.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, December 9, 2024

TikTok is asking a federal appellate court to halt a law that could result in a ban on the app by next month, unless it's sold by parent company, China-based ByteDance.

If the act takes effect on January 19, 2025, one of the nations leading speech platforms will be shuttered, inflicting irreparable injury by silencing petitioners and the 170 million Americans who use the platform each month, TikTok and ByteDance say in an emergency motion filed Monday morning with the D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The appellate court upheld the law on Friday, ruling it was justified based on national security concerns. TikTok and ByteDance say they plan to ask the Supreme Court to review that ruling, and are seeking to stay the law until that court weighs in.

The Department of Justice on Monday opposed the request and urged the court to deny it without additional written arguments.

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The Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act (H.R. 7521), signed into law in April, prohibits app stores and websites from distributing TikTok unless it's divested by ByteDance. The measure was largely driven by fears that the Chinese government may be able to access data about TikTok's users, and use the app to sway public opinion.

The law gives ByteDance a January 19 deadline to find a buyer, and provides that President Joe Biden can extend that period for up to three months. Biden hasn't indicated whether he's inclined to grant that extension.

President-elect Donald Trump recently suggested he doesn't support a ban -- despite having attempted to outlaw the app when previously held office. But it's unclear whether Trump can effectively prevent a ban -- either by convincing Congress to repeal the law, or asking the Department of Justice not to enforce it.

TikTok argued Monday that it will suffer irreparable injury, unless the law is stayed.

Starting on January 19, the Act will inflict extreme and irreparable harm on petitioners by banning their operation of TikTok in the United States on the eve of a presidential inauguration, the company writes. This will deprive TikToks base of 170 million monthly users and creators of access to one of the countrys most popular speech platforms; destroy TikToks ability to attract advertisers; and cripple petitioners ability to recruit and retain talent.

Even a short shutdown will cause TikTok to lose advertisers and commercial partners, the company wrote, adding that a one-month closure would lead to a 29% loss of TikTok's total targeted global advertising revenue for 2025.

TikTok added that an emergency injunction would give the incoming Trump administration an opportunity to determine its position.
by Wendy Davis @wendyndavis, December 9, 2024

Senate lawmakers who are pressing for a House vote on the Kids Online Safety Act have unveiled a new version of the controversial bill, which was revised with input from X Corp. owner Elon Musk.

The measure, which would impose sweeping restrictions on social media companies' ability to serve content to minors, was approved by the Senate this summer, but has stalled in the House.

The revisions, introduced Saturday, are aimed at assuaging concerns that the bill could enable government officials to effectively censor speech on social media. But critics of the bill say those concerns persist despite the revisions.

The Kids Online Safety Act aims to tackle some specific potential harms associated with minors' social media use -- including depression, eating disorders, and online bullying. The measure would require tech platforms to use reasonable care to avoid causing those harms via design features such as personalized recommendations, notifications and appearance-altering filters. The measure tasks the Federal Trade Commission with issuing guidance to platforms regarding online safety.

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While some youth advocates support the measure, opponents -- including civil liberties groups and tech industry organizations -- say the bill would empower government officials to effectively censor content they deem inappropriate for teens.

The new language includes a provision that explicitly prevents government officials from attempting to enforce the bill in ways that would violate the First Amendment.

Bill sponsors Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Connecticut) stated Saturday that the new language should eliminate once and for all the false narrative that this bill would be weaponized by unelected bureaucrats to censor Americans.

X CEO Linda Yaccarino praised the newly revised bill on Saturday.

After working with the bill authors, Im proud to share that weve made progress to further protect freedom of speech while maintaining safety for minors online, she stated in a post on X.

But opponents say their central concerns with the proposed law remain the same.

It still regulates protected American speech online and empowers bureaucrats to censor speech on platforms, Amy Bos, director of state and federal affairs at the tech industry funded group NetChoice stated.

She added that even with the new language, bureaucrats will be in charge of determining which 'harms' platforms must restrict through an Orwellian digital speech council.

Interactive Advertising Bureau executive vice president Lartease Tiffith separately stated this summer that the organization is particularly worried about provisions that may limit free speech, effectively placing government oversight on platform content decisions.

Some states have recently passed their own versions of online safety bills, but it's not clear those efforts will survive constitutional challenges.

In California, for instance, judges have temporarily blocked portions of a law that would have required online companies likely to be accessed by users under 18 to evaluate whether the design of their services could expose minors to potentially harmful content, and to mitigate that potential harm.
Urine cfDNA is a promising biomarker for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC), showing a strong correlation with tissue DNA.

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Toward urinary cell-free DNA-based treatment of urothelial carcinoma: a narrative review



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Did you know

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a rare malignant tumor. #UTUC #cancer #urothelialcancer #medindia 

Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a rare malignant tumor. #UTUC #cancer #urothelialcancer #medindia 

cfDNA Biomarkers for UTUC

Urine vs. Plasma cfDNA in UTUC Detection

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Toward urinary cell-free DNA-based treatment of urothelial carcinoma: a narrative review - (https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8100839/)

Cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is one of the important biomarkers of liquid biopsy for many malignant cancers like urothelial bladder cancer.However, the use of cfDNA in upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) and voided urine cfDNA for tumor detection is unexplored. Dr. Alexander Zhu discussed the role of voided urine cell-free DNA as a biomarker for upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) in the 2024 Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO) annual meeting held in Dallas, between December 3 and December 6, 2024 ().The study aimed to assess the reliability of urine or plasma cfDNA as a biomarker for UTUC using low-pass whole genome sequencing (LP-WGS). Four patients participated in the study with known or suspected UTUC undergoing nephroureterectomy. Peripheral blood and voided urine samples were collected from all the patients before surgery. cfDNA was isolated from urine and plasma samples using standard protocols.cfDNA was isolated from urine and plasma using standard protocols. Genomic DNA was extracted from radical nephroureterectomy specimens and established as tissue DNA. Next-generation sequencing using LP-WGS was performed on all samples (urine, plasma, tissue) to a minimum depth of 0.1x. Sequenced reads were matched against the human reference genome (hg19).With the help of a bioinformatic tool, copy number alterations (CNAs) were identified. Copy number alterations are genomic regions of the samples deviated from the identified reference genome.CNAs of urine and plasma were matched with tissue samples and the differences in CNAs at the chromosomal and sub-chromosomal levels were identified among all three sample types.Four patients underwent radical nephroureterectomy with preoperative voided urine cfDNA, preoperative plasma cfDNA, and tumor tissue DNA available for analysis. The pathology results were pT1N0 (n=2) and pT2Nx (n=2). At the chromosomal level, CNAs in urine cfDNA closely mirrored that of a tissue.The correlation coefficients for chromosomal abnormalities between urine vs. tissue ranged from 0.873 to 0.997. However, this correlation was not observed in Plasma cfDNA and tissue samples.Dr. Alex Zhu concluded their poster by noting several key findings that cfDNA for UTUC, CNAs of urine cfDNA closely mirrored those of tissue samples. However, the same relationship was not observed between plasma cfDNA and tissue samples. These findings serve as proof of concept that UTUC can be detected in urine supernatant using LP-WGS.The data suggest that urine cfDNA has the potential to serve as an accurate biomarker for UTUC, offering a less invasive yet equally informative approach to UTUC diagnosis and surveillance.Source-Medindia
Ranbir Kapoor currently has the best lineup in entire Bollywood and he recently dropped some exciting updates on his anticipated movies. Animal gets 3 parts Sandeep Reddy Vanga announced Animal Park in the climax of his blockbuster Animal and theories have been floating on the internet around its plot ever since. But during a recent interview with Deadline Hollywood, Ranbir revealed that Animal will actually expand over three parts!

 T-Series Ranbir said he will start shooting for Animal Park by 2027 as Sandeep Reddy Vanga is busy with another film (it might be Spirit, starring Prabhas). Talking about the developments around the project, Ranbir said, Its very exciting because now I get to play two characters, the antagonist and the protagonist. The actor elaborated further, revealing that the antagonist undergoes plastic surgery in the first instalment, taking on the appearance of the protagonist. This fascinating twist lays the groundwork for the sequel. Brahmastra 2 & 3 Ranbir also revealed that Brahmastra Part 2: Dev is currently in the writing stage, but didnt speak about the cast of the sequel.

 Dharma Productions Ranbir praised Ayan Mukerji, the director and his close friend, calling Brahmastra a groundbreaking film in Indian cinema. He said the franchise has great potential to grow with future instalments as it explores new ideas. When asked if Alia Bhatt would be in the second part, Ranbir replied with excitement, "Of course."

Ranbirs upcoming films Ranbir has completed the shoot for Nitesh Tiwaris Ramayan Part 1 and he will start shooting for the second part in the first quarter of 2025.
(Photo: 3Sixty 3pl)

A logistics and warehousing company has doubled the size of its South Tyneside footprint having agreed a 10-year lease on a new South Shields warehouse.

3Sixty 3pl Ltd has taken on a 31,000 sq ft warehouse at Waldridge Way, adjacent to its existing headquarters, as well as a further 10,000 sq ft of open space.

The move, which follows the snapping up of the former Pennguin warehouse on Simonside Industrial Estate earlier this year, takes the firms capacity beyond 71,000 sq ft.

Founded by directors Anthony Hood and Craig Cotterill in 2022, the duo set up 3Sixty 3pl to capitalise on the regions growing automotive and advanced manufacturing industries.

Since then, several Nissan suppliers and General Electric (G.E.)  the multinational conglomerate developing turbines and blades for the worlds largest offshore wind farm, Dogger Bank  have gone on to become customers.

The growth has seen the company scale exponentially and with hundreds of millions of pounds of inward investment earmarked for industrial projects across the region over the coming years, the pair are confident the expansion will act as a catalyst for further growth.

Anth said: We knew prior to setting up the business that there was a real demand for storage and handling provision for companies operating in the manufacturing and energy sectors but even weve been taken aback by just how much the company has grown.

In just two and a half years weve grown rapidly, handling and storing over 1,000 items for G.E. and landing contracts with major suppliers to Nissans Sunderland plant.

This latest investment however is a real statement of intent. Prior to setting up the business, Craig and I worked together at Port of Tyne and we always said that, when we set up, we would love nothing more than to continue supporting the local economy, and through this expansion were doing just that.

It will see us create jobs for local people, procure more products and services from local suppliers and even more importantly, it will ensure we can continue to sustain the supply chains underpinning some of the regions most significant developments.

As two people from the North East, its an incredibly proud moment for us.

3Sixty 3pls expansion has been supported significantly with a business growth grant from Invest South Tyneside, the business investment arm of South Tyneside Council.

This has been funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

The grant has supported the securing of the premises, new forklifts, racking and lifting and handling equipment.

Cllr Margaret Meling, cabinet member for economic growth at the council, said: The business growth grants were launched to stimulate inward investment and help the boroughs existing firms grow, and 3Sixty 3pl Ltd is a perfect example of that.

The company has been able to immediately take on more work, create jobs and create more opportunities for the companies in its supply chain, the majority of which are based or doing business in South Tyneside.

Its a fantastic success story for the borough and one which we are very proud to have been able to support.
(Photo: Palletways)

A logistics superhub in Leeds promises major operational, financial and environmental benefits following a multi-million-pound investment.

Walkers Transport, a member of the Palletways network, has spent 3 million enhancing the facilities at its Northern Hub, which has consolidated the work of four smaller local sites into one location.

The newly upgraded facility now covers transport, operations and storage, with improvements to the site including the addition of a drive-through warehouse, specialised flooring solutions and more accessible trailer loading areas.

A major consideration during the project was supporting the high-volume movement of pallets; the Northern Hub is currently processing 5,000 units per night with scalability to 8,000 and beyond as demand grows.

Chris Burley, Commercial Director at Walkers Transport, said: Establishing this facility in Leeds offers a strategic advantage, with the location affording us a competitive edge and allowing us to contribute to improved cost efficiency across the Palletways network.

To drive efficiency and optimise service levels, we have also fitted the site with a range of proprietary technologies and software solutions such as Walkers Climate, Walkers Tetris, and Walkers Insight.

"[These] have all been designed to improve the customer experience by allowing for real-time data analysis, improved resource management and streamlined logistics processes.

He added: This investment is indicative of our plans for future growth as a part of Palletways and will help unlock greater operational and financial benefits for us and the broader network.

The Northern Hub covers 20% of UK postcodes and is also positioned to deliver major improvements to sustainability by reducing the average trunking distance per vehicle by 115 miles.

Warwick Trimble, UK Network Director at Palletways, attended the launch of the facility alongside other senior Palletways representatives, network members and the Walkers Transport team.

He said: We applaud this investment and were pleased to see the newly-enhanced site first-hand.

"The Northern Hub promises to deliver major operational, financial and environmental benefits and we look forward to seeing the positive impact on our members.
The ballots have been cast, the votes have been counted, and we are delighted to announce the winners of the MHM Book Awards.

We carefully curated a list of 2023s best military-history titles and asked you, our readers, to vote for your favourite. Our selection included some of the best-researched, most-insightful, and most-readable titles reviewed and featured in the magazine over the last year.

You can read reviews of all 12 nominated books here.

MHM BOOKS OF THE YEAR

WINNER  GOLD AWARD

The Savage Storm: the battle for Italy, 1943

James Holland

Bantam Press

James Holland seeks to explore the campaign to seize Italy from the build-up of the landings at Salerno in September 1943 through to the Battle of Ortona in December the same year. The significance of the Italian campaign is deeply illustrated for a new audience through a compelling narrative, making The Savage Storm a remarkable achievement by a historian at the height of his powers.

Click here to read the full review

WINNER  SILVER AWARD

Women in Intelligence: the hidden history of two world wars

Helen Fry

Yale Books

Helen Frys latest book explores the lives of the many hundreds of women who worked in intelligence-gathering in Britain and abroad over 30 years, as intelligencers, codebreakers, spies, secret operatives, handlers, and double agents. The detail of this book demonstrates not only the thoroughness of Frys research, but also that, without the contribution of women during the two world wars, the outcome of both of them would have been very different.

Click here to read the full review

WINNER  BRONZE AWARD

Footsloggers: an infantry battalion at war 1939-45

Peter Hart

Profile Books

Britains poor bloody infantry did most of her fighting and dying during World War II. Peter Hart has assembled a portrait of one of these units, the 16th Durham Light Infantry (DLI), chronicling all the boredom, horror, and humour of their war. Footsloggers is an authentic account, whose universal truths about frontline soldiering will resonate with readers of every generation.

Click here to read the full review

The MHM Book Awards is sponsored by The Cultural Experience, a leading international tour company that offers expert-led holidays to historical and culturally significant destinations throughout the world. For more information about the company, please visit their website.

Thank you to everyone who took part in voting this year. To find out more about the magazine and how to subscribe, click here.
Before he served as a combat medic and sniper on Navy SEAL teams in the Middle East, before he ever thought of becoming an officer or going to medical school, and before he even dreamed he'd become a NASA astronaut, military benefits were the "last thing" on Jonny Kim's mind.

In fact, when he enlisted in the Navy as a seaman recruit in 2002, Kim "specifically did not want to go to college," the now-lieutenant commander with the rare dual designation of flight surgeon and naval aviator told Military.com in a recent interview.

But after serving in Iraq -- and in order to try to make up for what he characterized as the lost potential of fellow service members who died in the war -- Kim decided, simply, that what he did next in his military career should have the largest possible positive impact on the world. So he set his sights on becoming a military physician, accepting the fact that he'd "have to suck it up and go to school."

Kim likes to believe that even without the military benefits that helped pay for his education and support his family through it all, he would've found a "different avenue" to get where he is today: a NASA astronaut, still serving on active duty in the Navy and awaiting his first mission to the International Space Station in March 2025.

Then-NASA astronaut candidate Jonny Kim is lowered into the training pool for spacewalk training at NASA Johnson Space Centers Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory in Houston in 2018. (Robert Markowitz/NASA)

But "the specific route I took to be where I am today would look very different if those benefits did not exist, because I was not capable of affording that," said Kim, who earned his bachelor's in mathematics from the University of San Diego and his medical degree from Harvard, thanks largely to his military benefits. "I didn't really come from a family with money ... to do things like that."

Kim shared his origin story in longer form in a 2020 podcast episode with Jocko Willink, a fellow former SEAL who even played a role in Kim's qualifying for some of those benefits when a rule got in the way. Today, Kim would like people to know "how generous these programs can be, and how much they do help, and how important they are."

Bachelor's Degree: Seaman to Admiral-21

Kim already knew after his first deployment in 2006 that he wanted to become a doctor. But like many combat vets of his era, serving just a single deployment didn't sit right.

Finally, with seven years in uniform and two deployments under his belt, Kim in 2009 entered the Navy's Seaman to Admiral-21 program, which helps enlisted sailors earn an officer's commission. The Medical Corps option, available at the time but since discontinued, selected candidates with the promise that a separate benefit program would later pay for medical school.

Seaman to Admiral-21 pays up to $10,000 a year toward college tuition and educational costs while, crucially, continuing the participants' active-duty pay and benefits. However, there's a catch: Participants have to complete their degree in only three years.

Kim attended the University of San Diego to earn a bachelor's in mathematics along with the prerequisites for medical school. At the same time, continuing to receive military pay and benefits -- including health care through Tricare -- allowed Kim and his wife to start a family, providing "a path for me to do that and not have to worry about paying the bills," he said.

Medical Degree: A Mix of Benefits and a Fight

Kim's acceptance to Harvard Medical School opened a new chapter in his use of his military benefits. But it wouldn't have happened without a fight -- albeit a respectful one.

The rules of Kim's Seaman to Admiral-21 Medical Corps program stated that the next step after earning his bachelor's degree was for the U.S. government to pay for his medical school tuition under a different program, one that didn't include active-duty pay and benefits.

However, since Kim still had his Post-9/11 GI Bill he could use to pay for school, plus a Pat Tillman Foundation scholarship, what he really wanted were the active-duty pay and housing allowance to cover Boston's high cost of living, plus access to Tricare for his growing family.

Just such a program existed (and still does) in the form of the Navy's Health Services Collegiate Program, or HSCP. The only problem: It wasn't included in the rule governing Seaman to Admiral-21.

"To me, there was no rhyme or reason why they left out HSCP," Kim said.

Kim asked a superior whether he thought he could switch but didn't get the answer he wanted to hear. That "no" spurred him to ask for help from friends and colleagues at Naval Special Warfare, where Willink, the podcaster, helped make more people aware of the problem. Then-Cmdr. Darin Evenson, a member of the SEAL community at Naval Support Activity Mid-South in Millington, Tennessee, heard about the problem. Some of the relevant benefit rules had originated there.

The members of the 2017 NASA astronaut class are (from left) Josh Kutryk, Bob Hines, Warren Hoburg, Frank Rubio, Raja Chari, Matthew Dominick, Jasmin Moghbeli, Jessica Watkins, Jenny Sidey, Jonny Kim, Kayla Barron, Zena Cardman and Loral O' Hara. (Bill Stafford/NASA)

"We didn't have a relationship," Kim says, but Evenson "went out of his way, because he heard my story, and he was like, 'Well, yeah, of course ... I'm sure whoever wrote this program just didn't think about it.'" He brought it up to Millington's medical community, and a captain ultimately called to deliver the good news.

Noting that Kim had "a lot of friends from Naval Special Warfare" who were "very passionate" in taking his side, the captain acknowledged that the reason for the omission was, "'We just didn't think about it.'" Kim would be allowed to get his pay and benefits through HSCP while he went to medical school, and others in the future would also have the same chance.

His takeaways from clearing the bureaucratic hurdle: Don't accept the first "no." Always do the right thing.

"You know, oftentimes, it's easy to say 'no' at the lowest level, right?" Kim said, referring to his superior, a lieutenant, who originally declined the HSCP benefit and got "a little angry" that Kim went around the chain of command.

But "life is full of 'no's,'" Kim said. "What I try to teach young mentees, and especially young officers -- or just young anyone -- is if you stop at the first 'no,' you're not going to get very far. Now, don't break any laws. Don't do anything illegal -- and be respectful -- but you should be motivated when someone tells you 'no.'"

The final upshot, to "always do the right thing," refers to Evenson, who didn't owe anything to a frustrated officer candidate but ultimately put the problem in front of the right people.

"He didn't have to help me out, but he went out of his way to help me," Kim says.

What's Next: Completing the Mission

Kim had finished medical school in 2016 and was training as a Navy emergency medical physician when NASA selected him to be an astronaut in 2017.

Now he's a lieutenant commander, designated both a flight surgeon and astronaut. NASA announced in September that he'll serve as flight engineer on his first mission to the International Space Station in March 2025 via a Russian capsule. Kim said he'll also be his mission's medical officer, but he doesn't expect that to take up much of his time.

"We conduct a lot of science, a lot of research," he explained. "We do a lot of maintenance on the space station. We do a lot of education and public outreach."

He foresees his future a little differently from when he decided to become a physician.

"You know, I don't like to close doors, but I don't see myself going back to clinical medicine," he said, "and not because I don't love it."

But his original goal was always "to make a positive difference on as big of a scale as I can," Kim continued. "At one point in my life, that meant medicine."

Now, however, "completing that mission looks like something else."

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Nearly 600 Air National Guardsmen who focus on space missions would be transferred to the Space Force against the wishes of every governor in the country under Congress' newly unveiled annual defense bill that could soon be signed into law.

The final version of this year's National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, includes a provision to transfer 578 Guardsmen who perform space missions on behalf of the Air Force's reserve component into the active-duty Space Force.

In total, the legislation calls to move 33 airmen from Alaska, 126 from California, 119 from Colorado, 75 from Florida, 130 from Hawaii, 69 from Ohio and 26 from the Air National Guard's headquarters, according to the bill.

Read Next: Compromise Defense Bill Would Give Junior Troops 14.5% Pay Raise in 2025

Congressional agreement on the Department of the Air Force's plan, Legislative Proposal 480, to move Air National Guard units with space missions into the active-duty Space Force -- which was first reported by Military.com in April -- was met with fierce condemnation by state governors and National Guard lobbyists.

The compromise NDAA would "occur without regard to section 104 of Title 32, United States Code, or section 18238 of Title 10, United States Code," both which say such a move would require approval from state governors.

Every governor in the country as well as five U.S. territories voiced opposition to the move throughout the year, and continued to rally against the compromise on Monday.

"Using the power of Congress to override the authority of governors, rather than directing the Department of Defense to work with governors in good faith, not only creates uncertain circumstances for the service members in affected states but also opens the door for future legislation overriding states' rights," a statement from the National Governors Association said.

"The decision undermines more than 100 years of precedent, as well as national security and military readiness," according to the statement released on Monday.

Notably, President-elect Donald Trump made creating a Space National Guard a promise during his reelection campaign. A Space National Guard, while opposed by President Joe Biden's administration, was seen as the preferred option among National Guard lobbyists and Air Guardsmen in those space-focused units.

Retired Maj. Gen. Francis McGinn, the president of the National Guard Association of the United States, or NGAUS, took aim at the defense bill Monday.

"The backroom deal that would allow the Air Force to forcibly transfer Air National Guard space units to the Space Force without the required consent of their governors was struck in defiance of a century of legal precedence, the fierce opposition of the nation's governors, and the clear intentions of the incoming administration," McGinn said in a statement Monday.

The Space Force does not have a reserve component such as the National Guard for its Guardians. Legislation passed in the 2024 NDAA allowed for the creation of a completely unique part-time, active-duty service model.

Military.com has previously reported on the growing pains that the part-time service model faces, particularly with how those Guardians would get paid. The Space Force won't be accepting part-time applicants until at least 2026.

National Guard lobbyists and advocates are hoping the original language from the House's version of the NDAA -- which would require governors' approval before such a transfer -- will ultimately prevail.

"In the interim, these critical units would have to be rebuilt, leaving the nation with a capability gap in a critical domain for several years," McGinn said. "NGAUS and our partners will continue to oppose LP 480 in other settings. This fight is far from over."

Related: Space National Guard Could Become Reality Under Donald Trump
Transgender children of service members could lose access to gender-affirming health care through the military health system under the annual defense bill Congress is expected to approve this month.

This year's version of the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, that was negotiated by the House and Senate would prohibit Tricare from covering "medical interventions for the treatment of gender dysphoria that could result in sterilization" for beneficiaries under 18. The bill is considered a must-pass piece of legislation since it authorizes special pay and bonuses for troops that would expire at the end of the year if not renewed.

The restriction, which does not specify exactly which treatments would be banned, is somewhat less stringent than an earlier version of the bill that specifically banned Tricare from covering hormone therapy and puberty blockers for minors. But advocates are still warning the final language will harm military families.

Read Next: Compromise Defense Bill Would Give Junior Troops 14.5% Pay Raise in 2025

"Lawmakers are playing politics with the military families' health care. This is a betrayal of our service members and a threat to national security," Rachel Branaman, executive director of the Modern Military Association of America, which advocates for LGBTQ+ troops and military families, said in a written statement.

"By forcing families to choose between their military careers and their children's health care, this bill would lead to decreased military readiness and retention," Branaman added. "Families have made it clear that they will choose health care for their loved ones over their careers if this provision is passed."

It's unclear exactly how many military children would be affected by a ban in Tricare coverage of gender-affirming care for minors. A 2019 study published in JAMA Pediatrics found that more than 2,500 children received some form of transgender-related care through Tricare from 2009 to 2017, including 332 prescriptions for hormones in 2017.

Military.com asked the Defense Health Agency on Monday for current numbers on transgender kids receiving treatment through Tricare, but the agency did not provide them by publication time.

The impending ban on gender-affirming care for military children adds to a fraught time for LGBTQ+ service members and their families as they brace for the incoming Trump administration. President-elect Donald Trump is widely expected to reimpose a ban on transgender troops serving openly.

The NDAA provision also follows a trend of conservative legislators across the country specifically targeting gender-affirming care for transgender children. At least 79 bills were proposed in state legislatures this year to restrict gender-affirming care by age, according to a tracker maintained by the American Civil Liberties Union. Last week, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in a lawsuit against Tennessee's ban on hormone therapy for transgender youth.

While medical professionals maintain gender-affirming care for children is safe and necessary, right-wing politicians argue that research is limited and children aren't mature enough to make decisions about their health care that could have lasting effects.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., touted the NDAA provision as a major win to "end the radical woke ideology being imposed on our military by permanently banning transgender medical treatment for minors."

The American Academy of Pediatrics acknowledges that research into long-term risks of puberty blockers on fertility is "currently limited and provides varied results." Still, the association recommends that transgender youth have access to "comprehensive, gender-affirming and developmentally appropriate health care that is provided in a safe and inclusive clinical space." The group also recommends that insurance plans "offer coverage for health care that is specific to the needs of youth who identify as [transgender], including coverage for medical, psychological and, when indicated, surgical gender-affirming interventions."

Transgender service members and military families have faced whiplashing policies for nearly a decade. In 2016, then-President Barack Obama lifted a ban on transgender service members. Also that year, Tricare started covering nonsurgical gender-affirmation care for dependents, though patients could request a waiver for treatment before then.

Then, in 2017 during Trump's first term, he announced on social media he was reimposing the ban on transgender troops. Trump's ban took effect in 2019 after some court battles.

When President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, he lifted Trump's ban as one of his first acts in office. Now, transgender troops are facing down the likelihood of Trump again banning them when he returns to office in January.

Meanwhile, Republicans in Congress have also tried unsuccessfully for years to restrict transgender military service. The original versions of the House and Senate's NDAAs this year also included language that would have banned gender-affirming care for service members.

While the provisions targeting transgender troops were taken out of the compromise NDAA released this weekend, the restriction on health care for transgender military kids is on track to become the first anti-LGBTQ+ law enacted by Congress since the 1990s, according to the ACLU. In that decade, Congress passed the "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy that banned gay service members and the Defense of Marriage Act that barred the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages.

While the bill released this weekend was the result of bicameral, bipartisan negotiations, Democrats are fuming at the outcome.

"Blanketly denying health care to people who clearly need it, just because of a biased notion against transgender people, is wrong," Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, said in a statement Sunday. "I urge the speaker to abandon this current effort and let the House bring forward a bill -- reflective of the traditional bipartisan process -- that supports our troops and their families, invests in innovation and modernization, and doesn't attack the transgender community."

The House is scheduled to vote on the bill later this week. The Senate is expected to approve it before the end of the month, after which President Joe Biden would need to sign it into law. The White House has previously blasted efforts to restrict transgender health care in the military, but has not yet publicly commented on the compromise NDAA.

Related: Restrictions on Transgender Health Care Slipped into Senate's Must-Pass Defense Bill
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...
The Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps have all paused Osprey operations following another parts failure, this time with the Air Force's version of the aircraft during a training mission in New Mexico last month.

Neil Lobeda, a spokesman for Naval Air Systems Command, which oversees the Osprey Joint Program Office, told Military.com that the command recommended the pause on Friday for the aircraft flown by the three services. He confirmed that the recommendation stems from a recent incident with an Air Force aircraft.

The latest operational pause for the Osprey aircraft and news of an unknown parts failure come a little more than one year after a deadly Air Force CV-22 incident that occurred in Japan and killed the eight airmen aboard. Families of service members who died in Japan, and of Marines killed in an earlier crash, have sued the companies that manufacture the Osprey.

Read Next: Compromise Defense Bill Would Give Junior Troops 14.5% Pay Raise in 2025

"Out of an abundance of caution, NAVAIR recommended an operational pause for all V-22 Osprey variants Dec. 6, 2024," Lobeda told Military.com. "This decision comes following a recent precautionary landing of a CV-22. There were no injuries to the crew."

Lt. Col. Rebecca Heyse, an Air Force Special Operations Command spokesperson, said the service is pausing the use of its Ospreys as a result of the NAVAIR recommendation.

"In concurrence with their recommendation, Lt. Gen. Michael Conley, AFSOC commander, has directed a pause for all CV-22 flight training operations," Heyse told Military.com, referring to that service's variant. "A pause in flight training operations allows time and space for us to understand what happened in the most recent event before we accept risk with unknown variables."

The incident happened Nov. 20 during a training mission at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico, Heyse said. Four people were onboard the aircraft, and there were no injuries to the crew or damage to the Osprey from the landing.

"The incident is under investigation, and initial indications are there was a materiel failure that has not been seen before, leading to the recommendation for an operational pause while analysis is conducted to determine if the current flight restrictions are adequate or additional need to be implemented," Heyse said.

The Navy also ordered its CMV-22B fleet, its version of the Osprey, to pause operations following the recommendation.

"Today, Naval Air Forces directed an operational pause for all U.S. Navy CMV-22B Ospreys following a recommendation from Naval Air Systems Command," said Charles Spirtos, a Navy spokesperson. "The operational pause allows us to determine if any additional safety measures are necessary."

A Navy official told Military.com on Monday that there are CMV-22Bs on aircraft carriers abroad but added there's no impact to the service at the moment and officials are monitoring the situation.

The Marine Corps implemented a "96-hour operational pause for non-essential flight operations" starting Friday for its version of the Osprey, the MV-22, a spokesperson said.

"This pause will give us time to determine if any additional measures are necessary to ensure the continued safety and effectiveness of this critical capability," the spokesperson added. "The Marine Corps remains confident in the safety and effectiveness of the MV-22."

Military.com first and exclusively reported on an internal safety board report detailing that the failure of a single high-speed planetary pinion gear was a key reason for the deadly crash last year in Japan. That internal report also showed the failure was comparable to seven other failures stretching back to 2013.

That internal safety board report also named Universal Stainless as the subcontractor responsible for making the metal for the gear that failed. Military.com also recently reported that that company had a long history of allegations regarding substandard steel for aircraft parts -- namely a 2001 lawsuit against the manufacturer.

Universal Stainless, as well as Boeing and Bell Textron, the manufacturers of the aircraft, were named in a recent wrongful death lawsuit brought by the estate of Staff Sgt. Jacob Galliher, one of the eight air commandos killed in Japan.

Similarly, in May, four families of Marines killed in a 2022 V-22 Osprey training crash in California also filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the manufacturers of the Osprey.

Additionally, congressional lawmakers recently asked the Pentagon to ground the aircraft and be more transparent in the safety issues plaguing the Osprey.

Related: Family of Airman Killed in Japan Osprey Crash Files Wrongful Death Lawsuit
LANSING, MI  Michigan voters are a step closer to a chance to expand the bottle deposit law to include water bottles and other beverage containers.

Voters may even be able to force retailers to accept all containers with a deposit, whether purchased there or not  what the bureaucrats call universal redemption. These proposed changes are included in a pair of bills that may be considered by the Michigan Senate Committee of the Whole as early as this week.

I believe that these two concepts have broad popularity in Michigan. They are simple, straightforward and easy to explain, said state Sen. Sean McCann, D-Kalamazoo, who sponsored both bills this year  Senate Bill 1112 and Senate Bill 1113.

He said the idea of mass use bottled water was inconceivable when the states bottle deposit law was first adopted in the 1970s. He argued its time the bottle deposit law was updated to match contemporary beverage consumption habits.

Its imperative for all of us to do something to prevent billions of (containers) becoming plastic garbage in our roadsides, lakes, streams and landfills, McCann said.

McCann took testimony from industry officials during a Senate committee hearing last week, including both advocates and critics.

Spencer Nevins, president of the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesaler Association, said his organization supported the effort to get the bottle bill expansion question on the statewide ballot. Thats because the legislation would direct a greater portion of the unclaimed deposit money to retailers so they can improve deposit return equipment, he said.

We do have an obligation to make sure that we have a positive infrastructure that allows consumers an easy way to take these containers back. Everybody has to benefit, and we think this bill does that, Nevins said during the Dec. 5 hearing.

Others with a vested interest disagreed, though.

Shane Smith, operational vice president for Michigan-based Rics Food Center chain, said among the greatest challenges in the grocery industry is maintaining a sanitary environment, which grew tougher with the bottle deposit law.

Doubling down on this law will only add to the problem, Smith told lawmakers. As hard as we try to keep our stores clean and sanitary, the fact is the shopping cart that you use at 3 p.m. today to put fresh lettuce and meat in may have been filled with dirty, unsanitary, empty cans at 2:50 p.m.

Smith further argued an expansion to the bottle deposit law would double or triple the number of containers retailers must accept and store, and that would require lost retail space and even lead to higher prices.

One of the states top environmental advocacy groups weighed in to say they support both expanding the containers with a deposit and requiring universal redemption. The trouble with the pending legislation, though, is the group doesnt want the states unclaimed deposit money to go to retailers.

That unclaimed deposit money  as much as an estimated $150 million each year  should all go to grant programs, environmental cleanup, and clean water efforts, said Trent Wolf, strategic campaigns manager for nonprofit Michigan Environmental Council.

We believe strongly that those are the publics dimes, Wolf said during his testimony.

Under the proposed bills, half the annual unclaimed deposit money would go to the states trust fund for environmental cleanups while the other half would be divvied among manufacturers, distributers and retailers. That creates a perverse incentive for the program to work less effectively, Wolf said.

Meaning the more unreturned cans there are leads to more unclaimed deposit money that these stakeholders get to pocket without guarantees that this money would be used to improve the bottle bill system.

Wolf said the money should instead be spent on more bottle return machines and bulk collection sites.

McCann said hes been trying for years to get an update to Michigans four-decades-old bottle deposit system on its feet. To do so legislatively would require a three-fourths approval from the entire Michigan Legislature, which is unlikely. Instead, the pending bills would place the question before the voters in 2026.

Then you can have all the debates, have everybody chime in. Theres plenty of time to really look at all the pros and cons, and then its an up or down by the voters, McCann said.

If approved by the full Michigan Senate, the pending bills would then advance to the state House for consideration.

Michigan is one of 10 states with a bottle deposit program, the most recently adopted in 2002 in Hawaii. Statistics show Oregons return rate for bottle deposits led the nation at 86% in 2022, followed by Maine at 78% and Michigan at 76%.
MANISTEE TOWNSHIP, MI  This historic ship is decked out for Christmastime with about 2,000 feet of twinkling lights.

The S.S. City of Milwaukee transforms each year into the Christmas Ship to celebrate the holidays.

Weve gone all out on Christmas lights for the last 5 years or so now, and it has been greatly received, said Robby Laurain, executive director of the Society for the Preservation of the S.S. City of Milwaukee and USCGC Acacia. Locals love it.

RELATED: Hotel. Motel. Boatel? Stay on this historic ship in Northern Michigan

Anyone who drives north on U.S. 31 through Manistee into Manistee Township after dark through December will have a great view of the lit-up ship, including a homemade star. The best place for viewing the Arthur Street boat launch. Lights can also be seen from the ships parking lot, 99 Arthur St. in Manistee Township.

Around 2,000 feet of twinkling lights decorate the S.S. City of Milwaukee during the 2024 holiday season, transforming it into Manistee's Christmas Ship. The ship is decorated annually by volunteers. The Society for the Preservation of the S.S. City of Milwaukee and USCGC Acacia accepts donations to help fund the lights.Chris Franckowiak | Society for the Preservation of the S.S. City of Milwaukee and USCGC Acacia

Given our windy location on Manistee Lake, its particularly hard to keep the lights working year after year, Laurain said. Because of that, we greatly appreciate donations.

A donation box is posted at the end of the gangway.

RELATED: Why historic car ferry, U.S. Coast Guard ship moor side-by-side in Northern Michigan

The societys biggest fundraiser is the annual Ghost Ship haunted house on the S.S. City of Milwaukee, which brings in up to $75,000 a year. Ship tours and a boatel on the car ferry generate up to $30,000. Other revenue streams include the gift shop  selling everything from T-shirts to key chains, coffee cups and stickers emblazoned with the ships names  donations, membership and private events.

Around 2,000 feet of twinkling lights decorate the S.S. City of Milwaukee during the 2024 holiday season, transforming it into Manistee's Christmas Ship. The ship is decorated annually by volunteers. The Society for the Preservation of the S.S. City of Milwaukee and USCGC Acacia accepts donations to help fund the lights.Chris Franckowiak | Society for the Preservation of the S.S. City of Milwaukee and USCGC Acacia

The S.S. City of Milwaukee took nine months to build and began service in 1931, replacing the S.S. Milwaukee, which sank during a Lake Michigan storm. It transported up to 32 railcars plus passengers across Lake Michigan until its retirement in 1982. It then became a museum ship, mooring in Frankfort until 2000 when it moved to its current home on Manistee Lake. It was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1990.

Around 2,000 feet of twinkling lights decorate the S.S. City of Milwaukee during the 2024 holiday season, transforming it into Manistee's Christmas Ship. The ship is decorated annually by volunteers. The Society for the Preservation of the S.S. City of Milwaukee and USCGC Acacia accepts donations to help fund the lights.Chris Franckowiak | Society for the Preservation of the S.S. City of Milwaukee and USCGC Acacia
CEDARVILLE BAY, MI  It took two brothers about two hours to rescue a deer that had fallen through the ice on Cedarville Bay in Michigans eastern Upper Peninsula over the weekend.

Around 3 p.m. Friday, Christine Lipple noticed the deer struggling in icy water in the middle of the bay. Her husband, Jeff Lipple, went out to help. A video of the rescue is posted to Island View Resorts Facebook page.

Jeff Lipple spent about two hours on the rescue. The doe, with icicles on her face and ears, was swimming around in a large hole in the ice and wouldnt allow him to touch her. She would move away when he attempted to get a rope around her. Eventually, his brother Greg Lipple joined the effort.

Greg hopped in a kayak and corralled the deer toward Jeff who was finally able to get a rope around the deer and pulled her out. The doe is seen shaking off, then running toward shore. After a couple hundred yards, she falls through again.

However, this time, it was a small hole, which made it easier for the brothers to walk up, rope her and pull her out. She then takes it a bit slower back to land, at one point starting to trot and then slowing down again.

The brothers are seen on camera cheering on the deer as the sun sets behind them.

Jeff also has a warning for anyone thinking of attempting a rescue like this: Going out onto thin and dangerous ice is not recommended. We meticulously checked the ice on the way in and out, we were wearing ice gear that floats, had ice picks, a ladder, rope, jet sleds and somebody watching and assisting from shore. Always have an emergency plan and never go alone without letting someone know where youre going and when youll be back.
LEELANAU COUNTY, MI -- Embrace the winter darkness with a night hike through one of Michigans iconic national Lakeshores.

In celebration of the Winter Solstice, the shortest day and longest night of the year, the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is hiking in the dark.

A park ranger is guiding hikers through the park without any lights.

Hikers will gather at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 21. The event is free with a Lakeshore access pass but pre-registration is required.

The hike will last one to one-and-a-half hours and might involve some hilly and uneven ground, covering between half a mile to a full mile.

Youll embark around sunset and then hike under a dark sky, ideal for stargazing. This lands in prime time for the meteor shower Ursids, which is expected to peak December 21-22.

The night sky at Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Photo by Joel Bissel | MLive.com

RELATED: Hike past century-old farms and bluffs formed by glaciers in Sleeping Bears historic district

On this hike, rangers will educate you on the transformations our senses undergo in the darkness, lakeshore animals and their adaptations.

This is an opportunity to explore the nocturnal world in a safe way under the guidance of a park ranger.

Sleeping Bear Dunes has six locations they recommend dark sky viewing including its iconic dune climb and Glen Haven beach on the edge of Sleeping Bear Bay.

The exterior of Sleeping Bear Inn in Glen Haven, Mich. on Friday, Oct. 4, 2024. The lodge in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore recently reopened after it was shuttered in the 1970s. The getaway is the oldest inn in a national park, predating Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone Park and was built sometime around 1866.Joel Bissell | MLive.com

RELATED: Pyramid Point delivers on epic view, but back dunes are just as scenic

A ranger will call you the night before the Winter Solstice hike for confirmation of the hikes location and for a trails condition update.

If there is enough snow, this hike will become a snowshoe hike. You can bring your own or borrow a pair from the park.

Find this and other events at nps.gov/planyourvisit.
There are just two episodes left of the hit western series Yellowstone, and its anyones guess how the show will end. Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 episode 13 airs on Sunday, Dec. 8, at 8/7c on Paramount Network.

Stream the episode for free with a trial from Philo. Choose to watch live or set it to record so you can watch later.

About the show:

Yellowstone follows the Dutton family, who own and run the largest contiguous ranch in the country. The series has constantly shifting alliances, unsolved murders and plenty of open wounds. Between corrupt politicians, billionaires looking to buy out property, Americas first national park and a Native American reservation with historical ties to the land, there is always some trouble at the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch borders. Based in Montana, patriarch John Dutton was in charge until he was found dead earlier this season.

If you missed Season 5 Part 2 episode 12, you can still catch up before tonights episode. Read a recap of the episode here or find out where to watch episode 12 now. Remember that Yellowstone is not on Paramount+ despite airing on Paramount Network.

In tonights episode, Give the World Away, Jamie begins to spiral and later seeks advice. Beth and Travis make a deal. Kayce has an idea about the future of the ranch.

Tune in tonight, Dec. 8, for Yellowstone Season 5 Part 2 episode 12 at 8/7c on Paramount Network. Stick around afterward for the Paramount Network premiere of 1923: A Yellowstone Origin Story at 9:25 p.m. ET.

Find in-depth information about the entirety of Yellowstone, casts, plot lines, spinoffs, recaps and more in our MLive Yellowstone guide.

Where to watch Yellowstone Season 5 part 2:

$28/month, ditch cable and unlock 70+ channels of reality TV, movies, and more. Get access to over 70,000 movies and shows on-demand, plus AMC+. Philo (start free trial) - For, ditch cable and unlockof reality TV, movies, and more. Get access to over 70,000 movies and shows on-demand, plus AMC+. Click here to watch.

Season 5 part 2 cast:
TRAVERSE CITY, MI  A historic tugboat is on its way to Northern Michigan.

The Robinson Bay, a celebrated vessel built in 1958, has entered Lake Ontario on its journey from the GLS Marine Base in Massena, N.Y. to Cleveland, and eventually the Great Lakes Maritime Academy in Traverse City.

The vessel was built by the Christy Corporation of Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin for the St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation of Washington, D.C.

Originally powered by a single, Cleveland 8-498 diesel engine, the tug was repowered with a Caterpillar 3603 diesel engine in 1991.

Once in Traverse City, the vessel will serve as a training platform for the academys maritime students. St. Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation completed the transfer in late-November.

By placing this iconic tugboat in the hands of an institution dedicated to maritime excellence, we are ensuring that the Robinson Bay remains an active part of the Great Lakes maritime community, contributing to both its legacy and its future, GLS Administrator Adam Tindall-Schlicht said in a statement.

GLMA Superintendent Jerry Achenbach said the Robinson Bay provides students with an invaluable tool for real-world learning while Rear Admiral Jon P. Hickey of the U.S. Coast Guard noted it will be a cornerstone of our training program and that they are honored to uphold its legacy.

This vessel has served with distinction for over six decades, and now, in the hands of the Great Lakes Maritime Academy, it will continue to shape and inspire the next generation of mariners, Hickey said in a statement.

The Coast Guard is proud to support initiatives like these that strengthen our maritime heritage, bolster workforce readiness, and foster a deep respect for the unique waterways we are all dedicated to preserving.

The tugboat will get shipyard maintenance and removal of the upper pilot house while in Ohio over the winter. It will make its final journey to Traverse City in the spring.
SOUTHGATE, MI -- A 70-year-old Allen Park man is expected to be arraigned on numerous felony charges Monday in connection with an alleged human trafficking operation, according to Fox 2 Detroit. Michael Navoy was arrested Friday and is accused of running the operation out of a home he owns in Southgate.

Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy charged Navoy with accepting earnings from a prostitute, human trafficking - forced labor resulting in commercial sexual activity, human trafficking - forced labor, using a computer to commit a crime, and keeping a house of prostitution.

Navoys arrest came on the same day that Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessels office announced charges against five people accused of operating one of the largest human trafficking operations ever uncovered in Michigan.
This story has been updated with comments from Jordan Acker, the university and Regent Sarah Hubbard.

HUNTINGTON WOODS, MI - The home of a Jewish member of the University of Michigan Board of Regents was attacked Sunday night, including spray-painted pro-Palestinian messages on his family car.

Regent Jordan Acker, also a Southfield-based attorney, confirmed his Huntington Woods home was targeted overnight on Dec. 8.

Someone threw two mason jars filled with urine through one of his homes windows, as well as spray-painted the slogan Divest and Free Palestine on his car, he told MLive/The Ann Arbor News.

Acker condemned the attack as anti-Semitic, called the protesters responsible for the vandalism terrorists and accused them of targeting him since he is a public Jew.

To anyone out there who knows about who did this, and Im certain that there are people on our campus who do, you should prevent this from harming your own cause by speaking up about whos doing this, Acker said. This is not helpful to Palestinians. It is simply intended to scare Jews, and its disgusting and disgraceful.

Acker said he was home with his wife and children when the jars were thrown through one of his front windows. Huntington Woods Public Safety did not respond to a request for further details.

Images from Sunday nights vandalism were shared by the University of Michigan and can be seen here.

The vandalism of Regent Jordan Ackers home early this morning is a clear act of antisemitic intimidation, university officials said in a statement. The University of Michigan condemns these criminal acts in the strongest possible terms. They are abhorrent and, unfortunately, just the latest in a number of incidents where individuals have been harassed because of their work on behalf of the university. This is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We call on our community to come together in solidarity and to firmly reject all forms of bigotry and violence.

This is the third time this year Acker was targeted by pro-Palestinian protesters.

A masked protester came to Ackers home around 4:40 a.m., May 16 to place demands on his door. Other regents homes that day saw fake corpses and bloody toys placed on lawns, alluding to the death of tens of thousands of Palestinians in the ongoing war in Gaza.

Protesters also spray-painted UM kills on the walls of his Goodman Acker Law Firm in June. The homes of university President Santa Ono and chief investment officer Erik Lundberg were also spray-painted at the time.

Acker demands that police, as well as progressive liberals on the Ann Arbor campus, take the repeated targeting of his family seriously.

Every person on the progressive side should condemn this behavior, and it speaks volumes that several have not, he said.

Regent Sarah Hubbard called for criminal action to be taken against those responsible for the vandalism.

Vandalism, threats and intimidation of any sort are unacceptable and should be punished to the full extent of the law, she wrote on X. I urge law enforcement to pursue suspects in this and other similar cases targeting @umich leadership immediately.

U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Rochester Hills, said she was sickened by the anti-Semitic attack on Ackers home.

Jordan Acker is a dedicated public servant and he and his family should be safe in their own home, she wrote on X. Vandalism, violence, and bigotry have no place in America. Enough. Our Jewish brothers and sisters deserve to live in security and peace.

Protesters have criticized Acker and the other regents since the start of the Israel-Hamas War started last year. Tahrir Coalition, the student organization that seeks the universitys divestment from Israel due to the ongoing war in Gaza, has led numerous protests on campus and took credit for the May vandalism at regents homes.

The Israel-Hamas war has sparked protests around the world. It began when Hamas-led militants stormed into southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducting around 250 people. Gazas Health Ministry says Israels offensive has killed more than 44,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the Associated Press.

If you would like more reporting like this delivered free to your inbox, click here and signup for our weekly newsletter: Michigan Schools.

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GENESEE COUNTY, MI -- County officials hope to have an offer to buy their administration building on South Saginaw Street from the Mass Transportation Authority before moving into a new headquarters several blocks to the north next spring.

Negotiations are continuing as the transit agency assesses environmental issues tied to the property, which was recently appraised at negative $3.5 million, Genesee County Administration Director Joshua Freeman and MTA General Manager Ed Benning said.

Built in 1968, the building houses offices for the county Board of Commissioners and other county government departments. A 2018 study of the 115,000-square-foot structure projected the cost of needed repairs at nearly $33 million.

Three years ago, commissioners rejected investing more in the property, instead purchasing the north tower of the old Citizens Bank complex from the University of Michigan for $8.5 million. The county is planning to consolidate employees from several buildings into the renovated 160,000-square-foot former bank building.

Demolishing the existing county offices -- something Benning has said MTA would likely do to create a new central bus terminal -- would also be expensive because of the presence of asbestos.

Despite the obstacles to redevelopment, MTA officials are very interested in seeing the deal happen, Benning said Monday, Dec. 9.

Both the MTA Board of Directors and the commissioners still must agree to the terms of the sale.

Freeman told commissioners during a committee meeting last week he hopes to have secured the sale before employees begin moving out of their current offices, likely early in the second quarter of 2025.

Commissioner Delrico Loyd, D-Flint, said he wants to see details of the plans for the property before the board is asked to approve a sale.

This is a large property (in) our countys seat of government, Loyd said. Its a very, very important property.

I think that its important that whoever were ultimately going to sell this large parcel of property to ... come before this commission and share with the group before we finish a sale, he said.

Commissioners authorized Freeman to start negotiations aimed at selling the property to MTA in June after the agency expressed interest in relocating its central terminal from East Second and Harrison streets.

By moving a few blocks south, MTA would free up its existing terminal for redevelopment in a booming area of downtown that is anchored by the Flint Farmers Market and where a new YMCA and expansion of Michigan State Universitys College of Human Medicine are underway.

In the same area in 2017, the Capitol Theatre reopened after a $37-million restoration, and in 2018, developers demolished the former YWCA building on East Third Street to make way for a mixed income and townhome development called The Marketplace.

Loyd was one of two commissioners who initially voted against entering negotiations to sell the administration building to MTA without making the property available to other potential buyers as well.

Commissioners had previously approved a policy for the sale and disposal of real estate that allows for property sales after receiving a purchase request from an interested buyer. The policy prioritizes requests from other government agencies and nonprofit organizations before public sales.

In addition to Loyd, Commissioner Shawn Shumaker, R-Fenton Township, voted against the resolution authorizing negotiations with MTA.
GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Accounting firm BDO USA plans to move from its office on Ottawa Avenue NW in downtown Grand Rapids to the Doug Meijer Medical Innovation Building.

BDO, which provides accounting, tax and financial services, has signed a 15-year lease for a 35,265-square-foot space at the building, which opened in late 2021 at 109 Michigan St. NW on the Medical Mile.

We are thrilled to be part of Grand Rapids Innovation Park, and see this move as an important part of our commitment to excellence in the employee experience, said Katie Ferris, tax market managing principal at BDO, in a statement. Our dedicated team works hard to serve our clients, and this dynamic new space will provide the tools and environment our professionals need to continue delivering the exceptional service that BDO is known for.

BDOs new office is expected to be ready by spring 2026, according to a news release from commercial real estate firm NAI Wisinski of West Michigan, which represented BDO in the deal. A spokesperson from NAI Wisinski said the company is building out and redeveloping the space.

109 Michigan is an ideal location for BDOs talent strategy, providing a space that exemplifies the firms core purpose of helping people thrive every day, said Mary Anne Wisinski-Rosely, broker at NAI Wisinski of West Michigan.

Related: Were gonna save millions of lives, says Grand Rapids company offering advanced cancer treatment

The Doug Meijer Medical Innovation Building is located on Michigan State Universitys Grand Rapids Innovation Park.

The park is located just west of MSUs College of Human Medicine, and also includes the universitys Grand Rapids Research Center and a 10-story building that houses over-the-counter pharmaceutical company Perrigos North American Corporate headquarters.

Other tenants in the Doug Meijer Medical Innovation Building include molecular imaging firm BAMF Health and technology company Twisthink.

The Doug Meijer Medical Innovation Building was built by Health Innovation Partners, a real estate development joint venture between Rockford Construction, Walsh Construction/Walsh Investors and MB Real Estate.

The new office will offer a range of amenities designed to support talent recruitment and employee collaboration, including an inviting rooftop deck that will allow for outdoor work and informal gatherings, Mike Mraz, president of real estate development at Rockford Construction, said in a statement. Our vision for Grand Rapids Innovation Park has always been to create a space where synergy, collaboration, and growth could thrivea vision that aligns perfectly with BDOs exceptional every day, every way approach.

Health Innovation Partners was represented by Jeff Karger and Sarah Noordyke of commercial real estate agency JLL.
KENT COUNTY, MI - Plainfield Avenue is getting a multi-million dollar walkability upgrade next year with the addition of four landscaped medians for pedestrians to stop at while crossing the five-lane road.

The initiative is part of a larger Plainfield Township project to reimagine the corridor.

The two-part project is a partnership with the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), will also include resurfacing a portion of the road on Plainfield Avenue between Interstate 96 and Airway Street NE.

MDOT is investing $7 million to restore the avenue. The goal of the restructuring and resurfacing is to calm traffic, reduce crashes and improve walkability, all things that were identified by the Plainfield community as high-priority items when the township came together to create its Reimagine Plainfield vision.

Elizabeth Curcio, assistant planner for Plainfield Township, said the redevelopment strategy for the corridor focuses around creating an area more friendly for residents, bikers, walkers and shoppers.

Bottom line, our goal is to make Plainfield Ave. a destination that people drive to, not through, she said. We are striving for a corridor that supports the needs of our residents and creates a sense of community.

The 20-year plan to revitalize the Plainfield Township corridor is a long-term strategy to promote growth and attract new businesses to the area, transforming the corridor from a car-focused area to something more akin to a traditional downtown.

RELATED: Long-term plan to reimagine corridor in Kent County community, revitalize downtown

Located just north of Grand Rapids, Plainfield Township is home to the LMCU Ballpark and West Michigan Whitecaps.

The redevelopment strategy seeks to combine commercial, office and light industrial use buildings, along with the road improvements. It was created through multiple years of public feedback, through both online surveys and eight community input sessions.

Reimagine Plainfield initially received approval in 2021. The initiative focuses specifically on the area along Plainfield Ave. (M-44) from the southern township boundary at 4 Mile Road to the junction with East Beltline, including road improvements on the five-lanes, which has around 33,000 vehicles trafficking it on a daily basis.

RELATED: Kent County town to redevelop fire department property as mixed-use project

As a state road, the resurfacing work Plainfield Avenue is in partnership with MDOT, along with the creation of four landscaped medians - two north and south of Woodward Ave. NE and two north and south of Jupiter Ave. NE.

Where necessary, the medians will include an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) complaint pedestrian refuge for people using the crosswalks who cannot make it across the entire roadway in time.

The creation of the medians will be part of a second phase of the roadway project, which is expected to start in the summer of 2025.

The first portion of the project, which will begin in spring 2025, will include traffic safety signal upgrades, adding technology that triggers traffic lights to change for emergency vehicles, which is anticipated to improve driver safety.

At the same time, the first phase of the project will center around tree installations along Plainfield Ave., part of a key feature to green the corridor with landscaping.

According to the township, community members helped determine both the design and mix of plants that will grow along the corridor and in each median. The plants selected are all salt and drought tolerant, and the trees will be smaller varieties so pruning for power line clearance wont be necessary.

In total, the township has set aside $2 million total for corridor improvements, Curcio said.

She said township engineers dont have a more specific breakdown of the cost at this time, though the project will also likely utilize a $300,000 community development block grant.

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GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Nearly every day after the final bell rings at City High Middle School (CHMS) in Grand Rapids, six students - Elijah, Anna, IMara, Miklet, Jada and Jayden - meet to discuss Black culture and plan how to share it with other students.

The six seniors within the Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) district are founding members of their schools Black Student Alliance (BSA) - an after school group dedicated to fostering a sense of community among Black students and educating all who want to join about Black culture.

Since starting the BSA during the 2023-24 school year, the students have organized assemblies, hosted game and movie nights and even sang karaoke.

It never leaves our mind, said IMara Smith Skyers, adding that the group spends the entire week prior to their Thursday meeting sharing ideas in their group chat, via Facetime and with written brainstorming sessions.

City High Middle School is an International Baccalaureate (IB) school for students in 7th through 12th grades.

While the schools classes focus mainly on the history of Black culture, Anna Wetzel said the club tries to shine a light on positive current events and contributions by the Black community.

We focus a lot on the history of Black culture, and a lot of that history is not happy. Its very gruesome, very sad, Wetzel said, but we want to really shine (a light) on how far weve come.

The future is amazing. The things that these Black individuals are doing in our society now, how theyre contributing to all these different fields is just so admirable, and so it needs to be talked about.

In addition to hosting regular meetings, the BSA plans school events for Black History Month in February.

Anna Wetzel said the group of six, who all became friends between 7th and 9th grades, were already planning these events in their own time and staying after school most days to discuss current events, and decided it would be beneficial to open those discussions to their peers.

Four of the six founding members of City High Middle School's Black Student Alliance pose for a photo. From left to right: Elijah Jones, Anna Wetzel, IMara Smith Skyers and Miklet Mesay.Danielle James | MLive

Elijah Jones said the goal of the group is to ensure that student involvement in planning school events doesnt ever fizzle out, especially when it comes to students of color.

A very foundational part of our club is the student involvement, Jones said. We always want students to feel like their voices are changing things actively.

Of Grand Rapids Public Schools (GRPS) approximately 13,800 students enrolled during the 2023-24 school year, 30.54% are African American, according to state data.

Thats the second-largest population in the district, behind Hispanic and Latino students at 38.71%,

At City High Middle School, 9.82% of students are African American, the third-highest student group behind white students (55.99%) and Hispanic/Latino students (21.14%). The school enrolled a little over 900 students during the 2023-24 school year.

The BSAs biweekly meetings, held for a little under an hour on Thursday afternoons, center around lessons on things like the impact of Black culture on music and film. Wetzel said the group tries to gear topics of discussion on things that students are likely to be engaged with.

Everyone loves music. Everyone loves to have their AirPods in at all times, she said. Lets talk about that.

Meetings spotlight local minority-owned businesses and share information on historically Black colleges and universities (HBCU), along with featuring speakers from West Michigan sororities and fraternities that students can join after graduation.

They also include discussions on current events, which Miklet Mesay said allows students to debate each other in a safe and open space, and also for us to learn from the people who join.

Members of the Black Student Alliance at City High Middle School gather for a meeting. Photo courtesy of IMara Smith Skyers.IMara Smith Skyers

Jones said the discussions are some of his favorite meetings, as I dont feel like were really arguing, or having a very substantial argument to be proven. I feel like were spending time just listening to each others viewpoints and perspectives on certain issues.

Starting in December, the BSA also begins planning programming for Black History Month, including hosting a school-wide assembly.

This year is going to be so hard because every year we try to outdo ourselves, he said, describing the assembly as similar to a theater production.

Students perform during a school assembly at City High Middle School put on by the school's Black Student Alliance. Photo courtesy of IMara Smith Skyers.IMara Smith Skyers

Now, graduation is looming for the six founding members, with the groups future plans ranging from studying political science in California to science and business at Howard University.

Smith Skyers said the goal moving forward is to encourage more younger students to help with planning, and to help them understand the importance of keeping a student organization like BSA running.

Personally, the group said starting BSA has taught them lots about leadership, communication, collaboration and the importance of ambition.

Jones said BSA has also helped CHMS foster a culture of acceptance, and has contributed to students being more socially and culturally aware.

I feel like Ive learned that just your presence to some people is enough to (make) a lot of change, he said. Its spreading almost the opposite of an infection.

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BAY CITY, MI  A Bay County Jail inmate has pleaded guilty to providing a fatal dose of a dangerous opiate to a fellow inmate.

Kristine I. Campau, 35, in late October appeared before Bay County Circuit Judge Joseph K. Sheeran and pleaded guilty to single counts of manslaughter and jail inmate in possession of contraband. The charges are 15- and five-year felonies, respectively.

Prosecutors agreed to dismiss a life offense of delivering a controlled substance causing death in exchange for Campaus pleas. They also agreed not seek a habitual-offender sentencing enhancement.

Campaus convictions stem from the death of Jessica L. Ayers, a 41-year-old mother of four.

Between 4 and 4:30 a.m. on Oct. 28, 2023, an inmate within the jail at 503 Third St. triggered a panic alarm in her cell after Ayers, her cellmate, went into medical distress, said Sheriff Troy R. Cunningham. Corrections officers entered the cell and rendered aid, but Ayers was pronounced deceased before she could be taken to a hospital, the sheriff said.

Investigators determined Campau had provided drugs to Ayers. Campau had been booked in the jail on Oct. 26 on several warrants.

Campau already had the drugs inside her when she arrived at the jail, Cunningham said. A routine search of her person did not lead to the drugs discovery, he said.

Ayers likely ingested the drugs shortly after corrections staff did their hourly round through the cellblock, the sheriff said.

Autopsy results showed Ayers died of fentanyl intoxication, with 26 nanograms of the substance in her blood.

Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid commonly mixed with heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine or made into pills that look like prescription painkillers.

Fentanyl has become a leading cause of death in the United States responsible for a majority of the 105,000 fatal overdoses recorded between November 2022 and November 2023. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency warned that six out of 10 fake prescription pills analyzed two years ago had a potentially lethal dose of fentanyl.

The Center for Disease Control and Prevention reports there were an estimated 109,680 fatal drug overdoses throughout the country in 2022, an increase from 109,179 in 2021. An estimated 68% involved synthetic opioids, principally illicitly produced fentanyl.

In Bay County, fatal drug overdoses increased 12.54% from 2020 to 2021, claiming the lives of 42 people between the ages of 16 and 70. Of those deaths, 33 involved the presence of fentanyl.

Bay County Chief Medical Examiner Dr. William Morrone in April issued a public health advisory after six overdoses occurred in 11 days. Morrone is the medical examiner for Bay, Tuscola, Midland, Iosco, and Arenac counties.

Morrone encouraged a five-step plan for users to prevent fatal overdoses, the first and fifth step being the same  get into substance abuse treatment. Second, obtain Narcan, an opiate antagonist that counteracts an overdose. Third, dont use drugs alone. Fourth, acquire testing strips that will indicate the presence of fentanyl in substances.

Ayers had been in the jail for nearly a year, having been arrested and charged in December 2022 with assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder.

A Kent County judge in 2017 sentenced Ayers to 30 to 90 months in prison on a first-degree retail fraud conviction. The Michigan Department of Corrections paroled Ayers in July 2019. While on parole, Ayers in November 2019 stabbed two people, resulting in her receiving two concurrent terms of 182 days in jail.

The MDOC again paroled Ayers in January 2022, and she was to remain on it until February 2024.

Ayers had a creative spirit and was known for her positivity.

Jessicas creativity knew no bounds, her obituary states. Her love for music and art was evident in everything she did. She was a dancer at heart, and her joy in movement was infectious.

In addition to her four children, Ayers was survived by a fiance, grandson, mother, and three siblings.

Judge Sheeran is to sentence Campau on Dec. 23.
China calls for shared global growth

08:41, December 09, 2024 By Wang Qingyun ( China Daily

People visit the Photography Exhibition on Pragmatic China-Africa Cooperation under Belt and Road Initiative in Nairobi, Kenya, on March 22, 2024. (Photo/Xinhua)

China has unveiled an annual report, analyzing major obstacles to global development, and calling for joint efforts to overcome them and promote shared and sustainable development in a world filled with turbulence and changes.

The Global Development Report 2024 launched by the Center for International Knowledge on Development on Friday said the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development "faces great challenges in meeting its deadline".

Global growth has remained weak, trade and investment have witnessed sluggish growth, the report said, adding that the world is facing more prominent imbalances in economic development.

The report went on to point out other challenges, including global actions "far from sufficient for achieving the climate target", intensified geopolitical conflicts, and anti-globalization trends, calling for cooperation to address all these issues.

Cooperation remains a rational choice for countries to maximize their interests, it said, urging international community members to work together for a community with a shared future for mankind.

They should push the 2030 Agenda back on track, and leverage the role of the Global Development Initiative, an initiative China proposed in 2021, in accelerating the agenda's progress, the report said.

It also highlighted the importance of adopting a systematic approach driven by solutions to the most pressing issues, encouraged better North-South and South-South cooperation, and asked major countries to lead international cooperation.

Zhang Laiming, vice-minister of the Development Research Center of the State Council, said at the report's launch ceremony that countries should build stronger consensuses, enhance cooperation, share development opportunities with others, and conduct joint efforts to respond to risks and challenges.

Carlos Correa, executive director of the South Center, a think tank headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, said he was impressed by the "comprehensive scope" of the report, which "provides not only information and data, but also policy advice and recommendations in many areas".

"All countries, particularly developing countries, need a strong, and not fragmented, multilateral system. I appreciate very much the effort China is doing in that direction," Correa said.

Osama El Gohary, assistant to the prime minister of Egypt and chairman of the Egyptian Cabinet's Information and Decision Support Center, said recommendations the report put forward "are not only a reflection of the global development landscape, but also a call for coordinated action to address the complex challenges facing us".

The recommendations, "if acted upon, can guide us toward a more sustainable, inclusive and prosperous future", Gohary said.

Sudheendra Kulkarni, founder and chairman of the Forum for a New South Asia, an organization based in Mumbai, India, said the solutions provided by the report point to greater global cooperation to achieve inclusive, fair, ecologically sustainable and people-centered development.

Noting the report's suggestions about global poverty reduction, Kulkarni said China's "epoch changing success" in eradicating extreme poverty "has many lessons for developing countries".

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
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Credit card limit reduced? Here's what might have triggered it

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Preeti Kulkarni is a financial journalist with over 13 years of experience. Based in Mumbai, she covers the personal finance beat for Moneycontrol. She focusses primarily on insurance, banking, taxation and financial planning

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In this editing of Moneycontrol Pro Panorama: Indian banks gearing for change in new year, how the trading cycle will fare in 2024...

Can Protean replicate its government legacy in the new-age tech business?

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Tushar Goenka is a breaking news reporter who focuses on startups. Interested in venture capital, quick commerce, e-commerce, food delivery and D2C.

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MB Patil says private cos won't be allowed to exploit state funds as Lenskart picks Telangana over Karnataka

Tushar Goenka is a breaking news reporter who focuses on startups. Interested in venture capital, quick commerce, e-commerce, food delivery and D2C.

Christin Mathew Philip is an Assistant editor at moneycontrol.com. Based in Bengaluru, he writes on mobility, infrastructure and start-ups. He is a Ramnath Goenka excellence in journalism awardee. You can find him on Twitter here: twitter.com/ChristinMP_

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Govt may introduce 'One Nation, One Election' bill in Winter Session, eyes 2029 rollout: Report

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New Zealand former PMs say ties with China very important

Xinhua) 08:49, December 09, 2024

Former New Zealand Prime Minister John Key speaks at the "Vision 2025" business event held by the China Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand, in Auckland, New Zealand, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Long Lei)

AUCKLAND, New Zealand, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Former New Zealand prime ministers John Key and Chris Hipkins have said that a sound New Zealand-China relationship is very important to their country.

At the "Vision 2025" business event held by the China Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand on Friday, Key said China remains New Zealand's largest trading partner and a major source of tourists, students, and investment. Relationship with China is crucial for New Zealand's economic future, said the former prime minister.

Hipkins, who is also the current opposition leader, echoed Key's statement on the importance of the bilateral relationship.

"I think New Zealanders increasingly do understand that the relationship between New Zealand and China is the cornerstone of New Zealand's economic and social prosperity. It's a relationship of mutual respect and shared economic benefits," said Hipkins.

Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong introduced China's latest adjustment of its visa-free policy for New Zealand, and urged the two sides to strengthen communication and cooperation in various sectors.

New Zealand Minister for Trade and Agriculture Todd McClay had just returned from leading a New Zealand trade mission at last month's China International Import Export, a significant platform for New Zealand exporters to showcase their products and services in China.

The New Zealand government has set an ambitious goal of doubling its export value in 10 years, in delivering which China is a critical element, said the minister.

New Zealand Minister for Trade and Agriculture Todd McClay speaks at the "Vision 2025" business event held by the China Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand, in Auckland, New Zealand, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Long Lei)

Former New Zealand Prime Minister Chris Hipkins speaks at the "Vision 2025" business event held by the China Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand, in Auckland, New Zealand, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Long Lei)

Chinese Ambassador to New Zealand Wang Xiaolong speaks at the "Vision 2025" business event held by the China Chamber of Commerce in New Zealand, in Auckland, New Zealand, Dec. 6, 2024. (Xinhua/Long Lei)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
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PM Modi to respond to debate on Constitution in Lok Sabha on December 14: Reports

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J. Kumar is an author, journalist and a political commentator based in in Mumbai who writes on crime and Maharashtra politics. Views are personal and do not represent the stand of this publication.

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India shouldnt let bilateral ties with Bangladesh become hostage to domestic politics

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M&A in India: The Case for an Integrated Code

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Bhartendu Kumar Singh is in the Indian Defence Accounts Service. Views are personal, and do not represent the stand of this publication.

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Why this airline is taking families on 'fantasy flights' to North Pole this holiday season

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Why this Bengaluru edtech executive quit his Rs 1 crore+ job without a backup plan

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2024 will be the hottest year on record, EU scientists say

Arindam Roy

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How dramatic collapse of Assad regime in Syria left Iranians stunned: 'Nobody could believe'

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Iran in direct contact with groups in Syria's new leadership, Iranian official says

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'Real live wire', 'Good looking': How Trump described global leaders he met in Paris

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Trump says for first time he communicated with Xi after election

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UK could consider removing proscription of Syria's HTS, says minister

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'Will deport migrants with criminal records, may exit NATO': Trump outlines agenda ahead of taking oath

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Google Docs gets Help me create documents creation feature powered by Gemini: Heres how it works

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By Lambert Strether of Corrente.

Bird Song of the Day

Northern Mockingbird, 138 Captains Dr, West Babylon US-NY, Suffolk, New York, United States. Two cuts of the same bird. Loaded with mimicry: Carolina Wren (song and call), American Crow, Blue Jay, Red-bellied Woodpecker, House Finch (call), Killdeer, Northern Flicker, Monk Parakeet, Tree Swallow, American Robin (call), Northern Cardinal, Eastern Phoebe, Red-tailed Hawk, Red-winged Blackbird, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Eastern Towhee, and possibly a few others of borderline quality. Over seven minutes! (There are two other Mockingbird recordings from the same location. Apparently 138 Captains Dr, West Babylon is a Mimus polyglottos hotbed!

* * *

In Case You Might Miss

* * *

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

Biden shrinks from view ahead of Trumps return to Washington [Politico]. Joe Biden is president of the United States for 42 more days. But within the Democratic Party, on Capitol Hill  and even within his own administration  it feels like he left the Oval Office weeks ago. Biden has effectively disappeared from the radar in the wake of Democrats bruising electoral loss. Since Nov. 5, hes largely stuck to prepared remarks, avoided unscripted public appearances or press questions and opted to sit out the raging debate over Donald Trumps victory, policy conversations in Congress and the Democratic Partys future. Hes been so cavalier and selfish about how he approaches the final weeks of the job, said a former White House official.  But Biden officials race to help stabilize Syria after regime collapse [WaPo].  Race in a headline is always a tell that no matter what the organic causes of the race are, the article will not cover them. * * * Clyburn says hed support Biden pardoning Trump [The Hill]. Shot (December 4). Remember that Trump has not been convicted of anything in the federal realm, Clyburn told CNNs Laura Coates Live on Tuesday, specifically highlighting the president-elects New York hush money case. Those convictions are state convictions. So, Im not talking about state here, Im talking about things that could impede our federal government, he continued, referencing outgoing Sen. Joe Manchins (I-W.Va.) similar sentiment earlier this week, when he too called for the president to pardon Trump. White House blames Rep. Jim Clyburn for convincing Biden to pardon Hunter [New York Post]. Chaser (December 6). Jean-Pierre claimed Biden, 82, wrestled with the decision to pardon his son for any and all crimes he committed between 2014 and 2024  but it was a visit by Clyburn, 84, that tipped the scales and led the president to go back on his repeated promises not to do so.

Trump Transition

Hegseth Brings His Nomination Back from the Brink [The Bulwark]. As of December 6. Aides believe that the longer Hegseth remains in contention for the post, the higher his chances of confirmation will be, simply because it subjects GOP senators to a sustained pressure campaign from the MAGA base, and because many will have a hard time scuttling him in a public vote. Those aides also believe that if Hegseth is drawing fire from critics, there will be less attention and heat on Trumps other controversial nominees like Kash Patel (FBI), Tulsi Gabbard (director of national intelligence), or Robert Kennedy Jr. (HHS). Hegseth is a heatshield, said a senior Trump adviser. Pete can take the heat, and thats better for everyone else.' * * * Trump Taps Fiservs Bisignano for Social Security Administration [Bloomberg]. If confirmed by the Senate, Bisignano would head an agency responsible for running the Social Security program, a retirement trust fund that faces a budget shortfall and that is politically risky to change because older Americans who benefit from those payments make up a crucial bloc of voters. A nonpartisan budget watchdog [The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget] in October estimated that Trumps second-term agenda would drive the program to insolvency three years earlier and slash benefits by nearly a third. The group cited proposals including plans to deport unauthorized immigrants who now pay into Social Security, end taxes on overtime and tips, and end taxation of Social Security benefits. All those measures would shrink revenue for the trust fund, the group said. During the campaign, Trump pledged to eliminate taxes on Social Security payments for seniors, which would benefit some elderly Americans but strain future benefits for those yet to retire.  But Federal taxes dont fund Federal spending DOGE Heads Musk and Ramaswamy Signal Social Security Cuts Are Coming [Truthout]. Asked by host Kristen Welker on NBCs Meet the Press program whether the DOGE initiative would include cuts to Social Security, Trump said no, other than perhaps cuts related to allegations of abuse or fraud associated with the program. Notably, such fraud happens at extremely low rates Musk and Ramaswamy have made it evident that cuts to Social Security will be considered. After the two met with Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill last week about the DOGE initiative, House Majority Leader Rep. Steve Scalise (R-Louisiana) said they had expressed sentiments that contradicted Trumps comments on Sunday. Nothing is sacrosanct. Nothing. Theyre going to put everything on the table, Scalise told reporters after the meeting, with Fox Business elaborating that cuts to Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid would be discussed.  I think President Trump and President Musk need to have a talk. * * * Kudlow: DOGE Is Going To Take Out The Unelected Regulatory State That Has Been Mismanaging America [RealClearPolitics]. In my frequent conversations with Vivek Ramaswamy, it seems like chopping down the Regulatory State and reducing the overextended government power of the executive branch is a principal DOGE goal. Ive served several presidents over the years, but I had no idea there are over 220 of these agencies. Of course, taxpayers dont need them all, and running down multiple pages of these agencies, it sure looks like many are duplicative or totally unnecessary. Vivek has told me he intends to use Supreme Court decisions, such as West Virginia vs. EPA, and the so-called Chevron Deference decision, both of which criticized regulators for doing anything without any Congressional mandate. That of course is what central planners always do, they invent authorities to run the country, but there is no constitutional authority, there is no Congressional authority, there is no taxpayer authority. They just do it to enhance their own power. And theyve been getting away with it for a long time, until now, until DOGE.  What the heck does this guy think the Executive Branch is? Is it central? Does it plan? (Yes, I can see a functioning legislature that would write rules and regulations, if there was a branch of the civil service to support that. Otherwise, we might as well just hand the leglslative branch over the corporate legal and public relations departments. Musk and Ramaswamys DOGE Project to Eviscerate the Federal Government is a Legal Train Wreck [Washington Monthly].  DOGE, whatever it is, is not a department in the constitutional sense. The Constitution uses the word department to mean either a branch of government, such as the judicial department, or a freestanding component of the executive branch, not subordinate to or contained within any other such component, to which the law assigns duties, such as the Department of the Treasury or the Environmental Protection Agency. DOGEs fabulists presumably chose the name to fit the Musk-preferred acronym but also to confuse the public as to their position and authority. As far as the government is concerned, DOGE has neither. Journalists should stop calling it the department. Call it a project or an initiative. Dont treat it as weightier than it is. Importantly: Contrary to the DOGE Manifesto, it is doubtful that Musk and Ramaswamy can operate indefinitely in secrecy as freelance advisors. The duo called themselves outside volunteers, not federal officials or employees and asserted that Trump personally named them to head the DOGE. They anticipate advising the initiative at every step and working with a team of government officials embedded within government agencies. These arrangements will make DOGE, once Trump is inaugurated, a federal advisory committee under the 1972 Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). FACA covers any . . . task force, or other similar group, or any subcommittee or other subgroup thereof (hereafter in this paragraph referred to as committee), which is . . .established or utilized by the President. . . . in the interest of obtaining advice or recommendations for the President or one or more agencies or officers of the Federal Government. Each such committee must develop a public charter, conduct meetings in public, and keep minutes of its meetings.  Readers will recall FACA from our work on HICPAC.

2024 Post Mortem

How Alarmed Harris Staffers Went Rogue to Reach Black and Latino Voters [New York Times]. Campaign organizers in Philadelphia said they were told not to engage in the bread-and-butter tasks of getting out the vote in Black and Latino neighborhoods, such as attending community events, registering new voters, building relationships with local leaders and calling voters. Instead, they said, they were instructed to spend most of their days phoning the same small pool of volunteers and asking them to knock on voters doors and help run field offices. The strategy essentially turned experienced organizers into glorified telemarketers making hundreds of calls daily, with some harried volunteers begging to be taken off call lists. And holy moley: On election night, Ms. Harris drastically underperformed in Philadelphia. Although she picked up support in white precincts near downtown, she lost votes in some Latino and Black neighborhoods elsewhere in the city. In interviews, many Democrats expressed little surprise, saying that the Harris campaign had devoted much of its energy to winning over moderate white voters in wealthier neighborhoods and suburbs, both in Philadelphia and around the nation. In an October memo, her campaign wrote that the path to win Pennsylvania capitalizes on Trumps unprecedented weakness in the suburbs. As a result, many staff members felt that Philadelphias racially diverse neighborhoods were ignored. Even though the campaign raised $1.5 billion, many of its field offices in the city were filthy and lacked basic supplies like tables, chairs, cleaning products and printers, staff members said . Several recounted being forced to raid the campaigns better-stocked suburban offices or to raise money independently. All this in the biggest city in the most important swing state. Extraordinary. Sounds worse than Clinton 2016! The whole article is worth a read. I extracted portions about Harris campaign butchery, but the sad part is that local Democrat volunteers self-organized and self-funded to rescue the national party from itself. Why?

Our Famously Free Press

Taibbi: Trust In The Media Cant Be Fixed, Not One Journalist Has Come Forward To Say Yeah, We Screwed Up [RealClearPolitics]. TAIBBI: Trust is a human thing. You cant mechanize it. And in the journalism business when you make mistakes you have to stand in front of the camera and own up to it or else audiences will never again trust you. And there are years and years of errors about major consequential news cycle-dominating stories like Russiagate and COVID where the networks and major dailies have simply not come forward and said Yeah, we screwed up and they have to do that if theyre going to get audience back. But they refuse to and I just dont think thats  theyre ever going to learn.'

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!

Transmission: H5N1

Geese falling out of the sky: Avian flu begins to infect birds in the KC metro [KCTV5]. As calls continue to roll in about geese that have fallen out of the sky, wildlife officials have warned residents in the Kansas City metro that these birds show signs of avian flu. Operation Wildlife, a Linwood-based wildlife rehab, announced on Friday, Dec. 6, that avian influenza has been confirmed to be in the Kansas City metro area. With an increase in the number of geese due to migration, rescuers have seen an uptick in calls about geese falling out of the sky. Organization leaders noted that the majority of these calls have been related to snow geese  about 40 in the past 3 days.  Is this normal during migrations, and were only hearing about it now?

Transmission: Congo Mystery Disease

Why we still dont know whats causing the mystery disease in the Democratic Republic of the Congo [EuroNews]. There are a few potential culprits behind a mystery outbreak that has sickened hundreds of people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo  but a lack of medical supplies and logistical problems are slowing down disease detection in the remote region. Between October 24 and December 5, there were 406 cases of an unidentified flu-like illness, mostly among children under five years old, in the countrys Kwango province, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The UN health agency has verified 31 deaths, but the DRCs health officials say that when including patients who died outside of medical facilities, at least 71 people have been confirmed dead. The illness has symptoms that include fever, headache, cough, runny nose, fatigue, and body aches. And: WHO said that based on peoples symptoms and the number of deaths so far, authorities believe the illness may be acute pneumonia, influenza, COVID-19, measles, or malaria. Oh. And: Malnutrition likely also plays a role, the agency said, given all of the patients with severe illness were malnourished. Disease X Outbreak Widens as UN Sends Health Team to Congo [Bloomberg]. Malaria is common in the area, and it may be causing or contributing to the cases, the United Nations health agency said. Laboratory tests are underway to determine the exact cause. At this stage, it is also possible that more than one disease is contributing to the cases and deaths.'  Disease X is a really unfortunate label, previously reserved by the NIH (plus WEF, CEPI, and the EcoHealth Alliance) for whatever disease sparks the next pandemic (quite possibly bird flu). Whatever this disease is, its not that, or hasnt been shown to be.

Maskstravaganza

Yes, Virginia, respirators do trap viruses: If you are thinking, that's just salt, not viruses, not to worry. Scientists have tested N95s using real viruses using an international standard test called Viral Filtration Efficency (VFE). N95s filter viruses extremely well. https://t.co/M9jVI6bloA  Gerard Hughes ( @ghhughes@zeroes.ca ) (@ghhughes) December 7, 2024

Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions

Stocking stuffer: FYI Enovid is now NoWonder No wonder you couldnt find it  Carry on. This is only for the nasal-cleansing hedge-betting viral vigilantes. pic.twitter.com/vBiQEP197H  Dr. Sean Mullen (@drseanmullen) December 7, 2024

Elite Maleficence

CDC infection control body rejects the science on airborne transmission [Julia Doubleday, The Guantlet]. Good HICPAC round-up.  its critical to note that for decades, there was a large financial incentive against looking too closely at the claim that flus, colds, and other common viral and bacterial infections were being spread only via large droplets. Droplet precautions are relatively cheap and easy compared to the more complex and expensive requirements of controlling fully airborne infections. If a virus spreads through coughs and sneezes, how do you prevent transmission? Well, we all remember early pandemic guidance. Loose fitting surgical masks, social distancing and keeping diners (or patients) six feet apart, putting up physical barriers to protect from spit, and simply washing hands and covering coughs and sneezes are all examples of droplet-based infection control measures. Proper airborne infection control procedures are expensive, but they are not mysterious. Some changes would be relatively simple; masking with proper respirator-style masks, rather than surgical, is an obvious, necessary upgrade. New ventilation and filtration standards are a simple fix technologically, but require investment. Tools like Far UVC are exciting and could mean drastic leaps forward in both patient outcomes and occupational safety for HCW. Most likely, in order to save money long term and make airborne infection control sustainable, hospitals themselves would be constructed with airborne infection control, patient isolation, airflow, ventilation, etc. as major priorities in the process of designing the infrastructure. Airborne infection control would require, rather than tinkering at the edges of existing practices, a top-down rethinking of hospital protocols.  Those protocols being exactly what HICPAC refuses to change. Not one CDC whistleblower. Not one: In early 2020, when the CDC was saying dont buy masks they dont work, I got a call from a friend whose partner worked at the CDC: He said to tell you to buy and wear masks. He says theyre lying to the public because theyre worried about a shortage. I think about that a lot. https://t.co/FR6zsg8npe  Tyler Austin Harper (@Tyler_A_Harper) December 8, 2024 Handwashing for the holidaze: Why is @SF_DPH posting nonstop about handwashing to stop spread of germs but not once about air cleaning (filtration + ventilation)? Beyond increased risk of infections from breath particles exhaled during holiday gatherings cooking can generate lots of particles. https://t.co/UN3DD2MXqE  Devabhaktuni "Sri" Srikrishna (@sri_srikrishna) December 7, 2024

* * *

TABLE 1: Daily Covid Charts

Lambert: CDCs wastewater page loaded. No Thanksgiving surge that I can see.
Click here to learn how you can get PPE in states with bird flu cases. If you work on a dairy farm, poultry farm, poultry slaughter plant, dairy processing plant, or another setting where you could be exposed to bird flu, contact the following agencies for requests and information on acquiring PPE. This information is current as of December 2024. California: Follow the steps outlined on the Department of Public Healths website for bird flu PPE. Colorado: Complete this form. Idaho: Contact your local public office. Iowa: Contact your local public office. Kansas: Contact Kansas Department of Public Health at kdhe.info@ks.gov Michigan: Contact your local public health department. Minnesota: Complete this form. New Mexico: Contact your local public health office. South Dakota: Complete this form. Texas: Contact your local public health region. Utah*: Contact the states Department of Health at epi@utah.gov Wisconsin**: Contact the states Department of Health Services at DHSStockpile@wisconsin.gov or fill out this form. Wyoming: Contact the Department of Agriculture at wda1@wyo.gov. North Carolina: Not currently accepting PPE requests, contact North Carolina Division of Public Health at 919-707-5000 Ohio: Not currently accepting PPE requests; Contact Ohio Department of Public Health at 614-466-3543 Oklahoma: Not currently accepting PPE requests; Contact Oklahoma Department of Public Health at 405-426-8000 *The first case of bird flu in Utah dairy herds was reported at the end of October and would not have opened requests for PPE for producers before this time. **There have been no confirmed cases of bird flu in dairy cattle in Wisconsin as of publication date. The state is included in this list and reporting because of their major role in the countrys dairy industry.

In May, the Centers for Disease Control recommended that state public health departments, veterinarians and epidemiologists provide personal protective equipment, or PPE, for workers in direct contact with animals and their fluids, such as raw milk, that could be exposed to bird flu.

As of early December, almost 60 people have been infected with the virus, with the majority of cases stemming from human contact with dairy cattle. Nearly 700 dairy cattle herds have been infected.

The most effective way to protect workers is with face shields, latex gloves and respirators, the CDC advised.

However, records from 15 states with confirmed cases of bird flu in dairy cattle reveal inconsistent responses by agencies when it comes to providing farmworkers with personal protective equipment. Most state health agencies, which are often responsible for the human impacts of communicable diseases, have left PPE distribution to local county health officials.

The documents, which Investigate Midwest obtained through multiple public records requests, found:

At least a third of state health departments in states with confirmed dairy cattle outbreaks do not track the distribution of PPE.

Ohio, Wyoming and New Mexico, which have had active bird flu cases in dairy cattle, have either not tracked requests for farmworker PPE or are currently not accepting requests.

Only one dairy farm in Wisconsin, a major dairy state that has not had a confirmed cattle outbreak, has requested PPE from the states health department.

Minnesota has had few cases of bird flu in dairy cattle, but more than 200 agriculture businesses have received PPE from the state.

Michigan and North Carolina, which are also major dairy-producing states, have provided PPE to less than a dozen farms.

It looks like a failure in how were communicating on the public health side to producers, said Bethany Alcauter, director of research and public health for the National Center for Farmworker Health, a Texas-based nonprofit that provides resources and training to farmworkers and advocacy groups across the country.

Alcauter said farm operators and processors dont have the same knowledge and outlook as public health officials because sick workers and animals are often part of the job.

Its not to say that theyre not getting sick, but because its maybe not that different from what they experience normally, its not going to change their perception of the risk just because its a different pathogen, she said.

When dairy workers are milking cows, raw milk can come into contact with their hands, faces and bodies, increasing the risk of infection. The CDC advises that dairy workers wear PPE, including gloves, rubber overalls and face shields, to minimize the spread of the virus.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration, OSHA, states that employers of workplaces where exposure to bird flu viruses could occur are responsible for providing PPE to workers and keeping records on infected animals and employees.

However, OSHA cannot enforce its standards on farms with less than 11 employees, an exemption that has harmed dairy workers in the past when dairy worker deaths and injuries went unreported. This makes the enforcement and responsibility of safety measures hard to pin down, Alcauter said.

Workers are on their own in terms of actually enforcing anything, she said.

Michigan and Colorado Workers Arent Using or Getting PPE

In a recent CDC study, the agency said that the prevention of human infections is critical to mitigating changes in the bird flu virus that could lead to a pandemic.

Employers can best reduce the risk of infection by providing and educating workers on the use of PPE, as well as monitoring and testing animals and workers for the virus, the study said.

While PPE is a needed tool to prevent the spread, the practical application can be hard for workers who are working long hours and completing repetitive motion tasks in tight corners and hot environments.

Every worker who contracted the virus has been tasked with cleaning and working in milking parlors, according to the study.

After surveying the predominantly Spanish-speaking workers at Michigan and Colorado dairies, the agency found that none of the workers who were infected with the virus reported using PPE. In fact, the use of PPE was low among all workers.

This investigation identified low PPE adherence among dairy workers, which has been an ongoing challenge in hot, tight spaces where visibility around large animals is important and the use of eye protection can be challenging, the study states.

Records obtained by Investigate Midwest show inconsistent PPE distribution processes in both Michigan and Colorado, where dairy industries have been wrestling with the virus since early this year.

From January 2023 to late September 2024, records show only 11 dairy farms requested PPE for farmworkers in Michigan. Only 16 other operations requested PPE from the state during this time.

Farms that have requested PPE from the state have had an average of nine farmworkers per dairy farm, according to the self-reported request forms, which Investigate Midwest received through its records requests.

Conversely, the handful of poultry farms that have requested PPE have an average of 60 farmworkers per operation.

In Colorado, 40 dairy farms have requested PPE from the state agency between the beginning of 2023 and September 2024, according to documents and interviews with the agency.

Most requests came over the summer when Colorado started seeing repeated outbreaks of bird flu at dairy operations. As of early December, the state has had 64 confirmed cases in dairy herds.

The average number of dairy farmworkers operating on Colorado dairy farms that have requested PPE was roughly 40 people per farm.

Some farms also reported that they had already purchased PPE and therefore didnt need to make a request, David Ellenberger, a spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, CDPHE, wrote in an email to Investigate Midwest.

Additionally, CDPHE has sent bulk orders of PPE to an agricultural workers outreach group, who has relationships with individual workers, and was able to further distribute PPE on an individual level, Ellenberger added.

Texas, California Take Different Approaches

Earlier this year, Texas was the first state in the country to have a confirmed case of bird flu in dairy cattle and, soon after, became the second site of mammal-to-human transmission of the virus in the country

Since then, Texas has had nearly 30 cases of bird flu in cattle.

The states department of health has eight regional offices and it instructs farmers to contact their local office to request PPE.

Each region fills them as they come in, Texas spokesperson Douglas Loveday told Investigate Midwest.

In California, which now leads the country in the number of confirmed dairy cattle cases, the health and agriculture departments do not track or manage the distribution of PPE to farms and affected facilities. This task is left to the states 58 local health agencies.

In an email, a California Department of Public Health spokesperson said the state supported a one-time distribution of PPE to dairy farms earlier this year. When local requests cant be fulfilled, the state agency fulfills the request.

As of early December, the agency has fulfilled or is currently fulfilling 43 PPE requests from dairy farms, six from poultry farms and 11 from farmworker organizations.

A similar system is used in Iowa and Idaho, which have also had numerous cases of bird flu in dairy cattle.

Ken Gordon, Ohio Department of Health spokesperson, told Investigate Midwest that when bird flu was detected in northwest Ohio earlier this year, the state made PPE available as the USDA investigated the outbreak. The state received two requests for PPE from agricultural operations during that time.

Now that the farm is no longer being investigated, the state is no longer offering PPE to farmworkers upon request.

The state-level Ohio Department of Health made PPE available, via the survey, to farms and agricultural businesses on a temporary basis as the situation was new and evolving, Gordon said.

Other states have received few requests or do not track disbursements:

As of early December, only one Oklahoma farm had requested PPE from the states health department to manage bird flu. The state agency used to have a formal request process for PPE, but it has since closed. The purpose of this program was to support farms as part of the immediate response until these farms were able to ascertain PPE on their own, an Oklahoma State Department of Health spokesperson wrote in an email to Investigate Midwest.

Idaho Department of Public Health spokesperson AJ McWhorter said the agency worked with the industry group Idaho Dairymens Association and local public health districts to identify dairy worker needs for equipment and filled a one-time request for PPE for dairy workers in June.

An Iowa health department spokesperson told Investigate Midwest they direct people to local agencies or to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

In Wyoming, a state with one confirmed affected dairy herd, the health department said it did not track PPE requests or make a request form available to producers. Wyoming Department of Health spokesperson Kim Deti said the states poultry and dairy industries are small and PPE requests have been taken on a case-by-case basis.

Few Farms in North Carolina, New Mexico and Wisconsin Request PPE

North Carolina has one confirmed case of dairy cattle infected with bird flu. The state has also seen numerous cases of infected poultry, which is a major industry in the state.

One farm and four farmworkers requested PPE from the state during the ongoing outbreak. The majority of the states requests for PPE have come from farmworker organizations and advocacy groups.

The Association of Mexicans in North Carolina requested 2,000 face shields for dairy workers, stating that the association will make PPE available through health fairs aimed at farmworkers and contractors and their families held across the state.

In New Mexico, a state with nine confirmed outbreaks in dairy cattle, only two farms have requested PPE, according to state health department spokesperson David Morgan.

Some major agricultural states are preparing for outbreaks, even if a confirmed case hasnt been reported.

When dairy workers are milking cows, raw milk can come into contact with their hands, faces and bodies, increasing the risk of infection. The CDC advises that dairy workers wear PPE, including gloves, rubber overalls and face shields, to minimize the spread of the virus. graphic provided by the CDC

In Wisconsin, a major dairy-producing state, the state health agency has received 11 requests for PPE from the beginning of 2023 to September of this year. The state has yet to have a confirmed case of bird flu in dairy cattle or humans.

Only one Wisconsin dairy farm and one egg production company have requested protective equipment for employees.

Most of the states requests have come from cheese or dairy product manufacturers in the state, as well as veterinary offices.

In addition to workers on farms with dairy cattle, employees who work in dairy processing plants are at risk of exposure to the virus. The CDC states that employees on dairy and poultry farms, dairy processing plants and poultry slaughter plants, should receive PPE to prevent the spread. The virus is destroyed when raw milk is pasteurized at a processing plant.

A spokesperson for Dairy Farmers of America, the countrys largest milk co-op and owner of nearly 50 dairy processing plants nationwide, told Investigate Midwest that the company has a safety protocol to provide PPE for workers at their plants.

DFA was not listed as a PPE recipient in the state of Wisconsin, where the company has three plants.

PPE is (and was) standard protocol at our plants, prior to the bird flu, as many of our employees work around cleaning chemicals,  a DFA spokesperson told Investigate Midwest in an email. To date, weve had no requests for extra PPE.

Wisconsin Department of Health Services spokesperson Elizabeth Goodsitt, said the agency has worked alongside the states agriculture department to provide updates about bird flu to producers, including information on how producers and industry groups can receive PPE.

We know from our experience across public health that getting resources to agencies, organizations, and individuals who are most trusted by specific populations is the best way to share important information, she said.Producers should continue to enhance their biosecurity efforts and monitor and control disease in their herds and flocks, she said in an email to Investigate Midwest.

Minnesota Stands from the Rest

Minnesotas Department of Public Health has fulfilled more than 200 requests for PPE since May despite the state having far fewer confirmed outbreaks in dairy cattle compared to its peers.

As of December, Minnesota has had 9 outbreaks in dairy cattle herds.

The majority of the states requests came from dairy producers, with 138 farms requesting. Twenty poultry farms requested PPE and nearly a dozen processing facilities, either dairy or poultry, requested equipment.
How and When Did Humans First Move Into the Pacific? Sapiens

Climate/Environment

Water

An Alternate Theory for How Life-Giving Water Came to Earth 404 Media

Pandemics

The Koreas

Yoon placed under travel ban amid martial law probe as political turmoil deepens Yonhap

China?

European Disunion

Syraqistan

Difficult to interpret Bidens speech as anything short of an olive branch to al-Qaeda; a signal that the US would reset relations with the miscellany of jihadist groups we initially armed, then designated as FTOs, if they meet compliance standards for client state status pic.twitter.com/pGDouk3WZM  Alex Rubinstein (@RealAlexRubi) December 8, 2024

>> Plea deals this year for the alleged ISIS masterminds behind 9/11

>> backing ISIS in their takeover of Syria

>> backing ISIS in the Sahel to kill Russians in Africa

>> backing ISIS as they attack civilian targets within Russia at what point do we stop playing pretend pic.twitter.com/L9MLzg7zUH  Mike Benz (@MikeBenzCyber) December 8, 2024

America is such a great country! How great? So great it can offer a $10 million reward for information leading to the arrest of Muhammad al-Jawlani while simultaneously pledging millions of dollars to support Muhammad al-Jawlani!https://t.co/FVf7AXNQcI https://t.co/IO0LVX7seL pic.twitter.com/J0xgOCtjGH  Roland Baker (@RolandBakerIII) December 8, 2024

FIVE LESSONS FOR RUSSIA Doom and gloom are somewhat appropriate, but it is more important to think about the future now. What does the fall of Syria tell us? 1. False Peace is Death. A bad faith ceasefire is a recipe for disaster and after Minsk and Astana should never be  Russians With Attitude (@RWApodcast) December 8, 2024

Why Did Syria Fall So Quick & Where Was Iran? Its safe to say that everyone is shocked on the events in Syria. Nobody expected for this to happen nowwell, thats actually not true. 6 months ago, the leader of Iran (Imam Khamenei) had warned Bashar Assad regarding the uprise pic.twitter.com/PwXQTWuyuf  Arya   (@AryJeay) December 8, 2024

Its wild watching all the Western journalists and politicians celebrating an end to secularism in Syria. And the installation of an Al Qaeda linked regime. Wild.  Johnny miller (@johnnyjmils) December 8, 2024

Think of a combination of ISIS at its height and the aftermath of Gaddafis downfall and youll get a good idea of whats in store for the region in the coming years. https://t.co/E6POiB5znA pic.twitter.com/VLjnkXhfmB  Armchair Warlord (@ArmchairW) December 8, 2024

get ready for a deluge of why are you denying Yemeni agency? OMG DO YOU KNOW HOW EVIL THE HOUTHIS ARE?!?!? propaganda to be pumped out from all the typical scum as the operation proceeds   (@zei_squirrel) December 8, 2024

*** Israel continues killing citizens in south Lebanon as ceasefire violations persist The Cradle. Commentary:

Hate to add to all-pervasive doom now but a major crackdown on Hezbollah is undoubtedly impending. Lebanons security/intelligence/military are *heavily* penetrated by CIA/MI6 and now Satanyahu has won in Syria they are surrounded by enemies on all sides, including internally.  Kit Klarenberg  (@KitKlarenberg) December 8, 2024

New Not-So-Cold War

The Caucasus

Georgia to ban masks; PM calls journalist attacks provocations JAM News

Africa

Dear AES and other competent African states: ARM YOURSELVES TO THE TEETH! Nothing else matters right now. Take every red cent of budget available to you and pour it into military hardware and recruitment. Dont wait till next year, do it now. NOW. Because once the empire is  David Hundeyin (@DavidHundeyin) December 8, 2024

Trump Transition

Antitrust

AI

Imperial Collapse Watch

Sports Desk

Juan Soto signing with Mets on gargantuan $765 million contract as Yankees miss out New York Post

Healthcare?

Guillotine Watch

The Bezzle

Timekeeping Is on The Verge of a Giant Leap in Accuracy. Heres Why. Science Alert

Down the Rabbit Hole Atmos

Antidote du jour (via):

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
Consumers in Great Britain BOYCOTT milk products that contain 3-NOP  a chemical fed to cows to reduce methane gas

In order to conform to the climate change narrative and abide by carbon mandates put forth by the globalists, one company started using a supplement that causes their dairy cows to produce 30% less methane gas. That supplement is shrouded in controversy.

A Danish firm named Arla recently announced they are feeding their cows a supplement called Bovaer. The supplement contains a chemical compound called 3-nitrooxypropanol, or 3-NOP for short. This chemical interferes with natural processes in the cows gut, reducing methane emissions when the cows fart.

This news is not being received well by consumers in Great Britain. Many people are beginning to boycott Arla milk products and other associated companies that use 3-NOP in their dairy cows.

Brits boycotting over a dozen Arla dairy products over toxicity concerns

Brits are now boycotting over a dozen Arla dairy products, claiming that certain products are contaminated by 3-NOP. Many of the claims link the chemical to infertility and cancer, and boycotts are spreading on the internet fast. The boycott includes Arlas milk and butter products, including Lurpak and Anchor butters as well as Castello, an artisan cheese brand, and Apetina, a brand of cooking cheeses.

The boycott extends to other companies that partner with Arla Foods, including Yeo Valley, Starbucks, McDonald's and Ecomilk, and encompasses entire supermarkets, including Tesco an Asda, which stock Arlas brands. Subordinate brands are also being targeted by the boycott, including: Arla Cravendale, which is a filtered milk; Arla B.O.B., a fat free milk; Arla Protein, a high protein yogurt and drink brand; and Arla Lactofree, a dairy product that is free of lactose.

One TikTok video, which has been viewed thousands of times, shows a consumer pouring Arla milk down the sink, while saying, Arla not in my house.

The Good Food Project called for a full boycott of soulless supermarkets and fake food corporations such as Arla.

Another video, viewed over 1.6 million times, shows a man pointing to a bottle of Asda semi-skimmed milk that is sourced from Arla farms. In the video, he says, This will be going straight down the drain and I won't be buying Asda milk again.

Widespread experimentation on dairy cows using 3-NOP faces controversy

As consumers reject these dairy products, Arla has tried to reassure the public that the feed additive has been declared safe by both European and UK regulators. The company claims that the supplement breaks down into natural byproducts and doesnt transfer into the cows milk. Additionally, Arla reports that there are no studies linking 3-NOP to cancer or infertility through indirect routes of exposure.

However, consumers point to a warning by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) which says 3-NOP is not to be used in humans. Arla iterates that the feed supplement is not used directly in humans and is safe as a feed additive because it never incorporates into the cows milk.

Consumers also point out that the FDA cautions consumers about handling the product: 3-nitrooxypropanol may damage male fertility and reproductive organs, is potentially harmful when inhaled, and is a skin and eye irritant. The FDA warning also warns farmers to wear protective gear for the eyes, mouth, and hands when working directly with the supplement. Arla iterates that this is standard protocol for handling most feed supplements.

The Food Standards Agency in the UK also slapped a warning label on the product, linking the product to cancer. The study behind this warning involves high doses of the chemical and investigates its effect on rodent populations. In the study, high doses initially increased cancer risk in female rats; however, a follow up analysis found that the cancer rates were not statistically higher in the 3-NOP or control group. Still, questions remain about the chemicals effect on the cows microbiome long term.

While 3-NOP is generally considered safe, mass experimentation on the food supply over the issue of natural methane gas emissions would not be worth the potential consequences, if the product were to affect cows milk supply or damage human health over the long term.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

NaturalNews.com
Murder of CEO of UnitedHealthcare may reflect rising discontent with a failing medical system

The CEO of UnitedHealthcare was shot yesterday outside of a high-end hotel in Midtown Manhattan in what police have described as a brazen, targeted attack.

Brian Thompson was just leaving the Hilton Hotel at around 6:45 am ahead of a conference when he was shot in the back and right calf. The 50-year-old was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

The murder was captured on surveillance camera, with a masked man in a black hooded sweater with a backpack walking up behind Thompson as he left his hotel and raising a gun with a silencer and shooting him. Police believe the shooter was very experienced, possibly trained by the military or law enforcement given how well he handled the gun apparently jamming multiple times as he fired off several shots. He fled on foot and then used a bike to disappear in Central Park.

The bullet casings at the scene each had a word written on them that may be related to the strategies used by insurance companies when they try to avoid paying a claim, including defend, depose, and deny.

Police also have surveillance images of the man without a mask on, which they are hoping can be used to help identify him. A water bottle and a cell phone found at the scene may have been dropped by the shooter, and investigators are checking them for fingerprints.

Crime analysis contributor Paul Mauro told Fox News that he believes the case will be solved quickly.

"Facial recognition and other technologies have come a long way, and my understanding is that the police have been making progress on other fronts in this case. It is truer than ever that you cant get away with murder these days. The detectives will get whoever is behind this, and soon, he said.

Police investigators have reportedly visited a Manhattan hostel where some think the shooter may have stayed, although he may have checked in using false ID.

CEO was being investigated by Department of Justice for insider trading

Thompson worked for the UnitedHealth Group, which ranks fourth in the Fortune 500 and employs more than 100,000 people, for two decades and was named CEO in 2021. He was one of several senior UnitedHealth executives being investigated by the Department of Justice for insider trading.

Thompson exercised stock options and sold off shares worth more than $15 million in February, just weeks before the news of a federal antitrust probe was made public. This caused their stock price to drop dramatically. The DoJ's investigation was focused on whether the firm made acquisitions to cement its market position that violated antitrust laws. His net worth was $43 million.

His wife told the media that her husband mentioned he had been receiving threats over lack of coverage before being killed. The couple lived separately and shared two children.

The company was also a victim of one of the biggest healthcare data breaches in American history earlier this year, with around a third of Americans private data compromised by ransomware. The company paid the hackers a ransom of $22 billion.

It is not known why Thompson's security team was not present when the shooting occurred, especially if he had been receiving threats, but other healthcare providers have started increasing the security around their top executives in the wake of the shooting.

It appears there are multiple potential motives here, although the writing on the bullet casing and Thompsons wifes comments about the threats he received point to someone potentially unhappy about being denied coverage.

Unfortunately, as more people lose faith in the justice system, we could see more of this type of scary behavior moving forward.

Sources for this article include:

NYPost.com

NYPost.com
CLIMATE CHANGE VIRUS has already INFECTED millions, now the sheeple wonder will the CLIMATE VACCINE save mankind from certain doom?

Ever heard of a pet project? Thats when the government gives billions of dollars to people to do nothing while they claim they spent it on climate things. Theres no accountability for the trillions of dollars the Biden regime has printed and wasted. Nobody knows where it all went, no companies are being audited, and certainly the 80,000 new IRS employees arent holding their own government in contempt. A large portion of those funds are funneled into the biggest hoax of the century, called climate change, and for everyone who is scared to death theyll die from it, well, theres a vaccine for it now, called the climate vaccine , so be sure to ask your corporate farmer and your medical quack if its right for you.

The Cattle Methane Vaccine Project enters funding stage and soon infection stage, where a few billion people involuntarily enroll in the dangerous experiment

The climate vaccine is the latest development in medicine funded by psychotic billionaires and being created to stop cows from farting methane into the atmosphere, which is supposedly causing all of the glaciers to rapidly melt, oceans to swallow up continents, and humans to burst into flames while walking down the street. Climate alarmism is a disease where gullible, brainwashed humans are completely and utterly committed (pardon the pun) to saving the earth by giving most of their time, money and energy to these psychotic billionaires, who made up the problem out of thin air (pardon the pun again).

Once a few billion cows are injected with this deadly vaccine, their milk and meat will be tainted, and every human who eats the meat or consumes dairy products that come from those cows will be part of the grand colon cancer experiment. Why? Because burping and farting are natural ways the body reduces gas and bloating, and people with persistent or worsening gas require medical attention for underlying gastrointestinal conditions. Care to know what those conditions are?

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, after chronic gastrointestinal conditions persist, including small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO), the body may become unable to absorb sufficient nutrients from food. If you think Bill Gates and Jeff Bezos havent been informed of this by the scientists creating and implementing the climate vaccine, then you need to uninstall Microsoft windows now and stop shopping on Amazon.

Eventually, once you cant fart or burp anymore or absorb nutrients, youll suffer extreme weight loss and anemia. You may also, during this stage of climate change in your intestines, develop chronic constipation, peptic ulcers, hernias, intestinal blockages, and wait for it  colorectal cancer.

Yes, colorectal cancer describes the co-occurring colon cancer and rectal cancer, and it is not uncommon. Its already the third most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. Watch for those rates to skyrocket not long after the climate vaccine is administered to a few billion cattle.

Then come the polyps. Remember, the cows will be sick too, so consuming their meat and byproducts will most likely be the most toxic food on earth. Polyps are growths that form on the inside of the colon, increasing the risk of developing colon cancer on the inner walls of the large intestine. Thanks a lot Bill and Jeff.

Check out ClimateAlarmism.news for updates on psychotic billionaires spending big chunks of their money to adulterate the meat and dairy food supply while decreasing the population by a few billion. Better stick to organic meat and dairy, or just cut it out of your intake altogether.

Sources for this article include:

NaturalNews.com

BezoEarthFund.org

MedicalNewsToday.com
FBI agent who stole cash and silver bars from private citizens during home raids has been convicted

A former FBI agent working for the bureau's Houston field office has been convicted of stealing cash and a range of other valuables and property while carrying out search warrants as part of his job.

36-year-old Nicholas Anthony Williams, who worked on the counterterrorism and criminal violent gang squads, was indicted last year on charges of theft, making false statements, and fraud, with court documents noting that he took advantage of his position as a federal agent to steal money and other property from people in searches and use it for his own personal gain.

Some of the items that he stole included cell phones, silver bars, government-issued property, and cash. He also made false claims about charges he made on his FBI issued credit card; he said they were case-related expenses, but they turned out to be fraudulent charges. In his guilty plea, he admitted to committing five thefts from 2020 to 2023.

One of his victims was a Houston college student who was sentenced to a year of probation after taking part in peaceful protests inside the U.S. Capitol building in the events of January 6. Alexander Fan's home was searched by the FBI, and he was charged with nonviolent trespassing-related misdemeanors.

Following the search of his home, he reported that multiple items were missing from his bedroom, including silver bars and $1,500 in cash. However, none of these items appeared in the search warrant's list of items that were seized during the search.

In other thefts, Williams admitted to taking $4,000 in cash in a 2022 raid and $1,200 in a 2020 search in Houston. According to court documents, he used some of the money that he stole to buy firearms. He also tried to sell the silver bars that he stole to a number of buyers and pawned FBI-owned property.

The FBI has also accused him of stealing cell phones from the agency. He allegedly took a total of more than $10,000 in cash and assets from five victims.

Complaints by victims and internal investigations by the agency pointed to Williams, who is now awaiting sentencing. He is facing as much as ten years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.

A press release from the U.S. Attorneys Office, Southern District of Texas, noted: "Williams betrayed the legacy and the community's trust when he decided to pad his own pockets at the expense of a citizen's rights. Because no one is above the law, the system of justice that he once swore to protect will now seek to hold him to account for breaking that oath.

Case shows that abuse of power remains a problem

This case is shining a spotlight on the problem of abuse of power in law enforcement agencies. These types of incidents can and do undermine the public's trust in law enforcement. Making matters even more complicated is Williams' targeting of a nonviolent J6 defendant. Many Americans believe that federal agencies have unfairly targeted people who were involved in the protests that day, and this case is yet another example of it.

Many are hoping that the bad publicity surrounding Williamss crimes will lead to better oversight and transparency among federal agencies like the FBI. Some are demanding reforms that hold federal agents accountable for their behavior.

Sources for this article include:

LibertyOneNews.com

Justice.gov
French prime minister ousted following vote of no confidence

French Prime Minister Michel Barnier has been ousted following a vote of no confidence . This came after a momentary alliance of convenience between the country's left-wing coalition and the conservatives.

Following the results of France's snap legislative election this past summer, the liberal centrist government of President Emmanuel Macron was left governing with a minority presence in the National Assembly, with the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) coalition having more seats, and the right-wing National Rally of Marine Le Pen as the single largest party in parliament. (Related: France's conservative National Rally party drops to third place in latest legislative elections after leftist coalition and Macron's liberal party form alliance.)

Meaning, Macron's allies in the country's legislature, led by his liberal centrist Ensemble party, could be toppled by a majority vote through a simple vote of no confidence unless he decided to create an alliance with either the left-wing or the conservatives of Le Pen's National Rally.

Macron chose neither, and instead appointed Michel Barnier as prime minister and created a minority governing coalition with several moderate conservative parties.

Barnier's government was appointed on Sept. 5, two months after the snap legislative election and after Macron rejected appeals from the NFP for him to appoint a moderate leftist prime minister who can govern with the support of the liberals.

Three months later, on Dec. 4, this same left-wing coalition brought forward a motion of no confidence against Barnier's government following disagreements regarding the French government's budget for the 2025 fiscal year.

Barnier was unable to garner the support of a majority of parliamentarians to pass the country's budget. His main proposal involved raising 60 billion euros ($64 billion) through a combination of spending cuts and tax increases, neither of which appealed to the left-wing nor the National Rally, respectively.

Barnier resigns a day after the vote

Seeing no alternatives, Barnier pushed through a financing bill for the country's welfare programs using the "commitment of responsibility" clause in Article 49.3 of the French Constitution, which allowed the government to force through legislation without a vote in parliament.

This sent both the National Rally and the NFP off the edge, and both blocs intended to move forward their own motions of no confidence.

For the no confidence motion to pass, it needed the support of at least half of the National Assembly's 577 parliamentarians. The 190 members of the NFP were supported by Le Pen's 123 parliamentarians in the National Rally, along with 18 votes from other legislators. A total of 331 lawmakers, or a clear majority, voted in favor of toppling Barnier's government.

With a growing public deficit and uncertainty over how a 2025 budget can be decided upon, Barnier formally resigned from his post as prime minister a day after the vote, making him the shortest-serving prime minister since 1958.

"It is now up to you, as a parliamentarian of the nation, to decide whether to equip our country with responsible financial laws that are indispensable and useful. Or, if we are entering uncharted territory," said Barnier.

Due to French law, no new parliamentary elections can be called before July 2025, or a year after the end of the previous election. This leaves Macron with a difficult decision over who he will appoint as prime minister, and whether he will once again try to govern on his own or form an alliance with the left-wing or the conservatives.

Watch this video of political commentator Alex Christoforou discussing the downfall of Macron's liberal government.

This video is from the Oldyoti's Home Page channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Le Pem slams witch-hunt after investigation launched into 2022 presidential campaign funding.

Newly empowered French leftist coalition to introduce 90% income tax rate.

Macron forms alliance with far-left parties to block conservative, anti-illegal migrant National Rally party from obtaining parliamentary majority.

WATCH: French far left vandalize monument to the republic, attack police amid "national suicide."

Why the French chose the 'radical far right' over Macron's establishment.

Sources include:

Yahoo.com

TheGuardian.com

Brighteon.com
Russian ship fires at Germanys army helicopter, German foreign minister reports

Russian ship fired warning shots at a German military helicopter in the Baltic Sea during a routine surveillance operation, European news outlets reported.

On Wednesday, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock confirmed the report during the NATO meeting in Brussels Belgium, saying that the German Bundeswehr helicopter which was on a reconnaissance mission at an unclear date and time, was targeted by the Russian vessel. She did not provide any additional details.

"Signal ammunition is used for warning shots rather than attack, but this sort of incident is a sign of how close NATO and Russia are getting to facing each other directly," a Daily Mail article concluded.

Meanwhile, Baerbock announced on social media platform X that surveillance of pipelines and data cables in the Baltic Sea would be stepped up as hybrid threats from Russia and its supporters were on the rise.

"Putin is attacking our peace order with hybrid attacks," Baerbock tweeted.

Amid the burgeoning tension in the region, two sets of communication cables in the Baltic Sea, that link Finland and Germany and Sweden and Lithuania, were damaged in less than a day last month. The incident has drawn the authorities' attention to possible subterfuge.

German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius declared the severing of a communication cable between Germany and Finland an act of "sabotage." He implied that "hybrid actors" were behind the attack. However, the reason for the attack was not yet known, Pistorius added.

Sweden, Germany and Lithuania already opened probes last week as they are looking into the role the Chinese vessel Yi Peng 3 in the incident. The ship was in the vicinity of the damaged cables at the time.

Hybrid warfare refers to activities designed to destabilize nations through non-traditional and diverse means, including cyberattacks, infrastructure sabotage and misinformation campaigns.

NATO is recently ramping up surveillance in the Baltic Sea to prevent hybrid attacks on pipelines and data cables by Russia and its supporters.

According to reports, 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," Commander Arlo Abrahamson, NATO Allied Maritime Command spokesperson said.

Germany readies for the possibility of war spilling over other European nations

Reports claim that Germany has so far been avoiding direct conflict with Russia.

In fact, Berlin has not granted Ukraine with its long-range "Taurus" missiles. However, things may be going in a different direction, so it appears to be preparing for the eventuality of the Ukraine war spilling over into Europe.

Recently, Germany accused Russia of using high-speed drones to spy on the country's military facilities. Intelligence officials predicted in October that Russia will likely be in a position to attack NATO by 2030. They also drew attention to Russian espionage and sabotage.

In a speech to an annual parliamentary oversight committee in Berlin, the leaders of Germany's three intelligence agencies, the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution (BfV), the Military Counterintelligence Service (MAD) and the Federal Intelligence Service (BND), reported a "quantitative and qualitative" rise in Russian-sponsored espionage and sabotage activities in Germany.

Head of the BfV Thomas Haldenwang said that they are seeing aggressive behavior on the part of the Russian intelligence services. These actions, they added, have reached a new level in recent months, which ought to be a wake-up call to all.

He asserted that "a direct military confrontation with NATO [could be] a course of action for Russia" by 2030 as Putin works toward his long-term objective of undermining the West and creating a new international order.

"Whether we like it or not, we are in direct confrontation with Russia," he also said.

Meanwhile, Russia denied the allegations. It instead accused NATO of carrying out provocations.

Nevertheless, Berlin has been preparing. In late November, reports citing Germany's Interior Ministry stated that the country is compiling a list of bunkers that could offer emergency shelter for citizens.

The list will include state buildings, private properties, subterranean rail stations and parking lots. A cell phone app would also provide a computerized directory of bunkers and emergency shelters so people can locate them quickly. People were also urged to convert garages and basements into protective shelters in their houses. (Related: Germany prepping nuclear bunkers as WWIII with Russia looms.)

Head over to RussiaReport.news for updates on conflicts between Russia and its European neighboring nations.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

DailyMail.co.uk

EurAsianTimes.com
Texas judge blocks unconstitutional Corporate Transparency Act that would have required all small businesses to hand over private ownership and financial details to the government

A Texas federal judge has issued a preliminary block on the Corporate Transparency Act, which would require all American businesses to report information about their stakeholders to the Treasury Department, invalidating it within less than a month of its reporting deadline.

The nationwide injunction was issued by U.S. District Judge Amos Mazzant in Sherman, Texas, siding with the 300,000-member National Federation of Independent Businesses and a group of non-profits and small businesses who claim the act is unconstitutional. Some of the other plaintiffs involved include the family-run firearms and tactical gear store Texas Top Cop Shop and the Libertarian Party of Mississippi.

Mazzant said the federal government was making an unprecedented attempt to legislate in an aspect of law that is typically left up to states and taking away the anonymity that states offer for forming corporations. He based his decision on the ruling that Congress does not have the authority to regulate commerce in this way and that it was violating states rights under the Tenth Amendment.

The judge wrote in his 79-page opinion: "For good reason, Plaintiffs fear this flanking, quasi-Orwellian statute and its implications on our dual system of government. If sanctioned, theres no telling how Congress might control companies in the future.

The Act would have seen owners and other key figures from 32 million businesses forced to provide their personal information to the Treasury Departments Financial Crimes Enforcement Network by the end of the year.

Mazzant noted: The fact that a company is a company does not knight Congress with some supreme power to regulate them in all aspects  especially though the CTA, which does not facially regulate commerce.

Congress claims the goal of the act is to help law enforcement find shell companies that are used for crimes such as financing terrorism and money laundering. They maintain that the reporting will enable them to better detect when someone is trying to hide their identity or money obtained illegally with opaque corporate structures. However, groups like the American Farm Bureau Federation claim the law is an overreach of federal authority and infringes on their civil liberties.

Texas Farm Bureau Director of Government Affairs Regan Beck applauded the ruling, saying: This is a major win for farmers, ranchers and small businesses.

Alabama federal judge made similar ruling earlier this year

This isnt the first time that the law has been deemed unconstitutional; a federal judge in Alabama made a similar decision earlier this year in a separate challenge. However, in that case, the judge issued an injunction that only blocked its enforcement when it came to the parties that brought the case to him, one of which was the National Small Business Association.

The 2021 law has been facing scrutiny from consumer groups for several years, but these concerns gained steam in recent months as the deadline for all businesses registered or created prior to January 1, 2024, to file their initial report draws closer. FinCEN said it expected more than 32 million reports to be filed this year, which is the first year it was in effect.

The information that businesses must report about their owners includes their names, addresses, dates of birth and scanned images of drivers licenses or passports. Only 20 percent of companies that fall under the acts purview have filed reports so far, and those who fail to comply face fines and criminal penalties.

Sources for this article include:

Reuters.com

News.BloombergTax.com

Forbes.com
Donald Trump reportedly considers replacing Pete Hegseth with Ron DeSantis as defense secretary pick

President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly considering Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as a potential replacement for Pete Hegseth , his initial pick for secretary of the Department of Defense (DOD), due to growing controversies and resistance from key GOP senators.

In November, Trump picked Hegseth, a 44-year-old Army veteran and former Fox News host, to lead the DOD. However, Hegseth has faced increasing backlash over allegations of sexual misconduct and financial impropriety during his tenure at veterans' advocacy organizations Veterans for Freedom and Concerned Veterans for America. Hegseth also allegedly engaged in inappropriate behavior, including excessive drinking at events, and failed to address sexual harassment claims within his leadership teams.

The defense secretary position requires Senate confirmation. However, the nomination of Hegseth has been encountering significant resistance, with as many as six Republican senators hindering his path to confirmation. (Related: Pete Hegseth, Trump's defense secretary pick, covered in pro-war tattoos, including Matthew 10:34 that promises the SWORD, not peace.)

In line with this, DeSantis, a 46-year-old former Navy Judge Advocate General Corps and one-time rival to Trump in the 2024 Republican primary, has emerged as a contender for the role. DeSantis, who was on the initial shortlist for defense secretary during the transition planning of Trump, has stood against "woke" policies in the military.

During the campaign period, DeSantis criticized diversity initiatives and climate-focused defense programs, while promising to restore traditional military values and prioritize mission-readiness. His proposals included revoking policies supporting transgender service members and reinstating personnel discharged for refusing the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines.

"Our mantra on Jan. 20, 2025, as commander-in-chief will be very simple: mission first, accomplish the mission," DeSantis said on the campaign trail in South Carolina in 2023 while blaming "wokeism" for a drop in military recruitment. "We also have to ensure that there's good order and discipline on military installations. Having things like drag shows on military bases should not be allowed." These stances very much aligned with Trump and Hegseth.

Hegseth remains defiant despite allegations and uncertainty about his confirmation

While reports have been circulating about the potential replacement, Hegseth met with senators on Capitol Hill Tuesday, Dec. 4, to rally support for his confirmation.

His meetings include talks with Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.), who claimed Hegseth had to answer "hard questions," and Sen. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), a military veteran and survivor of sexual assault. Ernst, along with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-New York), co-sponsored legislation that advocates for accountability in cases of sexual misconduct in the armed forces.

"I appreciate Pete Hegseth's service to our country, something we both share," Ernst wrote on social media. "Today, as part of the confirmation process, we had a frank and thorough conversation."

In other words, Hegseth remains defiant despite allegations and uncertainty about his confirmation. He even told reporters that Trump is totally behind him.

"I spoke to the President-elect this morning. He said keep going keep fighting. I'm behind you all the way why would I back down?" Hegseth told reporters for TV News Now.

Head over to Trump.news to read stories related to the president-elect's victorious journey back to the White House.

Watch the video below where an economist says Trump will be explosive in economic growth.

This video is from the TrendingNews channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Trump chooses pro-Israel Pete Hegseth as his Secretary of Defense.

Trump picks pro-war Zionist shill Pete Hegseth as Defense Secretary.

Trump names Tulsi Gabbard to be the next Director of National Intelligence.

Trump picks generic Republican warmonger for national security advisor.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Secretary of State Anthony Blinken warn Iran and its allies against escalating Israel-Hamas war.

Sources include:

WSJ.com

WashingtonPost.com

X.com

Brighteon.com
Highlights from Tucker Carlsons historic interview with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

American journalist Tucker Carlson traveled to Moscow to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov for a historically important interview regarding U.S.-Russia relations and ending the war in Ukraine. It's now obvious to most that the Biden regime has escalated a proxy war in Ukraine. Not only has Washington cut off communication with Russia, but they continue to engage in rogue provocations after unleashing unwarranted sanctions and personal attacks against Russians. This is an issue that must be settled through diplomacy now, before the war escalates any further.

Here are the highlights from the interview:

U.S.-Russia Relations: Lavrov stated that Russia does not view itself as being at war with the United States, despite the U.S. supporting Ukraine's defense, emphasizing Russia's desire for normal relations with all countries, including the U.S.

Hybrid War and Military Involvement: Lavrov referred to the conflict in Ukraine as a "hybrid war," pointing out that Ukraines ability to launch attacks on Russian territory is due to American weapons and potentially even U.S. military involvement.

Nuclear Concerns: He expressed concerns over recent comments by U.S. military officials, such as the possibility of preemptive strikes, and warned that such threats could lead to catastrophic consequences, particularly in terms of nuclear escalation.

Human Rights in Ukraine: Lavrov highlighted what he views as the systematic suppression of Russian-speaking and ethnic Russians in Ukraine, pointing out legislation that banned the Russian language, media and cultural activities.

UN Charter and Self-Determination: He argued that the international legal framework, including the UN Charter, supports the right of people to self-determination. He suggested that Crimea and Donbass's decision to join Russia through referendums should be respected under this principle.

Minsk Agreements and Ukrainian Non-Compliance: Lavrov criticized Ukraine for failing to implement the Minsk agreements, which were intended to resolve the conflict in Donbass. He blamed the Ukrainian government for the continuation of violence after the 2014 coup.

U.S. Interests in Ukraines Resources: Lavrov pointed to the U.S.'s interest in Ukraine's natural resources, particularly rare earth metals, as a key driver behind U.S. involvement in the conflict. He accused the U.S. of seeking to exploit these resources at the expense of Ukraine's people.

Message Behind Hypersonic Weapon Test: Lavrov clarified that the recent demonstration of Russia's hypersonic weapons was a warning to the U.S. and its allies, signaling that Russia is prepared to defend its security interests with any means necessary.

Avoiding Nuclear Conflict: He reaffirmed Russia's stance against nuclear war, citing Russia's initiative for a joint statement by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council in January 2022, emphasizing the importance of avoiding confrontation and respecting each others security concerns.

Nuclear Exchange Concern: Lavrov acknowledged the potential risk of nuclear escalation, stressing the importance of avoiding it. He emphasized that Russias military doctrine aims to avoid nuclear conflict, despite tensions and misunderstandings.

Limited Dialogue Channels: Lavrov revealed that back-channel communication exists between Russia and the U.S., mostly focused on exchanging prisoners. However, he criticized the U.S. for maintaining a consistent message through these channels that aligns with Ukraines demands, not a balanced diplomatic solution.

U.S. Pressure on Ukraine: Lavrov mentioned the U.S. supports Ukraines peace formula, which Russia views as unrealistic. He expressed concern about the upcoming peace conference, where Russia would likely be presented with an ultimatum.

U.S. and NATO Provocations: Lavrov reiterated Russias long-standing concerns about NATOs eastward expansion, which he believes created the current conflict. He argued that this was a warning Russia had been issuing since 2007, but it was ignored by the West.

No Intent to Exterminate Populations: Lavrov categorically rejected the idea that Russia seeks to exterminate Ukrainian people. He stressed that the goal of Russias military actions is to protect Russian-speaking populations, not to target civilians.

Civilian Casualties in Ukraine: Lavrov discussed civilian casualties on both sides, claiming that the death toll in Ukraine is far less than that in Palestine, which he said had suffered much greater losses in a shorter time.

Ukrainian Proposal at Istanbul Talks: Lavrov referenced the April 2022 Istanbul talks where Ukraine proposed a security arrangement that would exclude NATO membership while ensuring security guarantees. He suggested that Ukraines commitment to these principles was undermined by external pressure, specifically from the UK, which pushed Ukraine to continue fighting.

Boris Johnson's Role in Peace Talks: Lavrov reiterates that Boris Johnson's role in disrupting peace talks between Russia and Ukraine was significant. He says Johnson rejected a deal that was close to being made in Istanbul, which would have resulted in a de-escalation of the conflict.

Ukrainian NATO Membership: Lavrov confirms that one of the key terms Russia would accept for peace is Ukraines non-membership in NATO, and no foreign military bases or exercises on Ukrainian soil. He reiterates Russia's firm stance on this issue, even mentioning that the realities on the ground, including Russian territories gained through referendums, must be accepted.

Western Silence on Bucha: Lavrov highlights the hypocrisy of Western officials who condemned Russia over the Bucha massacre without investigating the true identities of those involved. He emphasizes that his questions to the UN and journalists regarding the identities of the victims were met with silence.

Biden Administration's Strategy: Lavrov discusses the actions of the Biden administration, comparing them to the Obama administrations final moves in 2016, such as expelling Russian diplomats and seizing diplomatic property. He believes this is part of an effort to undermine Russia's relations with the incoming Trump administration.

Sanctions and Russian Resilience: Lavrov addresses the ongoing sanctions against Russia, acknowledging the difficulties but asserting that Russia has become stronger by relying on itself and seeking economic partnerships with "normal" countries outside the West.

Russia's Shift Eastward: Lavrov speaks about Russia's growing ties with China, describing the partnership as permanent. He contrasts this with the earlier hope that Russia could be integrated into a Western bloc, a vision that has failed after years of unequal treatment.

Western Europe's Role in the Conflict: Lavrov critiques the Wests actions in Ukraine, particularly the pressure placed on Ukrainian leaders to align with Western policies, often at the expense of Russias interests. He reflects on historical moments like the 2004 Orange Revolution and the Maidan protests, which he believes were orchestrated by the West to force Ukraine into a pro-Western direction.

Zelenskys Decree on Negotiations: Lavrov emphasized that Ukrainian President Zelensky signed a decree prohibiting negotiations with Putin's government, signaling Ukraines unwillingness to engage diplomatically. He urged Zelensky to cancel the decree as a sign of willingness for talks.

Russias Legitimate Position: Lavrov defended Russias military operation, arguing it aligns with the UN Charter and OSCE principles, specifically regarding minority rights and security concerns. He pointed to NATO's expansion as a violation of security agreements made in OSCE summits.

Nuclear War is Not an Option: Lavrov reiterated that nuclear war is unthinkable, citing statements from both Russian and U.S. leaders affirming that nuclear war can never be won. He warned that discussions of a limited nuclear exchange were dangerously irresponsible.

Sources include:

RT.com

UN.org
Ukraines front lines COLLAPSING as Russia gains ground; U.S. desperately sending massive surge of arms, cash to Kiev

The Biden regime has announced that another $725 million in U.S. taxpayer funds will be shipped off to Ukraine along with a "massive surge" in arms after Russia's advancements in the war accelerate.

The U.S. will send nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars to Ukraine in the latest aid package, which is joined by another $680 million from Germany. The goal is to strengthen the Zelensky regime as much as possible before President-elect Trump takes office and pursues a peace plan.

"The Western allies have asserted that they want to see Zelensky and Ukraine forces in as favorable a position as possible before negotiations to end the war inevitably proceed (something which Trump has repeatedly promised from day one of his second administration)," reports explain.

"But the prime question remains: what good will the rapid infusion of more weapons do when the real problem is Ukraine's collapsing manpower? To illustrate the reality of Russia's rapid advance of the past several months ..."

The following video depicts a map of the progress Russia is making in Ukraine. Have a look to see for yourself why the West is deeply worried with Trump's inauguration looming just weeks away:

?? The Liberation of Donbass. This map clearly illustrates the rapid advancements of the Russian Armed Forces this fall, as cities and villages in the DPR are being liberated one after another. Above all, its simply remarkable. pic.twitter.com/SlZLsbXibC  DD Geopolitics (@DD_Geopolitics) November 30, 2024

(Related: Russia is reportedly pondering an Oreshnik missile strike on Zelensky's headquarters in Kiev.)

Russian military efforts in Ukraine "bearing fruit"

About a month ago, it was reported that the situation in Donbas "remains difficult" as Ukrainian military forces are "holding back one of the most powerful Russian offensives since the beginning of the full-scale invasion," to quote Ukrainian army chief Oleksandr Syrsky in a November 2 Telegram post.

Another front line that Russia started pushing back in the spring in eastern Ukraine is likewise "bearing fruit," to quote media sources. The Russian army successfully advanced another 478 square kilometers into Ukraine, this according to data from the American thinktank known as the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

"This is the largest advance it has made since the early days of the full-scale offensive in Ukraine in spring 2022."

All in all, Moscow's forces have successfully captured about 2,700 square kilometers of Ukrainian territory, this compared to just 465 square kilometers during the entire year of 2023.

If Russia continues to forge through Ukraine at the current pace, there is a very real possibility that Ukraine's eastern front "might actually collapse," according to Dr. Marina Miron, a defense researcher at Kings College London.

The rate at which Russia is capturing Ukrainian territory seems to be increasing overall with more than 1,000 square kilometers having been taken by Moscow between September 1 and November 3 of this year.

Zelensky, meanwhile, has indicated that he is supportive of ending the war early, suggesting that Ukraine can simply take back what was lost at a later date  good luck with that, Zelensky.

In 2022, Russia annexed the Donetsk region and now controls about two-thirds of that region as well. Putin's goal is to consolidate power over the entire territory, and Zelensky apparently realizes that the jig is just about up.

"650,000 dead Ukrainians, 1.2 million permanently injured and disabled, 8.5 million displaced, $350b cost to achieve the square root of **** all. And what's the result?" asked a commenter.

"The same as when absolutely certain at the outset; poke the bear, get ******, chat. **** at the bear, get banged."

The latest news about the Russia-Ukraine conflict and where things are headed can be found at Chaos.news.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

NaturalNews.com
Hours after UnitedHealthcare CEO Biran Thompson was murdered, left-wing muckraker Taylor Lorenz commented that we want these executives dead

News about the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Biran Thompson sent formerreporter Taylor Lorenz into a tizzy

On the Bluesky social media platform, Lorenz wrote in response to a news report about Thompson's death:

"And people wonder why we want these executives dead."

Lorenz then posted an image of Blue Cross Blue Shield CEO Kim Keck, which some saw as a suggestion that other healthcare executives should be killed, too.

"People have very justified hatred toward insurance company CEOs because these executives are responsible for an unfathomable amount of death and suffering," Lorenz explained in yet another post.

"As someone against death and suffering, I think it's good to call out this broken system and the ppl in power who enable it."

NEW: The man who m*rdered UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson inscribed the words deny, defend & depose on the shell casings that were left at the scene. The masked ass*ssin is still on the run as details of his whereabouts remain unknown. The inscription could be linked pic.twitter.com/71mTCOOgN1  Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) December 5, 2024

(Related: Remember when Lorenz was banned from Twitter, a move that caused her to develop "PTSD?")

Bullet casings found at Thompson crime scene inscribed with "Delay, Deny & Depose"

One interesting thing about the crime scene where Thompson was found is that there were bullet casings littered on the ground that bore an inscription reading "Delay, Deny & Depose," which suggests the murder was motivated about insurance industry corruption.

"[T]he way we're socialized to see violence only as interpersonal  not see state violence (policies that create poverty / kill), structural violence, institutional violence  is very deliberate," added Jezebel staff writer Kylie Cheung about the situation.

"[H]ealth insurance executives kill people every day by denying them coverage btw."

Klippenstein responded to claims that he and the other journalists are expressing callous responses to Thompson's death by writing on X / Twitter that the issue is not so much Thompson's life as it is the lives of the people who are harmed by the healthcare system he helped run.

"No **** murder is bad," Klippenstein wrote. "The jokes about the United CEO aren't really about him; they're about the rapacious healthcare system he personified and which Americans feel deep pain and humiliation about."

Lorenz appears to want more healthcare executives to die since she reposted a Bluesky post from another user that reads:

"[H]ypothetically, would it be considered an actionable threat to start emailing other insurance CEOs a simple 'you're next?' Completely unrelated to current events btw."

All this social infighting is reminiscent of the downfall of Rome, which is the same direction the United States is headed.

"Our society is actively eating itself," one commenter wrote about this. "This same phenomenon happened in Rome."

"Health insurance has been incrementally impoverishing the U.S. middle class for decades," wrote another.

"Health insurance is NOT healthcare. It is a gambling / extortion racket that uses healthcare as its cover for legitimacy. You can only extort people so much before they lose all hope and just go crazy with rage. Even the mafia can only demand so much in 'protection' money before things explode."

"Exactly," responded another. "They've been ******* people over with health insurance, medical, and food systems for 50 years. They are literally killing us."

"This is not a left / right thing," added another. "Every American wants these ****bags paying the piper and meeting their lord satan as soon as possible."

"Golden parachute must mean the color of the liquid they rain on us while floating away."

More related news about the chaos of conflicting politics can be found at Chaos.news.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

NaturalNews.com
Congress pushing HSB 737 bill to make pesticide manufacturers legally immune from prosecution for their poisoning of America

The pesticide industry is taking a page from the vaccine industry by trying to immunize itself against lawsuits for injuries and other health damage caused by its toxic crop chemicals.

In this in-between period between Joe Biden leaving the White House and Donald Trump reentering it, Congress is busy trying to pass new legislation called HSB 737 that just like the PREP Act did to immunize Big Pharma against lawsuits over Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "vaccines" would protect the pesticide industry from having to face the rule of law.

"I came out of this subcommittee hearing on HSB 737, which would give pesticide companies immunity for citizens trying to file lawsuits against them for damages," explains the man in the video below who was present at the hearing.

"This bill just passed the subcommittee, and it will take away farmers' rights to pursue legal action after damages are caused to their families and themselves. The basic argument presented by Bayer and other chemical companies is that the lawsuits that are being brought up by them about the damages caused by their products is going to put them out of business."

HSB 737 is currently pending in the House Ways and Means Committee, which recommended its passage in a vote of 2-1.

US Government trying to pass 2024 Bill HSB 737 which will grant immunity to pesticide manufacturers for poisoning Americans I came out of this subcommittee hearing on HSB 737, which would give pesticide companies immunity for citizens trying to file lawsuits against them for pic.twitter.com/OT45ZCK8Iy  Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) December 3, 2024

(Related: Did you know that 75 percent of fresh, non-organic produce grown in the United States is contaminated with toxic pesticide residue?)

Iowa at center of pesticide industry fight

The issue came to a head after roughly 200 Iowans tried to sue the pesticide industry for injuries, including cancer, that they incurred because of the chemicals' use.

State legislators in Iowa crafted Senate File 2412 that would shield pesticide companies from liability for chemicals that are approved by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), a highly corrupt federal agency that often grants rubber-stamp approval for deadly chemicals that have no business being used in agriculture.

In short, SF 2412 would require federally-approved safety warning labels on all chemicals as the only legal disclaimer. Basically, it is a use at your own risk situation where all the pesticide industry has to do is put a little fine print on the toxins to shield itself from all potential legal actions from the public.

"Study after study has already demonstrated that these chemical products will increase your risk of developing either cancer or Parkinson's," says Andrew Mertens of the Iowa Association for Justice.

One of the deadliest and most widely used crop chemicals in Iowa and across the U.S. is Roundup (glyphosate), which has repeatedly been shown to cause cancer. Paraquat is another highly toxic crop chemical in widespread use.

The Iowa Cancer Consortium has confirmed a link "between certain agricultural practices and pesticide use, and cancer," at least as far as agricultural workers are concerned.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) came to the same conclusion about glyphosate in particular, having dubbed the herbicide "probably carcinogenic to humans" in 2015 after many years of public debate about the issue.

Since taking over Monsanto, the company responsible for Roundup, chemical giant Bayer has spent more than $10 billion trying to settle all the lawsuits over its cancer-causing products.

"We're dealing with billions of dollars of lawsuits against the farm industry," said Sen. Jeff Edler (R-Marshall County) at a recent debate over SF 2412. "The reality is, that money is coming out of farmers' pockets."

More related news can be found at Pesticides.news.

Sources for this article include:

X.com

NaturalNews.com

WeAreIowa.com
Daniel Penny show trial: Judge allows prosecution to swap out charge in bid to secure a conviction

Judge Maxwell Wiley on Friday went along with a bizarre proposal from Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Dafna Yoran to avoid a mistrial by allowing her to drop a manslaughter charge against Daniel Penny to try and secure a conviction on a lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide.

(Article by Chris Menahan republished from InformationLiberation.com)

From The Daily Mail, "Daniel Penny manslaughter charge dismissed after jury fails to reach verdict: Live trial updates":

'I'll take a chance and grant the people's application,' Judge Wiley said after the prosecution asked to dismiss the manslaughter charge against Penny because jurors could not agree on a verdict. The judge added: 'Normally the distinction between the two counts is very clear. The justification adds another element to it which is at play here.' Jurors would now have to deliberate on the second charge against the veteran - negligent homicide, which has punishment up to four years. Penny's lawyer had opposed the prosecution motion, saying 'This has never been done before. It would encourage prosecutors to over-charge in the grand jury, with the option of withdrawing if hung, under coercion.' The judge told the jury: 'Manslaughter is dismissed. 'What that means is youre now free to consider count two. Whether that makes any difference or not I have no idea. Ill direct you to focus deliberations on count two. Youll render verdict on that one. Count one is no longer for your consideration.'

"Manslaughter requires proving a defendant recklessly caused another persons death, and carries up to 15 years," the AP reports. "Criminally negligent homicide, which carries punishments ranging from probation to up to four years in prison, involves engaging in serious 'blameworthy conduct' while not perceiving such a risk."

Penny could not "be convicted of both charges, according to the judge's instructions to the jury," CNN reports.

Jurors could only consider the criminally negligent homicide charge if they found Penny not guilty of second-degree manslaughter, CNN noted.

If the judge simply declared a mistrial there's a good chance that District Attorney Alvin Bragg wouldn't even bother charging him again due to the political backlash he has faced.

The whole idea that "it is better that ten guilty persons escape than that one innocent suffer" is being turned on its head just to find Penny guilty of something.

Read more at: InformationLiberation.com
TRUTH BOMBS dropped by doctor about dirty mRNA vaccines as WEAPONS of MASS DESTRUCTION

The only conspiracy theorists left now are the ones who still believe that Covid-19 was NOT planned and that the vaccines, masks and social distancing were effective. There are still conspiracy theorists who think the masks work, even though its like believing that a swimsuit works to keep pee out of a swimming pool. Every teacher in the world has proven through practice and testing that social distancing, lockdowns and masks absolutely decimated learning, cognition and social development of children, from daycare age on up through elementary and middle school. Now even doctors are blowing the whistle on the whole sham. The scam. The scamdemic. The Plandemic of the Century. Covid-19.

Covid-19 vaccines destroy your immune system by distributing genetically modified RNA spike prions throughout your body

Everything was a lie from the beginning. The asymptomatic people dont transmit. Kids were not harbingers of the disease. They dont actually, theyre like a break on the disease. Lockdowns were a farce. Masks dont work, says Dr. Richard Urso, a medical doctor with 36 years of experience, specializing in ophthalmology and plastic surgery out of Houston, Texas.

He goes on to let everyone know how bad the CDC and Fauci lied to everybody every day; I tell people, I joke sometimes I say masks do work. A lot like bathing suits work to keep pee out of the pool. Theyre not very effective. So thats one of those things that, you know, it was a farce. Pretty much everything they said was a farce. I know were still recovering from it. Just yesterday we walked into a pharmacy and they were advertising COVID-19 vaccines. Well, if you want to destroy your immune system, take a COVID-19 vaccine. It will destroy your immune system. It distributes widely in your body. It cant be broken down because its a genetically modified RNA. There are contaminants, process related impurities, what I usually call them, but contaminants for most people, that they havent gotten out of the vaccines.

Drugs and vaccines take YEARS to test and make sure theyre clean and effective. Dr. Urso describes the process of getting related impurities out so the medicine is not contaminated, dangerous, and deadly to humans. He tells us how Pfizer put an SV40 cancer promoter in the vaccine on purpose, and molecular biologists have known this fact since the Human Genome Project decades ago.

Big Pharma also knew remdesivir decimates the kidneys, but the medical industrial complex demanded Covid-19 patients be prescribed this instead of ivermectin, which surely would have saved countless lives. Plus, the spike protein prions created by mRNA technology travel to the brain, the bone marrow, the ovaries and the testes, and the doctors and scientists knew this also from studies conducted.

Dr. Urso dropping these truth bombs and is letting the world know that almost everything the medical industry told us about Covid-19 and how to save ourselves from dying from it was a lie. He adds, I think the main thing is these vaccines are dangerous. They have process related impurities. They cause cancer, strokes and heart attacks. The data is in 40% more deaths in 2021 between 18 to 64. This is just data we cant ignore, so please stay away from the vaccines.

There's no other way to put it, other than the Covid-19 mRNA vaccines are weapons of mass destruction. Bookmark Vaccines.news to your favorite independent websites for updates on Long-Vax-Syndrome that's sweeping the nation as pharmacies STILL try to push the Covid-19 gene-mutation injections on the masses today.

Sources for this article include:

Pandemic.news

NaturalNews.com

ZeroHedge.com
Worlds largest investigative journalism group secretly controlled by U.S. deep state, report finds

Roughly half of the funding for the world's largest investigative journalism network, the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), comes from the U.S. government , a new joint investigation by, and other media outlets has revealed.

First launched back in 2008, the OCCRP maintains an extravagant $21 million budget and a team of 200 journalists worldwide. It also has more than 70 media partners, including The New York Times, Deer Spiegel (Germany) and The Guardian.

The world's leading investigative journalists are almost all tied to the OCCRP in some way. The group is credited for its contributions to major journalistic endeavors such as The Panama Papers and the Pegasus Project.

Mediapart headed up the probe into who really controls the OCCRP. Since its inception, the OCCRP has taken in $47 million from U.S. state sources  and all that money came from U.S. taxpayers. Those same state sources steer the group's investigations, including country-specific investigations in controversial places like Russia and Venezuela.

"I'm very grateful to the U.S. government," commented Drew Sullivan, the OCCRP's co-founder and publisher, in a statement to German state broadcaster NDR confirming that Washington, D.C., is the group's largest donor, as are USAID and various federal agencies.

(Related: Remember when the corporate-controlled media went nuts following Donald Trump's initial announcement about running for president in 2016?)

NDR suspends relationship with OCCRP following internal investigation

NDR, by the way, launched its own investigation in the OCCRP last year that resulted in the media outlet cutting ties with the organization over the disturbing revelations that were uncovered.

Without funding from the U.S. government, the OCCRP would not be able to operate as it currently does. If that money came without restrictions, it would be honest and right, but unfortunately it comes with restrictions.

According to reports, the U.S. government has the right to veto key personnel at the OCCRP, including Sullivan himself. The U.S. government is in charge, in other words, not Sullivan or any other individual. Washington also requires the OCCRP to use its funds to construct and publish hit pieces on targeted countries.

One example is the $2.2 million that the OCCRP recently took in to work on "Balancing the Russian media sphere." Another $2.3 million was funneled to the OCCRP to investigate corruption in Cyprus and Malta for the purpose of using it against Moscow.

The OCCRP's judicial investigations, sanctions and lobbying activities have all been weaponized by the U.S. government. In 2016, a group called the Global Anti-Corruption Consortium (GACC) was launched to force the OCCRP to push for sanctions and legal attacks on countries and individuals that Washington deems as "corrupt."

"We're proud that [...] the U.S. government is the first public donor to OCCRP," said USAID's Mike Henning, revealing that the U.S. government's funding of the OCCRP is strategic for manipulation purposes. "Funding must be aligned with and advance United States foreign policy and economic interests."

Mediapart says the relationship the U.S. government has with the OCCRP is deceptive because it "makes the U.S. seem virtuous and allows them to set the agenda of what is defined as corruption." In other words, the OCCRP produces propaganda on behalf of Washington in exchange for funding.

"It is just another front for the CIA," a commenter suggested about the OCCRP. "We can just ignore whatever nonsense that they publish. Simple."

"Who investigates the investigators?" asked another, making a very poignant point about the situation.

"Wherever U.S. funding is found, you can pretty much bet the bank on it that the recipient is under their control," added another.

The U.S. deep state has its hands in seemingly everything. Learn more at Corruption.news.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

NaturalNews.com
Ontario healthcare workers file CA$170M class action suit over provinces workplace COVID-19 vaccine mandate

A group of healthcare workers in Ontario who say their rights were infringed upon after refusing to go along with Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine mandates in the workplace have filed a CA$170 million ($121 million) class action lawsuit against the Ontario provincial government and its chief medical officer.

The lawsuit was brought forth by the United Health Care Workers of Ontario (UHCWO) and challenges an order made in 2021 by Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health Dr. Kieran Moore mandating that all hospitals in the province implement healthcare worker COVID-19 vaccine mandates.

"We were witness to vast numbers of dedicated healthcare workers having their livelihoods and careers abruptly taken away, simply for making a personal medical choice," said the UHCWO in a media statement.

Moore's mandate, known as Directive 6, went into effect on Sept. 7, 2021. The class action looks to help the unionized healthcare workers impacted by the directive who say their freedoms were violated by the rule. (Related: Jury awards $12M to Catholic remote worker who was fired for refusing COVID-19 vaccine.)

"Other healthcare workers were coerced into a medical treatment with the threat of being terminated, which stripped away the element of informed consent. Others were denied both medical and religious exemptions to this medical treatment," said the union.

Other health workers were coerced into medical treatment with the threat of being terminated

Ontario nurse Lisa Wolfs is the main plaintiff in the lawsuit. According to the UHCWO, she is looking to get enough funding before officially initiating the certification process. If this part fails, she will be on the hook for all costs. Wolfs worked as a clinical nurse educator at a clinic in London, Ontario.

According to the lawsuit, she was dismissed after 16 years despite having a stellar work record. Wolfs has argued that her termination was a violation of her contract, which did not mandate she have a jab as a condition of work.

"Known and unknown potential risk of adverse events associated with the COVID-19 vaccination were either recklessly or willfully ignored," read the lawsuit. "There was no long-term safety data available to the Chief Medical Officer of Health when enacting and enforcing the Order on mandatory vaccinations and as such the Order created a foreseeable and unreasonable risk of harm to the Plaintiff and Class Members."

Aside from the plaintiffs being compensated for legal costs and lost income. The plaintiffs are seeking damages broken down into four parts: CA$50 million ($35.5 million) for pain and suffering, another CA$50 million for misfeasance in public office, CA$20 million ($14 million) for tortious inducement to breach contract and another $CA50 million in punitive damages.

The class action is open to all unionized Ontario healthcare workers who were impacted by Moore's directive. Thus, the court proceedings must take place in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, which should certify the veracity of the lawsuit before it can officially proceed.

Watch this video featuring COVID-19 vaccine researcher and expert Edward Dowd discussing how numbers on excess deaths show how deadly the COVID-19 vaccine mandates are.

This video is from the Cadkiah channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

San Francisco transit employees fired for refusing COVID injections awarded $1M each in retribution.

Trump's top healthcare priority must be repealing Big Pharma's legal immunity for vaccines.

Proposed bill seeks to hold universities and colleges liable for injuries caused by COVID-19 vaccine mandates on students.

Charges withdrawn against 4 Canadians who refused to comply with COVID-19 vaccine mandate.

Canadian military officials hesitated to lift COVID-19 vaccine mandate for service members because it would hurt their "credibility."

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

TodayVille.com

Brighteon.com
Ontario orders doctor to pay back over CA$600K she earned from administering COVID-19 vaccines to tens of thousands

The health services board of the Canadian province of Ontario has ordered a doctor to repay over CA$600,000 ($427,000) she earned when she used her undergraduate medical students to mass vaccinate the residents of the city of Kingston during the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Dr. Elaine Ma, the lead physician of Frontenac Doctors in Kingston, organized drive-in vaccination clinics in several parking lots in Kingston from January 2021 to January 2022 to vaccinate thousands of Canadians. She recruited undergraduate medical students from nearby Queen's University as volunteers to administer a total of 27,250 doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

In line with this, Ma billed the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) CA$606,657.6 ($432,775.5), based on Ontario's reimbursement policy of CA$13 ($9) per vaccine dose, with an additional CA$5.6o ($4) for appointments focused solely on vaccination. (Related: Jury awards $12m to Catholic remote worker who was fired for refusing COVID-19 vaccine.)

However, the General Manager of the OHIP argued that Ma did not meet the conditions to qualify for the reimbursement policy. For instance, the individuals who administered the vaccines were not Ma's employees, a condition required for reimbursement. Additionally, the vaccinations were not administered in a physician's office, a violation of "delegated services" in the province. Meaning, Ma improperly claimed over CA$600,000 from the OHIP.

"The Appeal Board acknowledges the efforts made and results achieved by Dr. Ma in organizing clinics to facilitate vaccinations of so many in her community. However, the Appeal Board does not have the discretion to ignore the requirements of the Act and the Regulation including the Schedule of Benefits. For the reasons set out above, the Appeal Board finds those requirements were not met," the Ontario Health Services Appeal and Review Board wrote in their ruling on Nov. 26.

In turn, the board ruled that Ma should repay CA$600,962.16 ($428,209.58) to the OHIP: "Pursuant to section 6 of the Schedule 1 of the Act, the Appeal Board orders the Respondent to reimburse OHIP the amount of $600,962.16 and pursuant to section 21(5) of the Act, that interest be added to the above-noted reimbursement amount from Sept. 29, 2023 (the date of the request for a hearing by the GM)."

Ma slams the ruling of Health Services Appeal and Review Board

Ma has claimed that she was not surprised by the ruling, but she felt disappointed.

"It's really still just disbelief that we've completely forgotten about COVID," she said in an interview with CTV News Ottawa on Dec. 2. "We've completely forgotten what we were asked to do. We've completely forgotten the fact that we were asked to do it in new and different ways, and quickly, and as fast as possible. We've completely forgotten that the Ministry of Health provided a per-shot vaccine code, and that was what was billed. It wasn't anything over that. It was the amount of money that they allocated for those shots to be given."

Ma also insisted that she used the funds to run the clinics, therefore, she cannot pay back the amount.

"It wasn't an amount of money that I received. Yes, I received it, but a lot of it then turned around and paid to run these clinics. So, do I have this amount of money sitting around, just waiting to get back to OHIP? No. Further, that will mean that I have actually paid to vaccinate 36,400 people in our community, out of pocket, at my expense," she said.

Furthermore, Ma argued that the strict interpretation of "physician's office" and "employee" was based on outdated guidelines. She maintained that involving medical students and residents was standard practice and necessary to meet the demands of the public health emergency.

Head over to VaccineWars.com for similar stories.

Watch Dr. Robert Young revealing the poisonous content of the mRNA vaccines used to address COVID-19 and other diseases below.

This video is from the Follower of Christ777 channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

San Francisco transit employees fired for refusing COVID injections awarded $1M each in retribution.

Proposed bill seeks to hold universities and colleges liable for injuries caused by COVID-19 vaccine mandates on students.

Nearly 14,000 Britons seek government payments for COVID-19 vaccine injuries.

Only 2% of vaccine injury claimants in Australia have been compensated by the government.

The UKs Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme requires individuals to be "60% disabled" to receive compensation for their vaccine injury.

Sources include:

LifeSiteNews.com

CanLII.org

Ottawa.CTVNews.ca

Brighteon.com
Satanic Temple to launch religious program in Ohio elementary school

The Satanic Temple is set to launch a religious program in an elementary school in Ohio after parents sought an alternative to the evangelical Christian "release time" program offered by LifeWise Academy.

Release time programs, which allow students to leave school during the day for religious instruction, date back to the early 20th century. LifeWise Academy, known for its "big red bus" that shuttles children to offsite religious lessons, is described as the first of its kind to create scalable models and make Bible education accessible to families across the country.

The curriculum, which covers the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, connects biblical narratives to the Gospel message while promoting character transformation. The program has shown benefits such as improved academic performance, enhanced mental health and reduced disciplinary issues.

Since its inception in 2019, LifeWise has expanded from two programs to 325, operating in 12 states, including Ohio, Pennsylvania and Georgia. Additionally, enrollment has surpassed 35,000 students, with the program funded entirely through private donations at no cost to schools or families.

However, the growth of such programs has sparked both enthusiasm and controversy. Advocates praise them for offering students spiritual education, while critics, including some parents and religious minorities, argue they can marginalize non-Christian students and blur the line between church and state.

Satanic Temple's HAIL program to promote religious pluralism

In response, the Satanic Temple, a non-theistic religious organization recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), has launched a religious program called Hellion Academy of Independent Learning (HAIL) at Edgewood Elementary School in Marysville, Ohio. This program seeks to promote religious pluralism and challenge religious exclusivity in public spaces. (Related: SATANISTS to volunteer in Florida schools following signing of new law that allows religious personnel to be employed in public schools.)

HAIL will operate once a month, offering students activities focused on self-directed learning, empathy, problem-solving, creative expression and community service. The program also promises to incorporate guest speakers and interactive learning experiences designed to promote critical thinking and inclusivity.

The introduction of HAIL has drawn mixed reactions.

LifeWise CEO Jowl Penton stated that their organization is not afraid of other organizations like Satanic Temple. "LifeWise isn't fearful of other organizations offering [release time religious instruction]. 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." But then, he also urged lawmakers to pass Ohio House Bill 445, which would require school districts to authorize religious release programs.

Director of Campaign Operations for the Satanic Temple Erin Helian argued that such programs exploit peer pressure to attract students. "It is sad these programs feel the need to use the peer pressure to gain adherents to their religion," Helian said in a press release. "However one measures a religion, it is not a good look to prey upon children by bribing them with field trips and snacks."

Moreover, ordained Minister June Everett for the non-theistic organization clarified their stance with the interdenominational educational program. "We aren't trying to shut the LifeWise Academy down. But I do think a lot of school districts don't realize when they open the door for one religion, they open it for all of them."

Visit Satanism.news for more stories like this.

Watch this video of The Satanic Temple performing an "unbaptism"  a mockery of the Christian sacrament.

This video is from the SecureLife channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Satanic Temple opens abortion clinic where patients undergo 'religious ritual' before pregnancy termination.

Satanic Temple files lawsuit against Idaho over abortion ban, claiming it prevents members from practicing "abortion ritual."

Satanic temple in Texas files lawsuit demanding "religious right" to sacrifice babies through abortion.

Update: Abortion as religious liberty: Pro-abortion organizations agree with Satanic Temple claim that "abortion ritual" represents "religious freedom."

University of Michigan-Flint student government leaders partner with Satanic temple to defend baby murder.

Sources include:

TheGuardian.com

FoxNews.com

Brighteon.com
Sayer Ji says Brian Rothschild ran black operation to silence him, RFK Jr. and the rest of the Disinformation Dozen

's Sayer Ji has dropped the goods about the "black operation" that he says was launched by the Censorship Industrial Complex to target himself, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and other members of the so-called "Disinformation Dozen."

Brian M. Rothschild (@USCLawers), a shareholder at Parsons Behle & Latimer, was in charge of the operation to silence Ji, Kennedy, and the others. It involved the use of "military-grade psyops," Ji says, as well as other "Rothschild-affiliated groups like ISD (Institute for Strategic Dialogue)," that he says "targeted us for deletion."

Various digital platforms were weaponized by the Censorship Industrial Complex all throughout the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "pandemic" in order to erase all dissent to the established narrative. Ji, Kennedy, and the others were very vocal against the prevailing COVID narrative which, coupled with the fact that they are very popular online, posed a threat to the censors.

(Related: Did you know that the Center for Countering Digital Hate [CCDH] also ordered a "black ops" against Kennedy?)

Tearing down free speech piece by piece

The first piece of the puzzle is the Censorship Industrial Complex's labeling of Ji, Kennedy, and the other targets as "dangerous." GreenMedInfo and other websites were then categorized as "far-right" and pushing extremism even though there is no evidence to back that.

"This gave tech giants justification to deplatform us under the guise of 'fighting disinformation,'" Ji says about the operation.

Step two, Ji says, involved weaponizing the tech platforms themselves. Facebook, Pinterest, Mailchimp, and many more all appear to have conspired to blacklist the Disinformation Dozen, effectively wiping out a lot of their hard work.

"Our GreenMedInfo following of over 2 million followers was purged, wiping out years of work providing free, peer-reviewed health data," Ji laments.

After weaponizing tech platforms, the Censorship Industrial Complex started defaming the targets. Rothschild's network dubbed the targets as "public threats" because they were casting doubt on face masks, the Operation Warp Speed "vaccines," and other COVID weapons.

"They pushed narratives framing us as killers, simply for questioning Big Pharma's agenda," Ji says. "The real crime? Offering alternative views on health & sovereignty."

Ji shared the following video that explains in greater detail how Rothschild's black ops tactics work:

Money, money, money, moooonneeeeey

The other obvious incentive behind the Censorship Industrial Complex's actions against the Disinformation Dozen was to protect corporate profits at all costs. To question masks, vaccines, lockdowns, and other tyranny risked cutting into the multi-billion-dollar profit schemes of the establishment.

"This was NEVER about public safety," Ji says. "Pharma giants, with billions riding on vaccines, needed to crush platforms exposing risks & promoting natural remedies. Rothschild's operation ensured total narrative control."

The Censorship Industrial Complex is about so much more than just censorship, though. Ji believes it is a full-scale war on truth itself that, if successful, would make it next to impossible for truth to spread.

"The Newsguard  ISD  CCDH operation is a blueprint for silencing critical thought," Ji warns. "It starts with labels like 'misinformation' & ends with the erasure of free speech."

The way Ji hopes to accomplish this is by exposing the agenda and reclaiming the narrative. He lauds the work of America First Legal (@America1stLegal), which leaked the truth with a lawsuit and corresponding Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, which you can learn more about at this link.

Ji is also asking those who care about these issues to speak up and demand transparency from their elected leaders. RT, it turns out, is part of the operation that is working to expose these censorship crimes, which explains why the deep state is going after RT, too.

Ji is hopeful that the movement to tackle the Censorship Industrial Complex will get the jolt it needs for Trump's nomination of Kennedy as secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to stick.

"Special interests are pulling out all the stops to maintain control over public health," Ji says. "Let's uncover the truth."

All of the apparent outrage against Kennedy that is flowing from the media right now is fully manufactured, Ji warns, because billions of dollars are at stake if the Censorship Industrial Complex becomes the ruinous heap that many conservatives are hoping it will become once Trump takes office a second time.

"These aren't grassroots objections," Ji says about the manufactured outrage against Kennedy. "They're orchestrated campaigns funded by the same industries RFK Jr. has held accountable."

Politico, believe it or not, is actually helping to expose this hidden operation against Kennedy.

"Health groups are descending on Congress to derail RFK Jr.'s nomination," Politico reported, backing what Ji says is a coordinated attack on Kennedy by the pharmaceutical, processed food, and chemical industries.

Special interests fear Kennedy because he is a longtime champion of clean food, fluoride-free water, free speech, and holding both government and private industry accountable for crimes against humanity.

"America needs leadership that serves us, not industry elites," Ji says. "RFK Jr.'s nomination is an opportunity to restore integrity to public health and challenge the forces suppressing real change."

Ji is encouraging the American public to sign this petition in support of RFK Jr. for secretary of HHS.

"The battle for health freedom is underway," Ji says. "Don't let corporate interests silence the voices of millions of Americans demanding transparency, accountability, and choice."

The latest news about the fight for free speech can be found at FirstAmendment.news.

Sources for this article include:

X.com

NaturalNews.com

GreenMedInfo.com

X.com

StandForHealthFreedom.com
Mike Adams Sermon 57: When and where will the BATTLE OF ARMAGEDDON take place?

The 57th sermon of the Health Ranger Mike Adams for the Church of Natural Abundance talked about when and where the Battle of Armageddon will happen

Basing his sermon from the book of the Prophet Ezekiel, the Bible nutrition educator said "Gog, of the land of Magog" will lead a vast army to attack Israel. This will culminate in the battle of Armageddon, which is also mentioned in the book of Revelation.

According to Dr. Jeffrey Goodman's book "The Comets of God," analysis of the Scriptures has made it clear that the battle mentioned in Ezekiel and the battle of Armageddon one and the same. The concept of Magog meanwhile represents the location of where this battle will take place. (Related: Sermon 63: GODS COMETS will defeat Satan, the Beast and the False Prophet.)

Adams continued that the Prophet Ezekiel's book repeatedly refers to a battle in the mountains. The word "armageddon" literally means a mountain rendezvous of troops, he added.

Mount Hermon the site of the final battle, not Megiddo hill

The Bible nutrition educator noted that Scripture reveals a specific mountain location where the great battle would take place. In this case, that location is Mount Hermon  contrary to the hill of Megiddo as popularly thought. Mount Hermon also lines up with current events, given its location on the border of Lebanon and Syria.

"It's in southern Lebanon, but quite away north of the border with Israel. It's west of Damascus, Syria [and] it rises to 9,200 feet. It's the highest point on the east coast of the Mediterranean Sea," Adams said. "It's sometimes considered the southernmost extension of the Anti-Lebanon range, [and] at its feet are the two major sources of the Jordan River."

According to Adams, the figure of speech "from the river to the sea" used by both Israelis and Palestinians pertains to the Jordan River and the Mediterranean sea.

The Bible nutrition educator said Mount Hermon has been historically known as Sirion and is deemed a sacred landmark since the Bronze Age. The mountain is also a geographical landmark recognized for thousands of years, representing the northwestern limit of Israelite conquest under Moses and Joshua. This same mountain is where the battle of Armageddon takes place.

Armageddon should be translated as a mountain rendezvous of troops in the context of the armies of the world. But in the context of the Jews fleeing the invading armies, the word should be translated as sacred mountain or mountain asylum. In Hebrew, the words "harmagedon" and "chermon" mean a mountain rendezvous of troops taking place at the mountain asylum to which the Jews have fled for safety.

Adams added that one of Mount Hermon's three distinctive peaks is called Mount Zion or Mount Sion, which is why the Scriptures sometimes refer to this battle as taking place at Mount Zion. This is distinct from the small hill in the southwest part of Jerusalem that is also called Mount Zion.

Head over to Prophecy.news for more news about prophecies set to happen in the End Times.

Listen to the 57th sermon of the Health Ranger Mike Adams for the Church of Natural Abundance about when and where the battle of Armageddon will happen.

This video is from the Abundance Church channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Sermon 31: Mike Adams discusses Jesus END TIMES PROPHECY.

Mike Adams Sermon 89: GODS JUDGMENT upon the WICKED.

TOTAL ANNIHILATION: U.S. president only has 6 minutes to decide whether to unleash Armageddon.

Mike Adams Sermon 46: Nations that choose WICKEDNESS and SATANISM will feel Gods wrath.

Mike Adams Sermon 40: How a nation falls into DESTRUCTION.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

BibleGateway.com 1

BibleGateway.com 2
Stanford misinformation expert caught citing two academic journal articles that DONT EVEN EXIST

A renowned expert on technology and "misinformation" at Stanford University who played a pivotal role in advising governments to implement mandatory social distancing during the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) "pandemic" has been outed for spreading misinformation himself.

Jeff Hancock, a professor of communications at Stanford, admitted in a court declaration that he overlooked "hallucinated citations" that were generated for him by the artificial intelligence (AI) program known as ChatGPT.

In his declaration, Hancock looked at scholarly literature to assess the risks of deepfake technology and the spread of misinformation through GPT-40. Ironically, he failed to fact-check the citations generated by the AI program  citations that turned out to be from phony journals that do not even exist.

"I did not intend to mislead the Court or counsel," Hancock wrote. "I express my sincere regret for any confusion this may have caused. That said, I stand firmly behind all the substantive points in the declaration."

(Related: Earlier this year, fake news media "doctor" Allison Neitzel apologized publicly for lying to the public and defaming actual doctors by her spreading of misinformation.)

AI hallucinations

Hancock's original filing was filed on November 1 as part of a court case in Minnesota involving that state's 2023 ban on the use of deepfakes to influence an election.

Plaintiffs in the case argue that the ban is unconstitutional in that it wrongly limits free speech. Hancock, on behalf of defendant Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, submitted an expert declaration stating that deepfakes amplify misinformation while chipping away at the perceived legitimacy of "democratic institutions."

Attorneys for the plaintiffs then accused Hancock of using AI to craft the court declaration itself, pointing at two citations to articles that do not even exist.

Hancock filed another declaration detailing the process he went through to research and draft the first declaration, admitting that he used GPT-40 and Google Scholar to create the faulty citation list.

In addition to generating two "hallucinated citations," as the AI industry and its proponents are calling them, ChatGPT also produced a notable error in the list of authors for an existing study.

"I use tools like GPT-4o to enhance the quality and efficiency of my workflow, including search, analysis, formatting and drafting," Hancock wrote.

The error was generated after Hancock asked the GPT-40 program to produce a short paragraph based on one of the bullet points he personally wrote. A "[cite]" he included as a placeholder to remind himself to add the correct citations failed to be properly read by the AI model, which created fake citations at the end of Hancock's court declaration instead of real citations.

Because Hancock was paid $600 per hour to create the declaration, the government seems to want that money back, especially since Hancock stated under penalty of perjury that everything included in the document was "true and correct."

"AI definitely is being used by the laziest among the 'academics' as a pass to doing work," someone wrote on X / Twitter. "It's only a matter of time with each of these that they are caught."

"They always do what they accuse others of doing ... 100% of the time," wrote another.

"What if this undermines trust in academia?!" wrote another, seemingly tongue in cheek since trust in academia is already at dismally low levels after COVID.

"Ivy League frauds," suggested another about the potential deeper layers to all this. "They will probably promote him to dean."

"Legacy media certainly should be blamed a lot, but the worst butchery of truth & integrity is done by these 'misinfo expert' academics. They are just fraud activists."

Misinformation is the new boogeyman. Learn more at Deception.news.

Sources for this article include:

X.com

StanfordDaily.com

NaturalNews.com
Trumps plan to use military for mass deportation of migrants constitutional, claims RealClearWire

Though many legal scholars and commentators say otherwise, President-elect Donald Trump's plan to use the United States military to help round up and deport illegal aliens could be constitutional after all.

RealClearWire's Patrick O'Malley and Joe Buccino claim that anyone who opposes Trump's plan to use the military to deal with the migrant problem "misreads both the letter and spirit of American law."

"A careful examination of a pair of longstanding statutes reveals military support for immigration enforcement is permissible," they say.

What are those two statutes, you are probably now asking? Both are from the 19th century: the Posse Comitatus Act of 1878 and the Insurrection Act of 1807. And O'Malley and Buccino contend that when these doctrines are "properly understood," they allow the president to "use active-duty forces to support the deportation of illegal immigrants."

(Related: Did you know that the corrupt EPA has an "insurance policy" against Trump in case he decides to stop funding their climate endeavors?  "We're throwing gold bars off the Titanic," an EPA employee admitted.)

How do you feel about a military presence on U.S. soil?

As concerning as it might be to folks who are wary of standing armies engaging in civilian affairs, deploying the military to America's streets for illegal immigration purposes is legally acceptable  and the military is already involved, believe it or not.

"Today, roughly 4,000 service members assist Customs and Border Protection along the southwest border," O'Malley and Buccino write. "They operate surveillance aircraft, transport Border Patrol personnel, and maintain vehicles. These activities fall within the established legal framework for military support of immigration operations."

"The incoming administration has the potential to significantly expand this support role. Military aircraft could transport detainees, military installations could provide temporary housing facilities, and military personnel could assist with administrative and logistical tasks. None of these activities would violate Posse Comitatus because they do not involve direct law enforcement actions."

What about the Third Amendment, which explicitly prohibits American soldiers from occupying private homes inside the country during times of peace? Combined with Posse Comitatus, these two rules create a separation of the military and the state on U.S. soil, right?

According to O'Malley and Buccino explain that Posse Comitatus was established as a way for local sheriffs to organize citizens, not troops, to assist in maintaining public order during wartimes.

"The law's architects recognized that using soldiers instead of citizens for domestic law enforcement would fundamentally alter the relationship between military power and civil society," they write. "They sought to ensure that federal troops were kept out of local law enforcement."

"Yet this legislative barrier against using military force for domestic law enforcement is not absolute. Congress regularly makes exceptions, allowing military support to civilian law enforcement for actions such as protecting federal property, conducting domestic counterterror operations, engaging in counterdrug efforts."

The courts have already ruled that the Posse Comitatus Act only prohibits direct military involvement in law enforcement actions, one example being for the detaining of citizens.

"Support activities, from transportation to surveillance, remain legal," reports explain. "This distinction between direct enforcement and support operations provides the legal basis for President-elect Trump's proposed use of military assets in his planned deportation program."

So, will it work? Time will tell. This is the first time that a president has been willing to take such drastic measures in response to the border crisis, which remains one of the top issues for American voters.

"The Constitution provides remedies when state and local authorities obstruct federal law enforcement. The incoming administration has legal authority to use military assets to support immigration enforcement. Those who claim otherwise misunderstand both the law and its historical context."

The latest Trump news is available for your reading pleasure at Trump.news.

Sources for this article include:

RealClearWire.com

NaturalNews.com
Western attempts at crippling Russias economy with sanctions have FAILED, warns Putin

Russian President Vladimir Putin is laughing at the West with its failed attempts to cripple Moscow with sanctions.

The only thing those sanctions have done, Putin said this week at the plenary session of the VTB "Russia is Calling!" Investment Forum, is strengthen Russia, whose businesses are "adapting and thriving," to quote one media report, with overall trade increasing, not decreasing.

"We often hear that those nations set the goal to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia in political, military and economic spheres, including in terms of economics and technology" Putin stated, adding that "certain nations" have proven to be unreliable trade partners that have only tried to hurt Russia.

They sought to drastically weaken our industry, finances, the service industry in our country, to create an insurmountable deficit of goods in our market, to destabilize the labor market, to degrade living standards for our citizens."

Not only has Russia recovered from these attacks, but it has also since that time recreated its economy, adapting it to Western aggression  and business has never been better, Putin contends.

The logistics involved with international trade in this new paradigm has allowed Russian businesses to grow and expand their networks with other friendly partners. Overall, there has been a net benefit to Russia's economy.

(Related: Did you know that Russia is considering launching an Oreshnik missile strike on the headquarters of Volodymyr Zelensky in Kiev?)

A new BRICS trading currency to bypass the U.S. dollar

The threat to Western hegemony is palpable now that Russia is also forging ahead with plans to create an alternative trading currency to the U.S. dollar (Federal Reserve Note). Russia is kicking butt and taking names, it sounds like, while the West flounders.

Russia's national financial infrastructure is undergoing some changes as well with increased efforts among the BRICS alliance to develop a new trading currency that is not controlled by deep state lunatics. Russia is busy identifying strategic partners and updating its legal framework to accommodate the coming changes.

Keep in mind that the West is still holding billions of dollars' worth of Russian assets hostage, which is what predicated all these changes to begin with. The West apparently thought that Putin would just roll over and capitulate, but instead he is fighting back.

The West continues to bully not only Russia but also its allies and trading partners, which are growing in number by the day. Dozens of countries expressed interest in joining BRICS this year with more applications coming in 2025.

There are also several European countries that continue to purchase affordable and abundant energy (natural gas and oil) from Russia, despite stern warnings out of Brussels that everyone must divest from Russia, or else.

The latest round of U.S. sanctions is aimed at Russia's Gazprombank, which are unlikely to be a success  but they could cause a major energy crisis in Western Europe, especially now that the Nord Stream pipeline has been sabotaged and left inoperable.

"The West is bankrupt and weaponless," wrote a commenter about the dismal state of affairs for dying Western civilization.

"Of course NATO's attempts to defeat Russia, or anyone else, have failed," wrote another. "The world is far too smart to fall for spin-and-narrative oriented stories and machinations from NATO media, NATO diplomats and NATO NGOs."

"After spending $819.78 billion in Afghanistan over 20 years, and then running away from there in military transport planes, NATO was eager to try its luck again ... this time with Russia."

"Someone should remind Slow Joe that the ruble has forgotten to turn into rubble," joked another. "And by the way, how is the railroad from the Pacific all the way to the Indian Ocean going?"

Will the Russia-Ukraine conflict crescendo with World War III? Find out more at WWIII.news.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

NaturalNews.com
Protecting the globalist narrative: World leaders sign UN-backed CENSORSHIP declaration targeting Big Tech, advertisers and media

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and several world leaders just signed a new censorship declaration during the Cascais Declaration at the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) 10th Global Forum in Portugal from Nov. 25-27.

The Cascais Declaration indicated that those who signed it are "alarmed" at what is described as a global spread, online and offline, of "disinformation, misinformation and hate speech."

The signatories would also want these to be targeted while strengthening "information integrity." The document did not indicate what this means or how the group is planning to act on it. Another controversial UN scheme called the Pact for the Future was also mentioned in the paper.

"Take note of the adoption of the Pact for the Future which recognizes the role of reinvigorated multilateralism and the importance of the voice of religious leaders and faith-based organizations in promoting a culture of peace," the declaration stated.

However, critics of the Pact speculate that this is just another mechanism that would pave the way to more censorship and surveillance.

There was even a mention of "monitoring antisemitism," but also "combating Islamophobia," which the declaration indicated a special UN envoy would be deployed to deal with the task.

"Taking note of the designation of the High Representative for the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations as the United Nations Focal Point to Monitor antisemitism and Enhance a system-wide response in 2020, as well as the request contained in General Assembly Resolution 78/264 on 'Measures to Combat Islamophobia' to appoint a United Nations Special Envoy to combat Islamophobia," it included.

Guterres reiterates commitment to CENSOR online content

Meanwhile, Guterres, who also spoke during the event, reiterated his commitment to censoring online speech, bringing up the usual set of "arguments" in favor of moving in this direction. (Related: UN declares war on FREE SPEECH to censor the TRUTH, subvert accountability, control populations.)

"In every corner of the world, we see the social fabric under serious strain," he said in front of 1,800 participants, including the President of the Portuguese Republic Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa and the King of Spain, Felipe VI.

He added that the escalation of conflicts, increase in social tensions and spread of hate speech are just some of the manifestations of the crisis of confidence that affects human and international relations.

He also tackled "unchecked digital platforms and artificial intelligence (AI)," accusing them of allowing "hate speech to proliferate like never before." He also criticized "misinformation and deepfakes," which is now rampant in any medium.

The UN chief wants Big Tech, advertisers and media  that is, along with some governments and organizations like the UN, among the most egregious offenders when it comes to online censorship  to double down.

For a "more humane information ecosystem," he put forward an initiative that introduces algorithmic censorship and demonetization. This principle reportedly follows the "anti-misinformation and hate speech" scope under the UN's Global Principles for Information Integrity, which aims to guarantee a more ethical information ecosystem that respects human rights.

Elsewhere during his talk, Guterres called for collective action to restore peace, solidarity and trust in the multilateral system.

"The absence of peace is leading to an erosion of trust in international institutions and societies," he said. "Trust has become an increasingly scarce resource in a globalized world, where information circulates with unprecedented speed through social networks. Hate speech, amplified by digital platforms, undermines relationships between people and communities, exacerbating divisions and creating a sense of insecurity."

He further insisted that the growing xenophobia, racism and intolerance fueled by disinformation are, "old tactics with a new medium."

He also pointed to social networks in spreading stereotypes and hate speech and highlighted the importance of effective regulation to combat this digital epidemic. For him, the solution is the implementation of initiatives such as the United Nations Global Principles for Information Integrity.

Guterres also appealed for peace in Ukraine, Gaza, Lebanon and Sudan. He said that he wants just peace based on the Charter of the United Nations, international law and the resolutions of the General Assembly.

He also called for an immediate ceasefire, the release of hostages and the beginning of a process that leads to a two-state solution in Gaza.

Read more stories about government measures that implement censorship and surveillance on Censorship.news.

Sources for this article include:

ReclaimTheNet.org

Docs.ReclaimTheNet.org

UNRIC.org
China closely follows development of situation in Syria, hopes stability restored as soon as possible: spokesperson

Xinhua) 08:53, December 09, 2024

BEIJING, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Sunday said China is closely following the development of situation in Syria and hopes that stability will be restored as soon as possible.

The spokesperson made the remarks in response to a relevant query on report that Syria's anti-government forces have entered Syrian capital Damascus and declared the fall of the Syrian government.

The spokesperson said that the Chinese government has been actively helping Chinese nationals who wish to leave Syria to do so in a safe and orderly way, and staying in contact with those still in Syria and offering them advice on how to stay safe.

The spokesperson added that China urges relevant parties in Syria to ensure the safety and security of the Chinese institutions and personnel in Syria.

The Chinese Embassy is still up and running and carrying out its duty in Syria, and will continue to make every possible assistance to Chinese nationals in need, said the spokesperson.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
The lawmakers letter to National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan emphasized the need for stricter regulations to mitigate risks of sensitive technology falling into the wrong hands. They cited G42s extensive business relationships with Chinese firms, including those linked to the military, and its historical ties to Emirati cybersecurity firm DarkMatter, previously investigated for espionage activities.

The deal deserves continued scrutiny to ensure that our strategic and national security interests are protected, the lawmakers wrote in the letter then. They also pointed to the UAEs deepening AI cooperation with China, marked by President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyans recent visit to Beijing.

A conditional approval

Despite these concerns, the US government approved the export license in September, under stricter conditions. The new rule introduces the Validated End User (VEU) program, allowing foreign data centers to receive AI chips like those produced by Nvidia under a general authorization, bypassing the need for US companies to seek individual export licenses.

The approval of the Microsoft-G42 deal prohibits individuals from Group D:5 countries  those under US arms embargo, including China  from accessing the chips or the facility, the report said citing sources familiar with the deal.

Additional safeguards require Microsoft to prevent the chips from being used for AI model training by personnel associated with the Chinese government or organizations headquartered in China. Individuals on the Treasury Departments sanctions list are also barred from involvement, the report added.

The chips, reportedly from a leading manufacturer such as Nvidia, will play a critical role in Microsoft and G42s initiatives, including the development of advanced AI models. G42 is already leveraging US data centers to train Jais, its bilingual Arabic-English large language model, in partnership with AI chipmaker Cerebras.
Moscow, Dec 8 : Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Moscow after escaping from the Middle East country, and they have received asylum in Russia, the media reported, citing top officials.

A leading Russian media outlet citing a Kremlin source said that Assad and his family have been granted asylum by Russia for humanitarian reasons.

Russia, an ally of Syria, has stressed the necessity to restart negotiations on the settlement of the situation in the Middle East nation under the 'overall guidance' of the United Nations.

Assad stepped down as the president of Syria and left the country, hours after rebel forces took control of the capital Damascus.

The BBC reported that early on Sunday morning, after their fighters entered the city without resistance, the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and its allies declared that "the tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fled".

Assad has not been seen in pictures since he met the Iranian Foreign Minister in Damascus a week ago. He had then vowed to "crush" the rebels seizing territory at a brisk pace.

In a stunning turn of events on Sunday, opposition forces in Syria seized control of the capital, Damascus, following a rapid offensive that saw major Syrian cities falling like dominos within days.

After taking over, opposition fighters appeared on state television channels to announce what they described as the fall of Damascus and the end of President Bashar al-Assad's rule.

A man in military fatigues, flanked by armed fighters, read a statement on air, calling it 'Statement No. 1.' He claimed that rebel units had captured Damascus.

Opposition activists said the rebel fighters entered the Syrian capital at dawn Sunday, according to the Britain-based war monitor Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Xinhua news agency reported.

The monitor said hundreds of government soldiers were ordered to withdraw from Damascus International Airport and were seen removing their military uniforms and donning civilian clothing.

Multiple media outlets have reported that al-Assad has left the country, citing rebel forces.

Reporters of Xinhua news agency in Damascus witnessed intense gunshots reverberating through the streets with heavy traffic caused by cars departing the capital.

Civilians took to the streets, waving the 'revolution flag,' an older flag used in Syria before the rule of Hafez al-Assad, the late father of Bashar al-Assad.

Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Al-Jallali announced his readiness to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the Syrian people.

Opposition military leader Ahmed Al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammad Al-Julani, declared Al-Jallali would oversee public institutions until an official transfer of authority is completed.
New Delhi, Dec 9 : Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is set to embark on a visit to Dhaka on Monday amid tensions over atrocities on the Hindu community there. He will hold Foreign Office Consultations with his Bangladeshi counterpart Md Jashim Uddin.

The visit comes against the backdrop of heightened concerns over reported atrocities against the Hindu minority under the Mohammad Yunus regime and the arrest of a prominent Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das.

It also marks the first high-level diplomatic engagement from New Delhi to Dhaka following the ouster of former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in August 2024 and her subsequent flight to India after large-scale anti-government protests rocked Bangladesh.

Vikram Misri's visit is to participate in the Foreign Office Consultations, a mechanism to address bilateral issues and foster dialogue. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal confirmed the meeting last week, emphasising India's commitment to addressing growing challenges in its eastern neighbour.

This development follows an earlier meeting in September between External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Advisor Md Touhid Hossain on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York. That meeting, the first high-level interaction after Hasina's ouster, focused on strengthening bilateral relations amid an increasingly strained atmosphere.

India has expressed deep concern over rising extremist rhetoric, growing incidents of violence, and provocations against the Hindu community in Bangladesh. Misri's visit is expected to address these pressing issues and explore avenues for stabilising bilateral relations during a time of significant turmoil.

Hindus all over the world have also been shocked by multiple attacks on the community and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh.

"We are concerned about the surge in extremist rhetoric, increasing incidents of violence, and provocations. These developments cannot be dismissed only as media exaggerations. We once again call upon Bangladesh to take all steps for the protection of all minorities," the MEA had stated previously.
Jaipur, Dec 9 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit at Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Center (JECC) located at Sitapura. Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma, while welcoming the PM said that the summit was a step towards visualising his dream of making a developed India.

On this occasion, he took a tour of an exhibition and also made prints on some clothes with blocks.

CM Bhajan lal Sharma presented the PM with a sword made of sandalwood, a symbol of bravery.

Prime Minister Modi reached JECC on Monday morning to inaugurate the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit where he took a tour of handmade exhibition showcasing the rich history of handmade artistry of the state.

PM Modi reached Jaipur airport at around 10:10 A.M. on Monday and was welcomed by former CM Vasundhara Raje Scindia, BJP state president Madan Rathore, Haryana incharge Satish Poonia etc among other leaders.

The PM stayed here for about 7 minutes and then left for the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Center (JECC) located at Sitapura.

Soon after reaching JECC, PM took a round of the exhibition which showcased the handmade products and was also seen hand printing on some clothes.

CM Bhajanlal Sharma accompanied him on this occasion.

Further, Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma delivered the welcome speech. Speaking on the occasion, he welcomed Modi to the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit and said, "It's a proud day for Rajasthan when this summit is being inaugurated by PM Modi. India is moving ahead towards becoming the third-largest economy under your leadership. The country has touched new heights under your directions.

The Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit is a step towards visualising your dream of making a developed India. We have brought in new policies and introduced new means for ease of doing business. As many as 33 lakh crore MoUs have been signed before the start of this event, he added.

Meanwhile, the PM tweeted, "Rajasthan is known for its dynamic people, who are blessed with an immense entrepreneurial spirit. The state offers many investment opportunities. I look forward to taking part in the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit today."

Many well-known industrialists like Gautam Adani, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Anand Mahindra and Anil Agarwal are also participating in the programme.

Further, Tijara (Alwar) MLA Baba Balak Nath, Khandela (Sikar) MLA Subhash Meel, Sanchore MLA Jivaram Chaudhary, Bikaner West MLA Jetharam Vyas were not allowed entry in the JECC. This left Baba Balak Nath and MLA Subhash Meel infuriated who returned back.

-IANS
Mumbai, Dec 9 : Actor Dino Morea, who is known for 'Raaz', 'Aksar', 'Jism 2', 'Rana Naidu', 'The Empire', 'Tandav' and others, is celebrating his birthday on Monday. The actor is embracing a unique birthday celebration this year.

The actor shared that he will celebrate a working birthday, as he is busy with the shoot of the highly anticipated comedy, 'Housefull 5'.

Talking about the same, he told IANS, "There is no better way to celebrate a birthday than doing what you love. For me, it's acting, and I am immensely blessed to spend my day doing just that".

In 'Housefull 5', the actor will be seen sharing the screen with Akshay Kumar, Jackie Shroff, Nargis Fakhri, Jacqueline Fernandez, Nana Patekar, Riteish Deshmukh, and others. The film is set to arrive in cinemas on June 6, 2025.

Apart from this, he is also preparing for the upcoming Netflix project 'The Royals', in which he will star alongside renowned actors such as Zeenat Aman, Ishaan Khatter, Bhumi Pednekar, Nora Fatehi, and Milind Soman. He also has the film 'Mere Husband Ki Biwi' currently in the pipeline.

Since his debut in 1999, Dino Morea has worked across multiple film industries of India including Hindi, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam and Telugu films. He initially established himself as a fashion model before making his film debut in the 1999 film Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi.

He had his biggest commercial success in the horror film 'Raaz' in 2002 which eventually became a milestone in the pop-culture of India owing to the brilliant portrayal of horror and a stellar soundtrack. He went on to star in films such as 'Gunaah' (2002), 'Plan' (2004), 'Holiday' (2006), 'Dus Kahaniyaan' and others.

He made his streaming debut with the 2020 OTT series 'Mentalhood' and followed it up with 'Hostages'.
New Delhi, Dec 9 : The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has recorded 406 cases of an undiagnosed disease between October 24 and December 5, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday.

Congo's Ministry of Public Health reported to WHO an alert regarding increased deaths from an undiagnosed cause in the Panzi health zone on November 29.

The global health agency sent experts to Panzi health zone in DRC's Kwango Province to investigate the outbreak, which is causing fever, headache, cough, runny nose, and body ache.

"All severe cases were reported to be severely malnourished," said the WHO.

The agency added that among the cases, "31 deaths have been registered". Of these, 71 per cent are below the age of 15.

The WHO noted that the majority of cases reported are among children, particularly those under five years of age.

"The area is rural and remote, with access further hindered by the ongoing rainy season...and limited diagnostics which has delayed the identification of the underlying cause," the WHO said.

While the outbreak is still ongoing, the WHO has sent teams to collect samples for laboratory testing. The results will likely provide a more detailed clinical characterisation of the detected cases. The teams are also investigating the dynamics of the transmission, as well as actively searching for new cases -- both within health facilities and at the community level.

"Rapid response teams have been deployed to identify the cause of the outbreak and strengthen the response," the WHO said.

The WHO suspects acute pneumonia, influenza, Covid-19, measles and malaria as potential causal factors with malnutrition as a contributing factor.

"Laboratory tests are underway to determine the exact cause," the UN agency said, noting that "more than one disease" may be contributing to the cases and deaths.
Patna, Dec 9 : It was a case of Monday Blues for SpiceJet as hours after its aircraft travelling from Chennai to Kochi made an emergency return to Chennai airport due to a technical glitch mid-air, the airline's Delhi to Shillong flight made a diverted landing at Patna airport due to an issue with its windshield.

The Patna Airport Director confirmed the incident, stating that 76 passengers were on board when the problem was detected mid-air.

The flight landed safely at 8:52 A.M., with no reported injuries and the airline assured that the diversion was purely a precautionary measure.

A SpiceJet spokesperson said, "On December 9, 2024, SpiceJet Q400 aircraft operating from Delhi to Shillong was diverted to Patna when a windshield crack was observed. Please note that there are three different layers of windshield and only one layer of a particular window had a crack and the diversion was purely a precautionary measure. The aircraft made a normal landing and not an emergency landing. Passengers were deplaned normally. Pressurisation was normal throughout the flight."

The Patna Airport Director clarified that the windshield issue was not caused by a bird strike, as such incidents occur primarily during takeoff or landing when birds are present at lower altitudes.

Since Patna was neither a scheduled destination nor a stopover for the flight, a bird strike was ruled out.

The matter is under investigation, and the airline is working to resolve the issue to ensure passenger safety for future flights.

Following the mid-air technical glitch in the windshield, the pilot of the SpiceJet flight contacted Air Traffic Control (ATC) at Patna, which promptly granted permission for a diverted landing at the Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport.

The flight landed safely at 8:52 AM, with all 76 passengers unharmed.

The airline has assured that the affected passengers are being looked after, with accommodations arranged for their comfort.

Additionally, SpiceJet is making arrangements for another aircraft to transport the passengers to their intended destination, Shillong.

Authorities and the airline are coordinating efforts to ensure minimal disruption to the passengers' journey.

On January 3 of this year, an Indigo Airlines flight bound for New Delhi was forced to make an emergency landing at Patna airport due to a technical issue involving the front hydraulic wheel.
New Delhi, Dec 9 : Wayanad MP and AICC General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi on Monday congratulated 51-year-old Catholic priest George Jacob Koovakad on being elevated to the esteemed position of Cardinal by His Holiness Pope Francis on Saturday.

A proud moment for India, and recognition of your tireless devotion to the Church and humanity, said Priyanka on her social media.

Koovakad who belongs to Syro Malabar Catholic Church and hails from Changnacherry in Kottayam district. He wrote into record books by becoming the first priest from Kerala to be directly elevated to a Cardinal.

The other five Cardinals in Kerala were bishops before being elevated to this exalted post in the Catholic Church.

In the global Catholic Church from Saturday, the number of Cardinals has reached 253 after Koovakad and 20 others were elevated.

On Saturday and Sunday across the Catholic Churches in Kerala, his elevation was celebrated in a modest way, especially at his home parish in Changnacherry.

It is this group of Cardinals who will be sitting together to elect the next Pope, whenever that time comes.

Born on August 11, 1973, in the state capital city, Koovakad became a priest and later pursued training for diplomatic service at the prestigious Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academy.

In 2006, he began his diplomatic career at the Apostolic Nunciature in Algeria. He has served in Apostolic Nunciatures in Algeria, South Korea, Iran, Costa Rica, and Venezuela.

Christians in Kerala make up around 18 per cent of the state's 32 million population, of which Catholics are the dominant group, comprising 50 per cent of the Christians in the state.

There are three Catholic rites in Kerala the Syro-Malabar, Latin, and the Syro Malankara Churches.

Supreme head of the Syro Malankara Church Mar Baselios Cleemis was the last Keralaite to be elevated as a Cardinal in 2013.
Mumbai, Dec 9 : Amid rising competition from states in attracting investments in cooperative and competitive federalism, Maharashtra has topped in getting foreign direct investment (FDI) in two consecutive years, 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan in his address to joint session of state legislature on Monday said that the state topped in the country in FDI with Rs 1,25,101 crore in 2023-24, and it again topped in the country in the first two quarters, from April to September of this year 2024-25 with an FDI of Rs 1,13,236 crore, which is more than 90 per cent of the last year's total FDI.

"Maharashtra is one of the leading industrial states in the country. Maharashtra contributes more than 14 per cent to the country's total GDP. The government has set a very ambitious target of making Maharashtra the first state in the country to achieve the target of $1 trillion economy by the year 2027-28," said the Governor in his speech.

The government has announced a policy of giving Anchor Industry status to mega-projects in the thrust sector and high-tech manufacturing sector such as semiconductors, electric vehicles, aerospace and defense, chemicals and polymers, lithium iron batteries, steel and other products and special incentives to attract more investment in the state.

Approved projects in the last eight months under the said policy, will attract total investment of approximately Rs 3,29,000 crore and it will generate direct and indirect employment of 1,18,000.

The government has announced State's Information Technology and Information Technology Supported Services Policy, 2023 and also Green Data Centre Policy. The policy aims to make Mumbai, the Data Centre Capital of India. As part of this policy, Green Integrated Data Centre Park will be set up in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai areas, which will lead to an approximately Rs 1 lakh crore investment and generate employment for 20,000 people in the state.

In a bid to develop skill sets among the youth, the government has launched "Chief Minister Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojana" in the state to promote skills among youth and provide skilled manpower to industries.

Under this scheme, 1,19,700 candidates have joined for training. For providing training to youth with the purpose of making them employable, 1,000 Acharya Chanakya Skill Development Centres have been started in colleges. In these centres, 1,50,000 youth will be trained annually.

The government has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the state of Baden-Wurttemberg in Germany in the month of February 2024 for the supply of 10,000 skilled manpower.

Amid the overwhelming response from the women voters to the MahaYuti alliance in the recently concluded state assembly election, the Governor said that the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, which was launched for empowerment of women in the age group of 21 to 65 years, would continue onwards. He further said that an amount of Rs 1,500 per month is provided to more than 2.34 crore beneficiary women under this scheme and five monthly installments from July to November 2024 has been paid.

The Governor also said that the government has taken the decision to implement its Revised National Pension Scheme as well as the Central Government's Unified Pension Scheme to the employees who are covered by the National Pension Scheme.

While giving details with regard to the state government's move to make Maharashtra drought free, the Governor said the government has accorded administrative approval to 167 irrigation projects having an irrigation potential of 25 lakh 21 thousand hectares of land in the last two years.

Further, the government has accorded administrative approval to four river linking schemes, namely, Wainganga-Nalganga, Nar-Par-Girna, Damanganga-Ekdare-Godavari and Damanganga- Vaitarna- Godavari. It will create 4 lakh 33 thousand hectares irrigation potential.

Further, the government is actively implementing the "Jal Jeevan Mission Scheme" in the state. Under the scheme, the government has provided water to more than 1.27 crore households.

The Governor said that the Centres decision to grant the status of the Classical Language to Marathi language will help for establishment of special centres to study Marathi Language in 450 universities.

More funds will be available from the Central government for preservation and conservation of the Marathi language.
Jaipur, Dec 9 : Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla on Monday said that the group will invest Rs 30,000 crore in sectors like renewable energy (RE) and cement in Rajasthan in the next 4 to 5 years.

Speaking with IANS on the sidelines of 'Rising Rajasthan Global Summit 2024', Birla said that our family is from Rajasthan and we are also big investors here.



"Our experience in Rajasthan has also been very good. Further, we will invest Rs 30,000 crore in the renewable energy and cement sector in the state in the next 4 to 5 years," Birla told IANS.



Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Birla said that under his leadership, a lot of good work is happening in different states of the country and industries are developing across the spectrum.



Birla said during his address that UltraTech Cement will increase its cement production capacity in Rajasthan by 10 million tonnes.



Currently, the production capacity of the group's cement unit in Rajasthan is 20 million tonnes. He further said that the group's jewellery unit is also planning to set up a small manufacturing unit in the state.



At the event, Lakshya Raj Singh Mewar of the Udaipur Royal Family told IANS that Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the tourism sector during his keynote address.



"I want to thank the Prime Minister for his encouraging words. Along with this, PM Modi also spoke about sectors like heritage tourism and wedding tourism. This will enhance the morale of the people in the region," Mewar added.



Deutsche Bank Director Pankaj Ojha said the ranking of India's economy has improved from 10th place to 5th in the last decade.



"India is moving in a positive direction. The markets are emerging and people's spending capacity is also increasing. The trust of the whole world in India is rising," Ojha told IANS.



PM Modi inaugurated the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit in the presence of esteemed guests, including renowned industrialists, investors and ambassadors from different countries.



The Prime Minister said Rajasthan was not only rising but was also reliable and receptive.



"Rajasthan knows how to refine itself with time. Rajasthan stands synonymous with combating challenges. Rajasthan is the name of creating new opportunities," said PM Modi.



"India's exports have also almost doubled in the last ten years. Compared to the decade before 2014, FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) has also more than doubled in the last decade. During this time, India has increased the expenditure on infrastructure from about three lakh crore rupees to eleven trillion," PM Modi added.




Jaipur, Dec 9 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Monday expressed gratitude to all those who attended the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit.

"Summit has envisioned a dream to realise how a developed Rajasthan can be created. With the number of investors who have come here, I am confident that there are seamless opportunities coming to the state in future. I would like to thank all who want to take Rajasthan to the forefront and we shall definitely be successful in our endeavour," the Chief Minister said.

He added that the state government is completing one year soon and his entire team including his cabinet ministers and others have extended a big support to him.

"We have already started fulfilling all those promises which were made in the manifesto have been fulfilled. Now I am confident that all remaining promises made to the public will be fulfilled," he claimed.

Rising Rajasthan Investment Summit was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday.

PM Modi said the world's investors are upbeat about India as an investment destination, and the country's economic success has showcased the true power of democracy, demography, digital data, and delivery.

Addressing the event attended by top industrialists, Rajasthan's diaspora, and representatives of investors from 32 countries, the Chief Minister said his government's target was to double Rajasthan's gross state domestic product (GSDP) to $350 billion in the next five years.

He claimed that his government, which will complete a year in office on December 15, has launched 10 new policies to improve the investment climate and has taken steps to foster ease of doing business (EoDB) in the state.

He said that as part of the investment summit, the government has signed memorandums of understanding worth Rs 35 trillion.

He added that organising a first-of-its-kind investment summit in its first year -- it was elected in December 2023 -- was evidence of its intent to implement the projects on the ground during its current term.
Dhaka, Dec 9 : Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri wrapped up his one-day visit to Dhaka on Monday after calling on Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Advisor of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, during which he conveyed India's concerns, especially those related to the safety and welfare of minorities in the neighbouring country.

Earlier in the day, the top Indian diplomat met with Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain and also held Foreign Office Consultations with the Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh, Jashim Uddin.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that, during these meetings, Foreign Secretary Misri highlighted India's support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh while reiterating New Delhi's willingness to build a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh, based on mutual trust and respect and mutual sensitivity to each others concerns and interests.

"Foreign Secretary emphasised that people are the main stakeholders in India-Bangladesh relations, and noted that India's development cooperation and multifaceted engagements with Bangladesh, including in the areas of connectivity, trade, power, energy and capacity building, are all geared towards the benefit of the people of Bangladesh," read a statement issued by the MEA after the conclusion of Misri's visit.

"Foreign Secretary also discussed certain recent developments and issues and conveyed India's concerns, especially those related to the safety and welfare of minorities. He also raised some regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious and diplomatic properties," it added.

During the Foreign Office Consultations, that lasted for nearly two hours according to the local media reports, both sides held comprehensive discussions on a wide range of issues covering political and security matters, border management, trade, commerce and connectivity, cooperation in water, power and energy sectors, development cooperation, consular, cultural and people-to-people ties.

They also exchanged views on sub-regional, regional and multilateral issues, and agreed to enhance consultations and cooperation to advance regional integration, including under the BIMSTEC framework.

"Foreign Secretary's visit will help in sustaining bilateral engagement between India and Bangladesh with a view to addressing concerns as well as advancing the substantive issues in the relationship," the MEA emphasised.

During his visit, the Indian Foreign Secretary highlighted that India desires positive, constructive and mutually beneficial ties with Bangladesh.

"This is reflected on a daily basis in the development projects that have been executed on the ground in Bangladesh and that continue to be developed. It is also reflected in the mutually beneficial engagement we have on a whole set of issues ranging from trade, commerce, connectivity, power, water and energy, development cooperation, consular cooperation, and cultural cooperation. There is no reason why this mutually beneficial cooperation should not continue to deliver in the interest of both our peoples. And, to that end, therefore, I have underlined today India's desire to work closely with the Interim Government of Bangladesh," Misri told reporters in Dhaka after meeting Hossain.

He spotlighted that, since the political changes in Bangladesh in August this year, there has been contact between the leaderships of the two countries besides other high-level engagements.

"Our Prime Minister was the first world leader to greet the Chief Adviser on his assumption of office. The two of them had a very cordial telephone conversation thereafter and the Chief Adviser also accepted the Prime Ministers invitation to speak at the Third Voice of Global South Summit that was held in August this year," said Misri.

He also reminded Bangldeshi media that External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar and Touhid Hossain had met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September -- the first high-level engagement between the two countries after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ouster in August 2024.

"My visit follows those interactions and is the first Foreign Secretary level structured engagement between the two sides following those developments. Todays discussions have given both of us the opportunity to take stock of our relations and I appreciate the opportunity today to have a frank, candid, and constructive exchange of views with all my interlocutors," he said.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Variable clouds and windy with strong thunderstorms. Damaging winds and large hail with some storms. Low 57F. Winds S at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall possibly over one inch..

Tonight

Variable clouds and windy with strong thunderstorms. Damaging winds and large hail with some storms. Low 57F. Winds S at 25 to 35 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall possibly over one inch.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Variable clouds and windy with strong thunderstorms. Damaging winds and large hail with some storms. Low 57F. Winds S at 25 to 40 mph. Chance of rain 100%..

Tonight

Variable clouds and windy with strong thunderstorms. Damaging winds and large hail with some storms. Low 57F. Winds S at 25 to 40 mph. Chance of rain 100%.
Early testing is key to addressing the rise in cases of prostate cancer in Africa - and it doesn't have to be an invasive procedure.

That's the message from cancer survivors and health experts on the continent where prostate cancer is one of the most diagnosed cancers and men face unique genetic risks.

In 2020, the disease was the leading cancer among men in 40 Sub-Saharan African countries.

In Southern Africa, prostate cancer mortality rates are 2.7 times the global average, reflecting a combination of limited access to healthcare, inadequate early detection programmes, and underlying genetic risk factors.

Despite its prevalence, knowledge of prostate cancer symptoms is lacking and many men are diagnosed too late.

In Nigeria, late-stage presentation of the disease is particularly common, complicating treatments and contributing to poor outcomes.

Why are African men at risk?

A growing body of research is now linking African ancestry to an increased risk of prostate cancer and the likelihood of more aggressive disease progression.

To address these challenges, a landmark study by the Men of African Descent and Carcinoma of the Prostate Consortium (MADCaP) is shedding light on the genetic risks specific to African men.

Published in the journal Nature Genetics in October, the study analysed data from nearly 8,000 participants across five African countries, making it the largest genome study on prostate cancer conducted on the continent.

The research revealed three genetic regions, or loci, associated with higher prostate cancer risk, with variations unique to African populations.

These findings, the researchers say, underline the importance of tailoring screening and treatment strategies to reflect the genetic diversity of African populations.

Genetic markers

Carl Chen, a lead researcher with MADCaP, explained that the studys focus on African genomes allowed researchers to uncover genetic markers that have often been overlooked in studies focusing on non-African populations.

By focusing on African populations, we uncovered critical genetic risk factors previously unidentified. This approach highlights Africas unique genetic landscape and lays a foundation for interventions that could address the specific health needs of African men. Carl Chen, lead researcher with MADCaP

Early intervention is vital for managing prostate cancer, Chen stressed.

With data specific to African genetics, were in a better position to inform screening protocols that could improve survival rates, he added.

Busting prostate cancer myths

Despite these advances, barriers to effective prostate cancer care persist. In many African countries, misinformation and stigma around prostate cancer screening prevent men from seeking timely testing. In Nigeria, for instance, many men mistakenly believe that screening involves invasive procedures, which discourages participation.

Dare Adeosun, a 52-year-old Nigerian who was diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer in late 2022, shared how understanding the simplicity of the screening process made a difference in his case.

When I first heard about prostate cancer screening, I thought it was an uncomfortable procedure, he said.

Like many men, I had the impression that it involved a physical examination that no one looks forward to. But after speaking with my doctor during my routine annual medical checkup, I learned it was just a simple blood test. That made all the difference for meI went in without hesitation.

Non-invasive screening

Adeosun credits early testing for his positive prognosis and is calling for greater efforts to inform men about the ease and importance of prostate cancer screening.

Prostate cancer advocates, including health tech entrepreneur Ifeoluwa Dare-Johnson, have similarly emphasised the need to simplify messaging around screening.

Dare-Johnson, whose company Healthtracka offers prostate cancer screening, noted that educating men on the simplicity of the process has increased participation.

Educating men on the ease and importance of screening makes a real difference, she said.

Were seeing increased willingness to test when men understand that screening doesnt necessarily involve invasive procedures.

How can research help?

Beyond raising awareness, Chen and his co-authors say local investment in prostate cancer research is crucial for improving outcomes.

Establishing research facilities and training scientists in Africa is essential to addressing the continents health challenges, Chen said.

This study demonstrates that African researchers can and should lead research on health issues affecting African populations.

While infectious diseases such as HIV and tuberculosis have traditionally dominated Africas health agenda, Chen and his colleagues argue that non-communicable diseases like prostate cancer require dedicated attention and resources.

With prostate cancer among the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in African men, Dare-Johnson says that locally informed strategies offer an opportunity to significantly improve survival rates.

Prostate cancer is a significant health burden, and locally informed strategies offer an opportunity to address it more effectively, says Dare-Johnson.
A single modification in the protein found on the surface of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1 influenza virus currently circulating in U.S. dairy cows could allow for easier transmission among humans, according to new research funded by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and published today in the journal Science. The study results reinforce the need for continued, vigilant surveillance and monitoring of HPAI H5N1 for potential genetic changes that could make the virus more transmissible in humans.

Current strains of the bovine (cow) H5N1 virus are not known to be transmissible among people; however, infections have occurred in people exposed to infected wild birds, poultry, dairy cows and other mammals. As part of pandemic preparedness efforts, researchers have monitored the H5N1 virus for years to understand viral genetic mutations that occur in nature and what impact they may have on transmissibility.

Influenza viruses attach to cells with a surface viral protein called hemagglutinin (HA). The HA latches on to sugar (glycan) molecule receptors on cells to cause infection. Avian (bird) influenza viruses - like H5N1 - have not infected people often because the human upper respiratory tract lacks the avian-type cell receptors found in birds. Scientists are concerned that viruses could evolve to recognize human-type cell receptors in the upper airways and acquire the ability to infect people and spread between them.

Scientists at Scripps Research used the H5N1 strain isolated from the first U.S. human infection with the bovine strain 2.3.4.4b (A/Texas/37/2024) to test how mutations in the HA gene sequence affected the binding of that protein with avian versus human-type cell receptors. The researchers introduced several mutations into the viral HA protein that had been observed to occur naturally in the past and found that one mutation, called Q226L, improved the ability of the protein to attach to receptors typically found on human cells, especially when an additional mutation was present. Importantly, the researchers introduced the genetic mutations only into the HA surface protein and did not create or conduct experiments with a whole, infectious virus.

The experimental finding with the Q226L mutation alone does not mean HPAI H5N1 is on the verge of causing a widespread pandemic, the authors note. Other genetic mutations would likely be required for the virus to transmit among people. In the setting of a growing number of H5N1 human cases resulting from direct contact with infected animals, the findings stress the importance of continued efforts at outbreak control and continued genomic surveillance to monitor for the emergence of HPAI H5N1 genetic changes and maintain public health preparedness.

The research was funded in part by NIH's National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), through its Centers of Excellence for Influenza Research and Response program.
Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Alice Mak will set off for a duty visit to Laos and Vietnam tomorrow, the Government announced today.

As part of her agenda in the two Belt & Road countries, Miss Mak will meet officials and organisations responsible for youth policies and youth development.

She will also call on the field units of the United Nations Volunteers - Hong Kong Universities Volunteer Internship Programme, organised by the Home & Youth Affairs Bureau, to exchange views with representatives of the UN agencies and Hong Kong undergraduate students participating in the programme and learn about their volunteer work.

Miss Mak will return to Hong Kong on December 13. During her absence, Under Secretary for Home & Youth Affairs Clarence Leung will be Acting Secretary.
Hyundai India to Push EV Segment in India, Aiming to Install Around 600 Fast Charging Stations

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 14:20 IST

As per the details shared by the brand, it will have a network of 50 fast public charging stations, which will be done before the year ends.

Representational photo.(Photo: Hyundai)

In a move to push the EV segment in India, Hyundai Motor India Limited (HMIL) is now gearing up to install nearly 600 fast charging stations. The company in its official release said that the target will be achieved in the next 7 years, and will allow the customers to get more inclined towards the EV segment.

As per the details shared by the brand, it will have a network of 50 fast public charging stations, which will be done before the year ends. This will somehow contribute to the countrys EV infrastructure, and play a pivotal role in Indias transition to cleaner energy.

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Current Charging Stations

To make it convenient for every EV customer, HMILs charging stations have been designed in such a manner that it is accessible to all 4W EVs manufactured in India. These stations have been strategically located at prominent locations with amenities such as coffee shops, restaurants, and shopping areas.

Apart from this, the marshals are also available to assist customers, and 247 CCTV surveillance ensures enhanced safety.

HMILs Network

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Meanwhile, HMIL has been pushing the electric segment in the country for quite a long now. Currently, the company has facilitated its charging network with approximately 50,000 charging sessions, dispensing over 7.30 lakh units of energy. The benefits have been taken by more than 10,000 both Hyundai and non-Hyundai EV customers.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 14:05 IST
HUL, ITC, Marico, Other FMCG Shares Fall 3-9% Amid Demand Slowdown Concerns

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 14:41 IST

Shares of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies faced a significant selloff on December 9; What should investors do now?

FMCG stocks crack amid demand slowdown concerns

Shares of fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies faced a significant selloff on December 9, triggered by a weak quarterly update from industry leader Godrej Consumer, which raised concerns about a potential industry-wide demand slowdown.

Hindustan Unilever, a key player in the sector, saw its largest drop in six weeks, falling 4%, while other FMCG giants like Dabur, Marico, Tata Consumer Products, Britannia, and Colgate recorded declines of 2-4%. However, the steepest decline was seen in Godrej Consumer Products, which plunged over 9% after releasing its quarterly update.

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The widespread losses in FMCG stocks heavily impacted the Nifty FMCG index, which fell by more than 2%, making it the worst-performing sectoral index of the day.

Godrej Consumer Products caught the market off guard by issuing its quarterly sales update well ahead of the end of the quarter. The company cited subdued" demand conditions in India over the past few months, noting that this trend was reflected in the overall FMCG market growth. Furthermore, the company warned that these negative trends were likely to continue for several more months.

This announcement reignited concerns about a prolonged demand slowdown, which weighed on the sentiment of the entire FMCG sector. Similar concerns were raised by various FMCG companies during their Q2 earnings calls.

A slowdown in urban consumption, moderating economic growth, and limited real wage increases have all contributed to sluggish volume growth for FMCG companies, putting pressure on their operating margins.

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Godrej Consumers outlook comes just days after the release of weak Q2 GDP data, which highlighted a slowdown in consumption. Urban consumption has notably slowed, although there have been signs of a recovery in rural consumption. This trend is worrying for the broader economy, as urban areas are major drivers of demand.

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 14:41 IST
Paytm Shares Gain 3% To Hit 52-Week High On Stake Sale To SoftBank; Key Points

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 11:45 IST

Shares of One 97 Communications, the parent company of fintech firm Paytm, surged over 3% to a new 52-week high; Key points for investors

Paytm Share Price

Paytm Share Price Hits 52-Week High: Shares of One 97 Communications, the parent company of fintech firm Paytm, surged over 3% to a new 52-week high of Rs 1,007 on Monday, December 9. The rise followed the announcement that the company would sell its stake in PayPay Corporation to SoftBank.

Paytms stock has now gained for five consecutive sessions, rising around 11%. It is currently trading above its 5-day, 20-day, 50-day, 100-day, and 200-day moving averages.

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The uptick in Paytm shares came after its Singapore-based subsidiary approved the sale of its Stock Acquisition Rights in Japans PayPay to SoftBank Vision Fund 2 for Rs 2,364 crore.

The deal stems from an agreement signed between Paytm, Paytm Singapore, and Japanese digital wallet firm PayPay, as well as SoftBank Corp, SoftBank Group Corp, and Yahoo Japan Corporation. Under the agreement, Paytm Singapore acquired Stock Acquisition Rights that could be converted into 1,59,012 shares, equating to a 7.2% stake in PayPay on a fully diluted basis.

The transaction is expected to close by December 2024, pending corporate approvals and other customary conditions. Paytm Singapores board approved the sale, citing the significant value generated by the Stock Acquisition Rights. The proceeds from the deal are anticipated to strengthen Paytms cash reserves.

In Q2 FY25, Paytm reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 928.30 crore, a sharp recovery from the net loss of Rs 290.50 crore reported in the same quarter the previous year. However, its revenue from operations fell by 34.1% year-on-year to Rs 1,659.50 crore for the September 2024 quarter.

As a leader in Indias mobile payments and financial services sector, Paytm has been at the forefront of the countrys QR payment revolution in recent years.

Analysts View

In late November, global brokerage UBS raised its target price for Paytm to Rs 1,000 from Rs 490 per share while maintaining a neutral stance on the stock. Similarly, Bernstein increased its target price for Paytm to Rs 1,000 from Rs 750.

UBS noted that the next phase of Paytms growth would need to be driven by revenue, as most cost optimization initiatives have already been fully implemented.

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As of 10:25 am, Paytms share price stood at Rs 984.75, up 0.92% on the BSE.

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 11:12 IST
Stocks To Watch: Ultratech, Paytm, Tata Power, Delta Corp, Biocon, And Others

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 07:51 IST

Stocks to watch: Shares of firms like Ultratech, Paytm, Tata Power, Delta Corp, Biocon, and others will be in focus on Monday's trade

Stocks To Watch

Stocks To Watch On December 9: Markets traded in a narrow range on Friday, closing almost flat despite a busy session. Todays focus will be on companies such as Ultratech, Paytm, L&T, Biocon, Alembic Pharma, and others, following recent news developments.

Tata Power: Tata Power plans to significantly increase its capital expenditure (capex) over the next five years, targeting 2.5 times more than the Rs 50,000 crore spent between 2021 and 2025. The company aims for a capex of Rs 1.25 lakh crore from 2026 to 2030, according to Praveer Sinha, MD and CEO, at their cell and module plant in Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu.

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Godrej Consumer Products: The company has provided its outlook for Q3 of the current fiscal year, highlighting challenges in key business segments due to a tough demand environment and external pressures. In particular, soaps, which account for around a third of its revenue, have been affected by a 20-30% year-on-year increase in palm oil and derivative prices.

Welspun Corp: Welspun Corp has secured two large orders for supplying HSAW-coated pipes for Natural Gas Pipeline Projects in the US. The orders, won by its US plant, have brought the cumulative value of orders received by the unit to over Rs 7,000 crore as of Q3 FY25.

Suven Pharmaceuticals: Suven Pharmaceuticals has entered into agreements to acquire a 56% equity stake in NJ Bio, Inc. for $64.4 million. The deal includes both primary equity infusion and secondary acquisition, with Suven investing $15 million to support NJ Bios growth initiatives.

Delta Corp: Delta Corp has revised its previously approved demerger scheme for its hospitality and real estate businesses. The updated plan focuses on optimizing the financial and operational aspects of the Dhargalim project in Goa, a key part of the companys growth strategy.

Paytm: Paytms wholly-owned Singapore entity is set to sell its stake in Japanese fintech company PayPay to SoftBank Vision Fund 2 for Rs 2,364 crore. The transaction, which includes the sale of Stock Acquisition Rights (SARs), is expected to close this month, subject to approvals, and will enhance the parent companys cash reserves.

Biocon: Biocon has received EIR With VAI Status From US FDA For Its API facility (Site 2), Bengaluru.

Easy Trip Planners: Easy Trip Planners is acquiring a 49% stake in Dubai-based Pflege Home Health Care Center for Rs 30 crore, a 50% stake in Jeewani Hospitality in Uttar Pradesh for Rs 100 crore to expand its hotel business, and a 49% stake in Australias Planet Education for Rs 39.2 crore, marking its foray into the international education and student services market.

L&T: Larsen & Toubro (L&T) has successfully overturned a Rs 702 crore customs duty demand following a favorable ruling from the Central Excise & Service Tax Appellate Tribunal.

Ultratech: India Cements is responding to a notice from the Competition Commission of India (CCI) regarding the UltraTech Cement deal. The company is confident that it can address any concerns raised by the CCI, as the cement market remains highly competitive.

Star Health: Star Health has received a show-cause notice from IRDAI for non-compliance with various regulations and guidelines.

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CEAT: CEAT is acquiring Michelins Camso brand Off-Highway Tyres and Tracks business for $225 million.

Disclaimer: Disclaimer: The views and investment tips by experts in this News18.com report are their own and not those of the website or its management. Users are advised to check with certified experts before taking any investment decisions.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 07:45 IST
Vodafone Idea Board Approves Raising Up To Rs 1,980 Crore via Preferential Issue; Details

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 17:14 IST

Vodafone Group intends to sell a 3% stake in Indus Towers, aiming to use the proceeds to settle a debt of USD 101 million

Vodafone Fundraise Plan

Vodafone Ideas board, on December 9, approved the issuance of up to 176 crore shares on a preferential basis to raise Rs 1,980 crore. The shares will be issued at Rs 11.28 each, comprising a face value of Rs 10 and a premium of Rs 1.28 per share.

A total of up to 1,755,319,148 equity shares will be issued for an aggregate consideration of Rs 1,980 crore," the company stated in a stock exchange filing.

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The preferential allotment includes Rs 1,280 crore worth of shares to Omega Telecom and Rs 700 crore to Usha Martin Telematics, both entities of the Vodafone Group.

The issue price reflects a nearly 40% premium, as Vodafone Ideas shares closed flat at Rs 8.11 on December 9.

Meanwhile, Vodafone Group Plc, based in the UK, has sold its entire 3% stake in Indus Towers through a series of block deals with major global investment banks, alternative asset managers, large international fund houses, hedge funds, local mutual funds, and pension funds, raising approximately Rs 2,801.7 crore. This marks Vodafones complete exit from the Indian tower company, which is now a subsidiary of Bharti Airtel.

Vodafone Group holds a 22.56% stake in Vodafone Idea, while the Aditya Birla Group owns 14.76%, and the government holds 23.15%.

Vodafone Idea announced that after settling its debt, the remaining funds will be used for the issuance of new equity shares, with the specific terms of the capital raise to be decided by the Board.

The telecom companys plan to raise Rs 2,000 crore through equity or convertible securities on a preferential basis aims to help settle its dues with Indus Towers. Analysts view this move as a potential catalyst for strengthening its negotiations with lenders for additional debt funding, providing crucial financial support to the company.

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Vodafone Idea also indicated that tariff hikes are expected in the future, although there is limited scope for increasing entry-level tariffs. Instead, price increases will likely target higher consumption levels.

In November, it was reported that the government had approved the waiver of bank guarantees for telecom operators concerning spectrum purchased before 2022. This decision is seen as a relief for Vodafone Idea, which owes over Rs 24,700 crore in bank guarantees to the government.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 09:18 IST
IIT-Kharagpur Withdraws Show-Cause Notices Against 86 Faculty Members, Teachers Association Plans To Approach Court

Reported By :

News18.com

Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 10:34 IST

The faculty had been raising concerns on arbitrary recruitment of faculty, out of the way promotions and favouritism on part of the institutes director Prof Virendra Kumar Tewari, whose tenure at the institution ends in January 2025

Faculty members at IIT-Kharagpur, the first IIT to be built in India in 1951, had been protesting on campus with dharnas. (Getty)

The administration of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Kharagpur, amidst growing pressure from the protesting faculty as well as the Union government, has finally withdrawn the show-cause notices issued to 86 faculty members, barring the ones issued to the office-bearers of the IIT Teachers Association (IITTA).

The IIT-Kharagpur administration, in an official communication to these faculty members, said: Based on your reply, the competent authority hereupon considers the same without any further action whatsoever, while reserving the legal rights in the matter."

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The administration has also warned faculty from refraining" from such activities. You are hereby advised to refrain from any such activity which is violative of the statute and or Service Rules of the Institute or such other similar acts as may be construed as violative of the above in the future," it read.

Faculty members at IIT-Kharagpur, the first IIT to be built in India in 1951, had been protesting on campus with dharnas, marches and demonstrations, for the past several days against the administrations decision to issue show-cause notices to 86 faculty members who signed a petition calling for the withdrawal of disciplinary action against members of the teachers association.

The faculty had been raising concerns on arbitrary recruitment of faculty, out of the way promotions" and favouritism" on part of the institutes director Prof Virendra Kumar Tewari, whose tenure at the institution ends in January 2025.

News18 reached out to the directors office for a response over the issue but did not receive one.

While the administration has withdrawn the show-cause notices issued to 86 faculty members, the notices issued to the office bearers, including the president and secretary of the IITTA, have still not been taken back, which is a serious concern since it can lead to disciplinary action like suspension," said a member of the IITTA, not wishing to be named.

The association now plans to file a writ petition in the Calcutta High Court this week, seeking to get a stay order on the disciplinary action initiated by the institute administration, the member added.

The institute had taken action against the faculty for speaking to the media even off the record.

Even though we had to resort to protests of late, all of this activity of recruiting faculty arbitrarily had been going on for the past four years since he was appointed as the director. It has been affecting the functioning of the institute as well as teachers morale," said a faculty member at the IIT.

In September, the IITTA had written to the Union Ministry of Education (MoE) against the alleged activities on part of the director.

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In response, the IIT administration issued show-cause notices to the office bearers of the association and initiated disciplinary action when they did not reply to the notices within the given seven-day period.

Upon this, faculty members signed a petition asking the administration to revoke the action, but the administration instead issued notices to the 86 signatories. Following this, it also removed three heads of departments, who were also signatories to the petition.

Location : Kharagpur, India

First Published: December 09, 2024, 10:34 IST
AAP Releases 2 Lists For Delhi Elections: Only 5 Of 31 Candidates Are Repeaters

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 20:09 IST

The AAP bagged two back-to-back elections in Delhi with a clear majority. In 2015, it bagged 67 of 70 seats, and in 2020, it got 62 seats

AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal is aiming to repeat the party's performance. (File)

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Monday released its second candidate list with 20 names. Only two sitting MLAs, Manish Sisodia and Rakhi Bidlan, have been repeated, but from seats different than those in 2020.

So far, the party has announced 31 of the total 70 candidates, and apart from these two MLAs, three failed candidates from 2020 have been repeated.

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For Gandhi Nagar, a seat bagged by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2020, the party has again trusted its failed candidate Naveen Choudhary (Deepu) in the second list.

In the first list of 11 candidates, issued in November, only two names from 2020 were repeated  Deepak Singhal, who failed to win the Vishwas Nagar seat, has been given another chance. Sarita Singh, another failed candidate from 2020, has been renamed from Rohtas Nagar.

On the remaining 26 seats, the party has trusted new names for the 2025 elections. On almost half of these seats, the party either trusted sitting or former councillors. At least three candidates were former councillors, including two from Congress, while nine were sitting councillors of the party.

On Sunday, News18 had reported that many new names and fresh faces would be given space in the lists expected in the next few days, while more incumbent MLAs might be dropped.

WHO WAS DROPPED? WHO GOT A CHANCE?

Among the names that were dropped in the latest list included Timarpur MLA Dilip Pandey, as reported on Sunday. Shahdara MLA Ram Niwas Goel had also not been included after he announced his retirement from electoral politics.

Pandey was replaced with Surender Pal Singh Bittu. Bittu fought against Pandey in the 2020 polls as a BJP candidate and lost. Bittu is a former MLA from the seat from BJP. Similarly, Goel, elected in 2015 and 2020, defeated then BJP candidate Jitender Singh Shunty in 2015 with around 12,000 votes in Shahdara. Shunty is the new AAP face from the seat. Both Bittu and Shunty joined AAP earlier this month.

News18 also reported that in the Patel Nagar seat, where AAP MLA Raaj Kumar Anand was elected in 2020, the party might field ex-BJP Yuva Morcha leader Parvesh Ratan, who joined the AAP this month. In 2020, Ratan had contested the elections from the Patel Nagar assembly constituency but was defeated by AAPs Anand. In July, Anand moved to the BJP.

In Deoli, three-time MLA Prakash Jarwal has been dropped, and Prem Kumar Chauhan, current AAP councillor, will fight. Trilokpuri MLA Rohit Kumar Mehraulia has also been dropped, and Anjana Parcha, a former councillor, has been selected for Trilokpuri.

Among the MLAs dropped was two-time winner from Jangpura Praveen Kumar. Former deputy chief minister and education minister Sisodia had replaced him in Jangpura. Sisodia was the MLA from Patparganj, elected in 2013, 2015 and 2020. But this time, he has been replaced with civil services teacher Avadh Ojha, who joined AAP earlier this month.

Just like Sisodia, three-time Mangolpuri MLA Bidlan has been moved from her traditional seat. The party has given her the Madipur assembly for 2025, dropping another three-time MLA Girish Soni. In Mangolpuri, councillor Rakesh Jatav Dharamrakshak had been given the chance.

Sharad Chauhan from Narela, who won in 2015 and 2020, had also been dropped and was replaced by Arjuna awardee Dinesh Bhardwaj, who served as the Captain of the Indian national kabaddi team that won Asiad gold medals in 2002 and 2006. Bhardwaj is a sitting councillor of AAP.

Pawan Kumar Sharma was elected from Adarsh Nagar in 2015 and 2020. The party has dropped his name and decided to field Adarsh Nagar ward councillor Mukesh Goel, who is also the Leader of House in Municipal Corporation of Delhi.

Rajesh Rishi was elected from Janakpuri in 2015 and 2020. But here also, the party has trusted Janakpuri councillor Pravin Kumar for the fight.

Two-time Palam MLA Bhavna Gaur has also been dropped, and social worker Joginder Solanki has been given a chance.

Mustafabad MLA Haji Yunus has been replaced by Adil Ahmad Khan  the state secretary of the party.

Just like in 2020, Mundka gets a new face this time too. Jasbir Karala, who moved to AAP from Congress in 2021, will fight for the seat for AAP. Karala is a sitting councillor of AAP. In 2020 also, the party replaced then-sitting MLA Sukhbir Singh Dalal and trusted Dharampal Lakra, who also moved to AAP from Congress.

A similar story is repeated in Bijwasan, where the sitting MLA was dropped just like 2020. A former Samajwadi Party leader and AAP councillor, Surendar Bharadwaj, has replaced sitting MLA Bhupender Singh Joon for the 2025 battle. Back in 2020, the party had to replace Devinder Sehrawat, the MLA elected in 2015, after he quit AAP little before the polls.

In 2020, the AAP fielded Parlad Singh Sawhney from Chandani Chowk after Alka Lamba, the then-sitting MLA, turned rebel. Sawhney was the four-time MLA from Congress and moved to AAP in 2019. The party dropped him for the 2025 elections, and his son, Purandeep Singh Sawhney, who is an AAP Councillor from Chandni Chowk, has been named from AAP.

Two-time MLA S K Bagga has also been replaced by his son Vikas Bagga in Krishna Nagar.

In Rohini, another seat bagged by the BJP in 2015 and 2020, the party has named sitting councillor Pradeep Mittal.

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The AAP bagged two back-to-back elections in Delhi with a clear majority. In 2015, it bagged 67 of 70 seats, and in 2020 it got 62 seats. For the 2025 elections, the party aims for a similar result.

In both the 2015 and 2020 polls, the BJP took away the remaining seats in Delhi. While the AAP has already launched multi-level campaigning and announced almost half of its candidates, the BJP is yet to kickstart a mega campaign in the city, that will go for polls in the next few weeks.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 20:09 IST
Once Inspired By 9/11 Attackers, Who Is Syrias Rebel Leader Abu Mohammad Al-Jolani? Explained

Curated By :

News18.com

Edited By: Shilpy Bisht



Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 14:09 IST

With the fall of Bashar al-Assad government in Syria, HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani has moved away from his Jihadist past and adopted a more modern approach in order to achieve his goals, which include safety of Syrians and minorities

Abu Mohammad al-Jolani had said he, unlike IS, has no intention of launching attacks against the West. (Photo: Omar Haj Kadour/AFP)

The Syrian rebels have overthrown the Bashar al-Assads Baath government in merely four days since the capture of the countrys second biggest city  Aleppo. Now, with Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) announcing the capture of capital Damascus, its leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani has come out to the fore to bolster his legitimacy, but in a new avatar.

Jolani, who has now dropped his pseudonym associated with the Jihadist past, has been using his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa in official communiques since Thursday.

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Once a Jihadist militant of the Syrian branch of al-Qaeda, Jolani has adopted a more modern approach in order to achieve his goals.

So, who was Jolani before and what has changed about him?

Who Was Jihadist Jolani?

Jolani was born Ahmed Hussein al-Sharaa in 1982 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where his father worked as a petroleum engineer until 1989, according to a 2021 PBS interview with him. He moved to Damascus after 1989. Little is known of his time in Damascus before he shifted in 2003 to Iraq, where he joined al-Qaeda.

He was arrested by US forces in Iraq in 2006 and held for five years. Al-Jolani was later tasked with establishing al-Qaedas branch in Syria, al-Nusra Front, which grew its influence in opposition-held areas, especially Idlib.

In 2011, the Arab Spring uprising against Assad triggered a brutal government crackdown and led to all-out war. Jolanis prominence grew when Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi sent him to Syria to establish a branch of al Qaida called the Nusra Front. The US labelled the new group as a terrorist organisation.

He started coordinating with al-Baghdadi, head of al-Qaedas Islamic State in Iraq, which later became ISIS. In April 2013, al-Baghdadi suddenly announced that he was severing ties with al-Qaeda and expanding into Syria, with the Nusra Front merging into a new group called ISIL.

But Jolani maintained his allegiance to al-Qaeda. From the beginning, he prioritised winning Syrian support, distancing himself from ISs brutality and stressing on a more pragmatic approach to jihad.

After 2014, he appeared to be distancing himself from al-Qaedas project of setting up a caliphate in Muslim-majoritty countries, and went on expanding his group along the Syrian borders.

By 2016, Aleppo fell to the HTS regime and the armed groups started to head to Idlib. By 2017, thousands of fighters fled Aleppo and Jolani announced the merger of a number of rebel groups with his HTS group.

Inspired By 9/11 Attack On America

According to news agency AFP, it was after the September 11, 2001 attacks that Jolani was first drawn to Jihadist ideology. It was as a result of this admiration for the 9/11 attackers that the first signs of jihadism began to surface in Jolanis life, as he began attending secretive sermons and panel discussions in marginalised suburbs of Damascus," the Middle East website, quoted by AFP, said.

He later became a member of Al-Qaeda. He splintered with other Islamic extremists in the region because did not want to launch revenge attacks on the West, according to reports.

When expressing his goal about the Assad government, Jolani in an interview to CNN had said earlier this week, When we talk about objectives, the goal of the revolution remains the overthrow of this regime. It is our right to use all available means to achieve that goal.

The seeds of the regimes defeat have always been within it the Iranians attempted to revive the regime, buying it time, and later the Russians also tried to prop it up. But the truth remains: this regime is dead."

Where Does Jolanis Ideology Stand As Of Today?

Western media has prompted some rebels to call for Jolani to step back, calling him a liability. But, with the fall of Assad government, Jolani has assured safety to Syrians, including minorities, and pledged peaceful relations with powers like Russia.

According to Hassan Hassan, a Syrian expert on armed groups in the Levant, quoted by Al Jazeera, Jolani wants to brand HTS as a credible governing entity in Syria and a possible partner in global counterterrorism efforts. HTS is currently labelled a terrorist" organisation by the United Nations, Turkey, the US and European Union.

With his power consolidated, Jolani is set for a transformation. Replacing his military garb with shirt and trousers, he has been calling for religious tolerance and pluralism. He appealed to the Druze community in Idlib, which the Nusra Front had previously targeted, and visited the families of Kurds who were killed by Turkish-backed militias, according to the Associated Press.

In an interview to AFP in May 2015, Jolani had said that he, unlike IS, had no intention of launching attacks against the West. He also proclaimed that should Assad be defeated, there would be no revenge attacks against the Alawite minority that the presidents clan stems from.

Yes, we have criticised Western policies," he told an American journalist on PBS in 2021. But to wage a war against the United States or Europe from Syria, thats not true. We didnt say we wanted to fight."

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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family fled the country on Sunday, and are taking refuge in Russia, bringing the nearly 14-year civil war to an end. Assads exit stood in stark contrast to his first months as Syrias unlikely president in 2000, when many hoped he would be a young reformer after three decades of his fathers iron grip.

The countrys war has killed nearly half a million people and displaced half of the countrys prewar population of 23 million.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 11:44 IST
Why The Fall Of Assad Government In Syria Could Be Bad News For India | Explained

Curated By :

News18.com

Edited By: Shilpy Bisht



Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 15:38 IST

The Bashar al-Assad government in Syria had supported India on the Kashmir issue. At the same time, India also refused to support sanctions against Syria and helped Damascus in development projects

Under the Narendra Modi government, India renewed bilateral ties with Syria after the country rejoined the Arab League in 2023. (AP Image)

With rebel forces claiming the fall of Bashar al-Assads government in Syria, India is watching cautiously the power shift in the restive Middle-Eastern country, which could have an impact over the ties between the two countries.

We are monitoring the situation in Syria in the light of on-going developments. We underline the need for all parties to work towards preserving the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria. We advocate a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political process respecting the interests and aspirations of all sections of Syrian society. Our Embassy in Damascus is in contact with the Indian community, for their safety and security," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on December 9.

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Both India and Syria have enjoyed cordial and peaceful diplomatic relations under the Assad regime. But with the fall of Assad government, there could be shift in the dynamics between the two countries.

History Of India And Syrias Relations

Assad has been ruling Syria since 2000, with his father Hafez al-Assad being in power since 1971.

During the civil war in 2011, India adopted a position favouring conflict resolution through a non-military and a Syrian-led political process. India maintained relations with Syria even at the peak of the civil war when several nations isolated Damascus and it was expelled from the Arab League.

India helped Syria in key development projects, including providing a $240 million line of credit for a power plant, investment in IT infrastructure, steel plant modernization, oil sector and exports of rice, pharmaceuticals and textiles.

India also refused to support sanctions against Syria during the Covid-19 pandemic, citing humanitarian concerns. New Delhi also called for non-interference by foreign countries.

Under the Narendra Modi government, India renewed bilateral ties with Syria after the country rejoined the Arab League in 2023. Then Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan was on a significant ministerial-level visit to Damascus in July 2023.

When Syria Supported India On The Kashmir Issue

While India supported Syria on several international issues, including the Palestinian cause and Syrias claim over Golan Heights, Damascus backed New Delhis position on Kashmir, maintaining that it is an internal issue of the country.

In 2016, Syrian Ambassador to India Riad Abbas had said Kashmir was an internal issue of India. Anyone who raises a weapon against the government, we call them terrorists, and the government must take action against them," Abbas had told The Hindu.

He had also said that Syria is looking up to India for assistance in re-building the war-ravage country.

India Is Cautious

Experts believe that Indias close ties with Syria would have helped New Delhi to further leverage its relations with the Middle Eastern countries. But with the rebel group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, backed by Turkey, claiming victory over Syria, New Delhi is closely watching how the situation unfolds in the troubled country.

Recently, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan did not mention the Kashmir issue at the United Nations, which many viewed as a sign of improving the India-Turkey relations.

New Delhi has issued a travel advisory asking Indians to avoid travelling to Syria and urged those staying there to exercise utmost precaution" and restrict their movements. In view of the situation prevailing in Syria, Indian nationals are advised to avoid all travel to Syria until further notification Those who can, are advised to leave by the earliest available commercial flights and others are requested to observe utmost precaution about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum," the MEA said.

Is Islamic State Coming Back?

The rebel groups led by HTS in Syria had its origins in al-Qaeda, which has been declared a terrorist organisation by the US and United Nations. Although HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani has said he has severed ties with al-Qaeda, and the aim of his outfit was to overthrow the Assad government and not launch attacks on the west, western countries and India are cautious.

The HTS is backed by Turkey, had claimed regions in northern Syria after the US withdrawal of forces from there. HTS started out as a branch of the Islamic State of Iraq, when it was founded in January 2012 as Jabhat al-Nusrah. Aaron Y. Zelin, a senior fellow at Washington Institute, said when Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi brought the organization from Iraq to Syria in April 2013, Jolani disavowed Baghdadi and pledged allegiance to Ayman al-Zawahiri, then the leader of al-Qaeda." Later, Jolani left al-Qaeeda and focused on expanding HTS.

Since the US militarys withdrawal from Syria, many Americans have been worried that the move would give the Islamic State a chance to rise again.

Recently, the US military conducted a series of airstrikes against the Islamic State after Assad fled to Russia. The Pentagon said the attacks were precision airstrikes and it does not believe there were any civilian casualties. The US military is still conducting a battle damage assessment, according to US Central Command.

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President Joe Biden has said the end of Assads presidency was in part due to US support for Israels war on Gaza and its fight against Hezbollah in Lebanon, as well as support for groups in Syria and Iraq that weakened Syrias close ally, Iran.

He also said the US forces will remain in northeast Syria, where they support the Kurdish-led Syrian Defence Forces against Islamic State. About 900 US troops are currently in the northeast of the country.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 14:14 IST
Andhra Pradesh: 16-Year-Old Girl Dies After Stalker Sets Her On Fire For Rejecting His Advances

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 20:15 IST

According to police, the accused Raghavendra had been proposing to the victim for over three years but she kept refusing her advances.

The accused barged into the girl's room and poured petrol on her. (Image: Representative/PTI)

In a shocking incident, a 16-year-old girl in Andhra Pradeshs Nandyal district died after she was set on fire by a stalker, who attacked her in retaliation for refusing his advances. The accused, identified as 21-year-old Raghavendra, suffered 70 per cent burns in the fire he started, according to police.

Police said the accused had been proposing to the victim for more than three years, but the girl turned down his advances every time. She was on her way to her grandparents home in Nandyal, but Raghavendra followed her there.

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On Monday night, Raghavendra reached the home of the victims grandparents and knocked on the door of the room the girl was sleeping in. As she opened the door, he entered and locked the door from the inside, then proceeded to allegedly pour petrol on the victim and set her on fire.

The victim was allegedly gagged by the accused so she was unable to scream for help. She was staying with her grandparents in Nandikotkuru. Around 4 am, there was some commotion, and he (Raghavendra) came out with severe burns. By then, the girl was completely burnt," a police officer told news agency PTI.

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Raghavendra initially claimed it was an accident" but later tried to escape, but he was apprehended by locals and handed over to the police. Andhra Pradesh Home Minister Anitha V condemned the incident and asked the police to form several teams to investigate the case. The accused is currently receiving treatment.

(with agency inputs)

Location : Amaravati, India

First Published: December 09, 2024, 20:15 IST
Assads Fall May Boost IS Presence In India, Reignite Kashmir Issue, Warn Intel Sources | Exclusive

Reported By :

CNN-News18

Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 15:38 IST

Sources said Indian nationals who joined Islamic State in Syria may attempt to return to India, which could lead to increased terror activities in the country

A man tears up a photo of Syrian President Bashar Assad in front of the Syrian embassy in Belgrade. (AP)

The fall of Syrias Bashar-al-Assad has increased worries for Indian agencies who warn that Islamic State (IS)s presence in India may get a boost and reignite the Kashmir issue, given that the ousted President had thrown his weight behind India after the abrogation of Article 370.

The Islamic State may look for Indian youth for recruitment for more activities. For Muslims, jihad grounds may be cultivated. IS may try to interfere in the Kashmir issue again with the fall of Assad," they said.

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The sources said Islamic State was trying to reconstitute itself in Syria and theres a high likelihood of increased terrorist activities in the region.

One major concern is the potential resurgence of IS and other terrorist groups in the region. This could lead to increased terrorist activities in India, as Indian nationals who joined IS in Syria may attempt to return to India. Another challenge is the potential for instability in the region, which could impact Indias energy security and economic interests. The situation also poses a challenge for Indias counter-terrorism efforts."

The sources said India need to strengthen its intelligence gathering and sharing capabilities to address the potential threat from terrorist groups in Syria.

According to various reports and estimates, around 100-150 Indians are believed to have travelled to Syria and Iraq to join the terror organisation. Some notable cases of Indians joining IS in Syria include:

1. Areeb Majeed: A 23-year-old engineering student from Mumbai who joined IS in 2014.

2. Fahad Tanvir Sheikh: A 27-year-old from Thane, Maharashtra, who joined IS in 2014.

3. Saheem Tanvir Farooqi: A 27-year-old from Thane, Maharashtra, who joined IS in 2014.

CNN-News18 had also reported earlier that Assads fall could hit Indias energy and trade interests. India has been providing humanitarian assistance to Syria, and an escalation of the crisis could lead to increased demands on the countrys resources.

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India has significant trade and economic interests in Syria in the energy sector. ONGC Videsh Limited (OVL) has a 60 per cent participating interest in Exploration Block-24 in Syria. Any disruption to these operations could impact Indias energy security and economic interests," they said.

India and Syria have a significant energy relationship, with India being one of the largest buyers of Syrian oil. India imports around 1,00,000-1,50,000 barrels of oil per day from Syria and oil import is around 2-3 billion dollars per year. India has provided technical assistance and investment for upgrading Syrias refineries which is going to be impacted."

First Published: December 09, 2024, 15:38 IST
Bengaluru Auto Driver Demands Excess Fare, Threatens To Beat Up Student When He Refuses

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 20:18 IST

The student, in a series of posts, shared the distressing encounter on social media and alleged that the driver threatened to beat him up outside his office and even racially abused him and his friend

The student tagged the Bengaluru police and the Namma Yatri in his posts on X, where he also shared videos and screenshots of the app showing the ride details. (Image: @fak3eer/X)

A 20-year-old college student, who is in Bengaluru for an internship, was allegedly harassed and threatened by an auto-rickshaw driver when he refused to pay excess fare demanded by the man.

The student, in a series of posts, shared the distressing encounter on social media and alleged that the driver threatened to beat him up outside his office and even racially abused him and his friend. And, all because he refused to pay him an additional Rs 200 for a trip booked on the Namma Yatri app.

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Got harassed and threatened by a Bengaluru auto driver. He has told me that he will beat me up outside my office whenever I go. And said racial slurs. He was asking for 200rs extra out of nowhere. Just a 20 year college student returning back from my internship," (sic) he wrote in a post on X.

Got harassed and threatened by a Bengaluru auto driver. He has told me that he will beat me up outside my office whenever I go. And said racial slurs. He was asking for 200rs extra out of nowhere. Just a 20 year college student returning back from my internship @nammayatri pic.twitter.com/GwsYPqMrCI Fak3eer (@fak3eer) December 6, 2024

According to the student, he booked a trip on the Namma Yatri app for Rs 380 from his workplace in Bellandur to his paying guest accommodation in Mallasandra. But, he alleged, the driver unexpectedly demanded an additional Rs 200 for the 24-km journey, following which the two got into a heated argument.

He further alleged that when he refused to pay the excess amount, the man barged into his PG accommodation and threatened to attack him. He was accompanied by two of his aides, who were in an inebriated condition, he added.

The student further said he paid the auto-rickshaw driver Rs 500 for his own safety, with Rs 400 in cash and Rs 100 via UPI. Had to pay him 500rs (400cash + 100upi) instead of 380rs(as shown on the app) so he left me and my friend alone as he called two of his drunk friends who were going to beat us. Continuously calling us slurs," (sic) he added.

Had to pay him 500rs (400cash + 100upi) instead of 380rs(as shown on app) so he leaves me and my friend alone as he called two of his drunk friends who were going to beat us. Continuously calling us slurs. @CMofKarnataka @GabbbarSingh @gharkekalesh @abhiandniyu @juspay pic.twitter.com/k7s1ZvtFUg Fak3eer (@fak3eer) December 6, 2024

The student tagged the Bengaluru police and the Namma Yatri app in his posts on X, where he also shared videos and screenshots of the app showing the trip amount.

Both the police and auto-rickshaw aggregator reached out to the student, asking for details of the incident for further action. The app responded to the student saying: Hi there. We deeply regret the experience you went through. Situations like this are unacceptable. Your safety and comfort are paramount to us, and well continue working to ensure incidents like this dont occur. Please DM us for any assistance."

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@fak3eer Raghav, we hope our team has connected with you. Weve taken immediate action by blocking the driver from our platform and have initiated the refund. Thank you for bringing this to our attention. Namma Yatri (@nammayatri) December 7, 2024

The app gave the student a refund and blocked the drivers account. Later, the student said he had received a refund of Rs 120. Raghav, we hope our team has connected with you. Weve taken immediate action by blocking the driver from our platform and have initiated the refund. Thank you for bringing this to our attention," the app wrote on X.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 20:12 IST
End Of Syrian Civil War: What It Means For India, Russia, Israel & America

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 13:52 IST

International governments welcomed the end of the Assads' autocratic government, as they sought to take stock of a new-look Middle East

An anti-government fighter tears down a portrait of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in Aleppo, after jihadists and their allies entered the northern Syrian city. (IMAGE: AFP)

Syrian rebels on Sunday declared they had overthrown President Bashar al-Assad after taking over capital Damascus, ending the 13-year civil war and more than 50 years of his familys brutal rule.

The lightning advance of a militia alliance spearheaded by Hayat al-Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate, marked one of the biggest turning points for the Middle East in generations. Assads fall wiped out a bastion from which Iran and Russia exercised influence across the Arab world.

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Moscow gave asylum to Assad and his family, Russian media reported and Mikhail Ulyanov, Russias ambassador to international organisations in Vienna, said on his Telegram channel on Sunday.

International governments welcomed the end of the Assads autocratic government, as they sought to take stock of a new-look Middle East.

Heres what the change would mean for Syrias neighbours and major global players:

TURKEY

Turkey has effectively normalised its control over parts of northern Syria and is a crucial partner of rebel groups that fought against Assad. Turkey has denied any direct involvement in recent escalations, but its strategic goals align with those of the current offensives.

HEZBOLLAH AND IRAN

Hezbollah and Iran have been important supporters of Assads government. However, the increasing crisis may jeopardise Irans diplomatic attempts with Arab and Western countries. Iran has begun to relocate key military personnel to safer locations, such as Lebanon and Iraq.

RUSSIA

Russias involvement since 2015 has been critical to Assads survival. Moscow has confirmed its steadfast backing, stepping up airstrikes on opposition-held territory. The Kremlin has also urged its residents in Syria to depart on operating commercial flights.

ISRAEL

Despite numerous Israeli bombings on Iranian-backed forces in Syria, Assad has avoided retribution. Israels efforts seek to undermine Hezbollah and Irans dominance in the area while indirectly assisting rebels.

UNITED STATES

The United States initially supported opposition forces and currently keeps approximately 900 troops in Kurdish-controlled areas to combat terrorism and secure oil resources.

IMPLICATIONS FOR INDIA

Instability in Syria is likely to affect West Asian oil supply routes, essential for Indias energy needs.

The civil war disrupted trade routes and raised logistics expenses. Security concerns led to the abandonment of Indias oil investments in Syria. Additionally, the conflict caused merchandise imports to be disrupted and transportation costs to rise.

Indias act of balancing its relations with Israel, Russia, and the United States may prove difficult.

India, a member of the BRICS, reframed the Syrian War as a terrorist issue with potential global repercussions during the 2017 Summit.

India has always wanted the Syrian crisis to end peacefully while protecting peoples human rights. India can demonstrate its commitment to peace through international diplomacy.

Syria, under the leadership of Bashar al-Assad and his late father Hafez al-Assad backed Indias position on Kashmir for decades. This stance has set Syria apart within the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). However, the change in regime is likely to affect it.

SAFETY MEASURES FOR CITIZENS

India: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has advised Indian nationals to avoid all travel to Syria until further notice. Indians currently in Syria are asked to contact the Indian embassy in Damascus for updates. MEA has issued an Indian emergency helpline number, available on WhatsApp and email at hoc.damascus@mea.gov.in.

Russia: Russian citizens residing in Syria have been reminded by Russias Embassy in Damascus that they may be able to depart the country on commercial flights via operational airports. An Embassy-issued helpline number that can also be found on Telegram.

China: Chinese citizens were advised by the Chinese embassy in Damascus to either return to China or leave the country as early as possible. Because commercial flights are still operating, the embassy is advised to take advantage of this fact. Several helpline numbers were issued by the Embassy.

United States: The Czech Republic is the safeguarding force for American interests in Syria because the US Embassy in Damascus has not been operational since 2012, according to a security alert issued by the US government. The US government advised its citizens not to rely on the US government and to leave Syria. American citizens in Syria who require emergency aid but are unable to get in touch with the Czech Embassys U.S. Interests Section should get in touch with the American Embassy in Jordan, Amman. The U.S. Interests Section provided an emergency helpline number for citizens in and outside of Syria to reach the American Embassy in Jordan and the Czech Embassy in Damascus.

EVACUATIONS UNDERWAY

Indonesia: The government has activated contingency plans for its 1,162 citizens, urging immediate compliance with evacuation orders.

Italy: Italy has developed evacuation plans, with Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stating that the government is prepared to ensure citizens safe exit through national and international efforts.

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This conflict, marked by geopolitical rivalries and humanitarian crises, continues to undermine global and regional stability. Nations are prioritising their citizens safety while navigating Syrias evolving conflict landscape.

With Agency Inputs

First Published: December 09, 2024, 13:52 IST
INDIA Bloc Could Move No-Confidence Motion Against Rajya Sabha Chairman Dhankhar

Reported By :

News18.com

Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee



Last Updated: December 10, 2024, 13:33 IST

Sources said in its motion, the opposition has alleged "partisan functioning" in the House, and all parties, including the Trinamool Congress, Aam Aadmi Party and Samajwadi Party, have signed it

The INDIA bloc alleged partisan functioning in the House on part of Rajya Sabha chairman and Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar. (Image: PTI/File)

Alleging partisan functioning", the INDIA bloc is likely to move a no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar.

According to sources, all opposition parties, including the Trinamool Congress (TMC), Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Samajwadi Party (SP), have signed the motion, which will be moved under Article 67(B) of the Constitution.

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Earlier, the Rajya Sabha was adjourned for the day on Monday amid uproar over the BJP accusing top Congress leaders of colluding with billionaire investor George Soros to destabilise the country, with Dhankhar cautioning that functioning of the deep state affects us more perniciously than the Covid disease".

Amid uproar by treasury and opposition benches when the Upper House reassembled at 3 pm after three adjournments, he said a meeting was held in his chamber between the Leader of the House and Leader of the Opposition.

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The purpose of that meeting was to ensure that the House runs smoothly. Both sides had a frank discussion and they signalled two things. One, that integrity, and sovereignty of the nation are sacred for us. We cannot allow any forces within the country or outside to sacrilege our unity, our integrity and our sovereignty," he said, adding that the leaders have agreed to meet in his chamber again at 10.30 am on Tuesday (December 10).

The Vice President then appealed to all members to carefully consider the oath of the Constitution they have taken to ensure the integrity of the nation on a priority basis. Any challenge to the unity and integrity of the nation from within or outside requires all of us to offer a united challenge It is a challenge to our very existence. We as a nation are committed to fighting the sinister forces, the forces that are inimical to India a deep state that is evolving is required to be neutralised by all of us," he said.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 16:13 IST
India Raised Concerns Over Minorities In Bangladesh: Foreign Secy Vikram Misri In Dhaka

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 20:15 IST

Foreign secretary Vikram Misri said the talks with Bangladesh gave India an opportunity to take stock of the situation after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government

Foreign secretary Vikram Misri met Bangladesh foreign adviser Md Touhid Hossain in Dhaka on December 9. (Image: ANI)

India on Monday said it raised concerns over the safety of minorities in Bangladesh, and stressed on its desire to establish a close working relationship with the neighbouring country.

Speaking to reporters after he met Bangladesh foreign adviser Md Touhid Hossain in Dhaka, foreign secretary Vikram Misri said the talks gave India an opportunity to take stock of the situation after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government.

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We want positive relationship with Bangladesh, which will mutually benefit us. I emphasised that India desires a positive, constructive, and beneficial relationship with Bangladesh. We want people-centric relationship, and we have a desire to work closely with the current interim government in Bangladesh," he said.

#WATCH | Dhaka, Bangladesh | Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri says, "Today's discussions have given both of us the opportunity to take stock of our relations and I appreciate the opportunity today to have had a frank, candid and constructive exchange of views with all my https://t.co/fSx7p5UDpw pic.twitter.com/ZGqJNqkXKy ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2024

Misri said he raised concerns over the safety of minorities in Bangladesh, particularly in wake of the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das and attacks on Hindus in recent weeks. There have been a spate of incidents of violence against Hindus and other minorities, as well as attacks on temples in Bangladesh in the last few weeks that triggered strong concerns in New Delhi. This has led to strained relations between the two countries.

#WATCH | Dhaka: After meeting Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain of Bangladesh, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri says, " We also discussed recent developments and I conveyed our concerns including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities We also discussed pic.twitter.com/FUXzwluzqs ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2024

We also discussed recent developments and I conveyed our concerns including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities We also discussed regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural and religious properties", he said.

He met Hossain on a courtesy call after conducting high-level talks with his Bangladesh counterpart Mohammad Jashim Uddin, amid strained bilateral relations between the two countries following Hasinas ouster in August.

Indias foreign secretary arrived in Dhaka earlier in the day on an Indian Air Force (IAF) jet for a days visit. Soon after his arrival, he met Jashim Uddin and held one-on-one talks before the formal meeting with delegates from both sides.

It is the first high-level visit by an Indian official since August 5 when Hasina was ousted. Officials said the Bangladeshi side will hold a media briefing later about the talks, which were expected to feature all issues of bilateral ties.

A day before the meeting on Sunday (December 8), Hossain expressed optimism that Bangladesh and India will be able to overcome the kind of stalemate that the two neighbouring countries witnessed over the last couple of months.

We expect that we will be able to overcome this impasse. Establishing mutual communication and meeting each other is very important to overcome any such stalemate," he said.

He, however, said it was also important to note that the relations between Bangladesh and India witnessed changes after 5 August, and both sides need to try and take forward the relations, accepting this changed reality.

The close ties came under severe strain after Hasina was forced to leave the country in the face of a massive anti-government protests in August. Nobel Peace laureate Mohammad Yunus came to power days after Hasina fled to India.

Interim government head Yunus earlier said India might not have liked the revolution" ousting a fascist regime. Members of his interim cabinet said Indian media was largely exaggerating the harassment of minorities.

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In September, foreign affairs adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain met briefly with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar in New York on the sidelines of a UN general assembly meeting. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Yunus led their respective delegations at the UN summit of heads of state and government in September but had no meeting.

(With PTI inputs)

First Published: December 09, 2024, 15:45 IST
Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav: Who Is Allahabad High Court Judge In Eye Of A Storm?

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 21:46 IST

This is not the first time Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav has been in the news for controversial remarks. In the past, too, he has been known to pronounce judgments coloured by religious and ideological overtones

Allahabad HC judge Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav speaks at the VHP event on December 8. (Image: X)

Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav, a sitting judge of the Allahabad High Court, has once again courted controversy with his comments on how India will only operate as per the wishes of the majority.

This is, however, not the first time Justice Yadav has been in the news for his controversial remarks. In the past, too, he has been known to pronounce judgments coloured by religious and ideological overtones  from Ram to cow protection to religious conversion.

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A day after the high court judge addressed a provincial convention of the legal cell and high court unit of the Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP), videos of him speaking on provocative issues, including the law working as per the majority, were circulated widely. This triggered a strong reaction from different opposition parties, which questioned his reported statements and labelled them hate speech.

I have no hesitation in stating that this is Hindustan, and this country will function according to the wishes of the majority living here. This is the law. It is not about speaking as a high court judge; rather, the law operates in accordance with the bahusankhyak (majority)," he was quoted from his lecture on the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) at the event.

He did not stop there. He used a derogatory slur against Muslims  kathmullah"  referring to them as extremists and cautioning India against the community.

WHO IS HE?

According to the Allahabad High Court website, Justice Shekhar Kumar Yadav graduated in law from Allahabad University in 1988 and enrolled as an advocate on September 8, 1990.

He then practised at the Allahabad High Court taking up in civil and constitutional matters. He has worked as an additional government advocate, standing counsel for the state, additional chief standing counsel, senior counsel of the Union of India and senior counsel of railway.

Till he was elevated as an HC judge, Justice Yadav worked as a standing counsel of VBS Purvanchal University in Jaunpur. He took oath as an additional judge in December 2019 and then as a permanent judge in March 2021.

OTHER CONTROVERSIES

A report published by Bar and Bench website said in October 2021, Justice Yadav urged the central government to introduce a law to honour Hindu deities Ram and Krishna, as well as the Ramayana and Mahabharata, Bhagavad Gita among others. He said the Supreme Courts decision in the Ram Janmabhoomi dispute was in favour of those who believe in Ram".

Ram resides in the heart of every citizen of this country, he is the soul of India. The culture of this country is incomplete without Rama," he was quoted. He stressed this law was needed to educate children by making it a compulsory subject in all the schools".

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He was in the news earlier over the observations he made in a case of cow slaughter in September 2021. Cow should be declared the national animal and cow protection should be kept in the fundamental rights of Hindus because when the culture and faith of the country is hurt, the country becomes weak."

He had termed the cow to have an important place in Indian culture. The great importance of cow has been shown in Indian Vedas, Puranas, Ramayana etc. For this reason, cow is the basis of our culture. It is not that only Hindus have understood the importance of cow. Muslims also considered cow as an important part of Indian culture and Muslim rulers had banned the slaughter of cows during their rule," he had observed.

Location : Allahabad Cantonment, India

First Published: December 09, 2024, 21:46 IST
Kerala Lottery Results 9.12.2024: Win Win W-799 Winners Announced; Full List Here!

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: December 12, 2024, 09:50 IST

Kerala Lottery Results: Here's FULL LIST of winning numbers for Win Win W-799 lucky draw for Monday, December 9.

Kerala Lottery Win Win W-799 Result: The first prize winner of Win Win W-799 will get Rs 75 lakh. (Image: Shutterstock)

KERALA LOTTERY WIN WIN W-799 RESULT ON MONDAY, 9.12.2024, LIVE UPDATES: The Kerala State Lottery Department has announced the results of the Win Win W-799 lucky draw for Monday, December 9. The participant with ticket number WW 819745 has won the first prize jackpot of Rs 75 lakh. The second prize of Rs 5 lakh will be awarded to the person holding ticket number WY 719048. The first prize winning ticket was sold at Ernakulam by an agent Reny Varghese (Agency No.: E 4732), while the second prize winning ticket was sold at Palakkad by Ashik V (Agency No.: P 4344). Check the full list of winning numbers below.

ALSO READ: Kerala Lottery Results 12.12.2024: Karunya Plus KN-551 Winners; First Prize Rs 80 Lakh!

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FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS FOR WIN WIN W-799 LOTTERY

WINNING NUMBERS FOR CONSOLATION PRIZE OF RS 8,000 ARE

WN 819745

WO 819745

WP 819745

WR 819745

WS 819745

WT 819745

WU 819745

WV 819745

WX 819745

WY 819745

WZ 819745

WINNING NUMBER FOR 1ST PRIZE OF RS 75 LAKH IS WW 819745 (ERNAKULAM)

Agent Name: RENY VARGHESE

Agency No.: E 4732

WINNING NUMBER FOR 2ND PRIZE OF RS 5 LAKH IS WY 719048 (PALAKKAD)

Agent Name: ASHIK V

Agency No.: P 4344

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 3RD PRIZE OF RS 1 LAKH ARE

WN 619049

WO 819542

WP 907297

WR 182359

WS 994016

WT 767229

WU 644495

WV 722850

WW 470677

WX 778452

WY 745875

WZ 307919

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 4TH PRIZE OF RS 5,000 ARE

0914 0963 1197 2708 3259 4203 4323 4338 4341 4871 4972 5555 6623 7519 8247 8320 8672 9925

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 5TH PRIZE OF RS 2,000 ARE

1537 2468 2605 3774 5007 5311 5580 5927 6571 7932

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 6TH PRIZE OF RS 1,000 ARE

0583 1040 2177 2748 2767 3495 3733 4318 5466 8167 8858 9142 9258 9929

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 7TH PRIZE OF RS 500 ARE

0134 0297 0300 0319 0441 0527 0637 0711 0777 0836 1008 1059 1326 1373 1726 1763 1787 1798 1857 1933 2061 2128 2180 2394 2466 2535 2560 3178 3180 3291 3454 3844 3938 3946 4007 4032 4195 4204 4296 4342 4556 4659 4770 4830 5310 5423 5501 5701 5717 5801 5867 6126 6340 6436 6553 6765 6770 6877 7173 7349 7437 7488 7555 8004 8063 8205 8219 8235 8866 8867 8944 9168 9185 9326 9357 9425 9507 9644 9662 9800 9828 9942

WINNING NUMBERS FOR 8TH PRIZE OF RS 100 ARE

0078 0084 0174 0213 0221 0278 0402 0498 0624 0698 0699 0760 0974 0982 1085 1094 1153 1175 1222 1293 1296 1386 1463 1501 1594 1740 1839 1941 2012 2073 2155 2200 2245 2369 2373 2577 2636 2828 2891 2984 3031 3137 3328 3359 3544 3571 3590 3687 3780 3821 4056 4096 4216 4288 4343 4502 4534 4664 4682 4744 4806 4997 5076 5250 5255 5339 5372 5436 5475 5493 5500 5591 5846 5905 5935 6041 6095 6142 6154 6307 6516 6559 6792 7110 7133 7255 7380 7470 7485 7635 7653 7732 7880 7946 8064 8198 8202 8313 8325 8434 8440 8591 8602 8634 8643 8650 8758 8775 8776 8797 8938 8965 9141 9267 9287 9294 9295 9356 9416 9491 9503 9526 9653 9718 9840 9971

KERALA LOTTERY RESULTS TODAY: WIN WIN W-799 PRIZE STRUCTURE

1st Prize: Rs 75 lakh

2nd Prize: Rs 5 lakh

3rd Prize: Rs 1 lakh

4th Prize: Rs 5000

5th Prize: Rs 2000

6th Prize: Rs 1000

7th Prize: Rs 500

8th Prize: Rs 100

Consolation Prize: Rs 8,000

HOW TO CHECK KERALA WIN WIN W-799 LOTTERY RESULTS?

The official Kerala Lottery Department website, keralalottery.info, will publish the results of the Win-Win W-799 lottery. Alternatively, you can visit the Kerala Government Gazette office in person to verify the results.

HOW TO CLAIM PRIZE MONEY?

To check if youve won, match your ticket number with the draw results published in the Kerala Government Gazette. If your ticket number matches the winning number, you could be a lucky winner. Winners must collect their prize from the Kerala Lottery headquarters at Gorky Bhavan within 30 days after the results are announced. For prize collection, remember to bring your winning ticket and a valid photo ID for verification.

HOW TO DOWNLOAD A PDF WITH A FULL LIST OF WINNING NUMBERS?

Go to the official website of the Kerala Lottery Department at keralalotteries.info or keralalotteryresult.net.

Look for and click on the link for the Win-Win W-799 lottery results.

The results page will display all the winning numbers for the draw.

Locate the option to download the results from the website.

Click the provided link to access and view the lottery results in PDF format.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED TO CLAIM PRIZE MONEY?

A self-attested copy of the winning ticket, with passport-sized photos on both sides, signed by a Gazette official.

A signed copy of the participants PAN card.

Complete the award money receipt form online and submit it along with a revenue stamp.

Provide identity verification documents, such as voter ID, PAN card, Aadhaar card, and ration card.

Christmas-New Year Bumper Lottery 2025: First Prize Rs 20 Crore

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The Kerala State Lottery Department has announced the Christmas-New Year bumper lottery for 2024-25, with tickets priced at Rs 400. The winner of the first prize will get Rs 20 crore. The second prize of Rs 1 crore will be awarded to 20 winners, with two winners per series. The third prize offers Rs 25 lakh each to 10 winners, and the fourth and fifth prizes will each be awarded to 10 winners.

The total prize money for the lottery amounts to Rs 90.88 crore. A total of 90 lakh tickets, amounting to Rs 281.25 crore, have been printed, and the tickets are available in ten series.

Location : Thiruvananthapuram [Trivandrum], India

First Published: December 09, 2024, 09:00 IST
Maha Kumbh: UP Governments Invites To Take A Leaf Out Of Akshay Vat, India's Heritage

Reported By :

News18.com

Edited By: Manjiri Joshi



Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 19:54 IST

The leaves of Akshay Vat, also referred to as an indestructible sacred banyan tree situated inside Akbars fort on the banks of the river Yamuna, will be part of the cultural gift from India

PM Narendra Modi during his visit to Akshayvat in 2018. (News18 File)

Why is the Uttar Pradesh (UP) government sending leaves from the centuries-old Akshay Vat, the ancient banyan tree in Prayagraj, to more than 100 countries along with invitations for the upcoming Maha Kumbh from January 13 to February 26?

The leaves of Akshay Vat, also referred to as an indestructible sacred tree which is situated inside Akbars fort on the banks of the river Yamuna, will be part of the cultural gift from India. The gift will include a traditional basket made up of moonj grass, water of the river Ganga and diyas made up of cow dung, incense sticks and other traditional items.

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Officials with the UP government have assigned the task of preparing cultural gift baskets, which will accompany invitations to delegates from at least 100 countries, to women-led self-help groups under the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), Ministry of Rural Development.

Its nothing but an attempt to showcase our rich Indian culture and make the world aware of our roots," said a UP government official.

And nothing would have been better than sending a leaf of Prayagrajs Akshay Vat, the indestructible tree mentioned in Hindu mythology with a great history, along with other traditional items that represent our tradition and rich culture," the official added.

THE GRAND OLD BANYAN TREE

Standing on the banks of the Yamuna, the centuries-old Akshay Vat holds immense significance for Prayagraj and Sanatanis, who regard it as an essential stop to complete their pilgrimage. Its a mythological tree. Pilgrims ensure they visit it after taking a holy dip at the Sangam to complete their pilgrimage," said Professor Yogeshwar Tiwari, History Professor at Allahabad University.

Prayers at Akshay Vat are believed to fulfil spiritual aspirations, making it a focal point for saints and pilgrims, especially during the grand festival," said Tiwari.

According to Hindu mythology, Lord Ram visited Bharadwaj Munis ashram in Prayag during his forest journey, where Muni narrated the importance of the banyan tree. Blessed by Sita, Akshay Vat is said to be the only tree to survive the deluge that submerged the earth. Mentioned in Kalidasas Raghuvansha and the travelogue of Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang, Akshay Vat is believed to grant Akshaya Punya (eternal virtue) to those who visit it. India is home to four such sacred Banyan trees: Akshay Vat in Prayagraj, Griddhavat in Soron, Siddhavat in Ujjain, and Vanshivat in Vrindavan," he pointed out.

MUGHALS FAILED TO DESTROY AKSHAY VAT

He said Akshay Vat is also said to be an indestructible banyan tree. It is believed that despite 23 attempts by the Mughals to destroy it, the tree survived and still stands tall in its full glory. However, having been located within Akbars fort on the banks of the Yamuna, Akshay Vat faced restricted access during the Mughal and British eras. Even after Indias independence, the fort remained under military control, making it difficult for the public to visit this revered tree.

2018 MARKED A SIGNIFICANT MILESTONE FOR AKSHAY VAT

The year 2018 marked a significant milestone for the Akshay Vat. During his December 17, 2018, rally in the Andawan area, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Akshay Vat and Saraswati Koop and announced their opening to devotees. The site was formally inaugurated on January 10, 2019, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath offering prayers.

Initially, the army had granted access only until March 31, 2019, creating uncertainty among Prayagraj Mela Authority officials about whether public access would continue. However, during the formal closing ceremony of the 49-day Kumbh Mela on March 5, 2019, at Parade Ground, CM Yogi Adityanath announced that Akshay Vat and Saraswati Koop would remain open for devotees 11 months annually, with one month reserved for routine army operations. Since then, Akshay Vat has been accessible to the public.

PM MODI MAY INAUGURATE AKSHAY VAT CORRIDOR

In 2023, the Uttar Pradesh government took another significant step to revive the mythological Akshay Vat by allocating a budget of Rs18 crore under the Smart City project. After a meeting between the Prayagraj Development Authority (PDA) and army officials, both sides agreed to expedite the construction of a corridor leading to the sacred tree.

The project included building a grand entrance gate, renovating railings and floors along the pathway, and installing attractive lighting, LED screen lights, facade lights, and a sound system for the beautification of the Akshay Vat complex. The devotees can now perform Parikrama (circumambulation) of the holy tree, believed to fulfil wishes, along a newly constructed path with enhanced facilities and a new protective fence. The project aims to offer pilgrims a spiritually enriching experience in a modernised setting. The corridor, which represents a blend of tradition and modernity, is expected to be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

ONLY FALLEN AKSHAY VAT LEAVES WOULD BE PART OF THE GIFT

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There is nothing better than sending the leaf of Akshay Vat as a part of Indias rich heritage," said Rajiv Kumar, Deputy Commissioner of the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM).

The gift basket, made of traditional moonj grass, will also contain holy Ganga water, cow-dung-based diyas, and fragrant incense named Ganga-Yamuna-Saraswati. Kumar added that women-led self-help groups (SHGs) have begun crafting and packing these baskets. Only fallen Akshay Vat leaves in good condition are collected, as plucking is prohibited. Efforts are made to ensure uniformity in the size and shape of the leaves so that each guest receives a consistent and meaningful gift.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 19:37 IST
Missile Frigate INS Tushil Inducted Into Indian Navy In Russia

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 21:54 IST

The warship is expected to significantly bolster the Indian Navy's operational capability in the Indian Ocean, a region that has witnessed increasing forays by China's PLA Navy in the last few years

INS Tushil has been constructed in Russia as part of an over USD 2.5-billion deal that New Delhi had inked with Moscow in 2016 for four stealth frigates for the Indian Navy. (Photo: X/@ANI)

Indian Navys Russian-manufactured guided missile frigate INS Tushil was commissioned into the force at Russias coastal city of Kaliningrad in presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Monday.

The warship is expected to significantly bolster the Indian Navys operational capability in the Indian Ocean, a region that has witnessed increasing forays by Chinas PLA Navy in the last few years.

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In his remarks, Singh described the commissioning of the warship as a proud testament" to Indias growing maritime strength and a significant milestone" in the long-standing friendship between the two countries.

The ship is a big proof of the collaborative prowess of Russian and Indian industries. It exemplifies Indias journey towards technological excellence through jointmanship," he added.

Delighted to attend the Commissioning Ceremony of #INSTushil, the latest multi-role stealth-guided missile frigate, at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad (Russia).The ship is a proud testament to Indias growing maritime strength and a significant milestone in long-standing pic.twitter.com/L6Pok31wQJ  Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 9, 2024

Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi, Russias deputy defence minister Alexander Vasilyevich Fomin and Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Navy Admiral Aleksandr Alekseyevich Moiseyev were present at the commissioning ceremony.

INS Tushil has been constructed in Russia as part of an over USD 2.5-billion deal that New Delhi had inked with Moscow in 2016 for four stealth frigates for the Indian Navy.

Under the deal, two ships were to be built in Russia, while the other two were to be manufactured in India.

Singh said India and Russia will enter a new era" of cooperation by taking advantage of each others expertise in areas such as artificial intelligence, cyber security, space exploration and counter-terrorism.

The defence minister said the India-Russia friendship is bound by mutual trust, and special and strategic privileged partnership".

The 3,900-tonne ship with a length of 125 metres packs a lethal punch and is an impressive blend of Russian and Indian cutting edge technologies and best practices in warship construction.

In his address at the commissioning ceremony, Singh highlighted the deep ties between the navies of India and Russia and stated that technical and operational collaboration is constantly touching new heights.

The defence minister also reasserted the Indian Navys commitment to peace and security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR), saying it has foiled the designs" of arms and drug smugglers and non-state actors in various hotspots.

From the Gulf of Oman to the Gulf of Aden, from Suez to Malacca and from Australia to Madagascar, the Indian Navy is playing the essential role of a net security provider in the IOR," he said.

India, along with its friendly countries, believes in ensuring that maritime trade in the region remains safe and secure, thereby promoting unhindered trade across the sea," he said.

The defence minister also reiterated the Indian Navys commitment to realise Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).

Singh said this vision is the backbone" of Indias maritime policy that aims to promote peace, stability and economic prosperity in the IOR.

SAGAR is a symbol of Indias commitment towards collective security, maritime cooperation and sustainable development. In this commitment, we have always received Russias support," he said.

Officials said INS Tushils new design provides it with enhanced stealth features and better stability characteristics.

With the collaboration of Indian naval specialists and Severnoye Design Bureau, the indigenous content of the ship has been enhanced to an impressive 26 per cent, the officials said.

INS Tushil is joining the Western Fleet of the Indian Navy and will rank amongst the most technologically advanced frigates in the world, they said.

The major Indian defence firms involved in the project were BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited, Bharat Electronics Limited, Keltron, Nova Integrated Systems from Tata, Elcome Marine, Johnson Controls India and others.

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INS Tushil is an upgraded Krivak III class frigate of Project 1135.6.

The warship is the result of the continuous toil of hundreds of shipyard workers along with multiple Russian and Indian Original Equipment Makers (OEMs), said one of the officials cited above.

Location : Moscow, Russia

First Published: December 09, 2024, 21:54 IST
Modi Government Starts Biggest Fencing Project On Myanmar Border | Exclusive

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 07:00 IST

Currently, only 10 km of the India-Myanmar border is fenced near Moreh in Manipur, while fencing of another 20 km in Manipur has been recently completed

Arunachal Pradesh shares the longest boundary with Myanmar. (AP File)

The Modi government has started the process to build a fence along the largest stretch of the India-Myanmar border so far, covering a distance of 83 km in Arunachal Pradesh.

CNN-News18 has accessed documents related to the development. The Border Roads Organization (BRO) will be undertaking the construction.

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Currently, only 10 km of the India-Myanmar border is fenced near Moreh in Manipur, while fencing of another 20 km in Manipur has been recently completed. The latest project, spanning 83 km in Arunachal Pradesh, will be the largest border fencing project yet on the India-Myanmar border. According to details obtained by CNN-News18, this project will cover an 83-km stretch between Border Post (BP) Number 168 to BP-175 in Arunachal Pradesh.

The BRO last week asked the technical consultants to prepare a detailed project report (DPR) and feasibility study, and provide pre-construction activities for the erection of the fence and a track along the 83-km stretch of the Indo-Myanmar border in Arunachal Pradesh. The home ministry had also recently asked Manipur and Arunachal Pradesh to speed up the preparation of DPRs for fencing projects and expedite the construction of the fencing.

Arunachal Pradesh shares the longest boundary with Myanmar at nearly 520 km, followed by Mizoram at 510 km, Manipur at 398 km, and Nagaland at 215 km. The total Indian border with Myanmar is 1,643 km, which is mostly unfenced.

THE URGENCY

For over a year now, Manipur has been rocked by ethnic violence and tensions, which have reportedly claimed over 200 lives. This prompted the government to first scrap the Free Movement Regime (FMR) between India and Myanmar this year, and approve in-principle a Rs 31,000-crore project to fence the entire Indo-Myanmar border.

Under the FMR, citizens of both the countries could venture 16 km into each others territory without any documentation.

The border is known for the smuggling of arms, ammunition, and narcotics, and the porous border is considered the root cause of the ethnic violence in Manipur. The porous border is also believed to have led to a massive influx of illegal immigrants from Myanmar, leading to demographic changes in Manipur and illegal poppy plantations in the hilly regions of Manipur. Consequently, the home ministry took the decisions to start the fencing and scrap the FMR.

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Tribal organisations in Manipur, including the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), however, have been objecting to the fencing project, saying it would hurt the social, cultural, and economic ties between tribal communities who live on both sides of the border.

Recently, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) ally NPF also opposed the fencing of the India-Myanmar border in the Naga-dominated areas of Manipur.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 07:00 IST
Reservation Cannot Be On Basis Of Religion, Says Supreme Court

Published By :

PTI

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 20:19 IST

The Calcutta High Court had struck down the OBC status of several communities, mostly Muslims, in West Bengal granted since 2010.

Supreme Court of India (File Photo)

Reservation cannot be on the basis of religion, the Supreme Court observed on Monday while hearing a batch of pleas challenging the Calcutta High Court verdict that struck down the OBC status of several castes in West Bengal granted since 2010.

The pleas, including the one filed by the West Bengal government, challenging the high courts May 22 verdict came up for hearing before a bench of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan.

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Reservation cannot be on the basis of religion," Justice Gavai observed.

Senior advocate Kapil Sibal, appearing for the state government, said, This is not on the basis of religion. This is on the basis of backwardness." The high court had struck down the OBC status of several castes in West Bengal granted since 2010, holding as illegal the reservation for them in public sector jobs and state-run educational institutions.

In its verdict, the high court said, Religion indeed appears to have been the sole criterion for declaring these communities as OBCs." The high court further said the selection of 77 classes of Muslims as backwards is an affront to the Muslim community as a whole".

Deciding the petitions challenging the provisions of the states reservation law of 2012 and reservations granted in 2010, the high court clarified that the services of citizens of the struck-down classes, who were already in service or had availed the benefit of reservation, or succeeded in any selection process of the state, would not be affected by the judgment.

The high court, in total, struck down 77 classes of reservation given between April, 2010 and September, 2010.

It also struck down 37 classes for reservation as OBC given under The West Bengal Backward Classes (Other than Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) (Reservation of Vacancies in Services and Posts) Act, 2012.

During the hearing on Monday, the top court asked the lawyers appearing in the case to give an overview of the matter.

While referring to the high courts verdict, Sibal said the provisions of the Act were struck down.

So these are very serious issues involved. It affects rights of thousands of students who are aspiring to be admitted to universities, people who are wanting jobs," he said.

Sibal therefore urged the bench for some interim order to be passed and an ex-facie stay on the high court order.

The bench also heard submissions of other lawyers, including senior advocate P S Patwalia, who was representing some of the respondents in the matter.

The top court said it would hear the detailed submissions on January 7.

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While hearing the matter on August 5, the apex court asked the West Bengal government to provide quantifiable data on social and economic backwardness of fresh castes it had included in the OBC list and their inadequate representation in public sector jobs.

While issuing notices to the private litigants on a plea of the state government against the high court verdict, the top court then asked the state to file an affidavit giving details of the consultations, if any, conducted by it and the states backward classes panel before including 37 castes, mostly Muslim groups, in the OBC list.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 20:07 IST
7 Killed, 42 Injured In Mumbai BEST Bus Accident; Financial Aid Announced For Kin Of Victims

Curated By : &

News18.com

Last Updated: December 10, 2024, 12:42 IST

Mumbai BEST Bus Accident: The driver of the bus apparently lost control of the vehicle and crashed into an autorickshaw and two cars, killing seven people.

Wreckage of a car after a speeding Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport Undertaking (BEST) bus collided with several vehicles on a road at Kurla, in Mumbai: PTI Photo

Mumbai BEST Bus Accident: At least seven people died and 42 others were injured after a Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus crashed into pedestrians and multiple vehicles in Mumbais Kurla West area on Monday night.

The incident occurred when the driver of the BEST bus, on route 332, lost control of the vehicle and rammed into at least 30-40 vehicles near the congested Kurla railway station before crashing into the wall of a residential society, according to the police.

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The injured people were immediately rushed to Kurlas Bhabha Hospital for treatment after the accident, with four in critical condition. As per a report, the driver of the vehicle was allegedly under the influence of alcohol at the time of the fatal accident.

The bus was travelling from Kurla Station to Andheri when the incident happened, said the police, adding that people in its path were struck, leading to chaos at the scene. Reports suggest that the accident may also have been a result of brake failure.

The driver has been taken into custody following the incident. Emergency services were on the spot to assist the victims and manage the situation.

In Kurla, the BEST bus lost control and crushed a few vehicles. Injured people are being treated at hospitals the driver of the bus has been taken into custody an inquiry is underway" Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 5) Ganesh Gawde told reporters, news agency ANI reported.

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Meanwhile, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced Rs 5 lakh financial aid for the kin of the deceased victims in the bus crash accident. He further added that the cost of treatment for the injured will be borne by BEST and BMC.

In a related incident that occurred on September 2, a 27-year-old woman was killed and several others sustained injuries after a drunk passenger tried to grab the steering wheel of a BEST bus in Mumbais Lalbaugh area, following a heated argument between the two.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 22:46 IST
'Govt Ready For Discussion': Kiren Rijiju Alleges Sonia Gandhi-George Soros 'Link Is Serious'

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 13:23 IST

Kiren Rijiju has highlighted alleged links between Sonia Gandhi and businessman George Soros, calling them "serious" and urging unity against anti-India elements.

Kiren Rijiju/Sonia Gandhi (Photos: PTI)

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Monday said the alleged connections between Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and Hungarian-American businessman George Soros are serious" and are in the public domain.

He also appealed to the citizens of the country to remain united against anti-India elements and said the government was ready for a discussion.

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The issue of George Soros was raised in the Parliament," Rijiju told reporters today.

The report is in the public domain and there are serious allegations in it. Whoever the leader is from whichever party. I dont want to name them. This Soros works against India," Rijiju said.

I only appeal to remain united against anti-India elements," Rijiju said, adding, The government is always ready for a discussion."

WHAT IS THE CASE?

On December 8, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) alleged that Sonia Gandhi has links to an organisation financed by the George Soros Foundation which has backed the idea of Kashmir as an independent nation.

This association shows the influence of foreign entities in Indias internal affairs, the ruling party said in a series of posts on X.

Meanwhile, notwithstanding the US dismissal of BJPs allegations that it is backing attempts to destabilise India, party MP Nishikant Dubey said he would pose 10 questions to Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in the Lok Sabha on the issue.

He said media portal Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and Hungarian-American businessmen have colluded with the opposition to ruin Indias economy and defame the Modi government.

THE BJPs ALLEGATIONS

The BJP claimed that Sonia Gandhi, as the co-president of the Forum of the Democratic Leaders in Asia Pacific (FDL-AP) Foundation, is linked to an organisation financed by the George Soros Foundation.

Notably, the FDL-AP Foundation has expressed their views that treat Kashmir as a separate entity," the party said.

This association between Sonia Gandhi and an organisation that has backed the idea of Kashmir as an independent nation expresses the influence of foreign entities on Indias internal affairs and the political impact of such connections," it said.

The BJP further claimed that Sonia Gandhis chairmanship of the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation led to a partnership with the George Soros Foundation, displaying the influence of foreign funding on Indian organisations".

Rahul Gandhis press conference on Adani was live telecast by George Soros-funded OCCRP, which Gandhi used as a source to criticise Adani. It shows nothing but their strong and dangerous relationship and highlights their attempts to derail the Indian economy."

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Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has publicly acknowledged George Soros as an old friend. Its something truly noteworthy," it said.

The BJPs allegations come after it claimed on Thursday that the US deep state" colluded with OCCRP and Rahul Gandhi to damage Indias image.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 11:19 IST
This IAS Officer Cracked UPSC At 21, Spent Last 28 Months In Prison

Curated By :

Translation Desk

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 11:53 IST

The ED raided her properties on May 6, 2022 for her alleged role in the MGNREGA scam. The anti money laundering agency recovered several incriminating documents from the raids, which led to her arrest on May 11, 2022

At 21, this suspended officer was selected for the IAS. Following training, she became an IAS officer of the 2000 batch. (News18 Hindi)

Suspended IAS officer Pooja Singhal has been granted bail by a Jharkhand court on Saturday. Notably, embroiled in controversies, the Jharkhand cadre officer cleared the coveted Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) Civil Services Examination on her first attempt after graduation, earning her a place in the Limca Book of Records.

The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) first raided several properties belonging to Singhal and subsequently arrested her due to her alleged involvement in the MNREGA scam in Jharkhand. She has been in prison for the last 28 months, accused of laundering money embezzled from MNREGA funds.

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Where does Pooja Singhal live?

Hailing from Dehradun, suspended IAS officer Pooja Singhal was a bright student throughout her academic journey. Excelling in her studies, she consistently topped her class from school to college. A graduate of Garhwal University, Dehradun, she appeared for the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 1999, clearing it on her first attempt.

At 21, she was selected for the IAS. Following training, she became an IAS officer of the 2000 batch. As the only candidate to clear the UPSC exam at such a young age, her name was recorded in the Limca Book of Records.

How did she become embroiled in controversies?

IAS officer Pooja Singhal held numerous positions across various departments. Following her induction into the IAS, she received her first posting in Hazaribagh, Jharkhand. From February 16, 2009 to July 14, 2010, she served as the Deputy Commissioner of Khunti district. During this period, she faced accusations of embezzling Rs 18 crore from MNREGA funds.

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Similar allegations were levelled against her during her tenure as Deputy Commissioner of Chatra, where she was accused of misappropriating Rs 4 crore of MNREGA funds. In Palamu, she faced accusations of relaxing regulations to allocate land for mining.

On May 6, 2022, the ED conducted raids on several properties associated with Pooja Singhal. They recovered numerous documents and papers, leading to her arrest on May 11, 2022.

Location : Jharkhand, India

First Published: December 09, 2024, 11:51 IST
Over 40 Delhi Schools Get 'Hoax' Bomb Call, Accused Demands $30,000 Ransom

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 10:42 IST

Bomb Threat in Delhi School: The bomb threat was received on e-mail, after which the students were rushed back to their homes by the school administrations.

Delhi School News: Delhi schools receive bomb threat (ANI Image)

Delhi School Bomb Threat News: More than 40 schools in the national capital received hoax" bomb threats via e-mail, prompting the school administrations to send the children back to their homes, Delhi Police said on Monday.

The police declared the threats a hoax" after an initial investigation in which they did not find anything suspicious.

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The schools that received threats included RK Purams DPS, Paschim Vihars GD Goenka Public School, Mother Marys School, British School, Salwan Public School, and Cambridge School among others.

The threat mail received by the schools read, I planted multiple bombs inside (school) buildings. The bombs are small and hidden very well. It will not cause much damage to the building, but many people will be injured when the bombs detonate. If I do not receive $30,000 I will detonate the bombs".

#WATCH | A team of Delhi police arrives at RK Purams DPS  one of the two schools that received bomb threats, via e-mail, this morning pic.twitter.com/c23ciJTLGi ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2024

CM Atishi Reacts

Delhi Chief Minister Atishi took on the Centre over the law and order in the city stating that the Union Home Ministry, under which the Delhi Police functions, has filed in the sole responsibility" it has been given by the people of Delhi for their security.

After the daily incidents of extortion, murders, and shootings in Delhi, schools are now receiving bomb threats. The law and order situation in Delhi has never been this deteriorated before. The BJP-led central government has failed in its sole responsibility of providing security to the people of Delhi," Atishi posted on X in Hindi.

SOPs To Address Bomb Threats Ordered By High Court

On November 19, the Delhi High Court directed the Delhi government and Delhi Police to formulate a comprehensive action plan, including a detailed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), to address bomb threats and related emergencies. The Court mandated that this task be completed within eight weeks.

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The SOP should clearly outline the roles and responsibilities of all stakeholderslaw enforcement agencies, school authorities, and municipal bodiesto ensure seamless coordination and effective implementation, the Court emphasised.

A bench led by Justice Sanjeev Narula, while hearing a plea filed by Advocate Arpit Bhargava, instructed the Delhi government and Delhi Police to collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including school representatives, municipal authorities, and other state departments, in drafting the action plan.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 07:37 IST
'Will We Have Lollipops...?' Mamata Reacts To Bangladesh Leaders Occupy Bengal Remark

Published By :

PTI

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 16:34 IST

Mamata Banerjee was speaking in reference to a Bangladeshi leader who claimed the country has rights over Bengal, Bihar and Odisha.

Mamata Banerjee further asserted that West Bengal will always stand by any decision taken by the Centre. (Image: PTI/File)

Taking a dig at a section of Bangladeshi politicians, who said the country has legitimate claims over Bengal, Bihar and Odisha, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday wondered whether Indians would have lollipop" when external forces would try to occupy Indian lands.

Speaking in the West Bengal Assembly, she urged people to remain calm and not get provoked by statements made in Bangladesh, stating that West Bengal will always stand by any decision taken by the Centre.

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Mocking some Bangladeshi leaders, who have made provocative statements recently, she said, Stay calm and healthy and have peace of mind." A Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) recently said in a public meeting in Dhaka that the country has legitimate claims over Bengal, Bihar and Odisha.

Asking people of West Bengal to remain calm and not get swayed by provocative statements made by some people in Bangladesh, she said, In our state, even imams have condemned the comments and attacks on minorities in Bangladesh." The same blood flows in the veins of Hindus and Muslims and all other communities. We must all work together to ensure nothing is done to aggravate the situation in West Bengal," she said.

West Bengal is the first state in the country where people irrespective of caste, creed or community staged collective protest against the situation in Bangladesh," the chief minister said.

Asking everyone, including her political rivals, not to do anything that might aggravate the situation, she also urged media houses to act responsibly while commenting on the situation in the neighbouring country.

West Bengal is not Uttar Pradesh that we will ban your telecast. But act responsibly in the interest of West Bengal and its people. If trouble breaks out here, will it not affect you? Similarly, if the situation worsens in Bangladesh, it will affect our relatives and friends there. Hence please maintain restraint while commenting on the situation," she said.

The West Bengal chief minister said her government and party, the Trinamool Congress, will follow the guidelines of the Ministry of External Affairs and will not speak out of turn.

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Our foreign secretary is in Bangladesh for talks. Let us not speak more than what is required. Let us wait for the outcome. We are responsible citizens. Our country is united," she said.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday held talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart Mohammad Jashim Uddin, amid strained bilateral ties since August following the ouster of prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Misri arrived in Dhaka earlier in the day on an Indian Air Force jet for a day-long visit, officials said. It is the first high-level visit from New Delhi after a massive uprising ended Hasinas 15-year rule in August.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 16:34 IST
Kumbh Mela 2025: From Amrit Snan To Pind Daan, 8 Sacred Rituals You Must Experience

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: January 14, 2025, 11:24 IST

Kumbh Mela 2025: Learn about the holy customs of the Kumbh Mela, such as Pind Daan and Amrit Snan. Also, know the meaning and significance of these Hindu rites.

First Shahi Snan - Makar SankrantiOn January 14, 2025, the first Shahi Snan of the Kumbh Mela attracts thousands of devotees for a sacred dip in the holy rivers, a ritual believed to bring prosperity and spiritual renewal. (Image: Shutterstock)

Kumbh Mela 2025: The Maha Kumbh Mela attracts millions of devotees, pilgrims and spiritual seekers from all across India and beyond, making it one of the most prestigious and magnificent religious events. Once every twelve years, this legendary event is held at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, where the holy rivers Saraswati, Yamuna and Ganga meet.

The upcoming Maha Kumbh Mela will begin on January 13, 2025, with the Paush Purnima Snan and end on February 26 with the celebration of Maha Shivratri.

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In addition to being a celebration, the Kumbh Mela offers a chance for spiritual purification, atonement and the pursuit of Moksha, or freedom from the cycle of birth and death. Certain rituals are quite important at this big event. Every participant should see and take part in some of these to fully appreciate the spiritual essence of the Kumbh Mela.

You cannot afford to skip any of these sacred Maha Kumbh Mela rituals:

Paush Purnima Snan on January 13, 2025

The first ritual bath of the Maha Kumbh Mela, the Paush Purnima Snan, marks the beginning of the celebration. To bathe in the holy waters of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers, devotees assemble at the Triveni Sangam.

ALSO READ: Kumbh Mela 2025: Sacred Rituals, Celestial Alignments And Maha Kumbh Mysteries

The bath brings spiritual serenity and purges the soul of sin. The Paush Purnima initiates this great occasion and establishes the mood for the subsequent religious rites.

First Amrit Snan  Makar Sankranti on January 14, 2025

One of the highlights of the Kumbh Mela is the first Amrit Snan, celebrated on Makar Sankranti. Thousands of pilgrims and sadhus (holy men) immerse themselves in the confluence of the three rivers on this day.

It is one of the most important bathing days since it is thought that bathing on Makar Sankranti cleanses the body and soul. Devotees can use this time to ask for blessings for a successful year.

Second Amrit Snan  Mauni Amavasya on January 29, 2025

During the Kumbh Mela, Mauni Amavasya is regarded as the most auspicious day. The second Amrit Snan is celebrated on this day when devotees bathe at the Triveni Sangam while fasting and practising silence (Maun).

ALSO READ: Kumbh Mela 2025: AI Chatbots, Apps To Transform Maha Kumbh Mela Experience

On this day, the sacred rivers waters are thought to be particularly strong, purging all sins and granting spiritual freedom. As thousands of people assemble to watch and take part in the bath, the atmosphere is infused with devotion.

Third Amrit Snan  Basant Panchami on February 3, 2025

The third Amrit Snan is held on Basant Panchami. It is commemorated as the start of spring, a time of rebirth and renewal. The goddess of knowledge, Saraswati, is also worshipped during the festival.

In an attempt to increase their spiritual insight and achieve success in their undertakings, devotees immerse themselves in the sacred waters. The air is filled with excitement and positivity due to the days lively energy.

Maghi Purnima on February 12, 2025

At the Kumbh Mela, Maghi Purnima is another significant day for a holy bath. In Hinduism, this day, which is the full moon day of the month of Magh, is very important.

ALSO READ: Maha Kumbh 2025: Coloured Vehicle Passes With QR Codes For Seamless Access

Devotees think bathing in the Triveni Sangam on this day will cleanse them of the years misdeeds, bringing them nearer to serenity and spiritual purity. All who visit the Sangam find it a profoundly relaxing experience due to the serene ambience and the gentle moonlight overhead.

Pind Daan

The Pind Daan, a ceremony that pilgrims execute to honour their departed ancestors, is one of the most revered customs at the Kumbh Mela. Devotees believe that by offering food and prayers to their ancestors during this event, the souls of the deceased will be able to find peace and freedom.

Ancestral karmas are said to be resolved and spiritual development is greatly aided by this act of filial piety.

Ardh Kumbh and Maha Kumbh Snans

Many minor but no less sacred bathing rituals are performed during the Kumbh Mela in addition to the particular Amrit Snans. In the Triveni Sangam, these consist of smaller ceremonial dips, the Ardh Kumbh Snan and a mid-event bath.

ALSO READ: Uttar Pradesh Declares Prayagrajs Maha Kumbh Area As New District

One views every bath as a chance to repent of previous transgressions, revitalise ones spiritual life and ask for divine favours.

Last Day  Maha Shivratri on February 26, 2025

Maha Shivratri, a day honouring Lord Shiva, marks the end of the Maha Kumbh Mela. Many devotees take their last dip in the sacred waters, which is thought to provide the ultimate sense of spiritual emancipation, as they assemble for prayers and fast.

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ALSO READ: Kumbh Mela 2025: UP Govt To Set Up 2,000 Swiss Cottage-Style Tents

On this day, pilgrims chant mantras, give prayers and ask for blessings for peace, prosperity and Moksha, creating an environment of deep devotion.

Location : Prayagraj, India

First Published: December 09, 2024, 09:15 IST
Post-Wedding Rituals: Vidaai, Reception, And Griha Pravesh Customs

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 10:17 IST

Lets explore the post-wedding rituals of India and understand the meaning behind these timeless traditions.

Post-wedding rituals like vidaai mark the beginning of a new chapter for the newlyweds. (Stock Photo)

Indian weddings feature a symphony of colours, emotions and traditions. The wedding rituals passed down through generations, hold immense cultural and religious significance. Each wedding ceremony is a unique testament to the communitys deep-rooted customs.

Here, the celebrations often extend well beyond the main wedding ceremony. Following the event, several post-wedding rituals take place, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the newlyweds.

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From the Vidaai ceremony, where the bride bids farewell to her family, to the reception which welcomes her to the grooms community, these rituals ensure that the wedding remains memorable for the couple and both sides of the family get comfortable with each other.

ALSO READ: Modern And Traditional Wedding Invitation Ideas: Digital, Hand-Crafted And Luxury Designs

Lets explore the post-wedding rituals of India and understand the meaning behind these timeless traditions:

Vidaai

Following the wedding comes the Vidaai ceremony. It is an emotional farewell that marks the brides departure from her parental home. In this bittersweet ritual, the bride bids goodbye to her family and leaves with her husband.

As the bride leaves her parents house to embark on a new journey with her spouse, she throws back a handful of rice over her head in the direction of her house. This symbolises her wish for her parents happiness and prosperity and her gratitude for their love and upbringing.

Grihapravesh

Upon arriving at the grooms home, the Griha Pravesh ceremony is performed. Before entering the house, the bride is supposed to knock over a pot filled with rice with her right foot, signifying abundance and prosperity. This custom is followed by a ceremonial aarti to mark the brides integration into her new family and the beginning of her marital life.

ALSO READ: Wedding Season: Guide To A Budget-Friendly Planning Of Your Dream Marriage Day

Reception

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The wedding reception is a celebratory event hosted by the grooms side to welcome the bride into her new home. In this ceremony, the family introduces the bride to the grooms community, honouring the couple.

The ceremony includes decorations, delicious food, music, and dance. Its a festive event that also allows both sides of the family and their guests to congratulate the newlyweds and provide them with blessings and affection. Unlike other traditional ceremonies, the reception is less ritualistic and offers an opportunity for the couple to interact with friends and relatives in a more relaxed and joyous setting.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 10:05 IST
Ranbir Kapoor Shares a Glam Moment with Olivia Wilde At The Red Sea Film Festival 2024 in Jeddah

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 09:57 IST

Ranbir Kapoor stunned in a regal red bandhgala while Olivia Wilde embraced a Greek goddess-inspired look, making a stylish statement together at the 2024 Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah

The sight of Ranbir and Olivia together on the red carpet added an extra touch of glamour to the evening, marking a memorable moment at this years Red Sea International Film Festival.

Ranbir Kapoor made a stylish appearance at the 2024 Red Sea International Film Festival in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The actor turned heads with his elegant Indo-Western ensemble and shared a memorable red carpet moment with Hollywood actress and director Olivia Wilde. Fans quickly shared photos and videos of the two stars, capturing their interaction at the prestigious event.

Ranbir Kapoors Dapper Indo-Western Ensemble

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Ranbir Kapoor opted for a sophisticated fusion look, perfect for breaking away from traditional tuxedos or kurta-pyjamas. His outfit featured a vibrant red bandhgala jacket adorned with intricate brocade embroidery. The jacket, designed with a raised collar, hidden button closures, full sleeves, padded shoulders, and a curved hem, exuded a regal charm. He paired it with a crisp white bandhgala shirt and tailored black tapered pants. Accessories like a black pocket square, sleek black dress shoes, and classic sunglasses added a polished touch. Ranbir completed the look with a neatly trimmed beard and a backswept hairstyle, showcasing his effortlessly suave style.

Ranbir Kapoor and Olivia Wildes interaction on the red carpet #RanbirKapoor #RedSeaIFF24  pic.twitter.com/PbeHWRmT6k Ranbir Kapoor Cafe  (@ranbirscafe) December 9, 2024

Olivia Wildes Ethereal Greek Goddess Look

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On the same red carpet, Olivia Wilde channeled elegance in an ethereal all-white gown. The strapless dress featured a plunging neckline, a thigh-high back slit, a wrap silhouette, and a flowing floor-length hem, embodying a modern Greek goddess aesthetic. Olivia accessorized her look with gilded gold jewelry, including a statement cuff and rings, and styled the outfit with subtle heels. Her glam choicescentre-parted loose waves, winged eyeliner, feathered brows, and a nude lipkept the focus on her radiant, minimalist vibe.

The sight of Ranbir and Olivia together on the red carpet added an extra touch of glamour to the evening, marking a memorable moment at this years Red Sea International Film Festival.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 09:57 IST
The Significance Of Indian Post-Wedding Rituals And Traditions Across Different Cultures

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 14:13 IST

The post-wedding phase in India is often characterised by several rituals that may extend over days or even weeks.

The post-wedding rituals help in getting both sides of the family get comfortable with each other. (Image: Shutterstock)

After the wedding, the bride and the groom engage in several post-marriage traditions that are vibrant, enjoyable and often carry some deep meaning. These customs are deeply rooted in local culture and vary among regions and communities.

They not only mark the transition of the bride and groom into married life but are also believed to strengthen family bonds, celebrate new beginnings and ensure the couples prosperity and happiness.

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These rituals can extend over days or even weeks. Some common post-marriage customs include welcoming ceremonies, sermons, and rites of passage that denote the brides new responsibilities.

Let us explore the key post-wedding traditions that take place in India based on region:

ALSO READ: Traditional Indian Wedding Customs In Different States Like Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Gujarati And More

Northern Indian Post-Wedding Traditions

Vidaai : The bride bids an emotional farewell to her parental home. In Hindu weddings, she throws some rice on her way which signifies leaving behind richness and prosperity for her family. The tradition also takes place in Muslim weddings. Here, the bride is handed over the Holy Quran as a blessing as she leaves for the grooms house.

: The bride bids an emotional farewell to her parental home. In Hindu weddings, she throws some rice on her way which signifies leaving behind richness and prosperity for her family. The tradition also takes place in Muslim weddings. Here, the bride is handed over the Holy Quran as a blessing as she leaves for the grooms house. Griha Pravesh : When the bride enters her new home, traditional ceremonies are organised to welcome her into the family. In Hindu traditions, the bride tips over an urn or pitcher pot with her foot as she enters the house.

: When the bride enters her new home, traditional ceremonies are organised to welcome her into the family. In Hindu traditions, the bride tips over an urn or pitcher pot with her foot as she enters the house. Mooh Dikhai: It is a common tradition where the bride meets the grooms family, and is showered with gifts and blessings by the elderly members.

Eastern Indian Post-Wedding Traditions

Bashor Ghar (West Bengal) : After marriage, the bride and the grooms sister demand money to allow him to enter the brides chambers. This informal session helps both sides of the family get comfortable with each other.

: After marriage, the bride and the grooms sister demand money to allow him to enter the brides chambers. This informal session helps both sides of the family get comfortable with each other. Bidaai (Odisha): Similar to Vidaai, as the name suggests, this is the farewell of the bride and is marked by elders of the family giving her blessings for the journey ahead.

ALSO READ: Modern And Traditional Wedding Invitation Ideas: Digital, Hand-Crafted And Luxury Designs

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Southern Indian Post-Wedding Traditions

Kashi Yatra (Tamil Nadu) : This is a wedding custom common in Brahmin ceremonies, where the groom pretends to go to Kashi and become a monk. This is stalled as the brides family persuades him to marry the girl.

: This is a wedding custom common in Brahmin ceremonies, where the groom pretends to go to Kashi and become a monk. This is stalled as the brides family persuades him to marry the girl. Sankalpam (Andhra Pradesh) : It includes offering prayers and seeking Gods blessings for a healthy marriage. It is also combined with charity and sermons.Northeastern India

: It includes offering prayers and seeking Gods blessings for a healthy marriage. It is also combined with charity and sermons.Northeastern India Bor Jatri (Assam): It includes the reception of the bride by the grooms family which includes a feast comprising traditional cuisine, celebrating the holy matrimony.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 14:10 IST
Abir Gulaal: Fawad Khan And Vaani Kapoors Romantic Comedy Finishes London Shoot, Deets Inside

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 14:06 IST

Pakistani superstar Fawad Khan and Bollywood icon Vaani Kapoor wrap up the filming of their much-anticipated romantic comedy Abir Gulaal.

Pakistani actor Fawad Khan returns to Bollywood after an eight-year break with the romantic comedy Abir Gulaal, co-starring Vaani Kapoor.

Pakistani superstar Fawad Khan and Bollywood sensation Vaani Kapoor have wrapped up the filming of their much-anticipated romantic comedy, Abir Gulaal, directed by Aarti S. Bagdi. Known for her poignant storytelling in Chalti Rahe Zindagi, Bagdi teams up with producers Indian Stories, A Richer Lens, and Aarjay Pictures to bring this cross-cultural tale to life. Filming, which began in late September 2024, unfolded across picturesque locales in and around London and recently concluded a 40-day schedule in the British capital.

According to Filmfare, the makers of Abir Gulaal plan to debut the film at various international film festivals, targeting a global audience with its universal themes and relatable charm. Select screenings are reportedly in the works as part of an ambitious promotional strategy that seeks to position the film as a standout in the rom-com genre. A theatrical release is expected to follow in the latter half of 2025, giving Indian audiences the chance to experience the magic firsthand.

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Producers have expressed confidence in Fawad Khans global appeal, highlighting his ability to draw audiences across borders. After memorable performances in Ae Dil Hai Mushkil and Kapoor & Sons, Fawad steps into the role of a UK-based chef, adding another layer of charm to his repertoire. Paired with Vaani Kapoor, known for her elegance and strong screen presence, the film promises a magnetic on-screen chemistry that is sure to leave audiences spellbound. The duo is joined by Lisa Haydon in a supporting role, adding further intrigue to the ensemble.

Director Aarti S. Bagdi offered a glimpse into the heartwarming narrative, describing it as a story of serendipitous encounters and emotional healing. The protagonists, while navigating their own personal challenges, find solace and growth in each other, with love emerging as an unforeseen but beautiful consequence.

The anticipation surrounding Abir Gulaal is palpable, as it blends compelling performances, a heartwarming storyline, and stunning visuals. With plans to premiere on global platforms and the prospect of a theatrical release, this film is poised to be a cross-cultural celebration of love and resilience.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 14:06 IST
Golden Globes 2025 Nominations: Payal Kapadia Makes History, Bags Best Director Nod For All We Imagine As Light

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 19:03 IST

Golden Globes 2025 Nominations: Payal Kapadia bags Best Director nomination for All We Imagine As Light. She is the first Indian female director to be nominated.

Payal Kapadia nominated for Best Director at Golden Globe Awards 2025.

Golden Globes 2025 Nominations: Payal Kapadia has made history at the Golden Globe Awards 2025. The filmmaker has been nominated for Best Director (Motion Picture) for her film, All We Imagine As Light. The film won the Grand Prix at the Cannes 2024.

Payal Kapadia has been nominated alongside Jacques Audiard (for Emilia Perez), Sean Baker (for Anora), Edward Berger (for Conclave), Brady Corbet (for The Brutalist), and Coralie Fargeat (for The Substance).

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The #GoldenGlobes nominees for Best Director are:Jacques Audiard  Emilia PerezSean Baker  AnoraEdward Berger  ConclaveBrady Corbet  The BrutalistCoralie Fargeat  The SubstancePayal Kapadia  All We Imagine as Light pic.twitter.com/28vpXgXcSS  Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) December 9, 2024

As We Imagine As Light premiered at Cannes 2024. The film won the esteemed Grand Prix award. It travelled through several global film festivals before it opened the MAMI Mumbai Film Festival 2024. The screening was attended by the whos who of Bollywood including Kabir Khan, Vikramaditya Motwane, Vishal Bhardwaj, Ramesh Sippy and Waheeda Rehman, to name a few.

Sharing her excitement about the same, Payal told News18 Showsha exclusively, Im happy that the film fraternity could watch my film. The fraternity includes a lot of my friends, some of who I had met when I was a student at the FTII. Some of them also sent me some really nice messages after our Cannes win. For anybody who makes films, they know it very well that without friends and a great crew, its impossible to make a film."

Director Kiran Rao, who is batting for Laapataa Ladies to bag an Oscar nomination, had previously envisioned that Payals film All We Imagine As Light has the potential to win not only Best Foreign Film but also Best Picture at the Oscars. Reacting to her statement, Payal told us, I dont know about all that. But its going to release in the USA on November 15. I really hope it goes well and people go to watch it. And as for Kiran, I really loved her first film, Dhobi Ghat, a lot. Its a Mumbai film and a very important one for me."

The awards will stream LIVE in India on Lionsgate Play on January 6, at 6:30 AM IST.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 19:00 IST
Katrina Kaif-Vicky Kaushal 3rd Wedding Anniversary: 6 Picture-Perfect Moments Celebrating Their Love

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 07:54 IST

Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal got married on December 9, 2021, in an intimate wedding ceremony in Rajasthan.

Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal is known for their great fashion sense. (Images: katrinakaif and vickykaushal09/Instagram)

Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal are celebrating their third wedding anniversary today on December 9. The couple, who got married in an intimate ceremony in Rajasthan in 2021, has stolen the hearts of fans with their endearing chemistry. Katrina and Vicky often indulge in social media PDA and are spotted attending events hand in hand, leaving fans delighted with their bond. On the occasion of their third wedding anniversary, lets take a look at their love-filled pictures and videos.

ALSO READ: Vicky Kaushal Says Katrina Kaif Is The Subedar Of His Fashion Army

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Vicky and Katrina celebrated the festival of Diwali together this year. The actress shared a couple of pictures on her Instagram handle, giving fans a glimpse into their Diwali celebration. Katrina wore a bright pink saree for the occasion. Vicky looked dapper in a black kurta set.

Days before that, the couple celebrated Karwa Chauth in the presence of Vickys family. Katrina shared pictures with her husband and in-laws. She wore a light pink saree for the event, while Vicky was in a beige kurta.

In July, Vicky Kaushal posted a sweet birthday wish for his better half, Katrina. The Bad Newz actor shared a photo dump featuring several adorable pictures of the couple. In the caption, he wrote, Making memories with you is my favourite part of life. Happy Birthday, my love!"

Last year, the couple celebrated Christmas at their home in Mumbai. Vicky shared a PDA-filled picture with Katrina. The image showed them dressed down in comfy pyjamas. The Uri actor was captured kissing Katrina on her temple. The note attached to the photo read, Christmas is when you are here."

Katrina Kaif once delighted her fans by sharing a glimpse into her romantic morning with Vicky Kaushal. Her Instagram post featured a selfie of them sitting around a coffee table. The accompanied photos also featured a tempting spread of coffee and pancakes adorned with strawberries and cream. Coffee mornings the best," read the caption on the post.

On Vicky Kaushals 35th birthday, Katrina Kaif shared stunning pictures to wish her husband. One of the highlights was a monochrome image capturing the couple in a dancing moment. With big smiles on their faces, Vicky and Katrina exuded pure joy and love in the picture. The Merry Christmas actress wrote in the caption, A little dance, dher saara pyaar .Happiest birthday my heart."

Happy anniversary to Katrina Kaif and Vicky Kaushal. How do you like the loving moments of the couple?

First Published: December 09, 2024, 06:30 IST
Manchu Manoj Controversy: Know More About The Actor And His Alleged Feud With Father Mohan Babu

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Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 17:58 IST

Manchu Manoj made his acting debut at the age of 10 with the film Major Chandrakanth in 1993.

Manchu Manoj was last seen in Operation 2019 in a cameo role. (Photo Credit: X)

Manchu Manoj Kumar recently made headlines over an alleged feud with his father and veteran actor Manchu Mohan Babu. Reports suggested that Manoj engaged in a heated argument with his father due to family issues, leading to both filing cases against each other. However, Mohan Babus team has strongly denied these charges, labelling them as imaginary as per reports. Later, Manoj was captured leaving a hospital with a neck brace and a visible leg injury, which sparked concern among the fans.

Recently, a video, shared on social media platform X, depicted Manoj making his way out of a hospital with the help of his team members. He was seen struggling to walk properly which could be due to his knee injury, while the neck brace indicated that he was severely injured.

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Actor #ManchuManoj, son of veteran actor #ManchuMohanBabu, was discharged from a private hospital in Banjara Hills, Hyderabad, after receiving emergency care for injuries.Reports claimed Manoj was assaulted at his residence, prompting a Dial 100 call to the police. pic.twitter.com/PfPbksQsZd  Informed Alerts (@InformedAlerts) December 8, 2024

According to reports, Manoj allegedly called a police station in Hyderabad on December 8, accusing an aide of assaulting him under his fathers orders. In response to this, Mohan Babu reportedly called the police, alleging that Manoj had attacked him. The conflict between the father-son duo is said to have originated from arguments over family properties. However, Manoj has still not released any official statement regarding the controversy.

Talking about Manchu Manoj, he is an actor by profession, known for his roles in the Telugu film industry. He made his acting debut as a child artist at the age of 10 with the film Major Chandrakanth in 1993. He rose to fame after playing the lead in 2004s Donga Dongadi. After that, he appeared in several big South films including Raju Bhai, Sri, Bindaas, Attack, Pottugadu, Current Theega, Gunturodu, Prayanam and others.

His last big screen appearance was in the 2018 film Operation 2019 in which he had a cameo role. He will be making his comeback to the big screens next year with an interesting lineup of including Miraj, What The Fish and Bhairavam.

Meanwhile, talking about his personal life, Manoj tied the knot with Pranathy Reddy in 2015. However, the couple called off their marriage in 2019. After that, the actor got married to Bhuma Nagi Reddy and Shobha Nagi Reddys daughter Bhuma Mounika in 2023. The latter has a son from her previous marriage and welcomed a baby girl this year with Manoj.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 17:58 IST
Selena Gomez Responds To Eugenio Derbez's Spanish Accent Criticism: 'I Did The Best'

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Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 10:38 IST

Despite his criticism of Gomezs role, Eugenio Derbez admitted he found parts of the film salvageable and described it as an "interesting experiment."

A clip of Eugenio Derbez's comments on Selena went viral on TikTok. (Photo Credit: X)

Not all reviews come wrapped in applause and Selena Gomez recently faced this after Eugenio Derbez shared his blunt critique of her performance in Emilia Perez. The acclaimed actor, known for his role in Coda, didnt hold back during a candid discussion and his comments, about Gomezs Spanish-speaking skills in the musical crime drama, sparked quite the buzz online. In the film, Gomez plays Jessi del Monte, a character in Jacques Audiards story about a drug lord who secretly transitions with the help of a lawyer, played by Zoe Saldana. While the story and concept intrigued Derbez, Gomezs Spanish delivery didnt impress him. He described her performance as indefensible," recounting how he and others in the audience were left stunned during her scenes.

Selena is indefensible. I watched Emilia Perez with people and every time she had a scene, we looked at each other to say, Wow, what is this?", Derbez reportedly said on the Spanish-language podcast Hablando de Cine podcast.

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Host Gaby Meza also agreed and expressed a similar sentiment. While praising Gomezs acting talent, she pointed out that Spanish is far from her strong suit. Spanish is not her main language, not her secondary or fifth. If she doesnt know what shes saying, she cant give her acting any nuance," Meza said.

Despite his criticism of Gomezs role, Derbez admitted he found parts of the film salvageable and described it as an interesting experiment." However, he questioned the logic behind a French director helming a bilingual movie set in Mexico. How weird that the director doesnt speak English or Spanish and the movie is in Spanish and English, and it takes place in Mexico, and you dont understand the culture," he said.

According to Variety, this conversation quickly spread to TikTok, where a clip of Derbezs remarks went viral. Instead of avoiding the controversy, Gomez addressed it head-on in one posts comments. I understand where you are coming from. Im sorry I did the best I could with the time I was given. Doesnt take away from how much work and heart I put into this movie," she wrote.

Despite the critiques, Emilia Perez has gained significant recognition, remaining a top contender in this years Academy Awards. The film is vying for nominations in major categories, including best picture, best director and best actress.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 10:38 IST
Shashank Arora Recalls Irrfan Khans Dream To Fly Kites Across The Pakistan Border: He Was in Pain

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 15:00 IST

Irrfan Khans legacy as a masterful actor and profoundly human individual continues to inspire. Actor Shashank Arora, in an interview with The Lallantop, shared heartwarming anecdotes from their time on The Song of Scorpions, painting a vivid picture of Irrfans philosophical nature.

Actor Shashank Arora recalls Irrfans whimsical wish to fly kites at the Pakistan border, his gulkand halwa recipe, and moments that revealed his unparalleled talent and human depth.

The late Irrfan Khan left behind a cinematic legacy that continues to inspire and resonate deeply with audiences and fellow actors alike. His philosophical nature and unconventional approach to his craft have become stories of legend, often recounted by those fortunate enough to have worked with him. In an interview with Saurabh Dwivedi on The Lallantop, actor Shashank Arora shared heartfelt anecdotes from their time together on the 2017 film The Song of Scorpions. These stories paint a picture of a man who was not only an extraordinary actor but also profoundly human.

When asked about meeting Irrfan for the first time, Shashank revealed that their initial interaction was unique, much like the man himself. Never. Met him for the first time on the sets. He asked, Script jaanta hai (Have you memorized the script)? I said yes. He asked me to narrate his lines, and I did that, and he did my lines. Our first rehearsal was like this, saying each others dialogues." Shashank added that Irrfan, who was in pain during the shoot due to his health struggles, would often retreat into his headphones between takes, reserving his energy for the camera. He was having a difficult time," Shashank said, reflecting on Irrfans perseverance.

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One particularly touching memory unfolded during their shoot near the India-Pakistan border. Recalling this, Shashank said, It is very cold at night there. He was wearing a kurta pyjama. I have a very vivid and beautiful memory of shooting with him. He was a kind man, but he was in so much pain. I recall that period at times, rona bhi aata hai, acha bhi lagta hai, apne aap ko shabhashi deta hu ki waah, Irrfan sir ke saath acting ki (I feel like crying and also happy thinking I had the opportunity to act with him)."

Irrfans love for lifes small joys also left an impression on Shashank. Sharing an anecdote, he said, One day, he asked me to take a bike and ride till the border so that we can fly kites. I asked him, Kaahan tak (Till where)? He said, I want to fly a kite crossing the border, lets see who shoots the kite." This whimsical idea, a testament to Irrfans rooted and free-spirited personality, was met with hesitation by producers. But as Shashank said, He was a very interesting and well-rooted man. He never used to care about his hair or makeup."

Among the stories, Shashank also shared a humorous recollection about Irrfans famous gulkand ka halwa. Vo toh vo saath leke chale gaye recipe (He took it with him when he passed away)," Shashank joked. I had never even heard about something like this until he asked me on the sets, Ae, Shashank, Gulkand ka halwa khaayega (Do you want to have rose petal pudding)?"

One moment that particularly struck Shashank occurred in Pokhran, where two local boys approached them. As the boys struggled to place Irrfan, Shashank mentioned some of his films, including Lunchbox and Paan Singh Tomar, only to realize the boys recognized him from Jurassic World. That film would be shown in their village for months; no Hindi, no other regional film," Shashank shared, highlighting the global reach of Irrfans talent.

Irrfan Khan, born in Rajasthan in 1967, was one of Indias most celebrated actors, known for seamlessly bridging the gap between Indian cinema and Hollywood. After graduating from the National School of Drama, he rose to prominence with his roles in films like Maqbool, Paan Singh Tomar, and The Lunchbox. His international acclaim came with projects like Slumdog Millionaire, Life of Pi, Jurassic World, and Inferno. Known for his nuanced performances and deep understanding of human emotions, Irrfans work transcended cultural boundaries. He passed away in April 2020 after a battle with neuroendocrine cancer, leaving behind a legacy of profound artistry and humility that continues to inspire generations of actors and audiences worldwide.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 15:00 IST
When Parineeti Chopra, Raghav Chadha Would Secretly Meet In 'Khet Khaliyan' Before Marriage

Published By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 11:51 IST

Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha, who got married in September 2023, recently opened up about their journey together.

Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha are couple goals. (Photo Credit: X)

Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha, who tied the knot in September 2023, have become one of Bollywoods most beloved couples. Their down-to-earth approach to life and strong marriage have captured the hearts of fans. In a recent appearance on Rajat Sharmas Aap Ki Adalat, the couple opened up about the journey of their relationship. Parineeti shared how she had once searched for Raghav online, while Raghav revealed details of their secret meetings.

In her conversation with Rajat Sharma, Parineeti Chopra recalled flying to London to receive an award, where Raghav Chadha was also being recognised. However, at that time, she didnt know him personally, as she wasnt into politics. Parineeti said, I did not know Raghav. My brothers were big fans of him. My brother Shivang told me to meet him. I told the organizers I wanted to meet Raghav. Raghav was sitting behind me. I went up to him. I said, Hello, I am Parineeti, my brothers are big fans of you. He replied, How sweet. He said, We will catch up. I said, sure, well meet in Mumbai. Raghav replied: Why not meet here tomorrow? I was stunned." To this, Raghav Chadha responded with a playful statement, Nek kaam me deri kaisi? (Why should I delay a good work.)"

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The next morning, Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha found themselves sitting at a table with 10-12 others, chatting about their jobs, hobbies and everything in between. But Raghav, feeling quite hungry, stood up, grabbed a plate and piled it with food. Parineeti was taken aback by his candid and unfiltered side. At that moment, she thought to herself, Yeh toh sahi banda hai. (Hes is amazing.)" and knew, I am going to marry this man."

However, since she didnt know much about him at the time, Parineeti went back to her room and started searching for Raghav online. She Googled details about his career, age, and relationship status. Finding everything to be in her favour, she concluded, Ab vyah toh main edey naal he karungi. (Now, I will only marry him.)"

During the same conversation, Raghav Chadha shared details about their secret meetings. He recalled that after their initial meeting at the hotel, Parineeti flew back to India and then went to Punjab for a film shoot. He shared a memorable story where the actress sent her managers and security home and drove alone to meet him. Phir hum kisi khet khaliyan me aaram se baithey. (Then we sat at a farm)", Raghav revealed.

After months of secretly courting and meeting, the couple announced their engagement in May 2023 at Kapurthala House in New Delhi. Just a few months later, on September 24, 2023, Parineeti Chopra and Raghav Chadha tied the knot in a beautiful traditional wedding ceremony at The Leela Palace in Udaipur, Rajasthan.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 09:28 IST
Will Karnatakas Congress Government Remove Savarkars Portrait From Assembly? Row Erupts

Reported By :

News18.com

Edited By: Manjiri Joshi



Last Updated: December 10, 2024, 09:14 IST

Karnataka Congress vs Savarkar: While great grandson Ranjit called it a conspiracy, the party played down the development as misinformation

The Savarkar portrait (extreme right) at Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi, Karnataka. (PTI File)

A portrait of Vinayak Damodar Savarkar in the assembly hall of Belagavis Suvarna Vidhana Soudha has stirred a fresh political row in Karnataka amid reports that the Congress government wants to remove it. The ruling dispensation, however, has played down the development and called it misinformation".

The decision to remove the portrait was reportedly based on the Congress questioning Savarkars contribution to Karnataka as well as the belief that Savarkars ideology led to Mahatma Gandhis assassination.

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Responding to reports, Karnataka minister Priyank Kharge called it misinformation" and an attempt to divert attention from the serious issues that plague the nation".

The portrait of Savarkar was installed in 2022 by then Basavaraj Bommai government during the winter session of the Karnataka assembly.

The unveiling of the controversial Hindutva ideologues portrait alongside Swami Vivekananda, Subhash Chandra Bose, B. R. Ambedkar, Basaveshwara, Mahatma Gandhi, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel had sparked widespread debate.

Belagavi | VD Savarkars portrait unveiled in Karnataka Assembly hall. Congress MLAs have staged a protest with LoP Siddaramaiah writing to Speaker to install portraits of personalities like Valmiki, Basavanna, Kanaka Dasa, BR Ambedkar, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and many others. pic.twitter.com/Esgdl8bdgP ANI (@ANI) December 19, 2022

CONGRESS CONSPIRACY: SAVARKARs GREAT GRANDSON

The Congress has an agenda. This is a conspiracy to elevate some leaders while diminishing others. The Congresss stand is that only Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru contributed to Indias freedom struggle. Savarkar spent 11 years in the Andamans and a total of 27 years in jail for the country. His contribution is immense, but they refuse to acknowledge it due to their obsession with appealing to the Gandhi family," Ranjit Savarkar, the great grandson of Veer Savarkar, told News18.

Savarkar added that the Congress cannot compare Savarkar with Nehru, which is why they portray Nehru and Gandhi as greater than others, even leaders like Vallabhbhai Patel.

In the previous winter session, state minister R Priyank Kharge had said he would remove Savarkars portrait from the Assembly Hall in Belagavis Suvarna Vidhana Soudha if given the chance.

Kharge stated his allegiance lies with the Constitution and called for the portraits removal, arguing it had no relevance to Karnataka. I do not agree with principles and ideologies where equality never existed. I will not support ideologies that led to Mahatma Gandhis assassination," Priyank Kharge had told News18.

BELAGAVIS SAVARKAR CONNECTION

Savarkars link to Belagavi lies in his detention at Hindalga Jail in 1950. He was held under preventive detention to stop him from protesting the visit of Pakistan Prime Minister Liaquat Ali Khan to New Delhi. Belagavi, often at the centre of the Karnataka-Maharashtra border row, has witnessed several Savarkar-related controversies.

KHARGE QUESTIONS VEER TITLE

Kharge questioned Vinayak Damodar Savarkars Veer title, raising concerns over his familys alleged clemency petition to the British, his stance on cow protection, and whether he received a pension from the British government.

When the BJP installed a portrait of Savarkar, the Congress, then in opposition, had demanded the inclusion of portraits of other historical figures like Maharishi Valmiki, Kanakadasa, Shishunala Sharifa, Babu Jagjivan Ram, and Kuvempu. These great personalities have made immense contributions to Karnataka and its socio-political culture. Their portraits hold greater relevance," a senior Congress leader had said.

RAOS MEAT-EATING REMARKS

Karnataka health minister Dinesh Gundu Rao, speaking at a Gandhi Jayanti event this year, had referred to Veer Savarkar as a rationalist who consumed non-vegetarian food and was not against cow slaughter.

He was a Chitpavan Brahmin who openly propagated eating meat. Some even say he consumed beef. He was modern in many ways, though a fundamentalist in his Hindutva ideology," Rao said.

Rao added that Savarkar, an atheist, did not believe in cow worship and had scientific views, contrasting them with Gandhis unscientific" ideas. While respecting Savarkar as a freedom fighter, Rao stated that his fundamentalism needed to be countered with Gandhian principles.

The BJP had criticised Rao, with Karnatakas Leader of Opposition R. Ashok accusing the Congress of being anti-Hindu and appeasing minorities. For Congress, their god is Tipu Sultan. Why do they target Hindus while sparing Muslims? Hindus will teach them a lesson," Ashok said.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who was then Deputy CM, had also condemned Rao, accusing the Congress of repeatedly disrespecting Savarkars legacy as a freedom fighter and Hindutva advocate.

None of us has the right to humiliate Veer Savarkar. Did Siddaramaiah or DK Shivakumar participate in the freedom struggle or endure the black water imprisonment in Andaman like him ? No! Then what gives them the right to remove his photos from Suvarna Soudha? 1/2 pic.twitter.com/mgTvz3uND2 Shobha Karandlaje (@ShobhaBJP) December 9, 2024

SHIVAMOGGA CLASH

On August 15, 2022, a clash erupted in Shivamogga over a Savarkar poster at Ameer Ahmed Circle.

Tensions escalated when another group attempted to display a poster of Tipu Sultan at the same spot, leading to a stabbing incident. Authorities intervened by hoisting the national flag, but Savarkars image later appeared at Bengalurus Majestic Metro station, sharing space with Chandrashekhar Azad and Udham Singh.

TEXTBOOK CONTROVERSY: A TALE OF FLYING BIRDS

A Class 8 Kannada textbook sparked debate with a passage claiming that Savarkar used to fly on a bulbul bird during his solitary confinement at the Cellular Jail from 1911 to 1924. The textbooks creator defended it as beautified prose," but educationists and historians dismissed it as pure distortion."

FLYOVER CONTROVERSY

In 2020, the Yediyurappa government faced protests from Congress and JD(S) over a 400-metre flyover named after Savarkar in Yelahanka, Bengaluru. The Rs 34-crore project, scheduled for inauguration on May 28, Savarkars birth anniversary, was postponed by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP), citing Covid-19 restrictions.

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GANESH CHATURTHI ROW

During Ganesh Chaturthi in 2021, BJP members distributed posters of Savarkar, while right-wing groups planned to display his image alongside Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak in Ganesh pandals. The Hindu Janajagruthi Samiti allocated Rs 150 per pandal for these posters which added fuel to the fire.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 14:52 IST
Why Rahul Narvekar Will Have To Blend Legal Acumen, Political Adaptability In 2nd Stint As Maharashtra Speaker

Reported By :

News18.com

Edited By: Apoorva Misra



Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 12:49 IST

Narvekars first term saw him play a critical role in the Sena vs Sena case, where he managed high-stakes political and constitutional challenges with remarkable poise

Rahul Narvekar (centre)'s first term as Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly began in 2022, coinciding with a political earthquake that saw the Shiv Sena split into two factions. (PTI)

Rahul Narvekar scripted history on Monday by being re-elected as the Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for a second consecutive term as the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi refused to file a nomination for the post. The re-election, however, was marred by controversy as Shiv Sena (UBT) MLAs, led by Uddhav Thackeray, abstained from attending the session.

The proposal for Narvekars re-election was moved by chief minister Devendra Fadnavis and seconded by Anil Patil. The absence of Shiv Sena (UBT) legislators, who have been vocal critics of Narvekars past decisions, has sparked significant discussion in political circles.

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During Narvekars re-election, none of the 20 Shiv Sena (UBT) MLAs were present in the assembly, with some viewing it as a silent protest against his rulings.

Known for his legal acumen and political adaptability, Narvekars leadership during one of Maharashtras most tumultuous periods has cemented his reputation as a pivotal figure in the states political landscape. His tenure saw him play a critical role in the Sena vs Sena case, where he managed high-stakes political and constitutional challenges with remarkable poise.

Narvekars first term as Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly began in 2022, coinciding with a political earthquake that saw the Shiv Sena split into two factions. The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) and the Eknath Shinde-led faction engaged in a bitter legal and political battle over the partys name, symbol, and the loyalty of its MLAs.

As Speaker, Narvekar was thrust into the eye of this constitutional storm. One of his most significant responsibilities was adjudicating the disqualification petitions filed by both factions against rival MLAs. The stakes were high, as the decisions would determine the composition of the assembly and, by extension, the survival of the Shinde-led government.

Narvekars handling of these sensitive matters was closely watched across the nation. While critics accused him of partisanship, his supporters pointed to his adherence to constitutional provisions and procedural fairness. His role gained further prominence when the Supreme Court directed him to expedite pending disqualification cases, highlighting his central position in Maharashtras political and legal landscape.

Narvekars decisions during this period not only upheld the authority of the Speakers office but also set crucial precedents for resolving similar disputes in the future. His ability to navigate the Sena vs Sena saga without letting the assembly descend into chaos earned him respect across party lines, even as his rulings continued to be debated in legal and political circles.

Narvekars political career has been marked by his ability to navigate Maharashtras dynamic political environment. Born into a family with deep political roots, Narvekars father, Suresh Narvekar, was a prominent corporator. This early exposure to politics laid the foundation for his future endeavours. Narvekar began his career with the Shiv Sena, where he emerged as a young and dynamic leader with significant grassroots support. However, internal factionalism and limited growth opportunities prompted him to join the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) under Sharad Pawar. Despite his brief stint with the NCP, it was his eventual move to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2014 that proved to be a turning point in his career.

In 2019, Narvekar contested and won the assembly elections from the prestigious Colaba constituency in South Mumbai. His legal background as an advocate added a distinct edge to his political career, equipping him to deal with complex legislative and constitutional matters.

His second term is expected to demand an even greater degree of impartiality, especially as the assembly becomes a battleground for contentious issues.

One of the key areas where Narvekars leadership will be tested is in maintaining decorum during heated debates. As Maharashtras politics grows increasingly polarised, the Speakers role as a neutral arbiter will be critical in ensuring that legislative proceedings remain focused on governance and public welfare.

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Narvekars journey from a young Sena loyalist to one of Maharashtras most influential political figures underscores his adaptability and strategic acumen. His legal background has played a crucial role in shaping his approach to politics, enabling him to navigate complex constitutional questions with confidence. Narvekars tenure as Speaker has demonstrated his ability to balance legal obligations with political realities. Whether it was handling disqualification petitions, addressing disputes over assembly procedures, or ensuring that the legislature functioned smoothly amidst political turmoil, his leadership has been marked by a commitment to upholding the dignity of the Speakers office.

If re-elected, Narvekars second term as Speaker will further solidify his legacy as a key figure in Maharashtras legislative history. His ability to adapt, mediate, and lead makes him a crucial figure in Maharashtras political narrative. Narvekars second term as Speaker will undoubtedly see him take on even greater responsibilities as Maharashtra charts its course through challenging political waters.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 12:23 IST
Google Has Good News For These Older Pixel Users In India: Know More

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 08:30 IST

Pixel users get longer OS support from Google but now the company is promising more goodies for the old models.

Google is offering this new support for the older Pixel models

If you have bought the older Google Pixel phone models in the country or anywhere else, the company has brought some early Christmas presents for them. Google has confirmed that select Pixel models will be getting extended Android OS support, which means if your device has reached the end of the upgrade cycle, your deadline has gone up by a few years.

The details are available on a support page from Google where you will know if your Pixel phone is getting more life and support from the company.

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Pixel Phones Extended Upgrades: Which Models Get It

The big news is that Google is now offering 2 more OS upgrades if you have the Pixel 6, Pixel 7 series or other select phones from the company. The Pixel 6 series came out in 2021 but the Indian buyers only got the Pixel 6a model, and even that is included in the new OS roadmap. Here are all the Pixel phones getting more upgrades:

 Pixel 6a

 Pixel 6

 Pixel 6 Pro

 Pixel 7a

 Pixel 7

 Pixel 7 Pro

 Pixel Fold

Out of there, people in India were able to buy the whole Pixel 7 series and the Pixel 6a models. The Pixel 7 lineup came out in 2022 which means you now get five years of OS upgrades. So, if you have a Pixel 7a, Pixel 7 or the 7 Pro model, you will now get up to Android 18 version that comes in 2027.

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Google has mostly been good with the OS support for its Pixel phones, offering 3 years of support. The company went one step further by committing to 7 years of OS and security updates starting with the Pixel 8 series last year. These changes for the older Pixel phones mean if you have relied on them for a few years, they can carry on for some more time and you dont need to upgrade right away.

Google has improved the quality of its devices over the years and while the company is offering longer OS support, we are hoping the products are able to withstand it for that duration.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: December 09, 2024, 08:30 IST
Bride Says Nothing Could Have Prepared Her For Shocking Wedding Guest Book Mix-Up

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 17:08 IST

Instead of the decorative guest book where loved ones were supposed to write their names, Tara Henderson was left stunned when she opened the package to find a book titled "Shoulder Meat."

The soon-to-be bride expressed shock. (Photo Credit: Instagram)

Planning a wedding is a significant and sometimes overwhelming task, filled with both excitement and stress. From selecting the ideal venue and curating the perfect menu to finalising the guest list and managing vendors, its no surprise that wedding planning is seen as a monumental challenge. Of all the aspects, wedding decor stands out as the most important, as it shapes the atmosphere of the entire celebration. However, when the decor turns out to be something unexpected, it can quickly become a wedding day nightmare.

Imagine the frustration and heartbreak that follows such a turn of events. The added stress from unexpected mishaps can make an already intense wedding planning process even more overwhelming. A similar situation occurred with a bride-to-be from Wichita Falls, Texas, who recently shared her experience on TikTok. In the viral video, Tara Henderson explained, Im getting married in 12 days, and today I was supposed to receive my guest book. When I opened the mail, I was shocked to find that it wasnt there. But what I found instead was something I never could have prepared for."

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Instead of the decorative book in which loved ones would jot down their names during Hendersons I Dos" on December 14, the 29-year-old worryingly revealed that she was stunned to find a book entitled Shoulder Meat."

I got a picture book of people I do not know with meat on their shoulders. I do not know these people," the soon-to-be Mrs. added with an eye-popping glimpse at the fleshy photos.

The soon-to-be bride further stated that she had already spoken to the guest book company about getting her rightful package. I did contact the place that I ordered from, and they will be sending my correct book," said Henderson, before issuing a public apology to those who received her wedding goods instead of their beefy page-turner.

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While flipping through the Shoulder Meat" compilation, Henderson said, If you were supposed to get this, and instead you received my wedding guest book. Im sorry."

This is not the first time that weddings took an unexpected turn, leaving the couples unhappy. Earlier, another story of an emotionally distraught bride went viral as her perfectly vegan reception turned into a scene from a sitcom where a pizza delivery man grabbed the limelight. The reason behind this was her non-vegetarian guests, who ordered 20 large pizzas for the fiesta as cheesy alternatives to her plant-based bites. Disheartened by this incident, the bride, who spent approximately $15,000 towards preparing a vegan meal, sobbed in the bathroom.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: December 09, 2024, 17:07 IST
This High-Tech Human Washing Machine Proves Japan Is Living In 2050

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 12:37 IST

Mirai Ningen Sentakuki or human washing machine uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyse your body and provides a customised bathing experience.

Human washing machine will be featured at the Osaka Kansai Expo. (Photo Credit: X)

After a long day at work, many people look forward to a relaxing bath, but for those who are short on time, a groundbreaking invention may offer the perfect solution. Japanese engineers have introduced the Mirai Ningen Sentakuki, or more simply, the human washing machine. Developed by Science Co., an Osaka-based company, this high-tech device uses artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze your body and deliver a customized wash-and-dry experience. Remarkably, it completes the entire process in just 15 minutes. Designed to resemble a futuristic pod akin to a fighter jet cockpit, the machine will be showcased at the Osaka Kansai Expo, where 1,000 lucky guests will have the opportunity to experience it firsthand.

As per local media, The Asahi Shimbun, the company chairman, Yasuaki Aoyama, during an even said, Were about 70 per cent there. We plan to offer 1,000 general visitors an opportunity to use it during the expo."

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According to the portal, only seven to eight people will have the opportunity to try the human washing machine each day at the upcoming Osaka Kansai Expo, and reservations are already open. To ensure comfort and prevent any feelings of claustrophobia, the machine is equipped with a transparent cover. Upon entering the pod, the device fills partially with warm water, and sensors in the chair collect user data to adjust the water temperature to their personal preference. At the same time, an AI system monitors the users emotional statewhether calm or excitedand plays a soothing video inside the pod to help them relax.

AI-POWERED HUMAN WASHING MACHINE: BECAUSE WHO HAS TIME TO SCRUB?Japans "Mirai Ningen Sentakuki" is here to wash youreverything. A 15-minute AI-powered bath capsule uses jets, microbubbles, and calming videos to cleanse bodies and soothe egos. Chairman Yasuaki Aoyama pic.twitter.com/0GBwOtCV9r  Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) December 3, 2024

Reacting to the post, a user wrote, These would be very welcome in retirement homes and health care facilities."

These would be very welcome in retirement homes and health care facilities. Richard Marshall (@RichWr4u) December 3, 2024

Another shared, I cant waste 15 minutes every day. Up here in Canad,a we will get another carbon tax."

I cant waste 15 minutes everyday. Up here in Canada we will get another carbon tax. Thanh Nguyen (@Nguyen_Tesla) December 3, 2024

Ill take one, only if you put wheels on it so I can drive it. Sorry, AI can drive it," a comment read.

Ill take one  Only if you put wheels on it so I can drive it. Sorry, AI can drive it.  Jason Zataz (@Jayzataz) December 8, 2024

An individual joked, One little glitch and youre euthanized."

One little glitch and youre euthanized. N R D (@youknowneno) December 3, 2024

One more added, Leave it to Japan to turn hygiene into high-tech luxury."

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Leave it to Japan to turn hygiene into high-tech luxury!   (@22_susheel) December 3, 2024

The Mirai Ningen Sentakuki might feel futuristic, but it is inspired by a design from 50 years ago. At the 1970 Japan World Expo, Sanyo Electric, now Panasonic, introduced the first human washing machine. Like the new version, it used hot water and tiny bubbles to clean people quickly.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: December 09, 2024, 12:37 IST
United Airlines' Fantasy Flight Transforms Airports Into Santas Hometown: Once In A Lifetime Event

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 17:32 IST

United Airlines hosted its annual Fantasy Flight starting and offered a memorable experience for kids facing serious illnesses and their families.

The children were escorted to a specially decorated hangar filled with games and treats. (Photo Credit: Instagram)

United Airlines made the holiday season extra special by giving children and their families a magical trip to the North Pole. In partnership with Make A Wish, the airline hosted its annual Fantasy Flight starting from December 5 and offered a memorable experience for kids facing serious illnesses and their families. The first flight departed from Honolulu International Airport and took passengers on an unforgettable journey. When they arrived, children were welcomed in an area transformed into Santas hometown, filled with games, treats, reindeers and Santa Claus himself. United has already hosted flights from various locations, including Honolulu, Washington-Dulles, Houston Bush, Los Angeles, London, Chicago-OHare, San Francisco and Tokyo.

The special flights will continue in cities like Cleveland, Fort Lauderdale, Guam, Denver and Newark. The trips were organised in collaboration with local hospitals and other organisations, which helped identify families going through difficult times. Although the children didnt actually fly to the North Pole, the experience was still magical. After taking off from the host airports, the flight flew for 30 minutes before landing back at the same airport. From there, the children were taken to a specially decorated hangar, where they enjoyed a magical evening.

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As per USA Today, Lena Wong, a United customer service agent, part of Hawaiis Fantasy Flights since 2017 said, There are so many little kids that have never even been on a plane. Theyre so amazed with the ride, and then especially coming here, I think some of them think that theyre actually gone to like Christmas. So many of the kids we impact, its amazing, theyre so strong."

Alex Wereszczynskyj, development director at HUGS Hawaii added, For some, it is a once in a lifetime event. Many of our families are financially challenged because of medical bills, things like that, so they might not have a chance to take a trip this year. But this kind of fills in that gap, and who doesnt want to go to the North Pole and see Santa?"

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Around 125 children and their families arrived at Honolulu International Airport for the Fantasy Flight. They received a special passport photo along with a ticket for the North Pole. The families were greeted by characters like various Disney princesses, along with Mickey and Minnie Mouse. They even got the opportunity to click pictures with Santa Claus.

United Airlines has announced that until December 31, they will match both miles and money donated at Make A Wish. They will match up to 5 million miles and up to $500,000 (approximately Rs 4 crore) in donations. Illy Coffee is supporting the cause by donating $1 (approximately Rs 84) for every cold brew sold on the flights during December, up to $25,000 (approximately Rs 21 lakh).

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: December 09, 2024, 17:21 IST
Walmart Removes Ganesha-Printed Underwear, Slippers And Socks After Backlash

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 10:02 IST

Walmart has yet to issue a statement regarding the celestial Ganesh blessing collection, but most of the items have been removed from their website following the backlash.

Ganesha-printed products that were previously available for sale on Walmart. (Screengrab)

Walmart is under fire after listing products featuring prints of Lord Ganesha, including slippers, undergarments, swimsuits, and trousers. Many have lambasted the American multinational retail corporation, demanding the removal of these products from their website and an apology for hurting religious sentiments.

An X (formerly Twitter) shared screenshots of the products on the microblogging website and wrote, Listen! Walmart, featuring Lord Ganesha on underwear and casual wear is deeply disrespectful to Hindus. Deities are not fashion statements; they hold profound spiritual significance. Please reconsider this product line to show respect for religious symbols."

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The screenshots revealed that the items were sold by multiple vendors.

Read| Flipkart Takes Down Aalsi, Bewakoof Big Billion Days Sale Ad on Husbands After Online Backlash

One listing for trousers described them as, Lukts celestial Ganesh blessings for men  sleek straight pyjama pants, versatile lounge pants, and cosy sleepwear all in one-xx-large."

Listen!! @Walmart, featuring Lord Ganesha on underwear and casual wear is deeply disrespectful to #Hindus. Deities are not fashion statements; they hold profound spiritual significance. Please reconsider this product line to show respect for religious symbols. pic.twitter.com/tWDA3dkxj8 UnApologetic Hindu (@KrishnKiKanya) December 6, 2024

This is unacceptable. You cant demean our Hindu Gods," wrote yet another X user while sharing another set of products on the website. Walmart should immediately withdraw Celestial Ganesh Blessings collection and apologise to Hindus."

The screenshots show swimsuits, slippers, and trousers featuring Lord Ganesh prints being sold online.

This is unacceptable. You cant demean our Hindu Gods.@Walmart should immediately withdraw Celestial Ganesh Blessings collection and apologise to Hindus.  pic.twitter.com/KGCcqqObXu Tathvam-asi (@ssaratht) December 6, 2024

The Hindu American Foundation (HAF), an advocacy group representing Hindu Americans, slammed Walmart for disrespectful misuse of Hindu imagery on slippers & bathing suits" and called for the immediate removal of the products from the retailers website.

Also Read| Watch: Girl Throws Items, Smashes Bottles On The Floor At Walmart Store

The organisation wrote, We have written directly to Walmart regarding the disrespectful misuse of Hindu imagery on slippers & bathing suits."

Ganesha is a deity worshipped by more than a billion followers of Dharma religions around the world as the remover of obstacles. We ask that these disrespectful items be immediately discontinued for sale," they added.

The organisation also expressed willingness in a dialogue about the appropriate commercial use of images depicting Hindu deities.

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Dear @walmarthelp: @HinduAmerican has written directly to @Walmart regarding the disrespectful misuse of Hindu imagery on slippers & bathing suits.Ganesha is a deity worshipped by more than a billion followers of Dharma religions around the world as the remover of obstacles. pic.twitter.com/WHrpFOYPQU  Hindu American Foundation (@HinduAmerican) December 6, 2024

Walmart has yet to issue a statement regarding the celestial Ganesh blessing" collection, but most of the items have been removed from their website following the backlash.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 09:59 IST
Watch: New Yorkers Host 'United Healthcare CEO Shooter Lookalike Competition'

Curated By :

Trending Desk

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 14:13 IST

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in broad daylight by a hooded and masked gunman outside the Hilton Hotel in New York.

The winner of the contest took home $50 (approximately Rs 4,235). (Photo Credit: X)

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed outside the luxury Hilton Hotel in New York on Thursday morning, December 5. The attack occurred in broad daylight as Thompson was reportedly heading to an investor event on foot without security. A hooded and masked gunman approached him, fired multiple shots and then fled the scene on a bike. The entire murder was caught on CCTV with the police later releasing footage showing the shooter flashing a smile as he escaped. As the investigation continued, a disturbing reaction emerged from the public in New York. According to the New York Post, a shooter look-alike" contest was held in Washington Square Park which drew a lot of attention and criticism.

As per the report, eight contestants, dressed in hooded outerwear and face masks, were surrounded by spectators who cheered as they voted for the most convincing impersonator of the killer. The winner of the contest wore a green jacket and his face covered which closely resembled the assassins attire. He won $50 (approximately Rs 4,235).

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I got no looks until I got over here and now everyone wants a picture with me," he told The Post. He added that he didnt even need to make special preparations for the contest, saying, I wear this everywhere."

Further, the winner also shared his frustrations with health insurance companies, though he wasnt a UnitedHealthcare customer People do not feel great about the current state of things in our world," he told the outlet.

Happening now at Washington Square Park: A United Healthcare CEO shooter lookalike competition, including people who intentionally and unintentionally dressed the part. pic.twitter.com/r96XNGuFqe Talia Jane ? (@taliaotg) December 7, 2024

The contest took a darker turn when one participant, holding a bubble gun, wore a sign that read Deny Defend Depose." Reportedly, this is the same phrase that the shooter had written on shell casings at the scene.

The crowds reaction reacted with criticism as the contestants stood together at the insensitive event. A person called out, Bro I dont know if you all should be doing this  but your life choices I guess."

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Meanwhile, the search for the shooter continued as authorities confirmed they had identified the killer. The net is tightening," New York City Mayor Eric Adams said.

According to the Post, after fleeing the scene, the assassin sped through Central Park on a bike before leaving the city on a bus. The police released photos of the shooter, showing him with his mask pulled down as he flirted with a woman while standing at the desk of a youth hostel on the Upper West Side where he is believed to have stayed after arriving in the city.

Location : Delhi, India

First Published: December 09, 2024, 14:11 IST
After Trumps Appeal, Russia Says Open To Negotiations On Ukraine

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 22:46 IST

Trump had called for an "immediate ceasefire" in Ukraine after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

Russia had welcome Trump's promises of putting an immediate end to the ongoing war in Ukraine. (Reuters)

A day after US President-elect Donald Trump called for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine following a meeting with French and Ukrainian leaders in Paris, Russia reiterated that it was open to negotiations and welcomed peace initiatives, particularly those coming from the Global South and Moscows BRICS partners.

President Putin has repeatedly said Russia was open to negotiations on Ukraine and welcomed peace initiatives, primarily those coming from countries of the Global South, as well as our BRICS partners, including China, Brazil, and South Africa, and the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, which are engaged in work on the humanitarian track," said Russias Foreign Ministry in a statement.

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Our stance on Ukraine is well known. The conditions required to cease the hostilities immediately were laid out by President Putin in June this year in his speech at Russias Foreign Ministry," the ministry further said. In June, Putin proposed that Russia would end the war if Kyiv agreed to drop its NATO ambitions and handed over the entire four provinces claimed by Moscow.

Russia also blamed Ukraine for rejecting negotiations. The Foreign Ministry said Zelenskyy, by his own decree, had banned himself and his presidential office from making any engagements with the Russian leadership. All Zelenskyy has to do to enter a trajectory of peace is to revoke this decree and issue an order to resume dialogue on the basis of arrangements made in Istanbul and with account taken of the realities taking shape on the ground," the statement read.

What Did Trump Say On Ukraine War?

Trump called for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations between Russia and Ukraine to end the madness" after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his French counterpart Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump claimed that Moscow and Kyiv have both lost hundreds of thousands of soldiers in a war that should never have started." There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin. Too many lives are being needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed," he said, as he called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to act to bring the fighting to an end.

Reacting to Trumps appeal, Zelenskyy said peace was not just a piece of paper, but needed guarantees. When we talk about effective peace with Russia, we must first and foremost talk about effective guarantees for peace. Ukrainians want peace more than anyone else," he said on X.

Speaking to reporters later that day, Zelenskyy insisted that any peace deal should be just" for Ukrainians, so that Russia and Putin or any other aggressors will not have the opportunity to return." Trump claimed Kyiv had lost some 400,000 soldiers, but Zelenskyy said 43,000 soldiers were killed so far since Russias all-out invasion in 2022.

Yesterday, I visited President @EmmanuelMacron at the Elysee Palace and had a good meeting with President @realDonaldTrump.We discussed important issues on the battlefield and in the global situation, from our frontlines to North Korea. I stated that we need a just and enduring  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) December 8, 2024

Trump and Zelenskyy met in Paris for the reopening of the Norte-Dame Cathedral on Saturday, alongside host Macron. The French and Ukrainian sides said the discussions had been good and productive. President Trump is, as always, resolute. I thank him. I also extend my gratitude to Emmanuel for organizing this important meeting," Zelenskyy later said.

Syria Is Example Of Why Ukraine Needs: Zelenskyy

Zelenskyy highlighted the fall of Assad government in Syria to rebel forces as an example of why Ukraine needs the unwavering support of its allies. The fall of the Assad regime wasnt just the result of the strength of opposition forces. It also happened because Russia doesnt have sufficient troops there. Why? Because the entire combat-ready Russian army is currently on Ukrainian territory," he said.

This clearly shows that the entire army of this pseudo-empire is currently waging war against the Ukrainian people. The same is already happening in Africa. We know that Wagner mercenaries were active there. We know how many Wagner fighters were eliminated in Ukraine," he added.

The events in Syria offer a clear example of why Ukraine needs the unwavering support and confidence of our partners. Everyone sees the importance of Ukraine and the war of Russia against Ukraine.The fall of the Assad regime wasnt just the result of the strength of opposition  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) December 9, 2024

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Zelenskyy said if Ukraine falls, Putin will return to Syria to exact revenge, in Africa and in other regions that interest him. " I believe it is essential for everyone to understand this: unity around Ukraine is the key to successthe shared success of the world. A success that unites. And unity that brings success," he said.

The Kremlin has said repeatedly it will not negotiate with Zelenskyy unless Ukraine renounces its ambition to join NATO and withdraws troops from territories now controlled by Russian troops. However, those conditions are unacceptable to Ukraine.

Location : Moscow, Russia

First Published: December 09, 2024, 22:16 IST
Assad's Ouster In Syria Shatters Iran's 'Axis Of Resistance' In Middle East

Published By :

AFP

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 18:46 IST

Assad's government was brought down by an Islamist-led rebel alliance after 14 years of civil war that claimed half a million lives.

Bashar Al-Assad's family had ruled Syria for 50 years. (AP)

The fall of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad shattered the key link in Irans axis of resistance", but Tehran will look for ways to adapt to the new reality, analysts say.

After nearly 14 years of war in Syria, a lightning offensive launched by an Islamist-led rebel alliance brought Assad down.

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The offensive began on November 27, just as a ceasefire took effect in the war between Irans powerful proxy Hezbollah and Israel.

Hezbollah had long used Syria as its key conduit for weapons and supplies from Iran.

With Assad gone, it remains to be seen how Hezbollah will adapt, particularly after the staggering losses it suffered in its own recent war.

Syria Was On Frontline Of Resistance

In the past, Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say in his countrys affairs, has said that Syria is on the frontline of the resistance against Israel".

The axis of resistance, to use Tehrans term, comprises Iran itself and a smattering of proxy forces united by their opposition to Israel, including Lebanons Hezbollah, Palestinian militant group Hamas and Yemens Huthi rebels, as well as smaller groups in Iraq.

Until Sunday, Assads government was a key component of the axis, and he would likely not have survived for as long as he did had it not been for Hezbollah and Irans military backing.

But the fall of Assad on Sunday was a major blow to the loose alliance, and the latest in a string of setbacks for Iran in its fight against Israel.

In recent months Israel has killed Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar in Gaza and Hezbollahs secretary general Hassan Nasrallah in Lebanon, and decimated both groups mid-level leadership.

Iran also blames Israel for the killing of former Hamas political chief Ismail Haniyeh in an attack in Tehran in July.

Meanwhile, the Islamic republic has lost hundreds of its Revolutionary Guards in Syria over more than a decade of the countrys civil war, including in Israeli air strikes.

What Did Syrian Rebels Want?

Within Iran, some believe the Syrian rebels goal was to sever the link between Tehran and its allies.

With its influence now threatened in Syria, Iran will no longer be able to support Hezbollah as it did before", Mehdi Zakerian, an expert on international relations in Tehran, told AFP.

In Tehrans official narrative, the revolt against Assads rule was an American-Israeli plot to destabilise" the Middle East and redraw its political map.

Syrias civil war was sparked by a crackdown on democracy protests inspired by the Arab Spring.

Iran sent to Syria what it presented as military advisers" to support Assads army, at his request.

Shiite Muslim militias close to Iran also deployed, allowing Tehran to gain influence in Syria, which borders not only Lebanon but also Israel.

After the fall of Damascus on Sunday, the Iranian embassy was ransacked, an act that would have been previously unimaginable.

Key Reasons For Assads Downfall

And while Iran was a key backer of Assad, some official critiques of the former leader were emerging after his downfall.

Bashar was an opportunity for Iran, but he did not pay enough attention to the recommendations of the Islamic Republic," Iranian news agency Fars said.

Following the rebels declaration of victory, Irans foreign ministry said its policy towards any new Syrian government would depend on developments in Syria and the region, as well as the behaviour of the actors".

But the statement also said Iran expected to continue friendly" relations with the country.

On Saturday, as rebels were swiftly advancing towards Damascus, Tehran had called on all sides in the conflict to engage in negotiations.

That statement by Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was significant, not least because of its timing, and appeared to mark a change in tone.

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Iran had long branded any form of opposition in Syria as terrorism".

On Sunday, with that opposition now seemingly in charge, Araghchi said: Syria played an important role in supporting the resistance, but it is not the case that the resistance will stop without Syria."

Location : Damascus, Syria

First Published: December 09, 2024, 18:46 IST
Bangladesh Cops File Fresh Case Against Hindu Monk Chinmoy Das, His Followers In Chittagong

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 08:02 IST

The complaint was filed by Enamul Haque, a businessman and activist of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, in the court of Chittagong Metropolitan Magistrate.

Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari (X: @DrSukantaBJP)

A case was lodged on Sunday over a clash between police and followers of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das on the court premises in Chittagong, according to a media report.

The case names the Hindu leader, arrested on a charge of sedition, as the prime accused, along with 164 identified individuals and 400 to 500 unidentified people, according to a report by a Bangladeshi daily.

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The complaint was filed by Enamul Haque, a businessman and activist of Hefazat-e-Islam Bangladesh, in the court of Chittagong Metropolitan Magistrate Md Abu Bakar Siddique.

Haque in his complaint alleged that he was attacked by followers of Chinmoy Krishna Das while returning home after completing land registry work at the court on November 26.

The businessman claimed that he was targeted for wearing a panjabi, a kurta, and a cap, which resulted in injuries to his right hand and head.

He was rescued by bystanders and admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital, the newspaper said. Haque also said that his delay in filing the case was due to his prolonged illness from the attack.

Haque was assaulted on November 26 on the court premises by followers of Chinmoy Krishna. His right hand was fractured, and he sustained head injuries. The case names 164 individuals, with Chinmoy Krishna as the principal accused," his lawyer is quoted as saying.

The incident follows several clashes linked to the imprisonment of Chinmoy Krishna, spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sommilito Sanatani Jagaran Jote.

Previously on November 27, police filed three related cases at Kotwali police station, naming numerous individuals and hundreds of unidentified persons for obstruction and attacks on law enforcement.

Separately, another case was filed by a businessman on Tuesday, alleging assault by a group near Rangam Cinema Hall on November 26.

The complaint named 29 individuals, including members of political organisations and ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness), alongside 40 to 50 unidentified persons, the report said.

The relations between India and Bangladesh came under strain after the interim government headed by Muhammad Yunus came to power after deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina fled the country on August 5 following a student-led protest.

The relations deteriorated further in recent weeks over continued attacks on Hindus and especially after the arrest of the Hindu monk, a former member of ISKCON Bangladesh.

Das arrest in a sedition case on November 25 from Dhakas Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport had triggered demonstrations by supporters of the monk.

An assistant government prosecutor, Saiful Islam Alif, was killed during a protest in Chattogram after the monk was denied bail on November 26.

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On December 3, a Bangladesh court deferred to the January 2 hearing on the bail petition of Chinmoy Krishna on a government plea as no lawyer appeared on his behalf.

(With agency inputs)

Location : Bangladesh

First Published: December 09, 2024, 08:02 IST
Germany Suspends Syrian Asylum Decisions Citing 'Unclear Situation'

Published By :

AFP

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 21:42 IST

Germany took in almost one million Syrians, Europe's biggest diaspora from the ravaged country, with the bulk arriving in 2015-16 under ex-chancellor Angela Merkel

Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said that the end of the brutal tyranny of the Syrian dictator Assad is a great relief for many people who have suffered from torture, murder and terror. (AP file)

Germany on Monday suspended decisions on asylum requests from Syrians amid the unclear situation" in the war-torn country after the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad, the interior minister said.

Germany took in almost one million Syrians, Europes biggest diaspora from the ravaged country, with the bulk arriving in 2015-16 under ex-chancellor Angela Merkel.

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Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said that the end of the brutal tyranny of the Syrian dictator Assad is a great relief for many people who have suffered from torture, murder and terror".

Many refugees who have found protection in Germany now finally have hope of returning to their Syrian homeland and rebuilding their country," she said in a statement.

But she cautioned that the situation in Syria is currently very unclear".

Therefore, concrete possibilities of return cannot yet be predicted at the moment and it would be unprofessional to speculate about them in such a volatile situation."

In view of this unclear situation," she said, the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees had imposed a freeze on decisions for asylum procedures that are still ongoing until the situation is clearer".

The interior ministry says 974,136 people with Syrian nationality were residing in Germany.

Of these, 5,090 had been recognised as eligible for asylum, 321,444 had been granted refugee status and 329,242 had been granted subsidiary protection, a temporary stay of deportation. Tens of thousands of other cases are still pending.

German foreign ministry spokesman Sebastian Fischer pointed to the changing events and ongoing fighting in Syria.

The fact that the Assad regime has been ended is unfortunately no guarantee of peaceful development," he told a media briefing.

Whether this new situation will result in new refugee movements or whether, on the contrary, if the situation stabilises, displaced persons and refugees will have the opportunity to return to their homeland in the long term, remains to be seen."

Immigration Debate

Assads fall has again stoked an immigration debate in Germany, where some fear a new wave of Syrian refugees and others hope to quickly send back those already there.

Immigration has been a hot-button topic in a year that has seen a number of bloody attacks blamed on Islamists and as the country heads for elections in February.

The far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) reacted to Sundays mass rallies of Syrians celebrating Assads downfall by suggesting they could now go home.

Anyone in Germany who celebrates free Syria evidently no longer has any reason to flee," wrote the AfDs Alice Weidel on X. They should return to Syria immediately."

The centre-right opposition CDU suggested that rejected Syrian asylum-seekers should now lose so-called subsidiary protection.

If the reason for protection no longer applies, then refugees will have to return to their home country," CDU legislator Thorsten Frei told Welt TV.

CDU MP Jens Spahn suggested that Berlin charter flights to Syria and offer 1,000 euros to anyone who wants to return to Syria".

Members of Chancellor Olaf Scholzs Social Democrats (SPD) criticised the debate as inappropriate.

To talk about a freeze of admission of Syrian refugees at this point is populist and irresponsible," the vice-chair of the SPD parliamentary group Dirk Wiese told the Rheinische Post daily.

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Green party deputy Anton Hofreiter also said it is completely unclear what will happen next in Syria".

Musings about changing our migration policy after the fall of Assad and taking tougher action against Syrian refugees are completely out of place," he told the Funke media group.

Location : Berlin, Germany

First Published: December 09, 2024, 21:42 IST
'Creates Tensions': Yunus Rakes Up Hasina's Speeches From India During Meet With Misri

Curated By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 22:00 IST

Yunus described relations between India and Bangladesh as "very solid" after attacks on Hindus in recent weeks became a source of concern for New Delhi.

During the meeting with Misri in Bangladesh, Yunus described relationships between the two countries as very solid. (MoFA Bangladesh)

Bangladeshs chief adviser Muhammad Yunus met Indias Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri amid an apparent strain in bilateral relations, where he raised the issue of ousted former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasinas statements from India, saying it is creating tensions.

Our people are concerned because she is making many statements from there. It creates tensions," Yunus told the Indian foreign secretary, according to an official statement. He also spoke on how students, workers and people joined hands during the student-led protests against Hasina to end her corrupt regime".

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Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Dhaka earlier in the day for a days visit and conducted high-level talks with his Bangladesh counterpart Mohammad Jashim Uddin and foreign adviser Md Touhif Hossain. Misri raised Indias concerns over the safety of minorities in Bangladesh and stressed its desire to establish a close working relationship with the neighbouring country.

What Did Yunus Say On Minorities?

Misri called on Chief Adviser Yunus at the State Guest House Jamuna in Dhaka, where they held a 40-minute long meeting to discuss issues of minorities, misinformation campaigns, Sheikh Hasinas stay in India, regional cooperation and the mass uprising in mid-July to August that toppled the Awami League government.

There have been a spate of incidents of violence against Hindus and other minorities, as well as attacks on temples in Bangladesh in the last few weeks that triggered strong concerns in New Delhi. Yunus said the interim government is committed to protecting every citizen and safeguarding their rights irrespective of their creed, colour, ethnicity and gender. We are a family. We have to work together," he said.

India-Bangladesh Relations Very Solid: Yunus

During the meeting, the Nobel laureate described relationships between Bangladesh and India as very solid" and close". He asked India to help clear the clouds" that have cast a shadow over the relationship between the two neighbours in recent times, as per the statement.

Elaborating on the mass protests, Yunus said, Our job is to keep their dreams alive. It is a new Bangladesh." He also briefly outlined the reform initiatives undertaken by the Interim Government. The Chief Adviser also called for close bilateral cooperation in floods and water management and urged India to join in his initiative to revive SAARC. We want to build a prosperous new future for all of us," he said.

Meanwhile, Misri urged a push towards joint and concerted efforts" to boost relationships between the two neighbours, which are beneficial for both countries and said India wants to carry on from where we left off" when Hasina was in charge.

Misri said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first foreign leaders to greet Yunus after he assumed office. We wish you every success," he said, adding that it was a wrong perception that India had ties with one particular party in Bangladesh. They are not meant for one particular party, but for every one."

The Foreign Secretary also said India doubled the number of visas for Bangladeshis last month and would increase the number further in the coming days. We can take our relationships forward," he said.

What Happened Between India And Bangladesh?

The close ties came under severe strain after Hasina was forced to leave the country in the face of massive anti-government protests in August. Nobel Peace laureate Mohammad Yunus came to power days after Hasina fled to India.

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Interim government head Yunus earlier said India might not have liked the revolution" ousting a fascist regime". Members of his interim cabinet said Indian media was largely exaggerating the harassment of minorities after the arrest of ISKCON priest Chinmoy Krishna Das and attacks on Hindus in recent weeks attracted worldwide condemnation.

Misris trip is the first high-level visit by an Indian official since August 5 when Hasina was ousted. A day before the meeting on Sunday (December 8), Hossain expressed optimism that Bangladesh and India will be able to overcome the kind of stalemate that the two neighbouring countries witnessed over the last couple of months.

Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh

First Published: December 09, 2024, 21:36 IST
Meet Hasib Aziz, 'Liberal' Yunus's Top Cop Who Is Implicating Hindus in Bangladesh

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 10:36 IST

It was under Aziz's command that the police in Bangladesh registered the outrageous sedition case against ISKCON leader Chinmoy Das, drawing sharp international reactions.

Lawyers from the Hindu community who sought to represent Chinmoy Das were also implicated in false cases, thanks to the Mohammad Yunus's 'Yes Man' Hasib Aziz doing his job well.

Bangladesh has been going through a radical change, much of whose brunt is being borne by the minorities and Awami League activists. While the Bengali-speaking nation has been rocked with massive protests by the Hindu community, the biggest protests took place in caretaker Prime Minister Muhammad Yunuss home turf  Chittagong  which the Nobel laureate considered an embarrassment.

The smiling, calm and known to be liberal to the world  Yunus  resorted to what any dictator would do. He weaponised the police force and abused the legal apparatus giving sweeping immunity to the force in Chittagong with one instruction  Crush down minority protest in my hometown".

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Hasib Aziz, who has been promoted as Police Commissioner of Chittagong by the Yunus-led regime, appears the mastermind behind the systematic crackdown to drive out Hindus from the port city. The city has witnessed an unprecedented surge of minority rallies in protest against the unelected interim regime granting sweeping immunity to the perpetrators of communal violence.

The Hindus of Chittagong claim false lawsuits against thousands of them, arbitrary detention of minority community members, putting obstruction to foil minority rallies while guarding hardline Islamists who publicly took out rallies preaching hate campaigns against the Hindus of Bangladesh and protecting the perpetrators of communal violence have been key measures employed by the police on the directives of Aziz.

In Chittagong alone, on November 26, there have been two cases against Hindus where the police are separately looking for 250-300 persons and 400-500 persons according to the case diary. Similarly, on November 27, there have been two cases, where in one case, the police are looking for 600-700 individuals and in another, the police are looking for 300-400 persons. Most of these cases are extra judicial, illegal, against international norms of human rights and minority rights and targeting the weaker section of the society," said the Human Rights Congress for Bangladeshi Minorities.

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It was under Azizs command that the police in Bangladesh registered the outrageous sedition case against ISKCON leader Chinmoy Das, drawing sharp international reactions. The complaint was filed by BNP activist Firoz Khan, on which Aziz acted swiftly. Das was leading rallies against impunity with which the perpetrators of communal violence were operating and was drawing massive crowds which was becoming a cause of concern for the interim government.

Not just Das, but according to the rights body, in five separate false cases filed under different police stations in Chittagong in November, as many as 1,900 people were implicated as unnamed accused and around 100 were named as accused. Lawyers from the Hindu community who sought to represent Chinmoy Das were also implicated in false cases, thanks to the Nobel Laureates Yes Man Hasib Aziz doing his job well. Blessed by Dr Yunus, Aziz also emerged as the key conspirator in shielding perpetrators of communal violence including arson and looting of Hindu businesses while overseeing the brutal crackdown at a Hindu neighbourhood Hazari Goli in Chittagong where hundreds were unlawfully detained and later arrested.

First Published: December 09, 2024, 10:31 IST
Pannun Threatens Canadian Hindu MP Chandra Arya For Opposing 1984 Riots Motion

Reported By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 12:06 IST

Top Indian intelligence sources have said that the Canadian government is allowing Pannun to speak against their sitting MPs.

Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has threatened Chandra Arya.

Khalistani terrorist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has now threatened Hindu Canadian MP Chandan Arya for opposing the motion to declare 1984 riots as genocide. Chandan Arya will have Lalit Makan-like fate," Pannun said in his threat to Arya.

Top Indian intelligence sources have said that the Canadian government is allowing Pannun to speak against their sitting MPs. This is nothing but open threat to someone talking democracy in Canadian Parliament," sources said.

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Sources added that Arya has also been threatened by Canadian MP Sukh Dhaliwal over the issue.

Last week, Chandra Arya, opposed a motion to label the 1984 anti-Sikh riots as genocide, blocking its passage. He also highlighted how he was facing threats for voicing concerns of the Hindu-Canadian community.

Today, the Member of Parliament from Surrey-Newton attempted to have the Parliament declare the 1984 riots in India against Sikhs as a genocide. He sought unanimous consent from all Members in the House of Commons to pass his motion. I was the only Member present in the House to say NO, and my single objection was enough to prevent this motion from being approved," he said in a post on X.

He added, Immediately after this, I was threatened inside the parliament building for standing up and saying no. There have been several attempts, both within the parliament and outside, to stop me from freely and publicly voicing the concerns of Hindu-Canadians. While I am proud of having stopped this divisive agenda from succeeding today, we cannot afford to be complacent. Next time, we may not be as fortunate."

The politically powerful Khalistani lobby will undoubtedly try again to push for Parliament to label the 1984 riots as genocide. There is no guarantee I will be in the House to block it the next time any other Member, from any political party, attempts to bring this motion forward," Arya said.

Reacting to Aryas opposition to the motion, Khalistani group Sikhs For Justice (SFJ) said, You are the only one that opposed 1984 Sikh genocide motion

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and surely you will be the only one who will face the consequences and will be held accountable under the law."

The SFJ called for pro-Khalistani Sikhs to kill Aryas politics of aiding and shielding Hindus who orchestrated 1984 Sikh genocide."

First Published: December 09, 2024, 12:01 IST
Fascist Govt: Sheikh Hasina Slams Yunus Over Chinmoy Prabhus Arrest, Calls Him Mastermind

Written By :

News18.com

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 11:00 IST

Sheikh Hasina slammed the Yunus regime over the arrest of religious leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu and alleged persecution of minorities.

Ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina and Bangladesh's interim leader Muhammad Yunus | File Image

Ousted Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina lashed out at the countrys interim leader Muhammad Yunus over the arrest of religious leader Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu and alleged persecution of minorities and called the current regime in the country fascist."

Das, a former ISKCON member and spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sommilito Sanatani Jagaran Jote, was arrested at Dhakas Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on November 25, triggering a countrywide protest demanding his release.

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In a virtual address at an event in London, Hasina said, They have arrested Chinmoy Krishna Prabhu and have not allowed a lawyer for him. Human Rights are being violated in Bangladesh. This is an example of a fascist government."

Launching a sharp attack on the Yunus-led interim government, she alleged that the Bangladesh authorities released several criminals accused of murder while arresting over 100 journalists, curbing freedom of speech and expression.

Hasina fled the country and has been staying in India following massive anti-government protests that erupted in July and August. It triggered massive violence in the country, with several reports claiming attacks on religious minorities, including Hindus.

They (Yunus-led government) have tortured and assaulted the religious minorities in Bangladesh. They have attacked religious sites as well, including temples and churches. Several Awami League leaders have been killed," Hasina was heard saying in the audio clip posted on X by the Awami League.

Yunus A Mastermind Of Conspiracy

Hasina, who had alleged that there was a plot to assassinate her, accused Yunus of hatching a conspiracy against her government and charged his government with doing politics at the cost of someones life.

Yunus designed the conspiracy against our government. He has accepted of hatching the conspiracy. He was the mastermind (of anti-government protests). We accepted their demands, but still, Yunus did all this to rule Bangladesh."

The mass protest, which turned violent and led to the ouster of Hasina, began as students demanded reforms to the civil service quota system. However, many claimed a hidden agenda behind the protest.

I have not handed over the government, it was occupied by the Yunus-led protestors. I fled the country because I never wanted to do politics on dead bodies," Hasina added in her virtual speech.

Relations between India and Bangladesh have deteriorated since the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus took power in August. Continued attacks on Hindus and Das arrest have further strained ties.

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Location : Bangladesh

First Published: December 09, 2024, 10:56 IST
Sheikh Hasina Calls Yunus 'Mastermind' Of Bangladesh Turmoil

Last Updated: December 09, 2024, 21:58 IST

In a virtual address to a gathering of overseas Awami League supporters in London on Sunday, Hasina accused Yunus of being the mastermind behind the July-August turmoil that ousted her government and vowed to bring him and his allies to justice under Bangladeshi law

The audio recording of Hasina's address was shared on the Facebook page of the Bangladesh Students' League and Bangladesh Awami League. (File IMAGE: REUTERS)

Bangladeshs deposed premier Sheikh Hasina has launched a fierce attack on the interim administration, accusing its Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus of running a fascist regime" that allows terrorists and fundamentalists to act without restraint.

In a virtual address to a gathering of overseas Awami League supporters in London on Sunday, Hasina accused Yunus of being the mastermind" behind the July-August turmoil that ousted her government and vowed to bring him and his allies to justice under Bangladeshi law.

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She criticized Yunus and his interim government for their alleged persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh.

Since August 5, the attacks on minorities, places of worship of Hindus, Christians and Buddhists have been rampant. We condemn it. The Jamaat and terrorists are having a free run under the new regime," she said.

The audio recording of Hasinas address was shared on the Facebook page of the Bangladesh Students League and Bangladesh Awami League.

Her remarks came ahead of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misris visit to Dhaka Monday where he raised Indias concerns over the safety of minorities, flagging regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious and diplomatic properties" in the country.

There have been a spate of incidents of violence against Hindus and other minorities, as well as attacks on temples in Bangladesh in the last few weeks that triggered strong concerns in New Delhi.

Bangladesh is now under the grip of a fascist regime where peoples democratic rights have been obliterated. Our governments achievements in poverty alleviation and infrastructure development, strengthening of democracy were being undone under Yunuss leadership," Hasina said during her 37-minute virtual address over the phone.

Hasina accused the Yunus government of providing clemency to terrorists and criminals, including those involved in arson and murders.

The release of convicted criminals and terrorists, including those responsible for attacks on the Bangladesh Parliament and other atrocities, proves the complicity of this government," she alleged.

Hasina vowed that those responsible for the alleged atrocities under the Yunus administration would be brought to justice.

Md Yunus and his allies are the masterminds of the July-August unrest in the country. They are behind the killing of students and policemen, arson and atrocities. The murderers and conspirators who have harmed our nation will be held accountable under Bangladeshi law. Just as we took action against war criminals, justice will prevail for todays wrongdoers. No one will escape the law," she said.

On August 5, the student-led Monsoon Revolution under the banner of Students Against Discrimination" succeeded in toppling Sheikh Hasinas 16-year regime, propelled by fervent demands for change and accountability.

After unprecedented anti-government protests, Hasina resigned as prime minister and fled the country. She landed in India on August 5 and is currently staying here.

Hasina criticized Yunus and his government for their alleged persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh.

Since August 5, the attacks on minorities, places of worship of Hindus, Christians and Buddhists have been rampant. We condemn it. The Jamaat and terrorists are having a free run under the new regime," she said.

Hasina expressed outrage over the judicial and administrative repression under the current government, citing the case of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das as an example.

Chinmoy Krishna Das lawyer was barred from contesting his case, a blatant violation of legal rights. This government is using every tool to suppress dissent and deny justice," she said.

Chinmay Krishna Das, a prominent spokesperson for Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, was arrested at Dhakas Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Monday while en route to Chattogram for a rally. He was denied bail and remanded to jail on Tuesday. His arrest has further fueled concerns over the treatment of Hindus in Bangladesh.

Condemning the ongoing oppression, Hasina declared, This dark chapter of our nations history will not last forever. Mohammed Yunus will be held accountable for his actions, and justice will prevail." Hasina further alleged that people are being subjected to brutal violence.

Innocent people have been beaten to death under this fascist regime. The rule of law has been completely eroded," she said, calling for accountability and justice.

Hasina claimed that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has ignored allegations of financial irregularities involving Yunus and his organization, Grameen Bank.

They accuse my government of corruption but fail to provide evidence. Meanwhile, Yunuss activities remain unchecked by the ACC," she said, reiterating her challenge for the interim government to substantiate its allegations against her.

Hasina claimed that since August, more than a thousand leaders and workers of the Awami League have been killed, their homes looted, and their businesses destroyed.

She claimed that members of her party were being systematically targeted and that these incidents were part of a broader conspiracy to eliminate the Awami Leagues influence.

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All units of the Awami League have been subjected to attacks. The homes and businesses of our leaders have been looted. Those who are reporting these atrocities face severe consequences under the current regime," she stated.

While concluding her virtual address, Hasina expressed hope for a brighter future, assuring the people that a new dawn will soon break, dispelling the darkness that has engulfed our country."

Location : Dhaka, Bangladesh

First Published: December 09, 2024, 19:38 IST
Times are getting hard for the so-called "social clubs" made up of adults who love to gather at Disneyland (sometimes called Disneyland "gangs" due to their tendency to wear biker vests and dub themselves things like the "Nightmare Crew"). With the California theme park frequently raising admission prices and instituting a reservation system, "the scene is just not what it used to be," the co-founder of one such social club tells the Wall Street Journal. Club members used to be spotted in the parks hundreds-strong at a time, but now, he says, his club struggles to get six members to meet there at a time.
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Over the weekend, China's military stepped up its presence near Taiwan, deploying 14 warships, seven military aircraft, and four balloons, Taiwan's Defense Ministry reported. This escalation comes amid suspicions that Beijing might execute military drills following Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te's diplomatic tour, which included stops in Hawaii and Guam. China, claiming Taiwan as its own territory, regularly protests such international engagements and opposes US arms sales to the self-governing island of 23 million people.

During a 24-hour period from Saturday to Sunday, six Chinese aircraft crossed the Taiwan Strait's median line, while one balloon hovered over northern Taiwan, the ministry noted. Lai, on the heels of his overseas visit to Pacific allies such as the Marshall Islands, addressed Beijing's aggressive tactics, stressing that military maneuvers "will not be able to win the respect" of neighboring nations. His recent travels also brought about interactions with US Congress leaders, further frustrating China, which deems such exchanges and US support for Taiwan as interference in its sovereign affairs.

China has historically signaled its intentions to annex Taiwan, if necessary, through military force, maintaining a regular pattern of military sorties near the island. In a previous show of force, China conducted significant drills around Taiwan, deploying a record number of aircraft and naval vessels. Beijing has been vocal in its criticism of President Lai, labeling him a separatist, with little sign of diplomatic reconciliations looming on the horizon. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
Feature: Excited fans flock to Ocean Park Hong Kong for debut of new panda members

Xinhua) 09:01, December 09, 2024

A giant panda is pictured at Ocean Park Hong Kong in Hong Kong, south China, Dec. 8, 2024. Giant pandas "An An" and "Ke Ke" gifted by the central government to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) made their public debut at Ocean Park Hong Kong on Sunday. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

HONG KONG, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Excitement in the metropolis has reached a fever pitch as a pair of new panda members, known as An An and Ke Ke, made their much-awaited public debut on Sunday at Ocean Park Hong Kong's giant panda enclosure.

At 9:30 a.m. local time before the park opened, early birds were already queuing outside the Hong Kong Jockey Club Sichuan Treasures, ready to meet the two pandas, the third pair gifted by the central government to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), after more than two months of the duo's quarantine and adaptation.

A Hong Kong resident surnamed Lau was among the hundreds of panda lovers standing in line, wearing themed clothes and a panda-shaped headband. "The moment has finally come!" exclaimed Lau, who has been a panda fan for more than 10 years.

Hopefully, Hong Kong can develop its own distinctive "Panda IP," Lau told Xinhua. She then joined a growing crowd of early birds who rushed into the venue for a good spot.

To maintain order around the panda enclosure, 150 tickets were handed out every 15 minutes. Visitors can enter the park for 10 minutes each time. About 30 minutes after the park's opening, no tickets were left until 2:00 p.m..

Inside the venue, the pair, all five years old, took turns to do their livestream eating. Ke Ke showed up first for breakfast, before she approached the crowd, walked back to a tree trunk, and made various gestures. Frisky An An performed his climbing moves, shuttling around the climbing frames with his bamboos.

Some fans even came from afar. Anthony from the United States was also standing in line to capture these adorable moments with his camera. "The pair has obviously distinct characters and are doing quite well here," he said, adding that this is his first time to see a real panda in person and has become an instant fan of the duo. Anthony said he is planning to see them again during his stay in Hong Kong.

To make the two new members to the panda family here at home, Hong Kong Ocean Park has put a lot of thought into the layout of the enclosure. Ke Ke owns a "tunnel" and a "throne" while An An's home is "furnished" with a climbing frame and tree stand. Both have been devised to simulate the wild foraging environment. Moreover, the temperature of the venue is kept at 19 degrees Celsius.

Ocean Park Hong Kong said the pair can already understand commands in Cantonese, and their carers now call them An An and Ke Ke in Cantonese. The two pandas have good appetites and can eat as much as around 10 kilograms of food daily, plus additional food following their meals.

An An is a carrot fanatic and Ke Ke is a sweet potato lover. Their carers will feed them various seasonal foods, including bamboo shoots, apples, pears, high-fiber cakes, and steamed cornbread made from corn flour, soybean flour and eggs.

A local panda fan surnamed Lee stood near the enclosure after her visit, editing videos on her phone before she uploaded them to her social media. "I document the life of these pandas not only because of their healing properties, but also because it enables people to see what Hong Kong is doing in panda conservation. It is also a window to understand Hong Kong and the wider China," she said.

Across Hong Kong, panda parades are unfolding in winter to share the joy, from the iconic Avenue of Stars in Tsim Sha Tsui to the "Panda Go! Fest HK" exhibition featuring 2,500 panda sculptures in Ngong Ping 360, Sun Yat Sen Memorial Park and elsewhere in the city. There are new panada-themed programs in the pipeline, including stamps, outdoor carnivals and experience activities.

The HKSAR government will seize the opportunities brought by the pandas to bring wonderful and unforgettable panda experiences to residents and visitors, and tell well the stories of Hong Kong, HKSAR Chief Executive John Lee told a greeting ceremony for the giant pandas on Saturday.

Visitors take pictures of a giant panda at Ocean Park Hong Kong in Hong Kong, south China, Dec. 8, 2024. Giant pandas "An An" and "Ke Ke" gifted by the central government to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) made their public debut at Ocean Park Hong Kong on Sunday. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

Visitors take pictures of a giant panda at Ocean Park Hong Kong in Hong Kong, south China, Dec. 8, 2024. Giant pandas "An An" and "Ke Ke" gifted by the central government to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) made their public debut at Ocean Park Hong Kong on Sunday. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

A giant panda eats bamboo at Ocean Park Hong Kong in Hong Kong, south China, Dec. 8, 2024. Giant pandas "An An" and "Ke Ke" gifted by the central government to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) made their public debut at Ocean Park Hong Kong on Sunday. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

Visitors take selfies with a giant panda at Ocean Park Hong Kong in Hong Kong, south China, Dec. 8, 2024. Giant pandas "An An" and "Ke Ke" gifted by the central government to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) made their public debut at Ocean Park Hong Kong on Sunday. (Xinhua/Chen Duo)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Global response to the end of President Bashar al-Assad's government in Syria included expressions of optimism that the nation can emerge from what a UN envoy called "this dark chapter" to establish a government that respects peace and human rights. President Biden addressed the US on Sunday about the development, and President-elect Trump posted his reaction online. Many leaders around the world stressed that what's next for Syria is up to its people. Reaction came from:

The United Nations: "We will need the support of the international community to ensure that any political transition is inclusive and comprehensive and that it meets the legitimate aspirations of the people of Syria, in all their diversity," said special envoy Geir Pedersen, who called for "urgent political talks" in Geneva to discuss the situation. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged that further violence be avoided, per UN News.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that Israeli forces have seized a buffer zone in the Golan Heights established by a 1974 ceasefire agreement with Syria, the AP reports. He spoke from an overlook near the border between Syria and the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, after Syrian rebels dramatically ended President Bashar al-Assad's rule. Netanyahu said the 50-year-old agreement had collapsed and that Syrian troops had abandoned their positions, necessitating the Israeli takeover as a "temporary defensive position." Defense Minister Israel Katz said on X that the IDF has been instructed to "seize the buffer zone and control points to ensure the protection of all Israeli communities in the Golan HeightsJewish and Druze,"

The Israeli military said Sunday it was reinforcing a barrier along its border with Syria as part of its "enhanced preparedness" in the area, and the Israeli military sent additional troops to the Golan Heights to bolster Israel's presence along the border. Israel released images of the barrier construction, which showed bulldozers digging what appeared to be a trench. Satellite images show that as early as September, Israel began building what could be a new road right along the so-called Alpha Line that separates the Golan Heights from Syria.

The United Nations maintains a peacekeeping force in the demilitarized zone called the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, or UNDOF. Israel captured the Golan Heights in the 1967 Mideast war and annexed it. The international community, except for the United States, views it as occupied Syrian territory. A later ceasefire created a demilitarized buffer zone between the two countries' territories, prohibiting military presence or activity from either side. After the 1973 Mideast war, the UN Secretary Council voted to create UNDOF to patrol a roughly 155-square-mile demilitarized zone and maintain the peace there, and UN peacekeepers have patrolled the area since 1974.

story continues below

The Arab League on Sunday condemned Israel for taking advantage of Assad's downfall by moving into more Syrian territory. The Israeli military said Sunday it also sent troops to "other places necessary for its defense." It added it was "not interfering with the internal events in Syria." Agricultural areas along the border were declared closed military zones and some schools shifted to online classes in anticipation of unrest. The IDF on Sunday instructed residents of five Syrian villages inside the buffer zone to stay inside their houses until told otherwise, the BBC reports. (More Golan Heights stories.)
One of the first things militant groups did upon taking control in Syria was to open prisons and free tens of thousands of Bashar al-Assad's political enemies. That includes the most notorious military prison of all, the Saydnaya facility on the outskirts of Damascus. Coverage:

Amnesty International famously described the prison several years ago as a "human slaughterhouse." Another human rights group, the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, estimates that 30,000 detainees were killed inside Saydnaya between 2011 and July of this year, reports the New York Times.
Donald Trump and Jill Biden turned heads over the weekend when they were spotted briefly chatting at a Paris event for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral, as a chair between them meant for French first lady Brigitte Macron was temporarily unoccupied. It's what the US president-elect posted on Sunday, however, that raised even more eyebrowsan ad of sorts using the AP photo of him and the US first lady taken by Thibault Camus to promote Trump's fragrance line, reports the Hill .

"Here are my new Trump Perfumes & Colognes! I call them Fight, Fight, Fight, because they represent us WINNING," Trump wrote in a Sunday Truth Social post, which showed himself and Biden interacting, along with the tagline "A fragrance your enemies can't resist!" On his product website, Trump adds that the perfumes and colognes selling for $199 are "a rallying cry in a bottle" for "patriots who never back down." The bottles show Trump with a raised fist, resembling the gesture he made after the first assassination attempt against him.

Trump, who also said in his post that the fragrance selections would make "great Christmas gifts for the family," added in a video for the products that "we all wanna be winning," per USA Today. "We have to win. This fragrance is all about strength and success and confidence for men and for women." The paper also notes that, despite the acrimony between Trump and President Biden, the two did meet in the Oval Office following Trump's election victory. During that visit, Jill Biden slipped a note to Trump for his wife, incoming first lady Melania Trump, who didn't visit the White House with her husband. (More Donald Trump stories.)
UPDATE

Dec 9, 2024 12:55 PM CST

Police have arrested a suspect in last week's shooting of a health insurance CEO and identified him as 26-year-old Luigi Mangione of Maryland, reports the New York Times. Mangione was spotted Monday morning at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

Dec 9, 2024 11:03 AM CST

Police may have scored a break in last week's shooting of a health insurance CEO. The New York Times reports that authorities have detained a man in Altoona, Pennsylvania, and are questioning him. Authorities were reportedly tipped off by an employee in a McDonald's who spotted the man and thought he bore a resemblance to the suspect, reports CNN. A police search revealed that the man had a gun similar to the one used by the shooter in New York City, the AP reports. He also reportedly had a silencer, along with fake ID cards similar to those used by the New York City gunman.
A passenger who tried to hijack a domestic flight in Mexico and reroute it to the US told airline personnel he had been threatened, authorities say. The passenger, a man named Mario who was traveling with his wife and children, allegedly assaulted a flight attendant as he tried to enter the cockpit, ABC7 News reports. The man was tackled and restrained by passengers and crew members, reports El Universal. The Volaris flight from Leon's El Bajio airport to Tijuana landed in Guadalajara after the pilot issued an alert code. It's not clear whether the suspect, who was handed over to authorities after the plane landed, was armed.
Costs for people with cancer and caregivers are expected to be a staggering $7.5 billion in 2024, placing an immense financial burden on people who are already facing a life-threatening illness.

TORONTO, Dec. 9, 2024 /CNW/ - A report released today by the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS) reveals the substantial financial toll of a cancer diagnosis in Canada, with the average cancer patient grappling with nearly $33,000 in costs including out-of-pocket expenses and lost income during treatment and recovery.

Canadian Cancer Statistics: A 2024 special report on the economic impact of cancer in Canada was developed by the Canadian Cancer Statistics Advisory Committee in collaboration with CCS, Statistics Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada with analysis conducted by the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer.

The report is the first of its kind, providing a glimpse into the economic impact of cancer both on patients and the healthcare system itself. Using a microsimulation tool called OncoSim, it provides the best estimates of the economic impact of cancer based on available data.

According to the report, people with cancer and their caregivers shoulder 20% of Canada's total cancer costs  amounting to a staggering $7.5 billion this year alone. With rising cost of living, and more people in Canada facing a cancer diagnosis due to a growing and aging population, this number is expected to climb over the next decade to $8.8 billion per year.

"Cancer comes with an incredibly high price tag - it's unacceptable to know that such a significant portion of costs fall on people with cancer and their families," says Dr Jennifer Gillis, Director of Surveillance, Canadian Cancer Society. "This report gives us a look at just how high those costs are. With this new data, we must ask ourselves what more can be done to support Canadians at a time when their focus should be on their health and recovery."

Financial constraints can contribute to worse health outcomes, with some opting to delay or forgo aspects of their treatment. Those who need to work less or leave their job due to illness, along with caregivers who need to take time off, risk losing essential health coverage and income.

The burden isn't felt equally, with those in lower income households and those on fixed incomes disproportionately affected, and those in rural and remote communities far from treatment paying more for travel costs to receive necessary care. According to recent data from MNP Ltd., more than 50% of Canadians have less than $200 left at the end of the month after paying their bills. For many, $33,000 could represent years of savings for important goals like buying a home or paying off a mortgage, funding an education or saving for retirement.

Natalie's story

Natalie Lipschultz was diagnosed with stage 3 colorectal cancer in 2019. While undergoing chemotherapy, she continued to work full time. Natalie was open with her work about her diagnosis and planned treatment schedule, but after an emergency room visit due to a drug reaction, she was unexpectedly terminated without cause. Desperate for health benefits, she accepted severance in exchange for not pursuing legal action.

"I needed my benefits because I was paying for cancer drugs myself. It was very scary," says Natalie. "My husband was going back to school at the time, so there was just lots and lots of financial strain to afford our bills. Thankfully, we had some extended family that helped us out, but I know not everybody has that."

After completing treatment in 2020, Natalie had a baby. Her daughter was just 5 months old when her cancer returned, metastasizing to her liver, classifying her now as stage 4. Surgery in 2022 left her cancer-free, but if it recurs, she'll need specialized drugs that would cost upwards of $10,000 a month, including administering the drugs, plus a possible $1,000 per supplementary pill to control side effects  none of which are currently covered by private or provincial health insurance. The financial strain could force her family to sell their home or take out a second mortgage, get loans from the bank or turn to crowdfunding for further support.

When factoring in her out-of-pocket expenses, lost wages and time costs, Natalie estimates her cancer diagnosis has cost her around $20,000 over the last 6 years. She now speaks out as an advocate focused on the early onset community.

Reducing financial hardship for cancer patients

Alongside our patient and caregiver community, CCS actively advocates to government to reduce the costs that people with cancer or their caregivers need to pay, including lowering cancer drug costs, a refundable caregiver tax credit, better job-protected leave, and expanded supports for travel and accommodation.

"We live in a country with universal healthcare, yet people with cancer are still footing a big bill," says Dr Stuart Edmonds, EVP, Mission, Research and Advocacy, Canadian Cancer Society. "Solving the issue is complex. This is a systemic, societal issue that can't be resolved in isolation. But we know there are choices that governments of all levels can make to reduce the out-of-pocket costs weighing so heavily on people in Canada."

Out-of-pocket costs includes things like prescription drugs, homecare, assistive devices, family care, travel-related expenses and accommodations. Join us in calling on governments to provide more support to reduce the cost of cancer by making your voice heard. Sign our petition today at cancer.ca/costofcancer.

How we can help

CCS offers various supports to ease the financial burden of cancer care, including rides to treatment, accommodation, travel-related financial assistance and free wigs or prosthetics. Visit cancer.ca to find out what supports are available in your region.

Other key findings in the report

The total cost of cancer to society is expected to be $37.7 billion in 2024.

in 2024. Health systems costs are expected to account for 80% of societal costs for cancer, approximately $30.2 billion in 2024.

in 2024. Lung, breast, colorectal and prostate cancer, combined, are expected to account for 47% of health systems costs and combined are projected at $14.2 billion in 2024.

in 2024. The first year after a cancer diagnosis is the costliest for people with the disease. Costs for people with cancer and their caregivers for the first year of care are projected to total $5.2 billion in 2024, which is just under half of the costs borne by health systems for this phase of care.

To learn more about the economic impact of cancer in Canada, visit cancer.ca/statistics and view the full report.

Quotes

"This timely report from the Canadian Cancer Society highlights cancer's significant financial impact on patients, caregivers and the healthcare system. Patients from equity-denied groups and those who live in rural and remote communities feel this impact even more acutely. With cost of living and costs related to cancer care continuing to increase, it is imperative that we alleviate the financial toll of cancer care for patients and families. We must reduce the costs and barriers to accessing quality cancer prevention, screening, treatment and care for people across Canada so that more people can remain cancer free  and those who are diagnosed and living with cancer can focus on their healing."

- Dr. Craig Earle, CEO, Canadian Partnership Against Cancer

About this special report

Canadian Cancer Statistics: a 2024 special report was developed by the Canadian Cancer Statistics Advisory Committee in collaboration with the Canadian Cancer Society, Statistics Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada with cancer data provided by the provincial and territorial cancer registries through the Canadian Cancer Registry. Canadian Partnership Against Cancer completed the majority of the analyses for this report in collaboration with the Health Analysis Division of Statistics Canada. French translation of this report was completed by the Public Health Agency of Canada. The Canadian Cancer Society coordinates the production and dissemination of this publication and supports it with charitable funds. For more than 35 years, this publication has been providing information that helps decide what support and services are needed and what research should be done. It also helps assess the impact of prevention, early detection and treatment. For more information about Canadian Cancer Statistics, visit cancer.ca/statistics.

About the Canadian Cancer Society

The Canadian Cancer Society works tirelessly to save and improve lives. We raise funds to fuel the brightest minds in cancer research. We provide a compassionate support system for all those affected by cancer, across Canada and for all types of cancer. Together with patients, supporters, donors and volunteers, we work to create a healthier future for everyone. Because to take on cancer, it takes all of us. It takes a society.

Help us make a difference. Call 1-888-939-3333 or visit cancer.ca today.

SOURCE Canadian Cancer Society (National Office)

For more information, please contact: Victoria Young, Communications Coordinator, 416-572-4252, [email protected]
"I am seized with this. We do want to get this out as quickly as possible".

- Hon. Ya'ara Saks, Minister of Addictions and Mental Health, October 20, 2024

OTTAWA, ON, MONTREAL and EDMONTON, AB, Dec. 9, 2024 /CNW/ - Three tobacco control organizations are repeating their call for Addictions Minister Ya'ara Saks to remove flavoured vaping products from the market quickly, as pledged earlier this fall. Recent Canadian studies provide further proof of the harms caused by the federal government's three-and-a-half-year delay in finalizing regulatory restrictions on vaping flavours.

Call to action from pro-vaping lobby sent to online customers on November 16, 2024 (CNW Group/Quebec Coalition for Tobacco Control)

A study of data from the longitudinal COMPASS survey of Quebec high school students was made public this week, showing that high school students who vape become severely addicted to nicotine very quickly, typically within the first year.

"Flavours are the main driver of youth vaping," said Flory Doucas, Co-Director and Spokesperson for the Quebec Coalition for Tobacco Control. "The sooner we remove the flavours that lure teenagers into e-cigarette use, the greater the number of young people who will be protected from severe and long-lasting addiction. Protection delayed is protection denied."

New Canadian studies have identified that flavouring additives increase the harms caused by vapers. A research team based at McGill University recently showed that berry-flavoured vapes make it harder for lungs to fight off infections.

"These recent studies add to the longstanding evidence that youth are at risk and that vaping products are dangerous and highly addictive,' said Cynthia Callard of Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada. "Yet instead of accelerating flavour restrictions, Minister Saks seems to be kicking it further down the long road to effective protection."

Last October, the federal government was reported as said the restrictions were coming "soon", possibly even in November. Such signals prompted the pro-vaping lobby to launch new campaigns aimed at blocking the regulations, like writing to all ministers, generating thousands of robo-letters from their customer base, planning a news conference, etc. This week their spokesperson tweeted that Minister Saks office was inviting them to provide alternatives to flavour restrictions.

"While vaping companies and the groups they fund have a right to express their interests, we are calling on Minister Saks to resist their lobbying tactics and prioritize the health of our young generations and all consumers, by moving forward with vaping flavour restrictions as soon as possible," added Ms. Callard.

Last September, the Canadian Vaping Industry accompanied by one of Canada's largest online retailers, 180Smoke.ca, met jointly with Health Canada to express concerns regarding sale declines and the black market.

"How hypocritical can the vaping industry get? 180smoke.ca is one of many retailers that shipped uncompliant vaping products to Quebec last April and October, undermining the provincial flavour ban and its taxation regime. 180smoke.ca is an executive member of the Canadian Vaping Association and its behaviour epitomizes the industry's willingness to defy provincial restrictions. It is mind-boggling to consider that Minister Sak's office or Health Canada would take seriously anything said by industry, its front groups or whatever mobilization these entities generate", said Ms. Doucas. (The Chief Operating Officer of 180Smoke is Vice President of the Canadian Vaping Association.)

Les Hagen, Executive Director for ASH Canada compared the delays in Canada to progress in other countries. "A growing number of jurisdictions, including China, Netherlands, Finland, and Hungary have prohibited flavoured vaping products except "tobacco" flavour and there are indications an EU-wide ban is in development. Yet despite Canada having one of the highest youth vaping rates, Health Canada has dragged its feet and left provinces without a way to defend provincial restrictions against vape stores that are willing to ship flavoured products across provincial boundaries.

"The decision by the Government of Canada to delay flavour restrictions is another gift to the tobacco and nicotine industry. Without it, they would find it much more difficult to easily recruit youth into nicotine addiction", concluded Mr. Hagen.

SOURCE Quebec Coalition for Tobacco Control

Information: Cynthia Callard, 613-600-5794; Flory Doucas, 514-515-6780; Les Hagen, 780-919-5546
There is progress to precisely placing silicon atoms to create qubits for quantum computers.

The Kane quantum computer is a proposal for a scalable quantum computer proposed by Bruce Kane in 1998 who was then at the University of New South Wales. Often thought of as a hybrid between quantum dot and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) quantum computers, the Kane computer is based on an array of individual phosphorus donor atoms embedded in a pure silicon lattice. Both the nuclear spins of the donors and the spins of the donor electrons participate in the computation.

Unlike many quantum computation schemes, the Kane quantum computer is in principle scalable to an arbitrary number of qubits. This is possible because qubits may be individually addressed by electrical means.

Since Kanes proposal, under the guidance of Robert Clark and now Michelle Simmons, pursuing realization of the Kane quantum computer has become the primary quantum computing effort in Australia. Theorists have put forward a number of proposals for improved readout. Experimentally, atomic-precision deposition of phosphorus atoms has been achieved using a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) technique in 2003. Detection of the movement of single electrons between small, dense clusters of phosphorus donors has also been achieved. The group remains optimistic that a practical large-scale quantum computer can be built. Other groups believe that the idea needs to be modified.

In 2020, Andrea Morello and others demonstrated that an antimony nucleus (with eight spin states) embedded in silicon could be controlled using an electric field, rather than a magnetic field.
A civilian employee of the Englewood Police Department has filed a lawsuit alleging systemic racial discrimination, retaliation and incompetence by city officials and leaders in the department.

Jay Bradley, a Black police dispatcher who joined the department 1998, claims he endured over a decade of discriminatory treatment and retaliatory actions after reporting workplace misconduct and other grievances.

His lawsuit includes details of an incident in which Bradley allegedly found a police lieutenant sleeping in the tour commanders office with his feet on the desk. The dispatcher states in court papers he discovered the sleeping lieutenant when he tried to alert him to a high-speed chase taking place involving several other officers.

The lawsuit, filed Nov. 25 in Superior Court of Bergen County, names the city, its police department, and several city officials as defendants.

Englewood Deputy Chief Matthew de la Rosa said Monday the department is restricted from commenting on pending litigation. City administrators did not immediately respond to a call seeking comment.

Bradley alleges racial bias created a hostile work environment, describing Englewoods governmental operations as having a plantation-like culture. According to the lawsuit, high-ranking officials targeted Bradley because of his race and his whistleblowing activities.

The complaint accuses police administrators of orchestrating efforts to undermine Bradleys career by creating alleged intolerable working conditions, and systematically degraded the privileges of my employment because of my African American heritage.

In the lawsuit, Bradley identifies several instances of whistleblowing, including disclosures of financial mismanagement and unethical behavior within the department.

In 2018, he reported the incident where a lieutenant was allegedly asleep during a high-speed chase. Bradley alleges he found the lieutenant passed out sleeping on the job when he opened the window of the tour commanders office to alert him of the chase.

The lawsuit also details how Bradley raised concerns that officers were allegedly falsifying overtime records and defrauding the city, including incidents involving colleagues allegedly stealing thousands of dollars in taxpayer funds.

I fulfilled my duty to report wrongdoing, yet my actions were met with hostility and fabricated charges against me, Bradley alleges in the suit.

The retaliation escalated, Bradley claims, when he testified in legal proceedings and cooperated with investigations into police misconduct. He was reassigned to tasks outside his expertise and later subjected to an internal investigation that he describes as a pretext to suspend him without pay.

The lawsuit states Bradley was suspended earlier this year after he was accused of financial mismanagement related to police department records. Bradley argues that he was set up to fail, as he lacked the forensic accounting training necessary for the task.

This was a calculated effort to make me the scapegoat, Bradley said in the lawsuit.

The complaint alleges that department leaders withheld Bradleys accrued sick time and vacation pay, creating the false impression that he was on paid leave during his suspension.

Bradleys lawsuit points to broader patterns of discrimination within the police department, citing other legal cases in which Black officers and employees alleged racial bias. The complaint references a 2020 settlement in which a Black lieutenant received $380,000 after his promotional prospects were allegedly sabotaged.

Bradleys attorneys filed claims under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination the Conscientious Employee Protection Act, which protect employees from workplace discrimination and retaliation. The lawsuit seeks damages for emotional distress, lost wages and damage to Bradleys reputation.

Jay Bradleys courage in coming forward underscores the systemic issues within the Englewood Police Department, said his attorney, Eric V. Kleiner. This lawsuit is a call for accountability and reform.
A North Jersey man is accused of driving a car through Teaneck Township two weeks ago and striking a 70-year-old woman, who later died at a hospital, authorities said Monday.

Police arrested 35-year-old Jevon Bryant, a Teaneck resident, on Saturday, when they located the white Honda sedan that sped away from Bernardita Garcia, the Bergen County Prosecutors Office said.

An attorney was not listed for Bryant in court records. He is charged with leaving the scene of a fatal accident, endangering an injured victim, obstruction of justice and traffic violations, the agency said.
On Dec. 3, 2009, a show that would forever change New Jerseys pop culture imprint premiered on MTV.

From Snooki to The Situation to gym-tan-laundry and fist-pumping nights at Karma, Jersey Shore was a certified reality TV beast and massive hit.

When the 15th anniversary of that monumental event arrived this week, the cast was back where it all began:

Seaside Heights.

A local resident told NJ Advance Media that a collection of SUVs with tinted windows  blacked-out Escalades covered in Italian flags  rolled up to the old Shore House near the boardwalk along with a bunch of cameras and production assistants.

What were they doing?

Making Jersey Shore a permanent part of Seaside.

The cast's handprints will now be a part of Seaside Heights in perpetuity.Manny Carabel | Getty Images

We gave a two-day permit to film their 15th year anniversary at the house, Mike Graichen, Seaside Heights special events director, tells NJ Advance Media. They also replaced part of the driveway at the house so the cast could put their hands in the fresh concrete.

So yes, Snooki, The Situation and company will be a part of Seaside for the foreseeable future  or however long that concrete lasts.

They were the first town that gave us our chance, series creator SallyAnn Salsano told NJ Advance Media earlier this year.

READ MORE: Love, hate, laundry: The 15-year saga of Jersey Shore vs. the real Jersey Shore

To celebrate the 15th anniversary, the Shore cast sat down in their old summer house with a custom cake emblazoned with GTL  gym, tan, laundry  and the name of the Shore Store, the T-shirt shop where they worked on the show.

A stretch limousine taxi pulled up to the celebration in a nod to another catchphrase from the show  cabs are here! always signaled the start of a night out clubbing.

Snooki and The Situation, seen here at the 15th anniversary celebration in Seaside, became household names after "Jersey Shore" premiered in 2009.Manny Carabel | Getty Images

It was a great event, Graichen said of the 15th anniversary gathering. No crowds ... no trouble.

Trouble historically associated with Jersey Shore in Seaside has included boardwalk rumbles and various arrests, including the time police arrested Nicole Snooki Polizzi after she drunkenly ran around the boardwalk saying wheres the beach?? in 2010.

While Jersey Shore came to an end in 2012, the show was revived in 2018 in the form of MTVs Jersey Shore Family Vacation, which sees the cast both in Jersey and on trips across the country.

READ MORE: Why Jersey Shore could go on forever  interviews with the cast and series creator

As part of that show, which is now in the second half of its seventh season, the Shore stars have made a number of returns to their original haunt at 1209 Ocean Terrace.

Of course, things were not always copacetic between Seaside and Jersey Shore.

The whole cast of "Jersey Shore," including Paul "Pauly D" DelVecchio and Angelina Pivarnick, showed up for the celebration.Manny Carabel | Getty Images

After the premiere aired in 2009, the town released a statement that panned the show.

The governing body wants it to be known that they did not solicit, promote or participate in the filming of this show, said John Camera, then-borough administrator. Furthermore, the Borough does not condone any discriminatory remarks against Italian Americans, domestic violence or the promiscuous and otherwise bad behavior portrayed on the show.

But after the reality show took off  its been 12 years since the original run of Jersey Shore  occasional visits to film Jersey Shore Family Vacation demonstrate the towns warming to the cast.

Cabs are here.Manny Carabel | Getty Images

Its a relationship that has continued now that the reality stars are in their 30s and 40s, with families of their own.

I want to keep shooting forever, Salsano told NJ Advance Media in May. Season one, episode one, the last scene was Mike up on the roof and hes like, I want to do this forever. And you know what? We have a group chat with the cast and we say that all the time.

Jersey Shore Family Vacation airs Jerzday Thursdays on MTV. The next episode premieres Dec. 12 at 8 p.m. ET. The show is also streaming on Paramount+.

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Amy Kuperinsky may be reached at akuperinsky@njadvancemedia.com and followed at @AmyKup.
DALLAS  Its official, Juan Soto is headed to Queens.

In a historic move for the franchise, the Mets have struck a deal with Soto worth $765 million over 15 years ($51 million AAV), Jon Heyman of The New York Post first reported. The contract includes a $75 million bonus, an opt-out after Year 5 and does not have any deferrals, according to Bob Nightengale of USA Today.

The Mets can void Sotos opt-out clause by giving him a $4 million raise per season in the final 10 years of the deal. Thats a possible extra $40 million, making the total value of his deal worth potentially $805 million, Jorge Castillo of ESPN first reported.

It is the largest contract in team history, sliding shortstop Francisco Lindors 10-year, $341 million down to second.

The move is monumental both in cost and in shifting the narrative that has haunted the Mets since their World Series run in 1986. No longer are the Amazins the sure-fire second team in New York, after a memorable postseason run in 2024, signing Soto suddenly makes the Mets the team to beat in the City.

BUY METS TICKETS: STUBHUB, VIVID SEATS, TICKETMASTER

Soto has already proven he can handle the pressure cooker that is New York City. In his first season with the Yankees, the five-time Silver Slugger enjoyed the best 162-game season of his career. In 157 games, he slashed .288/.419/.569 and posted career highs in hits (156), run scored (128), home runs (41) and OPS+ (178).

It was a season that saw him earn his fourth All-Star nod and marked his return to the World Series for the first time since 2019. Though the Yankees failed to win the World Series, with the Mets, Soto hopes to bring the city its first title since 2009, the Mets first since 1986.

The move drastically improves the Mets roster, adding protection to its lineup and finally providing defacto captain Francisco Lindor with a second superstar to rely on.

Soto will immediately occupy right field while also seeing some time as the designated hitter. Heres how the Mets lineup could look with their latest addition:

Francisco Lindor, SS (S) Juan Soto, RF (L) Pete Alonso, 1B* Brandon Nimmo, LF (L) Mark Vientos, DH Jeff McNeil, 2B (L) Tyrone Taylor, CF Brett Baty, 3B (L) Francisco Alvarez, C

Alonso is still on the market and likely not returning after the Soto signing. He has indicated that he prefers to be a lifelong Met, and with a potentially softer market than Alonso expected, a return isnt out of the question  the team is better with him in the lineup.

Should he sign elsewhere, however, Vientos would likely slide into first base while Starling Marte, who would be the odd man out with Soto on the team, occupies the DH spot.

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Manny Gomez may be reached at mgomez@njadvancemedia.com.
NJ Transits president and CEO since the early days of Gov. Phil Murphys administration announced his resignation Monday. effective next month, to take a university post.

Kevin Corbett informed Murphy and employees his resignation is effective Jan. 15.

In addition to giving me a chance to spend more time with my family, I have recently accepted a new opportunity with one of our states prestigious universities that will allow me to remain deeply connected to the transportation sector, focusing on practical innovation, infrastructure and advocacy for our region, Corbett wrote in his letter, obtained by NJ Advance Media.

The letter did not name the university.

Corbett was appointed as CEO on Feb. 14, 2018 after being nominated by Murphy in January. Corbett was a vice president of the global transportation consulting firm AECOM.

Murphy, speaking after an event in Princeton on Monday, had high praise for Corbett.

I love the guy. Seven years. Probably the most difficult job in our government. Maybe with the exception of mine. (He) inherited a mess and notwithstanding the summer that we went through, the governor said. Hes done a hell of a job under extremely tough circumstances. He (was) dealt an awful hand and played it about as well as you can play it.

Corbett, of Mendham, took over an agency that was facing a shortfall in installing a federally mandated rail safety system that would have brought rail service to a halt if a Dec. 31, 2020 deadline wasnt met.

He rebuilt the depleted ranks of locomotive engineers that had dwindled to the point that trains were routinely canceled due to lack of staff.

His leadership and service to the people of New Jersey has been unwavering and I wish him the best as he begins this next chapter, Murphy said in a statement.

In his letter to Murphy, Corbett said serving as President and CEO of NJ Transit has been the honor of a lifetime. I am profoundly grateful for the trust Governor Murphy and the Board placed in methe ultimate goal for any CEO is to leave their organization stronger than they found it. I know we have achieved that together. We have accomplished so much over the last seven years.

His resignation letter highlighted accomplishments such as bringing the agencys capital projects budget from less than $60 million in 2017 to a first-ever five-year capital plan totaling $17 billion, with over $6 billion delivered to date and another $8 billion to be spent over the next three years.

Federal Transportation Administration officials said at a ceremony last month that NJ Transit capital projects program is now the second biggest in the nation behind New Yorks MTA.

The agency also bounced back from the embarrassing failures at Super Bowl 48 and Wrestlemania, where thousands of riders waited for hours for trains from MetLife stadium.

His tenure wasnt always smooth sailing, with the summer of Hell with extensive delays that frustrated thousands of riders between May and August. NJ Transit and Amtrak are still working on solutions, Murphy said.

One of Corbetts vocal political opponents called his resignation a positive day for New Jersey commuters and taxpayers.

Kevin Corbett has been tone deaf to the daily hell that New Jersey Transit commuters have faced for years, and that is why I called for his resignation, said state Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips, R-Bergen,in a statement. Corbett should have been fired, especially following the disastrous summer season, to send a message that we mean business.

Other Republican lawmakers called for an audit of the agency in March, including Senate Minority Leader Anthony Bucco, R-Morris. An $6.7 million audit by the North Highland Company wasstarted in April.

Other issues include contentious negotiations with the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen still havent been resolved and the possibility of a strike looms.

NJ Transits board saw its vice chairman resign over a controversial $500 million deal to move the agencys headquarters from a building it owns in Newark to leased space at 2 Gateway Center, a move criticized for being done when the agency was facing financial issues as federal COVID -19 pandemic aid ran out.

While Murphy and Corbett held the line on fares for six years, that ended on July 1 when a 15% fare hike took effect. The increase includes provisions for a 3% fare hike every July 1 starting in 2025.

Corbett continued to ride Morris & Essex line trains to work from his home in Mendham as he had done while in the private sector.

NJ Transit officials publicly declined to comment beyond a board item for Wednesdays meeting board to appoint a replacement. Murphy said an announcement on Corbetts successor will be made soon.

Commuter and transit advocates had mixed reviews of Corbetts tenure.

The huge 15% fare increase came with a 30-day expiration on tickets, even applying to outstanding tickets that were good until used as a condition of sale, and they foolishly thought we would take that lying down, said Joe Versaggi, New Jersey Association of Railroad Passengers president,adding hes been waiting for 4 months for his refund.

They found out the hard way that was (an) unacceptable policy for old tickets and are taking many months to issue refunds on old tickets, for which they do not have anywhere the staff to process in a timely manner, he said.

While Corbetts drove to bring the ranks of engineers to 400 people, ending that reason for cancelling trains, mechanical breakdowns have replaced it as the top cause of cancellations, he said.

Mechanical problems have replaced crew shortages as the leading cause of delays, not just on the 47 year old Arrow electric cars, but on newer locomotives, Versaggi said. Multiple daily train cancellations are unacceptable, trains breaking down 3 times as often as the LIRRs, 4 times as often as Metro Norths, which threatens peoples jobs and is driving people off the system.

Murphy and Corbett presided over the introduction of the first of 118 electric powered multi-level III cars that will begin to replace the old Arrow III cars by mid-2025.

Others said he did the best he could with an agency that up until July lacked stable state operating funds.

Kevin Corbett inherited an anemic capital plan that was essentially holding the system together with spit and glue...Corbett really took that challenge head on and made measurable progress for riders, even if the system is still far from perfect, said Zoe Baldwin, VP of State Programs for Regional Plan Association. A huge amount of delays and poor rider experiences stem from the failures of an aging and unreliable system.

Baldwin, who been a long time transportation expert credited Corbett with getting major initiatives like dedicated state funding for operations, Portal Bridge, Positive Train Control, and re-staffing train engineers and conductors,across the finish line."

RPA is incredibly thankful for Kevin Corbetts tireless work to get this critical agency back on track, she said.

Kevin Corbetts high points have probably been the commitment to decarbonizing the NJT bus fleet, by transitioning to all-electric and upgrading the (Camden) bus depot, though the agency has remained woefully behind in that planning and execution, said Renae Reynolds, Tri-State Transportation Campaign executive director. His departure means that we will not see what his leadership could have done to utilize the funding our advocacy secured with the successful reactivation of the corporate transit fee.

Funding the agency will get a boost when Murphys corporate transit fee revenues flow to NJ Transit in mid-2025.

Whoever is selected to step into the role must have a vision for NJ Transit that goes beyond struggling to keep the lights on, she said.

NJ Advance Media staff writer Brent Johnson contributed to this report.

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Larry Higgs may be reached at lhiggs@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on X @CommutingLarry
A project to restore a historic New Jersey home linked to Martin Luther King Jr. and transform it into a museum and community center is officially underway.

Local researchers say the dilapidated, fire-damaged rowhouse in Camden is where the iconic civil rights leader stayed in 1949 and planned his first sit-in.

After years of efforts to preserve the home, activists leading the project finally broke ground on Saturday, marking the start of its restoration.

Were looking for this house to become a museum where people can walk in and see where Dr. King prepared messages and his first civil rights sit-in, said Amir Khan, head of the nonprofit group that owns the building and has been working to preserve it.

The home on Walnut Street was where King lived during weekends and summers from 1949 to 1951 while attending the now-closed Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester, Pennsylvania. He had graduated from Morehouse College in Atlanta at age 19 before starting theology school.

Martin Luther King Jr. graduates from Morehouse College in Atlanta in 1948 at age 19, a few months before he moved to the north to study at Crozer Theological Seminary in Chester, Pennsylvania (Photo courtesy of Morehouse College).Morehouse College

According to local researchers, King had a bedroom on the second floor of the home and stayed with his classmate Walter McCall, whose uncle owned the house.

The building had been abandoned and deteriorating for years. An overnight fire last year nearly destroyed it, causing the abandoned structures roof to collapse.

Jeanette Lilly Hunt, who was a young woman when King and McCall stayed at the home  then owned by her father-in-law  had been paying property taxes on it, hoping someone would preserve it.

In 2021, she turned it over to Khan, a local pastor and activist with a vision for the site.

Khans proposed museum would showcase Kings time in Camden and feature a green and gold chair, now covered in plastic, that came from the home. According to Hunt, King loved to sit in it while he worked.

In the adjacent lot, the nonprofit plans to transform the 10,000-square-foot space into the Martin Luther King Center for Social Justice, a facility designed to support community initiatives and provide more information about the citys Civil Rights Movement.

In 2021, Camden was awarded a $99,789 grant from the New Jersey Historic Trust , to research Civil Rights Movement sites in the city. The structure on Walnut Street will be listed as one of those sites, which could help it get funding for renovations, officials said.

Construction is expected to begin in January, Khan said.

Dancers from Unity Community Center perform an African dance during a groundbreaking ceremony for the MLK Museum in Camden, Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024.Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media

There are also plans to feature a video reenactment in the museum illustrating an incident of discrimination that unfolded in Maple Shade while King was living at the home.

According to historical records uncovered by Haddon Heights resident Patrick Duff in 2015, King, his roommate McCall and two friends planned to visit the now-closed Marys Cafe in Maple Shade in 1950.

Jesthroe Hunt, Jeanette Hunts late husband who recalled this day, warned them that Black diners might not be welcome.

King reportedly replied, You think that we shouldnt be going up there? Weve got to get this thing changed to the point where we can go anywhere, Jesthroe said in a 1998 Burlington County Times article.

At the cafe, the group requested beer and glasses from the owner, Ernest Nichols, who refused, and said he could not sell packaged goods after 10 p.m. on Sundays. When King then asked for ginger ale, Nichols again declined service.

The group remained seated, prompting Nichols to threaten them, fire a pistol into the air and say, Ive killed for less, according to police reports at the time.

King was 21, and years later, he would recall the incident when asked what motivated him to become the civil rights leader he was, Khan said.

On Saturday, dozens of people attended the groundbreaking ceremony held next to the boarded-up home. A large sign reading, The Future Home of the MLK Museum, stood in front of the site.

A vibrant African dance and drum presentation by children from Camdens Unity Community Center opened up the ceremony.

Officials also presented a plaque honoring Philadelphia native Clarence Jones, MLKs attorney and speechwriter. Jones, now 93, played a pivotal role in smuggling out Kings Letter from Birmingham Jail and helped secure funds for the civil rights leaders bail. His plaque will be displayed at the center once its complete.

Only 2% of the 95,000 sites on the National Register of Historic Places that are deemed worthy of preservation by the federal government focus on the experience of Black Americans. This makes it important to preserve a house like this, Stephanie Harris, director of Seton Hall Universitys Africana Studies program, said at the groundbreaking.

The homes real value is in its connection to King and its potential to teach us about this citys important place in civil rights history, Harris said.

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An unusually high number of mystery drone sightings across New Jersey have rattled local residents and drawn the attention of the FBI.

Gov. Phil Murphy and other local officials have said the drones present no immediate danger to the public. But, there have been no official explanations of the drone sightings, which include reports of large numbers of drones returning to spots night after night.

The FBI has urged residents to report any drone sightings as the agency continues to investigate.

The sightings have some residents wondering what the rules are for using drones in New Jersey.

NJ Advance Media spoke to two experts: Will Austin, president of Warren County Community College and creator of its WarrenUAS unmanned drone program, and Jonathan Rupprecht, an attorney specializing in drone law.

Drones are good, and can be used for good, Rupprecht said. The vast majority of people out there are flying drones for good reasons, whether it be for fun or to save lives, like with search and rescue missions. But you just have to know how to do it properly.

Is it legal to fly drones in New Jersey?

Yes, drones are permitted for recreational and commercial use in New Jersey. However, pilots have to be certified and follow standard federal guidelines.

Who regulates drones?

The federal government oversees drone use. More specifically, the Federal Aviation Administration, the national authority that regulates U.S. airspace, regulates drones, according to Austin.

Basically, anything above the tallest thing on your property, whether it be a tree, a tower, your house, wherever that ends and the sky begins, thats their purview, he said.

Although the state government cant create laws regulating drone usage, it does help federal authorities with enforcement and granting permission for drone usage in controlled areas.

What are FAA rules for drones?

The FAAs rules for drone flying are included in a section of its regulations known as 14 CFR Part 107 Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems, or Part 107. Some of the requirements include keeping your drone within your visual line of sight and staying away from densely populated areas.

The regulations also advise maintaining proper distance from no-fly zones like airports, unless advance permission has been obtained.

Austin also advised that pilots stay away from schools and privately-owned areas, like Merrill Creek Reservoir in Warren County, that arent mentioning in the FAA regulations.

There are areas that may not be under strict regulation per say, but there are still standard practices as to what upsets people and what doesnt, he said.

When is flying a drone illegal in New Jersey?

Broadly speaking, it is illegal in New Jersey to use drones in a way that puts people or property at risk.

The New Jersey Code of Criminal Justices list of illegal drone actions includes: endangering others with reckless flying; spying on prisons or interfering with first responders; using drones to hunt or take pictures of wildlife; operating drones while intoxicated; and using drones to violate restraining orders.

Possible criminal penalties vary depending on where and how the pilot is flying the drone.

Reckless flying, flying to hunt, or flying while drunk, for instance, are all disorderly persons offenses. Flying over a correctional facility or interfering with first responders could be fourth-degree crimes, while flying to spy on or gather information about a correctional facility is a third-degree crime.

If youre flying over a restricted area, thats a pretty good indicator that something criminal is going on, said Rupprecht. Like, why are you there? Most people dont really have any business hovering over a prison.

Convicted offenders can face fines of up to $75,000, the revocation of their pilots license, or even jail time.

Is it legal to fly a drone at night in New Jersey?

Yes. Part 107 of the FAAs regulations allows both recreational and commercial drone operators to fly at night, as long as they equip their drones with anti-collision lights visible from up to three miles away.

It is far more difficult to fly at night, and pilots should be aware of the increased risk, Austin said.

Can I fly my drone in New Jerseys state parks?

In most cases, no. The state Department of Environmental Protections policy only permits limited use of fixed-wing model aircraft in restricted areas.

However, certain groups  like search and rescue organizations, fire fighting and law enforcement agencies, and accredited universities  can request permission for scheduled drone operations.

For more information, see the departments policy memo.

Can I film or photograph parts of New Jersey with a drone?

It depends. Each county and municipality has different rules about privacy and drone photography. In most cases, filmmakers or photographers should reach out to the New Jersey Picture & Television Commission, which can advise them on local rules.

How can I get started if I want to fly a recreational drone in New Jersey?

If you want to fly a drone for fun, youre considered a hobbyist. Though operating as amateurs, hobbyists are still required by the FAA to take its Recreational UAS Safety Test, or TRUST, and follow the agencys recreational model aircraft rules at all times.

Do drones need to be registered?

Yes. If a drone weighs more than 0.55 pounds, or 250 grams, and less than 55 pounds, it must be registered directly through the FAAs DroneZone website for $5.

If a drone weighs more than 55 pounds, it must be registered through the FAAs paper-based registration process.

What if youre flying a drone for work?

If you fly a drone for work or business purposes, youre considered a commercial pilot. In that case, youre required to adhere to the FAAs Part 107, which mandates certification as a remote pilot. To earn your certificate, you have to pass the agencys Aeronautical Knowledge Test.

What are the most common mistakes drone operators in New Jersey make, and how can they be avoided?

The number one mistake made by drone pilots is a failure to register their craft, Rupprecht said. Not having that information readily available is also a big one, he explained. You have to have your TRUST certificate or remote pilot license readily available for law enforcement upon request.

Austin said another common mistake is failing to keep your eye on your drone. If an inexperienced pilot is just looking at their screen, they can lose sight of their drone, he added. Knowing where your drone is in the sky, just having that situational awareness, is important.

If I see a mystery drone hovering over my house, can I shoot it down?

Never shoot down a drone, according to the experts. Its a federal crime.

You cannot interfere with it. You cannot take it out of the sky, Austin said. Even if its over your property, youre not legally allowed to shoot at it.

A drone hovering over your home may be in violation of a privacy ordinance, however, in which case it should be reported to the police.

Shooting down a drone also poses a risk to anyone or anything standing underneath. Drones that fall onto major highways could also cause traffic accidents.

Also, most drones have lithium or lithium polymer batteries, which can explode or ignite if hit by a bullet. Those fires are hard to put out, and you could end up accidentally burning your house down, Austin said.

How can I tell the difference between legitimate and malicious drone activity?

Its tricky to distinguish between a good drone and a bad drone, according to Rupprecht. Often, a drone flown with malicious intent will closely resemble one flying for a legitimate reason. But, observing it closely might provide clues.

Are there collision lights on it that youre able to see? he said. That might be an indication that youre watching a drone thats flying lawfully.

If in doubt, local and federal authorities advised members of the public to report sightings to the FBI.

How do I report a drone sighting?

The FBI and New Jersey State Police encouraged the public to report any information related to recent sightings of possible drones. To report information, you can:

 Call the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324)

 Submit it online at tips.fbi.gov.

Residents can also upload videos directly through the FBIs online portal.

Where can I find more information about drones?

Check out the FAAs website on unmanned aircraft systems for general information about the usage of drones.

The state Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness also maintains a website of resources for unmanned aircraft pilots, including maps and guidance for everyone from hobbyists to commercial operators.

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As I read Paul Mulshines recent column, Top pollster: Dems doomed if they dont change their tactics, I was reminded of a recent conversation with my son about Democratic Party politics over the last few election cycles.

We both agreed that the Democrats have gone too far left by cuddling up with the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion movement, as Raghavan Mayur, the pollster cited by Mulshine, suggested.

Few voters truly care about woke issues and many view them as mostly nonsensical. While there are serious issues are all around us, ultra liberals on the fringe left should realize by now that not enough people care or agree about their overdone push to add more letters to the increasingly growing acronym LGBTQ+.

If the Democratic Party has plans of being serious contenders in future campaigns, it needs to cut the lefties loose. There are more important issues than transgender ideologies. The right got it right by focusing on more important concerns like illegal immigration and the economy, which affect the majority of voters.

Its time for the Democrats to move back toward the middle and back to sanity.

Carlo A. Canestri, Franklin Park

Radiation risks lead back to N.J. factory

I am thrilled to learn that the this years Nobel Peace Prize was scheduled to be given this week to Nihon Hidankyo, an organization in Japan that promotes nuclear disarmament.

Nihon Hidankyo was founded by Japanese survivors of the World War II nuclear bombing of the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. They know first hand the destruction that nuclear weapons cause, and have worked their whole lives to promote nuclear disarmament.

Even before World War II, the harm radioactive materials can cause were discovered in New Jersey. Radium was mixed into paints to produce luminescent watches and instruments. On Dec. 9, 1924, Hazel Kuser of Orange, one of the first dial painters diagnosed with radium poisoning, died at age 25. She was buried in Rosedale Cemetery in Montclair two days later.

Later, occupational health policies in the Manhattan Project were informed by the extraordinary mortality and labor struggles of the dial painters, as described in Kate Moores best selling book, Radium Girls.

The peace prize ceremony was to take place Tuesday, Dec. 10, on Human Rights Day. More information can be found at www.nobelprize.org.

Today, the United States plans to upgrade our nuclear arsenal and spend $60 billion each year until 2030, according to the Congressional Budget Office. These dollars are going to a Pentagon that failed its seventh audit in a row last month. By doing this, we encourage other countries to start or build up their own nuclear arsenals. This destabilizes the world; it does not strengthen or improve it. For many of us who work on these issues, radioactive weapons are understood to harm both people and our planet, not protect it.

There are American organizations in that continue to work for a nuclear-free world, including here in New Jersey. Two of them are New Jersey Peace Action (www.njpeaceaction.org) and the Friends Committee on National Legislation (www.fcnl.org).

Lisa Jordan, Madison

Note: The writer is an associate teaching professor in spacial data at Drew University in Madison.

Dog show win is a loss for breathing-impaired breeds

Concerning the recent NJ Advance Media article Vito the pug wins National Dog Show, but this N.J. dog (Houston, a Clumber spaniel and winner of the sporting group) triumphed, too:

Vitos best-in-show victory isnt a win for pugs. It will likely encourage more breeding of dogs who are so unhealthy that experts believe they may soon be too sick to survive.

Breeding any animals while millions are homeless is bad enough. But producing more dogs who will spend their lives struggling to breathe is unconscionable. Pugs are 54 times more likely than other breeds to suffer from brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome, the result of breeding their noses so far back against their skulls that it damages their airways.

In addition to being a breathing-impaired breed (BIB), pugs also suffer from a mountain of other health issues, some due to genetic manipulation. They can have heads too small for their brains, bulging eyes, deep skin folds and twisted tails. Thanks to inbreeding, all pugs are related.

A number of countries  including Austria, Germany, the Netherlands and Norway  have banned or restricted the breeding of some or all BIBs. The United States should follow suit.

Allison Fandl, manager, special projects, Cruelty Investigations Department, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, Norfolk, Va.

Superstars for 2028 election cycle?

Based on the many letters to the editor that have been critical of President-elect Donald Trumps cabinet nominees, I will make an easy assumption: All of the Joe Biden-Kamala Harris administration cabinet members were fully qualified for their posts.

Apparently, they all did such great job that the only reason Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz was selected to run for vice president with Harris was because it would have unfair to single out one cabinet member while insulting all the others.

The seven or eight superstars will fight it out to head the ticket in 2028, for sure. So, let the new powers that be blow everything up so 2028 will be too easy. Makes sense. Our country will survive.

Stanley Osur, Tenafly

Isolationists for too long

Britains Winston Churchill, and most other leaders in Europe, begged U.S. President Franklin Delano Roosevelt for more help in fighting Germany and the Nazis for years before America entered World War II. FDR and a Democrat-led Congress repeatedly said no.

That is, until the Japanese  allies of Germany  forced us into the war by attacking Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941. The war in Europe had started two years earlier.

One cant help wondering how many lives we could have saved if we had entered World War II war sooner.

Tom Scott, Spotswood

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Conservative N.Y. Times columnist Bret Stephens has a clever new nickname for President-elect Donald Trumps potential advisor.

Trump has been quickly announcing his picks for his second administration, causing a stir among GOP lawmakers who believe some of his picks are controversial and underqualified. Stephens said in a new column published Monday that the gold medal for the worst Trump pick so far goes to Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic lawmaker who was tapped last month to be Trumps Director of National Intelligence.

In his weekly conversation with The New York Times Gail Collins, Stephens labeled Gabbard as the director of national idiocy if she is to be confirmed.

Tulsi Gabbard is my gold medalist. Nominating an apologist for former Syrian dictator and current Russia resident Bashar al-Assad as director of national intelligence means that if confirmed in the job, wed need to rename her job title director of national idiocy, he said.

Gabbard has been under fire for weeks after Trump revealed his pick for the top role. She has especially been criticized amid the ongoing conflict in Syria, where the government of Bashar Assad has collapsed in recent days. She has faced backlash for her 2017 meeting with Assad, who is backed by Russian, Iranian and Iranian-allied forces.

She is not the only nominee facing heat, as lawmakers have criticized the choices of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Health and Human Services Secretary and former Fox News host Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary. Stephens said that those two picks are also among the worst choices.

As for the silver and bronze medals in this competition, Im awarding them to Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Pete Hegseth. Help me decide whos worse, he said.

He also predicted that Hegseth would withdraw from the race amid recent accusations of excessive drinking and a sexual assault allegation. Hegseth has denied any wrongdoing.

Im old enough to remember when the Senate rejected another defense secretary nominee, John Tower, partly on account of his heavy drinking. Its 100 percent disqualifying, especially for someone who might participate in a decision to use nuclear weapons. My guess is that Hegseth will withdraw, and Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor, will get the job. Which wouldnt be the worst thing, he said.

DeSantis has reportedly been floated as a replacement for Hegseth, who faces an uphill battle in the Senate for confirmation.
Despite his decisive victory, President-elect Donald Trump wont stop making bizarre claims about Democrats.

Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social early Monday that Democrats are pushing to get rid of the popular vote in elections and only use the Electoral College to decide the winner. However, the winner of the White House is already decided by the Electoral College and not the popular vote.

The Democrats are fighting hard to get rid of the Popular Vote in future Elections. They want all future Presidential Elections to be based exclusively on the Electoral College! Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trumps recent claim also sparked some criticism on social media, including by Trump critic Ron Filipkowski.

The posts after midnight are the most inane. pic.twitter.com/9jiLSOJrla  Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) December 9, 2024

Its not clear what Trump meant by eliminating the popular vote and only using the Electoral College, which already decides the winner of the election, as outlined in the Constitution.

The candidate who clinches 270 votes wins the White House. In 48 states, the winner of the popular vote in that state is allocated that states electoral votes.

In addition, the popular vote system typically favors Democrats while the Electoral College system tends to favor Republicans. Even though Trump lost the popular vote in 2016, he still won the Electoral College and therefore the presidency.

Novembers election marked the first time a Republican won the popular vote in 20 years.

Trumps claim that Democrats want to eliminate the popular vote also goes against some Democrats push to rid the country of the Electoral College. Many Democrats, including former Vice Presidential candidate Tim Walz (D), have actually proposed replacing the Electoral College with the popular vote to elect the president.

There are clear partisan divides on the question of the Electoral College. A recent survey by Pew Research Center found that about eight in 10 Democrats would prefer replacing the Electoral College while just 46 precent of Republicans said the same.
A New Jersey limo driver who provided the getaway vehicle when a 19-year-old was shot and killed in a parking lot in Elizabeth in 2019 has been sentenced to 18 years in state prison.

Cheryle Lugo, 44, will have to serve more than 15 years before she is eligible for parole, the Union County Prosecutors Office said Monday.

Lugo pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit murder in October.

Lugo was in what turned out to be a getaway car when a gunman she was driving shot 19-year-old Jamile Robbins in the area of Irvington Avenue at about 11:20 p.m. on Oct. 25, 2019, authorities said.

Robbins, of Elizabeth, died of his injuries at an area hospital about shortly after being shot in the abdomen, according to court papers.

The gunman is still being sought, a spokeswoman for the prosecutors office confirmed Monday. A motive for the shooting was not disclosed.

Lugo, of Old Bridge, was working for a limousine company in the Colonia section of Woodbridge on the night of the shooting, according to an affidavit of probable cause obtained by NJ Advance Media on Monday.

Investigators tracked down Lugo after obtaining surveillance footage from around the area and locating the Chrysler 300 in the parking lot of the limo business on St. Georges Avenue (Route 27) a few days later, the complaint said.

The owner of the business told authorities Lugo was driving the vehicle that night. Lugo later admitted to investigators she was behind the wheel before and after the shooting.

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
Drought conditions that have plagued New Jersey for months should continue to improve this week with up to a half-inch of rain on Monday and 2 to 3 more inches rain between Tuesday and Wednesday.

The weaker of the two low-pressure systems will make its way through New Jersey in roughly a three to five hour span Monday morning and afternoon, the National Weather Service said in its forecast discussion.

Rain totals are expected to range from a quarter to a half-inch in northern New Jersey to lesser amounts in South Jersey.

Forecasters say the Cape May area could see as little as a trace amount to a tenth-inch, though most of South Jersey is likely to receive a tenth to a quarter inch of badly needed rain.

As of the latest update from the U.S. Drought Monitor last week, roughly the northern half of the state was experiencing severe drought conditions with worse, extreme drought conditions in the southern half.

Parts of New Jersey could receive up to a half-inch of rain on Monday in the first of two storms this week.National Weather Service

Highs will mainly range from the upper 40s to low 50s on Monday before a cloudy evening and overnight with temps only falling into the upper 30s and low 40s, forecasters say.

Tuesday will cloudy but dry for a majority of the day with mild temps climbing into the 50s.

Rain pushes in at night and continues through most of the day on Wednesday before coming to a quick end at night.

AccuWeather.com says localized flooding and a risk of downpours are possible during the morning and evening commutes Wednesday.

The private weather forecasting company is calling for 1 to 2 inches of rain for all of New Jersey except for areas immediately along the Jersey Shore, where they say 2 to 3 inches will fall between Tuesday night and Wednesday. Gusty winds are also expected, according to AccuWeather.

Itll be a warm, breezy day on Wednesday with highs in the low 60s. Temperatures plunge overnight into Thursday  dropping into the upper 20s and low 30s.

Thursday and Friday are shaping up to be dry, sunny and chilly with highs in the 30s.

Current weather radar

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Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
DALLAS  I have a sneaking suspicion the Yankees breathed a sigh of relief when Juan Soto picked the Mets on Sunday night. Although owner Hal Steinbrenner continued to increase his offers until the final hours, he can now spread the millions on the rest of the roster.

Theres one caveat, however: The Yankees can only improve if Steinbrenner keeps writing those massive checks. If he was ready to fork over $760 million for Soto, then hed better show the same commitment to finding upgrades at first and third base and landing a front-line starter and a home run-hitting outfielder.

I have a few suggestions: Anthony Santander, Pete Alonso, Alex Bregman and Corbin Burnes would all look good in pinstripes. The Yankees already are mapping out a Plan B, although the focus for now is still on Steinbrenner.

To those who thought the Boss son was too cheap to go checkbook to checkbook with Steve Cohen, its time to admit you were wrong.

Steinbrenner came within $5 million of the baseballs wealthiest owner. Not only that, Steinbrenner upped his offer by a whopping $100 million in just the last few days.

No one  not even members of the Yankees brain trust  believed Steinbrenner would cross the $700 million threshold. By Sunday night, as Soto was close to making a decision, Steinbrenner fattened the contract to an insane $760 million over 16 years.

The Yankees believed they could convince Soto to re-sign as long as they were competitive with Cohen. They didnt necessarily have to outbid the Mets, just get close enough to show Soto they meant business.

The Yankees thought they had the sales pitch to appeal to Sotos competitive nature and his vanity: Take Cohens $21 billion portfolio out of the equation, they said, and then look at the tale of the tape.

Attendance. TV ratings. National following. Overall revenue. Ballpark dimensions. Aaron Judge. The path to the World Series. History and tradition.

The Yankees believed they trumped the Mets in every respect. They thought Soto would see it, too  especially after a trip to the World Series just two months ago.

But now?

Soto is headed to Flushing, and in the words of one industry observer, Good luck dealing with the Dodgers every year.

As disappointed as the Yankees are today, however, no one is angry with Soto. He was, after all, the driving force in the clubs first pennant since 2009. Soto was as good as advertised: tough and unafraid of pressure.

But Soto also proved he was after the money all along. He loved playing with the Yankees in 2024, which is not to say he loved being a Yankee.

Soto spent the summer establishing his market value. He just happened to be wearing pinstripes while doing so. Soto was coy about his future but shouldve been more honest from Day One.

To say, Im looking for as much money as possible wouldve tempered the fans expectations. Instead, the ticket buyers went from idolizing Soto to hating his guts in just 24 hours.

But thats not fair. Soto earned the contract. And he had every right to leverage Cohen into an overall deal that could be worth more than $800 million.

And if nothing else, Soto changed the publics perception of Steinbrenner. Hes gone from the meek offspring of the original Boss to suddenly having the guts to offer a one-year mercenary more than double Judges contract.

Any reasonable Yankees fan will acknowledge Steinbrenner stepped up. He didnt cheap out. In fact, he was ready to overpay.

Now well see if Steinbrenners appetite was whetted  or, like a guy waking up from a weekend bender, vows to never touch another drop.

If Steinbrenner was energized dealing with Soto and agent Scott Boras, then Yankees fans are in for a thrilling hot stove. You can count on the Bombers looking radically different  and better  by spring training.

But a return to cautious spending would be Steinbrenners worst option. Heres the litmus test: If Trent Grisham is the Opening Day center fielder, youll know Steinbrenner has chickened out.

The same goes for starting pitcher Marcus Stroman, infielder DJ LeMahieu and second baseman Gleyber Torres. If any of them are still around in 25, that means Steinbrenner lost his nerve.

The Yankees are obligated to turn Sotos defection into a positive. Without a bold Plan B, Steinbrenner will allow the Mets to become the markets No. 1 team.

Sotos signing has already shifted the balance of power in New York. The Yankees and Mets are in a dead heat as of today.

Steinbrenner shouldnt accept that. His old man certainly wouldnt have.

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Bob Klapisch may be reached at bklapisch@njadvancemedia.com.
It didnt take long for state Treasurer John Fleming to prove his critics right. After less than a year in office, hes already off and running for the U.S. Senate against two-term incumbent Sen. Bill Cassidy. Both men are Republicans, and both are physicians.

The similarities end there.

When Fleming ran for treasurer in last years statewide elections, his plan to use that job as a steppingstone to the U.S. Senate was the worst-kept secret in Louisiana politics. Voters didnt seem to mind  he won the runoff handily  and its doubtful theyll hold it against him in 2026, when Cassidy is up for re-election.

That reflects Cassidys vulnerability as much as voters acceptance of Flemings disingenuousness as a candidate for treasurer.

Cassidy has not yet formally announced his candidacy for re-election, but he and Fleming are already lobbing grenades at one another. The GOP primary is going to be a nasty internecine fight, and the field of challengers to Cassidy may grow.

Fleming previously served in Washington as the House member representing northwest Louisiana from 2009-17. During that time, he co-founded the arch-conservative Freedom Caucus. He lost a 2016 bid for the Senate to John Neely Kennedy but later joined the Trump White House as a senior advisor. Hes already touting his unflinching support of Trump  in contrast to Cassidys record of breaking from Trump on several key occasions.

Among Louisiana Republicans, Cassidy is a unicorn: He has dared to tell the truth about Trump, despite the known costs of crossing a man who famously carries grudges and airs grievances.

After the 2020 presidential election, Cassidy alone among Louisianas GOP delegation voted to accept the results in two contested states. Trump cost the GOP control of both houses of Congress in 2020 and hurt the party in the 2022 midterm elections, prompting Cassidy to suggest that Trump was a loser.

But Cassidys greatest sin of all, among Republicans, at least, was his courageous decision to join six fellow Senate Republicans in voting to convict Trump at his second impeachment trial for inciting the January 6 insurrection.

Cassidy explained his vote in blunt language, saying the Constitution and the nation are "more important than any one person" and adding, "I voted to convict President Trump because he is guilty.

For Trump and too many Republicans, thats a Rubicon that cant be un-crossed.

The state Republican Party censured him, but Cassidy stood tall and soldiered on. Many opined that he was man at peace with himself despite the pushback.

Meanwhile, Cassidy got to work. He played a key role in passing the bipartisan infrastructure bill, which will bring billions to Louisiana. And next month, when the GOP takes back control of the Senate, hes likely to chair the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.

On the political side, Cassidy is already well funded  his campaign and a super PAC supporting him have raised more than $7 million  and he can easily raise more thanks to his committee chairmanship.

But he very likely wont have the support of Trump, who has used social media to label Cassidy one of the worst Senators in the United States Senate and A TOTAL FLAKE (the caps are Trumps, not mine).

Trump has forgiven GOP critics before  Lindsey Graham is a glaring example  but only if they publicly and repeatedly debase themselves before him. Cassidy hasnt done that, and it may be too late even in the unlikely event the senator attempts it.

That will factor bigly against Cassidy, because Louisianas next round of federal elections will feature closed party primaries. That means only registered Republicans and no-party independents will be able vote in the GOP primaries, denying Cassidy a reliable moderate base.

Ironically, Cassidys precarious political prospects at this point resemble those of then-Sen. Mary Landrieu in 2014. Cassidy beat Landrieu that year to capture his Senate seat. Landrieu was a powerhouse inside the Beltway but vulnerable back home because of Louisianas tsunamic lurch to the right. Thats exactly where Cassidy is today  and for the same reason.

The impending retribution is almost Dante-esque. Cassidy won his Senate post by drumming into voters consciousness his mantra that Mary Landrieu voted with Barack Obama 97% of the time. In 2026, he may lose it because he hasnt debased himself before Donald Trump 100% of the time.
Despite facing challenging conditions, including fallen trees and blocked roads, local teams from National Grid Electricity Distribution have already made significant progress.

The storm, described as the biggest the region has faced in many years, caused extensive damage to overhead power lines, leaving thousands without electricity.

A spokesperson for National Grid said: Storm Darragh has been the biggest storm the region has faced in many years and the South West was under a yellow weather warning until last night (December 8)

This has resulted in an unprecedented number of network faults due to the exceptionally high winds causing falling trees which affected overhead lines. Access to sites has also been made difficult due to routes being blocked by fallen trees.

Our engineering teams have been working around the clock to fix power cuts in North Devon and will continue to do so as quickly as possible.

Currently there are 3,918 homes and businesses without power in North Devon and we apologise to all customers for the delay in getting them restored, but hope to make more progress throughout the day.

Thanks to their efforts, power has already been restored to over 1.5 million homes and businesses across the UK.

In North Devon, 3,918 homes and businesses remain affected, but teams are continuing to work relentlessly to reconnect these areas as soon as possible.
It's a startling statistic: In the

United States, a woman's risk

of being killed grows when

she becomes pregnant and after

giving birth  by about

20 percent, on average. This increase is entirely driven

by the murders of America's

youngest mothers. When women

under age 25 get pregnant,

their odds of death by homicide

more than double.



This is just one of their stories. Opinion The

Killings of

Young

Mothers

It's an hour before sunrise in New Orleans, and Markitha Sinegal is fighting with her boyfriend again. They're both 20 years old, living separately at their mothers' houses while raising their 9-month-old twin girls together. On this late spring night, their daughters are with them in their father's bedroom, listening to the couple arguing. The fight is loud enough to wake his mother, sleeping in the next room. She tells them to cool off, that Markitha should go home. Markitha starts packing to leave. His mother goes back to bed, but the arguing continues until  She rushes back to the bedroom. Markitha is standing there, one hand clutching her back. He shot me, she says, and collapses. His mother calls 911, tries to use towels to stem the bleeding, but Markitha's breaths are becoming ragged. Her boyfriend is pacing now, panicking. "I made a mistake!" he cries out. But its too late. He takes Markithas car and flees. An ambulance arrives to rush Markitha to the emergency room at University Medical Center, the hospital a few blocks away from the community college where she was studying to become a nurse. She dies there, just before dawn, on the day before what would have been her first Mother's Day.

In Louisiana, where Markitha Sinegal lived, homicide is the second leading cause of death for pregnant and postpartum women. Only drug overdoses take more lives.

How pregnant women and women who have recently given birth die in Louisiana Pregnancy-associated deaths from 2017 to 2020 total deaths 20 40 60 Accidental overdose Homicide Motor vehicle crash Heart conditions Blood clots Cancer Infection Suicide Cardiomyopathy Gastrointestinal conditions Pregnancy-associated deaths Deaths from any cause while a woman is pregnant or up to a year afterward Hemorrhage Pre-eclampsia Amniotic fluid embolism Pregnancy-related deaths Deaths that are medically related to being pregnant Blood disorders Stroke Neurologic conditions Lung disease Metabolic disorders Autoimmune disease Fire or burns Drowning Other firearm death total deaths 20 40 60 Accidental overdose Homicide Motor vehicle crash Pregnancy-associated deaths Heart conditions Deaths from any cause while a woman is pregnant or up to a year afterward Blood clots Cancer Infection Suicide Cardiomyopathy Gastrointestinal conditions Severe bleeding Pregnancy-related deaths Deaths that are medically related to being pregnant Pre-eclampsia Amniotic fluid embolism Blood disorders Stroke Neurologic conditions Lung disease Metabolic disorders Autoimmune disease Fire or burns Drowning Other firearm death Source: Louisiana Pregnancy Associated Mortality Review Committee Note: There were 12 deaths of unknown cause that are not shown here.

This data comes from Louisianas Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Committee, one of many created in the United States in recent years to study the causes of maternal mortality, which has ticked upward over the past two decades. Though the rise in the statistics is most likely because of a change in recordkeeping  with the gradual rollout of a pregnancy checkbox on death certificates making the reported maternal mortality rate increase  the deaths are real. We simply werent seeing them this way before.

Homicide deaths are usually omitted from maternal mortality statistics because they arent considered sufficiently related to the pregnancy itself. But homicide isnt a rare anomaly for pregnant and postpartum women  its one of their leading causes of death. This makes pregnancy-associated homicides, as theyre called by epidemiologists and health researchers, a real public health concern.

A young womans elevated risk of homicide during and after pregnancy holds true whether she is white, Black or Hispanic, but young Black mothers are afflicted by much higher rates of lethal violence.

Young Black mothers are killed at much higher rates than other groups Pregnancy-associated homicide rates for the United States from 2018 to 2022 deaths per 100,000 live births Black women 5 10 15 20 25 10-24 years old 25-29 30-44 Hispanic women 10-24 years old 25-29 30-44 White women 10-24 years old 25-29 30-44 deaths per 100,000 live births 5 10 15 20 25 Black women 10-24 years old 25-29 30-44 Hispanic women 10-24 years old 25-29 30-44 White women 10-24 years old 25-29 30-44 Source: Dr. Maeve Wallace; National Center for Health Statistics Note: Other racial groups are not shown because of federal privacy restrictions on reporting small data values for demographic groups.

National-level data on the phenomenon is difficult to find, as its often buried in individual state reports on maternal mortality or in databases inaccessible to the public. Dr. Maeve Wallace, an epidemiologist at the University of Arizona, has put a special focus on the analysis and publication of data on pregnancy-associated homicides and provided some of the data for this story. According to Dr. Wallace, from 2018 through 2022, at least 837 women were killed during pregnancy or within the following year, although because the pregnancy checkbox is new and not always consistently used, that number is most likely an undercount. Theres tons of funding and attention at the federal level for maternal mortality, Dr. Wallace said, referring to obstetric causes of death. My goal in looking at homicide is that its happening just as often.

And though homicides arent generally classified as pregnancy-related, the pregnancy often has played a part. In these cases, more often than not, a husband or boyfriend is the killer.

The stress and emotional turmoil of a pregnancy  especially an unexpected one  can exacerbate an already abusive relationship. According to experts on intimate partner violence, the abuse almost always precedes the pregnancy.

Domestic violence is rooted in power and control, and pregnancy is a tether that can shift a relationships dynamic. Once partners are tied together by a child on the horizon, abusers can feel a greater degree of impunity to escalate their behavior. Suddenly, there are not just emotional ties, but legal and financial ones as well. And just as suddenly, as a pregnant woman, it becomes much harder to leave.

Like the stories of the other mothers who died at the hands of their partners, the story of Ms. Sinegals death began long before her boyfriend pulled the trigger. To understand how she died  and how to prevent more deaths of young mothers like her  we have to understand how she came to be in that bedroom in the first place.

Its much more comfortable to grapple with Americas maternal mortality rates by staring down the faceless threats of hypertension and hemorrhage. The killings of young mothers are far uglier deaths. But that is precisely why we must not look away.

During her senior year of high school, newly pregnant with twins, Markitha throws up most mornings. She still makes it to class, because she wants to be someone someday. She graduates at eight months pregnant in the Louisiana heat. She starts nursing school with infants in tow. She's worked steadily since her first job at McDonald's at age 16, but she works even harder now. She wants to give her daughters the world. Markitha's mother tries to tell her daughter to leave her boyfriend. She never sees bruises, but she notices scratch marks on her neck and knows something isn't right. "It was like her eyes wasn't big enough to see him," she says. But Markitha doesn't leave. And the fighting keeps getting worse. It's a Wednesday afternoon in October, about seven months before Markitha's death. This time her boyfriend is angry because she won't let him eat the candy she bought. But then she says it: I don't want to be with you anymore. He slams her onto the bed, nearly crashing onto one of their 2-month- old twins. He lets her up, then he pushes her around the bedroom, shoving her into the walls. He puts his hands on her throat and chokes her. Then he storms out. He'll kill her and the babies if she ever tries to be with someone else, he says, pointing a gun at her. When the cops turn up, Markitha is distraught and deeply shaken. They've fought before, she says, but not like this. He just got so angry. An officer tries tracking down Markitha's boyfriend, but  perhaps in an attempt to shield him from the police  Markitha has provided conflicting information about how to spell his name. She goes to Markitha's house to try to resolve the issue, but no one answers. A detective from the St. Tammany Parish Sheriff's Office attempts to contact her five more times in the next two months, trying to get enough information to make an arrest. Finally, in early December, she responds to the detective with an email: If you're following up about that incident, I haven't heard from that guy since then, she writes. The detective calls Markitha right away, but there's no answer. After a final letter and with nothing else to go on, the Sheriff's Office closes the file. Markitha calls 911 four more times before her death, all because of frightening arguments with her boyfriend. One time he won't give her one of their daughters back. At least once more, he draws a gun on her. Another time he throws a vase at her and misses, hitting one of the babies instead. She screams at him  "You're going to jail!" She's going to leave, and she'll take the kids with her. But she never does leave.

There are ways Ms. Sinegal's story could have ended differently.

Some of the potential interventions are broad  they address the problem of homicides in America writ large. Around three-quarters of pregnancy-associated homicides are committed with a firearm, and given that gun access increases the risk of intimate partner homicide, policies that keep guns out of abusers hands could help prevent some of these deaths. Louisiana has such a law, which applies to people convicted of certain domestic violence crimes or with a domestic violence restraining order in place. Laws like this have been shown to reduce homicides by intimate partners.

Others are focused on the pregnancy. According to her mother, Ms. Sinegal was excited about her pregnancy and thrilled about becoming a mom. But for other women, increasing access to contraception and to safe and affordable abortions could enable them to be in control of when and with whom they get pregnant, which can help them avoid becoming trapped in abusive relationships.

But most suggestions for preventing pregnancy-associated homicides are related to domestic violence of one kind or another.

One key intervention would be to conduct more robust screening for intimate partner violence during routine obstetric visits. These screenings are recommended by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, but interviews with public health officials and victims advocates suggest that they are not practiced widely and with sufficient vigilance and follow-through. Proper coordination of care between doctors and trauma specialists is also both lacking and necessary to get women the help they need to escape from relationships poisoned by domestic violence.

When the cops are called, police departments should also be more proactive about connecting young women to dedicated victims advocates. Trained advocates can be a critical link between law enforcement and victims of domestic violence, many of whom may not be inclined to trust police officers with details of abuse that can be deeply personal or embarrassing.

Preventing the abuse in the first place is more complicated and depends on teaching young people what dangerous relationships look like. The red flags of a relationship trending toward abuse can be difficult to see if you dont know what to look for. Learning whats healthy may begin in the classroom with young children, or it may begin with a court-mandated course for perpetrators of domestic violence designed to teach them how to have healthier partnerships.

These educational approaches are harder to recommend because theyre more nebulous, but theyre also some of the most consistent recommendations from doctors, advocates and other experts in pregnancy-associated homicides. Although only one person is ultimately responsible for Ms. Sinegals death  the man who pulled the trigger  its still worth considering what might have been, to better understand how to prevent tragedies like hers.

Ms. Sinegals boyfriend did not respond to repeated attempts to contact him through his lawyer or to a letter sent to him through the Orleans Parish Sheriffs Office, which held him in jail for more than three years while he awaited trial. At the trial, his lawyer argued that he could have pulled the trigger accidentally that night. But the jury was not convinced.

On Oct. 3, 2024, he was convicted of second-degree murder. He will spend the rest of his life in prison without the option of parole, as Louisiana law requires. But her parents still lost a child. Her children still lost their mother. There is no real justice in this story.
China allocates ultra-long special treasury bond funds

Xinhua) 09:44, December 09, 2024

BEIJING, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- China's top economic planner said Saturday that funds raised through the 1-trillion-yuan (about 139 billion U.S. dollars) ultra-long special treasury bonds this year have all been allocated to support specific projects and programs.

Among the total, 700 billion yuan was allocated to implement major national strategies and build up security capacity in key areas, while 300 billion yuan was channeled to fund equipment upgrades and consumer goods trade-ins, according to the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).

The NDRC listed several projects supported by the funds, including constructing railways, highways and airports along the Yangtze River, building high-standard farmlands in northeast China, and the shelterbelt program in northeast, north and northwest China.

The NDRC has vowed to work with relevant authorities to enhance monitoring and evaluation, and ensure that construction of these projects is launched as soon as possible.

Starting this year and over each of the next several years, China will issue ultra-long special treasury bonds, with 1 trillion yuan set for this year, according to this year's government work report.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Viral videos shared on Chinese social media show human law enforcement patrolling the streets alongside AI-powered spherical robots capable of detecting and stopping crime.

A couple of months ago, Chinese robotics company Logon Technology unveiled the RT-G autonomous spherical robot, a technological breakthrough designed to assist and even replace humans in dangerous environments and situations. Capable of operating both on land and in water, the spherical robot can allegedly reach speeds of up to 35km/h and withstand impact damage of up to 4 tons. In a promotional video, the RT-G can be seen operating in water, rough terrain, and mud, but what really caught peoples attention was its urban use, that of a sort of patrol robot capable of identifying criminals and immobilizing them thanks to its suites of advanced AI-powered software. It all seemed like a marketing stunt, but less than two months since the clip went viral, RT-G robots have been spotted patrolling alongside human law enforcement.

When the RT-G robot was first showcased, online feedback was all over the place. Some praised it as a technological marvel that cemented Chinas dominance in the field of practical robotics, while others fantasized about how the design could be used on the battlefield to take on conventional war machines. Critics either joked about its limited mobility, claiming that stairs and other obstacles would be insurmountable), or slammed it as a ripoff of the spherical roundbot prototype presented by a US manufacturer about a decade ago. They certainly looked very similar, their speeds were comparable, the only major difference being that the roundbot was remote-controlled because that was the standard 10 years ago.

According to Logon Technologys presentation, the RT-G can tackle crime in a variety of ways. First, its AI-powered cameras can detect disturbances or abnormalities around them, while its facial recognition software can easily detect known criminals. Then, it either calls other robots or human law enforcement as backup or tackles the problem itself, chasing after suspects and immobilizing them either through collision or by firing a built-in netgun.

Although RT-G looked like a prototype of a futuristic robot, the spherical robot has been spotted on Chinese streets, patrolling alongside human law enforcement, just two months after it was unveiled. Whether its just a test, or the robot has become a permanent fixture is hard to tell at this point, but it is clear that China is going all out on AI-powered-robots these days.

China has unveiled a spheric police robot capable of pursuing criminals. The AI equipped robot can operate autonomously. It can even fall from heights. The robot is capable of confronting perpetrators, shooting nets to immobilise them until police arrive. It attacks opponents pic.twitter.com/kye24yZt2q  HOW THINGS WORK (@HowThingsWork_) December 8, 2024

Just last week we wrote about STAR1, another Chinese robot that had recently set a new speed record, becoming the worlds fastest robot.
A Japanese man was recently admitted to trespassing onto other peoples properties over 1,000 times as a hobby because he found it thrilling and exhilarating.

A couple of weeks ago, Fukuoka Prefectural Police arrested a 37-year-old man on suspicion of trespassing onto a couples property in the city of Daizafu. Little did the police know that this had hardly been an isolated incident and the man was a serial trespasser who had done it countless times for his personal enjoyment. During questioning, the man, identified as Yuta Sugawara, not only admitted to trespassing onto the couples property when he thought they were away but casually told investigators that this was a hobby of his and that he had trespassed onto other peoples properties over 1,000 times. Sugawara was apprehended by the victims of his latest trespassing attempt, who saw him on their land and chased after him when he ran. The man managed to immobilize the culprit while his wife called the police.

Photo: Wesley Tingey/Unsplash

Theres no doubt that I entered the property of a private residence without permission, Sugawara said during questioning. The nerve-wracking feeling of wondering if Ill be seen makes my palms sweat and helps me relieve stress.

Breaking into other peoples homes is a hobby of mine, and I have done it more than 1,000 times. I only entered the properties, and never inside the houses, Japanese newspaper The Mainichi Shimbun quoted the 37-year-old man.

Police are currently trying to link Yuta Sugawara, a company employee living in the Sakamoto area of Daizafu, to other crimes in the area.
BISHOP of Killaloe Fintan Monahan recently launched a beautifully produced and excellently written book about St Brendan's Roman Catholic Church, Birr recently.

A Place in all our Hearts has been compiled and written by Brian Kennedy and is available for sale in the Parish Office.

Speaking at the launch in St Brendan's, the Bishop pointed out that the launch was coinciding with the Feast of St Brendan, the patron saint of Birr, a saint who was one of the 12 Apostles of Ireland and whom we should all be very proud of.

Today is also the day after Thanksgiving, celebrated with great gusto by Americans all around the world, including many in Ireland, continued the Bishop.

In the business world, today is also Black Friday, but for those living in this parish it is a time for reflecting on the inspiring life of St Brendan.

Bishop Monahan referred everyone to the Pope's spiritual reflection called Delixit Nos (He loved us), which focusses on the importance and centrality of our hearts and the fact that our hearts can mirror God's being.

This beautiful book, 'A Place in all our Hearts', focusses on this Teach an Phobail, as Father Tom memorably calls it, a building which holds a very special place in so many people's hearts. This book has been meticulously researched and handsomely produced. I commend everyone who has been involved in the production of this splendid book, especially Brian who spent so many hours compiling and writing it. He loves this church and parish with all his heart and he's created an outstanding labour of love.

The book tells the story of a much beloved house of God. It's a tale which features a wide cast of people including clergy, choirs, teachers, school pupils, and architects. It features the parishioners who gave so much of their time on a voluntary and paid basis. It features drama and tragedy, tension and stress, including the arson attack on St Patrick's Day 1935, the famine and storms. It tells the tale of many joyful events. Throughout it all the sacraments continued to be celebrated on a daily basis.

The book includes as well a piece about Bishop Thomas McRedmond, from Crinkill. Bishop McRedmond was one of two Bishops of Killaloe from Offaly. The other is Bishop Monahan. A large portrait of Bishop McRedmond hangs on a wall in Westbourne House, Ennis, commented Bishop Monahan. I live in Westbourne.

He pointed out that this year is also the bicentenary of the completion of the building of the church, after a building period of several years. The land for the church had been donated in 1817 by the Second Earl of Rosse. Lord Rosse was a truly ecumenical gentleman, writes Brian in the book, and supported the large Roman Catholic population on his estates.

The Second Earl of Rosse, commented the Bishop, was ecumenical before it was tolerated or in vogue. It is fitting therefore that today's launch is taking place as part of an ecumenical service.

Following the Bishop's speech, Lady Rosse brought forward Holy Water from St Brendan's Well which was poured into the Baptismal Font and blessed.

Rev. Arthur Minion, St Brendan's Church of Ireland Church, warmly congratulated Brian for producing an excellent book. He said Saint Brendan's is a lovely building, a building which for many people acts as a gateway to heaven. And as we walk back out into the world after each gathering in this building we bring heaven with us.

Rita Kelly read one of her poems, an excellent piece called What is heaven? which featured these lines:

We never reach it because we deserve it;

It is a gift, it is a grace...

Heaven is now and here...

Before the year dives into its trough of darkness.

Brian Kennedy thanked everyone for their kind words. He said the encouragement to write the book came from the Co-PP Tom Hogan and many of us know how persuasive Fr Tom can be! This book was a labour of love for me. I have been giving tours of the church for many years, but even I learned plenty of new things about the church as I was researching the book."
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The Bibi Files

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As Americans prepare for Trump 2.0, they can take a break by watching "The Bibi Files," a portrait of Benjamin Netanyahu and his ongoing quest to outrun the corruption charges that have dogged him since 2016. Netanyahu rushed to congratulate Trump on his election victory, and one can only imagine the plans the two men have in store as they cement their mutual admiration society.

Consumed with political survival regardless of the cost, Trump and Netanyahu will take any action to put distance between themselves and the legal ramifications of their respective transgressions. There is no regard for the toll it will take on their countries and the rest of the world.

The documentary is directed by Alexis Bloom and produced by Alex Gibney, who was offered the police interrogation tapes of Netanyahu. He received them during the judicial crisis in Israel, and before October 7. Gibney reached out to Bloom with the material in the summer of 2023, when Israeli street demonstrations were at a fevered pitch. Attracted by the similarities between Netanyahu and her portrait of Roger Ailes, the media power manipulator who changed the face of American news, Bloom was onboard.

Netanyahu's fight to outrun the charges that could land him in jail has led to decisions that have created one of the worst conflagrations in the region-- impacting Israelis, Palestinians, neighboring countries, and even diaspora Jews.

Just as Trump has been in and out of courtrooms, Netanyahu's dealings have been under scrutiny for almost a decade. It began with a look into alleged bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, with different teams of police investigators designated to look into the assorted charges. In February 2019, the police presented their findings to Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit, a judge appointed by Netanyahu. The official indictments came down in November of that year and were brought simultaneously: Case 1000, Case 2000, and Case 4000. Netanyahu has the distinction of being the first Israeli Prime Minister criminally indicted while serving in office.

Nimrod Novik, a former senior policy advisor to Shimon Peres, states: "Government officials are not allowed to take gifts. Period. Others were sent to prison. No one is above the law."

The film culls from thousands of hours of leaked tapes and includes a full range of characters. Even Trump donor Miriam Adelson makes an appearance. Intercut is the backstory of Netanyahu's biography, talking heads, scenes of street demonstrations, footage of the October 7 attack, and finally, the ongoing destruction of Gaza as the "war continues aimlessly".

Israeli investigative journalist Raviv Drucker acts as a guide to the narrative. (He is also a producer.) Drucker has been sued by the Netanyahus three times, and the channel he works for has been threatened. A presence throughout, Drucker adds comments, context, and overview ("Bibi thought he was immune.") as Bloom formulates her story.

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Setting a new benchmark in higher education, Career Point University proudly announces its first-ever January 2025 intake, offering Class 12th students a fresh opportunity to enroll in premier undergraduate programs such as B.Sc., BBA, and BCA. This initiative is specifically designed for students who could not secure admission during the July 2024 session for the 2024-25 academic year. As the first university to implement this path-breaking option, Career Point University aligns 
Billings, Montana - Travel is evolving beyond exploration; it's about forging connections and making a positive impact on the world. AfriMart International Travel & Tours proudly announces Global Travel Connections: Explore, Engage, Experience - Connecting the World Through Sustainable Travel, an immersive cultural event to be held in Ghana in May and November 2025. This groundbreaking event will bring together travel enthusiasts, industry professionals, bloggers, and innovators to explore the future 
The premier international B2B event for the gaming industry, the WN Conference Xiamen'24, was successfully held at the Howard Johnson Jimei Lake Hotel in Xiamen from November 20 to 22, 2024. Hosted by WN Media Group, the conference was co-organized by CiGA (China indie Game Alliance) and Xiamen Information Group Chuangxin Software Park Management Co., Ltd. On November 22, the event concluded with a full-day industry conference under the theme "Connecting 
Noida, December 9, 2024: Spiral Mantra, the pioneering data engineering company USA, is all set to attend the 10th edition of the India Economic Conclave this year. The event will be held in Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on the 12th and 13th of December 2024 (organized by Times Network). This one-off event will be attended by policymakers, business leaders, and industry executives, as Spiral Mantra's participation at the IEC as 
NEW YORK  Police arrested a strong person of interest Monday in the brazen Manhattan killing of UnitedHealthcares CEO after a quick-thinking McDonalds employee in Pennsylvania alerted authorities to a customer who was found with a weapon and writings linking him to the ambush.

The 26-year-old man had a gun believed to be the one used in the killing and writings suggesting his anger with corporate America, police officials said.

He was taken into custody after police got a tip that he was eating at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference.

He had clothing and a mask similar to those worn by the shooter and a fraudulent New Jersey ID matching one the suspect used to check into a New York City hostel before the shooting, Tisch said.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny identified the suspect as Luigi Nicholas Mangione, who was born and raised in Maryland, has ties to San Francisco and a last known address in Honolulu, Hawaii. A message left Monday with a Philadelphia-area phone number connected to Mangione was not immediately returned.

Mangione was being held in Pennsylvania on gun charges and will eventually be extradited to New York to face charges in connection with Thompsons death, Kenny said.

Police found a three-page document with writings suggesting that Mangione had ill will toward corporate America, Kenny said.

The handwritten document speaks to both his motivation and mindset, Tisch said.

Mangione had a ghost gun, a type of weapon that can be assembled at home from parts without a serial number, making them difficult to trace, investigators said.

As of right now the information were getting from Altoona is that the gun appears to be a ghost gun that may have been made on a 3D printer, capable of firing a 9 mm round, Kenny said.

Officers questioned Mangione, who was acting suspiciously and carrying multiple fraudulent IDs, as well as a U.S. passport, Tisch said. Officers found a suppressor, both consistent with the weapon used in the murder, the commissioner said.

NYPD detectives and staff from the Manhattan district attorneys office were traveling to Altoona to interview Mangione, Kenny said.

UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson, 50, was killed last Wednesday in what police said was a brazen, targeted attack as he walked alone to the Hilton from a nearby hotel, where UnitedHealthcares parent company, UnitedHealth Group, was holding its annual investor conference, police said.

The shooter appeared to be lying in wait for several minutes before approaching the executive from behind and opening fire, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. He used a 9 mm pistol that police said resembled the guns farmers use to put down animals without causing a loud noise.

In the days since the shooting, police turned to the public for help by releasing a collection of nine photos and video  including footage of the attack, as well as images of the suspect at a Starbucks beforehand.

On Monday, police credited news outlets for disseminating the images and the tipster for recognizing the suspect and calling authorities.

Luckily, a citizen in Pennsylvania recognized the subject and called local members of the Altoona Police Department responded to the call, and based on their investigation, they notified the NYPD, Kenny said.

Photos taken in the lobby of a hostel on Manhattans Upper West Side showed the suspect grinning after removing his mask, police said.

Investigators earlier suggested the gunman may have been a disgruntled employee or client of the insurer. Ammunition found near Thompsons body bore the words delay, deny and depose, mimicking a phrase used by insurance industry critics.

The gunman concealed his identity with a mask during the shooting yet left a trail of evidence, including a backpack he ditched in Central Park, a cellphone found in a pedestrian plaza and a water bottle and protein bar wrapper that police say he bought at Starbucks minutes before the attack.

On Friday, police found the backpack that they say the killer discarded as he fled from the crime scene to an uptown bus station, where they believe he left the city on a bus.

Retracing the gunmans steps using surveillance video, investigators say the shooter fled into Central Park on a bicycle, emerged from the park without his backpack and then ditched the bicycle.

He then walked a couple blocks and got into a taxi, arriving at at the George Washington Bridge Bus Station, which is near the northern tip of Manhattan and offers commuter service to New Jersey and Greyhound routes to Philadelphia, Boston and Washington, Kenny said.

The FBI announced late Friday that it was offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, adding to a reward of up to $10,000 that the NYPD has offered.

--CEDAR ATTANASIO and MICHAEL R. SISAK/The Associated Press
Oregon State University graduate students could return to work with a new contract on Tuesday after nearly a month on strike, union president Austin Bosgraaf said.

The Coalition of Graduate Employees, which represents some 1,700 graduate student research and teaching assistants at the states largest university, struck a tentative contract deal with Oregon State administrators on Friday, Bosgraaf said. Union members have until midnight Monday to vote on whether the union should ratify the contract, he said.
In a state that is covered in clouds about nine months out of the year, the dating scene could be quite mundane, but a new ranking says that it is actually quite the opposite.

Western Washington is known for the Seattle freeze, a term used to describe how difficult it is to meet new people in the region. According to the UW Medicine website, making friends in Seattle can be complicated. Striking up a casual conversation with a stranger can be difficult because people tend to keep to themselves. But another factor is dreary weather.

But beating the Seattle freeze could be simple, as long as you have someone to keep you warm, according to a new study released by Wallethub. The study found that there are four cities across Washington that are ranked among the best cities for singles looking for love.

Wallethubs ranked 182 U.S. cities from the best to worst cities for singles. Rankings were based on key dating-friendliness indicators, including online dating opportunities and the average price of a two-person meal.

Portland came in sixth. Salem (Salem?) was 67th.

The personal finance companys annual assessment ranked Seattle as the best city for singles in 2023. This year, the study still lists Seattle among the best cities for singles, but it no longer holds the top spot.

The 2024 ranking also listed three other cities in Washington state, two of which were among the top 100. Coming in near the top of the list is Seattle, followed by Spokane at No. 49, Tacoma at No. 82 and Vancouver at No. 132.

What are the best cities for singles in America?

The three main categories of the study used to determine the ranking of best cities for singles were economics, fun and recreation, and dating opportunities.

The top five best cities in America for dating, according to the study, are:



#1  Atlanta, Georgia



#2  Las Vegas, Nevada



#3  Seattle, Washington



#4  Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania



#5  Tampa, Florida

Why is Seattle ranked high for singles?

Seattles 2023 ranking as the best city for singles was due to the number of attractions, as well as places to meet other singles or to go out on dates. So why did Seattle drop two spots in this years study?

According to Wallethub, Seattle ranks very poorly this year in the economics category, placing it at No. 173 out of 182. This category evaluated the average cost of several things, including meals, alcoholic beverages, gym memberships, beauty salons and housing affordability.

Although it ranks low in economics, Seattle has one of the highest median household income in the country. The median income for non-family households in Seattle is $83,247 and the median household income for married couple family households is $206,626, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

If youre looking to meet a partner whos a good earner, Seattle has the 18th-highest median household income in the country, at over $80,000 per year (adjusted for the cost of living), notes the study. The citys status as a tech hub helps fuel high local incomes and also leads to plenty of brainiacs in the dating pool.

The study also mentions that Seattle is one of the best cities for singles because it offer several options when it comes to attractions, including a large number of social clubs, music festivals and parks.

Visit Seattle, a non-profit destination marketing organization, lists a ton of activities and places to go to if youre looking to grab a drink or have a nice meal in the Emerald City.
WASHINGTON  Donald Trump on Sunday pushed Russian leader Vladimir Putin to act to reach an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine, describing it as part of his active efforts as president-elect to end the war despite being weeks from taking office.

Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness, Trump wrote on social media, referring to Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

In a television interview that aired Sunday, Trump also said he would be open to reducing military aid to Ukraine and pulling the United States out of NATO. Those are two threats that have alarmed Ukraine, NATO allies and many in the U.S. national security community.

Asked on NBCs Meet the Press if he were actively working to end the nearly 3-year-old Ukraine war, Trump said, I am.

He refused to say if he had spoken to Putin since winning election in November. I dont want to say anything about that, because I dont want to do anything that could impede the negotiation, Trump said.

Trumps call for an immediate ceasefire went beyond the public policy stands taken by the Biden administration and Ukraine and drew a cautious response from Zelenskyy. It also marks Trump wading unusually deeply into efforts before his Jan. 20 inauguration to resolve one of the major global crises facing the lame-duck Biden administration.

Trump made his proposal after a weekend meeting in Paris with French and Ukrainian leaders in Paris, where many world leaders gathered to celebrate the restoration of Notre Dame cathedral after a devastating fire. None of the advisers traveling with him appeared to have expertise on Ukraine.

Kyiv would like to close a deal, Trump wrote on his social media platform Truth Social. There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin.

I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting! Trump added. He was referring to mediation efforts by China that many in the West have seen as favoring Russia.

Zelenskyy described his discussions Saturday with Trump, brought together by French President Emmanuel Macron, as constructive but has given no further details.

Zelenskyy cautioned that Ukraine needs a just and robust peace, that Russians will not destroy within a few years.

When we talk about an effective peace with Russia, we must talk first of all about effective peace guarantees. Ukrainians want peace more than anyone else. Russia brought war to our land, he said Sunday in a post on the Telegram messaging app.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov responded to Trumps post by repeating Moscows long-standing message that it is open to talks with Ukraine. Peskov referenced a decree by Zelenskyy from October 2022 that declared the prospect of any talks impossible as long as Putin was Russias leader.

That decree came after Putin proclaimed four occupied regions of Ukraine to be part of Russia, in what Kyiv and the West said was a clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty.

Trumps former national security adviser, retired Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster, warned there was no such thing as a quick fix to ending Russias war with Ukraine.

What Im worried about is this kind of flawed idea that Putin can be placated, right, that Putin will come to some kind of a deal, McMaster told Fox News Sunday.

I think its really important for President Trump to adhere to his instinct in this connection ... peace through strength, McMaster said, adding, How about give them what they need to defend themselves, and then saying to Putin, Youre going to lose this war?

While Trump has said before that he would like to see a quick ceasefire in Ukraine, his proposal Sunday was framed as a direct appeal to Russia. The quick responses from Ukraine and Russia demonstrated the seriousness with which they regarded the idea from the incoming American president.

Both Trump and President Joe Biden pointed this weekend to Russias disengagement in Syria, where the Russian military largely moved out of the way while Syrian rebels overthrew the countrys Russian-allied president, as evidence of the extent to which the Ukraine war has sapped Russias resources.

Biden said at the White House on Sunday that resistance from Ukraine had left Russia unable to protect its main ally in the Middle East.

The Biden administration and other supporters of Ukraine have made a point of not being seen to press Ukraine for an immediate truce. Ukraines allies fear a quick deal would be largely on the terms of its more powerful neighbor, potentially forcing damaging concessions on Ukraine and allowing Russia to resume the war again once it has built back up its military strength.

Trump portrays himself as up to making fast deals to resolve conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East that have frustrated many of the Biden administrations own mediation efforts.

There is no prohibition on incoming officials or nominees meeting with foreign officials, and it is common and fine for them to do so  unless those meetings are designed to subvert or otherwise affect current U.S. policy.

The Logan Act bars private citizens from trying to intervene in disputes or controversies between the United States and foreign powers without government approval. But the 1799 statute has produced just two criminal cases, none since the 1850s and neither resulting in a criminal conviction.

In the NBC interview taped Friday, Trump renewed his warning to NATO allies that he did not see continued U.S. participation in the Western military alliance as a given during his second term.

Trump has long complained that European and the Canadian governments in the mutual-defense bloc are freeloading on military spending by the U.S., by far the most powerful partner in NATO. NATO and its member governments say a majority of countries in the bloc are now hitting voluntary targets for military spending, due in part to pressure from Trump in his first term.

Asked whether he would consider the possibility of pulling out of NATO, Trump indicated that was an open question.

If theyre paying their bills, and if I think theyre treating us fairly, the answer is absolutely Id stay with NATO, he said.

But if not, he was asked if he would consider pulling the U.S. out of the alliance. Trump responded, Absolutely. Yeah, absolutely.

Trump expressed the same openness when asked if Ukraine should brace for possible cuts in U.S. aid. Possibly, he said.

U.S. arms and other military support are vital to Ukraines efforts to fend off invading Russian forces, and Biden has been surging assistance to Ukraine before leaving office.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday announced nearly $1 billion more in longer-term weapons support to Ukraine. Austin spoke to his Ukrainian counterpart Sunday about the status of the war and U.S. military backing, the Pentagon said.

Russian forces kept up their grinding advance in eastern Ukraine, taking the village of Blahodatne, according to a statement Sunday by Russias defense ministry. If confirmed, that gain would bring Russian forces a step closer toward capturing the town of Velyka Novosilka and disrupting a key logistics route for the Ukrainian army, military analysts said.

- By Ellen Knickmeyer and Joanna Kozlowska, The Associated Press
Gov. Tina Koteks call for President Joe Biden to designate Oregons Owyhee Canyonlands as a national monument reflects the growing momentum behind this critical conservation effort. As highlighted in your Dec. 3 article, the Owyhees rich wildlife, cultural history and breathtaking landscapes make it deserving of permanent protection, (Gov. Tina Kotek makes final plea to Biden to make Oregons Grand Canyon a national monument, Dec. 3).

Grassroots efforts in Oregon echo this urgency. Dozens of lawn signs now line Sen. Ron Wydens neighborhood, urging him to champion the monument designation. Additionally, hundreds of hand-colored art pieces have been delivered to him on behalf of children  and folks of all ages  showcasing their hope for a future where this irreplaceable treasure remains untouched by industrial development.

Monument designation would safeguard over a million acres of wilderness, preserving vital habitat for species such as bighorn sheep and golden eagles, while honoring tribal connections to this land. Before the end of his term, Biden has a rare opportunity to add to his legacy of environmental stewardship. Each day without Owyhee Canyonland protection risks losing a piece of Oregons natural heritage forever. But the clock is ticking  time is running out for decisive federal action by Bidens administration.

Oregonians have spoken: we want to protect our states version of the Grand Canyon. Lets ensure the Owyhee remains wild, pristine and accessible for generations to come.

Justin Boyles, Portland

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
FedEx has opened a new 2,600m2 facility in Plzen, Czech Republic, that will help to company meet the increasing demand for logistics, e-commerce and local manufacturing in Central and Eastern Europe.

The facility features a warehouse and office space, including 23 courier van docking bays and eight additional docks for line-haul vehicles. A key innovation is its motorized belt sorter with DIM capabilities, which boosts operational efficiency. Additionally, the facility is equipped with eco-friendly photovoltaic panels and electric vehicle charging stations.

With its technologies and strategic location, we can offer our customers even better services, supporting their international aspirations and operational needs, said Mariusz Mik, vice president ground operations Nordics, Eastern Europe, FedEx.

Our new facility in Plzen is part of a series of investments in Central and Eastern Europe to support regional economic growth and expand FedExs presence there.

The Plzen facility is integrated into FedExs extensive European road network, with direct routes to major logistics centers in Nuremberg, Vienna and Hanover. It also connects to the FedEx Air Network via Prague Airport, enabling swift, reliable delivery services across Europe and globally.
A migrant teen was stabbed to death in New York City after he told a group of men that he could not speak English.

Yeremi Colino, 17, was killed outside 17 John St. in the Financial District around 7:39 p.m. Thursday. According to the New York Police Department, the teen was accompanied by an 18-year-old when a group of three men approached them and asked if they could speak English.

When the teens replied that they could not speak English, the men began stabbing the victims, per the New York Post, citing NYPD and other sources with knowledge of the crime.

What Happened to the Victims?

Both Colino and his companion were rushed to Bellevue Hospital, where the 17-year-old teen died after sustaining stab wounds to the chest. His 18-year-old companion remains in stable condition and only sustained wounds in the left arm, police said.

No arrests have been made as of writing. Authorities are still looking for the three men, who they said are in their 20s with dark complexions. One of the suspects was wearing a green jacket and white pants. The second and the third suspects were wearing red pants and red hooded sweatshirts, per Eyewitness News.

Read Also: Vaccinations Among Kindergartners in the US Dips Again as Exemptions Keep Rising

Teen Stabbing in NYC

The recent stabbing is the latest in a string of incidents involving teens in NYC. On November 25, a 15-year-old boy was knifed in the abdomen on a Manhattan-bound M Train at the 23rd Street Station in Long Island City. The victim was rushed to Cornell Medical Center for medical treatment.

The suspect, believed to be another 15-year-old boy, allegedly attacked the victim following a verbal dispute. Neither the victim nor the suspect were named in the case.

In August, two teens were stabbed on a southbound Q train near the Times Square-42nd Street Station just before 7 a.m. One of the victims sustained stab wounds to the hand while the other was knifed in the abdomen.

It was unclear what led to the stabbing incident, but police said that the victims knew the suspect. No other information related to the identity of the suspect and the victims was released.
Set aside all of the privacy concerns concerning Recall, Microsofts AI-powered memory tool within Windows. Even if I want to like it  and I do want to  I dont think its quite dependable yet to solve all of my problems.

Privacy advocates dont want anything spying on them as they browse the Web, check email, post on social media, and so on. People who chase scattered details across the Web for publication, like me, are much more welcoming. Where Recall falls short right now is that is sort of fails on both: its there, always watching, but not closely enough that you can depend upon it to find the critical detail that you missed.

I spent the better part of a week with Recall running in the background, trying to see a.) whether it would actually prove to be useful enough to keep and b.) whether I could either break it or it would freak me out enough to keep me from using it. Weirdly, I found a bit of both.

get windows 11 pro for cheap Windows 11 Pro

Heres the way to think about Recall: if you saw it on your PCs screen, Recall saw it too. You can already search your PC for files and photos related to birthday, for example. You might have a list of presents saved as a text file with birthday in the file name. Recall goes beyond that. It promises to take that little snippet of critical data  say, Tomas wants a PS4 for his birthday, and theyre 25% off at this link that you know you saw somewhere while using your PC, but you cant remember where. An email? A Slack chat? On Facebook? If that information has appeared on your screen, Recall has seen it. And you can find it in seconds.

Thats great, right? For some. For others, it will scare the crap out of you. Did Recall see and record the private note from my doctor about whether I can pay my medical bill? If it was within Outlook or Gmail on your PC, probably. If it was in a dedicated app, maybe not. What about the status of my 401K? My healthcare elections? Porn??? The answer is: it depends.

What youll need to enable Recall

If youre worried about Microsoft sneaking spyware onto your machine, dont be: Recall is being pushed out in a preview specifically to Windows Insiders in the Dev Channel. For now, youll need a Copilot+ PC with a Snapdragon X Elite processor inside of it to handle the local processing. (Edit: Certain AMD and Intel platforms can now test Recall, too.)

Microsoft Recall even has its own update manager. Mark Hachman / IDG

Technically, youll need a Copilot+ PC with a secured-core interface, 16GB of RAM, 256GB of storage space (with 50GB of storage space available for Recalls snapshots alone!) and either BitLocker or Device Encryption for Recall to work. The PC also needs Windows Hello, either using a fingerprint reader or depth camera. Hello is used to identify you, every time you access Recall.

Recall, as you may, er, recall, was considered to be the flagship feature of the new Windows 11 2024 Update build of Windows 11 that debuted with the launch of the Copilot+ PCs this past spring. Recall taps into the power of the PCs NPU  it requires 40 TOPS  taking periodic snapshots of your screen to record information. It then uses optical character recognition and AI to record metadata and the contents of those screenshots, creating a searchable record of what you and your PC have viewed. Nothing is sent to the cloud or Microsoft, Microsoft says.

Privacy advocates, however, pointed out that the stored information was being kept insecurely, and that the software could therefore be exposed by an attacker. In June, Microsoft delayed Recall, saying that it would be tested via the Windows Insider channels. It was then pushed back to October. Microsoft then reworked Recall to make opting in to Recall a clear choice, in the words of Microsoft vice president of security David Weston, and said that it could be removed. Then Microsoft delayed Recall once again until December, where it stands now.

Microsofts Recall setup: somewhat slow and stuttery

Setting up Recall required a lot of incremental back and forth, not just to download the preview build itself but also some specific files, including image search and semantic analysis controls. Without them, Recall wont work.

Part of the update process included multiple downloads of the same file? Mark Hachman / IDG

Even after downloading the new build, Recall didnt exactly trumpet its presence. In fact, nothing seemed to happen until I manually launched Recall. When that happened, I received a very pretty animation screen that said I still needed more files (oops!) including some additional tweaks to the image search files. On one test machine, everything downloaded in a batch; on another, I found I had to launch Recall, wait for new files, restart, and check again for a few cycles.

Finally, Recall launched, and with it a series of short setup screens. To its credit, Microsoft tells you specifically what the Recall icon looks like, where it lives (in the Action Center to the lower right) and what it looks like if and when its recording. It then describes what you can do with Recall, and how it takes those snapshots and extracts the text from them as searchable information.

Microsoft does go to some lengths to explain what Recall does and what it will look like doing what it does. Mark Hachman / IDG

During the setup process, Windows described how I could unlock [my] photographic memory with Recall and then asked me if I wanted to save snapshots of my screen every few seconds.

I was offered two choices  Yes, save or No, dont save  with neither choice highlighted. A Learn more link also appeared. (Interestingly, the way the screens are laid out leaves your cursor within the option to dont save. Otherwise, Microsoft takes a neutral approach. I wouldnt say the setup screen fulfilled the definition of opt in, but this is the first time Ive seen what you might call a white pattern, where the easiest choice was to opt out.)

Recall doesnt exactly trumpet its presence. The Recall application icon has the same twisted ribbon/Moebius strip iconography as Copilot or and Microsoft 365, and the app icon itself lives in your taskbar. The Recall status icon is a weirdly minimalist version of that icon that hides down in the right-hand corner of your screen.

When Microsoft Recall is running, this icon will appear in the lower corner of your screen. It will also let you know if a window is not being recorded, though not which one. Mark Hachman / IDG

Say what you want about Microsofts privacy features, but the company explicitly details what information it wants to collect within the Privacy & Security page of the Windows 11 Settings menu. A separate sub-page, dubbed Recall & snapshots, allows you control over how Recall is used and how much of your PCs resources it can take advantage of. At the top of the page is a toggle switch, allowing you to turn off Recalls ability to save snapshots entirely.

This new build of Windows 11 also includes a new entry in the Storage tab (Settings > System > Storage), which lists the amount of storage space Recalls snapshots consumed. From Nov. 26 until Dec. 3 (with some time off for the Thanksgiving holiday) my snapshots consumed 1.24GB. Thats a decent amount. You can tell Recall how much space it can use for snapshots  or, alternatively, how far back in time it should cache data. Put another way, if you want it to automatically dump any snapshots older than 30 days, you can.

The Microsoft Recall settings page within Windows 11. To allow Recall to take snapshots, the Save snapshots switch must be toggled on. Mark Hachman / IDG

How to use Recall

For those of you who want to know more about how Recall interacts with your privacy protections, dont worry; I go into that as part of the next section. For now, however, lets talk about how to use Microsoft Recall itself.

Recall only runs on Windows PCs, not phones or other devices. Every single time you open Recall, it will ask you to use Windows Hello to authenticate yourself. Occasionally, if you havent used it or have minimized the window, Recall will time out and again ask you to log in via Windows Hello. Be careful; Since Windows Hello will default to a PIN, make sure that the PIN isnt simple or easily guessed.

Recall itself is a pretty simple interface. At the top is a search bar, as well as a slidable timeline bar to pan backwards and forwards in time. Type in a search term, such as Black Friday plan, and youll see whatever it was that you interacted with on the subject. Recall provides both text and visual matches to each, without really differentiating between the two. It also allows you to select which application you think the information you seek may be hidden away. Theres a small link that will bring up matches within File Explorer, too.

A bit of my holiday shopping, as evidenced by Microsoft Recall. Mark Hachman / IDG

Recall provides a screenshot of each result, which you can click on for more information. From scrubbing back and forth in my overall timeline, it appears that Recall takes snapshots about every minute.

Recall doesnt list pages and pages of search results; you can imagine all of the pages of Black Friday results available, for example. It seems to return about eight listings in each setting. You can obviously narrow it down by refining your search results further.

Each Recall snapshot seems to be stored as an image, which is then mined for text as you open it. If I looked at a page on Reddit, for example, where the term crime movies appeared, Recall will store the image in its search results. Clicking on it opens the image  which, after a second or two, becomes readable as text, signified by an interesting sonar-like pulse effect.

Before it, you can only scroll through the page. After it takes effect, you can highlight and copy text. Its similar to how a PDF editor can make text on a .PDF file readable, but done in a more visually attractive way. Microsoft calls this Click to Go, a totally unnecessary name. One second its an image; the next, text. And we all know what we can do with text.

Navigating it all, though, is weird. Within the search results, using my mouse wheel to scroll up and down navigated left and right in the search results. But each snapshot is just a screens worth of information. And thats weird. Take my layout: two 4K displays, one in portrait mode, complementing a high-res Surface Laptop screen. That means that an entire 4K screens worth of information is stored in a snapshot a little larger than a postage stamp. Does that snapshot hide the result youre looking for? You wont know until you check the result page, and sometimes more than one.

Recall doesnt really understand portrait displays. If I search for Skaugen, the subject of some 2015 notes, only the middle screen with Willie McCoveys profile appears. Mark Hachman

When you click on each Recall result, youll get a screens worth of information. No, not the entire Web page, just the screen Recall saw. You may have to zoom in to actually make out the text, and to do that you need to hold down the CTRL key while scrolling in and out. If you have more than one window on a page, such as my portrait monitor, youll almost certainly have to zoom in. (Scrolling up and down with my touchpad scrolled up and down in the snapshot. Doing the same with my mouse, however, moved from that snapshot to another in the list of search results.)

What Recall is designed to do is to hunt down the piece of information you were searching for, along with the context that whatever web page, conversation, or app surrounded with: a list of features, discussion among your team, the remainder of the email, and so on.

One of Recalls tricks is that Recall only surfaces a portion of a page, such as this Wikipedia article. If you want to see the actual live web page, you can click the link at the bottom. But this works for files, too! If youre searching for an item on a spreadsheet, for example, you can click the link (which will probably say live.com or Sharepoint) and open the original file. Mark Hachman / IDG

Some early users of Recall have reported the app falls short in terms of quickly taking snapshots of web pages, and that holds true for my experiences as well. I kept open a news story on Opera about Northern California tasting rooms for a good ten minutes or so. Recall never seemed to find it. I then read through two stories on an award-winning Chinese restaurant and a story about a church involved in a ballot scandal, viewing the same stories both in Edge and in Opera. Recall found the church story on Edge, and thats it. It found the reference in my draft copy of this story with no problem. Arghhh!

On the other hand, I typed a made-up word into Notepad, deleted the word, but kept the app open. Recall still captured the word and saved a photographic record within Recall.

This is the magic of Recall: it can take a stored image and turn it to readable, actionable text, compete with links. Youll just need to zoom in to navigate the page. Mark Hachman / IDG

Thats a problem. You cant specify, to my knowledge, what Recall will take a snapshot of or how frequently it happens. If you process a lot of information quickly, Recall may not snap and record it, but it may record something that really never existed at all. Thats almost a bigger problem than what it does or doesnt record.

Recalls privacy issue

That leads into the privacy protections, which are the most controversial aspect of Recall. Quite frankly, there will be those who will never trust Recall, or Microsoft. Some of those might use Recall if it was an Apple technology. Others would never voluntarily give Microsoft a bytes worth of information, yet happily post every detail of their life on social media.

Remember, youll need to manually enable Recall. Snapshots can be paused for a period of time, turned off, and can only be accessed via Windows Hello.

This is Micrsoft Recalls default view: obscured, unless unlocked by Windows Hello. Mark Hachman / IDG

Recall looks at everything, but doesnt save everything, Microsoft says. By default, a Recall privacy setting within the Windows 11 Settings menu (Privacy & Security > Recall & Snapshots) called Filter sensitive information wont save passwords or credit cards. Likewise, you can blacklist apps that wont be snapshotted, or blacklist websites that wont be recorded, either.

By default, private browsing on various browsers will be respected as well, and the information you view there wont be recorded. That applies to Microsoft Edge, Google Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. Recall wont recall private browsing on any other browser based on Chromium 124 and above, but filtering by site wont be respected, while it will on the other browsers listed above.

Recall also doesnt specifically tell you what it is and isnt taking snapshots of. If youre like me and use several apps and windows across multiple screens, when Recall tells you that one or more windows [are] filtered, youll wonder whats being seen and what isnt.

I didnt test this as extensively as a security professional would, of course. However, I couldnt get Recall to produce a saved record of information Id stored while privately browsing on Edge, Chrome, Opera, or Firefox. Recall didnt save a snapshot while poking through the Microsoft Wallet app at all, which can be used to save all sorts of private data, such as payment cards and passwords. (Wallet, like Recall, asked for my Windows Hello biometric ID when I accessed it.) I couldnt find a snapshot of a password used when I logged in to various sites, even those that required a password as well as two-factor authentication. I even sent a fake credit card number, and it didnt store the result in Outlook.

On the advice of my colleague Alaina Yee, I created an Excel spreadsheet, made up some fake Web sites, and a bunch of fake passwords to go along with them. I left it open for a few minutes, closing all the other windows. Recall didnt take a snapshot of it, reporting that one or more windows was being filtered. Interestingly, a totally innocuous Web page open to John McEnroes Wikipedia page on the same display wasnt captured either, indicating that Recall filters by screen, not by window.

The problem is that I cant be totally sure of is whether Recall is actually taking snapshots of confidential information and voluntarily deciding not to store them, or whether it just wasnt picking up on everything that I viewed, as I demonstrated in the previous section.

I do know that Recall may force even pro-Recall users into setting up a series of blacklisted sites, such as their bank, so that Recall doesnt snapshot them. Surfing in private mode is the easiest way to avoid Recalls attentions, at least temporarily, but most if not all browsers also dont allow you to use stored credentials like your password inside private browsing. (An alternative would be to use your smartphone, where Recall isnt installed.)

I didnt try to break Recall as extensively as say, Mauro Huculak did, by trying to really dig in to the Windows registry files. But the ImageStore folder was empty, and I wasnt able to see the contents of individual files stored there, as well. Of course, this was my machine, with access to administrator passwords.

At this point, Im not convinced that Recall wont store something that will provoke outrage from users, and I lack the expertise to state whether Recall data stored on your PC is secure. I do know that other Microsoft-designed (or co-designed) security technologies like Pluton and the Windows Sandbox have good reputations, though shouldnt be considered absolutely, positively secure.

How to turn off and remove Recall

The Windows 11 Storage Settings (System > Storage) allows you to click through to a list of installed apps, which include Copilot, Family, and Microsoft To Do  all relatively minor Windows apps. Each of them includes an uninstall option. Recall isnt even listed. Storage Settings now includes a drop-down option for Snapshots, which leads to the Recall settings menu.

Remember, the Windows 11 Settings Recall menu allows you to toggle taking snapshots, with an option to delete all existing snapshots from the system. That essentially turns Recall off.

To remove Recall, you just need to toggle it off and then reboot your PC. Mark Hachman / IDG

To uninstall Recall, you can open the Turn Windows features on and off control panel, the one that a user can use to enable features like Windows Sandbox, for example. Doing so removes Recall from your PC.

If you choose this route, Id recommend using the Windows Settings menu to first block Recall from taking snapshots, and then to delete all of the snapshots from your PC. Then uninstall Recall from your PC using the Windows features setting. Youll need to reboot your PC. After that, Recall wont be accessible. (Recalls file structure, however, will still be, which is why Id recommend using Microsofts tools to make those deletions.)

Should you use Recall?

Is Recall worth it? In certain cases, absolutely. If youve followed my coverage of Slack, Teams, and other business applications or suites, my constant complaint is that I can never find the key detail Im looking for: was it an email? A Slack conversation? A transcript? Just hunting this piece of information down takes valuable time.

On several occasions, Recall has paid off. PCWorld had very specific, detailed plans for Black Friday, for example, and Recall came through several times in identifying the file or the deadline that I was searching for. Right now, Id consider that capability to be a bonus. If I had been using it for several weeks and become dependent upon it, its failure to find something might be a greater sinwhich is why its inconsistency is actually rather troubling, in my mind.

But Recall also worries me, quite frankly, more so than ever. Most people understand where the dividing line is between their public and private lives, especially online. Recall is not only a search engine for your private life, but the part of public life that youd prefer to engage with, anonymously. Put another way: Do you ever post anonymously to a message board? Your neighbors may not know that your username is CoolDad1414, but Recall probably does, and it took a snapshot of it, too.

(Think about it this way: I had to provide real-world screenshots for this story. How much of my private life, or my employers internal communications, do I wish to expose?)

Recall points out something else thats unsettling, too. Browsers ship with private modes. Outlook, Notepad, and other applications do not. Im not the type of person who would write an angry, vicious email and never send it, or hash out a paragraph or two within Notepad about what Id really like to do that person. But some might, and Recall is probably going to make a quiet record of it, even if it later gets deleted in shame.

Im sure many of us would be embarrassed if their secret Chappell Roan fandom became public, but those concerns are relatively minor. Im much more concerned about living under four years of a government whose leaders have already talked publicly about quelling dissent, including the rights of the free press. Putting your entire private life inside a searchable database that could be dissected by investigators looking for something incriminatory is pretty frightening, frankly.

So while Ill continue to watch Recall, Im very torn on using it. But by the time Microsoft formally releases it, youll probably have a better idea of whether you want to use it, too.

Updated at 8:51 AM PT to add that certain AMD and Intel platforms can now test Recall, too.
Two Harrisburg residents were arrested and charged over the weekend in connection with a shooting incident that took place in Upper Allen Township, Cumberland County.

Police said in a news release that they were dispatched to a home along Geneva Drive on Sunday after getting a report of a fight involving a firearm.

Once there, they discovered that a physical fight had taken place between Heriberto Pagan-Maldonado, 46, of Harrisburg, Marisol Muniz, 47, also of Harrisburg, and several victims.

Police said evidence showed that Muniz had tried to attack another person with a knife and a tire iron. She also stole a purse from one of the victims.

During the attack, Pagan-Maldonado retrieved a firearm and fired several shots at one of the victims, police said. The victim was not struck by the gunfire, but an occupied apartment building was hit twice.

Pagan-Maldonado has been charged with aggravated assault, discharge of a firearm into an occupied structure and recklessly endangering another person.

Muniz was charged with aggravated assault, robbery and simple assault.

They were both arrested and arraigned and bail was denied, officials said.
Editors Note: This story has been updated to correct the spelling of the victims first name.

A 25-year-old man was shot and killed Sunday night in Harrisburg, blocks away from where another homicide happened last month, police said.

Jhonny Torres, who lived in the city, was shot around 8:30 p.m. on the 300 block of Nectarine Street in the citys Allison Hill neighborhood, according to police and the coroners office.

Torres was pronounced dead at the scene. Police have not announced any details about what happened or whether anyone has been arrested.

On Nov. 2, Darius Stukes, 34, was shot and killed three blocks away at Hunter and Nectarine Street. Lateef Phoenix  the 38-year-old man who police say picked Stukes up from his York home and brought him to Harrisburg hours before the killing  was charged with first-degree murder last week. Phoenix remains on the loose.

There have been 22 homicides in Harrisburg in 2024, compared to 13 at this time last year. Eight cases are unsolved.

Police are asking anyone with information to call 717-558-6900 or submit a tip through CrimeWatch.
Negative online reviews for McDonalds restaurants in Altoona, Pa. started piling up Monday after an employee called police, leading to the arrest of a customer in connection with the killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO.

Negative comments rolled in for at least five different McDonalds locations listed in Altoona on the Yelp website.

One restaurant that normally received one Yelp review every month or two, received about 100 one-star reviews, the lowest ranking possible, on Monday. Many reviews featured outlandish stories or jokes with political commentary about the killing, which has sparked a nationwide discussion about health insurance companies denying claims.

This fast food restaurant houses a traitor among its employees, the first review posted Monday said. The working class has betrayed humanity.

Other reviews mentioned finding rats, a reference to someone who deserts ones side or cause.

Very large rat behind the counter, another reviewer said. Not very nutritional food. Ive heard the employees get free food for working a shift--hope they have health insurance to cover the future heart attacks. .! oh wait.

United Healthcare appeared to have made its coverage policies and procedures more stringent during CEO Brian Thompsons tenure, according to Fortune.

According to personal finance platform ValuePenguin, UnitedHealthcare denies 32% of claims compared with the industry average of 16 percent.

Bullet casings found at the scene of the killing had the words: deny, defend, and depose written on them, echoing a phrase commonly used to describe insurer tactics to avoid paying claims.

Thompson, 50, was killed Dec. 4 outside of a NYC hotel where United Healthcare was planning to hold its annual conference.

In the days after the killing, support has grown in some quarters online for the attention the killing raised about perceptions that insurance companies place shareholder profits and executive suite pay above their customers medical needs and lives.

Many online are expressing support for the killer, as if he were some kind of folk hero, while others found the jokes and expressions of support for a premeditated murder despicable. Thompson left behind a wife and two sons.

The motive in the killing remains unknown. Luigi Mangione, 26, a University of Pennsylvania grad who was arrested while eating at the McDonalds in Altoona, has a court hearing scheduled for 6 p.m. in Blair County on a gun charge. Police say he had a ghost gun, or one made with a 3D printer, on him when they arrested him. Its unclear if the employee who called eventually will get a $50,000 reward that was being offered by the FBI for information in connection with Thompsons killing.

The fries were sad and cold, like that snitches heart, another review said. Pretty depressing atmosphere too. Feels likes someone might rat out on you.

Another reviewer posted:

Never eating at this McDonalds again. Imagine going to grab a Big Mac and witnessing Officer Snitchy McSnitch (Employee of the Month) calling the feds on a HERO. Dude was just trying to enjoy his McNuggets after literally uniting Americans, and this cashier speedran dialing 911 faster than hes ever assembled a McFlurry.

The bad online reviews for the McDonalds franchises in Altoona followed a similar reaction against the Upper West Side hostel where officials believe the suspected killer stayed during his time in New York City, according to the New York Times. Some people called the workers there narcs. The business has been cooperating with the police.

It is unclear what motivated the killing or whether it was tied to Thompsons work in the industry.

Mangiones social media page on X, formerly Twitter, includes a photo of a mans x-ray showing four large screws inserted into the spine, similar to a spinal fusion surgery to address back pain. An list of books read by Mangione posted on the website Good Reads included five related to back pain.
Duck Dynasty star Phil Robertson has been getting covered in prayer and well-wishes on social media since his son and fellow show star, Jase Robertson, revealed that Phil is battling some serious health issues.

Per Jase, Phil has been diagnosed with Alzheimers disease, and thats not the only hurdle he is facing.

We were trying to figure out the diagnosis, but according to the doctors, he has some sort of blood disease causing all kinds of problems, Jase said on the Unashamed with the Robertson Family podcast.

He also revealed that his father has been battling the blood disease for years, but that it has been getting worse.

Weve got a team of doctors, and then we have another set of doctors who are looking at all the tests, and theyre all in agreement that theres no curing what he has, Jase said.

If theres any good news here, per NBC News, Jase said the Alzheimers is in early stages and Phil still wants to be a part of the podcast.

Im like, Well Phil, you can barely walk around without crying out in pain, and your memory is not what it once was, Jase said. Hes like, Tell me about it. So he is literally unable to  I think he would agree  to just sit down and have a conversation.

Phil Robertson is not active on social media, but he does have an X account, and many were sending there prayers to him there.

Governor Bobby Jindal of Louisiana wrote, Praying for (Phil Robertson) and his family, on the platform and there were many more well-wishes directed at him.
Nicko McBrain is one tough dude.

Dont believe it? Well, check out his story. The 72-year-old longtime drummer for Iron Maiden suffered a stroke back in January of 2023, and returned to the road with the band after just four months off.

But there comes a time when even the toughest guys have to take a step back and take a rest, and so McBrain is retiring.

After much consideration, it is with both sorrow and joy, I announce my decision to take a step back from the grind of the extensive touring lifestyle, he wrote on the bands website. Today, Sat, Dec 7th, Sao Paulo will be my final gig with Iron Maiden. I wish the band much success moving forward.

McBrain had been with Iron Maiden since 1982 when, per Loudwire, he first appeared on the bands Piece of Mind album.

The site said that McBrain said he had not fully recovered from his stroke when he returned to the stage, but that his bandmates changed their setlists to accommodate his inability to play some of the more complex songs.

Loudwire said that McBrain promised to remain firmly part of the Iron Maiden family.

Touring with Maiden the last 42 years has been an incredible journey, he wrote. To my bandmates, you made it a dream come true and I love you! I look into the future with much excitement and great hope! Ill be seeing you soon, may God bless you all, and, of course, Up the Irons!
A judge in a court case between rock group Kiss (along with their manager and touring company) and one of their stylists is advising both sides to come to a settlement.

Rolling Stone reports that the lawsuit was filed by David Mathews, a wig stylist for the group for many years. Mathews claims that he was denied overtime wages and adequate breaks while working for the band, and that he was wrongfully terminated after he expressed concerns about the bands COVID protocols during the pandemic.

According to Rolling Stone, a 20-minute hearing for the case went before Judge Armen Tamzarian of the Los Angeles County Superior Court, during which the judge urged both sides to settle the case.

Attorneys for the band argued that Mathews was an independent contractor, and that the main incidents in the case took place in other states, not California. Mathews' lawyer countered by saying that his client was covered by California law which extended COVID-19 regulations to California-based employees.

Tamzarian said that he had trouble viewing Mathews as an independent contractor, but that the complexity of the case meant that both sides had very serious risks if the case went to trial."

This is the kind of case any rational person would settle, he said, according to Rolling Stone. Theres big risk this could swing dramatically one way or the other. This is a tough case for plaintiff to win, but if he wins, there are deep, deep pockets there, and there could be a big result.

The complexities of the case included factors such as how the Kiss band members could not reasonably be expected to wear masks after donning their trademark make-up, the judge said.

According to the lawsuit, Mathews alleges band member Gene Simmons tested positive for COVID-19 while on tour in South Africa, and still went on to perform while sick.

Tamzarian added that both lawyers seemed overconfident in their positions.

The issues are complicated, he said. I dont know what Im going to do with this.

The suit was filed in February of 2023, and currently set to go to trial in January of 2025.

To read the full story, visit the Rolling Stone website here.
Irish actor Barry Keoghan has deactivated his Instagram account after receiving troubling messages.

The "Saltburn" star, 32, announced the news on X on Saturday after heavy speculation surrounding his relationship with his young son and his breakup with pop star Sabrina Carpenter.

After Keoghan and his ex-girlfriend Alyson Sandro welcomed their son, Brando, 2, in August 2022, they broke up the following summer. Keoghan then began dating Carpenter, which caused an enormous amount of backlash for the actor.

Now that Carpenter and Keoghan have split, rumors have been swirling that the fresh breakup was due to Keoghan cheating.

As a result, the backlash has seemingly caused Keoghan to leave the social media platform.

I can only sit and take so much. My name has been dragged across the internet in ways I usually dont respond to, Keoghan wrote on X. I have to respond now because its getting to a place where there are too many lines being crossed. I deactivated my account because I can no longer let this stuff distract from my family and my work.

The messages I have received no person should ever have to read them, he continued. Absolute lies, hatred, disgusting commentary about my appearance, character, how I am as a parent and every other inhumane thing you can imagine.

In some instances, Keoghan noted that the harassment has exceeded social media speculation by dragging my dear mother into it and went as far as knocking on his grannys door and sitting outside my baby boys house.

Each and every day I work harder to push myself on every level to be the healthiest and strongest person for that boy, Keoghan continued. I want to provide opportunities for him to learn, fail and grow. I want him to be able to look up to his daddy, to have full trust in me and know I will have his back no matter what. I need you to [remember] he has to read ALL of this about his father when he is older.

Please be respectful to all. Thank u x, he concluded.
As the classic film, The Year Without a Santa Claus so wonderfully depicts, theres just no Christmas without Old St. Nick.

Unless, apparently, youre in Pennsylvania.

According to a study conducted and published by Preply, Pennsylvania ranks first when it comes to the U.S. states that believe in Santa Claus the least.

Oddly, the Keystone State also ranked in eighth when it came to having the most Christmas spirit.

Also interestingly, a state known for its beaches and warm weather  Hawaii  ranked first when it came to believing in Santa the most. As far as Christmas spirit goes, people in Utah are overflowing with it.

Utah might not be the first state that springs to mind when thinking about festivities, but consider that its the home of the Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert  and a prime destination for holiday-makers seeking a white Christmas  and youll start to understand why its residents are so festivity-positive! the report reads.

With High Christmas-related search trends likely stemming from the states numerous Christmas services and holiday markets (such as the brilliant Salt Lake City Christkindlmarkt), Utahns clearly have plenty of Christmas spirit to go around.

Researchers at the website determined these findings after analyzing Google search data related to Christmas. They then divided results by state for final rankings .
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP)  Ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad fled to Moscow and received asylum from his longtime ally, Russian media said Sunday, hours after a stunning rebel advance seized control of Damascus and ended his familys 50 years of iron rule.

Thousands of Syrians poured into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire and waved the revolutionary flag in scenes that recalled the early days of the Arab Spring uprising, before a brutal crackdown and the rise of an insurgency plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war.

The swiftly moving events raised questions about the future of the country and the wider region.

Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East, President Joe Biden said, crediting action by the U.S. and its allies for weakening Syrias backers  Russia, Iran and Hezbollah. He called the fall of Assad a fundamental act of justice but also a moment of risk and uncertainty, and said rebel groups are saying the right things now but the U.S. would assess their actions.

Russia requested an emergency session of the U.N. Security Council to discuss Syria, according to Dmitry Polyansky, its deputy ambassador to the U.N., in a post on Telegram.

The arrival of Assad and his family in Moscow was reported by Russian agencies Tass and RIA, citing an unidentified source at the Kremlin. A spokesman there didnt immediately respond to questions. RIA also said Syrian insurgents had guaranteed the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic posts in Syria.

Earlier, Russia said Assad left Syria after negotiations with rebel groups and that he had given instructions to transfer power peacefully.

The leader of Syrias biggest rebel faction, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, is poised to chart the countrys future. The former al-Qaida commander cut ties with the group years ago and says he embraces pluralism and religious tolerance. His Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, or HTS, is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the U.N.

In his first public appearance since fighters entered the Damascus suburbs Saturday, al-Golani visited the Umayyad Mosque and described Assads fall as a victory to the Islamic nation. Calling himself by his given name, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and not his nom de guerre, he said Assad had made Syria a farm for Irans greed.

The rebels face the daunting task of healing bitter divisions in a country ravaged by war and split among armed factions. Turkey-backed opposition fighters are battling U.S.-allied Kurdish forces in the north, and the Islamic State group is still active in remote areas.

Syrian state television broadcast a rebel statement saying Assad had been overthrown and all prisoners had been released. They urged people to preserve the institutions of the free Syrian state, and announced a curfew in Damascus from 4 p.m. to 5 a.m.

An online video purported to show rebels freeing dozens of women at the notorious Saydnaya prison, where rights groups say thousands were tortured and killed. At least one small child was seen among them.

This happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of prison and know where is he, said one relative, Bassam Masr. I have been searching for him for two hours. He has been detained for 13 years.

Rebel commander Anas Salkhadi appeared on state TV and sought to reassure religious and ethnic minorities, saying: Syria is for everyone, no exceptions. Syria is for Druze, Sunnis, Alawites, and all sects.

We will not deal with people the way the Assad family did, he added.
By MICHAEL R. SISAK and CEDAR ATTANASIO, Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP)  Police arrested a strong person of interest Monday in the brazen Manhattan killing of UnitedHealthcares CEO after a quick-thinking McDonalds employee in Pennsylvania alerted authorities to a customer who was found with a weapon and writings linking him to the ambush.

The 26-year-old man had a gun believed to be the one used in the killing and writings suggesting his anger with corporate America, police officials said.

He was taken into custody after police got a tip that he was eating at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference.

He had clothing and a mask similar to those worn by the shooter and a fraudulent New Jersey ID matching one the suspect used to check into a New York City hostel before the shooting, Tisch said.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny identified the suspect as Luigi Nicholas Mangione, who was born and raised in Maryland, has ties to San Francisco and a last known address in Honolulu, Hawaii. A message left Monday with a Philadelphia-area phone number connected to Mangione was not immediately returned.

Mangiones LinkedIn page, quoted by other news sources, states that he obtained a bachelors and masters degrees at the University of Pennsylvania.

Mangione was being held in Pennsylvania on gun charges and will eventually be extradited to New York to face charges in connection with Thompsons death, Kenny said.

Police found a three-page document with writings suggesting that Mangione had ill will toward corporate America, Kenny said.

The handwritten document speaks to both his motivation and mindset, Tisch said.

Mangione had a ghost gun, a type of weapon that can be assembled at home from parts without a serial number, making them difficult to trace, investigators said.

As of right now the information were getting from Altoona is that the gun appears to be a ghost gun that may have been made on a 3D printer, capable of firing a 9 mm round, Kenny said.

Officers questioned Mangione, who was acting suspiciously and carrying multiple fraudulent IDs, as well as a U.S. passport, Tisch said. Officers found a suppressor, both consistent with the weapon used in the murder, the commissioner said.

In this photo taken from video, New York Police chief of detectives Joseph Kenny answers questions during a news conference, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, in New York. (New York City Mayor's Office via AP)AP

NYPD detectives and staff from the Manhattan district attorneys office were traveling to Altoona to interview Mangione, Kenny said.

UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson, 50, was killed last Wednesday in what police said was a brazen, targeted attack as he walked alone to the Hilton from a nearby hotel, where UnitedHealthcares parent company, UnitedHealth Group, was holding its annual investor conference, police said.

The shooter appeared to be lying in wait for several minutes before approaching the executive from behind and opening fire, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. He used a 9 mm pistol that police said resembled the guns farmers use to put down animals without causing a loud noise.

In the days since the shooting, police turned to the public for help by releasing a collection of nine photos and video  including footage of the attack, as well as images of the suspect at a Starbucks beforehand.

On Monday, police credited news outlets for disseminating the images and the tipster for recognizing the suspect and calling authorities.

Luckily, a citizen in Pennsylvania recognized the subject and called local members of the Altoona Police Department responded to the call, and based on their investigation, they notified the NYPD, Kenny said.

Photos taken in the lobby of a hostel on Manhattans Upper West Side showed the suspect grinning after removing his mask, police said.

Investigators earlier suggested the gunman may have been a disgruntled employee or client of the insurer. Ammunition found near Thompsons body bore the words delay, deny and depose, mimicking a phrase used by insurance industry critics.

The gunman concealed his identity with a mask during the shooting yet left a trail of evidence, including a backpack he ditched in Central Park, a cellphone found in a pedestrian plaza and a water bottle and protein bar wrapper that police say he bought at Starbucks minutes before the attack.

On Friday, police found the backpack that they say the killer discarded as he fled from the crime scene to an uptown bus station, where they believe he left the city on a bus.

Retracing the gunmans steps using surveillance video, investigators say the shooter fled into Central Park on a bicycle, emerged from the park without his backpack and then ditched the bicycle.

He then walked a couple blocks and got into a taxi, arriving at at the George Washington Bridge Bus Station, which is near the northern tip of Manhattan and offers commuter service to New Jersey and Greyhound routes to Philadelphia, Boston and Washington, Kenny said.

The FBI announced late Friday that it was offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, adding to a reward of up to $10,000 that the NYPD has offered.
Attorney Alina Habba with former President Donald Trump in New York Supreme Court, Monday, Nov. 6, 2023, in New York. (AP Photo/Eduardo Munoz Alvarez) APAP

President-elect Donald Trump on Sunday named Alina Habba, his senior advisor and lawyer who represented him in the New York hush money trial, as counselor to the president,

In a post on his social media platform Trump said Habba was unwavering in her loyalty and praised her as having been a tireless advocate for Justice, a fierce Defender of the Rule of Law, and an invaluable Advisor to my Campaign and Transition Team.

GOP strategist Kellyanne Conway held the role of counselor to the president in Trumps first term.

Habba, 40, a New Jersey native, is a 2010 graduate of the Widener University Commonwealth Law School in Harrisburg.

Habba gained a national profile defending Trump against charges he paid $130,000 to silence adult film star Stormy Daniels, In May, a New York jury found Trump guilty of all 34 charges related to the payment scheme to illegally influence the 2016 election.

Trump noted in his post Sunday that Habba is a first generation American of Middle Eastern heritage [she is of Iraqi Catholic descent] and said she has become a role model for women in law and politics.

Another Widener Commonwealth law graduate, Don McGahn, served as White House counsel to Trump from his inauguration until October 2018.
On the heels of major GOP wins in Pennsylvania last month, several potential candidates are lining up to challenge Gov. Josh Shapiro in 2026.

Shapiro, 51, is a first-term Democrat with an unusually high popularity rating. He went mostly unchallenged in the 2022 gubernatorial election, after clearing the Democratic field in the primary election and establishment Republicans failing to block right-wing State Sen. Doug Mastriano, R., Franklin County, from winning the GOP primary. Shapiro beat Mastriano by 15 percentage points, without ever having to stand for a debate during the election cycle.

U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser, 60, a Republican who has represented parts of Northeastern Pennsylvania in the House of Representatives since 2019, said he was considering running for governor, but is not yet committed to it. Meuser previously served as secretary of revenue in former Gov. Tom Corbetts administration, was a past president of wheelchair manufacturer Pride Mobility Products, and has remained a staunch supporter of President-elect Donald Trump over the years.

Im doing some due diligence, and I have been receiving some encouragement, Meuser said.

Another potential candidate that some Republicans have shown interest in running is Treasurer Stacy Garrity, 60, who overwhelmingly won reelection last month to a second term. Garrity, a former U.S. Army Reserve colonel who received two Bronze Star Medals for her work in combat zones in the Middle East, recently broke Shapiros record by receiving the most-ever votes for a statewide office in Pennsylvania history.

However, when asked about whether she was mulling a run  and what she thinks of her peers' encouragement  she declined to say whether she plans to throw her hat in the ring.

Im really honored that theyre thinking of me, Garrity said. But you know, were just coming off a win. We did a lot in the first term. We basically broke every record in the Treasury, but theres still a lot more to do. So right now Im really just focusing on the job of treasurer for the moment.

Many Pennsylvania Republicans, gathered at events around Midtown Manhattan for the states annual New York City getaway of fancy parties, had similar desire to more seriously challenge Shapiro in the midterm election. Shapiro has long been rumored to have presidential ambitions and he remains a top name in the field for the 2028 presidential election. How well he does in his reelection bid will determine if he makes a run, experts said.

Manuel Bonder, a spokesperson for Shapiro, said in a statement that Shapiro is focused on the job he is elected to do.

Anyone who is interested in playing political parlor games is welcome to have fun doing so, Bonder added.

A few other rumored potential candidates gave a firm No, and said they are not considering a run against Shapiro in 2026.

Former Pennsylvania House Speaker Mike Turzai (R., Allegheny), who left the state House in 2020 and has previously considered running for governor, said he is not considering running this time and likes his job as general counsel to Peoples Natural Gas, a utility company headquartered in Pittsburgh.

Dave Sunday, the Republican attorney general-elect who won the powerful position in last months election, was also a potential candidate some state Republicans were interested in seeing run. But with his recent election to the statewide row office, he said he wont be running for governor in two years. (During his campaign for AG, he said he did not want to pursue higher office beyond attorney general at this time.)

Thats not happening, Sunday said outside the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Association annual luncheon.

Other names floated as potential candidates include two 2022 gubernatorial candidates  Dave White, a former union pipe-fitter and Delaware County Council member, and State Sen. Scott Martin, R., Lancaster County. State Sen. Greg Rothman, R., Cumberland County, has also been mentioned as a possible contender.
The White House on Monday announced the designation of a new national monument at the former Carlisle Indian Industrial School, which served as a flagship boarding school for more than 400 other federally-supported, off-reservation schools across the United States.

The Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument is another step by the Biden Administration to further foster reconciliation with Indigenous People whose ancestors were forced from their homes and sent to federal boarding schools.

Between 1879 and 1918, the federal government uprooted close to a million American Indian children from their reservation tribal homes and transported them thousands of miles across the country as part of the plan to assimilate Native Indian children into white culture.

More than 10,000 American Indian children were separated from their families and housed at the Carlisle Indian Industrial School.

Nearly 200 of those children perished at the school, most from diseases like tuberculosis or consumption.

Over the years, that painful history has framed a difficult chapter in American history underscoring efforts by Tribal Nations to find the remains of children who were buried at the school and return them to their ancestral homes.

For Ione Quigley, a member of the Rosebud Sioux, one of approximately 140 Tribal Nations that count ancestors taken from their homelands and sent to the boarding school, the news provided a measure of comfort.

Were bringing our children home, said Quigley, reached by phone at the Rosebud Historic Preservation office in Rosebud, South Dakota. We have been all along and all the other Tribes included, and to establish a national monument, that would be a reminder to people to look forward to the reclamation of healing. Im hoping that is exactly what happens, that there will be healing.

Quigley serves as the tribes historic preservation officer. The Rosebud Indian Reservation is the home of the federally recognized Rosebud Sioux Tribe, a band of Lakota People.

The announcement was made amid the 2024 White House Tribal Nations Summit in Washington.

In October, President Joe Biden visited the Gila River Indian Community where he offered a formal apology to Tribal Nations and Native people on behalf of the U.S. government for the lasting harms caused by the federal Indian boarding school system.

He called it: One of the most horrific chapters in American history that most Americans dont even know about.

In a press statement, the White House acknowledged the federal Indian boarding school era, and noted that the monument advances healing and commemorates the resilience of Tribal Nations and Indigenous Peoples.

From 1879 to 1918, the Carlisle School subjected 7,800 children from more than 140 Indian Tribes to a coercive education program. School officials forced children to cut their hair, prohibited them from speaking their Native languages, and subjected them to harsh labor.

Federal authorities estimate that approximately 973 Native children died in these schools. The children who survived often endured physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.

Theres a lot that was taken from us, Quigley said. When we speak of reparations, we cant get emotions back. We cant get the past back. We cant reverse the history, but we can learn from right now and change for the good.

The new national monument will be located in Carlisle on 24.5 acres of what is now the U.S. Armys Carlisle Barracks. The monument boundary will encompass the historic buildings and structures that made up the campus of the Carlisle School  including School Road Gateposts that were built by the labor of Native American children and youth at the school.

The gateposts still stand today as a marker of the removal and separation of children from their families, Tribes, and homelands, the White House said in a written statement.

The monument will be managed by the National Park Service and the U.S. Army, both of whom will collaborate with Tribal Nations and the Native Hawaiian Community to develop a management plan for the monument, and provide Tribal consultation with any federally recognized Tribe with connections to any part of the boarding school system.

The U.S Army is set to transfer administrative jurisdiction over the gateposts to the National Park Service, and the agencies will sign a memorandum of understanding to guide their cooperative management of the national monument.

The Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument is Bidens 12th use of the Antiquities Act.

Over the past seven years, federal authorities and the U.S. Army have worked with Tribal Nations and a team of archaeologists and anthropologists to excavate graves at the small cemetery inside what is now the grounds of the Carlisle Barracks and Army War College.

Nine sets of Native American childrens remains were returned to Tribes from across the country in October.

It is not clear whether the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump could rescind the monument plan, which is to span across 10 years.

Trump has signaled he will nominate North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum (R) for interior secretary.

Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland praised the establishment of the national monument.

No single action by the federal government can adequately reconcile the trauma and ongoing harms from the federal Indian boarding school era. But, taken together, the Biden-Harris administrations efforts to acknowledge and redress the legacy of the assimilation policy have made an enduring difference for Indian Country, Haaland, whose great grandfather and grandparents were uprooted to boarding schools, said in remarks.

This trauma is not new to Indigenous people, but it is new for many people in our nation. One of the reasons I launched the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative was to ensure that this important story was told. Through the National Park Service  Americas storyteller  people can now learn more about the intergenerational impacts of these policies as we, as a nation, continue to take steps to heal from them.

Haaland enumerated some of the achievements her office had spearheaded with regards to the federal Indian boarding school policies, including the launching of the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative, which has shed light on the horrific era of Indian boarding schools.

A two-part investigative report, she said, found that the federal government took deliberate and strategic actions through boarding school policies to isolate children from their families and steal from them the languages, cultures, and traditions that are foundational to Native people.

Haalands office also created The Road to Healing, a 12-community journey of healing.

Our visits to Indigenous communities gave survivors and descendants opportunities to share their boarding school experiences and the aftermath those schools left behind, said Haaland, a former New Mexico congresswoman and member of the Laguna Pueblo.

Haaland announced new agreements among federal agencies, including the Smithsonians National Museum of American History and the U.S. Library of Congress to preserve survivor stories and experiences.
Authorities investigating the disappearance of an 84-year-old retired teacher say they discovered a body not far from a bridge in a rural part of Atlantic County, New Jersey.

The dead man found in Galloway Township matched the description of Alan Levin, a former teacher in the Greater Egg Harbor Regional High School District who was reported missing by relatives Saturday night, township police said Monday.

Police said the body had yet to be identified as of Monday morning. It was found on the bank of Nacote Creek, a waterway that leads to the Mullica River, police said.

Levins vehicle was found Sunday near the bridge that sends traffic from downtown Galloway Township into Port Republic via Atlantic County Road 610, authorities said. Levin was a resident of Smithville in Galloway Township.

Atlantic Citys police and fire departments assisted in the investigation and found the dead man along the water by using drones, police said.

Levins son shared his fathers disappearance on social media over the weekend, writing a post that included his description. Levins family searched for him in several spots he was known to frequent, the post said.

Levins son said on social media Monday that his family had received the worst news possible and would share funeral arrangements soon.

Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com.
By Rosa Cartagena, The Philadelphia Inquirer (TNS)

A precious aircraft designed by the Wright brothers towers high inside the Franklin Institute, a Philadelphia science museum, where it has been housed for almost a century. Before going on display, the 1911 Wright Model B Flyer made 748 flights without incident, racing across Philadelphias skyways and circling William Penns statue in Center City.

Its celebrity owner, playboy troublemaker Grover Cleveland Bergdoll, was the millionaire son of a wealthy Philadelphia brewer who learned to fly from Orville Wright. Known for speed racing and rule-breaking, Bergdoll had reportedly terrorized the Philadelphia community with his reckless aerial maneuvers using the two-seat flier his mother, Emma Bergdoll, bought him in 1912.

But by 1933, the plane was among several abandoned vehicles gathering dust and rust in a Delaware County machine shop. Looters had taken its engine and smaller parts while Bergdoll was hiding in Germany as a fugitive after he had escaped police custody for evading the draft.

Two years later, Bergdolls flier was put on display at the Franklin Institute, where the treasured artifact is now considered one of the best-preserved planes of its kind.

For decades, the museum has maintained that the plane was a gift from Bergdoll, citing a letter he wrote transferring ownership to museum volunteer William H. Sheahan, a member of the local aviation club with whom he once flew.

Today, though, Bergdolls daughter Katharina and granddaughter Lesley Gamble, who both live in Virginia, dispute that claim: After previously trusting the museums account, they now believe that the plane was stolen and acquired by the Franklin Institute without Bergdolls permission.

A missing document

The familys suspicion was raised last year when journalist Tim Lake, a longtime Philadelphia news anchor, contacted them as he researched his book " The Bergdoll Boys." Lake had noticed that there was little information about the donor on display, and he was curious about how the museum could have obtained the fliers title, especially given that in 1921, Bergdolls assets had been seized by the U.S. government and were no longer considered his property following his conviction for desertion.

For months, Lake reached out to the Franklin Institute for information about the provenance of the Wright brothers plane and requested to see Bergdolls letter, only to be told museum workers couldnt find it.

Ultimately, when Lake pressed them again before going to publication in April 2023, assistant director of collections and curatorial Susannah Carroll admitted that the museum had no document signed by Bergdoll regarding the gift. Instead, Carroll wrote, the transfer of ownership was a verbal agreement.

Though there is overwhelming circumstantial evidence of Mr. Bergdolls gift of the Wright Model B airplane to The Franklin Institute, at this time, we have not turned up anything signed by Mr. Bergdoll mentioning his gift, she wrote, adding that Lake should understand why neither he nor The Institute would desire to have anything in writing documenting the oral gift. Bergdoll was still a fugitive and his assets had been and continued to be subject to government seizure.

She also noted that the family did not question the gift after it first went on display in 1935. At no time between 1935 (when the airplane was put on public exhibit) and Mr. Bergdolls death in 1966 did he, his mother, Emma, or his wife, Berta, ever claim any right to the airplane, that a valid gift had not been made, or request its return, Carroll wrote.

That exchange, of course, only brought up more questions. It was a complete about-face of their explanation for acquisition of the airplane that they have presented to the public for the past 90 years  without any evidence whatsoever leading to that change, Lake said.

I just find it implausible that Sheahan was able to communicate with (Bergdoll) in 1933 and therefore get him to say, Oh, yeah, you can have my airplane.

Lake and the Bergdoll family wonder how, ethically, the museum could have accepted such an artifact without documentation from the owner. I had naively assumed that the way they acquired items was aboveboard, said Katharina Bergdoll. Its highly suspicious, in my view.

She says the museum owes them a public explanation and restitution, including some compensation for our loss.

In a statement to The Inquirer, the museum reiterated that the plane was a legitimate gift that neither Bergdoll nor his family had disputed before. The Franklin Institute did not comment on the existence of a letter from Bergdoll.

It was common knowledge that the airplane was at The Franklin Institute from 1934 on, and the government never made any attempt to collect the airplane in or after 1921 as part of its seizure of Bergdolls assets, further legitimizing his gift, the statement read. His daughters recent claim and her focus on compensation give a clear picture of her motivation. We will continue to honor Mr. Bergdolls legacy by sharing the story of the Wright brothers and his part in it with the world as he always wanted.

The Wright brothers 1911 Model B Airplane plane on display at the Franklin Institute in 2001. (April Saul/The Philadelphia Inquirer/TNS)TNS

Preserving history

Bergdolls intentions are difficult to determine today, but his family believes its unlikely that he would have charitably donated the flier, as he was rather possessive. It was not in his nature to be generous, said his daughter.

Lake posits that Sheahan learned about the plane rotting in that abandoned machine shop  potentially from an Inquirer article published on Oct. 8, 1933, exposing the contents inside  and decided to rescue a piece of history. It was also convenient timing, Lake said, as the Franklin Institute was set to open its new building on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway and needed a centerpiece attraction for its hall of aviation, having failed to acquire the 1903 Wright Flyer (which went to the Smithsonians National Air and Space Museum).

I think they took advantage of the fact that Grover Cleveland Bergdoll was on the lam, said Gamble, the granddaughter.

Ive surmised that Sheahan somehow realized that if somebody didnt save that airplane, it would be taken apart by vandals and lost forever, Lake said. It was a valiant deed that they did to save that airplane, restore it, and then put it inside the museum, where the Franklin Institute has been a wonderful caretaker of this airplane for 90 some years.

Gamble agrees that it could have been a noble mission, but as an art historian, she also points to the history of institutions stealing valuable artifacts around the world under the claim of preservation. Though its an ethical dilemma, she believes that if the museum obtained the flier illegally, the institution should be transparent and held accountable.

Part of the harm lies in what the family sees as the Franklin Institutes erasure of Bergdolls legacy and his own small part in the history of aviation. Distancing the flier from the donor was likely due to Bergdolls notoriety  Lake called him the most hated man in America  as an infamous draft dodger. The Bergdoll name was once painted on an underwing of the plane, and has since been removed; now his daughter believes it should be restored.
A York City detective accused Tyree Bowie of savagely beating two-year-old Dante Mullinix to death in 2018.

It took four years for Bowie to get a four-week-long trial in York County court. But it only took jurors around ten minutes to agree Bowie didnt kill Dante.

He tried to save him.

Now, after nearly two years as a free man, Bowie is suing that detective, Kyle Hower, who charged him with first-degree murder.

The lawsuit, filed Friday, also names Forensic Pathologist Wayne Ross, York County Detective Dana Ward, and assistant district attorneys Rachel Sherman and Tim Barker as defendants.

Ross completed the autopsy of Dante, while Sherman questioned Ward during testimony at Bowies trial. The lawsuit targets that testimony, as well as Ross own determinations of what caused Dantes death.

Bowie is also suing the York City Police Department for deliberate indifference in failing to adequately train Hower to prevent charges from being filed where there is not enough evidence.

The lawsuit also alleges the city failed to adequately train Ross, who was hired as a subcontractor and whose findings led to the malicious prosecution against Bowie.

Hower and prosecutors Tim Barker and Rachel Sherman claimed at trial Bowie brutalized the boy Sept. 6, 2018 during a 90-minute period where he watched the boy as a favor to Dantes mother, Leah Mullinix, while she was at urgent care.

However, Bowie told police Dante fell unconscious after choking on Teddy Graham crackers in the back seat of Bowies car Sept. 6, a story he maintained through the trial.

They didnt want to hear the truth, Bowie testified about police and prosecutors on the stand at trial.

Bowie spent around $75,000 on his legal defense, and lost $150,000 in income while he was incarcerated, according to the lawsuit. Furthermore, he said he suffered extreme humiliation, embarrassment and loss of reputation, and is asking for compensation.

The mandatory minimum sentence for first-degree murder in Pennsylvania is life in prison.

If they won They wanted the max. Bowie said soon after his release from York County Prison in 2018. At the time, he suggestively shrugged his shoulders at what his eventual lawsuit would seek to recover.

What does the lawsuit allege?

Bowie, working with Aaron Martin, a civil attorney with Mette, Evans & Woodside, is focusing his lawsuit on malicious prosecution claims under federal law and Pennsylvania Common Law.

In order to prevail against Hower, Martin will need to prove that Hower did not have probable cause to charge Bowie with criminal homicide and that Hower acted maliciously in the initiation and continuation of the case.

First-degree murder is, in short, an intentional killing which must be perpetrated by means of poison, or by lying in wait, or by any other kind of willful, deliberate and premeditated killing.

That requires a specific intent to kill and that the killing be done deliberately.

Probable cause

Martin wrote in the lawsuit that the facts and knowledge Hower had when he arrested Bowie were not enough to create probable cause to charge Bowie with murder.

Martin quoted 2020 case law that went before the Third Circuit saying that in determining probable cause, arresting officers must consider plainly exculpatory evidence in addition to inculpatory evidence.

In other words, in deciding whether or not to charge someone with a crime, police need to consider evidence that could disprove their allegations in addition to evidence that could support it  no matter how much evidence supports an arrest.

When Bowie was first interviewed by Hower, he told Hower Dante choked on Teddy Grahams, according to the lawsuit. Bowie explained that he used his fingers to try to clear Dantes airway of crackers, which later got on Bowies face, jeans, the fabric interior of his car and steering wheel.

A bulk of Martins arguments revolve around that evidence related to the Teddy Grahams Dante choked on, on Sept. 6. Martin said that evidence could have debunked the murder allegations in September 2018, but in the face of that evidence, Hower decided to move forward with the case anyways.

Even if Hower had enough probable cause to arrest Bowie for murder, that probable cause evaporated the moment lab tests returned months later showing that the residue on Bowies pants and inside his car matched the composition of moist Teddy Grahams or crackers, the lawsuit said.

It validated Bowies story.

Malice

Another hurdle that will become at-issue in the lawsuit is whether or not Hower showed malice in prosecuting Bowie. Martin argued that because Hower refused to credit the possibility Bowie did not murder Dante, and ignored evidence related to the Teddy Grahams, Hower acted maliciously.

He also showed malice when he continued to accuse Bowie of lying and killing Dante throughout the two, hours-long voluntary interviews, according to the lawsuit.

Hower also refused to take the emptied bag of Teddy Grahams when Laci Peiffer, Bowies friend and roommate, offered them to him when he searched her house, the lawsuit said.

We dont need them. Hes guilty, Peiffer testified that Hower told her. She said Hower told her Bowies story was absolutely bullshit, the lawsuit said.

Hower denied that he made those comments in an email sent to PennLive in a Sept. 26, 2024.

Hower also threatened to charge Peiffer with tampering with evidence after she took the Teddy Graham bag to Farley Holt, Bowies defense attorney, according to the lawsuit. Hower told PennLive in an email that the district attorneys office decided not to charge Peiffer.

Such a threat was completely irrational and the clear product of malice toward Bowie for Peiffers cooperation with Bowies defense, because Hower had previously refused the bag when Peiffer had directly offered it to him, Martin wrote in the lawsuit.

Martin elaborated that Sherman, Ward and Hower collectively showed malice toward Bowie when Ward testified at trial regarding the contents of video surveillance footage from Rutters convenience store the night Dante fell unconscious.

Ward asserted that the video had not been edited, according to the lawsuit, when in reality it had been shortened to 15 seconds.

The edited version showed Bowie staring into the backseat of his car when Dante had fallen onto the floor of the car and was behaving strangely, the lawsuit said. That omission misled the jury, according to the lawsuit, by suggesting Dante was in perfect health and that Bowie harbored no concerns about Dantes health when the two stopped at Rutters.

That evidence supported Bowies concerns that Dante had been abused before the two were alone the night of Sept. 6, 2018, according to the lawsuit.

According to the lawsuit, Sherman and Hower knew the video had been edited but made no effort to correct the testimony Ward gave.

Martin said there was more evidence backing the idea Dante had been abused prior to being alone with Bowie. A nurse practitioner, for example, testified at trial she tried to keep Dante from going home with his disinterested mother two days prior to Dante falling unconscious.

Leah Mullinix also acknowledged during her testimony she had previously made numerous statements about her son, Dante, having been physically or sexually abused.

Dante had a severe and untreated case of genital herpes at the time of his death, according to the lawsuit. Hower and prosecutors chalked the infection up to having come from water droplets on a bath towel, according to the lawsuit, and did not investigate whether or not he had been sexually abused.

Herpes Simplex Virus is spread from direct skin-to-skin contact with a herpes sore, saliva from a partner with oral herpes, genital fluids from a partner with genital herpes, skin in the oral area of a partner with oral herpes or skin in the genital area of a partner with genital herpes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention .

Both Bowie and Leah Mullinex tested negative for Herpes Simplex. Martin accused Hower of not investigating this lead to determine who had abused Dante, instead honing in on Bowie, who was accused at trial of pinching Dantes penis while beating him to death.

How does Wayne Ross fit in?

Wayne Ross is a forensic pathologist who makes his living performing autopsies of bodies in death investigations for several central Pennsylvania counties ranging from Mifflin to York.

That means, if a prosecutor in the midstate needs an expert witness to talk about a dead body, it will likely be Ross. Ross is regularly paid by central Pennsylvania counties to be a witness for criminal prosecutions.

PennLive could not reach Ross by publication time.

Ross autopsied Dante in the days following his 2018 death, and said the boy died due to traumatic brain injury accompanied by strangulation and suffocation. He said in his opinion, the death was a homicide.

Ross does not make cause and manner of death rulings on behalf of the coroner  he merely makes recommendations to the coroner. The York County Coroners Office later adopted Ross findings.

Ross testified at trial that swelling in Dantes neck and bite marks on the underside of the boys tongue were consistent with prosecutors' allegations of strangulation.

But Bowies attorney, Farley Holt, put an opposing witness on the stand: Dr. David Fowler, the former chief medical examiner of Maryland .

Fowler said the 2-year-old boys injuries were more consistent with choking than strangulation, which aligns with Tyree Bowies insistence that Dante fell unconscious in the back seat of his car after choking on animal crackers.

Fowler told the jury at Bowies murder trial that Dante died from brain swelling due to a lack of oxygen to the brain, which was caused by choking on food. He ruled out strangulation as a cause of death in his testimony, noting that autopsy reports did not indicate hemorrhaging in the muscles in his neck. The force required for strangulation would have done more internal damage to the boy than was present, Fowler said.

Casting a shadow over Fowlers testimony was his teams conclusion that George Floyd died in 2020 due to heart disease, and not asphyxiation from Derek Chauvins knee being placed on his neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds. His testimony in that case prompted questions about his work from Maryland Attorney General Brian Frosh.

Martin argued in the lawsuit that Ross recklessly disregarded facts of the case to encourage and influence Hower to bring charges against Bowie. He said Bowies actions the night Dante collapsed were monitored almost continuously by live audio-video communication with Leah Mullinix and Holly Carson, another friend, in Facetime conversations during the time Bowie had been accused of beating Dante to death.

That provided insufficient time during which any reasonable person could plausibly believe that Bowie developed the mental state to intentionally kill Dante, Martin wrote in the lawsuit.

Ross also testified at trial he saw the surveillance video of Bowie and Dante when they were at Rutters. He opined certain bruising he saw on Dantes body had occurred after the two were at Rutters that night, the lawsuit said.

Ross furthermore testified at trial Dante would not have been able to walk around Rutters with the injuries he suffered, meaning he had to have suffered those injuries after the Rutters video had been taken.

The lawsuit brings forward six counts against the defendants: Malicious prosecution against Hower under the Fourth Amendment and under Pennsylvania Common Law; malicious prosecution against Ross under the Fourth Amendment and Pennsylvania Common Law; malicious prosecution and denial of procedural due process against Ward, Hower and Sherman; and one count of deliberate indifference (failure to train) against City of York.

At trial, Holt accused Leah Mullinix, Dantes mother, of being the person who killed Dante. She was charged with felony child endangerment in January of 2019 for refusing to adequately treat Dantes genital herpes infection.

She pleaded guilty to that charge in January 2023, and was sentenced in November 2023 to five years of probation and to never have unsupervised contact with minors.

Neither Holt nor Bowie were permitted to deliver victim impact statements during Mullinixs sentencing . Holt intended to deliver remarks on behalf of Sarah Mullinix, Leahs sister who could not be present at court that day, but prosecutors objected.

This is the biggest miscarriage of justice  that shes only facing this charge, Holt told PennLive.

Bowie has stated in the past he is not only filing this lawsuit to get justice for himself, but to also get Justice for Dante. He has visited Dantes grave several times since his release from prison and held a memorial for Dante Sept. 16, close to the anniversary of his death, which was attended by his friends, family and Holt.

Bowie remembers Dante as Monkey Man, a withdrawn child who slowly opened up to him. Dante liked Bowies red shoes, played with two matchbox cars Bowie gave him and even danced to Nelly and the Backstreet Boys. Not only did Bowie buy Dante Burger King and show him movies like Trolls, he also bought diapers for the child and helped Dante and Leah Mullinix, the boys mother, get into a shelter.

Thank you for watching my back, Bowie said to Dante. I was honored to meet him and Im glad hes in a better place now. Were gonna get justice for him.

Attorney General-elect Dave Sunday, the York County District Attorney who oversaw the prosecution of Bowies case, previously defended the case by saying the judge ruled there was enough evidence to convict Bowie of criminal homicide if the jury so chose.

He discussed the case during a recorded interview with PennLive Opinion Editor Joyce Davis ahead of Novembers election:

During that interview, Sunday touted his offices 97% conviction rate and said his office follows the facts, and applies them to the law.

If you have police and prosecutors that successfully prosecute every case, you either live in China or Russia, Sunday said. Our democracy is built upon the constitutional protections of the defendant, where that defendant doesnt have to lift a finger. We lost that case, and thats our democracy, it happens, my heart goes out to that family and that child every single day. Every day.

Hower, his supervisors and the DAs office repeatedly declined to publicly comment during the trial and could not immediately be reached Friday after the lawsuit was filed over the weekend.

A York County DAs office spokesperson declined to comment over the weekend.

Hower did, however, send an email Sept. 26, 2024 threatening to sue PennLive if PennLives coverage of the trial testimony negatively impacted him financially in any way.

Editors Note: Kyle Hower is the brother of Kurt Hower, who is the director of operations at Advance Local Media, PennLives parent company.
A tractor-trailer driver and a person trying to push a minivan off of Interstate 78 were both killed early Monday on the highway, according to Pennsylvania State Police and the Lehigh County coroner.

Four injured people were taken to hospitals after the crash around 4:50 a.m. at mile marker 61.6 in Upper Saucon Township, according to Trooper Nathan Branosky.

Nicholas James Bolotine, 30, of Lancaster County, was killed after the tractor-trailer he was driving hit a second tractor-trailer and the Toyota minivan, according to news releases from Lehigh County Coroner Daniel Buglio and state police.

Police said three people were trying to push the minivan out of the right lane of Interstate 78 when one of them was killed. The coroner is working with state and federal authorities to identify the person who died.

Both Bolotine and the pedestrian died of multiple blunt force injuries and the manner of each death is an accident, Buglio said in the news release.

Three of the people injured in the crash were taken to St. Lukes Hospital in Fountain Hill, and the fourth injured person was taken to Lehigh Valley Hospital in Salisbury Township, police said.

A double fatal crash at 4:53 a.m. Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, closed eastbound Interstate 78 at mile marker 61.6 in Upper Saucon Township, state police said. (Mike Nester | lehighvalleylive.com contributor)Mike Nester | lehighvalleylive.com contributor

The eastbound side of Interstate 78 was closed for about six hours between the Quakertown and Hellertown/Bethlehem exits after the crash, Branosky said. The road was reopened at 11 a.m. Monday, he said.

The cause of the crash is under investigation by state police Troop Ms collision analysis reconstruction unit, Branosky said. The incident is under investigation by state police, the coroner and the Lehigh County district attorneys office.

Rudy Miller may be reached at rmiller@lehighvalleylive.com.
By William Lambers

The poem, Twas the Night Before Christmas reads, The stockings were hung by the chimney with care, In hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. It was the real life St. Nicholas, a 4th century bishop known for his secret gift giving, who inspired the poem and the creation of the Santa Claus we know today.

But if we want to be true to the real Santa, St. Nicholas, we should give food to the worlds starving people this holiday. For St. Nicholas was known for his work in feeding the hungry. It was St. Nicholas who provided food to the poor during times of famine.

Legend has it that St. Nicholas was able to convince others to share food to help those in hunger. The lesson was there is enough food and wealth in the world to feed everyone. Sharing is the true Christmas spirit. With food banks seeing high demand at home and unprecedented hunger emergencies worldwide, the best Christmas gift we could give is food to those in desperate need.

The starving child in a refugee camp in the D. R. Congo wants a basket of food more than anything right now. Families in war-torn Gaza, Sudan, Yemen and Syria are desperate for food amid horrible conflicts. But yet there is not enough funding to reach all those suffering in hunger.

For the coming year the UN World Food Program (WFP) is appealing for $16.9 billion to address global food needs and the alarming gap between needs and resources. That figure is what the world spends drinking coffee for two weeks according to WFP.

There are mothers in Sudan, Madagascar, D.R. Congo, and other countries who want a box of PlumpyNut this holiday because this enriched food will save their childs life. There is a major shortage of life-saving food for infants right now. UNICEF, the UN Childrens agency, recently issued an appeal for $165 million because supplies of Ready-to-use-Therapeutic-Food (RUTF) to treat infant malnutrition are running low in 12 nations. These alarming shortages are a disaster as small children will suffer lasting physical and mental damage from malnutrition, or death.

Mali, Nigeria, Niger, Chad, Cameroon, Pakistan, Sudan, Madagascar, South Sudan, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Uganda are all at risk of running out of food to treat infant malnutrition.

The charity Marys Meals gives school lunches to children in some of the most impoverished countries in the world. These school lunches are a precious gift to children, giving them life and hope for the future. Through our collaborative school feeding programs in 17 countries, we see first-hand the hope these initiatives bring to families and communities. Even in the direst circumstances, when children are nourished and able to attend school, these programs provide a sense of stability and hope that with an education, theres an opportunity for a better future, said Marys Meals USA Executive Director Terry Bonet.

What an amazing Christmas it would be if everyone who is facing starvation got life-saving food. That would be what St. Nicholas would do, giving gifts of food to the hungry. You can send a donation to charities like WFP, UNICEF, Marys Meals, Save the Children, Catholic Relief Services, Mercy Corps, CARE, Edesia and many others.

You could even make the donation in someones name to honor them this holiday season. You could leave them a card so they know that the gift of food is on the way to the starving children. That would be in the spirit of St. Nicholas, a Happy Christmas with Food for all, and to all peace and a good night.

William Lambers is an author who partnered with the UN World Food Program on the book Ending World Hunger.
By Katie Bernard | The Philadelphia Inquirer

Sen.-elect Dave McCormick was undoubtedly the star of this years Pennsylvania Society event  the states annual weekend of political elites swarming Manhattan for swanky cocktail parties and receptions.

As he worked through a packed schedule of more than a dozen events starting Thursday, the soon-to-be-sworn-in Republican was surrounded by Republicans ecstatic McCormick had ousted three-term U.S. Sen. Bob Casey. In nearly equal measure, he was greeted warmly by Democrats eager to form a new relationship with Pennsylvanias next junior senator.

He was the most popular guy in the room.

At a Friday afternoon reception hosted by Coldspark, the Pittsburgh-based GOP consulting group that ran McCormicks campaign, attendees were celebrating his win. When he made a brief appearance, news quickly traveled to the back of the small Irish pub that the new senator had arrived.

Later that evening, lottery company Scientific Games and law firm Polsinelli hosted a private party in honor of McCormick and his wife, Dina, a former Trump administration official.

And when McCormick arrived at the Rockefeller Centers Rainbow Room for a reception hosted by the Duane Morris lobbying firm, a crowd of well-wishers quickly formed. McCormick told reporters he wouldnt be answering questions that night but said his celebratory weekend was going so far, so good.

As McCormick celebrated, Casey also spent time in New York, in a more reflective mood.

Both spoke Saturday morning at the Pennsylvania Manufacturers Associations annual bipartisan luncheon at the ornate Metropolitan Club near Central Park. The candidates were seated with each other, and it was the first time they had spoken since Casey called McCormick last month to concede the razor-thin race days into a statewide recount.

The speeches themselves were off-the-record and closed to reporters, but Casey and McCormick each spoke to The Inquirer afterward.

In prepared remarks provided by McCormicks campaign, the senator-elect imagined what Pennsylvania might look like at the end of his first term  theorizing lower crime rates, improved schools, more jobs, and a Steelers-Eagles Super Bowl.

We just did a thought experiment of what success would feel like, what would it look like [for Pennsylvania], McCormick said in an interview. Hopefully Ill be an important part of that, but Im just one part.

In his speech to the PMA luncheon, a coveted opportunity, McCormick pledged to be a strong, bipartisan voice aiming for that goal.

Its the future we dream of for our beloved Pennsylvania. But whether we get there or not depends on what we do  the people in this room and leaders across Pennsylvania, he said, according to his prepared remarks.

Casey, for his part, told The Inquirer he warned McCormick that while he was taking a great job, he might not like the hours. But for much of the speech, Casey said, he reflected on his 18-year Senate career and roughly three decades in public service.

He recounted one of his first trips to Pennsylvania Society and the PMA luncheon in 1994, when he was preparing for his first run for auditor general. He arrived with his father, the late Gov. Bob Casey, in what would have been one of the elder Caseys last Pennsylvania Society trips.

I remember how eager I was at that moment. And now here I am, 30 years exactly, and Im at the other end of it, he said.

While Casey said he isnt sure yet whats next for him, he said it wouldnt be his last Pennsylvania Society. But he was looking forward to the future, when hell no longer have the pressures of a U.S. senator.

Itll just be a little easier. Ill have a little more manageable schedule, he said. A lot of years Ive come up here, and Ive thought I would really like to go see a play and I cant do that. Now I can.

Staff writer Gillian McGoldrick contributed to this article.
Top 10 Chinese buzzwords of 2024 unveiled

Xinhua) 10:24, December 09, 2024

BEIJING, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- "China Travel," "Paris Olympics" and "New Quality Productive Forces" are among the "top 10 Chinese buzzwords" of 2024, the National Language Resources Monitoring and Research Center announced Saturday.

The list, as part of the yearly event "Chinese language review 2024," also included "Artificial Intelligence," "Fostering Virtue and Educating People," "Global South," "Trade-in," "Low-altitude Economy," "Future Industries" and "New Professions."

Six of the 10 buzzwords are about new trends in the economy, while "Fostering Virtue and Educating People" is a slogan highlighted at a national education conference held in September as the fundamental task of education development.

The "top 10 Chinese buzzwords" are based on the national language resources monitoring corpus, which boasts a corpus scale of over 1 billion Chinese characters.

The "Chinese language review 2024" will also see the release of "top 10 online slang terms," "top 10 new words" and "character and word of the year."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Only 137 players returned to Hilton Prague today to compete in Day 3 of the 1,100 Eureka Main Event at the PokerStars European Poker Tour Prague, and when the dust settled on an enthralling day of poker, only 14 players remain standing for the final day, all with their eyes firmly set on the first-place prize of 517,730.

They are led by Martin Tsvetanov of Bulgaria (28,650,000), who won a huge flip against Jack Sinclair towards the end of the day to propel him to the top of the counts, and never looked back. He is closely followed by Ricardo Caridade (22,900,000) of Portugal, while Gerald Karlic (19,425,000) of Austria completes the podium places.

This would seem to be the biggest spot of Tsvetanov's career thus far, with a career best score of $47,367, which would be usurped by a place at the final table here.

Caridade has career winnings of $402,114, and clearly enjoys EPT Prague, his biggest score being a fourth place in the 10,300 High Roller in 2022.

Karlic appears to be the most experienced of the top three, with winnings of almost $2,000,000 and 11 live tournament victories to his name, including a triumph at EPT Barcelona in 2013 in a 1,100 event.

With over $5,500,000 in live winnings, Sinclair is also an obvious threat, and will be aiming for his second Eureka Prague Main Event final table in three years, having finished fourth in 2022.

Jack Sinclair

End of Day 3 Chip Counts

Rank Player Country Chip Count Big blinds 1 Martin Tsvetanov Bulgaria 28,650,000 95 2 Ricardo Caridade Portgual 22,900,000 76 3 Gerald Karlic Austria 19,425,000 64 4 Jack Sinclair United Kingdom 13,900,000 46 5 Alexantr Spatharis Greece 9,400,000 31 6 Mikkel Nielsen Denmark 8,050,000 26 7 Konstantinos Nanos Greece 6,300,000 21 8 Theodoros Ampelikiotis Greece 5,575,000 18 9 Martijn Kiers Netherlands 5,555,000 18 10 Magnus Persson Sweden 5,350,000 17 11 Matthew Micallef Malta 5,250,000 17 12 Andris Rasins Latvia 4,675,000 15 13 Ryan Plant United Kingdom 4,300,000 14 14 Manuel Roca Andorra 2,750,000 9

Ricardo Caridade

Day 3 Action

All Day 3 players had guaranteed a cash of 5,500, and the knockouts were rapid at the start of the day, among them Benjamin Spragg's 17-minute stay. Spragg's fellow PokerStars Ambassador Simon Wiciak also departed before the first break in 118th.

Martin Kabrhel was the chip leader coming into the day, and he had a strong start, still being among the chip leaders at the first break. However, his run ultimately finished in 36th shortly after he ran a bluff into two pair.

Birger Larsen had cause to celebrate early after doubling up twice and he did so wildly, but he also departed the scene before dinner break.

Controversy erupted in a hand between Bartosz Piesiewicz and Martijn Kiers, who were seated in the one and eight seats, when Piesiewicz called an all in thinking it was for the 800,000 Kiers had slid out in front of him, when it was in fact for much more. Piesiewicz didn't want to go through with the call, but was pleased he was forced to when Kiers was revealed to be bluffing. Kiers recovered well and is still in the mix.

Martijn Kiers

Notable names such as Adrian Cazacu, Felix Vu, Andrej Desset and Ladislao Dalfo all departed before the final three tables were reached, Desset in particular getting unlucky.

At this stage, Karlic came to the fore, while Mykhailo Demydenko won a huge pot against Miki Vea Garcia to move towards the top of the standings.

Sinclair flopped quads in a hand that eliminated Vaclav Drbal, getting maximum value in a brutal cooler. The triple up propelled Sinclair to the top of the counts and he stayed there for the remainder of the day, also busting Tim van Kemenade in a flip. However, the poker gods were not shining on Sinclair in the aforementioned hand with Tsvetanov, which shifted the tournament chip lead from the Brit to his opponent.

In a frantic last couple of levels, Maor Zaharagi, Michael Sklenicka and Demydenko all exited to set the stage for the final day.

Remaining Payouts

Place Prize Place Prize 1 517,730 9 48,530 2 327,390 10-11 37,250 3 233,860 12-13 31,030 4 179,890 14 25,850 5 138,370 6 106,440 7 81,860 8 62,960

The players will return to Hilton Prague at noon December 9 to 60-minute levels at Level 34, with blinds of 150,000/300,000, with a 300,000 big blind ante. Play will continue until a champion is crowned. It seems set to be a cracking day of poker, so be sure to stay tuned to PokerNews to see who takes the title.
Flight 1a, the first flight of the PokerStars European Poker Tour 2,200 Eureka High Roller, saw 1,177 players enter. Of those, only 177 players will be returning tomorrow afternoon at 12:30 p.m local time to the Hilton Prague for Day 2. Both flights combined have generated a total prize pool of 3,171,840.

Yehor Shumeiko, a Ukrainian player, has bagged the largest stack in this stacked field. After 17 levels of play, he has amassed 757,000 chips, putting him at the top of the chip counts heading into Day 2. Shumeiko, a potential dark horse in this tournament, will be looking to surpass his biggest live cash of $24,275.

Sitting in second place is Italian EPT regular Claudio Di Giacomo, who holds 717,000 chips. With over $2,100,000 in live earnings, Di Giacomo is no stranger to deep runs, having recently scored a 50,000 cash in Barcelona.

Close behind Di Giacomo is Czech player Michal Schuh, who will enter Day 2 full of confidence given his previous success in large tournament fields.

Also in the top ten, the UK's Arian "AK" Kashani, who recently secured the top prize at the UKIPT's Nottingham event for over $260,000, has amassed over 550,000 in chips for Day 2.

Jason Wheeler

Jason Wheeler, from the USA, boasts over $5,000,000 in live earnings, with nearly $1,000,000 coming from his Prague tournament results. Wheeler bagged a whooping 533,000 stack. Morten Klein, a seasoned high roller regular, will be looking to leverage his 461,000 chip stack and vast experience to apply pressure on his opponents.

Position Player Country Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Yehor shumeiko Ukraine 757,000 95 2 Claudio Di Giacomo Italy 717,000 90 3 Michal Schuh Czech Republic 697,000 87 4 Felix Rabas Austria 619,000 77 5 Bogdan Munteanu Romania 553,000 69 6 Arian Kashani United Kingdom 550,000 69 7 Jason Wheeler USA 533,000 67 8 Jan Krahulik Czech Republic 514,000 64 9 Vito Vella Italy 513,000 64 10 Morten Klein Norway 461,000 58

Other notables returning for 2 day include- Simon Lofberg (391,000), Fabrice Bigot (201,000), Fabio Peluso (282,000), Davidi Kitai (234,000), Maria Lampropulos (119,00).

Play resumes at 12:30 PM local time with blinds at 4,000/8,000 and an 8,000 ante to start Level 18. Each level lasts 40 minutes, and all returning players are guaranteed a minimum payout. The tournament will continue to its conclusion tomorrow, with the winner receiving a trophy.

Stay tuned to PokerNews for ongoing coverage of the action from the capital of Czechia.
The town of Lompoul, Senegal, has a small desert near the coast which is about 250 kilometers south of the Sahara. A desert about the size of the United States where dust travels across the Atlantic Ocean from continent to continent.
Not long after the Cannonborough-Elliotborough neighborhood bid farewell to the beloved coffee shop, Sightsee, a new business took over the 429-square-foot space on the corner of Rose Lane and Line Street. The changes began with a deep maroon-colored door and a newly hung sign above it showing off a rose-colored capital "R," which stands for Roseline.

The owners of the new wine bar on the block, Meggie and Quinn Burns, jumped at the chance to transform the space into a bit of a guilty pleasure spot. After working their day jobs, the pair often finished their days together with a glass of wine on the couch thinking, "Why not create this for other people?"

And so, the idea to open a cozy yet snazzy bar for wine-lovers like themselves to drop in for a glass of wine  or maybe the whole bottle  was born.

The couple curated a selection of wine, beer and sake with an emphasis on growers and farmers  not factories, and ideally offering wines limited in added sulfites. They wanted to ensure their menu allowed customers to enjoy an evening with locally sourced sips that wouldn't leave them feeling sluggish the following day. The menu boasts locally crafted sips from five wine distributers as well as two beer distributers, featuring a "healthy blend of old world and new world" tastes, according to Quinn.

"We want (Roseline) to be welcoming, which brings us back to the history of wine," Quinn said. "We want to make wine more approachable and take away some of the pretentiousness."

The Roseline wine bar captures an intimately moody persona with dimmed lighting in the quaint space, but the vibes are truly dictated by the music filtering throughout the bar. One may walk in on a weeknight and wind down to the groovy sound of "Back On 74" by Jungle, or shake hands with a trendy date night spot as old school rap bumps in the background.
Woman in need of new glasses and she can't afford the frames. Here's how you can help.
The Governor of Jigawa State, Umar Namadi, has ordered the arrest of a local chairman of the All Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN) for allegedly diverting agricultural inputs provided for farmers by the federal government.

Mr Namadi gave the order during an unscheduled visit to the inputs distribution centres of the federal governments National Agricultural Growth Scheme and Agro Pocket Programme.

On Saturday, the governor caught officials engaged in racketeering at centres in Birnin Kudu and Kiyawa local government areas.

The governor found farmers denied allocation, and some targeted beneficiaries stranded in the inputs distribution centres.

The beneficiaries protested to the governor that the inputs had been sold to traders.

In Kiyawa Local Government Area, Mr Namadi ordered the arrest of the AFAN chairman for allegedly inflating the price of the inputs.

The governor vowed to take stringent measures to check round-tripping by agro-dealers and their agents.

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Mr Namadi told reporters that agro-dealers failure to fulfil their responsibilities has made it difficult for farmers to access the inputs they need to begin planting their crops.

He lamented that farmers were being swindled due to irregularities in the distribution process. In several centres, Mr Namadi said he found agro dealers selling subsidised inputs intended for farmers to marketers while denying the intended recipients their rightful allocations.

We have a serious issue. We started this exercise for the last five days. Already one-third of the period has gone and agro-dealers have not shown up. That means it will be difficult for the farmers to get this input to go to the farm, and that means sabotaging the whole exercise.

It is a sabotage of the effort of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and at the same time a sabotage of the effort of the President. And we will not allow that to happen. So we will do our best, and whoever collects more than is expected must refund this money back to the owners. And that is what we are on.

Whoever refuses to do that, we will arrest him, then let his master agro-dealer come and bail him out and refund our money. But definitely, the money collected from our people, which is collected illegally, must be refunded. And we will not allow anybody to sabotage this programme, whoever he is, the governor said.

The governor said while the farmers were required to pay 159,187 for their inputs, with a 50 per cent subsidy paid by the federal government, some unscrupulous individuals imposed additional charges of 5,000 to 10,000.

Governor Namadi urged the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to urgently address the situation by replacing corrupt agro-dealers. He said the racketeering activities could jeopardise his states wheat farming goals and the federal scheme nationwide.

The governor visited input distribution centres in Birnin Kudu, Kiyawa, Jahun, Miga, and Kafin-Hausa local government areas.

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President Joe Bidens recent trip to Angola  the first state visit by a United States (US) president in nine years  has highlighted Americas renewed engagement with Africa. But as Donald Trump prepares for his second term in office, questions arise about the future of US-Africa relations, and whether this engagement will continue.

Mr Trumps first term, characterised by an inward-focused America First agenda, showed the need for Africa to recalibrate its strategies  particularly in strategic geopolitical and security engagements. Several key issues at bilateral, regional and continental levels will be impacted by his second-term policies and the priorities of his inner circle.

Mr Trumps return presents African countries with an opportunity to take a proactive stance in shaping their political and economic relations with the US and developing resilient strategies instead of reacting to shifting US policies.

Key bilateral relationships, particularly between the US and South Africa, are expected to shift  stemming from US opposition to South Africas International Court of Justice (ICJ) case against Israel over Gaza, and the countrys close ties with China and Russia.

In particular, South Africas neutral position on the Russia-Ukraine war will be a point of tension in a second Trump presidency. The president is also opposed to South Africas growing partnership with China, which is amplified by Chinas efforts to direct global trade away from the US and BRICS attempt at de-dollarisation, a move criticised by Mr Trump.

Notable figures in Mr Trumps camp will also likely affect US-South Africa relations. For example, Marco Rubio, the presumptive Secretary of State and a strong critic of China, condemned South Africas decision to downgrade Taiwans embassy.

Mr Trumps pick for UN Ambassador, Elise Stefanik, was part of a petition condemning South Africas ICJ case against Israel, calling it an attempt to demonise Israel. Michael Waltz led a push to review US-South Africa ties, a move Mr Biden resisted, but with Ms Waltz as Trumps pick for National Security Advisor, it could gain momentum.

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South Africa assumed the G20 chair on 1 December and will host the 2025 Johannesburg summit. The country now faces a dual challenge of maintaining neutrality while addressing growing geopolitical divisions  seeking to build consensus among G20 members and an expanded BRICS group while managing a more isolationist US under Mr Trumps leadership.

This also presents an opportunity for Pretoria to spotlight African priorities on the global stage, especially with the African Union (AU), now a full member of the G20. With the US succeeding South Africa as chair, this transition could pave the way for a possible Cyril Ramaphosa-Trump engagement within the year, offering a critical window for dialogue and potential recalibration of relations.

In East Africa, Kenyas newly elevated status as a major non-North Atlantic Treaty Organization (MN-NATO) ally could offer Nairobi some bargaining chips in the international space. Despite Mr Trumps America First policy and negative views on NATO, he may temper his approach by focusing on strategic bilateral partnerships with MN-NATO allies, like Kenya.

The new US administration will probably continue its security relations in East Africa and the Horn  largely due to Mr Rubios visit to Kenya and Somalia in 2019, part of a bipartisan oversight mission for the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.

Furthermore, because of the declining US security influence in West Africa, resulting from successive coups and the subsequent expulsion of US troops from Niger, maintaining the security partnership with Kenya is expected to remain a priority.

And given the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission in Haiti, US-Kenya bilateral engagements might move the needle towards securing commitment to Americas over $300 million funding pledge to the mission. However, this would be a tall order given the Trump camps reluctance to fund the UN, and peacekeeping in particular  despite the US proposing the resolution to replace the Kenyan-led MSS with a UN mission.

Mr Trumps preference is for strategic partners to take up more of the burden without the US overextending its resources  so Kenya must look beyond the US for support.

On the regional front, perhaps the most contentious area is the Horn of Africa. The controversial Project 2025 document of proposals produced by the conservative Heritage Foundation chapter on the State Department includes the recognition of Somaliland as a hedge against Chinas growing influence in Djibouti.

This aligns with former Assistant Secretary for African Affairs Tibor Nagy, who served in Mr Trumps first term and advocated for its recognition. Although denied by Mr Trump, Project 2025 is predominantly written by key former Trump officials, including the State Department chapter author, Kiron Skinner. Supporting this are optimistic statements of Somaliland recognition from former UK defence secretary Gavin Williamson after discussions with Mr Trumps policy leads.

This could complicate US-Somalia and US-Ethiopia relations, as it will intensify brewing tensions over Ethiopias Red Sea access deal with Somaliland, much to the chagrin of Somalia, which has sought alliances with Egypt and Eritrea to counter them. Whether this is followed through will be crucial in determining the success of the AUs Ethiopia-Somalia mediation efforts.

On a continental level, how the US responds to United Nations Security Council (UNSC) reform proposals will matter to Africa. Current UN Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield has expressed support for Africa securing a permanent seat (albeit without veto) on the UNSC. Will the Trump administration continue this momentum?

Given Mr Trumps first-term attempts at defunding the UN and preference for bilateral over multilateral relations, momentum for UNSC reform in Africas favour will unlikely increase under Mr Trumps second term. Regardless, Africa must address its internal divisions on how the two seats outlined in the Ezulwini Consensus will be allocated.

A more consequential area facing US-Africa relations would be the USs position and contribution to UNSC Resolution 2719, a mechanism designed to fund AU-led peace support operations (PSOs). America is the largest contributor to UN PSOs, at 27 per cent of the 2023-24 $6.1-billion budget. Within months of Mr Trumps first term, the US successfully lobbied to reduce the UN peacekeeping budget by $600 million, although they aimed for an initial $1 billion reduction.

Although the resolution will be maintained, the case-by-case basis on which authorisation must be supported might present a significant challenge for Africa. UNSC discussions on implementation of 2719 in Somalia, for example, attract a strong negative US pushback.

Whether Mr Trump maintains Americas renewed focus on Africa will depend on aligning US and African interests  despite their diversity  and Washingtons push to counter Russia and Chinas growing influence. Regardless of the USs policy trajectory, Africa must be prepared.

Emmaculate Liaga, Researcher and Zenge Simakoloyi, Institute for Security Studies (ISS)

(This article was published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish).

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The UN Security Council is to convene for an emergency session on Monday after Syrian rebels declared President Bashar al-Assads ouster and seized control of Damascus on Sunday.

The meeting, requested by Russia, will take place behind closed doors, diplomatic sources told dpa.

Syrians were facing a new political reality on Sunday after rebels took the capital Damascus, ending the two-decade regime of al-Assad, who was reported to have fled the country for Moscow.

A rebel alliance led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a surprise offensive in north-western Syria in late November, then quickly seized territory from pro-Assad forces as they moved toward Damascus.

(dpa/NAN)

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The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana has declared former President John Mahama the winner of the 2024 presidential election.

Mr Mahama, the candidate of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), defeated the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) candidate, Mahamadu Bawumia, by 1.7 million votes.

The chairperson of the EC, Jean Mensa, declared Mr Mahama the president-elect, having secured more than 50 per cent of the total votes.

The former president won 13 regions, while Mr Bawumia, who conceded defeat on Sunday, won in only three regions.

Mr Mahama polled about 6.3 million votes, while the vice president polled 4.5 million votes.

Twelve candidates participated in Saturdays presidential and parliamentary elections. However, the NDC won by a landslide in both elections, with the party set to have a two-thirds majority in parliament.

The final declaration commenced at 4:30 p.m., with a speech by Mrs Mensa.

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In her speech, Mrs Mensa said the decision of the vice president to concede even before the official declaration showed that the election was fair and credible.

Details later.

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu extends his sincere commendations to Dr Bolu Ogunyemi, a distinguished Clinical Associate Professor of Medicine at the Memorial University of Newfoundland, for his recent election as President of the Canadian Medical Association (CMA).

President Tinubu celebrates this remarkable achievement with Mr Ogunyemi, a renowned dermatologist in St. Johns, Newfoundland, and a visiting specialist in Labrador City since 2018.

This esteemed recognition is a testament to Mr Ogunyemis visionary leadership, dedication to excellence, and compassionate commitment to enhancing the welfare of others.

The president is confident that Mr Ogunyemis extensive background in medical science and his 15 years of leadership experience have eminently prepared him for this prestigious role.

President Tinubu expresses optimism that the forthcoming approval of Mr Ogunyemis election at the CMAs Annual General Meeting in May 2025 will empower him and enable him to elevate the association to even greater heights.

President Tinubu encourages the Clinical Associate Professor to remain steadfast and focused on fulfilling his new mandate with inclusivity and respect for diverse perspectives.

He also urges Mr Ogunyemi to embrace those who vied for the position as partners in progress.

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The president assures Mr Ogunyemi of the prayers and unwavering support of the Nigerian government and its people as he takes on the mantle of leadership.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

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Ghanas main opposition party, the National Democratic Congress (NDC), is set to form a majority in Parliament with 185 seats out of the 276 available.

The General Secretary of the NDC, Fifi Kwetey, announced the figure on Sunday during a press briefing monitored by PREMIUM TIMES.

It is expected that the Electoral Commission of Ghana wil officially announce the results soon.

Elections were held in the 276 constituencies across the country on Saturday.

Mr Kwetey described his NDCs victory as a green wave, noting that the party had won seats it had never previously secured in a competitive election.

Our count shows 185 seats are with the NDC, Mr Kwetey said, adding that the collation process should be sped up.

Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia, who is also the candidate of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), had earlier conceded defeat during a press briefing. He also stated that the NDC is projected to secure majority in the parliament.

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The majority threshold in parliament is 139 seats.

Former President John Mahama is expected to address a press conference on Monday.

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The police have arrested an 18-year-old painter over the murder of a retired Permanent Secretary, Adamu Jagaba, in Niger State.

Mr Jagaba was stabbed to death Saturday evening at a block industry along the Eastern Bye-pass, Minna and his attackers also stole his vehicle.

The police spokesperson in the state, Wasiu Abiodun, said the incident was reported to the Tudun-Wada police division on Saturday.

He added that the victim was taken to a nearby hospital, where he was confirmed dead.

However, at about 7 p.m. on the same day, a police team intercepted Mr Jagabas stolen vehicle on Bosso Estate Road, Minna, with the 18-year-old suspect, Fatiyah Abdulhakeem.

Mr Abiodun said the suspect under interrogation said he was the victims car painter and had just visited him at his block industry opposite the PDP Secretariat in Minna.

He allegedly further said that after discussing changing the vehicle bumper, he stabbed Mr Jagaba multiple times on the head and neck before driving away his vehicle.

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ALSO READ: Police arrest six suspects after deadly clash in Minna

The suspect allegedly confessed that he conspired with some of the deceaseds workers in committing the crime.

Mr Abiodun said the police were after other suspects as they continued their investigation.

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The Nigerian Army has re-opened the Rescue Market, popularly known as Malaysia Market, Onuimo in Obowo Local Government Area of Imo State.

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Hassan Dada, reopened the market, which was closed three weeks ago after an attack on a military checkpoint by suspected IPOB members, resulting in the death of two soldiers.

Speaking to traders at the market on Friday, Mr Dada, a major general, charged them to take responsibility for protecting their communities by supporting security agencies.

He said his visit was part of community engagement with the people for them to understand that the Nigerian Army is there for them.

It is our responsibility as the military to protect you but we will not tolerate killing soldiers.

Once you see something wrong and you dont act, it is going to consume you, he said.

The GOC said that he had directed his commanders in Imo and Abia to always interface with the people to find out their security challenges.

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Mr Dada, who also decried the poor number of registrations by Igbo youths during the army recruitment exercise, used the opportunity to urge the people to consider joining the army as a noble profession.

The GOC distributed some 10-kg bags of rice and vegetable oil as palliatives to some elderly traders to cushion the effects of the market closure.

We appreciate the fact that due to one inconvenience or the other, some people have not been able to ply their trade.

That is one of the reasons we also did palliative, that in the spirit of the festive period, the army is always with the people, the GOC said.

Responding, the Acting Chairperson of the market, Jerry Uzodinma, thanked the GOC and pledged the traders commitment to support the military in ensuring security.

Others who spoke, including traditional rulers of the affected communities in Imo and Abia States, expressed gratitude to the military for their services.

(NAN)

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Senators from the South-east region of the country have resolved to consult with their state governments before making a final decision on the tax reform bills currently before the National Assembly.

Under the aegis of the South-east Senators Forum, the senators said they would consult with their constituents and other relevant people in the zone on the issue.

Leader of the caucus, Eyinanaya Abaribe, disclosed this on Monday while addressing journalists shortly after a closed-door meeting at the National Assembly, Abuja.

On 3 October, President Bola Tinubu transmitted four tax bills to the National Assembly for consideration.

The bills are the Nigeria Tax Bill 2024, the Tax Administration Bill, the Nigeria Revenue Service Establishment Bill, and the Joint Revenue Board Establishment Bill.

However, criticisms have trailed the bills in certain quarters, with some comments assuming ethnic and sectional dimensions.

To address the concerns, the Senate constituted a committee to liaise with a federal government delegation headed by Lateef Fagbemi, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation.

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The two parties were supposed to meet last Thursday but have yet to do so because Mr Fagbemi was out of the country.

Mr Abaribe said though the South-east senators are supporting the proposed tax bills, they still need to consult widely with governors and constituents.

As much as the entire senators from South-east are not against the Tax Reform Bills before both chambers of the National Assembly for consideration, we want wider consultations to be carried out on them.

Specifically, we need to consult with our constituents across the 15 senatorial districts in the zone with our state governments and other critical stakeholders, he said.

Mr Abaribe, the senator for Abia South Senatorial District, noted that he and other senators from the South-east region have read the bill and are willing to share its benefits when passed to different stakeholders in their area.

We have read through the bills and want to share our knowledge with other stakeholders from the South-east Zone for a much more equitable framework in the bills that would eventually be passed.

We are not against the bills but need to consult with our people , he stressed.

Last Thursday, senators from South-south said they supported the tax reforms regardless of the criticisms because they aimed to strengthen revenue and foster economic stability.

They also warned people opposing the tax reform bills to refrain from expressing regional, ethnic, or tribal sentiments when criticising them.

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Evans Bipi, Rivers commissioner for Physical Planning and Urban Development, has issued a seven-day notice to commence clearing Port Harcourt city of slums and illegal waste dumpsites.

The commissioner gave the notice on Saturday shortly after an enforcement operation at the Trans-Amadi Industrial Area in Port Harcourt.

Mr Bipi expressed concern about the operations of scavengers at the Trans-Amadi industrial area, who currently occupy large hectares of private lands and use them for sorting and assemblage of solid waste.

He condemned the proliferation of illegal dumpsites and shanties in business areas and advised occupants to vacate affected properties that had already been marked for demolition.

Scavengers here are contributing to environmental hazards, their operation is highly unacceptable, and this administration will no longer continue to allow them to deface our residential and industrial areas.

We have given occupants seven days to vacate affected properties as we shall commence waste clearing and demolition of shanties in the area.

Property owners should refrain from leasing their properties to operators of unapproved and hazardous businesses or face the full weight of the law, the commissioner warned.

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David Ogbanga, chairperson of the ministrys Special Committee on Development Control, also assured of efforts towards sustainable urban development in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

According to Mr Ogbanga, apart from defacing the city outlook, slums impede urbanisation, and they constitute a breeding ground for miscreants as well as hideouts for criminals and perpetrators of all forms of social vices.

We will put an end to this in the coming days, our enforcement team will begin demolition to restore serenity to our city and protect residents, he said.

(NAN)

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The Zone 16 Police Command on Saturday paraded three suspects for allegedly engaging in illicit drugs and fraudulent activities.

A statement from the zone spokesperson in Yenagoa, Gunn Emonena, said the Zonal Financial and Cyber Crime unit, based on credible intelligence, stormed the Rumukparali Community in Obio/Akpo Local Government of Rivers State to arrest the suspects.

He said the three suspects, Billion Ndubuisi, Charles Amachree, and Martins Chinemike, confessed to having impersonated Ryam Bill, a US-based luminary, and defrauded St. Andrea and Charlen Zielinsky of 71,500 US Dollars.

Mr Emonena, a superintendent of police, said that during the execution of a search in their premises, wraps of illicit hard drugs suspected to be hemp, two vehicles, two laptops and 10 phones were recovered.

The suspects, through their agent, offered the sum of 17,000 US Dollars bribe, which was rejected by our well-trained, reformed officers.

The money is registered and will be tendered as exhibits in court, Mr Emonena said.

According to him, the zones AIG, Adebola Hamzat, has reiterated his dedication to protecting the lives and property of citizens within his jurisdiction and the country at large.

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He noted that the Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has reasserted its dedication towards ensuring the safety and security of all citizens.

(NAN)

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The National Assembly Service Commission (NASC) has approved the appointment of Andrew Nwoba as the Clerk of the Senate.

This announcement was made by Emmanuel Anyigor, deputy director of information, on behalf of the Executive Secretary of the Commission, in a statement on Monday in Abuja.

According to Mr Anyigor, the commission approved Mr Nwobas appointment, which will take effect on 11 December.

He said prior to this appointment, the new clerk served as the secretary of the Directorate of Legislative Budget and Planning.

Additionally, the commission endorsed the elevation of other key officers within the National Assembly bureaucracy.

These appointments include: Mr Emmanuel Oda, appointed as deputy clerk (Administration), Senate and Vivien Njemanze, appointed as deputy clerk (Administration), House of Representatives.

Others are Dr Obasi Ukoha, appointed as Secretary of the Directorate of Legislative Budget and Planning, Rawlings Agada, deployed from Deputy Clerk (Administration), Senate to deputy clerk (Legislative), Senate.

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Florence Kehinde A., deployed from deputy clerk (Administration), House of Representatives to deputy clerk (Legislative), House of Representatives.

The commission had also previously approved the appointments of Ogundayo Olufunmilayo as secretary of the Directorate of Special Duties, Alkali Abubakar, as secretary of the Directorate of Human Resource Staff Development, and Essien Essien as secretary of the Directorate of Zonal Liaison Offices.

(NAN)

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Nigerias Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, will chair the 2024 conference of the Nigerian chapter of the International Press Institute, scheduled to be held on Wednesday in Abuja, organisers said.

This was disclosed in a statement on Monday by Ahmed Shekarau, the Secretary of IPI Nigeria.

The statement further revealed the list of guests who have confirmed their attendance at the conference. They include the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu; former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba; Publisher, Vanguard Newspaper, Sam Amuka; President, Newspaper Proprietors Association of Nigeria (NPAN), Kabiru Yusuf; the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga; and Director General, National Orientation Agency (NOA), Lanre Issa-Onilu.

Other guests expected at the IPI Nigeria Conference include the Africa Director, MacArthur Foundation, Kole Shettima; Country Director, CARE, Hussaini Abdu; Founder, ThisDay/Arise, Nduka Obaigbena; former Minister of Information & Culture, Lai Mohammed; Dean, Postgraduate School, Baze University, Abiodun Adeniyi and Chairman of the Editorial Board of ThisDay Newspaper, Olusegun Adeniyi.

The statement reiterated that the IPI Nigeria Conference will be held on Wednesday, 11th December at the Abuja Continental Hotel (formerly Sheraton Hotel). Even more, the Institute is scheduled to hold its annual general meeting, to elect new leadership and host its members and supporters to a dinner on 12th December at the same venue.

An earlier statement by Mr Shekarau had revealed that renowned media practitioner, Tonnie Iredia, would deliver a keynote on Democracy, Media Freedom and the Imperative of Protecting Nigerias Civic Space, at the event.

A panel of seasoned journalists has also been lined up to discuss the paper. Busola Ajibola, a press freedom advocate and deputy director at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development, will moderate the discussion, which will feature Waziri Adio (founder and executive director at Agora Policy), Garba Shehu (director at Peoples Daily newspaper and former presidential spokesperson, and Abigail Ogwezzy-Ndisika (a professor of mass communication at the University of Lagos).

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Adeola Ajayi, the director-general of the State Security Service, will also make a presentation titled Dissecting the Frosty Relationship Between the Nigerian Media and Security Agencies. The Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi; Funke Egbemode, a former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors; Hussaini Abdu, country director of CARE; and Lanre Arogundade, director of the International Press Centre, will discuss his presentation.

Mr Shekarau said the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Ola Olukoyede, will make a short remark on How the Media and Journalists can Partner Anti-corruption Agencies in the Fight Against Corruption.

In the same vein, a former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, will also speak on Government Vs Media: How to Reduce Tension, Enhance Mutual Understanding, and Avoid Censorship.

Owners of leading media organisations in Nigeria, media practitioners, federal lawmakers, heads of security agencies, academics, press freedom and journalists safety advocates, and other experts have been invited to participate as we deliberate on the challenges threatening the practice of journalism in the country, Mr. Shekarau said.

READ ALSO: Tinubu commends Nigerian elected president of Canadian Medical Association

The conference will provide journalists with an opportunity to find answers to some of the knotty issues they desperately want answers to.

The conference will be followed by an annual general meeting on 12th December 2024, at which the Musikilu Mojeed-led IPI Nigeria executive will render accounts to members and elect a new executive to run the organisations affairs, Shekarau said.

The International Press Institute (IPI), with headquarters in Vienna, Austria, is a global network of media executives, editors, and leading journalists. Since its establishment in 1950, it has consistently advocated for journalists rights and media freedom worldwide.

IPI Nigeria is the Nigerian branch of IPI Global and is totally committed to credible and independent journalism, media freedom, freedom of speech and the free flow of news and information in Africas most populous country and the continents biggest economy.

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The police in Anambra State have arrested a suspect, Nwokpoku Emmanuel, 34, resident in Oduke-Obosi area of the state over alleged armed robbery and kidnapping.

Tochukwu Ikenga, the police spokesperson in the state, disclosed this in a statement on Saturday in Awka.

The Anambra State police command has one Nwokpoku Emmanuel, male, 34 years in custody, over a case of armed robbery and kidnapping.

The police operatives also recovered from the suspect, the victims red coloured Mercedes Benz GLE 450, he said.

Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, said the victim was kidnapped and was released after a ransom of N15 million was collected by the gang.

According to him, the kidnappers made away with his vehicle before it was tracked and recovered at MCC Junction, Onitsha.

He said that efforts were underway to apprehend other fleeing gang members, especially the leader known as Ebuka.

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The spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Nnaghe Itam, had directed that the gang leader and other members be arrested to face the law.

He said that the police commissioner assured the public that the command would continue to evolve operational strategies to improve safety in the state.

(NAN)

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Presidential results from Ghanas 16 regions have begun arriving at the National Collation Centre via dedicated fax machines for the final announcement.

Saturdays presidential election featured 12 candidates, including the current Vice President, Mahamadu Bawumia, of the New Patriotic Party (NPP), and former President John Mahama of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Although Mr Bawumia has conceded defeat based on the results collated by his party, the official process continues.

In compliance with the law, collation is still ongoing at the National Collation Centre, located near the Electoral Commission (EC) headquarters in Accra.

The collation and announcement of presidential election results in Ghana involve four stages. First, the results are sorted and announced at polling stations. These results are then transported physically to constituency collation centres, where they are collated and announced. Subsequently, the constituency results are sent to the regional collation centres. Finally, copies of these regional results are faxed to the National Collation Centre.

In November, the Electoral Commission of Ghana announced the acquisition of 16 fax machines, one dedicated to each region.

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At the National Collation Centre, the machines are mounted on tables, with each labelled with the name of its respective region.

As of 19:33 GMT on Sunday, results from five regions  Ahafo, Central, Western North, Oti, and Eastern  had arrived via fax machines.

The EC has announced that the result from Bono East is in the pipeline.

In the collation hall, political parties and their agents are assigned designated spaces, and results are shared with them as they come in.

Once all parties approve the results, they are certified by the Electoral Commission.

Results

The result from Central Region shows that Mr Mahama won the region by polling 562,620 votes against the 382,749 votes polled by Mr Bawumia.

Similarly, in Western region, the opposition candidate polled 202,619 votes against the 124,029 votes by Mr Bawumia.

The story is the same in Oti Region, where Mr Mahamas 182,470 votes were enough to give him the region against the 86,484 votes got by the ruling party.

In Ahafo, the incumbent vice president polled 113,851 votes against 130,106 votes polled by Mr Mahama.

PREMIUM TIMES is on ground in Ghana to provide updates as the results are coming in.

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NUC wants more bills on new varsities from senators

The Senate Committee on Tertiary Education and TETFund, chaired by Muntari Dandutse, commenced activities with a public hearing on the proposed Federal University, Okigwe, Imo State.

During the hearing, the acting Executive Secretary of the Nigerian University Commission (NUC), Chris Maiyaki, asked the federal government to establish more universities to reduce the number of people awaiting admission into higher institutions.

Mr Maiyaki said there are not enough public and private universities in the country to accommodate all admission seekers every year.

The NUC acting secretary said there are 275 universities in the country, but the number of people seeking admission into the varsities increases yearly.

Senate approves 2025-2027 MTEF with new borrowing plan of 9.22 trillion

Senators unanimously passed the 2025-2027 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP) at their Tuesday plenary.

Sani Musa, chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, led the debate on the general principles of the expenditure framework.

The expenditure framework was approved with a total spending of 47.9 trillion and a new borrowing plan of 9.22 trillion, constituting domestic and foreign borrowings.

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The approval followed the consideration of a report presented by Mr Musa during the plenary on Wednesday.

Senate confirms Oluyede as army chief

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of Olufemi Oluyede, a lieutenant general, as the substantive chief of army staff.

The upper chamber approved the appointment after considering the report of its Committee on Army, presented by its Chairman, Abdulaziz Yaradua.

Protesters storm National Assembly over Tax bills

Some northern youth protested at the National Assemblys entrance on Tuesday to warn those criticising the Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, for supporting the tax reform bills proposed by President Bola Tinubu.

The protesters carried placards with inscriptions such as Leave Senator Barau alone,  Senator Barau: The pro-masses lawmaker,  Stop attacking Senator Barau, Senator Barau is the new leader of the North, and Senator Barau: The Sardauna of our era

Tijjani Mohammed, who addressed journalists on behalf of the protesters, said those hurling abusive words at the deputy senate president because of his role in the tax reform bills are enemies of the North.

Mr Mohammed, a former president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), noted that youth in Northern Nigeria were not opposed to the bills.

Senate considering probe of Port Harcourt refinery operations

The Senate also considered conducting a special oversight of the Port Harcourt Refinery to determine its true status.

During the plenary on Tuesday, Aliyu Wadada, the senator for Nasarawa, urged the senators to investigate the issue to ascertain the facilitys true operational situation.

Akpabio threatens action against sacking non-performing committee chairmen

Senate President Godswill Akpabio threatened to remove committee chairmen who failed to perform satisfactorily by the rules of the upper chamber.

He questioned how heads of federal Ministries, Departments and Agencies continued disregarding invitations to the National Assembly for questioning.

The Senate president said the Senate leadership will not hesitate to change the composition of its committees so that those with capacity could take over.

Senate constitutes a committee to meet FGs delegation on tax bills

During Wednesdays plenary, the Senate constituted a nine-member panel to interact with a federal government delegation to address concerns about the tax reform bills.

The panel is chaired by the Minority Leader, Abba Moro.

Mr Moro represents Benue South Senatorial District and is a member of the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Other senators who will attend the meeting are Tahir Monguno, the Senate chief whip; Adamu Ailero (PDP, Kebbi Central), Seriake Dickson (PDP, Bayelsa West), Titus Zam (APC, Benue), Abdullahi Yahaya (Kebbi North), Adeola Olamilekan (APC, Ogun West), Sani Musa (APC, Niger East) and Adetokunbo Abiru (APC, Lagos East).

But during the plenary on Thursday, the Senate President adjusted the committees membership.

Mr Akpabio removed Tahir Monguno, the senate chief whip, and replaced him with Kaka Shehu, the Borno Central Senatorial District senator.

Mr Monguno is also from Borno State.

The senators were supposed to meet with the federal government delegation on Thursday, but the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, who was to lead the delegation, was absent.

Akpabio warns governors, others not to bully Senate

On Thursday, the Senate Presiden, Godswill Akpabio, asked state governors opposing the tax reform bills to present their concerns at the public hearing to be conducted by the National Assembly rather than appearing on television stations to criticise provisions of the bills.

He said the Senate, under his leadership, will not tolerate bullying because the lawmakers are performing their constitutional duties in the countrys interest.

The Senate president said any governor or religious leader who has problems with the bills should attend a public hearing whenever it is organised.

He also said that the four tax reform bills currently before by the National Assembly have not been suspended or withdrawn.

South-South senators declare position on tax bills

Senators from the South-south region during the week warned people opposed to the tax reform bills to desist from introducing regional, ethnic or tribal sentiments when criticising the bills.

They also called for extensive interaction and consultations with stakeholders before the bills were finally considered by the National Assembly.

The senators stated this in a communique issued on Thursday in Abuja, under the aegis of the South-South Senators Forum.

The communique was jointly signed by 16 of the 18 members of the caucus chaired by the Bayelsa West Senator, Seriake Dickson.

The caucus said it supports tax reform despite the criticism because it aims to strengthen revenue and foster economic stability.

The senators also passed a vote of confidence on Mr Akpabio.

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Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State has spoken on why his father, Ezekiel Nwifuru, married over 30 wives and has 108 children.

Mr Nwifuru stated this during the weekend at the coronation of his father as the traditional ruler of the newly created Oferekpe Agbaja Autonomous Community, Sun newspaper reported.

Ezekiel initially married over 30 wives, but the number dropped to 19 after some of the wives were delisted from the family for not bearing children.

Of the 19 wives who birthed the 108 children, the newly crowned traditional ruler is currently staying with 17 of his wives.

Meanwhile, Oferekpe Agbaja, comprising 17 villages, was created this year following a law passed by the Ebonyi State House of Assembly.

It was carved out of the Agbaja Community.

Why he married 30 wives, fathered 108 children

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Mr Nwifuru explained that his 84-year-old father became wealthy unexpectedly through his hard work as a notable farmer, which led to envy, intimidation, and humiliation from members of their Agbaja Community.

The governor said father is a hard working man who had been humiliated by relatives, neighbours, and the entire community due to his success.

He said discrimination and humiliation prompted his father to marry multiple wives as companions and help in achieving his dreams.

My fathers decision to marry many wives was influenced by the intimidation and humiliation he endured from villagers in his quest for greatness, he said.

Dont seek revenge

Mr Nwifuru urged his father to use his position as a traditional ruler to foster peace, equity, and justice within the community, cautioning him not to retaliate against those who wronged him in the past.

Do not use this revered position to seek revenge or perpetuate injustice. Rather, let it be a symbol of unity, fairness, and service to humanity, the governor said.

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Why Simon Ekpa cannot be granted bail  Finnish authorities

Last Monday, we brought you a report about why Simon Ekpa, a controversial pro-Biafra agitator, cannot be granted bail.

A Finnish official revealed that the pro-Biafra agitator cannot be granted bail because the countrys legal system does not permit bail for suspects accused of the kind of offences Mr Ekpa is accused of.

Mr Ekpa, a Finnish-Nigerian citizen, was arrested alongside four others on 21 November on suspicion of terrorist activities.

Meanwhile, the Abia North Senator, Orji-Uzor Kalu, last Monday revealed how the pro-Biafra agitator threatened him over Biafra agitation in the countrys South-east.

Gunmen abduct Catholic priest

On Tuesday, we reported the abduction of a Catholic priest, Gerald Ohaeri, along Ugwogo Nike-Opi Express Road in Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State.

Gunmen abducted Mr Ohaeri on 30 November on his way back from Isienu after a function held in the Enugu metropolis.

The cleric was freed about four days later.

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Dismantling of IPOB hideout and arrest of suspects

The onslaught against suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) continued last week when security operatives raided and dismantled their hideout in Aku, a community in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State.

Apart from dismantling the hideout, the security operatives also arrested key suspects.

IPOB is a group leading an agitation for an independent state of Biafra, which it wants carved out from the South-east and some parts of South-south Nigeria.

VIDEO: Outrage as police operative invades courtroom to arrest suspect

There was outrage in Imo State on Friday when a police operative invaded a court to arrest a suspect.

The operative, Mohammed Abubakar, disrupted a court session during the incident at Orogwo Customary Court in the Owerri West Local Government Area of the state.

The operative was later sentenced to two days in prison for his action.

Ugochinyere Ikengas PDP controversy

There was a mild drama on Friday when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ideato North Local Government Area of Imo State announced the expulsion of Ugochinyere Ikenga, from the PDP.

Mr Ikenga hails from the council area and represents Ideato North-South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

The PDP executives in the council area accused the lawmaker of gross indiscipline, insubordination and anti-party activities.

But on Saturday, the National Working Committee of the PDP nullified the expulsion of the lawmaker.

It explained that, in line with the PDPs constitution and rules, no executive body of the party other than its National Executive Committee has the power to sanction or expel any National Assembly member.

Security operatives in South-east injured in fresh attack by gunmen

The insecurity in the South-east continued last Thursday night, with gunmen attacking police officers at a checkpoint in Anambra State.

The incident occurred at a checkpoint along Umuchu-Amesi-Uga Road in Ajali Community, Orumba North Local Government Area of the state.

The attack, which caused tension among residents, came exactly two weeks after gunmen attacked vigilante operatives along Amesi-Uga Road in Umuchu, a community in Aguata Local Government Area of the state.

Tension as Nigerian Bishop is declared missing

On Saturday, there was tension in Anambra State after an Anglican Bishop was declared missing.

The missing cleric, Godwin Okpala, is a retired archbishop of the Niger Province and Bishop of Nnewi.

Mr Okpala, a professor, has been missing since Friday morning, the leadership of the Anglican Diocese of Nnewi announced on Saturday.

The missing cleric embarked on a journey to Umuchu alongside his driver, but they were yet to reach their destination more than 24 hours after.

There are fears that the missing cleric might have been abducted by hoodlums given that the area witnessed increased attacks in recent times.

As of the time of this report, the missing cleric was yet to be seen.

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Okpebholo swears in judges ignored by Obaseki

After waiting for over a year, the hope of three judges in Edo State to return to the courtroom was realised last week after they were sworn in by Governor Monday Okpebholo.

The Nigeria Judicial Council cleared and recommended eight judges for Edo State in June 2023, but former Governor Godwin Obaseki swore in five of them about 11 months after the recommendation and shunned three others.

PREMIUM TIMES on Monday reported reasons given for their swearing-in by Mr Okpebholo.

Also, in Edo State, Governor Okpebholo reinstated staff members of Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma sacked by the Obaseki administration.

Details of why the staff members were sacked were published on Monday by this newspaper.

Iboris daughter dumps PDP for APC

The All Progressives Congress in the House of Representatives received a new member, Erhriatake Ibori-Suenu, daughter of former Governor James Ibori of Delta State.

We reported how the lawmaker dumped Nigerias main opposition Peoples Democratic Party in a letter addressed to the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas and read on the floor of the House on Thursday.

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On a sad note, according to INEC, a fire destroyed election materials in Ika North-East Local Government Area of Delta State last week.

Details of the cause of the fire and damage were published on Tuesday.

Also, in Delta, on Tuesday, we reported that Seplat Energy JV has denied encroaching on land belonging to communities in the state. The company spokesperson, Stanley Opara said the allegations were baseless and untrue.

In neighbouring Rivers State, Governor Siminalayi Fubara vowed last week to implement reports of a panel of inquiry into the post-election violence in Rivers, a move that may further deepen the political crisis in the state.

More details on the panel report and what led to the violence were published on Tuesday.

Victimised lecturer secures verdict against university

A lecturer, Inih Ebong, falsely accused of sexual harassment to justify his sack in 2002 by the University of Uyo, has won a final legal victory against the university at the Court of Appeal in Calabar, Cross River State.

PREMIUM TIMES on Wednesday reported that the appellate court dismissed Uniuyos application for a stay of execution of the 2020 National Industrial Court judgment, which ordered the university to restate Mr Ebong and pay all his entitlements and damages.

Meanwhile, a PREMIUM TIMES investigative report which unmasked how Mr Ebong, then an associate professor of theatre arts, was falsely accused by the institution last week won the Ray Ekpu prize for investigative journalism in Akwa Ibom State.

Cletus Ukpong, South-south/South-east editor of PREMIUM TIMES won the award, announced at the annual award and dinner night of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akwa Ibom State Council last week.

TCN restores power supply to Bayelsa

We reported on Wednesday that the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) has restored bulk power supply to Bayelsa State over two months since the supply was cut off because of vandalism.

In August, the TCN said two of its transmission towers, T98 and T99, along the Ahoada/Yenagoa 132kV line in the Igboghene community in the state, were destroyed by vandals, throwing several communities into darkness.

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The Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State, granted bail on Monday to activist and lawyer Dele Farotimi following his arraignment on cybercrime charges which stemmed from alleged defamation of senior lawyer Afe Babalola.

The judge, Babs Kuewumi, granted bail to Mr Farotimi in the sum of N50 million and adjourned the trial till 29 January 2025. Mr Farotimi will however remain in detention pending when he meets the bail conditions.

Mr Babalola, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and founder of Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti (ABUAD), had petitioned the police in the state alleging that Mr Farotimi defamed in his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.

Mr Babalolas petition led to the police filing criminal defamation charges against Mr Farotimi, culminating in his arraignment at a chief magistrates court in Ado Ekiti on Wednesday. During the proceedings, Mr Farotimi denied the charges. The trial magistrate subsequently ordered his remand in prison and scheduled the hearing of his bail application for Tuesday, 10 December.

On Friday, the office of the Inspector General of Police filed a fresh case comprising 12 counts of cybercrimes arising from the defamation allegations against Mr Farotimi at the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti.

Prison officials produced Mr Farotimi in handcuffs for arraignment before the court on Monday, where he pleaded not guilty to all 12 counts of cybercrime.

Bail

The defence team subsequently applied for his bail, which the prosecution opposed.

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Ruling on the application, the trial judge, Mr Kuewumi, disagreed with the prosecutor, Samson Osubu, who argued against Mr Farotimis bail application.

The judge then proceeded to grant bail to the defendant in the sum of N50 million with a surety resident in Ekiti.

He also ruled that the surety must have a landed property within the jurisdiction of the court, while also ordering that the defendant must submit his passport to the court.

He adjourned the case till 29 January 2025 for trial.

Defence speaks

One of Mr Farotimis lawyers, Ralph Nwoke, commended the court for granting the defendant bail, adding that the team would do everything possible to perfect the bail conditions towards ensuring his release.

Mr Nwoke, who is the managing partner DL Legal, told journalists that charges filed on the defence by the prosecuting team earlier on Monday were different from those filed on Friday.

We got the hint this morning (Monday) that they were bringing Dele Farotimi to the court this morning and we were already in Ado-Ekiti. We immediately rushed down to the court.

They served us a new charge in court that was filed this morning, substituting the one that was filed on Friday last week.

Our team moved an oral bail application and he was granted bail.

He was granted a bail of N50 million and surety in like sum, which must be resident in Ekiti state with a landed property, including the travel passport of the defendant should be submitted at the court.

Our client has been taken to the custodian centre, while we are working on perfecting these conditions to get him out hopefully any moment from now, Tribune newspaper quoted the lawyer as saying.

The defence team anticipates that the criminal defamation suit before the chief magistrates court would be withdrawn in light of the Federal High Court trial.

I dont expect the Magistrate court matter to go on, this should override it, because this is a higher court.

 Lets see what the prosecution team will do but we will be here to do our job, Mr Nwoke said.

Charges

The police first charged Mr Farotimi with 16 counts of criminal defamation of Mr Babalola before a chief magistrates court in Ado Ekiti, Ekiti State.

The case stemmed from a petition by Mr Babalola alleging that Mr Farotimi defamed him in his book, Nigeria and its Criminal Justice System.

Mr Babalola cited 31 excerpts from the book, including one accusing him of corrupting the Nigerian Supreme Court to procure a fraudulent judgement in the service of his clients.

The office of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), through, S.O Osobi, filed 12 counts of cybercrimes against Mr Farotimi at the Federal High Court in Ado Ekiti, on Friday.

The new charges largely focus on Mr Farotimis comments in online interviews reiterating allegations made in his book, whereas the case before the chief magistrates court centred on excerpts from the book.

One of the counts accused Mr Farotimi of intentionally transmitting communication which he knew to be false information for the purpose of causing breakdown of law and order thereby committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 24(1) (b) of Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc) Act 2015 as amended.

The filing of the fresh charges came barely two days after the police arraigned the activist before a chief magistrates court in Ado Ekiti, following Mr Babalolas petition to the Ekiti State Police Command, accusing the author of defaming him.

The police preferred 16 counts of criminal defamation against Mr Farorimi, who pleaded not guilty to all of them during his arraignment before the chief magistrates court on Wednesday.

The trial chief magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun, ordered that the defendant be remanded in the Ado Ekiti correctional centre for him to file a formal bail application.

He adjourned the case till Tuesday, 10 December, for the court to hear the bail application.

The prosecution, Samson Otsubu, had asked the court to remand Mr Farotimi in prison, while investigations continued.

It is still unclear if the police will eventually drop the magistrates court case or they will pursue the two simultaneously.

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The Electoral Commission of Ghana says it will announce the winner of Saturdays presidential election by 4:30 p.m. local time, following agreements with political parties over some disputed constituencies.

Fred Tetteh, a deputy director at the EC, made this announcement on Monday at the National Collation Centre in Accra, Ghana.

Mr Tetteh stated that results from 15 out of 16 regions have been transmitted to the centre, with only the results from the Ashanti Region yet to be transmitted.

He noted that the EC would officially declare the results in compliance with the law, although the concession speech by Vice President Mahamadu Bawumia has helped to ease tensions in the country.

The concession speech implies that John Mahama is the president-elect in waiting, with the ECs confirmation now a mere formality.

Post-election crises in some pockets of constituencies in the Savannah, Eastern, and Greater Accra regions have caused delays in the collation process.

READ ALSO: Actor John Dumelo wins parliamentary seat in Ghana 2024 elections

In the Savannah Region, the EC reached an agreement with three political partiesthe New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and the Convention Peoples Party (CPP)to resolve the political impasse in the region.

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The agreement allows the final decision on some of the disputed constituencies to be resolved by the EC.

As of the time of filing this report, the EC was making final arrangements to announce the eventual winner.

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The Presidential Compressed Natural Gas Initiative (PCNGi) on Monday said that it had invested more than $450 million in the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) value chain.

The Project Director and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of PCNGi, Michael Oluwagbemi, disclosed this during the 9th Edition of the Nigeria Energy Forum (NEF2024) Day 2, Virtual Event in Lagos.

The theme of the 9th Edition of NEF is: Energising Sustainable Industrialisation.

According to the PCNGi CEO, the amount goes into things like mother stations, daughter stations and refueling stations as well as conversion centres which are starting to spring up across the nation.

Mr Oluwagbemi, who was represented by Tosin Coker, the head of commercial at the PCNGi, said the initiative had successfully converted more than 10,000 vehicles from petrol to CNG.

By 2027, the initiative will have converted more than one million vehicles using petrol to CNG, he said.

On incidents of explosion of vehicles using CNG, the CEO assured Nigerians that it had taken precautionary measures with different agencies of government to ensure safety.

The National Coordinator of the GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP), managed by UNDP, Ibironke Olubamise, said the SGP was investing in youth energy innovation for economic growth and environmental sustainability.

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The NEF Group Chairman, Daniel Adeuyi, said, The event featured three super sessions on Energising Industrial Revolution, Community Climate Action by GEF-SGP UNDP and Clean Energy Innovations.

The sessions are to share lessons learnt from real-life projects and build capacity of young entrepreneurs and cross-industry professionals.

The Director General of the National Automotive Design and Development Council (NADDC), Joseph Osanipin, said the council had trained more than 4,000 auto technicians on how to convert petrol vehicles to CNG.

He said the council had started campaigns to sensitise Nigerians on the advantages of using CNG to power their vehicles.

CNG can guarantee cleaner environment, it is cheaper and affordable, he said.

The Chairman and Managing Director of Nord Automobile Ltd., Oluwatobi Ajayi, said the company was established to tackle the growing demand for vehicles in Africa and reduce import dependency.

He said that because of the federal governments CNG initiative, the company had incorporated it into its vehicle production to meet up with the government policy.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Finance Incorporated (MOFI), Armstrong Tankan, said that MOFI was set up in 1959 as the statutory vehicle to hold all the assets owned by the federal government.

Today, weve been able to identify the assets the federal government owns and we are trying to track them.

We actually do have assets, not just locally but globally as well and its very important that we establish visibility over what the federal government owns before we can start talking about managing them.

So, we want to try to minimise the waste, minimise the overlaps and help to improve output, he said.

The NEF Co-chair, Adekunle Makinde, said, the 9th Africa Energy Innovation Challenge (AEIC) attracted over 140 entries from 25 different countries across Africa, with over 99 per cent of entries as first-time participants.

The 2024 AEIC has GEF-SGP UNDP as principal supporter, with Afrexim Bank and Oando Clean Energy Ltd. as co-supporters.

The top three winners of the youth innovation contest were awarded grant prizes to upscale and deploy innovative energy solutions across real-life applications.

The first prize of N2 million was awarded to solar-powered dehydrators for agro-processing.

The second prize of N1.5 million was awarded to irrigation loop by Thinpower, while the third prize of N1 million went to solar-powered irrigation and cold storage for farmers, Mr Makinde said.

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The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, on Monday, called on judges to be more intentional in improving the quality of their judgements, just as she admonished them to avoid conducts that could bring shame to them.

Her admonition comes as the Nigerian judiciary faces a severe confidence crisis.

Our actions as judicial officers must remain above reproach, Ms Kekere-Ekun said, adding Introspection is not just a personal virtue but a professional necessity that enhances performance, refines judgment, and bolsters public trust in our institution.

She spoke at a conference for Justices of the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday.

Mrs Kekere-Ekun called on judicial officers to always practice introspection as a cornerstone for strengthening the judiciary and fostering public confidence in the justice system.

Mrs Kekere-Ekun explained the importance of continuous self-awareness and ethical conduct among judges.

The Nigerian judiciary is enmeshed in a deepening confidence crisis fuelled by widespread unethical practices, including perceived corruption across the hierarchies of the judicial system and issuance of conflicting court decisions.

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A recent case in point is the protracted power struggle between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his predecessor, Nyesom Wike, the incumbent Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), which, some months ago, resulted in conflicting court decisions.

In the scenario that played out to the embarrassment of the judiciary, the Federal High Court in Abuja and the Rivers State High Court in Port Harcourt, on 30 September, issued conflicting issues concerning local government elections scheduled for 5 October in the state.

While the Federal High Court invalidated the election procedures and barred federal institutions, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies, from supporting the election, the Rivers State High Court directed the states independent electoral commission to proceed with the election.

In October, the National Judicial Council (NJC) set up a panel to investigate the ugly development. It is unclear if the NJC panel has completed its investigation.

Speaking to a gathering of Court of Appeal justices on Monday, Ms Kekere-Ekun noted that the multi-judges mechanism of adjudication in appellate courts  the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court  offers opportunities for enhancing the quality of court decisions.

Multi-judge panels encourage robust deliberation, ensuring that judgments are comprehensive and well-reasoned. At this level, where appeals are heard and reserved for judgment, the holding of conferences to collectively deliberate on issues and matters that come before the court cannot be overstated.

Conferencing is an essential tool that promotes mutual respect, deepens understanding and enhances the quality of our decisions. However, introspection also requires us to examine how our collective processes can be improved. Are our judgments addressing the root issues brought before us? Are we sufficiently attuned to the broader societal implications of our decisions? These are the questions that judicial introspection seeks to answer, she said.

She called on justices to deliberate thoroughly amongst themselves before judgements are given to avoid errors so that they can provide guidance to lower courts.

She also urged presiding justices to adopt conferencing as a routine practice, regardless of their experience or rank within the judiciary.

Embracing technology

She stressed the need for adopting innovative strategies, such as leveraging technology for case management and enhancing the use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, to tackle these challenges.

The judiciary is perceived as a single entity, and public confidence in our system relies on our collective strength. By engaging in robust deliberations and learning from shared experiences, we can address the broader societal implications of our decisions,Mrs Kekere-Ekun said.

Commending the leadership of the President of the Court of Appeal, Monica Dongban-Mensem, for organising the conference, the CJN praised the commitment of appellate justices and court staff to advancing justice and the rule of law.

She encouraged participants to remain steadfast in their duties as the judiciary navigates evolving societal expectations and legal complexities.

Technology and its downside

In her welcome remarks, Mrs Dongban-Mensem emphasised the double-edged nature of technological advancements in the judiciary.

While technology promises enhanced efficiency, it also raises concerns about transparency, bias, and accountability.

AI should be an adjudicatory tool, not a replacement for the judge, she said.

She also addressed the challenges of the judiciary in the digital age, including online harassment, cyberbullying, and the integrity of digital evidence.

She called for proactive measures to safeguard judicial officers reputation and adapt to technological realities.

Public perception and the judiciarys narrative

In his keynote address, Kanu Agabi, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), urged judges to take control of the judiciarys narrative to counter growing public criticism and social media attacks.

You judges, you are not writing your history. Your enemies are writing your history and giving you bad names, he said.

Mr Agabi praised the sacrifices of judges despite systemic challenges like public distrust and economic difficulties.

He stressed that corruption within the judiciary is often overstated and unfairly blamed on judges.

Strengthening collaboration across legal institutions

In their goodwill messages, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi, the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike; and President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Afam Osigwe, emphasised the judiciarys critical role in upholding democracy.

Mr Fagbemi, who is also SAN, pledged to ensure adequate resources and support for judicial reforms while warning against the disparagement of judges.

My Lords, we must remain vigilant in defending judicial independence. Public confidence in our system relies on our collective strength, he said.

Mr Wike, a lawyer and former Governor of Rivers State, emphasised the need for collaboration across arms of government to improve infrastructure and welfare for judicial officers.

The judiciary cannot work in isolation. We are committed to fostering partnerships and addressing areas of concern, he remarked.

For his part, Mr Osigwe, also an SAN, called for joint efforts of the bar and bench to combat corruption and reduce frivolous appeals clogging the court system.

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The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Olufemi Oluyede, has pledged to explore various means to improve Nigerias security.

Mr Oluyede, a lieutenant general, made this statement while addressing State House correspondents after meeting with President Bola Tinubu on Monday.

He reassured the president of his commitment to achieving better security results, seeking his continued support.

He also briefed the president on his recent visits to two theatres of operation in the North-west and North-east regions.

During his visits, Mr Oluyede emphasised the need to end all forms of insecurity in Nigeria, promising to implement changes to achieve better results.

To tackle the Lukarawas, a new terrorist group in the North-western part of Nigeria, the army chief planned to collaborate with neighbouring countries.

We will work with our neighbours to ensure the Lukarawas are taken out of our borders.

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With Niger Republic on board, we expect to soon eliminate the Lukarawas, Mr Oluyede said.

All-inclusive leadership

Meanwhile, Mr Oluyede hasl promised to adopt an all-inclusive leadership approach to foster a collaborative and effective army to tackle the nations security challenges.

He gave the pledge while addressing Principal Staff Officers after Regimental Quarter Guard procedure for his formal taking over of command as the 24th COAS on Monday in Abuja.

This is contained in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Onyema Nwachukwu, a major general, on Monday in Abuja.

The COAS commended the officers and soldiers for the support, strength, and commitment shown during the solemn period leading to the burial of the erstwhile COAS, Taoreed Lagbaja.

He emphasised the importance of innovation in proffering security solutions and urged commanders to think creatively and develop novel strategies to combat emerging threats.

Mr Oluyede assured of his commitment to providing the troops with the needed support and morale toward ending terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria.

He said the army recognised the fluidity of the emerging security challenges as well as the rapidly evolving security landscape, and was determined to stay ahead of the curve.

He enjoined commanders at all levels to fashion out innovative ways to end terrorism and insurgency in the North-east and other volatile regions in the country.

Earlier, the Chief of Administration, Ohwonigho Akpor, a major general, described the event as a solemn regimental procedure, where the old Nigerian Army flag had to be retired to museum for custody.

Mr Akpor said it was supposed to be presented to the outgoing COAS for retention, as an honour and reminder of his command of the Nigerian army.

(NAN)

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The Borno State High Court in Maiduguri has again convicted and sentenced Aisha Wakil also known as Mama Boko Haram to five years imprisonment for fraud.

Ms Wakil, who has been serially convicted of fraud, was jailed in the latest case alongside two other officials of her non-governmental organisation (NGO), Complete Care and Aid Foundation.

In the courts judgement, both the Programme Manager and Country Director of the NGO, Tahiru Daura and Prince Shoyode, respectively, were similarly jailed five years each.

A statement from the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the prosecuting agency, said the trial judge, Aisha Kumaliya, handed down the judgement convicting and sentencing the three of them on 28 November.

EFCC accused them of defrauding Bukar Kachalla of Abks Ventures, by dishonestly inducing him to deliver to them a Toyota Camry 2012 Model worth N6 million. EFCC said they failed to pay for or return the car.

Trial and conviction

On 1 September 2020, EFCC arraigned Ms Wakil, the CEO of Complete Care and Aid Foundation, alongside her two co-defendants on four amended counts of cheating involving N6 milion, conspiracy and giving false information.

The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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During the trial, the prosecuting lawyers, Mukhtar Ahmed and Shamsudeeb Saka, presented three witnesses and tendered several documents as exhibits.

In its judgement on 28 November, the trial court convicted and sentenced each of the defendants to five years imprisonment without an option of fine.

The judge further ordered the defendants to jointly and severally make restitution of a balance of N3.5 million to the petitioner or alternatively should each serve an additional five-year jail term.

Trial of fraudulent cases

Mama Boko Haram gained prominence for her efforts in mediating between the government and the Boko Haram insurgency during the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

The woman, who is characteristically draped head-to-toe, with a niqab covering most of her face and leaving only her eyes visible, leveraged her ties with the groups members, positioning her as a key figure in peace negotiations.

But in recent years, Ms Wakil has faced multiple fraud charges and convictions.

Her conviction on 28 November marked at least her sixth in recent years.

Earlier convictions include a five-year sentence in June 2022 for conspiracy and obtaining N71 million by false pretence. Ms Wakil was convicted and sentenced alongside Messrs Daura and Shoyode.

She was similarly jailed for seven years in August 2022 for a N66 million fraud.

In September 2022, she was sentenced to seven years imprisonment for a N15 million fraud.

In December 2022, she received a ten-year sentence for a N120.5 million fraud case. This was followed by another 10-year sentence in February 2024 for a N40 million fraud.

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The Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE has sought to amend its suit against the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) and others.

The plea to amend the suit followed an application by the NNPCL before Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja, urging the court to strike out the case for being incompetent.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Dangote Refinery had sued Nigeria Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL) as 1st and 2nd defendants.

Also listed as 3rd to 7th defendants, respectively, in the originating summons, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024 and dated 6 September are AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited, T. Time Petroleum Limited, 2015 Petroleum Limited, and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited.

The oil company, through its lawyer, Ogwu Onoja, asked the court to nullify import licences issued by NMDPRA to the NNPCL and the five other companies for the purpose of importing refined petroleum products.

The company (plaintiff) also asked the court to declare that NMDPRA was in violation of Sections 317(8) and (9) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) by issuing licenses for the importation of petroleum products.

It stated that such licenses should only be issued in circumstances where there is a petroleum product shortfall.

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It equally sought N100 billion in damages against NMDPRA for allegedly continuing to issue import licences to NNPCL and the five companies for importing petroleum products.

But the NNPCL (2nd defendant), in its preliminary objection dated and filed 15 November, urged the court to strike out the suit.

It argued that the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC), sued by the refinery, was a non-existent entity.

The company, through its lawyer, Kehinde Ogunwumiju, said the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), being its registered name with the Corporate Affairs Commission, is not one and the same as the 2nd defendant sued by the plaintiff.

It further argued that the court lacked jurisdiction over the 2nd defendant, sued as Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC).

A simple search on the CAC website shows that there is no entity called Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC), the 2nd defendant said.

The NNPCL, therefore, said that the 2nd defendant, as sued by the refinery in the instant suit, is not a competent party or a juristic person, urging the court to strike out its name or the suit in its entirety.

Meanwhile, the Dangote Refinery, in a motion on notice dated 25 November but filed 28 November by Mr Onoja, sought an order granting leave to the company to amend its originating summons in accordance with the courts rules.

The refinery, in a copy of the motion sighted by NAN on Monday, said this would allow it to correct the name of the 2nd defendant to read; Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, instead of Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPC) earlier listed.

In the affidavit in support of the motion deposed to by Vincent Sani, a litigation clerk in the law firm of Mr Onoja, he said he was informed by one of their lawyers, Innocent Adoo, on 25 November that after the filing of the originating processes in the suit, he observed that the 2nd defendants name was erroneously spelt, hence, the need for the amendment.

Mr Sani averred that the said amendment had become necessary for the court record to properly describe the second defendant (NNPCL) as a party in the suit.

The litigation clerk said that the NNPCL was yet to be served with the said originating processes sought to be amended.

According to him, the proposed amended originating summons, affidavit in support and written address, are hereby exhibited and marked as Exhibit A.

Mr Sani, who averred that the defendants/respondents would not be prejudiced if the application is granted, said that justice would be better served if their plea is considered.

NAN, however, observes that the proposed originating summons, filed on 28 November and dated 6 September, seek the same reliefs with the earlier filed by the refinery.

It would be recalled that three oil marketers had also prayed the court to dismiss the suit.

The oil marketers, in a joint counter affidavit marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1324/2024 filed on 5 November in response to Dangote Refinerys originating summons, told Justice Ekwo that granting that application would spell doom for the countrys oil sector.

According to them, the plan to monopolise the oil sector is a recipe for disaster in the country.

The three marketers; AYM Shafa Limited, A. A. Rano Limited and Matrix Petroleum Services Limited, in their response, said the plaintiff did not produce adequate petroleum products for the daily consumption of Nigerians.

They argued that there was nothing placed before the court to prove the contrary.

Justice Ekwo had fixed 20 January 2025 for a report of settlement or service.

(NAN)

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Some have raised questions on the timing of the commencement of operation of the Port Harcourt Refinery, citing it as an attempt to sabotage the Dangote project. That is strange, given that the Buhari administration in giving support to the Dangote Refinery project did so without losing sight of its responsibility for the state-owned refineries, which was why it committed itself to the rehabilitation of the four refineries by awarding those major contracts. The Tinubu administration has only followed up on that by extending more support to NNPCL

Miles away from Alesa-Eleme, where Nigerias oldest Refinery is situated, one can see the orange tongue of flame teasing the Port Harcourt skies. One might liken it to the white smoke from the chimney on the roof of the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican announcing the selection of a new Pope. The flare sits in the sky announcing from afar the dawn of a new era at the refinery. In a way, it is a statement of defiance to those who had declared that the refinery will never work again. But it is also a statement of triumph over huge odds that have kept the refinery prostrate for so long.

It is evident from life within and the immediate environment that life has finally begun to return to the complex as the community used to know it. Not only is refining going on at the old 60,000 bpd refinery (Area V), the extensive rehabilitation work at the new 150,000 bpd refinery (Area I) is going on at the same time, with over 3000 workers contacted by contractors and sub-contractors busy with installation, welding, construction and other activities within the complex under the supervision of the 158-man workforce of the NNPCL.

Hundreds of kilometres of intricately laid new pipes are in place, replacements for the old ones which failed integrity tests in the process of rehabilitation. They can be seen, linking furnaces, boilers, tanks, and different pieces of machinery to one another. They crisscross the length and breadth of the complex, glistening in the sun, bringing in crude from afar, running it through the rigorous distillation process to split it into diverse fractions, sending out the different products to storage tanks, and after certification by the regulators, to the loading bay, from which they are eventually pushed to the market. It is a new day at the Refinery.

It is a new day here, and it is written on the faces of the staff on the ground. There is a spring in the steps of Ibrahim Onoja, Managing Director of Port Harcourt Refining Company, who has worked through the challenging days of the COVID-19 lockdown to this point where products are finally being rolled out. He could barely contain his joy as he proudly showed us around the complex, taking us through the complexities of refining from crude, and processing different products to the point of loading petrol into the tankers at the loading bay. He took particular pride in the new power plant at the refinery, which generates 72MW, making the refinery self-sufficient, and able to meet its needs and ancillary services within. The turnaround of the Port Harcourt Refinery is a case of triumph over huge odds by a crop of determined and dedicated Nigerians under the leadership of Mele Kyari, the Group CEO; Bayo Adenrele, MD, NNPC Refineries; and Ibrahim Onoja, MD, PHRC.

The journey of the Port Harcourt Refinery to this point where the wheels are beginning to roll again is long. The official name is the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), a subsidiary of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL). PHRC operates two refineries: the old 60,000 barrels (per stream day) plant commissioned in 1965 and the new 150,000 barrels (per stream day) plant commissioned in 1989, originally intended to serve as an export refinery.

While the old refinery comprises of a Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), a Catalytic Reforming Unit (CRU), and a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) plant, the new refinery includes a Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), a Vacuum Distillation Unit (VDU), a Naphtha Hydrotreating Unit (NHTU), a Catalytic Reforming Unit (CRU), a Continuous Catalyst Regeneration Unit (CCR), a Paraffin Hydrotreating Unit, a Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) unit, Butamer Isomerisation unit, HF Alkylation Unit, Fuel Gas Vapouriser, sour water and caustic treatment units, and a Dimersol unit for converting propylene into a petrol blend product.

The old refinery was designed to process TNP, a blend of Medium Nigerian Crude oil, while the new refinery can process third-party crude oil. It has its own utilities and tank farm. It is designed to generate its gas as process fuel, supplied by processing LPG from storage through the LPG plant. The design expectations were 33 per cent gasoline, 42 per cent middle distillate, with just 19 per cent fuel oil, and 5 per cent for fuel loss, plus 1 per cent LPG.

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As has been well documented, the Port Harcourt refineries, along with the ones in Kaduna (110,000 barrels per stream day) and Warri (125,000 barrels per stream day), bringing the combined plate capacity for Nigerias four refineries managed by the National oil company (NNPCL), to 445,000 barrels per stream day, have, on account of poor maintenance of facilities and a combination of other factors, been operating in fits and starts since the 1990s. The capacity utilisation in the refineries was so abysmal that it dropped as low as 4.85 per cent in 2015 and 5.98 per cent in 2018, with several attempts at turnaround maintenance of the refineries making little or no impact. By 2019, they were all largely shut down, with Nigeria fully dependent on the importation of refined products.

It was against this backdrop that the Buhari administration in 2021 decided on a full rehabilitation of the refineries, starting with the Port Harcourt Refinery, with contract awarded to Tecnimont S.p.A. to undertake Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) activities for a full rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery complex, aimed at restoring the complex to a minimum of 90% of its nameplate capacity at the cost of $1.5 billion. The project was expected to be delivered, according to Tecnimont, in phases from 24 and 32 months and the final stage will be completed in 44 months from the award date.

The decision by the government was not well received by many, with Mr Atedo Peterside, advising the Federal Government to halt the brazen & expensive adventure. But that advice was not heeded and the project did proceed, even as it has not kept to the timeline agreed. Experts explain the delay to post-COVID disruptions in manufacturing and logistics around the world, which hampered the timely delivery of different projects, especially those of such magnitude in different parts of the world. In addition to that are the peculiarities and challenges with brownfield projects. It was not until December 2023 that the mechanical completion of the Old Port Harcourt Refinery (Area 5) was announced, which was said to have signified the closure of the construction and installation phases.

That would be followed up by the announcement at the end of last month of the successful re-streaming of the old Refinery, signalling the commencement of crude oil processing from the plant and delivery of petroleum products into the market. While that news was received with excitement by many Nigerians, that would herald a bout of negative reports from other quarters, who have continued to question the claims, with a Television presenter, Rufai Oseni, and the economist, Kelvin Emmanuel, being at the vanguard of the pushback in the media that the refinery is functioning, with the core of their argument being that what is in place is a blending plant rather than a refinery. Even when industry experts have repeatedly explained to them that blending is a part of the refining process and that what is being done at the plant is not out of the norm, they have continued to insist otherwise.

Kelvin Emmanuel insists that the Port Harcourt Refinery is not refining, and that they basically relocated the Malta blending business to Port Harcourt. He says, The truth is coming out gradually. Area V is not a refinery, its a blending plant. Meaning that SRG thats used as the main chemical component for curing with C5 is not produced there but imported into Okirika jetty, arguing that, you cannot produce SRG without a functional Vacuum Distillation Unit (VDU), a claim disputed by a Process Engineer, AM Yakubu, who insists that you dont need VDU to process VRG.

Kelvin Emmanuel maintains that the refinery doesnt have a catalytic reformer to convert those petroleum resins from the CDU into higher distillates, hence you need to blend the C5 with imported Ron, a claim which elicited this response from someone: Oga, a CRU does not refine naphthas into PMS. A CRU converts paraffins to isoparaffins and cyclic naphthenes. Upon hydrogenation, one gets high-octane aromatic hydrocarbons (reformates) These are premium blending stock for high-octane gasoline.

Arise TV Presenter, Rufai Oseni, had raised the alarm on NNPCL using Crack C5 to blend Naphtha (Earlier today as I guessed, NNPC was using Crack C5 to blend naphtha and called it PMS and I was correct, the Nigerians that abused me are quite gullible. I was correct). But the NNPCL had itself disclosed that it was using Crack C5, sourced from its sister company, Indorama Petrochemicals, to blend Straight-Run Gasoline (Naphtha) into Premium Motor Spirit to meet the required specifications, in what was described as a standard practice in refineries globally, as no single unit can produce gasoline that fully complies with any countrys standards without such processes.

Experts, including the President of the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers, Tony Ogbunigwe, have stated, that what Rufai suggests to be an aberration is standard practice. As Eze Nwakabeiya explained, Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as gasoline or petrol, is primarily a product of refining. It is produced through the refining process of crude oil. Specifically, through fractional distillation and additional processing steps like catalytic reforming, alkylation, and blending to meet quality and performance standards. However, the final gasoline product, including PMS, is often blended to achieve specific characteristics such as octane levels, vapor pressure, and emissions standards. It is said that the specific composition of the PMS can vary, depending on the refinery, region, and regulatory requirements that apply. The point, however, is that Naphtha and C5 are common components of high-quality PMS, as they contribute to the fuels overall performance, efficiency, and octane rating.

A commentator remarks: It is truly a significant achievement and a source of pride if the Port Harcourt refinery has a functioning cracking unit not all refineries are equipped with the capability to perform cracking, whether through thermal methods (using high temperatures) or catalytic methods (using catalysts to lower reaction energy requirements). Having a cracking unit means a refinery can handle heavier hydrocarbons and efficiently convert them into lighter, high-value products, which is a hallmark of advanced refining technology. If the Port Harcourt refinery now possesses such a capability, it is a clear indication that the turnaround maintenance (TAM) carried out on the facility has been effective.

But Kelvin has also queried the source of supply of the crude oil being processed at the Port Harcourt Refinery, arguing that the 60-km distribution pipeline from Bonny terminal to PH1 that should supply crude oil to the refinery is not operational because of leaks and vandalisation. So, if youve been barging crude in 5,000 barrels batches, and evidence does not suggest theres actual supply of feedstock, where are you delivering the crude to for the frivolous claim of a refinery. Unless of course, the off-spec Ron 94 that is dross and heavy in sulphur was landed at Okirika Jetty and was sent to PH1 for curing with naphtha condensates.

Information is however available in the public space of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) announcing in February this year of the completion of a supply of over 475,000 barrels of crude oil to the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited from the Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal after what it described as a prolonged outage of over five years during which the refinery underwent rehabilitation and integrity activities on its supply pipeline from the terminal.

Kelvin might have missed this development that SPDC, at the time, described as a significant step in the nations renewed efforts to utilise key infrastructure to assure the steady supply of products from the refining company to the Nigerian market.

Even with all the information provided by experts, the Economist continues to insist that blending is not the same thing as refining because you need a CRUDE DISTILLATION UNIT to crack naphtha into higher distillates like PMS. He does not appear to agree with the expert who has argued that cracking, which is a chemical process that breaks down larger, heavier hydrocarbon molecules into smaller, lighter ones, (e.g., naphtha into gasoline) occurs in units like the FCCU or hydrocracking units, not in the CDU, as he has maintained.

In response to his argument that what is taking place at the Refinery is not refining, another commentator charges: Cracking of hydrocarbons, is that not a form of refining? Cause its not done to the PMS stage that makes it not a refinery? Whether you use direct crude oil or Crude oil distillate Naphtha, you can get PMS. Naphtha is an elevated step in the cracking process than direct crude. Its like you are trying to make scrambled eggs directly from your kitchen with fresh eggs or using scrambled egg mix.

Checks by reliable external sources, however, suggest that the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) at the Port Harcourt refinery is running, with their in-house crude stocks data suggesting that test runs have been going on with PPMC inventories dropping from 1.5 Mbbls in August to 1.3 Mbbls in October to around 1 Mbbls in November. Reports also affirm that the Port Harcourt Refining Company has sold its first LSSR cargo at a $8.50/t discount to the NWE 0.5% benchmark on an FOB basis, with a sulfur content of 0.26% % wt and a 0.918 g/ml density at 15C, to Dubai-based Gulf Transport & Trading Limited (GTT), loading onboard the Wonder Star MR1 in the coming days.

But what one would see as further confirmation of refining in Port Harcourt is dismissed by Kelvin Emmanuel, who dismisses this report as semantics to force people to believe a lie that you have a refinery. Im quite certain that if cflow cargo and vessel tracking monitors that tanker, it will find that the consignment is transhipped somewhere in Central Europe and re-routed back Nigeria.

Perhaps it is the confusion of blending as it is in the industry register with what TV pundits assume it to mean that has led to the protracted argument. But the GCEO of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, explains that blending is necessary to bring products to the specification of different countries or regions. Every refinery blends because what is on the specification in the United States of America will be off-spec in Nigeria and elsewhere. If you dont blend, you will bring out off-spec products which will destroy your vehicles.

A fact-finding mission in the company of journalists, and industry experts, including members of the Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers took us around the facilities for a first-hand experience of a functioning old refinery and concerted efforts to get the new refinery back on its feet. The quality of the flare, according to the experts, spoke to the high level of efficiency of the plant, with its minimal conversion loss evidence that this was a completely revamped refinery, with new pumps in place, and a new control system. It is reassuring that the regulator, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), is permanently on site to vet that the products meet the standard and specifications.

Some have raised questions on the timing of the commencement of operation of the Port Harcourt Refinery, citing it as an attempt to sabotage the Dangote project. That is strange, given that the Buhari administration in giving support to the Dangote Refinery project did so without losing sight of its responsibility for the state-owned refineries, which was why it committed itself to the rehabilitation of the four refineries by awarding those major contracts. The Tinubu administration has only followed up on that by extending more support to NNPCL in delivering on its mandate of fully revamped refineries. With all the public and private refineries functioning, the availability of products will not only be guaranteed, but Nigeria will also establish itself as a net exporter of refined petroleum products, and hopefully, prices of products in the domestic market will drop as well, even with the exchange rate being a major determinant, if only marginally.

It was heart-warming to see the raw determination of the dedicated Nigerians on-site directly responsible for the rehabilitation work at the Port Harcourt Refinery and their resolve to make things work. The level of interest in the refinery, and even the disputation that has arisen, is proof, Femi Soneye says, that Nigerians have a sense of ownership over what is a collective asset, which is how it should be. It is difficult to visit the Eleme Complex and not be inspired by the dedication of this team there, seeing how they have toiled to turn around the fortunes of the refinery, to make the old new again.

Simbo Olorunfemi works for Hoofbeatdotcom, a Nigerian communications consultancy and publisher of Africa Enterprise. Email: Editor@enterpriseafrica.ng

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This budget strives to balance fiscal responsibility with improved public service delivery, ensuring resources are used effectively to maximise prosperity for all, by tackling immediate issues like unemployment and poverty, while investing in long-term growth. It serves as a roadmap for economic and social progress. Its vision is to inspire hope, foster unity, and strengthen public trust in the governments ability to manage resources responsibly and guide the State toward a more equitable and sustainable future.

By all parameters, Prince Dapo Abiodun today can be rated as a shining star in Nigerias political firmament in terms of the remarkable achievements recorded by his administration in Ogun State, which have remained unparalleled in the Gateway States political history in over three decades.

A proponent of leadership by example, Abiodun, through his inclusive approach to leadership and fiscal discipline in governance, is at the vanguard of a transformational agenda aimed at rubbishing the lamentations of previous and current leaders about the paucity of funds through the holistic transformation of Ogun States revenue generation system for the improved well-being of millions of the hitherto poor and hopeless indigenes and residents of the socio-economically rich state.

The highly intellectually resourceful and politically sagacious governor is, despite the volatility and uninspiring turf of the polity that is making other leaders to give excuses, bracing all odds to demonstrate to the people in the state that positive changes can be made if leaders prioritise fiscal discipline and deploy available resources to projects and programmes that focus directly on the needy. Indeed, the close to six years of Prince Abioduns administration have clearly demonstrated, as a former US President, John Quincy Adams, said that if your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader.

With his visionary Infrastructure, Social Welfare and well-being, Education, Youth Empowerment and Agriculture (ISEYA) mantra unveiled in 2019, Prince Abiodun has since then totally redefined political governance values through inclusive strategy and is now deepening, at faster velocity, his administrations well-packaged dividends of democracy to the grassroots in all the senatorial zones of the state.

A cursory appraisal of the Prince Abiodun-led administrations scorecard on the five-thrust mantra shows that the government has radically transformed the states infrastructure, particularly in terms of renovating, rehabilitating and starting scores of capital projects in the health and transportation sectors with attendant positive effects on the people, and socio-economic performance of the state based on the current growth rate of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Most significantly, despite distractions by political enemies of his administration, the princely Abiodun has shunned political vendetta in his approach to infrastructure projects across the senatorial zones by upgrading or awarding contracts for new road networks to ensure that over 120 communities in the state are accessible to investors and enable the people to take out their products/produces for marketing. Curiously, some of these road projects extend to the streets of his political detractors!

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Similarly, conscious of the increasing challenge of food insecurity and poverty level in the country, the governor has done so much to develop the states agricultural sector through sundry initiatives, including the Ogun State Agricultural Policy and Ogun State Livestock Development Policy, Ogun State Investment Promotion Agency (OGUNIPA), Ogun State Business Executive Council (OGUNBEC) and the multibillion naira Gateway International Airport, an agro-cargo facility, all of which today are transforming Ogun State into a hub of investments and food exports.

To encourage the states workforce and improve their capacities, the administration has promoted teachers and other civil servants as a way of encouraging them for more work and also organised series of capacity-building programmes and workshops for the workers across the sectorial value chains to enhance their skills for improved productivity on a sustainable basis. The governors futuristic approach to governance has further been exemplified in the fiscal and socio-economic plans for the people of Ogun State in his 2025 budget proposals as reeled out in his speech while laying the 2025 Appropriation Bill before the states House of Assembly last Wednesday, 4 December.

The Appropriation Bill titled Budget of Hope and Prosperity highlighted the governors sincerity of purpose and zeal to go the extra mile and ensure that, come rain or shine, Ogun peoples interests are his primary focus, after consistently leading them through the journey of greater hope for a better tomorrow over the past five years. An analysis of the budgetary provisions for capital and recurrent expenditures in the fiscal year, totalling N1.054 trillion, with provisions of N453.56 billion for recurrent and N600.98 billion for capital expenditures for 2025, derives from the prevailing micro and macroeconomic dynamics in the national and sub-national politico-economic landscape and the relentlessness of the Abiodun-led government to consolidate on the achievements of the past and create a swifter momentum for the ongoing efforts aimed at sustaining Ogun State among the fastest growing sub-national governments in the country.

As the governor confirmed during his presentation of the proposed budget to the House of Assembly, the Appropriation Bill reflects current challenges, essential reforms, and the need for inclusive, diversified, and sustainable growth. It aims to stimulate economic growth, reduce inequality, and improve citizens well-being. According to him, in its developmental thrusts, the budgetary proposal prioritises infrastructure, healthcare, housing, security, education, youth empowerment, job creation, and agriculture, with policies designed to drive recovery and transformation during economic turbulence.

The governor said: This budget strives to balance fiscal responsibility with improved public service delivery, ensuring resources are used effectively to maximise prosperity for all, by tackling immediate issues like unemployment and poverty, while investing in long-term growth. It serves as a roadmap for economic and social progress. Its vision is to inspire hope, foster unity, and strengthen public trust in the governments ability to manage resources responsibly and guide the State toward a more equitable and sustainable future.

As a responsive and responsible government, our vision for prosperity is rooted in building a robust and diversified economy capable of navigating contemporary challenges. By leveraging our diverse economic potential, we are creating a dynamic system that adapts, evolves, and withstands emerging shocks. This budget is our commitment to fostering sustainable growth, promoting equity, and strengthening resilience through pragmatic and inclusive policies.

As the developmental impacts of yearly budgets in most climes globally are largely determined by capital allocations, the Prince Abiodun-led administrations key physical capital projects and funding allocations to them in the proposed 2025 budget attest to the visionary leadership of the governor and his team. This is especially true at a time when the dynamics in the domestic and global economic landscapes require that funding commitments should be targeted at projects, particularly infrastructure. In terms of allocations of funds in the budget, the governor proposed 17 per cent of the budget to the education Sector; 13 per cent to the health sector; 6 per cent each to housing and community development, and agriculture and industry; 27 per cent to infrastructure; and 4 per cent to social protection.

Specifically, the message of the governor to the House of Assembly in the Appropriation Bill is that the agenda of taking Ogun State, which ranked second in the IGR among the 36 states in the recently published IGR data by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), requires more funding in key sectors with great potential for the states sustainable growth in the future. For instance, nothing attests to this point more than the 73 per cent allocation to the key sectors in the proposed budget. Another area the amiable and people-oriented Prince Abiodun has demonstrated political sagacity in his desire to transform Ogun State in the proposed budget is the environment-friendly component of the 2025 fiscal proposals.

Though his administration has over the past two years been prioritising save environment-friendly initiatives in its policies, the governor, again, clearly sent the message of health is wealth or what the Yoruba call ilera loro to the world that the government would not go back in its energy transition programme for sustainable healthier future for the indigenes and residents of the state.

As space constraints will not enable any analyst to fully cover the remarkable strides of Prince Abiodun in the close to six years of his championing the agenda of real change and prosperity in Ogun State in this type of peace, one area that the governor has surpassed his successors in governance rating so far is his involvement of traditional and spiritual leaders in the rebuilding drive of the state.

In fact, nothing attests to the governors rich cultural value orientation than the comments by the elders in the state barely 24 hours after the presentation of the proposed budget that, come rain or shine, they were ready to give him all necessary support to achieve the collective dream of transforming Ogun State to the number one most developed state in the country.

In his remarks on the projects and programmes outlined by the governor for implementation in 2025, the Chairman, Governors Elders Advisory Council, Chief Olu Okuboyejo, said: Today, at the presentation of that budget, the synergy, affection, and closeness of the Legsilature and the Executive were demonstrated through the address of the Speaker and the response of the Governor. So, it gladdens our hearts to see that the relationship exists. Wow!

In concluding this analysis on the Appropriation Bill 2025, one can clearly say that Prince Abiodun has again demonstrated his clairvoyance in the journey towards people-centric political governance in the country, and his desire to surpass Ogun State indigenes and residents expectations in terms of delivering lasting democratic dividends for all, and providing strong platforms for the future generations to fulfil their life ambitions.

Lekan Adeniran is the Chief Press Secretary to the Ogun State governor.

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Authorities are warning anyone who has 'recently submerged your head' to seek medical assistance.

A brain-eating amoeba is feared to be present at Drakesbrook Weir in Western Australia. Source: Instagram/robyn.clarke.mla

Swimmers have been warned to stay away from a popular dam after an organism closely related to a brain-eating amoeba was found during routine water checks.

With temperatures steadily reaching the 30s in the next few days, some may have intended to cool off at Drakesbrook Weir, a popular swimming spot 100 kilometres south of Perth. However, the local council issued a warning on Monday telling people to steer clear.

"Testing has indicated the presence of Naegleria amoeba in the water. The Shire is now awaiting results to rule out the presence of Naegleria Fowleri, the organism responsible for amoebic meningoencephalitis," the Shire of Waroona announced.

The brain infection, commonly known as amoebic meningitis, is caused by a single-cell organism that attacks the tissue and causes death.

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The dam was closed in January and April this year due to similar risks.

Amoebic meningitis kills in less than three weeks, expert says

The disease is considered rare, however if an individual is infected, it can cause death quickly.

"You could probably have a thousand people swim in that waterway and not get it. But if you get infected, it's likely fatal. It takes between one and 18 days to die," water researcher Professor Ian Wright previously told Yahoo News, calling the brain infection a "horrible, horrible thing".

Symptoms consist of severe and persistent headaches, fever, vomiting and drowsiness, with children most at risk of the disease.

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Shire of Waroona council urged anyone who "recently submerged your head" at the swimming spot to seek medical assistance.

"It is important to note that the Drakesbrook Weir is an untreated natural water body and not a managed aquatic facility; hence is not subject to daily testing," the council said.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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The debates spilled over to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). In his 11 June, 1984 letter to then NLC President, Hassan Sunmonu, over alleged misrepresentation that he was anti-labour, Usman said there was a need for clarification because in ABU there are hunting-dogs, barking Marxism-Marxism-Marxism at convenient targets The debates split ABU, Leftists and social scientists in the country. The pro-Usman group found his assertions well-grounded in praxis, while the opposing one claimed Bangura cut Usman to seize and demystified him.

Dr Yusufu Bala Usman was, in the 1980s, a lion in the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU). His roar could be heard across the country. He was a domineering academic and political figure with followership in the country. His reputation had been boosted when, in 1976, he and fellow radical academic and historian, Dr Olusegun Osoba, as part of the 49 Wise Men charged with writing a new Nigerian Constitution, broke with the rest to present a radical Minority Report.

Then in 1984, Yusuf Bangura, a 34-year-old lecturer, challenged Usmans academic and intellectual scholarship right in his ABU lair.

Usman had in January 1984 delivered a lecture at the University of Ife, now Obafemi Awolowo University. It was titled: Middlemen, Consultants, Contractors and Solutions to the current Economic Crisis. He had explained the Nigerian economic crisis as being the result of comprador elites generating huge profits for their foreign masters and repatriating them to the metropole. So, he focused on the ways the Nigerian economy had been shaped and moulded to serve the capitalist economies of Western Europe, North America and Japan. Usman added magisterially that anyone who refuses to face these fundamental facts about our economy and society, when we are on the verge of economic collapse, is not only unpatriotic, but actually treasonable.

His lecture, coming four weeks after the military overthrew the Shagari administration, included two declarations which appeared to support the coup. First, Usman condemned representative democracy. He claimed thus: A representative is simply an indigene of an area who perpetuates the illusion that the various parts of the country are engaged in a competition for the allocation of scarce resources and he is a champion of one part. His representation begins and ends with ethnicity and the appropriation of the scarce resources into his pockets.

Usmans second shocking declaration was that: There is nothing inherently popular or democratic about rule by civilians in this country or anywhere in the world. The distinction between military rule and civilian rule is a purely legalistic one.

His solution to the crisis was that the country should properly allocate and manage resources and build a self-reliant and efficient capitalist system as a prelude to the establishment of a socialist Nigeria.

Banguras paper, four months later, titled, Overcoming the Basic Misconceptions of the Nigerian Economic Crisis, was a broad analysis of the conceptual frameworks used in analysing the crisis. He situated the Nigerian crisis within the capitalist system and the class struggles that can resolve it. So, it was not really a response to Usmans paper. However, in an end-note, he argued that the solution does not lie in alternative strategies from the Left that concentrate on technicist and economic solutions such as sectoral linkages, diversification of the economy and a rationalised contract system. Rather, he advocated a concentration on the struggles of the working people against challenges like retrenchment, job insecurity and repressive laws as preparation of the working class movement and the construction of a socialist alternative to end capitalist crises.

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Usman responded to Bangura with a paper titled, Misconceptions, Misrepresentations and Evasions. He said his emphasis on contractocracy was to systematically move from the known to the lesser known. He argued that the contradiction between production and consumption does not find expression in the oppression of the working peoples of the world capitalist system but primarily in those countries under imperialist domination.

Bangura fired a rejoinder titled, The Poverty of Disjointed Empiricism. He argued that one can only understand the essence of the crisis if we can identify the laws of motion of the economy bringing out its various contradictions. He added that: Despite Usmans laudable concern to get at the root causes of the crisis, he ended up staying at the branches and left his readers with the difficulties of relating the branches with the roots.

He posited that Usmans claim of wanting to proceed from the known to the less known should not give him the liberty to flout the fundamental procedures in scientific investigations, which start from an examination of the inner dialectical connections and motions of the system one is investigating.

Bangura argued that, It is the failure to understand the nature of capitalist exploitation which led to Usmans inability to grasp the general laws of motion of the capitalist world economy, notwithstanding his refuge in Lenin and Castro.

He concluded by asking: What are we to make of contractocracy as a government which is for contractors, by contractors and of contractors? Are we to believe that the ruling class in Nigeria are all contractors and that government exists exclusively for contractors? What has happened to the transnational companies, the Euro-American imperialist states, the various stock exchanges, the IMF, World Bank, etc? Have they also become contractors? Is imperialism the same as contractocracy?

Usman fired back with a paper titled, Further Misconceptions, Misrepresentations and Evasions: A Rejoinder. He accused Bangura of engaging in West European Leftist cover up of the real nature of imperialism. This, he said, includes the claim that most of the surplus generated, and invested as capital in the metropolitan countries of imperialism comes largely from the exploitation of workers of these imperialist countries. This group, he said, presents the national struggles for independence, liberation, unity and solidarity by non- Western nations as  necessarily opposed to the interests of the workers and peasants of those countries, these regions and these continents, because the true interests of these classes is to fight only class struggle.

He further accused Bangura of a deliberate anaemic and spineless avoidance of the situation in his home country of Sierra Leone. Usman said his rejoinder is a small contribution to our intellectual liberation from imperialism in all its guises, including its leftist disguises.

Bangura countered this with a rejoinder titled, The Deepening Intellectual Crisis and Petit-Bourgeois Opportunism. Usman, he said, had not raised any new and constructive issue, was confused and should, therefore, be forced to retire to his study room.

The debates spilled over to the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC). In his 11 June, 1984 letter to then NLC President, Hassan Sunmonu, over alleged misrepresentation that he was anti-labour, Usman said there was a need for clarification because in ABU there are hunting-dogs, barking Marxism-Marxism-Marxism at convenient targets.

The debates split ABU, Leftists and social scientists in the country. The pro-Usman group found his assertions well-grounded in praxis, while the opposing one claimed Bangura cut Usman to seize and demystified him.

Those debates were 40 years ago and they vibrated across campuses and social circles. On Monday, 2 December, I stared at a face in Abuja. I walked up to him and accused him of being Yusuf Bangura.

Owei Lakemfa, a former secretary general of African workers, is a human rights activist, journalist and author.

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Its a good omen perhaps for Ghana that its just concluded election on the eve of World Anti-Corruption Day was devoid of tension even as the will of the people triumphed. The ruling party was roundly defeated. Interestingly, conceding defeat by Vice-President Bawumia was not much of a task at all. We have conceded defeat like any consummate democrat. But we have not abandoned the fight to transform Ghana , Vice President Bawumia declared. So, its a new dawn in Ghana. Congratulations to Ghanaians on the triumph of the peoples power.

The battle is however far from being over taking a cue from the Nigerian experience. Ghanaians must not go to sleep yet. Indeed, replacing a non performing party is the real start for serious policing of the new government. The new Sherrif in town must be meticulously monitored. Thankfully, the world, courtesy of technology, is becoming increasingly transparent, so there is no hiding away for too long by any government or their functionaries with any indecency.

Ghanaians need be reminded that Nigerians performed a similar feat in 2015 believing wrongly in the possibility of consistency of politicians. The PDP government of President Jonathan had done everything possible to register the incorrigibility of his team with incidents of degeneracy of governance everywhere. His party did not seem bothered while the man at the head of the government betrayed unprecedented incompetence in government in Nigeria. The media, almost in unison, labelled it cluelessness.

The leading opposition party, All Peoples Congress, took advantage of the state of anomie inflicted on the nation by the sitting government. As a coalition of parties, they readily recognized the peoples major concern, which was corruption. They got a most persistent political figure with some outstanding profile in anti-corruption fight to lead the campaign as the presidential candidate. Muhammadu Buhari had been the head of a previous military government that prioritized anti-corruption as its main concern. Within its very short stay in power it registered its commitment to fight corruption but that did not endure enough to impact seriously on the country. The military government Buhari headed was toppled and the rest was history.

The general elections in Nigeria in 2015 was therefore another opportunity for Buhari to re-enact his commitment especially as the lethargic sitting government barely remained there to convince no one on its readiness to raise the falling hope of the people. The PDP government was roundly defeated giving way to the ascent of Muhammadu Buhari. The new government initially tried to signal commitment to good governance but was soon overwhelmed by its bad guys with manifestations of incompetence almost everywhere. Buharis party has remained in office.

A seemingly better prepared candidate of Buharis party, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has taken over the reins of government following a most contested election followed with a protracted legal fight. The interesting thing is that Nigerians, particularly the opposition, have been relentless in spite of the legal victory. Nigerians have kept on pushing for the uprightness of governance fundamentals and the judiciary, though seemingly unprecedentedly embattled, has been making efforts to reassure that the will of the people shall triumph.

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Citizens efforts to whip folks in government into line is more needed than ever before in Nigeria to activate good governance and see it impact on people. If governance had not been sufficiently impactful on the citizens, it probably had been because the third tier of the Nigerian federal system had not been quite functional. Its non-performance or under-performance has been largely due to corruption.

A Local Government Chairman in Ogun State, Hon. Wale Adedayo, refused to pretend that all was well after the electoral victory and spoke out loud enough. The Governor of his state, Dapo Abiodun, reckoned that Wale was rude and got his obviously lily-livered councilors to get him out with impeachment so he could continue to control the finance of not only the concerned LG but all the local government funding as had been the practice for long. But the illicit thought of that governor was not in tandem with the law.

The Federal Government appeared to have reasoned along with the sacrificed Chairman Wale Adedayo. Wales head was like the proverbial stubborn head used to crack the coconut for the world to savour. FG later sought to formalize the LG financial autonomy and therefore headed for the court.

Subsequently, the Nigerian Supreme Court made a landmark decision on July 11, 2024, granting financial autonomy to local governments in Nigeria. This ruling directs that the 774 local government councils be allowed to independently manage their finances, collect revenues, and allocate resources without interference from state governments.

The courts seven-member panel, led by Justice Emmanuel Agim, declared that the long-standing practice of state governors receiving and holding onto local government funds is illegal and unconstitutional. This decision upholds a lawsuit filed by the federal government, aiming to strengthen local government independence.

Expectedly, the Labour Party welcomed this decision, stating that it would put an end to the debate on whether local governments deserve autonomy to address challenges facing their constituents . The party emphasized that this autonomy comes with huge responsibility, and local government councils must ensure prudent management of resources.

This ruling is expected to enhance grassroots development, reduce suffering, and promote accountability at the local level. It is therefore now the turn of the people to insist on full realization of the supposed goal of the historic judicial pronouncement. As Nigerians would say, E get why.

A reinforcement also requiring citizens strong backup was yet another landmark judgement. Following the allegation of corrupt self-enrichment against Governor Yahya Bello of Kogi State, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC moved against the former governor. It turned out that the governor preferred dodging arrests and issues instead of coming out to clarify issues.

In what was a clear disregard for the doctrine of covering the field applying to parliamentary enactments at the federal level, the former Kogi governor enlisted the support of other state governments to outrightly deactivate EFCC. They went to court to seek its delegitimisation but ran into a brickwall. Sixteen in all, these states argued that the EFCC Establishment Act violates the Constitution . The Supreme Court, however, ultimately dismissed the suit, ruling that the EFCC Establishment Act did not require ratification by the Houses of Assembly of the 36 states . This put paid to their evil machination. It is a second grand fall for the governors in their anti-people posturing.

Citizens have therefore been reassured of sufficient basis to not only monitor the governors and their appointees but also the less entrenched Local Government, LG, officials who have just won the battle for financial empowerment. Indeed, citizens need not only pay more attention to the conduct of LGs for the welfare of the grassroots but also to accord proper honour to all heroes of the struggle including Hon Wale Adedayo, the most recent of them all.

As the world celebrates another World Anti Corruption Day Monday December this year, citizens in Nigeria and around the world should ensure they reckon with their votes as serious investment in the future of generations even yet unborn. It is never too early to activate the monitoring mechanism and no quantum of energy deployed is never too much.

Tunde Akanni, a member of the MacArthur-CITAD supported Social Influencer Action Group, SIAG, is an associate professor of Journalism at LASU. Follow him on X: @AkintundeAkanni

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A prominent Turkish company, Direkci Group, will begin mechanized farming and incorporate greenhouses to diversify agriculture in Zamfara State.

On Saturday, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Direkci Group, Nurullah Mehmet led a delegation on an official visit to Governor Dauda Lawal at his office in the government house in Gusau.

The Turkish firm plans to revolutionize agriculture in Zamfara State by cultivating cotton, sugarcane, and soybeans on a large scale.

In addition to traditional farming, the group will introduce mechanized farming methods, including greenhouse technology and poultry farming, which promise substantial benefits across multiple fronts.

In his remarks, Governor Lawal emphasized his administrations commitment to ensuring food security and creating employment opportunities for the people of Zamfara State.

As I promised during the campaign, if elected, my government will focus on security, agriculture and food security, education, healthcare, the economy, and empowerment.

Our beloved state, Zamfara, is recognised as an agricultural society. Our goal is to revive this sector. We aim to secure the state so people can return to their farms.

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Most importantly, after securing the farms, the next step is to provide advanced technologies for our farmers, as we already have the land and the workforce.

This is why we enthusiastically welcome partnerships and collaborations with investors with a proven track record, such as the Direkci Groups.

I traveled to Turkey in July, visiting greenhouse projects, dairy farming, poultry operations, and the Turk Traktor manufacturing plant. The Direkci Group is in Zamfara to introduce technological advancements in agriculture.

Earlier, Mr Mehmet, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Direkci Groups, commended Governor Lawal for the many projects his administration has initiated in a short time.

Our company, Direkci, is undertaking various projects across different states in Nigeria.

Direkcis agricultural Initiative in Zamfara state will enhance agricultural value chains and attract investment, fostering local economic growth.

The introduction of greenhouses allows year-round cultivation, unaffected by seasonal changes. Improved crop yield and quality contribute to local food availability and reduce import dependence.

Mechanized farming and poultry initiatives will create employment opportunities across various skill levels, from farmworkers to agribusiness professionals.

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Zamfara State Governor, Dauda Lawal has rejigged his cabinet and assigned a portfolio to the newly sworn-in commissioner, Kasimu Sani Kaura. On Monday, Governor Dauda Lawal chaired the Zamfara State Executive Council, during which the new commissioner was sworn in.

A statement by the governors spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, revealed that Mr Dauda made a minor cabinet reshuffle in the portfolios of commissioners. The statement added that Mr Kauras appointment follows Mannir Muazu Haidaras resignation as commissioner to contest election as Chairman of Kaura Namoda Local Government Area which he won and has since been inaugurated alongside other newly elected local government chairmen.

During the swearing-in, Mr Lawal stressed that Mr Kauras selection to represent Kaura Namoda Local Government Area (LGA) in the cabinet was informed by his competent service to his community and the state in general.

He said: His appointment is an affirmation of this Administrations resolve to continue tapping from the pool of available capacity and the fountain of knowledge and experiences of our committed citizens to fast-track the delivery of democratic dividends and deliver on our rescue agenda to the good people of Zamfara State.

I urge the new Commissioner to rededicate himself to serving the people. As a central member of the rescue mission, I do not doubt that he will give his best for the benefit of all.

Honorable Commissioner, I congratulate you on this call to duty and opportunity to serve. I pray for Allahs guidance and protection upon you and us all. I urge you to work closely with your colleagues in the council and the Ministry on your assignment to realize the good of all.

The governor reiterated that he has carefully assessed the skills, abilities, and performance of all senior government officials, which led to the minor reshuffling of the cabinet. He pointed out: To enhance efficiency and effectiveness in fulfilling our mandate, I believe making some minor adjustments within the Cabinet is necessary.

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In service delivery, I will continue to demand all senior appointees to put in their best and monitor every one of you so that we have square pegs in square holes. Therefore, I have approved the following postings and redeployments with immediate effect.

The newly appointed commissioner, Kasimu Sani Kaura, will take over as the commissioner for Environment and Natural Resources, succeeding Hon Mahmud Mohammed Abdullahi, who has been reassigned to the Ministry of Information and Culture.

Hon Nasiru Ibrahim Zurmi has taken over as the Commissioner for Housing and Urban Development, replacing Hon Kabiru Moyi, who ,has been reassigned to Project Monitoring and Implementation.

Additionally, Dr Nafisa Muhammad has been moved to the Ministry of Health, taking over from Dr Aisha M Za Anka, now the Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development.

All hand-over protocols are to be concluded within seven days. I wish to remind you once more that I will periodically monitor and evaluate the performance of all appointees as we approach our mid-term in office. Let us use this time to recommit and rededicate ourselves to the service of our Zamfara state, Governor Lawal charged them.

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The return of illegal miners has raised concerns among residents of Jamtari ward in Gashaka Local Government Area of Taraba State.

The Taraba State Task Force on Environmental Protection, Public Safety, and Prohibition of Deforestation was established to monitor the activities of artisanal miners in the state.

However, locals said they have returned in their hundreds to Jamtari, extracting Sapphire, Quartz, and other solid minerals.

The development is causing security problems in the local government area with local officials being accused of conniving with the illegal miners after the state government directed traditional rulers to stay off mining activities in their domains.

Efforts to contact the district head of Jamtari failed, as calls to his phone did not go through.

When contacted by phone, Abdullahi Zamfara, a popular miner accused of resuming operations in the area, denied the charge. He said, Since the task force first burned down the camp, I have not been there.

However, he admitted that his two brothers live in the mining camp, explaining that labourers camped at a mining site often find it difficult to leave.

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During a visit to a mining site at Abujan Leda that the task force had earlier raided, a team of journalists observed considerable damage to the environment.

A labourer, Farouku Argungu, said he had been in the camp for more than five years and witnessed many raids by the task force in the last year.

He said residents of the camp were always forewarned before raids were carried out.

Speaking in Hausa, he said, We always get information before the raid. Anytime they are coming, we relocate, return after the raid, and continue our work.

Abdullahi Mayanchi, an Ibadan-based businessman, was allegedly the brain behind this camp. He was reportedly informed whenever the task force arrived for a raid or patrol.

An insider in the illegal mining operation who spoke to PREMIUM TIMES on the condition of anonymity said the state governments inability to issue guidelines for mining operations is a major reason people engage in illegal mineral extraction in the state.

We are begging the government to come out with a formal document guiding operations in the sector in the interest of genuine miners. It will help check the influx of those not licensed to mine.

However, Jeremiah Faransa, the chairman of the task force, recently said he would not allow illegal miners to return to the state.

The Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Yakubu Maikasuwa, said that the guidelines on mining in the state were being considered for legislative approval.

Illegal mining is widespread in Taraba, often carried out in connivance with community leaders.

The Taraba government estimates it loses more than N10 billion annually in revenue due to illegal mining.

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Adhoc staff used by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), in the 16 November Ondo State governorship election have complained of non-payment of their allowances vowing to hit the streets if nothing is done to address the matter.

About 17,000 ad hoc staff were deployed for the election after undergoing technical training .

The aggrieved ad hoc staff told journalists on Sunday in Akure that they were yet to receive their allowance more than two weeks after the governorship election.

A few of them who preferred to remain anonymous alleged that INEC had earlier promised to pay them on the day of the exercise, but failed to keep to the promise.

They explained that the electoral body had promised to pay them less than N20,000 for the work done on the election day.

One of the ad hoc staff, who served as a Supervisory Presiding Officer (SPO), said they never expected the electoral body to owe them for so long.

The source said: They are yet to pay us our allowance. As I speak with you now, INEC is not speaking with us. They are not giving us listening ears at all. Many of us are affected, and they are yet to pay. It is sad that INEC is yet to fulfil its promise of paying us.

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Those attending to us at the commissions office are refusing to listen to our plight. We are demanding the payment of our allowance, or we storm the INEC office massively starting from this week.

Use and dump

Another ad hoc staff, who accused the commission of using and dumping them after the election, however, pleaded with the Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa and other stakeholders to prevail on INEC in the state to pay them their allowance.

The source also revealed that other ad hoc staff who are aggrieved by the non-payment of their allowances are planning to stage a peaceful protest at the INEC office.

Im also ready to join the protest if we didnt receive the money before Tuesday because its getting late. Its over two weeks that the election was conducted. They used and dumped us. I feel INEC has no reason not to pay us, he said.

INEC reacts

When contacted, Temitope Akanmu, the spokesperson for INEC in Ondo State, however, denied the allegation, saying the commission already commenced payment of allowances to the ad hoc staff that took part in the governorship election.

He noted that those who are yet to receive their allowance were because of the problem associated with their financial institutions.

He said: We have paid the ad hoc staff who worked during the election. But we understand that there are some who have issues with their banks, and we are working with them to resolve whatever problem they might be experiencing.

So, what we have is just pocket of challenges that is common with banking errors. The few ones who are yet to receive will get them soon I can assure them.

Even the REC, Oluwatoyin Babalola, is mostly concerned about it, which has to dealing with banking errors. She has instructed that it should be fixed.

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Residents across one of Australia's most exclusive suburbs were concerned after piles of chips were discovered outside Chargrill Charlie's.

Two dogs were rushed to the vet after they ate chips used in pest control outside a Rose Bay chicken shop. Source: Google/Supplied

Dog owners in one of Australias most exclusive suburbs are fearing for the welfare of their animals following a chicken shops slightly bonkers attempt to control pests.

A Sydney man who asked not to be named told Yahoo News he rushed his dogs to the vet and had their stomachs pumped at the cost of over $850. He became concerned after a staff member at the Chargrill Charlies Rose Bay store warned him not to let his animals eat the chips sprinkled around the perimeter because they could be poisoned.

There were enough chips to fill their guts the chips were around the perimeter, along the lines of 40 feet worth of chips. They were in little batches, he said.

The man's concerns escalated after he spotted an immobilised pigeon sitting on the pavement outside the store. That was the icing on the cake. I started to think what the hell is going on here? This is insane, he said.

Chips were photographed sprinkled around the perimeter of the Rose Bay Chargrill Charlie's store. Source: Supplied

The incident is understood to have occurred on Tuesday last week and involved a professional pest controller. When Yahoo called the Rose Bay store on Thursday, a staff member who asked not to be identified because they did not have permission to speak on the matter said the pest control wont be affecting the dogs, just the birds.

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The pest control is just the birds, the chemical wont be that strong," they said

A pest controller later took to a community social media page, claiming responsibility for the operation. He said the chips were not poisoned and only used for pre-baiting pigeons. Yahoo has attempted to contact him on multiple occasions but he is yet to reply.

Responses to his post were furious, with one person saying, This is not okay. If I find those chips there again Ill be throwing them over the counter. The post has since been removed.

Council directs store to prevent pests from entering

Yahoo was contacted by several local wildlife carers concerned the poisoning could harm native birds including seagulls. The Rose Bay Chargrills Charlies store is known to have a problem with pigeons and ibis entering the store to scavenge for scraps. In high numbers, pigeons can spread disease and in some cases need to be controlled.

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Woollahra Council, where Rose Bay Chargrill Charlie's is located, confirmed it had directed the restaurant to prevent pests from entering the store.

"Council received a complaint regarding bird activity at this premises," it told Yahoo News in a statement.

"Following inspection by Council staff, the business was advised of its requirement to ensure it take all practicable measures to prevent pests entering the premises, and appropriate exclusion measures including screens and door seals be adopted. Council issued no direction regarding baiting or poisoning of birds."

After spotting a sick pigeon near the store, the dog owner rushed his animals to the vet. Source: Supplied

Dog walker hopes to find out which poison was used

One local wildlife rescuer told Yahoo, There are all of these seagulls, heaps of ibis. Theres a whole community of birds. It seems like a horrible way to go about it.

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Several people also raised concerns powerful owls, peregrine falcons and osprey could be exposed to secondary poisoning if they consumed affected pigeons  a known prey species.

Unlike seagulls and ibis, non-native pigeons are considered a feral species and are not protected. Since the pest controller was called in, locals have reported fewer pigeons on the street around the store.

The dog walker who did not wish to be named has expressed ongoing concern about the lack of transparency about the pest mitigation program. He collected samples of the chips so they could undergo testing.

The chips were strategically placed. The whole thing seemed slightly bonkers. I just want to know what poison was used and I couldnt get a straight answer about much at all, he said.

His dogs have been in good health and showed no signs of illness.

Chargrill Charlie's responds to pest control incident

Chargrill Charlies is owned by Craveable Brands, along with Oporto and Red Rooster.

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After Yahoo contacted Craveable Brands on Thursday to determine which poison was used, and what species of bird was being targeted, it directed questions to a PR company.

On Monday Yahoo was told by the PR firm it was not in a position to advise what poison was used, or what species of bird it was targeting. But in a statement, it claimed its number one priority was the "health and well-being of our customers and communities".

We can confirm that a licensed pest control expert has carried out work at the Rose Bay Chargrill Charlie's restaurant," it said in an email.

We have been assured by the pest control company that their methods were fully compliant with current industry standards."

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NEW YORK, Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Funds advised by Apax Partners LLP ("Apax"), a leading global private equity advisory firm, today announced that they have entered into a definitive agreement to sell their minority stake in AssuredPartners ("the Company"), a premier global insurance brokerage firm, to Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, as part of a $13.45 billion all-cash transaction.

Founded in 2011, AssuredPartners is today one of the largest insurance brokers in the United States, with client capabilities across commercial property and casualty, specialty lines, risk management, employee benefits and personal lines. AssuredPartners' 10,900 colleagues serve a wide range of customers through approximately 400 offices located across the U.S., the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Over the course of nine years, Apax closely supported the Company's growth into a national leader in insurance brokerage. During Apax Funds' ownership, AssuredPartners expanded rapidly, completing c.400 acquisitions as it implemented its strategic M&A program and scaling its higher-growth specialty segment through the acquisition of Keenan & Associates. The Funds bolstered AssuredPartners' organic growth and profitability by investing in operational improvements, including technology, salesforce, and infrastructure capabilities, and supported the Company in recruiting key talent along the way.

Ashish Karandikar, Partner at Apax, said: "We are proud of Apax's nine-year partnership with the AssuredPartners team, including current Executive Chairman, Jim Henderson, and CEO, Randy Larsen. During this time, we leveraged our experience in the insurance brokerage space and other capabilities to support the Company's execution of a well-defined growth strategy. Jim, Randy and the AssuredPartners team have built a world-class insurance services franchise, exceeding even our grandest expectations set nine years ago. We look forward to watching as the team continues to thrive as part of the Gallagher family of professionals, with whom they share a client-first mindset and entrepreneurial spirit."

Apax Funds have a long history of investing in insurance distribution through past and current investments, including Hub International, AssuredPartners, PIB Group, and Oncourse Home Solutions. The Funds originally acquired a majority interest in AssuredPartners from GTCR in 2015 and later partnered with GTCR to recapitalize the Company in 2019.

Jim Henderson, Executive Chairman at AssuredPartners, said: "The Apax team's experience in insurance distribution, thoughtful collaboration, and deep partnership over the past nine years has been fundamental to our success and is key to where we stand today. Gallagher is a premier leader in insurance brokerage and, together, I believe we will be even more successful offering clients best-in-class capabilities with industry-leading depth and offerings."

Randy Larsen, CEO of AssuredPartners, said: "We are proud of our partnership with the Apax team and are grateful for their support over the last nine years. Today's news is the culmination of a tremendous effort on the part of the entire AssuredPartners team and we are excited about the future of the business."

The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conductions, is expected to close during the first quarter of 2025. Additional information on the transaction can be found on the Arthur J. Gallagher website at www.ajg.com.

About Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG), a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. Gallagher provides these services in approximately 130 countries around the world through its owned operations and a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.

About AssuredPartners

Based in Orlando, Florida, AssuredPartners is a global front-runner in the insurance brokerage landscape, with special expertise in industry-specific insurance solutions for both businesses and consumers. It offers a comprehensive range of services, including commercial insurance, risk management, and employee benefits. As strategic advisors in the insurance domain, its unparalleled expertise empowers it to deliver tailor-made solutions designed to meet the unique needs of our clients. With a team of over 10,000 professionals, it serves clients from strategically located offices across North America, England, Ireland, Belgium, and Scotland. Committed to building strong, long-lasting relationships, we foster an environment of trust, transparency, and mutual respect with our partners. This ethos is encapsulated in its guiding principle: Power through Partnership. For further information, please visit www.assuredpartners.com.

About Apax Partners

Apax Partners LLP is a leading global private equity advisory firm. For over 50 years, Apax has worked to inspire growth and ideas that transform businesses. The firm has raised and advised funds with aggregate commitments of almost $80 billion. The Apax Funds invest in companies across three global sectors of Tech, Services, and Internet/Consumer. These funds provide long-term equity financing to build and strengthen world-class companies. For further information about Apax, please visit www.apax.com. Apax is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority in the UK.

Media Contact:

Todd Fogarty, Kekst CNC

[email protected]

+1 212 521 4854

Gill Corish, Apax

[email protected]

+44 207 872 6480

SOURCE Apax Partners LLP
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Browse in-depth TOC on "Artificial Intelligence in Medical Diagnostics Market"

744 - Tables

61 - Figures

549 - Pages

Based on components, AI in the medical diagnostics market is divided into software, services, and hardware. In 2023, the software segment dominated the market, while the services segment is estimated to grow at a higher CAGR from 2023-2029. The software segment dominates AI in medical diagnostics due to its ability to process vast medical data, integrate seamlessly with clinical workflows, and offer customization across fields like radiology and pathology. The software allows continuous updates, ensuring AI tools remain accurate and current, and cloud-based solutions enable remote access and data sharing, enhancing efficiency and outcomes. This flexibility, scalability, and ease of integration make software essential for advancing AI in diagnostics.

Based on application, AI in medical diagnostics market is divided into in vivo and in vitro diagnostics. In 2023, the in vivo diagnostics segment accounted for the largest share of this market. The large share of this segment can be attributed to the increasing adoption of AI solutions, as these solutions help decrease human errors and improve treatment efficacy effectiveness. AI's ability to analyse complex imaging datalike MRIs, CT scans, and ultrasoundsimproves accuracy and speed, making it invaluable for diagnosing and managing conditions within the body. This demand for AI in in vivo imaging applications drives its larger market share.

Based on end user, the AI in medical diagnostics market is segmented by end users into hospitals, diagnostic imaging centers, diagnostic laboratories, and other healthcare providers. Hospitals held the largest market share in 2023, largely due to the rising demand for diagnostic imaging procedures, especially for conditions like cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and neurological disorders. Additionally, hospitals are increasingly adopting automation and digitized workflows in radiology, enhancing efficiency and accuracy, which further drives AI adoption.

Based on region, the market is divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa. In 2023, North America dominated the market, benefiting from advanced healthcare infrastructure, strong AI investment, and early adoption of AI technologies. However, the Asia Pacific region is anticipated to experience the highest CAGR over the forecast period. This growth is drove by rapid advancements in healthcare infrastructure, a growing elderly population, and proactive initiatives by government in countries like China and India, aimed at boosting AI adoption in medical diagnostics. Emerging markets in Asia Pacific present significant opportunities for AI solutions as healthcare providers look to expand diagnostic capabilities and address increasing demand.

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The competitive landscape for the medical diagnostics industry is dominated by a few large multinational corporations that have carved out a significant market share. However, certain SMEs and regional businesses have a significant market share. The medical diagnostics market is dominated by Microsoft (US), Merative (US), NVIDIA Corporation (US), Intel Corporation (US), GE HealthCare (US), Siemens Healthineers (Germany), Google (US), Digital Diagnostics Inc. (US), InformAl (US), HeartFlow, Inc. (US), Advanced Micro Devices, Inc. (US), Enlitic, Inc. (US), icometrix (Belgium), Aidence (Netherlands), and Butterfly Network.

Microsoft (US):

Microsoft is a major player in the medical diagnostics space. The company spends heavily in R&D, which has expanded its product portfolio and position in the AI industry. The company's key focus areas in the AI market include machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, and speech recognition. Besides, the company showed its good organic growth capabilities in its new Azure Machine Learning (AML). In 2024, Microsoft and NVIDIA will expand their relationship to combine Azure's cloud and AI capabilities with NVIDIA's DGX Cloud and Clara suite. The partnership will help accelerate clinical research, medication discovery, and medical imaging diagnostics that lead to better patient care. In 2023, Microsoft and Paige AI, Inc. will work together to develop the world's largest image-based AI models for digital pathology and oncology. This collaboration is foreseen to revolutionize cancer diagnosis and patient care by tapping into extensive AI capabilities.

NVIDIA CORPORATION (US):

NVIDIA Corporation takes the second position in the AI medical diagnostics market mainly as a supplier of a vast array of GPUs for training and execution of ML and AI algorithms. The company has a powerful presence in different geographies and operates with large OEMs/ODMs all over the world. It continues its actions on creating new products for the AI/DL market. For instance, in September 2022, the company released the announcement for the NVIDIA IGX platform. NVIDIA IGX will assist businesses in creating next generation software-defined industrial and medical devices that can be safe, along with humans, to work in the same environment. This NVIDIA IGX platform is a large package for hardware and software including the smart, powerful, small, and energy-efficient AI supercomputer named the NVIDIA IGX Orin, designed particularly for autonomous industrial equipment and medical devices. The company platforms such as DGX AI and a family of GPUs speed up the use of deep neural and machine learning in healthcare. The company has more than 50 offices across the Americas, Asia, and Europe. The company's global presence and adoption of inorganic growth strategies have improved it to acquire a strong position in this market.

GOOGLE (US):

Google has led the way in utilizing artificial intelligence (AI) in medical diagnosis. The Google AI in medical diagnostics solution, Automated Retinal Disease Assessment, or ARDA, uses AI to aid healthcare workers in the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy, and AI algorithms are potentially on their way to enabling doctors to diagnose many more diseases. This is already implemented for the identification of diabetic retinopathy in the European Union and India and treatment have undergoing clinical trials in the US and Thailand. Google is creating a tool that will enable people to investigate and detect their skin, hair, and nail diseases by leveraging the computer vision and image search expertise it has created. The tool aids in hundreds of diseases, including more than 80% of those seen in clinics and over 90% of the most searched conditions.

For more information, Inquire Now!

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Top 10 Medical Device Technologies Market

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Get access to the latest updates on AI in Medical Diagnostics Companies and AI in Medical Diagnostics Market Size

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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.

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A Grassroots Legacy of Hope

NAPA, Calif., Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tough Enough to Wear Pink (TETWP), the western industry's powerful grassroots campaign against breast cancer, celebrates a milestone anniversary. What began as a bold idea has grown into a transformative movement, raising over $43 million since its inception in 2004 and inspiring hope across communities.

A Legacy of Community Impact

Tough Enough to Wear Pink, the western community's grassroots campaign to fight Breast Cancer, celebrates its 20th Anniversary

Over the past two decades, TETWP has become a cornerstone of the western community, empowering over 100 rodeos and events annually across the U.S. and Canada. Most importantly, the funds raised stay local, supporting early detection, mammograms, transportation, and family aid.

"What's so important is that money raised in the community stays in the community," shares Lacey Wheatley, Executive Director of TETWP. "It's truly a grassroots effort."

From the Gunnison Tough Event in Colorado raising over $1.2 million to smaller yet impactful fundraisers, TETWP proves that communities united by a cause can achieve incredible results.

How It All Began: A Cowboy Spirit and a Pink Dream

In 2004, Terry Wheatley, founder of Purple Cowboy wines, was no stranger to the rodeo arena. With a family deeply rooted in the rodeo worldher son Wade was a Wrangler National Finals Rodeo (WNFR) finalist, and her husband Jim was a six-time WNFR team roping qualifierTerry had spent countless hours immersed in the western lifestyle.

That year, however, Terry's life took a different turn. Recovering from breast cancer surgery, she felt an undeniable calling to act.

Her vision was simple yet bold: what if, during the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo, the toughest cowboys and cowgirls in the world wore pink shirts to show support for breast cancer awareness?

It was a daring proposition for a sport synonymous with grit and ruggedness. But Terry knew that pink, the color of breast cancer awareness, would make an unforgettable statement.

The Pink Shirt Challenge

Terry partnered with Karl Stressman, then Director of Special Events for Wrangler, to bring her vision to life. Karl pulled off a logistical feat by rushing production of 200 pink shirtsan item initially scheduled for release the following year. The Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) spread the word to competitors, while Wade Wheatley rallied his peers.

Would the cowboys, known for their toughness, embrace pink?

When the big night arrived, the Thomas & Mack Arena in Las Vegas became a sea of pink. One after another, cowboys and cowgirls rode into the arena, proudly donning the color of awareness. The moment captured the hearts of spectators and media alike, sparking a movement that has since reached far beyond the rodeo.

Continuing the Fight

With support from iconic western brands like Montana Silversmiths, Twisted X Boots, CINCH, Las Vegas Events, the PRCA, and Purple Cowboy Wines, TETWP continues to thrive.

The campaign's 20th anniversary is not just a celebration but a renewed call to action is a reminder that together we are stronger in the fight against breast cancer.

Reflecting on TETWP's journey, founder Terry Wheatley reflects on the mission and campaign contributors.

"We honor the countless individuals who have championed the cause. From the competitors who first wore pink to the organizers, sponsors, and fans who fuel its mission, each one embodies the campaign's spirit: Tough Enough to Wear Pink."

Contact:

Terry Wheatley

(209) 483-4768

https://toughenoughtowearpink.com/

SOURCE Tough Enough to Wear Pink
Enhanced Faucet Safety and Efficiency for Healthcare & Commercial Facilities

DES PLAINES, Ill., Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chicago Faucet Company, a leading manufacturer of commercial faucets, is proud to announce the launch of its new HyTronic TempShield Series touchless faucets. This innovative product line integrates an ASSE 1070-certified thermostatic mixing valve (TMV) directly into the spout, setting a new standard for safety and efficiency in healthcare patient and staff areas as well as public restroom environments. The HyTronic TempShield Series offers three spout designs: Gooseneck, Contemporary and Traditional to meet specifier or facility manager specifications.

HyTronic TempShield Series by The Chicago Faucet Company Available with Integrated Thermostatic Valves for Safer Touchless Faucets  Ensure ultimate safety with ASSE-certified scald protection, built directly into each faucet body.  Save installation time with quick, efficient setup and fewer connections.  Reduce infection risk with six fewer leak points, boosting hygiene across the facility.

Key Features and Benefits:

Integrated ASSE 1070-Certified Scald Protection: The built-in thermostatic valve (TMV) ensures scald protection combined with less opportunities for infection due to a reduction in leak points.





The built-in thermostatic valve (TMV) ensures scald protection combined with less opportunities for infection due to a reduction in leak points. Streamlined Installation: With fewer connections and up to six fewer leak points, these faucets reduce installation time for facilities staff and contractors.





With fewer connections and up to six fewer leak points, these faucets reduce installation time for facilities staff and contractors. Advanced Technology: Built-in Bluetooth technology allows for easy adjustments, mode changes, and Hygiene Flush to reduce standing water using the Chicago Faucets CF Connect app on a smartphone or tablet. Operation mode settings include: Normal Mode, Scrub Mode, Metering Mode, Water Saver Mode, Handwash Mode, Volume Mode, and Cleaning Mode.





Built-in Bluetooth technology allows for easy adjustments, mode changes, and Hygiene Flush to reduce standing water using the Chicago Faucets CF Connect app on a smartphone or tablet. Operation mode settings include: Normal Mode, Scrub Mode, Metering Mode, Water Saver Mode, Handwash Mode, Volume Mode, and Cleaning Mode. Durability and Reliability: Constructed from low-lead brass with a chrome finish, these faucets are designed to withstand the demands of healthcare settings.





Constructed from low-lead brass with a chrome finish, these faucets are designed to withstand the demands of healthcare settings. Hygiene-Focused Design: Laminar flow and programmable hygiene flush settings also support infection prevention and water quality management.





Laminar flow and programmable hygiene flush settings also support infection prevention and water quality management. Versatile Options: Available in three spout styles with easy above-deck maintenance and reliable dual-beam infrared activation.





Available in three spout styles with easy above-deck maintenance and reliable dual-beam infrared activation. Code Compliance: Meets or exceeds industry standards including ASME A112.18.1/CSA B125.1, ADA ANSI /ICC A117.1, and NSF/ANSI/CAN 61 and 372.

"The HyTronic TempShield Series represents a significant advancement in touchless faucet technology for healthcare facilities," said Richard Nortier, Director of Marketing at Chicago Faucets. "By integrating scald protection and reducing potential leak points, we're providing a solution that enhances both safety and hygiene while simplifying installation and maintenance for our customers."

The HyTronic TempShield Series is now available for specification by architects, engineers and designers in commercial and healthcare projects. They are available for renovations and project updates for facility managers and contractors through Chicago Faucets United States and Canada distributors. For specifiers, water management teams, nurses, and infection preventionists Chicago Faucets sales representatives are available to discuss the entire +Healthcare line of plumbing fittings. For more information, visit chicagofaucets.com or contact Chicago Faucets at 800-566-2100.

About Chicago Faucets:

The Chicago Faucet Company is a leading manufacturer of commercial faucets and showers for healthcare, education, food service, and commercial facilities. Committed to innovation, quality, and sustainability, Chicago Faucets produces durable touchless and manual faucet designs that meet high industry standards. As a member of the U.S. Green Building Council and partner with EPA WaterSense, Chicago Faucets is dedicated to water efficiency and environmental responsibility. For additional information, visit chiagofaucets.com or contact the company at 847-503-5000.

SOURCE The Chicago Faucet Company
WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- EARTHDAY.ORG , the global leader in Earth Day advocacy, observed by over one billion people each year on April 22, is proud to announce the launch of its climate education NDC Tracker a groundbreaking tool designed to track and analyze the status of climate education in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of the 194 signatory parties, 193 countries and the European Union, to the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement.

This innovative, free-to-use tracker provides journalists, educators, government agencies, civil society groups, industry leaders, and partner NGOs with a valuable resource to monitor how countries are addressing climate education within their climate action plans.

The NDC Tracker features four separate categories based on each nation's level of inclusion and support for climate education in their NDC . Users can quickly see which countries are advocating for the integration of climate education into school curriculaand which are falling behind.

"We know that industry leaders , educators, parents, and students alike are calling for the inclusion of climate education in national climate action plans," says Kathleen Rogers, President of EARTHDAY.ORG. "The data is clearreports from the World Bank, Choosing Our Future: Education for Climate Action to LinkedIn's Global Skills Report 2024 , confirm the urgency of equipping the next generation with the green skills needed to meet the demands of the global economy. Climate education is an essential part of this preparation."

"The world of work is changing rapidly, and we need people with the skills to combat the climate crisis, right now," says Efrem Bycer, Senior Lead Manager, Public Policy and Economic Graph at LinkedIn. "Already, we have found, the hiring rate for green talent is 54.6% greater than the hiring rate overall. By helping current and future workers develop green skills, we will position them to access opportunities during this unique window and over the long term."

Updated daily, the NDC Tracker aims to be the go-to resource for policymakers, journalists, and climate advocates working to ensure that climate education becomes a fundamental part of every nation's commitment to the Paris Agreement.

"Between now and Earth Day 2025 we are aiming to see more nations moving up into Category 1, committed to teaching climate education,' says Dennis Nolasco, Education Specialist, EARTHDAY.ORG. "We have released multiple reports and resources, all making this case for climate education, and we feel confident that this critically important issue is starting to gain traction."

EARTHDAY.ORG, one of the global leaders in advocating for climate education, held talks at COP 29 with government delegations from Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Luxembourg, Belgium, Ireland, Spain, France and the Czech Republic, as part of their efforts to rally support for this important subject.

Colombia, Costa Rica, Cambodia, and the Dominican Republic are leading the way in prioritizing climate education in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and EARTHDAY.ORG is hopeful that their efforts will attract the much deserved international funding they deserve for climate education training.

"Every journalist covering industry, the global economy, education, and the climate crisis should consider covering the story of climate education," says Bryce Coon, Director Climate Education Initiatives, EARTHDAY.ORG. "This subject deserves attention because it's one of the very few areas that unites the needs of business with the goals of environmentalists. EARTHDAY.ORG turns 55 next year - in honor of that, let's rally around this cause."

About EARTHDAY.ORG: EARTHDAY.ORG's founders created and organized the very first Earth Day on April 22, 1970. Since then, EARTHDAY.ORG has mobilized over one billion people annually in a global network on Earth Day, and every other day, to protect the planet. EARTHDAY.ORG's mission is to diversify, educate, and activate the environmental community worldwide. As the world's largest recruiter to the environmental movement, EARTHDAY.ORG works with more than 150,000 partners in nearly 192 countries to build environmental democracy. Learn more at EARTHDAY.ORG .

"Our Power, Our Planet Toolkit" will be made available in January 2025

For Media Inquiries/quotes/comment/inspiration and interviews:

Sarah Davies, [email protected] , +1 240 463 1341 (Washington DC)

Terran Fielder, [email protected] ,+1 661 444 4436 (Washington DC)

SOURCE EARTHDAY.ORG
The Electrostatic Precipitator System Market is driven by stringent environmental regulations aimed at reducing industrial emissions and improving air quality. Industries such as power generation, steel, and cement are investing in advanced pollution control technologies to comply with standards and minimize environmental impact. Additionally, rising awareness about air pollution's health risks has increased the demand for high-efficiency precipitators, which can capture fine particles and pollutants effectively. This focus on cleaner industrial processes continues to propel market growth.

LEWES, Del., Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Electrostatic Precipitator System Market is anticipated to grow from USD 12.3 billion in 2024 to USD 17.1 billion by 2031, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 4.8%. Growth is fueled by stringent environmental regulations and the increasing need for air pollution control in industries like power generation, cement, and steel manufacturing.

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202 - Pages

126  Tables

37  Figures

Scope Of The Report

REPORT ATTRIBUTES DETAILS STUDY PERIOD 2020-2031 BASE YEAR 2023 FORECAST PERIOD 2024-2031 HISTORICAL PERIOD 2020-2023 UNIT Value (USD Billion) KEY COMPANIES PROFILED Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Siemens AG, General Electric, Thermax Limited, Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc., ELEX AG, Hamon Group, Beltran Technologies, Inc., and Ducon Technologies Inc. SEGMENTS COVERED By Type, By Application And By Geography CUSTOMIZATION SCOPE Free report customization (equivalent to up to 4 analysts' working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope

Electrostatic Precipitator System Market Overview

Market Introduction and Definition

Electrostatic precipitators (ESPs) are air filtration devices used to control and minimize particulate emissions in industries such as power generation, cement, steel, and chemicals. These systems work by using an electric field to charge dust particles in the gas stream, which are then collected on plates, effectively reducing airborne pollutants. As environmental concerns grow globally, the demand for ESPs is rising, especially in industrialized regions. The market's growth is also attributed to advances in electrostatic precipitation technology, which enhances collection efficiency, energy savings, and ease of maintenance. This segment provides solutions to meet strict regulations and growing pressure on companies to invest in eco-friendly technology. Key Market Drivers

Stringent environmental regulations are a primary driver for the ESP market. Governments and international organizations mandate industrial facilities to adhere to strict emission norms, pushing them to adopt high-efficiency air pollution control systems. Additionally, awareness of pollution's impact on public health and the environment is propelling industries to adopt ESPs to capture particulate matter and harmful emissions. Growth in industrial sectors, such as power plants and waste-to-energy facilities, which are significant sources of emissions, further fuels demand. The ongoing shift towards sustainable industrial practices underlines the need for reliable and efficient ESP systems across various sectors. Technological Advancements

Innovations in ESP technology are making these systems more efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly. Advanced ESP models now offer greater efficiency in capturing ultrafine particles and minimizing energy consumption. Developments include hybrid ESP systems that combine electrostatic precipitation with other filtration methods, enhancing particulate collection rates and reducing operational costs. Automation and real-time monitoring capabilities are also being integrated, allowing for better control over emissions and predictive maintenance. Such advancements are critical for industries facing stricter environmental regulations, as they provide more precise and sustainable solutions for pollution control. Regional Market Trends

The ESP market demonstrates significant regional variations, with Asia-Pacific leading due to rapid industrialization, especially in China and India . These regions face severe air pollution challenges and stringent regulations, making ESPs essential in industrial setups. North America and Europe also contribute substantially to the market, with strong environmental policies and an established industrial base that prioritizes advanced pollution control systems. Emerging economies in Latin America and Africa are gradually adopting ESPs as they industrialize and increase focus on sustainable practices. This regional diversification highlights the universal need for pollution control, though specific drivers vary by region.

Download Sample Report Now: https://www.marketresearchintellect.com/download-sample/?rid=1047055 Key Industry Applications

The ESP market serves a range of industries, each with specific requirements for emissions control. Power generation is the largest sector, as coal-fired and waste-to-energy plants rely on ESPs to limit particulate emissions. Cement and steel industries also utilize ESPs to handle dust and other airborne pollutants from manufacturing processes. Chemical and petrochemical sectors benefit from ESPs to control volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and fine particles. This adaptability across industries, coupled with evolving regulatory frameworks, ensures steady demand for ESP systems, particularly those customized to meet the unique needs of each sector. Challenges and Restraints

Despite strong demand, the ESP market faces challenges such as high installation and maintenance costs. Many industries find the upfront investment for advanced ESP systems significant, particularly in emerging markets where budget constraints are prevalent. Furthermore, achieving regulatory compliance involves continuous maintenance and monitoring, which can be cost-intensive. Another challenge is competition from alternative filtration technologies, like fabric filters, which offer similar efficiency in particulate removal. Lastly, varying regional regulations make it complex for companies to develop standardized ESP solutions, sometimes slowing the adoption in regions with less stringent requirements. Competitive Landscape

The ESP market is highly competitive, with major players investing in R&D to enhance system efficiency and reduce costs. Key players include Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Siemens AG, and Thermax, all of which offer a range of customized ESP solutions for various industries. Strategic partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions are common as companies seek to expand market presence and technological capabilities. Additionally, companies are focusing on sustainability initiatives and developing eco-friendly ESP systems to meet global demand for green solutions. This competitive landscape drives innovation and improved customer service, ultimately benefiting end-users. Future Market Outlook

Looking ahead, the ESP market is expected to experience steady growth, driven by increasing industrialization, particularly in emerging markets. Innovations focusing on energy efficiency and reduced operational costs will play a vital role in market expansion, as industries seek cost-effective compliance solutions. Hybrid ESP technologies and IoT integration for real-time monitoring and automation are likely to gain traction. As environmental standards continue to tighten globally, industries will prioritize pollution control technologies, positioning ESP systems as a crucial component in achieving sustainable, cleaner operations. The market is poised for long-term growth as global environmental awareness and regulation strengthen.

Geographic Dominance:

The Asia-Pacific region holds a dominant position in the Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP) System Market, largely driven by rapid industrialization and urbanization, particularly in China and India. These countries face severe air pollution challenges and have implemented stringent environmental regulations to mitigate industrial emissions. China, as the world's largest coal consumer, relies heavily on ESPs in power plants, cement production, and steel manufacturing to meet its pollution control mandates. India follows closely, with industrial expansion and government initiatives like the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which push industries to adopt advanced air filtration systems, including ESPs. North America and Europe also represent significant market shares due to established environmental regulations and a mature industrial base. The U.S. and EU countries emphasize emission reduction, driving demand for efficient pollution control systems. Meanwhile, emerging regions like Latin America and the Middle East are gradually adopting ESPs as they increase focus on sustainable industrial practices. This geographic diversity underlines a strong, global demand trajectory for ESP technology across diverse industrial applications.

Electrostatic Precipitator System Market Key Players Shaping the Future

Key players shaping the future of the Electrostatic Precipitator System Market include Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Siemens AG, General Electric, Thermax Limited, Babcock & Wilcox Enterprises, Inc., ELEX AG, Hamon Group, Beltran Technologies, Inc., and Ducon Technologies Inc.

Electrostatic Precipitator System Market Segment Analysis

The Electrostatic Precipitator System market is segmented based on By Type, By Application and Geography, offering a comprehensive analysis of the industry.

By Type:

Dry Electrostatic Precipitators

Wet Electrostatic Precipitators

By Application:

Power Generation

Cement

Steel

Chemicals

Others

By Geography:

North America

Europe

Asia-Pacific

Latin America

Middle East & Africa

Automotive and Transportation:

In the Automotive and Transportation sector, the Electrostatic Precipitator System Market is gaining attention as a pollution control solution for exhaust emissions, particularly in large transportation hubs and fleet operations. ESP systems are being explored for their potential in capturing fine particulate matter from vehicle exhaust, especially in urban areas facing high air pollution levels. As electric and hybrid vehicle adoption grows, ESP systems are also being considered for use in industries supporting automotive manufacturing, where they help control airborne particulates in painting and coating processes. The increasing focus on sustainable transportation fuels growth in this market segment.

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NEW YORK, Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Report on how AI is redefining market landscape - The global enterprise data storage market size is estimated to grow by USD 11.6 billion from 2024-2028, according to Technavio. The market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.39% during the forecast period. Increased adoption of cloud applications is driving market growth, with a trend towards software-defined storage. However, high operating expenses for vendors poses a challenge. Key market players include Broadcom Inc., Commvault Systems Inc., DataDirect Networks Inc., Dell Technologies Inc., Fujitsu Ltd., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., Hitachi Ltd., Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Infinidat Ltd., Inspur Group, International Business Machines Corp., Lenovo Group Ltd., NetApp Inc., Nutanix Inc., Oracle Corp., Pure Storage Inc., Seagate Technology Holdings Plc, Veritas Technologies LLC, Western Digital Corp., and Zadara Inc..

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global enterprise data storage market 2024-2028

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Forecast period 2024-2028 Base Year 2023 Historic Data 2018 - 2022 Segment Covered Solution (SAN, NAS, and DAS), Type (Storage, Backup, and Others), and Geography (North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa) Region Covered North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Key companies profiled Broadcom Inc., Commvault Systems Inc., DataDirect Networks Inc., Dell Technologies Inc., Fujitsu Ltd., Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., Hitachi Ltd., Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., Infinidat Ltd., Inspur Group, International Business Machines Corp., Lenovo Group Ltd., NetApp Inc., Nutanix Inc., Oracle Corp., Pure Storage Inc., Seagate Technology Holdings Plc, Veritas Technologies LLC, Western Digital Corp., and Zadara Inc.

Key Market Trends Fueling Growth

The Software-defined Storage (SDS) market in the enterprise data storage sector is experiencing significant growth due to its flexibility, scalability, and cost savings. SDS separates the control plane from the data plane, enabling organizations to manage storage resources across multiple hardware platforms using software. The market's expansion is fueled by the exponential growth of data and the shift towards cloud computing. Traditional storage solutions are struggling to cope with increasing data volumes, while SDS offers a more efficient and agile alternative. Furthermore, SDS is compatible with various cloud platforms and supports the agility and scalability needed for cloud-based applications and services. The adoption of virtualization technologies is another factor driving SDS market growth, as it allows for greater flexibility in deploying virtual machines and optimizing virtualization environments. In summary, the SDS market is poised for continued growth during the forecast period, driven by the need for flexible, scalable, and cost-effective enterprise data storage solutions in the context of escalating data volumes and the transition to cloud computing.

The Enterprise Data Storage Market is thriving with big businesses seeking reliable and scalable solutions for managing their digital data. Products and services in this market include hardware like Hard Disk Drives and Solid State Drives (SSDs), and software solutions such as Software-Defined Storage (SDS), Hyperconverged Infrastructures (HCI), and Cloud Storage Services. Trends include data accessibility, security, and the increasing use of Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Predictive Analytics, and Natural Language Processing in corporate operations. Data placement, tiering, and cybersecurity are key concerns, with solutions like immutable snapshots, encryption, and ransomware detection becoming essential. The market caters to both on-premises data centers and cloud infrastructures, with cloud service providers offering reasonably priced, dependable solutions for startups and mid-sized businesses. Infrastructure configurations, edge computing deployments, hybrid cloud environments, and data-intensive applications are driving innovation in this specialist industry. Additionally, the Internet of Things, 5G networks, and digital transformation initiatives are creating new opportunities for growth. Mobile storage solutions and cloud-based storage services are also gaining popularity.

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Market Challenges

 The global enterprise data storage market faces substantial operating expenses for vendors due to various reasons. Significant Research and Development (R&D) costs are incurred to create innovative storage solutions and keep up with technological advancements. Vendors also need to maintain a large and intricate infrastructure, including data centers, servers, networking equipment, and software systems, which can be costly to build and maintain. Additionally, marketing and sales efforts require substantial investments to reach potential clients through advertising, industry events, and hiring sales teams. The competitive nature of the market compels vendors to differentiate their offerings, further increasing expenses. Consequently, designing and developing specific enterprise data storage solutions to cater to diverse end-user needs involves considerable investments in R&D and product development, acting as a potential growth barrier for the global enterprise data storage market.

 Big enterprises face numerous challenges in managing their growing business-related information. The storage of digital data has become a critical aspect of IT infrastructure, with various storage mechanisms like storage systems, SAN, NAS, DAS, networked appliances, and storage drives. Durability and scalability are essential for these storage subsystems to handle large workloads and unstructured data. Redundancy, logical storage containers, and disaster recovery and backup restoration functions are crucial for data protection. Centralized remote support and administration simplify management. Big data analytics require scalable and distributed storage solutions. Challenges include cabling and connectivity for SAN and networking, operating platforms, and integration with AI, ML, and 5G communication infrastructure. Data security is paramount, especially for IT systems and telecommunication, healthcare, and manufacturing industries. Software manufacturers offer solutions for various storage needs, including hyper-converged storage and cloud storage. Agile and durable storage mechanisms are essential for handling the ever-evolving IT landscape.

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Segment Overview

This enterprise data storage market report extensively covers market segmentation by

Solution

1.1 SAN

1.2 NAS

1.3 DAS

Type

2.1 Storage

2.2 Backup

2.3 Others

Geography

3.1 North America

3.2 Europe

3.3 APAC

3.4 South America

3.5 Middle East and Africa

1.1 SAN- A Storage Area Network (SAN) is a dedicated high-speed network that connects enterprise storage devices to multiple servers. It moves data from the common user network and organizes it into an independent, high-speed network, allowing each server to access storage devices and control their volumes. SANs are a type of Local Area Network (LAN) designed for handling large data volumes. They support data storage, retrieval, and replication using high-end servers and multiple disk arrays. Vendors like Dell Technologies, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, and IBM offer SAN solutions, including FC and iSCSI. SANs provide benefits such as storage virtualization, high-speed disk technologies, and dynamic failover protection. SANs improve storage management and fault tolerance, fueling the use of AI and real-time analytics for optimizing IT operations. SANs come in three types: Virtual SAN, Unified SAN, and Converged SAN. The advantages of SANs, including storage virtualization and high-speed disk technologies, are expected to drive the growth of the global enterprise storage market during the forecast period.

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Research Analysis

The Enterprise Data Storage Market encompasses various storage solutions designed to accommodate the vast amounts of digital data generated by big businesses. Conventional storage systems, such as storage disks and subsystems, continue to be essential for corporate operations. However, cloud computing services and cloud-based solutions are increasingly popular, offering fault-tolerant, accessible storage options as a centralized source for business information. Workloads are distributed across scalable systems, including SSDs and Software-Defined Storage (SDS), ensuring high availability and efficient data accessibility. Cabling and connectivity play a crucial role in ensuring seamless data transfer between storage components and operating platforms. Data protection is a top priority, with businesses implementing various measures to safeguard their digital assets in data centers and cloud infrastructures. The market is continually evolving to meet the demands of businesses, offering innovative solutions like HCI and distributed storage to address the complexities of managing and securing large volumes of data.

Market Research Overview

The Enterprise Data Storage Market encompasses a range of storage solutions designed to meet the demands of large businesses and organizations. These storage systems include conventional storage systems such as storage disks, storage area networks (SAN), network-attached storage (NAS), direct attached storage (DAS), digital storage, and networked appliances. Cloud computing services and cloud-based solutions have also gained popularity as accessible and centralized sources for data management and protection. Fault-tolerant storage mechanisms are essential for business information resilience, ensuring data availability and disaster recovery capabilities. Data management, data sharing functions, and data security are key considerations for these systems. Storage systems come in various forms, including redundant, logical, and storage containers. Software manufacturers provide various operating platforms, distributed storage, and hyper-converged storage solutions. SSDs, SDS, HCI, and other hardware offerings are also part of the market landscape. Big enterprises require scalable, durable, and agile storage systems to handle large workloads, big data analytics, and unstructured data. Data centers and cloud infrastructures are essential components of IT systems in various industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, IT and telecommunication, and AI/ML. The market offers a range of scalable, dependable, and reasonably priced solutions for businesses, catering to the needs of specialist industries and startups alike. Cloud service providers and storage medium manufacturers continue to innovate, offering new products and services to meet the evolving demands of the digital age.

Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation

Solution

SAN



NAS



DAS

Type

Storage



Backup



Others

Geography

North America



Europe



APAC



South America



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
NORTHBROOK, Ill., Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hilco Real Estate, LLC (HRE) announces the successful sale of real estate assets within the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case of 99 Cents Only Stores, LLC (99 Cents).

Hilco Real Estate, LLC (HRE) announces the successful sale of real estate assets within the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case of 99 Cents Only Stores, LLC (99 Cents).

99 Cents, a prominent discount retailer that originated in 1982 in Los Angeles, California, expanded into Arizona, Texas and Nevada, eventually managing 41 owned retail locations, 333 leased stores and three vacant development parcels. However, due to rising competition, increased labor costs and logistical challenges  exacerbated by the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic  the company was forced into liquidating under Chapter 11 bankruptcy in April 2024. HRE was quickly engaged by 99 Cents to run a coordinated monetization process for its real estate of owned and leased assets.

Given the time constraints of the bankruptcy process, combined with the perishability of a portion of the company's grocery-related inventory, swift action was required. HRE had 45 days to develop and execute a targeted marketing strategy. Within this timeframe, the team attracted significant interest from prospective buyers nationwide. By leveraging a combination of direct outreach, print and digital marketing campaigns, over 360 Indications of Interest were submitted, leading to 181 Asset Purchase Agreements received together with non-refundable earnest money deposits.

The campaign culminated in a highly competitive, virtual auction that drew bids from qualified investors, including a major national discount retailer as well as local end-users, ensuring the portfolio achieved maximum value. Following the auction, all property closings were completed within an average of just 30 days. Several of the properties purchased by large retailers have already begun reopening to serve the neighborhoods in which they are located, while other sites are slated to become thriving retail spaces or redevelopment projects, bringing new retailers or services to these areas.

Ultimately, HRE successfully managed the sale of the company's portfolio of 44 owned locations across four states and 333 leased real estate assets, resulting in over $168 million in proceeds generated in a rapid 75-day turnaround, exceeding client expectations and providing proceeds to assist with covering the secured debt, thus solidifying Hilco's reputation as an industry leader in high-stakes, large-scale real estate transactions.

Joel Schneider, senior vice president at Hilco Real Estate said, "This portfolio sale represents more than just a successful transactionit's a fresh start for these properties and the communities they serve. By transitioning into new retail spaces or innovative redevelopment projects, these sites have the potential to enhance the economic fabric of their neighborhoods in Arizona, California, Nevada and Texas. We're proud to have played a pivotal role in this bankruptcy sale, delivering an ideal outcome for our client while contributing to the growth and vitality of these regions."

The success of the bankruptcy sale was further supported by Hilco Consumer  Retail, who expertly handled the going-out-of-business sales for the inventory, fixtures, furniture and equipment. Their seamless execution achieved a total of $245 million recovered and ensured the properties were sale-ready, enabling HRE to secure maximum returns for the real estate portfolio.

For more information about this sale or to inquire about other opportunities, please visit our website HilcoRealEstate.com or call (855) 755-2300.

About Hilco Real Estate

Hilco Real Estate (www.hilcorealestate.com) is headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois (USA). Hilco Real Estate is a national provider of strategic real estate disposition services. Acting as an agent or principal, Hilco Real Estate uses its experience to advise and execute strategies to assist clients in deriving the maximum value from their real estate assets. By leveraging multi-faceted sales strategies and techniques, aggressive repositioning and restructuring experience, a vast and motivated network of buyers and sellers, and substantial access to capital, Hilco Real Estate exceeds expectations even in the most complex transactions.

Hilco Real Estate is part of Northbrook, Illinois based Hilco Global (www.hilcoglobal.com), the world's leading authority on maximizing the value of business assets by delivering valuation, monetization, advisory, and capital solutions to an international marketplace. Hilco Global operates more than twenty specialized business units offering services that include asset valuation and appraisal, retail and industrial inventory acquisition and disposition, real estate and strategic capital equity investments.

SOURCE Hilco Real Estate
Significant brand expansion with more than 500 hotels and new openings in some of the world's most sought-after destinations, including New York, Costa Rica, Athens and Osaka

MCLEAN, Va., Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Hilton's luxury brands experienced a record-breaking year of growth with more than 500 properties now open in highly coveted destinations offering once-in-a-lifetime guest experiences across Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts , Conrad Hotels & Resorts , LXR Hotels & Resorts , NoMad Hotels , and Signia by Hilton , including a new exclusive partnership with Small Luxury Hotels of the World (SLH) and a growing portfolio of standalone Waldorf Astoria Residences . Key 2024 openings included Conrad Singapore Orchard, Conrad Orlando, Waldorf Astoria Seychelles Platte Island, Ka Lai Waikiki Beach, LXR Hotels & Resorts, Beach House and Shore Village at Hotel del Coronado, LXR Hotels & Resorts, Conrad Bahrain Financial Harbour, Conrad Chongqing and Signia by Hilton Atlanta.

New Openings, Destinations and Beyond from Hilton Luxury Brands in 2025

Additionally, Hilton introduced Hilton for Luxury , a premier global luxury travel advisor (LTA) program designed for Hilton's top-producing luxury travel advisors in every region to support customers in booking world-class accommodations around the globe.

"Hilton's recent Trends Report highlights that 2025 will be the 'Year of the Travel Maximizer,' with luxury travelers leading the charge to make every moment count," said Dino Michael, senior vice president and global head, Hilton Luxury Brands. "They're embracing a balance of adventure and relaxation, creating meaningful connections, and seeking enriching experiences that go beyond the ordinary. We're excited to introduce them to a new era of luxury, with the reopening of our flagship Waldorf Astoria New York, and new market openings in Costa Rica, Osaka, London, and more in the years ahead."

Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts

The iconic Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts brand will continue to expand in the most sought-out destinations around the world, adding to its current portfolio of 34 properties in 18 countries with a pipeline of 16 properties set to open in the coming years. Featured openings include:

Waldorf Astoria New York : Following a meticulously and thoughtfully crafted restoration effort, the iconic property will retain the scale and beauty of its original architecture reimagined with fresh contemporary furnishings, expected to open in Spring 2025 and accepting reservations beginning December 10, 2024 .

: Following a meticulously and thoughtfully crafted restoration effort, the iconic property will retain the scale and beauty of its original architecture reimagined with fresh contemporary furnishings, expected to open in and accepting reservations beginning . Waldorf Astoria Costa Rica Punta Cacique : Situated on the dramatic cliffside peninsula of Cacique on Guanacaste's secluded Playa Penca, to debut in Spring 2025.

: Situated on the dramatic cliffside peninsula of Cacique on Guanacaste's secluded Playa Penca, to debut in Spring 2025. Waldorf Astoria Osaka : The Waldorf Astoria brand will make its debut in Japan in Spring 2025 with this 39-story high-rise in the south district of the new GRAND GREEN OSAKA urban mixed-use development.

The Waldorf Astoria brand will make its debut in in Spring 2025 with this 39-story high-rise in the south district of the new GRAND GREEN urban mixed-use development. Waldorf Astoria Shanghai Qiantan : Located in Shanghai's brand-new Central Business District, this property opens in Summer 2025 to immerse guests in the tranquility and glamor of China's commercial capital.

: Located in brand-new Central Business District, this property opens in Summer 2025 to immerse guests in the tranquility and glamor of commercial capital. Future Openings : Looking further into 2026 and beyond, Waldorf Astoria will see market entry in gateway cities like London , Sydney , Hanoi , Jakarta , Tanger , Kuala Lumpur and Jaipur . Hilton also boasts a luxury brand residential portfolio of more than 30 properties either in trading or pipeline, with new Waldorf Astoria Residences in Dubai Downtown, Pompano Beach, Florida and Cherry Creek , Denver .

Conrad Hotels & Resorts

The largest of the Hilton Luxury Brand portfolio with nearly 50 properties, Conrad Hotels & Resorts continues its global expansion with two new hotels in 2025, including:

The Ilisian : A new city destination opening in 2025 will be home to Conrad Athens Hotel with 307 guest rooms and suites, Waldorf Astoria Residences, Conrad Residences , a private members club and numerous bars and restaurants as well as curated retail shops.

: A new city destination opening in 2025 will be home to with 307 guest rooms and suites, , a private members club and numerous bars and restaurants as well as curated retail shops. Conrad Hamburg will mark the debut of Hilton's luxury Conrad Hotels & Resorts brand in Germany .

will mark the debut of luxury Conrad Hotels & Resorts brand in . Future Openings : Looking further ahead into 2026 and beyond, Conrad openings will be found in even more unforgettable destinations, including Conrad Riyadh Laysen Valley , Conrad Yokohama , Conrad Jaipur , and Conrad Nagoya .

LXR Hotels & Resorts

Celebrating the timeless pursuit of personal adventure in the world's most alluring destinations, LXR Hotels & Resorts continues its steady growth in new West Coast markets, with Arizona Biltmore , Beach Village and Shore House at Hotel del Coronado, and Ka Lai Waikiki Beach joining the portfolio of independent hotels in 2024.

LXR Hotels & Resorts  Casablanca : Expected to open in 2025, this will mark the debut of Hilton's award-winning collection of independent luxury hotels in Morocco .

Expected to open in 2025, this will mark the debut of award-winning collection of independent luxury hotels in . In addition to openings and signings, LXR Hotels & Resorts will launch a new signature brand program, Spirit of Adventure, to bring destination excursions and guided experiences to life at properties around the world.

Several soon-to-be-announced signings and future openings for LXR Hotels & Resorts include properties in Italy, Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia, and Hiroshima.

NoMad Hotels

At the heart of each NoMad Hotel are its signature restaurants and bars, which celebrate the dynamic interplay between grand and intimate, classical and colloquial, offering festive moments of revelry alongside quiet meals that nourish the soul. NoMad London , the flagship hotel for the legendary NoMad Hotels brand, has big plans for its soaring Atrium restaurant space in 2025.

Signia by Hilton

Set to make its international debut in January 2025, Signia by Hilton Amman will mark the brand's first property outside the U.S. Located in a prime area in Amman, the hotel will open with 272 guest rooms and suites offering guests an exceptional stay in one of the world's oldest cities.

For more on Hilton Luxury Brands' development news and expanding global portfolio, visit stories.hilton.com . With Hilton's award-winning loyalty program, Hilton Honors members can earn, redeem and dream with their Points, bringing them closer to their next luxury stay. Join Hilton Honors today for instant and exclusive member benefits.

SOURCE Hilton Luxury Brands
Authorities intend to 'use whatever method possible' to save the popular Adelaide tree.

The river red gum tree that stands in the middle of Overbury Drive in Adelaide has been there for over 200 years. Source: GoogleMaps/ABC

For over 200 years, a red river gum tree has stood in the same spot as one Aussie city changed around it. As buildings rose and a road was even built through it, the only constant other than the tree itself was the community's love for it  with a previous landowner writing into their will that it must not be cut down.

However, the large native tree on Overbury Drive in Clarence Park, Adelaide, is now in grave danger, with residents sounding the alarm on its "deteriorating health" to the council. The City of Unley told Yahoo News it will "use whatever method available" to preserve one of the most famous trees in the state.

"This tree is one of the oldest in our city, and has historical and environmental significance and is much loved by the local community," a council spokesperson said. "Council will put measures in place to mitigate the tree's decline and use whatever method available to restore it to better health and extend its life."

Native tree has long been protected by residents

Many factors are contributing to the tree's declining health, with the council explaining "the vegetation along its upper branches [is] becoming sparser".

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The tree's growing conditions have been significantly restricted since the land  once owned by the Overbury family, where the street's namesake comes from  was subdivided for housing and urbanisation took over.

Thanks to a previous land owner, Gertrude Overbury, who wrote into her will in the 1940s that the tree must not be cut down, the tree remains today. However, the rapid increase in infrastructure is finally taking its toll on the "majestic" tree.

"Council arborists are investigating the cause, which may be attributed to things such as disease, water supply and natural ageing processes," the council spokesperson said.

Arborist and local resident Michael Palamountain said he was "gobsmacked by the size" of the tree when he first laid eyes on it and explained many people in the area often gather in public spaces close to where it stands to "admire" its beauty.

"The community who live around the tree value it very highly," he told ABC Radio Adelaide.

What is the council doing to save the river red gum tree?

After a dry and warm winter, authorities intend to "increase the amount of water" as a starting point and will build any "construction methods" required to give the tree a fighting chance.

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"Councils arborists will continue to monitor the trees condition to maintain it in the best possible condition to ensure its survival," the spokesperson said.

Aussie councils grapple to improve canopy cover

It comes as councils across the country are looking to improve canopy cover in Aussie suburbs  with every single established tree important for offering a safe haven for wildlife as well as much-needed shade. One council is considering the possibility of offering financial incentives to protect trees on their property.

Concerned about a phenomenon known as Urban Heat Island Effect (UHIE), which raises the temperature of a suburb due to insufficient tree coverage and causes heat-related illnesses, City of Canning council implemented a significant tree register in 2021.

Elsewhere, the Glen Eira City Council announced it was working to change local laws so residents cannot prune or chop down canopy trees without explicit approval. If they do so without permission, they could reportedly cop a $2,000 fine.

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In May, a bitter debate erupted over a gum tree after 11 residents in Perths Alexander Heights requested the local council have the 15-metre tree removed from their street.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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DALLAS, Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Tomorrow, AT&T's chief executive officer will participate in a fireside chat where he will discuss the Company's multi-year strategic growth plan.

Key Takeaways:

AT&T is embarking on a multi-year strategic growth plan that centers around putting customers first and continued network investment.

AT&T continues to make progress on becoming the best connectivity provider in America and remains on track to meet all of the financial and operational guidance shared during its 2024 Analyst & Investor Day.

John Stankey, chief executive officer, AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), will speak tomorrow at the UBS Global Media & Communications Conference where he will provide an update to shareholders. Stankey is expected to cover key topics discussed below.

AT&T's multi-year strategic growth plan will substantially advance its progress on becoming the best connectivity provider in America

As a result of the investment-led strategy announced at its 2024 Analyst & Investor Day, the Company expects to be in a differentiated position within the connectivity industry by the end of the decade.

In Mobility, the Company is building a more efficient, high-capacity, programmable and open network. By 2027, it expects to have largely completed the modernization of its 5G wireless network with open technology, with deep mid-band 5G spectrum covering 300 million+ people by the end of 2026.

In broadband, the Company already has the largest fiber broadband network in America. By the end of 2029, it expects to reach 50 million+ total locations with fiber1. This includes expectations to pass about 45 million locations through its organic fiber deployment and to serve 5 million+ fiber locations through Gigapower, its joint venture with Blackrock, as well as through agreements with commercial open-access providers.

These collective efforts increase AT&T's opportunity to serve customers how they want to be served, by one provider in a converged manner. While building the network of the future, the Company is actively working to exit its legacy copper network operations across the large majority of its wireline footprint by the end of 2029.

AT&T remains on track to meet all of the financial and operational guidance shared during its 2024 Analyst & Investor Day

As discussed during the Company's 2024 Analyst & Investor Day, it expects 2025 Free Cash Flow of $16 billion+, when excluding DIRECTV. The expected drivers of next year's free cash flow growth include Adjusted EBITDA growth, lower cash interest from lower debt balances, the absence of network termination fee payments in 2025 and lower working capital impacts in 2025 compared to 2024. These items are expected to more than offset an expected increase in cash taxes.

AT&T expects its multi-year strategic plan to provide $50 billion+ of financial capacity over the next three years, largely through organic growth. Financial capacity represents anticipated free cash flow after distributions to noncontrolling interests, plus expected cash payments from the announced agreement to sell AT&T's stake in DIRECTV to TPG, as well as net borrowing capacity after the Company achieves its net leverage target.

The Company continues to expect to achieve its net leverage target of net-debt-to-adjusted EBITDA in the 2.5x range in the first half of 2025 and maintain leverage within this range through 2027.

The Company expects to return $40 billion+ of this financial capacity to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases. Under this capital return plan, the Company expects to maintain its current annualized common stock dividend of $1.11 per share. This plan would result in $20 billion+ in total dividend payments, with capacity for about $20 billion in share repurchases, from 2025-2027.

The plan also contemplates approximately $10 billion in incremental financial flexibility for items such as potential organic or inorganic strategic growth investments, debt repayment, redemptions of noncontrolling interests, or additional dividends or share repurchases.

Tune in for the fireside chat with John Stankey at the UBS Global Media & Communications Conference, scheduled to begin at 8:15 a.m. ET. The webcast will be available live and for replay at AT&T Investor Relations.

To automatically receive AT&T financial news by email, please subscribe to email alerts.

1 "Total locations" includes consumer and business locations (i) passed with fiber and (ii) served with fiber through commercial open-access providers.

Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release contains financial estimates and other forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially. A discussion of factors that may affect future results is contained in AT&T's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any obligation to update and revise statements contained in this news release based on new information or otherwise. This news release may contain certain non-GAAP financial measures. Reconciliations between the non-GAAP financial measures and the GAAP financial measures are available on the company's website at investors.att.com.

About AT&T

We help more than 100 million U.S. families, friends and neighbors, plus nearly 2.5 million businesses, connect to greater possibility. From the first phone call 140+ years ago to our 5G wireless and multi-gig internet offerings today, we @ATT innovate to improve lives. For more information about AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T), please visit us at about.att.com. Investors can learn more at investors.att.com.

 2024 AT&T Intellectual Property. All rights reserved. AT&T and the Globe logo are registered trademarks of AT&T Intellectual Property.

SOURCE AT&T
LIBERTY HILL, Texas, Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Nestled in the rolling terrain of Liberty Hill, Lariat is redefining what it means to live, play and connect in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. With its second phase of 579 homes now underway, this 706-acre master-planned community offers not just residences, but a lifestyle inspired by the natural beauty and charm of its surroundings.

"From the very beginning, we wanted to create a community that showcased the great Hill Country terrain and views," said Grant Rollo, Vice President of Randolph Texas Development, the developer of Lariat. "The land itself was magnificent, and our goal was to ensure that the natural charm of the property was woven into every element of the landscape."

Designed for Connection

Lariat isn't just about homesit's about creating experiences that bring people together. From miles of community trails set to open in early 2025 to thoughtfully designed activity nodes, every detail of Lariat was crafted to encourage outdoor exploration and connection.

"Our client's vision was clear: they wanted to create spaces where residents would feel drawn outdoors, enjoying nature and each other's company," said Peter Dufrene, Associate Principal at RVi Planning + Landscape Architect. "That vision translated into trails, destinations and amenities that make every journey through the community compelling."

A centerpiece of this vision is Lariat's resident-exclusive amenity center. Dubbed "The Watering Hole" the center boasts a resort-style pool, splash pad, playground and even a fishing pond. But it's more than just a collection of featuresit's a place where fun takes priority.

"The direction from Randolph Texas for the amenity center was simple: 'Make it so fun that kids don't want to leave.' That became our north star," said Dufrene. "The result is a space that's as functional as it is exciting, with something for everyone."

Home Sweet Home

For residents, Lariat is more than just a neighborhoodit feels like home in every sense of the word. Andrew Aerl and his family moved to Lariat in September 2024. They've quickly fallen in love with the community and its unique blend of Hill Country charm and neighborhood connectivity.

"Lariat is a very welcoming place," said Aerl. "It's a family-oriented community where everything, from the amenities to the neighbors, centers around the importance of family. You can feel that from the moment you step in."

One of their favorite spots is The Junction, a pavilion for events and gatherings near the pool, where Andrew and his wife recently celebrated their wedding. "We love it so much that we actually got married there!" he said.

Living in Lariat has given the Aerl family the perfect balance of peaceful, country living and a vibrant, connected neighborhood. "Life just feels simpler and more peaceful here," he explained. "It's easier to connect with neighbors and spend quality time with family. We couldn't be happier with our decision to live here."

Reflecting the Hill Country Spirit

In Lariat's new phase, homes are being built by some of the region's most respected homebuilders including CastleRock, Coventry, Drees, Highland, Perry and TriPointe. With prices starting in the $340s, these homes cater to a range of lifestyles, offering flexible living spaces, outdoor entertaining areas and custom design options.

"This second phase is a testament to Lariat's success and growing reputation as a community that balances small-town charm with modern convenience," said Rollo. "Families are drawn to the back-to-basics lifestyle we offer here, all while being just minutes from Georgetown, Leander and Cedar Park."

A Vision for Wholesome Living

Ultimately, Lariat is about creating a place where residents can unplug and reconnectwith nature, with neighbors and with themselves.

"Our hope is that Lariat inspires people to leave their devices behind," said Rollo. "If we've done our job right, residents will be so captivated by their surroundings that they'll focus on being present and building meaningful relationships."

Homes are available now in Phase One from award winning builders Ashton Woods, Chesmar, Landsea Homes, Perry and TriPointe. With amenities like community trails and a planned elementary school on the horizon, Lariat is poised to continue its mission of blending natural beauty with a vibrant sense of community.

For more information on Lariat, visit lariatlibertyhill.com or call 512.720.5734.

SOURCE Randolph Texas Development
C$ unless otherwise stated TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC SEHK: 945

TORONTO , Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Manulife has been notified of an unsolicited mini-tender offer made by New York Stock and Bond LLC (New York Stock and Bond) to purchase up to 50,000 Manulife common shares, or less than 0.003% of the common shares outstanding, at a price of USD$12.50 per share.

Manulife is in no way associated with New York Stock and Bond and does not recommend or endorse acceptance of this unsolicited offer.

Manulife cautions shareholders that the mini-tender offer has been made at a price below the current market price for Manulife shares. The offer represents a discount of approximately 60.76% and 60.80%, respectively, below the closing prices of Manulife common shares on the TSX and NYSE on November 27, 2024, the last trading day before the mini-tender offer was commenced, and a discount of 61.43% and 61.42%, respectively, below the closing prices on the TSX and NYSE on December 6, 2024.

Mini-tender offers are designed to seek less than 5% of a company's outstanding shares, avoiding disclosure and procedural requirements applicable to most bids under Canadian and U.S. securities regulations. The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have expressed serious concerns about mini-tender offers, including the possibility that investors might tender to such offers without understanding the offer price relative to the actual market price of their securities.

The SEC states that "bidders make mini-tender offers at below-market prices, hoping that they will catch investors off guard if the investors do not compare the offer price to the current market price."

Shareholders should carefully review the New York Stock and Bond offer documents and current market price for Manulife shares, and consult their investment advisors regarding any offer they may receive and review with their advisors all options for their investment in Manulife shares.

Manulife has stock transfer agents providing shareholder services in Canada, the United States, Hong Kong and the Philippines. These local agents provide services directly to our registered shareholders and can provide information on share account management, direct deposit of dividends, dividend reinvestment and share purchase plans. Please email [email protected] for more information.

Manulife requests that a copy of this news release be included in any distribution of materials relating to New York Stock and Bond's mini-tender offer for Manulife common shares.

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we provide financial advice and insurance, operating as Manulife across Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. Through Manulife Investment Management, the global brand for our Global Wealth and Asset Management segment, we serve individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2023, we had more than 38,000 employees, over 98,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 35 million customers. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges, and under '945' in Hong Kong.

Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.

SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation
HOUSTON, Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- McDermott International, Ltd (McDermott) today announced it has completed the sale of its CB&I storage business (CB&I) to a consortium of financial investors led by Mason Capital Management. Under the terms of the agreement announced October 7, 2024, McDermott will receive $475 million of proceeds before taxes and transaction expenses.

"This transaction achieves a strategic goal set in motion last year and fully completes the separation of CB&I from McDermott," said Michael McKelvy, President and Chief Executive Officer of McDermott. "We will always have a shared history and know they will continue to lead the storage business under their new ownership."

Pursuant to the terms of McDermott's credit agreement, proceeds from the sale will be used to repay CB&I's existing term loan, cash collateralize certain McDermott letters of credit, and reduce an existing McDermott term loan.

CB&I has a global footprint and is a leading designer and builder of storage facilities, tanks and terminals. It became part of McDermott in 2018 when the two companies combined. In 2023, McDermott completed actions to strengthen the storage business, including providing a dedicated capital structure.

Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is serving as the exclusive financial advisor for the transaction to McDermott. Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as legal counsel to McDermott. Citi is acting as exclusive Financial Advisor to Mason. Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP is serving as legal counsel to Mason Capital Management.

About McDermott

McDermott is a premier, fully integrated provider of engineering and construction solutions to the energy industry. Our customers trust our technology-driven approach engineered to responsibly harness and transform global energy resources into the products the world needs. From concept to decommissioning, McDermott's innovative expertise and capabilities advance the next generation of global energy infrastructureempowering a brighter, more sustainable future for us all. Operating in over 54 countries, McDermott's locally-focused and globally-integrated resources include more than 30,000 employees, a diversified fleet of specialty marine construction vessels and fabrication facilities around the world. To learn more, visit www.mcdermott.com.

About Mason Capital Management LLC

Mason Capital Management LLC is an absolute return focused investment firm that combines deep fundamental analysis with a hard catalyst. Founded in July 2000 by Ken Garschina and Mike Martino, Mason's strategies range from event-driven investing to corporate carve-outs and control acquisitions.

About CB&I

CB&I is the world's leading designer and builder of storage facilities, tanks, and terminals. With more than 60,000 structures completed throughout its 135+ year history, CB&I has the global expertise and strategically located operations to provide its customers world-class storage solutions for even the most complex energy infrastructure projects. CB&I is owned by a consortium of financial investors led by Mason Capital Management. To learn more, visit www.cbi.com.

Contacts:

For McDermott:

Reba Reid

Senior Director, Global Communications and Marketing

[email protected]

For Mason:

Jonathan Gasthalter/Sam Fisher

Gasthalter & Co.

(212) 257-4170

For CB&I:

Nancy Turner

Director, Global Marketing and Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE McDermott International, Ltd
TSXV: MTA

NYSE American: MTA

VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - Metalla Royalty & Streaming Ltd. ("Metalla" or the "Company") (TSXV: MTA) (NYSE American: MTA) is pleased to announce that, effective immediately, it has appointed Chris Beer to the board of directors of the Company, as an independent director, subject to regulatory approval.

Mr. Beer brings over 35 years of experience in mining finance and exploration. For the past 24 years, he served as Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager at RBC Global Asset Management, where he led award-winning global portfolios in precious metals, natural resources, energy, and clean energy. Chris began his career as an exploration geologist with Noranda Exploration and later spent seven years as a mining analyst at leading Canadian banks. He holds the CFA designation, an MBA from the University of Toronto's Rotman School of Management, and a Bachelor of Science in Geology from Memorial University of Newfoundland.

Brett Heath, CEO of Metalla, commented: "We are thrilled to welcome Chris to our Board of Directors. He brings extensive experience in the mineral resources sector, including nearly two and half decades as Managing Director and Senior Portfolio Manager at RBC Global Asset Management. Chris' experience as one of the premier asset allocators in the metals and mining industry parallels our approach and strategy and strengthens our board's depth and breadth of experience. We look forward to benefiting from his leadership and unique perspective as we work together to create long-term value for our shareholders and broader stakeholders."

Chris Beer commented: "I am honored to join the Board of Metalla as the Company continues to advance its path toward building a leading royalty and streaming company. Metalla's industry leading production growth, robust asset portfolio and successful track record of value accretive transactions have solidified its position as an emerging leader in the royalty space. I look forward to working with Metalla's experienced team to drive sustainable growth and maximize value for all stakeholders."

INVESTMENT AND RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT GRANT

Concurrent with his appointment as Director, the Company is also pleased to announce Chris Beer has agreed to purchase 40,000 shares of Metalla in the market. Effective December 9, 2024, Metalla has granted, in accordance with the Company's share compensation plan, an aggregate of 40,000 restricted share units (each "RSU") to Mr. Beer. The RSUs will vest in two equal installments annually from the date of grant. Each vested RSU will entitle the holder to receive one common share of the Company upon vesting.

ABOUT METALLA

Metalla is a precious and base metals royalty and streaming company with a focus on gold, silver, and copper royalties and streams. Metalla provides shareholders with leveraged metal exposure through a diversified and growing portfolio of royalties and streams. Our strong foundation of current and future cash-generating asset base, combined with an experienced team gives Metalla a path to become one of the leading gold, silver, and copper companies for the next commodities cycle.

For further information, please visit our website at www.metallaroyalty.com

ON BEHALF OF METALLA ROYALTY & STREAMING LTD.

(signed) "Brett Heath"

Chief Executive Officer

Website: www.metallaroyalty.com

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. The forward-looking statements herein are made as of the date of this press release only and the Company does not intend to and does not assume any obligation to update or revise them except as required by applicable law.

All statements included herein that address events or developments that we expect to occur in the future are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "predicts", "projects", "intends", "targets", "aims", "anticipates" or "believes" or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases or may be identified by statements to the effect that certain actions "may", "could", "should", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Mr. Beer's future contributions to the Company; regulatory approval of Mr. Beer's appointment; the purchase by Mr. Beer of 40,000 shares of Metalla in the market; the vesting and settlement of the RSUs.

Such forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based on information currently available to management. Forward-looking statements are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions that, while believed by management to be reasonable, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, and contingencies. Forward-looking statements are subject to various known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the ability of Metalla to control or predict, that may cause Metalla's actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied thereby, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors set out herein, including but not limited to: that the expectations regarding Mr. Beer's future contributions to the Company will not be realized; that Mr. Beer's appointment will not receive regulatory approval; that Mr. Beer will not acquire 40,000 shares of Metalla in the market; that the RSUs will not vest of be settled; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; the absence of control over mining operations from which Metalla will purchase precious metals pursuant to gold streams, silver streams and other agreements or from which it will receive royalty payments pursuant to net smelter returns, gross overriding royalties, gross value royalties and other royalty agreements or interests and risks related to those mining operations, including risks related to international operations, government and environmental regulation, delays in mine construction and operations, actual results of mining and current exploration activities, conclusions of economic evaluations and changes in project parameters as plans are refined; risks related to exchange rate fluctuations; that payments in respect of streams and royalties may be delayed or may never be made; risks related to Metalla's reliance on public disclosure and other information regarding the mines or projects underlying its streams and royalties; that some royalties or streams may be subject to confidentiality arrangements that limit or prohibit disclosure regarding those royalties and streams; business opportunities that become available to, or are pursued by, Metalla; that Metalla's cash flow is dependent on the activities of others; that Metalla has had negative cash flow from operating activities in the past; that some royalty and stream interests are subject to rights of other interest-holders; that Metalla's royalties and streams may have unknown defects; risks related to Metalla's two material assets, the Cote property and the Taca Taca property; risks related to general business and economic conditions; risks related to global financial conditions, geopolitical events and other uncertainties; risks related to epidemics, pandemics or other public health crises, and the spread of other viruses or pathogens, and the potential impact thereof on Metalla's business, operations and financial condition; that Metalla is dependent on its key personnel;  risks related to Metalla's financial controls;  dividend policy and future payment of dividends; competition; that project operators may not respect contractual obligations; that Metalla's royalties and streams may be unenforceable; risks related to conflicts of interest of Metalla's directors and officers; that Metalla may not be able to obtain adequate financing in the future;  risks related to Metalla's current credit facility and financing agreements; litigation; title, permit or license disputes related to interests on any of the properties in which Metalla holds, or may acquire, a royalty, stream or other interest; interpretation by government entities of tax laws or the implementation of new tax laws; changes in tax laws impacting Metalla; risks related to anti-bribery and anti-corruption laws; credit and liquidity risk; risks related to Metalla's information systems and cyber security; risks posed by activist shareholders;  that Metalla may suffer reputational damage in the ordinary course of business; risks related to acquiring, investing in or developing resource projects;  risks applicable to owners and operators of properties in which Metalla holds an interest;  exploration, development and operating risks; risks related to climate change; environmental risks; that the exploration and development activities related to mine operations are subject to extensive laws and regulations; that the operation of a mine or project is subject to the receipt and maintenance of permits from governmental authorities;  risks associated with the acquisition and maintenance of mining infrastructure; that Metalla's success is dependent on the efforts of operators' employees; risks related to mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates; that mining depletion may not be replaced by the discovery of new mineral reserves; that operators' mining operations are subject to risks that may not be able to be insured against;  risks related to land title; risks related to international operations; risks related to operating in countries with developing economies; risks related to the construction, development and expansion of mines or projects; risks associated with operating in areas that are presently, or were formerly, inhabited or used by indigenous peoples; that Metalla is required, in certain jurisdictions, to allow individuals from that jurisdiction to hold nominal interests in Metalla's subsidiaries in that jurisdiction; the volatility of the stock market; that existing securityholders may be diluted; risks related to Metalla's public disclosure obligations; risks associated with future sales or issuances of debt or equity securities; risks associated with the Company's loan facility; that there can be no assurance that an active trading market for Metalla's securities will be sustained; risks related to the enforcement of civil judgments against Metalla; risks relating to Metalla potentially being a passive "foreign investment company" within the meaning of U.S. federal tax laws; and the other risks and uncertainties disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form, annual report on Form 40-F and other documents filed with or submitted to the Canadian securities regulatory authorities on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on the EDGAR website at www.sec.gov. Although we have 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 not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. We are under no obligation to update or alter any forward-looking statements except as required under applicable securities laws. For the reasons set forth above, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Metalla Royalty & Streaming Ltd.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- On Wednesday, Dec. 11, Panama and Austria will sign the Artemis Accords at NASA Headquarters in Washington. Following the signing ceremonies, NASA Administrator Bill Nelson will hold an in-person media availability to highlight progress on the accords, including reaching 50 signatories.

Events will start at the following times:

Panama and Austria are expected to sign the Artemis Accords to reach 50 signatories on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. The commitments of the Artemis Accords and efforts by the signatories to advance implementation of these principles support the safe and sustainable exploration of space. Credit: NASA

11 a.m.  Nelson hosts Jose Miguel Aleman Healy, ambassador of the Republic of Panama to the United States , and officials of the U.S. Department of State for Panama's signing ceremony.

 Nelson hosts Jose Miguel Aleman Healy, ambassador of the Republic of to , and officials of the U.S. Department of State for signing ceremony. 2 p.m.  Nelson hosts Petra Schneebauer, ambassador of the Republic of Austria to the United States , and State Department officials for Austria's signing ceremony.

 Nelson hosts Petra Schneebauer, ambassador of the Republic of to , and State Department officials for signing ceremony. 2:30 p.m.  Artemis Accords media availability with Nelson.

All events are in-person only. Media interested in attending the events must RSVP no later than 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10 to: [email protected]. NASA's media accreditation policy is online.

The United States, led by NASA with the U.S. Department of State, and seven other initial signatory nations established the Artemis Accords in 2020, identifying a set of principles promoting the beneficial use of space for humanity. As of today, 48 nations will have signed the Artemis Accords, including 39 under the Biden-Harris Administration and 15 in 2024 alone.

The Artemis Accords are grounded in the Outer Space Treaty and other agreements including the Registration Convention, the Rescue and Return Agreement, as well as best practices and norms of responsible behavior that NASA and its partners have supported, including the public release of scientific data.

The ceremonies will take place at the agency's James E. Webb Auditorium in the West Lobby at NASA Headquarters in the Mary W. Jackson building, 300 E St. SW in Washington.

Learn more about the Artemis Accords at:

https://www.nasa.gov/artemis-accords/

SOURCE NASA
Ruling invalidates unconstitutional fee voted in the final days by the de Blasio Administration

NEW YORK, Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- In a major victory for residents of SoHo and NoHo, the New York Supreme Court's Appellate Division unanimously struck down a key provision of New York City's controversial SoHo-NoHo rezoning plan. In a 5-0 decision issued Thursday, December 5, 2024, the Court declared unconstitutional an "Arts Fund" fee that the Bill de Blasio and Vicki Been administration ushered in during its final days. The Court found that the "Arts Fund" fee violated the takings clause of the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution as well as state protections.

The Coalition for Fairness in SoHo and NoHo

The "Arts Fund" fee was part of a larger plan to force residents to physically convert their Joint Living Work Quarters for Artists (JLWQA) apartments into strictly residential. Many residents would be forced to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars to an ambiguous public "Arts Fund" supervised by the city. Expert affidavits found each home would have to pay over a million dollars in physical conversion costs and "Arts Fund" fees.

"The de Blasio administration's poorly conceived push for this rezoning was a betrayal of the very artists and families who made this community what it is today," said Bryan Chadwick, a certified artist and long-time SoHo resident.

In making its ruling, the Court applied the Nollan/Dolan doctrine, which separates legitimate impact fees from government overreach. It found the "Arts Fund" fee amounted to extortion, with no real connection to land-use goals or to protecting the artistic community. The judgment made clear the fee was merely a revenue-generating scheme, not a solution to any negative impacts, making it an unconstitutional taking without just compensation.

"We are gratified that the Appellate Division upheld the constitutional rights of SoHo and NoHo families," said Jack Lester and Lawrence Marks, attorneys for The Coalition for Fairness in SoHo and NoHo that represents the community members living there. "The court recognized the oppressive nature of this so-called 'Arts Fund' fee, which unfairly penalized the very residents who turned SoHo and NoHo into global hubs of creativity."

Touted by the Department of City Planning as a means to create more affordable housing, the SoHo and NoHo rezoning has yet to produce a single affordable unit. Instead, it singled out long-term residents for massive costs and fees, destabilized numerous historic districts, and threatened to displace thousands of families.

As one of his first acts in office, Mayor Eric Adams vetoed the extreme penalty clause tied to the "Arts Fund" fee. In 2022, state legislators also passed an emergency law to prevent immediate displacement of residents, revealing the harm and chaos caused by this rezoning.

"I am thrilled the Appellate Division has exposed the unconstitutionality of this conversion fee, an unfair attempt to extract hundreds of thousands from residents under the flawed SoHo NoHo Rezoning Plan," said Christopher Marte, Councilmember for New York City District 1 which includes SoHo. "This ruling highlights the City's misguided approach in targeting the very artists who shaped these neighborhoods and should prompt a complete reevaluation of how we create affordable, equitable communities."

The Coalition for Fairness in SoHo and NoHo has played a critical role in defending against the rezoning's harmful effects. It remains committed to working with City officials on fair zoning solutions that address housing needs without unfairly penalizing communities.

"This ruling is a wake-up call for the Department of City Planning which fought fiercely for an unconstitutional law that unfairly burdened our community," said Clarence Hahn, a member of the Coalition's Steering Committee. "Their indefensible actions undermine public trust in our city institutions."

For more information, please visit SoHoNoHo.org or see the ruling itself here.

SOURCE The Coalition for Fairness in SoHo and NoHo
The company has rolled out a sugar free, cannabis gummy in Arizona

and is planning to bring it to New Jersey and Illinois early in 2025

PHOENIX, Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- OGeez! is leaving a big ticket, year-end gift for the cannabis community: A new Sugar Free gummy.

The gummy, which launched exclusively at Trulieve's 21 Arizona dispensaries in November, is now officially hitting dispensary shelves throughout the Grand Canyon state.

OGeez! Sugar Free Tropical comes its signature Sunny Sativa and Mellow Indica blends.

The tropical flavored medley bag  which includes Strawberry Kiwi, Watermelon Guava and Passion Fruit Mango gummies  adds to the company's extensive roster of highly acclaimed, targeted gummy products.

OGeez! CEO Bran Noonan said demand for a sugar free gummy was strong among "all kinds of consumers."

"We are always looking to give the people what they want," he said. "But our standards are high and we needed to make sure we were delivering a sugar free gummy that didn't sacrifice our signature flavor and texture. I'm happy to report that we've definitely done that in spades. Consumers and budtenders are already reporting that they can't believe there's no sugar."

The Sugar Free news comes on the heels of the company's launch in two new states  Illinois and New Jersey, which are expected to see combined cannabis sales of roughly $3 billion this year.

In addition, OGeez! recently released a supersized Happy Balance THC-CBD ratio gummy in Arizona and Illinois, and is launching its Live Rosin Naturals vegan gummy in New Jersey this month.

Sugar Free, Big Happy Balance, and Live Rosin round out a core line up of OGeez! gummies that include its signature Fruit gummies, its one-of-a-kind double-layered Cream gummies, its market-leading therapeutic RSO gummy, and its award-winning Sleep gummy.

Noonan referred to the latest launches as the "sugar free icing on the cake!"

About OGeez!

As a leading cannabis-infusion company, OGeez! manufactures some of the most in-demand gummies. The company  which was founded by the late trailblazing cannabis advocate Peggy Noonan  has carved out a reputation as an innovator and market leader. It's dedicated to creating innovative and memorable cannabis-infused products that flavor life's journey. For more information visit www.ogeezbrands.com.

Contact: Jill Noonan: [email protected]

SOURCE OGeez! Brands
ALEXANDRIA, Va., Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Parry Labs, a leader in Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) and digital system integration, and Concurrent, a designer and manufacturer of leading-edge computer products, systems, and mission-critical solutions, have announced a non-exclusive partnership. This collaboration aims to rapidly deliver scalable, SOSA-aligned technologies that address the evolving demands of the modern battlespace.

The teams from Concurrent and Parry Labs come together to officially sign the agreement.

As military threats grow more dynamic, the ability to quickly integrate and deploy advanced technologies becomes mission-critical. By uniting Parry Labs' expertise in software and VPX technology integration with Concurrent's VPX cards and ruggedized chassis, this partnership enables the rapid fielding of fully integrated, modular systems. These systems are aligned with key standards, including the Sensor Open Systems Architecture (SOSA) for the Air Force, the C4ISR/EW Modular Open Suite of Standards (CMOSS) for the Army, and the Hardware Open Systems Technologies (HOST) standard for the Navy. This multifaceted compliance ensures interoperability across services while accelerating the deployment of mission-critical capabilities to meet evolving operational demands.

"Our collaboration exemplifies how a Modular Open Systems Approach enables rapid innovation," said John Parkes, CEO of Parry Labs. "By pairing our software and VPX computing technology with Concurrent's VPX board & systems , both compliant with SOSA and CMOSS standards, we are redefining how quickly and efficiently defense systems can be delivered and deployed to meet the unique needs of the Air Force, Navy, and Army."

Parry Labs and Concurrent will provide customers with highly customizable, interoperable systems designed for operational resilience and adaptability. Together, they deliver on the promise of MOSAdeploying new technologies in significantly shorter timeframes, ensuring forces are always equipped to counter evolving challenges.

About Parry Labs, LLC

Parry Labs redefines the edge for the modern battlespace by rapidly delivering digital systems infrastructure to ensure operational superiority. Through seamless integration of open software architecture and cutting-edge hardware, we provide scalable solutions that empower organizations to deploy mission-critical capabilities in real-time. At Parry Labs, we are committed to delivering future-proof, agile technologies that meet the evolving demands of modern operations. For more information, visit Parry Labs and follow us on LinkedIn.

About Concurrent

Concurrent develops and manufactures high-end embedded plug-in cards and systems for use in a wide range of high-performance, long-life cycle applications within the telecommunications, defence, security, telemetry, scientific and aerospace markets, including applications within extremely harsh environments. The processor products feature Intel processors, including the latest generation embedded Intel Core processors, Intel Xeon and Intel Atom processors. The products are designed to be compliant with industry specifications and support many of today's leading embedded operating systems. Their products are sold world-wide.

For more information on Concurrent and their products please visit www.concurrent.tech.

SOURCE Parry Labs LLC
NEW YORK, Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Purcell & Lefkowitz LLP announces that it is investigating BellRing Brands, Inc. (NYSE: BRBR) on behalf of the company's shareholders. The investigation seeks to determine whether BellRing Brands's directors breached their fiduciary duties in connection with recent corporate actions.

If you are a shareholder of BellRing Brands and are interested in obtaining additional information regarding your rights and options, free of charge, please visit us at: https://pjlfirm.com/bellring-brands-inc/

You may also contact Robert H. Lefkowitz, Esq. either via email at [email protected] or by telephone at 212-725-1000. One of our attorneys will personally speak with you about the case at no cost or obligation.

Purcell & Lefkowitz LLP is a law firm exclusively committed to representing shareholders nationwide who are victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty and other types of corporate misconduct. For more information about the firm and its attorneys, please visit https://pjlfirm.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

SOURCE Purcell & Lefkowitz LLP
Company's Unfair Labor Practices Push Workers to Picket Line

ENFIELD, Conn., Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- A group of 20 Teamsters at i-Health has been forced to go on strike because of the company's assault on their rights.

This week, after i-Health refused to bargain in good faith for months and unleashed an onslaught of unfair labor practices, these workers voted overwhelmingly to authorize a strike. After two days on the picket line, the company fired 11 full-time workers and one temporary worker without just-cause.

"It's outrageous what this company is doing to us," said Lawrence Sanchez, a worker at i-Health and member of Teamsters Local 671. "They think they can push us around and play games with our lives and livelihoods. But we won't stand for it."

The workers process and distribute products that are shipped to major retailers across the country and around the world. In March, they voted to join Local 671 to secure improved health care and guarantees against being forced to work unreasonably long hours.

"All that these workers want is to be treated with decency," said Anthony Lepore, Secretary-Treasurer of Local 671. "They want to do their jobs and provide for their families  just like anyone else. Instead, i-Health tries to force them to work 12 hours a day, six days a week. If they think they're going to get away with acting like this, they are wrong."

Teamsters Local 671 represents workers in transportation, construction, and many other industries throughout Central Connecticut. For more information, go to Teamsters671.com.

Contact:

Daniel Moskowitz, (770) 262-4971

[email protected]

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters
The iconic single malt Scotch whisky brand and Thomas Doherty are leading a modern-day Scottish renaissance in American culture with the introduction of The Glenlivet tartan

NEW YORK, Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The Glenlivet, the definitive Speyside single malt Scotch, enlists actor Thomas Doherty to introduce The Glenlivet tartan in the ultimate expression of Scottish sophistication, bringing quality and refinement from Speyside to stateside this holiday season. With the new The Glenlivet tartan, the single malt Scotch and Doherty are reimagining tartan for a contemporary Scotland, as the pattern originally established in the Scottish Highlands centuries ago to represent kinship and family takes over today's runways and red carpets. Pathing the way for a modern Scottish Renaissance, The Glenlivet and Doherty are introducing new fashion-forward expressions of The Glenlivet tartan and The Glenlivet Tartan Tini cocktail, inspiring originality in both style and flavor in time for holiday celebrations.

The definitive Speyside single malt Scotch whisky brand and Thomas Doherty are leading a modern-day Scottish renaissance in American culture with the introduction of The Glenlivet tartan. Thomas Doherty and The Glenlivet brought together a collective of tastemakers to offer their own expressions of originality on The Glenlivet tartan, marrying the best of Scottish and American cultures.

The Glenlivet and Thomas Doherty both share a respect for the codes of quality that make Scotch superior met with propensity for elevating and evolving traditions in the name of propelling forward. As such, the two icons of Scottish excellence set forth to reweave heritage this holiday and encourage fans to embrace spins on beloved classics from holiday dressing to whisky cocktails. An embodiment of the influence of Scotland in modern culture, Doherty originally hails from Edinburgh, just miles away from the birthplace of the iconic single malt and currently resides in NYC where he has stood out with an undeniable sense of style, often sporting elevated takes on traditional silhouettes.

"What a gift it is to be Scottish. When I think about my heritage, I feel a deep sense of pride and connection to something much older and deeper than myself. It's been so rewarding to work with The Glenlivet on this project that pays homage to the next generation of Scottish craftsmanship," said Thomas Doherty, actor and The Glenlivet ambassador. "The tartan print and The Glenlivet single malt scotch whisky are both so iconic to Scotland. It's been such a pleasure putting a modern spin on these Scottish symbols and sharing them with my friends in the U.S."

Doherty and The Glenlivet have also brought together a collective of tastemakers to offer their own expressions of originality as The Glenlivet brings together the best of Scottish and American cultures. Starring alongside Doherty in striking new creative content, each member of the collective is inspiring their community to stand apart this holiday through their unique talents and perspectives:

NYC IT Girl Stylist Beverly Nguyen styled a variety of looks that spotlight The Glenlivet Tartan pattern across modern silhouettes  each ensemble spotlighted in the campaign content. Beverly as a definitive fashion tastemaker in NYC is also giving tips on how to style Scottish tartan in your own holiday wardrobe.

styled a variety of looks that spotlight The Glenlivet Tartan pattern across modern silhouettes  each ensemble spotlighted in the campaign content. Beverly as a definitive fashion tastemaker in NYC is also giving tips on how to style Scottish tartan in your own holiday wardrobe. Celebrated artist Clym Evernden has created original illustrations that reflect The Glenlivet's 200 year history as an iconic symbol of whisky, standing among the New York City skyline to reflect how the brand has risen to modernity.

has created original illustrations that reflect The Glenlivet's 200 year history as an iconic symbol of whisky, standing among the skyline to reflect how the brand has risen to modernity. Brooklyn -based DJ Amrit Tietz is bringing good vibes to holiday parties this season with her "Tartan Tracks" playlist , which features a blend of classic and new age songs while also highlighting Scottish musicians.

-based DJ is bringing good vibes to holiday parties this season with her , which features a blend of classic and new age songs while also highlighting Scottish musicians. The King of Soho style Maurice Kamara is delving into the tartan pattern's significance in culture sharing snippets from an interview with Doherty in his signature, off-the-cuff-style in street style content on @thepeoplegallery_ .

With an unwavering mission to push the boundaries of creativity and flavor set forth by George Smith when he first established the brand in 1824, The Glenlivet commissioned Lochcarron of Scotland, the world's leading manufacturer of authentic Scottish tartan, to design and produce The Glenlivet tartan. Featuring hand-stitched, amber-colored hues inspired by its warm liquid woven atop of The Glenlivet's iconic teal, The Glenlivet tartan sets a new standard for Scottish style as it looks forward to the next 200 years.

"As the #1 single malt Scotch whisky brand in the US1, The Glenlivet is proud to bring together a unique group of Scottish icons and American culture curators to celebrate the quality and craftmanship that make single malt special while leading the category forward as a modern day symbol of sophistication," said Johan Radojewski, Vice President Marketing - Scotch & Irish Whisk(e)y, Pernod Ricard USA. "The surging of tartan pattern in American culture is a testament to consumers valuing heritage and high quality over fleeting trends. The cultural movement around new heritage shines a spotlight on the staying power of Scottish sophistication, and the quality and craftmanship that single malt stands for."

The Glenlivet tartan will debut with a VIP launch party hosted with Thomas and his team of trendsetters at Soho's newest, celebrity-approved hotspot for an evening of elevated cocktails, art, music and standout style. The party will also serve as the kickoff to an array of tartan takeovers that will bring the design to life in unexpected ways for consumers to enjoy throughout New York City. Wrapped around the exterior of taxi cabs, adhered to sidewalks, popping up in tastemaker hotels through umbrellas and postcard mailboxes, and transforming iconic NYC locations through AI content, each unique tartan moment represents an invitation from The Glenlivet to stand out with a refined choice. Those outside of NYC can also stand apart with their fashion and whisky choices this season with The Glenlivet Speyside Meets Stateside Holiday Collection available on ReserveBar , which includes The Glenlivet 12 Year Old, The Tartan Tini cocktail recipe, tartan winter fashion accessories and a deck of cards to elevate holiday hosting and gifting.

The "Taking Back Tartan" initiative comes as the pinnacle of The Glenlivet's yearlong bicentennial celebrations featuring bespoke collaborations, innovative and prestigious new whiskies, commemorative events and a new masterbrand campaign inspiring consumers to stand apart from the herd by making a more refined whisky choice.

To join The Glenlivet, Thomas Doherty and friends in standing apart with sophisticated Scottish holiday soirees, visit https://www.theglenlivet.com/en-us/thomas-doherty-x-the-glenlivet/ and follow @TheGlenlivet_US. #TakingBackTartan

ABOUT THE GLENLIVET

Founded by George Smith in 1824, The Glenlivet is renowned for its heritage as a visionary within the single malt category. With a commitment to outstanding quality and craftsmanship within single malts, The Glenlivet is dedicated to continuing this legacy and has led innovation within the single malt category in recent years. Standout initiatives include the launch of The Glenlivet Fusion Cask a category-first innovation that offers an elevated, one-of-a-kind taste experience by selectively finishing The Glenlivet's iconic single malt Scotch whisky in bespoke casks that are uniquely crafted by fusing dismantled rum and bourbon barrels. The Glenlivet has also recently launched its newly renovated brand home to open up Speyside to the world. Using innovative technology combined with exclusive bottlings, immersive tours and whisky tastings, The Glenlivet Brand Home brings visitors an experience like no other. From exploring the art of whisky making and showcasing rare editions, to reflecting The Glenlivet's heritage throughout the interiors, the visitor experience pays homage to being the original mark of quality for Speyside single malt.

ABOUT PERNOD RICARD USA

Pernod Ricard USA is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA., the world's second largest spirits and wine company. Pernod Ricard employs approximately 19,000 people worldwide, is listed on Euronext (Ticker: RI) and is part of the CAC 40 index. The company's leading spirits include such prestigious brands as Absolut Vodka, Avion Tequila, Chivas Regal Scotch Whisky, The Glenlivet Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Jameson Irish Whiskey, Kahlua Liqueur, Malibu, Martell Cognac, Olmeca Altos Tequila, Beefeater Gin, Del Maguey Single Village Mezcal, Codigo Tequila, Monkey 47 Gin, Seagram's Extra Dry Gin, Malfy Gin, Hiram Walker Liqueurs, Midleton Irish Whiskey, Redbreast Irish Whiskey, Aberlour Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Lillet, Jefferson's Bourbon, TX Whiskey, Skrewball Whiskey, Smooth Ambler Whiskey, Rabbit Hole Whiskey, Pernod and Ricard; such superior wines as Jacob's Creek, Kenwood Vineyards, Campo Viejo, Brancott Estate and Sainte Marguerite en Provence Rose.; and such exquisite champagnes and sparkling wines Perrier-Jouet Champagne, G.H. Mumm Champagne, Mumm Sparkling. Pernod Ricard USA is headquartered in New York, New York, and has more than 1,000 employees across the country. As "creators of conviviality," we are committed to sustainable and responsible business practices in service of our customers, consumers, employees and the planet. Pernod Ricard USA urges all adults to consume its products responsibly and has an active program to promote responsible drinking. For more information, visit: www.pernod-ricard-usa.com

MEDIA CONTACT

Jordan Serafino

Strategic Brand Communications Manager, Pernod Ricard USA

[email protected]

Regina LoBiondo

Articulate on behalf of The Glenlivet

[email protected]

1#1 in $ sales - Nielsen 52 weeks ending 11/9/24, Total US xAOC + Liquor Open State + Conv; #1 in $ Sales - NABCA Control States, rolling 12 months ending Sept, 2024

SOURCE Pernod Ricard USA
BEIJING, Dec. 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The restored Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral reopened on Sunday, following a grand ceremony held the day before. In his speech at the ceremony, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed gratitude on behalf of the French people to "all those who saved, helped and rebuilt the cathedral." On the cathedral's exterior walls, the words "thank you" were displayed in multiple languages. After the fire caused the collapse of the spire and the roof, the restoration of Notre-Dame was considered an "impossible task" due to its immense difficulty. The cathedral's rebirth from the flames is the result of collective strength and effort.

"Architecture is the great book of humanity," wrote the French literary giant Victor Hugo in his masterpiece Notre Dame de Paris, also known as The Hunchback of Notre Dame, highlighting the profound value of architecture in human civilization. Standing on Ile de la Cite in Paris, a small island in the Seine River, Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral has witnessed the history of France, symbolizing the spirit of French humanism and serving as a precious heritage of human civilization. After the abrupt fire of 2019, many countries extended their support for the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris, with China being the first country to reach an intergovernmental agreement with France for the cathedral's restoration, allowing Chinese experts to participate in the restoration project. In February of this year, specialists from the Emperor Qinshihuang's Mausoleum Site Museum in China's Shaanxi Province went to Paris to assist with the conservation and restoration of Notre-Dame. China and France have jointly initiated scientific research on the preservation of wooden relics and earthen sites from both Notre-Dame and the Mausoleum of Emperor Qinshihuang. This marks the first international study of charred wood samples from Notre-Dame, with the Chinese team being the first non-French professionals to ascend the cathedral's spire.

When placing Mausoleum of Qinshihuang and Notre-Dame cathedral side by side, people often focus on the "differences" and "diversity" between them. However, when viewed from the perspective of civilization, their commonalities begin to emerge: Both are symbols of ancient civilizations, both have suffered from fires, and both face complex preservation challenges, among other similarities.

It is precisely this connection through civilization that allows the people of China and France to feel a sense of shared empathy across borders for Notre-Dame's disaster. As the modern Chinese Confucian master, Gu Hongming, said in his book The Spirit of the Chinese People: "Only the French seem to understand the Chinese people and Chinese civilization best, as they have to a preeminent degree a quality of mind which, above all things, is necessary to understand the real Chinese people and the Chinese civilization."

In fact, the cooperation between China and France regarding the restoration of Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral is just one aspect of the broader collaboration in architectural heritage preservation and cultural exchange between the two countries. French architecture represents Western architectural art, and the traditional architectures of China and France differ not only in materials but also in styles. However, scholars from both countries have discovered through mutual learning that the similarities in their architectural arts are beyond people's imagination. For example, the "forest" of Notre-Dame is actually very similar to the Xieshan roof style architectural structure in China. This illustrates the significance of exchange and mutual learning, where both sides promote and enhance understanding through interaction, allowing the civilizations of both parties to radiate new vitality, thereby enriching the diversity of human civilization.

This is especially relevant today. In the over five years since the fire at Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral, many events have occurred worldwide, such as the global COVID-19 pandemic, the stalemate in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and the resurgence of conflict in the Middle East, among others. It can be said that the world, much like Notre-Dame five years ago, urgently needs "repair" and protection. In fact, when the bells of Notre-Dame ring again, it will have already demonstrated that human society can turn the "impossible" into the possible through unity and cooperation, and this exemplifies the power of mutual learning among civilizations. It indicates that the correct way to "repair" the world lies in the mutual exchange, learning, and cooperation between different civilizations.

The newly restored Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral has made a meaningful arrangement. At the top of the church's spire, a new gilded copper rooster sculpture contains a scroll naming 2,000 individuals who participated in the restoration, honoring their contributions. The rebirth of Notre-Dame is not only the result of France's own efforts but also a product of international collaboration. In today's world, humanity lives in a diverse environment composed of various cultures, races, skin colors, religions, and social systems, forming a community of shared destiny. To break down the barriers and prejudices between civilizations and to avoid conflicts and confrontations, it is essential to promote mutual respect and harmonious coexistence among different civilizations. This will allow cultural exchanges and mutual learning to serve as a bridge for enhancing friendship among peoples, a driving force for the progress of human society, and a bond for maintaining world peace.

Nearly two hundred years ago, Hugo revealed the value of equality through the contrast of beauty and ugliness, good and evil, in Notre Dame de Paris. Today, to understand the essence of various civilizations, it is even more important to uphold an attitude of equality and humility, to discard arrogance and prejudice, and to respect each other's differences with an inclusive and open spirit. Although Notre-Dame has reopened, its complete restoration will still take time. This means that cooperation across civilizations will continue to deepen, and such "repair" is something the world needs more of.

SOURCE Global Times
18,000 Costco Teamsters Prepare to Fight for Fair Contract, Protest Unfair Labor Practices

LONG BEACH, Calif., Dec. 9, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien, Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer Fred Zuckerman, and hundreds of rank-and-file Costco Teamsters will rally in Long Beach, Calif., on Tuesday, December 10, as they gear up for the start of national negotiations impacting 18,000 Costco workers nationwide.

Earlier this week, the Teamsters were forced to file charges against Costco for blatantly violating federal labor law and the current national master agreement. The company's conduct was a calculated effort to undermine workers' rights and disrupt the collective bargaining process.

Despite Costco's public reputation as a "worker-friendly" company, the wholesaler has undergone a troubling shift in its corporate culture and governance. Increasingly, Costco has been catering to Wall Street shareholders at the expense of workers. The Teamsters are demanding a contract that ends the company's corporate backslide. The Teamsters national master agreement with Costco is set to expire on January 31, 2025.

WHAT: Costco Teamsters "Pro-Worker? Prove It!" Rally



WHEN: Tuesday, December 10, 2024, 9:00  10:00 a.m. PST



WHO: Sean M. O'Brien, Teamsters General President

Fred Zuckerman, Teamsters General Secretary-Treasurer

Chris Griswold, Teamsters Vice President At-Large and Joint Council 42 President

Costco Teamsters



WHERE: Teamsters Local 848,

3888 Cherry Ave #100,

Long Beach, CA 90807



VISUALS: Speeches, Costco Teamsters chanting, holding signs that read, "Pro Worker? Prove It!"

Video Link

On-site Contact:

Daniel Moskowitz, (770) 262-4971

[email protected]

Kara Deniz, (202) 497-6610

[email protected]

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters
A runner was forced out onto the road after a parked car blocked the public footpath.

A driver was called 'arrogant' for blocking the public footpath while parking on their Sydney driveway. Source: Reddit

The photo of a car parked on a driveway in one major Aussie city highlights a little-known parking offence that drivers can be fined hundreds of dollars for. Over the weekend, a black car stood idle on a driveway in Sydney and a passerby called the driver out for being "arrogant" as the vehicle had blocked the footpath.

"It wasn't until I started pushing my own kids around in a pram that I realised how arrogant it was," the parent wrote online. "F*** these guys for prioritising their own convenience about the risk associated with forcing people out in the road."

The passerby was under the impression the driver was parked on their own driveway but had given little regard to their park blocking the public footpath  a behaviour that drivers can cop a hefty fine for.

"I was running when I came across this... [I] am always tempted to try to run over bonnets when I see this," they said.

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Drivers parking over own driveway can cop hefty fines

If a driver is blocking a public footpath, regardless of whether they are on their own driveway or not, they risk a fine. Those who commit the parking offence cop a $362 fine in NSW, with one couple learning this the hard way after they were slapped with a fine after parking in the driveway of their Lake Macquarie home.

Drivers across Australia have been fined for parking on their own driveway. Source: Facebook/Supplied

In Canberra, a driver was fined $132 after the back of his ute was sticking out from his driveway and blocking a public footpath, while a Gold Coast resident copped a $201 fine from the council after she parked on the street but her car was blocking entry to her own driveway.

Illegal parking 'significantly impacts the safety' on Aussie streets

There has been a surge in illegal parking and Aussie residents are becoming "increasingly frustrated" with the trend, according to Danny Gorog, CEO & Founder of council reporting app Snap Send Solve.

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"Parking on driveways and across footpaths endangers pedestrians, significantly impacts the safety of people using wheelchairs or prams and obstructs essential foot traffic pathways," he told Yahoo News previously. "Aussie residents are becoming increasingly frustrated with this issue and are encouraged to report hazards."

There have been over 4,000 reports of illegal parking, marking a 37.9 per cent increase in NSW over the last 12 months alone. Nationwide, there were over 40,061 reports between January and April this year.

"We encourage residents to download our app and snap any issues of illegally parked cars to notify the relevant local authorities to resolve the issue quickly and efficiently," he said.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Interview: Mongolia-China eco-cooperation fruitful, says minister

Xinhua) 10:27, December 09, 2024

ULAN BATOR, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Mongolia-China cooperation in combating desertification, conserving biodiversity, and mitigating climate change is fruitful and flourishing, Mongolia's Minister of Environment and Climate Change Saldan Odontuya has said.

Joint environmental initiatives are a key area of bilateral eco-cooperation, said the minister in an interview with Xinhua, adding that they are in line with the shared goals outlined in the 2022 joint statement on advancing the comprehensive strategic partnership in the new era between Mongolia and China.

To further strengthen cooperation in desertification prevention, the two countries have jointly established the China-Mongolia Desertification Prevention and Control Cooperation Center. A research team from Peking University is preparing a comprehensive technical and economic feasibility study, and a joint working group is conducting research on the project, the minister added.

As part of this collaboration, China has supported Mongolia's "Plant a Billion Trees" plan, which aims to plant at least 1 billion trees by 2030 to combat desertification.

China International Development Cooperation Agency has reached an agreement with Mongolia's Ministry of Economy and Development and other relevant agencies to advance desertification prevention. Additionally, Mongolian officials and environmental experts have traveled to China to learn from the country's desertification control experience.

Odontuya highlighted the success of a joint project between Mongolia and China from 2018 to 2024, which aimed at protecting the critically endangered Gobi bear (Mazaalai) through technical assistance to improve research conditions and facilitate collaboration between Mongolian and Chinese scientists.

The Gobi Desert is home to rare and endangered species, such as the Gobi bear, Przewalski's horses (Takhi), argali wild sheep, snow leopards, and migratory birds. This area is the only habitat of the critically endangered wild Bactrian camel (Khavtgai).

Looking ahead, Mongolia seeks to expand cross-border conservation efforts, with an emphasis on wildlife migration routes protection, zoonotic diseases prevention, and capacity-building, Odontuya said.

Mongolia-China cross-border preservation, collaborative research, and cross-border corridors significantly contribute to protecting the species in their native habitats and conserving biodiversity, the minister noted.

In southern Mongolia's Gobi Desert, the government is developing infrastructure in an environmentally sustainable manner to protect wildlife like the white gazelle and Mongolian wild asses (Equus hemionus), the minister said.

"We have already begun approving and implementing standards for wildlife-friendly crossings and fences," Odontuya said. "Drawing on this experience, Mongolia is ready to collaborate with China to make the border fences between the two countries more wildlife-friendly."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Thanks to the efforts of a 'poo-sniffing' pooch, new groups of chlamydia-free koalas have been uncovered in NSW, offering renewed hope for their conservation.

A poo-sniffing English springer spaniel named Max "has struck gold"  identifying a new group of koalas inland of Coffs Harbour that appear to be chlamydia free and genetically different. Source: Supplied/WWF

Australian wildlife researchers have made an incredibly rare discovery in the bush that they've branded "such an exciting result" for koala conservation.

Thanks to assistance from a "poo-sniffing English springer spaniel" named Max, a new community of koalas at Fernbrook, inland of Coffs Harbour, has been found that appear to be both chlamydia free and genetically different  an "increasingly rare" feat in NSW.

Chlamydia is one of the leading causes of the decline in koala numbers in Australia and finding populations free of the disease is quite uncommon.

In NSW, infection rates have surged to as high as 80 and 100 per cent in some areas and the fresh find is particularly significant given the iconic marsupial's endangered status in the state. Some estimates predict they could even face extinction by 2050.

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Speaking to Yahoo News Australia, WWF-Australia conservation scientist Dr Stuart Blanch explained how chlamydia has severe effects on the animals' reproductive health, including fertility. He said it can also cause complications like blindness and kidney damage.

"It is one of the biggest killers of koalas and chlamydia-free populations are increasingly rare," he told Yahoo. "It can reduce or prevent successful breeding of koalas. Thats why finding a chlamydia-free group is like striking gold.

"More surveys need to be done, but it appears these koalas at Fernbrook are very special. They can still breed and produce future generations with higher climate resilience."

Researchers say the koalas at Fernbrook are a lot furrier and darker in colour than their compatriots on the coast. Source: Supplied/WWF

Why is it so significant to find both chlamydia-free and genetically diverse koalas in NSW?

Surveys by Max and the team from Canines for Wildlife showed that the broader koala population in Coffs Harbour and Bellingen has low levels of chlamydia and high genetic diversity overall.

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Genetic diversity enhances a population's ability to resist diseases and in koalas, a lack of it makes them more susceptible to infections.

Urban development, agriculture, and deforestation have broken up koala habitats into smaller, scattered patches, limiting their ability to travel and find unrelated mates. Koalas often remain in isolated areas, leading to a reduced genetic pool and increased inbreeding over generations

The Fernbrook results "have conservationists celebrating" and calling for a "halt to logging in state forests" that contain vital koala food and habitat trees. While the group of 10 koalas in Fernbrook are on private properties and are not threatened by logging  the wider population around Coffs Harbour is.

Canines for Wildlife were recruited to survey for koalas across 115 sites in the Coffs Harbour and Bellingen areas, ranging from coastal regions to the Dorrigo Plateau nearly 1,000 metres above sea level.

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"We learned this population is healthy, has high genetic diversity and relatively low levels of chlamydia. So this is a really important population. If were going to save koalas we need to wrap healthy populations like this in cotton wool and protect them," Blanch said.

"It beggars belief that the tree homes of koalas continue to be knocked down and destroyed. Logging should stop right now in the area being assessed for the Great Koala National Park and in plantations where koalas live."

Lynn Baker and Brad Nesbitt from Canines for Wildlife (left), WWFs Dr Stuart Blanch (right). Source: Supplied/WWF/Canines for Wildlife

What's next?

A total of 109 poo samples were collected in 2022-2023 and sent for genetic testing at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Lynn Baker from Canines for Wildlife said this new colony must be protected.

"For a koala researcher this is such an exciting result," she said. "We knew the koalas at Fernbrook looked different. They are a lot furrier and darker in colour than their compatriots on the coast. They look like cold weather koalas.

"But if this is a genetically different and a chlamydia-free group then its important that they are protected. There are not many areas left in NSW that have distinct groups of [healthy] koalas.

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"The burning question is are these koalas isolated to the habitat on these properties or are they connected to other chlamydia-free koalas that we havent sampled yet?"

Canines for Wildlife is hoping to do further surveys in the areas surrounding Fernbrook to help answer the question.

Since 2001, koala numbers in the state have decreased by 33 per cent to 61 per cent, driven by habitat destruction, climate change, disease, and urbanisation. The devastating 20192020 bushfires alone killed at least 6,400 koalas.

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Dhaka, Dec 9 : The Bangladeshi interim government has issued a warning that foreigners will not be allowed to stay and work illegally in the country.

Bangladesh Home Affairs Adviser Jahangir Alam made the announcement on Sunday, Xinhua news agency reported.

Asked about the number of foreign nationals staying illegally in the country and their countries of origin, Jahangir said, "We donat have exact statistics at the moment. If we did, I would have shared the figures.

Later on Sunday, a circular was released urging foreign nationals residing and working illegally in Bangladesh to legalise their status as soon as possible.
Damascus, Dec 9 : The Syrian National Coalition, a main Syrian opposition, vowed to continue working towards the transfer of authority to a transitional governing body with full executive powers, to usher in a free, democratic, and pluralistic Syria.

In a statement to the international community, the coalition emphasised its commitment to ensuring stability and security in neighboring countries and stressed that Syrians would refrain from interfering in the affairs of regional states, Xinhua news agency reported.

The coalition said it looked forward to forging strategic partnerships with countries in the region and around the world to rebuild Syria for all its citizens, regardless of their ethnicity, religion, or sect. The group reiterated its vision of a nation founded on equality and democratic principles, laying the groundwork for a peaceful and inclusive future.

In recent days, Damascus has become a focal point of fast-moving developments marking a critical turning point in Syria's long-running civil conflict. The Syrian capital, which for years remained under the firm control of President Bashar al-Assad's government, experienced Sunday a sudden and dramatic shift in power following major rebel advances in the country.

Beginning in late November, armed opposition groups scored significant gains in northern provinces such as Aleppo, where the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebel group spearheaded a major offensive against government forces. With rebels advancing, reports emerged of swift army withdrawals from key southern provinces, including Quneitra, Daraa, and Sweida.

Inside the capital, these developments sparked public anxiety, with many residents unsure of what would follow. They rushed to secure basic necessities, such as bread and rice.

After opposition forces seized control of Damascus, the Russian Foreign Ministry confirmed in a statement on Sunday that al-Assad has left Syria and resigned as the country's president, who, meanwhile, called for a peaceful transfer of power.

Local factions and international observers are closely monitoring the situation in Syria, concerned about the stability of diplomatic missions and the potential for violence in the Syrian capital following incidents such as the storming of the Iranian embassy.

Iran's Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei on Sunday condemned the attack, while noting that Iran's ambassador to Syria and the embassy's staffers were in full health.
Khartoum, Dec 9 : At least 28 people were killed and 37 others injured in a bombardment targeting a fuel station south of the Sudanese capital Khartoum, according to a volunteer group and local media.

"The ammonia fuel station, in the new Market 6 in Mayo neighborhood, north of Bashair Hospital, was bombed, resulting in significant human and material losses," South Khartoum Emergency Room, a local volunteer group, said in a statement on Sunday.

The injuries included 29 burn cases, three of which were first-degree burns, and eight cases of shrapnel wounds, Xinhua news agency reported.

The group said medical efforts were going on to deal with the incident, calling for additional medical assistance for the injured.

The Sudanese news portal Al-Rakoba confirmed on Sunday that 28 people were killed and 37 others injured in the bombardment of the ammonia fuel station.

So far, no party has yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

Sudan has been gripped by a devastating conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces 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 organisations.
Tehran, Dec 9 : Iran said that it believes the Syrian people should have the sole right to determine their own future, free from any foreign interference or imposition.

In response to the latest developments in Syria, including the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's government, the Iranian Foreign Ministry on Sunday said in a statement that, "... determining Syria's future and making decisions about its destiny are solely the responsibility of the Syrian people, without any destructive interference or external imposition."

The ministry added that to achieve that, it was necessary to end military conflicts in the country as soon as possible, prevent terrorist actions and start national talks involving all segments of Syria's society to form an inclusive government representing all Syrian people, Xinhua news agency reported.

The statement added that Iran will spare no effort to help ensure security and stability in Syria, and will continue consultations with all influential parties, especially those in the West Asia region.

On Sunday morning, opposition forces stormed Iran's embassy in Damascus after capturing the Syrian capital. Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed that the embassy had been evacuated prior to the assault.
Beirut, Dec 9 : Three people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on the village of Dibbine in the Marjeyoun district in southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese National News Agency (NNA).

Israeli warplanes on Sunday raided the eastern mountain area between the village of Kfar Zabad and the town of Anjar, located in the Bekaa Valley, Xinhua news agency reported quoting NNA.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army kidnapped two Lebanese citizens from the municipality of Ain Qinia in Hasbaya district while they were picking olives, said the report.

The Israeli army said on social media platform X that its troops are currently operating in southern Lebanon to prevent Hezbollah from deploying and to remove threats, saying the action is "in accordance with the understanding between Israel and Lebanon."

A ceasefire, brokered by the US and France, went into effect on November 27, aiming to halt nearly 14 months of fighting between Israel and Hezbollah.

Despite the truce, tensions remain high as both sides exchange accusations of ceasefire violations, raising concerns about the agreement's durability.
Gaza, Dec 9 : At least 10 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli drone attack on a gathering in central Gaza City, said the Palestinian civil defence in the Gaza Strip.

Civil defence spokesperson Mahmoud Basal said in a press statement that the victims include children and women, Xinhua news agency reported.

The Israeli army has not commented on this incident yet.

The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement on Sunday that its troops recently completed a targeted operation to dismantle underground militant infrastructure in the Jabalia area in the northern Gaza Strip.

Meanwhile, the Al-Qassam Brigades, the military wing of Hamas, said in a press statement that its members destroyed an Israeli armored personnel carrier and a tank on Saturday in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip.

Israel has been conducting a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on October 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and about 250 taken hostage.

The Palestinian death toll from ongoing Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 44,708, Gaza-based health authorities said in a statement on Sunday.
The Hague, Dec 9 : Dutch authorities has opened a criminal investigation into a fatal explosion in The Hague that claimed the lives of five people, the country's chief public prosecutor announced.

"The cause of the explosion is still unknown," said Chief Prosecutor Margreet Froberg at a press conference on Sunday. "However, there are signs of a crime, and we have initiated a criminal investigation."

The blast, which occurred in the northeastern Mariahoeve district, caused a partial collapse of an apartment building on Tarwekamp Street, Xinhua news agency reported.

The explosion affected five homes, leaving five people dead and five others rescued. Four of the rescued are hospitalised, while the search for additional victims continues.

Earlier on Sunday, Prime Minister Dick Schoof and Minister of Justice and Security David van Weel visited the disaster site.

Van Weel also expressed concerns over potential criminal involvement.

During the press conference, Police Chief Karin Krukkert revealed that investigators are searching for the driver of a car seen speeding away from the scene shortly after the explosion. A burnt-out car was later discovered nearby, adding to suspicions.

"This is an unprecedented disaster," said The Hague Mayor Jan van Zanen also at the conference. "The suffering is immeasurable."

The cause of the explosion remains under investigation. Rescue and recovery efforts are still ongoing through the night.
Tripoli, Dec 9 : Libyan Prime Minister Abdul-Hamed Dbeibah approved the National Food Security Strategy 2025-2035, the Libyan government said in a statement.

The strategy includes 174 projects and 65 programs for ensuring food security in the country, Xinhua news agency reported quoting the government's statement.

In a speech at the approval ceremony, Dbeibah said that food security is a top national priority and a fundamental pillar of economic and social stability, noting that the strategy is a response mechanism to major challenges facing Libya, according to the statement.

"The government is committed to providing the necessary resources and support for the implementation of this strategy, which aims to enhance local production, achieve food self-sufficiency, and build a sustainable food system," the statement added.

The prime minister also called for joining efforts between government and private sectors to ensure the implementation of the strategy.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New York, Dec 9 : Facing uncertainty in Syria after the rapid overthrow of Bashar al-Assad, Washington bombed sites controlled by Islamic State, a group on the terrorist list, as President Joe Biden's administration tried to recalibrate its policy for that country.

The US faces a quandary because the rebels who have captured Damascus and sent al-Assad into exile in Russia are led by an organisation that is also listed as terrorist, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), for its al-Qaeda link.

While celebrating the fall of al-Assad, Biden addressed the "risk and uncertainty" in Syria to Washington and the region and the initial US response.

"Just today, US forces conducted a dozen precision strikes, airstrikes, within Syria targeting ISIS camps and ISIS operatives", he said.

"We're clear-eyed about the fact that ISIS will try to take advantage of the vacuum. We will not let that happen," he said.

However, reflecting the US' dilemma, he added, "Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses."

The end of al-Assad's 14-year rule, he said, is "a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country".

He added, "It's also a moment of risk and uncertainty".

The risks are both internal and international as Syria shares borders with Iraq, Turkiye, Jordan, Lebanon, and Israel in a volatile region.

About 200 Indian peacekeepers from the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) are stationed on the Syria-Israel border.

The US has deployed about 1,000 troops in areas that were outside the control of al-Assad mainly training Kurdish rebels fighting the Islamic State, which is known as ISIS, an acronym for its full name.

Biden said that the US troops will remain there and the detention facilities for ISIS terrorists will stay.

The US Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a press release that over 75 "strikes against the ISIS leaders, operatives, and camps were conducted as part of the ongoing mission to disrupt, degrade, and defeat ISIS".

General Erik Kurilla, who commands CENTCOM put other organisations there on notice: "All organisations in Syria should know that we will hold them accountable if they partner with or support ISIS in any way".

Biden, whose strategic leadership was questioned after the debacle of US withdrawal from Afghanistan last year, took credit for the weakening of Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah that led to al-Assad's rout.

"Over the last week, their support collapsed, all three of them, because all three of them are far weaker today than they were when I took office", he said.

He credited the "blows" inflicted by Ukraine on Russia and Israel on Hezbollah with US help.

"Our approach has shifted the balance of power in the Middle East", he said.

Russia, bogged down in Ukraine and Iran that has taken a pounding from Israel could not help al-Assad.

Biden said al-Assad's "regime brutalised and tortured and killed literally hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians" and he should be brought to justice.

HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani is also on the US terror list, but he has declared he has ended his ties to al-Qaeda from whose Nusrah Front it evolved.

Questions remain on how far the Sunni HTS will go in enforcing extreme Islamic rules and how it will treat non-Sunni Muslims like the Shias and the Alwaites, and other religious minorities like Christians.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said, "We have taken note of statements made by rebel leaders in recent days, but as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words, but their actions".

There is also the risk of the upheaval spilling into neighbouring countries.

Biden said that the US would help them "should any threat arise from Syria during this period of transition".

Although NATO member Turkiye was aligned with the US seeing al-Assad gone, it's motives run counter to the US.

While Washington supports the Kurdish minority in Syria, Ankara is against them because of its own problems with Kurds in Turkey who seek independence.

Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Turkey's Defence Minister Yasar Guler to discuss Syrian developments.

Austin "acknowledged Turkiye's legitimate security concerns" while discussing the dangers from ISIS, the Pentagon said.

They reaffirmed the importance of coordination to "avoid any risk to US forces and partners, and the Defeat-ISIS Mission", it said.
Sydney, Dec 9 : Over 100 people have been charged and arrested in a major police operation targeting Sydney drug dealers, police in Australia's state of New South Wales (NSW) said on Monday.

Among the 108 people who were arrested and have been charged following the operation across Sydney over three weekends, 64 have been charged with supply of a prohibited drug and 44 with drug possession offences. One person was also charged with a domestic violence-related offence, reports Xinhua news agency.

Anyone convicted of supplying a prohibited drug in NSW faces a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment.

During the arrests, police officers from Strike Force Northrop seized cocaine, MDMA, cannabis, ketamine and methamphetamine with an estimated street value of 210,000 Australian dollars ($134,332).

The arrests included a 22-year-old Korean national who was allegedly found in possession of 21 bags of cocaine and 60 doses of MDMA. He was charged with three counts of supply of a prohibited drug and one count of dealing with the proceeds of crime.

NSW Police Assistant Commissioner Peter McKenna said that the operation highlights the Strike Force Northrop's commitment to combating illegal drug supply.

"Whether they are major drug suppliers, mid-level or street level, I will continue to put resources into disrupting their operations and prosecuting them for their true criminality," he said in a statement.

The strike force was established in 2017 to target drug dealers in Sydney.
Moscow, Dec 9 : Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will commission the Navy's latest, multi-role, stealth-guided missile frigate, 'INS Tushil' at Russia's Kaliningrad on Monday.

Rajnath Singh, along with Indian Navy Chief Admiral Dinesh K. Tripathi, and other top Defence and civilian officials from India and Russia, will commission the warship, an upgraded Krivak III Class frigate under Project 1135.6., at the Yantra Shipyard in Kaliningrad.

As per a Defence Ministry statement, the Defence Minister is paying an official visit to Russia from December 8-10, during which he and his Russian counterpart Andrey Belousov will co-chair the 21st meeting of India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military and Military Technical Cooperation (IRIGC-M&MTC) in Moscow on December 10.

The two leaders will review the entire range of multi-faceted relations between the two countries in the field of Defence, including military-to-military and industrial cooperation. They will also exchange views on contemporary regional and global issues of mutual interest.

In addition, the Indian Minister will pay tributes at aThe Tomb of the Unknown Soldiera in Moscow to honour the Soviet soldiers killed during the Second World War. He will also interact with the members of the Indian community.

Six warships in the Krivak class are already in service, comprising 3 Talwar Class ships built at Baltiysky shipyard in St. Petersburg, and three of Teg Class constructed at the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad.

'INS Tushil' will be the seventh in the series and the first of the two upgraded additional follow-on ships for which the Indian government and the Navy had signed a contract with JSC Rosoboronexport, in October 2016.

The vessel's construction was closely monitored by experts of India's Warship Overseeing Team stationed in Kaliningrad.

The 125-metre long ship weighing 3,900 tonnes, packs a lethal punch, making it an impressive blend of Russian and Indian cutting-edge technologies besides the best practices in warship construction, officials said.

From January 2024, post-construction and readiness, the ship underwent a series of extensive trials including factory sea trials, state committee trials, and finally, delivery acceptance trials by an Indian specialised team.

During trials, the ship clocked an impressive speed of more than 30 knots (55 kmph), and now it will reach India in a near-combat-ready condition, ready to deliver its effects instantly whenever needed.

As per a Navy official, the name 'Tushil' means a 'protector shield' and its crest represents the 'Abhedya Kavacham' (Impenetrable Shield).

Along with its motto, 'Nirbhay, Abhedya aur Balsheel' (Fearless, Indomitable, Resolute), the ship stands as a symbol of the Indian Navyas undying commitment to safeguarding the nation's maritime frontiers.

With the collaboration of Indian naval specialists and Severnoye Design Bureau, the indigenous content of the ship has been enhanced to an impressive 26 per cent and the number of 'Made-in-India' systems has more than doubled to 33.

The major Indian original equipment manufacturers involved were BrahMos Aerospace Pvt Ltd, Bharat Electronics Ltd, Keltron, Nova Integrated Systems from Tata, Elcome Marine, Johnson Controls India and many others.

Upon commissioning, INS Tushil will join the 'Sword Arm' of the Indian Navy, the Western Fleet, under the Western Naval Command.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Seoul, Dec 9 : The South Korean military flew drones over Pyongyang in October at the order of then Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is currently under investigation for his involvement in the martial law declaration, a lawmaker said on Monday.

Citing a tip-off from within the military, Rep. Park Beom-kye of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) made the claim, saying that the alleged drone infiltrations may have been part of preparations for President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration, reports Yonhap news agency.

"The Defence Counterintelligence Command, where former commander Yeo In-hyung -- a junior to Kim at the same high school -- was posted, appears to have planned" the drone dispatch, Park said.

The lawmaker claimed that the project might have been part of preparations for the martial law decree.

In mid-October, North Korea claimed to have discovered unmanned aerial vehicles sent to Pyongyang by South Korea, warning of retaliation if such actions were repeated.

The South Korean military, at that time, refused to confirm the dispatch.

Kim stepped down as defence minister last week over his involvement in Yoon's imposition of martial law, which was lifted several hours later after a parliamentary rejection. He has since been placed under emergency arrest for investigation on treason charges.

Yeo also had his duties suspended for alleged involvement.

The DP lawmaker also raised suspicions that Kim erupted in rage when North Korea sent trash balloons across the border to the South, accusing his military of not firing warning shots toward the North.

He said this suggests that Kim might have tried to provoke a localised conflict with the North.
New Delhi, Dec 9 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024 on Monday at the Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC) in Rajasthan.

The Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024 that is themed 'Replete, Responsible, Ready' is scheduled to begin at 10:30 A.M., and aims to highlight the state's immense potential as an investment and business hub.

The Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024, which will be held over three days from December 9 to 11, will also host the Rajasthan Global Business Expo.

The summit focusses on promoting Rajasthan as a progressive and sustainable destination for global investments.

It will bring together over 5,000 participants, including industry leaders, investors, and international dignitaries.

Attendees of the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit 2024 include prominent names like Gautam Adani, Kumar Mangalam Birla, Anil Agarwal, Anand Mahindra, Sanjiv Puri, and Ajay S Shriram.

Diplomats and representatives from 32 countries, including Japan, Switzerland, Singapore, Denmark, and South Korea, will also participate in the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit with 17 nations designated as partner countries in the event.

Prime Minister Modi will deliver the keynote address during the inaugural session, following a welcome speech by Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma.

The event will feature 12 regional thematic sessions focussing on critical topics such as water security, sustainable mining, inclusive tourism, agri-business innovation, sustainable finance, and women-led startups.

Eight country-specific sessions will also be held to foster international cooperation and partnerships with Rajasthan.

As part of the summit, roundtable discussions and networking opportunities will enable industry leaders and policymakers to explore investment opportunities in the state.

The Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit seeks to position the state as a top-tier destination for industrial growth and innovation so that it can be a contributor to the Union government's vision of a developed India and a contributor to the nation's growth story.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Seoul, Dec 9 : South Korean Prosecutors investigating alleged treason following President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law imposition last week have questioned Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su, who had been named to lead the martial law command, informed officials said on Monday.

Park was grilled by prosecutors as a witness at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office for about eight hours from 6 p.m. Sunday to 2 a.m. Monday, reports Yonhap news agency, quoting the officials.

Prosecutors have called in Park and other military leaders who were under the command of former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun during martial law enforcement on December 3 before planning to request an arrest warrant for Kim on treason and abuse of power charges.

Kim, who was put under emergency detention on December 6, was a central figure in Yoon's abrupt martial law declaration that lasted six hours before being withdrawn due to a National Assembly vote against it.

Park told a National Assembly session on December 5 that he was not aware of the martial law declaration in advance.

Prosecutors reportedly asked the Army chief what instructions and orders he received from whom before and after the martial law declaration and what roles he played in the process of distributing the martial law proclamation and deploying martial law troops.
New Delhi, Dec 9 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Panipat, Haryana on Monday, is set to inaugurate the 'Bima Sakhi Yojana' by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), a scheme aimed at training and financially empowering women aged 18-70 years who have passed class 10th.

New Delhi, Dec 9 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Panipat, Haryana on Monday, is set to inaugurate the aBima Sakhi Yojanaa by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC), a scheme aimed at training and financially empowering women aged 18-70 years who have passed class 10th.

The aBima Sakhi Yojanaa will train one lakh women across India as LIC agents, including 8,000 from Haryana.

These women will receive a monthly stipend of Rs 7,000 in the first year, Rs 6,000 in the second, and Rs 5,000 in the third, while promoting financial literacy and insurance awareness.

Under this programme, women will have the opportunity to become insurance agents (Bima Sakhi).The objective of the Bima Sakhi Yojana is to provide rural women with job opportunities and financial assistance.

This visit holds special significance as PM Modi had earlier launched the iconic aBeti Bachao, Beti Padhaoa campaign in Panipat in 2015.

PM Modi will also lay the foundation stone for the main campus of Maharana Pratap Horticultural University at Karnal.

With the event set to take place in Sector 13/17 of the textile city, Panipat has been adorned with over 5,000 hoardings welcoming the Prime Minister. Thousands of women from across Haryana are expected to participate in this grand event.

On January 22, 2015, PM Modi had launched the aBeti Bachao Beti Padhaoa scheme from Panipat to save girl children and improve the skewed sex ratio, especially in the state.

The slogan 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' translates to aSave the girl child, educate the girl childa. The scheme aims to educate citizens against gender bias and improve the efficacy of welfare services for girls. It was launched with an initial funding of Rs 100 crore.

Aligned with the governmentas vision of empowering women for a developed India (Viksit Bharat), the event is expected to feature Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatreya, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini, and other ministers from both the central and state governments.
New Delhi, Dec 9 : More than 40 schools in Delhi, including DPS RK Puram and GD Goenka School in Paschim Vihar, received bomb threats via email on Monday morning, triggering a swift evacuation of students and staff, according to the authorities.

The threats disrupted the peak morning hours as school buses arrived, parents dropped off children, and staff prepared for the day.

The Delhi Fire Department received the first alert from GD Goenka School at 6:15 a.m., followed by a second call from DPS RK Puram at 7:06 a.m.

Emergency response teams, including bomb detection squads, dog units, and local police, were immediately dispatched to both campuses. A thorough search operation was conducted, and no suspicious objects were found, a police official confirmed.

Students were sent home as a precautionary measure, and the incident has heightened concerns about security in the city's educational institutions.

This is not the first instance of such threats disrupting schools in Delhi. In October, an explosion outside a CRPF school in Rohini's Prashant Vihar caused damage to the school wall, nearby shops, and vehicles.

The next day, another email threatened bomb blasts at all CRPF schools, though this later turned out to be a hoax.

The frequency of such bomb threats has increased, not only in Delhi but across the country, targeting schools, hospitals, and airports.

In response to these recurring incidents, the Delhi High Court last month directed the government to devise a comprehensive action plan, including a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), to manage bomb threats and similar emergencies.

Justice Sanjeev Narula, presiding over a public interest litigation (PIL) on the matter, emphasised the need for a detailed SOP outlining the responsibilities of law enforcement agencies, school management, and municipal authorities to ensure seamless coordination during such emergencies.

The court also recommended establishing a mechanism to redress grievances to address concerns raised by affected parties. The feedback collected through this mechanism would help refine the action plan to address evolving security challenges effectively.

As investigations into the latest threats continue, authorities are focusing on enhancing preparedness to mitigate disruptions caused by such incidents in the future.
New Delhi, Dec 9 : The National Restaurant Association of India (NRAI) on Monday cautioned restaurants regarding the potential long-term adverse effects of in-dining deep discount programmes and aggregator payment platforms.

According to the apex hotel industry body which represents more than 5 lakh restaurants, these programmes  while appearing beneficial in the short term  could threaten the economic stability and autonomy of restaurants and disrupt the restaurant ecosystem.

"Our industry is at a crossroads, and the decisions we make now will shape the future of dine-in operations. Deep discounting may appear appealing in the short term, but they also pose long-term risks to restaurants' independence and viability, especially when mandatorily bundled with the aggregator's payment gateway," said Sagar Daryani, NRAI President.

Deep discounting has caused significant challenges in the food delivery market, and NRAI warned that similar tactics are being employed to capture the dine-in market through aggressive aggregator payment gateway adoption.

Aggregator payment gateways provide various issues for eateries. These networks reward clients with aggressive discounts and cashback, which are sometimes sponsored at the expense of the restaurants themselves.

However, restaurants must pay substantial commissions on transactions, ranging from 4-8 per cent, significantly higher than the 1-1.5 per cent charged by standard payment gateways.

The NRAI emphasised that deep discounting presents substantial economic hurdles to the restaurant business.

Unlimited and unsustainable discounts alter price structures, setting unreasonable expectations for customers and undervaluing the dining experience. These practices disproportionately affect small, independent enterprises, who lack the financial resources of larger, better-funded competitors, making it harder for them to compete and survive in the long run, said the industry body.

As customers become more reliant on these gateways, restaurants face a significant risk of losing direct ties with their customers, thereby transferring them into the aggregator's ecosystem and compromising the restaurant's autonomy.

The NRAI asked restaurants to be cautious and thoroughly consider the terms and conditions of aggregator payment systems before making decisions, taking into account the financial implications of deep discounting campaigns.

IANS

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Suva, Dec 9 : Tongan Prime Minister Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni resigned on Monday morning ahead of a motion for a vote of no confidence that was expected to be tabled in parliament later in the day, according to local media.

"I'll be resigning immediately according to the constitution," Hu'akavameiliku said at the end of a speech to Parliament, reports Xinhua, citing Matangi Tonga news website report.

According to the report, the intention to file the motion was submitted to the speaker of the legislative assembly of Tonga on November 23.

Hu'akavameiliku is also the nation's minister for education.
Mumbai, Dec 9 : Punjabi sensation Diljit Dosanjh, who performed in Indore on Sunday, shared a funny glimpse of fans climbing on truck's roof to catch a glimpse of him and his concert.

Diljit took to his Instagram Stories, where he shared a video of a few fans climbing the top of a truck stationed right outside the venue, while the sensation singing the popular dance track Kinni Kinni could be heard in the background.

He captioned the video: "Indore. Fan pit (wrong emoji) Truck pit (correct emoji)."

Earlier, during his Jaipur concert in November, a group of college students witnessed his concert from the balcony of their PG accommodation in the neighbourhood of the venue. While in Ahmedabad, some attended his concert from the balconies of a neighbouring hotel last month. Diljit's tour, which is christened, the Dil-Luminati Tour will conclude in Guwahati on December 29 after performing in Chandigarh.

Diljit also spoke about the issue of black marketing of tickets for his concerts during his performance in Indore.

He said, "For a long time, people in our country have been going against me saying the tickets are being sold in black. So, it's not my fault that the tickets are getting sold in black. If you buy a ticket for Rs. 10 and sell it for Rs. 100, then what's the fault of the artist? I remember the poem by Rahat Indori".

He went on to recite the poem, as he said, "Not in my cage, put it somewhere else. You've brought the sky, fine, you may put it on the ground. Sir, where will you go to find my killers now? Sir, where will you go to find my killers now? Do one thing, put the blame on me. So, people from the media, blame me as much as you want. I don't have any fear of being defamed. I don't have any tension".

"This is not something new, since the time of cinema in India, the black marketing of tickets has been going on for a long time, only the avenues have changed", he added.
Mumbai, Dec 9 : Actress Rashmika Mandanna, who is currently riding high on the success of her latest release "Pushpa: The Rule", shared that she is already started to miss her much loved character "Srivalli." Mumbai, Dec 9 (IANS) Actress Rashmika Mandanna, who is currently riding high on the success of her latest release "Pushpa: The Rule", shared that she is already started to miss her much loved character "Srivalli."

Rashmika took to her Instagram stories, where she uploaded a glimpse of her character from the shoot of the film.

"I am starting to miss Srivalli already," she wrote as the caption.

Rashmika reprised her role of Srivalli alongside Allu Arjun in Sukumar's action drama. Also starring Fahadh Faasil, "Pushpa 2" released in theatres on December 5.

Ahead of the release, Arjun said that the 'Pushpa' franchise is incomplete without Rashmika Mandanna's Srivalli. During an event, Arjun highlighted Rashmika's unwavering support, calling her the kind of person who uplifts everyone around her.

Allu Arjun said, "I want to take two minutes and thank her for everything she has done for this film. Her support is immense. There is no way this film is complete without Srivalli's support. Me and my director have so much admiration for her because we keep shooting every day, and she comes once in a while. When she comes, those days are so pleasant. She leaves me like such a sweet girl, bringing in so much beautiful, positive energy".

She will next be seen in 'The Girlfriend'. On December 8, a new poster of the upcoming Telugu movie starring Rashmika was unveiled.

The poster reads, "Vijay Deverakonda will introduce 'The Girlfriend'".

Vijay Deverakonda and Rashmika Mandanna, who are two of the leading stars in India, are rumoured to be dating, and the Internet users brought that up in the comments.

Earlier, Rashmika celebrated the "very special" month of December with the 1st anniversary of her movie 'Animal'.

She wrote on the video, "December has indeed been very very special to me. So grateful. Swami swami swami.Thank you Thank you Thank".

Starring Ranbir Kapoor, 'Animal' was based on the story of the relationship between a son and a father carved in blood. The multi-starrer film was directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga of 'Kabir Singh' fame.

Talking about the actress, she made her acting debut with the Kannada romantic comedy Kirik Party in 2016. She was then seen in films such as Chamak, Geetha Govindam, Devadas, Sarileru Neekevvaru, the romance Bheeshma (2020), as well as in the Tamil action films Sulthan and Varisu.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Los Angeles, Dec 9 : Hollywood star Daniel Craig shared that "male vulnerability" is "interesting" and revealed that he feels "proud" to be an actor.

Los Angeles, Dec 9 (IANS) Hollywood star Daniel Craig shared that "male vulnerability" is "interesting" and revealed that he feels "proud" to be an actor.

"Male vulnerability is really interesting because, as tough as men appear to be, they're all vulnerable. We all hide - from our kids, spouses, colleagues. The armour of masculinity is there for a reason and what is that reason? I'm always exploring it," Craig told The Sunday Times newspaper, reports femalefirst.co.uk.

Craig stars in the film adaptation of William S. Burroughs' 1985 novel 'Queer', and he would love to receive an Oscar nomination for his performance in the movie.

Asked if he cares about receiving recognition, Daniel replied: "Of course! Don't be stupid, I'd be over the moon to get a nomination. Well, it's scary. Awards go the way of the wind, but I cannot say, 'I don't give a .'

"Still, years ago I learnt how arbitrary this is. It was soul-destroying, rejection after rejection. Because you think, 'Can I act?' But there's nothing you can do about it. It's a coin toss in many ways, so you have to let it go. And it's all gravy for me now."

Craig said that he feels "proud" to be an actor, insisting that it's an "important" job.

Craig, who has enjoyed success on stage and screen, explained: "I'm always looking for a pragmatic solution to the problem of dressing up and showing off, which is what acting is.

"It is, 'Look at me! Love me!' But you have to own that, because I know what people think of actors - 'Oh, silly people.' Yet I'm proud of what I do and it's important that people do what I do."

Craig gained international fame by playing the fictional secret agent James Bond for five installments in the film series: Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, Spectre and No Time to Die.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Mumbai, Dec 9 : The teaser of Sonu Sood-starrer "Fateh" was unveiled on Monday and the actor-filmmaker said that the beating heart of the upcoming movie is its cutting-edge action.

Mumbai, Dec 9 (IANS) The teaser of Sonu Sood-starrer "Fateh" was unveiled on Monday and the actor-filmmaker said that the beating heart of the upcoming movie is its cutting-edge action.

"The love I've received from the audience over the years is extraordinary, and it's that love I'm counting on as the teaser of 'Fateh' finally drops," said Sonu in a statement.

He revealed why the film is special to him.

"This film is incredibly special to me  not only because it marks my debut as a director but also because it is a voice against the alarming threat that many of us underestimate: the invisible, dark forces of the cyber world."

The actor added: "The beating heart of the film is its cutting-edge action that plays out with the ultimate showdown between the real and the virtual. This one's for all the heroes out there who dare to fight the battles that many of us don't see."

The film centers on an ex-special ops operative who investigates a cybercrime syndicate after a young woman falls victim to a scam. Sood, who also stars in the lead role, is joined by Jacqueline Fernandez, Vijay Raaz and Naseeruddin Shah.

As per variety.com, the production features action sequences coordinated by Hollywood technicians, including fight coordinator Federico Berte of "Cobra Kai" fame and action director/stunt coordinator Lee Whittaker, known for "Captain Marvel".

The glimpses of the film tease adrenaline-packed cinema, showcasing daring stunts, sleek cyber visuals, and a story that promises to decode the growing menace of cybersecurity breaches.

Sonu gained recognition with his acting prowess in films such as "Dabangg," "Happy New Year," and "Kung Fu Yoga." He gained widespread recognition for his humanitarian work during the COVID-19 pandemic, organising transportation and medical resources for thousands of migrant workers.

On December 5, he said that his directorial debut Fateh' is an ode to every hero who fights back.

Talking about the film, Sonu shared, "Stepping into the director's chair for the first time with Fateh has been a journey of passion and purpose. This action saga calls to attention the unseen battles fought in the shadows of the digital world. I'm thrilled that the teaser of Fateh is out for the audiences who are watching 'Pushpa 2: The Rule' in theatres".

He mentioned, "It's a glimpse into a world we've poured our hearts into creating, and I can't wait for viewers to experience the adrenaline, the emotions, and the sheer power of Fateh. This film is my ode to every hero who dares to fight back against impossible odds, and I hope it leaves viewers inspired and electrified".

Produced by Sonali Sood for Shakti Sagar Productions' and Umesh KR Bansal for Zee Studios, 'Fateh' is a gripping tale of courage, resilience, and the fight against cybercrime. The film is slated to release on January 10, 2025.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
United Nations, Dec 9 : UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said that the future of Syria is a matter for the Syrians to determine and that there is much work to be done to ensure an orderly political transition to renewed institutions.

The UN chief on Sunday reiterated his call "for calm and avoiding violence at this sensitive time, while protecting the rights of all Syrians, without distinction."

The inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises and personnel must be respected in all cases in accordance with international law, Xinhua news agency reported, quoting the UN Secretary-General.

"We will need the support of the international community to ensure that any political transition is inclusive and comprehensive and that it meets the legitimate aspirations of the people of Syria, in all their diversity. Syria's sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity must be restored," said Guterres.

The United Nations will honour the memory of those who have borne the brunt of this conflict, he said. "We remain committed to helping Syrians build a country where reconciliation, justice, freedom, and prosperity are shared realities for all. This is the path to sustainable peace in Syria."
New Delhi, Dec 9 : Opposition parties have united in support of farmers protesting for longstanding demands, including a legal guarantee for the Minimum Support Price (MSP), loan waivers, and reforms to improve agricultural conditions.

The farmers, mainly from Punjab and Haryana, have organised their 'Delhi Chalo' march from the Shambhu Border under the banners of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha, seeking attention to their cause.

On Sunday, the protest intensified as farmers suspended their march after facing tear gas shelling by Haryana Police at the Punjab-Haryana border.

Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher reported that at least eight farmers were injured, with one requiring urgent medical attention at Chandigarh's PGIMER.

The protesters had initially begun their march but were stopped by heavy barricades, including welded wire mesh, and faced resistance from security forces.

Opposition leaders have condemned the Centre's response, labelling the government as "anti-farmer."

Speaking to IANS, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Priyanka Chaturvedi said, "How shameful it is that this anti-farmer government keeps working against the farmers every day. It does not work according to the interests of the farmers. I remember when they brought the three black laws. First, they talked about doubling the income of the farmers, and then they brought three black laws."

Referring to past farmer protests against the now-repealed farm laws, Chaturvedi said, "When more than seven hundred farmers were martyred, you called them terrorists, anti-India, Pakistani sympathisers, Khalistani supporters, yet they kept fighting and forced you to withdraw those three black laws. When you were withdrawing them, you had promised that you would give the MSP, which they have not received till now, due to which they are protesting."

"What is your response? You use tear gas on them. You lathi charge them. You injure them. You do not allow them to enter from the Delhi border. You impose restrictions on them," she further said.

Labelling the government's act as "shameful" Chaturvedi said, "What kind of shameful method is this? On one hand, they say that we are farmer supporters but on the other hand, they work against farmers' interests. The Vice President of the country himself reprimanded Shivraj Singh Chouhan over the breach of promise made to farmers."

Congress MP Pramod Tiwari echoed the sentiment, labelling the Centre's actions as a "breach of trust."

"This is betrayal, breach of trust, and a violation of promises made by the government to the farmers, who are regarded as the gods of the earth. A year-long protest was held, during which 700 farmers were martyred. Over a year has passed, yet the issue of providing a constitutional guarantee for MSP remains unresolved.

"The government has failed to fulfil its promises and has betrayed the farmers," he told IANS.

He emphasised the farmers' peaceful protests and accused the government of avoiding dialogue. "Farmers are treated as gods of the earth, yet this government oppresses them with teargas and water cannons in harsh weather. This is nothing short of betrayal," he said.

Samajwadi Party MP Ram Gopal Yadav accused the government of being "afraid of farmers" and called the measures against them oppressive.

"Barriers, nails on roads, tear gas, and possibly rubber bullets -- this government's fear of farmers is evident in its anti-farmer actions," he told IANS.

The Haryana Police's response to the farmers' march included deploying multilayered barricades, water cannons, and paramilitary forces at the Shambhu Border on National Highway 44. The farmers attempted to breach the multilayered security, prompting the use of tear gas by the forces.

Authorities also suspended Internet and bulk messaging services in parts of Ambala, imposed prohibitory orders against gatherings of five or more people, and shut schools for the day.

This protest follows earlier thwarted attempts by farmers to march to Delhi in February, reflecting their frustration over unmet demands. Despite repeated assurances from the government, the farmers' call for a constitutional guarantee for MSP and other relief measures remains unresolved. The use of force has only intensified their grievances and drawn widespread criticism from political leaders and civil society.
Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 9 : The Congress party in Kerala is once again abuzz with talks of a generational shift, as calls grow for the 76-year-old state party president, K. Sudhakaran, to step down. Sudhakaran, who represents the CPI(M) stronghold of Kannur in the Lok Sabha, has dismissed such speculations, attributing them to media chatter.

"It's only the TV channels discussing this; there is no such move," Sudhakaran remarked.

However, insiders close to AICC General Secretary Deepa Dasmunshi suggest that the party's national leadership is exploring a possible leadership change in Kerala.

Kerala's Congress unit has revolved around towering figures like K. Karunakaran, A.K. Antony, Oommen Chandy, and Ramesh Chennithala for decades. With Chandy's passing and Antony retiring from active politics, the party now faces a leadership vacuum. Sudhakaran and Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan, who currently helm the party, have struggled to rise to the stature of their predecessors.

The once-dominant faction, led by Chandy, has fragmented, with many members aligning with either the Sudhakaran or Satheesan camps. This internal realignment underlines the challenges of sustaining strong factional identities within the party.

A political analyst, speaking on condition of anonymity, highlighted a critical issue -- the lack of grooming for the next generation of leaders. "Just look at the Communist parties, they have set a fixed term for their leaders to remain as legislators, giving chances to the upcoming generation and they have no dearth of leaders. But the Congress has not cultivated a pipeline of successors. This is a structural problem the high command is now trying to address," the analyst said.

The party's national leadership appears keen on injecting fresh energy into its Kerala unit, particularly with Priyanka Gandhi now an MP and Rahul Gandhi serving as Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

Upcoming local body elections in 2025 and state assembly polls in 2026 have further underscored the urgency for change. As part of its efforts, the Congress high command has initiated consultations with state leaders.

While Sudhakaran has found support from figures like Shashi Tharoor, the four-time MP from Thiruvananthapuram, the need for broader consensus is evident. Tharoor remarked, "I don't know of any decision by the high command, but I don't think Sudhakaran has to be replaced."

Another significant challenge for the Congress in Kerala is the lack of a prominent leader from the Christian community, a traditionally strong support base for the party. Names like Mathew Kuzhalnadan, Roji M. George, Benny Behanan, and Anto Antony are being considered for elevation to fill this void.

With the discussions now underway, the Congress high command faces a delicate balancing act. Any misstep could be counterproductive for the party's prospects in the upcoming elections.
On December 7, the "2024 China-UK Automotive Cooperation Forum and the Annual Conference of the UK Chinese Society of Automotive Engineers" was held at the University of Birmingham. The event became a platform for industry professionals to discuss further strengthening China-UK automotive cooperation. Researchers, market experts, and government representatives from both countries discussed current opportunities for collaboration in the automotive sector and the future direction of development.

"After the European Cup this year, BYD's market influence in Europe has significantly increased, and consumer acceptance has also risen noticeably. This is a critical moment for BYD to further enhance its brand influence," said Ge Hongde, BYD's National Manager for the UK and Ireland, in an interview with reporters.

At the same time, BYD has brought economic and social benefits to the UK. "We are able to provide better technology and more cost-effective products to the British public. Our pure electric buses and energy storage products have achieved great success in the UK. We are confident that we can offer better electric vehicle products to the UK public," said Ge Hongde.

Chris Mason, CEO of the Federation Internationale des Societes des Ingenieurs des Techniques de l'Automobile (FISITA), pointed out in a video address at the forum that the Chinese automotive industry is in a leading technological position in the transition from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles, with rapid technological innovation. The UK, being a traditional automotive powerhouse, has a strong foundation for cooperation with China in the automotive sector. Promoting cooperation between the two countries' automotive personnel in areas such as R&D, innovation, and market promotion will lead to new achievements in both nations' automotive industries.

Councillor Ken Wood, Mayor of Birmingham, stated in his speech that strengthening China-UK cooperation in the automotive sector would achieve a win-win situation and that he would be committed to further advancing China-UK cooperation in the automotive field in the future.

Professor Xu Hongming, President of the UK Chinese Society of Automotive Engineers (UKCSAE) and the Global Alliance of Overseas Chinese Automotive Engineers (GAOCSAE), and a professor at the University of Birmingham, told Xinhua that China-UK automotive cooperation holds vast prospects in areas such as new energy technology innovation and market expansion. By strengthening cooperation, both sides can leverage their respective advantages to jointly face challenges and drive the upgrading and development of the automotive industry. In the foreseeable future, there will be more fruitful outcomes from China-UK automotive industry cooperation, contributing to the global goal of carbon neutrality.

At the forum, experts including Professor Karl Dearn, Dean of the School of Engineering at the University of Birmingham, Professor Zhao Hua, Vice-Chancellor of Brunel University, Jon Caine, Technical Director at AVL, and Roger Cracknell, Senior Principal Science Expert at Shell, discussed the future development of zero-carbon emissions and carbon-neutral powertrain technologies, as well as the role of alternative fuels in transportation. They analyzed the challenges and opportunities faced by the global automotive industry as it transitions to decarbonization and electrification.

The forum, organized by the UK Chinese Society of Automotive Engineers, attracted 130 participants who braved hurricane-level weather to attend in person. More than 30,000 people viewed the event online through a live streaming platform provided by Gasgoo. In his opening speech, Professor Xu Hongming, President of the UK Chinese Society of Automotive Engineers, reviewed the association's achievements over the past five years and looked forward to the future of China-UK automotive cooperation. "As an annual event for the China-UK automotive industry, this forum not only provides an effective platform for exchanges and cooperation but also promotes in-depth cooperation between China and the UK in automotive engineering and related fields by discussing the latest technologies and policy developments. The UK Chinese Society of Automotive Engineers will continue to promote multinational cooperation and technological innovation to contribute to the sustainable development of the global automotive industry," Xu said.
Chennai, Dec 8 : Tamil Nadu's cybercrime police have launched a massive crackdown across the state to apprehend cybercriminals involved in defrauding people.

The operation, dubbed 'Operation Thiraineeku', has so far led to the arrest of 70 individuals connected to 135 complaints lodged statewide.

Special teams formed under the supervision of District Superintendents of Police and Commissioners of Police carried out the operation, which was planned by the State Cyber Crime Wing (CCW).

The entire operation was overseen by ADGP (Cyber Crime) Sandeep Mittal.

In a statement, Tamil Nadu police described the arrests as a significant victory in dismantling organised cybercrime networks in the state.

"This operation stands as one of the largest of its kind in India, effectively striking at the backbone of the cybercrime network," the statement added.

The large-scale operation relied on accused profiling using the National Cyber Crime Reporting (NCRP) Portal, databases from the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), and financial data analysis of cybercriminal networks.

Bank fund trails linked to 158 NCRP complaints were also a key element of the investigation.

The police are analysing digital evidence and interrogating the arrested individuals to uncover deeper layers of criminal operations nationwide.

Efforts are underway to apprehend additional network members, recover defrauded funds, and identify broader links to cybercrime activities across the country.

It may be recalled that the Greater Chennai City Police reported that between January and August 2024, a total of 1,679 cybercrime cases were registered, with 1,589 involving financial frauds that resulted in a loss of approximately Rs 189 crore.

In Coimbatore, City Police Commissioner V. Balakrishnan highlighted a sharp rise in cybercrime cases. Fraudsters have siphoned off Rs 93 crore this year alone, a significant increase from Rs 3 crore in 2021, Rs 13 crore in 2022, and Rs 48 crore in 2023.

By November 2024, complaints involving Rs 98 crore in losses had been received, with authorities successfully freezing approximately 50 per cent of the amount (Rs 49.25 crore).

Statewide, the cybercrime unit received 6,798 complaints this year, resulting in 255 FIRs. Victims reported combined losses of Rs 93.04 crore, and authorities have arrested 41 suspects, seven of whom have been detained under the Goondas Act.

The police have issued warnings about various scams, including online share trading frauds, Digital Arrest scams impersonating FedEx or the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, part-time job scams, matrimonial frauds, and electricity bill or gift scams.

Victims are urged to report incidents on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) within 24 hours by calling the cybercrime helpline 1930 or visiting www.cybercrime.gov.in.

Prompt reporting initiates the freezing of suspicious bank accounts, which is critical for recovering funds.

Following a directive from the Madras High Court in July 2024, judicial officers have been instructed that the recovery process for cybercrime losses can begin based on an NCRP complaint and a report from the cybercrime police, even without an FIR.

The police have also advised the public to exercise caution when encountering high-profit investment advertisements, unknown apps, or unverified websites, urging people not to transfer money into unknown bank accounts.

In one high-profile case, the Cyber Crime Wing of the Central Crime Branch (CCB), Chennai, arrested two individuals for their involvement in an online share trading fraud.

A woman from Chennai, the wife of a Kotturpuram-based businessman, was duped of Rs 10.27 crore.

The 45-year-old complainant was enticed by an advertisement on social media promoting investment trading tips.

She joined a WhatsApp group and downloaded an online share trading app through a link provided by the fraudsters. Between April and July, she transferred Rs 10.27 crore to various bank accounts provided by the scammers.

Although her virtual account displayed exaggerated profits, the funds never reflected in her actual bank account.

Police investigations are ongoing to recover the defrauded amount and track other individuals involved in the scheme.
Gyeongju/Seoul, Dec 9 : Seven people died and one person remained unaccounted for after a fishing boat capsized off the southeastern coast on Monday, the Coast Guard said.

There were eight crew members aboard the 29-tonne Geumgwang when the fishing vessel collided with a 456-tonne cargo ship and capsized in waters near Gyeongju, about 270 kilometres southeast of Seoul, at 5:43 A.M.

Seven crew members -- three South Koreans and four foreign nationals -- were found inside the boat in a state of cardiac arrest and taken to hospitals but were later pronounced dead, according to the Coast Guard.

A search is under way for the remaining one, who is an Indonesian national, Yonhap news agency reported.

Ten people were aboard the cargo ship, but none were harmed, according to officials. The ship also did not appear damaged.

The Coast Guard has sent patrol ships, rescue vessels and helicopters to the scene, and requested support from the oceans ministry, the Navy and firefighting authorities.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo earlier ordered an emergency rescue operation.
Jaipur, Dec 9 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit in presence of esteemed guests including renowned industrialists, investors and ambassadors from different countries.

Making an inaugural address, he said that Rajasthan was not only rising but was also reliable and receptive.

"Rajasthan knows how to refine itself with time. Rajasthan stands synonymous to combating challenges. Rajasthan is the name of creating new opportunities.

"One more name has been added to this R factor of Rajasthan. The people of Rajasthan have formed a responsive government with a huge majority.

"Bhajan Lal and his team have done a great job. Today is another important day in the development journey of Rajasthan," he said.

He added, "The priorities of the governments after Independence were neither development nor heritage. Rajasthan suffered a huge loss due to it. But today, our government is working on the mantra of 'Vikas bhi, virasat bhi'...Rajasthan is rising but also reliable. Rajasthan is receptive and also known for refining with time."

PM Modi also termed the people of Rajasthan as large hearted and said, "I have always believed that when the states develop, the country will also develop. When Rajasthan reaches new heights of development, the country will also develop. Rajasthan is the largest state in terms of area. Similarly, the hearts of the people here are also as big.

"The hard work of the people here, their honesty, their will power to achieve the toughest goals, the feeling of keeping the nation supreme, the inspiration to do anything for the country, you will see this in every dust and particle of Rajasthan."

He said that the development India has achieved by following the mantra of 'Reform, Perform, Transform' is visible in every sector.

"In the seven decades after Independence, India had become the eleventh-largest economy of the world. Now in the last ten years, India has made its economy the fifth-largest economy. On this occasion, India has almost doubled the size of its economy," he said in his inaugural address.

"India's exports have also almost doubled in the last ten years. Compared to the decade before 2014, FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) has also more than doubled in the last decade. During this time, India has increased the expenditure on infrastructure from about three lakh crore rupees to eleven trillion," he said, adding, "The power of democracy, population, digital data and delivery, is clear from India's success. A strong democracy in a diverse country like India is an important reason for its success."

PM Modi said that democracy is flourishing in a diverse country like India and is becoming strong and this is a great achievement in itself.

"Today the people of India are voting for a stable government in India through their democratic rights," he said.

In his welcome speech, CM Sharma said that even before the summit, the government had signed MoUs with various companies worth Rs 35 lakh crore.

"Rajasthan and its people will directly benefit from these investments. Now, along with agriculture, industries will also get adequate water. We have organised the summit in the first year so that in the next four years we can bring investment on the ground," he said.

Further, the Adani Group on this occasion announced to invest Rs 7.5 lakh crore in Rajasthan.

Karan Adani, Managing Director of Adani Ports and SEZ Ltd said, "Four new cement plants will be set up in Rajasthan. The Adani Group will invest Rs 7.5 lakh crore in different sectors in Rajasthan. As much as 50 per cent of this investment will be made in the next five years. In this, we will develop a green energy ecosystem. Apart from this, world-class development work will also be done at Jaipur airport."

Anil Agarwal, who came to attend the summit said, "Our company is getting a lot of support from the double engine government of the BJP. I also urge other companies to invest in Rajasthan. Vedanta Resources Limited will invest one lakh crore rupees in Rajasthan."

Industrialist Anand Mahindra started his speech by saying 'Khammaghani'.

He said, "As soon as I reached Jaipur today, the picture of stepwells emerged in my mind. These stepwells are proof of innovation. This shows the specialty of the people of Rajasthan. Innovative people of Rajasthan are not only in the country but also abroad."
Belagavi : , Dec 9 (IANS) Karnataka BJP on Monday announced that it will take up the issues of the Waqf controversy and maternal deaths across the state on the first day of the Assembly's winter session commencing on Monday.

Speaking to media, the Leader of the Opposition in the Legislative Assembly R. Ashoka stated, "Belagavi winter session is commencing today. During the session, we will take up the issues of the Waqf row and maternal deaths which are taking place in the state due to medical mafia."

"There is no control over departments in the government. Five to six maternal deaths were reported due to negligence and hundreds of newborn babies have died. In Belagavi alone, 325 newborn babies have died. I visited Belagavi hospital yesterday and party leaders are paying a visit to the hospital today," he added.

"Mothers are dying post-delivery and the Chief Minister has lost total control over the affairs in the state. The tragedies are taking place in all government departments," Ashoka stated.

"The government has not done any development activity. In the 17-month-long rule, the Congress government is mired in a series of scams including the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) scam, tribal welfare scam, liquor scam and maternal deaths due to medical lobby is the latest one," Ashoka went on.

Absolutely, there is no development activity taking place, he asserted.

"The government has also created the Waqf board controversy. During its entire tenure, the government is involved in one or the other controversy. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah who is the second term Chief Minister is not delivering on governance," Ashoka slammed.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah himself is caught in the MUDA case and facing the investigation. The government is in deep slumber, he charged.

"None of the ministers are holding grievance meetings in their constituencies. They are only interested in minting money. They only Vidhana Soudha on Thursdays and they will never bother to visit otherwise," he criticised.

The issue of cancellation of ration cards and BPL cards, Rs 700 crore liquor scam will be also be taken up in the session.

The questions will be raised on the promises and delivery of the state government on the development of North Karnataka region, Ashoka stated.

CM Siddaramaiah had claimed that he would turn the land of north Karnataka into the land of gold. His statement turned out to be a joke. There is no money left for any irrigation project in the region, he pointed out.

CM Siddaramaiah-led government is the worst government in the history of the state, Ashoka charged.
Mumbai, Dec 9 : BJP legislator Rahul Narwekar on Monday was unanimously elected as the Speaker of the 15th Maharashtra Legislative Assembly for the second consecutive term as he was also the Speaker in the 14th Assembly.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis moved the resolution for the election of Rahul Narwekar as the Speaker and it was seconded by NCP legislator Anil Patil.

Another resolution was moved by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde proposing Narwekar's election as Speaker and it was seconded by BJP legislator Ashish Shelar.

Thereafter, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar moved a similar resolution which was seconded by BJP legislator Chandrakant Patil.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis congratulated Narwekar for becoming the Speaker for the second-consecutive time.

He also thanked the Opposition for supporting Narwekar's election as the Speaker.

Narwekar was re-elected from Colaba constituency as a BJP nominee. He was first elected to the state Assembly from the Colaba seat as BJP candidate in the 2019 Assembly election.

He was elected as the Speaker in July 2022 after Eknath Shinde became the Chief Minister following the collapse of the Shiv Sena-led Maha Vikas Aghadi government.

"Speaker Sir, you never said that you will come back. But I am personally happy that you have come back. A well-acclaimed lawyer assuming the Speaker's post is a great thing. I have no doubt that you will do justice to the post," he said.

He added that Narwekar became the Speaker for the first time during his first term and again for the second term.

"During the two-and-half-years he was the most discussed Speaker, especially during the transitional phase in Maharashtra politics," he added.

The Chief Minister said, "You had to pass Agni Pariksha (while deciding the matters relating to splits in the Shiv Sena and NCP) during your earlier stint but a son from the Konkan has passed it successfully."

He recalled that earlier four Speakers had assumed the post for a second time and now Narwekar has joined the bandwagon.

"The Speaker had created his unique image during his earlier stint due to his expertise in law and skills in handling the House," said the Chief Minister.

He said that the Speaker has the responsibility to listen to the Opposition while running the House.

"I have already said that the Opposition will not be judged by its strength," he said.

He hailed the orders passed by Narwekar during his earlier stint (in connection with the split in Shiv Sena and NCP) saying that these judgments will be referred to in future too.

He said that as the Speaker he will have to give justice to members especially to those who have been elected for the first time.
Kolkata, Dec 9 : BJP's central observer for West Bengal, Sunil Bansal, is set to chair a crucial meeting with the party's elected MPs from the state today in New Delhi. The meeting will focus on the ongoing membership drive in West Bengal.

Attendees will include 12 Lok Sabha members and two Rajya Sabha members from the state.

According to party insiders, Bansal will outline strategies to help MPs from the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha actively participate in achieving the ambitious target of enrolling one crore new members in West Bengal by the end of December. However, only 25 per cent of the target has been met so far.

State BJP insiders said that in the meeting Bansal is expected to draw out a strategy for the party MPs on how they can contribute to the ongoing drive to induct new members in the party.

Following this session, Bansal is likely to hold a separate meeting with BJP's legislative team in the West Bengal Assembly. A senior party official hinted that Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, may play a crucial role in boosting the membership campaign.

Sources also revealed that the meeting will emphasize strengthening the party's grassroots organization, especially at the booth level, in preparation for the critical 2026 state assembly elections.

"A recent internal review highlighted gaps in effectively leveraging key issues against the state government and ruling dispensation. This was evident in the disappointing results of last month's bypolls in six Assembly constituencies," said a state committee member, who requested anonymity.

Bansal is expected to urge the state leadership to address these challenges and focus on organisational consolidation without delay to ensure better outcomes in the upcoming assembly polls.
Hyderabad, Dec 9 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday greeted top Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on her birthday on behalf of the people of Telangana.

Speaking in the State Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister said he was greeting Sonia Gandhi on her 78th birthday on behalf of the House and the people of Telangana, who remained indebted to her for fulfilling their dream of Telangana State.

Making a statement immediately after the commencement of the winter session on Monday morning, Revanth Reddy said Sonia Gandhi as the chairperson of United Progressive Alliance (UPA) fulfilled the 60-year-old aspiration of the people of Telangana.

He observed that December 9 has a special significance in the history of the state as it was on this day in 2009 that then Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram announced that the process for the formation of Telangana State would be initiated.

Revanth Reddy described Sonia Gandhi as the mother of Telangana people who fulfilled the promise with a bold decision to carve out a separate state without bothering about the political losses to the Congress.

The Chief Minister said though there were many hurdles in the creation of Telangana State after the December 9, 2009 announcement, Sonia Gandhi overcame all those to fulfill her commitment.

Revanth Reddy, whose government completed one year on December 7, said the government took various steps in tune with the aspirations of people to bring glory to Telangana's identity. He listed the steps like changing the state's abbreviation from 'TS' to 'TG' and adopting 'Jaya Jaya He Telangana' as the official song.

The Chief Minister said the government also designed a 'Telangana Thalli' (Mother Telangana) statue reflecting the Telangana culture and traditions. "We have designed the statue in such a manner that it reminds us of our own mothers," he said.

He said even after a decade of formation of Telangana State, it did not have an officially designed statue of Telangana Thalli. He explained the features of the statue, which is set to be unveiled at the State Secretariat on Monday evening.

Announcing that December 9 every year will be celebrated to pay tribute to Telangana Thalli, Revanth Reddy reiterated the appeal to all to set aside political differences and participate in the ceremony to unveil Telangana Thalli.

He claimed that to demonstrate unity on an issue related to the state's identity, the government extended an invitation to all including the leader of the opposition and former chief minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao (KCR).

Without naming KCR and Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), Revanth Reddy said it was unfortunate that an individual, a family and a party think that their views are the only views of the Telangana society.

BJP member Payal Shankar said while the government has powers to modify the statue of 'Telangana Thalli', he felt that the modified statue should have highlighted 'Bathukamma' the state festival.

Ministers D. Sridhar Babu, Ponnam Prabhakar and former Speaker P. Srinivasa Reddy hailed the government's move to install Telangana Thalli statue in the State Secretariat. CPI member K. Sambasiva Rao also greeted Sonia Gandhi on her birthday and thanked her for making Telangana State a reality.
New Delhi, Dec 9 : India on Monday urged all parties in Syria to prioritise the unity and integrity of the nation following the fall of the al-Assad regime.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a statement stressing the need for a peaceful resolution amidst the escalating turmoil in the Middle Eastern country.

"We are monitoring the situation in Syria in the light of ongoing developments. We underline the need for all parties to work towards preserving the unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Syria," the MEA said.

It further advocated for "a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political process respecting the interests and aspirations of all sections of Syrian society."

The MEA also addressed the safety of Indian citizens in Syria, assuring that the Indian Embassy in Damascus remains in contact with the community to ensure their security.

The statement follows dramatic developments over the weekend, as opposition forces seized control of Damascus after a swift offensive that toppled major Syrian cities in a matter of days.

On Sunday, opposition fighters appeared on state television to announce the fall of Damascus and the end of President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

Media reports, citing Russian officials, have claimed that al-Assad has sought asylum in Moscow, fleeing Syria with his family. The situation marks a significant turning point in the nation's prolonged civil conflict.

In Damascus, civilians celebrated in the streets, waving the "revolution flag," a symbol of Syria before the Assad family's rule. The opposition also released prisoners from Sednaya Prison near Damascus, which was abandoned by security forces as they withdrew.

India had previously issued a travel advisory on Friday, warning its citizens against travelling to Syria and urging those stranded in the country to leave at the earliest opportunity.

The unrest has triggered a severe humanitarian crisis, with the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reporting over 370,000 people displaced within a week.

As rebels continue their advance and government forces struggle to maintain control, the security situation raises significant concerns about Syria's future stability.
Jammu, Dec 9 : An organisation of migrant Kashmiri Pandits said on Monday that it has filed a police complaint against the alleged derogatory and inflammatory remarks by Iltija Mufti, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and daughter of former Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti.

In a statement, a Kashmiri Pandit organisation called 'Youth 4 Panun Kashmir' said on Monday that a police complaint has been filed against Iltija Mufti for allegedly derogatory and inflammatory remarks against Lord Rama and the Hindus.

Vithal Chowdhary, President Youth 4 Panun Kashmir (Y4PK) has filed a police complaint against Iltija Mufti for her derogatory and inflammatory tweet against Lord Rama, Hindu faith and Hindus.

The complaint has been lodged with the Cyber Crime Cell, Delhi, alleging that the statement is deeply offensive, is aimed at inciting communal discord, and deliberately insults Lord Rama, the Hindu religion and its followers. The complaint cites Sections 302, 325, and 323 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Section 67 of the IT Act.

Roots in Kashmir (RIK), another prominent Kashmiri Pandit organisation has welcomed the action of Y4PK.

Amit Raina, spokesperson of RIK, said that Iltija Mufti is a habitual offender and that it will provide all possible assistance to Vithal Chowdhary to ensure that she is booked for her derogatory and inciting statement.

Youth 4 Panun Kashmir has called for the authorities to investigate the matter thoroughly, block the offending content under Section 69A of the IT Act, and initiate stringent legal proceedings against Mufti.

"The organisation, alongside allies such as RIK, reiterates its commitment to advocating for justice and preserving the sanctity of all religious beliefs in India," the statement said.

It must be mentioned that Panun Kashmir, the parent organisation of 'Youth 4 Panun Kashmir' has been the first organisation to advocate a homeland for the minority Kashmiri Pandit community to be carved out in Kashmir Valley from where the terrorists hounded out the community in 1990s.
Beijing (Gasgoo)- In November 2024, the retail sales of passenger vehicles in China reached 2.423 million units, representing a 16.5% increase year-on-year and a 7.1% rise month-on-month, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association.

In the past month, China's retail sales of conventional oil-fueled passenger vehicles stood at 1.155 million units, showing a 7% decrease from a year earlier but an 8% uptick compared to October. Meanwhile, the penetration rate of new energy passenger vehicles (NEPVs) in the domestic market climbed to 52.3% in November.

The country's cumulative passenger vehicle retail sales totaled 20.257 million units in the Jan.-Nov. period of this year, reflecting a 4.7% growth over the previous year.

For clarity, the passenger vehicles hereby refer to cars, MPVs, and SUVs locally produced on the Chinese Mainland.

The high level of market activity that began in October continued in November in China, supported by the sustained effects of vehicle scrapping and replacement policies. These measures, combined with sales promotions during events like the "Double 11" and the Auto Guangzhou 2024, further stimulated consumer interest.

China's Ministry of Commerce reported that, as of November 18, over 4 million subsidy applications had been submitted, split evenly between vehicle scrapping and replacement incentives. Replacement subsidies have demonstrated a quicker effect on boosting sales compared to scrapping policies, underscoring the strong demand for vehicle upgrades among consumers.

NEPV purchases benefited significantly from policy advantages, including a 20,000-yuan subsidy for NEPVs compared to 15,000 yuan for oil-fueled vehicles, as well as additional regional incentives averaging 3,000 yuan for NEPVs. These policies have led most scrapping and some trade-in consumers to opt for NEPVs, fueling robust growth in entry-level all-electric vehicle (BEV) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) markets.

China's wholly-owned passenger vehicle brands achieved retail sales of 1.54 million units in November, representing a 34% surge compared to the previous year and a 4% rise from October. The domestic retail market share of these indigenous brands climbed to 64.1% last month, up 8.7 percentage points year-on-year.

For the first eleven months of 2024, Chinese indigenous brands secured a cumulative retail market share of 60%, indicating an 8.5 percentage points increase over the same period last year.

China's wholly-owned brands achieved significant growth in both the NEPV and export markets in November. Leading traditional automakers undergoing transformation and upgrades, including BYD, Geely, Chery, and SAIC-GM-Wuling, also saw substantial improvements in their retail performance last month.

On the other hand, mainstream joint ventures reported passenger vehicle retail sales of 600,000 units in the past month, which dropped 9% drop year on year but rose 6% compared to October. German and Japanese brands saw their shares shrink by 3 and 3.1 percentage points from the year-ago period to 15.6% and 12.4%, respectively. Meanwhile, U.S. brands' retail market share fell by 1.5 percentage points year over year to 6.4% in November.

Luxury brands faced similar challenges, with retail sales declining 4% from the previous year to 260,000 units in November, despite a 26% month-on-month increase. In the past month, luxury auto brands nabbed 10.9% of Chinas passenger car market, down 2.2 percentage points year-on-year.

In November, China's passenger car wholesale volume hit record-high, with 2.94 million units sold, which reflected a 15.3% growth year-over-year and a 7.6% rise month-over-month. Cumulative wholesale sales for the first eleven months of 2024 reached 24.115 million units, up 5.6% from the same period last year.

Joint ventures in China recorded wholesale sales of 650,000 units in the past month, a 12% decline compared to the same period in 2023 but a 13% rise from October. Luxury vehicles contributed 280,000 units, down 3% year-over-year but up 14% month-over-month.

China's self-owned brands moved 2 million vehicles via wholesale in November, which jumped 31% from a year ago and climbed up 5% from the previous month.

In November, the wholesale performance of major passenger car manufacturers was mixed. Companies such as BYD, Chery, Geely, and Changan showed strong overall performance. Eight manufacturers exceeded monthly sales of 100,000 units, maintaining their strong position and collectively accounting for 60% of the market.

Among the 37 manufacturers with wholesale volumes exceeding 10,000 units, 28 recorded month-over-month increases, with 16 achieving growth rates of over 10%. Joint ventures like SAIC-GM, Beijing Hyundai, FAW Toyota, Changan Ford, and SAIC Volkswagen demonstrated notable month-over-month growth.



China's passenger vehicle exports in November totaled 396,000 units (including complete vehicles and CKD), marking a 5% increase year-on-year but a 10% drop month-on-month. Year-to-date exports reached 4.387 million units, representing a robust 27% leap over the previous year. NEPVs constituted 20.2% of China's passenger car exports in November, slightly dipping 2.7 percentage points from a year earlier.
Seoul, Dec 9 : South Korean Police said on Monday they will consider imposing a travel ban on President Yoon Suk Yeol to investigate him over charges related to his short-lived declaration of martial law last week.

Police also did not rule out questioning Yoon in person.

"There are no human or physical restrictions to the subject of an investigation," Woo Jong-soo, a senior police official, told reporters during a briefing, Yonhap news agency reported.

Yoon's declaration of martial law on last Tuesday, which deployed special forces troops onto the streets of Seoul, has plunged South Korea into a state of political upheaval and raised concerns among its significant diplomatic allies and neighbouring countries.

On Saturday, Yoon successfully avoided an attempt by the opposition to impeach him, as the majority of lawmakers from the ruling party abstained from participating in the parliamentary vote. Nevertheless, the opposition parties have pledged to introduce a new impeachment motion against him within this week.
Bhopal, Dec 9 : A tragic incident of alleged medical negligence has emerged from Sidhi district, Madhya Pradesh, where a pregnant woman was reportedly denied admission to a government-run hospital despite being in a critical condition.

As a result, she delivered her baby outside the hospital premises on a stretcher. The newborn girl survived for only 30 minutes.

The shocking episode took place late Sunday night at the Sidhi district hospital. The woman, initially admitted to a primary health centre in Majhauli, located about 50 km from Sidhi, was referred to the district hospital after her condition deteriorated.

Upon her arrival at the Sidhi district hospital on Sunday evening, her condition continued to deteriorate. Medical staff at the district hospital subsequently referred her to Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital (SGMH) in Rewa, which is nearly 70 km away.

While the womanas family was preparing to transport her to Rewa, she experienced severe labour pains. Despite being in urgent need of care, the woman remained on a stretcher outside the hospital. A group of women used sarees to create a makeshift cover, under which the woman delivered her baby girl. Tragically, the newborn died 30 minutes after birth.

Following the incident, the womanas family staged a protest outside the hospital, alleging gross medical negligence.

"She was in critical condition and urgently needed medical attention, but the hospital staff refused to admit her, claiming she had been discharged and could not be taken back. Security guards even assaulted us when we pleaded for help," said Nikhil Kumar, a relative of the woman.

In response to the uproar, Sidhi District Collector Swarochish Somavanshi has ordered an inquiry into the matter.

"A detailed investigation has been initiated, and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings," the collector assured.

The incident has drawn widespread criticism, raising questions about the state of healthcare facilities in Madhya Pradesh.
Hyderabad, Dec 9 : Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) legislators were detained by police at the entrance of the state Legislature on Monday as they tried to attend the Assembly session wearing T-shirts with an objectionable slogan.

BRS MLAs and MLCs led by the partyas Working President, K.T. Rama Rao were stopped by police and Assembly security at the gate as they were wearing T-shirts with an objectionable slogan.

The legislators insisted they be allowed to attend the session. This led to an argument between the two sides.

The BRS MLAs and MLCs told the security officials that Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and other Congress MPs attended the Parliament session last week with similar slogans.

The BRS legislators raised slogans against Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy.

As the tension mounted, police detained the BRS legislators and whisked them away in police vehicles.

The detained BRS leader included Rama Rao, MLC K. Kavitha and former minister T. Harish Rao.

All the BRS legislators were dropped at party headquarters Telangana Bhavan.

They staged a protest demonstration at Telangana Bhavan and raised slogans against the Congress government.

Earlier, the Opposition party MLAs and MLCs gathered at Telangana Martyrsa Memorial in front of the Assembly building. After paying tributes to the martyrs, they walked towards the Legislature.

Monday was the first day of the Winter Session of both the Houses of the state Legislature.

K.T. Rama Rao also slammed the Congress government over modifying the statue of Telangana Thalli (Mother Telangana).

The BRS leader alleged that the government took away Bathukamma from the hand of Telangana Thalli and turned it into Congress partyas election symbol ahanda.

K.T. Rama Rao remarked that what the government has designed is mother of Congress party and not Telangana.

The modified statue of aTelangana Thallia is set to be unveiled by Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy in the state Secretariat on Monday evening.
New Delhi, Dec 9 : The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has recorded 406 cases of an undiagnosed disease between October 24 and December 5, the World Health Organization (WHO) said on Monday.

Congo's Ministry of Public Health reported to WHO an alert regarding increased deaths from an undiagnosed cause in the Panzi health zone on November 29.

The global health agency sent experts to Panzi health zone in DRC's Kwango Province to investigate the outbreak, which is causing fever, headache, cough, runny nose, and body ache.

"All severe cases were reported to be severely malnourished," said the WHO.

The agency added that among the cases, "31 deaths have been registered". Of these, 71 per cent are below the age of 15.

The WHO noted that the majority of cases reported are among children, particularly those under five years of age.

"The area is rural and remote, with access further hindered by the ongoing rainy season...and limited diagnostics which has delayed the identification of the underlying cause," the WHO said.

While the outbreak is still ongoing, the WHO has sent teams to collect samples for laboratory testing. The results will likely provide g a more detailed clinical characterisation of the detected cases. The teams are also investigating the dynamics of the transmission, as well as actively searching for new cases -- both within health facilities and at the community level.

"Rapid response teams have been deployed to identify the cause of the outbreak and strengthen the response," the WHO said.

The WHO suspects acute pneumonia, influenza, Covid-19, measles and malaria as potential causal factors with malnutrition as a contributing factor.

"Laboratory tests are underway to determine the exact cause," the UN agency said, noting that "more than one disease" may be contributing to the cases and deaths.
Moscow, Dec 9 : Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) on Monday revealed that it has raided and stopped an international network of call centres that committed mass fraud against citizens of several countries, including India.

Moscow detailed that the "illegal activities" were carried in the interests of D. Kazerashvili, the former Defence Minister of Georgia and founder of the Milton Group, who it said is "currently hiding" in London.

"The call centers were part of an international organised crime group that, under the guise of investment transactions, committed mass fraud against citizens of the EU, Great Britain, Canada, Brazil, India, Japan, etc. Around 100,000 people living in more than 50 countries became victims of their illegal activities. The income from illegal activities reached $1 million per day," read a statement issued by the FSB, a federal executive body whose activities are overseen by the Russian President Vladimir Putin himself.

The agency has the authority to implement Russian government's policy in areas of national security, counterterrorism, defence of the state border, protection of internal sea waters, the territorial sea, the exclusive economic zone, the continental shelf and their natural resources, as well as coordinating the counterintelligence efforts of the federal executive bodies.

The FSB statement mentioned that, as a result of operational investigative activities, the heads of the call centres operating in Russia have also been identified, including a citizen of Israel and Ukraine, Keselman Ya.D. (detained) and a citizen of Israel and Georgia, Todva D. (wanted), who in 2022, on instructions from the SBU, organised the dissemination of anonymous messages about terrorist attacks being prepared at critical infrastructure facilities in Moscow, Kursk, Bryansk and Belgorod.

"As part of the criminal case initiated by the Investigative Department of the FSB of Russia, law enforcement officers detained eleven managers and employees of Russian offices of call centres under Article 210 (Organisation of a criminal community), Part 4 of Article 159 (Fraud on an especially large scale), Part 3 of Article 207 (Knowingly false report of an act of terrorism) of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. Operational search activities and investigative actions continue," it added.
Mumbai, Dec 9 : The Maharashtra Assembly on Monday passed a resolution, by voice vote, expressing full faith in the Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis-led council of ministers.

The resolution was moved by Uday Samant, Sanjay Kute, Dilip Walse-Patil, and Ravi Rana.

After the resolution was moved, new unanimously-elected Speaker Rahul Narwekar announced that the confidence motion had been passed by voice vote and adjourned the house. With this, Fadnavis has passed the key legislative test.

The Chief Minister is expected to soon expand his council of ministers ahead of the Winter Session of the state legislature which will start on December 16 in Maharashtraas second capital Nagpur.

Fadnavis, along with Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, was sworn in at a grand swearing-in function that took place on December 5 in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, a galaxy of NDA leaders, industrialists, Bollywood actors, Ladki Bahins and about 40,000 people from various sections of the society.

The MahaYuti, comprising the BJP, the Shiv Sena, and the NCP has a strength of 237 in the Assembly while the position has a representation of 50 legislators.

Fadnavis said that he would focus on reviving the political dialogue, especially with opposition parties as it has been drastically reduced in the last five years. After taking over the charge, he said that although MahaYuti has recorded a landslide victory, the government will not suppress the oppositionas voices.

"We will not judge the opponents by their numbers," he remarked. aaWe don't want to do politics of change, we want to do politics that will show change. We will not judge opponents by their number. We won't play vindictive politics. If the opposition takes up valid issues, the government will respect them and respond to them positively. We will see five years of completely stable government. People have given us a majority, so they expect that Maharashtra should get a stable government. The shocks that hit till 2022 should not happen now," he maintained.
Patna, Dec 9 : The bye-election for the Tirhut Graduate Constituency of the Bihar Legislative Council has drawn significant attention due to the competitive political landscape and its implications for regional politics.

With counting underway at MIT College in Muzaffarpur, the results are expected to be announced by evening, bringing clarity to this triangular contest.

The MLC bypoll for the Tirhut Graduate Constituency was held on December 5 and the election saw a voter turnout of 47.50 per cent.

The voting was conducted across 89 polling centres and 106 sub-polling centres.

A total of 1,54,828 graduate voters from Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Sitamarhi, and Sheohar districts were eligible to vote, comprising 107,401 male and 47,419 female voters and their votes will decide the fate of 18 candidates.

The seat became vacant after Devesh Chandra Thakur was elected to the Lok Sabha from Sitamarhi, necessitating this bye-election.

The bye-election was a triangular contest featuring candidates from JD(U) Abhishek Kumar Jha, RJD candidate Gopi Kishan, and the Jan Suraaj Party candidate Dr Vinayak Gautam.

Rakesh Raushan, a rebel candidate of the Lok Janshakti Party (Ram Vilas) also contested that election as an Independent candidate.

Abhishek Jha, the JD(U) candidate was in the fray representing the Brahmin community and his party that has held this seat for 22 years.

The RJD had fielded Gopi Kishan who represents the Vaishya community.

The Jan Suraaj Party had given the ticket to Dr. Vinayak Gautam who represents the Bhumihar community and hails from a politically-prominent family.

His father, Ramkumar Singh, and grandfather, Raghunath Pandey, have previously held significant political positions, lending weight to his candidacy.

This election is being closely monitored as it serves as a barometer for the influence of major political alliances and emerging parties in the region ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

The counting process involves 20 tables, ensuring a smooth and transparent declaration of results.
Seoul, Dec 9 : The control of South Korea's military forces currently lies with President Yoon Suk Yeol as the commander in chief, the Defence Ministry said on Monday, as he faces investigation as a suspect on treason charges over last week's martial law declaration.

On Sunday, prosecutors said they booked Yoon as a suspect on insurrection charges after his surprise declaration of martial law on Tuesday night that was unanimously rejected by the National Assembly hours later.

"Legally, (the control of military forces) currently lies with the commander in chief," the Defence Ministry's spokesperson Jeon Ha-kyou said in a regular briefing when asked whether a suspect in an insurrection case can hold such powers, Yonhap news agency reported.

Han Dong-hoon, leader of the ruling People Power Party, said on Sunday that Yoon would step away from state affairs, such as diplomacy, until he leaves office.

Asked by reporters if that also would include Yoon's control over the military, Han said: "I think that would be the same. It would cover diplomatic affairs."

Asked about who could declare martial law in the event of war, Jeon said he understands that the authority remains unchanged.

Vice Defence Minister Kim Seon-ho, who also serves as acting Defence Minister, said last week that the Defence Ministry and the military will not obey any orders to enforce martial law should they be issued again.

In a televised public address Saturday, Yoon offered a public apology for causing public concerns due to his martial law order while vowing not to make another attempt to declare it again.

Meanwhile, Jeon said the ministry is working to verify signs that personnel from the military's intelligence command entered the National Election Commission's office in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul, on the night of the martial law declaration.

Local media earlier reported that members of the Korea Defense Intelligence Command filmed the commission's computer servers at the office, raising questions about their motive.
New Delhi, Dec 9 : Inadequacy in record maintenance and non-availability of gloves and aprons for cooks have emerged as major shortcomings in the implementation of the Mid-day Meal Scheme in some districts of Uttar Pradesh, the Parliament was informed on Monday.

Minister of State for Education Jayant Chaudhary, in a written reply, said that social audit of the Mid-day Meal, given under Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM POSHAN), showed inadequacy in record maintenance in districts of Uttar Pradesh such as Sitapur, Lakhimpur Khiri, Mau, Gonda, and Balrampur.

Non-availability of gloves and aprons for cooks was identified as the major shortcoming in districts Lakhimpur and Hardoi, the Minister said in reply to a question by Ruchi Vira of Samajwadi Party.

Minister Chaudhary said that Uttar Pradesh has reported that under the PM POSHAN Scheme, social audit was conducted in 1,500 schools for the years 2022-23 and in 1,575 schools for the year 2023-24, in all 75 districts as per the guidelines laid by the Central government; and the process for 2024-25 is underway.

He said under PM POSHAN, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under the National Food Security Act, 2013 (NFSA), every local authority, or any other authority or body, authorised by the State Government, is supposed to conduct periodic social audits on the functioning of the Scheme.

He said that the Mid-Day Meal Rules, 2015 provide for mandatory testing of food samples by Government Food Research Laboratory or any laboratory accredited or recognised by law to ensure that the meals meet nutritional standards and quality.

The Food Corporation of India (FCI) is given the responsibility for the issue of food grains for the meals. The FCI appoints a Nodal Officer for each State to take care of various problems in the supply of food grains under the PM POSHAN Scheme, he said.
Seoul, Dec 9 : South Korean civic groups were set to stage another candlelight vigil near the National Assembly on Monday to call for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over last week's botched martial law declaration.

The rally, led by the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), one of the largest umbrella labor unions in the country, is scheduled to take place near exit five of the National Assembly Station at 6 pm, Yonhap news agency reported.

The KCTU said it would hold the rally in the same location every day, a continuation of the massive rallies that brought a swarm of protesters to the streets during the weekend.

Another progressive civic group, named Candlelight Action, also announced plans to stage a protest at 7 p.m. demanding the immediate impeachment and arrest of Yoon.

Near Gwanghwamun in central Seoul, conservative groups will hold a separate rally in opposition to Yoon's impeachment and continue the daily protests until Saturday.
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.

BYD India's 5,000th vehicle rolls off production line



On November 29, BYD saw the 5,000th vehicle made at its India manufacturing plant roll off the production line, marking its key role in the rapidly growing Indian electric vehicle.

Photo credit: BYD

SAIC MOTOR Passenger Vehicle appoints Zhou Xing as General Manager of MG brand division

On December 9, SAIC MOTOR Passenger Vehicle Company, a subsidiary wholly owned by SAIC Motor, officially appointed Mr. Zhou Xing as the General Manager of the MG Brand division. Zhou confirmed the appointment on his Weibo account, a Twitter-like social media platform in China. With extensive experience at SAIC-GM-Wuling, he has held key positions in brand development, product design, marketing, and channel expansion. Known for his exceptional management and marketing skills, he has proven expertise in brand building and channel operations.

FTXT, Liyuan Group, Yutong deliver first-batch cooperative hydrogen-powered heavy-trucks

Recently, thirty Yutong fuel cell heavy-duty trucks, whose key components supplied by FTXT-Liyuan, a joint venture between FTXT Energy Technology Co., Ltd. (FTXT) and Henan Liyuan Group ("Liyuan Group"), were officially put into operation in Anyang City, Henan Province, according to a post on FTXT's WeChat account. The trucks are primarily used to transport coke for Liyuan Group. This marks a significant milestone in the cooperation between FTXT and Liyuan Group to promote hydrogen vehicle applications in Henan. It also represents an important collaboration with Yutong Group, a Chinese main commercial vehicle manufacturer, following the success on hydrogen-powered buses.

China's passenger car wholesales reach record high in Nov. 2024

In November 2024, the retail sales of passenger vehicles in China reached 2.423 million units, representing a 16.5% increase year-on-year and a 7.1% rise month-on-month, according to data from the China Passenger Car Association.

Dida Chuxing, JD Auto, Allianz JD forge strategic partnership in carpool service

Chinese ride-share service operator Dida Chuxing ("Dida") recently announced a strategic partnership with JD Auto and Allianz JD, aiming to leverage their respective strengths to create innovative solutions tailored to the ride-sharing ecosystem. The collaboration will focus on developing customized insurance products and enhancing post-trip services to better serve Dida's carpool service users.

Farizon introduces several new energy commercial vehicle models in Hong Kong, China

On December 5, Farizon, the new energy commercial vehicle maker under Geely Holding, showcased several new energy vehicle (NEV) models, including the Farizon SV (super van), the H9E intelligent light-duty truck, and the U11M methanol-hydrogen bus, at the IMXpo 2024 in Hong Kong, marking the brand's official entry into the Hong Kong market.

Joyson Electronics plans public listing on HKEX

On December 6, Ningbo Joyson Electronic Corp. ("Joyson Electronics") announced plans to issue H-shares and list on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (HKEX). The funds raised will be used for the development and commercialization of next-generation intelligent automotive electronics and cutting-edge technologies, production capacity expansion, supply chain enhancements, international business growth, and potential industry investments or acquisitions.

Geely starts delivering Galaxy Starship 7 EM-i SUVs

On December 6, the Starship 7 EM-i, the latest plug-in hybrid electric SUV model under Geely's new energy vehicle (NEV) range Galaxy, hit the market. Nationwide deliveries have already commenced, fulfilling the promise of launch-to-delivery immediacy.

ZEEKR hits production milestone of 400,000 vehicles

On December 7, Geely's ZEEKR brand celebrated the production milestone of its 400,000th vehicle, meaning the company produced its 4th 100,000 vehicles in just four months.

Geely Holding's new energy vehicle sales soar 60.6% YoY in Nov. 2024

Zhejiang Geely Holding Group ("Geely Holding") announced via its WeChat account that its monthly automobile sales volume hit a new high of 355,021 units in November 2024, jumping 20.7% year on year (YoY).

Hesai Technology nabs exclusive LiDAR supply deal from Great Wall Motor

LiDAR solution provider Hesai Technology announced on December 6 that it has secured an exclusive production contract for several vehicle models from Great Wall Motor's WEY and TANK SUV brands. These models will feature Hesai's ATX LiDAR, which is slated for mass production in 2025.



AVATR releases exterior images of second sedan model AVATR 06

AVATR, the premium new energy vehicle brand jointly backed by Changan Automobile, Huawei, and CATL, officially named its second luxury sedan model the "AVATR 06," according to an announcement on the company's WeChat account on December 9.

2024 China-UK Automotive Cooperation Forum succesfully concluded

On December 7, the "2024 China-UK Automotive Cooperation Forum and the Annual Conference of the UK Chinese Society of Automotive Engineers" was held at the University of Birmingham.

ZEROG secures over 100 million yuan in Series A+ financing

Zero Gravity Aircraft Industry (ZEROG), a Chinese new energy aircraft manufacturer, announced the successful completion of its Series A+ financing with over 100 million yuan raised, according to a statement in ZEROG's official website.

COSCO SHIPPING, SIPG to increase investment in SAIC Anji Logistics

On December 6, COSCO SHIPPING Holdings Co., Ltd. (COSCO SHIPPING), Shanghai International Port (Group) Co., Ltd. (SIPG) signed a capital injection agreement with SAIC Motor Corporation Limited (SAIC Motor), SAIC Capital Company Limited, and SAIC Anji Logistics Co., Ltd., according to a post on SAIC Motor's WeChat account.

XPENG puts XPENG X9 MPV model onto Thai market

Chinese smart electric vehicle maker XPENG recently announced that the XPENG X9 has officially hit the Thai market, according to its Weibo account, a Twitter-like social media platform in China.

GAC International inaugurates Brazil office

On December 4, GAC International marked a major milestone in its global expansion with the opening of its Brazil office in Sao Paulo, the largest city in the country. This move signifies the establishment of GAC's localized operations in Brazil.
Gwalior, Dec 9 : A disaster was narrowly avoided when a fire broke out in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of Kamla Raja Hospital, a government-run medical facility in Madhya Pradesh's Gwalior, on Monday.

The fire, reportedly caused by a short circuit, posed a severe risk to over 15 newborns admitted to the PICU. Swift action by the hospital staff, combined with the availability of fire extinguishers, managed to avert a tragedy.

According to sources, the fire highlights long-standing issues at Kamla Raja Hospital. Aging electrical wiring, which has not been replaced for years, has made short circuits a recurring problem. Despite repeated calls for a complete renovation, the lack of adequate funding has stalled any upgrades.

The hospital, which has over 450 beds, is operated by a trust on government funding. It faces chronic challenges, including a severe shortage of doctors and non-functional medical equipment, leaving patient care in a precarious state.

The overcrowding in the PICU is particularly alarming, with two to four newborns often sharing a single bed. A video circulating on social media has further exposed the grim reality, raising questions about the state government's commitment to providing quality healthcare.

The fire incident comes amid growing concerns about medical negligence across Madhya Pradesh. In a distressing case from Sidhi district, a woman was forced to deliver her baby outside a government hospital late Sunday night after being denied admission. Tragically, the newborn did not survive beyond 30 minutes.

Incidents like these, where patients are transported on cycles and bullock carts due to a lack of ambulances or infrastructure, paint a bleak picture of the state's healthcare system.

The Kamla Raja Hospital fire serves as a wake-up call for authorities to address systemic issues in healthcare facilities. Without immediate intervention, the risk of similar incidents looms large.
Seoul, Dec 9 : South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was placed under a travel ban on Monday pending an investigation into treason and other charges related to his short-lived imposition of martial law last week, with political turmoil deepening over Yoon's political future.

The ban was imposed by the justice ministry shortly after the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) said it had submitted a request for the order.

Yoon has been booked as a suspect in simultaneous investigations conducted by the police, the prosecution and the CIO over his surprise declaration of martial law on last Tuesday, Yonhap news agency reported.

The order was lifted six hours later after the National Assembly voted to end it.

The main opposition Democratic Party and other opposition parties also submitted a motion to impeach the president afterwards, but it was scrapped on Saturday after all but three lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party boycotted a vote on it.

Bae Sang-eop, a senior immigration official at the justice ministry, told lawmakers during a parliamentary hearing Monday that a travel ban is almost always issued following a simple review of the formal requirements.

He said the ban had been imposed on Yoon sometime after 3 p.m.

CIO chief Oh Dong-woon told the hearing his office is committed to carrying out a thorough investigation into "the leader and key offenders related to treason" with the suspects under physical detention, in principle.

When asked if the CIO had requested a travel ban on First Lady Kim Keon Hee, he said it would be reviewed.
Seoul, Dec 9 : South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party (DP) proposed a special counsel bill on Monday to investigate whether President Yoon Suk Yeol committed treason and other violations during his short-lived declaration of martial law last week.

Rep. Kim Yong-min, the DP's deputy floor leader for policy, and Rep. Kim Seung-won submitted the bill, calling on the special counsel to investigate Yoon's alleged "insurrection," Yonhap news agency reported.

The DP also proposed a bill mandating a special counsel probe into allegations involving First Lady Kim Keon Hee, including her alleged involvement in a stock manipulation scheme and interference in election nominations through a power broker.

This is the fourth version of the bill targeting the First Lady following a similar proposal vetoed by Yoon last month, which was ultimately scrapped in a revote on Saturday.

The bill was just two votes short of the 200 votes needed from the 300-member National Assembly to override the veto.
Accra, Dec 9 : A total of 30 suspects have been arrested in Ghana for looting and causing property damage during the post-election violence, Ghanaian police said.

The police announced late Sunday that medical authorities had confirmed the death of a suspect who was shot by an accomplice during an attack, reports Xinhua news agency.

Additionally, an official of Ghana's Electoral Commission (EC) injured in the violence is receiving treatment at a medical facility.

The police urged the public to remain calm, saying intelligence-led operations have been fully deployed to apprehend other perpetrators of electoral violence. Patrols have also been intensified to maintain law and order.

Ghanaians voted on Saturday to elect a new president and 276 parliamentarians. Former President John Dramani Mahama, leader of the opposition National Democratic Congress, announced his victory on social media Sunday.

As of Monday morning, the EC had yet to officially announce the final results.
New Delhi, Dec 9 : The Supreme Court on Monday refused to entertain a fresh plea seeking directions to immediately clear the blockage of national as well as state highways in Punjab, which "alleged farmers and farmer unions" have blocked permanently for an indefinite period.

"Why are you filing repeated petitions? We are already seized of the matter and have already taken some initiatives. There is no question of repeated petitions," a bench headed by Justice Surya Kant told the PIL litigant.

"In pending PIL, we never say anoa to any counsel. You assist us on the fixed date, we will see what orders could be passed on the opening of highways," the apex court added.

Saying that no fresh petition should be entertained on the same subject matter, Justice Kant-led Bench proceeded to dismiss the fresh petition filed by social activist Gaurav Luthra.

The bench, also comprising Justice Manmohan, granted liberty to the petitioneras counsel to assist in the pending matter relating to the "larger public interest issue".

The PIL sought a direction that all national highways and railway tracks are not blocked by the agitating farmers to ensure smooth passage for the general public.

"The alleged farmers and their farmer unions have blocked the national highway at the entry point of Punjab i.e. Shambu for more than one year and recently have blocked national and state highways in the entire state of Punjab at various locations on October 24," it contended the petition.

In September, the Supreme Court had ordered the formation of a committee to amicably resolve the grievances of the farmers protesting at the Punjab-Haryana border. It had suggested the panel headed by Justice Nawab Singh, a former judge of Punjab and Haryana High Court, to hold negotiations with the protesting farmers for the removal of their tractors, trolleys, etc from the national highway for ease of the general public. Further, the apex court had granted liberty to farmers to shift their peaceful protests to an alternative site. Apart from Justice Nawab Singh, the panel comprised former Haryana DGP B.S. Sandhu, agricultural analyst Devender Sharma, Professor Ranjit Singh Ghuman, agricultural economist Dr Sukhpal Singh, and Professor Baldev Raj Kamboj as a special invitee.
Yangon, Dec 9 : About 220,000 students registered for the nationwide matriculation examination of Myanmar for the academic year of 2024-2025, state-run media reported on Monday.

The number of students registered to take the exam for the 2024-2025 academic year increased compared to the previous academic year, reports Xinhua, quoting Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV).

In the 2023-2024 academic year, over 120,000 students sat for the exam, out of which more than 74,000 passed, it added.

The nationwide matriculation exam for the 2024-2025 academic year will be held from March 17 to March 22, 2025, according to the Department of Myanmar Examinations.
Adelaide, Dec 9 : Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh and veteran Australia batter Matthew Hayden pointed out that the Rohit Sharma-led side's lack of building 'big partnerships' has resulted in their 10-wicket defeat in the second Test at Adelaide Oval.

Indian batters faltered against Mitchell Starc and captain Pat Cummins as the duo shared 15 wickets between them to level the five-Test series 1-1.

In the first Test of the series in Perth, Yashasvi Jaiswal (161) and Virat Kohli (100 not out) struck centuries in the second innings while KL Rahul played a gritty knock of 77 to guide India to a 295-run emphatic win in the absence of regular captain Rohit Sharma.

However, the momentum shifted in Australia's favour in the second Test with Indian batters failing to tackle the attack from Starc and Cummins as they bundled out the visitors for 180 & 175 at Adelaide Oval.

aOne area where India would like to improve is the partnership. We need to have big partnerships We didnat get a good partnership in Adelaide because of which we did not have enough runs on the board. If we have 300-350 on the board then our bowlers have the capability to bowl them out," Harbhajan said on Star Sports.

Hayden also flagged India's batting performance in the pink-ball Test and called for a better show in Brisbane.

aTeam India just did not bat well enough, thereas no doubt. Even though this was a difficult track to bat on, they should not have been bowled out in under a day and a half. So that needs to be rectified for the Brisbane Test match," Hayden said.

Meanwhile, the former Australian batter extended praise for India's bowling performance led by speedster Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj despite Travis Head's scintillating 140-run knock that set the tone of the match for the hosts.

aBowling I thought, on average was pretty good. When you thought of the freakish innings that Travis Head played, 140 off 141 deliveries that was just something else. Sometimes, batsmen have their way," Heyden said.

The third Test between India and Australia will be played in Brisbane from December 14.
Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 9 : Controversy has erupted in Kerala after State Education Minister V. Sivankutty openly slammed a popular Malayalam actress and danseuse for demanding Rs 5 lakh to train school students for a dance performance at the upcoming school youth festival.

Speaking at a public meeting, Sivankutty, who is known for his plain speaking, expressed his displeasure, remarking that the actress in question rose to fame through this very youth festival. "All we asked her was to spend 10 minutes helping students prepare for the inaugural dance performance of the festival. Her demand for such a hefty sum is nothing but arrogance," said the Minister.

"We have now decided not to ask her and it's not because we do not have money to pay," the Minister added.

He clarified that the government was capable of paying but decided against engaging her due to the unreasonable demand. He also cited examples of actors like Fahadh Faasil and others who willingly cooperate with the state government without monetary expectations.

Actor Sudhir Karamana, who was present at the public event, echoed the Minister's sentiments, saying, "It was inappropriate for her to ask for money, given that this is a government-supported program. I don't know who this actress is, but her demand reflects poorly."

While Sivankutty refrained from naming the actress, speculation has already begun, with names such as Manju Warrier, Navya Nair, Ambili Devi, Kavya Madhavan, Divya Unni and Vindhuja Menon doing the rounds, as students they had taken part in the school youth festivals.

As tongues wag and debates continue, the identity of the actress remains unconfirmed.

The Kerala School Youth Festival, which began in 1954, is billed as the biggest cultural event in Asia for students.

A record over 10,000 students from classes 8 to 12 participate and is generally held during November and December.

This time it will be held in the state capital city in January.
Imphal, Dec 9 : In a series of successful joint operations, the Army, and the Assam Rifles, in coordination with other security forces, recovered weapons, a large cache of ammunition, and other war-like stores from three Manipur districts, officials said on Monday.

A defence spokesman said that the Army, Assam Rifles, Manipur Police, and central forces during these operations in the past three days recovered the cache of arms, ammunition and various war-like stores from both hill and valley regions in three districts -- Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, and Thoubal.

The recovered arms include a sniper rifle, a Lathode gun, two 9 mm pistols, an SBBL gun, two 7.62 mm SLR rifles, one carbine machine gun, one double-barreled rifle, a .12 bore single-barrel gun, and three 9 mm pistols.

Several live grenades were also recovered in these operations, the spokesman said, adding that recovered arms and ammunition were handed over to the Manipur Police for further disposal.

The successful recoveries highlight the seamless cooperation between the Army, Assam Rifles and other law enforcement agencies, demonstrating their commitment to ensuring the security and safety of the region, the spokesman said.

Meanwhile, at least 2,000 personnel of the Army and Assam Rifles continued their hectic search operation to locate the 56-year-old Meitei man Laishram Kamalbabu Singh, who has been missing since November 25.

The Army as part of their search operation deployed tracker dogs, drones and other devices. Joint Action Committee (JAC) and the Meira Paibis (women vigilantes in Manipur) have sought the intervention of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to rescue Kamalbabu Singh. The Meira Paibis and the JAC continued their agitations separately in protest against the abduction of Kamalbabu Singh. Singh, a resident of Gossaipur under Cachar district in southern Assam, who was staying at Loitang Khunou village in Imphal West district, left his residence on November 25 for the Leimakhong military station, where he was working as a supervisor for a contractor working with the Military Engineering Services (MES), but went missing. Various Meitei community organisations alleged that Singh was kidnapped by Kuki militants.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On December 7, Geely's ZEEKR brand celebrated the production milestone of its 400,000th vehicle, meaning the company produced its 4th 100,000 vehicles in just four months.

The significant vehicle was the ZEEKR MIX, a mid-size MPV hitting the market on October 23. The MIX comes in two trim levels: the Intelligent Driving Edition and the Long-Range Intelligent Driving Edition, priced at 279,900 yuan and 299,900 yuan, respectively.

Photo credit: ZEEKR MIX

The ZEEKR MIX features a design philosophy called "Flowing Space Aesthetics," combining a boxy profile with smooth, rounded lines to create a simple yet stylish appearance. The closed front grille integrates ZEEKR's Stargate intelligent lighting system, with 1,960 LED beads forming a 95-inch display. Besides illumination, this setup enables interactive light communication, enhancing the futuristic feel.

Photo credit: ZEEKR

From the side, the MPV's sleek, flowing lines run from the front to the rear, complemented by a two-tone body design that adds a touch of elegance and warmth. Hidden rain gutters and rear wipers further emphasize its clean, modern aesthetic. The vehicle also features semi-concealed door handles and two-tone, closed-off wheels to reduce drag, making it more aerodynamically efficient.

Measuring 4,688mm in length, 1,995mm in width, and 1,755mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3,008mm, the ZEEKR MIX is classified as a mid-size MPV. It seats five across two rows, with a trunk capacity ranging from 568 liters to 2,000 liters. This is a distinctive setup compared to other popular MPVs like the XPENG X9 and DENZA D9, which are larger and offer three rows of seating, positioning the MIX in a unique market niche.

Photo credit: ZEEKR MIX

One standout feature is the hidden dual B-pillar design, where the pillars are incorporated into the doors. The front and rear doors open in opposite directions, creating a wide entry space of up to 1.33 meters on the right side. The left side offers a 1.53-meter opening for improved access and visibility. The front doors use a conventional hinge system for ease of entry and exit.

Photo credit: ZEEKR MIX

Inside, the MIX offers impressive flexibility. It includes the world's first 270-degree, infinitely rotating electric front seats, paired with 2-meter-long electric sliding rails, allowing for multiple seating configurations. This arrangement enhances versatility, making the MPV suitable for a wide range of usage scenarios. Additional features include an electric sliding center armrest, electric leg rests for rear passengers, and ventilation, heating, and massage functions for maximum comfort.

Photo credit: ZEEKR MIX

On the technology front, the ZEEKR MIX is equipped with a 15.05-inch 2.5K central touchscreen powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8295 chip. It supports advanced features such as Amap (Gaode Map), four-zone voice recognition, facial and voiceprint recognition, gesture control, an app store, 5G Wi-Fi, and over-the-air (OTA) updates. For intelligent driving, the model comes standard with LiDAR, dual NVIDIA Orin-X chips, and the Haohan Intelligent Driving 2.0 system, with the HD map-free City NZP (Navigation ZEEKR Pilot) feature scheduled for rollout by the end of October, promising a safer and more convenient driving experience.

The ZEEKR MIX runs on an 800V high-voltage platform, powered by a 310kW silicon carbide electric motor. Two battery options are available: a 76kWh pack offering a range of 550km and a 102kWh pack with a 702km range, based on the CLTC cycle. Notably, the vehicle supports V3 liquid-cooled fast charging, allowing it to gain 500km of range in just 15 minutes.
Chennai, Dec 9 : The Tamil Nadu government has adopted a resolution in the Legislative Assembly, urging the Union government to immediately cancel the mining rights for tungsten granted to Hindustan Zinc Limited in Nayakkarpatti village, Melur taluk, in Madurai district.

Senior DMK leader and Water Resources Minister S. Duraimurugan moved the resolution on Monday alleging that the Union government disregarded the state government's objections while proceeding with the auction of mining rights for critical and strategic minerals.

He condemned the decision, emphasising that the people and government of Tamil Nadu would never accept it.

Duraimurugan highlighted that the mining rights were granted for a site which was declared a biodiversity heritage site in 2022.

The area is home to several historical monuments, including cave temples, Jain temples, Tamil-Brahmi inscriptions, and Panchapandavar beds, and is a habitat for rare species.

The resolution noted that Chief Minister M. K. Stalin had previously urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to revoke tungsten mining rights granted to Hindustan Zinc Limited.

Reports suggest that the Central government is now considering revoking its decision to mine tungsten in and around Arittapatti and other villages in Madurai district.

This development follows a letter from BJP state president K. Annamalai to Union Minister of Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy, requesting the cancellation of the mining plans.

In response, Kishan Reddy assured Annamalai that the Centre would review its decision. Annamalai attributed the issue to the Tamil Nadu government's failure to effectively convey its dissent to the Union government, which resulted in the tender being awarded to Hindustan Zinc Limited.

He further emphasised that the Modi-led Central Government prioritises the welfare of farmers and would not undertake initiatives detrimental to their interests.

"Under the able leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our government has consistently implemented schemes that promote the well-being of farmers," Annamalai said.

He also urged the Centre to ensure that no future mining declarations are made near biodiversity heritage sites in Madurai, safeguarding the environment and the local population.
Mumbai, Dec 9 : The Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi (VBA) has claimed that it has not yet received any response from the Election Commission of India (ECI)'s Maharashtra Chief Electoral Officer on a set of questions about the polling processes in the November 2024 state Assembly elections, here on Monday.

The party's Chief Spokesperson Siddharth Mokle said that the 2-page letter, sent to the CEO by VBA President Prakash Ambedkar last Friday (December 6), has not elicited any reply from the ECI  CEO S. Chokalingam so far.

Reiterating his letter contents in a video statement on Monday (December 9), Ambedkar said it has raised several issues concerning the Assembly polls that have created misgivings in public minds. "A total of 75 lakh votes were cast after evening (November 20). The official voting time was till 6 p.m. Are the tokens distributed at each (polling) booth after 6 pm? If they were distributed, then how many?" demanded Ambedkar, who is the grandson of the Chief Architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

Seeking details of each constituency along with visual evidence of each polling station, the VBA chief sought to know whether videography was carried out after 6 p.m. at all the locations or not. The VBA has asked for information on priority about which officials had distributed the tokens to the voters after 6 p.m. that day.

Ambedkar also asked the CEO about the time it takes for a voter to cast his/her/their votes, and whether the District Election Officer/Returning Officer and booth Supervisors had recorded the number of votes polled between 5-6 p.m. on November 20. "I wrote to the ECO on Friday to raise the serious concern of the variation in the provisional voter turnout and the final data in the recent state Vidhan Sabha elections. It is important that our questions are answered and our concerns are addressed 'as they will appreciate the depreciated and shaken faith in the electoral process' and the ECI's conduct," said Ambedkar.

Last month's elections, which gave an unprecedented landslide victory to the ruling MahaYuti alliance of Bharatiya Janata Party-Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party has resulted in a barrage of questions and suspicions, besides around 22 requests for re-counting of votes by candidates from different parties.

Against the MahaYuti's 230 seats, the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) was practically erased with 46 seats, plus the remaining seats going to independents/smaller parties in the 288-member Assembly.

The MVA allies Congress-Shiv Sena (UBT)-Nationalist Congress Party (SP), plus VBA, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Samajwadi Party and others have protested at what they feel is the one-sided results, pointing accusing fingers at the Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) for their debacle.

At least three MVA winners have said they are ready to quit as MLAs and fight elections again provided the ECI conducts it on ballot paper. They are -- state Congress President Nana F. Patole from Sakoli (Bhandara), SS (UBT)'s Sunil Raut from Vikhroli (Mumbai) and NCP (SP)'s Uttamrao S. Jankar from Malshiras (Solapur).

Simultaneously, several villages in the state, starting with Markadwadi (Solapur) have demanded 'mock paper ballot voting' to clear their apprehensions, and multiple anti-EVM drives have been launched. Markadwadi, where the local authorities clamped down on the villagers who were preparing for a 'mock ballot paper poll' on December 3 -- besides villages in Akola and others -- have attracted national attention of the anti-EVM campaign.

NCP (SP) Sharad Pawar visited Markadwadi on Sunday (December 8), Congress' Patole will go there on Tuesday (December 10), SS (UBT) President Uddhav Thackeray is likely to make a trip there soon, while Congress' Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi is planning a padyatra in the village in the next fortnight.

The ECI has steadfastly maintained that there was nothing wrong while the MahaYuti has ridiculed the MVA for acting spoilsports after they were decisively vanquished in the state elections.
Dhaka, Dec 9 : Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held talks with his Bangladesh counterpart Md. Jashim Uddin in Dhaka on Monday afternoon, with the delegation-level discussions between the two neighbouring countries lasting nearly two hours, local media reported.

Misri, who is on a day-long visit to Dhaka, also held a separate one-on-one meeting with the Bangladesh Foreign Secretary at the state guest house Padma.

Local media in Dhaka reported that the top Indian diplomat is scheduled to call on the country's Foreign Affairs Advisor Md. Towhid Hossain and also Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, who heads the interim government in Bangladesh currently, before flying back to New Delhi in the evening.

The meetings take place as relations between the two countries have nosedived over the past few months with India being extremely concerned about the surge in extremist rhetoric, increasing incidents of violence, and provocations, especially against the Hindu community, in Bangladesh.

In September, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar had held a bilateral meeting with Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York which was the first high-level engagement between the two countries after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ouster in August 2024.

"India has consistently and strongly raised with the Bangladesh government the threats and targeted attacks on Hindus and other minorities. Our position on the matter is very clear. The interim government must live up to its responsibility of protecting all minorities," the MEA stated last month after the arrest and jailing of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote who is also associated with Iskcon Bangladesh.

Hindus all over the world have also been shocked by multiple attacks on the community and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh.

"We are concerned about the surge in extremist rhetoric, increasing incidents of violence, and provocations. These developments cannot be dismissed only as media exaggerations. We once again call upon Bangladesh to take all steps for protection of all minorities," the MEA has stated previously.

Several leaders of the Bangladesh's interim government and others, including Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam, who led the so-called 'Anti-Discrimination Student Movement' that eventually resulted in the fall of Hasina government - continue to orchestrate a disinformation campaign against Hindus and spiritual organisation Iskcon, calling it as an "agent of the Awami League" that should be banned in the country immediately.

The former Bangladesh PM has also 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 the Bangladesh Awami League (AL) president and daughter of the 'Father of the Nation' Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, last month.

"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," Hasina 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," she had added.
Panipat, Dec 9 : Saying 'insurance for all' is a key to social security and crucial to eradicate poverty, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched the 'Bima Sakhi Yojana' from this city in Haryana from where he launched 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' on January 22, 2015.

The 'Bima Sakhi Yojana' initiative by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) aims to empower women aged 18-70 years, who have completed Class X. This initiative reflects the government's commitment to fostering gender equality and empowering women in various sectors.

As part of the event, the Prime Minister distributed appointment certificates to prospective Bima Sakhis, under the 'Bima Sakhi Yojana' under which the goal is to provide employment opportunities to two lakh women.

Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi said, "The significance of the 'Bima Sakhi Yojana' is not only in the income they generate but also in its contribution to the development of our country. 'Insurance for all' is a key to social security and crucial to eradicate poverty."

PM Modi added: "Our government has taken unprecedented steps for women empowerment in the past 10 years. Today, I am very happy to launch the Bima Sakhi Yojana and inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of development projects in Panipat."

He said: "Today India is taking another strong step towards women's empowerment. Today is a special day for many other reasons. Today is the 9th, the number 9 is considered very auspicious in the scriptures. The number 9 is associated with the nine powers of Nav Durga. The first meeting of the constituent Assembly was held on December 9. Today, when the country is celebrating 75 years of the Constitution, this date of December 9 inspires us to make equality and development all-encompassing."

Praising the BJP government in the state led by Nayab Singh Saini, he said that the people of Haryana are patriots who have adopted the mantra of 'Ek hain to safe hain' (When we are united, we are safe) which has become an example for the rest of the country.

"A few years ago, I had the privilege of starting the 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao' campaign from Panipat. It had a positive impact not only in Haryana but in the entire country. Now, after 10 years, 'Bima Sakhi Yojana' has been started for sisters and daughters from this land of Panipat. Our Panipat has become a symbol of women's power," the Prime Minister said.

Speaking on the occasion, Union Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, "In Haryana, PM Modi has worked for women enrollment in combat roles in the armed forces. Due to this, women are handling rifles and commanding submarines. Women have been enrolled in army schools since 2022. Thanks to PM's efforts."

She said that from 2017-18 to 2023, the number of women agents has increased significantly, adding that in 2017, there were six lakh women agents, and this number has grown to 7.45 lakh.

She said that however, among every 100 LIC agents, only 28 are women, indicating that out of 2,800 agents, only 28 are women.

"I believe this initiative, also known as the Women Career Agent Program, is a significant step toward women's empowerment. As part of this program, 25,000 women will be appointed as 'Bima Sakhi' by PM Modi," she added.

Simultaneously, PM Modi laid the foundation stone of the main campus of Maharana Pratap Horticultural University in Karnal. The main campus and six regional research stations, spread over 495 acres, will be established at a cost of over Rs 700 crore.

The university will have one college of horticulture for graduate and post-graduate studies and five schools covering 10 horticulture disciplines. It will work towards crop diversification and world-class research for the development of horticulture technologies.
New Delhi, Dec 9 : Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Monday reached out to the 22,000 contractual employees of Delhi Transport Corporation and assured them of a pay hike, regularisation of service, posting in depots close to their homes and re-skilling of drivers in running e-buses as the CNG fleet gets phased out.

Addressing a press conference, CM Atishi said a proposal is being sent to Lieutenant Governor V.K. Saxena for offering grade pay, in place of the current daily wage of Rs 843 or Rs 21,900 monthly, translating into a monthly salary of Rs 32,900 for contractual drivers and Rs 29,000 for contractual conductors.

"Hopefully, this proposal will be cleared soon and in a month or two, contract drivers and conductors will start getting regular grade pay, along with annual increments," said CM Atishi, adding a proposal for regularisation of service of contractual staff will also be sent to the L-G.

The CM's bonanza for DTC contractual staff in the run-up to elections is being seen as an effort by the ruling AAP to win over a sizable vote bank. The 22,000 contractual DTC staff, along with their family members, is considered to be capable of influencing results in dozens of constituencies in the rural belts in north and east Delhi.

CM Atishi said the wage hike for the DTC contractual staff will involve an additional annual spending of Rs 222 crore by the Delhi government, for which the Cabinet will soon approve a proposal.

She said the 4,564 contractual drivers and 17,850 contractual conductors had complained that they were being posted in depots very far from their homes and wanted to get postings close to their homes.

"A new policy has been announced by the DTC on November 3, to rationalise the posting of drivers and conductors to try and give them postings near their homes. The entire exercise will be online and a list of postings will be prepared in a transparent manner," she said.

Atishi also thanked drivers and conductors for calling off their agitation and giving the Delhi government time to resolve the issues.

A training schedule has also been prepared to train contractual drivers, who drive CNG buses, to use e-buses, whose fleet is set to increase in the coming months.

The CM also raised the issue of a flash strike by the staff at Sarojini Nagar Depot after it was converted into an all-women depot. Many of the women staff had objected to posting at the depot, demanding postings close to their homes.

"Within one day of our meeting with the agitating women employees, we issued orders allowing them to seek transfers to depots of their choice," said the Chief Minister.

Talking about the delay in re-engagement of the 10,000 out-of-job bus marshals, CM Atishi said she wanted to request the L-G on behalf of all women in the city to recall the bus marshals early for safety in public transport buses.
Belagavi, Dec 9 : The Karnataka Police detained the members of Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) on Monday for staging a protest against the winter session in the Suvarna Soudha in Belagavi.

The members of MES were detained at the Sambhaji circle in Belagavi for violating the orders by the Karnataka Police. The police arrested MES Working President Manohar Kinekar, treasurer Prakash Margale and workers of the MES from the office located at the Ramlinggarh Galli in the city.

The MES workers came in groups to the Sambhaji circle and raised slogans in favour of the greater Maharashtra state. The situation turned tense in the region and the police forces deputed reined in the situation and arrested all protestors in the department vehicles after retaining them.

The MES has maintained that the Supreme Court has not given a verdict on the Karnataka-Maharashtra border row and the dispute between the two states over Belagavi city. The MES had declared that it would stage the protest condemning the organisation of the winter session of the Karnataka state legislature in Belagavi.

However, the district administration of Belagavi had denied permission for the protest by the MES. Anticipating the agitation despite the denial of permission, the Karnataka Police Department deputed additional forces to the various locations of Belagavi city.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Rohan Jagadeesh has stated that the members of MES had staged a protest without permission and had denied their submission. He also stated that additional forces have been deputed at the Karnataka-Maharashtra border checkposts to prevent the entry of the leaders and workers of the MES from Maharashtra state.

Following the Justice Fazal Ali Commission report,14 Indian states and six union territories came into existence in 1953 and Karnataka was one among them. The commission declared Belagavi as part of Karnataka.

After the report was made public in 1956, Maharashtra state started to claim rights over Belagavi. Violence triggered in Mumbai and Belagavi and the MES is continuing the agitation demanding the merger of Belagavi city into the state of Maharashtra.

Meanwhile, about 11 organisations are staging protests outside the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi demanding for fulfilment of various demands.

The government has banned the movement of vehicles for the purpose of agitation for 48 hours. Basava Jaya Mrutynjaya Swamiji, the Panchamasali Lingayat seer had given a call for "tractor chalo" demanding reservation for the Panchamasali community under the 2A category. It is planned to lay siege to the Suvarna Soudha with more than 2,000 tractors.
Chennai, Dec 9 : Tamil Nadu's Dalit political party, Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK), has announced the suspension of its Deputy General Secretary, Aadhav Arjuna, for six months.

The decision was taken by the party's founder and Member of Parliament Thol. Thirumavalavan who cited actions detrimental to the party's interests as the reason.

Thirumavalavan explained that the suspension followed discussions with the party's general secretaries and senior leaders on December 7. These discussions evaluated the impact of Arjuna's actions, which had drawn significant criticism.

"Despite repeated instructions from the party leadership, he has continued to act adversely. While these actions may superficially appear to serve the party's interests, they have led to severe public criticism, undermining the party's reputation and credibility," said Thirumavalavan.

The VCK leader, who represents the Chidambaram (SC) constituency in the Lok Sabha, further noted that Arjuna's behaviour had disrupted discipline within the party and created a negative atmosphere.

He warned that it could set a bad precedent for other party members. "Considering these circumstances and prioritising the party's welfare, the leadership committee  comprising the party leader and general secretaries  has decided to suspend Arjuna for a period of six months," he added.

Sources said that the immediate provocation for the suspension was Arjuna's recent speech at a book launch, where he directed sharp criticism at the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) leadership.

The VCK is currently in an alliance with the DMK in Tamil Nadu, which helped the party win two Lok Sabha seats in the 2024 elections.

In his speech, Arjuna openly advocated for a coalition government in the state and criticised the DMK for alleged governance failures, dynastic politics, and its over-reliance on coalition partners.

This is not the first time Arjuna's statements have caused controversy. His recent speeches have drawn criticism from within the VCK, with many members feeling that he was acting beyond his mandate.
Belagavi, Dec 9 : Karnataka Urban Development Minister Byrathi Suresh reacting angrily to the letter by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to the Lokayukta in connection with the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA) case, said on Monday that should 'we hang ourselves'.

"After allegations regarding the MUDA case were made during the last session, we formed a committee under the retired Justice P.N. Desai to look into the matter. The case is also being investigated by the court. What else can we do? Should we hang ourselves," the minister told media persons.

He further added: "Why should the Enforcement Directorate (ED) write a letter to the Lokayukta in the MUDA case? If the ED is writing letters, why should there be a court trial? The ED is not the court. The ED has given its opinion. Their opinion will be considered by the court."

The minister said that the case is coming up before the court on Tuesday (December 10) and the Double Division Bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Anjaria is taking up the matter.

"The decision will be taken after consideration of all factors. The judicial system is alive in this country," he claimed.

He alleged that the BJP and JD-S leaders claim that farmers have issues and there is a crisis in the north Karnataka region.

"They also allege that no development work is taking place. Instead of getting the attention of the government, they are indulging in petty politics. They should stop these things which are done for political reasons and discussions need to be done in the session over the development and towards resolving the issues pertaining to the interests of the state," he said.

He added that the opposition has to advise the government constructively, adding that the government is ready for any debate.

"If the opposition raises constructive issues and guides the government towards taking up initiatives, we will welcome it," he said.

Chief Minister Siddaramaiah had alleged that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) letter to the Lokayukta a day before the Karnataka High Court hearing was intended to influence the judiciary.

Siddaramaiah is the prime accused in the MUDA case. His wife Parvathi is named as the second accused. Minister Suresh is charged with rushing to Mysuru city in a helicopter and taking away all crucial documents related to the MUDA case over alleged illegal site allotments to Siddaramaiah's family and burning them.

The High Court directed the Lokayukta to submit an investigation report by December 24.
Dhaka, Dec 9 : Alarmed by the surge in extremist rhetoric, increasing incidents of violence, and provocations - especially against the Hindu community in Bangladesh - India on Monday once again raised its concerns about the safety and welfare of minorities in the neighbouring country.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who is on a day-long visit to Dhaka, conveyed New Delhi's concerns during his meetings with the Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Advisor Md. Towhid Hossain and Foreign Secretary Md. Jashim Uddin.

"We had the opportunity to discuss certain recent developments and issues and I conveyed our concerns, including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities," Misri told local reporters after his meeting with Hossain.

"We also discussed some regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious and diplomatic properties. We expect overall a constructive approach on all these issues by the Bangladesh authorities and we look forward to moving the relationship forward in a positive, forward-looking and constructive direction," he added.

During his meetings, the top Indian diplomat emphasised that India desires a positive, constructive and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh.

"We have always seen in the past, and we continue to see in the future, this relationship as a people-centric and people-oriented relationship, one that has the benefit of all the people as its central motivational force. This is reflected on a daily basis in the development projects that have been executed on the ground in Bangladesh and that continue to be developed.

"It is also reflected in the mutually-beneficial engagements we have on a whole set of issues ranging from trade, commerce, connectivity, power, water and energy and development cooperation, consular cooperation and cultural cooperation. There is no reason why this mutually beneficial cooperation should not continue to deliver in the interests of both our peoples and to that, and therefore I have underlined today India's desire to work closely with the interim Government of Bangladesh authorities," Misri stated.

Referring to it as an "extremely important" bilateral relationship, the Indian Foreign Secretary mentioned that during the Foreign Office Consultations held earlier in the day, discussions and consultations were held on an entire gamut of issues between the two countries.

"Since the political changes in Bangladesh in August this year, there has, of course been contact between our leaderships. The Prime Minister was the first world leader to greet the Chief Advisor on his assumption of office. The two of them had a very cordial telephone conversation thereafter and the Chief Advisor also accepted the Prime Minister's invitation to speak at the third voice of the Global South Summit that was held in August.

He also highlighted the meeting between External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar and Touhid Hossain in September on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York which was the first high-level engagement between the two countries after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ouster in August 2024.

"My visit follows those interactions and is the first Foreign Secretary level structured engagement between the two sides. Following those developments, today's discussions have given both of us the opportunity to take stock of our relations, and I appreciate the opportunity today to have had a frank, candid and constructive exchange of views with all my interlocutors," Misri said.

India has consistently and strongly raised with the Bangladesh government the threats and targeted attacks on Hindus and other minorities.

"Our position on the matter is very clear. The interim government must live up to its responsibility of protecting all minorities," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had stated last month after the arrest and jailing of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote who is also associated with Iskcon Bangladesh.

Hindus all over the world have also been shocked by multiple attacks on the community and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh.

"We are concerned about the surge in extremist rhetoric, increasing incidents of violence, and provocations. These developments cannot be dismissed only as media exaggerations. We once again call upon Bangladesh to take all steps for protection of all minorities," the MEA has stated previously.
Bengaluru, Dec 9 : A man has committed suicide here at his residence in an upscale locality of Manjunatha Layout, the police said on Monday, adding that he also left behind an over 40-page suicide note.

According to the police, the deceased has been identified as Atul Subhash, a resident of Uttar Pradesh. He used to reside at Manjunatha Layout, an upscale area in Marathahalli, Bengaluru.

An initial investigation by the police revealed that Atul Subhashas wife had filed a case against him in Uttar Pradesh.

It is being suspected that he ended his life due to marital discord. Atul was a member of the "Save Indian Family Foundation," an NGO that provides 'assistance to victims of false cases filed by spouses'.

The police said that he had also created a "time-table" for two days to commit suicide.

In his suicide note, Atul Subhash outlined specific actions to be taken before dying under three headings. The first heading read, "what should be done before dying", in which he wrote: "Take a bath, open the windows and gate lock, recite the name of Lord Shiva 100 times, keep the keys of the car and bike on the fridge, and place the note on the table."

He also mentioned that "the suicide note should be sent to the High Court, Supreme Court, office, and family". He concluded by writing, "one should destroy self".

In the second heading, "what should be done one day earlier", Atul 'suggested' clearing all financial matters, completing all communication and office work, and finalising legal issues. He suggested packing essential documents and preparing for the final day.

In the third section, titled "the final day", Atul said on that very day, a 'video note' should be uploaded. He mentioned erasing fingerprints and face recognition data from mobile phones, returning the laptop, charger, and ID to the office, and uploading a scanned copy of the 'death note'. He mentioned ensuring all payments were completed before preparing the rope for hanging.

According to police reports, Atul had hung a placard that read "Justice is Due".

He shared the note with a WhatsApp group of the NGO - "Save Indian Family Foundation" he was associated with, late on Sunday night, requesting members to support his family if possible.

An official said that further investigation into the matter is underway.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Chinese smart electric vehicle maker XPENG recently announced that the XPENG X9 has officially hit the Thai market, according to its Weibo account, a Twitter-like social media platform in China.

The XPENG X9, which was put onto the Chinese market on January 1, 2024, offers four trim levels, with prices ranging from 359,800 yuan to 419,800 yuan. Built on the SEPA 2.0 architecture, it is a pure electric 7-seat MPV model.

XPENG X9; photo credit: XPENG

In terms of design, the X9 features a starship-inspired design language, employing bold, sharp lines that give the vehicle a futuristic and dynamic look. Its sculpted surfaces break away from the conventional boxy MPV design, delivering a visually impactful and distinctive look.

Regarding power performance, the X9 features an 800V XPower electric drive system, delivering a maximum power output of 370 kW and peak torque of 640 Nm. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.7 seconds, with a top speed of 200 km/h. The X9 boasts a maximum range of over 700 km under the CLTC condition, with a combined energy consumption of 16.2 kWh per 100 km. With 10 minutes of charging, the vehicle can gain up to 300 km of range.

This year, XPENG has been stepping up its international market expansion. The company has introduced several intelligent electric vehicle models in various countries, including Denmark, Sweden, the Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, France, Iceland, Spain, and Portugal. Additionally, XPENG has also expanded into the Middle Eastern and African countries.

In November, XPENG signed an official dealership agreement with IML (International Motors Ltd.), an European distributor for automobile manufacturers, marking the company's official entry into the UK market. XPENG said its first model to be launched in the UK would be the G6, which is expected to hit the market in early 2025.

XPENG plans to continue expanding into key markets in Europe, ASEAN, the Middle East, Latin America, and Oceania. At the Paris Motor Show 2024, the company announced its goal to enter over 60 countries and regions globally by the end of 2025. In the next decade, it aims for its oversea sales to account for half of its total sales.
Bhubaneswar, Dec 9 : The BJP leader Sujeet Kumar on Monday filed his nomination for the Rajya Sabha byelection on Monday.

Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, BJP state unit chief Manmohan Samal, Deputy Chief Minister KV Singh Deo and other senior leaders were present during the filing of the nomination by Kumar on Monday.

Speaking to media persons after the filing of the nomination, Kumar thanked all the party leadership and the BJP parliamentary board for nominating as a candidate for the Rajya Sabha seat. He also informed the media persons about filing two sets of nomination papers.

"All efforts I have put in for Odisha, especially KBK region and Kalahandi district in parliament during the last four and half years is in the public domain. I will continue my efforts towards making the Kalahandi and the KBK region a prosperous region utilising its potential in agriculture-based industry, transportation, infrastructure, and tourism sectors with guidance from senior party leaders," stated Kumar.

Earlier, the BJP's Central Election Committee on Monday declared Sujit Kumar's name for the sole Rajya Sabha seat from Odisha.

"I thank the Central leadership and state leadership of BJP for considering me worthy enough for Rajya Sabha by-election," Kumar told IANS.

The seat from Odisha has been lying vacant following the resignation of Kumar on September 6 this year. Kumar, who was elected to the Rajya Sabha in April 2020 on a Biju Janata Dal ticket, resigned from the upper house two years before the end of his tenure.

Within minutes after resigning from the membership of Rajya Sabha, the former BJD leader Sujeet Kumar joined the BJP at the party headquarters in New Delhi. He joined the BJP in the presence of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Odisha In-charge Vijaypal Singh Tomar, Cuttack MP Bhartruhari Mahatab etc.

He also subsequently tendered his resignation from the Biju Janata Dal on the same day.
Mumbai/Goa, Dec 9 : In a unique initiative, the India Post, Maharashtra & Goa Circle, have arranged for a huddle of Penguins - the most recognisable original inhabitants of the Antarctic continent - to sail to India on a set of special postcards, officials said here on Monday.

Mumbai/Goa, Dec 9 (IANS) In a unique initiative, the India Post, Maharashtra & Goa Circle, have arranged for a huddle of Penguins  the most recognisable original inhabitants of the Antarctic continent  to sail to India on a set of special postcards, officials said here on Monday.

The flightless birds with flippers - the only aquatic variety that live and breed on ice  are considered the symbol of the frozen, 14.2 million sq. km of landmass surrounding the South Pole.

The India Post colour picture cards depict at least three of the 18 breeds that roam Antarctica  the majestic 'Emperor Penguin', the regal 'King Penguin' and the cut but much smaller 'Adelie'.

Union Ministry of Communications Secretary (Posts), Vandita Kaul, released the Penguin postcards in the presence of Chief Postmaster General Amitabh Singh, PMGs Suchita Joshi (Mumbai) and R. K. Jayabhaye (Pune), top officers, staffers and philatelists at the General Post Office Mumbai, today.

"These postcards, 250 of each picture, or totalling 1,500, shall be taken by the 44th Antarctica Expedition, organized by the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), scheduled to sail from Goa around Dec. 13," Assistant Post Master General Sudhir Jakhere told IANS.

NCPOR Scientist Ravi Mishra, leading the 44th Antarctica Expedition, will also be the designated special Postman this year and will bring back the coveted post-cards consignment on the return journey sometime late next year.

Depending on the voyage and weather en route, it is expected to reach Antarctica the Indian stations there, Dakshin Gangotri (the first one established in 1983, defunct since1990), followed by Maitri (instituted in 1990), and Bharati (set up in 2015).

The same expedition will bring them back after getting stamped there, with a legend: 'Bharati Branch Office' and 'Maitri Branch Office', both under NIO, Dona Paula, Goa, with a common PIN Code  403004, said Jakhere.

The postal stamp symbolises India's sovereign dominance in those regions, the articles get a special postmark stamped there and these would be brought back to India, he explained.

Bharati Branch and Maitri Branch sharing the same PIN Code are the only two overseas post offices of India, and also have strategic importance, Jakhere added.

Besides India, more than 30 countries like China, the U.S., Russia, France, the U.K., Argentina, Brazil, Japan, Australia and others have permanent/temporary research bases there.

This is 125 years after the first base came up there during the Southern Cross Expedition (1899)  12 years before the South Pole was conquered by a Norwegian explorer, Ronald Amundsen on December 14, 1911.

Incidentally, just three weeks later, Britisher Robert F. Scott also reached the South Pole but died during a severe blizzard that lashed the region on his return journey.

Jakhere said that the IndiaPosts started the tradition of special postcards in 2020, with the earlier annual themes being: Antarctica flora-fauna, Icebergs, Aura of Aurora, the Bharati Station, and now the Penguins.

Kaul released a permanent pictorial cancellation of 'Strawberry at Mahabaleshwar Post Office, Pune', commemoration the Geographical Indication (GI) tag for the state's favourite winter fruit, a slogan cancellation with a mascot and tagline of "Collect, Connect, Celebrate', the Festival of Stamps" for Mahapex-2025, on Jan. 22-25 next year, and reviewed the progress on the facelift going on for the GPO Heritage Building.

(Quaid Najmi can be contacted at: qnajmi@gmail.com)
New Delhi, Dec 9 : Highlighting that Swami Vivekananda was a great supporter of modern science, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said the founder of the Ramakrishna Mission believed that the importance of science was in inspiring and taking us forward.

Addressing an event at Ramakrishna Math in Gujarat via video conferencing, PM Modi emphasised India's growing dominance in the field of modern technology.

PM Modi said that India's identity had got a boost with achievements like becoming the world's third largest startup ecosystem, steps towards becoming the world's third largest economy, modern construction in the field of infrastructure and providing solutions to global challenges.

He added that today's India was moving forward based on its knowledge, tradition and centuries-old teachings.

Stressing spirituality and sustainable development, are the two important ideas to be remembered to make the earth better, the Prime Minister said that by harmonising these two ideas, we could build a better future.

PM Modi added that Swami Vivekananda used to emphasise the practical side of spirituality that could fulfil the needs of society.

He added that along with purity of thoughts, Swami Vivekananda also used to emphasise keeping the surroundings clean.

The Prime Minister emphasised that the goal of sustainable development can be achieved by maintaining a balance between economic development, social welfare and environmental protection.

Sharing his vision to initiate youth into politics, PM Modi said, "Swami Vivekananda believed that youth power is the backbone of the nation."

The Prime Minister announced that the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda on January 12, 2025, will be celebrated as Youth Day.

PM Modi highlighted the Government's resolve to bring 1 lakh talented and energetic youth into politics in the coming times.

He added that these youth would become the new face of Indian politics in the 21st century and the future of the country.

Noting that the country has a big opportunity due to its young population, PM Modi stressed the need to prepare the youth for leadership in every field of nation-building.

"There is a need for our youth to lead the country in politics just like technology and other fields," he said.
Mumbai, Dec 9 : Amid rising competition from states in attracting investments in cooperative and competitive federalism, Maharashtra has topped in getting foreign direct investment (FDI) in two consecutive years, 2023-24 and 2024-25.

Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan in his address to joint session of state legislature on Monday said that the state topped in the country in FDI with Rs 1,25,101 crore in 2023-24, and it again topped in the country in the first two quarters, from April to September of this year 2024-25 with an FDI of Rs 1,13,236 crore, which is more than 90 per cent of the last year's total FDI.

"Maharashtra is one of the leading industrial states in the country. Maharashtra contributes more than 14 per cent to the country's total GDP. The government has set a very ambitious target of making Maharashtra the first state in the country to achieve the target of $1 trillion economy by the year 2027-28," said the Governor in his speech.

The government has announced a policy of giving Anchor Industry status to mega-projects in the thrust sector and high-tech manufacturing sector such as semiconductors, electric vehicles, aerospace and defense, chemicals and polymers, lithium iron batteries, steel and other products and special incentives to attract more investment in the state.

Approved projects in the last eight months under the said policy, will attract total investment of approximately Rs 3,29,000 crore and it will generate direct and indirect employment of 1,18,000.

The government has announced State's Information Technology and Information Technology Supported Services Policy, 2023 and also Green Data Centre Policy. The policy aims to make Mumbai, the Data Centre Capital of India. As part of this policy, Green Integrated Data Centre Park will be set up in Mumbai and Navi Mumbai areas, which will lead to an approximately Rs 1 lakh crore investment and generate employment for 20,000 people in the state.

In a bid to develop skill sets among the youth, the government has launched "Chief Minister Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojana" in the state to promote skills among youth and provide skilled manpower to industries.

Under this scheme, 1,19,700 candidates have joined for training. For providing training to youth with the purpose of making them employable, 1,000 Acharya Chanakya Skill Development Centres have been started in colleges. In these centres, 1,50,000 youth will be trained annually.

The government has entered into a memorandum of understanding with the state of Baden-Wurttemberg in Germany in the month of February 2024 for the supply of 10,000 skilled manpower.

Amid the overwhelming response from the women voters to the MahaYuti alliance in the recently concluded state assembly election, the Governor said that the Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana, which was launched for empowerment of women in the age group of 21 to 65 years, would continue onwards. He further said that an amount of Rs 1,500 per month is provided to more than 2.34 crore beneficiary women under this scheme and five monthly installments from July to November 2024 has been paid.

The Governor also said that the government has taken the decision to implement its Revised National Pension Scheme as well as the Central Government's Unified Pension Scheme to the employees who are covered by the National Pension Scheme.

While giving details with regard to the state government's move to make Maharashtra drought free, the Governor said the government has accorded administrative approval to 167 irrigation projects having an irrigation potential of 25 lakh 21 thousand hectares of land in the last two years.

Further, the government has accorded administrative approval to four river linking schemes, namely, Wainganga-Nalganga, Nar-Par-Girna, Damanganga-Ekdare-Godavari and Damanganga- Vaitarna- Godavari. It will create 4 lakh 33 thousand hectares irrigation potential.

Further, the government is actively implementing the "Jal Jeevan Mission Scheme" in the state. Under the scheme, the government has provided water to more than 1.27 crore households.

The Governor said that the Centreas decision to grant the status of the Classical Language to Marathi language will help for establishment of special centres to study Marathi Language in 450 universities.

More funds will be available from the Central government for preservation and conservation of the Marathi language.
Jaipur, Dec 9 : Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla on Monday said that the group will invest Rs 30,000 crore in sectors like renewable energy (RE) and cement in Rajasthan in the next 4 to 5 years.

Speaking with IANS on the sidelines of 'Rising Rajasthan Global Summit 2024', Birla said that our family is from Rajasthan and we are also big investors here.

"Our experience in Rajasthan has also been very good. Further, we will invest Rs 30,000 crore in the renewable energy and cement sector in the state in the next 4 to 5 years," Birla told IANS.

Lauding Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Birla said that under his leadership, a lot of good work is happening in different states of the country and industries are developing across the spectrum.

Birla said during his address that UltraTech Cement will increase its cement production capacity in Rajasthan by 10 million tonnes.

Currently, the production capacity of the group's cement unit in Rajasthan is 20 million tonnes. He further said that the group's jewellery unit is also planning to set up a small manufacturing unit in the state.

At the event, Lakshya Raj Singh Mewar of the Udaipur Royal Family told IANS that Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the tourism sector during his keynote address.

"I want to thank the Prime Minister for his encouraging words. Along with this, PM Modi also spoke about sectors like heritage tourism and wedding tourism. This will enhance the morale of the people in the region," Mewar added.

Deutsche Bank Director Pankaj Ojha said the ranking of India's economy has improved from 10th place to 5th in the last decade.

"India is moving in a positive direction. The markets are emerging and people's spending capacity is also increasing. The trust of the whole world in India is rising," Ojha told IANS.

PM Modi inaugurated the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit in the presence of esteemed guests, including renowned industrialists, investors and ambassadors from different countries.

The Prime Minister said Rajasthan was not only rising but was also reliable and receptive.

"Rajasthan knows how to refine itself with time. Rajasthan stands synonymous with combating challenges. Rajasthan is the name of creating new opportunities," said PM Modi.

"India's exports have also almost doubled in the last ten years. Compared to the decade before 2014, FDI (Foreign Direct Investment) has also more than doubled in the last decade. During this time, India has increased the expenditure on infrastructure from about three lakh crore rupees to eleven trillion," PM Modi added.
Jaipur, Dec 9 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma on Monday expressed gratitude to all those who attended the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit.

"Summit has envisioned a dream to realise how a developed Rajasthan can be created. With the number of investors who have come here, I am confident that there are seamless opportunities coming to the state in future. I would like to thank all who want to take Rajasthan to the forefront and we shall definitely be successful in our endeavour," the Chief Minister said.

He added that the state government is completing one year soon and his entire team including his cabinet ministers and others have extended a big support to him.

"We have already started fulfilling all those promises which were made in the manifesto have been fulfilled. Now I am confident that all remaining promises made to the public will be fulfilled," he claimed.

Rising Rajasthan Investment Summit was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday.

PM Modi said the world's investors are upbeat about India as an investment destination, and the country's economic success has showcased the true power of democracy, demography, digital data, and delivery.

Addressing the event attended by top industrialists, Rajasthan's diaspora, and representatives of investors from 32 countries, the Chief Minister said his government's target was to double Rajasthan's gross state domestic product (GSDP) to $350 billion in the next five years.

He claimed that his government, which will complete a year in office on December 15, has launched 10 new policies to improve the investment climate and has taken steps to foster ease of doing business (EoDB) in the state.

He said that as part of the investment summit, the government has signed memorandums of understanding worth Rs 35 trillion.

He added that organising a first-of-its-kind investment summit in its first year  it was elected in December 2023  was evidence of its intent to implement the projects on the ground during its current term.
Dhaka, Dec 9 : Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri wrapped up his one-day visit to Dhaka on Monday after calling on Muhammad Yunus, the Chief Advisor of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, during which he conveyed India's concerns, especially those related to the safety and welfare of minorities in the neighbouring country.

Earlier in the day, the top Indian diplomat met with Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain and also held Foreign Office Consultations with the Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh, Jashim Uddin.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that, during these meetings, Foreign Secretary Misri highlighted India's support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh while reiterating New Delhi's willingness to build a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh, based on mutual trust and respect and mutual sensitivity to each otheras concerns and interests.

"Foreign Secretary emphasised that people are the main stakeholders in India-Bangladesh relations, and noted that India's development cooperation and multifaceted engagements with Bangladesh, including in the areas of connectivity, trade, power, energy and capacity building, are all geared towards the benefit of the people of Bangladesh," read a statement issued by the MEA after the conclusion of Misri's visit.

"Foreign Secretary also discussed certain recent developments and issues and conveyed India's concerns, especially those related to the safety and welfare of minorities. He also raised some regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious and diplomatic properties," it added.

During the Foreign Office Consultations, that lasted for nearly two hours according to the local media reports, both sides held comprehensive discussions on a wide range of issues covering political and security matters, border management, trade, commerce and connectivity, cooperation in water, power and energy sectors, development cooperation, consular, cultural and people-to-people ties.

They also exchanged views on sub-regional, regional and multilateral issues, and agreed to enhance consultations and cooperation to advance regional integration, including under the BIMSTEC framework.

"Foreign Secretary's visit will help in sustaining bilateral engagement between India and Bangladesh with a view to addressing concerns as well as advancing the substantive issues in the relationship," the MEA emphasised.

During his visit, the Indian Foreign Secretary highlighted that India desires positive, constructive and mutually beneficial ties with Bangladesh.

"This is reflected on a daily basis in the development projects that have been executed on the ground in Bangladesh and that continue to be developed. It is also reflected in the mutually beneficial engagement we have on a whole set of issues ranging from trade, commerce, connectivity, power, water and energy, development cooperation, consular cooperation, and cultural cooperation. There is no reason why this mutually beneficial cooperation should not continue to deliver in the interest of both our peoples. And, to that end, therefore, I have underlined today India's desire to work closely with the Interim Government of Bangladesh," Misri told reporters in Dhaka after meeting Hossain.

He spotlighted that, since the political changes in Bangladesh in August this year, there has been contact between the leaderships of the two countries besides other high-level engagements.

"Our Prime Minister was the first world leader to greet the Chief Adviser on his assumption of office. The two of them had a very cordial telephone conversation thereafter and the Chief Adviser also accepted the Prime Ministeras invitation to speak at the Third Voice of Global South Summit that was held in August this year," said Misri.

He also reminded Bangldeshi media that External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar and Touhid Hossain had met on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September -- the first high-level engagement between the two countries after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ouster in August 2024.

"My visit follows those interactions and is the first Foreign Secretary level structured engagement between the two sides following those developments. Todayas discussions have given both of us the opportunity to take stock of our relations and I appreciate the opportunity today to have a frank, candid, and constructive exchange of views with all my interlocutors," he said.
Imphal, Dec 9 : After more than three weeks, the suspension of mobile internet and data service in nine districts in Manipur was lifted on Monday, officials said, adding that the government, however, asked all internet users to refrain from any activities which may cause a threat to the general law and situation in the state.

Officials said that except for the Meitel man, who went missing on November 25 from Kangpokpi district, no major incident was reported from any of the nine districts since November 18

Since November 16, the suspension of mobile internet and data services has been extended till Monday morning before the services were restored on Monday late afternoon, the official said.

Commissioner, Home, N. Ashok Kumar, in his order, said: "State government, after reviewing the prevailing law and order situation and its possible co-relation with the general operation of internet services, decided to lift all forms of temporary suspension of internet and data services in the territorial jurisdiction of nine districts."

"... the Governor of Manipur is pleased to revoke all forms of temporary suspension of internet and data services in the territorial jurisdiction of nine districts..."

"All internet users are requested to refrain from any activities which may cause a threat to general law and situation in the state which may warrant temporary suspension of internet services in future," the order said.

The nine districts where the suspension of mobile internet and data services was lifted are Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, Jiribam, and Pherzawl.

The nine districts comprise both Meitei community-dominated valley regions and tribal-inhabited mountainous areas.

Following the widespread incidents of violence and attacks on the houses and bungalows of ministers, MLAs and political leaders by mobs from November 16 in valley districts, including Imphal East and Imphal West, following the recovery of bodies of missing three children and three women in Jiribam district on November 15 and 16, Chief Secretary Vineet Joshi ordered the suspension of mobile internet and data services in these districts for two days.

Since then the suspension of mobile internet and data services was extended periodically for the past 23 days.

However, after two weeks of closure, regular classes in all educational institutions, including schools and universities in six districts, resumed on November 29.

Curfew restrictions also eased in violence-affected six districts -- Imphal West, Imphal East, Thoubal, Bishnupur, Kakching and Jiribam.

However, as per the District Magistrate's orders, any gathering or rally still needs prior approval from the competent authorities.
Ankara, Dec 9 : Five soldiers were killed and another one critically injured on Monday after a military helicopter crashed during a training flight in Turkey's southwest Isparta province, local media reported.

The province's Governor Abdullah Erin said that Brigadier General Isa Baydilli, also Isparta Army Aviation School commander, was among the casualties, Xinhua news agency reported, quoting local broadcaster NTV.

Emergency response teams, including ambulances and firefighters, were immediately dispatched to the scene near a gas station in the Keciborlu district.

On June 1, 2017, at least 13 military personnel were killed in a helicopter crash in Turkey's Sirnak Province.

According to the Turkish Armed Forces statement, an AS 532 Cougar-type helicopter carrying 13 personnel took off from a military command in Senoba, Sirnak. Shortly afterwards, the helicopter hit a high-voltage line and crashed.
Bengaluru, Dec 9 : The Karnataka High Court on Monday extended the interim bail of Kannada superstar Darshan on medical grounds till the next date of hearing in connection with the sensational fan murder case.

Darshan's counsel C.V. Nagesh made submission to the court requesting extension of the bail on medical grounds. Darshan's interim bail was ending on December 11.

Nagesh further submitted to the court that the date of surgery for actor Darshan had been fixed for December 11 and sought extension of the medical bail.

Considering the plea, the court has granted an extension of the bail until the next hearing.

Counsel C.V. Nagesh submitted: "It's been four weeks since Darshan's check-up, and we cannot force an operation immediately. There is no pressure for the procedure just because time is passing."

A report from November 11-21 mentioned fluctuations in BP, and another report was provided on December 5. They informed that Darshan is receiving steroid injections. To prepare for general anesthesia, his body is being brought to a state of balance, he stated.

Physiotherapy and exercises are ongoing, and surgery has been scheduled for December 11.

Therefore, Darshan has not violated any interim court orders, and we request the court to consider this, Counsel C.V. Nagesh requested.

Meanwhile, during arguments on the regular bail plea, C.V. Nagesh countered the objections raised by the Special Public Prosecutor (SPP), stating that although Renukaswamy's body reportedly had 39 blood stains, there was only one bleeding injury.

A 2.5 cm wound was identified on Renukaswamy's body. He argued that the post-mortem report was tampered with by doctors in collaboration with the prosecution.

He asserted that at every stage, from recording eyewitness statements to conducting the investigation, the prosecution has lied.

The bail was granted based on the report by doctors from Ballari. The doctors at BGS Hospital also accepted the Ballari doctors' report, confirming the need for surgery, he maintained.

"We must proceed with the operation as recommended by the doctors. It cannot be done on demand after three or four weeks," he argued.

The court has completed the arguments and counterarguments in connection with the regular bail plea by the actor. The court has reserved the order on bail petitions of Darshan, his partner Pavithra Gowda and others for judgement.

Earlier, Special Public Prosecutor P. Prasanna Kumar submitted to the Karnataka High Court that Kannada superstar Darshan, an accused in the sensational fan murder case, has been misusing the interim bail granted to him on medical grounds.

Submitting his objections to the court about granting the regular bail, Prasanna Kumar said that the interim bail was taken citing urgency and the court was told that he was likely to suffer a stroke. Two reports are submitted to the court and the doctors are claiming that Darshan is being treated.

"After 20 days, the report was submitted stating that variations were found in Darshan's blood pressure. They also claim that preparations are made for surgery. Any patient is given an 'Amlong 50 MG' tablet, within 24 hours the blood pressure levels will become normal. The doctors will bring the blood pressure level to normal while administering anesthesia," he argued.

Prasanna Kumar further said that in the case of Darshan, dramatic situations are created like in films.

Darshan, his partner Pavithra Gowda and 15 others were arrested on June 11 on charges of kidnapping and brutally murdering his fan Renukaswamy from Chitradurga.

Renukaswamy had allegedly sent derogatory and obscene messages to Pavithra Gowda as he was miffed with the actor having a relationship with her despite being married.

Darshan was shifted to Ballari Prison after photos of 'royal treatment' for him at the Bengaluru Central Prison surfaced. He is facing three FIRs in this connection.

The police submitted a 3,991-page chargesheet on September 4 in connection with the fan murder case.

The police also submitted an additional chargesheet to the court in the case.

Darshan was released from prison on October 30 after spending 131 days in jail.

The Karnataka High Court granted him conditional bail on medical grounds for six weeks. The actor is admitted to the BGS Apollo Hospital in Bengaluru and is being treated for severe back pain.

Meanwhile, Karnataka Police had filed an appeal petition before the Supreme Court challenging the interim bail granted to Darshan by the High Court in the fan murder case.
New Delhi, Dec 9 : Former Congress leader Acharya Pramod Krishnam on Monday strongly condemned the ongoing attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh, calling for global intervention through surgical strikes.

He accused the Bangladesh government of engaging in terrorism and oppressing minorities like Hindus.

Talking to IANS, Krishnam said, "The Bangladesh government is on the path of terrorism. Just as ISIS targets humanity, Bangladesh is attacking Hindus. This is an assault on humanity and Sanatan Dharma where humanity and Sanatan are attacked, it is not about religion -- itas terrorism and oppression. So, I want to request all the top leaders who believe in peace to talk to the Bangladesh government to stop atrocities on Hindus. If they didn't agree on it, then the whole world should unite and carry out surgical strikes."

Krishnam's remarks came amid increasing reports of violence against Hindus in Bangladesh.

He called on the international community to take a stand against what he described as terrorism, urging a unified global response to protect the Hindu community in the country.

Krishnam also reacted to comments made by Iltija Mufti, daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti. Iltija had referred to Hindutva as an 'illness' and linked the slogan 'Jai Shri Ram' with lynching.

Krishnam responded, saying, "Iltija Mufti doesn't realise that her ancestors were also Hindus. By abusing Sanatan Dharma and Hindus, she is insulting her own ancestors. I urge her to reconsider and study history. If she truly wants to be a good leader, she should avoid insulting Sanatan."

Krishnam also dismissed claims by National Conference President Farooq Abdullah, who had criticised the demolition of mosques and houses of Muslims in Uttar Pradesh.

"No houses of Hindus or Muslims have been demolished in Uttar Pradesh. Only the houses of criminals have been demolished. Sanatan Dharma does not permit the demolition of any mosque or the insult of any religion," he clarified.

Krishnam called Abdullah's statement baseless and challenged him to provide evidence for his claims regarding the demolition of mosques.
Panipat, Dec 9 : Saying 'insurance for all' is a key to social security and crucial to eradicate poverty, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday launched the 'Bima Sakhi Yojana' from this city, a symbol of women's power, in Haryana from where he launched 'Beti Bachao Beti Padhao' on January 22, 2015.

The 'Bima Sakhi Yojana' initiative by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) aims to empower women aged 18-70 years, who have completed Class X. This initiative reflects the government's commitment to fostering gender equality and empowering women in various sectors.

As part of the event, the Prime Minister distributed appointment certificates to prospective Bima Sakhis or insurance agents, under the 'Bima Sakhi Yojana' under which the goal is to provide employment opportunities to two lakh women.

Speaking on the occasion, PM Modi said, "The significance of the 'Bima Sakhi Yojana' is not only in the income they generate but also in its contribution to the development of our country. 'Insurance for all' is a key to social security and crucial to eradicate poverty."

He said: "Our government has taken unprecedented steps for women's empowerment in the past 10 years. Today, I am very happy to launch the Bima Sakhi Yojana and inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of development projects in Panipat."

He said: "Today India is taking another strong step towards women's empowerment. Today is a special day for many other reasons. Today is the 9th, the number 9 is considered very auspicious in the scriptures. The number 9 is associated with the nine powers of Nav Durga. The first meeting of the constituent Assembly was held on December 9. Today, when the country is celebrating 75 years of the Constitution, this date of December 9 inspires us to make equality and development all-encompassing."

Praising the BJP government in the state led by Nayab Singh Saini, he said that the people of Haryana are patriots who have adopted the mantra of 'Ek hain to safe hain' (When we are united, we are safe) which has become an example for the rest of the country.

"A few years ago, I had the privilege of starting the 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao' campaign from Panipat. It had a positive impact not only in Haryana but in the entire country. Now, after 10 years, 'Bima Sakhi Yojana' has been started for sisters and daughters from this land of Panipat. Our Panipat has become a symbol of women's power," the Prime Minister said.

Simultaneously, PM Modi laid the foundation stone of the main campus of Maharana Pratap Horticultural University in Karnal. The main campus and six regional research stations, spread over 495 acres, will be established at a cost of over Rs 700 crore.

Expressing his unflinching relationship and attachment with Haryana, the Prime Minister thanked the people for electing them to power for the third time in a row.

He said the newly formed state government was being praised from all quarters despite being formed recently. He said the country has witnessed the way thousands of youth have got permanent jobs here without corruption after the formation of the government.

Thanking the women of Haryana, Modi said he had launched the Bima Sakhi scheme, which provides employment to the women of the country.

Recounting his privilege of launching the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign from Panipat, a few years ago, the Prime Minister underlined that it had a positive impact in Haryana as well as the entire country.

He said in Haryana alone lives of thousands of daughters' were saved in the last decade. "Now after a decade, the Bima Sakhi Yojana for sisters and daughters is being launched from this very land of Panipat."

Highlighting that India was treading forward with the resolution of Viksit Bharat by 2047, PM Modi said from 1947 till today, the energy of every class and region has taken India to this height.

The Prime Minister stressed that it was imperative to ensure ample opportunities and remove every obstacle in their way to empower women. He added that when women were empowered, new doors of opportunities opened for the country.

The Prime Minister said the foundation of the Bima Sakhi programme was based on years of hard work and penance.

Noting that most women lacked bank accounts after six decades of Independence, he said women were cut off from the entire banking system.

Expressing pride over 30 crore women accounts under the Jan Dhan Yojana, PM Modi said his government opened the Jan Dhan accounts for women to ensure that subsidies like gas subsidies reach the responsible hands of the family.

Recollecting that women were not insured earlier, PM Modi remarked that today a campaign was started to make lakhs of women insurance agents or Bima Sakhi. He added that now women will also lead the expansion of sectors like insurance.
Colombo, Dec 9 : The Maldivian government has stepped up efforts to combat drug trafficking and six times more drugs were seized so far in 2024 compared to 2023, President Mohamed Muizzu said.

Addressing a meeting, the President said the drugs seized so far this year are estimated to have a street value of around $84 million.

He added that over 150 expatriates linked to drug trafficking have been deported so far this year, which is twice that of 2023, Xinhua news agency reported quoting state-owned Public Service Media.

The President said police have raided over 13,435 establishments this year amid the nationwide crackdown on trafficking, adding that around 8,500 raids were conducted last year.
Kolkata, Dec 9 : Doors of the hotels in the entire Darjeeling district of West Bengal, which include both plains and hills, will be closed for Bangladeshi visitors for an indefinite period, according to a decision taken by a hoteliers' body.

A statement issued by the Greater Siliguri Hotelier Welfare Association, a copy of which is available with IANS, says the decision has been reached through a unanimous vote by the members of the association, which reflects the collective stance of the body.

"Effective immediately, member hotels of the association will not permit the check-in of Bangladeshi citizens until further notice. The decision aims to ensure the safety and well-being of all guests and staff in the current sensitive situation in the current sensitive climate," the statement read.

In the statement, it has also been mentioned that the decision will be reviewed regularly based on the evolving situation with plans to reinstate accommodation for Bangladeshi citizens when deemed safe and respectful.

"Additionally, if any directive is issued by the administration regarding the matter, the association and its member hotels will fully comply and abide by it," read the statement.

According to the association secretary Ujjwal Ghosh, they have taken the decision despite apprehensions of facing loss during the tourist season considering the national pride.

"We cannot accept the kind of insult made to our national Tricolor in Bangladesh. Insulting comments about India are being made from there," he said.

Another hoteliers' body, Eastern Himalayan Travel & Tour Operators Association, too has expressed solidarity with the decision.

"The national pride comes first. We are ready to bear some losses for that. So we are supporting the decision to ban check-in of Bangladeshi visitors to the hotels in the district for the time being," said an association office bearer.

The is the second hoteliers' body in West Bengal to take such a decision, the first being an association of hoteliers operating from Malda district.
Guwahati, Dec 9 : Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Monday launched "Mission Child Health and Literacy" in Guwahati.

Guwahati, Dec 9 (IANS) Assam Governor Lakshman Prasad Acharya on Monday launched "Mission Child Health and Literacy" in Guwahati.

The project aims to address critical issues surrounding child health and literacy in Assam, underscoring the pivotal role children play in shaping the nation's future. This initiative will focus on delivering quality education and healthcare services to underprivileged children, especially those attending government schools.

Governor Acharya said that the strength of a nation's future lies in its education and the physical and mental well-being of its children.

He remarked, "We must guide our children to the right path and provide them with the necessary support to overcome the challenges they face."

Governor Acharya noted that the Rotary Club of Guwahati Smart City has taken a commendable step towards bridging the gaps in healthcare and education by taking an active part in this project.

Highlighting the cultural ethos of altruism, the Governor further stated, "Our Indian culture teaches us to live for the welfare of others. Through acts of selflessness and service, we can build a healthy and prosperous society."

The Governor expressed confidence that an initiative like this would help Assam build a stronger and brighter future.

He said that the move would greatly bring about transformative changes in the lives of children.

The event was attended by MLA Guwahati East Sidharth Bhattacharya, President of Rotary Club of Guwahati Smart City Dr. B.P. Todi, and a host of other dignitaries.

Meanwhile, Governor Acharya also visited and saw different aspects of the project which aimed at transforming Batadrava Than in Nagaon district into a significant tourist hub and cultural centre.

The Governor remarked that the site holds immense cultural importance for Assam and is poised to attract a good number of devotees in the future.

Acharya took stock of the progress of the grand project and inquired about its expected date of completion. He also asked the PWD officials to expedite the work so that the centre could be dedicated to the devotees at the earliest.

The Batadrava Than, the first Namghar or Than built, was founded in 1468 by Assamese saint and social reformer Srimanta Sankardev when he was just 19 years old. This Than's rites are performed in accordance with Purush sanghati conventions. The pilgrimage site, which spans 16 bigha, is situated in Batadrava, roughly 16 kilometres from Nagaon city.
Panipat, Dec 9 : Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini on Monday expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for choosing the historic land of Panipat for the nationwide launch of Bima Sakhi Yojana.

Addressing the gathering at the launch of the 'Bima Sakhi Yojana' by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Saini said Haryana "is a land that symbolises sacrifice, patience, valour, and service, and is once again inspired to convey a message of women empowerment."

Haryana Governor Bandaru Dattatraya, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Union Minister of Power Manohar Lal, Union Minister of State Rao Inderjit Singh, state Cabinet ministers Shruti Choudhry and Kumari Arti Singh Rao were present.

The Prime Minister recalled that in 2015, from this historic land of Panipat, the Prime Minister had laid the foundation of the 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao' campaign. "Today, the Prime Minister by launching the Bima Sakhi Yojana has taken yet another historic step towards the upliftment and empowerment of women".

He reaffirmed Haryana's commitment to contributing maximally to the development of India and ensuring the success of the Bima Sakhi Yojana.

The Chief Minister said this new initiative would make women self-reliant and enable them to contribute significantly to building a developed India.

He expressed gratitude to Prime Minister Modi for this initiative and also thanked him for laying the foundation stone of the main campus of Maharana Pratap Horticulture University.

Saini said the Prime Minister had once stated that India's development is possible only when 50 per cent of its population women become empowered.

"If women join the mainstream and contribute to the country's economy, India's progress is assured," the Chief Minister said.

He said about nine years ago on January 22, 2015, from this historic land Prime Minister Modi had launched the 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao' campaign. "Thanks to this campaign, Haryana has witnessed a remarkable improvement in its gender ratio, which has risen from 871 to 916."

The Chief Minister said the Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao campaign has completely transformed Haryana. The state has now emerged as a beacon of women's empowerment. "This transformation is evident as Prime Minister Narendra Modi has chosen Panipat to inaugurate initiatives focused on women."

On behalf of the people of Haryana, he assured that the 'Bima Sakhi Yojana' would be made as successful as the 'Beti Bachao-Beti Padhao' campaign.
Mumbai, Dec 9 : As the Maharahstra-Karnataka boundary flared up afresh, the Shiv Sena (UBT) has demanded that the Centre should declare the disputed border areas in and around Belagavi (Belgaum) between the two neighbours as Union Territory, here on Monday.

Shiv Sena (UBT)'s Group Leader Aditya Thackeray protested against the injustice meted out to the Marathi-speaking people in and around Belgaum as the border dispute awaits a long-term solution.

"Now there's a Bharatiya Janata Party government both in the state and the Centre. Why can't they solve the matter? Prime Minister Narendra Modi must intervene immediately and ensure that injustice is not done to our Marathi brethren there," urged Aditya Thackeray.

He added how the Karnataka government not only refused permission for a conference of the Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) in Belagavi and did not allow leaders from here to travel there, but the local authorities imposed a curfew there.

"The borders are being shut. Belgaum is and will remain an integral part of the Marathi identity. We strongly condemn this injustice to the Marathi people there. I appeal to the Karnataka government to ensure this immediately," said Aditya Thackeray, speaking to the media outside the Assembly.

He shot off a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday seeking his urgent intervention and Central involvement to resolve the issue in the interests of the Marathis settled there.

Aditya Thackeray said that nothing is greater than the interests of Maharashtra and the Marathi population there, and the now Centre must bring all these disputed territories under Central rule and lamented what he termed as a 'decline in the rights and freedom' of the Marathi-speaking people there.

Incidentally, for the past three years, Karnataka has denied permission to the MES to hold its annual convention in Belagavi, citing potential law-and-order issues and rebuffed appeals from Maharashtra leaders to participate in the event.

The Shiv Sena (UBT) has also accused Karnataka of beefing up police deployments at the border check-posts, railway stations and nearby airports to prevent entry of Maharashtra leaders to Belagavi, now the second capital of that state after Bengaluru.

Representing the Marathi people in the border areas there, the MES hosts regular events besides an annual convention during the winter session of the Karnataka Legislative Assembly in Belagavi.

Belagavi, renamed from Belgaum in 2014, has been a subject of friction between the two states for several decades. The report of the M.C. Mahajan Commission came up with recommendations in 1966 to solve the problems but it remained hanging over territorial and administration claims by both sides.

As leaders cutting across political lines from the ruling MahaYuti and opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) condemned the goings-on, a group of Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders and activists were barred from crossing the boundary to reach Belagavi.

Maharashtra has claimed rights over Belagavi, Karwari, Nipani, and Bidar, plus another 814 border villages, all Marathi-dominated and wants them to be included here, and the matter is pending before the Supreme Court.
Kalaburagi, Dec 9 : A protest rally was held in Karnataka's Kalaburagi on Monday demanding capital punishment for the rapist involved in the sexual assault of 11-year-old Dalit schoolgirl.

Led by the Banjara Seva Sangha, various Hindu organisations, and several religious heads, a large gathering began from the Banjara Bhavan in the city. The rally proceeded to the District Collector's office, where protesters strongly demanded the death penalty for the accused.

The protesters while demanding capital punishment for the accused rapist, resorted to stone pelting and threw stones, causing damage to cars, bikes, and shops.

The protesters also burnt a photograph of the accused in front of the District Collector's office.

Speaking during the protest, Siddalinga Swamiji, who led the agitation, accused Kalaburagi's Dalit District In-Charge Minister and Minister of Rural Development & Panchayat Raj, IT & BT Priyank Kharge of failing to prevent multiple cases of sexual assaults against Dalit girls and women in the region.

He criticised the minister, saying that Priyank Kharge has failed in his duty to protect Dalits.

Siddalinga also accused Minister Kharge of being in a "deep sleep" like Kumbhakarna, stating that the crimes against Hindu girls are being committed by the "agents of Pakistan."

The protesters also submitted a memorandum to the District Collector. Former BJP MP Umesh Jadhav, former minister Baburao Chavan, Apparao Devimutya, along with several religious leaders, members of the Banjara community, and Hindu organisation leaders participated in the protest.

The incident was reported from Yadrami police station limits. The police have arrested a private school teacher on charges of raping a school girl. The matter has taken a communal turn as the accused teacher belongs to the minority community.

The girl experienced bleeding a few months ago, which her parents initially dismissed as a sign of puberty and continued sending her to school. It was later revealed that the bleeding was due to rape.

Police said the teacher used to retain the victim, a student of sixth class after regular classes on the pretext of giving extra guidance and awarding more marks in exams. The teacher also threatened the girl not to speak about repeated sexual assaults.

The teacher had committed rape on the victim in the staff room after class hours on November 29. The girl had then shared her woes with close friends and they had informed her parents.
Seoul, Dec 9 : South Korea's police will summon the counterintelligence chief and former Interior Minister as suspects in a sprawling investigation into the short-lived martial law imposition last week, officials said on Monday.

The police notified the head of the Defence Counterintelligence Command (DCC), Lieutenant General Yeo In-hyung, and ex-Interior Minister Lee Sang-min of the plan, according to police officials.

The exact date for their appearance has not yet been decided, they added.

Earlier in the day, prosecutors raided the DCC headquarters in Gawcheon, just south of Seoul, as part of their separate investigation into alleged treason in connection to the martial law fiasco, Yonhap news agency reported.

Military prosecutors also participated in the raid, and the search warrant was issued from the military court. The offices and residences of Yeo and other ranking command officials, and the DCC's branch offices in Seoul and other areas nationwide were reportedly included in the raid.

The moves came after President Yoon Suk Yeol abruptly declared martial law on last Tuesday but lifted it hours later after the National Assembly voted to call for its end.

The DCC is known as a key institution in the martial law declaration. At that time, the DCC sent troops and personnel to the National Assembly and the National Election Commission.

Yeo was suspended from his duties last week, and former Interior Minister Lee stepped down from his post Sunday.
Kolkata, Dec 9 : The Border Security Force (BSF) on Monday claimed to have arrested a gold smuggler and two carriers with 1.67 kg gold close to the Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB) in the Nadia district of West Bengal.

N K Pandey, DIG and spokesperson, South Bengal Frontier, BSF said that the estimated value of the gold is Rs 1.28 crore.

"Troops of the Puttikhali Border Outpost received intelligence inputs regarding an attempt to transport gold, smuggled from Bangladesh, along a road close to the IBB. A special ambush was laid accordingly. The jawans soon intercepted a motorcycle with two suspicious-looking persons," DIG Pandey said.

He added that during questioning, they confessed that they were carriers of smuggled gold and were to collect a consignment from a smuggler travelling on a scooterette from Gede.

"The troops spotted this person soon on the Majharia-Gajna Road and stopped him. A search led to the discovery of three packets wrapped in black duct tape. The packets contained 12 gold biscuits and two gold bars. All three were arrested and taken to the Puttikhali BOP," he said.

He added that furing interrogation, the smuggler allegedly confessed that he collected gold consignments from across the IBB and handed them over to carriers waiting several km away.

"He received a good sum of money for every package that he delivered, the smuggler claimed. The carriers claimed that they carried the packets to the Ranaghat railway station and Raghunandapur village and handed them over to unknown persons. For every delivery, they would receive Rs 500 each," he said.

DIG Pandey added that the three accused persons, along with the seized gold, have been handed over to the Customs Department in Majdia for further legal processing.

He also commended the role of the troops while affirming the BSF's commitment to combat smuggling activities, even during such tough times when all attention is towards attempts to cross the IBB into India, due to the goings on in the neighbouring country.

The DIG also encouraged local residents to report any information related to gold smuggling through BSF's Seema Sathi Helpline 14419 or WhatsApp number 9903472227.

He assured that the informers would be rewarded and their identities kept confidential.




Illustration: Liu Rui/GT

(Global Times) Recently, a perspective has emerged in the US suggesting that a "full-scale war" with China would quickly deplete munitions stockpiles, highlighting the necessity to strengthen America's industrial base and increase munitions production capacity to address this "challenge."

Such views not only reflect a Cold War mind-set but also expose some US politicians' disregard for global peace and their obsession with the logic of war.

After World War II, the US built the largest military-industrial complex in the world. This system produces weapons and manufactures the reasons for war, which are closely linked to its economy.

From the Korean Peninsula to Vietnam, and from Iraq to Afghanistan, every US military intervention has served as fuel for this machine. Now, the US war machine needs a new target.

As the world's second-largest economy, China has become its designated "enemy."

Some politicians call for industrial mobilization to prepare for a "future war," even framing China's efficient defense industry as a threat. This logic reveals the US military-industrial complex's dependence on war and Washington's obsession with maintaining its global hegemony, using war profits to support economic development.

The US and China's defense industrial development paths are fundamentally different. China's defense industry is a natural extension of its economic and manufacturing development, with its defense industry developed primarily to safeguard national security. It is inherently defensive - like a tree whose trunk represents civilian industries, while its defense industry is merely a branch that grows naturally from the trunk. Moreover, the continuous upgrading of China's military industry is mainly in response to the new challenges facing national security.

China has not plundered or invaded other countries in the past, nor will it do so in the future. It is also unlikely to deploy military bases around the world, as the US has done.

The US, however, has chosen a different path. Some US politicians explicitly call for ramping up the production of munitions and establishing hot production lines to prepare for a "full-scale war" with China. This approach resembles a factory built for war, with its singular purpose being the production of destruction and death. The US industrial base is increasingly being hijacked by the logic of war, turning it into a driver of global tensions.

Some US politicians are playing a dangerous game. They seem to believe that military preparations and industrial mobilization will give them an advantage in their confrontation with China. But this thinking is a fatal miscalculation: Full-scale war between great powers means mutual destruction.

Some US politicians are calling for preparation for war. This suggestion is not a strategic plan at all, but a form of strategic self-destruction. This is akin to playing with matches in a powder keg: You may think you can control the flames, but once a chain reaction begins, the result will be disastrous.

They are akin to gamblers who know they may lose everything but continue to raise the stakes. The difference this time is that the wager is not just on America's future but also on the future of human civilization and the world's peaceful development.

The China-US relationship is one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world. Its trajectory will not only determine the future of both nations but also the peace and stability of the entire globe. If some US politicians continue to design the US' China policy around the logic of war, they will drag the whole world into an unwinnable endgame.

The world needs peace and cooperation, not the self-destructive preparation for war.
Shillong, Dec 9 : The Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), Meghalaya, held a meeting on Monday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Conrad Sangma to discuss the roadmap for drug eradication in the state.

Discussions at length were held on the "Three-Pronged Approach" by the Law Enforcement, the police department, harm reduction by the Health department and Social Security by the Social Welfare department.

The meeting discussed the changes effected in the structure, functions and processes of the ANTF and also discussed the proposed strategy and the help and assistance required from various departments, like Law, Health, Education and Social Welfare departments.

In his remarks, Chief Minister Conrad Sangma said that a holistic approach needs to be taken, saying that the ANTF needs also to sit with each of the concerned departments and work on the implementation of the strategy in a phase-wise manner and have the action plan devised into short term, medium and long term plans.

"The scope of the ANTF is immense and vast so it would be practical and sensible to first leverage on the low hanging fruits and implement the strategy as pilot projects in certain hotbeds of drug menace in the state," he said.

He also added that the approach needs to be a combination of zero tolerance while keeping in mind the humane sides of drug menace in the state and said: "While there should be zero tolerance by the Law Enforcement on the supply and distribution of drugs but the humane side from the point of view of the users, their rehabilitation, health and integration into the society the essential role of the Health department and the Social Welfare department comes into effect."

The Chief Minister also stressed on the role of the Education department in sensitizing and creating awareness against drug abuse.

The meeting also discussed the testing, detoxing and rehabilitation centers and also on strategies to break the supply chain of drugs in the state.

Deputy Chief Minister, Prestone Tynsong, Minister, Health & Family Welfare, M. Ampareen Lyngdoh, Minister, Education, Rakkam Sangma, Minister, Social Welfare, Paul Lyngdoh and DG, Meghalaya, Idashisha Nongrang besides senior officials from the state government were present in the meeting.
Chennai, Dec 9 : The Greater Chennai Police fired at and arrested a history-sheeter who was evading arrest.

A police team, led by Sub-Inspector Premkumar, attempted to apprehend Arivazhagan alias Hari (24) of Thirumullaivoyal, who has several criminal cases against him.

On Monday, as the police closed in on him, Arivazhagan brandished a country-made pistol and attempted to fire at the officers.

In response, Sub-Inspector Premkumar shot him below the knee, rendering him immobile.

Arivazhagan was arrested and admitted to Government Stanley Medical College, where he is undergoing treatment.

A senior police officer described Arivazhagan as an "A" category history-sheeter.

He had been hiding in a housing quarter at Pananthope Railway Colony, Ayanavaram.

Police said he was allegedly involved in at least six criminal offences, including murder and attempted murder, in Chennai and Tiruvallur districts.

He has murder cases pending at the Sembium and Pulianthope police stations in Greater Chennai City, as well as another murder case and an attempted murder case at the Sholavaram police station.

Additionally, he is implicated in a ganja-peddling case in Minjur and another attempted murder case in Thiruthani.

A trial court had issued a non-bailable warrant against him after he failed to appear in connection with a criminal case registered by the Chennai City Police.

A special team led by Otteri Sub-Inspectors Premkumar and Venkateshwaran was formed to apprehend him.

The accused had been evading arrest for the past couple of years and the police team had travelled to Bihar and Andhra Pradesh in search of him.

He reportedly fled to Chennai, fearing retaliation from associates of a history-sheeter whose murder he was allegedly involved in.

On Sunday, the special team traced him to his hideout in Chennai.

During his arrest, the police seized a country-made pistol, a knife, and 6 kilograms of ganja.

This is one of several encounter-related incidents since M. Arun took office as the Greater Chennai City Police Commissioner.

After the murder of BSP State President K. Armstrong on July 5, 2024, three notorious criminals were shot dead by the city police in alleged encounters.

On July 14, 2024, the police shot dead K. Thiruvengadam, a prime suspect in Armstrong's murder.

According to police, Thiruvengadam attacked officers when he was brought to Madhavaram Lake to identify weapons used in the crime, prompting them to fire in self-defence.

Another gangster, Kakathope Balaji, was killed on September 18. He allegedly attacked police officers while hiding in Vyasarpadi.

Balaji had 64 criminal cases against him, including murder.

Similarly, on September 23, notorious gangster "seizing" Raja was shot dead.

Raja, arrested in Andhra Pradesh and brought to Chennai, reportedly attacked police officers when his handcuffs were removed during an investigation.

Commissioner M. Arun had previously stated that the police might need to use tactics that "gangsters understand" to maintain law and order.
Jammu, Dec 9 : J&K BJP on Monday demanded a CBI probe into the settlement of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis in Jammu.

Terming the settlement of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis in Jammu city as a major political conspiracy, BJP chief spokesman, Sunil Sharma demanded a CBI probe to identify those involved in facilitating it.

Lashing out at the ruling National Conference (NC) government over remarks on granting water and power connections to them in Jammu, the BJP alleged it was done to protect them as they belong to a particular community.

"The BJP will urge the lieutenant governor to initiate a CBI probe and lodge an FIR to comprehensively investigate this conspiracy. It must be determined who brought and settled the Rohingyas and Bangladeshis in Jammu, and stringent action, including prosecution and imprisonment, should be taken against them. The settlement of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis in J&K began around the same time militancy started in the region in the 1990s," he claimed.

He also claimed that this is a major "conspiracy" that warrants a CBI probe.

"NGOs played a significant role in resettling Rohingyas. Was the funding sourced domestically or from abroad? BJP believes the settlement of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis in Jammu, an area close to the international border, was done under a conspiracy," he claimed.

He called for a detailed investigation to identify those who facilitated the settlement of these individuals on government lands, provided them with water and electricity connections and helped them obtain Aadhaar cards.

"These people have even cast votes in local elections. These facts have now come to light. Ironically, these are the same individuals who opposed the abrogation of Article 370 and claimed that no Indian could settle in Jammu and Kashmir. Yet, they facilitated the settlement of Rohingyas and Bangladeshis in Jammu. Indians residing in other parts of India cannot settle in Jammu and Kashmir, but these illegal immigrants were allowed to settle here based solely on religion," he further claimed.

He alleged that these individuals pose a threat to national security as they have settled in areas close to the international border.

"They were settled as part of a political conspiracy to create a vote bank," he claimed.

The BJP leader said the nation should know which forces are working against its interests and prioritising political gains over national welfare.

He said that the BJP demands the eviction and deportation of Rohingyas residing in Jammu, who have formed large settlements in the city.

According to official data, around 14,000 Rohingyas and Bangladeshis are settled illegally in Jammu.

--IANS

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Panipat, Dec 9 : The government plans to appoint 2 lakh Bima Sakhis or insurance agents over the next three years, starting with 25,000 appointments this year, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said at an event in this Haryana city.

To apply, candidates must provide proof of age and address, and educational qualification certificates.

Delivering the address ahead of the launch of the ambitious 'Bima Sakhi Yojana' by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from this city in Haryana, Union Minister Sitharaman said the Central government under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi "is implementing several schemes which are aimed at empowering women".

The 'Bima Sakhi Yojana' initiative by the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) aims to empower women aged 18-70 years, who have completed Class 10. This initiative reflects the government's commitment to fostering gender equality and empowering women in various sectors.

Each woman insurance agent volunteer will receive a stipend of Rs 7,000 per month in the first year, Rs 6,000 per month in the second year, and Rs 5,000 per month in the third year, FM Sitharaman said.

"Once the training is successfully completed, participants will become LIC agents, helping bridge the gap in insurance penetration in rural and semi-urban areas."

Additionally, graduates of the Bima Sakhi programme may qualify for development officer roles within LIC, offering them a chance to advance their careers in the insurance sector.

FM Sitharaman said in this year's Budget, Rs 3.3 lakh crore has been earmarked for women-related schemes in the country.

She said the Prime Minister has always believed that women should not just be participants in the development process, they should become its leaders.

Highlighting the achievements in various women-related schemes, the Finance Minister said out of the 54 crore Jan Dhan accounts opened in the country, 55 per cent belong to women, and out of the 50 crore Mudra loans disbursed in the country, 70 per cent have been given to women.

She said a target has been set to make 3 crore women 'Lakhpati Didis' in the country, till now, more than 1.15 crore women have been made 'Lakhpati Didi'.

FM Sitharaman said Haryana has performed extremely well in the implementation of this scheme.

"From 2017-18 to 2023, the number of women agents has increased significantly. In 2017, there were six lakh women agents, and this number has grown to 7.45 lakh. However, among every 100 LIC agents, only 28 are women, indicating that out of 2,800 agents, only 28 are women. This underscores the importance of the 'Bima Sakhi Yojana', which Prime Minister Modi is launching today," she said.

"I believe this initiative, also known as the Women Career Agent Programme, is a significant step toward women's empowerment. As part of this programme, 25,000 women will be appointed as 'Bima Sakhi' by PM Modi," the Finance Minister added.
New Delhi, Dec 9 : The Narendra Modi government is moving forward with its "One Nation, One Election" initiative and is preparing to introduce a bill in the Parliament during the current session, sources told IANS.

The Cabinet has already approved the Ram Nath Kovind Committeeas report on the proposal, which advocates simultaneous elections across the country.

To ensure broad support, the government plans to build consensus on the bill, possibly referring it to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for detailed discussions. This exercise will pave the way for including opinions from all political parties which will be sending their representatives. Moreover, this will also facilitate other stakeholders, including state Assembly speakers and intellectuals, to share their views. Opinions of the public may also be sought.

At the same time, however, the implementation of the One Nation, One Election system is also likely to be challenging without a decisive and convincing consensus. The implementation of this plan would require amending the Constitution and for this, at least six bills need to be passed. This will also require a two-thirds majority in Parliament. Needless to say, the ruling NDA coalition holds a simple majority in both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. However, obtaining the necessary two-thirds majority will be an uphill task.

According to the arguments put forward by the government, the simultaneous elections would save time, money, and resources, and prevent the obstacles that are caused by the Model Code of Conduct repeatedly due to one election or the other. The MCC also halts development work during election periods.

The Opposition at the same time has faulted the proposal, saying that this plan will face logistical challenges. Managing multiple elections will be challenging, says the opposition. The parties in opposition have also called the idea "undemocratic and unconstitutional".

Meanwhile, the Committee, headed by former President Kovind, suggested that bipartisan support is crucial for the success of "One Nation, One Election". It also recommended that the plan can be implemented only after 2029.

The committee also stressed the need for wider consultations and public engagement to address concerns so as to ensure the idea is viable in the long term. This, however, indicates the complexity of this ambitious electoral reform.
Thiruvananthapuram, Dec 9 : Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah over delaying the special package to the state for the rehabilitation of the Wayanad landslide victims.

"This is the worst ever tragedy that the state witnessed but the Centre is trying to run away from doing its job. Home Minister Shah said it's because of Kerala's delayed response that funds have not been released so far. But all their (Centre) allegation against the state are baseless," the Chief Minister said.

He added that this is not the first time Home Minister Amit Shah has handled any situation like the Wayanad.

"First, Amit Shah spoke about a nonexistent weather report in the Parliament. But there was no such warning given to us by the Central government. His recent statement again in the Parliament must be seen in the same manner," the Chief Minister said.

Earlier, the Home Minister pointed out that the Kerala government has submitted its memo with an estimate of Rs 2,219.03 crore for recovery and reconstruction only on November 13.

Amit Shah also pointed out that the Centre released the first instalment of Rs 145.60 crore on July 31, and the second instalment of Rs 145.60 crore on October 1.

"Besides adequate funds of Rs 782.99 crore are available in the State's SDRF account for relief operations, including the balance of Rs 394.99 crore," the Home Minister said.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said that during PM Modi's visit to the state, the state official gave a detailed presentation to the Prime Minister.

"On August 17, we submitted a memorandum. It's been more than three months since we submitted the memorandum. During this same time, the Centre extended help to other states but not to Kerala. We submitted another detailed report on November 13th," the Chief Minister said.

He added that Tripura, Telangana Uttarakhand, and Bihar all got Central assistance, adding that the Centre is not treating Kerala fairly.

The Chief Minister said that Kerala should be treated fairly like other states, adding that in the last few years, Kerala has not been treated fairly by the Union government.

"Our state was also treated differently even during the 108 floods. We are not against other states getting support, but we also should be given our fair share," the Chief Minister said.
New Delhi, Dec 9 : A total of 8.72 lakh immovable and 16,713 movable Waqf properties are registered nationwide under the Waqf Act, 1954 and the subsequent Waqf Act, 1995, the Parliament was informed on Monday.

Minister of Minority Affairs Kiren Rijiju, in a written reply, told the Rajya Sabha that as per the information available on the Waqf Assets Management System of India portal, which is entered by the respective State Waqf Boards, 8,72,352 immovable and movable 16,713 waqf properties exist in the country.

Uttar Pradesh has the maximum number of 2,32,547 immovable properties registered on the WAMSI. It has 2,17,161 Sunni properties and 15,386 Shia properties, according to the data shared by the Minister.

West Bengal has the next highest number of 80,480 Aaqf properties, the Minister said, adding that Punjab has 75,965 wWqf properties. Tamil Nadu had the next highest 66,092 immovable properties.

In terms of movable properties, Tamil Nadu has a maximum of 8,605 entries on the WAMSI.

In reply to a question by Dr John Brittas of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), the Minister said," As per the information available on the WAMSI portal, 994 waqf properties have been shown as alienated."

A bulk of the alienated properties are located in Tamil Nadu (734) and Andhra Pradesh (152), he said.

Sharing details about properties that have been reported as alienated and measures taken to recover them, the Minister said, "Section 51(1-A) of the Waqf Act provides that any sale, gift, exchange, mortgage or transfer of the waqf property shall be void ab initio."

"Additionally, Section 52 of the Waqf Act states that if the Board, after conducting any inquiry in the prescribed manner, determines that any waqf property has been alienated, it may send a requisition to the Collector, within whose jurisdiction the property is located, to take possession of the property and deliver it to the Board. As per the information available on the WAMSI portal, 994 waqf properties have been shown as alienated," he said.
New Delhi, Dec 9 : For Haj 2025, the quota of Haj pilgrims earmarked for Haj Group Organisers (HGOs) is 52,507, the Parliament was informed on Monday.

The quota of India for Haj 2025 is fixed by Saudi Arabia at 1,75,025 pilgrims, which has been distributed between Haj Committee of India (HCoI) and HGOs.

Minority Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, in a written reply, told Rajya Sabha that the HGO Policy for Haj 2025 has evolved and the application process for HGOs has been initiated by the Ministry well in advance this year, so as to ensure that the online process for selection of HGOs is completed as per the guidelines and timelines prescribed by Saudi Arabia.

In reply to a question by Haris Beeran of the Indian Union Muslim League, the Minister said, "Saudi Arabia's guidelines for Haj 2025 allow only those entities which can cater to a minimum of 2,000 Haj pilgrims only, with emphasis on quality, experience and capability."

Taking into account the guidelines of Saudi Arabia and the best practices followed by other countries and in order to meet its sovereign obligation, the Government of India, through the HGO Policy for Haj 2025, endeavours to select entities with emphasis on experience.

Minister Rijiju said a detailed application process including categories and eligibility criteria is available in the HGO policy for Haj 2025 on the website of the Ministry of Minority Affairs (https://minorityaffairs.gov.in/).

He said for Haj 2025, the quota of Haj pilgrims allotted to HGOs is 30 per cent of India's total of 1,75,025, that is 52,507.

Replying to another question by Ramji Lal Suman of the Samajwadi Party, Minister Rijiju said there was no departure from the available precedence in the distribution of the Haj quota between the Haj Committee of India (HCoI) and HGOs.

In the last 5 years, the quota distribution between HCoI and HGOs has varied between 70:30 and 80:20.

For the year 2025, the quota has been distributed within the same range between HCoI and HGOs, in the ratio of 70:30, which has been communicated in the Haj Policy-2025 issued on August 5, 2024.

He said the allotment of Haj quota and Haj Group Organisers (HGO) related terms and conditions are governed by a bilateral agreement which is signed between India and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), factoring many ground realities into account.
Geneva, Dec 9 : United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk on Monday urged Syrian parties to engage in an inclusive dialogue to advance the country's transition process.

Speaking at the end-of-year press conference of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Turk expressed hope that the current circumstances would pave the way for such dialogue.

"I hope that within this current environment, there will be this inclusive, very inclusive dialogue," he said.

"There is a huge opportunity for this to happen, and what we have seen initially is indeed cooperation," he said, Xinhua news agency reported.

Turk also noted that hostilities continue in some parts of Syria and stressed that all parties must uphold their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law.

He further stated that his office "is ready to support the transition process."
Baghdad, Dec 9 : Two Iraqi security officers were killed on Monday in an operation against Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq's province of Anbar, the Iraqi National Security Service (INSS) said in a statement.

Acting on intelligence reports and monitoring, members of an INSS force clashed with the IS militants after raiding a house in the province, the statement said.

The clash resulted in the killing of two officers from the INSS force as well as two IS militants, Xinhua news agency reported.

The security situation in Iraq has improved since the defeat of the IS in 2017. However, IS remnants have sneaked into urban centres, deserts, and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerrilla attacks against security forces and civilians.
Giant panda pair gifted to Hong Kong keep birth names

Xinhua) 10:30, December 09, 2024

HONG KONG, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Two giant pandas gifted by the central government to the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) were officially named "An An" and "Ke Ke", the same with their birth names, Ocean Park Hong Kong said on Saturday.

The names were chosen from over 22,600 proposals the amusement park had received during a citywide naming campaign launched by the HKSAR government in October.

The character "An" means peace in Chinese and "Ke" connotes limitless possibilities. Together the two characters form "encore," which can be interpreted as unending good fortune for Hong Kong, said the park.

The pair will make their public debut on Sunday, having undergone quarantine and adapted to the new environment since they relocated from southwest China's Sichuan Province on Sept. 26.

At a greeting ceremony for the giant pandas held on Saturday, Chief Executive of the HKSAR John Lee thanked caretakers from the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda and the park for helping the pandas settle in Hong Kong.

He said the HKSAR government will continue to host giant panda-themed activities for residents and visitors.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Seoul, Dec 9 : Civic groups staged another candlelight vigil across the nation Monday to call for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over last week's botched martial law declaration.

Thousands of people held rallies in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, while others gathered in major cities to continue their rallies demanding Yoon's ouster from office, Yonhap news agency reported.

Yoon faces growing pressure to step down after he survived a first impeachment vote Saturday, as the opposition has vowed to try again this week.

Near Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, hundreds of people, waving national flags, held a separate rally opposing Yoon's impeachment, demonstrating the political chaos surrounding Yoon's fate, Yonhap news agency reported.

Meanwhile, ruling People Power Party (PPP) lawmakers faced fierce protests after boycotting the impeachment vote.

The impeachment motion was scrapped due to a lack of quorum, as only three lawmakers of the 108-member ruling party cast their ballots in the vote.

Kim Jae-sub found a utility knife along with a picket sign, which had writing calling for Yoon's impeachment, in front of his house in Seoul on Sunday, and Cho Jung-hun had eggs thrown at his office in Seoul.

Other PPP members also received funeral flowers delivered to their offices in an apparent sign of voters' protest against the PPP's decision to boycott the impeachment vote.
New Delhi, Dec 9 : The Supreme Court on Monday agreed to hear a plea filed by senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia seeking relaxation of the bail condition requiring him to report to the Investigating Officer on every Monday and Thursday.

After senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing on Sisodiaas behalf, mentioned the matter, a bench of Justices B.R. Gavai and K.V. Viswanathan decided to list the plea for hearing on December 11.

In August this year, the Supreme Court granted bail to Sisodia, saying that he cannot be kept behind bars for an unlimited period of time in the hope of a speedy completion of trial in the alleged excise policy case.

Pronouncing the verdict on Sisodiaas bail pleas, a Bench presided over by Justice Gavai had said: "In the present case, in ED as well as CBI matter, 493 witnesses have been named and the case involves thousands of pages of documents and over lakh pages of digitised documents."

"It is thus clear that there is not even a remotest possibility of the trial being concluded in the near future. In our view, keeping the appellant behind bars for an unlimited period of time in the hope of speedy completion of the trial would deprive him of the Fundamental Right of Liberty given under Article 21 of the Constitution."

The Bench, also comprising Justice Viswanathan, held that on account of a long period of incarceration running for around 17 months and the trial not having commenced, the senior AAP leader has been deprived of his right to a speedy trial.

Rejecting the contention that Sisodia, if granted bail, may tamper with the evidence, the Supreme Court had said that the prosecution case majorly stems from documentary evidence, which has already been seized by the CBI and the ED.

The SC refused to accept central agenciesa submission that Sisodia should not be allowed to visit the Delhi Chief Ministeras Office or Delhi Secretariat.

"The appellant (Sisodia) shall surrender his passport with the Special Court. The appellant shall report to the Investigating Officer on every Monday and Thursday between 10-11 a.m. and the appellant shall not make any attempt either to influence the witnesses or to tamper with the evidence," it said.

In an earlier judgment delivered on October 30 last year, the top court had denied bail to the former Deputy Chief Minister but said that if the trial proceeds slowly in the next three months, he may apply for bail afresh.

Recently, the Delhi High Court issued notice on Sisodiaas plea against the trial courtas decision to take cognisance of the prosecution complaint filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the alleged liquor policy scam case.

In his petition filed before the Delhi HC, Sisodia contended that the trial court took cognisance of the alleged offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) without any prior sanction having been obtained by the ED for prosecution.

The plea added that the trial court should have not taken cognisance of the ED's prosecution complaint without sanction since he held a public office at the time of the commission of the alleged money laundering offence.

The matter is slated to be heard next on December 20, along with a similar petition filed by AAP supremo and former Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal seeking a stay of trial proceedings on the grounds of lack of sanction.
Seoul, Dec 9 : South Korea's ruling People Power Party (PPP) said on Monday that it will elect a new floor leader this week to replace Choo Kyung-ho, who stepped down after a parliamentary motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol was scrapped.

Choo resigned as the PPP's floor leader shortly after the National Assembly on Saturday failed to pass a motion to impeach Yoon to hold him accountable for the declaration of martial law last week.

The motion was scrapped due to a lack of quorum, as only three lawmakers of the 108-member ruling party cast their ballots in the vote, which required a two-thirds majority, Yonhap news agency reported.

Choo has said he was resigning to 'take responsibility' for the situation where the Assembly pushed to impeach the president for the third time under the constitutional rule.

The PPP plans to elect a new floor leader on Thursday, its chief spokesperson Kwak Kyu-taek told reporters.
Hyderabad, Dec 9 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Monday unveiled the statue of 'Telangana Thalli' (Mother Telangana) in the Dr B. R. Ambedkar Telangana State Secretariat premises.

Amid the chanting of Vedic hymns by priests, who conducted special rituals, the 17-feet-tall bronze statue was unveiled at a colourful ceremony by the Chief Minister in the presence of his Cabinet colleagues, MPs, state legislators, other public representatives, and senior officials.

A large number of women from various parts of the state attended the ceremony, which marked the culmination of the three-day grand finale of 'Praja Palana Vijayotsava' on completion of one year of the Congress government.

Addressing the public meeting organised on the occasion, the Chief Minister said his government was rebuilding Telangana by taking it forward from crisis to welfare and from corruption to development.

He said December 9 would go down in history as a historic day and asserted that 'Telangana Thalli' suffered discrimination for 10 years.

Stating that various political parties had created different forms of Telangana Thalli statues, he said there was no officially approved design of Telangana Thalli. He claimed that the people's government officially declared the mother of the masses as Telangana Thalli.

"The Telangana Thalli statue inspires us as it is the replica of our own mother. Mother is the only identity in any part of the world and for all individuals. Mother is the embodiment of our culture and traditions," said the Chief Minister. adding that the decision to install the statue was taken after discussing with Cabinet colleagues to fulfil the aspirations of the people.

Revanth Reddy said Telangana culture was insulted for decades in the erstwhile united Andhra Pradesh. Lashing out at the 10-year rule of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), he said even after the formation of the Telangana state, one person and one political party neglected the aspirations of the Telangana people.

He recalled that during the Telangana movement people had written 'TG' on the number plates of their vehicles but after the formation of the Telangana state, then rulers chose 'TS' instead of 'TG' as the state abbreviation. He claimed that Congress honoured the sentiments of the people by changing the abbreviation to 'TG' soon after coming to power.

He said his government also selected "Jaya Jaya He Telangana" as the official song as the song had inspired people during the Telangana movement. He felicitated poet and lyricist Andesri who penned the song.

The unveiling of the statue was followed by a drone show and fireworks.

Earlier in the day, the State government issued a notification approving the Telangana Thalli statue and its features. According to the Government Order, Telangana Talli stands on a pedestal of closed fists indicating the spirited fight for a separate State, and palms held upwards supporting the pedestal. The left hand holds four traditional crops cultivated in Telangana, which include maize, foxtail millet, paddy, and pearl millet while the right hand gives assurance of prosperity.

Making a statement in the Assembly in the morning, the Chief Minister said the design was finalised after discussions with intellectuals, artists and experts. He claimed that the statue reflects the culture and traditions of Telangana.
New Delhi, Dec 9 : Delhi Pradesh Congress Committee President Devender Yadav said on Monday that sensing the angry mood of people against the Aam Aadmi Party government, party National Convenor Arvind Kejriwal has conceded defeat by dropping 13 sitting MLAs in the second list of 20 AAP candidates.

The Delhi BJP also joined the Congress in mocking the AAP decision to change the seat of former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, claiming the move reflected that the Patparganj legislator had failed to perform.

Delhi Congress chief Yadav said even before the dates for the Delhi Assembly elections were announced, Kejriwal had dropped 13 sitting MLAs in the second list while including six candidates from other parties in the first list of 11 candidates.

He said that Kejriwalas cosmetic changes in the AAP line-up for the February Assembly elections will not change peopleas anger against him for ruining their lives through misrule.

Yadav said that the AAP governments led by Kejriwal and Chief Minister Atishi had failed on all fronts.

The Delhi Congress chief said the poor performance of AAP MLAs was reflected in the partyas decision to change the constituency of former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who held 18 portfolios, including finance before he was arrested and jailed in connection with the liquor scam.

Sisodia has been shifted from his sitting Patparganj seat to Jangpura as he could not look after his own constituency, Yadav said.

He said that the fact that AAP has so far dropped 16 MLAs, while announcing the names of 31 candidates, was proof that the ruling party MLAs only committed corruption to loot the funds meant for public welfare and developments.

Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva also hit out at the AAP for changing the constituency of Sisodia, claiming the move reflected that he had failed to perform as a legislator.

As soon as the Aam Aadmi Party released its list of candidates on Monday and it became evident that former Sisodia would not contest from Patparganj, BJP and Congress started attacking the party.

Sachdeva remarked that during the past 12 years of Sisodiaas tenure as MLA, Patparganj received nothing but deteriorating roads, neglected parks, and infamy due to the liquor scam.

The region faces a severe drinking water crisis. Promises of schools and Mohalla Clinics have turned out to be deceptions. Most schools in the area do not offer advanced science education, and many Mohalla Clinics are non-functional, he said.

Patparganj has a significant population of senior citizens who, after years of hard work, managed to settle in Delhi but now require social pensions. However, instead of addressing their needs, Sisodia failed to process even previous pensions, let alone approve new ones, the Delhi BJP chief said.
Rome, Dec 9 : Two people were killed, and nine others injured in a massive explosion at an Eni fuel depot near Florence in central Italy on Monday, according to the Italian media Corriere della Sera. Another three individuals remain missing.

The explosion occurred around 10:15 a.m. at the Calenzano facility of Eni, shocking nearby residents. The blast shattered windows in surrounding buildings, prompting some residents to believe there had been an earthquake or a bomb.

Authorities instructed residents within a five-km radius of the depot to stay indoors and keep their windows shut due to potential health risks from the smoke. The explosion also disrupted regional train services.

The Calenzano facility, covering 170,300 square meters, stores petrol, diesel, and kerosene for later distribution, Xinhua news agency reported.

Eni, Italy's energy giant, said that the cause of the explosion is under investigation. The company confirmed that the flames were confined to a loading area and did not spread to nearby storage tanks.
Mumbai, Dec 9 : After taking over as Maharashtra Speaker for the second consecutive time, the BJP legislator from Colaba constituency Rahul Narwekar on Monday revealed his ambitious plan for the launch of the Maha Vista Project which includes construction of a new legislature building with a sitting capacity for 350 legislators.

The proposed new building will be developed adjacent to the existing Vidhan Bhavan which is situated at the Nariman Point.

"The existing Vidhan Bhavan became functional in 1980. The Lower House can accommodate 300 members but the new building will have a sitting capacity for 350 members at a time in a more comfortable manner," said Rahul Narwekar after his unanimous election as the Assembly Speaker.

He further announced that the entire functioning of the legislature will be digitised within the next two years.

Narwekar also announced his plan to construct a central hall at Nagpur's legislative campus. "There has been no central hall in Nagpur and I think it should be built. I will push for the construction of the same at Nagpur," he said.

The present strength of the Maharashtra Assembly is 288. The House can accommodate around 305-310 MLAs with some changes in sitting arrangements.

However, with the delimitation exercise likely to happen by 2026, the strength of the Assembly may increase up to 350 with an increase of at least 60 seats. A bigger House is going to be a necessity in the near future and the Maha Vista Project on the lines of the Central Vista project in Delhi is set to get a big push.

The project was first announced in February 2024 by Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister Ajit Pawar in his budget speech. At an estimated cost of Rs 7500 crore, the entire Mantralaya, ministers' bungalow, new secretariate and legislative complex will be revamped.

In August, the state Public Works Department (PWD) a global tender for designs of ministers' bungalows and Mantralaya was sought. Tenders for the redevelopment of Vidhan Bhavan will be invited in future.

Narwekar said that he is aware that the legislators have been left without the MLA hostel for six years now as the redevelopment of Majestic and Manora MLA hostels is underway. "The Majestic MLA hostel will be ready in one year while the Manora MLA hostel will be ready within two years," he said.

With screens installed on the desks of all MLAs, the Speaker said that the entire legislative functioning will be made digital within the next two years.

"From submitting questions to receiving answers from ministers' offices, it will be a paperless building. The digital process will help the MLAs to come prepared as well," he said.

Narwekar said that at present library and reference sections are being digitised and at the click of a button the members can access legislative records.

(Sanjay Jog can be contacted at sanjay.j@ians.in)
Gaza, Dec 9 : Hamas on Monday called on the Syrian people to unite.

"We call on all components of the Syrian people to unite their ranks, have more national cohesion, and rise above the pains of the past," Hamas said in a press statement.

"We, in the Hamas movement and our Palestinian people, stand firmly with the great Syrian people, and we affirm the unity of Syria and the integrity of its territories, and respect for the Syrian people, their will, independence, and political choices," it added.

In the statement, Hamas condemned Israel's "repeated brutal aggression" against Syrian territories, "categorically" rejecting "any Zionist ambitions or plans targeting sisterly Syria, its land and people", Xinhua news agency reported.

Meanwhile, Ziyad al-Nakhalah, Secretary-General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement, said that the changes in Syria are "a Syrian affair and related to the choices of the Syrian people."

"We hope that Syria will remain a true supporter of the Palestinian people and their just cause," added he in a press statement.

In a stunning turn of events on Sunday, opposition forces in Syria seized control of the capital, Damascus, following a rapid offensive that saw major Syrian cities falling within days.
Mumbai, Dec 9 : The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) on Monday warned investors against performing transactions on unregistered online platforms.

The markets regulator said that unregistered online platforms are offering unlisted debt securities to investors.

"Such platforms appear to provide an avenue for investors to acquire unlisted debt securities. These platforms are not subject to any regulatory or supervisory oversight, and lack basic investor protection or investor grievance redress mechanisms," SEBI said in a statement.

The activities undertaken by the unregistered online platforms or issuers of the unlisted debt securities are in violation of Companies Act, 2013, SEBI Act, 1992, SEBI (Prohibition of Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices relating to Securities Market) Regulations, 2003 and SEBI (Issue and Listing of Non-Convertible Securities) Regulations, 2021.

This violation occurs because offering unlisted securities to more than 200 investors makes it a "deemed to be public issue" under Companies Act, 2014. These activities could result in legal, regulatory or enforcement action against those involved in such activities.

SEBI recommended investors to not engage with such platforms.

Recently, SEBI issued an interim order against some entities operating such unregistered platforms.

"Investors should consider utilising Online Bond Platforms operated by SEBI registered stock brokers authorised by the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) and/or the National Stock Exchange (NSE) to act as online bond platform providers (OBPPs) for investing in listed debt securities," the markets regulator emphasised.

SEBI is issuing this caution, advising investors to not engage with or undertake investment or trading activities through un-registered intermediaries, web applications, platforms and apps.

The regulator also said that these platforms are neither authorised nor recognised, and investors engaging in such activities would not be entitled to essential protections, such as investor protection under SEBI's or stock exchanges' jurisdiction, access to grievance redressal mechanisms administered by exchanges and dispute resolution services offered by authorised entities.

IANS

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Kyiv, Dec 9 : Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday that he discussed the prospects for freezing the Russia-Ukraine conflict with US President-elect Donald Trump, the UNIAN news agency reported.

"I told him that we want the war to end more than anyone else in the world. A diplomatic resolution would certainly save more lives, and we want that," Zelensky told reporters.

At the same time, he said that Ukraine requires additional weapons, including long-range systems, as well as an invitation to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to ensure its security.

Later in the day, Zelensky wrote on Telegram that if there is a "pause" while Ukraine is not in NATO, Kiev might consider French President Emmanuel Macron's proposal to deploy foreign troops on Ukrainian soil to guarantee security.

Zelensky also revealed plans to call US President Joe Biden to discuss prospects for inviting Ukraine to NATO, Xinhua news agency reported.

Zelensky, Trump and Macron met in Paris on Saturday on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony of the restored Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral.
Patna, De 9 : The Bihar Economic Offenses Unit (EOU) has issued a crucial advisory regarding the 70th Combined Preliminary Competitive Examination scheduled by the Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) for December 13.

The advisory aims to counter misinformation and caution candidates against potential fraud, paper leaks and disruptions.

The EOU has confirmed that the exam is proceeding as planned and dismissed rumours of its cancellation circulating on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Telegram, WhatsApp, and X.

"Cyber fraudsters and anti-social elements may attempt to spread misinformation or disrupt the examination process. There is a possibility of fraudulent activities, including scams involving fake promises of leaked question papers, answer keys, or job guarantees in exchange for money," an official said.

EOU asked candidates to avoid engaging with or believing in unverified claims about the exam on social media or through unsolicited calls and messages.

It also asked the candidates to be vigilant against scams promising unfair advantages in the examination process.

"Candidates are advised to rely solely on official notifications and communications from the BPSC. Any suspicious activity or rumours should be reported to authorities immediately," it said.

The Bihar Economic Offenses Unit (EOU) has issued additional guidelines to ensure the safety and security of candidates.

"If you receive fake calls, emails, or social media messages offering leaked question papers or answer keys in exchange for money, do not engage. EOU also asks candidates to immediately inform the nearest police station or cyber police station," the official said.

He further advised candidates to avoid forwarding rumours or unverified messages related to the examination in groups or on social media platforms.

EOU has also released a call and Whatsapp number 8544428404 and email spcyber-bih@gov.in and cybercell-bih@nic.in apart from the Cyber Fraud Helpline number 1930.

"Authorities will investigate any reported incidents promptly, ensuring that offenders face consequences. Candidates should rely exclusively on official BPSC communication for updates and avoid engaging in discussions fueled by rumours or misinformation," EOU said.
New Delhi, Dec 9 : Startups led by women are thriving across more than 600 districts in India's tech ecosystem, said Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) Jitin Prasada.

Prasada stated that more than half of the startups in these districts are being led by women.

He said this while inaugurating the 4th edition of the India Internet Governance Forum (IIGF) at Bharat Mandapam.

This year's theme, "Innovating Internet Governance for India", highlights the nation's commitment to leveraging the Internet for sustainable, inclusive, and equitable growth.

He also emphasised how government initiatives have reduced the digital divide, bringing technology to rural communities and enabling opportunities for all.

"Today, 95 per cent of our villages are linked to 3G-4G connectivity, and our startup ecosystem has reached over 600 districts, with more than half led by women," Prasada said.

Prasada noted that the rapid strides that India took in digital transformation are a model for the world.

With over 1.4 billion citizens and nearly 1 billion Internet users, India has emerged as a vibrant digital economy, setting global benchmarks in innovation and inclusivity.

"India's transformative journey over the last decade, marked by successes like UPI, Aadhaar, and the Bharat Net project, serves as a model for other nations," he said.

The MoS stressed the need for collective efforts to shape digital policies that reflect the values of equality, transparency, and sustainability, ensuring the Internet remains a force for good.

This includes the transformative role of artificial intelligence, the Minister said, while outlining the government's vision to position India as a global leader in AI.

"Our vision is to make AI in India and make AI work for India as well as AI for all," he stated.

The event, a vibrant platform for dialogue and action, brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and civil society to discuss the future of Internet governance.
Imphal, Dec 9 : Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh said on Monday that the Inner Line Permit (ILP) is crucial for protecting the civilisation, culture and traditions of the indigenous people of the state.

The ILP was formulated under the Bengal Eastern Frontier Regulation in 1873.

Addressing a function, organised to celebrate the five years of implementation of the ILP System in Manipur, the Chief Minister said that Manipur is the first State in the country to extend the ILP system post-independence.

The ILP was implemented in the three states -- Mizoram, Nagaland, and Arunachal Pradesh -- which have nearly 90 per cent of their population belonging to tribal communities, he said.

Singh said that in Manipur having nearly 40 per cent of their population belonging to tribal communities, the ILP system was extended by the NDA government led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi after critically assessing the uniqueness and peculiarity of the civilisation, culture, tradition on 9th December 9, 2019.

Several states like Assam, Meghalaya, and Sikkim are demanding for implementation of ILP, he added.

The Chief Minister expressed his gratitude to the Central government led by Modi and other central leaders including Home Minister Amit Shah for the implementation of ILP in the state.

Singh also acknowledged the struggle of the people of both hill and valley regions, Civil Society Organisations, student bodies and others for the implementation of ILP in Manipur.

He highlighted that after much hue and cry, Manipur was granted statehood in 1972.

The extension of ILP in the state on December 9, 2019, was the biggest positive gift by the Centre under the visionary leadership of Modi to protect and save the indigenous population of the state, Singh asserted.

Speaking about the reports regarding abuse and discrimination against Myanmar refugees in the state, the Chief Minister clarified that there are no reports or records of hostility and discrimination against illegal immigrants in detention centres or temporary shelters.

He further stated that the state government has been providing temporary shelter, food, medicines etc. to the refugees/illegal immigrants.

Biometrics of all illegal immigrants have also been captured, he added.

Singh also mentioned that ILP is applicable only to Indian citizens, not to foreigners.

Under The Foreigners Act, the Superintendents of Police of all districts are designated as Foreigners Registration Officers and have the power to detect and deport suspected foreigners.

Singh further said that the government has been making continuous efforts towards the restoration of peace and normalcy in the state.

Several efforts towards peace, including a meeting of various leaders and representatives of different communities including Thadou, and Hmar tribal communities expressing willingness to end the crisis, he added.

Peace agreements between communities were signed on several occasions. However, some vested interests are trying to sabotage the peace efforts, he maintained.

The Chief Minister said that if we are united we can end the crisis.
Jaipur, Dec 9 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma announced on Monday that special programmes will be organised to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the incumbent government.

"These events will focus on women, youth, farmers, and workers," he said.

The CM detailed the schedule: a programme for the youth will be held on December 12, for farmers on December 13, for women on December 14, and for workers on December 15. During these sessions, new schemes targeting each group will be introduced, which will later be implemented.

Sharma further revealed that the government plans to allocate Rs 100 crore to women through the Mahila Nidhi Bank. Additionally, one lakh women will be honoured as "Lakhpati Sisters," and Rs 10,000 self-help groups will receive funds to improve their livelihoods.

"A programme to provide gas cylinders at a subsidised rate of Rs 450 to 20 lakh women is also in progress," he said while addressing the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit.

In his address, he emphasised the importance of empowering women, who make up half the population, to improve their lives.

On December 12, the state government will distribute cycles to 1.25 lakh girls to facilitate their access to education. Furthermore, 21,000 girls pursuing higher education will receive scooties.

The Chief Minister also mentioned that the Prime Minister will soon release the first instalment of the Laado scheme, benefiting one lakh girls in Rajasthan.

"Additionally, 216 "Namo Drone Didis" will be honoured, and the government is planning to form three women battalions and launch the Maa Voucher scheme, with many more initiatives set to begin on December 15," he claimed.

He further urged women to become entrepreneurs and take leadership roles in various sectors, emphasising that the progress of women directly contributes to the advancement of families, the state, and the nation.

The Chief Minister concluded by stating that both the government and the private sector should collaborate to empower women, ensuring they become self-reliant and achieve great things for Rajasthan.
Bhopal, Dec 9 : In a major breakthrough, the Crime Branch of Madhya Pradesh Police arrested four persons in connection with a 'digital arrest' case wherein an Indore-based businesswoman was duped of Rs 1.6 crore.

The accused persons have been arrested from Maihar in Satna district and Surat in Gujarat. The bank accounts wherein the amount was transferred belonged to these four arrested persons, while one more accused in the case was yet to be arrested, police said.

Briefing the press on Monday, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP-Crime Branch) Rajesh Tripathi said, "Four persons have been arrested, of them, two are from Maihar and two others from Surat. They have been taken on police remand and are being interrogated."

He further stated that fraudsters had manipulated a 50-year-old woman by falsely implicating her in a money laundering case and kept her under 'digital arrest' for three days. "We are looking for the kingpin of the nexus," Tripathi said.

The victim was identified as Vandana Gupta (50), daughter-in-law of an Indore-based industrialist. The scammers had contacted the woman through a WhatsApp call and introduced themselves as ED officers on November 26.

The scammers had convinced her that she was linked to a money laundering case involving the founder of Jet Airways, who was reportedly arrested for financial fraud.

They threatened her with legal action, stating that black money was traced to her bank accounts. Furthermore, they claimed that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) also initiated an inquiry against her.

During three days of 'digital arrest', Vandana was forced to provide her bank details, business information, and ID cards. The scammers also forced her to break her fixed deposits (FDs) and transfer Rs 1.60 crore into their accounts, according to police.

After transferring the funds, the scammers further pressured the woman to take a gold loan and deposit the proceeds into their accounts. Vandana approached the Indore unit of Cyber Cell and filed a complaint on November 26.
Patna, Dec 9 : Congress's national secretary and Bihar in-charge Shahnawaz Alam said on Monday that there are no big or small players in the INDIA Bloc.

"We must reinforce the ideological foundation of the coalition, rather than a hierarchy of power. Congress workers should not view themselves as subordinate to other alliance partners. Any decisions within the alliance would incorporate the input of Congress workers," he said.

He said that the distribution of seats should be based on the strike ratea metric reflecting the performance of parties in recent elections, particularly the Lok Sabha polls.

This formula, if implemented, could lead to renegotiations within the alliance, potentially unsettling the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), led by Tejashwi Yadav, which has traditionally been the dominant partner in the state.

The Congress's proposition to base seat-sharing for the upcoming Bihar Assembly elections on the strike rate from the 2024 Lok Sabha elections has introduced a significant challenge for the RJD.

RJD contested 23 seats and won four, yielding a strike rate of 17 per cent. Congress contested nine seats and won three, achieving a strike rate of 33 per cent.

CPI (ML), with the highest strike rate, contested three seats and won two, marking 67 per cent success.

The RJD, traditionally the dominant player in Bihar's Mahagathbandhan, finds itself with the weakest strike rate. If Congress's formula is accepted, RJD would lose a significant portion of its negotiating power in seat-sharing arrangements. This could disrupt the established hierarchy within the alliance, wherein RJD has historically been the "big brother."
New Delhi, Dec 9 : Discussions on shared security challenges and strengthening mutual understanding will top the agenda of Director General, Defence Intelligence Agency, Lt General D.S. Rana, as he begins his official visit to Greece December 10-11, a statement said on Monday.

During the visit, the DG DIA will interact with the senior military leadership of Greece, including Deputy Chief of Defence Vice Admiral Christos Sasiakos, and the Directors at the Hellenic National Defence General Staff.

In addition, Lt Gen Rana will participate in a think-tank interaction hosted by the Institute of International Relations to provide an opportunity to engage with experts on critical defence and strategic issues. He will also interact with the Ambassador of India to Greece Rudrendra Tandon to discuss India's defence ties.

The visit will feature discussions focused on the exchange of information and insights aimed at addressing shared security challenges and strengthening mutual understanding. This visit underscores India's commitment to fostering deeper defence ties with Greece, and highlights the importance of strategic partnership in addressing contemporary security concerns.

In May, Lieutenant General Rana visited Tanzania to reinforce the robust defence ties between the two nations and discuss opportunities for regional security collaboration. During his visit, the DG DIA interacted with the senior military leadership of Tanzania, including the Chief of Defence Staff of Tanzania Peopleas Defence Force, General Jacob John Mkunda, and his counterpart Maj Gen M.N. Mkeremy, Chief of Defence Intelligence.

In his visit to the Tanzanian National Defence College, he discussed Indiaas Security Perspective with future leaders of the TPDF. The meetings were aimed at fostering mutual understanding and strengthening bilateral defence cooperation.

Lt General Rana also inaugurated the newly set up Defence Wing at the High Commission of India, Dar Es Salaam. As a gesture of goodwill towards expanding military cooperation, he presented the TPDF with Indian manufactured Bullet Proof Jackets.
Kolkata, Dec 9 : The Communist Party of India-Marxist (CPI-M) on Monday sought prompt action by the Central government to provide assistance to the victims of the devastating landslide in Kerala's Wayanad in July this year wherein over 250 people lost their lives.

"Despite the state's urgent plea for Rs 214.68 crore in immediate relief and Rs 2,319.1 crore for comprehensive recovery and reconstruction, the Centre has failed to approve the funds even after four months. The refusal to classify the landslide as a 'calamity of severe nature' and the unwillingness to waive loans for the affected families also reflect a deeply unjust and inhumane approach, undermining the principles of federal support in times of crisis," a statement by the CPI-M Politburo read.

Earlier on Monday, senior Left leader and Kerala Chief Minister criticised Union Home Minister Amit Shah over delaying the special package to the state for the rehabilitation of the Wayanad landslide victims.

"This is the worst ever tragedy that the state witnessed but the Centre is trying to run away from doing its job. Home Minister Shah said it's because of Kerala's delayed response that funds have not been released so far. But all their (Centre) allegations against the state are baseless," the Chief Minister said.

He added that this is not the first time Home Minister Amit Shah has handled any situation like the Wayanad.

"First, HM Amit Shah spoke about a nonexistent weather report in the Parliament. But there was no such warning given to us by the Central government. His recent statement again in the Parliament must be seen in the same manner," Vijayan said.

The Home Minister had previously pointed out that the Kerala government has submitted its memo with an estimate of Rs 2,219.03 crore for recovery and reconstruction only on November 13.

Meanwhile, the CPI-M Politburo has also reiterated its stand that the Bangladesh interim government and authorities must ensure the safety and full protection of religious minorities.

"The administration seems to be ignoring the activities of the Islamist fundamentalist forces in this regard. At the same time, the politburo decried the efforts of the BJP-RSS and Hindutva outfits in India, which are seeking to whip up passions by incendiary propaganda. Such an approach will not help the interests of the minorities in Bangladesh," the statement read.

--IANS

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Bhopal, Dec 9 : Former MLA Shabnam Mausi, who is the ever first transgender to reach the Legislative Assembly, slammed Madhya Pradesh Congress head Jitu Patwari, accusing him of insulting the transgender community.

Shabnam Mausi claimed she had gone to Patwari's residence to meet him, however, she was forced to return. Former MLA alleged that Patwari's office bearers insulted her and denied her entry.

"I was willing to become a Congress member that is why I went to meet Jitu Patwari. But I was not allowed to enter his residence. He has insulted not only me but the entire transgender community and he will pay for his act," said Shabnam Mausi.

Former Sohagpur (Shahdol) MLA, Shabnam said the Congress has already lost its ground in Madhya Pradesh due to such type of attitude.

"No one will remain with the Congress party," she claimed.

Mausi made electoral history after winning the bypolls from the Sohagpur Assembly constituency in the Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh in February 2000, six years after the transgender community was granted voting rights in 1994.

The bypolls was necessitated following the death of the then Sohagpur's sitting Congress legislator Krishnapal Singh. She defeated Lallu Singh by a margin of more than 17,800 votes and won as an independent candidate.

However, in the 2003 Assembly polls, she could only manage to get just 1,400 votes and lost. In 2008, the Sohagpur seat was merged with other Assembly constituencies in the delimitation exercise.

Madhya Pradesh, which had elected the country's first transgender MLA and mayor, at present has no participation of community in the state politics.

Apart from Shabnam Mausi, another transgender Kamala 'Bua' was elected as Mayor of Sagar Municipal Corporation in 2009.
New Delhi/Imphal, Dec 9 : The INDIA Bloc parties from Manipur on Monday held a sit-in protest in Delhi demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit the violence-hit-state and resolve the 19-month-long ethnic hostilities at the earliest.

The leaders of the 10-party INDIA bloc while addressing the gathering at Jantar Mantar in the national capital claimed that both the Centre and the state government failed to resolve the ethnic crisis even as the lives of the people were devastated due to the uninterrupted violence.

The INDIA bloc leader also demanded to sack Chief Minister N Biren Singh for his "complete failure" to deal with the riots between Meitei and the Koki-Zo-Hmar community.

Many opposition leaders, including Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, Congress' deputy leader in Lok Sabha Gaurav Gogoi and CPI General Secretary D Raja among others participated in the protest.

Ramesh said that Manipur has been inflicted with unprecedented turmoil, continuous curfew, internet ban, high price rise of all commodities, unavailability of medicines, continuous violence, highways blockade, rising extortion, all forms of violent threats and disturbances, complete lawlessness and chaos, complete violation of right to life and right to properties, loss of life, and complete disarray of hope for the youth and total obstruction to the smooth functioning of schools, colleges, universities, and professional institutions in Manipur.

The INDIA Bloc, Manipur, resolves to press for the four demands to the President of India and the Prime Minister, he said in a post on the X.

The demands include the Prime Minister visiting Manipur urgently for an immediate restoration of peace and normalcy in the state without affecting the territorial integrity of Manipur.

"Chief Minister of Manipur should be immediately sacked for allowing Manipur to keep burning for the last 19 months. Further, until peace and normalcy are restored, the INDIA Bloc, Manipur will continue the democratic struggle to bring peace and normalcy to the state. We solemnly declare that we will work together hand in hand irrespective of caste, creed, community, and ethnicity to strengthen the bond of love, unity, and integrity in Manipur," the Congress leader said.

Manipur Congress President Keisham Meghachandra Singh, state CLP leader Okram Ibobi, K. Ranjit, Lokeshwar Singh, Surjakumar Singh, all Congress MLAs of the state, Manipur CPI (M) leader Kshetrimayum Shanta among others attended the protest.

CPI leader D. Raja questioned the Central government's commitment to national unity, highlighting the silence of PM Modi on the Manipur crisis.

The 10-party INDIA bloc in Manipur on December 6 also urged the Prime Minister to visit Manipur, at the earliest convenience or hold talks with political parties from the state in New Delhi.

The bloc, led by the Congress, submitted a letter to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) on December 6, requesting Modi to visit Manipur to resolve the 19-month-long ethnic conflict.

Meanwhile, around 20 civil society organisations and student bodies from Imphal Valley have announced plans to hold a rally in Delhi on December 22.
Jaipur, Dec 9 : Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Monday highlighted the immense potential of India's tourism sector, claiming it surpasses that of any other country in the world.

"With over 5,000 years of civilisational history, 43 World Heritage Sites, 56 potential World Heritage Sites, and around 3,500 monuments of national importance, India's cultural heritage stands as a testament to its global strength," the minister said while speaking at the 'Embracing Diversity: Promoting Inclusive Tourism' session at Rising Rajasthan.

He also emphasised that the significance of tourism lies more in its cultural value than in its economic or business aspects. He pointed out the importance of understanding the cultural elements that have shaped India's identity.

He also noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Virasat Bhi Vikas Bhi' (heritage and development) has propelled the country's progress, connecting India's historical uniqueness with its modern achievements.

The minister attributed India's position as the world's fastest-growing economy to its deep-rooted cultural pride.

He also discussed India's remarkable progress in the tourism sector, citing improvements such as a 1,50,000 km road network, the development of 500 new air routes, the construction of 150 new airports, and the introduction of high-speed trains like Vande Bharat.

He said that the completion of 100 tourism infrastructure projects has ushered in a new era of connectivity and ease of travel. The success of the G-20 presidency, which spotlighted over 60 Indian destinations, has also piqued global interest in the country.

"As a result, India's tourism sector generated 76.17 million jobs, up from 69.56 million in 2013-2014, and foreign exchange earnings rose from $19.69 billion in 2014 to $28.07 billion in 2023, marking a 42.53 per cent increase," he said.

He also emphasised that the Ministry of Tourism is focused on developing tourism as a driver of sustainable, inclusive economic growth.

Key initiatives include enhancing the overall tourist experience, developing new destinations, empowering individuals with tourism skills, fostering private sector participation, and creating favourable conditions in partnership with states and union territories.

Shekhawat also highlighted Rajasthan's exemplary role in the tourism sector, noting that it contributes about 12 per cent to the state's GDP, the highest in India. Tourist arrivals in Rajasthan are expected to rise from 5.38 crore in 2019 to 18.07 crore in 2023.

As part of the Golden Triangle Circuit, Rajasthan attracts 35 per cent of India's foreign tourists. The state is home to nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is a top choice for 'destination weddings' and 'heritage and leisure tourism'.

Additionally, Rajasthan boasts 68 per cent of India's heritage hotels. The state's tourism potential is further bolstered by the Delhi-Mumbai Industrial Corridor and the Dedicated Freight Corridor, with significant portions in Rajasthan.

Shekhawat noted the growth in investment in the tourism and hospitality sectors in Rajasthan, from 1,689 crore in 2015-16 to 4,847 crore in 2023-24. Rajasthan was the first state to grant industrial status to the tourism and hospitality sector, a model now being adopted by other states and union territories.

The Ministry of Tourism has also created a handbook for other states to replicate Rajasthan's success. Both the central and state governments are working collaboratively to make Rajasthan a major global destination as part of the state's Vision 2047.

The Union Minister affirmed that the Ministry of Tourism is committed to supporting Rajasthan's tourism development and will continue to offer all necessary cooperation to ensure its growth.
Jammu, Dec 9 : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday reaffirmed his government's commitment to supporting local industries in overcoming the challenges they are currently facing.

Speaking at an event organised by the Jammu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JCCI) at its office, the Chief Minister was felicitated for assuming office as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah acknowledged the persistent challenges faced by the industrial sector in Jammu and Kashmir.

"There is no shortage of issues. If I were to claim that these problems have only emerged in the past decade, it would be misleading. These challenges are not new, nor are they solely the result of Jammu and Kashmir's transition into a Union Territory. However, the UT transition has undoubtedly compounded these issues," he stated.

Highlighting the geographical constraints of the region, the Chief Minister said: "Several challenges stem from our location. Jammu and Kashmir is situated in a corner of the country. Our market is very small, and our raw material base is limited. An industry that relies on importing raw materials and exporting finished products cannot sustain itself without governmental support."

Reiterating his government's responsibility, he added, "When we hold your hand and provide support, it is not a reflection of your helplessness or weakness. It is our responsibility, and we will fulfil it."

On the tourism potential of Jammu, the Chief Minister emphasiaed the untapped opportunities presented by the large number of pilgrims visiting the region.

"Over a crore pilgrims visit Jammu for Mata Vaishno Devi every year. If we can successfully divert even 15 per cent of them to local tourist destinations, we would gain 15 lakh tourists immediately. We have managed the entire tourism economy of Kashmir with just 15 lakh tourists," he remarked.

He stressed the need to showcase Jammu's unique cultural heritage.

"Our Dogra culture is a treasure unique to Jammu. Our traditions, food, and specialities are unmatched and must be leveraged as key selling points for tourism," he said.

On the resumption of the now-defunct Darbar Move, Omar Abdullah highlighted its positive impact on Jammu's vibrancy.

"The hallmark of Jammu city was the biannual Darbar Move. For six months, people from Srinagar would work here, creating a lively environment. It fostered interaction between people from both sides of the mountains, whether at Wave Mall, Residency Road, or Gole Market. I assure you that we will resume the Darbar Move in the future. Unfortunately, time constraints prevented us from doing so this time," he said.

Discussing the impact of industrial packages, he cautioned against their transient nature. "Industries attracted solely by packages stay only as long as the incentives last. Once the benefits end, they pack up and leave. The industries that endure are those rooted in this land, run by people who are inherently connected to it," he stated.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the challenges related to lease agreements for institutions and businesses.

"Today, schools on leased land are being asked to produce 10-year leases, failing which their registration will not be renewed. Similarly, hotels on leased land cannot even make minor repairs due to the absence of valid leases. These issues need immediate attention," he added.

Omar Abdullah, in his conclusion, assured his government's commitment to addressing industrial concerns.

"Whatever issues you want us to raise with the Finance Minister, please provide me with a detailed note. We will take them up with the Union government and work toward tangible solutions," he said.
Mumbai, Dec 9 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Monday announced that the state government condemns injustice by the Karnataka government to the Marathi-speaking people in the border areas including Belgaum.

He further said that the Karnataka government's stance that Marathi-speaking people should not hold a meeting in Belgaum is a violation of constitutional rights.

He also claimed that the Karnataka minister's statement with regard to the removal of a portrait of VD Savarkar from the Karnataka State Assembly was quite serious, saying that the state government condemns this move.

In his statement in the state council, the Chief Minister said the Maharashtra legislature stands firmly behind the Marathi-speaking people in the border areas and declared that the fight will continue for a united Maharashtra with Belgaum and Nipani as its part.

"Twelve crore people of the state and the Marathi people from all over the world stand firmly with the Marathi-speaking people in the Karnataka border area. We have provided education, and health services for the Marathi-speaking people in the border areas. Our government will continue to be ready to solve the problems of Marathi speakers in the border areas," he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that the Karnataka government opposed the gathering of Marathi-speaking people in the border areas.

"A Member of the Maharashtra Integration Committee was arrested. People's representatives were also stationed. Maharashtra Government strongly condemns this act of the Karnataka Government. I too have been jailed in the struggle of Marathi-speaking people and the role of our government is the same as that of Hinduhruday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray," he added.

Leader of Opposition in Legislative Council Ambadas Danve raised the issue in the House with regard to the Karnataka government's purported move to remove the portrait of VD Savarkar from its state Assembly.

He also criticised the Karnataka government for not allowing the Marathi-speaking people to hold a public meeting at Belgaum.

Danve later submitted a letter to Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis urging that the state government should send a proposal to the Centre to declare Belgaum a unit on territory, especially in the wake of injustice done to the Marathi-speaking people there by the Karnataka government.
Hyderabad, Dec 9 : The property dispute in the family of veteran Tollywood actor Mohan Babu took a serious turn as he complained to police against his actor son Manchu Manoj and sought police protection on Monday, a few hours after Manoj lodged a complaint that unidentified miscreants assaulted him on Sunday.

Mohan Babu complained to Rachakonda Commissioner that his younger son Manoj along with some anti-social elements employed by him caused a disturbance on Sunday at his house 'Manchu Town' in Jalpally in Rangareddy district.

The senior actor sought protection to himself and his properties saying there was a threat from Manoj, his wife, and anti-social elements.

Mohan Babu wrote that on Monday he noticed unfamiliar individuals stationed near his house while one of the employees at his office in Madhapur informed him that about 30 individuals claiming to be associates of Manoj trespassed.

"They threatened my staff with dire consequences, evicted them from the property and declared that no one could enter the house without their permission," said Mohan Babu, a former Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament.

Mohan Babu stated that these individuals illegally occupied his house under the instructions of Manoj and Mounika.

"I fear for my safety, my valuables and my property. I have been informed that these individuals are waiting for me to return to my house with the intent to harm me and instill fear, compelling me to abandon my residence permanently," reads the complaint.

The veteran actor wrote that he is a senior citizen aged about 78 years and 'their actions, supported by hired individuals, pose a grave threat to my life and property'.

Mohan Babu demanded legal action against Manoj, Monika and their associates. He also urged the police to evict them from his property.

"Provide me with adequate protection to ensure my safety and allow me to access my home without fear," said the veteran actor, who runs a chain of educational institutions including Mohan Babu University.

Earlier, Manchu Manoj lodged a complaint with police but did not name his father or any other family member.

In his complaint to Pahadi Shareef Police Station, he stated that around 10 unidentified miscreants attacked him at his house at Jalpally. He named two persons who took away the CCTV footage of the attack.

Police said they recorded the statement of Manoj on the basis of his complaint and took up investigation.

Manoj Sunday visited a hospital in Banjara Hills for treatment of his injuries amid reports of a fight with his father.

After the medical examination, he returned home. According to the medico legal record, Manoj sustained multiple injuries on neck, right thigh and abdomen.

Both Manoj and Mohan Babu reported to have complained against each other to police over dial 100. The police had advised them to lodge complaints in writing.

Manoj on Monday personally went to Pahadi Shareef Police Station and lodged a complaint. He also presented medico legal record to the Station House Officer.
Guwahati, Dec 9 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday asserted that in order to free himself up for the upcoming Assembly election in the state, he had given the ministers control over a number of departments that were under his purview.

In light of the next assembly elections in 2026, he stated that he would free up his time to work on further projects.

"I want to focus on the next Assembly election for the next year. As a result, I have made the decision to lessen the workload for the departments that supported me," he said.

Sarma went on to say that for the upcoming year, he will spend as much time as possible with people.

He said, "I shall devote more time to the people of Assam in the upcoming year. The cabinet was expanded for this reason."

Four ministers Prasanta Phookan, Kaushik Rai, Krishnendu Paul and Rupesh Goala were inducted into the Cabinet on Saturday.

This is the first expansion of the Cabinet since Himanta Biswa Sarma took the Chief Minister's post in the state three years ago.

In the cabinet, there were four vacant berthsthree existed since the beginning of Sarma taking the post of Chief Minister, and one position got vacant after former minister Parimal Suklabaidya won this year's Lok Sabha polls in the state.

Kaushik Rai is a replacement for Parimal Suklabaidya as both of them belong to the same Cachar district in the Barak valley.

Prasanta Phookan is an MLA from Dibrugarh, and Krishnendu Paul is from the Patharkandi Assembly constituency in the Sribhumi district.

Rupesh Goala is a legislator from the Doom Dooma constituency in the Tinsukia district.

Both Rai and Gola became MLAs in the 2021 Assembly polls while Paul won on a BJP ticket twice from the Patharkandi Assembly seat in the 2016 and 2021 Assembly polls. He was once a Congress leader and switched sides before the 2016 Assembly election.

On the other hand, Prasanta Phookan is a senior BJP leader and a four-time MLA from Dibrugarh. He has not lost here since the 2006 Assembly election.

Meanwhile, Sanjay Kishan was asked to resign from the minister's post and he was replaced by Rupesh Goala.

However, Sarma had said that Kishan would continue to concentrate on his Assembly and the party would give him proper responsibility.
Jaipur, Dec 9 : A session comprising top industry voices and experts was organised on Monday on 'Transition towards a Sustainable Energy Economy' as part of the 'Rising Rajasthan' Global Investment Summit 2024.

Jaipur, Dec 9 (IANS) A session comprising top industry voices and experts was organised on Monday on aTransition towards a Sustainable Energy Economya as part of the 'Rising Rajasthan' Global Investment Summit 2024.

Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma; Pralhad Joshi, Union Minister of New and Renewable Energy, and Heera Lal Nagar, Rajasthan Energy Minister of State for Energy graced the session.

In his address, Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said: "Taking the inspiration from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Rajasthan is taking key policy decisions to ensure that Rajasthan not only meets the energy needs of the 8-crore population of the state but becomes an energy-surplus state capable of providing clean energy to others."

Prahlad Joshi, Minister of New and Renewable Energy, said: "On the auspicious and foundation-laying platform of aRising Rajasthana Global Investment Summit 2024, I am happy to announce that the central government has approved a new solar park in Rajasthan of 2,000 MW capacity under which the Centre will bear 30 per cent of the expenses."

Heera Lal Nagar, Rajasthan Energy Minister said: "Under the leadership of CM Bhajan Lal Sharma, the state government is taking all steps to meet the energy needs of the present as well as future generations. Rajasthan has touched new heights in the sector of new and renewable energy."

Alok, Additional Chief Secretary, Energy, government of Rajasthan said: "Under the Integrated Clean Energy Policy recently launched by the government, the state is targeting to increase the renewable energy (RE) capacity of the state to 125 GW by 2030 with the target to create 10 lakh jobs in the sector. Newer forms of renewable energy such as energy storage, grid modernization, green hydrogen, green ammonia will help the state transition towards clean and sustainable energy."

With an ambitious target to create 125 GW of Renewable Energy capacity by 2030, Rajasthan is set to spearhead India's green energy revolution, reinforcing its commitment to sustainability and innovation, a statement noted.

The statement further said that the session delved into crucial areas such as scaling up the adoption of clean technology, regulatory and policy support for the sector, potential of public-private partnerships to fasten the pace of transition towards clean energy among others.

The panellists also highlighted the significance of the renewable energy sector as a job multiplier with immense potential of creating new jobs.
New Delhi, Dec 9 : Former Madhya Pradesh Minister and BJP legislator Usha Thakur on Monday described the "Hindutva is a disease" remark of Iltija Mufti, daughter of former J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, as baseless and meaningless.

New Delhi, Dec 9 (IANS) Former Madhya Pradesh Minister and BJP legislator Usha Thakur on Monday described the "Hindutva is a disease" remark of Iltija Mufti, daughter of former J&K chief minister Mehbooba Mufti, as baseless and meaningless.

Speaking to IANS, Thakur said, "The statement of Iltiza is very baseless and meaningless. Neither does she know about Hindutva nor does she know about Shri Ram. India is a country of Vedas; of Sanatanis... such comments of her on the world's best way of life (Hindutva) only show her lack of intelligence."

Reacting to Iltija Mufti's comment on Lord Ram, the BJP leader said, "Ram is the nation, he is synonymous with the nation. The dignified life of Ram ji is an inspiration for every Indian. To have such thoughts for Lord Shri Ram shows her anti-nation mindset."

When asked whether there should be 'Ram Ki Pathshala' in schools of J&K, she said, "Why shouldn't it happen? Why only in Jammu and Kashmir and only in India? These schools should be all over the world. We are going to become the Vishwaguru. We are going to be Swarnim Bharat by 2047 and if the entire humanity wants happiness, peace and satisfaction, then they should lead the best life of Lord Shri Ram."

The controversy over Iltija's remarks erupted on Saturday after she posted on X, stating, "Hindutva is a disease."

"Even Lord Ram will have to hang his head in shame after seeing all this. Minor Muslim children are being beaten with chappals just because of their refusal to take the name of Ram. Hindutva is a disease that has affected millions of Indians and tarnished the name of God," she wrote.

Following the backlash, Iltija clarified her stance, stating that she invoked Lord Ram in her post to spotlight the hypocrisy of those who claim to uphold Ram Rajya while indulging in acts of brutality.
Agartala/Aizawl, Dec 9 : Several northeastern states on Monday launched the 100-day campaign focusing on quick detection and treatment of tuberculosis patients.

Launching the TB eradication campaign, officials in Aizawl said that at least 147 people have died due to this disease in Mizoram this year so far while 108 people died last year due to this disease in the northeastern state.

Health officials said that 2,164 people have been diagnosed with TB from among 24,017 samples tested between January and so far in December.

According to the officials, 80 per cent of the infected patients have been successfully cured of the disease.

Urging the people to come forward and support the state government in its campaign, state Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister B Lalchhanzova, who launched the campaign, stressed the united efforts of churches, NGOs and the community to eliminate the disease.

Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Monday launched the state-wide 100-day campaign on tuberculosis elimination in Bishalgarh under Sepahijala district.

He said that under the 100-day campaign focusing on quick detection and treatment of TB patients five districts from Tripura would be covered.

These districts are West Tripura, Sepahijala, South Tripura, Gomati, North Tripura and Unakoti.

Saha said that now there are good testing facilities available in the state and added that TB not only affects the lungs but it can infect other parts of the body.

"Proper screening should be done. It is also necessary to dispel the notion that only the poor get infected due to TB and the rich are immune to it," he said.

State Health Secretary Kiran Gitte said that there are only 1700 active cases of TB in the state, at present and the X-ray checkup will be done free of cost in the state.

Those who are diagnosed positive for TB would get free treatment, he said.

The 100-day campaign also launched in Manipur, Meghalaya and other northeastern states.

Union Health and Family Welfare Minister J.P. Nadda on Saturday launched the nationwide 100-Day TB eradication campaign from Panchkula in Haryana.
Belagavi : , Dec 9 (IANS) Reacting to Maharashtra MLA Aaditya Thackeray's statement that Belagavi should be declared a Union Territory (UT) until the dispute is resolved, Karnataka Minister for Kannada and Culture Shivaraj Tangadagi told the Maharashtra leader not to interfere in the matter.

Former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray's son Aaditya Thackeray is the Shiv Sena-UBT's legislature party leader. He demanded that the Centre should grant UT status to Belagavi.

Speaking to the media at the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha in Belagavi on Monday, Minister Tangadagi stated, "If statements like these continue to be made regarding Belagavi, the people of Karnataka will definitely express their outrage."

"On behalf of the state government, I want to convey clearly: do not attempt to raise the Belagavi issue again. If you do, you will face the anger of Kannada people. This is a warning from our side," Minister Tangadagi said, referring to Aaditya Thackeray.

Minister Tangadagi further added, "Poor Aaditya Thackeray does not seem to understand why Union Territories are formed. Belagavi has a large number of Kannada-speaking people. The Karnataka government has built the Suvarna Vidhana Soudha here, and assembly sessions are conducted every year. It appears that Aaditya Thackeray lacks the necessary information and understanding."

He noted that leaders from Maharashtra have been making similar statements for a long time, but separating Belagavi from Karnataka is impossible.

"It is not appropriate for Aaditya Thackeray to speak without understanding the facts. In my personal opinion, he should educate himself better," Tangadagi added.

When asked about Thackeray's specific suggestion that Belagavi should be made a Union Territory until a decision is reached, Minister Tangadagi responded, "Let him review all the reports submitted so far regarding the Belagavi dispute."

"If one goes through the findings and recommendations of those reports, it will become clear that Belagavi undoubtedly belongs to Karnataka and remains an integral part of the state. The question of separating it does not arise," he concluded.

The Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) on Monday boycotted the customary address of the Governor to the joint session of the Maharashtra Legislature in the wake of developments in Belagavi, where the Karnataka government refused permission.

Aaditya said that the Marathi-speaking people in Belagavi are being suppressed. "Since Sunday, the situation has been deteriorating in the region. Our party workers are being detained," he stated.

The border town of Belagavi has been a part of Karnataka since boundaries were demarcated along linguistic lines under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956. But the inter-state border dispute between Karnataka and Maharashtra erupts every now and then.

The Maharashtra government filed a plea in the Supreme Court challenging the State Reorganisation Act, 1956 in 2004. It demanded 865 villages and places from five Karnataka districts to be merged with the state.

The dispute also gave birth to Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) in Belgaum, which was part of the erstwhile Bombay Presidency. Karnataka changed the name of Belgaum to Belagavi and built a second legislature in the district.

--IANS

mka/pgh
Bhopal, Dec 9 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday announced that his government has decided to construct a Gita Bhawan in each urban part of the state during in next three years.

"Haryana government has an important role in shaping this event and I will request to make Madhya Pradesh a co-participant in next yearas International Gita Mahotsav," Yadav said while addressing the 'Sant Sammelan' under the ongoing International Gita Mahotsav in Kurukshetra Haryana.

He also urged the organisers of the International Geeta Mahotsav to join Madhya Pradesh's Gita recitation virtually. More than 5000 priests will recite the Gita in two separate events in Bhopal and Ujjain on the occasion of Gita Jayanti on Dec 11.

He further stated has decided to develop places associated with Lord Krishna as pilgrimage sites in Madhya Pradesh. Notably, a proposal for this purpose was already approved by the state Cabinet last month.

According to the state government, there are four places in Madhya Pradesh where Lord Krishna had visited on different occasions. These four sites, which are located in different parts of the state are a" Sandipani Ashram, Narayan Dham, Amjhera Dham and Janapav Dham.

It is believed that Lord Krishna had studied at the Sandipani Ashram in Ujjain.

Narayan Dham, a religious site located in Dhar district, commemorates the bond between Lord Krishna and his poor Brahmin friend Sudama.

About Amjhera Dham which is also located in Dhar district, it is believed that Lord Krishna had defeated goddess Rukminias brother Rukmi and aabducteda her with her consent from this place.

Janapav Dham, located at a village in Indore, is considered a significant pilgrimage site for devotees of Lord Shiva and the Pandavas. It is said that Lord Parashuram had handed over the Sudarshan Chakra to Lord Krishna at this place.

Initially, the announcement for developing the places associated with Lord Krishna was made a few months back and the Chief Minister had directed the Religious Department to conduct a detailed study and prepare a blueprint for these sites.
The Independent Surveillance footage shows UnitedHealthcare CEO shooter exiting subway station

Police are questioning a man in Pennsylvania in connection with last weeks fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEOBrian Thompson, law enforcement officials sources familiar tell multiple news outlets.

Luigi Mangione, 26, was taken in for questioning and is considered a strong person of interest in the shooting that shook our city, Mayor Eric Adams said at a Monday press conference.

The 26-year-old was arrested on firearms charges in Pennsylvania after a McDonalds employee in Altoona, Pennsylvania identified him from the photos circulating of the person of interest in Thompsons shooting, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.

He was carrying multiple fraudulent IDs, a US passport as well as a ghost gun and a suppresser, she said. Authorities also recovered clothing and masks that are consistent with those seen on the suspect in photos. Mangione was also carrying a handwritten, three-page manifesto that was critical of the health care system.

He does not have an arrest record and the investigation so far suggests Mangione acted alone, authorities said.

The new information, which is being investigated as a new lead, comes as a private funeral is set to be held Monday for Thompson, the 50-year-old CEO who was gunned down as he arrived at the Hilton hotel in Midtown for an investors conference.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed outside a New York City hotel on Wednesday (via REUTERS)

Police have been searching for the gunman since the shooting and say at this point they believe he has left New York City.

The gunman arrived in Manhattan ahead of the shooting and used a fake ID and paid cash during the 10 days he was in the city, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters Friday.

He wore a mask covering his face most of the time he was seen on security footage  though he lowered his mask while speaking with a hotel employee. Police have circulated images of the suspect without his mask hoping that someone who may know him will come forward with information.

The suspect wore a mask covering his face most of the time he was seen on security footage  though he lowered his mask while speaking with a hotel employee. (NYPD)

The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction. Thats on top of a $10,000 reward offered by the NYPD.

On Friday, the officers found the shooters backpack in Central Park. They also found bullet casings at the scene of the shooting with the words, delay, deny and depose on them.

Some of those words are often used by critics of insurance companies to criticize them for delaying payments, denying claims and defending their actions.

Meanwhile in New York City, scuba divers have been searching one of the ponds in Central Park for evidence as K-9 dogs have been sniffing around in the area where the suspects backback was believed to have been found Friday. The backpack and its contents have been sent in for forensic testing.

The Independent is the worlds most free-thinking news brand, providing global news, commentary and analysis for the independently-minded. We have grown a huge, global readership of independently minded individuals, who value our trusted voice and commitment to positive change. Our mission, making change happen, has never been as important as it is today.
Kolkata, Dec 9 : The deadline for achieving the target of inducting one crore new party members in West Bengal by the state unit of BJP has been extended to December 31 from the current deadline of December 15.

The decision was taken at a meeting with the elected Parliamentarians of the party from West Bengal, both in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha, chaired by BJPas central observer for West Bengal Sunil Bansal in Delhi on Monday afternoon, said a party insider aware of the developments at the meeting.

Of the 14 Parliamentarians of BJP from West Bengal, 12 in Lok Sabha and two in Rajya Sabha, 10 were present at the meeting.

The four party MPs who could not attend the meeting include three Lok Sabha members, namely Raju Bista from Darjeeling, Manoj Tigga from Alipurduar, Abhijit Gangopadhyay from Tamluk and the party Rajya Sabha member Ananta Maharaj.

Party insiders said that in the current month, Bansal is expected to hold a separate meeting with BJPas legislative team in the West Bengal Assembly.

A senior party official hinted that Suvendu Adhikari, the Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, may play a crucial role in boosting the membership campaign.

Although December 15 was set as the deadline earlier to achieve the induction of one crore new members in West Bengal, till date only one-fourth of that target has been achieved. In such a situation, the central leadership of BJP has decided to extend the deadline to achieve the target till December 31.

In the meeting, party insiders said, Bansal also urged the party MPs to concentrate on networking in their respective areas just not to aggravate the new membership drive, but also to strengthen the organizational base of the party there, especially the booth-level organizations.
Bhubaneswar, Dec 10 : Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi reviewed the ongoing preparations for the upcoming 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) convention during a high-level meeting at the Lok Seva Bhawan here on Monday.

The Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is scheduled to be held in Bhubaneswar between January 8-10 next year.

As per a press statement issued by the Chief Ministeras Office, CM Majhi during the review meeting stated that the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas which started in 2003 is going to be held in Odisha for the first time.

Calling the mega event as a golden opportunity to establish Odisha in the world, the Chief Minister advised the authorities to organize the programme in a very fascinating and flawless manner and to highlight the image of Odisha in the whole world.

CM Majhi said that the cleanliness in Bhubaneswar should match international standards. He advised the officials to organize a special cleanliness drive in Bhubaneswar ahead of the event. The Chief Minister during the review meeting also gave the suggestion to involve the local people in the organisation of this festival.

As per the CMO, the Minister of Foreign Affairs will attend the grand festival of overseas Indians on the first day on January 8. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Modi and President Droupadi Murmu are scheduled to attend the programme on January 9 and January 10, respectively.

Plenary sessions on 'Unraveling India's Best Kept Secret' and 'Odisha - The Land of Opportunities' will be held during the event. This apart, the delegates will get a glimpse of Odisha's historical glory, art, sculpture, music, dance, tribal culture, language, literature, tourist places, etc. through digital and other mediums during the three-day event. Odisha's vision for 2036 and 2047 will also be showcased at the event.

Around 10 festivals will be held in Bhubaneswar during this period. These festivals are Rajarani Music Festival (January 7-11), Mukteshwar Dance Festival (January 7-11), International Odissi Dance Festival (January 7-11), Tribal Dance and Folk Art Festival (January 7-11), Tribal Mela (January 5-15), Chilika Bird Festival (January 6-12), Flower Show (January 7-11), Food Fest (January 8-10) and Night Flea Market (January 8-10).

The renovation, lighting, attractive decorations of all roads in Bhubaneswar as well as hotel booking for the delegates are underway for this event. Tourist spots in the state, including Bhubaneswar, Puri are being beautified.

The state government is making all the arrangements to take the guests to 28 tourist destinations in different cities like Bhubaneswar, Puri, Konark and Jajpur. The state government expects the visit of 7,500 delegates to attend the 18th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Bhubaneswar. More than 3,700 rooms have been booked for the guests, while home stays have also been arranged at some places.

Several ministers and senior officials of the state government were present in the review meeting held on Monday.
To kick off its holiday season, Lerner Publishing Group mixed up books and music for 200 people on December 5, hosting its Bands for the Banned event at the Seventh Street Entry at First Avenue in Minneapolis. The concert, organized by the children's publisher, raised funds for three organizations: EveryLibrarys Fight for the First anti-censorship campaign; We Are Stronger Than Censorship; and the American Library Associations Unite Against Book Bans initiative. The total amount raised was not finalized by press time.

Bands for the Banned featured four headliner local bandsDad Bod, Chutes, White Boy Summer, and Yonderalong with non-musical interludes by Patrick Sweeney, the cofounder and digital director of EveryLibrary, and Sam Helmick, the Iowa City public librarian and ALA president-elect. The event was conceived by Leo Lerner, LPG special sales associate, whose grandfather, Harry Lerner, founded LPG in 1959.

Urging people to both donate that night and take broader action to battle book bans in their communities, Sweeney described this as "a scary time for librarians, who are out there just trying to help children read" and receiving threats of violence in their emails and bullets in the mail. He noted that the threats of violence have extended beyond libraries, and that authors, publishers, and even those with Little Free Library boxes in front of their homes have been threatened.

Book bans are escalating, Sweeney added, with 128 bills in 29 states designed to restrict people's access to books and deny them the right to read. "Four thousand books are being banned across the country," he pointed out. "If you stacked these books on top of each other, it'd be higher than the Empire State Buildingthat's how many books are being banned."

Helmick, noting that they play bass guitar in addition to their library work, told the crowd crowd that they wanted to share two dark truths: our stories are being erased due to book bans and our most vulnerable neighbors are increasingly targeted and censored by this. The second truth is that vital conversations about inclusion and diversity are being weaponized against libraries in order to dismantle publicly funded services that transform thousands of lives every single day.

Describing the ALAs Unite Against Book Bans initiative as a clearing house of tools and resources designed to amplify the voices of those who speak up against book bans, Helmick concluded their remarks by declaring that they had three big truths to share: we can fight censorship together. We have incredible music wherever we go, as we do. And together, we're going to win.
Globalization. Localism. Identity anxiety. Artistic boundaries. Social diversification. These are among the topics addressed in A Theoretical Journey Across Cultures, a 337-page collection of 14 articles by Zhou Xian that reflects his views on comparative literature, cross-cultural research, and visual culture over the past 20 years.

Globalization has triggered integration and interaction among diverse cultures, making social diversification unstoppable. At the same time, rising populism and nationalism herald a clash of civilizations and cultures. This makes the profound cross-cultural vision in Zhous book about adopting a confident, open, and inclusive attitude in the wave of globalization and in the face of differences and collisions of culturesincreasingly important and relevant.

Zhou, a professor at Nanjing University, is the dean of the Institute of Advanced Studies in Humanities and Social Sciences. Specializing in art theory and aesthetics, he is an influential voice within the Chinese academy, especially in the field of visual culture. A Theoretical Journey Across Cultures was originally published by Yilin Press, an imprint of PPMG, and has been translated into French by Marianne Dunlop for Okno Editions.

Divided into four parts, the book introduces the theories, concepts, and methods of cross-cultural research. It also discusses Chinese issues in cross-cultural research, exploring how to use Chinese wisdom to address theoretical questions and the cultural challenges faced by local humanities disciplines.

The book goes on to examine the influence of foreign ideas on local academia and how scholars accept and apply these ideas in a unique way under Chinas specific temporal and contextual demands.

Finally, Zhou highlights how European, particularly French, philosophical thoughts are embraced in China and discusses how self-awareness and cultural identity can be deeply understood and reflected through cultural exchange and interaction amid significant cultural disparities.

Dunlop, who met the author at an international seminar hosted by the University of Artois prior to working on the translation project, has this first impression to share. Prof. Zhou started by apologizing for having to speak in English because he did not speak French, Dunlop says. To me, that is not just being polite but reflects the person he isneither humble nor arrogant but genuine. And his genuine curiosity about the West and the world comes across loud and clear throughout the pages of A Theoretical Journey Across Cultures.

In this book, Prof. Zhou provides an overview of the evolution of Chinese thought over more than a century and the impact of the introduction of Western thought into China and its confrontation with Chinese traditions, Dunlop says. He genuinely believes that the entire world is a great and diverse human civilization and that we can better understand ourselves through the perspectives of others. A Theoretical Journey Across Cultures is like a mirror that reflects the differences between us and others, between one civilization and another, Dunlop says. It involves constant back-and-forth and constant questioning. The West must also learn to see itself through the eyes of others. French readers, Dunlop says, will be interested to read about Zhous research method on the French theory and his analysisboth logical and humorousof Foucaults theory of discourse.

This book, which also delves into the philosophies and thoughts of Barthes, Brecht, Debray, Ibsen, and Munch, encompasses Zhous profound reflection on international cultural exchanges. It presents the development of and changes in comparative literature and cross-cultural research theory, examining how Chinese culture interacts and merges with external cultures in the context of cross-cultural communication.

For Zhou, cross-cultural research is akin to a theoretical journey between various cultures, replete with differences and conflicts, integration and understanding. It is about encountering unfamiliar scenery and rediscovering oneself. But what Zhou really wants to show readers in A Theoretical Journey Across Cultures is the extent of the shock that Chinese cultural consciousness undergoes when it meets other culturesan alchemy that provokes outbursts and that allows the self to be seen by the other. Zhous book and Sun Xiaoyuns The Dao of Chinese Calligraphy: Theories, Practices, and Perspectivesboth part of PPMGs Jiangsu Scholars Translated series on outstanding academic worksare available in French and English, respectively, and made their debut in Paris in May 2024.
As sales of trade books in the U.S. have stalled since the pandemic peak, publishers are taking a harder look at expanding into international markets. How to best break into different territories was the focus of the November webinar Publishing Now Fall 24: Strategies for Success in International Markets, presented by PW with support from Westchester Publishing Services.

Inez Munsch, managing director at Abrams & Chronicle Books, started the conversation with a broad glance at the relationship between U.S. and international markets. She estimated that, depending on a publishers list, 10% to 30% of its total revenue could come from the U.K. and export sales.

One of the biggest challenges of selling in international markets is the perception that American companies publish books for the American market only. Think about your U.K. and European markets the minute you start thinking about buying a book, Munsch said, adding that planning ahead and incorporating the international editions into the publication cycle of a book has never been more important. This is due, in part, to the role social media plays in global sales. TikTok, for example, wants books to appear in all markets on the same day and with the same covers, Munsch says; yet, while styles across the globe have become more homogenized, there are some exceptions. In the U.K., cookbook covers need to be different from the U.S. editions, and when it comes to spelling, U.K. publishers want the correct U.K spelling, especially for childrens books. The one thing you cannot do in the U.K. is spell the word mom with an o, Munsch said. We just don't do that.

International markets, including rights sales, represent a material amount of sales at Princeton University Press, said Christie Henry, PUP director. She agreed with Munsch that the same covers increasingly work on a global basis and stressed the importance of synchronizing publication dates and publicity across different markets. She added, however, that a company needs to strike a balance between global publishing and the needs of individual markets.

For companies thinking about entering the international market, Henry stressed that looking for partners is the first step in selling abroad. There are consortiums and sales groups that publishers can tap into in different areas, she said, adding that for PUP independent booksellers and libraries are other critical constituencies. Another good way for publishers to test the international waters is to attend international book fairs, which have bounced back after shutting down during the pandemic, Henry said.

A final point Henry made is that publishers need to be aware of compliance issues in various geographies. Publishers who want to sell e-books and apps in the European Union, for example, need to meet the requirements of the European Accessibility Act, which is slated to go into effect on June 28, 2025.

Dan Vidra, who worked in international sales with Simon & Schuster and HarperCollins and is now an international publishing consultant, provided a deep dive into the current Chinese market, where a long-running sales boom for U.S. publishers peaked in 2018 and dropped off just before the pandemic. The market is now slowly rebounding, Vidra said, but remains highly focused on books for early and middle grade readers, with some YA sales. Virtually all sales go through online channels, and the adult market is limited to the business and self-improvement categories, Vidra said.

In terms of reaching the Chinese market, publishers need to work with authorized state distributors, who, Vidra said, act as a soft layer of censorship. To sell books to China, it pays to have a footprint there, Vidra said, either through an office or a sales manager. Beyond exporting books to China, Vidra said Chinese publishers are interested in an unbelievable permutation of possible rights combinations, involving such things as e-book rights, digital audio rights, and animation rights. While the actual value of those rights deals are likely to be minimal, Vidra said Chinese publishers see these packages as increasing the sales of print books.

In addition to examining the Chinese market, Vidra offered some practical advice for selling abroad. He said that if a publisher has good metadata for the U.S., there is no need to adapt it to international accounts. He advised independent publishers that if they have distribution in the U.S. from a major company like Simon & Schuster, they are likely already getting some kind of international representation, particularly through online channels. Will you be 100% happy with this arrangement? Vidra asked. Thats an open question, but the low hanging fruit will be caught. And smaller publishers might also be picking up sales through one of Amazons international marketplaces, usually through a third-party seller, Vidra said. You might well be passively selling internationally right now, without really being able to see it.

Vidra also addressed the changes to selling in Europe prompted by Amazons decision in March 2023 to source books locally rather than import them from the U.S. The changes shocked U.S. publishers, who adapted in different ways. For many smaller publishers, the easiest solution could be to use print-on-demand services offered by Amazon or Ingram.

Cecilia de la Campa, executive VP, global media and licensing at Writers House, discussed the interplay between exporting books and selling translation rights. Rights sales are not necessarily in opposition to export sales. They can coexist and we have to keep our eye on all of them, de la Campa said, noting that translation sales are an option all publishers need to explore. And to do that, de la Campa said, they need to find the right partners, since selling rights is really a license agreement and not a one-time sale. Publishers need to work with someone they can rely on through the entire term of the deal.

De la Campa also addressed a concern among European publishers that the growing sales of English editions in European countries are eating into sales of translations. She said there are discussions of solutions, including windowing, in which translated editions appear ahead of the English version. To facilitate translation sales, de la Campa advised that publishers have a translated manuscript available four to five months ahead of publication so they can match the release of the book in the U.S.

The market for audio rights overseas is booming, de la Campa said, cautioning also that publishers need to be careful when discussing terms because many countries use streaming and subscription interchangeably, and they are not the same. She also warned publishers against depending on AI-generated translations and narrations of audiobooks. We have to weigh the benefit of distribution against the value of having it done the right way, de la Campa said.

TRENDS

Having recently attended the Frankfurt Book Fair, de la Campa said that romantasy is still the reigning genre. The interest in romantasy is not a trend, she said. I think its a wave, and it is really transforming fandom and readership and audience engagement in how they are finding content.

A recurring theme throughout the webinar was the increased importance that consumers are placing on books as collectible objects. One of the biggest trends Im seeing is the physical object of the book becoming so important, Munsch said. People are buying books because they like the cover and how they look in their house. Of course, the book as an object also involves sophisticated printing methods. While POD has become a brilliant resource and so useful for many books, Munsch said, it still doesnt quite cut the mustard when it comes to the beautiful finishes that customers are becoming more savvy about. PUPs Henry said that while the craft of book-making is alive and well, the press also uses POD to bring the production of books closer to different markets for reasons of timing and sustainability
Even as President-elect Donald Trump promised on Sunday to act very quickly on pardons for many of the protesters involved in the events of January 6, the Biden administrations Justice Department is continuing to arrest and try people for actions that occurred almost four years ago while opposing motions to delay trials because of the need for the prompt and efficient administration of justice.

Attorney General Merrick Garland: The biggest criminal investigation in Justice Department history.

If the defeat of Kamala Harris constituted at least a partial repudiation of the lawfare against Trump and his supporters, the message appears to be lost on top brass at the DOJ. Prosecutors are pushing ahead with what they consider the departments crowning achievement: the so-called Capitol Siege investigation into the events of Jan. 6, 2021.

In what Attorney General Merrick Garland describes as the biggest criminal investigation in Department of Justice history, more than 1,560 people have been charged for federal crimes never before used against political protesters, including under a post-Enron obstruction statute overturned by the Supreme Court in June. At least 1,000 of these defendants have been convicted  either at trial or by accepting plea offers  with some 650 defendants ordered to serve time in a federal prison. Sentences range from a few days in jail to up to 22 years as the DOJ seeks terror enhancements to tack on additional time.

Activity in the J6 investigation accelerated the month before the election. At least 16 individuals were arrested; home security camera footage obtained by RCI shows the heavily-armed pre-dawn FBI raid of a subject in California on October 17.

Shortly after the election, DOJ officials instructed attorneys working on J6 cases to carry on regardless of the pending change in leadership. [Federal] prosecutors in the Justice Departments Capitol Siege Section received guidance this week about how to proceed in pending Jan. 6 cases  including a directive to oppose any Jan. 6 defendants requests for delays, Ryan J. Reilly of NBC News reported on Nov. 9. Prosecutors are instructed to argue that there is a societal interest in the quick administration of justice and these cases should be handled in the normal order.

U.S. Attorney Matthew Graves: Unrelenting pursuit.

At the same time, the Biden Justice Department is continuing to apprehend protesters. On Dec. 4, for example, the DOJ announced the arrest of a 44-year-old Alabama man, Robert James Bonham, charging him with a range of crimes, including assaulting, resisting, or impeding certain officers and obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder.

If Trump shuts down the departments Capitol Siege section, as he is expected to do, Bonham will never go to trial. But this does not appear to concern Matthew Graves, U. S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. Appointed by President Biden in November 2021, Graves has presided over the sprawling J6 investigation and now continues to advance related cases.

His office has opposed the J6 defendants requests to halt proceedings until after Trump is sworn in next month. Judges began receiving a slew of defense motions starting the day after the election asking to postpone trials and hearings, but Graves said there is public interest in the prompt and efficient administration of justice as a reason to continue business as usual.

Judge Dabney Friedrich: She dismissed concerns about a biased DC jury pool.

Federal judges in Washington agree with the DOJs approach. According to an analysis by RCI, 44 pardon-related motions including requests to delay trials and sentencings have been filed since November 6. Of those, judges, with the exception of Judge Rudolph Contreras, have denied each one. Several more are pending awaiting the court's decision.

Judge Dabney Friedrich denied a motion to delay a J6 jury trial scheduled to begin the week after the election. Mitchell Bosch, a man from New York charged with several offenses, was set to go on trial on Nov. 13, but his public defenders filed a motion the day after the election arguing their client cannot receive a fair trial in the District of Columbia six days from today due to the heightened public emotion and highly publicized media attention surrounding yesterdays presidential election, which resulted in the re-election of Donald Trump.

The attorneys noted that 92.4% of the D.C. electorate voted for Vice President Kamala Harris, with only 6.7% voting for President-elect Donald Trump.

The attorneys further insisted disgruntled D.C. voters could retaliate with a conviction. If jurors believe that the President-elect is a threat to democracy, that he does not take the events of January 6, 2021, seriously, and that he will pardon those involved that day, there is a real and significant possibility that, in their aversion to those views, they will punish Mr. Bosch or use this case to send a message that they disagree with the President-elect.

The Justice Department has a 100% conviction rate in Jan. 6 jury trials.

But Friedrich, whose husband, Matthew, worked on the Enron task force with current Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco, was unpersuaded. Despite the recent election, the Court continues to conclude that the Court's voir dire procedures will be adequate to screen out potential jurors who cannot be fair and impartial.

Judge Amy Berman Jackson: Calls Jan. 6 an "attack on Congress" and a "riot."

And after a single day of deliberations, the jury returned guilty verdicts, two felonies and four misdemeanors, on Nov. 18. (The DOJ has a 100% conviction rate in J6 jury trials; no J6 defendant has been fully acquitted of all charges since trials began in March 2022. Judges also continue to deny all change-of-venue motions.)

Three J6 jury trials are set to begin this week. For the trial of one of those defendants, a man charged with civil disorder and four misdemeanors, Judge Amy Berman Jackson recently entered an order allowing prosecutors to describe January 6 to jurors as an "attack on the Capitol," "attack on Congress," and a "riot.

But political bias in the aftermath of Trumps election is not the only factor judges refuse to consider as they move J6 cases along. Trumps pledge to pardon most, if not all, J6ers also receives a cold reception in the E. Barrett Prettyman federal courthouse located a few blocks from the Capitol.

Judge Beryl Howell: No delay in sentencing for a nonviolent 18-year-old expecting clemency.

The day after the election, an attorney representing Christopher Carnell, who was convicted of nonviolent misdemeanors following a bench trial in February 2024, asked the judge in his case to delay a scheduled hearing based on the possibility of a pardon. Throughout his campaign, President-elect Trump made multiple clemency promises to the January 6 defendants, particularly to those who were nonviolent participants, attorney Marina Medvin wrote on Nov. 6. Mr. Carnell, who was an 18-year-old nonviolent entrant into the Capitol on January 6, is expecting to be relieved of the criminal prosecution that he is currently facing when the new administration takes office.

But Beryl Howell, the former chief judge of the court, immediately rejected her request and set a sentencing hearing for Carnell this week.

Her colleagues on the D.C. federal bench, citing either a public interest in continuing court proceedings or making separation of powers arguments, followed her lead with recent rulings:

Judge Reggie Walton: [The] potential future exercise of the discretionary pardon power, an Executive Branch authority, is irrelevant to the Courts obligation to carry out the legal responsibilities of the Judicial Branch.  November 7 order denying motion to postpone sentencing.

Judge Amit Mehta: Defendant's speculation that he may receive a pardon is not good cause to stay this matter.  November 11 order denying motion to continue trial.

Judge Paul Friedman: Whatever the President-Elect may or may not do with respect to some of those charged for their conduct at the Capitol on January 6, 2021 is irrelevant to the Courts independent and legal responsibilities under Article III of the Constitution.  November 12 order denying motion to continue trial.

Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly: The principal bases for [the defendants] requested continuance are that President-elect Donald J. Trump has repeatedly stated that he would pardon those involved in the January 6 riot and that a new Attorney General may dismiss the case against him. The Court joins others in this District in rejecting Defendants' invitation to speculate about future clemency or charging decisions. "  November 21 order denying motion to continue trial.

Chief Judge James Boasberg: Speculation as to what the incoming Administration may do is not a basis for a continuance.  December 2 order denying motion to postpone sentencing.

Judge Royce Lamberth: Immediately remanded a J6er to custody this month, apparently to make sure he spent some time in jail before any presidential pardon spared him.

Royce Lamberth, a Reagan appointee, is the most outspoken judge when it comes to any downplaying of what happened on Jan. 6. In an April 2024 Wall Street Journal profile, the 80-year-old jurist was described as a leading voice pushing back against attempts by Republican politicians to play down the Jan. 6 attack. Lamberth said he decided to speak out, an unusual move for a federal judge presiding over cases for which he is obligated to remain impartial, because justifications for the Capitol attack represent an affront to the integrity of the judicial system.

Lamberth is sparing no harsh words in rejecting pleas for relief before Inauguration Day. Accusing J6ers of [subjecting] our Capitol and our country to the horrific scene of their anti-democratic rage, Lamberth refused to postpone the sentencing of Philip Sean Grillo, who was convicted of civil disorder and the common four misdemeanors. Any presidential pardon, Lamberth continued, would not undo the work of the courts and D.C. juries.

To continue Mr. Grillos sentencing now simply because he may receive a presidential pardon would discredit the time and thought these citizens expended on the trial and would subvert our criminal justice process and the separation of powers.

Philip Sean Grillo inside the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

On December 6, Lamberth not only sentenced Grillo to 12 months in federal prison but took the unusual move of remanding him into immediate custody; judges usually allow a defendant to report two to three months following sentencing. Lamberth's decision appeared to make sure Grillo spent some time in jail before a presidential pardon spared him.

Phiip Sean Grillo: No mercy.

In a 13-page sentencing document explaining his reasons for imposing such a harsh move, Lamberth again criticized what he believes are attempts to "minimize the events of January 6." Lamberth then erroneously claimed five police officers died as a result of the protest. "One can only wonder what further horrors might have transpired if our elected officials had not gotten out in time. No matter what ultimately becomes of the Capital Riots cases already concluded and still pending, the true story of what happened on January 6, 2021 will never change."

He again took issue with Trump's plans to pardon J6ers and emphasized his independent role as a jurist. "The fundamental American principle of separation of powers would be empty of meaning if the courts allowed themselves to become paralyzed based on conjecture about the coordinate branches future actions. I will do my job, as I am bound by oath to do, and the President will do his; it is as simple as that."

And at least one D.C. judge is taking direct aim at Trump for even considering pardons. Trump-appointee Carl Nichols, who presided over Steve Bannons contempt case and sentenced the longtime Trump adviser to four months in a federal penitentiary, went so far as to say in a recent court hearing that it would be beyond frustrating and disappointing for the incoming president to issue blanket pardons  or anything close.

But its not just existing cases that are being fast-tracked before the transfer of power. Graves has announced the arrest of at least 10 Jan. 6 protesters since Election Day; last week, Graves charged at least three individuals for their participation in the Capitol protest.

There is no indication the DOJ will halt the pursuit of J6ers even as the pardon of Hunter Biden raises concerns over the practice of presidential pardons. Shortly after Joe Biden pardoned his son, Trump posted a message on Truth Social referring to the J6ers in what some consider a sign he is considering a similarly broad pardon. 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.
Doctor Who and Good Omens actor David Tennant has signed on to host the BAFTA Movie Awards ceremony in London on Feb. 16.

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"Oh, hello! Yes, David Tennant here. Back hosting the EE BAFTA Awards one more time. Sunday, the 16th of February. Tune in. Find out who's going to win!" Tennant said in a short promotional video posted online.

The gala is to take place at Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall.

It will be broadcast on BBC One and iPlayer in the United Kingdom, and on Britbox in the United States and Australia.

"We couldn't be happier that David Tennant is returning to host the EE BAFTA Film Awards in 2025," Jane Millichip, CEO of BAFTA, said in a press release on Monday.

"He is an absolute pleasure to work with, and his performance this year was simply outstanding -- warm, witty, whip-smart, and with a delightful touch of mischief. It is a privilege to share Britain's biggest celebration of film with TV audiences worldwide, and to recognize the extraordinary creativity of those who power the British and global film industry."
Nominations are in for the 2025 Golden Globe Awards.

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On Monday, Mindy Kaling and Morris Chestnut announced the contenders for the 82nd annual Golden Globes, an awards show honoring excellence in television and film.

Emilia Perez scored the most film nominations with 10 nods, including Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy and Best Motion Picture - Non-English Language.

Karla Sofia Gascon, Zoe Saldaia, and Selena Gomez star in the movie, which follows a Mexican cartel leader who undergoes gender-affirming surgery. The film dropped on Netflix in November.

The Brutalist, which stars Adrien Brody, garnered seven nominations, including Best Performance by a Male Actor for Brody. The actor portrays a Jewish Hungarian architect who attempts to start anew following World War II.

Conclave received six nominations, while Anora and The Substance had five nods each.

The Bear, which earned a record number of Primetime Emmy Award nominations earlier this year, topped the Golden Globes television category with five nominations, including Best Musical or Comedy Series.

Only Murders in the Building and ShAgun each earned four nods.

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Netflix scored the most nominations in both the film distributor (13) and television distributor (23) categories, while A24 (12) and HBO Max (14) followed in film and television, respectively.

The Golden Globes will take place Jan. 5 and air live at 8 p.m. EST on CBS. The show will also stream on Paramount+.

Nominations include:

Best Motion Picture - Drama

The Brutalist

A Complete Unknown

Conclave

Dune: Part Two

Nickel Boys

September 5

Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy

Anora

Challengers

Emilia Perez

A Real Pain

The Substance

Wicked

Best Performance in a Motion Picture - Drama, Actor

Adrien Brody, The Brutalist

Timothee Chalamet, A Complete Unknown

Daniel Craig, Queer

Colman Domingo, Sing Sing

Ralph Fiennes, Conclave

Sebastian Stan, The Apprentice

Best Performance in a Motion Picture - Drama, Actress

Pamela Anderson, The Last Showgirl

Angelina Jolie, Maria

Nicole Kidman, Babygirl

Tilda Swinton, The Room Next Door

Fernanda Torres, I'm Still Here

Kate Winslet, Lee

Best Television Series - Drama

The Day of the Jackal

The Diplomat

Mr. & Mrs. Smith

ShAgun

Slow Horses

Squid Game

Best Television Series - Musical or Comedy

Abbott Elementary

The Bear

The Gentlemen

Hacks

Nobody Wants This

Only Murders in the Building

Best Performance in a Television Series - Drama, Actor

Donald Glover, Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Jake Gyllenhaal, Presumed Innocent

Gary Oldman, Slow Horses

Eddie Redmayne, The Day of the Jackal

Hiroyuki Sanada, ShAgun

Billy Bob Thornton, Landman

Best Performance in a Television Series - Drama, Actress

Kathy Bates, Matlock

Emma D'Arcy, House of the Dragon

Maya Erskine, Mr. & Mrs. Smith

Keira Knightley, Black Doves

Keri Russell, The Diplomat

Anna Sawai, ShAgun
Santa Comes Early This Year! Turbine Delivering 'Bumblebee' 'Transformers: Rise of the Beasts' & 'Sing 2' to 3D Blu-ray on December 19th
The Adani Group is planning to invest Rs 7.5 lakh crore across sectors in Rajasthan, a senior company official said on Monday.

Photograph: Priyanshu Singh/Reuters

While speaking at the Rising Rajasthan Summit Adani Ports and SEZ, managing director Karan Adani said 50 per cent of the total investment will be made within the next five years.

"Adani Group plans to invest over Rs 7.5 lakh crore across various sectors," he said.

He said that the company plans to build the world's largest integrated dream energy ecosystem involving 100 gigawatt of renewable energy, 2 million tonnes of Hydrogen and 1.8 gigawatt related to hydro projects.

"These investments will build Rajasthan into an oasis of green jobs," Karan Adani said.
'Some of the astounding proposals, if translated into statutory provisions, would be suicidal.'

'This would not be a wonder cure for increasing insurance penetration and only result in mushrooming growth of players like paan kiosks with deleterious consequences.'

Illustration: Uttam Ghosh

It is suicidal. It will bring back anarchy. Startling. There were some of the views expressed by a former chairman, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) and several other sectoral experts at the crucial amendments proposed to the insurance laws.

Their worry is altering the basic structure of the insurance regulations -- reduction in minimum capital to allow regional players, changes in the investment norms -- that has served the sector for more than two decades after the sector was opened up for private players.

Experts also welcomed some of the proposed amendments.

The Department of Financial Services under the ministry of finance has proposed amendments to the Insurance Act 1938, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority Act 1999 and the Life Insurance Corporation Act 1956.

"God save the industry and the government. Slashing the minimum start-up capital to allow regional insurance companies on the pretext of increasing insurance penetration, changing investment norms would result in mushrooming of small insurers. It would also result in going back to the pre-1956 days," warns N Rangachary, the first chairman of IRDAI who had paved the regulatory way for private players in the insurance sector.

Before 1956 in India, there were hundreds of small life and general insurance companies selling insurance policies in a restricted manner without paying claims.

The government has proposed to halve the minimum capital for a general and life insurer to Rs 50 crore (Rs 500 million) for a class of insurers serving the underserved or special segment of the population, to increase insurance penetration in the rural areas.

Curiously, the new insurers come in with far more money than the minimum capital of Rs 100 crore (Rs 1 billion) and continue to infuse fresh capital at regular intervals.

India opened up the insurance sector for private players in 2000.

After more than two decades of opening up, insurance penetration -- number of Indians with an insurance policy -- has not increased.

And whatever increase has happened is largely due to central and state government programmes.

"Some of the astounding proposals, if translated into statutory provisions, would be suicidal and spell adverse consequences. For instance, the proposal for doing away with the existing minimum capital requirement norms for insurers, and instead, providing for differential capital requirements, solvency norms and composite insurance business are far-fetched," says D Varadarajan, a Supreme Court lawyer specialising in insurance and corporate law and a member on the K P Narasimhan committee on insurance laws and reforms and other expert groups constituted by IRDAI.

"This would not be a wonder cure for increasing insurance penetration and only result in mushrooming growth of players like paan kiosks with deleterious consequences," predicts Varadarajan, adding, "Sooner or later, the insurance sector would go back to the pre-nationalisation era and history would be repeated."

Rangachary said insurance companies cannot be compared with Regional Rural Banks. While the banks deal with assets, the insurers deal with risks. The relationship between a banker and his customer is short or medium term whereas the relationship between an insurer and the life insurance policyholder is long term.

A bank depositor can withdraw his money anytime in full, whereas a life insurance policyholder will not get the premium refund in full when s/he surrenders the policy, Rangachary points out.

In the event a bank fails, explains Rangachary, there is insurance cover for depositors whereas there is no guarantee for a policyholder -- life or general.

"A life insurer should be structured in a fail proof manner," Rangachary adds.

Presently the IRDAI structures any takeover of a sinking insurer by another player.

The proposed amendments are welcome to the extent that whatever has been suggested to weed out vintage and redundant provisions, says Varadarajan, which are consequential in nature and not beyond.

"There are many drastic changes, which would strike at the root of the basic structure of insurance laws, which have withstood the test of time, and as such, these require dispassionate re-consideration, both in the interests of orderly growth of insurance business and protection of the interests of the policyholders," says Varadarajan.

Thanks to the robust statutory frame-work in regard to investments and solvency norms, the insurance sector remained unscathed during the global meltdown, economic upheavals and financial scams. Hence, why tinker with the status quo? asks Varadarajan.

According to Varadarajan, ever since the insurance industry opened up, few insurers found it difficult to operate resulting in mergers and consolidation. But the policyholders did not suffer, thanks to the strong statutory edifice.

Industry experts were also surprised at the proposal to allow non-insurance players to take over an existing insurer.

The proposal to allow amalgamation or transfer of insurance business between an insurer and "any company not engaged in the insurance business" is startling, defies description, asserts Varadarajan.

As regards the regulator's power to appoint administrators, it would have been in the fitness of things to have restricted appointment of serving IRDAI officers as administrators to avoid conflict of interest and other obvious reasons, Varadarajan says.

Industry experts do not write off all the proposed amendments as bad.

"The proposal to loosen the restriction on insurance agents in regard to the number of companies for acting as agents is a welcome move. But it is for the regulator to guard against any market malpractices such as weaning away the customers of one insurance company to another in their quest for earning more commission and mis-selling," says Varadarajan.

"Composite registration allowing insurers to do life/general/health in a single registration/insurance company -- this promotes operational efficiency for insurers having common brands across different lines of business," points out Conjeevaram Baradhwaj, a company secretary specialising in insurance and corporate laws.

Baradhwaj welcomes the move to increase the foreign investment limit to 100% from the current 74% as it would attract newer players.

The proposals allow insurers to do other businesses -- the guarantee or indemnity business, managing and selling property possessed by the company, supporting entities formed for the benefit of employees or ex-employees or their dependents and activities incidental to or conducive to advancement of the insurance business.

However the last seems to be an omnibus one. Earlier it was proposed to allow insurers to sell financial products of other companies which was frowned upon by some sectoral experts.

By increasing the threshold limit for IRDAI's approval from 1% to 5% and the scrapping of the renewal of the intermediary licence every three years gives operational freedom, observes Baradhwaj.

The government has also proposed to increase the penalty from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 5 lakh per day and the maximum monetary limit hiked from Rs 1 crore to Rs 10 crore for non-compliance.

Similarly, a new provision on the penalty for misstatement or furnishing false documents of not less than Rs 1 crore and a maximum of Rs 5 crore has also been proposed by the government.

Venkatachari Jagannathan can be reached at venkatacharijagannathan@gmail.com
Raymond Limiteds real estate arm, Raymond Realty, plans to get listed during the second quarter of the next financial year (Q2FY26), according to Harmohan Sahni, chief executive officer (CEO), Raymond Realty.

Photograph: Courtesy, Raymond Realty

We are expecting the order by June-July 2025 as far as the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) is concerned.

The listing should happen sometime between August-September next year, according to our current estimates, Sahni said.

In an interaction with Business Standard, Sahni said the company does not need to raise additional capital for the next 18 to 24 months and that it is sitting on a pile of cash in this business currently.

It recently bagged the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the stock exchanges for the demerger of its real estate business.

Currently, the company has assets with a gross development value (GDV) of Rs 32,000 crore across Thane and the Mumbai Metropolitan Region (MMR).

Sahni noted the company is actively scouting for opportunities in Pune.

The companys business model is led by the joint development agreement (JDA) projects, as it is banking on the redevelopment market.

Our stated intent is to look at JDA. Its a land-sourcing strategy at the end of the day.

The company believes the model aligns with its skill set and strengths.

We believe we are good at relationship management, delivering on all our promises that we make to our partners, which are the two key ingredients needed for JDAs, Sahni said.

Sahni informed that the area of non-owned JDAs over the original land will keep on growing.

We are adding almost Rs 5,000-Rs 7,000 crore of GDV every year at the minimum; in a good year it can go up to Rs 10,000 crore, he added.

According to Sahni, the company has already hit almost the 35-40 per cent mark for JDAs in terms of GDV.

In the next two years, there will be a lot of growth coming from the larger MMR and a little from Pune, because we are just beginning in Pune; it will take some time to build it up.

In FY24, Raymond Realtys pre-sales stood at Rs 2,000 crore, Sahni said.

We have promised an annual growth of 20 per cent at the minimum, and we have clear visibility of that for the next two years for sure.

"Prachi PisalIt is kind of locked in. Apart from margins being minimum 20 per cent, growth rate also should be minimum 20 per cent on top line and bottom line.

The whole idea is to under promise and over deliver.

"Currently, all our efforts and the work that we are putting in are going towards year three, year four, and year five to ensure that the same trajectory continues, Sahni noted.

He is banking on infrastructure development in the companys target markets, MMR, Pune, and is also expecting the real estate upcycle to last for at least the next 2-3 years.
... and there is no stopping its pan-Islamic agenda, cautions Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar.

IMAGE: Women shoot a damaged picture of Bashar al-Assad in Qamishli, Syria, December 8, 2024 after he fled the country. Photograph: Orhan Qereman/Reuters

Iran and Russia are the two big losers in the ouster of Syria's President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday by the Sunni Islamist groups affiliated to al-Qaeda. Assad fled in the nick of time after giving orders that there be a peaceful handover of power. At any rate, a rollback of the Islamist takeover in Syria is out of the question.

The Arab oligarchies of the Gulf region are full of trepidation over the surge of a variant of political Islam that may potentially pose an existential challenge.

Unsurprisingly, they have gravitated toward Iran, whom they see as a factor of regional stability, reciprocating Tehran's call on regional States to circle their wagons to ward off the challenge of 'Takfiri' groups (codename for al-Qaeda and Islamic State in the Iranian narrative.)

Israel and Turkey are the biggest winners, having established links with the al-Qaeda groups. Both are all well-set to project power into Syria and carve out their respective spheres of influence in Syrian territory.

Turkey has demanded that Syria belongs to Syrian people alone -- a thinly covered call for vacation of foreign military presence (Russian, American and Iranian).

Equally, the Biden administration can derive satisfaction that the Russian military presence will not henceforth remain unchecked and an untenable situation of dramatic loss of influence surrounds Moscow's military bases in the western Syrian province of Latakia.

There is no question that the lame duck administration in Washington will draw vicarious pleasure that the incoming presidency of Donald Trump will have to grapple with prolonged instability and uncertainties in West Asia, an oil-rich region which generates petrodollars that is the underpinning of the Western banking system -- the American dollar, in particular -- that is crucial to the 'America First' axis of the new administration's foreign policies.

To be sure, lurking beneath the surface of the big picture, there are several sub-plots, some of whom at least are of contrarian disposition.

First of all, the renewed calls that are heard jointly from the Astana group (Moscow, Tehran and Ankara) and the regional capitals for intra-Syrian dialogue leading to a negotiated settlement have a ring of unreality stemming out of primeval fear over the manifestation of an extremist variant of political Islam that the region had never experienced before in their history.

Certainly, the current international climate virtually rules out any such prospects of 'dialogue' in a foreseeable future. On the contrary, the entire region is likely to be convulsed by the tremors out of Syria.

The US must be pleased with the regime change in Damascus and will follow up with efforts seeking the closure of Russian bases in Syria. It has declared its intention to continue with the occupation of Syria, which is important if it is to remould the region to meet its geopolitical interests.

IMAGE: Rebel fighters in the Homs countryside after Syrian rebels pressed their lightning advance in Syria on Saturday, December 7, 2024. Photograph: Mahmoud Hasano/Reuters

Second, Turkey has special interests in Syria in relation to the Kurdish problem. The weakening of the Syrian State, especially the incoming security apparatus in Damascus, provides Turkey for the first time a free run in the northern border provinces where Kurdish separatist groups are operating. The Turkish military and intelligence presence in Syria will expand by leaps and bounds.

Suffice to say, Turkish occupation of Syrian territory may assume a permanent character and even a quasi-annexation of the regions is within the realms of possibility.

Make no mistake, the Treaty Lausanne (1923), which Turkey regards as a national humiliation, has just expired and the hour of reckoning has come for reclaiming Ottoman glory. The present Turkish leadership is committed to the geo-strategy of Neo-Ottomanism.

In all probability, therefore, what is at stake is the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria and the disintegration of the country as a State. It has been reported that Israeli tanks have crossed the border into southern Syria. No doubt, Israel aims at grabbing much more than Syrian territory beyond the Golan Heights.

The dream of Greater Israel has taken a giant step toward realisation.

Next follows Lebanon which Israel cannot but aspire to control if it is to be the dominant regional power in the Levant and an influencer in the politics of the Eastern Mediterranean.

According to the Israeli media, Tel Aviv has direct contacts with the Islamist groups operating in southern Syria. It is no secret that these groups were being mentored by the Israeli army for over a decade.

Thus, at best, a truncated Syria, a rump State, is to be expected with large-scale outside interference continuing, and in a worst case scenario, Turkish revanchism and Israeli aggression taken together -- plus the American occupation of eastern Syria and a weak central authority in Damascus -- the country in its present shape, founded in 1946, may altogether vanish from the map of West Asia.

In fact, the Gulf States and Egypt have reason to worry about an Arab Spring 2.0 -- oligarchies being overthrown and replaced by home-grown militant Islamist groups reflecting the will of the people. Their comfort level with Tehran has perceptibly deepened. But, of course, the US will counter this regional trend which would otherwise isolate Israel in the region.

Russia has a notoriously pragmatic mindset and a foreign ministry statement on Sunday strongly hinted that Moscow is finessing a plan B already to shore up its military presence in Syria in the near term at least.

Interestingly, the statement pointed out that Moscow is in touch with all Syrian Opposition groups. The statement scrupulously avoided using the word 'terrorist', which Russian officials had been freely using in its shrill rhetoric to characterise the Syrian groups who have taken over Damascus.

Moscow has reason to fear the resonance of Political Islam as a seductive ideology in its restive Muslim republics of North Caucasus.

The Russian embassy in Damascus is not in any danger. It is entirely conceivable that Russian intelligence which is traditionally very active in Syria -- for obvious reasons -- had already begun sensitising Moscow on a power transition in Damascus being in the cards and kept contacts with the Opposition Islamist groups, the strident public rhetoric notwithstanding.

IMAGE: The sun rises over Damascus the morning after rebels seized the capital and ousted President Bashar al-Assad, December 9, 2024. Photograph: Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters

In comparison, Iran suffers a serious setback from which it is difficult to recover any time soon, as the ascendancy of the extremist Sunni groups subscribing to the al-Qaeda ideology will lead to a new power calculus in Syria, which is viscerally hostile towards Tehran.

The evacuation of diplomats followed by the storming of the Iranian embassy in Damascus speaks for itself. Indeed, Israel will spare no effort to ensure that Iranian influence is exorcised from Syria.

The heart of the matter is that Iran's regional influence significantly diminishes as the resistance groups (which are largely Shi'ite) become rudderless and disillusioned.

This not only works to the advantage of Israel but also triggers a profound shift in the balance of forces regionally, which will have resonance for the current conflicts in the Greater Middle East as a whole in a long term perspective -- Gaza, Lebanon and even as far away as Central Asia and South Asia.

The bottom line is that the genie of al-Qaeda is out of the bottle, finally, and there is no stopping its pan-Islamic agenda.

The amazing part is that Iran failed to anticipate the turn of events. Incredibly enough, on Friday, December 6, Ali Larijani, the advisor to the Supreme Leader, actually visited Damascus and met with Assad to reiterate Tehran's full backing to stop the tidal wave of Islamist forces that was already nearing the city gates.

Retired Ambassador M K Bhadrakumar is a perceptive observer of events in the Middle East.
'... to think apna time aa gaya after the 2024 election.'

IMAGE: Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi with Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Opposition MPs at a protest during the winter session on the Parliament premises, December 6, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

"Mamata Banerjee's mass leadership credentials, Arvind Kejriwal's strategic and political management, Rahul Gandhi's ideological convictions -- put them together and you will have a half decent Opposition to take on the BJP," notes senior journalist Rajdeep Sardesai whose latest book 2024: The Election That Surprised India is already a bestseller.

In Mumbai recently, he spoke to Rediff.com's Archana Masih about the Congress' lack of narrative for the urban middle class, the dangers of religion in politics and what to expect from the Delhi elections.

What is your assessment of Rahul Gandhi post the Lok Sabha result? Every time we think of him as a serious politician, he turns into an absentee landlord going by his indifferent campaign in Haryana and Maharshtra.

The Congress did more rallies in Wayanad than in Maharashtra.

That is part of the problem for the Congress in the last 10 years. Just as I would not give credit for every BJP win to Narendra Modi, it will be unfair to blame Rahul Gandhi for every Congress defeat.

The Congress has become organisationally fossilised. The Congress is fossilised. It is unable to throw up new strategies, new leaders and new energies.

Rahul Gandhi sees himself as an ideologue to provide ideological direction to the party which is alright, but power politics is about strategy, building the organisation.

The Congress does not have a robust organisation to take its message to the people.

The Congress' biggest mistake was to think apna time aa gaya after the 2024 election. They got carried away because they did well in states like Maharashtra.

There is a joke that nothing succeeds in the Congress like failure. People responsible for losing 80% of the elections would be on their way out, but the same faces can be seen election after election.

The party is unwilling to learn from its mistakes and therefore is the perfect opponent for the BJP.

The BJP is more afraid of regional parties which can throw some googlies so they attempt to break regional parties like in Maharashtra, but the Congress has not learnt its lessons.

IMAGE: Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and K C Venugopal being stopped by police at the Ghazipur border on the Delhi-Meerut expressway on their way to violence-hit Sambhal, December 4, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Was the Congress out of sync going on and on about Mr Adani when Maharashtra wanted to hear something else?

Quite right, but the Congress has every right to raise issues like Adani.

The problem is that the Congress thinks one size fits all and has the same strategy for both the Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha elections.

The main problem is that the Congress does not have a narrative for urban India. The urban middle class has moved away from the Congress and turned to religious politics. They felt let down by the Congress.

India is becoming more urban or rurban. Urban India is very aspirational and wants a better life for themselves and their children. Congress politics does not seem to be in sync with urban India in particular.

Arvind Kejriwal for all his weaknesses has offered a model for urban India. He has shown that he is investing in government schools, mohalla clinics. They may not have worked but he has thrown up an idea.

The Congress is a big legacy brand, but every brand has to reinvent. The Tatas had to reinvent and rebuild the company.

Samvidhan may have worked for a particular election, but is not a sustained strategy -- and that requires addressing the questions of urban India's aspirations, role of religion in politics.

The Congress needs to be clear on these issues and cannot pussy foot.

Rahul Gandhi has given the party an ideological direction, but hasn't addressed critical urban India questions nor has he provided organisation muscle.

IMAGE: A vehicle set on fire in Sambhal, November 24, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Is India back to the period of harsh communal divisiveness?

We have been living with religion in politics particularly since the demolition of the Babri Masjid. It is the ghost that has never gone away. The difference is sometimes it is subtle, sometimes obvious, but it is there.

This hasn't started after 2014, it has been building up. When I started out in journalism in 1988-1989, you had to be very careful about saying Hindu Muslim in your copy, but today it is all normalised.

We in the media have also played a role in communalising this narrative and now it has reached the point where politicians obviously see a lot of benefit.

The BJP built itself by blaming the Congress of minority appeasement; today the BJP could be accused of majority appeasement. By batoge toh katoge you are trying to consolidate your vote bank.

We have reached a dangerous period of competing vote bank politics and that will amount to friction.

For example, if you go around the country searching for temples under mosques, you are creating potential social divisions and explosions like in Sambhal.

The role of religion in politics is not a new phenomenon. It is only getting brazen and citizens of India must be worried.

The genius of India is its diversity. The genius of this country was once is a Hindi film song Tu Hindu banega, na Musalman banega, insan ki aulad hai insan banega.

That was the Indian dream and that is how we distinguished ourselves from Pakistan.

Pakistan eventually became a Muslim Islamic country, we never mandated India to be a Hindu country. We should be worried if our laws, politics, society and institutions pit one community against the other.

IMAGE: Aam Aadmi Party national Convenor Arvind Kejriwal during a padyatra in Karol Bagh in New Delhi, December 8, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

What are the short term social and political trends that we are likely to witness?

In the short term, the BJP is the dominant party of India.

There will be a dominant executive at the Centre virtually creating conditions of potential friction with Opposition ruled states. This will be aggravated after delimitation two years from now.

Delimitation could well mean that southern states will feel penalised for lower populations. The one fear is that maybe the number of MPs from the south will be reduced. The government will have to manage that fear. There is already the feeling in southern states that we contribute maximum and economically get much less.

There will potentially be north versus south or west versus east frictions.

The real crisis this country faces is rozgar. The large number of youth entering the labour force are not employed or employable will have a huge social impact.

We are country where 10% account for 60% to 70% of all income. Managing the friction that may emerge in a country of haves and have nots and the visible inequality is a challenge.

What are your expectations from the Delhi elections? Can the BJP defeat Arvind Kejriwal?

Urban middle class has a huge role in Indian politics which is growing.

Arvind Kejriwal came as a whiff of fresh air by challenging both the Congress and BJP. Delhi gave him a resounding voice twice. He has been in power for more than a decade. Anti-incumbency has set in and he is more vulnerable than ever before, but the BJP also lacks a strong Delhi leadership.

Arvind Kejriwal has shown that he is ready to course correct and make strategic moves necessary to win.

AAP has built a network on the ground, especially in the poorer pockets of Delhi. But it is not going to be an easy ride. This is his toughest election.

But I would not write him off. He is capable of bouncing back. He is sharp politician and a strategist.

Mamata Banerjee's mass leadership credentials, Arvind Kejriwal's strategic and political management, Rahul Gandhi's ideological convictions -- put them together and you will have a half decent Opposition to take on the BJP.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Rebel commander Abu Mohammed al-Golani addressed Syrians at the Ummayad mosque in Damascus after Bashar al-Assad resigned as president and fled Syria, December 8, 2024.

'It is no surprise that the Islamist rebel chose Damascus' venerated Umayyad mosque -- not a TV studio, nor newly absented presidential palace, but a place of towering religious significance, which at 1,300 years old is one of the world's most ancient mosques' -- CNN reported, to deliver his message. All Photographs: Mahmoud Hassano/Reuters

CNN reported: 'In a country where the God you chose, and how you pray, can define your class, limit your aspirations and pit you against your neighbour, Golani sent a very clear signal in the Umayyad mosque. He is a Sunni Muslim, part of Syria's majority. Assad was an Alawite. There are Christians, Druze, Shia Muslims, Ismailis and more.'

'Yet the words he chose appeared intended to break those old bounds. "This new triumph, my brothers, marks a new chapter in the history of the region, a history fraught with dangers (that left) Syria as a playground for Iranian ambitions, spreading sectarianism, stirring corruption," he said.'

'Singling Iran out appears to be a message to Tehran's theocracy -- that their meddling is over, their easy land access to their mega proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon is over, their support for Syrian Hezbollah is over, and gone too is the home they once had for Iran's weapons stockpiles,' CNN observed.

'But it is a message Golani will know is being heard in Tel Aviv and Washington, where he is considered to be a member of a proscribed terrorist organisation with a $10 million bounty on his head,' CNN added.

'Golani has been at pains on his race to Damascus to make sure US President Joe Biden and even President-elect Donald Trump know his intent,' CNN pointed out, adding, 'It is no coincidence that he picked a US TV network, CNN, and not an Arab one, for a key interview in the days before he ousted Assad, claiming he had parted company from other jihadists because of their brutal tactics.'

IMAGE: Earlier, CNN reported that Golani 'cut his teeth as a young fighter for al-Qaeda against the US in Iraq. Returning to his homeland during the Syrian civil war, he led the terror group's affiliate in Syria when it was under the name Jabhat Al Nusra. He would go on to break ties with al-Qaeda and his organisation evolved into Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, also known as the Organization for the Liberation of the Levant, in early 2017.'

'Golani's message was also tuned for regional powers he'll need to keep onside, promising to clean shop,' CNN noted.

'"Syria is being purified," he said, referring to the country's regional reputation as a narco-state, saying Assad's Syria had "become the world's leading source of Captagon," an amphetamine-type drug, and criminality through the region.'

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com

Feature Presentation: Mahipal Soni/Rediff.com
The fall of the Assad regime that brutalised, tortured and killed thousands of innocent Syrians over the past half a century is a historic opportunity for the people of the country, outgoing United States President Joe Biden said on Sunday.

IMAGE: People on a bike ride past a tank that belonged to the Syrian Army, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, on December 8, 2024. Photograph: Mohamed Azakir/Reuters

Biden spoke at the White House hours after rebel groups took over the country following more than a dozen years of violent civil war and decades of leadership by Bashar Assad and his family.

"After 13 years of civil war in Syria and more than half a century of brutal authoritarian rule by Bashar Assad and his father before him, rebel forces have forced Assad to resign his office and flee the country. We're not sure where he is, but there's word that he's in Moscow. At long last, the Assad regime has fallen," Biden said.

"This regime brutalised, tortured and killed hundreds of thousands of innocent Syrians. The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice. It's a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country," he said.

It is also a moment of risk and uncertainty, Biden said, adding that over the past few weeks, the support of Hezbollah, Iran and Russia to the Assad regime had collapsed. He observed a new opportunity for the people of Syria now.

The Syrian opposition that brought down Assad is led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which the US says is a terrorist organisation with links to Al Qaida.

However, the group says it has since broken ties with Al Qaida.

"Looking ahead, the United States will do the following. First, we'll support Syria's neighbours, including Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq, and Israel, should any threat arise from Syria during this period of transition. I will speak with leaders of the region in the coming days. I had long discussions with all of our people earlier this morning. I'll send senior officials from my administration to the region as well," he said.

"Second, we will help ensure stability in eastern Syria, protecting our personnel against any threats, and our mission against ISIS will be maintained, including security of detention facilities, where ISIS fighters are being held as prisoners. We're clear-eyed about the fact that ISIS will try to take advantage of any vacuum to reestablish its capabilities and create a haven. We will not let that happen," he said.

"Just today, US forces conducted a dozen precision strikes, airstrikes, within Syria, targeting ISIS camps and operatives.

"Third, we will engage with all Syrian groups, including within the process led by the United Nations to establish a transition away from the Assad regime towards independent and sovereign Syria, with a new constitution, and a new government that serves all Syrians. And this process will be determined by the Syrian people themselves," Biden said.

A day earlier, Trump ruled out any role for the US in Syria.

'In any event, Syria is a mess, but is not our friend and THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!' he wrote on Truth Social.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the US would closely monitor developments as they unfold and engage with our partners in the region.

"We will support international efforts to hold the Assad regime and its backers accountable for atrocities and abuses perpetrated against the Syrian people, including the use of chemical weapons and the unjust detention of civilians such as Austin Tice," he said.

Blinken said the United States strongly supports a peaceful transition of power to an accountable Syrian government through an inclusive Syrian-led process.

During this transitional period, the Syrian people have every right to demand the preservation of state institutions, the resumption of key services, and the protection of vulnerable communities, he said.

Defence Secretary Lloyd J. Austin in a telephonic conversation with Turkish Defence Minister Yasar Guler over developments in Syria emphasised the US is closely watching the statements and actions of the various opposition groups in Syria.

The two leaders agreed that these groups must take steps to protect civilians, including ethnic and religious minorities, and abide by international humanitarian norms.

On Sunday, US Central Command forces conducted dozens of precision airstrikes targeting known ISIS camps and operatives in central Syria.

The strikes against the ISIS leaders, operatives, and camps were conducted as part of the ongoing mission to disrupt, degrade, and defeat ISIS to prevent the terrorist group from conducting external operations and to ensure that ISIS does not seek to take advantage of the current situation to reconstitute in central Syria.

The operation struck over 75 targets using multiple US Air Force assets, including B-52s, F-15s, and A-10s, the Pentagon said.
The Bharatiya Janata Party accused Congress leaders of colluding with foreign forces to destabilize India and demanded Sonia Gandhi to disclose her role in a George Soros Foundation-funded organisation's activities.

IMAGE: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge extends his wishes to Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi on her 78th birthday, in New Delhi, December 9, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

The ruling party also attacked Rahul Gandhi, calling him a "pawn" for his protests against the Adani issue.

The BJP alleged that Sonia Gandhi was the "co-president" of the Forum of the Democratic Leaders-Asia Pacific Foundation, an organisation financed by the George Soros Foundation, which has backed the idea of Kashmir as an independent nation.

Raising the issue in Rajya Sabha, Leader of the House J P Nadda demanded a discussion saying the matter concerned both internal and external security.

"The link between the Forum of Democratic Leaders Asia-Pacific and George Soros is a matter of concern. Its co-president is a member of this House," he said.

Nadda alleged the FDL-AP sees Jammu and Kashmir as a "separate entity" and gets financial support from the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.

"This maligns India's image and raises concern about national security," he said, claiming that people are concerned about the manner in which the Congress is siding with such forces.

"The Congress is becoming a tool... Therefore, there should be a detailed discussion... This is a matter of internal and external security," the BJP chief said.

Addressing a press conference at the BJP headquarters here, party national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi alleged that a "systematic anti-India experiment" was underway and the dots were now connecting as he demanded that Sonia Gandhi come clean on her role in the activities of FDL-AP Foundation.

The Congress' hand is with foreign forces. It's clearly visible now, he said.

Trivedi claimed Sonia Gandhi is the co-president of the FDL-AP Foundation.

"It's Sonia Gandhi's birthday today. We congratulate her on her birthday FDL-AP is funded by George Soros. Most humbly, we ask her why she accepted the position of the FDL-AP's co-president. What is the Congress-Soros friendship?" the BJP MP sad.

It's the same George Soros who had openly pledged that he has put up USD 1 billion to destabilise the Modi government, he said.

Calling it a "serious matter", Trivedi said that he and other members of the Rajya Sabha wanted to raise this issue in the Upper House but the opposition did not allow it.

Sonia Gandhi is a very senior leader. I want to ask what is her role in its activities, he added.

The BJP has been on the offensive over the issue since last week when it alleged that Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi had links with Soros-backed outfits allegedly involved in anti-India activities.

The Congress has dismissed the BJP's allegations and said the real conspiracy unravelling during the Parliament's Winter session is that the government would even put at stake India's ties with another country just to save businessman Gautam Adani.

Trivedi said some people have a misconception that they can succeed in their bid to destabilise India with the help of foreign powers but the NDA government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi is determined to protect the interests of the country.

He said it has been seen that some reports or incidents emerge during the Parliament session or ahead of its start so that proceedings of the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha are disrupted.

A report on farmers came on February 3, 2021, during the Parliament Session. Pegasus report came on July 18, 2021, just a day before the Monsoon session was set to start.

"The Hindenburg report came on January 24, 2023, ahead of the Budget Session. A BBC documentary came on January 17, 2023, ahead of the Parliament Session, he said.

Manipur video came a day before the Monsoon Session in July 2023. A report against the SEBI chief came in August 2024 during Parliament Session. And, now a report comes in the US on November 20 ahead of the Parliament Session which started on November 25, the BJP Rajya Sabha MP said.

This is not just a coincidence but a systematic anti-India experiment. The links of this anti-India experiment are gradually getting connected now, he added.

Proceedings of the Rajya Sabha were adjourned on Monday amid uproar as members of the treasury benches accused top Congress leaders of colluding with billionaire investor Soros to destabilise the country and demanded a discussion on the issue.

The Opposition did not want any discussion on this. That's why we want to ask the opposition, especially Congress, as to what is your link with the FDL-AP. Answer clearly, Trivedi said.

The BJP MP alleged that the organisation is funded by anti-India forces and slammed Sonia Gandhi for being its co-president.

Asked about the US rejecting the BJP's allegations of backing an anti-India agenda, Trivedi said the party raised the issue quoting a report published in a French media platform (Mediapart).

"And in that it was very clear (that) the OCCRP project was funded partially by the US State Department and by Soros also, he added.

OCCRP, headquartered in Amsterdam, is a media platform that largely focuses on stories relating to crime and corruption.

So it is incumbent on their part to clarify whether they are standing with Soros' stance of destabilising the Modi government or not, he said.

The BJP leader said the Russian government had openly stated that there was a foreign interference in India during the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year.

Now they (US) should make it clear whether they are involved in internal matters or not. If not, they should withdraw their support from these organisations, he added.

Earlier in May, Russia had accused the US of meddling in India's domestic affairs and the ongoing elections in the country, which was subsequently rejected by Washington.

The BJP also slammed Rahul Gandhi after leaders of some INDIA bloc parties protested in the Parliament complex over the Adani row, where the Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha conducted a mock 'interview' over the issue with Congress members wearing masks of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Adani.

"Rahul Gandhi is indulging in what he does best - Stand-up comedy! His malicious claims and rants have crumbled under the weight of comprehensive investigation every time. Playing the role of a pawn to perfection, he yet again attempts to mislead despite his misinformation campaigns failing to cut ice with the people of India," Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said on X.
Punjab farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said no jatha (group) of farmers will resume foot march to Delhi on Tuesday, and accused the Centre of being confused how the protesters should proceed to the national capital.

IMAGE: Police use tear gas on farmers during their 'Delhi Chalo' protest over various demands, at Shambhu border in Patiala, Punjab, December 8, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo

Pandher said they will decide their next course of action in a meeting of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha on Tuesday.

"No jatha will be going tomorrow (Tuesday)," Pandher said.

Agitating farmers suspended their foot march to Delhi from the Shambhu border on Sunday after some of them sustained injuries in teargas shelling by Haryana security personnel who thwarted yet another attempt by the protesters to cross the Punjab-Haryana border.

Addressing the media at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points separately on Monday, Pandher claimed that the BJP-led Centre was "confused" after farmers decided to march on foot to the national capital.

"Now Central minister Manohal Lal Khattar is saying farmers should come by other vehicles. When Khattar was the chief minister of Haryana, he used to say that farmers should come on foot."

"Earlier, the entire BJP was objecting to farmers going by tractor trolleys to Delhi. The government is confused on what to say and what not to say. This is lowering the credibility of the government among people," Pandher said at Shambhu.

In Karnal on Monday, Union minister Khattar, when asked about the farmers' protest, said, "Nobody is stopping them from going to Delhi but there is a way. There is no gain in doing such a kind of protest."

When asked farmers have said that they were going on foot, he took a swipe at them, saying there are so many vehicles and they can go using those.

At Khanauri, Pandher slammed Khattar for his statement.

"Khattar is saying there is no bar on farmers going to Delhi and they can come by using other vehicles. When he was the chief minister he used to say that farmers should give up tractor trolley and come on foot," he said.

"Another Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu said they will welcome the farmers coming on foot to Delhi. The Haryana Agriculture minister too was saying they will welcome farmers coming on foot, while Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini is asking farmers that they should seek permission from the Delhi Police before going there," said Pandher.

So be it the central ministers or Haryana ministers, they are confused as to what statement they have to give, he said.

Farmer leaders protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders have claimed that earlier, the Central ministers and BJP leaders had raised an objection to farmers heading to the national capital along with their tractors and trolleys and asked what was the objection now, when they wanted to march on foot.

Referring to farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal's fast unto death which entered 14th day on Monday, Pandher said he has lost 11 kg weight but the government is not waking up from its slumber.

"The government is trying to divert the real issue and trying to focus the debate on which vehicles farmers use to come to Delhi and what method they should adopt to go there," he said.

"I have met Dallewal ji today...he will continue his fast till farmers' demands are met," said Pandher.

Pandher cautioned the Punjab Police not try to repeat the November 26 incident when they forcibly removed Dallewal from the Khanauri border point just hours before he was going to start his fast unto death.

He said Punjab Police officials met Dallewal at the Khanauri border point and that they said they were worried about his health.

"The Punjab government should rather press the Centre if they are really worried about farmers," said Pandher.

Another farmer leader Sukhjit Singh said no meal will be cooked on Tuesday by farmers at Khanauri in solidarity with Dallewal.

A jatha of 101 farmers under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha had made two attempts to go to Delhi on foot on December 6 and 8 but they were not allowed to move ahead by the Haryana security personnel.

Farmers have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces.

The farmers had earlier attempted to march towards Delhi on February 13 and February 21 but were stopped by security forces deployed at the border points.

Besides a legal guarantee to MSP for crops, the farmers are demanding a debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases, and "justice" for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence.

Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 and compensation to the families of farmers who died during the previous agitation in 2020-21 are also part of their demands.
India on Monday flagged "regrettable incidents" of attacks on minorities in Bangladesh at a meeting in Dhaka between the foreign secretaries of the two countries, where Dhaka called it 'misleading and false information' and said no country should interfere in its internal affairs.

IMAGE: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri. Photograph: ANI Photo

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri told reporters that he conveyed India's concerns, including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities, during his meeting with his counterpart Mohammad Jashim Uddin.

This was the first foreign secretary-level meeting between New Delhi and Dhaka after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government on August 5, following massive protests against her government.

"We also discussed some regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious, and diplomatic properties," Misri said.

"We expect, overall, a constructive approach on all these issues by the Bangladesh authorities, and we look forward to moving the relationship forward in a positive, forward-looking, and constructive direction.

India has repeatedly expressed concern over the targeting of Hindus since the interim government of Muhammad Yunus took charge in early August.

Bangladesh's statement after Monday's talks, however, focused on 'misinformation' in Indian media.

Jashim Uddin said the Bangladesh side expected Delhi's active cooperation to halt the 'negative campaign' in India to build trust among the people of the two countries.

"We drew their attention and sought appropriate steps regarding dissemination of misleading and false information in Indian media about Bangladesh's July-August revolution and alleged hostile attitude to the minority communities here in the post-revolution," he said.

Jashim Uddin said Dhaka simultaneously strongly stated that followers of all faiths in Bangladesh were performing their rituals freely.

"At the same time, we said no country is expected to interfere in our internal affairs and reminded that Bangladesh refrains from commenting on internal affairs of other countries and they should as well show identical respect for us," he said.

Misri, the first high-level Indian official to visit Bangladesh since the takeover by the interim government, expressed New Delhi's desire for a "positive, constructive and mutually beneficial" relationship with Dhaka.

"Today's discussions have given both of us the opportunity to take stock of our relations and I appreciate the opportunity today to have a frank, candid, and constructive exchange of views with all my interlocutors," he said.

"I emphasised that India desires a positive, constructive, and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh," he said. "We have always seen in the past and we continue to see in the future this relationship as a people-centric and people-oriented relationship; one that has the benefit of all the people as its central motivational force."

Misri said he underlined India's desire to work closely with the interim government of Bangladesh.

He also called on interim government chief adviser Muhammad Yunus and foreign affairs adviser Mohammed Touhid Hossain.

During these meetings, Misri highlighted India's support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh, said a statement issued by the ministry of external affairs in New Delhi.

"He reiterated India's willingness to build a positive and constructive relationship with Bangladesh, based on mutual trust and respect and mutual sensitivity to each other's concerns and interests," it said.

Misri emphasised that people are the main stakeholders in India-Bangladesh relations, and noted that India's development cooperation and multifaceted engagements with Bangladesh, including in the areas of connectivity, trade, power, energy and capacity building, are all geared towards the benefit of the people of Bangladesh.

He said there is no reason why this mutually beneficial cooperation should not continue to deliver in the interest of both our peoples.

"Since the political changes in Bangladesh, in August this year, there has, of course, been contact between our leaders. Our Prime Minister was the first world leader to greet the Chief Adviser on his assumption of office. The two of them had a very cordial telephone conversation...," he said.

During the foreign office consultations, both sides held comprehensive discussions on a wide range of issues covering political and security matters, border management, trade, commerce and connectivity, cooperation in water, power and energy sectors, development cooperation, consular, cultural and people-to-people ties, the MEA said.

They also exchanged views on sub-regional, regional and multilateral issues, and agreed to enhance consultations and cooperation to advance regional integration, including under the BIMSTEC framework.

"Foreign secretary's visit will help in sustaining bilateral engagement between India and Bangladesh with a view to addressing concerns as well as advancing the substantive issues in the relationship," it said.

Jashim Uddin said "zero killing' on the borders with India was a priority issue and requested the Indian side to take effective steps towards that end.

He said Dhaka expected the resolution of all 'unsettled issues' with India.

According to the Bangladesh statement, the issues of common rivers received extra importance during the talks when Bangladesh stressed the inking of the Teesta water-sharing deal alongside the renewal of the Ganges Water Treaty, which would expire in 2026.

Jashim Uddin said Bangladesh also urged India to remove existing tariff and non-tariff barriers. "We have requested them for an undisrupted supply of essential commodities from India," he said.

The close ties between India and Bangladesh came under severe strain after Hasina was forced to leave the country in the face of a massive anti-government protest in August.

The relations deteriorated further in recent weeks over attacks on Hindus and the arrest of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das.

There have been a spate of incidents of violence against Hindus and other minorities, as well as attacks on temples in Bangladesh in the last few weeks that triggered strong concerns in New Delhi.

In September, foreign affairs adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain met briefly with his Indian counterpart S Jaishankar in New York on the sidelines of a UN general assembly meeting.
After taking control of the buffer zone along the Israeli-Syrian border, the Israel Defence Forces released photos from the Syrian side of Mount Hermon, a strategic peak in the Golan Heights on Monday morning.

IMAGE: An Israeli soldier walks onto a tank, close to the ceasefire line between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, near Majdal Shams, on December 8, 2024. Photograph: Stoyan Nenov/Reuters

Israel sent forces into the 235 sq km buffer zone to prevent Syrian rebels from approaching the border as the regime of Bashar Assad collapsed on Sunday.

The move into the demilitarised zone was coordinated with peacekeepers from the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, which has been monitoring an Israeli-Syrian ceasefire since 1974.

The Israeli Air Forces also struck military airfields, weapons depots and munitions factories across southern Syria and around Damascus to prevent them from falling into rebel hands.

Targets included the Mezzeh and Khalkhalah military airports in the Damascus area, which were used by the Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corops and Hezbollah.

The strikes also reportedly destroyed a facilities producing chemical weapons and precision missiles.

While Israeli forces have briefly entered the buffer zone, the move marked the first time since its establishment that the IDF set up positions there.

The 1974 ceasefire ended the Yom Kippur War. The army said on Sunday that the deployment was not intended to be permanent.
Proceedings of both Houses of Parliament were disrupted on Monday as the treasury benches accused top Congress leaders of colluding with billionaire investor George Soros to destabilise the country, triggering protests from opposition members.

IMAGE: Rajya Sabha proceeding underway during the Winter Session, on Monday, December 9, 2024. Photograph: Sansad TV/ANI Photo

Rajya Sabha

The Upper House witnessed three adjournments, including two during the pre-lunch session.

Soon after the House assembled for the day, it witnessed uproarious scenes with members of treasury benches on their feet, raising slogans and demanding answers from the Congress over reports of alleged links of some of its top leaders with Soros, who they accused of conspiring to destabilise the country and its economy.

Soon after a brief first adjournment during Zero Hour, Leader of the House J P Nadda said BJP members were agitated over an issue that involved Congress leaders and wanted a discussion.

"The link between Forum of Democratic Leaders in the Asia-Pacific (FDL-AP) and George Soros is a matter of concern. Its co-president is a member of this House," he said.

Nadda alleged the FDL-AP sees Jammu and Kashmir as a 'separate entity' and gets financial support from the Rajiv Gandhi Foundation.

As Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar sought to know why the ruling party members were protesting, many BJP MPs alleged that the top Congress leadership has links with Soros.

They demanded that the issue be discussed in the House as it is connected to national security.

Several MPs of the BJP and the National Democratic Alliance raised the issue and demanded an immediate discussion on it while Congress members claimed this was being done to divert attention from the Adani issue.

Leader of the Opposition (LoP) Mallikarjun Kharge and other Congress leaders like Jairam Ramesh and Pramod Tiwari asked how the chairman was allowing the ruling party members to raise the issue when he had rejected their notices in this regard.

"It is wrong to raise the issue like this and damage the image of a member, who is not in the House," Kharge said.

He also read out rules whereby any member cannot raise such an issue against another member, following which the chairman asked which member he was referring to.

"We did not expect this from you," Congress' Digvijaya Singh told the Chair.

Congress' Pramod Tiwari alleged the ruling party MPs were siding with Adani and disturbing the House for him.

"The BJP is doing all this to protect Adani," he said.

BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said if the LoP was referring to another member, it becomes clear that the reports of involvement of a member are true, as the ruling party has not named anyone.

BJP's Radha Mohan Das Aggarwal said party MPs have not named any party and will speak during the discussion on how Congress leaders are colluding with elements of 'deep state' and Soros to destabilise the country and break it into pieces.

"We want a discussion on this serious issue as they want to create instability in the country. These anti-nationals should be exposed before the country. Terror and anti-national activities are being carried out in the country at the behest of such forces and they should be exposed," he said.

The Congress, he claimed, was seen standing with such forces as it supported agitations in the country.

On the BJP's allegations about former Congress president Sonia Gandhi's links to an organisation financed by Soros, party MP Ghanshyam Tiwari said it is very bad for the country and its unity.

"We want that there should be a discussion on the issue as it is linked to the issue of national security," he said.

Brij Lal of the BJP alleged Rahul Gandhi's trips abroad are funded by Soros.

"When Rahul Gandhi travels abroad, George Soros funds him and there is an anti-India campaign. We want a discussion on the relationship between George Soros and Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi," he said.

Bikash Ranjan Bhattacharya of the Communist Party of India-Marxist said if the treasury benches raise the issue, "then it is their failure".

"Why can't the prime minister come and make a statement... This is an accusation to protect (hide) their failure. Total disruption to protect their failure," he said.

John Brittas of the CPI-M said, "Let there be a discussion on George Soros and Adani together on the floor of the House."

Communist Party of India's Sandosh Kumar P said, "This is a calculated move to save Adani, to divert attention."

Amid the din, Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said the House was not in order and adjourned it till 3 pm.

Earlier, BJP's Laxmikant Bajpayee was given the floor to raise his Zero Hour mention and he started speaking on the issue of national security.

Congress' Jairam Ramesh objected to his remarks, saying when the Chair has rejected notices under Rule 267, then the issues mentioned therein should not be allowed to be raised.

"This is most unfair. You have rejected the notice, all notices... He is raising an issue which you have rejected. And it is very clear, this is all part of a game plan to raise this issue and have this entire House adjourned. Sir, please don't be party to this," Ramesh said.

Earlier, Dhankhar said he has rejected all 11 notices received under Rule 267 seeking to set aside business of the day to take up the issue being raised in the notices.

Five MPs of the BJP and its allies -- BJP's Sudhanshu Trivedi, Kavita Patidar and Laxmikant Bajpai, G K Vasan of Tamil Maanila Congress, and Janata Dal-United's Sanjay Kumar Jha -- gave notices under Rule 267.

Lok Sabha

IMAGE: Opposition MPs protest in Lok Sabha. Photograph: Sansad TV/ANI Photo

When the House met at 11 am after the weekend, the opposition members were on their feet, trying to raise their issues. A visibly agitated Speaker Om Birla asked the MPs to go back to their seats and allow the House to function.

"Question Hour is significant. Allow the House to function properly. But you don't want to allow the House to run. The country wants the House to run. You are disrupting the proceedings of the House," he told the protesting members and adjourned the House till 12 noon.

The noisy protests again forced an adjournment till 2 pm and then till 3 pm, before the proceedings were wrapped for the day.

As soon as the House re-convened at noon, Congress members trooped into the well of the Lok Sabha raising slogans against the government. They were soon joined by Samajwadi Party members.

Congress members were also heard saying that they had submitted notices to move a privilege motion against BJP member Nishikant Dubey for attempts to link Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi and former Congress chief Sonia Gandhi with US-based billionaire George Soros-backed outfits allegedly involved in anti-India activities.

Opposition members raised slogans like 'Modi Sarkar down down', 'Modi Sarkar shame shame' and 'we want justice', as BJP member Sandhya Ray, who was in the chair, took up tabling of parliamentary papers.

Opposition members from the Trinamool Congress and Rashtriya Janata Dal were seen standing in the aisle or near their seats in support of the protest.

TMC members, including Saugatha Roy, Kalyan Banerjee and Mahua Moitra, were sitting on their seats.

SP member Dharmendra Yadav also raised the issue of farmers. He was heard saying "Pure desh ka kisan pareshan hai".

Leader of the Opposition Rahul Gandhi was present in the House during the protests.

After the parliamentary papers were tabled in the House, Ray informed the House that notices given by Congress leaders were under consideration by Birla.

As the protests continued, the Chair adjourned the proceedings till 2 pm but the scenes were no different when the House met again.

Ray, who was in the chair, asked Railway Minister Ashwani Vaishnav to respond on the Rail (Amendment) Bill 2024. However, the opposition protests continued following which the proceedings were adjourned for an hour again.

The opposition was unrelenting and Ray adjourned the House for the day after it met at 3.

The proceedings of the House were washed out in the first week of the winter session starting November 25 due to protests by opposition members demanding discussion on issues like the indictment of industrialist Gautam Adani in a US court and Sambhal violence.

Last week, the House functioned properly for only two days -- Tuesday and Wednesday.
Nobel laureate economist Abhijit Banerjee has said the current situation in Bangladesh is unlikely to trigger a fresh round of exodus of minority Hindus into India.

IMAGE: People stage a protest over the alleged violence against minorities in Bangladesh. Photograph: ANI Photo

Historically, the academic explained, migration is mainly driven by social networks and economic opportunities, rather than persecution, even in the context of the crisis faced by minorities in Bangladesh.

Speaking to PTI during his recent visit to Kolkata to participate in a curtain-raiser event of the 16th edition of the Apeejay Kolkata Literary Festival, where his latest title Chhaunk: On Food, Economics and Society was launched, Banerjee said he felt India's "explicit political preference for Hindu migrants from Bangladesh" is what prompted the population to leave their homeland in the past, rather than the attacks on the community.

"People always leave for another country where they have their families or to a richer nation where the economic opportunities are higher," the Nobel laureate said, "I am not surprised that Hindu Bengalis have left Bangladesh and settled in, say, large pockets of Assam because of India's overt preference for Hindus instead of Muslims."

"I am not saying that persecution would, under no circumstances, lead to exodus on a large scale. But it's a presumption I don't agree with. The reasons for mass migration have been widely documented by both economists and sociologists across the globe. Persecution has never been the primary determinant. I would actually like to see some data on that before passing a judgement," he continued.

Chhaunk, Banerjee's latest work, is a cookbook with a difference.

Part memoir, part cookbook, Chhaunk playfully uses food explore themes of economics, society, and India. The book makes unexpected connections, such as linking savings with shami kebab and women's liberation with the Bengali dish ghonto', as described on its cover.

Replete with corresponding illustrations by French illustrator Cheyenne Olivier, her second collaboration with Banerjee after Cooking to Save Your Life and the one following Nobel laureate economist and Banerjee's spouse Esther Duflo's 'Poor Economics for Kids', Chhaunk sprinkles ideas of social sciences around desi recipes akin to spicing up the dishes to add extra flavour.

"Food is a great way to make lighter conversation about big issues," Banerjee smiled.

Taking that idea forward, the academic agreed that the migration of the elite Hindus from Dhaka over the past many decades has changed the food culture in that city, just as it has for the average Bengali household in an urban Indian hotspot like Kolkata.

It is estimated that around 10 million East Bengali refugees had fled to Indian territories on account of conflict during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War.

Displacement of Bengalis on both sides of the border had a severe demographic and long-lasting political impact in India during the 1947 partition of Bengal when an estimated 2.2 million Bengali Hindus left then East Pakistan to West Bengal while some 1.9 million Bengali Muslims were forced to cross the border for a reverse exodus.

In the 77 years since Independence, the Hindu population in Bangladesh has dropped from 22 per cent to less than 8 per cent, mainly due to mass exoduses and on account of sustained crossing over of refugees, mostly Hindus, during the interim period citing persecution.

Bangladesh shares over 4,000 km of land border with India, more than half of which is with West Bengal and the remaining length running past the four North Eastern states of Tripura, Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram.

"The scale of migration in 1971 was created because the armed forces of multiple nations were involved. I don't think non-crisis migration can ever reach that scale," the Nobel laureate said.

According to Banerjee, Indians have been relatively ineffective in using food as a form of "soft power" to influence geopolitics.

"For example in the West, both in Europe and the US, Japanese techniques of cooking are widely adapted and used whereas Indian styles of cooking are used by a handful of non-Indian chefs only in pockets in the UK," he explained.

Speaking of the challenges in illustrating for an unconventional cookbook which has more than its fair share of economics, just the way she wanted the book to be, French illustrator Cheyenne Olivier said non-specificity of the essays to a particular time or place made her job different from what she did in the past.

"This was the opposite from what I had been illustrating in the previous books," she said, adding, "Also, I felt that the average reader needed to easily relate to the pictures and so they had to be different from the pieces in the previous books which were more abstract.
Following the political crisis in Syria, Russia has granted asylum to Bashar al-Assad and his family, TASS reported citing a Kremlin source.

IMAGE: Smoke rises, after Syrian rebels announced that they have ousted Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus, on December 8, 2024. Photograph: Mohamed Azakir/Reuters

The situation in Syria remains a focal point for all the neighbouring nations after Syrian rebels on Sunday entered the capital Damascus, forcing Assad to flee, ending his over two-decade rule in the country.

The source confirmed that Assad and his family have arrived in Moscow and Russia has granted asylum for them, being driven by 'humanitarian considerations'.

"Russia has always spoken in favour of a political settlement of the Syrian crisis. We insist that the UN-mediated talks be resumed," the source said, reported the Russian news agency.

"Russian officials are in touch with representatives of armed Syrian opposition, whose leaders have guaranteed security of Russian military bases and diplomatic missions on the Syrian territory," the source added, TASS reported

Notably, the Russian foreign ministry on Sunday expressed extreme concern over the events unfolding in Syria and appealed to all parties involved in the negotiations with a strong call to renounce violence and resolve all issues by political means.

Further, the ministry had stated that Bashar al-Assad has stepped down and left the country giving instructions to transfer power peacefully.

"We are following the dramatic events in Syria with extreme concern. As a result of negotiations between B Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict in the SAR, he decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully. Russia did not participate in these negotiations. At the same time, we appeal to all parties involved with a strong call to renounce the use of violence and resolve all governance issues by political means," Russian foreign ministry said.

"In this regard, the Russian Federation is in contact with all groups of the Syrian opposition. We call for respect for the opinions of all ethno-confessional forces of Syrian society, and support efforts to establish an inclusive political process based on the unanimously adopted UN Security Council Resolution 2254," the statement added.

Notably, the civil war in the country that had remained dormant for a few years resurfaced and within a span of a few weeks, the Syrian rebel groups took over several key cities like Aleppo, Homs and Daraa, before seizing control of the Damascus unopposed on Sunday, ending the Assad family's nearly six decades of autocratic rule.

The development came hours after rebels claimed to have captured Syria's third-largest city, Homs, to the north of the country.

The head of Syria's main opposition group abroad Hadi al-Bahra Syrian said that Damascus is now 'without Bashar al-Assad'.

This came after Syrian rebels claimed capturing Damascus.

"The tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fled," the armed opposition said in a statement.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Foggy early, then partly cloudy later in the day. High around 60F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies with a few showers later at night. Low 46F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
The Innovation Awards brought together more than 380 industry delegates together under the Reseller News roof at the Cordis in Auckland on Thursday 28 November to celebrate industry excellence.

This year there were 118 finalists represented from 50 organisations with two new inductees introduced into the Hall of Fame for 2024 in Darius and Edwina Mistry.

The new-look Reseller News Innovation Awards in 2024 houses a modernised awards line-up featuring a new Innovation for Good category designed to acknowledge the contributions of industry-leading organisations that are making a positive societal impact, particularly in the areas of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) and Sustainability within the IT sector.

For the first time, an Honour Roll was also introduced to acknowledge influential figures in the IT industry. The Honour Roll in 2024 featured John Holdsworth, Trevor and Corallie Eagle and Tony Butler.

ONeill Photography

Emcee Matt Heath ONeill Photography

ONeill Photography

Foundry A/NZ editorial director Cathy OSullivan ONeill Photography

Chillisofts Alex Teh presents Innovation for Good ONeill Photography

Dicker Data NZ wins DE&I Company ONeill Photography

Digital Future Aotearoa wins Sustainability ONeill Photography

ONeill Photography

Entelar Groups Raj Singh presents Tech Partner category ONeill Photography

Datacom wins Tech Partner Cloud ONeill Photography

Digital Island wins Tech Partner Digital Transformation ONeill Photography

Inde Technology wins Tech Partner Emerging ONeill Photography

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ONeill Photography

ONeill Photography

ONeill Photography

HPs Tracey Brewer presents Distributor category ONeill Photography

Ingram Micro wins Hardware distributor

ONeill Photography

Dicker Data wins Software distributor ONeill Photography

Chillisoft wins Specialist distributor ONeill Photography

Westcon-Comstor wins Creativity distributor ONeill Photography

ONeill Photography

ONeill Photography

Dicker Datas Veronica Datson presents Start-Up category ONeill Photography

Atomic.io wins Start-Up product ONeill Photography

Blacklock Security wins Start Up Product ONeill Photography

Delta Insights wins Start-Up Industry ONeill Photography

Gavin Sharkey wins Start-Up Entrepreneur ONeill Photography

ONeill Photography

ONeill Photography

Ingram Micros Leon De Suza presents Vendor category ONeill Photography

WatchGuard Technologies wins Vendor Security ONeill Photography

HPE wins Hardware Vendor ONeill Photography

Access4 wins Specialist Vendor ONeill Photography

Atomic.io wins Homegrown ISV ONeill Photography

ONeill Photography

ONeill Photography

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Reseller News editor Julia Talevski ONeill Photography

Hall of Fame member Keith Watson talks about the Honour Roll inductee John Holdsworth ONeill Photography

Hall of Fame member Leanne Buer discusses the impact of Trevor and Corallie Eagle ONeill Photography

Hall of Fame member Ross Jenkin discusses Tony Butler ONeill Photography

Honour Roll inductee Tony Butler discusses his time in the industry ONeill Photography

Westcon-Comstors Dave Rosenberg presents Personal Innovation category ONeill Photography

Jacques Cronje wins Channel Excellence ONeill Photography

Andrew Bedford wins Sales Excellence ONeill Photography

Kim McKay wins Marketing Excellence ONeill Photography

Ernst du Toit wins Technical Excellence ONeill Photography

Hank Chen wins Technical Excellence ONeill Photography

Schneider Electrics Oliver Hill presents Partner category ONeill Photography

netQ wins Enterprise Partner ONeill Photography

Securecom wins Mid-Market Partner ONeill Photography

Micado wins SMB Partner ONeill Photography

Yorb wins Regional Partner ONeill Photography

ONeill Photography

ONeill Photography

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VMwares Daniel Michel presents Hall of Fame ONeill Photography

Westcon-Comstors Dave Rosenberg presents Hall of Fame ONeill Photography

Edwina Mistry inducted into the Hall of Fame 2024 ONeill Photography

Hall of Fame inductee Edwina Mistry ONeill Photography

Hall of Fame inductee Edwina Mistry ONeill Photography

Hall of Fame inductee Darius Mistry ONeill Photography

Hall of Fame inductees Darius and Edwina Mistry ONeill Photography
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.
Welcome back to the China In Eurasia briefing, an RFE/RL newsletter tracking China's resurgent influence from Eastern Europe to Central Asia.

I'm RFE/RL's China Global Affairs Correspondent Reid Standish and here's what I'm following right now.

Minding The Transatlantic Gap

China is looking to capitalize on a transatlantic rift between the United States and Europe that is widening as U.S. President Donald Trump looks to quickly end the war in Ukraine.

But how much of an opening is there actually for Beijing?

Finding Perspective: The threat of tariffs, a war of words at the Munich Security Conference earlier this month, U.S.-Russia talks that excluded Europe and Kyiv, and a standoff at the United Nations over how to commemorate the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine have all been recent fissures between Washington and European governments.

That brought new questions about relying on the United States to European capitals and left an opening for Beijing, which has been trying to woo back Europe over the past four years.

On the sidelines in Munich, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held bilateral meetings with several top European officials, including EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, outgoing German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.

Spain's foreign minister seems to be at least more open to the idea of keeping China closer amid tensions with the United States.

Jose Manuel Albares told the Financial Times that the European Union should craft its own China policy and not follow the more confrontational line with Beijing advocated by those in the Trump administration.

"Europe must take its own decisions, on its own. And we have to decide when China can be a partner and when China is a competitor," Albares told the newspaper.

How We Got Here: During Trump's first term in office, Washington pushed European governments to take a harder line on China. That led to the bloc labeling China a "systemic rival" in 2019.

The Chinese government's untransparent handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, trade, human rights, and supply chain concerns, and Beijing's backing of Russia throughout the war in Ukraine all saw that harder line solidify in Europe under former U.S. President Joe Biden's tenure.

Now amid growing transatlantic tensions, some European governments see following Trump's tough stance on China as a way to win over Washington. Others, like the Spanish government, are arguing to preserve vital economic ties with Beijing, especially amid growing uncertainty about the United States.

This has even led to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, one of Brussels's more hawkish voices on China, calling in January for a new effort to improve relations between Brussels and Beijing.

A True Rift? Tensions on each side of the Atlantic are real.

Following his party's victory in elections on February 23, Friedrich Merz, Germany's chancellor-in-waiting for the conservative Christian Democratic Union (CDU), said the Trump administration "does not care much about the fate of Europe" and that the Continent needs to act accordingly.

"My absolute priority will be to strengthen Europe as quickly as possible so that, step by step, we can really achieve independence from the U.S.A.," he said.

Talk of a seismic shift in the geopolitical order is also under way in Brussels.

One EU official recently back from discussions with U.S. officials told RFE/RL that the White House's focus is on ending the war in Ukraine and that there is a "take it or leave it" attitude from Washington.

The Trump administration wants to "remove the Ukraine issue from the table and move on to other issues. It is becoming clear that Trump's goal is to rule the world together with Russia and China" and work toward "strategically separating them from each other," said the official, who was granted anonymity in order to discuss sensitive matters.

Why It Matters: Europe may be grappling with a realignment, but that doesn't mean China is its only option to hedge.

As European leaders like French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer visit Washington, von der Leyen is set to arrive in India on February 27.

James Crabtree, a visiting fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, told me that "it's hard to imagine a better time to re-energize Europe's and India's historically lackluster ties" and that a focus of the trip will be technology cooperation.

"A meeting of the EU-India Trade and Technology Council -- only the second since its foundation in 2023 -- offers opportunities to deepen collaboration in areas ranging from artificial intelligence to clean technologies," he said.

China may also be short on opportunities, with most EU members unable to look past its support for Russia amid the war in Ukraine. The bloc's most recent sanctions package passed on February 24 once again included Chinese companies and individuals.

What is likely to emerge is a more fragmented Europe when it comes to China. While some governments look to countries like India, South Korea, and Japan to balance out their foreign policy, others -- such as the current Spanish government and Hungary -- will keep courting Chinese investment and create new openings for Beijing.

Three More Stories From Eurasia

1. A Reverse Nixon?

China publicly backed the Trump administration's recent talks with the Kremlin, but analysts and former U.S. officials I spoke with mostly said the prospect of a U.S.-Russia reset is also making Beijing "nervous" about having less leverage over its partner.

The Details: "While a complete rapprochement might not be in the cards, they're nervous because if Trump lifts sanctions on Russia, then Moscow's dependency on China decreases," Dennis Wilder, who was a top White House China adviser to former U.S. President George W. Bush, told me.

One of the hallmarks of Chinese leader Xi Jinping's foreign policy has been a burgeoning strategic partnership with Russian President Vladimir Putin that's grown closer since Moscow's full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Beijing has propped up the Russian economy through enhanced trade and energy purchases while fueling the Kremlin's war effort with the supply of key goods as both Xi and Putin have found common ground in wanting to challenge the West and unseat the United States.

The fear of all that being derailed by a new type of U.S.-Russia relationship born out of a negotiated end to the war in Ukraine is real for Beijing.

Wilder says he's had conversations with "very senior Chinese officials" since Trump's election in November who have expressed concern about a potential U.S.-Russia reset.

He says they've used the phrase "Only Trump goes to Moscow," a play on the historical reference to former U.S. President Richard Nixon's landmark visit to Beijing in 1972, when he defied precedent and courted China to exploit its split with the Soviet Union at the height of the Cold War.

2. But Can It Work?

A grand bargain would be a major diplomatic feat, but it's something Trump administration officials have hinted at in public comments of late.

What You Need To Know: The Trump administration has made clear it sees managing a long-term rivalry with China as its top foreign policy objective and may look to deprioritize regions like Europe and the Middle East in order to raise pressure on Beijing in Asia.

Following the talks in Riyadh, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the possibility for future "geopolitical and economic cooperation" between Washington and Moscow was among the key points discussed.

And in an interview this month with The Wall Street Journal, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said Washington was prepared to reset the relationship with the Kremlin following an agreement over Ukraine as a move to end Russia's isolation and its growing dependence on China since the war began.

"It's not in Putin's interest to be the little brother in a coalition with China," Vance said.

The thinking is that even new cracks between the two powers may loosen Moscow's alignment with Beijing and could have a deterrent effect on China, especially if it decides to use military force to take Taiwan.

Still, both Beijing and Moscow are aware of what the White House is trying to do, and Beijing has made a point to show it and Moscow are still a tandem, including a recent phone call between Putin and Xi on the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine.

Steve Tsang, director of SOAS University London's China Institute, told me he believes Washington's efforts to reset its Russia ties are also not all bad news for Beijing.

"Xi does not want Putin to fail in the war, and so Trump delivering a peace that mostly meets Russian conditions is a positive," he said. "Who knows who will be the next U.S. president and if there will be a reversal of U.S. posture post-Trump."

3. Taiwan Watches A New U.S. Line On Ukraine

Ukrainians living in Taiwan and local supporters protested outside the de-facto Russian Embassy in Taipei on the eve of the third anniversary of Moscow's invasion.

What It Means: The self-governing island has been a vocal supporter of Kyiv, which the Taiwanese government sees as a foil for its own tenuous geopolitical position where China has long threatened to invade and annex Taiwan if it refused to peacefully accept unification.

Those parallels have grown since Trump's election. The United States is Taiwan's largest military backer and its support is considered vital for its survival, but Trump's global shakeup, including launching negotiations with Russia without Ukraine and threatening to cut off future aid to Kyiv, has brought anxiety to Taiwan about a similar withdrawal of American assistance.

When I was in Taiwan in December, I spoke with several senior officials who said they were closely watching what happened to Kyiv on the battlefield and with the new U.S. administration.

So far, the White House has reaffirmed its support for Taiwan, but Washington has also threatened tariffs on the island's semiconductor industry, which is responsible for around 60 percent of world production for microchips and 90 percent of the most-advanced ones needed for the global AI boom.

Across The Supercontinent

Choking Off Iranian Oil: Earlier this month, the United States brought in a new tranche of sanctions on Iranian oil, my colleague Kian Sharifi and I reported . The move is seen as an opening shot against Tehran and Beijing -- Iran's top oil customer.

New Bridge Deal: The Transport Ministry of Tajikistan and the Tajik branch of the Chinese company Zhejiang Communications Construction Group (ZCCC) signed a cooperation agreement for the construction of what will be the longest road bridge in Central Asia.

New Tools For Tashkent: Uzbekistan showcased on February 25 newly purchased Chinese-made air-defense systems, including the FM-90 short-range surface-to-air missile system and the KS-1C medium-to-long-range air-defense system.

One Thing To Watch

A Chinese-crewed cargo ship is detained in Taiwan's southern port of Tainan after a key Taiwan-Penghu Internet cable was mysteriously severed.

Taiwanese prosecutors are investigating whether this was an accident or part of a broader pattern of disruptions to vital communication lines, but the country's Coast Guard released footage of them apprehending the vessel.

The move comes amid growing tensions from a rise of so-called gray zone tactics, the term often used by Taiwanese officials to refer to the hybrid tactics used to intimidate the island but which remain below the threshold for war.

That's all from me for now. Don't forget to send me any questions, comments, or tips that you might have.

Until next time,

Reid Standish
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.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Moscow, a Russian diplomat said, as rebels took control of the capital, Damascus, bringing to an end the brutal, half-century rule of the Assad family.

Mikhail Ulyanov, Russia's ambassador in Vienna, said in a social media post late on December 8 that "Assad and his family are in Moscow" after going through what he characterized as a "difficult situation."

According to Russian media reports, Assad and his family have been granted asylum by Moscow. The Biden administration could not confirm the information but said it had no reason to doubt it.

Earlier, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Assad "decided to resign" after "negotiations" with a "number of participants in the armed conflict" and left office "giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power."

"Russia did not participate in these negotiations," the ministry added.

Russia has been a longstanding ally of Syria, providing significant military and political support to Assad's regime, especially during the Syrian civil war, which began in 2011.

The Russian Foreign Ministry's statement came as the rebels said in a statement aired on state TV that Damascus is "now free of Assad," whose family ruled the country with an iron fist since 1971.

Syrians across the country took to the streets to celebrate Assad's ouster, pulling down statues and ransacking government buildings. Social media footage showed crowds of men entering the presidential place in Damascus, with reports of looting.

Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said in a video that the government is "ready to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the people."

"We believe that Syria is for all Syrians and that it is the country of all its sons and that this country can be a normal state that builds good relations with its neighbors and the world without entering into any regional alliances and blocs," Jalali said.



He was later seen leaving his home on December 8, escorted by armed men, reportedly to meet the leadership of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the Sunni rebel group that led the current offensive against the Assad regime.

HTS is a U.S.- and EU-designated terrorist organization. In recent years, the Islamist militant group severed ties with Al-Qaeda and sought to remake itself as a pragmatic alternative to the Syrian government. But concerns remain over its alleged rights abuses and ties to terrorist groups.

Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of the HTS, has sought to reassure Shi'ite Alawites and other Syrian minorities, including Christians, that he will not discriminate against minorities.

U.S. Strikes Against IS



In Washington, President Joe Biden said the United States "will engage with all Syrian groups" as the country transitions to a post-Assad government.

He cautioned that some of the rebel groups that helped overthrow Assad "have their own grim record" of human rights abuses even though they have been "saying the right things" in recent days.

"As they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words but their actions," Biden said in a televised address from the White House on December 8.



He said the United States will be closely watching the activities of the Islamic State (IS) extremist group, which could seek to use the power vacuum to again establish rule in Syria.

Biden said the United States conducted precision strikes on IS positions in Syria earlier in the day.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement that the Assad regimes refusal since 2011 to engage "in a credible political process and its reliance on the brutal support of Russia and Iran led inevitably to its own collapse."

"After 14 years of conflict, the Syrian people finally have reason for hope," he added.

A senior Biden administration official told reporters on background it was a "significant" strike on 75 IS targets in eastern Syria using B-52s and F-15s.

"These guys want to reconstitute...and we are going to make sure that if they think they can seize advantage in this situation, that they can't," the senior official said.

Setback For Russia

Experts have said the fall of the Assad regime represents a major geopolitical setback for the Kremlin, which, along with Tehran, has supported the Syrian government through many years of civil war.

The U.S.-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that Russia and Iran did not appear to bolster the Syrian Arab Army (SAA), which was rapidly collapsing, by rushing in additional forces.

Biden said Russia has been weakened by the nearly three-year war in Ukraine while Iran's proxies in the region have been crushed by Israel.

Russia has an estimated 7,500 troops and multiple military sites in Syria, including an air base at Hmeimim and strategic naval facilities at Tartus, which are also used to support the Kremlin's actions in North and Sub-Saharan Africa.

According to the Russian RIA Novosti news agency, the leaders of the armed Syrian opposition "have guaranteed security to the Russian military bases and diplomatic establishments in Syria." RFE/RL can not confirm those reports.

Earlier, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov declined to comment on the fate of the Russian bases, saying he "wasn't in the business of guessing."

The senior Biden administration official expressed some doubt about Russia's ability to maintain the bases.

"The Russians have now announced that they have taken Assad to Moscow. So we'll see what the Syrians who have worked for decades to overthrow the yoke of the Assad regime think about that when it comes to the Russian facilities," he said.

Konstantin Kosachyov, deputy chairman of Russia's upper house of parliament, said on December 8 that Syrians will have to cope with a full-scale war alone, but he suggested Moscow was ready to support the Syrian people in certain circumstances.

The ISW said Moscow had not yet begun to evacuate the naval base, "but it remains unclear whether Russia will keep its vessels at the port as Syrian rebels continue to advance swiftly across regime-held territory."

Ruslan Suleymanov, a Russian expert on the Middle East, told RFE/RL that Moscow would "cooperate with the rebels" if they take power in Damascus and that HTS too has "claimed previously that it was ready to negotiate" with the Kremlin.

"Putin wants to save his military presence in the region. In any case, to do that, he has to make concessions -- both to jihadists and to [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan who supports [the rebels]," Suleymanov said.

The surprise offensive began on November 27 during which a coalition of rebel groups led by HTS captured the northern city of Aleppo, Syria's second largest.

Since then, they moved on to take other major cities with Assad's forces providing little resistance.

Besides HTS, the fighters include forces of an umbrella group of Turkish-backed Syrian militias called the Syrian National Army. Turkey has denied backing the offensive, though experts say insurgents would not have launched it without the country's consent.

The United Nations said on December 6 that almost 300,000 people in Syria had already been displaced since late November by the fighting, and that up to 1.5 million could be forced to flee as the rebels advance and inflict losses on Assad, as well as his Russian and Iranian allies.

Assad has relied on Iran and Russia to remain in power since the conflict erupted in 2011.

Neighbors, World Powers React

The developments in Damascus prompted Syria's neighbors to take urgent measures, with Lebanon announcing it was closing all its land border crossings with Syria except for one that links Beirut with Damascus.

Jordan closed a border crossing with Syria, too.

Israel said on December 8 it has deployed forces in a demilitarized buffer zone along its northern border with Syria and sent troops "other places necessary for its defense."

The Israeli military said the deployment was meant to provide security for residents of the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights.

The United States said it will maintain its presence in eastern Syria and will take measures necessary to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State (IS) in the region. The United States has about 900 soldiers in Syria.

Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East Daniel Shapiro said Washington is "aware that the chaotic and dynamic circumstances on the ground in Syria could give [IS] space to find the ability to become active, to plan external operations."

Speaking at a security conference in Bahrain on December 8, Shapiro said the United States is determined to work with its partners to "continue to degrade [IS] capabilities."

"[We're determined] to ensure [IS's] enduring defeat, to ensure the secure detention of IS fighters and the repatriation of displaced persons," Shapiro added.

UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen described the latest developments as a "watershed moment in Syria's history" and urged all armed actors in the country to maintain law and order and preserve pubic institutions.

Speaking in Doha on December 8, Pedersen also said he has no information on Assad's whereabouts.

Tom Fletcher, head of the UN humanitarian aid agency, warned about the plight of the millions of Syrians displaced by nearly 14 years of the countrys civil war. Now many more are in danger, Fletcher said.

We will respond wherever, whenever, however we can, to support people in need, including reception centers -- food, water, fuel, tents, blankets, he said.

British Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner called for a "political solution" while the French Foreign Ministry said in a statement it was time in Syria for unity, a peaceful political transition, and for fighting to end.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, AFP, and dpa
Nine years ago, a caravan of hulking military cargo planes and aging naval ships began shuttling back and forth from Russian bases depositing a massive expeditionary military force to western Syria, cementing Russia's muscular presence in the Middle East and ultimately saving the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Assad is now gone, the fate of those bases are now jeopardy, and the question of Russia's entire Middle East strategy is now very much up in the air.



The fall of the Assad regime this past weekend was a tectonic event, reverberating across the entire Middle East and further. The Kremlin's 2015 Syria intervention, which scrambled the regional calculus, is now being scrambled yet again as Moscow tries to figure out what to do next.

As of December 9, there were no confirmed signs of any Russian pullout from Syria. An unnamed Kremlin official told the TASS state news agency that Russia had reached an agreement to ensure the safety of its military assets in Syria. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to comment to reporters.

"It's still premature to discuss this," he told reporters. "However, this will be a topic for discussion with whomever will be in charge in Syria in the future."



Here's what you need to know about Russia's presence in Syria, and what might come next.

What, Where, And Who



Russia's presence with Syria dates back to Soviet relations with Assad's father, and resulted in a critical asset for Moscow in 1971: naval access to the deep-water Mediterranean port at Tartus. Moscow's attention waned until 2011, when a popular uprising morphed into outright civil war threatening Assad's government.



In September 2015, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered Russia's largest expeditionary force in decades, if ever, to deploy to Syria to bolster Assad's sputtering efforts to battle rebels and extremist groups. Syria granted Russia a 49-year lease access to Tartus and the air base at Hmeimim.



"The situation was very difficult, both in terms of morale and exhaustion," General Valery Gerasimov, the chairman of Russia's General Staff, said in an interview published in 2017. "A lack of ammunition, necessary types of support, command. Our operation began, and after some time we saw the first successes. Today the Syrian Army is capable of performing tasks to protect its territory."



The following year, after months of relentless air strikes that obliterated cities -- a campaign so ruthless that the commander who ordered it was given the nickname "General Armageddon" -- Syria's military had the upper hand. Emboldened Russian forces, whose numbers also included private Wagner Group mercenaries, clashed with U.S.-backed forces in eastern Syria in 2018.



At the peak of Russia's intervention in Syria, around 2017, as many as 6,000 combat and auxiliary troops were deployed, including mercenary forces, according to estimates by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington think tank.



Most of those ground forces were employed to advise Syria's military, but commanders also deployed Russian artillery and armored units, as well as special forces, to support Syrian infantry, particularly in 2016 during the offensive to retake Aleppo, Syria's largest city.

It's unclear how big the current Russian contingent on the ground is. The Telegram channel YeZh estimated 7,000 troops remained in the country.

Whither The Warm-Water Port



Tartus was a springboard for Russia to project power, not only in Syria throughout the Middle East but into Africa and elsewhere. After 2015, Russia used its Baltic and Black Sea ships extensively to supply the port and transport heavy weaponry and construction equipment. A construction company linked to a Kremlin-allied businessman was awarded a contract in 2019 to manage and expand the port.



The port's mooring capacity is as many as 11 vessels, including nuclear-powered ships. Several diesel-electric submarines cycled in and out of the facility and were used to fire Kalibr cruise missiles at Syrian targets.



The port's water depth also accommodated larger ships, including the Russian Navy's oft-mocked flagship, the Admiral Kuznetsov aircraft carrier, which was deployed to the eastern Mediterranean between October 2016 and January 2017.



In days prior to the capture of Damascus by Syrian rebel groups, several ships, most of which that had been berthed at Tartus, were spotted heading out to sea, stoking speculation that an evacuation was under way. he Defense Ministry, however, on December 3 released footage of the flotilla firing missiles, saying the maneuvers were a training exercise.



"What Tartus meant for Russia was the ability to project maritime power and political influence relatively uncontested in the Middle East and allowed to punch above its weight," Fredrik Van Lokeren, a retired Belgian naval officer, wrote in a December 8 blog post.



The Russian ships at Tartus might have been utilized to help Russia's operations in the Black Sea, which have also been severely curtailed by innovative Ukrainian tactics. But the warships are barred from transiting Turkey's Bosporus by international treaty.

Forced Air



Located some 60 kilometers up the coast from Tartus, Russia's air forces have utilized the Hmeimim air base. In addition to hosting fighter jets and helicopters, it's also served as the destination for the massive cargo planes that have shuttled men and materiel in and out of Syria.



Russian engineers enlarged the base in 2016-17, lengthening runways and expanding parking capacity. Putin paid an unannounced visit to the base in December 2017, where he declared victory of Syria's rebel forces, whom he called "terrorists."



"If the terrorists again raise their heads, we will deal such blows to them as they have never seen," he said at the time.

Russia's air fleet in Syria included more than two dozen Su-24 and Su-25 frontline bombers and ground-attack aircraft, according to a semi-official report published in 2016, along with at least eight advanced Su-30 fighter bombers and 12 Mi-24 and Ka-52 attack helicopters, among others.



From September 2015 to January 2018, CSIS estimates, Russian forces flew more than 34,000 combat sorties, with Su-24s and Su-34s serving as the primary strike aircraft.



Russian forces also deployed short-range Iskander-M ballistic missiles systems, as well as the sophisticated long-range S-400 air-defense system and short-range defenses like Pantsir and Tor systems. All would have to be shipped out by air or sea.



In recent days, commercial satellite imagery has shown the presence of several Ilyushin Il-76 jets -- heavy-lift workhorse cargo planes -- parked on the runways at Hmeimim, suggesting the possibility of the beginning of an evacuation.



However, given the amount of weaponry and equipment deployed to Syria and Moscow's reluctance to leave it for Syrian rebels, it would require dozens of flights or sea shipment to remove it all. It will be difficult to hide that, said Dara Massicot, an expert on the Russian military at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace.



From Latakia To Donbas

The best explanation for the dizzying collapse of Assad and his military is the absence of support from Damascus's two strongest allies: Iran and Russia. Where Russia is concerned, the explanation leads to its unrelenting invasion of Ukraine, now in its 34th month with no end in sight.



Russia's casualties there have climbed past 600,000, according to Western estimates, and its economy is running at torrid pace, as defense factories rush to keep pace with Ukraine's destruction of weaponry and equipment.



That means little spare capacity -- men and material -- to bolster Syria's efforts.



The Kremlin may still end up reaching an agreement with the rebel leadership and preserve access to one or both facilities in Syria. If not, however, Russia's ability to project military or economic power will be severely curtailed.



The two facilities were a key conduit for covert and overt military supplies in north and central Africa, as well as a conduit for revenues generated in several countries, often under dubious circumstances.



That includes places like Libya, where Russian mercenaries and irregular forces fought alongside a renegade Libyan general, Khalifa Haftar, in a 2019 offensive to seize the port of Tripoli.



Russia operations have also spread to other troubled African regions like the Central African Republic and Niger. Last July, in Mali, a Russian mercenary force suffered major losses in a battle with Tuareg rebels.

Experts say Russia could shift some aviation operations to Libya, about 1,500 kilometers to the southwest across the Mediterranean. But it would be more difficult to fly cargo jets all the way from Russia to Libya loaded down with heavy weaponry -- even assuming Russia could secure overflight rights from Turkey.

Russian war bloggers have voiced alarmed about the potential loss of Russian bases in Syria.



"Russia's military presence in the Middle East region hangs by a thread," Rybar, a blogger with links to Defense Ministry, said in a post on Telegram.



"It is almost impossible to evacuate the bases. In the best case, it is possible to evacuate most of the personnel, documentation and serviceable aircraft," one prominent blogger, named FighterBomber, said in a Telegram post prior to Assad's fall. "Some equipment that's still running can be packed into dry cargo ships and landing ships, but of course not all. All the rest of the property will remain at the bases."

With reporting by Mark Krutov and Todd Prince
With ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad somewhere in Russia, the new de facto rulers in Damascus have begun efforts to stabilize the situation as a wary global community awaited developments with caution.

The rebels, led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) Islamist militant group, announced on December 9 that they were granting amnesty to all military personnel conscripted during Assad's rule, which began in 2000 following the death of his father, Hafez al-Assad, who had seized power in 1970.

Syrian Prime Minister Muhammad Ghazi al-Jalali -- who has remained at his post and vowed to cooperate with the new rulers -- said most cabinet ministers were still in their offices. Jalali met earlier with the new leaders, according to a rebel statement.

"We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth," he said in comments to Sky News Arabia TV.

Reports out of the rebel camp said veteran politician Muhammad al-Bashir has been chosen to lead the transitional government. He has been serving as head of HTS's so-called Syrian Salvation Government for the past year.

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council is set to convene for an emergency session on the situation in Syria on December 9 following the ouster of Assad, who fled to Russia with his family as rebel troops bore down on Damascus.

The emergency session -- called by long-standing Assad-backer Russia -- will be held behind closed doors as world and regional powers call for stability in the civil war-wracked Middle Eastern country.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in Moscow on December 9 that while President Vladimir Putin made the decision personally to grant asylum to Assad and his family, there was no obligation to give any further details

"I have nothing to tell you about the whereabouts of Assad," Peskov added.

The TASS news agency quoted an official at the Syrian Embassy in Moscow as saying Assad was in the Russian capital. The report has not been confirmed.

Air strikes could be heard in Damascus early on December 9, according to media reports, although it was not immediately clear who conducted the strikes.

Earlier, Reuters reported that Israel had conducted three air strikes on the Syrian capital on December 8.



In Damascus and other Syrian cities, people took to the streets to celebrate Assad's ouster, pulling down statues, and ransacking government buildings and Assad's residence.

Social-media footage showed crowds of men entering the presidential place in Damascus, with reports of looting.



The HTS-led rebels said in a statement aired on state TV that Damascus was "now free of Assad," whose family had ruled the country with an iron fist since 1971.

HTS has been designated a terrorist group by the United States and European Union. In recent years, the group severed ties with Al-Qaeda and sought to remake itself as a pragmatic alternative to the Syrian government.

But some rights groups and Western governments say questions remain over its alleged rights abuses and ties to terrorist groups.

HTS leader Abu Muhammad al-Jolani has sought to reassure Shi'ite Alawites and other Syrian minorities, including Christians, that he will not discriminate against minorities.

Hagop Khatcharian, an Armenian living in Damascus, told RFE/RL that the "situation is calm now."

"I am always in touch with local Armenians; they are safe, and there is no issue. There hasn't been any significant trouble yet, but there is uncertainty about what the future holds," he said, adding that he remained wary of promises by the new leaders that no harm will come to minorities.

In Washington, President Joe Biden said the United States "will engage with all Syrian groups" as the country transitions to a post-Assad government.



"Assad should be held accountable," Biden said, but cautioned that some of the rebel groups that helped overthrow Assad "have their own grim record" of human rights abuses even though they have been "saying the right things" in recent days.



He said the United States will be closely watching the activities of the Islamic State (IS) extremist group, which could seek to use the power vacuum to again establish rule in Syria.

EU spokesman Anouar El Anouni said the bloc was "not currently engaging with HTS or its leaders, full stop."

He said that, despite some hopeful words from the rebel groups, the EU would reserve judgment for now. "As HTS takes on greater responsibilities, we will need to assess not just their words but also their actions," he said.

The EU earlier urged a peaceful political transition in Syria, saying that "it is imperative that all stakeholders engage in an inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned dialogue on all key issues."

In a joint statement, France and Germany said they were conditionally ready to work with the new leaders.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and French President Emmanuel Macron "agreed that they were ready to cooperate with the new leadership on the basis of fundamental human rights and the protection of ethnic and religious minorities," Berlin said in a statement.

NATO chief Mark Rutte was also cautious as he called for a peaceful transition and an inclusive political process in Syria.

"This is a moment of joy but also uncertainty for the people of Syria and the region. We hope for a peaceful transition of power and an inclusive Syrian-led political process," said Rutte, who blamed Assad's main backers -- Russia and Iran -- for the long crisis and civil war in the country.

Several European states on December 9 announced they were suspending the granting of asylum requests from Syrians as they awaited developments.

The flood of Syrian refugees during the country's 14-year civil war has been blasted by far-right politicians in Europe and used by many to bolster their support among voters.

Among the countries announcing suspensions were Germany, Britain, France, Austria, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark.

The German Interior Ministry said 974,136 people with Syrian nationality were living in the country, with 5,090 having been recognized as eligible for asylum, 321,444 granted refugee status, and 329,242 granted temporary protection.

The Syrian civil war began after Assad's regime unleashed a brutal crackdown in March 2011 against peaceful demonstrators inspired by the wave of protests known as the Arab Spring that were sweeping the Middle East at the time.

Beginning in 2015, Russia intervened in the civil war on Assad's side, unleashing a massive bombing campaign against the rebel groups, including Islamist militants, causing numerous civilian casualties and prompting tens of thousands to flee.



The fall of the Assad regime marks a major geopolitical setback for the Kremlin, which, along with Iran, has propped up his government, experts say.



Biden said Russia had been weakened by the nearly three-year war in Ukraine while Iran's proxies in the region have been crushed by Israel.

Besides Russia, Assad has relied on Iran and its Hezbollah proxies to remain in power since the conflict erupted in 2011. Iran's Foreign Ministry said it expects "friendly" relations with Syria to continue and it would take "appropriate approaches" toward Damascus.



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called Assad's fall "a direct result of the blows we have inflicted on Iran and Hezbollah."



He hailed Assad's overthrow as the fall of a "central link in Iran's axis of evil."

Israel has launched a monthslong air campaign in Lebanon against Hezbollah, which has been designated a terrorist organization by the United States.

Russia has an estimated 7,500 troops and multiple military sites in Syria, including an air base at Hmeimim and strategic naval facilities at Tartus, which are also used to support the Kremlin's actions in North and sub-Saharan Africa.



Ruslan Suleymanov, a Russian expert on the Middle East, told RFE/RL that Moscow would "cooperate with the rebels" if they take power in Damascus and that HTS too had "claimed previously that it was ready to negotiate" with the Kremlin.



"Putin wants to save his military presence in the region. In any case, to do that, he has to make concessions -- both to jihadists and to [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan, who supports [the rebels]," Suleymanov said.

The United States said it will maintain its presence in eastern Syria and will take measures necessary to prevent a resurgence of IS in the region. The United States has about 900 soldiers in Syria.



Tom Fletcher, head of the UN humanitarian aid agency, warned about the plight of the millions of Syrians displaced by nearly 14 years of civil war. Now many more are in danger, Fletcher said.



"We will respond wherever, whenever, however we can, to support people in need, including reception centers -- food, water, fuel, tents, blankets," he said.



Human Rights Watch (HRW), meanwhile, cautioned that the armed groups that ousted Assad should ensure humane treatment for all Syrians.



"The fall of Bashar al-Assad's government offers Syrians an unprecedented opportunity to chart a new future built on justice, accountability, and respect for human rights," HRW said in a statement.



Amnesty International also called the end of the Assad regime "a historic opportunity to end and redress decades of grave human rights violations" in Syria.

With reporting by AP, Reuters, AFP, and dpa
Ellen O'Donoghue

A growing number of children in Ireland are arriving at school hungry, a new study has revealed.

The research, commissioned by Kelloggs to mark 10 years of its Breakfast Clubs programme in Ireland, found that over half (58 per cent) of teachers surveyed see students arriving without breakfast very often, with a further 42 per cent observing it often.

The study was conducted among teachers in 45 schools supported by Kelloggs Breakfast Clubs, and 92 per cent of teachers agreed that mitigating short term hunger was the most important benefit of breakfast clubs.

Almost half of all teachers, or 42 per cent, believed the cost of living crisis has had a major impact on students access to breakfast at home, with an additional 33 per cent reporting a significant impact.

Despite the challenges, the research found that 58 per cent of teachers believed breakfast clubs effectively mitigated the impact of the cost-of-living crisis on their students.

The study also highlighted wider benefits of breakfast clubs with three quarters of teachers noticing improved punctuality, and 67 per cent noticing increased energy levels and classroom participation.

67 per cent of teachers found breakfast clubs impacted educational attainment and improved attendance.

All teachers surveyed agreed that breakfast clubs provide a sense of community and belonging for students from migrant backgrounds, with 83 per cent noting increased social interaction opportunities.

Shauna Lenagh, General Manager of Kelloggs Ireland said that the findings were a stark reminder of the challenges facing families and the vital role breakfast clubs play.

For 10 years, we've been proud to partner with the Community Foundation Ireland on this vital initiative. We're committed to continuing to support these programmes and ensure no child starts their day hungry, she said.

Kelloggs provides annual financial contributions through the Community Foundation Ireland, enabling schools to manage their breakfast programmes and make decisions based on the specific needs of their students.

The schools are then able to choose how the funding is spent and can use it to purchase any breakfast supplies they wish, equipment, and/or operational costs.

Dee Kiely, principal of St Francis Senior National school, said that the breakfast club has been a lifeline for students, providing a great start to the day and setting them up for success in the classroom.

Denise Charlton, chief executive of Community Foundation Ireland, added that the Kelloggs Breakfast Club programme demonstrates the power of partnership in addressing critical community needs.
Uisce Eireann is continuing efforts to restore normal water supply to customers across County Roscommon today.

This follows widespread service disruptions in the county caused by the impact of Storm Darragh over the weekend.

Following the restoration of electricity last night, normal supply is returning today to customers on the Arigna Regional Public Water Supply Scheme in North Roscommon and to customers on the Ballinlough/Granlahan Public Water Supply Scheme in West Roscommon.

As the network refills and supplies return throughout the day, customers served by these two schemes may experience intermittent disruption or low water pressure.

Customers on the Castlerea Regional Public Water Supply Scheme are also continuing to experience water outages and low pressure today. Electricity has been restored to the Mullaghdooey reservoir site and the network is continuing to recharge after some difficulties were experienced in operations yesterday.

Uisce Eireann crews are also working this afternoon to locate and repair a significant leak near Enfield which when resolved will result in improved water pressure for customers in the area.

Although power has been restored at Rockingham Spring Plant, some customers on the Boyle/Ardcarne Regional Public Water Supply Scheme may still be experiencing water supply disruptions caused by continuing power outages at reservoirs on the scheme. These recurring outages overnight have resulted in reduced production and a delay in the restoration of a normal supply.

Meanwhile, customers on the North East Regional Public Water Supply Scheme may also be experiencing water outages and/or low pressure today. Areas impacted include Elphin, Strokestown, Roosky, Scramoge, Ballyleague, Kilmore, Ballyfeeney, Termonbarry and surrounding areas.

Electrical power has not yet been restored at the water treatment plant. As an interim measure, generators are in use which has resulted in the plant operating at reduced capacity. Low reservoir levels are leading to intermittent and reduced pressures across the scheme, particularly areas on the periphery of the network.

Alternative water supplies are located at:

 Kilglass GAA grounds, Knockhall

 St. Barrys GAA grounds, Termonbarry

 Elphin water tower

 Ballyleague Church carpark

Customers are reminded to use their own containers when taking water from tankers and to boil water before consumption as a precautionary measure. The supplies will remain in place until water has returned to all customers.

Uisce Eireanns Ger Greally assured customers that Uisce Eireann is working to return the water supply to normal levels as quickly as possible.

In the meantime, customers are urged to conserve water where possible in order to protect supply while the outages are resolved. Vulnerable customers who have registered with Uisce Eireann receive direct communications from us for planned and unplanned outages lasting more than four hours.

Uisce Eireanns customer care team is available to help 24/7 on 1800 278 278 and customers can also contact us on X @IWCare with any queries. For further updates, visit the service and supply section of www.water.ie.

Uisce Eireann has also launched a free text service, providing real-time updates for local issues. Customers can sign up with their Eircode and mobile number at www.water.ie.
Phagwara Bandh Today to Protest Cow Poisoning Incident

In solidarity with the bandh, the Bar Association of Phagwara has announced the suspension of its work for the day.

Phagwara Bandh Protest Today Latest News: The city of Phagwara is observing a bandh today following a call by the Samuh Hindu Sangathan in protest against the recent tragic incident involving the poisoning and death of a cow. The incident, which the Sangathan has termed Gau Hathya (cow slaughter), has deeply upset the local community and sparked widespread outrage.

Bar Association Supports the Protest

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In solidarity with the bandh, the Bar Association of Phagwara has announced the suspension of its work for the day. Karanjot S. Jhikka, President of the Bar Association, issued a statement urging all members and judicial officers to cooperate with the decision, emphasizing the need to stand with the cause and to avoid inconvenience to lawyers and litigants during the city-wide closure.

The Bar Association appreciates the understanding and cooperation of its members as we join hands with the community in this cause, Jhikka said.

City-Wide Shutdown

The bandh has resulted in a complete closure of markets, shops, and schools, with public transportation also being affected. Local businesses and residents have expressed their support for the protest, reflecting the collective sentiment of the city.

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Authorities have heightened security across Phagwara to ensure that the bandh remains peaceful and free of disruptions.

Community Demands Justice

The poisoning and death of the cow have been condemned by various religious and social groups, who are calling for swift and stringent action against those responsible. The Samuh Hindu Sangathan has reiterated its demand for justice, stressing the importance of protecting animals and respecting cultural and religious values.

Appeals for Peace and Harmony

While the bandh highlights the community's strong sentiments, leaders have appealed for calm and unity among residents. The incident has shaken us, but we must ensure that our protests remain peaceful and constructive, said a spokesperson for the Sangathan.

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Broader Implications

The incident has brought attention to the need for greater vigilance and sensitivity in dealing with issues that affect religious and cultural beliefs. Citizens have called on the administration to take concrete steps to prevent such incidents in the future.
Canadian MP Chandra Arya Opposes Genocide Label for 1984 Anti-Sikh Riots

He further warned that such a designation could deepen divides within Canadas Hindu and Sikh communities.

Canada Latest News Today: Canadian MP Chandra Arya has voiced strong opposition to a motion in the House of Commons that sought to designate the 1984 anti-Sikh riots in India as genocide. Arya, who was the only MP present during the motion's introduction, vetoed it by denying unanimous consent, thereby halting its approval.

Arya took to X to share his stance, stating, Today, the Member of Parliament from Surrey-Newton attempted to have the Parliament declare the 1984 riots in India against Sikhs as genocide. I was the only Member present in the House to say NO, and my single objection was enough to prevent this motion from being approved.

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The MP disclosed that he faced immediate threats inside the Parliament building after opposing the motion, adding that he regularly encounters efforts to silence his advocacy for Hindu-Canadians.

Arya cautioned that the motion may resurface in the future, driven by what he described as the politically powerful Khalistani lobby. He urged Hindu-Canadians to actively connect with their MPs to ensure sustained opposition. Reach out to your local Members of Parliament and secure their commitment to oppose this motion whenever it arises, Arya advised.

While acknowledging the horrors of the 1984 riots, Arya stressed that calling them genocide is both inaccurate and divisive. Thousands of innocent Sikhs lost their lives in those horrific events, and we all condemn this brutality without reservation. However, labelling these tragic and dreadful riots as genocide is misleading and unjustified, he stated.

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He further warned that such a designation could deepen divides within Canadas Hindu and Sikh communities. This narrative fuels anti-Hindu elements and undermines harmony between our communities. We must remain united against these destabilizing forces, he remarked.

Arya concluded by calling on Hindu-Canadians to safeguard their communitys interests. Let us stand united against this anti-Hindu agenda and ensure the stability and harmony of our communities in Canada, he said.
Bigger role for traditional Chinese medicine in cancer, chronic disease control

Xinhua) 10:32, December 09, 2024

A medical worker (R) takes a citizen's pulse at a night traditional Chinese medicine clinic in Changning City, central China's Hunan Province, Aug. 13, 2024. (Xinhua/Chen Sihan)

BEIJING, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- With traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) gaining wider recognition in recent years, medical experts have eyed that it will play a bigger role in both tumor and chronic disease control.

Integrating TCM with Western medicine and traditional medicine with modern medicine, via an interdisciplinary approach, is going to be a trend, according to experts who attended the 2024 World Conference on Traditional Medicine, which concluded in Beijing earlier this week.

"The integration of TCM with Western medicine can give full play to the advantages of two medical systems," said Zhang Haibo, director of the tumor department at the Guangdong provincial hospital of TCM.

Shedding light on how much difference TCM can make to cancer treatment, Zhang said TCM can play a particularly "dominant" role in both preventing tumors and inhibiting recurrence.

"In the terminal stage and in the case of palliative treatment, also when patients are not tolerant of or unable to accept chemotherapy and other Western medical treatment, TCM can help improve their life quality and prolong their survival," he said when explaining another benefit of TCM treatment.

In fact, integrating TCM with Western medicine to combat cancer is growing in popularity in China, with more and more patients benefiting from such an approach.

A small-cell lung cancer patient, then 61, resumed his normal life after receiving integrated treatment featuring TCM and chemotherapy.

The male patient was diagnosed with advanced lung cancer in 2021. Resistance to Western drugs compelled him to pin hopes on traditional medicine. He was admitted to a hospital affiliated with the Shanghai University of TCM in February 2022.

After four rounds of integrated treatment, a re-examination revealed that his tumor marker had decreased even without chemotherapy, and his immunity was improving.

According to the National Cancer Center, the five-year survival rate of malignant tumor patients in China increased from 40.5 percent in 2015 to 43.7 percent in 2022. Experts believe TCM has made an indispensable contribution to this progress.

Experts have also acknowledged the value of TCM in preventing and controlling major chronic diseases -- a common challenge facing human health globally.

In China, the incidence of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, is on the rise. The number of deaths from such diseases accounts for more than 80 percent of the total, according to the National Health Commission.

Due to a high incidence, long course of disease and heavy financial burdens, chronic diseases have become a major factor that threatens people's health. It is even more so with an aging population.

Liu Liang, an academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering (CAE), emphasized a three-pronged principle of TCM intervention in disease development -- preventing disease onset, preventing disease from worsening and preventing relapse after recovery.

He said this principle is exactly in accordance with the need to prevent and control chronic diseases, while adding that medical evidence has proved the efficacy of TCM in tackling chronic infectious arthritis and chronic heart failure.

TCM has been endorsed by the Chinese government to play a role in chronic disease prevention and control. An outline issued by the cabinet in 2017, for the period through 2025, laid out measures including enhancing people's TCM-based health management and formulating a TCM-led plan for intervention in such diseases.

Experts have also called for applying a multi-disciplinary approach and leveraging advanced modern technologies, such as artificial intelligence and big data, to cope with the difficulty of elucidating the activity mechanism of TCM.

Zhang Boli, a CAE academician who is known for his contributions to curbing COVID-19 via TCM, expounded on how TCM combats infectious disease from the perspective of modern science.

"TCM primarily exerts its effects through inflammatory immune regulation, mediated by macrophages, NK cells and other immune cells," Zhang explained.

Rudolf Bauer, chairman of the European Pharmacopoeia Committee on TCM, said the search for active compounds in traditional medicine is just like "searching for the needle in a haystack."

Bauer suggested applying holistic concepts, interdisciplinary approaches and collaboration, while also taking synergistic effects into consideration, when explaining the functioning of traditional medicine.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
December 9, 2024

A roundup of local and world news

Newsflash

Newsroom, 09.12.2024, 13:55

WEATHER Meteorologists have forecast warmer weather than usual for the entire Romanian territory until January 6th. According to the National Administration of Meteorology, rain showers are expected in the countrys south, east and the regions between the Carpathians. The first winter month includes several weather phenomena such as snowfalls and blizzard most likely in the south and eastern Moldavia. Moderate showers are expected today and snow falls in the mountains. In Bucharest, the sky is overcast with moderate wind and highs of 11 degrees Celsius. The noon reading in Bucharest was 8 degrees.

TIKTOK The Defence Ministry in Bucharest has pointed out new cases of online misinformation, mainly on the TikTok platform. According to the Defence Ministrys portal known as InfoRadar, Romanias borders and port infrastructure have been targeted this time. One of the posts falsely states that Romania is going to close its borders and beef them up with military troops and the other presents military equipment that the Romanian army actually doesnt possess, which has allegedly been deployed to the port of Constanta. The aforementioned posts were aimed at spreading the fake news that Romania is actually getting ready for war. The Ministry has described the information as false adding that its structures will continue to signal any cases of misinformation identified. The National Audio-visual Council and the National Authority for Communication Administration and Regulation have reminded the TikTok, Meta, X and Google platforms the obligations they have on combating misinformation, under the European regulation in the field.

ASYLUM According to the Russian state press, the ousted president of Syria, Bashar al-Assad and his family are presently in Russia where they have been granted political asylum. A top-ranking Russian official has also confirmed the news. Syrian sources had earlier announced the dictators plane could have crashed while the city was being taken over by the rebel forces. The insurgents leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa said the public institutions would remain for a while under the surveillance of the countrys former Prime-Minister. Syrias Premier Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali says he is ready to support the continuity of governance. According to commentators, being busy with the invasion of Ukraine and the conflict with Israel respectively, Russia and Iran, the main supporters of the Assad regime during the last decades civil war, didnt have significant interventions against the rebels this time.

MAE The fall of the dictatorial regime in Damascus is marking a historic moment and a watershed point for the Syrian people, which was subjected to suffering and oppression, the Romanian Foreign Ministry says in a press release. According to the same sources, Romania reiterates its support for Syrias sovereignty and territorial integrity. At the same time it voices hope that all Syrian people are going to have a free, safe and prosperous future, in which all the citizen rights are respected, including those of the minorities, the same communique also says.

(bill)
December 9, 2024 UPDATE

Click here for the latest news from RRI

Newsflash

Newsroom, 09.12.2024, 20:00

Defense Ministry  The Romanian Defense Ministry (MApN) signals new disinformation actions in the online environment, especially on the TikTok platform. According to the MApN portal, InfoRadar, Romanias borders and port infrastructure are targeted. One of the posts falsely accredits the idea that Romanias borders will be closed and secured with military personnel, and the other presents, without any connection with reality, military equipment that is not in the Romanian Armys equipment as being concentrated in the Port of Constanta, this being evidence, as the authors of the disinformation claim, of war preparations. The Ministry specifies that all this information is false and that its communication structures will continue to report cases of disinformation of the public opinion as they are identified. The National Audiovisual Council and The National Authority for Management and Regulation in Communications have notified the platforms Meta, TikTok, X and Google regarding their obligations in terms of combating disinformation, in accordance with the European regulation in the field.

Syria  On Monday, the EU called for a peaceful and orderly transition in Syria, after the removal of the Bashar al-Assad regime from power. The head of EU diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, underlined that it was essential to maintain the territorial integrity of Syria, to respect the independence, sovereignty and state institutions of this country and to reject all forms of extremism. The Russian state media reports that the ousted president of Syria, Bashar al-Assad, and his family are in Russia and have received political asylum. The coalition of Syrian rebels and local officials have announced that they are working to transfer power and rebuild Syria together. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali has spoken publicly and has said he will remain in office until a new government is installed, that public institutions will be protected and that government officials must remain in office until a new government is formed. According to commentators, busy with the invasion of Ukraine, respectively with the conflict with Israel, Russia and Iran, the supporters of the Assad regime during the civil war of the last decade, have had no significant interventions against the rebels this time.

Weather  In Romania, in the next 24 hours, temperatures will be above the multi-annual averages specific to this date. The sky will be cloudy in the west, north and center of the country, and in the rest the clouds will be temporary. Light rainfalls will be reported in the center and northeast. There will be mixed precipitation in the mountain area and in the northern half of the country. The wind will blow moderately, with some intensification in the east and southeast. Maximum temperatures will range between 3 and 9 degrees Celsius. Meteorologists announce warmer weather than normal for this period throughout Romania, until January 6. Rain will be reported, especially in the first part of this interval, in the eastern, southern and intra-Carpathian regions, according to the four-week forecast issued by the National Meteorological Administration. The first month of winter is characterized by several phenomena, including snow, which, associated with intensification of the wind, will cause blizzards, quite often in the southern half and in the east.

Arrest  Horatiu Potra, a local councilor in the town of Medias (central Romania), known as the leader of a group of mercenaries that operated in Africa, was arrested, Sunday evening, by Romanian prosecutors. His arrest was confirmed by his lawyers, who say that the charges are public incitement and non-compliance with the weapons and ammunition regime, being related to the arsenal found by investigators and a post on Facebook. Several weapons and sums of money were found in a car, in traffic, in Prahova county (south), which transported Potra and another person, who were allegedly on their way to Bucharest. Currently, the Prahova county prosecutors and police are conducting other searches in Ilfov (south), Sibiu (center) and Bucharest. The searches take place in several buildings owned by Potra, as well as in other spaces where it is assumed that there were meetings between him and persons suspected of involvement in perpetrating these crimes. According to the information published in the press, Potra is allegedly a supporter and the one who coordinates the security of the nationalist politician Calin Georgescu, accused of connections with Russia. Winner of the first round of the presidential election on November 24, round which was later canceled by the Constitutional Court of Romania, Georgescu claims that he does not know Potra and that he only knows things about him from the press.

Schengen  Austria will not oppose Romania and Bulgaria becoming full members of the European Schengen free travel area, at the meeting of interior ministers that will take place on Thursday in Brussels, the Austrian APA agency reported on Monday, quoted by Reuters, citing Austrian Interior Minister Gerhard Karner. We remind you that Romania and Bulgaria partially joined Schengen in March, by suspending air and sea border controls. Land border controls, however, remained in place due to opposition from Austria, motivated by Viennas concerns about illegal migration. Romania could thus enter the Schengen area 17 years after joining the European Union. (LS)
Major social networks and online disinformation

The Romanian defence ministry cites new online disinformation campaigns, especially on TikTok.

Photo: pixabay.com

Corina Cristea, 09.12.2024, 13:50

Voters freedom to form an opinion is based on the right to get accurate information on candidates, therefore the involvement of state or non-state entities in propaganda or election disinformation campaigns must be eliminated, the Constitutional Court said on Friday, in presenting the grounds for cancelling the presidential election in Romania.

According to the information presented by the intelligence services to the Supreme Defence Council and subsequently declassified, the main flaws concerning the process of electing the president of Romania in 2024 have to do with voter manipulation and with distorting equal opportunity for the election contenders, by means of un-transparent usage, against election laws, of digital technologies and artificial intelligence in the election campaign, as well as through online and other campaign financing from undeclared sources, the Court also said.

The target of all these accusations is the extremist, sovereigntist candidate Calin Georgescu, a Vladimir Putin admirer who reached the second round of the presidential ballot virtually out of the blue.

As far back as in August, the National Communications Administration and regulatory Authority (ANCOM) and the Permanent Electoral Authority (AEP) sent an official notification to the major online platforms, informing them of their obligations during the electoral process. The AEP then submitted notifications to TikTok on various irregularities, requesting measures to ensure the lawful conduct of the election campaign in Romania, but the platform failed to answer these requests promptly, ANCOM said.

The National Audio-Visual Council and ANCOM also notified Meta, TikTok, X and Google of their obligations to combat disinformation, in line with the relevant EU regulation, and called for enhanced content moderation mechanisms.

In spite of these calls and requests, the defence ministry warns that fresh online disinformation activities are reported, especially on TikTok. According to InfoRadar, an information portal run by the defence ministry to counter fake news, the new campaign focuses on Romanias borders and port infrastructure.

One of the posts claims that Romania will close its borders and secure them with troops, while another one falsely presents military equipment that the Romanian Army does not possess and claims that equipment is deployed in the port of Constanta, allegedly in preparations for war.

The ministry explains that this is false information and promises its communication structures will continue to warn against disinformation attempts as they are identified. (AMP)
Apax Partners LLP, a private equity advisory firm, announced Monday that its funds have entered into a definitive agreement to sell their minority stake in AssuredPartners, a global insurance brokerage firm, to Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AJG) as part of a $13.45 billion all-cash transaction.

Earlier in the day, insurance company Arthur J. Gallagher said it has signed a deal to acquire the stock of AssuredPartners' parent company from GTCR and funds advised by Apax Partners LLP.

Apax Funds originally acquired a majority interest in AssuredPartners from GTCR in 2015 and later partnered with GTCR to recapitalize the company in 2019.

The minority stake sale, which is subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conductions, is expected to close during the first quarter of 2025.

Apax noted that during the Funds' ownership, AssuredPartners expanded rapidly, completing around 400 acquisitions as it implemented its strategic M&A program.

Jim Henderson, Executive Chairman at AssuredPartners, said, "The Apax team's experience in insurance distribution, thoughtful collaboration, and deep partnership over the past nine years has been fundamental to our success and is key to where we stand today. Gallagher is a premier leader in insurance brokerage and, together, I believe we will be even more successful offering clients best-in-class capabilities with industry-leading depth and offerings."

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Health officials said that a possible case of bird flu was detected in a child in Marin County.

The County's public officer, Dr. Lisa Santora, informed that the child had tested positive for influenza type A at a hospital.

"Additional local and state testing was unable to confirm if a seasonal flu or avian flu subtypes," Santora added.

The officials have submitted the blood sample of the patient to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for confirmation. They expect to receive the results by the end of the week.

If confirmed, this would mark the second bird flu case in a child in the U.S.

"It's deeply concerning that another child may have H5N1. We need to know much more about this case, including some hypotheses for how she or he may have contracted the virus," Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University in Providence, said to AOL.

"Given the proximity of this case to the last case of H5N1 diagnosed in a child without known exposure to animals, it may be prudent to conduct a broader investigation, including a serologic study, to see if there is evidence of other infections in the area."

The first case in a child was identified in Alameda County in November.

"Consistent with previously identified human cases in the United States, the child reportedly experienced mild symptoms and received flu antivirals," the CDC said.

"There were low levels of viral material detected in the initial specimen collected, and follow-up testing of the child several days later was negative for H5 bird flu but was positive for other common respiratory viruses."

The health agency has urged public to distance themselves from infected animals and birds.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Dr Boudina McConnachie

Rhodes University is ending the year on a celebratory note as Dr Boudina McConnachie, Head of the Department of Music and Musicology at Rhodes University, has been honoured with the prestigious National University Teaching Award (NUTA) for 2024. This accolade recognises her exceptional contributions to music education and innovative approaches to integrating indigenous African musical arts into academic curricula.



The NUTA, established to acknowledge excellence in university teaching across South Africa, celebrates educators who demonstrate outstanding commitment to student learning and engagement. Dr McConnachie is one of only two academics nationwide to receive this honour in 2024, underscoring her significant impact on higher education.



Professor 'Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela, Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Student Affairs at Rhodes University, warmly welcomed the news. "Boudina continues to make Rhodes University proud. Congratulations, Boudina! This is music to the ears of all at Rhodes University. Well done, and keep up the sterling work."



Dr McConnachies academic journey reflects her dedication to African musical arts. She studied at the University of Cape Town, majoring in classical flute and indigenous African music, focusing on traditional instruments such as the uhadi and mbira. Her passion for Indigenous music led her to pursue an honours degree in Indigenous African Music Performance and Music Education, a master's degree in African Music and Copyright and a PhD in African Musical Arts Curriculum Development at Rhodes University. This year, she was promoted to Associate Professor from 2025.



Dr McConnachies teaching philosophy emphasises experiential learning and incorporating indigenous knowledge systems, challenging traditional Eurocentric educational paradigms and fostering an inclusive, transformative learning environment.

Under her leadership, the Department of Music and Musicology at Rhodes University has flourished. Her approach to instrumental music studies has increased enrollment and enthusiasm for African music and ensemble performance. Dr McConnachie has also authored textbooks, including "Listen and Learn: Music Made Easy" and "Umculo Wam, iKlasi Yam/My Music, My Classroom," which are utilised in educational settings nationwide.



In addition to the NUTA, Dr McConnachie has received several accolades, including the Vice-Chancellor's Distinguished Teaching Award in 2023 and the South African National Institute for Humanities and Social Sciences' Best Exhibition Catalogue Award in 2024. She is also a fellow in the Future Professors Programme run by the South African Department of Higher Education and Training, as well as a research fellow at Queens University, Belfast.

Dr McConnachies recognition with the NUTA highlights her dedication to advancing music education and her innovative approaches to integrating indigenous knowledge systems into academia. She said of her achievement, I would like to recognise my colleagues from the university, the community musicians who are a core part of our programmes as well as the extended network of researchers and performers from all over Africa who have contributed to our success at Rhodes University and the International Library of African Music (ILAM). Her work continues to inspire students and educators alike, reinforcing Rhodes University's commitment to excellence in teaching and learning.
[L-R]: Xolelwa Ngwanteni (Attendee) Edward Domboka (Presenter)

By Makaziwe Sopazi

Rhodes University hosted its much-anticipated Teaching and Learning Showcase on 21 November 2024 under the theme "Transformative Pedagogies in Changing Times." The event, organised by the Centre for Higher Education Research, Teaching and Learning (CHERTL), brought lecturers, researchers and students together to explore transformative teaching methods and share ideas for adapting to the ever-changing educational environment.

The day started with a warm welcome from the DVC: Academic and Student Affairs, Prof. Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela, who expressed her excitement at the showcase's return after an absence of over 5 years.

Prof. Monnapula-Mapesela described the showcase as a platform to elevate the status of teaching and learning at Rhodes University and an opportunity to promote innovation and collaboration in addressing the challenges in higher education 30 years post-democracy.

Prof. Monnapula-Mapesela also acknowledged the work of the 20 scholarly teachers presenting at the showcase who have gone beyond traditional teaching methods to find innovative ways to facilitate inclusivity and enhance student learning across disciplines.

The DVC ended her welcome by making a call to attendees to continue engaging with the scholarship of teaching and learning as part of their research practice; "Let us encourage our colleagues to research their practice, to investigate it, gather evidence and to discover new transformative methods and approaches, and find solutions to the challenges that prevent and constraint student access and success."

Prof. Wai Sze (Grace) Leung from the University of Johannesburg presented a thought-provoking keynote address on navigating learning and teaching in the age of AI titled Down the Bewildering AI Rabbit Hole: Guiding Learning and Teaching in a Digital Wonderland. The presentation reflected on the complexities and challenges artificial intelligence (AI) presents in the academic landscape, emphasising its transformative potential in teaching and learning.

Acknowledging the ethical dilemmas surrounding the use of AI in academia, Prof. Leung stressed the importance of staying up to date on AI technologies to guide students in using tools like ChatGPT effectively. "You need to adapt your assessment based on what AI is capable of. You also need to maintain an open dialogue with your students. Have that frank conversation with your students about their use of AI."

Prof. Leung ended the presentation by highlighting the importance of engaging with AI systems to contribute to the inclusivity of local knowledge in the digital space and to ensure it serves as a tool for meaningful, transformative learning rather than lazy learning.

The showcase featured diverse presentations from departments across Rhodes University, including contributions from Psychology, Law, Fine Art, Political Science, Entomology, Journalism and Media Studies, Mathematics and Pharmacy.

Many presentations focused on the influence of digital technologies, including digital storytelling, blended learning designs, and tools for enhancing student engagement and feedback. Presenters explored how academics can approach teaching, learning and assessment in the age of rapid technological advancements. A case study presented by Ms Kate Koch from the Department of Mathematics on using adaptive tools for mathematics education showcased efforts to bridge learning gaps through digital platforms.

Social justice, decolonial principles, ethical community engagement, and multilingualism were key themes. A workshop facilitated by Dr Anthea Adams, Prof. Dion Nkomo and Ms Sisonke Mawonga provided an interactive space to discuss the role of multilingualism in promoting inclusivity and enriching student outcomes.

A panel moderated by Dr Rene Oosthuizen explored how Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR) bridges the gap between academic concepts and accessible knowledge while advancing research and enhancing teaching and learning practices.

Attendees expressed appreciation for the opportunity to exchange ideas and collaborate. Lecturer and Coordinator of the PGDip (HE) National Programme, Masixole Booi, noted, "It is a great opportunity to learn from colleagues and gain inspiration to improve my pedagogy."

The success of the 2024 Teaching and Learning Showcase has affirmed Rhodes University's dedication to innovation, inclusivity, and excellence in higher education. The showcase is expected to return in 2025 with plans to expand its reach and impact, further cementing its role as a platform to share insights and exchange ideas.
Out of these 600 planned EV chargers, 100 will be installed in Tamil Nadu state  10 of which will, will be functional by 2024 end

Electric vehicle penetration is becoming more and more evident in the mainstream segment. This encourages car manufacturers to invest in electric mobility and offer compelling EVs to the masses. However, launching EVs is only half the story. The other half is offering a robust fast charging infrastructure.

Among Indias leading car manufacturers, HMIL (Hyundai Motor India Ltd), has recognised a need to establish a robust EV charging infra in the Asian subcontinent. The company is committing to empower Indian EV buyers by installing up to 600 electric vehicle fast chargers across the country in the next 7 years.

Hyundai India EV Chargers

Ahead of the launch of its maiden mass-market electric car, Hyundai India has announced the launch of 600 electric vehicle fast charging stations across the country. The company is set to install these EV chargers across major cities and highways through strategic partnerships with partners like ChargeZone, Statiq and Shell India.

The goal is to empower Indian EV buyers (irrespective of car brand) to facilitate long-distance travelling with EVs. A hassle-free Kashmir to Kanyakumari drive is what the company aims as an example to illustrate their vision. HMILs myHyundai app will play a crucial role in this ambitious move of offering a robust 24X7 charging station network.

Key locations for the charging stations include all major cities in India like Gurugram, Mumbai, Pune, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, and Chennai. All major highways like Delhi-Chandigarh, Delhi-Jaipur, Hyderabad-Vijayawada, Mumbai-Pune, Mumbai-Surat, Bengaluru-Pune, and Pune-Kolhapur will benefit from this move.

Time Frame

HMILs 600 charging stations planned for India will come equipped with multiple configurations like DC 150 kW + DC 60 kW + DC 30 kW or DC 150 kW + DC 30 kW + DC 60 kW. The company aims to install up to 600 EV charging stations across India within the next 7 years. By the end of this month, Hyundai promises to have 50 stations functional.

Out of these 600 charging stations planned, Hyundai will install 100 within the Tamil Nadu state as part of an MoU signed between HMIL and Tamil Nadu Government. 10 of these 100 will be operational by the end of this month.

Statement from HMIL

Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Jae Wan Ryu, Function Head  Corporate Planning, HMIL said, The EV market is expected to grow robustly by 2030. Studies conducted by HMIL have highlighted that customers are apprehensive about driving their EVs for long- distance commutes on highways due to a lack of charging infrastructure.

Keeping this in mind, HMIL has taken the initiative of installing fast EV chargers on key highways, in addition to major cities. With access to HMCs global EV and battery technology, HMIL is well-positioned to build a comprehensive EV ecosystem in India. We are actively investing in infrastructure to support the expected growth in demand for electric vehicles.
In India, Maruti eVitara electric SUV will rival the likes of Tata Curvv EV, Mahindra BE 6, MG ZS EV and upcoming Hyundai Creta EV

In the Indian market, Maruti Suzuki used to be known as the maker of small and budget cars. The company has successfully expanded its portfolio with many premium offerings. All of Marutis vehicles are either ICE or self-charging Hybrids. Now, the company is gearing up to launch its maiden electric vehicle.

eVitara debuted recently in Milan, Italy. Testing of this electric vehicle is underway and makes periodic appearances. The most recent spy shots are credited to automotive enthusiast Ankit who spotted this test mule in Gurgaon, Haryana. Lets take a closer look at Suzukis maiden electric vehicle for the world and India.

Maruti eVitara Electric SUV Spied

The strategic partnership between Suzuki and Toyota has proved fruitful for both brands with multiple badge-engineered products between them. Suzukis new EV, which has been under rigorous testing, will spawn a Toyota counterpart, as confirmed by the brand recently. Production will commence in Spring 2025 and launch will happen by Summer 2025.

The recent spy shots show eVitara from up close. It was draped in camouflage like previous test mules. We can see that it has quite a bit of road presence, owing to its strong design elements. Design-wise, recently debuted eVitara shows a striking sporty fascia with a closed-off grill and some aggression.

Headlights with LED DRLs look muscular with a strong presence and bumper includes an opening in the shape of a bull bar along with fog lights. Charging port is positioned at the front left quarter panel. Suzuki seems to be aiming for a slightly sloping roofline, which is in-trend currently in India and major global markets.

It will measure 4,275 mm in length, 1,800 mm in width, 1,635 mm in width and has a 2,700 mm long wheelbase. Minimum ground clearance is 180 mm and it has a kerb weight between 1,702 kg and 1,899 kg. Theres disc brakes on all four wheels. Wheel sizes will go up to 19-inches, but the one spotted in India had 18-inch wheels wrapped with 225/55 MRF Wanderer tyres.

Specs & Features

Suzuki eVitara and its Toyota counterpart will come equipped with either a 49 kWh or 61 kWh battery pack, with the latter offering dual-motor 4WD option. Based on a born-electric platform, eVitara is primarily a FWD vehicle packing up to a 172 bhp and 189 Nm motor. With 61 kWh variant, 4WD variant brings a rear electric motor with 64 bhp at the rear for a total system output of 181 bhp and 300 Nm.

Interiors have been revealed too, featuring a floating centre console, vertically oriented AC vents, a 2-spoke steering wheel, dual free-standing screens with the latest connectivity suite and high-quality materials, as it is a global product. Speculations suggest Suzuki eVitara will launch in Europe and Japan first and then in markets like India, even though part of the production happens here. A similar strategy to Jimny lifestyle SUV.
The swirling spiral arms of Messier 83, one of the most prominent spiral galaxies in the night sky, display a high rate of star formation and have been host to six observed supernovae, according to astronomers from NSFs NOIRLab.

Messier 83 is located approximately 15 million light-years away in the southern constellation of Hydra.

Also known as the Southern Pinwheel Galaxy, M83, NGC 5236, LEDA 48082 and UGCA 366, this galaxy has a diameter of around 50,000 light-years  about twice as small as the Milky Way.

It has an apparent magnitude of 7.5 and is one of the brightest spiral galaxies in the night sky. It can be observed using a pair of binoculars most easily in May.

Messier 83 is oriented so that it is almost entirely face-on as seen from Earth, meaning that astronomers can observe its spiral structure in fantastic detail.

The galaxy is a prominent member of a group of galaxies known as the Centaurus A/M83 Group, which also counts the dusty NGC 5128 and the irregular galaxy NGC 5253 as members.

It was discovered by the French astronomer Nicolas Louis de Lacaille on February 23, 1752.

Between 1750 and 1754, French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille was studying the night sky with the aim of determining the distances to the planets, NOIRLab astronomers said.

During this period he observed and cataloged 10,000 stars and identified 42 nebulous objects, including Messier 83, which he discovered in 1752 during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope.

In 1781, Charles Messier added it to his famous catalog, describing it as a nebula without stars, reflecting the limited knowledge of galaxies at the time.

It wasnt until the 20th century, through the work of Edwin Hubble, that astronomers realized objects like Messier 83 are actually other galaxies far outside the Milky Way.

The new image of Messier 83 was captured with the Dark Energy Camera (DECam), mounted on NSFs Victor M. Blanco 4-m telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory, a Program of NSF NOIRLab.

The image shows Messier 83s well-defined spiral arms, filled with pink clouds of hydrogen gas where new stars are forming, the astronomers said.

Interspersed amongst these pink regions are bright blue clusters of hot, young stars whose ultraviolet radiation has blown away the surrounding gas.

At the galaxys core, a yellow central bulge is composed of older stars, and a weak bar connects the spiral arms through the center, funneling gas from the outer regions toward the core.

DECams high sensitivity captures Messier 83s extended halo, and myriad more distant galaxies in the background.

Just as Messier 83 is filled with countless newly formed stars, the galaxy is also host to many dying stars, they added.

In the past century, astronomers have witnessed a total of six stellar explosions, called supernovae, in Messier 83  a number matched by only two other galaxies.

In 2006, astronomers discovered a mysterious feature of in the center of Messier 83.

At the heart of this galaxy, they discovered a previously unseen concentration of mass resembling a second nucleus, likely the remnant of another galaxy that is being consumed by Messier 83 in an ongoing collision  possibly the same collision responsible for the starburst activity, the researchers said.

The two nuclei, which likely contain black holes, are expected to merge to form a single nucleus in another 60 million years.
Planetary researcher Tereza Constantinou and her colleagues at the University of Cambridge have examined the chemical composition of the Venusian atmosphere and inferred that the planets interior is too dry today for there ever to have been enough water for oceans to exist at its surface; instead, Venus has likely been a scorching, inhospitable world for its entire history.

From a distance, Venus and Earth look like siblings: it is almost identical in size and is a rocky planet like Earth.

But up close, Venus is more like an evil twin: it is covered with thick clouds of sulfuric acid, and its surface has a mean temperature close to 500 degrees Celsius.

Despite these extreme conditions, for decades, astronomers have been investigating whether Venus once had liquid oceans capable of supporting life, or whether some mysterious form of aerial life exists in its thick clouds now.

We wont know for sure whether Venus can or did support life until we send probes at the end of this decade, Constantinou said.

But given it likely never had oceans, it is hard to imagine Venus ever having supported Earth-like life, which requires liquid water.

When searching for life elsewhere in our galaxy, astronomers focus on planets orbiting their host stars in the habitable zone, where temperatures are such that liquid water can exist on the planets surface.

Venus provides a powerful limit on where this habitable zone lies around a star.

Even though its the closest planet to us, Venus is important for exoplanet science, because it gives us a unique opportunity to explore a planet that evolved very differently to ours, right at the edge of the habitable zone, Constantinou said.

There are two primary theories on how conditions on Venus may have evolved since its formation 4.6 billion years ago.

The first is that conditions on the surface of Venus were once temperate enough to support liquid water, but a runaway greenhouse effect caused by widespread volcanic activity caused the planet to get hotter and hotter.

The second theory is that Venus was born hot, and liquid water has never been able to condense at the surface.

Both of those theories are based on climate models, but we wanted to take a different approach based on observations of Venus current atmospheric chemistry, Constantinou said.

To keep the Venusian atmosphere stable, then any chemicals being removed from the atmosphere should also be getting restored to it, since the planets interior and exterior are in constant chemical communication with one another.

The researchers calculated the present destruction rate of water, carbon dioxide and carbonyl sulfide molecules in Venus atmosphere, which must be restored by volcanic gases to keep the atmosphere stable.

Volcanism, through its supply of gases to the atmosphere, provides a window into the interior of rocky planets like Venus.

As magma rises from the mantle to the surface, it releases gases from the deeper portions of the planet.

On Earth, volcanic eruptions are mostly steam, due to our planets water-rich interior.

But, based on the composition of the volcanic gases necessary to sustain the Venusian atmosphere, the scientists found that volcanic gases on Venus are at most six percent water.

These dry eruptions suggest that Venus interior, the source of the magma that releases volcanic gases, is also dehydrated.

At the end of this decade, NASAs DAVINCI mission will be able to test and confirm whether Venus has always been a dry, inhospitable planet, with a series of flybys and a probe sent to the surface.

The results could help astronomers narrow their focus when searching for planets that can support life in orbit around other stars in the galaxy.

If Venus was habitable in the past, it would mean other planets we have already found might also be habitable, Constantinou said.

Instruments like the NASA/ESA/CSA James Webb Space Telescope are best at studying the atmospheres of planets close to their host star, like Venus.

But if Venus was never habitable, then it makes Venus-like planets elsewhere less likely candidates for habitable conditions or life.

We would have loved to find that Venus was once a planet much closer to our own, so its kind of sad in a way to find out that it wasnt, but ultimately its more useful to focus the search on planets that are mostly likely to be able to support life  at least life as we know it.

The study was published this month in the journal Nature Astronomy.

_____

T. Constantinou et al. A dry Venusian interior constrained by atmospheric chemistry. Nat Astron, published online December 2, 2024; doi: 10.1038/s41550-024-02414-5

This article is based on a press-release provided by the University of Cambridge.
Rudrajit Mitra, Ph.D., envisions shaping the future of mining by fostering the next generation of researchers and driving technological advancements in the industry through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Mitra, a South Dakota Mines associate professor of mining engineering and management and Syd & Felicia Peng professor, is advancing this goal after receiving the 2024 Career Development Grant through the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME).

This is the ninth year SME has awarded grants to assist tenure-track professors. Mitras grant is $100,000 a year for three years. The organization also grants fellowships to doctorate students needing financial support to earn their Ph.D. and begin a career in academia.

According to SME, these programs, funded through the societys foundation, aim to tackle long-term challenges threatening the sustainability of U.S. mining academic programs and to address future labor shortages caused by an aging workforce.

The SME Foundation remains committed to investing in the future of mining and minerals education, having funded 40 students and faculty with $7.7 million to date, said Thomas C. Rauch, SME Foundation president. This years outstanding class of recipients, like those before them, are cultivating a robust talent pipeline to meet the many resource demands of tomorrow.

Mitra specializes in rock mechanics and mining systems engineering, with a focus on enhancing resource efficiency through digitalization, virtual reality applications in mining, and innovative approaches to learning and teaching.

My vision is to try and get the expertise from other fields and bring it to mining, Mitra said. I have my own expertise, but I am not an AI or sensor expert. There is still a long journey ahead to effectively apply these interdisciplinary technologies to mining and rock mechanics, but support like this helps us progress."

Another challenge for Mitra is funding for graduate students. My immediate priority is to nurture the next generations of researchers. I want to invest a significant portion of this grant in graduate student support to foster academic growth and productivity, he said.

Mitra aims to secure research grants, attract talented graduate students, and build partnerships with public and private funding institutions to advance digitalization in rock mechanics. He also envisions establishing the South Dakota Center for Digital Mines  a hub for cutting-edge rock mechanics research and practical applications in the field.

Achieving these goals will make a significant impact to the U.S. mining industry and make South Dakota Mines a leading center for innovative mining technology, Mitra said.
Dr. Faiyaz Syed

Students receive dental hygiene training through the Warren Arts & Education Foundation program.

The United We Smile team celebrates together as they "cut the floss" to mark the clinic's grand opening in Traverse City.

Jen Anderson

Holli Seabury
David Vivio David Vivio.

Steve Koss Shepherd House, a new affordable housing development catering to LGBTQ+ seniors in Ferndale.

Chris Laurent Chris Laurent.

Joe Heaphy Joe Heaphy.

Steve Koss Shepherd House, a new affordable housing development catering to LGBTQ+ seniors in Ferndale.
Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal proposed to launch a startup bridge between Norway and India, as the two countries discuss various ways to boost trade ties.

Norwegian Ambassador to India, May-Elin Stener, suggested that the startup initiative could be launched during the Indo-Nordic summit next year.

Addressing the India-Norway Business Forum here, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in collaboration with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Goyal committed to addressing various concerns collectively with relevant ministries to enhance bilateral trade and investment relations further between the two nations.

The forum brought together policymakers, industry leaders, and stakeholders to discuss avenues for deepening India-Norway trade and investment ties across priority sectors.

Various key issues were raised including regulatory challenges, public procurement concerns and quality standards compliance across sectors.

Issues across key sectors such as maritime, shipping, energy, food processing, logistics, oil and gas, renewable energy and circular economy were presented to the minister.

In a video message, Cecilie Myrseth, Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry, highlighted the potential for Norwegian companies to grow in India under the The Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) agreement.

Goyal highlighted India's robust investment landscape, emphasising the country's compelling value proposition for international partners.

He underscored India's strategic advantages: a young, dynamic workforce, strong democratic institutions, growing consumer market, and decisive national leadership.

Moreover, the Commerce Minister positioned India as an attractive global investment hub, inviting Norwegian companies to leverage local talent not just for domestic opportunities, but as a launchpad for international market expansion.

Gurneet Tej, Joint Secretary, DPIIT, highlighted the growing India-Norway partnership, emphasising bilateral trade between the two countries which reached $1.1 billion and Norway emerging as Indias 33rd largest investor.

She emphasised the sectors of cooperation, including blue economy, green hydrogen, renewable energy, fisheries, and water management, while noting Norways increasing role in Indias infrastructure development.

The recently signed TEPA between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) was lauded as a significant step toward strengthening economic collaboration.

India signed TEPA with four developed nations - Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein which is an important economic bloc in Europe.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri met Bangladeshi counterpart, Md Jashim Uddin, in the capital of Dhaka Monday afternoon. "The two neighbours talks lasted up to an hour", said report from Dhaka. A private meeting with counterpart Md, Foreign Affairs Advisor for Bangladesh Uddin at his state guest house Padma too took part in by Misri during brief visit to Dhaka. Additionally, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri is going to meet Bangladesh's counterpart Md for Foreign Affairs Advisor Bangladesh. Towhid Hossain, and Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus, who is currently heading the caretaker government, before returning to New Delhi later in the evening.

The meetings take place as relations between the two countries have nosedived over the past few months with India being extremely concerned about the surge in extremist rhetoric, increasing incidents of violence, and provocations, especially against the Hindu community, in Bangladesh.

In September, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar had held a bilateral meeting with Bangladesh Foreign Affairs Advisor Touhid Hossain, on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York which was the first high-level engagement between the two countries after former Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's ouster in August 2024.

"India has consistently and strongly raised with the Bangladesh government the threats and targeted attacks on Hindus and other minorities. Our position on the matter is very clear. The interim government must live up to its responsibility of protecting all minorities", the MEA stated last month after the arrest and jailing of Chinmoy Krishna Das Brahmachari, a spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote who is also associated with Iskcon Bangladesh.

Hindus all over the world have also been shocked by multiple attacks on the community and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh.

"We are concerned about the surge in extremist rhetoric, increasing incidents of violence, and provocations. These developments cannot be dismissed only as media exaggerations. We once again call upon Bangladesh to take all steps for protection of all minorities", the MEA has stated previously.

Several leaders of the Bangladesh's interim government and others, including Hasnat Abdullah and Sarjis Alam, who led the so-called 'Anti-Discrimination Student Movement' that eventually resulted in the fall of Hasina government - continue to orchestrate a disinformation campaign against Hindus and spiritual organisation Iskcon, calling it as an 'agent of the Awami League' that should be banned in the country immediately.

The former Bangladesh PM has also 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 the Bangladesh Awami League (AL) president and daughter of the 'Father of the Nation' Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, last month.

"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", Hasina 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", she had added.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Several toy drives will be held all across Staten Island to allow children to enjoy the holidays and support families by alleviating financial stress while fostering a sense of community.

Toy Drive for North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene

In partnership with the Tunnel to Towers Foundation and the International Association of Firefighters, Borough President Vito Fossella, and the Staten Island Elected Delegations toy drive is to assist families of North Carolina affected by Hurricane Helene.

Visit this link to access their holiday toy drive Amazon shopping list.

Staten Island's Holiday Toy Drive for North Carolina.Courtesy/Tunnel to Towers Foundation

Winter on the Esplanade Event

Thanks to the individuals who donated at their toy drive, an event titled Winter on the Esplanade hosted by H.E.A.L.T.H. for Youths and Veronica Gambons will have activities for children to enjoy including Santa and elf, hot chocolate, music, face paint, and more that will be held Sunday, Dec. 15 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Westervelt Avenue Entrance.

Toy Drive by Joseph C. Borelli, South Shore council member

From now until Dec. 19, Joseph C. Borelli, council member of NYC, will host a holiday toy drive collecting new and unwrapped toys for boys and girls ages 5 to 15 that can be dropped off at his office at 2955 Veterans Road West Suite 2E Staten Island, NY 10309.

Visit this website to view their Amazon holiday toy drive list.

Council Member, Joseph C. Borelli is hosting a toy drive from now until Dec. 19.Courtesy/Joseph C. Borelli

Vicious Fitness 2nd Annual Toy Drive

The Vicious Fitness 2nd Annual Toy Drive is collecting unwrapped childrens gifts at 681 Bay Street until Dec. 20, with each donation entering a raffle to win a free training session, and for more information, contact Ivan at 646-404-2736.

From now until Dec. 20, Vicious Fitness will be hosting it's 2nd annual toy drive.Courtesy/Vicious Fitness

ONeills Angels Toy Drive

The ONeills Angels toy drive is available through Dec. 15 to support families facing challenging times with all donations being hand-delivered by the OHanlon Children to Brookdale Hospital in time for Christmas.

Visit this website to view their toy drive Amazon list.
By Jacqueline Charles

Miami Herald/Tribune News Service

American Airlines is no longer resuming its daily service out of Miami into Port-au-Princes Toussaint Louverture International Airport as of early February.

A spokesperson for the U.S.-based carrier told the Miami Herald that it will evaluate a possible resumption in late 2025 of the only daily service out of Miami International Airport into Haiti by a major U.S. airline.

American has made the difficult decision to suspend daily service between Miami (MIA) and Port-au-Prince, Haiti (PAP), the spokesperson said. We are proud of our more than 50-year-commitment to Haiti and we will continue to monitor the situation, assessing safety, security, and customer demand, in evaluating a return of service. We will proactively reach out to impacted customers to offer a full refund of their travel itinerary.

On Sunday, police and human rights advocates were dealing with a new killing spree after reports surfaced that a gang leader had massacred dozens of people the day before in the Wharf Jeremie neighborhood of the capital.

American Airlines, along with JetBlue Airways and Spirit Airlines, all announced last month that they were suspending their daily flights into Haiti after each confirmed they had an aircraft hit by gang gunfire on Nov. 11 over the air space in Port-au-Prince. Spirit Airlines, which was approaching Toussaint Louverture International Airport with passengers when the bullets struck, also suspended its service between Fort Lauderdale and Cap-Haitien in the north of the country. No passengers were injured, however, a flight attendant did receive minor injuries.

The suspension, the airline said, was pending further evaluation. Neither Spirit nor JetBlue Airways has said if and when they will resume Haiti flights. JetBlue Airways operates flights both out of Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport into Port-au-Prince.

We will continue to monitor the situation and evaluate a return of service for late 2025, the American Airlines spokesperson told the Herald.

After the attack, the Federal Aviation Administration issued a 30-day ban prohibiting all U.S. licensed and U.S. carriers from traveling to Haiti. The ban is supposed to end this week, though it is unclear if it will be extended.

In response to the gang attack, the Haitian government had closed both the international and domestic airports in Port-au-Prince prior to the FAAs ban. They remain closed though sources say the government is considering a possible reopening as early as this week.

The ban on U.S. commercial and cargo flights has created a huge headache for Haitians. The roads in and out of the capital are controlled by armed gangs, and days of torrential rain last week also buried two major roads connecting Cap-Haitien and the capital under mudslides. Those making it out of the capital have either had to beg for a ride on a government leased helicopter meant for the purpose of moving security forces to hot zones, or pay $2,500 for a ride on a privately leased helicopter with a 20 lb backpack limit.

After initially placing all of Haitis airports under the ban, the FAA later amended its decision to exclude airports outside of the capital. This included the only other airport that can receive commercial international flights, Hugo Chavez International Airport in the northern city of Cap-Haitien. Today, the small airport serves as the only air bridge in and out of country, with the airspace between the the country and Dominican Republic still closed and the Bahamas suspending its flight service into the country. The only direct service to the U.S. currently is via Haiti-owned Sunrise Airways.

Despite that, it has not stopped the United States from deporting Haitians back to the country. Last week, the Department of Homeland Security flew 70 deportees into Cap-Haitien despite days of heavy rains that had left the city flooded and all access out of the city to other parts of Haiti blocked.

This is the second instance this year in which armed gang violence has forced the closure of Haitis main international airport. In early March, after gangs led coordinated attacks in an attempt to bring down the government, the airport and seaport were closed for two months.

The airport was eventually reopened with the assistance of the U.S. government, which assisted efforts to bulldoze homes on the airports perimeter and also flew in material for the construction of a base to house the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission to restore airlines and passengers confidence.

This time, the shutdown and attacks occurred while foreign troops were present in the country.

Over the years, Haitis armed gang violence has led to a reduction of commercial carriers flying to the country, as well as daily service. American used to offer several daily flights out of Miami, as well as service from Fort Lauderdale and New York. It also flew into Cap-Haitien before reducing its service to just one flight a day using a 737 Max.
A federal appeals court panel on Friday unanimously upheld a law that could lead to a ban on TikTok as soon as next month, handing a resounding defeat to the popular social media platform as it fights for its survival in the U.S.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied TikToks petition to overturn the law  which requires TikTok to break ties with its China-based parent company ByteDance or be banned by mid-January  and rebuffed the companys challenge of the statute, which it argued had ran afoul of the First Amendment.

The First Amendment exists to protect free speech in the United States, said the courts opinion, which was written by Judge Douglas Ginsburg. Here the Government acted solely to protect that freedom from a foreign adversary nation and to limit that adversarys ability to gather data on people in the United States.

TikTok and ByteDance  another plaintiff in the lawsuit  are expected to appeal to the Supreme Court, though its unclear whether the court will take up the case.

The Supreme Court has an established historical record of protecting Americans' right to free speech, and we expect they will do just that on this important constitutional issue, TikTok spokesperson Michael Hughes said in a statement.

Unfortunately, the TikTok ban was conceived and pushed through based upon inaccurate, flawed and hypothetical information, resulting in outright censorship of the American people, Hughes said. Unless stopped, he argued the statute will silence the voices of over 170 million Americans here in the US and around the world on January 19th, 2025.

Though the case is squarely in the court system, its also possible the two companies might be thrown some sort of a lifeline by President-elect Donald Trump, who tried to ban TikTok during his first term but said during the presidential campaign that he is now against such action.

He wants to save TikTok, Rep. Michael Waltz, Trumps pick for national security adviser, said Friday during an interview on Fox Business.

The law, signed by President Joe Biden in April, was the culmination of a yearslong saga in Washington over the short-form video-sharing app, which the government sees as a national security threat due to its connections to China.

The U.S. has said its concerned about TikTok collecting vast swaths of user data, including sensitive information on viewing habits, that could fall into the hands of the Chinese government through coercion. Officials have also warned the proprietary algorithm that fuels what users see on the app is vulnerable to manipulation by Chinese authorities, who can use it to shape content on the platform in a way thats difficult to detect. The European Union on Friday expressed similar concerns as it investigates intelligence that suggests Russia possibly abused the platform to influence the elections in Romania.

Todays decision is an important step in blocking the Chinese government from weaponizing TikTok, Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement Friday.

TikTok, which sued the government over the law in May, has long denied it could be used by Beijing to spy on or manipulate Americans. Its attorneys have accurately pointed out that the U.S. hasnt provided evidence to show that the company handed over user data to the Chinese government, or manipulated content for Beijings benefit in the U.S. They have also argued the law is predicated on future risks, which the Department of Justice has emphasized pointing in part to unspecified action it claims the two companies have taken in the past due to demands from the Chinese government.

Fridays ruling came after the appeals court panel, composed of two Republicans and one Democrat appointed judges, heard oral arguments in September.

In the hearing, which lasted more than two hours, the panel appeared to grapple with how TikToks foreign ownership affects its rights under the Constitution and how far the government could go to curtail potential influence from abroad on a foreign-owned platform. On Friday, all three denied TikToks petition.

In the courts ruling, Ginsburg, a Republican appointee, rejected TikToks main legal arguments against the law, including that the statute was an unlawful bill of attainder, or a taking of property in violation of the Fifth Amendment. He also said the law did not violate the First Amendment because the government is not looking to suppress content or require a certain mix of content on TikTok.

Content on the platform could in principle remain unchanged after divestiture, and people in the United States would remain free to read and share as much PRC propaganda (or any other content) as they desire on TikTok or any other platform of their choosing, Ginsburg wrote, using the abbreviation for the Peoples Republic of China.

Judge Sri Srinivasan, the chief judge on the court, issued a concurring opinion.

TikToks lawsuit was consolidated with a second legal challenge brought by several content creators  for which the company is covering legal costs  as well as a third one filed on behalf of conservative creators who work with a nonprofit called BASED Politics Inc. Other organizations, including the Knight First Amendment Institute, had also filed amicus briefs supporting TikTok.

This is a deeply misguided ruling that reads important First Amendment precedents too narrowly and gives the government sweeping power to restrict Americans access to information, ideas, and media from abroad, said Jameel Jaffer, the executive director of the organization. We hope that the appeals courts ruling wont be the last word.

Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, lawmakers who had pushed for the legislation celebrated the courts ruling.

I am optimistic that President Trump will facilitate an American takeover of TikTok to allow its continued use in the United States and I look forward to welcoming the app in America under new ownership, said Republican Rep. John Moolenaar of Michigan, chairman of the House Select Committee on China.

Democratic Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, who co-authored the law, said its time for ByteDance to accept the law.

To assuage concerns about the companys owners, TikTok says it has invested more than $2 billion to bolster protections around U.S. user data.

The company has also argued the governments broader concerns could have been resolved in a draft agreement it provided the Biden administration more than two years ago during talks between the two sides. It has blamed the government for walking away from further negotiations on the agreement, which the Justice Department argues is insufficient.

Attorneys for the two companies have claimed its impossible to divest the platform commercially and technologically. They also say any sale of TikTok without the coveted algorithm  the platforms secret sauce that Chinese authorities would likely block under any divesture plan  would turn the U.S. version of TikTok into an island disconnected from other global content.

Still, some investors, including Trumps former Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and billionaire Frank McCourt, have expressed interest in purchasing the platform. Both men said earlier this year that they were launching a consortium to purchase TikToks U.S. business.

This week, a spokesperson for McCourts Project Liberty initiative, which aims to protect online privacy, said unnamed participants in their bid have made informal commitments of more than $20 billion in capital.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Dozens of friends, family and parishioners gathered at SonRise Faith Church in Bulls Head Sunday to celebrate the life of NYPD Sgt. David Dave Felix, a retired member of the department who died in August at his Florida home of 9/11-related cancer at 67.

Felix, a former resident of Great Kills, was remembered fondly as a larger than life gentleman with a great sense of humor and a smile that could light up a room, according to an online obituary.

During the ceremony, numerous photos of Felix were projected above the altar in the church where he faithfully served as both a deacon and one of the congregations Elders.

The gatherings tone was a mix of solemn and lighthearted, filled with upbeat songs, remembrances and stories.

This is a tribute to such a mighty man of valor whose effect will never leave us, Pastor Judy Reinglas said.

A celebration of life ceremony was held for former Great Kills resident and NYPD Sgt. David Dave Felix at SonRise Faith Church in Bulls Head Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (Staten Island Advance/Scott R. Axelrod)Scott R. Axelrod

Felixs career in law enforcement began 1981. He rose through the NYPD ranks and eventually worked undercover as part of the Brooklyn South Narcotics Bureau. He later became a homicide detective in Manhattan South and a vice squad detective in Brooklyn South and Staten Island before retiring as a sergeant in early 2001.

Following the 9/11 attacks on the World Trade Center, he volunteered to help during the recovery efforts at Ground Zero on what came to be known as the pile.

He said that if he knew what was to happen, he wouldnt have retired, Felixs daughter Eraina told the Advance/SILive.com. You always knew he had your back.

Having grown up listening to his dads stories of life on the force, Felixs son David, who referred to his dad simply as awesome, recalled his fathers retirement party in which coworkers told him repeatedly that even if his father was to make a mistake, to let it go, as a testament to how good of a man he was considered by his fellow officers. Its something Ill never forget, David said.

The younger Felix was so inspired by his father being one of the good guys, that he enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2004 and served in Ramadi, Iraq, calling his father whenever he had the chance to tell him of his experiences.

Dave always put in the extra mileage, Felixs former partner, retired Detective First Grade Steve Litwin said.

In one humorous anecdote, Det. Litwin recalled how a sometimes-forgetful Felix would misplace his car keys just as he was supposed to be following behind his partner, who was off chasing down a suspect.

There were a lot of good times and a lot of hard work. Dave was a sharp and talented police officer who was always a pleasure to work with and went out of his way to help people, Det. Litwin said.

With the family now residing in Florida, David closed the service offering an emotional thanks to those who took to the time celebrate Sgt. Felixs life.

Having friends and family here is what makes this so beautiful, he said.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  For the 27th consecutive year, Richmond University Medical Center (RUMC) is continuing its annual Adopt-A-Family program, bringing holiday smiles to Staten Island families in need.

Each year, more than 500 gifts are distributed among Staten Island students, about 50 families and about 150 Head Start preschool children through the program, thanks to the generosity of staffers at the West Brighton hospital, local businesses and organizations, and the hard work of Jennifer Dominguez.

Families and school children receive books, toys, clothing and gift cards, thanks to the program.

Dominguez, of Rossville, wears many hats at the hospital, but in November and December, shes Santa Claus.

During the other months of the year, Dominguez is the hospitals continuing medical education coordinator, community training administrator and the education coordinator for the Department of Medicine.

We cant give them everything, but we can give them something to open on Christmas morning, said Dominguez, explaining that the families are recommended by the hospitals Family Health Center, a pediatric clinic at 800 Castleton Ave., as being in dire financial need.

Departments within the hospital choose families to shop for. They contribute toys, clothing and other essential items. Food gift cards are also contributed, Dominguez said.

Then, later in December, each family is gifted with a huge, canvas bag brimming with wrapped gifts.

Donors know just the basics about their gift recipients.

We try to keep everything anonymous, Dominguez said, explaining that staffers are only given the family members ages and requests. They deliver all the gifts to me.

The schoolchildren are often the first ones grabbed, she said with a laugh.

Those always get adopted, she said. Everybody wants to buy stuff for kids.

After the shopping, collecting and pairing the gifts up with names, the work is far from over.

A longtime volunteer, Lucille Forlenza, vice president of the hospitals auxiliary, then begins the daunting task many of us dread during the holidays  wrapping.

Forlenza is busy wrapping gifts for the Richmond University Medical Center's Adopt-A-Family Program, which is in full swing at this time of year. (Courtesy of Richmond University Medical Center)Courtesy of Richmond University Medical Center

Each gift is wrapped for presentation to the families during scheduled visits in the hospitals Bard Avenue lobby.

Thought the program is officially finished accepting applications, there are always a few stragglers accepted, Dominguez said.

If someone calls last minute, we always take them, she said. I cant leave anyone out. I just cant. If we cant give them a clothing item, we give them two toys ....

Dominguez said she enjoys giving, but wishes she could give them more. She and volunteers shop sales and search for bargains to stretch a dollar as far as it will go, she said.

For each participating family, every child is guaranteed a book and every child under 12 gets a toy. Additionally, everyone in the family receives an article of clothing, and a gift card from ShopRite or local supporters is given to the family.

Local not-for profits, including the Sons and Daughters of Italy in America, Father Vincent R. Capodanno Lodge, have been very generous through the years, and ShopRite of Staten Island can always be counted on to sponsor families and donate gift cards, Dominguez said.

Yet, she said there is always a need for more donations.

If people ask, I always say gift cards, Dominguez said. We really appreciate anything and use everything.

Would you like to help?

Community members can help ensure that fewer families go without something to open on this holiday.

Donations and gift cards may be shared by calling Dominguez at 718-818-3106.
NEW YORK  Police have arrested a 26-year-old man with a weapon consistent with the gun used to kill the head of the largest U.S. health insurer, New Yorks police commissioner said Monday.

The man was taken into custody after police got a tip that he had been spotted at a McDonalds in Pennsylvania, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said said at a news conference.

They also recovered clothing, including a mask consistent with those worn by our wanted individual, Tisch said. Also recovered was a fraudulent New Jersey ID matching the ID our suspect used to check into his New York City hostel before the shooting incident, Tisch said.

Luigi Nicholas Mangione was taken into custody, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said. Mangione was born and raised in Maryland, has ties to San Francisco and his last known address in Honolulu, Hawaii, Kenny said.

The man taken into custody had a ghost gun, a type of weapon that can be assembled at home from parts without a serial number, making them difficult to trace, investigators said. Police found a three-page document with writings suggesting that Mangione had ill will toward corporate America, Kenny said.

This undated photo provided by UnitedHealth Group shows UnitedHealthcare chief executive officer Brian Thompson. (AP Photo/UnitedHealth Group via AP)AP

As of right now the information were getting from Altoona is that the gun appears to be a ghost gun that may have been made on a 3D printer, capable of firing a 9 mm round, Kenny said.

UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson, 50, was killed last Wednesday in what police said was a brazen, targeted attack as he walked alone to the Hilton from a nearby hotel, where UnitedHealthcares parent company, UnitedHealth Group, was holding its annual investor conference, police said.

The shooter appeared to be lying in wait for several minutes before approaching the executive from behind and opening fire, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. He used a 9 mm pistol that police said resembled the guns farmers use to put down animals without causing a loud noise.

In the days since the shooting, police turned to the public for help by releasing a collection of photos and video  including footage of the attack, as well as images of the suspect at a Starbucks beforehand.

Photos taken in the lobby of a hostel on Manhattans Upper West Side showed the suspect grinning after removing his mask, police said.

Investigators have suggested the gunman may have been a disgruntled employee or client of the insurer.

Ammunition found near Thompsons body bore the words delay, deny and depose, mimicking a phrase used by insurance industry critics.

The gunman concealed his identity with a mask during the shooting yet left a trail of evidence, including a backpack he ditched in Central Park, a cellphone found in a pedestrian plaza and a water bottle and protein bar wrapper that police say he bought at Starbucks minutes before the attack.

Mondays development came as dogs and divers returned to New Yorks Central Park while the dragnet for Thompsons killer stretched into a sixth day.

Investigators have been combing the park since the Wednesday shooting and have been searching at least one of its ponds for three days.

On Friday, police found the backpack that they say the killer discarded as he fled from the crime scene to an uptown bus station, where they believe he left the city on a bus.

Retracing the gunmans steps using surveillance video, investigators say the shooter fled into Central Park on a bicycle, emerged from park without his backpack and then ditched the bicycle.

He then walked a couple blocks and got into a taxi, arriving at at the George Washington Bridge Bus Station, which is near the northern tip of Manhattan and offers commuter service to New Jersey and Greyhound routes to Philadelphia, Boston and Washington, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.

The FBI announced late Friday that it was offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction, adding to a reward of up to $10,000 that the NYPD has offered. Police say they believe the suspect acted alone.

Late Saturday, police released two additional photos of the suspect that appeared to be from a camera mounted inside a taxi. The first shows him outside the vehicle and the second shows him looking through the partition between the back seat and the front of the cab. In both, his face is partially obscured by a blue mask.

Through the park search, the NYPD has taken steps to minimize disruption to visitors, leading to an odd juxtaposition of joggers, tourists and an active crime scene.

On Monday, a small section of the park was cordoned off with blue and white police tape, giving divers searching a pond an area to change and get in the water. K-9 units sniffed leaf-covered planters between walking paths.

At one point, a group of about 30 French-speaking tourists followed a guide down a path, but they couldnt go any further because of the police tape. Before turning back, many of them whipped out their phones to snap a photo of the divers.
Editors Note: In honor of the many Staten Islanders who have shown the best of what the borough is this year, we are highlighting some of the standouts, and honoring them as Staten Islands Brightest Lights of 2024.

Congratulations to them, and every borough resident who has found their own way to give back, make change, be a role model, inspire others, advocate and/or care about their community in 2024.

- Longtime Staten Island resident Brian Moffett died on July 19 after a battle with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as ALS and Lou Gehrigs disease. He was 66. (Courtesy of Jake Moffett) (Courtesy of Jake Moffett)(Courtesy of Jake Moffett)

Staten Islands Brightest Lights of 2024: Brian Moffett

A nearly lifelong Staten Islander, Brian Moffett was diagnosed with ALS, the degenerative illness also known as Lou Gehrigs Disease, in the spring of this year.

The progression of his disease was rapid, and Moffetts suffering was severe. But he found the strength in the final weeks of his life to speak to media, elected officials and other advocates to urge New York to legalize life-ending medication, a cause he strongly supported.

In the first story about Moffett reported by the Advance/SILive.com, Lauren Lovallo wrote:

For years, Brian Moffett was everybodys go-to guy.

Whether helping a family member, friend or stranger, the nearly lifelong Staten Islander built a reputation as a man who could be counted on. Moffett, a now-retired 25-year employee of the MTA, aided in the cleanup efforts at Ground Zero following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks; fed Staten Islanders in need when Hurricane Sandy decimated the borough in 2012; and served free food from his massive grills at countless large community events  like the Westerleigh Folk Festival  time and time again, among his many other generous deeds.

Moffett, the man who gave everything yet asked for nothing in return, now has two urgent requests for New York state lawmakers: Pass the proposed Medical Aid in Dying Act, and let him be the first to use it.

He died in July, and was remembered as a founding member of the Westerleigh Folk Festival, a dedicated father and friend, and a medical aid in dying advocate.

Read more about Brian Moffetts story as reported by Lauren Lovallo:

May 30: Longtime Staten Islander wants to be first person to use medical aid in dying in New York: Im suffering more than you can imagine

July 9: Once vibrant man with ALS speaks out about suffering, wish for New York to allow him life-ending medication: A slow kill

July 31: Brian Moffett  founding member of Westerleigh Folk Festival, dedicated father and friend, and medical aid in dying advocate  dies at 66

August 18: My dad died in fear. It didnt have to be that way (opinion)
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The hardness of synthetic diamonds also makes them ideal for cutting highly specific optical lenses, electronic components and semiconductor polishing.

Beyond mechanical applications, the stones have a high tolerance for managing heat generated by high-powered devices such as lasers and transistors.

Sarytogan Graphite managing director Sean Gregory said: Sarytogan Graphite has again demonstrated remarkable performance to open another high-value market. Sarytogans development strategy is to place as many units of carbon into as many markets as possible.

The companys Karaganda-based project in Central Kazakhstan, 300km southeast of the capital of Astana, is host to a massive mineral resource of 229 million tonnes at a serious 28.9 per cent total graphitic carbon.

A recent prefeasibility study found the project could deliver a US$518 (A$787 million) net present value for the company by employing a phased development approach, beginning with a modest initial capex of US$62 million (A$95.5 million) to produce 50,000 tonnes of spheroidised graphite per annum for use in lithium-ion battery anodes.

To produce a UHPF product suitable for industrial diamond manufacture, Sarytogan will need to incorporate an additional development stage by building a thermal reactor to purify the graphite before - rather than after - spheroidisation.

Sarytogan is trialling a 20t sample recently taken from its deposit for milling tests and product sampling.

One tonne has been sent to Australia for flotation concentrate tests, while additional material has been sent to the United States for purification.

The company then expects to have several hundred kilograms of beneficiated graphite and UHPF to offer to potential customers to put through their various qualification programs.

Given the huge market for beneficiated and purified graphite, ranging from industrial diamonds used in multiple everyday industries to the manufacture of anodes for lithium-ion batteries, Sarytogan appears to have the major markets covered well with its basket of graphite products expected to be produced out of Kazakhstan.

The substantial size of the deposit, coupled with its strategic proximity to major markets and very high grade, should increasingly position the project as one of globally significance.

The project was recently mentioned as a case study of note during a briefing by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development at the inaugural opening of the United Nations Minerals Security Partnership Finance Network, further showcasing its global importance.

Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au
As a young man, Peter Beck strapped on a homemade jet-pack, put on a pair of roller skates and blasted himself along a road.

Today, the 47-year-old founders Rocket Lab USA is being propelled by record revenue forecasts, a clutch of successful rocket launches and investor optimism about the incoming Trump administrations pro-space policies.

Rocket Lab chief executive, founder and president Peter Beck. Credit: Bloomberg

The Nasdaq-listed companys stock has risen more than 340 per cent in 2024, lifting New Zealander Becks personal wealth to $US1.3 billion ($2 billion), according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, which is calculating his fortune for the first time. The primary source of his wealth is a 10.2 per cent stake in California-based Rocket Lab and about $US100 million in proceeds from share sales.

Still, Becks fortune lags far behind that of his main competitors in the space industry: SpaceXs Elon Musk, the worlds richest person with $US376 billion, and Blue Origins Jeff Bezos, second richest with $US246 billion.
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Review Eating outDarlinghurst Great sandwich, great coffee!: This Japanese-inspired cafe channels convenience store vibes Darlinghurst cafe Punpun has quickly gained a loyal following for its pillowy sandwiches filled with steamed custard, sesame-crusted fried chicken and smashed beef patties. Lee Tran Lam December 9, 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

1 / 10 Savouring the konbini vibe at Punpun. Dion Georgopoulos 2 / 10 Sesame fried chicken, cheese, pickled zucchini and curry mayo sandwich. Dion Georgopoulos 3 / 10 Steamed custard egg sandwich with chilli oil. Dion Georgopoulos 4 / 10 Cos lettuce salad with roasted sesame dressing. Dion Georgopoulos 5 / 10 Dion Georgopoulos 6 / 10 Dion Georgopoulos 7 / 10 Beef smash patty sandwich with pickles and Tokyo mac sauce. Dion Georgopoulos 8 / 10 Sesame fried chicken with hash brown. Dion Georgopoulos 9 / 10 Condensed milk and Milo-enriched Hong Kong-style shokupan toast. Dion Georgopoulos 10 / 10 Dion Georgopoulos Previous Slide Next Slide Cafe$$$$ The sandwiches at Punpun in Darlinghurst might literally be life-changing. A nurse who handles organ transplants was the first to tell me about this cafe. Its close to St Vincents Hospital, which means many other medical workers stop by. Punpuns co-owner Lexy Allouche knows the heavy-duty responsibility of feeding them well and promptly. The amount of doctors out the front, staring at their watch [wondering], Oh, how long is it going to be, because Ive got to go do open-heart surgery?  its crazy, she says. Really crazy. Sesame fried chicken, cheese, pickled zucchini and curry mayo sandwich. Dion Georgopoulos

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Sure, theres no hard data on whether Punpuns coffee and sandwich selection leads to successful operations or in-patient happiness, but you might expect well-caffeinated (and well-fed) medical workers would be good for the health system. It definitely has an impact on Allouche, who runs Punpun with her brother Lachlan. What really hits me and Lachlan most is the hospital staff coming back every day, she says. Seeing them smile and having a good time  all the mayhem that we have to deal with behind the scenes, it makes it all worth it. The steamed-custard egg sandwich with chive mayo feels a next-level remix of the tamago sando in konbini stores. The siblings opened this cafe in August, almost a year after selling St Kai in Mortdale. They wanted to do something more scaled back than their previous venture, which involved labour-intensive ramen and served more diners. Originally, they planned to open something elaborate in Marrickville, styled after Japans beloved konbini (convenience stores), but they went with Japanese-style sandos (sandwiches) and sides in Darlinghurst instead.

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You still detect that influence on Punpuns menu. The steamed-custard egg sandwich with chive mayo, for instance, feels a next-level remix of the tamago sando in konbini stores. Unlike the egg salad sandwich on the refrigerated shelves, this one is soft and thick, with the pillowy, padded smoothness of chawanmushi (Japanese egg custard). Order it with the optional chilli oil: the deep-red, spicy slick stains the spongey shokupan bread and enhances the contrast. Allouche uses jars of Lao GanMa and even has a shrine to this cult chilli condiments founder in the kitchen. Punpun also stuffs thick slices of shokupan with a smashed beef patty, pickles and Tokyo Mac sauce: a take on the McDonalds special sauce, seasoned with shichimi togarashi (a Japanese chilli spice blend) and other Asian flavours. Steamed custard egg sandwich with chilli oil. Dion Georgopoulos The P.P.F.C. is another burger-style sandwich, loaded with sesame-crusted fried chicken. If you prefer this crumbed protein as a stand-alone side dish, you can order it with hot honey or Kewpie mayo and curry salt. Its a tribute to Famichiki, the chicken snack for which Family Mart konbini stores are famous.

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This cafe happily acknowledges its love of Japan: its name comes from Inio Asanos Goodnight Punpun manga series, and certain drinks (Pocari Sweat, Tea Crafts sencha brew from Kyoto) and items of decor (like the Yuto Horigome skateboard deck) originate from there. The coffee, however, comes from around the world via a range of specialty roasters, and is presented by barista Luke Skinny Willis (whose Signed By Skinny beans are brewed here, too). Hes knowledgeable and welcoming and might pour you an interesting drop, like something grown by third-generation coffee farmer Ashok Patre on his Ratnigiri Estate in India and supplied here by DiggyDoos. Beef smash patty sandwich with pickles and Tokyo mac sauce. Dion Georgopoulos The milk toast evokes the staple served in Hong Kongs cha chaan tengs (old-school Western-style cafes).

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Allouche puts her Aussie spin on it  the bread is saturated with condensed milk so richly flavoured with Milo powder that it tastes like pure chocolate ganache. It probably wasnt what Thomas Mayne had in mind when he invented Milo in 1934 as an affordable health tonic to ward off malnutrition during the Great Depression  but it tastes amazing. On the first of several visits to Punpun, I ordered the egg sando with a batch brew of the day. The stranger next to me did the same and yelled great sandwich, great coffee! as he left, a succinct and spot-on review. Sure, that didnt exactly save lives, but theres a quiet restorative power in a cafe simply doing things well. The low-down Vibe: Konbini-inspired sandwiches, presented by fans of Japan. The non-sando options include hash browns served with the signature salt and cos salad with yuzu or roasted sesame dressing. Over summer, Punpun will be trialling Punpun pop-up dinners, too. Go-to dish: The steamed custard egg sandwich with American cheddar, chive mayo and chilli oil Cost: About $40 for two, plus drinks Hong Kong-style cafes boom in Sydney as expats seek a taste of home

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Eating outRestaurant news Terry Durack: Why Im giving up the best job in Sydney The chief restaurant critic of The Sydney Morning Herald farewells his review column after 30 years. Terry Durack December 10, 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

I havent told anyone that I am stepping down from my role as chief restaurant critic of The Sydney Morning Herald, until now. Mainly because I know what they are going to say when they hear the news. Theyre going to tell me Im stupid. Why walk away from a weekly gig reviewing the best restaurants in town? From a column that Ive made my own since arriving from Melbourne in 1994? From all that charred Fremantle octopus, lobster mafaldine and dry-aged Maremma duck? Granted, I may well be crazy, but I think its time, for a number of reasons. Im really looking forward to booking restaurants under my own name: Terry Durack. Dominic Lorrimer In my years on the beat, the hospitality industry has ridden the ups and downs of economic and global financial crises and soldiered on. This time feels different. Everyone is working so much harder, for less. It makes it tough for a reviewer to be tough. Im also a bit over deadlines, to be honest. Theyve gotten me out of bed and to the desk for a long time now, and its going to be very weird without this one. Ill probably be like the laboratory rat that still jumps on the treadmill and starts pounding away because it doesnt know what else to do.

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And Im really looking forward to booking restaurants under my own name, because at least Ill be able to remember it when I turn up at the restaurant door. Hopefully. When you run four or five false names across half-a-dozen online reservation systems, it can be a struggle. (I know, the pathos  you can feel my pain, right?) Food has always made me feel better. So when I started earning money, it made sense to seek out ever better food, and to pay attention to it. I was born to be a restaurant critic. When you know what its like as a youngster to be both hungry and lonely, you have a special relationship with food that lasts all your life. In my teens, I was living in cheap lodging houses and eating half a can of soup a night. Food has always made me feel better. So when I started earning money, it made sense to seek out ever better food, and to pay attention to it. I found I also responded to the particular processes of dining  the rituals, the pacing, the timing, the tension, the theatre, the way staff members resolve issues with grace and humour, the smells, the spills, the whole shebang. And I love the writing side of reviewing. The frustration when you cant quite nail the description of a dish so that the reader can taste it. The satisfaction when you can.

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Ive had a great run. Ive edited eight different Good Food Guides, Ive won all the awards, written books and moved to London to review restaurants for The Independent on Sunday. Together with my wife and partner-in-crime Jill Dupleix, Ive travelled the world, met some amazing and inspiring chefs and restaurateurs, and traced some of my all-time favourite ingredients back to their source. Ive watched the restaurant scene shape itself from the cocky young self-taught Australian chefs of the 1980s and 1990s, to the private equity-backed restaurant groups of the next couple of decades, to the current explosion of small indie diners that reflect our many cultures. What a trip. The other thing that makes me feel good about this giant leap into the void is that there are now so many excellent voices reporting on the restaurant scene. In particular, I commend to you a young bloke called Callan Boys, who came along with fire in his belly 10 or 12 years ago and is now editing the Good Food Guide. Youll be in good hands. Food critic Terry Durack and food writer Jill Dupleix. Nikki To What I will miss, though, is a certain sense of duty Ive had to you, my fellow diners. Ive always gone out with the aim of finding somewhere great to eat. When I find something I really like, I think its been pretty obvious. If it doesnt meet my expectations, then Ive tried to let you know without crucifying anyone for cheap laughs or to get extra clicks online  something I despise.

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I am grateful right down to my socks for having such a great audience for my work. Youre an informed and slightly sceptical bunch who, in our correspondences, have generally proven to be wise, fair and funny. Ive also had the support of some great editors, sub-editors, photographers and journalistic colleagues who have paid me the ultimate honour of trusting me to do it my way. Thanks all, its been a blast. You can still catch me in the pages of Good Weekend, but my final review for Good Food will run on Tuesday, December 17. And its a beauty. After that, do say hello the next time you see me in a restaurant. Ill be the one at the bad table in the back corner near the loo. Terry Durack on The Unforgettables: 11 Sydney dishes hell never forget

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Would you eat carp, deer or even camel? Eat the Invaders, a new ABC documentary series presented by Tony Armstrong and set to air in the new year, will invite Australians to reimagine invasive species as a tasty solution.

Its an appealing pitch and well-intentioned, but the idea that eating Australias invasive species can help solve the problem is a fantasy and could make matters worse. This is something the Invasive Species Council raised with the makers of the show back when it was just a concept. Unfortunately, our biology-based message was not so delicious.

Tony Armstrong holds a cane toad in the ABC documentary series Eat the Invaders. Credit:

Australia is a world leader in invasion-led extinctions and host to some of the worlds largest populations of feral animals. They cause immense environmental and economic harm, from devastating native wildlife to ruining crops and spreading disease.

The show, by showcasing these animals as food, risks making their presence more desirable  creating a dangerous paradox that could lead to the further spread of some species. We have particular concerns about the show promoting carp, camels and deer.
Rail unions are threatening a fresh round of industrial action on Sydneys train network despite the state Labor government succeeding in blocking them in an eleventh-hour legal manoeuvre on Sunday, risking a repeat of commuter pain.

Less than a day after the government gained an injunction in the federal court, the Rail Tram and Bus Union (RTBU) and several other unions filed papers with the industrial umpire to seek the right to ballot members on a new round of industrial action.

Accusing the government of adopting the Liberal Party playbook, the RTBU will ask its 10,000 members who work on the states railways to vote on a raft of actions, including a ban on work if trains do not operate 24 hours a day from Thursdays to Sundays.

Premier Chris Minns speaks to reporters about the rail dispute on Monday. Credit: Edwina Pickles

The process is likely to take at least two weeks, meaning that disruption to trains from industrial action is likely to resume after Christmas if members vote in favour.
An Aboriginal land councils contentious proposal to rezone bushland for 450 new homes on Sydneys northern beaches has been criticised as a firetrap, a possible legal minefield and a disaster waiting to happen by protesting residents during an impassioned public meeting.

The Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council has sought to develop the 71-hectare site off Morgan Road, locally known as Lizard Rock, in Belrose since 2006. The plan, dubbed the Patyegarang proposal, was lodged in 2022 amid strong opposition from Northern Beaches Council and residents groups concerned about bushfire risk, threats to native species and infrastructure strain.

Residents are continuing to oppose the development of bushland at Belrose. Credit: Wolter Peeters

More than 150 people watched a Sydney North Planning Panel meeting about the plan on Monday.

One resident, Lauren Kajewski, said the proposal did not recognise the compounding risks of climate change, including extreme heat, bushfires and coastal storms.
Australia will be able to use a new treaty to block China and other countries from striking any security or telecommunications deals with Nauru in exchange for $140 million in financial support from Australian taxpayers to the tiny Pacific island.

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia will also provide banking services to Nauru as part of the pact, revealed by this masthead last week, removing fears that a Chinese state-owned bank could swoop in and establish financial dominance on the island.

Nauruan President David Adeang and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the new treaty was a historic moment in the countries relationship. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The announcement came as the chief of Australias navy, Mark Hammond, revealed it had for the first time test-fired a Tomahawk missile off the US west coast last week in a significant ramping up of the Australian Defence Forces long-range strike capability.

In a previously secret exercise, the navy fired one of the missiles, which can reach as far as 2500 kilometres, from a Hobart-class destroyer, hitting a land target on a US military range near San Diego, California.
The Coalition is standing by its stated goal of reducing permanent migration after scrapping a separate pledge to cut the number of net arrivals to 160,000 a year as an exclusive survey shows strong majority support for a lower intake.

The revised policy is to set a realistic target to ensure the intake is lower than the Labor alternative, but opposition immigration spokesman Dan Tehan is yet to name the new goal for net migration.

Peter Dutton said in May that a Coalition government would cut permanent migration to 140,000, down from the budget forecast of 185,000. Credit: Aresna Villanueva

Labor seized on the retreat to accuse Opposition Leader Peter Dutton of dumping a promise he made in May, while a former migration official said the Coalitions tough talk was unworkable without a damaging cut to the skilled workforce.

The new survey, conducted for this masthead by research company Resolve Strategic, found that 64 per cent of voters backed a reduction in the number of immigrants to Australia. Only 16 per cent were against the idea and the rest were unsure.
This is the day weve been dreaming of, said Ammr Nakour, a Sydney cafe owner who escaped the besieged Syrian city of Homs as an eight-year-old boy. It has come at last. We had faith, we believed in it, now it is here.

Nakour and his cousin, Bilal Al Kesm, danced in the streets of Chullora on Sunday with other members of Sydneys Syrian community after news broke that rebel forces had taken Damascus and dictator Bashar al-Assad had fled to Moscow.

Cousins Ammr Nakour and Bilal El Kesm are celebrating the end of dictatorship in Syria  a country they both fled when they were eight years old. Credit: Kate Geraghty

Honestly, it just makes you feel free, to know that the regime is over, Al Kesm said. We were watching it day by day  every day they were taking new cities, in just a few days it happened so fast  phenomenal.

The pair, both 22, escaped to the Lebanese port of Tripoli with their families during a brief ceasefire in Homs and made it to Australia in 2015. The cousins jointly operate a cafe in Greenacre and hope to visit Syria again one day to help rebuild.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus attempt to link the arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue to the Albanese governments alleged anti-Israel stance at the United Nations may have befuddled some Australians, but his comments are about something bigger than the policies of federal government.

Emboldened by the re-election of Donald Trump and Israels recent battlefield successes, Netanyahu sees himself as a leader of the global populist right who is perhaps the ultimate defender of Israel against an international left that he portrays as hostile and complicit in antisemitism.

Benjamin Netanyahus office has strongly criticised the Albanese government over what Israel says is its lack of support. Credit: AP, Alex Ellinghausen

Unfortunately, it is impossible to separate this reprehensible act from the extreme anti-Israeli position of the Labor government in Australia, Netanyahu said, claiming anti-Israel sentiment is antisemitism.

This is effective, certainly with his base in Israel, but it is also toxic on two levels. First, Netanyahu is increasingly identifying Israel with the political space occupied not only by Trump, but also the likes of Hungarys authoritarian prime minister, Viktor Orban. Second, by conflating all criticism of Israel with antisemitism  a tactic that is far from being supported by most Jews  he risks dragging diaspora Jews into Israels messes against their will, and verifying the antisemitic trope about Jewish dual loyalties.
Vladimir Lenin once said there are decades where nothing happens, and there are weeks where decades happen. The Bolshevik revolutionarys apocryphal words referred to the rapid collapse of tsarist Russia, but they seem especially apposite to todays Middle East.

Hundreds of Sunni Muslims gather in celebration, marking the fall of Bashar al-Assads long and brutal reign in Syria. Credit: Daniel Berehulak

In just 14 months, a chain of events has unravelled some old certainties and created new uncertainties. Now the end of the Assad familys iron rule in Syria presents the international community with a new reality that offers hope to some, despair to others.

Hamas horrific raid on Israel on October 7 last year is a self-inflicted wound that so far has cost more than 50,000 Palestinian, Lebanese and Israeli lives. For that matter, Israel has done itself massive damage internationally with its intransigence and heartless belligerence. But it was its successful degradation of Hezbollah that spurred Syrian rebels to begin their offensive the same day last month as a ceasefire came into effect in the Lebanon conflict.
A grainy image of his face drew comparisons to Hollywood heartthrobs. A jacket similar to the one hes wearing on wanted posters is reportedly flying off the shelves. And the words written on the bullets he used to kill a man in cold blood on a pavement last Wednesday have become, for some people, a rallying cry.

Three days after a shooter assassinated a top health insurance executive in Midtown Manhattan and vanished, the unidentified suspect has, in some quarters, been venerated as something approaching a folk hero.

A surveillance camera image released by police of the suspected shooter. Credit: nna\advidler

Authorities have pleaded for help from the public to find the person who killed UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson, who was a husband and father of two children. But in a macabre turn, some people appear to be more interested in rooting for the gunman and thwarting the polices efforts.

The Upper West Side hostel where officials believe the unknown man stayed during his time in the city has reportedly received a deluge of bad reviews online, with some people calling the workers there narcs. The business has been co-operating with police.
PHILIPSBURG: --- In recent weeks, there have been reports of thefts of dinghies and break-ins of cruising vessels in the Simpson Bay Lagoon. We want to address these incidents with transparency and assure you that St. Maarten remains a welcoming and safe destination for all boaters.

Thanks to swift and coordinated efforts, significant progress has been made in addressing the situation. A suspect apprehended at one of the marinas has provided valuable information that has led to the recovery of several stolen dinghies and has shed light on a broader group involved in these activities. We are working closely with a dedicated task force comprising detectives, police officers, Port de Plaisance security personnel, and maritime affairs representatives. The Gendarmes have also been informed to ensure cross-border cooperation in tackling these crimes.

While there are challenges, including jurisdictional complexities between the Dutch and French sides of the island, we are actively engaging leadership on both sides to strengthen collaboration and take decisive action.

We understand the concerns of the boating community and want to assure you that every effort is being made to address these incidents promptly and effectively. Security measures are being reviewed and enhanced to prevent future occurrences, and we are committed to restoring peace of mind for everyone enjoying the beauty of St. Maarten.

We urge all members of the marine community to remain vigilant. Please ensure that boats and dinghies are securely locked, avoid leaving valuables in plain sight, and look out for each other.

St. Maarten has always been known for its hospitality, vibrant marine community, and dedication to visitor safety. These unfortunate incidents do not define us, and with the support of our community and law enforcement, we are confident that we will resolve these matters.

The St. Maarten Marine Trades Association (SMMTA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to looking after the interests of the marine community in St. Maarten. While we are not an official authority, we are actively communicating with the relevant agencies and are hopeful to receive further updates on their plan of action soon. We thank you for your patience and trust as we continue to work diligently on this.

St. Maarten remains one of the Caribbeans most sought-after destinations, and we look forward to welcoming you.
POINTE BLANCHE/SOUTH REWARD:--- Nowadays, quality of education cannot be delivered without having up-to-date educational technology, which, however, is also quite costly.

SVOBE Schools, Milton Peters School (MPC) and Sundial School, are therefore very grateful that the Ministry of Tourism, Economic Affairs, Transport and Telecommunication (TEATT) and Port St. Maarten Group (PSG) invited SVOBE Schools to be a recipient of this years Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association (FCCA) Foundation donation.

With a donation to the total tune of US 10,000.00, SVOBE can purchase five Prowise smartboards, which will replace beamers that have reached their stretched life spans. These Smartboards enable teachers and students to learn collaboratively, to share files, access online resources and use educational software and an extensive source of educational materials.

Port St Maarten Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Alexander Gumbs said it was a corporate social responsibility for PSG to identify social, economic and educational opportunities that would benefit the entire community in the long run through investment.

Education is the key foundation for building a successful nation, and it is a cornerstone in our own commitment as a public-private company to contribute in whatever way we can to see a successful and prosperous nation in all of its facets which includes education.

Making use of educational technology in the 21st century is a must and there should be no digital and technological divide where this is concerned. We are pleased to handover the FCCA Foundations contribution as we all work together for inclusive progress, CEO Alexander Gumbs said.

The FCCA Foundation provides a tangible mechanism for the cruise industry to fund a range of humanitarian causes in the Caribbean and Central American regions, along with Mexico and Colombia. In its 28 years of existence, the Foundation has impacted thousands of citizens by providing millions of dollars in support and countless hours to causes and charities throughout the region.

The programs that the charitable foundation has are the Holiday Gift Project, Childrens Essay and Poster Competitions, the FCCA Online Auction, and the FCCA Foundation Extravaganza.

The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association is a not-for-profit trade organization composed of 23 Member Lines operating nearly 200 vessels in Floridian, Caribbean and Latin American waters. Created in 1972, the FCCAs mandate is to provide a forum for discussion on cruise operations, tourism development, ports, tour operations, safety, security and other cruise industry issues.

By fostering an understanding of the cruise industry and its operating practices, the FCCA seeks to build cooperative relationships with its partner destinations and to develop productive bilateral partnerships with every sector.

The FCCA works with governments, ports and all private/public sector representatives to maximize cruise passenger, cruise line and cruise line employee spending, as well as enhance the destination experience and the amount of cruise passengers returning as stay-over visitors.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Court of Appeal has sentenced M.D. to 48 months in prison and J.C.L. to 21 months for their involvement in the Seabass investigation, a corruption case that exposed fraud and money laundering within the ICT Department of Sint Maarten government.

In the case of M.D., the Court of Appeal confirmed that the country was defrauded of approximately US$ 4.4 million and NAf 1.1 million over a nine-year period. J.C.L. defrauded the country of approximately US$ 2.6 million and NAf 50.000 for six years. M.D. and J.C.L., who served as head and act. Head/policy officer of the ICT department, respectively, abused their positions by providing favorable advice on tenders to companies Effective Business Solutions & I.T. Consulting EZ and N.V. (EBS) and Valmeer Management & Consultancy N.V. (VMC), while secretly holding vested interests in these firms. Their involvement was deliberately concealed from the government by appointing family members as managing directors.

In addition to fraud, M.D. and J.C.L. were convicted of money laundering. The investigation revealed that funds received from the government following the awarding of contracts to EBS and VMC were transferred to American shell companies and subsequently funneled into their personal accounts. These funds were then used to finance private expenditures and luxurious lifestyles.

The Prosecutors Office OM SXM highlighted the severity of the crimes, citing the extended nine-year period of fraudulent activity, the significant financial losses incurred, and the defendants betrayal of public trust as civil servants as aggravating factors.

The Court of Appeal considers it a serious offense that M.D. and J.C.L. abused the responsibility and trust entrusted to them as civil servants in this manner. The Court of Appeal emphasizes that higher standards of conduct are expected of individuals working in government and specifically underscores the requirement of integrity. The defendants failure to recognize the wrongdoing of their actions and their lack of understanding of the consequences have counted against them in deciding the length of their prison sentences.

This ruling represents another important step in tackling public corruption and restoring trust in Sint Maartens governance.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimplats, one of Zimbabwe's leading platinum group metals producers, is making significant progress toward enhancing value addition and beneficiation in the mining sector through the construction of a new refinery. The company has recently acquired long-lead equipment for the refinery and is actively focusing on installation and construction, which will have a substantial impact on Zimbabwe's export earnings.The refinery, which will produce nickel sulfate, copper plates, and precious metals, represents a key move towards boosting the country's value-added exports. The expansion is part of a broader vision to transform Zimbabwe's mining industry, which includes the construction of a smelter and other associated facilities.Speaking during a tour of the company's operations in Mhondoro-Ngezi last week, Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando highlighted that the value addition project stems from a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Zimplats and the government. The MoU, valued at US$1.8 billion, aims to increase mining capacity and promote beneficiation in Zimbabwe's mining sector."The focus of this particular visit is looking at the value addition aspects of Zimbabwe, as provided for in the MoU, which is the construction of a smelter, which would then provide a feed for the refinery. That is why we are here. As you are aware, value addition and beneficiation are key focuses of the Zimbabwean public," Chitando said.Minister Chitando expressed satisfaction with Zimplats' progress, noting that the company was fulfilling its commitments under the MoU. He emphasized that Zimplats had already procured all major items needed for the refinery's operation, and some equipment had already begun to be assembled."I'm very pleased in the sense that Zimplats did not only sign an agreement but worked on the spirit of the agreement. All the major items to enable the operationalization of the refinery have been procured, and some are starting to be assembled," Chitando added. "The next stage is to have some of the service and ancillary equipment put up and then the assembly of the various items."Zimplats' Chief Technical Officer, Amend Chiduma, provided further insight into the expansion project, which is valued at US$3.98 million. He stressed that the development of new mines and upgrading of existing ones was a crucial part of the value chain, ensuring a steady supply of ore for the refinery."We started off by building up the base, starting with the mines, where we will be developing and upgrading two big mines. We have already completed one of the mines, which cost about US$82 million. We are also on course to complete the development and upgrade the second big mine, which ensures that in terms of our ore sources, it becomes sustainable," Chiduma explained.Additionally, Zimplats is upgrading its power infrastructure as part of the expansion. Chiduma revealed that a new substation was being built with an investment of US$17 million to support the growing energy demands of the refinery and other facilities, including a solar farm to enhance the company's energy efficiency.He also highlighted that the smelter expansion would significantly increase Zimplats' processing capacity, with the smelter's capacity expected to triple. This will open up new avenues for the company to process concentrates more efficiently."This expansion is almost three times the smelting capacity that we had. This opens up a lot of avenues in terms of being able to process the concentrates in the most efficient manner," Chiduma noted.Zimplats' efforts to expand its operations and enhance value addition align with Zimbabwe's broader vision to increase mineral beneficiation, reduce the export of raw materials, and enhance the country's export earnings. The development of the new refinery and smelter is expected to play a pivotal role in achieving these goals, positioning Zimplats as a key player in the global platinum market.
China probes Nvidia for 'violating' anti-monopoly law



Beijing, Dec 9 (AFP) Dec 09, 2024



China on Monday launched an investigation into US chip giant Nvidia for allegedly violating its anti-monopoly laws, state broadcaster CCTV said.

Beijing's state administration for market regulation, the authority on antitrust issues, launched the probe "in accordance with the law," according to CCTV.

Nvidia is also suspected of violating commitments it made in 2020, when it acquired Mellanox Technologies Ltd, CCTV said.

Shares in Nvidia dropped Monday after China announced its investigation.

China and the United States have in recent weeks clashed over exports of key chipmaking technology, in which Nvidia is a major player.

Beijing last week said it would restrict exports to the United States of some key components in making semiconductors, after Washington announced curbs targeting China's ability to make advanced chips.

Among the materials banned from export are metals gallium, antimony and germanium, China's commerce ministry said in a statement that cited "national security" concerns.

In its own latest curbs, Washington has announced restrictions on sales to 140 companies, including Chinese chip firms Piotech and SiCarrier, without additional permission.

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 artificial intelligence.

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.

mya/mtp
China probes Nvidia for 'violating' anti-monopoly law



Beijing, Dec 9 (AFP) Dec 09, 2024



China on Monday launched an investigation into US chip giant Nvidia for allegedly violating its anti-monopoly laws, a top government agency said, as the two countries race for global chipmaking dominance.

Beijing's state administration for market regulation, the authority on antitrust issues, launched the probe "in accordance with the law", according to a statement shared online.

Nvidia is also suspected of violating commitments it made in 2020, the statement said, when it acquired Israeli data center firm Mellanox.

Shares in Nvidia dropped Monday after Beijing announced the probe.

Nvidia did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

China and the United States have in recent weeks clashed over exports of key chipmaking technology, where Nvidia is a major player.

Beijing last week said it would restrict exports to the United States of some key components in making semiconductors, after Washington announced curbs targeting China's ability to make advanced chips.

Among the materials banned from export are metals gallium, antimony and germanium, China's commerce ministry said in a statement that cited "national security" concerns.

In its own latest curbs, Washington has announced restrictions on sales to 140 companies, including Chinese chip firms Piotech and SiCarrier, without additional permission.

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 artificial intelligence.

The new US rules also include controls on two dozen types of chipmaking equipment and three kinds of software tools for developing or producing semiconductors.

The US tech behemoth has seen its profits soar on the back of strong demand for its artificial intelligence technology.

In November, Nvidia surpassed Apple to become the highest-valued company in the world as the artificial intelligence boom continues to excite Wall Street.

But the Chinese market has been a rare weak spot.

The US government in 2023 restricted Nvidia from selling some of its top AI chips to China, which the US sees as a strategic competitor in the field of advanced semiconductors.

Although Nvidia in November reported record high quarterly revenue, investors were wary of US-China tensions reheating with the return of Donald Trump to the White House.

But during an event in Hong Kong last month, Nvidia's Taiwan-born CEO Jensen Huang told reporters "open science and open research in AI is absolutely global" and that "nothing" would stop that.

mya/sn

Nvidia
Taiwan says on 'high' alert after China's military restricts airspace



Taipei, Dec 9 (AFP) Dec 09, 2024



Taiwan's military was on "high" alert Monday as it launched combat readiness drills following the detection of Chinese warships and coast guard vessels in waters around the island.

The exercises were also in response to Beijing's army restricting the airspace off the Chinese coast.

"In response to these actions by the PLA, the MND has initiated combat readiness drills, factoring in enemy threats, weather conditions, and tactical positioning," the defence ministry said in a statement, adding that military units were on "high" alert.

There was no immediate public announcement by the PLA or Chinese state media about increased military activity around Taiwan.

China insists Taiwan is part of its own territory and regularly deploys fighter jets and navy ships to press its claims of sovereignty.

There has been intense speculation about the possibility of China launching military drills in response to Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's Pacific tour last week that included two stopovers on US soil.
Taiwan military on high alert as China warships sail near island



Hsinchu, Taiwan, Dec 9 (AFP) Dec 09, 2024



Taiwan said its military was on high alert as Chinese warships sailed near the island on Monday, preparing for strong response from China to President Lai Ching-te's stopovers in the United States.

Taiwan said it had also detected Chinese coast guard vessels and that Beijing's People's Liberation Army (PLA) had restricted the airspace off the Chinese coast.

"In response to these actions by the PLA, the MND has initiated combat readiness drills, factoring in enemy threats, weather conditions, and tactical positioning," the Ministry of National Defense in Taipei said in a statement.

It added that military units were on "high" alert.

The ministry said its forces had "identified PLA Eastern, Northern, and Southern Theater Command naval formations, along with Coast Guard vessels, entering areas around the Taiwan Strait and the Western Pacific".

There has been intense speculation about the possibility of China launching military drills in response to Lai's trip to the Pacific that included stopovers in Hawaii and Guam.

There was no immediate public announcement by the PLA or Chinese state media about increased military activity around Taiwan.

However a foreign ministry spokeswoman in Beijing said China would "firmly defend" its sovereignty in response to the Taiwanese drills.

Taiwan regards itself as a sovereign nation with its own government, military, and currency.

But Beijing insists the island is part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring it under its control.

Lai spoke with Republican US House Speaker Mike Johnson in Guam on Thursday -- the highest-level US contact the Taiwanese leader had during a week-long trip -- which drew a barrage of criticism from Beijing.

China's foreign ministry warned Taiwan on Friday that "seeking independence with the help of the United States will inevitably hit a wall", and called on Washington to "cease meddling in Taiwan-related affairs".

In response to a question about possible Chinese military drills around Taiwan following his trip, Lai told reporters on Friday that "raising your fists is not as good as opening your hands".

"No matter how many military exercises, warships and aircraft China sends to coerce neighbouring countries, it cannot win the respect of any country," Lai said.



- 'Unusual movements' -



Taiwan's coast guard said on Monday it had detected "unusual movements" of seven Chinese coast guard ships since early Friday -- the day Lai returned to Taipei.

The Beijing army's airspace restrictions east of Zhejiang and Fujian provinces were expected to be in place until Wednesday, the defence ministry said.

"From the limited information available, the seven restricted airspaces are likely being used for two main purposes: missile testing and simulating no-fly zones, which represent a blocked airspace state," Su Tzu-yun, a military expert at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research in Taipei, told AFP.

Taiwan faces the constant threat of a military attack by China and relies heavily on US arms sales to boost its defences.

On the eve of Lai's 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.

Lai said in the US state of Hawaii during his trip there was a need to "fight together to prevent war", warning there were "no winners" from conflict.

China has launched two large-scale military drills around Taiwan since Lai took office and regularly deploys fighter jets and navy ships to press its claims over the island.

Lai has been more outspoken than his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen in defending Taiwan's sovereignty, angering Beijing which calls him a "separatist".
Taiwan military on high alert as China warships sail near island



Hsinchu, Taiwan, Dec 9 (AFP) Dec 09, 2024



Taiwan's military was on high alert Monday after detecting Chinese warships near the island, Taipei said, as it prepared for likely drills by Beijing in response to President Lai Ching-te's US visits.

The Taiwanese defence ministry said it also spotted Chinese coast guard vessels and that Beijing's People's Liberation Army (PLA) had restricted the airspace off the Chinese coast.

There has been intense speculation about the possibility of China launching military exercises in response to Lai's trip to the Pacific last week which included stopovers in Hawaii and Guam.

"In response to these actions by the PLA, the MND has initiated combat readiness drills, factoring in enemy threats, weather conditions, and tactical positioning," the Ministry of National Defense in Taipei said in a statement.

It added that military units were on "high" alert and those on outlying islands had "heightened their vigilance".

The ministry said its forces had "identified PLA Eastern, Northern, and Southern Theater Command naval formations, along with Coast Guard vessels, entering areas around the Taiwan Strait and the Western Pacific".

There was no immediate public announcement by the PLA or Chinese state media about increased military activity around Taiwan.

However, a Beijing foreign ministry spokeswoman said China would "firmly defend" its sovereignty, as Taiwan kicked off its drills.

Taiwan regards itself as a sovereign nation with its own government, military, and currency.

But Beijing insists the island is part of its territory and has not ruled out using force to bring it under its control.

Lai spoke with Republican US House Speaker Mike Johnson in Guam on Thursday -- the highest-level US contact the Taiwanese leader had during a week-long trip -- which drew a barrage of criticism from Beijing.

China's foreign ministry warned Taiwan on Friday that "seeking independence with the help of the United States will inevitably hit a wall", and called on Washington to "cease meddling in Taiwan-related affairs".

In response to a question about possible Chinese military drills around Taiwan following his trip, Lai told reporters on Friday that "raising your fists is not as good as opening your hands".

"No matter how many military exercises, warships and aircraft China sends to coerce neighbouring countries, it cannot win the respect of any country," Lai said.



- 'Unusual movements' -



Taiwan's coast guard said on Monday it had detected "unusual movements" of seven Chinese coast guard ships since early Friday -- the day Lai returned to Taipei.

The Beijing army's airspace restrictions east of Zhejiang and Fujian provinces were expected to be in place until Wednesday, Taiwan's defence ministry said.

"Any unilateral, irrational acts of provocation could severely undermine peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region and are unwelcome by the international community," the ministry said.

It added that the PLA's "recent activities near Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and Taiwan have introduced risks and uncertainties to regional security".

Japan's defence ministry said Monday it had detected over the weekend a Chinese navy missile destroyer, frigate and "information-gathering ship" sailing southeast between Okinawa island and Miyako islands towards the Pacific Ocean.

"From the limited information available, the seven restricted airspaces are likely being used for two main purposes: missile testing and simulating no-fly zones, which represent a blocked airspace state," Su Tzu-yun, a military expert at the Institute for National Defense and Security Research in Taipei, told AFP.

Su said the drills "appear politically motivated" and would backfire on Beijing by reinforcing the "China threat theory".

Taiwan faces the constant threat of a military attack by China and relies heavily on US arms sales to boost its defences.

On the eve of Lai's 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.

Lai said in the US state of Hawaii during his trip there was a need to "fight together to prevent war", warning there were "no winners" from conflict.

China has launched two large-scale military drills around Taiwan since Lai took office and regularly deploys fighter jets and navy ships to press its claims over the island.

Lai has been more outspoken than his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen in defending Taiwan's sovereignty, angering Beijing which calls him a "separatist".

bur-amj/dhw
Two Iraqi officers killed storming militant hideout: officials



Baghdad, Dec 9 (AFP) Dec 09, 2024



Two Iraqi security officers were killed in a clash with militants in western Iraq, officials said on Monday.

Iraq's national security service said one of its teams "stormed a terrorist hideout and eliminated its occupants" in Anbar province, which borders Syria.

Two officers were killed "following the armed confrontation with wanted suspects", the service said in a statement.

Iraq declared victory over fighters from the Islamic State (IS) group at the end of 2017 after a three-year battle in which the jihadists had seized large swathes of the country.

But jihadist cells still launch sporadic attacks against the army and police, often in rural areas.
Putin doesn't understand danger of nuclear weapons: Nobel Peace laureate



Oslo, Dec 9 (AFP) Dec 09, 2024



Japan's atomic bomb survivors' group -- Nihon Hidankyo -- said on Monday it did not believe Russian President Vladimir Putin, who recently updated Moscow's nuclear doctrine, understood the threat posed by nuclear weapons.

"President Putin, I don't think he truly understands what nuclear weapons are for human beings," said Tanaka, the 92-year-old co-chair of Nihon Hidankyo and a survivor of the 1945 atomic bombing of Nagasaki.

"Nuclear weapons are things which must never be used," he said.

"The use of nuclear weapons ... would be against humanity."

Tanaka was addressing a press conference in Oslo a day before he was due to accept the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Nihon Hidankyo at a formal ceremony in Oslo.

Putin began issuing nuclear threats shortly after invading Ukraine in 2022 and signed a decree in late November lowering the threshold for using atomic weapons.

Nihon Hidankyo, a grassroots anti-nuclear organisation, was established in 1956 and is the only nationwide organisation of atomic bomb survivors, who are known as hibakusha.

Around 140,000 people were killed in Hiroshima when the United States detonated an atomic bomb over the Japanese city on August 6, 1945.

A further 74,000 were killed by a US nuclear bomb in Nagasaki three days later

Survivors suffered from radiation sickness and longer-term effects, including elevated risks of cancer.

The bombings were the only times nuclear weapons have been used in history.

The Norwegian Nobel Committee honoured Nihon Hidankyo "for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons and for demonstrating through witness testimony that nuclear weapons must never be used again".
China hands over anti-narcotics inspection devices to Indonesia

Xinhua) 10:38, December 09, 2024

JAKARTA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The handover ceremony of China-aid anti-narcotics inspection devices to Indonesia was held in Jakarta on Friday, attended by Chinese Ambassador to Indonesia Wang Lutong and Indonesian National Narcotics Board Head Marthinus Hukom, along with over 80 officials and representatives.

"During Indonesian President Prabowo's recent visit to China, the two sides issued a joint statement, stating our commitment to jointly combat transnational crimes such as drug manufacturing and trafficking," Wang said at the ceremony.

He noted that the handover of anti-narcotics inspection devices is a concrete step toward implementing the consensus reached by the two heads of state, adding that it also reflects the shared determination of China and Indonesia to address global challenges through partnership and cooperation. Wang expressed confidence that the devices would enhance Indonesia's ability to combat drug-related crimes, maintain social stability, and ensure public safety.

Marthinus expressed deep gratitude for China's support, emphasizing that the devices would significantly boost Indonesia's anti-narcotics capabilities. "These devices will undoubtedly enhance our capacity to prevent and combat drug-related crimes," he said, adding that he hoped for further bilateral cooperation in drug control efforts.

During the ceremony, Wang and Marthinus signed the handover certificate on behalf of their respective governments.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
News / National

by Staff reporter

Kariba, the resort town in Zimbabwe known for its picturesque dam, was shaken by two moderate earthquakes last Thursday, leaving residents startled and unnerved by the tremors. The first earthquake, measuring 3.9 on the Richter scale, struck at approximately 3 a.m., while the second, measuring 3.7, occurred around 09:36 a.m. Both tremors were felt most strongly near the dam wall and throughout Kariba town, where they caused widespread alarm among the local population.Residents who spoke to NewsDay described the experience as frightening and intense, with many of them still reeling from the shock."I was in my house when the first earthquake struck," Tracy Martin, a Kariba resident, recounted. "The ground was shaking, and I heard a loud rumbling noise. It was very scary."Another local shared their account, saying, "We felt the earthquake and buildings were shaking. Most people were awoken by the incident, and many rushed outside to seek safety."The Meteorological Services Department confirmed that the earthquakes were of moderate magnitude, though they did not report any damage in the area. The department also indicated that more inquiries would be made to assess the intensity of the tremors locally."While these earthquakes were moderate, it's important to note that earthquakes of varying magnitudes have been recorded in the region over the years. The department is continuing its assessments and monitoring," a spokesperson from the department said.Kariba has a long history of seismic activity, largely attributed to the presence of the Kariba Dam, which was completed in the late 1950s. The dam, one of the largest man-made lakes in the world, exerts significant pressure on the local geological structures, and its immense weight has been linked to occasional seismic events.In fact, the region has experienced several earthquakes since the dam's construction, with tremors ranging from minor to more severe. One of the most significant recorded earthquakes occurred in 1963, measuring 6.0 on the Richter scale, which caused considerable concern, although it resulted in minimal damage. More recently, in 2016, a series of tremors reminded locals of the ongoing seismic risks associated with the dam.The Meteorological Services Department continues to monitor seismic activity in the area closely, providing updates to help reassure residents. Despite the occasional tremors, authorities have stressed that while the seismic risks are present, significant damage has not occurred in recent events.Local residents, however, remain on edge, with many hoping that future earthquakes will be less intense. The government's ongoing monitoring and communication efforts aim to offer both reassurance and preparedness for the community as they brace for the possibility of future tremors in the dam's vicinity.
Syria chemical weapons: 'large quantities' and major questions



The Hague, Dec 9 (AFP) Dec 09, 2024



The world's chemical weapons watchdog has been probing Syria's stockpiles since 2013, encountering delays, obstructions, and suspicions that Damascus was not giving a full picture.

Here are some key questions in the wake of President Bashar al-Assad's dramatic overthrow by Islamist rebels that has thrown up uncertainty over control of the suspected arsenal.

Israel has already announced bombing raids on "remaining chemical weapons" to stop them falling into the wrong hands.



- What is the current situation? -



The director-general of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) voiced his "serious concern" over Syria's potential stockpiles on November 25.

Fernando Arias said there could be "large quantities of potentially undeclared or unverified chemical warfare agents and chemical munitions" still in Syria.

Since 2014, the OPCW has raised 26 separate questions over potential stockpiles with the Syrian authorities. Only seven have been resolved.

"Despite more than a decade of intensive work, the Syrian Arab Republic chemical weapons dossier still cannot be closed," he said at the OPCW annual meeting.

On Monday, the OPCW said it had contacted Syrian authorities to stress the "paramount importance" of securing the weapons.



- What did Syria declare? -



Under Russian and US pressure, Syria in September 2013 agreed to join the OPCW and disclose and hand over its toxic stockpile to avert the threat of US and allied air strikes.

This came after a chemical attack in the Ghouta suburb of Damascus that crossed the "red line" set by then US president Barack Obama.

The attack on East Ghouta, which killed more than 1,000 according to US intelligence, was attributed to the Syrian government, which denied involvement and blamed the rebels.

In January 2016, the OPCW announced the complete removal and destruction of 1,300 metric tonnes of chemical weapons from Syria that the authorities had declared.

But the OPCW suspects that Syria's initial 2013 declaration was riddled with "gaps and inconsistencies".

Lennie Phillips, senior research fellow at the London-based Royal United Services Institute, told AFP: "I think it's fairly clear that the declaration never was complete and they do have chemical weapons still stored somewhere."



- Why did the OPCW suspend Syria? -



In 2021, OPCW members stripped Syria of voting rights after a probe blamed Damascus for poison gas attacks carried out after they had claimed the stockpile was no more.

The watchdog found the Syrian air force had used the nerve agent sarin and chlorine gas in three attacks on the village of Lataminah in 2017.

Pressure further mounted when a second OPCW investigation concluded a Syrian helicopter dropped a chlorine bomb on the rebel-held town of Saraqib in 2018.

Damascus then failed to adhere to a 90-day deadline to declare the weapons used in the attacks, reveal its remaining stocks and comply with OPCW inspections.



- What evidence of chemical weapons use? -



In 2014, the OPCW set up what it called a "fact-finding mission" to investigate chemical weapons use in Syria.

This team has issued 21 reports covering 74 instances of alleged chemical weapons use, according to the OPCW.

Investigators concluded that chemical weapons were used or likely used in 20 instances.

In 14 of these cases, the chemical used was chlorine. Sarin was used in three cases and mustard agent was employed in the remaining three.



- Who was responsible? -



The OPCW also established a second unit, known as the investigation and identification team (IIT), to establish responsibility for the use of chemical weapons.

Using forensic analysis, witness interviews, and medical tests on victims, this team concluded the Syrian army was behind three attacks.

In addition to the 2017 Lataminah attack and the 2018 attack on Saraqib, this team also accused Syria of a chlorine attack on the rebel-held town of Douma in 2018 that killed 43 people.

The IIT also concluded that the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant carried out a chemical weapons attack in September 2015 in the Syrian town of Marea.



- What next? -



World powers are scrambling to ensure the stockpiles do not now fall into the wrong hands.

A senior US administration official said the US military has "good fidelity" on the weapons' location.

"We're doing everything we can to prudently ensure that those materials... obviously are either not available to anyone or are cared for."

Meanwhile, Israel's foreign minister said his country's warplanes had struck "remaining chemical weapons in order that they will not fall in the hands of extremists."

The Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebels who deposed Assad have said they "do not have any intention or desire" to use chemical weapons.

"I would think that they would want some sort of external input to help them either remove those chemical weapons or destroy those chemical weapons," RUSI's Phillips said.
Two Palestinians killed in Israeli strike on West Bank



Ramallah, Palestinian Territories, Dec 9 (AFP) Dec 09, 2024



An Israeli air strike in the occupied West Bank city of Tubas killed two Palestinians on Monday, according to the Palestinian health ministry, while the Israeli army confirmed it hit "armed individuals".

In a statement, the Palestinian health ministry said that two men aged 26 and 32 were killed "by Israeli shelling in Tubas", in the northern West Bank.

The Israeli military said one of its aircraft struck and killed "several armed individuals" during an operation in the city.

It said the operation aimed "to apprehend a wanted suspect and to thwart terrorist infrastructure sites", and that it had confiscated several weapons in a post-strike raid on the targeted area.

The strike came a week after the Palestinian health ministry said the Israeli army besieged the Tubas hospital, before breaking into it, shooting inside, "assaulting staff and patients and arresting a number of them".

The army said its soldiers were deployed around the hospital to collect the bodies of militants struck earlier, but that "they did not enter the hospital."

An AFP journalist on the scene saw Israeli soldiers exiting the hospital and detaining staff, some of them wearing scrubs or doctor's coats, before loading them into 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 790 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.
Assad's fall shows Russian military limited by Ukraine offensive



Moscow, Dec 9 (AFP) Dec 09, 2024



The collapse of Moscow ally Bashar al-Assad's Syrian government has dealt a major blow to Russia's image of global strength and laid bare the limits of its military reach as its Ukraine offensive drags on.

Moscow helped keep Assad in power when it intervened in the Syrian civil war in 2015, but with its troops and firepower now concentrated on Ukraine, its ability to protect the iron-fisted ruler this time was limited.

Rebels swept into the capital Damascus after a lightning offensive that took less than two weeks to topple the regime and send Assad fleeing, with Russian news agencies reporting he had been granted asylum in Moscow.

It is now unclear if Russia can maintain control of its Mediterranean naval base in the Syrian port of Tartus or its airbase in Hmeimim, threatening to dislodge Moscow's strategic military presence in the region.

"Moscow does not have sufficient military forces, resources, influence and authority to intervene effectively by force outside the former Soviet Union," analyst Ruslan Pukhov said in an opinion piece for the Russian daily Kommersant.

This became even more evident after 2022, with the outbreak of Moscow's "protracted" offensive in Ukraine depleting Russia's military capabilities, he said.

Days after rebel groups launched their offensive against Assad in late November, Russia announced it was responding with air strikes, helping the Syrian army in three northern provinces.

But it was clear that the intervention was limited.

"Attempts to maintain (Assad) would have ended in failure anyway. Russia has other priorities now, and resources are not infinite," political analyst Fyodor Lukyanov told AFP.

The Kremlin said it was "surprised" by the sheer speed of the rebel attack.

Russia had invested huge financial resources in the country after helping Assad ward off rebel forces with deadly air strikes and devastating bombing campaigns in the latter half of the war.

It is now having to conduct "negotiations" with the same rebel groups it was targeting to secure the safety of its citizens and embassy staff, according to Russian spy chief Sergei Naryshkin.

"This is now the main goal -- to ensure the safety of our people," he told reporters on Monday.



- 'I will not grieve for Syria' -



Further aggravating matters, Russia faces the "most likely" prospect of having to withdraw from its military bases in the country, Lukyanov said.

The Russian naval base at Tartus allows it to sail warships directly into the Mediterranean Sea, while its air base at Hmeimim gives it quick access to skies above swathes of the Middle East.

These bases in Syria "play a role in Russia's efforts to project power not only inside Syria but in the broader region, including in Libya, Sudan, and other parts of Africa", the New York-based Soufan Center global security analysts said in a note.

If Russia loses this warm-water naval base and airbase, it loses its military capabilities in the region and potentially further afield, analysts said.

"The damage to Moscow's ability to manouevre in Africa and the Mediterranean may have a strategic impact on Russian influence across the world," said R. Clarke Cooper, research fellow at the Atlantic Council tink tank.

After Assad was ousted, military bloggers in Moscow reacted with shock and dismay.

"I will not grieve for Syria any more than I would grieve for Izyum, Kherson or Kyiv," Russian war correspondent Alexander Kots wrote on Telegram, referring to Ukrainian cities that Moscow retreated from during its nearly three-year offensive.

"The image of our country will depend entirely on the results of the Special Military Operation, (which is) more important than anything else at the moment," he said, using the Kremlin's term for the offensive.

But the fall of Assad, one of Russian President Vladimir Putin's closest allies, could weaken Moscow's hand in any future negotiations on the Ukraine conflict, according to the Soufan Center.

Moscow's inability to keep Assad in power suggests it is consumed with the Ukraine conflict, it said, "taxing Russia's resources and capabilities, raising questions about the sustainability of its ongoing offensive in Ukraine".
Autocratic leaders who fled



Paris, Dec 9 (AFP) Dec 09, 2024



Ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad is not the first autocratic leader to have been forced to flee his country.

Here are some emblematic cases over the past decades.



- Bangladesh: Sheikh Hasina -



On August 5, 2024, Bangladesh's autocratic ex-premier Sheikh Hasina was overthrown in a student-led revolution.

Hasina's iron-fisted rule was strongly backed by India, where she took refuge after her ouster.



- Tunisia: Zine El Abidine Ben Ali -



After weeks of protests sparked in December 2010 by a young Tunisian fruit seller setting himself on fire to protest police harassment and dying days later, Ben Ali fled on January 14, 2011 for Saudi Arabia, ending 23 years in power.

Ben Ali died in exile in Saudi Arabia in 2019.



- Zaire (now Democratic Republic of Congo): Mobutu Sese Seko -



On May 16, 1997, Mobutu Sese Seko went into exile after receiving an ultimatum to step down from rebel leader Laurent-Desire Kabila, whose forces were advancing on the capital.

Mobutu, who had ruled the country for more than three decades since a 1965 coup d'etat, had smothered all opposition and wrecked the economy.

He died shortly afterwards on September 7, 1997 in Morocco, of prostate cancer.



- Haiti: Jean-Claude Duvalier -



Jean-Claude Duvalier, who succeeded his father "Papa Doc" Duvalier in 1971, proclaimed himself president for life, installing a regime of terror. He went into exile in February 1986 following a popular uprising over the human rights abuses committed by his regime.

He lived in France for 25 years, returning to Haiti in 2011 where he died three years later.



- Philippines: Ferdinand Marcos -



Ferdinand Marcos, who imposed martial rule from 1972 to 1981, in 1986 fled to US exile amid a bloodless, military-backed popular uprising that ended his 20 years in power.

He died in exile in 1989.



- Uganda: Idi Amin Dada -



Amin seized power in Uganda in 1971 and brutally suppressed all opposition during his eight-year reign of terror which resulted in the deaths of an estimated 300,000 people, chronicled to powerful effect in the 2006 film "The Last King of Scotland".

Overthrown in a 1979 coup he died in exile in Saudi Arabia, in 2003.



- Iran: The Shah -



Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, who acceded to the throne in 1941, was accused of authoritarianism and criticised for his modernist reforms. He fled in 1979 after months of protests, living in exile in Morocco, the Bahamas, Mexico, the United States and Panama, dying in Egypt in 1980.
Monitor says more than 100 Israeli air strikes on military sites Monday



Beirut, Lebanon, Dec 9 (AFP) Dec 09, 2024



Israel conducted more than 100 air strikes on military targets in Syria on Monday including a research centre Western countries suspected of having links to chemical weapons production in Damascus, a war monitor said.

"Israeli warplanes launched over 100 strikes in Syria today, including on the Barzah scientific research centre," Rami Abdel Rahman who heads the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights told AFP.

He also reported "increased Israeli strikes to destroy the former regime's military capabilities".

Abdel Rahman said the targets of Israeli strikes included weapons depots in the eastern Deir Ezzor province and near the Qamishli military airport in the country's northeast.

Raids also destroyed boats from the former Syrian navy in the sea port of Latakia, he said.

Israel, which borders Syria, has sent troops into a buffer zone on the east of the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights after Assad's fall, in what Foreign Minister Gideon Saar described as a "limited and temporary step" for "security reasons".
News / National

by Staff reporter

The owners of St Ignatius College Chishawasha, a religiously affiliated educational institution, have launched an investigation into allegations of sodomy and sexual abuse allegedly committed by the late Father Brian Porter, a respected member of the clergy who served at the school for nearly two decades.The college is owned by the Prestage Trust under the Southern Africa Province of the Society of Jesus  The Jesuits. Last month, NewsDay reported on disturbing allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct allegedly perpetrated by Father Porter, which have raised questions about the safety and well-being of students in Catholic-run institutions across Zimbabwe.In a statement issued yesterday, Tafadzwa Chinamo, the chairperson of the St Ignatius College Board of Governors, expressed the institution's "sadness and deep concern" regarding the allegations of sexual impropriety involving Father Porter. He emphasized that the college took these allegations seriously, acknowledging the gravity of the situation.Porter, a former member of the Jesuit community, worked at St Ignatius College from the early 1970s until 1989, and passed away on July 8 this year at the age of 90."The allegations, as reported in NewsDay, constitute serious criminal offences and entail a fundamental breach of the duty of care and trust that underpins safeguarding obligations in schools," said Chinamo. "We have a responsibility to ensure that learners are not exposed to harm, and we are committed to upholding these standards."The Jesuits have commissioned the Safeguarding Commission of the Jesuit Southern Africa Province to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the allegations, despite the fact that Porter is no longer alive. Chinamo further encouraged any individuals who may have been victims of abuse to come forward and contact the Safeguarding Commission either directly or through the college."The college has robust safeguarding systems and practices that align with local laws and international best practices," Chinamo added. "We will continue to review and enhance our safeguarding policies to ensure they protect the dignity and well-being of all our students."Recent investigations by NewsDay uncovered that some of Father Porter's alleged victims, who have formed a group called Justice, Healing, and Closure (JHC), are seeking compensation from the Catholic Church. The victims have come forward to demand redress from both St Ignatius College and the Jesuit community at Garnet House in Mt Pleasant, Harare.According to the victims, Father Porter targeted Form One students during his time at the college, and the abuse allegedly spanned several years. A meeting held on July 20 by the victims outlined their plans to address the abuse they suffered and to seek justice.Minutes of the meeting obtained by NewsDay confirmed that some victims (whose identities have been withheld) corroborated the sexual abuse claims. In an online support group formed under the tag "JHC," several individuals shared their experiences of Porter allegedly molesting students who assisted him with his religious attire.This investigation is part of a broader reckoning within Catholic institutions worldwide as similar abuse allegations have surfaced in various countries, prompting renewed calls for accountability and transparency from religious organizations.As St Ignatius College moves forward with its investigation, many are hopeful that justice will be served, and that the victims of Father Porter's alleged actions will find the closure they have been seeking for decades.
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
Mark describes it as being in a state of terrible neglect. He said: The whole structure is letting in water, and parts of the ceilings have come away  chunks of plaster half an inch thick came off the ceiling and fell into the ticket office more than a year ago. [] The platforms appear to be subsiding, you can see it because there is a clear undulation on the Northbound platform.
Farmers feel undervalued, overburdened and unsupported in their efforts to embrace a transition to nature-friendly farming. This should concern us all

Letter sent by green groups to Environment Secretary
News / National

by Staff reporter

The Welshman Ncube-led Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) yesterday vehemently rejected the actions of self-proclaimed interim secretary-general Sengezo Tshabangu, warning him that his authority within the party is temporary and his decisions are not in line with the party's principles.Tshabangu has been at the center of an ongoing leadership dispute within the opposition faction, with his controversial moves, including the recall of CCC legislators, sparking tension among party leaders. His claims of authority have been widely disputed, and allegations of financial influence in his appointments have further fueled the controversy.It has emerged that Tshabangu is reportedly orchestrating the recall of elected CCC officials, accusing them of no longer being members of the party. This has raised eyebrows within the party, especially after former party leader Nelson Chamisa abandoned the CCC, citing concerns of infiltration by Zanu-PF.Tshabangu's latest reshuffle saw the removal of key party figures, including Chikanga legislator Lynette Karenyi-Kore, who was ousted as Leader of the House in the National Assembly, with Maureen Kademaunga from Sunningdale taking over. Edwin Mushoriwa, the former chief whip, was also dismissed in the reshuffle.Willas Madzimure, the CCC faction spokesperson, dismissed Tshabangu's reshuffle as an unauthorized and unnecessary decision, emphasizing that it did not reflect the party's official stance. "It is not necessary, but because someone wants to flex their muscles, they make those unilateral decisions. We did not get any reason why those people were demoted," Madzimure stated. "There are other serious and pressing issues that we should be focusing on, not this child's play."Madzimure also revealed troubling details about the internal workings of the party, claiming that some individuals are paying large sums of money in exchange for positions within the party and Parliament. "There is money at play. Money is exchanging hands in a very serious manner. I am talking about large sums of money here," Madzimure said. "It is not by merit that they are taking those positions. Some people are paying to assume those positions."The CCC spokesperson expressed his dissatisfaction with the way Tshabangu has been handling the party's internal affairs, noting that the imposition of personal decisions undermines the collective efforts of the party members who have worked hard to earn their positions. "It is disheartening for people who worked hard to be in Parliament only to be recalled," Madzimure added. "Yes, some might have been selected through the controversial bereka mwana process, but they worked hard to win the votes. They used their resources. In the end, that power will be gone no matter who is celebrating that abuse of power."The CCC faction is still deliberating on how to address Tshabangu's actions, with a clear indication that no further recalls will take place. "No more recalls are going to take place, even the Speaker (Jacob) Mudenda knows that," Madzimure stated. "But is it humane to keep your colleague on edge in Parliament? Every time there is a letter read in Parliament, you will be thinking, it might be me who is being targeted this time."Tshabangu's leadership style has sparked a divide within the party, particularly over control of funds allocated under the Political Parties Finance Act. However, when approached by NewsDay for comment on the matter, Tshabangu referred the inquiry to his spokesperson, Nqobizitha Mlilo, who was unavailable for comment.As tensions continue to rise within the party, the future direction of the CCC remains uncertain, with party leaders pledging to address the internal power struggles that threaten to destabilize the opposition.
On Friday, police said the killer had left the city soon after the shooting. Retracing the gunmans steps using surveillance video, investigators say the shooter rode into Central Park on a bicycle and emerged from the park without his backpack. He made his way to a bus station that offers commuter service to New Jersey and routes to the East Coast, police said.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Finance, Economic Development, and Investment Promotion Minister, Mthuli Ncube, has expressed strong confidence in the future of the Mutapa Investment Fund (MIF), highlighting its potential as a key driver of Zimbabwe's economic development.The MIF, Zimbabwe's State-owned Sovereign Wealth Fund (SWF), was established to pool resources including public equities, commodity royalties, and government allocations, with the aim of investing for the nation's future. Its history dates back to 2014 when the Sovereign Wealth Fund Act was enacted, marking the beginning of a strategic initiative to invest for future generations while supporting the country's broader development goals.In his recent 2025 National Budget presentation, Minister Ncube outlined the progress made by the MIF and its role in shaping Zimbabwe's economic future. "The Mutapa Investment Fund, as the country's Sovereign Wealth Fund, is poised to contribute to the country's economic growth and development by leveraging on strategic sector investments to create long-term sustainable value in sectors, which include mining, energy, and manufacturing," Ncube stated.Ncube also revealed that the fund's management portfolio has expanded significantly. The total number of portfolio clusters under the MIF's management now stands at six, encompassing a diverse range of sectors: mineral resources; energy and trading; information communication technology (ICT), transport and logistics; agriculture and industries; financial services; and real estate.He highlighted that the MIF has been actively pursuing a robust pipeline of transactions aimed at enhancing the value of companies within its portfolio. As of March 31, 2024, the approximate gross value of the Fund's investment portfolio was reported at US$16 billion."One of the major mandates of the fund is to ensure sound corporate governance, transparency, accountability, and ethical business practices across all its portfolio of companies with clear delineation of roles between the Board and management," Ncube said, emphasizing the fund's commitment to maintaining high standards of governance.The Treasury Minister also noted the MIF's success in arranging governance and board inductions for key state-owned entities such as PetroTrade, Zimbabwe Electricity Supply Authority (ZESA), and the National Railways of Zimbabwe (NRZ). These initiatives are part of the fund's broader goal of enhancing the efficiency and performance of critical public enterprises.Looking ahead, Ncube assured that the operations of the Mutapa Investment Fund will continue to be guided by all relevant legislation, including full adherence to the provisions of the Public Finance Management Act, ensuring that the fund operates with the utmost transparency and accountability.With a focus on strategic investments and long-term sustainability, the MIF is expected to play a pivotal role in strengthening Zimbabwe's economic foundation and fostering development across multiple sectors, ensuring benefits for future generations.
The Ministry of Energy has signed an important contract for the financing of the rehabilitation and modernisation project of the 9.9 MW micro-hydroelectric power plant at SE Turceni, implemented by Complexul Energetic Oltenia SA, the ministry announced on Monday.

According to the source, financing is almost 65% provided from the Modernisation Fund.

"Even though we are going through a difficult period, with uncertainties, we are not slowing down. The modernisation projects of the national energy system must continue at an accelerated pace, and that's exactly what we are doing these days. In the face of the aggression Romania is facing, we are responding with the best tools: investments to strengthen the security of the national energy system. Complexul Energetic Oltenia is modernising, and we need this company in the national energy system and the Romanian economy. I thank everyone who contributed to this project and rely on the CEO team to successfully complete this investment," Minister of Energy Sebastian Burduja is quoted in the release as saying.

Based on the European Commission's decision of June 12, 2024, the project was approved for financing 64.47% from the Modernisation Fund, in accordance with European Parliament and Council Directive 2003/87/EC. The amount financed from the Modernisation Fund is 25.42 million lei (equivalent to 5.107 million euros).

The total value of the project is 46.92 million lei, including VAT (equivalent to 9.42 million euros), with the difference covered by the co-financing provided by Complexul Energetic Oltenia SA.

The modernisation of the micro-hydroelectric power plant at SE Turceni will bring significant benefits in terms of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing the production capacity of renewable energy, the quoted source added.
The fall of the dictatorial regime in Damascus marks a historic moment and a turning point for the Syrian people, who have been subjected to suffering and oppression, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) said in a press release issued on Sunday, announce agerpres.ro.

According to the source, Romania supports the international community's efforts for peace and security in the region.

"Romania reiterates its support for Syria's unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity. It also expresses the hope for a free, secure and prosperous future for all Syrian citizens, in which the fundamental rights of all citizens, including persons belonging to minorities, are respected. Romania reiterates the need to resume the political process on the basis of The United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254," reads the press release.
Her Majesty Margareta, the Custodian of the Romanian Crown, will host the Royal Evening for the Diplomatic Corps in Throne Hall of the Royal Palace, on Tuesday, starting with 18:30, announce agerpres.ro.

On this occasion, the Custodian of the Romanian Crown will address the members of the Diplomatic Corps. The Dean of the Foreign Diplomatic Corps in Romania, Monsignor Giampiero Gloder, the Apostolic Nuncio, will also address the audience, the Press Office of the Household of Her Majesty the Custodian of the Romanian Crown announced on Monday.

HRH Prince Radu, Princess Sofia, as well as representatives of the Presidential Administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of National Defense and the General Staff, alongside ambassadors and heads of diplomatic missions accredited to Romania will attend the ceremony.

The Representative Central Band of the Ministry of National Defense and the Michael the Brave 30th Guards Brigade will accompany the event.

The Royal Evenings in honour of the Diplomatic Corps began in 1866, under the first year of the reign of Sovereign Prince Carol I. From that year on, on the eve of each New Year, Kings Carol I, Ferdinand, Carol II and Mihai I have uninterruptedly maintained the tradition of honoring the diplomatic ties between Romania and the countries of the world.

After an interruption of five decades, King Mihai I resumed the tradition of the annual Royal Evenings of the Diplomatic Corps in December 1997 in Bucharest.

Her Majesty Margareta, the Custodian of the Romanian Crown has personally managed these events continuously since 2009. The evenings were held at Elisabeta Palace, in the Hall of Honour of Peles Castle and, since 2016, in the Throne Hall of the Royal Palace.
Police officers from Ilfov are carrying out searches in Sibiu County in two criminal cases involving offenses related to explosives.

"The searches aim to document and prove criminal activity in the two cases, given that during the night of December 7-8, 2024, Ilfov police stopped several vehicles in traffic, and during the checks, they discovered various blunt objects, sharp-edged items, and 68 pyrotechnic articles from the F4 category," informed the Ilfov County Police Inspectorate (IPJ).

The operation is being conducted by officers from the Firearms, Explosives, and Dangerous Substances Service of the Ilfov Police Inspectorate, under the coordination of the Buftea Court Prosecutor's Office, with support from criminal experts and special forces from the Sibiu County Police Inspectorate's Special Actions Service.
The 28th edition of the CineMAiubit International Student Film Festival will take place from Tuesday to Saturday at the "I. L. Caragiale" National University of Theatre and Film Arts (UNATC) Bucharest.

The festival will begin on Tuesday at 18:00 at the Cinema Hall of UNATC, with an opening ceremony followed by two screenings: the first block from the Fiction competition and the Future Perspectives competition, dedicated to early student films (1st and 2nd year), the organisers announced on Monday.

The festival programme includes competitions for short fiction films, documentaries, animation, as well as workshops, book launches, symposia, and two exhibitions - photography and posters. The competitive screenings will be followed by Q&A sessions where the audience can interact with the team members.

Additionally, this year's edition introduces a new event, "Night Film," during which three feature films made by UNATC alumni will be screened: "Leo Records Strictly for Our Friends" by Ioana Grigore, "Ink Wash" by Sarra Tsorakidis, and "Alice On & Off" by Isabela Tent.

The festival brings together films from countries such as Brazil, Belgium, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Poland, Albania, Czech Republic, Israel, and, of course, Romania.

The awarded films will be selected by juries composed of professionals from the Romanian film industry.

The Fiction competition jury will be chaired by Italian director, screenwriter, and professor Giovanni Robbiano, and includes director Sarra Tsorakidis, producer Anda Ionescu, actress Ilinca Harnut, editor Corina Stavila, festival programmer and critic Calin Boto, and cinematographer Andrei Butica.

The Documentary competition jury consists of producer and director Monica Lazurean-Gorgan, director Isabela Tent, and film critic Mihai Fulger. The Animation jury includes director Gyopar Buzsasi, director Vlad Ilicevici, and film critic Laurentiu Bratan, while the Critics jury is made up of Dana Duma - professor, film critic and historian, secretary of the Association of Film Critics from UCIN, Marilena Iliesiu - film critic, and Mihai Fulger.

The "Sorin Botoseneanu" Photography Award, which honours the memory of Professor Sorin Botoseneanu, former dean of the Film Faculty, will be awarded by the following jurors: Andreea Mihalcea - film critic and director, university assistant, Cristina Iliescu - documentary film director, and Bogdan Maraloiu - film director.

This edition of the festival will feature two special competitions: the "Dumitru Carabat" Screenplay Competition and Semne'n'cadru, which brings together Romanian film trailers and video essays.

The awards ceremony will take place on Saturday at 19:00, at the Cinema Hall of UNATC.

The festival is organised by UNATC "I. L. Caragiale" Bucharest and the CineMAiubit Foundation, with the support of the National Centre for Cinematography (CNC), the Union of Film Artists from Romania (UCIN), and DACIN SARA.

The festival programme can be accessed on the website cinemaiubit.ro, as well as on the event's social media pages.

Admission to all events within the festival is free.
The Save Romania Union (USR) is asking the leadership of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate to call a joint session of both chambers of Parliament for the dismissal of Toni Grebla from his position as president of the Permanent Electoral Authority (AEP).

According to a press release from USR, it is "unacceptable" for Grebla to remain in charge of the AEP, given the "catastrophic manner" in which he has exercised his duties since taking the office.

"What confidence can voters have in an institution that is supposed to control the financing of electoral campaigns, but does not take action over zero expenditures? Or in a man who, while holding the position of president of the AEP, has dubious connections with close associates of the extremist candidate who reached the second round of the presidential elections, while his wife has no qualms about openly campaigning for him? The Permanent Electoral Authority is the institution that should ensure that Romanians' votes are protected and that elections are conducted fairly. What we saw in the June elections and now shows that Toni Grebla is a threat to Romania's democracy. I hope that PSD [Social Democratic Party] and PNL [National Liberal Party] will understand the danger and that he must be dismissed urgently," said Ionut Mosteanu, leader of USR MPs.

USR had called for Grebla's dismissal after the June 9 elections, mentioning that these elections were marked by "chaos and numerous frauds." Narcis Mircescu, leader of USR Senators, believes that Toni Grebla has "definitively compromised" the voting process.

"Such a thing cannot be overlooked. Toni Grebla has destroyed Romanians' trust in the right they earned 35 years ago, to freely choose their representatives and leaders, both locally and at the national level, including the President of the country," said Narcis Mircescu.

USR highlights that the AEP, through the Department for the Control of Political Parties and Electoral Campaign Financing (DCFPPCE), is in charge with overseeing the financing of political party activities and electoral campaigns.

"The fact that AEP received declarations from candidate Calin Georgescu, claiming to have invested 0 lei in his presidential campaign, indicates serious deficiencies in the Permanent Electoral Authority's exercise of its oversight duties, given that it is well known that an electoral campaign involves significant costs and expenses. The lack of concrete control actions by the AEP is even more glaring when compared to the fact that the General Prosecutor's Office has opened an investigation into undeclared campaign expenses and other associated electoral crimes," the source added.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A Chinese man, Chen Mo Yun, 44, believed to be the mastermind behind the illegal cremation of a woman in Harare, has been deported to China. Chen was flown out of the country last Wednesday after being implicated in a criminal operation that involved the unlawful cremation of Huang Tian Song, a Chinese national who died in Harare earlier this year.The incident dates back to May when five other Chinese nationals  Chen Ying, 44, Xia Wexing, 40, Guo Weilin, 32, Yan Qi, 36, and Wang Huasheng, 35  were fined US$200 each after being convicted for the illegal cremation of Huang Tian Song's remains. The men had obtained a burial order by falsely claiming they had consent from Song's relatives, which led to the unlawful cremation of her body without proper authorization.After the five were deported to China, investigations continued. It has since emerged that the five men were interrogated in China, where they implicated Chen Mo Yun as the mastermind behind the operation. The investigation revealed that Yun had allegedly been running a mafia-style operation in Harare, orchestrating the illegal activities.Yun's deportation follows a request from Chinese authorities, who had been conducting their own investigation into the matter. It is still unclear what the individuals involved were attempting to conceal by cremating Song's body.The tragic death of Huang Tian Song occurred on May 22 at Trauma Centre in Borrowdale, Harare. The cause of her death remains mysterious, and the illegal handling of her remains has raised concerns about potential criminal activities and exploitation of foreign nationals in Zimbabwe. The case continues to attract attention as authorities work to uncover the full extent of the operation.
DAMASCUS, Syria  Syrias prime minister said Monday that most cabinet ministers were still at work after rebels overthrew President Bashar Assad, but some state workers failed to return to their jobs, and a United Nations official said the countrys public sector had come to a complete and abrupt halt."

Meanwhile, streams of refugees crossed back into Syria from neighboring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future and looking for friends and relatives who disappeared during Assads brutal rule.

There were already signs of the difficulties ahead for the rebel alliance now in control of much of the country. The alliance is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and has promised representative government and religious tolerance.

The rebel command said Monday they would not tell women how to dress.

It is strictly forbidden to interfere with womens dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty, the command said in a statement on social media.

Nearly two days after rebels entered the capital, some key government services had shut down after state workers ignored calls to go back to their jobs, a U.N. official said, causing issues at airports and borders and slowing the flow of humanitarian aid.

Israel said it carried out airstrikes on suspected chemical weapons sites and long-range rockets to keep them from falling into the hands of extremists. Israel also seized a buffer zone inside Syria after Syrian troops withdrew.

In northern Syria, Turkey said allied opposition forces seized the town of Manbij from Kurdish-led forces backed by the United States, a reminder that even after Assads departure, the country remains split among armed groups that have fought in the past.

The Kremlin said Russia has granted political asylum to Assad, a decision made by President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Assads specific whereabouts and said Putin did not plan to meet with him.

Damascus was quiet Monday, with life slowly returning to normal while most shops and public institutions were closed. In public squares, some people were still celebrating. Civilian traffic resumed, but there was no public transport. Long lines formed in front of bakeries and other food stores.

There was little sign of any security presence, and Associated Press reporters saw a few SUVs on the side of a main boulevard that appeared to have been broken into.

In some areas, small groups of armed men were stationed in the streets. A video circulating online showed a man in military fatigues holding a rifle attempting to reassure residents of the Mezzeh neighborhood in Damascus that they would not be harmed.

We have nothing against you, neither Alawite, nor Christian, nor Shiite, nor Druze, but everyone must behave well, and no one should try to attack us, the fighter said.

In southern Turkey, hundreds of Syrian refugees gathered Monday at two border crossings, hoping to return home.

Mustafa Sultan, at the Oncupinar crossing, said he was searching for his older brother who was imprisoned under Assads rule.

I havent seen him for 13 years," he said. "The prisons have been emptied so I am going to go see whether hes alive.

Prime minister says the government is still operational

Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali, who remained in his post after Assad and most of his top officials vanished over the weekend, has sought to project normalcy.

We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth, he told Sky News Arabia TV on Monday, saying the security situation had already improved from the day before.

He said the government is coordinating with the insurgents, and that he is ready to meet rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, who made a triumphal appearance Sunday at a famed Damascus mosque.

Syrians who only days ago were working at all levels of the bureaucracy in Assads government were adjusting to the new reality.

At the court of Justice in Damascus, which was stormed by the rebels to free detainees, Judge Khitam Haddad, an aide to the justice minister in the outgoing government, said Sunday that judges were ready to resume work quickly.

We want to give everyone their rights, Haddad said outside the courthouse. We want to build a new Syria and to keep the work, but with new methods.

But a U.N. official said some government services had been paralyzed as worried state employees stayed home.

The public sector has just come to a complete and abrupt halt," said U.N. Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria Adam Abdelmoula, noting, for example, that an aid flight carrying urgently needed medical supplies had been put on hold after aviation employees abandoned their jobs.

This is a country that has had one government for 53 years and then suddenly all of those who have been demonized by the public media are now in charge in the nations capital, Abdelmoula told the AP.

Separately, a Syrian opposition war monitor said a top aide to Assads brother, Maher, was found dead in his office near Damascus. A video that circulated on social media purportedly showed Maj. Gen. Ali Mahmoud covered with blood and with his clothes burned. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it was not clear if he was killed or died by suicide.

Maher Assad led the armys 4th Armored Division, which played a major role in the civil war that erupted in 2011 after a popular uprising against Assad led to a violent crackdown on dissent and the rise of an insurgency.

Britain, U.S. considering removing insurgent group from terror list

Britain and the U.S. are both considering removing the main anti-Assad rebel group from their lists of designated terrorist organizations.

Hayat Tahrir al-Sham began as an offshoot of al-Qaida but cut ties with the group years ago and has worked to present a more moderate image.

The groups leader, al-Golani, is saying some of the right things about the protection of minorities, about respecting peoples rights, British Cabinet minister Pat McFadden said.

Removal from the terrorist list will have to be considered quite quickly, he said.

A Biden administration official noted that HTS will be an important component in Syrias future and that the U.S. needs to engage with them appropriately.

Another administration official said the U.S. remains in a wait and see mode on whether to remove the designation.

Both officials requested anonymity to discuss the ongoing internal deliberations.

Israel confirms it struck suspected chemical weapons and rockets

Israelis welcomed the fall of Assad, who was a key ally of Iran and Lebanons Hezbollah militant group, while expressing concern over what comes next. Israel says its forces temporarily seized a buffer zone inside Syria dating back to a 1974 agreement after Syrian troops withdrew in the chaos.

The only interest we have is the security of Israel and its citizens," Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar told reporters on Monday. Thats why we attacked strategic weapons systems, like, for example, remaining chemical weapons, or long-range missiles and rockets, in order that they will not fall in the hands of extremists.

Saar did not provide details about when or where the strikes took place.

An AP journalist in Damascus reported airstrikes in the area of the Mezzeh military airport, southwest of the capital, on Sunday. The airport has previously been targeted in Israeli airstrikes. Strikes were also heard in the capital on Monday.

Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes in Syria in recent years, targeting what it says are military sites related to Iran and Hezbollah. Israeli officials rarely comment on individual strikes.

Syria agreed to give up its chemical weapons stockpile in 2013, after the government was accused of launching an attack near Damascus that killed hundreds of people. But it is widely believed to have kept some of the weapons and was accused of using them again in subsequent years.

Turkey says its allies have taken northern town

Officials in Turkey, which is the main supporter of the Syrian opposition to Assad, say its allies have taken full control of the northern Syrian city of Manbij from a U.S.-supported and Kurdish-led force known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, or SDF.

The SDF said a Turkish drone struck in the village of al-Mistriha in eastern Syria, killing 12 civilians, including six children.

Turkey views the SDF, which is primarily composed of a Syrian Kurdish militia, as an extension of the banned Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, which has waged a decades-long insurgency in Turkey. The SDF has also been a key ally of the United States in the war against the Islamic State group.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday expressed hope for a new era in Syria in which ethnic and religious groups can live peacefully under an inclusive government. But he warned against allowing Islamic State or Kurdish fighters to take advantage of the situation, saying Turkey will prevent Syria from turning into a haven for terrorism.

Mroue reported from Beirut and Goldenberg from Tel Aviv, Israel. Associated Press writers Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey, Mehmet Guzel at the Oncupinar border crossing in Turkey and Aamer Madhani in Washington contributed to this report.

Updated at 11:45 a.m.
Sebille Manor units, built in the 1960s at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, were gutted down to their concrete shells for renovation. (Brian McElhiney/Stars and Stripes)

KADENA AIR BASE, Okinawa  Residents of 27 recently renovated homes at this air base must find new housing by the end of February due to potential health risks from leaky air conditioning systems, according to a base spokeswoman.

Families living in Sebille Manor units 5300 to 5354 received a memo recommending they relocate by Feb. 28 to address potential health risks, according to a statement posted Friday on the official Okinawa Military Family Housing Facebook page. The duplexes are on Kadena near Bob Hope Elementary School.

The issue is related to a flaw in the units air conditioning systems, which causes moisture buildup inside the homes, 18th Wing spokeswoman Maj. Alli Stormer wrote in an email Friday.

The 718th Civil Engineer Squadron discovered the issue in September and planned in-depth visual inspections and air sampling of potentially impacted facilities, the wing said at the time.

Originally, there were no concerns for people with no underlying health issues, Stormer wrote Friday. However, now that we understand the timelines better, we are concerned about long-term exposure, which is influencing our requirement for residents to move.

The wing said in September that no black mold had been discovered in the homes so far. Stormer did not elaborate on whether black mold had since been discovered.

The wing acknowledged follow-up questions emailed by Stars and Stripes on Monday but did not immediately provide responses.

Families were given the option to move on or off base at the governments expense and are strongly encouraged to move out by Feb. 28, Stormer wrote.

However, extensions until June 20 will be considered on a case-by-case basis contingent upon reviews of families medical records by the 18th Medical Group to determine if any member of the family is at increased risk due to existing conditions, Stormer wrote.

On March 27, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Japanese contractors completed renovations at Sebille Manor on 50 duplexes, or 100 housing units, for junior enlisted airmen. Move-ins began in July and 27 homes are occupied. The renovation project took three years and cost $53 million.

Since the issue was discovered in September, no families have moved into or been offered the affected homes, Stormer wrote.

The wing is working with the Army Corps of Engineers on solutions and timelines, with an expected completion date between one and three years, Stormer said.

More than 43% of military family housing units on Okinawa require major repair and or renovations to bring these units to current Air Force Standards, the wing said in an Oct. 29 news release. This has led to a housing shortage for military families on the island and caused wait periods for housing to exceed the normal 10-day window for assignment, the release said.

Families relocating from Sebille Manor will receive top priority from the Kadena Housing Office, according to Stormer.

The 18th Wing will do everything possible to help families through the transition, she wrote.

Wing commander Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans and Chief Master Sgt. Brandon Wolfgang will host a forum for families living in the affected homes at 6 p.m. Tuesday in the Morrell Room at the Rocker Enlisted Club. Civil engineers and medical experts will also attend, Stormer wrote.

Residents should call DSN 634-4663 or email kadenahousing.customerservice@us.af.mil for more information.

The Sebille Manor units, built in the 1960s, were gutted down to their concrete shells for the renovation. They now feature modern flooring, countertops, tile, bathrooms and new appliances.
Susumu Ueda, the consulate-general of Japan on Guam, left, and Bruce "Brother Bruce" Best, a communications specialist, discuss Operation Christmas Drop at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 9, 2024. (Alex Wilson/Stars and Stripes)

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam  Massive military transport aircraft took to the skies over the weekend as the U.S. Air Force set in motion the Defense Departments longest-running humanitarian mission for the 73rd year.

The aircraft  predominantly C-130J Super Hercules from Yokota Air Base, Japan  took with them crates filled to the brim with food, camping gear, medical equipment, toys and other supplies to be dropped to remote islands as part of Operation Christmas Drop.

Sundays drops, spread across six sorties, covered thousands of miles and delivered the packages to far flung islands, including Palau and Kapingamarangi, an atoll in the Federated States of Micronesia.

Additional sorties will continue until the operation concludes Dec. 16.

Hundreds of guests, including foreign dignitaries from partner nations, attended the annual Operation Christmas Drop "push ceremony" at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 9, 2024. (Alex Wilson/Stars and Stripes) Bruce Best, from left to right, 374th Air Wing commander Col. Richard McElhaney, Australia Air Vice-Marshall Carl Newman, and 515th Air Mobility Operations Wing commander Col. Jens Lyndrup prepare to push an Operation Christmas Drop bundle onto a C-130J Super Hercules at Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, Dec. 9, 2024. (Alex Wilson/Stars and Stripes)

To celebrate the start, hundreds gathered Monday at Andersens Hangar 2 for the annual Christmas Drop push ceremony, which traditionally includes key speakers loading one of the crates onto an aircraft.

We had a great set of drops; we did not crush the beach huts, and we had not lost boxes. Thats a good day in our book, Bruce Best, a Guam-based telecommunications expert who has assisted in the operation for decades, said during the ceremony.

Last years Operation Christmas Drop saw 210 packages delivered to 60 remote islands in the South Pacific. This year is bigger than ever with at least 220 packages set to be delivered to 60 islands, according to Col. Richard McElhaney, commander of Yokotas 374th Airlift Wing.

The operation also has at least four active partners  Australia, Canada, Japan and South Korea  and the Philippine air force may also join later in the operation, wing spokeswoman Capt. Emma Quirk said by email Monday.

The 374th is scheduled to fly 36 sorties, while partner nations will fly a combined 42 sorties.

An additional 14 observer nations are participating this year, Quirk said.

While the humanitarian side of the mission is by far the most important aspect of Christmas Drop, it also provides a unique training opportunity.

The training challenges out here are the remote island destinations, and the things we do in the aircraft  we have to do some distribution planning and whatnot. Thats a fantastic test for some of our younger aviators, McElhaney told reporters before Mondays ceremony.

It also builds relationships and fosters cooperation between the partner and observer nations.

I think if we could reach more people, its fantastic, McElhaney said. I think the growth potential is great.
Army Sgt. Christopher M. Vassey, 38, was returned to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Liberty, N.C., after surrendering to federal agents on Dec. 3, 2024, at the border with Canada. The sergeant fled the United States 16 years ago. (Corey Dickstein/Stars and Stripes)

An Army sergeant who fled the United States for Canada 16 years ago turned himself in to authorities at the U.S.-Canada border in Buffalo, N.Y., last week to face military desertion charges, according to U.S. military and Customs and Border Protection officials.

Sgt. Christopher M. Vassey, 38, was returned to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Liberty, N.C., after surrendering to federal agents on Dec. 3, according to Lt. Col. Cesar Santiago, a spokesman for the division. Vassey had walked into the United States at the Port of Buffalos Rainbow Bridge border crossing and told CBP officials that he was turning himself in for military desertion, according to federal authorities.

Vasseys identification was verified by officials and found he had an active warrant from the Army for desertion, CBP said. The officers alerted Fort Liberty officials, and they turned him over to the Army last week.

Vassey was an infantryman who enlisted in April 2006, Santiago said. He declined further comment on Vassey or the desertion case as this matter is subject to ongoing legal proceedings.

Desertion charges carry several potential maximum penalties under the Uniform Code of Military Justice, the set of laws that govern the U.S. military. In peacetime, desertion carries a maximum penalty of a dishonorable discharge and up to five years confinement. If charged with wartime desertion, a service member could face life imprisonment or the death penalty. The Pentagon has not charged any troops with wartime desertion since World War II.

It was not clear Monday whether Vassey had an attorney.

Vassey fled the United States for Canada in August 2008 in the months after returning to Fort Liberty  then named Fort Bragg  from a more than yearlong deployment to Afghanistan, according to 2011 Canadian federal court documents. He had become disillusioned with the U.S. militarys efforts there and in Iraq and immediately applied for refugee protection.

Vassey was denied refugee status in Canada at least twice, according to court documents.

Vassey had participated in the Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps during high school and then enlisted in the New Jersey Army National Guard in 2003, according to the Canadian courts. After his Guard stint, he joined the active-duty Army and was assigned to the 82nd Airborne and deployed to Afghanistan.

Despite his concerns about the war efforts, Vassey reenlisted during the deployment and was promoted to sergeant, according to the documents.
U.S. Army Spc. DaJuan Cornish was a member of 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa. (U.S. Army)

This story has been corrected

CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa  A U.S. Army specialist was killed over the weekend in a motorcycle crash near this Marine Corps base, according to the Army and Japanese police.

Spc. DaJuan Cornish, 25, of 1st Battalion, 1st Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 38th Air Defense Artillery Brigade at Kadena Air Base, died in the single-vehicle accident at 2:23 p.m. Sunday, brigade spokesman Capt. Frank Spatt confirmed by email the following day.

Cornish, from Jacksonville, Fla., was a Patriot missile system launcher crew member. He enlisted in the Army in January 2019 and arrived on Okinawa in January 2024, Army spokesman Staff Sgt. Connor Davis wrote in an email Monday.

Cornish was pronounced dead at Naval Hospital Okinawa around 3:20 p.m., a spokesman for Okinawa Prefectural Police said by phone Monday.

He was riding east on Road 130 from the Chatan intersection toward the Zukeran intersection when he collided with the guard pipes on the left roadside, the police spokesman said.

Cornish hit his whole body hard and fell off the motorcycle near the pipes. The bike slid out from under him into the opposite lane, the spokesman said.

The accident is under investigation, the spokesman said.

Some Japanese government officials are required to speak to the media only on condition of anonymity.

We will continue to cooperate with the local authorities in the investigation, Spatt wrote.

Cornish is the third U.S. service member reported killed aboard a motorcycle this year on Okinawa.

In November, Marine Lance Cpl. Avery Wayne Leverette, 21, assigned to a III Marine Expeditionary Force support battalion at Camp Hansen, died when his motorcycle collided with another Marines bike on Route 329 in Kin town. The other Marine was injured.

Another Marine, Sgt. Hayden Steingold, 24, of Greenacres, Fla., died March 7 when his motorcycle collided with another vehicle on Route 58 in Ginowan city.

Hayden was assigned to Camp Foster with the 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group.
HII christened Virginia-class submarine Arkansas (SSN 800) at the companys Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024. (hris Rose/HII)

The future Virginia-class attack submarine USS Arkansas was christened Saturday in Newport News, Va.

The ships sponsors are the Little Rock Nine, Black students who desegregated all-white Little Rock Central High School in 1957. Carlotta Walls LaNier, one the Little Rock Nine, did the honors by breaking a bottle of sparkling wine on the hull at HII-Newport News Shipbuilding.

History is full of groups of collective people who come together to make something happen, LaNier said, according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. Many people are behind the submarine that we christened today. Its similar to the quote on our currency, E pluribus unum  Out of many, one. We have SSN 800, but many participated in the reality of it being here today.

The future USS Arkansas will be the 27th Virginia-class submarine and the fifth naval vessel to bear the name Arkansas. The original Arkansas was a Civil War-era screw steamer, according to the Navy. In 1902, an Arkansas-class monitor, one of the last monitors in the Navy, was christened with the same name. The third Arkansas, a Wyoming-class battleship, was christened in 1912. The fourth Arkansas, which served from 1980 until 1998, was a Virginia-class nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser.

Virginia-class submarines are designed to operate in both near the shore and in deep waters while conducting a variety of missions, including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface ship warfare, strike warfare, special operations forces support, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, irregular warfare and mine warfare, according to the Navy.

The christening of Arkansas demonstrates the power of innovation and the dedication of our shipbuilders, said Cmdr. Michael Huber, commanding officer of the pre-commissioning unit. Today, Arkansas is one step closer to sailing away from our shores, building on the brave example set by her sponsors, defending American ideals and protecting freedom around the world.

Contributing: The Associated Press
News / National

by Staff reporter

Maud Chifamba, Zimbabwe's youngest university student when she enrolled at the University of Zimbabwe at just 14 years old, has come forward with a passionate statement condemning the alleged abuse of power by officials in scholarship programs. Her comments come in the wake of rape allegations against Old Mutual manager Musa Nyasha Dube Manyika, a matter that has sparked outrage across the nation.Chifamba, whose studies were funded by a US$9,933 scholarship from the Zimbabwe Revenue Authority Chairman's Charity Fund, shared her thoughts on Facebook, reflecting on the vulnerability of students who depend on scholarships to pursue higher education. Her powerful post highlights the exploitation of young women in particular, noting how the power imbalance between scholarship providers and students often leads to abuse."An issue like this infuriates me; and many girls out there go through this," Chifamba wrote, referring to the alleged abuse by scholarship officials. "As a girl who received a scholarship when I was quite young, I know so many people who were victims, and the perpetrators vachizikanwa (are well-known)."She went on to express frustration at the fear that prevents victims from coming forward, citing the risk of losing their scholarships or facing public judgment. Chifamba's post sought to shed light on the unspoken reality faced by many scholarship recipients, particularly those from financially struggling families."Imagine you are the first person in your family to go to university, and you come from a family that can't afford even the basics, let alone ~$1,000 per semester at UZ. Then a company like Old Mutual offers to pay for you. Your family praises God. You feel gratitude that no one really understands unless they've been stranded," she said, narrating a hypothetical scenario of a young, vulnerable student coerced into unwanted advances by a scholarship committee member.In her scenario, the student is pressured into compliance by the promise of financial support, only to find herself subjected to sexual harassment. "He forces himself on you," she writes. "And he says if you tell, no one will believe you and the committee will withdraw that scholarship."Chifamba emphasized that in such an imbalanced dynamic, there can be no true consent, calling the alleged actions "DESPICABLE and very SHAMEFUL." She also criticized the tendency to doubt victims and the dismissive attitudes toward their accusations, urging society to believe and support those who come forward."Why are you not giving the girl the benefit of the doubt?" Chifamba asked, rallying against the culture of victim-blaming. She pointed out that such abuses extend beyond the Old Mutual scholarship, mentioning other prestigious programs like the presidential scholarship and cadet fellowships, where similar stories of exploitation have surfaced."It's really shameful! Most of the time, it's not a one-off. People know about these behaviors but still allow the perpetrators to continue in positions of power," she said. "It is shameful that these people continue to take advantage of more vulnerable individuals."Chifamba reflected on her own experiences, noting that she was fortunate to have strong guardians, including Professor Nyagura and CG Pasi, who ensured she was shielded from similar experiences during her studies. "They made sure everyone knew I was their child; and no one tried anything like this foolishness," she wrote.In conclusion, Chifamba called for accountability, urging society to hold abusers responsible for their actions and to ensure that men with such "disgusting behavior" are removed from positions of authority where they can exploit vulnerable individuals.Her powerful message adds to the growing conversation about the abuse of power in academic and professional environments and calls for greater protection and justice for those who are most vulnerable.
A proposed pilot program that would have allowed U.S. military families in Bahrain to use government funds for private schools was removed from the final version of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act. Instead, Congress is directing the U.S. comptroller to submit a report about the administration of the Department of Defense Education Activity school. (Shannon Renfroe/Stars and Stripes)

A proposed pilot program that would have provided public funding for private school education to U.S. military families in Bahrain is gone in the final version of this years defense bill.

The GOP-backed trial was removed during discussions between House and Senate committee members to finalize the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act.

Rep. Jim Banks, R-Ind., had sponsored the proposal as part of the Houses version of the bill, which was passed in June.

Because of the deep concern of parents at the Bahrain school, which has been struggling with poor teaching, flooding and even recently celebrated a notorious antisemite, we have developed a pilot program, Banks said during a House Armed Services Committee meeting in May.

The flooding that Banks alluded to occurred in mid-April and resulted from torrential rainfall. Because of extensive damage, the schools 24-acre campus in Juffair was closed for almost three weeks, forcing students to shift to remote learning.

In April, a school social media post promoted Palestinian-American activist Linda Sarsour as someone who has campaigned for civil rights and social justice issues.

Sarsour also backs a movement to boycott and divest from Israel and has faced accusations of antisemitism, something she has denied. The school post was later removed.

There are 574 students enrolled at Bahrain Elementary, Middle and High School, located at Naval Support Activity Bahrain. The small but densely populated island country is home to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command and 5th Fleet headquarters.

In a statement Monday, the Department of Defense Education Activity said it does not comment on pending legislation.

DODEA officials said in the spring that standardized test scores at the Bahrain school are above national averages and pointed to a high-performing student body.

The National Education Association, on behalf of the Federal Education Association, blasted the school choice proposal, saying in a statement earlier this year that the voucher-like program would rob schools of resources and students of First Amendment, due process and other constitutional and statutory rights.

The statement also expressed union members concern that without accountability, diverting funds to non-U.S. schools or institutions could give rise to fraud and abuse.

The FEA, an affiliate of the national education union, represents educators serving 66,000 students at Defense Department schools in the United States and overseas.

In a joint statement over the weekend, lawmakers said the agreement between the House and Senate versions of the NDAA includes an amendment to strike the DODEA Bahrain school choice pilot program.

The U.S. comptroller general instead was directed to submit a report by Dec. 31, 2025 on the administration of DODEA schools in Bahrain, according to the statement from leaders of the armed services committees in the two chambers of Congress.

The report must include the number of classes with long-term substitutes in the past three school years, by grade and subject matter; the number of Advanced Placement courses offered in person in the past three years; and a comparison of DODEA Bahrains AP course offerings with those of other overseas DODEA schools.

Congressional leaders also want to hear about issues between the school administration and parents, as well as an assessment of the schools special education capabilities and requirements.

We have heard complaints that the DODEA schools in Bahrain have had several reported problems with parent-teacher communication, long-term substitute teachers and dwindling academic offerings, the statement said.

The pilot program would have allowed up to 30 students to attend international schools in Bahrain using the same program accessed by State Department diplomats overseas.

Service members and Defense Department civilians would have been eligible to take part in the initiative.

The final negotiated language of the NDAA was released Saturday. Congress is expected to vote on the bill in the next few days.

Other House provisions removed from it include an amendment that would have provided teacher bonuses for difficult-to-fill overseas locations and another one that would have prohibited any offices or organizations promoting diversity, equity and inclusion in DODEA schools.

A separate provision calling for parents to be notified when a student does not score as grade-level proficient in reading or language arts at the end of third grade is included in the final NDAA.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government was formally in a state of war with Assad, the emergence of a new Islamist power base in its immediate vicinity adds an additional threat after more than a year fighting Iran-backed militant groups. (Shaul Golan, Pool Photo, AFP via Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  Israel said it carried out strikes against chemical weapons and missile-storage sites in Syria, describing the move as a preventive measure to ensure the safety of citizens after the fall of President Bashar al-Assad.

Opposition groups led by Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham, which captured Damascus over the weekend, are people with an extreme ideology of radical Islam, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said in a briefing on Monday. The Israel Defense Forces targeted weapons systems, including chemical, so they will not fall in the hands of extremists, he said.

The toppling of Syrias longtime ruler Assad, after a dramatic territorial advance by rebel forces, has sent shockwaves through the Middle East and made neighboring Israel particularly wary. While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government was formally in a state of war with Assad, the emergence of a new Islamist power base in its immediate vicinity adds an additional threat after more than a year fighting Iran-backed militant groups.

HTS is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., Israels closest ally.

Netanyahu said Sunday he ordered the Israeli military to take control of a buffer zone east of the border with Syria, an area the army says is about 155 square miles in size. Science Minister Gila Gamliel, a member of Netanyahus security cabinet, told Tel Aviv radio station 103 FM that all of the zone and beyond was now under Israeli control. Saar disputed this, saying troops are positioned less than two miles from the border.

In 2013, Syria agreed with ally Russia to export and destroy its chemical-weapons arsenal. However, Israel believes that Assad held back some of the arms, which the departed President had used to crush protests that erupted during the Arab Spring in 2011.

Golan, the area straddling Israel and Syria, was mostly captured by Israel in the 1967 Six- Day War and later annexed. Israeli sovereignty there has been recognized by the U.S. but not by other world powers.

Separately, the IDF said an unmanned aerial vehicle that likely originated in Yemen struck a residential building in the area of Yavne, near the southern Israeli port of Ashdod. The Yemen-based Houthis, one of Irans allied militia groups, have been firing drones and other weapons at Israel since not long after the war against Hamas began in October 2023.

Both the Houthis and Hamas are considered terrorist organizations by the U.S.

With assistance from Alisa Odenheimer.

2024 Bloomberg L.P.

Visit bloomberg.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
As Vladimir Putin gives asylum to Bashar al-Assad in Moscow, Russia is facing the loss of its naval base in Tartus, Syria  its only hub on the Mediterranean Sea. (Maxime Popov, AFP via Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  The fall of Bashar al-Assad in Syria represents a personal defeat for Russian President Vladimir Putin and a potentially serious strategic setback for his military that undermines Moscows global ambitions.

While Putin gives asylum to Assad in Moscow, Russia is facing the loss of its naval base in Syria  its only hub on the Mediterranean Sea  and an airfield used to supply its operations in Africa. Both installations have been key to the Kremlins projection of strength on the world stage and its attempts to rebuild its Cold War-era influence  those efforts, and the bases, now look worthless as Russias attention is consumed by its invasion of Ukraine.

Moscow will make every effort to retain its Syrian bases, though theres no guarantee it will succeed, said two people close to the Kremlin, asking not to be identified discussing policy matters. Its likely that Russian forces will have to withdraw from the bases, according to a third person.

With opposition groups now in control of the Middle East country, the Kremlin is scrambling to establish contacts with Syrian armed factions it had dismissed as terrorists and was targeting with air strikes just days ago. Their sudden takeover came more than nine years after Putin sent Russian forces to Syria in 2015 to bolster Assads regime and turn the tide against rebel forces.

Russia gained 49-year leases in 2017 to the naval base in the city of Tartus and the airfield at Khmeimim that supplies its African operations.

Therell have to be a serious conversation about the future of the bases with whoever comes to power in Syria, though its too early to discuss this now, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday, the Interfax news service reported.

Therell be tough negotiations ahead to safeguard Russias interests, said Elena Suponina, a Moscow-based Middle East expert.

Putins Syria intervention helped restore Russias standing in the Middle East that had been eroded after the Soviet Unions collapse. His inability or unwillingness to save Assad this time underscored how much Russias military is being depleted by the war in Ukraine.

Assads sudden defeat shows that Moscow doesnt have the military forces, influence and authority to effectively intervene militarily outside the former Soviet Union, said Ruslan Pukhov, head of the Moscow-based Center for Analysis of Strategies and Technologies, a defense think-tank. The quick turnaround in Syria mirrors the Talibans takeover in Afghanistan and the chaotic evacuation of U.S.-led forces, he added.

Russia has lost its key ally in the Middle East, the Kommersant newspaper headlined its top story Monday.

African air bridge

The Kremlin has also spent years rebuilding its Soviet clout on the African continent, where it supports military juntas and other leaders cut off from Western aid in Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger and the Central African Republic.

The Khmeimim base is key to Russias ability to send supplies and military hardware to those governments. Its loss would have profound implications for Russias African clients who may be forced to recalibrate their partnership with Moscow.

The airbase has served as a logistics hub for flights to Libya, Central African Republic and Sudan, according to two senior Western diplomats based in Africa with knowledge of the situation.

Russia has started to remove equipment from Khmeimim and to withdraw warships from Tartus, Ukrainian military intelligence reported Sunday on its Telegram channel, without indicating how it knew this.

Rebel forces in Syrias coastal regions where the two bases are located havent entered the facilities, the Russian state news service Tass reported Monday.

The Russian Foreign Ministry said Moscow is maintaining contact with all Syrian opposition groups, in a statement on Sunday. While Russias Syrian bases are on high alert, theres no serious threat to their security at the moment, it said.

The head of the HTS militant group that led the lightning campaign to oust Assad, Ahmed Al-Sharaa, better known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed Al-Jolani, told CNN in a recent interview that he wants foreign forces out of Syria. Both Turkey and the U.S. also have a military presence in the country.

Turkey, which backed the rebel forces, may hold the key to whether Russia is able to keep hold of its military assets in Syria. While Putin and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan backed opposing sides in the Syrian war, they also sought for years to reach a resolution to the conflict that protected their countries interests.

Even if Russia maintains some or all of its bases in Syria, it is a major geopolitical loss for Moscow as Russias continued basing in Syria will be at the mercy of Syrian opposition groups, the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War said in a report Sunday.

The incoming administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump may see an opportunity to reduce Russian influence in the Middle East.

Russia has its hands full with Ukraine and their position has been weakened, said Jason Greenblatt, a former Middle East envoy in the first Trump administration. The continued presence of Russian bases in Syria would be unhelpful and Trump may seek a serious discussion with Putin about that, he said.

With assistance from Simon Marks.

2024 Bloomberg L.P.

Visit bloomberg.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
A pilot program that allows overseas Defense Department civilians to remain abroad past the so-called "five-year rule" made its way into the final version of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act. (Arcadia Hammack/U.S. Army National Guard)

A congressional proposal designed to make it easier for government service employees of the military to stay in their overseas jobs past a five-year term limit was added to a defense bill expected to be voted on in the days ahead.

The agreement between the House and Senate calls for a two-year pilot program in which the Defense Department would assess whether allowing competitive service staffers to extend their tours beyond the so-called five-year rule would aid in recruitment and retention.

The plan gives the first colonel or Navy captain in a persons chain of command the authority to approve a one-time five-year tour extension, according to the final version of the 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, which was released Saturday. The provision would sunset two years after the passage of the bill.

Currently, Defense Department government service workers are limited to five-year tours overseas. While extensions are possible, they are expected to be used on a limited basis and only for special exceptions, such as when a persons skills are deemed indispensable to a command.

Approvals also require extensive paperwork and justifications that are submitted to a general officer.

Now, no analysis is required to justify extending a persons tour by an extra five years, the NDAA states.

The NDAA provision requires the secretary of defense to deliver a report by Dec. 31, 2025, and annually thereafter for five years. The reports would analyze the effects of longer tour opportunities on retention and recruitment.

The five-year rule has been a point of contention for many government service employees, who have complained over the years that the policy has been enforced unevenly, raising questions about fairness.

The original aim of the policy was to prevent homesteading overseas and ensure ample opportunities abroad for the Defense Departments domestic workforce.

But the rule also created a situation in which personnel who enjoyed being overseas rotated back to the United States, only to return a couple of years later when they were eligible again.

Government service employees also have complained that taking an overseas job can limit their options when its time to return to the United States because counterparts working in the U.S. arent subject to the same five-year rule.

The steady turnover of civilian personnel also has raised concerns about a lack of continuity and institutional knowledge at overseas commands.

That has resulted in a loss of expertise at U.S. Air Forces Europe and Africa and hindered its ability to sustain institutional knowledge, the Rand Corp. think tank said in September.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Former President Thabo Mbeki said that the country is in crisis mode and is urging South Africans to speak out.Mbeki said that the African National Congress (ANC) is also in a crisis after losing over 30 percent of its support in 20 years and losing its parliamentary majority.Mbeki was addressing the ANC Dullah Omar region's political outreach programme in Cape Town on challenges facing the party.He said that a national dialogue would allow South Africans to make their voices heard."The reason comrades we raise this matter about the national dialogue. We're saying the country is in real crisis and it's about time that the ordinary people of our country speak out. Let the people speak and say this is the South Africa we want."
Barrister Conor Kearney told Judge Michael Walsh in the Circuit Civil Court that Scarlet Seery Kearney had been unable to take part on rides or swim at the theme park she and her parents had visited in June 2022

A holiday to Orlando had been ruined for a seven-year-old girl when portions of a hot meal had been accidentally spilled on her leg, a judge heard today.

Barrister Conor Kearney told Judge Michael Walsh in the Circuit Civil Court that Scarlet Seery Kearney had been unable to take part on rides or swim at the theme park she and her parents had visited in June 2022.

Mr Kearney, who appeared with Tiernan Solicitors, for Scarlet and her father, David Kearney, of Templeville Road, Terenure, Dublin 6W, said that during the flight to Florida the girls parents had ordered a kids meal for her.

Unfortunately she had been handed an adults meal by the cabin steward and steaming hot carrots and gravy had spilled onto her right leg, Mr Kearney said.

Mr Kearney told the court Scarlet had suffered a serious burn for which Aer Lingus cabin staff had to treat her in the toilet. He said the remainder of the flight and the holiday had been ruined for her.

Judge Walsh heard that throughout the holiday her parents had to renew dressings on a daily basis.

Counsel said the contents of the meal had been excessively hot and had burnt Scarlets right leg through the leggings she had been wearing. Blisters had appeared on her leg the following day.

Mr Kearney said Scarlet had been left with a small noticeable scar on her thigh. Judge Walsh, approving a 22,500 settlement by Aer Lingus, said the scar, while small, was permanent.

He said it was a very bad way to start a holiday but told Scarlet, now aged nine, and her father that he hoped in the circumstances they had been able to go on and have a reasonable holiday.
She pleaded guilty to criminal damage, two counts of assault on police and one count of resisting police at Newtownards Magistrates Court last month.

An OnlyFans creator who spat blood at police after a row with her partner has avoided jail for the second time this year.

Sian Maxwell (20), from Newtownards, Co Down, also hit her head off the inside of a police car a number of times during the violent incident over the summer.

She pleaded guilty to criminal damage, two counts of assault on police and one count of resisting police at Newtownards Magistrates Court last month.

The court heard how cops had been called to Maxwells home address to reports of a row between Maxwell and her partner at around 6am on July 12.

Sian Maxwell is an OnlyFans model

A prosecutor said: The defendant was removed from the property before becoming violent, spitting in the vehicle and headbutting the interior of the rear car door.

She also spat blood at a constable while he was driving.

Maxwells defence counsel said that the mum-of-one made the phone call to police due to the situation she was in.

She was emotionally overcharged and thankfully the relationship is now over, they added.

Addressing Maxwell, District Judge Mark Hamill said her behaviour towards police officers was disgraceful.

Im imposing a suspended sentence but it is up to you to stay out of trouble. If the relationship is over, then I suspect that helps but I also suspect that alcohol is an issue here.

The court heard officers were forced to execute an arrest warrant to bring Maxwell to the courtroom on the morning of the hearing.

Sian Maxwell

She was handed a four-month prison term suspended for two years.

Its the second time this year Maxwell has dodged jail. She appeared before Laganside Magistrates Court in Belfast in April after being caught with a large volume of drugs including cocaine, ketamine and ecstasy, where she was handed a conditional discharge.

The 20-year-old had earlier entered guilty pleas to two counts of possessing Class A drugs and a further count of possessing Class B drugs.

She was also initially charged with possession of ammunition but this was later withdrawn.

Maxwell stood in the dock of Laganside Magistrates Court on Wednesday as a Public Prosecution Service lawyer told the court police were called to the Crowne Plaza Hotel in south Belfast on October 22, 2022, following a report by the Northern Ireland Ambulance Service.

Sian Maxwell posing online

This defendant had booked into a room with a male co-accused and they had been spending time together, the solicitor said.

Adding: She was searched and they found a bag of white powder and a number of tablets, the total value of the drugs was estimated at between 500 and 1,000.

Outlining his clients case, Maxwells solicitor said she had fallen in with the wrong crowd but had since cleaned up her act.

He said: Her co-accused has gone back to Donegal but has a significant criminal history, her and him and some friends spent a significant amount of time in the room and she has ended up in possession of the drugs.

There were more drugs in the room but she was cleared of any involvement with those, thankfully.

She had fallen in with this crowd and has since got herself back on track.

The court heard the convictions are a breach of an existing probation order against Maxwell and District Judge Steven Keown outlined the consequences for her if she steps out of line again.

He said: This was a large volume of drugs, I would strongly advise you to re-engage with probation otherwise it could have serious implications for you and your child.

Maxwell has a number of social media profiles across X, Facebook and Instagram, some of which she has used to flaunt her online content.

On her racy social media pages, Maxwell advertises her online content with her X, formerly Twitter, account telling followers: Telegram me for filth Horny, tattooed blonde. Come see what ur missing out on..FULLY EXPLICIT CONTENT, followed by 18 plus.
Sixty-year-old Martin Ryan left Joe Neville with a broken jaw, cheekbone and nose

The Co Wexford bar manager who struck a drunk customer with a brush was spared jail when he came before Judge James McCourt at Wexford Circuit Court.

Sixty-year-old Martin Ryan left Joe Neville with a broken jaw, cheekbone and nose as a result of the attack on Sunday, October 4 in 2020.

The court was shown photos of the injuries which put Mr Neville out of work for three months and required the insertion of titanium plates in his head. The judge also heard that the injured party lost a tooth during the incident in the outdoor smoking area of Whelans pub in Blackwater, Co Wexford.

As a result of the assault he ran up a dental bill of more than 4,000. He had no memory of being hit with the brush, only of waking up afterwards in the back of an ambulance.

Garda Liam Marshall confirmed that the fractured jaw had healed well. However Mr Neville, who was present in court for the sentencing hearing, now sported a beard.

This could not completely disguise a facial scar which was measured in 2021 at four centimetres by one centimetre.

There was some doubt as to whether the damage was caused directly by the brush or by striking his head against a picnic table while falling as a result of the blow.

In a victim impact statement, he revealed that he had since taken counselling to work on his self-confidence and to regain his trust in people. He nevertheless continued to believe that his smile was now crooked, and he no longer enjoyed eating out with friends.

The assaulted man, who has since moved to Dublin to pursue his career, admitted he was drunk that day. He was in Whelans pub for more than four hours before the attack, drinking cider and whiskey.

During that time, he was one of a group who were shouting and a mirror in the gents toilet was broken. He had smashed a bottle in the yard beside the pub shortly before Ryan confronted him outside.

Investigating Garda Marshall accepted that the man in charge of the bar that day had shown remorse.

The father of two dependent children aged 7 and 17, he brought a sum of 6,000 to court to give to the man he struck. The defendant had no previous convictions and was no longer involved in the licensed trade. Instead, he now had a mini-bus and worked as a driver.

Judge McCourt accepted that the likelihood of Ryan re-offending was low and that he did not set out intentionally to harm Joe Neville. On the other hand, Judge McCourt told the court the defendant had certainly acted recklessly when he lost his patience with someone who was making a nuisance of himself.

You should know how to deal with messy drunks, the judge suggested.

The seriousness of what occurred was marked by the handing down of a two-year prison sentence for assault causing harm. As the court could see no purpose in incarcerating Ryan, the term was suspended in full.

He was given until the end of March to pay his victim a sum of 9,000.
This is 48-year-old who barged into a house in middle of the night and then assaulted child in a random attack

This is the woman whose terrifying early morning assault on a child has landed her in prison for five months.

Nicola Moore attacked the 12-year-old as the schoolgirl lay in her bed in her home in Monkstown on the outskirts of north Belfast.

The 48-year-old, from Whitehouse Court in Newtownabbey, then denied shed ever been in the young girls bedroom and put the schoolgirl through the ordeal of giving evidence via video link.

Moores denials were rejected and she was convicted at Laganside Court in Belfast of common assault against the girl and threats to damage property, when she vowed to return to the home and break the windows.

She was given a five-month jail term as a result of the incident on April 14. However, she has been granted bail pending the outcome of an appeal.

A family friend of the young victim says she was left terrified after the random attack, which took place when she was at home with her 19-year-old sister.

The girl was asleep in bed when Moore barged into the family home at 4am demanding to speak to their mother, who was staying at a friends house.

She came into the house screaming the mummys name and the older sister said she wasnt there, says the family friend.

Moore went up to the mothers bedroom and saw it was empty and went into the girls bedroom.

The wee girl was asleep facing the wall and Moore pulled the duvet off her.

She grabbed her by the throat, and when the wee girl tried to get up she pinned her down on the bed and the big sister heard her slapping the child.

The child had marks on her neck for a couple of days after it.

The older daughter screamed at Moore, who was accompanied by another woman, to leave. As the pair left they traumatised both girls further by claiming theyd be back to break the windows in the house.

The older sister was really scared. She was terrified they were going to come back and put the windows in in the house.

Moore also swung a punch at the her as she and her mate left the house but she missed her.

Police were informed about the incident, and took a statement from the youngster on June 16 after the family wrote to the Police Ombudsman complaining about the delay.

The schoolgirl was afraid to leave the house after the incident and she will be receiving counselling now that the court proceedings have concluded.

The family wanted her to be able to talk about it now and come to terms with what happened because it was an awful experience for her.

Moore put that wee girl through having to give evidence and shes only 12. It was a scary thing for her to go through, but she spoke very well, and when she heard Moore had been sent to prison she just said shed be able to enjoy Christmas now.

But its had a terrible effect on her. Normally youd be able to shake a child awake to get up for school but thats terrifying for her if shes asleep. They have to ring her to let her know someone is coming into the room.

When anyone comes near her, she imagines that woman holding her down. Thats a terrible thing for a child to live with.

News of Moores prison term came as a huge relief to the youngster, says the family friend.

She used to go out to a youth club with her friend but shed stopped doing that and just spent a lot of her time at home in her room.

It wasnt until Moore got sent to prison and the wee girl felt safe to go out again.

The motive for the attack is also unclear, as the child doesnt know Moore.

The wee girls mummy doesnt know her, but Moore came into the house shouting her name. Youd think at that time of the night on a Saturday night there was drink involved.

When she went into the childs bedroom she might have thought it was the mother in the bed but as soon as she touched her it must have been clear she was attacking a wee girl.

What kind of person does that to a child and then puts her through having to give evidence? says the family friend.
This is a pitiful sentence that sits alongside multiple pitiful sentences handed down over recent years for abuse of women and girls, including rape

An MLA says he will be writing to the Public Prosecution Service over the pitiful sentence handed down to a child sex offender.

Former school welfare officer and Army cadet leader Neil Beckett was jailed for 18 months on Friday.

Beckett (43), of Kilmore, Co Down, was found guilty in October of 16 counts of sexual assault and one count of sexual grooming.

The offences occurred over an eight-year period between 2015 and 2023 and involved 11 teenage girls.

He will serve 18 months behind bars and 18 months on licence.

Nine of the victims were pupils at Lagan College in Belfast and two were Army cadets.

Doug Beattie, a member of the justice committee at Stormont, is unhappy at the sentence.

He said: We are in a society where aspiration and rhetoric simply doesnt match reality.

Politicians make a just call for an end to violence against women and girls, including sexual crimes, with education at its heart.

Yet its clear robust sentencing must go alongside education, and on this front our judiciary are failing time and time again, a failure that is not being held to account.

We have a judiciary who believe that 18 months behind bars with 18 months on licence is acceptable for abusing 11 girls.

It is not. This is a pitiful sentence that sits alongside multiple pitiful sentences handed down over recent years for abuse of women and girls, including rape.

Doug Beattie

Judges are bound by sentencing guidelines and must take into account a range of mitigating and aggravating factors.

In sentencing Beckett, the judge said there were aggravating factors in the case, among them abuse of trust and authority, and the vulnerability of the victims, which Beckett knew about.

He said there were elements of grooming in Becketts offending and that it continued after he was made aware of some of the allegations.

The court heard Beckett continued to deny the offences and showed limited empathy for the victims.

Some of them were in court to observe the sentencing, having previously watched proceedings and given evidence remotely.

Beckett also received a sexual offences protection order and restraining orders involving all of the victims for five years.

Beckett was found not guilty of rape, which was alleged to have taken place some time between 2013 and 2015 while he was an Army cadet leader.

He was also found not guilty of sexual communication with a child, and 10 further counts of sexual assault.

Neil Beckett

Victim Anne (not her real name) was in the sixth form at Lagan College when she was abused.

She said: Its pretty much affected every aspect of my life. I dont really trust people anymore.

I need a warning to be touched, or hugged especially, because every single time that I am, Im turning my back thinking is it him or is it someone else whos going to hurt me?

Its affected my mental health, its affected my schooling and the flow of my life. I am in university and every time I go into that school setting, its quite triggering, and I have a lot of issues because of it.

She added: I think itll be good to know that he cant do this again, and that, you know, hes not able to hurt anyone else.

But its not justice, its not closure, because this is going to affect me for the rest of my life, just because of how selfish and how disgusting of a man he was.

Mr Beattie insisted: If this was anywhere else in the UK it would not be accepted.

If the (Stormont) violence against women and girls strategy is to have any meaningful output, then we must address this dreadful sentencing for crimes that will affect the victims for life.

Yet again I find myself having to write to the PPS to ask that they review this sentence as overly lenient  something Ive had to do far too many times.
Tallaght man one of three arrested in Co Meath over the weekend

The three suspects were arrested in Enfield, Co Meath. Photo: Stock image

A prolific Tallaght burglar was one of three men arrested over the weekend as part of an investigation into break-ins across the country.

The three suspects were arrested in Enfield, Co Meath, on Friday night as part of a surveillance operation into the criminal gang.

A large sum of cash was recovered from their high-powered car, along with house-breaking implements believed to have been used in crimes nationwide.

Two men aged in their 20s and 30s, as well as a juvenile, all remained in garda custody last night under organised crime legislation.

The Sunday World has learnt that one of the men arrested is considered a very prolific burglar who has been linked to crime waves in both Ireland and the UK.

English police have investigated the suspect for dozens of past burglaries

The suspect, aged in his late 20s, has an address in Tallaght but has also resided in the UK in the past.

English police have investigated the suspect for dozens of past burglaries stretching back over a decade in the greater London area.

It is understood he has only recently completed a custodial sentence in the UK for burglary offences and returned to Ireland in recent months.

A younger relative of the man also previously lost his life in a road crash after driving the wrong way down a motorway while trying to evade gardai.

A source said: This individual is a very prolific burglar and the recent intelligence indicates that him and his associates have been carrying out burglaries across the country.

The other two males in custody havent come to that much garda attention in the past so the suspicion at this stage is that the Tallaght suspect with UK links was the driving force of the recent crime wave.

The other suspect, understood to be aged in his 20s, is also originally from Tallaght but has been living in the south of the country recently.

The third male in custody is a juvenile from south Dublin.

A high-powered car was stopped in Enfield. It was searched and a large sum of cash seized

Gardai investigating burglaries across the country put an operation in place to target the gang, which resulted in their arrest on Friday night.

A high-powered car was stopped in Enfield. It was searched and a large sum of cash seized. Other items used in the commission of burglaries were also seized.

A garda spokesperson said that the arrests were part of an intelligence-led operation targeting an organised criminal gang suspected of committing burglaries of residential and commercial properties nationwide.

During the course of the search, three males (aged in their 30s, 20s and a teenage juvenile) were arrested and are all currently detained at garda stations in the Eastern Region pursuant to Section 50 of the Criminal Justice Act, 2006.

The suspects can be questioned for up to seven days under organised crime legislation before they must either be charged or released from custody pending a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).

Local gardai from the Meath division, supported by national garda units, were involved in the operation.

The arrests were carried out under Operation Thor, the garda anti-burglary initiative which targets organised crime groups involved in burglaries and associated crimes
Locals claim despised loyalist bullied his way around Larne

Winkie Irvines gun pal Robin Workman is allegedly linked to the UVF in Larne and likes to throw his weight around, we can reveal.

The 53-year-old builder is so hated in the Co. Antrim town that there were celebrations as hes almost certainly going to jail now.

But just days before coughing up to a rake of gun charges, the stocky thugs associates dished out a beating to a man over an unpaid debt, it is claimed.

Sources in Larne told the Sunday World: Seeing Robin Workman confess to all the charges had a lot of people celebrating in this town.

Hes a bully who has gone under the radar for years but now hes hopefully going to jail for a long time.

Earlier this week Workman, of Shore Road in the port town, and Winston Winkie Irvine, of Ballysillan Road, Belfast, pleaded guilty to a host of firearm and ammunition offences.

The loyalists were caught red-handed in June 2022 when Workman was seen transporting a bag of guns and ammunition in his van and handing them over to Irvine.

The pair were due to stand trial at Belfast Crown Court but Irvines counsel Brenda Campbell KC and Workmans counsel Michael Borrelli KC both made applications for their clients to be rearraigned on all charges they faced.

Standing in the dock flanked by prison officers, both men entered guilty pleas to possessing firearms and ammunition in suspicious circumstances.

They also admitted two counts of possessing a handgun without a certificate, one count of possessing ammunition without a certificate, possessing a prohibited weapon and possessing a firearm without a certificate.

Workman further pleaded guilty to possessing a .177 calibre air rifle without holding a firearm certificate.

Sources in Larne told the Sunday World that Robin Workman has been portraying a false image of himself for years  that of a decent man with a legitimate business in the building trade.

But they say the truth is different

Workman has been linked to the Larne UVF for years and theyve been getting away with making peoples lives a misery, another source told this paper.

They are money lenders and extortionists. They just randomly fine men and young fellas thousands of pounds. If they answer back or question it, more money is added on to their bill.

The source claimed Workmans associates were involved in an assault in a local social club last week where a man was punched on the mouth. After the assault, he was told he owed another two-and-a-half grand on top on the five grand.

This guy is a nice genuine guy but apparently hes now dating a UVF members ex. I dont know why he was fined five grand but apparently the UVF lad said something to Workman regarding the fella and was just fined five grand.

The man questioned it to others and called Workman a few names but it was reported back. Then someone walked into the social club and punched him in the face and added two-and-a-half grand to the bill.

Sources say Workmans crew have been fining the parents of people caught with drugs.

If any young lads are caught with drugs they fine their parents five grand  five grand seems to be their favourite number.

The UVF in Larne have been getting away with a lot  nobody has been writing about them but maybe now people outside the town will see what Workman is really like. The UVF are the ones setting fire to these cars and burning out houses in the Larne area.

Three cars were torched deliberately last weekend.

Sources say the second-in-command in the UVF in Larne is loan shark Alan Cowan.

The 48-year-old, an associate of the notorious UVF double agent Mark Haddock, was previously named in court by police as being highly influential in the UVF and involved in the UVF.

If the debts are not repaid, Cowan orders his UVF heavies to collect the cash, using force if necessary.

The second in command, Alan Cowan, plays a big role in the money lending also. He likes to stay under the radar and works a full-time job but hes the biggest lender in the town, our source said.

Loan sharking is a huge ongoing problem in working-class loyalist communities, where paramilitaries have a large presence.

The PSNI, government officials and charities came together earlier this year to launch a high-profile advertising campaign warning of the dangers of borrowing money from terror gangs.

Both Winkie Irvine and Robin Workman had previously pleaded not guilty to all the charges when they were first arraigned in August. Judge Gordon Kerr KC said that as the offences automatically passed the custody threshold, Irvine and Workman were entitled to have pre-sentence reports prepared on them by the Probation Board.

threshold

Both Ms Campbell and Mr Borrelli said they would not be seeking pre-sentence reports for their clients ahead of sentencing and would be furnishing the court with their own documents in due course.

Judge Kerr asked the defence counsels: As I have said, these offences have passed the custody threshold. I take it you want your clients to remain on bail ahead of sentencing?

The senior defence counsels replied: Yes.

I will continue their bail on the same terms, said Judge Kerr. But they have to be aware of the fact that that might not be the result when they come back. You are free to go.

Irvine and Workman will be sentenced on January 23.

Earlier court hearings were told how Workman transported a quantity of weapons and ammunition to the Glencairn area of Belfast in his van, which the PSNI believed were then put into the boot of Irvines Volkswagen Tiguan car.

Irvines vehicle was stopped in Disraeli Street. When the boot was searched, two suspected pistols, an air gun, magazines and more than 200 rounds of ammunition were discovered inside a leather holdall.

Belfast Magistrates Court heard in June that police identified Irvine in a parked car in the area on June 8, 2022.

He was observed in conversation with Workman before closing the boot of his car and driving off, a Crown lawyer told the court.

A short time later, police detained Irvine. When asked if there was anything in the car he could not account for, Irvine replied: Bag in the boot.
Last year, Juan Carlos Ramirez Abadia got 20 years in prison as part of a plea deal bargain which meant he was likely to be freed sometime in 2024

El Chapo was extradited to the US from Mexico, his arrest left his sons in charge of the cartel, which led to the infamous Battle of Culiacan

Infamous Colombian drug lord Chupeta is reported to have been freed from prison in the US where he gave evidence against El Chapo.

Last year, Juan Carlos Ramirez Abadia got 20 years in prison as part of a plea deal bargain which meant he was likely to be freed sometime in 2024.

Now El Tiempo in Colombia reports he has been freed and has gone into the US witness programme.

The outlet also reported that Chupeta managed to have his close family circle moved to the United States and included in the protection program.

The notorious leader of Colombias Norte del Valle Cartel had admitted to ordering the murders of 150 people and shipping 500 tons of cocaine.

Juan Carlos Ramirez Abadia aka Chupeta. Photo: US Department of State

Yet despite his crimes, the US authorities were willing to do a deal in which he became a star witness in the case to put El Chapo behind bars.

Chupeta received a reduced sentence for detailing the cocaine trafficking connections between his Norte del Valle Cartel and the Mexican Sinaloa Cartel.

Insight Crime previously reported how Chupeta after giving evidence against El Chapo also testified against Jesus El Rey Zambada, brother of Ismael Zambada Garcia, alias El Mayo, the current leader of the Sinaloa Cartel.

He revealed how he helped send tons of cocaine to the Mexican group, who took care of transportation across the US-Mexico border.

"El Mayo"

Throughout his career, Chupeta exported 500 tons of cocaine on planes, ships, and semi-submersibles, according to his evidence.

Chupeta is also famous for the botched facial surgeries he underwent in bid to change his appearance and avoid capture.

He began his career with the Cali Cartel during the 1980s first as horse trainer then as a mid-level trafficker in the cartel, according to El Tiempo.

His cartel emerged as one of the bigger crime gangs after the Cali Cartel was broken up and by the early 2000s, was the Sinaloa Cartels main supplier.

On one occasion it resulted in them sending 14 cocaine-filled planes to Mexico in a single night, it was reported.

El Chapo was extradited to the US from Mexico, his arrest left his sons in charge of the cartel, which led to the infamous Battle of Culiacan

Chupeta admitted to paying million dollars in bribes to Colombian politicians and officials during the 1990s to try slow down extradition of suspected traffickers to the United States.

He was also known for paying off police, military, judges and a phone company engineer to alert him if his calls were being tapped.

Chupeta turned himself in to Colombian authorities in March 1996 and was sentenced to 24 years in prison but was released early in 2002.

He fled to Brazil but was still be sought by the US at the time and underwent cosmetic surgery to change his appearance.

Voice recognition technology was later used to help with his capture In Brazil in 2008.

He was extradited to the United States to face remaining charges and provide testimony in the 2019 trial of El Chapo who was jailed for life.
Schoolgirl Bonnie Basteed suffers with epidermolysis bullosa, which leaves her with blisters all over her hands and face

Schoolgirl Bonnie Basteed suffers with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), leaving her with blisters all over her hands and face.

A four-year-old Cork girl who suffers from an extremely painful skin condition has said her biggest wish for the festive period is to not have her bandages changed on Christmas Day.

Bonnie Basteed, a schoolgirl from Ballinlough, suffers with epidermolysis bullosa (EB) which leaves her with blisters all over her hands and face.

To protect her body, Bonnie must wear special bandages which must be changed on a regular basis. The changing of these bandages often causes the youngster a lot of pain.

It hurts so much when they are changed, because sometimes my skin comes away with them, Bonnie said.

I wish I didnt need to have my bandages changed on Christmas Day, I hate it. That would be the best Christmas wish of all.

Bonnie with parents Amy and Andrew from Ballinlough in Cork.

Bonnie has spoken about her heartbreaking experience as part of a Christmas appeal by Debra, the national charity that supports the 300 people living with EB in Ireland.

The Ballinlough girls mum Amy (30) recalled that her daughter was born on December 22, 2019 with missing patches of skin on her chest, bottom and hands.

We were told we could go home on Christmas Eve and everyone was head over heels in love with her, Amy said.

But it soon became clear something was badly wrong  this was a million miles away from the perfect Christmas we had dreamed of.

Every time we changed Bonnies nappy, skin would come away and blister. Our tiny baby girl  who weighed just five pounds and 10 ounces when she was born  was in agony.

EB is caused by the absence of proteins between the skin layers, meaning the skin becomes ultra fragile and blisters at the mildest touch.

The condition can be difficult to spot in newborns and when a GP assessed a blister on Bonnies toe, it was attributed to her babygro. However, a few days later, the blister had tripled in size and had spread as far as her ankle.

Bonnie was sent for genetic testing at Our Ladys Childrens Hospital in Crumlin, Dublin, where, for the first time, EB and Debra were mentioned.

As soon as we started speaking to the team at Debra and they visited us at home, we knew there were people who understood our situation and were there for us, Amy said.

It was such a help to have their hands-on expert knowledge and clear answers to all our questions.

When Bonnie started school, the charity provided information to her teachers and made arrangements for a room where Bonnies bandages could be changed.

Debra also made an illustrated book, so that her classmates and friends could better understand her condition.

Despite the success of the recent Run to 40 fundraising appeal involving Hollywood star Colin Farrell, the charity still heavily relies on public support to provide a range of services to the families of those with EB.

These include home visits, psychological support and funding for research.

A generous donor has agreed to match every donation Debra receives this Christmas up to 50,000. Donations can be made at debra.ie.
He joined the Ukrainian effort fighting against the Russian invasion in 2022, shortly after the start of the war. Later that year, he was medically evacuated to Ireland after losing an eye in a bomb attack but returned on his on recovery

The life of Irish soldier Robert Deegan, who was killed fighting in Ukraine in September, will be celebrated at a ceremony in Co Kildare this weekend.

Mr Deegan (29), from Newbridge in Co Kildare, died fighting for the Ukrainian special forces while on the front line in Vovchansk on September 17.

He was a highly skilled and dedicated soldier who had formerly served in the Army Ranger Wing and the Engineers Unit of the Defence Forces Training Centre.

He joined the Ukrainian effort fighting against the Russian invasion in 2022, shortly after the start of the war. Later that year, he was medically evacuated to Ireland after losing an eye in a bomb attack.

Following his recovery, Mr Deegan returned to Ukraine for a second time to continue the fight but tragically died in combat.

A ceremony will be held this Saturday at 12pm to remember Mr Deegan, beginning at Newbridge Bible Church, Liffey Lodge, Roseberry before his family, friends, and military and ex-military personnel are invited to give him a final salute on the nearby Hill of Allen.

Those who are unable to make the journey to the Hill of Allen are welcome to enjoy refreshments in Moloneys Pub, Newbridge while they wait for the funeral party.

A notice on rip.ie shares further details on the ceremony: There is no parking at the Hill of Allen, so the traffic will be marshalled by army personnel. You are advised not to take your car to the Hill of Allen. Buses will be provided.

The ceremony on the Hill of Allen should take approximately 1 hour.

On completion of the ceremony, the buses will take all people back to the church in Roseberry, where they parked their cars. There will be changing facilities for those who wish to shed their uniforms.

From there, military personnel, remaining family, friends, and comrades of Robert can make their way to Moloneys pub in Newbridge for refreshments where they can meet those who arrived earlier.

Mr Deegans family also extended their thanks to the public for their immense support, which enabled them to travel to Ukraine to bring Robert's remains home.

A fundraiser launched to bring Mr Deegans body back home to Ireland has raised more than 32,000 after being set up in September.

In a statement issued following his death, Mr Deegan's family said he died like a warrior as he protected his fellow soldiers.

To help the family with the costs of bringing Mr Deegan home to his family and friends in Ireland, a former colleague, Rossa ODonnell, set up the GoFundMe page to cover the repatriation costs.

"I am part of a community who knows the Deegan family through shared time in the Irish Defence Forces as well as being from the Curragh Camp in Co Kildare, said Rossa.

"On behalf of the Deegan family and with their permission, we are raising funds for the repatriation costs of their son Robert, who was killed tragically in battle while fighting for Ukraine as part of the ongoing war."

Rossa continued: Any funds raised will be used to help Robert and his family.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A Zimbabwean man residing in the UK, William Chinyanga, 54, is set to be deported to Zimbabwe after serving a prison sentence for incitement to violence. Chinyanga was convicted for live-streaming Facebook videos in December 2019, in which he criticized Zimbabwes ruling party, Zanu-PF, and called for attacks on soldiers and police officers.The videos, which were widely viewed, drew the attention of UK counter-terrorism authorities. Following an investigation, Chinyanga was arrested at his home in north London on February 25, 2020. During questioning, he admitted to posting the incendiary content.In 2022, Chinyanga was sentenced to prison for his actions, which authorities deemed a threat to public safety. He served his sentence at Wandsworth Prison and has since been transferred to an immigration detention center in preparation for deportation.Chinyanga's case highlights the growing scrutiny on online platforms and the consequences of using them to promote violence. Critics of the deportation decision argue that Chinyanga could face political persecution upon his return to Zimbabwe, given the nature of his comments and the government he targeted.Human rights organizations and Chinyanga's legal representatives have expressed concerns about his safety in Zimbabwe, urging the UK government to consider his risk of persecution. However, authorities maintain that his deportation is a necessary step following his conviction.Chinyanga's deportation process underscores the challenges faced by diaspora activists navigating legal and political consequences in their host and home countries.
Eileen Roberts, 52, and her husband along with the other passengers were stranded on the ferry, while the vessel circled the Belfast coast

A Stenaline ferry is anchored at the edge of Belfast Lough waiting for Storm Darragh to pass, Saturday, December 7, 2024. (Picture by Peter Morrison)

Passengers aboard a ferry bound for Belfast endured a 13-hour delay after the captain deemed it "unsafe" to dock due to severe weather conditions.

Storm Darragh kicked off on Friday night, causing widespread disruption across the UK and Ireland.

Eileen Roberts, 52, and her husband along with the other passengers were stranded on the ferry, while the vessel circled the Belfast coast.

The couple onboard the Stena Line vessel travelling from Scotland to Belfast Port, posted on a Facebook Northern Ireland Shipping forum on Saturday saying their ferry was unable to dock.

Currently aboard Stena Superfast VII...coming into Belfast Lough ship turned and captain announced it's too unsafe to come into Belfast. Going round in circles for a few hours, I suspect, they said.

The couple faced double disruption as they attempted to travel back to Belfast from London.

Their initial Liverpool ferry was cancelled due to severe weather, and on Stena Line's advice, they rebooked to travel from Cairnryan in Scotland.

However, two hours into the journey, the captain announced that docking in Belfast would be unsafe due to high winds.

Speaking to Sky News while still on the vessel, Ms Roberts said she had just one hour of sleep after a "scary and unsettling night onboard the ferry.

Ms Roberts said: My husband and I had flown to England late yesterday afternoon, where we were returning via the Liverpool ferry but were informed that it had been cancelled.

We raced to Scotland, managed to make the ferry, which had been delayed. But about two hours into the journey, we were informed that it would not be docking in Belfast as it was unsafe due to the weather conditions.

"We have been out on the lough ever since the early hours of the morning.

She added: The boats pretty stable, but it does look very choppy outside. During the night, it was pretty black; we couldnt see what was going on and it was a bit more unsettling. We can see outside now, and yes, its pretty rough out there, but the ship itself is pretty calm inside.

I havent witnessed anyone getting frustrated. Everyone has been pretty understanding. The mood onboard is really calm. Weve been well looked after, and the captain is giving regular updates in terms of whats happening.

"But the last update he gave said that the gale-force winds are still preventing us from getting into Belfast.

Storm Darragh caused widespread disruption across Northern Ireland, including a bus crash in Co Antrim, the cancellation of Stena Line ferry services from Belfast to Cairnryan in Scotland, and a power outage from one of NI's leading providers.

NIE, one of the region's key power providers, has been offline due to the severe weather, with the provider warning that full power restoration may not occur until Tuesday.
The US Department of Homeland Security estimated some 11 million immigrants were in the US illegally as of January 2022, although the figure is likely higher today

Donald Trump gestures as he delivers remarks on border security and immigration, in Austin, Texas, during the presidential campaign. Photo: Reuters

US president-elect Donald Trump aims to deport all immigrants in the US illegally over his four-year term but wants a deal to protect so-called "Dreamer" immigrants, he said in an interview that aired on Sunday on NBC News' Meet the Press with Kristen Welker.

Trump also said he plans to take executive action on his first day in office to try to end birthright citizenship, which confers citizenship on anyone born in the US regardless of their parents' immigration status. Trump, a Republican who won a second term in the White House promising mass deportations, is expected to declare illegal immigration a national emergency when he takes office on Jan. 20 and draw on resources from across the federal government to support a wide-ranging crackdown.

The US Department of Homeland Security estimated some 11 million immigrants were in the US illegally as of January 2022, although the figure is likely higher today. In the NBC News interview, Welker asked Trump if his plan was to deport everyone without legal status. "I think you have to do it," Trump said.

"It's a very tough thing to do. You know, you have rules, regulations, laws." Trump said he wanted a deal to protect "Dreamer" immigrants brought to the US illegally as children, saying Republicans are open to the idea.

During his 2017-2021 presidency, Trump tried to end a program that provides deportation relief and work permits to the immigrants, but was rebuffed by the Supreme Court.

Trump's plans to try to end birthright citizenship will likely face legal challenges. The right stems from an amendment to the U.S. Constitution and is supported by 1898 Supreme Court precedent. Speaking to Welker, Trump suggested Republicans may need to pursue a constitutional amendment to address the issue - an arduous process.

"We'll maybe have to go back to the people," he said. Trump's incoming border czar Tom Homan and deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller both told Fox News' Sunday Morning Futures that Congress should provide a major funding increase for immigration enforcement.

The pro-immigration American Immigration Council estimated that deporting all immigrants in the US illegally over more than a decade would cost $88 billion annually. Homan said the minimum needed would be near that amount. "We're going to need as much money as Congress can get us," he said.

Trump also said he believes members of the January 6 committee should be thrown in jail, though he stopped short of outright threatening to use the Justice Department to do so.

Honestly, they should go to jail, he told Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker.

Though, he added: Im not looking to go back into the past, when asked if he would seek the prosecution of the Biden family, including President Joe Biden. Im looking to make our country successful. Retribution will be through success.

He also mentioned his nominee for attorney general, Pam Bondi, and said: I want her to do what she wants to do. Im not going to instruct her to do it.

The president-elect made headlines throughout his 2024 campaign, much like during his 2016 bid for the presidency, by threatening to jail his political opponents. Most recently in September, he wrote in a Truth Social posting: those people that CHEATED will be prosecuted, referring to top Democratic leaders such as Biden and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

And while he did not follow through with his explicit threat to jail Hillary Clinton following his 2016 election victory, his new focus on installing loyalists at top agencies including the FBI and Justice Department have led many to wonder if the threats were real this time.

Despite losing his 2020 re-election bid to Joe Biden, Trump maintained (and still maintains) that he was the rightful winner. His fact-free claims of widespread fraud were weaponised to instigate a mob attack against the US Capitol on January 6, as throngs of his supporters attempted to stop Congress from certifying the transfer of power.

Trump went on to be prosecuted for those actions in a now-defunct investigation ended by the Justice Department after his election victory, as well as by Congress in the form of the bipartisan committee to investigate January 6. Members of the committee compiled countless hours of video evidence and testimony which painted a horrifying scene of the violence that played out during the attack as well as the depth of knowledge Trump and his team had to predict that the attack would occur.

In his interview airing Sunday, Trump said hed pardon some of those rioters on his first day in office.

Im going to be acting very quickly. First day, Trump said, adding later about their imprisonment, theyve been in there for years, and theyre in a filthy, disgusting place that shouldnt even be allowed to be open.

The president-elects pick for the FBI in particular, Kash Patel, has called for the government to go after journalists with criminal and civil legal action. Patel has also called for the FBI itself to be dismantled following its investigation of the 2016 Trump campaigns alleged ties to Russian operatives.

Biden moved to shield his family from some of that danger this past week, and issued a blanket pardon for his son Hunter covering any crimes committed over an 11-year period. The adult son of the incumbent president has a history of drug abuse and at the time of his pardoning was due for sentencing on tax and gun charges.

Trump and his allies attacked the pardon as symbolic of Washington corruption while the presidents allies did the opposite of rush to his defence: many Democrats criticised the president for giving the appearance of a separate standard of justice for his family members, given that the facts of his sons criminal case are not in dispute.

But the president does have some defenders who have characterised the move as necessary to shield the presidents family from political retribution from the incoming administration.
The pair, who tied the knot in Marbella earlier this year, recently announced that they are expecting their first child together.

Influencers Rob Lipsett and his wife Linda Lipsett are getting ready to celebrate their last Christmas as just the two of us after sharing their pregnancy news last week.

The pair, who tied the knot in Marbella earlier this year, recently announced that they are expecting their first child together.

They shared the exciting news with their Instagram followers on Thursday with a sweet photo of the couple standing on the beach as Rob holds up a photo of a baby scan.

They captioned the joint post, which features Linda showing off her baby bump, by writing: Our greatest adventure begins. Baby Lipsett, we already love you more than words.

Dozens of familiar faces flocked to the comments section to congratulate the parents-to-be, including Love Island winner Greg OShea, who said: Baby bulk lets goooooo !!!!! So happy for you two awesome people. Some cool parents.

Dancing With the Stars pro Laura Nolan, who recently got engaged to fellow Love Islander Matthew MacNabb after meeting on the RTE show, added: Congratulations guys.

Robs sister Rosalind Lipsett chimed in: So excited for you both. Cant wait!

While model Thalia Heffernan penned: WHAT!!!!! How exciting!!!!! Thrilled for you both.

On Sunday, Rob and Linda shared a video of themselves decorating their Christmas tree in their swanky Marbella pad, which they captioned: Next Christmas will look a little different.

They reminded their social media followers it was their last Christmas as just the two of us as Rob planted a kiss on his other halfs baby bump.

The pair wed at the Boho Beach Club in Marbella, where theyre currently based, back in September.

Rob, who co-owns the Dublin Raw Gym chain and appeared on an early season of Love Island UK, proposed to his girlfriend of five years last August.

He met Kildare influencer and fashion blogger Linda at a house party six years ago.

The fitness guru briefly appeared on Love Island in 2017, previously telling the Sunday World that it was a great laugh and he enjoyed the experience in the famous villa.

"They asked me to go on, which is really nice. I had a fond experience, even going in before and afterwards," he said.

"In total it was actually about 10 days, it was a few days in the hotel before and also hanging out with other contestants who got the boot afterwards. Even seeing the reaction online, and my friends. It was a great experience, a great laugh and I really enjoyed it.

"Linda didn't see it as she was in Australia when I was on it and we met maybe a year-and-a-half later. But all her friends saw it and she does think it's funny."
Construction of the new four-lane expressway connecting Tauranga and Te Puna continues to make great progress with the team racking up two million hours of work on the Takitimu North Link project so far, as the third year of construction draws to a close.

NZ Transport Agency Waka Kotahi acting regional manager of infrastructure delivery Bruce Waugh says reflecting on the significant progress is a great way to wrap up 2024.

Its been a cracking year for the crews on site. Four out of 10 bridges have been built, 1.5 million cubic metres of dirt has been shifted, and local roads are finished in the Bethlehem/Tauriko area.

Its exciting to see the new road alignment really begin to take shape. The expressway will bring strong safety benefits and increased productivity for people travelling through the western Bay of Plenty.

Being an offline project, with much of the work happening away from the road, its not always visible to the public, but people can get regular progress updates through drone footage and our newsletter at nzta.govt.nz/takitimunorth . "

Waugh said in the Wairoa Valley, bookended by the newly constructed Cambridge Rd and Wairoa Rd bridges, there is a heap of activity happening with earthworks and environmental controls each side of Wairoa Awa (river), and the construction of the 355m bridge which spans the valley flood plains.

The road will provide the community with opportunities to enjoy the awa in ways not experienced for a very long time, providing access to the riverbanks in this area.

He said this Road of National Significance project is more than building great infrastructure, with wider benefits such as providing jobs and career opportunities, contributing to local economy and upskilling communities.

Its well understood in the industry that these major infrastructure projects have far reaching benefits to the communities they are in. With Takitimu North Link more than 200 people are employed, and more than 2000 have worked on various aspects of the project to date.

Projects of this size and scale need a range of skills throughout the project life and, to date, weve worked with nearly 200 subcontractors with half of those being local businesses based here in the Western Bay. Some of the types of businesses we work with that people might not realise are occupational health, security, cleaning, energy, signage, shade and ecology.

Theres a high level of interest in the site from an environmental perspective, with several industry groups visiting site and knowledge sharing through the projects extensive environmental programme.

Fast facts

- More than 200 people working on the project

- More than 2000 people inducted and worked on various aspects of the project to date

- 2 million hours worked since the project started

- 200 subcontractors engaged with half of those local businesses

- 4 bridges built

- 1.5 million cubic metres of dirt moved

- 9km of piles driven

- 11,000 cubic metres of concrete poured

- 800,000 linear metres of wick drains, to reduce settlement time

- 70,000 plants in the ground, of more than 900,000 required

- Estimated completion 2028

Key sites for the 2024/25 construction season:

- SH2/Fifteenth Ave - Major works to build the connection from Fifteenth Ave to SH29/Takitimu Drive Toll Rd (TDTR) are under way. Works involve the building of a 120m large retaining wall and earthworks, prior to the Fifteenth Ave bridge construction.

- SH29/TDTR - Work is under way to build a major interchange between Tauriko and Tauranga CBD.

- Minden Rd, Te Puna - Major works for the new Minden Rd roundabouts and bridge tie-in works are under way. This work is to form the diamond interchange at the western end of the project.

Work continues at several other locations on site with remaining bridges under construction at Smiths Farm, Wairoa Awa (River), and Minden Gully. At SH2 Loop Rd a large culvert is being constructed.

The Takitimu North Link Stage 1 project is a Road of National Significance supporting economic growth and productivity in the western Bay of Plenty, by providing a reliable, resilient and safe expressway connection between Tauranga and Te Puna.

People can keep up to date with traffic impacts through our regular bulletins and on the NZTA Waka Kotahi Facebook page. Take extra care by following signs and instructions from our traffic management team.

For more information about the project go to nzta.govt.nz / takitimunorth.

Aerial photos  then and now

Cambridge Rd 2022 (top), and 2024 (bottom)



Cambridge Rd 2022.



Cambridge Rd in 2024.

Harrison Rd 2022, and 2024



Harrison Rd in 2022.



Harrison Rd in 2024.

Wairoa River 2022 and 2024



Wairoa River in 2022.



Wairoa River in 2024.

Wairoa Rd bridge 2022 and 2024



Wairoa Rd bridge in 2022.



Wairoa Rd bridge in 2024.

Minden Gully 2022 and 2024



Minden Gully in 2022.



Minden Gully in 2024.

- SunLive
With summer here and the holiday break now on our doorstep, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora is reminding New Zealanders to be aware of the healthcare options available to them throughout the country.

While some healthcare providers will operate limited hours over the Christmas and New Year period, many pharmacies, urgent care clinics and telehealth services will be available for their communities to ensure a seamless primary care service.

National Clinical Director Primary & Community Care Dr Sarah Clarke said no matter where you are in the country, you can access care around the clock.

Whether you are at home or away, you can still phone your normal general practice or healthcare provider as your first port of call for health advice when it's not an emergency. Many now provide online or phone appointments. If the practice is closed, your phone call will be transferred through to their afterhours service.

There are also several other providers available in our community, including our local pharmacy teams and telehealth options. Many common summer conditions can be safely managed by telehealth clinicians. This includes providing prescriptions where needed, and all from the comfort of your home or holiday destination.

If you are unsure what to do, then Healthline is available for free 24 hours a day on 0800 611 116. Their clinicians can provide you with health advice and can also help you to find the services you need. You can choose to speak with a Maori clinician if youre calling between 8am and 8pm. When you call, you can use your mobile to share images and video  to help the team help you.

Dr Clarke reminds New Zealanders that no matter how remote they are, if they have phone access, they can connect with a health care professional for afterhours medical advice and treatment.

Ka Ora Telecare provides afterhours primary care services for our rural populations. If you live rurally or you are visiting rurally, then you can access Ka Ora. Theyre available from 5pm to 8am on weekdays, and 24 hours on weekends and public holidays.

You can book an appointment directly online, or you can phone on 0800 252 672 to speak to a triage nurse who can help to understand your needs and then will book an appointment with a doctor or nurse practitioner if you need one. Its free for people aged under 14, and its free for anyone to speak to the nurse. If you normally live rurally but are visiting a city you can still use Ka Ora, so remember to store their number on your phone, just in case.

For many common conditions, Dr Clarke encourages Kiwis to consult their local pharmacy for advice.

Your local pharmacy is a great place to go for health advice, and they can treat common conditions such as eye infections and inflammation, pain and fever, scabies, urinary tract infection, head lice, eczema or dermatitis, and minor skin infections  all without the need for a prescription from your GP.

Also, a reminder if you or a whanau member is running low on prescription medication, please prepare for the holiday break and contact your GP or healthcare provider now to arrange a repeat or book an appointment.

Hospital emergency departments and many urgent care clinics will remain open  so if its an emergency, always call 111 or go to ED if you are seriously unwell.

Dr Clarke also encourages New Zealanders to be mindful that the holiday season can be a stressful and lonely time for some.

Regularly checking in on neighbours, friends or whanau, or extending an invitation to share kai can be helpful ways to support your community over the summer. If you know of a loved one who is feeling low and could need support, there are a range of free online mental health tools and support services available, said Dr Clarke.



SUMMER HEALTH CHECK LIST:

If you need prescription medication over the summer break, contact your local GP or healthcare provider early to stock up.

Visit www.healthpoint.co.nz for up-to-date information on your local GP and pharmacy opening hours.

If you need a doctor appointment while youre away, you can try your usual GP first. Many offer online and phone appointments, and they may have out-of-hours telehealth services too.

Remember if you get sick whether youre at home or away, call Healthline on 0800 611 116 for free medical advice 24/7  interpreter support is available. Healthline can also advise what services are open wherever you are in the country.

Rural people, and people holidaying in rural areas can access Ka Ora rural telecare after hours by calling 0800 2 KA ORA (0800 252 672) or book online at kaora.co.nz. The service runs from 5pm to 8am on weekdays and 24 hours a day at weekends and on public holidays.

When youre heading for the water, dont forget to visit Can I Swim Here? section of the Land Water Aotearoa (LAWA) website at www.lawa.org.nz to view the latest information.

Keep sun smart this summer. You can access daily UVR level forecasts by downloading apps including the UVNZ app, NIWAWeather and the Metservice app. For more information head to www.sunsmart.org.nz

Helpline services offer support, information and help for you and your parents, family, whanau and friends. The services listed below are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time for support from a trained counsellor.

For mental health and wellbeing online support tools and resources visit www.depression.org.nzLifeline

Youthline  0800 376 633, free text 234 or email talk@youthline.co.nz

Samaritans  0800 726 666
What began as a personal hobby has become an unrivalled museum of its kind in the heart of Malaga province. Antonio Diaz, architect by profession and passionate about the artistry involved in handmade nativity scenes, has managed to bring together in this unique museum in Mollina a collection that not only preserves centuries-old traditions, but also updates them with contemporary messages of peace and reflection. This is a place that celebrates the creativity, detail and magic of nativity scenes, and one which has put Mollina on the world map as a benchmark for lovers of these works of art.

In 2008 Antonio Diaz began his personal collection of nativity scenes, motivated by a personal interest that awoke in him while studying architecture at the University of Granada. "I saw nativity scenes and felt a deep emotion," Diaz confessed. This admiration for such pieces led him to travel around Spain with his wife, visiting places such as Cadiz, Seville and Jerez, in search of these artistic representations that so fascinated him.

On one of his trips he met Antonio Bernal, a nativity scene maker whose passion for dioramas (3-D models) left a mark on Diaz. Bernal created nativity scenes with materials such as moss and cork without resorting to traditional stick figures, which amazed Diaz and led him to reflect: "What a shame that no one can see these works of art." It was then that he decided that these pieces should be exhibited for all to enjoy.

The museum's beginnings were modest. Diaz began by displaying nativity scenes in his own rural home, a space of barely 100 square metres. The initial collection included nativity scenes of different styles: Catalan, Neapolitan, Andalusian and from central Spain, among others. With just four or five sets he started a project that, over time, grew exponentially. "We would travel to Catalonia, they would give us five, then to Levante, and they would give us seven or eight more," he recalls. The demand for them to be seen led to the creation of a larger space, giving rise to the Museo de Arte Belenista de Mollina in 2017, together with the Diaz Caballero Foundation, for which Diaz is the promoter and avid supporter.

Today the museum occupies 5,000 square metres, divided between exhibition areas and a basement where the rest of the collection is stored. More than 60 nativity scenes are displayed in its seven rooms, some with a surprisingly contemporary focus. Recent pieces address issues such as the war in Ukraine, the conflict between the Lebanon and Israel and the situation in Gaza, showing how nativity art can be a reflection of contemporary reality.

Antonio Diaz is clear that the talent of the nativity scene makers deserves to be recognised: "They are artists. They model figures, spaces and buildings inspired by classical and contemporary art movements. There is no question about that." To keep feeding the collection Diaz and his team have travelled all over the world in search of the best nativity scene makers and sculptors. Although the process is sometimes tough, he assures us that each discovery is exciting and enriching.

New exhibits

Room seven of the museum houses new works of art that stand out for their conceptual depth and artistic innovation. Among them is 'Road to Freedom' by the islander (a common nickname given to someone from the Canaries), Jose Manuel Coto, which shows a version of the Holy Family fleeing war and misery after crossing a border wall - a powerful call for peace. Another highlight is Descanso en la Huida (literally, resting while on the run), a work that evokes a cold and foggy day in the forest thanks to the ingenious use of light fabrics and light effects. For its part, 'The Humble Alms' recreates the birth of Jesus in a colourful souk, full of architectural and cultural details, such as a plaque in Arabic that reads: "Water is the driving force of all nature."

Zoom The work 'Road to Freedom' by Jose Manuel Coto. Julio J. Portabales

Antonio Diaz, as well as being a collector and the museum's promoter, shows a deep passion for each of the pieces that make up this unique collection. For him, each work has its own charm and meaning. "I am always asked which one is my favourite, but I can never decide. They all have something special that makes them different from the rest", he said with much enthusiasm, making clear his admiration for the diversity and detail that characterises the many nativity scenes on display.

His passion is also reflected in the connection he seeks to generate with visitors, especially the youngest ones. During the Christmas season the museum is filled with joy when many schools visit. "At Christmas time, many schools come. Yesterday, out of 10 groups, six were from schools. It is wonderful to see how the children learn about this art and get excited with every detail," he said, indicating the educational and cultural impact that the museum has on the new generations.

As part of its commitment to the nativity scene tradition, the museum in Mollina has launched the fourth edition of its Christmas greetings competition, an initiative that seeks to encourage creativity and bring new generations closer to this art form, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest of Andalucia and also on Unesco's Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This competition, which this year reaches its second edition open to schoolchildren from all over Andalucia, is aimed at pupils in the 5th and 6th years of primary education. "We focus on the Andalusian level, but all children who want to participate are welcome to do so," he explained.

The Museo de Arte Belenista de Mollina opens its doors from Monday to Sunday, from 10am to 8pm, including public holidays such as 24, 25 and 31 December, as well as 1 and 6 January, with opening hours adapted so that everyone can enjoy these works on show. Antonio Diaz invites locals and visitors to discover a place where tradition and art meet in a unique tribute to creativity.
The Power of AI in the Workplace

Europe is lagging behind other regions in terms of competitiveness. To address this problem, the EU needs to enhance its productivity growth  a point made by former European Central Bank President Mario Draghi in his report on the EUs future competitiveness. More needs to be produced in fewer working hours, and strengthening the digital economy is of crucial importance to that equation. It is vital that the EU take full advantage of AI solutions and new technology.

Photo : Stefan Tell
Central New York has a lineup of festive and regular activities this week, perfect for holiday lovers and the holiday neutral alike.

On Monday, include your furry friends in your plans at Paint & Sip or have fun with friends at Puzzling Adventures Scavenger Hunt. Keep up the holiday spirit at Jessica Lynns A Very Merry Classic Christmas on Tuesday or practice your hosting skills at Art and Wine Workshop on Thursday.

If youre looking for some non-holiday activities, check out the Syracuse Crunch game on Friday or head to the casino and watch Daughtry perform on Saturday.

End your week with some kid-friendly fun at Royal Holiday Dining or opt for The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight on Sunday.

MONDAY

Paint & Sip - Paint Your Pet

Shaughnessys Irish Pub will host a Paint Your Pet night in their private dining space on Monday. For $15, attendees will receive a watercolor image of their pet, painting supplies and one free drink. Participants should have submitted three photos of their pet by December 5. Additional food and drinks are also available for purchase at the restaurant.

Where: 550 S. Warren St., Syracuse

When: Monday, Dec. 9 at 11 p.m.

How much: $15 cash at the door.

Puzzling Adventures Scavenger Hunt

Eager for a family-friendly outing this week? Join Puzzling Adventures for a scavenger hunt that is also an adventure race and self-guided tour. Participants will follow a series of clues to solve puzzles and answer questions and receive their next instruction. Teams of any size can compete but smaller groups are recommended. This event is wheelchair and stroller-friendly.

Where: 300 E. Fayette St., Syracuse.

When: All month from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

How much: $39.99 and $10 discount with code EVENTPASS. Tickets can be purchased here.

TUESDAY

Jessica Lynns A Very Merry Classic Christmas

Jessica Lynns award-winning holiday show A Very Merry Classic Christmas will make a stop at The Palace Theatre on Tuesday. The interactive show has traditional holiday music, dancers, choirs and special effects. The show will also raise funds and collect toys for the Toys for Tots charity. Families are encouraged to attend.

Where: 2384 James St., Syracuse.

When: Tuesday, Dec. 10 at 7 p.m.

How much: $35-40 and tickets can be purchased here.

WEDNESDAY

Defacer

Rock band Defacer will perform at The Song & Dance on Wednesday, alongside supporting acts Sammy Choz and Cigarettes Inside. Fans can expect an energizing performance filled with guitar riffs and emotional lyrics. You must be 16 and older to attend.

Where: 115 E. Jefferson St., Syracuse.

When: Wednesday, Dec. 11 at 6:30 p.m.

How much: $19.26 and tickets can be purchased here.

THURSDAY

Art and Wine Workshop

Certified sommelier and The Communion founder Cha McCoy will host a joint wine and art experience at the Everson Museum on Thursday. Attendees will explore Mediterranean wines and their connections to clay vessels, enjoy fine wine pairings and browse the museums collection. The workshop will also include expert insights into wine tasting and explore the history behind ceramics and winemaking.

Where: 401 Harrison St., Syracuse.

When: Thursday, Dec. 12 at 6 p.m.

How much: $68 for non members and $55 for members. Tickets can be purchased here.

FRIDAY

An Evening with Dark Hollow

Dark Hollow, New Yorks premier Grateful Dead tribute band, will perform at Funk n Waffles on Friday. Theyre best known for their renditions of Grateful Dead and fans can expect a night filled with nostalgia.

Where: 307-13 S Clinton St., Syracuse.

When: Friday, Dec. 13 from 8 to 11 p.m.

How much: $19.51 and tickets can be purchased here.

Holiday Charcuterie Workshop

She Fancys Anna Sofer will lead a holiday charcuterie workshop at the Everson Museum on Friday. The hands-on class will teach you how to select the best meat and cheese, balance your flavors and style boards. Participants will also try out festive touches to make their boards perfect for a seasonal gathering. All materials, tools, and ingredients will be provided.

Where: 401 Harrison St., Syracuse.

When: Friday, Dec. 13 from 6 to 8 p.m.

How much: $65 for non members and $52 for members. Tickets can be purchased here.

Syracuse Crunch vs. Hershey Bears

The Syracuse Crunch will face off against the Hershey Bears on Friday at Upstate Medical University Arena. The Bears have consistently been intense opponents against the Crunch and most recently beat Syracuse in a 5-4 victory. Tickets range from $41-$86.

Where: 515 Montgomery St., Syracuse.

When: Friday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m.

How much: Tickets start at $41 and can be purchased here.

SATURDAY

Daughtry

Rock band Daughtry will perform at The Vine at del Lago Resort and Casino on Saturday. The show is part of the bands 2024 tour and fans can expect iconic hits like Home, Its Not Over and Over You. Supporting acts Sleep Theory and Devour the Day will open the show.

Where: 1133 NY-414, Waterloo.

When: Saturday, Dec. 14 at 8 p.m.

How much: Tickets start at $290 and can be purchased here.

Nordic Yule Celebration

Celebrate Christmas the Nordic way with coffee and sweet and savory Nordic refreshments with family and friends at Fayetteville Senior Center. Shop at Viking Butik with Nordic inspired gifts, enjoy a Scandinavian bake sale and catch the Sankta Lucia Parade followed by a visit from Jule Nissen (Father Christmas).

Where: Fayetteville Senior Center, 584 E. Genesee St. (Rte 5) Fayetteville, N.Y. 13066.

When: Sat, Dec. 14 from 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

How much: $4 per person or $12 per family at door. For reservations, call 622-7211 or email mccadamint@yahoo.com

Holiday Open House

Peruse unique gifts in a magical, glittering setting at Carol Watson Greenhouses Holiday Open House. With creative holiday decor that offers inspiration, the event hosts local artisans including Farmstead Lavender, Clean Slate Farm, Paul Schantz the Birdhouse Man, Owera Vineyards, Sallie Thompson Ceramics, Lynn Schantz Quilts, Heavenly Glass and, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Sunday, Rosenco Permanent Jewelry.

When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sat. Dec. 14 and Sun. Dec. 15

Where: 2980 Sentinel Heights Rd., LaFayette

How much: Free to attend.

SUNDAY

Royal Holiday Dining

Bring your kids to Royal Holiday Dining at the Marriott Syracuse Downtown on Sunday for a magical morning with their favorite characters. The event includes meet-and-greets with beloved Disney characters like Elsa, Belle and Tiana along with a special visit from Santa himself. VIP ticket holders will get early access, pre-dining activities, and a joint meet-and-greet with the characters including Olaf. Food and drink will be available.

Where: 100 E. Onondaga St., Syracuse.

When: Sunday, Dec. 15 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

How much: Tickets start at $65 and can be purchased here.

Middle Ages Christmas Party

Head down to the Middle Ages Brewing Company on Sunday for beer, light snacks, and a $15 food voucher for Food Rescue Food Truck.

Where: 120 Wilkinson St., Syracuse.

When: Sunday, Dec. 15 from 4 to 5:30 p.m.

How much: $58.08 and tickets can be purchased here.

Kyle Micho

Syracuse native Kyle Micho will perform an acoustic set at The Evergreen on Sunday. Guests can enjoy a relaxing brunch with food and drinks accompanied by Michos folk and alternative music. Fans of live music are encouraged to attend.

Where: 125 E. Water St., Syracuse.

When: Sunday, Dec. 15 at noon.

How much: Free.

Paul Davie

Central New York-based musician Paul Davie will perform at Shiftys Bar & Grill on Sunday for the holiday blow out party. Since he entered music in 2001, Davie has performed globally and been featured in Newsweek and CBS Sunday Morning. Most often, he travels around New York state and performs solo/duo/trio gigs.

Where: 1401 Burnet Ave., Syracuse.

When: Sunday, Dec. 15 from 3 to 7 p.m.

How much: Free.

Holiday Concert

Park Central Presbyterian Church will host a holiday concert on Sunday featuring poetry and performances by local artists. The event is free and open to the public. A reception will follow that everyone is also encouraged to attend.

Where: 504 E. Fayette St., Syracuse.

When: Sunday, Dec. 15 at 2 p.m.

How much: Free.

The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight

The Rock Orchestra by Candlelight will perform at the Oncenter Crouse Hinds Theater on Sunday. Featuring 14 musicians, the 90-minute concert will merge classical music with rock and metal. The orchestra will perform against the glow of hundreds of candles and attempt to redefine timeless tracks.

Where: 411 Montgomery St., Syracuse.

When: Sunday, Dec. 15 from 8 to 9:30 p.m.

How much: $38-$166 and tickets can be purchased here.
Syracuse, N.Y.  Packed inside a Congolese restaurant on the North Side, Chol Majok outlined a vision for a new beginning in Syracuse that includes stabilizing families, prioritizing safety and improving housing.

Majok, 39, stood with his wife and six children in front of a crowd of about 50 at Taste of Africa as he announced his intentions to run for mayor.

We need to bring that dignity back to our people, restoring, creating faith, believing that theres a better tomorrow, Majok said.

Majok said he plans to address Syracuses housing crisis, rebuilding housing infrastructure and providing affordable and quality homes to Syracuse residents. He will also focus on neighborhood safety.

He said he will work to create accessible jobs with fair wages by skilling, up-skilling and re-skilling workers and supporting small businesses. It was part of the reason he chose the Taste of Africa to announce his mayoral bid, he said.

Syracuse, New York, is home, and people work hard to protect their home, Majok said.

Among Majoks supporters at the event were: Tai Shaw, chair of the Asian American and Pacific Islander Commission; Steven Williams, a Syracuse lawyer; Rev. Blessed Unami Sikhosana; and Donna Moore.

Majok said he plans to seek the Onondaga County Democratic Committee designation, but wont stop there if he isnt nominated.

We are intending to go in strong with seeking designation, but if we dont get it, primarys on, Majok said.

Majok is the first refugee to win elected office in Syracuse. He won his first election in 2019 as 3rd district councilor before winning a bid as councilor-at-large in 2023.

He was born in South Sudan and came to Syracuse in a wave of thousands of refugees known as the Lost Boys. Before joining the council, he was a manager of workforce development for Loretto.

While city Councilor, Majok was also the Director of Workforce Development for Syracuse Northeast Community Center.

Majok lives in the citys Elmwood neighborhood. Hes a graduate of city schools. He earned his Bachelors degree from Syracuse Universitys Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs before obtaining a Masters at the University of Albany and a Ed.D. in education from St. John Fisher University in Rochester.

Others planning to run for mayor next year include Deputy Mayor Sharon Owens, Common Councilor Pat Hogan and Jimmy Oliver, director of community engagement for the Syracuse Police Department.

Running for mayor is precisely to create those new beginnings, Majok said. To give people that have been left behind for generations, for so long, the people that have been overlooked, the second chance that they are just as worthy as everybody else. This city is our home.

Staff writer Darian Stevenson covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at dstevenson@syracuse.com
News / National

by Staff reporter

Former Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC) leader Nelson Chamisa is appearing before the Commission of Inquiry into the affairs of the Harare City Council, chaired by retired High Court Judge Justice Maphios Cheda. Chamisa's testimony follows allegations of impropriety in the management of the city's affairs during his tenure as the party leader.The inquiry has focused on claims that Chamisa directed councillors affiliated with the CCC to expedite the regularisation of housing cooperatives ahead of the 2023 harmonised elections. This move, it is alleged, was designed to bolster his party's urban support base.These allegations gained traction after testimony from Councillor Blessing Duma, the chairperson of Harare City Council's Audit Committee. Duma presented an audio recording in which he instructed fellow councillors to regularise all informal settlements in Harare, citing directives purportedly issued by Chamisa.During public hearings, it emerged that over 5,000 illegal stands were allegedly allocated by CCC councillors ahead of the elections. The stands have been linked to unregulated settlements, raising concerns about governance and urban planning in the capital city.Chamisa's testimony is expected to address these accusations and clarify his role in the city's affairs. The Commission of Inquiry continues to probe the city council's operations amid concerns about accountability, governance, and the legality of certain decisions made in the lead-up to the elections.The outcome of Chamisa's testimony and the commission's findings may have significant implications for urban governance and political accountability in Harare.
Live Nations monopoly on live music and ticketing now extends to  your backside.

Starting in 2025, concertgoers with lawn tickets can no longer bring their own chairs to Live Nation shows at the Empower Federal Credit Union Amphitheater at Lakeview. But you can rent one from the venue, for a fee, while supplies last!

More than two-thirds of the Amps seating is on the expansive lawn. If you dont want to stand for the whole show, youll either have to rent a chair, sit on a blanket (until they decide to prohibit them, too) or buy a more expensive seat under the roof.

Live Nation cites the safety, comfort and experience of all fans as its reason for banning outside lawn chairs from all of its shows and venues. It smells to us like just another money grab.

And whos to stop it? The company has exclusive relationships with venues like the Amp; exclusive deals with artists who perform at its venues; and exclusive control of ticket prices and fees through its wholly owned subsidiary, Ticketmaster. Live Nation has such a stranglehold on the concert business, it is being sued for antitrust violations by the U.S. Department of Justice and 30 state and district attorneys general.

Onondaga County built the amphitheater with taxpayer money but has washed its hands of day-to-day operations. The county employs ASM Global to manage the Amp. ASM has the contract with Live Nation. We dont know how ASM and Live Nation split revenue from tickets, parking and concessions. We do know they have no incentive to drive a harder bargain for taxpayers and ticketholders  and every incentive to bleed them for more money.

Enjoy the show  if you can afford to go.

About Syracuse.com editorials

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If you have questions about the Opinions & Editorials section, contact Marie Morelli, editorial/opinion lead, at mmorelli@syracuse.com
An Upstate New York village has shut off its water supply and declared a state of emergency.

The Village of Whitehall and Mayor Francis Putorti said the Village of Whitehall Board of Trustees voted to declare a local state of emergency Sunday night due to a failure of the village water system or its components and the critically low supply of water. The remaining connections from water towers were shut off at 11:30 p.m., shutting off the water supply to all municipal water system users.

The Village of Whitehall is working to take all actions necessary to mitigate the water supply and system issues as soon as possible, a statement said.

WTEN reports the villages Department of Public Works had previously issued a water restriction notice on Sunday afternoon due to drought-like conditions. Local residents and businesses were encouraged to conserve water.

Whitehall schools are closed due to the water shortage.

In an updated alert Monday morning, officials said the Village of Whitehalls water system, which draws its water source from Pine Lake, is not drawing enough water into the system to fill the system and sustain operations. An investigation is underway.

All Village of Whitehall officials and Public Works staff have been working diligently to identify the cause of the issues, up to and including, level of water available from the source, connections and supply issues to the water system connections, a statement said.

Officials said the village is working with the American Red Cross to establish a drinking water distribution site at the Whitehall Volunteer Fire Company (161 Main Street, Whitehall, N.Y.) starting at noon Monday. Distribution will be limited per household for the initial distribution period (as long as the initial supply lasts). The village is also working with outside sources to secure additional bottled water for distribution.

As of Monday morning, there is no estimated time for water services to be restored.

Whitehall, located about 70 miles north of Albany, is a small village in Washington County. The village has a population of 2,465 people, according to U.S. Census data.
VW2010 Senior - BHPian



Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: electricity Posts: 2,930 Thanked: 4,491 Times

re: Replacement for Tata Nano | Kinetic Yellow Maruti Jimny 4x4 | 13,500 km update



Starting the proceeding with some pictures till the 6000kms Mark.

















The summary is between 6000kms to 10000kms.





Trip no 1 was to Bangalore for a conference. We started at 430 and returned by 1130pm. We took the Old Madras road and it rained in a few sections as well. The car handled the tarmac and the lack of it through this drive with less fuss and more awe. We started at 430 and reached MG Road around 845 and that is a pretty good average.



The bane of Jimny, the slow-speed steering wheel was very comfortable at high speeds. The soft suspension eats up bad roads but does not become a boat on the tarmac. The Car is very planted on corners and one can keep gaining confidence in the capability of Jimny.



Visibility and size are favorable to highway driving in the Jimny. The engine whines more than your regular-sized engines but not once it felt it is struggling. We could cruise with no discomfort and with the EVC overtaking was also not difficult. EVC is a must for Jimny and I understand why the ECU is tuned to drive in its stock form as Fuel efficiency is also a key DNA of Maruti which does not exist with Jimny. Even at this good average pace, we got around 10.8 to 11.2 kmpl during the trip. One tank each way was the cost.



There were few stretches when it rained and some bad stretches of roads drenched in rain and mud. I am 100% sure I would have slowed down to a crawl in a sedan or other cars but with Jimny, we just glided over these stretches at a healthy speed. This makes it a terrific highway car once you consider the comfort factor on all type of roads.



Things that impressed me during this trip

Stability

The engine is not that bad and with EVC the drive is comfortable and reaches 3-digit speeds quickly

Extremely comfortable for driver and front seat passengers.

Fabric seats are comfortable

AC, Dark tints and cabin size make it a very cold ride even in a hot summer

Does not float like a boat and stiffer steering makes it relatively ok to drive at highway speeds

Great for good roads, greater for bad roads

The brakes are good. It is not abrupt but can confidently go all during an emergency and the car will stop

Can zip through the slow traffic like you are used to as the car is small but also agile.



While this established my opinion that Jimny is a solid highway vehicle, the next day, I had a trip planned with the wife and kid to Trivandrum, Tanjavur and and Trihcy, which meant I could test the car further on the rear seat comfort, luggage space, and overall performance.



Trip no 2 - Chennai - Trivandrum - Madurai - Kumbakonam - Chennai



A similar trip was completed last year in the Endeavour (ex). While it is easy to say the Endeavour was comfortable because of that extra space, size, weight, and powerful engine, Jimny did not disappoint.



We started at 6 and reached Trivandrum around 7 pm which included the usual breakfast, lunch, and snack break.



Luggage for 3 - Check - You can say 4 as the camera gears and other nonsense I carry can be added as 1 extra person's luggage.









My wife was seated in the front/rear at different times and my son was in the rear seat. The roads were very good and well-maintained. The toll takes a toll on your wallet though. We were consistently cruising at highway speed and throughout the trip, the few questions I kept asking my family were " How comfortable is the rear seat? Is the ride bouncy? Does it make you sick?"



Both never once said they felt uncomfortable during the trip. At some stages, my son was fully stretched out and sleeping in the second row giving both me and my wife enough room to push the seats back to prevent him from rolling down.



Few things that worked in their favor

Excellent AC and protection from heat (It was a hot day)

The fabric seats are comfortable

I have installed an Android device that allows us to use the display as a phone and install any app from the app store. This meant they could watch their own OTT platform on the go.

Good stops at right time also ensured some stretching and relaxing



Cruising at highway speed is easy and the cruise control is a bonus here.







Took the car to the carwash next to Infosys in Trivandrum and they did a very good job.

























Some pictures during the visit.













We did use the car inside Trivandrum and this was the trip that helped me enjoy what this Jimny offers.



Trip to Chennai



We left Trivandrum at 5 am and we planned to head to Kumbakonam and visit 4 of the 5 Navagraha temples and stay put in Kumbakonam. The plan was flexible based on the time it took us to reach Kumbakonam.



On the way we stopped to enjoy the windmills and take some photos finally of Jimny













This is an excellent place to stay if you want to start your tour from Karaikal. Clean and tidy and the food is very good.



















We reached Madurai by 930am and decided to head to Kumbakonam and finish the outer stretch of the 4 temples including Shani, Budhan, Kethu, and Sevvai. The roads are lovely to drive or ride in this part of the state.



In between it was raining and I had to take an emergency call from work.





Driving the Jimny in these parts is easy and fun. Roads are small compared to the highways and Google Maps takes you via weird interior roads that are at best as wide as one car. I enjoyed this drive and so did my family.



After finishing the tour we returned and were treated to some exhibition of sky, colors, and a clean day. There is nothing here to explain but to share some pictures





















We reached Chennai around 4pm leaving us a day and a half to relax before heading back to awful work and routine.



Spotted this Mahindra EV on the way back home.







Final Summary and stats after these two trips:-







Jimny is a solid city and highway car for a small family. It is strictly a 2 adult and 2 kid car. It has enough space for such a family size with the advantage of looking good as well.



Total Distance covered - Close to 3500 and ended the trip at 9500 km.

Average fuel consumption for the trip - Around 11



Considering the 3500 odd km in 5-6 days I heard only good things from a comfort standpoint from my wife and Kid. This trip enabled me to sell the Endeavor. Jimny now has a solid recommendation if someone came to me and I personally do not believe this is a slow car or a car that is not good for highway drives.



I also completed the 10000 km 3rd service. Changed oil, filters, and pretty much the usual top-up stuff. The filter was filthy and I have decided to clean it once a week. The filter is located inside the glove compartment. Rear wiper water pressure is suddenly low and i have to check this this week. Other than that, there is a reason why people buy Maruthi. The experience is stellar and thanks to Abish from Khivraj. He is a fantastic service manager and if you are in Chennai, please get your car serviced in Khivraj Perungudi and ask for Abish.





Up next - Offroading debut with the Jimny and starting to use the car to the fullest....... Here is the Promised update and with that I also complete the 3rd service. Another Shout out to Abish from Khivraj who took care of all service needs. Nothing major but changing oil and filters. Will get to the service update at the end.Starting the proceeding with some pictures till the 6000kms Mark.was to Bangalore for a conference. We started at 430 and returned by 1130pm. We took the Old Madras road and it rained in a few sections as well. The car handled the tarmac and the lack of it through this drive with less fuss and more awe. We started at 430 and reached MG Road around 845 and that is a pretty good average.The bane of Jimny, the slow-speed steering wheel was very comfortable at high speeds. The soft suspension eats up bad roads but does not become a boat on the tarmac. The Car is very planted on corners and one can keep gaining confidence in the capability of Jimny.Visibility and size are favorable to highway driving in the Jimny. The engine whines more than your regular-sized engines but not once it felt it is struggling. We could cruise with no discomfort and with the EVC overtaking was also not difficult. EVC is a must for Jimny and I understand why the ECU is tuned to drive in its stock form as Fuel efficiency is also a key DNA of Maruti which does not exist with Jimny. Even at this good average pace, we got around 10.8 to 11.2 kmpl during the trip. One tank each way was the cost.There were few stretches when it rained and some bad stretches of roads drenched in rain and mud. I am 100% sure I would have slowed down to a crawl in a sedan or other cars but with Jimny, we just glided over these stretches at a healthy speed. This makes it a terrific highway car once you consider the comfort factor on all type of roads.While this established my opinion that Jimny is a solid highway vehicle, the next day, I had a trip planned with the wife and kid to Trivandrum, Tanjavur and and Trihcy, which meant I could test the car further on the rear seat comfort, luggage space, and overall performance.A similar trip was completed last year in the Endeavour (ex). While it is easy to say the Endeavour was comfortable because of that extra space, size, weight, and powerful engine, Jimny did not disappoint.We started at 6 and reached Trivandrum around 7 pm which included the usual breakfast, lunch, and snack break.- You can say 4 as the camera gears and other nonsense I carry can be added as 1 extra person's luggage.My wife was seated in the front/rear at different times and my son was in the rear seat. The roads were very good and well-maintained. The toll takes a toll on your wallet though. We were consistently cruising at highway speed and throughout the trip, the few questions I kept asking my family were " How comfortable is the rear seat? Is the ride bouncy? Does it make you sick?"Both never once said they felt uncomfortable during the trip. At some stages, my son was fully stretched out and sleeping in the second row giving both me and my wife enough room to push the seats back to prevent him from rolling down.Few things that worked in their favorCruising at highway speed is easy and the cruise control is a bonus here.We reached Trivandrum and the forward trip was complete. We went through a few rain zones and the car was dirty and covered with muck from the previous day's trip as well.Took the car to the carwash next to Infosys in Trivandrum and they did a very good job.We did use the car inside Trivandrum and this was the trip that helped me enjoy what this Jimny offers.We left Trivandrum at 5 am and we planned to head to Kumbakonam and visit 4 of the 5 Navagraha temples and stay put in Kumbakonam. The plan was flexible based on the time it took us to reach Kumbakonam.On the way we stopped to enjoy the windmills and take some photos finally of JimnyWe reached Madurai by 930am and decided to head to Kumbakonam and finish the outer stretch of the 4 temples including Shani, Budhan, Kethu, and Sevvai. The roads are lovely to drive or ride in this part of the state.In between it was raining and I had to take an emergency call from work.Driving the Jimny in these parts is easy and fun. Roads are small compared to the highways and Google Maps takes you via weird interior roads that are at best as wide as one car. I enjoyed this drive and so did my family.After finishing the tour we returned and were treated to some exhibition of sky, colors, and a clean day. There is nothing here to explain but to share some picturesWe reached Chennai around 4pm leaving us a day and a half to relax before heading back to awful work and routine.Spotted this Mahindra EV on the way back home.Jimny is a solid city and highway car for a small family. It is strictly a 2 adult and 2 kid car. It has enough space for such a family size with the advantage of looking good as well.Total Distance covered - Close to 3500 and ended the trip at 9500 km.Average fuel consumption for the trip - Around 11Considering the 3500 odd km in 5-6 days I heard only good things from a comfort standpoint from my wife and Kid. This trip enabled me to sell the Endeavor. Jimny now has a solid recommendation if someone came to me and I personally do not believe this is a slow car or a car that is not good for highway drives.I also completed the 10000 km 3rd service. Changed oil, filters, and pretty much the usual top-up stuff. The filter was filthy and I have decided to clean it once a week. The filter is located inside the glove compartment. Rear wiper water pressure is suddenly low and i have to check this this week. Other than that, there is a reason why people buy Maruthi. The experience is stellar and thanks to Abish from Khivraj. He is a fantastic service manager and if you are in Chennai, please get your car serviced in Khivraj Perungudi and ask for Abish.Up next - Offroading debut with the Jimny and starting to use the car to the fullest....... Last edited by VW2010 : 3rd November 2024 at 00:25 .
chaksjr BHPian



Join Date: Jul 2021 Location: Gurugram Posts: 181 Thanked: 386 Times

My Hyundai i20 N Line Review



Come mid 2023, personal & professional reasons prompted me to try and move back to the NCR. A couple of months of searching and finalizing the deal, I was all set to move back to NCR at the end of August. Goods & car shipped off, me & mom landed in Delhi, borrowing an old Rapid from a friend until my car showed up.



Couple of months down the line, settling into work, comes GRAP a knocking! Banned are BS4 diesels, which puts my Ecosport into confinement at my apartments' basement parking. Irritated and pissed at having to play Russian roulette with taxi apps each day, I decide to sell of my car and get quotes from Cars24 & Spinny.



Spinny is ridiculously low without room for negotiation. Cars24 offers a decent deal but I turn it down due to want of slightly more, plus GRAP is retracted and I am content at being allowed to drive my car again. GRAP comes and goes throughout the winter but I wade through it, resisting the urge to sell my car.



During the end of February, I sit down with a colleague to try and completely understand the corporate car lease equation. Once I do, I realize that owning a new car would be beneficial, not to mention that I can buy a petrol and get over this headache of temporary bans.



I stroll on over to Kia, Hyundai & Tata showrooms the following weekend. I test drove the following, with an initial budget of <10L ex-showroom.



1. Kia Sonet 1.2 - while the interiors are certainly wow, the engine performance was rather underwhelming. Coming from a decently strong diesel, I could not get myself to accept this engine.

2. Tata Punch - performance surprisingly felt stronger than the Kia, but I wasn't too impressed otherwise, primarily due to the dealership's take it or leave it attitude. I actually wanted to drive the Altroz i-turbo but was clearly told that none can be made available for a TD.

3. Hyundai Exter 1.2 AMT - drove it just for the sake of being offered one, had absolutely no plans to buy an AMT. Moreover, do not really like the Exter's exterior's.



I requested the Hyundai dealer (Himgiri, Sec 53, GGN) for an i20 NLine TD, was informed that it can be booked for office/home but none available at the dealership. Nevermind, asked them to bring one to the office that Monday. Though I really wanted to TD the manual, Hyundai only had the DCT to offer.

The car came, took it for a spin along with a colleague (who owns a Seltos IVT). I instantly liked the surge and the briskness the car offered, and I quickly reminded myself that the manual would feel even better. I was sold. Colleague remarked that it felt faster than their Seltos too.



Booked an i20 Nline N8 DT MT a couple of days later with the same dealership. Verbal communication was 4-6 weeks for delivery. I made a personal booking even though the car would actually be a corporate buy. This was the 1st of March. Some internal methodology within the dealership meant that my actual request to the factory was not placed until a PO was issued to the dealer 2 weeks later on the 14th of March. This meant I had already lost 2 weeks from the initial commitment. Come end of March, no sign of being allotted a vehicle, despite continuously following up with the dealership. They remarked that they had not received an allocation during March and were hopeful of being allotted one in the 1st week of April.



In the meantime, my Ecosport is sold to Cars24 on the last day of the FY for 3.5L. I then borrow an i20 Elite from a friend until the new car arrives.



1st week of April comes and goes, silence from the dealership. I escalate to Hyundai, and the dealership GM steps in to calm me down. She tells me that she will personally follow up for an allotment ASAP from Hyundai & would update me daily on the same. Initially I am told that a car will be allotted and dispatched between 15th & 17th April, which doesn't happen. On April 19th, I write an email to a Hyundai CRM explaining this situation and that if not allotted a vehicle soon, I will be taking my business to another brand.



While I don't receive any reply to my email, the dealership GM messages me that a vehicle will positively be allotted to me between 22nd & 24th April.

I inculcate some patience though my hopes weren't high. Thankfully, on 23rd April, the GM calls & informs me that a car has been allotted and was dispatched the day before, she shares the VIN as well. Relieved, the excitement slowly starts to build up. On 27th evening, I am informed that the car has arrived at the dealership, and is available for inspection.



My mom and I drove down to the dealership the next day and inspected the car. All was well except a minor scratch on the front left corner of the skirting. I requested the SA to get it buffed out before delivery (they couldn't completely but nevermind, didn't want to hold back on the car just for that).

Gave go ahead for invoicing and delivery was planned for the 1st of May.



Post lunch on the 1st, I headed out of office to the dealership, while mom took a cab from home to the dealership as well. Documentation, delivery, demo took about an hour & we were out of the showroom around 1530hrs.



Basic accessories were offered free of cost during PO confirmation, the same were fitted on the car (mud flaps, floor mats, god statue & perfume). Made them add door window visors and door edge guards, paid for them just before delivery.



Got 5L free fuel and then tanked the car up. Named him Blue Boy in my head. Headed straight to the Kamakshi temple for the pooja.



Coming to the driving experience (thanks for reading till here ), the manual gearbox is GREAT. The shifts are short, they're precise, the gears seem well gated and I haven't missed a shift yet. Turbo lag is well contained (much better than the DCT), and while driving sedately during my office commute, I seem to be able to extract 14.5-15kmpl. Android auto is working well, the AC fan is quick even on the lowest setting.

The exhaust note is deep & throaty, take it upto 2.5k-3k RPM and it sounds very decent. Haven't pushed the car much, easing into it and letting the engine settle down for the first few hundred kms.

While the seats and suspension is certainly not as soft as the regular i20, coming from an Ecosport (which itself had quite the stiff ride), I am perfectly ok with how this car is dealing with speed breakers and calmers.



Attaching some pictures below my Blue Boy























Hoping to keep this thread updated as the car munches kilometers and plants many smiles on my face. My Ecosport was munching away kilometers on Southern highways, taking me to work, to weekend outings & to places around the Southern states.Come mid 2023, personal & professional reasons prompted me to try and move back to the NCR. A couple of months of searching and finalizing the deal, I was all set to move back to NCR at the end of August. Goods & car shipped off, me & mom landed in Delhi, borrowing an old Rapid from a friend until my car showed up.Couple of months down the line, settling into work, comes GRAP a knocking! Banned are BS4 diesels, which puts my Ecosport into confinement at my apartments' basement parking. Irritated and pissed at having to play Russian roulette with taxi apps each day, I decide to sell of my car and get quotes from Cars24 & Spinny.Spinny is ridiculously low without room for negotiation. Cars24 offers a decent deal but I turn it down due to want of slightly more, plus GRAP is retracted and I am content at being allowed to drive my car again. GRAP comes and goes throughout the winter but I wade through it, resisting the urge to sell my car.During the end of February, I sit down with a colleague to try and completely understand the corporate car lease equation. Once I do, I realize that owning a new car would be beneficial, not to mention that I can buy a petrol and get over this headache of temporary bans.I stroll on over to Kia, Hyundai & Tata showrooms the following weekend. I test drove the following, with an initial budget of <10L ex-showroom.1. Kia Sonet 1.2 - while the interiors are certainly wow, the engine performance was rather underwhelming. Coming from a decently strong diesel, I could not get myself to accept this engine.2. Tata Punch - performance surprisingly felt stronger than the Kia, but I wasn't too impressed otherwise, primarily due to the dealership's take it or leave it attitude. I actually wanted to drive the Altroz i-turbo but was clearly told that none can be made available for a TD.3. Hyundai Exter 1.2 AMT - drove it just for the sake of being offered one, had absolutely no plans to buy an AMT. Moreover, do not really like the Exter's exterior's.I requested the Hyundai dealer (Himgiri, Sec 53, GGN) for an i20 NLine TD, was informed that it can be booked for office/home but none available at the dealership. Nevermind, asked them to bring one to the office that Monday. Though I really wanted to TD the manual, Hyundai only had the DCT to offer.The car came, took it for a spin along with a colleague (who owns a Seltos IVT). I instantly liked the surge and the briskness the car offered, and I quickly reminded myself that the manual would feel even better. I was sold. Colleague remarked that it felt faster than their Seltos too.Booked an i20 Nline N8 DT MT a couple of days later with the same dealership. Verbal communication was 4-6 weeks for delivery. I made a personal booking even though the car would actually be a corporate buy. This was the 1st of March. Some internal methodology within the dealership meant that my actual request to the factory was not placed until a PO was issued to the dealer 2 weeks later on the 14th of March. This meant I had already lost 2 weeks from the initial commitment. Come end of March, no sign of being allotted a vehicle, despite continuously following up with the dealership. They remarked that they had not received an allocation during March and were hopeful of being allotted one in the 1st week of April.In the meantime, my Ecosport is sold to Cars24 on the last day of the FY for 3.5L. I then borrow an i20 Elite from a friend until the new car arrives.1st week of April comes and goes, silence from the dealership. I escalate to Hyundai, and the dealership GM steps in to calm me down. She tells me that she will personally follow up for an allotment ASAP from Hyundai & would update me daily on the same. Initially I am told that a car will be allotted and dispatched between 15th & 17th April, which doesn't happen. On April 19th, I write an email to a Hyundai CRM explaining this situation and that if not allotted a vehicle soon, I will be taking my business to another brand.While I don't receive any reply to my email, the dealership GM messages me that a vehicle will positively be allotted to me between 22nd & 24th April.I inculcate some patience though my hopes weren't high. Thankfully, on 23rd April, the GM calls & informs me that a car has been allotted and was dispatched the day before, she shares the VIN as well. Relieved, the excitement slowly starts to build up. On 27th evening, I am informed that the car has arrived at the dealership, and is available for inspection.My mom and I drove down to the dealership the next day and inspected the car. All was well except a minor scratch on the front left corner of the skirting. I requested the SA to get it buffed out before delivery (they couldn't completely but nevermind, didn't want to hold back on the car just for that).Gave go ahead for invoicing and delivery was planned for the 1st of May.Post lunch on the 1st, I headed out of office to the dealership, while mom took a cab from home to the dealership as well. Documentation, delivery, demo took about an hour & we were out of the showroom around 1530hrs.Basic accessories were offered free of cost during PO confirmation, the same were fitted on the car (mud flaps, floor mats, god statue & perfume). Made them add door window visors and door edge guards, paid for them just before delivery.Got 5L free fuel and then tanked the car up. Named himin my head. Headed straight to the Kamakshi temple for the pooja.Coming to the driving experience (thanks for reading till here), the manual gearbox is GREAT. The shifts are short, they're precise, the gears seem well gated and I haven't missed a shift yet. Turbo lag is well contained (much better than the DCT), and while driving sedately during my office commute, I seem to be able to extract 14.5-15kmpl. Android auto is working well, the AC fan is quick even on the lowest setting.The exhaust note is deep & throaty, take it upto 2.5k-3k RPM and it sounds very decent. Haven't pushed the car much, easing into it and letting the engine settle down for the first few hundred kms.While the seats and suspension is certainly not as soft as the regular i20, coming from an Ecosport (which itself had quite the stiff ride), I am perfectly ok with how this car is dealing with speed breakers and calmers.Attaching some pictures below my Blue BoyHoping to keep this thread updated as the car munches kilometers and plants many smiles on my face.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A 23-year-old man from Lower Gweru, Midlands Province, has been arrested for domestic violence after allegedly assaulting his mother with an iron rod in a drunken fit of rage.The incident occurred on November 18, 2024, when the accused returned home intoxicated and launched a violent attack on his mother, accusing her of disliking his wife. The situation escalated as he reportedly threatened to behead her before striking her repeatedly with an iron rod, targeting her eye, forehead, and various parts of her body.According to the National Prosecuting Authority of Zimbabwe (NPAZ), the victim sustained a deep cut on her forehead and a swollen left eye. The mans aggression did not stop at physical violence; he allegedly stripped his mother naked as she attempted to escape.The victim's screams alerted neighbors, who intervened and rescued her from further harm. Authorities arrested the accused, who has since been convicted of domestic violence charges and remanded in custody. He is scheduled to return to court on December 13, 2024, for sentencing.The incident highlights ongoing concerns about domestic violence in Zimbabwe, with advocacy groups calling for stricter measures to protect victims and hold perpetrators accountable.
Stryker BHPian



Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 554 Thanked: 3,281 Times

Tadoba | Drive from Bengaluru and the Tiger Kindergarten



We quickly contacted our good friend and wildlife tour operator Dr. Shashank Gowda of



The plan was to drive to Hyderabad the first day, stay over and drive to Tadoba the next day. The reverse in return. We started around 6:00 am on Saturday 1st December from my friend's home in East Bangalore and reached Hyderabad by 2:30 pm, with a couple of stops in-between for breakfast and coffee. Nothing to report on this route, which I've personally driven more than 10 times over the last several years. We started post breakfast around 8:00 am from Hyderabad and after a lovely drive on NH44, reached Tadoba around 6:00 pm in the evening.







NH44 is very good all the way and once we exit onto the SH roads, those are surprisingly good too. First time for me on Maharashtra roads and the horror stories were keeping me on tenterhooks. Happy to say there was no need for the trepidation, except maybe the last 15-18 kms stretch which were pothole ridden and the last couple of kms were nearly no road at all.



The biggest BMW is a wonderful vehicle, very comfortable and an absolute dream to drive. Even with that heavy body, it handles almost as good as my 330 Li. There is very little body roll when driven on the highway and what there is, is controlled superbly. It doesn't accelerate as smoothly and seamlessly as the 330 though, you can hear the 6 cylinder inline 3.0L B58 turbo petrol engine growling menacingly during overtakes and sprints. And of course, it takes that bit of extra time to get upto the 3 figure mark and beyond. 8 seconds, says BMW. But it feels a little more than that in reality. Compare that with around 5 seconds on my 330 Li. But then it has nearly 800-850 kilograms more to pull, almost 1.5 times the weight of the 330! As in most new cars with giant screens, they have removed all physical buttons, which is a huge pain in the proverbial. Even changing fan speed requires you to dig into the Climate menu and tap a few icons. If you are on the highway at speed and you start feeling hot or cold and there is no one in the passenger seat, it doesn't feel safe at all. But overall, a very capable car that takes everything you throw at it and asks for more.



After a relaxing evening, we woke up fresh for the morning safari in the core zone, starting from the Khutwanda gate.



The first safari - Morning, Khutwanda Gate

As in all Central and North Indian parks, the vehicle is a petrol Maruti Gypsy with no top and two rows of seats. We have a vehicle for ourselves, four of us plus driver and the mandatory guide in the front. We also see a few large Isuzu vehicles with three rows, but mainly the Gypsies. Since this is my first time in Tadoba, I'm all eyes and ears. The experience is completely new, the landscape is very different.



Note: All photos are in 4K resolution, so please click on them to see a bigger version, thanks.







A tar road runs through the forest and is very well maintained. The yellowing high grass on either side of the road makes for a lovely sight. The 200-500 is in no way a landscape lens, but this captures the location quite well. We did have a wider 17-80 lens, I'll post photos from that later.







We come across a Sambar fawn standing in the path, looking curiously at us. Its mom was on the other side, looking anxiously back at the little one.







We slowly head towards Pandharpauni lake. There is no alarm calls anywhere, the deer and langur are not even visible. It is still only 7:30 am in the morning, the sun is bright though. Not much fog, so visibility is pretty good. One turn at the end of the red mud road, and voila!







The background is so bright, it is confusing the sensor. I dial down to -0.7 EV, which makes the tiger become almost a silhouette. So I decide to overexpose, let the background blow out since the tiger is a better subject! Back up to 0.0 EV. I know I can pull back most of the background while processing the RAW image. The benefits of shooting RAW!







This is a seven month old female cub. The guide says its mom, the unimaginatively named Choti Tara, must be somewhere nearby. Meanwhile, the cub is curious to see what the commotion is all about and comes closer to us, granting me a golden opportunity. The background looks pink because the high grass is very yellow and the morning sun is lighting it up.











I pull back on the zoom, down to the lower end of 200mm to get as much of the scene as possible into the frame. At the same time, the cub displays the Flehmen Response, an attempt to detect more scents on the air.







Incredibly, the cub decides to come even closer to us! Maybe it likes what it smells and wants to check us out from close up. She is one very curious girl! I hope this fearlessness continues.







There are several vehicles already lined up along the path, some of them are shooting at a different object. We think it could be the Matriarch of Tadoba and move up. Indeed, here she is! The teak tree leaves frame her nicely, while she looks fondly towards the cub running around.







We move just a few meters up to get a better shot, she is still in the same position.







After a few minutes (in which I have shot at least a 100 images!!) she gets up and starts to walk. Oh no! She is limping heavily and seems to be injured. All drivers and guides gathered there agree this wasn't the case a couple of days ago when she was last seen. So this is a recent injury.







She takes a few laborious steps and sits down again, still watching her baby. This is one badly hurt tigress!







A few minutes of rest and she is up again. She is probably heading towards the shade, as the morning sun is beginning to beat down. We still can't see exactly where or what the injury is.











And she sits down again, after exactly ten steps. Oh this isn't looking good!







Some more rest and she walks right by us, so close that I can probably reach out and touch her. I take this one only after I'm able to fit her in the frame at 200mm.







Down she goes once more. She has never taken her eyes off that little one running around a little behind us. Our guide keeps saying there should be one more cub, but that one is not visible anywhere. Here is a portrait of a mother supreme, this is her sixth or seventh litter (probably her last, given her age) and almost all of them have survived to lead their own lives. Some of them have cubs of their own now.







She has single handedly contributed at least 14 tigers to the Tadoba ecosystem. Her mom, the celebrated Tara, has passed on the longevity and motherhood genes to her. Now, she calls to the cubs, asking them to come back from wherever they are.



The idea for this trip took shape during our last visit to Kabini in September. It was a completely dry trip, no sightings at all on the four safaris. We were really disappointed and thought we will give Kabini a miss for the next few outings and look for greener pastures instead, so to speak. That decision was heavy on my heart, given my love for Kabini. But of late sightings have dropped drastically for various reasons. This time around the quality of stay has also dropped in JLR, with almost completely new staff maybe still getting used to the new environs. Whatever, we discussed several options and finally narrowed down on Tadoba since none of us had been there. Under the influence of some strong coloured liquids in the Viceroy Bar, we decided we will drive there from Bangalore, instead of the more sane and safe idea of flying to Nagpur and then taking a taxi to Tadoba. One of us had a new-ish BMW X7 XDrive 40i M Trim he was itching to take on a long drive, so that was that.We quickly contacted our good friend and wildlife tour operator Dr. Shashank Gowda of Jungle Arc . He is a practicing paediatrician in Mysore and a very avid wildlife photographer himself. With a little back and forth regarding dates, schedules, etc., he arranged the resort and safari bookings for us. On his recommendation, we finalized the Wagobha Eco Lodge near the Khutwanda gate. I can whole heartedly recommend this place, the rooms are large and well lit, the staff is friendly and very courteous, the food is simply too good. The chef was personally involved in ensuring we were enjoying the food and entertained our special requests for the packed breakfast we were supplied with every day on safari.The plan was to drive to Hyderabad the first day, stay over and drive to Tadoba the next day. The reverse in return. We started around 6:00 am on Saturday 1st December from my friend's home in East Bangalore and reached Hyderabad by 2:30 pm, with a couple of stops in-between for breakfast and coffee. Nothing to report on this route, which I've personally driven more than 10 times over the last several years. We started post breakfast around 8:00 am from Hyderabad and after a lovely drive on NH44, reached Tadoba around 6:00 pm in the evening.NH44 is very good all the way and once we exit onto the SH roads, those are surprisingly good too. First time for me on Maharashtra roads and the horror stories were keeping me on tenterhooks. Happy to say there was no need for the trepidation, except maybe the last 15-18 kms stretch which were pothole ridden and the last couple of kms were nearly no road at all.The biggest BMW is a wonderful vehicle, very comfortable and an absolute dream to drive. Even with that heavy body, it handles almost as good as my 330 Li. There is very little body roll when driven on the highway and what there is, is controlled superbly. It doesn't accelerate as smoothly and seamlessly as the 330 though, you can hear the 6 cylinder inline 3.0L B58 turbo petrol engine growling menacingly during overtakes and sprints. And of course, it takes that bit of extra time to get upto the 3 figure mark and beyond. 8 seconds, says BMW. But it feels a little more than that in reality. Compare that with around 5 seconds on my 330 Li. But then it has nearly 800-850 kilograms more to pull, almost 1.5 times the weight of the 330! As in most new cars with giant screens, they have removed all physical buttons, which is a huge pain in the proverbial. Even changing fan speed requires you to dig into the Climate menu and tap a few icons. If you are on the highway at speed and you start feeling hot or cold and there is no one in the passenger seat, it doesn't feel safe at all. But overall, a very capable car that takes everything you throw at it and asks for more.After a relaxing evening, we woke up fresh for the morning safari in the core zone, starting from the Khutwanda gate.As in all Central and North Indian parks, the vehicle is a petrol Maruti Gypsy with no top and two rows of seats. We have a vehicle for ourselves, four of us plus driver and the mandatory guide in the front. We also see a few large Isuzu vehicles with three rows, but mainly the Gypsies. Since this is my first time in Tadoba, I'm all eyes and ears. The experience is completely new, the landscape is very different.A tar road runs through the forest and is very well maintained. The yellowing high grass on either side of the road makes for a lovely sight. The 200-500 is in no way a landscape lens, but this captures the location quite well. We did have a wider 17-80 lens, I'll post photos from that later.We come across a Sambar fawn standing in the path, looking curiously at us. Its mom was on the other side, looking anxiously back at the little one.We slowly head towards Pandharpauni lake. There is no alarm calls anywhere, the deer and langur are not even visible. It is still only 7:30 am in the morning, the sun is bright though. Not much fog, so visibility is pretty good. One turn at the end of the red mud road, and voila!The background is so bright, it is confusing the sensor. I dial down to -0.7 EV, which makes the tiger become almost a silhouette. So I decide to overexpose, let the background blow out since the tiger is a better subject! Back up to 0.0 EV. I know I can pull back most of the background while processing the RAW image. The benefits of shooting RAW!This is a seven month old female cub. The guide says its mom, the unimaginatively named Choti Tara, must be somewhere nearby. Meanwhile, the cub is curious to see what the commotion is all about and comes closer to us, granting me a golden opportunity. The background looks pink because the high grass is very yellow and the morning sun is lighting it up.I pull back on the zoom, down to the lower end of 200mm to get as much of the scene as possible into the frame. At the same time, the cub displays the Flehmen Response, an attempt to detect more scents on the air.Incredibly, the cub decides to come even closer to us! Maybe it likes what it smells and wants to check us out from close up. She is one very curious girl! I hope this fearlessness continues.There are several vehicles already lined up along the path, some of them are shooting at a different object. We think it could be the Matriarch of Tadoba and move up. Indeed, here she is! The teak tree leaves frame her nicely, while she looks fondly towards the cub running around.We move just a few meters up to get a better shot, she is still in the same position.After a few minutes (in which I have shot at least a 100 images!!) she gets up and starts to walk. Oh no! She is limping heavily and seems to be injured. All drivers and guides gathered there agree this wasn't the case a couple of days ago when she was last seen. So this is a recent injury.She takes a few laborious steps and sits down again, still watching her baby. This is one badly hurt tigress!A few minutes of rest and she is up again. She is probably heading towards the shade, as the morning sun is beginning to beat down. We still can't see exactly where or what the injury is.And she sits down again, after exactly ten steps. Oh this isn't looking good!Some more rest and she walks right by us, so close that I can probably reach out and touch her. I take this one only after I'm able to fit her in the frame at 200mm.Down she goes once more. She has never taken her eyes off that little one running around a little behind us. Our guide keeps saying there should be one more cub, but that one is not visible anywhere. Here is a portrait of a mother supreme, this is her sixth or seventh litter (probably her last, given her age) and almost all of them have survived to lead their own lives. Some of them have cubs of their own now.She has single handedly contributed at least 14 tigers to the Tadoba ecosystem. Her mom, the celebrated Tara, has passed on the longevity and motherhood genes to her. Now, she calls to the cubs, asking them to come back from wherever they are. Last edited by Stryker : 8th December 2024 at 21:00 .
A hot potato: SpaceX's plan to put another 22,488 satellites into low-Earth orbit is being opposed by a Ukrainian-American nonprofit. The organization has submitted two filings to the FCC objecting to the company's proposal for expansion, citing concerns over Elon Musk's connections to Vladimir Putin and the alleged use of Starlink systems by Russian forces in Ukraine.

The Ukrainian Congress Committee of America (UCCA) filed a petition to deny and motion for stay with the FCC. The UCCA also highlighted the environmental impact of SpaceX launches in Texas, and the possible conflict of interest arising from Musk's role with the upcoming Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Trump's presidential advisory commission.

In September, Ukrainian website Defense Express wrote that Russian drones are now actively using Starlink hardware for "unlimited" communication over Ukraine's territory.

In February, Musk denied that Russian forces were using Starlink after the Ukrainian Defense Intelligence Agency (GUR) said it had proof that Russia's 83rd Assault Brigade was using the service in two towns in the partially occupied Donetsk region.

"There is a necessity to determine if Starlink has been used to help a foreign adversary," UCCA President Michael Sawkiw, Jr., told CNBC. "If yes, this is not in the national security interest of Ukrainian-Americans, or of the entire country."

The second filing points to the potential environmental damage the increasing number of rocket launches could cause in Texas. "Under applicable federal law the Commission is obligated to require an environmental assessment or impact statement before taking action on the application," the UCCA says.

"The calculus is simple, more satellites and launches lead to more polluting, soot, gases and metals in the Earth's atmosphere," the filing added. "There is also the concern of what will happen to the environment when these satellites, after their time is spent, reenter the atmosphere. At peak deployment, it's estimated that 29 tons of satellites will re-enter our atmosphere daily."

In October, a Wall Street Journal investigation revealed that Musk has had regular secret discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin since late 2022. Members of Congress have called for an investigation into these contacts.

Starlink says its expansion will improve coverage, as well as the speeds it offers and latency.

The UCCA says it advocates for causes of concern to an estimated 2 million Americans of Ukrainian descent living in the US. The group previously filed comments against SpaceX in April, which related to the company's request to access additional spectrum for its Starlink network.

Republican FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said at the time that the group's submission was "chock full of sweeping and unmoored allegations about 'illegal meddling in US foreign policy' in Ukraine and complaints about the ways in which Starlink connectivity has been provided within Ukraine." He added that, "The FCC should dismiss this filing with prejudice, lest the agency's silence invite even more attempts just like it."

SpaceX has supplied thousands of terminals to Ukraine and kept the service going since the war began, something the country was initially very grateful for and that angered Russia. But Musk warned that the company's funding couldn't continue indefinitely  though he later backtracked, stating said it would.

The relationship was further strained in 2023 when SpaceX limited Ukraine's ability to use the Starlink satellite service for offensive military purposes. The move followed reports that Ukraine had been using Starlink to control drones. There was also a claim in a book that Musk disabled Starlink during a Ukraine attack on Russian ships over fears of nuclear reprisals.

In October 2022, Musk managed to anger the whole of Ukraine with his proposed Russian peace plan.
Something to look forward to: As companies rush to produce the monitor with the fastest refresh rate available, ViewSonic looks set to enter the race with a 27-inch OLED model able to reach an astounding 520Hz. It's also expected that the display will have a 2,560 x 1,440 resolution.

CES 2025 is getting closer all the time. The world's biggest consumer electronics show takes place between January 7 and Saturday 11 January, when one of the many exhibitors will be ViewSonic.

According to German publication ComputerBase, ViewSonic will have several new monitors on show at CES. In addition to its professional ColorPro and business monitors, the US firm will be revealing some new gaming displays.

One of these monitors will have 520Hz refresh rate on its 27-inch panel, along with a 1ms MPRT (Moving Picture Response Time). Other reported details include AMD FreeSync Premium support, and a 1440p resolution.

Related reading: IPS vs VA vs TN vs QD-OLED vs WOLED Explained

Ridiculously fast monitors with resolutions above 1080p could be the next battleground in the competitive gaming display market. There were reports last week that Samsung Display has almost completed development of a 27-inch panel with a 1440p resolution and a 500Hz refresh rate. Combining quantum dot and OLED tech (QD-OLED), monitors featuring this panel should arrive in the first half of 2025.

ViewSonic's 520Hz monitor is also OLED, though it's unknown if this will be a QD-OLED monitor like Samsung's product. The company only launched its first OLED monitor in April this year.

ViewSonic is also reported to be joining the list of companies releasing dual-mode monitors. There are few details, but it's believed to be a 4K model. It could have similar specs as the LG 32GS95UE (below), which we liked a lot. That 32-inch WOLED gaming display offers a 4K resolution at 240Hz, while the dual mode functionality also allows it to operate at a lower 1,920 x 1,080 resolution with a higher 480Hz refresh rate.

CES 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most interesting events in years. Both Nvidia and AMD look set to reveal their next-gen graphics cards at the event, the RTX 50-series and the RDNA 4 desktop GPUs, respectively.
The big picture: The upsides of going LED are tough to ignore. These displays offer drastically improved brightness and contrast ratios compared to even the top projectors, resulting in a more immersive, true-to-life viewing experience that puts the movie magic front and center. The only downside has been the massive upfront costs, but that's changing, in part due to multiple Chinese companies.

An LED cinema screen revolution is slowly taking form, driven largely by aggressive moves from Chinese firms like China Film Global Technology Limited (CFGDC), Huaxia Leyard, QSTech, Unilumin, and Lopu. Numbers shared by LEDinside, as seen in a TrendForce report, are eye-popping. By the end of October, there were already over 50 LED cinema installations across China, with 30 of those set up this year alone.

However, Chinese manufacturers aren't just focused on the domestic market anymore  they're going global, taking advantage of policies from Beijing that encourage expanding into new markets. These markets have historically been dominated by players like Samsung and LG, who offer their Onyx and Miraclass lines. Now, TrendForce estimates that global LED installations will reach 160 units this year.

One of the first big overseas wins came when CFGDC revealed that a cinema in Dinkelsbuhl, Germany installed 10 of its high-end Cinity LED projection systems, making it a fully LED theater. These projectors support 4K 120fps video, meet the DCI-P3 color standard, and can hit a significantly bright 87 foot-lamberts in 2D mode.

Leyard, another major LED screen firm, has its displays in over 20 international cinemas at this point, including theaters in France, the US, and Spain.

Another Chinese duo, a startup called Rio-tech in collaboration with Timewaying, installed what they're calling the first HeyLED cinema screen in Europe at a theater in Romania earlier this year. This 2K screen has passed DCI certification.

Next up is Lopu, which is even working on transparent LED cinema screens. They say inquiries are already flowing in from "young overseas investors" looking to shake up the cinema experience. Then there's Cineappo, which at the CinemaCon industry event in April, showed off its "VLED" cinema screen products to positive buzz.

All in all, TrendForce paints a very positive picture of this market, saying that while LED models currently claim just 0.5% penetration of the roughly 30,000 high-end cinema screens globally, there's a huge scope for growth.

Image credit: Unilumin, Rio-tech
In a nutshell: Mercedes-Benz is developing an innovative "solar paint" capable of generating electricity when applied to a car's entire body. The technology could potentially provide enough energy to power thousands of miles of driving annually, significantly increasing the range of electric vehicles while reducing the need for frequent charging stops during road trips.

The company states that this groundbreaking solar paint is just five micrometers thick and weighs a mere 50 grams per square meter  practically weightless. Despite its lightness, it is packed with energy-generating potential. Notably, the paint contains no rare earth materials, no silicon, and is made from inexpensive, non-toxic ingredients that are easy to recycle.

What truly sets this technology apart is its efficiency. Mercedes claims that with an 11-square-meter surface area  roughly the size of a mid-sized SUV  the paint could produce enough energy to power up to 12,000 kilometers (7,456 miles) of driving annually under ideal conditions.

The energy harvested could either directly power the car's electric motors or recharge its high-voltage battery pack. Remarkably, the system would remain active even when the vehicle is parked, continuously generating electricity.

Of course, real-world performance would depend on variables such as shade, sun intensity, and geographic location. However, Mercedes has provided some theoretical examples to illustrate the paint's potential. In Stuttgart, Germany, the company's hometown, it estimates that the solar paint could supply enough energy to cover approximately 62 percent of the average daily driving distance of 52 kilometers, using solar power alone.

In sunnier regions, like Los Angeles, the solar paint could potentially generate enough electricity to meet 100 percent of the average driver's needs. Any surplus energy could be fed back into the home grid via bidirectional charging, offering additional utility beyond powering the vehicle.

For now, the exact composition of the paint remains a closely guarded secret. However, all indications suggest it may be a sprayable perovskite solution. Perovskites have demonstrated impressive solar efficiencies in laboratory settings and align with Mercedes' description of a cost-effective, non-toxic photovoltaic material free from rare metals and silicon.

The primary challenge with perovskites lies in enhancing their durability against water and UV exposure  issues that Mercedes' researchers are likely focused on addressing.

As promising as this technology sounds, it is still in the research phase, and Mercedes has not announced a firm timeline for making the paint production-ready. All estimates and figures should therefore be viewed with cautious optimism. However, if the company can overcome these challenges, the future might feature EVs whose very exteriors contribute to their journeys' power supply.
UNESCO inscribes Spring Festival on intangible cultural heritage list, promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations

10:54, December 09, 2024 By He Yin ( People's Daily

On December 4, Spring Festival, social practices of the Chinese people in celebration of the traditional new year, was inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

The announcement was made during the 19th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Asuncion, Paraguay. At the session, vivid displays of cultural elements related to the Spring Festival, such as couplets, dragon dance, and Chinese knots, accompanied by melodies full of Spring Festival flavor, brought the festival's rich traditions to life.

International students from Nanchang University enjoy dragon dance during the Spring Festival in Wenchangli historical area, Fuzhou, east China's Jiangxi province, February 13, 2024. (People's Daily Online/Li Jie)

The successful inscription highlights the growing global appeal of traditional Chinese culture and the values embedded in Chinese civilization.

As Chinese President Xi Jinping pointed out, the Chinese New Year's Eve and Spring Festival are traditional festivals of the Chinese nation and days for families to reunite and ring in the Lunar New Year. He underscored the importance of this traditional festival in Chinese culture.

The Spring Festival represents the unique cultural and emotional DNA of the Chinese people. It is the most influential among all traditional Chinese festivals due to its profound cultural significance, rich customs, and widespread participation.

The festival plays an important role in maintaining and strengthening the emotional bonds between individuals, families, and the nation, while also promoting core values at the heart of Chinese civilization, such as peace, concord, and harmony. It stands as a powerful reminder of humanity's shared values, including family harmony, social inclusiveness, and the harmonious coexistence of humanity and nature, contributing greatly to the continuity of Chinese civilization.

The world's cultural and natural heritage is an important outcome of the development of human civilization and natural evolution, and an important vehicle for the exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations.

The Spring Festival embodies peace, amity and harmony which are values cherished by the Chinese nation and Chinese civilization, making it a festival that is meaningful for China and can be enjoyed by the world.

In 2023, China's Ministry of Culture and Tourism initiated the campaign to apply for UNESCO's recognition of the Spring Festival. In August of the same year, Spring Festival, social practices of the Chinese people in celebration of the traditional new year, became the only Chinese application for UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2024.

The application includes a wide array of Spring Festival traditions across the country, such as pasting Spring Festival couplets, displaying New Year paintings, eating steamed bun with colorful patterns, and visiting temple fairs.

The recognition by UNESCO underscores China's commitment to strengthening the protection, preservation, and utilization of cultural and natural heritage. It has positive significance for the building of Chinese modernization that features material and cultural-ethical advancement, and adds new luster to world civilizations.

International teachers with Kang Chiao International School in Kunshan city, east China's Jiangsu province, learn to make dumplings with their families to celebrate the upcoming Spring Festival, February 7, 2024. (People's Daily Online/Yuan Xinyu)

Nancy Ovelar de Gorostiaga, Paraguay's permanent representative to UNESCO and chair of the meeting, congratulated China on the successful inscription. She said that China is the example that many countries should follow in order to try to safeguard their heritage, culture and traditions.

The successful inscription also represents a practical step in China's commitment to implementing the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) and promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations. It will substantially foster harmonious coexistence among civilizations and increase understanding and friendship among peoples.

Starting from 2024, the Spring Festival has been officially listed as a UN floating holiday in its calendar of conferences and meetings; it is a public holiday in almost 20 countries and celebrated in various ways by about one-fifth of humanity.

Besides, Happy Spring Festival activities and other cultural events hosted by China to celebrate the festival have reached nearly 200 countries and regions. UN Secretary-General has extended Spring Festival greetings on many occasions, and dignitaries of many countries have joined Spring Festival celebrations.

This traditional Chinese festival has become a widely accepted, recognized, and appreciated symbol of Chinese culture. People across the world share the joy and festive vibe while experiencing the vibrancy and inclusiveness of Chinese culture during Spring Festival celebrations.

UNESCO's recognition will help more people worldwide learn about the festival and the values it embodies, building a bridge for exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations.

Cultural heritage is a global treasure that belongs to all of humanity. China will take the successful inclusion of the Spring Festival on the UNESCO list as a new starting point to better protect and carry forward the cultural values and essence inherent in the Spring Festival. In this way, the Chinese civilization, together with the rich and colorful civilizations created by the peoples of other countries, will provide humanity with the right cultural guidance and strong motivation.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
News / National

by Staff reporter

Traditionalists have called on citizens to embrace cultural farming practices to mitigate the effects of the ongoing heatwave, which has severely impacted crops and livestock in parts of the country.The extreme temperatures, persisting through day and night, are particularly challenging for early-season farmers, with many reporting significant crop wilting.In line with African cultural traditions, which often intertwine spiritual beliefs with agricultural activities, the group known as Amalinda has urged farmers to adhere to specific practices, including refraining from working the fields on Wednesdays.Observing the Traditions"We are pleading with people not to go to the farms on Wednesdays. Look at the sky; it's becoming dry. Amalinda is requesting that you avoid going to the fields on Wednesday," read a statement from the group circulated on social media.This practice, rooted in cultural spirituality, aligns with the belief that certain days are sacred and should be observed for rest and reflection to ensure harmony with nature.Amalinda also advised farmers on dealing with livestock losses caused by the drought. "Gather the bones, put them in one place, and bury them. Most livestock died this year, so you should bury those bones so that they are not visible," the group urged.Guidelines for the CommunityThe traditionalists further emphasized other cultural practices:Trees struck by lightning: "Gather them as well, but don't burn them yet."Drum-beating: "Do not beat drums now. Beating drums will start from March up until September. We are pleading with people to follow the cultural ways so that everything goes well."Divided OpinionsWhile some citizens have embraced the guidance, others, particularly members of open-air churches, have raised concerns. Drum-beating is integral to many religious services, and the cessation of this practice could disrupt worship activities.One resident remarked, "Our churches rely on drums for worship. This guidance conflicts with our practices, but we understand the importance of working together for the common good."Amalinda, however, remains firm in their plea, emphasizing that observing these cultural practices is essential to fostering environmental balance and reducing further harm caused by the heatwave.As temperatures continue to rise, the nation grapples with blending traditional wisdom and modern practices to sustain its agricultural and communal well-being.
2024 'certain' to be hottest year on record: EU monitor



Paris, Dec 9 (AFP) Dec 09, 2024



This year is "effectively certain" to be the hottest on record and the first above a critical threshold to protect the planet from dangerously overheating, Europe's climate monitor said Monday.

The new benchmark affirmed by the Copernicus Climate Change Service caps a year in which countries rich and poor were hammered by disasters that scientists have linked to humanity's role in Earth's rapid warming.

Copernicus said an unprecedented spell of extraordinary heat had pushed average global temperatures so high between January and November that this year was sure to eclipse 2023 as the hottest yet.

"At this point, it is effectively certain that 2024 is going to be the warmest year on record," the EU agency said in its monthly bulletin.

In another grim milestone, 2024 will be the first calendar year more than 1.5 degrees Celsius hotter than pre-industrial times before humanity started burning large volumes of fossil fuels.

Scientists warn that exceeding 1.5C over a decades-long period would greatly imperil the planet, and the world agreed under the Paris climate accord to strive to limit warming to this safer threshold.

Copernicus Climate Change Service deputy director Samantha Burgess said a single year above 1.5C "does not mean that the Paris Agreement has been breached, but it does mean ambitious climate action is more urgent than ever".

- Cost of inaction -



The world is nowhere near on track to meeting the 1.5C target.

In October, the UN said the current direction of climate action would result in a catastrophic 3.1C of warming.

Emissions from fossil fuels keep rising despite a global pledge to move the world away from coal, oil and gas.

When burned, fossil fuels release greenhouse gases that warm Earth's oceans and atmosphere, disrupting climate patterns and the water cycle.

Scientists say that global warming is making extreme weather events more frequent and ferocious, and even at present levels climate change is taking its toll.

2024 saw deadly flooding in Spain and Kenya, violent tropical storms in the United States and the Philippines, and severe drought and wildfires across South America.

In total, disasters caused $310 billion in economic losses in 2024, Zurich-based insurance giant Swiss Re said this month.

Developing countries are particularly vulnerable and by 2035 will need $1.3 trillion a year in outside assistance to cope with climate change.

At UN climate talks in November, wealthy countries committed $300 billion annually by 2035, an amount decried as woefully inadequate.



- 'Exceptional' -



Copernicus uses billions of measurements from satellites, ships, aircraft and weather stations to aid its climate calculations.

Its records go back to 1940 but other sources of climate data -- such as ice cores, tree rings and coral skeletons -- allow scientists to expand their conclusions using evidence from much further in the past.

Scientists say the period being lived through right now is likely the warmest the Earth has been for the last 125,000 years.

Even by these standards, the extraordinary heat witnessed since mid-2023 has sparked scientific debate.

2024 began at the peak of El Nino, a natural phenomenon that moves around warm water, helping raise global temperatures.

But scientists said that such cyclical variability could not alone explain the record-breaking heat in the atmosphere and seas.

After the latest El Nino, temperatures were starting to fall but "very slowly, and the causes will have to be analysed", Robert Vautard, a scientist of the IPCC, the UN's expert climate advisory body, told AFP.

Last week, a study published in the peer-reviewed journal Science suggested a lack of low-lying clouds could be causing less heat to bounce back into space.

A separate paper in May explored the possibility that cleaner-burning shipping fuels were releasing less mirror-like particles into clouds, dimming their reflectivity.

Copernicus climate scientist Julien Nicolas said recent years were "clearly exceptional".

"As we get more data, we will hopefully better understand what happened," he told AFP.
IMF and Ecuador reach agreement to unlock $500 mn



Washington, Dec 9 (AFP) Dec 09, 2024



IMF staff and Ecuador have reached agreement on a loan program review, clearing the way for the disbursement of around $500 million to help safeguard macroeconomic stability, the major financial institution said Monday.

"Program performance has been strong," the International Monetary Fund announced in a statement, adding that the Ecuadoran authorities had met all the relevant "quantitative performance criteria and indicative targets" under an existing 48-month loan agreement.

"They have also made substantial progress on the implementation of their ambitious structural reform agenda supported by the program," the IMF statement added.

The announcement marks the first review of the loan program, signed in May this year, which is worth a total of around $4 billion.

The deal was struck as Ecuador faced an energy crisis sparked by a continent-wide drought -- linked to the El Nino weather pattern -- that left key hydroelectric reservoirs nearly depleted.

This led to regular power cuts, which were costing Ecuador's economy $72 million each day, the country's energy minister said at the time.

If, as is normally the case, the IMF executive board approves the first review, Ecuador will have access to a disbursal worth around $500 million.

"Amid a challenging macroeconomic environment and renewed pressures from the electricity crisis caused by a historic drought, our objective remains to support the authorities' efforts to enhance the living standards of all Ecuadorans," IMF Ecuador mission chief Varapat Chensavasdijai said in a statement.

This, he added, included a focus on "protecting the most vulnerable, safeguarding macroeconomic stability and promoting sustainable and inclusive growth."
Opinion / Columnist

Who Were the Consulted Parties?

How Were Stakeholder Concerns Addressed?

What Evidence Supports the Need for These Changes?

The Zimbabwe Revenue Authority (ZIMRA) recently issued a public notice regarding the new requirements for obtaining a Tax Clearance Certificate for various professional registrations and licensing. This notice specifically outlines that certain professionals, including architects, engineers, legal practitioners, health professionals, and others, must now adhere to these new regulations. While the intent behind the changes may be to streamline processes and enhance compliance, there is a pressing need for clarity on the consultation process that preceded these decisions.As the servant of the people, the government has a fundamental obligation to engage with its citizens, especially when implementing policies that affect their livelihoods. Consultation is not just a formality; it is a vital practice that fosters transparency and builds trust between the government and the public.The public notice details a list of professionals now required to present a Tax Clearance Certificate as part of their registration and licensing process. This includes, but is not limited to:ArchitectsEngineers and TechniciansLegal PractitionersHealth ProfessionalsQuantity SurveyorsReal Estate AgentsSuch measures highlight ZIMRA's commitment to ensuring that all professionals operate within the tax framework and contribute to the national economy. However, the effectiveness of these requirements largely depends on the consultation process undertaken prior to their implementation.In light of these significant changes, stakeholders within the affected professions are keen to understand the consultation process that ZIMRA engaged in. Specifically, there are several key questions that need addressing:It is essential to know which professional bodies, associations, or individual experts were consulted during the formulation of these new requirements. This information will shed light on the inclusivity and comprehensiveness of the consultation process.What Criteria Were Used for Consultation?Understanding the criteria for selecting the consulted parties will help gauge the representativeness of the feedback received. Were diverse voices and perspectives considered, particularly from smaller or less represented professional groups?Stakeholders often have varied opinions and concerns regarding new regulations. It would be beneficial to know how ZIMRA addressed any potential objections or suggestions raised during the consultations.Transparency regarding the rationale for these new requirements is crucial. What data or evidence did ZIMRA gather to support the necessity of requiring a Tax Clearance Certificate for these professions? Understanding the underlying justification can help professionals adapt to the changes more effectively.Future Communication PlansClarity on how ZIMRA plans to communicate with stakeholders moving forward would be appreciated. Will there be regular updates, forums for discussion, or further opportunities for feedback as these regulations are implemented?The introduction of new requirements for obtaining a Tax Clearance Certificate by ZIMRA marks a critical development for many professionals in Zimbabwe. While the goals of enhancing tax compliance and streamlining processes are commendable, it is vital that the consultation process used to inform these changes is transparent and inclusive.Stakeholders await ZIMRAs response regarding the parties consulted, the rationale behind the changes and how their concerns were integrated into the final decision. A clear communication strategy will be essential to ensure that professionals can navigate these new requirements effectively and continue to contribute positively to the economy. The governments role as a servant of the people underscores the importance of consultation in fostering a cooperative relationship between authorities and the citizens they serve.Why did we leave out accountants, etc. You can contact me on whatsApp +263772278161
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 As someone who came out in a very different time, its still something of a novelty to walk into bookshops and see LGBTIQA+ titles on display, or to come across queer characters in mainstream fiction, across all genres. While there have always been alternatives to queer classics like Radclyffe Halls Well of Loneliness or James Baldwins Giovannis Room  thanks in large part to dedicated queer booksellers and other allies who made literal space for queer stories  everyone can benefit from the enthusiastic representation were currently enjoying, particularly in the young adult genre. Vietnamese-American writer Dustin Thaos first, and heart-wrenching, YA romance, Youve Reached Sam, reached millions of readers (and emotionally destroyed half of them) via BookTok. Two years later, hes back with When Haru Was Here (Macmillan), his first queer romance. The book is about 19-year-old Eric, whose life gets derailed by a series of tragic events. Eric has plans; he wants to study filmmaking at college and come out to everyone, not just to his adored sister Jasmine. He also wants his friendship with schoolmate Daniel to blossom into something more. On a school trip to Tokyo, Eric finds himself unexpectedly distracted by Haru, who is handsome, confident and out. They share cheesy Hallmark movie moments, including a festival celebrating the reunion of forbidden lovers. The idea is to stay in touch, but as the train doors close, whisking a reluctant Eric to the airport, the piece of paper with Harus phone number also flies away. Back home in Chicago, Erics life shifts on its axis when Daniel dies suddenly and, despite her parents expectations, Jasmine drops out of college and heads to Amsterdam. Instead of moving through the grief, he retreats into a kind of alternative reality in which Haru inexplicably appears whenever Erics experiencing emotional turmoil. Its a cosy delusion, but it cant last, and much of the book centres on the way Erics refusal to accept reality starts to negatively impact his life. The second half is a more compelling read, one in which he reckons with finding his place in Chicagos gay community as his carefully constructed cocoon cracks wide open.

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Thao leans heavily on tropes - time-hopping, flashbacks, and scattering strategic hints - all ploys, with varying degrees of success, to get readers to look the other way. The writing is assured, but the ending felt rushed and too neat. That said, When Haru Was Here has an emotional depth that deftly explores grief, the pain of losing love and being brave enough to find it again. Maggie Hornes breezy Dont Let It Break Your Heart (Penguin) is a polished lesbian romcom about it couple Alana and Grey. Shes a sarcastic stress-baker with a quip at the ready, hes dashing and self-assured, but their five-year relationship ends when Alana realises shed rather be his lesbian ex. Drawing on a maturity beyond their years, they part ways but keep their close bond intact, until Tal, a new student arrives on the scene, and both Alana and Grey find themselves smitten - and in competition. Alanas coming out was relatively easy, but a significant part of the story centres on her adjusting to her own queerness and how and where she fits in: I came out and no one hates me or whatever, and thats great. But I know that people are looking at me differently. Despite the familiar love-triangle set-up, Hornes YA debut is hugely entertaining thanks to the way she skilfully unpacks Alanas self-doubts, anxieties and a string of bad decisions. Her leading lesbian is full of charm, but a grittier storyline emerges when Alana fails to show up for the girl she claims to love. Dont Let It Break Your Heart is as light as the meringues our heroine likes to bake, but with a chewy centre that explores a girls desire to live a life beyond everyones expectations. There is nothing remotely sweet about Cuckoo (Titan), Gretchen Felker-Martins brutal novel about a group of LGBTIQA+ teens violently abducted from their homes with the support of their so-called loving families and friends. They find themselves at Camp Resolution  trigger warning  a barbaric conversion-therapy centre located in the Utah desert and run by Pastor Eddie and his twisted camp counsellors. Praying the gay away will be the least of their worries when an unnamed evil begins to consume their minds, bodies and souls. Cuckoo features a rainbow of characters, but the core group, Felix, Nadine, Jo, Gabe, Shelby and John are the standouts. We get to know their histories, desires, and regrets. Their bond is forged by a single, unifying quest: to survive amid horrific circumstances and escape an entity so grotesque.

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Felker-Martins writing, broken up into three acts, is rage-fuelled and unapologetically defiant. And despite the fact Cuckoo shares considerable DNA with Stephen Kings IT and both film versions of Invasion of the Body Snatchers, her insights into the treatment of LGBTIQA+ people make it feel like reinvention. Just as Margaret Atwoods A Handmaids Tale can be read as social horror, Cuckoo is a distorted mirror that reflects whats happening in our own world as we witness LGBTIQA+ basic rights and protections being eroded daily. If youre looking for a more uplifting reading experience, Gary Lonesboroughs tender Im Not Really Here (Allen & Unwin) is a coming-out story about Jonah, a queer Indigenous teenager who, along with his dad and twin brothers, is mourning the loss of his mum, as well as adjusting to life in the small town of Patience. Loading Harley, the son of a family friend is tasked with helping Jonah settle in at the local high school. Physically, the two teens could not be more different  Harleys tall and fit with a chiselled chest and a love of footy; Jonahs shorter and wider, and hasnt played footy for ages. Jonahs lack of confidence, connected to a significant issue in his past that remains unresolved, is holding him back emotionally, but his budding relationship with Harley paves the way to a new and exciting beginning.

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A civil stoush over a crash between cyclist Ryan Meuleman and Daniel Andrews wife, Catherine, is headed to trial after mediation failed.

Meulemans barrister James Catlin confirmed on Monday the case was expected to go to trial after his client was injured in a 2013 crash with the former premiers wife.

Daniel Andrews with his wife, Catherine, in 2023. Credit: Wayne Taylor

Meuleman is suing Slater and Gordon, alleging it failed to properly investigate the circumstances of the collision at Blairgowrie on the Mornington Peninsula in January 2013.

Lawyers for Meuleman, who was 15 years old at the time of the crash, claim the firm failed to act in his best interests, and breached their obligations to him when securing an $80,000 compensation payout from the Transport Accident Commission.
Energy Minister Chris Bowen has rubbished the Coalitions advisers on nuclear power despite his own department paying $1.2 million to a consulting firm for analysis, as Peter Dutton accused the CSIRO of bias in its findings that nuclear is the most expensive energy source.

Bowen last week attacked consulting firm Frontier Economics, which had published a report that claimed the true cost of Labors energy plans was five times more expensive than claimed. This masthead revealed last week that Frontier would produce the Coalitions nuclear costings and claim that the opposition plan would cost less to build than Labors.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton accused the CSIRO of bagging his partys nuclear energy plan on Monday. Credit: Justin McManus

Bowen claimed the Coalitions estimates, to be released this week, had been cooked up for [the opposition] by Danny Price, a Liberal consultant he tied to Tony Abbotts failed climate policies.

But tender documents show Bowens department has engaged the same firm on two contracts since October last year. One, worth $700,000, related to better understanding current and future electricity demand, while the other, worth $513,000, was to review the Integrated System Plan, a key planning document by the energy grid operator.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has singled out Labor MP Josh Burns, claiming he has failed to challenge Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on behalf of the Jewish community as the partisan divide deepens over the response to the firebombing of a Melbourne synagogue last week.

Dutton on Monday unveiled his policy response to the attack on the Adass Israel synagogue, which police are now treating as a terrorist incident, announcing a law enforcement antisemitism taskforce and legal changes that would allow a non-citizen to be deported for antisemitic conduct.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton says Labor MP Josh Burns (right) has lost his voice speaking on behalf of the Jewish community. Credit: Justin McManus, Dominic Lorrimer

But in an unusually direct attack on a backbench MP, Dutton, referring to the fact Burns temporarily lost his voice last week, said: Josh is a nice guy, but Josh lost his voice long before the weekend.

When people were brought in from Gaza, people who hadnt had the security checks undertaken on tourist visas, thats when Josh Burns should have been speaking. Josh Burns should have been speaking up when the protests took place at the Opera House, he said.
Health Minister Tim Nicholls has directed his department to investigate a historical breach of biosecurity measures at Queenslands virology lab after vials of infectious diseases were unaccounted for.

Vials of live Hendra virus and hantavirus were discovered to be missing last August, which Nicholls described a serious breach, but chief health officer Dr John Gerrard said risk to the public was minimal.

It is difficult to conceive of a scenario whereby the public could be at risk, Gerrard said in a joint statement with Nicholls, noting there had been no cases of the viruses in humans in Queensland in at least five years  or ever for hantavirus in Australia.

Queensland Health Minister Tim Nicholls said Queensland Health advised him it had taken all necessary steps since only recently being made aware of the breaches. Credit: Matt Dennien

Its important to note that virus samples would degrade very rapidly outside a low-temperature freezer and become non-infectious.
Read all the latest news and analysis of the Victorian council election and find out what the results mean for you.

Anthony Koutoufides failed campaign to become lord mayor cost $449,000 and only secured his Team Kouta one councillor spot on the Melbourne City Council.

Koutoufides running mate for deputy mayor, Intaj Khan, said the teams hefty spend  a possible election record for the council  showed the electoral system needed reform.

Anthony Koutoufides (seocnd from left) and his Team Kouta ticket members (from left) Intaj Khan, Gladys Liu and Zaim Ramani in August. Credit: Penny Stephens

The amount spent by the former Carlton AFL great surpassed the $316,000 Sally Capp spent on her 2020 election in the Melbourne mayoral race, when she defeated Arron Wood, who spent $237,000 that election, and Jennifer Yang, who spent $254,288.

Koutoufides came fourth in this years primary vote with 11,345 votes, well behind winner Nick Reece, who received 20,523 votes and is now lord mayor.
She was not alone in her task. Seven years earlier, she had married the historian Sir Philip Magnus, 2nd Baronet, son of a publisher. (In 1951, he changed his name to Magnus-Allcroft, out of deference to Jewell.) The pair of them remained in the Ladies Wing, and there they stayed for the rest of their lives. English Heritage had acquired Stokesay Castle upon Jewells death. Credit: Sir Philip was Caroline Magnus fathers older brother  only older by three years but, she says, he seemed to belong to a different generation. In 1974, a friend of Sir Philip, the writer James Lees-Milne, described him as so square that he makes me feel positively circular. Busy writing his books and lunching at his London clubs, Sir Philip wasnt interested in Stokesay. In those days, Victorian houses were thought to be a terrible monstrosity, Magnus says. He didnt think it had any architectural merit whatsoever.

She first visited her aunt and uncle at Stokesay in the late 1960s and remembers finding them absolutely terrifying. Their world at Stokesay was confined to a few rooms; there was no functional kitchen and all they had were two old thunder boxes  his and hers. I was a very shy child and had had rather a sheltered upbringing. When I went to bed, they turned all the lights out so I was in the pitch black, and hadnt thought to bring a torch with me. It was pretty scary, that first weekend. Though Magnus continued to visit Stokesay sporadically, she was still fairly unfamiliar with it when Jewell died in 1992. But she had at least got a sense of how poorly Stokesay had been looked after. The house was a time warp. They lived their lives out in the Ladies Wing, and everything else was mothballed  the house started to deteriorate, the roof failed. Stokesay Court was a time warp when it was bequeathed. Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

Even after the brown envelope had turned up, Magnus could have walked away. Indeed, English Heritage had acquired Stokesay Castle upon Jewells death and were interested in the court, too. This, Magnus remembers, seemed like a good fix  they were very excited as, apart from the roof, the house was in good structural order. Keira Knightley in Atonement. Credit: Archive But then the funds required failed to materialise and Stokesays contents were sold by Sothebys in October 1994. The 2000 lots raised 4.5 million and, once an uninterested beneficiary had been paid off, Magnus committed to Stokesay. People said to me, Oh, the house should go, too, she remembers, but I said, No, Im going to try it. I dont like being told I cant do something. She spent the next decade future-proofing the house before, in the early 2000s, there came a bolt out of the blue.

A film producer, looking for a country house to feature in an adaptation of Ian McEwans novel Atonement, got in touch, having spotted Stokesay in Country Life magazine, and asked if Magnus would be interested. You can guess what her answer was. I was lucky to get Atonement  filming doesnt always work [for the house], but it really did [that time], she says. It was one of the happiest periods here. When she talks about Atonement, which was released in 2007 starring James McAvoy and Keira Knightley, Magnus describes it as giving the house a new history. She would love to host another film. Keira Knightley and James McAvoy during a scene from Atonement, which was filmed at Stokesay Court. Credit: FOCUS FEATURES LLC. Atonement was filmed at the house over about four months in the summer of 2006 in return for a six-figure rent and several redecorated rooms.

Magnus had a mega-boost of energy and opened the house for tours and events. More recently, she says she has stopped trying to do so much in order to enjoy it more as a home, and also balance the books. You cant do it all. Loading Reflecting on her stewardship of Stokesay, she says the best time for country houses was under the Blair government. If you had the energy, and you were prepared to do something commercial with your house, you had the support of the government to do so. Im not convinced that the last few years have been [so] good. Of course, not all big houses are created equal.

The Chatsworths and the Blenheims are fantastic treasure houses, but when youve got something that isnt quite so frontline, you have to find a way of keeping them going. Thats when it becomes more challenging, with those houses that  if you were to open them all the time  you would lose money. Saoirse Ronan and James McAvoy in Atonement. Credit: Following Octobers British budget, she wonders whether the Victoria and Albert Museums 1974 exhibition The Destruction of the Country House would have such an impact today. There seems to be less interest in history and heritage than there was. I hope it will revive again. Next, Stokesay will pass to Magnus nephew. Letting go is not going to be easy, she says, but too many people hold on too long.
In October 2019, during Donald Trumps first presidency, I was sitting in a felafel shop in al-Darbasiyah, a little Syrian town on the border with Turkey, with photographer Kate Geraghty. We were wondering if we were about to be swept up in a full-scale invasion by Turkish forces.

Trump had ordered American troops to withdraw from this forever war, and they had  at least for a time. Local Kurds pelted their tanks with potatoes as they left. The Kurds, whod been involved in the long and bloody fight against Islamic State, felt once again thrown to the wolves by the international community.

A woman washes her clothes in the al-Hawl camp in 2019. Credit: Kate Geraghty

At that time, if you turned the wrong corner in Kurdish-dominated towns like Qamishli, you might find yourself at a Syrian regime checkpoint, and, as a journalist, in danger of a one-way trip to Damascus.

Meanwhile, a patchwork of violent militias roamed the country. Shortly before our arrival, one of those militias had pulled a pioneer female Kurdish politician and womens rights activist, Hevrin Khalaf, from her car and brutally beaten her, then shot her dead. Then shot her body.
Militant ideology As a teenager, he became increasingly political, his worldview shaped by two pivotal events: the Palestinian intifada (uprising) in 2000 and the September 11, 2001 attacks on the US. Incidentally, one of Sharaas comrades who would later co-found their Syrian group, and whom I interviewed extensively in the past decade, had a similar intifada conversion story. The events of 2000 and 2001 radicalised Sharaa, steering him away from secular education towards religious devotion and militant ideology.

By 2003, when the US invaded Iraq, Sharaa had abandoned his university studies, grown a beard and traded his student attire for the austere robes of a devout Salafi. In March 2003, Ahmed Sharaa volunteered to fight against the American occupation in Iraq. Arriving in Baghdad weeks before its fall, according to Jazmati, he soon found himself in the turbulent Sunni stronghold of Ramadi. A rebel fighter in Damascus on Sunday with the broken bust of a statue of the late Syrian president Hafez Assad. Credit: AP This formative period exposed him to the chaos of war and introduced him to the burgeoning networks of jihadist fighters. It also set the stage for his later transformation. Although unaligned with any major Iraqi factions at the time, he would cross the border back to Syria deeply influenced by the Salafi-jihadist ideology that would define his career.

Abu Ghraib prison Following a brief interlude in Syria, where he narrowly avoided imprisonment during a crackdown on fledgling jihadist cells, Sharaa returned to Iraq in 2005. This time, he joined a small insurgent group aligned with al-Qaeda in Iraq (AQI). Captured in 2006 while planting a roadside bomb, he spent five years in US military prisons, including Abu Ghraib and Camp Bucca, both in Iraq. These years were transformative. Sharaa honed his strategic thinking and built alliances with future leaders of Islamic State, including Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. By the time he was released in 2011, Sharaa had become Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, a battle-hardened operative with a vision.

Shortly after, and following Syrias burgeoning uprising, he reconnected with Abu Muslim al-Turkmani, a prominent figure he had befriended during their time in US detention. Loading Turkmani, who had since become the governor of the city of Nineveh under Islamic State, was one of the few who knew Jolanis Syrian roots. Together, they revisited discussions from prison about the potential for jihad in Syria. Based on these conversations, Jolani drafted a comprehensive proposal for expanding Islamic States influence into Syria. Turkmani personally submitted the plan to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the emir of Islamic State. Baghdadi not only approved it but met with Jolani to outline the operational framework.

Sophisticated propaganda machine By August 2011, Jolani had crossed into Syria with six trusted fighters, laying the groundwork for what would become Jabhat al-Nusra, a secret Syrian affiliate of the Islamic State of Iraq. Baghdadi, according to his groups account years later, split their resources between the two groups equally. Syrians celebrate the fall of president Bashar al-Assads regime in the Lebanese town of Bar Elias, near the Syrian border. Credit: AP Under Jolanis leadership, Nusra rapidly gained prominence, combining military prowess with a sophisticated propaganda machine. According to Jolanis account to Al Jazeera, his group focused on projecting power by hitting high-profile targets, such as key security and military facilities or government officials, in different parts of the country. His early strategy, emphasising alliances with local rebel factions and avoiding the brutal excesses of Islamic State, earned the group both territory and recruits.

By 2013, he formally pledged allegiance to al-Qaeda, after the Iraqi group unilaterally announced a merger between the two groups under Baghdadis sole rule. Loading To avoid the technicality of abandoning a pledge of allegiance (bayat) to Baghdadi, Jolani argued his ultimate oath was owed to al-Qaedas overall leader, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and before him, Osama bin Laden. As the Syrian conflict dragged on, Jolanis ambitions began to diverge from al-Qaedas global agenda. In 2016, he formally severed ties with the organisation, rebranding his group as Jabhat Fatah al-Sham and later merging it into Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). While critics saw the rebranding as cosmetic, it allowed Jolani to present HTS as a Syrian-focused organisation, distancing it from the transnational jihadist label.

By 2017, Jolani had consolidated power within HTS, emerging as its undisputed leader. Under his command, the grouping adopted a more pragmatic approach, engaging in local governance and seeking to legitimise itself as a political actor. This shift alienated hardline jihadists but won him cautious support from some elements of the Syrian opposition and even tacit acknowledgment from international actors wary of Islamic State resurgence. Late last month, a coalition of rebel forces, spearheaded by HTS and bolstered by tacit Turkish support, launched a surprise offensive that rapidly altered the Syrian conflicts trajectory. The operation, codenamed Deterrence of Aggression, began on November 27 and swiftly overwhelmed regime defences in key cities, first in Aleppo and Hama. The collapse of Assads regime was hastened by a breakdown in command and control, leading to minimal resistance as rebels advanced toward Homs and Damascus. By Sunday, Assads regime had crumbled, with reports indicating that the president had fled the country. Syrias new de facto ruler remains a polarising figure, but mostly outside Syria.

To his supporters, Jolani is a shrewd tactician who helped liberate the country from dictatorship. To his detractors, he is a ruthless opportunist whose past affiliations and ideological shifts make him ill-suited to lead a country with cosmopolitan cities and diverse religious minorities. Within Syria, however, peoples mindsets appear to be elsewhere. For them, the overriding priority is to turn the page on the civil war and focus on rebuilding lives and communities. To his supporters, Abu Mohammed al-Golani is a shrewd tactician. Outside Syria, he is a polarising figure. Credit: Al Jazeera After years of devastation, many Syrians view the unseating of Assad as a critical first step towards normalcy, and Jolanis leadership so far has been marked by a surprising level of pragmatism. The orderly rebel takeover, free of the chaos, vengeance and infighting that have marred other conflicts in the region, has given some hope for a more stable future.
But the leader, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, who is still sought by the United States as a terrorist, gave no indication of how the group might try to govern. The most important thing is to build institutions, he said, suggesting that he now wanted a society to which displaced Syrians would want to return and rebuild. Not one where a single ruler makes arbitrary decisions. As Dan Shapiro, a former US ambassador to Israel and now a senior Pentagon official with responsibility for the Middle East, put it, No one should shed any tears over the Assad regime. At least 580,000 people died in the first decade of the civil war that began in 2011, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees estimated three years ago, and millions have been injured or displaced. But it is one thing to celebrate the ouster of Assad, who Russian state television said arrived in Moscow on Sunday. It is another to manage the vacuum of power that follows  and to make sure that Syria becomes neither a terrorist state of a different kind nor a failed state, as Libya did after Moammar Gadhafi was deposed and killed 13 years ago. US President Joe Biden acknowledged as much after declaring from the Roosevelt Room of the White House on Sunday afternoon that the moment of opportunity facing the world was also a moment of risk and uncertainty, as we all turn to the question of what comes next.

Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses, he said. He noted that leaders such as Jolani were saying the right things now, but as they take on greater responsibility we will assess not just their words, but their actions. That assessment, though, will fall largely to Trumps administration. And it will test the meaning of his social media postings claiming that the best strategy is for the United States to stay out. Loading Trump is unlikely to have that luxury. The United States has a military force of 900 in eastern Syria, hunting down and striking Islamic State group forces. And while Trumps instinct in his first term was to pull out, he was convinced by his military advisers that a US withdrawal from its Syrian base could cripple the effort to contain and defeat Islamic State group forces. On Sunday, as Assad fled, the United States targeted gatherings of Islamic State fighters, dropping bombs and missiles in a counterterrorism effort that officials said had no relation to the fall of Damascus. A senior administration official told reporters Sunday that it was a significant strike.

And whether Trump acknowledges it or not, the United States has huge interests in whether Russia gets ousted from its naval facility at Tartus, its only Mediterranean port to repair and support Russian warships. For Russia, Syria is the crown jewel of their launchpad to becoming a great power in the region, an area that has traditionally been a US sphere of influence, said Natasha Hall, a Syria expert at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies in Washington. Russia also used a Syrian air base to kill thousands of Syrians who opposed Assad. In an era of new cold wars, where Russia is seeking to expand its influence, the possibility that Moscow might permanently lose access to Syria could be of huge strategic advantage to the United States. It will also be an interesting early test of how Trump handles President Vladimir Putin of Russia at a moment when negotiations over the fate of Ukraine may be about to begin. Smoke billows as people arrive in Damascus to celebrate the fall of the Syrian government. Credit: AP But the bigger question is how the incoming president will deal with Iran. In recent weeks, he has expressed interest in a new negotiation with Iran, six years after he terminated the 2015 nuclear deal with the country. The Iranians have shown some interest in engaging, as well  though it is not clear they are willing to give up the nuclear program in which they have invested so much in the past few years.

Loading The risk is that Irans leaders could decide that the country is so weakened  its proxies crippled, its pathway to ship arms through Syria imperilled, its air defences wiped out in recent Israeli strikes  that it needs a nuclear weapon more than ever. Clearly, the Iranians were as stunned this weekend as everyone else. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, appearing on state television, said Iran had been caught off guard by the speed of events. Nobody could believe this, he said. Iran is closer to a nuclear weapon than at any point in the 20 years of Irans efforts to build its nuclear capabilities. On Friday, Rafael Grossi, director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, the United Nations nuclear watchdog, said that Iran had undergone a dramatic acceleration of its production of near bomb-grade uranium. It has enough of a stockpile to build four bombs, though fashioning them into a warhead could take a year to 18 months. Grossis statement suggested that it was now moving at a pace that would enable the production of many more.
THE WORLD VODKA AWARDS HAS ANNOUNCED THE COUNTRY WINNERS AND MEDALLISTS IN ITS 2024 COMPETITION.
GLOBAL INDIA Beyond The Stereotype II





B y VIJAY PHANSHIKAR :

Countless facets of Indias engagement with the world underline the reality of Indias growing outreach as a country with global ambition and ever-expanding global footprint

T hrough the stoicism he paradoxically wore on his mildly smiling face, the inner emotion of Azali Assoumani, Honorary President of the African Union, could be sensed as Prime Minister Narendra Modi hugged him and ushered the entry of the African segment of the Global South -- on September 9, 2023 in New Delhi -- into the prestigious and critically important G20 grouping of which India was President last year. Narendra Modis eyes, too, betrayed a little wetness as he led the President of the African Union to his seat at the round-table arrangement accompanied by thunderous applause from other members including United States President Joe Biden. That culminating event of Indias G20 presidency was also marked by the great diplomatic success India achieved in securing a unanimous resolution on the ongoing Ukraine conflict -- a feat that nobody thought was possible until the last minute. But, thanks to Prime Minister Modis leadership and Indias diplomatic resoluteness and astuteness, leaders of all G20 member-nations agreed upon the way the Ukraine conflict had to be mentioned. The world will never forget those moments that brought to fore Indias leadership capability in the complex and slippery domain of diplomacy -- the New Delhi moment (as one may say).

That moment, however, was only a very small tip of the ice-berg of Indias global outreach whose influence has grown manifolds in the last one decade all the more pronouncedly. The story of Indias global outreach defies all the stereotypes that defined India previously. No matter the tall talk Indian leadership indulged in about the countrys greatness, the international realpolitik and its multiple and complex facets and nuances had only a scant respect for India as an entity of substance. The stereotype, thus, was of a country that was diffident and loved to describe itself as a peaceloving nation that has refused to lean in, if one were to use a modern expression. A few flashes of earlier New Delhi initiatives into global affairs notwithstanding, India mattered in world affairs only on a very few occasions -- such as the war for the liberation of Bangladesh. But the Indian story started changing its narrative with the ascendency of Narendra Modi as Prime Minister in the summer of 2014. Since that moment in history, India has expanded its international footprint beyond anybodys imagination -- shattering all the stereotype impressions the world harboured. Until 2014, India was known as a meek seeker of assistance from every possible source including the International Monetary Fund or the World Bank and other institutions -- so much so that every common Indian felt that seeking help from the world was Indias indelible destiny.

Today, in sharp contrast of that experience of decades, Indias Exim Bank (Export-Import Bank) has given as many as 300 Lines of Credit (LoCs) to over 600 developmental projects in as many as 68 countries including Russia. And the total value of Indias LoCs is a whopping 32 billion USDs. The LoC is not a grant, but a soft loan or concessional assistance. For a country that was statedly poor just until a few years ago, such indulgence in what is described as economic diplomacy is an exponential leap forward -- marking its confidence, its capacity of generating economic surplus, and its intent of making its presence felt increasingly in global affairs. Standing at the speakers podium at the Eastern Economic Forum (EEF) in Vladivostock in Russias deep, snow-clad far east, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recognised the seriousness in President Vladimir Putins developmental initiative in that region clouded in possibly the roughest weather conditions in the world and said, in effect, that India would be too happy to act as a volunteering partner. And then he offered a hefty Line of Credit to Russia. The importance of that moment can never be overstated.

For, it marked one giant step in Indias economic diplomacy whose value and virtue the world has come to recognise wholeheartedly over the past decade. For, what India offers is completely different in form and content and intent from what another Asian power -- China -- does. While the Chinese assistance to different countries has umpteen facets of coercion, India describes its hand of economic friendship as non-reciprocal assistance, to use the words of Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar. But let us pause to consider what India is actually doing and aiming for by extending such assistance for developmental initiates all over the world. The most numerous recipients of Indias Lines of Credit belong to Global South. This one fact is good enough to mark the perimeter of Indias goodwill. Under Prime Minister Modis leadership, India is not throwing its money around only to claim a few brownie points in diplomacy, but is investing its goodwill in genuine international initiatives in favour of development -- with no strings attached! That is why every country in the vast Global South looks to India as an international elder whose voice for its rights and honour has gained a tremendous importance. The world has not missed the touch of altruism in Indias ever-expanding Lines of Credit to poor countries. India believes in a just and equitable world order and acts in that direction -- which was evident during its G20 presidency as well. Frankly. there is no other country in the world with such a view-point and action-orientation.

The generation of the sentiment of harmony among nations through such assistance, therefore, is being noticed by the world powers as well. It is not without reason that most world powers have begun recognising India as a major player on the global stage. Hence those hopeful looks in the worlds eyes when Prime Minister Modi moves from one world capital to another promoting and spreading peace-diplomacy -- unmindful of the groupings and bloc-dynamics, oblivious to the worlds perception of what is politically right and wrong. If every nation works in favour of its own interests -- perceived or real -- then India, too, has a similar right to follow that dictum -- is in essence the argument of Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar generally as he responds to queries from diplomats and scribes the world over. His forthrightness has won him plaudits -- like what he recently got in Europe -- You are a superstar, by a national leader. Superstar is India! -- if not statedly a global superpower. Never mind that, India does display almost all traits of one -- such as willing engagement in global affairs, willingness to take sides on critical issues, courage to stay unaligned in self-interest in an unabashed manner, willingness to extend cooperation to every country around the globe far beyond the immediate geopolitical contours, willing to leverage not just the power of the economy but also of defence merchandise production to establish strategic partnerships with multiple nations, offering idea-leadership to different international initiatives such as Solar Alliance, entering collaborations in areas such as space and atomic energy on an equal basis ...! All these traits are proving to be pronouncedly useful tools for New Delhi in the Asian region -- Indo-Pacific -- where every world power looks at India as a counter-balance to the cantankerous China whose approach to world affairs nobody has been able to define precisely. Let alone that, even China has shown ample signs of respect for India, its constantly nudging of India on the border issue notwithstanding. The latest evidence of this alteration in the Chinese approach became visible when China agreed for a near-complete disengagement in eastern Ladakh.

That the stepping back by the Chinese was certainly a recognition of Indias increased military prowess, was the reality. But the greater reality is Beijings recognition of the tough stance the Indian leadership is capable of taking -- thanks to Indias willingness to utilise its weight in its own favour and also spreading its circle of influence all over the world. The rich range of sumptuous financial arrangements that India enters has beneficiaries that include even the United States of America and Russia, in addition to other statedly rich countries around the world. Though that massive engagement may be classified as economic diplomacy by some, for India, the continuous exercise of its goodwill across international arena is a measure of its aspiration to become a player whose presence -- or absence -- will matter to the world -- beyond the stereotype. There are countless other facets of Indias growing engagement with the world in general. All those underline the reality of Indias growing outreach as a country with global ambition and ever-expanding global footprint. And each of those facets busts the old stereotypes by which the world recognised India until lately. (Pics - from top to bottom )

 PM Narendra Modi greets President of the Union of the Comoros and Chairperson of the African Union (AU) Azali Assoumani after the Union became permanent member of the G20 in New Delhi

 PMs speech in Plenary Session of 5th Eastern Economic Forum at Vladivostok

 Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Guyana President Irfaan Ali
Paks ISI pushes drug addicts as terror couriers in Indian jails





NEW DELHI :

They infiltrate into India posing as mentally disturbed to deliver critical messages to hardcore terrorists incarcerated in Indian prisons.

PAKISTANS Intelligence agency ISI has reportedly resorted to infiltrating individuals under the influence of drugs or posing as mentally disturbed into India to utilise them to deliver critical messages to hardcore terrorists incarcerated in the countrys prisons. Officials said that more than 10 such cases have been reported since July this year in which Pakistani nationals have entered India from their country and PoK. Many of them have been sent to prisons in Jammu, Punjab and Rajasthan. The officials said security agencies suspect these individuals are Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) couriers tasked with relaying important communication to the jailed terrorists wherever possible. Interrogation of these individuals typically shows that they have been trained in resistance techniques to withstand questioning by security personnel. The behaviour displayed by those apprehended has raised suspicions among officials, who suggest that their superficial details and evasive responses indicate a potentially larger agenda behind their infiltration, possibly stemming from the fear of repercussions from their handlers.

They explained that the use of mobile phones and the internet leaves behind electronic footprints that could expose the plans of both state and non-state actors operating across the border. As a result, the ISI has adopted this new modus operandi. The infiltration strategy reportedly includes women and minors, who may also serve as couriers. In a notable incident in July, a minor from Pakistans Attock was intercepted in Punjab. During searches, security personnel discovered a damp paper containing Arabic writing though it was not legible, the officials said. The ISIs infiltration tactics have been linked to drug smuggling operations. In one case from Bijnour village in Rajasthan, a Pakistani national posing as mentally disturbed finally spilled the beans during intense questioning that he had been hired by two drug lords in Pakistan -- Sarfaraz Johiya and Nawaz -- to facilitate narcotics trafficking into India and gather information on the deployment of Border Security Force (BSF) troops. In another recent incident, a Pakistani youth named Mohammed Asad from Lahore drove to the zero line on his motorcycle and seemingly awaited arrest by the BSF. During interrogation, he claimed to have had a family dispute over his girlfriend. The officials noted that Asad, who was subsequently moved to prison, may have been acting as a courier. Security agencies have requested additional custody for extended interrogation.

In October, a 31-year-old man who identified himself as Shahid Imran entered India through the Jammu sector, claiming that he wanted to visit a Kali temple to get married. The officials explained that such infiltrators are generally booked under the Foreigners Act and Passports Act, for which the punishment ranges from two years to eight years in prison and following this, they are deported. They said that in the late-1990s and early-2000s, ISI exploited the Samjhauta Express, the rail link between India and Pakistan, for covert courier operations, employing individuals known as sawari operators. This service continued until February 2019, when the train service was halted. The sawari operators played a crucial role in smuggling drugs and transporting funds intended to finance terrorist activities in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as Punjab. However, following a significant crackdown by authorities, these operations were effectively curtailed, leading to the arrest and imprisonment of numerous individuals involved in such activities. Recent developments suggest that the ISIs current method of sending couriers mirrors these past tactics. The officials said that the infiltration strategies being employed now are reminiscent of the past, as the agency seeks new ways to bypass law enforcement and deliver crucial communication and resources across the border.
5, including mastermind, arrested in abduction case





Staff Reporter :

Kolar police cracked a kidnapping case and rescued the victim, Hemraj, who was abducted by a group of five accused on December 6. Police have arrested all the five members of the gang, including the mastermind, Golu Puriya and his associates, Satya Gurjar, Brijmohan Lodha, Satish Sondhiya and Vinay Chandele. According to police, victim Hemraj was kidnapped by the accused from Sarvadharm Colony in Kolar, Bhopal and taken to Biaora in Rajgarh district. The accused had demanded that Hemrajs wife, Pinky, come to Biaora and meet them or else they would harm her husband. Police received a complaint from Pinky, who reported that her husband had been kidnapped by a group of men in a white car. Police immediately launched an investigation and formed three teams to track down the accused. After analysing CCTV footage and conducting a thorough search, police identified the accused and their vehicle.

They tracked the accused to Biaora, where they had taken the victim. Police laid a trap and arrested two members of the gang, Brijmohan Lodha and Satish Sondhiya, who were travelling in the car. During interrogation, the accused revealed that they had kidnapped Hemraj at the behest of Golu Puriya, who had a grudge against the victims wife, Pinky. Police then arrested Golu Puriya and his associate, Satya Gurjar, who were travelling in a car. Police also arrested Vinay Chandele, who had provided the accused with information about the victims movements. The accused had used this information to kidnap Hemraj. Police have seized both the cars used by the accused and have registered a case under sections 140(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).
Assad flees Syria ; ends 50-yr regime





Syrian Opposition fighters celebrate after the Syrian Government collapsed in Damascu

BEIRUT :

SYRIAN President Bashar Assad fled the country on Sunday, 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. A video shared on Syrian Opposition media showed a group of armed men escorting Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali out of his office and to the Four Seasons hotel on Sunday. Syrians poured into streets echoing with celebratory gunfire on Sunday after a stunning rebel advance reached the capital, putting an end to the Assad familys 50 years of iron rule but raising questions about the future of the country and the wider region. Joyful crowds gathered in central squares in Damascus, waving the Syrian revolutionary flag in scenes that recalled the early days of the Arab Spring uprising, before a brutal crackdown and the rise of an insurgency plunged the country into a nearly 14-year civil war. Others gleefully ransacked the presidential palace and the Assad family residence after President Bashar Assad and other top officials vanished, their whereabouts unknown.

Meanwhile, Syrians have crowded the Lebanese side of the Masnaa border crossing Sunday waiting to cross back into Syria after the fall of Bashar Assad. Lebanons General Security closed the crossing overnight but reopened it in the morning, allowing Syrians to freely cross out of Lebanon while restricting their entry from Syria into the country. Lebanese officials have long complained about the countrys population of refugees  the largest per capita in the world. As of September 30, some 768,353 Syrian refugees were registered with the UN refugee agency in Lebanon, with hundreds of thousands more believed to be unregistered. Many fled Lebanon after the escalation of the conflict between Israel and the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah in late September, but others crossed back from Syria into Lebanon in recent days as insurgents marched toward Damascus. With Syrian officials having abandoned the Syrian side of the border, an Associated Press photographer who crossed from Lebanon into Syria said he saw some people taking the opportunity to loot the duty-free store between the two borders. Qatars Foreign Ministry spokesman and advisor to the Prime Minister, Majed bin Mohammed al-Ansari, says participants of the emergency meeting of Foreign Ministers and top officials from eight countries with interests in Syria, agreed on the need to engage all parties on the ground and be inclusive in our engagement.

The late Saturday meeting, hosted by Qatar, included Iran, Saudi Arabia, Russia and Turkey. Al-Ansari also said that would include the HTS, the main rebel group that has taken control of Damascus, branded a terrorist organisation by the US and United Nations. He said the meeting participants were caught off guard by how quickly Assad was toppled and that the Syrian leader had not reached out to Qatar, but had spoken to other countries in the region in his final days. He said he did not know where Assad was. Al-Ansari said the international community must now work together to create conditions where all Syrians can live in peace, regardless of their religious or ethnic group. The main concern is stability and safe transition, he said.

No one group or party should feel unsafe in a future Syria. Russias Foreign Ministry claimed on Sunday that Bashar Assad had left Syria after negotiations with rebel groups, and gave instructions to transfer power peacefully. In a post on the Telegram messaging app on Sunday, the ministry said Moscow had not directly participated in these talks. It also said it has been following the dramatic events in Syria with extreme concern. It also said Russian troops stationed in Syria have been put on high alert and that as of early afternoon Sunday, there was no serious threat to the security of Russia's military bases there. Assads exit stood in stark contrast to his first months as Syrias unlikely President in 2000, when many hoped he would be a young reformer after three decades of his fathers iron grip. Only 34 years old at that time, the Western-educated ophthalmologist appeared as a geeky tech-savvy fan of computers with a gentle demeanour. But when faced with protests against his rule that erupted in March 2011, Assad turned to the brutal tactics of his father in an attempt to crush dissent. As the uprising hemorrhaged into an outright civil war, he unleashed his military to blast Opposition-held cities, with support from allies Iran and Russia. International rights groups and prosecutors alleged widespread use of torture and extrajudicial killings in Syrias government-run detention centers.

The war has killed nearly half a million people and displaced half of the countrys prewar population of 23 million. The conflict appeared to be frozen in recent years, with Assads Government regaining control of most of Syrias territory while the northwest remained under the control of Opposition groups and the northeast under Kurdish control. Although Damascus remained under crippling Western sanctions, neighbouring countries had begun to resign themselves to Assads continued hold on power. The Arab League reinstated Syrias membership last year, and Saudi Arabia in May announced the appointment of its first ambassador since severing ties with Damascus 12 years ago. However, the geopolitical tide turned quickly when Opposition groups in northwest Syria in late November launched a surprise offensive. Government forces quickly collapsed while Assads allies, preoccupied by other conflicts  Russias war in Ukraine and the yearlong wars between Israel and the Iran-backed militant groups Hezbollah and Hamas  appeared reluctant to forcefully intervene.

An end to decades of family rule Assad came to power in 2000 by a twist of fate. His father had been cultivating Bashars oldest brother, Basil, as his successor, but in 1994, Basil was killed in a car crash in Damascus. Bashar was brought home from his ophthalmology practice in London, put through military training and elevated to the rank of colonel to establish his credentials so he could one day rule. When Hafez Assad died in 2000, parliament quickly lowered the presidential age requirement from 40 to 34. Bashars elevation was sealed by a nationwide referendum, in which he was the only candidate. Hafez, a lifelong military man, ruled the country for nearly 30 years during which he set up a Soviet-style centralized economy and kept such a stifling hand over dissent that Syrians feared even to joke about politics to their friends. He pursued a secular ideology that sought to bury sectarian differences under Arab nationalism and the image of heroic resistance to Israel. He formed an alliance with the Shiite clerical leadership in Iran, sealed Syrian domination over Lebanon and set up a network of Palestinian and Lebanese militant groups. Bashar initially seemed completely unlike his strongman father. Tall and lanky with a slight lisp, he had a quiet, gentle demeanor. His only official position before becoming president was head of the Syrian Computer Society. His wife, Asma al-Akhras, whom he married several months after taking office, was attractive, stylish and British-born. The young couple, who eventually had three children, seemed to shun trappings of power. They lived in an apartment in the upscale Abu Rummaneh district of Damascus, as opposed to a palatial mansion like other Arab leaders. Initially upon coming to office, Assad freed political prisoners and allowed more open discourse. In the Damascus Spring, salons for intellectuals emerged where Syrians could discuss art, culture and politics to a degree impossible under his father. But after 1,000 intellectuals signed a public petition calling for multiparty democracy and greater freedoms in 2001, and others tried to form a political party, the salons were snuffed out by the feared secret police, who jailed dozens of activists. Tested by the Arab Spring, Assad relied on old alliances to stay in power Instead of a political opening, Assad turned to economic reforms.

He slowly lifted economic restrictions, let in foreign banks, threw the doors open to imports and empowered the private sector. Damascus and other cities long mired in drabness saw a flourishing of shopping malls, new restaurants and consumer goods. Tourism swelled. Abroad, he stuck to the line his father had set, based on the alliance with Iran and a policy of insisting on a full return of the Israel-annexed Golan Heights, although in practice Assad never militarily confronted Israel. In 2005, he suffered a heavy blow with the loss of Syrias decades-old control over neighboring Lebanon after the assassination of former Prime Minister Rafik Hariri. With many Lebanese accusing Damascus of being behind the slaying, Syria was forced to withdraw its troops from the country and a pro-American government came to power. At the same time, the Arab world split into two camps  one of U.S.-allied, Sunni-led countries such as Saudi Arabia and Egypt, the other Syria and Shiite-led Iran with their ties to Hezbollah and Palestinian militants.

Throughout, Assad relied largely on the same power base at home as his father: his Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shiite Islam comprising around 10% of the population. Many of the positions in his government went to younger generations of the same families that had worked for his father. Drawn in as well were members of the new middle class created by his reforms, including prominent Sunni merchant families. Assad also turned to his own family. His younger brother Maher headed the elite Presidential Guard and would lead the crackdown against the uprising. Their sister Bushra was a strong voice in his inner circle, along with her husband, Deputy Defense Minister Assef Shawkat, until he was killed in a 2012 bombing. Bashars cousin, Rami Makhlouf, became the countrys biggest businessman, heading a financial empire before the two had a falling-out that led to Makhlouf being pushed aside. Assad also increasingly entrusted key roles to his wife, Asma, before she announced in May that she was undergoing treatment for leukemia and stepped out of the limelight. When 2011 protests erupted in Tunisia and Egypt, eventually toppling their rulers, Assad dismissed the possibility of the same occurring in his country, insisting his regime was more in tune with its people. After the Arab Spring wave reached Syria, his security forces staged a brutal crackdown while Assad consistently denied he was facing a popular revolt. He instead blamed foreign-backed terrorists trying to destabilize his regime. His rhetoric struck a chord with many in Syrias minority groups  including Christians, Druze and Shiites  as well as some Sunnis who feared the prospect of rule by Sunni extremists even more than they disliked Assads authoritarian rule. As the uprising spiraled into a civil war, millions of Syrians fled to Jordan, Turkey, Iraq and Lebanon and on to Europe.
Entrepreneurs need to change mindset, attitude and think global: Chawla





Business Reporter :

NAGPUR is gradually emerging as one of top technology hubs in the country because of the presence of large IT companies, IT Parks and growing start-up ecosystem that is driving innovation. IT experts participated in Global Nagpur Summit felt that Nagpur will soon be one of the leading IT hubs in the country. To make Nagpur an emerging technology hub in the country, young entrepreneurs of Nagpur need to change their mindset, attitude and think global, said Sahil Chawla, CEO and Co-Founder at Tsecond Inc., USA while speaking at the 11th Global Nagpur Summit (GNS) 2024 at Chitnavis Centre, on Sunday. He was expressing his views on the topic Share and Connect: Driving growth in the AI Age  From Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Edge Intelligence (EI).

Chawla further said that the existing IT companies in Nagpur need to market their products on global scale. Also, young entrepreneurs need to put in hardwork with consistent efforts to create products and services that solve other peoples problems. Already there are numerous examples of city-based IT companies that are expanding their operations all over the world. Chawla was born near Nagpur and began his career in IT and became successful. Today his company has been ranked among the Indias top hardware start-ups. In his wellcome address, Dr Rizwan Ahmed, Chair Technology Track and CTO, Delaplex spoke about the theme for Technology Track - Rising Nagpur  An Emerging Technology Hub of India. Shashank Rao, International Chair, Nagpur First said, GNS aims to create Nagpur- A Global City. With this in mind, GNS plans to create multidimensional ecosystem for industry and academia to collaborate from Nagpur region to promote innovation and commercialisation of emerging technologies to create new jobs.

The technology track witnessed panel discussions with global technology leaders from Nagpur. Ghanshyam Ahuja, Venture Builder, VC, Mentor, Managing Partner - Thinkuvate, Group CEO - vSaaS, Singapore spoke on the topic Leveraging technology to propel business from local to global. Ninad Mairal, Director, International Business, Virtual Galaxy Infotech Limited, Nagpur, India spoke on Providing technology solutions from Nagpur to global clients. Dhananjay Kumar Das, IP Solutions Head and Centre Head, Sagacious IP Nagpur, India spoke on Indias Innovation Engine: The power of IP in driving tech growth. A panel discussion was held on Technology impact on various industries and establishing Nagpur as global technology hub which was moderated by Ghanshyam Ahuja. Participants were Sahil Chawla, Vineet Dhawan, CEO, DCT Inc. and dcafe digital Inc., USA, Ashish Kulkarni, Chairman of AVGC-XR Forum - FICCI and Founder - Punnaryug Artvision Pvt Ltd, Pune, Vinod Deshmukh, CIO, Haldiram Foods International Ltd, Nagpur, and Shailesh Awale, Centre Head, HCL, Nagpur. The second panel discussion was on Use of technology for environment and SDG goals.

Nidhi Bawashe, Project Manager, Delaplex, Nagpur moderated the session. The panellists consisted of Rajendra Inani, VicePresident and Segment HeadWater and Smart Cities, Tata Projects, Mumbai, Tanish Shewani, Founder and CEO, Bharat Carbon, Pune, Dr. NitinLabhsetwar, Chief Scientist andChair, Environment ResourcePlanning and Management, CSIR-NEERI, Nagpur, Dr. Prasanna Deshpande, EnterpriseArchitect, TCS CTO Group, Nagpur, Aditya Bhatia, CentreHead Tech Mahindra, Nagpurand Dr. Nitin Rakesh, Director, Symbiosis Institute of Technology, SymbiosisInternational DeemedUniversity, Nagpur. Accordingly, the GNS StartupShowcase 2024 was also conducted session onFounders andFunders Mixer: FutureOpportunities for Startups. Theparticipants were GhanshyamAhuja, Rahul Narvekar, CEO andFounder, The India Network, Delhi, Poonam K Khandelwal, 9Unicorns, Venture Catalysts++, Angel Investor, Nagpur, Sahil Chawla, and Yashwant Budhwani, Founder and CEO, Hoora, Nagpur.
Farmers suspend foot march to Delhi for a day





Police use water cannon to disperse farmers agitating at Shambhu border in Patiala district on Sunday. (PTI)

SHAMBHU :

PROTESTING farmers on Sunday afternoon suspended their foot march to Delhi for the day after some of them suffered injuries in tear gas shelling by Haryana security personnel here along the States border with Punjab. Farmer leader from Punjab Sarwan Singh Pandher said at least eight farmers were injured and one of them was rushed to the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh. We have called back the jatha (group of 101 farmers), he said. Pandher said the farmers would decide their next course of action after a meeting of their forums -- the Samyuka Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and the Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.

The jatha resumed its foot march from the farmers Shambhu protest site earlier in the afternoon but was soon halted by multilayered barricading erected by Haryana security personnel. Tear gas shells were lobbed at the protesting farmers and water jets were used as well to disperse them after they reached the barricades. The Ambala police had earlier said the farmers outfits may march to Delhi only after getting permission from the national capital administration. The group, dubbed as marjeevras (someone willing to die for a cause), was marching for a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price before being stopped only a few metres away.
Iltija Mufti faces flak from all quarters over her Hindutva is a disease remark





NEW DELHI :

ILTIJA Mufti, daughter of former Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, faced severe backlash from multiple political quarters over her remarks on Hinduism. Many leaders criticised her for making divisive statements and suggested that she seek psychiatric help. The controversy erupted after Iltija posted on X on Saturday, stating, Hindutva is a disease.

Even Lord Ram will have to hang his head in shame after seeing all this. Minor Muslim children are being beaten with chappals just because of their refusal to take the name of Ram. Hindutva is a disease that has affected millions of Indians and tarnished the name of God, she wrote. Following the backlash, Iltija clarified her stance, stating that she invoked Lord Ram in her post to spotlight the hypocrisy of those who claim to uphold Ram Rajya while indulge in acts of brutality. Her comments drew sharp reactions from political leaders across the spectrum, who accused her of making derogatory and divisive remarks against Hinduism. Speaking to IANS, BJP national spokesperson Ajay Alok said, The Mufti family is the biggest disease for Jammu and Kashmir and the country. It is better for them to refrain from making such statements against Hindutva. If they think that Hinduism is a disease, they should stay away from it. Congress MP Imran Masood also said that such statements are baseless.

By making such baseless statements, people want to benefit their politics. One should respect all religions. When you do not respect someones religion and faith, why would they respect yours? he told IANS. Maharashtra AIMIM MLA Mohammed Ismail Abdul Khalique said, It is obvious that the talk of sectarianism is like a sore, a disease. Our country is secular, and everyone has their own rights here. Talking about sectarianism or discrimination is not right. Maharashtra Congress MLA Amin Patel stressed the fundamental right to practice any religion on wants. Every person has a right to practice their religion and faith. We, hailing from the land of Ganga and Yamuna, should respect all religions, he said. Shiv Sena MLA Ashish Jaiswal dismissed her remarks, saying, She is herself ill. Maharashtra BJP MLA Yogesh Sagar commented, She should consult a psychiatrist and get herself tested. She is the daughter of Mehbooba Mufti, so it is not necessary to discuss her. Rohit Pawar, the SP MLA in Maharashtra stressed that no one should make such derogatory statements about any religion.
JMCs anti-encroachment drive continues in various areas





Staff Reporter :

The Jabalpur Municipal Corporation is making continuous efforts to improve the city's traffic system. It is removing all big and small temporary encroachments causing obstructions in traffic flow. The Anti-Encroachment squad is conducting drives to clear encroachments. Assistant Anti-Encroachment Officer Sagar Borkar informed that they conducted the drive in areas including the route from Civic Centre to Omti Chowk, Ghantaghar, Victoria Hospital, and areas around Ganjipura, Lordganj Police Station, Khova Mandi, Phool Mandi, Bada Fuhara, Home Science College road and surrounding areas.

He said during the drive the anti-encroachment squad also seized four vehicles, 12 temporary stalls and handcarts. He said small vendors have also been cautioned that repeated disruptions to traffic will lead to punitive actions. It may be noted that during a recent held high-level meeting, State Public Works Department Minister Rakesh Singh directed JMC officials to streamline the city's traffic system. He instructed them to identify and remove all encroachments disrupting traffic. Following the State Minister's directives, the anti-encroachment squad of Jabalpur Municipal Corporation is conducting the drive regularly and removing both big and small temporary encroachments. It is paying special attention to clear roadside stalls and temporary setups that block traffic flow.
Two-day intl womens conference of Business Beyond Borders concludes





Staff Reporter :

The second day of Business Beyond Borders, organised by Madhya Pradesh Association of Women Entrepreneurs (MAWE) at Kushabhau Thakre Auditorium concluded recently. On this occasion, Dr Archana Bhatnagar, Founder President and Chairperson of MAWE, said, Women entrepreneurs who do business do not have knowledge of many aspects related to their business, such as marketing, packaging and branding, government schemes and new tools like chat, GPT, Meta, AI. Due to this lack of information, women entrepreneurs lag in expanding their business. First Session Opening Plenary Session was held on the topic - Expanding Horizons.

In this panel, the participants were made aware of what kind of strategies they can use to expand their business beyond the borders of their State and country. Also, what works can be done by using various Government schemes and modern technology which can open way for business expansion in the future. Archana Bhatnagar -Chairperson & founder President - MAWE, Jabalpur; Mercy Epao IAS - Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME), Government of India; Semhal Guesh Berhe - Founder & CEO of Kabana Design, Ethopia; Shaira Saleem - Managing Director, Sheri Private Limited, Maldives; Passant E - Founder of Yashmak, Egypt; Jayani DeSilva - Member/Trainer - Ceylon Chamber of Women Entrepreneurs and Head of Country HR, WILEY, Srilanka; Dr Kesinee Tanomponkanc - MD, Ketkanj 88 Mahasap, Bangkok; Elina Remizova - Russia were the guests. They made the participants aware of the importance and nuances of expanding business beyond the borders of the country and abroad. Next session on Amplifying Your Brand.

he businesswomen shared this topic with their own experiences with women entrepreneurs. Anuradha M Agarwal - Founder, We Think North, New Delhi; and Sunita Ramnathkar - Director, Mitchell USA, Mumbai, Maharashtra, both the successful women entrepreneurs presented the story of their business journey from the beginning to their success before the participants, which will definitely benefit all the women entrepreneurs. Another session: Export (Business Expansion Tools and Government Schemes for Women Entrepreneurs). Joyatri Ray - State Lead and Policy Specialist, UN Women, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh; Christopher Minj - Designation Assistant Director Gr-I, IEDS, Br MSME DFO, Rewa; Vedant Kothari - Co-Founder, IndiaPort App, Mumbai, Maharashtra; Kapil Wase - Assistant General Manager , SIDBI Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, were the subject experts.

They explained in detail all the certifications related to export and how small-scale women entrepreneurs can export their products. Special Speaker Jeeza Hassan -President, Womens Devlopment community, Maldives addressed a sessionin which she inspired women entrepreneurs with her success story and gave information about how one can reach the destination of success despite many ups and downs. Another prominent peaker Sneh Nigam also thrilled the women participants with her success story and presented an example of how even a small business can reach great heights. Alaknanda Das - Founder, Looms Ecopreneurs Foundation, Assam; Renu Nayak - Founder, Signature Boutique, Bhopal; Nisha Nair - Founder, Yamini Lifestyles, Bangalore, Karnataka; Sapna Singh - Founder, Q - Source, New Delhi; Padmaja Rao - Founder, Urban Wood Interiors, Bangalore, Karnataka; Anushka Jaisinghani - Co-Founder, Snack Me, Bangalore, Karnataka also enlightened the participants with their inspirational stories.

They highlighted the kind of efforts all the women entrepreneurs have to make from the beginning of their business to expand it to a larger extent and despite many obstacles, they have to remain firm on their path and always remain engaged in expanding their business. A session on Artificial Intelligence (AI) was also held. Pooja Bijlani gave detailed information on this topic. To understand common language, Chat, GPT, WhatsApp, Meta AI etc. are such tools which knowingly or unknowingly have influenced the life of every person from illiterate to educated. The doubts of the participants were resolved by Pooja Bijlani. President Mati Bhavna Madan, Senior Vice President Satrupa Rabra, Secretary Monica Jolly, Joint Secretary Nisha Nair and the commendable contribution of Jinnat Khanan, Jasmeet Kaur, Seema Badal Swami, Sandhya Borkar, Anshita Chaurasia, Samidha Mishrakar, Renu Nayak, Pooja Nigam, Dr Vishakha Srivastava, Meenu Kaplish, Manjari Srivastava worked hard for the success of the event.
Book on Chinese social structure, way of life published in Bulgaria

Xinhua) 10:56, December 09, 2024

SOFIA, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese book titled "Contemporary Chinese Society: Basic Systems and Daily Life" was introduced in Bulgarian translation at a special ceremony held at the China Cultural Center in Sofia on Saturday.

The book, published by the Bulgarian Bestseller publishing house with support from the Chinese Embassy in Bulgaria and the China Renmin University Press (CRUP), covers a range of topics such as China's population, marriage and family structures, education system, social security, and the character of the Chinese people.

Chinese Ambassador to Bulgaria Dai Qingli expressed hope that the book would serve as a starting point for those interested in learning more about China's societal development, refreshing their knowledge and perspectives, and embracing new trends. She also encouraged readers to view China objectively and fairly, contributing to the sustainable development of cooperation between the two countries across various sectors.

Li Kailong, General Manager of CRUP, emphasized that the book offers Bulgarian readers a window into China, helping them gain a comprehensive understanding of Chinese society, including its political system, demographic structure, and people's views on family, marriage, and education.

Juliana Tomova, head of Bulgarian Bestseller, noted that the publication of this book marks a step forward in promoting cultural exchanges between Bulgaria and China, as well as fostering friendship and mutual understanding between their people.

Alexander Yordanov, former President of the Bulgarian National Assembly, told Xinhua that he attended the event to gain deeper insights into contemporary Chinese society. "The book provides exactly this opportunity," he remarked.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
The 2022 crash that killed a man and his young son near an Interstate 64 on-ramp just south of Charlottesville has already resulted in a $1.1 million court-approved settlement against the red light-running box truck driver and his fathers trucking company.

Now, the bereaved widow and mother is filing a pair of lawsuits seeking another $10 million from the state agency and private companies that designed and constructed the intersection where John Chadduck ran a red light and killed 34-year-old Bryan Warrick and his 5-year-old son Milo.

The timing of the traffic signal sequences at the U.S. Route 29 and Interstate 64 interchange was negligently designed, according to Jacqueline Warricks lawsuits.

Her suits claim that the all red period, the time when red lights should communicate that traffic in all directions must stop, provided too short a buffer to protect the vehicle her husband was driving across U.S. 29 when he was broadsided.

Had the traffic signal sequence been properly designed, developed, implemented and/or monitored, the lawsuits claim, then the Chadducks truck would have cleared the intersection before the protected green left turn arrow illuminated allowing Bryan to proceed into the intersection safely.

One of the lawsuits names five private firms involved in the intersections construction, while the other suit targets the Virginia Department of Transportation.

Suing VDOT is an uphill battle, according to Charlottesville-based legal expert David Heilberg. Splitting the litigation makes more sense, he told The Daily Progress.

VDOT will claim a defense of sovereign immunity, said Heilberg. You cant sue the king.

Judges routinely throw out lawsuits against state agencies, said Heilberg, so plaintiffs have to find unusual workarounds.

They might have to show gross negligence or reckless disregard for human life to prevail in that lawsuit, he said.

By contrast, Heilberg said, winning a case against private companies typically requires only showing simple negligence.

Records filed in Fluvanna County Circuit Court, where the victims lived, show no resistance to the $1.1 million insurance settlement approved earlier this year.

The parties and beneficiaries agree that this compromise settlement is a fair and reasonable settlement under the facts and circumstances of this case, according to the agreement approved March 8 by Judge David Barredo.

The Fluvanna settlement discharged liability from driver John Chadduck, his father James Chadduck and Windfall Inc., the Culpeper-based intrastate freight carrier the elder Chadduck operates. Additional parties discharged from liability include publicly held Japanese freight forwarding firm Kintetsu World Express Inc. and Dulles-based freight firm CDS Air Freight Inc.

The settlement was funded by $1 million from a Progressive insurance policy held by Windfall and by $100,000 from USAA, under a policy that Bryan Warrick held in case of uninsured or underinsured motorists.

The lawyers who negotiated the settlement cited costs of $50,000 and additionally took a fee of $275,000, according to the agreement.

The Fluvanna civil action was resolved seven months after John Chadduck was convicted in Albemarle County General District Court of reckless driving and given a three-month jail term for the May 19, 2022 crash.

He just plowed right through, said Robert Downer, the judge hearing that case. It was a reckless decision.

In addition to attacks on John Chadducks driving, the criminal case also included criticism of the intersection, which was completed about seven months before the fatal crash.

According to Heilberg, trying to show mistakes by companies creating an intersection could be legally daunting.

Unless they violated some kind of standard of care or standard of design, thats a tough lawsuit to win, Heilberg said.

Bryan Slaughter, the lawyer filing the suits, declined to share his litigation strategy or otherwise discuss the lawsuits with The Daily Progress. One facet of his Albemarle Circuit Court filing does, however, appear clear in the court file: He has not yet served the lawsuits on any of the six defendants.

Heilberg said the timing of the suits, filed in early May, less than two weeks before the two-year anniversary of the fatal crash, seems designed to ensure that they meet Virginias two-year deadline for filing claims. He said that the fact that the suits have not yet been served suggests that some private fact-finding or negotiation might be ongoing.

If the new intersection were officially deemed dangerous, it would be an irony, because the intersection, according to a VDOT representative, was designed to reduce crashes that had been occurring on I-64. The previous way to get on eastbound I-64 was a loop ramp that created what the representative described as a weave, a dangerous interplay when two ramps  one an entrance and one an exit  lie in close proximity to each other.

The five private firms sued include four subcontractors, Jo Herbert Company, Clark Nexsen Inc., CES Consulting and Wallace Montgomery & Associates, as well as lead contractor, West Point-based Curtis Contracting, which holds a $28.5 million contract for six Charlottesville-area intersection projects, including the recently completed roundabout linking Hydraulic Road and Hillsdale Drive north of the city.

The litigation comes at a fraught time for Curtis Contracting, as it was a Curtis employee using a company-assigned truck who attempted last year to kidnap a University of Virginia student. The young woman survived, and the perpetrator, 41-year-old James Robert Allen, pleaded guilty and was sentenced earlier this year to 25 years in prison.

The lawsuits also come at a fraught time for the profession of traffic engineering. A spike in the fatality rate on American roads after 2020 has fueled widespread attacks on the field, including recent books with such titles as Confessions of a Recovering Engineer by Chuck Marohn and Killed by a Traffic Engineer by Wes Marshall.

This could be a national case, University of Virginia historian Peter Norton told The Daily Progress. I do think it is a kind of malpractice to be designing every environment around the assumption that everybody has to drive everywhere and drive there fast.

By his own admission to an investigating officer, John Chadduck was traveling north between 58 and 60 mph, just above the 55 mph speed limit, when he saw the light turn yellow.

Its always problematic to mix traffic lights with wherever people are driving fast, Norton said. If you mix the traffic engineering that we expect on a street, like a stoplight, with the sort of highway-like design that we have on 29, thats a problematic combination.

Norton contends that the straightness and wideness of U.S. 29 sends motorists a speed-stoking message.

Anytime a driver sees a divided road with a median strip and a generous shoulder and straight parallel lanes, the road is telling them something that the speed limit signs cant really contradict, he said.

While an empty Ford F-750 can weigh as little as 10,000 pounds, John Chadducks box truck slammed into the Warricks loaded and weighing 26,000 pounds, according to the lawsuit. Both Bryan and Milo Warrick died at the scene, according to reports.

The thing we have normalized is that every day well over 100 people in the U.S. are killed in on roads and streets, said Norton. This is not normal.

Norton, whose own recent books chronicle Americas reliance on cars, said he bears less scorn for specific traffic engineers than for the demands placed upon the profession, particularly the demand to move lots of vehicles.

I think that the people designing these things face contradictory imperatives and they try to find the contradiction that is most tolerable, said Norton. But any contradiction in traffic engineering means somebodys going to die.
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The recent election of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah as Namibias President has once again highlighted Africas capacity to break the glass ceiling for women in leadership. It is a moment worth celebrating and reflecting upon, especially when juxtaposed with the global landscape of female political leadership. Africa, often saddled with stereotypes of patriarchal dominance, emerges as a beacon of hope, challenging and redefining traditional power structures.

Historically, African continent has demonstrated remarkable openness to women in political positions, with leaders such as Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Joyce Banda of Malawi, and Samia Suluhu Hassan of Tanzania paving the way. In comparison, many continents that boast of being bastions of democracy and gender equity lag significantly in electing women presidents or prime ministers.

The recent U.S. presidential election demonstrated the ongoing gender barriers in global politics, as Americans, despite having a highly qualified candidate in Kamala Harris, chose not to vote for her. Harris, with her extensive political experience and qualifications, was widely regarded as a more competent candidate compared to Donald Trump. Yet, the reluctance to elect a woman to the highest office in the land highlights how even nations that pride themselves on democracy and gender equity often fall short when it comes to breaking the glass ceiling. This stands in stark contrast to African nations like Liberia, Malawi, and Tanzania, where women have risen to leadership positions, proving that gender does not preclude political excellence.

Ostensibly to boost African record in this regard, Namibias president-elect, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, will be the first woman to hold the position since the Southern African nation gained independence from South Africa in 1990. Unless the legal challenge mounted by the opposition against the election results giving victory to the ruling SWAPO party succeeds, she will be sworn in as head of state in March next year.

For the sake of clarity, this piece explores Africas historical and current strides in gender inclusivity in political leadership, contrasts this with the global context, and examines why Africa remains the most amenable continent for women presidents.

In fact, Africas relationship with female leadership is neither new nor accidental. Historical records reflect the reign of powerful queens and matriarchs, such as Queen Amina of Zazzau, Queen Moremi Ajasoro of Ife, Madam Efunroye Tinubu, Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti, Margaret Ekpo as well Queen Idia and Queen Iden of the ancient Benin Kingdom.

Apart from notable queens who emerged from Nigeria in the ancient days, there were Queen Nzinga of Ndongoand Matamba (modern-day Angola) and the DahomeyAmazons of present-day Benin. These women were not only political figures but also military strategists and cultural icons, showcasing the continents early recognition of womens capacity to lead.

In modern politics, Ellen Johnson Sirleafs election as Liberias President in 2005 marked a watershed moment. As Africas first elected female head of state, she ushered in a new era, earning a Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts in womens empowerment. Joyce Banda of Malawi followed suit, albeit in a transitional capacity, and demonstrated an ability to steer her country through challenging times.

Samia Suluhu Hassans ascension to the Tanzanian presidency in 2021 further solidified this trend. Her leadership during a politically turbulent period cemented her reputation as a unifier and a progressive leader. These trailblazers have not only shattered societal expectations but also built a legacy that inspires younger generations of women to aspire for leadership.

Without a doubt, several factors contribute to Africas relative openness to women presidents, despite persisting challenges of inequality, and such factors cut across matriarchal and gender-inclusive traditions, activism and womens movements, legal frameworks and resilience of African women.

To put it comprehensively, it is germane to opine that while patriarchy is pervasive, many African societies historically had matriarchal systems where women held significant political and social influence. These traditions, albeit eroded in some regions, still resonate in the collective consciousness, creating an environment where female leadership is not entirely alien.

In a similar vein, grassroots activism and the influence of womens movements across Africa have been instrumental in pushing for political inclusivity. Organizations such as the African Womens Leadership Network and the African Unions emphasis on gender parity have created platforms for women to ascend to leadership roles.

Also, many African countries have adopted legal frameworks that promote gender parity in politics. Rwanda, for instance, boasts the highest proportion of women in parliament globally, with over 60% representation. This trend creates a pipeline of experienced female politicians ready to assume presidential roles.

Again, the resilience and resourcefulness of African women, often shouldering the burden of economic sustenance and community leadership, make them natural leaders. Their lived experiences enable them to connect with the electorate on a deeply personal level.

Globally, women leaders remain a rarity. Europe, often perceived as a bastion of progressiveness, has seen its share of female leaders, including Angela Merkel of Germany and Margaret Thatcher of the UK. However, these examples are sporadic and rarely reflective of broader societal acceptance. In the Americas, female presidents such as Dilma Rousseff of Brazil and Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner of Argentina have risen to power, but the U.S., despite its global influence, has yet to elect a woman president.

Asia has a mixed record, with countries like India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh producing iconic female leaders such as Indira Gandhi, Benazir Bhutto, and Sheikh Hasina. However, these leaders often hail from powerful political dynasties, suggesting that societal structures, rather than meritocratic processes, propel their rise.

In stark contrast, Africas female leaders often emerge from diverse backgrounds, embodying the potential for broader societal acceptance. For instance, Ellen Johnson Sirleafs journey from exile to presidency exemplifies resilience rather than hereditary privilege. Similarly, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwahs career trajectory as a diplomat and freedom fighter underscores Africas willingness to reward competence and dedication.

While Africas progress is commendable, significant challenges remain. Cultural stereotypes, limited access to political funding, and gender-based violence in the political sphere still deter many women from pursuing leadership. Furthermore, the tokenistic inclusion of women in politics, often relegated to symbolic roles, undermines genuine progress.

Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwahs election is a call to action for African nations to address these barriers. Her leadership provides an opportunity to advocate for more comprehensive gender inclusivity across political, economic, and social landscapes.

Africas progress in electing women leaders should not merely be a celebratory milestone; it should inspire sustained efforts toward gender equity. Policymakers must prioritize education and leadership training, economic empowerment and political reforms. Put in detailed perspective, it is expedient to opine that investing in programs that nurture young women leaders will create a sustainable pipeline of talent, even as womens economic autonomy is critical to their political ascension. In fact, policies promoting financial inclusion and entrepreneurship among women are vital.

In a similar vein, affirmative action policies, like gender quotas, should be complemented with structural reforms to dismantle systemic barriers.

Looking at the issue from global perspective, it is not a misnomer to opine that Africas embrace of female presidents is not just a continental achievement; it is a global inspiration. As the world grapples with increasing polarization and governance challenges, the leadership style often exhibited by women, characterized by inclusivity, empathy, and pragmatism, offers a path forward.

In the face of global crises, from climate change to economic instability, women leaders like Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah are well-positioned to steer the world toward solutions that prioritize collective well-being over divisive politics.

In fact, the election of Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is not just Namibias triumph; it is Africas reaffirmation of its capacity to lead the world in gender inclusivity. While challenges persist, the continents trajectory offers lessons for others. By celebrating and supporting women in leadership, Africa continues to dismantle archaic power structures and inspire a new era of governance.

The global community must take note: the future of leadership is female, and Africa is leading the charge.
Every Dollar Stays Local

During this holiday season, The Salvation Army staff and volunteers are diligently working to raise much needed funds to support those most in need this Christmas, and beyond. This year, The Salvation Army seeks to raise $100,000 to meet the growing demand for essential services in the Orange community and is falling behind its goal.

Every year, The Salvation Army of Orange provides meals, financial assistance, emergency disaster services, youth programs, summer camp and more to individuals and local families. The holiday season can be especially difficult for many, and donations are crucial to ensuring that no one is left behind during this time of year.

"The holiday season brings unique challenges for many in our community, but it also brings out the generosity of those who can help," said Captain Dante Salgado with The Salvation Army of Orange. "Every donation, no matter the size, is a step toward lifting someone out of hardship and it is important to remember that every dollar given stays local, helping your neighbors in need, right here in Orange. Your generous support helps bring hope and stability to those who need it most - not only during Christmas but also throughout the entire year."

Funds raised during the holiday season support initiatives like the Angel Tree program, which provides clothes and toys to children and seniors. Donations also help provide year-round aid such as rent, utility and housing assistance for individuals facing financial hardship.

"We are currently falling behind our fundraising goal and ask that the community and local businesses help us in the remaining two weeks of the red kettle campaign. The economy is challenging for many right now, and perhaps you are not in the financial position to give what you might have done in the past," said Captain Salgado. "A wonderful way to help The Salvation Army is to volunteer and ring the bell, and it costs nothing! We desperately need bell ringers and would love to set you up with an apron and bell and have you ring for a couple of hours. It has never been easier to sign up  go to www.RegistertoRing.com, search for Orange, pick your desired times and location, and you're ready to ring! You can ring for two hours, a morning or afternoon, or the entire day. Best of all, you'll be making a difference in the lives of people you will probably never meet, who come to The Salvation Army every day for help."

Here are several ways to give and get involved with The Salvation Army of Orange this holiday season:

 Donate online at southernusa.salvationarmy.org/orange.

 Donate with cash, coins and checks or digitally with Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal and Venmo at any red kettle.

 Support the Angel Tree program by providing gifts for children and seniors this Christmas.

 Sign up to volunteer at a red kettle by visiting RegisterToRing.com or contacting us at 832-526-9689.

 Sign up for a sustaining gift of $25 a month at Give.SalvationArmyUSA.org.

For more information about the Red Kettle Campaign, Angel Tree, or to learn how you can volunteer with The Salvation Army this Christmas, call Captain Dante Salgado at 832-526-9689, go to southernusa.salvationarmy.org/orange or visit us at 1950 MLK Drive.
Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, and other BJP MLAs have cancelled their planned visit to Ayodhya to offer prayers at the Ram Temple. The decision was made in light of the escalating attacks on Hindu minorities in Bangladesh and the ongoing legal battle for the release of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a Hindu monk detained in Bangladesh on sedition charges.

The MLAs had initially planned to visit Ayodhya during the three-day recess of the Winter Session of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly from 6 to 8 December. However, the deteriorating situation in Bangladesh, coupled with the delay in Dass bail hearing, prompted the cancellation.

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Mr Adhikari explained: Given the ongoing attacks on minorities in Bangladesh and the delay in Chinmoy Maharajs bail hearing, we have postponed our visit to the Ram Mandir. The BJP MLAs had previously planned to visit the temple soon after its inauguration on 22 January 2023 but were unable to do so due to the Lok Sabha elections. While the Ayodhya visit has been postponed, the BJP parliamentary team is considering a potential visit to Ram Lallas shrine in February during a one-day recess of the Central Budget Session.

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However, they have not officially announced any plans as their primary focus remains on the situation in Bangladesh. Several BJP MLAs have expressed their concern over the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh and have sought permission from Mr Adhikari to organise programmes in their respective constituencies in solidarity with the affected community.
BJP leader Baishali Dalmiya narrowly escaped a bomb attack at her home on Saturday night.

Two unidentified assailants hurled explosives at her residence around 11:45 p.m, causing a loud explosion and flashes of fire, according to Ms Dalmiya. The BJP leader said she and her son narrowly escaped the attack. A complaint has been filed, and the police are investigating. Ms Dalmiya stated that around 11.45 p.m, she was sitting on her veranda when a loud explosion shook her house, accompanied by flashes of fire.

Initially confused, she later realised that bombs had been thrown at her house. When asked about the motive behind the attack, the BJP leader said she has no personal enmity with anyone and is puzzled about who could have carried out the attack and why. She said, The high walls and barbed wire prevented it from falling inside. Otherwise, it would have hit my window directly. I was sitting on the veranda and heard a loud noise, followed by flashes of fire like in a Hindi movie scene. I cannot fathom the reason behind this attack. She added: My son and I often travel by car.

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They could have targeted the car as well. What would have happened then? The police have started an investigation into the matter. Gun used in Kasba councillor attack recovered: Police have recovered a firearm used in the attack on a Kasba councillor. The gun had been buried underground. On Saturday, the police conducted a search in the Bondel Gate area with the accused, Pintoo, leading to the recovery. According to police sources, the arrested Lakshman Kumar Sharma, alias Pintoo, was interrogated continuously.

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Under pressure, he confessed to hiding the weapon. Following his statement, the police conducted a search in an empty field near Bondel Gate, where a 9 mm pistol, a magazine, and 12 rounds of ammunition were found buried under the garbage-filled ground. This firearm was reportedly used in the attack on the councillor. On the evening of 15 November, Trinamul councillor Sushanta Ghosh of Ward 108 was sitting outside his house when assailants arrived on a bike and attempted to shoot him at close range. However, the guns trigger jammed, and the councillor narrowly escaped with his life.

The Kolkata Police formed a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the incident and arrested six individuals, including one of the main conspirators. Police sources revealed that the mastermind had brought two firearms from Bihar ~ a 7mm and a 9mm pistol ~ and stored them at Mohammad Alis house in Gulshan Colony. On the day of the incident, the assailants retrieved the weapons and set out on a bike to attack Sushanta Ghosh. However, their mission failed, and they abandoned the bike and weapons while fleeing. Both firearms and the bike have been recovered, with this recent search yielding yet another weapon linked to the case.
The Greek Orthodox Church in south Kolkata, the only one of its kind in the country, celebrated its centenary today. The function was held in the presence of Mgr Konstantinos, H.E. the Metropolitan of Singapore, Mrs. Aloki Koutsomitopoulou, the Ambassador of Greece in India, and Mr. Raju Bharat, warden of the Greek Orthodox Church. Built in 1924 to replace the older Greek Church of Transfiguration in Amratolla Street, the church has been recognised as a heritage building by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation.

It serves as a testament to the Greek presence in the city, which began in 1690 when Job Charnock arrived in Kolkata.There had been a Greek community in Kolkata involved in trade and commerce. The Greek animal traders used to purchase and sell animals to Nawab Wajid Ali Shah when he left Lucknow and settled in Metiabruz. Mgr Konstantinos said, The Greek Orthodox Church is not just a place of worship but a symbol of the enduring cultural exchange between Greece and India. It stands as a beacon of our shared history and our commitment to preserving the legacy of our forebears.

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Mrs. Aliki Koutsomitopoulou, the Ambassador of Greece in India, said: The centenary celebration of the church is a reflection of the deep ties between Greece and India. It is not only a place of spiritual solace for the community but also a significant cultural heritage site that tells the story of our shared past. The celebrations featured a special ceremony where the churchs significance was highlighted through historical recounting. The church, situated beside Kalighat Park, is near the Kalighat temple.

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It is built on a high plinth and accessible by a flight of marble steps, which is an example of Greek Orthodox structure. The event was attended by devotees, local dignitaries, and representatives of the Greek community. Mr. Bharat said: The centenary celebrations were not only about reflecting on our past but also about looking forward to the future, continuing the mission of the Greek Orthodox Church in Kolkata as a center of worship, heritage, and cultural exchange.
Another horrific incident has come to light in West Bengal, following the tragic murder of a Class 12 girl student in Sandeshkhali. A five-year-old child was allegedly abducted and raped by a young man in Ranipur village, Murshidabad. The incident occurred on Saturday evening when the child was playing near their home.

The accused, a local resident, reportedly lured the child to a nearby jungle and committed the crime. The childs family and neighbors apprehended the accused and handed him over to the police. The victim is currently undergoing medical treatment at Kandi Sub-Divisional Hospital. A friend of the childs father recounted the horrifying incident, stating that they witnessed the accused taking the child away and subsequently found them in the jungle. The family is demanding strict punishment for the perpetrator.

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Man Drowns in Ganges In a separate incident, 33-year-old Anubhav Haldar, a content writer from Barahanagar, went missing after taking a dip in the Ganges River at Sarbamangala Ghat. The incident occurred on Friday night after Haldar celebrated his birthday with friends. Despite being a strong swimmer, Haldar was swept away by the strong currents. A search operation was launched by the police and disaster management personnel, but the body has not yet been recovered.

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Sebaashray, a unique initiative to provide free medical facilities to the residents of Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha constituency will hold camps for 10 days each in each of the Assembly segments of the constituency. The initiative taken by Mr Abhishek Banerjee, MP from Diamond Harbour and the national general secretary of Trinamul Congress, is the first of its kind launched by an MP or MLA to provide medical assiatnce to the people of the constituency.

The camp will start from Diamond Harbour Assembly constituency where it will be held for 10 days. Then it will move to Palta followed by Satgachia and then Bishnupur. Thereafter it will be held at Metiabruz, Budge Budge and Maheshtala. The duration of the camps in each constituency is 10 days. All residents of Diamond Harbour Lok Sabha seat can visit the camp irrespective of their economic status, religion, caste or creed or political afficiation. Help desks will be set up for the persons to get their names registered. They will be given a unique identification number and a booklet.

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A group of 1,200 doctors has been set up to examine the people. If required they will be referred to hospitals, both state-run and private. They will be given medicines free of cost. It may be mentioned that during the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr Banerjee had set up teams that had supplied food to the people. The initiative has earned overwhelmed response from the people. Particularly those people coming from economically challenged families and suffering from diabetes, heart and kidney ailments will be hugely benefitted by the initiative.

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Indias digital infrastructure has undergone a transformative evolution in recent years and so far, 138.34 crore Aadhaar numbers have been generated, the government announced on Sunday.

DigiLocker, a platform for digital document verification, now stores 776 crore documents, serving more than 37.046 crore users.

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Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing (DIKSHA), the worlds largest education platform, has helped impart 556.37 crore learning sessions. It has achieved 17.95 crore course enrollments and 14.37 crore course completions, according to the government.

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With a rapidly expanding digital economy, driven by innovations in cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and digital governance, Indias infrastructure is continuously evolving to meet the growing demands of the public and private sectors, said the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

After reaching a record high in October of 16.58 billion transactions and a value of Rs 23.50 lakh crore, UPI transactions in November stood at 15.48 billion transactions (38 per cent year-on-year growth) with a value of Rs 21.55 lakh crore (24 per cent YoY growth).

The number of UPI transactions may touch 25 billion a month towards the end of 2025.

One of the central pillars of Indias digital infrastructure is the expansion and development of data centres.

Indias data centre industry is poised for substantial growth, with expectations for a significant increase in IT load capacity, which is approximately at 1000 MW currently.

The National Informatics Centre (NIC) has established state-of-the-art National Data Centres (NDC) in cities like Delhi, Pune, Bhubaneswar, and Hyderabad, providing robust cloud services to government ministries, state governments, and public sector undertakings (PSUs).

These data centres also offer essential disaster recovery and hosting services, ensuring continuity in government operations.

At NDC, storage capacity has been expanded to approximately 100PB, including All Flash Enterprise Class Storage, Object Storage, and Unified Storage. Additionally, around 5,000 odd servers are deployed to support various cloud workloads. Another state-of-the-art NDC (Tier-III) of 200 Racks expandable to 400 Racks is being established at Guwahati, said the government.

To address the unique challenges faced by the northeastern region, the National Data Centre  North East Region (NDC-NER) was launched in September 2020.

This facility aims to bridge the digital divide, foster socio-economic development, and improve public services in the region by providing a reliable, high-performance data storage and cloud service infrastructure.

Indias growing cloud service ecosystem has been crucial in supporting its digital transformation.

Over 300 government departments are now utilising cloud services, contributing to the rapid growth of Indias digital public infrastructure.

Other significant platforms include Government e-Marketplace (GeM) for government procurement, UMANG (providing access to government services), and API SETU (for open APIs). Co-WIN and Aarogya Setu have been pivotal in health services, including vaccination tracking and contact tracing.
More than 40 schools in the capital were thrown into chaos and panic on Monday morning after they received bomb threats via email, police officials said.

However, nothing suspicious was found and it turned out to be a hoax, they said.

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The emails, reportedly sent to multiple institutions, claimed that bombs had been planted on their premises, threatening significant harm if a USD 30,000 ransom was not paid.

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The threatening email said: I planted multiple bombs inside (school) buildings. The bombs are small and hidden very well. It will not cause much damage to the building, but many people will be injured when the bombs detonate. If I do not receive USD 30,000, I will detonate the bombs.

The Delhi Police immediately launched a massive operation after the schools alerted them.

Bomb squads, dog squads, and local police teams were deployed to the affected schools to conduct thorough searches of the premises, an official said.

Students and staff were evacuated as a precautionary measure, and parents were informed of the situation, he added.

Reacting to the threats, Chief Minister Atishi wrote on X, In Delhi, after regular incidents of extortion, murders, and shootings, now threats of bombing schools are being received.

The law and order situation in Delhi has never been this dire before. The BJP-led central government has failed in its sole responsibility of ensuring the safety of Delhi residents, the post added.

Moreover, AAP National Convenor, Arvind Kejriwal also took to X to criticise the Centre and wrote, The people of Delhi have never witnessed such a deteriorated state of law and order before. Amit Shah Ji should come forward and answer to the people of Delhi.
Delhi Chief Minister Atishi on Monday announced a significant salary hike for Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) contractual drivers and conductors.

This move transitions their payments from daily allowances to a structured monthly salary, including Basic Pay, Grade Pay, and Dearness Allowance (DA).

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Under the revised structure, contractual drivers will now earn 32,918 per month, up from 21,918, while conductors salaries will increase to 29,250 per month. The hike, expected to cost 222 crore annually, will be entirely funded by the Delhi Government.

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This salary revision reflects our commitment to providing better facilities for DTC staff, ensuring they are fairly compensated for their contributions, CM Atishi said during the announcement.

The decision follows demands raised by DTC employees during a recent strike, which led to discussions with the government.

In addition to the salary hike, the government has introduced measures to address employee concerns.

These include an online system for requesting depot transfers closer to employees residences, and reinstatement of female staff who were previously transferred to distant locations.

With the transition of DTCs fleet from CNG to electric buses, job security concerns among contract drivers were also addressed.

The government has committed to training these drivers to operate electric buses and prioritizing their employment as the new fleet is rolled out. Drivers promoted to Assistant Ticket Inspectors (ATI) will also receive priority for these roles.

Previously, DTC contractual workers earned 843 per day, equivalent to 21,918 per month for drivers, without additional allowances.

The revised pay structure places conductors at Pay Grade Level 2, with a basic pay of 19,200 and a grade pay of 1,900.

Drivers will now be at Pay Matrix Level 3, with a basic pay of 21,700 and a grade pay of 2,000. Both categories will receive DA and other allowances, akin to regular employees.

The proposal has received in-principle approval and will be forwarded to the Lieutenant Governor for final clearance.

CM Atishi expressed confidence that the implementation will be completed within one to two months.
In a major anti-gangster operation, the Crime Branch team apprehended three members of Neeraj Bawania-Naveen Bali-Bhau gang and two illegal firearm suppliers from South Delhi.

The police seized 12 firearms, 15 bullets, and two vehicles from the arrested individuals.

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Special Commissioner of Police (Crime), Devesh Chandra Srivastava, stated that the suspects were involved in several heinous offenses, including murder, extortion, and armed robbery.

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Acting on a tip-off, the five suspects were apprehended during raids at multiple locations in South Delhi.

The accused were reportedly working for gangs led by Kala Jathedi, Hashim Baba, and others, Srivastava added.

One of the suspects, Subeg alias Shibbu, is an active member of the Neeraj Bawania gang.

Previously involved in seven cases related to attempted murder, extortion, and violations of the Arms Act, he operates a finance business in South and Southeast Delhi.

Subeg reportedly joined the gang after meeting Neeraj Bawania and Naveen Bali during his time in jail. Another suspect, Gaurav, is said to be his subordinate.

The third suspect, Sharvan, a garment trader turned gangster from Jangpura, was allegedly influenced by the gangs lifestyle. He has a criminal history, with involvement in four previous cases.

The remaining two suspects, Shoib and Azeem, are arms smugglers from Aligarh. They have supplied illegal firearms to gangsters operating in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and Delhi-NCR.
The December 4 premiere of the highly-awaited pan-Indian project Pushpa 2 turned fatal for a fan in Hyderabad. A 35-year-old woman, Revathi, died in a stampede incident while her eight-year-old son Sritej required hospitalisation. Now, the Chikkadpally police arrested three management members of Sandhya Theatre in connection to the incident.

As per a Siasat report, the police took M Sandeep the owner of Sandhya theatre, M Nagaraju, the manager and Gandhakam Vijay Chander, the security manager, into custody. Moreover, they booked a case under section 105,118(1) read with 3(5) of BNS.

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For the unversed, on December 4, a premiere of Pushpa 2 was organised at the theatre in RTC X Roads. Allu Arjun attended the premiere with co-star Rashmika Mandanna and his wife, Allu Sneha Reddy. The police told PTI that neither the theatre management nor the actors informed them about the visiting plans. Moreover, despite being aware of his arrival, the theatre management didnt make any additional security provisions to manage the crowd. Additionally, they did not arrange separate entry or exit points for the actors team.

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Arjuns visit resulted in a stampede situation at the theatre, with fans running to catch a glimpse of the star. This led to the death of 35-year-old Revathi. She and her young son fell unconscious during the incident and she was announced dead while her son was hospitalised in critical condition. The police also performed CPR on both victims before rushing them to the hospital.

Around 9:30 p.m., the actor arrived at the theatre with his personal security team and the people gathered there entered the lower balcony area along with him. His personal security team started pushing the public, which further aggravated the situation, Chikkadpally ACP L. Ramesh Kumar explained.

Also Read: Pushpa 2 premiere stampede: Woman dies, son injured in Hyderabad

Following the incident, Allu Arjun offered 25 lakhs compensation to the family and assured them that he would pay the childs medical bills. At a press event in Hyderabad on Saturday, he apologised to the family. The actor said, The money Ive given is only a gesture to show were there for them. I dont want to disturb them; Im giving them their space. I will never be able to help with their loss, but I will meet them once they recover. Ill help them in whatever way I can.
The BJP Monday flayed the Congress for its links with anti-India forces and stressed that the issue should be taken seriously.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju said a few issues before the country shouldnt be seen with political lenses and urged the Congress party and its workers to fight unitedly against anti-India forces. His remarks came a day after the BJP alleged that Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi is the co-president of the Forum of the Democratic Leaders in Asia Pacific (FDL-AP) Foundation, which is linked to an organisation financed by the George Soros Foundation.

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Addressing reporters before the beginning of Parliament proceedings, Rijiju said, I think that a few issues before the country shouldnt be seen through political lenses. George Soros and his links  that have come to light  are not just about the Congress party, Rahul Gandhi, or Sonia Gandhi. We should take the issue seriously if it is related to anti-India forces. This is not about party politics.

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He further urged leaders of the Opposition parties, including the Congress, to raise their voices if Congress leaders are found to have links with anti-India forces.I want to appeal to the leaders of the Congress party and its workers that if even their leaders are found to have links with anti-India forces, they too should raise their voices. We should stand united and fight together against anti-India forces, Rijiju stated.

Reiterating that BJP charge, Union Minister Giriraj Singh also accused Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi of treason by allegedly colluding with Hungarian-American businessman George Soros to further an anti-India agenda. Speaking to a news agency, he said, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi committed treason. By conniving with George Soros, Rahul Gandhi speaks the language of George Soros. George Soros funds those who are involved in anti-party activities. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi should answer. Rahul Gandhi is the leader of the tukde tukde gang.

His remarks came after the BJP alleged that Congress leader Rahul Gandhis accusations against Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi stem from the reports shared by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), a western global network of investigative journalists.The OCCRP, the ruling party alleged, is funded by the US State Department and Hungarian-American businessman George Soros to further an anti-India agenda and target Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

It has always been the US State Department behind this agenda. A French investigative media group, Mediapart, has revealed that OCCRP is funded by the U.S. State Departments USAID, along with other deep state figures like George Soros and the Rockefeller Foundation. In fact, 50 per cent of OCCRPs funding comes directly from the US State Department. OCCRP has served as a media tool for carrying out a deep state agenda, the BJP said in a series of posts on X. This organisation, according to the BJP, once supported the propaganda of Kashmirs independence.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has been demanding Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adanis arrest and a JPC probe into the allegations against him. He has also accused PM Modi of shielding the Gujarat-based industrialist. Moreover, BJPs Soros Rahul-Ek Hai is also similar to Rahul Gandhis Modi-Adani Ek Hai slogan to target Modi.
Taking a dig at the Opposition, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said politics cannot be left to those who consider it as their family property.

Underscoring that today the country has time as well as the opportunity, Modi stressed the need to prepare the youth for leadership in every field of nation building. He added that there was a need for the countrys youth to lead the country in politics just like technology and other fields.

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We need to prepare youth for leadership in every field of nation-building. Today, just like technology and other fields, our youth should lead the country in politics as well. Now we cannot leave politics to those who consider politics as their familys property, therefore, we are going to make a new beginning in 2025, the PM said while addressing the event at Ramakrishna Math in Gujarat via video conferencing.

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The Prime Minister announced that on 12 January 2025, on the birth anniversary of Swami Vivekananda, celebrated as Youth Day, the Government will be organising the Young Leaders Dialogue in Delhi. He added that two thousand selected youth from the country would be invited while crores of youth will join from across India.

Modi added that the resolution of a developed India from the perspective of the youth would be discussed and a roadmap to connect the youth with politics would be prepared. The Prime Minister highlighted the Governments resolution to bring 1 lakh talented and energetic youth into politics in the coming times. He added that these youth would become the new face of 21st century Indian politics and the future of the country.

Highlighting that Swami Vivekananda was a great supporter of modern science, the Prime Minister said Swami Vivekanada believed that the importance of science was not limited to the description of things or events, but the importance of science was in inspiring and taking us forward.

Emphasising Indias growing dominance in the field of modern technology today, Modi remarked that Indias identity was being recognized by many achievements like worlds third largest startup ecosystem, steps towards becoming the worlds third largest economy, modern construction in the field of infrastructure and providing solutions to global challenges being given by India.

He added that todays India was moving forward based on its knowledge, tradition and centuries-old teachings. Swami Vivekananda believed that youth power is the backbone of the nation, Modi said.

Reciting a quote by Swami Vivekananda about the power of the youth, the Prime Minister said, Now was the time and we must take up that responsibility. He added that India had started a new journey of Amrit Kaal today and had taken an infallible resolution of developed India.

Stressing that we need to achieve the goal within a stipulated time frame, Modi highlighted India is the youngest nation in the world. He added that today the youth of India had proved its capability and capacity in the world and it was the youth power of India that was leading the worlds biggest companies and had taken charge of Indias development.

Stressing on Spirituality and sustainable development, the two important ideas to be remembered to make the earth better, the Prime Minister remarked that by harmonizing these two ideas, we could build a better future.

He added that Swami Vivekananda used to emphasize on the practical side of spirituality and wanted such spirituality which could fulfill the needs of the society. He further added that along with purity of thoughts, Swami Vivekananda also used to emphasize on keeping the surroundings clean.

Modi emphasised that the goal of sustainable development can be achieved by maintaining a balance between economic development, social welfare and environmental protection. He stressed that Swami Vivekanandas thoughts would guide us in reaching this goal. Acknowledging that balance is important in both spirituality and sustainability, Modi said that one creates balance within the mind, while the other teaches us to maintain balance with nature.

He expressed belief that institutions like Ramakrishna Mission can play an important role in accelerating our campaigns like Mission Life, Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam which can be further expanded with their support.
In a scathing response to the BJPs allegations linking Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi to Hungarian-American businessman George Soros, CPI MP P Sandosh Kumar accused the ruling party of orchestrating a deliberate and shameful attempt to protect Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani.

Its very clear that this is a well-calculated, deliberate, and shameful attempt to save Adani, Kumar said.

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The ruling front is trying to shield Adani, but the entire opposition is united in this regard, and we will not allow this, he added.

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His remarks came shortly after Opposition MPs staged a protest in the Parliament premises over allegations against Adani, who was recently indicted in a bribery case by the United States.

The BJP has claimed that Rahul Gandhis allegations against Adani and Prime Minister Narendra Modi stem from a report by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), a global network of investigative journalists.

According to the BJP, the OCCRP is funded by the US State Department and Hungarian-American businessman George Soros.

The BJP further alleged that Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi is the co-president of the Forum of the Democratic Leaders in Asia Pacific (FDL-AP) Foundation, which it claims is linked to an organization financed by the George Soros Foundation.

This organization, according to the BJP, had previously supported propaganda advocating for Kashmirs independence.
The Delhi High Court on Monday stayed the Bar Council of Indias (BCI) decision to remove Advocate Sanjeev Nasiar from his position as Vice Chairman of the Bar Council of Delhi (BCD).

Nasiar, Chief of the AAP Legal Cell, on Monday, moved Delhi High Court challenging the decision by the Bar Council of India (BCI) to immediately remove him from his position as the Vice Chairman of the Bar Council of Delhi.

A petition was filed on behalf of Sanjeev Nasiar, challenging the order of the BCI whereby a CBI investigation was directed in the fake LLB degree case and he was removed from the position of vice chairman of BCD.

The Court on Monday after hearing the parties was pleased to stay the operation of the resolution dated December 7 whereby CBI investigation was directed in the fake LLB degree case and he was removed from the position of vice chairman of Bar Council of Delhi till the next date of hearing, that is January 21, 2025.

Vikas Pahwa and Sacchin Puri, , both Senior Advocates appeared in the petition filed by Praveen Kumar, Advocate on behalf of the petitioner.

The BCI had ordered Nasiars removal on Saturday following allegations regarding the authenticity of his LL.B. (Hons.) degree.

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The Devendra Fadnavis-led Ministry won the trust vote in the 15th Maharashtra legislative assembly on Monday in what could be called an easier done than said affair.

The trust motion, which was tabled by Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena MLA Uday Samant, was a predictable affair. It was passed by a voice vote after which Speaker Rahul Narvekar, who was elected unopposed, announced that the motion had been approved. The 15th Legislative Assembly officially began its tenure on December 7.

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Since the BJP-led alliance secured 230 seats in the 288-member lower house, the floor test was a fait accompli, with the Opposition Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena boycott of the event being the only note of dissent. Since the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP Mahayuti coalition has an overwhelming majority of 230 seats in the 288-member state assembly, well above the majority mark of 144 seats, the floor test was a mere formality.

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Earlier on Monday, BJP MLA Rahul Narwekar was elected unopposed as the Speaker of the 15th Maharashtra legislative assembly since the badly beaten opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) alliance decided not to put up even a token contest.

Fadnavis, in his congratulatory speech, highlighted that Narwekar is the second member of the lower house to be re-elected to the post since the state of Maharashtra was formed in 1960. With Narwekars appointment as Speaker, the Mahayuti now enjoys the support of 229 MLAs, including small parties as well as independent MLAs.

The party positions in the 15th Maharashtra assembly are: Mahayuti  BJP 132 MLAs; Shiv Sena 57; NCP 41; Jan Surabaya Shakti Party 2; Rashtriya Yuva Swabhiman Party 1; Rashtriya Samaj Paksh 1; Independents 2; Rajarshi Shahu Vikas Aghadi 1. The Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) opposition party positions are  Shiv Sena (UBT) 20 MLAs; Congress 16; NCP (SP) 10; CPM 1; PWP 1; AIMIM 1; Samajwadi Party 2.

However, Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray said his party had boycotted Rahul Narwekars election on Monday because the Maharashtra assembly Speaker Narvekar helped run an unconstitutional government during his previous tenure. Everybody knows about the MLAs who first escaped to Surat and then Guwahati (after Shiv Sena split in 2022).

Everybody has seen how this person, who has been elected as the Speaker (Rahul Narwekar), helped run an unconstitutional government in the last two and half years. It is still fresh in our minds how he gave a ruling that affected Shiv Sena and NCP. We hope Narwekar wont do injustice as a Speaker in the next five years, Aaditya Thackeray said.

Incidentally, Rahul Narwekar, who happens to be the BJP MLA from the upmarket coastal Colaba in South Mumbai, had served as the Speaker of the 14th Legislative Assembly for two and a half years. During his previous tenure, Narwekar had ruled that the party led by Eknath Shinde was the legitimate and real Shiv Sena after the undivided Shiv Sena split. He also ruled that the faction under Ajit Pawar was the real Nationalist Congress Party (NCP), though the party was founded by Maratha patriarch Sharad Pawar.

Both these rulings by Narwekar were considered biased and partisan, which was reflected in Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena leader Aaditya Thackerays statement that NArwekar had helped run an unconstitutional government during his previous tenure in the 14th Maharashtra legislative assembly.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Dhaka on Monday morning to discuss bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh, officials said. This is the first high-level official visit after the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus took over in Bangladesh.

The visit comes amid recent reports of rise in violence against minorities in Bangladesh and the arrest of spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in Chittagong.

The delegation led by the foreign secretaries of the two countries is expected to discuss the overall issues of bilateral relations by participating in the Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) mechanism established between the two countries.

On December 4, Press Secretary to the Chief Advisor of Bangladeshs interim government, Shafiqul Alam, said that the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries would hold talks on issues of mutual interest.

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In September this year, the Foreign Adviser (Minister) of the interim government of Bangladesh Md. Touhid Hossain had met the Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. They decided to maintain good working relationship and also decided to hold FOC between India and Bangladesh.

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Meanwhile, reports of attacks on minorties continue in Bangladesh. On December 6, another Hindu temple was allegedly set on fire in the outskirts of Dhaka. The Mahabhagya Lakshminarayan Mandir, at Dhor village, in North of Dhaka came under attack on late Friday night.

Babul Ghosh, supervisor of the temple said that a complaint has been filed against unidentified miscreants for burning down his ancestral temple. Speaking with ANI, Ghosh said that the attackers poured petrol on the idols while he was not present at the house and ran away on hearing his footsteps. He further alleged that the attackers had some ulterior motives other than burning the idols.

Spiritual leader Chinmony Krishna Das also continues to be under arrest on alleged sedition charges. The Ministry of External Affairs has pressed the Bangladesh interim government to ensure that the legal rights of the individual are respected and that his trial is fair and transparent.

Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is associated with the Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote, was arrested in Dhaka on November 25 on sedition charges. The arrest followed a complaint file on October 31 by a local politician that accused Chinmoy Das and others of disrespecting Bangladeshs national flag during a rally of the Hindu community. On December 3, a Bangladesh court set January 2, 2025 as the next date of hearing in the case.
Amid strain in bilateral ties, India on Monday conveyed to Bangladesh its concern over the recent attacks on Hindus and other minorities in the neighbouring country while underlining that New Delhi desires a positive, constructive and mutually beneficial bilateral relationship.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday visited Dhaka for foreign office consultations between the two nations and held talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart Md Jashim Uddin. He also called on Chief Adviser of the Interim Government in Bangladesh Muhammad Yunus and Foreign Affairs Advisor Md Touhid Hossain during his brief visit.

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Talking to reporters after his talks, Mr Misri said, We also had the opportunity to discuss certain recent developments and issues and I conveyed our concerns, including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities. We also discussed some regrettable incidents of attacks on some cultural, religious and diplomatic properties.

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He said he also underlined Indias desire to work closely with the interim government of Bangladesh.

The Indian diplomat said the discussions have given both India and Bangladesh the opportunity to take stock of bilateral ties. I appreciate the opportunity today to have had a frank, candid and constructive exchange of views with all my interlocutors, he added.

He said India has always seen in the past and continues to see the relationship between the two countries as a people-centric and people-oriented relationship that has the benefit of the two people as its central motivational force.

This is reflected in the development projects that have been executed on the ground in Bangladesh and that continue to be developed. It is also reflected in the mutually beneficial engagement we have on a whole set of issues ranging from trade, commerce, connectivity, power, water and energy, he added.

Mr Misri said there is no reason why this mutually beneficial cooperation should not continue to deliver in the interest of the people of the two countries.

Mr Misris visit was the first high-level trip from India to Bangladesh since Sheikh Hasina was deposed as Prime Minister in August this year and the interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, assumed office.

There have been multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. There also have been cases of arson and looting of minorities homes and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples. Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das was recently arrested in Chittagong, leading to massive protests by Hindus.
India and Australia concluded the three-day stocktake discussion for the Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA), the Commerce & Industry Ministry said on Monday.

The stocktake discussions covered several critical areas of the CECA, including trade in goods, services, mobility, agri-tech cooperation, and more. Both sides emphasised their shared commitment to ensuring that the CECA delivers meaningful benefits and a balanced outcome for both the countries.

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The discussions also centered on market access modalities that align with Indias food security objectives.

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The Commerce Ministry said that at the meeting, both delegations expressed optimism about the future of the CECA and the broader India-Australia economic partnership.

The discussions have paved the way for further collaboration, particularly in areas such as agricultural innovation, market access, and supply chain resilience.

Recently, both the countries conducted the 10th round of negotiations held in Sydney from August 19 to 22. They made significant progress on various aspects of the CECA.

Both the nations are also key partners in regional and global initiatives such as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) and the Trilateral Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI).

These frameworks are designed to enhance regional cooperation and strengthen the resilience of supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region.

At the meeting, the Indian delegation was headed by Additional Secretary and Chief Negotiator, Department of Commerce, Rajesh Agrawal, and the Australian delegation was headed by First Assistant Secretary and Chief Negotiator, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ravi Kewalram.
India on Monday called for a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political process respecting the interests and aspirations of all sections of Syrian society following the ouster of the Bashar al-Assad regime by opposition forces there.

We are monitoring the situation in Syria in the light of ongoing developments. We underline the need for all parties to work towards preserving the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.

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The statement said the Indian Embassy in Damascus is in contact with the Indian community, for their safety and security.

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The MEA had issued an advisory on Friday night advising Indian nationals to avoid all travel to Syria until further notification in view of the prevailing situation there.

Indians currently in Syria have been advised to remain in touch with the Indian Embassy in Damascus. Those who could, were advised to leave the country by the earliest available commercial flights.
INS Tushil (F70), the latest multi-role stealth-guided missile frigate, was commissioned into the Indian Navy in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad, Russia on Monday.

In his address, the defence minister described the commissioning as a proud testament to Indias growing maritime strength and a significant milestone in the long-standing friendship between India and Russia, which are bound together by shared values, mutual trust, and special and strategic privileged partnership.

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He termed Russias support to Indias vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat as another important example of deep friendship between the two countries. Made in India content is continuously increasing in many ships including INS Tushil. The ship is a big proof of the collaborative prowess of Russian and Indian industries. It exemplifies Indias journey towards technological excellence through jointmanship, he added.

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Highlighting the deep ties between the navies of India and Russia, Mr Singh stated that technical and operational collaboration is constantly touching new heights under the holistically growing relations between the two countries under Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

He reasserted the Indian Navys commitment to peace and security in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).

Our Navy has foiled the designs of piracy, arms and drug smugglers and non-state actors in various hotspots. From the Gulf of Oman to the Gulf of Aden, from Suez to Malacca & from Australia to Madagascar, the Indian Navy is playing the essential role of a net security provider in IOR. India, along with its friendly countries, believes in ensuring that maritime trade in the region remains safe and secure, thereby promoting unhindered trade across the sea, he said.

Mr Singh added that, as a first responder, the Indian Navy is always prepared to provide quick and timely humanitarian assistance & disaster relief to its friends in the region.

Reiterating the Indian Navys commitment to realising the Prime Ministers vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR), he termed the vision as the backbone of Indias maritime policy, which aims to promote peace, stability and economic prosperity in IOR. SAGAR is a symbol of Indias commitment towards collective security, maritime cooperation & sustainable development. In this commitment, we have always received Russias support, he said.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi congratulated all those involved in the project, especially the shipyard workers and all Russian and Indian Original Equipment Manufacturers for their exceptional work, flawless integration of Indian systems with Russian systems and contribution to the quality capability upgrades achieved in this project.
The Supreme Court on Monday sought a report in a sealed cover from the Manipur government on properties/buildings burnt, partially burnt, looted, trespassed and encroached upon, along with details of the names and addresses of owners and who are occupying the same at the moment.

A bench of Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar said the report of the state government shall also indicate the steps taken by it to ensure that the persons who have trespassed are proceeded against as per law.

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The court also asked the state government to respond to the issue of the release of funds for temporary and permanent housing as flagged by the Justice Gita Mittal Committee.

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The court posted the matter for hearing after January 20 next year. The top court seized the cases relating to the violence in Manipur between Meitei and Kuki communities.

The violence in Manipur between the Hindu Meiteis and the tribal Kuki, who are largely Christians, erupted after a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) on May 3, 2023. Violence has gripped the entire state since then and the Central government had to deploy paramilitary forces to bring the situation under control.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday inaugurated the three-day Rising Rajasthan Global Investors summit  2024 at Jaipur Exhibition and Convention Centre (JECC) in Sitapura here.

Soon after his arrival at Sanganer International airport here, exactly at the scheduled time 1010 hrs, the Prime Minister straightway drove to the venue of the grand event and took a round of sprawling premises to inspect various pavilions and exhibitions.

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Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari, Industries Minister Col Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore briefed PM Modi on vital aspects of the summit.

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Then the PM ceremonially inaugurated the summit. Governor Haribhau Bagade, Captains of business conglomerates, including Gautam Adani, Karan Adani, Anil Agrawal, Anand Mahindra and Kumar Mangalam Birla were present at the event.

Around 5,000 delegate investors from India and abroad will attend sessions in the three days. Among the 32 participating countries, the ones participating as Summit Partner Countries are Denmark, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, Malaysia, Spain, Cuba, Venezuela, Morocco, Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, Nepal, Oman, Poland and Thailand.

Among the remaining countries which are participating in the summit in different capacities are the USA, the UK, Germany, Australia, Indonesia, Egypt, Finland, Russia, Seychelles, Chad, Ecuador, Ghana, Iraq, Madagascar, Paraguay and Zimbabwe.

The major highlights of the three-day summit, in addition to the inaugural and country sessions, include the Non-Resident Rajasthani (NRR) conclave, MSME Conclave and 12 thematic sessions that will bring together experts, policymakers, industry captains to dwell upon major challenges, technological transformations and emerging opportunities.

The 12 thematic sessions will be organised on key topics including women entrepreneurship, manufacturing, water management and sustainability, sustainable energy, healthcare, sustainable mining, startups, education, sustainable finance, agri-business, tourism and infrastructure and supply chain. These sessions will also emphasise Rajasthans focus on leveraging innovation, sustainability, and inclusivity to foster economic growth and global competitiveness.

Earlier, former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje, State Chief Secretary Sudhansh Pant, BJP State President Madan Rathore, former President Satish Punia and other senior BJP leaders welcomed the Prime Minister at the airport.

Governor Bagade and Chief Minister Sharma received PM Modi at the venue of the summit.
Four prominent business leadersKaran Adani, Anil Agarwal, Kumar Mangalam Birla, and Anand Mahindrareaffirmed their commitment to invest nearly Rs 10 lakh crore in Rajasthan during the Rising Rajasthan Global Investors Summit. The three-day event began with announcements of transformative projects aimed at boosting industrial growth, employment, and sustainable development.

Speaking at the inaugural session, Karan Adani, CEO of Adani Group, announced a massive Rs 7.5 lakh crore investment plan for Rajasthan.

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Over 50 per cent of this investmentapproximately Rs 3.75 to Rs 4 lakh crorewill be deployed in the next five years, Adani stated.

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He outlined plans to create the worlds largest integrated green energy ecosystem, including 100 gigawatts of renewable energy, 2 million tonnes of hydrogen production, and 1.8 gigawatts of pump hydro storage.

This initiative will transform Rajasthan into a hub of green jobs and innovation, he asserted.

Additionally, the group plans to establish four new cement plants with a combined annual capacity of 6 million tonnes and upgrade infrastructure at Jaipur International Airport to enhance connectivity and tourism.

Anil Agarwal, Chairman of Vedanta Cairn, announced a 1 lakh crore investment in zinc and crude oil production.

Weve already invested 1 lakh crore in Rajasthan, and we plan to double this amount in the coming years. This will create job opportunities for 5 lakh people while fostering industrial growth, Agarwal said.

Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of Aditya Birla Group, pledged 50,000 crore in investments over the next two years, including 10,000 crore for renewable energy projects.

Rajasthan holds deep familial significance for me. My great-grandfather, G.D. Birla, established a legacy here in Pilani, which extends beyond business through institutions like BITS Pilani, a cradle for global entrepreneurship, Birla noted.

Anand Mahindra, Chairman of Mahindra Group, announced a commitment of 11,000 crore to increase solar energy generation capacity from the current 1.1 GW to 2.8 GW.

The group also plans to develop six new Club Mahindra resorts in Rajasthan.

Our SEZ, Mahindra World City, hosts 143 companies with a total investment of 7,000 crore, creating jobs for over 63,000 people and exporting goods worth 23,000 crore since inception, Mahindra highlighted.

The summit underscored Rajasthans potential as an investment destination, with commitments that promise to drive infrastructure development, green energy innovation, and large-scale employment across the state.
Candidates waiting to get the Telengana Public Service Commission (TSPSC) admit card 2024 dont need to worry anymore. As per the official website (tspsc.gov.in), it has released the TSPSC Group 2 Hall Ticket/Admit Card 2024 online today, December 9.

Candidates willing to download TSPSC admit card/Hall ticket 2024 from the official website need to follow the below mentioned steps.

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 Enter the official website tspsc.gov.in.

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 Candidate need to click on the tab TSPSC Group 2 Hall Ticket 2024.

 After clicking on the tab a new window will open asking to enter the required details i.e. registration number, date of birth etc.

 Candidates can also reach the admit card website via direct link i.e. https://hallticket.tspsc.gov.in/h282022902716b927-8af4-413a-b190-537b9f4af8e8

 Submit the details online and the admit card will be available on the screen.

They are advised to download and take a print out of the admit card and carry it at the time of examination as they may face technical issue in reaching the website due to the heavy load of users on the official website.

The TSPSC Group 2 examination 2024 will take place at various examination halls on December 15 and 16, 2024 across 1368 examination centers.
Faced with an opposition barrage on the Union Government granting tungsten mining rights to Hindustan Zinc Ltd. at Arittapatti near Madurai and the state government waking up late in the day, Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday asserted in the Tamil Nadu assembly that he would never allow this and if it happened he wont remain in office.

He was responding to Leader of the Opposition and AIADMK general Secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS) during the debate on the government resolution urging the Union Government to cancel the lease granted to the company, a subsidiary of the Vedanta group.

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Moving the resolution, which was passed unanimously, Water Resources Minister Duraimurugan charged the Union Government with disregarding the objections placed by the state government to prevent the auction process.

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Arittapatti, where Tungsten mining has been leased, besides being a habitat for rare fauna and flora, houses ancient Jain cave temples with old Tamil inscriptions, stone beds of monks dating back to the early Common Era and other archaeologically significant pre-historic sites. The mining area is also close to the famed 2000-year-old Vaishnavite shrine, Azhagarkoil. Arittapatti region has been declared a Biodiversity Heritage Site in 2022, the resolution said, adding that the state government and the people would never accept mining in the area.

EPS took the government to task, asking why the state government had remained silent for 10 months when the Union Government floated the tender process. Only after the people of the region, apprehending threats to their livelihood, took to the streets, the Chief Minister wrote to the Prime Minister to give up the project. It was public outrage that had forced the DMK government to oppose it though it remained silent all these months. There is also lack of transparency as well as timely intervention, he charged and questioned as to why the DMK MPs had not raised their voice against this in Parliament. Duraimurugans explanation failed to satisfy EPS and he persisted with seeking an explanation for the late intervention of the state government.

Intervening, the Chief Minister asserted, As long as I am the Chief Minister I will never ever allow tungsten mining in the state. In the event of that happening I wont remain in office. We have never been lackadaisical when it comes to peoples welfare and requested the AIADMK members to support the resolution.

Later, Stalin took to X blaming the AIADMK for voting in favour of the amendment to the Mining Act, which vested the power to grant mining lease only with the Union Government. Now he (EPS) is acting as though he is concerned about the welfare of Tamil Nadu. The AIADMK sustains by spreading canards and EPS remains its identity.

Meanwhile, BJP state president K Annamalai has said in an X post that Minister for Mines, Kishan Reddy had assured him to consider the plea to cancel the lease for tungsten mining in view of the public outrage in the region.
The sudden collapse of President Bashar al-Assads regime on Sunday marked a historic turning point in Syrias civil war, ending over five decades of Assad family rule. The fall of Damascus to rebel forces, following the swift captures of Aleppo, Hama, and Homs, has reshaped the political and military landscape of Syria and reverberated across the region. Yet, while many Syrians celebrate the end of a repressive dictatorship, the question of what follows looms ominously.

The Assad regimes downfall seemed unthinkable even a week ago. For years, Mr Assad, backed by Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah, had clung to power, using brutal force to suppress dissent and crush rebel opposition. But the tide shifted dramatically with the rebels latest offensive, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Exploiting the withdrawal of Russian air support and the overstretched resources of Hezbollah, the rebels advanced rapidly, isolating the regimes strongholds. Damascus, long a symbol of Mr Assads authority, fell in hours. The deposed Presidents flight to an unknown destination underscores the fragility of his grip on power in recent months. The regional implications of Mr Assads ousting are profound.

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For Iran, the loss of its key ally in Syria dismantles the strategic corridor connecting Tehran to Hezbollah in Lebanon, undermining the so-called Axis of Resistance. Hezbollah itself, weakened by its protracted war with Israel and diminished support from Damascus, now faces an uncertain future. Meanwhile, Turkey, widely suspected of tacitly backing the rebels, emerges as a pivotal player. Yet, Ankaras role could exacerbate tensions, particularly if its interests clash with those of other regional actors. The humanitarian challenges are immense.

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Years of civil war have left Syria shattered, with millions displaced and critical infrastructure destroyed. In the wake of the regimes collapse, a power vacuum threatens to deepen instability. The rebel HTS, despite its efforts to rebrand itself as a nationalist force, remains rooted in a violent past that raises fears about its governance. Ethnic and religious minorities, many of whom suffered under both Mr Assad and extremist factions, face an uncertain future.

The international community must prioritise aid and security to prevent further suffering and chaos. Globally, Mr Assads ouster reshuffles alliances. Israel, which views Iran as an existential threat, welcomes the weakening of Tehrans influence. The United States and European powers must navigate a delicate balance, supporting stabilisation efforts without empowering extremist factions. Russias retreat, compelled by its focus on Ukraine, highlights the limits of its ambitions in West Asia.

The fall of Mr Assad offers an opportunity for Syria to rebuild, but it also brings enormous risks. The fragmented opposition, a mix of moderate and hardline groups, must now transition from military success to effective governance  a daunting task that will determine Syrias future. Whether the country descends into further chaos or begins a slow journey toward peace will depend on the collective resolve of Syrians.
The West Bengal government has sanctioned Rs 1 crore to the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences (WBNUJS) to honour the late Justice Radha Binod Pal, the only Indian judge from the Calcutta High Court who participated in the Tokyo Trials. Justice Pals landmark dissent at the International Military Tribunal for the Far East, established after World War II to prosecute Japanese leaders for war crimes, remains a celebrated example of upholding fairness, impartiality and legality in international justice.

Speaking at an international conclave titled Justice Dr Radha Binod Pal and Quest for Justice: Historical Perspective and Contemporary Implications organised by WBNUJS to commemorate Justice Pals legacy, Nirmal Kanti Chakrabarti, vice-chancellor, WBNUJS, highlighted the governments generous contribution. He announced the establishment of the Radha Binod Pal Chair at the university, with the allocated funds fixed to generate interest for organising activities such as lecture series in his memory. A book compiling research on Justice Pal, to be published by Springer-International Publisher, is also in the works.

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Justice Pals grandson, Sudhi Binod Pal, expressed gratitude for the honour and urged the state government to rename Beadon Street, where Justice Pal once resided, in his memory. Additionally, he proposed naming a park in New Alipore, near another of his grandfathers residences, after Justice Pal. He further suggested that the Victoria Memorial Hall preserve artefacts belonging to the iconic jurist.

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The conclave brought together legal luminaries, scholars and policymakers to discuss Justice Pals legacy and its relevance to contemporary global legal challenges. The distinguished guests included Justices PS Narasimha and Dipankar Datta from the Supreme Court of India, and Justice Soumen Sen of the Calcutta High Court. Professor Mark A Drumbl from Washington and Lee University, joined the discussion, along with other dignitaries, including Consul General Nakagawa Koichi of Japan.

The event featured engaging keynote speeches, panel discussions and academic exchanges that explored themes such as justice, decolonisation and the evolution of international law. Speaking on the occasion, Nirmal Kanti Chakrabarti also highlighted Justice Pals fearless commitment to justice and called for renewed academic focus on his ideals.

Supreme Court Justice Dipankar Datta emphasised the importance of dissenting opinions in judicial systems. Dissenting judgments do not merely highlight flaws or loopholes but provide an alternative perspective on significant matters, he said, adding that such opinions must remain relevant in a functioning democracy.

The Tokyo trials

In the aftermath of World War II, the Allied powers established the IMTFE (International Military Tribunal of the Far East) to prosecute Japanese leaders accused of war crimes, including crimes against peace, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Convened in Tokyo in 1946, the tribunal was modelled after the Nuremberg Trials but faced criticism for its perceived victors justice. The tribunals mandate raised vexing questions about the retroactive application of international law, selective justice and the boundaries of state sovereignty.

Amidst this contentious milieu emerged Justice Radha Binod Pal, the sole Indian jurist among the eleven-member bench, who would leave an indelible imprint on the proceedings with his cogent and unflinching dissenting opinion.

Justice Pals dissension: A legal and moral stand

Justice Pals dissent, articulated in his 1,235-page judgment, was a masterclass in legal reasoning and moral courage. Unlike his contemporaries, who predominantly affirmed the guilt of the accused, Pal held that the trial itself was fundamentally flawed. His dissent was predicated on three principal arguments:

Ex-post facto legislation: Pal contended that the tribunals reliance on laws formulated post-facto to the alleged crimes contravened foundational legal principles. He underscored that applying retroactive laws undermines the legitimacy of judicial proceedings and erodes the sanctity of the rule of law.

Victors justice: Pal astutely critiqued the IMTFE as a manifestation of victors justice, observing that the Allied powers themselves were not held to account for comparable acts of aggression and wartime conduct. This selective application of justice, he argued, diminished the tribunals moral authority.

The nature of aggression: In an argument that remains jurisprudentially significant, Pal questioned the characterisation of aggression as a prosecutable offense in the absence of a pre-existing international consensus. He emphasised the inherently political nature of such determinations, which risked transforming the tribunal into an instrument of power rather than justice.

Justice Pals dissent was met with opprobrium in the immediate aftermath of the trials but has since been hailed as a prescient critique of the inherent limitations of ad hoc international tribunals. His judgment, often overshadowed by the predominant narrative of the trials, underlines the enduring tension between retributive justice and procedural fairness in international law.

Pals principled stand has inspired generations of jurists, particularly in the Global South, as an exemplar of intellectual independence in the face of overwhelming consensus. His dissent remains a cornerstone of legal scholarship on transitional justice, post-conflict accountability and the evolution of international criminal law.

The writer is a lawyer, and a journalist on the staff of The Statesman
US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin arrived in Japan late Sunday in his last trip to the Indo-Pacific as the Pentagon chief, as he seeks to cement the Biden administrations policy legacy of deepening regional alliances and partnerships.

Austin arrived at Yokota Air Base near Tokyo, kicking off the Asia swing that has excluded an anticipated stop in South Korea, another key US ally, in the aftermath of President Yoon Suk Yeols botched martial law attempt last week.

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During the trip through Wednesday, the Secretary is scheduled to meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba and Defence Minister Gen Nakatani, visit a US aircraft carrier and meet with American troops, and observe a military exercise involving Australian forces, according to a senior US defence official, reported Yonhap news agency.

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The Secretarys trip is going to be highlighting how much the Department (of Defence) has achieved with Japan, a key treaty ally, over the last four years to advance peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific, the official told reporters. We are continuing to build on these accomplishments, and the next three days will give us a chance to see some of them in person and in implementation.

Austin plans to meet Ishiba and Nakatani separately on Tuesday to take stock of progress that the two countries have made in recent years and underscore the importance of the alliance, the official said.

Other events include his visit to the USS George Washington nuclear-powered aircraft carrier at the Yokosuka Naval Base and his observation of a US-Japan military exercise where Australian forces are participating for the first time.

The Secretarys trip to Japan comes as Washington sees Tokyo as vital to its new convergence efforts to bring together US allies and partners in fit-for-purpose groupings to promote a shared vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific.

New convergence of allies and partners, who share a vision for a free and open Indo-Pacific, and (of) the stronger and more resilient and more capable, networked partnerships is strengthening deterrence in the region, and Japan is emerging as a common denominator of that network, the official said.

The cancellation of Austins visit to Seoul has added to concerns that the aftermath of the short-lived martial law imposition could affect security coordination between Seoul and Washington on North Koreas evolving nuclear and missile threats.

After the martial law episode, Seoul and Washington also postponed a session of the Nuclear Consultative Group, the allies key nuclear deterrence platform, and a related exercise originally slated to take place in Washington last week.

US officials have expressed grave concern over the martial law declaration though they reiterated that Americas commitment to the alliance with South Korea remains ironclad.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh arrived in Moscow on an official visit during which he will witness the commissioning of a stealth warship into the Indian Navy and attend the 21st meeting of India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military Technical Cooperation.

Singh received a warm welcome on late Sunday night by Indian Ambassador to Russia, Venkatesh Kumar, and Russian Deputy Minister of Defence, Alexander Fomin.

During his visit, Singh will also pay tributes at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Moscow to honour the Soviet soldiers killed during the Second World War. He will also interact with the members of the Indian community, a release said.

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During his visit, Singh is set to hold crucial discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and co-chair the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC M&MTC) alongside Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov.

Sharing a post on X, the Embassy of India in Russia wrote, Honble Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh was received by Ambassador @vkumar1969 and Russian Deputy Minister of Defence Alexander Fomin in Moscow.

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Singh will also engage with the Indian community in Russia.

During the visit, Honble Raksha Mantri will call on President Putin and co-chair the IRIGC M&MTC meeting with his Russian counterpart, Defence Minister Andrei Belousov. He will also take part in the commissioning ceremony of INS Tushil and interact with the Indian community, the post added.

This visit aims to further deepen India- Russia defence cooperation in line with the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, the Embassy of India in Russia wrote on X.

Earlier on Saturday, Singh shared a post on X about his visit to Russia. He wrote, Tomorrow, 08th December, I shall be reaching Moscow in Russia to attend the 21st meeting of India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military & Military Technical Cooperation.

Also, I shall be attending the Commissioning ceremony of Indian Navys latest multi-role stealth-guided missile frigate INS Tushil during my visit. Looking forward to it, the post added.
Ooredoo Qatar announced on Sunday it has launched a new location analytics and intelligence solution that leverages the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT)'s TASMU Platform for smart city solutions.

The new Ooredoo Flow platform aims to provide organisations with anonymised, aggregated data through the broad coverage of Ooredoos 4G and 5G services. Ooredoo said its platform  powered by the TASMU Platform  processes over 200 million data points daily, capturing data from more than 4.3 million unique devices.

The data provides insights into key demographic trends, such as age, gender, and commuting patterns, which empowers businesses to make informed decisions to better serve their customers without compromising individual privacy, Ooredoo said.

The telco also said Ooredoo Flow adheres to the highest ethical standards and is fully compliant with Qatari laws and regulations.

Our collaboration with MCIT ensures that Ooredoo Flow is not only a smart and secure solution, but also a crucial tool for advancing our nation's digital transformation, said Ooredoo Qatar CEO Sheikh Ali bin Jabor Al Thani in a statement.

The TASMU Platform, launched in 2021, is a smart city solution built on Microsofts Azure cloud infrastructure that aims to be a single point-of-contact for citizens, service providers and other smart city ecosystem players to drive adoption of smart solutions.

According to a statement from Microsoft issued at the launch event, the TASMU platform functions as a digital marketplace that streamlines coordination of public services across five sectors: transport, healthcare, logistics, environment, and sports.
South Koreas main liberal opposition Democratic Party said Sunday that it will try to push for a vote to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol every Saturday following a botched impeachment attempt.

Kang Yu-jung, the Democratic Party spokesperson, told reporters that a new impeachment motion will be reported to the National Assembly on Thursday and put up for a vote on Saturday.

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Kang noted that the party will continue to pursue the report on Thursday and the vote on Saturday for impeachment against Yoon, Xinhua news agency reported.

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The first impeachment motion against Yoon was scrapped as most of the 108 ruling People Power Party lawmakers boycotted it on December 7.

Of 300 National Assembly lawmakers, more than 200 lawmakers are required to vote yes to pass the impeachment motion over Yoons declaration of an emergency martial law that was repealed by the parliament.

The Democratic Party will submit bills on Monday to appoint special prosecutors and investigate charges of Yoons insurrection and scandal involving his wife in a bid to put them up for a vote as early as Thursday, the spokesperson said.

Under the standing independent counsel bill that cannot be vetoed by the embattled president, the opposition has the right to recommend a special prosecutor, but the president can delay the appointment of the prosecutor.

Separately, the Democratic Party will report motions to impeach the justice minister and police chief to the parliament on Tuesday and put them up for a vote on Thursday.
Following the political crisis in Syria, Russia has granted asylum to Bashar al-Assad and his family, TASS reported citing a Kremlin source.

The situation in Syria remains a focal point for all the neighbouring nations after Syrian rebels on Sunday entered the capital Damascus, forcing Assad to flee, ending his over two-decade rule in the country.

The source confirmed that Assad and his family have arrived in Moscow and Russia has granted asylum for them, being driven by humanitarian considerations.

Russia has always spoken in favour of a political settlement of the Syrian crisis. We insist that the UN-mediated talks be resumed, the source said, reported the Russian news agency.

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Russian officials are in touch with representatives of armed Syrian opposition, whose leaders have guaranteed security of Russian military bases and diplomatic missions on the Syrian territory, the source added, TASS reported

Notably, the Russian Foreign Ministry on Sunday expressed extreme concern over the events unfolding in Syria and appealed to all parties involved in the negotiations with a strong call to renounce violence and resolve all issues by political means.

Further, the ministry had stated that Bashar al-Assad has stepped down and left the country giving instructions to transfer power peacefully.

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We are following the dramatic events in Syria with extreme concern. As a result of negotiations between B Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict in the SAR, he decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully. Russia did not participate in these negotiations. At the same time, we appeal to all parties involved with a strong call to renounce the use of violence and resolve all governance issues by political means, Russian Foreign Ministry said.

In this regard, the Russian Federation is in contact with all groups of the Syrian opposition. We call for respect for the opinions of all ethno-confessional forces of Syrian society, and support efforts to establish an inclusive political process based on the unanimously adopted UN Security Council Resolution 2254, the statement added.

Notably, the civil war in the country that had remained dormant for a few years resurfaced and within a span of a few weeks, the Syrian rebel groups took over several key cities like Aleppo, Homs and Daraa, before seizing control of the Damascus unopposed on Sunday, ending the Assad familys nearly six decades of autocratic rule.

The development came hours after rebels claimed to have captured Syrias third-largest city, Homs, to the north of the country.

The head of Syrias main opposition group abroad Hadi al-Bahra Syrian said that Damascus is now without Bashar al-Assad, according to Reuters. This came after Syrian rebels claimed capturing Damascus.

The tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fled, the armed opposition said in a statement.
Tonga now has 5G after the countrys two main mobile operators  state-owned incumbent Tonga Communications Corporation (TCC) and Digicel Tonga commercially launched their respective 5G networks within a week of each other.

TCC  which offers mobile services under the U Call brand  launched its 5G network last Wednesday at its headquarters in Nukualofa in partnership with Chinese vendor Huawei.

The launch came less than a week after rival telco Digicel Tonga launched its 5G service on November 29, with six sites live in Kolomotua, Fanga, Pili, Kolofoou, Maufanga and Maufanga Wharf.

Digicel Tonga said that its 5G network achieved downlink speeds of 550-600 Mbps in initial tests, although the telco clarified that real-world speeds would likely be lower depending on the usual conditions (distance from the tower, network traffic loads, etc). Digicel Tonga said customers will automatically drop down to 4G or 3G when they are outside of 5G coverage.

A live speed test conducted by Huawei during TCCs 5G launch registered download speeds of 854 Mbps and upload speeds of 57.2 Mbps between the 5G base station and a local server, compared to 53 Mbps downstream and 26.3 Mbps upstream for TCCs 4G network.

Both TCC and Digicel Tonga are primarily pitching 5G as a broadband upgrade from 4G and a better customer experience. That said, TCCs manager for technical services, Iki Tuitavake, also talked up 5Gs ability to support IoT use cases such as smart homes, as well as private 5G services for businesses.

TCC and Digicel Tonga have been testing 5G since the end of February 2024, when Ministry of Meteorology, Energy, Information, Disaster Management, Environment, Climate Change & Communications officially granted permission to use the 2500-MHz and 3500-MHz bands for 5G network tests.
Job Title: Officer, Records Management (Fresher Jobs)

Organisation: Stanbic Bank Uganda Limited

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

About the Company:

Stanbic Bank Uganda Limited is a subsidiary of Stanbic Africa Holdings Limited which is in turn owned by Standard Bank Group Limited (the Group), Africas leading banking and financial services group. The Standard Bank Group is the leading banking group focused on emerging markets. It is the largest African banking group ranked by assets and earnings. Stanbic Bank Uganda Limited is the largest bank in Uganda by assets and market capitalization. It offers a full range of banking services through two business units; Personal and Business Banking (PBB), and Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB).

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

To implement policies, procedures and practices for records management to ensure compliance with business and regulatory requirements.

Verifies request to determine information security classification and approval requirements of record(s) requested for.

Protects records that are in central storage against loss, damage and unauthorized destruction.

Identifies and inventories records/documents due for digitization.

Conducts monthly review of record types / categories and series kept in central storage to identify obsolete records, using the records retention schedules









Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

Bachelors degree in Records management.

At least 1 years experience working in records and archives operations

Additional Information

Behavioural Competencies:

Trustworthy and dependable

Effective time management

Customer service focus

Paying attention to detail

Highly organized

Ability to work with minimum supervision

Technical Competencies:

Ability to accurately sort, classify and index records/documents according to their subject types.

Computer literacy ie ability to use IT to achieve work objectives.

Fast and accurate data inputting skills.

Ability to write and communicate effectively with colleagues

How to Apply:

All candidates who wish to join the one of Africas biggest Banking Groups, Standard Bank in the aforementioned capacity are encouraged to Apply Online by visiting Link below.

Click Here

For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline

Date Posted 2024-12-09T14:38 Valid Through 2024-12-15T00:00 Employment Type FULL_TIME Hiring Organization Stanbic Bank Uganda Job Location Kampala, Kampala, Kampala , 0256, Uganda

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Job Title: Senior Accountant  Tax

Organisation: Finance Trust Bank (FTB)

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

Reports to: Finance Manager

About the Company:

Finance Trust Bank (FTB) was licensed as a Tier 1 Commercial Bank on 11th November, 2013, taking over the financial services business of Uganda Finance Trust Limited (MDI). Today, Finance Trust Bank is a fully-fledged commercial bank serving a clientele of over 500,000 depositors and over 37,000 borrowers, through a network of 34 branches countrywide. The bank oers a variety of Products and services including; Savings, Current accounts, Loans, Money transfer services and Bills payments to its target market which comprises of micro, small and medium entrepreneurs, salary earners and youth.

Job Summary: The Senior Accountant  Tax & Payables is responsible for overseeing and executing tax-related processes for the bank, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, managing tax reconciliations, and engaging with tax authorities to address tax matters. This role will contribute to the overall financial health of the bank by ensuring timely tax filings, accurate tax computations, and

proactive advisory on tax law changes and their implications.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Tax Reconciliation and Compliance

Perform detailed reconciliations between the tax ledger and general ledgers.

Ensure timely and accurate reconciliation of all tax accounts, identifying discrepancies and resolving issues promptly.

Coordinate with internal stakeholders to gather data necessary for accurate tax reporting and compliance.

Tax Filings and Statutory Compliance

Oversee the timely filing of all tax returns in compliance with statutory deadlines, including VAT, corporation tax, PAYE, withholding tax, Local Excise Duty, NSSF, LST and other applicable taxes.

Manage corporation and deferred tax computations, ensuring accuracy and adherence to statutory requirements.

Prepare and submit all tax filings in line with local and international regulatory requirements.

Liaison with Tax Authorities

Act as the primary point of contact with tax authorities, handling inquiries, audits, and requests for information.

Prepare for and manage any tax audits or inspections by tax authorities, coordinating responses and managing necessary documentation.

Tax Advisory and Law Compliance

Advise on changes in tax laws and regulations and their potential impact on the bank.

Provide proactive guidance on tax implications for business decisions, transactions, and strategic initiatives.

Monitor tax developments, legislative updates, and emerging trends, updating relevant stakeholders as necessary.

Transfer Pricing and Related Party Transactions

Oversee the transfer pricing processes, ensuring compliance with local and international transfer pricing regulations.

Handle all related party transactions, maintaining proper documentation and ensuring compliance with transfer pricing policies.

Local and International Payments

Process and review both local and international payments, ensuring accuracy, compliance to internal policies and procedures, and timeliness.

Oversee tax compliance on all payment transactions and advise on withholding tax obligations where applicable.

Audit and Reporting Support

Assist with financial audits by preparing required tax-related reports and reconciliations.

Support month-end and year-end close processes with accurate tax provisions and account reconciliations.

Prepare management reports summarizing tax positions, risks, and upcoming deadlines for senior management discussion and decision making.

Process Improvement and Efficiency

Identify and implement best practices to streamline tax processes and enhance efficiency.

Contribute to the development and documentation of tax policies and procedures for the bank.

Deposit Listing and Payable Reconciliations

Reconciliation of the deposit listings and related interest expense and tax to ensure accuracy and compliance with relevant tax heads.

Reconciliation of non-tax deferred balances and related revenues to ensure accuracy.

Review monthly payable reconciliations prepared by the accountant to ensure they are complete and accurate by the 3rd day of each month.











Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

Minimum educational and technical competence requirements:

Bachelors degree in Accounting, Finance, or related field

Professional certification (e.g., CPA, ACCA) required.

Minimum of 3 years of experience in tax accounting, with prior experience in banking or financial institutions preferred.

Strong knowledge of tax laws, compliance, and reporting requirements.

Solid understanding of banking and financial regulations, policies, and compliance standards.

Proven experience liaising with tax authorities and handling tax audits.

Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills.

Proficiency in Excel

Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with colleagues at all levels and external stakeholders.

Demonstrated ability to work independently, multitask, and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

How to Apply:

Suitably qualified candidates should address their application to Head, Human Resource, Finance Trust Bank, TWED PLAZA, Plot 22B, Lumumba avenue, Kampala, Uganda, and email it to [email protected] as well as photocopies of academic testimonials, and a CV. The CV should include telephone contacts and email addresses of three referees, one of who should be the most recent employer.

Deadline: 15th December 2024.

NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted directly on Tel. Numbers 0312 222600 or 0414 341275 ONLY. Please note that in line with the Bank procedures, no job offers are made online.

For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline

Date Posted 2024-12-09T16:00 Valid Through 2024-12-16T00:00 Employment Type FULL_TIME Hiring Organization Finance Trust Bank Job Location Kampala, Kampala, Kampala , 0256, Uganda

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Job Title: Strategic Learning Advisor, Resilience and Food Security Activity (RFSA), Uganda

Organisation: Save the Children International

Duty Station: Kampala, Uganda

About the Company:

Save the Children International is an international relief organization that was established in the United Kingdom in 1919 to improve the lives of children through better education, health care, and economic opportunities, as well as providing emergency aid in natural disasters, war, and other conflicts.

Job Summary: Save the Children seeks a Strategic Learning Advisor (SLA) for an anticipated five-year USAID-funded Resilience and Food Security Activity (RFSA) in Uganda. The proposed program will be an integrated, multi-sectoral food and nutrition security intervention. The goal of the Activity is to improve food and nutrition security and resilience among poor and chronically food insecure households and communities. The estimated implementation timeframe 2025-2030.

The Advisor will work closely with all staff to ensure principles of Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) are recognized and acted on as core elements of RFSA programming. This staff member will ensure active, intentional, and adaptive learning within and across interventions, and will play a critical role in incorporating refinement activities and learning into implementation. Additionally, the Advisor will improve community engagement; peer-to-peer learning; knowledge capture, sharing, and application; activity-based capacity strengthening; and evidence and data utilization. Working with the Chief of Party (COP) and technical staff, the Advisor will also ensure appropriate and continued coordination and joint-planning with other relevant USAID Bureaus and Missions and other relevant donor activities, host-government initiatives, and private sector actors.

This is a Key Personnel position, subject to donor approval. It is also subject to project award and funding.

National candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

Lead the formulation and implementation of a detailed program learning plan/agenda and manage associated learning partnerships and processes.

Manage a program change log during the Refine period of the program (initial 12 -24 months), documenting changes to program design required as a result of formative research findings and operational planning discussions.

Manage learning events and processes. Work with M&E team members to ensure adaptations to the program theory of change as new information comes to light.

Lead the creation and management of a detailed program knowledge management platform, ensuring full integration with other relevant knowledge management platforms.

Create guidelines for CLA in the context of the program. Manage CLA pause and reflect events and resulting adaptive management analysis, decision-making, program/ approach adjustments, training, and follow-through.

Work closely with M&E and technical teams to develop and implement innovative approaches for capture, analysis and uptake of qualitative and quantitative information to inform programs, improve performance and agility.

Support the capacity strengthening of local partners.

Contribute to the creation of a culture of openness, trust, and continuous improvement within the program team and with partners. Train team members on CLA in addition to ensuring peer-to-peer learning, knowledge sharing and application, activity-based capacity strengthening, evidence and data utilization within the team.

Provide and formulate evidence and learning into national, regional, and global discussions on resilience, graduation approach, and other relevant technical areas.









Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

An undergraduate degree in development studies, international relations, agriculture, nutrition, public health, or a related field with a minimum of five years of relevant experience in which two of those years of experience are in a leaning capacity OR a graduate degree in a related field and a minimum of three years of relevant work experience in international development projects.

Familiarity with USAID definitions, CLA approaches, and incorporating CLA approaches into large, complex programs.

Familiarity with USAID Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) and RFSA programming preferred.

Experience with food and nutrition security-related learning processes, knowledge management, organizational learning and development, community of practice facilitation, and capacity strengthening.

Ability and willingness to travel to project sites on a regular basis.

Fluency in English is required.

Strong tool/curriculum development and training skills.

Demonstrated, structured approach to coordination, sustainability planning, and linkage formulation.

Demonstrated experience facilitating learning and knowledge sharing processes, establishing and managing dynamic feedback systems to capture experiential learning and unintended consequences, and fostering collaboration across teams or organizations.

Strong preference for work experience in Uganda or the East Africa region.

Commitment to child rights and to the aims and objectives of Save the Children.

How to Apply:

All candidates who wish to join Save the Children should apply online at the link below.

Click Here

For more of the latest jobs, please visit https://www.theugandanjobline.com or find us on our facebook page https://www.facebook.com/UgandanJobline

Date Posted 2024-12-09T16:15 Valid Through 2025-01-09T00:00 Employment Type FULL_TIME Hiring Organization Save the Children International Job Location Kampala, Kampala, Kampala , 0256, Uganda

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In what has been billed as "a proud testament to Indias growing maritime strength and a significant milestone in long-standing bilateral relations with Russia", the multi-role stealth guided missile frigate of the Indian Navy, INS Tushil, was commissioned at the Kaliningrad-based Yantar shipyard.

The warship was commissioned on Monday in the presence of Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Delighted to attend the Commissioning Ceremony of #INSTushil, the latest multi-role stealth-guided missile frigate, at the Yantar Shipyard in Kaliningrad (Russia).



The ship is a proud testament to Indias growing maritime strength and a significant milestone in long-standing pic.twitter.com/L6Pok31wQJ  Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) December 9, 2024

Delighted to attend the commissioning ceremony of INS Tushil, the latest multi-role stealth-guided missile frigate, Singh, who is in Russia for a two-day visit, said in a tweet.

In his address at the event, Singh termed Russias support to Indias vision of Aatmanirbhar Bharat as another important example of deep friendship between the two countries. Made in India content is continuously increasing in many ships including INS Tushil. The ship is a big proof of the collaborative prowess of Russian and Indian industries. It exemplifies Indias journey towards technological excellence through jointmanship, he said.

ALSO READ: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Russia; INS Tushil commissioning, review of military ties on agenda

INS Tushil will now join the Western Fleet of the Navy and will rank amongst the most technologically advanced frigates in the world. It is expected to significantly boost the Indian Navy's operational capability in the Indian Ocean at a time when the region is witnessing increasing forays by China's PLA Navy.

Reasserting Indian Navy's commitment to to peace and security in the Indian Ocean Region, the defence minister said,Our Navy has foiled the designs of piracy, arms and drug smugglers and non-state actors in various hotspots. From the Gulf of Oman to the Gulf of Aden, from Suez to Malacca & from Australia to Madagascar, the Indian Navy is playing the essential role of a net security provider in IOR. India, along with its friendly countries, believes in ensuring that maritime trade in the region remains safe and secure, thereby promoting unhindered trade across the sea."

The warship has been constructed in Russia as part of an over $2.5-billion deal that India inked with Russia in 2016 for four stealth frigates for the Indian Navy. The warship's construction was closely monitored by an Indian team of specialists from the 'Warship Overseeing Team' stationed at Kaliningrad.

Boasting enhanced stealth features and better stability characteristics, the 3,900-tonne ship with a length of 125 metres, packs a lethal punch and is an impressive blend of Russian and Indian cutting-edge technologies and best practices in warship construction.

Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi congratulated all those involved in the project, especially the shipyard workers and all Russian and Indian Original Equipment Manufacturers for the flawless integration of Indian systems with Russian systems and contribution to the quality capability upgrades achieved in this project.
In what could come as a major upgrade for the air superiority of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) and its efforts to modernise its forces and improve strike capabilities, Pakistan has recently approved the acquisition of the Chinese fight-generation stealth fighter jet Shenyang J-35.

Pakistans local News channel reported , Pakistan has approved the acquisition 5th gen J-35 stealth fighters, with deliveries expected within the next 24 months. J-35 is expected to fill critical capability gaps within the PAF pic.twitter.com/DbxMfaXQI4  Varun Karthikeyan (@Varun55484761) December 6, 2024

The delivery of the fighter jets, which will enhance Pakistan's deterrence posture, is expected to happen in 24 months.

Pakistan is currently relying on its fourth-generation fighter jets JF-17 Thunder and F-16 Fighting Falcon even as India aims to enhance the capabilities of the Indian Air Force (IAF) with a fifth-generation fighter jet programme, known as the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). Besides, Pakistan is expected to retire as many as 200 fighter jets by 2030.

ALSO READ: Is Pakistan procuring military-grade equipment from China?

The decision by Pakistan to acquire J-35, a twin-engine, all-weather, stealth multi-role combat aircraft, is being perceived as a move to counterbalance India's growing power in the region and enhance its depleting air power.

Recently, Pakistan news reports claimed that PAF pilots have begun training on the J-31 fighter jets in China.

Capabilities of J-35 jets

A stealthy fifth-generation fighter, J-35 is a medium-sized fighter featuring a twin-engine layout, and incorporating stealth features like edge alignment, smooth contours, and radar-absorbing materials.

It is capable of both air superiority and strike missions against ground and maritime targets. Designed for seamless interoperability, providing strong standalone combat capabilities, and enabling coordination with other battlefield equipment, the induction of the fighter aircraft into PAF will enhance its ability to conduct offensive operations in high-threat and contested environments.

READ MORE: On 'surprising growth' of Pakistan Navy, Indian Navy chief says Islamabad is choosing weapons over welfare of people

According to news agency Xinhua, J-35 fighter jets are highly maneuverable, with excellent handling and user-friendly human-machine interaction, enabling full combat effectiveness.

Does India have a reason to worry?

The induction of the fifth generation J-35 into the Pakistan Air Force is set to significantly boost the country's air power as it is considered to be superior to India's advanced fighter aircraft, such as Sukhoi Su-30MKI and Rafale.

Meanwhile, according to IDRW, Pakistan's move may prompt the US to offer India the F-35A, a fifth-generation fighter, with enhanced stealth, situational awareness, and reduced vulnerability. According to the US Air Force, F-35A is an agile, versatile, high-performance, 9g capable multi-role fighter that combines stealth, sensor fusion, and unprecedented situational awareness.

 Chinas J-31 fighter jet turned heads at the Zhuhai Air Show last month.



Produced by Shenyang, it took over a decade to buildand its resemblance to the U.S. F-35 by Lockheed Martin hasnt gone unnoticed.https://t.co/MnYKkB3Zyc#China pic.twitter.com/l4XVtfBonM  Radio Free Asia (@RadioFreeAsia) December 4, 2024

The advanced sensor package of F-35A is designed to gather, fuse and distribute more information than any fighter jets in history. If the deal goes through, this would offer India a decisive advantage over its adversaries as the fighter jet is designed to achieve unprecedented levels of reliability and maintainability.

Amid growing China-Pakistan military ties which would expedite the Shenyang J-35 deal, the US may see the deal as an opportunity to enhance the strategic ties with India to contain the growing influence of China in the region.
In 2020, French actress Adele Haenel ("Portrait of a Lady on Fire") walked out of the Cesars (the equivalent of the French Oscars) ceremony when Roman Polanski won best director. In the same year, she had accused French director Christophe Ruggia of sexual assault when she was between 12 and 15 years of age.

Now, a trial process has been initiated against Ruggia for the aforementioned charges. Earlier this year, French prosecutors had requested a trial for Ruggia, who was charged with sexually assaulting Haenel when she was working in his 2002 film Les Diables (The Devils). She was 12 and he was 36 at the time.

Last year, the actress, now 34, said she was leaving the French film industry over its complacency toward sexual aggressors in an act of political statement.

Ruggia has denied the allegations. If sentenced, he would be imprisoned for a maximum of 10 years, and required to pay a 150,000-euro fine.

The French film industry has repeatedly been criticised for its indifferent attitude in matters of sexual misconduct. Before Ruggia, other prominent figures from the industry, such as Roman Polanski, Gerard Depardieu, and Dominique Boutonnat came under the radar for multiple instances of sexually inappropriate behaviour.

Aside from Haenel, French actress Judith Godreche has spoken out against the predators in the industry. She is known for being the leading figure in France's #MeToo movement, following her disturbing revelations of Harvey Weinstein's behaviour in the 1990s.

Haenel had told investigators that during the times she was at Ruggia's house, he would touch her between her legs and caress her chest, and this behaviour interfered with her studies and triggered suicidal thoughts. She recounted to police that the filmmaker used to tell her that "he was in love" with her, that the age difference was a curse for him, and that "unfortunately, I was an adult in a child's body".
Shiv Sena UBT leader and legislator Aditya Thackeray on Monday made a demand that Belgavi and other disputed areas in the Maharashtra-Karnataka border dispute should be declared as a union territory.

The demand was made by him when the news reached Mumbai that the Congress-led Karnataka government had refused permission for Maharashtra Akikaran Samiti to hold a meeting in Belgavi.

Aditya Thackeray told the media that the BJP-led Maha Yuti government should convince Prime Minister Narendra Modi to declare disputed areas as union territory following suppression of rights of the Marathi-speaking people by Karnataka government.

When pointed out that the Karnataka government is led by Congress and his party was part INDIA bloc led by Congress he said he would also take up the issue.

Government can be of any party but we will not tolerate injustice. When we were with BJP and BJP government was there in Karnataka that time too we had expressed support for Marathi speaking people and spoken against BJP government that time, he said.

He said in past there has been BJP governments both in Karnataka and Maharashtra and still the dispute was not solved. He also stated that the situation had been deteriorating since Sunday and some activists of his party had been arrested.

He also pointed out that Marathi-speaking people were suffering as the EVM government (his term for Mahayuti government) was celebrating.

He reminded that the previous government had declared that special facilities would be provided to Marathi-speaking people in Karnataka and asked whether these special facilities had been provided.

When asked whether NCP (SP) and Congress were supporting his demand for union territory he said he was speaking as Shiv Sena UBT leader and on behalf of Maharashtra.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said the allegations against former Congress president Sonia Gandhi over her links with American businessman George Soros are serious. He stressed all political parties should unite against anti-India forces. Rijijus comments come amidst the oppositions protest against the Centre over the Adani bribery case in the US and various other issues.



#WATCH | Delhi | Union Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Kiren Rijiju says, "...Regarding the George Soros issue, the reports that have come out in public domain - the charges are serious. Be it a member of parliament or a common man, everyone should work for the country. We pic.twitter.com/2gwhfKHGsJ  ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2024

Addressing reporters in Delhi, Rijiju said all political parties, including leaders in the Congress, should oppose anti-India forces. Saying the charges are of a serious nature, the parliamentary affairs minister said everyone should work for the country. I wish to tell the leaders and workers of the Congress that even if their own party leaders are found to be working in tandem with anti-India forces, they should raise their voice against them," PTI reported quoting the minister.

The Bharatiya Janata Party on Sunday alleged Sonia Gandhi was part of a Soros-funded organisation which backed the policy of independent Kashmir. According to the BJP, Sonia Gandhi was the co-president of the Forum of the Democratic Leaders in Asia Pacific (FDL-AP) Foundation and it is linked to an organisation financed by the George Soros Foundation. The BJP charged, FDL-AP Foundation has expressed their views that treat Kashmir as a separate entity.

The ruling party alleged Sonia Gandhis association with an organisation that backed the idea of Independent Kashmir is concerning and it expresses the influence of foreign entities on India's internal affairs and the political impact of such connections. However, the United States has rejected the allegations against its State Department.

The BJPs accusations come as the opposition is protesting in the Parliament demanding discussions on indictment charges against Gautam Adani in a bribery case in the US.
From installations across all the citys intersections to a break dance of moustaches, the Mahakumbh will offer many spectacles even for those who are not religiously inclined.

Rajendra Kumar Tiwari, better known by his stage name 'Dukanji', will perform dances with his moustache- a feat for which he is also recognized by the Guinness Book of World Records. Tiwari has the unique ability to contort just his moustaches while his body remains still. He has been a fixture at other religious fairs as well but nothing at the scale of the Mahakumbh to which some 40 crore attendees are expected.

All of Prayagrajs 26 intersections are being decorated with installations depicting various pages from Hindu mythology. This includes a likeness of Uchchaihshravas -- the horse which emerged from the churning of the ocean by the Devas and Asuras. Yet another installation will depict Srawan Kumar upheld as the ideal son in Hindu mythology. A third will depict Ma Ganga performing an 'arti'.

The worlds smallest Gita - a 160-page miniature which can be held between two fingers is among the other attractions of the Mahakumbh.

To promote the countrys cultural heritage, this Mahakumbh, which kicks off on January 13, will see an 18 acre pavilion managed by the Union Ministry of Tourism. Besides cultural performances, this pavilion will also host food and crafts from across the country.

While this Mahakumbh will have unprecedented security measures in place which will make massive use of Artificial Intelligence, special attention is also being paid to ensure the safety and comfort of female pilgrims. This includes the setting up of floating changing rooms which will enable females to change on the confluence of the rivers without going through the discomfort of having to reach the banks in their wet outfits.

Self-propelled jetties are also being fabricated to enable pilgrims to ride on to the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati and take a dip without any fear of slipping or falling. Once the jetty is anchored at the confluence; a pool-like space in its centre will open up allowing pilgrims to lower themselves into it for a 'snan' without having to step off it.
The Mahayuti government in Maharashtra comfortably won a trust vote in the state assembly on Monday, five days after Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took oath along with his deputies Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar. However, there have still been speculations about portfolio allocation, with reports claiming that Shindes Shiv Sena has demanded some key departments, including home. THE WEEKs Mumbai Bureau Chief Dnyanesh V. Jathar gives the latest updates on todays Speaker election and the much-awaited cabinet expansion in a candid conversation with News Editor Mathew T. George.

Q: Dnyanesh, what do you have to tell the viewers about the cabinet expansion of this government?

A. The cabinet expansion will take some time. What happened today in the state legislature was that Rahul Narwekar of the BJP was elected unopposed as the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. The Shiv Sena boycotted the election because they felt that Narwekar's role in the last assembly was partisan. It was just yesterday that the opposition decided not to field a candidate. In exchange for that, they wanted the government to have a leader of opposition in the State Legislative Assembly. That is the latest update.

Q. And, any news about portfolios? We keep hearing that Shinde is asking for home

A. Shinde wants home ministry, and that is true. But I doubt whether the BJP will give it to him. The BJP has always insisted that the home portfolio should be with the chief minister. If you recall, this was the view of (former) Congress chief minister Prithviraj Chavan also. He used to regret to journalists that the home ministry was with the NCP and not with the chief minister. So, the BJP is not likely to give the home ministry to Shinde. Shinde may get urban development and road development departments while Ajit Pawar will get finance, his favorite ministry.

Q. Okay, thank you. What about the EVM controversy that the opposition is raising in Maharashtra? There was news about the Markadwadi village in Solapur.

A. Yeah, the opposition is calling this government an EVM-elected government and they have decided to launch a campaign against the EVM. They were hoping that ballot paper voting as demanded by Markadwadi villagers would be allowed. But the police did not allow that. Uttam Jankar, who is a legislator from the constituency in which Markadwadi is situated, has announced that he is willing to resign if the government wants to take a ballot paper election. His opponent, former BJP MLA Ram Satpute, has also said that he is willing to fight the election, whether it is EVM or ballot papers. BJP state president Chandrashekhar Bawankule said in the last four elections, the party had always got the lead in Markadwadi.

Q. The police had charged the people there with the case, I think. Do you think politically that's a good move?

A. That was not a wise move politically, because this was, in a way, people's instant reaction. You can either call it an instant reaction, or you can say it was instigated by the NCP. It was not instigated, but the NCP cadres locally must have pushed the villagers to make this kind of demand.

Q. Okay, and now the last question. Do you think there will be a leader of opposition in Maharashtra? What do you feel about that?

A. I honestly dont know at this moment. The Shiv Sena (UBT), which is the biggest party in the opposition with 20 MLAs, has staked the claim, but today they boycotted the Speaker's election. So, how well the government takes this and how it responds will be very interesting to watch out for. My personal opinion is that there should be a leader of opposition; it is required.
Bharatiya Janata Party legislator Rahul Narwekar was elected as Speaker of the new Maharashtra Assembly unopposed on Monday. This is Narwekar's consecutive second term as speaker of the house.



Congratulating Narwekar, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis said he is the second member of the lower house to be re-elected to the post since the state's formation in 1960. Narwekar filed his nomination papers for the election on Sunday. He was elected unopposed as the opposition alliance Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) decided not to contest.

During his previous tenure, Narwekar ruled that the Shiv Sena faction led by Eknath Shinde was legitimate and real Sena. He also ruled in favour of the Ajit Pawar-led faction of the Nationalist Congress Party when it split from Sharad Pawar-led party.

The Devendra Fadnavis-led government faced a trust vote in the assembly on Monday. The Mahayuti alliance which won the assembly polls by a landslide sailed through the trust vote. Shiv Sena MLA Uday Samant and a few other legislators tabled the trust motion and it was passed by a voice vote.

The BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP 'Mahayuti' coalition has a majority of 230 seats in the 288-member state assembly. The majority mark in the assembly is 144. The opposition MVA alliance could win only less than 50 seats.

Fadnavis was sworn in as the chief minister for the third time on December 5. Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar took oath as deputy chief ministers at the ceremony attended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Mumbai.
The Supreme Court directed the Manipur government to provide details regarding buildings burnt, looted and encroached upon in the state strife with violence. The apex court also sought details regarding the action taken against offenders.



A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar ordered the Manipur government to provide the details in a sealed cover. The bench also sought details regarding the owners of the properties.

We also direct the state government to file the following details  buildings burnt; partially burnt; buildings which are looted; and buildings trespassed and encroached upon, in all these give details of name and address of the owner. The report shall also indicate the steps taken by the state government to ensure that the persons who have trespassed are proceeded against as per law, Live Law reported quoting the bench.

The bench also sought details regarding weapons seized by security forces. The Court will next hear the case in January.

The apex court formed a three-member judicial committee comprising former High Court judges last year to oversee the rehabilitation of victims affected by ethnic violence. The Court also ordered former Maharashtra police chief Dattatray Padsalgikar to monitor the probe in criminal cases registered in connection with the violence. The apex court will next hear the case in January.

Close to 200 persons got killed and hundreds suffered injuries in the ethnic violence that broke out in the northeastern state in May last year. Violence broke out first in Manipur on May 3, 2023, when a 'Tribal Solidarity March' was organised in the hill districts to protest against the majority Meitei community's demand for Scheduled Tribe status.
Amid growing tensions between India and Bangladesh, foreign secretaries of the two countries met in Dhaka on Monday for the high-level talks.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, who arrived in Dhaka earlier in the day, held one-on-one talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart Mohammad Jashim Uddin before the formal meeting with delegates from both sides.

Talking to reporters after the meeting, Misri said he had raised the issue of attacks on minorities, including Hindus, with Bangladeshi leaders and officials.

#WATCH | Dhaka: After meeting Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain of Bangladesh, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri says, "... We also discussed recent developments and I conveyed our concerns including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities... We also discussed pic.twitter.com/FUXzwluzqs  ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2024

"I emphasised that India desires a positive, constructive and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh. I have underlined today India's desire to work closely with the interim government of Bangladesh Authority," he said.

It is the first high-level visit to Dhaka by an Indian official since August 5, when former prime minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted following massive nationwide protests.

Misri said the meeting had given both sides an opportunity to take stock of the bilateral ties. We also discussed recent developments, and I conveyed our concerns, including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities. We also discussed regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural and religious properties," the foreign secretary added.

Misris visit to Bangladesh comes amid reports of widespread attacks on Hindus and other minority communities in the neighbouring country ever since Hasina was forced to quit and leave the country.

The arrest of Hindu monk Chnimoy Krishna Das and attacks on temples had triggered strong concerns in New Delhi, which urged Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety and security of all minorities and their right to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression.
In an interesting development on Monday, the Supreme Court ordered for the deployment of central forces for the upcoming election of Contai Co-Operative Bank. The order comes a day after a Trinamool Congress (TMC) worker was allegedly murdered in the aftermath of another co-operative bank election.

Lok Sabha and Assembly elections are typically conducted under the supervision of central security forces. But to have the vote of a co-operative bank with central security is rare.

The election to 108 seats of Contai Co-Operative Bank is scheduled for December 15, with 430 candidates in the fray. Initially, three schools in Purba Medinipurs Contai town were designated as polling stations. However, due to ongoing exams, polling stations were relocated, and the number was increased from three to five.

This last-minute change was challenged at the Supreme Court by the former chairman of Purba Medinipurs Egra Municipality, Shankar Bera.

Hearing the matter on Monday, the apex court ordered the state government and the West Bengal Co-operative Election Commission to ensure proper transportation arrangements to the new polling stations on the election day.

Additionally, the court ordered for the deployment of central forces to ensure a fair and transparent election process. Furthermore, each booth should be equipped with CCTV cameras for monitoring, the top court said.

On Sunday, elections of the Tamluk Co-Operative Agriculture and Rural Development Bank witnessed violence as bombs were hurled and a TMC worker was allegedly stabbed to death.

Voting took place for 69 seats in 12 branches of the bank, including in Haldia, Sutahata, Mahishadal, Maina, Tamluk, and Chandipur. The Trinamool secured victory in 56 of these seats, gaining the majority needed to establish the board.

In Nandigram Blocks 1 and 2, the BJP secured 13 seats. In Block 1, during the celebration, the TMC alleged, a group of BJP-backed miscreants attacked local resident and party worker Bishnupada Mondal.
There is widespread confusion among the public about the new state government, with a strong sentiment that this government does not reflect their mandate, said state Congress President Nana Patole.

He said that the sentiment is not confined to Markadwadi alone, but resonates across villages in the state. There is growing public demand for voting through ballot papers, with village sabhas passing resolutions to this effect.

Patole called on the Election Commission and the Supreme Court to take cognizance of this public sentiment. Speaking to the media on the legislature premises, he stated, "If voters have doubts about whether their vote goes to the candidate of their choice, these doubts must be resolved. The residents of Markadwadi had resolved to conduct a mock poll using ballot papers, but the government, with the help of the Election Commission and police administration, suppressed their efforts and filed charges against them.

The Election Commission must answer how 7.6 million votes were added. They have failed to provide a satisfactory explanation. Manipulating votes is akin to the daylight murder of democracy. If such dissatisfaction arises in a democracy, it must be addressed. As the opposition, we will fight for this demand both in the legislature and on the streets," he further said.

The Congress leader further demanded that the government uphold legislative traditions of the state. "Maharashtras legislative tradition suggests that the Speakers post be unopposed and the Deputy Speakers position be given to the opposition. In the Delhi Assembly, despite the BJP having only three members, the Aam Aadmi Party granted them the position of Leader of the Opposition. A delegation from the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) met Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to discuss granting the Leader of Opposition position to the MVA. We hope the government will consider this proposal positively," he said.
The Tamil Nadu assembly on Monday adopted a unanimous resolution urging the union government to immediately cancel the Tungsten mining rights given to Hindustan Zinc Limited at Nayakkarpatti Village in Madurai district. While the ruling DMKs alliance partners and the opposition AIADMK supported the resolution, the BJP remained evasive, while it did not oppose the resolution.

The house witnessed heated arguments and exchanges as the resolution was tabled in the assembly on Monday. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, opposition leader Edappadi K. Palanisami, and Water Resources Minister Durai Murugan engaged in arguments over the issue.

While Palanisami said that the ruling DMK government chose to remain silent even when the union government brought amendments to the Mines and Minerals Act of 1957, Stalin argued saying he will not allow mining as long as he holds the post of the chief minister.

Palanisami accused the DMK government of being inactive for the 10 months since the union government brought the amendment to the Mines and Minerals Act, 1957 with regard to the mining of critical and strategic minerals.

The DMK MPs in the parliament should have exerted pressure against this amendment. They did not even talk against the union government for auctioning the tungsten mining process, Palanisami accused.

Meanwhile, Durai Murugan argued that the state had opposed the union governments move to auction and also the amendments in the act, time and again.

Interrupting during the debate while Palanisami was talking on the resolution, Stalin said, The DMK MPs opposed the amendment. However, the BJP government passed the bill using its majority in 2023. The Leader of the Opposition Palanisami might have felt that way. But in reality, the DMK government opposed this scheme stoutly and it will continue to oppose it.

A week before protests broke out at the Melur Taluk in Madurai against the Vedanta-owned company, Hindustan Zinc Limited was being awarded the mining rights to mine tungsten in an ecologically sensitive region.

The auction for mining was given out by the union government on November 7, which soon turned into a flash point between the ruling DMK and the central government.

As soon as protests broke out in Madurai, Stalin wrote a detailed letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi saying that he will never allow mining of tungsten in Madurai. The mining block in Madurai is located close to Arittapatti, Tamil Nadus first biodiversity heritage site.
After a day of speculation, Russia on Sunday confirmed that ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family are in Moscow. A Kremlin source told Russian news agencies that Moscow granted them asylum on humanitarian grounds.

Russia's Foreign Ministry said earlier that Assad had left Syria and given orders for a peaceful transfer of power and that it favoured a political solution to the crisis in Syria. "As a result of recent negotiations between B. Assad and several participants in the armed conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic, he made the decision to resign from the presidency and leave the country, instructing a peaceful transfer of power," the ministry said, adding that Moscow was not involved in the negotiations.

The ministry added that the Syrian rebel leaders have agreed to guarantee the safety of Russian military bases and diplomatic institutions in Syria but it is not clear how long the security guarantee lasted. Russia holds a naval base in Tartus and a military airfield in Khmeimim.

Moscow was a staunch backer of Assad and had intervened in the civil war since 2015 keeping Assad in power until the rebels took over Damascus on Sunday.

Damascus has fallen.

Syria has fallen.

Bashar al-Assad has fallen.

These scenes show the disappearance of the Syrian army and security forces from the streets, similar to what happened previously in Iraq.#Damascus #Syria #BasharAlAssad #SyrianArmy #Iraq pic.twitter.com/HyDnhGx4h5  khaled mahmoued (@khaledmahmoued1) December 8, 2024

Meanwhile, some sections of the Syrian society erupted in joy as the five-decade rule by the Assad regime - father and son- came to an end on Sunday. Thousands thronged the central Umayyad Square to celebrate the fall of the regime and drove around in cars, flashing peace signs.

"Thank you, thank you," an elderly woman told BBC. "The tyrant has fallen. The tyrant has fallen!". The woman said some of her family members had died under Assad's rule and some were in prison.

Another woman identified as Fatimen, who hails from north-west Idlib a stronghold of the rebels, told reporters that she "feels as if in a dream". She says for years she wouldn't have dared to say she hailed from Idlib for fear that any affiliation with the area in part held by Islamist rebels would provoke retaliation.

Celebrations were held in many European cities, including in Berlin, which saw jubilant Syrians waving flags to celebrate the downfall of Assad. "Finally we are free! exclaimed Bassam Al-Hamada, 39, among 5,000 people at an exuberant rally in the capital of Germany.

Syrians also gathered in Athens, Belgrade, Istanbul, London, Paris, Stockholm and Vienna waving flags in the green, red, black and white colours of the Syrian opposition.
With Iran-backed Bashar al-Assad leaving Syria and Hezbollah agreeing to a ceasefire, the Hamas has been cornered in Gaza, raising speculations that the militants could soon accept a truce with Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday told the relatives of the hostages held in Gaza that the ouster of Assad regime could expediate the release of the captives.

The family of Edan Alexander authorizes the release of the video published by Hamas terror organization this evening (Saturday).



"The shocking video of Edan, an American-Israeli citizen, is definite proof that despite all the rumors - there are living hostages and they are pic.twitter.com/gJcSv8LAtE  Bring Them Home Now (@bringhomenow) November 30, 2024

One of hostage family groups Netanyahu spoke to on Sunday evening was the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, who represents the most of the families. Another group called the Tikva Forum was more supportive of the government.

A senior Biden adminstration official also said Assad's ouster could help secure a truce as the balance of power in the region changed dramatically.

The negotiations have failed since the release of 105 hostages in November 2023 during a weeklong ceasefire. Around 96 more people are believed to be in Hamas captivity currently and a third of these hostages are feared dead. IDF rescued eight hostages since October 7, 2023 while 38 bodies have been recovered.

This comes as Hamas released a three-minute video of hostage, Matan Zangauker. The 25-year-old, who was abducted from Kibbutz Nir Oz, urges the people in Israel to continue protests to seek a truce with Hamas. His partner, Ilana Gritzewsky, was released in November 2023.

Earlier, another hostage, Edan Alexander, was seen speaking in a similar propaganda video. He is a dual citizen of Israel and the US.

Trump recently said that he believes that most of the remaining hostages in Gaza might not be alive. Pointing out he has seen the way they have been treated, Trump recalled a young girl being pulled by hair and thrown into the back of a car. He is believed to be referring to Israeli soldier Naama Levy who was seen in a video being shoved into an IDF vehicle.

Hamas reportedly asked the militants in Gaza to prepare a list of hostages held in Syria ahead of negotiations mediated by Qatar and Egypt.
A day after Benjamin Netanyahu said the ceasefire talks would speed up, reports suggest that Israel and Hamas have discussed the names of people who would be exchanged as part of negotiations.

A Hamas delegation that was in Cairo on Sunday submitted a list of hostages who are unwell or aged, reported Al-Araby al-Jadeed, Qatar-owned new outlet, quoting sources. These were among the people who would be freed in the beginning of the proposed ceasefire.

Hundreds of Israeli Jews and Palestinians are currently protesting together against the war and calling for a ceasefire in Tel Aviv



War has no winners pic.twitter.com/6jT2Lvnb39  Z  (@z_00pIz) November 18, 2023

Surprisingly, Hamas also submitted names of four US citizens who were not part of the previous category. Out of the seven hostages with dual US-Israeli citizenship, Israel declared four dead and only three of them are believed to be alive. However, the fourth person in the list is yet to be identified.

Hamas has also submitted a list of Palestinians detained by Israel to be released in exchange of the hostages. Israel is reportedly reviewing the names of the prisoners and decide on the list on Monday.

Demonstrators and police clash in front of Netanyahu's residence on Gaza Street in Jerusalem. Protesters

They demand the immediate resignation of Netanyahu. pic.twitter.com/Xu2bqLxgBx  S p r i n t e r (@SprinterFamily) November 4, 2023

The last time Israel and Hamas agreed on hostages release and ceasefire was in November 2023, when 105 hostages were released but it lasted only for a week. Israel also rescued eight hostages in August.

Several hostages were killed in Israeli airstrikes and rescue failures, including an instance when IDF mistakenly killed three hostages who escaped captivity in December 2023.

It is believed that Hamas has 96 hostages but many of them are feared dead. IDF has recovered bodies of at least 38 hostages from Gaza.
Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani's declaration of a new history being written for the entire region after his Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebels took control over the Syrian capital Damascus has sparked concerns over the revival of extremist sentiments in the Middle East. At the moment, many foreign fighters are with HTS, says a senior security official, adding that Jawlanis recent statements guaranteeing minorities of their rights need to be seen within the framework of radical interpretation.

ALSO READ | How world leaders reacted to the fall of Syrian President Bashar-al-Assad

The concern is closer home for Indian security agencies who believe the presence of fragmented armed factions can give fillup to recruitment targeting Indian diaspora in the Gulf. While close coordination between security agencies, especially in UAE and Saudi Arabia, has prevented Indian terror operatives from being active in the Middle East, there is worry of online radical recruitment and lone wolf attacks threatening peace in the region .

Indian agencies have already witnessed several radicalised Indian operatives turning foreign terrorist fighters (FTFs) in the badlands of Syria and Afghanistan a decade ago. In the end of 2013 and beginning of 2014, a part of the Indian Mujahideen (IM) leadership shifted base to Iraq and Syria after expressing their allegiance to the Islamic State. Over the years, news has trickled in that many of these IM leaders have died fighting for IS there.

While killings of some of them like Anwar Hussain and Shafi Armar, hailing from erstwhile Indian Mujahideen hotbed Bhatkal in Karnataka, in IS-controlled territories had allayed fear of their return, but the spread of the extremist ideology across Afghanistan and Syria made Indian security brass sit up and take notice.

ALSO READ | What will happen to President Bashar al-Assad? The dictator of Syria could even be killed

Indian agencies also suspect family members of some of the FTFs may still be in prison. Other individual cases of Dr Shahnawaz from Azamgarh in Uttar Pradesh, who was originally a member of the SIMI, reaching Syria have also not been forgotten by the police forces here. There was an input he died fighting but no confirmation came to either the family or the UP police. What came as evidence were videos and audio clippings of some of his associates narrating the reasons for their "migration" to a land where they could fight for a cause.

Indian agencies handed over a list of 20 names to the Interpol of such terror operatives who had left the country under mysterious circumstances and possibly found their way to Syria.

ALSO READ | Syria: Sniffer dogs, engineering experts deployed as Sednaya prison's underground cells remain unbreached

Security officials explained that whether it is the group of radicals from Kerala who travelled to Afghanistan or the IM operatives and Pak jihadis who moved from Afghanistan - Pakistan region and Arab lands to fight for caliphate in Syria and Iraq, the trend points towards deep connections to ISIS and Al Qaeda ideology. The banners can be different but the fluidity between terrorist organisations for tactical gains is not being ruled out, they said, explaining that AQ has spread itself to attract the support of many fragmented terror groups.
Immediately after the rebels led by Abu Mohammed al-Julani's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) captured Damascus and expelled Bashar al-Assad, the global and regional powers have been scrambling to establish their foothold in the war-torn country.

The United States on Sunday bombed ISIS targets in Syria in a bid to stop the extremists from "trying to take advantage of any vacuum to re-establish" themselves. US President Joe Biden said they struck 75 IS targets, including operatives and their camps. The US has currently deployed 900 troops in southeast Syria. They used F-15s, A-10s and B-52s to carry out the strikes.

Timelapse of 13 years of Syrian Civil War:



 Assad Regime

 Syrian Revolutionaries

 PKK/YPG

 Islamic State pic.twitter.com/5GjW4K2F4C  Clash Report (@clashreport) December 8, 2024

Though the Islamic State is still active, it's power and influence in Syria have been degraded significantly. ISIS lost most of its territories in 2019 and is currently contained to a small area with negligible forces but it continues its online propaganda efforts from its hideouts.

         

      #_ #_ pic.twitter.com/0uplSqtcMB    Sari (@SariHamad6) December 8, 2024

The Israeli Air Force on Sunday launched strikes on several targets in Syria to destroy the weapons of the Assad regime before they could fall into the hands of rebels or other extremist groups. The IAF destroyed chemical weapons, air defense systems, missiles and weapons production sites. These included the Khalkhala air base near Sweida, the Mezzeh air base in Damascus besides Daraa and Suwayda governorates.

IAF also hit the main customs headquarters, military intelligence offices, security complex and a government research facility in Kafr Sousa where Israel alleged that Iranian scientists were developing missiles. On the other hand, the Israel Defense Forces seized the buffer zone in the Golan Heights as part of a defensive strategy.

Turkey has targeted the Kurdish forces in northern Syria's Manbij. The Kurds led by YPG are backed by the US and they fought the Islamic State together. But Turkey views them as allies of the PKK, a group of Kurdish militants, within its territory. Turkey-backed rebels entered Manbij on Sunday, taking control of surrounding areas from Kurds.
Despite Russia's claim that the Syrian rebel forces have guaranteed the safety of its military bases in Syria, reports have emerged that the situation at the bases is "extremely tense" at the moment. Russia has two critical bases in Syria  the Khmeimim Air Base in Latakia and the sprawling naval facility in the port of Tartus.

These military bases had given Russia a chance to project power in the Mediterranean, especially along NATOs southern flank and into the Middle East and Africa. While the Khmeimim Air Base in Latakia gave Russia the ability to strike in any direction and threaten NATO warships across the Mediterranean, the port was used to support its prolonged operations in the Mediterranean. Losing both would be a serious blow to the Russian operations in the region.

Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Sunday that both the facilities are on a state of high alert but there was "no serious threat to their security" after the Syrian rebels toppled the Bashar al-Assad regime.

However, some Russian war bloggers think otherwise. War blogger "Rybar", who is close to the Russian Defence Ministry, said the situation around the bases was a serious case of concern despite Moscow's official line. He called Russia's military presence in the Middle East region "hangs by a thread" and what anyone decides in high offices was absolutely irrelevant on the ground. He added that the Russian forces at the bases have not taken the initiative to defend their positions in the absence of orders from Moscow.





 russians publish videos of Syrian rebels and write that they are preparing to attack Latakia, where the Russian airbase Khmeimim is located.



Precisely the place where the Russians evacuated their weapons. pic.twitter.com/FkWo0ULBZR     (@Tweet4AnnaNAFO) December 8, 2024 Signs of possible evacuation at Russia's Khmeimim Air Base in Syria. Multiple airlifters have arrived at the base. 3 IL-76s and 1 AN-124. The An-72 is usually forward based there. There also appears to be a Su-24 on the runway. Major uptick in airlifted presence. Expect more. pic.twitter.com/uFpCLGpJ4g  The War Zone (@thewarzonewire) December 7, 2024

There are also signs that Russia could be retreating. While its warships had left Tartous and taken up position off the coast for security reasons, OSINT observers and military analysts said there was an increased activity in the Khmeimim Air Base.

Just after the rebels stormed Damascus, reports highlighted the arrival of multiple AN-124 aircraft at Khmeimim. "Several Russian aircraft have landed at Khmeimim Air Base in Syria, including the massive An-124. Growing indications suggest that Russian forces are preparing to withdraw their key holdings in the Eastern Mediterranean, stated OSINTtechnical on X.

Analysts also said there three IL-76s landed in the base. "Signs of possible evacuation at Russia's Khmeimim Air Base in Syria. Multiple airlifters have arrived at the base. 3 IL-76s and 1 AN-124. The An-72 is usually forward based there. There also appears to be a Su-24 on the runway. Major uptick in airlifted presence," the War Zone noted.

The Hmeimim airbase had cut off after rebels took control of a nearby town. There are reports that Kurdish forces had started to block Russian facilities beyond the Euphrates, and Russian positions at an oil facility in Homs had been blocked.
Around 40 schools in Delhi received bomb threat emails on Monday, demanding a ransom of $30,000. The threat was sent in a single e-mail to prominent schools in Delhi.
Kochi, Dec 8 (PTI) The members of the 16th Finance Commission, led by former NITI Aayog vice chairman Arvind Panagariya, reached Kerala on Sunday for a three-day visit.

The team was accorded a reception at the international airport here under the aegis of state Finance Minister K N Balagopal.

The minister later said a detailed memorandum has been prepared to be submitted to the Finance Commission.

Expressing hope that the state would get due consideration in the new Finance Commission report, he said the matters wound be presented before the Commission by pointing out its peculiarities.

Kerala would make the presentation with proposals to resolve the "imbalance" in the distribution of tax share to the state, he said, adding that the state would also convince the Finance Commission regarding the steps to be taken to provide the deserving grants on time.

Following their arrival, the team proceeded to Kumarakom in Kottayam district, an official statement said.

On Monday, the Commission would visit Thiruvarpu and Aymanam panchayat areas in Kottayam, and by evening, they will arrive at Kovalam, the statement said.

On Tuesday at 9.30 am, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will officially receive the Commission's chairman and members at the meeting hall of the Leela Hotel in Kovalam, with Finance Minister Balagopal delivering a welcome address.

Following this, the Commission will engage in discussions with cabinet members, the statement added.

The Finance Commission determines the constitutional financial support that states receive from the Central government for a five-year period.
Interview: Partnership with Chinese powers success at Croatia's largest wind farm

Xinhua) 11:01, December 09, 2024

Employees of China's Norinco International Cooperation Ltd. (Norinco International) work at the control room of the Senj Wind Farm in Croatia, on Dec. 6, 2024. Saturday marked the third anniversary of the Senj Wind Farm, built by the Norinco International. (Xinhua/Li Xuejun)

SENJ, Croatia, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese have proven to be "a very reliable, high-quality partner," with cooperation on Croatia's largest wind farm deemed "very successful," according to Ante Tojcic, director of Croatia's Fractal Company.

Saturday marked the third anniversary of the Senj Wind Farm, built by China's Norinco International Cooperation Ltd. (Norinco International). Fractal, an engineering company based in Split, the second-largest city in Croatia, has been maintaining it since its operation began.

"We have years of successful cooperation behind us, and I can only praise the Chinese company's leadership and the efforts they have made to successfully implement the project," Tojcic said.

He noted that compared to other Asian companies he had worked with, "the Chinese partners have proved to be very professional, and we are really satisfied with the cooperation."

Though language barriers posed challenges initially, Tojcic highlighted the "full trust" of the Chinese team as key to their success. "This is very important for doing the job," he said.

The collaboration has also been financially rewarding for Fractal, which holds a five-year contract with Norinco International worth 2.5 million euros (2.64 million U.S. dollars), set to run until 2028.

Tojcic added that the partnership's value extends further, with Norinco International expanding operations to neighboring countries, increasing opportunities for Fractal.

In addition to meeting European Union safety and environmental standards, Tojcic praised the wind farm's job creation, noting over 40 Croatian contractors participated in the project, with over half of the 500 daily workers during peak construction coming from Croatia.

Currently, 32 Croatian employees work in the Senj and Zagreb offices of Norinco International, outnumbering their Chinese counterparts.

"The local community has benefited greatly," Tojcic said. The wind farm produces 530 million kilowatt-hours of green electricity annually, easing energy shortages and reducing Croatia's carbon dioxide emissions by about 460,000 tons per year.

Located on Croatia's Adriatic coast, the Senj Wind Farm symbolizes the strong potential for future China-Croatia collaboration. "I foresee a successful development of relations between the two countries," Tojcic said.

An engineer of China's Norinco International Cooperation Ltd. (Norinco International) works at the control room of the Senj Wind Farm in Croatia, on Dec. 6, 2024. Saturday marked the third anniversary of the Senj Wind Farm, built by the Norinco International. (Xinhua/Li Xuejun)

Engineers of China's Norinco International Cooperation Ltd. (Norinco International) check the power grid of the Senj Wind Farm in Croatia, on Dec. 6, 2024. Saturday marked the third anniversary of the Senj Wind Farm, built by the Norinco International. (Xinhua/Li Xuejun)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Mumbai, Dec 9 (PTI) The deal with global tyre maker Michelin to acquire its Camso brand's off-highway tyres and tracks business will help CEAT focus on a more attractive track segment which is growing faster and has a larger premium play, the company has said.

Tyre maker and RPG Group company CEAT on Friday announced entering into a definitive agreement with Michelin to acquire its Camso brand's off-highway construction equipment bias tyres and tracks business for about USD 225 million (Rs 1,905 crore).

The acquisition, according to the tyre maker, is significant for its ambition to become a leading global player in the high-margin off-highway tyres (OHT) segment, as it will give the company access to a global customer base, including over 40 international OEMs and premium international OHT distributors, along with Michelin's two manufacturing facilities in Sri Lanka.

"The track segment is growing faster and (also) has a larger premium play with the customers yet to figure out the right applications of tracks in construction and mining, which means there is a lot of scope for higher penetration in the track segment. So, between the two, tyres and tracks, the latter is more attractive, where CEAT will focus on growth," CEAT Managing Director and CEO Arnab Banerjee told PTI in an interaction.

Noting that the tyre segment is growing by a compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2 per cent, which a slow growth rate, while the track segment by a CAGR of 6-7 per cent, Banerjee said the tyre segment has a premium play of only about 25 per cent but the track segment has a premium proportion of almost 45 per cent to 50 per cent.

And both the segments are pegged at around USD 1-billion each, according to him.

"So, this is a business that we are acquiring, And more focus will be from CEAT side of the track segment," he said.

Camso is a premium brand in construction equipment tyres and tracks with strong equity and market position in the EU and North American aftermarket and OE segments, the company said.

The total Camso brand stands at around USD 1.2-billion in turnover, catering to agriculture, construction, material handling and powersports segments, as per CEAT.

The deal, which is subject to regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed by May next year, will expand CEAT's product portfolio in the high-margin off-highway tyres (OHT) and tracks segments, which includes agriculture tyres and tracks, harvester tyres and tracks, powersports tracks and material handling tyres, the company said.

Following the deal Michelin will exit from the activities related to compact line bias tyres and construction tracks, it stated.

Also, as part of the agreement, Camso brand will be permanently assigned to CEAT across categories after a three-year licensing period.

Over the last decade, CEAT has been focusing on building its OHT business, which now consists of 900-plus product offerings and covers about 84 per cent of the range requirement in the agricultural segment, as per the company.

Stating that Camso is super premium in all the segments it is present in, Banerjee said that in agriculture and harvester tracks, respectively, as much as 80 per cent of the market is premium.

"When the brand comes to us after three years, we can enter all these segments with the Camso brand because Michelin would have migrated these businesses into some other brand in their stable," Banerjee said.

And, of course, then there is CEAT brand which can also be extended into these segments to serve different categories, value conscious categories, among others, he said adding, "So, we can have a dual band strategy-- CEAT playing in the value segment in the tyre category and Camso brand playing in the premium segment in the tracks category."

"But by itself, the Camso brand offers a very big growth potential," he added.

Camso is a premium play in the OHT segment at large and its sales realization and gross margin are far higher than what CEAT would have been able to recover through its own brand, he said.

"This deal will get completed only in May, So, initially, there will be a period where we consolidate and margins will be moderate, on average. But once we take control of the whole value chain, the margins will definitely be accrued," according to him.

He also said that of the two plants in Sri Lanka, the major one, which is in Medigama has a capacity of 200 tons and had about 65-70 per cent capacity utilisation in 2023 and "so there is much headroom to grow," adding the second plant is in-house part supplier and it actually does not add to the capacity.
Jaipur, Dec 9 (PTI) Union minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Monday highlighted the potential of the tourism sector in Rajasthan, calling it crucial to promote inclusive tourism that caters to the interests of global travellers.

"The state offers diverse experiences, from experiential and adventure tourism to modern infrastructure, cuisine, culture and nature. As India becomes a key destination for experiential tourism, it is crucial to promote inclusive tourism that caters to the interests of global travellers," he said at a thematic session 'Embracing Diversity: Promoting Inclusive Tourism' on the first day of the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit here.

Deputy CM Diya Kumari said that the state government was committed to developing the state as an inclusive tourism destination, promoting its unique beauty globally.

"In alignment with the Prime Minister's vision to boost tourism through investment, the state aims to become a top choice for tourists," she said.

The deputy CM said that the government is actively seeking collaboration and support from all stakeholders.

Secretary Tourism Ravi Jain said that the state's unique position within the golden triangle, comprising Agra, Jaipur, and Delhi, attracts a significant influx of foreign tourists, contributing to the state's thriving tourism sector.

"With innovative policies offering numerous benefits, including reduced electricity charges and land incentives, Rajasthan is set to further boost its tourism industry and provide a supportive environment for sustainable growth, benefiting both local communities and international visitors alike," he said.

The discussions revolved around fostering ethical tourism practices, ensuring that tourism destinations, services, and experiences are accessible to people of all abilities, and addressing how tourism can benefit local communities both socially and economically.
New Delhi, Dec 9 (PTI) Airlines in India have reported 809 hoax bomb threats in the last five years, with 719 in 2024 alone, as per data tabled in Parliament.

"Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has information of a total of 809 hoax bomb threats received by airlines since 2020," Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha on Monday.

According to the data shared by the minister, four hoax bomb threat messages were reported by the airlines in 2020 and two in 2021.

In 2022, airlines in India reported 13 hoax bomb threat messages, which rose to 71 in 2023, as per the data.

In 2024, 719 hoax bomb threat messages have been reported by the airlines, according to the data.

Aviation security regulator Bureau of Civil Aviation Security has mandated robust protocols for handling such threats, the minister said.

Moreover, a detailed contingency plan -- Bomb Threat Contingency Plan (BTCP) -- is in place to handle such threats. As a part of BTCP, every airport has a designated Bomb Threat Assessment Committee (BTAC), which analyses the threats and acts accordingly, he added.

He also said that to deal with hoax bomb threats, BCAS has issued advisories to all the civil aviation stakeholders in the country to ensure streamlined security measures and prevent any unlawful interference with civil aviation.
New Delhi, Dec 9 (PTI) Hyundai Motor India on Monday said it will install around 600 public EV fast charging stations across the country in the next seven years.

The company plans to have a network of 50 fast public charging stations by the end of December 2024, the automaker said in a statement.

The ambitious initiative underscores the company's commitment to fostering sustainable mobility and is poised to play a pivotal role in India's transition to cleaner energy, it added.

Hyundai Motor India Function Head - Corporate Planning Jae Wan Ryu said the EV market in India is expected to grow robustly by 2030.

Studies conducted by HMIL have highlighted that customers are apprehensive about driving their EVs for long-distance commutes on highways due to a lack of charging infrastructure, he noted.

"Keeping this in mind, the company has taken the initiative of installing fast EV chargers on key highways, in addition to major cities," Ryu stated.

The company stated that its charging stations are designed to be accessible to all four-wheeler EVs manufactured in India, offering convenient charging solutions at attractive tariffs.

Hyundai said the company has also inked an MoU with the Tamil Nadu government to set up 100 EV charging stations across the state by 2027.

Of these, ten stations will be operational within the calendar year 2024, it added.
New Delhi, Dec 9 (PTI) GST officers have detected cases of ITC evasion of Rs 35,132 crore by 17,818 fake firms between April-October and arrested 69 persons, Parliament was informed on Monday.

In a written reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Finance Pankaj Chaudhary said regular action is taken to detect fake firms through data analytics and other intelligence by the central and state authorities.

Also, a coordinated special drive was launched between August 16 and October 30 to detect fake firms.

"A total of 18,876 ITC fraud cases were detected involving 17,818 fake firms with suspected ITC evasion of Rs 35,132 crore during fiscal 2024-25 (April-October)," Chaudhary said.

This has saved Rs 6,484 crore of which Rs 5,422 crore by blocking of ITC and Rs 1,062 crore by way of recovery.

A total of 69 arrests have been made in the cases during the current fiscal till October.
New Delhi, Dec 9 (PTI) Textiles major Trident Group plans to invest Rs 3,000 crore in Madhya Pradesh to expand its operations in the state resulting in 3,000 new jobs, its Chairman Rajinder Gupta said on Monday.

The Ludhiana-based vertically integrated textiles firm currently has operations involving sourcing cotton to produce finished goods in the state, it said in a regulatory filing.

"We ventured into Madhya Pradesh a few years ago and invested Rs 5,000 crore. Today, our finished products from Madhya Pradesh are exported to 122 countries, with demand continually rising," Gupta said while speaking at the Madhya Pradesh Regional Industry Conclave.

Looking ahead, Gupta said the group "plans to invest an additional Rs 3,000 crore in the state's textile sector which will expand employment opportunities here at Trident Group from the current 12,000 to over 15,000".

He further said, "We are committed to ensuring that the benefits of our operations stay within Madhya Pradesh, from sourcing cotton to producing finished goods. The state is an ideal confluence of sustainability, inclusive growth and green energy, with immense potential for solar and wind energy development."

Gupta also said the group is focused on skill development and women empowerment, with 50 per cent of new employment opportunities reserved for women.
New Delhi, Dec 9 (PTI) Telecom operator Vodafone Idea on Monday said its board has approved issuance of up to 175.53 crore shares on a preferential basis to Vodafone Group entities to raise up to Rs 1,980 crore.

The debt-ridden telco pegged the issue price at Rs 11.28 per equity share.

"...Board of...Vodafone Idea Limited at its meeting held today 9 December 2024, has approved.... issuance of upto 1,755,319,148 equity shares of face value of Rs 10 each at an issue price of Rs 11.28 per equity share (including a premium of Rs 1.28 per equity share) for an aggregate consideration of upto Rs 1,980 crore on a preferential basis to Omega Telecom Holdings Private Limited (upto Rs 1,280 crore) and Usha Martin Telematics Limited (upto Rs 700 crore), Vodafone Group entities and promoters of the company...," VIL said in a BSE filing.

The relevant date for determining the floor price of the preferential issue is December 6, 2024, the company informed.

An extraordinary general meeting of the company would be held on January 7, 2025, to approve the matter, it added.
Mumbai, Dec 9 (PTI) Google-backed space data firm and spacecraft manufacturer Pixxel on Monday announced securing USD 24 million in additional funding as part of its Series B round.

The latest funding round saw new investors, M&G Catalyst and Glade Brook Capital Partners, joining the existing backers, including Radical Ventures, Lightspeed, and others.

The funds will enable Pixxel to accelerate the development and launch of its entire constellation of 18 commercial hyperspectral satellites planned for the near future, Pixxel said.

Besides, it will also support the growth of the company's software offerings, including Aurora, its AI-driven Earth Observation platform, enabling seamless analysis and actionable insights for diverse applications from hyperspectral data, it stated.

This new investment brings the total Series B funding to USD 60 million, taking the total to USD 95 million across all funding rounds to date, Pixxel said.

This funding positions Pixxel as one of the highest-funded space-tech startups in India and the highest-funded hyperspectral imaging company globally, reinforcing its mission to build a health monitor for the planet through advanced earth observation satellites and drive impactful climate action, the company said.

"This funding echoes the investors' confidence in Pixxel's technological capabilities. The new infusion of capital will help us launch more satellites quicker, transforming how humanity understands and acts on the challenges of our time," said Awais Ahmed, Founder and CEO of Pixxel.

Additionally, the company said, the funds will drive Pixxel's plans to expand its satellite manufacturing capacity, scale its operations for upcoming missions, and enhance its capability to provide a full spectrum of satellite manufacturing services' from small satellites to advanced imaging payloads for other organisations and governments.

Pixxel's hyperspectral satellites are designed to capture data across 250-plus spectral bands at an unparalleled 5-meter spatial resolution, spectrally fingerprinting the earth and delivering details invisible to conventional imaging methods.

The upcoming Fireflies constellation of six commercial-grade hyperspectral satellites, set for launch in early 2025, will provide enhanced global coverage with native 5-meter resolution, a 40-kilometre wide swath and daily revisit frequency anywhere on the planet. Pixxel said.

With applications spanning agriculture, climate monitoring, resource management, mining, environmental protection, energy, urban planning, among others, Pixxel said its technology equips organisations with the critical intelligence required to make informed, data-driven decisions.
New Delhi, Dec 9 (PTI) Markets regulator Sebi on Monday warned investors against conducting transactions in securities of unlisted public limited companies on unauthorised electronic platforms and websites.

The markets watchdog highlighted that such activities violate the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956, and the SEBI Act, 1992, both aimed at safeguarding the interests of investors in the securities market.

In its statement, Sebi noted that some electronic platforms are facilitating the trading of unlisted securities without proper authorisation.

Cautioning investors, the regulator asked them "not to conduct any transactions on such electronic platforms or share any sensitive personal details on the same as these platforms are neither authorised nor recognised by Sebi".

This cautionary statement came following a similar warnings from the regulator regarding unauthorised virtual trading platforms, paper trading, fantasy games, and platforms offering unlisted debt securities.

In the latest release, Sebi emphasised that only recognised stock exchanges are authorised to provide platforms for fundraising and trading securities of listed or "to-be-listed" companies.

The list of Sebi-recognised stock exchanges is available on the regulator's official website.

Additionally, the regulator cautioned investors against sharing sensitive personal information on unauthorised platforms and engaging in transactions through them.

Further, the regulator said that these platforms are neither authorised nor recognised, and investors engaging in such activities would not be entitled to essential protections, such as investor protection under Sebi's or stock exchanges' jurisdiction, access to grievance redressal mechanisms administered by exchanges and dispute resolution services offered by authorised entities like smartodr.in.
Mumbai, Dec 9 (PTI) Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty faced heavy volatility in early trade on Monday amid selling in blue chips like Infosys and ICICI bank amid a weak trend in the Asian markets.

Fresh foreign fund outflows also dented market sentiment.

The 30-share BSE Sensex opened on a positive note, but soon witnessed selling pressure from investors and declined 151.36 points or 0.19 per cent to 81,557.76 in the initial trade.

In tandem, the broader NSE Nifty after opening on a higher note, fell 37.45 points or 0.15 per cent to 24,640.35 in early hours.

From the Sensex pack, Hindustan Unilever, Nestle India, UltraTech Cement, Infosys, Asian Paints, Mahindra & Mahindra and Tata Steel were the major laggards.

In contrast, Larsen & Toubro, Kotak Mahindra Bank, Tech Mahindra, Sun Pharmaceuticals, HDFC Bank and NTPC were among the major gainers.

In Asian markets, Seoul, Hong Kong and Shanghai were trading in the negative territory, while Tokyo quoted higher.

"Asian stocks started the week with a cautious tone, as investors grappled with South Korea's political upheaval and awaited fresh stimulus from China," Deepak Jasani, Head of Retail Research at HDFC Securities, said.

Central Bank outcomes from Australia, ECB, Canada, Switzerland and Brazil are expected this week, Jasani added.

US markets ended in a mixed note on Friday.

Global oil benchmark Brent crude climbed 0.41 per cent to USD 71.41 a barrel.

Foreign Institutional Investors (FIIs) turned sellers on Friday after unabated buying for the past many days. They sold equities worth Rs 1,830.31 crore, according to exchange data.

On Friday, the 30-share BSE benchmark Sensex declined 56.74 points or 0.07 per cent to settle at 81,709.12, while NSE Nifty dipped 30.60 points to settle at 24,677.80.
Retaining customers, month after month, year upon yearIf your business has been operating a subscription selling model for more than a minute or two, you hardly need to be reminded of the importance of doing so.

Right now, its never been tougher. So called subscription fatigue and Australias ongoing cost of living crisis are prompting many consumers to look twice at their regular outgoings and seek out savings wherever they are to be found.

Cutting back on unused or under-used subscriptions can be a quick win and one thats frequently suggested to individuals looking to tighten their belts.

Bundling up the savings for customers

Hence, businesses that want to ensure theyre not culled in an early round need to redouble their efforts to offer compelling value.

One of the ways they can do so is by bundling  offering customers the opportunity to purchase their own subscription offerings across multiple products from a single company

Its an appealing proposition for value conscious consumers, provided the savings they receive are substantial. Meanwhile, the supplier doing the bundling stands to enjoy greater stickiness and the revenue surety that accompanies it.

Increased revenue management complexity

But going down this route can make your revenue management process considerably more complex.

Your finance team will need to be able to determine how discounted bundle prices should be apportioned across multiple subscription services and disperse funds accordingly when payments come in.

Theyll also need to be able to recalculate bundle prices, should customers decide to drop one or more of the services theyve signed up for, or add an additional one in to the mix.

And theyll need to be able to do so swiftly and seamlessly, with changes reflected in real or near real time in customers online accounts.

Why billing bedlam spells bad news for businesses

Putting the right back office processes in place can be challenging and the stakes are high. In todays times, customers have become accustomed to receiving swift seamless service from the organisations they engage with. They expect all interactions to be efficient and professional and they have low tolerance for businesses that cant get the basics right.

And, unfortunately, in their minds, theres little more basic than billing.

Getting it wrong can have serious repercussions for a business reputation and revenue. In fact, theres research to suggest that 40 per cent of customers are prepared to part ways after even a single incidence of bad billing, while an even greater number will do so if it looks like becoming a regular occurrence.

Thats why getting it right is imperative, first time, every time.

Tools to make the task easy

Thats easy with the right tools, namely revenue management technology that can provide full quote to cash support for multiple monetisation and subscription models simultaneously.

It pays to choose a billing platform that connects seamlessly with your CRM software, so you can monitor the popularity of your bundling deals and manage your customer base at a granular level.

Ideally, it will come from a best of breed vendor that has a stellar reputation for working with high volume subscription businesses whose tolerance for discrepancies is virtually nil.

If theyre genuinely committed to continuous improvement, their quoting, subscription, renewal, recurring billing, collections and revenue recognition processes are likely to be automated. That minimises the burden on your revenue management team and reduces the opportunity for human error to occur.

It also means youll be able to launch new bundling deals quickly and easily, and back them up with upselling and cross selling campaigns to new and existing customers, secure in the knowledge that your revenue management processes wont let you down.

Maximising your subscription revenue in 2025

Bundling subscription services can be a highly effective means of maximising your revenue and reducing customer churn, provided your pricing is competitive and you have the right digital infrastructure in place. Implementing an automated revenue management platform will make it easier for you to grow this revenue stream while continuing to deliver stand-out customer experiences at every stage of the purchasing journey.

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Jaipur, Dec 9 (PTI) The Adani Group is planning to invest Rs 7.5 lakh crore across sectors in Rajasthan, a senior company official said on Monday.

While speaking at the Rising Rajasthan Summit, Adani Ports and SEZ Managing Director Karan Adani said 50 per cent of the total investment will be made within the next five years.

"Adani Group plans to invest over Rs 7.5 lakh crore across various sectors of the state economy," he said.

He said the company plans to build the world's largest integrated green energy ecosystem, involving 100 gigawatt of renewable energy, 2 million tonnes of Hydrogen and 1.8 gigawatt of pump-hydro storage.

"These investments will build Rajasthan into an oasis of green jobs," Adani added.

Rajasthan is critical for the group's ambition to become one of the largest cement players in the country.

"We will set up four new cement plants to build an additional capacity of 6 million tonnes per annum in the state," Adani said.

Besides these projects, Adani Group plans to set up a world-class facility at Jaipur Airport and multi-modal logistics parks, among others, to support the Rajasthan government's plans to double the state economy in the next five years.
Washington, Dec 9 (AP) Omnicom is buying Interpublic Group in a stock-for-stock deal that will create an advertising powerhouse with combined annual revenue of almost USD 26 billion.

Shareholders of The Interpublic Group of Companies Inc. will receive 0.344 Omnicom shares for each share of Interpublic common stock that they own. Omnicom shareholders will own 60.6 per cent of the combined company and Interpublic shareholders will own 39.4 per cent after the transaction is complete.

The combined company will keep the Omnicom name and trade under the OMC ticker symbol on the New York Stock Exchange.

The deal is expected to have annual cost savings of USD 750 million.

The transaction is targeted to close during the second half of next year. It still needs the approval of Omnicom and Interpublic shareholders.

Shares of Interpublic jumped more than 15 per cent before the market open on Monday, while Omnicom's stock fell more than 2 per cent. (AP)



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New Delhi, Dec 9 (PTI) Actor Sonu Sood says his upcoming film "Fateh" is "incredibly special" to him not only because it marks his debut as a director, but also as it focuses on the "alarming threat" of cyber crime which often goes unnoticed.

Also starring Jacqueline Fernandez, Vijay Raaz and Naseeruddin Shah alongside Sood, the film is set to release on January 10, 2025.

"Fateh" follows the story of an ex-special ops operative who investigates a cybercrime syndicate after a young woman falls victim to a scam, according to a press release.

The makers released the teaser of the movie, also penned by Sood, on Monday giving a glimpse into the world of "Fateh".

Sood said he has received extraordinary love from the audience over the years and hopes the same will be given to his movie.

"This film is incredibly special to me not only because it marks my debut as a director but also because it is a voice against the alarming threat that many of us underestimate: the invisible, dark forces of the cyber world," the actor-filmmaker said in a statement.

"The beating heart of the film is its cutting-edge action that plays out with the ultimate showdown between the real and the virtual. This one's for all the heroes out there who dare to fight the battles that many of us don't see," he added.

According to the makers, "Fateh" is inspired by real-life instances of cybercrime. It will feature high-octane action sequences with Sood in a never-before-seen avatar.

The film is produced by Shakti Sagar Productions and Zee Studios.
Tamesna (Morocco), Dec 9 (AP) After African countries struggled to get testing kits during the COVID-19 pandemic, officials vowed to make the continent less dependent on imported medical supplies. Now, in a first for Africa, a Moroccan company is filling orders for mpox tests as an outbreak continues.

Moroccan startup Moldiag began developing mpox tests after the World Health Organisation declared the virus a global emergency in August. Africa's Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported more than 59,000 mpox cases and 1,164 deaths in 20 countries this year.

The WHO has also announced a plan to provide mpox tests, vaccines and treatments to the most vulnerable people in the world's poorest countries, after facing criticism for moving too slowly on vaccines. It recommends all suspected mpox cases be tested.

But in some far-flung areas of the mpox outbreak, tests have to be delivered to distant labs for processing. Most of Congo's 26 provinces don't have such facilities. And some areas have no tests. In eastern Congo's South Kivu province, doctors are still diagnosing patients by taking temperatures and looking for visible symptoms.

That makes it difficult to tell how the virus is spreading, health officials say.

"This is a major problem, said Musole Robert, medical director of the Kavumu Referral Hospital, one of the few treating mpox patients in eastern Congo. The main issue remains the laboratory, which is not adequately equipped.

Mpox primarily spreads through close skin-to-skin contact with infected people or their soiled clothes or bedsheets. It often causes visible skin lesions. A health worker swabs the rash and sends the sample to a lab. Mpox testing is critical because many symptoms resemble diseases like chicken pox or measles.

When mpox cases were found in some Western countries like the United States in 2022, some companies began developing rapid test kits that don't require lab processing. But they shelved those efforts when the virus was largely contained.

Then outbreaks emerged again in Africa. Scientists are concerned by the spread of a new version of the disease that might be more easily transmitted among people.

Morocco has reported three mpox cases, though most have been in central Africa.

At his factory in Morocco, Moldiag founder and chief scientific officer Abdeladim Moumen said the tests they make  sold for $5 each  can help to remedy shortages affordably.

The company last month began accepting orders from Burundi, Uganda and Congo and has also sold them to Senegal and Nigeria as well.

It's rather easy to send tests from an African nation to another one rather than waiting for tests to come in from China or Europe, Moumen said.

Moldiag was founded out of Morocco's Foundation for Advanced Science, Innovation and Research, a university-affiliated nonprofit whose research has received funding from the European Commission and Morocco's government. The startup previously developed similar genetic tests for COVID-19 and tuberculosis.

Moldiag won approval to distribute its mpox tests from the Africa CDC in November. But it hasn't submitted paperwork to be considered for expedited approval from the WHO, which during this outbreak has approved three mpox tests and is considering five others. Each is made in North America, Europe or Asia.

The Africa CDC's acting director for laboratory diagnostics and systems, Yenew Tebeje, said the organization created a process to accelerate approval of tests like Moldiag's because the WHO's approval process can take months or years and be a limiting factor for access to diagnostics.

Historically, international institutions have not always ensured medical supplies like tests are quickly made available for crises in Africa, Tebeje added.

Only mpox tests that require laboratory processing have been approved by the WHO and Africa CDC, which has expressed the need for rapid tests that don't need to be sent to labs.

Moldiag and other companies are working to develop rapid tests and pursue approval.

Moldiag's $5 price for the current tests aligns with recommendations from both the WHO's target product standards and demands of health advocates who have criticized the cost of other tests. The nonprofit Public Citizen last month called on Cepheid  one of the WHO's three approved mpox test manufacturers  to reduce its price from about $20 to $5, citing a Doctors Without Borders analysis showing genetic tests can be produced for less.

Africa-based manufacturing fulfills a primary objective that African Union member states agreed on after the COVID-19 pandemic, which revealed global disparities and unequal access to medical supplies, including vaccines, tests and antiviral medications.

In 2022, shaken by the pandemic, African leaders called for action to address those disparities plaguing the continent's over 1.4 billion people, who experience the highest incidence of public health emergencies.

Moumen said experts were waking up to the fact that it makes more sense for tests to come from regions where outbreaks are taking place so manufacturers can tailor production to address issues close to home.

"They want African tests for Africa," he said. (AP)

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Goulburn (Australia), Dec 9 (The Conversation) Who could have predicted that after nearly 14 years of civil war and five years of stalemate, the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria would collapse in just a week? With Assads departure, the pressing question now is what lies ahead for Syrias immediate future.

When opposition fighters led by the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) seized the major city of Aleppo in late November with minimal resistance, commentators widely believed it marked the beginning of the Assad regimes downfall. Many anticipated a bitter fight to the end.

Assad was caught off guard, and his forces were clearly unprepared. He withdrew his remaining troops from Aleppo to regroup and gain time for reinforcements to arrive from Russia and Iran, and hope the opposition fighters would stop there.

It wasnt to be. Emboldened by their swift success in Aleppo, HTS fighters wasted no time and advanced on Hama, capturing it with ease. They quickly followed up by seizing Homs, the next major city to the south.

Russia provided limited air support to Assad. But Iran, having depleted its forces in Hezbollahs defence against Israel in Lebanon, was unable to offer significant assistance and withdrew its remaining personnel from Syria. Meanwhile, Assads frantic calls for support from Iraq did not go anywhere.

Seeing the writing on the wall, the morale of Assads forces and leadership plummeted. Fearing retribution in the event of the regimes collapse, defections began en masse, further accelerating Assads downfall.

And on the last day, Assad fled the country, and his prime minister officially handed over power to HTS and its leadership. It marked the end of 54 years of Assad family rule in Syria.





The Assad legacy



The Assad family, including Bashar al-Assad and his father, Hafez al-Assad, will likely be remembered by the majority of Syrians as brutal dictators.

The modern state of Syria was established in 1920 following the Sykes-Picot Agreement in the aftermath of the first world war. Syria became a League of Nations mandate under French control, only gaining independence in 1944. Following a tumultuous period, including a failed unification with Egypt, the Ba'ath Party seized control in 1963 through a coup that involved Hafez al-Assad.

In 1966, Hafez al-Assad led another coup alongside other officers from the Alawite minority. This ultimately resulted in a civilian regime, with Hafez al-Assad becoming president in 1970.

Hafez al-Assad established himself as an authoritarian dictator, concentrating power, the military and the economy in the hands of his relatives and the Alawite community. Meanwhile, the Sunni majority was largely marginalised and excluded from positions of power and influence.

Hafez al-Assad is most infamously remembered for his brutal suppression of the opposition in 1982. The uprising, led by the Islamic Front, saw the opposition capture the city of Hama. In response, the Syrian army razed the city, leaving an estimated 10,000 to 40,000 civilians dead or disappeared and decisively crushing the rebellion.

Hafez al-Assad died in 2000, and, the least likely candidate, his younger son, Bashar al-Assad, assumed the presidency. Having been educated in the West to become a doctor, Bashar al-Assad projected a moderate and modern image, raising hopes he might usher in a new era of progress and democracy in Syria.

However, Bashar al-Assad soon found himself navigating a turbulent regional landscape following the September 11 2001 terror attacks and the US invasion of Iraq. In 2004, after the United States imposed sanctions on Syria, Assad sought closer ties with Turkey. He and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan became friends, removing visa requirements between their countries and making plans to establish economic zones to boost trade.

Erdogan and Assad then had a falling out during a series of events in 2011, a year that marked a turning point for Syria. The Arab Spring revolts swept into the country, presenting Assad with a critical choice: to pursue a democratic path or crush the opposition as his father had done in 1982.

He chose the latter, missing a historic opportunity to peacefully transform Syria.

The consequences were catastrophic. A devastating civil war broke out, resulting in more than 300,000 deaths (some estimates are higher), 5.4 million refugees, and 6.9 million people internally displaced. This will be Assads legacy.



Syrias immediate challenges



Syria now has a new force in power: HTS and its leadership, spearheaded by the militant leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani. They will face immediate challenges and four key priorities:

1) Consolidating power. The new leadership will now try to ensure there are no armed groups capable of contesting their rule, particularly remnants of the old Assad regime and smaller factions that were not part of the opposition forces.

Critically, they will also need to discuss how power will be shared among the coalition of opposition groups. Al-Jolani is likely to become the founding president of the new Syria, but how the rest of the power will be distributed remains uncertain.

It seems the opposition was not prepared to take over the country so quickly, and they may not have a power-sharing agreement. This will need to be negotiated and worked out quickly.

The new government will likely recognise the Syrian Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG) and the territories it controls as an autonomous region within Syria. An independent Kurdish state, however, will be strongly opposed by Turkey, the main external backer of the opposition.

Yet, history seems to be moving in favour of the Kurds. There is now the eventual possibility of an independent Kurdish state, potentially combining northern Iraq and northeastern Syria into a single entity.



2) International recognition. Syria is a very complex and diverse place. As such, the new government can only be sustained if it gains international recognition.

The key players in this process are Turkey, the European Union, the United States and Israel (through the US). It is likely all of these entities will recognise the new government on the condition it forms a moderate administration, refrains from fighting the Kurdish YPG, and does not support Hezbollah or Hamas.

Given their unexpected success in toppling Assad so quickly, the opposition is likely to accept these conditions in exchange for aid and recognition.



3) Forming a new government. The question on everyones mind is what kind of political order the opposition forces will now establish. HTS and many of the groups in its coalition are Sunni Muslims, with HTS having origins linked to al-Qaeda. However, HTS broke away from the terror organisation in 2016 and shifted its focus exclusively to Syria as an opposition movement.

Nevertheless, we should not expect a democratic secular rule. The new government is also unlikely to resemble the ultra-conservative theocratic rule of the Taliban.

In his recent interview with CNN, al-Jolani made two key points. He indicated he and other leaders in the group have evolved in their outlook and Islamic understanding with age, suggesting the extreme views from their youth have moderated over time. He also emphasised the opposition would be tolerant of the freedoms and rights of religious and ethnic minority groups.

The specifics of how this will manifest remain unclear. The expectation is HTS will form a conservative government in which Islam plays a dominant role in shaping social policies and lawmaking.

On the economic and foreign policy fronts, the countrys new leaders are likely to be pragmatic, open to alliances with the regional and global powers that have supported them.



4) Rebuilding the country and maintaining unity. This is needed to prevent another civil war from erupting  this time among the winners.

A recent statement from HTSs Political Affairs Department said the new Syria will focus on construction, progress and reconciliation. The new government aims to create positive conditions for displaced Syrians to return to their country, establish constructive relations with neighbouring countries and prioritise rebuilding the economy.

Syria and the broader Middle East have entered a new phase in their modern history. Time will tell how things will unfold, but one thing is certain: it will never be the same. (The Conversation) NSA

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Melbourne, Dec 9 (AP) Australia announced a multimillion-dollar agreement with Nauru on Monday that gives Australia a veto right over a range of pacts the tiny Pacific atoll might want to enter with third countries including China.

Australia offered 140 million Australian dollars ($89 million) over five years to the remote nation's population of 12,000 under the treaty to be implemented next year, including AU$40 million ($26 million) to enhance policing and security.

Recognising the security of one of us affects the security of both of us, the treaty provides that Nauru and Australia will jointly agree to any engagement by other countries in Nauru's security, banking and telecommunications sectors, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a joint statement with Nauru President David Adeang at Australia's Parliament House.

Adeang said Nauru's partnership with Australia, its former colonial master, is vital to his country.

The pact has some similarities to a deal a struck in May with Tuvalu, another tiny Pacific island nation with a similar-size population as Nauru, which also gave Australia a veto power over third-country deals.

The Tuvalu deal followed a security agreement struck between China and the Solomon Islands in 2022 that has raised concerns of a Chinese naval base being established in the South Pacific.

Meg Keen, director of the Pacific Island Programme at the Lowy Institute, a Sydney-based think tank on international policy, said Nauru had sacrificed its ability to strike security, banking and infrastructure deals with China and other third parties in return for a big increase in Australian funding.

It is a move by Australia to limit Chinese reach and influence in the region, Keen said in an email.

The treaty allows Australia to strengthen regional ties and cement its leading role as the development and security partner of choice, she said.

A key part of the deal is that Nauru will retain an Australian bank.

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia will open a branch in Nauru next year after Australia's Bendigo Bank withdraws from the country.

This treaty strengthens our own economy, enhances also our mutual security and addresses critical challenges like debanking and ensuring inclusive growth and resilience for our own people, Adeang said. (AP) SCY

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Baghdad, Dec 9 (AP) More than 4,000 Syrian army soldiers have crossed into Iraq since rebel forces seized Damascus and overthrew the government of Bashar Assad, a militia official in western Iraq said Monday.

The official with the Anbar Tribal Mobilisation Forces said that the soldiers had turned over their weapons, ammunition and armoured vehicles and would be housed in a camp. He did not say where the camp was located.

Another security official said that the governor of the Syrian province of Hasakeh had come to the border late Sunday night with a convoy of Syrian army soldiers who wanted to cross into Iraq, and they were allowed in via the Qaim crossing.

Both officials spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.

The Iraqi government has close ties with Iran and used to be one of Assad's primary backers but Baghdad has taken a neutral position on the advance of the insurgents and Assad's downfall.



UN human rights chief says Assad and other officials should face justice

GENEVA  The UN human rights chief said Monday that former President Bashar Assad and other top Syrian officials behind possible war crimes should be brought to justice.

Volker Turk also said any transition process in Syria should not be separated from the need for accountability for alleged war crimes that took place in its civil war that began in 2011, leaving hundreds of thousands dead and millions fleeing their homes.

Turk, the UN high commissioner for human rights, also noted that Syria has not ratified the International Criminal Court statute, but the court in The Hague could have jurisdiction if the new Syria decides to ratify it -- an allusion to whoever the new leadership of Syria becomes.

Turk said there were serious grounds to believe that Assad and others in serious leadership positions in his government may have committed atrocity crimes, and as a result, yes, they should be brought to justice. (AP) SCY

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Dhaka/Kolkata, Dec 9 (PTI) Bangladesh's deposed premier Sheikh Hasina has launched a fierce attack on the interim administration, accusing its Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus of running a "fascist regime" that allows terrorists and fundamentalists to act without restraint.

In a virtual address to a gathering of overseas Awami League supporters in London on Sunday, Hasina accused Yunus of being the mastermind behind the July-August turmoil that ousted her government and vowed to bring him and his allies to justice under Bangladeshi law.

She criticized Yunus and his interim government for their alleged persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh.

Since August 5, the attacks on minorities, places of worship of Hindus, Christians and Buddhists have been rampant. We condemn it. The Jamaat and terrorists are having a free run under the new regime, she said.

The audio recording of Hasina's address was shared on the Facebook page of the Bangladesh Students' League and Bangladesh Awami League.

Her remarks came ahead of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's visit to Dhaka Monday where he raised India's concerns over the safety of minorities, flagging "regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious and diplomatic properties" in the country.

There have been a spate of incidents of violence against Hindus and other minorities, as well as attacks on temples in Bangladesh in the last few weeks that triggered strong concerns in New Delhi.

"Bangladesh is now under the grip of a fascist regime where peoples democratic rights have been obliterated. Our governments achievements in poverty alleviation and infrastructure development, strengthening of democracy were being undone under Yunus's leadership, Hasina said during her 37-minute virtual address over the phone.

Hasina accused the Yunus government of providing clemency to terrorists and criminals, including those involved in arson and murders.

"The release of convicted criminals and terrorists, including those responsible for attacks on the Bangladesh Parliament and other atrocities, proves the complicity of this government," she alleged.

Hasina vowed that those responsible for the alleged atrocities under the Yunus administration would be brought to justice.

Md Yunus and his allies are the masterminds of the July-August unrest in the country. They are behind the killing of students and policemen, arson and atrocities. The murderers and conspirators who have harmed our nation will be held accountable under Bangladeshi law. Just as we took action against war criminals, justice will prevail for todays wrongdoers. No one will escape the law, she said.

On August 5, the student-led Monsoon Revolution under the banner of Students Against Discrimination succeeded in toppling Sheikh Hasinas 16-year regime, propelled by fervent demands for change and accountability.

After unprecedented anti-government protests, Hasina resigned as prime minister and fled the country. She landed in India on August 5 and is currently staying here.

Hasina criticized Yunus and his government for their alleged persecution of religious minorities in Bangladesh.

Since August 5, the attacks on minorities, places of worship of Hindus, Christians and Buddhists have been rampant. We condemn it. The Jamaat and terrorists are having a free run under the new regime, she said.

Hasina expressed outrage over the judicial and administrative repression under the current government, citing the case of Hindu monk Chinmoy Krishna Das as an example.

"Chinmoy Krishna Das' lawyer was barred from contesting his case, a blatant violation of legal rights. This government is using every tool to suppress dissent and deny justice," she said.

Chinmay Krishna Das, a prominent spokesperson for Bangladesh Sammilita Sanatani Jagran Jote, was arrested at Dhakas Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Monday while en route to Chattogram for a rally. He was denied bail and remanded to jail on Tuesday. His arrest has further fueled concerns over the treatment of Hindus in Bangladesh.

Condemning the ongoing oppression, Hasina declared, "This dark chapter of our nation's history will not last forever. Mohammed Yunus will be held accountable for his actions, and justice will prevail."

Hasina further alleged that people are being subjected to brutal violence.

"Innocent people have been beaten to death under this fascist regime. The rule of law has been completely eroded," she said, calling for accountability and justice.

Hasina claimed that the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) has ignored allegations of financial irregularities involving Yunus and his organization, Grameen Bank.

"They accuse my government of corruption but fail to provide evidence. Meanwhile, Yunus's activities remain unchecked by the ACC," she said, reiterating her challenge for the interim government to substantiate its allegations against her.

Hasina claimed that since August, more than a thousand leaders and workers of the Awami League have been killed, their homes looted, and their businesses destroyed.

She claimed that members of her party were being systematically targeted and that these incidents were part of a broader conspiracy to eliminate the Awami Leagues influence.

"All units of the Awami League have been subjected to attacks. The homes and businesses of our leaders have been looted. Those who are reporting these atrocities face severe consequences under the current regime," she stated.

While concluding her virtual address, Hasina expressed hope for a brighter future, assuring the people that "a new dawn will soon break, dispelling the darkness that has engulfed our country."
Oslo, Dec 9 (AP) Terumi Tanaka, a survivor of the US atomic bombings of Japan and the representative of an organisation that won this year's Nobel Peace Prize, called on Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday to stop making nuclear threats.

The 92-year-old spoke at a news conference in Oslo, Norway, a day before a ceremony where he is to deliver a lecture on behalf of Nihon Hidankyo, an organisation of survivors of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki that won this year's prize.

Asked by a reporter if he had a message for Putin, Tanaka said that the Russian leader's repeated nuclear threats convinced him that Putin must not understand how devastating the use of nuclear weapons would be.

He said that his organisation's message to Putin  which he said had also been conveyed to the Russian leader directly  is that nuclear weapons are things which must never be used."

I don't think he has even thought about this or understood this. Therefore, he is able to say these kind of things. So I think that how we can change his way of thinking is what we need to do to have him really understand what these are, he said through a translator.

The first US atomic bombing killed 140,000 people in the city of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. A second on Nagasaki on August 9, 1945, killed another 70,000. Japan surrendered on August 15, ending World War II.

Japan's Kyodo news agency says that Tanaka was 13 and living in Nagasaki when the United States dropped the atomic bomb there.

While he did not suffer major injuries himself, he lost five family members, and has said that the images of burned bodies in the devastated city are etched in his memory.

Jrgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, said in announcing the award weeks ago that it was made as the taboo against the use of nuclear weapons is under pressure.

The committee noted that rather than embrace disarmament, nuclear powers are upgrading their arsenals, while other countries appear to be preparing to acquire nuclear weapons. It also noted that threats are being made to use the weapons in ongoing warfare, an apparent reference to Russia's threats amid its war in Ukraine.

The Japanese group's elderly members are calling for the abolishment of nuclear weapons, a message also directed at the United States.

Tanaka noted that we are old now but still carry a heavy sense of responsibility as witnesses to remind the world of the destructiveness of nuclear weapons.

"Nuclear weapons and humanity cannot coexist," he said.

Back in Japan, Empress Masako on Monday described the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo as a key event of this year that impressed upon her the importance of global peace efforts.

In a statement, she said she felt anew the importance for the people of the world to strive for mutual understanding and work together in order to build a peaceful world." (AP) GSP
Islamabad, Dec 9 (PTI) Pakistans Supreme Court on Monday rejected a plea by the government to let the military courts issue verdicts on completed trials of civilians allegedly involved in the riots of May 9 last year.

The case is related to the trials of 103 civilians who were handed to the military over alleged involvement in the attacks on army installations when supporters of jailed former prime minister Imran Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party took to the streets following his arrest.

A seven-member constitutional bench, led by Justice Aminuddin Khan, dismissed Additional Attorney General Aamer Rehmans plea to allow military courts to pronounce verdicts in cases in which the suspects trial had been completed.

It also rejected the request of Jawwad S Khawaja, who was one of the petitioners challenging the military trials, to not resume hearing the intra-court appeals (ICAs) until petitions challenging the 26th Amendment were decided. The court also imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 on him.

The controversy over military trials of civilians started last year when at least 103 civilians were handed over to military authorities for trials following allegations that they had attacked military facilities during the protest.

Their trial was challenged in the Supreme Court and on October 23 last year, a five-member bench unanimously ruled against the trial of civilians in military courts.

But a set of intra-court appeals were filed against the ruling and a different bench of the court on December 13 last year suspended the ruling by a 5-1 majority verdict until final judgment.

On March 27 this year, the court modified its December 13 injunction, ordering that military courts could commence trials but they would not convict or acquit any suspect until the pendency of government-instituted ICAs.

Later a list of 20 individuals was presented before the court stating that the military courts were allowed to resume trial and therefore hand down sentences in cases of lesser punishments.

It said 20 persons were awarded sentences of one year of which 17 served 10.5 months and three persons served 9.5 months.

With the latest ruling, the court again rejected the plea to allow the announcement of verdicts, which showed that the authorities would have to wait until the final adjudication of the matter.
One of Irans most prominent human rights activists was recently given a three-week medical reprieve from her cell in Tehrans notorious Evin prison. Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi was allowed the temporary leave after repeated requests by her lawyers and family that she be granted medical furlough. Mohammadi had undergone the removal of a suspicious tumor and bone-graft surgery on her leg last month. The 21-day leave is far short of the 3-month furlough they requested.

A writer, a former journalist, and deputy director of the Defenders of Human Rights Center, Mohammadi has been arrested, tried, and imprisoned multiple times by Iranian authorities for her peaceful activities on behalf of political prisoners and the rights of women. She was last arrested in 2021 and sentenced to thirteen years in prison. Her health has suffered drastically during her incarcerations.

Well known for her resilience and spirited defiance inside the walls of Evin prison, Mohammadi shouted the slogan Woman, Life, Freedom! when she arrived home and exited the ambulance on a stretcher at the start of her leave.

News of the decision by the Iranian regime to only allow a brief reprieve for Mohammadi after significant surgery, comes amidst an intensifying focus by Iranian authorities on enforcing the countrys dress code for women. Irans parliament recently passed a new Hijab and Chastity law which imposes harsh financial and other penalties on women who flout the hijab requirements and on businesses that countenance such women on their premises.

The United States has repeatedly called for Narges Mohammadis release, as have the United Nations and a myriad of human rights organizations. At a recent press briefing, State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel labeled her situation deeply troubling and unfortunate:

Because she should have never been incarcerated in the first place, and her deteriorating health is a direct result of the abuses that shes endured at the hands of the Iranian regime. We call again  just as weve done before  [for] the immediate and unconditional release of Narges and other political prisoners who continue to be detained without just cause.

This is another long example, said Spokesperson Patel in the long line of examples, of the Iranian regimes campaign to silence its critics, silence journalists, silence human rights activists, and this includes Narges Mohammadi. And this kind of behavior needs to stop.
Pune, Dec 9 (PTI) A Mumbai-based man was arrested for allegedly stealing gold ornaments from a Jain temple in Pune's Swargate area, a police official said on Monday.

The official identified the accused as Naresh Jain, a resident of Girgaon in south Mumbai, who has 8-10 criminal cases against his name.

"On November 15, a gold crown and a gold chain were stolen from the idol of a Jain temple. Attempts to steal such ornaments were made at three to four other temples on the same day. A check of the CCTV footage helped us zero in on a man who was moving about as a Jain 'sadhak'," Swargate police station senior inspector Yuvraj Nandre said.

Based on a tip off received by policeman Sahar Kekan, Jain was held from Girgaon and a gold crown and chain worth Rs 4.20 lakh were recovered from him, Nandre said.

"The accused has claimed he committed the theft to tide over a financial crisis. He is also accused of committing 8-10 such crimes in Ghatkopar and Dombivali in Mumbai. The theft in Dombivali took place in January this year," the official said.
Nashik, Dec 9 (PTI) A man was arrested in Nashik in Maharashtra for allegedly duping a Tamil Nadu resident of Rs 5 crore with the promise of making him governor of some state, a police official said on Monday.

According to the official, accused Niranjan Kulkarni met Narsimha Reddy Damodar Reddy Apoori, a resident of Chennai in the southern state, in a hotel here on January 12 and promised a gubernatorial assignment by claiming to have widespread political contacts.

"Kulkarni sought Rs 15 crore as service charge. On February 7, Kulkarni met Reddy and promised to transfer his land to the latter if the promise of making him governor was not fulfilled. The accused showed forged documents of 100-acre land near Pench and Bore tiger reserves," the official said.

"Convinced by the proposal, Reddy gave him Rs 60 lakh in cash and transferred Rs 4.48 crore into the latter's bank account between February 7 and April 2. After Reddy realised he had been duped, he demanded his money back. However, Kulkarni threatened him, after which a case was registered at Mumbai Naka police station here on December 7," the official added.

Kulkarni was arrested from his residence on Saturday and has been remanded in 10-day police custody, the official added.
Mumbai, Dec 9 (PTI) Former Maharashtra minister Aditi Tatkare has dismissed reports about the Mahayuti government's purported plan to re-scrutinise applications of beneficiary women under the flagship "Mukhyamantri Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana".

The monthly cash-transfer scheme has contributed in a major way to the victory of the Mahayuti coalition in last month's assembly elections.

Tatkare handled the Women and Child Welfare Department in the erstwhile Eknath Shinde government and oversaw the scheme rollout.

Her remarks on the scrutiny of applications come days after newly-anointed Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced the government's intention to identify ineligible beneficiaries.

"There is no question of re-scrutinising the applications of beneficiaries under this scheme. Around 2.34 crore women are currently receiving benefits, and all applications were thoroughly reviewed before the benefits were disbursed. Any news suggesting otherwise is incorrect," Tatkare told a regional news channel.

The beneficiary women under the Ladki Bahin scheme receive Rs 1,500 per month, which was promised to be raised to Rs 2,100 by Mahayuti leaders during the poll campaign.

Tatkare acknowledged complaints regarding some women illegally receiving funds under the scheme.

"It will be the prerogative of the WCD department to look into the complaints and decide. The department will handle any complaints that have been received, but I want to make it clear that no decision has been made to review or scrutinise the applications again," the NCP MLA added.

Fadnavis had said in view of complaints about some beneficiaries of the scheme not complying with the parameters, scrutiny of applications is necessary.

"It will not be completely scrapped. The scrutiny will be on the lines of the PM Kisan Yojana, where the ineligible beneficiaries had given up their benefit on their own," he had said.

Maharashtra has over 2.43 crore beneficiaries of the "Ladki Bahin Yojana," costing the state exchequer approximately Rs 3,700 crore per month.
Mumbai, Dec 9 (PTI) Maharashtra BJP chief Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Monday slammed the Congress government in neighbouring Karnataka for deciding to remove the portrait of Hindutva ideologue VD Savarkar from the Legislative Assembly there.

History will never forgive those who insult the legacy of Savarkar, who had endured immense suffering for the country's independence, Bawankule asserted.

"The decision of the Congress-led government in Karnataka to remove the portrait of Savarkar is highly condemnable and an insult of country's freedom movement," he said on social media platform X.

This was the Congress' attempt to undermine the sacrifices, pain and ideology of Savarkar.

"It directly insults his legacy and the ideals he stood for," Bawankule said, and asked if Shiv Sena (UBT) chief Uddhav Thackeray would remain silent or speak up over this act of his party's ally.

Thackeray, who has abandoned Hindutva for political gain, has shown disregard for Savarkar's ideals by aligning with the Congress, he claimed.

This is why Thackeray's party is being called "Tipu Sena", Bawankule said.

Tipu Sultan, the 18th-century ruler of Mysuru, who lost his life in a battle against the British in 1799, is a polarising figure who is hailed as a fearless freedom fighter by his supporters, while his detractors condemn him as a zealot who persecuted Hindus.

"Those who insult Savarkar and his legacy, like the Congress and their allies, will never be forgiven by history," Bawankule said.
Mumbai, Dec 9 (PTI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday condemned the suppressive tactics used by Karnataka police against activists of Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti who were protesting in Belagavi.

Earlier in the day, Karnataka police detained leaders and activists of Maharashtra Ekikaran Samiti (MES) who were opposing the winter session of Karnataka legislature being held at Suvarna Vidhan Soudha.

The stance of the Karnataka government to oppose Marathi speaking people in the border areas (with Maharashtra) is unjust, Shinde said in the state legislative council in Mumbai.

Replying to a question by Leader of Opposition Ambadas Danve, Shinde said the Karnataka Government opposed the meeting organised by MES and detained peoples representatives.

A meeting was earlier held with Union minister Amit Shah to find resolution to the long-pending border dispute between the two states, Shinde said.

There was a positive discussion in that meeting. Despite this, if the Karnataka Government is behaving in such a manner, we condemn it, Shinde said.
Mumbai, Dec 9 (PTI) Maharashtra Congress chief Nana Patole on Monday took a veiled swipe at Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar saying the Mahayuti after coming to power due to the Ladki Bahin Yojana was now working for the "ladka bhau" (beloved brother).

His remarks were in connection with the clean chit given to the NCP chief by the Prevention of Benami Property Transactions Appellate Tribunal in Delhi. The tribunal had dismissed allegations of benami property ownership against the deputy CM and his kin.

Without taking Pawar's name, Patole, speaking to reporters at the Vidhan Bhavan complex, said, "The Mahayuti claims to have come to power due to the Ladki Bahin Yojana. However, now that elections are over, the ladki bahin (beloved sister) is no longer needed. Instead, they are working for ladka bhau."

Within days of the Devendra Fadnavis government coming to power, "ladka bhau" had got a clean chit in connection with property worth Rs 1000 crore, he claimed.

"This government is clearly working for its favourites. This is just the beginning. Let us see what happens next," Patole claimed.

On the ruling alliance mocking his wafer-thin 208 vote victory margin from Sakoli in the November 20 assembly polls, Patole said such comments "ridicule the decision of voters and ignores public sentiments".

"This arrogance of power is unacceptable. Voters are the true kings of democracy. They have the right to question where their votes have gone." Patole said in an apparent reference to the EVM row.

Patole said the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi must be given the leader of opposition and deputy speaker posts in the assembly in keeping with the tradition of the Maharashtra legislature.

"When the Congress had significant majority (in the House), it used to respect opposition parties. The LoP post was given without questioning the numbers of opposition parties. I have discussed the matter with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. I hope LoP post is granted during Nagpur session (set to begin on December 16)," Patole said.
Mumbai, Dec 9 (PTI) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held a review meeting with senior officials at Vidhan Bhavan on Monday during which he emphasised the need to explore the state's immense potential to provide a better quality of life to its citizens.

Additional chief secretaries, principal secretaries and secretaries were among those who took part, an official said.

The CM highlighted the importance of infrastructure development and the implementation of flagship projects and directed officials to adopt a transparent, fast-paced, and people-centric approach, he said.

Fadnavis announced the creation of an additional war room in the Chief Minister's Office (CMO) to monitor the progress of development works and to expedite them.

"Maharashtra is a land of infinite potential, and it's high time we do justice to that potential. We must ensure its optimum utilisation to serve and give a better life to the people of Maharashtra," the CM said in a post on X.

He also discussed priorities and outlined several measures, including aggressive coordination with the Central government to accelerate development, grievance redressal mechanisms to address issues at the grassroots level, and enhanced efficiency in public interaction initiatives like Lokshahi Din.

Fadnavis instructed officials to focus on improving 'Ease of Living' for citizens by leveraging technology and innovation and stressed the importance of field visits by district guardian secretaries and other senior officials to ensure effective governance at the local level.

There is a need to resolve problems faced by government employees to improve administrative efficiency, Fadnavis said.

Calling for strengthened infrastructure planning, Fadnavis directed the chief secretary to enhance the existing war room for infrastructure projects and develop fresh strategies for their execution.

Flagship schemes were also prioritised, with the aim of ensuring their benefits reach citizens quickly and effectively, the official said.

The chief minister announced that departments demonstrating exceptional performance would be recognised and honoured during cabinet meetings.
Jammu, Dec 9 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said the Centre should decide the fate of the Rohingya population settled in Jammu, asserting that they could not be allowed to die of starvation or cold.

He also expressed concern over the "tense" relationship between Bangladesh and India, saying the foreign secretary was holding meetings with his counterparts in the neighbouring country and efforts were being made to improve the situation.

"It is a humanitarian issue. The central government should decide about them (Rohingya). If they are to be sent back, do that. If you can, send them back. If you cannot send them back, we cannot starve them to death. They cannot be allowed to die of cold," Abdullah told reporters.

"The government of India should tell us what we have to do with them. As long as they are here, we need to take care of them," the chief minister added.

Abdullah, the National Conference vice-president, also asserted that they did not bring the Rohingya to Jammu or settle them there.

"They have been brought and settled here. If there is a change of policy at the Centre, take them back. As long as they are here, we cannot treat them like animals. They are humans and they should be treated as such," he said.

The BJP on Monday called the settlement of Rohingya and Bangladeshi nationals in Jammu a major "political conspiracy" and demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe to identify those involved in bringing and settling them in the city.

Hitting out at the National Conference government over granting water and power connections to the settlers, the BJP alleged it was being done to protect them as they belonged to a particular community.

Replying to a question about attacks on the minority Hindu community in Bangladesh, Abdullah said there was tension in the relationship between India and its neighbouring country.

"Now, the foreign secretary is holding meetings with them and efforts are being made to improve the situation. Atal Bihari Vajpayee sahib had said that we could change a friend, not a neighbour. It is our compulsion to ensure good relations with our neighbours," he said.

Abdullah was also asked about West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee expressing dissatisfaction with the functioning of the INDIA bloc, signalling her intent to take charge of the alliance.

"There has been no meeting of the INDIA bloc after the general elections. So where is the question of a change in leadership? Let the meeting take place. If Mamata Banerjee wants to take over the leadership, let her stake a claim in the meeting," the Jammu and Kashmir chief minister said.

In an interview with a Bengali news channel on December 7, Banerjee said, "I had formed the INDIA bloc, now it is up to those leading the front to manage it. If they can't run the show, what can I do? I would just say that everyone needs to be taken along."
New Delhi, Dec 9 (PTI) It is incumbent on the part of the US to clarify whether they are standing with George Soros stance of destabilising the Modi government or not, the BJP said on Monday after the US rejected allegations that an organisation linked to the billionaire investor and funded by it was being used to destabilise India.

The BJP's allegations were based on a report published by a French media platform and the US should make clear its position on the matter, party national spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said while replying to queries on the issue at a press conference at the BJP headquarters here.

The BJP had alleged on Thursday that the US deep state colluded with the media portal OCCRP (Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project) and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi to "damage" India's image. The ruling party had cited Gandhi's use of reports by OCCRP to attack the Adani Group and to accuse it of having closeness with the government.

"A French investigative journalist has revealed that the US govt controls the media organization OCCRP, dictating that any story it ran was influenced & lacked genuine backing. But what is its connection with Congress?

"In fact, 50% of OCCRP's funding comes directly from the U.S. State Department. OCCRP, therefore, functions as a media tool for carrying out deep state agendas," the BJP had said in a series of posts on X.

A spokesperson at the US embassy on Saturday described the allegations as "disappointing" and asserted that the US government has been a champion of media freedom around the world.

"The US government works with independent organisations on programming that supports professional development and capacity building training for journalists. This programming does not influence the editorial decisions or direction of these organisations," the official had said.

Asked about it, Trivedi said on Monday that his party raised the issue quoting a report published in a French media platform (Mediapart).

"And in that it was very clear (that) the OCCRP project was funded partially by the US State Department and by Soros also, he added.

OCCRP, headquartered in Amsterdam, is a media platform that largely focuses on stories relating to crime and corruption.

So it is incumbent on their part to clarify whether they are standing with Soros stance of destabilising the Modi government or not, he said.

The BJP leader said the Russian government had openly stated that there was a foreign interference in India during the Lok Sabha polls earlier this year.

Now they (US) should make it clear whether they are involved in the internal matters or not. If not, they should withdraw their support from these organisations (OCCRP), he added.

Earlier in May, Russia had accused the US of meddling in India's domestic affairs and the ongoing elections in the country, which was subsequently rejected by Washington.
New Delhi, Dec 9 (PTI) The Congress Monday expressed concern over sewage dumping in the Ganga and asked whether Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath will assure devotees that the river's water will be fit for bathing and drinking by the time of the Kumbh Mela early next year.

Congress leader Abhay Dubey said Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself should make efforts in this. The Maha Kumbh Mela will begin on January 13 and conclude on February 26.

"It is believed that wherever the Kumbh is held, there is immortality. But the BJP government has tampered with our culture. The principal bench of the NGT (National Green Tribunal) passed an order on November 6, 2014, which mentioned the Uttar Pradesh government had submitted a report on October 30, 2014.

"In that report, it was found that sewerage treatment plants of 340 MLD capacity have been installed to treat the drain water in the area of Prayagraj's Nagar Palika Nigam," he said.

He claimed about 12.8 crore litres of sewage water is being poured directly into the Ganga and it is a "heinous sin".

"When NGT tested 1 MLD of Gangotri water for Uttarakhand, it was found that 540 mpn of faecal coliform bacteria were found in 100 ml. This means that the BJP government has defiled the very origin of the Ganga. In Uttarakhand also, 195 MLD sewerage is being mixed into Ganga, that is, 19 crore 50 lakh litres of drain/sewer water is going into Uttarakhand every day," he said.

"Prime Minister Narendra Modi should also make efforts to maintain the sanctity of Ganga before Maha Kumbh and he should apologize for what has happened with the sanctity of this holy river under the BJP government," he said.
Its no secret that the Russian government has kidnapped thousands of Ukrainian children and sent them to re-education camps scattered across Russia. However, according to a new report, this is just the beginning of Russias alleged crimes against the children of Ukraine.

The Conflict Observatory, a program supported by the U.S. State Department, analyzes and preserves publicly available information and makes it available for use in ongoing and future accountability mechanisms. Using this data, Yale University generated a report, presented to the United Nations Security Council, which discovered three interconnected, Russia-affiliated child placement databases in which children from Ukraine were placed as if they were an orphan from Russia on Russias program, to systematically transfer, adopt and naturalize Ukrainian children.

Whats more, President [Vladimir] Putins personal Presidential Air Wing and Russias Aerospace forces transported the children from Ukraine into and within Russia in 2022.

Russian forces have stolen children and sent them to Russian-occupied parts of Ukraines sovereign territory or deported them into Russia itself, where all trace of them is often obscured, said Linda Thomas-Greenfield, U.S. Permanent representative to the United Nations.

Russias forces have assigned these Ukrainian children new Russian names, Russian passports, and subjected them to Russian military-patriotic indoctrination programs. They have punished children for speaking Ukrainian, lied to them about the fates of their families and communities, and forced them into adoptions with Russian families, she said.

In other words, Russia has sought to systematically erase these childrens identities.

Make no mistake, Russian officials and Russian forces have committed war crimes and crimes against humanity, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield. Russia has remained intransigent and unrepentant, frustrating international efforts  to identify, locate, and reunify missing children with their families and legal guardians.

For our part, the United States, together with partners around the world, has pursued measures to hold Russian officials to account, she said. In March of this year, we joined the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children.

We continue to support Ukraines national authorities, international efforts, and civil society in pushing for the safe return of Ukrainian children and for accountability.

Children never start wars, but they are always victims of war, said Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield. If the Kremlin achieves its war aims and changes Ukraines borders by force or ends Ukraines existence as a sovereign and independent country, Russia will continue its siege elsewhere and more people, more children, will suffer. We must not allow that to happen.
Jammu, Dec 9 (PTI) People from different faiths held a rally in Jammu and Kashmir's Samba district on Monday to protest the attacks on Hindus and their temples in Bangladesh and called on the Centre to intervene.

Carrying the Tricolour, religious flags and placards, members of Hindu, Sikh and Jain communities and MLA Surjeet Singh Salathia took part in the rally.

They urged the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government to ensure the safety of Hindus, a minority in Bangladesh.

"The civil society took out a protest rally against violent attacks on Hindus and their temples. People from various communities, including Hindu, Sikh and Jain, participated in the protest against Bangladesh for what is happening there," said a protester Suraj Singh.

He said the attacks on Hindus in Bangladesh are increasing day by day while the world remains a mute spectator.

"We cannot tolerate such mayhem against the community there. The prime minister and the government of India should intervene further and ensure it is brought to an end," he added.

Another protester, Bansi Lal, said the world should take cognisance of the grave human rights violations taking place in Bangladesh.

"The world must intervene. Human rights organisations should come forward to put an end to the violence against Hindus," he said.

There have been a spate of incidents of violence against Hindus and other minorities as well as attacks on temples in Bangladesh in the last few weeks that triggered strong concerns in New Delhi.
New Delhi, Dec 9 (PTI) Authorities' crackdown on air pollution has hit violators hard in the city, with over Rs 260 crore in fines imposed on more than 2.6 lakh vehicles lacking Pollution Under Control Certificates (PUCC) in just 50 days.

The crackdown was implemented under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

Between October 16 and December 6, the Environment Department issued 260,258 challans across all four stages of GRAP.

Breaking down the time period and stages, a total of 12,756 challans were imposed in Stage 1 from October 16 to October 22, 111,235 in Stage 2 between October 22 and November 14, 13,938 in Stage 3 from November 15 to November 17, and 114,089 in Stage 4 from November 18 to December 5.

Meanwhile, 8,240 challans were issued in Stage 2 after Stage 4 restrictions were lifted on Thursday, with Stage 2 restrictions remaining in effect, according to official data. A fine of Rs 10,000 is imposed on motorists for not having a valid pollution under control (PUC) certificate.

Delhi's air quality reached alarming levels on November 17 when the AQI touched 450, entering the severe-plus category for the first time this year.

In response, the Commission for Air Quality Management in the National Capital Region (CAQM) escalated the situation to Stage IV restrictions, the strictest level of action under GRAP.

Stage IV restrictions came into force on the morning of November 18, when AQI levels reached a hazardous 494  the city's second-worst air quality in six years.

The spike triggered a complete ban on non-essential trucks entering the city, except for those carrying essential goods or using clean fuel, including LNG, CNG, BS-VI diesel, or electric vehicles. Non-essential light commercial vehicles from outside Delhi were also banned, with exemptions for EVs and CNG/BS-VI diesel vehicles.

The implementation of Stage IV saw the highest number of fines issued for traffic violations, with a total of 114,089 challans between November 18 and December 5.

Meanwhile, from December 6 to 7, as Stage 4 restrictions were lifted and Stage 2 measures were put in place, 8,240 challans were issued.

In total, 11,427 overaged vehicles were impounded under various stages of GRAP. The highest number of fines was recorded under Stage 2, with 5,346 overaged vehicles impounded between October 22 and November 14.

This was followed by 3,679 vehicles impounded during Stage 4 restrictions from November 18 to December 5, according to official data.

The restrictions also targeted the flow of non-destined trucks into Delhi. During the enforcement period, 104,768 trucks were diverted through the Eastern and Western Peripheral Roads.

However, after Stage 4 restrictions were lifted on December 6, the number of non-destined trucks diverted to Delhi dropped to zero.

First implemented in 2017, the GRAP is a set of anti-air pollution measures followed in the capital and its vicinity according to the severity of the situation.

It classifies the air quality in the Delhi-NCR under four different stages: Stage 1 - 'poor' (AQI 201-300), Stage 2 - 'very poor' (AQI 301-400), Stage 3 - 'severe' (AQI 401-450) and Stage 4 - 'severe plus' (AQI above 450).

A total of 730 vehicles were challaned for carrying construction & demolition waste uncovered across all stages, with 150 in Stage 1, 280 in Stage 2, 15 in Stage 3, 278 in Stage 4, and seven in Stage 2 after Stage 4 restrictions were lifted and Stage 2 restrictions remained in effect.

Meanwhile, 681 traffic congestion points were decongested, according to official data.

After a month of struggling with toxic air, Delhi's air began to heal with the help of wind, and on December 1, it was recorded in the 'poor' category.

As the days passed, the air quality improved to 'moderate' category. However, it took a turn again, and this Sunday, the air quality deteriorated, recording a 'very poor' category with an AQI of 302.

On Monday, the AQI improved again and returned to the 'moderate' category, according to CPCB data.
New Delhi, Dec 9 (PTI) The Delhi Police has arrested five people, including three members of the Neeraj Bawana-Naveen Bali and the Himanshu Bhau gangs, an official said on Monday.

During the operation, police seized 12 firearms, including pistols, a revolver, and country-made guns, along with 15 rounds of ammunition, he said.

Subeg alias Shibbu, 34, a financier-turned-gangster, his associate Gaurav, 31, along with Sharvan, 38, a garment trader-turned-gangster, were apprehended during the raids in Jangpura area of south Delhi, Special Commissioner of Police (crime) Devesh Chandra Srivastava said.

Shibbu and Gaurav were involved in several heinous crimes, including attempts to murder and murder. All three are residents of Delhi.

The arrests were made after an arms smuggler from Aligarh -- Shoib, 34, who had come to Delhi to supply weapons to the trio -- was apprehended on December 2.

Acting on a tip-off, a police team arrested Shoib near the Mohan Estate Metro Station in southeast Delhi and seized five firearms, including a Beretta pistol, from him.

Subsequent raids on December 3 and 4 in the south Delhi districts led to the arrests of Subeg, Gaurav, and Sharvan, along with additional recoveries of firearms.

On December 7, Azeem, 28, an associate of Shoib was apprehended from Aligarh, and four more firearms were seized.

Subeg, Gaurav and Sharvan revealed that they work for different gangsters and Shoib and Azeem were supplying arms to them.
Bhubaneswar, Dec 9 (PTI) Odisha Police and vigilance sleuths on Monday seized over Rs 40 lakh in cash from a drug peddler's house and a property registration office during raids, officials said.

"Acting on intelligence inputs, we raided a house in Bhadrak district in the presence of an executive magistrate and seized about Rs 25 lakh in cash and some quantity of brown sugar," SP Madkar Sandeep Sampat said.

Police have detained a woman, and further investigation is ongoing, he added.

In another raid, Odisha Vigilance found Rs 15.08 lakh in cash during a search in the office of the sub-registrar after apprehending a clerical staff red-handed while accepting a bribe.

Acting on a complaint, vigilance sleuths laid a trap and arrested Debajani Kar, a junior clerk at the office of the sub-registrar in Khandagiri, Bhubaneswar, for accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000 from the complainant for execution of a registered sale deed of a subplot, an official statement said.

Following the trap, simultaneous searches were launched at Kar's residential house in Old Town area of Bhubaneswar and her office room. While searching the office, officials recovered Rs 15.08 lakh in cash, the vigilance officials said.
New Delhi, Dec 9 (PTI) The Hindu parties on Monday informed in the Supreme Court that the mosque committee could have moved the Allahabad High Court itself against the single judge's rejection of their plea in the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah dispute in Mathura.

A bench comprising Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar heard the submissions of advocate Barun Sinha, who said plea of the Muslim side was not maintainable in the top court at this stage.

A single judge bench of the Allahabad High Court on August 1 rejected the plea of the Committee of Management, Trust Shahi Masjid Idgah, challenging the maintainability of 15 cases related to the temple-mosque dispute in Mathura, and ruled the religious character of Shahi Idgah needed to be determined.

Sinha referred to the Allahabad High Court rules and argued, In view of Chapter 8 of the Allahabad High Court Rules, a special appeal before the division bench of the high court would be maintainable.

He said an appeal in the Supreme Court was not maintainable against the order of a single judge bench of the high court" and an intra-court appeal in the high court should have been filed. The lawyer therefore sought the plea to be dismissed.

The bench would resume the hearing post the winter break.

On November 29, the CJI-led bench said it would hear on December 9 a plea of the mosque committee against the Allahabad High Court rejecting its petition challenging the maintainability of the cases of the Hindu side related to the dispute.

"This we will hear at length. We will take it up on December 9, at 2 pm... We have to decide what is the legal position," the CJI said.

Speaking for the bench, the CJI, however, said he prima facie felt that an intra-court appeal would lie against the single judge bench order of August 1 of the high court.

"We will certainly give you an opportunity to argue," the bench said.

The mosque committee's contention was that the suits filed by Hindu litigants relating to the dispute over the Krishna Janmabhoomi temple and the adjoining mosque violated the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act -- and were therefore not maintainable.

The 1991 Act prohibits changing the religious character of any shrine from what existed on the day of the country's Independence. It exempted only the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute from its purview.

The cases filed by the Hindu side seek the removal of the Aurangzeb-era mosque they claim was built after demolishing a temple that once stood there.

The high court said the 1991 Act did not define the term religious character and the "disputed" place cannot have a dual religious character -- of a temple and a mosque, which are adverse to each other -- at the same time.

Either the place is a temple or a mosque. Thus, I find that the religious character of the disputed place as it existed on August 15, 1947, is to be determined by documentary as well as oral evidence led by both the parties, the high court said.

The high court concluded that the cases "do not appear to be barred by any provisions of the Wakf Act, 1995; the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991; the Specific Relief Act, 1963; the Limitation Act, 1963 and Order XIII Rule 3A of the Code of Civil Procedure Code, 1908".

Hindu side counsel Vishnu Shankar Jain previously said the Hindu side would move the Supreme Court asking it to vacate its stay on a previous Allahabad High Court order allowing a survey of the mosque.

The mosque management committee and the UP Sunni Central Waqf Board argued that the suits were barred under Places of Worship Act and other laws. On May 31, the Allahabad High Court reserved its judgment on this maintainability plea after hearing both sides.

However, the court reopened the hearing at the request of Shahi Idgah counsel Mehmood Pracha. The judgment, pronounced recently, was reserved on June 6.

The Mathura dispute mirrors the legal tussle in Varanasi, where the Gyanvapi mosque and the Kashi Vishwanath temple are located next to each other.
New Delhi, Dec 9 (PTI) An inordinate delay in the execution of a death sentence has a dehumanising effect on the accused, the Supreme Court observed on Monday as it upheld a Bombay High Court order commuting the death penalty of two convicts in the 2007 Pune BPO employee gangrape and murder case to life term for 35 years.

Dismissing the appeal filed by the Maharashtra government challenging the Bombay High Court judgement, a bench of Justices Abhay S Oka, Ahsanuddin Amanullah and Augustine George Masih said keeping a convict sentenced to death in suspense while considering his mercy petitions by the governor or the president for an inordinately long time is certainly agony for him/her.

"The only conclusion in this case is that the delay is unexplained and inordinate. Therefore, it is impossible to find fault with the view taken by the high court that there was a violation of the rights of the convicts guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

"Therefore, the commutation of the death sentence to a fixed term sentence of thirty-five years by the high court cannot be faulted," the bench said.

The top court said undue delay in issuing a warrant of execution can violate the rights of convicts under Article 21 of the Constitution and in this case, there is a delay in three stages.

It said on July 10, 2015, the convicts filed mercy petitions addressed to the Maharashtra governor, which were rejected on March 29, 2016.

"On June 1,1 2016, mercy petitions were addressed by the convicts to the President of India, which were rejected on May 26, 2017. This is the second part of the delay, and the third part of the delay started on June 19, 2017, when the superintendent of prison informed the sessions judge, Pune, about the rejection of mercy petitions by the president.

"Ultimately, it was only on April 10, 2019, that the learned sessions court, Pune, issued the warrants for the execution of the death sentence," the bench said.

Thus, from July 10, 2015, till April 10, 2019, time was consumed in deciding the mercy petitions filed before the governor and the president, and in issuing warrants for executing the death sentence, it added.

The convicts -- Purushottam Borate and Pradeep Kokade -- were to be executed on June 24, 2019, but the high court said on June 21, 2019, the execution should not take place until further orders. The high court on July 29, 2019, allowed the convicts' petitions to stay the execution of their death warrant.

In its judgement, the top court said, the executive must promptly deal with the mercy petitions filed by the convicts of the death sentence.

"In this case, the approach of the executive, and especially the state government, has been casual and negligent. Even the sessions court ought to have been pro-active.

"When the delay from the date of filing of mercy petitions till the date of issue of a warrant of execution is inordinate and unexplained, the right of the convicts guaranteed by Article 21 of the Constitution is violated. This right must be upheld, and it is the duty of the Constitutional Courts to do so," the bench said.

On November 1, 2007, a Wipro BPO employee, who was then 22 years old, got into the regular cab contracted by the company to report for her night duty in a Pune suburb.

Cab driver Borate, accompanied by his friend Kokade, changed the route and took her to a remote place, where they raped her and strangled her with her 'dupatta'. They also disfigured her face.

The duo was convicted and awarded death penalty by a sessions court in March 2012 for kidnapping, raping and murdering the woman. In September 2012, the high court confirmed the punishment and the verdict was upheld by the Supreme Court in May 2015.
Srinagar, Dec 8 (PTI) The People's Democratic Party (PDP) has said that governing Jammu and Kashmir requires a "delicate dance" with the Centre.

"Governing J&K effectively requires a delicate dance with New Delhi, as acknowledged by the new government (in Jammu and Kashmir)," the PDP said in its monthly newsletter 'Speak Up'

The party said its late patron Mufti Mohammad Sayeed knew that for J-K's larger interest, unconventional paths must be explored, urging the BJP to adopt a more conciliatory approach akin to that of former PM Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

"So, even with BJP's limited local influence, strategic engagement is necessary to leverage what rightfully belongs to J&K. Recent arbitrary dismissals of two employees, even with a popular government in place, raise questions. For now, all eyes are on the new government," the party said.

The PDP said in Jammu and Kashmir, winning an election might be the simplest part of the political journey.

"The real challenge is managing the complex web of public expectations and conflict where hot-button issues abound and common ground is rare.

"Unemployment is at unprecedented levels, and while job creation is crucial, it's not the only solution. Imagine a landscape dotted with skill-building workshops, scholarships for higher studies, and robust career counselling-each a beacon to guide our youth away from the shadows of desperation that often lead to drugs and crime," it added.

The party also raised the issue of electricity problem in Jammu and Kashmir.

"Electricity-or should we say, the lack thereof is another shared grievance across both regions. If our own hydroelectric projects fail to meet demand, then the government should consider purchasing more power from NHPC during peak summer and winter seasons.

"Long-term, the goal should be clear: reclaim control over at least two hydroelectric assets to ensure self-sufficiency. The government's recent promises, such as 200 units of free electricity and gas cylinders for the poor, transcend mere election pledges; they are lifelines for many. These commitments, if fulfilled, could dramatically improve the lives of the underprivileged," the party said.

The PDP said the first assembly session in eight years was a vivid display of democracy, chaotic yet vibrant.

"The meeting was not just about policy debates but symbolised a return to a time where voicing dissent did not automatically mean detention," it said.

The PDP also raked up the controversy surrounding the Ring Road project, particularly the lack of proper land compensation and the plan to develop 30 satellite townships.

"(It) has created fear that these townships might house outsiders. The local government must address these concerns," it said.
Shimla, Dec 9 (PTI) Two people died and another was injured when their car rammed into a hill in Himachal Pradesh's Shimla on Monday, police said.

The accident occurred on NH5 near Rampur Bushahr when Kaku Singh, the driver, Raju and Amar Singh were en route Narkanda from Duttnagar, they said.

The driver lost control of the vehicle as they reached near Bhera Khad and it collided with a hill, the police said.

They said that Kaku from Damtaal village in Kangra district and Raju, a resident of Rewali village in Shimla, died on the spot in the accident, while Amar from Duttnagar in Shimla was injured.

Upon receiving information, a police team reached the spot and rescued the injured who was taken to Mahatma Gandhi Medical Services Complex in Khaneri. The bodies were also taken for postmortem, they added.

Shimla Superintendent of Police Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi said that a case has been registered under sections 281 (rash driving), 125(a) (causing hurt), 106(1) (causing death by negligence) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and further investigation in the matter is underway.
New Delhi, Dec 9 (PTI) Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar on Monday said forces within or outside India cannot be allowed to "sacrilege our unity, integrity and sovereignty", and asserted that all must unite to neutralise the evolving "deep state", amid uproar in the House over BJP's allegations of Congress leaders colluding with billionaire investor George Soros to destabilise the country.

"We cannot afford to overlook such kind of evil designs", he said, adding that the 1.4 billion Indians are "extremely concerned".

All divisive forces that are pernicious to the concept of Bharat and have sinister designs to run down "our democracy, to bring down our progress and to impede our economic upsurge have to be defeated by us", he told the members after repeated disruptions in the House.

While the ruling BJP members demanded a discussion on the alleged Congress-Soros links, terming it as an issue of national security, the opposition MPs claimed it was the ruling party's plan to divert attention from the allegations against businessman Gautam Adani and pressed for discussion and a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) probe on the issue.

The nation is committed to fighting forces that are inimical to India, Dhankhar said and stressed that the integrity and sovereignty of the country are "sacred for us".

"We cannot allow any forces within the country or outside to sacrilege our unity, our integrity and our sovereignty," the Rajya Sabha Chairman said, adding that "our commitment to nationalism has to be 100 per cent".

He informed the members that a meeting was held in his chamber between the Leader of the House and the Leader of the Opposition. The purpose of the meeting was to ensure that the House runs smoothly, with both sides and some other floor leaders present including Tiruchi Siva, Pramod Tiwari and Jairam Ramesh.

"Both sides had a frank discussion and they signalled two things. One, that integrity and sovereignty of the nation are sacred to us. We cannot allow any forces within the country or outside to sacrilege our unity, our integrity and our sovereignty. The leaders had a frank discussion. They have agreed to meet in my chamber tomorrow at 10.30 am," the Rajya Sabha Chairman said.

He then appealed to all the members of the House to carefully consider the oath of the Constitution they have taken, stressing that they have to prioritise safeguarding the integrity of the nation.

"Any challenge to the unity of the nation, to the integrity of the nation... requires all of us to offer a united challenge. This is not a challenge to one section or the other. It is a challenge to our very existence.

"We as a nation are committed to fighting these sinister forces, these forces that are inimical to India. This inimical force mechanism, a deep state that is evolving, is required to be neutralised by all of us," Dhankhar said.

He further appealed to the members to share the sentiments of the people at large.

"People at large are extremely concerned that all divisive forces, all forces that are pernicious to the concept of Bharat, all forces that have a sinister design to run down our democracy, to bring down our progress to impede our economic upsurge have to be defeated by us. That is a sentiment which 1.4 million people share," Dhankhar said.

He said the sentiment has to emanate from this House and at this critical moment when the country is facing such serious challenges, the House must send a united voice to motivate the people at large and inspire them so that these forces are defeated.

"We in this country, that is rising at a very fast pace, cannot afford to either countenance or overlook such kind of evil designs and our conduct should be such that people get more interest in our parliament because if dialogue in parliament does not share the sentiments of the people at large. The parliament will get into irrelevance," the Rajya Sabha Chairman said.

He observed that it is fundamental for Parliament to debate such serious challenges that the nation is facing from forces that are determined to run down ther country by employing various mechanisms.

"The functioning of the deep state has been noticed that it affects us more perniciously than COVID disease and this is an occasion where the entire nation needs to speak in one voice.

"The nation must give a direction to the people at large so that all enemies of Bharat within or outside a total lesson never to venture in a misadventure to challenge our integrity, our sovereignty and impede our progress," Dhankhar said.

He subsequently adjourned the House for the day, following three adjournments earlier.

Earlier in the day, amid disruption in Rajya Sabha, he urged members to adhere to discipline and decorum.

"... Parliamentary disruption is not a remedy, it's a malady. It weakens our foundation. It slides Parliament into irrelevance. We must continue to have our relevance. When we engage in this kind of conduct, we deviate from constitutional ordainment. We show our back to our duties.

"If parliament strays from its constitutional duty to represent people's hopes and aspirations, it is our duty to nurture nationalism, further democracy. I urge you all to embrace the spirit of meaningful dialogue," he said.

On a question from Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, he said : "There is a good question emanating from, I would say, my dear friend Jairam Ramesh. He says, how do we persuade the chair? It's a good question. Therefore, I seek to answer it. We persuade the chair historically only by exhibiting the highest standard of conformance to the rules".
The United States welcomed home three American citizens who were imprisoned in China for several years. Mark Swidan, Kai Li and John Leung returned to the U.S. in late November.

Mark Swidan was wrongfully detained in China on drug charges in 2012. He was held in Jiangmen Prison and received a sentence to death in 2019. According to the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, although his death sentence was delayed, Swidan faced poor sanitary conditions in prison and was regularly denied medical services.

Kai Li was arbitrarily detained in China in 2016 on false charges of spying on the behalf of the U.S. Federal Bureau of Invesigation. His trial was held behind closed doors, and he was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

John Leung was detained in 2021 on espionage charges.

The return of Swidan, Li and Leung, follows the release of another American citizen wrongfully detained by China, David Lin. Lin was a pastor who had been held in China for more than 20 years before his release in September.

All of these releases are the result of months of discussions between the United States and China. In a press briefing, State Department Spokesperson Matthew Miller discussing Lins release said, Every time the Secretary has met with Chinese officials ... he has raised the case of David Lin and other wrongfully detained Americans, and we continue to push for the release of other wrongfully detained Americans.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken wrote in a post on X that he had a chance to talk with the three men as they traveled home to the United States just in time for Thanksgiving.

I told them how glad I was that they were in good health and that theyll soon be reunited with their loved ones, he said.

The Biden Administration has made several attempts to secure the release of all Americans wrongfully detained abroad. Earlier this year, President Joe Biden proclaimed March 9 as U.S. Hostage and Wrongful Detainee Day. In the announcement, President Biden wrote, Today  and every day  the United States reaffirms our sacred pledge to American hostages and detainees wrongfully held abroad: We see you. We stand with you. We will not stop working until you are home and reunited with your family.
Donald Trump on Sunday called for an immediate cease-fire in Russias war with Ukraine and the president-elect renewed warnings that he was open to pulling the United States out of NATO.

Trump made his cease-fire proposal after a weekend meeting in Paris with French and Ukrainian leaders, claiming in a social media post that Kyiv would like to make a deal to end the more than 1,000-day war. The Kremlin responded that it was open to negotiations, while Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy cautioned that any deal would have to pave the way to a lasting peace.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump said Russia and Ukraine have each lost hundreds of thousands of soldiers in a war that should never have started.

There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin. Too many lives are being needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, Trump said. He urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to act to bring an end to the fighting.

Trumps remarks came after the meeting Saturday with Zelenskyy and French President Emmanuel Macron that Zelenskyy described as constructive.

In a post Sunday on the Telegram messaging app, Zelenskyy cautioned that Ukraine needs a just and robust peace, that Russians will not destroy within a few years.

When we talk about an effective peace with Russia, we must talk first of all about effective peace guarantees. Ukrainians want peace more than anyone else. Russia brought war to our land, Zelenskyy said.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov reiterated Moscows long-standing message that it is open to talks with Ukraine. He referenced a decree by Zelenskyy from October 2022 that formally declared the prospect of any talks impossible as long as Putin was the Russian leader.

That decree came after Putin proclaimed four occupied regions of Ukraine to be a part of Russia, in what Kyiv and the West was a clear violation of Ukrainian sovereignty, and despite Moscow lacking full military control over the areas.

For most of the war, Kyivs official position has been to call for a full withdrawal of Russian troops from internationally recognized Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, as a condition for peace talks.

In a separate social media update, Zelenskyy asserted that Kyiv has so far lost 43,000 soldiers since Moscows all-out invasion on Feb. 24, 2022, while 370,000 have been wounded.

Both Russia and Ukraine have been reluctant to publish official casualty figures. Western officials have said that the past few months of grinding positional warfare in eastern Ukraine have meant record losses for both sides, with tens of thousands killed and wounded each month.

Trump has said before he would like to see a quick cease-fire in Ukraine. Sundays proposal was more pressing, and the quick responses from Ukraine and Russia demonstrated the seriousness with which they regarded the idea from the incoming American president.

The Biden administration and other supporters of Ukraine in the United States and abroad have made a point of not being seen to press Ukraine for an immediate truce. Ukraines allies fear a quick deal would be largely on the terms of its more powerful neighbor, forcing damaging concessions on Ukraine and allowing Russia to potentially resume the war again once it has rebuilt its military.

Separately, Trump in an NBC News interview that aired Sunday renewed his warning to NATO allies that he did not see continued U.S. participation in the Western military alliance as a given during his second term in office.

Trump has long complained that European and the Canadian governments in the mutual-defense bloc are freeloading on military spending by the U.S., by far the most powerful partner in NATO. NATO and its member governments say a majority of countries in the bloc are now hitting voluntary targets for military spending, due in part to pressure from Trump in his first term.

Asked in the interview taped Friday whether he would consider the possibility of pulling out of NATO, Trump indicated that was an open question.

If theyre paying their bills, and if I think theyre treating us fairly, the answer is absolutely Id stay with NATO, he told Meet the Press.

But if not, he was asked if he would consider pulling the U.S. out of the alliance. Trump responded, Absolutely. Yeah, absolutely.

(AP)
The picture of who will be in charge of executing President-elect Donald Trumps hard-line immigration and border policies has come into sharper focus after he announced his picks to head Customs and Border Protection and also the agency tasked with deporting immigrants in the country illegally.

Trump said late Thursday he was tapping Rodney Scott, a former Border Patrol chief whos been a vocal supporter of tougher enforcement measures, for CBP commissioner.

As acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Trump said he had chosen Caleb Vitello, a career ICE official with more than 23 years in the agency.

They will work with an immigration leadership team that includes South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem as head of the Department of Homeland Security; former acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement head Tom Homan as border czar; and immigration hard-liner Stephen Miller as deputy chief of staff.

Heres a closer look at the picks:

Rodney Scott

Customs and Border Protection, with its roughly 60,000 employees, falls under the Department of Homeland Security. It includes the Border Patrol, which Scott led during Trumps first term, and is essentially responsible for protecting the countrys borders while facilitating trade and travel.

Scott comes to the job firmly from the Border Patrol side of the house. He became an agent in 1992 and spent much of his career in San Diego. When he joined the agency, San Diego was by far the busiest corridor for illegal crossings. Traffic plummeted after the government dramatically increased enforcement there, but critics note the effort pushed people to remote parts of California and Arizona.

San Diego was also where wall construction began in the 1990s, which shaped Scotts belief that barriers work. He was named San Diego sector chief in 2017.

When he was appointed head of the border agency in January 2020, he enthusiastically embraced Trumps policies.

Hes well known. He does know these issues and obviously is trusted by the administration, said Gil Kerlikowske, the CBP commissioner under the Obama administration.

Kerlikowske took issue with some of Scotts past actions, including his refusal to fall in line with a Biden administration directive to stop using terms like illegal alien in favor of descriptions like migrant, and his decision as San Diego sector chief to fire tear gas into Mexico to disperse protesters.

You dont launch projectiles into a foreign country, Kerlikowske said.

At the time Scott defended the agents decisions, saying they were being assaulted by a hail of rocks.

While Trumps focus may be on illegal immigration and security along the U.S.-Mexico border, Kerlikowske also stressed the other parts of CBPs mission.

The agency is responsible for securing trade and international travel at airports, ports and land crossings around the country. Whoever runs the agency has to make sure that billions of dollars worth of trade and millions of passengers move swiftly and safely into and out of the country.

And if Trump makes good on promises to ratchet up tariffs on Mexico, China and Canada, CBP will play an integral role in enforcing them.

Theres a huge amount of other responsibility on trade, on tourism, on cyber that take a significant amount of time and have a huge impact on the economy if its not done right, Kerlikowske said.

After being forced out under the Biden administration, Scott has been a vocal supporter of Trumps hard-line immigration agenda. He has appeared frequently on Fox News and testified in Congress. Hes also a senior fellow at the Texas Public Policy Foundation.

In a 2023 interview with The Associated Press, he advocated for a return to Trump-era immigration policies and more pressure on Mexico to enforce immigration on its side of the border.

Caleb Vitello

Vitello will take over as acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the agency responsible for arresting and deporting migrants in the U.S. illegally. A career ICE official, he most recently was the assistant director for firearms and tactical programs.

Hes also served on the National Security Council and held positions at ICE directly related to the agencys enforcement operations. That will be key as the agency attempts to ramp up efforts to find and remove people in the country illegally.

ICE has not had a Senate-confirmed leader in years.

I know Caleb Vitello very well. Hes a consummate professional, cares about the mission, said Jason Houser, a former chief of staff at ICE under the Biden administration. Hes probably one of the smartest guys on enforcement and removal operations, Houser said.

Houser also noted the challenges that come with the job.

There are a limited number of enforcement and removal officers  the people who actually track down migrants and remove them from the country. And theres more than a million people with final orders of removal, meaning theyve gone through the immigration process and been found to have no right to stay in America. But the problem is that many of them come from countries to which its very difficult to deport people, such as Venezuela or Cuba, Houser said.

Houser said he anticipates that another arm of ICE, called Homeland Security Investigations, will be pulled in more to help with efforts to remove migrants through things like worksite enforcement. Currently HSI investigates anything with a connection to the border, which can mean human trafficking and human smuggling, counterterrorism or cybercrime, he said.

Others

Trump announced Anthony W. Salisbury as the deputy homeland security adviser. Salisbury is currently the special agent in charge of the HSI office in Miami. He has held key positions in Mexico City and overseeing money-laundering investigations.

Separately, Trump announced he was sending the former head of the National Border Patrol Council, Brandon Judd, to Chile as ambassador. The council represents Border Patrol agents.

(AP)
New York City Mayor Eric Adams appears open to switching parties to become a Republican, as he declined to rule out a future change in political allegiances during a pair of interviews Friday that came as he has increasing warmed to President-elect Donald Trump.

The comments from Adams, the top Democrat in one of the countrys most liberal cities, riled critics who have grown concerned over the mayors increasing willingness to throw his support behind Trump and his hardline immigration policies.

Adams, who faces federal corruption charges, was a registered Republican in the 1990s and early 2000s but has spent his political career as a Democrat.

In a Friday morning interview with the local cable news station NY1, Adams was asked if he would consider a return to the GOP. The Democrat appeared to leave open the possibility of a switch.

The party thats the most important for me is the American party, he said. Im a part of the American party. I love this country. This is the home of the free, the land of the brave.

In another interview about a half-hour later on PIX11, Adams said he would run for reelection as a Democrat but still appeared to leave some wiggle room for his future.

So no matter what party Im on or vote on, Im going to push for the American values, he said. And I think America has told us, stop the squabbling, leaders, and start leading us out of the crisis that were facing.

Adams won office on a centrist platform and has spent significant time as mayor quarreling with the progressive wing of his party. But his rhetoric has taken a noticeable rightward turn in the weeks since Trumps election victory, particularly on immigration, with Adams boosting the president-elects platform and appearing enthusiastic about the incoming administration.

Rather than restricting cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement, as he once promised, Adams recently expressed a willingness to roll back the citys so-called sanctuary policies, and he plans to meet with Trumps top border official over concerns about what the mayor said was the rising illegal alien crime rate in New York City.

He has also praised those in Trumps orbit, including Elon Musk, who has claimed falsely that Democrats are illegally importing migrants to garner votes.

This is a racehorse that wanted to run its right pace and weve been holding back that racehorse out of fear of being canceled, Adams said of the country Tuesday. And now you have a bunch of people who are not afraid of being canceled.

The shift comes as Adams is trying to fight off an indictment on federal corruption charges while governing the city and gearing up to run for a second term. Adams has pleaded not guilty in his criminal case, in which he has been accused of accepting free or discounted overseas trips and illegal campaign contributions from people looking to gain his influence, including people connected to Turkey or the Turkish government.

Adams critics have seized on his recent comments about the Trump administration as a move toward self-preservation, accusing the mayor of cozying up to the next president in an effort to secure a pardon in his corruption case.

Eric Adams continues to sound more like he is auditioning for a job in right-wing media than running for reelection in a Democratic primary, said Zohran Mamdani, a state assembly member who is challenging against Adams in the mayoral primary. Eric Adams is in City Hall because Democratic voters sent him there. To serve his own narrow self-interests, he is clearly prepared to betray them.

Zellnor Myrie, a state senator who is also challenging Adams in the primary, said at a time when the Republican Party has never been more out of line with New York values, we need a mayor who isnt scared to call himself a Democrat.

Instead of playing footsie with the next president, we need a mayor with the courage to stand up for our city, Myrie wrote on X.

Adams on Friday did distance himself from the Trump administrations potential plans to carry out mass deportations, saying, You know, Im not for mass deportation, but Im not for mass saturation.

Still, the mayors recent remarks are a major departure from his stance before he took office.

In June of 2021, a few weeks before winning the Democratic mayoral primary, Adams spoke to a room full of immigrant New Yorkers about the challenges facing city residents who are in the country illegally. Too many of our neighbors live in the shadows, he said at the time, scarred by the abusive rhetoric and tactics of the Trump era and fearing a denial of their rights.

(AP)
As tuition costs rise and families struggle to keep up, the outcry for solutions has grown louder. One common suggestion is to demand schools open their financial books to the public so parents can scrutinize their spending. While this might sound appealing in theory, its an unrealistic and fundamentally flawed approach.

Heres why: Private schools are just thatprivate. They were created by individuals or groups offering a service, not by communal organizations obligated to serve everyone at any price. These schools may rely on donors and tuition-paying parents, but that doesnt make them public entities accountable to everyones financial scrutiny. The responsibility to educate children lies with parents, not schools. If a parent feels tuition is too high, they can look elsewhere or explore alternative solutions. Schools dont owe parents anything unless those parents are paying tuition.

This sense of entitlementthat schools should justify their expenses or lower costs simply because parents feel burdenedmisses a crucial point. Schools, like any other private entity, have the right to set their prices. If you dont like what they charge, youre free to go elsewhere. The challenge, of course, is that all tuitions are high, and there arent many alternative options. But thats not the schools problem to fixits a market reality.

To illustrate, lets consider other necessities. Kosher food prices have skyrocketed in recent years. Yet, no one demands that kosher grocery stores open their financial books so we can audit their profit margins. Why? Because its not our business. If you dont like the prices at one store, you can shop somewhere elseor not buy that item at all. Similarly, flooring is a necessity for any home. Yet, we dont call for flooring companies to justify their pricing or cut the fat in their operations to make floors cheaper. Imagine if flooring business owners, of all people, started demanding schools open their books while keeping their own closed. The irony would be hard to miss.

The fact is, schools operate within a private system, and their pricing reflects the reality of what it takes to run an institution. Teachers, buildings, utilities, supplies, extracurricular programsit all costs money. If tuition is high, its because providing a quality education is expensive.

So, what can we do? Complaining and demanding transparency arent solutions. If you truly believe tuition can be lower, then start a school of your own. Analyze the costs, find efficiencies, and create an institution that provides the education you want at the price you believe is fair. Its not impossible, but its also not easyand thats why no one has done it yet.

Yes, tuition is high, and its frustrating. But the responsibility doesnt lie with the schools to make it cheaper. Its time to shift our perspective and accept that schools, like any private business, operate in a free market. The burden is on us, as parents and community members, to find creative solutions, not on schools to lower their standards or sacrifice quality to meet our demands.

The views expressed in this letter do not necessarily represent those of YWN. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review.
In a dramatic response to the collapse of the Bashar al-Assad regime, Israeli Air Force (IAF) fighter jets conducted extensive airstrikes across Syria on Sunday, targeting weapon stockpiles and military infrastructure that Israel feared could fall into the hands of hostile forces.

Dozens of IAF aircraft struck numerous targets described as strategic weapons, including advanced missile storage sites, air defense systems, and weapon production facilities, according to defense sources. Reports also indicated that Israeli jets targeted a chemical weapons site overnight Sunday.

Key sites hit in the strikes included the Khalkhala air base north of Sweida, where Syrian forces had reportedly abandoned large stockpiles of missiles and munitions. In Damascus, strikes on the Mezzeh airbase targeted ammunition depots, while additional attacks focused on a government research center and a security complex in the Kafr Sousa district. These facilities were believed to house sensitive military data and guided missile components.

Local media and social media footage captured the intensity of the strikes, which caused significant damage to infrastructure and military facilities in southern Syrias Daraa and Suwayda Governorates.

The IDF also seized control of a buffer zone in the Golan Heights near the Israel-Syria border on Sunday. The IDF described the deployment as a temporary defensive measure to prevent armed groups from exploiting the power vacuum left by Assads fall.

The buffer zone, established under the 1974 Agreement on Disengagement, had remained neutral territory for nearly 50 years. This marked the first time Israeli forces had stationed troops there since the agreement, though the IDF has conducted brief incursions in the past.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, visiting the Golan Heights, explained the necessity of the deployment. This area has been controlled for nearly 50 years by a buffer zone. This agreement has collapsed, and the Syrian soldiers have abandoned their positions, he said.

The IDF coordinated its actions with the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) and notified the United States of its plans, describing the move as temporary, lasting only a few days to weeks.

Amid the chaos, the United States also launched strikes on Islamic State (ISIS) targets in central Syria. According to the U.S. military, more than 75 targets were hit using various aircraft, including B-52 bombers and F-15 fighter jets. The strikes targeted ISIS leaders, operatives, and camps.

A senior Biden administration official confirmed efforts to secure and destroy chemical weapons left behind by the Assad regime. We are doing everything we can to ensure that those materials are not available to anyone and are cared for, the official said.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
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A Marine veteran who used a chokehold on an agitated subway rider was acquitted on Monday in a death that became a prism for differing views about public safety, valor and vigilantism.

A Manhattan jury delivered the verdict, clearing Daniel Penny of criminally negligent homicide in Jordan Neelys death last year. A more serious manslaughter charge was dismissed earlier in deliberations because the jury deadlocked on that count.

Both charges were felonies and carried the possibility of prison time.

Penny, 26, gripped Jordan Neely around the neck for about six minutes in a chokehold that other subway passengers partially captured on video.

Pennys lawyers said he was protecting himself and other subway passengers from a volatile, mentally ill man who was making alarming remarks and gestures. The defense also disputed a city medical examiners finding that the chokehold killed Neely.

Prosecutors said Penny reacted far too forcefully to someone he perceived as a peril, not a person.

The case amplified many American fault lines, among them race, politics, crime, urban life, mental illness and homelessness. Neely was Black. Penny is white.

There were sometimes dueling demonstrations outside the courthouse, and high-profile Republican politicians portrayed Penny as a hero while prominent Democrats attended Neelys funeral.

The verdict capped a trial that took a tumultuous turn last Friday, when jurors said they couldnt reach a unanimous verdict on the manslaughter charge. The judge then dismissed it at prosecutors request  a rare one for prosecutors to make in the thick of a trial.

Penny served four years in the Marines and went on to study architecture.

Neely, 30, was a sometime subway performer with a tragic life story: His mother was killed and stuffed in a suitcase when he was a teenager.

As a younger man, Neely did Michael Jackson tributes  complete with moonwalks  on the citys streets and subways, building a reputation among the artists fans and impersonators. But Neely also struggled with mental illness after losing his mother, whose boyfriend was convicted of murdering her.

Hospitalized for depression at age 14, Neely later was diagnosed with schizophrenia that at times made him hallucinate and become paranoid, according to medical records seen at the trial. Neely also used the synthetic cannabinoid K2 and realized it negatively affected his thinking and behavior, according to a 2019 hospital record. The drug was in his system when he died.

Neely told a doctor in 2017 that being homeless, living in poverty and having to dig through the garbage for food made him feel so worthless and hopeless that he sometimes thought of killing himself, hospital records show.

About six years later, he boarded a subway under Manhattan on May 1, 2023, hurled his jacket onto the floor, and declared that he was hungry and thirsty and didnt care if he died or went to jail, witnesses said. Some told 911 operators that he tried to attack people or indicated hed harm riders, and several testified that they were nervous or outright feared for their lives.

Neely was unarmed, with nothing but a muffin in his pocket, and didnt touch any passengers on the train. Multiple riders testified that he didnt even approach anybody. But one said he made lunging movements that alarmed her enough that she shielded her 5-year-old from him.

Penny, who was on his way from a college class to the gym, came up behind Neely, grabbed his neck, took him to the floor and put him out, as he told police at the scene.

Other passengers video showed that at one point during the roughly six-minute hold, Neely tapped an onlookers leg and gestured to him. At another juncture, Neely briefly got an arm free. But he went still nearly a minute before Penny released him.

Hes dying, an unseen bystander said in the background of one video. Let him go!

A witness who stepped in to hold down Neelys arms testified that he told Penny to free the man, though Pennys lawyers noted the witness story changed significantly over time.

Penny told detectives shortly after the encounter that Neely threatened to kill people and the chokehold was an attempt to de-escalate the situation until police could arrive. The veteran said he held on after the train stopped because he wasnt sure the doors were open and Neely periodically squirmed.

I wasnt trying to injure him. Im just trying to keep him from hurting anyone else. Hes threatening people. Thats what we learn in the Marine Corps, Penny told the detectives, who had read him his rights.

However, a Marine Corps combat instructor  who trained Penny  testified that the veteran misused a chokehold technique hed been taught. Prosecutors also argue that any need to protect passengers quickly ebbed when the train doors opened at the next station, seconds after Penny took action.

Although Penny himself told police hed used a choke or a chokehold, one of his lawyers, Steven Raiser, cast it as a Marine-taught chokehold modified as a simple civilian restraint. The defense lawyers contended that Penny didnt consistently apply enough pressure to kill Neely, and they brought their own forensic pathologist to the stand to buttress their claim.

Contradicting the city medical examiners ruling, the defense pathologist said Neely died not from the chokehold but from the combined effects of K2, schizophrenia, his struggle and restraint, and a blood condition that can lead to fatal complications during exertion.

Penny decided not to testify. But several of his relatives, friends and fellow Marines did, describing him as an upstanding, patriotic and empathetic man.

He was always a very calm, soft-spirited person, sister Jacqueline Penny told jurors.

Prosecutors never accused Penny of deliberately killing Neely. The eventually dismissed manslaughter charge required proving a defendant recklessly caused another persons death. Criminally negligent homicide involves engaging in serious blameworthy conduct while not perceiving such a risk.

While the criminal trial played out, Neelys father filed a wrongful death suit against Penny.

(AP)
Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old tech expert and former Ivy League student, was taken into custody Monday morning at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, as a person of interest in last weeks killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Thompson was fatally shot outside a Manhattan hotel last week in what authorities are calling a coldblooded execution. While Mangione has not been charged, sources indicate he was found with a manifesto detailing grievances against the healthcare industry, including accusations of profiteering and unethical practices.

Law enforcement sources revealed Mangiones online activity reflects anti-capitalist and climate-change ideologies, along with sharp criticism of the U.S. healthcare system. His Goodreads account features quotes from figures ranging from Socrates to Unabomber Ted Kaczynski, whose writings Mangione appeared to admire for their critiques of modern society and medicine.

Police said that manifesto included no specific threats to others but it does seem he does have some ill will towards corporate America.

Mangione has not been charged in Thompsons death at this time.

A high-achieving student, Mangione graduated valedictorian of Baltimores elite Gilman School in 2016 before pursuing studies in artificial intelligence at the University of Pennsylvania.

Investigators believe Mangione acted alone but have not confirmed a motive. The investigation is ongoing.

According to police, an employee at a local McDonalds thought he looked suspicious and called police. Arriving officers noticed a fake ID so took him in for questioning.

Once at the police station, the sources said, officers discovered Mangione had a gun similar to the one used in Thompsons killing, as well as a silencer and a fake New Jersey ID. The suspected gunman allegedly used a fake New Jersey ID when he checked into a Manhattan hostel last month.

Two senior law enforcement officials say Mangione had the name Marc Rosario on his fake NJ ID. Three sources familiar with the matter say the suspected gunman checked into the Upper West Side hostel using a fake NJ ID with the name Marc Rosario.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The Supreme Court announced Friday it will consider upholding a 2019 law enabling Americans injured in terrorist attacks to seek justice by suing Palestinian leadership groupsthe Palestinian Authority (PA) and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO)in U.S. courts.

The law, enacted by Congress in response to court rulings dismissing similar lawsuits for lack of jurisdiction, specifically aimed to hold the PA and PLO accountable for providing payments to terrorists or their families who carried out attacks that injured or killed Americans.

At stake in the case is whether the law violates the Fifth Amendments due process protections by forcing the PA and PLO to submit to U.S. federal jurisdiction.

Among the cases being considered is an appeal by the family of Ari Fuld, an Israeli American who was fatally stabbed by a terrorist at a shopping mall in the West Bank in 2018. Fuld, a father of four and a staunch advocate for Israel, was attacked while shopping but managed to chase down and shoot his attacker before collapsing.

The Fuld familys lawsuit is one of many targeting the PA and PLO for their financial support of terrorists. These lawsuits argue that the Palestinian leadership incentivizes violence against Americans and Israelis by rewarding attackers and their families with payments.

Fulds case has drawn bipartisan support, with lawmakers from both parties submitting briefs urging the Supreme Court to uphold the law. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) joined forces to support the victims families, emphasizing the importance of ensuring accountability for those who fund terrorism.

The Biden administration has also backed the law, with U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar calling a lower courts decision to dismiss the lawsuits a misconceived application of the law.

That due-process holding is incorrect and undermines Congresss judgment that the [law] is an important measure to further U.S. interests and protect and compensate U.S. nationals, Prelogar wrote.

The Justice Department highlighted the PA and PLOs ongoing financial support for terrorists as justification for allowing U.S. courts to exercise jurisdiction over the groups. In one landmark case, 11 American families sued the Palestinian leadership two decades ago for a series of terrorist attacks in Israel, securing a $650 million judgment in 2015.

The PA and PLO argue that the law violates their due process rights, claiming the financial and operational conditions outlined by Congress do not amount to legitimate jurisdiction. Their attorney, Gassan Baloul, dismissed the lawsuits as based on fiction, asserting that holding the groups accountable would make a mockery of the Due Process Clause.

Victims families and their supporters, however, see the Palestinian arguments as an attempt to escape accountability for their direct role in incentivizing and rewarding terrorism.

The Supreme Court will hear the consolidated cases during its current term, with a decision likely by summer 2025.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Authorities say a gunman who opened fire at a private Christian school in northern California on Wednesday left behind a note blaming U.S. policies toward Israel and the Middle East for his actions. The attack at Feather River Adventist School in Oroville has left two young boys critically injured.

Police identified the shooter as 56-year-old Glenn Litton, who allegedly shot six-year-old Roman Mendez and five-year-old Elias Wolford with a handgun. Both victims remain in critical condition and may require surgery, according to law enforcement. Litton died shortly afterward, with authorities describing the fatal wound as likely self-inflicted.

On Thursday, investigators released a statement that Litton had written before the shooting. In it, he claimed to be part of a group called the International Alliance, and cited grievances involving U.S. involvement in what he called Genocide and Oppression of Palestinians and American attacks towards Yemen.

Countermeasure involving child executions has now been imposed at the Seventh Day Adventist school in California, United States by The International Alliance, the statement read. I, Lieutenant Glenn Litton of the Alliance carried out countermeasure in necessitated response to Americas involvement with Genocide and Oppression of Palestinians along with attacks towards Yemen.

Littons criminal record, according to police, dates back to the 1990s and includes convictions for identity theft, fraud, and forgery. Investigators are examining whether mental-health issues played a role in Wednesdays events. They also disclosed that the handgun used in the attack was a ghost gunan untraceable firearm assembled from various parts.

The investigation is ongoing, and authorities have not disclosed any further details regarding the alleged International Alliance or how Litton may have become involved with such a group.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Members of Israels security cabinet are furious with Attorney-General Gali Baharav-Miara who refuses to delay Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahus testimony in his corruption case despite the new security challenges Israel is facing following the fall of the Assad regime in Syria.

Baharav-Miara also refused a previous request to allow Netanyahu to testify twice a week instead of three times a week despite the fact that such a demand is unprecedented.

On Motzei Shabbos, cabinet ministers confronted Baharav-Miara. In the presence of Netanyahu, Minister Itamar Ben Gvir began by saying: I know that what I say may lead to another investigation against me. Its a few minutes before midnight. The Prime Minister will be here until the early morning and also tomorrow. This is not just a stubborn refusal to agree to postpone the trial and allow the Prime Minister to manage the systems, but it is recklessness on the part of the Attorney General. Gali is neglecting Israels security.

Justice Minister Yariv Levin supported his statements: I join Minister Ben Gvir. The Attorney General is not willing to postpone a trial that will continue for years anyway. I demand that you postpone it.

Minister Miri Regev added: I want to appeal to the Attorney Generals heart. Even a battalion commander or company commander can delay discussions. The Prime Minister is conducting a war.

Minister Orit Strook: Trials have already been postponed because of birthdays for lawyers, defense attorneys, or judges. I request that we raise this as a decision.

Minister Bezalel Smotrich: Lets make a decision.

Minister Yisrael Katz: Im telling you in my style  lets postpone it.

Baharav-Miara became furious and demanded the right to speak: This is not an issue for the cabinet! The Prime Minister has attorneys and they speak on his behalf. This is a political interference. The cabinet must not discuss this.

Minister Ben-Gvir did not give up: Now you are also dictating to the cabinet? We will discuss it, and I ask that we make a decision and submit it to the court.

On Sunday, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar sent a letter to Baharav-Miara requesting that she respond to the request for a postponement.

Saar wrote: As someone who sits in cabinet meetings, you are familiar with the security situation, including the recent dramatic developments in Syria. At this time, the government bears a heavy responsibility, and even more so, the Prime Minister. The national interest is to take this into account and allow optimal functioning for the sake of the state and its security.

Also on Sunday, Smotrich appealed to the director of the court system, Justice Tzachi Oziel, as well as Baharav-Miara, on behalf of the members of the security cabinet, requesting to postpone Netanyahus court proceedings in light of the security situation.

In a cabinet meeting that took place last night, all cabinet members, without any prior coordination, expressed severe criticism regarding the fact that the Prime Minister, in an unprecedented security situation, is required to appear in court three times a week for an entire day, as part of a trial concerning matters from over a decade ago, Smotrich wrote.

This reality is all the more serious given the exceptional security situation stemming from the coup that occurred last night in Syria and its direct consequences on the security of the State of Israel. This is of course in addition to the ongoing war in Gaza and seven simultaneous fronts and the heightened sensitivity in the Lebanese arena. In this situation, where the security of the state is at stake, it is vital for the Prime Minister to be completely focused on managing the security campaign.

The current situation requires responsible conduct and a deep understanding of national priorities. The fact that the Prime Minister is required to appear in court so frequently, precisely at this critical time, is nothing short of absurd and constitutes a complete dereliction and serious harm to national interests, a loss of basic values of essence versus detail, and disregard for appropriate priorities, especially in light of the national state of emergency we are in.

Smotrich emphasized: We want to stress unequivocally  as members of the security cabinet, who are exposed to all information regarding the security situation and its challenges and bear responsibility for the security of Israel, we unequivocally determine that the current conduct constitutes a serious harm to the security of the state.

He warned: Anyone who ignores this serious warning may find themselves responsible for security failures, and history will judge them for that. We demand that you reconsider and promptly review the conduct of the judicial system regarding the management of the Prime Ministers legal proceedings, and find a solution that will allow him to fulfill his central role in leading the State of Israel at this critical time. There is no room for considerations disconnected from reality when the security of the state and national resilience are at stake.

We request that you bring this letter for discussion before the panel of judges and invite the relevant officials to present the implications of these matters and the current security aspects confidentially before the judges, Smotrich concluded.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Twice in modern history, Israel has spared the world from the horrors of nuclear proliferation in the hands of rogue regimes. Twice, it has acted decisively where others hesitated, dismantling nuclear threats that could have led to unimaginable global catastrophe. And twice, the world has ultimately benefited from Israels courage, even if it wasnt quick to thank them.

In 1981, Israel launched Operation Opera, a daring airstrike that obliterated Iraqs Osirak nuclear reactor. At the time, Saddam Husseins regime sought to develop nuclear capabilities, a goal that would have dramatically altered the balance of power in the Middle East. When Iraq descended into chaos in the early 2000s, and later fell to ISISs reign of terror, the absence of nuclear weapons saved the regionand the worldfrom a nightmare scenario.

Fast forward to 2007. Syria, under the brutal dictatorship of Bashar al-Assad, was on the verge of activating a nuclear reactor constructed with North Korean assistance. When U.S. President George W. Bush declined to intervene, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert made it clear: Israel would act. On September 6, 2007, the Israeli Air Force executed a precise and devastating strike, eliminating the reactor before it could become operational. Years later, when Syria descended into a bloody civil war and became a hub for terrorism, the importance of Israels preemptive action became painfully clear.

Imagine the chaos if Iraq or Syria had nuclear weapons today. The world owes Israel gratitude for these bold actionsactions that were criticized at the time but proven right by history.

Now, the world faces an even greater threat: Iran. The regime in Tehran, with its apocalyptic ideology and unrelenting pursuit of nuclear weapons, represents not just a regional danger but a global one. A nuclear-armed Iran would embolden its proxies, destabilize the Middle East, and pose an existential threat to Israel and beyond.

This moment presents a unique opportunity. Iran is weakened. Its proxiesHamas, Hezbollah, and othersare crumbling under the weight of military pressure and regional backlash. The regime itself is destabilized, reeling from internal dissent and external challenges. If ever there were a time to act decisively, it is now.

Israel must once again do what the world hesitates to do. The Israeli Air Force has the expertise, the precision, and the resolve to dismantle Irans nuclear infrastructure. The destruction of Irans nuclear program would not only ensure Israels survival but would also shield the world from the specter of a nuclear holocaust.

The international community must do more than silently applaud from the sidelines. It must actively support Israel in this endeavor, providing diplomatic, strategic, and moral backing. This is not just Israels fight; it is the worlds fight. A nuclear-free Iran is a safer future for everyone.

History has shown that Israels bold actions against nuclear threats benefit the entire world. The world must not wait for hindsight to confirm what we already know. Israel has twice saved the world. Now, it has the chance to do so again. Help Israel finish the job.

Josh Shapiro  Seattle

The views reflected in this letter do not necessarily represent those of YWN. Have an opinion you would like to share? Send it to us for review.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The Israeli government is considering deepening the IDFs control over the Syrian Ramat HaGolan in order to prevent Syrian rebel forces from entering the area, Kan News reported on Sunday evening.

A source familiar with the matter said that a decision will soon be made whether to further expand the buffer zone before someone else enters the vacuum that has been created.

Meanwhile, a source close to Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu told Channel 13: In the coming days, we intend to further intensify attacks against strategic targets in Syria before they fall into the hands of the rebels.

Sources close to the Prime Minister also said that it has not yet been decided which areas exactly will be taken by Israel along the Syrian border, and for how long these areas will be held.

Earlier on Sunday, IDF forces captured the Syrian Chermon outpost following the withdrawal of Assads army amid concerns that jihadist rebel groups could invade Israeli yishuvim in Ramat HaGolan. The dramatic step was taken after the IDF observed rebels capturing Syrian military positions on the Syrian-Israeli border.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Defense Minister Yisrael Katz has instructed the IDF to seize additional points in the buffer zone in Syria along the Iraeli-Syrian border.

Katz also ordered the establishment of a security zone free from heavy strategic weapons and terrorist infrastructure beyond the buffer zone that could threaten the State of Israel. IDF troops have also been instructed to establish contact with the Druze communities in the area and other populations in southern Syria.

At the same time, the army is working to prevent and thwart the renewal of the arms smuggling route from Iran to Lebanon via Syria, in the Syrian area, and at border crossing points.

Karz also ordered the IDF to continue bombing targets in Syria to destroy strategic weapons throughout the country including surface-to-air missiles, air defense systems, surface-to-surface missiles, cruise missiles, long-range rockets, and coast-to-sea missiles.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
A drone fired from Yemen struck the balcony of the penthouse apartment of a 15-story residential building in the central city of Yavne on Monday morning.

In a neis, although no sirens sounded before the drone hit, no one was injured. However, several apartments sustained significant damage.

Residents reported hearing a loud explosion shortly after 9:15 a.m. and smoke was seen rising from the building.

Footage shared on social media shows the aircraft moments before the explosion.

An IDF spokesperson stated that a strike by an unmanned aircraft has been identified, which apparently crossed from Yemen in the vicinity of the city of Yavne. No reports of casualties have been received so far.

The IDF said it will investigate why no sirens were sounded.

The IDF later stated that according to an initial probe of the incident, the drone had flown into Israeli airspace from the direction of the Mediterranean Sea after making a long detour apparently over Egypt. It crossed into Israeli territory near the southern cities of Sderot and Ashdod, close to the Gaza Strip, and headed north along the coast toward Yavne.

The IDF detected the drone at several locations after it entered Israeli airspace but it was not a continuous detection. Because of this, the military was unable to predict the drones route and sound warning sirens. A fighter jet was scrambled to intercept the drone but it was too late and the drone struck the building.

MDA paramedic Israel Weingarten and emergency medical technician Roi Ben Shushan said: We arrived at the scene quickly with large forces and saw thick smoke rising from a balcony on the top floor of the building. We entered the apartment from which the smoke was coming and saw destruction on the balcony. We conducted a search in the apartment and in additional apartments in the building, and at this stage, no casualties were found.

We urge residents to remain in protected areas, avoid going to the sites, not to approach or touch the remnants of rockets that may contain explosives, and to report this immediately to the 100 hotline of the Israel Police, the police stated.

Additionally, we emphasize to the public to continue to act responsibly  to avoid spreading false messages (fake news) about landing sites and casualties, and as mentioned, to stick to official updates and life-saving guidelines from the spokespersons of the Israel Police, IDF, and Home Front Command only.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
Russian President Vladimir Putin refused to meet with former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Moscow following the surrender of the Syrian army to rebel forces.

According to a report by the Qatari Al Arabiya channel in Moscow, Putin sent Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to meet with Assad in his place.

The Kremlin spokesperson clarified that there is also no planned meeting between Putin and Assad. Russian sources told Al Arabiya that Lavrov conveyed a message from Putin to Assad stating that Russia would not intervene in the internal crisis in Syria: You must solve your problems by yourself.

The Kremlin spokesperson refused to disclose Assads location in Russia but admitted that President Putin personally ordered the granting of political asylum to Assad.

There were earlier rumors that President Assads plane crashed somewhere in Syria shortly after takeoff, but official sources in Russia denied the report, claiming that Assad arrived in Russia.

The Kremlin spokesperson also commented on President Trumps election to a second term in the White House and acknowledged that Putin has yet to speak with the elected president.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
On Friday, December 6, the Danish Ministry of Defense released a statement primarily focused on allocating additional funds for the procurement of weapons for Ukraine's Defense Forces. It also highlighted efforts to accelerate the delivery of previously contracted arms and military equipment to Ukrainian forces.

The ministry noted that the timeline for delivering French-made CAESAR self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine has been advanced. Initially scheduled for delivery in 2026, the 155-mm howitzers will now be supplied as early as next year.

CAESAR self-propelled howitzer / Open source illustrative photo

It is worth noting that this involves a joint procurement effort by Denmark and France. Plans to purchase additional CAESAR self-propelled howitzers manufactured by KNDS for Ukraine were reported in March this year.

This positive development appears to be directly related to France's reduction of the production cycle for CAESAR howitzers from 30 to 15 months, as well as an increase in the production rate of these systems.

If, as of spring this year, France was producing six CAESAR self-propelled howitzers per month, by November the country's Ministry of Defense reported an increase in production to 12 units per month.
Supreme Court Justice Alex Stein on Monday rejected the State Prosecutors request that the main defendant in the classified documents leak case, Eli Feldstein, be detained until the end of the proceedings and ordered that he be released to house arrest subject to electronic monitoring.

However, Stein ruled that the second defendant, an IDF reservist non-commissioned officer who has not been named, will remain in custody until the end of proceedings.

Stein justified his decision by saying that he is concerned that the defendant, who leaked the classified documents to Feldstein, may leak further classified information, claiming that the defendant views himself as an independent contractor for the IDFs Military Intelligence and not bound to the IDFs security regulations and chain of command.

However, Stein noted that if circumstances change, the defendant can file another appeal against his detention.

As part of the arrest conditions, Feldstein is prohibited from using a smartphone and all computerized communication, and according to Steins ruling, security agencies will also be able to eavesdrop on his conversations for enforcement purposes.

Last week, Tel Aviv District Court Judge Ala Masarwa sharply criticized the state prosecution, saying that there is evidential weakness regarding the claim attributed to Eli Feldstein in the indictment against him  that he intended to harm state security.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
An Israeli source said that Israel is holding indirect talks with the Syrian rebel groups who captured Syria in recent days, Arutz Sheva reported on Monday.

The communication is being carried out via the Druze populations in Israel and Syria, the Kurdish population, foreign intelligence organizations, and the US.

There is someone to speak to on the other side and messages were passed, the source said, adding that Israel plans to continue carrying out airstrikes throughout Syria to destroy weapons caches from the Assad regime.

The source also said that the US has been informed of Israels actions and is fully supportive.

Foreign Minister Gideon Saar held a press briefing on Monday and confirmed the report to foreign reporters, saying that Israel has been in contact with several Syrian rebel groups in the wake of the fall of the Assad regime.

Saar emphasized that Israels only focus regarding the developments in Syria is maintaining the security of Israel and its citizens.

Saar also confirmed that the IDF has targeted strategic weapons throughout Syria, including chemical arms and long-range missiles, to prevent them from falling into the hands of extremist groups.

Saar also explained that the IDF entered the buffer zone on the Israeli-Syrian border after observing militants attacking a UN position near the border.

The decision to act was made to prevent an event like the Hamas massacre of Oct. 7, Saar said.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
The IDF has announced the deaths of three soldiers and injuries to 12 others during clashes in northern Gaza earlier today.

The fallen soldiers are:

 Staff Sgt. Ido Zano, 20, a combat medic with the Givati Brigades Shaked Battalion, from Yehud-Monosson.

 Staff Sgt. Barak Daniel Halpern, 19, a squad commander in the same battalion, from Kiryat Ono.

 Sgt. Omri Cohen, 19, also of the Shaked Battalion, from Ashdod.

Among the injured are a Givati reservist and a Sky Riders Unit soldier from the Artillery Corps, both in serious condition.

The IDF has yet to release full details about the incident, which occurred in the Jabalia area.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Every minister's nightmare is to be upstaged in front of the media by an angry member of the public.

Most people have never heard of James Murray from the Treasury, who is one of Rachel Reeves' henchmen.

He was sent out last week to plug Labour's supposedly wondrous plans to overhaul business rates, by charging big warehouses more  though unless and until the proposals become reality, small retailers face bigger bills.

Murray may have been expecting a smoothly choreographed PR tour, chatting to Labour-friendly shop owners when he was wheeled round Darlington, where the Treasury has a northern outpost, a few days ago.

He was soon brought down to earth by Jane and Frederic Robineau, who own a popular patisserie in the town.

They told him small business owners are 'crying around their kitchen tables' trying to figure out how to cope with big rises in National Insurance and the minimum wage.

Fingers on the pulse: PM Keir Starmer with Chancellor Rachel Reeves

The minister was perhaps fortunate the media had not turned out en masse to witness his humiliation, as the two-and-a-half train journey from London to County Durham seemed to have deterred most.

But if his boss Reeves and her boss Sir Keir Starmer do not want to listen to the Robineaus, perhaps they might pay heed to Sir Rocco Forte, who also runs a family business, albeit a much larger one.

Forte, as the Mail on Sunday revealed yesterday, has left the country. His departure for Rome was accompanied by a vitriolic parting shot at Labour.

Although Forte says he has quit Britain primarily because his business interests are now mainly in Italy, he accuses Reeves of a 'disastrous budget' and dragging us back to the 1970s. He knows many others, he says, who are leaving too.

The Budget, coupled with the relentless gloom emanating from Reeves and Starmer on the economy, has flattened entrepreneurs.

Optimism among business leaders has fallen almost as low as the record depths plumbed at the start of Covid, according to the Institute of Directors. In other words, Labour is almost as bad for business sentiment as a deadly global pandemic. Not a good look.

Before the election, Reeves and Starmer went on a charm offensive with business. They still insist they want to unleash growth, and Reeves has put forward plans such as creating local authority pension megafunds, which she claims could unlock 80billion of investment in UK infrastructure, along with reforms to boost competitiveness in financial services.

In themselves these ideas are sensible, but they are totally out of tune with the divisive, punitive and fearful atmosphere Starmer and Reeves have created, where entrepreneurs and families have been made to feel their only value to the government is as cash cows to be milked for tax.

Individuals like Angela Rayner and colourfully-coiffed former transport secretary Louise Haigh come across as overgrown student protesters rather than mature politicians. This does nothing to burnish the international credentials of UK PLC, at a time when we ought to look like a more stable business environment than the crisis-hit France and Germany.

Labour needs to ditch the naive socialist belief that the only part of the economy that matters is the public sector and start listening to the wealth creators.

The hostility towards business is adding daily to the pall of negativity. Time to grow up and govern.
For ambitious junior life sciences companies, often the ultimate goal is securing partnerships with well-funded industry players to propel drug development toward commercial success.

For many smaller innovators, bringing a promising molecule from the lab through clinical trials and onto the market is a daunting challenge requiring significant time and financial resources.

For Scancell Holdings, a UK-based specialist in immuno-oncology, this challenge has been met with two notable partnerships worth a potential 940million ($1.2billion)  both with Danish biotech company Genmab.

Genmab

The most recent deal grants Genmab exclusive global rights to develop and commercialise a monoclonal antibody from Scancell's GlyMab platform.

Analysts estimate an upfront payment of around $5million, alongside milestone payments tied to development, regulatory, and commercial achievements. Scancell will also earn royalties on net sales of products resulting from the collaboration.

The licensed antibody is one of five in Scancell's portfolio targeting glycan structures associated with cancer. These partnerships underscore the potential of Scancell's GlyMab platform, though the company's ambitions extend well beyond these agreements.

Deals: Scancell Holdings , a UK-based specialist in immuno-oncology, has struck partnerships worth a potential 940million ($1.2billion)  with Danish biotech company Genmab

SCIB1: Progress in advanced melanoma

Scancell has made significant strides in developing SCIB1, its lead asset targeting advanced melanoma, a form of skin cancer.

The SCOPE trial, testing SCIB1 in combination with checkpoint inhibitors ipilimumab and nivolumab, has yielded promising results in 25 patients.

At six months, 80 per cent of participants experienced no disease progression, with 20 per cent achieving complete remission. The overall disease control rate  including stable disease or tumour shrinkage  stood at 84 per cent, and 72 per cent of patients showed significant tumour reduction, improving over time.

These results compare favourably with outcomes from checkpoint inhibitors alone, which typically achieve 65 per cent progression-free survival and a 16 per cent complete remission rate. The data suggest SCIB1 enhances both the durability and effectiveness of treatment.

Dr Heather Shaw, an oncologist at University College Hospital in London, praised SCIB1 for its potential to improve first-line therapies for advanced melanoma patients while maintaining a strong safety profile.

Scancell's chief scientist, Professor Lindy Durrant, highlighted progression-free survival as a key metric for future trials, stating: 'The SCOPE study continues to yield excellent results with a PFS of 80 per cent and five patients now achieving a complete response.'

Advantages of SCIB1

SCIB1 is the only off-the-shelf DNA cancer vaccine currently in development for melanoma. Unlike personalised cancer vaccines, which are tailored to individual patients, off-the-shelf vaccines are expected to be less expensive, easier to manufacture, and more readily available.

Analysts at Panmure Liberum have noted the potential advantages of this approach, predicting that it could make Scancell a leader in this emerging field. Ease of use is enhanced by a tie-up with PharmaJet, a specialist in needle-free injections.

Modi-1

In addition to SCIB1, Scancell is advancing Modi-1, another phase II asset targeting renal cell carcinoma (RCC) initially.

Data from the ModiFY study, which combines Modi-1 with checkpoint inhibitors for RCC, is anticipated in the first half of 2025.

New leadership

Last month, Scancell appointed Dr Phil L'Huillier as chief executive, succeeding Professor Durrant.

L'Huillier brings a wealth of experience, having previously led CatalYm, where he advanced products from phase I to phase IIb and raised over $200million.

He has also been involved in the development of multiple biotech companies, including Achilles Therapeutics and Blink Therapeutics.

Panmure Liberum welcomed his appointment, stating: 'We expect the appointment to add company development experience to the solid scientific foundations of Scancell and should enable the maturation of the company as it reaches the next stage.'

Last week, L'Huillier hit the ground running as he unveiled plans to raise up to 9.5million of new investment made up of a placing of new shares at 10.5p each that will bring in at least 8.5million and a retail offer of stock.

Together with the cash already in the bank (9.1million at the last count), the company believes it will have sufficient resources to continue development efforts until late 2026.

What's it all worth?

Panmure Liberum rates Scancell shares as a 'buy,' with a price target of 23.3p  a 65 per cent premium to the current price. The firm believes positive clinical data could trigger a re-rating of the stock, particularly as awareness grows around the potential of cancer vaccines.

'The growing awareness of the potential in the cancer vaccine field is translating to a rise in the profile of Scancell,' Panmure noted.

With two major partnerships, a strong pipeline, and a new CEO poised to drive its next phase of growth, Scancell is positioning itself as a key player in the competitive and evolving field of cancer immunotherapy.

For all your small-cap breaking news, go to www.proactiveinvestors.com.
Tourists stroll on a commercial street at night in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 6, 2024. In recent years, Kunming has stepped up its efforts to enrich citizen's life by developing night fair compounds. (Xinhua/Wang Jingyi)

An aerial drone photo taken on Dec. 7, 2024 shows a night fair on a street in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province. In recent years, Kunming has stepped up its efforts to enrich citizen's life by developing night fair compounds. (Xinhua/Wang Jingyi)

Tourists select flowers on a street at night in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 6, 2024. In recent years, Kunming has stepped up its efforts to enrich citizen's life by developing night fair compounds. (Xinhua/Wang Jingyi)

Tourists visit a night fair on a street in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 6, 2024. In recent years, Kunming has stepped up its efforts to enrich citizen's life by developing night fair compounds. (Xinhua/Wang Jingyi)

Tourists visit a night fair in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 7, 2024. In recent years, Kunming has stepped up its efforts to enrich citizen's life by developing night fair compounds. (Xinhua/Gao Yongwei)

Tourists pose for a photo on a street at night in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 6, 2024. In recent years, Kunming has stepped up its efforts to enrich citizen's life by developing night fair compounds. (Xinhua/Wang Jingyi)

Tourists have rice noodles at a restaurant on a street at night in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 6, 2024. In recent years, Kunming has stepped up its efforts to enrich citizen's life by developing night fair compounds. (Xinhua/Wang Jingyi)

Tourists select clothes on a street at night in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 6, 2024. In recent years, Kunming has stepped up its efforts to enrich citizen's life by developing night fair compounds. (Xinhua/Wang Jingyi)

Tourists walk past a shopping mall in Kunming City, southwest China's Yunnan Province, Dec. 6, 2024. In recent years, Kunming has stepped up its efforts to enrich citizen's life by developing night fair compounds. (Xinhua/Wang Jingyi)

Editor: JYZ
Tourists pay a visit to a homestay themed on photography at the Youbu ancient town of Lanxi City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 5, 2024. Youbu ancient town, with a history of more than 1,300 years, is well known for its morning tea and photography elements and attracts a large number of tourists. (Xinhua/Lu Zhe)

A tourist selects products at a handcraft shop at the Youbu ancient town of Lanxi City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 5, 2024. Youbu ancient town, with a history of more than 1,300 years, is well known for its morning tea and photography elements and attracts a large number of tourists. (Xinhua/Lu Zhe)

A tourist visits a morning tea street at the Youbu ancient town of Lanxi City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 5, 2024. Youbu ancient town, with a history of more than 1,300 years, is well known for its morning tea and photography elements and attracts a large number of tourists. (Xinhua/Lu Zhe)

A villager works in a soybean paste workshop at the Youbu ancient town of Lanxi City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 5, 2024. Youbu ancient town, with a history of more than 1,300 years, is well known for its morning tea and photography elements and attracts a large number of tourists. (Xinhua/Lu Zhe)

A tourist takes photos of ancient buildings at the Youbu ancient town of Lanxi City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 5, 2024. Youbu ancient town, with a history of more than 1,300 years, is well known for its morning tea and photography elements and attracts a large number of tourists. (Xinhua/Lu Zhe)

A merchant demonstrates the production process of sesame cake at the Youbu ancient town of Lanxi City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 5, 2024. Youbu ancient town, with a history of more than 1,300 years, is well known for its morning tea and photography elements and attracts a large number of tourists. (Xinhua/Lu Zhe)

Tourists pose for photos in front of a sculpture in the shape of a camera lens at the Youbu ancient town of Lanxi City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 5, 2024. Youbu ancient town, with a history of more than 1,300 years, is well known for its morning tea and photography elements and attracts a large number of tourists. (Xinhua/Lu Zhe)

Tourists visit a morning tea street at the Youbu ancient town of Lanxi City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 5, 2024. Youbu ancient town, with a history of more than 1,300 years, is well known for its morning tea and photography elements and attracts a large number of tourists. (Xinhua/Lu Zhe)

A tourist buys snacks at a morning tea street of the Youbu ancient town, Lanxi City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 5, 2024. Youbu ancient town, with a history of more than 1,300 years, is well known for its morning tea and photography elements and attracts a large number of tourists. (Xinhua/Lu Zhe)

A 91-year-old craftsman fixes a hand-held steelyard for a villager, at the Youbu ancient town of Lanxi City, east China's Zhejiang Province, Dec. 5, 2024. Youbu ancient town, with a history of more than 1,300 years, is well known for its morning tea and photography elements and attracts a large number of tourists. (Xinhua/Lu Zhe)

Editor: JYZ
Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration, Minister of Justice of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna met with Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski on Monday, December 9.

"In Warsaw, met with Minister Sikorski to discuss Ukraine's EU and NATO integration, current security situation, financial and military support as well as the use of frozen russian assets. With Poland set to assume the EU presidency in early 2025, paid special attention to the enlargement agenda," Stefanishyna said on X social media.

Sikorski also said the priorities of Poland's EU presidency in the context of Ukraine's membership became one of the main topics of the meeting.

"Topics of the consultations: priorities of the Polish presidency in the context of Ukraine's accession to the EU; support for integration with the European Union in the expert sphere; ongoing military and financial support," Sikorski said on X social media on Monday.
University professor committed to transforming saline-alkali land into arable land

Xinhua) 11:05, December 09, 2024

Yang Guoping checks corn planted in saline-alkali fields in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Oct. 12, 2024. In recent years, the team of Yang Guoping, a professor of North Minzu University, has been committed to the study of using microorganisms to transform saline-alkali land into arable land. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

Yang Guoping (2nd R) and his students check corn planted in saline-alkali fields in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Oct. 12, 2024. In recent years, the team of Yang Guoping, a professor of North Minzu University, has been committed to the study of using microorganisms to transform saline-alkali land into arable land. (Xinhua/Wang Peng)

In this aerial drone photo, a harvester harvests corn planted in a saline-alkali field in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Oct. 12, 2024. In recent years, the team of Yang Guoping, a professor of North Minzu University, has been committed to the study of using microorganisms to transform saline-alkali land into arable land. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

This photo taken on Dec. 6, 2024 shows microorganisms selected by the team of Yang Guoping to transform saline-alkali land at a laboratory in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. In recent years, the team of Yang Guoping, a professor of North Minzu University, has been committed to the study of using microorganisms to transform saline-alkali land into arable land. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

In this aerial drone photo, a harvester harvests corn planted in a saline-alkali field in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Oct. 12, 2024. In recent years, the team of Yang Guoping, a professor of North Minzu University, has been committed to the study of using microorganisms to transform saline-alkali land into arable land. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

Yang Guoping studies microorganisms at a laboratory in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Dec. 6, 2024. In recent years, the team of Yang Guoping, a professor of North Minzu University, has been committed to the study of using microorganisms to transform saline-alkali land into arable land. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

Yang Guoping studies microorganisms at a laboratory in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, Dec. 6, 2024. In recent years, the team of Yang Guoping, a professor of North Minzu University, has been committed to the study of using microorganisms to transform saline-alkali land into arable land. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has held a meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, following which the parties agreed to continue working together and keep in touch.

I had a good and productive trilateral meeting with President Donald Trump and President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace. President Trump is, as always, resolute. I thank him, Zelenskyy said on X Saturday.

He also thanked Macron for organizing this important meeting.

We all want this war to end as soon as possible and in a just way. We spoke about our people, the situation on the ground, and a just peace, Zelenskyy noted.

According to him, the interlocutors agreed to continue working together and keep in touch. Peace through strength is possible, the head of the Ukrainian state stressed.

In comments to journalists after the meeting, Zelenskyy noted the importance of strong security guarantees for Ukraine so that Russia, Putin or other aggressors would not be able to return.

The President pointed out that today Ukraine is in the process of discussing various issues with the United States and other partners and it is necessary to work more, meet more.

"Our teams will also work. It is important. I think it's too early to talk about anything. They understood Ukraine's position. It is very important that the partners know our position from us, and not from someone else. Just peace, any agreements are impossible without Ukraine. The partners hear this. I am very glad that they perceived it," Zelenskyy stressed.
Over 150 police officers have been injured in protests in Georgia, the Georgian Interior Ministry said.

More than 400 protesters have been detained since November 28, it said.

Police did not come close to protesters in the small hours of Monday although a number of flares were fired towards the parliament building, an Interfax correspondent reported.

Both protesters and the police are leaving Freedom Square.

About 200 protesters are staying on Rustaveli Avenue. They have lit bonfires in a number of places.
Photo: https://eurosolidarity.org/

Ukrainian MP, leader of European Solidarity Petro Poroshenko, during his visit to Washington, in an interview with Voice of America, told about the security guarantees that Ukraine needs, the European Solidarity said on its website.

We can stop the war in 24 hours, as President Trump promised, and without a single shot or a dollar spent. We need just one signature. We neither need 32 security guarantees, nor 32 versions of the Budapest Memorandum, nor 32 guarantees for the supply of weapons. We need just one signature for one treaty  the Washington Treaty. Inviting Ukraine to join NATO will be a powerful demonstration to Putin that we are not afraid of his blackmail. We are decisive enough, and we want to have sustainable security on the continent, Poroshenko believes.

Poroshenko explained that signing the Washington Treaty does not mean Ukraine's membership in NATO from January 20.

He proposed the "Poroshenko Plan": within one year, partners guarantee that Ukraine will get a full [NATO] membership if it meets specific criteria and fulfills certain conditions. During that year, while we are not in NATO, we will receive the same security guarantees as Finland and Sweden before their full NATO membership. During that year, I also suggest having peacekeepers under the mandate of the United Nations Security Council to guarantee a ceasefire.

Poroshenko is convinced that now the world needs a new form of security, because with aggression against Ukraine, Putin destroyed the post-war security system based on the UN Security Council, destroyed international law, which existed for the last 70-80 years after World War II.

"Putin's aggression against Ukraine is not only a Ukrainian-Russian war. Forty percent of the Russian missiles that attack Ukraine are of Korean origin. Seventy percent of the attack drones that Russia uses against civilian targets in Ukraine are of Iranian origin - manufactured in Iran or under Iranian licenses. Tens of thousands of Koreans are fighting against Ukraine as part of the Russian army. This is not only because Russia does not have enough soldiers," Poroshenko warns.

"I will say an unpopular thing. If 2,000 Shaheds attack Poland, the Baltic States or Northern Europe every month, there will be no effective air defense against this. Therefore, it would be more effective and cheaper to stop Putin in Ukraine," Poroshenko noted.
Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/11260

The enemy used two guided aerial missiles from the airspace over the Black Sea, 37 Shahed-type attack UAVs and other types of drones in night air attacks (launch areas: Orel, Primorsko-Akhtarsk - RF), the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said in a report as of 08:00 on Monday.

"As of 08:00, units of the anti-aircraft missile forces, electronic warfare and mobile fire groups of the Air Force and the Defense Forces of Ukraine shot down two X-59/69 guided aviation missiles and 18 enemy UAVs in Sumy, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Chernihiv, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytsky, Rivne, Ternopil and Odesa regions. Eighteen drones are locally lost, one is in the air. Combat work continues," the General Staff said.

It is also reported that due to the fall of downed enemy UAVs in Vinnytsia region, the infrastructure of several private enterprises has been damaged.
Leader of the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) Friedrich Merz arrived in Kyiv on Monday morning, December 9, DW reports.

As Merz stated immediately upon his arrival at the Kyiv railway station, the purpose of his trip is to "find out the current state of defense" in Ukraine. According to him, he is "looking forward" to a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which will take place during the visit, the message says.

He assured that the CDU/CSU parliamentary faction in the Bundestag "stands firmly" on the side of Ukraine. "We want this terrible war to end as soon as possible and peace to resume in Europe," Merz said.

Merz is a candidate for chancellor of Germany from the conservative Christian Democrat bloc (CDU/CSU), which leads by a wide margin in opinion polls ahead of the Bundestag elections to be held next February.

As reported, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz visited Ukraine a week ago.
Zelenskyy invites Austria to join G7 declaration on support for Ukraine

Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with Austrian Federal Chancellor Karl Nehammer during his working visit to Paris.

I expressed my gratitude for Austrias support of Ukraine, and we discussed extending this support for the coming year, focusing on assistance for our energy system during the winter and defending Ukrainians from Russian terror, Zelenskyy said on X Saturday.

The President also invited Austria to join the G7 joint declaration on support for Ukraine and conclude a bilateral agreement on long-term support in the future.

"Together we must force Russia to establish a lasting and just peace," Zelenskyy stressed.
The United States Embassy in Kyiv warns American citizens against the increased danger of Russian airstrikes by publishing a special appeal on the website of the diplomatic mission.

Due to increased threats from Russian missiles and drones targeting Ukraines critical civilian infrastructure, the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv urges U.S. citizens to exercise heightened caution. All U.S. citizens should follow Ukrainian government alerts regarding air attacks and monitor a reliable air alert app on your mobile phone. U.S. citizens should abide by all government curfews and quickly follow instructions and seek shelter during air alerts, according to the warning issued by the U.S. Embassy on Sunday.
At Last End in Sight to Syrian Civil War

With reports that Syrian President Basher Al Assad has fled the country and the rebel coalition led by Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham has seized power and control of major cities in Syria, the bigger question is what will happen now in Syria

Monday December 9, 2024 11:27 AM , Asad Mirza

[Bashar al Assad's portrait defaced after successful revolution which ended on Sunday December 08, 2024.]

With reports that Syrian President Basher Al Assad has fled the country and the rebel coalition led by Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham has seized power and control of major cities in Syria, the bigger question is what will happen now in Syria. How is the West, particularly the US going to react to this victory of the Islamists in Syria.

After 13 years, it seems that the civil war in Syria might be over, with news of President Basher Al-Assad overthrown by a coalition of anti-government coalition and major Syrian cities in control of the coalition. However, this victory has another fallout, that of the rise of Islamists in Syria.

The so-called Islamic Coalition in Syria is led by a coalition consisting of Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), which is the most prominent and formidable of the group, the Syrian National Army (SNA), which incorporates dozens of factions with various ideologies that receive funding and arms from Turkey is another coalition partner. It also includes the National Liberation Front, comprising factions like Ahrar Al-Sham whose stated aims are to overthrow the (Assad) regime and establish an Islamic state governed by Sharia law.

What complicates matters further is the fact that some members of the rebel coalition are also fighting Kurdish forces. The Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army said last week it had seized control of the city of Tal Rifaat and other towns and villages in the northern part of the Aleppo governorate.

Those territories were previously held not by Assads government but by another faction involved in the multi-front civil war: the Syrian Democratic Forces. The SDF are largely made up of Kurdish fighters from a group known as the Peoples Protection Units (YPG), which is considered a terrorist organisation by Turkey.

In Syrias south, fighters from the countrys Druze religious minority have also joined the fight, who are fighting in the southern city of As-Suwayda, which borders the Daraa province, where opposition forces claim to have taken control of Daraa city.

This complicated consolidation of rebel forces leads one to wonder what will happen now, when so many ideologically different factions are partners in power, will HTS be able to reign them or will it lead to another war of spoils?

The Syrian Saga

The Syrian tragedy dates back to 1970s, when Bashers father Hafez Al-Assad owing roots to the Alawi minority, a heterodox Shia sect that had long been persecuted in Syria and was elevated to privileged positions under the postWorld War I French mandate seized control from a Baathist military junta in 1970, centralising power in the presidency.

In February 1982, Hafez Al-Assad ordered the military to put down a Muslim Brotherhood uprising in the city of Hama with brute force. Syrian forces killed more than twenty-five thousand people there, allegedly using chemical weapons. For the regimes opponents, Hama became a rallying cry in 2011.

With rebel forces now inside the Syrian capital Damascus, and reports that President Bashar Al-Assad has fled the country, anti-government forces appear to have brought about the end of his regime less than a fortnight after their lightning offensive began.

Islamist fighters took control of the northern city of Aleppo in late November before swinging south through Hama and Homs - areas previously under government control. In southern Syria, close to the Jordanian border, local rebels have captured most of the Deraa region, the birthplace of the 2011 uprising against Assad.

In many instances, it is reported that the Syrian military either left their posts or defected to the opposition. The initial attack was led by the Islamist militant group HTS - which has a long and involved history in the Syrian conflict. HTS is designated as a terrorist organisation by the UN, US, Turkey and other countries.

Who are the rebels?

HTS was set up under a different name, Jabhat al-Nusra, in 2011 as a direct affiliate of Al Qaeda. The leader of the self-styled Islamic State (IS) group, Abu Bakr Al-Baghdadi, was also involved in its formation. It was regarded as one of the most effective and deadly of the groups ranged against President Assad.

But its jihadist ideology appeared to be its driving force rather than revolutionary zeal - and it was seen at the time as at odds with the main rebel coalition under the banner of Free Syria.

In 2016, the HTS leader, Abu Mohammed Al-Jawlani, publicly broke ranks with Al Qaeda, dissolved Jabhat al-Nusra and set up a new organisation, which took the name Hayat Tahrir al-Sham when it merged with several other similar groups a year later.

For some time now, HTS has established its power base in the north-western province of Idlib where it is the de facto local administration, although its efforts towards legitimacy have been tarnished by alleged human rights abuses. It has also been involved in some bitter infighting with other groups.

Since breaking with Al Qaeda, its goal has been limited to trying to establish fundamentalist Islamic rule in Syria rather than a wider caliphate, as IS tried and failed to do. It had shown little sign of attempting to reignite the Syrian conflict on a major scale and renew its challenge to Assads rule over much of the country - until now.

The United States was at the forefront of a coalition conducting air strikes on the self-proclaimed Islamic State, but it abruptly pulled back some of its forces in 2019 ahead of an invasion of northern Syria by Turkey.

Also Read: Syrians Rejoice As Brutal Assad Regime Falls

Since then, the Turkish military has pushed Kurdish forces, the United States main local partner in the fight against the Islamic State, from border areas. Russia, too, has carried out air strikes in Syria, coming to the Assad regimes defence. Iranian forces and their Hezbollah allies have done the same on the ground, inadvertently making themselves the targets of strikes by Irans enemy Israel.

Iran has been a close ally to the Assad government throughout the 13-year Syrian civil war. There are reports that Iran has ordered its forces to withdraw from Syria, after the latest offensive by the coalition, this comes in the background of Moscow showing its unwillingness to support Assad amid the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war.

President Bashar al-Assads rule had essentially been uncontested in the countrys major cities, while some other parts of Syria remained out of his direct control. These include Kurdish majority areas in the east, which have been more or less separate from Syrian state control since the early years of the conflict.

Meanwhile, the American president-elect Donald Trump has said that the US should avoid engaging militarily in Syria, according to AP. The president-elects first extensive comments on the dramatic rebel push came on Saturday via his social media website, when he wrote, This is NOT our Fight. But how long the US remains a mute spectator in view of the emerging clout of the coalition led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, remains to be seen.

(The writer, Asad Mirza, is a New Delhi-based senior commentator on national, international, defence and strategic affairs, environmental issues, an interfaith practitioner, and a media consultant.)



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Bangladesh Interim Government Marks 100 Days

Aspirant political parties are growing impatient, and citizens are frustrated with Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunuss first 100 days as Chief Advisor of the Interim Government

Monday December 9, 2024 2:06 PM , Saleem Samad

The nation waits patiently. Aspirant political parties are growing impatient, and citizens are frustrated with Nobel laureate Dr Muhammad Yunuss first 100 days as Chief Advisor of the Interim Government.

The Monsoon Revolution was a student uprising that abolished the quota or government civil service jobs for siblings of liberation war veterans of the bloody independence of 1971.

Yunus told the French news agency AFP that elections would follow after multiple reforms. He reiterates that reforms are needed before the country can elect a government following the ouster of autocratic ruler Sheikh Hasina.

The speed of reforms will decide how quick the election will be, the Nobel Peace Prize winner and inventor of banking the poor said in an interview on the sidelines of the COP29 climate talks in Azerbaijan. He insisted that he would steer the country towards a democratic vote.

Dr. Muhammad Yunus emphasizes the need for constitutional reforms and a democratic vote to stabilize Bangladesh after Sheikh Hasinas ouster.

"Thats a promise that we made, that as soon as we are ready, well have the elections, and the elected people can take over, run the country", he said.

He said the country needed to quickly agree on possible constitutional reforms and the shape of the government, parliament, and election rules.

The country has struggled with instability, admitted Dr Yunus since the ouster of Hasina, whose rule witnessed appalling human rights abuses, including the mass detention, extrajudicial killings, and enforced disappearances of her political opponents. Such incidents are presently absent.

A series of street riots by non-paid garment workers, battery-driven auto-rickshaw drivers agitated to ply in the capital city Dhaka, and clashes among students of neighboring colleges for days.

Presently, the widespread agitation in the country has occurred after the arrest of a former ISKON priest Chinmoy Krishna Das Prabhu on charges of sedition filed by a member of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP).

The radicalized Muslims and students demanded ISKON, a Hindu spiritual international organization, banned and punish the Sadus (priest) for nefarious activities, which has been deemed as anti-state.

Rising sectarian tensions in Bangladesh have led to violent clashes, particularly targeting Hindu communities and ISKON establishments. However, the High Court has overturned the petition to ban ISKON but did not mention the safety and security of the Hindus in Bangladesh, which has a population of 13.1 million (2022 census) and makes up about 7.95 percent of the total population of 165.16 million.

Angered with the administration for not taking action against ISKON, the radicalized Muslims, with no affiliation to any Islamic parties or Islamist outfit attacked scores of Hindu temples, especially ISKON establishments in the country in the last few days.

Indian media lambast Bangladesh

Indian administration, ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), along with flocks of Indian media have come down heavily on Yunus government that he has not done enough to provide security to the Hindus and scale down sectarian violence after Hasina fled to India.

After a brief bout between Delhi and Dhaka over India playing with the Hindu card, the Indian media and BJP have called to ban exports to Bangladesh, which they argue would weaken Bangladeshs economy and would submit to Indian hegemony in the region.

Mohiuddin Ahmad, political historian and researcher interprets such provocation as declaring war against Bangladesh, which they helped to become independent 53 years ago.

Delhi has ceased issuance of tourist visas for an indefinite period, since the collapse of Hasinas regime on 5 August. India has cited the absence of security at the visa centres in the country. No announcement has been made about when the visa centers will resume.

For the past three months, only one Indian Visa Application Center in Bangladesh has been processing a limited number of visas for students and urgent medical purposes.

However, Bangladesh has not halted visa centers in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata Guwahati, Agartala and other cities for Indian nationals visiting the country.

After a call from Yunus, Bangladesh missions abroad have been advised to issue visas to visiting journalists on the fast track. Several leading Indian media outlets have visited the country, sans bureaucratic red-tapism.

Meanwhile, the official Facebook page of the Chief Advisers Office has debunked scores of fake news and disinformation churned by the Indian media and social media enthusiasts.

Mahfuz Anam, editor of an independent newspaper The Daily Star writes:

"The Indian medias coverage appears to be driven by concern solely for Hindus of Bangladesh, rather than the people of Bangladesh [who were shot and killed by police and Awami Leagues armed vigilantes]. Will that foster a healthy relationship between the two countries? I repeat that India should not see the recent events through the lens of Sheikh Hasina but through the lens of democracy."

Yunus said its only three months after the revolution. We are hoping that we can sort it out and have a peaceful law and order, he added.

At an international conference in Dhaka, Muhammad Yunus said:

We witnessed a historic political changeover just 100 days ago. Future Bangladesh will be based on justice, human rights, and freedom of speech.

Managing sky-high reforms

Marking the interim governments 100th day in office, the International Crisis Group (ICG) published a report titled A new era in Bangladesh? The first hundred days of reform". The think tank highlighted corruption, irregularities, politicization of administration and judiciary, and destruction of the electoral system by the fallen Awami League regime.

This is the second one of the reports two parts. The Brussels-based think tank ICG noted that it will not be an easy task for the interim government to implement the reform plans. Against the backdrop, it presented a set of recommendations regarding the situation in Bangladesh.

A key challenge for the interim government will be to manage sky-high public expectations. Given the constraints on Dr Yunus and his allies  including their lack of governing experience, the pent-up grievances in Bangladeshi society and the countrys fractious politics  it will most likely be impossible for them to deliver entirely on their ambitious agenda.

To achieve this goal, the government will need to amend laws and the constitution; reform the election commission and electoral system; and make changes within the police and bureaucracy, given the centrality of these institutions to holding free and fair elections.

The judicial system of Bangladesh has never been entirely safe from political interference. Under Hasina, the meddling assumed alarming proportions as her administration used the courts to cudgel her political opponents.

The bureaucracy is not just politicized, though; it is also highly inefficient. The quota system has deprived it of many good recruits, while both large-scale and petty corruption, already commonplace, got worse under Hasina, writes the ICG.

As an interim government figure put it:

If we dont repair our institutions, there wont be free and fair elections or a smooth transition, so what will be the point of all this?

As usual, echoing the concern of the citizenry, the International Crisis Group advised that the Interim Governments first priority should be to restore law and order.

Trump towards Bangladesh

The fear psychosis in the minds of Bangladesh people regarding the comeback of Donald Trump, as President of the United States of America has been scratching their heads.

Jon Danilowicz, a former American diplomat based in Bangladesh in a post on his verified Twitter (X) @JonFDanilowicz writes:

"America First and Bangladesh First are compatible. Both nations will benefit from the historic opportunity post-Hasina to create a new Bangladesh that embraces freedom, unleashes the potential of its citizens, and leverages a diaspora that wants the best for both."

He further argues that the anti-Trump rhetoric against Bangladeshs Interim Government is part of a disinformation effort being orchestrated by the supporters of the countrys ousted dictator.

She is a long-time anti-American kleptocrat, whose government was responsible for killing thousands of people during her 15 years in office. The people of Bangladesh want reforms leading to elections that will make their country great again.

He also warns not to fall for the Hindutva propaganda. What is most disingenuous about the intense Hindutva lobbying effort in Bangladesh is that it is not really about protecting minorities.

The goal of this effort is to rehabilitate Awami League and Sheikh Hasina for their return to power. Why do they (India) want Hasina back?

The answer is simple.

They dont trust the Bangladeshi people to choose their leaders and instead want to install a government that advances Indias interests.

Danilowicz concludes that the criticism of the Hindutva lobby is to brand anyone who supports the Interim Government and fought against Hasinas regime, as an Islamist.

[Saleem Samad is an award-winning independent journalist based in Bangladesh. A media rights defender with the Reporters Without Borders (@RSF_inter). Recipient of Ashoka Fellowship and Hellman-Hammett Award. He could be reached at saleemsamad@hotmail.com; Twitter (X): @saleemsamad. The above article is first published in the Stratheia Policy Journal, Islamabad, Pakistan on 2 December 2024.]

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Long Live Syria, Long Live Resistance

Syria is liberated and the masks have fallen. And, once again Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is the hero and is getting the well deserved respect

Monday December 9, 2024 12:40 PM , Raqif Makhdoomi

[HTS Syria Chief Abu Muhammad al-Golani addressing Syrians inside the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus on Sunday December 08, 2024.]

The people of Syria are happy after the HTS liberated them from the oppression of Bashar al-Assad. The Masajid of Syria are reverberating with Takbeer, the Minarets of Masajid are announcing the fall of Assad regime and refugees are reuniting with their family members and the prisoners are being set free.

The Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham {HTS] has given the people of Syria a new life. Be it Muslims or Christians the masses of Syria are happy to see the fall of Bashar, who had unleashed terror for 54 years on the country, especially the Sunnis.

The myth that the HTS is being backed by the U.S.A. or Israel is as true as Palestine being part of Israel. Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham is a Syria Based Sunni group that has evolved out of Jabhat Al-Nusrah or Nusrah Front.

The present time Khalid Bin Walid is Abu Mohammed Al-Julani, the leader of the HTS yria. Hes leading from the front and has given people of Syria their right over Hama and Damascus.

A symbol.

Rebels inside the Khalid Ibn Walid Mosque of Homs for first time for over a decade.

The building was restored past years by the Kadyrov Foundation. #Syria. https://t.co/Bhkz4XKkuk pic.twitter.com/lzecioMRyx  Qalaat Al Mudiq (@QalaatAlMudiq) December 8, 2024

Al-Julani is the hero for the Syrians and man of the moment . He deserves full credit for what he has achieved. The Masjid Khalid bin Walid in Homs is full of people offering Namaz and honouring the Commander of Commanders. Famously known as, Sword of Allah, the victories of Khalid ibn al-Walid are hidden to none. One of the most famous commanders of Hazrat Mohammed [PBUH], Khalid bin Walid wasnt an ordinary commander, his bravery is motivation for each of us.

Syria  A Brief History

The name Syria historically referred to a wider region, broadly synonymous with the Levant, and known in Arabic as al-Sham. The modern state encompasses the sites of several ancient kingdoms and empires, including the Ebla civilization of the 3rd millennium BC. Damascus and Aleppo are cities of great cultural significance. During the Islamic rule, Damascus was the seat of the Umayyad Caliphate and a provincial capital for the Mamluk Sultanate in Egypt.

The modern Syrian state was established in the mid-20th century after centuries of Ottoman rule, as a French Mandate. The newly created state represented the largest Arab state to emerge from the formerly Ottoman-ruled Syrian provinces. It gained de jure independence as a parliamentary republic in 1945 when the new Republic became a founding member of the United Nations, an act which legally ended the former French Mandate. French troops withdrew in April 1946, granting the nation de facto independence.

The post-independence period in Syria was tumultuous, with multiple military coup attempts shaking the country between 1949 and 1971. In 1958, Syria entered a brief union with Egypt, which was terminated in the 1961 coup d'etat and was renamed as the Syrian Arab Republic in constitutional referendum.

The 1963 coup d'etat carried out by the military committee of the Ba'ath Party established a one-party state and ran Syria under emergency law from 1963 to 2011, effectively suspending constitutional protections for citizens.

Internal power-struggles within Ba'athist factions caused further coups in 1966 and 1970, which eventually resulted in the seizure of power by Hafiz al-Assad. He effectively established an Alawite minority rule to consolidate power within his family.

After Assad's death, his son Bashar al-Assad inherited the presidency in 2000. Since the Arab Spring in 2011, Syria has been embroiled in a multi-sided civil war, with involvement of different countries, leading to a refugee crisis where more than 6 million refugees were displaced from the country.

The IS militant group captured many Syrian cities in 20142015, in response to which the United States launched an international coalition that territorially defeated IS in Syria. Thereafter, three political entities  the Syrian Interim Government, Syrian Salvation Government, and Rojava  emerged in Syrian territory to challenge Assad's rule. In December 2024, a coalition of opposition offensives captured major cities including Damascus and caused al-Assad to flee the country.

Details of oppression by the Assad regime

Estimated over 300,000 civilians killed since the conflict began in 2011. Some estimates, including combatants, put the toll over 500,000.

At least 17 confirmed chemical weapon attacks by UN investigations, with notable incidents: Ghouta, 2013: Sarin gas killed 1,400+. - Khan Shaykhun, 2017: Sarin killed 89+.

Tens of thousands of political prisoners tortured or executed in government-run detention centers (e.g., Saydnaya Prison, documented in the Caesar Report).

Over 13 million Syrians displaced, including 6.8 million refugees abroad and 6.9 million internally displaced due to bombing, sieges, and destruction.

Massive destruction in urban areas due to airstrikes and sieges: Aleppo (2016): Eastern Aleppo heavily bombed. - Homs and Raqqa: Entire neighborhoods flattened.

Began in March 2011 and is ongoing, though large-scale fighting has reduced.

Economic Impact

Estimated $1.2 trillion in losses, with 90% of Syrians living in poverty. Entire industries, infrastructure, and public services destroyed.

Humanitarian Crisis

Health systems, schools, and basic infrastructure have collapsed. Over 90% of Syrians live under poverty. Children, especially, face severe malnutrition and lack of education.

Use of Barrel Bombs

Thousands of barrel bombs (crude, unguided explosive devices) dropped on civilian areas, violating international law.

Attacks on Hospitals/Schools

Deliberate targeting of hospitals, schools, and humanitarian workers: Over 600 hospitals and clinics bombed, often in rebel-held areas.

Support from Allies

Prolonged the war with military aid from Russia (airstrikes) and Iran (militias, funds), allowing the regime to regain control of much of the country.

Censorship and Media Crackdowns

Heavy suppression of free speech and media, with hundreds of journalists and activists detained, tortured, or killed.

Syria holds a very important and emotional position in the hearts and minds of the Sunni Muslims. The holy land of Syria, the land which was conquered by Khalid ibn walid in 640 AD. He led a powerful army which successfully took over Syria. As soon as Syria was liberated by the HTS Mujahedeen they went to offer prayers in the masjid Khalid ibn al-Walid.

The masks fell off with every inch of Syria being liberated. No hate for Shias but the way they are unhappy with the HTS taking over Syria, says so much about what they have in heart and what they have on their lips.

The history of Syria doesnt only stop with Khaild bin Walid taking over it, but after the century of Seljuk rule, Syria was largely conquered by the Kurdish liberator and the founder of Ayyubid dynasty, Salah-ad-din famousy known as Salahuddin Ayyubi. No, the rich history doesnt stop here. The Ottoman Syria is also the part of the rich Muslim rules in holy land of Syria.

The Ottoman Empire in Syria

In 1516, the Ottoman Empire invaded the Mamluk Sultanate of Egypt, conquering Syria, and incorporating it into its empire. The Ottoman system was not burdensome to Syrians because the Turks respected Arabic as the language of the Quran, and accepted the mantle of defenders of the faith.

Damascus was made the major entrepot for Makkah, and as such it acquired a holy character to Muslims, because of the beneficial results of the countless pilgrims who passed through on Hajj - the pilgrimage to Makkah.

Ottoman administration followed a system that led to peaceful coexistence. Each ethno-religious minority  Arab Shia Muslim, Arab Sunni Muslim, Syrian Orthodox, Greek Orthodox, Maronite Christians, Assyrian Christians, Armenians, Kurds and Jews, constituted a millet.

The religious heads of each community administered all personal status laws and performed certain civil functions as well. In 1831, Ibrahim Pasha of Egypt renounced his loyalty to the Empire and overran Ottoman Syria, capturing Damascus. His short-term rule over the domain attempted to change the demographics and social structure of the region. He brought thousands of Egyptian villagers to populate the plains of Southern Syria, rebuilt Jaffa and settled it with veteran Egyptian soldiers aiming to turn it into a regional capital, and he crushed peasant and Druze rebellions and deported non-loyal tribesmen.

By 1840, however, he had to surrender the area back to the Ottomans. From 1864, Tanzimat reforms were applied on Ottoman Syria, carving out the provinces (vilayets) of Aleppo, Zor, Beirut and Damascus Vilayet; Mutasarrifate of Mount Lebanon was created, as well, and soon after the Mutasarrifate of Jerusalem was given a separate status.

The Final Liberation of Syria

In November 2024, the United States, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom urged for de-escalation in Syria as the violence flared up once again. The rebel factions, led by the Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), had taken control of Aleppo, prompting a retaliatory airstrike campaign by Syrian President Bashar Assad, supported by Russia.

The strikes, which targeted population centers and several hospitals in rebel-held city of Idlib, resulted in at least 25 deaths, according to the White Helmets rescue group.

The NATO countries issued a joint statement calling for the protection of civilians and critical infrastructure to prevent further displacement and ensure humanitarian access.

They stressed the urgent need for a Syrian-led political solution, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254, which advocates for dialogue between the Syrian government and opposition forces.

The rebel offensive, which began on 27 November 2024, continued its advance into Hama Province following their capture of Aleppo. On 4 December 2024, fierce clashes erupted in Hama province as the Syrian army engaged Islamist-led insurgents in a bid to halt their advance on the key city of Hama.

Government forces claimed to have launched a counter-offensive with air support, pushing back rebel factions, including Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), around six miles from the city. However, despite reinforcements, the rebels captured the city on the 5th of December .

The fighting led to widespread displacement, with nearly 50,000 people fleeing the area and over 600 casualties reported, including 104 civilians.

On 8 December 2024, opposition forces captured the capital Damascus , toppling Bashar al-Assad's government and ending the Assad family's 53-year-long rule over the country.

Conclusion

The People of Syria are happy with the fall of Assad regime. The streets filled with joy are the evidence that the Syrians in no way wanted Bashar Al-Assad to continue as their ruler. Syria is liberated and the masks have fallen. And, once again Recep Tayyip Erdogan, is the hero and is getting the well deserved respect.

LONG LIVE SYRIA, LONG LIVE RESISTANCE

[The writer, Raqif Makhdoomi, is Human Rights Activist and law student.]



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Syria at Crossroads: Hope amid Uncertainty

Syria stands at a crossroads. The end of the Assad regime offers a chance for renewal, but the challenges ahead are immense.

Monday December 9, 2024 5:22 PM , Shariq Us Sabah

For more than half a century, the Assad dynasty ruled Syria with an iron grip, relying on brutal force and powerful alliances with Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah. Despite surviving a devastating civil war and regaining some international recognition, the regime fell in December 2024. This pivotal event has reshaped the Middle East and left the world grappling with its consequences.

The Stunning Fall

In a rapid and unexpected series of events, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a Syrian Islamist rebel group, toppled the Assad regime. Starting with the capture of Aleppo on November 30, HTS quickly advanced through Hama, Homs, and finally Damascus by December 8. The regime collapsed with minimal resistance, as Syrias demoralized military dissolved under pressure. By the time HTS entered Damascus, Bashar al-Assad had fled to Moscow, leaving his former prime minister to formally transfer power.

Multiple factors contributed to this dramatic downfall. Israels decimation of Hezbollahs leadership and missile stockpiles weakened Assads key allies. Irans regional influence waned, and strained relations between Ankara and Damascus over refugee issues eroded Turkeys patience. Russia, preoccupied with its war in Ukraine, was unable to intervene. Meanwhile, widespread discontent among Syrians further undermined the regimes fragile hold on power.

Regional Reverberations

The fall of Assad sent shockwaves across the Middle East, disrupting a precarious balance of power. Iran, which had relied on Syria and Hezbollah as part of its forward defence strategy, now finds itself vulnerable. Israel, emboldened by its success against Hezbollah, has intensified its strikes on Syrian targets. Russias abrupt withdrawal from its Syrian bases marks a major strategic setback, while Turkey emerges as a pivotal player.

However, new tensions are brewing. Clashes between Turkish-backed forces and the Kurdish-dominated Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) in northern Syria threaten to ignite fresh conflicts. The possibility of an ISIS resurgence further compounds the regions volatility.

Historical Shadows

The roots of Syrias instability run deep, shaped by the legacies of empires that once dominated the region. The collapse of the Ottoman Empire after World War I left behind artificial borders and fragile state structures. European colonial powers exacerbated divisions, and Cold War superpowers used the region as a chessboard for their influence. These historical interventions left a legacy of coercion rather than legitimacy, which modern authoritarian regimes like Assads attempted to perpetuate.

The rise of HTS also underscores the limitations of authoritarian rule. While Assad maintained a veneer of stability, his brutal tactics alienated much of the population. The regimes collapse exposes the cracks in governance systems that prioritize power over inclusive nation-building.

Challenges for a Fractured Nation

Within Syria, the jubilation over Assads fall is tempered by the challenges of rebuilding. HTS, designated a terrorist organization by the United Nations, United States etc, now faces the daunting task of governing a deeply divided country. While HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Julani has adopted a conciliatory tone toward minorities and former regime officials, the groups hardline reputation and authoritarian rule in Idlib raise questions about its long-term viability.

Millions of exiled Syrians are returning, only to find their homes looted or occupied. Power struggles among opposition factions, returning leaders, and armed groups are inevitable. The lack of external imperial control highlights the difficulties of forging stability in a region historically marked by fragmentation.

Global Stakes and Responses

Assads fall highlights the interconnected nature of the Middle Easts conflicts and the risks of neglecting them. For years, Western powers and Gulf states viewed the Assad regime as immovable. Its sudden collapse underscores the unpredictability of the region and the dangers of maintaining the status quo.

The international community must now play a critical role in shaping Syrias future. Regional powers like Turkey and Israel are poised to exert influence, while global players such as the United States and China will need to recalibrate their strategies.

Establishing a civilian government, fostering reconciliation, and initiating reconstruction will require sustained international support. Without it, the risk of Syria becoming a failed state looms large, with far-reaching consequences.

The Enduring Struggle for Order

The Syrian crisis reflects a broader struggle to establish order in the Middle East. Historically, imperial systems provided a framework for stability, albeit through coercion. Their collapse has left a vacuum that authoritarian regimes have struggled to fill.

As digital technology and globalization reshape the region, new governance models must address historical grievances while meeting modern aspirations.

Hope Amid Uncertainty

Syria stands at a crossroads. The end of the Assad regime offers a chance for renewal, but the challenges ahead are immense.

The international communitys willingness to support Syrias recovery will determine whether the country can overcome its legacy of conflict and build a stable future.

For now, Syrians - both at home and abroad, hold onto the fragile hope that this historic moment marks the beginning of a new chapter.

[Shariq Us Sabah is a published writer, and is interested in the Middle East Regional and its foreign policy. He can be contacted at shariqussabah@gmail.com.]

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Ukraine may think and work on the proposal of French President Emmanuel Macron to send part of the troops while Ukraine is not in NATO, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

"And, frankly speaking, we can think and work on Emmanuel's position. Remember, he suggested that some part of the troops of a particular country to be present in some territories of Ukraine that would guarantee security while Ukraine is not in NATO," Zelenskyy told an Interfax-Ukraine agency correspondent.

"But before that, we must have a clear understanding of when Ukraine will be in the EU and when Ukraine will be in NATO," the President stressed.
Contact groups for assistance to Ukraine should be maintained - German Chancellor candidate Merz

It is necessary to maintain contact groups to help Ukraine and continue this joint strategy, German Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz believes.

"This strategy [of aid] cannot happen only in Germany, France, Great Britain, this strategy can only be developed jointly. These contact groups should be maintained. First, politically," Merz told reporters before talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

At the same time, Merz noted the importance of this work being carried out with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump and maintaining unity between Germany and Britain.
Shortly after his win, newly-elect President Trump announced upcoming major changes in the education sector, starting with DEI initiatives. While some of the universities in the US have been pulling back from DEI over the past few years, efforts have been intensified recently.

Pulling this back means eliminating the requirements on hiring faculty under DEI criteria and redirecting the money earmarked for DEI programs. The basis of such steps includes concerns about free speech, ideological balance, and perceived restraints on academic freedom caused by DEI policies.

Yahoo reported that the latest institution to do this is the University of Michigan. The school announced it would no longer require diversity statements from faculty candidates as part of their hiring, promotion, or tenure processes. University officials said this decision followed an internal review that raised questions about how diversity statements might hinder open expression and diverse viewpoints.

Michigan instead chose to pursue alternative ways of creating an inclusive environment without the requirement of a mandatory DEI declaration. The change in DEI policies isn't limited to Michigan.

US Universities Roll Back DEI Initiatives

Other states, including Texas and North Carolina, have passed bills that limit the use of DEI programs in public universities, per Inside Higher Ed.

In Texas, for instance, state universities abolished the office of DEI and forced mandatory DEI training while North Carolina siphoned millions of dollars of funds allocated for DEI initiatives to public safety programs.

Critics of DEI initiatives state that such programs lead to ideological conformity, stifle free speech, and unfairly brand contrary opinions as harmful. In contrast, proponents believe that efforts towards DEI are the only way to make inclusive environments and address systemic inequalities.

In this debate, most universities are faced with the challenge of balancing the call for inclusivity against respect for diverse opinions and legal constraints. The rollback of DEI initiatives speaks to the complications that surround issues of diversity within higher education. While for some, change is an opportunity to get back on track, others fear loss as the forward momentum on the way toward equity and inclusion is reversed.
Recently, enrollment crisis has hit rural colleges in the US. Now, it seems, it's a nationwide concern for all higher education institutions.

New figures indicate that fewer young adults are going to college, particularly 18-year-old freshmen. Freshman enrollment among 18-year-old students declined by 5% during the current fall semester with a greater than 6% drop in public and private, non-profit four-year colleges.

This problem is concerning for universities in that while application numbers continue to climb, actual enrollment has decreased with many institutions facing questions over how to attract and retain the students.

Rising College Tuition Fees

The Guardian reported that one of the major reason that explains the fall is an ever-increasing price of attending an institution. Public four-year colleges now average in-state tuition at $11,610 and out-of-state at a whopping $30,780 that is almost $1,000 more than last year. Many students face economic obstacles arising from delays and glitches about the system for financial aid application; students would not know the aid amount awaiting them.

Yet, labor market changes are also playing an increasingly significant role. Many opt out of further education and go into jobs if job opportunities are available in plenty. This is a reality especially for those with financial burdens to cater to at home. The more immediate benefit of having some money right away outweighs much of the long-term pay-off of a college education for many young people.

It is even worse for students of color. In the same The Guardian report, the Black freshman enrollment at highly selective universities has declined by almost 17%. This shows the persisting problem of diversity and equity in higher education as these schools struggle to open up their campuses to all sorts of students.

Despite declining enrollments, students are still hungry for higher education. Applications are rising, but particularly so for low- and middle-income students. Affordability and access, though, are key challenges to overcome.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Dec, 2024) The Chairperson of the National Vocational and Technical Training Commission (NAVTTC), Ms Gulmina Bilal Ahmad, on Monday lauded the National Skills University Islamabad (NSU) and its sub-campus, Sarmad Tanveer Campus Muridke, for contributing to advancing skills education.

Speaking as the chief guest at the skills certificates distribution ceremony, Ms Ahmad praised the institutions for their remarkable contributions to developing a skilled workforce and finding opportunities nationally and internationally, said a press release.

NSU and its sub-campus in Muridke have emerged as leading institutions in skills education, Ms Ahmad stated. I am delighted to hear the success stories of boys and girls receiving their certificates today. All credit goes to the leadership and the dedicated teams working tirelessly to ensure these institutions are transformative platforms for human resource development.

The ceremony marked the culmination of intensive skills-based training programs, with 151 students completing short courses. Of these, 43 students received certifications through NSUs self-support initiative, while NAVTTC sponsored 108 students.

The programs spanned diverse fields, including e-commerce for online business management, fashion design, and dressmaking for the textile industry, beautician training for personal care services, domestic and industrial electrical work for the construction and maintenance sectors, mobile phone repair for the technology industry, and UPS and solar PV system maintenance for the renewable energy sector.

Highlighting the impact of these initiatives, Ms Ahmad noted that many NSU-Sarmad Tanveer Campus Muridke graduates have already secured employment.

It is heartening to learn that these students are not only contributing to Pakistans economy but also excelling abroad in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Muscat, and Abu Dhabi, she remarked.

The NAVTTC chairperson praised the leadership of NSU, specifically Founding Vice Chancellor Prof Dr Muhammad Mukhtar and Acting Campus Director Dr Bilawal Rehman, for their unwavering commitment to skills education. The success of these institutions is a testament to their dedication, hard work, and passion, she said. The trainers who equipped these students with the skills to compete in local and global job markets also deserve commendation for their invaluable contribution.

Ms Ahmad interacted with students and their families during her keynote address, further underscoring the transformative power of skills education in enhancing livelihoods and fostering socio-economic progress. She emphasized NAVTTCs continued support for initiatives like those led by NSU, reiterating her commitment to scaling such programs to benefit even more communities across Pakistan.

The ceremony concluded with a shared sense of achievement and optimism for the future, as the graduates success stories highlighted the tangible benefits of an impressive skills education framework.

The National Skills University Islamabad and its Muridke sub-campus are exemplary models of innovation, dedication, and the boundless potential of human capital development.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Dec, 2024) The Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI), a non-profit organization, observed Anti-Corruption Day on Monday, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening mechanisms for corruption prevention.

Observed annually on December 9, this years IACD theme, Uniting with Youth Against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrows Integrity, highlights the critical role of youth in fighting corruption and fostering integrity. The day also marks the 2003 adoption of the United Nations Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and underscores corruption as a key barrier to development, democracy, social justice, and good governance.

CPDI, committed to transparency, good governance, strong local governments, and the right to information laws, is advocating for a corruption-free governance system in Pakistan on International Anti-Corruption Day (IACD).

With 190 countries, including Pakistan, committed to the UNCAC, there is a global consensus on the need for effective measures against corruption said a press release.

On this day, Mukhtar Ahmad Ali Executive Director CPDI remarked that as the world celebrates International Anti-corruption day, it is important to reaffirm our commitment to strengthen official mechanisms to prevent and counter corruption through right to information laws, transparent budgets and procurements, whistleblowers protection, political finance reforms, effective investigation and prosecution of corruption cases, and robust cooperation among states to recover and return to victims the proceeds of corrupt practices.

He added that, in Pakistan, the fight against corruption has seen significant challenges, as Pakistan continues to rank very low on the corruption perception index.

According to Transparency International's Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI), Pakistan ranked at 140th in 2022 and 133rd in 2023, with a CPI score of 27 to 29 respectively.

In comparison, several other South Asian countries show a better ranking: India ranks 85 with a score of 39, Nepal ranks 107 with a score of 36, and Bhutan ranks 45 with a score of 62.

Corruption is a major factor that adversely affects peoples access to public services and alienates them from the government organizations.

To combat corruption, Pakistan has enacted several laws including the provincial anti-corruptions laws and the National Accountability Ordinance (NAO) 1999.

Under these laws, the key institutions with the mandate to investigate and prosecute corruption cases include the provincial anti-corruption establishments and the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Over the last decade, Pakistan has also enacted right to information laws, which have helped, to some extent, in improving transparency and peoples access to information in official matters.

Moreover, Pakistan has signed and ratified the UNCAC 2003, which sets standards and provides a framework for cooperation among members states for preventing and combating corruption. It is, however, worrying that successive governments in Pakistan have not been successful in recovering and returning proceeds of corrupt practices from abroad to the victim communities.

As we observe International Anti-Corruption Day, it is crucial to recognize that eradicating corruption is a collective responsibility. While Pakistan has made progress in terms of enacting relevant laws, it continues to face major challenges in ensuring transparent, effective and non-partisan implementation of laws to prevent, investigate and prosecute cases of corruption. It is, therefore, imperative that Pakistan strengthens its governance mechanisms, and enhances the capacity of relevant institutions to effectively investigate and prosecute corruption cases.

A strong enforcement framework is essential to discourage corrupt practices in public and private sectors to curb crimes and build a just society. Promoting a culture of accountability, where individuals can question public officials, is vital.

It must also be recognized that free and independent media and civil society organizations play a key role in exposing corruption and highlighting weaknesses in the enforcement of anti-corruption laws. By fostering ethical values and public accountability, we can work together towards a corruption-free society built on transparency and integrity.

APP/tsw-szm
LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Dec, 2024) The Punjab government on Monday regularly launched the free solar scheme for citizens, according to which, up to 200 units of 1100 watt solar panels will be provided,

Through this scheme the government will provide free solar systems to consumers up to 200 units per month.

Consumers consuming 100 units per month will get a 550-watt solar system, CM office official sources informed APP Monday . Under the scheme, a 550-watt solar system will be provided to 52,019 households who consume up to 100 units per month, while a 1,100-watt solar system will be allocated to those who consume up to 200 units per month, they said.

Consumers can apply for the scheme through the online portal on the website or send their details through SMS to 8800. To apply in the portal, the electricity bill reference number will have to be given, the tenant will obtain NOC from the landlord.

Solar panels will be issued in the name of the landlord only, while a computerised lottery will be conducted for the free solar panel scheme. Meanwhile, one lakh solar systems will be distributed throughout the year, they said, adding that a helpline will be started soon to help consumers access this scheme.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Dec, 2024) Governor Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Faisal Karim Kundi, visited the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) media office at Masawaat Building here on Monday to offer condolences with Senator Farhatullah Babar over demise of his brother.

He expressed his sympathy to Farhatullah Babar on the death of his brother, former Accountant General, Naimatullah Abid Babar.

PPP leader Akhundzada Chatan also accompanied Kundi.

During the visit, they paid tribute to the late Naimatullah Abid Babar, praising him as a highly capable, honest, and dedicated person who had made significant contributions in his field.

He prayed to Allah Almighty to rest the departed soul in eternal peace and grant courage to bereaved family members to bear this irriparible lose with fortitude.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Dec, 2024) The Japan embassy on Monday held a pre-departure orientation session for the first batch of six Pakistani youth visiting Japan from December 10 to 17, 2024 under the JENESYS (Japan-East Asia Network of Exchange for Students and Youths) program.

This session will help equip the visiting youth with useful information before their departure for Japan. On the invitation of government of Japan, a total of 41 youths have been invited from the SAARC countries to participate in this program which is being held under the theme of Energy.

JENESYS is a youth exchange program between Japan and the Asia Pacific region launched by the Japanese government which promotes mutual respect and understanding among the peoples of Japan and the Asia-Pacific region. With focus on the theme of Energy, the invitees from the SAARC countries during their stay in Japan will be provided opportunities to learn and deepen further their understanding of Japans economy, society, history, politics, and diplomatic relations, and also experience Japans diverse culture through lectures and visits.

Ambassador-designate of Japan to Pakistan, AKAMATSU Shuichi hoped their stay in Japan will be a fruitful experience and advised the visiting group to make best use of this opportunity and learn as much possible about Japan during this short period.

He also mentioned that the home stay in Japan would be a highly valuable opportunity, not only to experience life in Japan but also to offer the Japanese people a unique chance to learn about Pakistan's rich and historic culture and gain a deeper understanding of the country. He wished that the visiting youth can play the role of a bridge for further promoting mutual understanding and friendly relations between Japan and Pakistan.

The government of Japan invites every year several groups of youth from SAARC countries to participate in this short term invitation. The program is expected not only to promote capacity building but also to develop mutual understanding among youths of Japan and that of SAARC countries.
MIRPUR KHAS, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Dec, 2024) A rally was held in Mirpurkhas on December 9 to commemorate World Anti-Corruption Day, led by Deputy Director Anti-Corruption Mirpur Khas Adeel Ahmed Soho.

According to DC office, the event began at the Deputy Commissioner Office and proceeded to Gulstan e Baldia road, drew large participation from various government departments, schools, and the general public.

Office Superintendent DC Office Muhammad Bux Laghari, employees of Excise and Taxation, Health, Revenue, and Information departments, as well as students and teachers joined forces to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of corruption.

The participants enthusiastically raised slogans to end bribery, emphasizing the need for a collective effort to eradicate this menace.

Adeel Ahmed addressed the rally, stressing that corruption is a scourge that requires individual and collective action to eliminate. He highlighted that corruption is not limited to monetary transactions but also manifests in institutions that fail to promote merit and sincerity.

He emphasized the significance of World Anti-Corruption Day, celebrated annually on December 9, and this year's theme of educating the youth about the scourge of bribery.

The event served as a call to action, urging everyone to strive for a corruption-free society.

By promoting awareness and encouraging the public to take a stand against corruption, the rally aimed to inspire positive change and foster a culture of integrity.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Dec, 2024) Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has commended the security forces for their successful intelligence-based operation in Kulachi.

The minister praised the security forces for neutralizing two Khawarji terrorists.

He applauded the security forces, saying, "We pay tribute to the security forces for their successful operation against Khawarij terrorists in Kulachi, foiling their nefarious designs."

Mohsin Naqvi further stated that the nation stands with the security forces in their fight against terrorism.

He emphasized that Khawarji terrorists will be eliminated from the country with the support of the nation.
(@FahadShabbir)

Gilgit, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Dec, 2024) NAB (R) Sub-Office GB organized a Seminar on the topic of "Uniting with Youth against Corruption: Shaping Tomorrow's Integrity" on the eve of International Anti-Corruption Day, 2024, at Karakoram International University (KIU) Gilgit.

9th December is celebrated across the globe as "Anti-Corruption Day to spread awareness against the evil of corruption and to highlight the positive role played by countries in the eradication of this menace. Pakistan being the signatory to the legally binding multilateral treaty, ie United Nations Convention against Corruption (UNCAC), celebrates the "Anti-Corruption Day" on 9th December of each year in consonance with the rest of the world.

Additional Chief Secretary, Gilgit Baltistan, Capt (R) Mushtaq Ahmed was the Chief Guest of the Seminar while Dr Abdul Razzaq, Acting Vice Chancellor KIU, Ms Shaista Ghazi, Director Anti-Corruption Establishment, GB and Dr Qamar Abbas, Provost KIU as guest speakers alongwith numerous notables from various walks of life, senior Professors and students of KIU attended the Seminar.

Assistant Director NAB (R) Sub-Office GB, Mr.

Saeed Ahmed delivered welcome speech on the occasion. He expressed his gratitude to the Chief Guest, distinguished guest speakers, respectable faculty and all the students for joining to commemorate International Anti-Corruption Day.

He highlighted that NAB being an apex Anti-Corruption Organization has been given the responsibility of eradication of corruption through a holistic approach of Awareness, Prevention and Enforcement; which has created a potent deterrence, against corruption in the country. The Chief Guest in his address lauded NAB's role and emphasized on self accountability. Furthermore, he stated that youth can play a vital role in eradication of corruption from our beloved country.

Distinguished Guest speakers Dr Abdul Razzaq, Acting Vice Chancellor KIU, Ms Shaista Ghazi, Director Anti-Corruption Establishment, GB and Dr Qamar Abbas, Provost KIU also spoke on the occasion and appreciated the efforts of NAB in curbing corruption.

In the end, Awareness Walk was arranged which was attended by large number of students, academia and guest speakers to show their commitment against the menace of corruption.
Another child has been returned from the occupied territory of Luhansk region within the framework of the Ukrainian President's initiative Bring Kids Back UA, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak has said on Monday.

"The Ukrainian President's initiative Bring Kids Back UA managed to bring home the son of a Ukrainian servicewoman who had stayed under occupation for the past three years. Before the full-scale invasion, he lived with his mother and grandmother in Svatove, Luhansk region, but after his mother left to defend the country [...] the boy stayed with his grandmother. Two weeks ago, the grandmother died, and the child found himself alone under the threat of deportation to Russia and placement in a boarding school. I am grateful to our partners Ukrainian Child Rights Network for organizing this return," he said on the Telegram channel.
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LAHORE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Dec, 2024) The Punjab Judicial academy (PJA) on Monday organized a training course on financial discipline for district and sessions judges (D&SJs) of the province.

All 159 D&SJs participated in the course, which aimed to provide comprehensive training on financial management and discipline, says a PJA press release issued here.

Addressing the training course, PJA Director General Justice (Retd) Sardar Ahmad Naeem emphasized the importance of financial discipline in the administration of justice. He highlighted the necessity for judges to have a thorough understanding of financial management and discipline to ensure the effective administration of justice.

He stated that the training course covered various topics, including the Punjab Public Finance Management Act 2022, Punjab Treasury Rules, Punjab Finance Rules, and Punjab Delegation of Financial Powers Rules 2016.

In addition to the training course on financial discipline, the PJA has also launched a six-day training program on the scrutiny of revenue documents. This program aims to equip judicial officers with comprehensive knowledge for effectively scrutinizing revenue documents to facilitate the administration of justice. Thirty-one judicial officers, including additional district and sessions judges, senior civil judges, and civil judges, will attend the training.
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Prime Minister Shehbaz, however, directs to ensure that no innocent and law-abiding citizen is arrested during action against elements involved in stoking anarchy

ISLAMABAD: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-Dec 9th, 2024) Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed to expedite the strict action against those involved in recent riots, vandalism, and damage to public and private property in Islamabad.

Chairing a high-level review meeting on the law-and-order situation in Islamabad, he said the government would not allow anyone to hatch a conspiracy to sabotage the fast-stabilizing economy of the country by spreading chaos.

The Prime Minister, however, directed to ensure that no innocent and law-abiding citizen is arrested during the action against elements involved in stoking anarchy. He instructed to make the process of identifying and obtaining solid evidence against those spreading chaos more effective.

He directed to provide all possible resources to the Task Force established against anarchists.

Shehbaz Sharif also gave instructions to bring the Federal Prosecution Service under the Ministry of Law. He directed the early completion of the Islamabad Jail and the prompt release of funds for this purpose.

The meeting was briefed on the measures taken regarding the law-and-order situation in Islamabad. It was told that the scope of the Islamabad Safe City project is being expanded, and the number of Safe City cameras is being increased.

It was further informed that the Islamabad Jail building will be completed by March next year.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Dec, 2024) Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Monday directed the authorities concerned to formulate an action plan for the safe evacuation of Pakistanis, wishing to return from Syria, via neighboring countries as soon as possible.

The prime minister was chairing a meeting held here to review the current situation of Syria and safe evacuation of Pakistanis present in that country.

He said :"All possible steps should be taken to ensure the safe evacuation of Pakistanis from Syria."

"The safety of Pakistanis' lives and property in Syria is our top priority," the prime minister said while instructing to utilize all available resources for this purpose.

He also directed the Pakistan Embassy in Damascus to establish an information desk and a helpline to facilitate the Pakistanis.

Until the security situation improves, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Crisis Management Unit and information desks at Pakistani embassies in Syria and its neighboring countries should remain operational round-the-clock, the prime minister directed.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, Special Assistant Tariq Fatemi, and senior officials from relevant departments.
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ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Dec, 2024) On the eve of World Human Rights Day, posters appeared in various areas of Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, drawing global attention to the severe human rights violations committed by Indian forces in the territory.

Human Rights Day, observed annually on December 10, commemorates the United Nations General Assemblys adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) on this day in 1948, received a press release from APHC office.

The posters, displayed by All Parties Hurriyat Conference, Jammu Kashmir Peoples Resistance Party, Jammu and Kashmir Political Resistance Movement, and Jammu Kashmir Democratic Movement, condemned the ongoing abuses by Indian troops.

They featured images of detained APHC leaders like Masarrat Aalam Butt, Shabbir Ahmed Shah, Aasiya Andrabi and others, emphasizing the denial of fundamental rights, including the right to self-determination, in IIOJK.

The posters decried the killing of innocent Kashmiris, especially youth, in fake encounters and cordon-and-search operations, and the denial of proper burials for victims. They also highlighted the arbitrary arrests of human rights activists.

Urging the international community to take action, the posters called for an end to Indian state terrorism and a resolution to the Kashmir dispute in line with UN resolutions and Kashmiri aspirations.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Dec, 2024) President Asif Ali Zardari has reiterated the nation's unwavering commitment to the protection and promotion of human rights at every level of the society.

The president, on the occasion of International Human Rights Day, said the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, adopted by the United Nations in 1948, reflected the principles, enunciated by islam.

The Constitution of Pakistan, he said also guaranteed fundamental rights to all its citizens and "we remain steadfast in advancing human rights to empower our people."

"Pakistan is cognizant of the importance of protecting the rights of all segments of society, including women, children, senior citizens, persons with disabilities, and minorities," he said expressing his firm belief that democracy, peace, freedom, and human rights were intertwined, and protecting peoples rights was indispensable to building a stable and prosperous country.

He said despite challenges, the government was committed to implementing legal, economic, and social frameworks to safeguard human rights and minimise violations.

The president highlighted that Pakistan, in collaboration with provincial governments, UN agencies, and civil society organisations, was working to protect vulnerable communities.

Initiatives like the National Commission for Human Rights, the Women Empowerment Package, the Action Plan for Human Rights, and the Toll-Free Human Rights Helpline (1099) reflect Pakistans commitment to protecting human rights, the president said.

He added that Pakistan was also continuously undertaking legal and administrative reforms to fulfil its international obligations and safeguard the rights of people.

"On this International Human Rights Day, we should not forget our brothers and sisters in the Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), who have been subjected to the worst forms of state terrorism and are being deprived of their social, political and economic rights," he remarked.

"We also strongly condemn the ethnic cleansing and genocide of the Palestinian people by Israel in Gaza and other Occupied Palestinian territories. We urge the international community to take practical measures to end the barbarism of Israel in Palestine," the president added.

The also president pledged to fulfil the shared responsibility to protect and promote human rights to create a society based on equality, justice and human dignity.
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ABBOTTABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Dec, 2024) To mark International Anti-Corruption Day a seminar was organized at the District Population Welfare Office, Abbottabad on Monday. The event aimed to raise awareness about the negative impact of corruption on society and highlight the importance of collective efforts to combat it.

Speaking at the seminar, District Population Welfare Officer Suhail Imran emphasized that the purpose of observing International Anti-Corruption Day is to create global awareness about the harmful effects of corruption. He described corruption as a "social evil" that hinders national development and prosperity.

"Eliminating corruption is a shared responsibility that demands coordinated efforts from every sector of society," Suhail Imran remarked. He underlined that the current government's top priority is to root out corruption through fair and impartial accountability.

He stressed that development is impossible without an unbiased accountability system.

"Merit, rule of law, and transparency are essential pillars in the fight against corruption," he added, calling for both individual and collective efforts to rid the country of this menace.

Suhail Imran also commended the efforts of the institutions actively working to eradicate corruption in Pakistan, stating that their role is critical in ensuring transparency and accountability.

The seminar was attended by Deputy Demographer Sidra Malik, District Supervisor Nazeer Sahib, and other staff members of the District Population Welfare Office. Participants engaged in discussions on strategies to strengthen anti-corruption mechanisms and promote transparency in public service.

The event concluded with a renewed commitment from all attendees to support the fight against corruption and uphold the principles of justice, integrity, and transparency in their respective roles.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Dec, 2024) The Senate Standing Committee on Railways, expressed displeasure on Monday over the Railways ongoing failure to provide information on actions taken against corruption for the fifth consecutive meeting.

Chaired by Senator Jam Saifullah Khan, the Senate Standing Committee on Railways convened to address ongoing issues of corruption and mismanagement within Pakistan Railways. During the meeting, committee members, especially Senator Shahadat Awan, voiced strong dissatisfaction over the Railways continued failure to provide crucial information on actions taken against corruption for the fifth consecutive meeting.

Senator Awan highlighted that the committee had previously set a deadline for the Railways to provide details on actions taken against corruption, but the authorities had not complied. Despite multiple reminders, the Railways have failed to submit the necessary information, forcing us to escalate the matter, Senator Awan stated.

He noted that the Railways had cited the large number of cases pending in the courts, NAB and FIA as a reason for the delay, but stressed that this was no excuse for the lack of transparency. Representatives from NAB and FIA present at the meeting stated that all cases referred by the Railways for inquiry have been completed, except for a few that were recently forwarded by the Ministry.

According to Senator Awan, the Railways is currently involved in numerous legal disputes, with cases pending before both civil and sessions judges, some of which have been indefinitely postponed.

He noted that the Railways have failed to take decisive action, despite the land being worth millions of rupees.

In a stark assessment, Senator Awan criticized both past and present governments for their lack of sincerity in addressing the challenges facing the national rail service. "None of the previous or current administrations have shown any real commitment to reforming Pakistan Railways," he lamented.

The committee members also raised concerns about discrepancies in the information provided by the Railways top officials. Adding to the tension, Senator Awan remarked that, should the Railways continue to withhold information, he would take the matter into his own hands and make the information publicly available. "If they do not provide the necessary information Monday, I will ensure that the details I have are made public," he warned.

In light of the continued lack of transparency, the committee referred the matter to the Privilege Committee, which will now review whether the withholding of information constitutes a breach of parliamentary privilege.

"It seems increasingly clear that the Railways is deliberately withholding vital information from this committee," said the committee's chairman, Senator Saifullah Khan.

In a final remark, Senator Awan condemned the Railways' response to the tragic Quetta Railway Station blast, noting that not a single senior official visited the site of the incident. "The individuals responsible for this heinous act may have been dear to Allah, but the authorities failed to show any compassion or accountability," he added.

Senator Saifullah Sarwar Khan Nyazee pointed out that name of a BS-19 officer Tariq Latif who was the DS Railway Sukkur during twin train accident at Ghotki in June 2021 was included in the inquiry case of the incident, has been sent on deputation to National Highway Authority as Member Inspection in BS-20.

Secretary Ministry of Railways informed that after the incident the officer was issued show cause and inquiry against him is pending. The chairman committee showed astonishment that how come the officer was sent on deputation to another ministry while the inquiry was still underway.

He also expressed surprise that even after three years, the enquiry of the incident has not completed yet. The Chairman Committee directed repatriation of the Tariq Latif and also decided to right a letter to the secretary establishment for the same. It was also recommended to the ministry of railways to expedite the inquiry of the Ghotki train accident case.

It was also discussed that the CEO, originally appointed on a temporary basis during the caretaker government, is still serving in the same role. It was lamented that the appointment was meant to be temporary, and there is a need for a competent and capable officer to take over the CEO position.

The committee also lamented that even after the directions of the committee on the train stop of Rehman Baba and Tezgam express at Ghotki station has not been complied.

The CEO acknowledged the issue but failed to implement the necessary actions. The committee chairman expressed frustration and emphasized that the committees directives must be followed in a timely manner.

The meeting concluded with the committee calling for urgent reforms and the immediate provision of all requested documents. The Privilege Committee is expected to take up the matter in its next sitting.

APP/sra-szm
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ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Dec, 2024) In observance of World Human Rights Day, the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Forum France FC organized an online webinar spotlighting the ongoing human rights violations in Indian-occupied Jammu and Kashmir.

The event featured an array of prominent international speakers and activists who underscored the urgency of addressing the situation and mobilizing global efforts for justice, received a press release from Paris here on Monday.

The keynote speakers included Pakistans Ambassador to France, Asim Iftikhar, who emphasized the need for collective international action to resolve the Kashmir dispute. The people of Kashmir are enduring atrocities that demand immediate global attention. The right to self-determination must be upheld, he said. He also stressed that the youth have every potential to take this movement to its logical conclusion.

Mirza Asif Jarral, President of the Jammu and Kashmir Democratic Forum France, opened the session by reiterating the forums commitment to amplifying the voices of Kashmiris on international platforms. We aim to ensure the world does not forget the plight of the Kashmiri people, he stated.

Shafaq Mehmood, a former Member of the European Parliament, highlighted the failure of global powers to address the Kashmir crisis. The international community must hold India accountable for its actions that contravene basic human rights norms, she urged.

Prominent Turkish writer Turgay Evren stressed the role of literature and media in raising awareness about Kashmir. Art and writing can be powerful tools to expose the truth and inspire change, he remarked.

Hurriyat leaders Parvez Ahmed Shah and Syed Faiz Naqshbandi spoke passionately about the decades-long struggle of the Kashmiri people, calling for stronger international solidarity. Shah said, The sacrifices of the

Kashmiri people should never be overlooked, while Naqshbandi pointed out, The silence of the world powers is enabling Indias human rights violations.

Other speakers included Altaf Hussain Wani, Abdul Hameed Lone, Shamim Shawl, and Ghazala Habib, Chairperson of Friends of Kashmir, who called for stronger advocacy efforts. Wani remarked, The world must unite against state-sponsored terrorism in IIOJK.

Participants from various parts of Europe, including Zafar Qureshi from London and Ali Raza Syed from Brussels, reiterated the need to sustain the global campaign for Kashmirs freedom. Dr. Khalid Aftab Sulehri, a human rights defender, and Dr. Farah Naz, an expert in international law, emphasized the legal aspects of the Kashmir issue. Dr. Naz stated, Kashmiris have an undeniable right to self-determination as enshrined in international law.

Representatives from Azad Jammu and Kashmir, including Tayyaba Khurshid, shared their perspectives on the worsening situation across the Line of Control.

The webinar concluded with a unanimous call to action, urging the United Nations and other international bodies to intervene in the Kashmir dispute and hold India accountable for its human rights violations. The forum vowed to continue its advocacy for the Kashmiri people on all global platforms.
PESHAWAR, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Dec, 2024) The district administration of South Waziristan Upper observed Anti-Corruption Day by holding walks and a function here on Monday.

According to the district administration, the events that took place at the DC Compound were held in collaboration with the Tehsil Municipal Administration(TMA) Ladha, the Tehsil Administration of Sarwakai, and the District Youth South Waziristan Upper.

A large number of people including the districts administration attended these events, holding banners inscribed with slogans regarding raising awareness against corruption and to promote a culture of integrity within the community.

Leading the walk Assistant Commissioner Sarwakai, Suhail Baloch said collective efforts were needed to be made to combat corruption more effectively.

The participants reiterated their commitment to promoting transparency, accountability, and integrity at both the governmental and community levels.
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The militarys media wing says weapons and ammunition have also been recovered from Khwarij, who remained actively involved in terrorist activities against security forces as well as target killing of innocent civilians

RAWALPINDI: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-Dec 9th, 2024) Two Khwarij were killed by the Security Forces in an intelligence-based operation in Kulachi area of Dera Ismail Khan on Monday.

According to ISPR, the Security Forces effectively engaged Khwarij location, as a result of which, two Khwarij were sent to hell, while one Kharji was apprehended in injured condition.

Weapons and ammunition were also recovered from these Khwarij, who remained actively involved in terrorist activities against the security forces as well as target killing of innocent civilians.

Sanitization operation is being conducted to eliminate any other Kharji found in the area, as security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe-out the menace of terrorism from the country.
About 14,000 young Americans visit China during inaugural year of exchange initiative: Chinese envoy

Xinhua) 11:07, December 09, 2024

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Over the past year, about 14,000 American youths have visited China for exchange and study since the announcement of China's pledge to invite 50,000 young Americans to visit in the next five years, Chinese Ambassador to the United States Xie Feng said here on Friday.

"In November last year, President Xi Jinping announced in San Francisco that China is ready to invite 50,000 young Americans to China on exchange and study programs in the next five years. To implement the initiative, China has set up a YES program -- the Young Envoys Scholarship. Over the past year, President Xi invited American youths to visit China on multiple occasions, which was warmly received here in the States," Xie said at an event promoting China-U.S. youth exchanges held at the Chinese embassy in the United States.

The initiative "has provided an effective platform that brings our youths closer, opened up an important window for better understanding China, and ushered in a new chapter of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples," he added.

While such people-to-people exchanges have come under some headwinds in the past few years, good news keeps coming with joint efforts, the ambassador said.

Xie said what has been achieved in the past year is far from enough, and much remains to be done "to continue removing disruptions, stay undaunted by the chilling effect, oppose any backpedaling, and move forward hand in hand, to build more bridges for people-to-people exchanges and inject constant impetus into China-U.S. relations."

The ambassador encouraged youths from both countries to take up the baton of history and shoulder the responsibility of fostering a stable, sound and sustainable China-U.S. relationship.

Friday's event was attended by over 300 guests, including representatives of teachers and students who visited China during the year, as well as Chinese and American friends from all walks of life.

Two panel discussions were held at the event, during which the panelists expressed their best wishes for China-U.S. youth exchanges, and their expectations for continued education exchange and cooperation that will benefit the two countries and the world.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday signed Law of Ukraine No. 4114-IX of December 4, 2024 on receiving compensation for destroyed property by internally displaced persons (IDPs) under the e Recovery program.

In particular, internally displaced persons will receive a priority right to housing certificates, according to the criteria determined by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. In addition, the law provides for the possibility of directing about UAH 15 billion of the remaining budget funds for 2024 to the eRecovery program, the Verkhovna Rada Telegram channel reports.

As previously reported, according to the law, persons of retirement age are the first to apply for compensation for destroyed housing; citizens who have a dependent child under six years of age, two minor children or a child with a disability, as well as single parents raising a child under 14 years of age and persons with a disability of group three.
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LAHORE, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Dec, 2024) Federal Minister for planning,development and special initiatives Prof. Ahsan Iqbal highlighted the pivotal role of engineers in shaping the nations progress,describing them as the backbone of any society.

Addressing the 2nd International Conference on new trends in Civil Engineering at University of Central Punjab (UCP) here on Monday, he highlighted engineers significant contributions to key national projects such as the Mangla Dam,Tarbela Dam,motorways and nuclear programs.

The minister while commenting on the growing population of Pakistan said that according to the latest census,the country's population growth rate had increased from 2 percent to 2.55 percent and this put immense pressure on resources,agriculture and food security.

He pointed out that the demand for infrastructure has also escalated, saying that in 2013, the federal governments budget was 340 billion rupees.By 2018, it had increased to 1,000 billion rupees. However,now the budget had decreased to just 700 billion rupees.

Despite the economic challenges,he expressed optimism, pointing out that the stock market had reached a milestone of 100,000 points.

Iqbal emphasized that "if the nation works together, conditions can improve quickly".

He further said that in the 21st century,the survival of nations depends on the strength of their economies.

The planning minister acknowledged that Pakistan made significant progress since its independence still there were areas where the nation had to advanced further,adding that he underscore the need for continued effort and innovation to keep pace with global developments.

Prof.Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the importance of national unity and collective reflection on the countrys future direction and goals.

He urged that Pakistan's progress must be rooted in truth, integrity and realistic efforts,warning that relying on false narratives or distractions would hinder the nation's potential.

He stressed that for Pakistan to thrive,it must embrace a positive and constructive mindset, as the choices made today will define the nation's legacy for generations to come.

He reminded the participants of the conference that Pakistan was a brand and it was essential to restore its image by maintaining its ideals and thinking.Working together,Pakistan can overcome its challenges, as no external power can propel the country forward without its own efforts.

He urged engineers to come together as a united professional community and rise to the challenges ahead, emphasizing that while time and resources are limited, the opportunities to make a meaningful impact are vast and critical.
Brussels, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Dec, 2024) The European Union called Monday for a peaceful political transition in war-torn Syria after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad by the rebels.

"Now more than ever, it is imperative that all stakeholders engage in an inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned dialogue on all key issues to ensure an orderly, peaceful and inclusive transition," the 27-nation bloc said in a statement.

The EU said it was "critical to preserve the territorial integrity of Syria and to respect its independence, its sovereignty, as well as state institutions, and to reject all forms of extremism".

"We urge all actors to avoid any further violence, to ensure the protection of civilians, and to uphold international law, including international humanitarian law," the statement said.
The Hague, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 10th Dec, 2024) The death toll from an explosion and fire that destroyed an apartment block in The Hague climbed to six on Monday, officials said, revealing that a teenage girl was among the victims.

Rescue workers pulled a sixth body from the rubble in the Dutch city in the early hours of Monday.

The sixth body was "recovered from the cellar of the collapsed building", the fire service said.

Police identified four of the dead as two men aged 45 and 31, a 41-year-old woman, and a 17-year-old girl.

The fifth and sixth victims were two men, aged 44 and 63, police added late Monday night. Four other people are in hospital, two in a serious condition.

The fire was so intense that identification has only been possible via DNA tests, complicating the process.

The fire service said it had completed the search for bodies.

"The emergency services did not find any more victims during the search in the collapsed apartment building," firefighters said in a statement.

"Dogs... were also deployed during the search in the unsafe part of the building. They also did not find anything. It was then decided to end the search."

Police are still uncertain as to what caused the explosion but the head of the public prosecutors' office told reporters on Sunday there were unspecified indications it was a criminal act.

Investigators want to speak to the driver of a car seen speeding away from the scene at 6:15 am on Saturday.

A detailed hunt for clues to the cause of the explosion could only begin once the search for victims was complete, authorities had said.

There was no evidence that the building housed a drugs lab, which has been the cause of previous explosions in the country, police said.
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ANKARA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 9th Dec, 2024) US President-elect Donald Trump announced on Truth Social on Sunday evening that Alina Habba, his senior adviser and attorney, will serve as counselor to the president in his upcoming administration.

In his post on the platform, Trump praised Habba as a tireless advocate for Justice, a fierce Defender of the Rule of Law, and an invaluable Advisor," ABC news reported.

He also highlighted her heritage and recognition, noting: As a first-generation American of middle Eastern Heritage, she has become a role model for women in Law and politics, most recently being named Chaldean Woman of the Year.

The position, held by Kellyanne Conway in Trump's former administration, is separate from the White House counsel's office.

Trump also announced three significant State Department appointments.

Michael Anton was named director of policy planning, with Trump commending his loyalty and work in defining an America First foreign policy.

Michael Needham will serve as a counselor for the State Department, with Trump lauding his role as a key leader in the America First Movement.

Christopher Landau was appointed deputy secretary of state, set to work closely with Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio.

Trump emphasized Landaus legal expertise, Supreme Court clerkships, and diplomatic experience as former ambassador to Mexico.
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.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed on Monday law No. 4121-IX of December 5, 2024, previously adopted by the Verkhovna Rada, on ratification of the agreement between Ukraine and the European Union on the implementation of the Ukraine Loan Cooperation Mechanism.

The agreement, in particular, provides for the creation of a legal framework for servicing and repaying loans received by Ukraine; providing Ukraine with financial support from income received from frozen assets of Russia, the Telegram channel of the Verkhovna Rada reports.

As reported earlier, the Ukraine Loan Cooperation Mechanism (ULCM) was created, where emergency revenues from frozen Russian assets and other voluntary contributions made by member states or third countries will be received. These resources will then be used to repay the principal amount of the debt and interest on the relevant bilateral loan agreements of Ukraine with creditors.
Without hesitation and after more than 13 years in exile, hundreds of Syrian refugees rushed to return to their country this week in the hope of reuniting with their families and reestablishing their lives. Joan Cabases Vega spoke with some of the refugees from the Masnaa border crossing between Lebanon and Syria.

See the full story here.
A recent altercation between fishermen from Thailand and the Myanmar navy has publicized the long-running dispute between the two countries about overlapping fishing rights, experts say.

In the early hours of November 30, Myanmar patrol boats fired on 15 Thai fishing vessels off Ranong province in southern Thailand. One Thai national was killed while four Thai crew members were detained along with 27 Myanmar nationals. One Thai fishing vessel, the Sor Charoenchai 8, was also seized.

Thailand authorities have since been trying to negotiate with Myanmar over the release of the Thai sailors.

Nikorndej Balankura, spokesman for the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, told reporters in Bangkok Friday that the four men were being taken to the town of Koh Song on the Thailand-Myanmar border. At this moment, the Thai township border committee is coordinating the relevant measures required to send the four crew members back to Thailand, he said. "Its being discussed and aim to finalize this process as soon as possible. I sincerely hope there will be good news soon.

But as of Monday, the four still remained in Myanmars custody.

Thai Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed the Thai national who died in the altercation had drowned after jumping into the sea when the Myanmar navy opened fire. The deceased was a 24-year-old who was on his first expedition, reports say.

Phumtham told reporters on Monday that Thailand was still waiting for a reply from the Myanmar military government, and now is unsure of a timeline as to when the four remaining Thais will be freed.

He previously said the firing of shots was an overreaction from the Myanmar navy. But Myanmars military government maintained it acted correctly because boats were invading its waters.

The regime, which is currently fighting a brutal conflict with pro-democracy resistance groups throughout the country, said it was also investigating materials found on the fishing trawler relating to Myanmars revolutionary groups.

Thailand and Myanmar share land borders of more than 2,400 kilometers in Southeast Asia. They also share a maritime boundary of 263 kilometers in the Andaman Sea, which was officially established in 1980 through a bilateral agreement.

But Thai trawlers have often crossed those maritime lines.

Phil Robertson, director at Asia Human Rights Labour Advocates, says the Thai fishermen were illegally fishing.

The Thai fishing fleets were up to their old lawless ways, conducting fishing in Myanmars territorial waters, and this time they got caught by the rights-abusing [Myanmar] navy that shoots first and asks questions later. This latest incident is really a repeat of previous practices on both sides, he told VOA.

Myanmars waters are attractive to Thai fishermen because of the rich fishing stocks available. Thailands fishery sector contributed to more than 2 percent of the countrys gross domestic product in 2023.

Dominic Thomson, regional director of Southeast Asia for the Environmental Justice Foundation, says fishing disputes between the two countries have been going on for decades, but this incident is a first.

Thailand and Myanmar have yet to fully resolve their maritime boundary in the Andaman Sea, leading to overlapping claims. The tensions over fishing rights dates back to the 1980s when Thailand massively expanded its fishing fleet due to high domestic demand for seafood, coinciding with a sharp decline in fish stocks within Thai waters. Overfishing in Thai waters therefore drove Thai fishing vessels into Myanmars Exclusive Economic Zone, often without permits, he told VOA via email.

Thailand was given a yellow card warning by the European Union in 2015 over its failure to combat illegal, underreported and unregulated, or IUU, fishing.

The mechanism is the first step used by the EU to warn trade partners over their inaction over reducing illegal fishing. If a red card is shown to a country, it means that nation hasn't made enough progress and its fishing exports to the EU will be banned.

Later that year, Thailand introduced new regulations that said Thai fishing vessels must have monitoring technology installed to warn them when they encroach on maritime border lines.

It is not clear whether these warning systems were ignored, or not active when the vessels were fired at on November 30.

There have been no reports of similar incidents since at least 2015. The nature of the incident, coupled with the detention of the fishing vessels and crew is unprecedented, Thomson said.

Robertson says questions remain over how this happened.

Reliable sources report that there were many more Thai fishing boats engaged in this illegal fishing activity than reported, raising questions about why Thai marine regulatory agencies are failing to ensure their fishing fleets respect Burmese waters. The Thai fishermen look like victims here, but they are the core problem as well, Robertson added.

Thomson said Thailand must look at its monitoring systems to prevent a repeat incident.

Thailand should ensure that its monitoring and control systems are adequately staffed, trained and resourced to ensure that Thai fishing vessels that stray into other countries waters are told to turn back as soon as possible. It is vital that there are appropriate sanctioning powers in place and consistent enforcement of these powers to deter similar intrusions in the future, he added.

Thailand is set to welcome Myanmar and other ASEAN nation members to Bangkok in a ministerial meeting on December 20.
After years of resisting international pressure to meet financial obligations for combating climate change, China, the worlds largest emitter of greenhouse gases according to public data  is seeking to avoid legal accountability at the International Court of Justice, or ICJ, in The Hague.

Since last week, more than 100 countries and organizations have presented arguments at the worlds highest court regarding states' responsibilities for climate change and whether high-emitting nations should be held accountable for the harm they have caused. Island nations and other climate-vulnerable countries  contributing little to global greenhouse gas emissions but losing territory to rising sea levels  are demanding legal accountability from polluting nations.

Amid concerns that the court might establish new legal grounds for climate-related litigation, Ma Xinmin, Chinas representative, argued against liability for global warming.

GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions do not constitute internationally wrongful acts under general international law, Ma stated.

According to a report by the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, more than 2,000 climate litigation cases have been filed worldwide, but most claimants face significant challenges in achieving favorable outcomes.

If there was some finding in the advisory opinion that there was a liability that could spark litigation elsewhere presumably. "said Alice Hill, a senior fellow for energy and the environment at the Council on Foreign Relations and a former special assistant to President Barack Obama for climate change policies, in an interview with VOA.

Earlier this year, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea issued a landmark advisory opinion clarifying states legal obligations to address marine pollution caused by climate change. This case set a significant precedent for future decisions on international legal duties. China, however, argued in a written submission that the tribunal lacked the authority to issue advisory opinions, stating, The Tribunals aforementioned reasoning is inconsistent with the rules of treaty interpretation.

In addition to China, the United States argued last week against new legal frameworks to deal with climate change obligations, marking a rare moment of alignment between the two geopolitical rivals on the global stage.

Any other legal obligations related to climate change mitigation identified by the court should be interpreted consistently with states obligations under this treaty regime, argued Margaret Taylor, a legal adviser to the U.S. State Department.

Neither of them wants to have any new form of liability for emissions they may have caused. said Hill of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Nikki Reisch, climate and energy director at the Center for International Environmental Law, stated in an email to VOA, In its arguments before the ICJ, China has ultimately aligned itself with other major polluters, she added.

China benefiting from the status quo

In 1992, when China was classified as a developing country under the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change, its historical emissions were about 41% of those of the EU. Today, Chinas cumulative emissions have now caused more global warming than the 27 member states of the EU combined, according to a recent analysis by the U.K.-based climate website Carbon Brief.

Under the current framework, including the agreement reached at last months COP29 U.N. Climate Summit, China is not required to make financial contributions to offset the global costs of its pollution but is merely encouraged to do so. The country claims that since 2016, it has provided and mobilized more than $24 billion to help developing nations tackle climate challenges.

Reisch noted that the weaknesses of existing climate mechanisms have worked to Chinas advantage.

The decades-old climate negotiations are a space that China can navigate to advantage, and use in a running battle with the West, Reisch said.

That, while rightfully focused on the historical responsibility of the worlds largest cumulative emitters, all too conveniently obscures Chinas own role in the climate crisis today. Reisch said.

Ma Xinmin argued before the court that existing U.N. treaties should remain the cornerstone for determining states obligations.

China hopes that the court will uphold the U.N. climate change negotiation mechanism as the primary channel for global climate governance, Ma said.

Dean Baker, senior economist and co-founder of the Center for Economic and Policy Research, noted that China's emissions have peaked and are expected to decline in the coming years. He also highlighted the country is doing an enormous amount in terms of rapidly switching to electric vehicles and ramping up clean energy production.

"However, it does not want to tie itself to international commitments, even though it is likely to exceed any plausible green standards," Baker told VOA in an email.
Civil society groups and academics say that Australia is falling behind other countries in tackling slavery. The government this week released its response to an independent assessment of Australia's slavery laws. The review found that the legislation had not yet caused meaningful change for victims and made various recommendations to strengthen the law.

The Australian government has accepted 25 of 30 recommendations made by an independent assessment of Australias Modern Slavery Act of 2018.

While some activists and unions say the governments responses are positive, other campaigners say they fear Australia is doing much less than other countries to combat modern slavery and human trafficking.

Justine Nolan, director of the Australian Human Rights Institute, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. Saturday that the reforms could be delayed by federal elections due before next May.

There is a danger of this again getting lost in the election cycle with everything, sort of, stopping very early in the new year. We have just had a visit from the U.N. special rapporteur, who has recognized that Australia has a problem in this. This is not something we can keep waiting on, said Nolan.

Under recommended legislative changes, Australian authorities would have to publish locations and industries known to be high risk for modern slavery, including agriculture and construction.

The government said in a statement that modern slavery practices rob an individual of their freedom and control over their lives. From the trafficking of children, to the criminal exploitation of workers, to an individual forced into servitude  these practices are major violations of human rights.

James Cockayne is the anti-slavery commissioner in the state of New South Wales, responsible for increasing awareness about exploitation. He recently told local media that other global jurisdictions are expanding anti-slavery laws.

The legislative landscape is moving pretty rapidly on these things internationally at the moment. There has been significant developments in the EU and continue to be day-on-day, he said.

Canadas modern slavery law came into effect early this year. It requires companies to file annual reports on efforts to identify and prevent forced and child labor.

The 2023 Global Slavery Index, published by the campaign group Walk Free, estimated there are 50 million people in modern slavery.

In Australia, it is estimated that 41,000 people are being exploited.
Bashar Assad the longtime, iron-fisted ruler of Syria, has fled the country as rebels capture Damascus. The civil war lasted nearly 14 years, but what comes next is still uncertain. U.S. President-elect Donald Trump met with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris. A look at trade tariffs: who benefits and who loses? Plus, the latest from South Korea, and the manhunt in New York for the suspect in the killing of the CEO of a large health insurance company
China is seizing control of critical minerals including rare earth that go into the making of electric vehicles (EVs), its batteries and a range of electronic products for civilian and military uses, according to analysts. Chinese companies in recent months have stepped up efforts to procure the minerals from diverse places like Myanmar, Vietnam, Morocco and Congo, according to several reports.

Chinas quest for a larger share of critical minerals is significant because it is expected to use them as retaliatory tools against the U.S. if Washington decides to dramatically increase tariffs on Chinese goods, as President-elect Donald Trump has said he would do, according to analysts who spoke to VOA.

Rare earths are a powerful tool China will use to retaliate against the Trump administration if the tariff war escalates, Zhiqun Zhu, political scientist at Bucknell University in Pennsylvania, told VOA in an emailed interview.

The Chinese Ministry of Commerce recently announced tighter control over exporting several rare earth minerals to the U.S.

In early December, China banned exports to the United States of the critical minerals gallium, germanium and antimony, which have widespread military applications, expanding curbs Beijing began rolling out in 2023.

This is just the first step and a warning to the incoming administration in Washington. However, the doors are still open for negotiation to avoid a heightened tariff war, Zhu said.

Beatrix Keim, director of Germany-based Center Automotive Research, said, China controls the vast majority of refining capacity for rare earth and lithium, which is used for making batteries. China needs these minerals to feed its expanding new energy vehicle (NEV) sector.

At the same time, China is investing in relationships with several countries that supply these resources, she added.

China has 36% of the worlds rare earth reserves but controls 70% of the global supply from mines in different countries, according to Now-Gmbh, a government-run research organization in Germany. China also controls 77% of the refining capacity for rare earth, it said.

Some of the other sources of rare earth [minerals] like Vietnam, Russia and Brazil could be considered allies of China, Lourdes Casanova, director of Cornell Universitys Emerging Markets Institute, told VOA in an email.

The U.S. has significant rare earth resources at 1.8 million tons, according to U.S. Geological Survey estimates, besides being able to source from India and Australia, which have considerably higher resources.

Chinese companies also control most of the mines producing cobalt, a crucial component of electric vehicle batteries and other electronics, in the Democratic Republic of Congo, according to the London-based minerals research and pricing firm Benchmark Mineral Intelligence. Congo accounts for 70% of the global supply of cobalt, according to International Shareholder Services (ISS) based in the U.S. state of Maryland.

Myanmar tussle

China is taking advantage of the clashes between the military junta and rebel groups in Myanmar to extend its influence in the rare earth mining areas of the country. Myanmar produces several types of rare earth minerals, including heavy rare earth elements, which are critical in so-called clean energy technologies.

The rebel group Kachin Independence Army (KIA) has taken control of the Myanmar town of Kanpaikti, on the country's border with China. Kanpaikti has rich sources of rare earth minerals. This means that China could potentially be the sole buyer, purchasing the minerals from rebel groups instead of the ruling military junta, Sreeparna Banerjee, an associate fellow at New Delhis Observer Research Foundation, told VOA. Chinese officials have been engaged in negotiations with rebel groups for a long time, she said.

China stands to maintain its supply dominance by negotiating directly with the new power holders ... the Kachin Independence Army (KIA), said Banerjee. This could potentially provide China with more favorable terms, as the KIA may prioritize securing revenue from a reliable buyer.

On the other hand, the ongoing conflict between the rebels and the military junta has resulted in disruption of supplies and a sharp rise in the prices of some rare earth materials, like dysprosium and terbium, Banerjee said.

Bucknells Zhu said, It is not surprising that China has reached out to the rebels regarding continued mining and China's undisrupted purchase of rare earths from Myanmar.

Xis Morocco visit

Chinese President Xi Jinping visited Morocco last month amid increasing investments by Chinese companies for manufacturing batteries used in electric vehicles. Chinas Gotion High-Tech has committed $1.3 billion to build Africas first EV battery gigafactory near Rabat, while two other Chinese companies are making battery components.

I think China is planning to manufacture cars in Morocco that could be sold in Europe, which is a short distance away, said Keim, of Center Automotive Research. That way, Chinese companies can evade high tariff rates in European countries.

In October, the European Union imposed heavy tariffs ranging from 17% to 35.3% for various types of China-made EVs. The EU justified the decision saying China subsidized its EV makers, allowing them to sell at extremely low prices in Europe. China has challenged the decision at the World Trade Organization, resulting in heightened trade tensions between Beijing and the EU.

European EV makers are unable to compete with Chinese firms, said Casanova, of Cornell University. The EU wants to protect its own companies, like the German Volkswagen, Mercedes, BMW, the French Renault or the Italian Stellantis [formerly Fiat].
Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun has reappeared in public after a media report claimed he was under disciplinary investigation. Analysts say that while his reappearance suggests Dong is politically safe, it does not mean China will stop its anti-corruption purge against the military.

Dong attended a security forum in Shanghai last Thursday on the security situation in the Gulf of Guinea. This marked his first public appearance since taking part in a meeting with counterparts from Southeast Asian countries and the United States last month in Laos.

During the forum, Dong met with heads of delegations from 18 African countries and expressed Chinas willingness to strengthen maritime cooperation with regional countries and help maintain security in the Gulf of Guinea, Chinas state-run Xinhua news agency reported.

Prior to his re-emergence last week, the Financial Times reported on November 26 that Dong was facing an anti-corruption-related investigation, citing unnamed current and former U.S. officials.

The Chinese defense ministry dismissed the report during a regular press conference on November 28, calling it a sheer fabrication spread by rumor-mongers with evil motivations.

However, a suspension and disciplinary investigation that the defense ministry announced November 28 against another official, Admiral Miao Hua, still raised questions about Dongs fate.

Analysts say Dongs reappearance on December 5 signals that he is politically safe for now.

The Chinese government wants to show that Dong remains safe and, despite some changes at the top of the Chinese military, the Chinese leadership still maintains a certain level of control, said Lin Ying-yu, an expert on the Chinese military at Tamkang University in Taiwan. Lin spoke with VOA in a phone interview.

It remains unclear, however, whether Dongs personal relationship with Miao might affect him later, said Wen-ti Sung, a political scientist at the Australian National University, or ANU.

Miao Huas role as head of political works [in the Central Military Commission] is in part akin to the Chinese militarys chief human resource officer and it means virtually any official whose career got fast-tracked over the last seven years will have to have Miaos seal of approval, he told VOA in a written response.

He said the personal ties between Dong and Miao can be a big deal in political purges but can also be nothing.

Campaign intensifies

Since Chinese President Xi Jinping took power in 2012, he has carried out a sweeping anti-corruption campaign against the Peoples Liberation Army, or PLA. The campaign has intensified over the past year. The investigation into Miao is the latest case.

At least nine generals in the PLA and several defensive industry executives have been removed from Chinas national legislative body due to corruption-related charges.

In June, two of Dongs predecessors, former defense minister Li Shangfu and Wei Fenghe were removed from their roles and expelled from the Chinese Communist Party amid allegations of corruption.

Experts say the investigation into Miao, who is an admiral in the Chinese navy, shows how widespread and deep-rooted the problem of corruption is across different branches of the military.

The Chinese navy was previously plagued by corruption in 2020, leading to the removal of several naval commanders. Since last year, the Chinese militarys rocket force became the focus of the Chinese authorities anti-corruption campaign, said Su Tzu-yun, a military expert at the Taipei-based Institute for National Defense and Security Research.

During an inspection of the PLAs information support force on December 4, Chinese President Xi urged the military to improve conduct, enforce discipline and combat corruption, emphasizing that the Chinese military must be entirely loyal, pure and reliable.

Sung at ANU said the investigation against Miao will likely set off a new round of purges inside the Chinese military. Since Miao has essentially been the PLAs head of HR, many appointees [in the PLA] need to get into his good graces, and what kind of entanglement that entails leaves a lot of room for imagination, he told VOA.

Impact on warfighting and morale

Experts say that while there are legitimate reasons for Chinese authorities to root out rampant corruption in the military, Xi has used the anti-corruption campaign to maintain his control over the PLA.

Xi uses the anti-corruption campaign to strengthen his control over the Chinese military and under this reign with terror, its difficult for the military to challenge his authority, Tamkang Universitys Lin told VOA.

In addition to maintaining control over the military, Xi is using the anti-corruption campaign to eliminate military commanders from other factions within the Chinese Communist Party, said Su Tzu-yun. He adds that such a vicious cycle could negatively impact morale in the military.

The constant personnel reshuffling at the top level will also affect the militarys operation and long-term planning, according to Sung.

Military purges "will inevitably lead to personnel reshuffling thus slow down [the Chinese militarys] long-term planning for force building and warfighting, he told VOA.

Since Xi has urged the military to combat corruption and it is used to control the military, Lin said the pace of Beijings anti-corruption campaign against the PLA will likely continue in 2025.
The civil war in Syria, which began in 2011, gained a new dimension with the overthrow of the Assad regime. After armed rebel groups let by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) entered Damascus, Assad left Syria. Russian state media reported that Assad and his family arrived in Moscow. Military sources and experts in France who assessed the developments for VOA Turkish agreed that the biggest winner in the latest developments is Turkey, while the biggest losers are Iran and Russia.

However, they said the way negotiations between HTS and Turkey proceed, especially on the Kurdish issue, will be decisive.

See the full story here.
Ukraine hopes to strengthen its long-range capabilities with Germany's help, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said ahead of his talks with German Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz, according to an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent.

"We really want to hear your position on geopolitics, on NATO. We very much hope for strengthening Ukraine's long-range capabilities," the head of state said on Monday.

He thanked Germany for the assistance provided by the government, the parliament, and people who have been hosting Ukrainians from day one of the full-scale war.

Zelenskyy also recalled that the Ministry of National Unity has been set up in Ukraine to address Ukrainians' affairs jointly with the Foreign Ministry.

"This ministry will pay particular attention to our people who are staying in Poland, Germany, the Czech Republic, and other countries. But most of them are in Germany today," he said.

The President added that Ukraine very much counts on "the meetings in Germany and creation of relevant departments for assistance to Ukrainians."

Later, the presidential press service said that Zelenskyy and Merz discussed an increase in financial military assistance to Ukraine next year, which is critically important to protect lives in Ukraine, as the country suffers every day from Russian attacks and every manifestation of support saves people. Increased assistance will also strengthen Ukraine's positions for achieving a just and sustainable peace.

One of the key subjects of the discussion was the Victory Plan. The parties agreed that Ukraine could be strengthened with long-range capabilities and an invitation to NATO, while establishment of just peace will impact global security, the press service said.

Zelenskyy and Merz also discussed Ukraine's integration into the EU, ensuring unity in Europe and its role in strengthening Ukraine. The President supported the idea of the CDU/CSU leader to set up a contact group with the participation of Germany, France, the UK and Poland in order to restore a just and lasting peace for Ukraine. Zelensky suggested including Denmark in this group.

Special attention was paid to the issue of Ukrainians who left for Germany because of the full-scale Russian invasion. The head of state said that a visit of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Unity of Ukraine Oleksiy Chernyshev to Berlin had already been scheduled.
Kurdish politicians in Turkey expressed their satisfaction with the end of the Assad regime in Syria. Speaking to VOA Turkish, several Kurdish politicians in Turkey called on Ankara to see the Kurds in Syria as friends and allies rather than as a threat. They also called on Kurdish groups in Syria to reconcile with Turkey.

Following the developments in Syria, the first statement from Kurdish political actors in Turkey came from the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party). The DEM Party suggested a transitional administration in which ethnic and religious groups in Syria would be represented and called for the United Nations to take responsibility for the return of refugees.

See the full story here.
As the 61-year Baathist regime comes to an end, with Syrian President Bashar Assad leaving the country, one of the largest celebrations abroad is being held in Turkey, which hosts nearly 3 million Syrian refugees. Istanbul, which hosts nearly 500,000 Syrian refugees, has been the scene of many demonstrations since Saturday evening.

Sunday, opponents of the regime removed the Syrian flag hanging at the Syrian Consulate General in Istanbuls Tesvikiye district, and they celebrated the victory of rebel forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) at the historic Fatih Mosque and Sarachane Square throughout the day.

VOA Turkish talked to Syrians celebrating Assads fall in Istanbul.

See the full story here.
A coalition of rebel fighters in Syria continues its advance claiming more territory from the government days after taking Aleppo, in the nations northwest.

This week, insurgents led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a powerful Islamist faction, advanced on the central city of Hama, encircling it on December 4, after days of intense fighting on its outskirts.

Iran, a staunch ally of Syrian ruler Bashar Assad, has sought to downplay the significance of the renewed rebel offensive.

A December 5 report in Irans state-run Press TV claimed Syrian government forces, in conjunction with its Russian allies, had killed over 2,000 rebel fighters in a week of fighting, and expanded the security perimeter around Hama.

Press TV accused Western media outlets and the U.K.-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, an opposition war monitor, of launching an intense propaganda campaign, alleging that the terrorists had entered Hama.

Syrian security sources have, however, confirmed that Hama is completely safe, with armed forces stationed around the city, Press TV reported.

That is false.

At least two days before Press TV reported Hama was completely safe and under the control of government forces, the city was already besieged by Syrian insurgents.

By the time of the Press TV report, the rebels had entered Hama and later claimed control over the city.

Shortly after, the Syrian army confirmed it had lost the city.

[T]he military units stationed there have redeployed and repositioned outside the city, a December 5 statement from Syrias General Command of the Army and Armed Forces read.

Concurrently, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of HTS, released a video statement saying, Hama had been liberated from government forces. Al-Golani called on rebel fighters not to take revenge against civilians who support the government.

NBC News published footage released by rebel-affiliated media showing abandoned military vehicles at a base near Hama.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said rebel fighters had captured the police headquarters in Hama and an air base. HTS also said it has captured Hamas Central Prison and released inmates.

The Observatory also reported that HTS fighters had entered the city of Salamiyah, east of the city of Hama, and taken the town of Qamhana.

Later in the day, footage surfaced of rebels toppling the statue of late Syrian President Hafez Assad, the father of Bashar Assad, who carried out a brutal crackdown on the city of Hama in 1982 in what became known as the Hama Massacre. Government forces killed tens of thousands of Hama residents while thousands of others disappeared during a month-long assault.

On December 6, Agence France-Presse published video of a truck dragging the head of the statue through the streets to celebrate the citys capture.

Located roughly 210 kilometers north of the capital Damascus, Hama has come to symbolize opposition to Assads dynastic regime.

During the 2011 rallies that preceded the civil war, as many as 500,000 people took to the streets of Hama on July 1 to protest the regime.

That year, government forces besieged the city on July 31, the eve of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, indiscriminately firing on civilians, echoing the events of 1982.

Following the capture of Hama, rebel forces announced they would advance southward on Homs, Syrias third largest city. Homs is roughly 40 kilometers south of Hama, and borders the coastal province of Latakia, an Assad stronghold, which houses Syrias main commercial port.

The Washington D.C.-based Institute for the Study of War called Homs the lynchpin of the regimes logistics system that connected Damascus to Aleppo and to the coast, making control of the city critical.

Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed Lebanon-based militant group, played a critical role in supporting Assad, but saw its fighting capability diminished following the 2024 Israel Invasion of Lebanon.

Russias September 2015 Syria intervention was key to propping up the regime of Assad.

In conjunction with Iranian forces and Iran-backed militias, Russia helped Assad reverse most of the rebel gains and was instrumental in helping government forces recapture Aleppo in 2016.

Years after analysts declared victory for Assad, the renewed rebel advance could undo a key foreign policy achievement for Russia.

After coming to Assads defense, Russia secured 49-year leases to use and expand its naval base in Tartus, which borders Latakia to the north, and Hmeimim Air Base, located in Latakia. Those facilities allow Russia to project power in the Middle East and throughout Africa. Their loss would prove a strategic failure for the Kremlin.

In an exclusive interview with CNN published on December 6, HTS leader al-Golani said, the goal of the revolution remains the overthrow of this regime.

The United Nations, the United States and Syria all consider HTS to be a terrorist group.

Researchers say HTS, previously affiliated with al-Qaida, has moderated its views, and promises to protect religious and ethnic minorities.

Rather than focus on global jihad, HTS redirected their struggle against Assad and his key backers  Iran and Russia.
Israels military said Monday that four of its soldiers were killed in fighting in southern Lebanon.

A military statement said the soldiers were all from the same brigade, but it did not specify when they were killed or the circumstances of their deaths.

The development comes nearly two weeks after Israel and the Lebanon-based militant group Hezbollah began a cease-fire.

The agreement, which calls for both sides to pull back from southern Lebanon, has brought a sharp reduction in fighting, but has not eliminated violence in the area.

Lebanons military said Monday an Israeli airstrike hit a car near an army checkpoint in southern Lebanon, killing one person and wounding four soldiers.

The Lebanese military is not a party to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, and along with the United Nations is supposed to monitor a buffer zone between the warring sides as part of the ceasefire agreement.

Hezbollah launched attacks against Israel in October 2023 in solidarity with its ally, the Hamas militant group in the Gaza Strip, following the Hamas attack on southern Israel that killed about 1,200 people.

Israel and Hezbollah traded cross-border attacks for months, with the conflict intensifying in September and Israeli troops entering Lebanon in October.

The ceasefire has allowed Israeli troops to refocus on Gaza, where health officials said Monday Israeli airstrikes killed at least six people.

Israeli officials also said Monday that a drone believed to have originated in Yemen hit a residential building in the central Israeli city of Yavne. There were no reported injuries, authorities said.

The Yemen-based Houthi militant group has launched multiple attacks against Israel during the past year, and it has carried out a campaign targeting ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, all part of what the Iran-backed group says are actions in solidarity with the Palestinians in Gaza.

Israels counteroffensive in Gaza has killed more than 44,700 Palestinians, more than half of the verified deaths women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry. Israel says that the death toll includes thousands of militants it has killed.

Hamas and Hezbollah have been designated as terror groups by the United States, United Kingdom and other Western countries.

Some material in this report came from The Associated Press, Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
Experts tell VOA that Thailands deportation last month of six Cambodian activists back to Cambodia shows Bangkok continues to participate in transnational repression  coordination among governments targeting dissidents outside their countries.

Authorities deported Pen Chan Sangkream, Hong An, Mean Chanthon, Yin Chanthou, Soeung Khunthea and Vorn Chanratchana last month.

The four women and two men have since been charged by Cambodia with treason for posting social media statements criticizing Cambodian policies over the 20-year-old Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Development Triangle Area, or CLV-DTA, agreement, which is aimed at easing trade and migration among the three countries, The Associated Press reports.

They are now being held in separate facilities in pre-trial detention in Cambodia, and will face trial for their charges, that could see them sentenced to lengthy time in prison, according to Radio Free Asia.

The six activists are supporters of the banned opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party and had left Cambodia for Thailand in 2022.

Tiy Chung, a regional spokesperson for the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees, or UNHCR, confirmed to VOA by email that the six have been deported and are people of concern.

UNHCR, he said, is deeply concerned by the deportation, which included a child, he said, and which goes against Thailands obligation to ensure that no one is expelled or returned to someplace where their life or freedom could be at risk.

We are seeking urgent clarification from the Thai authorities on the circumstances surrounding this deportation and urge them to honour Thai law and their international obligations to prevent such actions in the future, he wrote.

In recent years the Cambodian government has cracked down critics in and out of the country.

Planned protests against the CLV-DTA agreement saw September arrests of at least 100 activists, who accused Phnom Penh of ceding Cambodian territory, although the same month saw Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet announce Cambodia would pull out of the decades-old deal.

In February, three other Cambodian activists, recognized as persons of concern by the UNHCR, and their families, were arrested in Thailand before they had planned to protest Manets visit to Thailand.

The practice of transnational repression is not new.

Freedom House said in 2022 that since 2014, over 150 people in Thailand had been victims of the practice.

Phil Robertson, director of Asia Human Rights Labor Advocates, said Thailand is not safe for Cambodian refugees.

The message here to all Cambodian refugees sheltering in Thailand is youre not safe because the friendship between the Hun and Shinawatra families trumps any obligations Thailand is supposed to uphold under international human rights law, he said.

Cambodia has been ruled by the Cambodian Peoples Party for 45 years, with critics saying in recent years the regime has stepped up efforts to target dissidents, opposition parties and independent media who pose threats to its reputation or rule. Hun Manet took power in 2023, succeeding his father, Hun Sen, who led Cambodia for nearly four decades.

Thailand and Cambodia have endured an up-and-down relationship over the years, with border and cultural conflicts periodically being divisive.

Those relations appear currently to be close, in part because of family ties. Thai prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra met Manet in Laos in October. But it is the relationship between their fathers and predecessors, Thaksin Shinawatra and Hun Sen, that has cemented strong ties between the two families.

Thailands ruling Pheu Thai party has vowed to work together on transnational crime with Manet.

Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political analyst in Thailand, told VOA the family links are likely key in this deportation case.

The close personal relations and even family ties between the two families make this deportation suspect. It will be difficult not to conclude that these intimate links facilitated it. The deportation is an ill-considered move for the Paetongtarn leadership and government that claims democratic legitimacy despite coming second in the May 2023 election, he told VOA.

The purported treasonous crimes that six Cambodians allegedly committed fall under Article 453 of Cambodia's criminal code. If found guilty, the criticism of the Cambodian regime and its policies toward neighbors Vietnam and Laos could land them a decade in prison.

Thailand has its own strict laws it implements for those who are critical of its monarchy. Under Article 112 of its criminal code, it is illegal to criticize the Thai monarchy, carrying sentences of 15 years in prison for each offense.

In January, a 30-year-old man was sentenced to 50 years in jail after being ruled to have defamed the monarchy.

Prem Singh Gill, visiting fellow in Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta, Indonesia, says the Thai and Cambodian governments share similar interests when it comes to prohibiting dissent.

This collaborative approach is not coincidental but strategically designed. Both countries share similar authoritarian impulses, with royal institutions and political elites working in concert to maintain their grip on power. By harmonizing their approach to dissent, Thailand and Cambodia create a more comprehensive mechanism of controlling political discourse, Gill told VOA via email.

Transnational repression becomes a sophisticated tool of regional authoritarianism, where activists find themselves trapped in a network of legal and extra-legal threats. Governments collaborate through informal channels, sharing intelligence, coordinating deportations, and creating an environment of constant vulnerability for political dissidents, he added.

Thailand recently was elected to a seat at the U.N. Human Rights Council and is expected to begin its duties in January 2025.

VOA contacted Thailands Foreign Affairs Ministry for comment but received no response.
Tonga's Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni abruptly resigned on Monday, stepping down in the wake of a power struggle with the Pacific nation's royal family.

Sovaleni has butted heads with Tonga's influential King Tupou VI, fueling speculation of a deepening rift between the royals and his government.

In cryptic remarks delivered before announcing his shock resignation, Sovaleni suggested the country's nobility was "fearful" of losing its sway.

"I thought this land had been given freedom, but there's still enslavement," he told parliament through tears. "I hope there's a time where we'll work together. If the nobility can do it and we can work together, we can achieve great things."

Sovaleni resigned before facing a vote of no confidence brought on by opposition lawmakers on Monday afternoon.

Tonga's hereditary nobles occupy nine seats in the country's 26-member legislative assembly.

If the nobles voted as a bloc alongside the opposition, they would have enough numbers to force Sovaleni out.

It was not immediately clear who would replace Oxford-educated Sovaleni, who has been prime minister since 2021.

Veteran politician and longtime rival 'Aisake Eke loomed as one of the the likely frontrunners.

The line of Tongan kings and queens stretches back more than 1,000 years, according to a government history.

Although the monarchy no longer enjoys the unbridled power of old, it remains one of the most dominant institutions across the Tongan archipelago.

King Tupou VI penned a letter earlier this year saying he no longer had "confidence" in Sovaleni as Tonga's armed forces minister.

Bad blood

Sovaleni refused to stand down from the portfolio, sparking a tense standoff between two of Tonga's most powerful figures.

Eventually Sovaleni backed down, delivering a traditional apology to the king and resigning from the armed forces ministry.

Although the details of the disagreement remain a mystery, it appears this was not enough to quell the bad blood between the two.

Tonga overhauled its constitution after pro-democracy protests in 2006, which spiralled into angry riots that left swathes of capital Nuku'alofa in smoking ruins.

At the time, the Tongan king held immense sway as the country's head of state, head of government, and military commander-in-chief.

Although the monarchy eventually agreed to devolve much of its responsibility to a cabinet of elected lawmakers, its power has not been totally diluted.

The king still has the power to veto legislation, and appoints the prime minister on the advice of the Tongan parliament.

A developing country of some 106,000 people spread across dozens of islands, Tonga's debt-laden government is seen as particularly vulnerable to economic pressure from China.

The island kingdom owes China's export bank around $130 million  almost a third of its GDP  which was loaned to help rebuild after the 2006 riots Repayments on that loan were scheduled to start spiking this year.

Sovaleni was first elected to parliament in 2014 and served as deputy prime minister from 2014-17, then became education minister in 2019.
Ukraines military said Monday it shot down 18 drones that Russian forces deployed in overnight attacks.

The Ukrainian air force said the intercepts took place over the Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Khmelnytsky, Odesa, Poltava, Rivne, Sumy, Ternopil and Vinnytsia regions.

There were no reports of casualties or major damage.

Ukrainian air defenses also shot down two Russian guided missiles, the military said.

Russias Defense Ministry said Monday its air defenses destroyed 13 Ukrainian aerial drones.

Most of the drones were shot down near the Russia-Ukraine border in the Belgorod and Rostov regions. Two of the drones were destroyed over Astrakhan, located about 200 kilometers from the border.
Syrian rebels say leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani met for the first time Monday with the outgoing prime minister following the lightning advance by rebels who ousted President Bashar Assad.

A statement posted on the rebels' Telegram channels said Golani met with Mohammed Ghazi Jalali to coordinate a transfer of power.

Jalali told Sky News Arabia TV on Monday, We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth.

He said most Cabinet ministers are still working from offices in Damascus.

However, the U.N. resident and humanitarian coordinator for Syria, Adam Abdelmoula, told The Associated Press that some key government services had shut down as anxious state workers stayed home.

At the United Nations, Syrias ambassador, who was appointed by the Assad regime, told reporters that his delegation had received instructions from the new authorities to continue doing their job during the transition.

We are with the Syrian people. We will keep defending and working for the Syrian people. So we will continue our work till further notice, Koussay Aldahhak said.

He said the country and people are witnessing a new era of change.

Syrians are looking forward for establishing a state of freedom, equality, rule of law, democracy, and we will join efforts to rebuild our country, to rebuild what was destroyed, and to rebuild the future -- better future of Syria for all Syrians, he said.

Meanwhile, the U.N. Security Council met late Monday behind closed doors at the request of Russia, which supported Assad militarily during the nearly 14-year Syrian civil war. U.N. Syria envoy Geir Pedersen and U.N. peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix both provided briefings.

The council, I think, was more or less united on the need to preserve the territorial integrity and unity of Syria, to ensure the protection of civilians, to ensure that humanitarian aid is coming to the needy population, Russian Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia told reporters after the meeting.

The situation needs to be stabilized; there has to be an inclusive political process, and also there should not be a resurgence of terrorist forces, Chinas envoy Fu Cong told reporters. The U.N. has a big role to play in all of these.

Many questions remained Monday about who will lead the country and how it will try to recover after years of war and more than five decades under the rule of the Assad family.

Israeli troops deployed Sunday to the U.N.-monitored buffer zone in the Golan Heights, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu saying the move was necessary to protect Israelis after Syrian forces abandoned their positions. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Monday it was a limited, temporary step.

For our part, the peacekeepers at UNDOF [U.N. Disengagement Observer Force] informed the Israeli counterparts that these actions would constitute a violation of the 1974 Disengagement Agreement that there should be no military forces or activities in the area of separation, and Israel and Syria must continue to uphold the terms of that 1974 agreement and preserve stability in the Golan, U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric told reporters of the Israeli deployment.

Syrias envoy also said he had written to the United Nations to protest the Israeli move, as well as attacks on several military installations in the country.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters Monday that Russian President Vladimir Putin decided to grant asylum to Assad. Peskov said there were no plans for Putin to meet with Assad, and he declined to comment on Assads location.

Russian news agencies said Sunday that Assad and his family had arrived in Moscow.

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said his country hopes for a new Syria that has good relations with its neighbors and helps bring regional stability.

"We expect international actors, especially the United Nations, to reach out to the Syrian people and support the establishment of an inclusive administration," Fidan said in a speech to ambassadors.

A spokesperson for Chinas foreign ministry said Monday that Beijing was watching the developments in Syria and that the future and destiny of Syria should be decided by the Syrian people.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Monday that the United States is determined to prevent the Islamic State group from reestablishing safe havens in Syria.

"We have a clear interest in doing what we can to avoid the fragmentation of Syria, mass migrations from Syria and, of course, the export of terrorism and extremism," he said at an event at the State Department.

In a statement late Sunday, he said the United States will support international efforts to hold Assad and others accountable for abuses against the Syrian people and detention of civilians such as U.S. journalist Austin Tice.

Assad was accused of war crimes and crimes against humanity during the countrys civil war, including a 2013 chemical weapons attack on the outskirts of Damascus.

More than half a million Syrians died in the war, and the conflict displaced at least half the countrys pre-war population of 22 million people.

Assads fall prompted crowds to gather and celebrate in Damascus and elsewhere.

Rebels opened prisons where the Assad government held thousands of people as part of its crackdown against the uprising that began in 2011 against his rule.

There was continued focus Monday on the Saydnaya prison outside Damascus, where the White Helmets rescue organization said it deployed teams to search for potential hidden, underground cells where people may still be held.

Assads downfall was stunningly quick, with the rebels capturing the cities of Aleppo, Hama and Homs in a matter of days as the Syrian army ended any opposition. The rebels are led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group (HTS) which has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the United States and the United Nations.

The groups leader, Golani, is a former al-Qaida commander who cut ties with the group years ago and says he embraces pluralism and religious tolerance.

Syria still faces divides, with Turkey-backed opposition fighters battling U.S.-allied Kurdish forces in the north, and the Islamic State group still active in some remote areas.

VOA United Nations Correspondent Margaret Besheer contributed to this report. Some information came from The Associated Press. Agence France-Presse and Reuters.
In the aftermath of the fall of the Bashar al-Assad government in Syria, U.S. officials say they continue to work to locate American journalist Austin Tice, who has been detained in the country for more than 12 years.

There are intensive efforts under way by the United States to find Austin Tice and bring him home to his family, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters Monday.

He added that Roger Carstens, U.S. special envoy for hostage affairs, is currently in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, working to secure Tices release.

We will not rest until [Tice] is returned home safely to his loved ones, said Miller.

The rapid ousting of Assad has fostered cautious hope among Tices family that he will be released soon.

What were hoping is that as people that are coming into Damascus are opening the prisons, that by the power of God, theyll open the one that Austins in, Tices mother, Debra, told VOA on Sunday. Were already believing that the door is going to be open.

Citing a source vetted by the U.S. government, she told VOA that her son is being held in a prison in Damascus.

Debra Tice has for years criticized the U.S. government for what she says is a long-term failure to do enough to secure her sons release.

Led by the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, Syrian rebels declared that they had toppled Assad after seizing control of the capital, Damascus, on Sunday. The move prompted Assad to flee, ending his familys decades-long autocratic rule, including more than 13 years of civil war.

Over the past week, rebels took control of the major Syrian cities of Aleppo and Hama, and finally the capital. In those cities, thousands of prisoners have been released from prisons run by the now-deposed Assad government.

The Syrian opposition plans to establish a commission to find Tice and others who disappeared under the Assad government, the coalition leader told NBC News.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the United States is working with regional partners to underscore to all parties the need to protect civilian populations.

We continue to seek information about Austin Tice so that we can find him and bring him home to his family, Blinken said Monday at the State Department.

A Texas native and former U.S. Marine, Tice has been held in Syria since 2012, when he was detained at a checkpoint in Damascus. Aside from a brief video after his capture, little has been heard or seen of him since.

President Joe Biden on Sunday also reaffirmed his commitment to securing Tices release from Syria.

We remain committed to returning him to his family, he said in remarks at the White House.

We believe he is alive. We think we can get him back, but we have no direct evidence of that yet, the president added.

In response to a question about a potential rescue operation to retrieve Tice, Biden said the U.S. first must identify where he is located.

The FBI said Sunday that it is still offering a reward of up to $1 million for information that leads to Tices safe return.

Tice is an award-winning freelance journalist and photographer who works for outlets that include The Washington Post, CBS and McClatchy. He is the longest-held American journalist abroad.
The fall of the Assad regime in Syria will not impact U.S. support, at least for now, for one of Washingtons most steadfast allies in the fight against the Islamic State terror group, according to senior American officials.

Speaking just hours after Russian officials confirmed former Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad had fled Damascus and taken refuge in Moscow, and a day after rebel forces entered the Syrian capital, U.S. officials insisted there are no plans to alter the U.S. military footprint in Syria, which includes some 900 troops, most of them working in the countrys northeast with the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces or SDF.

Maintaining U.S. positions across eastern Syria is something we will continue to do, a senior U.S. administration official said Sunday, briefing reporters on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss sensitive information.

We think that presence is critically important for the stability of those areas and for denying the efforts of ISIS to resurge, and also for the integrity of the SDF and the groups that we work with in the East to maintain stability out there, the official said, using an acronym for the Islamic State group, also known as IS or Daesh.

The SDF, an alliance of Kurdish and Arab militias formed in 2015, mustering a force of 30,000 to 40,000 fighters that played a key role in eroding ISs hold on large swaths of territory, including the terror groups self-proclaimed Syrian capital of Raqqa.

Four years after its creation, in March 2019, the SDF announced the fall of the town of Baghuz, ISs last stronghold in Syria.

But the defeat of the self-declared IS caliphate in Syria came at a cost. SDF officials estimated some 11,000 fighters were killed in the yearslong campaign. And fighting with remnants of the terror group has persisted.

Intelligence shared both by the U.S. and by United Nation member states earlier this year indicated an uptick in IS activity, especially by small cells in Syrias central desert, describing it as a growing logistic hub for the terror group.

Various estimates warn the number of IS fighters across Syria and Iraq has grown to between 2,500 and 5,000.

This past July, U.S. Central Command, which oversees U.S. forces in Syria and Iraq, warned IS was on pace to more than double the total number of attacks they claimed in 2023.

And IS has made repeated attempts to free some 9,000 of its fighters being held in about 20 SDF-run prisons across northeastern Syria, described by one senior U.S, official as the largest collection of terrorist fighters in the world.

Additionally, the SDF has been charged with overseeing security at displaced persons camps, like al-Hol and al-Roj, which house about 30,000 people, most of them children under the age of 12, and many from families loyal to IS.

U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday said Washington has no intention of letting Syria, or the SDF, face those challenges alone.

"Our mission against ISIS will be maintained, including the security of detention facilities where ISIS fighters are being held as prisoners, the president said.

We're clear eyed about the fact that ISIS will try to take advantage of any vacuum to reestablish its capabilities, to create a safe haven, Biden added. "We will not let that happen.

To underscore the U.S. commitment, Biden said U.S. forces Sunday carried out dozens of airstrikes against IS camps and operatives.

U.S. Central Command said the operation struck more than 75 targets using a combination of long-range bombers, fighter jets and close air support.

We targeted a significant gathering of ISIS fighters and leaders, the senior administration official said, adding U.S. war planes dropped about 140 munitions during the strikes, which were authorized earlier Sunday.

It's a significant strike, I think, just given the collection of ISIS individuals in that area and the size of the area," the official added.

But U.S. concerns about instability extend beyond the threat from IS itself.

There are fears that ongoing tensions between the SDF and Turkey could also bring additional instability and danger.

Already, there have been reports of clashes between Turkish-backed forces and the SDF in northern Syria.

Turkey has also long voiced objections to the U.S alliance with the Kurdish-led SDF, arguing many of the fighters are also People's Protection Units, or YPG, a Syrian-based offshoot of the Turkey-based Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), labeled by both Ankara and Washington as a terrorist organization.

And though the U.S. views the SDF and YPG as different entities, in Turkey's view, they are one and the same.

U.S. officials said Sunday that there have already been high-level talks between officials at the Pentagon and State departments with their Turkish counterparts, describing the calls as constructive.

"Additional conflicts, additional fronts opening up, not in anybody's interest," the official said.

Some analysts, however, worry the Turkish-Kurdish tensions will not be so easily resolved, pointing in part to Bidens failure to mention Turkey Sunday while discussing U.S. outreach to Syrias other neighbors.

[It] indicates that behind the scenes there's continuing to be ongoing machinations between American diplomats and Turkish officials about their aims for occupying portions of north and east Syria and thereby jeopardizing the Syrian Democratic Forces and civilians who live under the [Kurdish-led] Autonomous Administration, said Myles Caggins, a nonresident fellow at the New Lines Institute and former spokesperson for the U.S.-led, anti-IS coalition in Syria and Iraq.

President Biden made it very clear that U.S. forces will remain in north and east Syria in the foreseeable future to continue the anti-ISIS mission, Caggins told VOA. The United States government has an opportunity to showcase and highlight its strong support of the Syrian Democratic Forces and people of Northeast Syria.
Coordination HQ comments on Russia's statement about transfer of bodies of POWs killed in Il-76 crash to Ukraine

During the latest repatriation to Ukraine from Russia, the remains of the deceased requiring additional identification were transferred, the Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War told Interfax-Ukraine on Monday, commenting on a statement made by Russian Commissioner for Human Rights Tatyana Moskalkova about the transfer to Ukraine of the bodies of prisoners of war (POW) who allegedly died in the downing of Il-76 in the Belgorod region on January 24, 2024.

"As for the statements of the Russian side about the transfer of the bodies of Ukrainian defenders, probably killed during the downing of the Il-76 airplane, during the last repatriation to Ukraine from the aggressor state, the remains of the deceased, requiring additional identification, were transferred," the Coordination HQ said.

Currently, expert institutions within the framework of criminal proceedings are establishing whether the remains of these persons really belong to Ukrainian servicemen.

The Coordination HQ emphasized that it monitors the situation and is in cooperation with all authorized institutions.

As reported, on January 24, 2024, an Il-76 military plane went down in the Belgorod region, Russia.

After the downing of the Russian Il-76, Russian media circulated statements by the chairman of the Russian State Duma's defense committee, Andrei Kartapolov, that it allegedly carried dozens of Ukrainian POWs who were being taken for exchange.

The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Defense Ministry of Ukraine confirmed that a prisoner swap was scheduled for January 24.

On Monday, the Russian media quoted Moskalkova as saying that "the bodies of the prisoners of war" were handed over to Ukraine and that she "was present" at the exchange.
BEIRUT 

Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the militant leader whose stunning insurgency toppled Syria's President Bashar Assad, has spent years working to remake his public image, renouncing longtime ties to al-Qaida and depicting himself as a champion of pluralism and tolerance. In recent days, the insurgency even dropped his nom de guerre and began referring to him by his real name, Ahmad al-Sharaa.

The extent of that transformation from jihadi extremist to would-be state builder is now put to the test.

Insurgents control capital Damascus, Assad has fled into hiding, and for the first time after 50 years of his family's iron hand, it is an open question how Syria will be governed.

SEE ALSO:

Syria is home to multiple ethnic and religious communities, often pitted against each other by Assad's state and years of war. Many of them fear the possibility Sunni Islamist extremists will take over. The country is also fragmented among disparate armed factions, and foreign powers from Russia and Iran to the United States, Turkey and Israel all have their hands in the mix.

The 42-year-old al-Golani  labeled a terrorist by the United States  has not appeared publicly since Damascus fell early Sunday. But he and his insurgent force, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS  many of whose fighters are jihadis  stand to be a major player.

For years, al-Golani worked to consolidate power, while bottled up in the province of Idlib in Syria's northwest corner as Assad's Iranian- and Russian-backed rule over much of the country appeared solid.

He maneuvered among extremist organizations while eliminating competitors and former allies. He sought to polish the image of his de-facto "salvation government" that has been running Idlib to win over international governments and reassure Syria's religious and ethnic minorities. And he built ties with various tribes and other groups.

Along the way, al-Golani shed his garb as a hard-line Islamist guerrilla and put on suits for press interviews, talking of building state institutions and decentralizing power to reflect Syria's diversity.

"Syria deserves a governing system that is institutional, no one where a single ruler makes arbitrary decisions," he said in an interview with CNN last week, offering the possibility HTS would eventually be dissolved after Assad falls.

"Don't judge by words, but by actions," he said.

Al-Golani's beginnings in Iraq

Al-Golani's ties to al-Qaida stretch back to 2003, when he joined extremists battling U.S. troops in Iraq. The Syrian native was detained by the U.S. military but remained in Iraq. During that time, al-Qaida usurped like-minded groups and formed the extremist Islamic State of Iraq, led by Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi.

In 2011, a popular uprising against Syria's Assad triggered a brutal government crackdown and led to all-out war. Al-Golani's prominence grew when al-Baghdadi sent him to Syria to establish a branch of al-Qaida called the Nusra Front. The United States labeled the new group as a terrorist organization. That designation still remains in place and the U.S. government has put a $10 million bounty on him.

The Nusra Front and the Syrian conflict

As Syria's civil war intensified in 2013, so did al-Golani's ambitions. He defied al-Baghdadi's calls to dissolve the Nusra Front and merge it with al-Qaida's operation in Iraq, to form the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS.

Al-Golani nonetheless pledged his allegiance to al-Qaida, which later disassociated itself from ISIS. The Nusra Front battled ISIS and eliminated much of its competition among the Syrian armed opposition to Assad.

In his first interview in 2014, al-Golani kept his face covered, telling a reporter for Qatari network Al-Jazeera that he rejected political talks in Geneva to end the conflict. He said his goal was to see Syria ruled under Islamic law and made clear that there was no room for the country's Alawite, Shiite, Druze and Christian minorities.

Consolidating power and rebranding

In 2016, al-Golani revealed his face to the public for the first time in a video message that announced his group was renaming itself Jabhat Fateh al-Sham  the Syria Conquest Front  and cutting its ties to al-Qaida.

"This new organization has no affiliation to any external entity," he said in the video, filmed wearing military garb and a turban.

The move paved the way for al-Golani to assert full control over fracturing militant groups. A year later, his alliance rebranded again as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham  meaning Organization for Liberating Syria  as the groups merged, consolidating al-Golani's power in northwest Syria's Idlib province.

HTS later clashed with independent Islamist militants who opposed the merger, further emboldening al-Golani and his group as the leading power in northwestern Syria, able to rule with an iron fist.

With his power consolidated, al-Golani set in motion a transformation that few could have imagined. Replacing his military garb with shirt and trousers, he began calling for religious tolerance and pluralism.

He appealed to the Druze community in Idlib, which the Nusra Front had previously targeted, and visited the families of Kurds who were killed by Turkish-backed militias.

In 2021, al-Golani had his first interview with an American journalist on PBS. Wearing a blazer, with his short hair gelled back, the now more soft-spoken HTS leader said that his group posed no threat to the West and that sanctions imposed against it were unjust.

"Yes, we have criticized Western policies," he said. "But to wage a war against the United States or Europe from Syria, that's not true. We didn't say we wanted to fight."
Dutch authorities said on Sunday they believed an explosion and inferno that caused an apartment block to collapse killing at least five people was a criminal act.

Rescue workers were combing through the wreckage in a bid to recover bodies from the blast that levelled five homes early Saturday, but the number of people possibly still buried in the debris was unknown.

"What caused the explosion is still unknown. What is clear to us is that there are indications that it is a crime," chief public prosecutor officer Margreet Froberg told reporters.

"What these indications are, we cannot yet share in the interest of the investigation. As soon as we can, we will of course do so," she added.

Five bodies have so far been pulled out of the husk of the three-storey apartment block. One person was hauled out still alive and rushed to hospital.

There are a total of four injured people in hospital but authorities said the intensity of the blaze made identifying victims only possible via DNA records.

This in turn complicated calculations as to how many people could still be missing in the disaster.

Hague police chief Karin Krukkert said investigations were focused on a car seen speeding away from the scene shortly after the explosion at 6:15am (0515 GMT) on Saturday.

"Clearly, we would very much like to speak to the driver" of this vehicle, she said, although the link between the car and the building explosion remained unclear.

Two separate teams have been established, one to identify victims and another to investigate what caused the explosion, she said, warning the probe would last a long time.

- 'Total chaos and destruction' -

City mayor Jan van Zanen said the elite recovery teams working on site were scouring the basements of the collapsed building in a final bid to locate bodies.

He said that work should be completed overnight or early in the morning.

"We are witnessing an unprecedented disaster here... the suffering is incalculable," said the mayor.

He praised the solidarity of his city's citizens, including a crowdfunding effort that has garnered more than 300,000 euros ($317,000) from more than 10,000 people.

The three-storey building consisted of shops on the ground floors and five two-storey apartments, authorities said, with living rooms on the second floor and bedrooms on the top.

Residents told local media the apartment block was mainly inhabited by elderly people and families with children.

Around 40 residents of other blocks near the collapsed building have been evacuated. Some have been taken away by bus to an unknown location.

Froberg, chief public prosecutor officer, described the events that rocked the city before daybreak on Saturday as "unimaginable and terrible."

"One moment you are lying quietly in your warm bed and the next moment total chaos and destruction," she said.

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Despite accusations against artist Kehinde Wiley this year, his The Death of Hyacinth (Ndey Buri Mboup), 2022, was for sale at the Templon Gallery booth at Art Basel Miami Beach. Photo: Rachel Corbett

In Miami Beach this week, some blue-state gallerists in town for Art Basel struggled to find congenial ways to talk about the presidential election without alienating their affluent, increasingly conservative clientele. Miami-Dade County, after all, just went red for the first time in 36 years. Many opted for some version of Im just glad its settled or Now we can move on.

On the other hand, maybe they meant it. After eight years of art-world resistance, including activists and artists protesting and even ousting museum trustees over their unsavory behaviors and ill-gotten fortunes  and of collectors and dealers in turn blacklisting some artists over their political views, especially around the Israel-Palestine conflict  the art world may, in fact, be ready to move on from the politics of cancellation and get back to business.

At Art Basel, all four international galleries that represent Kehinde Wiley, an artist whom four men accused of either rape or sexual misconduct this past spring, presented his work at the fair, sometimes in very big ways.

Wileys work is rooted in identity politics. The artist, who is Black, gay, and of decidedly nepo-free lineage, built a spectacular career out of inserting Black figures into the art-historical canon, a practice that led Barack Obama to select him as the artist of his official presidential portrait. Hes also become one of the most prolific and commercially successful artists of his time (he even threw a fish fry with Chaka Khan at Art Basel Miami Beach in 2022). Still, the accusations threw his juggernaut into doubt, with museum shows put on hold and paintings withdrawn from auction presumably for fear that his reputational damage would also ding his prices. But, at least judging by Art Basel, that commercial fear seems to have abated.

Our stance is no stance, David Daniels, sales director at the Los Angeles gallery Roberts Projects, told me at his booth on Friday evening of the accusations against Wiley. Well wait to see what happens, and, so far, no one has brought anything to court.

The gallery brought two paintings by the artist to the fair. Daniels said that one of them, a portrait of a shirtless young man wearing a yellow turban, had sold, but as I asked for more information about it, a colleague of his approached to make sure I wasnt a reporter. Apparently, the allegations are still a sensitive subject, because they then declined to tell me the paintings price or even its title (which was readily available on the gallerys website: Portrait of Seydina Omar Gueye II, 2024), and I was referred to a PR company.

Stephen Friedman, Wileys London gallery, dedicated a large, dark-green wall to a salon-style hanging of 18 miniature paintings of Nigerian college students by Wiley. Some of the works, which are priced between $65,000 and $150,000 each, also appeared in a recent show at the gallery. (Apparently, the gallery didnt sell all the works on purpose so that it could bring some of them to Miami.)

In October, some attendees of Art Basel Paris were dismayed to see that Wileys French gallery, Templon, prominently showed one of the artists paintings at the fair so soon after the allegations. I guess theyre just pretending like it doesnt matter, the adviser Heather Flow said at the time.

Templon brought Wileys enormous, 13-by-8.5-foot Tiepolo-inspired painting of a young woman with cornrows, priced in the range of 1 million, to Miami; as of Friday evening, it was on hold for a potential buyer. There was also a bronze sculpture of a splayed-out, seemingly dead young man. It comes in an edition of three, one of which sold for 254,000 at auction in October. The gallery said that it had just sold the other two for somewhere between 250,000 and 350,000 each.

For us, its really not an issue, said Templon executive director Anne-Claudie Coric, referring to the allegations. It was a rumor on Instagram over six months ago. It has nothing to do with any kind of reality.

She pulled out her phone to show me an article that had come out the previous day on the news platform Pulse Ghana. It was about one of Wileys accusers, Joseph Awuah-Darko, an artist and founder of the Noldor Artist Residency in Accra. Awuah-Darko has a growing list of accusers of his own: Several former residents claim he collectively owes them hundreds of thousands of dollars for selling their artwork without paying them for it. (Soon after the story came out on Thursday, Awuah-Darko posted a disturbing announcement on Instagram saying that he had moved to the Netherlands to undergo euthanasia sometime this coming spring, after the release of his new book.)

Elsewhere at the fair, the formerly canceled artist Tom Sachs was showing his riffs on Picasso paintings. Thaddaeus Ropac sold one for $190,000. Sachs was accused last March of sexually harassing colleagues and subjecting his staff to grueling, degrading demands (including putting up with him in the studio wearing just his underpants). It cost him his lucrative sneaker deal with Nike  briefly. Two months ago, Nike announced that Tom has demonstrated and recommitted to fostering a culture of respect and inclusivity. The company will release Sachss Mars Yard 3.0 sneaker next year.

A recent essay by Dean Kissick in Harpers denounced how the post-2016 art world is driven by a singular focus on identity and raising the question: When the worlds most influential, best-funded exhibitions are dedicated to amplifying marginalized voices, are those voices still marginalized? His answer is no: The project of centering the previously excluded has been completed. Whether or not that is true in any sort of lasting way is an open question, but for now, especially with the revanchist direction politics have taken, the art world might just be moving on from trying to do better. As one art adviser told me recently, The tide has turned very strongly against these types of triggered social demands.
Photo-Illustration: Vulture; Photos: October Films, Everett Collection, Bleecker Street

Mike Leigh is one of the most prolific living filmmakers, an acolyte of the human condition. With a body of work that ranges from micro-dramas to period-set opulence, Leigh makes films that never lack in acute observational detail. After years of struggling to find funding, his latest, Hard Truths, arrives to remind us that no one creates movies that enmesh tragedy and comedy quite as powerfully as he does. So obviously, now is the time to look back at his entire career.

But Leighs films dont lend themselves to simple worst-to-best rankings. For starters, theyre all pretty great. Even his fellow prolific contemporaries dont have a bar so high  sorry, Ridley Scott. And second, with all of his works exploring the human experience in various settings, there maybe isnt the quintessential Mike Leigh film. Any qualitative list says more about the listmakers than the work therein, and this would be especially true for Leigh. Ask ten Leigh heads their favorite of his films and you will get ten different answers, which is a testament to how the range of his work can connect differently to different people.

The average moviegoer probably knows plenty of Leighs stable of regulars  Jim Broadbent, Lesley Manville, Timothy Spall, and Imelda Staunton, to name a few  from their bigger films, but not the man who has brought these performers together in myriad roles and combinations across 50 years. Despite his plentiful filmography, Leighs films still often fall under the radar, and with so many years of work, deciding where to begin can be a puzzle. Should you go in order of release? Start with the ones that got Oscar nominations? But Leighs work defies a best-worst or new-old spectrum with a kind of robust emotional diversity. What if you could program your way through his filmography by tone?

So instead, this ranking charts his films as Leigh views life itself: as a range from pure tragedy to pure comedy, and everything in between. This isnt as easy to configure as it sounds  Leigh can find levity and peace in even the most dire working-class circumstances, and alternately, tragedy can (and often does) strike in his funniest setups. This is true for both his contemporary films and his period pieces, which helps the latter transcend costume-drama stereotypes. The substance of any Mike Leigh film is how these elements interact in his deeply identifiable characters and the situations they find themselves in. The stuff of life, love!

Any of Leighs films are exhaustive in human and social detail, so naturally this list should be exhaustive as well  weve included all of his made-for-TV films. This is not to incite further silly debate about what constitutes as cinema or television (Mike would certainly find such discourse dumb) but to emphasize that his beginnings with the BBC resulted in some pretty great work thats readily available Stateside thanks to the Criterion Channel. While theres no question that these films are less aesthetically polished than his later refined theatrical works like Mr. Turner, its impossible to deny that they serve as a foundation for Leighs signature tone and themes.

Here is where the films of Mike Leigh, a master of human tragedy and everyday comedy, land on a scale of tragic-comic circumstances.

TRAGIC

Hard Labour (1973)

It takes nearly the whole length of Leighs Hard Labour for Mrs. Thornley, a put-upon cleaner in Manchester, to say more than a few words aloud. Shes gone to confession for the first time in two weeks, the weight of the world around her bearing down. Shes repulsed by her husband, Jim (Clifford Kershaw), whose grabby hands demand her body and attention, often without her consent. Her children, Ann (Polly Hemingway) and Edward (Bernard Hill in his first onscreen performance), dont want much to do with her. Her boss, Mrs. Stone (Vanessa Harris), snaps and gossips. But for all that those around her behave poorly, its Mrs. Thornley who feels bad. She carries the weight of these peoples sins on her, and when she takes these stories to confession, her priest is, well, bored. Hes impatient, rushing her along as she ekes out barely more than a couple of sentences. Cleansing her soul wont fix anything in her life. Mrs. Thornleys suffering weighs heavy; salvation cant lift her burdens.

Naked (1993)

Set in the period between Thatchers resignation and the coming millennium, Naked, the story of an unwell would-be intellectual named Johnny, played miraculously by David Thewlis, suggests that Leigh had apocalypse on his mind. As Johnny returns to his former lover Louise (Lesley Sharp) in London, we see the existential chaos that ensues in and around her flat, including an almost cyclical barrage of mental and sexual degradations. Johnny is all hollowed-out contradictions, swinging between victim and perpetrator, messiah and blowhard, a terrifying and devastatingly human product of his time. In a haze of chiaroscuro images, the film envisions post-Thatcher society as a maze of sociological, ideological, and financial dead ends. What continues to make it a disquieting watch is its doomsday timeliness: It was made in reaction to a time, yet it feels prescient of our own. The final shot of the film  Thewlis shambling down the street and struggling to keep pace with the camera as it pulls away from him  is a stark political note from Leigh and a stylistic coup by his longtime collaborator, the recently departed cinematographer Dick Pope.

Bleak Moments (1971)

For a film like Bleak Moments, the title says it all. Leighs directorial debut  adapted from his stage play of the same name  tells the story of Sylvia (Anne Raitt), a young secretary living with her sister Hilda (Sarah Stevenson), who is disabled and requires involved care. Sylvia is desperate to get out of her home and meet people, but she is awkward and shy. Shes burdened by her sister, but all they have is each other. People flit in and out of her life  she has a brash but friendly co-worker, a few suitors  but Sylvia is often too fearful to step away from the life shes dug herself into. Leighs film is so depressing as to border on legitimate discomfort; the director has never made anything objectively cringy, but there are a number of scenes in Bleak Moments that make you want to crawl out of your own skin. Sylvias suffering is the audiences suffering, and Leigh wants us to know just how profound her loneliness is.

Vera Drake (2004)

Leighs eponymous film about a 1950s abortionist in London has a somewhat unexpectedly gentler vibe than a lot of the directors more outright tragic works. It helps, of course, that the titular Vera Drake (Imelda Staunton) has a rather content working-class life; shes in a loving marriage, she has kind-hearted children, and the women for whom she provides abortions are grateful for her support and kindness during their times of need. Establishing Drakes unremarkable but deeply fulfilling life lets Leigh show how routine and casual the health care she provides can be, as well as how much crueler it feels when her world comes crashing down. From the second the police knock on the Drake family homes door (on Christmas day, no less!), Vera Drake descends into a vision of unrelenting pain as the rug is pulled out from under everything Vera holds dear. Stauntons teary clarity doubles as courage as she weathers a storm of injustice.

Peterloo (2018)

Both one of his most ambitious and most political films, Peterloo was unfairly pushed aside upon release. Here, Leigh recounts the period after the Battle of Waterloo, when the people of Manchester organized in the pursuit of parliamentary representation. The eponymous massacre, a real-life event where hundreds of protesters were injured and 18 were killed, serves as the films sobering climax. But its meat lies in the buildup, with Leigh methodically taking us through the organizational effort required to build a political movement and showing how political activation happens within everyday people. Rory Kinnear is the closest thing the film has to a protagonist as Henry Hunt, a haughty activist with poor social skills. However, Leigh is more interested in the Manchester locals who are nameless to history, observing their growing political awareness before catastrophe strikes. Peterloo is a process film, yet its nowhere near as dry as that sounds. Given the reality of history and how contemporary political climate reverberates into the film itself, you can imagine its far from Leighs lightest fare.

All or Nothing (2002)

In 1982, Leigh explored the relationship between three-working class families in London in his BBC Play for Today film Home Sweet Home. Twenty years later, he returned to this cinematic structure in All or Nothing, a movie that is also about three working-class families living in a dreary apartment complex. At the center of the story are Phil (Timothy Spall) and Penny (Lesley Manville), a weary, unmarried couple burdened by their lack of love for each other and their crumbling household. While daughter Rachel (Alison Garland) holds a steady cleaning job, son Rory (James Corden) sits around day after day, getting up only to pick fights with other people in the estate. While there are notable and beautiful bright spots to All or Nothing (most of which go to infallible Leigh regular Ruth Sheen), the film really doubles down on the ambient misery of these peoples lives. The vague depression that infuses it undercuts the energy of the movie; the whole viewing experience is akin to popping a melatonin at the wrong time of day and feeling bad about it. Only in the last 15 minutes does the light emerge from behind the clouds  things arent necessarily better, but maybe theyre a little different.

TRAGIC-COMIC

Hard Truths (2024)

Leighs latest is a return to contemporary setting. It stars Secrets & Lies Jean-Baptiste as Pansy, a woman paralyzed by her own anger and fear of the outside world. In the hardened compassion that is Leighs signature, we witness Pansys increasingly strained relationship with her family, including the already grossly underrated Michele Austin and David Webber. And then theres her all-out verbal barrage on any stranger or customer-service individual in sight. Pansys resentments are casual but bone-deep, and her fury unleashes some of the punchiest jokes in Leighs repertoire  truly, what does a baby have pockets for?? But her monologuing can only be amusing for so long, and when Hard Truths pivots on Jean-Baptistes seismic performance, we begin to understand the depths of Pansys pain and isolation. The film is also a return to form for Leigh as an incisive purveyor of How We Live Now: As much as Pansys tirades are relatably hilarious in their everyday pettiness, her consuming anger reflects a uniquely post-COVID depression and reckoning. Perhaps you could find some room for optimism in the films open ending, or you might as easily see an outcome as bleak as anything Leigh has ever composed.

The Kiss of Death (1977)

Leave it to Leigh to begin a rom-com (or at least his closest approximation to one) with a funeral. This BBC Play for Today film follows the shy and awkward Trevor as he mumbles through a courtship with chatty, dull gum-smacker Linda. Leighs dry humor shrouds their strained flirtation, with Linda all but forcing Trevors hand to make the courtship happen; their double-date friends Ronnie and Sandra are as blandly perfunctory a pairing. Although dating is presented as both humorously tedious and despairingly futile, the film features perhaps the most crushing image of Leighs entire career as its centerpiece: a baby that has died of SIDS. The Kiss of Death cringes knowingly at Trevors romantic life while trying to get to the bottom of his resignation about how little life has in store, though he isnt as hopeless a young person as Leigh has presented before. The director has admitted that Trevor contains some autobiographical pieces of himself, which makes you wonder if Leigh intentionally defined himself and his point of view as an artist through Trevors job. Trevor is an undertaker.

Home Sweet Home (1982)

On one hand, youve got a young Timothy Spall farting over Frank Sinatra, and on the other hand, Leighs Play for Today film Home Sweet Home might be one of the directors most emotionally frustrating works. The movie focuses on the domestic lives of three male postal workers, all of whom marinate in unhappiness of their own making. Leighs films often explore the wide spectrum of the parent-child relationship, from the buddy-buddy father-son camaraderie in Mr. Turner to the tumultuous mother-daughter duo in Secrets & Lies; in Home Sweet Home, Leigh presents the most bummer father-daughter pair in Stan (Eric Richard) and Tina (Lorraine Brunning). Stans wife left when Tina was only 6 years old, leaving him responsible for his young daughter. But as Tina has aged, Stan has only become less and less interested in caring for her. Their fraught, almost-silent relationship demands a catharsis Leigh is unwilling to offer us. These two gave up on each other a long time ago.

Meantime (1983)

Set during the generational depression that came with Thatcher, Meantime follows young Eastender brothers Colin and Mark (a young Tim Roth and Phil Daniels). Both are unemployed with little opportunity in sight, pitted against each other in a constantly bickering home, and listless about it all. Meantime is a classic example of Leighs ability to bring humor to a darker milieu through idiosyncratic characterization or simply by assembling a gang of goofy guys. Even under their circumstances, Leighs characters speak with a blunt sarcasm that isnt just funny but underlines the cold, unfeeling environment they cant escape. The film gave Gary Oldman his first breakthrough role as the unpredictable skinhead Coxy, who proves to have an influence over the impressionable Colin. Were left with a bleak outlook on whats to come of Colin but also, more importantly, a conflicting sense for Mark  he claims hes leaving and going anywhere, but we suspect hes going nowhere.

Secrets & Lies (1996)

Secrets & Lies won Leigh the Palme dOr, his first Oscar nominations, and a global platform for this story of a familys, well, secrets and lies. The driving force of that family narrative is the reunion between Hortense (Jean-Baptiste) and the mother who gave her up for adoption, emotional mess Cynthia (Brenda Blethyn). Their reunion plays out in real time and is one of Leighs most unforgettable scenes, with Blethyns unbridled, volcanic emotions matched harmoniously by Jean-Baptistes conflicted but unshaken compulsion to stay. The films raw emotion is wholly consuming, but it amounts to something cathartic rather than despairing. Ultimately, Secrets & Lies concludes with a well-earned sense of reconciliation and is possibly Leighs most optimistic work. If youre going to have a movies title said by a character in a film, it should always be delivered by a dejected Timothy Spall after an explosive monologue.

MOOD STABILIZER

Four Days in July (1984)

Considering Leighs more punishing films about British politics, its surprising that this Northern Irelandset movie is so calm when taking on two of lifes most stressful situations: political unrest and childbirth. The final film Leigh made for the BBC, Four Days in July follows two Irish couples across the religious divide, with both awaiting the arrival of their first born. Rather than examining the differences between the Catholics and the Protestants, Leigh centers the story on the overarching similarities in their lives. Its probably the chillest film to ever tackle the Troubles. You expect a little more depth and complexity from Leighs typically uncompromising political vantage, but its also hard to deny the valuable effect of the gentility he applies to this fraught subject. It isnt simplistically uplifting, either; Leigh concludes with the idea that new life brings just as much potential for darkness as it does for positive change  a nurse says as she gazes at one of the newborns, This could be another wee Hitler.

High Hopes (1988)

Its no surprise that Leighs most romantic film is possibly one of his most even-keeled, an idyllic mix of just enough tragedy and just enough comedy to feel, well, like life. High Hopes tells the story of Cyril (Phil Davis) and Shirley (Ruth Sheen), a socialist couple in their mid-30s trying to plan for the future during the worst years of Margaret Thatchers government. What they lack in means, however, they make up for in love. This is a funny, bright couple  the type of people youd love to chat with over a game of pool or a couple of beers. The bulk of the comedy in the film stems from yet another one of Leighs ridiculous portrayals of the upper class: the posh couple who live next to Cyrils mother, the hilariously named Laetitia and Rupert Boothe-Brain, give loud representation to the types of people who ruin a neighborhood overnight. Although Cyril and Shirleys lows are low, as they contend with Cyrils preening middle-class sister Valerie and the swift gentrification of their mothers neighborhood, their highs are transcendent. A plaintive scene in which Cyril and Shirley visit Marxs grave in Highgate Cemetery indulges some of Leighs most pessimistic and hopeful visions of young urban life.

Another Year (2010)

Describing Another Year makes it sound so broad and flowery as to be trivial, and it is anything but. This blindsidingly humane film follows a year in the life of older couple Tom and Gerri (Jim Broadbent and Ruth Sheen) and their social circle  particularly their boozy, incompetent friend Mary (Lesley Manville). Over four elliptical seasons, Tom and Gerri experience joy, death, and all the stuff in between. As Mary bursts into every moment like a solipsistic tornado, its easy to come away from Another Year having given her much of your attention, especially given the raw-nerve immediacy of Manvilles performance. Yet on rewatch (or, maybe more specifically, as you age with the film), Tom and Gerri begin to feel less and less like passive protagonists, not merely accepting what happens to them but facing it head on. This crucial difference is what Leigh is subtly getting at with Another Year, a film reflecting on what it actually means to live a life with head and heart and with both feet on the ground. Folks who see themselves in Marys desperation might view the film in more despairing terms, but this is perhaps Leighs most life-goes-on effort.

Mr. Turner (2014)

Timothy Spalls grumbling, mumbling take on English painter J.M.W. Turner is one of Leighs funniest characters to grace the screen. Not unlike the directors Gilbert and Sullivan anti-biopic biopic, Mr. Turner focuses more on Turners process than Turners life  how a man who lived modestly and behaved boorishly came to produce works of such undeniable beauty. On a scene-to-scene level, Mr. Turner is packed full of delightful dialogue and wonderful scenes of 19th-century painters bickering and arguing, though its undercurrent is one of unstoppable modernity. Turner was most famous for his paintings of the sea and of ships, but as he ages, so too does the world give way to inventions like steamboats and photographs. His way of life becomes near-obsolete before his very eyes, but that doesnt mean he cant still find beauty amid all the ugliness.

COMIC-TRAGIC

Career Girls (1997)

In Career Girls, Katrin Cartlidge and Linda Steadman star as Hannah and Annie, two former college roommates reunited for a few days. Flashing back to their younger selves, when Annie was an anxious wreck and Hannah was cool and self-assured, the film has all the delights of a lighthearted story of friendship between polar opposites and smartly tracks how they change over time. Although the flashbacks give the film a more formulaic structure, it avoids the cliches of sitcoms and movies about friendship; the closest this thing gets to a laugh track is Andy Serkis as a pervert inappropriately at ease in a bathrobe. The typical, bittersweet Leighian perspective is revealed in its observation that in order to move forward  in friendship, into adulthood  some things have to get left behind, represented by their troubled, forgotten friend Ricky (Mark Benton).

Grown-Ups (1980)

No, not that Grown-Ups. Leighs BBC comedy is one of the directors most formative works. What Grown-Ups lacks in quality it more than makes up for by laying the groundwork for his rich character development and penchant for chaotic comedy. Watching his 1980 made-for-BBC film is to see the foundations of what would later become Secrets & Lies or High Hopes or Happy-Go-Lucky. In Grown-Ups, Leigh regulars Phil Davis and Lesley Manville play Dick and Mandy, a mopey young married couple who try and fail to make adult lives for themselves in their new house. Their relative peace and quiet is routinely interrupted by Gloria, Mandys sister, played with frazzled mania by the wonderful Brenda Blethyn. The third act devolves into a screaming argument set across two houses and two yards, with all the characters weve grown to love and loathe trading barb after insult. As pathetic and pitiable as Gloria is, Blethyn runs away with the whole movie.

Life Is Sweet (1990)

What is it that Tolstoy says about unhappy families  each is unhappy in its own way? Such is the fate of Andy (Jim Broadbent) and Wendy (Alison Steadman) and their stay-at-home adult daughters, Nicola (Jane Horrocks) and Natalie (Claire Skinner). Andy, Wendy, and Natalie are content to get by no matter what comes their way, but Nicola feels everything much more intensely. Shes depressed and struggling with an eating disorder, tolerating a bad boyfriend (David Thewlis) and unemployment by screeching around the house and insulting everyone she meets. Her familys persistent optimism offends her on every level, but shes too dismayed at the world around her to take part in it. Although Nicolas pain is straight, the rest of Life Is Sweet swings broad and brash. Leigh goes for the gags in this one, from Broadbents workplace pratfall to friend of the family Aubreys (Timothy Spall) disgusting new restaurant. It would all be so funny if only Nicola would share in the laughs once in a while.

Abigails Party (1977)

Leigh positions middle-class small talk as a series of casual humiliations in Abigails Party, a comedy of manners set at a cocktail party between three neighboring households. Beverley hosts while her workaholic husband, Laurence, dips in and out, and the guests are new residents Angela and Tony and divorcee Sue (whose titular, unseen teenage daughter hosts a neighboring party). Leigh considers this a creative disappointment: It originated as a successful play and was captured for the BBC in quick turnaround without as much consideration for the filmmaking as he would have liked. Chalk it up to too much self-criticism, because Abigails Party is nevertheless a barnburner of character-based cringe comedy and the most popular of his films for television for good reason. Alison Steadmans flirty, angry performance as Beverley is a highlight, transforming okay into the funniest word in the English language and then the most aggravating and then back again with brute force. The result is not unlike Leighs version of Whos Afraid of Virginia Woolf? but with more sardonic flair. When tragedy ultimately strikes, paralysis is the commonality between each character, and the outlook for intermarried social warfare is decidedly grim.

Happy-Go-Lucky (2008)

In Happy-Go-Lucky, Sally Hawkins plays Poppy, the worlds most cheerful, generous elementary-school teacher, a chirpy songbird in human form. Although Hawkins is plenty comedic here, much of the comedy in Leighs film comes from the ways in which the world interacts with Poppy. For all her positivity and kindness, Happy-Go-Lucky is still set in reality. Theres discord and violence  at Poppys school, out in London, even during her driving lessons with the ornery, protomens rights advocate Scott (Eddie Marsan). While their back-and-forths have all the classic pitter-patter of conventional comedy, the darkness that permeates Scotts worldview threatens at times to overhaul Leighs film, or at the very least to remind Poppy that personal happiness is less contagious than she may believe. There is a collective sadness that runs through Happy-Go-Lucky, though Poppy fights against the current with a smile and a laugh all the same.

COMIC

Whos Who (1979)

So earlier, when we said it wouldnt be simple to list Leigh in terms of best and worst? Well, thats only half true. Look, it is always depressing when one of the greats turns in their weakest work, particularly when it lacks the definitive traits of what makes their oeuvre special. Whos Who is precisely that, with working-class champion Leigh instead taking a rare focus on the upper class. We follow Royals devotee Alan and his brokerage firm co-workers, whose pretensions accelerate toward farce over a dinner party (Mike loves a dinner party). Its a satire of self-satisfied Thatcherites, like Leighs version of Whit Stillmans Metropolitan but reaching for only the obvious observations about upper-class frivolity. There isnt much that Leigh has to say about these people other than how much they suck, and it might have been more damning if Leigh had granted them his typical curiosity rather than such mercilessness. But with characterizations more quirky than recognizable, Whos Who still lands the joke, even if it is just 75 minutes of unsparing and airless class commentary.

Topsy-Turvy (1999)

Not quite a musical and not quite a standard-fare biopic, Leighs three-hour Gilbert & Sullivan film is one of the most rollicking good times and best films in the directors career. Rather than diving into the composers full career, Leigh focuses on the career slump that led Gilbert (played with hilarious ire by Jim Broadbent) and Sullivan (played with wry charisma by Allan Corduner) to write The Mikado  the composers authentic take on Japanese culture. In order to get The Mikado off the ground, the two composers need to get everyone onboard: the old actors, the new boys, the producers, the choreographer, the costume designer, the stagehands, the orchestra  to say nothing of their wives and mistresses back home. The frantic energy of the films big cast lends a number of semi-regular Leigh players  Broadbent, Timothy Spall, Lesley Manville, Alison Steadman, Andy Serkis  to go big. Although Leigh has never been a Hollywood filmmaker, Topsy-Turvy is almost his version of The Player, both loving homage and sharp send-up.

Nuts in May (1976)

One of the highest points of Leighs work for the BBC, Nuts in May follows granola couple and hipster-bourgeois nightmares Keith and Candice-Marie on a holiday in the idyllic countryside. Their squareness masks what fascistic freaks they really are, forcing their idea of politeness and what makes for a nice getaway  visiting castles, performing acoustic sets about going to the zoo, and buying raw milk  onto their neighbor campers. A comedy of manners for fans of r/AITA, Nuts in May is as funny for when Keith and Candice-Marie are being complete assholes as when they get their just desserts by punk campers unwilling to bow to their demands. Its spiritually no shock that Leigh would craft a Hell is other people comedy about how oppressive it is to be stuck in the company of an annoying couple. But this nearly 50-year-old film nevertheless surprises for how fresh its comedic sensibility is and its modern comic point of view.
Lubinets in touch with all relevant services on Russia's statement about transfer of bodies of POWs killed in Il-76 crash to Ukraine

Russia claims to have handed over the bodies of the Ukrainian prisoners of war (POW) who allegedly were on board the crashed Il-76 plane, Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights Dmytro Lubinets has said on Monday.

"Several repatriation measures have been taken recently during which the remains of the deceased were handed over to Ukraine. Identification is currently underway. As ombudsman of Ukraine, I am in cooperation with all relevant services on the issue," he said on the Telegram channel.

As reported, on January 24, 2024, an Il-76 military plane went down in the Belgorod region, Russia.

After the downing of the Russian Il-76, Russian media circulated statements by the chairman of the Russian State Duma's defense committee, Andrei Kartapolov, that it allegedly carried dozens of Ukrainian POWs who were being taken for exchange.

The Main Intelligence Directorate of the Defense Ministry of Ukraine confirmed that a prisoner swap was scheduled for January 24.

On Monday, the Russian media quoted Moskalkova as saying that "the bodies of the prisoners of war" were handed over to Ukraine and that she "was present" at the exchange.
Deadly explosion at gas refinery in Calenzano.

At least two people were killed and nine injured in an explosion at a gas refinery near Florence on Monday, the governor of Italy's central Tuscany region Eugenio Giani said.

Rescue efforts were underway to find three people missing after the blast at the fuel storage facility in Calenzano, which is managed by Italian energy giant ENI.

"All of Tuscany is united in grief for the tragedy that happened today in Calenzano," Giani wrote on social media, as authorities launched an investigation into the disaster.

Italian premier Giorgia Meloni expressed her condolences for the victims of the explosion and is following the situation "with apprehension", according to a statement from Palazzo Chigi.

L'#esplosione di una #raffineria a #Calenzano. Attivato al Policlinico di Careggi il 'piano di massiccio afflusso' in previsione dell'arrivo dei feriti. Lo scoppio e avvenuto in un'area per il rifornimento di carburante: coinvolte autobotti e strutture.pic.twitter.com/eOT1IXNtCg Rai Radio1 (@Radio1Rai) December 9, 2024

In a statement, ENI said the blaze was confined to the loading shelter area and did not affect the depot's tanks which are used to store petrol, diesel and kerosene.

As a precautionary measure, authorities suspended trains on the Florence-Bologna and Florence-Prato-Pistoia rail lines on Monday.

The Calenzano exit of the A1 motorway was closed for several hours but reopened in the afternoon, with people urged to stay away from the area around the ENI facility.

Incidente industriale a #Calenzano (prov. Firenze)

Se sei in zona ecco cosa fare e cosa NON fare pic.twitter.com/qVeIyuBsTF Dipartimento Protezione Civile (@DPCgov) December 9, 2024

Italy's civil protection agency advised residents living within a five-kilometre radius of the fuel depot to keep their doors and windows closed, to turn off their heating systems and not to ignite stoves, candles or cigarette lighters.
La Spezia mayor hails "extraordinary" discovery.

Two original pages from the "first edition" of Dante Alighieri's masterpiece The Divine Comedy, dating from the 14th century, have been found in the Italian city of La Spezia.

The discovery of the rare manuscripts, announced by the city's mayor Pierluigi Peracchini on Saturday and reported by news agency ANSA, came about during the relocation of state archives.

The two pages belong to the canticles of Purgatory and Paradise in Dante's epic work which the mediaeval poet and philosopher completed a year before his death in 1321.

Un tesoro unico al mondo di Dante Alighieri alla Spezia!



NellArchivio di Stato abbiamo loriginale della Pax Dantis, che nel 1306 concluse la guerra tra i Malaspina e i Vescovi di Luni, e pagine del Purgatorio e del Paradiso della prima edizione della Divina Commedia. pic.twitter.com/o4TlNAN0zI pierluigi peracchini (@PPeracchini) December 7, 2024

In addition to the pages of La Divina Commedia, documents related to the so-called "Pax Dantis" were found, a 14th-century agreement that put an end to the conflict between the noble Malaspina family and the Bishops of Luni, highlighting a direct link between Dante and the history of La Spezia.

Mayor Peracchini said that the city is evaluating, together with Italy's culture ministry, a way of putting the precious parchments on public display, ANSA reports.

Dantes connection with La Spezia dates back to the period of his exile from Florence, from 1301 to his death two decades later in Ravenna, where he was buried.

La Divina Commedia is a long narrative poem representing a 14th-century vision of the afterlife, describing Dante's journey through the three realms of the dead: Inferno (hell), Puragtorio (purgatory), and Paradiso (heaven).

Dante, who began composing the work in or around 1308, wrote the poem's 14,233 lines in the vernacular, opting for the Tuscan dialect over Latin which was the language reserved for the most educated readers.

This groundbreaking decision meant that the work was accessible to the masses and led to Dante being credited as "the father of the Italian language".

Today Dante's masterpiece is widely considered to be the pre-eminent work in Italian literature and one of the greatest works of world literature.

Each year Italy celebrates Dante with a national day in his honour on 25 March, the date given by scholars for the start of the journey to the afterlife in The Divine Comedy.
Olivia Kelleher

Residents of apartments above a shopping centre in Mallow, Co Cork were evacuated from their homes on Sunday after a car caught fire in an underground car park in an apparent case of spontaneous combustion.

The incident occurred shortly after 6pm on Sunday. Plumes of smoke quickly engulfed a section of the shopping centre car park.

Cork North Central Independent TD Ken OFlynn indicated that fortunately nobody was injured in the incident.

The incident involved a diesel car, and while it was serious, there has (also) been no significant damage to the building or surrounding infrastructure. Only the vehicles were affected. I am grateful that everyone is safe!

Firefighters from Mallow Fire Station and gardai attended at the scene.

The Market Square shopping centre is open this morning but the car park remains closed to allow for a clean up of the area.

It is understood that a small number of residents were asked to evacuate their apartments for about three hours on sunday to guarantee their safety.
Gardai can now be given permission to drive against the flow of traffic on motorways and dual carriageways during pursuits.

A new spontaneous pursuits procedure from An Garda Siochana outlines that gardai can drive contra-flow to traffic if it is safe to do so.

The new procedure means pursuits no longer have to automatically be called off when a chase goes contra-flow to traffic - a garda source has confirmed.

Spontaneous traffic pursuits are managed from a control centre and will now determine if gardai are permitted to drive on the wrong side of a motorway or dual carriageway in pursuit of a criminal.

This tactic is occasionally used by criminals in an effort to call off a chase.

A Garda was summoned to face a Circuit Court this year after pursuing a vehicle driving on the wrong side of the N7 in 2021 which saw the three occupants of the car die following a head on collision with a truck.

The new procedure stresses that pursuits should not cause risk to the public.
Almost 400,000 homes, farms and businesses lost power during Storm Darragh, the ESB has said, with 30,000 homes left without power on Monday, December 9.

The storm caused "widespread and extensive damage to electricity infrastructure across the country" the national electricity supplier said, noting that the impact was "similar to that of Storm Ophelia in 2017".

ESB Networks Regional Manager Brian Tapley said that their crews have been mobilized around the country in an interview with Newstalk. Crews from France's Enidis energy supplier are also en route to Ireland by boat to aid with the efforts to restore power to all parts of the country.

Unfortunately, some customers will be out for a number of days and the last customers could take up to a week given the scale of the damage that the storm caused, said Mr Tapley.

It could, the ESB warned, take a number of days to restore power to some areas of the country, due to the scale of the damage done to key electricity infrastructure; "Significant numbers will be without supply for a number of days. Due to the severity and significant scale of the damage some customers could be without power for approximately a week."

Speaking at the time, Mr Tapley said that there are still around 35,000 customers without power but that power is being incrementally restored across the country.

This storm is probably at the same scale as Storm Ophelia from 2017, the only difference is its hit the entire country," he said.

"We have all our crews deployed around the country, our French counterparts Enedis are arriving today to support the efforts as well.

Various locations across Waterford have been impacted by the storm, the ESB is currently working on faults in Knockmullen, Kilmacthomas, Kilcarragh and a number of outages on the Cregg Road.

The ESB has warned the public not to touch or approach any fallen wires or damaged electricity networks "as they are LIVE and extremely dangerous".

The contact number to report any damage to electricity infrastructure is 1800 372 999.
Waterford is one of five urban centres to benefit from funding of up to 7 million each under THRIVE - the Town Centre First Heritage Revival Scheme - awarded under one of Irelands two European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Regional Programmes.

The funding will be utilised to regenerate the largest early 18th Century townhouse, 18 Lady Lane, on one of the oldest streets in Waterford Citys Viking Triangle.

The building will be converted into a visitor attraction, Tir na nOg, the land of young people, to create a magical journey of discovery celebrating childrens past, present and future while conserving the original fabric and decorative internal features of the building to ensure authenticity is retained.

Morris Conway, Senior Architect with Waterford City and County Council explained: The THRIVE heritage-led thinking ties in very well with Waterford City and County Councils thinking. We have been actively pursuing a policy of heritage-led regeneration, especially in Waterford city centre and in our town centres."

This is a project that tries to promote heritage and cultural experience to younger generations, to children and younger people," said Mr Conway.

"Its something that had come through our museum experiences, our outreach programmes with our libraries, and also our community involvement schemes," he added.

He went on to comment: Sustainability, togetherness and beauty are the pillars of the New European Bauhaus. Our taking has always been around sustainability, both environmental, economic and social sustainability."

"So, it tied in very much with the new European Bauhaus," he said.

"Sometimes, heritage building, a cultural use, can work well because it can be light touch," he added.

Members of the local authority joined with the European Urban Initiative Capacity Building team recently for a training session on how to better integrate the new European Bauhaus values of aesthetics, sustainability and participation into projects and urban strategies from early stages of development.

Rose Power, THRIVE Programme Executive, with the Southern Regional Assembly said: With THRIVE, what were trying to do is something a little bit more innovative, a little bit different. It works on the basis of urban regeneration, but we were looking to target the areas that most need that regeneration."

This is about being bold, being brave, being innovative, and having a huge level of ambition to create projects that will be genuinely transformative for all of the citizens in our towns and cities across Ireland," she said.

Funded by the ERDF during the 2021-2027 programming period, Irish Regional Assemblies launched the Thrive programme to financially support Irish local authorities in renovating derelict heritage buildings in their town centres.
Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua/

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy plans to discuss with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal Ukraine's participation in the GEF summit due on December 16.

"We have been invited to take part in GEF. And I want to talk to the Estonian Prime Minister today," the Ukrainian head of state told Interfax-Ukraine before the meeting with the Estonian Prime Minister.

He also noted that these signals were addressed to UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The President also noted that the teams are discussing the issue.

Zelenskyy stressed the importance of talking to the Estonian and UK sides and other partners to prepare and help staff the Ukrainian brigades.

"We have received positive feedback from the French side. Now we will talk to France about manning new brigades. We received positive feedback from the German side, although I will be honest that the Americans are preparing our brigade on German soil," he said.

The head of state said Ukraine has contacted Scandinavian and Baltic partners and wants them to help staff another brigade.

"We are not going to surrender to Putin and the Russians, so this support is very important for us," he said.

Michal, for his part, confirmed that Ukraine's participation in the GEF summit depends on many countries, particularly the UK. Nevertheless, Estonia will do everything possible to provide the brigade with various equipment.

In addition, according to him, Estonia is building up its defense industry in order to deliver ammunition faster, doing the utmost for Ukraine in the fight against Russia.
High Court Reporters

A convicted rapist who fathered a son with his estranged daughter has been granted permission to pursue his High Court action against the governor of the Midlands Prison and the Minister for Justice over a temporary release refusal.

In January 2023, the man, who suffers ill health, was sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment with the final year suspended. He is now seeking an order as to the reasons why his application for temporary release was refused.

At Dundalk Circuit Criminal Court last year, Judge Patrick Quinn was told the man did not accept the verdict of the jury, who convicted him of incest after a five-day trial.

The court heard the grandmother of the child contacted gardai in 2015 after discovering her daughter was pregnant.

Judge Quinn heard the man was jailed by the Central Criminal Court for six years in 1996 for rape and for three-and-a-half years by Dundalk Circuit Court in 2003 for sexual assault.

The man, who is 52 and who cannot be named, is also seeking a declaration from the High Court that the refusal of temporary release due to the nature of the offence, "absent of statutory provision, is unlawful".

The Punishment of Incest Act makes it a criminal offence "for a male to have carnal knowledge of a female person, who is, to his knowledge, his grand-daughter, daughter, sister or mother. The consent of the female in question is not a defence. It is also an offence for a female to allow such carnal knowledge to happen".

The man is further seeking a declaration from the court that the Minister for Justice has "fettered his/her discretion by operating a fixed policy in denying temporary release for prisoners serving sentences for sexual offences".

In submissions to the court, the man claims he suffers from ill health and "particularly, a chronic, infected wound on his right knee".

His lawyers claim medical records were provided to the governor of the prison showing that he requires medical attention, including inpatient hospital care.

The man claims that he was advised by a doctor last March that it would be difficult for him to walk without crutches and that the only form of mobilisation that may be open to him was a wheelchair.

"The applicant believes that the prison environment is not conducive to optimum convalescence and management of the injury," his lawyers submit.

The man made an application for temporary release in September 2023, which was refused, but claims that reasons for that refusal were unsuccessfully sought from the following October.

"The appellant's medical difficulties would be significantly improved if he had access to medical care in the community but correspondence from the applicant's solicitor has gone unanswered," it was submitted.

The man claims he was "orally informed" by a prison officer that his request for temporary release was declined because of the nature of the conviction recorded against him.

The prisoner's solicitor submits that there is "no legislative basis that prohibits the Minister for Justice from considering in a bona fide manner an application".

At the High Court today, Kathleen Leader SC, for the man, said that there was "no presumptive temporary release" for some offences, such as those of a sexual, drug or firearms nature but that there was also "no prohibition" on temporary release in this case.

Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty told Ms Leader that she would grant permission for the man to pursue his legal actions and adjourned the matter to January.

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.
Eva Osborne

A third man (20s) who was arrested in connection with an investigation targeting an organised crime group suspected of carrying out burglaries at homes and businesses nationwide has been charged.

The man is expected to appear before Donegal District Court on Monday morning at approximately 10:30am.

Two other men (one aged in his 50s, the other in his 20s) were due to appear before a special sitting of Sligo District Court on Friday evening.

The three men were arrested 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.

The search operation took place in Dublin and Kildare on Friday, November 29th.

Four vehicles have been seized, including a high performance Blue BMW, and a substantial amount of suspected stolen property has been recovered.

The operation forms part of Operation Thor, An Garda Siochana's national strategy targeting organised crime groups involved in burglaries and associated criminal activity.

Investigations are ongoing, gardai said.
The largest intergenerational wealth transfer in US history is about to take place  though the vast majority of Americans are unlikely to inherit much money at all.

About $US105 trillion ($164 trillion) is projected to be passed down from older generations over the next quarter of a century, says research firm Cerulli Associates, an amount roughly equal to global gross domestic product in 2023.

Just between us: Rising share and home prices, not to mention inflation, have added to Baby Boomer wealth. Credit: Glenn Hunt

Rising sharemarkets and home prices, as well as inflation, have fattened the estates that members of the baby boom generation, born between 1946 and 1964, are expected to leave their heirs. The latest inheritance projection by Cerulli is 45 per cent higher than the 25-year forecast the firm made only three years ago. US gifts and inheritances are expected to total $US2.5 trillion next year alone.

About 80 per cent of the wealth held today is going to be in motion, Chayce Horton, lead author of the Cerulli report, said in an interview. The ratio of wealth expected to be changing hands in the next 25 years is significant, and much greater than what we even saw a decade ago.
He is renowned for his deft networking skills that convinced Sydneys wealthy to part with tens of millions of dollars for the biggest expansion of the Art Gallery of NSW in its history.

Now Sydneys master arts fundraiser David Gonski will hand over leadership of the AGNSW Trust to planning advocate Michael Rose in the biggest leadership shake-up of the states galleries and museums in about a decade.

New board appointments: David Borger, Bob Debus, Cathy Foley and Bob Carr. Credit: Nathan Perri

Former NSW premier Bob Carr, two former Labor ministers, Bob Debus and David Borger, and former ALP deputy lord mayor Linda Scott are among 10 new appointments to the states premier cultural bodies.

All three new board presidents or chairs  Carr to the Museums of History NSW, Debus to the State Library of NSW, and Borger to the Powerhouse Museum  are former Labor politicians.
This story is part of our investigative series on medical misogyny in Australia, exploring its impact and sharing solutions to address it.

Kirsty Costa has one word for how it feels to be in your early 30s, trying to start a family, and suddenly being diagnosed with the beginning of menopause nearly 20 years before most women expect it.

Its lonely, says the Melbourne teacher. Just as her friends were in the first-time baby shower zone, she was reckoning with the possibility her fertile window was closing.

Kirsty Costa was 31 and had just lost a pregnancy when she was told she had gone into early menopause, a condition with which more young women are being diagnosed. Credit: Justin McManus

Costa and her husband were thrilled to be expecting their first baby when she was aged 31, only to lose the pregnancy due to medical complications. Months later, Costas periods had still not returned and she was feeling strangely hot.

It got to the three-month mark and I went to see the GP, and said, [My body] doesnt feel right, and was told it was just grief, anxiety and leftover pregnancy hormones, says Costa, who is now in her 40s.
Australians drive some of the dirtiest vehicles in the world, according to a transport study, which found cars Down Under produce more pollution than vehicles in Romania, Croatia and Bulgaria, among others.

But the National Transport Commission research, released on Tuesday, also found new vehicles were producing less pollution than older models, even though they were often bigger than the cars they replaced.

The study comes after Australia registered rising sales for hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles in November but lower new vehicle sales overall.

The commissions Light Vehicle Emissions Intensity report analysed registration information from Austroads, sales figures from the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, and emissions data.

It found vehicle pollution dropped by five per cent in Australia during 2023, fuelled by the adoption of more electric and hybrid vehicles.

The fall came after five years of modest emission reductions, commission chief executive Michael Hopkins said, during which it appeared progress had stalled.

From 2017 to 2021, Australias emissions intensity dropped by less than a per cent each year, he said.

But ... the emissions intensity of new vehicles sold in 2023 was down by five per cent compared to 2022, marking the largest percentage drop since our reporting began.

Light vehicles sold in 2023 produced significantly fewer emissions than the average of Australias vehicle fleet, the study found, cutting 28.5 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre.

But Australias lower vehicle emissions did not compare well to the rest of the world, with its average of 150 grams per kilometre for passenger cars and SUVs falling well behind European countries that registered an average of 107 grams.

Norway scored top spot for emissions intensity, with an average of less than 20 grams of carbon dioxide, while Australia ranked behind Slovakia, the Czech Republic and Poland.

Australias share of electric vehicles also fell behind many European countries, the report found, but sales of battery-powered and plug-in hybrid cars rose by 151 per cent during 2023, and their range grew by 100km compared with 2021.

Our report shows that more people are choosing electric vehicles from a greater range, with 127 models available in 2023, up from just six in 2015, he said.

Sales of hybrid vehicles also rose by 20 per cent during the year, which Mr Hopkins said had made a material difference to Australias transport pollution.

But while car emissions decreased, the size of the average vehicle in Australia increased.

The study found the average Australian vehicle had grown from a footprint of 8.3 metres square in 2003 to 8.8 in 2023, and the footprint of utes had grown even further, from 8.7 to 10.2 metres square.

The growth of what some have termed autobesity could be explained by motorists embrace of SUVs, which made up 59 per cent of all vehicles on Australian roads.

AAP
Unlike Australias most talked-about restaurants, you dont book a table at Dimes Squares establishments. This is a good thing  its impossible to get a table at most of New Yorks much-hyped spots without scheduling your visit months in advance. The freedom to decide on a dinner spot on the night  do you feel like fall-off-the-bone Greek-style lamb, salty-sweet pizza, or vegan Mexican?  is refreshing in a city of high demand.

Tables spill out onto the road outside Le Dive. Credit: Alamy Stock Photo

When I turn up to Le Dive, the sprawling outdoor seating is packed. Not even remotely a dive bar, its chic in a we-didnt-try way. The outdoor chairs are those fragile-looking, foldable kind dispersed around small metal tables littered across the road. My friend had procured one of the dinky tables and was halfway through a glass of pet nat when I arrived. She had brought another friend with her, and no sooner had I sat down than he began making plans to put our name down elsewhere.

The no-reservations aspect of Dimes Squares restaurants is good, but its chaotic good. In true Millennial and Gen Z style, we were already discussing the next stage of our night before even settling into what was happening at that moment. Youre drinking at one place and sending someone on a scouting mission to determine the next. Its not so much that everyone is having faux-fun  there are just so many good places close by that its difficult to commit.

I arrived at 7.30pm, the prime time for sunset. Another drawcard of Dimes Square? The surprisingly breathtaking sunsets. The street is gradually bathed in golden yellow, then deep orange as the sun sinks right between the miles of buildings along Canal. You can tell the tourists from the locals by those who stand up to take Instagram snaps when the light really hits.
The year of democracy, as 2024 has been designated, is ending on an epic and frenetic note. Events are moving at such a hurtling pace and history is coming at us so thick and fast that it feels reminiscent of my student days in 1989, after the fall of the Berlin Wall, when professors would tear up the dog-eared lectures they had delivered unthinkingly for decades because they were so quickly becoming obsolete.

This month has witnessed a string of dramatic December surprises. In Syria, more than 50 years of homicidal rule by the Assad family has come to a lightning end. A 13-year civil war, which had largely slipped from the headlines, was completely upended in little more than a week as anti-government rebels first seized Aleppo, the countrys second city, then raced to capture the capital, Damascus.

Illustration by Dionne Gain

Bashar al-Assad is a murderous thug, who fled like a coward into the arms of Vladimir Putin, his long-time sponsor. But seductive though it is to see his fall as a triumph for freedom in the battle against an axis of authoritarians, the rebels primarily responsible for his downfall are from jihadist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham. History is rarely clear-cut.

South Korea last week witnessed a shock return to martial rule when President Yoon Suk Yeol mounted a short-lived power grab in which military helicopters circled above the National Assembly in Seoul and soldiers stormed through its gates. This economic and cultural powerhouse, known in recent times for its K-pop and Oscar-winning movie industry, harked back to the dark days of military dictatorship last seen at the start of the 1980s.
Estonia will continue to support Ukraine, in particular, it pledges to allocate 0.25% of its GDP, and Ukraine should also be part of NATO, Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said.

During a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Michal said Estonia pledges to allocate 0.25% of its GDP; and if Ukraine can do more in cyberspace, Estonia has a cyber delegation in Ukraine today. If Ukraine can do more in heating or energy, Estonia will do it, because it understands that winter and spring will be very difficult. He also assuared they made it clear with the EU and NATO: Ukraine is part of Europe and should be part of NATO.

In turn, the head of the Ukrainian state thanked Estonia for its straightforwardness regarding the future of Ukraine both in the EU and NATO.

"I cannot talk to you about long-range [weapons] you do not have it, like, for example, Germany. But I am sure that if you have it, you will give it to us. But we can talk about the EU and NATO  we are counting on your position, on the continuation of the position," Zelenskyy said.
Washington: President-elect Donald Trump has outlined an aggressive plan for opening his second term in an interview broadcast in the US, vowing to move immediately to crack down on immigration and pardon his most violent supporters while threatening to lock up political foes such as Liz Cheney.

In his first sit-down broadcast network interview since being re-elected, Trump said on Sunday (US time) that on day one of his new administration next month he would extend clemency to the hundreds of his backers who stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021, and try to bar automatic citizenship for children born in the United States to immigrant parents.

Republican Liz Cheney and Donald Trump. Credit: SMH

Without giving a time frame, Trump also indicated that he would fire FBI director Christopher Wray out of personal pique because he invaded my home and was insufficiently certain at first whether Trumps wound during an assassination attempt this year was caused by a bullet or shrapnel. And he said that members of Congress who investigated his role in the January 6 attack should be thrown behind bars.

For what they did, honestly, they should go to jail, Trump said of Cheney, a Republican who represented Wyoming, and the rest of the bipartisan House committee that looked into the attack. Speaking with Kristen Welker on Meet the Press on NBC, he said he would not direct his new attorney-general or FBI director to pursue the matter but indicated he expected them to do it on their own. I think that theyll have to look at that, he said, but Im not going to order them to.
The West Africa Security Project (WASP), a collaborative effort between the World Customs Organization (WCO) Secretariat and six West African Customs administrations, is set to conclude on 31 December 2024. The initiative, which has focused on enhancing security capacity in the region, is drawing to a close after several years of impactful work.

Launched on 15 March 2021, WASP is a two-phase project funded by the German Federal Foreign Offices Enable and Enhance Initiative (E2I), with support from the German Central Customs Authority. The E2I is part of Germanys broader commitment to supporting security sector reform in partner countries.

The WASP initially partnered with the Member Customs administrations of Cote d'Ivoire, Ghana, and Togo, in two project components focused on security and gender equality and diversity (GED). Following a six-month diagnostic phase conducted in 2021, which identified the activities to be delivered during the Project, the delivery phase commenced in October 2022. It was subsequently extended by 12-months from 1 January 2024 and expanded to include the Customs administrations of Benin and Nigeria, with the Gambia also being included in the GED component.

The security component of the project focused on the risks associated with the significant volumes of sea cargo moving through the Gulf of Guinea ports, including goods that are subsequently shipped in transit to hinterland countries. The Project adopted a holistic approach to building capacity in the risk assessment and inspection processes for the detection of specific goods that may create a security threat. There was a particular focus on precursor chemicals and components used to manufacture Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) and their parts.

The Project also aimed to enhance the Members capability to maintain effective border controls in fragile and conflict-affected border areas, with an activity to develop capability to use Geospatial Intelligence (GEOINT) to identify and treat the risks from trade that occurs through unofficial or illegal border crossings. The GEOINT activity, which is also a part of the WCO Fragile Borders Action Plan, was jointly funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and delivered in conjunction with the WCO/JICA Joint Project.

The GED component of the WASP focused on the implementation of gender responsive and inclusive policies and practices, and how this can be promoted both in Customs internal policies related to human resource management, as well as in external policies with a specific focus on security matters in border operations and in relations with stakeholders.

The activities delivered under both components of the WASP were designed to deliver sustainable capability improvements through the inclusion of training material into national curricula, the accreditation and recognition of experts and the adoption of GED action plans. The two components of the Project also collaborated with partners to ensure that capacity building activities funded by other donors in the beneficiary countries were aligned and complementary.

The beneficiary Customs administrations actively participated in evaluation meetings with the Project team and the donor on 28 and 29 November 2024. They noted that the Project had achieved its goals of increasing their Administrations overall security capability and increased awareness among their officials of their role in relation to security. They also noted the increased recognition of the importance of gender equality and diversity as a means of enhancing Customs overall capacities and effectiveness as a direct result of the Project.

The outcomes achieved by the WASP would not have been possible without the strong support of the donor and the engagement and active participation of the participating Member Customs administrations. They will also have broader benefits, as the tools and training material developed during the Project will be available to support other Members of the WCO.

The WCO Secretariat looks forward to continuing the excellent collaboration that has achieved these outcomes and continuing to support Members in strengthening their capability in the important areas of security and GED. For more information, please contact wcosecurityprogramme(at)wcoomd.org or capacity.building(at)wcoomd.org.
On 9 December 2024, the Secretariat of the World Customs Organization (WCO) invites Customs administrations to mark International Anti-Corruption Day and join the international community in this celebration.

The WCOs Revised Arusha Declaration - first endorsed by WCO Members in 1993 and subsequently revised in 2003 - is the foundation of the WCOs integrity efforts, not only setting out the principles that are key to Customs administrations but also casting light on the responsibilities for preventing corruption.

Countering corruption and promoting integrity cannot just exist in the realm of principle; it has to involve practical action and support, stressed WCO Secretary General Ian Saunders in his message, delineating the importance of integrity to the facilitation of legitimate trade.

Integrity is a cross-cutting issue for the WCO and its Members. To ensure that it meets Members needs, WCO relies on three components to address integrity matters: cooperation through the Integrity Sub-Committee, standards setting through the development of tools and instruments based on Member best practices, and capacity building.

Regarding this last line of effort, the WCO Anti-Corruption and Integrity Promotion (A-CIP) Programme, thanks to financial support by Norway and Canada, has developed key e-learning resources, guidance materials and performance measurement tools. The Programme has succeeded in strengthening integrity frameworks through enhanced anti-corruption efforts, fostering greater trust within its beneficiary Customs administrations. You can read some powerful testimonials from beneficiary countries here.

A special event, will also be held today at WCO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, bringing together WCO staff and Customs Attaches to remind everyone of the critical importance of integrity in Customs operations and discuss the best strategies for addressing corruption risks.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/GeneralStaff.ua

A total of 102 combat clashes were recorded along the front line since midnight and as of 4 p.m. on Monday, the situation is particularly tough on the Pokrovsk and Kurakhove axes, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) has said in Monday updates on Facebook.

"The enemy has been highly active on the Pokrovsk axis. There were 29 combat clashes of varying intensity today. Ukrainian units repulsed 24 attacks in the vicinity of Myroliubivka, Lysivka, Promin, Dachenske, Chumatske, and Shevchenko," it said.

According to the General Staff, on the Kurakhove axis, 16 enemy assaults were repelled in the area of Sontsivka, Stari Terny, Zoria, Dalne, Dachne, and Kurakhove, and there are nine ongoing combat clashes in the area.

On the Vremiv axis, the aggressor attacked 14 times the areas of Kostiantynopil, Novosilky, and Storozhove. There are five ongoing battles in the area.

On the Lyman axis, ten combat clashes were recorded in the vicinity of Hrekivka, Zeleny Hai, Nadia, Makiyivka, Torske, and Yampolivka. There are six ongoing combat clashes in the area.

On the Toretsk axis, the occupiers attacked six times the areas of Toretsk and Nelipivka, four attacks were successfully repulsed, and two continue.

On the Prydniprovsk axis, Russian invaders attacked Ukrainian positions three times. They faced tough response and suffered losses.

On the Kharkiv axis, three combat clashes were recorded in the vicinity of Hlyboke and Vovchansk, and there is one ongoing battle in the area.

On the Kupyansk axis, the enemy made three unsuccessful attempts to advance towards Ukrainian positions in the area of Lozova and Zahryzove. One attack has been successfully repulsed and there is one ongoing battle in the area.

In Russia's Kursk region, Ukrainian defenders repelled six enemy attacks. Nine combat clashes were recorded in the direction.
Photo: https://t.me/zedigital

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy instructed Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal to increase funding for brigades to purchase drones in the coming days.

"There was also a separate report by Pavlo Palisa regarding the amount of direct funds from the brigade directly  for the additional purchase of drones. A decision was recently made on the amount of such direct money. But now I see that this amount is also not enough. I instructed the Prime Minister to further increase funding for the brigades in the coming days  to increase it by an order of magnitude," Zelenskyy said in a video address on Monday evening.
Leesville, LA (71446)

Today

Cloudy this evening with thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low 66F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Cloudy this evening with thunderstorms developing after midnight. Low 66F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%.
High Court reporters

The mother of one of three men who died in a head-on crash while travelling the wrong way down the N7 to evade gardai has sued the Garda Commissioner and various other parties in the High Court.

Brenda Taylor is seeking damages for alleged personal injuries and distress arising out of the death of her son, Graham Taylor (31), who was a passenger in the BMW 3 Series being driven by Carl Freeman (26).

Dean Maguire was the third man in the vehicle, which burst into flames after crashing into an oncoming truck late on July 7th, 2021. An inquest into Mr Freemans death heard the occupants had to be identified using DNA samples taken from relatives.

The truck driver was left with serious, but not life-threatening injuries.

The three deceased men, all with addresses in Tallaght, Dublin, had a litany of previous convictions.

On Monday, barrister Fred Gilligan, for the Garda Commissioner and other State parties, said his clients cannot file a defence to Ms Taylors proceedings for some time due to certain matters beyond their control.

However, there will be a full defence delivered in time.

Mr Justice Anthony Barr said he understood the reasons and adjourned a motion brought by Ms Taylors barrister, Brian Carroll, instructed by MacGuill & Company. He gave Mr Carroll permission to seek to reenter his motion if needed.

Ms Taylor has sued the Garda Commissioner, the Minister for Justice, the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform, Ireland and the Attorney.

Her case is also against a number of non-State parties, including a solicitor representing the estate of Mr Freeman and a woman alleged to be the owner of the BMW 3 Series.

She has also sued the Motor Insurance Bureau of Ireland, which is funded out of the insurance policies of every motorist to compensate victims of uninsured or untraced drivers.
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Mainly cloudy, mild, and mainly dry after some morning fog and drizzle taper off. .

Tonight

Mostly cloudy, a bit breezy, and mild; perhaps a spotty shower.
Estonia's defense support for Ukraine has reached almost EUR 542 million, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has said.

"We held constructive talks on a wide range of issues and outlined our joint positions... I am grateful for the large-scale defense support from Estonia, which has already reached almost EUR 542 million or 1.4% of the country's GDP. Estonia's decision to annually allocate no less than 0.25% of its GDP for Ukraine's defense was significant," Shmyhal said at a joint briefing with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal in Kyiv on Monday.

In turn, Michal said the decision to provide 0.25% of GDP for Ukraine's defense is the country's obligation.

"This will mean that Ukraine will receive EUR 100 million from us annually. We are trying to encourage our partners and allies to do the same," the head of the Estonian government said.

He also said European and other partners should strengthen their defense capabilities in the production of ammunition for Ukraine.

In turn, the Ukrainian Prime Minister noted that Estonia is also actively involved in the restoration of Ukraine, in particular, it was the first to declare patronage over Zhytomyr region.

In addition, he said Ukraine appreciates Estonia's contribution to Ukraine's energy resilience.

"Only through the EU civil protection mechanism, Estonia has provided us with more than 140 transformers and more than 300 units of energy equipment. We received significant support at the level of the state, regions, municipalities, and the private sector," Shmyhal said.

The Prime Minister said it is important that Estonia announced a contribution of EUR 400,000 to Ukraine Energy Support Fund.

"In the near future, a power unit from an Estonian power plant will be delivered to Ukraine, it will be able to provide electricity to 150,000 people. We are also discussing the transfer of two more power units in 2025," he said.

Shmyhal said that following the meeting, the parties signed a joint statement.
U.S. announces nearly 1 bln USD in longer-term weapons aid to Ukraine

Xinhua) 11:15, December 09, 2024

WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- The U.S. Department of Defense announced on Saturday that it will provide weapons worth 988 million U.S. dollars to Ukraine over a relatively longer term to enhance its military capabilities amid the conflict with Russia.

According to a statement, the additional military assistance, to be provided through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative (USAI), involves ammunition for the HIMARS, unmanned aerial vehicles, and equipment, components, and spare parts to maintain, repair, and overhaul artillery systems, tanks, and armored vehicles.

This is the Joe Biden administration's 22nd USAI package for Ukraine, the statement said.

Unlike weapons provided through the Presidential Drawdown Authorities that are pulled down directly from shelves in the Pentagon's warehouse, weapons in a USAI package are usually procured through contracts signed by the U.S. government with domestic manufacturers, often resulting in longer delivery times.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
On Monday, December 9, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal met in Kyiv with Chairman of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany, Head of the opposition CDU/CSU faction in the Bundestag Friedrich Merz, the press service of the Ukrainian government said.

It is noted that the key topic of the meeting was the development of joint defense enterprises.

"We are interested in further expanding the list of projects of German companies in Ukraine, primarily in the context of joint production of weapons, ammunition and equipment. Air defense systems remain a critical aspect of countering missile and drone attacks by Russia," Shmyhal said.

He also thanked Merz and his political force for their consistent and strong position on providing Ukraine with weapons and air defense systems. Shmyhal said Ukraine highly appreciates the support that the head of the CDU/CSU faction demonstrated at the beginning of the full-scale invasion.

During the meeting, the parties also discussed the Victory Plan presented by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

"NATO membership is crucial for Ukraine, first of all in terms of receiving long-term security guarantees and achieving lasting peace," Shmyhal said.

Shmyhal and Merz also paid special attention to the issue of financial support for Ukraine. In particular, as Shmyhal noted, Ukraine expects the full implementation of the G7 decision on assistance in the amount of $50 billion, covered by frozen Russian assets.

"We also expect that all Russian assets will be seized in favor of the restoration of Ukraine," Shmyhal said.
Honorary Doctorate for Dr Rob Adam from Wits

Dr Rob Martin Adam was honoured for his exceptional contribution to advancing science, technology and innovation.

In a ceremony on 9 December 2024 in the Wits Great Hall, Adam received an Honorary Doctorate in Science for the lasting impact of his work on South Africas landscape.

The former Managing Director of the South African Radio Astronomy Observatory, Adam was recognised for his distinguished career in science leadership. He has held several prominent leadership roles, including that of Chief Director of Science, Technology and Terminology, as Deputy Director General of Science and Technology, as Director General of the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology, as the former CEO of the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation, and as the Director of the Square Kilometer Array.

Professor Zeblon Vilakazi FRS, the Vice-Chancellor and Principal of Wits, and a physicist says: It is befitting for Wits, a research-intensive university to bestow its highest honour on Dr Rob Adam. He has been instrumental in shaping South Africas science and technology policies, his vision and leadership have helped to establish the frameworks that drive innovation, and he played a critical role in South Africas successful bid to host the Square Kilometre Array, which has revolutionised radio astronomy and high-performance computing. These are some of the reasons why we recognise Dr Adam today.

Adams contributions have earned him numerous accolades, including the Lifetime Achievers Award from the South African National Energy Association. Internationally, he was knighted as Chevalier de lOrdre National du Merite by the President of France in recognition of his global influence on science and innovation.

His work has not only advanced scientific knowledge but also stimulated economic development and capacity building in remote regions, says Professor Nithaya Chetty, Dean of the Wits Faculty of Science, also a physicist. His commitment to freedom, democracy, democratising science and empowerment through science, stems from his early days as an anti-apartheid activist.

Chetty adds: Dr Rob Adams story is one of vision, perseverance, and a steadfast commitment to creating opportunities through innovation. He has left a legacy that will undoubtedly benefit future generations. Congratulations!

Citation of Dr Robert Martin Adam

Dr Robert Martin Adam was born on 13 September 1955 in Springs, South Africa. He matriculated from Bishops and completed his BSc (Hons) in Chemistry at the University of Cape Town (UCT) in 1978. He completed a second BSc (Hons) in 1985, an MSc in 1987, and a PhD all in physics from UNISA while detained and convicted in 1981-1990 as a political prisoner in South Africa. He subsequently held a postdoctoral fellowship in the Faculty of Physics and Astronomy at Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam in 1992 1993. He received an honorary doctorate from UCT in 2022 and from the University of Stellenbosch in 2023.

He was appointed Director General of the Department of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology in 1999, and transferred to the new Department of Science and Technology as Director General in 2002. He was appointed by Cabinet as Chief Executive Officer of the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation in 2006 and was appointed as Group Executive: Nuclear at the Aveng Group in 2012. In 2017 he was appointed as Managing Director of South African Radio Astronomical Observatory.

He oversaw the generation of the South African Science and Technology Foresight Study, established the National Laser Centre at CSIR, co-drafted the Bill to establish the National Research Foundation as mandated by the White Paper, successfully presented the case for funding the Southern African Large Telescope at Sutherland to Cabinet, drafted the South African Indigenous Knowledge Strategy, drafted a National Research and Development Strategy for South Africa, as well as supporting strategies in areas such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, and astronomy, oversaw the generation of several Strategies as required by the NRDS, for example, the SA Nanotechnology Strategy, established the Fluorochemical Expansion Initiative at the South African Nuclear Energy Corporation and successfully presented the proposal to support and fund South Africas bid to host the Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope to Cabinet.

Dr Adam chaired the Steering Committee for the bid that South Africa won to host the SKA Observatory. He guided the establishment of the SA Radio Astronomy Observatory, and successfully completed construction of the MeerKAT radio telescope on the SKA site near Carnarvon. MeerKAT is the most powerful radio telescope of its kind in the world. He drove the Agreement with the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy on the construction of MeerKAT Extension.

He has received numerous awards including the 2010 Lifetime Achievers Award of the South African National Energy Association. In 2011 he was knighted as Chevalier de lOrdre National du Merite by the President of France, for outstanding achievements in fostering scientific collaboration between France and South Africa.

He has served as the chair of the Board of Directors of NTP Radioisotopes (Pty) Ltd, as chair of the Board of Directors of the PBMR Fuel Organization (Pty) Ltd, as chair of the Board of Directors of NECSA, and as chair of the South African Steering Committee for the Square Kilometre Array Radio Telescope. He served as president of the Nuclear Industries Association of South Africa, as a member of the Human Resources Development Council chaired by the Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, and as a member of the Board of Directors of SKA (Pty) Ltd.

He is a member of the Academy of Sciences of South Africa, a member of the Engineering Academy of South Africa, a fellow of the Royal Society of South Africa, and a member of the South African Institute of Physics, amongst other professional affiliations.

He has published many peer-reviewed articles in international journals and books, principally in Nuclear Physics Theory, and has delivered many conference papers on science and technology policy. He has co-authored a book on Science and Technology in the Republic of Chile.
On Tuesday, December 10, at 11.00, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine News Agency will host a press conference on the subject: "Socio-political sentiments of Ukrainians."

The results of the sociological survey conducted by the Active Group research company on December 6-8, 2024, commissioned by the Future Research Foundation, will be presented.

Participants include head of political and legal programs at the LLC Ukrainian Center for Social Development Ihor Reiterovych; editor of the InterVizor media platform Svitlana Kushnir; Head of the InfoLight.UA Research and Analysis Group Yuriy Honcharenko (online); sociologist, founder of the Active Group research company Andriy Yeremenko; Director of the Future Research Foundation Roman Yaroshenko (8/5a Reitarska Street).

The event will be streamed on the Interfax-Ukraine YouTube channel.

Admission requires registration on the spot with press ID cards.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 9. Employees of the Azerbaijan Mine Action Agency (ANAMA) have been involved in an accident in Fuzuli, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports.

According to information, the incident occurred in the territory of the Horadiz settlement.

Thus, a BMW car driven by Samir Gahramanov, a resident of the district village of Gayidysh-3, born in 1995, lost control and flew to the side of the road. Consequently, he and two residents in the car with himBaylarzade Ramiz, a resident of Gayidysh-3 village, born in 2000, and Gasimov Mustafa, a resident of Gayidysh-2 village, born in 1990were injured to varying degrees of severity.

The casualties were taken to the Fuzuli central district hospital. The passengers of the car were provided with medical aid and sent to Ganja City Hospital. Measures are also being taken to send the driver Gahramanov to Ganja Hospital.

Moreover, it is reported that the casualties in the accident are ANAMA employees.
Bank Respublika secures a $21 million loan from EFSE

Bank Respublika, one of Azerbaijan's leading banks supporting the real sector, and the European Fund for Southeast Europe (EFSE) have signed a major loan agreement.

Under the agreement, the international financial institution will provide Bank Respublika with a loan of $21 million in Azerbaijani manats (AZN) for a term of four years.

The funds will be allocated to finance micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), particularly to support entrepreneurs in the regions. With Bank Respublika's extensive branch network, the secured funds will create favorable conditions for supporting entrepreneurs operating across all regions of Azerbaijan.

This agreement is yet another significant indicator of international financial institutions confidence in both the reliability of Bank Respublika and the resilience of the countrys banking system. We thank our partners at EFSE for their cooperation and are confident that the secured funds will enable us to enhance credit support for our priority real sector, particularly small and medium businesses, thereby contributing to the countrys economic development" noted Tariyel Ismayilov, Chairman of the Management Board of Bank Respublika.

Together with Bank Respublika, we are deepening our cooperation to deliver impactful financial solutions for entrepreneurs in Azerbaijan. This new loan in Azerbaijani manats underscores the relevance of local currency financing, enabling businesses to grow sustainably while being protected from foreign exchange risks. said Andrea Hagmann, Chairperson of EFSEs Board of Directors.

For more detailed information, please visit the official website of the bank, check the banks pages on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or contact the Banks Call Center at 144.
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...


Under the guidance of the All-China Women's Federation (ACWF) and the Office of the National Working Committee on Children and Women under the State Council, the China Women's Development Foundation (CWDF) launched the Health Express for Mothers Project, in 2003, to improve medical services for women in underdeveloped regions of western China. The project's missions include training doctors, transferring pregnant women and critically ill patients to hospitals, and providing free medical consultations and health education. During the past 21 years, the Health Express for Mothers Project has made outstanding contributions to the improvement of living conditions of needy women in China.

Li Le, director of the office of the Health Express for Mothers Project, has witnessed firsthand the project's development. "On July 12, 2003, the first batch of 200 Health Express for Mothers vehicles departed Tian'anmen Square, in Beijing, for Shaanxi and Guizhou provinces, and other areas of western China. In 2021, when I saw vehicle No. 1, which had been scrapped, I couldn't help but cry. It was the only 'survivor' among the first 200 vehicles, and it was 'collected' by the Chinese Charity Museum," Li says.



During the past 21 years, coverage of the Health Express for Mothers Project has expanded to underdeveloped areas in central and eastern China. Now, more than 3,200 Health Express for Mothers vehicles are providing services across the country. Some 82 million people have benefited from the project, and 13.31 million doctors have received training organized by the project. More than 450 million yuan (US $63.38 million) have been collected and allocated by CWDF to the project.

Health Express for Mothers received the China Charity Award in 2008, and the project's office in recent years has been named a National March 8th Red-Banner Collective and national excellent unit in protecting women and children's rights and interests.

Li and her team's members often review their work, to ensure the project's smooth operation. CWDF made top-level designs for the project from a strategic and long-term perspective. Grassroots women's federations and health departments have helped implement the project. Li and her colleagues have visited rural areas, many times, to monitor the project's progress. They have carefully managed the project's accounting records.



Mobile Hospitals

In 2003, Xiao Xingyong, then-director of the office of Weng'an County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine, in Southwest China's Guizhou Province, received (in Beijing) a Health Express for Mothers vehicle on behalf of the hospital. Now deputy head of the hospital, Xiao remembers how in 2009 a rural woman was saved with the help of the vehicle.

The woman, pregnant with twins, lived in Xiaoyuanzi, a mountainous village 40 kilometers from Weng'an's county seat. She had slipped into a coma, which caused her family to call the hospital for help. The Health Express for Mothers vehicle arrived in short order and transferred the woman to the hospital. Finally, the woman and her babies were out of danger. "Without the vehicle, my daughter-in-law and my grandchildren would have lost their lives," recalled the woman's grateful mother-in-law.

Weng'an County Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine didn't have an ambulance prior to 2003. The Health Express for Mothers vehicle has travelled 750,000 kilometers, and its operators have provided medical services to more than 5,000 people in Weng'an. The vehicle has been used to help deliver 1,500 newborns in the county.

Nationwide, Health Express for Mothers vehicles have been used 1.48 million times to transfer pregnant women.

Staff have worked all out to raise funds for the project, and they have allocated the money in a scientific and efficient way. They have ensured each vehicle is equipped with key technology, such as an electrocardiograph and a portable color Doppler ultrasound system. The vehicles have global positioning systems so their locations can be tracked. The vehicles have essentially become mobile hospitals.



Raising Health Awareness

Managers in the project's office have paid attention to the development of the country, and also to changes in people's demands for health services. They have organized several campaigns, which have provided health-related lectures, free medical consultations, and breast- and cervical-cancer screenings.

Nie Wenping, head of Gaozhai Township Hospital, in Guizhou Province, noticed that local women changed their minds about medical examinations after they received the services offered by the project. "In the past, many women here were reluctant to have gynecological examinations in hospitals, as they were shy. The project has changed women's ideas, through the spreading of health knowledge. Now, women go to the hospital for treatments when they are sick, and they are willing to have medical checkups."

During the past 21 years, more than 28 million people, across China, have received free medical consultations, and more than 37.4 million people have received checkups organized by the Health Express for Mothers Project.



Helping Keep China Healthy

Xu Yan, a doctor at Minle Village, in Qingzhen, a city in Guizhou, recalls in the past she and her colleagues were disappointed when they were unable to cure villagers. With Xu and other doctors in mind, the project's staff examined the urgent needs of rural doctors, and then determined how best to help the doctors improve their skills, and also how to improve residents' health awareness.

For example, the project's staff have worked with relevant departments and enterprises to organize a committee of medical experts. Members of the committee have trained 4.3 million doctors (across China) through livestreamed courses, online instruction and by giving guidance during free medical consultations. The project has also funded the establishment of 95 village clinics.

"Now, if we have problems when treating patients, we can use the devices in our clinic to consult experts in big hospitals online. Some villagers have said, although big hospitals are far away, experts are right in front of us," Xu says.

To build a healthy countryside, greater efforts are needed to encourage women and their families to accept primary responsibility for their own health.

In 2023, after a year of preparation, the office of Health Express for Mothers Project launched the "Rural Health Manager" program, and it piloted the program's implementation in Jiangxi and Guizhou provinces. Four levels (county, township, village and family) of teams, composed of 1,925 trained women volunteers and grassroots women cadres, have since been established. The teams have promoted health concepts and information among thousands of families.

To mark the 21st anniversary of Health Express for Mothers Project, CWDF highlighted the coordination and updating of its health-focused projects. The project's staff developed a new plan to improve its services. The charitable project will continue doing its part in helping to build a healthy China.

Photos from CWDF

(Women of China English Monthly November 2024)

Editor: Wang Shasha
Click the photo and watch the video.

* Over the past decades, China has lifted 800 million people out of poverty, achieving the poverty reduction goals of the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development a full decade ahead of schedule.

* This historic achievement resolved the absolute poverty problem China had faced for millennia, and gives hope and inspiration for other countries in their fight against poverty.

* "If China can make it, other developing countries can make it as well," Xi told the world.

BEIJING, Dec. 8 (Xinhua)  "Poverty alleviation has always been a priority and a major task I am determined to deliver," Chinese President Xi Jinping reflected on his years of effort on poverty reduction when attending the G20 summit in Rio de Janeiro last month.

Speaking to world leaders at the G20 gathering, Xi likened the fight against poverty to a bird's struggle to fly, saying, "A weaker bird can start early and fly high." This metaphor resonated with many developing countries.

Over the past decades, China has lifted 800 million people out of poverty, achieving the poverty reduction goals of the UN's 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development a full decade ahead of schedule. This historic achievement resolved the absolute poverty problem China had faced for millennia, and gives hope and inspiration for other countries in their fight against poverty.

People-Centered Approach

To end poverty, the "last mile" reaching the most disadvantaged individuals in remote regions, often burdened by disabilities, illness, or lack of education  is the most challenging. As poverty rates decline and extreme poverty comes to the fore, the utility of the same-level interventions would diminish, thus many governments would reduce funding.

Yet, in the "last mile" of China's anti-poverty fight, China has sustained and even increased its poverty alleviation funding, ensuring that no region or individual was left behind, said Cai Fang, chief expert of the National Think Tank under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences.

Over an eight-year period starting in 2012, China lifted an average of over 10 million people out of poverty annually  equivalent to the population of a medium-sized country. This achievement equates to one person escaping poverty every three seconds.

"Only by embracing a people-centered development philosophy as the fundamental epistemology can such unwavering poverty alleviation efforts be made," Cai said.

A government's approach to poverty is widely viewed as a reflection of its priorities and relationship with its people. As Polish scholar Jan Rowinski once observed, China's poverty alleviation efforts highlight a governance model deeply rooted in accountability, execution, and the belief that the well-being of its people is paramount.

Persistent Efforts

After becoming China's top leader, Xi launched a historic nationwide campaign against extreme poverty. Over the next eight years, until he declared China's "complete victory" in its fight against poverty in 2021, Xi visited all 14 contiguous areas of extreme poverty across the country and over 20 poor villages, and sat in the homes of impoverished households to learn about their difficulties, and listen to their needs. Peruvian President Dina Boluarte hailed Xi's leadership as a model for overcoming extreme poverty and building national strength.

China, under Xi's leadership, has consistently made poverty eradication a key priority in national governance. This unwavering commitment, described by Xi as the "endurance, perseverance, and striving spirit that enables water drops to penetrate rocks over time and turns blueprints into reality," has ensured both policy continuity and long-term success.

China's achievement highlights "the importance of political commitment at all levels of government and policy stability to improve the conditions of the poorest and most vulnerable," UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said in his congratulations to Xi as China declared victory over extreme poverty in 2021.

Progress-Driven Methods

In 2013, during a visit to Shibadong Village in Hunan Province, Xi put forward the concept of "targeted poverty alleviation." This approach tailored solutions to the specific situation regarding each region, household, and individual, so as to ensure precise and effective measures.

Eleven years later, just a month ago, the village was recognized as one of the UN World Tourism Organization's "Best Tourism Villages," marking its remarkable transformation from an isolated village into a thriving, vibrant community.

The success of China's strategy has been highly regarded by leaders of many developing countries. For example, in 2018, Bounnhang Vorachith, then general secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and president of Laos, visited Shibadong to learn about its poverty-reduction efforts. Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev wrote the foreword for the Uzbek edition of Xi's book "Up and Out of Poverty," highlighting "China's practical experience in poverty alleviation."

In addition, diplomats from 11 countries visited Huamao Village, southwest China's Guizhou Province, to learn about its innovative approach to integrating agriculture and tourism.

China channeled talent, funds, and technology into underdeveloped regions, fostering industrial growth and infrastructure upgrades tailored to local conditions. This progress-driven approach partially explains why Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva hailed China as an impressive development model.

Prosperity for All

The Chinese TV drama "Minning Town" has captivated audiences across Africa and other parts of the Global South. Set in northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region from the 1990s to the present day, the production shows how villagers from Xihaigu, one of China's most uninhabitable areas, have triumphed over destitution with assistance from the coastal province of Fujian.

Xihaigu was once called "the most unfit place for human settlement" by UN experts due to drought and ecological fragility. In 1997, Xi, then deputy secretary of the Communist Party of China Fujian Provincial Committee, visited Xihaigu as part of a "pairing-up" poverty alleviation initiative between Fujian and Ningxia. Distressed by the impoverished living conditions of the local people, he pushed for a relocation project, moving communities from Xihaigu to a more fertile area along the Yellow River. The new settlement is called "Minning Village."

Today, Minning Village has grown into Minning Town, with residents' per capita income increasing about 20-fold in two decades.

Across the country, China's East-West Pairing-up Program transfers resources, expertise, and funding from developed eastern regions to less developed western areas, narrowing regional disparities. Experts believe China's poverty alleviation, rooted in the goal of common prosperity, is a rational approach to economic development.

Partnerships for Development

"If China can make it, other developing countries can make it as well," Xi told the world, adding that "China is ready to take steps together with all parties to build a just world of common development, leave poverty in the past, and turn our vision into reality."

While eradicating its own poverty, China has championed South-South cooperation. China has extended development aid to over 160 countries, collaborated with more than 150 countries through the Belt and Road Initiative, and worked with over 100 countries and international organizations, including the United Nations, on projects under the Global Development Initiative (GDI). Through the GDI, nearly 20 billion U.S. dollars in development funds have been mobilized, supporting the launch of over 1,100 projects.

China has also trained over 400,000 professionals from more than 180 countries. For example, Endalkachew Sime, former state minister of Ethiopia, is now pursuing a PhD at Peking University, seeking to learn from China's experience and apply similar development strategies in Africa.

More broadly, China's poverty alleviation story showcases a path distinct from Western colonial or capitalist models. It underscores a vision of modernization rooted in independence, cooperation, and shared prosperity.

"I think that this Chinese experience can offer some important lessons to the Global South," said Melissa Cambuhy, a researcher at the Lula Institute in Sao Paulo. "The Global South countries can look up to the Chinese experience and realize that there are a lot of other ways for development in the world."

(Source: Xinhua)

Editor: Wang Shasha


During his speech at the ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Long March, General Secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee Xi Jinping said: "When passing through Shazhou Village, Rucheng County, Hunan Province, three female Red Army soldiers sought shelter in the home of an elderly villager named Xu Jiexiu. Upon their departure, they cut their only quilt in two, leaving half with Xu Jiexiu. The elderly Xu said, 'Who are the Communist Party members? The people who have only one quilt, but give half to the people. They are the Communist Party members.' Ultimately, the Long March succeeded because the CPC and Red Army stood together with the people, maintained a close bond with the people, and shared the same destiny as the people."

In November 2017, an exhibition hall, located in Shazhou, in central China's Hunan Province, opened to the public to commemorate the "halved quilt" story.



Zhu Shuhua, born in 1988, is the great-granddaughter of Xu Jiexiu. She has been familiar with the story for virtually her entire life, as her family members told her the story many times when she was little.

In 2016, she learned from the news that General Secretary Xi had told the story at the commemorative ceremony of the Long March. Zhu felt she shouldered the responsibility to carry forward the spirit of the "halved quilt" story, especially since she was Xu's descendant. In July 2018, Zhu resigned from her job and returned to Shazhou, her hometown. She joined a women militia publicity team in Shazhou, and she applied to become a docent at the exhibition hall for promoting the "halved quilt" story.

Zhu initially thought the job was easy, and she thought she just needed to memorize her script. In short order, she realized she was wrong. "Some visitors would ask me about the details of the story. I felt embarrassed at the time because I couldn't answer their questions. I realized I hadn't carefully looked into the story," she recalls.

The visitors' thirst for knowledge about revolutionary history deeply moved Zhu, and helped her realize the spirit of the Long March was rich in content, like a treasure trove waiting to be explored. To better fulfill her role as a docent, Zhu immersed herself in studying both history of the Long March and the Red Army. She spent countless hours in local museums, reading old documents and memoirs, acquainting herself with cultural relics, and reaching out to historians and veterans for their insights. "To better tell the 'halved quilt' story is not only important to my own family, but also to our great country. It is my duty to get the job well done," Zhu once said. Her hard work and dedication paid off, and soon she became a capable docent.



Xi visited the exhibition hall during an inspection tour of Hunan Province in September 2020. Xi's visit inspired Zhu to work even harder to pass down the revolutionary spirit.

The exhibition hall has become more than just a place of remembrance; in fact, it has become a vibrant center of education and inspiration. People from all over China, and even the world, visit the hall to learn about the story of the "halved quilt," and about the indomitable spirit of the Red Army. The venue has been named a national demonstration base for patriotic education and a national women's patriotic education base.

In addition to telling the story to visitors, Zhu shares her knowledge with the local community. She organizes various educational activities, such as talks and workshops, for locals, and she gives public lectures in the village to ensure more people, especially the younger generations, learn about the sacrifices and bravery of the Red Army soldiers, about the Party's new policies, and about the country's newest achievements. Zhu has become a respected figure in Shazhou, where she is known not only as Xu's great-granddaughter, but also as a guardian of history. In 2022, Zhu was named one of the "most beautiful militia members" in Hunan.

In her own way, Zhu is continuing the legacy of the three women Red Army soldiers who once sought shelter in her great-grandmother's home. She is ensuring their story, and the spirit it embodies, will continue inspiring future generations, just as it inspired her to return to Shazhou and assume the task of preserving history.

"As a militia member, and as a descendant of the 'halved quilt' story, I am responsible for  and I am determined to  ensuring more people know about our revolutionary stories, and promoting the revolutionary culture and heritage. I hope my efforts will contribute to maintaining close ties between the military and the people, and to encouraging more people to defend our country," said Zhu.

Photos from Interviewee and VCG

(Women of China English Monthly November 2024)

Editor: Wang Shasha
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 9. Azerbaijan has disclosed the amount of funds allocated for the restoration of a historic temple in the country's Sheki city, Trend reports via the single Internet portal for procurement.

The MAX PRINT LLC, which was commissioned by the State Tourism Agency of Azerbaijan to install equipment for the opening of the "Yukhari Bash" National Historical-Architectural Reserve in Sheki, will receive over 50,238 manat ($29,551).

The State Tourism Agency has already begun preparatory work in connection with the restoration.

The temple, a monument of architecture built in the early 19th century, is under state protection. Its architectural style is similar to that of the ancient temples of Caucasian Albania.

The building functioned as an Orthodox church in the 19th century and was later used as a warehouse and for other purposes during the Soviet era. Originally circular in shape, the building was later extended with auxiliary structures on three sides. For the past 30 years, it housed the Sheki Museum of Folk Applied Arts.
Weather Alert

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HAS ISSUED TORNADO WATCH 36 IN EFFECT UNTIL 3 AM CDT /4 AM EDT/ SATURDAY FOR THE FOLLOWING AREAS IN ILLINOIS THIS WATCH INCLUDES 19 COUNTIES IN SOUTHEAST ILLINOIS EDWARDS IN SOUTHERN ILLINOIS ALEXANDER FRANKLIN GALLATIN HAMILTON HARDIN JACKSON JEFFERSON JOHNSON MASSAC PERRY POPE PULASKI SALINE UNION WABASH WAYNE WHITE WILLIAMSON 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 11 COUNTIES IN SOUTHEAST MISSOURI BOLLINGER BUTLER CAPE GIRARDEAU CARTER MISSISSIPPI NEW MADRID PERRY RIPLEY SCOTT STODDARD WAYNE THIS INCLUDES THE CITIES OF ALBION, BARDWELL, BENTON, BLOOMFIELD, BOONVILLE, CADIZ, CAIRO, CALHOUN, CAPE GIRARDEAU, CARBONDALE, CARMI, CHARLESTON, CLINTON, DIXON, DONIPHAN, EDDYVILLE, ELIZABETHTOWN, ELKTON, EVANSVILLE, FAIRFIELD, FORT BRANCH, GOLCONDA, GRAYVILLE, GREENVILLE, HARRISBURG, HENDERSON, HERRIN, HICKMAN, HOPKINSVILLE, JACKSON, JONESBORO, MADISONVILLE, MARBLE HILL, MARION, MAYFIELD, MCLEANSBORO, METROPOLIS, MORGANFIELD, MOUND CITY, MOUNT CARMEL, MOUNT VERNON, MURPHYSBORO, MURRAY, NEW MADRID, OWENSBORO, PADUCAH, PERRYVILLE, PETERSBURG, PIEDMONT, PINCKNEYVILLE, POPLAR BLUFF, POSEYVILLE, PRINCETON, ROCKPORT, SHAWNEETOWN, SIKESTON, SMITHLAND, VAN BUREN, VIENNA, WEST FRANKFORT, WEST SALEM, AND WICKLIFFE.

...WIND ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 4 AM CDT /5 AM EDT/ SATURDAY... * WHAT...South winds 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 50 mph. * WHERE...Portions of southern Illinois, southwest Indiana, western Kentucky, and southeast Missouri. * WHEN...Until 4 AM CDT /5 AM EDT/ Saturday. * IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Winds this strong can make driving difficult, especially for high profile vehicles. Use extra caution. &&
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 9. The insurance part of pensions in Azerbaijan will increase by about nine percent from the beginning of next year, Chairman of the Committee on Labor and Social Policy Musa Guliyev said at the committee's meeting during the discussion of the bills On the budget of the State Social Protection Fund for 2025 and On the budget of the Unemployment Insurance Fund for 2025 in the third reading today, Trend reports.

He noted that the minimum pension and minimum wage will also be raised.

Fifty-five percent of the Unemployment Insurance Fund's funding for the forthcoming year will be designated for active employment initiatives, the committee chairman said.
The city of Los Angeles, a sprawling and internationally diverse metropolis plagued by deepening inequality and skyrocketing homelessness, is a class battleground.

It reveals not only the fake progressive pretensions of the Democratic Party, which is in fact working hand-in-glove with the incoming Trump administration to impose its agenda of war and austerity, but also that of pseudo-left parties who serve to channel working class opposition back into the safe confines of the former. The most prominent of these is the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), which has an outsize influence in Los Angeles and West Coast politics in general.

In fact, four of the fifteen member Los Angeles City Council are also members of the DSAHugo Soto-Martinez, Nithya Raman, Eunisses Hernandez, and newly elected Ysabel Jurado. These council members, who are paid a record salary of more than $230,000 a year, ostensibly elected to advocate for working class Angelenos, have instead perpetuated policies that cater to big business, exacerbate homelessness, and betray the citys most vulnerable residents.

Los Angeles City Councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez, right, in Los Angeles Tuesday, November 19, 2024. [AP Photo/Damian Dovarganes]

Last July, Raman and Soto-Martinez filed a motion that would grant developer Hillcrest Real Estate, LLC, the owners of the 500-room Hilton Universal City Hotel, a package of economic development incentives for the addition of an adjoining 395-room tower.

The Universal City Hilton was one of the hotels affected by the Unite Here Local 11 strike in Los Angeles in July 2023. Moreover, it is no coincidence that Soto-Martinezs career began as a leader of that union.

During the strike, Unite Here did everything in its power to either prevent it outright or limit it to one-day actions at a selected number of hotels, then signing single piecemeal contracts, emasculating the power of workers. Now its former leader is planning a major gift for the hotel and the plan developer, assessed at around $80 million on the basis of other Development Incentive Agreements.

Unite Here is also the union that originally organized a stunt proposal for a ballot measure that would have required hotel operators to report their vacancies to the city of Los Angeles daily. The citys homeless agencies would then allocate homeless individuals or families to the hotels, with market rate vouchers paid for by the city. On December 5, 2023, the City Council unanimously withdrew it from the ballot, with Unite Here signing off.

A concession to the JW Marriott Hotel is also in the works: a motion introduced on November 8, 2023 by City Council Vice Chair Tim McOsker instructed the City Tourism Department to present an extended Exclusive Negotiation Agreement with giant developers AEG and the Plenary Group with regard to the expansion of the LA Convention Center and a new hotel tower. Soto-Martinez admitted that the update would not generate as much revenue for city coffers as it costs, but nevertheless did not oppose the multimillion-dollar contract whose beneficiaries are major corporations.

Several similar Development Incentive Agreements are in motion and DSA council members have consistently voted in favor of a massive transfer of public wealth to large developers, contractors and hotels, such as the Venice Hope Group for its development of a $132 million, 300-room hotel, which includes a $171 million, 250-unit residential development.

Another estimated $50 million handout is expected to be approved in favor of developer Vella Group for a proposed 236-room hotel at 670 Mesquit Street in the Arts District. Again, with the rare exception of Raman, all other DSA members have consistently approved these deals.

This type of corporate welfare resembles the notorious case of Donald Trumps real estate ventures in 1970s New York. Trump, then a fledgling developer, received substantial subsidies from the city, ostensibly to revitalize struggling neighborhoods. In reality, these funds enriched Trump while leaving the city grappling with a worsening fiscal crisis. Similarly in Los Angeles, these hotel subsidies benefit powerful corporations while workers face stagnant wages and rising costs of living.

Homelessness is also being capitalized on for speculative purposes. Despite a whopping $2.8 billion allocated between 2021 and 2024 to address the homelessness crisis, conditions in Los Angeles continue to deteriorate. Programs like Mayor Karen Basss Inside Safe initiative, supported by DSA council members, funnel hundreds of millions of dollars to private contractors and non-profits, which gain handsomely from the crisis without delivering substantive results.

The symbiotic relationship between homelessness and profit is glaring. Companies involved in encampment sweeps, temporary housing, and security services have turned homelessness into a lucrative industry. A ProPublica investigation last year revealed that hotels receiving Inside Safe contracts, despite numerous health and safety violations, continue to secure funding, raising serious questions about oversight and accountability.

Far from addressing root causes, these measures normalize poverty while enriching private entities. DSA members Eunisses Fernandez and Hugo Soto-Martinez were instrumental in the Newsom/Bass partnership that resulted in Newsoms brutal raids of homeless encampments in July.

Left to right: Los Angeles Council Member Eunisses Fernandez; Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass; California Governor Gavin Newsom; Los Angeles Council Member Hugo Soto-Martinez at the Newsom/Bass partnership signing in Sacramento at the end of February. [Photo: mayor.lacity.gov]

At the time, Soto-Martinez stated: Its so important for leaders to come together across levels of government to cut red tape and allow us to better serve our communities. I want to give special thanks to Mayor Bass for leveraging her experience in Sacramento, Washington DC, and LA to make this happen.

Homeless sweeps are in themselves a major business opportunity. According to a 2024 investigation by the Guardian and Type Investigation, encampment cleanups are a $700 million business as of April 2024. With the complicity of municipalities like the city of Los Angeles, companies like Tucker Construction, Singh Group or Ocean Blue violate the most basic rights of the homeless population while pocketing massive sums of public money.

DSA council members also constantly collude with trade union bureaucracies to push through labor contracts detrimental to city workers. Under the pretense of securing necessary compromises, these agreements have led to layoffs and wage stagnation for municipal employees.

Soto-Martinez and Raman participated in a stunt during a hotel workers strike organized by his mothership Unite Here Local 11 when they were arrested and immediately released.

During the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike of 2023, Soto-Martinez worked overtime to make sure the strike would come to an end quickly: Its past time the studios recognize that, come back to the table, and end this strike now, he declared as he empowered the union bureaucracies to prepare the rotten deals that, a year later, have produced a catastrophe for film and television workers.

Also last year, Los Angeles city workers, after working without a contract for two years, were betrayed by the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) Local 721 bureaucracy as they tried to fight against the very mayor and city council that have reduced them to precarious conditions. The silence from the DSA council members on this was deafening.

Some of the signature initiatives of the DSA-affiliated council members are also related to so-called renter advocacy. While Soto-Martinez and Raman have touted their efforts to prevent evictions and cap rents, these measures have proven largely ineffective while they lend critical support to real estate developers who wield immense power.

Nithya Ramans pro-Zionist pro-police stance has also created a crisis in the DSA, and in the Southern California chapters of the DSA in particular, especially in light of Israels genocide of Palestinians. Her refusal to condemn the onslaught in Gaza and her alignment with pro-Israel lobbies highlight her unconditional support for US imperialism.

Los Angeles City Council Member Nithya Raman speaks during the Karen Bass election night party at the W Hotel Tuesday, June 7, 2022, in Hollywood. [AP Photo/John McCoy]

On immigration, the record of the DSA council members is no different. On December 4, in a publicity stunt attempting to chloroform opposition to the Trump administrations draconian anti-immigrant plans, the city council passed a sanctuary city revised ordinance which prohibits the use of city resources and staff for federal immigration enforcement efforts.

The revised ordinance, however, contains exceptions and loopholes pertaining to those considered illegal when they have been previously deported due to convictions for aggravated felonies. The incoming Trump administration will find the ordinance perfectly compatible with his draconian plans.

The role of the DSA-affiliated Los Angeles City Council members in perpetuating the citys social crisis cannot be overstated. By prioritizing corporate subsidies, supporting homelessness policies that are ineffective at best while providing millions to contractors, and betraying workers and renters, they have revealed themselves as agents of the very system they claim to oppose.
25 years ago: Yeltsin makes nuclear threat against US during the Second Chechen War

On December 9, 1999, the first president of post-Soviet Russia, Boris Yeltsin, used a press conference in Beijing to issue a nuclear threat over US support for Islamic separatists in the Second Chechnya War. Flanked by Li Peng, the head of Chinas legislature, Yeltsin rejected US President Bill Clinton's admonitions that Russia cease its military operations in the former Soviet Republic. President Clinton permitted himself to put pressure on Russia, Yeltsin said, but it seems he has forgotten that Russia has a full arsenal of nuclear weapons.

Russian President Boris Yeltsin

The war had begun that summer and had already caused a flood of refugees estimated at 233,000 people, as the Kremlin turned to ever more ferocious tactics. Over 4,500 civilians had been killed, and 1,000 Russian soldiers, many of whom were young, raw recruits between the ages of 18 and 27, had perished.

The US supported the Chechen separatists, including by holding meetings with rebel leaders. Both Al Qaeda, a creation of the CIA, and US ally Saudi Arabia came to play a central role in the arming and financing of the Islamist forces in Chechnya.

But the Kremlins intervention in Chechnya was provoked by a whole series of recent developments, including: the acceptance into NATO in March of 1999 of the former Eastern Bloc countries Poland, the Czech Republic and Hungary; the US-NATO bombing of Serbia, a traditional ally of Russia; US preparations to establish a missile defense system and its demands for a revision of the 1972 US-Soviet anti-ballistic missile treaty; and the previous months signing of a treaty for the construction of a US-backed oil pipeline from the Caspian Sea to Turkey, which skirted Russian territory.

Yeltsins nuclear threat demonstrated that, far from ushering in a new era of peace and prosperity as promised by free market propagandists, the restoration of capitalism in the former USSR plunged the world into a new and dangerous era of militarism provoked by the imperialist powers, especially Washington. Yeltsin articulated the standpoint of the dominant section of the post-USSR oligarchy, which sought to maintain its control of the resources of the worlds largest country against the threats of Russias dismemberment posed by Washington and the other imperialist powers.

50 years ago: Ceasefire called in Rhodesia

On December 11, 1974, a ceasefire was declared that temporarily halted fighting in the Zimbabwean War of Independence, also known as the Rhodesian Bush War. The white supremacist Rhodesian government made an agreement with the black nationalist organizations, principally the Zimbabwe African Peoples Union (ZAPU) and the Zimbabwe African National Union (ZANU), that in exchange for the cessation of fighting the government would release political prisoners. Among those released included the heads of both groups, Joshua Nkomo of ZAPU and Ndabaningi Sithole of ZANU.

The ceasefire would last only about one month after the government failed to release the agreed-upon number of political prisoners. ZAPU and ZANU military operations began again in January 1975.

Rhodesian soldier threatens African villagers during an interrogation in 1977

In announcing the ceasefire, Rhodesian Prime Minister Ian Smith made clear that his government would never accept that the country would ever be ruled by the black majority. Addressing the white Rhodesian section of the population he said, No doubt there will be some among you who feel concerned at the implication of these developments. However, let me reassure you all firstly that it is the intention of your government to maintain law and order in Rhodesia. Secondly, we are not prepared to deviate from our standards of civilization.

The standards of civilization Smith was determined to defend referred to the racist apartheid state and the brutal exploitation of black workers. Within a total population of about six million, the 250,000 white citizens were granted automatic control over the parliament with 50 seats reserved for white voters while the black masses of the population were awarded just 16 seats, with only 8 chosen directly by voters. Even then, those permitted to stand in the elections were carefully selected by the government. The black nationalist parties were made illegal and banned from holding office.

75 years ago: Stalinist show trial of Bulgarian Communist Traicho Kostov concludes with death sentence

On December 14, 1949, a leading member of the Bulgarian Communist Party (BKP), Traicho Kostov, was found guilty and sentenced to death on phony charges of treason by the Bulgarian Supreme Court. The sentence was carried out two days later.

The Sofia Trial, named after Bulgarias capital city where it was held, lasted from December 7 to 14. Ten other BKP members were tried, with their sentences ranging from 12 years to life imprisonment. It took place only a few months after a similarly conducted show trial in Hungary.

Traicho Kostov

Kostov, the President of the Council of Ministers and former secretary of the BKP, was arrested months prior, on June 20. The Stalinist-aligned BKP had been the ruling party of Bulgaria since the regime was formed as a satellite state of the Soviet Union in 1946.

Among the accusations levied against Kostov were: spreading anti-Soviet sentiment within the BKP, informing to the police, acting as an agent of imperialism, aiming to violently overthrow the Bulgarian government and conspiring with Tito, the Stalinist leader of Yugoslavia who had had a rupture with Moscow over competing nationalist aims.

Kostov denied almost all these charges and retracted his written confession submitted to the trial. The only charge he admitted to was that of holding a hostile attitude toward the Soviet Union, which was bound up with his refusal to sign trade agreements with Moscow on Stalins terms.

Nevertheless, Kostov was found guilty and executed two days later. The Militant, the US Trotskyist newspaper of the time, wrote on the trial and explained the political calculations behind the Stalinist regime. Kostov had publicly proclaimed his support for a united federation of Hungary, Bulgaria and Yugoslavia. Such a proposal went against the decisions of the Kremlin, which sought to ensure that the satellite countries remain economically confined within their respective borders and subjected to the ruthless exploitation for the exclusive benefit of the Soviet bureaucracy, in the words of The Militant.

It was not until 1956, after the death of Stalin, that the BKP central committee would reassess the trial and restore the party memberships of all those convicted, including Kostov. A decision of the Bulgarian Supreme Court in November that year legally annulled the sentences carried out in the Sofia trial.

100 years ago: Samuel Gompers falls mortally ill

On December 10, 1924, American newspapers announced that Samuel Gompers, the president of the American Federation of Labor, had fallen mortally ill in Mexico City. He had collapsed on December 6 at a congress of the Pan-American Federation of Labor.

Gompers was born to a Jewish family of cigar makers in London in 1850, which immigrated to New York City because of poverty. He worked as a cigar maker from his teenage years when he encountered socialist ideas, which he later rejected and against which he became a ferocious opponent. He became an official in the Cigar Makers' International Union Local 144 in 1875 and helped found the Federation of Organized Trades and Labor Unions of the United States and Canada in 1881, later renamed the American Federation of Labor (AFL).

Samuel Gompers on the cover of Time, October 1, 1923

Gompers had been the head of the AFL for 43 years, during which it had emerged as the main trade union federation in the United States. He helped to orient the unions to the upper layer of skilled workers. An American nationalist and a racist, Gompers was an advocate of the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1881 and bragged that the AFL was the first national organization which demanded the exclusion of coolies from the United States. He supported American imperialist intervention in Cuba and war with Spain in 1898.

After 1913, Gompers helped purge the AFL of socialists, when they were able to control a third of the delegates at the AFL convention.

He was an enthusiastic proponent of the entry of the United States into the First World War in 1917. During the upsurge of American workers in 1919, Gompers attempted to mediate between the capitalist state and strikers in some cases, as with the coal miners, who belonged to the AFL, and in the Boston police strike. The AFLs hostility to unskilled immigrants, and its insistence on keeping craft union divisions among steelworkers, were major factors in the isolation and defeat of the Great Steel Strike of that year.

The AFL under Gompers was instrumental in helping to pass the reactionary Immigration Act of 1924. A summary of the man and his influence was made by James P. Cannon, who would later found the Trotskyist movement in the United States, in a memorandum to the Communist International in 1922:

The organized labor movement as a whole is firmly controlled by a vicious and reactionary bureaucracy which is typified by Samuel Gompers, President of the AF of L, who exceeds most of the capitalist statesmen in his virulent attacks on Soviet Russia and radical policies generally.

Gompers last request was that he die on American soil. He was sent by special train to San Antonio where he died on December 13.
On December 5, thousands of teachers, public employees, artists and cultural workers, carers and educators protested in Berlin against the Berlin Senates plans to cut billions of euros from the citys budgets for education, culture, health and other areas.

In the social and education sector, the Senate cuts threaten funding for youth social work, integration projects, programmes for the homeless, addiction counselling and digitalisation processes in schools.

#Unkurzbar demonstration in front of the Berlin House of Representatives, 5.12.2024

Trade unions, social organisations and schools called for a rally in front of the Senate under the slogan #Unkurzbar (#Uncuttable), attended by around 5,000 protesters, including several primary school classes plus parents and teachers.

The Senate has threatened to implement devastating cuts and job cuts to Berlins social fabric, including its main charitable organisations (AWO, Caritas and Diakonie), whereupon the chairpersons of these organisations claimed they were systemically relevant to the functioning of the economyas the experience of the COVID-19 pandemic had shown. The supposedly mitigated result nevertheless amounts to huge social cuts to take place in installments, according to Oliver Burgel, director of the AWO.

A total of 370 million [$US 390.6 million] is to be cut from the education budget, as well as 14 million from the expansion of day care centres. In the cultural sector, 12 percent of the total budget will be cut. Around 660 million are also to be cut from the budget for mobility, transport and the environment, which accounts for almost 20 percent of the total budget. Subsidies to the student union will also fall by 7.5 million.

Teachers protest against cuts in Berlin, 05.12.2024

Campaigners from the Socialist Equality Party (SGP) discussed a socialist perspective against the policy of social cuts, which has been supported and promoted by all parties in the Bundestag and the Berlin Senate for decades, with participants in the demonstration. The SGPs call for the Bundestag elections on February 23 states:

This all-party coalition in favour of war and cuts has deep objective causes. In the face of the capitalist crisis, the ruling class is focussing on war abroad and class war at home in order to defend its wealth and overwhelm its competitors. This is why all the ghosts of the past are returning. Germany is at war with the nuclear power Russia, democratic rights are under attack and the fascists of the Alternative for Germany AfD are being courted by all parties.

Schools must not be victims of austerity measures Teachers protest against cuts in Berlin, 05.12.2024

With regard to the Senates policy, SGP members explained that the billions saved are to be channelled into war policy and rearmament and that the struggle against the cuts must therefore be directly linked to the struggle against war. Instead of making hundreds of billions of euros available for arming German troops and continuing the wars in Gaza and Ukraine, these sums must be used for schools, day care centres, clinics and social services.

Consequently, entire groups of demonstrators signed in favour of allowing the SGP to stand in the Bundestag elections.

Teachers protest against cuts in Berlin, 05.12.2024

In a conversation with an SGP member, a teacher said:

I heard what you said and Ill sign too. I think its important to unite internationally and Im also in favour of socialism. Decisions about war and peace or climate change must not be left to the big corporations and financial markets. The conditions at our day care centre are unbearable, there is a lack of money and staff.

A media worker (55) in a service company said:

If you are Trotskyists, then I will support you and sign the petition. I want nothing to do with those who call themselves communists but have never spoken out clearly against the oppression of people under Stalins dictatorship in Russia.

School brokenchildren brokendemocracy broken: teachers protest against cuts in Berlin, 05.12.2024

A young man who works in geriatric care said:

Ive heard that small parties now have to collect thousands of signatures in the short time available and in cold weather to even be allowed to take part in the election. That is completely undemocratic. We need a diversity of political programmes. The way the current parties in the Bundestag are acting cannot continue. Our needs are not being taken into account at all. When it was elected, the ruling coalition did not receive a mandate to ramp up the arms industry and invest 100 billion of our taxpayers money in weapons to fuel the wars in Ukraine and Palestine. I dont know all of your policies yet, but I support the fight against fascism, against arms deliveries and against the genocide in Gaza, for socialism and, above all, for internationalism.
On December 3, 2024, around 22:30, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol imposed martial law, citing the necessity to battle with anti-state forces and security threats from North Korea.

Faced with popular protests and some resistance in the National Assembly, he was compelled to reverse the decree within six hours and withdraw the troops initially sent to implement it.

Police officers stand outside the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, December 4, 2024. [AP Photo/Lee Jin-man]

Like Yoon Suk Yeol, President of the Republic of China (ROC) Lai Ching-te lacks a parliamentary majority. On the declaration of martial law in South Korea, Taiwans ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) swiftly endorsed it in a Facebook post, comparing the situation in Taiwan to that in South Korea and referring to the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan Peoples Party as dark evil forces against which Team Taiwan (the ruling DPP) had been fighting.

Faced with outrage and criticism, the DPP quickly deleted the post. It then declared that it has long opposed authoritarianism and challenged martial law, and its stance has never changed over the years, condemning the two opposition bourgeois parties for slandering the DPP.

Western media, which had previously depicted Taiwan as a model of democracy and China as a communist totalitarian regime, have mostly remained mute on this episode. They could not explain why the ruling party of a thriving democracy feels nostalgia and an affinity with authoritarianism and dictatorship.

The rot of competing factions of the national bourgeoisie in Taiwan runs deep.

The KMT regime under Chiang Kai-shek was forced to retreat to Taiwan after losing the Chinese civil war. This far-right dictatorship imposed martial law for one of the longest periods in the 20th century, from 1949 to 1987.

Chiang Kai-shek and the president of South Korea, Syngman Rhee, meet for a three-day meeting at Jinhae (South Korea) in August of 1949. Chiang Kai-shek had recently fled mainland China for Taiwan after Chinese Communist Party forces defeated his army [Photo: USCG]

The KMT junta subsequently enacted three statutes in succession: Statute for the Punishment of Rebellion in 1949, Statute for the Denunciation and Suppression of Rebels in 1950, and a military tribunal statute in 1956.

These laws gave the KMT regime sweeping power to muzzle criticism and political dissent, subject civilians to arbitrary arrest and/or incommunicado detention without charge or trial, and criminalized free speech, demonstrations, petitions, public gatherings, incitement to strikes, and any behaviour deemed to disseminate misinformation that could disrupt public order.

The ROC was firmly established as an anti-communist stronghold. Reading Karl Marxs Capital was punishable by death.

One instance vividly captures the savagery and absurdity of martial law in the ROC. Published in the family supplement of Taipeis China Daily News in January 1968, a story from the Popeye the Sailor comic strips featured Popeye and his son purchasing an island. Upon landing, Popeye immediately addressed the uninhabited island nation and began campaigning for president in an uncontested election.

Bo Yang, the Chinese translator for the cartoon and editor of the family supplement, was immediately arrested, tortured, and charged with being a communist operative and attacking the countrys supreme leader. He was subsequently court-martialled and sentenced to 12 years imprisonment.

A US Congressional Research Service report, Democratic Reforms in Taiwan: Issues for Congress, stated that an officer of the US government-assigned Military Assistance Advisory Group from 1973 to 1976 indicated that the military justice system of the Taiwan Garrison Command, which enforced martial law and police state measures, was generally fair. Moreover, most U.S. personnel stationed in Taiwan were happy under martial law.

In 1977, James D. Seymour, an expert on Chinese politics and a professor at New York University, gave testimony before the Subcommittee on International Organizations of the Committee on International Relations in the House of Representatives. He explained the rationale behind the US support for dictatorships, particularly in Taiwan.

Seymour was emphatic about Taiwans status as a proxy for the US, stating that the Republic of China is one of those states which owes its very existence to the United States. Since the 1950s, we have in effect been keeping the ROC alive by sending the Seventh Fleet to intervene in the Chinese civil war on its behalf.

He indicated: Indeed, our role as godfather goes back even earlier. In 1945, General Douglas MacArthur, the 1st Supreme Commander for the Allied Powers, instructed the KMT forces to accept the Japanese surrender on Formosa.

US General MacArthur signs the Japanese Instrument of Surrender aboard the USS Missouri. American General Jonathan Wainwright and British General Arthur Percival stand behind him. [Photo: United States Navy ]

US officials had no qualms about lying to the House of Representatives about gross human rights violations in the ROC. Burton Levin, then-director of the US State Departments Office of ROC Affairs, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs, denied any responsibility for human rights breaches in Taiwan.

In 1977, Levin stated that torture is not a widespread practice in the Republic of China. Our Embassy has contacts in most every segment of society, and we are confident that were torture widespread, we would be aware of it.

It was patently false to claim that successive US administrations were unaware of state repression against workers, peasants and political dissidents in Taiwan. Richard C. Bush, who served as head of the American Institute in Taiwan, the de facto US embassy on the island, between 1997 and 2002, readily admitted in his book At Cross Purposes: U.S.-Taiwan Relations Since 1942, Under martial law, challenges to KMT rule were tried in military courts. Countless Taiwanese dissidents lost their lives or their freedom. The US, however, insisted that this should not change (for geopolitical reasons).

The US suddenly became aware of state-sanctioned violence in Taiwan only after Washington formalized ties with the Peoples Republic of China and severed diplomatic relations with the ROC in 1979.

Increasingly desperate to stay in power, the KMT regime under Chiang Ching-kuo, Chiang Kai-sheks eldest son, stepped up its political repression.

The then Taiwan Defense Minister Chiang Ching-kuo (right) visited the Pentagon with U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara, (left) September 23, 1965 [Photo: Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan]

On July 3, 1981, Chen Wen-chen, a Taiwanese-born assistant professor of mathematics at Carnegie-Mellon University in Pittsburgh, was found dead on National Taiwan Universitys campus in Taipei one day after being interrogated by the Taiwan Garrison Command. Cyril Wecht, a US forensic scientist, believed he was beaten before being thrown to his death.

In October 1984, the Military Intelligence Bureau of Taiwan allegedly ordered the assassination of Henry Liu by gang members in Daly City, California. Liu had dual citizenship in the US and the ROC, and he had previously authored a book denouncing then-President Chiang Ching-kuo. The FBI apprehended the perpetrators, who admitted murdering Liu at the request of the Military Intelligence Bureau.

According to At Cross Purposes: U.S.-Taiwan Relations since 1942, Taiwanese independence advocates sought US approval and accommodation to end martial law. Among its various groups, the Formosan Association for Public Affairs (FAPA) had acted as a conduit for US campaign contributions and played the Capitol Hill game since its founding in 1982. Lubricated by big money, some members of the US Congress were eager to fulfill FAPAs objectives, including the abolition of Taiwans martial law and the promotion of the right of self-determination.

In the late 1990s, FAPA functioned as a DPP front group. After the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003, the DPP government lobbied the US Congress hard for the deployment of 35,000 Taiwanese marines to Iraq with the assistance of FAPA. The US State Department swiftly rejected the request, as imperialist powers relied on continued cooperation with the Chinese Stalinist regime to superexploit Chinese peasant workers.

In this June 19, 2004, file photo, residents of a Fallujah, Iraq neighborhood walk through the wreckage of their homes which were destroyed in a U.S. airstrike. The U.S. launched its invasion of Iraq on March 20, 2003, unleashing a war that led to over 1 million deaths. [AP Photo/Abdul-Kadr Saadi, File]

These peasant workers, deprived of meaningful social and legal rights under Chinas household registration system, had become and still constitute the largest pool of cheap, disposable and exploitable labour that has ever existed in Chinese history, some 297 million people.

The US has played a key role in enabling the imposition of martial law in Taiwan and in using the ROC as a junior partner of genocide in Latin America and the Middle East.

Successive DPP governments have sought favor with the US bourgeoisie, which has pitted the ROC against China and raised the issue of Taiwan independence whenever this suits US geostrategic goals.

During her 2022 visit to Taiwan, US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made a point of visiting Taiwans National Human Rights Museum. The DPP chose the site as a venue for discussions about human rights violations and state repression because the institution purposefully limited the scope of state-sanctioned violence to atrocities committed solely by the KMT, ignoring the pivotal role played by the US in enabling this far-right dictatorship and the conditions under which the termination of martial law was approved by the US.

US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, center, walks with Taiwans Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, left, as she arrives in Taipei, Taiwan, Tuesday, August 2, 2022. [AP Photo/Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs via AP]

Most crucially, subsequent democratization in Taiwan was and remains aligned with the objectives of the US imperialist bourgeoisie. This leaves all rival sections of the bourgeoisie in Taiwan essentially unchallenged.

Since its inception, the museum has depicted authoritarianism as a thing of the past while failing to warn working people about the conditions under which the counterrevolutionary dictatorship of the bourgeoisie emerged and can re-emerge. These omissions enable successive DPP governments to contrast their supposed social democratic credentials with KMT despotism.

Consequently, the DPP (be it ruling or in opposition) can accuse those who question US imperialism and the DPP of being traitors, saboteurs, communist agents, enemies within and of being complicit in the Chinese bourgeois regimes cognitive warfare against Taiwan. This closely resembles the KMTs earlier red-baiting campaign, which always blamed any discontent on evil communist forces.

Examples abound. In July 2023, DPP presidential candidate Lai Ching-te declared that the January 2024 presidential election in Taiwan would be a choice between the White House and Zhongnanhai. The latter was a reference to the compound that houses the leadership of the Chinese Communist Party and the State Council.

Lais remark exemplifies that, just like its far-right predecessor, the DPP represents a comprador ruling class aligned with imperialism and is an example of the dead end of bourgeois nationalism and politics.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has praised Taiwan, which is also an enthusiastic backer of Israels genocide against the Palestinians, as a reliable partner, a vibrant democracy, and a force for good in the world. Such a remark is reserved exclusively for the comprador bourgeoisie that is answerable solely to the greatest purveyor of violence in the world, and not to the nations toiling masses.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (right) with President Biden in the Oval Office, April 2023 [Photo: The White House]

The DPPs support for Yoon Suk Yeols martial law decree speaks to the fact that all competing factions of the national bourgeoisie are essentially an instrument of imperialism and none are capable of waging any independent struggle against it. The parliamentary state does not and will not rid itself of class exploitation and national oppression. As Marx and Engels remind us in The Communist Manifesto, the battle of democracy can only be won if the working class raises itself to the position of the ruling class and does away with capitalist slavery and national oppression.
The Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party, SGP) strongly condemns the governments plans to send German soldiers to Ukraine. 83 years after the beginning of Nazi Germanys war of annihilation against the Soviet Union, German troops are to go to war against Russia again. This is precisely the issue, regardless of how government representatives describe their plans publicly.

German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius, right, talks to soldiers during a visit to Bundeswehr tank battalion 203 at the Field Marshal Rommel Barracks in Augustdorf, Germany, Wednesday, February 1, 2023. [AP Photo/Martin Meissner]

Last week, Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) stated on the fringes of a NATO meeting in Brussels that she could also envisage the deployment of German soldiers to secure peace between Ukraine and Russia. In addition to so-called security guarantees for Ukraine, there was also talk of an international presence to secure a ceasefire.

When asked about a possible German and European role in this, she said: And as Europeans, we can only protect this peace together. This was also the basic understanding of NATO. Just as Germany had worked on this peace for more than 1,000 days, it would naturally also support everything that serves peace in the future with all our strength.

Baerbocks statements are as absurd as they are revealing. The basic understanding of NATO and Germany is not peace, but war. With their decades-long encirclement of Russia, they provoked Putins reactionary invasion of Ukraine in early 2022 and have been escalating the conflict ever since in order to defeat Russia militarily in Ukraine.

Germany is one of the most aggressive warmongers. Only at the beginning of the week, with his surprise visit to Kiev and the announcement of further arms deliveries, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (Social Democrat, SPD) emphasised that he is not a peace chancellor, but a war chancellor. And Baerbock herself had already openly declared at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe in January 2023 that Brussels and Berlin are warring parties. We are fighting a war against Russia and not against each other, she stated on the record.

By calling for German troops in Ukraine, Baerbock is not simply speaking for herself, but about plans that have long been prepared behind the backs of the population. In an interview with Deutschlandfunk radio, Defence Minister Boris Pistorius (SPD) replied to the question of whether Germany, like France and the UK, should not also think concretely about scenarios for ground troops in Ukraine.

Who says were not doing that? He said, only that were not talking about it now. Thinking is something completely different. You have to think about everything. You have to be as prepared as possible for every possible situation. If thats possible, for different scenarios. But that doesnt mean that we disclose all scenarios.

Workers and young people must take this as a warning. Behind the backs of the population, the imperialist powers are working on massively intensifying the war offensive against Moscow, including the possible use of nuclear weapons. On 21 November, the New York Times reported that the Biden administration was discussing allowing Ukraine to possess nuclear weapons again, as it did before the fall of the Soviet Union.

On Sunday, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan announced that the Biden administration was planning massive arms deliveries to Ukraine in the seven weeks remaining until Trump takes office in order to strengthen its position on the battlefield. On the same day, the new EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, also spoke out in favour of sending ground troops in Kiev.

There is no doubt that any initiative for a ceasefire by Trump and the possible deployment of European troops within this framework would only be the prelude to a further massive escalation of the war.

During the election campaign, Trump occasionally warned of the danger of a third world war and claimed that he wanted to settle the conflict in Ukraine through a negotiated solution. However, this will be among the first demagogic statements that will be jettisoned, the WSWS warns in a recent perspective. The new administration would be no less committed than the outgoing one to the defense of the core strategic interests of American imperialism.

The European powers are responding by increasing their own war efforts. Following the decision to allow Kiev to attack Russia directly with American, British and French cruise missiles, the next stage of escalation is now being prepared with the discussion about the deployment of European and German ground troops.

Nobody should have any illusions about what this means. In order to prevent the complete collapse of the Ukrainian front and to assert their own imperialist interests in Ukraine and against Moscow, Germany and the leading NATO powers are preparing for a direct war against the nuclear power Russiawith all the consequences this brings.

Baerbock, Pistorius and Co. should come clean with the population during the campaign for Februarys early general election and explain what their war plans mean and what dark tradition they are part of. Ukraine was already in the crosshairs of German imperialism during the First World War, and one of its war aims was to establish a vassal regime controlled by Berlin. In the Second World War, the subjugation of Ukraine was a direct part of Hitlers war of annihilation against the Soviet Union, which cost the lives of at least 27 million Soviet citizens and led to the Holocaust.

Some of the worst crimes took place in Ukraine itself, including the Babi Yar massacre, in which German Einsatzgruppen brutally murdered more than 33,000 Jewish men, women and children in two days. In its renewed drive eastwards, which has at its core the same predatory goals as in the 20th centurygeostrategic dominance and satiating German businesss enormous hunger for raw materialsthe ruling class is working with the heirs of the Ukrainian Nazi collaborators.

In Germany itself, the deployment of the Bundeswehr (Armed Forces) to Ukraine would go hand in hand with the reintroduction of conscription to provide the necessary cannon fodder for the front. And unleashing a new world war against Russia requires a massive increase in defence spending at the expense of wages and social expenditure, the development of a war economy and the establishment of a fascist police state to suppress opposition among the population.

Baerbock, Scholz, Pistorius and the other warmongers in politics and the media should also explain how many hundreds of thousands or millions of human lives they are prepared to sacrifice for a victory over the nuclear power Russia. The Kremlin has repeatedly made it clear that it will not accept Western troops in Ukraine and regards the direct intervention of the NATO powers in the conflict as an act of war that could result not only in conventional but also nuclear retaliatory strikes.

A nuclear escalation of the conflict would not only reduce Europe to rubble, but also jeopardise the survival of humanity as a whole. The only way to stop this madness is to build an international mass movement against war and its root cause, capitalism. This is precisely the significance of the election campaign being conducted by the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei.

While representatives of all the establishment parties compete with their demands for a more aggressive war course, massive social cuts, anti-refugee agitation and bolstering police state powers, we are running in the Bundestag elections to oppose this all-party coalition and to give the growing opposition among workers and young people a voice and arm them with a socialist programme.

 No third world war! Stop the NATO war in Ukraine!

 Stop the genocide in Gaza!

 Never again fascism!

 For a united, socialist Europe!

Become active now, support our election campaign and become a member of the SGP!
In the early hours of Friday morning, before dawn, a firebomb was thrown into the Adass Israel Synagogue in the Melbourne suburb of Ripponlea. The ensuing blaze gutted the building and one worshipper suffered injuries.

The arson attack was utterly reactionary. Given the target, there is every reason to suspect that it was motivated by antisemitism. The consequences could have been even more catastrophic, as several people were reportedly in the building at the time of the attack. The incident should be thoroughly investigated by the relevant authorities and the perpetrators held to account.

The response of the entire political and media establishment, however, has been to pre-empt and taint such a necessary investigation. In the most cynical fashion, the major political parties and most of the media have latched onto the firebombing to prosecute their 13-month long vilification of opponents of the Israeli genocide of Palestinians in Gaza.

This has been an international campaign, spearheaded by those directly responsible for the mass slaughter of tens or even hundreds of thousands of Palestinians.

On Saturday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu posted a condemnation of the arson to X/Twitter. He denounced the firebombing as an abhorrent act of antisemitism, adding I expect the state authorities to use their full weight to prevent such antisemitic acts in the future.

Having dispensed with the incident itself in a couple of sentences, the Israeli leader proceeded with an unhinged rant.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to separate this reprehensible act from the extreme anti-Israeli position of the Labor government in Australia, Netanyahu declared. Among Labors attacks on Israel, he cited its scandalous decision to support the UN resolution calling on Israel to bring an end to its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as rapidly as possible.

In fact, the resolution was a tepid acknowledgement of international law which is crystal clear on the illegality of Israels occupation of Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Along with Israel and the US, the resolution was voted against by only a handful of states, including tiny countries in the Pacific.

The resolution was a sham, evading the reality that based on what has been underway for more than a year, much of the Occupied Palestinian Territories are on the path to destruction. Gaza has been levelled and Israel is extending its ethnic-cleansing operation to the West Bank. The imperialist states that voted for the resolution, including Australia, continue to aid these war crimes politically, diplomatically and materially.

In other words, Netanyahus outburst was completely unhinged. Its real target, mass popular opposition to the Israeli genocide, was indicated by his concluding declaration that Anti-Israel sentiment is antisemitism.

The remarks could have been dismissed as the ravings of an autocrat who is currently evading an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for directing some of the worst imperialist crimes since those of the Nazis.

Instead, Netanyahus tirade has largely set the terms of the official discussion in Australia, with the Liberal-National Coalition taking up his position. Not a single senior Labor minister has criticised the fascist Israeli leaders statement, instead adapting to it. That again underscores the reality that notwithstanding Netanyahus remarks, Australian imperialism, including Labor, stands full square behind the criminal Zionist regime.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Anthony Albanese, Peter Dutton [AP Photo/Julia Nikhinson, Jason Edwards, Andrew Harnik]

Coalition leader Peter Dutton has denounced Labor as soft on antisemitism. At a press conference this morning, he announced that a Coalition government would establish an antisemitism taskforce, bringing together the Australian Federal Police, the domestic political spy agency ASIO and other state agencies.

Dutton has indicated that such a taskforce would target mass opposition to the genocide, including pro-Palestinian demonstrations, on the fraudulent grounds that they are manifestations of antisemitism. He has linked this to an openly racist assertion that many pro-Palestinian supporters are likely foreigners, whose visas should be revoked. Dutton has denounced the government for permitting a handful of Palestinians from Gaza to enter the country after fleeing the genocide.

It is impossible for me to believe that not a single person on a visa visiting our country has been involved in these protests, has been involved in this antisemitism, Dutton declared. Several Zionist leaders have demanded that the mass pro-Palestinian protests, which have been held without incident every week for more than a year, now be banned.

Labor Prime Minister Anthony Albanese responded by declaring over the weekend that in his opinion, the firebombing was an act of terrorism. That is an aggressive political intervention, preempting any objective determination by relevant policing agencies.

Albanese today convened a meeting of the Australian Federal Police and the Victorian Police which made that formal designation, triggering extensive police powers. He also directly took up Duttons demand for an antisemitism taskforce, despite Labor MPs previously noting that it was unnecessary.

This morning, Albanese announced $32.5 million in funding to the Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ) over the next 18 months. The organisation was provided with $25 million in October last year.

While ECAJ is involved in providing security to synagogues, it is not a politically-impartial representative body of the Jewish community, but a Zionist lobby group. Since it received $25 million last year, its executives have been involved in anti-democratic and pro-war activities, including the witch-hunt to have journalist Antoinette Lattouf sacked from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) for noting that Israel was using starvation as a weapon of war against the Palestinians.

The entire affair, as with so much of the official discussion over the past year, has an air of unreality to it. While Dutton is attacking Labor for being soft on pro-Palestinian sentiment, in reality, Albanese has led the charge to vilify and attack opponents of the genocide. That included the prime minister branding peaceful anti-genocide encampments of university students as hateful displays that did not have a place in society, and state Labor administrations repeatedly threatening to ban pro-Palestinian protests.

The continual conflation of opposition to the genocide and antisemitism is false and reactionary. It is itself an antisemitic argument, dissolving Judaism, a private religious faith, into the militarist Israeli state as it commits gross atrocities.

This bogus line, moreover, covers up basic realities. Every major pro-Palestinian protest leader has condemned antisemitism time and time again, and large numbers of anti-Zionist Jews have been prominent in the demonstrations. A number of ultra-Orthodox Jewish denominations explicitly oppose the Israeli state on religious grounds. The Adass Israel group that was targeted in the firebombing is said to eschew questions of politics and international relations.

The false identification of Judaism and Israel is itself a threat to the safety of Jewish people. It is not hard to see how it could influence politically-backward elements, unhinged by the scenes of mass death in Gaza, into taking actions that are antisemitic.

Another obvious issue that has been covered up by the media is that the vast majority of major antisemitic incidents in Australia have been perpetrated by fascists. Melbourne is the centre of the National Socialist Network, an avowedly Nazi organisation, whose members have previously roamed the city hunting Jews and engaged in other acts of politically and racially-motivated violence.

The attempt to associate the firebombing with supporters of Palestine serves as cover for genuine antisemites. It creates a climate in which they could perpetrate attacks with confidence that the authorities will be looking in a different direction.

In a rare breach of the official campaign, ABC commentator Laura Tingle noted the politicised character of the response to the firebombing. She pointed out: [I]t is also worth noting the very different treatment by our politicians of Muslim communities subject to very similar attacks over the past 10 years by our politicians.

A 2021 study of 75 mosques across Australia by Charles Sturt University found that, over half (58.2 percent) of participating mosques, or worshippers at them, had experienced targeted violence between 2014 and 2019.

It should also be noted that the most serious incidents of violence in Australia related to the genocide have been perpetrated by supporters of the Israeli state. In January, a homemade bomb was placed on a car outside a home in Sydney that flew the Palestinian flag. David Wise, a Zionist, was later charged and convicted.

In November last year, a Burgertory restaurant in the Melbourne suburb of Caulfield was firebombed after its Palestinian-Australian owner, Hash Tayeh, an outspoken opponent of the genocide, had been subjected to vilification and harassment from Israeli supporters.

Neither Albanese, Dutton nor any other senior figure from the major parties condemned Wises action, which was never designated as terrorism. Victoria Police asserted continuously that the Burgertory bombing was not politically or racially motivated. Last month, however, it was revealed that one of the alleged perpetrators had told an informant: The motivation behind the arson was related to the conflict overseas between Palestine and Israel.
The impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol over his abortive attempt to impose martial law last week failed after lawmakers from Yoons right-wing People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the vote on Saturday evening.

While holding a majority of 190 in the 300-seat National Assembly, the opposition Democratic Party and its allies fell short of the two-thirds majority needed for a quorum and to approve the impeachment of the president. Just three members of the ruling PPP were present at the time.

Rally demanding South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment outside the National Assembly in Seoul, December 8, 2024. [AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon]

Amid widespread popular opposition and protests demanding the president be impeached or resign over his attempted coup, PPP leaders have cobbled together a rotten deal to keep Yoon in office, temporarily at least.

In a joint appearance yesterday, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and PPP leader Han Dong-hoon declared that Yoon would not be involved in handling state affairs, including diplomacy as his cabinet sought to negotiate an orderly exit.

As part of these backroom negotiations, Yoon made a nationally-televised formal apology on Saturday morning, declaring his martial law decree was made out of desperation and promised not to make another. While saying he would not avoid the legal and political responsibility for his actions, Yoon did not offer to resign.

South Korean prosecutors have confirmed that an investigation has been opened against Yoon on charges of treason and abuse of power. Yesterday they arrested former defence minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is accused of playing a central role in planning and executing martial law. Interior minister Lee Sang-min, who is also heavily implicated in the coup attempt, resigned yesterday.

Three minor opposition parties had filed a complaint against Yoon, Kim and martial law commander Park An-su, accusing them of insurrection.

None of the fundamental political issues is resolved, however. Despite the PPPs claims that it is engineering an orderly exit, Yoon remains in office. Moreover, while the PPP declares that the president will no longer play a part in state affairsan arrangement that has no legal or constitutional standingYoon retains all the presidential powers, including to impose martial law for a second time.

The PPP and Yoon are biding time, in part to prepare for a presidential election which must be held within 60 days in the event that Yoon is compelled to resign or is impeached. At the same time, the president will be watching the extent of the protests and strikes to determine whether it is possible to cling to office, one way or another.

Yoon announced martial law late Tuesday night, establishing the basis for a military dictatorship. The regime quickly outlawed all political activity, imposed blanket censorship, banned industrial action and ordered striking doctors back to work. Amid a political standoff with the opposition-controlled National Assembly, the president denounced the Democrats and their allies in anti-communist terms as North Korean agents.

The National Assembly met in the early hours of Wednesday, despite troops being dispatched to arrest political leaders, and unanimously passed a motion demanding that martial law be ended. For hours, Yoon hesitated before lifting martial law and withdrawing the troops from the streets. To flout the motion was a clear constitutional breach that would only add further fuel to the protests that were already gathering.

A huge protest took place on Saturday outside the National Assembly as preparations were being made for the impeachment vote. Police estimated the number present at 149,000 while protest organisers claimed that a million people took part. Whatever the exact number, photos and video showed that hundreds of thousands participated.

The people were clearly shocked and outraged at Yoons attempt to return the country to military dictatorship. The last declaration of martial law in 1979 followed the assassination of Park Chung-hee, who himself seized power in a military coup in 1961. General Chun Doo-hwan consolidated his grip on power in 1980 and violently suppressed any opposition, including through the notorious massacre of protesting students in the city of Gwangju that left up to 2,000 dead.

Hong Sun-young, a 70-year-old restaurant owner in Seoul, who took part in a protest last Wednesday with her husband, told media: I lived through the time of May 18 and over my dead body will this country regress to see another dictatorship. May 18 marked the start of the protests in Gwangju.

Another elderly protester Kim Il-whan, a 72-year-old retiree, told the Financial Times: I was so stunned by his martial law decree that I couldnt sleep at all last night I was so scared because his declaration of martial law reminded me of the Gwangju massacre.

Many young people have also joined the protests stunned that the democratic rights that they have grown up with could be so easily stripped away. It was only in the late 1980s amid widespread protests and strikes that the dictatorship was ended and elections held.

Speaking to JoongAng Ilbo, Park, a 25-year-old woman, said: I used to not be interested in politics very much. But I knew something was off when martial law was declared. My friends agree with me. My parents, not so much, but so many here are shouting the same things Im thinking.

Gu, an 18-year-old high school girl, commented: My mother told me not to come here today, saying that the adults will sort it out. But I didnt see the adults sorting it out, so I decided to take it upon myself.

Lee, 32 years old, told the Korea Times: When I first heard the news [about the martial law], I thought it was fake news. When I heard the helicopter moving around, my kids started crying. Thats why I joined the rally with my family.

Behind the political turmoil lies a deepening social and economic crisis in South Korea that has led to an upsurge of industrial unrest. Economic growth has fallen from 6.8 percent in 2010 to 1.4 percent last year. The IMF expects a marginal increase to 2.2 percent in 2024. According to the ILO, real wages in South Korea dropped by 0.2 percent in 2022, 1.3 percent in 2023 and are expected to fall a further 0.5 percent this year.

In the wake of Yoons declaration of martial law, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU), which is closely aligned with the Democrats, declared it would hold an indefinite general strike until the president resigned. In reality, the general strike is no more than a series of limited stoppages, some of which had already been planned.

The major planned strike was by the Korean Railway Workers Union (KRWU), which began a partial stoppage against the Korea Railroad Corporation (Korail) on Thursday that continued through the weekend. School support staff workers at 200 schools in Seoul and 1,330 schools in Gyeonggi Province also struck on Friday as planned over their uncertain status as non-regular workers and poor pay.

Stoppages not previously planned included four-hour partial strikes on Thursday and Friday by 43,000 workers at Hyundai Motors. Partial walkouts also took place at GM Korea and auto parts companies like Hyundai Mobis and Hyundai Steel.

The KCTU claims it will expand the strikes on December 11 if Yoon does not resign. However, both the Democrats and their trade union allies are desperate to prevent a mass movement against Yoon developing that threatens to get out of their control.

While the Democrats seek to limit the scope of the protests to parliamentary and legal action, the KCTU is determined to restrict industrial action and its impact on corporate profits. In doing so, the Democrats and the unions only strengthen the hand of Yoon and the right-wing PPP and heighten the danger that he will hold onto office.
On Thursday, federal Judge Reed OConnor of the Northern District of Texas rejected a plea deal between Boeing and the US Justice Department in which the aerospace giant would plead guilty to a felony conspiracy charge for defrauding US regulators about the dangers of the 737 MAX 8 aircraftdangers that led to two fatal crashes and the deaths of 346 people.

In this March 11, 2019, file photo, Boeing 737 Max wreckage is piled up at the crash scene of Ethiopian Airlines flight ET302 near Bishoftu, Ethiopia. [AP Photo/Mulugeta Ayene]

The plea deal included a clause that Boeing would pay a fine of up to $487.2 million, in addition to spending a further $455 million to improve its quality and safety checks over three years of court-supervised probation.

As the families of those who died in the two MAX 8 crashes have noted, the sum is a drop in the bucket for Boeing, which is currently valued at about $115 billion. The companys five top executives took home more than $75 million in total compensation in 2023.

Moreover, a plea deal means that while the Boeing company would be considered a felon, the full extent of the crimes that led to the deaths would remain hidden from the public. The families are also demanding that Boeings restitution for the deaths be two orders of magnitude higher, at $24.78 billion.

Paul Cassell, an attorney for the victims families, wrote in a statement reported by the Associated Press: No longer can federal prosecutors and high-powered defense attorneys craft backroom deals and just expect judges to approve them.

Cassell continued: Judge OConnor has recognized that this was a cozy deal between the government and Boeing that failed to focus on the overriding concernsholding Boeing accountable for its deadly crime and ensuring that nothing like this happens again in the future.

The deal would have, in particular, focused on Boeings role in covering up problems with the now infamous Maneuvering Characteristics Augmentation System (MCAS). The system was introduced after it became clear that the rushed design of the MAX 8, developed to compete with the Airbus A320neo, meant the jetliners had a tendency to stall.

Critically, the system could override a pilots input, ostensibly to keep planes in the air. In reality, faulty input from broken sensors could force the plane into a nosedive that pilots could recover from only if they knew of the MCAS and how to disable it.

As was revealed in the aftermath of the MAX 8 crashes in October 2018 and March 2019, Boeing executives, including former CEOs Dennis Muilenburg and David Calhoun, deliberately hid the existence of the system in order to push through regulatory approval. Those FAA regulators who were aware of the potentially lethal nature of the MAX 8 aircraft, especially after the first crash, did nothing to ground the planes or warn the flying public until after mass international outrage emerged in the wake of the second crash.

In attempting to secure a plea deal, Boeing is doing its utmost to prevent its executives and loyal government functionaries from being tried for manslaughter.

Much has been said in the corporate press about the immediate reason Judge OConnor rejected the plea deal, which revolves around the call for diversity in the hiring of an independent monitor to oversee Boeings probation. The judge ruled that The plea agreement requires the parties to consider race when hiring the independent monitor.

He then claimed, Additionally, the plea agreement marginalizes the Court in the selection and monitoring of the independent monitor. These provisions are inappropriate and against the public interest.

OConnor is a known right-wing figure in the judicial system who was appointed to his position by George W. Bush in 2007. Fortune reported that billionaire Elon Musk, close ally of President-elect Donald Trump, has filed lawsuits multiple times in OConnors court in order to get favorable rulings.

That does not, however, change the fact that the ruling is ultimately a blow against the attempts by Boeing to whitewash its crimes. Boeing has faced numerous lawsuits over the MAX 8 crashes and suffered a collapse of its stock value, a decline that was exacerbated in the wake of the door blowout on a MAX 9 jet in January of this year. The company would dearly love to conclude its sweetheart deals with the federal government and reverse the years-long downward trend of its stock portfolio.

At the same time, OConnors rejection of the plea deal does not mean confidence can be placed in the US judicial system to justly punish those responsible for the deaths of 346 men, women and children. The response by the federal government is a naked expression of class justice in America.

A worker or youth who succumbs to the malignancies of capitalist cultural and political life and goes on a rampage often gets gunned down in the streets. A corporation that coldly calculates that the potential deaths of hundreds is cheaper than building a safe product is given a slap on the wrist.

The real solution in the fight for safety and quality at Boeing, and at every workplace, is through the struggle for workers control over production. During the recent strike by 33,000 Boeing machinists in Washington state, Oregon and California, a common refrain from workers was that producing safe airplanes was their number one prioritya priority consistently overruled by management.

Regarding the door blowout, one worker commented to the World Socialist Web Site during the strike:

That was a disgusting thing to have happened. But I guarantee that when theyve looked and evaluated that problem, that problem came from years earlier. The mechanic that [removed the door plugs] was doing what he was told by management. ... The deeper you drill down, youre going to find out that this has been something thats been the status quo.

The fight for rank-and-file control of production standards, quality and safety is the perspective of the Boeing Workers Rank-and-File Committee, which fought against the sellout of the strike by the International Association of Machinists. In the aftermath of the strike, which ended in a betrayal of the workers demands, Boeing has begun laying off thousands of workers, setting the stage for an even further degradation of the safety of Boeing planes.
(This statement was issued on Saturday by the CWAC)

The Collective of Workers Action Committees (CWAC) in Sri Lanka vehemently condemns the brutal police attack on protesting School Development Officers (SDO) on December 2.

The CWAC urges the working class to demand the release of four teachers (SDOs) engaged in this protest and arrested by police on spurious accusations.

School Development Officers protesting outside Ministry of Education, December 2, 2024 [Photo by SDO protester]

The CWAC is an alliance of action committees active among educators and workers in railways, ports, tea plantations and garment and migrant employees. We are fighting to defend the living and social conditions and democratic rights of workers from government and employer attacks. The CWAC struggles to unite workers in a common fight, independent of the pro-capitalist union bureaucracies.

The repressive actions of the police, deployed by the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National Peoples Power (NPP) government, are an attack on the fundamental democratic right of the working class to take action to defend their jobs, wages and working conditions.

Although successive governments have designated these workers as SDOs, they have in fact been engaged to teach in state schools during the past four years. They are being exploited by the state and paid lower salaries than those in the state teacher service.

SDO teachers have repeatedly engaged in strikes and protests, separately and jointly with other workers in recent years, to demand that they be absorbed into the teacher service and provided with the same rights.

L.P.S. Abewickrama, H.Y.L. Perera

On December 2, SDOs protested outside the education ministry in Isurupaya, located at Pelawatte, to push for their demands. The demonstration was called by the Combine of School Development Officers Association (CSDOA). JVP/NPP leaders had promised to resolve the SDOs issues after coming to power, but like scores of similar promises made to other sections of the working class this was to hoodwink them and secure their votes.

Instead of listening to the SDOs demands, the government deployed hundreds of police armed with water-cannon and orders to suppress their campaign. Police attacked the protesters, kicking and punching them. They then seized four teachers and hauled them before a magistrate court in Kaduwela.

Those arrested are L.P.S. Abewickrema, H.Y.L. Perera, K.M.G. Koswaththa and H. W. Arachchige. After producing them before Kaduwela Magistrates Court, they were refused bail and remanded until December 10.

What is their crime? That they dared to demand their legitimate rights and be absorbed into the teaching service. The police have accused them of participating in an unlawful assembly, obstructing traffic and injuring police. If convicted of these charges, the four teachers could be sentenced to jail terms of up to three years and fined.

H.W. Arachchige, K.M.G. Koswatha

We declare: these four arrested teachers are the first victims of the class war being prepared against the working class by President Dissanayakes government.

The working class cannot allow such attacks to occur. In implementing the IMFs ruthless austerity program, the government will take you on, sooner than later. An attack on one section of our class brothers and sisters is an attack on us all!

We urge workers:

Raise your voice to demand that the four teachers be immediately released from remand and all charges and accusations against them be dropped; and that the police attack on the teachers protest be condemned!

Issue statements and organise action, such as picketing, at your workplace.

This police operation is a warning to the entire working class. The JVP/NPP regime will not hesitate to crush any action by workers that challenges its pledge to fully implement the IMF austerity measures.

Following last weeks repressive police action against CSDOA protesters, a delegation of ten SDOs were allowed to meet with the Deputy Education Minister Madura Senaratne. His only promise was to put their case before the cabinet.

President Dissanayake formed a ministerial sub-committee headed by the Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya to look into the matter. However, senior minister and Cabinet spokesman Dr Nalinda Jayatissa spelled out the real attitude. The government cannot provide instant solutions to complex and prolonged issues of this nature, he declared.

This is a clear message that the SDOs will not get any solution to their legitimate demands. It is also a message to all workers that they cannot provide instant solutions to complex and prolonged issues i.e., to their problems.

This is a government which promised to renegotiate the IMFs austerity measures to alleviate its impact on the people, that it would abolish the executive presidency and all other repressive laws, including the Prevention of Terrorism Act, and that it would maintain welfare subsidies for masses.

But as President Dissanayake declared in his inaugural policy statement to parliament on November 21, the economic crisis means [W]e are hanging on a thread[and] there is no room for mistakes. The governments focus, he insisted, was on ensuring economic stability and reaffirming trust with the relevant economic stakeholders through implementing the IMFs program.

While Dissanayake remains silent about his pledge to abolish the executive presidency he has begun using its broad powers, including calling out the armed forces throughout the country.

Duminda Hulangamuwa, the presidents senior economic advisor, has also declared that the government will start taking steps to reduce the 1.3 million employees in the public sector to at least 750,000that is destroy 550,000 jobsbecause the treasury has no money.

The systematic restructuring of hundreds of state-owned enterprises, including their privatisation and commercialisation and the closure of others, has been initiated. This restructuring will destroy hundreds of thousands more jobs, along with the implementation of cuts to wages and pensions.

Dissanayake has announced that his government will establish five large special economic zones. These will be cheap labour platforms for global investors and their big-business clients in Sri Lanka.

These are just some of the harsh attacks being implemented by the government. They demonstrate that there is no solution to the burning problems confronting workers within national limits and the capitalist system.

For our part, we must recognise that the attack on SDO teachers is a warning and prepare to defend our rights by organising independently of all the capitalist parties and the pro-capitalist trade unions.

In line with the Dissanayake regime, the trade union bureaucracies controlled by the JVP and other so-called independent unions have aligned themselves against the SDOs.

Some bureaucrats from the JVP trade unions have become MPs and ministers. Mahinda Jayasinghe, Deputy labour minister and the secretary of Teacher Services Union, has publicly accused SDOs of injuring police officers. Everyone must give time to the government because it has been just elected, he said.

Ceylon Teachers Union leader Joseph Stalin, who pretends to be independent, has sided with the JVP/NPP government. Stalin has said that he is vehemently opposed to SDO teachers being absorbed into the teacher service, claiming it violates the statute rules for teacher service.

Workers cannot rely on these trade union bureaucracies to defend their rights. The CSDOA is falsely claiming that SDOs can achieve their demands by pressuring the government. This is a political dead end and will lead to defeat. This is why workers must establish independent action committees in their workplaces, working-class neighbourhoods and the plantations. Trade union bureaucrats and capitalist parties will not be allowed in these committees.

We urge SDOs to establish action committees to initiate a struggle to free those arrested and to defend your democratic rights.

More broadly and urgently, the CWAC is calling for the working class to rally on the following demands:

No to the brutal IMF program!

No to privatisation or restructuring, and for all SOEs to be placed under the democratic control of their workers!

No to the repayment of foreign debts!

Our allies in this struggle are our international class brothers and sisters. In the US, the UK, throughout Europe, Australia, India and more broadly, the working class has come into struggle to defend their rights from the attacks of corporations and governments.

We urge you to turn to the working class internationally! This can be achieved by coordinating your actions globally by joining the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees (IWA-RFC).

The CWAC is ready to assist you to form action committees at your workplaces.

You can contact us at this phone number: +94773562327

WhatsApp: +94773562327

or via email: action.committees.sl@gmail.com
Recent developments have shown how far the Australian Greens are prepared to go to try to prop up the Albanese Labor government, even at the expense of their claims to fight for policies to avert the climate change catastrophe.

The Greens signed an agreement with Environment Minister Tanya Plibersek on November 26, in the final parliamentary week of the year, to support Labors token Nature Positive legislation, primarily creating a toothless Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Australian Minister for the Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek [Photo: Facebook/Anthony Albanese ]

The EPA was supposedly to be a modern national environmental regulator with stronger new powers and increased penalties to better enforce Commonwealth environmental laws.

That means it would enforce existing environmental laws, which are wholly inadequate to address the pressing environmental issues that humanity faceseven a 2020 statutory review found they were failing to protect nature.

Moreover, the role of the EPA was to be a purely advisory one. Its described function was to advise and assist the minister, and to make recommendations for the continuous improvement of environmental protection laws.

In this way, the EPA was to be subordinated to the decisions of whatever government was in office. But successive Labor and Liberal-National governments have shielded the interests of big business, including the fossil fuel companies, whose emissions are driving global warming.

The Greens, while occasionally criticising the obvious weakness of the proposal, insisted for a long time that their support for this legislation was contingent on the inclusion of a climate trigger. As recently as November 18, they had described this mechanism as key to broadscale environmental law reform, only to drop it a week later.

All that the climate trigger would have done was make the carbon footprint of any major proposed industrial or mining project a matter of national environmental significance (MNES) to be considered in the EPA approval process.

There are nine such MNES categories in the current legal framework, corresponding to different aspects of the environment, but climate emissions are not one of them. When any new project is likely to significantly impact any of those categories (a trigger), it is meant to be assessed and approved by the environment minister before it proceeds.

A climate trigger would mean that projects likely to emit high amounts of greenhouse gases would need to be deferred for assessment, but many high-emitting fossil fuel projects are already submitted to the environment minister for approval due to their impact on other MNES.

Plibersek has approved four coal mines under the existing laws, which is incompatible with halting global warming to below 1.5. No legal mechanism compelled her to sign off on those approvals, yet she did so anyway. There is no reason to believe that the inclusion of a climate trigger would have altered any such decisions.

The insistence of the Greens on a climate trigger was thus a distraction from what is necessary for climate action.

The Greens dropped even this cosmetic proposal in their agreement with Labor. In an offer of goodwill to the government, Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young announced the Greens would rescind their demand for a climate trigger if the government agreed to act on native forest logging.

That demand was apparently ditched too at the last minute. The Guardian reported that the deal between Plibersek and the Greens involved a further concession from the Greensto drop their demand for an agreement to end native forest logging in return for including a framework for new national environmental standards that would be applicable to regional forest agreements. It was unclear exactly what this framework would entail.

Regardless, the deal that Plibersek and the Greens signed was vetoed by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. Following a phone call with Western Australian Labor Premier Roger Cook, whose government relies heavily on mining revenues, Albanese committed himself once again to doing the bidding of the fossil fuel and mining industries.

In doing so, Albanese even dumped the Labor Partys own election promise to establish an EPA, a proposal that had been in the partys national platform since 2018. This shattered any remaining pretence that Labor would take any real measures to halt the climate disaster.

Felicity Wade, the national co-convenor of the Labor Environment Action Network (LEAN), which had tried to maintain illusions in Labor, told the media, today is a hard day for true believers, vested interests won. She said the EPA had been core to our claim of caring about the natural environment.

Adam Bandt in 2022 [Photo by Matt Hrkac / CC BY 2.0

In response, Greens leader Adam Bandt refused to criticise Albanese for killing off the bill, even though he admitted: Its pretty clear what happened this weekthe logging and mining corporations told Labor not to protect the environment and forests, and Labor did what they were told.

Whatever tactical differences erupted between Albanese and Plibersek, both are leading figures of a Labor government that is entirely committed to the interests of the mining and fossil giants that form a substantial part of Australian capitalism, regardless of the worsening repercussions for the planet and its population.

The climate policies of successive Australian governments, continued and expanded upon by Albaneses, would lock in between 2 and 3 degrees Celsius of warming if replicated by all other countries. That was the finding of a Climate Action Tracker report from November, which deemed Australias action on climate change as insufficient.

The report stated the Labor government has given the appearance of action where there has been little. Instead, it has been continuing its long-standing support for fossil fuels both at home and abroad, despite promising new investments into clean energy.

It is this very government that the Greens are seeking to bolster with a formal alliance, should the next federal election, due by May, result in a minority government. Supposedly, this collaboration would entail the Greens attempting to push Labor into cutting emissions in line with what is scientifically necessary.

This is a fraud. Scientists have repeatedly warned that the Earth will reach an inhospitable level of warming if emissions are not drastically cut immediately

To halt the climate crisis, nothing short of the complete transformation of society is necessary to overturn the capitalist profit system, the root source of environmental degradation. The Greens have plainly demonstrated their role as a party of the political establishment, working with Labor to uphold this system.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 9. Sevil Mikayilova, a member of Azerbaijani Parliament and head of the Working Group on Interparliamentary Relations with Spain, will visit Madrid, Spain, on December 10, Trend reports.

According to the Parliament, MP Mikayilova will participate in the presentation of a photojournal titled "Silent Echo: Untold Stories of Landmine Victims" in honor of World Human Rights Day.

The photojournal features personal stories of landmine victims, along with photographs taken during a visit to Azerbaijan by renowned Spanish photographer Gervasio Sanchez, who is known for documenting wars and armed conflicts.

During her visit, MP Mikayilova will also hold a series of bilateral meetings in the Spanish Parliament.
Kerby Miller is the author of numerous scholarly publications on Irish history. His book Emigrants and Exiles: Ireland and the Irish Exodus to North America won the Merle Curti Award Best Book in US Social History and the Theodore Saloutos Award for Best Book in Immigration History and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. Miller is presently Curators Professor Emeritus at the University of Missouri, honorary professor of history at the University of Galway and scholar in residence at Christopher Newport University in Newport News, Virginia. Miller recently joined Tom Mackaman and Jordan Shilton of the World Socialist Web Site for a discussion of his career, Irish history, Irish history-writing and Aidan Beattys misuse of Irish history in his recent book slandering longtime Trotskyist leader Gerry Healy.

TM: Thank you for joining us, Kerby. A biographical question to start: What was it that first drew you to Irish history?

KM: My family was, primarily, what used to be called Scotch-Irish, having emigrated from Ulster, in the North of Ireland, before the American Revolution. My family was Protestant but its origins preceded the strong anti-Catholic, evangelical trends of the 19th and the early 20th century. So I grew up in a household which was Protestant, but was consciously Irish and generally anti-British in the sense that Britishness was associated with imperialism, aristocracy, monarchy and tyranny on both sides of the ocean. So, my early attitudes toward Ireland and Irish resistance to British rule were very favorable although very vague.

Kerby Miller [Photo by Kerby Miller ]

And then when I was a history graduate student at Berkeley, I was preparing to write a doctoral dissertation comparing slavery and race relations in the US and Latin America, but I got sidetracked into research on the great Civil War Draft Riots of 1863. And that rekindled my ancestral interest in Irish immigrants, because they played a major role in those riots. Also, I was quite taken by the traditional notion that many, if not most, Irish immigrants had seen themselves as involuntary exiles in the United States, forced to emigrate by British oppression and alienated from US capitalist exploitation. That resonated very much with me personally because this was in the late 1960s and early 1970s, during the Vietnam War, the student protests, when Martin Luther King, Malcolm X and Fred Hampton were murdered. I certainly felt like an exile in the United States, just as I thought Irish immigrants had felt a century earlier.

And so it was really, I think, a combination of those reasons that turned me back to a sort of ancestral interest in Irish immigrants and Ireland, Irish history, the centuries-old struggle of the Irish, at least some of the Irish, against English imperialism. And I turned that into my lifes work.

JS: You spoke about growing up in a family in which British imperialism was seen as the oppressor and the force against democratic rights. I wonder if you could discuss your view of the revisionist school in Irish history writing, which seems to minimize, or at least relativize, Britains oppression of Ireland.

KM: My own background in that respect is not straightforward, in the sense that when I began studying Irish history I knew so little about it. And I was so unsophisticated politically and ideologically with regard to Irish historiography that when Irish historians told me that this or that was the latest, most important and most brilliant and sophisticated work about the Famine or some other aspect of Irish history, I tended to accept it without question. And it took me a long time before I began to realize that a lot of this new scholarship was designed to minimize the effects on Ireland of the British conquest and colonization, even of the great Famine of 184552, and to undermine popular support for Irish nationalism. Im not sure that I had come to that point even in 1985, when Emigrants and Exiles, my first book, was published. It was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, but some of the reviewers didnt know what to make of it, because I was taking some arguments from historians who were definitely revisionist and others from historians who were very pro-nationalist.

Kerby Millers Emigrants and Exiles won the prestigious Curti Award and was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize [Photo: Oxford University Press ]

It wasnt really until much later, when I began to fully realize the political and ideological implications of revisionism, that I became as critical of it as I am now. I think it actually even took me until the 1990s with the onset of the peace process in Northern Ireland, which led to the Good Friday Agreement of 1998. I had been associated with a lot of eminent Irish revisionist scholars and they had always claimed that they were not pro-British or anti-Irish nationalist, but were simply opposed to all violence, on all sides, and wanted it to stop. Their emphasis was all on the horror of the violence, which in many instances was horrible. But with the coming of the peace process and then the Good Friday Agreement, many of these very same people suddenly revealed themselves as very, very pro-British. What was most important to them was not that the violence should stop but that the British government and the Unionists should come out as the victors in the conflict.

TM: On the subject of revisionism, as you know, the World Socialist Web Site has written articles demolishing Irish historian Aidan Beattys biography of Gerry Healy. Have you been able to follow this controversy? What do you make of the discussion?

KM: Ive been able to follow it in the articles that have appeared in the World Socialist Web Site. I know little or nothing about Gerry Healy, and I dont think Ive ever read much of anything written by Beatty until your work caused me to do some reading. I was very surprised to learn that in 2025 hes going to be president of the American Conference for Irish Studiesthe ACIS. It seems quite extraordinary. And I was even more surprised to learn about the academic and financial support that Beatty has received from various Zionist organizations, and that he has based much of his career on drawing positive historical analogies between Irish nationalism and Zionism.

Aidan Beatty [Photo: Carnegie Mellon University]

TM: This brings up the question of just what it is about Irish history that the revisionists are fighting against. Theres a long tradition of struggle against colonial oppression in Ireland thats, by the way, totally absent from Beattys book, a glaring omission when one is ostensibly writing a biography of a socialist leader. How have these struggles found expression in the lives of the immigrants youve researched?

KM: Thats a very difficult question to answer. One historian argued that something like a half-million people were evicted during the Great Faminethat is, in the late 1840s and early 1850s alone. So they were either evicted by their landlords, or if they were landless laborers or sub-holders, they could have been evicted by what were called strong farmers, that is, relatively well-off commercial farmers who might have belonged to the same church as the people whom they evicted.

Now the question is, to what degree would those people have been politically conscious so that they would conceptualize what had happened to them in a broader context, a broader political context, an anti-imperialist context. I suspect that a very large number of them would have done so because anti-British and anti-imperialist stories and themes were so popular in the folklore and the poetry of people in the Irish countryside.

A photo taken at the time of the Famine of the late 1840s

What I argued in my own work was that the degrees of loneliness in America or the degrees of alienation from American life, which many Irish immigrants felt and expressed in their letters, were related to deep-seated historical and cultural reluctance to emigrate and a traditional blaming of England and of the landlord class for the poverty that had obliged them to emigrate. And I think, to get back to revisionism, I think that there was enough of that sentiment among the Irish in America, even many of those born in the US, that one of the Irish revisionists primary objectives has been to try to convince Irish Americans that anti-British, anti-English, anglophobic, nationalist, anti-imperialist traditions are wrong. And that in order to be modern and sophisticated they should abandon those outdated notions and accept the allegedly objective, pro-British, pro-American and pro-capitalist attitudes of the revisionists themselves.

JS: You spoke about the landlord system backed by the British and the violence that it caused and the horrific social conditions. The work that Beatty did on Gerry Healy, which we responded to on the World Socialist Web Site, contains a passage that I think sums up revisionism quite well and I just wanted to read it and see if you had a comment on it based on your own knowledge of the period.

He says, and I quote, Galway had a tradition of rural agitation and even militancy in the later 19th century but had become quieter by the early decades of the 20th. And then he says, The political violence that erupted in Ireland from 1919 onwardsposthumously called the Irish War of Independencewas mainly centered in Dublin on the east coast and the southern province of Munster.

So hes basically saying that this was a regional conflict in parts of Ireland that didnt really embrace the whole nation. What would you say in response to such claims?

KM: This is not really my research field, but Ive always understood that there were important regional differences in the levels of anti-British, IRA activities during the War for Irish Independence.

However, Ive been very impressed by the articles youve published, based on research by Galway historians like Conor McNamara and Fergus Campbell. I had not realized that there was so much revolutionary activity in County Galwayand so much counter-revolutionary violence by the Crown forces. Anyway, in general, I agree with you 100 percent. Theres no question that Beatty, like most revisionists, does everything possible to marginalize the Irish revolutionary tradition and the evidence of Irish revolutionand also of British terrorism.

Map of Galway: Healys life in Ballybane, Galway was in close proximity to many turbulent events of the Irish War of Independence and Civil War. [Photo: WSWS/Google Maps]

To take another example of revisionism, for many years several eminent Irish revisionist historians argued that in Monaghan, one of the south Ulster counties, the IRA murdered a woman, Kitty Carroll, solely or primarily because she was a Protestant, and therefore this was an example of how viciously sectarian Irish Catholic nationalists are. In fact, she was murdered, after many warnings, because she was an informer. But, more important, Kitty Carroll wasnt a Protestant, she was a Catholic, and so religion and sectarianism were totally irrelevant. For many years, a few scholars kept telling that to revisionist historians: No she wasnt a Protestant, she was a Catholic; heres proof, heres more proof, heres triple proof that she was a Catholic. But the revisionists just kept playing the sectarian card and repeating that she was a Protestant and that was the only reason the IRA killed her. Finally, however, the revisionists gave up. They never admitted that she wasnt a Protestant, but finally stopped attributing Protestant religion to her. But then they made up another story that, well, the IRA had killed her not for political reasons, but because she had rejected the sexual advances of one of the IRA members. So, the revisionists stopped playing the Irish nationalists are all Catholic bigots card and began to play the Irish nationalists are sexist pigs card. Some of this stuff is quite amazing!

TM: I want to return to this comparison that Beatty makes between Zionism and Irish nationalism. Over the space of a decade he published a number of articles, a book, an edited volume, articles in Irish newspapers and appeared on podcasts touting this comparison, what he goes so far as to call a shared history. What do you make of it?

KM: I think that you and I agree that the analogy between Irish nationalist resistance to British imperialism and the Palestinian resistance to Zionism is much more valid, much more historically accurate than Beattys analogy between Irish nationalism and Zionism itself. Both the Irish and the Palestinians have been victims of settler colonialism including genocidal methods the former imposed by the British, especially in Ulster, the latter imposed by Zionism with British and now American complicity. So, to me, the analogy that Beatty is making seems quite false. It seems bizarre. It seems almost obscene.

JS: Continuing on the theme of analogies or comparisons, when you look at Irish history, movements like the Irish Volunteers in the late 18th century or the Fenian movement in the 1860s developed alongside or were influenced by revolutionary movements in the United States. Given your extensive research on Irish immigration, could you speak to us on this relationship between the movements on both sides of the Atlantic?

KM: The period about which Ive written most recently is the late 18th and the early 19th century, because I was very interested in how and why many Ulster Presbyterians, both in the North of Ireland and in the US, defined themselves in that period as Irish and identified with Irish Catholic rebels in their mutual enthusiasm for the democratic and ecumenical ideals of the American and French Revolutions, and joined with Catholics in the United Irishmen and their failed rebellion of 1798 against British and landlord rule. Im equally interested in the tragic, counter-revolutionary aftermath, because, by the mid-19th century, most Ulster Presbyterians in the US would define themselves as Scotch-Irish, which had exclusively Protestant and usually politically conservative and pro-British implications. So, to me one of the more interesting themes of Irish-American history is not so much how Irish Catholics became nationalists and formed Irish-American nationalist organizations, like the Fenians, but rather how most Irish Presbyterians were politically and ideologically tamed and became what were called Scotch-Irish and, in relationship to Ireland itself, pro-unionist and pro-partition.

TM: That is a fascinating part of your historical work, how the arrival of the oppressed Irish Catholics altered consciousness among Irish in America of Protestant background. Could you speak about the Irish Catholic immigrants and the forms of discrimination that they faced? Maybe we could even draw you into making a comparison to the anti-immigrant sentiment in the United States today.

KM: I think that anti-Irish sentiment in the US was a combination of culture, politics and class. The poorest Irish were despised because they were of the lowest classes of white people in America, particularly the ones who had fled to America during the Great Famine, where they were ridden by disease and half-starved when they arrived. Its also a question of culture. American Protestants inherited and expanded upon a legacy that was rooted in the English conquest of Ireland and justified in terms of the Protestant Reformation, which branded both the Irish and their religion as backward and savage. There was a widespread belief that the so-called wild Irishwhich included politically radical Irish Protestants as well as Catholicswere inherently uncivilized, that they were ignorant, brutal, treacherous, untrustworthy and so on.

Irish immigrants faced intense discrimination in the mid-19th century US. This cartoon, by Thomas Nast, depicts the Irish as apelike

Finally, anti-Irish hysteria, and anti-immigrant prejudice generally, became politically useful whenever American capitalism, and the US political-party system, were in crisis. Today, the issue of immigration arises when American capitalism is arguably a very, very sick and a grossly unequal system, in which the American ruling class has offshored millions of manufacturing jobs, semi-skilled and unskilled laboring jobs, and when also theres a profound and ongoing political crisis, because both parties are controlled by the super-rich. In some respects, the United States today is not that dissimilar from the circumstances of the United States in the 1840s and in the 1850s, when anti-Irish sentiment soared while the American political system was falling apart over the question of slavery, and the American economic system was staggering between the financial panics of 1837 and 1857. But at that time very large numbers of white workers in the older seaboard statesnative Protestant workers in the older seaboard statescould do then what they cant do now, and that is migrate westward to places like Wisconsin or Minnesota or Iowa where land was cheaper or wages were higher.

JS: Could you tell us about the Kerby A. Miller Collection at the University of Galway and what insights youve gained from the letters and memoirs of the emigrants?

KM: These are letters, memoirs and other documents that I began to collect and read in the 1970s. My doctoral dissertation was based on Irish immigrants letters that I had located in libraries and archives, but I knew that I needed to find more. So, after I finished my dissertation, I got a postdoctoral fellowship at Queens University in Belfast. While I was there, I made a public appeal through the media, asking people if they had any old Irish immigrant correspondence, and if they would loan their old letters to me long enough for me to photocopy them for my research. And as a result of that appeal, I got about 2,000 documents that people sent me.

And I did as promised. I photocopied and returned them, and then later used the material from those letters and memoirs in Emigrants and Exiles, which came out in 1985, and in my later publications. And ever since then Ive been discovering additional collections of letters. Out of the blue, people have written to me, saying that they saw something that I published and asking if Id be interested in seeing their own ancestors letters. I always said, Oh, yes, of course, and then once email developed, it became so much easier to communicate with people like that.

And so in the end, I ended up with thousands more documents. And a few years ago, my friend Breandan Mac Suibhne convinced me to donate the collection to the Hardiman Library at the University of Galway because his feeling was that the best thing to do with this material was to put it online and make it available to a wider scholarly and genealogical audience. So thats whats being done in Galway.

JS: Its a very broad question, but do you get a sense of the types of research that it has led to among scholars that you know? Are there particular issues that have come to light through the material that youve gathered?

KM: Between the late 1970s and my retirement in 2015, probably about 25 or 30 scholars, many of them graduate students, some of them Irish, some of them American, one of them from Cuba, learned about my collection and wrote to me, or I reached out to them. And either I sent them material from my collection if they could not afford to come to Columbia, Missouri, and sit down in my office and look at the material. Or they would come and they would visit for a week. And they would pick out material that they thought would help them with their doctoral dissertations or whatever project they had in mind. To make their work most efficient, I would photocopy and send them the letters they had chosen.

These historians had a broad range of interests. Some scholars wanted to study what Irish immigrant women had to say about this or that topic. Or their research subjects were geographically or socially focused, in the sense that they were interested in Irish immigrants who became farmers in the Midwest, or miners in the Far West, or had lived in the South and had written home about slaves or slavery. So it was a great range of subjects. And I had a few of my own graduate students who used this material as well for their projects.

Irish immigrants to the US faced difficult circumstances as depicted for example in Jacob Riis' "Bandits' Roost, 59 1/2 Mulberry Street" (1888)

Almost everything that I myself have written in the last 50 years has been based at least in part on those letters and diaries and memoirs. But theres such a vast amount of material, and it covers so many subjects, that its necessary to approach the material with some sort of conceptual framework or questionssometimes based on class and class conflict, sometimes based on studying the immigrants different regional or cultural origins in Ireland, or their different experiences in different parts of the US. I think that, generally, there were important differences between the experiences of Irish immigrants who were predominantly English speakers or Irish speakers, or Catholics or Protestants, or who came from relatively well-to-do, large farms or who came from the poorest, small-farmer and farm-laboring classes. Also, if immigrant adaptation is important, then what about the different American social, cultural or regional environments to which they had to adapt? Was an Irish immigrant who settled in New York City in, say, 1910 obliged to adapt to a very different situation than if he or she had settled in, say, Butte, Montanaor even in New York City fifty years earlier? Those are the sorts of questions that Ive been trying to examine over the years and that most of the people who have looked at the collection have tried to examine as well.

TM: Could you tell us what youre working on now?

KM: One is a book manuscript that is now under review by a publisher. For the last several years Ive been considering the question of Irish immigrant adaptation. Im looking at the issue differently from what most people have done. Most have sort of assumed that adapting to American societyto its rules and valueswas both necessary and desirablethat the US, the worlds greatest democracywas a society to which immigrants should adapt. Im coming at the question from a different point of view, although its also the point of view of many of the Irish immigrants themselves, who would for example write back to Ireland and say, Dear Mother, this country is not what we thought it was or its not what it used to be, because you have to do things and say things here that we never would have thought of doing or saying at home.

And then you had visiting Irish radicals like Liam Mellows and James Connolly, from a more politically sophisticated perspective, saying much the same thing of American societythat Irish immigrants were obliged to adapt or conform to an economic and a political system that was exploitive, brutal, corrupt, intellectually infantilizingand that this had negative effects upon the Irish immigrants, because the only way they could succeed, or even survive, was to embrace American capitalist and imperialist value systems, including class, racial and other prejudices. So thats the collection of essays that Ive written over the last 10 years in various forms, some of which were published earlier, most of which were not.

James Connolly, Irish revolutionary who was also a member of the US-based Industrial Workers of the World (IWW). Connolly was executed by British authorities for his role in Ireland's 1916 Easter Rising

The book will have an introduction, seven chapters and then an appendix, which will contain the full transcripts of two memoirs which are unusually interesting but have never been published. One is the memoir of a young Irish woman, a teenager, who arrived in Quebec in 1832 and who suffered through and barely survived the terrible cholera epidemic of that year.

And the other is the much longer memoir of an Irish immigrant who went to Chicago in 1882. He really exemplifies all the themes in the entire book because in the first part of his memoir he tells about how disillusioned he is with American society, how disillusioned he is with the capitalist system, how disillusioned he is with Irish immigrants and US-born Irish Americans who have already adapted to that system and who, in his eyes, have become very non-Irish, in that theyve become sort of brutal, unsympathetic and instrumental in their attitudes towards other immigrant workers.

In the early part of his career he rebels against the capitalist system, he rebels against crooked foremen and exploitive bosses. He leads or is instrumental in leading strikes in Chicago during the early- and mid-1880s, the period of the rise of the Knights of Labor. But then everything changes radically with the Haymarket bombing of 1886 and the subsequent political repression. And a few years later he winds up his memoir by talking about how happy and proud he is to be a member of the Chicago police forcewhich was notoriously corrupt and whose principal function was to protect capitalism against striking workers, such as the memoirist used to be.

Also, Ive been offered a contract by another publisher to produce a collection of excerpts from the Irish immigrant letters in the collection that I donated to Galway. So Im beginning to work on that. And I have a couple of other long-term projects as well.
On Sunday, New York City police released two new photos of the man believed to have shot and killed Brian Thompson, chief executive officer of UnitedHealthcare, early Wednesday morning as he walked to an investor conference at the Hilton Midtown Hotel.

The images apparently show the unidentified gunman in the back seat of a taxi in Manhattan on his way out of the city approximately 15 minutes after he shot Thompson. The New York City Police Department said the suspect took a cab uptown to a bus terminal near the George Washington Bridge, where he may have caught a bus out of the state.

The manhunt for the shooter, the subject of nonstop coverage on US news networks for the past five days, is one aspect of the response of the ruling establishment to the murder of Thompson, the highly compensated 50-year-old CEO of the spectacularly profitable health insurance giant worth a reported $560 billion.

A reward poster hangs on a light pole outside the New York Hilton Midtown Hotel in New York on Thursday, December 5, 2024, where Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot on Wednesday. [AP Photo/Ted Shaffrey]

The near-constant reportage of the investigation and search for the shooter has proceeded alongside recognition by the corporate media of the public reaction to the shooting, which has expressed little sympathy for Thompson. Much of it, on social media in particular, has been scathing of UnitedHealthcare and the healthcare insurance industry in general.

The Hill, for example, wrote on Friday:

Some people began posting testimonials about their experiences with UnitedHealthcare and how badly they felt they had been mistreated. There were stories of losing loved ones because they were denied a claim, families suffering financial strain or ruin and people whose pain and suffering were drawn out not by the affliction or disease they had, but by the insurance company from which they were supposed to be getting service.

The Hill report continued:

Many people seem to think that Brian Thompson deserved to die. On social media, these have been celebrating the death of the victim and proclaiming the alleged killer as a hero. Some have dubbed the unnamed suspect Robin Hoodie, among other aliases.

While the specific motive behind the murder of Thompson remains unknown, it must be stated that there is nothing progressive in the gunning down of Thompson. The apparent connection between the shooting and the claims policies of UnitedHealthcareas indicated by the handwritten words delay and deny on shell casings found at the scenedo not in any way point in the direction of a solution to problems facing millions of people that are rooted in the profit system.

If anything, acts of individual violence against individual representatives of the corporate and financial elite provide the ruling class with the opportunity to carry out attacks on the basic democratic rights of the working class and strengthen the repressive apparatus of the state against the mass struggles required to put an end to capitalism.

In the aftermath of the shooting and public response to it, the corporate media has suddenly discovered that UnitedHealthcare is notorious for denying health insurance claims and mistreating the insured. According to a column by Robin Abcarian in the Los Angeles Times, the popular response illustrates the hatred so many Americans feel toward for-profit health insurance companies, which too often make money for stockholders by withholding care from sick people.

At the same time, the mouthpieces for the financial interests behind the healthcare and health insurance industries have reacted with fear to both the shooting and the publics response to it.

An Editorial Board statement published on Saturday by the Washington Postowned by the second wealthiest man in the world, Jeff Bezos, with a net worth of $246 billionhad the headline, A sickness in the wake of a health insurance CEOs slaying: There is no excuse for the killing of Brian Thompson or celebrating his death.

The statement justified the profits made by the insurance industry and said, Of necessity, corporate chieftains are already reacting by fortifying their personal security, in case the shooting inspires copycat violence. Other insurers are deleting images of their leaders or removing webpages that list their executives.

The New York Post, which is part of the media empire owned by Rupert Murdoch, who has a net worth of $22 billion, published an opinion piece by Nicole Gelinas that said:

Theres another reason why the Thompson killing is a bad sign for New York: The open-air execution of a top executive has spurred the finance and business world to beef up security. ... If the level of security you need dictates that you never enter a crowded, or even uncrowded, space with any strangersthat you literally cannot cross the street from one hotel sidewalk to another without risking your lifethen New York is not the place for you.

An op-ed in the New York Times by Zeynep Tufekci pointed to the fraying of the social contract and complained that Americans express less and less trust in many institutions. It continued:

Corporate executives are already reportedly beefing up their security. I expect more of them to move to gated communities, entrenched beyond even higher walls, protected by people with even bigger guns.

The New York Post also reported that Allied Universal, a private security firm that provides security services to 80 percent of Fortune 500 companies, has had its phones ringing off the hook since the murder of Thompson on Wednesday. The Post report said a full-time security contract for a chief executive costs approximately $250,000.

The Post report continued:

The vast increase in calls to the firm comes as dozens of Fortune 1000 chiefs will descend on Manhattan to attend a summit at Midtowns Ziegfeld on 54th Street, not far from where Thompson was gunned down by a masked gunman outside the Hilton hotel.

While the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson has produced nonstop coverage on the cable news and corporate media outlets, devoted largely to the manhunt for his killer, the brutal murder of a migrant teen in New York City a day later has been barely reported. The apparent hate crime, in which 17-year-old Yeremi Colino was stabbed in the chest with a screw-driver after he replied No when asked if he spoke English, has elicited no police dragnet or manhunt for the suspect.
Islamist militia supported by the United States and Turkey seized Damascus, the capital of Syria on Sunday, after Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad fled to Russia.

US-backed opposition fighters celebrate as they burn down a military court in Damascus, Syria, Sunday, December 8, 2024. [AP Photo/Hussein Malla]

After nearly 14 years of war, the so-called rebels, dominated by the al-Qaeda-affiliated Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militia, won a lightning victory. Reports Saturday evening were that HTS forces had entered into the central Syrian cities of Hama and Homs. However, news broke barely a few hours later that the Syrian capital, Damascus, had fallen, and that Assad had taken a plane to flee the country. Last night, Russias Interfax news agency reported that Assad was in Moscow.

Assads collapse could not have occurred without the complicity of factions of the Syrian, Iranian and Russian regimes. On Sunday morning, HTS leaders announced they were in discussion with Syrian Prime Minister Mohamed al-Jalali. On Telegram, they instructed their troops that public institutions [should] stay under the supervision of the former prime minister until they are formally handed over. Jalali, for his part, declared he is ready for cooperation with the new authorities.

Yesterday, the Russian government announced that, after talks with the rebel factions, Assad had ordered his troops not to fight the HTS-led offensive. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated: As a result of negotiations between Bashar al-Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict in the Syrian Arab Republic, he decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully. It added that the Russian Federation is in contact with all groups of the Syrian opposition.

The Iranian government similarly called to end military conflicts as soon as possible, prevent terrorist acts, and initiate national dialogue with the participation of all segments of Syrian society.

The imperialist powers responded in a celebratory mood to news of Assads downfall. French President Emmanuel Macron enthused, The barbaric state has fallen, while German Foreign Minister Analena Baerbock declared it was a great relief for the Syrian people. Kaja Kallas, the European Unions foreign affairs representative, gloated that the fall of Assad was a positive and long-awaited development, adding, It also shows the weakness of Assads backers, Russia and Iran.

HTS and its leader, Abu Mohammad al-Golani, a former al-Qaeda asset who had ties to Islamic State, have become the darlings of Western media outlets virtually overnight. Even though HTS was designated a foreign terrorist organisation by Washington and Golani was the subject of a $10 million bounty in 2018, he has received overwhelmingly favourable coverage in the US and European media. Perhaps giving away more than it intended, CNN observed in an article based on an exclusive interview with Golani on December 5 that he exuded confidence and sought to project modernity during a meeting which took place in broad daylight and with little security.

The HTS-led forces pro-imperialist character was underscored soon after they seized Damascus. Fighters ransacked the Iranian embassy, destroying pictures of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commander Qasem Soleimani, assassinated at Baghdads international airport by the Trump administration in January 2020, and Hezbollahs Hassan Nasrallah, assassinated in the Lebanese capital, Beirut, by the genocidal Zionist regime in September 2024. International media outlets were all conveniently on hand to capture these events.

By acquiescing to a handover of Syria to an al-Qaeda-linked militia, Assad and his allies in Moscow and Tehran are falling in line with longstanding foreign policy objectives of Washington and its NATO allies. Particularly since Israel began its US-backed genocide of the Palestinians in October 2023, the Zionist regime has waged a low-level war on Syria with US-supplied bombs and missiles. Al Jazeera reported that Israel Defence Forces (IDF) warplanes have struck Syrian military sites three times a week on average over the past 14 months.

These attacks were directed not only at Syrian forces but also at weakening Irans presence in the country. The most high-profile of these was the April 2024 bombing of Irans Damascus consulate, killing a high-level IRGC commander and other officials. Israels attacks continued over the weekend, striking the Mazzeh district of Damascus and southern areas of Syria following Assads downfall on Sunday. IDF soldiers have also advanced into Syrian territory on the Golan Heights, where a closed military zone has been declared.

Offensive operations by the rebels were launched less than a day after US President Joe Biden unilaterally announced a ceasefire between its regional attack dog, Israel, and Lebanons Hezbollah from the White House. The announcement brought to an end a two-month savage bombardment of Lebanon by the IDF that decimated one of the Assad regimes most important allies and suppliers of military manpower.

During the ongoing genocide against the Palestinians and the war in Lebanon, Israel also struckwith US approvaltargets in Iran, Assads key regional backer. These attacks included the July assassination of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, present in the Iranian capital as an official guest of the regime, and the 26 October strikes on Iranian military facilities. All of this unfolded amid an illegal, years-long occupation by 900 US troops of northeast Syria, denying the Assad regime any revenue from the regions substantial oil reserves.

The HTS offensive is closely linked to the war in Ukraine, where the imperialists are recklessly escalating towards a direct conflict with Russia. Just weeks before fighting erupted in Syria, the Biden administration approved Ukraines firing of long-range missiles into Russia, bringing NATO and Moscow ever closer to all-out war. This reckless step was taken to avert Ukraines collapse on the battlefield, where Russia is making substantial advances.

Indeed, it appears this explosive international situation, with Europe teetering on the verge of a vast military escalation, played a critical role in the decision of Moscow and Tehran to acquiesce, for now at least, to the HTS-led takeover of Syria. The offensive and the sudden collapse of Assads regime come amid signs that the incoming Trump administration may believe opening negotiations is the best way to secure its interests. Trump himself issued a long post on Syria and the Ukraine war on his Truth Social network.

Trump wrote:

Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer. There was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place. They lose all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where close to 600,000 Russian soldiers are wounded or dead, in a war that should never have started... Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting!

The decision to place an al-Qaeda-linked organization at the head of the Syrian government is, however, monumentally reckless, and the events in Syria are by no means fully under US imperialisms control.

On the contrary, the contradictory and mutually antagonistic interests of multiple imperialist and major powers, as well as regional players, in and around the country give an especially explosive character to the sudden revival of the 13-year-old Syrian civil war. Provoked in 2011 by Washingtons arming and training of the predecessors of HTS, with the aim of ousting Assad, the conflict has claimed at least 500,000 lives and forced millions to flee the country.

The volatility of the Syrian events is chiefly due to the fact that American imperialism and its allies are engaged in a region-wide war to secure Washingtons hegemony. The US is determined to exert control over the Middle Easts rich energy reserves and geostrategic location on key trade routes as a gateway to the Eurasian landmass. It is one front in a rapidly escalating third world war involving the US and its European imperialist allies against Russia in Eastern Europe and China in the Asia-Pacific. As David North wrote in his 2016 preface to A Quarter Century of War: The US Drive for Global Hegemony:

The last quarter century of US-instigated wars must be studied as a chain of interconnected events. The strategic logic of the US drive for global hegemony extends beyond the neocolonial operations in the Middle East and Africa. The ongoing regional wars are component elements of the rapidly escalating confrontation of the United States with Russia and China.

All of these conflicts find a reflection in Syria, which is forcing major and regional powers to pursue their own interests ever more aggressively and could trigger a region-wide bloodbath endangering millions of lives. Washington, which inflamed the Syrian civil war in 2011 by funding and supplying Islamist terrorist groups, including the al-Qaeda-linked Al-Nusra Front, one of the forerunners of HTS, never accepted the outcome of Russias 2015 intervention, which stabilised the Assad regime.

The Putin regime profited with the establishment of the Khmeimim air base near the city of Latakia, which served both as a base for Russian air operations in Syria and a transit point for flights to Africa. Russias naval military base at Tartus, the only such base Moscow has in the Mediterranean, is a holdover from the Soviet era, having been established in 1971. Together with Iran, which depended on Damascus for land access to Lebanon to supply its ally Hezbollah, Russia was the Assad regimes main backer.

In the north, Turkey has patronised Islamist militias under the Syrian National Army banner. Although these militias are not directly part of the forces led by HTS, the latter could only operate and received their military supplies through Turkey, a NATO member state. As a result, it is widely acknowledged that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan had foreknowledge of the HTS-led offensive.

Erdogan declared Saturday that a new political and diplomatic reality existed in Syria. Ankaras principal concern is to prevent the emergence of a unified Kurdish territory on its southern border, which it has sought to do by funding SNA operations and launching invasions of its own to target the Kurdish Peoples Protection Units (YPG). For their part, the Kurds receive backing from the US. Reuters reported last Tuesday that US-backed Kurdish forces launched an offensive in eastern Syria against Assads troops, resulting later in the week in the capture of Deir Ezzor.

While the timing of the Islamists advance and its rapid progress speak to the deep involvement of the imperialist powers and Turkey, the ignominious collapse of Assads forces demonstrates the utter bankruptcy of the regions bourgeois nationalist regimes. The Assad family, first under the regime of Hafez al-Assad (1971-2000) and then his son Bashar (2000-24), ruled Syria as a one-party dictatorship for 53 years. But by the end it effectively worked to dissolve itself and hand over power to the forces it had fought against for 14 years.

The only way to oppose the imperialist reconquest of the Middle East, the ongoing genocide in Gaza, and the rapidly developing third world war is through the independent political mobilisation of the working class throughout the region and in the imperialist centres of North America and Europe.

An international anti-war movement led by the working class must be built on a socialist and internationalist programme. Such a movement must link the major strikes and struggles that have developed among workers against the deepening economic crisis and onslaught on their social rights with the broad-based opposition to imperialist barbarism that has found expression in mass protests against Israels onslaught on the Palestinians and Lebanon. This movement must counterpose the socialist transformation of society to the imperialists unrestrained drive for global hegemony, which is rooted in the crisis-ridden capitalist profit system.
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In his first extensive broadcast interview since winning the 2024 presidential election more than a month ago, President-elect Donald Trump outlined an agenda of mass repression against immigrants and persecution of political opponents, together with an unstinting shower of tax cuts and deregulatory actions for corporate America and his fellow billionaires.

The interview, conducted by Kristen Welker of NBC News and broadcast on Meet the Press Sunday morning, marked a major new effort by the corporate media to normalize Trumps fascist program and present him as desirous of carrying out a traditional four-year term in the White House, replete with bipartisan collaboration with the Democrats.

President-elect Donald Trump being interviewed by Kristen Welker for Meet the Press, December 8, 2024. [Photo: NBC News]

The actual substance of what Trump said, however, belies both the fawning tone of Welkers questions and the deliberately low-key manner in which the ex-president spoke. He called for actions on day one of his administration that would flout the US Constitution, free hundreds of fascist thugs who stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, and begin the mass roundup of millions of immigrant workers and their families.

In response to a direct question about whether he would have all 11 million undocumented migrants (the current estimated total) deported during his four-year term, Trump responded, Well, I think you have to do it, and its a hardits a very tough thing to do. Trump was speaking about the scale of the police-military mobilization required, not about the suffering of millions of workers without legal immigration status.

Millions of US citizens, the children of these undocumented workers, would be removed from the country as well. Asked about the estimated 4 million families with mixed immigration status, Trump said cynically that they could choose, but if the children wanted to stay with their fathers and mothers they would have to leave the country with them.

He would also sign an executive order revoking birthright citizenship for children of undocumented migrants who are born in the United States. While such an executive order would violate the US Constitution, Trump declared, Well, were going to have to get it changed. Well maybe have to go back to the people. But we have to end it. Were the only country that has it, you know.

Abolishing birthright citizenship would effectively mean the repeal of the 14th Amendmentone of three civil rights amendments passed as a result of the Civil War of 1861-65. The Amendments birthright citizenship clause was aimed at permanently preventing the former slave states from denying the rights of citizenship to freed slaves. The effort to bar citizenship rights to those born in the United States would essentially mark a return to the anti-egalitarian principles underlying the Supreme Courts 1857 decision Dred Scott v. Sandford, which denied citizenship rights to slaves.

Trump justified this assault on democracy with reactionary lies about immigrants, falsely asserting that people are pouring into our border that come from prisons and mental institutions, that 13,000 immigrant murderers were released onto the streets during the Biden administration, that migrant gangs have taken over American cities, and that, as a result, crime is at an all-time high (rather than a historic low, at least in the modern era).

Welker made almost no effort to stem, let alone challenge, this torrent of lies. Nor did she point out the obvious fact that the US president-elect was a seemingly delusional compulsive liar. She tried to extract promises from Trump on critical foreign policy issues, including that the US would remain a member of NATO, and to voice the concerns of the upper-middle class, pro-Democratic Party social layer of which she is part. Thus she asked Trump directly about his promise not to seek the outlawing of mail-order abortion pills, and seemed satisfied with his agreement to maintain that pledge.

Asked about his repeated threats during the campaign to prosecute and jail his political opponents, including leading Democrats like Biden and Kamala Harris, as well as Republican former supporters like Bill Barr and Liz Cheney, Trump hid behind the pretense that such decisions would be made by his nominees to run the Justice Department and the FBI, Pam Bondi and Kash Patel.

Patel has an enemies list of 60 people as an appendix to a recently published book. Asked if he wanted Patel to launch investigations of these officials, Trump said, No. I mean, hes going to do what he thinks is right. He added, If they think that somebody was dishonest or crooked or a corrupt politician, I think he probably has an obligation to do it.

While downplaying his past call for appointing a special prosecutor to investigate Biden, Trump reserved his real venom for the members of the House Select Committee that investigated his attempted coup of January 6, 2021. Asked directly if he thought Liz Cheney, the Republican co-chair of the committee, should go to jail, Trump replied that everyone on the committee deserved that fate for what they did.

At the same time, Trump said he would pardon the convicted January 6 rioters on the day he takes the oath of office, January 20, 2025.

The biggest lie in the entire interview was Trumps declaration that Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are off the table in terms of budget-cutting, and that there would be no reduction in benefit levels or tightening of eligibility requirements, such as raising the age of retirement. That is precisely the purpose of Trumps appointment of billionaires Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy as an advisory Department of Government Efficiency, tasked to cut US federal spending by $2 trillion a yearone-third of the budget.

With military spending to maintain the worldwide empire of American imperialism and interest payments to the Wall Street billionaires considered untouchable by both capitalist parties, the only way to make cuts on that scale is to slash the entitlement programs as well as virtually eliminate other domestic social spending, including for education, the environment, health care and transportation.

Trump has named only one budget priority for his first 100 daysrenewing the tax cuts for the wealthy he pushed through in 2017, which are set to expire next year. These cuts alone, putting trillions into the pockets of the super-rich, will require offsetting spending cuts that will devastate social programs for all sections of the working class, particularly the poorest.

Trump has already signaled this as his top priority through the very composition of his cabinet, with more than a dozen billionaires nominated for top positions and controlling every important post relating to economic policy and taxes.

These class goals are only thinly disguised by nationalist and populist sloganeering, focused particularly on the question of tariffs. Trump claimed that imposing huge new imposts on imports from Mexico, Canada and China would be lucrative. Its going to make us rich, he boasted.

Referring to US trade deficits, he declared, Were subsidizing Canada to the tune over $100 billion a year. Were subsidizing Mexico for almost $300 billion. We shouldnt bewhy are we subsidizing these countries? If were going to subsidize them, let them become a state.

These comments are not just demented ravings. They express the appetite for conquest, annexation and self-enrichment that is characteristic of imperialism in its death agony, and of American imperialism in particular.

The prostration before Trump of all sections of the ruling class, including the Democratic Party and the corporate media, only confirms that it is the working class that must take up the struggle to defend democratic rights and oppose the turn by American capitalism to dictatorship and world war.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 9. President Ilham Aliyev has signed a decree On Application of the Law On Amendments to Certain Laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Connection with Application of the Law On Political Parties and On Amendments to the Decree On Application of the Law of the Republic of Azerbaijan On State Registration and State Register of Legal Entities, Trend reports.

According to the Decree, it has been established that the powers of the relevant executive authority provided for by the Law On State Registration and State Register of Legal Entities shall be exercised by the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan;

In this law, the term body (institution) in the first case means:

In respect of non-commercial legal entities and branches and representative offices of foreign non-commercial legal entities - the Ministry of Justice of the Azerbaijan Republic; In respect of other non-commercial organizations established in the territory of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic - the Ministry of Justice of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic;

As the State Tax Service in respect of commercial legal entities, branches and representative offices of foreign commercial legal entities, and public legal entities - the Ministry of Economy of the Azerbaijan Republic, as well as the State Tax Service of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic;

About religious institutions - the State Committee for Religious Institutions of the Azerbaijan Republic and the State Agency for Religious Institutions of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

In this law, the term body (institution) in the second case means:

Concerning non-commercial legal entities and branches and representative offices of foreign non-commercial legal entities as the State Tax Service - the Ministry of Economy of the Azerbaijan Republic, the State Committee on Statistics of the Azerbaijan Republic, and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Population of the Azerbaijan Republic, and concerning political parties - the Central Election Commission of the Azerbaijan Republic;

With commercial legal entities, branches and representative offices of foreign commercial legal entities and public legal entities - the State Customs Committee of the Azerbaijan Republic, the State Committee on Statistics of the Azerbaijan Republic, and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of the Azerbaijan Republic;

In this Law, the term body (institution) means the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

The Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Azerbaijan needs to solve the issues arising from the Law On Amendments to Certain Laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan in connection with implementing the Law On Political Parties.
Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 9. The Minister of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Colonel General Zakir Hasanov sent a letter of condolences to the Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Turkiye, Yasar Guler, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani MOD.

"I am profoundly disheartened by the report of six servicemen becoming martyrs in the UH-1 helicopter crash during a training flight on December 9 in Isparta province.

Your grief is our grief too.

I beseech Almighty Allah for the eternal peace of the souls of the servicemen who have become martyrs, join in the sadness and grief of their relatives, and extend my profound condolences to their families.

May Allah rest the souls of martyrs in peace," the letter reads.
In the last few minutes of Sundays series finale of HBOs Somebody Somewhere, Sam (Bridget Everett) celebrates her personal growth over three seasons by belting out Miley Cyrus The Climb.

The poppy power ballad hammers home the belief that life is about the journey, and not a destination. Aint about how fast I get there, aint about whats waiting on the other side, Sam sings to her friends at the bar where she works. Its the climb.

Over the last two seasons, Sam was learning from her friends and Joel lifting her up and the community around her, Everett says in an interview. Season 3 for her is about putting those lessons to practice, to push through it when it hurts  especially when it hurts  to push through it and keep going and try to live a bigger, broader, brighter life.

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The performance in the finale is the perfect callback to the shows 2022 premiere, when Sam became reacquainted with Joel (Jeff Hiller), a fellow member of their high schools show choir she just couldnt seem to place. Yet Joel adored her: I used to love watching you sing, he told Sam in that first episode. You were so joyful it, like, soaked into me. Nothing made me happy in high school, and that made me so happy.

Sams singing in the finale conjures up that same joy, and it will be evident to those who have watched the series' 21 episodes just how far Sam has come. When viewers first met her, she was grieving her sister, who had died six months earlier and was struggling to find her place in Manhattan, Kansas. (Everetts hometown is the setting for the semi-autobiographical series.) Sam had returned to take care of her sister, who was battling cancer.

I feel really good, Sam tells her friends from the bar stage in Sundays episode. And I thought that that was a good enough reason to ask all my favorite people to be here with me today. I want you guys to know how much I love you. I really do.  Cheers to us, and heres to living.

The finale brings the characters full circle, which is why its surprising to learn Everett and the cast didnt know the episode would be their last. (HBO canceled the series after three seasons.)

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That was my first day on set for Season 3, says Hiller, 49.

It was kind of wild, Everett adds, because you sort of have an idea of where you think you want the temperature to be of the scene, but we just really rolled the dice and hoped that that was good enough."

Sam (Bridget Everett) and Joel (Jeff Hiller) are each other's persons in HBO's dramedy "Somebody Somewhere."

An online petition with more than 10,000 signatures urges HBO to give the Peabody Award-winning series a fourth season, praising the quietly compassionate show that features  and highlights  a loving community in middle America, the importance of chosen family, authentic trans and queer representation, and real relationships that endure even the most painful conflict.

And Everett, 52, is game for more.

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I never want to say goodbye to these characters, she says. I hope it's only goodbye for right now. I was saying to somebody earlier I was out getting my steps yesterday, or whatever day it was, and I was thinking about a scene between Sam and Joel, where they might be right now, and a set of circumstances that I have in my head. It just it feels like I'm right back in it.

What Everett envisions for the characters she keeps close to the vest, but she knows "exactly how I'd want it to end.

'Yellowstone' Season 5, Part 2: Here's when the final two episodes come out and how to watch

Hiller would also raise a tini to resurrecting the characters. In the finale, people-pleaser Joel decides to return to his church and finds the courage to share his decision with his partner, Brad (Tim Bagley).

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But let's just say that if we did get to do a movie or something, Joel wouldn't be living in London and having a phone call in, he says, referencing Kim Cattralls brief And Just Like That  cameo, amid a public feud with star Sarah Jessica Parker. Ill be there.

Hiller describes the series as a platonic rom-com, after all. It would make as much sense to have Sam without Joel as a peanut butter sandwich without jelly.

Everetts favorite moment in the finale is when Joel declares Sam to be his person: My life is so much better because of you, he tells her.

It feels like the point of the show, Everett says. Sam needs somebody like Joel who's undeniable and not willing to give up on her.

Sam (Bridget Everett) is ready to attempt a romance with Iceland (Olafur Darri Olafsson).

As a result of Joels unconditional love and a strengthened relationship with her sister, Tricia (Mary Catherine Garrison), a more confident Sam feels emboldened to take a chance on romance with a man nicknamed Iceland (Olafur Darri Olafsson).

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Sam initially said Iceland blew her off after their first date, when she actually ghosted him because she was scared of being rejected. After Tricia encourages Sam to give things a shot, she invites Iceland to the bar, where hes mesmerized by her performance. That was amazing, he tells her before Sam falls into his shoulder and the credits roll.

The whole point of the show is to not give up on yourself, Hiller says. By the time I had turned 40 and I hadn't ever made it as an actor full time, I kind of was like: Oh, it's never going to happen. I'm just going to be someone who teaches improv and then sometimes gets to play a waiter on a sitcom. And this show said, No, your story is valid, too.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Somebody Somewhere finale isn't how Bridget Everett wants show to end
Guns N Roses have plotted a 2025 summer tour of the Middle East and Europe that is slated to kick off in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on May 23, which will be the veteran hard rockers first-ever stop in the country. The 24-show run will be the bands first outing since they wound-down their 2023 world tour at the Hell & Heaven Fest in Toluca, Mexico in November 2023.

Announcing the shows on their Instagram on Monday morning (Dec. 9), the band wrote, Because what you want N what you get are two completely different things. After opening in Saudi Arabia, the tour will visit the United Arab Emirates before moving on to stadiums in Europe, with shows in Georgia, Turkey, Portugal, Spain, Italy, the Czech Republic, Germany, the U.K., Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Lithuania, Poland, Hungary and Serbia. The tour is currently slated to wind down in Bulgaria on July 21, with no .

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Support on the tour will come from Public Enemy, Rival Sons and the Sex Pistols fronted by Frank Carter on select dates. Nightrain fan club tickets will be available in a presale beginning Tuesday (Dec. 10) at 9 a.m. local time with a general onsale slated from Friday at 9 a.m. local; click here for information on both. PE hype man Flavor Flav was elated by the news, writing on X, IM GOING ON TOUR WITH GUNS N ROSES, !!!! Letz go,!!!

GNR havent release a new album since 2008s decade-plus in the making Chinese Democracy. In October, bassist Diff McKagan told SiriusXMs Eddie Trunk that the group has been working on new material. Theres definitely a desire and a plan for new music, he said. Yeah, for sure. At press time the band has not announced any other 2025 tour dates.

Check out the 2025 GNR Middle East/European dates below.

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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Three years after his last tour, country artist Keith Urban will be hitting the road again. He will be embarking on his worldwide High and Alive tour, with a stop at the Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre on Friday, July 18, 2025.

Tickets will go on sale starting this Friday, Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. local time. Artists Chase Matthew, Alana Springsteen, and Karley Scott Collins will be joining as supporting acts. The tour is set to take place on stages internationally, but as of now, only U.S. dates have been released.

Kilby Block Party 2025 announces lineup, expands to four days

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The High and Alive tour follows the release of Urbans latest album High on Sept. 20, which features the singles Straight Line and Messed Up As Me.

High and Alive tour poster. (KF Publicity)

Playing live is what I live to do, said Urban in a release. Looking out from a stage and seeing people singing, forgetting about all the stress in their lives, cutting loose, and feeling ALIVE  thats what its about for me. Lots of hits, new songs, things we wont even think about until were onstage  and loads of guitar. Were gonna make this tour the best night of your life!

Urban has four Grammy Awards to his name, 13 CMAs, 15 ACMs, and 3 AMAs. He also has had nine consecutive, gold, platinum, or multi-platinum albums, which have had more than 10 billion streams.

Ahead of the High and Alive tour, Urban will also be in Las Vegas on Feb. 14-15, 19, 21-22 for shows at the Fontainebleau.

High and Alive Tour U.S. Dates:

May 22  Orange Beach, AL  The Wharf Amphitheater

May 23  Alpharetta, GA  Ameris Bank Amphitheatre

May 24  Charleston, SC  Credit One Stadium

May 30  Charlotte, NC  PNC Music Pavilion

May 31  Raleigh, NC  Coastal Credit Union Music Park Raleigh

June 12  Gilford, NH  BankNH Pavilion

June 13  Holmdel, NJ  PNC Bank Arts Center

June 14  Wantagh, NY  Northwell at Jones Beach Theater

June 19  Columbia, MD -Merriweather Post Pavilion

June 22  Clarkston, MI  Pine Knob Music Theatre

June 26  Cincinnati, OH  Riverbend Music Center

June 27  Cuyahoga Falls, OH  Blossom Music Center

June 28  Noblesville, IN  Ruoff Music Center

July 17  Denver, CO  Fiddlers Green Amphitheatre

July 18  Salt Lake City, UT  Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre

July 19  Nampa, ID  Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater

July 24  TBA

July 26  Inglewood, CA  Intuit Dome

September 25  Chicago, IL  United Center

September 26  TBA

September 27  Omaha, NE  CHI Health Center

October 2  Hershey, PA  Giant Center

October 3  Uncasville, CT  Mohegan Sun Arena

October 4  Bristow, VA  Jiffy Lube Live

October 9  Fort Worth, TX  Dickies Arena

October 11  Houston, TX  The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman

October 16  Greenville, SC  Bon Secours Wellness Arena

October 17  Nashville, TN  Bridgestone Arena

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Corrections & Clarifications: A previous version of this article included incorrect information and pricing for tamales sold by Fire and Braids.

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After over 50 businesses were nominated, the search for the best tamales in metro Phoenix has concluded after three intensive weeks of voting.

Racking up nearly 12,000 votes in our final voting round, which lasted from Dec. 2 through Dec. 8, among five finalists  The Tamale Store, Sazon Sinaloense, La Guera Hispanic Food, Old El Paso Tamales and Fire and Braids  we officially have our winners.

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Who makes the best tamales in metro Phoenix? Meet the three winners of the 2024 Top Tamal contest.

First place: Fire and Braids

Fire and Braids is the overall winner of the 2024 Top Tamal contest, with just over 60% of the votes. The Scottsdale food truck belongs to the owner of the Dish is Da Bomb food business, which every holiday season offers tamales to its customers.

"It is such an honor to be recognized for my tamales! It makes me proud to be able to share my heritage through my tamales. I get to share my traditions and family legacies left by the women who inspired the recipe I created in their honor," said Brenda Mercado Valdez, owner of Fire and Braids and Dish is Da Bomb.

Dish is Da Bomb's the menu includes red chile beef, green chile pork, cheese and jalapeno, green corn, and plant-based options. Prices vary from $40 and $45.

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The business offers free delivery with a minimum order of $35 within a 5-mile radius of Fire and Braids. There is a $6 fee with a $50 minimum order within a 10-mile radius.

Pre-orders for Christmas and New Year's opened on Dec. 6.

Details: 15111 N. Hayden Road, Scottsdale, (480) 442 7242, https://www.instagram.com/fireandbraids/, https://www.instagram.com/dishisdabomb/.

Second Place: La Guera Hispanic Food

La Guera Hispanic Food, a Phoenix home business, was crowned second place in the Top Tamal 2024 contest.

We are absolutely thrilled and incredibly honored to not only be a candidate but also to achieve the esteemed title of first runner-up in Tamal 2024! Among all the wonderful businesses, both big and small, that sell tamales, being recognized in this way is a tremendous accomplishment for us! We are sincerely grateful to everyone who took the time to vote for us  your support means the world to us! the business shared in a written statement.

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The beef tamales with red chile came out as one of La Gueras Hispanic Foods favorites. The masa was the most highlighted element of the businesss dish.

La Gueras Hispanic Food, a home business, opens for orders every Saturday and packages include chile and cheese tamales, beef with red chile, and chicken with green chile. Prices are $25 per dozen except for the chile and cheese dozen, which is $23.

"For us, tamales symbolize family and home. Each year, we joyfully come together as a family to prepare them for the holidays. It's a time filled with laughter, storytelling, and cherished moments, free from distractions," the statement read. "This truly is the most magical time of the year, and we are so grateful to share it with all of you!"

Details: (480) 231-6272, https://www.facebook.com/lagueras/.

Third Place: The Tamale Store

The Tamale Store was the second runner-up in the Top Tamale 2024 contest. Many voters conceded that one of the things that makes this places dish stand out the most is the quality and balance of the dough with the protein or vegetable filling.

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The menu is extensive, but some of their favorites include green chile chicken, chipotle chicken, mole, red chile pork, Tex-Mex (seasoned ground beef and cheese), Baja Seafood (shrimp, crab, and cream cheese blend), corn and cream cheese, AZ Cornbread (corn dough with jalapeno and Colby Jack cheese filling) and the Hatch and Jack (a blend of New Mexican chiles and Monterey Jack cheese).

Prices vary: 2 for $9, half a dozen for $26, and a dozen for $45.

Details: 15842 N. Cave Creek Road, Phoenix, (602) 435-2604, https://www.thetamalestore.com/

Have story tips on Latino communities in the Valley? Reach La Voz reporter Paula Soria at psoriaaguilar@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Best tamales in Phoenix: Meet the winners of Top Tamale 2024
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 9. The news of the death of military personnel as a result of a helicopter crash in the Turkish city of Isparta greatly shocked and deeply saddened us, Trend reports via the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry's X publication.

In connection with the tragedy, we express our deep condolences to the families and loved ones of the victims, friendly and brotherly Turkiye, the ministry added.

To note, two military helicopters collided during a training flight in the district center of Keciborlu in Turkiye's Isparta province.

Five servicemen were killed and one injured as a result of the accident.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Hundreds of millions of customers can't be wrong: Fast food is undeniably delicious while it's also convenient, served up fast, and an usually an inexpensive alternative to sit-down restaurant dining or cooking at home. But the main goal of fast food isn't necessarily to nourish its customers or provide an amazing culinary experience: It's to make as much money as possible. Major, internationally dominant fast food chains drive the $860 billion worldwide quick-serve economy. They'll do whatever they can and whatever it takes to outpace the intense competition or carve out a niche.

Attracting customers is tough, and fast food restaurants can't rely on just good food, good service, and good prices to get people through the door or in the drive-through. Creative copywriting, inventive marketing, false advertising, serving phony food, psychological trickery, and underhanded pricing techniques are just of some the tools at their disposal. Some fast food restaurants may never live down their shady pasts, such as tricking, cheating, and scamming their customers as a matter of course. Here are some of the most egregious, anti-customer sins ever committed by fast food restaurants.

Read more: The Many, Many Ingredients That Are Packed Into McDonald's Fries

Long John Silver's Lobster Wasn't The Lobster Customers Thought It Was

Long John Silver's location exterior - Bruce VanLoon/Shutterstock

The world needs more Long John Silver's, but not if it's going to obscure the identity of its seafood. In 2005, the seafood-focused chain added what seemed like a luxury item to its menu of fried whitefish, clams, and shrimp: lobster. Synonymous with high-priced formal dining, it was suddenly for sale at Long John Silver's in the form of its Buttered Langostino Lobster Bites, purportedly made from "real langostino lobster."

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This was all a daring and not fully legal marketing move on the part of Long John Silver's. The Buttered Lobster Bites weren't made with any of the lobster with which consumers are familiar, and there's no such thing as a langostino lobster. Langostino is another name for an inches-long shellfish more closely related to the hermit crab than lobster, also known by its unappetizing English name: squat lobster.

When Olympia Snowe, a U.S. senator from the lobster-producing state of Maine, found out about the langostino lobster gambit, she asked the Food and Drug Administration to halt sales, calling the product "an insult to Maine and to the lobster industry," per CBS News. The Federal Trade Commission stepped in, and Long John Silver's was forced to rebrand Lobster Bites as Buttered Langostino Lobster Bites in order to let customers know that they weren't quite eating lobster. Long John Silver's discontinued the item in 2010.

Taco Bell's Light Taco Was Heavy On Deception

Old mission-style Taco Bell restaurant - Joe Raedle/Getty

Taco Bell's Decades Menu brought back old faves in the 2020s, but one item not likely to reappear at the Mexican-inspired fast food chain anytime soon: the Taco Light. An increasingly health conscious population and customer base was a legitimate threat to the bottom line of fast food companies. Various healthy eating trends in the 1970s and 1980s left the peddlers of fat-laden, cheese-covered meals to come up with ideas for how to lure in new, nutritionally-minded diners or keep the customers they had amidst the new trends. In 1983, Taco Bell went the opposite direction, creating a taco longer than its standard crunchy one, adding more calorically dense seasoned ground beef, and utilizing a slightly thinner shell.

Taco Bell then marketed the menu item, named Taco Light, to customers seeking lighter fare. Commercials for the product emphasized the technology and taste, as Taco Light was made with "a flaky flour tortilla that lets all the delicious flavors inside come bursting through." Very briefly, over a shot of lettuce and tomato, a disclaimer appears in tiny letters on the screen: "Not lower in calories." Its impact on Taco Bell sales was light; the product didn't last very long.

A McDonald's Miracle Low-Fat Burger Was Partially Made From Seaweed

McDonald's burger with fries and drinks - SrideeStudio/Shutterstock

In 1991, when the desire to eat "lite," low-calorie, and low-fat was all the rage, McDonald's, the biggest name in greasy fast food, debuted what purported to be an actually healthy hamburger. If it seemed too good to be true, it's because it was, as McDonald's literally filled in some holes with questionable materials in order to make its promise technically true.

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McDonald's promised that the McLean Deluxe would be just as tasty as its other, full-fat burgers, even the Quarter Pounder that it visually resembled. Along with lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, and ketchup on a bun, the sandwich featured a beef patty that was 91% fat-free. With 10 grams of fat, the McLean Deluxe contained only about a third of what could be found in a Quarter Pounder with Cheese. So how did McDonald's concoct such a low-fat item? Its suppliers removed a significant portion of fat and then bolstered the weakened protein with water and a seaweed derivative that worked as a binder. The McLean Deluxe didn't exactly taste like seaweed, but it didn't exactly taste like a normal McDonald's burger, either. It faded off the menu by 1996.

Subway Sold Chicken And Tuna Subs That Weren't Totally Made With Chicken And Tuna

Tuna sandwich from Subway - Justin Sullivan/Getty

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Among an array of freshly sliced meats, Subway shops in the United States offer multiple kinds of chicken  heavily sauced and chopped stuff used for the Sweet Onion Teriyaki, and an Oven Roasted Chicken patty. Subway was somewhat misleading with those names, because according to an investigation, those sandwich fillers were only about half poultry. Reporters from "Marketplace," a Canadian news show from the CBC, submitted samples of both chicken products for multiple rounds of DNA testing, and researchers determined that the Sweet Onion Teriyaki chicken strips were just 42.8% chicken, and Oven Roasted Chicken patty was 53.6% chicken. Not counting trace amounts of seasonings, preservatives, and fillers, the rest of the poultry was really soy, along with more than 10 times as much salt as one would find in chicken purchased at a supermarket.

Another Subway luncheon meat alternative also wasn't what the chain said it was. In 2021, two California residents filed a lawsuit in U.S. District Court alleging that Subway committed fraud and intentional misrepresentation by selling a surreptitiously tuna-free concoction as tuna. The plaintiffs ordered laboratory testing of tuna filling obtained from several Subway outlets, and the results indicated that the product was made from various proteins and other foods, none of which were tuna. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2023, while Subway added a "Tuna Facts" page to its website, attesting to the authenticity of its seafood.

McDonald's Left The Value Out Of Its Extra Value Meals

McDonalds burger and fries - Patcharaporn Puttipon4289/Shutterstock

The modern fast food combo meal  generally consisting of a sandwich, fries, and a soft drink  was introduced by McDonald's in the early 1990s. Instituted partially at the behest of Coca-Cola, which wanted to sell more of its products at McDonald's, a manager named Alan Dimayuga suggested bundling otherwise individually ordered burgers, french fries, and soda, giving each a number that could become shorthand for regular customers. McDonald's made it a national program, and initially kept the price of each "Extra Value Meal" about 15 cents less than what it would cost if the three meal parts were ordered separately.

However, that stipulation faded with time. In 2016, Illinois resident James Gertie sued a local multi-unit McDonald's franchisee for false advertising. Customers who purchased the two-cheeseburger Extra Value Meal at Karis Management Company-run McDonald's paid 41 cents more for the combo than if they'd individually purchased the two sandwiches, fries, and soda. Two years later, more McDonald's customers filed an Extra Value Meal lawsuit  a two sausage burritos, hash browns, and coffee meal sold on the breakfast menu was over-priced by 11 cents more than its constituent items at Chicago-area McDonald's. That case was dismissed.

Dunkin' Used Cheap Ingredients Instead Of The Nice Ones As Advertised

Dunkin' Donuts exterior signage - Ken Wolter/Shutterstock

As terms, "butter" and "margarine" are often used somewhat interchangeably; in the real world, they're quite different. Butter is made from churned cream, a natural product more expensive than margarine, a factory-made imitation butter created from processed vegetable oil. Butter is viewed in a more favorable light, and that's partly why Dunkin', formerly known as Dunkin' Donuts, experienced legal fallout when it presented itself as a restaurant chain that used real butter when it really served margarine. Two lawsuits filed in Massachusetts accused about 20 franchised Dunkin' Donuts of buttering its bagels with margarine, even when it said it used butter and when customers requested real butter be used. The switch-outs all took place between June 2012 and June 2016.

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Around the time its lawyers were busy with the faux-butter case, Dunkin' Donuts was sued again, this time in a New York City federal court by a local who alleged "false, deceptive, and misleading" practices, per Boston.com, in how the chain advertised Angus Steak-based breakfast sandwiches but served cheaper, lower quality ground beef on the items instead. And later in 2017, a Chicago Dunkin' customer filed another lawsuit, a class action matter that took issue without how the company's purportedly blueberry doughnuts and some pastries were completely devoid of any true berries. At the time, Dunkin' products were flecked with imitation blueberries, or "flavored crystals" made from blue dye and two kinds of sugar.

At Subway, A Foot Didn't Mean 12 Inches

Footlong sandwich from Subway wrapped and atop bag - The Image Party/Shutterstock

In 2013, Matt Corby of Perth, Australia bought a foot-long sandwich from Subway. Sensing that it didn't quite measure up to its stated, implied length of a foot, or 12 inches, the customer measured the sandwich and discovered it was an 11-inch-long sub. He griped about it on Facebook, and a photo of the sandwich next to measuring tape confirming its undersized length went viral.

Responding to the negative attention, and the notion that it was lying to its many customers and had been for years, Subway explained that its foot-long subs didn't necessarily have to be a foot long. "The length of the bread baked in the restaurant cannot be assured each and every time as the proofing process may vary slightly each time in the restaurant," a representative of the company wrote on the Subway Australia Facebook page, (via ABC News). And furthermore, Subway claimed, "Footlong" was a registered trademark used to describe its general large sandwiches and to not make any promises about its specific size. In the U.S., a team of lawyers put together a class action lawsuit accusing Subway of deception. A judge tossed the case out of court in 2017.

Chipotle Lied By Omission About Its Nutrition Facts

Chipotle menu board with calorie counts - Brandon Bell/Getty

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Made mostly from heavily spiced pork fat, the traditionally Spanish called chorizo is categorically not a food that is low in calories. And yet when Chipotle introduced chorizo to the list of protein choices customers could order in their burritos, tacos, burrito bowls, and salads in 2016, the Mexican-inspired chain's menu board noted that it contained just 300 calories. This presentation made it seem like any Chipotle entree with chorizo as its foundation would provide a mere 300 calories  patently false, and the focal point of a lawsuit.

Three men filed a case in Los Angeles County Superior Court after eating chorizo burritos at three separate Chipotle outlets in California. All felt way too full after consuming what they were led to believe was just 300 calories  they'd really eaten much more. Deep in Chipotle's nutrition information on its website, the company noted that those 300 calories were just for the chorizo; a nutrition calculator showed that a burrito made with the sausage, rice, black beans, salsa, and cheese in a tortilla came in at 1,055 calories. "Consumers are lulled into a false belief that the items are healthier than they really are, and thereby encouraging repeat patronage by consumers who are concerned about the nutritional values of the food they eat," the lawsuit alleged, (via the Los Angeles Times).

Burger King's Ads For A Chicken Sandwich Were Blatantly False

Burger King chicken sandwich with lights - Efood / Facebook

In 2010, Burger King added a chicken sandwich to its U.K. menu, the Tendercrisp. Television commercials indicated that the chicken burger (as they're known in England) was a very large product, with a male actor barely able to wrap his hands around the giant sandwich. The advertisement did what it was supposed to  drive traffic to Burger King and increase orders for the Tendercrisp. But when some customers actually got the Tendercrisp into their own hands, they were disappointed by the relatively small stature of the product.

Two Burger King patrons reported the commercial to the Advertising Standards Authority, a U.K. fair trade commission and commercial watchdog. Agents investigated by purchasing three Tendercrisp sandwiches and agreed that the real-life product didn't resemble the one depicted on T.V. at all. Ruling that their Tendercrisps's height and width didn't compare favorably than the ones seen on TV, the Advertising Standards Authority ordered Burger King to stop airing the ad. "We concluded that the visuals in the advert were likely to mislead viewers as to the size and composition of the product," the ASA said in a statement, (via BBC).

A Roundup On How Chipotle Kept Rounding Up

Chipotle sign in front of location - Erman Gunes/Shutterstock

There are a lot of shady things you can't ignore about Chipotle, like the time it essentially instituted a price hike without telling customers. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the United States briefly weathered a coin shortage  to limit the spread of germs via physical contact, countless merchants stopped accepting (and customers limited their use of) hard metal money. Responding to the lack of coinage in its own way, Mexican-inspired chain Chipotle attempted to make change less of an issue. It simply rounded up its prices and totaled tabs to the next dollar; that way, customers wouldn't have to look in their pockets or purses for coins, and Chipotle wouldn't have to touch as many nickels, dimes, quarters, and pennies.

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Evidence of this plan led to a customer-filed lawsuit against Chipotle. "It has become very clear that this is a top-down directive form the corporation, this is how they should handle this situation," representing attorney Frank Salpietro told CBS News, adding that the practice unfairly targeted and overcharged customers who used cash rather than a debit or credit card. This wasn't the first time that Chipotle tried out the scheme. In 2012, Chipotle restaurants in New York and New Jersey were caught rounding up prices to the next 25-cent mark.

How McDonald's Skimps On The Fries

Box of McDonald's fries standing upright - Lauren Decicca/Getty

McDonald's is a fast food chain that serves the highest quality french fries, and it may attempt to provide paying customers with as few of them as possible. It's a relatable, near-universal experience: You open your bag from McDonald's and pull out the small packet or larger box of french fries, and they inevitably seem under-filled or just scant in some way. It turns out, our eyes do not deceive us, as McDonald's may train its employees to purposely under-load french fry containers. A post from a 2017 Reddit thread called "What did your job want to hide from customers" from a former McDonald's employee went viral for seemingly confirming the theory. "I worked at McDonald's and they taught me how to punch the fry carton just right while putting the fries into them so that it looked full, but actually wasn't," the Reddit user said. "I only had one customer call me out on it." Other former McDonald's workers weighed in with their experience, corroborating the first account.

When asked to comment on the expose, McDonald's spokesperson Terri Hickey denied that the fast food giant ever did anything wrong. "The notion of a secret trick is absolutely false. There are strict procedures in place to ensure that fry boxes and bags are appropriately filled," Hickey told HuffPost.

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NORTHBRIDGE  A painting of Ed Locke was produced by one of America's most famous artists and became a staple in police barracks around the world  and if you ask him about it, he will say it was all because he was left-handed.

"I had a friend growing up that always reminded me that I was always picked because I was left-handed," Locke said.

Locke was an 8-year-old student at the Plain School in Stockbridge in 1958, when Berkshire County's most famous painter, Norman Rockwell, visited the school. Rockwell, who frequently used local subjects for his paintings, was in search of a child for his upcoming piece, which would end up being titled "The Runaway."

Ed Locke signs copies of the Norman Rockwell painting "The Runaway," which he posed for in 1958 when he was 8.

"We were all sitting down in the classroom, and like all left-handed students, I was sitting on the end because I needed the extra space to reach over and write, as all the desks were designed for right-handed students," Locke, now 74, said. "So I think being out on the end made me stand out compared to my classmates."

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Locke would end up sitting down for the photo that would then be turned into the portrait of the runaway. The portrait depicts Locke as a "runaway" child, who is sitting at a lunch counter alongside a Massachusetts state trooper, who is eying Locke in a friendly, knowing look while Locke looks on nervously.

Ed Locke, the model for the boy in Norman Rockwell's painting "The Runaway," stands in front of the famous image at the State Police Museum in Grafton on Sunday. [Photo/Jim Marabello]

"We had it shot at the Howard Johnson's in Pittsfield. Rockwell was really nice and easy to work with, plus back then you didn't really talk back to adults, so you just did whatever they said," Locke said. "The next thing I knew, it was on the cover of The Saturday Evening Post."

Locke was in Northbridge Saturday, signing copies of the photo for families, Rockwell fans and state police historians. Northbridge has been home to the Massachusetts State Police Museum and Learning Center since 2021, where it moved from the Grafton State Police barracks into a former town building at 1 Memorial Square in Whitinsville.

The portrait of Locke has become a staple for state police officers around the country, as the depiction, in typical Rockwellian fashion, shows a good-spirited, determined depiction of quintessential 20th-century American life. A former state trooper helped construct a recreation of the diner setting depicted in the portrait, which is located in the museum in Northbridge.

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"To me, the painting is about history," Stephen Byron, the museum's president, said. "We have a logbook in the museum that contains the name of every state trooper in the history of the state. There are a lot of great, strong leaders in the there and I think the painting showcases that side of the job."

Rhode Island State Police Cpl. Tyler Denniston poses for a re-creation of the famous Norman Rockwell painting "The Runaway" with his son at the Massachusetts State Police Museum and Learning Center in Northbridge on Saturday.

The police officer depicted in the portrait is state trooper Richard Clemens, who was a neighbor of Rockwell's. Clemens' daughter, Mary Clemens, was in attendance Saturday at the event and said that the painting does a great job representing the kind of person her father, who died in 2012, was.

"It's an iconic image, and I don't think Rockwell could have known that what he portrayed here with my dad, that was my dad," Clemens said. "My father once ran into a burning building while he was off-duty because he believed there were children inside and suffered serious burns on his body. I think the portrait shows a small town, that the police are there to help people. My dad took a ribbing from his fellow troopers for having his book so far out of his pocket in the painting, that was not protocol."

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Norman Rockwell's 'The Runaway' cover re-created at Northbridge museum
(WHTM)  Iceland is a nation of near-compulsive literacy.

The islands population as of 2024 is 388,790, subject to change without notice. The literary rate is about 99 percent. In 2013, Icelands Bifrost University conducted a study of the populations reading habits. They found that 93 percent read at least one book a year, and fifty percent read eight or more.

Not only do they read, they write. According to BBC Magazine, one in ten Icelanders will publish a book!

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And on Christmas Eve, Icelanders will gift each other with books, then sit together reading their new books late into the night while sipping hot chocolate.

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Welcome to Jolabokaflo, the Christmas (or Yule) Book Flood.

Icelands Northern Lights with abc27 Chief Meteorologist Eric Finkenbinder

The Icelandic literary tradition dates back to the writing of their famous Sagas in the 12th to 15th centuries. Jolabokaflo, though, started during World War II. Many things were severely rationed during the war, with one important exception  paper. Given Icelanders love of reading, its not surprising books became extremely popular Christmas gifts.

Then in 1944 (the same year Iceland gained its independence from Denmark), the Icelands Publishers Association created the Bokatiindi, or Book Bulletin. A catalog of new publications, the Bokatiindi is sent to every household in the country in November. People order books from the catalog to give family and friends for Christmas.

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So how exactly is Jolabokaflo pronounced? It may seem a bit daunting at first glance  its a long name full of syllables, and whats with all those little marks? The first thing to keep in mind is that many long words in Icelandic are made by stringing several shorter words together. (There are three words in Jolabokaflo.) Second, the accent is always on the first syllable.

Iceland votes for a new parliament after political disagreements force an early election

The j in Icelandic is pronounced as y. This is true of most Germanic and Slavic languages. English is the oddball here  if you find a word in English in which j is pronounced y, its probably a loanword, which is a polite way of saying we stole it.

Most consonants in Icelandic are pronounced like in English. But they add accent marks over vowels which tell you their precise sound. Unlike in English, in Icelandic, you always know how to pronounce your vowels. So, lets go through Jolabokaflo letter by letter:

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Watch: Lava spurts from Iceland volcano for second day as fissure spreads

J is like y in yes, o is like oa in boat, l is like English l, a is like in car, b is like b in English, o, k is like English k, a, f is like English f, l, o, and finally . This is one of two Icelandic letters we dont have in English. (We had them when we spoke Old English 1000+ years ago, but later dropped them. Our loss.) The other one is . Both letters are sounded as th. So whats the difference?  sounds like the soft th in thin.  is like the hard th in the or thunder.)

Now, lets sound it out in syllables:

Jo-la-bok-a-flo

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And there you have it: Jolabokaflo. With a little practice, itll flow right off your tongue. And, knowing that in English this compound noun breaks down into three words, it almost translates itself for you:

Jola-boka-flo

Yule-book-flood

From there, its easy to figure out that the first word in Bokatiindi is book. The second part, tiindi, translates as news/bulletin or journal. (i is pronounced like the ee in seek)

So on Christmas Eve, after you finish decorating the tree and setting out the presents for the next morning, why not do as the Icelanders do, and settle down with a cup of hot chocolate  and a nice new book?

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For a simple primer on how to pronounce Icelandic, click here.

Want to see past and present issues of Bokatiindi? Click here.

For the BBC Magazine article on Icelandic literacy, click here.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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As a native Belizean and a Travel + Leisure travel advisor, my ideal trip to this English-speaking Central American country merges the best of the land with the best of the sea. Hike through thrilling jungle terrain, explore a breathtaking network of underground caverns, and rappel down a stunning waterfall with a heart-pounding descent into the Belizean rainforest. Then, sail along the world's second-largest barrier reef on a private yacht charter, exploring picture-perfect Caribbean islands and crystal-clear blue water.

Heres exactly how to spend seven amazing nights in Belize.

JohnnyGreig/Getty Images The Great Blue Hole within Belize's Barrier Reef Reserve. The Great Blue Hole within Belize's Barrier Reef Reserve.

Day One

With direct flights from 15 major hubs in the U.S. and two in Canada, Belize has become far more accessible in recent years, which means your adventure starts the moment you arrive. One of the most scenic introductions to the country is taking a helicopter tour directly from the international airport over the Maya Mountains and cascading waterfalls to the Valley Stream Private Eden jungle hotel. Upon arrival, youll be greeted by your dedicated concierge, chef, bartender, and housekeeper.

Courtesy of Belize Tourism Board Explore the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave, ATM cave, and find the iconic Crystal Maiden. Explore the Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave, ATM cave, and find the iconic Crystal Maiden.

Day Two

Enjoy an early morning breakfast before heading out on a full-day spelunking adventure at Actun Tunichil Muknal Cave led by Dr. Rafael Guerra, a renowned Belizean archaeologist and cave expert. Hike through the jungle, cross rivers, and swim into this sacred cave with an hourglass-shaped entrance. Climb through interior cathedrals housing ceramic and skeletal remains from ancient sacrificial ceremonies.

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Top off your adventure with a traditional Maya five-course meal with a modern twist prepared by the Tzib family from the Yucatec Maya community of San Antonio. Try your hand at making corn tortillas and help put the finishing touches on the delectable dishes youll enjoy.

www.anitapeeples.com/Getty Images Path through Belize's Mayflower Bocawina National Park. Path through Belize's Mayflower Bocawina National Park.

Day Three

On the third day, head south to Mayflower Bocawina National Park. During your hike to Antelope Falls, youll encounter abundant flora and fauna as you traverse the verdant jungle. At 1,000 feet elevation, the top of the waterfall provides a spectacular vantage point from which to take in the stunning landscape of the neighboring valleys and mountains. Rappel 250 feet on the edge of the waterfall and rocky cliff. Then, get back to solid ground and cool off in the emerald pool below.

Day Four

Helicopter from the lush green jungles to the azure waters of the Caribbean Sea. Land at Gladden Private Island, where youll board a private catamaran, equipped with a captain and chef. The sail takes you to your next stop at Silk Cayes Marine Reserve. Spend the afternoon snorkeling among an abundance of marine life, and then anchor for sunset at North Long Coco Caye, an island that's less than 40 acres.

Creative Capture/Getty Images Explore the waters of Belize. Explore the waters of Belize.

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Days Five through Seven

For your final three nights, sail along tiny postcard-perfect islands, or cayes, starting at Carrie Bow Caye, where vibrant corals and colorful fish await. Continue to the exclusive South Water Caye, a 12-acre paradise perched on the barrier reef. Snorkel with grunts, groupers, and eels, then unwind with a cold Belikin beer. Sail on to Tobacco Caye, a charming five-acre coral island fringed with palm trees. Next, explore the Colson Cayes, a magical collection of mangrove islands home to manatees and dolphins, and experience incredible snorkeling on untouched reefs. Enjoy your last Belizean sunset at the serene Rendezvous Caye, where manta rays will come to shore to bid you farewell  until next time, that is.

Patricia Johnson is a member of Travel + Leisure's A-List and specializes in trips to Belize. You can create a tailor-made itinerary with Johnson by contacting her at patricia@absolutebelize.com.

Read the original article on Travel & Leisure
Opportunities abound to have fun while searching for gifts for friends and loved ones at holiday specialty markets in the Oklahoma City metro area and beyond. Organizers say there's plenty to see and buy. Here are several market events to consider. Admission is free, unless otherwise noted.

A little bit country

A Country Christmas Holiday Market will be 2 to 7 p.m. Dec. 7 at Scissortail Park. The annual market returns to Loves Travel Stops Stage & The Promenade for an outdoor holiday market supporting local Oklahoma businesses and artisans. Home decor, boutiques, clothing, jewelry, candles, woodwork, gourmet food, pet items and books will be sold. Live music from local cover band 90's Country Live!, and the vocal trio OK3, who were contestants from NBC's "The Voice," plus others, will be hand. And Santa will visit from 5 to 8 p.m.

Gifts with an Indigenous flair

The annual Winter Holiday Art Market is set for Dec. 7-8 at the First Americans Museum, 659 First Americans Blvd. The museum will host more than 40 premier artists during the market. It is free to the public and will include artist demonstrations, musical performances and community partner booths. In addition to artist vendors, the market will include free gift wrapping and a visit from Indigenous Santa. Visitors are also encouraged to donate a toy to donate in support of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Child Welfare Program. The market is free, but visitors must purchase tickets to explore the museum gallery. Get the full event schedule at https://famok.org/winter-holiday-art-market/.

Be there with bells on

Sleigh Bells Farmers Market will be noon to 5 p.m. Dec. 8 at the OKC Farmers Market, 311 S Klein. The market will feature 80 boutique vendors selling items on two floors of the farmers market event venue. For more information, check out the market's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/events/924736418249170/.

Art for the holidays

Holiday Artist Market at Factory Obscura is set for 3 to 6 p.m. Dec. 14 at Factory Obscura, 25 NW 9. This is the second of two holiday markets offered at Factory Obscura this year. Art created by more than 30 artists will be featured. For more information, go online to https://www.factoryobscura.com/events/2024/holidayartistmarket-dec14.

Buy gifts with an Oklahoma touch

The Oklahoma Tourism & Recreation Department's Holiday Pop-Up shop continues through Dec. 20 in the Strata Tower lobby at 123 S Kerr Ave. The store features Oklahoma-themed products and local goods. Hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. For more information, go to https://www.travelok.com/listings/view.profile/id.31984/33335.

Holidays at the Well

Norman's Twilight Market will present Holidays at the Well from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 8 at The Well, 210 James Garner Ave., Norman. The market will feature local vendors and artists, plus children's arts and crafts, photos with Santa or the Grumpy Green Guy, food trucks, complimentary caricatures by LOL Cartoons and a Norman Animal Welfare animal adoption event. Live music and live dance performances will also be on hand. For more information, check out the Norman Twilight Market's Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/NormanTwilightMarket.

Amanda Oldham and her daughter Jasper Oldham, 2, finish getting their photo taken at the 2023 Holiday Pop-Up Shops in Oklahoma City.

Experience Midtown retailers at one site

The Midtown Holiday Pop-Up Shops will be open on weekends through Dec. 20 at NW 10 and Hudson, 323 NW 10 in Midtown. Many Midtown retail outlets will rotate through the pop-up shops, offering shoppers an eclectic mix of items for purchase. Hours are 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday. Find more details about this annual retail experience at https://www.facebook.com/okcPopUps/.

Gift giving with a global flair

Pambe Ghana's Global Market continues through Dec. 24 at 7908 N Western. Elementary students at the La'Angum Learning Center in Ghana and international artisans benefit from purchases made at the shop. The learning center was founded by Oklahoma City University graduate Alice Azumi Iddi-Gubbels. Pambe Ghana has brought fair trade items to the state for more than 15 years. The shop will be open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Find out more information, by going to https://pambeghana.org/.

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Shopping outside the Oklahoma City metro area? Consider visiting this market:

Tulsa

Visit the Tulsa Christkindlmarkt through Dec. 8 at the German-American Society of Tulsa Center, 1429 Terrace Drive in Tulsa. This event in Tulsa's Midtown area will feature local artisans and vendors offering handmade gifts, steins, candles, wine, books, nutcrackers and other items. A children's area and Bethlehem Village will also be featured. This market also offers German cuisine like bratwurst, schnitzel sandwiches and beef goulash soup plus apple strudel and black forest trifle. Hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Dec. 6; 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 7; and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 8. To check out all the details, go to https://gastulsa.org/christkindlmarkt/.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Christmas shopping in OKC? Try these 9 holiday pop-up markets
Outside of the United States, national park often means something very different than what it does back in America. And in a country as poor as Armenia, it can simply mean nothing more than some woods with some trails.

Back in 2019, my husband Michael and I, and our nomad friends Gillian and Casey, hired a driver to take us from where we were living in Tbilisi, Georgia, on a three-day road trip around neighboring Armenia. We spent one night in the mountain town of Dilijan, next to Dilijan National Park. A brief online search told me the park included something called the Trail of Medieval Monasteries  five ancient monasteries along a single trail.

But hold on. The interior of one of these monasteries, Matosavank, which dated from the 12th century, looked especially interesting. Was that moss on the walls  and some kind of oculus in the ceiling?

We totally have to go here, I said to Michael, Casey, and Gillian, showing them the picture. It looks like something out of Indiana Jones.

But finding the trailhead was easier said than done. Our driver had never been there, and we soon lost all phone coverage.

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And then the road, not great to begin with, turned to dirt.

Following it was like going back in time. First, we passed under a massive railway viaduct, weathered but still in operation.

Then we came to a large, Soviet-era factory that had long since fallen into ruin  a vast concrete monolith with broken windows. Streams of rust stained the concrete walls, running down from the metal frames, as if the windows themselves cried bloody tears. Like most of Eastern Europe, Armenia has seen some very hard times since the fall of the Soviet Union.

Next we passed by several abandoned houses made of stones that looked to predate the arrival of the Soviets by decades, if not centuries. Untended orchards stood nearby, ratty trees in desperate need of pruning.

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Except maybe they werent abandoned: a wizened old man with a long white beard sat outside one of the houses, staring at us balefully. He looked as untended as the orchards.

In a few more kilometers, the car lurched to a sudden stop. We are here, our driver said.

Our friends and me, center left, up for anything.

But where was here? There wasn't even a parking lot, just a slightly widened road with one other car parked off to one side.

We climbed out of the car and tried to make sense of a reader-board that seemed to give information about the national park. But it was badly faded and written in Armenian anyway.

There wasn't even a trailhead, just a couple of different trail-ish things heading off into the forest.

The trail isnt marked? Michael asked.

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No, but Im sure its this one, I said, pointing to one particular trail, not at all sure I was right.

Michael looked back at our driver, who had decided to stay with his car, but he just shrugged.

But how dangerous could this be? After all, this was a national park  of sorts.

The four of us set off into the forest. It was a gorgeous fall day, and a blue sky peeked through the treetops, sunlight dappling the forest floor. Crisp yellow and red leaves crunched under our feet.

But the atmosphere soon changed. Now rather than going back in time, it felt like we were moving out of time. Unlike the factory and orchards, these woods felt eternal and timeless. People and empires might come and go, but this land and its forest would stand forever.

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For the first part of the hike, we all chatted, bright and lively. But as we walked on into that timeless afternoon, we soon fell silent, spreading out a bit, each of us lost in our thoughts. It felt as if the forests serene, eternal spirit somehow seeped into us.

We reached a fork in the trail. One way continued up the steep hillside, the other took a more level route around the rise. The forest was thicker in that direction  and darker  the trail less traveled.

Naturally, there were still no signs.

No! I thought. I need to see this ruin! It really did look like something out of Indiana Jones.

Right then, a young couple appeared, coming down from atop the hill. They were the only people wed seen since starting out.

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"Oh, hello!" Gillian called. "How far is the first monastery?"

The woman wiped the sweat from her forehead. "We never found any of them."

"How much farther did you go?" I asked.

"About five kilometers."

Huh, I thought. Maybe we did take the wrong trail.

After they'd walked on, Casey said, "So which way do we go?"

I looked back and forth between the two routes. "Well, you'd think a monastery would be on the top of a hill. Plus, the trail is much better that way. On the other hand, if those two didn't see it, doesn't that mean it's that way?" I pointed toward the sparser trail that headed into the dark forest.

Everyone nodded like this made sense, and we set off again.

And, sure enough, the dark, thick forest was an illusion. Within a hundred meters, the trees fell away again, and an ancient stone structure rose from the side of the hill like a shaggy beast waking from a nap. The walls were crumbling, and grass and even trees grew from the roof.

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"I think this is it, I said.

But honestly, on the outside, it didn't look like much.

Outside the temple

We found the door, covered by some loose chain-link fencing, and went inside.

And it really was right out of Indiana Jones!

To our left stood a stone altar with crosses engraved in panels on the walls. To our right was a dark chamber with strange square openings in the walls that must have once contained offerings or artwork but now held only the stubs of burned candles.

We pushed onward and found an annex with a massive hole in the far wall. Had it collapsed? Part of the hole had been filled back in, loosely and haphazardly, with the broken stones. But the rest of the rubble sat on the floor as if someone had grown tired of the task or been stopped before they could finish it. I couldn't help but wonder what the story was.

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The young priest hurried to fix the hole in the wall, desperately grabbing one stone after another. He could hear the horde approaching! Just a few more rocks back in place, and maybe he and the others would be safe. But no, it was too late, the warriors were upon them!

Parts of the floor were long flat rectangles, broken and cracked, and Casey said, "I think we might be walking on graves."

We all stepped back, careful not to trip on the broken stone or maybe not wanting to invoke some ancient curse.

We passed an archway into yet another chamber topped with a massive dome rising up to  yes!  an oculus at the very top. Golden light poured down in rays, lighting up the green lichen on the walls around us.

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I stepped forward into the light of the oculus. "We came at exactly the right time of day," I said, thinking of the map room in the ancient city of Tanis in the Indiana Jones movie Raiders of the Lost Ark.

"I don't know," Michael said. "I think it was built so it always shines like this, as long as the sun is up. It would have been pretty damn impressive to people with no electricity. Hell, it's pretty damn impressive now."

Michael may have been right, but I preferred the idea that we'd happened to come upon this place at exactly the right moment in time.

Inside the temple!

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We took pictures of Michael and me sharing a kiss, and both of us posing with exaggerated praying hands.

"I feel a little sacrilegious acting like this," I said.

"The praying or the kissing?" Michael said with a smile.

"Hey," Casey said, "if God exists, I'm sure She's a fan of both love and laughter."

We all smiled, but the truth is, I couldn't have agreed more.

Before long, Gillian sighed. "I suppose we should go. Our poor driver is waiting for us."

As much as I wanted to keep on walking, to try to find the rest of the abandoned monasteries, I knew she was right. Besides, Id seen what Id come to see.

As we walked back to the car, I felt the tranquility of the forest again, but without the urgency Id felt before. Maybe I hadnt found the Lost Ark, or the Holy Grail, or any of the other things Indiana Jones searched for. But I already had something far better: a man I love more than I used to think was even possible, and incredible friends with whom I get to explore and share the entire world.

I knew that in a few days, Id be back at work on some project, or connecting again on social media, and Id probably be frustrated by something, or maybe even outraged or depressed.

But today, in this place and time, I was the luckiest son of gun the world has ever known.
UPPER MARLBORO, Md. (DC News Now)  Police in Prince Georges County are investigating a crash that left a man dead and two people injured on Friday.

According to the Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD), on Dec. 6, around 3:45 p.m., officers were called to Ritchie Marlboro Road and Sansbury Road in Upper Marlboro for a crash involving two vehicles.

Mother charged with murder after drowning 3-month-old baby in Chevy Chase, court documents say

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Police said first responders took 22-year-old David Romero, of Upper Marlboro, who was a passenger in one of the vehicles, to the hospital, where he died a short time later.

The Romero family  including Davids younger sister Stephanie  is now grieving a painful loss.

I lost my other half, we did everything together, we worked together and got this house together and everywhere he went I was always there so I just lost my best friend, Stephanie said. He was kind and was a kind soul, and he was always willing to help anyone.

He was the sweetest boy you could ever meet, and he never had any ill will towards anyone. He never picked a fight with anyone and he always wanted people to come together, she continued.

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The two drivers involved were also taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The police departments preliminary investigation indicated that the two vehicles collided at the intersection of Ritchie Marlboro Rd. and Sansbury Rd.

PGPDs Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Unit is still investigating what 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 DC News Now | Washington, DC.
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa  One person is dead and two people are injured in a Monday morning crash on I-35 in West Des Moines.

Sgt. Dan Wade of the West Des Moines Police Department said the crash happened around 6:00 a.m. in the northbound lanes of I-35 at Mills Civic Parkway. The initial report is there were two vehicles involved in the collision.

The conditions of the two people who were injured are not known at this time.

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Some lanes of traffic on northbound I-35 were blocked off for hours as investigators examined the scene and worked to clear it. All lanes of traffic were re-opened as of 9:53 a.m.

Police expect to release more information about the crash later Monday. Check back to www.WHO13.com for more details.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CICERO, Ill.  Authorities continue to investigate the events that led up to a deadly confrontation at a street crossing in Cicero on Sunday afternoon.

According to police, at least three people were shot  one fatally  in the latest of at least three violent incidents to happen in the west suburban town in less than a week.

Police initially sad at least four people were shot, but clarified their reporting Monday saying three people were shot  one fatally  while another person was injured in a crash related to the shooting.

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A few days before the first incident, Town of Cicero President Larry Dominick  a retired Cicero police officer  sent a letter to the state legislature calling for tougher laws on criminals who kill or injure police officers.

Latest incident

Police said Sundays incident happened just before 12:30 p.m. at the intersection of South Cicero Avenue and West Roosevelt Road.

Officer injured in early Saturday morning shooting in Cicero

According to authorities, at least four people were shot, and one of the victims, 30-year-old Justin Washington, has died. Its not clear what condition the remaining victims are in.

Investigators said the incident appears to be the result of an accident that happened at the intersection.

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Police said Monday that three women who were in the vehicle with Washington, including the driver, were injured in the shooting. Two of them have since been released from the hospital while the third woman remains in the hospital where she is listed as stable.

Investigators believe the shooting was not random and that Washington was targeted by two suspects who were in the second vehicle.

In exclusive video obtained by WGN News, you can hear over a dozen gunshots ring out.

This was not a random event where someone just wanted to commit a crime. They knew this person, we believe, and they targeted this person, Cicero Spokesperson Ray Hanania said.

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Business owner Louie Rainone told WGN News he heard everything as it happened. He said a black Ford was driving incredibly fast on Roosevelt when it ran through a red light and hit two other vehicles in the intersection.

Rainone described the chaotic scene when shooting followed the crash.

I heard some shots, then I heard some more shots, then I heard more shots, he said. I waited a few more seconds to come out, because the bullets dont have names.  One of the victims ran, was shot in the shoulder, ran over here, another lady  might have been one of the innocent bystanders  mightve got shot. There was a victim in the car. Hes passed. His girlfriend was over here crying.  People almost got hit on the corner.

 Its a mess.

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Rainone said he thinks the black vehicle was being chased by a white vehicle and said hes seen surveillance video showing multiple men getting out of the white vehicle and shooting at the black vehicle after the crash.

The white vehicle then sped northbound toward Chicago, according to Rainone.

The investigation remains ongoing.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Sundays shooting comes a day after a Cicero police officer was wounded in a shooting early Saturday morning, just after midnight, only miles from where Sundays shooting took place. The 29-year-old officer is said to be doing well and recovering.

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WGN News was also told a gaming establishment in Cicero was robbed Wednesday 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 WGN-TV.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  One person was injured in a shooting in South-Central El Paso Sunday afternoon, Dec. 8, El Paso Police said.

Police responded to a report of a shooting at 2:30 p.m. at Alameda and Cebada Street.

Police said one person was taken to the hospital with unknown injuries.

Police did not say what led up to the incident or have any other information available about it.

We will update this story when we learn more.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Traditional Chinese medicine gains increasing popularity among foreigners

Xinhua) 11:24, December 09, 2024

A British delegate experiences a Chinese traditional therapy during the 2024 World Conference on Traditional Medicine in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 3, 2024. (Xinhua/Ju Huanzong)

BEIJING, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Alex Jacobs, who attended the 2024 World Conference on Traditional Medicine that concluded in Beijing this week, was thrilled to experience a blend of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) moxibustion and Qigong in the exhibition area between sessions.

He Nian, a moxibustionist from the Beijing Zhiai Academy of Chinese Traditional Medicine, skillfully stimulated acupoints on Jacobs' back with her fingers to promote blood flow, winning the admiration of visitors, especially foreign guests.

He then placed a small, gently heated moxibustion pot, shaped like the Temple of Heaven -- one of Beijing's iconic architectural landmarks -- on Jacobs' left palm while flexing his right shoulder and arm. "Very comfortable and relaxing," Jacobs exclaimed. "She has a lot of strength in her hands, which was very impressive."

Another highlight in the exhibition area was an intelligent moxibustion robot featuring four types of moxibustion treatment. Operators could customize settings, including acupoints, techniques, duration, amplitude and speed, through its advanced control panel.

"This product not only saves labor and enhances the accuracy of moxibustion treatment but also ensures a smoke-free and pollution-free moxibustion process," said Li Lin, chairman of a biotechnology company based in northwest China's Shaanxi Province, the developer of the intelligent moxibustion robot.

According to Li, in just one morning, foreign guests from countries including the United States, Switzerland, Belarus, Hungary and Kazakhstan visited the company's exhibition booth to learn more about the products.

"Among them, guests from Egypt and the Republic of Korea expressed interest in purchasing the product, with the Egyptian guest even inquiring about the freight cost for the equipment, priced at 300,000 yuan (about 41,755 U.S. dollars)," Li said.

Scenes like these at the event reflect the growing global recognition of TCM for its unique strengths in disease prevention, control and rehabilitation. Data shows that TCM has spread to 196 countries and regions, with more than one-third of the world's population having received TCM treatment.

Over the years, the Chinese government has worked closely with the World Health Organization (WHO) to integrate traditional medicines more deeply into the global health system.

China has signed TCM cooperation agreements with over 40 governments, regional authorities and international organizations. A total of 30 high-quality overseas TCM centers have been established in countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Meanwhile, the WHO has included traditional medicine, with TCM as the mainstay, in the 11th revision of the International Classification of Diseases.

Traditional medicine plays an important role in helping achieve universal health coverage, and TCM has much experience for the world to draw from, said Martin Taylor, the WHO representative in China.

"Chinese medicine is incredibly popular in the West," said Jacobs, who is a TCM doctor and was appointed as the CEO of the British Acupuncture Council six months ago. "In the UK, everyone has either had acupuncture before or knows someone who has had it."

About 20 years ago, Jacobs, an enthusiast of Chinese culture, traveled to Taiwan to study Chinese language. Unexpectedly, he developed a deep passion for TCM. Upon returning to his home country, Jacobs, who already held a bachelor's degree in economics, spent another five years studying acupuncture, massage and TCM at university.

According to Jacobs, the council has more than 3,000 members, all of whom undergo at least three years of training in TCM, and is committed to helping the public find qualified practitioners.

In Hungary, the first EU country to legislate on TCM, the public has a relatively higher acceptance of TCM. According to the Hungarian Central Statistical Office, 25 percent of the Hungarian population is familiar with and has received TCM treatments.

TCM products can be found in nearly 5,000 mainstream pharmacies across Central and Eastern Europe, said Chen Zhen, president of the Association of Chinese Medicine Academies of Central and Eastern Europe.

"More than 5,000 Western acupuncturists trained in the past 30 years have become the main force in promoting TCM in the region," Chen said.

China plans to train over 1,300 individuals from abroad in TCM over the next three years, the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine announced Wednesday at the conference's closing ceremony. The initiative aims to promote international exchanges and enhance the expertise of professionals in the field.

"Chinese medicine is an advanced technology," Jacobs said. "However, the vast majority of the wisdom and knowledge of TCM has not yet made an impact. It has the potential to revolutionize healthcare."

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 9. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov engaged in a telephone call with newly appointed OSCE Secretary General Sinirlioglu, Trend reports.

During the telephone conversation, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov extended his heartfelt congratulations on the unanimous appointment of Ambassador Feridun Sinirlioglu, a diplomat with extensive experience in Turkiye's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as OSCE Secretary General, and wished him continued success.

The importance of Azerbaijan's cooperation with the OSCE was brought to the attention of the Secretary-General. The sides exchanged views on various issues and prospects of the cooperation agenda within the OSCE.
One person was hurt after a tractor-trailer crashed in Downtown Pittsburgh.

Allegheny County dispatchers say the crash happened at the intersection of Stanwix Street and Fort Pitt Boulevard at 8:26 p.m.

One person was taken to a hospital from the scene.

The vehicle had crashed on top of a barrier, causing the trailer to be at risk of rolling over.

Channel 11 has reached out to Pittsburgh Police for more information and is waiting to hear back.

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This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A shooting on a busy interstate near downtown Nashville has been declared fatal after the incident shut down a section of Interstate 24 West on Sunday afternoon.

In a release from the Metro Nashville Police Department on Monday, the victim was identified as 20-year-old DeAngelo Black of Nashville.

Authorities reported that Black was a passenger of a Saturn Ion sedan that was fired on by another vehicle near the Silliman Evans Bridge after the Saturns four occupants had an encounter with individuals in another vehicle at a North Nashville gas station.

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The passengers reportedly told police the car followed them onto the interstate and fired shots as they entered I-24 W from I-40.

MNPD: Man fatally shot while riding motorbike in Napier area

The driver of the Saturn then drove onto the exit ramp at Shelby Avenue and received help from an officer on traffic assignment nearby, according to MNPD.

Black was seated in the backseat of the vehicle and the only one struck by the gunfire, according to police. He was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center and later pronounced deceased.

MNPD said the vehicle suspected of being involved in the incident was located at a North Nashville apartment complex overnight. No additional details have been released about this incident as the investigation continues.

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According to the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) SmartWay traffic map, the westbound exit ramp was initially blocked off at Exit 49 (Korean Veterans Boulevard/Shelby Avenue) on I-24 due to police activity reported at 2:37 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8.

TDOT posted on social media platform X at 3:22 p.m. that the I-24 West downtown loop was closed due to police activity. Diversion routes were in place at Exit 211A on I-40 West and Exit 211B on I-40 East.

Then, at 3:42 p.m., the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) announced the westbound lanes of I-24 near the Shelby Avenue exit were closed due to an investigation into a shooting, which sent one person to Vanderbilt University Medical Center with serious injuries.

Teen facing charges following Mt. Juliet road rage incident

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TDOTs SmartWay map showed significant backups and closures on the interstates surrounding the central part of Nashville in the aftermath of the shooting, so motorists were asked to seek alternate routes.

Traffic around downtown Nashville at 3:38 p.m. on Dec. 8, 2024. (Courtesy: TDOT)

At 4:07 p.m., TDOT posted I-24 West was back open, but the Shelby Avenue exit was still closed. It has since reopened, based on the SmartWay map.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

If you know anything about Sundays shooting, youre asked to call Nashville Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.

 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.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  More than 10,000 people urged Gov. Mike DeWine to veto a bill banning students from using school restrooms that dont align with their sex assigned at birth, a transgender advocacy group says.

DeWine signed Senate Bill 104 into law on Nov. 27 in spite of the well over 10,000 people who called, emailed and wrote [to DeWine] urging for a veto, said the TransOhio board of directors in a statement. Ohios only statewide trans-led organization, TransOhio said S.B. 104 is a travesty of justice and equity and a stain upon this state.

Our trans students and educators deserve so much better, the groups statement said. Trans people have been a part of Ohio long before it was Ohio, and we always will be. TransOhio will continue to be there for trans people through all of this, no matter what.

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Ohio bill would require high-demand liquor bottles to be opened when sold

S.B. 104, which also amends Ohios College Credit Plus program, requires academic institutions to set separate bathrooms, locker rooms and overnight accommodations based on students biological sex, meaning the sex listed on a students birth certificate. The bill prohibits the construction of any all-gendered restrooms in schools and will go into effect in February.

TransOhio and other statewide LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations have long argued against S.B. 104s anti-trans provisions. Dwayne Steward, executive director of Equality Ohio, said the legislation makes life more dangerous for trans kids in Ohio.

We are deeply disappointed that DeWine has allowed this dangerous bill to become law that puts vulnerable trans youth at risk for abuse and harassment, Steward said. Equality Ohio will continue to stand in solidarity with our transgender communities and their families.

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Rep. Adam Bird (R-New Richmond), the provisions primary sponsor, argues the legislation protects women and said it was introduced in response to school leaders who were concerned about allowing opposite-sex access to restrooms. The Center for Christian Virtue, Ohios largest Christian public policy organization, said the bill is part of a common sense winning streak.

Poll: Trumps favorability jumps post-election; plus, front-runners for 2028

Ohioans are rejecting the radical agenda of groups like the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and Equality Ohio, the group said in a statement after DeWine signed the bill. Its unbelievable to think these well-funded leftist organizations would think its okay to force girls to bunk with boys on overnight trips.

Lt. Gov. Jon Husted said that as a father of two teenage daughters, he appreciated the legislature for passing the bill. He called the legislation a common-sense bill [ensuring] student privacy and safety, protecting kids and providing peace of mind for families.

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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.

S.B. 104s passage comes after the Ohio Statehouse passed House Bill 68 late last year to ban gender-affirming care for transgender youth and prohibit trans female athletes participation in womens sports. However, DeWine vetoed H.B. 68 after visiting several childrens hospitals, arguing parents should make these decisions and not the government.

Ohio mayors say trans healthcare ban is impacting business attraction, tourism

After the legislature voted to override DeWines veto, the ACLU of Ohio filed a lawsuit against the measure on behalf of two families whose children were at risk of losing access to their healthcare. A five-day trial took place in July that yielded a ruling from a Franklin County judge who said H.B. 68 could go into effect.

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The Statehouse is also likely to advance a third bill this week groups say is anti-LGBTQ+, House Bill 8 which is known as the Parents Bill of Rights. The bill would allow parents to opt their students out of sexuality content and require that parents are notified about changes in their childs mental, emotional or physical health. Opponents worry the bill might result in the forced outing of LGBTQ+ students.

[S.B. 104], like H.B. 68, H.B. 8 and other anti-transgender bills, is absurd, said Kaleidoscope Youth Center, Ohios longest-standing organization supporting LGBTQ+ youth. The legislature is playing games, and it is our young people who are getting hurt. This is not a game. Please stop. We are real people with real lives.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Firefighters requested mutual aid to battle a fire that displaced 100 families at a Westboro apartment building on Monday.

Engines 2 and 4 and Truck 1 responded to the fire on the seventh floor of the building at 293 Turnpike Road, fire officials said in a Facebook post late Monday morning.

Crews knocked the fire down, however the building now has major water damage, officials said.

Multiple other calls ongoing in the community. No Westborough personnel available. Looking for mutual aid companies, fire officials said.

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Further details were not immediately available.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Costco's abundant frozen food section has seen more food recalls than the bulk grocery chain would like to admit. In order to stock family-sized portions of frozen goods in its more than 600 stores nationwide, warehouse retail giant Costco relies on distributors that manufacture food on a massive scale. When food recalls plague these giant manufacturing plants, huge quantities of food are pulled from store freezers and destroyed. Costco's food recalls don't just hurt sales and reputation, they make shopping at the chain potentially dangerous.

Food recalls are necessary to keep unsafe products from being eaten by consumers. The presence of foodborne bacteria (which causes food poisoning) or a foreign object (such as plastic, metal, or glass) are two major reasons why products are pulled from shelves. Product mislabeling is another big recall trigger, especially when an undeclared allergen isn't listed on the food's packaging. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) oversee all national food recalls. Simultaneously, it's Costco's responsibility to ensure that the foods it sells won't hurt or kill anyone.

That's right, kill. According to data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an estimated 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths occur each year due to foodborne illness. Costco has tried to avoid contributing to this statistic, but has not been successful. Costco's frozen foods are part of the problem. These are some of the frozen food recalls that have sent chills down Costco's proverbial spine.

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Read more: 20 Frozen Foods Costco Shoppers Swear By

Krusteaz Frozen Belgian Waffles In 2024

Box of Krusteaz frozen Belgian waffles - Iwaspoisoned.com / Facebook

The convenience of frozen waffles got complicated all of a sudden when Costco removed Krusteaz frozen Belgian waffles from stores in October 2024. Krusteaz's parent company TreeHouse Foods issued the recall when Listeria monocytogenes were discovered at one of its production facilities. According to TreeHouse, the listeria contamination was found at its Brantford, Ontario plant and was discovered through routine in-house testing.

The initial recall for frozen waffles was announced on October 18, 2024. The list of recalled items was substantial, but Krusteaz Belgian waffles were spared from it. That changed once the recall was expanded days later. The expansion grew to include frozen pancakes and more frozen waffles. TreeHouse Foods makes almost every frozen pancake and waffle brand you've ever heard of. Not Eggo frozen waffles, though. Fortunately, Costco's waffle-loving shoppers still had Eggo.

The FDA has not disclosed how many pounds of recalled product were amassed from the TreeHouse Foods recall, but judging by how many brands and product varieties were affected, it was definitely a lot. On the upside, as of late November 2024, no illnesses or deaths have been linked to this recall. Consumers who are in possession of Krusteaz Belgian waffles or any of the recalled waffle or pancake brands in their freezers are urged to return them to the place of purchase for a credit.

El Monterey Frozen Chicken Taquitos In 2024

Oven-baked chicken taquitos on parchment paper - Erik Clegg/Shutterstock

A humongous Boar's Head deli meat recall shook the food industry in the summer of 2024, becoming one of the deadliest food recalls of all time. Come fall, BrucePacs became the next meat manufacturer to grapple with a recall of terrifying proportions  and this time Costco's supply was affected. As of November 2024, BrucePac has recalled nearly 12 million pounds of chicken products due to a listeria contamination at its plant in Durant, Oklahoma. The frozen items pulled from Costco's shelves are El Monterey Mexican Grill Chicken & Cheese Taquitos and various chicken burritos made by Red's All Natural.

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The chicken in El Monterey frozen taquitos and Red's All Natural frozen burritos are manufactured by BrucePac, and the affected products were sold at Costco between July and October 2024. The Red's All Natural burritos included in the recall are Southwestern Grilled Chicken Mini Burritos, Grilled Chicken & Cheddar Burritos, and Chicken Chorizo Breakfast Burritos. Unlike the disaster at Boar's Head, no one has died (yet) from the BrucePac chicken recall, but it's still a disaster.

BrucePac voluntarily recalled 9,986,245 pounds of ready-to-eat chicken products potentially compromised by Listeria monocytogenes on October 9, 2024. The Class I recall was expanded on October 15, bringing the total quantity to 11,765,285 pounds. In addition to the scroll of frozen and fresh chicken products recalled from the retail market, BrucePac's tainted chicken was also distributed in school cafeterias.

Kodiak Power Waffles In 2024

Label for Kodiak frozen Power Waffles - kodiakcakes/ Instagram

The year 2024 isn't over yet, but it's already been a bad one for frozen waffle recalls. Before mega breakfast brand Kodiak found itself looped into TreeHouse Foods' colossal October 2024 regarding listeria concerns, its Protein-Packed Buttermilk & Vanilla Waffles were recalled on August 26, 2024. The Class II recall was due to the presence of a foreign contaminant. The material inside the frozen waffles that shouldn't have been there was soft plastic film.

Kodiak promptly recalled 7,300 boxes of 40-count Protein-Packed Buttermilk & Vanilla Waffles, amounting to 24,455 pounds of product. The Costco locations affected in the recall were in the Midwest. Stores in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and Wisconsin were affected. On the day of the recall, a letter went out to Costco members who may have purchased the recalled waffles, which were sold between July 15, 2024 and August 25, 2024. Kodiak urged consumers to return the faulty goods to their local Costco for a full refund.

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Frozen food recalls are particularly concerning due to the long shelf of these foods. In this instance, Kodiak's plasticky waffles weren't set to expire until January 10, 2026. No injuries or illnesses were reported in connection to this recall, however, Kodiak wasn't keen on going the high-risk route. Plastic pieces inside food, which are the result of manufacturing errors, are dangerous to the public because they present a choking hazard to those who eat them.

Frozen Cookie Dough In 2024

Cookie sheet with frozen chocolate chip cookie dough portions - @littlest5sosfan / X

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Who doesn't love a little frozen cookie dough from time to time? Costco was all about facilitating a quick-bake for a crowd with its name-brand chocolate chunk frozen cookie dough  until it was recalled in May 2024. The Class II recall was voluntarily issued after Costco's cookie dough supplier encountered salmonella contamination at the factory.

Costco's chocolate chunk frozen cookie dough was manufactured by Rise Baking Company's subsidiary brand South Coast Baking, based in Springdale, Arkansas. The Costco frozen cookie dough was one of several varieties vulnerable to the contamination. Raw cookie dough that South Coast Baking manufactured for other retailers, including Costco rival Sam's Club and cafe chain Panera, were also affected. Under the watchful eye of the FDA, Rise Baking Company recalled a total of 29,019 cases.

The recall impacted 21 states, but no reports of salmonellosis linked to South Coast Baking's bacteria blunder were ever publicly confirmed. Despite that, the financial losses the recall created appeared to be more than Rise Baking Company could handle. On September 17, 2024, the company announced its acquisition by investment firms Platinum Equity and Butterfly. The FDA terminated the cookie dough recall on November 15, 2024.

Kirkland Signature Frozen Strawberries In 2023

Bag of Kirkland Signature frozen strawberries - Daily Hornet / X

Frozen organic strawberries sound pretty appetizing  Hepatitis A, not so much. In March 2023, Costco had a regional problem when its strawberries supplier, California Splendor, distributed some bad batches to locations in Southern California and Hawaii. A recall was initiated for the strawberries and stores carrying the afflicted four-pound bags (sold under Costco's in-house brand, Kirkland Signature), removed them from customers' reach. Unfortunately, a related Hepatitis A outbreak was already in progress.

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Between November 24, 2022 and May 27, 2023, ten individuals had fallen ill across four west coast states. The CDC suspected more sick people were out there  or at least people who were about to be sick. Not everyone who contracts a foodborne illness reports it, so statistics recorded during outbreaks are typically lower than the actual numbers. What's more, Hepatitis A symptoms can take up to 50 days to manifest in some individuals, giving the CDC just cause to worry that the case numbers could rise.

In response to what was happening with California Splendor's product, Scenic Fruit Company out of Gresham, Oregon recalled frozen organic strawberries as well. Scenic Fruit Company's strawberries were sold at Costco too. Both distributors imported strawberries from the same grower in Baja California, Mexico. The Hepatitis A strain responsible for the outbreak was identical to the strain behind an organic strawberries recall in 2022  also involving strawberries grown in Baja California. When the CDC concluded its 2023 investigation, four hospitalizations had occurred, but no fatalities.

Foster Farms Chicken Patties In 2022

Bag of Foster Farms frozen chicken patties - Steve Cukrov/Shutterstock

An unintended ingredient in Foster Farms chicken patties triggered a recall in October 2022. Once the USDA's Food and Safety Inspection Service (FSIS) learned that the frozen patties contained pieces of hard, clear plastic, 148,000 pounds of them were recalled and removed from Costco's freezers. The frozen chicken patties were shipped to Costco distribution centers in Arizona, California, Colorado, Utah, and Washington and may have been sold in Costco locations in several other states.

The foreign contaminant was brought to Foster Farms' attention after customers began complaining that plastic pieces were embedded in the chicken patties. This led the company to recall all of the chicken patties it produced on August 11, 2022. Costco sold the frozen patties in 20-count packages. Only one lot code was implicated in the recall, but the quantity of chicken impacted was significant. When foreign contaminants like plastic are found in food, it is considered a choking hazard and must be recalled from the retail market. Thankfully, no injuries were reported from Foster Farms' factory faux pas.

Kirkland Signature Frozen Berries In 2019

Front of Kirkland Signature Three Berry Blend package - U.S. FDA Recalls / X

Fruit and FDA recalls have a history, and Costco has been involved more than once. Freezing temperatures don't kill all types of foodborne pathogens, in fact, the Hepatitis A virus can survive in an array of environmental conditions for significant periods of time. Costco has had a tough time keeping Hepatitis A out of its frozen berries inventory. Such was the issue in June 2019 when its Kirkland Signature frozen Three Berry Blend was recalled over suspicion they could be adulterated with Hepatitis A.

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The recall affected Costco, Kroger, and a handful of other stores in California and Hawaii. All of the berries recalled from these stores were sourced from Townsend Farms, a distributor out of Fairview, Oregon. Testing by the FDA of Townsend Farms' blackberries indicated a positive result for Hepatitis A. On June 11, 2024, Townsend Farms notified Costco that the blackberries sold in its Three Berry Blend may be compromised. The berries in question were sold in four-pound bags with best buy dates between February 16, 2020 and May 4, 2020.

One day later, the recall was expanded to include Three Berry Blend packages sold at Costco stores in Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada. These packages had the same best by date range as the recalled Three Berry Blend bags sold in California and Hawaii. There were no reported Hepatitis A cases stemming from the contaminated products. The recall affected 69,210 pounds of frozen berries.

Nestle Drumsticks In 2016

Front of Nestle Drumstick package - digitalreflections/Shutterstock

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International chocolate icon Nestle has been in business since the 19th century, but it encountered some trouble in 2016 with one of its most recognizable frozen novelties, the Drumstick. In October of that year, 16-count and 24-count boxes of Nestle Drumsticks were recalled due to concerns that Listeria monocytogenes might be present in the sweet treat. The ice cream issue originated at Nestle U.S.A.'s Bakersfield, California production plant. Within the facility, quality control testing indicated the presence of Listeria monocytogenes on surfaces and equipment that had come into contact with the Drumsticks, which were distributed at Costco stores nationwide.

Coscto released a public announcement to consumers, warning them that although listeria bacteria hadn't turned up in the actual Drumstick ice creams, Nestle was recalling the product due to the contamination in the factory. After receiving the troubling test results, Nestle attempted to prevent the Drumsticks from being shipped to retailers, however, some of the possibly adulterated ice creams came into Costco's possession. The voluntary, Class II recall accounted for 18 lot codes of Nestle Drumsticks with best buy dates between June 2 and June 19, 2017. There were no listeriosis reports connected to Nestle's recall.

CRF Frozen Vegetables In 2016

Frozen vegetable medley on white surface - New Africa/Shutterstock

Shoppers looking to buy frozen vegetables at Costco in spring 2016 were in for a rude awakening when Coscto recalled large amounts of products manufactured by its wholesaler CRF Frozen Foods. Product testing performed by the Ohio Department of Agriculture returned positive results for listeria bacteria in samples of Organic Petite Green Peas and Organic White Sweet Corn. Costco was hardly alone in dealing with the CRF recall  456 products sold under more than 40 brand names were taken out of stores.

The recall didn't happen soon enough. CRF immediately suspended operation at its Pasco, Washington facility once the recall was announced, but seven people in three states had already been sickened with listeriosis. Public health investigators traced those illnesses back to CRF's frozen vegetables. On Costco's end, 30 frozen vegetable varieties fell prey to CRF's listeria troubles. A staggering 164,288,373 pounds of CRF vegetables were recalled as a result of the listeria. Two deaths were associated with the bacterial contamination.

Foster Farms Chicken Breast Grilled Strips In 2014

Bags of Foster Farms frozen grilled strips of chicken - The Image Party/Shutterstock

Foster Farms' 3.25-pound bags of frozen grilled chicken strips vanished from Costco's shelves in September 2014, but not because customers were buying up the supply. The absence was due to a recall over a possible listeria contamination. After in-house quality control testing revealed that listeria monocytogenes were present in the frozen grilled chicken strips, Foster Farms refrained from shipping the contaminated lot, but some of the potentially bacteria-laden products had already landed in freezers at Costco distribution centers in California, Texas, Utah, and Washington.

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In order to keep the public safe, Foster Farms and Costco worked with the FSIS to recall approximately 39,747 pounds of compromised, pre-cooked frozen chicken strips which were produced on August 5, 2014. It was a lot of product to lose, but the precaution paid off in a different way. There were no listeriosis cases reported in conjunction with this recall. Listeriosis can be deadly to elderly or immunocompromised individuals and is known to cause miscarriages or stillbirths when contracted by pregnant women.

Foster Farms Frozen Chicken In 2014

Plastic-wrapped frozen chicken meat - Maliflower73/Shutterstock

Costco staple brand Foster Farms faced more than one frozen food recall in 2014 and grappled with multiple types of foodborne bacteria in its production facility that year. Circumstances got serious in October 2013 when an antibiotic-resistant strain of salmonella that sickened over 600 people in 29 states and Puerto Rico pointed back to Foster Farms chicken. The company drew a flurry of criticism when rather than recall its salmonella-laced products, it claimed that cooking the chicken to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit would kill the salmonella bacteria  not a good look.

By July 2014, Foster Farms was forced to take a more compassionate action in the interest of public health. After two cases of Salmonella Heidelberg in two months were directly linked to Foster Farms, the company finally issued a recall for numerous chicken products at risk for contamination with the dangerous salmonella strain. Both frozen and fresh chicken products were included in Foster Farms' gargantuan chicken recall that totaled over one million pounds. The recall targeted chicken varieties produced between March 7 and March 13, 2014. These compromised products were sold at Costco, Foodmaxx, Kroger, Safeway and other stores in Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Nevada and Utah.

Discover Cuisine Red Curry Chicken And Jasmine Rice In 2008

Dish of red curry chicken and white rice - Nadezhda Nesterova/Shutterstock

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Heat-and-eat frozen entrees are an expected sight at Costco, but the warehouse grocer's selection was a little lighter than usual in March 2008 after Discover Cuisine Red Curry Chicken and Jasmine Rice was recalled by the USDA. Tests conducted by the FSIS determined that Discover Cuisine's Red Curry Chicken and Jasmine Rice was adulterated with Listeria monocytogenes. Costco had company in the recall. Distributors Inovata Foods and Meijer were also responsible for placing Discover Cuisine's frozen chicken and rice meal in stores.

Costco, Whole Foods, and other grocery stores were carrying Discover Cuisine Red Curry Chicken and Jasmine Rice at the time it was recalled. To prevent the spread of listeriosis amongst consumers, 16,332 pounds of Discover Cuisine's chicken curry disappeared from commercial freezers. The states impacted by the recall were Illinois, Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. Meijer said that it had sold just 21 of the entrees before the recall occurred. No cases of listeriosis were associated with the Discover Cuisine recall.

Read the original article on Mashed.
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Bakersfield police officers are looking for a missing juvenile in southwest Bakersfield and is asking to community to help locate her.

Isabella Lopez, 14, was last seen Dec. 5 in the 1200 block of Stine Road and police say she is considered at-risk due to no prior history of running away.

Lopez is 5 feet, 6 inches tall and weighs about 175 pounds. Police describe her to have burgundy hair and green eyes. She was last seen wearing a black T-shirt and blue polka-dot pants.

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Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call the Bakersfield Police Department at 661-327-7111.

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The fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government on Sunday brought to a dramatic close his nearly 14-year struggle to hold onto power as his country was torn apart by a devastating civil war that became a proxy battleground for regional and international forces.

Assads downfall came as a stark contrast to his first months as Syrias unlikely president in 2000, when many hoped he would be a young reformer after three decades of his fathers iron grip.

Only 34 years old, the Western-educated ophthalmologist was a rather geeky tech-savvy fan of computers with a gentle demeanor.

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But, when protests against his rule broke out in March 2011, Assad resorted to the harsh tactics once used by his father to try and suppress them.

As the uprising escalated into a full-blown civil war, he relied on his military to bombard opposition-controlled cities, backed by allies Iran and Russia.

International human rights groups and prosecutors accused Syrias government-run detention centres of widespread torture and extrajudicial killings.

FILE - President-elect Lt. Gen. Bashar al Assad, right, attends military training games with Ali Aslan, Chief of Staff of the Syrian army, July 12, 2000, in Syria. - SANA via AP, File

The Syrian war has claimed nearly 500,000 lives and forced half of the countrys pre-war population of 23 million to flee their homes. As the uprising escalated into a civil war, millions of Syrians sought refuge in neighbouring countries like Jordan, Turkey, Iraq, and Lebanon, with many continuing their journey to Europe.

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His departure brings an end to the Assad family rule, spanning just under 54 years. With no clear successor, it throws the country into further uncertainty.

Until recently, it seemed Assad was close to stabilising his position. The prolonged war had settled into frozen frontlines, with Assads government reclaiming most of Syrias territory. Meanwhile, opposition groups controlled the northwest, and Kurdish forces held the northeast.

Despite crippling Western sanctions on Damascus, neighbouring countries had started to accept Assads grip on power.

The Arab League restored Syrias membership last year, and in May, Saudi Arabia appointed its first ambassador to Syria in 12 years after cutting ties with Damascus.

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However, the geopolitical situation changed rapidly when opposition groups based in northwest Syria launched a surprise offensive in late November.

Government forces quickly crumbled, while Assads allies, distracted by other conflicts  including Russias war in Ukraine and the ongoing wars involving Israel and the Iran-backed militant groups Hezbollah and Hamas  seemed unwilling to intervene forcefully.

Assad's whereabouts were not clear Sunday, amid reports he had left the country as insurgents took control of the Syrian capital.

FILE - Syrian President Bashar Assad, left, gestures while speaking to Russian President Vladimir Putin during their meeting in Damascus, Syria, Jan. 7, 2020. - Alexei Druzhinin, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File

Bashar came to power in 2000 by a twist of fate. His father had been cultivating his oldest brother Basil as his successor, but in 1994 Basil was killed in a car crash in Damascus. Bashar was brought home from his ophthalmology practice in London, put through military training and elevated to the rank of colonel to establish his credentials so he could one day rule.

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When Hafez Assad died in 2000, parliament quickly lowered the presidential age requirement from 40 to 34. Bashars elevation was sealed by a nationwide referendum, in which he was the only candidate.

Hafez, a lifelong military man, ruled the country for nearly 30 years during which he set up a Soviet-style centralized economy and kept such a stifling hand over dissent that Syrians feared even to joke about politics to their friends.

He pursued a secular ideology that sought to bury sectarian differences under Arab nationalism and the image of heroic resistance to Israel. He formed an alliance with the Shiite clerical leadership in Iran, sealed Syrian domination over Lebanon and set up a network of Palestinian and Lebanese militant groups.

Bashar initially seemed completely unlike his strongman father.

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Tall and lanky with a slight lisp, he had a quiet, gentle demeanour. His only official position before becoming president was head of the Syrian Computer Society. His wife, Asma al-Akhras, whom he married several months after taking office, was attractive, stylish and British-born.

FILE - In this July, 13, 2010 file photo, Syrian President Bashar Assad, left, and his wife Asma Assad, listen to explanations as they visit a technology plant in Tunis, Tunis - Hassene Dridi/AP2010

The young couple, who eventually had three children, seemed to shun trappings of power. They lived in an apartment in the upscale Abu Rummaneh district of Damascus, as opposed to a palatial mansion like other Arab leaders.

When Assad first came to office, he freed political prisoners and allowed more open discussion. During the "Damascus Spring," salons for intellectuals emerged, where Syrians could talk about art, culture, and politics in a way that had been impossible under his father.

But after 1,000 intellectuals signed a public petition in 2001 calling for multiparty democracy and greater freedoms, and others attempted to form a political party, the salons were shut down by the feared secret police, who arrested dozens of activists.

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Instead of a political opening, Assad turned to economic reforms. He slowly lifted economic restrictions, let in foreign banks, threw the doors open to imports and empowered the private sector. Damascus and other cities long mired in drabness saw a flourishing of shopping malls, new restaurants and consumer goods. Tourism swelled.

Abroad, he stuck to the line his father had set, based on the alliance with Iran and a policy of insisting on a full return of the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights, although in practice Assad never militarily confronted Israel.

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In 2005, he suffered a heavy blow with the loss of Syrias decades-old control over neighbouring Lebanon after the assassination of former prime minister Rafik Hariri. With many Lebanese accusing Damascus of being behind the slaying, Syria was forced to withdraw its troops from the country and a pro-American government came into power.

At the same time, the Arab world became split into two camps - one of US-allied, Sunni-led countries like Saudi Arabia and Egypt, the other Syria and Shiite-led Iran with their ties to Hezbollah and Palestinian militants.

Throughout, Assad relied largely on the same power base at home as his father: his Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shiite Islam comprising around 10 per cent of the population. Many of the positions in his government went to younger generations of the same families that had worked for his father. Drawn in as well were the new middle class created by his reforms, including prominent Sunni merchant families.

Assad also turned to his own family. His younger brother Maher headed the elite Presidential Guard and would lead the crackdown against the uprising. Their sister Bushra was a strong voice in his inner circle, along with her husband Deputy Defense Minister Assef Shawkat, until he was killed in a 2012 bombing. Bashars cousin, Rami Makhlouf, became the countrys biggest businessman, heading a financial empire before the two had a falling out that led to Makhlouf being pushed aside.

FILE PHOTO - Syrian President Bashar Assad, second left, and his wife Asma, center, and their children - Syrian Presidency Facebook page via AP

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Assad also increasingly entrusted key roles to his wife, Asma, before she announced in May that she was undergoing treatment for leukaemia and stepped out of the limelight.

When protests erupted in Tunisia and Egypt, eventually toppling their rulers, Assad dismissed the possibility of the same occurring in his country, insisting his regime was more in tune with its people. After the Arab Spring wave did move to Syria, his security forces staged a brutal crackdown while Assad consistently denied he was facing a popular revolt, instead blaming foreign-backed terrorists for trying to destabilise his regime.

His rhetoric struck a chord with many in Syrias minority groups - including Christians, Druze and Shiites - as well as some Sunnis who feared the prospect of rule by Sunni extremists even more than they disliked Assads authoritarian rule.

Ironically, on 26 February 2011  two days after Egypt's Hosni Mubarak was ousted by protesters and just before the wave of Arab Spring protests reached Syria  Assad emailed a joke mocking Mubaraks stubborn refusal to step down. The joke was later revealed by Wikileaks as part of a 2012 document release.

"NEW WORD ADDED TO DICTIONARY: Mubarak (verb): To stick something, or to glue something. ... Mubarak (adjective): slow to learn or understand," it read.
LAKEWOOD, Wis. (WFRV)  Authorities in Oconto County announced that a 15-year-old boy died after a reported ATV accident over the weekend.

According to the Oconto County Sheriffs Office, on December 7 around 8:15 p.m., it was notified of an ATV accident in the area of the 17000 block of West Wheeler Lake Lane in the Town of Lakewood. Deputies went to the reported scene and saw an ATV on its side against several trees in the ditch.

Authorities say that an initial investigation show the ATV, driven by a 15-year-old boy, was going west on a snow-covered and slippery road surface and left the road. The driver reportedly died at the scene from the injuries from the crash.

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Icy northern Wisconsin roads factored into deadly crash that killed passenger

The release says that an ongoing investigation into the incident is led by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Oconto County Sheriffs Office and the Brown County Medical Examiners Office.

No additional information was provided. Local 5 will continue to update this story as more details are 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.
A minor is charged with murder in the shooting death of a 17-year-old in Jacksonvilles Hogans Creek neighborhood.

The shooting occurred on Oct. 5 when Jacksonville police responded to reports of a shooting in the 700 block of Venus Mars Court.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Its never right for a parent to have to bury a child, so, and just the fact that someone would have to lose their life to gun violence is just horrible, Mark McGuire with the anti-crime organization Families of Slain Children told Action News Jax Monday. So our prayers go out to the family.

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Officers found the 17-year-old victim, Kenyade Jones, with a gunshot wound at an apartment complex. He was rushed to the hospital, where he passed away from his injuries, a Jacksonville Sheriffs Office social media post states.

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JSO homicide detectives identified LeBron Jacobs, 15, as a suspect in Jones death. Jacobs turned himself in last week and was charged with murder after police got a warrant for his arrest, according to JSO. Now, McGuire says something needs to be done to address the root causes of youth violence in Jacksonville.

It is very important that we find programming services and wrap-around services for our young people so that they can stay in something positive that would probably eliminate some of this activity, said McGuire on Monday.

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There have been 20 children shot in Jacksonville so far this year according to Action News Jax records.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 9. The Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) has released its weekly report on humanitarian demining operations in the territories liberated from occupation on December 2-8, Trend reports.

A total of 29 anti-tank mines, 57 anti-personnel mines, and 461 unexploded ordnance were found in Tartar, Aghdam, Aghdara, Lachin, Fuzuli, Shusha, Khojaly, Khankendi, Kalbajar, Khojavand, Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Zangilan during the mentioned period.

Additionally, 768.4 hectares of land were swept clean of mines over the past week.

To note, the demining operations were carried out by the Demining Agency, the Defense Ministry, the Emergency Situations Ministry, and the State Border Service of Azerbaijan, as well as four private companies.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Tampa police divulged more details Monday afternoon about the 11-hour search for a teen who escaped a Hillsborough juvenile detention facility days after he was arrested on a murder charge.

But authorities tasked with keeping the 15-year-old detained left a central question unanswered: How did he escape on their watch?

Jahmir Moore was caught Sunday night after fleeing earlier from a Florida Department of Juvenile Justice facility, Tampa police said. He is now facing a charge of escape from a juvenile detention facility, in addition to his previous charges.

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The agency declined to answer questions from reporters Monday about Moores flight from the detention center, citing an open investigation by the Department of Juvenile Justice into the incident.

The Tampa Bay Times sent a list of questions to the department on Monday. A spokesperson said the department has launched a full investigation into what led to Moores escape.

Any failures or oversights that led to the escape will be identified, and those responsible will be held accountable, spokesperson Amanda Slama said.

Later Monday, the police department said in a news release that Moore was outside in the fenced recreational area when he made his escape. A head count revealed Moore had never returned inside.

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He was apprehended at a home on the 100 block of West Keyes Avenue in Tampa, about 4 miles away from the detention center, police said.

Tampa police Maj. Patrick Messmer said the home on Keyes Avenue where Moore was arrested is not his parents home. Investigators were surveilling multiple people who know Moore and who led the police to the home, Messmer said.

We had done a lot of research into him last week to figure out where he might lay his head, who he might be hanging out with, and a lot of those same people were part of the surveillance yesterday, Messmer said. So I think thats why we were able to arrest him as quickly as we did. We already had a very good plan in place when we were trying to look for him the first time, and we put that plan into motion again.

Messmer said part of the escape investigation is to figure out exactly who owns that residence, who stays at that residence, who potentially helped him at that residence, to see if theres any additional charges that could be coming up because of that investigation.

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Moore was in the company of his parents, Deputy Chief Ruth Cate said at a news conference Monday.

I know there are questions, will his parents be charged? Cate said. The parents have been as cooperative as they can be, and they have not been charged with anything involving him thus far.

How Moore escaped, his parents involvement and who, if anyone, assisted him are still part of the investigation, said Tampa police spokesperson Jonee Lewis.

Moore was originally arrested Wednesday on a charge of first-degree murder in the April killing of Jevario Buie, 14, who was shot to death near railroad tracks in the Lowry Park neighborhood.

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At a news conference announcing Moores arrest, Michael Baldwin Sr., Jevarios grandfather, thanked law enforcement for pursuing the teens case until the end.

But when the family received a call four days later from Tampa police saying that Moore had escaped, his shock turned to feelings of betrayal, he told the Times.

How could you let an individual like that out of your sight? Baldwin said.

Cate said Moore is now being held at a separate juvenile facility in Pinellas County instead of a cell block with the general population at the Hillsborough center.

If they have information that this person is an escape risk, then they will take extra measures. But at the time, there was no information to say that he was an escape risk, even though his charges were so severe, she said.

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Cate said she has spoken with a regional director for the Department of Juvenile Justice about the escape.

We are very concerned. We do not know how a young person in a secure facility was able to escape, but we have deferred that to the Department of Juvenile Justice, Cate said. They assure us that they will come up with some answers and make corrections when needed.

Video surveillance released by police showed Moore darting west after leaving the grounds, although he was found at a home to the east.

Baldwin believes Moore received help from inside the facility to pull off his escape.

How else would he get out of that detention center? Baldwin said. He hadnt been there long enough to study which way to go, and, in the video, he ran like he knew where he was going. He ran like he knew someone was waiting on him.

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Baldwin said Moores escape put his family and the community at risk. Upon hearing the news, he asked Tampa police to send officers to provide security at relatives' homes.

He worries hell again get a call from law enforcement that Moore is on the lam.

Them allowing him out has retraumatized us  has revictimized us as a family, Baldwin said. And now we walk on eggshells until we can make sure that theres a level of accountability thats happened in this kids life.

Times staff writer Justin Garcia contributed to this report.
Family and friends of a 15-year-old volleyball player who collapsed during practice and died in suburban Atlanta last week are calling into question the response time of emergency services.

Amanda Sylvester suffered cardiac arrest at a hospital on Thursday, Dec. 5, after her mother transported her there following what she and others claimed was a delayed response from Grady EMS, according to Atlanta News First.

Sylvester was practicing at Tracey Wyatt Recreation Complex with her Dream Chasers Volleyball Club when she collapsed. College Park Fire Department arrived shortly after, but Grady EMS never fully responded to a request for an ambulance, those who were at the scene told the news outlet.

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However, in a statement to PEOPLE, Grady EMS said their response time was based on the limited information the College Park communications center provided.

Related: Florida High School Football Player Dies After Collapsing on Field: 'Most Heartbreaking Situation Imaginable'

The call was categorized as low acuity, meaning the reported symptoms or conditions did not initially suggest an immediate life-threatening emergency that would require the immediate dispatch of an ambulance, according to Grady EMS. This assessment follows our standard protocols designed to prioritize emergency resources efficiently. However, it is important to note that when the 911 call came in, a College Park Fire Rescue unit, staffed with two Advanced EMTs, was already en route to the scene. They are equipped to provide medical care and transport patients to the hospital in a life-threatening situation.

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The ambulance service continued, After receiving a second 911 call and obtaining additional information about the patients medical history and condition, the call was upgraded to high acuity. Grady EMS dispatched an ambulance to the scene, where the patient remained and was still being evaluated by College Park Fire Rescue personnel who had arrived. However, while our ambulance was on the way, the fire department canceled the response because the patient had been transported to the hospital by a personal vehicle.

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Fulton County spokesman Bill Crane told NBC affiliate WXIA-TV that Sylvester was evaluated by College Park rescue EMTs within about eight minutes.

"The young lady, by then, was conscious, evaluated, and assessed, he said. Her vitals were all normal; she was making eye contact, her pupils werent dilated, and she was conversant."

Sylvester 's mother later drove her to a nearby hospital where she went into cardiac failure and was revived once before she died, according to WXIA.

Now, those who knew Sylvester are mourning her death, and calling the circumstances around it unacceptable.

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Related: Alabama High School Quarterback Dies After Suffering Brain Injury During Game: 'Will Never Be Forgotten'

We have precious lives in our hands, and were responsible for these precious lives, Catherine Murray, with Dream Chasers Volleyball Club, said. We have to have a better network and system to protect these kids.

City officials are now further investigating the incident, per Atlanta First.



Read the original article on People
It took over 15 years and more than 1,000 remotely operated vehicle (ROV) expeditions, but researchers aboard the NOAA Ocean Exploration Trusts Nautilus finally spotted their research vessels namesake in the wild. On December 3, operators of the ships Hercules ROV located four specimens of Palau nautilus (Nautilus belauensis) during the Nautilus Exploration Programs ongoing, 17-day survey in the Palau National Marine Sanctuary.

Its finally happened! one researcher exclaimed during the teams livestream on December 3rd, with another adding, A nautilus on Nautilusa dream come true.

While the team recorded these particular examples swimming 220-to-375 meters (roughly 721-to-1,230 ft) below the Pacific Oceans surface, the pelagic marine mollusk cephalopods can survive at depths approaching 2,500 feet. Their spiral-shelled bodies belong to one of Earths oldest families of animals, with fossil records indicating the squid relatives have changed comparatively little even after nearly 500 million years. Unlike an octopuss eight tentacles, a nautilus features anywhere from 50 to over 90 appendages across digital, ocular, and reproductive classifications. Although their sight is limited due to rudimentary eyes that lack solid lenses, nine known nautilus species instead rely heavily on their olfactory senses to find food and mates.

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The nautilus is rarely photographed or recorded on video due to their preference for driving through ocean depths enveloped in near-total darkness, which makes the Ocean Exploration Trust find that much more notable. The high-definition cameras aboard the Hercules ROV allowed for detailed, lengthy looks at the animals in their natural habitat. As the organizations announcement explained, the Nautilus vessel isnt directly named for the cephalopods, but in honor of Captain Nemos deepsea submersible in Jules Vernes 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. That said, researchers explained that similar to the vertical movements of submarines, nautiluses are known for moving up and down in the water column, and the animals name comes from the Greek word for sailor.

The NA169 expedition takes place from November 25 to December 12, and is focused on examining the complex oceanic interactions that come from major currents interacting with the regions steep island slopes. According to the team, these relationships create circulation patterns that draw nutrient-heavy waters from deep in the ocean to the surface, which in turn fosters biological diversity in Palaus marine ecosystem. When not analyzing these dynamics, the team is also conducting seafloor mapping excursions inside the Palau National Marine Sanctuary, while ROV surveys will highlight biologically and oceanographically significant sites around the Palauan Islands.
After UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed by a masked gunman in Midtown Manhattan, the internet was flooded with stories of health insurance claims being denied (while these corporations rake in billions in profit).

Bryan R. Smith / AFP via Getty Images

Last week, we shared some of those heartbreaking stories. But thanks to our hellish American healthcare system, over 300 people in the BuzzFeed Community added their own experiences in the comments, and we just had to share those, too:

Note: BuzzFeed cannot confirm the validity of any of these stories as they're just comments on the internet.

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1."My partner of 34 years had liver cancer. After we found out that the latest round of chemotherapy wasnt working, he was referred for a clinical trial. He went for the initial appointment and found out he was a good candidate. They'd had success in treating this type of cancer, he qualified for the program, and all they had to do was get insurance approval. Insurance started dragging their feet asking impossible questions. During the approval wait, which began to get lengthy, he got sicker."

"We went to the hospital only to find out the cancer had spread to his chest, lungs, and lower stomach. The emergency room doctor said he sees this all the time. The insurance companies start dragging their feet so the person will get sicker and no longer qualify for the clinical trial. He passed away within a couple of weeks. This is a persons life that the insurance company played with. How can they get away with this? I just dont understand, and it breaks my heart."

Anonymous

2."I am diabetic, and at the height of COVID-19, my doctor said we had no other options; I needed to start insulin. It made a massive difference in my health and life. Fast-forward a year later, I tried to pick up my prescription from the pharmacy, and they said my insurance had denied it. When I called to find out what was wrong, they told me it was not medically necessary. I proceeded to pay $800 per month out of pocket for my medication while my doctor's office fought with them for the following year. I was never reimbursed."

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Anonymous

3."I was pregnant with twins and had to deliver them at 34 weeks via C-section. My doctor was in-network, the hospital I delivered at was in-network, but the NICU in the same hospital was NOT in-network. Our babies spent a week in the NICU, and we got a bill for $100,000 for their one-week stay. Fought the insurance for almost a year to get it covered."

Anonymous

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4."When my daughter was 20 and seriously addicted to opioids at the height of the pill crisis in Staten Island, I was denied when I tried to place her in an in-patient facility. We had what I thought was wonderful coverage through an NYC union. This was after they had already denied a prescription for Suboxone to try to handle her addiction (which I had been forced to pay out of pocket). Insurance said they would only pay for 30 days of outpatient treatment. I explained the very people who sold drugs waited outside of outpatient therapy to make sales. I was in tears and told the agent if she didnt get into the right treatment, I didnt think she would make it to 21."

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"The agent then said, 'Well if she does, you can kick her off your coverage, she can go on Medicaid, and they can pay.' I took the last bit of money I had received from my mother's death (which was also hastened by insurance denials) and spent $60,000 to help my daughter. Thankfully, my daughter is now doing wonderful thanks to her therapy, but there is a special place in hell for insurance agents."

Anonymous

5."My daughter with autism is on a non-stimulant ADHD medication. It took six months to find the right 'fit.' During that time, you have to stay on each medication for four to six weeks before you can say, 'This did not work.' We went through hell. Sometimes, she couldnt eat. Sometimes, she would become physically violent to us and her teachers. Sometimes, she would cry, and I would have to rock her because she was so amped up. After all that time, two years ago, we found a medication that our insurance covered and worked amazing. Last week, we found out that at the start of next year, her medication will no longer be covered."

"I cannot believe they can legally do this!! We cannot go through the testing phase of medications for her again and will now have to pay out of pocket for her meds."

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awfulknight45

6."An $8,600 ambulance charge was denied because the ambulance was out of network. I guess when you are having a life-threatening emergency, you should call your insurance company to make sure that the ambulance is in network."

Anonymous

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7."My mothers cancer meds cost her $6k/month out of pocket. Insurance is paying about $30k, but the fact that shes bearing a $72k/year cost for lifesaving meds is absolutely fucking wild. And, yes, my parents are really fucking fortunate in that they can afford it. But my father-in-laws cancer meds that are covered are beginning to stop working. The next best meds carry a $10k/month out-of-pocket cost. He cant pay that, and we cant afford it either. So hes just supposed to die because insurance, big pharma, and the federal government dont give a shit."

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bird_dont_sing

8."I had the insurance company deny my claim for my hospital stay when I had a stroke because they said it wasnt 'medically necessary.' A FUCKING STROKE!"

Anonymous

9."My daughter has cerebral palsy. She was denied a wheelchair because she can walk (sort of). She wears leg orthotics and cant walk long distances. She tires easily and then falls. This means we cant go anywhere with lots of walking, like museums or the zoo, without renting a wheelchair from the venue."

Anonymous

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10."My husband had to have hernia surgery. He went through the steps and even had pre-approval from the insurance company because we had no money to cover this. Then, we received a bill for the entire procedure and a notice the claim was denied. He called and was told to resubmit. The person on the phone said that it was a usual practice to deny every third or fourth claim for no reason, and the company kept the money. He was able to resubmit and get this done. Imagine being too sick or unable to do this! The second claim was paid in full. Theyre just interested in big profits."

Anonymous

11."I have MS, which is where your immune system basically takes nibbles out of your brain and spinal cord. After an MRI, my neurologist said I needed to switch medications because I had concerning levels of brain atrophy. Basically, I have less brain than before. I switched to a better drug, and the insurance denied it because the reason to switch wasnt deemed bad enough because there were no new lesions (scars left by the nibbles)."

Anonymous

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12."My health insurance denied a PET scan for my husband. He had been diagnosed with a very rare cancer with possible metastatic spread. The first denial claimed it was because he hadnt had a liver biopsy yet, which he had. The second denial claimed it was because PET scans hadnt proven their efficacy (they were the 'gold standard' test for a decade at that time). The cancer metastasized, and he died six months after diagnosis. He was 51."

Anonymous

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13."I was denied a prophylactic mastectomy and reconstruction. I had thyroid cancer, my mom had breast cancer, and I have a genetic mutation also putting me at higher risk (that my mom doesnt even carry). My oncologist estimated my risk factor to be over 70% for developing breast cancer. Insurance said it wasnt medically necessary. My sister carries the same mutation and had not had any personal cancer. Her insurance approved her for the surgery, and she had two different types of precancerous cells. Im older than her and had cancer, so that worries me."

Anonymous

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14."My husband is a below-knee amputee. He needed a new prosthetic due to changes in his stump, a normal change, especially early on. He was denied as the insurance company said it was not medically necessary. Apparently, they thought he should hop everywhere?"

Anonymous

15."When I was 17, I had surgical complications that almost killed me. In the hospital, over the course of several months, my doctors stabilized me on Lyrica for pain management. On discharge day, they got the call that my insurance wouldn't cover it. What *do* they cover, you ask? The cheap medication (narcotics). I developed a dependency and became an addict as a high schooler. I stood no chance, in part because they would refuse to cover anything other than narcotics for the next six years until the opioid crisis took off in the news."

Anonymous

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16."I had five heart attacks years ago and needed an open heart surgery. After the surgery, insurance dropped me like a hot potato. I had to wait a couple of years without having any insurance because I had a pre-existing condition, and no insurance company would extend health insurance to me. Luckily, I was able to be insured again once former president Obama came up with Obamacare and the insurance companies couldnt deny insurance to people with pre-existing conditions."

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"For all those who voted for Trump again, they should know that he wanted to get rid of Obamacare. If he is ever successful at it, that would mean that I and millions of other patients with pre-existing conditions could be left to die with no insurance to cover our health issues."

Anonymous

17."I was in residential treatment for an eating disorder. I had to go home after nine days because my coverage was denied, and my parents couldnt afford it. The deductible ate their extremely limited savings, and I carried the medical debt for years to come. Eat. The. Rich."

PinkPrincess88

18.And finally, "When my sister had breast cancer, it eventually metastasized to her brain. Her doctor recommended gamma knife surgery, which at the time was still a little new but was an accepted treatment. The insurance dicked around for months until her doctor was finally successful in getting it approved. After the procedure, they did another MRI  all the lesions that were identified in the previous MRI were gone, but in the time it took for insurance to agree to cover it, new ones had appeared. That's when I knew it was over for her. She died less than three months later."

"It's been 20 years now, and my mom still won't tell me who her insurer was as I would still rip them a new one. I work in oncology and know that brain cancer/mets are a death sentence almost all the time, but she still could've had a bit longer if they weren't such fuckers. Her reaction to learning the news when it was time for hospice still breaks my heart: 'I thought I had more time.' She was only 43  she should've had more."

sisterhavoc

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Have you ever been denied an insurance claim? Share your story in the comments below.

Note: Some responses have been edited for length and/or clarity.
A police chase involving Georgia State Patrol ended in a fatal crash.

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It happened on Dec. 4, just before 11 p.m., in Muscogee County.

According to GSP, troopers began a traffic stop on a Toyota Camry that did not have insurance. Authorities said as troopers approached the car, the driver, identified as 18-year-old Kamari Gamble drove away.

GSP said this led to a chase northeast on Macon Road. Gamble then turned right at the intersection of State Route 22 and continued eastbound. During the chase, GSP said Gamble tried to avoid the PIT maneuver by aggressively applying his brakes and veering to avoid contact.

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Authorities said troopers successfully executed a PIT maneuver on the Camry on SR-22 near mile marker 14. The Camry traveled into the median, hitting a tree with the back of the car. Troopers executed a felony stop and found Gamble unresponsive, officials said.

Gamble was taken to Piedmont Midtown Hospital in Columbus, where he was later pronounced dead.

GSP said Gamble had outstanding warrants for failure to appear on a drug possession charge.

The incident remains under investigation.

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MATTESON, Ill.  Two people are dead after being shot Sunday afternoon in Matteson.

Matteson police said at around 2 p.m., officers were sent to the 4300 block of Oakwood Lane to investigate reports of a shooting. When officers arrived, they found a male who had been shot. He was taken to Franciscan Health Olympia Fields where he was pronounced dead.

A short time later, police were made aware of another male who had also been shot and taken to Advocate South Suburban Hospital. This victim also died from his injuries, according to investigators.

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1 dead, 3 injured in shooting at Cicero intersection

Neither victim has been identified and police are continuing their investigation, including into whether or not the shootings are connected to each other.

Investigators believe there is no immediate, ongoing threat to the public.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Matteson Police Department at 708-748-4085.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Two Kansas women were killed in a crash on Sunday. It happened on Kansas Highway 15 highway in Clay County around 5:30 p.m.

The Kansas Highway Patrol said a Chevy Malibu was heading southbound on K-15 when it crossed the center line and struck the drivers side of a Chevy Impala.

How cold was the coldest day in Kansas?

The drivers, identified as 56-year-old Deanna L. Hess of Clay Center and 53-year-old Lisa L. Stevenson of Salina, were killed in the crash.

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A 13-year-old passenger in Stevensons vehicle, the Chevy Impala, was seriously injured and transported to Salina Regional Health 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 KSN-TV.
PITTSBURGH (WKBN)  Two men were recently indicted by a federal grand jury in Pittsburgh on charges of illegal reentry of a removed alien, according to a release from the Department of Justice.

Saul Enrique Padilla-Mejia, a 38-year-old resident of Honduras, was arrested by Pennsylvania State Police in February for driving under the influence, driving without a license, reckless driving, careless driving, and failing to obey traffic control devices, according to the DOJ. The indictment states Padilla-Mejia was previously removed from the U.S. in August of 2019.

Padilla-Mejia was then arrested on Sept. 1 by Moon Township police related to the illegal re-entry charge and was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Oct. 30.

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Josue Raul Ascon-Morales, a 36-year-old resident of Guatemala, was also charged by the Moon Township Police Department for driving under the influence and driving without a license. He was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Oct. 22.

The indictment states Ascon-Morales was previously removed from the U.S. in March of 2008.

Both men appeared in federal court last week and pleaded not guilty. They were ordered detained until trial. Both are expected back in court in January 2025.

The law provides for a maximum total sentence of up to two years in prison, a fine of up to $250,000, or both.

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U.S. Immigration, Customs Enforcement, PSP and the Moon Township Police Department conducted the investigations leading to the Indictments.

An indictment is an accusation. A defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW)  Two men were killed in a wrong-way crash in Jefferson County on Sunday morning. It happened just after 5 a.m.

The Kansas Highway Patrol said a Chevy Silverado was heading north in the southbound lanes of Kansas Highway 4 and struck a Jeep Wrangler head-on.

2 Kansas women killed in northeast Kansas crash

Dylan R. Harvey, 28, of Topeka, and Gavin W. Royer, 33, of Valley Falls, were killed in the crash.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
INDIANAPOLIS  Two men are safe after being stranded on a small island in the White River near downtown Indianapolis early Monday morning.

According to the Indianapolis Fire Department, crews responded to a call for water rescue at 207 South White River Parkway West Drive just before 1:30 a.m. Monday.

Upon arrival, firefighters were initially unable to locate anyone until they heard yelling south of the reported location. There, crews found two men, ages 21 and 43, who were stranded on a small island on the west side of the White River.

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The men told firefighters they were cold but otherwise uninjured.

Image via IFD Image via IFD Image via IFD Image via IFD Image via IFD Image via IFD Image via IFD Image via IFD Image via IFD Image via IFD Image via IFD Image via IFD

At 2:05 a.m., IFD deployed a boat for the stranded men. However, the advance was slow because of reportedly icy conditions in the water.

The boat was eventually able to get the two men on shore at 2:45 a.m. They were checked out by Beech Grove medics.

The men told firefighters they were trying to do a good deed by recovering stolen bikes that were left on the island. They made it there via a small black raft that then floated away once theyd reached their destination.

The men were stuck on the island for an hour and a half before a bystander heard their yells for help and called 911.

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After the men warmed up in the ambulance, they declined to go to the hospital.

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 WTTV CBS4Indy.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 9. 14 schoolchildren from general education schools in Azerbaijans Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic visited the Turkish city of Canakkale as part of the project "Brotherhood and History: Canakkale Meeting," Trend reports via the countrys State Committee for Work with Diaspora.

The students from Nakhchivan, along with their peers from Igdr, participated in various programs from December 1 through 5 in Canakkale organized by the Azerbaijan History, Language, and Culture Preservation Association (Idgr), the House of Azerbaijan in Igdr, the Igdr Governors Office, and the Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs.

During their visit, the students toured the ancient city of Troy, the Cimenlik Fortress, the Martyrs' Avenue, and the monument to Azerbaijani soldiers who fell in the 1915 Battle of Canakkale, among other historic sites.

The group first visited the Azerbaijani House in Igdr. Ziya Zakir Acar, the head of the House of Azerbaijan, noted that the institution began its activities with an official opening ceremony in 2021.

It was highlighted that the Igdr Azerbaijani House, established with the support of the State Committee for Work with Diaspora, organizes events to celebrate both Turkish and Azerbaijani national and state holidays, as well as significant anniversaries. The House also runs various clubs and programs.

The event underscored the many cultural and other activities in Eastern Anatolia aimed at preserving the national identity of ethnic Azerbaijanis.

"During the Battle of Canakkale on March 18, 1915, over 3,000 Azerbaijani soldiers became martyrs, alongside 253,000 Turkish soldiers and Muslims who gave their lives for the homeland. The unity of Azerbaijanis in this war is of enormous importance in terms of solidarity," Ziya Zakir Acar said.

This project was part of the activities marking the 100th anniversary of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
LONDON (AP)  The trial of two men charged with cutting down the majestic Sycamore Gap tree last year along Hadrians Wall in northern England was postponed until January because one defendant was ill, a judge said Monday.

Justice Christina Lambert adjourned the case until the week of Jan. 6 in Newcastle Crown Court after a defense lawyer said Daniel Graham was too ill to attend the start of what was expected to be a two-week trial.

Graham, 39, and Adam Carruthers, 32, have pleaded not guilty to two counts each of criminal damage on charges related to toppling the tree and damaging the ancient wall built by Emperor Hadrian in A.D. 122 to protect the northwest frontier of the Roman Empire.

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Prosecutors have revealed little about the case but said the value of the tree exceeded 620,000 pounds ($790,000) and damage to the wall was assessed at 1,100 pounds ($1,400).

The 150-year-old tree stood in a dip between two hills was a beloved spot to visit for locals and a favorite subject for landscape photographers. After being featured in Kevin Costners 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince Of Thieves, it became a big draw for tourists to the wild and scenic region.
Baron Lis life was forever altered on the morning of July 10, 2020. As he walked to his car outside his home in Washington, a gunman fired several shots, striking Li multiple times.

Li survived the shooting but was left facing an uphill physical recovery that took months and inflicted lasting trauma.

Though the shooter was not immediately identified, authorities in Bellevue, Wash., eventually determined the attack on Li, a father of a young son with special needs, was motivated by a bitter custody dispute.

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Police were led to the culprits after tracking a truck that had been seen on surveillance footage near the scene for several hours on July 10. The truck was driven by 17-year-old Quincy Mendez, who acted as the getaway driver for his friend Joseph Good, also 17, who fired the shots at Li.

The attempted murder of Li is the subject of Teenage Assassins, the upcoming episode of People Magazine Investigates, premiering Monday, Dec. 9, at 9/8c on Investigation Discovery and streaming on Max. (An exclusive clip is shown below).

However, the teens had no obvious connection to Li  until police discovered that Good had been in contact with Shaerin Kelley, 30, Lis ex-wife and the mother of his then-6-year-old son Arik.

Authorities later found that Kelley had enlisted the two teens to carry out the crime, promising to pay them for their services.



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Related: Father Ambushed and Shot 9 Times 'Knew' Ex-Wife Sent Teen Hit Man  and Authorities Agree

Before the shooting, Li and his second wife, Didee, had moved to Washington from Nevada to get custody of Arik, who had previously been removed from Kelleys care.

Because of misdiagnosis when he was born, Arik was left with significant physical and mental disabilities. A subsequent lawsuit led to a trust fund established to pay for his hefty medical care costs.

When Li was granted custody of Arik, he was also given control of Ariks trust fund. Police believed that Kelley had planned the shooting as part of a ploy to take over the valuable trust fund.

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My son could have been killed  that's what people don't see, Li told PEOPLE in 2021. Everyone sees a shooting  a woman disgruntled at her ex-husband. But I wasn't the target  my son has always been the target.

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.

Before she was eventually charged, Li had said he believed his ex-wife was behind the attack.

"I knew it wasn't random, which is what the police initially tried to suggest," Li said.

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Li was nearly killed in the shooting, having been struck nine times. He underwent several surgeries and was in and out of consciousness. Even after he survived the attack he required months of rehabilitation.

In total, Li was shot in the chest, legs, arms and hip. PEOPLE previously reported that it took Li 15 months before he could return to his job at a Toyota dealership.

In 2023, Kelley pleaded guilty in connection with the case and was sentenced to 13 years in prison. Mendez pleaded guilty to an assault charge and was sentenced to more than eight years in a juvenile detention center, while Good entered a guilty plea to an attempted murder and received over 12 years.

People Magazine Investigates: Teenage Assassins premieres Monday, Dec. 9, at 9/8c on Investigation Discovery and streams on Max.

Read the original article on People
Drought-resistant seedlings at the John T. Harrington Forestry Research Center in Mora, pictured in April. The state is seeking about $70 million for the center from a $4 billion FEMA compensation fund, part of up to $445 million in claims the state is filing soon following the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire. (Photo by Patrick Lohmann / Source NM)

The states biggest-ever wildfire in 2022 did just not upend the lives of thousands of New Mexicans. In fact, about a third of New Mexico state agencies endured some sort of financial loss when the fire the size of Los Angeles tore through the mountains of northern New Mexico.

In the next couple weeks, the states emergency management department will submit an invoice totaling $445 million to the federal Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire claims office, listing a wide range of real or projected losses at 20 state agencies.

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Because the federal government started the fire, Congress in late 2022 gave the Federal Emergency Management Agency nearly $4 billion to compensate those affected, including families, businesses, governments and nonprofits. So far, its paid about $1.5 billion of it.

The deadline for the states initial claim, known as a notice of loss, is Dec. 20. Thats the same deadline for everyone else affected by the fire.

The deadline to apply for compensation for the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire is Dec. 20.

Ali Rye, deputy secretary for the New Mexico Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management, told Source New Mexico that her department spearheaded the calculation of losses across the state. That meant reaching out to 49 of approximately 68 state agencies, holding workshops and coordinating with FEMA officials about the best way to recoup money spent or revitalize the landscape and communities in and around the burn scar, she said.

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The result is a spreadsheet with a list of agencies seeking hundreds of millions of dollars. The wide variety on the list, including the Department of Health and the Tourism Department, shows the far-reaching consequences of a disaster like the biggest wildfire in New Mexico history.

One agency makes up the lions share of the states claim: The Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department is seeking about $270 million. The money would go for reforestation in the burn scar, fire mitigation in areas with medium burn severity, and funding to prevent future damage to areas untouched by the fire, known as green islands.

See a breakdown below of all the states losses in the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire

The energy departments s request also is for a reforestation center in the burn scar, which state officials estimated in April would include a $69 million ask from the FEMA fund. Officials hope the John T. Harrington Forestry Research Center will provide up to 390 million drought-resistant tree seedlings to restore burn-scarred forests throughout the Southwest, including 26 million such seedlings in the Hermits Peak-Calf Canyon Fire perimeter.

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The second-biggest line item is for the New Mexico Environment Department, which is seeking $120 million to do comprehensive well-water testing in the area for the next 12 years. Post-fire flooding, which often carries contaminants into drinking water, is expected in the area for at least the next several years. Some private wells are also seeing their depths decrease, Rye said.

The smallest ask on the list, for $3,000, is from the New Mexico Livestock Board, which used vehicles to transport animals who lost their grazing fields and bought, stored and distributed additional feed.

The states Office of Broadband Access and Expansion is also anticipating payments for lost towers and risk reduction for fiber optic internet, according to the spreadsheet, but it did not have a calculated figure as of this week.

Some unexpected costs for the fire come from the State Personnel Office, which is seeking $25,000, in part, for benefits, programs, mental health services or reimbursement for state employees who were impacted by the fires.

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The states Regulation and Licensing Department is also seeking $2 million to hire dedicated code inspectors to hasten the permitting of newly constructed homes and other structures, plus to crack down on potential contractor fraud.

And the New Mexico Department of Health is seeking $250,000 to, among other things, recoup the fees it waived by providing free birth certificates to fire victims who presumably lost theirs in the fire.

While the total claim is for $445.8 million, Rye stressed that her office, at the direction of Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, will be judicious as it pushes FEMA to release the funds. Rye cited the ongoing delays for individual claims, including for those who lost their homes in the fire.

The biggest thing that the Gov has in mind is not pushing forward with any of the other notice of losses until she sees the compensation going out and individuals are being made whole, Rye said. She doesnt want to take away from the compensation thats due to those individuals.

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About one-third of the 272 households that reported total losses of their homes have received final payment offers, according to FEMA.

The only claim the state has really pushed far, so far, is for about $6 million for the New Mexico National Guard, Rye said. The guard really needs that money to continue protecting infrastructure, rebuilding roads and helping get people back into their homes, Rye said. The guards total ask is about $61 million.

On a case-by-case basis, Rye said, the state will decide whether to push forward with a proof of loss, which is a finalized claim, depending on how quickly money for individual victims is flowing.

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Ultimately, the state may choose to eat the cost on some claims, Rye said. But you wont know until she starts seeing better numbers come out of the claim offices.

It will be awhile before the state sees any of the compensation its seeking. After submitting a notice of loss by Dec. 20, FEMA has up to 180 days to respond with a final payment offer.

The emergency management department calculated the losses without the help of law firms who have solicited governmental individual clients since the fire started.

The New Mexico Department of Justice late last year did hire a law firm, Edelson PC out of Texas, to, if needed, represent the state for potential litigation resulting from the fire, according to spokesperson Lauren Rodriguez. So far, as far as Rodriguez is aware, the law firm has not filed any litigation or claims on behalf of the state.
With a growing number of American voters identifying as politically independent, many pollsters, most members of the media and the campaigns themselves viewed the independent vote as crucial to the outcome of the 2024 presidential election.

According to Gallup, political independents continue to constitute the largest political bloc in the United States. In 2023, 43% of American voters claimed that label. Independents first outnumbered supporters of both major parties in 1991 and have done so since then, except between 2004 and 2008. In June 2024, 51% of U.S. adults said they were independents, more than the two major parties combined.

In the 2024 presidential election, Donald Trump became only the second Republican to win the popular vote since 1988, though he got less than 50% of the votes cast. Postelection analysis of 2024 voters behavior reveals that independent voters grew their share of the vote, split their votes between their choices for president and Senate candidates, and ended up expanding their overall influence.

Edison Research exit polling data

We teach public affairs and are co-directors of the Arizona State University Center for an Independent and Sustainable Democracy. We analyzed Edison Research exit polling from the 2024 election cycle to understand the effects of the independent vote. The Edison data is from a national survey of 22,900 respondents that is representative of the national electorate in terms of gender, age, race and geography.

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According to the Edison data, there were 4.3 million fewer votes cast for president in 2024 than in 2020. But 11 million more people who identified themselves as independents cast ballots in 2024. The number of Republican voters decreased by 3.5 million, and the number of Democratic voters dropped by 11.2 million.

That means self-identified independents accounted for 34% of voters in 2024, more than the 31% of voters who said they were Democrats, and just slightly below the 35% of voters who said they were Republicans. In 2020, independents cast just 26% of the ballots nationwide.

It is important to note that the Edison Research exit polling data relies on political self-identification, so its numbers may be different from analyses that used respondents official party affiliation, and may also differ from analyses of how people have voted in the past.

Independents, demographically

In demographic terms, independents are more likely to be younger and more likely to be male than those who say they are affiliated with either party. In 2024, 44% of independents were under the age of 45, as compared with 37% of Democrats and 31% of Republicans.

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As for gender, 34% of independents identified themselves as white women, the same share as those who say theyre Democrats. And 38% of independents identified themselves as white men, a similar share to the 40% of Republicans who reported that identity.

A larger portion of male independents had college degrees  47%  than the 43% who said they were party affiliated. And 43% of independent women had college degrees, similar to the 41% of party-affiliated women.

The independent vote margin between Trump and Harris

Nationally, independents broke 49% for Harris and 46% for Trump, with 5% voting for one of the other presidential candidates. In many battleground states, however, it was a different picture. Trump won independents in Arizona, Pennsylvania, North Carolina and Georgia. Independents broke evenly in Nevada. Harris won independent voters in Michigan by 4 percentage points and in Wisconsin by 1 percentage point.

This outcome differed from 2020, when Biden won independents nationally 54% to 41% and independents provided his margin in key states.

How do independents behave politically?

Independents are more likely to identify themselves as political moderates than self-identified members of the two major parties.

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The details of their views and how those views motivated their choice for president are revealing. When the Edison Research survey interviewers asked independents about their top concern when picking a presidential candidate to support, 41% of them said democracy was most important, and 31% said the economy. Just 11% said abortion was their top issue of concern, though 69% of independents believe abortion should be legal.

Among independents, 77% reported feeling dissatisfied or angry about the way things are going in the country today. Thats roughly in the middle of the 54% of Democrats and the 90% of Republicans who said the same.

Independents trusted Trump more on crime, safety and immigration. They trusted Harris more on abortion rights and split equally on whom they trusted more on the economy.

Independents who voted for Harris were less enthused about her and more interested in voting against Trump.

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Independents are ticket splitters

Independents were more likely to split their tickets between their presidential and Senate votes than Democrats or Republicans. Nationally, 4.9% of Democrats and 4.9% of Republicans in states where U.S. Senate seats were on the ballot split their votes, casting ballots for one partys candidate for president and another partys candidate for Senate. An additional 2.2% of party-affiliated voters chose not to vote in the senatorial races.

Self-identified independent voters were nearly twice as likely to split their ticket, with 9.7% doing so nationwide. And 2.9% chose not to vote for a Senate candidate.

A similar picture is seen in the five presidential swing states that also had Senate races, with party-affiliated voters less likely to split their votes than independents.

An undefinable force

Our research has found that independents are swing voters who tend to change alignments between elections. In our book The Independent Voter, we have interpreted this behavior as a search for a home, or an alignment that is outside of fixed political categories.

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Independents favored Barack Obama in 2008 by 8 percentage points and Trump in 2016 by 4 percentage points. In 2020, independents supported Biden by 13 percentage points and then Harris by 3 percentage points in 2024, representing a 10-percentage-point loss of support for the Democratic candidate.

This pattern of nonconformity is also supported by our research in which we analyzed American National Election Studies data on political identification and voting choices from 1972 to 2020. We observed significant volatility in which party independent voters support. From one election to another, they voted for Democrats, then Republicans and back again.

Independents are an emerging force in American politics. They characteristically line up between the views of most adherents of the major parties, being more socially tolerant and fiscally aware than their partisan counterparts. They are also more likely to be split-ticket voters than the two major parties backers and seem to have a notable affinity for rejecting the incumbent.

This changing shape of the electorate, combined with the popularity of political independence among younger Americans  over half of Gen Z voters identify as independents  calls into question the two-party formula that has long dominated and defined the American political landscape.

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The Edison Research/National Election Pool via Reuters data was acquired by IndependentVoting.org and shared with the ASU Center for an Independent and Sustainable Democracy.

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: Thom Reilly, Arizona State University and Jacqueline Salit, Arizona State University

Read more:



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Jacqueline Salit is affiliated with the non-profit IndependentVoting.org, where she serves as President. She is on the Advisory Board of the USC Schwarzenegger Institute and the Board of Directors of the Forward Party.

Thom Reilly does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Last month was the second-warmest November globally since records began, according to data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service, and unless the impossible occurs 2024 will be the first year above the 1.5 degrees Celsius climate benchmark.

The global surface temperature in November 2024 averaged 14.1 degrees Celsius, which was 0.73 degrees above the average for the years 1991 to 2020. In addition, the month was 1.62 degrees above pre-industrial levels, the EU agency that monitors global warming said on Monday.

The warmest November on record was in 2023, said the agency, which relies on a dataset based on billions of measurements from satellites, ships, aircraft and weather stations around the world.

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But with 11 months worth of data now compiled, it is clear that 2024 as a whole will hit a new annual high to become the hottest ever recorded - and exceed the warming limit that countries had pledged to try and avoid in the landmark Paris Agreement negotiated in 2015.

"With Copernicus data in from the penultimate month of the year, we can now confirm with virtual certainty that 2024 will be the warmest year on record and the first calendar year above 1.5 degrees Celsius. This does not mean that the Paris Agreement has been breached, but it does mean ambitious climate action is more urgent than ever," said Samantha Burgess, the agency's deputy director.

Regional differences

A look at different regions of the world shows a mixed picture in November: for example, the average temperature over mainland Europe last month was 5.14 degrees Celsius, 0.78 degrees above the November average for the years 1991 to 2020. This means that November 2024 is not among the 10 warmest November months in Europe.

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Overall, temperatures in northern Russia and over north-eastern and south-western Europe were above average, but below average in south-eastern Europe.

Outside of Europe, eastern Canada, the central and eastern United States, most of Mexico, Morocco, north-western Africa, China, Pakistan and Australia were warmer than average.

By contrast, temperatures were well below average in the western United States, parts of northern Africa, the Russian Far East and most of Antarctica.

Too wet and too dry

Copernicus also looked at global precipitation in November: This was below average in large parts of Western and Central Europe, in the south-west of the US, in Mexico, Chile and Brazil, at the Horn of Africa, in parts of Central Asia, in the south-east of China and in southern Africa.

By contrast, above-average precipitation was recorded in western Iceland, southern Britain, northern Scandinavia, the southern Balkans and Greece, as well as eastern Spain and large parts of Eastern Europe. In the western Pacific, typhoons caused heavy precipitation and damage, particularly in the Philippines.
Last month was the second-warmest November globally since records began, according to data from the Copernicus Climate Change Service, and unless the impossible occurs 2024 will be the first year above the 1.5 degrees Celsius climate benchmark.

The global surface temperature in November 2024 averaged 14.1 degrees Celsius, which was 0.73 degrees above the average for the years 1991 to 2020. In addition, the month was 1.62 degrees above pre-industrial levels, the EU agency that monitors global warming said on Monday.

The warmest November on record was in 2023, said the agency, which relies on a dataset based on billions of measurements from satellites, ships, aircraft and weather stations around the world.

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But with 11 months worth of data now compiled, it is clear that 2024 as a whole will hit a new annual high to become the hottest ever recorded - and exceed the warming limit that countries had pledged to try and avoid in the landmark Paris Agreement negotiated in 2015.

"With Copernicus data in from the penultimate month of the year, we can now confirm with virtual certainty that 2024 will be the warmest year on record and the first calendar year above 1.5 degrees Celsius. This does not mean that the Paris Agreement has been breached, but it does mean ambitious climate action is more urgent than ever," said Samantha Burgess, the agency's deputy director.
This article was originally published in EducationNC.

The U.S. Department of Education (DOE) officially released the 202526 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on Nov. 21, 10 days before its Dec. 1 goal and three days after opening the form to all students and families as part of the Departments Expanded Beta 4 testing.

The online FAFSA form is available to all students and families at fafsa.gov, and the paper form is also now available for students to submit.

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Im pleased to announce that after four successful rounds of beta testing, the 202526 FAFSA form is now available to all students and families, said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. After months of hard work and lots of feedback from students, schools, and other stakeholders, we can say with confidence that FAFSA is working and will serve as the gateway to college access and affordability to millions of students.

The beta testing for the 2025-26 FAFSA followed the rocky launch of the Better FAFSA earlier this year, which saw multiple glitches and delays and caused stress for students and families seeking help paying for college.

While many students experienced delays, students from mixed-status families, or those whose parents dont have a social security number, were particularly impacted by the glitches. DOE officials previously told members of the press that many mixed-status students successfully submitted their applications during Beta 1, which started Oct. 1.

Beta 2 testing started on Oct. 15, and Beta 3 started in early November. The final stage of testing, Beta 4, started on Nov. 13, expanding the testing to thousands of additional students recruited by various community and education organizations. On Nov. 18, the DOE entered its final stage of beta testing, Expanded Beta 4, which allowed all students to submit forms.

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According to a Nov. 21 press release from the DOE, more than 167,000 students successfully submitted their 2025-26 FAFSA during the beta testing period. The Department has sent records to more than 5,200 schools across the U.S., the release said.

Already, over 650,000 more applicants are eligible for Pell Grants, and more students are receiving Pell Grants, this school year compared to last year, Cardona said. We stand ready to help millions more students complete the FAFSA and get the financial aid they need to pursue their dreams of a college education.

The College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC) is encouraging students and families to fill out the FAFSA as soon as possible.

Last year the FAFSA was revamped into a new form that delayed the process, and some families experienced issues submitting it, CFNC said in a press release. But so far this year the application process has been running smoothly, with no critical errors reported so far, so there is no need to wait to get started.

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The 202526 FAFSA form is available now for the award year that runs from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Heres what you need to know about the FAFSA and how to apply.

How to apply

First, youll need to create a StudentAid.gov account.

Your contributors will also need to create their own StudentAid.gov accounts. Your contributors are anyone required to provide information on your FAFSA form, such as your parents or your spouse.

If you are a student, you will be required to enter your Social Security number (SSN) to create a StudentAid.gov account unless youre a citizen of the Freely Associated States (the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Republic of Palau).

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If your contributors do not have a SSN, they can still create an account to complete their section of your FAFSA form. However, if your contributors do have a SSN, you are required to provide the number when inviting them to contribute to your FAFSA form.

Next, gather the documents needed to apply. The FAFSA asks for information about you (your name, date of birth, address, etc.) and your financial situation. Here are some examples of the information you might need:

Your parents SSNs if they have SSNs and youre a dependent student

Tax returns

Records of child support received

Current balances of cash, savings, and checking accounts

Net worth of investments, businesses, and farms

The financial data determines a familys expected out-of-pocket college payments. If those returns dont reflect your current financial situation, you can file an appeal for a professional judgment review with the school you plan to attend.

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File your FAFSA form online at fafsa.gov, by completing a FAFSA PDF and mailing it, or by requesting a print-out of the FAFSA PDF at 1-800-433-3243 and mailing it. Check out this resource for information on what happens after you submit your FAFSA form.

If you need help filling out the FAFSA, you can speak with someone at the DOEs contact center at 1-800-433-3243 or by live chat on their website. The Department is also offering expanded FAFSA-only hours at the center Nov. 22 through March 2.

Students and families can reach agents at the contact center in English or in Spanish. Interpretation services in additional languages can be accessed here.

Why the FAFSA matters

According to the CFNC, completing the FAFSA is an important step toward paying for college.

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Completing a FAFSA makes you eligible for federal aid, such as Pell Grants, work-study programs, and previous Covid-19 relief. Many North Carolina colleges and universities also use the form to divvy up state aid.

Affordability is one of the main barriers to postsecondary attainment. The FAFSA helps many students access money for college they otherwise couldnt. In North Carolina, 55.2% of seniors completed the FAFSA for the 2024-25 cycle, as of Sept. 27, 2024.

However, barriers to filling out the form exist for many students. Students of color are less likely to complete the FAFSA, and first-generation prospective college students and their families also face barriers.

A lack of reliable internet access and language barriers can also be a challenge. Community colleges across the state have hosted FAFSA events to help provide in-person assistance filling out the forms.

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We are very fortunate to have our community colleges be an advocate for that, Amy Denton, a regional representative at CFNC, previously told EdNC.

This year, CFNC is encouraging students and families to apply for the 2025-26 FAFSA early.

One reason is to maximize your financial aid opportunities. According to a CFNC release, some funding is allocated first-come, first-served, and some scholarships have early deadlines.

So get all the aid you qualify for by submitting your FAFSA early, the release says.

Applying early also means you will receive your financial aid package award letters sooner.

Knowing how much federal, state and college-based aid youre awarded can help you decide which options fit your budget, CFNC said.

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In North Carolina, applying for the FAFSA also automatically enrolls you for the Next NC Scholarship. That scholarship covers tuition and fees at any North Carolina community college for students from families making $80,000 a year or less. If interested in a university, students can get a minimum of $5,000 towards tuition and fees at any of the 16 UNC system schools.

What to do if you dont or cant complete it

Most individual colleges have their own scholarship and aid dashboards.

While many need-based funds require a FAFSA, some allow other documentation of your financial situation. Many scholarships dont require any financial documentation.

If youre not a U.S. citizen, you might not have a SSN. In this case, you can use your Alien Registration number to apply. Non-citizen students can also seek aid at individual colleges with funds that dont require the FAFSA, like these resources at Durham Tech and Wake Tech.

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You can learn more about other FAFSA barriers here.

More resources

The Department recently released several new resources to assist students and families in completing and submitting the FAFSA form during the 202526 cycle:

Here are other resources:

If you are a student reapplying for the FAFSA, your colleges counseling office is also a great resource.

This article first appeared on EducationNC and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old man apprehended on Monday as a person of interest in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, appears to loathe several staples of modern culture, according to his X profile.

Mangiones X account was suspended later Monday. TheWrap is out to representatives for the social media company for comment.

A prep school valedictorian and graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, where he focused on computer science and cognitive science, Mangione received a Master of Science in Engineering, Computer and Information Science from the same university in 2020, The New York Post reported. His X account shows he was interested in topics like artificial intelligence and was concerned about the rise of deepfake technology.

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Netflix, porn and wokeism are among the topics he expressed a distaste for on X. At the same time, he seems to have a complex view on drugs. While he appeared to be pro-marijuana and pro-psychedelics, saying they should be treated differently than soul-suckers like fentanyl, he also re-shared an X post comparing drinking coffee in the morning to doing a line of cocaine. That post below:

Its amazing how caffeine really is the only drug that has achieved this level of social acceptance.



Imagine someone saying : the first line of cocaine in the morning is one of my favourite things in life or without my morning joint I cant function https://t.co/exlxMxUDwa  Martin Bauer (@martinmbauer) May 24, 2024

He was more direct about his feelings on porn, posting earlier this year that it should be regulated like alcohol, cigarettes and travel.

Porn should be regulated no less than alcohol, cigarettes, and travel  Luigi Mangione (@PepMangione) January 24, 2024

The 26-year-old also re-shared an X post in April that said, Netflix, door dash and true crime podcasts have stolen more dreams than failure ever will.

Netflix, door dash, and true crime podcasts have stolen more dreams than failure ever will.  Alex Hormozi (@AlexHormozi) April 17, 2024

Mangione seems to have been fixated on how modernity influences society in a variety of ways. Back in May, he said that he agreed with Tucker Carlson that modern architecture kills the spirit.

I should have added some context with that clip. I wasn't trying to contradict you, but rather bolster your point. Tucker is spot-on in recognizing that modern architecture kills the spirit, but his very first line "post-modern architecture is designed to demoralize and hurt  Luigi Mangione (@PepMangione) May 16, 2024

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He replied to a post showing disdain for the modern matrix with a quote from Aldous Huxley in April, saying, I dont want comfort. I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom, I want goodness. I want sin.

But I don't want comfort. I want God, I want poetry, I want real danger, I want freedom, I want goodness. I want sin.  Aldous Huxley, Brave New World pic.twitter.com/ReUD7sH0iV  Luigi Mangione (@PepMangione) May 1, 2024

Mangione appears to think humanity was heading in the wrong direction on a number of levels. His solution for falling birthrates, he posted, was to encourage natural human interaction, sex, physical fitness and spirituality.

While Mangione rails against a handful of modern topics, he is not anti-technology or anti-innovation, necessarily. In 2022, he shared a portion of his high school graduation speech in which he said in a now-pinned post:

Finally, be excited for what the future holds for us. We may have been born into one of the most exciting times on earth, regardless of the singularity. We might not recognize it in our day to day lives, but the world is changing fast.

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Religion also appears to be a topic Mangione is keen on. He posted in 2021 that he was almost anti-religion when he first became an agnostic, but that feeling faded and he now felt kinda jealous of how religion helps others cope with death and hardship. Another post indicates he isnt a big fan of new atheists like Richard Dawkins, while in another post he said Jordan Peterson, the pro-religion Canadian professor, bothers him.

When I first became agnostic I was almost anti-religion. Thought religious people were wasting precious time trapped in a delusion. But now, I see no problem with it if they arent pushing their beliefs and it helps them cope with death, etc. Im kinda jealous actually  Luigi Mangione (@PepMangione) December 8, 2021

Mangione is not a fan of woke politics, it also seems. He re-shared X post in 2022 that said wokeism needs racism to exist, so its always looking to pathologize new things as racist.

Wokeism needs racism to exist, so it's always looking to pathologize new things as racist, including, now, attempts to start conversation by asking where you're from. If wokeism teaches minorities to be traumatized even by friendly gestures, it cannot claim to bridge divides. pic.twitter.com/7fWdmKzNpt  Gurwinder (@G_S_Bhogal) August 17, 2022

Not all of his 286 X posts deal with heavy topics, though. In May, he responded to a post asking if any of you retards have a PhD. Mangione replied Pretty huge Dick.

Pretty huge Dickhttps://t.co/GDcHq5Z299  Luigi Mangione (@PepMangione) May 25, 2024

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More insight into his psyche was gleaned up on his Monday arrest, when a two-page manifesto was found on his person, according to police. Within that document, he wrote that these parasites had it coming and I do apologize for any strife and trauma, but it had to be done, according to CNN.

The post 26-Year-Old Arrested in UnitedHealthcare Shooting Railed Against Netflix, Porn and Wokeism on X appeared first on TheWrap.
UPDATE: St. Louis County Police Department announced Williams is in custody.

JENNINGS, Mo.  Authorities in north St. Louis County are asking for the publics help in locating a man who escaped from Jennings City Jail on Sunday.

According to a St. Louis County Police Department spokesperson, Allen Williams, 28, escaped shortly after 2 p.m. The jail is located in the 5400 block of Jennings Station Road.

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Police said Williams should be considered dangerous.

Its unclear why Williams had been jailed.

Anyone who has seen Williams or knows his whereabouts is urged to call 911 immediately.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
STANFORD, Ky. (FOX 56)  Stanford police are investigating after a man died in Lincoln County on Saturday night in Stanford.

Lincoln County law enforcement told FOX 56 that it happened around 9:40 p.m. on Friday on U.S. 27 in Stanford.

Elizabethtown woman, Bowling Green pair killed, 2 injured in multi-vehicle Bluegrass Parkway crash in Hardin County

The Lincoln County Coroners Office reportedly identified the victim as 28-year-old Brian McKenzie Bourne.

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According to the Stanford Police Department, a vehicle was heading north when it hit Bourne, who was reportedly trying to cross the road.

Bourne was taken to a nearby hospital, where he died. The Lincoln County coroner said that Bournes death was ruled an accident that caused blunt force trauma.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

Authorities said the driver of the car that hit Bourne was arrested on charges that are unrelated to the crash. Alcohol is not believed to have contributed to the accident.

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An investigation into the crash remains ongoing.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The woman arrested in connection to the death of Reba, the English Bulldog found inside a sealed plastic tub, allegedly would leave Reba tied outside in extreme heat without appropriate food and water, a Las Vegas judge said in court Sunday.

On Saturday police arrested Issac Laushaul Jr, 32 and Markeisha Foster, 30, both on a felony charge of willful/malicious torture/maiming/killing of a dog, cat or animal, police said.

Laushual was scheduled to appear in court Sunday morning but refused transport and currently remains in custody with no bail, records showed. He is scheduled to appear again on Monday.

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Man arrested in connection to death of Reba the Bulldog

Foster appeared in front of Las Vegas Judge Amy Ferreira who spoke on the concerning allegations against Laushual and Foster.

The court was taken aback by this arrest report which details some observations from neighbors who were said to live next to this individual and the co-offender where by those neighbors reported seeing that animal tied to a railing outside of the apartment often times in extreme heat and under circumstances where that animal did not have appropriate food and water, Ferreira said. The allegations contained in this arrest report are so concerning to this court. Those allegations deal with this individual alongside a co-offender taking what appears to be a family dog, placing that dog in a rubber bin in July, when temperatures were reported to be approximately 111 degrees, sealing that rubber bin shut and then abandoning that animal.

Fosters bail was set at $50,000 and if released, she will have high-level electronic monitoring and no contact with animals, records showed.

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On July 26 at around 1 a.m., officers with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department were called to the 1100 block of East Twain Avenue. There, Paws Patrol LV found Reba inside a plastic tote that was taped shut in 110-degree heat. She was in critical condition and suffering from heat stroke.

Photo shows Reba, the English Bulldog found inside a sealed plastic tub in 110-degree heat. (KLAS) Reba the dog receiving treatment after she was found inside a taped up plastic tote during 110 degree weather in Las Vegas. (Vegas Pet Rescue Project) Reba the dog receiving treatment after she was found inside a taped up plastic tote during 110 degree weather in Las Vegas. (Vegas Pet Rescue Project)

Reba passed away two days later after she went into sudden cardiac arrest due to blood clotting caused by the severe heat stroke and shock, officials said.

More than two months later Las Vegas police turned to the public and asked for help in identifying the suspects in Rebas case. Investigators released surveillance footage of a man and a woman driving a white four-door sedan and parking in the area where the black tote with Reba was found.

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Two months after that, police arrested Laushaul and Foster.

Lindsey Pinapfel, a volunteer with Vegas Pet Rescue Project spoke to 8 News Now on what she called a major move in the investigation.

We are relieved, Pinapfel said. Because this is a step in the right direction.

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CHICAGO  Three children and one man were injured in a rollover crash near Guaranteed Rate Field Sunday evening.

Officials with the Chicago Fire Department said the crash happened in the 300 block of West 35th Street. The exact cause of the crash is unknown at this time.

Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

Fire officials said three children were taken to Comer Childrens Hospital in good condition, while a man was taken to Insight Hospital in fair condition.

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No other information was released.

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*Attached video: Cleveland crime by the numbers

FRISCO, Texas (WJW)  Three people have died after a possible double murder-suicide inside a Texas home, according to police.

According to a press release from the Frisco Police Department, officers responded to a welfare check at a home on the 10200 block of Bancroft Lane around 4:15 p.m. Friday.

Jay-Z accused of sexually assaulting 13-year-old in 2000 with Sean Diddy Combs

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According to the release, police were told by the caller that a coworker had not shown up to work and was not answering their phone.

While officers were driving to the scene, they learned that a family member called 911 after arriving at the home. The family member said two people were found dead in the homes entryway.

Once at the scene, officers conducted a sweep of the home and found two people, dead, just inside the front door.

Officers eventually also found a third person inside the garage.

Man found shot, killed near Akron park

According to the release, the three people found dead were identified as 54-year-old Ronald Morris, 53-year-old Stacy White and 15-year-old Gavin Morris.

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The preliminary information gathered at the scene suggests that this is a double murder-suicide, the release said.

This investigation is ongoing.

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COLUMBIA, S.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Three Lancaster men were sentenced to a total of 27 years in federal prison after pleading guilty to drug trafficking charges, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Evidence presented in court showed the three men conspired together in the Lancaster, S.C. area to distribute methamphetamine, starting in January 2020.

In June 2020, the Lancaster County Sheriffs Offices narcotics investigators made two controlled purchases from 23-year-old Tyree Amahdikeem Brooks. That following July, Brooks was arrested on outstanding state drug trafficking warrants. He had a loaded AR-15-style assault rifle, a 9mm pistol equipped with an extended magazine and methamphetamine. He was later arrested in Rock Hill for possessing firearms and illegal narcotics.

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In January 2021, 36-year-old John Matthew Railey was found with nearly an ounce of 99% pure methamphetamine during a domestic incident. The following month, Railey sold some methamphetamine to undercover Lancaster County narcotics investigators.

Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area  >> Latest stories here

In February 2021, the sheriffs office made another controlled buy from 43-year-old Ricky Shane Underwood. Investigators searched Underwoods home a few days later and found more methamphetamine and a firearm. Following another controlled buy in March 2023, another search was made on Underwoods home where more methamphetamines and another firearm were found.

Brooks pleaded guilty to possession with intent to distribute and distribution of five grams or more of methamphetamine. He was served with 108 months in prison to be followed by a five-year term of court-ordered supervision.

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Railey was sentenced to 144 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribution of methamphetamine.

Underwood received 72 months in prison after pleading building to conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute 50 grams or more of a mixture or substance containing a detectable amount of methamphetamine. His prison sentence will be followed by a four-year term of court-ordered supervision.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Its very scary.

In separate interviews, three veteran nonprofit executives used the same phrase to describe the future of public media in the United States under the next Trump Administration. While agencies are currently funded through 2025, the attacks are fierce.

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The GOP Is Out for Blood

In April, president-elect Donald Trump called National Public Radio (NPR) a liberal disinformation machine and vowed to never give it a penny while Congressman Scott Perry (R-PA) introduced the No Propaganda Act, a bill that aims to prohibit federal funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) called the CPB complicit in perpetuating political bias.

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Three weeks ago, Department of Government Efficiency co-heads Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy joined the fray, calling for an end to federal funding to the CPB in the Wall Street Journal.

This isnt new, of course.

Conservative politicians have tried to destroy public media ever since the Public Broadcasting Act created the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) in 1967 with its call for public media to address the needs of unserved and underserved audiences, particularly children and minorities. We saw it with President Richard Nixon in 1972, in Rep. Newt Gingrichs 1994 Contract With America, and under President Trump during his first term in office: The annual budget each year called for the elimination of the CPB, as well as the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) and the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH).

And yet, the CPB survived. In 2018, when Republicans controlled all three branches of government, bipartisan compromise prevailed: The CPB was protected. The NEA and NEH even received a $3 million funding boost.

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This time promises to be different.

Simon Kilmurry, who was the executive producer of the PBS independent documentary showcase POV from 2007-2015, said conservative pushback has always come with the job, but the level of jeopardy has increased significantly, he told IndieWire. I think youre going to see points of vulnerability in a more coordinated fashion this time. He said that the CPB, NEA, and NEH will be targeted.

In the past, supporters relied on Republican backing from disparate parts of the country where public arts and media funding were the only source of news and culture. Heres why thats now much less likely.

The Demonization of Public Media

Its not just Republicans now; its these insane MAGA people, said documentary veteran Gordon Quinn, producer of Hoop Dreams and co-founder of Kartemquin Films. Theyre going after diversity, but a diversity of voices and public media are critical for a well-functioning democracy.

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Adriana Bosch, a former producer of PBS series American Experience, put the situation in stark terms: Its not about the content of public media; its more about the existence of public media.

My fundraising plan relied on the NEH and CPB, said Bosch of an upcoming project. There is no certainty that it will be around in 2026.

Destroying Public Media Kills Documentaries at the Source

For more than 50 years, public media has been the most fundamental, consistent, and reliable source of funding and distribution for independent documentaries.

There are so many films that wouldnt have seen the light of day in terms of broadcast if not for public media, said Debra Zimmerman, longtime executive director of Women Make Movies. Her organization survived previous defunding from the federal government.

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Right now, we have five projects that are funded by the NEH to the tune of more than $2 million, she said. Thats major funding that isnt available from anywhere else across the spectrum.

Keri Putnam Getty Images

Former Sundance Institute executive Keri Putnam recently compiled a report for Harvards Shorenstein Center that said more than 60 independent documentaries go into production each year with funding through the CPB-supported ITVS and National Multicultural Media Alliance entities. Public broadcasting also provides massive distribution: the PBS documentary programs reach over 22 million, while independent docs on commercial streaming platforms reach only 4.4 million.

Putnam told IndieWire, It is clearly attracting audiences because it is reliably trusted and known as a destination for this work, and likely too because it is free in most cases.

Public media is also crucial at a time when most commercial distributors are primarily focusing on true crime documentaries and celebrity bios, all but abandoning social-issue storytelling. One example: As a counterpoint to the A&E reality series Duck Dynasty, launched in 2012, North Carolina-based public media was motivated in part to counter such sensationalistic stereotypes with its own documentary series Reel South, now in its 10th season.

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Said producer Nick Price, We now have a platform that filmmakers in this region have come to rely on as a career-sustaining opportunity and viable place for their work. If CPB was defunded, Reel South could likely not exist without new funders, which we currently dont have.

Private funding already provides the bulk of the PBS budget; just 15 percent comes from federal sources (New Yorks large WNET PBS affiliate receives only seven percent). However, many PBS affiliates and other smaller media organizations, many of which are in Republican-controlled states, rely on a far greater portion of government support.

Aaron Pruitt, director and general manager for Montana PBS, said about a third of its budget comes from the CPB, a third from local university partners, and a third from viewers like you. But each of those legs are vital for our survival, he said. If that funding went away tomorrow, a hit of that percentage would be devastating.

Red States Love Their PBS, Too

He remains optimistic, believing that the CPB will not be defunded because I think Americans love their local public radio and TV stations, he said. Pruitt touted the successes of local projects such as regional Emmy winner Charlie Russells Old West as well as Backroads of Montana and Glacier Parks Night of the Grizzlies.

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Public media advocates use such examples to make their case on Capitol Hill. Robin L. Bronk, CEO of advocacy group The Creative Coalition said there are tangible economic reasons for the government to support the arts. Arts contributes to over four percent of the GDP, she said. Its one of the few sectors that runs a trade surplus, so if you care about the U.S. economy, theres proof of concept.

Jamie Bennett, interim co-director for Americans for the Arts and a former NEA staffer, said he plans to target members of Congress by flying in citizens from their districts this December. Its the old-fashioned tactic of bringing in constituents to have conversations about public broadcasting, he said. The more we can start from the local level, I think theres pretty wide agreement on both sides of the political spectrum that having news and information of, by, and for the community, is really important.

Ken Burns and Antiques Roadshow

An irony of the right-wing allegations against public medias liberal bias is, for every hour of independent nonfiction about an Inuit lawyer, the intersex community, or young Latina women  to cite a few recent POV documentaries  there are many, many more hours of content across the 1,500 CPB-supported, locally owned and operated public television and radio stations that wouldnt offend the most hardened conservatives.

The highest-rated shows on PBS are Ken Burns documentaries, TV series Finding Your Roots and Antiques Roadshow, and British period dramas Call the Midwife and Masterpiece. Other current favorites include Nature and NOVA. As one insider told IndieWire, PBS has more shows about animals than people of color.

Ken Burns Getty Images for Authors Guild F

In fact, many of PBSs biggest defenders also criticize how far its strayed from its mission to constitute an expression of diversity and address the needs of unserved and underserved audiences.

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We wouldnt be here with two Oscar-short-listed films if it werent for public media and its support of our journey, said filmmaker Michele Stephenson. But in the last decade or so, its been a problematic organization for BIPOC voices.

Stephenson and her partner Joe Brewster, directors of the ITVS-supported POV documentaries American Promise and Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project, refuse to accept a PBS further diluted by right-wing assaults. Its about compromise at what cost, she said. I dont think kowtowing is going to save us. We have a long battle ahead of us and we need to strap in and start the work.

Added Brewster, I dont think its time to back down. I dont think its time to make documentaries about how great it was in the 1950s, because it wasnt. Give us a public television that allows for risk-taking and critical thinking. Make the mission clear. Dont water down the mission.

But if Trump and his Republican colleagues deliver on their promises to defund these agencies, its difficult to see how that mission can survive. As Simon Kilmurry said, Its very easy to tear something down, but its hard to build it back up and the damage that can be done can take generations to fix.

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SAN ANTONIO, Fla. (WFLA)  A three-vehicle crash in Pasco County Sunday morning left a motorcyclist dead and two others injured, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

The crash happened around 10:30 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8 at the intersection of Old Tampa Bay Drive and State Road 52 in San Antonio, troopers said.

Bicyclist struck, killed by car while crossing highway in Hillsborough County

A 46-year-old San Antonio man was traveling east on State Road 52 on a Harley Davidson motorcycle when officials said a woman driving a Hyundai Tucson turned in front of him, causing the motorcyclist to crash into her vehicle.

(Credit: Florida Highway Patrol)

Authorities said the collision redirected the Hyundai Tucson into a semi-truck that was stropped on Old Tampa Bay Drive at the intersection of State Road 52.

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The motorcyclist was taken to a local hospital where he later died from his injuries.

The driver of the Hyundai Tuscon, an 81-year-old San Antonio woman, and an 87-year-old San Antonio man who was a passenger in the vehicle both suffered minor injuries.

Troopers said the semi-truck driver was not injured.

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SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO)  A 30-year-old Sioux Falls man is behind bars Monday facing multiple charges including first-degree murder.

Juan Carlos Flores was booked into the Minnehaha County jail on Saturday afternoon. He faces charges of first-degree murder, grant theft, possession of a stolen vehicle and obstructing an officer.

According to court documents, Flores stabbed a 39-year-old in a home in northwestern Sioux Falls early Saturday morning. Court documents say the two were doing drugs and then got into a fight where Flores stabbed the victim in the throat.

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Lt. Aaron Nyberg with the Sioux Falls Police Department said the victim was Alonzo Little and the suspect was arrested by police in the victims car.

Court documents say the two met on a dating app a week earlier and had hung out a few times.

When police later searched the home, officers found a large amount of blood, two steak knives and two large knives hidden on top of a kitchen cabinet.

Police arrested Flores after he stole Littles car and crashed it before getting pulled over on the southbound ramp of Interstate 29 off Maple Street. Flores had cuts on his hands and received treatment at the hospital before being booked into jail.

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This is a developing story, more details are expected at Mondays police briefing.

This is the 15th homicide in Sioux Falls in 2024, which includes two justified homicides.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com.
BYRON, Wis. (WFRV)  A 37-year-old Milwaukee man was arrested early Monday morning following a pursuit on Interstate 41 in Fond du Lac County.

According to the Fond du Lac County Sheriffs Office, a deputy attempted to stop a vehicle for reckless driving near Lost Arrow Road in the town of Byron. Despite the deputy activating emergency lights and sirens, the driver refused to yield and accelerated northbound on Interstate 41.

Employee in Wisconsin dies in industrial accident, electricity a contributing source

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The suspect exited at Johnson Street and continued through the city, eventually losing control on a curve south of County Highway OO. The vehicle slid into a steep shoulder and became immobile.

A high-risk traffic stop was conducted, and both the driver and a passenger were taken into custody without further incident.

The driver, identified as a 37-year-old man from Milwaukee, had outstanding warrants through probation and parole and Milwaukee County. He was booked into the Fond du Lac County Jail on multiple charges, including fleeing and eluding, recklessly endangering safety, felon in possession of a firearm, and operating while impaired.

The passenger, a 35-year-old Milwaukee man, was detained but later released without charges.

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15-year-old boy dies after ATV accident in Oconto County, investigation underway

The pursuit covered approximately 8.5 miles. No injuries were reported, though a Fond du Lac County squad car sustained damage during the chase.

No additional details were provided.

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MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)  A third person is facing charges after a Dec. 1 shooting at a Myrtle Beach high-rise resort, police records show.

Chandler Isaiah Johnstson, 19, remained in the J. Reuben Long Detention Center Monday morning, charged with felony assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature and misdemeanor trespassing and loitering. He was arrested on Tuesday, two days after the incident at the Paradise Resort at 2201 S. Ocean Blvd.

Yachyus Wright, 20, and Christopher Duan Wright, 22, both of Mt. Olive, North Carolina, were arrested after officers went to the hotel at about 8:30 a.m. on Dec. 1 to investigate a report of a weapons discharge that occurred overnight. Wright was charged with discharging a firearm in the city limits and simple possession of marijuana., while Wright was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana.

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According to a police report, a window in one of the hotel rooms appeared to have been shot out, and officers found a hole in the wall across from the window. A woman told officers she heard a loud noise at about midnight but that she did not leave her room to see what had happened.

During the investigation, officers found a vehicle across the street belonging to one of the people involved in the incident that had been hit by stray bullets.

The police records do not indicate the exact roles 3the three men had in the incident. Wrights marijuana charge came after a plastic baggie fell out of his pant leg while he was at the city jail, an arrest report showed.

* * *

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Dennis Bright is the Digital Executive Producer at News13. He joined the team in May 2021. Dennis is a West Virginia native and a graduate of Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia. Follow Dennis on, Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 9. Authorized representatives from five political parties have been officially registered for the upcoming municipal election in Azerbaijan, scheduled for January 29, 2025, Trend reports.

This was announced during a meeting of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan, held on December 9.

The registered representatives belong to the New Azerbaijan Party (YAP), the Azerbaijan National Independence Party, the Boyuk Gurulush Party, the Democratic Reforms Party, and the Umid Party.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  Four women who accused Curtis Hill of drunkenly groping them at a bar when he was Indiana's attorney general dropped their civil lawsuit against him hours before jury selection was set to begin on Monday.

The women initially sued in federal court in 2019 before filing this last lawsuit in a Marion County court in 2020, claiming that Hill committed battery against them at an Indianapolis bar and then defamed them with repeated claims that their allegations were false.

Their decision Sunday to drop the suit ends nearly seven years of investigations and litigation surrounding Hills actions during a March 2018 party on the final night of that year's legislative session, The Indianapolis Star reported.

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In a statement from their attorneys, the women said they agreed to dismiss the suit after reaching the frustrating conclusion that proceeding with the trial cannot provide the relief they sought; namely, Mr. Hill accepting responsibility for his actions and admitting his fault in intentionally touching each of them in a sexual manner without consent.

The four women who sued Hill are Mara Candelaria Reardon, Gabrielle McLemore Brock, Samantha Lozano and Niki DaSilva. At the time of the March 2018 party, Candelaria Reardon was a Democratic state representative from Munster in northwest Indiana, and the three other women were legislative staffers. All decided to come forward publicly in response to his denials.

Hill said Monday in a statement that the case's dismissal is a vindication of his longstanding denial of the women's claims.

There was no financial settlement. There were no conditions for dismissal, Hill said. The case against me was dismissed with prejudice by each of the plaintiffs, thus ending this odyssey of unfounded allegations that have dogged me for nearly seven years and have served as the fuel for political and personal attacks against me.

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Despite Hill's denials, the Indiana Supreme Court ordered a 30-day suspension of his law license in 2020 after finding by clear and convincing evidence that (Hill) committed the criminal act of battery against three female legislative staffers and a state lawmaker during the party. The justices ruled after nine people who attended the party testified at his professional misconduct hearing.

The allegations were a key campaign issue when Hill narrowly lost the 2020 Republican attorney general nomination for his reelection to Todd Rokita, who took office in January 2021.

Hill attempted a political comeback in 2022, but he lost a vote among Republican precinct committee members to replace U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski on the election ballot following her death in a highway crash. Business executive Rudy Yakym won the GOP nomination and election for northern Indianas 2nd District seat.

Hill also entered this year's Indiana governor's race, joining a six-way Republican primary to replace term-limited GOP Gov. Eric Holcomb. But first-term U.S. Sen. Mike Braun won the May primary and the November general election.
Several people are facing charges after multiple cats were found dead at home in South Carolina.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

On Oct. 6, deputies in Berkeley County, SC went to a home on Drop Off Drive after a woman found multiple dead cats. The woman told officials she fed the cat colony that had been at the home.

The cat colony has been in the TNVR (Trap-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return) program, according to the sheriffs office. Deputies obtained a search warrant for the home.

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The following day, the Charleston Animal Society went to retrieve the bodies of the dead cats. The cats were taken to the Professional Veterinary Pathology Services  Columbia and the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.

During the investigation, detectives identified a person of interest after receiving information regarding a past complaint about the cats.

TRENDING STORIES:

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Officials identified the person of interest as Andrew George Dock. Dock told authorities that the cats were a nuisance and expressed his displeasure with having the cats in the area.

Berkeley County authorities later learned Dock involved four others to help him with killing the cats.

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The following were arrested and charged in connection to the crime:
Jay-Z being named in a rape lawsuit alongside Diddy sent a shockwave through the Hip-Hop community, thus yielding a myriad of reactions. Many people wondered what 50 Cent would have to say, and he lived up to his entertaining, yet villainous nature with his inevitable reaction.

Hov was added to the amended version of this lawsuit, which originally only included the Bad Boy founder back in October. The moguls are being accused of drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl at an afterparty for the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards.

On Instagram, the In Da Club rapper shared the classic meme of himself from Season 6 of Entourage where he drives up next to Turtle, jokes about his car, and then drives away. In the caption, he asked, Ok I dont know whats going on, but are we gonna still have the Super Bowl[?] *sad face emoji* Im just asking for a friend! Check it out below.

50 Cent has been a constant thorn in Diddy and Jay-Zs sides throughout their careers, but especially over this last year due to Diddy being sued by multiple women for rape, assault, sex trafficking, and more. The G-Unit leader implicated the Brooklyn rapper in Puffs misconduct on numerous occasions and questioned why he had been so silent.

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This lawsuit was brought against the 99 Problems rapper by Tony Buzbee, the Houston-based attorney who is representing over 120 alleged Diddy victims. The 4:44 artist responded to the lawsuit immediately in a statement shared by Roc Nations social media accounts. He denied all allegations, questioned Buzbees integrity, explained how such allegations would affect his kids, and asserted his willingness to engage in this legal battle.

You have made a terrible error in judgment thinking that all celebrities are the same, the father of three wrote. Im not from your world. Im a young man who made it out of the project of Brooklyn We have very strict codes and honor. We protect children. Check out the full statement below.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  A $50,000 Powerball prize remains unclaimed, according to the Louisiana Lottery Corporation.

The winning ticket was purchased at RaceTrac #2332 in Baton Rouge, located at 10480 Burbank Drive, and will expire on January 9, 2025.

The ticket, which came from the July 13, 2024 drawing, matched four of the five white-ball numbers and the red Powerball number. The winning numbers are 09-55-59-66-69 with the Powerball number 21.

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The winner must claim their prize by 5 p.m. on Jan. 9, 2025. Claims can be made by presenting the original printed ticket at any of the five regional offices of the Louisiana Lottery or at their headquarters in Baton Rouge.

Lottery President Rose Hudson urged the ticket holder to come forward. We look forward to the winner claiming this prize. Meanwhile, the ticket should be treated as cash, she said. Hudson also advised to sign the back of the ticket for security reasons.

$3 million Mega Millions ticket sold in Louisiana last week

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Update 6:50 p.m.

COLES COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA)  All lanes of I-57 southbound have been reopened, according to ISP.

The lanes at milepost 190 reopened around 6:50 p.m.

Update 5:15 p.m.

COLES COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA)  One person is dead following a two-car collision in Coles County.

According to Ed Schniers, Coles County Coroner, 24-year-old Aydin Garcia was pronounced deceased around 1:45 p.m.

Vehicle fire extinguished in Coles Co.

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Schniers said preliminary reports show that Garcia hit the back of a parked semi head-on. He died from blunt force trauma.

ISP said that I-57 southbound near milepost 187 is still closed to traffic and being rerouted at milepost 190 onto U.S. 45.

Update: 3:50 p.m.

COLES COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA)  ISP said that due to the crash investigation, I-57 southbound near Mattoon will be closed.

The road closures begin around milepost 187. ISP said that traffic from I-57 south will be diverted at milepost 190 onto U.S. 45.

IDOT continues to assist ISP on the scene with the road closure.

COLES COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA)  Illinois State Police are on the scene of a two-vehicle accident on I-57 near Mattoon.

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According to ISP, drivers are asked to avoid the area if possible. The right lane of I-57 is closed while the crash investigation is being completed.

Body of Shelby County Coroner discovered in Lake Mattoon in hunting accident

The accident happened in the southbound lane of I-57 near milepost 187 according to ISP.

IDOT is on the scene of the accident assisting with traffic control.

No other information is available at this time. WCIA will continue to update this story as more information becomes available.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
AUSTIN, Texas (AP)  Six Guatemalans were arrested in Guatemala and in Texas Monday on human smuggling charges linked to a 2021 semitrailer truck crash in Mexico that killed more than 50 migrants, authorities said.

The truck had been packed with at least 160 migrants, many of them Guatemalans, when it crashed into a support for a pedestrian bridge in Tuxtla Gutierrez, the capital of the southern state of Chiapas. The arrests were announced on the three-year anniversary of the accident.

According to an indictment unsealed Monday in Laredo, Texas, Guatemalan authorities arrested Tomas Quino Canil, 36; Alberto Marcario Chitic, 31; Oswaldo Manuel Zavala Quino, 24; and Josefa Quino Canil de Zavala, 42.

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Another man, Jorge Agapito Ventura, was arrested at his home in Cleveland, Texas, U.S. authorities said. Guatemalan officials noted a sixth arrest. A sixth name listed on the U.S. federal indictment was blacked out.

The accused were charged with conspiracy, placing life in jeopardy, causing serious bodily injury, and resulting in death.

It was unclear late Monday if those arrested had attorneys in the United States who could comment on their behalf. Justice Department officials did not immediately respond to an email Monday night.

The indictment charges them with conspiring to smuggle migrants from Guatemala through Mexico to the U.S. for payment. In some cases that involved smuggling unaccompanied children, the defendants would provide scripts of what to say if apprehended, the indictment said.

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The smugglers would move migrants on foot, inside microbuses, cattle trucks and tractor trailers, the indictment said. It said the smugglers would use Facebook Messenger to request and deliver identification documents to the migrants to get them into the U.S.

The tragedy that occurred three years ago today in Chiapas is further proof that human smugglers are ruthless, callous and dangerous, intending migrants should not believe their lives, said U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas.

Guatemalan Interior Minister Francisco Jimenez said the defendants were part of a criminal structure called Los Quino, and that U.S. officials had requested extradition of the four arrested in Guatemala.

Authorities executed 15 search warrants across Guatemala on Monday, Jimenez said. He said they had the support of the U.S. and Mexican governments.

___

This story has been updated to correct Oswaldo Zavala Quinos middle name. It is Manuel, not Manuael.
Last week, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in New York in what the NYPD has called a "targeted attack."

Bryan R. Smith / AFP via Getty Images

After days of searching for the shooter, police announced today that they're holding a man in custody who is believed to be connected to the killing.

Alex Kent / Getty Images

This situation is developing, but here's what we know about the person of interest so far:

1.The suspect in custody has been identified as 26-year-old University of Pennsylvania graduate Luigi Mangione.

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According to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny, he does not have a criminal history in New York.

2.Luigi was arrested at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, this morning on gun charges after police reportedly received a tip.

According to CNN, he had a gun with a suppressor on him at the time of the arrest. Police say they intend to test the gun to see whether the ballistics match the shell casings found at the scene of the shooting.

Stephen Maturen / Getty Images

3.The gun was not the only thing found during the arrest.

They also recovered clothing, including a mask consistent with those worn by our wanted individual, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. Also recovered was a fraudulent New Jersey ID matching the ID our suspect used to check into his New York City hostel before the shooting incident."

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The gun appears to be a ghost gun, and it may have been 3D printed, according to police.

Alex Kent / Getty Images

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4.Luigi also had what AP News describes as a handwritten document on him that could allude to a motive.

Kenny said the document shows Luigi may have "some ill will towards corporate America," the Washington Post reported.

5.Some reporters are calling the document a "manifesto," but details of its contents are still vague.

6.And finally, NYPD Commissioner Tisch confirmed: "At this time, he is believed to be our person of interest in the brazen, targeted murder of Brian Thompson."

We'll keep you updated as this story develops.
Unfortunately for us all, salmonella is not a cute name for a salmon pet. It's actually a pesky bacteria that can get into certain foods and cause some of the worst cases of foodborne illnesses known to humanity. While it's possible to get this nasty little bug and show no symptoms, in other cases, salmonellosis, the resulting infection, can lead to stomach cramps, fever, and even death.

Salmonella is most commonly associated with raw or undercooked chicken and other meat products. Raw chicken is famously off limits because of the impending risk of salmonella. Indeed, it's interesting to note that none of the U.S.'s most serious salmonella outbreaks have ever resulted from consuming chicken--perhaps because most people are keenly aware of the dangers of this infection. Rather, salmonella has mainly snuck into our bodies by glomming onto foods we wouldn't even suspect, like peanuts or cucumbers. This is what makes it truly insidious. When farmers unwittingly (one would hope) irrigate fresh produce with water that has been contaminated with salmonella, we're done for. So now that we've established that chicken-related salmonella cases are not that common, at least not en masse, let's look at which foods have actually caused us the most trouble in the past. Below, we've put together a list of the worst cases of salmonella ever to occur in the U.S., basing our choices on the number of casualties reported as well as the overall number of reported cases.

Read more: 36 Delicious Ways To Use Up Leftover Rice

1985 - Milk From Hillfarm Dairy In Melrose Park, Illinois

Jug of milk on a table - Michar Peppenster/Shutterstock

Milk is a huge staple of the American breakfast. Whether you're having a simple bowl of cereal or making an elaborate pancake meal, milk is likely to be involved in some way. Which is why it is so tragic when all that milk turns out to give you fever and chills, or worse. But this is what happened in 1985, when milk from Hillfarm Dairy in Melrose Park, Illinois, was found to have caused a terrible salmonella outbreak that year in several mid-Western states.

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About nine deaths were linked to the outbreak, while 6,6644 cases of poisoning were reported overall, affecting Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Milk is normally pretty safe from salmonella, since pasteurization typically kills the bacteria and milk sold commercially in the U.S. is required to be pasteurized. Indeed, Hillfarm Dairy did pasteurize its milk on this and other occasions, but as the CDC has suggested, the process may have been inadequate or the contamination may have occurred afterward.

1994 - Ice Cream From Schwan's Sales Enterprises Of Marshall, Minnesota

Various ice cream flavors with ice cream cones - Rimma Bondarenko/Shutterstock

When salmonella is initially reported and investigators spring into action to try and determine its source, it is often the case that offending products are taken off the shelves and recalled before too many people get hurt. That is not what happened in 1994, when ice cream sold by Schwan's Sales Enterprises in Marshall, Minnesota, was found to have infected up to 5,000 people in more than 15 states.

Inspectors believe the outbreak was caused by pasteurized ice cream premix that was carried in a tanker truck that had previously transported raw, unpasteurized eggs without being properly washed. Indeed, eggs are another common source of salmonella contamination, as the bacteria can get into the food through porous eggshells that may have come into contact with chicken droppings. Salmonella can also get directly into the egg as it forms inside the chicken and before the shell has materialized. That ice cream premix was not pasteurized again after coming into contact with the eggs, and the rest is history.

2009 - Peanuts From The Peanut Corporation Of America In Blakeley, Georgia

Bunch of salted peanuts - R.tsubin/Getty Images

Peanut butter is a sacred American snack (and breakfast, lunch, and perhaps even dinner) food, so it's nigh on tragic when something so scary as a foodborne illness comes to threaten its supplies. It shakes us to the core. Yet that is exactly what happened in 2009, a year that shall live in peanut butter infamy for having brought to us a peanut salmonella case via the Peanut Corporation of America in Blakeley, Georgia.

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What caused this scourge was a faulty quality control process, and the result was nine deaths and some 22,500 reported illnesses. Although such an event can never be reversed, at least we know that the heads of the company that supplied the peanuts, Stewart and Michael Parnell, was convicted in 2014 of conspiracy, fraud, and other charges relating to knowingly unleashing a salmonella-laced product onto the market. Perhaps it was because the tainted product affected America's beloved peanut butter, or perhaps it was because it was time, but this instance was the first in history in which a company head was charged with a felony relating to shipping salmonella-contaminated food.

2011-Ground Turkey From Cargill

Ground turkey on a cutting board - Wiktory/Getty Images

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Turkey and chicken have so much in common. They're both poultry, they both have plenty of white and dark meat, and they taste very similar. So, if you're one to typically associate salmonella with undercooked chicken, you might not be surprised to find that salmonella-infused ground turkey was the source of a terrible outbreak in 2011, stemming from meat distribution giant Cargill. One person died as a result of the outbreak, while 134 people were reported ill. Indeed, according to the New York Times, up to 15% of ground turkey is contaminated with salmonella at any given time.

Luckily, the cooking process destroys salmonella, which is why most people always make sure to thoroughly cook their poultry (the cooking temperature has to reach 165 degrees Fahrenheit in order to be effective), but that's no reason to let your guard down. Many cases of poultry-related salmonella have occurred through cross contamination, such as when a person prepares raw turkey on a cutting board, then chops up something else (that will not be cooked) on that same board without washing it first.

2015 - Imported Cucumbers

Sliced cucumbers - Tudor Adamache / 500px/Getty Images

In 2015, a bad batch of cucumber imported from Mexico and distributed by a California company killed one person and caused more than 280 people to become ill with salmonellosis. This may seem somewhat farfetched, because beautiful, fresh and colourful cucumbers don't seem all that dangerous, but it's not that unusual for salmonella to contaminate cucumbers.

In fact, it happened again. In 2024, an outbreak tied to Florida cucumbers infected more than 400 people, though no deaths were reported, thankfully. But now you might be wondering how on Earth such a thing could happen so often? Well, it has to do with unsanitary agricultural processes. In this particular instance in Florida, the Washington Post reported that untreated canal water used in the irrigation of the cucumbers came in contact with the vegetables as they were growing. Since salmonella is typically spread through feces, and heavens knows what lurks in those canals, it should be no surprise that those cucumbers never stood a chance.

2023- Imported Cantaloupe

Cantaloupes on a wooden table - Sirisak Boakaew/Getty Images

As with cucumbers, cantaloupe, with its thick outer armor, might also seem safe from contamination relating to salmonella. Yet a 2023 salmonella outbreak came from none other than imported cantaloupes, both whole and fresh cubed cantaloupe, which killed fifteen people and infected another 600 in the U.S. and Canada.

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The offending cantaloupes were found to have been imported from Mexico, and as it turns out, this particular fruit is actually more prone to salmonella than many others precisely because of its thick armor. In fact, that bumpy, rugged exterior makes it especially hard to wipe off any bacteria (like salmonella) that may have taken up residence on it. Then, the bacteria can grow unchecks. Plus, once you have a cantaloupe in hand and you're cutting it up, you can easily transfer that bacteria from the outdoor rind to the juicy fruit inside. The double threat on this occasion came from reports of hurricanes and subsequent flooding in the area where the cantaloupes were growing, which may have exposed them to untreated and unsanitary water.

Read the original article on Tasting Table.
HARLAN, Ky. (FOX 56)  The Kentucky State Police Department (KSP) is investigating after a 75-year-old man allegedly tried to go up a hill on an ATV before being killed in a crash on Saturday afternoon.

The Harlan County Coroners Office posted on Facebook that just after 4 p.m. on Saturday, a deputy coroner was dispatched to the Blair community of Harlan in response to a deadly ATV crash.

Elizabethtown woman, Bowling Green pair killed, 2 injured in multi-vehicle Bluegrass Parkway crash in Hardin County

When authorities arrived at the scene, a 75-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene, according to Harlan County law authorities.

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The deputy coroner said the man allegedly lost control of the ATV while going up a hill, causing it to roll on him, where he died from his injuries.

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Although the immediate family has been notified, the name is being withheld at this time until all family members can be notified, Hardin County law enforcement wrote.

The ATV crash remains under investigation by 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 FOX 56 News.
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) Pennsylvania State Police are searching for a suspect who pepper-sprayed an 89-year-old woman before fleeing the scene in a road rage incident in Lancaster County on Friday.

According to police, on Dec. 6, officers responded to a road rage incident in the area of Georgetown Road and Paradise Lane in Strasburg Township at 11:46 a.m. on Friday. The suspect allegedly sprayed an 89-year-old woman in the face with pepper spray before fleeing the scene.

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Police said the victim was driving a white Ford F-150 and was traveling behind a white Subaru SUV. A road rage incident ensued, and both participants pulled into a parking lot. The victim was then allegedly pepper sprayed before the suspect fled north on Georgetown Road.

The nature of the road rage incident is unclear at this time.

The condition of the victim is unknown at this time.

Police are asking anyone with information on the incident to contact Trooper Auerbeck at PSP Lancaster Station, 717-299-7650.

This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 9. Three residents of the Horadiz settlement of the Fuzuli district (all three males) were hospitalized with various injuries at Fuzuli Central District Hospital at about 07:00 on December 9, Trend reports via TABIB.

Meanwhile, it was noted that the victim born in 1990 was diagnosed with a closed, displaced fracture of the left femur bone, an open fracture of the left shin and jaw, closed craniocerebral trauma, and a concussion of the brain; the victim born in 1995 was diagnosed with closed craniocerebral trauma, a concussion of the brain, and lacerations on the face; the victim born in 2000 was diagnosed with closed craniocerebral trauma, a concussion of the brain, and compression of the brain.

The victims were provided with the necessary medical care.

As the victims born in 1990 and 2000 were in serious health conditions, they were evacuated to a private medical institution in Ganja. Necessary measures are also being taken for the evacuation process of the victim born in 1995, whose condition is assessed as moderately serious, to provide qualified medical assistance.

To note, employees of the Azerbaijani Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) were involved in an accident in Fuzuli. The incident occurred in the territory of the Horadiz settlement. Thus, a BMW car driven by Samir Gahramanov, born in 1995, a resident of district settlement Gayidish-3, lost control and flew to the side of the road. Consequently, he and two residents in the cabin of the car with himBaylarzade Ramiz, a resident of Gayidysh-3 settlement, born in 2000, and Gasimov Mustafa, a resident of Gayidysh-2 settlement, born in 1990suffered bodily injuries of varying severity.
Emergency response systems in Arizona are entering a new era with the implementation of Next Generation 9-1-1, or NG9-1-1, technology.

Designed to address the limitations of the decades-old 911 system, NG9-1-1 represents a major step forward in how emergencies are reported and managed. With a rapidly growing population and increasing reliance on mobile technology, Arizonas public safety infrastructure needed to evolve.

This upgrade promised to enhance emergency response by allowing dispatchers to receive texts, videos, photos and real-time location data, all of which were impossible with the older system. With this advanced technology, residents can expect faster, more accurate and more effective emergency services designed to meet the demands of a modern, mobile world.

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But what exactly is NG9-1-1, and why does it matter?

What Is Next Generation 9-1-1?

The current 911 system was built decades ago for a landline-dominated world. Today, with smartphones, video calling, and GPS-enabled devices, the demands on emergency services have changed dramatically.

NG9-1-1 supports not just voice calls but also text messages, photos, videos and real-time location data. This capability means first responders can receive crucial information faster and more accurately, saving precious time in emergencies.

Why does Arizona need Next Generation 9-1-1?

Despite its rapidly growing population, Arizona currently spends far less on 911 services per capita than comparable states. At just $2.26 per person, Arizona lags behind states that allocate $30 to $40 per person. Many areas in Arizona still lack Enhanced 9-1-1 (E9-1-1) services, which provide caller location data  a critical feature in emergencies. Transitioning to NG9-1-1 will not only modernize these outdated systems but also ensure underserved communities have access to life-saving technology.

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The new NG9-1-1 system brings groundbreaking capabilities. It can pinpoint the location of a cell phone caller within three feet and track their movements. The Arizona Department of Administration 9-1-1 Program explained that "The new Next Gen 9-1-1 system enables dispatchers to track real-time location data, like when a person calls 9-1-1 from a remote area. Dispatchers will be able to pinpoint the callers exact location, track them if they are moving, and direct emergency responders quickly."

Greg Denton, Arizonas 9-1-1 program administrator, said NG9-1-1 introduces "system resiliency through diverse and redundant connectivity that allows 9-1-1 calls several routes to reach the correct 9-1-1 dispatch center." This ensures that calls are processed quickly even in high-demand situations. He also highlighted features like automatic abandon callback (AAC), which "automatically calls back any 9-1-1 hang-ups, allowing dispatchers to stay focused on incoming calls."

Additionally, dispatchers can now send 911 callers a link to stream live video directly from their phones. This feature allows first responders to assess situations more effectively, whether its a medical emergency, a lost hiker in the desert or a crime scene. According to Denton, "This platform can be beneficial to assist 9-1-1 dispatch centers in securing emergency site data and better preparing on-scene first responders."

How will NG9-1-1 be rolled out across Arizona?

The NG9-1-1 system is already operational in 75 dispatch centers across Arizona, with the remaining three  Phoenix Fire, Phoenix Police and Chandler Police  scheduled to transition soon. The program has been in development for two years, led by the states Department of Administration.

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Arizona is one of the first states to adopt this system statewide, joining Montana, Ohio and New Mexico.

How will NG9-1-1 be paid for?

The implementation of NG9-1-1 is funded through a $0.20 monthly fee on phone bills and federal grants.

"The state will continue to evaluate the $0.20 fee in correlation with future NG9-1-1 system costs, technology advancements, and critical needs," Denton said.

To address concerns about the fee, Denton said, "Currently, our state has the lowest 911 tax or service fee rate in the nation. Increases in this fee would be a decision for state policymakers."

How will Arizona bridge the technology gap in remote, tribal areas?

One challenge in rolling out NG9-1-1 statewide has been providing service to remote and tribal areas. Denton said, "There are several land areas within Arizona that are not NG9-1-1 compatible with GIS boundary technology as a result of infrastructure needs and GIS data challenges." Efforts are ongoing to work with tribal leaders to bring NG9-1-1 capabilities to these areas.

(The story was updated to add new information.)

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Arizona rolls out 911 emergency response system upgrade NG-9-1-1
Ex-Republican congressman Adam Kinzinger joked that Tulsi Gabbard could offer ousted Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad safe harbor in her home.

Kinzinger, who made the jibe the day before Assads regime fell, has been outspoken about Donald Trumps pick for director of national intelligence following a 2017 visit to Syria, where she met with the tyrant when she was a Democratic House member.

Wonder if @TulsiGabbard will offer Assad safe harbor at her house? the former Illinois representative quipped on X. They are great friends.

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When Assads whereabouts were unknown after he fled, Kinzinger said: Someone check @TulsiGabbard[s] house.

After Assads 50-year regime was toppled on Sunday, Kinzinger claimed that it was Tulsis nightmare scenario. Her hearing for DNI will be BRUTAL and she wont get in, he said in another post.

Gabbard has previously denied crimes were committed by the Syrian regime and said Assad is not the enemy of the United States.

Gabbard pictured this morning on Capitol Hill ahead of meetings with Senate Republicans (Getty Images)

She is the latest Trump cabinet pick to fight for her nomination following Pete Hegseths struggle for his confirmation as defense secretary and Matt Gaetzs withdrawal from the running of attorney general.

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On Monday, Gabbard was on Capitol Hill to meet with Senator Lindsey Graham and members of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Mike Rounds and James Lankford, to fight her case, according to Politicos Playbook.

Senator Lankford of Oklahoma previously said he wants to know the context and purpose of her meeting with the Syrian dictator in 2017 before he backs her as Trumps director of national intelligence.

Well have lots of questions. She met with Bashar Assad, well wanna know what the purpose was and what the direction for that was, as a member of Congress, Lankford told CNNs Dana Bash on State of the Union last month.

Well wanna get a chance to talk about past comments that shes made and get them into full context.

Adam Kinzinger joked about Gabbard offering safe harbor to Assad in a post on X (@AdamKinzinger/X)

Lankford said the committee would get everything out about Gabbard, and referred to her being outspoken in the past.

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Trumps former national security adviser John Bolton told Playbook that Gabbard has shown an inclination to believe the most outrageous propaganda against the United States by some of its strongest enemies.

Despite a barrage of criticism, Gabbards allies are coming out in support of her.

An anonymous Senate Republican told the outlet that if Gabbards 2017 visit to Syria was a problem, she wouldnt have been promoted to lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve in 2021.

In 2019 while under pressure following scrutiny over the visit, Gabbard did refer to Assad as a brutal dictator.

Trump transition team spokesperson Alexa Henning told Politico that Gabbard is in lockstep with President Trump when it comes to the events in Syria over the weekend.

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This is why President Trump was re-elected to prevent endless wars and put America First, Henning said.

The president-elect said that the U.S. should not get involved nor should it have ever inserted itself into the conflict. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED! Trump wrote on Truth Social over the weekend.
Mayor Eric Adams is looking for ways to go over the City Councils head to tweak the Big Apples restrictive migrant sanctuary city designation, he said during a TV interview Sunday.

The City Council made it clear they dont want to change that, Adams said on CBSs The Point with Marcia Kramer. They stated theyre not willing to change the sanctuary city law. I think theyre wrong. I have my teams looking at my power as executive orders.

Do I have the power to do so? I have to protect the people of this city, he said. That is my north star.

Mayor Eric Adams said Sunday he is looking for ways to go around the city Council to tweak the citys sanctuary status.

New York City has grappled with a massive influx of migrants from the US border since 2022, and has spent in excess of $6 billion to house and feed them. Andrea Renault/ZUMA Press Wire / SplashNews.com

The comments come just days after a city lawmaker took the mayor to task over the citys sanctuary status, something Adams has backed until his recent waffling on the issue.

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Tough talk is good but actions speak louder, Queens Councilman Robert Holden said Wednesday. The mayor had the chance to amend or repeal sanctuary city laws through his Charter Revision Commission but chose not to. Now, its time to right these wrongs.

Holden called on the city to reopen a federal immigration office at Rikers Island that was shut down in 2015 by then Mayor Bill de Blasio as a first step  with a pair of New York City federal immigration bigwigs voicing support for the idea one day later.

A City Hall spokesperson countered that Adams would be breaking the law if he reversed the migrant designation, noting that its the council that has the authority to do so.

Adams said protecting NYC was his north star.

Migrants from the US border have streamed into the Big Apple since 2022, creating a housing issue for local pols. James Keivom

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On Sunday, he told Kramer he wanted to figure out a way to get around that.

I told the corporation counsel, give me what are my options, the mayor said. I want to know what my optionsare. As I stated almost a year ago, I want to look at those who are committing serious violent felonies in our city. And I want to know what are my powers.

Once the city Council made it clear, were not changing the sanctuary city laws to allow [US Immigration and Customs Enforcement] to go after those dangerous offenders, Adams added. Once they made that clear, I went to plan B and said, what are my options and my powers.

Adams has been a supporter of the sanctuary designation in the past but has recently pushed for a loosening of the restrictions to allow some leeway when it comes to migrant criminals.

Queens Councilman Robert Holden last week called for the city to reopen an ICE office at Rikers Island and chided Mayor Eric Adams for his past support for sanctuary city designation. AP

Sanctuary city jurisdictions vow not to cooperate with federal immigration authorities to hold migrants in custody until they can be picked up for deportation proceedings.

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In February and again last week Adams has called for exceptions for asylum seekers who break the law in the five boroughs and are detained by the NYPD.

The city has doled out more than $6 billion to house, feed and police the flood of migrants who have flooded into the five boroughs since 2022, with the violent Venezuelan street gang Tren de Aragua establishing a foothold out of the tax-funded shelters.
CHICAGO (WGN)  This is a story about a little boy named Adin, who has a Christmas wish to simply be home for the holidays.

Adin is 11 years old and has been in a hospital bed at Lurie Childrens Hospital for more than a month recovering from a heart transplant.

But talking about whats happening isnt easy, says his mom, because his latest health battle is just the latest one.

Adin was diagnosed when he was four years old. He has Duchenne muscular dystrophy, said Melissa Harvey, Adins mom. Its a terrible disease, theres no cure for it. They live a pretty normal life until about seven and then they start to decline. He declined at 9 years old  hes fully wheelchair bound.

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In September, a simple bout of strep throat spread and attacked Adins already weakened heart muscle. He needed a transplant and on Nov. 15, he got one in the face of long odds.

With Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, they dont get to get transplants because its muscular break down so Adins very lucky to get that done, Melissa Hickey said.

But now, Adin and his mom are looking for help to make being home for Christmas a reality.

Ever since he got his heart, he says Okay, I got my heart. We can go home, lets go home,' Melissa Hickey said.

I dont like being in the hospital, Adin Hickey said.

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Understandable, but getting home to Bridgeport and then back and forth to doctor appointments and school will take some new wheels.

Adins aunt set up a GoFundMe to raise the $18,000 they believe it will take to get him a wheelchair-accessible van.

Im a single mom, I cant afford one. Theyre very expensive, Melissa Hickey said. So, I have to pick him out of my car, put him in my car.

Hes 145 pounds so, weve been struggling a lot, but we get it done. We get him to his appointments but its just been really hard and in order for Adin to come home, we need a wheelchair van. I cant lift him no more like I was so, thats kind of hard. We have to stay at the Ronald McDonald house until we get a van.

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If youre interested in donating toward Adins wheelchair van, his aunts GoFundMe can be found here: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-adin-thrive-after-his-heart-transplant

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A guard tower at Holman Correctional Facility in 2019. Advocates and experts expect a lawsuit over violence in Alabama's prison system to continue during President Donald Trump's second term. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

Criminal justice reform advocates believe the U.S. Department of Justices lawsuit against Alabama over the states prison conditions will continue even as President-elect Donald Trump railed against the department in his presidential campaign.

Those interviewed noted that the lawsuit started in 2020 during Trumps first term and said that Trumps criticisms of the department were directed at those who filed criminal charges against him for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021 insurrection.

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It was five years ago this year that the DOJ, under Trump, released a report detailing various ways that incarcerated peoples rights in the mens prisons were getting violated under the federal constitution, said Hernandez D. Stroud, a senior fellow for Justice with the Brennan Center for Justice, a progressive nonprofit law and public policy institute. Because that litigation was initiated under President Trump, I dont think that the litigation will stop because of President- elect Trumps election.

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But experts and criminal justice reform advocates agree that the DOJ will shift its priorities to issues that align more to the former presidents priorities, ones that include greater powers for law enforcement and less attention on civil rights.

The SPLC, involved in litigation against the Alabama Department of Corrections, declined comment. A message was sent to the Alabama Attorney Generals Office Thursday seeking comment.

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Representatives from the DOJ filed a lawsuit in December 2020 against both the state and the ADOC, alleging that violence in Alabamas prisons violated incarcerated peoples Eighth Amendment protections against cruel and unusual punishment.

The lawsuit stemmed from an investigation that began in 2016. In reports published in 2019 and 2020, the agency detailed physical and sexual assaults among inmates and from corrections officers directed at the incarcerated.

In September 2019, a lieutenant at Ventress lifted a handcuffed prisoner up off the ground and slammed him on a concrete floor several times, knocking him unconscious, according to DOJs 2020 report on excessive force from corrections officers. The prisoner was unable to breathe on his own, was intubated, and taken to an outside hospital, where medical personnel administered CPR several times to keep the prisoner alive.

In other cases, the investigation found that corrections officers used force as punishment or retribution. In January 2018, the DOJ alleged that a corrections officer at Staton Correctional Facility in Elmore County instructed a person to take a stretcher to a dormitory. The person replied that he could not follow the order because of a prior order given to him by a correctional captain.

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The prisoner claimed the officer slammed him into a door and hit him in the face three times with little provocation, the DOJ report states. The officer then handcuffed the prisoner. A captain reviewed the incident and concluded that the incident could have been avoided and that it escalated unnecessarily due to provocation by the officer. The documents ADOC provided us do not show that discipline was imposed.

According to the lawsuit, corrections officers routinely fail to intervene when individuals within the prison facility commit violence against others.

For example, on May 27, 2020, a 33-year old prisoner at Elmore Correctional Facility died from injuries sustained after being attacked by another prisoner in an open dormitory, the lawsuit states.

Veronica Johnson, deputy director of the Alabama Justice Initiative, said the fact William Barr, who served as attorney general under Trump during his first term, filed the lawsuit made it seem likely to continue.

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For whatever reason, he felt moved to ensure that Alabama was protected, she said.

Trump plans to nominate former Florida Attorney General Pamela Bondi, who represented Trump in his first impeachment trial, as U.S. attorney general.

By and large, Johnson said, understanding of the issues within the state prisons goes beyond political divisions. She cited testimony from families and loved ones of those currently incarcerated within Alabamas prisons at a recent meeting of the states Joint Prison Oversight Committee.

Once they understood, and once they knew what should have been happening, they acted accordingly, Johnson said.

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Considering the DOJ that began the investigation that eventually led to the lawsuit, the agency also has the authority to request that it be withdrawn.

It would seem odd that a change in political leadership would change whether or not constitutional violations are occurring and the extent to which those violations should be remedied, especially when this particular litigation was instituted under President Trumps Department of Justice, Stroud said. It would be one thing if this were a case brought under (President Joe) Bidens DOJ, and you had President-elect Trump appointing a new Attorney General who would have a new approach, but this litigation was brought under Trump.

The issue, however, has already been brought before the courts given that the litigation has already been filed, and will ultimately determine whether the case continues.

I would expect this lawsuit to continue, absolutely, said Julie Abbate, national advocacy director for Just Detention International, a health and human rights organization seeking to end sexual abuse in forms of detention. A lot of times it is the framing of the issues that impacts Republicans versus the Democrats. Democrats, of course, are focused on the civil rights and human rights of people who we lock up. The Republican administrations are more focused on making sure that dirty law enforcement folks, including corrections, dont sully the good name of the rest of the law enforcement community.

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The Office of Civil Rights Division of the DOJ tried to intervene in several cases while Trump was first elected president.

In 2020, the DOJ investigated Floridas Lowell Correctional Institution over allegations that the states Department of Corrections failed to keep females safe from sexual abuse by staff.

In Kentucky, staff working within the Civil Rights Division filed notice against the Boyd County Detention Center in 2019 after an investigation uncovered allegations of staff using excessive force through the use of pepper spray, electronic devices and restraints in chairs.

The Trump administration, last time, in four years opened more conditions of confinement cases in prisons and jails than the Obama administration did in eight years, Abbate said. It really defies political partisanship in nature.

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But Trumps perspective may have changed after he was the target of an investigation for the role that he played in the insurrection at the capital following his election loss in 2020.

We know from things that he said, from Project 2025, that appears to be an intention to be very pro law enforcement, which in his view means allowing law enforcement to be pretty aggressive, and not feel so reigned in, which would be very consistent with what he did last time, which is not allow any investigations of law enforcement agencies, said Christy Lopez, a law professor at Georgetown University and served as Deputy Chief in the Special Litigation Section of the Civil Rights Division at DOJ from 2010 to 2017.

Abbate said that she also read the tea leaves and could sense, along with her colleagues at the DOJ, that police violations of civil rights were not a priority during Trumps first administration and reacted accordingly by investigating other potential violations.

Just about all agreed that the incoming president will shift the DOJs focus away from Bidens priorities.

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I think it is less likely that it will disappear than some of the policing cases, Lopez said. But it really does depend on how anti-civil rights this administration is, and I just dont know that we know yet whether it is going to be more or less anti-civil rights than the previous Trump administration.

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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE)  Albuquerque Fire Rescue (AFR) jumped into action this weekend after a car caught on fire.

Around 7 a.m. on Saturday, firefighters returned from a call when they saw a car on fire on Menaul near University.

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AFR said the crew that arrived was not equipped with a water tank or pump due to being a heavy rescue unit, but instead, carried a fire blanket that can be used on electric vehicle fires.

That crew used the blanket to control the fire and called a separate engine with a water tank to help out. AFR did not report any injuries.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
During his first trip to Africa last week, President Joe Biden said the U.S. would provide more than $1 billion in humanitarian aid for Africans displaced by historic droughts and food insecurity.

The crowd in Angola watching Bidens speech applauded the news politely, but social media users in the U.S. reacted with derision and fury.

Right-leaning accounts and some Republican members of Congress expressed outrage that Biden was giving money to Africans while many in the southeastern U.S. were still struggling to recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

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"What about the Americans affected by recent Hurricanes?" conservative commentator Benny Johnson asked on Instagram. "North Carolina would like a word," U.S. Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., wrote on X.

Former U.N. Ambassador and Republican South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley wrote on X: "This is infuriating. After pardoning his son and fleeing to Africa, Biden gives a BILLION of our tax dollars to rebuild homes in Africa when we still have people homeless from the hurricane! Completely tone deaf and insulting."

But the claims ignore how domestic disaster relief and foreign aid are funded. Congress separately determines funding for each through appropriations or supplemental bills. The claims also ignore the $3.1 billion the Federal Emergency Management Agency has spent so far responding to Hurricane Helene, which left a trail of destruction across six states in late September, and Hurricane Milton, which struck Florida in October.

"Comparisons between foreign aid and domestic disaster funding often reflect a misunderstanding that aid to other countries reduces resources available for domestic disaster survivors," said Francis Torres, associate director of housing at the Bipartisan Policy Center, a Washington-based think tank. "In reality, these funds come from different accounts, with congressional authorizations for foreign assistance being separate from appropriations for disaster relief and recovery programs."

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Complaints about spending taxpayer money on foreign aid instead of U.S. citizens are common. We fact-checked an earlier False claim that Biden announced more aid to Ukraine but no more for Hurricane Helene survivors. And President-elect Donald Trump made a Pants on Fire claim that the Biden administration stole $1 billion from FEMA to use to house migrants.

President Joe Biden visits the National Slavery Museum in Morro da Cruz, Angola, on Tuesday.

Foreign aid funding

The money Biden pledged for aid in 31 African countries had already been appropriated by Congress to federal agencies. Most of it comes from the United States Agency for International Development, which is providing about $823 million of the $1 billion. Of the $823 million, more than $202 million comes from the U.S. Agriculture Departments Commodity Credit Corp., and nearly $186 million comes from the State Department, a USAID press release said.

The remaining money comes from a supplemental bill Congress passed in April, the press release said. The bill provided funding to U.S. agencies "for assistance to Ukraine, Israel, and U.S. allies in the Indo-Pacific region," which includes Africas east coast.

In recent years, the U.S., under Democratic and Republican administrations, has spent about $50 billion to $70 billion annually on foreign aid, government data shows. That involves humanitarian aid, military assistance and economic development. Torres said the spending accounts for about 1% of the federal budget. The U.S. government spent about $6.75 trillion in fiscal year 2024.

Disaster relief funding

Congress appropriates money to the Disaster Relief Fund, which FEMA manages, annually and supplementally. Other congressionally funded federal agencies also factor in disaster preparedness and relief, including the Housing and Urban Development, Health and Human Services, and Agriculture departments.

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State funding and private insurers also figure predominantly in recovery efforts. North Carolinas legislature has approved $877 million in relief aid, but that covers only a fraction of the expected $53 billion worth of damage in the state, WRAL reported. Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and other state officials want more federal money to rebuild; Cooper said North Carolina needs $25 billion, the outlet reported.

FEMA from 2017 to 2022 spent $70 billion on disaster relief, according to the Council on Foreign Relations. It has spent nearly $350 billion on disaster relief over the past three decades, the Congressional Budget Office said in 2022.

In 2023, FEMA responded to more than 100 disasters and sent about $1.3 billion directly to survivors and nearly $12 billion to states and communities.

"The scale of annual domestic disaster spending typically dwarfs the $1 billion in humanitarian aid recently pledged by President Biden to Africa," Torres said.

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He noted that Congress allocated more than $90 billion after Hurricane Katrina in 2005 and more than $120 billion in response to three major hurricanes in 2017.

President Joe Biden greets Angolan Foreign Minister Tete Antonio at Luanda International Airport last week.

Funding for Helene and Milton

As of Dec. 4, FEMA had approved $1.3 billion under its individuals and household program for Helene and Milton recovery, a spokesperson told PolitiFact. Another $1.8 billion was approved under FEMAs public assistance program for emergency costs such as debris removal and infrastructure repairs.

A FEMA website provides information on how much the agency has designated to spend per state on individual and household assistance for Helene and Milton. In North Carolina, as of Dec. 5, it had designated more than $265 million. In Florida, it will spend nearly $573 million on Helene recovery. Thats on top of $484 million for that states Milton survivors. FEMA will spend millions more to aid Helene victims in Georgia, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

Those figures dont include millions of dollars spent on services such as debris removal.

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Congress in late September passed a continuing resolution that added about $20 billion to the Disaster Relief Fund starting Oct. 1. About a week later, FEMA had spent nearly half of that money, Administrator Deanne Criswell told reporters Oct. 10. Much of that money went to Texas, California and New Mexico for recovery from earlier hurricanes, wildfires and tornadoes, CNN reported.

Biden is seeking about $98 billion in new funding to aid disaster victims, including $40 billion to replenish the Disaster Relief Fund. Congress is expected to vote on the issue before years end.

Torres said recovery efforts still face delays because of federal disaster fundings unpredictability and disasters increasing frequency and severity.

"Ultimately, the power of the purse lies with Congress. Rising disaster costs, coupled with insufficient appropriations over several years, have led to critical funding gaps," Torres said.

Our sources

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: PolitiFact: Aid to Africa doesnt detract from U.S. disaster relief
Air Canada has announced that it will no longer include larger carry-on luggage within its economy ticket prices, drawing criticism from transport officials.

The Canadian flag carrier will be revising the terms of its Basic and Comfort economy fares, saying that these changes will align them with similar fare offerings by other Canadian airlines.

Before, those holding even its lowest-priced ticket were able to bring on a small bag plus a larger item, such as a cabin suitcase, duffel bag or a large backpack, for no extra cost.

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However, from 3 January 2025, passengers will now have to pay $35 Canadian dollars (19.40) for one bag and $50 (27.70) for a second, although the personal items  such as a purse or a computer bag  will remain free to bring in the cabin.

Customers who arrive at the gate with ineligible carry-on items will be required to check their baggage for $65 (36) per item. Mobility aids, medical devices, and child strollers are exempt from these charges.

Changes are also being implemented to the way seating works for basic fare ticket holders. Those who are randomly assigned seats without paying fees to choose their seats, will now also be charged to change their seats.

The price will depend on the new seat chosen.

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Some changes, however, are not increasing any fees. Those who book a Comfort ticket will now be eligible to check in two complimentary bags, while the current fare only permits one.

These plans have not been received well by all, with Canadas Transport Minister Anita Anand said she will be calling all Canadian airline CEOs to a meeting in mid-December.

Lets just say Im not very happy today with what Ive heard from Air Canada, Anand told CTV. I think they need to take a look at the persons that they are targeting with these excess fees. It is not acceptable.

Air Canada told the television network that its planned charges are not new in the Canadian industry and is merely our competitive response, adding the company will be pleased to explain this to the government if desired.

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Anand admitted that she recognises the extra fees are a business decision made by Air Canada, but says she is extremely disappointed.

This is not acceptable at a time when Canadians pocketbooks are hurting and when theyve been saving for their travels, she added.

Air Canada told The Independent that the changes are simply a competitive response to what is already the prevalent practice in the industry.

It should be noted that Air Canada offers customers a wide range of fares with various attributes, including allowances for carry-on baggage should customers wish to have this option, the airline added.

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In the US, United Airlines has implemented a similar policy, requiring basic economy passengers to pay at least $35 (27.45) for carry-on bags.

For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 9. US Ambassador Mark Libby visited Ganja and honored the memory of the victims of the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict, the publication of US Embassy on X said, Trend reports.

The US is committed to ensuring a peaceful and prosperous future in the region, the publication reads.

To note, US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Mark Libby has resigned from the diplomatic mission due to health reasons. He will retire after the completion of the 2024 calendar year.
Researchers have found that AI-related emissions could soon rival that of all the cars in California.

AI electricity consumption could cause asthma deaths to spike by over one-third in the next six years.

In Virginia alone, AI's backup diesel generators could lead to 190 air-pollution-related deaths.

Researchers have found that the training of one large language model  like Meta's Llama 3.1  would generate as much air pollution as a car driving round trip from New York to Los Angeles 10,000 times. The total cost of AI's health impacts, they found, could reach $20 billion within six years.

The team of researchers from the University of California, Riverside, and the California Institute of Technology conducted what they say may be the first study of its kind assessing AI's impacts on air pollution. The paper, "The Unpaid Toll: Quantifying the Public Health Impact of AI," which is set to be released later Monday, found that the generation of electricity for data centers hosting artificial-intelligence applications could pollute the air so much that by 2030, an additional 1,300 people may die prematurely each year as a result.

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That would be a 36% increase over the current annual asthma-related deaths in the country.

The researchers  led by Shaolei Ren of UC Riverside and Caltech's Adam Wierman  examined the release of nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and particulate matter with a diameter of 2.5 micrometers or less, which can penetrate deep into the lungs, by power plants and diesel generators associated with AI facilities.

The boom in artificial intelligence has resulted in a spike in electricity demand. McKinsey & Co., a consulting firm, projects that data centers will use 11% to 12% of the total electricity consumed in the US in 2030, up from 3% to 4% last year. While the carbon emissions and water-usage implications of that growth have started to draw scrutiny, the direct health impacts of the air pollution these facilities generate have been mostly ignored.

"There is something like this, air pollution, which is affecting people right now," Ren said in an interview. "We aren't paying attention to it at all."

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The researchers estimated that generating electricity for AI data centers could trigger roughly 600,000 asthma-symptom cases a year by 2030.

Last year, the researchers estimated, the generative-AI boom led to a public-health burden of $5.6 billion. By 2030, they calculated, AI's electricity-related public-health costs could top $20 billion. That's more than double the public-health costs of coal-based US steelmaking, they wrote, and would rival the emissions produced by California's 35 million cars.

The cost estimates are based on a risk-assessment tool developed by the Environmental Protection Agency that assigns a dollar figure to what it would take to avoid negative health outcomes, such as premature deaths, asthma symptoms, heart attacks, and missed days of school or work.

For Ren, whose field of study is responsible artificial intelligence, his interest in air quality dates to his childhood. He lived in a small mining town in China until the age of 6, where he saw a correlation between poor air quality and adverse health outcomes in his community, including lung cancer.

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The paper is what's called a preprint, a standard practice in computer-science research in which researchers make a paper public before submitting it for peer review.

Diesel generators appear deadly in Virginia

The researchers also examined air pollution driven by emissions from diesel generators used by data centers for backup power and in the manufacturing of the silicon chips used in artificial intelligence.

To examine the impact of diesel generators, the researchers looked at those permitted in Virginia, home to one of the densest collections of data centers in the world. Generators, the paper said, produce 200 to 600 times the nitrogen dioxide per unit of power produced than a natural-gas power plant.

"Diesel generators represent a major source of on-site air pollutants for data centers and pose a significant health risk to the public," the researchers wrote.

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Even assuming that emissions by Virginia-permitted generators were just 10% of what the commonwealth's regulations allow, they would cause an additional 13 to 19 deaths each year. If the diesel generators emitted 100% of what is allowed, they would lead to 130 to 190 additional deaths, the researchers found.

The public-health burden of Virginia's data-center generators amounts to $220 million to $300 million a year under the 10% assumption and as much as $3 billion a year under the 100% assumption, the study said.

The researchers found those health effects are not contained to the state, as air pollution travels. They found it's actually a county in Maryland  Montgomery County  that is most affected by Virginia's AI generators.

The effects, according to the EPA tool, would also be felt in West Virginia, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington, DC, and as far away as Florida.

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"We thought the air pollution was limited to a small area," Ren said. "That's not true. There is actually cross-state air pollution." He and the other researchers found that the harmful effects were felt disproportionately by "economically-disadvantaged communities."

Ren said that understanding the broad dispersion of negative health outcomes could encourage AI companies to alter their site locations or AI training schedules. Health impacts are higher during the day, he said, and some locations have higher or lower health effects.

The researchers also call for greater transparency from the Big Tech companies that lead large-language-model training.

Those companies, including Amazon, Google, Microsoft, and Meta, don't detail the air-pollution impacts of their AI operations in their annual sustainability reports, the researchers wrote.

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"If you look at the sustainability reports from these companies, they mention carbon and water, but they don't mention anything about air pollution," Ren said. "They should start reporting this in the same way."

Read the original article on Business Insider
A day after Syrian rebel groups seized control of the capital Damascus, senior leaders of Germany's conservative CDU/CSU bloc suggested encouraging refugees to return to the country.

Bashar al-Assad, Syria's strongman president, fled to Russia after a coalition of rebel groups, including Islamist extremist fighters, swept through formerly government-held areas of the country in a rapid offensive.

Germany should now charter aircraft to send Syrians who had fled from al-Assad's regime back to their home country, and offer cash incentives to encourage people to take the flight, a deputy leader of the conservative CDU/CSU bloc said on Monday.

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"As a first step, I would say that we are making an offer. How about the German government saying: anyone who wants to go back to Syria, we'll charter planes for them and give them a starting payment of 1,000," ($1,060), Jens Spahn told broadcaster RTL/ntv on Monday morning.

Spahn, a former health minister, said Germany should also push for an international conference on rebuilding Syria along with Turkey, Austria and Jordan.

"If things normalize and stabilize in the home country, if there are prospects there, then there is an expectation to return," Spahn said. "But we will certainly only be able to judge that in a few days and weeks."

But the CDU/CSU focus on Syrian refugees drew criticism from other German politicians, including Katrin Goring-Eckardt, a Green and the vice president of parliament.

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"After a day and a half, I find this an inappropriate domestic policy debate," Goring-Eckardt told rbb radio in Berlin.

If Syria becomes a safe country, people should and will return, but that debate should wait until after this period of great instability, she said.
ALAMANCE COUNTY, N.C. (WGHP)  North Carolina Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey announced on Friday the arrest of an Alamance County elementary school principal on insurance fraud-related charges involving pet insurance.

Robert Grayson Dail, 35, of Gibsonville, was charged with:

felony insurance fraud

felony attempting to obtain property by false pretense

felony common law forgery

felony common law uttering

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According to arrest warrants, Dail tried to get money from the Nationwide Insurance Company by submitting falsified and forged veterinary invoices to the company.

The offenses happened on Dec. 28, 2023, according to a North Carolina Department of Insurance news release.

Dail turned himself in to Alamance County deputies on Dec. 5.

He was released under a $25,000 unsecured bond.

Dail is the principal at B. Everett Jordan Elementary School in Saxapahaw.

The Alamance-Burlington School System released the following statement on Friday evening:

Mr. Dail is currently suspended. We have shared information with staff and families at the school. Our experienced administrative team and dedicated staff will maintain all regular school operations and continue to provide the high-quality education our families expect for their children. ABSS

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Insurance fraud is not a victimless crime, Causey said. It hits all of us in the pocket through higher premiums.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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ALBANY  Albany Technical College has marked a historic milestone, as nine ATC students were recognized for completing the first Critical Care Paramedic (CCP) program within the Technical College System of Georgia.

Albany Tech officials said they are proud to be the first training program recognized by the State Office of EMS in Georgia, setting a new standard for advanced paramedic education. The graduates were awarded challenge coins and certificates in a ceremony held to celebrate their pioneering achievement in this rigorous and specialized training course.

This event underscores the culmination of the one-semester program launched in Fall 2024. Designed to elevate the skills of experienced paramedics, the CCP program provides training in critical care specialties such as helicopter EMS, fixed-wing critical care transport, and intensive care units. The program is the first of its kind in the state of Georgia.

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The celebration featured remarks from ATC President Emmett Griswold and Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs Lisa Stephens. Chase Lott, the program director of Air Evac; Amber Merritt, the training coordinator for the Region 5 Office of EMS & Trauma; Daniel Warren, the program director of the Region 8 Office of EMS & Trauma, and Jonathan Lieupo, the training coordinator for the Region 8 Office of EMS & Trauma, were in attendance to celebrate the occasion. Their presence highlighted the programs significant impact on advancing health care and emergency medical services across the state.

The success of this inaugural cohort is a testament to Albany Technical Colleges dedication to equipping health care professionals with the skills necessary to meet the challenges of todays complex medical environments, Griswold said.

Graduates of the program are now eligible to sit for the International Board of Specialty Certifications exam for Critical Care Paramedics, further enhancing their qualifications for high-stakes roles in critical care transport and beyond.

For more information on the Critical Care Paramedic program at Albany Technical College, contact Instructors of Paramedicine Thad Minick at (229) 430-2812 or by email at tminick@albanytech.edu; or Brandon Kent at (229) 430-0694 or email bkent@albanytech.edu.
Ali Vitali is moving from the Capitol Hill beat to the Dawn Patrol.

Vitali, who has spent a decade at NBC News covering politics, campaigns and Capitol Hill, will leave her correspondent role in Washington for a new job anchoring Way Too Early, the 5 a.m. program that serves as sunrise lead-in to the cable-news outlets Morning Joe. Jonathan Lemire, the current anchor of the program, will lend analysis and commentary to Joes 9 a.m. hour as a co-host. Vitalis new job starts January 6.

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In a statement, Vitali said she looked forward to anchoring a show thats been helmed by some of the smartest reporters in Washington, adding that Ill continue working my sources and bringing viewers into the halls of power with fresh reporting and news-making interviews from Capitol Hill and across Washington.

Vitali has worked her way up through the NBC News ranks, initially joining MSNBC in 2012 as an intern, editor and graphics producer. In 2015, she served as an embed covering the Trump campaign, moved to White House and broader political coverage as her experience grew. During her tenure, she has interviewed former presidential candidate Nikki Haley about in vitro fertilization, a controversial topic in some Republican circles, and covered the work of the January 6th Select Committee.

Her ascension to the early-morning anchor role suggests that MSNBC expects to continue to rely on the work of NBC News and traditional journalists, even as a recent decision by NBCUniversal parent Comcast to spin off the bulk of its cable properties has raised questions about how both MSNBC and CNBC will operate if they can no longer rely directly on the information collected by NBC News. Comcast expects to spin off the cable holdings at some point over the next 12 months.

Vitali in 2022 wrote Electable: Why America Hasnt Put A Woman In the White HouseYet, a book detailing her experiences on the 2020 campaign trail and and examining double standards placed on female presidential candidates. She is a graduate of Tulane University.

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Way Too Early first arrived on the MSNBC schedule in 2009, anchored by Willie Geist, who also held forth on Morning Joe. He was succeeded over the years by Brian Schactman and Thomas Roberts. among others. In 2016, the show was renamed Morning Joe: First Look, a decision that was reversed in 2020 when Kasie Hunt took over the hour under the Way Too Early moniker. She was succeeded by Lemire in 2021.





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Alisyn Camerota, whose steadying presence on air helped make her a prominent face of CNN during the first Trump administration, is leaving the Warner Bros. Discovery-backed outlet, she disclosed via social media on Sunday.

Ive had such l incredible opportunities here these days 10+ years, Ive interviewed presidents and heroes and extraordinary people  the kind of peak career experiences that I had dreamed of since I was a teenager? she said during her final minutes on the air Sunday.  Im always touched when a viewer comes up and tells me that I helped get them through these challenging times. She indicated that she had some future projects that would become known soon.

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Camerota joined CNN in 2014 after a long stint at Fox News Channel. She served more than six years as a co-anchor on New Day, a flagship morning program that a previous management team led by former CNN chief Jeff Zucker had hoped would be more competitive not only with MSNBCs Morning Joe, but mainstay morning-news programs on broadcast TV, such as NBCs Today and ABCs Good Morning America.

Her exit comes as CNN and corporate parent Warner Bros. Discovery are said to be contemplating more job cuts as the news outlet grapples with assigning more resources to digital content under current CEO Mark Thompson.

Alisyn is a rare talent with the ability to interview world leaders and everyday heroes with both strength and empathy, Thompson said in a statement Sunday. Shes been a wonderful colleague at CNN for more than a decade, and we will be cheering her on in her new pursuits where she will surely find much success.

Camerota worked alongside Chris Cuomo, who developed a more aggressive and avuncular presence than morning TV had utilized in the past, but which captured attention as CNN covered Trump. Camerota became known for her ability not only to hold tough interviews with newsmakers, but to put an on screen spotlight in sympathy when situations required it.

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I think people are tuning in to us to see people held to account. People do like it when we hold their feet to the fire, Camerota told Variety of her time on New Day in 2019. Sometimes, we have to interrupt people if they are blathering on with their talking points, but even then, our viewers expect us to get in there and stop the nonsense. I dont wrestle with it

She has written two books during her time at CNN. Her debut novel, Amanda Wakes Up, was set at a large TV-news operation, and her 2024 memoir, Combat Love, told the harrowing story of an unstable upbringing.

She has not been seen on screen frequently in recent months. Her husband, Tim Lewis, died in July after a battle with pancreatic cancer, and Camerota revealed in September that she had taken some time to care for him in his final months.

But CNN has also seemed not do know what to do with her since she left New Day, which she left in 2021. Since that time, Camerota has co-anchored hours in the afternoon, anchored shows in primetime as CNN tried to introduce new programming to its schedule and worked on special reports for the weekend series The Whole Story.

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Alisyn Camerota will exit CNN. Her last show will be Sunday afternoon.

Camerota announced the news on social media just hours before her final show. In a brief message, the news anchor encouraged fans to tune in at 1:50 p.m. PT for her sign off.

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Camerota anchored CNNs morning show New Day from 2015 to 2021. Since then, she has hosted and co-hosted programs such as CNN Newsroom with Victor Blackwell and CNN Tonight with Jake Tapper and Laura Coates. More recently, she became a floating political commentator for the network, as well as a correspondent for The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper.

On air later Sunday, Camerota said CNN had provided her the kind of peak career experiences that I had dreamed of since I was a teenager, adding that the journalists at CNN are the very best in the entire news business, and its been an honor to have been their colleague.

Fellow correspondent Wolf Blitzer told Camerota that she has been not only a good friend, but a colleague and an outstanding journalist and that I know whatever your next challenges and adventures will be, they will be exciting and wonderful.

Mark Thompson, chairman and CEO of CNN Worldwide said in a statement that Camerota is a rare talent with the ability to interview world leaders and everyday heroes with both strength and empathy. Shes been a wonderful colleague at CNN for more than a decade, and we will be cheering her on in her new pursuits where she will surely find much success.

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Prior to CNN, Camerota worked for 16 years in several roles at Fox News, including Fox & Friends and Fox & Friends Weekends. She is also the author of a novel, Amanda Wakes Up, and a memoir, Combat Love.

Camerota announced in September that her husband of 23 years, Tim Lewis, passed away from pancreatic cancer.

The kids and I are still getting our bearings, she wrote on social media at the time. He was a phenomenal father, husband, friend and role model and the rest of us are left trying to follow in his footsteps.  Tim imbued us with a lot of strength and stability and were determined to try to emulate those qualities of his.

The Hollywood Reporter reached out to Camerota and CNN for further comment on her departure.

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Dec. 8, 2:09 p.m. Updated with Camerota, Blitzer and Thompsons on-air statements.

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  An alleged drug trafficker wanted in connection with an international drug smuggling operation through the Belgian port of Antwerp has been arrested, Dubai police said Monday.

Othman El Ballouti, who was sanctioned by the U.S. last year, was held over an international arrest warrant issued by Belgian authorities.

El Ballouti has been handed over to Dubai Public Prosecution for legal proceedings related to extradition, a police statement said.

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It wasn't immediately clear if El Ballouti had a lawyer.

El Ballouti, 37, was believed to be living in the United Arab Emirates, a federation of seven sheikhdom on the Arabian Peninsula also home to Abu Dhabi.

He was sanctioned in 2023 by the U.S. Treasury which described him as a high-level drug trafficker.

El Ballouti manages an international criminal organization that smuggles significant quantities of cocaine via shipping containers through the port of Antwerp in Belgium for wider distribution throughout Europe, the Treasury Department said at the time.

Othman El Balloutis money laundering and narcotics supply chain networks are linked to businesses based in the Peoples Republic of China, as well as South American cocaine suppliers.

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At the time of the sanctions being issued, the U.S. made a point to list El Ballouti's address as a high-end apartment complex in downtown Dubai, near the Burj Khalifa, the world's tallest building.

With the UAE now heading the international policing body Interpol, the country has faced renewed questioning over its lax checks on money laundering and reluctance to extradite suspects. That has only increased as Russian money flows into the nation amid Moscows war on Ukraine.

In response, the UAE has made several high profile arrests to extradite suspects back to the West.
Its not uncommon for drivers to experience traffic backups and congestion on I-15 through Salt Lake County, but Utah is now next in line to adopt a ramp metering system that could improve travel times.

The Federal Highway Administration recently awarded the Utah Department of Transportation nearly $40 million through its Congestion Relief Grant to implement a coordinated adaptive ramp meter system, or CARM, along southbound I-15 from state Route 201 connection in South Salt Lake to 14600 South in Bluffdale.

UDOT officials said Wednesday that planning is now underway to implement the system in the future, which will make it one of the first in the nation to adopt the technology that was first implemented in Australia.

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"We're really excited about this because it really gives us an opportunity to optimize and make our freeway system  one of our most valuable assets  more efficient without adding any additional capacity," said Grant Farnsworth, UDOT's freeway operations manager.

CARM would replace the traditional method of ramp meters that dictate when drivers enter the freeway. UDOT officials say those rely on on-ramp traffic signals and sensors that regulate when drivers are allowed onto the road.

The only problem, Farnsworth said, is that it doesn't solve problems when there's heavy congestion. Vehicle capacity normally on I-15 typically drops from 1,900 vehicles per hour per lane to 1,250 during peak travel hours.

CARM, on the other hand, relies on a "dense amount of sensors" that feed information about the number of vehicles using all of the ramps in the system to a software program. This is all done instantly through constant 20-second intervals, adjusting when drivers are allowed onto the freeway at each ramp.

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He said it's expected to improve wait times for those trying to enter the freeway, as well as overall congestion.

UDOT has talked about the technology for "some time," even meeting with experts from Australia, where the system originated, Farnsworth added. Utah transportation officials also communicated heavily with peers at the Colorado Department of Transportation, which began testing CARM on a section of I-25 southeast of Denver two years ago.

Colorado transportation officials noted that they had become interested in the system when Melbourne, Australia, transportation officials reported a 25% increase in traffic flow, as well as a 35%-60% increase in vehicle speeds during peak travel times after switching metering methods.

Farnsworth said he hopes Utah will be able to enjoy similar success, but that isn't expected to happen right away. UDOT officials said construction will begin in 2027 before it's ready to go sometime after that.

Its all about making the freeway system work better, he said. It helps all users of the freeway system to enjoy and more reliable, safer experience when theyre on the freeway. It will be able to accommodate those people on the freeway and also those getting on the freeway.
Police gather outside of a Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan where United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot on December 04, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Police in Altoona arrested a strong person of interest Monday in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week in New York after finding him in a fast-food restaurant with an illegal weapon and false identification, authorities announced.

New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch identified the man arrested as Luigi Mangione, 26, with ties to Philadelphia and whose last known address was in Honolulu. Mangione was in possession of what New York police described as a ghost gun made with a 3D printer and a handwritten document that speaks to his motivation and mindset, Tisch said.

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The suspect was in a McDonalds and was recognized by an employee who then called local police, Tisch said. The New York Police Department has published images showing the shooters face culled from surveillance camera footage before and after Thompson was shot.

Tisch said Mangione was also carrying a U.S. passport and multiple false IDs including a fraudulent New Jersey ID matching the one the person police believe to be the shooter used to check into his New York City hostel before the shooting incident.

Luigi Mangione is seen in a holding cell after being taken into custody on December 9, 2024 in Altoona, Pennsylvania. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, Mangione, the suspect in the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City, has been moved to the State Correctional Institution (SCI) in Huntingdon, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Altoona Police Department via Getty Images)

Police also recovered clothing including a mask Tisch said was consistent with those worn by the person sought in connection with Thompsons killing.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny said Mangione had no prior criminal record and that NYPD detectives traveled to Altoona on Monday to question Mangione.

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Kenny said the document Mangione had when he was arrested is in the possession of Altoona police. They did not believe there were specific threats to other people mentioned in the document, but it does seem that he has some ill will toward corporate America, Kenny said.

Thompson, 50, was shot several times by a person who authorities believe was lying in wait early Wednesday morning outside the Manhattan hotel where United HealthCare was holding an investors meeting.

Thompson had been CEO of UnitedHealthcare, one of the nations largest for-profit health insurance providers, for nearly three years. His killing has prompted an outpouring of criticism of the company and the United States health care system generally for denying or unnecessarily complicating medical treatment.

Mangione was arraigned Monday evening at the Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg on charges of carrying a firearm without a license, forgery, records or identification tampering, possession of instruments of crime and presenting false identification to law enforcement.

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Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a news conference Monday evening after the arraignment that attention generated by the investigation helped Pennsylvania police capture the person sought in connection to Thompsons killing.

But some attention in this case, especially online, has been deeply disturbing, as some have looked to celebrate instead of condemning this killer, Shapiro said, noting that Thompson, who was laid to rest Monday in Minnesota, was a father to two, a husband and a friend to many. And yes, he was the CEO of a health insurance company. In America, we do not kill people in cold blood to resolve policy differences or express a viewpoint.

This killer is being hailed as a hero, Shapiro said. Hear me on this. He is no hero. The real hero in this story is the person who called 911 at McDonalds this morning.

According to a criminal complaint against Mangione: Altoona police were called to the McDonalds on Plank Road for a suspicious person who resembled the person wanted in connection with Thompsons shooting. Officers located Mangione sitting at the rear of the restaurant wearing a blue medical mask and looking at a laptop computer on the table.

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Officers asked Mangione to pull down the mask to show his face and recognized him as the person in the pictures released by New York police of the person wanted for the shooting. When asked for identification, Mangione provided a New Jersey drivers license with the name Mark Rosario and a July 1998 birthdate, according to the complaint. Police were unable to find any information with the identity Mangione provided and advised him that he would be arrested for lying about his identity.

Mangione then identified himself. When asked why he had lied, Mangione replied I clearly shouldnt have. He was then handcuffed, searched and taken to the police station. Inside Mangiones backpack, police said they found the 3D-printed pistol loaded with nine rounds of 9 mm ammunition and a loose hollow-point round. The gun was with a silencer that had also been 3D printed, police said.

A spokesperson for the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia confirmed that Mangione is a 2020 graduate of the universitys undergraduate and graduate degree programs, where he studied computer science. A LinkedIn profile in Mangiones name says he has worked as a data engineer for a Santa Monica, California, online auto sales marketplace.

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Mangione comes from a large and high-profile family in the Baltimore area, with branches of the family that own the Turf Valley and Hayfields country clubs in Ellicott City and WCBM Radio, among other businesses, the Capital-Stars sibling publication Maryland Matters reported.

WBAL-TV in Baltimore reported that Luigi Mangione was valedictorian of the Class of 2016 at the Gilman School and later graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. The office of Del. Nino Mangione (R-Baltimore County) confirmed to the TV station that the lawmaker is a cousin.

Nino Mangione, a radio host at WCBM who was elected to the General Assembly in 2018, did not immediately respond to calls and an email from Maryland Matters seeking comment Monday. The Gilman School did not immediately respond to a request to confirm that Luigi Mangione was a student there.

The arrest Monday was the result of tireless work of the greatest detectives in the world, Tisch said, who reviewed thousands of hours of video, followed up on hundreds of tips and processed forensic evidence. The NYPD also deployed assets including scuba divers, drones and electronic surveillance systems.

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This combination of old school detective work and new age technology is what led to this result today, Tisch said, adding that the media and the public played a crucial role. We should never underestimate the power of the public to be our eyes and our ears in these investigations.

This article was updated at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9, 2024 with additional details
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 9. On December 9, Leyla Aliyeva, Vice-President of the Heydar Aliyev Foundation, visited the Scientific Research Institute of Pediatrics, named after Kubra Farajova, and the Scientific Research Institute of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Maternity Hospital No. 6), Trend reports.

During her visit, Leyla Aliyeva reviewed the activities of the institutions and met with the parents of children receiving treatment.

Minister of Health Teymur Musayev provided information about the facilities available at these research institutes.

Leyla Aliyeva donated high-frequency artificial respiration devices, incubators, and other state-of-the-art medical equipment to both institutions.
Police gather outside of a Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan where United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot on December 04, 2024 in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Police in Altoona arrested a strong person of interest Monday in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week in New York after finding him in a fast-food restaurant with an illegal weapon and false identification, authorities announced.

New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch identified the man arrested as Luigi Mangione, 26, with ties to Philadelphia and whose last known address was in Honolulu. Mangione was in possession of what New York police described as a ghost gun made with a 3D printer and a handwritten document that speaks to his motivation and mindset, Tisch said.

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The suspect was in a McDonalds and was recognized by an employee who then called local police, Tisch said. The New York Police Department has published images showing the shooters face culled from surveillance camera footage before and after Thompson was shot.

Tisch said Mangione was also carrying a U.S. passport and multiple false IDs including a fraudulent New Jersey ID matching the one the person police believe to be the shooter used to check into his New York City hostel before the shooting incident.

Police also recovered clothing including a mask Tisch said was consistent with those worn by the person sought in connection with Thompsons killing.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny said Mangione had no prior criminal record and that NYPD detectives traveled to Altoona on Monday to question Mangione.

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Kenny said the document Mangione had when he was arrested is in the possession of Altoona police. They did not believe there were specific threats to other people mentioned in the document, but it does seem that he has some ill will toward corporate America, Kenny said.

Thompson, 50, was shot several times by a person who authorities believe was lying in wait early Wednesday morning outside the Manhattan hotel where United HealthCare was holding an investors meeting.

Thompson had been CEO of UnitedHealthcare, one of the nations largest for-profit health insurance providers, for nearly three years. His killing has prompted an outpouring of criticism of the company and the United States health care system generally for denying or unnecessarily complicating medical treatment.

Mangione was arraigned Monday evening at the Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg on charges of carrying a firearm without a license, forgery, records or identification tampering, possession of instruments of crime and presenting false identification to law enforcement.

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Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a news conference Monday evening after the arraignment that attention generated by the investigation helped Pennsylvania police capture the person sought in connection to Thompsons killing.

But some attention in this case, especially online, has been deeply disturbing, as some have looked to celebrate instead of condemning this killer, Shapiro said, noting that Thompson, who was laid to rest Monday in Minnesota, was a father to two, a husband and a friend to many. And yes, he was the CEO of a health insurance company. In America, we do not kill people in cold blood to resolve policy differences or express a viewpoint.

This killer is being hailed as a hero, Shapiro said. Hear me on this. He is no hero. The real hero in this story is the person who called 911 at McDonalds this morning.

According to a criminal complaint against Mangione: Altoona police were called to the McDonalds on Plank Road for a suspicious person who resembled the person wanted in connection with Thompsons shooting. Officers located Mangione sitting at the rear of the restaurant wearing a blue medical mask and looking at a laptop computer on the table.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Officers asked Mangione to pull down the mask to show his face and recognized him as the person in the pictures released by New York police of the person wanted for the shooting. When asked for identification, Mangione provided a New Jersey drivers license with the name Mark Rosario and a July 1998 birthdate, according to the complaint. Police were unable to find any information with the identity Mangione provided and advised him that he would be arrested for lying about his identity.

Mangione then identified himself. When asked why he had lied, Mangione replied I clearly shouldnt have. He was then handcuffed, searched and taken to the police station. Inside Mangiones backpack, police said they found the 3D-printed pistol loaded with nine rounds of 9 mm ammunition and a loose hollow-point round. The gun was with a silencer that had also been 3D printed, police said.

A spokesperson for the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia confirmed that Mangione is a 2020 graduate of the universitys undergraduate and graduate degree programs, where he studied computer science. A LinkedIn profile in Mangiones name says he has worked as a data engineer for a Santa Monica, California, online auto sales marketplace.

Mangione comes from a large and high-profile family in the Baltimore area, with branches of the family that own the Turf Valley and Hayfields country clubs in Ellicott City and WCBM Radio, among other businesses, the Capital-Stars sibling publication Maryland Matters reported.

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WBAL-TV in Baltimore reported that Luigi Mangione was valedictorian of the Class of 2016 at the Gilman School and later graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. The office of Del. Nino Mangione (R-Baltimore County) confirmed to the TV station that the lawmaker is a cousin.

Nino Mangione, a radio host at WCBM who was elected to the General Assembly in 2018, did not immediately respond to calls and an email from Maryland Matters seeking comment Monday. The Gilman School did not immediately respond to a request to confirm that Luigi Mangione was a student there.

The arrest Monday was the result of tireless work of the greatest detectives in the world, Tisch said, who reviewed thousands of hours of video, followed up on hundreds of tips and processed forensic evidence. The NYPD also deployed assets including scuba divers, drones and electronic surveillance systems.

This combination of old school detective work and new age technology is what led to this result today, Tisch said, adding that the media and the public played a crucial role. We should never underestimate the power of the public to be our eyes and our ears in these investigations.

This article was updated with additional details.
Police gather outside of a Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan where United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot on December 04, 2024 in New York City. Police in Altoona, Pennsylvania Monday arrested Luigi Mangione, 26, in connection with the shooting. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

This story originally appeared on Pennsylvania Capital-Star.

Police in Altoona, Pennsylvania arrested a suspect Monday in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week in New York, authorities announced.

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New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch identified the man arrested as Luigi Mangione, 26, whose last known address was in Honolulu, Hawaii. Mangione was in possession of what New York police described as a ghost gun made with a 3D printer and a handwritten document that speaks to his motivation and mindset, Tisch said.

Mangione was arrested at a McDonalds where he was recognized by an employee. The New York Police Department has published images from surveillance cameras showing the suspects face.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny said Mangione had no prior criminal record and that police believe he attended college in Pennsylvania.

SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX

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Mangione was being held on Pennsylvania weapons charges and NYPD detectives were en route to Altoona, nearly 300 miles from New York, to interview him, Kenny said.

Thompson, 50, was shot several times by a person who authorities believe was lying in wait early Wednesday morning outside the Manhattan hotel where UnitedHealthcare was holding an investors meeting.

A spokesperson for the Blair County District Attorneys Office said it would release a statement later Monday.

Thompson had been CEO of UnitedHealthcare, one of the nations largest for-profit health insurance providers, for nearly three years. His killing has prompted an outpouring of criticism of the company and the United States health care system generally for denying or unnecessarily complicating medical treatment.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Pennsylvania Capital-Star is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Pennsylvania Capital-Star maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kim Lyons for questions: info@penncapital-star.com. Follow Pennsylvania Capital-Star on Facebook and X.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Police gather outside of a Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan where United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot on December 04, 2024 in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Police in Altoona, Pennsylvania, arrested a 26-year-old Monday in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week in New York after finding him in a fast-food restaurant with an illegal weapon and false identification, authorities announced.

New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch identified the man arrested as Luigi Mangione, who has ties to Philadelphia and whose last known address was in Honolulu.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mangione was in possession of what New York police described as a ghost gun made with a 3D printer and a handwritten document that speaks to his motivation and mindset, Tisch said.

The suspect was in a McDonalds and was recognized by an employee who then called local police, Tisch said. The New York Police Department has published images showing the shooters face culled from surveillance camera footage before and after Thompson was shot.

Tisch said Mangione was also carrying a U.S. passport and multiple false IDs including a fraudulent New Jersey ID matching the one the person police believe to be the shooter used to check into his New York City hostel before the shooting incident.

Police also recovered clothing including a mask Tisch said was consistent with those worn by the person sought in connection with Thompsons killing.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny said Mangione had no prior criminal record and that NYPD detectives traveled to Altoona on Monday to question Mangione.

Kenny said the document Mangione had when he was arrested is in the possession of Altoona police. They did not believe there were specific threats to other people mentioned in the document, but it does seem that he has some ill will toward corporate America, Kenny said.

Thompson, 50, was shot several times by a person who authorities believe was lying in wait early Wednesday morning outside the Manhattan hotel where United HealthCare was holding an investors meeting.

Thompson had been CEO of UnitedHealthcare, one of the nations largest for-profit health insurance providers, for nearly three years. His killing has prompted an outpouring of criticism of the company and the United States health care system generally for denying or unnecessarily complicating medical treatment.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Mangione was arraigned Monday evening at the Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg on charges of carrying a firearm without a license, forgery, records or identification tampering, possession of instruments of crime and presenting false identification to law enforcement.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a news conference Monday evening after the arraignment that attention generated by the investigation helped Pennsylvania police capture the person sought in connection to Thompsons killing.

But some attention in this case, especially online, has been deeply disturbing, as some have looked to celebrate instead of condemning this killer, Shapiro said, noting that Thompson, who was laid to rest Monday in Minnesota, was a father to two, a husband and a friend to many. And yes, he was the CEO of a health insurance company. In America, we do not kill people in cold blood to resolve policy differences or express a viewpoint.

This killer is being hailed as a hero, Shapiro said. Hear me on this. He is no hero. The real hero in this story is the person who called 911 at McDonalds this morning.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

According to a criminal complaint against Mangione: Altoona police were called to the McDonalds on Plank Road for a suspicious person who resembled the person wanted in connection with Thompsons shooting. Officers located Mangione sitting at the rear of the restaurant wearing a blue medical mask and looking at a laptop computer on the table.

Officers asked Mangione to pull down the mask to show his face and recognized him as the person in the pictures released by New York police of the person wanted for the shooting.

When asked for identification, Mangione provided a New Jersey drivers license with the name Mark Rosario and a July 1998 birthdate, according to the complaint. Police were unable to find any information with the identity Mangione provided and advised him that he would be arrested for lying about his identity.

Mangione then identified himself.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

When asked why he had lied, Mangione replied I clearly shouldnt have. He was then handcuffed, searched and taken to the police station. Inside Mangiones backpack, police said they found the 3D-printed pistol loaded with nine rounds of 9 mm ammunition and a loose hollow-point round. The gun was with a silencer that had also been 3D printed, police said.

A spokesperson for the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia confirmed that Mangione is a 2020 graduate of the universitys undergraduate and graduate degree programs, where he studied computer science.

A LinkedIn profile in Mangiones name says he has worked as a data engineer for a Santa Monica, California, online auto sales marketplace.

Mangione comes from a large and high-profile family in the Baltimore area, with branches of the family that own the Turf Valley and Hayfields country clubs in Ellicott City and WCBM Radio, among other businesses, the Capital-Stars sibling publication Maryland Matters reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

WBAL-TV in Baltimore reported that Luigi Mangione was valedictorian of the Class of 2016 at the Gilman School and later graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. The office of legislator Nino Mangione (R-Baltimore County) confirmed to the TV station that the lawmaker is a cousin.

Delegate Nino Mangione, a radio host at WCBM who was elected to the General Assembly in 2018, did not immediately respond to calls and an email from Maryland Matters seeking comment Monday. The Gilman School did not immediately respond to a request to confirm that Luigi Mangione was a student there.

The arrest Monday was the result of tireless work of the greatest detectives in the world, Tisch said, who reviewed thousands of hours of video, followed up on hundreds of tips and processed forensic evidence. The NYPD also deployed assets including scuba divers, drones and electronic surveillance systems.

This combination of old school detective work and new age technology is what led to this result today, Tisch said, adding that the media and the public played a crucial role. We should never underestimate the power of the public to be our eyes and our ears in these investigations.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This article was updated at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9, 2024, with additional details

Like the SC Daily Gazette, Pennsylvania Capital-Star is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Pennsylvania Capital-Star maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kim Lyons for questions: info@penncapital-star.com. Follow Pennsylvania Capital-Star on Facebook and X.
Police gather outside of a Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan where United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot on Dec. 4 in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Police in Altoona arrested a suspect Monday in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week in New York, authorities announced.

New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch identified the man arrested as Luigi Mangione, 26, whose last known address was in Honolulu, Hawaii. Mangione was in possession of what New York police described as a ghost gun made with a 3D printer and a handwritten document that speaks to his motivation and mindset, Tisch said.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Mangione was arrested at a McDonalds where he was recognized by an employee. The New York Police Department has published images from surveillance cameras showing the suspects face.

 UPDATE: Below are photos of a person of interest wanted for questioning regarding the Midtown Manhattan homicide on Dec. 4. The full investigative efforts of the NYPD are continuing, and we are asking for the publics helpif you have any information about this case, call the https://t.co/U4wlUquumf pic.twitter.com/243V0tBZOr  NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 8, 2024

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny said Mangione had no prior criminal record and that police believe he attended college in Pennsylvania. Social media accounts in Mangiones name say that he attended the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where he earned bachelors and masters degrees in computer science.

Mangione was being held on Pennsylvania weapons charges and NYPD detectives were en route to Altoona, nearly 300 miles from New York, to interview him, Kenny said.

Thompson, 50, was shot several times by a person who authorities believe was lying in wait early Wednesday morning outside the Manhattan hotel where UnitedHealthcare was holding an investors meeting.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

A spokesperson for the Blair County District Attorneys Office said it would release a statement later Monday.

Thompson had been CEO of UnitedHealthcare, one of the nations largest for-profit health insurance providers, for nearly three years. His killing has prompted an outpouring of criticism of the company and the United States health care system generally for denying or unnecessarily complicating medical treatment.

This article was originally published by Pennsylvania Capital-Star, a States Newsroom affiliate.

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Police gather outside of a Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan where United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot on December 04, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Police in Altoona arrested a strong person of interest Monday in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week in New York after finding him in a fast-food restaurant with an illegal weapon and false identification, authorities announced.

New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch identified the man arrested as Luigi Mangione, 26, with ties to Philadelphia and whose last known address was in Honolulu. Mangione was in possession of what New York police described as a ghost gun made with a 3D printer and a handwritten document that speaks to his motivation and mindset, Tisch said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The suspect was in a McDonalds and was recognized by an employee who then called local police, Tisch said. The New York Police Department has published images showing the shooters face culled from surveillance camera footage before and after Thompson was shot.

Tisch said Mangione was also carrying a U.S. passport and multiple false IDs including a fraudulent New Jersey ID matching the one the person police believe to be the shooter used to check into his New York City hostel before the shooting incident.

Police also recovered clothing including a mask Tisch said was consistent with those worn by the person sought in connection with Thompsons killing.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny said Mangione had no prior criminal record and that NYPD detectives traveled to Altoona on Monday to question Mangione.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Kenny said the document Mangione had when he was arrested is in the possession of Altoona police. They did not believe there were specific threats to other people mentioned in the document, but it does seem that he has some ill will toward corporate America, Kenny said.

Thompson, 50, was shot several times by a person who authorities believe was lying in wait early Wednesday morning outside the Manhattan hotel where United HealthCare was holding an investors meeting.

Thompson had been CEO of UnitedHealthcare, one of the nations largest for-profit health insurance providers, for nearly three years. His killing has prompted an outpouring of criticism of the company and the United States health care system generally for denying or unnecessarily complicating medical treatment.

Mangione was arraigned Monday evening at the Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg on charges of carrying a firearm without a license, forgery, records or identification tampering, possession of instruments of crime and presenting false identification to law enforcement.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a news conference Monday evening after the arraignment that attention generated by the investigation helped Pennsylvania police capture the person sought in connection to Thompsons killing.

But some attention in this case, especially online, has been deeply disturbing, as some have looked to celebrate instead of condemning this killer, Shapiro said, noting that Thompson, who was laid to rest Monday in Minnesota, was a father to two, a husband and a friend to many. And yes, he was the CEO of a health insurance company. In America, we do not kill people in cold blood to resolve policy differences or express a viewpoint.

This killer is being hailed as a hero, Shapiro said. Hear me on this. He is no hero. The real hero in this story is the person who called 911 at McDonalds this morning.

According to a criminal complaint against Mangione: Altoona police were called to the McDonalds on Plank Road for a suspicious person who resembled the person wanted in connection with Thompsons shooting. Officers located Mangione sitting at the rear of the restaurant wearing a blue medical mask and looking at a laptop computer on the table.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Officers asked Mangione to pull down the mask to show his face and recognized him as the person in the pictures released by New York police of the person wanted for the shooting. When asked for identification, Mangione provided a New Jersey drivers license with the name Mark Rosario and a July 1998 birthdate, according to the complaint. Police were unable to find any information with the identity Mangione provided and advised him that he would be arrested for lying about his identity.

Mangione then identified himself. When asked why he had lied, Mangione replied I clearly shouldnt have. He was then handcuffed, searched and taken to the police station. Inside Mangiones backpack, police said they found the 3D-printed pistol loaded with nine rounds of 9 mm ammunition and a loose hollow-point round. The gun was with a silencer that had also been 3D printed, police said.

A spokesperson for the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia confirmed that Mangione is a 2020 graduate of the universitys undergraduate and graduate degree programs, where he studied computer science. A LinkedIn profile in Mangiones name says he has worked as a data engineer for a Santa Monica, California, online auto sales marketplace.

Mangione comes from a large and high-profile family in the Baltimore area, with branches of the family that own the Turf Valley and Hayfields country clubs in Ellicott City and WCBM Radio, among other businesses, the Capital-Stars sibling publication Maryland Matters reported.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

WBAL-TV in Baltimore reported that Luigi Mangione was valedictorian of the Class of 2016 at the Gilman School and later graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. The office of Del. Nino Mangione (R-Baltimore County) confirmed to the TV station that the lawmaker is a cousin.

Nino Mangione, a radio host at WCBM who was elected to the General Assembly in 2018, did not immediately respond to calls and an email from Maryland Matters seeking comment Monday. The Gilman School did not immediately respond to a request to confirm that Luigi Mangione was a student there.

The arrest Monday was the result of tireless work of the greatest detectives in the world, Tisch said, who reviewed thousands of hours of video, followed up on hundreds of tips and processed forensic evidence. The NYPD also deployed assets including scuba divers, drones and electronic surveillance systems.

This combination of old school detective work and new age technology is what led to this result today, Tisch said, adding that the media and the public played a crucial role. We should never underestimate the power of the public to be our eyes and our ears in these investigations.

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This article was updated at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 9, 2024 with additional details

Pennsylvania Capital-Star is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Pennsylvania Capital-Star maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kim Lyons for questions: info@penncapital-star.com. Follow Pennsylvania Capital-Star on Facebook and X.

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Police gather outside of a Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan where United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot on Dec. 4, 2024, in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Police in Altoona, Pennsylvania, arrested a suspect Monday in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week in New York, authorities announced.

New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch identified the man arrested as Luigi Mangione, 26, whose last known address was in Honolulu, Hawaii. Mangione was in possession of what New York police described as a ghost gun made with a 3D printer and a handwritten document that speaks to his motivation and mindset, Tisch said.

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Mangione was arrested at a McDonalds where he was recognized by an employee. The New York Police Department has published images from surveillance cameras showing the suspects face.

 UPDATE: Below are photos of a person of interest wanted for questioning regarding the Midtown Manhattan homicide on Dec. 4. The full investigative efforts of the NYPD are continuing, and we are asking for the publics helpif you have any information about this case, call the https://t.co/U4wlUquumf pic.twitter.com/243V0tBZOr  NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 8, 2024



NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny said Mangione had no prior criminal record and that police believe he attended college in Pennsylvania. Social media accounts in Mangiones name say that he attended the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, where he earned bachelors and masters degrees in computer science.

Mangione was being held on Pennsylvania weapons charges and NYPD detectives were en route to Altoona, nearly 300 miles from New York, to interview him, Kenny said.

Thompson, 50, was shot several times by a person who authorities believe was lying in wait early Wednesday morning outside the Manhattan hotel where UnitedHealthcare was holding an investors meeting.

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A spokesperson for the Blair County District Attorneys Office said it would release a statement later Monday.

Thompson had been CEO of UnitedHealthcare, one of the nations largest for-profit health insurance providers, for nearly three years. His killing has prompted an outpouring of criticism of the company and the United States health care system generally for denying or unnecessarily complicating medical treatment.

Pennsylvania Capital-Star is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Pennsylvania Capital-Star maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kim Lyons for questions: info@penncapital-star.com. Follow Pennsylvania Capital-Star on Facebook and X.
Police gather outside of a Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan where United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot on December 04, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Police in Altoona, Pennsylvania arrested a suspect Monday in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week in New York, authorities announced.

New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch identified the man arrested as Luigi Mangione, 26, with ties to Philadelphia and whose last known address was in Honolulu, Hawaii. Mangione was in possession of what New York police described as a ghost gun made with a 3D printer and a handwritten document that speaks to his motivation and mindset, Tisch said.

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Mangione was arrested while eating breakfast at a McDonalds where he was recognized by an employee, police said. The New York Police Department has published images from surveillance cameras showing the suspects face.

Tisch said Mangione was also carrying a U.S. passport and multiple false IDs including a fraudulent New Jersey ID matching the one the suspect used to check into his New York City hostel before the shooting incident. Maryland Matters reported that Mangione is a Towson, Maryland native and cousin of a Maryland state lawmaker

Police also recovered clothing including a mask Tisch said was consistent with those worn by the person sought in connection with Thompsons killing.

A spokesperson for the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia confirmed that Mangione is a graduate of the universitys undergraduate and graduate degree programs, where he studied computer science. A LinkedIn profile in Mangiones name says he has worked as a data engineer for a Santa Monica, California, online auto sales marketplace.

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Mangione comes from a large and high-profile family in the Baltimore area, with branches of the family that own the Turf Valley and Hayfields country clubs in Ellicott City and WCBM Radio, among other businesses, the Capital-Stars sibling publication Maryland Matters reported.

WBAL-TV in Baltimore reported that Luigi Mangione was valedictorian of the Class of 2016 at the Gilman School and later graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. The office of Del. Nino Mangione (R-Baltimore County) confirmed to the TV station that the lawmaker is a cousin.

Nino Mangione, a radio host at WCBM who was elected to the General Assembly in 2018, did not immediately respond to calls and an email from Maryland Matters seeking comment Monday. The Gilman School did not immediately respond to a request to confirm that Luigi Mangione was a student there.

The arrest Monday was the result of tireless work of the greatest detectives in the world, Tisch said, who reviewed thousands of hours of video, followed up on hundreds of tips and processed forensic evidence. The NYPD also deployed assets including scuba divers, drones and electronic surveillance systems.

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This combination of old school detective work and new age technology is what led to this result today, Tisch said, adding that the media and the public played a crucial role. We should never underestimate the power of the public to be our eyes and our ears in these investigations.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny said Mangione had no prior criminal record and that police believe he attended college in Pennsylvania.

Mangione was being held on Pennsylvania weapons charges and NYPD detectives were en route to Altoona, nearly 300 miles from New York, to interview him, Kenny said.

Kenny said the document Mangione had when he was arrested is in the possession of Altoona police. They did not believe there were specific threats to other people mentioned in the document, but it does seem that he has some ill will toward corporate America, Kenny said.

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Thompson, 50, was shot several times by a person who authorities believe was lying in wait early Wednesday morning outside the Manhattan hotel where United HealthCare was holding an investors meeting.

Thompson had been CEO of UnitedHealthcare, one of the nations largest for-profit health insurance providers, for nearly three years. His killing has prompted an outpouring of criticism of the company and the United States health care system generally for denying or unnecessarily complicating medical treatment.

Kenny said the gun in Mangiones possession appeared to be made using a 3D printer and was capable of firing 9 mm ammunition. Mangione was being held in Pennsylvania on weapons charges and would need to be extradited to New York.

A spokesperson for the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts said it would release charging documents as they become available.

This report was first published by the Pennsylvania Capital-Star, which like NC Newsline, is part of the national States Newsroom network.
Police gather outside of a Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan where United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot on Dec. 4, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Spencer Platt | Getty Images)

Police in Altoona arrested a suspect Monday in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week in New York, authorities announced.

New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch identified the man arrested as Luigi Mangione, 26, with ties to Philadelphia and whose last known address was in Honolulu, Hawaii. Mangione was in possession of what New York police described as a ghost gun made with a 3D printer and a handwritten document that speaks to his motivation and mindset, Tisch said.

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Mangione was arrested while eating breakfast at a McDonalds where he was recognized by an employee, police said. The New York Police Department has published images from surveillance cameras showing the suspects face.

Tisch said Mangione was also carrying a U.S. passport and multiple false IDs including a fraudulent New Jersey ID matching the one the suspect used to check into his New York City hostel before the shooting incident.

Police also recovered clothing including a mask Tisch said was consistent with those worn by the person sought in connection with Thompsons killing.

A spokesperson for the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia confirmed that Mangione is a graduate of the universitys undergraduate and graduate degree programs, where he studied computer science. A LinkedIn profile in Mangiones name says he has worked as a data engineer for a Santa Monica, California, online auto sales marketplace.

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Mangione comes from a large and high-profile family in the Baltimore area, with branches of the family that own the Turf Valley and Hayfields country clubs in Ellicott City and WCBM Radio, among other businesses, the Capital-Stars sibling publication Maryland Matters reported.

WBAL-TV in Baltimore reported that Luigi Mangione was valedictorian of the Class of 2016 at the Gilman School and later graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. The office of Delegate Nino Mangione (R-Baltimore County) confirmed to the TV station that the lawmaker is a cousin.

Nino Mangione, a radio host at WCBM who was elected to the General Assembly in 2018, did not immediately respond to calls and an email from Maryland Matters seeking comment Monday. The Gilman School did not immediately respond to a request to confirm that Luigi Mangione was a student there.

The arrest Monday was the result of tireless work of the greatest detectives in the world, Tisch said, who reviewed thousands of hours of video, followed up on hundreds of tips and processed forensic evidence. The NYPD also deployed assets including scuba divers, drones and electronic surveillance systems.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

This combination of old school detective work and new age technology is what led to this result today, Tisch said, adding that the media and the public played a crucial role. We should never underestimate the power of the public to be our eyes and our ears in these investigations.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny said Mangione had no prior criminal record and that police believe he attended college in Pennsylvania.

Mangione was being held on Pennsylvania weapons charges and NYPD detectives were en route to Altoona, nearly 300 miles from New York, to interview him, Kenny said.

Kenny said the document Mangione had when he was arrested is in the possession of Altoona police. They did not believe there were specific threats to other people mentioned in the document, but it does seem that he has some ill will toward corporate America, Kenny said.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Thompson, 50, was shot several times by a person who authorities believe was lying in wait early Wednesday morning outside the Manhattan hotel where United HealthCare was holding an investors meeting.

Thompson had been CEO of UnitedHealthcare, one of the nations largest for-profit health insurance providers, for nearly three years. His killing has prompted an outpouring of criticism of the company and the United States health care system generally for denying or unnecessarily complicating medical treatment.

Kenny said the gun in Mangiones possession appeared to be made using a 3D printer and was capable of firing 9 mm ammunition. Mangione was being held in Pennsylvania on weapons charges and would need to be extradited to New York.

A spokesperson for the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts said it would release charging documents as they become available.

This article was originally produced by the Pennsylvania Capital-Star 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.
DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN)  I am angry. I am outraged, and I feel betrayed.

Montgomery County Auditor Karl Keith didnt hide his feelings Monday while addressing the media about the arrest and indictment of a longtime county employee last week for alleged theft in office.

On Friday, Dec. 6, the Montgomery County grand jury returned an indictment against former employee Jodi Hockett on two charges:

Theft in Office ($150,000 or more, but less than $750,000)

Tampering with Government Records

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According to Keith, Hockett was most recently employed as a clerk in the county auditors Licensing Department. He said that Hocketts employment was terminated on Nov. 26.

Keith said that his office worked in conjunction with the Montgomery County Prosecutors Office on the investigation over several months.

He said that the investigation found Hockett responsible for the theft or destruction of approximately $189,000 in license fees between May 2023 and July of 2024.

Keith said his office turned to the prosecutors office after a June 2024 settling of cigarette license fees paid by retailers uncovered a shortage of fees collected. The two offices jointly discovered other shortages of fees.

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After several weeks of investigation, Keith alleged they discovered one common factor for the days cash or checks disappeared: Jodi Hockett was working then.

Keith alleged that during discussion with investigators, Hockett admitted to taking the cash and destroying the checks.

Hockett was arrested on Dec. 6.

All of us who work in the county auditors office are in positions of trust, said Keith. These actions are a deliberate violation of the publics trust. Actions that are both shocking and appalling.

This betrayal comes from an employee I have known and worked with for a very long time. I always considered her a responsible, honest, dependable member of our team. Her supervisors and co-workers respected her and held her in high regard. That is why this is hard for all of us to accept.

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Keith said his office will continue to cooperate with the prosecutors office on this case, and will seek full restitution of the missing funds.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 9. Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, Minister of Energy Affairs of Qatar and President and CEO of QatarEnergy, voiced strong concerns over the European Union's Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CS3D) during the Doha Forum 2024, Trend reports.

While expressing support for the EU's commitment to sustainability and human rights, he described the directive as impractical and counterproductive.

"This directive affects any company dealing in Europe with over 450 million euros in revenue generated there. Companies like QatarEnergy, Shell, or even car manufacturers will need to commit to Net Zero, something that is unfeasible for us given our expansions," said Al-Kaabi.

He further criticized the requirement for companies to monitor all subsidiaries and suppliers for compliance, calling it an "administrative nightmare" that would necessitate significant manpower and lead to exorbitant penalties. "Are you telling us you dont want our LNG into the EU? Because I am not going to supply LNG while facing penalties on our global revenue," he warned.

Al-Kaabi also highlighted the potential impact on global investments, cautioning that such regulations could deter sovereign funds, like Qatar Investment Authority, from investing in the EU. "This will ultimately harm European companies and customers, who will bear the increased costs," he added.

On energy transition, Al-Kaabi emphasized natural gas's critical role in addressing intermittency issues of renewable energy sources. He also underscored the need for equitable energy access, citing that over a billion people still lack basic electricity.

Highlighting Qatars contributions, the minister noted its leadership in fertilizer exports and LNG production, with ongoing projects expected to double its LNG capacity to 142 million tons annually. He also affirmed the strength of US-Qatari energy relations, stressing their resilience across administrations.

"QatarEnergy is committed to sustainability, but the EUs approach risks undermining global energy cooperation and harming their own interests," Al-Kaabi concluded.
Donald Trumps brief but highly productive visit to France this weekend to attend the reopening of Notre-Dame cathedral was an undisputed diplomatic triumph for Americas president-elect.

Trump was greeted by world leaders as if he were a conquering hero returning to the gates of imperial Rome after years away fighting the barbarian hordes. He took on Americas powerful liberal elites in an epic gladiatorial-style presidential contest and emphatically won in a historic landslide victory to retake Washington. His first steps on the international stage before taking office next January were a projection of real US strength, resolve and confidence into the heart of Europe.

Americas sitting president, Joe Biden, was nowhere to be seen, a stark reminder of his lame duck status and growing irrelevance. Biden is already a fading figure, a failed president with a disastrous track record, from overseeing the tragedy of Americas calamitous withdrawal from Afghanistan to failing to deter Russias brutal invasion of Ukraine.

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During Bidens tenure, Communist China has grown increasingly assertive, while Islamist Iran has moved dangerously close to becoming a nuclear weapons power. In the face of Tehrans murderous ambitions, it has been the immense courage and tremendous warrior ethos of Israels military that has kept the mullahs in check, greatly eroding the terrorist movements of Hamas and Hezbollah, and weakening Irans ability to rescue the now fallen puppet dictatorship of Bashar al-Assad in Syria. Meanwhile, the Biden administration has been shockingly hesitant in providing wholehearted support for the Jewish state and has inexplicably weakened vital and effective sanctions against the Iranian regime.

The last four years have been a period of pronounced decline for US leadership, during which time the enemies of the free world have increasingly acted in concert, while Americas allies have all too often been cold-shouldered, the UK included. The Biden/Harris administration has been sleepwalking while the world burns. Trump has vowed to douse the fires.

While the present incumbent of the White House has disappeared from view, perhaps taking another long nap, Trump used every available hour on the ground in the City of Light to conduct urgent business on behalf of the United States. He met with a few select leaders, among them Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky, who left the Elysee Palace declaring that he endorses Trumps call to end Russias war of aggression in Ukraine, a clear sign that Kyiv and Washington will be working closely together, and not apart, when Trump takes office in January.

And in a positive sign for Great Britain, Trump met with the Prince of Wales at the British Ambassadors residence in Paris. In contrast to Joe Biden, the most anti-British US president of modern times, Trump loves the British people and the Royal Family. It is hugely encouraging to see a US leader who cherishes the Special Relationship between the two most powerful forces for freedom in the history of the world, and his meeting with Prince William amply reflected that.

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Meanwhile, Emmanuel Macron, the French president, appeared desperate to bask in the glow of Trumps presence as his own government disintegrates. The contrast between the powerful and hugely energetic incoming US presidency and its sinking French counterpart could not have been greater. Macron cut a rather forlorn figure amid the grandeur of the proceedings at Notre Dame, with his own country in disarray, and Macron himself a striking symbol of a European Union in freefall as its two biggest powers, France and Germany face mounting political uncertainty and deep-seated economic woes.

With good reason, many in Europe are now looking across the Atlantic for much-needed inspiration. In the past four weeks, I have met with dozens of diplomats, Members of Parliament and government officials from across Europe, from the Baltics to Berlin. Their overwhelming reaction to the US presidential election result has not been trepidation or fear, but hope.

Trump has pledged the return of peace through strength, a message that European leaders are embracing. Under his leadership, Nato will very likely grow stronger, Americas military will be more powerful, the US economy will boom, and the enemies of the free world, from Moscow to Beijing and Tehran, will be put on notice. This is the best approach to avoiding a major war with China or Russia in the Pacific or eastern Europe in the next decade.

Just as the 850-year-old cathedral of Notre Dame has risen from the ashes, its glory fully restored, the United States will rise again as the worlds superpower. President Trump is the right man at a key moment in history when the stakes for the West are incredibly high. Thankfully America is back, and the Biden era of weakness and confusion will soon be in the rearview mirror.

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Nile Gardiner is a former aide to Margaret Thatcher, and is based in Washington, DC

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American Airlines (AAL) is suspending service to Haiti indefinitely after what it initially telegraphed as a temporary pause. CBS News reports that the move follows an incident last month when a pair of U.S. carriers discovered bullet holes in their aircraft.

American has made the difficult decision to suspend daily service between Miami (MIA) and Port-au-Prince, Haiti (PAP) American said in a statement provided to Quartz. We are proud of our more than 50-year-commitment to Haiti and we will continue to monitor the situation, assessing safety, security, and customer demand, in evaluating a return of service. We will proactively reach out to impacted customers to offer a full refund of their travel itinerary.

In November, planes operated by Spirit Airlines and JetBlue Airways (JBLU) received gunfire. The Spirit plane had been rerouted to the Dominican Republic, and the JetBlue plane was back in the United States. No passengers were injured, but a flight attendant on the Spirit plane suffered minor injuries.

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Both airlines had said they would pause flights to Haiti after the incidents; the Federal Aviation Administration told airlines to do so for 30 days. American Airlines did so as well, though the airline industry news site Simply Flying reported at first that the pause would only be lasting until February. American told Quartz that it had been operating one flight a day between Haiti and Miami, which has a large Haitian and Haitian-American popluation.

Haiti has struggled with political instability and violence since its founders won their independence from France in 1804. For decades, armed groups have fought for control with a series of governments installed by a foreign bloc that includes the U.S., France, and Canada.

An op-ed last year from the The Institute for Justice and Democracy in Haiti directly links the countrys loss of sovereignty with its current turmoils.

Although international analysts often date Haitis crisis to the July 2021 assassination of President [Jovenel] Moise, it has been brewing for far longer, the group wrote. For over a decade, individuals associated with the Pati Ayisyen Tet Kale (PHTK) political party have deliberately dismantled Haitis democratic institutions, corrupted its accountability mechanisms, and built up gangs as instruments of political violence, all while continuing to receive international support.

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The Age of Trump is a symptom of much deeper and older problems in American society and life. Specifically, how there is a deep brokenness and division in this country, one that has been nurtured and grown over the last few decades by a range of actors and societal forces.

The American people do not communicate with one another across the political divide. They do not consume the same news sources and are increasingly stuck in their own personally curated media echo chambers and subjective realities. These echo chambers are made much worse by the algorithm and technofeudalism, where private corporations (and wildly wealthy individuals) profit from causing conflict and exasperating some of the worst human behavior.

Americas communities and neighborhoods are also politically and culturally segregated, with values and ways of living that correlate with income and education. Anti-intellectualism, hostility to expertise and science and an embrace of conspiracism have become a defining feature of the American right-wing and conservatives in the Age of Trump and the countrys democracy crisis. By comparison, liberals, progressives, centrists and traditional small c conservatives still respect expert knowledge and science.

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Religion is also highly politicized as well. To that point, research by PRRI shows that White Christianity is now largely the domain of MAGA and authoritarianism. The spaces in civil society and associational life such as unions, bowling leagues and other community activities and third spaces have been greatly diminished by gangster capitalism, technological change and a general atrophying of the countrys civic life and social democracy.

In increasing numbers, Americans are not dating, marrying, or generally socializing with members of the other political tribe. The result is a cycle of alienation if not dehumanization of those with whom we disagree about politics.

Political scientists and other experts have long focused on how it was the elites who were polarized and that the average person was much closer to one another in their political values and beliefs ("ideologically innocent"). In the Age of Trump and the years and decades that birthed the democracy crisis, elite polarization has trickled down to the average American. Even more worrisome is how politics and political polarization now mark almost every area of life, which includes such superficially apolitical activities as sports, music, food, fashion and popular culture more broadly.

Americans no longer disagree with one another about politics while still finding areas of broad agreement. The countrys politics are now beset by the phenomenon known as negative partisanship (or affective polarization) where those people on the other side of a given issue are not just wrong but instead are viewed as evil and an existential threat. In such a polarized and divided society, violence as a way of getting and keeping power is viewed as necessary if not inevitable.

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With the historic 2024 election, a slim majority of voters chose Donald Trump to be the countrys first elected authoritarian. Whatever their individual motivations or reasoning, the sum result will be massive harm, both structurally and personally, to their fellow Americans. Those Americans who chose to not vote also tacitly gave their consent to such an outcome and the end of multiracial pluralistic democracy.

Thus the ominous question(s) that looms over so much of the Age of Trump and Trumps promise and threat to be a dictator on day one: Have the day-to-day relationships and shared sense of community, norms, reality and meaning that make a healthy society and democracy possible been broken beyond repair? Or are these divides greatly exaggerated and there is much more that ties the American people together than divides them and in the end that may be their salvation?

In an attempt to gain some perspective on these questions and a divided America, I recently spoke with Dr. Kurt Gray. He is a Professor in Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he directs the Deepest Beliefs Lab and the Center for the Science of Moral Understanding. Gray is the co-author of the book The Mind Club: Who Thinks, What Feels and Why it Matters. His new book is Outraged: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground.

In this conversation, Gray cautions that while the American people are very divided there are many areas of agreement that need to be emphasized and nurtured for the good of the countrys social and political life. He explains what the research shows about the tensions between nature and nurture and group dynamics and how it informs political tribalism and polarization. Gray also explains why partisanship distorts our perceptions of our political opponents and the role that fear and survival instincts play in our political decision-making and reality.

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How are you feeling about the results of the election? With Trumps imminent return and his promise to be a dictator on day one who will purge the enemy within, many Americans are terrified  as they should be. We are truly in unprecedented territory as a country.

Promises of revenge and dictatorships are scary, especially when I  like so many other Americans  care deeply about democracy. Its okay to feel upset by these promises, although I take some solace knowing that many people who voted for Trump  who also care about democracy  do not believe in these promises.

What are you doing to manage your emotions in the aftermath of what has been described as the anxiety election?

Im a psychologist and so the way I manage any negative feelings is to intellectualize: I think about the causes and context of a situation. Here, that might include thinking about the thoughts and feelings behind the many people who voted differently than most people I know. It also includes thinking about the power of partisanship to shape our perceptions.

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What do we know from the research about how partisanship impacts our judgment of others, especially those deemed to be our political enemies and the opposition?

Partisanship distorts our judgments of others. Once we learn that someone is on the other side our perceptions of them get vastly more negative. We think of people on the other side as both very stupid  voting against their own self-interest  and very evil, intentionally trying to harm others.

For example, work led by Daniela Goya-Tocchetto demonstrates how peoples minds misrepresent partisan policy trade-offs, like the tension between environmental protections versus blue-collar jobs when it comes to the fossil fuel industry. The data show that Democrats prefer increasing environmental protection at the risk of cutting blue-collar jobs and they regret cutting those jobs. Likewise, Republicans prefer creating blue-collar jobs but regret harming the environment.

However, people neglect these feelings of regret on the other side, believing that our political opponents want to cause harm. Rather than seeing voters and state legislators as well-meaning people trying to navigate thorny trade-offs, we see our opponents as malicious, as trying to burn it all down, like evil superheroes. I call this the destruction narrative because the story we tell ourselves is that the millions and millions of voters on the other side are trying to destroy America.

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But this isnt true  each of us is trying our best to protect ourselves and our family. Our actions are better described by the protection narrative.

We all learn that humans evolved as apex predators. In museums, there are dioramas with cave people hunting mammoths with spears and movies are filled with examples of aggressive ancestors. But although we sit at the top of the food chain today and our very recent ancestors could hunt many animals with stone tips and spears, for millions of years we were more prey than predator.

Our hominid ancestors were much smaller than we were and were easily preyed upon by big cats and big birds. It wasnt unusual for a hominid child to be picked up and carried away by a harpy eagle or a sabertoothed cat to creep up on a sleeping family, grab an infant and disappear into the night. Its likely why humans  and especially kids  are terrified of the dark. Its prey animals who most fear the threat of the unknown.

More obvious evidence of humans as prey: look at our claws  soft fingernails  and look at the claws of a real predator like a lion. No comparison. But the real evidence that we were preyed upon comes from the anthropological record, which finds ample evidence of predation (much more than scientists once considered) on our historical ancestors (e.g., Australopithecus africanus) and our contemporary primate cousins (e.g., chimpanzees).

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Its because we are more prey than predator that the protection narrative makes sense. We are not out there trying to burn down the world; we are sitting huddled at home, worried about the threats that surround us, hoping that someone will protect us from them.

The research and conventional wisdom suggest that the American people are extremely divided and polarized against one another. This applies to a range of political, cultural and social issues  to the degree they can even be disentangled. Add some nuance here if you can.

One thing that is true: we are more separate from the other side than ever before. Our neighborhoods and schools are politically segregated, which means that we rarely have meaningful, positive and repeated contact with people on the other side. And we know from much research in social psychology that meaningful, positive and repeated contact is essential for humanizing the other side.

When we only hear about our political opponents on social media or on cable news, it becomes very easy to demonize them and we see them as fundamentally different, with different concerns. Rather than well-meaning, thoughtful people trying to protect themselves, we see them as foolish or evil.

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There is a report from the organization More in Common that I really love and it surveys the American electorate and finds that most people are not politically rabid and not bent on the destruction of the other side. Instead, 65% of Americans are part of the exhausted majority. They are tired of all the rhetoric and the anger and just want a government that helps them live their lives  and helps them feel safe.

What is the role of nature vs nurture in our understanding of political identity, values and feelings of community? And who we define as a member of our "tribe and someone who is the Other and a potential threat? As we have repeatedly seen, these divisions are easily exploitable for purposes of power and influence.

It is our nature to worry about protecting ourselves, but nurture  our communities  teach us what threats we should most fear. Because we are no longer afraid of the obvious threat of wild animals coming to eat us, our fears are more flexible, shaped into whatever threats are most popular in our social media bubbles. Politicians and the media also capitalize on the long-standing human fear of outgroups  the "Other"  people who seem different from your tribe and who threaten your way of life. For example, during the election, Vance famously  and wrongly  argued that immigrants in Springfield were eating peoples pets.

This rhetoric works because it taps into our primal fear of harm to the innocent and vulnerable  our feelings of being prey, of being threatened by outsiders, allow culture wars to explode. Issues that are ultimately complex questions of policy and tradeoffs  like taxes and tariffs  become stark us-versus-them competitions, where people fear exploitation if the other side wins. Issues involving children are especially supercharged because kids are obviously vulnerable to harm, pushing our harm-focused moral minds to maximum outrage. For example, panic about elementary-school books.

Group dynamics are central to properly understanding politics  especially in a supposed populist moment. What do we know about how cues and permission from a leader impact the behavior of his or her followers? In this case, when Trump and MAGA are winning how will that impact their collective psychology and view of the Other, the outgroup? What about the group dynamics of the Democrats, liberals, progressives and the so-called Resistance collectively? We know many of them are tired, exhausted and already disengaging from politics to go into survival mode?

Groups inevitably take cues from their leaders and the psychology of "winning" versus "losing" is interesting. Winners can feel emboldened to make big changes, like conservative judges overturning Roe, or Biden pushing through a giant infrastructure program. Winners also feel less threatened (they just won!) and this can make them calmer and less aggressive. On the other side, losing can spur resistance  both peaceful and violent  but can also be demoralizing, encouraging disconnection and apathy. Moral outrage is something we feel most when we're confident in the righteousness of our groups and although Democrats largely feel righteously opposed to Trump, they are surprised at how many Americans did not share their indignation.

This misperception of consensus has left progressives unbalanced: they thought more people agreed with their perceptions of harm and their assessments of threat and now wonder whether MAGA is mainstream. I study how to make sense of moral disagreement, but many are opposed to trying to understand the other side, especially now on the left, where people feel so threatened. But causing change requires building coalitions and creating allies and that requires understanding people beyond your tribe and also helping them understand you.
By Samia Nakhoul, Andrew Mills

DOHA (Reuters) -The ouster of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, after rebel forces swept into Damascus this weekend, shattered Iran's network of influence in the Middle East but Israel, the United States and Arab powers must now deal with the risk of instability and extremism from the mosaic of forces that replaces him.

Chief among the rebel forces that ended 50 years of brutal dynastic rule by Assad and his father was Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a Sunni Muslim group previously affiliated with Al Qaeda that is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the U.N.

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Western and Arab nations fear that the HTS-led rebel coalition may seek to replace Assad's regime with a hardline Islamist government, or one less able or inclined to prevent the resurgence of radical forces, three diplomats and three analysts told Reuters.

"There is strong fear inside and outside the region of the power vacuum that Assad's sudden collapse may cause," said Abdelaziz al-Sager, director of the Gulf Research Center, a think tank focused on the Middle East. He cited the civil wars that followed the toppling of Iraqi president Saddam Hussein in 2003 and Libyan dictator Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

One senior Western diplomat in the region, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that - with the rebel forces fragmented - there was no plan for how to rule Syria, a complex nation divided into various sects and ethnic groups, each with its own regional power base.

The senior diplomat expressed fears that lawlessness in Syria could allow the flourishing of extremist groups like Islamic State (IS), which in 2014 swept through large swathes of Syria and Iraq and established an Islamic Caliphate before it was driven out by a US-led coalition by 2019.

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U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday welcomed Assad's toppling and said he should be "held accountable" for his despotic rule but he warned that his departure was a moment of "risk and uncertainty". U.S. forces on Sunday conducted dozens of strikes within Syria against IS to prevent it reasserting itself.

The speed of Assad's ouster, just two weeks since the rebel offensive began, took many in the White House by surprise. A senior U.S. official said Washington was now seeking ways to communicate with all the rebel groups, not just HTS.

So far, Washington had mostly thrown its support behind Syrian Kurdish groups, such as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), whose areas of control are in northeast Syria. These groups, however, are in conflict with one of the main victorious rebels factions, the Syrian National Army (SNA), backed by regional power broker, Turkey, which opposes Kurdish influence.

Assad's allies, Tehran and Moscow, who propped up his rule for 13 years with military support, men and airpower, also face far-reaching implications from his precipitous downfall.

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Moscow - which has given Assad and his family asylum - has two major military bases in Syria, its main footprint in the Middle East. Its naval base in Tartous on the Mediterranean has been a staging post to fly military contractors in and out of Africa.

For Tehran, its alliance with Assad - a member of the minority Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam - was a cornerstone of its powerbase in a predominantly Sunni region wary of Shi'ite Iran.

Assad's departure shattered a pivotal axis of influence, eroding Tehran's ability to project power and sustain its network of militia groups across the Middle East, particularly to its ally Hezbollah in Lebanon. A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Monday it had opened a direct line of communication with the rebels in an attempt to "prevent a hostile trajectory".

Israel's year-long military campaign has already severely weakened the military power of Hezbollah and Palestinian group Hamas in Gaza.

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Assad offered Iran a vital conduit for arms shipments to rebuild Hezbollah. Jonathan Panikoff, a former U.S. deputy national intelligence officer for the Middle East, said his ouster could make it more difficult for Hezbollah to rearm, increasing the prospects that a ceasefire with Israel agreed last month would hold.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the ousting of Assad as an "historic day" that followed the blows delivered by Israel against Iran and Hezbollah. He said he had ordered Israeli forces to seize areas along the bordering buffer zone to ensure Israel's security.

Israeli forces carried out air strikes against suspected chemical weapons and missile sites on Monday to prevent them from falling into the hands of hostile actors, the foreign minister said.

Carmit Valensi, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS), a think tank for Israeli security policy based in Tel Aviv, said that - despite the risk of a prolonged period of chaos and violence in Syria - Assad's fall could benefit Israel.

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"Despite concerns over the rise of extremist elements near the border and the lack of a clear authority in charge, the military capabilities of the rebels, in their various forms, aren't comparable to those of Iran and its proxies," she said.

CALLS FOR NEW CONSTITUTION, ELECTIONS

Marwan al-Muasher, vice president for studies at the U.S.-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, said Assad's exit could provide an opportunity for Syrians to establish an inclusive political governance through an orderly transition that avoided a power vacuum that would allow extremist groups to gain ascendancy.

Hadi Al-Bahra, the head of Syria's main opposition abroad, told Reuters on the sidelines of the Doha Forum on Sunday that Syria should have an 18-month transition period to establish "a safe, neutral, and quiet environment" for free elections.

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Al-Bahra, President of the Syrian National Coalition, said Syria should draft a constitution within six months, on which the first election would be a referendum. He said the opposition had asked state employees to report to work until the power transition, and assured them that they would not be harmed.

But Syria's political opposition has little influence on the ground in Damascus, where armed groups hold sway, and many Syria watchers remain skeptic.

HTS' leader, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, addressed huge crowds at the medieval Umayyad Mosque in central Damascus on Sunday, promising a new chapter for the region and that Syria would become "a beacon for the Islamic nation".

There are, however, questions about whether Golani's form of strict Islamist ideology would be accepted throughout Syria, a country where a moderate and liberal form of Islam prevails and with a mixed Christian, Alawite, Druze and Kurdish population.

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Both Western and Middle Eastern officials expressed concern about the unity of Syria, with key territories, including those along borders with Iraq and Turkey, under the control of different sects and ethnic groups: these divisions, which were entrenched by a bloody 2011 uprising, present a growing threat to national stability.

The analysts and diplomats who spoke to Reuters warned of the risk of a free-for-all conflict - akin to the wake of the toppling of Gaddafi in Libya or Saddam in Iraq - in which armed groups from different Islamist, ethnic and ideological shades fight for supremacy over territory. Such a failed state in Syria would have a major impact on neighbors Lebanon, Turkey, Iraq and Jordan, they said.

RIVALRY AMONG REBELS

Syria's opposition comprises a broad spectrum from moderate groups such as the SNA to jihadi elements within the HTS, each with its own vision for Syria's future, ranging from secular democracy to Islamic governance.

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"Each one of these rebel group is vying for supremacy; each one wants to be in charge. Each one thinks they can be Bashar al-Assad, and each one has allegiance to a foreign party funding his group," said al-Sager. "They will clash unless there is an effort by the UN and some regional countries with influence to unify them."

Turkish-backed forces dominate in the north, while U.S.-aligned Kurdish groups, such as the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), hold sway in northeastern Syria.

In a sign of the tensions between the groups, the Turkey-backed SNA seized swathes of territory, including the city of Tel Refaat, from U.S.-backed Kurdish forces at the start of the recent offensive. On Sunday, a Turkish security source said the rebels entered the northern city of Manbij after pushing the Kurds back again.

Still, some analysts say that an orderly transition is possible, arguing that well-established government institutions in Damascus remain capable of carrying out duties.

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They also point to the rebels' experience of governing in enclaves across Syria that they have managed in some cases for more than a decade. The rebel alliance, led by HTS, made a point of offering clemency for members of the security forces when it seized Aleppo, Syria's second-largest city, late last month and promised the sizeable minority populations that it would preserve their way of life.

But Hassan Hassan, an expert on Islamist groups in the Middle East based in Washington, said that concerns persisted among these minority groups now that the rebels had captured Damascus.

"There is uncertainty about what will happen next, particularly about religious influence and how (Islamic) laws may evolve," he said.

(Reporting and writing by Samia Nakhoul; Additional reporting by Andrew Mills in Doha, James Mackenzie in Jerusalem and Steve Holland in Washington; Editing by Daniel Flynn)
Tareqs view

As Irans Revolutionary Guard Corps, Hezbollah, and other Iran-affiliated militants fled Syria, it became clear that Bashar al-Assads reign was over. Tehran could no longer prop him up, and Moscow is too distracted by its war in Ukraine to offer much support. In a final, desperate bid, Assad reportedly reached out to Washington through Abu Dhabi, offering to end Iranian presence in Syria in exchange for the US lifting sanctions and Washington using what influence it has on rebel groups to ease pressure on the Syrian army.

The UAEs position has remained constant on Syria: Abu Dhabi wants stability. During the early years of the rebellion, the UAE took in 250,000 Syrians  equivalent to 17% of its citizen population, many of whom chose to build lives in the Emirates. When Assad, with Russian and Iranian support, regained control, Abu Dhabi recognized that ostracizing him would only deepen Syrias dependence on Tehran. This calculation drove the UAE to normalize ties with Assad, and the UAE led efforts to reintegrate Syria into the Arab fold despite his regimes crimes against civilians.

Now, Assad is exiled in Russia, his regime dismantled, and Irans presence in the Levant is unraveling. Tehrans regional strategy  arming Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen  has had a destabilizing effect on the region. In Syria, Iranian support allowed Assad to maintain his rule through mass arrests, torture, murder, and intimidation.

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The impact of Iranian adventurism is felt throughout the Levant. In Gaza, Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel led to devastating consequences for civilians in the territory. In Lebanon, Hezbollahs persistent rocket attacks on Israel resulted in a sizable Israeli counterattack in the south of Lebanon and Beirut. The tide, however, has turned against Iran. Israels moves against Tehrans proxies have left them destroyed or weakened. This opened a window for Syrian rebels, and now, Irans influence in Syria is severed. This presents an opening for Syria and Gulf nations to rekindle their relationships.

The history of revolutions and regime change in Arab countries does not set a promising precedent. Libya and Iraq fell into chaos, and Tunisia and Egypt became short-lived Islamist governments. If Syria were to become an Islamist state  something neither Abu Dhabi nor Riyadh is willing to embrace  the Emirati strategy of geopolitical pragmatism would be tested.

Its too early to predict the nature of the new Syrian government. Rebels  led by Hayat Tahrir al-Shams Ahmed al-Shara (better known as Abu Mohammed Al-Jolani), a former Al Qaeda commander who broke ties with the global network  are working with the bureaucracy and urging exiled Syrians to return. The millions of Syrians living in Turkey, Europe, North America, and the Gulf could significantly influence the countrys cultural and political landscape.

So far, there is room for cautious optimism. Al-Shara said he would respect the will of the Syrian people in choosing their leadership and has spoken of respecting the diversity in Syria. If all parties keep their word, the celebrations in Syrias public squares will be deserved.

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Abu Dhabis strategy of peace through investment will be tested in Damascus. There are many opportunities, and UAE engagement will bring funds, know-how, and technology to Syria. Gulf capitals are eagerly watching to see who emerges as Syrias new leader and how the once-rebel forces will decide to share power.

The Syrian people, having endured more than five decades of totalitarian rule and the terror of extremist groups like ISIS, are at a crossroads. It is up to them to choose the government and ideologies that will shape their future. The Islamists under the leadership of Al-Shara have earned goodwill with their role in the rebellion. However, its unclear if they can win enough support from a population that still remembers the horrors of ISIS.

As for Iran, its proxies must now be questioning if aligning with Tehran is worth the cost. Time and experience have shown Irans friends and enemies that the Islamic Republic is far less capable strategically than it pretends to be.

The Gulf is eager to help stabilize Syria by supporting its reconstruction and economic revitalization. Syria can benefit from the support of friendly neighbors  but only if its new leadership proves to Abu Dhabi and Riyadh that it can achieve stability and build an inclusive and pragmatic state. If, on the other hand, Syrias new leadership chooses extremism, Damascus will once again find itself alone.
A stone tablet inscribed with the Ten Commandments that was carved anywhere between 300 to 800 A.D. will go on the block at Sothebys next week and is expected to fetch up to $2 million, the auction house said.

Sothebys announced last month it would auction off the tablet, the oldest known artifact of its kind. Inscribed in Paleo-Hebrew script, the late Roman-Byzantine-era marble slab weighs 155 pounds and is about two feet tall, according to the auction house.

Known as the Yavne Tablet, its named after the city where it was first found. When first unearthed by construction workers excavating to lay down railroad tracks through the Land of Israel to Egypt in 1913, its historical significance was overlooked, Sothebys said. One of those workers took it home and used it as a paving stone in the inner courtyard, where it remained for 30 years.

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Flash forward to 1947, when Tel Aviv municipal archaeologist Jacob Kaplan recounted coming across the artifact four years earlier, buying it from the mans son. It changed hands several times after that, eventually making its way to New York.

Bidding will start at $1 million when the tablet auctioned off next Wednesday, Dec. 18, Sothebys said.

The slabs text follows traditional Christian and Jewish biblical verses, though without the third commandment admonishing against taking the name of the Lord in vain. In its place is an instruction to worship on Mount Gerizim, a holy site specific to the Samaritans.

The Yavne Tablet is not simply the earliest surviving complete inscribed stone tablet of the Ten Commandments, but the text it preserves represents the spirit, precision, and concision of the Decalogue in what is believed to be its earliest and original formulation, Sothebys said. The influence of the Decalogue extends far beyond the Judeo-Christian religions, underpinning around the globe the foundational concepts of common law, natural law, formal legal codes, personal conduct, and the social compact.

With News Wire Services
Monique Worrell via her webpage

Andrew Bain, the Ron DeSantis-appointed prosecutor in Floridas Ninth Judicial Circuit who lost his bid to stay in office to Democrat Monique Worrell last month, issued a statement on Monday afternoon clarifying that he is now ready and willing to ensure her smooth transition into office next month.

The statement came hours after he angered Worrell and Democrats throughout the state by issuing an email to his staff saying that while he accepted the results of the election  in which he lost to Worrell by 15 points  he did not yet feel I can assist her in that transition.

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He cited what he said was clear language in the executive order that DeSantis issued when he suspended Worrell from office last year.

The Executive Order does not provide a time limit on her suspension, and neither does the Florida Constitution, Bain wrote  adding that he believed the only way to lift her suspension would be either through a new order from DeSantis rescinding her suspension one or a Florida Senate vote to overrule the governor.

His comments ignited a furious backlash among Democrats, first and foremost Worrell, who said she was disheartened but not surprised to learn that Andrew Bain is refusing to facilitate the peaceful transition of his appointed administration.

She added, This refusal is not only a betrayal of democratic principles, but also a stark reminder of the lengths to which some will go to cling to power.

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Worrell went on to note that she received 57% of the vote on Nov. 5 and insisted the mandate from the voters was clear.

Elections are the ultimate accountability measure in a democracy. No executive order, no political maneuver, and certainly no personal grievance can override the will of the people, she said.

Bain is ready

Following his earlier email, Bain reversed course with this relatively brief statement:

I want to provide clarity that Monique Worrell will take office on January 7, 2025, and that my term will end January 6, 2025. It is my intention to provide any assistance I can to ensure the office continues to operate smoothly for the benefit of our community during this transition. It is also my expectation that every member of the office will do the same. 

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Worrell was first elected as the state attorney representing Orange & Osceola counties (which encompasses Orlando) in 2020, running on a platform of criminal justice reform. DeSantis suspended her in August 2023 on allegations of neglect of duty and incompetence, according to his executive order.

Worrell challenged her suspension to the Florida Supreme Court, but it upheld the decision in June of this year. Undaunted, she ran again for the seat this fall and defeated Bain, who ran as a political independent but was financially backed by the Republican Party of Florida.

DeSantis hit the campaign trail to publicly oppose both Worrell and Andrew Warren, the other Democratic state attorney whom the governor suspended for actions that he disagreed with. He refused to answer directly when asked by reporters whether he would re-suspend Worrell and Warren if one or both of them won back their seats in November.

Warren lost his race in Hillsborough County against Republican Suzy Lopez, DeSantiss replacement for him in August 2022.

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Thomas Feiter, a Republican candidate for the Orange-Osceola state attorney position who lost in the GOP primary in August, has asserted in election complaints and in a lawsuit that DeSantis chief of staff, James Uthmeier, had informed him that the governor would suspend Worrell once again should she win re-election.

Democratic ire

Bains earlier email sparked ire among some Central Florida Democrats, such as state Rep. Anna Eskamani.

Even when we win elections, Governor DeSantis and his allies are more than comfortable to ignore the will of the voters and play games with our democracy, Eskamani said on X.

Undoubtedly, Bains initial email on Monday was confusing to employees with the Ninth Judicial Circuit.

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I understand all of you have careers and families to attend to and I cannot expect you to remain here without clear answers if it is your desire to depart rather than go through a change of administration, he wrote to staff members.

Since I cannot guarantee what will happen, I encourage you each to do what is best for you and your families at this point and will not think less of anyone who seeks employment elsewhere. However, if you wish to stay longer to see the outcome, I will consider payouts of sick and vacation leave on an individual basis for that otherwise eligible despite being inside our policys 30-day window.

Meanwhile, the Ninth Judicial Circuits office also announced on Monday that it would not pursue four felony charges against former Republican state Rep. Carolina Amesty, who lost her bid for re-election in House District 45. Amesty was accused of forging a mans signature on a form she notarized while working as an administrator for a small Orlando-area private college run by her family, according to the Orlando Sentinel.
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Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Rep. Andy Kim has been appointed to the U.S. Senate by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, following last week's resignation of interim Sen. George Helmy.

Murphy said in a statement Sunday that he was appointing Kim, 42, so he could take his new seat in Congress early.

"Taking this step will allow Senator Kim to embark on the smoothest possible transition into his new role so he can hit the ground running serving the people of New Jersey," the Democratic governor said.

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Helmy, a Democrat, was appointed by Murphy to fill the Senate seat left vacant by Sen. Bob Menendez, who resigned in after being convicted of corruption-related charges this summer.

Kim won the Senate seat in November, beating his Republican challenger, Curtis Bashaw, with 53.6% of the vote share compared to Bashaw's 44%.

"It's an honor to get to represent the state that gave my family a chance at the American Dream in the U.S. Senate," Kim said in a statement Sunday.

"It's a dream that remains out of reach for too many of our neighbors, and one that I'm ready on day one to fight for.

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Murphy also thanked Helmy for "his continued service to New Jersey and the nation."

On X, Helmy on Sunday published a picture of himself descending the steps of the Capitol.

The caption reads: "New Jersey, it's been the honor of my life to serve you in the United States Senate.

"Thank you."

New Jersey, it's been the honor of my life to serve you in the United States Senate. Thank you. pic.twitter.com/E7nrg2NUhu Senator George Helmy (@ghelmy) December 8, 2024

Helmy had announced last week his intention to resign on Sunday to allow Kim to take his seat prior to the 118th Congress, which is to begin in January.

In his statement, Murphy explained that his appointment of Kim comes after the official certification of the 2024 General Election results on Thursday.
ARCHER COUNTY (KFDX/KJTL) A long-time tradition in Windthorst was renewed today at the Saint Marys Parish Hall.

For the 81st year, people from Windthorst, Texoma, and even Fort Worth made the trip for the Windthorst German Sausage Meal, hosted by the Knights of Columbus chapter 1824.

Wichita West VFD hosts 43rd Annual Arts & Crafts Show

Sausage and sides were available to either eat in or take home. If sausage wasnt what you were looking for, the Catholic Daughters of America held a bake sale serving a wide range of goods from cakes to loaves of bread.

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Brian Anderle and Lillie Wolf, the heads of the two groups, continue to benefit from their collaboration on the event over the years.

The Knights of Columbus are the ones that started the sausage meals, and we certainly appreciate them for allowing us to have the bake sale in conjunction with their meal. So, we certainly thank them, Wolf said.

And Im sure theres many people out there that come by to get the baked goods and then just eat the sausage as an afterthought, Anderle added.

All proceeds from the sausage meal will go towards the various charities each group represents, like Habitat for Humanity, promoting catholic education in their community, and Coats for Kids.

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The Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona is the latest B-school to pare down its flagship MBA program from two years to one

The Eller College of Management at the University of Arizona will be slimming down in the new year.

Beginning in 2025, the schools MBA will be a one-year program, a move the school says is ideal for professionals and recent graduates alike, as both groups largely seek to limit their time away from the workforce. Eller joins a number of U.S. B-schools that have downsized their full-time MBA programs in recent years in favor of the sleeker, more flexible programs favored by students today.

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Ellers new Accelerated MBA will welcome its first cohort next summer.

A GROWING TREND

The Smeal College of Business at Penn State University was among the more high-profile MBA downsizings in the last two years. In 2022, Smeal designated its MBA as a STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) degree at the same time it cut it down to one year from two, after losing nearly half its enrollment over two years from 2020 to 2022. But they arent finished tinkering at Smeal. On December 3, the B-school announced it will add a hybrid MBA to its portfolio of MBA programs beginning in fall 2025, offering virtual learning with the networking and social structure of an in-person cohort program, on a schedule designed for working professionals.

Around the same time Smeal was contemplating its downsizing, the University of Connecticut School of Business was in the process of shuttering its traditional two-year MBA and redirecting its resources into two 42-credit programs: a 100% Online MBA and a part-time Flex MBA, the latter a hybrid program available in Hartford, Stamford, and online. The results of UConns dramatic redesign have been amazing: In 2024, it matriculated over 100 OMBA students, marking a 14% increase from the previous fall, while the Flex program has experienced 34% growth since 2023. In total, UConn now has 727 total active MBA students  226 online and 501 in the Flex  compared to fewer than 100 in its last year of the full-time MBA.

Neither Smeal nor UConn made unprecedented moves. The University of Iowas Tippie College of Business announced in 2017 that it was admitting its last full-time cohort in 2019, focusing instead on growing its part-time program and specialized masters offerings. The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign Gies eliminated both its full- and part-time MBA programs in 2019, devoting more resources to its disruptive online MBA program. Wake Forest exited the full-time market in 2014 after enrollments there fell from 144 in 2009 to 114 five years later. Virginia Tech and Simmons College also shut down their full-time, on-campus MBA programs in recent years.

AN EXCITING EVOLUTION

Arizonas Eller College  No. 66 in Poets&Quants 2025 MBA ranking, released December 3, and No. 31 in our latest entrepreneurship ranking  promises its new one-year program will deliver a complete MBA experience in half the time of the former program, which took 21 months to complete. That means grads will join a robust network of more than 300,000 Wildcats in 150 countries worldwide that much sooner.

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The launch of our One-Year MBA program marks an exciting evolution at the Eller College, says Karthik Kannan, dean and Halle Chair in Leadership of the Eller College. In response to growing demand for flexible business education, weve created an accelerated program that meets the needs of ambitious professionals who want to fast-track their careers.

Applications are now open for the summer 2025 intake of the Eller Accelerated MBA. For program details and enrollment information, visit eller.arizona.edu.

DONT MISS ANATOMY OF AN MBA MAKEOVER: UCONNS FLEX & OMBA PROGRAMS and PENN STATES SMEAL COLLEGE OF BUSINESS TO DOWNSIZE ITS MBA FROM 2 YEARS TO 1

The post Another 2-Year MBA Program Downsizes To 1 appeared first on Poets&Quants.
London faces economic decline if Sir Keir Starmer blocks plans for a new runway at Gatwick airport, business chiefs have warned.



In a letter to the Prime Minister, more than 170 trade groups representing 105,000 businesses expressed their unmitigated support for the 2.2bn project.

Gatwick wants to convert an emergency landing strip into a fully fledged runway that would double passenger numbers to 80m a year. It says that would ease a capacity crisis in the South East, create 14,000 jobs and boost the economy by an estimated 1bn a year.

Ministers have until the end of February to deliver a verdict after the Planning Inspectorate sent a report on the proposals to the Department for Transport at the end of last month.



The London Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) told Sir Keir that support for the aviation sector is vital in enabling the flow of people, trade and investment.

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Karim Fatehi, chief executive of the LCCI, wrote: Without robust aviation links, London risks losing its competitive edge on the international stage.



Londons status as the worlds pre-eminent global city for business, tourism and trade is heavily reliant on the strength of the capitals transport network.

Brett North, chairman of the Gatwick Diamond Initiative, writing on behalf of 55 groups representing 63,000 businesses, said the positive contribution of a new runway would not be limited to the capital.

He said: Gatwick is a vital piece of our national infrastructure. The airport provides investment and commercial opportunities beyond the geography of London and the South East.



The runway decision comes as an early test for Heidi Alexander, the new Transport Secretary. Ms Alexander previously served as deputy mayor of London for transport and was once listed by anti-Heathrow campaign group Hacan as opposed to airport expansion.

Approval for an expanded Gatwick would provoke criticism from climate campaigners, including some within Labours own ranks, as well as from local residents opposed to the increase in aircraft noise and particulate pollution and the impact of construction traffic.

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Gatwick attracted 41m passengers in 2023 and is the worlds busiest single-runway airport. Bosses have warned that any attempt to delay the decision on its expansion beyond February risks pushing up costs and preventing airlines from adding new routes.

While Labour has made positive noises about new runway schemes since coming to power, a ruling on Luton Airports bid to lift capacity from 18m passengers a year to 32m has been put back from October to January.

Gatwicks application is believed to have a good chance of securing approval under rules that favour projects aimed at making the best use of existing assets.



The plan would be funded by its owners, the French construction company Vinci and investment fund Global Infrastructure Partners, which is held by US asset management giant BlackRock.

Gatwick originally sought to build a completely new runway to the south of the existing airport site but lost out in a competition with Heathrow, whose bid for a third strip is on hold.

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MILLER COUNTY, Ark.  Arkansas State Police said a child missing from Miller County was found safe Monday.

According to ASP officials, the child went missing from an area east of Texarkana.

Special agents did not disclose additional details on the case.

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LITTLE ROCK, ARK.  It takes a lot of courage to bring change to a community and continuously show up for those in need of voices of hope, like Rev. Benny Johnson.

Today those who appreciate him all gathered at Church Of The Living God celebrating him for his 33 years of service.

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Johnson started his service to the Natural State in 1991 with his organization Arkansas Stop the Violence a platform he used to advocate against crime and gun violence.

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His assistant director Chris Carrigan says Johnson has made more than a mark on the community.

Hes been an individual and citizen, hes a leader thats inspired others to go to the next level, Carrigan said.

Johnson says his road to influence wasnt an easy path, being that he had to overcome hard times.

I remember my daddy had to feed a family of 7 with 100-something dollars a week and members of Mount Pleasant Baptist Church, the church I grew up  they used to help me, and I had never forgotten, Johnson said.

Arkansas Stop the Violence, family of North Little Rock shooting victim speak out

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That experience pushed Johnson to give back, using things like the annual Arkansas Stop Violence bike giveaway as his token of love to children.

We gave away over 3,200 bikes in 2007 and our goal this year is 500 bikes, Johnson said.

Johnson says there is more to come as he continues dedicating his time to creating change in Little Rock.

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We now know who police have in custody for the murder of UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson  and digital sleuths have already found his Goodreads account.

Indeed, a perusal of 26-year-old suspect Luigi Mangione's apparent Goodreads page shows that his favorite books include Aldous Huxley's "Brave New World," Ashlee Vance's 2017 biography of Elon Musk, and  incredibly  "The Lorax" by Theodor Seuss Geisel, better known as Dr. Seuss.

Along with that strange trifecta, the thirst-inspiring person of interest also listed books about artificial intelligence and Big Data as some of his faves, rounded out with self-help drek about forming better habits and attaining "the ultimate male body."

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Outside of his favorites page, the onetime high school valedictorian and Ivy League graduate also gave a four-star review to Unabomber Ted Kaczynski's manifesto, "Industrial Society and Its Future."

"He was a violent individual  rightfully imprisoned  who maimed innocent people," the young suspect wrote in his review of the infamous document. "While these actions tend to be characterized as those of a crazy luddite, however, they are more accurately seen as those of an extreme political revolutionary."

"When all other forms of communication fail, violence is necessary to survive," Mangione continued. "You may not like his methods, but to see things from his perspective, it's not terrorism, it's war and revolution."

Among his favorite quotes, which the Amazon-owned social network allows users to select and show on their profiles, is another telling missive from Yuval Noah Harari, the author of "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind."

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"How many young college graduates have taken demanding jobs in high-powered firms, vowing that they will work hard to earn money that will enable them to retire and pursue their real interests when they are thirty-five?" the Harari quote reads. "But by the time they reach that age, they have large mortgages, children to school, houses in the suburbs that necessitate at least two cars per family, and a sense that life is not worth living without really good wine and expensive holidays abroad."

Paired with close reads of his other social media accounts and excerpts from his own manifesto, Mangione seems very much like a lot of young men his age: intelligent but disaffected, struggling to figure out his place in the world, and interested in what it means to be a man in a changing world.

Put together, those positions may have radicalized him  but just hours ago, we'd never have anticipated that the then-anonymous killer was a fan of Elon Musk and Richard Dawkins.

More on the Thompson murder: Health Insurance Companies Pull Down Information About Executives After Assassination of CEO
More than a decade later, the Iredell County Sheriffs Office has charged two people with the mysterious shooting death of a father of three.

Investigators say Joey Brewer was shot and killed in September 2011 while visiting a friend at the Myrtle Place Apartments in Statesville.

The ICSO took over the investigation in 2013 and last week, officers uncovered evidence connecting John Lewis Chambers, 42, and OKiera Donell Myers, 41, to Brewers killing.

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READ MORE: Family of Statesville man killed in 2011 continues push for justice

The Iredell County Grand Jury issued indictments for both suspects and deputies later located Chambers in the custody of the U.S. Marshal Service for an unrelated case.

Last Friday, authorities with the ICSO and North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation arrested Myers at a business in Statesville.

Both suspects are now facing multiple charges including first-degree murder.

I am profoundly grateful that this case has reached a turning point and that Joey Brewers family may finally find a measure of peace, Iredell County Sheriff Darren Campbell said in a statement. The strength and perseverance they have shown over the years inspire us all.

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Campbell also emphasized that the investigation into Brewers death is ongoing. We believe there are individuals with additional information who have not yet come forward, Campbell said. If you have informationor know someone who doeswe urge you to contact us. Your help could make a difference.

VIDEO: Man sentenced for deadly shooting during drug deal in Rock Hill
President Biden (remember him?) says the fall of Assad in Syria is a direct result of the blows that Ukraine and Israel have delivered against Russia, Hamas and Hezbollah with unflagging support from the United States.

Well, that word unflagging jolts. American help to both countries, though undoubtedly crucial, has been hedged about with doubts, delays and hesitations. In Ukraines case, these have been nearly fatal.

The truth is that, without the astonishing grit of Ukraine and Israel in the face of murderous attack, Bidens America would long ago have flagged for good, pushing its allies to sue for peace with the aggressors on very unfavourable terms.

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Still, Biden is belatedly right about the blows delivered. The lessons should be driven home. The most obvious one is the continuing rout of Iranian power, which began, arguably, with Donald Trumps assassination of Qasem Soleimani, Irans shadow commander, in 2020. It has continued with Israels brilliantly executed destruction of the Hezbollah leadership.

Now Irans physical and political links with Syria are broken and, with them, its capacity to control Lebanon and orchestrate attacks on Israel. If the Iranian regime now comes under serious internal threat, who will save it?

Another lesson, which should be almost as obvious, is the weakening of Russia. In 2015, Russia exploited Western wobbles in the face of Assads atrocities to crush the Syrian rebels with overwhelmingly brutal force. Its new position of authority in the Middle East emboldened it against Ukraine. Even Israel parlayed with Russia over security questions. Some analysts identified a new age of the authoritarians against the free world.

Last week, Vladimir Putin, the authoritarians hero, had another go at bombing Aleppo, the city he virtually destroyed in the civil war, but then gave up, as Assad fled Damascus for a safe house in Moscow. Having committed so heavily, and with such losses of men and materiel, in Ukraine, Russia cannot sustain its imperium elsewhere.

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Its threatened European neighbours, notably Georgia, Romania and Moldova will all take note and heart, as will those resisting the regime of Putins puppet, Lukashenko, in Belarus. Putin has also left his biggest friend, China, looking silly for backing Syria.

It is possible, of course, that the new rulers of Syria will see advantage in letting Russia keep its naval base at Tartus and its control of the Syrian skies. No one really knows which way the complicated coalition of Syrian rebels will jump.

But it is surely time to challenge the defeatism of Biden about Ukraine and the anti-Ukraine noises coming out of some in the Trump camp. Do not assume that Ukraine must lose. It is true that its plight is grave, but the chief cause of this is lukewarm commitment from the US and most of the main European Nato allies. We have the capacity to help Ukraine turn things around if only we summon the will.

Russias losses in the Ukraine war are stupefying, its gains puny and the economic costs vast. It looks increasingly like a would-be great power which can fight on only one front at a time.

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Britain has played an honourable but decreasingly effective role in the Ukraine war. Since Sir Keir Starmer came into office, the right noises have been made, but the practical results have been small.

When Russia invaded Ukraine nearly three years ago, Boris Johnson was the quickest Western leader off the mark in support. Sir Keir should be the first to respond to the opportunity Russias humiliation in Syria presents. Why do we all assume that Putins capacity for endurance is infinite?

Shrink the state

Pat McFadden, the Cabinet Office minister, wants to make the state a little bit more like a start-up. He thinks the test-and-learn mindset of business can be adopted by government to improve problem-solving. It is a nice idea. A laconic voice of sanity in this Government of windy generalisers, he deserves a hearing.

But there is a fundamental problem: government is the opposite of a start-up. To be fair to it, it has to be.

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The whole idea of a start-up is based on risk. It travels light, and searches boldly for opportunities. If it fails, it can have another go at something else. Even if it goes under, other start-ups, in a free economy, will quickly replace it.

The state, however, must be continuous. It is the definition of too big to fail. Unlike a business, it cannot choose its customers, and those who are least financially rewarding for it will probably need the most attention. One of the reasons governments are so bad at picking winners is that they have inescapable duties to losers.

Honestly, there is no solution to this problem, except to shrink the state. Then more start-ups can start up.

A slow-moving beast

It was a coup for President Macron to get Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump in the same pew (or thereabouts) for the reopening of Notre-Dame. But if I were in the White House, I would have been furious. Until his inauguration on January 20, Mr Trump is a private citizen. Why was he invited to upstage the first lady, and thus, indirectly, the president?

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If the roles had been reversed and president-elect Biden had been to such an occasion in December 2020 when Trump was on the way out, there would have been deafening roars of elephantine rage.

The US Constitution is, rightly, a slow-moving beast, but is it not time to make the transition from ballot box to White House about two months faster?

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.
Almost exactly seven years ago, President Vladimir Putin stood with Russian troops at their air base in Syria and proudly declared victory over terrorists in that country as part of the Kremlins military intervention to prop up the government of Bashar Assad amid a civil war.

This weekend, those hard-won gains seemed a distant memory. Assad hastily fled to Moscow as his power crumbled during a lightning offensive by rebels that his main international allies, Russia and Iran, were unable to stem.

The Kremlins failure to prevent Assads swift downfall has exposed limits of Russias power and dented its international clout at a pivotal stage of its war in Ukraine.

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A look at Russias involvement in Syria and the possible consequences of Assads demise for Moscow:

What was Russia's role in Syria and its civil war?

The Soviet Union was a longtime ally of Assad's father, Hafez Assad, who ruled the country for nearly 30 years, and provided military advisers and aid.

After an 2011 uprising against Bashar Assads rule morphed into a civil war, Russia continued to be a key backer of Damascus, offering political support at the United Nations. When Assads rule neared collapse after a series of battlefield defeats in 2015, Russia joined Iran to intervene militarily.

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Russia deployed warplanes to the Hemeimeem air base in Syrias coastal province of Latakia, delivering thousands of tons of military equipment and supplies in an operation dubbed the Syrian Express. On Sept. 30, 2015, Moscow launched its air campaign.

Russia kept only about 50 warplanes at Hemeimeem, but they operated at a frenetic pace, each flying several sorties a day. Most of the Russian air force personnel were rotated through the base, giving them combat experience.

At the same time, Moscow expanded and upgraded its naval base in Tartus, the only such outpost outside the former USSR. It deployed special operations forces for critical ground missions and sent hundreds of military advisers to train Syrian troops and direct their operations. Mercenaries from Yevgeny Prigozhins Wagner Group military contractor also joined the battle.

The military intervention allowed Assad to reclaim control of most of Syria, making the Kremlin a key power broker in the Middle East and boosting Russias prestige. Putin's triumphal visit to Hemeimeem on Dec. 11, 2017, came a week after Russia declared victory over the Islamic State group in Syria and shortly after he announced a reelection bid for 2018.

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It was Russias first military operation outside the former Soviet Union since the USSR's collapse in 1991 and gave Moscow a chance to test its latest weapons in combat. That military success emboldened Putin and was a key factor that contributed to his decision to invade Ukraine in 2022.

Why did Russia fail to keep Assad in power?

After helping Assad regain control over most Syria, Russia urged him to engage in talks with moderate opposition groups. Buoyed by opposition defeats, however, Assad staunchly resisted any initiatives aimed at national reconciliation.

Trying to minimize its costs in Syria, Russia has increasingly focused on maintaining the shaky and inefficient status quo, preserving the crumbling and delegitimized Assad regime without any perspectives, said Ruslan Pukhov, a Moscow-based military expert, in an analysis.

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During recent contacts between Syrian and Turkish officials that Moscow helped broker this year, Assads government showed little interest in compromise - a recalcitrance that paved the way for the offensive by Turkey-backed opposition groups that ousted Assad.

Syrias economic woes, exacerbated by isolating international sanctions, weakened the country and its military. The demoralized Syrian army quickly crumbled under the brunt of the opposition offensive, a rapid meltdown that Tehran and Moscow couldn't avert with the small contingents they had in Syria.

Russia dedicated the bulk of its assets to the war in Ukraine, while Iran, weakened by international sanctions and locked in a tense standoff with Israel, similarly lacked resources to help Assad.

Alexander Dugin, an ideologue linked to some hawkish Kremlin circles, called Assads demise as a painful blow to Russia.

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The Assad regime that we supported through enormous efforts collapsed in just a few days. Its very sad, Dugin said.

What happens to Russian assets in Syria?

With Assads demise, the future of Russia bases in Syria  its only military foothold outside the former Soviet Union  is in question.

The number of Russian warplanes at Hemeimeem air base has shrunk from several dozen to just a few, although it continues to be a key logistics point. Russian military cargo planes ferrying private contractors and supplies to Africa used it for refueling, and its loss would pose logistical problems for operations there.

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The importance of Syria for Russias operations in Africa has been invaluable, Moscow-based Middle East expert Nikolai Sukhov said in televised comments.

The Tartus naval base is used by Russian warships for maintenance, refueling and replenishing supplies on visits to the Mediterranean. While opposition forces that eventually ousted Assad swept across Syria in late November, the Russian navy and air force held drills in the eastern Mediterranean, with Tartus as its operational center.

Even as Putin granted Assad and his family an asylum in Russia, Moscow reached out to the new Syrian authorities to try to ensure the security of its bases and to extend their stay. An opposition flag quickly was hoisted at the Syrian Embassy in Moscow.

Asked about the bases, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said it would be a topic for future discussions with the new authorities.

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For now, we are witnessing a period of transformation and extreme instability, so it will obviously take time and require a serious conversation with those who will have power, he said.

Syria's new leaders reportedly promised not to attack Russian military facilities.

Bronwen Maddox, director and chief executive at Chatham House, noted in a commentary that whatever government emerges in Damascus is expected  for the moment - to respect the deal that Assad struck granting Russia use of a military base on the Syrian coast.

But she added that this important asset is vulnerable, and that risks Russia's regional influence.

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What does Assad's demise mean for Russia?

Assad's rapid downfall dealt a heavy blow to Putin at a time when he is preparing for a new U.S. administration and what that means for the war in Ukraine. President-elect Donald Trump has pledged to negotiate an end to the conflict.

Many observers note that the humiliating loss of Russia's only ally in the Middle East has dented Kremlin prestige on the global stage and could weaken Putins hand in any negotiations on Ukraine.

The key issue is how Moscow will now try to adapt to the new realities and whether it will have enough flexibility to deal with the new masters of Syria, who seem to be interested in avoiding conflict with Moscow for now, Tatiana Stanovaya of the Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center wrote in a commentary.

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There is also the possibility that Putin could take an even more uncompromising stance in negotiations to avoid looking weak.

Assads collapse has also shaken Putin, making him less inclined to demonstrate flexibility with Ukraine, Stanovaya added. The war in Ukraine has, to some extent, cost him Syria, which reinforces his unwillingness to compromise.
Pilot inspects exhaust nozzle before taking off

China Military Online) 13:06, December 09, 2024

A pilot assigned to an aviation brigade with the air force under Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command inspects the exhaust nozzle before taking off for a nighttime flight training exercise. The exercise started at midnight and lasted until dawn. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Wang Guoyun)

A pilot assigned to an aviation brigade with the air force under Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command climbs to the cockpit during a nighttime flight training exercise. The exercise started at midnight and lasted until dawn. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Wang Guoyun)

Ground crew members assigned to an aviation brigade with the air force under Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command inspect a J-10 fighter jet during a nighttime flight training exercise. The exercise started at midnight and lasted until dawn. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Wang Guoyun)

A J-10 fighter jet attached to an aviation brigade with the air force under Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command takes off for a nighttime flight training exercise. The exercise started at midnight and lasted until dawn. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Wang Guoyun)

A J-10 fighter jet attached to an aviation brigade with the air force under Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command takes off for a nighttime flight training exercise. The exercise started at midnight and lasted until dawn. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Wang Guoyun)

A J-10 fighter jet attached to an aviation brigade with the air force under Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command slows down with drag parachute after landing on the runway in a nighttime flight training exercise. The exercise started at midnight and lasted until dawn. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Wang Guoyun)

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 9. Azerbaijan's hosting of COP29 has positioned the country as a key player in the global transition to green energy. Through strategic partnerships and a strong commitment to renewables, Azerbaijan is looking to expand its green energy sector while simultaneously deepening its economic ties with major international players in the field.

Azerbaijans green energy ambitions

Azerbaijan has long been a key energy producer in the region, but its focus is increasingly shifting toward sustainable alternatives. With abundant renewable resources, particularly in solar and wind energy, the country has the potential to generate over 27 GW of electricity from renewables. The government has set a target to achieve 30% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, aligning with global climate goals.

Recent collaborations with Masdar, a prominent renewable energy company, have led to the launch of significant projects. These include the 445 MW Bilasuvar solar PV project, the 315 MW Neftchala Solar PV Project, and the 240 MW Absheron-Garadagh onshore wind project. Combined, these initiatives aim to generate approximately 2.3 billion kWh annually, save over 500 million cubic meters of natural gas, and reduce carbon emissions by more than 1 million tons.

Additionally, Masdar inaugurated Azerbaijan's first utility-scale solar project, the 230 MW Garadagh solar plant, in October 2023. The project is expected to produce 500 million kWh of electricity per year, supporting Azerbaijans energy transition goals.

These initiatives are supported by international funding from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the Asian Development Bank, and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank. The projects are part of Azerbaijan's broader strategy to position itself as a regional leader in green energy.

Moreover, the green energy corridor initiative, which connects Azerbaijan with Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria, and Georgia, demonstrates the country's commitment to linking its renewable resources to European markets, reinforcing its position as a regional leader in green energy.

The COP29 summit also provided a platform for Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan to solidify their collaboration on a green energy transit initiative. The three countries signed a strategic partnership agreement focused on developing and transmitting renewable energy. This initiative aims to supply clean energy to European and global markets while fostering projects in sustainable hydrogen and ammonia production. A key component of this collaboration is the exploration of a Black Sea submarine power cable, connecting the Caspian and Black Seas into a unified green energy corridor.

This tri-national effort not only reflects a regional commitment to the green transition but also opens avenues for broader international investment in sustainable energy infrastructure, leveraging the strategic importance of the Middle Corridor for global trade and energy flow.

International partnerships: finance and technology

Azerbaijans engagement at COP29 brought global recognition for its leadership in fostering international collaborations on green energy. In a recent interview with Trend, President of the Republic of Palau, Surangel Samuel Whipps, congratulated Azerbaijan for hosting the conference, emphasizing the importance of climate finance.

"It created an opportunity for the world to come together. It was a finance COP, it was about raising funds, finally, to get things done. [] What's most important is that we made progress. I want to congratulate the COP29 presidency for being able to deliver a finance COP and providing finance. We need to continue to focus on climate finance. I think the $300 billion is a big step, and we need to recognize that more is needed. We need to continue to be ambitious, and to work together with all parties to continue to advance in these areas," Whipps said.

Azerbaijan's role in facilitating the conversation around climate finance was praised by other international figures. Alkis Vryenios Drakinos, Regional Head of the Caucasus for the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), expressed pride in Azerbaijans achievements.

"We are particularly pleased and proud of Azerbaijan for hosting this event," Drakinos said. "I must say that the organization of this COP has been exceptionally smooth, and I extend my congratulations to the organizing committee. Hosting an event of this scale is a significant achievement on the global stage, and its something Azerbaijan can take great pride in".

In addition to financial investments, Azerbaijan is keen on collaborating with technologically advanced countries to transfer expertise and green technologies. The establishment of repair and maintenance facilities for high-tech energy equipment in Azerbaijan is part of a broader strategy to strengthen local capabilities. Azerbaijan is also focused on developing its workforce, planning to create specialized educational programs to train the next generation of green energy professionals.

Azerbaijans vision for the future

Looking ahead, Azerbaijans hosting of COP29 serves as a springboard for future green energy developments. By tapping into global financial and technological resources, Azerbaijan aims to not only diversify its energy sources but also create jobs, foster innovation, and enhance the overall economy. The event also underscored the need for continued international collaboration in addressing the challenges of climate change, and Azerbaijan is poised to be at the forefront of this global effort.

The deepening of Azerbaijan's ties with international green energy leaders through COP29 is just the beginning. Vice-Chancellor of the Federal Republic of Germany, Robert Habeck, emphasized the significance of the COP29 discussions in broadening the scope of energy transitions.

"The innovation here is that COP has traditionally focused on the green transition of the energy market and energy systems. Now, we're expanding the conversation to include entire industries. If you look at the evolution of COP, we've come a long wayfrom initial discussions to now addressing the greening of materials like steel, concrete, and cement, and setting standards for them".

Azerbaijans leadership in hosting this historic event and its ongoing commitment to the green energy transition are sure to have lasting impacts, further positioning the country as a pivotal player in the global energy landscape.
The stunning fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on Sunday has completely changed the dynamics of the Middle East, explains Joshua Landis, head of the Center for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma. Assad, says Landis, didnt appreciate the weakness of his own situation. And then, of course, once Israel destroyed Hezbollahs leadership and pinned Irans ears back, he was left naked.

The new nominal Syrian leader, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, is a radical Islamist who once fought alongside al Qaeda against the Americans in Iraq. But hes since dramatically moderated his views, says Landis, who spent more than 14 years living in the Middle East and is the author of the forthcoming book, Syria at Independence: Nationalism, Leadership, and Failure of Republicanism. And Landis says that President-elect Donald Trump has an opportunity to find ways of working with Jolani to gain leverage against Iran and Russia. America has wanted a Sunni-led state in Damascus in order to hurt Iran. And Russia. And its now got it, right? So you know  why bite the hand that you wanted now?

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

What brought on the sudden collapse of the regime of Bashar al-Assad, the former Syrian president?

Well, its taken 14 years, but the fight had gone out of the Syrian army. Soldiers werent getting paid. Officers were making $30 a month, enlisted men $10 a month. In order to feed their families officers were letting many of their soldiers go home, and then they werent even collecting the $10 a month. There was no money. Syria was bankrupt. It was also bankrupt politically and couldnt offer Syrians any sort of a brighter future.

The U.N. said earlier this year that 90 percent of Syrians were living below the poverty line, and food aid was fast disappearing.

Much of Syrias wealth, some 40 percent of its government receipts before the revolution, came from its oil and gas wells. Syria doesnt have a lot of oil, but it has enough oil for its own consumption, and that is key because today it doesnt control it, and that means that theres only an hour or two of electricity for most homes in Syria a day. It means that in wintertime, schools are freezing and people are freezing in their apartments. Its a very bad situation.

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Those wells are mostly owned by the United States today, and theyre very seriously run down, and not producing what they should be producing. So getting foreign companies in to rebuild them and to revive this entire oil industry is going to be key to the Syrian government, and that means a tug of war in the United States. And there is really no excuse for the United States to own those now. They couldnt give them up before because they were denying them, theoretically, to ISIS, but also to Russia and Iran, which are enemies of the United States. But this government of Syria today is no longer an enemy of the United States, so there is no legal pretext for holding on to these oil wells.

But the leading rebel group that just took Damascus, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is a radical Islamist group and its leader, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, once fought with al Qaeda in Iraq against the Americans  though hes since broken with the extremists publicly. So is it accurate to say that theyre not going to be an enemy of the United States?

Well, thats what obviously the United States is going to determine. Jolani has made it very clear that theres no place for extremism in Syria. He said he wants to be friends with everybody, and Syrias only enemies are Iran and Hezbollah and Assad. So hes clearly saying all the right things, and yes, the United States can say, I dont believe you, which it will do for some time, and itll try to keep all this for leverage and to justify sanctions on him and his government, to try to prevent it from rebuilding and keeping it poor. But if Jolani doesnt declare war on Washington and says that hes trying to build a government and feed people so that they can come home and refugees can return, the United States is going to look bad if it doesnt come to terms with that. And Jolani has already been reaching out to the American government, from what Ive heard from people in Washington. And so theyre going to have to engage with him and take the measure of him and his new government, but theyre going to have to act rather swiftly on this, because the entire Arab world and larger world is going to want to give this new government the benefit of the doubt.

Is he not, though, still on the U.S. terrorist list? I think theres a big price on his head.

There is a big price on his head, and there are many people in Washington who are working to get him off the terrorist list. The Washington Institute for Near East Policy has a number of people whove been arguing quite vociferously that Washington should take another look at him, and hes moderated, and that hes done many good things.

Can you talk more about how you think Jolani and HTS evolved ideologically? For example, when the Taliban took power in Afghanistan they also made noises of moderation, about wanting to engage, but theyre still a radical Islamist group. And during the time HTS ruled over the city of Idlib, its base, it was known for its brutal tactics, including sometimes torture.

True, he didnt have a democratic government. There was no democracy in Idlib. Of course, it was a strange situation with tons of refugees, but he hasnt talked about democracy in any way, shape or form, and one of the biggest U.S. demands under Assad was U.N. Resolution 2254, which calls for a democratic transition in Syria. Biden even mentioned it in his most recent speech today. So clearly Washington is holding that up as an expectation. But Jolani is much less dogmatic than, say, the Iranians, and hes shown his flexibility and ability to try to woo Syrian minorities and foreign countries.

You dont think we should fear that Syria will now be a haven for more radicalism, for al Qaeda, for the rebirth of ISIS? Even if it is true that, as you say, Jolani is making the right noises, we dont really know what he intends.

We dont. But you know, one can imagine that the legitimacy will go out of ISIS, because with Islamist rulers taking over in Damascus, there is no longer justification for fight against the unbelieving Shiites. And your average Syrian young person is not going to look at Jolani and think, Oh, hes an unbeliever, right? And so Jolani is going to have to move against ISIS as quickly as he can in order to reassure the West. And thats going to be a big test for him.

Give us a little more history on how the U.S. came to control Syrias oil and gas.

Its because ISIS controlled it along the Euphrates River where most of the big oil and gas wells are. And the United States bombed it and then took it over.  And thats what it uses to fund the Kurdish militias in the northeast.

The United States has dithered a long time over Syria since the Arab Spring began in 2011. Barack Obama didnt want to give too much aid to the Syrian rebels because he feared the possibility of an Islamist takeover just like this one. At the same time, the U.S. was opposed to Assad. So it appeared to be a policy of doing nothing, and into that vacuum, if you will, Russia stepped in 2015. Could you talk about how this evolved?

I think the CIA was put into a very difficult position in Syria because President Obama, on the one hand, wanted Assad to step aside  but at the same time, he didnt want the Syrian army to be destroyed. So he gave the CIA a horrible brief, which was to get rid of Assad without destroying the Syrian army. And that proved impossible for the United States, because the top 40 generals in the Syrian army were all Alawites [the minority Shiite sect of the Assad family]. And they werent going to dump this Alawite-led government and allow for some Sunni rebels to be running the place, because they would all be driven from their jobs  as they will be in the next few weeks. And once the rebels increasingly became dominated by al Qaeda and ISIS, America got spooked, and they turned away from the entire task of overthrowing Assad. So it was a terrible choice and thats why Russia stepped in.

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But the Americans may have been secretly relieved that Russia stepped in because it meant keeping Assads army from collapsing and being overthrown. Obamas first words [after Russias intervention] were that the U.S. is not going to go to war with Russia for Syria, and then [Russian Foreign Minister Sergei] Lavrov and [Secretary of State John] Kerry began to work on what they called de-confliction, which was dividing Syria between them. And America took everything north and east of the Euphrates River and Russia got everything else. And of course, Turkey jumped in and decided they didnt want to let Russia and Assad reconquer everything. So they created a buffer zone in Idlib and northern Aleppo province for themselves, in which these militias [like HTS] took refuge.

Did Assad fall because he was simply continuing to rely far too much on Iran and Russia?

Absolutely. And he was arrogant. He didnt appreciate the weakness of his own situation. And then, of course, once Israel destroyed Hezbollahs leadership and pinned Irans years back, he was left naked.

Wasnt Russias lack of support also decisive since it was so tied down in Ukraine?

I think its all three. I think Israel really changed the balance of power in the region, and thats why the rebels were champing at the bit. They wanted to take advantage of that incredible blow to Hezbollah, because Hezbollah had played such an important part in retaking Aleppo. But of course, Russia no longer provided support with its air force. So all three of those factors were key. And Assads economic support disappeared as well.



Give us the larger picture of what this means for the Middle East, especially in terms of how weakened Iran has become.

This is a big blow for Iran. Hezbollah has been decimated, and it looks like the loss of Syria means that Iran will not be able to rebuild Hezbollah. (According to Landis, Hezbollah relied on Syria for the overland transit of weapons. -Ed.) That entire argument that Hezbollah would serve as a deterrent to Israel attacking Irans nuclear facilities is now gone. Yeah, there is no deterrent. Israel can attack Irans nuclear facilities at will. And undoubtedly, [Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu is is trying to figure out whether Trump will play ball with him on that. But Iran still has a lot of capabilities, putting its own satellites in space, and its doing some very sophisticated things. So counting Iran out would be a big mistake.

And of course, Russia has lost.

This is a major, major loss for Russias foreign policy, because in the past, weve seen that Israel was one of the major suppliers of the Georgian state for its military stuff. And when Russia challenged Israel and said, Dont do it, or Im going to give the Syrians sophisticated anti-aircraft missiles, Netanyahu agreed not to supply the Georgians. For the same reason Israel has been quite deferential to Russia on Ukrainian issues, because they didnt want Russia to help Assad on the Israeli issue. So that was important leverage, along with the Russian port on the Mediterranean, and all those things are gone now.

What should be the policy of incoming President Trump, both toward Syria but more broadly toward the Middle East?

Well, I think a new page has turned. The United States has been against Assad primarily because Assad was an ally of Iran and Russia, and today, the new Syria is no longer an ally of Russia or Iran. We dont know who is going to be an ally of Syria right now, other than Turkey, right? But it is a Sunni state for the first time in 54 years. And thats significant. America has wanted a Sunni-led state in Damascus in order to hurt Iran. And Russia. And its now got it, right? So you know  why bite the hand that you wanted now? Yes, theyre more Islamist than Washington would prefer to have. But thats the reality of the Middle East.


Assad flees as Syrian rebels take control

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad ceded power and fled the country Sunday after rebel forces captured the capital, Damascus, following a rapid advance across the country. Russian state media later reported that Assad arrived in Moscow, where he is seeking asylum.

Celebrations broke out across Syria over the weekend, with statues depicting his father and predecessor, Hafez al-Assad, pulled down from their pedestals.

But in the West, there is nervousness about the rebel Islamist group that led the assault, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which has historic ties to Al Qaeda and is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. It has recently appeared to renounce more extremist elements.

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Hassan Abdul-Ghani, HTS senior commander, said in a post on WhatsApp: To the displaced people around the world, Free Syria awaits you.

President Joe Biden lauded the regimes fall Sunday, saying this is "a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country." He outlined continued U.S. involvement in Syria, including in the transition process led by the U.N.

Follow our live coverage here.

President-elect Trump sits down for his first postelection broadcast interview

President-elect Donald Trump said he is looking to pardon supporters involved in the attacks on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, as soon as his first day in office, saying those incarcerated are living in hell.

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In an exclusive interview with NBC News Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker, he also said that he will not seek to turn the Justice Department on his political foes and that some members of the House committee that investigated the Jan. 6 attack should go to jail.

Trump said he would leave decisions to Pam Bondi, whom he has said he will nominate for attorney general, about whether to investigate special counsel Jack Smith, who brought two separate federal cases against Trump that were dropped after the election.

Im not looking to go back into the past, Trump said when asked he was whether he would go after outgoing President Joe Biden. Im looking to make our country successful. Retribution will be through success.

Throughout the interview, he discussed the major policy priorities for his second term and made several false, misleading or exaggerated claims along the way.

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Watch the interview or read the full transcript here.

More interview coverage:

Politics in brief

Like "Game of Thrones": Trump has moved quickly to identify top officials for his next administration, but skipping careful vetting has led to surprise controversies and unexpected bumps for some of his picks.

Lone Star allies: Texas is preparing to work closely with the Trump administration on immigration in a reversal of its stance under Biden, with work underway to find sites that could assist deportation efforts.

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45 hours in Kash's Corner: NBC News reviewed 45 hours of an online show co-hosted by Kash Patel, Trumps pick to lead the FBI, during which he spun unfounded claims involving government officials and the medias aiming to rig elections, silence conservatives and undermine Trumps re-election.

Jay-Z accused in a lawsuit of raping a 13-year-old girl in 2000 along with Sean Combs

Jay-Z in Los Angeles on Jan. 5.

Jay-Z, the star rapper and entrepreneur whose real name is Shawn Carter, was accused in a lawsuit on Sunday of raping a 13-year-old girl in 2000 allegedly along with Sean Diddy Combs. The anonymous accuser, identified only as Jane Doe, said the assault happened after she was driven to an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty.

The lawsuit was originally filed in October in the Southern District of New York, listing Combs as a defendant. It was refiled Sunday to include Carter. Jay-Z responded with a lengthy statement calling the allegations idiotic.

These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree? he said in a statement to NBC News.

Search for CEO killer enters fifth day

New York police released two new photos of a person being sought in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

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The NYPD has said investigators have been able to track some of his movements by taxi as the investigation and the manhunt continue. There was still no identification of the person of interest as of Saturday, three sources familiar with the probe said. Here is a detailed timeline of his known movements.

A combined $60,000 in reward money is being offered by the FBI, Crime Stoppers and the NYPD for information leading to the gunmans arrest.

The bells ring again as Notre Dame reopens

Notre Dame reopened Saturday with a grand ceremony, five years after a fire nearly destroyed France's famed landmark.

Foreign dignitaries in attendance included President-elect Donald Trump, first lady Jill Biden, Prince William and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. French President Emmanuel Macron met with Zelenskyy and Trump before the ceremony.

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Hundreds flocked to Notre Dames first Sunday Mass to mark its rebirth and witness the consecration of its altar. Score of workers painstakingly restored the cathedral to its former glory.

"It has been an absolutely beautiful thing to witness and be a part of," said a carpenter from Massachusetts who worked on the restoration. "Visitors will be completely blown away by just how beautiful it is inside."

South Korean presidents impeachment fails

An image of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is raised at a rally in Seoul calling for his ouster on Dec. 5.

The effort to impeach South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived declaration of martial law failed Saturday after lawmakers from his party left parliament on masse, leaving the opposition eight votes short of the two-thirds majority needed for the impeachment motion to succeed.

Earlier Saturday, Yoon apologized for his actions in a brief nationally televised address, saying he regrets causing anxiety and inconvenience to the public. The six-hour declaration ignited public anger against him and calls for his removal from office.

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I will not evade the legal and political responsibility regarding this declaration of martial law, Yoon continued.

Opposition lawmakers had said that if the impeachment motion didnt pass, they would come back to it Wednesday.

End of an Era(s)

Tears will be ricocheting as Taylor Swift's record-shattering world tour draws to a close Sunday night with a final stop in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Since it kicked off in March 2023, the Eras Tour has spanned 149 shows in 53 cities around the world, attracting more than 10 million fans.

The Federal Reserve has credited the tour with boosting the U.S. economy by fueling tourism, while a filmed version of the concert, released in October, became the highest-grossing domestic concert film ever by the end of its opening weekend.

In case you missed it

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Looters in the palace: Rebels toppled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime over the weekend. The former dictator has received asylum in Moscow.

In the past, Russia "had intervened in Syria's 13-year civil war in an effort to keep [Assad] in power," per the BBC. This time, neither Russia nor Iran really came to Assad's aid, aside from that offer of refuge. Another Assad ally, the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah, was also distracted by its own recent conflicts.

The Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and a few other rebel factions are responsible for the Assad ouster. Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani, also known as Ahmed al-Sharaa, is widely seen as the leader of the main rebel group, HTS, which has gone through several rebrands after being affiliated with Al Qaeda.

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The fall of Assad happened over the course of the last few weeks.

"An armed rebel alliance charged across Syria over 11 days," reports CNN, "sweeping through major cities and reigniting a conflict that had been largely static since a 2020 ceasefire agreement.Syrian and Russian jets had targeted rebels in Aleppo and Idlib but opposition forces seized a second major city of Hama and quickly advanced on Homsthe gateway to the capital Damascus." After Homs fell, the rebels came into Damascus and declared Assad desposed. Prisoners were freed across the country, and the presidential palace was ransacked. Border checkpoints were emptied of guards.

Assad was a brutal tyrant, but it is not clear that HTS, and the factions they're uniting, will be an improvement. The country has been plunged into greater chaos, and antagonists in the region are behaving opportunistically, as one might expect.

"Israeli ground forces advanced beyond the demilitarized zone on the Israel-Syria border over the weekend, marking Israel's first overt entry into Syrian territory since the early 1970s, officials said," reports The New York Times. Israeli authorities claim the incursion is temporary, "hoping to head off any threat that could emerge in the fallout of president Bashar al-Assad's overthrow," per Reuters, and that airstrikes in the area are aimed at stamping out remaining stores of weapons.

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The Turkish military "fired on U.S.-backed Kurdish forces in northern Syria over the weekend," reports The New York Times. It adds that this "illustrates how the interests of Turkey and the United States diverge over support for the Kurds, who have been instrumental partners for the U.S. in fighting Islamic State."

Meanwhile in domestic politics: Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (DN.Y.) announced Friday that she wants to be the top Democrat on the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, a vacant position that would customarily be filled by someone more seniorin this case, 74-year-old Rep. Gerald E. Connolly, an eight-term incumbent from Virginia. If she gets the job, Ocasio-Cortez would become the youngest Democrat to lead a House committee; the mere act of seeking the job signals that she's serious about rising, both within the House of Representatives and within her own party.

A third DemocratCalifornia's Ro Khannasaid he had been mulling a run but that he would move aside to allow Ocasio-Cortez to lead.

"The Oversight Committee position became available after [Maryland Rep. Jamie] Raskin, 61, successfully challenged Representative Jerrold Nadler, 77, of New York for the top Democratic slot on the Judiciary Committee," reports The New York Times.

Scenes from New York: "A judge granted a motion from Manhattan prosecutors to dismiss the more serious charge of second-degree manslaughter against Daniel Penny on Friday in his trial over the chokehold death of Jordan Neely on a New York City subway last year," reports CNN. "The ruling clears the way for the jury to consider a remaining lesser charge of criminally negligent homicide. It came after a Manhattan jury said they were deadlocked twice on the manslaughter charge and Penny's defense attorneys renewed their motion for a mistrial."

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It remains to be seen whether the jury can come to a consensus. More background on Penny and Neely here.

QUICK HITS

Did bitcoin win the election? Zach Weissmueller and I asked Nic Carter, a great and worthwhile follow if you're interested in this cluster of topics:

Genuinely clownish article by @amacker at WaPo, betrays total lack of expertise on the topic. Embarrassing "let's ask the critics and call them experts" kind of piece. https://t.co/cC1U5ssXFK  nicmas ???? cheerter (@nic__carter) December 8, 2024

Wow, that was a lot of self-promotion, I feel queasy, but can you, dear reader, stomach just a little more? We are nearing the end of Reason's Webathonthat time of year when we harass you all for a little dough to help support our journalism. If you like JAQ or Reason Roundup, please mention this in the comment of your donation.

"China's top leaders plan to loosen monetary policy and expand fiscal spending in 2025, as Beijing braces for a trade war when Donald Trump takes office," reports Bloomberg. "Top officials on Monday also made direct pledges to 'stabilize property and stock markets' and for the first time promised 'extraordinary' counter-cyclical policy adjustmentCommunist Party speak for more uncommon tools to boost the economy. Boosting consumption was given greater emphasis, something foreign officials including US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen have stressed is crucial."

Haitians are being deported in the Dominican Republic, rounded up and put in cages meant for livestock.

"A Missouri lawmaker wants to create a program which would give residents $1,000 payouts for reporting illegal immigrants in their communities to authorities," reports Newsweek. Forgive me, but I don't think giving normal people incentives to become bounty-hunting vigilantes will be a net positive for liberty.

Will they ever learn?

"Democrats began their meeting on Thursday with a "land acknowledgement," a symbolic gesture that grants that the land a person is standing on previously belonged to Native Americans" https://t.co/RsMgAorS16  Anthony LaMesa (@ajlamesa) December 8, 2024

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The post Assad Gone at Last appeared first on Reason.com.
Syrian President Bashar Assad and his family have been granted asylum in Russia and arrived in Moscow on Sunday after the Syrian government fell.

The rebels victory early Sunday concluded a 10-day offensive in which fighters seized much of what had been government-held land and effectively ended the Assad familys 50-year rule of the country.

Reports indicated Assad fled the capital before opposition fighters entered. Reports said he had left the country and was heading to an undisclosed location.

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According to Russian state outlet TASS, Assad and his family arrived in Moscow and were being guided by humanitarian considerations, meaning Russia granted them asylum.

Russia has always spoken in favor of a political settlement of the Syrian crisis, a source in the Kremlin told the outlet. We insist that the U.N.-mediated talks be resumed.

The source said Russian officials are in touch with members of the Syrian opposition. The opposition leaders have guaranteed security of Russian military bases and diplomatic missions, the source said.

Syrian Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali said in a video that the government was ready to extend its hand to the opposition forces and work toward a transitional government.

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Iranian state media reported Assad left the country. Iran has been his main backer in the ongoing Syrian civil war.

Citizens took to the streets in celebration of the momentous time in Syrias civil war. The revolt has raised questions about what lies ahead for the country and region.

President Biden called Assads fall from power a fundamental act of justice but also said the moment was full of risk and uncertainty.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Maya Gebeily and Timour Azhari

DAMASCUS (Reuters) -Ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's prime minister said he had agreed on Monday to hand power to the rebel-led Salvation Government, a day after the rebels seized the capital Damascus and Assad fled to Russia.

The imminent transfer of power follows 13 years of civil war and the end to more than 50 years of brutal rule by the Assad family, leaving Syrians at home and millions of refugees abroad hopeful yet deeply uncertain about their country's future.

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Oil prices rose more than 1% on Monday, partly on concerns that uncertainty in Syria, which is not a major oil producer, could raise regional instability, analysts said.

Damascus stirred to life on Monday, with traffic returning to streets and people venturing out after a nighttime curfew, but most shops remained shut.

Fighters from the remote countryside milled about in the capital, clustering in the central Umayyad Square.

"We had a purpose and a goal and now we are done with it. We want the state and security forces to be in charge," said Firdous Omar, who said he had battled the Assad government since 2011 and now looked forward to resuming work as a farmer in provincial Idlib.

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Assad's prime minister, Mohammed Jalali, told Al Arabiya TV he had agreed to hand power to the Salvation Government, an administration based in rebel-held territory in northwest Syria.

He said the handover could take days to carry out.

The main rebel commander Ahmed al-Sharaa, better known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, met overnight with Jalali and Vice President Faisal Mekdad to discuss a transitional government, a source familiar with the discussions told Reuters. Golani has vowed to rebuild Syria.

Al Jazeera television reported the transitional authority would be headed by Mohamed al-Bashir, who ran the Salvation Government before the 12-day lightning offensive swept into Damascus.

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The advance of a militia alliance spearheaded by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a former al-Qaeda affiliate, was a generational turning point for the Middle East.

The rebel sweep ends a war that killed hundreds of thousands, caused one of the biggest refugee crises of modern times and left cities bombed to rubble, countryside depopulated and the economy hollowed out by global sanctions.

QATAR OPENS CONTACTS

Assad's police state was known as one of the harshest in the Middle East, holding hundreds of thousands of political prisoners. On Sunday, elated inmates poured out of jails.

Refugees could finally go home from camps across Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan. European countries put Syrians' asylum applications on hold pending greater clarity on the situation in Damascus.

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Regional governments including Iran scrambled on Monday to forge new links with the insurgents. Qatar opened contacts with HTS and planned to speak with Bashir on Tuesday, an official told Reuters.

The U.S. has been in communication with Syrian groups including through intermediaries, the State Department said.

The Arab world faces the task of reintegrating one of the Middle East's pivotal states, while containing the militant Sunni Islam that has in the past metastasized into the sectarian violence of Islamic State.

Highlighting the fluidity of Syria's political situation, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday predicted Islamic State would try to re-establish its capabilities in the country during the transition.

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But he said the U.S. was determined not to let that happen, citing U.S. strikes on about 75 Islamic State targets in central Syria on Sunday.

HTS is still designated as a terrorist organization by many states and the UN, although the UK said it could consider lifting the label. The group has spent years trying to soften its image to reassure foreign nations and minority groups within Syria.

SAUDI ARABIA SAYS ISRAEL UNDERMINES SYRIA

One of the last areas to fall to the insurgents was the Mediterranean coast, heartland of Assad's Alawite sect and site of Russia's naval base. Two Alawite residents said so far the situation had been better than expected, seemingly without retribution against Alawites.

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Near Latakia, a rebel delegation met with elders in the Assad family's hometown of Qardaha, and the Alawites signed a statement of support for the rebels, three residents told Reuters.

Assad's fall wipes out one of the main bastions from which Iran and Russia wielded regional power. Turkey, long aligned with Assad's foes, emerges strengthened.

Israel said Assad's fall was a direct consequence of Israel's punishing assault on Iran's Lebanese allies Hezbollah, who had propped up Assad for years.

Since rebels entered Damascus, Israel has struck sites in Syria including bombing at least three major Syrian army air bases on Monday. Israeli officials said those airstrikes would carry on for days to keep Assad's former arsenal of heavy weapons out of hostile hands.

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Saudi Arabia said Israel's seizure of a buffer zone in the Golan Heights would "ruin Syria's chances of restoring security."

But Israel told the U.N. Security Council that it was not intervening in Syria's conflict and had taken "limited and temporary measures" solely to protect its security.

The Kremlin said it was too early to know the future of Russia's military bases in Syria. Russian news agencies reported that rebel leaders had guaranteed the safety of those bases.

(Reporting by Maya Gebeily and Timour Azhari in Damascus; Suleiman al-Khalidi in Amman; Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem; Andrew Mills in Doha; Tom Perry and Laila Bassam in Beirut; Jaidaa Taha and Adam Makary in Cairo; Clauda Tanios, Nadine Awadallah and Tala Ramadan in Dubai; Writing by Peter Graff, Phil Stewart, Patricia Zengerle and Cynthia Osterman; Editing by Toby Chopra, Rod Nickel and Alistair Bell)
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Syrias 13-year civil war is over.

President Joe Biden says the Syrian president Bashar Assad fled his country over the weekend.

Also, this weekend President-elect Donald Trump met with the Ukrainian president as he suggests the U.S. will probably reduce military support in Ukraines fight with Russia.

President Biden said over the weekend this is an opportunity for the people of Syria to forge their own future.

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Russian state media reports Bashar Assad and his family are in Moscow.

Theres excitement in the Syrian capital of Damascus and around the world after the end of Syrias 13-year civil war.

The Assad regime has fallen, said Biden.

President Biden calls it a moment of historic opportunity.

Prosecutors say former Syrian president Bashar Assad used the military and chemical weapons on his own people bolstered by partners overseas but with Iran backed groups, Hamas and Hezbollah, locked in battle with Israel, and Russia calling on North Korea to help in its battle with Ukraine, Assads allies appeared reluctant to intervene.

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The upshot for all this isfor the first time ever, either Russia, nor Iran, nor Hezbollah could defend the support regime in Syria, said Biden.

President-elect Donald Trump said, It certainly seems like the world is going a little crazy right now.

Over the weekend President-elect Trump met with French president Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Trump says he will likely reduce U.S. aid for Ukraine and said in a TV interview hes working to end the war with Russia.

President-elect Trump would not answer when asked whether hes spoken to Russian president Vladimir Putin since the election, but he called for an immediate ceasefire in the nearly three-year war between Russia and Ukraine.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
As Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad's regime collapsed in a matter of days, Russia's influence in the Middle East appeared to wane.

Preoccupied with its all-out war against Ukraine, Russia was unable to prevent the Dec. 8 downfall of its main ally in the region. The stunning rapidity of the rebels' offensive also made it hard for Russia to gather resources to boost Assad's defenses.

As Assad has fled Syria and has been granted asylum in Russia, the fate of Russian military bases in Syria now hangs in the balance. The Kremlin's international prestige has also suffered a heavy blow.

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The implications of Assad's overthrow for Ukraine are less certain.

Some analysts argue that the regime's collapse will strengthen Ukraine's position in potential peace talks with Russia.

"(Assad's downfall) will serve as a major motivator for those opposed to Russia's war in Ukraine and galvanize international support for Ukraine with a renewed belief that Russia can be defeated," Neil Quilliam, a Middle East expert at Chatham House, told the Kyiv Independent.

Read also: Assad regime collapse in Syria exposes weakness of Russia, Iran, EUs top diplomat says

Why did Assad fall so fast?

The lightning speed of the regime's collapse surprised observers.

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"The state institutions and the military had been hollowed out over the years, and the regime focused primarily on enriching itself rather than providing services to its population, reforming the military, and engendering loyalty to the state," Quilliam said. "It collapsed because the state and the population suffered a decade of neglect, and Assad squandered the ceasefire years instead of building up support."

David Butter, another Middle East expert at Chatham House, told the Kyiv Independent that Assad's government collapsed because "it was brutal and corrupt", and he "was happy exploiting the frozen war economy for the gain of his inner circle."

"The most important reasons (for the regime's collapse) include the astonishing weakness of its military forces, especially due to low morale and corruption, and the lack of meaningful social support behind the regime," Mate Szalai, a research fellow focusing on the Middle East at the Netherlands' Clingendael Institute, told the Kyiv Independent.

"It is also true that the largest opposition alliance in Idlib led by Tahrir al-Sham managed to strengthen its institutional and military capacities to a greater extent than most anticipated."

Photo for illustrative purposes. Russian soldiers walk past a Russian military police armored vehicle at a position in the northeastern Syrian city of Kobane on Oct. 23, 2019. (AFP via Getty Images)

Due to the inherent weakness of the regime and its armed forces, little was needed to topple it.

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"Once (the Islamist group) Tahrir al-Sham breached the few better front-line units Assad had, the rest just unraveled," Sascha Bruchmann, a military analyst at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies, told the Kyiv Independent.

Allies' failure to keep Assad in power

Quilliam said that Syria's main allies, Russia and Iran, "provided very little support" to Assad's regime as it was collapsing.

"Both Russia and Iran are overstretched at present through their respective wars with Ukraine and Israel, and both lost faith in Assad to be a reliable security partner and so lost hope in being able to deploy forces and reverse rebel advances," he said.

"Iran and Hezbollah have been vanquished by Israel, and so lacked the capacity to prevent the regime from falling, and the same goes for Russia."

Syrians wave flag of Russia and a portrait of President Bashar al-Assad during a rally in support of Russia in the Syrian capital Damascus, on March 25, 2022.(Louai Beshara/AFP via Getty Images)

Butter said that "Hezbollah had been pulled out to fight in Lebanon" and "Iran's forces generally had been weakened by Israeli strikes."

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"Russian air power was not useful  ok for hitting a few hospitals but not in sustained support of ground forces, which anyway had run away," he added.

Szalai argued that Russia and Iran "could have provided a bit more than they did in the last days, so it was not only a question of capabilities but also of political will."

"Despite being allies, both Moscow and Tehran were frustrated with Assad," he continued.

The speed of the rebels' offensive was also crucial for their success.

"Iran mustered forces, and the Russians flew air strikes against Tahrir al-Sham," Bruchmann said. "However, the collapse of Assad's forces was too fast. The Russians and Iranians could not stiffen up Assad's forces and took too long to organize a defense."

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He added that "the fall of Deir ez-Zor and key roads in Eastern Syria meant that the vital land bridge from Iran through Iraq and into Syria was under threat while Israeli air superiority stopped Iranian military airlifts."

"The Russians knew they could not count on the Syrian army and pulled out their navy vessels from Tartus," Olli Ruohomaki, a Middle East expert at the Finnish Institute of International Affairs, told the Kyiv Independent. "(Russian military intelligence) saw the writing on the wall that this was not going to end up well."

Another problem was a lack of Syrian soldiers' motivation.

"They tried to (prevent Assad's downfall) but they failed because Assad's soldiers were not willing to fight," Matteo Colombo, a Middle East expert at the Clingendael Institute, told the Kyiv Independent.

A blow to Russia's influence in the Middle East

The collapse of Assad's regime is seen as a major blow to Russia's influence in the Middle East and its global clout.

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"Russia was once admired by Middle Eastern states for being a dependable ally and was often compared to the U.S., which is characterized as a fair-weather friend," Quilliam said. "Russia has now lost that reputation, which has sent shock waves through the Middle East. As such, its influence will diminish."

Szalai argued that "the fall of Assad's regime is bad news for Russia but it is even worse news for Iran."

"From Moscow's perspective, Assad was the closest ally of the Kremlin in the region, and its bases enabled Russia to project power in the Middle East and Africa," he said. "Since 2015, the survival of the Assad regime has been the symbol and 'proof' that any government can survive with Russian military help. Now, this message is severely undermined."

He also said that the collapse of Assad's regime "undermined Iran's forward defense security strategy" since Syria "served as a bridge between its allies in Iraq and Lebanon."

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Michael Sahlin, a former Swedish ambassador to Turkey and a Middle East specialist at the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, also said that it was a huge loss for Russia since the Syrian bases "were important for its Africa policy" and allowed the Kremlin to penetrate into former French colonies in Africa.

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization leaders' summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on Sept. 16, 2022. (Getty Images)

Bruchmann agreed, saying that "Iran and Russia lost relative power to Turkey."

"Russia has rebranded itself as a staunch supporter of allies in the global South after defending Assad from 2015 on," he said. "That reputation must take a dent. Iran is losing its land corridor to an already embattled Hezbollah  its premier proxy."

The fate of Russian bases

The main risk for Russia is the potential loss of its military bases in Syria. These include the Tartus naval base, the Khmeimim air base, and smaller military facilities in other parts of the country.

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Russian state news agency TASS reported on Dec. 9 that the rebels had taken over the provinces of Tartus and Latakia, where the Tartus and Khmeimim bases are located.

Meanwhile, Russia has begun withdrawing its naval and military assets from Syria amid the collapse of Assad's regime, Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) said on Dec. 8.

"The current withdrawal is to avoid a disastrous last minute flight like the American withdrawal from Kabul," Erwin van Veen, a Middle East expert at the Clingendael Institute, told the Kyiv Independent.

Sahlin also said that "Russia has started to abandon the bases, and there is a trend for (the Russians) to leave Syria." He added that they did not want their military equipment to be destroyed or captured by the rebels.

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TASS reported on Dec. 9, citing an official in Syria's Latakia province, that the rebels did not intend to storm the Russian bases. The news agency also cited Kremlin sources as saying that Russia was in talks with the rebels on ensuring the safety of Russian diplomats and bases in Syria.

However, analysts say it will be hard for Russia to keep the bases.

Russian President Vladimir Putin addresses troops during his visit at Khmeimim Air Base in Latakia, Syria on Dec. 11, 2017. (Kremlin Press Office / Handout/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

"It is difficult to imagine that Russia will be able to hold on to the bases given Moscow's unerring support of Assad until recently," Quilliam said. "Russia's targeting of schools and hospitals will never be forgotten by Syrians and international observers. It will be a major strategic loss for Russia."

Ruohomaki and Colombo also said it would be difficult and politically costly for Russia to keep its bases in Syria because of Russia's association with Assad's regime.

Read also: Kremlin dismisses commander of Russian forces in Syria amid significant losses, Ukraines military intelligence says

What does it mean for Ukraine?

Russia's decreasing influence in the Middle East and potential loss of bases may indirectly help Ukraine, analysts say.

Quilliam said that Assad's ouster could potentially boost Ukraine's leverage in future peace talks with Russia.

"Russia's exit from Syria shows that it is not invincible and that its capacity is compromised and morale amongst its force must now be even lower, and that provides negotiators with significant leverage," he added.

Other analysts argued that it is not clear what impact Assad's debacle could have on peace talks in Ukraine.

"For this to impact future negotiations, the loss of prestige will first have to translate in changed perceptions around the globe," Bruchmann said. "Unfortunately, that may take some time before capitals in the global South realize Russian support is not a real guarantee for any security problem they may face."

"However, if Russia loses access to the port of Tartus, it would weaken its position in the Mediterranean significantly and may decrease the latent threat vis-a-vis Europe," he added.

Butter said that he doesn't "see much material impact on the Ukraine war, but it is bad for Putin's image."

"(U.S. President-elect Donald) Trump has already hinted that the Syria debacle makes Putin a loser," he added.

Trump said on Dec. 8 that Russia "was not interested in protecting (Assad) any longer."

"There was no reason for Russia to be there in the first place," he wrote. "They lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine ... a war that should never have started and could go on forever."

At the same time, Russia may redirect some or all of its troops and equipment from Syria to Ukraine. But the impact of this may be negligible.

"There aren't that many Russian troops in Syria to make a material impact on the battlefield in Ukraine," Bruchmann said.

"I don't have any good numbers, but it's probably one squadron at the air base and a few battalions of light infantry and military police. On the flip side, it will be harder to recruit Syrians from now on. It's probably another net loss for Russia, but not dramatic compared to what they lose in Ukraine every week now."

Read also: Russia seeks Turkeys help to withdraw troops from Syria, CNN Turk reports

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
By Anthony Deutsch

THE HAGUE (Reuters) -The downfall of Syria's Bashar al-Assad, found to have used chemical weapons against his own people on multiple occasions during the civil war, creates an opportunity to rid the country of banned munitions, diplomatic sources said on Monday.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said it was following the situation in Syria with "special attention" to chemical weapons-related sites and had reminded Syria, through its embassy, of its continued obligation to declare and destroy all banned chemical weapons.

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A team at OPCW has spent more than a decade trying to clarify what types of chemical weapons Syria still possesses, but has made little progress due to obstruction by Assad's government, it said.

"To date, this work has continued, and the Syrian declaration of its chemical weapons programme still cannot be considered as accurate and complete," the OPCW statement said.

A diplomatic source said Assad's government had been "playing cat and mouse with us for years" and that "we are convinced that they still had an ongoing programme."

"It costs millions and millions of dollars without making any progress," said the source, speaking on condition of anonymity. "So it really is a great opportunity now to get rid of (chemical weapons) for good. This is the moment."

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Security guarantees will need to be arranged before any deployment by OPCW inspectors. That would require contacting new power brokers in Syria, possibly rebel forces in the alliance that toppled Assad, such as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a former al Qaeda affiliate labelled a terrorist group by some governments.

Past missions have not been free of risk. Members of a United Nations-OPCW mission to Syria were hit by explosives and AK-47 fire while trying to reach the site of a chemical attack in the northern town of Kafr Zita in May 2014.

Assad's government and its Russian allies always denied using chemical weapons against opponents in the civil war, which erupted in March 2011.

Three investigations - a joint U.N.-OPCW mechanism, the OPCW's Investigation and Identification team, and a U.N. war crimes investigation - concluded that Syrian government forces used the nerve agent sarin and chlorine barrel bombs in attacks during the civil war that killed or injured thousands.

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A French court issued an arrest warrant for Assad which was upheld on appeal over the use of banned chemical weapons against civilians.

EVIDENCE

Syria's undeclared chemical weapons pose "a proliferation risk," U.S. Ambassador to the OPCW, Nicole Shampaine, said in a statement on Monday. "We hope that developments in Syria in the last several days will lead to ...Syrian compliance with its international obligations."

A special session of the OPCW's executive council was scheduled for Thursday.

Syria declared 1,300 tons of banned chemical weapons after joining the OPCW in 2013. The weapons were destroyed, but weapons inspectors have since found evidence of an ongoing programme that violated the 1997 Chemical Weapons Convention overseen by the OPCW.

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The OPCW has conducted 28 rounds of consultations with Assad's government, but a list of unexplained inconsistencies has only grown.

A recent assessment said 19 outstanding issues included "potentially undeclared full-scale development and production of chemical weapons at two declared chemical weapons-related facilities," OPCW chief Fernando Arias said in November.

Among thousands of victims of suspected chemical weapons attack were more than 1,000 killed in a sarin gas attack on Aug. 21, 2013 in the Damascus suburb Ghouta, and around 100 killed in an April 4, 2017 gas attack on Khan Sheikhoun in northern Syria. The systematic use of chlorine barrel bombs has killed and injured hundreds more, the OPCW has found.

(Reporting by Anthony DeutschEditing by Ros Russell)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 9. The Bucharest Stock Exchange (BVB), in partnership with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), has introduced an updated corporate governance code, Trend reports.

This revised framework, applicable to all companies listed on BVB's main market, aims to enhance corporate resilience, improve market access, and foster sustainable business practices.

Starting with the financial year 2025, compliance with the new code will be monitored annually. To support adoption, a training program for issuers and stakeholders will begin in February 2025, featuring a launch conference.

The updated code aligns with global standards and reinforces Romanias ambition to join the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This milestone strengthens market dynamics and fosters a robust corporate environment, said Victoria Zinchuk, EBRD Head of Romania.

BVB Chairman Radu Hanga emphasized that the code signals Romanias readiness for global competition, while CEO Adrian Tanase highlighted its role in attracting new listings and advancing Romanias capital markets.

The EBRD has a longstanding partnership with BVB, supporting governance and ESG initiatives. In 2023, the EBRD invested 658 million euros in Romania, contributing to over 550 projects since 1993.
An Attleboro elementary school teacher is facing charges after allegedly assaulting two students with autism.

According to Attleboro police, on Tuesday, November 26, around 4:44 p.m. officers were contacted by a school administrator from the Thacher Elementary School reporting a staff member allegedly assaulting multiple students.

Police said their initial investigation revealed that multiple staff members witnessed 57-year-old Susan Martin, a licensed special education classroom teacher, physically assaulting students on at least two separate occasions that day.

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One 5-year-old student was reportedly slapped in the face by Martin around 11:55 a.m. and another 5-year-old student was reportedly pushed and slapped by Martin around 1 p.m.. Police say both victims are diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Both incidents were witnessed by several other staff members and occurred in a classroom setting.

Investigators say they learned that the first incident was reported to school administrators between 1:00 p.m. and 1:30 p.m., approximately three hours prior to being reported to the police. The second incident then came to light after school administrators began speaking with other staff members after the first incident was reported.

Police say that school administrators had asked Martin to leave the school after being placed on administrative leave several hours prior to reporting the incident to the police.

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The District continues to support the affected students and their families during this difficult time, said Attleboro Public Schools Superintendent David Sawyer.

Police were able to obtain an arrest warrant and charge Martin on two counts of assault and battery on a person with an intellectual disability. Investigators learned that Martin was on a planned vacation to Florida so she was unable to be immediately arrested.

Martin was taken into custody at her home in Kingston on Monday, December 9.

The allegations represent a profound betrayal of the trust our community places in educators and the values we hold dear as a public school district, Sawyer said. I would like to reiterate that the safety and well-being of our students are our highest priorities. We have taken this situation very seriously since it was brought to our attention, and we are committed to collaborating with our law enforcement partners in their ongoing investigation, he added.

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Martin is scheduled to be arraigned in Attleboro District Court on Monday.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WPRI)  An Attleboro special education teacher accused of slapping two students with autism last month was arrested Monday morning, according to police.

Police said Susan Martin, 57, hit a 5-year-old in the face and later slapped and pushed another 5-year-old at Thacher Elementary School. Both incidents reportedly took place in a classroom and were witnessed by other staff members.

According to a criminal complaint obtained by 12 News, Martin is a licensed special education teacher managing a classroom of 11 students, many of whom have significant special needs and are nonverbal or have limited speech. She was hired by Attleboro Public Schools in August.

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The first incident reportedly occurred around noon on Nov. 26, just before a fire alarm sounded. Police said the student was yelling and attempting to get out of their chair when Martin slapped the child across the cheek, leaving a visible mark. A staff member witnessed the slap but was interrupted by the fire alarm before reporting it. The student was later brought to the school nurse, who police said documented the injury.

The second incident occurred around 1 p.m. that same day, during a lesson by an adjustment counselor, according to the complaint. The student reportedly attempted to get up several times but was pushed down by Martin. The child swung at her face but did not make contact, the complaint said, however, Martin responded by slapping the child across the face. No visible injury was observed.

Police said school administrators learned of the first incident between 1-1:30 p.m., with the second incident coming to light as they investigated the first report.

BACKGROUND: Attleboro teacher accused of slapping 2 students

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The complaint highlighted a significant delay in notifying police. While school officials were informed of the incidents at 1:05 p.m., police were not contacted until approximately 4:33 p.m. The assistant principal explained to investigators in the complaint that, during the delay, staff conducted interviews, contacted parents and filed reports.

Superintendent David Sawyer said Martin was immediately placed on administrative leave and asked to leave the building. The incidents were then reported to police and the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families.

The allegations represent a profound betrayal of the trust our community places in educators and the values we hold dear as a public school district, Sawyer said in a statement.

I would like to reiterate that the safety and well-being of our students are our highest priorities, he continued. We have taken this situation very seriously since it was brought to our attention, and we are committed to collaborating with our law enforcement partners in their ongoing investigation.

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Martin was arraigned Monday on two counts of assault and battery on a person with an intellectual disability. She was released on personal recognizance and ordered to have no unsupervised contact with the victims or any children under 16.

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Tony Buzbee fired back at JAY-Z after the rapper claimed the lawyer had been trying to extort him. Buzbee took to X/Twitter on Sunday after the mogul, real name Shawn Carter, slammed Buzbee for adding his name to a lawsuit accusing him of raping an underaged girl in 2000.

The Houston-based attorney had a few choice words for the entertainer, accusing Hov of trying to silence his clients who are trying to come forward with their alleged truths about Carter. Buzbee denied Carters accusations that he and his clients have been attempting to blackball him and insisted that the victim never demanded a penny from him.

Regarding the Jay Z case and his efforts to silence my clients: Mr. Carter previously denied being the one who sued me and my firm. He filed his frivolous case under a pseudonym, he typed. What he fails to say in his recent statement is my firm sent his lawyer a demand letter on behalf of an alleged victim and that victim never demanded a penny from him. Instead, she only sought a confidential mediation.

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Since I sent the letter on her behalf, Mr. Carter has not only sued me, but he has tried to bully and harass me and this plaintiff. His conduct has had the opposite impact. She is emboldened. Im very proud of her resolve. As far as the allegations in the complaint filed, we will let the filing speak for itself and will litigate the facts in court, not in the media.

Jay Z(on right) performs with Memphis Bleek at the MTV studios in New York for Spankin New Music Week on DFX. 11/17/00

Regarding Buzbees claim that Carter sued him, the attorney was previously hit with a lawsuit in November by an anonymous source. TMZ reports that the John Doe at the time accused Buzbee of extortion and claimed that the attorney had threatened to release entirely fabricated and malicious allegations of sexual assault  including multiple incidents of rape of a minor, both male and female  against Plaintiff if he refuses to comply with their demands.

Over the weekend, JAY-Z was added to a lawsuit claiming that he, along with Diddy, raped a then 13-year-old girl in 2000 at an MTV VMAs afterparty. Shawn Carter vehemently denied any wrongdoing, releasing a statement through Roc Nation.

Carter called Buzbees move a cheap suit and insisted that the attorney made a terrible error in judgment.

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What [Buzbee] had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settleNo sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion, he typed. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!

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DENVER (KDVR)  The Aurora Police Department provided an update Monday evening saying that officers had contacted the victim in a possible kidnapping investigation. Police said the victim is safe, and said the department identified everyone involved.

Detectives will continue to investigate this case and determine any applicable charges that are deemed appropriate, the police department wrote in a post on X.

No further information was immediately available.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(Bloomberg) -- Australia has signed a treaty with the Pacific nation of Nauru which gives Canberra a veto over security and infrastructure partners, dealing another blow to Chinas efforts to expand its strategic presence in the region.

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Australias Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the new pact alongside Naurus President David Adeang in Canberra on Monday, saying the treaty between the two nations would take the relationship to a new level. Its the second such agreement Australia has made with a Pacific nation in just over a year.

The treaty provides that Nauru and Australia will jointly agree to any engagement by other countries in Naurus security, banking and telecommunications sectors, Albanese said in a statement to reporters. This treaty will make our region stronger and it will make it safer.

Albanese announced a similar pact with Tuvalu following the Pacific Island Forum meeting in the Cook Islands in 2023. Both treaties are major wins for the Australian government, which has been ramping up its diplomatic efforts in the Pacific since China inked an agreement with the Solomon Islands in 2022.

Under the latest deal with Nauru, Australia will provide the nation with A$100 million ($64 million) over five years in direct budget support to strengthen Naurus economy, as well as an additional A$40 million to improve the Pacific nations security forces. The Australian government said in a statement that it expects the treaty to come into effect by the end of next year.

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The Commonwealth Bank of Australia has also agreed to provide services in Nauru from 2025 under the agreement, after Bendigo Bank departs next year.

However in its 2023 pact, Australia agreed to provide greater migration assistance for the citizens of Tuvalu who needed to flee the damaging effects of climate change, none of which appears to be part of the new deal with Nauru.

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By Alasdair Pal

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia on Monday launched an antisemitism task force following an arson attack at a synagogue in Melbourne which police say was likely terrorism.

The fire early on Friday at the Adass Israel synagogue injured one and caused widespread damage, and has strained relations between Australia and its ally Israel.

It is the third antisemitic attack in Australia this year, following the vandalism of a Jewish MP's office in Melbourne in June and antisemitic graffiti daubed on cars in Sydney's eastern suburbs, an area with a high Jewish population, last month.

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The Australian Federal Police (AFP) task force will be known as Abalight.

"Special Operation Abalight will be an agile and experienced squad of counter-terrorism investigators who will focus on threats, violence, and hatred towards the Australian Jewish community and parliamentarians," the head of the AFP Reece Kershaw told a news conference.

"In essence, they will be a flying squad to deploy nationally to incidents."

Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the attacks on the Jewish community were concerning.

"Antisemitism is a major threat, and antisemitism has been on the rise," he said.

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TERROR FEARS

Earlier on Monday, Australian police transferred the investigation into Friday's blaze to a joint counter-terrorism unit, saying the blaze was likely a terrorist attack.

State and federal police along with the country's domestic intelligence service will work in tandem to identify three suspects wanted in connection with the attack, Shane Patton, Chief Commissioner of Victoria Police, told a news conference.

"We have the best resources, best-skilled investigators, people who are expert in this field, and we will throw everything we can at this investigation to resolve it," he said.

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Police initially said on Friday it did not believe the fire met the threshold of a terror attack. Designating it a suspected terror incident gives investigators additional resources and powers that include preventative detention, Patton said.

Police have also stepped up patrols of Jewish areas in Melbourne in order to reassure the community there, he added.

Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu criticised Australia on Saturday, saying the attack could not be separated from the "anti-Israel spirit" of government policies include support of a recent U.N. motion backing a Palestinian state.

Albanese said on Sunday said the fire appeared to be a terrorist attack.

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Australia has seen an increase in antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents since the start of a war between Israel and Hamas in October last year. Some Jewish organisations have said the government has not taken sufficient action in response.

Dozens of pro-Palestine protests over the past year have remained mostly peaceful, though the government has raised concerns they could threaten social cohesion.

(Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Editing by Michael Perry)
By Renju Jose and Kirsty Needham

SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia concluded an economic and security treaty with Nauru on Monday, pledging A$100 million ($64 million) in direct budget support over five years and A$40 million to boost security in the remote Pacific island nation, which is also being courted by China.

It is the second security deal Australia has made in the Pacific Islands that effectively blocks China from forming policing ties after a similar deal with Tuvalu, and gives Australia a veto over Chinese involvement in Nauru's security, banking or telecommunications.

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Australian concern about Beijing's ambitions in the Pacific Islands grew after the Solomon Islands signed a security deal with China in 2022, and China test-fired an intercontinental ballistic missile with a dummy warhead into the Pacific in September.

A Chinese space-tracking vessel was sailing northwest of Nauru at the time of the launch.

Defence Minister Richard Marles on Monday said Australia had for the first time test-fired a Tomahawk cruise missile under a plan to boost deterrence through long-range strike capability. The missile, with an extended range of 2,500 km (1,550 miles), was fired off the west coast of the United States.

Under the treaty, Nauru must gain agreement from Australia before Chinese navy vessels use its main port, recently upgraded by a Chinese state company.

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The deal prevents third countries from accessing Nauru's critical infrastructure for security purposes, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Nauru President David Adeang told a joint press conference.

Australia will commit to ensuring Nauru keeps access to banking services, and provide budget support for education, health and other needs.

"(The deal) will strengthen Nauru's longer-term stability and economic resilience. It is also firmly in Australia's interests in a peaceful, secure and economically resilient Pacific region," Albanese said.

He said Australia would remain Nauru's primary security partner, and pledged fresh investments to support policing and national security.

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"We appreciate Australia's steadfast support as we try to address our unique development challenges while we continue diversifying our economy, exploring innovative opportunities and safeguarding our region's peace and stability," Adeang said.

Nauru is the world's third-smallest country by area and uses the Australian dollar.

In January, it switched diplomatic ties to China from Taiwan, and the Bank of China later signed an agreement to explore opportunities there.

Under the deal announced on Monday, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia will gain an exclusive right to offer banking services, filling a gap that will be left by the exit of Australia's Bendigo and Adelaide Bank next year.

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Australia operates a Regional Processing Centre for asylum seekers in Nauru that is forecast to contribute about $135 million in government revenue in 2024-25. An Australian official said the treaty was unrelated to the centre.

Nauru said in a statement on Facebook that it was exploring an air services agreement with China to boost its international connections.

($1 = 1.5640 Australian dollars)

(Reporting by Kirsty Needham and Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Alasdair Pal, Saad Sayeed, Lincoln Feast and Kevin Liffey)
(Bloomberg) -- Australian law enforcement agencies have upgraded an apparent arson attack at a synagogue in the southern city of Melbourne to a likely terrorist incident, escalating the investigation of an event that prompted Israels prime minister to directly rebuke the government in Canberra.

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Australian Federal Police believe the blaze was politically motivated and it is now the subject of a terrorism investigation, Deputy Commissioner for National Security Krissy Barrett said at a press conference on Monday. Authorities said they are seeking three suspects believed to have been involved in the attack, which took place on Friday morning in Melbournes southeastern suburbs.

Do not test the resolve or determination of the AFP or our policing and intelligence partners, Barrett told reporters. We will not tolerate crimes that undermine Australias security or our way of life.

Politicians across the spectrum have called the attack an act of antisemitism, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese telling the Australian Broadcasting Corp. shortly after the incident that it was an outrage.

The violence and intimidation and destruction at a place of worship is something that we should never see in Australia. It risks lives, its clearly aimed at creating fear in the community, he said at the time.

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However, in a post to social media site X, Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu linked the attack at the synagogue to what he described as Albaneses extreme anti-Israeli position, drawing a link to Australias recent decision to support a United Nations resolution demanding that Israel end its occupation of the Palestinian Territories.

Anti-Israel sentiment is antisemitism, Netanyahu said in the statement.

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Melbourne  Australian police said Monday they are hunting for three suspects over an arson attack on a Melbourne synagogue, designating it a terrorist act. Mask-wearing attackers set the Adass Israel Synagogue ablaze before dawn on Friday, police said, gutting much of the building. Some congregants were inside the single-story building at the time but no serious injuries were reported.



The fire sparked international condemnation, including from Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.



Police have "three suspects in that matter, who we are pursuing," Victorian police chief commissioner Shane Patton told a news conference.



Investigations over the weekend had made "significant progress," Patton said, declining to provide further details of the operation.

A member of the Jewish community staples a poster to the front of the damaged Adass Israel Synagogue in the Melbourne suburb of Ripponlea, Australia, Dec. 9, 2024. / Credit: MARTIN KEEP/AFP/Getty

Officials from the federal and state police, as well as Australia's intelligence agency, met on Monday and concluded that the fire was "likely a terrorist incident," the police chief said.

"Based on that, I am very confident that we now have had an attack, a terrorist attack on that synagogue," Patton said.

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Australia's reaction to antisemitism "on the rise"

Counterterrorism police have joined the probe. Under Australian law, a terrorist act is one that causes death, injury or serious property damage to advance a political, religious or ideological cause and is aimed at intimidating the public or a government.



The official designation unlocks help from other federal agencies for the investigation, said Australian National University terrorism researcher Michael Zekulin.



"Basically you get additional resources that you might not otherwise get," he told AFP.



There was no information to suggest further attacks were likely and Australia's terror threat assessment remained at the level of "probable," said Mike Burgess, director-general of the Australian Security and Intelligence Organization.



Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who has denounced the synagogue attack as an "outrage," announced the creation of a federal police taskforce targeting antisemitism.



"Antisemitism is a major threat and antisemitism has been on the rise," Albanese told a news conference, citing the synagogue blaze and recent vandalism.



The taskforce will be made up of federal police to be deployed across the country as needed, officials said. They will focus on threats, violence and hatred towards the Jewish community and parliamentarians.



The war in Gaza has sparked protests from supporters of Israel and the Palestinian people in cities around Australia, as in much of the world.

In January, Australian lawmakers ushered in a series of new laws in a bid to get to grips with a spike in antisemitic acts, including banning the performance of the Nazi salute in public and the display or sale of Nazi hate symbols such as the swastika. The new laws also made the act of glorifying or praising acts of terrorism a criminal offense.

Australia's Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus said at the time that the laws sent "a clear message: there is no place in Australia for acts and symbols that glorify the horrors of the Holocaust and terrorist acts."

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Israeli, Australian leaders "respectfully disagree" on definition of antisemitism

Netanyahu attacked the Australian government's stance in the run-up to the fire.



"This heinous act cannot be separated from the anti-Israel sentiment emanating from the Australian Labor government," he said after the attack, declaring that "anti-Israel sentiment is antisemitism."

Australia voted last week in favor of a United Nations General Assembly resolution that demanded the end of Israel's "unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory."



New Zealand, Britain, and Canada were among 157 countries that voted for the resolution, with eight against, including the U.S.



Australian Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus rejected Netanyahu's accusation.



"He's absolutely wrong. I respectfully disagree with Mr. Netanyahu," Dreyfus told national broadcaster ABC on Monday. "Australia remains a close friend of Israel, as we have been since the Labor government recognized the State of Israel when it was created by the United Nations. Now that remains the position."

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 9. A total of 118,922 tons of tomatoes worth $141.9 million were exported from Azerbaijan in the period from January through October of this year.

The data obtained by Trend from the country's State Customs Committee shows that this is by $15.8 million (12.6 percent) in value and by 5,604 tons (4.9 percent) in volume terms more than in the same period last year. During the first ten months of last year, 113,318 tons of tomatoes worth $126 million were exported from Azerbaijan.

To note, tomato exports amounted to 0.62 percent of Azerbaijan's total exports for the first ten months of this year.
VIENNA (Reuters) - Austria is dropping its veto on Romania and Bulgaria becoming full members of Europe's Schengen free-travel area, its interior ministry said on Monday, paving the way for European Union interior ministers to approve the move at a meeting on Thursday.

Romania and Bulgaria, both EU and NATO members, partly joined Schengen in March, after an agreement with Austria which initially opposed their joining on the grounds they needed to do more to prevent illegal immigration.

While air and maritime border checks between them and the other 27 countries in the travel zone were lifted, negotiations with Austria over land entry have continued through 2024.

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"We can take the next step at the EU (Justice and Home Affairs) Council," Interior Minister Gerhard Karner said in a statement issued by his ministry.

"After 'Schengen Air', 'Schengen Land' is now open to Romania and Bulgaria," Karner said, adding that Austria's demands on tackling illegal immigration had led to a fall in the number of migrants intercepted near Austria's border with Hungary, the most common route into the country.

"Without this veto this massive reduction in illegal border crossings would not have happened," he said, citing a figure of 70,000 interceptions in the year to October last year and 4,000 in the same period this year.

(Reporting by Francois Murphy; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Municipal workers removed photos of Georgian media employees, who had been injured during protests or deliberately attacked by law enforcement or "thugs", from a Christmas tree that the authorities had begun assembling in Tbilisi on the night of 8-9 December.

Source: European Pravda with reference to opposition Mtavari TV channel

Details: Reports indicate that municipal workers took down the photographs from the Christmas tree structure and threw them into the rubbish.

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Following this, city hall employees resumed assembling the tree.

Tbilisi municipality wanted to erect a Christmas tree but people decorated it with photos of beaten and injured protesters and journalists pic.twitter.com/gHhbUGpArB  Giorgi Kandelaki (@kandelakigiorgi) December 8, 2024

The previous day, the city authorities in Tbilisi were unable to fully assemble the Christmas tree being set up at the scene of the Georgian "Euromaidan" protests on Rustaveli Avenue, near the Parliament.

Photo: 

As a result, the top part of the tree was covered with artificial branches, while the lower part was decorated with "protest ornaments". The tree's frame was adorned with flags of Georgia, the EU, Ukraine and the United States, as well as photos of Georgian media workers who had been injured during the dispersal of protests or deliberately targeted by law enforcement or "thugs".

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Background:

During Ukraine's Revolution of Dignity, the authorities also began erecting a Christmas tree on Independence Square (Maidan Nezalezhnosti), where protesters were gathering. However, construction had to be halted due to the events of Euromaidan.

The unfinished tree frame remained in place until August 2014 and became a symbol of the protests. It was nicknamed "Yolka" following a verbal slip by then-President Viktor Yanukovych. [During a speech, Yanukovych forgot how to say Christmas tree in Ukrainian and, after a long pause, said "yolka". "Yolka" is close to the pronunciation of the Russian word for Christmas tree - ed.]

On 5 December, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that he had signed a decree enforcing the National Security and Defence Council's decision to impose sanctions on Ivanishvili and 19 of his associates. Zelenskyy also urged Europe and the US to act with the same resolve.

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Cameron Nakashima, Better Business Bureau Media Engagement and Digital Campaigns Manager joins producer/host Coralie Chun Matayoshi to discuss how to protect yourself from getting scammed,

Q. Cryptocurrency is no longer a fleeting trend. Its gone mainstream  even appearing in Superbowl ads. A whopping 40% of adult Americans and almost 30% of millennials own cryptocurrency. What is cryptocurrency? What is BBBs stance on cryptocurrency?

Cryptocurrency is virtual currency that uses decentralized shared databases that store, transfer, and verify information in a cryptographically secure way. The system allows for the direct transfer of cryptocurrency from one party to another through a worldwide payment system, without the need for a central third-party intermediary like a bank or app. The digital currency is not issued by the government and is not insured by the government like U.S. dollars that are deposited into an FDIC insured bank account. The value of a cryptocurrency is constantly changing and can change significantly in a short period of time. Cryptocurrency tends to be more volatile than other investments like stocks and bonds so an investment worth thousands of dollars today could be worth only hundreds tomorrow. Cryptocurrency is innovative  its still new. And with that it is a lot of opportunity for good and a lot of opportunity for scammers to use it to exploit people. Unfortunately, cryptocurrency scams are one of the most reported scams people report to BBB with some of the highest losses of any scam type.

Q. How can you protect yourself from getting scammed?

Scammers are always finding new ways to steal your money using cryptocurrency. To steer clear of a crypto con, here are some things to watch out for:

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Only scammers demand payment in cryptocurrency . No legitimate business is going to demand you send cryptocurrency in advance  not to buy something, and not to protect your money. Thats always a scam.



Only scammers will guarantee profits or big returns. Dont trust people who promise you can quickly and easily make money in the crypto markets.

Never mix online dating and investment advice. If you meet someone on a dating site or app, and they want to show you how to invest in crypto, or ask you to send them crypto, thats a scam.

No legitimate business or government will ever email, text, or message you on social media to ask for money. And they will never demand that you buy or pay with cryptocurrency.

Never click on a link or download files from an unexpected or unsolicited text, email, or social media message or attachment, even if it seems to come from a company you know.

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Dont pay anyone who contacts you unexpectedly, demanding payment with cryptocurrency.

Never pay a fee to get a job. If someone asks you to pay upfront for a job or says to buy cryptocurrency as part of your job, its a scam.

Source: https://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/what-know-about-cryptocurrency-and-scams

If you receive a call or text message about some kind of account problem or breach, dont respond, even if it appears official and indicates that you must act immediately. Hang up and call the cryptocurrency exchanges official phone number to verify whether there is a problem. Do not use any phone number the caller provides. Dont go to any websites or click on links the caller sends you. Go to the official cryptocurrency exchange website separately.

Be cautious of services that claim they can recover any lost cryptocurrency funds.

Q. There are things called crypto kiosks where people can buy cryptocurrency. Are there particular risks in using these kiosks?

Cryptocurrency kiosks, or crypto ATMs, are increasingly popular, but they come with their own set of risks for consumers, which have drawn attention from regulatory bodies like the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Hawaiis Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs (DCCA), and consumer protection organizations such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

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Scams Facilitated by Crypto Kiosks : The FTC has issued warnings about scams involving cryptocurrency kiosks, where fraudsters instruct victims to use these machines to transfer money. Common scams include romance scams, lottery scams, and impersonation fraud (where scammers pretend to be government officials or law enforcement). Victims are often told to deposit cash into a crypto kiosk to purchase cryptocurrency and send it to the scammers wallet address. Once the transaction is completed, its nearly impossible to trace or recover the funds due to the anonymous nature of the blockchain. In fact, the FTC just recently released a new report calling BitCoin ATMs a payment portal for scammers.

Anonymity Concerns : Many cryptocurrency kiosks allow for anonymous transactions, which can be a double-edged sword. While some consumers may appreciate the privacy, this anonymity can also facilitate illegal activities, including money laundering and fraud. Both the FTC and BBB have raised concerns that the lack of identity verification at many kiosks makes it easier for criminals to exploit unsuspecting consumers.

Lack of Regulation and Oversight: One of the main concerns expressed by the FTC and BBB is the limited regulatory oversight surrounding cryptocurrency kiosks. These machines are often operated by private companies, and consumers may have little recourse if something goes wrong. Unlike traditional bank ATMs, crypto kiosks are not bound by the same consumer protection regulations, which leaves users vulnerable to fraud and misuse.

Q. Speaking of regulations, do crypto companies in Hawaii still have regulatory requirements?

Yes, they do. Although cryptocurrency companies in Hawaii are no longer required to hold a state-issued Money Transmitter License (MTL), they must adhere to any applicable federal licensing or registration requirements and federal regulations like Anti-Money Laundering (AML) and consumer protection regulations. Hawaii authorities emphasize that while the MTL exemption reduces the regulatory burden at the state level, firms are still accountable to federal laws.

Q. What are some of the federal laws that are helping to make cryptocurrency kiosks safer for people and businesses?

Several federal regulations are in place to help protect consumers and businesses when using cryptocurrency kiosks. These regulations primarily focus on preventing fraud, ensuring transparency, and curbing illegal activities like money laundering. Here are some key federal regulations that apply:

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Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) Compliance

Registration as a Money Services Business (MSB) : Cryptocurrency kiosk operators must register with FinCEN as Money Services Businesses. This requires them to comply with anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) rules, helping to prevent illicit financial activities through the kiosk.

Reporting Suspicious Activity: Kiosk operators must report suspicious transactions that could indicate money laundering or other illegal activities. This includes filing Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) for transactions above a certain threshold or if any unusual behavior is detected.

Know Your Customer (KYC) Requirements

Kiosk operators are required to implement KYC protocols, which ensure that the identity of users is verified before completing large transactions. This often includes collecting and verifying government-issued identification, such as a drivers license or passport, to prevent anonymity in potentially criminal transactions.

KYC also helps protect consumers by ensuring that only legitimate users can access the kiosks, reducing the likelihood of fraud and scams.

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Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Regulations  if a cryptocurrency meets the criteria of an investment contract, then it must be registered with the SEC and falls under SEC regulation.

Bank Secrecy Act (BSA) Compliance  under the Bank Secrecy Act, cryptocurrency kiosks must implement programs that prevent the use of digital currencies for illegal activities like drug trafficking or terrorism financing. This includes maintaining records of large transactions (over $10,000) and filing Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs).

Q. Even with those policies in place, we know that cryptocurrency scams are a big issue. What can you do to stay safe when using cryptocurrency kiosks?

Here are key steps you can take to stay safe when using cryptocurrency kiosks:

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Verify the Legitimacy of the Kiosk Provider: Before using a cryptocurrency kiosk, research the company operating it to ensure they are reputable and trustworthy. Look for reviews, official websites, or endorsements from reliable sources like the Better Business Bureau (BBB). Avoid kiosks that do not clearly display the operators name, fees, and contact information, as these may be signs of unregulated or fraudulent services.

Check Fees and Exchange Rates: Cryptocurrency kiosks often charge high fees, sometimes between 10-20%, which can be hidden or not clearly disclosed. Make sure to check the fee structure and exchange rate before completing any transactions. If the fees seem too high or unclear, consider using an alternative method like a trusted exchange platform with lower costs.

Use Kiosks with Strong Security Features: Ensure the cryptocurrency kiosk youre using has proper security measures in place, such as encryption and identity verification. Avoid kiosks that allow completely anonymous transactions, as these can be more easily exploited by criminals. Opt for machines that require ID verification or follow Know Your Customer (KYC) protocols to protect against fraud and enhance transaction safety.

Resolve or report issues. If you ever do encounter an issue with cryptocurrency, contact the kiosk company to try to resolve it first. You can also report it to the BBBs scam tracker.

To learn more about this subject, tune into this video podcast.

Disclaimer: this material is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. The law varies by jurisdiction and is constantly changing. For legal advice, you should consult a lawyer that can apply the appropriate law to the facts in your 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 KHON2.
This is an adapted excerpt from the Dec. 8 episode of "Ayman."

On Saturday, Syrias rebel forces stormed the capital, Damascus, and declared President Bashar al-Assads 24-year dictatorship was over. On Sunday, it was reported that he fled to Moscow. These events didnt just mark the end of Assads regime  it was the collapse of more than 50 years of Assad family rule.

The speed of the takeover was astonishing. In just a matter of days, rebel forces  led by the group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, and their leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani  took over cities from the north right to the capital, facing very little pushback. Thats partially due to Russia and Iran, Assads allies, using up many resources on their own wars.

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The signs of change have been dramatic: statues of Assad and his father, Hafez Assad  who ruled before him  toppled to the ground; joy erupting in the streets; thousands imprisoned for daring to speak against Assads rule are finally free, reunited with their families.

Social media was filled with heartbreaking stories, like one prisoner who could barely remember who he was when the rebels released him. At the borders, Syrian refugees, many who fled years ago, are lining up, desperate to return to the homes they were forced out of.

Theres a lot to unpack here but to truly grasp what this moment means for Syrians, you have to go back 13 years to the Arab Spring. Thats when massive protests broke out in Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen  and of course, Syria. The millions that took part in this revolution believed in the same ideals: freedom and dignity. Syrians also wanted the many political prisoners throughout the country released.

In 2011, many Syrians felt very similar to how they may feel at this moment. They were hopeful and, at first, on the brink of toppling a decades-long regime. The revolutionary forces leading the charge against the regime were made up of different factions: activists, former soldiers who turned against Assad and minorities oppressed under him, such as Kurds and Assyrians, and more.

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But theres a big difference between then and now. Back then, Assad didnt flee and Iran backed him. He stayed and crushed the Syrian peoples hopes and aspirations. He made life unbearable, especially for his dissenters, bringing Syria into a full civil war. His forces shot and killed thousands of anti-regime protesters in just the first few months. He sent war tanks into the same cities we saw rebel forces take over, tanks that targeted anyone in their path, whether it was protesters, bystanders, women or children.

In May 2011, Assad also made a calculated move to undermine the revolution. He began releasing jihadists and Islamic extremists from prison while arresting thousands of peaceful protesters, journalists and activists. A former Syrian diplomat who later joined the opposition told The Wall Street Journal that Assad released them because he feared a continued peaceful revolution. He wanted them to interrupt that progress.

Nearly a year after the revolution began, I traveled to Daraa, the heart of the uprising, for NBC News and saw firsthand how life changed under Assads brutal crackdown. Things got even worse when the unthinkable happened. Despite former President Barack Obama issuing a red-line warning to Assad, threatening U.S. involvement if his regime were to use chemical weapons, the Syrian president crossed it. By 2013, he was using chemical weapons on his own people. More than a thousand people were killed, and survivors suffered from foaming at the mouth, seizures, and lifelong burns and injuries.

In the years that followed, the so-called Islamic State formed in Syria and U.S. airstrikes targeted their territory. Assad asked Russia for help, leading to bombings, airstrikes and apparent brutal war crimes in opposition-held areas. Meanwhile, Turkey, right on Syrias border, supported some rebel groups but also attacked Kurdish forces to drive them away.

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These are just a few reasons why the war has stalled. Another big one is that the international community simply turned a blind eye. They normalized the frozen conflict and Assad holding on to power. 13 years later, were now looking at around 600,000 killed in Syria, millions of refugees and a country that lost complete hope  until last night.

As this unfolds, pundits and experts keep saying its just more of the same. Many draw comparisons to Syria and other post-Arab Spring countries but, in a lot of ways, thats a lazy analysis. There are a few key things that set this moment apart and theyre worth noticing.

Just consider what Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali who stayed behind as Assad fled, said on Saturday. I am not leaving and I dont intend to leave," al-Jalai said in a video statement. "I expect in a peaceful manner to guarantee the continuity of the public authorities and the institutions and the state apparatus and to guarantee the safety and security for all citizens."

Hes talking about preserving state institutions and a safe transition for citizens, which is something we havent seen before. The rebel leader of HTS, Jolani, said this on CNN a few days ago, before accepting his help in this transition, The revolution has transitioned from chaos and randomness to a state of order in civil and institutional matters and military operations alike.

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This next chapter is complicated and there are many layers to consider. Jolani, the HTS rebel leader, had ties to both Al Qaeda and ISIS. Syrians already know this. The focus on these complexities shouldnt overshadow the moment.

To move forward, Syria had to end the Assad familys half-century rule. Now, Syrians have a real chance for a peaceful future. With dignity and determination, this is their historic opportunity.

Allison Detzel contributed.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Maryland educators are accusing a Cracker Barrel restaurant in Maryland of refusing to serve students with developmental disabilities.

A group of 11 students and seven staff visited the restaurant in Waldorf, Maryland, last week, according to officials. They had called ahead to let the restaurant know they were coming and to ask if they needed reservations since their party was large. They were reportedly told that they did not need a reservation

CCPS Superintendent Maria Navarro described the situation in an email she and special education teacher Katie Schneider sent out to parents after the incident.

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The outing was a part of Dr James Craik Elementary School's community-based instruction program, which allows students to practice practical skills and socialize in public.

Upon arrival, the Cracker Barrel staff reportedly denied them service and one staff member asked that the restaurant be removed from a list of businesses willing to participate in the school's community-based instruction program, according to the email.

Stacey Campbell, a mother whose 9-year-old son was present at the event, said she was livid that her son and his classmates were turned away.

A Cracker Barrel in Waldorf, Maryland, where staff allegedly turned away a group of students with developmental disabilities and teachers from Dr James Craik Elementary School in December 2024 (Google Maps)

"I saw red," she told USA Today.

Her son, who goes by JoJo, does not speak and has autism. He attends the district's ACHIEVE program, which works with students with "significant cognitive disabilities."

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According to the email, not only were the students refused entry, but they were ignored as well.

"Refusing to serve them, [staff] did not even ask if our students wanted a drink or anything," the email said. "Our students were so well behaved and sat at the tables patiently, which you know can be hard, waiting for their food and drinks to-go,"

Schneider said the staff and students waited for about an hour before they were moved outside the building and onto their school bus.

Cracker Barrel said in an email to USA Today that a "staffing challenge" led to the restaurant having to close its second dining room.

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"At Cracker Barrel, we strive to create a welcoming environment for all our guests, and we understand that a recent visit by this group to our Waldorf location fell short of those expectations," Cracker Barrel said in the statement. "We take this matter seriously and are working directly with the groups leadership to better understand what happened, extend our apologies and make things right."

A spokesperson from Cracker Barrel's media relations team issued an apology on Saturday.

"That we disappointed this group of students and teachers i unacceptable to us, and we sincerely apologize," the media relations team said.

Despite the apology, Cracker Barrel's reputation polishers insisted that the denial of service was not an act of discrimination.

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"Our missteps earlier this week were unfortunate but were unrelated to the students' capabilities," the company's media relations team said. "They were due to our inability to accommodate a party of 18 that arrived when we were facing unexpected staffing issues."

Navarro said that while "no one should experience" the "alleged treatment" students at the restaurant experienced, she was glad that the Cracker Barrel management appeared "willing to work with CCPS to do better."

Unfortunately for Cracker Barrel corporate, it looks like parents and other community members are not so quick to forgive; a protest is planned at the Waldorf restaurant for Sunday, December 15.

The protest, titled #CanWeEatNow, was set up by the parents of one of the students who was refused service. More than 70 people have cited their interest or intent to attend the protest on Sunday.

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"There is no room for discrimination in our world," the message on the protest reads. "Come help these children's voices be heard. Come make a stand against discrimination!"

The Independent has requested comment from Cracker Barrel.
Theres an active recall on 28 packaged bagel products sold across Canada, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. This is due to a foreign matter contamination.

Bigway, Co-op, Super A and TGP branded bagels were impacted by this recall. They were sold in retailers in the following provinces: Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Northwest Territories, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Yukon.

Related: Nationwide Recalls on Chicken, Cucumbers and More to Be Aware of Right Now

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The packaged bagels were sold in six-count bags and contain a pack on date from November 4 through November 27, 2024. The list of specific products affected is below:

These bagels are being recalled after metal was found in the salt used to make the products. This contamination has also impacted various brands of bread and baked goods sold at Costco. If you have one of the recalled bagel products with matching information above, dispose of it immediately or return it to your place of purchase for a refund.

For questions about this recall, contact the CFIA toll-free at 1-800-442-2342. If you are experiencing any signs of injury or illness after eating a recalled bagel, talk to your doctor as soon as possible.

Related: Over 1 Million Oven Gloves Recalled After 92 Reported Burn InjuriesHere's What to Know

Read the original article on EATINGWELL
An OSHA investigation into two incidents at a Cleveland bakeware manufacturer revealed failures that led to amputations for two workers.

According to the Department of Labor, G&S Metal Products Co. did not equip its machinery with adequate guarding or enforce critical safety protocols, including establishing proper lockout/tagout procedures, and failed to provide effective employee training in machine safety.

Most Read on Manufacturing.net

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The first incident occurred on June 25, 2024, when a 37-year-old employee sustained an amputation injury while operating a power press. The press cycled unexpectedly as the worker was servicing the machine, exposing the operator to hazardous moving parts. Inspectors determined the presss pullbacks were not properly secured, contributing to the injury.

Two weeks later, a 64-year-old worker, who had been on the job just four months, suffered an amputation while clearing scrap from a mechanical power press. The die on the machine closed without warning, leading to the injury. Investigators found that the machine lacked adequate guarding and was not locked out to prevent operation during maintenance.

OSHA cited G&S Metal Products Company Inc. for one willful violation and five serious violations, assessing $182,293 in proposed penalties.

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In 2017, the company was cited after another worker suffered amputation injuries while adjusting a mechanical power press.

Founded in 1949, G&S Metal Products Co. Inc. manufactures commercial and consumer bakeware pans, kitchen gadgets and accessories for worldwide distribution.

The company has 15 business days from receipt of its citations and penalties to comply, request an informal conference with OSHAs area director, or contest the findings before the independent Occupational Safety and Health Review Commission.

Click here to subscribe to our daily newsletter featuring breaking manufacturing industry news.
This year, the United Nations (U.N.) held its 29th Climate Change Conference, or Conference of the Parties, commonly referred to as COP29, from Nov. 11-22 in Baku, Azerbaijan. As with previous years, the agenda was filled with wild assertions about the state of the global climate, discussions of radical decarbonization goals, and demands that countries pay up to address the impending crisis.

However, what was notably absent was a balanced discussion about the real-world consequences of these proposals and the tremendous strides the United States has made in reducing emissions while ramping up energy production.

The activists at the U.N. portrayed a future where fossil fuels are eliminated entirely  a future that, by their own admission, could cost trillions in taxpayer dollars globally and require near-complete dependence on foreign manufacturing of green technologies, particularly from China. Their narrative oversimplifies the challenges ahead and dismisses legitimate criticisms.

U.S. Rep. Troy Balderson represents Ohio's 12th Congressional District.

As a participant at COP29, alongside a handful of my colleagues in the House of Representatives, I saw firsthand the stark contrast between the U.N.s climate alarmism and House Republicans' practical approach to energy policy. We werent there to join the handwringing over fossil fuels, but to offer a compelling alternative vision  one rooted in innovation, energy security, and economic growth.

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The United States, thanks to the shale revolution, has proven that we can increase production of reliable energy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions. A prime example is Ohio. Over the past decade, the Buckeye State has increased energy production to help meet growing demand while simultaneously cutting our emissions by 38%. This is a testament to the transformative power of American natural gas, which has not only reduced our carbon footprint but also bolstered energy independence.

Contrast this with the policies championed by the U.N., which often ignore the economic costs of transitioning to renewables at breakneck speed. Scaling back natural gas production and exportation in favor of expensive and unreliable alternatives would lead to increased strain on our power grid and increased reliance on hostile regimes like Russia and China. This is not progress.

Proponents of the U.N.s vision warn of catastrophic consequences if we fail to wholly adopt their policies. Yet, they fail to acknowledge the harm their agenda inflicts on working families. Higher energy costs, job displacement, and weakened energy security disproportionately affect middle- and lower-income Americans. The notion that their green-at-all-costs agenda is the only path forward is not only false but dangerous.

My message at COP29 was clear: the United States will once again return to being the global energy leader. When we lead with innovation and common sense, we demonstrate to the world that a balanced approach to energy can achieve environmental and economic goals. I stood firm against the climate alarmism that has dominated the echo chambers of these conferences for too long.

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Next year, with Republicans in control of Washington, I will continue my work to ensure that our energy policies reflect the priorities of the American people and serve the needs of our nation.

Troy Balderson represents Ohios 12th Congressional District and serves on the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Balderson: Alarmism dominates UN approach to climate change and energy
DHAKA, Bangladesh (AP)  The foreign secretaries of Bangladesh and India met Monday in Dhaka to discuss their strained relations, including the growing tensions after former Bangladeshi premier Sheikh Hasina fled into exile in India in August.

This is the first high-level visit by an Indian official since massive protests ended Hasinas 15-year rule.

Tensions spiked further over the recent arrest of a Hindu spiritual leader in Bangladesh, currently run by the interim government led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus. India also stopped issuing visas to Bangladeshis except for emergency medical visas after Hasinas ouster while many Indian nationals taking part in infrastructure projects left Bangladesh because of security threats.

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Alleged assaults targeting minority Hindus in Bangladesh and an attack on a Bangladesh diplomatic mission in India featured prominently in Monday's talks between the Indian Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and his Bangladeshi counterpart, Mohammad Jashim Uddin.

After the meeting, Misri told reporters that there wasn't any reason for the mutually beneficial relationship between the two countries not to continue.

To that end, therefore, I have underlined today Indias desire to work closely with the interim government of Bangladesh, he said.

Misri also said he discussed with Uddin recent developments and relayed "concerns, including those related to the safety, security and welfare of the minorities.

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In a media statement later Monday, India's Ministry of External Affairs said that Misri highlighted New Delhi's support for a democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive and inclusive Bangladesh.

He also reiterated Indias willingness to build a positive and constructive relationship with Dhaka, based on mutual trust and respect and mutual sensitivity to each others concerns and interests, the statement added.

Separately, Bangladesh's Uddin told reporters that Bangladesh asked India not to interfere in its internal affairs, Dhaka-based Daily Star newspaper reported.

We said people of all religions in Bangladesh freely practice their faiths. This is our internal affair. It is not expected (of other countries) to make comments on our internal affairs. We dont do it for other countries, the English-language daily quoted him as saying.

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Following the ouster of Hasina, thought to be a trusted friend of India, minorities  particularly Hindus  have reported widespread attacks in the Muslim-majority nation of Bangladesh, which Yunus say are widely exaggerated.

Most Bangladeshi Hindus are thought to be supporters of Hasinas secular Awami League party.

Last month's arrest of Hindu leader Chinmoy Das Prabhu  who led large rallies in recent months demanding better security for Hindus living in Bangladesh  further fueled more anger. Hindu leaders in Bangladesh said lawyers willing to stand for Prabhu seeking his bail were threatened, and earlier this month no lawyers appeared in court for him when a court was scheduled to hear his bail petition.

Hindus recently attacked a Bangladeshi diplomatic office in Agartala, the capital of the northeastern Indian state of Tripura, demanding his release. Protesters also burned Bangladeshi flags in Kolkata, the capital of Indias eastern state of West Bengal, triggering protests and marches by political parties including the Bangladesh Nationalist Party headed by Khaleda Zia, Hasinas main political foe, and Islamist groups.

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In Bangladesh, reports of the desecration of the Indian flag, with some burning it and others laying it on the floor for people to step on, strained relations further.

The Indian foreign secretary is expected to meet Yunus and Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain, in courtesy calls, before leaving for New Delhi later Monday.
BOARDMAN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes)  Barbara Jean Kuras, 89, passed away Friday, December 6, 2024 surrounded by love.

Barb was born on March 6, 1935, in Youngstown, Ohio, the daughter of Steve and Stella (Jacobs) Katros.

Find obituaries from your high school

Her and her late husband, John, were happily married for 70 years and raised their three sons at their homestead in Boardman.

She was an active member of St. Stanislaus Church in Youngstown where she made pierogis weekly and served the parish. She was the manager at the Garment Center for many years. Once retired, she found joy in volunteering at church, bus trips, playing bingo and above all else spending every chance she could with her grandchildren, who called her Bubba.

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She was especially known as a caregiver and the glue to her family and friends. She enjoyed hosting every holiday, cooking, baking and celebrating life to the fullest. She shared her love for their Polish heritage with her husband as active members at the Krakusy Polish American Society and the Polish National Alliance.

She is survived by her three sons: John (Marybeth) of Cranberry, Pennsylvania; Joseph (Joanie) of Boardman, Ohio; Jim (Annie) of Odenton, Maryland; her three grandchildren  Michael (Laura), Corie and Alison.

She is proceeded in death by her husband John, who passed away in December 2023, parents and siblings, MaryAnn Pizzuto and Steve Katros, Jr.

The family would like to extend their thanks to all caregivers and staff at St. Marys Alzheimers facility, Sanctuary Hospice of Ohio and Dr. Joseph Zeno.

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The Kuras family will receive friends on Thursday, December 12, 2024, from 9:00  10:00 am at St. Columba Cathedral, 159 West Rayen Avenue, Youngstown, OH 44503. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 10:15 a.m.

Chapel services at Lake Park Cemetery will follow.

Arrangments are entrusted to Kubina-Yuhasz-Wasko Funeral Home

In lieu of flowers, the family asks to be kept in your thoughts and prayers.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Barbara Jean (Katros) Kuras, please visit our floral store.

A television tribute will air Tuesday, December 10 at the following approximate times: 7:10 a.m. on FOX, 12:22 p.m. on WKBN, 5:08 p.m. on MyYTV and 7:27 p.m. on WYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 10. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has agreed to provide up to 20 million euros in venture debt to Danish biotech company SNIPR Biome, Trend reports.

The funding aims to support the development of innovative treatments targeting infections caused by bacteria resistant to existing antibiotics, addressing a growing global health challenge.

EIB Vice-President Ioannis Tsakiris emphasized the significance of addressing antimicrobial resistance, calling it "one of the top global health and development risks." He added, "Investing in innovative companies like SNIPR Biome is crucial for strengthening health security in Europe and beyond." The funding, supported by HERA Invest and the InvestEU initiative, is part of the EU's strategy to advance cutting-edge medical treatments against serious biological threats.

SNIPR Biomes proprietary CRISPR-based platform targets multidrug-resistant bacteria, such as E. coli, by either eliminating resistance genes or making harmful bacteria susceptible to antibiotics. The technology also has applications in treating metabolic and immunological disorders through microbial gene therapy.

Christian Grndahl, CEO of SNIPR Biome, welcomed the EIBs support: "This funding exemplifies the EU's commitment to tackling antimicrobial resistance. It will enable us to advance our lead asset, SNIPR001, towards market readiness while continuing to develop therapies for resistant bacterial infections."

The loan is backed by HERA Invest, a mechanism created by the EUs Health Emergency Preparedness and Response Authority (HERA) and funded by the EU4Health programme. Commissioner Hadja Lahbib highlighted the importance of such initiatives: "Antimicrobial resistance is a silent pandemic that claims 35,000 lives annually in the EU. This agreement demonstrates the value of European innovation in combating this critical health threat."
The world now knows the colors of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assads parachute: the Russian tricolor.

Assads flight to Moscow following the swift collapse of his regime means more than just the loss of a client state for the Kremlin.

The fall of the House of Assad deals a major blow to Russian President Vladimir Putins aspirations as a Middle East power broker  and raises new questions about the fragility of his own regime.

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Putins opponents are already cheering.

Minus one dictator and ally of Putin, wrote prominent Russian opposition activist Ilya Yashin on X, posting a photo of an Assad banner in flames.

Putin has thrown Assad under the bus to prolong his war in Ukraine, commented former Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. His resources are scarce, and he is not as strong as he pretends.

For observers of Russias war on Ukraine, Assads departure raises some striking historical parallels.

Assad now joins a onetime Ukrainian counterpart in exile: Former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych fled Ukraine for Russia in 2014 after weeks of street protests that culminated in a bloody crackdown.

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Syrians are now roaming through Assads abandoned presidential palace in Damascus, much as Ukrainians were able to visit the grounds of Mezhyhirya, the garish estate once occupied by Yanukovych.

Mezhyhirya was refashioned as a museum of corruption.

Yanukovych has not returned to Ukraine since his ouster, even though Russia now effectively controls more than 20% of Ukrainian territory following its full-scale invasion of the country in 2022.

And unlike Assad, whose forces appeared to surrender Damascus without a fight, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held fast as Russian troops approached Kyiv. (Afghan President Ashraf Ghani, who also backed by the United States, did waver and Afghanistan fell to the Taliban in 2021.)

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Assads flight from Syria was more than a moment for Ukrainians to revel in a symbolic setback for Putin. The Syrian regime crumbled at the moment when Zelensky was in France to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron and US President-elect Donald Trump ahead of the reopening ceremony at Notre Dame Cathedral, where the Ukrainian leader received a standing ovation.

Ukraine is bracing for the consequences of Trumps re-election victory amid fears that the incoming administration could withdraw support for Kyiv. But the implosion of Assads regime could potentially weaken Putins hand in negotiations over ending the war in Ukraine, particularly if Putins bellicose threats in recent weeks of nuclear escalation are perceived as hollow.

As rebel fighters closed in on Damascus, Trump himself nodded to the Kremlins narrowing range of options in a post on social media. Russia, because they are so tied up in Ukraine, and with the loss there of over 600,000 soldiers, seems incapable of stopping this literal march through Syria, a country they have protected for years, he wrote.

But the collapse of the Assad regime represents a very real military loss to Putin. In the wake of rebel advances, video emerged showing the toppling of a monument to Assad in Tartus, on Syrias Mediterranean coast, where Moscow has kept a naval base since the Cold War. Russia has also relied on its airbase at Hmeimim, in Syrias Latakia province, as a hub for projecting power in the Middle East.

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In a visit to Hmeimim in 2017, Putin pledged that the two bases would continue to operation on a permanent basis, warning that if the terrorists  i.e., the opponents of Assad  raise their heads again, we will deal unprecedented strikes unlike anything they have seen.

Syrian opposition fighters in Damascus celebrate after the Syrian government collapsed on December 8, 2024. - Omar Sanadiki/AP

When Putin intervened directly in Syria nearly a decade ago, sending his air force and Russian mercenaries to prop up Assads losing forces in concert with Iran, his escalation paid dividends: He bought time for Assad, brought more of Syrias geography under government control, and showed himself as an essential player in regional and global politics.

Once shunned at the G20 summit in 2014 after his annexation of the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea from Ukraine and his stoking of separatism in Ukraines Donbas region, Putin was the man to speak to a year later. By doubling down on Assad, the Kremlin leader went from zero to hero, at least in the geopolitical war of perceptions.

Putins pledges of support for Assad a decade ago now seem empty. But it may still be early to write off Putin as a rival negotiator and potential adversary, despite the ouster of his client.

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Tatiana Stanovaya, a close observer of Putin, suggested in a post on X that Assads defeat may harden Putins negotiating position on Ukraine.

Putin may raise additional conditions and will not agree to negotiations readily. He will insist that it is now up to the West and Ukraine to change their stance, she said, noting Trumps calls on Putin to end the war in Ukraine.

Note that Assads collapse has also shaken Putin, making him less inclined to demonstrate flexibility with Ukraine. The war in Ukraine has, to some extent, cost him Syria, which reinforces his unwillingness to compromise.

Putin has long seen himself locked in an adversarial conflict with the West, and he faces a warrant from the International Criminal Court over alleged war crimes in Ukraine.

The ouster of Assad may only harden his position.

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JOPLIN, Mo.  The Better Business Bureau is reminding consumers to use caution with texts or e-mails about a problem with any shipped Christmas packages.

Pamela Hernandez with the Better Business Bureau says, no matter where youre shopping, make sure you understand the shipping guidelines and return policy before you buy.

She says that should help you stay more informed about any packages coming your way.

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Hernandez also suggests planning for plenty of time before Christmas arrives to make sure the package gets there on time, know the shipping deadlines, and keep track of your packages through the retailers direct site.

One BBB scam shes seen reported is a notice  or several notices  about fake problems with the packages youre expecting.

I got one myself the other day that was pretending to be USPS that theres a problem with the zip code. And please click this link to help verify the information. Thats not what USPS is going to do if theres legitimately an address problem with your package. So just be cautious, said Pamela Hernandez, BBB Springfield Regional Director.

Hernandez adds, if you think theres a delivery problem, go directly to the retailers website.

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She says youll almost always find your delivery tracking information attached to your retailer account.

You can also reach out to the United States Postal Service or other shipping handlers directly to make sure everything is okay.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com.
Dec. 9MOSES LAKE  Big Bend Community College will offer a new bachelor's degree program next year, according to an announcement from the college.

On Dec. 3, BBCC received accreditation approval from the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, the last step needed to offer a Bachelor of Applied Science in Behavioral Health degree to area students, according to the announcement.

"There has been interest by BBCC students to pursue a degree like this for quite some time and we are happy to now provide that opportunity," BBCC Vice President of Learning and Student Success Dr. Bryce Humpherys wrote in the announcement.

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The BAS in Behavioral Health degree is designed to provide program graduates with the practical knowledge and skills necessary to enter the behavioral health workforce by establishing a strong understanding of human behavior, mental health disorders, and the principles of counseling, the college wrote. The program will be delivered in partnership with Wenatchee Valley College.

Graduates of the program can find employment delivering evidence-based interventions for common behavioral health conditions such as anxiety, depression and substance use disorders. They will work as part of an integrated care team at community health, rural health or hospital centers.

"The BAS in Behavioral Health will help to address the shortage of qualified behavioral health professionals across our service district," Humpherys wrote.

The BAS in Behavioral Health program application opens Feb. 3, and the program's first cohort will begin in Fall 2025, according to the announcement.

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The program builds on most associate degrees, by adding junior and senior-level courses focused on behavioral health. Students graduating from associate degree programs in criminal justice, early childhood education, and medical assistance are encouraged to apply.

Upcoming information sessions will be held via Zoom on Dec. 11 and Jan. 8 at 6 p.m. and on Jan. 22 at noon. These sessions can be accessed at https://bit.ly/BASinfosession2025.

For more information about the program contact Melissa Husebye at melissahu@bigbend.edu, 509-793-2120 or visit the BAS-BH page athttps://bit.ly/BBCC-BAS-BH.
Chilly high pressure will slide off the Southeast coast, allowing moisture to return from the Gulf of Mexico, after a warmup that sent temperatures into the mid-50s.

High clouds overspread Ohio this evening ahead of low pressure in the Upper Midwest. An area of rain advancing northeast from the Mississippi and lower Ohio Valleys will arrive late tonight, lingering through the morning commute, before tapering off to light showers.

Rainfall totals will average around half an inch. Morning readings will start off in the upper 40s and rise into the mid-50s.

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Low pressure tracking across the northern Great Lakes will keep the region in a mild, moist southwesterly flow. A lull in the steadier rain by afternoon, with a few light showers, and temperatures climbing into the mid-50s, will feel much different, compared to last weeks arctic chill.

A trailing cold front will cross the state on Tuesday, bringing more rain showers, with a wave of low pressure moving north along the boundary. Temperatures will cool down a little, into the upper 40s, with drizzle lingering overnight, as colder air filters in behind the front.

Windy and cold weather will return on Wednesday, accompanied by some light snow or flurries, with a coating possible mainly across the eastern half of the state. Temperatures settle in the lower 30s.

The next arctic blast will hold readings in the 20s Thursday, despite some sunshine, along with single digit wind chills. Dry and chilly weather with gradual moderation Friday will prevail, as high pressure builds in from the northwest.

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The weather will moderate next weekend, but rain could return late Saturday with another area of low pressure developing across the southern Plains and moving northward.

Forecast

Tonight: Clouds thicken, rain late. Low 46, rising to upper 40s

Monday: Showers tapering off, mild. High 55

Tuesday: Showers on-and-off, little cooler. High 49 (44)

Wednesday: Cloudy, breezy, colder, flurries. High 34 (30)

Thursday: Partly cloudy, very cold. High 26 (17)

Friday: Partly cloudy. High 34 (15)

Saturday: Clouds increase, milder, rain late. High 45 (27)

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Belarusian strongman Alexander Lukashenko has released a further 29 political prisoners, many of whom suffer from chronic illnesses, just seven weeks ahead of presidential elections, according to an official statement issued in Minsk on Monday.

"They have all expressed regret for their crimes and made an appeal for mercy to the head of state," it said. Eleven women and 18 men were released.

The statement added that many of the released prisoners were suffering from chronic ailments.

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It also said that the Interior Ministry would check that their conduct remained in accordance with the law.

Lukashenko has governed by dictatorial methods since 1994, maintaining a close alliance with Russia. He is seeking re-election on January 26.

The 2020 elections in Belarus were marred by widespread allegations of fraud, sparking mass protests that were brutally suppressed through excessive force and mass detentions.

There are currently reported to be more than 1,000 political prisoners.

Lukashenko has released dozens of prisoners since the summer and has appeared open to the idea of releasing prominent opposition activist Maria Kalesnikava.

After months of uncertainty about her fate, it was confirmed in mid-November that she is still alive, though Lukashenko has insisted she must submit an appeal for mercy before her release is considered.
A beloved crossing guard in New Jersey is being remembered as a hero for protecting two students from an oncoming driver, authorities said.

Bruce Morlack, 74, died in the crash on the morning of Friday, Dec. 6, in Burlington, N.J., according to a press release from the Burlington Police Department.

Police said Morlack was helping two Burlington City School District students cross the street when he heroically took action to prevent them from being injured by an oncoming driver. He was later pronounced dead.

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The driver, who was behind the wheel of a 2015 Chrysler 200, remained at the scene and is cooperating with the investigation, police said.

According to surveillance video obtained by NBC10, Morlack was holding a stop sign while helping the students in the crosswalk. However, the sign was allegedly ignored by a red car, which narrowly missed the group, before a white car then hit Morlack.

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 an updated press release shared Monday, Dec. 9, police said the driver of the red car has been identified. According to police, the investigation remains ongoing and they have not filed any criminal charges.

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Bruce's heroic actions saved students from harm, and he will forever be remembered as a true hero, the Burlington Police Department said in a post on Facebook.

Morlacks sister told 6 ABC that her brother became a crossing guard five years ago after retiring.

He waves to everybody, Sandy Wheatley recalled, per the outlet. Everybody was important to him.



Read the original article on People
Beyonce's mother, Tina Knowles, has sparked a frenzy of speculation after being spotted liking a news report post on Instagram about her son-in-law Jay-Z raping a minor with Sean "Diddy" Combs.

The Roc Nation rapper, real name Shawn Corey Carter, was accused of the act by the alleged victim in a refiled lawsuit that had previously only labeled him as "Celebrity A."

Jay-Z has since denied the allegations, claiming that the alleged victim and her lawyer are trying to extort him for money.

Tina Knowles' Move Has Raised Eyebrows Among Beyonce Fans

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Amid the viral news of Jay-Z being accused of gang-raping a 13-year-old with Diddy, his mother-in-law, Tina Knowles, has sparked a flurry of conversation about the rapper's possible guilt after she was spotted liking a post that reported the news.

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According to the Daily Mail, the post was made on Instagram by ABC7 Chicago with the caption: "Breaking News: Jay-Z, Diddy named in a lawsuit alleging rape of a 13-year-old girl.

Shortly after it was posted, social media users weighed in on what Knowles' action might mean, with

One wrote, "This makes a lot of sense now because Beyonce has been acting very 'single lady-ish' in her post  Bey and her family know [what's] about to happen to him."

Another wrote, "This is proof he's guilty, and they all knew it, if anything," while someone else commented, "Everybody active but nobody denying the accusations."

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Some users also remarked that Knowles' action is being overblown and doesn't mean she agrees with the accusations.

One wrote, "She always likes news concerning her family. I've seen it before. It doesn't matter if it's negative or positive."

A second individual commented, "She was probably reading it [and] accidentally liked it. You know she's done this before she is old."

Jay-Z Has Denied The Rape Allegations

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Jay-Z has since denied the rape accusations from the victim, calling them a "blackmail attempt" by her and her attorney, Tony Buzbee.

"My lawyer received a blackmail attempt, called a demand letter, from a 'lawyer' named Tony Buzbee. What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle," the Roc Nation founder wrote in the statement posted on the company's official page.

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He continued, "No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!"

Jay-Z Urged Tony Buzbee To File A Criminal Complaint Instead Of A Civil Suit

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The Grammy Award winner further defended himself, stating that if Buzbee truly believed the allegations were true, he should have filed a criminal complaint instead of a civil one.

"These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!!" the Grammy Award winner said. "Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree? These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case."

The rapper went on to say that he is "more than prepared to deal with" attorney Buzbee, seemingly suggesting that he is ready to prove his innocence in court.

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In his post, Jay-Z also revealed that he was "heartbroken" about the impact of the lawsuit on his family and how he and Beyonce would have to explain the situation to their kids, especially their eldest daughter, Blue Ivy Carter.

The Alleged Victim's Attorney Slammed The Roc Nation Boss' 'Blackmail' Claim

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Following the statement from Jay-Z, Buzbee fired back a response, where he denied the claims the rapper had made about being blackmailed.

He told TMZ that the demand letter he sent to Jay-Z did not include any discussions about money.

"What [Jay-Z] fails to say in his recent statement is my firm sent his lawyer a demand letter on behalf of an alleged victim, and that victim never demanded a penny from him," the Texas-based attorney told the news outlet.

He also said that the demand letter was only sent to seek a "confidential mediation" between Jay-Z and his client.

The Lawyer Hinted Jay-Z Was The 'High-Profile Person Who Sued Him For Extortion

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Elsewhere in his response, Buzbee told the outlet that Jay-Z had "previously denied being the one who sued me and my firm."

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Buzbee also shared that the Roc Nation founder had tried to hide that he was the one who filed the "frivolous case" by using a "pseudonym" in the suit.

The suit that Buzbee appeared to be referencing was filed against him by a person who named themselves as a "high-profile" individual, per TMZ.

In the filing, the individual, now presumed to be Jay-Z, claimed that Buzbee had threatened to unleash "entirely fabricated and malicious allegations of sexual assault -- including multiple incidents of rape of a minor, both male and female -- against Plaintiff if he refuses to comply with their demands."

It also mentioned that Buzebee was "shamelessly attempting to extort exorbitant sums from him" and put a "ticking clock" on the extortion demands.
DENVER (KDVR)  Denver police are looking for a driver who left a bicyclist with injuries in a hit-and-run crash.

On Friday, at 11:03 p.m., Denver police said a driver was traveling northbound near 19th Street and Welton Street in the Central Business District neighborhood.

The driver allegedly struck a bicyclist who was crossing Welton Street. Police said the cyclist suffered injuries after being hit.

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The driver then fled the scene without checking on the cyclist.

Denver police said they are looking for a white SUV-type car that may have minor to moderate damage to the front. Police said the car should also have a damaged hood protector.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Metro Denver Crime Stoppers at 720-913-7867. Tipsters may remain anonymous and can still be eligible for a cash reward of up to $2,000.

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 FOX31 Denver.
The Biden administration is banning a cancer-causing substance used in dry cleaning and is also banning most uses of another, similar chemical.

The administrations ban is on a chemical known as TCE, which is also used in consumer and commercial products used in furniture care and brake cleaners.

TCE causes liver, kidney and blood cancer, as well as damage to the central nervous system, liver, kidneys, immune system and reproductive organs. It can also cause fetal heart defects.

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The administration is additionally banning all consumer and most industrial uses of another substance known as PCE, which is also used in dry cleaning. Under the administrations PCE rule the substance will be phased out of dry cleaning in 10 years.

PCE causes liver, kidney, brain and testicular cancer and can also damage the kidneys, liver, immune system, brain and reproductive system.

Both chemicals are also notorious for contaminating drinking water at the Camp Lejeune Marine Corps Base in North Carolina.

Its simply unacceptable to continue to allow cancer-causing chemicals to be used for things like glue, dry cleaning or stain removers when safer alternatives exist, Michal Freedhoff, assistant administrator for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention, said in a written statement.

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Most uses of TCE will be banned within one year, though some will be allowed to continue for longer.

In battery manufacturing the substance will be allowed for another 20 years, while in essential laboratory activities and some research and development it will be allowed to be used for another 50 years.

The moves come weeks before President-elect Trump takes office. His previous administration took a different approach  it withdrew an Obama-era effort to ban some uses of TCE.

The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that about 68,000 workers, including 1,200 pregnant workers, may currently be exposed to TCE annually. It estimates that about 291,000 workers are exposed to PCE

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 9. The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) has partnered with Dogan Investment Bank to launch a Revolving SME Finance Facility, designed to strengthen supply chain financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Turkiye, Trend reports via the Bank.

This initiative aims to help SMEs better manage and mitigate cash flow risks, ensuring they have the financial tools to thrive.

Dogan Investment Bank will deliver these funds through its advanced SME digital lending platform, developed in collaboration with leading fintech companies and digital solution providers. The platform leverages a streamlined credit decision process based on behavioral and financial scoring, making access to finance faster and more efficient.

This collaboration aligns with BSTDBs strategic goals to bolster the financial sector, enhance institutional capabilities in the Black Sea region, and support the growth of the real economy in its member countries. Operating on a revolving basis, the facility ensures timely and flexible financial support for SMEs to address their operational demands while boosting Dogan Investment Banks ability to serve the sector effectively.

Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn
Dec. 9The Biden administration said Monday it will hold the second lease sale for potential oil and gas exploration in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge on Jan. 9.

The sale is required by the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act, passed by Republicans during President Donald Trump's first term.

The Bureau of Land Management said it issued a formal decision approving the lease sale in the 1.6-million-acre coastal plain of the refuge. The agency also issued a notice of sale for 400,000 acres in the area.

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Both supporters and opponents of drilling in the refuge have criticized the proposed plans for the lease sale.

It's uncertain how much interest the lease sale will generate from oil companies. The Interior department in 2021 suspended the first lease sale held in president-elect Donald Trump's first term as president after determining that it was legally flawed. That lease sale generated scant bidding and no offers from major oil companies.

Alaska politicians, business groups and many North Slope leaders have long hoped to see oil exploration in the refuge. They said the amount of land offered for leasing, the minimum allowed by law, was too small, which could hamper bidding.

Conservation groups and some Alaska tribes have also slammed the decision as potentially adding to global warming, if it leads to oil production, and putting species like caribou at risk.

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The Biden administration said in a statement that the goal is limiting the footprint where seismic exploration can take place and avoiding sensitive wildlife.

"The area offered for sale will avoid important polar bear denning and Porcupine caribou herd calving areas," the Bureau of Land Management, which administers the lease sale, said in a statement. "This also has the smallest footprint of potential surface disturbance due to No Surface Occupancy stipulations, and limits seismic exploration to the areas available for leasing."

The final decision from the Biden administration drew immediate backlash from groups that oppose drilling in the refuge.

They said bidding in the first lease sale generated a tiny fraction of the government revenue it was expected to generate, as oil companies stayed away from a proposal that faced strong opposition.

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Those groups have expressed concerns that Trump will aggressively attempt to allow oil and gas drilling opportunities in the refuge, perhaps with additional lease sales. The Trump administration also might attempt seismic exploration that could reveal more clues about the area's oil potential, Politico reported.

Conservation groups said they stood ready to challenge any leasing activity they view as illegal.

"Congress should restore protections for the coastal plain rather than continue allowing these lands to be used as a political pawn," said Brook Brisson, senior staff attorney with Trustees for Alaska. "We will stand with our clients, partners, and the majority of Americans in opposing the leasing of these lands and if that means challenging unlawful decisions in court, we're prepared to do that again."

RaeAnn Garnett, first chief of the Native Village of Venetie tribal government, said drilling would be a "direct threat" to the Neets'aii Gwich'in way of life and the Porcupine caribou herd.

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"Our people have relied on this herd for our subsistence practices since time immemorial and expect to be able to rely on it for generations to come," she said. "Any oil and gas development poses an undeniable threat to the caribou migration routes, which will impact our traditional subsistence-based way of life."

The Voice of the Arctic Inupiat, representing elected Inupiaq leaders from Alaska's North Slope where the refuge is located, supports oil and gas activity in the refuge.

The group said in a statement it opposes the "minimized" lease sale.

"This final (record of decision) and notice of a lease sale is a deliberate attempt by the Biden administration's Interior Department to kneecap the potential of development in ANWR," said Nagruk Harcharek, president of the Voice of the Arctic Inupiat. "This minimalist (record of decision) goes against the wishes of the North Slope Inupiat, particularly those in Kaktovik  the only community located within ANWR. It is a disingenuous move designed to meet the minimum legal requirements outlined by Congress while undermining any economic potential in our region  a bad faith effort that jeopardizes the economic and cultural future of our communities for political gain."

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Alaska U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan said on social media on Monday that the lease sale would close 75% of the coastal area and called it a "charade" designed to subvert congressional intention in allowing lease sales.

"The Biden-Harris administration has never given any weight to the voices of the Alaska Native people in the region who strongly support responsible resource development in ANWR for the benefit of their communities," said Sullivan, a Republican.

"The good news is we will soon be working with the Trump administration which, unlike Biden-Harris, has a proven track record of responsible oil and gas production and Alaska resource development, and respects the voices of the Inupiat people of the North Slope," Sullivan said.
In the January 2025 issue of Reason, we're giving performance reviews of Joe Biden's presidency. Click here to read the other entries.

When he was hired for his current position, Joe Biden set ambitious goals for himself on the drug policy front. He promised to "eliminate mandatory minimums"; "end, once and for all, the federal crack and powder cocaine disparity"; "decriminalize the use of cannabis and automatically expunge all prior cannabis use convictions"; and "use the president's clemency power to secure the release of individuals facing unduly long sentences for certain non-violent and drug crimes."

As president, Biden had the unilateral power to accomplish just one of these five things. Not coincidentally, that is the only action item on which he made progress after starting work in January 2021.

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As of early November, Biden had commuted 132 sentences, nearly all of which involved drug offenses. That was 38 more commutations than his predecessor, Donald Trump, granted over four years, although it paled beside the 1,714 granted by President Barack Obama in his second termor the 65,000 federal prisoners serving time for drug trafficking.

Biden said he would "work for the passage of legislation to repeal mandatory minimums at the federal level." That did not happen.

Citing the precedent set by the Fair Sentencing Act of 2010, which reduced the scientifically baseless and racially skewed penal disparity between the smoked and snorted forms of cocaine, Biden said his administration "will eliminate this disparity completely" and "ensure that this change is applied retroactively." That did not happen either.

Regarding marijuana, Biden did issue mass pardons for people convicted of simple possession under federal law. But contrary to his claim that he was thereby "expunging thousands of convictions," those pardons did not have that effect, which would require new legislation. Nor did the pardons free any prisoners or "decriminalize the use of cannabis." Simple possession is still a federal misdemeanor punishable by a minimum $1,000 fine and up to a year in jail.

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Biden also ordered a regulatory review that resulted in a proposal to move marijuana from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, a category supposedly reserved for the most dangerous and least medically useful drugs, to Schedule III, which includes prescription medications such as ketamine, Tylenol with codeine, and anabolic steroids. The main benefits of that change would be reduced bureaucratic barriers to medical research and a big tax benefit for state-licensed marijuana businesses. But contrary to Biden's promise that he would "support the legalization of cannabis for medical purposes," reclassifying marijuana does not accomplish that, which would require regulatory approval of specific cannabis-based products.

Biden also said he would "leave decisions regarding legalization for recreational use up to the states." But while an annually renewed spending rider that predates Biden's presidency shields medical marijuana suppliers from the threat of criminal charges and civil asset forfeiture, prosecutorial discretion is the only protection for businesses that serve the recreational market. Moving marijuana to Schedule III does not change that situation, because it does not resolve the conflict between federal prohibition and state marijuana laws. That would require repealing the federal bana step that Biden has steadfastly resisted.

In short, Biden thinks big but has a problem with follow-through. His moves toward reducing the damage done by the drug war have been consistently disappointing, failing to match rhetoric with action.

Drug policy performance review: lacks initiative on projects that require collaboration

The post Biden Failed To Deescalate the Drug War appeared first on Reason.com.
The Biden administration is moving ahead with the smallest possible oil and gas lease sale controversially mandated to take place in a wildlife refuge.

The Bureau of Land Management is required to auction off opportunities to drill in the Alaska wildlife refuge by the end of this year under 2017s Tax Cuts and Job Act.

Many Democrats have opposed drilling for oil there, and the Biden administration now says it will auction off only the minimum 400,000 acres required under the law.

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The rights to drill in the refuge will be auctioned off on Jan. 9  just 11 days before President-elect Trump takes office.

The lease sale will be the second one required by the law. The Trump administration carried out the first in 2021, though amid significant activist pushback against drilling in the refuge, there was very little interest in actually drilling there the first time that rights to drill were offered.

The few drilling leases that were issued at the time were later suspended by the Biden administration, which cited multiple legal deficiencies.

In its new decision the Biden administration also said it is limiting the sale to the places with the highest potential for oil and gas discovery.

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It additionally does not offer up drilling in polar bear denning and migratory bird nesting areas  and seeks to protect other species such as caribou.

The Arctic refuge is home to grizzly bears, polar bears, gray wolves, caribou and more than 200 species of birds and contains land considered sacred by the Gwichin people.

 Updated at 1:58 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.
President Joe Biden says his administration believes Austin Tice is alive and that the fall of Bashar al-Assads regime in Syria could present an opportunity to bring him home, more than 12 years after the missing journalist traveled there to cover Syrias descent into war.

After nearly 13 years of grinding conflict, Assad and his government collapsed in less than 13 days, with rebel forces marching on the capital of Damascus. The collapse of the regime ends over 50 years of rule over Syria by the Assad family. Assad has reportedly fled to Moscow, granted asylum by Russia, according to Russian state media.

We are mindful that there are Americans in Syria, including those who reside there, as well as Austin Tice, who was taken captive more than 12 years ago. We remain committed to returning him to his family, Biden told reporters at the White House on Sunday, characterizing the moment in the Middle East as one of peril and opportunity.

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We believe hes alive. We think we can get him back. But we have no direct evidence of that yet, Biden added. We have to identify where he is.

U.S. officials have said they know with certainty that the Assad regime had been holding Tice, but that the U.S. government does not know his conditions or whereabouts.

READ MORE: Austin Tices family says long-missing journalist is alive as war resurges in Syria

Biden said in his statement that U.S. forces would remain in northern Syria, where they have been stationed for nearly a decade as part of an international coalition fighting Islamic State militants. But he said the administration would engage with all Syrian groups in an effort to build a better future for the Syrian people.

Tices family traveled to Washington this week to meet with senior Biden administration officials last week amid the rebel offensive, stating they had a new source confirming that Tice remains alive and well. The White House did directly respond to the familys statement.
The News

US President Joe Biden announced a further package of military aid to Ukraine worth almost $1 billion as his administration rushes to back Kyiv ahead of Donald Trumps accession in January.

The additional support will provide Ukraine with more drones, more rockets for its HIMARS [High Mobility Artillery Rocket] systems, and more support for crucial maintenance and sustainment, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told the Reagan National Defense Forum.

It comes as Trump said Sunday that Kyiv could possibly receive less aid when he takes office, and threatened again to leave NATO if other members dont pay their bills.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Monday said he was seeking a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, but added that he did not believe Putin wanted to end the war and that a strong Ukraine was a necessary prerequisite for diplomacy.

SIGNALS

Kyivs Western allies are attempting  and possibly failing  to Trump-proof Ukraine

Sources: The Associated Press, The Hill, Foreign Policy

The package is designed to support the countrys long-term resistance rather than make an immediate impact on the battlefield, The Associated Press noted. Bidens critics have accused him of Trump-proofing Ukraine, but one optimistic scenario could be that the US President-elects comments about ending the war quickly turn out to be bluster, a former government official argued in The Hill: If Trump doesnt bow to Putin for the sake of his legacy, the Biden-Trump tandem team can each claim their share of credit for a major historic victory, he wrote. European allies in NATO are feeling more pessimistic, hence their own Trump-proofing, but the reality is that Europes defense infrastructure is incomplete without the US, a columnist argued in Foreign Policy.

Russias catastrophic losses havent provoked anger over the war

Sources: BBC, ECPR, The Guardian

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy gave a rare casualty update Saturday, announcing that some 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since Russia launched its full-scale invasion. Both sides have been reluctant to reveal such figures, but Zelenskyy is thought to have done so in response to Trumps recent claim that Kyiv had ridiculously lost 400,000 soldiers, the BBC noted. Russian sources generally underestimate their own losses, according to statisticians writing for the European Consortium for Political Research. Moscow is believed to have suffered catastrophic losses without triggering public discontent or discouraging new recruits: Many of those dying are former convicts and poor volunteers, and Russian society views it as their choice, one sociologist told The Guardian.
The Moon bears its history on its skin. Earth's only permanent natural satellite is scored and scarred with billions of years' worth of cratering  a record of constant bombardment.

The biggest and oldest of these scars is a monster crater, one of the largest, not just on the Moon, but in the entire Solar System. The South Pole-Aitken basin covers nearly a quarter of the Moon's surface, with a diameter of some 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles).

It's not easy to study the South Pole-Aitken basin. It's over 4 billion years old, and huge; in addition, time and subsequent impacts have done much to obscure it.

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But new research suggests that the ancient, gargantuan crater may not have formed the way we thought, and may be much bigger than previous studies suggest  a discovery that has exciting implications for future lunar missions to the basin.

"It's challenging to study the South Pole-Aitken basin holistically due to its sheer enormousness, which is why scientists are still trying to learn its shape and size," says geologist Hannes Bernhardt of the University of Maryland.

"Our work challenges many existing ideas about how this massive impact occurred and distributed materials, but we are now a step closer to better understanding the Moon's early history and evolution over time."

Previous work on the South Pole-Aitken basin found that the impact was created by an oblique collision with a large object, leaving behind a crater shaped more like an oval than a circle. Under this model, the debris would have sprayed predominantly in one direction, away from the lunar south pole.

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Bernhardt and his colleagues wanted to investigate the way this impact played out by studying the geological features on the surface of the Moon today. NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has been circling the Moon since 2009, mapping its surface and collecting a wealth of lunar geology data.

The research focused on more than 200 mountain features scattered around the outskirts of the basin that the team thought may be remnants of the crater rim. When the cataloging and the mapping was complete, however, the shape formed by these features was far more circular than the researchers expected it to be.

Impacts gouge out materials from deep under the lunar crust and spray them over the surface. Because the Moon doesn't experience erosion from geological or atmospheric weather processes that obscure impact evidence here on Earth, those materials should still be there.

"A rounder, more circular shape indicates that an object struck the Moon's surface at a more vertical angle, possibly similar to dropping a rock straight down onto the ground," Bernhardt says.

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"This circular impact implies that debris from the impact is more equally distributed around it than was originally thought, which means that Artemis astronauts or robots in the south pole region may be able to closely study rocks from deep within the moon's mantle or crust  materials that are typically impossible for us to access."

The team's map, showing the mountain features they determined were related to the crater rim (triangles), and the best fits for its shape (circles). (Bernhardt et al., EPSL , 2024)

Those materials could give us new insights into how the Moon formed  a process that is shrouded in mystery and the topic of much healthy speculation.

The current leading explanation is that Earth's satellite is a chunk of planet that broke off during a giant, early Solar System impact, but alternatives include coalescence from a cloud of debris, or gravitational capture.

A more vertical angle of approach for the impactor could explain other strange features of the basin. For example, measurements of the Moon's gravity around the region suggest that, under the giant crater, the crust of the Moon is much higher density than its surroundings. A possible explanation for this is the presence of a dense chunk of asteroid buried therein.

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Having direct access to a treasure trove of minerals from early in the Moon's history could help answer such questions.

"One of the most exciting implications of our research is how it is applicable to missions to the Moon and beyond," Bernhardt says.

"Astronauts exploring the lunar south pole might have easier access to ancient lunar materials that could help us understand how the Moon and our Solar System came to be."

The research has been published in Earth & Planetary Science Letters.

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Comedian Bill Burr was brash in his condemnation of slain UnitedHealthcare (UHC) CEO Brian Thompson, who he likened to a "gangster."

The funnyman made the quip about the Thompson when speaking to podcast cohost and fellow comedian Paul Virzi on their show "Anything Better?" after news of the murder broke.

"You know what's funny, I was sitting there reading an article, and a guy was like, 'Oh my God, he's such a great guy. He had a wife and kids, and he's such a great guy,'" Burr said of the 50-year-old insurance CEO. "And then you find out, he and the other guys he's working for are getting sued... for dumping a stock, and not letting the other people know."

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In the clip, Burr seemed to reference reports from earlier this year revealing that the Department of Justice was investigating UHC and Thompson for alleged antitrust activity. In a subsequent lawsuit, Thompson and other executives at the massive insurer were accused of selling off company stock in droves after they learned about the investigation  without informing shareholders of the probe.

In the wake of his murder, that DOJ probe has come back to light as speculators and law enforcement rush to figure out the motives of his mysterious assassin. Police have arrested a person of interest for Thompson's murder after a days-long, multi-state manhunt.

"There's your motive!" Burr joked, echoing conspiracy theories that have circulated online in the aftermath of the CEO's murder.

Suit Says

Thompson and other executives at UHC were, according to Crain's reporting after the investigation was initially revealed, accused of selling off stock ahead of the probe being made public.

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As Burr rightfully pointed out, businessmen like Thompson who are accused of insider trading are "all on the legal side of stealing."

"They're gangsters, dude," he enthused. "And then one of them gets whacked or something and [the media are] like 'Oh my god, he was such a good guy.'"

"It's a dirty game," Burr said. "Healthcare, a dirty game."

The comedian's comments on his podcast echo the discourse surrounding the CEO's murder, which has been met with celebration by many amid growing anger about healthcare costs.

To his credit, Burr isn't dancing on Thompson's grave  but right about the sentiments of the American public: you might not celebrate when a bad person dies, but there's no pressing need to mourn.

More on the UHC CEO murder: Murdered Insurance CEO Had Deployed an AI to Automatically Deny Benefits for Sick People
Former President Clinton blamed the mainstream media coverage of Hillary Clintons email controversy for her 2016 presidential loss.

During an interview with MSNBCs Joe Scarborough on Morning Joe that aired Monday, the former president discussed an excerpt from his recent book, Citizen, published in November.

In the book, he detailed the rage he felt after his wife, the former Secretary of State, lost to President-elect Trump in the 2016 election, and how he believes the media blew the email scandal out of proportion.

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Its easier for us to know what happened in 2016 in some ways than it is what happened in 2024  because in 2016, you had two highly unusual things, former President Clinton began, in a clip highlighted by Mediaite.

First of all, the mainstream media told the American people repeatedly that the biggest issue was Hillarys emails. Thats what they said, he continued.

Trump and other Republicans at the time blasted Hillary Clintons use of a private email server to send and receive communication pertaining to her government work. The FBI investigated her practices but did not end up filing charges. However, it became a major focus of media coverage in the home stretch of the campaign, with then FBI director James Comey publicly releasing information about newly discovered emails days before the election.

In the new interview, former President Clinton noted it wasnt just right-leaning outlets that flocked to his wifes email story.

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When in fact, even the Trump State Department said she neither sent nor received a single solitary email on her personal device marked classified, he said.

And two, she followed the rules as they then existed. The rules were changed after she left office. And yet, the whole story was written as if she had done something hideous.

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A gavel rests on an open book. Sen. Merika Coleman, D-Pleasant Grove, has filed a bill that would considerably extend the statute of limitations on victims of child abuse civilly suing their abusers. (Brian Lyman/Alabama Reflector)

An Alabama state senator has filed a bill that would increase the statute of limitations for victims of child sexual abuse to pursue litigation.



SB 21, sponsored by Sen. Merika Coleman, D-Pleasant Grove, would extend the limit for a person to file a civil lawsuit against their abusers from their 25th birthday to their 55th birthday. The bill also provides a limited opportunity for those who previously ran over the limit to file suit between Oct. 1, 2025 and Oct. 1, 2027.



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Coleman said Wednesday survivors had spoken to her about the difficulties in getting access in the state of Alabama.

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Every year we start making some strides and getting some additional support, she said.

According to Child USA, a nonprofit think tank focused on child abuse and neglect that advocates for changes to statute of limitations laws , more survivors aged 50 to 70 disclosed abuse than other age groups. Over half of survivors report for the first time after the age of 50.

Last year, Coleman was able to pass a more limited bill through the Legislature which allowed survivors to participate in a trust for survivors in Boy Scouts.

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There are lots of other survivors outside of the Boy Scouts, and so we want to make sure that we have a way that we can give those survivors recourse, as well, she said.

Revival legislation, which allows claims under previously expired statute of limitations, has passed in other parts of the country.

Its a tool, and it is up to that survivor to actually move forward, to use the tool, she said.

Rep. Matt Simpson, R-Daphne, a former child victims prosecutors in Baldwin County, said Thursday that he did not believe it was right that a person would need to file before their 25th birthday.

Youre talking about people that have, when this happens, they are, some are extremely young, and it takes time for them to be able to address it themselves and understand what happened and understand how they were taken advantage of and what someone did to them, he said.

Simpson said it is hopefully a bipartisan issue.

The Alabama Legislature returns in February.

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Photo: Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Azerbaijan

BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 9. The determination to convene the subsequent meeting of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) ministers in Doha, Qatar's capital, in the last quarter of 2025 was established during the 26th GECF ministerial meeting, Trend reports citing the Ministry of Energy.

Azerbaijan was represented by Deputy Minister of Energy Kamal Abbasov during the forum.

In his speech, Abbasov highlighted Azerbaijan's significant role in the global energy market, emphasizing the country's vast natural gas reserves and its strategic position.

He pointed out that Azerbaijani gas is exported to 12 countries, indicating the growing demand for the country's energy resources.

Abbasov also discussed the successes of the COP29 conference held in Baku, with a special focus on the panel discussions organized by the GECF, which underscored the importance of natural gas in ensuring a sustainable energy transition.

Notably, Azerbaijan has been participating in the GECF as an observer since 2015.
(Bloomberg) -- Miami condo developer Jorge Perez said President-elect Donald Trumps proposed mass deportations risk leading to a police state while also fueling new increases in consumer prices.

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Are you going to make people of color have a card that says, Im a legal resident? Perez said at a Bloomberg New Voices event in Miami. When you think of this, the consequences can be so, so atrocious.

Perez, an immigrant of Cuban descent who founded Related Group, was a close partner and friend of Trumps before the incoming president entered politics. Trump wrote the introduction to a book that Perez published in 2008 and asked him to serve in his first administration. Trump also tried to enlist Perezs help to build a wall on the USs southern border.

The Miami billionaire declined both offers, calling the wall idiotic and saying he was dramatically opposed to Trumps immigration and trade policies. Perez has remained a Democratic donor and criticized Floridas sharp turn to the right.

Perez said Related Group has already felt the strain from Floridas tougher approach on immigration after Governor Ron DeSantis ushered in one of the most restrictive policies in the country last year. A Related Group project in Jacksonville, in northern Florida, lost 80% of its workers, who crossed states lines to nearby Georgia, Perez said.

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He argued that immigration should be regulated, saying that its a difficult line to balance who is allowed to stay and who isnt.

Immigrants fill jobs Americans dont want to do, he said. Perez, 75, was born in Argentina to Cuban parents and immigrated to the US more than 50 years ago.

Perez founded Related Group in 1979 and was a major player in building out the Miami skyline, earning him the nickname condo king. The company is one of Floridas largest residential developers, with 100,000 residential units built and managed and over $50 billion in sales.

Real estate development isnt the only industry worried about a labor squeeze. Last year, Floridas powerful hospitality industry drafted legislation that would allow the hiring of undocumented immigrants under certain circumstances, according to reporting from Orlando Weekly.

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Without immigrants in the US labor force, employers would have to pay higher salaries that would be passed down to consumers and result in huge price increases, Perez said.

He also warned about price pressures stemming from increased tariffs, which Trump has threatened to raise.

You cant make televisions in America unless you want to pay $10,000 for every TV set, Perez said. There has to be a free trade.

(Updates with details on Related Group in eighth paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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Oh Boy, this is ugly. Jay-Z has responded to being accused of sexually assaulting a child along with disgraced musician and rapper Sean Diddy Combs. The accusations came in a lawsuit on Sunday and since then all hell broke loose. Youve been warned: Buckle up.



The lawsuit was originally filed in October with Combs as the defendant, according to an NBC News report, and was refilled on Sunday to include Shawn Carter (Jay-Z). The accuser remains anonymous and is identified as Jane Doe in the lawsuit, and claims that when she was 13-years-old, she was raped in 2000 by both Combs and Carter at a house party after the MTV Video Music Awards in New York City.

In the suit obtained by NBC News, the accuser claims that after one drink at the party, she felt woozy, lightheaded and felt [like] she needed to lie down, right before Combs and Carter allegedly entered the room. The suit claims Carter held her down and raped her while Combs and an unnamed female celebrity watched, and also alleges Combs raped her as Carter and the woman looked on.

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The lawsuit is filed under New Yorks Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act, and the accuser is reportedly seeking unspecified damages.

Mere minutes after the news of the lawsuit hit the internet, Jay-Z fired back with a statement of his own shared via Roc Nation social media accounts. In the post, Jay denies the allegations in the lawsuit while also tearing into the accusers attorney, Tony Buzbee, accusing him of blackmail.

My lawyer received a blackmail attempt, called a demand letter, from a lawyer named Tony Buzbee, the statement begins. What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle. He then calls Buzbee a fraud, saying, No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY.

In the statement, the music mogul goes on to call the allegations so heinous in nature, adding, I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one. Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree? These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case.

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He added that his only heartbreak is for his family, his wife Beyonce and children Blue Ivy, Rumi and Sir Carter. My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people. I mourn yet another loss of innocence.

The news has rocked the internet, with many taking to social media to express their feelings regarding the accusations, Jay-Z, Diddy, Buzbee and more.

For some online, Jay-Zs once-close proximity to Diddy was proof enough for them in the court of public opinion. One user pointed out on X, formerly known as Twitter, now jay z has been besties with diddy for about 30 years.kinda illogical to assume his hands are completely clean from diddys filth.

now jay z has been besties with diddy for about 30 years.kinda illogical to assume his hands are completely clean from diddys filth pic.twitter.com/HIGRyTNU65  Diamante (@albcanada) December 9, 2024

Jay z was close friends with R. Kelly, diddy, and Harvey Weinstein now theres suddenly no way he could be a predator??? LMFAOOOOOOOOOOOOO  Reese (@ReeseMode) December 9, 2024

Others have some serious thoughts about the accusers lawyer Tony Buzbee, with his involvement being proof enough for some that this lawsuit may not be ironclad. Everybody from Houston knows that Tony Buzbee is a scam attorney. As soon as I found out he was behind the lawsuit, I knew it was a lie, a user wrote on X.

Everybody from Houston knows that Tony Buzbee is a scam attorney. As soon as I found out he was behind the lawsuit, I knew it was a lie.  The Art Of Dialogue (@ArtOfDialogue_) December 9, 2024

Everybody from Houston knows that Tony Buzbee is a scam attorney. And he released this civil lawsuit 3 weeks before Beyonce performs in Houston. Oh the carters are going to destroy him and the world will be a better place once he is gone. https://t.co/QtncaCR18z  bruh we went back! (@JustCallmeRod) December 9, 2024

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Some have emphasized the children of the defendants in all of this. Whenever sh-t like this comes out, I feel so bad for the kids, one user wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. Especially if they old enough to understand and see folks talking about these traumatic allegations. R. K*llys kids, Blue Ivy, etc. They didnt ask to be brought into the world let alone into some bullsh-t.

Whenever shit like this comes out, I feel so bad for the kids. Especially if they old enough to understand and see folks talking about these traumatic allegations. R. K*llys kids, Blue Ivy, etc.



They didnt ask to be brought into the world let alone into some bullshit.  Ms. Andry Noir, PhD (@keatingssixth) December 9, 2024

Others were quick to point out that Blue Ivy is gearing up for the release of Mufasa, Disneys upcoming The Lion King film in which she voices a lead role.

If Blue was doing press for that movie Im sure shes not anymore.   kenn (@HelloKennedi) December 9, 2024

Blue about to start Mufasa press, Bey rehearsing for the halftime show, Mama Tina about to launch her book I hate men pic.twitter.com/p929Kaisys  renny rogue (@renrogue_) December 9, 2024

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Remember that white subway passenger who placed a Black passenger in a chokehold which led to his death last year in New York City?

Well, on Monday, a Manhattan jury found Daniel Penny not guilty of criminally negligent homicide in the death of Jordan Neely. Leave it to Black Twitter to say what Black people everywhere isthinking.

One user, @LoLoByke, questioned how is that so many people can get away with killing us? Crazy how were so desensitized to death and people continually get away with killing folks that look like me, she wrote.

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RIP Jordan Neely Sadly this sh*t will be even worse when 47 gets back in office. Prepare wisely.

Crazy how were so desensitized to death and people continually get away with killing folks that look like me. RIP Jordan Neely



Sadly this shit will be even worse when 47 gets back in office. Prepare wisely https://t.co/EsrcddNuj4  LoLivia Pope (@LoLoByke) December 9, 2024

Another X/Twitter user, @gggb1, believed there should have been more outrage from Black celebrities to bring attention to the severity of the case. Sad part is none of our black entertainers, athletes, politicians spoke out about Jordan Neely maybe rest with the ancestors, they wrote.

Sad part is none of our black entertainers, athletes, politicians spoke out about Jordan Neely maybe rest with the ancestors pic.twitter.com/mESCII07lQ  MALCOLM X IS KING TO ME (@gggb1) December 8, 2024

After Penny was acquitted, Neelys father expressed sadness with the jurys verdict and the criminal justice system overall.

I miss my son. My son didnt have to go through this. I didnt have to go through this either, Andre Zachary said. It hurts, it really, really hurts. What are we going to do, people? Whats going to happen to us now? Ive had enough of this. The system is rigged.

Daniel Perry found NOT guilty. He choked Jordan Neely to death in front of dozens of witnesses. What can you expect, though, with the sitting mayor & ex cop Eric Adams saying it's okay to kill homeless people on the train instead of calling the omnipresent police force. pic.twitter.com/whbQL8QOmJ  Fly Sistah  (@Fly_Sistah) December 9, 2024

One social media user in particular, @Fly_Sistah , felt the exact same way. Daniel Perry found NOT guilty. He choked Jordan Neely to death in front of dozens of witnesses, they lamented.

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What can you expect, though, with the sitting mayor & ex cop Eric Adams saying its okay to kill homeless people on the train instead of calling the omnipresent police force.

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Before the verdict was announced, @FBAGoddess444 shared a message to honor the life of Neely. Say his name...Jordan Neely, she wrote with a picture of him attached.

Last week, Associated Press reported that Andre Zachary filed a lawsuit in New York Supreme Court accusing Penny of assault, battery and causing Neelys death. The suit does not specify the amount of money the family is seeking.

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GOP state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia in Tallahassee on Nov. 19, 2024. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix)

Florida Senate Republican Blaise Ingoglia says hes contemplating filing legislation next year that would provide tax exemptions for homeowners who modernize their homes to make them more resistant to storms.

Speaking during the 2024 Florida Chamber of Commerces annual insurance conference in Orlando last week, the incoming chair of the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee proposed providing a 15-to-20-year tax freeze on homes built in the mid-1990s and earlier if homeowners retrofit to meet elevation and wind code standards.

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If we can get those older homes to be more resilient, it will save local governments a lot of money, Ingoglia said, according to Newsweek. And the most important thing, from the homeowners perspective, they will have a home that is now resilient, that they dont have to pay a ton of money for insurance premiums.

After Hurricane Andrew slammed into South Florida in 1992, the Legislature passed the Florida Building Code in 2002, implementing minimum standards and superseding all local building codes.

Speaking to the Phoenix while in Tallahassee last month for the new Legislatures organizational session, Ingoglia said it became evident to him after surveying the devastation inflicted upon areas of the state from hurricanes Helene and Milton that addressing homes not updated to that standard is an issue that he wants to address.

Im a homebuilder, he said. So, when you look at the areas and you survey the areas, the first thing that I noticed was that homes that were built to todays building code, and todays elevation code, were fine. Almost all of the damage was done exclusively to older homes built to older building codes at sea-level. So, I think theres a role for government to incentivize those people to not build or rebuild in the same place in the same way, to get them to build up out of harms way, and that in turn will cause insurance losses to go down, which causes premiums to go down.

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Ingoglia has yet to file any legislation for the 2025 session, which starts on March 4.

Insurance crisis

Florida lawmakers have passed a variety of reforms in the past few years to address the property insurance crisis, and Ingoglia says theyve made a difference.

Homeowners insurance has definitely bent the cost curve back down, and I would argue that if it wasnt for those reforms, we would have continued to see increases in insurance prices, he said in Tallahassee. Things still need to be done, but a lot of this is also education and the fact that a lot of peoples insurance premiums have gone up because their cost replacements on their homes have gone up.

He elaborated.

When you have homes that pre-Covid were $200,000 that are now $400,000, its only natural that your insurance premiums are going to go up. Our job is to make sure that the insurance companies are being held accountable. [That] theyre not overcharging, theyre doing what theyre contractually supposed to be doing, and at the same time get all of the waste, fraud, and abuse out of the system so homeowners can expect the lowest rates possible.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned on Monday that Islamic State will try to use this period to re-establish capabilities in Syria, but said the United States is determined not to let that happen.

Blinken said Syrians have to choose their future, adding that statements by rebel leaders toward building inclusive governance are welcome but that the real measure will be in the action they take, not just what they say.

Syrian rebels seized the capital Damascus unopposed on Sunday after a lightning advance that sent President Bashar al-Assad fleeing to Russia after a 13-year civil war and more than five decades of his family's autocratic rule.

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"The end of this regime is a defeat for all who enabled its barbarity and its corruption, none more than Iran, Hezbollah and Russia. So, this moment presents a historic opportunity, but it also carries considerable risks," Blinken said at an event at the State Department.

"History shows how quickly moments of promise can descend into conflict and violence. ISIS will try to use this period to re-establish its capabilities, to create safe havens. As our precision strikes over the weekend demonstrate, we are determined not to let that happen."

The ouster of Assad, after rebel forces swept into Damascus this weekend, shattered Iran's network of influence in the Middle East, but Israel, the United States and Arab powers must now deal with the risk of instability and extremism from the mosaic of forces that replaces him.

Islamic State in 2014 swept through large swaths of Syria and Iraq and established an Islamic caliphate before it was driven out by a U.S.-led coalition by 2019.

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Blinken said the U.S. would continue to protect its personnel from any threats.

The U.S. Central Command said its forces conducted dozens of airstrikes on Islamic State targets in central Syria on Sunday. In a statement, CENTCOM said its strikes were aimed to ensure Islamic State does not take advantage of the current situation in Syria.

(Reporting by Humeyra Pamuk, Simon Lewis, Doina Chiacu and Daphne Psaledakis; Editing by Rod Nickel)
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD)  Bloomington residents are calling for the city to do more to address the affordable housing crisis.

The lift the ban bill would empower local governments to cap rent increases to protect renters.

More than two dozen people came out to share stories about their struggles with rent in Bloomington.

The Bloomington NAACP, co-hosted the event and stressed the importance of having safe and affordable housing.

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There are citizens within our community that cant afford to live here because of the cost of rent. And so we just want to bring attention to that and let our leaders know we must address this, said Linda Foster.

The Lift The Ban Coalition said housing costs in Illinois have soared 55% since 2019. In McLean County, 31% of renters struggle to afford basic housing.

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Siouxlanders gathered Sunday at the Sioux City Railroad Museum, some of which were there to buy and get a book signed all towards a good cause.

A meet and greet was held for the book A Mouse in the Roundhouse, the book was written by Edward M. Sibley and illustrated by Jessi Lynch, two Siouxland natives.

Its the true story about a mouse that wandered into the Railroad Museum and its perspective on what the construction of the steam engine looked like through its eyes.

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It started with the mouse running across the floor of the Roundhouse. And therefore, I said, we have a mouse in the Roundhouse. And it just dawned on me that would be kind of fun to write a childrens story from the mouses viewpoint. And so after quite a lot of revisions, we finally got it to a point where was printable, said Edward M. Sibley, the author of A Mouse in the Roundhouse.

The Pink Ladies of Siouxland donate to people fighting Cancer

For just $10 folks could purchase a book and get it signed by the author and illustrator themselves, with all the money going towards the Railroad Museum for repairs after the summer flooding.

At the moment, all of its going to the railroad association, then they can do with it as they feel it fit. Ive done a lot of work out here, a lot of it with the steam engine, and it just seemed to be an appropriate thing to do, said Sibley.

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If you were unable to make it out tonight, Sibley and Lynch will be out at the Railroad Museum until December 10.

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The Boston Police Department are investigating an incident that occurred off Terminal Street in Charlestown.

On Sunday, around 7:33 P.M. police were dispatched to the are of Medford Street and Polk Street in Charlestown for reports of a person running around on the train tracks.

The individual was taken to a nearby hospital for evaluation, however, while on the scene, police noticed that there was a car in the water close by.

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Boston Fire Departments dive team was called in to investigate. Upon the discovery of the car, the dive team found nobody in the vehicle.

There were no injuries reported, and Boston police have cleared the scene.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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CHICAGO (AP)  As Donald Trumps Cabinet begins to take shape, those on both sides of the abortion debate are watching closely for clues about how his picks might affect reproductive rights policy in the president-elects second term.

Trumps cabinet picks offer a preview of how his administration could handle abortion after he repeatedly flip-flopped on the issue on the campaign trail. He attempted to distance himself from anti-abortion allies by deferring to states on abortion policy, even while boasting about nominating three Supreme Court justices who helped strike down the constitutional protections for abortion that had stood for half a century.

In an NBC News interview that aired Sunday, Trump said he doesn't plan to restrict medication abortion but also seemed to leave the door open, saying things change.

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Things do change, but I don't think it's going to change at all, he said.

The early lineup of his new administration, including nominations to lead health agencies, the Justice Department and event the Department of Veterans Affairs, has garnered mixed  but generally positive  reactions from anti-abortion groups.

Abortion law experts said Trump's decision to include fewer candidates with deep ties to the anti-abortion movement could indicate that abortion will not be a priority for Trump's administration.

It almost seems to suggest that President Trump might be focusing his administration in other directions," said Greer Donley, an associate law professor at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

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Karen Stone, vice president of public policy at Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said while many of the nominees have extensive records against reproductive health care, some do not. She cautioned against making assumptions based on Trump's initial cabinet selections.

Still, many abortion rights groups are wary, in part because many of the nominees hold strong anti-abortion views even if they do not have direct ties to anti-abortion activists. They're concerned that an administration filled with top-level officials who are personally opposed to abortion could take steps to restrict access to the procedure and funding.

After Trumps ambiguity about abortion during his campaign, "theres still a lot we dont know about what policy is going to look like," said Mary Ruth Ziegler, a law professor at the University of California, Davis School of Law. That approach may be revealed as the staffs within key departments are announced.

Trump announced he would nominate anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Health and Human Services Department, which anti-abortion forces have long targeted as central to curtailing abortion rights nationwide. Yet Kennedy shifted on the issue during his own presidential campaign.

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In campaign videos, Kennedy said he supports abortion access until viability, which doctors say is sometime after 21 weeks, although there is no defined timeframe. But he also said every abortion is a tragedy and argued for a national ban after 15 weeks of pregnancy, a stance he quickly walked back.

The head of Health and Human Services oversees Title X funding for a host of family planning services and has sweeping authority over agencies that directly affect abortion access, including the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The role is especially vital amid legal battles over a federal law known as EMTALA, which President Joe Bidens administration has argued requires emergency abortion access nationwide, and FDA approval of the abortion pill mifepristone.

Mini Timmaraju, president of the national abortion rights organization Reproductive Freedom for All, called Kennedy an unfit, unqualified extremist who cannot be trusted to protect the health, safety and reproductive freedom of American families.

His potential nomination also has caused waves in the anti-abortion movement. Former Vice President Mike Pence, a staunch abortion opponent, urged the Senate to reject Kennedys nomination. Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the national anti-abortion group Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, said the group had its own concerns about Kennedy.

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Theres no question that we need a pro-life HHS secretary," she said.

Fox News correspondent Marty Makary is Trumps pick to lead the FDA, which plays a critical role in access to medication abortion and contraception. Abortion rights groups have accused him of sharing misinformation about abortion on air.

Russell Vought, a staunch anti-abortion conservative, has been nominated for director of the Office of Management and Budget. Vought was a key architect of Project 2025, a right-wing blueprint for running the federal government. Among other actions to limit reproductive rights, it calls for eliminating access to medication abortion nationwide, cutting Medicaid funding for abortion and restricting access to contraceptive care, especially long-acting reversible contraceptives such as IUDs.

Despite distancing himself from the conservative manifesto on the campaign trail, Trump is stocking his administration with people who played central roles in developing Project 2025.

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Trump acknowledged that drafters of the report would be part of his incoming administration during the Sunday interview with NBC News, saying Many of those things I happen to agree with.

These cabinet appointments all confirm that Project 2025 was in fact the blueprint all along, and the alarm we saw about it was warranted, said Amy Williams Navarro, director of government relations for Reproductive Freedom for All.

Dr. Mehmet Oz, Trumps choice to lead the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, is a former television talk show host who has been accused of hawking dubious medical treatments and products. He voiced contradictory abortion views during his failed Senate run in 2022.

Oz has described himself as strongly pro-life, praised the Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade, claimed life starts at conception and referred to abortion as murder. But he also has echoed Trumps states-rights approach, arguing the federal government should not be involved in abortion decisions.

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I want women, doctors, local political leaders, letting the democracy thats always allowed our nation to thrive to put the best ideas forward so states can decide for themselves, he said during a Senate debate two years ago.

An array of reproductive rights groups opposed his Senate run. As CMS administrator, Oz would be in a key position to determine Medicaid coverage for family planning services and investigate potential EMTALA violations.

As Floridas attorney general, Pam Bondi defended abortion restrictions, including a 24-hour waiting period. Now shes Trumps choice for attorney general.

Her nomination is being celebrated by abortion opponents but denounced by abortion rights groups concerned she may revive the Comstock Act, an anti-vice law passed by Congress in 1873 that, among other things, bans mailing of medication or instruments used in abortion.

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An anti-abortion and anti-vaccine former Florida congressman, David Weldon, has been chosen to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which collects and monitors abortion data across the country.

Former Republican congressman Doug Collins is Trumps choice to lead the Department of Veterans Affairs amid a political battle over abortion access and funding for troops and veterans. Collins voted consistently to restrict funding and access to abortion and celebrated the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

This is a team that the pro-life movement can work with," said Kristin Hawkins, president of the national anti-abortion organization Students for Life.

___

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A 12-year-old boy is dead and an 11-year-old girl is in critical condition after both children fell through ice at a park in Albany, New York, authorities said Sunday.

Albany Police said they responded late Saturday afternoon to Washington Park Lake for reports of two children who had fallen through the ice. Officers found an 11-year-old girl who was treated at the scene and taken to Albany Medical Center Hospital in critical condition.

Later, members of the New York State Police underwater recovery team searched the lake, and at around 7:25 p.m., the body of the boy was recovered from the lake.

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Investigators believe that the boy tried to walk north across the lake towards the lake house and fell through the ice, and the girl who witnessed him fall tried to help. She apparently "followed the same path of travel across the lake, where she also fell through the ice," police said.

Both children are students of the North Albany Middle School, the district confirmed in a social media post.

"Our hearts go out to the families of these students at this incredibly difficult time," Superintendent Joseph Hochreiter said in a statement. "This is a terrible tragedy and we are grieving as a school community."

A tragic fall through ice in Washington Park has left a young boy dead, and a young girl in critical condition. The incident points up the risks of walking onto ice -- and the precautions you can take to protect yourself.https://t.co/kuXl19Y0GH  CBS 6 Albany - WRGB (@CBS6Albany) December 9, 2024

According to New York's Department of Environmental Conservation, Washington Park Lake covers over 5 acres and has an average depth of 6.6 feet and a maximum depth of 11 feet.

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Erica Sheer, who didn't know the children, told CBS affiliate WRGB-TV that she came to the lake Sunday to honor them.

"Well, I decided that I would take a walk over here just to pay my respects to the spot where this happened and pray for the young boy and the young girl who were in the accident yesterday and their families and to wish them well," Sheer told the station.

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Up until now, Shawn Jay-Z Carter has managed to keep his nose clean of any Diddy drama. But now, hes been named in the most recent civil lawsuit against his long-time friend, Sean Diddy Combs. The Root previously reported that the founder of Roc Nation responded to allegations claiming he participated in the rape of a 13-year-girl in 2000 alongside Diddy.

It didnt take long for Hov to respond to all the hoopla, but simply denying the allegations wasnt enough for the Hip-Hop mogul. Carters Instagram statement acts as a much needed PR strategy to limit fallout and control this dangerous narrative.

Heres the breakdown of everything he said.

Claims of Blackmail

Hov began saying this is all an attempt to blackmail him, but unlike other folks, he has no plans to settle. My lawyer received a blackmail attempt, called a demand letter, from a lawyer named Tony Buzbee.

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Carter added to his statement saying, You have made a terrible error in judgement thinking that all celebrities are the same. Hov suggested these alleged blackmail attempts mightve worked on some celebrities, but he is not them. I look forward to showing you just how different I am, he said.

Now since then, Buzbee responded to Carter on Instagram saying I wont be bullied or intimidated. People will see through this effort to discredit me and my clients and the truth will be revealed.

Beef With Tony Buzbee

According to the Brooklyn rapper, Buzbees attempt to blackmail him hasnt worked. In fact, Hov said No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. He continued saying So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!

The rapper didnt stop there. Jay-Z went on to say he did his own research on Buzbee and wasnt impressed. The Texas lawyer is representing over 100 of Diddys alleged victims. According to Buzbee, several demand letters have been sent to celebrities allegedly involved, including Diddy and Jay-Z, because its in the best interest of the victim, he said during a TMZ interview.

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Jay-Z even went as far to say Buzbee is an ambulance chaser in a cheap suit. Now, who really knows how much either of them spend on their suits, but we do know billionaire Hov spends a pretty penny on his wardrobe.

Jay-Z Double-Dog Dares Criminal Charges

The most shocking part of Hovs response is when he dared Buzbee to do away with the civil case and move to file criminal charges instead. These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! he wrote on Instagram.

Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, wouldnt you agree? Jay-Z asked. We dont play these types of games. We have very strict codes and honor. We protect children.

The Carters Explaining Allegations to Their Children

Jay-Z made a point to mention how these allegations, whether true or not, will affect his family. My only heartbreak is for my family, he said. My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people.

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The Carters have three children: Blue Ivy, 12, and twins Sir and Rumi, 8. Throughout their lives, the Carters have taken pride in largely protecting their children from the spotlight. And now  comparable to the Combs children  the Carter kids are facing horrific allegations against their father.

The anonymous accuser is seeking unspecified damages. The lawsuit against both Carter and Combs is filed under New Yorks Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act.

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A person of interest in the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson's murder has been found in Pennsylvania and held for questioning.

The NYPD and New York Governor's office held a press briefing in New York on Monday, December 9th, 2024, during which the person of interest was identified as Luigi Mangione, 26.

Police revealed Mangione was in possession of a ghost gun capable of firing the ammunition used in the attack, as well as a silencer. Police confirmed they received a tip from a McDonalds employee in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

NYC Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch has confirmed that Altoona police arrested Mangione on firearm charges.
The man police suspect of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was class valedictorian at a prestigious Maryland prep school and graduated with honors from an Ivy League school.

Luigi Mangione, 26, graduated from the private Gilman School in Baltimore in 2016 as the class valedictorian, PEOPLE confirms. The all-boys school lists tuition charges for high school as $37,690 annually.

He went on to study engineering and computer and information science at the University of Pennsylvania, graduating with both a bachelor's and master's degree cum laude in 2020, according to his LinkedIn page.

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Police believe Mangione is the gunman responsible for killing Thompson in Midtown Manhattan on Dec. 4. He was spotted by an employee at an Altoona, Pa., McDonalds and allegedly discovered carrying a 9mm "ghost" gun and suppressor, which resembled the weapon used to kill Thompson. Police in Altoona arrested him on weapons charges.

UnitedHealth Group Brian Thompson Brian Thompson

Mangione was also found carrying several fake IDs, including one used to check into a Manhattan hostel, and what police described as a "manifesto" detailing his critiques of the American healthcare industry.

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Investigators from the NYPD and Manhattan District Attorney's office were heading to Altoona on Monday afternoon to interview Mangione, said Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny.

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At Penn, Mangione took classes on advanced algorithms, artificial intelligence, computational linguistics and machine learning, among others, per his LinkedIn. He also reported being the founder of Penn's first video game development club, UPGRADE.

The Maryland native listed his job as a data engineer at automotive listing site TrueCar on LinkedIn, working out of Santa Monica, Calif. His last known residence before the shooting was in Honolulu, Hawaii, police said.



Read the original article on People
UnitedHealth Group CEO Brian Thompson is reportedly set to be laid to rest in a private funeral on Monday, Dec. 9, after being fatally shot in New York City last week.

Thompson was killed just before 6:45 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 4, by a masked man outside the New York Hilton Midtown on Sixth Avenue. The Today show reported his private funeral is Monday.

The New York Police Department (NYPD) didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE.

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Authorities are still searching for Thompson's killer. On Sunday, Dec. 8, the NYPD released new photographs of the person of interest wanted for questioning in the case.

"The full investigative efforts of the NYPD are continuing, and we are asking for the public's help," the NYPD said on X (formerly Twitter). "There is a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction."

Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Police officers pictured on the scene after CEO of UnitedHealthcare Brian Thompson was shot and killed in Midtown Manhattan on Dec. 4, 2024 Police officers pictured on the scene after CEO of UnitedHealthcare Brian Thompson was shot and killed in Midtown Manhattan on Dec. 4, 2024

Related: Monopoly Money Found in Backpack Believed to Belong to UnitedHealthcare CEO Shooting Suspect: Reports

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), which is assisting in the case, previously offered "a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the individual responsible for this crime," per a release shared on Dec. 4.

Kyle Mazza/TheNEWS2 via ZUMA Press Wire UnitedHealth Group CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in Midtown Manhattan on Dec. 4, 2024 UnitedHealth Group CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in Midtown Manhattan on Dec. 4, 2024

Earlier that day, the gunman fired at least three bullets at Thompson  who was at the Midtown Manhattan Hilton location for an investors' conference  hitting him from behind in the back and leg. The person then fled northbound on Sixth Avenue before getting on an electric Citi Bike and heading towards Central Park, NYPD officials said at a press conference.

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"This does not appear to be a random act of violence; all indications are that it was a premeditated, targeted attack," the NYPD said of the killing in an X post on Dec. 5.

The words "deny," "defend" and "depose" were reportedly discovered by detectives on the shell casings found at the scene where Thompson was shot, the Associated Press and ABC reported, citing law enforcement sources.

Per ABC News, NYPD detectives have been working to establish whether the words found on the casing were meant as a message from the shooting suspect and a hint at their motive. The words are similar to "Deny, delay, defend," a phrase about the insurance industry to describe a strategy of rejecting claims.

Related: On Day CEO Brian Thompson Was Killed, His Minn. Home Was Subject of 'Hoax' Bomb Threat: Police

New York City Police Dept./X A photo of the person of interest in the Brian Thompson shooting case A photo of the person of interest in the Brian Thompson shooting case

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NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch previously told CNN in an interview that investigators now have "reason to believe" the suspect is outside the city.

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CNN also spoke to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny, who said that after leaving Central Park, the suspect was seen on surveillance footage walking in the area of 86th Street and Columbus Avenue, more than 30 blocks north of where the shooting occurred.

Kenny told the outlet that the person of interest got into a cab, which took him to a bus center on 178th Street and Broadway. A photo released by the NYPD on Sunday, Dec. 8, shows the person in what appears to be the backseat of a cab; another shows him outside the vehicle.

Those buses are interstate buses," Kenny said. "Thats why we believe he may have left New York City."



Read the original article on People
David Braff Jr., an assistant principal at a California middle school, has been charged with 17 felony counts of "lewd acts" on children. Prosecutors say Braff molested eight students between the ages of six and 10 when he was a counselor at McKevett Elementary School from 2015 to 2019.

The post Brickbat: Unprincipaled appeared first on Reason.com.
BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. (WBOY)  The Bridgeport Police Department is seeking the publics help in identifying two suspected shoplifters.

A Facebook post from the Bridgeport Police Department provides photos and said the shoplifting occurred at Target but does not say what was stolen or when the shoplifting took place.

Man arrested for murder of Morgantown woman found in shallow grave

Target Shoplifting (Photo Courtesy: Bridgeport Police Department)

Target Shoplifting (Photo Courtesy: Bridgeport Police Department)

Target Shoplifting (Photo Courtesy: Bridgeport Police Department)

The photos appear to show two men, both in hoodies and one wearing a hat, and with dark facial hair, carrying items through the store.

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Anyone with information about the two individuals is asked to contact Officer Thomas at 304-848-6109 or by email at ithomas@bridgeportwv.gov.

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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has fallen from power in the most dramatic fashion possible. Less than two weeks after Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) rebels launched a rapid-fire offensive against Aleppo, Assad surrendered power in Damascus and went into exile. Assads demise poses a devastating blow to Russia and Irans influence in Syria, but it is an equally humiliating development for his apologists here in Britain.

As soon as the 2011 Arab Spring protests erupted against Assads regime, apologists for his tyranny surfaced in Britain. In the name of anti-imperialism and defending state sovereignty, figures on the far-left urged Britain to abandon its support for regime change in Syria and refrain from military action that would undermine Assads authority.

Assadist propaganda took two main forms. The first denied Assads responsibility for the atrocities linked to his name and accused the Syrian opposition of carrying out the conflicts most egregious war crimes. British blogger Vanessa Beeley denied Assads chemical weapons use and accused the White Helmets opposition movement of being a terrorist entity linked to organ trafficking.

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George Galloway, the Labour Party-turned-Workers Party of Great Britain MP who praised Assad as a breath of fresh air during his 2005 visit to Damascus, wove these fringe conspiracy theories into British political discourse. After the August 2013 Ghouta chemical attack, Galloway accused Israel of funneling chemical weapons to al-Qaeda to frame Assad. Galloway also reiterated the Russian narrative that the Syrian Civil War was a binary conflict between Assad and terrorists.

People shoot in the air as they celebrate the fall of the Syrian government in Damascus, Syria - Ugur Yildirim/DIA Photo

To dismiss the notion that he was an Assad apologist, Galloway declared in December 2020 that I support the secular Syrian Arab Republic and oppose the grisly hordes of Islamists sent to destroy it by the empire and their Gulf stooges. Former British Ambassador to Syria Peter Ford advanced similar logic and claimed that the presence of Christmas trees in Aleppo after the siege ended in 2016 showed how Assad was a lesser evil to the opposition.

The second line of reasoning, which was more palatable to mainstream political figures, was that the West was wrong in its efforts to liberate Syria from Assads tyranny. After the Ghouta chemical attack, British Prime Minister David Cameron expressed support for enforcing President Barack Obamas redline with military action in Syria. Camerons calls for intervention were defeated in the Parliament by a 285-272 margin, as a coalition of Conservative MPs joined their Labour counterparts in opposing the liberation of Syria.

After becoming Labour leader in 2015, Jeremy Corbyn fervently opposed interventionism in Syria. After the April 2017 Shayrat strike, which punished Assad for using chemical weapons yet again, Corbyn lashed out at the US for acting without UN backing. Corbyn similarly called strikes by the US, Britain, and France on Syria in April 2018 legally questionable and an escalation of the Syrian Civil War. The chasm between these criticisms of Western punitive measures against Assad and his silence in the face of Russian atrocities in Syria was plain for all to see.

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While Assadists were largely detached from the levers of political power, they muddied the waters for a potential Western intervention on Assads behalf. As the West abandoned the anti-Assad cause, it became clear that the Syrian opposition would have to fight Assad alone.

The meltdown of the Syrian Arab Army defences underscores the fact that Assad was a tyrant who lacked popular legitimacy. Ordinary Syrians cheer his ousting even as they express fear of what HTS might do next and how the Syrian economy will fare.

This reality has driven many of the most incendiary Assadists into a state of shock and silence today. May that silence turn into self-reflection.

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There is something distinctly odd about media reports of Dame Sara Khans report concluding that Britain is the most socially divided country of the 28 surveyed, apart from the United States.

The governments former counter-extremism tsar warns that a decline in democratic resilience is creating a permissive environment for extremists to exploit. Forty-five per cent of those questioned said they almost never trusted the government to put the nations interests first, regardless of the party in power. This was up from 23 per cent in 2020. Only 41 per cent of people trusted their neighbours.

The study is published by Crest Insights, an independent think tank, and is based on research by the Policy Institute at Kings College London that interrogated the publics confidence in institutions. Significantly, evidence of growing hateful attitudes in the UK was based on surveys commissioned by Hope Not Hate (HNH), an organisation that describes itself as anti-racist and anti-fascist.

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HNH has form here. It is fond of issuing dire warnings about the rise of the far-Right. In 2021, for example, it identified 52 local authority areas in England and Wales as being ripe for exploitation by the far-Right. This seems to have been based on the revelation that people in some of the countrys deindustrialised areas held views on immigration that were less liberal than average attitudes to multiculturalism and migration.

Well, if that isnt a precursor to holding a Nuremberg Rally in Stockport, I dont know what is.

Hope Not Hates annual State of Hate report for 2024 is replete with photographs of all the favourite Right-wing threats to the nation, including, inevitably, Nigel Farage, Jacob Rees-Mogg and Elon Musk. There is, admittedly, a large section of the report devoted to analysing the Middle East conflict and the consequent rise in both Islamophobic and anti-Semitic attacks in Britain. But the editorial direction is clearly signalled in a piece attacking journalist Douglas Murray, who is seen as a threat because he lost no time in linking the actions of Hamas [on October 7, 2023] to a wider threat posed by Islamism and Muslim immigration into Europe more generally.

Well, yes, because Islamism is a form of fascism that would have had Goebbels reaching for the lever marked Steady on chaps!. And isnt fascism what HNH are supposed to be against?

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Another area covered by the HNHs State of Hate report focuses Drag Queen Story Hour, with those who oppose such events dismissed, inevitably, as far-Right and transphobes. Its hard to imagine why any parent would object to primary aged children being read a story by an over-sexualised female impersonator called Flo Job (geddit?), unless theyre a fully paid-up member of the British Union of Fascists, isnt it?

I mention these statements by HNH simply to provide context for anyone who is interested in reading Dame Saras report, because it is relevant to point out where some of the research on which she has relied is coming from.

Her conclusion that Britain is bitterly divided is undoubtedly correct, and the rise of social media, including Musks X, has to take a lot of responsibility for that. It is a perfect platform to share demented conspiracy theories about World Governments, damaging and irresponsible misinformation about immigrants and asylum seekers, and scepticism about the spherical shape of the earth and how Stanley Kubrick faked the film of the Apollo moon landings.

But her conclusions, drawn in part from a very partial political analysis by HNH, an organisation with a very specific political agenda, undermines her own work. The mistrust of institutions, including the government and the BBC, mistrust of our own neighbours (only 41 per cent of us do so  frankly Im surprised its that high) all point to a weakening social cohesion and a decline in democratic resilience, she states.

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Some of that breakdown in trust is down to the Right-wing. Some of it is down to the Left, which tends to present policies as a fait accompli, founded on a fictional social consensus (Drag Queen Story Hour is a good example) and then accuses anyone who objects of indulging in a culture war. Mistrust of the BBC, for example, is entirely rational if youre a sex realist and recognise the biological fact of the sex binary: why would you trust an organisation so entirely captured by the LGBTQI+ lobby to provide you with impartial reports on that subject?

Of course, blame games dont get us very far. But if we are to start with an honest and fair analysis of the real and damaging divisions within our society, we cannot simply point the finger at anyone who happens to disagree with us. That way lies only more division.

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NEW BRITAIN, Conn. (WTNH)  A New Britain man was arrested for DUI on Monday in Plainville, according to police.

New Britain man charged with DUI after nearly striking troopers on I-84 in Hartford

State police received multiple 911 calls complaining about a Toyota sedan driving erratically on I-84 near the Route 72 interchange. Once pulled over, a state trooper immediately noticed signs of impairment and the distinct smell of alcohol on the operators breath.

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After failing a field sobriety test, the driver, 34-year-old Kaylyn Howard, was arrested and charged with a DUI and failure to maintain in proper lane. He was released on a $500 bond and is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 27.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 9. The 26th annual meeting of the Board of Governors of the Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) has approved the second phase of the medium-term strategic and business program of the BSTDB for 2023-2026, Trend reports via Azerbaijan's Ministry of Finance.

According to the information, the meeting was attended by a member of the Board of Governors of the Bank, Finance Minister of Azerbaijan Samir Sharifov.

Meanwhile, members of the Board of Governors discussed the Bank's activities and its achievements in recent years on the occasion of its 25th anniversary.

The participants praised BSTDB's vision, leadership, and innovation, which contributed to positive changes in the Black Sea region, and expressed confidence in the Bank's further successes.

Moreover, it was noted that during 25 years of operation, the bank has demonstrated resilience, overcoming global and regional challenges, including economic crises, and has become a significant financial institution.

Over this period, the BSTDB has disbursed more than 8.8 billion euros in loans, supporting hundreds of private and public sector clients. The Bank's investments have contributed to significant changes in key sectors of the member countries economies, such as industry, infrastructure, energy, transportation, telecommunications, agriculture, and finance. Thanks to these achievements, BSTDB reaffirmed its crucial role in economic development and strengthening of regional cooperation in the Black Sea region, the information says.

BSTDB is an international interstate financial and credit organization. The Bank was established by the member states of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Moldova, Romania, Russian Federation, Turkiye, Greece, and Ukraine.
LOS ANGELES (WROC)  The Bills saw their winning streak come to an end, giving up their most points in a game since 2018 with a 44-42 loss to the Rams.

The defense was terrible, but the Bills still had a chance to win at the end. That is, until Sean McDermott called a timeout after a failed Josh Allen QB sneak. Thad Brown and AJ Feldman break down the miscue.

The run defense has been a problem all season and now the pass defense has questions. What was the most concerning part of the loss.

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Thad discusses Josh Allens historic performance and the pair analyze the AFC playoff picture and whether or not the panic button should be pressed after another loss to a good team.

You can also listen to the podcast on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

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Workers in Australia dont have to respond to work emails or texts after hours.

This past summer, a Right to Disconnect law was passed down under.

Many stressed-out workers here now say they want the same kind of protection.

I think you just need to disassociate on the weekends and relax and not be stressed out about work, said one worker in Westwood.

Another woman said There should absolutely be limits. People want their private time and why should your job infringe upon that?

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Following the action in Australia, similar proposals were filed in California and New York City.

Elaine Varelas, a senior executive at Keystone Partners, a human resource consulting firm, believes this trend has huge momentum right now.

She says being tethered to work electronically 24-7 has consequences.

I think its causing burnout and its causing depression. Just feeling like you cant walk away from your phone or your computer is too much for anyone to ask for.

A survey of 1,100 US workers conducted by www.emailtooltester.com found that 71% feel theyre expected to respond to emails after hours.

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74% said theyre communicating less with loved ones because of burnout from work-related communications.

90% said they favor laws that allow them to disconnect without facing consequences.

Youre seeing an upswell of employees say they need a break, said Varelas.

She thinks corporate managers are listening.

I think the goal is always to get companies to deal with this themselves, that once anything about gets into legislation, were in trouble.

Some workers told Boston 25 News workers in certain fields should expect to be contacted at any time.

One woman said I spent 35 years in the medical field, and I know if you are needed, youre needed. You pick up your stuff and go.

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A man who does emergency sprinkler work said, You know you signed up for it, so youve got to take the call when the phone rings at 2 in the morning.

But for most workers, theyd like to be able to disconnect without fear of reprisal.

You need your time off to be more productive when you are at work, and thats sort of what a lot of the research shows, added one woman.

While many in that survey say theyd prefer to be left alone, 75% still said they feel its necessary to respond for career advancement.

More than half of the respondents say they regularly answer work emails when theyre on vacation.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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The Supreme Court of Missouri in Jefferson City, as photographed on May 24, 2023 (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).

Missouris new law boosting the minimum wage and providing paid sick leave for workers should be thrown out because it violated constitutional rules on ballot initiatives, a coalition of business advocacy groups argued in a lawsuit filed Friday.

Proposition A, a ballot measure that passed by a wide margin, would increase the states minimum wage on Jan. 1 and guarantee paid sick leave for hundreds of thousands of workers starting May 1.

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The lawsuit, filed with the state Supreme Court, argues the election results should be overturned because of several constitutional violations, including alleged violations of the state constitutions single-subject requirement.

The coalition of plaintiffs includes Associated Industries of Missouri, the Missouri Chamber of Commerce and Industry, the Missouri Grocers Association, the Missouri Restaurant Association, the National Federation of Independent Business, and three individuals associated with those groups.

While Proposition A is bad policy and will have extreme and detrimental effects on Missouris businesses, that is not the basis of this action, the coalition stated in the petition.

Instead, the election irregularities and the constitutional violations are so significant that the election results must be overturned and Proposition A must be declared invalid.

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The defendants are Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, who is responsible for the ballot summary statement, and Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick, responsible for the fiscal note summary. JoDonn Chaney, a spokesperson for the Secretary of States office, said the office is in the process of reviewing the lawsuit. Trevor Fox, a spokesperson for the Auditors office, said We stand by the process we have used for decades to produce fair and accurate fiscal notes and fiscal note summaries and that We look forward to defending this process that allows our office to provide unbiased cost estimates that voters can trust.

All contests to statewide election results are heard by the state Supreme Court.

Marilyn McLeod, president of League of Women Voters of Missouri, called the lawsuit anti-democratic and reprehensible in a press release.

These special interest groups could have raised their legal concerns at any other point in the process before the measure appeared on the ballot, McLeod said.

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We are appalled that judges will be asked to overturn the wishes of the Missouri electorate, she added, but we are confident that they will see that wages and benefits are clearly part of the same subject on compensation and will reject this lawsuit.

Terrence Wise, a leader with the Missouri Workers Center, an organization of low-income workers, said Proposition A provided a chance for change and hope to low-wage workers across the state.

Its sickening to me that corporations are trying to steal our victory away and quiet the will of the voters who made this win possible, Wise said.

Missourians for Healthy Families and Fair Wages, the campaign behind Prop A, gathered over 210,000 signatures to place it on the ballot (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent).

Proposition A passed with 58% of the vote and had the support of numerous unions, workers advocacy groups, social justice and civil rights organizations, as well as over 500 business owners.

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The states minimum wage will increase to $13.75 in January and then $15 on Jan. 1, 2026. Employees can begin accruing and using sick time on May 1, 2025, earning one hour for every 30 hours worked, up to five days per year for businesses with fewer than 15 employees and seven days per year for larger businesses.

Some workers are exempt, including government employees and workers at businesses that have less than $500,000 in annual revenue.

The lawsuit alleges that the propositions fiscal note and summary on the ballot were insufficient and unfair. For instance, the lawsuit argues the summary wasnt sufficiently nuanced about the caps on paid sick time or which employers are exempt.

Plaintiffs also argue the measure contains multiple subjects in violation of the single-subject constitutional requirement, and the clear-title rule, because benefits and wages should be considered distinct issues.

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Advocates have previously said wages and benefits are part of overall compensation packages, so fall under the single-subject requirement. They have also said there were several opportunities for the group to voice an opinion with concerns about the language earlier, and they didnt.

And the lawsuit argues the proposition violates equal protection laws, through similarly situated parties being treated differently, citing the paid sick-leave exemptions for certain workers.

The details of the law are similar to those in states that have already adopted policies to expand access to paid sick leave. Paid sick leave measures also passed in Alaska and Nebraska last month, bringing the number of states with such laws to 18.

The plaintiffs want the Supreme Court to overturn the election results and declare the fiscal and ballot summaries wrong.

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The business coalition had previously said they were exploring all available options, including possible legal action.

The main focus of concern among business advocacy groups has been with the sick leave portion of the proposition, arguing it constrains business owners freedom to make their own decisions and opens them up to liability if they dont follow the requirements.

Because the measure changes state law but not the constitution, the legislature could modify or overturn it without returning for a new vote of the people. Advocates from both sides have told The Independent they see that as unlikely, and see overturning the will of voters as unpopular.

This story was updated at 2:47 p.m. to add comment from the Secretary of States office, and 5 p.m. to add comment from the Auditors office.

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By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -China-based ByteDance and its short-video app TikTok on Monday asked an appeals court to temporarily block a law that would require that parent company ByteDance divest TikTok by Jan. 19 or face a ban, pending a review by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The companies filed the emergency motion with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, warning that without the order the law will take effect and will "shut down TikTokone of the nations most popular speech platformsfor its more than 170 million domestic monthly users on the eve of a presidential inauguration."

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Without the injunction, TikTok could be banned in the U.S. in six weeks, making the company far less valuable to ByteDance and its investors, and slamming the businesses that depend on TikTok to drive their sales.

On Friday, a three-judge panel of the appeals court upheld the law requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok in the United States by early next year or face a ban in just six weeks.

Lawyers for the companies said the prospect the Supreme Court will take the case "and reverse is sufficiently high to warrant the temporary pause needed to create time for further deliberation."

The companies also noted President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to prevent a ban, arguing the delay "will give the incoming administration time to determine its position -- which could moot both the impending harms and the need for Supreme Court review."

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The Justice Department said the appeals court should quickly deny the request "to maximize the time available for the Supreme Courts consideration" of petitions from ByteDance and TikTok.

TikTok asked the appeals court to decide on the request by Dec. 16.

The decision -- unless the Supreme Court reverses it -- puts TikTok's fate in the hands of first President Joe Biden on whether to grant a 90-day extension of the Jan. 19 deadline to force a sale and then of Trump, who takes office on Jan. 20. But it is not clear whether ByteDance could meet the heavy burden to show it had made significant progress toward a divestiture needed to trigger the extension.

Trump, who unsuccessfully tried to ban TikTok during his first term in 2020, said before the November presidential election he would not allow the ban on TikTok.

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Trump's incoming national security adviser Mike Waltz told Fox Business Network Friday that Trump "wants to save TikTok. We absolutely need to allow the American people to have access to that app but we have to protect our data as well."

The decision upholds the law that gives the U.S. government sweeping powers to ban other foreign-owned apps that could raise concerns about collection of Americans' data. In 2020, Trump also tried to ban Tencent-owned WeChat, but was blocked by the courts.

TikTok also warned on Monday the court ruling would interrupt "services for tens of millions of TikTok users outside the United States," The app said hundreds of U.S. service providers that enable maintenance, distribution and updating would not be able to provide support for the TikTok platform starting Jan. 19.

(Reporting by David Shepardson, Editing by Nick Zieminski)
UPDATE: According to the California City Police Department, an at-risk missing 12-year-old boy who was reported missing on Dec. 8 has been located.

CALIFORNIA CITY, Calif. (KGET)  The California City Police Department is searching for a missing 12-year-old boy who has a medical condition.

Knowledge McGlon, 12, was announced missing by police on Sunday. Knowledge is autistic and may not immediately speak if spoken to.

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Knowledge is 4 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs about 85 pounds. He was last seen wearing a blue long sleeve shirt and blue jeans.

If you have any information, please contact the California City Police Department at 760-373-8606.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
This is a developing story. Check back to sanluisobispo.com for updates.

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Cal Poly police are asking for the publics help after a student was allegedly assaulted while walking on campus early Saturday morning.

According to a university alert, a male student was walking between the Inyo and Buena Vista dorms at approximately 3 a.m. when he was physically assaulted by six males.

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Cal Poly spokesperson Matt Lazier told The Tribune the student did not sustain life-threatening injuries.

The six males were described as Hispanic, between 18 to 20 years old, and were driving a white four-door sedan, according to the alert.

Law enforcement is seeking assistance from the public to identify the suspects, the alert said.

Campus community members were encouraged to report crime information or suspicious activity to the Cal Poly Police Department at 805-756-2281 or email police@calpoly.edu.

In addition to reporting to the Police Department, anyone with information on the incident can also call Crime Stoppers at 805-549-STOP to report information anonymously.

Tips that lead to identification and arrest of a suspect may result in a reward, Lazier said.

Further details on the incident were not immediately available.
MORGAN  Wellpath Holdings Inc., one of the largest providers of health care services to prisons and jails across the U.S., filed bankruptcy in November, leaving $52,000 unpaid to Calhoun Countys EMS services.

The health care provider serviced the Calhoun State Prison, located in Morgan. The prison relied on Calhouns EMS service, which the county manages and runs on its own. Mandie Milner, the county clerk, said the county had a difficult time receiving payment for its services.

It kept backing up and racking up, she said. I mean, $52,000 for a county our size makes a difference.

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Calhoun County has about 3,300 registered voters. Milner said the prisons population is included in the census, which makes the population look a little off.

She said the countys commissioners previously reached out to the lieutenant governors office and Georgia Rep. Gerald Greene, R-Cuthbert, about outstanding invoices with the prison. They also met with prison officials.

Weve been telling them for a very long time that they were seriously behind on their payments, and the debt was only adding, and we got nothing, Milner said.

One email, sent to the Department of Corrections in March by the Board of Commissioners, read, This is a small county that operates on a tight budget, and when we have open balances, it is causing distress to both our financial status as well as our county citizens whose property taxes have to pay for shortfalls.

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The commissioners urged the DOC to initiate an immediate investigation into the reasons behind the unpaid ambulance bills in the email.

Eight months later, the Board of Commissioners received the bankruptcy letter. Now, Milner said county leadership is concerned they will not receive the $52,000, which would fall on taxpayers.

Wellpath Holdings owes money to EMS services across the country, including $6 million to EMS providers in Michigans eastern Upper Peninsula.

Milner said Calhoun State Prison put a heavy strain on Calhoun Countys EMS services. The county has one ambulance, which Milner said takes about a half-million dollars to run per year. Much of that cost comes from providing services to Calhoun State Prison.

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She called the prison a burden on Calhoun County as a whole, although, Edison and Morgan benefit by selling gas and water to the prison, respectively.

Along with EMS services, Milner said the prison has a contract with Calhoun Countys Sheriffs Office, which prioritizes incidents at the jail. Meanwhile, the county is using its own vehicles and gas to provide these services but not getting reimbursed.

The prison also has failed to provide the county with a consistent, legitimate inmate work detail program since the COVID-19 pandemic, despite having a signed contract to do so, effective July 1.

County commissioners addressed this issue in the March email as well, writing, We have a signed contact regarding the detail, but in March of 2020 the detail no longer reported for duties outside the prison premises. We understood this was due to COVID-19 precautions, and the board was agreeable to temporarily suspending those services.

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"However, we have yet to see the detail return to full force despite meeting with the warden and deputy warden. There was a work detail that did come out with three men in the fall of last year after contacting the lieutenant governor's office, but it slowly dwindled down to one man and once again completely absent with no idea of when it might return.

Milner said the prison provided one inmate work detail briefly during the summer, but the work one person could complete within the county was limited.

The commissioners also brought up concerns about contraband chases associated with Calhoun State Prison, writing that the issue had become a nuisance that was increasingly affecting the community.

It has become evident that the pursuit of contraband, particularly by those attempting to smuggle illegal substances or items into the prison, has resulted in numerous disturbances within our community, the March email read. These chases often involve reckless driving, stolen property, trespassing and disturbances of the peace, creating an atmosphere of fear and unease among residents. The frequency of these incidents poses a significant burden on our local law enforcement resources, diverting attention and manpower away from other critical tasks aimed at maintaining public safety and order.

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Milner said there also have been eight deaths at Calhoun State Prison in 2024. These cases are worked on by the Calhoun County coroner, who is funded by taxpayers.

Milner called the entire situation disheartening.

Calhoun County Commission Chairman Conner Collins said its been unclear what will happen with the $52,000 owned.

The state put the prison here, and they ought to pay for it, he said.

Greene said he believes Wellpath Holdings Inc. will be protected by bankruptcy laws. He said hes been aware of the situation for at least a year and plans to communicate with DOC but hasnt had the chance to reach out because of prior legislative priorities.

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Milner said the county gets the majority of its revenue from property taxes. She said the countys budget is tight, and this debt owed will cause a strain.

We understand the burden of property taxes  money is spent wisely because it affects people, she said. We have people who have to pay their taxes and figure out if theyre gonna be able to pay for their medications. Its a hard pill to swallow.

The Albany Herald reached out to the DOC about this issue but did not receive a response in time for publication.
A University of California workers union was successful in its fight to oust an Orange County Democrat from the state Senate after he did not support a bill it backed in the Legislature. But in doing so, the union may have helped elect a Republican who has a history of opposing organized labor.

Democratic Sen. Josh Newman of Fullerton lost reelection after American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees Local 3299 spent more than $1 million supporting candidates to replace him in the primary and later in ads bashing him and tying him to high gas prices and crime.

Although the union, which represents service workers across UC campuses, did not support Republican Steven Choi, a conservative from Irvine, its decision to oppose a largely pro-labor Democrat probably helped cinch the race in a close contest.

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It was a strategy that demonstrates how much power labor unions can wield in California politics. In a Legislature where Democrats hold more than enough seats to form a supermajority, retaining a member of the party may have been less important to the union than making a point about the consequences of crossing labor.

"This is an unprecedented circumstance where a labor union spent well over a million dollars of their members' monies to take down a Democrat with a solid labor record to the benefit of a Republican that has been anti-labor throughout his legislative career," Newman said. "It's really stunning."

Read more: Too many Democrats in Sacramento? The downsides of political dominance in California

The California Federation of Labor gave Choi a 6% on its annual legislative scorecard in 2022 when he served in the state Assembly, where he voted against bills to support fast-food workers, allow striking workers to keep health benefits and protect farmworkers who unionize. The same year, Newman received an 87% score, voting in favor of many union-backed bills.

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Representatives for AFSCME Local 3299 did not respond to requests to comment.

Newman conceded last month after losing to Choi by less than 2 percentage points, or about 6,000 votes. The Democrat said the union's 35,000 members should be "furious" with its leadership for helping Choi  who has been unfriendly to labor in the past  win a seat in the Legislature.

He believes that the union's campaign against him was spurred by his reluctance to support a bill last year that would have put a measure on the ballot asking voters to enshrine basic labor standards for all UC employees. The bill was sponsored by AFSCME Local 3299 and fizzled before it ever made it to the governor's desk, facing a long list of opponents who said it was unnecessary and unfairly singled out one group of public workers.

Choi, an 80-year-old immigrant from South Korea who previously served as the mayor of Irvine, is reluctant to give the union any credit for his win. Like Newman, he too said he would not have supported the bill that sparked the union's ire.

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A conservative who opposes gay marriage, Choi said his plans for his four-year term are to "achieve a balance of power" in the Democratic-dominated Legislature.

He opposed a union-backed measure on last month's ballot that would have raised the minimum wage to $18 an hour and said he has concerns about how large unions such as the California Teachers Assn. use their power  often donating millions to support Democratic candidates and winning some of the strongest worker laws in the country.

In an interesting twist, Choi is considering proposing legislation that would prohibit unions from financially supporting and endorsing their preferred candidates in elections, saying that they "take hostage" politicians who don't vote their way.

"It's very unfair, how powerful they are," he said. "It's a very unhealthy practice."

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Read more: Women make up nearly half of the California Legislature, setting a new record in Sacramento

Unions spent big in the 2024 election, with the Service Employees International Union and the California Teachers Assn. spending more than $1 million in independent expenditures alone to support Democrat Michelle Chambers in the hotly contested race for Senate District 35. The unions spent about $2 million in ads opposing her Democratic opponent Laura Richardson, who narrowly won the South Los Angeles race.

Lorena Gonzalez, president of the California Labor Federation, didn't comment on the specifics of the Senate District 37 race between Newman and Choi but said in an email Friday that "whenever and wherever working people hold elected officials accountable for the promises those officials make to voters, it seems to make people nervous."

It's unlikely that Choi will have much influence in the California Capitol, where Republicans struggle to get any major policies signed into law.

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He thinks that the union that targeted Newman knew that and chose to risk helping elect a candidate it disagrees with in order to send a message to other Democrats about what happens when you oppose them.

"I think this was a power play to show how strong they are," Choi said. "And what kind of penalty they can play against uncooperative legislators."

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A Camano Island family is asking for the publics help to find the driver who hit and killed their son.

Washington State troopers said that the crash happened in Poulsbo in the overnight hours between December 8 and 9 of 2023.

Robert Rathvon, 35, of Camano Island, decided to stay at a local hotel after he had finished working a seven-day rotation as a Life Flight pilot, troopers said.

Rathvon had walked to a downtown restaurant to grab dinner and left before midnight.

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Troopers said Rathvon, who was not familiar with the area, began walking back to his hotel.

They believe Rathvon took the wrong turn and ended up on the Finn Hill exit ramp, off northbound State Route 3.

A surveillance video captured Rathvon in the area of Viking Way and Finn Hill shortly after midnight.

Troopers said a vehicle had hit Rathvon on the shoulder of the ramp where a driver found his body several hours later.

The family and law enforcement are asking for the publics help to find the person who killed Rathvon.

Crime Stoppers is offering a $26,000 reward to anyone who may have information that can lead to an arrest.

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I know there are some ideas out there who might be responsible for this, said Jim Fuda, director for Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound. We just have to keep this fresh in peoples minds because memories start to fade over time as well.

Robert Rathvon was a Life Flight Pilot, helping people during emergencies across several states.

He did it because he wanted to help people, Kathryn Rathvon, mother, said. He flew in some of the most dangerous parts of the world, and yet, he was killed as a pedestrian. The irony of that was just so difficult to wrap our minds around.

As her sons death approaches the one-year mark Monday, Kathryn told KIRO 7 News that she and her family have forgiven the person who killed her son.

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We have really dug deep into our hearts to forgive the person that killed our son, she said.

However, shes hoping more information can bring her family closure and justice.

It would help give us faith yet again in our fellow human beings, she shared.

William Rathvon, the father, wrote in a statement, It has been a year of questions with few answers (Why did this happen to our dear son; How did it happen, and How could someone leave him on the side of the road; and Who did this? It has been a year of support for the pain that we are going through. Support especially from our small Family and our larger Family and closest friends. It has been year of searching and being deeper with God, and learning forgiveness, even for the deepest times of crisis

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How could the public help out? We are hoping someone knows who has committed this act, and get the message out, so we can understand some of the answers and help our family heal. There is a gaping hole in our hearts that can be filled a bit by having closure to some of our answers. It may not seem a lot for us to ask, but this is the most important item that we are praying for.

If anyone has information that can help detectives solve this case, youre asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), where you can remain anonymous.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 9. COP29 in Baku made a big step forward in climate financing and we need to keep momentum going, President of the Republic of Palau Surangel Samuel Whipps Jr. said in an exclusive interview with Trend.

First of all, congratulations to Azerbaijan for hosting COP29, which was wonderful. It created an opportunity for the world to come together. It was a finance COP, it was about raising funds, finally, to get things done. Of course, we know that what we need is much larger than $300 billion. But what we have to look at is getting the first $100 billion took a long time. And now at least we have commitments to triple to bring it to $300 billion. But the goal is $1.3 trillion. That's what needed to really ensure that we stay below 1.5 and we keep those islands that are sinking alive. We have to work together to make sure that this becomes a reality, he said.

President Whipps pointed that the road ahead is still long and it's going to require philanthropists, developed countries, larger businesses, large emitters, multilateral development banks, all working together in ensuring that we are able to raise our ambition and ultimately reach the $1.3 trillion goal that we had set.

We're very thankful that the Loss and Damage Fund was able to be fully operationalized and hopefully the financial flows will start to begin because ultimately that's what we're after. I think one of the challenges that small islands have is accessing those funds. A lot of commitments are made, but mostly they end up being used in the developed countries or they arent reached for small islands. Understanding our vulnerabilities and understanding the unique circumstances is important for us to be able to realize that and fully participate in addressing those impacts that we all face, said Palaus president.

On the carbon markets, President Whipps believes that the building blocks have been achieved to begin that.

That includes the agreement by all parties to access registry systems. And once again, that's also a challenge that we have limited abilities and we have to continue to work on that to improve upon it. But I think overall, the purpose of COPs is to bring us together to continue moving forward and make financing available to help mitigate and adapt, said President Whipps.

Baku breakthrough

What's most important is that we made progress. I want to congratulate the COP29 presidency for being able to deliver a finance COP and providing finance. We need to continue to focus on climate finance. I think the $300 billion is a big step, and we need to recognize that more is needed. We need to continue to be ambitious, and to work together with all parties to continue to advance in these areas, he said.

Palaus president recalled how the world worked together to address COVID-19.

We shut down the world. We spent billions of dollars with vaccines. That's the commitment we need to combat climate change. We're hoping that this is the beginning. Like a snowball, it needs momentum. We've started the snowball on top of the mountain. Now it just needs to gain momentum and get bigger and bigger and really achieve the results that we're all hoping for, noted President Whipps.

Making countries accountable for implementation of climate commitments

We need to use all the UN regimes to see the high outcome of what we are trying to do. We have the UNFCCC process, but it shouldn't just stop there. It should be all avenues within the UN. We need to be looking at international legal instruments to hold countries accountable. The countries in the Pacific have joined together on what we call Commission of Small Island States on Climate Change and International Law (COSIS) to get a decision from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to hold emitters accountable. We have to look at all avenues to raise accountability and to really drive the desired outcomes that we all need, said Palaus president.

He pointed out that it is not just about small islands.

While I was in Baku, I understood that water levels of the Caspian Sea are declining because of climate change. So, this is not just a small island problem, it's all of our problem. And what we want to do is use all the different regimes to ensure that we're all on the same track, said President Whipps.

Strengthening international partnership in combating climate crisis

Most importantly, we have a commitment of $300 billion. Now the question is, how does that actually get out to small islands? How does it begin to implement meaningful projects that really make a difference in reaching our goals? When it comes to the Pacific, first of all, we have what we call the 2050 Strategy for the Blue Pacific Continent. We're hoping that this funding goes to meet the strategy that we've laid out. Part of that Blue Pacific Continent Strategy, one of the areas that we have begun and we launched at COP28 in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) was what we call the Unlocking Blue Pacific Prosperity Plan. That is driven on the fact that we believe that healthy oceans mean healthy planet.

To do that, we have to do a combination of things. That means 100% management of our ocean resources, have designated areas that we fully protect to ensure that they stay healthy, resilient, because if they're healthy, they regulate the climate. It's important for the whole world, he said.

But at the same time, as President Whipps noted, it is also important to build sustainable uses of that ocean.

We did fit for purpose financing to ensure that protecting our biodiversity, optimizing the use of those resources, adding value to the system can really encourage sustainable use. And that, of course, leads to healthy oceans, which are critical to us. The other plan is also the regional programmatic approach for climate action. That's really making sure that we have financing out there to do these other activities. And the last one is the Pacific Resilience Facility that was also launched last year. That's providing funding to help Pacific Islands be more resilient in the face of disasters and challenges that we are having already from climate change.

The question is how do we get the resources, the commitments of $300 billion into these plans to actually do the work that's needed to ensure that we have sustainable use of our resources, but at the same time, to ensure that we have healthy oceans, which lead to a healthy planet and helps combat climate change, said Palaus president.

In conclusion, President Whipps thanked the people of Azerbaijan and the president of Azerbaijan for hosting COP and having a successful COP.

We look forward to COP30. And let's keep the momentum going, he added.

Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn
An off-road Toyota car carrying Serhhii Yevsiukov, the head of the Olenivka penal colony, and his wife has been blown up in the temporarily occupied city of Donetsk.

Source: RIA Novosti, a Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlet; Russian Telegram channels; Investigative Committee of Russia

Details: The propagandists also published a video from the scene. It shows a damaged car. The driver's seat suffered the most from the explosion.It also shows several people trying to help the driver.

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The Investigative Committee of Russia reported on two people who suffered in the explosion.

Russian Telegram channels reported that the explosion had killed Serhii Yevsiukov, the head of the Olenivka penal colony that was used as a torture chamber. His wife is in a serious condition in hospital  her leg was torn off.

          .    ,      ,     Telegram.   Telegram- Mash pic.twitter.com/AayQCnGmL8     (@ukrpravda_news) December 9, 2024

Mash, a Russian Telegram channel, said that an explosive substance, about 100 grams of TNT equivalent, was placed under the bottom of the Toyota Land Cruiser.

Russian Telegram channels are also circulating Yevsiukovs photos.

Photo: Russian Telegram channels

In July 2024, the Security Service of Ukraine reported that it had served the former leaders of the Olenivka colony who were involved in the killing of captured Ukrainian defenders with a notice of suspicion.

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These were collaborator Serhii Yevsiukov, former head of the so-called Volnovakha colony of the DPR [Donetsk Peoples Republic is a non-recognised quasi-state formation in Donetsk Oblast  ed.] in the village of Olenivka, and his former first deputy, collaborator Dmytro Neiolov.

The investigation established that both men were in their "positions" when, on the night of 28-29 July 2022, the Russians launched attacks on the territory of the occupation prison.

"Both defendants were aware of the consequences of the explosions and the number of casualties but deliberately delayed the evacuation of the wounded to medical facilities.

Based on the evidence collected, Security Service investigators served Yevsiukov and Neiolov with a notice of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 28 and Part 2 of Article 438 (cruel treatment of prisoners of war, combined with premeditated murder, committed by prior conspiracy by a group of persons) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine," the Security Service of Ukraine said.

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The service noted that in November 2022, the Russians "replaced both defendants in their positions" and that they are hiding from justice in the temporarily occupied part of Donetsk Oblast.

Background:

On 29 July 2022, Russian media outlets reported that there was an attack on a penal colony in Olenivka, Donetsk Oblast, where Ukrainian prisoners of war were held. The Russians claimed that at least 53 people were killed.

Ukraine's General Staff denied Russia's accusations that the strike was carried out by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated that the Russians had tried to hide the torture and murder of prisoners.

Ukrainian intelligence believes that the killing of Ukrainian prisoners in Olenivka, Donetsk Oblast, was organised by mercenaries of the Wagner Group on the personal instructions of Yevgeny Prigozhin, without the approval of the Russian Ministry of Defence.

The Security Service of Ukraine intercepted telephone conversations in which the Russians confirmed that Russian troops were responsible for the attack on the colony of occupied Olenivka.

Azov units announced a manhunt for those involved in the killing of prisoners of war in Olenivka.

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A car exploded in Russian-occupied Donetsk on Dec. 9, seriously injuring two people inside, Russian state media reported.

The Russian Telegram channel Mash claimed that Serhii Yevsiukov, the former head of Russia's notorious Olenivka prisoner of war (POW) camp in the occupied part of Donetsk Oblast, was killed in the blast.

The claims could not be independently verified as there has been no official confirmation that Yevsiukov was killed in the bombing. Ukraine did not comment on the incident.

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Yevsiukov was wanted by Ukraine on murder, torture, and war crime charges. The Olenivka camp, notorious for the torture and abuse of Ukrainian captives, was hit by an explosion in June 2022, killing over 50 Ukrainian POWs and injuring more than 150. Kyiv called this a deliberate Russian war crime.

Russian state news agencies reported that a Toyota SUV exploded in central Donetsk, seriously injuring two people inside the vehicle who were also family members. The man's leg was torn off by the blast, RIA Novosti reported, without revealing his identity.

The explosion occurred on the side of the driver, the state news agency TASS reported.

The Mash Telegram channel later claimed that the man in question was Yevsiukov and that he was killed as a result. The second victim was said to be his wife, who is in a hospital in serious condition, Mash claimed.

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Russia's Investigative Committee launched a criminal investigation into the explosion.

Yevsiukov was one of the key figures in the Kyiv Independent's investigation into the torture of captives in the Olenivka prison. He and his deputy, Dmytro Neiolov, were charged by Ukrainian prosecutors in July for violating laws of war.

Ukrainian authorities said that days before the explosion in the Olevnika prison, Russian occupation authorities singled out Ukrainian members of the Azov Regiment, who were captured in Mariupol and were awaiting a prisoner exchange, to a separate part of the prison buildingthe one that was destroyed.

The Prosecutor General's Office said that Russia likely used a thermobaric munition to strike the prison. Russia rejected the accusations and instead blamed the explosion on a Ukrainian HIMARS strike, an assertion rejected by the U.N.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Related video: 11 people hospitalized after carbon monoxide leak at meat-packing plant

WEST JORDAN, Utah (ABC4)  Officials revealed that the carbon monoxide poisoning that sent 11 people to the hospital on Saturday, Dec. 7, was caused by an improperly vented appliance.

While there was no gas leak at the West Jordan meat-packing facility, carbon monoxide was found in the building, a spokesperson with Enbridge Gas told ABC4.com in a statement on Sunday.

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How cold was the coldest day on record in Utah?

On Saturday, Chris Trevino, a deputy fire chief for the City of West Jordan, said crews detected high CO levels, more than 800 parts per million in the facility. West Jordan crews typically wear protective equipment when carbon monoxide levels surpass 35 ppm, Trevino said.

Trevino said all 11 patients who were taken to the hospital were able to talk and answer questions from paramedics, and some were transported as a precautionary measure. Other employees had carbon monoxide in their system, but chose to not be taken to the hospital.

In this case, an improperly vented appliance caused the hospitalization of the individuals involved, the gas company wrote.

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Enbridge Gas said carbon monoxide can be caused when a fuel-burning appliance is not working properly, or if a vent or chimney is blocked. The company said it has worked with the West Jordan Fire Department to secure the building until the necessary repairs are made.

More information on CO poisoning

Because CO is odorless, colorless, and otherwise undetectable to the human senses, people may not know that they are being exposed, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission explains.

Initial symptoms of low to moderate CO poisoning include headache, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and shortness of breath. High levels of CO poisoning can lead to severe symptoms including vomiting, mental confusion, loss of consciousness, loss of muscular coordination, and untimely death, according to the CPSC.

As CO levels increase and remain above 70 ppm, symptoms become more noticeable and can include headache, fatigue and nausea, the CPSC said. At sustained CO concentrations above 150 to 200 ppm, disorientation, unconsciousness, and death are possible.

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For more information on preventing and protecting against CO poisoning, visit the CPSC website.

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The cosmic turtle, which holds countries, or even the entire world on its back, appears in creation myths across the globe.

Now, a mysterious turtle rock sculpture, discovered deep in a remote cave in Israel, suggests the worship of the creature may date back at least 35,000 years.

It was known that Manot Cave in Galilee was used for thousands of years by both Neanderthals and humans, but it was thought its inhabitants kept close to the cave mouth, where evidence of animal butchery and flint knapping had been found.

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Now experts have discovered a large gallery in the deepest, darkest part of the cave, which may have been used as a gathering area for rituals.

At the heart of the cavern, placed prominently in a niche, was a three-dimensional turtle or tortoise shell sculpture, carved from a dolomite boulder, which appears to have been the focal point of the sacred room.

It may have represented a totem or spiritual figure, said Omry Barzilai, head of Material Culture PaleoLab at the University of Haifa and the Israel Antiquities Authority, who led the team.

Its special location, far from the daily activities near the cave entrance, suggests that it was an object of worship.

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The deep part of the cave consists of a lofty chamber with a huge dome-like ceiling which provides natural acoustics favourable for large gatherings.

There is evidence of wood ash on nearby stalagmites suggesting prehistoric humans carried torches to light the chamber.

Experts discovered a large gallery in the deepest part of Manot Cave, which may have been used as a gathering area for rituals - Assaf Peretz/Israel Antiquities Authority

Linear micro-scratches within the grooves of the engraving indicated that it was carved by humans using sharp flint tools to resemble a turtle or tortoise shell.

The boulder weighs 4st 6lb (28kg), which experts said rules out any chance occurrence of it accidentally rolling into the cave through gravity. It aligns neatly against the wall with its uncarved side facing the wall.

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Galilee is where the Bible says Jesus performed many miracles including walking on water, turning water into wine and feeding the 5,000. It is also where he gave the Sermon on the Mount.

But the new ritual chamber represents the earliest known evidence of religious behavior in the Levant - commonly referred to as the Holy Land.

The significance of the turtle sculpture is unknown but the turtles and tortoises crop up in religions and myths throughout Asia, Africa, North America and the Indian subcontinent, and are thought to represent longevity and strength.

Embodies the known universe

In Hindu mythology, the World Turtle, known as Akupara, Kurma or Kurmaraja, holds up mountains or else embodies the known universe.

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Some 19th century western authors, such as John Locke, also claimed Hindus believed the world was held up by an elephant standing on a tortoise.

In Chinese mythology, the goddess Nuwa used the legs of a giant sea turtle to prop up the sky after the mountain supporting the heavens was damaged.

Zulu folklore holds that many countries of the world are held on a tortoises shell, while some native North Americans believed that eclipses happened when the great turtle which holds up the Earth changed position in the heavens.

Some 19th century western authors claimed that Hindus believed the world was supported by elephants standing on a tortoise

The Western Caspian turtle and the spur-thighed tortoise were known to inhabit the Levant during the period that the cave was occupied. Their slowness made them easy prey and in some cases, their remains made up 30 per cent of the animal bones found at inhabited sites.

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Tortoise remains commonly exhibit signs of cooking, butchery, and processing marks and their shells may have been used as containers. They have also been found at burial sites of suspected shamans suggesting they were important to the Levantine prehistoric people.

Manot Cave was discovered in 2008 by workers building flats in a mountain resort close to Israels border with Lebanon.

In 2015, researchers from Case Western Reserve, in Cleveland, Ohio, helped identify a 55,000-year-old skull that provided physical evidence of interbreeding between Neanderthal and homo sapiens, with characteristics of each clearly visible in the skull fragment.

The research was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

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UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompsons assassin appears to have a penchant for subliminal messages.

Dr. Carole Lieberman, a prominent psychiatrist and trail expert, told the Daily Beast she believes the still-anonymous killer intentionally left behind a pair of cluesincluding inscribed shell casings and a backpack stuffed with monopoly moneyto send a message about why he carried out the cold-blooded act.

The monopoly money conveys messages, both that UnitedHealthcare is a ripoff that steals money from patients in order to pay its executives millions, and that it is itself a monopoly, Lieberman told the Daily Beast. He may have planned to scatter the monopoly money around the CEOs body after he shot him, but he forgot to take the bills out of his backpack.

Police released a screengrab of security footage at a hostel where the suspected assassin of the UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was seen smiling with his mask down. / Getty Images/NYPD

The retired FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer concurred, telling the Daily Beast the monopoly money was meant to send a message.

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The backpack stuffed with fake money and a jacket was found dumped in Central Park on Friday, two days after the gunman ambushed the 50-year-old Thompson on a busy Manhattan street before fleeing on an e-bike.

That advancement came on the heels of it being revealed that shell casings from the scene read deny, defend, and depose. Lieberman told the Daily Beast last week that those messages suggested the gunman was the loved one of someone who diedor is dyingbecause UnitedHealthcare denied them medical coverage.

Its interesting how some people dont want to believe it, but my opinion is that it is a disgruntled a loved one of a disgruntled patient who died because this insurance company wouldnt pay for sufficient treatment, she said.

Map by Eric Faison/The Daily Beast/Reuters

Charlie Carroll, a security expert and CEO of ASET Corporation , told the Daily Beast on Thursday that hes not convinced the gunman wasnt a professional. He said the inscribed casing may very well be a symbolic distraction to make police think hes a disgruntled patient or a loved one to someone who is a UnitedHealthcare customer.

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The inscriptions on the bullet casingsDenied, Defend, Disposeare designed to make the public think this was a disgruntled customer, he said. But its too thought out. The average angry person doesnt engrave their rounds. Its an intentional effort to mislead investigators.

New York Mayor Eric Adams has remained adamant that the gunman will be identified and arrested, but that likelihood appears to be shrinking by the day as the suspect remains on the loose and is believed to have already left New York on a bus.

Brian Thompson, 50, was a father-of-two who lived in a Minneapolis suburb. / United Health Group

Let him continue to believe he can hide behind a mask, Adams said on Saturday. Were going to reveal who he is, and were going to bring him to justice.

The NYPD said they believe the killer spent a full 10 days in New Yorkincluding Thanksgivingat a hostel in Manhattan after arriving by bus from Atlanta. Police have also been attempting to find possible clues left after the killing, with a scuba team being deployed to Central Park in search of the silenced murder weapon and other possible evidence.

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Police have upped their reward for information about the killer to $50,000 and are said to be using artificial intelligence to help them identify the man.

The killing appears to have spurred fears of a copy-cat attack in the insurance industry, with the names of executives being wiped from the websites of prominent insurers like Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield and Medica.
A man is being held for questioning after being detained in a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

And while circumstances may suggest that the man  a 26-year-old named Luigi Mangione  might have killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan last week, officials have yet to charge him with anything.

We can definitely see why the cops are interested, though. For one thing, Mangione reportedly had a handwritten "manifesto" on him that "criticized health care companies for putting profits above care," according to New York Times reporter Andy Newman.

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The several-page document allegedly rails "against the health care industry" and suggests "that violence is the answer," a police official told CNN.

That aligns with the sentiments of three words found inscribed on shell casings recovered at the scene of the murder last week, which read "deny," "defend" and "depose." Rutgers University law scholar Jay Feinman used strikingly similar words in the title of a 2010 book that sharply critiqued the health insurance industry, titled "Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don't Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It."

Mangione also had a so-called "ghost gun" on him  meaning that it was cobbled together by various unserialized parts 3D-printed or bought online  and which cops say matches the gun used in the shooting. He also appears to have used the same fake New Jersey ID the killer used in Manhattan, they say.

Needless to say, it'll be fascinating to see the contents of the manifesto. Ever since the murder, questions have swirled about the killer's motivations, sparking a fiery debate online about a notoriously deficient private insurance industry in the US.

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UnitedHealthcare has garnered a poor reputation even in a much-criticized industry, going as far as to develop an AI system to automatically deny claims for elderly patients, even if they'd already been approved by doctors.

A quick glance at Thompson's LinkedIn also reveals the fact that he had made plenty of enemies well before his death. His final LinkedIn posts are still filled with comments from people detailing their dreadful experiences with UnitedHealth, a real "horror show," as reporter Ken Klippenstein described it.

More on the killing: The Replies to the Murdered Insurance CEO's Final Social Media Post Are Chilling
Luigi Mangione has been charged with murder in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week, according to an online court docket.

Mangione, a 26-year-old from Maryland, was arrested by police in Altoona, Pennsylvania, for gun charges ahead of him being charged by the New York Police Department on Monday.

The NYPD also charged Mangione for possession of a loaded firearm, possession of a forged instrument and criminal possession of a weapon, according to the docket.

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The Manhattan District Attorneys office confirmed the charges.

The forged instrument is the fake NJ drivers license he allegedly used to check into the hostel on the Upper West Side. Mangione remains in the custody of the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections pending his extradition to New York.

PHOTO: Booking photo of Luigi Mangione after he was arrested by police in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Dec. 9, 2024. (PA Dept. of Corrections)

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections released Mangione's mug shot on Monday evening.

In Pennyslvania, Mangione was charged with five crimes, including carrying a gun without a license, forgery, falsely identifying himself to authorities and possessing "instruments of crime," according to a criminal complaint.

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The charging document alleges that Mangione lied about his identity to police and carried the ghost gun without a license.

PHOTO: Luigi Mangione is seen inside the police station in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Dec. 9, 2024. (Obtained by ABC News)

When Altoona police asked him if he had ever been to New York City, Mangione started shaking, according to the charging document. He didn't answer the question directly, police said.

MORE: What we know about Luigi Mangione, suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO's murder

PHOTO: Police officers were dispatched to a McDonalds Restaurant for reports of a male matching the description of the United Healthcare CEO murder suspect, in Altoona, Pa., Dec. 9, 2024. (WJAC)

Mangione was on a Greyhound bus traveling through Altoona on Monday morning, sources said, when he got off and walked into a McDonald's where a witness recognized him from the images of the suspect circulated by police.

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Mangione was sitting and eating when a McDonald's employee reported him, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said at a news conference Monday afternoon.

"He matches the description of the person we are looking for," Adams said.

A customer thought Mangione looked suspiciously like the shooting suspect and alerted the employee, who called police, authorities said.

Adams said they believed we had a "strong person of interest" in the shooting death. Officials later confirmed during a news briefing in Altoona Monday night that Mangione is now a suspect in the killing.

PHOTO: An undated NYPD handout image obtained by Reuters on Dec. 5, 2024, shows an individual wanted for questioning in connection with the killing of UnitedHeatlhcare CEO Brian Thompson, in an unknown location. (Nypd/via Reuters)

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MORE: UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting suspect's timeline before, during, after the shooting

Mangione had a ghost gun capable of firing a 9 mm round and a suppressor, police said. The gun and suppressor were "consistent with the weapon used in the murder," NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. The gun "may have been made on a 3D printer," police said.

PHOTO: This is an image of the ghost gun recovered from Luigi Mangione in Altoona, PA, law enforcement sources told ABC News. (Obtained by ABC News)

Mangione also had a three-page handwritten document "that speaks to his motivation and mindset," Tisch said.

"It does seem that he had some ill will toward corporate America," police said.

PHOTO: Luigi Mangione is seen in this undated photo from his account on X. (Via X)

Authorities are going through his writings more thoroughly to understand his motive.

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Mangione also had multiple fake IDs with him, including a fake New Jersey ID matching the ID the suspect used to check into a hostel in New York City before the shooting, Tisch said.

He was carrying a U.S. passport that identified him as Luigi Mangione, police said.

PHOTO: An image of the fake ID used by the Midtown Manhattan shooting suspect to check into an Upper West Side hostel. (ABC News)

Police also recovered clothes, including a mask, "consistent with those worn by our wanted individual," Tisch said.

Police said it appears Mangione, a 2020 graduate of the University of Pennsylvania, acted alone and they did not have his name before now.

PHOTO: A New York police officer stands outside the Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan where Brian Thompson, the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, was fatally shot, Dec. 4, 2024, in New York. (Stefan Jeremiah/AP)

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PHOTO: A New York City Police officer walks through brush and foliage in Central Park near 64th Street and Central Park West in New York City, Friday, Dec. 6, 2024. (Ted Shaffrey/AP)

Authorities said they're working to trace his movements from New York City to Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said he was traveling between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh with stops in between, including in Altoona.

Police said they are working to develop a full sense of his timeline in Pennsylvania and how long he has been in Altoona.

Shapiro thanked the individual at McDonald's "who acted as a hero."

PHOTO: Gov. Josh Shapiro, center, speaks during a press conference regarding the arrest of suspect Luigi Mangione, Dec. 9, 2024, in Hollidaysburg, Pa., in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. (Ted Shaffrey/AP)

"I want to ask all of our fellow Pennsylvanians to demonstrate the same type of thoughtfulness and courage and smarts as the individual at McDonald's did this morning and help law enforcement here in Pennsylvania as we continue with our investigation," Shapiro said during a press briefing Monday evening.

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He also thanked the Altoona police who "acted swiftly" to apprehend Mangione.

Shapiro lamented how some online have celebrated rather than condemned Thompson's killing.

"I understand people have real frustration with our health care system," Shapiro said. "This killer is not a hero. He should not be hailed."

A UnitedHealth Group spokesperson said in a statement Monday, "Our hope is that today's apprehension brings some relief to Brian's family, friends, colleagues and the many others affected by this unspeakable tragedy. We thank law enforcement and will continue to work with them on this investigation."

PHOTO: This undated photo provided by UnitedHealth Group shows UnitedHealthcare chief executive officer Brian Thompson. (UnitedHealth Group via AP)

MORE: 'Deny,' 'defend' and 'depose': Police investigating words found on shell casings in CEO shooting, sources say

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On Wednesday morning, the masked gunman shot Thompson at point-blank range outside the New York Hilton Midtown, where Thompson's company was holding an investors conference.

Tisch described the attack as "brazen" and "targeted."

PHOTO: Police place bullet casing markers outside of a Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan where United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot on Dec. 4, 2024 in New York City. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

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New video obtained by ABC News shows the killer waiting for Thompson moments before the shooting.

The video shows others pass by, and then, when the masked gunman sees Thompson, he runs across the street and opens fire. The video, which has not previously been seen publicly, appears to support the police narrative that the shooter targeted Thompson because he loitered while others wandered by.

PHOTO: A photo issued by the New York City police department shows a person of interest in the shooting outside of the New York Hilton hotel where UnitedHealthcare's CEO Brian Thompson was killed, Dec. 4, in New York City. (NYPD Handout/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

Right after the shooting, the suspect fled by bike through Central Park to the Upper West Side. He then took a taxi to the Port Authority bus facility at 178th Street and boarded a bus out of New York City, according to police.

PHOTO: Thompson, the CEO of major insurance group UnitedHealthcare, was shot to death at point-blank range in Midtown Manhattan on Dec. 4, 2024. (ABC News)

An "enormous amount of forensic evidence" has been recovered, as well as "hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of hours" of video, police said Monday.

On Sunday, members of the New York Police Department's dive team searched underwater in Central Park near the Bethesda Fountain. Nothing was found, police said.

PHOTO: New York Police Department divers search a body of water in Manhattan's Central Park on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. (WABC)

The suspect's backpack -- with a jacket and Monopoly money inside -- was found nearby in Central Park.

PHOTO: A backpack recovered by police in Central Park during the investigation into the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, Dec. 6, 2024. (Obtained by ABC News)

ABC News' Bill Hutchinson, Jon Haworth, Ivan Pereira and David Brennan contributed to this report.

UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting latest: Luigi Mangione has been charged with murder originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Police place bullet-casing markers outside of a Hilton Hotel in midtown Manhattan where UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot on Dec. 4, 2024. - Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Police have arrested a suspect in last weeks shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, and new details are emerging about a potential motive behind the assassination.

Pennsylvania police arrested 26-year-old Luigi Mangione at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Monday after receiving reports of a man who was acting suspiciously. He was later charged with Thompsons murder. New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said during a press conference that Mangione was carrying multiple fraudulent IDs, as well as a U.S. passport [and] a firearm on his person, as well as a suppressor, both consistent with the weapon used in the murder.

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Police also recovered a handwritten document that speaks to both his motivation and mindset, Tisch added. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said in the same press conference that the manifesto suggests Mangione has some ill will toward corporate America.

Kenny added that the manifesto was a handwritten, three-page document and that the complete details were not yet available. We dont think theres any specific threats to other people mentioned in that document, he said.

One law enforcement official who had seen the document, which has not been released publicly, recalled to CNN that the suspect wrote these parasites had it coming and I do apologize for any strife and trauma, but it had to be done. According to a law enforcement official who spoke to The New York Times, the document criticized health care companies for putting profit above care for patients. The Times on Tuesday obtained an internal NYPD report on the manifesto that noted that Mangione appeared to view the targeted killing of the companys highest-ranking representative as a symbolic takedown and a direct challenge to its alleged corruption and power games, asserting in his note he is the first to face it with such brutal honesty.

Kenny elaborated on what was in the manifesto on Good Morning America. He does make some indication that hes frustrated with the health care system in the United States, he said Tuesday. Specifically he states how we are the number-one most expensive health care system in the world, yet the life expectancy of an American is ranked 42 in the world. So he was writing a lot about his disdain for corporate American and in particular the health care industry.

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Since Mangiones identification, multiple social media profiles suspected of belonging to him have been identified. A Goodreads profile that appears to belong to Mangione indicates that he may have been struggling with chronic back pain, and left a positive review of Unabomber Ted Kaczynskis manifesto Industrial Society and Its Future.

Kaczynski was a violent individual  rightfully imprisoned  who maimed innocent people. While these actions tend to be characterized as those of a crazy luddite, however, they are more accurately seen as those of an extreme political revolutionary, the user, listed as Luigi Mangione, wrote.

Later in the review, the user quoted a portion of another analysis theyd read of Kaczynskis work and actions. A take I found online that I think is interesting:  When all other forms of communication fail, violence is necessary to survive. You may not like his methods, but to see things from his perspective, its not terrorism, its war and revolution. These companies dont care about you, or your kids, or your grandkids. They have zero qualms about burning down the planet for a buck, so why should we have any qualms about burning them down to survive?

The profile also liked a quote from American author Kurt Vonneguts novel Slaughterhouse Five: America is the wealthiest nation on Earth, but its people are mainly poor, and poor Americans are urged to hate themselves  This inward blame has been a treasure for the rich and powerful, who have had to do less for their poor, publicly and privately, than any other ruling class since, say Napoleonic times.

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This post was originally published on Dec. 9, 2024.

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The suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson had a manifesto on his person criticizing healthcare companies when he was detained, a law enforcement source tells PEOPLE.

The man was detained by police on Monday, Dec. 9, after tipsters at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pa. found him suspicious and phoned authorities. He was allegedly found to be in possession of a gun similar to that used by Thompson's shooter, plus a silencer as well as a false New Jersey ID police allege he used to check into an Upper West Side hostel where the shooter is believed to have stayed.

According to the source, the name the suspect used on his fake ID was Marc Rosario.

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Thompson was fatally shot outside the New York Midtown Hilton hotel Wednesday in what police described as a "brazen, targeted attack," The perpetrator fled the scene on a bicycle and was last seen in Central Park.

Related: Suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO Shooting Detained in McDonald's After Customers Found Him Suspicious: Police

Authorities believe the shooter arrived in New York City in late November, taking a bus that originally left from Atlanta, though it's not clear the suspect got on at that point.

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.

Related: Police Questioning Man in Altoona, Pa., in Connection with UnitedHealthcare CEO Shooting

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An alleged motive has not yet been established, but on the bullet casings found at the scene, authorities discovered engravings with the words "deny," "defend," and "depose." That's similar to a phrase about the insurance industry to describe a strategy of rejecting claims, "delay, deny, defend," which was used as the title of a 2010 book by Rutgers University professor Jay Feinman.

UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of UnitedHealthcare, has announced plans to increase corporate security in the wake of the shooting, The Guardian reports.



Read the original article on People
HUTCHINSON, Kan. (KSNW)  The Greater Wichita YMCA has received a $2 million challenge grant from the J. E. and L. E. Mabee Foundation to help build the new YMCA in Hutchinson.

The ground was broken last week on the new 75,000-square-foot facility being built near 20th and Lorraine on land donated by the Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System. It will replace the facility 716 E. 13th Ave. building.

To receive the funding, the project must raise at least $7 million by October toward the facilitys estimated $30 million price tag.

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We are incredibly grateful to receive this grant from the Mabee Foundation, which only reinforces how important this project is to our community, said Mike Folks, Hutchinson YMCA board chair, in a news release. We look forward to continuing the momentum by fulfilling the challenge grant requirements.

McPherson PD presents colors ahead of Sundays Chiefs game

Since its founding in 1948, the Mabee Foundation has donated over $1.6 billion through its grants. The foundation exclusively funds projects in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arkansas, Missouri and Kansas.

John and Lottie Mabee believed in creating opportunities for individuals to improve their lives and mobilizing entire communities around worthy causes. The Greater Wichita YMCA embodies those ideals, said Michael Goeke, Mabee Foundation executive director. We are honored to assist the Y in making a profound impact in the lives of every Hutchinson-area resident for years to come through the construction of a new Hutchinson YMCA facility.

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Construction is expected to take about 18 months, with a tentative opening date of spring 2026. The YMCA says the facility will include a first-class destination aquatics center, indoor track, gymnasium, expanded gymnastics center, fitness center with studios, community room, additional places for families to connect and programs that provide safe spaces for youth.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 9. Trade between Uzbekistan and Tajikistan has reached $564.2 million from January through October 2024.

The data obtained by Trend from the Uzbekistan Statistics Agency shows that this figure decreased by 7.3 percent compared to the same period in 2023 ($605.6 million).

This growth has put Tajikistan in the big leagues as one of Uzbekistan's top 15 trading partners.

Uzbekistan's exports to Tajikistan amounted to $441.5 million, down 7.7 percent from $475.9 million recorded in 10 months of 2023.

Meanwhile, imports from Tajikistan hit $122.7 million, lowering 5.7 percent from $129.8 million in 10 months of last year.

To note, Uzbekistan's total trade volume for the 10 months of 2024 equaled $54.3 billion, up 6.7 percent from $50.9 billion during the same period last year.
Snowmobilers access a trail system in Idaho's Valley County. (Dave Walsh/U.S. Forest Service)

The Boise National Forest, together with Valley County recreation staff, have made changes to the groomed snowmobile routes located northwest of Sage Hen Reservoir area for the 2024-25 season.

The changes were made to ensure public safety by avoiding damaged roads and bridges due to the 2024 Lava Fire, according to a U.S. Forest Service press release.

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Snowmobiling is very popular in the Sage Hen area and on West Mountain, said Emmett District Ranger John Wallace in the release. Working with the county, weve come up with solutions to allow snowmobile use around the Sage Hen reservoir area.

Additional groomed routes may be available on Forest Service roads 607, 609 and 653D, according to the release.

Grooming the new loop will be contingent on low elevation snow, but we will make an effort to get it done, Valley County Recreation Director Larry Laxon said in the release.

The failed bridge abutment that crosses Chief Eagle Eye Creek on Forest Road 653. The bridge was damaged following heavy rains upstream in September 2024. The flooding was magnified by heavy sediment loads caused by Lava Fire debris runoff. (Ryan Shaul/U.S. Forest Service)

Laxon encourages snowmobilers to monitor Valley Countys interactive grooming map to assure the route is groomed and runnable. Go to the Valley County Groomed Snowmobile Routes map for updates.

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Closed routes this season are referenced on the Lava Fire closure map and will include Forest Roads 653 due to a compromised bridge and the 624 and 625 due to road damage. The closed routes will be clearly marked on the ground with barricades and will not be groomed for snowmobiling, the press release said.

The 618 road, known as the Third Fork Road, is also closed by Gem County due to road damage near Mill Creek Summit and is impassable. Refer to the Payette National Forest closure for details.

Winter travel maps for the Boise National Forest can be found on its Maps and Publications website.

For more information, call the Emmett Ranger District at 208-392-3700.

MAP -20241031Lava Fire Closure

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(WJBF)  Celebrations are continuing in Syria after rebels ousted the longtime president from power.

Bashar Al Assad and his family reportedly fled to Russia where according to state television, they were granted political asylum.

Prosecutors say he used the military and chemical weapons on his own people to remain in control.

WJBFs Mary Morrison sat down with one of our photojournalists who is originally from Syria.

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Dania Alawir was born in Hamah, Syria in 1981 and has lived all over the world.

She joined the NewsChannel 6 family in 2023.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF.
Theres a new member of the Board of Commissioners of the Metropolitan Airport Authority of Rock Island County. Silvis Mayor Matt Carter has appointed Charles Cervantes to fill the vacancy left by John McGregor, who resigned.

Charles Cervantes (Quad Cities International Airport)

Our Board of Commissioners represents not only their individual cities but also the broader interests of our entire region, said Benjamin Leischner, A.A.E., executive director of Quad Cities International Airport. With Charles extensive background in service, I am confident he will continue to uphold that mission. Charles is deeply committed to the growth and success of our region. I have no doubt he will bring enthusiasm and engagementprecisely what we need as we continue to make historic updates at the airport and set our sights on an exciting future.

Cervantes retired from the Rock Island Arsenal after 35 years, working in the manufacturing branch, the Equal Employment Opportunity Office and finally as a Protocol Officer from the U.S. Army Garrison. He has worked part-time as an Usher Supervisor since the Vibrant Arena at the Mark opened in 1993 and is a part-time funeral assistant at VanHoe Funeral Home in East Moline.

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He was a charter member of the East Moline/Silvis Jaycees, president of VIVA Quad-Cities, Silvis 4th ward Alderman, chairman for the Rock Island Arsenals 150th Anniversary Celebration and recently served as chair of the Silvis Civil Service Commission. He grew up in East Moline, graduated from United Township High School and Black Hawk College and attended Western Illinois University. He and his wife have lived in Silvis for 36 years. They have three children and nine grandchildren.

Community service and helping others have always been core values in my life, said Cervantes. This role allows me to serve not just my home community but all the residents of Rock Island County. It also gives me the privilege of supporting the broader Quad Cities area and the entire region that relies on and benefits from our airport.

There are eight commissioners on the Airport Authority Board that represents Rock Island County, and the cities of Rock Island, Moline, East Moline, Milan and Silvis. Commissioners are appointed and serve five-year terms.

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Theyre priced out of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County, but still teaching here. Finding affordable housing is often a real challenge for teachers who struggle to make ends meet.

Leaders with Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools are looking at a few ideas to lower the cost of housing for hundreds of educators like Shannon McLeod, who say theyre constantly getting a lesson in how to make their own ends meet.

What really keeps me teaching is my love for students, its definitely not the salary, McLeod told Channel 9s Jonathan Lowe.

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An educator for a total of 11 years, McLeod has spent the last six teaching math at Westerly Hills Elementary School in west Charlotte.

When I migrated here in 2018, my rent was $950, right now its over $1,400, McLeod said.

For a single person living in Charlotte, life is often unaffordable for CMS teachers.

It has been a struggle for me, but I can say so many other people share the same sentiment, McLeod told Lowe.

Thats why last month, CMS launched the At Home in CMS initiative. Its a $30 million effort to ease the burden of housing costs for its teachers, funded through public and private partnerships.

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We know that the largest expense that our teachers have is usually their delling, where it is that they reside, said CMS Chief Executive in Residence Raki McGregor.

McGregor is helping lead the initiative thats hoping to get the teachers down payment assistance, apartments rented below market rate, single-family homes, and possibly a village of housing for teachers.

We actually have teachers that are already in the process of being evaluated for those homes, McGregor told Lowe.

In the four months since the program launched, the district says more than 150 teachers from six Title One schools have started paperwork thats getting them on the path to homeownership.

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The banks here continue to show up, McGregor said.

But McGregor says theyre trying to encourage more involvement from local private businesses in the hopes of helping even more educators. Theyve also brought on a heavy hitter in Charlotte business to be an ambassador: Hugh McColl, the former chairman and CEO of Bank of America.

Now retired, McColl has thrown his support behind At Home in CMS.

As we have done in the past, the business community has pitched in in housing, affordable housing, McColl said.

McLeod sees this initiative as a real potential to recruit and retain teachers.

It offers a sense of hope, McLeod said.

(VIDEO: CMS puts its first electric school buses to use)
Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) responded to President-elect Trumps threat that he would throw members who sat on the House committee that investigated rioting at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in jail, calling his remarks an assault on the rule of law.

Here is the truth: Donald Trump attempted to overturn the 2020 presidential election and seize power, Cheney said in a statement provided to The Hill.

He mobilized an angry mob and sent them to the United States Capitol, where they attacked police officers, invaded the building and halted the official counting of electoral votes. Trump watched on television as police officers were brutally beaten and the Capitol was assaulted, refusing for hours to tell the mob to leave, Cheney said.

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This was the worst breach of our Constitution by any president in our nations history. Donald Trumps suggestion that members of Congress who later investigated his illegal and unconstitutional actions should be jailed is a continuation of his assault on the rule of law and the foundations of our republic.

The New York Times first reported Cheneys statement.

On Sunday, Trump joined Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker for his first sit-down interview since winning the election in November. In the conversation, he indicated he would not explicitly order those hes appointing to top positions to go after his political enemies, but referenced jailing members who served on the House panel that investigated Jan. 6.

He called Cheneys actions inexcusable and argued she was behind the entire committees operations. Trump said honestly, they should go to jail, referring to the panels members.

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As Trump prepares to enter the White House again, theres concern he will use the Justice Department to go after his political rivals, something he spoke about during the campaign as he faced his own criminal charges. Hes also assembling a Cabinet of loyalists, who, unlike his first administration, may not hold him back.

Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), another staunch Trump critic, didnt seem so worried about Trumps threat. In an interview Sunday, he said he has absolutely no worries about being jailed by the president-elect.

First off, the executive branch cant go after the legislative branch because we embarrassed him. Thats not a sin, thats not against the law, Kinzinger said, later adding, So, look, hes all butt hurt right now because he was embarrassed. Hes not going to come after us, and Im not worried about it at all.

President Biden is reportedly considering handing out preemptive pardons to some of Trumps critics, including Sen.-elect Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), another Jan. 6 committee member.

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Mychael Schnell contributed.

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(The Hill)  Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) responded to President-elect Donald Trumps threat that he would throw members who sat on the House committee that investigated rioting at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, in jail, calling his remarks an assault on the rule of law.

Here is the truth: Donald Trump attempted to overturn the 2020 presidential election and seize power, Cheney said in a statement provided to The Hill.

He mobilized an angry mob and sent them to the United States Capitol, where they attacked police officers, invaded the building and halted the official counting of electoral votes. Trump watched on television as police officers were brutally beaten and the Capitol was assaulted, refusing for hours to tell the mob to leave, Cheney said.

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This was the worst breach of our Constitution by any president in our nations history. Donald Trumps suggestion that members of Congress who later investigated his illegal and unconstitutional actions should be jailed is a continuation of his assault on the rule of law and the foundations of our republic.

The New York Times first reported Cheneys statement.

5 takeaways from Trumps Meet the Press interview

On Sunday, Trump joined Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker for his first sit-down interview since winning the election in November. In the conversation, he indicated that he would not explicitly order those hes appointing to top positions to go after his political enemies, but referenced jailing members who served on the House panel that investigated Jan. 6.

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He called Cheneys actions inexcusable and argued she was behind the entire committees operations. Trump said honestly, they should go to jail, referring to the panels members.

As Trump prepares to enter the White House again, theres concern that he will use the Justice Department to go after his political rivals, something he spoke about during the campaign as he faced his own criminal charges. Hes also assembling a Cabinet of loyalists, who, unlike his first administration, may not hold him back.

Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.), another staunch Trump critic, didnt seem so worried about Trumps threat. In an interview Sunday, he said he has absolutely no worries about being jailed by the president-elect.

First off, the executive branch cant go after the legislative branch because we embarrassed him. Thats not a sin, thats not against the law, Kinzinger said, later adding, So, look, hes all butt hurt right now because he was embarrassed. Hes not going to come after us, and Im not worried about it at all.

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The developments come as President Joe Biden considers handing out preemptive pardons to some of Trumps critics, including Sen.-elect Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), and others.

Mychael Schnell contributed.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
CHEYENNE  On Friday, the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce announced Tanya Keller as the recipient of its 2024 Womens Leadership Award.

Keller is a real estate salesperson for Coldwell Banker The Property Exchange and current chair of the Greater Cheyenne Chamber of Commerce.

Before Keller received the award, the 2023 recipient, Brittany Wilson, introduced the new winner.

Today, we come together to celebrate an extraordinary individual whose unwavering dedication to excellence has made a profound impact on both professional and community landscapes, Wilson said. This years winner is a leader in so many areas of our community that its a wonder how she finds time to sleep. From the United Way to the Chamber of Commerce to the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, she exemplifies servant leadership and selfless service to her community.

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Upon accepting the award, Keller spoke of the importance of being involved in the community.

My husband and I moved here 14 years ago, and our love for this community grew in direct proportion to our involvement and our commitment to this community, volunteering and being active, Keller said. I want to encourage anybody, if you struggle with not loving where you are, get involved. ... The more youre involved with your community, the more you can see just how wonderful it is and all it has to give back to you.

The annual award recognizes women leaders in the area. This year, the Chamber received 19 nominations and selected one winner out of five finalists.

The other finalists were:

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* Andrea Allen, principal officer for the Cowboy Cole Memorial Foundation and project development engineer for the Wyoming Department of Transportation

* Jane France, a civil defense and public utilities attorney and partner at Sundahl, Powers, Kapp & Martin, LLC

* Katye Ames, a partner at Woodhouse Roden Ames & Brennan, LLC with expertise in corporate defense, criminal defense and civil litigation

* Cindy Bradley, a mortgage consultant for Wallick & Volk

At the award presentation, the Chamber hosted Blue Federal Credit Union President and CEO Stephanie Propps as the keynote speaker.

Propps spoke about how to create a legacy through intentional choices, rather than letting it be a distant dream.

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One of my favorite parts about Cheyenne is the multiple seasons that we have here. Ive always talked a lot about that, but we get the pleasure of enjoying four full seasons, Propps said. So, I really thought about that and how that reflects back on my life and my career, and I can see that my career has gone through multiple seasons.

She spoke about her roots in her spring season, when she was living in Laramie and working for a bank to pay her way through school.

After graduating from college, she tried other jobs in other areas and learned what she liked and didnt like. She returned to the bank in Laramie for 18 months and eventually became the president of a small credit union in Casper.

I really began to see how community makes a difference in who we are and what we do, she said. Collaboration, mentorship; this is what success is for leaders. I also made a lot of mistakes at that time, all of which have been essential to my growth and learning, ultimately influencing the leader I am today.

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Eventually, Propps took a job with Warren Federal Credit Union, now Blue Federal Credit Union, in Cheyenne, which had 50 employees and around 25,000 members at the time. In 2005, she was appointed as CEO.

She described her summer season as one of rapid growth professionally and for the credit union. By her autumn season, Propps said she had a well-established career and began to assume a different role in her job.

I found myself having the opportunity to contribute to the growth of others and thrive in their own careers, to be a supporter instead of the supported, to be a mentor instead of the mentee, to help others reach their potential instead of others helping me see my potential, she said.

Now, she said, she sees herself in the winter season of her career, where she can step back and let others in their spring season thrive.

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Today, Blue has finished its second merger with a credit union in southern Colorado and has 27 branch locations across Colorado and Wyoming. She said the company has $2 billion in assets, 160,000 members and almost 400 employees.

When we empower others to shine, we are not dimming our own light, Propps said. Instead, when we navigate our seasons of growth and leadership, were creating a legacy. Our legacy isnt what we leave for people, its what we leave in people.
CHICAGO  Mayor Brandon Johnson declined to weigh in Monday on the fact that his top adviser voted last month in Texas, saying any questions about whether it was improper for him to cast his ballot in Houston are the responsibility of election officials there.

During his first remarks to reporters since the Chicago Tribune reported last week that Jason Lee voted in the November 2024 presidential election in person on Election Day in Houston, Johnson said this is a matter that is being looked to but did not elaborate on what he meant.

Asked who is investigating Lees voting and residency history, Johnson said, As I understand, this will be the responsibility of the state of Texas to make some of level determination.

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Records obtained by the Tribune show Lees voter registration address was listed in Houston, and one document indicates he told Texas election officials he lived there. Lee has also served as Johnsons senior adviser since the mayoral transition in May 2023 and signed an affidavit that month attesting that Chicago is his permanent home.

As you know, this is a personal element, and I dont discuss those type of personal dynamics publicly, Johnson told reporters. As that process continues to unfold and play out, decisions and conclusions will be made based upon how this particular matter is not only underscored but what is uncovered as a result of it being looked into.

Authorities from the Harris County clerk and Texas Attorney Generals offices have not announced any investigation of Lee, who hasnt been charged with wrongdoing. In a phone interview last week, Lee told the Tribune he had wanted to vote for his sister, Erica Lee Carter, in a special election to complete the unfinished congressional term of their late mother, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, after she died of pancreatic cancer in July.

Lee has said he is allowed to vote in Texas even though he lives in Chicago.

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Being registered in a city and living in a city arent the two same things, Lee told the Tribune in his interview last week. You dont have to be registered to vote to live in a city. And on May 15, (2023,) I had residency in Chicago, and Ive been a resident.

Lee has no voting history in Chicago except in the March 2020 primary, according to public records released by the Chicago Board of Elections. Records from the clerk in Harris County, Texas, show Lee voted in Texas later that November, and that in the Nov. 5 election this year he voted at Thompson Elementary School in Houston.

His voting information from last month indicates Lee gave confirmation to the poll worker that he still lives in Texas, though Lee told the Tribune he does not recall such a conversation.

I dont know what they asked me. I dont recall what they asked. It doesnt matter what they asked me, Lee said when presented with his voting record from November. You think that every single interaction at a polling location goes exactly by what they mark?

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On the Chicago government side, frequent mayoral critic Ald. Raymond Lopez, 15th, filed a complaint with the citys Office of the Inspector General on Friday after reading the Tribune story.

On its face, the narrative provided is, at best, problematic and, at worst, constitutes felonious election fraud, Lopez wrote to Inspector General Deborah Witzburg. Therefore, I am requesting an immediate investigation into this matter. This is inexcusable behavior from someone in a leadership role within the current administration.

Johnson on Monday defended Lees character in response to questions asking if the mayor still had confidence in his senior adviser in the midst of any probes.

As you know, Jason and I go back a little bit, and he has been a tremendous advocate for working people in this city, Johnson said. What I do know about Jason is that he comes from a legacy of leadership and organizing on behalf of working people. And I know his value system in that regard. And Im very, very much appreciative of him.

____
Dec. 9He was the chief of one of the largest police agencies in the state.

He retired and opened a bar.

Then he organized nearby business owners to create a consortium of Old Town business leaders and residents to help businesses fight crime.

Pete Kassetas was the guest on this week's edition of the Business Outlook podcast, which focused on leadership.

Kassetas had a 26-year career with New Mexico State Police before retiring at the beginning of 2019. During his time with the agency, Kassetas worked in patrol and criminal investigations. He then started Outpost 1706 in Old Town.

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Business Outlook podcasts are released on Mondays and are available on YouTube, Spotify, iTunes and Apple Podcasts.

Here's a preview of the conversation, which has been edited for clarity.

Tell us about your career in law enforcement and how that dovetailed into being a bar owner?

"It's great to talk about what I've done and the beautiful, amazing community I've discovered in Old Town. I started my law enforcement career in 1992 when I graduated from the New Mexico State Police Academy. I always knew I always knew I was going to be a police officer. I got the bug from my uncle, who's a Tucson (police department) officer. He took me on a ride along when I was 16. I ended up staying in state and getting a degree, and then went to the State Police Academy and graduated and started my career. And I worked through the ranks, patrol, investigations, narcotics through my 20-some years, and ended up being appointed chief in 2013 and that lasted five and a half years."

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So you find yourself in a position of a lot of law enforcement officers do: You retire from being a police officer and aren't really at retirement age and have to find another interest.

"I tell people my life is like a country song. I had gone through a career change  retirement, divorce. And I'm trying to figure out what I wanted to do. Because I'm still relatively young at that age. I'd always been an entrepreneur. I had a car wash in the east Central-Heights area for 24 years that I recently sold. After a year and a half of hanging out and mountain biking, I got the opportunity when the owners of Plaza Don Luis approached me  one was my former nephew  and they said 'Why don't you come out of retirement to manage the acquisition, remodel and get this place full of tenants?' I said, 'What do I know about property management?' And they laughed and said, 'You're the state police chief; I'm sure you could figure it out.'

The Outpost started when me and my business owner looked and the space and knew it was beautiful. We knew it was special. So we decided to take a leap and open a brewery/tap room."

You helped start the Old Town Merchants Association. What is the goal of that?

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"When I was the chief, I would go to a lot of different communities. I was in the system for 26 years, and now I'm outside looking in, and I'm not going and sugarcoat it, I can make phone calls and get things done. But how do I do that not just for myself, but for the betterment of whatever community I'm in?

And I remember talking to folks when I was early on as chief. I went into a community called Meadow Lake, and there was a huge crime problem out there, and heard a lot from the community, and I thought to myself, 'Okay, I'm the chief. What can I do to help with the quality of life issues here? What can I what resources do I have?' I realized very quickly, I can't solve all of your problems. I wasn't that kind of chief that stood up and said I could, and I'm not that type of business owner. So what I did was, I noticed that there was a lot of breaking and entering, a lot of vandalism in Old Town, especially when they closed everything at 6 (p.m.). Like any good cop, you get to know the street folks. And I would talk to them, and I'd ask them, 'Why are you here? Why are you smoking fentanyl?'

I've been in (Albuquerque Police) Chief Harold Medina's shoes. I didn't want to be the ex-police chief who calls up and says, 'Hey chief, throw me a bone. Let's get some resources down here.' I needed a plan. First, there was a lot of criticism at that level, as far business owners, residents, property owners: 'Everything is APD's fault.' That's not true. It's an amazing agency. It's a wonderful agency, but they're limited. And I had to explain to a lot of the folks out there, go into their businesses and tell them, 'Hey, maybe we're part of the problem here in Old Town.' We don't hurt anybody's feelings, but at some point I have to stress to them, 'Hey, you have to learn how to do what's called target hardening. How do we tell the bad guys, 'Don't come here, go somewhere else. We don't want you here.' And that was an uphill battle.

There's a lot of pushback. I started to go vocal with what I wanted from the city, because I knew what to ask for. We just can't say we want APD here all the time. That's just not going to happen. So I started to take it to the city in the media. And a lot of folks didn't like that because it put a bad light on Old Town, and it's almost saying, 'Don't come here, because they have problems.' But the first step was talking to the different various business owners and asking them what their challenges were, and then starting to educate them on how they could protect their businesses without waiting for someone to do it for them. And the biggest catalyst was communication, networking.

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You know, the criminals we have in Albuquerque communicate. If they find a soft target or somewhere where they can exploit, they talk and they share information, and we were sharing no information. I would find out that a place was broken into and how they did it, and get a picture two weeks after it was done only to find out that that happened to two other places in the plaza. So I put together a WhatsApp group. And that was an interesting jump, right? I had to make sure it didn't turn into a Facebook conversation group. I was very pointed on what I wanted on there. And it was basically, 'If you get victimized, if there is a burglary, robbery, you're having a specific problem with homelessness, you need to be very factual and list it on this WhatsApp.' And it grew from maybe 20 people close to 200 now. And it is everyone from community members, politicians, store owners, property owners, some media  everybody, anybody can join it.

It brought us together in the Old Town community, which then brought us to how and why the Merchants Association was reformed, which was great because then that gave us more of a formal venue, a route to be able to talk to City Council and the Mayor's Office, instead of just all these different business owners throwing stuff at the wall to see what would stick. And that led us to where we're at now, a few press conferences here and there, a few phone calls made, and we've turned the corner in the last six months. We took it upon ourselves, because we, as business owners, decided to actually finance our own security."

You're kind of putting your money where your mouth is.

"It sent the message to APD and the Mayor's Office that we're in this fight, too. We're going to do some things. We're going to get you better evidence. We're going to get you video. We're going to get you still photos. I've taught people how to take note of their surroundings, to be able to provide better descriptions of folks or situations that are going to help APD. We've taken an active role in it. And to the mayor's credit and Chief Medina's credit, they've rolled up their sleeves and pitched in. It wasn't a love fest. I know I ruffled some feathers, but I did it within reason, because it's been done to me time and time again as the state police chief. I get it."
HANOVER TWP., LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Police are currently investigating a deadly shooting early Monday in Hanover Township that killed an 8-year-old.

The Hanover Township Police Department stated they are investigating what led to the deadly shooting of an eight-year-old girl on Fellows Avenue.

Police say the shooting occurred around 3:00 a.m., December 9 in the 500 block of Fellows Avenue in Hanover Township.

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Two correctional officers charged with facilitating assault at SCI Dallas

Thats really not like this area at all. Theres a lot of playgrounds a lot of schools and stuff. It caught me off guard a little bit I guess, its very quiet, said Autumn Bullek, a neighbor.

Everybody is good on my street down. I dont know the whole place. I know its getting run down and everyone is not taking care of houses and stuff, said Joe Ropietski.

Sources of the case stated the victim attended the Hanover Area School District. The superintendent of schools is offering support to anyone in the district who needs it.

The Hanover Area School District also released the following statement after the fatal shooting:

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The Hanover Area School District community has received sad news this morning. As we mourn the loss of one of our students, grief counselors will be available to support our faculty, staff, and students. Thank you for your support of our school district as we work together to cope with this tragic loss. Superintendent of Hanover Area School District Nathan Barrett

28/22 News will update you with the latest as it is released.

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Genetic testing, a burgeoning scientific approach to loving pets in China

13:20, December 09, 2024 By Yi Ling and Li Like ( Xinhua

Pet owners shop with their pets at Marsmart pet store in THE BOX Youth Energy Center in Chaoyang District of Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 12, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhang Zhaoqing)

CHENGDU, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Liu Lina, affectionately known as "mummy" to her three cats, has dedicated herself to pet-raising since childhood with the motto, "Love them tender, love them true." Nowadays, she complements this devotion with a touch of science, diligently investigating any "invisible life-threatening dangers" that could affect her beloved furry family members.

The 44-year-old owner of a land surveying service company based in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, is waiting for the genetic disease screening reports for her three cats -- one Siamese, one gray Dragon-Li, or Chinese Li Hua, with black stripes and one pure-white Li Hua.

Three weeks ago, during the annual "Double 11" online shopping festival, Liu spent around 4,200 yuan (about 585 U.S. dollars) on molecular diagnostic kits to screen her pets for genetic diseases. She expects to receive the test results in two weeks.

According to Liu, the DIY testing process is no challenge as "it is almost the same as a COVID-19 test" -- collecting specimens with cotton swabs from a pet's mouth, nostrils and anus, sealing the specimens in containers and then mailing them to the test kit producer.

"It's a little expensive compared with a visit to a pet hospital, but it's totally worthwhile as it's an early investment that ensures the healthy life of my cats," Liu told Xinhua.

Deng Cao, founder of the Chengdu Lyukang Technology Co., Ltd. in southwest China's Sichuan Province, which specializes in developing molecular diagnostic kits for pet breed identification and genetic disease screening, sees genetic testing a "proactive" push for better pet health care. Deng views these tests as a solid guide, allowing pet owners to raise their pets with a more scientific approach.

The poorly-controlled process of improving breed purity in previous years through inbreeding has inevitably led to genetic diseases, according to Deng.

"However, we can gradually improve the quality of the pet population and reduce the risk of genetic diseases by screening for major hereditary diseases," said Deng.

On the pet owners' side, early screening and detection for genetic diseases will help them get a better grasp of how to care for their pets. This approach enables proactive intervention in the occurrence and progression of genetic diseases in their pets.

The final screening report provided to pet owners will clearly outline the recommended feeding and care methods, highlighting the dos and don'ts to delay the onset of disease and ensure the pets' welfare, said Deng.

For example, polycystic kidney disease and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, which are commonly seen in cats, can be detected through genetic screening. However, these diseases show very few symptoms, which are often missed by pet owners when the cats are still young, he said.

Another example is some dogs carry genetic bone diseases. "So walking dogs, a daily practice of many pet dog owners, is not recommended and for those dog owners, they should pay extra attention to their dogs' food for better nutrition of bones," he added.

A visitor walks his dog at the 25th Pet Fair Asia in east China's Shanghai, Aug. 18, 2023. (Photo by Li Xinyi/Xinhua)

The demand for pets in China has been rising in recent years due to an aging population, an increase of single-person households, improved living standards and the gradual relaxation of domestic pet ownership policies since the beginning of the 21st century.

Deng believes that, given these circumstances, the Chinese pet genetic testing market has rapidly developed new opportunities. Pets are no longer seen merely as tools for guarding homes, as they were in the past, but have become indispensable emotional support and life companions for many.

"The millennials, or the post-80s and post-90s, make up two-thirds of pet owners in China, who tend to spend more on pets' health and happiness, and more importantly, take care of their pets with a more scientific approach," he said.

The 2025 China Pet Industry White Paper, released on Nov. 28, revealed that the pet (dogs and cats) market in China grew by 7.5 percent in 2024 from 2023, reaching 300.2 billion yuan. The number of pet dogs and cats reached 124 million, an increase of 2.1 percent year on year.

The average annual expenditure for a pet dog is 2,961 yuan in 2024, an increase of 3 percent compared to 2023, while that for a pet cat is 2,020 yuan, marking a 4.9 percent rise from 2023.

Among their expenditure on pets, 52.8 percent goes to pet food, followed closely by pet medical care which accounts for 28 percent. The proportion of young pet owners continues to rise, and they tend to prefer products that offer both high quality and practicality, according to the white paper.

In Deng's view, the COVID-19 pandemic is a game changer for China's pet genetic disease screening market. He describes it as still "young," but believes it will be worth billions of yuan in the near future.

"We can feel the profound impact of the pandemic on the pet owners' feelings towards their pets and how much they value their companionship during hard times," said Deng.

"In addition, the public has gained more medical knowledge of the illness, which has shifted their concept of health care. Many now believe that we should start taking care of our health from the outset. They also understand the importance of prevention (vaccines and disease screening) and early intervention, a concept they also apply to their pets," he added.

A CT scanner specially designed for animal is pictured at the 25th Pet Fair Asia in east China's Shanghai, Aug. 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)

In China, pet genetic testing is mainly conducted in pet hospitals and breeding institutions in the country's first-tier cities, such as Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen and Guangzhou. However, the business is now also booming in regional cities like Chengdu and Nanjing, according to Deng.

However, due to technological and financial limitations, many small pet clinics are unable to provide comprehensive testing services, thus providing business opportunities for third-party testing institutions like Deng's company, which was founded in February 2022.

"Now, our product has been successfully launched, and we have established a medium-sized computer cluster and a small-scale sequencing laboratory to meet the product's testing needs," Deng said.

According to Deng, Lyukang utilizes the second-generation sequencing technology, enabling the detection of genes related to all known diseases in the entire genome.

"This approach is more comprehensive and accurate than single-gene testing," he explained, adding the testing kits are sold at prices ranging from 499 yuan to 2,799 yuan.

Additionally, the company has introduced consumer-grade and diagnostic-grade testing products to cater to different customer needs. The former is user-friendly, allowing for at-home sample collection and preliminary screening, while the diagnostic-grade product provides more detailed testing results and requires further confirmation at a hospital.

"They have different target consumers -- the former is for pet owners and the latter is designed for pet breeding institutions, veterinary hospitals and animal protection organizations," said Deng.

By hosting free testing events and offering discounts on test kits through its online store, Lyukang attracts customers while also using the gathered data and experiences to continually enhance its technical expertise.

The company now plans to collect more data on indigenous dog and cat breeds in China over the next three years, constructing a localized genetic database to enhance market competitiveness.

"I was born in a farmer's family in Jianyang, near Chengdu, a place known as Jianzhou in ancient times. My hometown is home to a unique indigenous cat breed, the Jianzhou Cat, which hasn't been recognized internationally yet due to limited genetic data. It's a dream of mine to gain international recognition for this breed, which makes my work today more meaningful," said Deng.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, December 9. Uzbekistans Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor Saidov held a meeting with the newly appointed ambassador of New Zealand Mark Julian Trainor, Trend reports.

In welcoming the newly appointed Ambassador of New Zealand to Uzbekistan, Mark Julian Trainor, we articulated our conviction that the foreign ministries of both nations should catalyze formulating and executing a comprehensive agenda of mutually advantageous collaboration, Saidov wrote in his Telegram channel.

During the meeting, both sides discussed sustainable agriculture, industrial development, the green economy, business-to-business partnerships, and other promising areas.

Uzbekistan and New Zealand have been building a cooperative relationship since they established diplomatic ties on March 11, 1992. Over the years, the countries have found common ground in areas such as innovative agriculture and green energy, and initiatives such as the establishment of a visa-free system for New Zealand citizens in 2019 helped to develop this relationship.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Multiple formations of Chinese naval and coast guard vessels are moving in waters around the Taiwan Strait and the Western Pacific, Taiwans Defense Ministry said Monday, as the island braces for potential military drills by Beijing.

Taiwans armed forces had identified Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) vessels from the Eastern, Northern, and Southern Theater commands, as well as coast guard vessels entering the areas, the ministry said in statement.

The military movement comes days after Taiwan President Lai Ching-te sparked Beijings ire by making unofficial stops in Hawaii and the US territory of Guam during a weeklong South Pacific tour, which wrapped Friday.

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Chinese authorities voiced firm opposition to Lais trip, referring to him as a separatist. Lais trip came after the US approved new arms sales to Taiwan, which prompted China to vow strong countermeasures.

Chinas ruling Communist Party claims the self-ruling democracy as its own territory, despite never having controlled it and views unofficial interactions between the US and Taiwan as a violation of its sovereignty.

Taiwans leadership rejects Chinas territorial claims over it, while Beijing has vowed to reunify with the island and has not ruled out taking it by force.

Taiwans Defense Ministry on Monday also said it had started combat readiness exercises to counter PLA activities and remained on high alert monitoring the PLA movements.

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Any unilateral provocations could undermine Indo-Pacific peace and stability. We will address all gray zone incursions and ensure our national security, the ministry said in a post on the social media platform X.

Larger naval deployment

Beijing has in the past used military drills to intimidate Taiwan in response to actions it views as violating its claims over the island  part of a wider trend of its increased military pressure thats played a role in tightening the unofficial partnership between Washington and Beijing.

A senior Taiwan official told CNN that Chinas current naval deployment is larger than those in its two previous rounds of military drills around the island earlier this year.

In May, days after Lais inauguration, China launched two days of large-scale military drills surrounding Taiwan in what it called punishment for so-called separatist acts. It called those drills Joint Sword-2024A.

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China then conducted Joint-Sword-2024B drills in October, after Lai said during a National Day address that the island was not subordinate to China.

The latest military movement by China appears to differ from those two drills, the Taiwan official noted, with a broader deployment of naval vessels from the East China Sea to the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.

Instead of encircling Taiwan, Chinese naval ships appear aiming to assert control within the first island chain  a strategic chain of islands encompassing Japan, Taiwan, parts of the Philippines and Indonesia, the official added.

Taiwans Defense Ministry also said on Monday that the PLA had designated seven zones of reserved airspace to the east of its coastal Zhejiang and Fujian provinces, which lie to the north and northwest of Taiwan respectively.

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These zones are temporarily reserved for a particular user during a set period, though other aircrafts can still pass through with permission from the controllers of the airspace, according to international aviation rules.

Never bow down to authoritarianism

When asked about the vessels and airspace restrictions cited by Taiwan, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said Monday: Taiwan is an integral part of Chinas territory. The Taiwan issue is Chinas internal affair. China will firmly safeguard its national sovereignty and territory.

Lai made his stopovers in Hawaii and Guam during a tour to the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau  who are among a handful of Taiwans remaining diplomatic allies. Such unofficial stopovers in the US are customary for Taiwan leaders.

The visit was Lais first to the United States since becoming president in May. The leader, who has long faced Beijings wrath for championing Taiwans sovereignty, used his travel to tout solidarity with likeminded democracies.

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During his stop in Guam, Lai called on likeminded countries to never bow down to totalitarianism.

I hope that all of our compatriots, no matter where you are, will make a joint commitment to continue to deepen our democracy and protect it, Lai said in an address to members of the overseas Taiwan community, as well as Guam Governor Lou Leon Guerrero on Thursday.

Lai also had a phone call with US House of Representatives Speaker Mike Johnson during his stopover on the US territory, which houses some of the most strategically important American bases in the Pacific.

Beijing lashed out at Lais travel throughout last week and vowed to take resolute and strong measures to defend our nations sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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BEIJING (Reuters) - China's foreign ministry on Monday called for a "political solution" to be found in Syria as soon as possible to restore stability and order, after rebels seized the Syrian capital over the weekend and its president fled to Russia.

China is closely following developments in Syria, and hopes all relevant parties will act in the fundamental interests of the Syrian people, Mao Ning, spokesperson at the Chinese foreign ministry, said at a regular news conference.

On Sunday, Syrian rebels announced on state television that they had ousted President Bashar al-Assad, ending a 50-year family dynasty in an offensive that raised fears of a new wave of instability in a Middle East already gripped by war.

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The lightning advance of a militia alliance spearheaded by Hayat al-Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate, marked one of the biggest turning points for the region in generations. HTS is designated as a terrorist group by the United States, Turkey and the United Nations.

"The future and destiny of Syria should be decided by the Syrian people, and we hope that all the relevant parties will find a political solution to restore stability and order as soon as possible," Mao said.

(Reporting by Ryan Woo and Ethan Wang; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Tom Hogue)
Thirty-three of Africa's "least-developed countries" (LDCs) are now able to export goods duty free into Chinese markets, but the policy is unlikely to have a significant impact since large commodities such as oil and minerals are already exported to China, according to a new analysis.

The zero-tariff policy took effect this month, fulfilling a pledge made by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit in September.

The export policy is based on a 2003 scheme that originally allowed 190 tariff-free products from dozens of mostly resource-rich African countries such as Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Zambia, Mauritania and Guinea - countries that have primarily exported unprocessed commodities such as crude oil and minerals, including critical minerals like cobalt, copper and lithium which are essential for products like electric vehicle batteries.

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Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

But Beijing has sought to increase imports of agricultural goods. At the 2021 FOCAC summit, China unveiled "green lanes" to fast-track customs procedures for African agricultural products to help diversify China-Africa trade. At a Brics summit in Johannesburg in August last year, China agreed to expand its list of African imports to include coffee, avocados, soybeans, pineapples, chillies, cashews, sesame seeds, spices and seafood.

About 140 products, including rice, wheat, sugar, cotton, tobacco and wood products, are now being imported by China from Africa, according to Beijing-based consultancy Development Reimagined. "It's a big leap forward for trade coverage," the consultancy said in a study released last week.

But the study has also revealed imbalances. From 2005, zero-tariff exports to China from 27 African LDCs totalled US$578 billion, accounting for 99 per cent of total LDC exports. But in the same period, non-beneficiary African countries exported US$771 billion worth of products - showing that tariffs were not the only factors driving export growth to China, according to Development Reimagined.

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The study also showed that China's tariff-free arrangements have grown the amount of low-value, unprocessed exports from resource-rich countries. For instance, Angola's zero-tariff exports to China increased at an annual average of US$21 billion between 2005 and 2022 while the DRC's rose by US$4 billion. Zambia's average annual exports to China grew by US$2 billion and Mauritania's by almost US$1 billion.

"To truly benefit, African LDCs need more manufacturing and processing capacity to export value-added goods. Zero tariffs alone will not solve this," Development Reimagined said in its study, adding that in 2023, just five countries - Angola, the DRC, Zambia, Mauritania and Guinea - accounted for 70 per cent of Africa's exports to China, most of it minerals and oil.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and foreign leaders arrive for the opening ceremony of the 2024 FOCAC summit in Beijing in September. Photo: Xinhua alt=Chinese President Xi Jinping and foreign leaders arrive for the opening ceremony of the 2024 FOCAC summit in Beijing in September. Photo: Xinhua>

Several more African countries are now eligible for zero-tariff exports to China, however the types of products they can ship are relatively low in value.

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"While China's zero-tariff pledge isn't entirely new, it sets the stage for Africa to diversify and strengthen its trade with China. If expanded to all African countries under AfCFTA (African Continental Free Trade Area) the impact could be transformative," Development Reimagined said.

Development Reimagined said China's zero-tariff policy has opened doors for African countries to export more to China, but it will be Beijing's investment and supportive trade measures that meaningfully shift Africa's exports from primarily unprocessed to processed exports.

On Friday, Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said Beijing's zero-tariff arrangements would give African products "more convenient and faster access to China's big market", and boost Africa's industrial development and employment while helping to reduce poverty.

Aside from the zero-tariffs, China has also expanded the "green lanes" for African agricultural products and was helping African companies to participate in major expos, such as the China International Import Expo and the China International Supply Chain Expo.

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"There is always vast space for African brothers in China's effort to expand high-standard opening up, and China will never be absent from Africa's pursuit of development and revitalisation," Lin said.

Mandira Bagwandeen, a lecturer in the political science department at Stellenbosch University in South Africa, said China's zero-tariff policy presents an opportunity for African LDCs to tap into the massive Chinese market. "The removal of tariffs will help African products gain more traction in the Chinese market and increase their competitiveness, which is likely to increase export opportunities for African LDCs," Bagwandeen said.

The policy encourages export diversification, reducing reliance on only a few commodities, and will play a key role in addressing China-Africa trade imbalances, she said.

"Given that African LDCs have low industrial agriculture levels, they may face challenges in meeting the quality and quantity requirements of the Chinese markets," Bagwandeen said.

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However, Lauren Johnston, a China-Africa specialist and associate professor at the University of Sydney's China Studies Centre, said China's zero-tariff policy for African LDCs was likely to have marginal impact overall.

"I doubt that the tariff was the biggest trade impediment for many LDCs in exporting to China," Johnston said, citing Australia, which also offers duty-free access to LDCs but has not turned those countries into export powerhouses.

"China may be a different market, and provide different opportunities, however," Johnston said.

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
Chesnee, S.C. (WSPA)- The City of Chesnee will be hosting a week long celebration starting with the Tree Lighting Dec 7 and ending December 13th with a Sip n Shop and Night Parade.

Santa will be in town Friday and families can take advantage of the meet and greet to take photos.

You can also get Christmas shopping finished with merchants selling local items downtown on Thursday.

Wednesday and Saturday will be Live Nativity nights in CADA Park and other churches The Bridge and Brooklyn.

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You can also help vote for the best looking store in the Christmas decorating contest here.

To support an under resourced family in need of Christmas gifts visit this link where you can learn more about the KOPS kids program and even buy a shirt to give financially.

The Red Shed market will have a jingle and mingle event to finish your last minute shopping. Click here to learn more.

There is also a Chesnee Eagle chase where you can find ornaments all around town and receive a free ornament for completing the scavenger hunt.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
This story has been updated to add information and a video.

The Cincinnati Public Schools Board of Education will decide Monday evening whether the district will embark on a large-scale shuffle to make way for middle schools. If the proposed plan goes through, anywhere from 8,000 to 15,000 students could be impacted, officials say.

But there's also a chance only parts of the plan will be approved.

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The board has entertained a major restructuring proposal over the last several months. But several board members have concerns, and instead of voting on the plan in its entirety, the board has requested that the administration break it up into pieces for the board to vote on line by line.

Proposed changes to Cincinnati Public Schools could impact thousands of students.

It's unclear how the plan will be broken up for voting purposes.

Restructuring for middle schools: Cincinnati school board takes hard look at plan ahead of vote

District seeks change, parents and teachers push back

Cincinnati Public Schools is looking to make big changes to address enrollment disparities across the district. Some schools are overenrolled, while other buildings house less than 40% of the students they have space for.

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The redesign would also provide equitable access to different curriculum pathways, administrators say. Families would have access to Montessori education, science and engineering pathways and college preparatory programs closer to home, which would in turn help solve some of the district's transportation issues. The district and city have struggled to control unruly student behavior  sometimes leading to assault and other crimes  since students have had to take public Metro buses to get to schools far from where they live.

The plan also addresses a need for increased support to middle school-aged students in sixth, seventh and eighth grades. Now, the district has no middle schools. Instead, students in those grades are either in elementary buildings designed for kindergarten through sixth graders, in high schools currently housing seventh through twelfth graders, in buildings with kindergartners through eighth graders or in all-encompassing schools that house kids in kindergarten through twelfth grade.

Sixth, seventh and eighth grades are the 'make it or break it' years, when some students begin to disengage from school, increasing the likelihood of high school dropout," according to the Middle School Matters Institute, a research initiative of the George W. Bush Institute in partnership with The Meadows Center for Preventing Educational Risk at The University of Texas at Austin.

In Cincinnati, administrators want to make spaces specifically for kids in these crucial grades so that teachers can focus on them full-time.

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But in doing so, some of the district's most well-respected programs could change. Parents and teachers have come to recent board meetings begging the administration to reconsider.

At Clark Montessori High School, for instance, the Montessori curriculum hinges on the collaboration of students across grades 7-12.

"Clark is a program that's been working for 30 years," Cassie Niemann, a Clark parent, said during a recent school board meeting. "Why would we change what's working?"

Naomi Larsson teaches at William H. Taft Elementary School in Mount Auburn. Changing the makeup of her school, too, would be heartbreaking to some families, she said at last week's board meeting.

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"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."

What is the Cincinnati Public Schools growth plan?

The first phase of the plan was already implemented at the start of this school year.

The district's first middle school, Shroder Middle School, opened this fall for seventh and eighth-graders at the former Dr. O'dell Owens Center for Learning on Desmond Street in Madisonville. That meant the district shuffled students who went to the Dr. O'dell Owens Center to the former Spencer Center for Gifted and Exceptional Students building in Walnut Hills, and kids who went to the Spencer Center to the first floor of Riverview East Academy on Kellogg Avenue.

Spencer Center classes will occupy the entire building on Kellogg Avenue starting in the 2025-26 school year, according to the district's website. Students in kindergarten through eighth grade who went to Riverview East Academy are now attending Mount Washington School on Mears Avenue, and students in grades 9-12 are still at Riverview East this school year, on the second floor. High schoolers enrolled at Riverview will go to their neighborhood school or enter the district's lottery for next school year.

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More: 'Left out of the process': Criticism, optimism follows Cincinnati superintendent pick

Here's an overview of the rest of the proposal and what could come next, as outlined on the district's website. The plan suggests splitting the district into three corridors with several different schooling options available in each geographic region of the city:

West Corridor

Carson School: This building would continue to serve kids in preschool through sixth grade.

A new junior high school at the current Ethel M. Taylor Academy: For kids in seventh and eighth grades.

Gilbert A. Dater High School: Gilbert would remain a school for kids in seventh through 12th grades.

LEAP Academy: This school would expand to serve kids in preschool through eighth grade.

Rees E. Price Academy: This school would expand to serve kids in preschool through eighth grade.

Roll Hill School: This would remain a building for kids in preschool through sixth grade. Kids currently at Ethel M. Taylor Academy would go here.

Sayler Park School: This building would house students in preschool through 12th grade. The school would offer an early college program, JROTC Air Force or Navy or a Coast Guard program.

Western Hills University High School: This building would house kids in grades 9-12. Right now, Western Hills has kids in seventh and eighth grades, too.

Central Corridor

Aiken High School: This building would house kids in grades 9-12. Right now, Aiken has kids in seventh and eighth grades, too.

Bond Hill Academy: This would remain a school for kids in preschool through sixth grade.

Chase School: Chase would expand to serve students in preschool through eighth grade.

A new middle school at the current Hartwell School: For kids in fifth through eighth grades.

Hays-Porter School: For kids in preschool through fifth grade. Students currently at Rothenberg Preparatory Academy would go here.

Hughes STEM High School: This building would house students in grades 9-12. Right now, Hughes has seventh and eighth-graders, too.

Mount Airy School: For students in preschool through fifth grade.

A new middle school at the current Pleasant Hill Academy: For students in sixth through eighth grades who are currently enrolled at Pleasant Hill Academy, College Hill Academy and Winton Hills Academy and seventh and eighth grade students currently enrolled at Aiken High School.

Rising Stars at Carthage: This would become an elementary school for students in kindergarten to fourth grade. Kids currently enrolled at Hartwell would go here.

Rockdale Academy: This school would serve students in preschool through fifth grade. Students currently at South Avondale School would go here.

Rothenberg Preparatory Academy: This would become a neighborhood Montessori school for elementary students.

A new middle school at the current South Avondale School: For kids in sixth through eighth grades. Kids previously enrolled at Frederick Douglass School, Rockdale Academy, Hays-Porter School and seventh and eighth graders at Hughes and Woodward would go here.

William H. Taft Elementary School: This would become a neighborhood school for kids in preschool through sixth grade. Students currently at Rising Stars at Vine would go here.

Woodward Career Technical High School: This building would house students in grades 9-12. Right now, Woodward has seventh and eighth-graders, too.

East Corridor

Academy of World Languages: This school would continue to serve students in preschool through eighth grade.

Clark Montessori High School: This building would house students in grades 9-12. Right now, Clark has seventh and eighth-graders, too.

Frederick Douglass School: This school would continue to house students in preschool through fifth grade. Right now it also has sixth graders. Students at Evanston Academy, which would turn into the district's junior high school for the east corridor, would go to Frederick Douglass instead.

John P. Parker School: This school would continue to house students in preschool through sixth grade.

A new junior high school at the current Evanston Academy building: For students in seventh and eighth grades.

Shroder Middle School: This is the district's first middle school, which opened this school year. It serves seventh and eighth-graders.

Withrow University High School: This building would house students in grades 9-12. Right now, Withrow has seventh and eighth-graders, too.

A new Montessori middle school at the current Woodford Academy building: Students currently enrolled at Clark Montessori High School and those matriculating from an east corridor Montessori elementary school would go here.

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There would still be the School for Creative and Performing Arts for kids in K-12 and an expanded Zoo Academy, which kids would have access to via the districtwide lottery system.

Part of the second phase includes opening The Wrap at Rising Stars at Vine. The Wrap would provide services and support to students and families including emergency assistance, health and wellness, financial assistance and counseling, legal support, social services, technology help and housing assistance.

Additional details on the plan and its mission can be found online.

Board to meet Monday at 5:30 p.m.

Board members have been split on the growth plan and at least one member, Kendra Mapp, said last week that she would not vote on the changes at all.

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Montessori learning: Cincinnati parents, teachers oppose district's proposed changes

"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 a special board meeting on Dec. 2. "So I will not be taking part in the vote."

The board will vote on the growth plan at a regular board business meeting on Monday 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 decides growth plan fate on Monday
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  As the fiscal year comes to a close, city leaders say Oklahoma Citys budget is in a bind.

In this weeks city council meeting, City Manager Craig Freeman said the metros finances have hit a wall.

The fact that were eight million dollars below target at this point of the year leads us to believe we need to start making some adjustments, said Freeman.

Christian York, the city Budget Director said part of the problem was certain grocery stores failing to collect local taxes. However, he said thats only a portion of a bigger issue.

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RELATED: City of OKC says select stores owe $1.4M in uncollected grocery sales tax

The taxes that we pay when we purchase things within Oklahoma City are down in general. Theyve been lagging projections, said York.

When people make purchases within the metro, the local portion of taxes go back to the city. This allows the city to fund projects like improving roads, etc.

York said adjustments could include a hiring freeze, but other options are also on the table.

We would look at things like delaying fleet replacement purchases, deferring capital maintenance where we can, York said.

When city leaders approved the budget for 2024, York said they expected revenue to grow by two percent, but instead, city revenue is down three percent.

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Despite the downward trend, Freeman said hes hoping the citys finances can bounce back.

Freeman said, Were in a very good position to be able to manage this but we want to make sure that were doing it prudently to set us up to be prepared 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Troys leaders announced it will give thousands of dollars to renovate the citys oldest building.

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>>PHOTOS: Historical Overfield Tavern Museum destroyed in fire

As previously reported by News Center 7, the oldest log tavern in the state went up in flames Saturday morning.

The Overfield Tavern Museum was built in 1808. Many of the things inside were irreplaceable.

TRENDING STORIES:

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Troy Mayor Robin Oda and City Director Patrick Titterington announced on social media Sunday that the city will allocate up to $75,000 in immediate aid towards renovation, rehabilitation, environmental cleanup, research, and acquisition of artifacts or any other eligible expenses not covered by insurance.

This is an effort to support the remediation of the historic museum.

>>PREVIOUS COVERAGE: You cannot replace that; Ohios oldest log tavern goes up in flames in early morning fire

>>ORIGINAL COVERAGE: Historical Overfield Tavern Museum in Troy gutted after early morning fire

Mayor Oda made this statement.

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While its too early to assess the damage and what the next steps will be, we want to be as proactive and supportive as we can, in whatever way we can, to provide assistance towards restoring this historical asset and founding symbol of our Citys heritage. I know that this generous community will want to come together as one to show how important it is to preserve a key piece of Troys history. The City staff stand ready also to provide whatever expertise we might be able to provide.

Not all of the contents of the museum were lost, as many things from the kitchen will be saved, the Old Tavern Museum wrote on social media.

They said the damage was greater in other parts of the building and many contents were lost.

The cause of the fire remains under investigation.

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Dec. 9The City of Midland will have a groundbreaking at 10 a.m. Dec. 10 for the Costco store that will be built northwest of the intersection of State Highway 191 and State Highway 158.

SH 191 access road will be closed to the public. Attendees will be able to park on the left lane (south side) of the access road closest to the site. There will be a large tent that attendees will be able to see.

The Midland City Council approved an agreement in August that will bring a 174,000-square-foot facility (the largest in Texas) to west Midland. The project overview calls for a $50 million capital investment and construction to be finished by Aug. 31, 2026.

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City of Midland officials have stated that Costco is a top-requested amenity in Midland. City leadership and the Midland Development Corp. responded by working together to bring a project that will improve Midland's quality of life. The Costco project is expected to help make the State Highway 191 corridor prime for high-quality retail development. The land where Costco will be developed is currently empty, generating no taxes and no economic activity. Incentives for this project catalyze future development.

"Costco is a destination retail opportunity. With the nearest Costco two hours away, Midland is poised to capture a market of more than 330k in the Midland-Odessa area," the city previously reported.
CHICAGO  Civil rights groups are calling on state lawmakers to pass legislation to address a recent rise in hate crimes.

Representatives from 15 civil rights organizations met on Monday at The Chicago Urban League on the citys South Side.

The Illinois Senate already passed Senate Bill 3552, and now these leaders are urging the Illinois House to do the same during the Lame Duck session in January. Supporters say the bill is significant for law enforcement agencies as the number of reported hate crimes rises.

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It is important because we understand that unless law enforcement officers are trained to recognize, to address, to prepare, for what may be a hate crime, (then) they will not be able to properly get people on board, said Karen Freeman-Wilson with the Chicago Urban League.

FBI data, for Illinois alone, shows a spike from 2000 to 2001  right after the Sept. 11 attacks.

From 2020 to 2022, the number of reported hate crimes surged from 61 to 325. Many of these cases targeted the Asian-American community during the height of COVID-19.

Were talking about an average of 32 1/2 hate crimes every single day. This is 17 more per day than just nine years ago. And these are just the ones that we know about, because an average of 40% of all hate crimes are never reported, said David Goldenberg with the Anti-Defamation League.

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The civil rights organizations pointed to Chicago incidents like the October shooting of an Orthodox Jewish man in Rogers Park. The suspect was charged with attempted murder. Prosecutors did not file hate crime charges until a week later.

In March, a man yelled threats at a downtown Islamic center and then shattered the glass door.

The bill calls for mandated training for all Illinois police officers on how to respond to and investigate hate crimes.

The Illinois Senate and House Judiciary Committee passed the measure before the General Assemblys June recess.

Pending House approval, the bill heads to Illinois Governor JB Pritzkers desk for signature. If signed, Illinois would become the 15th state to require all police agencies to undergo hate crime training.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 9. Regarding its nuclear program, Iran would prefer that all parties involved return to the JCPOA, the Iranian First Vice President Mohammad Reza Arif said at a meeting with leaders of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran in Tehran on December 9, Trend reports.

According to him, the Iranian side has not withdrawn from the Comprehensive Joint Action Plan. If the opposite sides return to this agreement, Iran is ready to fully fulfill its commitments. Iran has made and will make a transparent pitch in all cases. However, if the opposite parties want to get all of Iran's information in this area, Iran will never do so.

Iran is ready to resolve the existing issues with the Western countries, taking into account the interests of both sides. Negotiations are underway with Western countries to lift sanctions against Iran. Iran must continue its peaceful nuclear program and firmly state that it will not allow anyone to interfere in the country's nuclear and non-nuclear affairs, he said.

Iran's first Vice President noted that unfounded claims have been made recently regarding the activation of the snapback mechanism. This issue has been experimented with many times. The opposing sides should know that Iran favors dialog and negotiations but will not surrender in the presence of a threat.

Aref added that the International Atomic Energy Agency should continue to exercise its control over Iran's nuclear program within the framework of the agreements and principles reached with Iran. In this case, Iran is always ready to cooperate.

Notably, on November 29, the deputy foreign ministers of Iran and three European nationsthe UK, France, and Germanymet in Geneva.

To note, in January 2016, Iran and the P5+1 group (the US, Russia, China, the UK, France, and Germany) implemented the Comprehensive Joint Plan of Action concerning Irans nuclear program.

However, in May 2018, the US announced its withdrawal from the deal and reimposed sanctions on Iran.

Two years later, Iran responded to the sanctions by implementing a strategic plan for the nuclear sector to counter them. The Iranian parliament decided this at the end of 2020, leading to the suspension of additional measures and the Additional Protocol following the nuclear agreement.

Consequently, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) faced a reduction in monitoring capabilities by 2030 percent.

Iran officially says that its strategy does not include obtaining an atomic bomb. Iran has never backed the development of weapons of mass devastation.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Clarksburg City Council in November passed an ordinance prohibiting homeless people from sleeping on public property. (City of Clarksburg YouTube)

Weeks after the city of Clarksburg passed a law aimed at homeless people camping in public, a group of residents is asking city council to reconsider the law, or put it to a city vote. The group submitted their petition to the city Monday.

By the citys charter, referendum petitions must be filed by a five-member committee, which must also submit a number of signatures equal to at least 10% of the total number of registered voters at the last city election. In this case, the petitioners had to submit a minimum of 1,020 verified signatures, said Tracy Brady, one of the five committee members.

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Clarksburg City Council approved the law Nov. 7. The law prohibits camping on streets, parks or trails, public property and private property without permission. It also prohibits storage of personal property in public areas. Penalties for violating the ordinance are fines of up to $500 for a third offense, but do not include jail time.

Brady said she sees the camping ban as a humanitarian issue. The city has a temporary cold weather shelter, but no year-round emergency shelters for homeless people.

Rev. Chris Scott, another of the committee members, said the ordinance is an effort to make something unreasonable and callous seem reasonable and compassionate. Supporters of the ordinance have said the city would use it to engage with the unhoused community and connect people with resources, he said.

But when you dont have a full time shelter, when you dont have any direct overnight resources available for people, to me, it just seems unreasonable and uncaring, despite some of the rhetoric that some people, some of the proponents have been putting out, Scott said.

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Brady said shes hopeful that if the committee can successfully repeal the ordinance, it will give the city time to work with organizations providing homeless services and perhaps with those in other West Virginia cities to develop a network for placing people in services.

Also something that provides wraparound services to help these people, Brady said. You cant just drop them outside of city lines, and there you go. Problem solved. It doesnt work that way.

According to the law, a person can be given substance abuse or mental health treatment in lieu of a fine.

Im sorry, but not everybody you meet on the streets or in the woods is going to need rehab, Brady said. Some of these people are just citizens. They lost their home. Theyre mentally ill. I mean, theres a whole slew of other reasons. The city wants a blanket approach to it, and a Band Aid approach, rather than Lets get to the root of this.

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Councilman Marc Jackson, who proposed the camping ban, did not return an email seeking an interview for this story. City attorney Richard Marsh also did not return messages asking for details about the referendum petition.

At the city councils October meeting, when council heard the first reading of the ordinance, Jackson said he was suggesting the ordinance because of about 50 to 75 people wandering around our city who may be unhoused.

Those individuals are moving around and theyre getting in and out of things, he said. Ive been in some of these places. When we hear camping this isnt like your camp up on the Tygart River. Ive gone in there. You have to go in and see the mess that is created. They go in and they take all this garbage, these clothes. Its one outfit off, one outfit on. Whatever theyve eaten. Whatever they drink, whatever drug paraphernalia.

Scott said he was appalled and surprised by the process of the city passing the bill, which he said did not include much public access or input. During the first reading, there were no paper copies of the bill dispensed at the meeting, he said. There wasnt a version of it posted to the citys website until the day before the final vote, he said. He had to call the city clerk to get the bill, he said.

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Jackson hosted a community forum about homelessness and addiction.

They talked about transparency, how important that was, Scott said. And then you get this bill that was pushed through, ordinance that was pushed through without any sort of real the bare minimum of public notice.

According to Jesse Rabinowitz, communications and campaign director for the National Homelessness Law Center, a D.C.-based organization that advocates for policies to end homelessness, at least 114 cities in the United States have passed camping bans since late June, when the U.S. Supreme Court upheld a similar ban in Grants Pass, Oregon.

The only thing that these laws are going to do is make homelessness worse, Rabinowitz said. We are concerned that cities are focusing on the absolute wrong thing. Throwing someone in jail or giving them a ticket for being poor, for not having a place to live, doesnt help anybody. It further pushes people into a cycle of poverty and homelessness. Instead of passing these backwards, simple minded, ineffective laws, we need our elected officials to do their jobs and focus on making sure that everyone has the housing services that are proven time and time again to solve homelessness.

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Morgantown also passed a camping ban earlier this fall. The future of that ban will be decided during a city election in April 2025 after residents petitioned for it to be reconsidered.

Brady said the city told her they must have at least 1,020 clean, verifiable signatures from residents in the city.

Thirty people have been canvassing the city, asking people to sign on to the petition. The effort has been door to door as well as through social media and with personal contacts.

[We have] several hundred that I know of so far, Brady said Friday. Im still in the process of collecting packets from folks.

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According to the city charter, the city has 20 days to verify the signatures and, if the petitioners are found to have met the minimum number of signatures, certify the petition. If the petition is certified, the city council can either repeal the ordinance, or put it on the next city election for voters to decide.

Clarksburgs camping ban was planned to be effective Jan.1, 2025, but according to city charter, the ordinance is suspended when a referendum petition is filed and will remain suspended until a final determination that the petition is insufficient, petitioners committee withdraws the petition, Council repeals the ordinance, or until 30 days after a vote of the city on the ordinance.

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TBILISI (Reuters) - Violent clashes in Georgia between the police and protesters in recent weeks and "unacceptable" police brutality against the demonstrators present clear grounds for the European Union to impose sanctions, the EU ambassador to Georgia said on Monday.

"What has been happening in Georgia over the last 12 days clearly calls for sanctions and I know that work is already underway to prepare sanctions," Pawel Herczynski told reporters, according to the Interpress news agency.

He said Brussels could present a sanctions package on Dec. 16.

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Georgia has been roiled by protests since last month, when the ruling Georgian Dream party said the government would suspend talks on EU accession until 2028.

The decision outraged many in the South Caucasus country, where the idea of EU accession is popular. Over 100 serving Georgian diplomats signed an open letter criticising the government's move, and several Georgian ambassadors resigned their posts.

Pro-EU demonstrators have rallied nightly since the government's announcement on Nov. 28, facing off against riot police who have used water cannon and tear gas to disperse them.

Scores of demonstrators and dozens of police officers have been injured and at least 300 people have been arrested.

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Georgia's public ombudsman has accused the police of inflicting torture on the protesters. The government has defended its response.

Herczynski said on Monday the level of "brutality" wielded against demonstrators was "absolutely unacceptable".

"Let me say very loudly and clearly on behalf of the European Union that we see the people on the streets, we hear their voices and we are shocked by the violence," he said.

"I think most of us in EU capitals, as well as in EU institutions, have reached a stage where we need to act."

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.

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Brussels has repeatedly expressed its disfavour with the government in Tbilisi but has so far stopped short of imposing sanctions or restricting visa-free travel to the EU, which Georgians have enjoyed since 2017.

Britain on Monday said it would limit engagement with the Georgian government and restrict cooperation on defence amid the "unacceptable" reports of police violence against protesters.

Georgian Dream, the ruling party, won almost 54% of the vote in an Oct. 26 parliamentary election, which the opposition says was tainted by fraud.

President Salome Zourabichvili, a pro-EU critic of the ruling party who backs the protests, told Reuters last week that protesters were seeking a re-run of the election, not a revolution.

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Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has repeatedly cast the protesters as warmongers who seek to foment a Maidan-style revolution in the country of 3.7 million.

Georgian lawmakers have introduced proposals to ban the import, production and sale of pyrotechnics, which some demonstrators hurled at police during the protests, Interpress reported.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Lucy Papachristou; Editing by Bernadette Baum)
CLEVELAND (WJW)  A Cleveland bakeware manufacturer faces $182,293 in fines after federal inspectors determined the company failed to implement adequate safety measures.

The U.S. Department of Labors Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) cited G&S Metal Products Co. Inc. for safety violations following investigations into the incidents, which occurred weeks apart in the summer of 2024, according to a press release.

Where winning Powerball ticket was sold in Ohio

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According to a press release, on June 25, a 37-year-old worker operating a power press suffered an amputation when the machine cycled unexpectedly during servicing. Inspectors found the machines safety pullbacks were improperly secured, exposing the worker to hazardous moving parts.

Two weeks later, on July 11, a 64-year-old employee with only four months on the job lost a limb while clearing scrap from another mechanical power press. Investigators determined the machine lacked proper guarding and had not been locked out to prevent accidental operation, the press release states.

Massive fire destroys antique cars, forces evacuations overnight

These two workers must live with permanent injuries because their employer failed to ensure that adequate guarding was in place, said OSHA Area Director Howard Eberts in Cleveland.

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The agency noted that G&S Metal Products Co. was also cited in 2017 for a worker amputation.

FOX 8 has reached out to G&S Metal for 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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWTI)  The snow may from last week may be melting, but there are more closings and delays for Monday.

We could see mixed precipitation across Northern New York and that could mean some schools and other organizations canceling evening activities.

Heres a list of closings and delays for tonight across the area.

Monday

Alexandria Central School  No evening activities

Badenhausen Public Library in Brasher Falls  Closing at 3:30 p.m.

Canton Central School District  No evening activities

Clifton-Fine Central School  No evening activities

Edwards-Knox Central School  No evening activities

Hammond Central School  No evening activities

Hermon-DeKalb Central School  No evening activites

Heuvelton Central School  No evening activities

Heuvelton Free Library  Closed tonight

Knights of Columbus in Canton  Bingo canceled

Knights of Columbus in Ogdensburg  Bingo canceled

Macsherry Library in Alexandria Bay  Closing at 3 p.m.

Morristown Central School  No evening activities

Parishville-Hopkinton Central School  No evening activities

Sackets Harbor Central School  No evening activities

St. Lawrence County Magistrates Association Meeting  Postponed

Thousand Islands Central School District  High school dismissing at 1:30 p.m.; Elementary at 1:45 pm.; No evening activities

Tuesday

Brasher Falls (St. Lawrence) Central School  Delayed 2 Hours; No AM BOCES or AM Pre-K

Canton Central School District  Delayed 2 Hours; No AM BOCES or AM Pre-K

Colton-Pierrepont School  Delayed 2 Hours; No AM BOCES or AM Pre-K

Edwards-Knox Central School  Delayed 2 Hours; No AM BOCES

Gouverneur Central School District  Delayed 2 Hours; No AM BOCES

Hammond Central School  Delayed 1.5 Hours; No AM BOCES

Head Starts in Brasher Falls, Canton, Gouverneur, Norwood, Ogdensburg and Potsdam delayed 2 hours

Head Start Parishville  Closed, but staff reports after 2 hours

Hermon-DeKalb Central School  Delayed 2 Hours; No AM BOCES

Heuvelton Central School  Delayed 2 Hours

Lisbon Central School  Delayed 2 Hours; No AM BOCES or AM Pre-K

Madrid-Waddington Central School  Delayed 2 Hours; No AM BOCES or AM Pre-K

Massena Central School District  Delayed 2 Hours

Morristown Central School  Delayed 2 Hours; No AM BOCES

Ogdensburg City School  Delayed 2 Hours

Ogdensburg Public Library  Opening delayed 2 hours

Parishville-Hopkinton Central School  Delayed 2 Hours; No AM BOCES

Potsdam Central School District  Delayed 2 Hours; No AM BOCES or AM Pre-K

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Do you have a closing or a delay to add? Please fill out the information below.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWTI - InformNNY.com.
Emmy-winning anchor Alisyn Camerota announced she was leaving CNN on what would be her final broadcast Sunday. Her exit after 10 years at the news network seemed to be a surprise. (Watch the video below.)

Before we go on this very busy news day, I just want to take a moment to share some personal news, Camerota said as she signed off from CNN Newsroom. This is my last day on air at CNN. Ive had such incredible opportunities here these past 10-plus years. Ive interviewed presidents and heroes and extraordinary people  the kind of peak career experiences that I had dreamed of since I was a teenager. The journalists at CNN are the very best in the entire news business. And its been an honor to have been their colleague. Its also an honor to have been in your homes this past decade through some of the biggest stories of our lifetimes.

Camerota, 58, thanked her colleagues and received praise from Wolf Blitzer, who called her a good friend and outstanding journalist.

.@AlisynCamerota announcing that she is leaving @CNN

Only the best to you going forward !



12.8.24 5pm ET pic.twitter.com/HNLJNtcHTj  Jeff Storobinsky (@jeffstorobinsky) December 8, 2024

Camerota broke the news of her departure to followers on Instagram before the broadcast.

In addition to receiving Emmys for her coverage of the police killing of George Floyd and arrest of Roger Stone, Camerota won the Edward R. Murrow Award for reporting on Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.

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She is also known for writing off supporters of now-President-elect Donald Trump who go off the deep end after hosting numerous voting panels on New Day.

I think at this point the smartest thing the rest of us could do is no longer give warped Trump supporters a platform and no longer lend them our ears. Its time to turn off their microphones, she wrote in an essay shortly after the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection.

Camerota previously worked for Fox News.

In September she announced that her husband, Tim Lewis, had died months earlier after battling pancreatic cancer.
In 2016, the Colombian government and the guerrilla group FARC-EP ended their five decade-long war. As part of the peace agreement, FARC-EPs weapons had to be collected, a process known as disarmament. By 2017, UN observers had received and removed over 8,112 guns, 1.3 million rounds of ammunition, 22 tons of explosives, 3,000 grenades and 1,000 landmines.

While impressive, not all weapons were surrendered, and getting new guns is still relatively straightforward in Colombia. So what difference did the disarmament make? My colleague Nicholas Marsh and I researched the symbolic power of weapons  rifles in particular  to reveal how, despite incomplete weapons collection, disarmament in Colombia still contributes to peacebuilding, and sets an example for the rest of the world.

Weapons create brotherhood

For an armed group to function as a cohesive unit and to be able to fight together, individuals need to leave behind their civilian identities and take on a collective military identity. To create brothers in arms, armed groups use a variety of strategies, chief amongst them rituals involving marching, drills, singing, or participating in cultural education, all which often feature weapons.

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In these rituals, weapons become symbols of freedom, emancipation, status, and power. For women, they can also symbolise a radical break with patriarchal structures. Such rituals fuse individuals and group identities, and research shows that once individuals are bonded in this way, they are more willing to fight and die for their group.

Weapons are therefore more than mere instruments of violence, and taking them away can evoke strong emotional responses from combatants. This means that disarmament goes far beyond simply confiscating tools  it transforms the rituals and symbols that sustained an armed group. This is what we call symbolic inversion, and, if done carefully, it is what makes disarmament an effective tool in peacebuilding.

Disarmament, but not defeat

Convincing combatants to lay down their arms is not an easy thing. The FARC-EP started with language, as the way weapons collection was phrased in the 2016 peace agreement was no accident. The term dejacion de armas (laying down arms) was used by the FARC-EP instead of disarmament to signal the voluntary transformation of the guerilla groups, as opposed to their defeat or surrender.

CC BY Peace signing ceremony between the Government of Colombia and the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia  Peoples Army (FARC-EP) in 2016. Gobierno de Chile/Flickr

Research shows that several other armed groups reject the term disarmament, and have come up with their own phrasing. In Northern Ireland the IRA used the word decommissioning, the Communist Party of Nepal chose management of arms and ammunition, and the Bangsamoro peace process in the Philippines has used normalisation.

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After decades of conflict, combatants can form strong emotional bonds with their guns, often referring to them as a mother. Personifying weapons is not unique to guerrilla groups either  the Riflemans Creed formerly recited by US Marine Corps recruits refers to a soldiers rifle as their best friend and brother.

Transforming weapons into art

Once a peace agreement is concluded, then comes the difficult stage of implementation. Communities that have endured decades of conflict need visible, tangible signs that their life is about to change. In Colombia, the meaning of weapons was changed through several acts, such as turning FARC-EP ammunition into pens that were used to sign the peace accord. The pens bore the inscription Bullets wrote our past. Education, our future.

CC BY Visitors can walk on the metal tiles that make up Salcedos countermonument Fragmentos. Anfecaro/Wikimedia Commons

Art also has a key role to play. In Bogota, sculptor Doris Salcedo, with help from the Colombian Armys foundry, melted down 37 tonnes of surrendered FARC-EP weapons to create an art piece entitled Fragmentos, a floor made of hammered metal tiles. Survivors of conflict-related sexual violence participated in the hammering of the tiles, symbolically reclaiming agency by reshaping tools of violence into symbols of resilience.

Other projects, like converting rifles into guitars or sculpting them into shovels, illustrated how weapons destructive power can be turned into construction of post-war opportunities. These creative acts turned disarmament into a public ritual, engaging citizens in the peace process and communicating that the FARC-EP was ready to leave behind armed struggle and move into the political realm.

On the left, the old FARC-EP guerrilla flag, on the right, the new flag of the FARC political party.

Disarmament also required FARC-EP members to relinquish the symbols of their military past. Flags once adorned with rifles were replaced by a red rose. Music, which had long been a tool of FARC-EPs communication strategy, now celebrated reconciliation. Songs previously glorifying rifles began to envision them as swings for children, or tools for building a better society.

Disarmament can transform the meaning of weapons

Juan Manuel Santos Calderon (right), President of Colombia, gives Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, a pen similar to the ones used to sign the Colombian Peace Agreement. The pens are made from recycled bullets. UN Photo/Rick Bajornas

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The Colombian experience underscores that disarmament is both a practical and a deeply symbolic process. While disarmament may not always eliminate violence or weapons entirely, its symbolism and emotional impact can be critical in fostering trust and solidarity in post-conflict societies.

As other countries grapple with peacebuilding, Colombias approach offers valuable lessons. It is not enough to confiscate weapons  peace requires the transformation of these potent war-time symbols.

Este articulo fue publicado originalmente en The Conversation, un sitio de noticias sin fines de lucro dedicado a compartir ideas de expertos academicos.

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Dr. Julia Palik receives funding from the Research Council of Norway, grant no. 324997. She is affiliated with the Peace Research Institute Oslo (PRIO). She is a Fellow at the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR).
DENVER (KDVR)  A snowstorm is heading to Colorado. While Denver will only see a few flakes, other areas across the state could see more than half a foot of snow.

Despite the sunny skies across Colorado this past weekend, the Pinpoint Weather team is tracking a storm that is expected to pick up on Monday afternoon.

FOX31 Weather: View the latest Denver forecasts, maps and radar

In Denver, temperatures will be above freezing, so, the metro may only see a few flakes on Monday night with little to no accumulation. Other areas in the southern half of the state have better chances.

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A winter weather advisory is in effect for Interstate 25 south of Colorado City and the southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains from midday Monday through early Tuesday morning. Spots along I-25 could see three to five inches, but spots above 7,000 feet could see up to 10 inches.

Expected snowfall across the Front Range

Heres what nearby areas could see some flakes.

Pinpoint Weather: Metro snow totals on Dec. 9

Only light snow is expected to fall across the Front Range, while some mountain towns like Aspen are expected to see as much as four inches.

The Pinpoint Weather team expects an inch around Interstate 70 and the Palmer Divide, so if youre traveling in or out of the mountains on Monday, watch out for slick roads and potential visibility issues.

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2025 gingerbread display drives into the Broadmoor

Less than half a foot of snow is expected to fall across the Front Range, however, more snow could stick across the state.

Expected snow totals across Colorado on Monday

By the end of the snowstorm on Monday night, some areas could see as much as 10 inches of snow.

Pinpoint Weather: Statewide snow totals on Dec. 9

Heres which areas could see the most snow:

Southern Sangre de Cristo Mountains: 10 inches

Wet Mountain: 10 inches

Colorado Springs: 5 inches

Aspen: 3 inches

Telluride: 3 inches

The skies will clear and the snow will wrap up by the end of the day on Monday. The sunny skies will return for the rest of the week with no more snow chances in the forecast.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat, listens to a House Judiciary hearing on a resolution brought forward by Republicans to impeach her on April 9, 2024. (Sara Wilson/Colorado Newsline)

State lawmakers will not pursue research into the Colorado secretary of states office over an election systems password leak discovered earlier this year.

The Legislative Audit Committee voted 4-4 on an audit request into the state Elections Division. All four Democrats voted against the request and all four Republicans voted in favor of it. A tie means defeat.

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The request, which was submitted by committee chair Rep. Lisa Frizell, a Castle Rock Republican, would have examined the procedures and policies that allowed an election system password leak.

I think its very important that  a performance audit be conducted if nothing else to re-instill faith in our election system, Frizell said. Unfortunately and due to a wide variety of reasons, I suspect, weve seen over the last few years some fairly systemic and problematic issues in the secretary of states office when it comes to communication with county clerk and recorders.

It became public in late October that passwords for voting system equipment across the state were posted online on a hidden spreadsheet posted on the secretary of states website. No equipment was unlawfully accessed or modified using those passwords, and a team of state staff members changed the affected passwords within a few days. But the security breach was revealed one week before the general election and prompted Republicans to call for Secretary of State Jena Griswold, a Democrat, to resign. She did not and maintains that the election system in Colorado is safe and secure.

The 2024 election results in the state have been certified.

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Republican Sen. Kevin Van Winkle in October first called for a special committee meeting to approve an audit into Griswolds office. Mondays meeting was the first regularly scheduled meeting of the committee since the password leak.

Democrats on the committee pointed out that a third-party review of the situation, which covered the same ground as the proposed audit, was released Monday. That review found that the office violated two state information security policies in the lead-up to the password leak but that, ultimately, it was caused by a series of inadvertent and unforeseen events. The report did not put blame on Griswold or her office, and Griswold accepted the reports recommendations for improvement.

Denver District Attorney Beth McCanns office is also investigating how the passwords ended up online.

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In a normal presidential transition, the president-elect spends weeks carefully considering candidates for the most important jobs in his Cabinet. Potential nominees undergo rigorous private vetting by trusted aides and lawyers, then by the FBI. It's a painstaking process that often consumes the entire three months between the election and the inauguration.

But when has Donald Trump ever recognized any value in traditional norms?

He refused to authorize the FBI to begin its customary background checks, because he hoped to do without them or because he didn't trust the G-men, or both.

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Instead of waiting for investigations, he announced most of his nominees in three weeks  apparently imagining that the tsunami would force the Senate to confirm them quickly.

He even proposed skipping the constitutionally required step of Senate confirmation entirely, pushing to fill his Cabinet through the back door of "recess appointments." He was apparently surprised when otherwise loyal GOP senators quietly refused to roll over for that audacious power grab.

His nominations set a new record for speed, if not for quality.

The outcome was predictable. His most controversial nominees  picked apparently with little or no private vetting  were followed by a parade of skeletons streaming out of closets. (Some of the skeletons had been strutting in public for years.)

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Read more: Column: Trump's worst Cabinet picks aren't just unqualified, they're part of a bigger power grab

The ensuing media leaks were embarrassing. They made the second Trump administration look just as chaotic as the first. But there were substantive political effects as well.

Most presidents use their transition, and the honeymoon period that normally follows, to build public support for their policies and programs. But Trump must now spend most of his time jawboning GOP senators to back his nominees.

Opinion polls show that his support in the public hasn't grown since election day; he's still stuck at the 50-50 mark in favorability.

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And it was all avoidable.

When the Senate confirmation process works properly, its in the best interest of the president  even though presidents are usually annoyed by it, said Gregg Nunziata, a former Senate Republican aide who handled dozens of nominations. Theres an existing protocol to handle allegations confidently and discreetly. If that protocol isnt followed, the interest [in a nominees background] is going to spill out into other channels  mainly the news media.

That's what's happening now. The vetting of Trump's Cabinet is being done after the fact, mostly by the news media. The results have not been pretty.

Read more: News Analysis: Trump's transition moves raise fears of a politicized military

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Matt Gaetz, the former Florida congressman Trump proposed for attorney general, somehow thought he could skate past the House Ethics Committee's evidence that he had paid a 17-year-old for sex. (The New York Times reported that Trump chose Gaetz impulsively after a meeting with Gaetz and Tesla founder Elon Musk aboard the president-elect's private jet.)

Eight days after the nomination was announced, CNN reported that Gaetz had a second illicit encounter with the girl. His nomination was finished by nightfall.

Next up was Pete Hegseth, the Fox News host known for his opposition to women in combat roles and his war on woke" generals. Trump proposed Hegseth for secretary of Defense, a job that entails managing almost 3 million people and an $849-billion budget, even though he had never run anything remotely comparable.

At first, the National Guard veteran looked headed for confirmation, as GOP senators fell into line. Then a whistleblower told Trump aides that a woman had accused Hegseth of raping her in a Monterey hotel in 2017, and the story promptly leaked. (Hegseth said the encounter was consensual.) Two days later, it emerged that Hegseth had paid the accuser in exchange for a nondisclosure agreement.

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Skeletons continued their march. The New York Times reported that Hegseths mother had sent him an email scolding him for abusing women. (She disavowed the message and denounced the newspaper for revealing it.) The New Yorker reported that Hegseths former employees at a veterans organization said he had been intoxicated and disorderly at company events. NBC quoted his former Fox News colleagues saying he drank there, too. (I never had a drinking problem, said Hegseth, who promised to stop drinking.)

Hegseths support among Republican senators began to erode, with many saying he needed to undergo a full FBI investigation.

Read more: Column: Tulsi Gabbard as intelligence czar? The Trump Cabinet pick most likely to fail

Last week, Trump mused to aides that he might replace Hegseth with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. But by Friday, the president-elect turned defiant on social media: Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!

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So the Hegseth battle will continue  at a potential further political cost.

His confirmation hearings are going to be completely brutal, a Republican strategist warned. There will be weeks of coverage on cable TV, which is a medium Trump cares about. How much stomach does he have for that when hes about to take office?

Hegseth isnt the only nominee who faces a struggle. Some GOP senators have expressed concern about Tulsi Gabbard, the former Democrat designated for director of national intelligence. Kash Patel, his nominee for FBI director, will have to defend his goal of using the law enforcement agency as a weapon of retribution against political opponents. And Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will need to explain his long-proclaimed belief that no vaccine is safe.

The scrutiny of those nominees has barely begun.

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Now Trump faces an unpalatable choice: long, bruising and public fights to put controversial nominees into office, or quick decisions to cut failing candidates loose as he did with Gaetz.

Read more: Trump's own unorthodox rise, focus on loyalty loom large as nominees face headwinds

It isnt unusual for incoming presidents to lose a Cabinet nominee or two.

If they fail quickly, the damage is rarely great. Who remembers that President Biden couldnt win confirmation for his first nominee as budget director, Neera Tanden, or that Trump couldnt get his first-term nominee as Labor secretary, Andrew Puzder, confirmed?

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But Trump has made a potentially irreparable mistake.

By proposing so many nominees with flagrantly weak qualifications beyond political loyalty, he has turned their confirmations into zero-sum tests of his ability to compel obedience from prideful senators. With only a 53-47 majority in the chamber, the loss of any four could mean defeat.

Even before his inauguration, the president-elect has already failed in two respects. His abortive proposal to finagle nominees into office without Senate confirmation alienated legislators whose help he will need over the next four years.

And he may have thought he could get the jump on his opponents by announcing his nominees early  yet another miscalculation. He merely gave the news media enough time to subject them to the scrutiny they deserved from the beginning.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  A Georgia company announced plans Monday to move manufacturing operations and corporate offices to Oconee County.

Meyn America said they will relocate operations from Georgia to a new 200,000 square-foot facility located in the Oconee Industry and Technology Park off Highway 11 near Westminster, according to a news release from the South Carolina Governors Office.

The new building will be adjacent to a $10.8 million, 80,000 square-foot parts distribution center the company opened earlier in 2024.

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Meyn will house manufacturing and assembly along with sales, service, supply chain and finance operations in the new building.

The company makes manufacturing equipment and systems for the poultry processing industry.

172 new jobs will be created in Oconee County with the companys $50 million investment, the governors office said.

The facility is expected to become operational in spring 2027.

The South Carolina Coordinating Council for Economic Development approved job development credits for the project along with a $1.5 million Set-Aside grant to Oconee County to assist with site preparation and building construction.

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Computer science graduates are struggling to secure jobs and internships amid increased competition.

Recent graduates told BI they have sent hundreds of job applications with little response.

Some are choosing to pursue a "panic master's" degree to delay their job search.

A computer science degree has become an increasingly popular choice for students seeking a six-figure job in Big Tech out of college.

However, as the tech industry took a sharp turn from pandemic hiring sprees to more recent mass layoffs, conversations with over a dozen CS majors revealed many are struggling to find full-time roles and internships despite sending out hundreds of applications.

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Now, some are opting for a "panic master's" instead, delaying their search by getting a graduate degree in the hopes the job market will improve in a year or two.

Samhita Parvatini, who graduated from Penn State University in May, told Business Insider that she entered college during the hiring frenzies of 2021 when computer science degrees were "highly sought out."

"Every industry needed engineers," she said. "Everybody said, 'Oh, it's one of the most valuable degrees you can get. You can earn so much money, you get a lot of success and career growth.'"

After sending out 250 to 300 applications since graduating, with little success, Parvatini said the Big Tech landscape felt like it was "becoming the opposite" of what it was five years ago.

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Software developer employment largely declined between late 2019 and early 2024, according to data from ADP Research Institute, with some spikes in the second half of 2021 and winter 2022 amid the pandemic hiring spree. Data from Indeed indicated job postings in the software development sector have largely dropped back to pre-pandemic levels.

Meanwhile, videos showing swarms of candidates at job fairs have become increasingly common on social media.

Yahya Bashir, a recent CS graduate from Gustavus Adolphus College, said that his job-hunting experience in the past year has become more arduous.

During his last application cycle in summer 2023, Bashir said he often heard back quickly from companies and was invited to several interviews. However, the majority of the roles he applied to this year, which he estimates to be about a hundred, didn't reply.

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"Most of them, you don't even hear back from them," Bashir said. "You submit your application, and there's just nothing."

Competing against laid-off coders with more experience

Facing low response rates and, in some cases, "ghost job" postings, software engineers fresh out of school are also having to compete with their more experienced peers.

With companies continuing to trim their staffs, the tech sector has also faced two years of brutal layoffs. In 2022, over 165,000 employees were cut from 1,000 tech companies, per Layoffs.fyi, a website that tracks tech layoffs. In 2023, the number of layoffs increased to over 264,000. So far in 2024, nearly 150,000 employees have been cut from over 520 tech companies.

With hundreds of thousands of already established tech workers cut loose into the job market, new graduates are facing increased competition for fewer openings.

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Emos Ker, a recent graduate from New York University, said that although sub-industries within computer science, like AI and LLM, are booming as Big Tech invests heavily, these fields often require a higher level of training.

Although more universities like Carnegie Mellon and Columbia University are starting to offer AI degrees and programs, Ker said that many institutions are not yet able to provide the specific education needed for more specialized fields like AI.

Looking through a stack of resumes, companies may choose to hire a seasoned Big Tech veteran over a CS graduate who would likely require more guidance.

"With all the tech firings, they're looking for people who are like midlevel, senior engineers," Ker said. "And unfortunately, for people like us who want to come out and work in AI, it's not really easy to get into because you kind of need to train us from the ground up."

Punting the hunt with a 'panic' master's

Instead of risking being hung out to dry in the job market, several recent computer science graduates told BI that they or their peers have opted to return to the classroom to delay the search.

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"The funny thing is, when I started my undergrad, I was very stubborn and was like, 'Oh, I don't need a master's,'" Parvatini said. "'It's a CS degree, you know, it's so valuable."

A month out from graduation and without a job lined up, Parvatini said she applied for a master's degree program as a "last-minute decision."

"I knew that I wasn't going to go anywhere after graduation," she said. "So I thought, might as well apply, and we'll take a couple of classes, you know, do something better with my time during this period."

Professor David Garlan, the associate dean for Carnegie Mellon's computer science master's program, said that while the university hasn't seen a notable increase in CS grad enrollment, other schools with less selective and extensive programs may experience otherwise.

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"It's definitely true that when the economy has a downturn, people go back to education because they're not able to find jobs so quickly," he said. "So there is definitely that trend, overall."

Enrollment in MIT's EECS Master of Engineering program increased from 241 students for the 2023-2024 academic year to 303 this academic year  a spike compared to previous years when enrollment stayed relatively consistent in the mid-200s.

A report by the Council of Graduate Schools said that computer science was the "only field to increase in first-time enrollment (5.4%) between Fall 2021 and Fall 2022."

Ian Hurrel, who is finishing his last semester at Georgia Institute of Technology, said he enrolled in the university's one-year master's program largely because the job market was getting worse.

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"A lot of people, including me, wanted to stay in college one more year to get an internship," Hurrel said. "It was very much a 'panic master's' sort of thing."

Although computer and information sciences often have lower graduate enrollment compared to other fields, a report by Burning Glass Institute indicated that 7% of those who earned graduate degrees in CS remained unemployed.

While costly, the additional schooling could buy students time, bolster their resumes, and ultimately lead to better-paying jobs. Data from PayScale published last year found that employees with a Master of Science degree made an average base salary of $112,000, compared to $72,000 for those with a bachelor's degree in computer science.

'Perseverance and a little bit of luck'

Despite lower morale among some CS majors, others believe that finding employment in the tech sector is not as dire as many people on social media portray it.

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Sydney Bishop, a senior at UC Irvine, said despite being unable to land an internship this past summer after sending over 180 applications, she remained optimistic about the job market.

"I haven't lost faith that I'll get a job somewhere," Bishop said. "It just might not be a cushy tech job that all of us have been raised to think about."

While tech giants like Google and Microsoft may not be handing out as many opportunities as they did during their hiring peaks, Bishop said that the technical skills of programming are still  and will continue to be  needed within companies.

Hurrel, who was able to land an internship with Amazon this past summer, said that he disagrees with the "fear-mongering" from people online saying computer science is a dying degree.

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"I don't think it's oversaturated to the point where it will become extremely devalued and not be a worthwhile career anymore," he said. "I think it's just going to be harder than it was at the peak to break into it."

Hurrel added that there are "clearly still jobs" and that several of his peers have also been able to land internships and full-time roles. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics projected that by 2033, employment of software developers will increase by 18%.

Samuel Onabolu is one of these newly minted engineers. After sending out over 1,000 applications, he said he was finally able to land a full-time software engineering role four months after graduating from Brock University in May.

"I'm kind of surprised I even got a job so early because there are 2023 grads, 2022 grads that are still looking," he said. "So I would say it's just a lot about perseverance and a little bit of luck."

Onabolu said that while he had been "feeling really depressed" during his unsuccessful job search, he advised other new and incoming grads to prioritize internships and networking events to try to get their foot in the door.

"I feel like every CS major is going through the exact process I went through," he said. "I feel like it just takes that one acceptance, that one offer, to kind of break into that career."

Read the original article on Business Insider
SOUTHINGTON, Conn. (WTNH)  Connecticut Forest and Parks Association united the states hiking clubs and organizations Sunday morning to help restore the Blue-Blazed Hiking Trail system that was damaged during wildfires and flooding earlier this year.

Groups like the CT Trailmixers, the Westrock Ramblers and the Shenipsit Striders all gathered at the YMCA Camp Sloper in Southington to raise funds for a restoration projection on Lamentation Mountain and other trails ravaged by floods.

The CFPA is a non-profit responsible for creating and maintaining the 825 miles of trails that make up the Blue-Blazed Hiking system in Connecticut.

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Some of those trails were damaged in wildfires a couple of months ago, said Michael Lo Preston, President and Founder of the CT Trailmixers. So all of the trail clubs and organizations got together to show up today. Over 125 runners or so, all raising money to help with the restoration of those trails.

Runners, walkers and hikers were invited to take as many laps as they liked and participants were submitted to a raffle for free hiking gear.

As a non-profit, the CFPA relies on events like Sundays for funding. All proceeds were split between wildfire damage on Lamentation Mountain and repairing flood damaged footbridges in Southwestern Connecticut.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
COURTESY ANDRE RAINE Conservationists hope to be able to protect Hawaiis native, endangered birds from the avian influenza virus now that it has been confirmed on Oahu. Above is a native Hawaiian common gallinule, or alae ula, on Kauai.

1 /2 COURTESY ANDRE RAINE Conservationists hope to be able to protect Hawaiis native, endangered birds from the avian influenza virus now that it has been confirmed on Oahu. Above is a native Hawaiian common gallinule, or alae ula, on Kauai.

COURTESY GARY KRAMER / USFWS A pair of koloa maoli, native Hawaiian ducks.

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2 /2 COURTESY GARY KRAMER / USFWS A pair of koloa maoli, native Hawaiian ducks.

COURTESY ANDRE RAINE Conservationists hope to be able to protect Hawaiis native, endangered birds from the avian influenza virus now that it has been confirmed on Oahu. Above is a native Hawaiian common gallinule, or alae ula, on Kauai.

COURTESY GARY KRAMER / USFWS A pair of koloa maoli, native Hawaiian ducks.

The first confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza on Oahu is worrisome news for those dedicated to protecting endangered birds.

Until November there had been no confirmed detections of H5N1 in the Hawaiian Isles.

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By mid-November that was no longer the case, with positive detections in a backyard flock of rescued ducks in Wahiawa as well as in a randomly tested wild duck on Oahus North Shore.

Hawaii was the last of 50 U.S. states to detect HPAI in wild birds.

The risk to humans is low, state health officials said, but those who have long worked to protect and rehabilitate Hawaiis native waterbirds are on high alert as the virus has become a wildlife conservation issue.

It alarms me,  said Helen Raine, Hawaii conservation coordinator for the nonprofit Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture. There have been mass die-offs on the mainland, so we do need to take it seriously.

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Raine is concerned the disease could affect some of Hawaiis native waterbirds found nowhere else in the world.

Many of Hawaiis endangered and threatened seabirds are already dwindling in population due to other challenges, including habitat loss and climate change.

These are culturally important birds, she said, such as the Hawaiian common gallinule, or alae ula, which she describes as a charismatic black bird with a distinctive red shield that can be found near wetlands.

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The alae ula, a culturally important species, has been lost from all Hawaiian Isles except Kauai and Oahu.

A recent population estimate by the U.S. Geological Society found alae ula have declined over the past five years, with just 712 birds remaining.

An outbreak of HPAI avian influenza is a frightening prospect for this endangered species,  she said, as the disease has a high mortality rate in birds.

Other native birds shes concerned about include the Hawaiian stilt, or aeo, with only about 1, 500 remaining, and the Hawaiian duck, or koloa maoli, with only an estimated 673 remaining.

The nene, Hawaiis state bird and native goose, also may be at risk.

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She is concerned the virus will eventually spread to other isles, where these endangered species reside.

WILD BIRD ROUTE How did HPAI arrive in Hawaii ?

All indicators so far point to spillover from migratory birds via the Pacific Flywaya broad-ranging route that stretches from Alaska down to Patagonia, including the Hawaiian Isles.

At Susies Duck Sanctuary, a number of pet mallard and Muscovy ducks, along with a goose and a wild zebra dove, tested positive for the Eurasian strain of H5N1, which is associated with migratory birds.

Seventy either died of illness or were euthanized.

The national lab determined they were infected with the A3 genotype of the virus. This genotype, first identified in wild birds in Alaska in 2022, is different from the one infecting dairy cows in California.

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On Nov. 25 the state Agriculture Department announced a positive detection of HPAI in a wild duck on Oahus North Shore.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service confirmed the duck was tested at James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge in Kahuku.

Sampling for avian influenza was done during an ongoing USFWS genetics project. The part-mallard duck showed no signs of infection when tested, officials said.

At the time of testing, all birds appeared healthy, showing no signs of infection, and were released,  said USFWS in a statement. All genetic sampling was done prior to the initial avian influenza discovery on Oahu.

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The national lab confirmed HPAI in the duck Nov. 25, marking Hawaiis first detection of the virus in a wild bird. Hawaii was the last of 50 U.S. states to detect HPAI in wild birds.

Josh Fisher, an invasive species biologist with USFWS, was not entirely surprised, given that the virus has been circulating among migratory birds in North and South America for the past two years.

There have been detections of HPAI in all kinds of U.S. wild birds since January 2022from a barn owl in California to cackling geese in Oregon and rock pigeons in Utah.

Hawaiis remote location may have slowed the spread, but the isles are along the Pacific Flyway, and the virus in 2023 reached the secluded Galapagos Islands off Ecuador.

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Up to an estimated 60 bird species migrate to Hawaii, according to Fisher, including routine, occasional and rare visitors.

Some examples of migrating birds include the Pacific golden plovers, or kolea, that commonly fly from Alaska to Hawaii every fall.

Every once in a while, a rare hawk or gull blown off course also ends up in Hawaii, said Fisher, but they generally do not stay for long.

USFWS continues to monitor all lands that are part of the National Wildlife Refuge System for mortality events like H5NI that might affect species within lands and waters it oversees.

Susan Scott, president of the Hawaii Audubon Society, has advised that those who feed wild birds pause doing so for now to prevent various species from gathering until more is known.

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People feed wild birds, she said, because they get a lot of joy from the connection to nature.

Eric VanderWerf, executive director of Pacific Rim Conservation, is also concerned for native seabirds and endangered wetland birds.

Avian flu has had serious impacts on a variety of species worldwide,  Vander Werf said. Were fortunate that we havent had it in Hawaii previously. Its a function probably of our remoteness.

Brad Keitt, oceans and islands director for the American Bird Conservancy, said the virus arrival to Hawaii is bad news, considering millions of wild seabirds have died globally from avian influenza.

We do not know how vulnerable Hawaiis birds are to this threat,  said Keitt, but expect the greatest risk to be for water and wetland birds such as ducks, stilts and coots and seabirds, such as boobies, shearwaters and terns.

He added, In other locations around the world, avian flu has caused large mortality events, and we can only hope this does not happen in Hawaii.

When avian flu reached the Galapagos Islands in 2023, he said, land managers shut down visitation to isles with vulnerable populations, which appeared to have some impact after a year.

We definitely want to keep this out of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands, where most bird colonies are, or Lehua off of Kauai,  he said.

RISK TO HUMANS IS LOW The state Department of Health, meanwhile, says the risk to the general public in the state remains low.

While the avian flu is contagious among birds, with the potential to infect common Hawaii backyard birds such as mynahs, bulbuls and zebra doves, DOH said there has been no definitive evidence of human-to-human transmission of the H5N1 virus in the U.S.

Dozens of people with potential exposure at the Nov. 2 Mililani Pet Fair, where some of the ducks that later became ill were present, have tested negative, according to the department.

Alex Lehrer, medical microbiology professor at the John A. Burns School of Medicine, said it is important to remain vigilant but that the immediate health risk is low.

Flu viruses spread quickly because they are respiratory viruses, he said, but avian flu is designed to replicate well in the cells of birds.

This has to do with the structure of the surface proteins and so on,  he said, so at this point theyre not an immediate concern for humans and for other mammals.

In North America there have so far been three human H5N1 cases without known exposure to animals in a ; a teen who became critically ill in Canada ; and a with mild symptoms in Alameda County, Calif.

Lehrer said these are isolated cases, however. The virus can mutate to become more adept at infecting humans and mammals, but this can be significantly slowed by reducing risks.

As of Friday the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirmed 58 human cases of H5N1 in the U.S., mostly among dairy workers.

CDC also counted more than 700 confirmed cattle herds in 15 U.S. states. The epicenter is now in California, where more than 500 dairy herds and more than 30 people have been infected.

USDA on Friday announced it will the nations milk supply for H5N1, using samples of unpasteurized milk from dairy processing facilities across the U.S.

TIMELINE OF H5N1 ON OAHU :Nov. 1Samples (oral, cloacal swabs ) collected from 1 of 10 wild birds at James Campbell Wildlife National Refuge on Oahus North Shore. The samples from a hybrid duck would later test positive, with confirmatory lab results on Nov. 25.Nov. 2Mililani Pet Fair. Some ducks that later fell ill were present at the fair, but the state Health Department said no humans with potential exposure tested positive in following weeks.Nov. 5Susan Wilkinson of Susies Duck Sanctuary in Wahiawa says her first rescued duck grew ill, and died in her yard.Nov. 7Sample collected from the municipal Wahiawa wastewater treatment plant. Sample would test positive for H5 antigen, as announced on Nov. 12.Nov. 12The Hawaii Department of Health announces the detection of H5 avian influenza for the first time in wastewater on Oahu but cannot confirm it was H5N1.Nov. 12The Hawaii Department of Agriculture receives a report of at least 10 dead birds at Susies Duck Sanctuary in Wahiawa, including ducks, a goose and a wild zebra dove.Nov. 15National lab confirms highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI ) has been detected in a backyard flock of birds in Central Oahu, genotype A3. The flock is at Susies Duck Sanctuary in Wahiawa. Some 70 birds died or were euthanized.Nov. 18National lab confirms HPAI in two ducks adopted by a family from Susies Duck Sanctuary. The ducks were euthanized, along with seven others from the same backyard flock in the Pearl Harbor area.Nov. 21DOH says no humans potentially exposed or exhibiting symptoms after attending the Mililani Pet Fair have tested positive for H5N1.Nov. 25National lab confirms HPAI in wild koloa maoli-Mallard duck at James Campbell Wildlife National Refuge in Kahuku. Sample collected Nov. 1.

Sources : HDOA, USDA APHIS REMAINING VIGILANTThe state Department of Health says the best defense against avian flu is to avoid interacting with feral chickens and wild birds as much as possible. A list of is available online.Do not touch dead or sick birds or handle feces or bedding from potentially infected birds without appropriate personal protective gear such as disposable gloves, goggles and an N95 mask. Wash hands and disinfect clothing and shoes afterward.Poultry, backyard and pet bird owners are urged to keep their birds from contact with wild birds, which can be infected with HPAI and show no signs of illness.Residents can report sick or dead birds, particularly multiple birds, to the state Department of Agriculture at 808-483-7102 (during business hours ) or 808-837-8092 (after hours, holidays ).Hawaii residents who recently visited or worked on a farm in another state with known or suspected H5N1 animal infections should call DOH at 808-586-4586 for a telephone risk assessment.

Sources : DOH, HDOA, USDA Correction : An earlier version of this story had an incorrect date in its timeline.
WASHINGTON  Conservative justices objected as the Supreme Court on Monday sidestepped a new dispute over race in education by declining to consider whether an admissions program for public high schools in Boston unlawfully considered race.

Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas both said they would have taken up the case, while Justice Neil Gorsuch said he shared their concerns about the policy.

Alito wrote that there was "overwhelming direct evidence of intentional discrimination" that warranted the Supreme Court's intervention.

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It is the second time the court has declined to review a policy aimed at increasing diversity in public high schools since it ended the consideration of race in college admissions last year.

That ruling left in doubt whether the court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, has the votes to strike down admissions policies that do not explicitly consider race but nevertheless lead to a more diverse class.

"We have now twice refused to correct a glaring constitutional error that threatens to perpetuate race-based affirmative action," Alito added.

The policy, implemented by the Boston School Committee in 2021, applied to three selective high schools in Boston: Boston Latin School, Boston Latin Academy and John D. OBryant School. It replaced a previous emphasis on standardized test scores as well as grades. Under the new plan, grades were considered, with 20% of the seats taken by those with the best grades.

John D. O'Bryant School of Math and Science in Boston.

Other seats were filled based on the geographic locations of the students within Boston, with those with the best grades getting preference.

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The plan, which was in effect for only one year, was challenged by the Boston Parent Coalition for Academic Excellence, a group representing white and Asian parents, which said the policy constituted a form of racial discrimination under the 14th Amendments equal protection clause.

A federal judge ruled that the policy was lawful because it was written in a race-neutral way. The Boston-based 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed.

The Supreme Court in February turned away a similar challenge to an admissions policy at a Virginia high school that was also aimed at increasing diversity.

In a statement, Gorsuch said the fact the Boston schools' policy was no longer in effect was one reason not to hear the case.

Court declines challenge to school gender identity policy

In other action in the schools context Monday, the court also declined to take up a case out of Wisconsin about whether parents can sue schools over policies intended to protect students struggling with their gender identities.

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The Eau Claire Area School District issued guidance in 2021 in support for students who are transgender, nonbinary or gender-nonconforming. The policy says that in some cases, an affected students parents may not be central to the process if there is a risk of lack of acceptance at home.

The policy was challenged by Parents Protecting Our Children, a group representing parents. It argued it violates parental rights under both the 14th Amendments due process clause and the First Amendments free exercise clause.

Lower courts ruled that the group did not have legal standing to pursue its claims because it could not show that any members had been harmed by it.

Again, Alito and Thomas said they would have taken the case up, as did fellow conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

"This case presents a question of great and growing national importance," Alito wrote.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
In August, a day after Kamala Harris accepted the Democratic nomination for president, a conservative-against-conservative argument erupted on social media. Steve Hayes, the editor and CEO of The Dispatch, called out his fellow conservatives for fluffing the progressive Harris and embracing the nutty Robert F. Kennedy Jr. What a mess the modern conservative movement is, he sighed.

The pile-on was swift.

Sarah Longwell, publisher of The Bulwark, was first. Honestly, what are you talking about Steve? she wrote. The problem with the conservative movement, she said, was the capitulation to Donald Trump, not the opposition against him. Hayes shot back: Its possible to oppose Trump without lionizing Kamala, right? Longwell objected. Watching your tedious rationalizations about why youll stand on the sidelines instead of taking a stand against the worst threat to American ideals in our lifetimes has been so deeply disappointing, she wrote.

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They went back and forth, as others chimed in. Tom Nichols, one of Longwells employees at The Bulwark, attempted to play peacemaker. He and his fellow never-Trumpers come from the same church, he suggested, but different pews.

Three months later, the debate enters a new phase. Efforts to keep Trump from office failed, and for the next four years, those who wished to build a post-Trump conservative movement must now resort to the role of conservative critics of a Republican White House.

It is somewhere theyve been before. Hayes and Longwells publications both spawned during Trumps first term, serving as something of a haven to Trump-averse conservatives. They centered a niche corner of the conservative media market, alongside anti-Trump political action committees  like the Lincoln Project  that expanded into podcasting and YouTube, and a string of avowed never-Trump columnists on the pages of major newspapers.

As Trump returns to the White House, they face a new question: Is there still room for Trump-skeptical conservative media?

Uncertain path forward

The path forward is unclear, said Matt Lewis, a conservative opinion columnist for The Hill. I think theres a lot more fear now, he said. There used to be more acceptance of the idea you could be a conservative and disagree with the Republican Party, he explained. Now, I think, there really is a sense of youre with us, or youre against us.

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Trumps initial rise in 2016 was accompanied by a near-instantaneous takeover of the conservative media. At the time, Jonah Goldberg  then a columnist at National Review  compared it to a remake of The Invasion of the Body Snatchers, where conservative pundit after pundit acquiesced to Trump. That was before Trump entered the White House; afterward, the process only hastened. The conservative media was pulled by a tractor beam  Trumps supporters  that demands positive coverage of the president regardless of how far he wanders from the ideas they once enforced, Eliana Johnson wrote for Politico. Producers and editors have been faced with a choice: Provide that coverage or lose your audience.

A precious few decided to gamble for another audience. After the Weekly Standard shuttered in 2019, its top brass gathered up other never-Trumpers and formed a pair of offshoots: Bill Kristol, Longwell and Charlie Sykes started The Bulwark, and Hayes and Goldberg started The Dispatch.

By most measures, the gamble has paid off. The Bulwark was one of the breakout media successes of the 2024 election, Semafors Max Tani reported, thanks to a massive surge in popularity on its YouTube channel: in September 2023, the channel had 50,000 subscribers; now, it has over 800,000. And The Dispatch now has over 45,000 paying subscribers  plus 600,000 free subscribers  on its email list, Hayes said.

In an email to readers Monday, Hayes acknowledged his publication faces a new challenge ahead. Though the incoming president is the very same man who held the office when we first launched, were looking at a very different Washington, he wrote.

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Hayes approach to covering that Washington, though, is unchanged, he told me. Theres a temptation, I think, by some across the media to sort of put on a jersey  a Joe Biden jersey, or a Kamala Harris jersey  or become sort of part of the formal political Trump opposition, he said. That was very much not what we do. We are a media outlet. We want to be doing journalism. We dont see ourselves as political activists. Putting on blue jerseys or red jerseys, he said, gets you quickly to a point where that erodes trust in journalism in general.

His plan for a second Trump term is straightforward: Were going to report the heck out of it, he said.

After Trump won, The Bulwark has doubled down on reporting, too: This week alone, the outlet scooped stories about Trumps private conversations with Gov. Ron DeSantis, and Kash Patels problematic appearances. The publication is driven by more overt activism, Matt Lewis noted: A lot of the prominent people at The Bulwark come from party activism, he said. Longwell still runs a polling and consulting business, which shares Washington office space with the publication; Tim Miller, the outlets breakout YouTube star, is an alumnus of Jon Huntsman Jr.s and Jeb Bushs presidential campaigns. The duo told Semafor they split time in 2020 between The Bulwark and attempting to recruit a Republican primary challenger to Trump. Longwell was not available for an interview; Miller did not respond to multiple emails.

The two publications march forward in a media environment that could see a decrease of conservatives willing to challenge Trump. I think that some percentage of Trump critics will find other work, Lewis said, pointing to Trumps calls for retribution and his labeling the media human scum and the enemy within.

Hayes is unfazed. We think that we can give people this well-rounded analysis ... of whats happening in Washington, he said, at a time when you can make an argument that Washington has never been more confusing.
FLORENCE, S.C. (WBTW)  A Conway man was sentenced to more than six years in federal prison after pleading guilty to possession of child sexual abuse materials, the US Attorneys Office said Monday.

Laine Ormand Clark Jr., 33, was sentenced to 78 months in prison to be followed by a lifetime of court-ordered supervision. He was also ordered to pay $41,000 in restitution.

Homeland Security Investigations agents discovered an internet user associated with a Conway address who engaged in Bitcoin transactions with a Darknet site where users purchased child sexual abuse material, according to evidence presented in court. The user engaged in several Bitcoin transactions between March 2016 and August 2016, and the username on the account was Clark.

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Federal agents conducted a search warrant for the Conway address and found multiple electronic devices that contained 10,910 images and 1,210 videos of child sexual abuse material. Clark was present during the search and admitted to his involvement.

* * *

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.
CONWAY, S.C. (WBTW)  A mobile home fire Sunday night near Conway left one person hospitalized, according to Horry County Fire Rescue.

Fire rescue crews responded at 8:10 p.m. to the 3000 block of Highway 19. The home sustained heavy fire damage. One person was taken to the hospital, but their injuries were not believed to be life-threatening, HCFR said.

The cause of the fire is under investigation, and the Horry County Department is assisting. Any displaced residents will be offered assistance from the American Red Cross of South Carolina.

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* * *

Jordan White is a Digital Producer at News13. She joined the News13 team in August 2024. Jordan, a Myrtle Beach native, graduated from St. James High School in Murrells Inlet and is a graduate of Coker University. Follow Jordan on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, 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.
NEW YORK  A suspect, identified by police sources as 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, has been taken into custody for the Midtown Manhattan murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside the Hilton Hotel following a five-day manhunt, police said Monday.

Mangione was nabbed at a McDonalds in Altoona, Penn., carrying a gun that appears to match the murder weapon seen in security video of the shooting, police sources said. He was carrying writings critical of the health care industry when captured, police sources told the Associated Press.

A worker at the McDonalds believed he recognized Mangione from surveillance images released by the NYPD of the suspect and called in the tip, sources said.

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Mangione was taken into custody carrying a fake New Jersey ID, police sources said. No charges were immediately filed. NYPD detectives are on their way to Pennsylvania to interview the suspect.

At a press conference at City Hall in Manhattan, Mayor Eric Adams credited good old fashioned police work for the arrest.

Mangione, based on his writings, has ill will toward corporate America, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.

The Maryland native graduated top of his high school class and went on to major in computer science at University of Pennsylvania.

Included on an online list of books Mangione read this year is Unabomber Theodore Kaczynskis Industrial Society and its Future, which he rated four out of five stars.

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Mangione graduated as Valedictorian of the private, all-boys Gilman School in 2016, according to the Baltimore schools website.

In a recap of the graduation ceremony posted on the site, Mangione is quoted as commending his classmates for their inventive, pioneering mentality that accompanies a strong commitment to Gilman tradition.

The suspects last known address is Honolulu, Hawaii, police said. He has connections to San Francisco and no arrest history in New York City.

Police were offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the gunmans capture as the search for the masked shooter continued. The FBI also offered $50,000 for information resulting in an arrest and conviction of the suspect.

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Harrowing surveillance footage shows the suspect creeping up and shooting Thompson in the back on W. 54th St. near Sixth Ave. about 6:45 a.m. Wednesday.

The 50-year-old CEO of the Minnesota-based company was approaching the Hilton to help prepare for an investor day conference, officials said.

After shooting Thompson in the back, the gunman then coolly clears a jam in his pistol before firing at least three more times, the video shows.

He fled the scene on a bicycle and disappeared in Central Park but cops picked up his trail late Wednesday night on the Upper West Side.

Cops found the wordsDeny, Delay, and Depose written on the bullets  a supposed insurance industry mantra for delaying claims and maximizing profits  leading police to believe that the killer has a beef with the insurance industry.

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The gunman arrived in New York City on a Greyhound bus from Atlanta more than a week before unraveling his murder plot  and allowed images of his face to go public when he let his guard down flirting with a hostel worker.

NYPD detectives, with the help of Port Authority police, have managed to track the gunmans movements from when he first arrived in the city. Police sources said the suspect arrived in the city on a Greyhound bus from Atlanta on the evening of Nov. 24.

He found his way to the HI New York City Hostel on Amsterdam Ave. near W. 104th St., where cops recovered images of the suspect without a mask and smiling at someone behind the reception desk.

The hostel staffer reportedly got the suspect to smile by flirting with him and asking him to pull down his mask to see his handsome face.
The City Council and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams filed suit against Mayor Adams early Monday over his emergency order to suspend the central elements of a law passed in December barring solitary confinement at Rikers Island and other city jails.

The mayor signed the emergency executive order on July 27 that suspended elements of Local Law 42, arguing safety in the citys jails was at stake. He had vetoed the bill in January, but the Council overrode his veto by a vote of 42 to 9.

The Councils lawsuit argues the mayor violated New York State Executive Law 24, which states the mayor of a municipality can declare an emergency only in the event of an extreme situation  specifically, disaster, rioting, catastrophe or similar public emergency, or apprehension of those things.

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The lawsuit alleges that no mayor in the citys history has used emergency powers as an end run around a local law, adding that Adams never identified an imminent emergency that required a swift unilateral response.

City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams (D-Queens) called the order an unprecedented abuse of power.

Mayor Adams decision to exceed his legal authority, simply because he was overruled, undermines the foundation of our democracy, and it must be invalidated, she said.

In a statement, Amaris Cockfield, a spokeswoman for the mayor, said, To be clear, solitary confinement was eliminated in city jails in 2019. To continue to protect public health and safety in Department of Correction jails, the mayor issued a narrowly tailored executive order focused on reducing violence in our jails. We will review the suit if and when it is filed.

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The Council lawsuit makes good on a resolution the Council passed July 17, 10 days before the mayors order, giving the legislative body the authority to engage in legal action to defend the law.

The Council expected the city administration to bring its opposition to the law before Manhattan Federal Judge Laura Taylor Swain, who is presiding over the Nunez class action lawsuit that led to the creation of the federal monitor tracking jail violence and staff use of force, the lawsuit states.

Mayor Adams and [the Correction Department] never filed their promised motion with Chief Judge Swain, the lawsuit states. Instead, the mayor took matters into his own hands:

On July 27, one day before the provisions of the law were to take effect, Mayor Adams signed the 11-page Emergency Executive Order 625.

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The order said to protect the safety of jail staff and detainees, provisions of Local Law 42 would be suspended, including restrictions on emergency lock-ins, use of restraints and confining detainees in their cells for extended periods.

The order noted that the Correction Department told the Council that elements of the law conflict with court orders in the Nunez case, which the department is required to follow. The law would remove key tools needed to reduce violence and protect staff and detainees and would likely result in an increase in violence in the jails.

Mayor Adams based the order in part on a July 17 letter from the federal monitor tracking violence and use of force in the jails, which also argued the law could exacerbate already dangerous conditions and required study of how the changes would affect jail operations.

Speaking to the press July 30, the mayor defended the move.

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We dont have solitary confinement in New York City, he said. That was a bait and switch where people took an emotional terminology and they put it out there, and all of us started buying on it.

His then-legal counsel Lisa Zornberg insisted solitary confinement hasnt existed in the jails since 2019. Zornberg resigned Sept 15, reportedly because the mayor would not heed her advice to fire top aides embroiled in the City Hall corruption scandal.

Public Advocate Williams said Sunday that the mayor was desperately trying to maintain a status quo on Rikers that is dangerous to people on both sides of the bars.

The emergency order was one of more than 200 jail-related emergency executive orders the mayor has signed in his nearly three-year tenure. The bulk of those suspended the so-called Minimum Standards, a set of detailed rules governing jail conditions.

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Mayor Bill de Blasio, amid a massive uniformed staffing shortage, signed the first of those in Sept. 15, 2021. The orders had to be renewed every five days. After he took office in January 2022, Mayor Adams continued the practice, renewing it with his signature every five days.

The Council lawsuit more broadly could be seen as a challenge of the mayors use of emergency executive orders.

The mayors illegal suspension of Local Law 42 sets a dangerous precedent for future mayors to abuse their emergency powers when they are dissatisfied with the outcome of lawful democratic processes and have lost a policy debate, the lawsuit states.

In three years, Adams has signed 702 executive orders, many of the emergency variety  a higher rate than any other mayor. The bulk of those emergency orders involved Rikers and the large influx of migrants.

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De Blasio used the tool 334 times in two terms, including many emergency orders for COVID-19, Hurricane Ida and those for the jails, records show.

Mayor Mike Bloomberg issued 465 executive orders in three terms, including 345 emergency orders chiefly related to an enduring strike at some bus lines and Hurricane Sandy, records show

Before that the tool was used more sparingly and rarely for emergencies, archival records show. Mayor Rudy Giuliani issued just 53 executive orders in two terms, including one emergency order for a transit strike. Just one executive order referenced the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Mayor David Dinkins issued 63 in one term with no emergency orders, while Mayor Ed Koch signed 125 in three terms including just three emergency orders  twice for needed housing repairs and once for the1980 transit strike.

Mayor Abe Beame, who served one term from 1974 to 1977, issued 97 executive orders, but just one emergency order  for housing repair.
NEW YORK  The City Council and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams filed suit against Mayor Eric Adams early Monday over his emergency order to suspend the central elements of a law passed in December barring solitary confinement on Rikers Island and in city jails.

The mayor signed the emergency executive order on July 27 which suspended elements of Local Law 42, arguing safety in the citys jails was at stake. He had vetoed the bill in January, but the council overrode his veto by a vote of 42 to 9.

The councils lawsuit argues the mayor violated New York state Executive Law 24 which states the mayor of a municipality can only declare an emergency in the event of an extreme situation  specifically, disaster, rioting, catastrophe, or similar public emergency or apprehension of those things.

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The lawsuit alleges no mayor in the citys history has used emergency powers as an end-run around a local law, the lawsuit states, adding Adams never identified an imminent emergency that required a swift unilateral response.

Council Speaker Adrienne Adams called the order an unprecedented abuse of power. Mayor Adams decision to exceed his legal authority, simply because he was overruled, undermines the foundation of our democracy, and it must be invalidated, she said.

In a statement, Amaris Cockfield, a spokeswoman for the mayor, said, To be clear, solitary confinement was eliminated in city jails in 2019. To continue to protect public health and safety in Department of Correction jails, the mayor issued a narrowly-tailored executive order focused on reducing violence in our jails. We will review the suit if and when it is filed.

The council lawsuit makes good on a resolution the council passed July 17, 10 days before the mayors order, giving the legislative body the authority to engage in legal action to defend the law.

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The council expected the city to bring their opposition to the law before Judge Laura Taylor Swain, who is presiding over the Nunez class action lawsuit that led to the creation of the federal monitor tracking jail violence and staff use of force, the lawsuit states.

Mayor Adams and DOC never filed their promised motion with Chief Judge Swain, the lawsuit states. Instead, the Mayor took matters into his own hands:

On July 27, one day before the provisions of the law were to take effect, Mayor Adams signed the 11-page Emergency Executive Order 625.

The order said to protect the safety of jail staff and detainees, provisions of Local Law 42 would be suspended, including restrictions on emergency lock-ins, use of restraints, and confining detainees in their cells for extended periods.

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The order noted DOC told the Council that elements of the law conflict with court orders in the Nunez case which DOC is required to follow. The law would remove key tools needed to reduce violence, protect staff and detainees and would likely result in an increase in violence in the jails.

Adams based the order in part on a July 17 letter from the federal monitor tracking violence and use of force in the jails which also argued the law could exacerbate already dangerous conditions and required study of how the changes would effect jail operations.

Speaking to the press July 30, the mayor defended the move.

We dont have solitary confinement in New York City, he said. That was a bait and switch where people took an emotional terminology and they put it out there, and all of us started buying on it.

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His then-legal counsel Lisa Zornberg insisted solitary confinement hasnt existed in the jails since 2019. Zornberg resigned Sept 15, reportedly because the mayor would not heed her advice to fire top aides embroiled in the City Hall corruption scandal.

Williams said Sunday the mayor was desperately trying to maintain a status quo on Rikers that is dangerous to people on both sides of the bars.

The emergency order was one of more than 200 jail-related emergency executive orders he has signed in his nearly three-year tenure. The bulk of those suspended the so-called Minimum Standards, a set of detailed rules governing jail conditions.

Mayor de Blasio, amidst a massive uniformed staffing shortage, signed the first of those in Sept. 15, 2021. The orders had to be renewed every five days. After his election in January 2022, Mayor Adams continued the practice, renewing it with his signature every five days.

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The council lawsuit more broadly could be seen as a challenge of the mayors use of emergency executive orders.

The Mayors illegal suspension of Local Law 42 sets a dangerous precedent for future mayors to abuse their emergency powers when they are dissatisfied with the outcome of lawful democratic processes and have lost a policy debate, the lawsuit states.

In three years, Adams has signed 702 executive orders, many of the emergency variety  a higher rate than any other mayor. The bulk of those emergency orders involved Rikers and the large influx of migrants.

De Blasio used the tool 334 times in two terms, including many emergency orders for COVID, Hurricane Ida and those for the jails, records show.

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Mayor Bloomberg issued 465 executive orders in three terms, including 345 emergency orders chiefly related to an enduring strike of some bus lines and Hurricane Sandy, records show

Before that the tool was used more sparingly and rarely for emergencies, archival records show. Mayor Giuliani issued just 53 in two terms, including one emergency order for a transit strike. Just one executive order referenced the Sept. 11 terror attacks.

Mayor Dinkins issued 63 in one term with no emergency orders, while Mayor Koch signed 125 in two terms including just three emergency orders  twice for needed housing repairs and once for the 1980 transit strike.

Mayor Beame who served one term from 1972 to 1977 issued 97 but just one emergency order  for housing repair.
Construction workers specializing in pipe-laying work on a section of pipeline on July 25, 2013, outside Watford City. (Andrew Burton/Getty Images)

A lawsuit before a North Dakota federal district court could upend nearly five decades of environmental regulations affecting infrastructure projects.

The Council on Environmental Quality was created by Congress in 1969 as part of the National Environmental Policy Act, which directs federal agencies to assess how projects under their jurisdiction will impact environmental factors like air and water quality. President Jimmy Carter gave the council the power to issue rules implementing the legislation in an executive order in 1977.

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A coalition of 21 Republican-led states, including North Dakota, seeks to overturn a new regulation adopted by the council that took effect in July. The states argue that the rule introduces unreasonable requirements that will slow or even sink important infrastructure including new highways, airports, bridges and water systems, and unlawfully over-emphasizes climate change and environmental justice in the environmental review process.

In a lawsuit filed in May, the states asked the court to strike down the rule, direct the council to adopt regulations consistent with federal law and reinstate a weaker version the agency enacted during President Donald Trumps administration in 2020.

A group of 13 other states, including Oregon, plus the District of Columbia, New York City and a handful of advocacy groups, have joined the case on the side of the Council on Environmental Quality. The defendants argue the agencys work is vital to protect the environment and public health, and that the 2024 rule should be left in place.

Its possible that neither side will get what it wants. In a hearing earlier this month, U.S. District Court Judge Daniel Traynor said the Council on Environmental Qualitys entire regulatory regime may be unlawful.

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The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit found in a November order that the agency does not have rulemaking authority because Congress never explicitly granted it the power to implement the National Environmental Policy Act. The appellate court did not strike down any of the councils regulations, leaving it up to other courts to decide whether the rules should stand.

Traynor questioned how he could leave the regulations intact given the D.C. courts findings. He said if he were to apply the courts reasoning to the North Dakota case, he may conclude that all National Environmental Policy Act regulations passed by the council are void. The council issued its first rule implementing the act in 1978.

If they have no authority, they have no authority, Traynor said of the council. It is a paper tiger.

An attorney representing the Council on Environmental Quality, Gregory Cumming, rebuffed during the hearing the notion that the agency is operating without approval from Congress. The council keeps Congress apprised of its work with annual reports, he noted. If the assembly did not want the agency to pass rules, it could have passed legislation clarifying that stance, Cumming said.

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Jan Hasselman  an attorney representing several advocacy groups that joined the case as defendants  said theres a reason the councils rulemaking authority has gone unquestioned for almost five decades.

Nobody benefits when theres no rules, he told the judge. Its just sort of a mutually assured destruction.

Traynor voiced skepticism that such a decision would create disarray. Even if the councils rules disappear, other local and federal regulations would still be intact, he reasoned.

Its not like it becomes the wild west, he said.

Traynor asked the plaintiffs and defense to prepare legal briefs explaining how they would be impacted if he adopts the D.C. courts reasoning.

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The discussion came as part of a hearing on motions for summary judgment by the plaintiffs and defense. Both sides asked Traynor to decide the case in their favor without going to trial.

James Auslander, an attorney representing the plaintiff states, said the council is unlawfully and arbitrarily infringing on state sovereignty and the new rule will cause them significant economic harm.

These are critical projects for plaintiff states and our citizens, Auslander said.

Cumming argued the plaintiff states have not demonstrated that the new rule has actually harmed them, and that many of the components of the rule challenged as cumbersome are guidelines, not requirements.

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Traynor took the motions under advisement and has yet to issue a ruling.

The 21 plaintiffs states are Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Kentucky, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, South Carolina, Kansas, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Texas and Alaska.

The 13 states that joined the defense as intervenors are California, Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, Colorado, Michigan, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York and Wisconsin.

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North Dakota Monitor, like Oregon 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. North Dakota Monitor maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Amy Dalrymple for questions: info@northdakotamonitor.com. Follow North Dakota Monitor on Facebook and X.
COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  The site of the former Fort Rapids waterpark in east Columbus is now managed by a receiver, or court-appointed third party, Columbus City Attorney Zach Klein announced Monday morning.

Klein said the property has been placed in receivership by an Environmental Court Judge, and will now be managed by Ohio receivership agency New Perspective Asset Management. According to court documents, the property owners continue to violate safety codes and still have not paid numerous court fines, leading to the decision.

New Perspective Asset Management will immediately take control of the property, Klein said, and will work to manage the deserted waterpark as the lawsuit persists between the city and the property owners, specifically Jeff Oh Kern. In June, the same judge held the owners in contempt for repeatedly failing to bring the site up to code, ordering Kern to pay the city $199,000 in contempt fines and doubling his daily fines to $2,000 each day the property issues were not addressed.

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Look inside: Update on new recreation center in Hilliard

Fort Rapids closed in 2016 after numerous code violations, and in 2018, millions of gallons of water poured out of the former hotels windows from an upper floor pipe burst. Since Klein declared the property a public nuisance in 2021, the property has continued to rack up fines and violations.

Klein said Kern has yet to pay any of his fines, which are in the hundreds of thousands. Kern also failed to attend court dates in August, October and on Dec. 3, leading to the receivership and court-ordered jail time for Kern for his lack of compliance. A warrant was issued for Kerns arrest in August and his bond is set at $2.5 million, although he still has not been taken into custody and is presumed to be in his Los Angeles home.

The move comes less than two months after the waterpark was approved to be sold to a California real estate agency. After three years of attempts to purchase the property, Columbus real estate agent Dan Sheeran and Drever Capital Management finally got their approval on Oct. 25.

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Just days later, the building was struck by a significant fire, cementing the current structures future demolition and torching a large hole in the roof. Sheeran and the new developers told NBC4 in November that they still intend to go through with the purchase, having already invested nearly $500,000 into their plans to develop the site into affordable workforce housing.

According to court documents, the sale cannot be finalized until the lawsuit is resolved.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A man who pleaded guilty to killing and dismembering a Chandler woman in 2020 was sentenced four years later to over three decades in prison.

Timothy Sullivan, now 66, was charged with second-degree murder and abandonment or concealment of the body in 2020. He entered a plea deal in early September and was sentenced to 31.5 years in prison on Friday.

Sullivan was accused of killing Amy "Ruby" Leagans and burying her in his Scottsdale backyard before dismembering her body and disposing of the body in a mulch bag near the Salt River bottom. Police arrested Sullivan in connection with the murder about a month after it occurred.

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Here's what happened.

What happened to Leagans?

Court documents show that Leagans' mother reported her missing on Oct. 27, 2020, after not hearing from her for about a week. Through the investigation, police learned that Leagans moved to Arizona from Illinois a few months before her disappearance and was living with two men, one identified as Sullivan.

At one point, Leagans called the police to report that Sullivan had assaulted her, but police did not find evidence of a crime, according to documents. Leagans and the two men were eventually evicted.

Due to a history of domestic violence and violent criminal history, Sullivan was suspected of being involved in her disappearance. He was found to be living with his ex-girlfriend at the time.

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Police served a search warrant at the ex-girlfriend's residence in Scottsdale where they found Sullivan's vehicle with a bottle of bleach, latex gloves, a scrub brush, bed sheets, pillowcases and a duffel bag inside.

Police contacted the ex-girlfriend, and she said she had been assaulted by Sullivan two weeks prior. During the assault, she reported that he told her "not to think he would not kill her and bury her next to (Leagans) in the backyard," court documents said.

A second search warrant was executed, and detectives found an area of the backyard that had been raked and lightly covered with mulch. In this area, they found burned clothing, human hair and a bracelet, according to records.

On Nov. 17, 2020, Phoenix police found Leagans' body near South Central Avenue in Phoenix, and two days later, the Maricopa County Medical Examiner confirmed the identity through dental records.

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Phone and data records showed that Sullivan and Leagans were in the same area multiple times and that Sullivan returned to the dump site, according to court documents.

Police believe the killing occurred between Oct. 15, 2020, and Oct. 27, 2020.

Sullivan was taken into custody on Nov. 25, 2020. In a post-Miranda interview, Sullivan claimed that he went to Leagans' Chandler apartment, and she yelled at him. He left, went to a cabaret, consumed 12 beers in about 90 minutes and returned to the apartment where the yelling continued, court records said.

Sullivan told police he snapped and choked Leagans to death. He then left for two days and, when he returned, wrapped her body in a tarp and buried her in the backyard of his ex-girlfriend's Scottsdale residence.

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Sullivan allegedly became worried and exhumed the body. He reported to police that he lit the backyard grave on fire after placing each limb in a separate bag and loading it into a car. He distributed the parts in different trash bins around the Valley, according to the documents.

Sullivan reportedly told police that he wanted to make it look like she went to California and disappeared, but he "lost interest."

He was charged with second-degree murder and abandonment or concealment of body parts.

What happens now?

After years of court appearances, Sullivan was sentenced to 31.5 years in prison on Friday after entering a plea deal in September.

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The concealment charge carried a 6.5-year prison sentence, and the second-degree murder charge carried a 25-year prison sentence to be carried out after the first 6.5 years.

According to arresting documents, Sullivan has previously been convicted of assault, kidnapping, DUI, identity theft and domestic violence-related crimes.

Sullivan pled guilty to aggravated assault for a 2014 incident and was sentenced to two years and six months in prison, online court records showed.

Online records from the Arizona Department of Corrections, Rehabilitation and Reentry showed Sullivan was released from the Lewis prison in Buckeye in 2016.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Man sentenced to 31.5 years for death, dismemberment of Amy Leagans
WALDORF, Md. (WDCW)  Cracker Barrel has issued an apology after a Maryland school district said a group of students with disabilities was denied service at one of the chains restaurants.

On Dec. 3, several students and teachers from Charles County Public Schools (CCPS) visited the Cracker Barrel in Waldorf for a planned outing.

The trip was part of a community-based instruction program, known as CBI, which helps students with disabilities practice and apply classroom skills in real-life settings.

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One parent, Stacey Campbell, shared an email on Facebook that she received from her sons teacher saying they unfortunately had a very bad experience at Cracker Barrel and that the servers and hosts were very rude about the amount of people in their group.

Woman, 52, accused of robbing Billie Eilish fans at knifepoint near Oregon arena

Superintendent Maria Navarro said in a letter obtained by Nexstars WDCW that the district had notified the Cracker Barrel location of the planned visit, including how many people were coming and the purpose of the trip. However, staff at the restaurant reportedly said a reservation was not needed for them to dine at the establishment.

Upon arrival, the students and staff were declined service and asked to no longer include the restaurant on its CBI list. The group was able to place a carry-out order, Navarros letter read.

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Our students and staff are our No. 1 priority, and we are disheartened to learn about the alleged treatment they received while participating in activity designed to educate our students using real-world applications, Navarro continued.

Campbell, whose son has autism, expressed her disappointment during an interview with WDCW, asking: What is the (restaurant) leadership going to do  and how are they going to ensure that their discriminatory practices are no longer happening?

Netflix must pay $385K to woman exposed as fertility doctors secret child: court

Despite allegations of discrimination, Cracker Barrel said the incident actually happened as a result of a staffing issue.

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A staffing challenge that day led to the closure of part of our second dining room, creating confusion that impacted the groups experience, a spokesperson for the company said in a statement. We take this matter seriously and are working directly with the groups leadership to better understand what happened, extend our apologies, and make things right.

Navarro said in her letter that faculty members from the districts special education office have offered to provide disability awareness training for the restaurants employees.

Restaurant officials have also indicated that they are available to speak with the parents of the students who visited the establishment, Navarro wrote.

In the meantime, parents and other community members said they plan to host a rally and boycott the restaurant on Dec. 15.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 9. Turkiye has consistently supported peace, justice, and dialogue in Syria, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said following a government meeting at the Presidential Complex, Trend reports.

Erdogan highlighted Turkiye's progress as a nation with strong democracy, a growing economy, and increasing influence on the global stage. He also emphasized the significance of signing 10 agreements during the historic visit of Omans Sultan, Heytham bin Tariq, to Turkiye.

Addressing recent developments in Syria, Erdogan stated that the 13-year civil war has entered a new phase, leading to the collapse of the Baath regime. He reiterated Turkiyes steadfast commitment to defending Syria's territorial integrity and promoting peace and justice.

History and geography place certain responsibilities on us. We have always been ready to assist our neighbors. The changes in Syria will bring positive outcomes for all Syrians, particularly refugees, Erdogan affirmed.
Superintendent of Charles County Public Schools Maria V. Navarro said students with special needs were allegedly "declined service" at a Maryland Cracker Barrel on Dec. 3

The company said in a statement obtained by PEOPLE the incident occurred "due to our inability to accommodate a party of 18 that arrived" but apologized for what occurred

"Our missteps last week were unfortunate but were unrelated to the students capabilities," Cracker Barrel said



Cracker Barrel is facing backlash after special needs students were allegedly denied service at one of the restaurants locations in Maryland.

The alleged incident occurred on Tuesday, Dec. 3, while 11 students and seven staff members visited the Cracker Barrel in Waldorf, according to a statement from Superintendent of Charles County Public Schools Maria V. Navarro.

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The group was visiting the restaurant as part of community-based instruction (CBI)  which offers the students an opportunity to practice generalizing skills they are learning in the classroom in the community  when Navarro said they were refused service.

The superintendent claimed school staff members notified the establishment of the planned visit, including how many were in the party and the purpose of the visit. They were also allegedly told that no reservation was needed.

Related: Sisters Create Dating App to Give People with Disabilities, Chronic Illnesses a Safe Space to Find Love, Feel Seen

But when the group arrived at Cracker Barrel, Navarro alleged the students and staff were declined service and asked to no longer include the restaurant on its CBI list. The group was able to place a carry-out order."

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CCPS staff members have since spoken with the restaurants district manager about the incident, during which they expressed concerns about the service refusal, according to Navarro.

The alleged treatment of CCPS students and staff at Cracker Barrel is one that no one should experience, Navarro wrote in her letter. However, it is encouraging to learn that the district manager said the business would be willing to work with CCPS to do better.

The superintendent said other retailers and restaurants have since reached out to offer their locations as future CBI sites, with open invitations for CCPS students.

I want to thank our staff for their swift action in reporting this incident, supporting the emotional safety of our students and keeping our families updated, Navarro continued, adding, We look forward to hearing from Cracker Barrel.

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Related: Pizza Hut Apologizes After Special Needs Students Allegedly Told to Rush for 'Regular' Customers

In a statement obtained by PEOPLE, Cracker Barrel said the incident occurred "due to our inability to accommodate a party of 18 that arrived when we were facing unexpected staffing issues and had partially closed our second dining room."



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"At Cracker Barrel, we strive to create a welcoming environment and great experience for all of our guests," the company said. "That we disappointed this group of students and teachers during their recent visit is unacceptable to us, and we sincerely apologize."

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They added, "Our missteps last week were unfortunate but were unrelated to the students capabilities. ... Our failure to follow certain operational protocols combined with poor communication on our part then led to misunderstandings and misperceptions."

Related: School Officials Apologize After Family Says Students with Special Needs Excluded from Grad Ceremony

"This group of students and teachers were, are, and always will be welcome to dine with us," Cracker Barrel continued. "We are working with them, the school, and the parent community to better understand what happened so that we can learn from it and do better."



CCPS staff members have offered to work with Cracker Barrel to provide training in disability awareness for its employees, according to Navarro.

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In the meantime, Navarro said school district officials hope Cracker Barrel will agree to the establishment serving as a work-based learning site for CCPS students."

Our students and staff are our No. 1 priority, the superintendent said, and we are disheartened to learn about the alleged treatment they received while participating in an activity designed to educate our students using real-world applications.



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This month marks three years since the James Webb Space Telescope was first launched, which still feels something like a miracle given how many years of delays it took to finally get it orbiting our planet. The advanced technology onboard the spacecraft hasn't just sent back some pretty pictures, it's also challenged some of the basic tenets of cosmology, the study of some pretty big questions, including how the universe formed and how we got here.

For decades, the cosmological field was working under the assumption that, after the universe began in a hot dense soup of energy that expanded in the Big Bang, it continued to expand, forming the galaxies and stars that make up the universe. But in recent years, this understanding of how the universe expands has been put into question as two independent measurements to calculate this rate, which is called the Hubble constant, mysteriously diverged. In other words, we're trying to find out the speed limit of the expanding universe, but some measurements have given us different answers.

The question arose: Is this a real discrepancy? said Wendy Freedman, the leader of the Chicago Carnegie Hubble Program (CCHP). Is this indicating new physics and demanding that we change our understanding of what we know as the standard model of cosmology  or were there still systematic uncertainties that made it seem like there was a tension?

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Over the past decade, scientists have been retracing their steps to try and understand whether a mathematical error was behind the conflicting numbers or whether this disparity meant the way cosmologists were imagining the model of the universe was in some way flawed. But time and again when researchers crunch the numbers, the tension persists.

Because the Hubble constant factors into what we know about the age of the universe, its size, and what it's made of, this divergence, known as the Hubble tension, has begun to unravel our fundamental and previously held assumptions about reality.

There is nothing more exciting than having something not work out because it is pointing to the fact that you dont understand something, said Adam Frank, an astrophysics professor at the University of Rochester. There is nothing more exciting than not understanding something.

In 1929, Edwin Hubble discovered that galaxies in the universe were moving away from us at a rate directly proportional to the distance the galaxy was from Earth. In other words, things further away were moving faster. As a result of this observation, Hubble concluded that the universe must be expanding, and his calculated rate of expansion became known as the Hubble constant.

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The Hubble constant can be measured in two ways. The distance ladder method involves measuring objects, like bright stars called Cepheids or stars at the tip of the red giant branch, and comparing them to objects further away to determine the rate of expansion. The second method, called the early relic method, involves measuring the leftover light from the Big Bang in what is called the cosmic microwave background.

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In the former method, scientists calculate that the expansion rate of the universe is about 73 km/s/Mpc, and in the latter they calculate that it is about 67 km/s/Mpc. That mpc is what's known as a megaparsec, roughly 3,260,000 light years. Although the difference between 67 and 73 might seem small, it is statistically significant and has persisted throughout more than 10 years of calculations of distances across the universe performed to determine the expansion rate.

Image of the Sagittarius C (Sgr C) region

When the James Webb Telescope came online in 2021, it promised to give a clearer picture of the universe that could help cosmologists better measure some of these distances and therefore the expansion rate. But the high-resolution images thus far have confirmed that the tension persists.

A study published today in The Astrophysical Journal using images from the JWST confirmed the measurements made by the Hubble telescope, ruling out the possibility that the tension was caused by differences in telescope measurements or some other error in the Hubble telescope. However, the JWST is still relatively young, meaning its dataset is much smaller than Hubble's so far.

With larger and larger sample sizes, the chance that the Hubble constant is caused by a mistake continues to decrease and the chances that the divergence in numbers is being caused by something else we dont yet understand increases.

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If there was some simple knob that one could turn that would reconcile this, we would happily turn the knob and reconcile it, said Daniel Eisenstein, the chair of the theoretical cosmology department at Harvard University. People routinely investigate dozens of other alternatives, and none of those alternatives particularly fix this problem.

Theorists havent been able to come up with a solution to the Hubble tension that could explain the difference yet either, said Saul Perlmutter, a Nobel Prizewinning cosmologist at the University of California, Berkeley. One of the challenges in doing so is that the model does help explain many other elements of the universe with high certainty.

The Hubble constant is one of the basic constants that you can put into all of these different equations that works so well, so we know we cant just say 'lets just start over again,' Perlmutter told Salon in a phone interview. We know that there is something right about our picture of cosmology because we are getting so many things well-predicted and understood.

One possibility is that dark energy, which is thought to comprise roughly 68% of the universe and cause the universe to expand, could be behaving in a way that we dont understand and that the current cosmological model doesnt fully explain it. It could also involve the formation of magnetic fields in the early universe or another particle in the universe called the neutrino.

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The obvious places to look for new physics are the places we dont fully understand, like dark matter and dark energy, said Dr. Andreea Font, a computational astrophysicist at Liverpool John Moores University in England.

Pillars of Creation (NIRCam Image)

Historically, tensions in cosmology have resulted in major breakthroughs in discovery. At the turn of the 20th century, it was believed that light was propagated through an invisible medium called the luminiferous ether, but scientists could not prove the existence of the ether with data. Then, Albert Einstein solved the tension by coming up with the theory of relativity, which explains how massive objects cause distortions in spacetime.

Other tensions in cosmology co-exist with the Hubble tension today as well. The S8 tension arose when measurements of how clustered galaxies were in the universe diverged, and JWST also illuminated tensions in how massive early galaxies are compared with how massive they were predicted to be under the current model.

Data from the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) research group has reported that dark energy might be evolving or thawing in a way that wouldnt fit with the current cosmological model. This was another crack in the current cosmological theory to explain the universe, said Adam Reiss, an astrophysicist at Johns Hopkins University who was a co-winner of the 2011 Nobel Prize in Physics for the discovery of dark energy.

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If this isnt the right model and someday we have a new understanding, in the best case, all of these cracks may become part of what cements a new model, Reiss told Salon in a video call. But were not at that stage yet. We are at the finding the cracks stage.

It could be that a universal solution solves all of these tensions at once and fundamentally changes our understanding of the universe. Or, they might be tackled one by one. However, the field is still in the stage of completely ruling out the possibility that the Hubble tension is in fact being caused by an error or something that was overlooked in the current model.

Weve seen over the last several years what you might call cracks in the model, and the Hubble tension would be the chief crack, Reiss said. But there are others as well, and some people have a feeling that we may be on the edge of overthrowing the model with some new understanding. But the challenge is, nobody knows quite what that is.

With the launch of the JWST, along with other telescopes at the Vera Rubin Observatory, many in the field are hopeful that they might know what is behind the Hubble tension within the next few years, if not sooner.

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Although some have referred to the Hubble tension as a crisis or a problem, many in the field are excited by it, as it opens up the possibility of discovering something entirely new in the universe that helps us better understand it.

When I look at something and I dont understand what it is, somebody might say that is a problem Reiss said. I would say: That is an opportunity.
EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI)  A fire broke out at a home in East Providence late Sunday night.

Crews responded to the home on Mary Avenue around 10:30 p.m. and the flames were put out within 10 minutes.

Battalion Chief Frederick MacDonald told 12 News the residents who live there are temporarily without a place to stay, but the home is not a total loss.

There was minimal damage to the house, he explained. Almost all of the damage was on the first floor where the fire started.

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One resident was checked out for smoke inhalation but didnt go to the hospital by ambulance.

No word on a cause at this time.

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A criminology student in the U.K. was jokingly asked by his professor if he was planning a murder before he allegedly killed a woman at random on a beach, a court has heard.

Nasen Saadi, 20, would allegedly badger his professor at Greenwich University in London with questions about crime, and a police search of his personal computer later found searches including why is it harder for a killer to be caught if he does it in another town and which is the deadliest knife.

A court sketch of Saadi / CPS

Another search was for busiest beaches. Saadi was hauled before Winchester Crown Court in Hampshire, southern England, on Monday, charged with the murder of Amie Gray, 34, and the attempted murder of her friend Leanne Miles, then 38.

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The court heard that on May 24 he approached the two on a beach in Bournemouth, a seaside town on the south coast of England, and allegedly lunged at them with a knife.

Gray died of her injuries and Miles got away, she said, because she pleaded, Please stop, Ive got children.

In an act horrifying in its savagery and in its randomness he stabbed them both multiple times, chasing after them as they tried to escape or divert him from the other and he continued his attack, the judge said.

Jurors were told that the Londoner, who watched a slasher movie the night before the alleged crime, booked a hotel in Bournemouth and devised his plan to kill.

The scene at Bournemouth beach where Amie Gray was killed. / CPS

The judge said that while studying, Saadis lecturer felt compelled to ask Youre not planning a murder, are you? because of his incessant questions that were, at times, off topic.

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Saadi reportedly didnt respond to the question. And when shown CCTV of the attack by police, he said, Thats not me.

Cops found an array of knives, latex gloves, a flashlight, and a black balaclava during a search of the defendants home.

The trial continues.
New York (WTNH)  On Monday, federal officials announced millions of dollars in federal grants going towards improving the health of the Long Island Sound.

In all, more than $12 million will help fund 31 different projects.

Rocky Neck State Park gets $4M NOAA grant for marsh restoration

A healthy sound provides ecosystem and economic and equal access benefits to all Long Island Sound communities, whether they are plant or animal or human, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes said.

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Experts said projects to reduce nitrogen in ground water has made water in the sound much cleaner.

The money from the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is designed to build on that progress.

Fishermen still impacted by Long Island Sounds lobster die-off

In terms of advancing all these incredible projects that are going to continue the momentum that has built up over the years in terms of making long island sound more vibrant, Rep. Joe Courtney said.

In Connecticut, funds are going to improvements to Ocean Beach Park in New London, a new coastal access site in Stonington, a plan to restore salt marshes in Old Saybrook and efforts to ease fish passage in the states rivers.

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Two thousand Connecticut students will also receive an education in how to improve the health of the Long Island Sound.

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A man was arrested in connection with a burglary in New London early Monday as police continue to investigate a rash of commercial break-ins.

Javon Young, 46, of New London faces charges of third-degree burglary, third-degree criminal mischief, interfering with an officer, possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to the New London Police Department.

Police said the charges stem from a burglary reported shortly after 1:50 a.m. at 607 Bank St.

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This arrest is a testament to the hard work and dedication of our officers and investigative team, Brian M. Wright, chief of the New London Police Department, said in a statement. However, our efforts do not stop here.

Wright said police are investigating a recent rash of commercial burglaries.

We are committed to ensuring the safety and security of our community and are dedicating significant resources to these investigations, he said.

Our burglary investigations remain ongoing, and we are conducting thorough follow-ups to bring all those responsible to justice.
A man was found with a firearm after he was pulled over on Interstate 95 in Old Saybrook over the weekend and charged with DUI, state police said.

A trooper first spotted the motorist on Saturday just before 11:30 p.m. on I-95 North where he was driving a black BMW and allegedly could not stay in one lane, according to Connecticut State Police.

The trooper flipped on the cruisers lights and sirens before the driver pulled over on the right shoulder. State police said the trooper found that the vehicles registration was expired and that the driver showed signs of being impaired.

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The driver, who was identified as 42-year-old Brandon Tanguay of New London, failed field sobriety testing and was found to be in possession of a loaded 9mm handgun, according to state police. The gun and ammo were both seized.

Tanguay was arrested and transported to Troop F in Westbrook. He faces charges of failure to renew a registration, illegal operation of a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs, failure to maintain the proper lane on a limited access highway, improper storage of a pistol or revolver in a motor vehicle and illegally carrying of a firearm under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Tanguay was released on a $1,500 bond and is scheduled to appear on Dec. 20 in Middletown Superior Court.
A Connecticut woman arrested for giving police the wrong name during a traffic stop in South Windsor where she was allegedly driving a vehicle without permission is wanted as a fugitive in Texas.

Tara L. Desjardins, 42, of Meriden was arrested Friday in connection with a warrant charging her with using a motor vehicle without permission, criminal impersonation, interfering with an officer, operating an unregistered motor vehicle and operating under suspension, according to the South Windsor Police Department.

Police said the charges stem from a traffic stop in which Desjardins allegedly violated a traffic signal and used the name and license of another person. She was also driving a vehicle without permission, according to police.

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Desjardins was charged after being turned over to South Windsor police by members of the Cheshire Police Department. Police said they found that she was wanted in Texas in connection with an extraditable warrant and was charged as a fugitive from justice.

Desjardins was held on a $55,000 bond and was expected to appear in Manchester Superior Court on Monday.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Customers will now notice something a little different at state liquor stores throughout Utah  donation boxes. Each will be collecting donations for dozens of charitable organizations across the state, giving customers a chance to support a worthy cause at the same time theyre picking up drinks.

(Utah DABS)

Donations will be collected today, Dec. 9, through Feb. 28, 2025. Donations go toward a range of organizations, such as animal welfare, family and children organizations, food pantries, and homeless services.

I am so impressed by DABS employees and customers who are eager to help others by collecting and making generous donations, said Tiffany Clason, Executive Director of Utah Department of Alcoholic Beverage Services.

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Clason explained that state liquor stories are uniquely positioned for this kind of broad support due to their geographic reach throughout Utah.

Employees handpicked each organization to support, ensuring the stores are helping people and animals in their local communities, she said.

Last year was the first year that the state liquor stores held donation drives. Clason said it was a huge success, and employees are excited to do it again.

To find a list of DABS liquor store locations and the organization that each is supporting, visit abs.utah.gov/dabs-store-donation-drive.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Where do we go from here? Thats a question Ive been asking a lot lately as, from trying to redefine what it means to be an American to pushing their plan to cut healthcare for our veterans, the priorities of President-Elect Donald Trump and the MAGA GOP have come into sharp relief. From the looks of it, they dont want to roll back prices at the grocery store. They want to roll back progress, especially progress that impacts us. So, for us, 2025 is about keeping hope and progress alive while we fight against their agenda project 2025

Of course, while some may be surprised by this blatant about face from campaign rhetoric, were not. Theres a reason 78 percent of Black men and 92 percent of Black women voted for Vice President Kamala Harris. We knew the truth from the beginning. We knew the consequences of Trump the sequeland theres no education in the second kick of the mule.

So, lets be honest. Its bad folks, especially if youre Black. Can Black folks expect to be targeted with increased oppression, suppression, incarceration and injustice over the next four years? Yes. Will the MAGA support of white supremacists like the Proud Boys translate to a further rise in domestic terrorism and racial violence? Yes. Is it going to be a fight every step of the way for Black folks even to be considered real Americans in the MAGA administration? Of course it isand that barely scratches the surface.

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But you know what theyre not counting on? Us. You see, Black folks dont scare easy because weve seen it before and if we can survive 400 years of slavery, Jim Crow, the KKK and worse, then we can survive four more of Donald Trump and after this administration is long resigned to the dustbin of history, well still be here.

We are descendents of men and women who refused to die, a people of unflinching resilience and boundless strength and while we may have lost an election, we didnt lose our purpose.

So where do we go from here? Forward.

Look, I dont mean to pretend that there isnt real cause for frustration, anger and alarm. You dont have to tell me about institutional racism and generational poverty. I grew up in rural Swansea, SC. Im the grandson of sharecroppers. You think I dont know? I dont feel your pain; Ive seen it in real life and, in some ways, have lived experiences with it.

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You dont have to tell me about the disappointment and anger you feel right now. I feel it too. Its like Dr. King said speaking at the National Conference for New Politics in Chicago in 1967, We were the hardcore activists who were willing to believe that Southerners could be reconstructed in the constitutional image. We were the dreamers of a dream that dark yesterdays of mans inhumanity to man would soon be transformed into bright tomorrows of justice. Now it is hard to escape the disillusionment and betrayal. Our hopes have been blasted and our dreams have been shattered.

But that wasnt all he said that day because, in the darkness he challenged us to fight even harder for the light. He challenged us to rededicate ourselves to moral justice and practical action. He challenged us to choose community over chaos saying Cowardice asks the questions, is it safe; expediency asks the question, is it politic; vanity asks the question, is it popular, but conscious asks the question, is it right. And on some positions, it is necessary for the moral individual to take a stand that is neither safe, nor politic nor popular; but he must do it because it is right.

Its up to us. Maybe its insulting and its certainly unfair. After all, we didnt cause this crisis so why is it our job to cure it? I understand that frustration. I understand that anger. But while that chaos may feel cathartic, it doesnt get us where we need to go. We need community because our voice is loudest when it is united.

Roughly 12 percent of the folks in Marjorie Taylor Greenes Congressional district are Black. But thats still more than 92,000 Americans. What do you think would happen if they all spoke together?

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More than a third of the families in Speaker Mike Johnsons district are black. What if they all showed up at the Capitol calling on him to stop blocking the Freedom to Vote Act and let voting rights come to the House floor for, ironically, a vote.

There are nearly 170,000 Black and latino Americans in Matt Gaetz 1st Congressional District in Florida. Thats about 40,000 more than the margin of his last election. Doesnt that look like power to you? Its like that in even the most segregated communities in America. Were told we dont matter. Were told we dont count. But when we come together, when we choose community over chaos, our strength can do anything.

So here do we go from here? We go forward. It wont be easy. But nothing worth doing ever is.

We go forward because thats what we do, from the freedmen who escaped the chains of slavery to the high school student filling out a college application. We go forward because our parents and grandparents and all those who came before refused to give up no matter how bad it got. So neither will we.

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Sure, well have to work longer and fight harder but that will just make the victory that much sweeter.

We move forward because, at the end of the day, its the only way left.

Antjuan Seawright (@antjuansea) is a Democratic political strategist, founder and CEO of Blueprint Strategy LLC, a CBS News political contributor, and a senior visiting fellow at Third Way.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 9. No information is currently available regarding the location of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters. Trend reports via the Russian media.

"There is currently nothing to tell about Assad's whereabouts. Of course, such judgments cannot be taken without the head of state himself. It is his decision," Peskov said.

Upon being queried about the potential for a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Assad, Peskov responded that there are no such meetings on the president's official agenda.

Earlier, Russian TASS news agency, citing a source in the Kremlin, claimed that Assad and his family had landed in Moscow and were granted sanctuary by Russia.

In other news, on November 27, insurgents under the leadership of the "Hayat Tahrir al-Sham" organization initiated an offensive from the partially controlled Idlib Governorate in northern Syria. Units of the Syrian National Army participated in the assault in conjunction with them.

Within days, the militants captured the entire Idlib Governorate as well as Aleppo, the countrys second-largest city.

The Syrian army withdrew from Hama city on December 5, and the following day, Syrian Democratic Forces seized the city of Deir ez-Zor in northeastern Syria. By the night of December 8, anti-government forces had entered Damascus, with President Bashar al-Assad fleeing the capital aboard a plane.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
DENVER (KDVR)  The Denver District Attorneys Office announced Monday that 17 alleged members of a major stolen car ring were indicted and accused of stealing at least 190 vehicles between September 2022 and February 2024 and allegedly trading them to Mexican drug cartel members.

The indictment has 222 counts in it including over 100 counts of auto theft and more than a dozen counts of drug possession and other crimes.

Officials told FOX31 that 11 of the 17 were in custody as of Monday, while the remaining six were believed to be in Colorado, Texas or Mexico.

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Most of the over 190 vehicles were high-end pickup trucks, with a total loss of over $9.5 million, and most were stolen between May and October of 2023.

According to the indictment, this included over 45 Ford Raptors and 10 Dodge Ram 1500 TRX trucks.

The Denver District Attorneys Office announced 17 people had been charged in connection to a major car theft ring. (Credit: KDVR)

According to Denver District Attorney Beth McCann, these vehicles were taken to Mexico where they were traded to drug cartels for cocaine and methamphetamine. McCann said these drugs were imported back into the U.S. and brought to Denver.

David Olesky with the Drug Enforcement Administration said the group was linked to the Sinaloa cartel.

Boulder PD investigating after 6 overdose on possibly tainted drugs at fraternity house

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A prosecutor with the DAs Office said Denver is uniquely geographically situated, making it easier for vehicles to get out of the City and County of Denver.

She said Denver has a major international airport but is surrounded by a lot of states that do not have the same access to international flights. This means that many people drive into Denver in four-wheel drive vehicles and larger pickup trucks to travel somewhere else.

According to an indictment, many of the vehicles were stolen from Denver International Airport parking lots.

The Denver DA was joined by members of the Colorado Metro Auto Theft Prevention Authority, the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations and other law enforcement agencies.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
A New Jersey family is suing DraftKings after a father of two gambled away more than $1 million of his familys money across four years.

The man, known by his username Mdallo1990, allegedly lost $942,232.32 between Jan. 1, 2020, and Jan. 13, 2024, due to his gambling habits, according to a lawsuit filed on Thursday, Dec. 6, in New Jersey Superior Court.

The lawsuit, obtained by PEOPLE, claims the money belonged to the gamblers wife, Lisa DAlessandro  who he is separated from  and their two children.



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DraftKings is accused of negligence, fraud and violating the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act. DAlessandro wants the company to return all of the money she claims Mdallo1990 stole from her and the kids, according to the complaint.

The complaint alleged the father stole money from his spouse to deposit with DraftKings by taking funds from her credit cards and other accounts without her permission or knowledge.

Related: MGM Resorts Shuts Down Claims Bruno Mars Owes $50 Million in Gambling Debt

He also allegedly stole money from his kids savings accounts, which were funded "with gifts from baptism, Christmas presents, and birthday presents.

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DraftKings is accused of actively participating in Mdallo1990s gambling addiction by targeting him with incentives, bonuses, and other gifts to create, nurture, expedite, and/or exacerbate the problem.

The complaint claims DraftKings knew Mdallo1990 was a problem gambler via the data they actively collected, monitored, and used to entice him to deposit and gamble at exponentially higher amounts and frequencies.

This case is the next step in protecting the public from the predatory practices of the online casinos and their VIP hosts, Matthew Litt, DAlessandros attorney, tells PEOPLE. It is not just the compulsive gambler who suffers the catastrophic consequences, but completely innocent families too.

DraftKings declined to comment when PEOPLE reached out for comment.

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Related: Dodgers Fire Shohei Ohtani's Interpreter After He's Reportedly Linked to Illegal Gambling

He allegedly had an annual income of approximately $175,000 in the years 2021, 2022 and 2023, the complaint read.

The father allegedly began by depositing an average of $2,040.57 per month into DraftKings in 2020. By 2023, that number rose to $64,715.62 per month.

At one point, DraftKings is accused of assigning Mdallo1990 to be in a VIP Private Group based on the amount of money its Data showed him to be depositing.

The complaint claims VIP hosts ignored the red flags and did not, in fact, provide information on addicted gambling resources to Mdallo1990.

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Related: DraftKings Apologizes for Tone Deaf Sports Betting Option Playing Off 9/11 Tragedy

In total, Mdallo1990 is said to have gambled $15 million away, including the nearly $1 million that DAlessandro claims belongs to her and her kids.

In addition to enticing the problem gambler, DraftKings is accused of failing to verify the source of funds which Mdallo1990 was using to gamble despite the frequency of the mans gambling and how much he was betting.

You think youre building a nest egg for yourself and your family, and it turns out its gone, Litt told The Independent. This was a middle-class family. A lot of it remains on a credit card, and the rest of it is just gone.

Read the original article on People
In a whirlwind 48 hours, more than half a century of brutal Assad family rule in Syria came to an end this weekend. Rebel forces entered Damascus after a lightning offensive that forced the Syrian president to flee on a plane to Moscow.



Kamal and Camilla speak to Ruth Sherlock - who after years of reporting on the Syrian civil war is en route back into the country - about the chaotic scenes on the streets of Damascus, where armed fighters have descended.



And Tom Tugendhat MP, who has served in Iraq and Afghanistan, speaks to the Daily T about his deep concern at the power vacuum in Syria, whether the UK should still proscribe the leading rebel group as a terrorist organisation, and what Assads departure means for Iran and Russia.

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.
Reactions to Daniel Perrys acquittal Monday in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely aboard an F train last year were sharply divided, with some calling the former Marine a hero who intervened to save fearful straphangers and others saying he was a vigilante who killed a vulnerable Black man in the throes of a mental health crisis.

During the trial, prosecutors said Penny perhaps initially acted with good intent, but that he crossed the line by holding Neely in a chokehold for far too long. Pennys lawyers, on the other hand, portrayed him as a good Samaritan being unfairly punished for trying to help fellow passengers through a frightening moment when the homeless man entered the train in what several said was a threatening manner.

Theres a desire of New Yorkers to always respond when they believe its necessary, and I dont believe thats going to change in any way, Mayor Adams said at his weekly press briefing Monday. This is not the first time and Im sure its not going to be the last time that individuals take action that people are going to question.

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We should have been standing up for those passengers, the mayor said. Thats what we should have done for the city, and standing up for those passengers means addressing the mental health crisis we have in the city, and not just waiting until incidents like this happen.

Adams also reiterated the need for help from city and state lawmakers to fix the broken mental health system.

We need help in Albany and in the City Council, we cant sit back and mourn the loss of someone that is caught up in the system, and were not taking the action every day, Adams said. But a jury of his peers heard the case, all the facts and all the evidence and made a decision, and I join DA [Alvin] Bragg in stating that I respect the process.

A Manhattan jury found Penny not guilty of criminally negligent homicide in the death of Neely on Monday morning after days of deliberations, following the dismissal of a manslaughter charge on Friday after jurors said they couldnt come to an agreement.

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Moments after the jurys verdict was read, protesters gathered outside Manhattan Supreme Court.

Hawk Newsome, co-founder of Black Lives Matter of Greater New York, said outside the courthouse that America has failed Neely and his supporters.

This system protects every other group except for the very group that built this country, Newsome said. Every group that comes here gets benefits, gets privileges except for the very people whose fingerprints are on the bricks that built this country. There is no love for Black people. Theres no love in the system. How can you make a moral appeal to a people that have no moral code? How can you preach love to racists?

For Eric Garners mother, Gwen Carr, the verdict was a reminder of past injustices against Black victims.

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Its two justice systems, and we have to stop this, and the only way we can stop is to stand together, those of us who are against what happened, we have to speak up, said Carr, whose son died after being placed in an illegal chokehold by a Staten Island cop in 2014.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, took to social media following Mondays verdict. Great news for Daniel and America, he wrote.

Hes a hero who saved lives. That trial shouldve NEVER HAPPENED in the first place.

City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams called the not guilty verdict a stain to a city and to people who look like Jordan.

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You cannot be allowed to choke people to death, and you shouldnt be allowed to do that with absolutely no consequences, and thats what occurred here, and everybody should be worried about that, Williams told the Daily News at City Hall.

Williams laid some blame for the verdict on politicians who have defended Penny  and took particular aim at the mayor over remarks last week that Penny was doing what we should have done as a city.

Based on those comments, Im sure [Adams] is excited for this devaluing of someones life that had a lot of value and who literally said he was hungry, Williams said, calling that comment disgusting.

City Council Deputy Speaker Diana Ayala (D-Manhattan, Bronx), chairwoman of the committee that oversees the citys homeless shelter system, slammed the not guilty verdict as a miscarriage of justice and criticized the mayor and other politicians for standing up for Penny.

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They tainted that conversation, Ayala said of other politicians. It was never a fair trial.

We have a mental health crisis in the city, and its not a nice feeling to be on the receiving end of those encounters, Ayala said. Sometimes they can be really scary and I get that and I think that he was heroic in attempting to be helpful, but what he did was involuntary manslaughter and he should have been held accountable for that.

Assemblyman and mayoral challenger Zohran Mamdani, in a statement, also called out the citys mental health system.

Todays verdict is not justice  nor was his killer a hero. This tragedy lays bare decades of policy failure that can no longer be tolerated, Mamdani (D-Queens) said, calling for more crisis intervention programs, community-based mental health services and housing.
Daniel Penny was acquitted Monday for the killing of Jordan Neely on a New York City subway.

A Manhattan jury of seven women and five men found that Pennys actions were not criminal when he held Neely, 30-year-old a homeless man with a history of mental illness, in a chokehold on the floor of a subway car in May 2023. The chokehold lasted six minutes.

The decision came on the fifth day of deliberations after jurors spent three days deciding whether Penny, a 26-year-old former Marine, was guilty of manslaughter, CNN reported. The jury could not reach a unanimous decision, so Judge Maxwell Wiley dismissed the more serious charge.

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Jurors ultimately decided that Penny was not guilty of criminally negligent homicide, which involves causing someone's death by acting in a manner that was reckless, inattentive, or careless.

Penny faced up to four years in prison for criminally negligent homicide and up to 15 years for manslaughter.

A witness told jurors that upon entering the subway on May 1, 2023, Neely was acting erratically and shouting about being hungry and thirsty and said that he wanted to return to jail and didnt care if he lived or died, NBC news reported. Penny stepped in because he thought Neely may attack other passengers, his attorneys told jurors.

Pennys attorneys also argued that the chokehold was not the cause of Neelys death, despite a New York City medical examiner concluding that Neely died from compression to his neck.

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Outside the courtroom, Neely's father Andre Zachary expressed his frustration and disappointment with the criminal justice system, CNN reported.

I miss my son. My son didnt have to go through this. I didnt have to go through this either, Andre Zachary told reporters. It hurts, it really, really hurts. What are we going to do, people? Whats going to happen to us now? Ive had enough of this. The system is rigged.

Others have pointed to Penny's indictment as a failure to protect New York City's most vulnerable populations from harm.

"The outcome of this trial is a searing indictment of the systemic failures that continue to plague our pursuit of justice for societys most vulnerable," New York City Council Member Yusef Salaam wrote in a statement.
NEW YORK -- Daniel Penny was found not guilty of criminally negligent homicide in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely on a New York City subway car in 2023.

Penny, a 26-year-old Marine veteran, had pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.

The judge dismissed the manslaughter charge on Friday after jurors said they could not come to a unanimous decision. The jury could only consider the negligent homicide charge if Penny was cleared of manslaughter.

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Word of the verdict came after jurors deliberated for more than 20 hours. Penny appeared to smile, as his attorneys hugged each other.

"We couldn't be more pleased that a jury of Danny's peers acquitted him of any wrongdoing. And now New Yorkers can take some comfort in knowing that we can continue to stand up for one another without sacrificing our rights or our freedoms," his lawyers said in a statement.

Photo shows Daniel Penny and his lawyers after the 26-year-old Marine veteran was acquitted in the subway chokehold death of Jordan Neely. / Credit: Kenniffthelawyer/Instagram

His attorneys later shared a photo on social media showing them raise a glass at a bar after the verdict.

CBS News New York's Alice Gainer was inside the courtroom when the decision came down. She reported it was chaos, as some cheered in support of Penny, and Neely's father, Andre Zachery, had to leave the room because he stood up and was heard swearing.

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Zachery told CBS News New York, "My son didn't have to go through this. I didn't have to go through this, either. It hurts. It really, really hurts," adding, "What's going to happen to us now? Had enough of this. System is rigged. Come on, people. Let's do something about this."

Penny faced a maximum possible sentence of 15 years in prison on the manslaughter charge, or four years on the negligent homicide charge. There was no minimum sentence.

Protests outside courthouse over Daniel Penny verdict

Protesters lined up outside the courthouse Monday, chanting "Justice for Jordan Neely!" Inside, Penny's defense team asked for a mistrial and once again was denied.

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The defense also raised concerns that jurors could potentially hear some of what the demonstrators were saying. They said the demonstrators were using megaphones and bullhorns, chanting things like, "Murdered!" and "Subway strangler!"

The judge agreed he also heard the commotion and reminded the jury to ignore things they may hear or read about the case.

One activist who had been outside demonstrating every morning was inside and yelled something at Penny along the lines of "It's a small world, buddy."

"Our call to action is to take care of each other. We can't rely on outside people. If we see someone asking for food, we have to take the responsibility to give it to them. If we see someone cold, to give them a coat. If we see someone going through something, to ask them if they're OK," Donte Mills, attorney for the Neely family, said during a news conference outside the courthouse. "That's how we help each other, because we can't rely on the system to do it for us."

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Eric Garner's mother, Gwen Carr, also spoke outside the courthouse, saying, "No one deserves to be choked to death," adding, "I tell this family, do not give up, because that's what they want you to do. They want to discourage you, just like they tried to discourage me. Ten years later, I'm still fighting."

The Rev. Al Sharpton, who spoke at Neely's funeral, put out a statement, which read, in part, "This verdict represents the blatant legalization of civilian vigilantism, sending a dangerous message that citizens can now take matters into their own hands, even if it leads to someone's death."

"It was foolish of us to think that a Black man would get justice in a system that is designed to keep him oppressed," added Chivona Newsome, co-founder of Black Lives Matter Greater New York.

Manhattan district attorney responds with statement

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The verdict drew praise from Vice President-elect JD Vance and New York Congressman Mike Lawler, who both criticized Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg for prosecuting Penny.

Bragg released a statement following the verdict, saying:

"As with every case, we followed the facts and the evidence from beginning to end. A Grand Jury voted to indict, and the Office carefully presented this case to a trial jury.

"Over the course of the trial, we introduced medical records, videos, bodycam footage, and testimony from over 30 witnesses, including from the City's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

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"The jury carefully deliberated for four days. They requested readbacks of testimony and asked for video footage to re-watch, as well as written definitions of the law. Their lengthy deliberation - and the totality of the facts and the evidence -- underscored why this case was put in front of a jury of Mr. Penny's peers.

"The jury has now spoken. At the Manhattan D.A.'s Office we deeply respect the jury process and we respect their verdict.

"Unfortunately, over the duration of this trial, talented career prosecutors and their family members were besieged with hate and threats -- on social media, by phone and over email. Simply put, this is unacceptable, and everyone, no matter your opinion on this case, should condemn it. These are prosecutors who have dedicated decades of their lives to public service and to the safety of Manhattan. I am grateful to them, as well as to the NYPD for their hard work and commitment on not only this matter, but for all they do on behalf of New Yorkers. I also want to thank Judge Wiley for presiding over this case. Finally, I want to thank the members of the jury who took time out of their lives to diligently evaluate the evidence."

NYC mayor asked what verdict means for city

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Mayor Eric Adams was asked by reporters if he thinks the verdict says anything about the mood of the city, and if he feels like it could open the door for more of these interactions of people exacting their own justice.



"Good question. And I'll answer the latter first. Of what you see, of what people often do, a lot of people make interpretations, you know, about trials, but juries are in the courtroom. They're hearing every piece of evidence, they are hearing the testimonies. They have to make the decision. And that's the system that we have," he replied. "And actually, it is probably one of the best systems on the globe. And I think the jury's heard the evidence and made a determination based on the evidence that they heard. And the ... does it impact what's going to happen throughout the city that people are not going to take action or going to take action? I don't think it does.

"I think that oftentimes people make these decisions when they are in the midst of it. And there's a desire of New Yorkers to help out those who are in need. There's a desire of New Yorkers is to always respond when they believe it's necessary. And I don't think that is going to change in any way. This is not the first time, and I'm sure it's not going to be the last time that individuals take actions and people are going to question about those actions that happened.

"But at the cornerstone and at the heart of this is that, of this young man, like so many others that are on our subway systems, I made it clear that's not a place to sleep, to live. That's not a place to be. And when they need help, we need to give them the help of that they have."

About the charges

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In order to be convicted of manslaughter, prosecutors had to prove:

Penny caused Neely's deathThat he did so recklesslyThat he was not justified

In order to be convicted of criminally negligent homicide, prosecutors had to prove:

Penny caused Neely's deathThat he did so with criminal negligenceThat he was not justifiedThe death of Jordan Neely

Police and witnesses said Neely, 30, boarded an F train in SoHo on May 1, 2023 and began shouting, throwing things and making threats. Penny, a passenger on the train, approached Neely from behind and tried to restrain him.

Video shows Penny holding Neely in a chokehold on the floor of the train for several minutes until Neely stopped moving. After police arrived, officers administered Narcan to Neely, performed CPR and used an AED, but were unable to revive him. Neely was pronounced dead at the scene.

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Police said Neely did not have any weapons on him.

Jordan Neely / Credit: The Neely Family

A medical examiner ruled Neely's death a homicide three days later, with the cause as compression of the neck. Toxicology reports showed Neely had synthetic marijuana in his system when he died.

Neely was a street performer and Michael Jackson impersonator who was experiencing homelessness and had struggled with mental illness after his mother was murdered in 2007.

Video of Penny holding Neely in the chokehold was widely circulated online. Neely's death sparked protests across New York City, with many raising concerns about the need for better mental health care in the city, and Neely's family called for Penny's arrest.

Penny turned himself in on May 12, 2023, and was initially charged with second-degree manslaughter and released on $100,000 bail. He was arraigned in June and pleaded not guilty to criminally negligent homicide and second-degree manslaughter.

Penny defended his actions, saying he was trying to protect other passengers on the train by restraining Neely.

NYC subway chokehold death trial

In late October 2024, a 12-person jury and four alternates were selected and sworn in. They included seven women and five men, with at least seven White people, one Hispanic person, one Filipino person, one Black person and one person of Middle Eastern descent.

The trial began Nov. 1.

The prosecution argued in their opening statements that Penny, though he had good intentions, recklessly used excessive force without trying any other means of deescalating the situation. The defense, meanwhile, argued Penny was protecting other passengers and there was no other way to deescalate due to Neely's behavior.

Jurors heard testimony from multiple witnesses, including police officers, MTA employees, passengers on the train and a bystander who helped Penny restrain Neely. Penny's Marine Corps martial arts instructor and the medical examiner who performed Neely's autopsy also took the stand. The defense called Penny's mother and platoon sergeants as character witnesses, along with a forensic pathologist who said he disagreed with the medical examiner's cause of death.

Jurors began their deliberations last Tuesday. They sent two notes back to the judge. The first requested a readback of part of the judge's instructions. The second note asked the judge if they could return for deliberations Wednesday, which is a day they would normally have had off. The judge approved that request.

Wednesday morning, jurors sent another note, asking to see a video compilation of police bodycams from the incident, as well as footage of Penny's police station interview. Jurors also asked for readback of the medical examiner's cross-examination.

Friday morning, on the fourth day of deliberations, they sent a note to the judge indicating they couldn't reach a unanimous verdict on his manslaughter charge.

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Daniel Penny arrives at the Manhattan Criminal Courthouse on Dec. 9, 2024 in New York City. - Credit: Alex Kent/Getty Images

Daniel Penny, the Marine veteran who killed Jordan Neely, a homeless man known as a Michael Jackson impersonator around New York City, was found not guilty on a charge of criminally negligent homicide.

The verdict was reached after four days of deliberations, during which the more serious charge against Penny, second-degree manslaughter, was dismissed. Last Friday morning, Dec. 6, after three days of deliberations, the jury sent Judge Maxwell Wiley a note saying they were deadlocked on the manslaughter charge. While Wiley encouraged the jury to keep deliberating, that afternoon they sent a second note saying they still could not reach an unanimous decision.

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Pennys lawyers argued the impasse called for a mistrial. But Wiley instead granted a motion from the prosecution to dismiss the manslaughter charge and allow deliberations to continue on the criminally negligent homicide charge.

The verdict delivered Monday, Dec. 9, found that Pennys actions were not criminal when he held Neely in a chokehold for several minutes on the floor of a subway car on May 1, 2023. After the verdict was read, per The New York Times, Pennys lawyer, Thomas A. Kenniff, reportedly hugged Penny. Neelys father, Andre Zachery, reportedly started yelling at Pennys supporters, and the judge had to ask him to leave the room.

Penny was accused of killing Neely, who was unhoused and had a history of mental health issues, on May 1, 2023. Neely boarded an uptown F train in Manhattan and reportedly started yelling and acting erratically. Some witnesses said he screamed that he was hungry, that he wanted to go back to jail, and that he did not care if he lived or died. Some on the subway car claimed Neely threatened to hurt others on the train. Others said they didnt hear Neely make any threats.

Penny came up behind Neely and put him in a chokehold that lasted about six minutes. According to reports, Neely stopped moving about five minutes into Pennys restraint. When police arrived on the scene at the next subway station, Neely reportedly had a faint pulse but was not breathing. Police tried CPR but were unsuccessful. Neely was pronounced dead at a hospital about an hour later.

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While Penny was taken into custody and questioned, he was ultimately released. On May 4, the medical examiner ruled Neelys death a homicide, saying he died of compression to his neck caused by the chokehold. Prosecutors finally brought charges against Penny on May 12, 11 days after Neelys death. Neely pleaded not guilty to charges of second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.

For their case, prosecutors did not try to argue that Penny intentionally killed Neely. In fact, during opening arguments, Assistant District Attorney Dana Yoran said Pennys initial efforts to restrain Neely may have been even laudable (via The New York Times).

But prosecutors said Penny acted carelessly and shouldve known his actions could have resulted in Neelys death. They pointed to his Marine training, that he continued to hold Neely in a chokehold even after Neely had stopped moving, and even cited others on the train who warned Penny that he might kill Neely if he did not let go.

Under the law, deadly physical force such as a chokehold is permitted only when it is absolutely necessary, and only for as long as it is absolutely necessary, Yoran said in her opening statement. And here, the defendant went way too far.

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For his defense, Pennys lawyers claimed their clients actions were a justified use of force to defend himself or others on the train. They also tried to contend that despite the medical examiners ruling, it was not Pennys chokehold that killed Neely, but rather Neelys schizophrenia, marijuana use, and sickle cell trait that led to his death.

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Daniel Penny was acquitted Monday of criminally negligent homicide in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old homeless man with a history of mental illness whose final moments on a New York City subway train were captured on bystander video that set off weeks of protests and drew national attention.

The decision, on the fifth day of deliberations, came after the jury deadlocked Friday on the more serious charge of manslaughter, leading the judge to dismiss it. Penny faced up to four years in prison.

As the jury foreperson read the not guilty verdict, some observers in the courtroom applauded. Others began to audibly sob and yell, including Neelys father, Andre Zachery, who was escorted out.

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This is America. That is the sound of Black pain, one person said outside of the courtroom in Lower Manhattan to the reaction.

Chants of no justice, no peace, could be heard echoing from outside.

Daniel Penny at Manhattan Criminal Court in New York on Nov. 18.

The case divided people in New York  and beyond  in some cases along political and racial lines. Neely was Black. Penny is white. Some people viewed Penny as callous and his actions as criminal on the day he encountered Neely, who had been shouting and acting erratically when he boarded a subway train in Manhattan on May 1, 2023. Others contend Penny was selfless in his attempt to protect fellow passengers.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said he respected the jury's verdict. The jury deliberated for about an hour on the criminally negligent homicide charge after about four days spent considering the manslaughter charge.

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Their lengthy deliberation  and the totality of the facts and the evidence  underscored why this case was put in front of a jury of Mr. Penny's peers, Bragg said in a statement.

The anonymous jury, made up of seven women and five men, were told before they began deliberating that they had to come to a unanimous decision on the top charge of manslaughter in the second degree before moving on to consider criminally negligent homicide. But Judge Maxwell Wiley changed that order Friday after jurors twice sent a note saying they could not reach an agreement.

The judge had also instructed jurors to decide whether Pennys actions caused Neelys death and, if so, whether he had acted recklessly and in an unjustified manner.

Before he encountered Penny, Neely, a former Michael Jackson impersonator, ranted about being hungry and thirsty and said that he wanted to return to jail and didnt care if he lived or died, witnesses testified. Penny, 26, a former Marine and Long Island native, placed Neely in a chokehold that prosecutors said lasted almost six minutes.

Jordan Neely in New York City, in 2009.

A New York City medical examiner ruled that Neely died from compression to his neck as a result of the chokehold.

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Neelys uncle, Christopher Neely, said he was taken aback as the verdict was announced because he thought the jury would at least convict him on the lesser charge.

At least give him a charge because it should be some type of penalty that should have been been handed down to Danny Penny period. They gave him no penalty, and I feel like the jury gave up on us, Neely said.

Donte Mills, a lawyer representing Neely's family, said at a news conference that he was disheartened by the verdict Monday, as supporters held up a picture of Neely dressed as Jackson. Mills asked that Neely's death have meaning, and urged that others, instead of becoming physical with someone who may be hungry, offer them food.

He had a muffin in his pocket, Mills said of what police later discovered in Neely's jacket. Jordan just wanted someone to acknowledge him on the train, but instead, he was choked to death.

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Lawyers for Penny could not immediately be reached for comment about the verdict, but had earlier expressed concern Monday to the judge that the jury could be influenced by the demonstrators' chanting coming from outside the courthouse.

During the trial, Pennys attorneys told jurors that he stepped in because he believed Neely might attack other passengers and he intended only to restrain him until police arrived, which Penny also told police. They also argued that Neely was not killed by the chokehold and that it was impossible to measure how much pressure Penny had applied.

A forensic pathologist hired by the defense testified that Neely died from a combination of his schizophrenia, synthetic marijuana, sickle cell trait and the struggle from being in Pennys restraint. But the medical examiner who performed the autopsy on Neely, Dr. Cynthia Harris, told jurors it was her medical opinion that there are no alternative reasonable explanations for his death and that those proposed by the defense were so improbable  that it stands shoulder to shoulder with impossibility.

During cross-examination, one of Pennys attorneys, Steven Raiser sought to cast doubt on Harris testimony about how she and her colleagues had come to a unanimous decision as to Neelys cause of death. Raiser suggested that they had failed to consider all the facts before making that determination.

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He revisited that claim in his closing argument last week.

I submit to you there was a rush to judgment, based on something other than medical science, he told jurors.

The case also spurred debates about safety within the citys subway system and failures in addressing homelessness and mental illness, both of which Neely had struggled with. Jumaane Williams, a Black Democrat who is New York Citys public advocate, was among those who questioned why police let Penny go after questioning him at a precinct hours after Neelys killing. New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, also a Democrat, said Neely had been murdered. Prominent Republicans like Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Matt Gaetz praised Penny and promoted a fundraiser for his legal fund, which has raised more than $3 million. His defense team includes Thomas Kenniff, a Republican who ran unsuccessfully for Manhattan District Attorney in 2021.

Vice President-elect JD Vance said on X in response to the verdict that justice was done in this case. It was a scandal Penny was ever prosecuted in the first place.

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Prosecutors did not dispute that Neelys actions on the train scared many of the passengers or that he was on synthetic cannabinoids, which were found in his system. In her opening statement, Dafna Yoran, an assistant prosecutor with the Manhattan District Attorneys Office, said that Neely had demanded to be seen and that despite his not having touched anyone and not having displayed a weapon or threatened to use one, many people in the subway car were frightened of what he might do.

She has said Pennys initial intent was even laudable, but that he was reckless when he continued to choke Neely even after he posed no threat, including after the train doors had opened at the next station and passengers could exit. For some of that time, she said and video showed, two other men helped restrain Neely. One of those men testified that he believed Penny had held the chokehold for too long. At times, Yoran said, he even ignored the pleas of bystanders to let Neely go. In her closing argument, Yoran said that no one had to die and that Penny was not justified in his use of physical deadly force.

You obviously cannot kill someone because they are crazy and ranting and looking menacing, Yoran told jurors in her closing argument. No matter what it is that they are saying.

She also said that Penny could have easily restrained Neely without choking him to death.

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In his closing argument, Raiser prompted jurors to imagine that they were on the train the day Neely boarded filled with rage and not afraid of any consequences.

With you sitting much as you are now in this tightly confined space, looking up at Mr. Neely, he said. You have very little room to move and nowhere to run.

Danny, as the defense attorneys referred to Penny throughout the trial, put his life on the line and stepped up in the absence of police, Raiser said.

But Yoran challenged the portrayal of Penny as a self-sacrificing and benevolent subway rider. In her opening statement she said that Penny failed to acknowledge Neelys humanity. She continued that thread in her closing argument, playing video of Penny twice referring to Neely as a crackhead in an interview with police and telling jurors that he never asked about Neelys condition.

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There is something else that is glaringly missing from his statement. Any regret. Any remorse. Any self reflection, she said. She added: He never expresses any sorrow about the mans death.

During deliberations, jurors asked to rewatch bystander videos of Penny restraining Neely, responding officers body camera videos and video of Pennys subsequent interview with two police detectives at a precinct. They also asked to rehear the medical examiners testimony about issuing a death certificate before Neelys full toxicology reports were completed. They also asked for the judge to read back the definitions of recklessness and criminal negligence and to have the definitions in writing.

Penny chose not to testify. During the trial, jurors heard from more than 40 witnesses  subway passengers who witnessed Penny restrain Neely, police officers who responded to the scene, a Marine Corps instructor who taught Penny various chokeholds, the two pathologists, a psychiatric expert and six character witnesses, who included two Marines, Pennys mother and one of his sisters.

On Wednesday, Neelys father sued Penny accusing him of negligent contact, assault and battery that caused Neelys death. The civil suit was filed in New York states Supreme Court, a trial-level court in New York state.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
NEW YORK  Daniel Penny was found not guilty of criminally negligent homicide Monday in the chokehold killing of Jordan Neely on a Manhattan F train  bringing closure in the polarizing case that provoked heated debates about vigilantism, mental illness and subway safety.

The verdict came after Justice Maxwell Wiley on Friday dismissed the top charge of manslaughter at prosecutors request after jurors said they couldnt unanimously agree on it. That allowed the panel to consider the lesser charge, carrying a maximum of four years in prison, as opposed to 15.

The Manhattan Supreme Court jury of seven women and five men got the case on Tuesday and made several requests during deliberations. They asked to review testimony from the city medical examiner who performed Neelys autopsy, review footage of the encounter and its aftermath, and rehear various legal definitions.

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The prosecution portrayed Penny as someone who may have initially acted with good intent when Neely got on the F train he was riding, acting menacingly toward those onboard. But they argued he crossed the line into criminality by holding onto Neely for far too long until hed choked the life out of him.

Pennys defense painted him as a good Samaritan being punished for trying to help his fellow New Yorkers in a frightening moment. They sought to convince jurors that the chokehold didnt kill Neely but rather that his poor mental and physical health caused his death.

The case garnered national attention after footage of the chokehold incident went viral. In the early days of the presidential primary campaign season, Penny became a right-wing cause celebre, pulling in millions of dollars toward his legal defense and words of support from GOP candidates like Vivek Ramaswamy and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The nearly two-week delay between Neelys death and Pennys arrest saw civil rights protesters take to the citys streets and subway tracks to protest the unaccounted-for killing of a poor and unarmed Black man in public. Rev. Al Sharpton delivered the eulogy at Neelys funeral, telling mourners, A boy on a train is screaming for help, and somebody comes up from behind and claims self-defense.

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Penny, 26, of Suffolk County, L.I., served for four years in the Marines and was studying architecture and working as a barback in Brooklyn at the time of the incident.

Neely, 30, who was homeless and experiencing untreated mental illness and drug addiction, grew up in New York and New Jersey. His mother was brutally murdered when he was 14, which his family has said derailed him. When he was stable, he found joy in dancing to Michael Jacksons music for New Yorkers.

The lives of the two men, both standing at 6 feet and 1 inch tall, collided at around 2:25 p.m. on the afternoon of Monday, May 1, 2023.

Penny boarded the train in Brooklyn and was going to the gym near the Flatiron building. Neely got on at the Second Ave. station, threw down his jacket, and began screaming shortly after the doors closed.

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Eight passengers who testified at the trial said Neely said something to the effect of being ready to die and go back to jail, alarming them. Three said he used the words kill or die, in reference to himself or others.

A young mother who was on the train with her son did not recall Neely descending on them and saying, I will kill, as the defense stated at the start of the trial. Nobody testified that he put his hands on anyone or directed his threats at someone specific.

Penny quickly intervened, wrapping his arm around Neelys neck and taking him down to the floor from behind, according to his defense and witness testimony. Within around 30 seconds, the train reached the next stop, Broadway-Lafayette, where the two men remained in a struggle on the floor, and passengers fled to the platform.

Prosecutors argued Pennys actions became criminal at that point when he continued to subdue Neely in a chokehold for almost six minutes until Neely passed out, never to regain consciousness.

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Two men aided Penny  Eric Gonzalez, 39, a room manager at a casino, who had been waiting on the platform when the train pulled into the station, and a man from Germany, who was on the train and refused to cooperate with either side or return to the U.S. to testify.

In a nearly five-minute video shot by independent journalist Juan Alberto Vasquez, which catapulted the incident into the national spotlight, Penny is seen with his arm gripped around Neelys neck and his legs wrapped around his body on the stalled train.

Neely raises his left arm, and Gonzalez holds it down. Neely then raises his right arm and taps the leg of the German tourist, appearing to motion for help. The tourist then holds down Neelys right arm. Gonzalez begins holding down both of Neelys arms, the tourist now holding his shoulder, and Neely begins to squirm with greater effort as Penny tightens his grip around his neck.

In his testimony, Pennys former martial arts trainer in the Marines, Joseph Caballer, said he had appeared to apply the chokehold technique hed been taught incorrectly.

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The situation intensifies, and the men roll over. Neely starts kicking his legs to break free. About three minutes into the video, Neely stops moving.

Witness Larry Goodson, 61, is then heard telling the men they should let go. Gonzalez insists Penny is not squeezing no more.

You gotta let him go. My wife is ex-military. You going to kill him now, Goodson says in the video, warning that if Neely defecated himself, thats it.

Within a few seconds, Penny and Gonzalez let up. Neelys body is limp.

Police and medics soon arrived, failed to revive Neely, and brought him to Lenox Hill Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. On police-worn camera footage, Penny is seen telling officers at the scene he just put him out. Later, he willingly sat for questioning with detectives at the Fifth Precinct stationhouse.

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I was on my phone like listening to music. I wasnt paying attention. He was just a crackhead; you know what I mean? Penny told the cops about Neely getting on the train. I felt the need that to, you know, step in because theres women, children on the, on the train. Im sure youll, theres ladies there that, thatll vouch for me.

When he testified on Nov. 12, Gonzalez said he told Penny during the altercation that he could let go of Neelys neck but that Penny did not. Gonzalez also admitted that he initially lied to authorities  claiming hed been on the train the whole time and that Neely assaulted him and was breathing when he left the scene  out of fear hed face charges.

The jury was asked to draw starkly different conclusions from the evidence.

Pennys lawyers challenged the New York City medical examiners determination that Neely died as a result of the chokehold, proposing his mental illness and drug issues could have been the root. They focused much of their defense on arguing that his actions were justified.

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Jordan was on a collision course with himself. The consequences of Danny failing to act may very well have been the trial of Jordan Neely for hurting or killing someone on that train, Steven Raiser said in his summation.

This case is about a broken system. A broken system that does not help our mentally ill or our unhoused. In fact, it is that broken system that led us, that is interwoven into the very fabric of this case.

The prosecution, in turn, said passengers fear of Neely was valid but that Penny did not need to use deadly physical force to address it  or subdue the unarmed Neely once everyone was off the train.

[The] law is very proscribed. It is very narrow, very precise to make sure that people only use deadly physical force against each other when it is absolutely necessary, and for as long as it is absolutely necessary, Assistant District Attorney Dafna Yoran said Monday.

You obviously cannot kill someone because they are crazy and ranting and looking menacing. No matter what it is that they are saying.

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NEW YORK  Daniel Penny was found not guilty of criminally negligent homicide Monday in the chokehold killing of Jordan Neely on a Manhattan F train  bringing closure in the polarizing case that provoked heated debates about vigilantism, mental illness and subway safety.

The verdict came after Justice Maxwell Wiley on Friday dismissed the top charge of manslaughter at prosecutors request after jurors said they couldnt unanimously agree on it. That allowed the panel to consider the lesser charge, carrying a maximum of four years in prison, as opposed to 15.

In a phone call with the Daily News, Pennys lawyer, Thomas Kenniff, said his client was elated.

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Justice has finally been served, and Danny has gotten the acquittal that he knew was coming the last 18 months, Kenniff said, adding Penny was elated to finally not to be living under the weight of false accusations and having his honor diminished by this misguided indictment.

Protesters outside the court whod been calling for Pennys conviction could be heard from the 13th-floor courtroom shouting, No justice! No peace!

Neelys father, Andre Zachery, addressed the media surrounded by family members, leaders of the New York chapter of the Black Lives Matter movement, and Gwen Carr, the mother of slain Staten Island man Eric Garner, who was killed in a department-banned police chokehold in 2014.

It hurts. It really, really hurts. What are we gonna do, people? Whats gonna happen to us now? Zachery said. Come on, people. Lets do something about this.

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The Rev. Al Sharpton, who heads the National Action Network, issued a statement condemning the verdict.

Jordan Neelys life was brutally taken away because of unnecessary vigilantism, Sharpton said. This kind of behavior was inexcusable 40 years ago when Bernhard Goetz opened fire in a subway car, and it remained the case more than a year ago when Daniel Penny took Jordans life. Jordan was in the middle of a mental health crisis, but instead of being offered a helping hand, he got an arm around his neck.

The Manhattan Supreme Court jury of seven women and five men got the case on Tuesday and made several requests during deliberations. They asked to review testimony from the city medical examiner who performed Neelys autopsy, review footage of the encounter and its aftermath, and rehear various legal definitions.

The prosecution portrayed Penny as someone who may have initially acted with good intent when Neely got on the F train he was riding, acting menacingly toward those onboard. But they argued he crossed the line into criminality by holding onto Neely for far too long until hed choked the life out of him.

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Pennys defense painted him as a good Samaritan being punished for trying to help his fellow New Yorkers in a frightening moment. They sought to convince jurors that the chokehold didnt kill Neely but rather that his poor mental and physical health caused his death.

The case garnered national attention after footage of the chokehold incident went viral. In the early days of the presidential primary campaign season, Penny became a right-wing cause celebre, pulling in millions of dollars toward his legal defense and words of support from GOP candidates like Vivek Ramaswamy and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The nearly two-week delay between Neelys death and Pennys arrest saw civil rights protesters take to the citys streets and subway tracks to protest the unaccounted-for killing of a poor and unarmed Black man in public. Rev. Al Sharpton delivered the eulogy at Neelys funeral, telling mourners, A boy on a train is screaming for help, and somebody comes up from behind and claims self-defense.

Zachery, Neelys father, filed a civil suit against Penny during deliberations last week. His attorney, Donte Mills, said they would continue to seek accountability for the chokehold in civil court.

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If we see someone asking for food, we have to take the responsibility to give it to them. If we see someone cold  to give them a coat. If we see someone going through something, ask them if theyre okay. Thats how we help each other, Mills said, reacting to the verdict. Because we cant rely on the system to do it for us.

Penny, 26, of Suffolk County, L.I., served for four years in the Marines and was studying architecture and working as a barback in Brooklyn at the time of the incident.

Neely, 30, who was homeless and experiencing untreated mental illness and drug addiction, grew up in New York and New Jersey. His mother was brutally murdered when he was 14, which his family has said derailed him. When he was stable, he found joy in dancing to Michael Jacksons music for New Yorkers.

The lives of the two men, both standing at 6 feet and 1 inch tall, collided at around 2:25 p.m. on the afternoon of Monday, May 1, 2023.

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Penny boarded the train in Brooklyn and was going to the gym near the Flatiron building. Neely got on at the Second Ave. station, threw down his jacket, and began screaming shortly after the doors closed.

Eight passengers who testified at the trial said Neely said something to the effect of being ready to die and go back to jail, alarming them. Three said he used the words kill or die, in reference to himself or others.

A young mother who was on the train with her son did not recall Neely descending on them and saying, I will kill, as the defense stated at the start of the trial. Nobody testified that he put his hands on anyone or directed his threats at someone specific.

Penny quickly intervened, wrapping his arm around Neelys neck and taking him down to the floor from behind, according to his defense and witness testimony. Within around 30 seconds, the train reached the next stop, Broadway-Lafayette, where the two men remained in a struggle on the floor, and passengers fled to the platform.

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Prosecutors argued Pennys actions became criminal at that point when he continued to subdue Neely in a chokehold for almost six minutes until Neely passed out, never to regain consciousness.

Two men aided Penny  Eric Gonzalez, 39, a room manager at a casino, who had been waiting on the platform when the train pulled into the station, and a man from Germany, who was on the train and refused to cooperate with either side or return to the U.S. to testify.

In a nearly five-minute video shot by independent journalist Juan Alberto Vasquez, which catapulted the incident into the national spotlight, Penny is seen with his arm gripped around Neelys neck and his legs wrapped around his body on the stalled train.

Neely raises his left arm, and Gonzalez holds it down. Neely then raises his right arm and taps the leg of the German tourist, appearing to motion for help. The tourist then holds down Neelys right arm. Gonzalez begins holding down both of Neelys arms, the tourist now holding his shoulder, and Neely begins to squirm with greater effort as Penny tightens his grip around his neck.

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In his testimony, Pennys former martial arts trainer in the Marines, Joseph Caballer, said he had appeared to apply the chokehold technique hed been taught incorrectly.

The situation intensifies, and the men roll over. Neely starts kicking his legs to break free. About three minutes into the video, Neely stops moving.

Witness Larry Goodson, 61, is then heard telling the men they should let go. Gonzalez insists Penny is not squeezing no more.

You gotta let him go. My wife is ex-military. You going to kill him now, Goodson says in the video, warning that if Neely defecated himself, thats it.

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Within a few seconds, Penny and Gonzalez let up. Neelys body is limp.

Police and medics soon arrived, failed to revive Neely, and brought him to Lenox Hill Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. On police-worn camera footage, Penny is seen telling officers at the scene he just put him out. Later, he willingly sat for questioning with detectives at the Fifth Precinct stationhouse.

I was on my phone like listening to music. I wasnt paying attention. He was just a crackhead; you know what I mean? Penny told the cops about Neely getting on the train. I felt the need that to, you know, step in because theres women, children on the, on the train. Im sure youll, theres ladies there that, thatll vouch for me.

When he testified on Nov. 12, Gonzalez said he told Penny during the altercation that he could let go of Neelys neck but that Penny did not. Gonzalez also admitted that he initially lied to authorities  claiming hed been on the train the whole time and that Neely assaulted him and was breathing when he left the scene  out of fear hed face charges.

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The jury was asked to draw starkly different conclusions from the evidence.

Pennys lawyers challenged the New York City medical examiners determination that Neely died as a result of the chokehold, proposing his mental illness and drug issues could have been the root. They focused much of their defense on arguing that his actions were justified.

Jordan was on a collision course with himself. The consequences of Danny failing to act may very well have been the trial of Jordan Neely for hurting or killing someone on that train, Steven Raiser said in his summation.

This case is about a broken system. A broken system that does not help our mentally ill or our unhoused. In fact, it is that broken system that led us, that is interwoven into the very fabric of this case.

The prosecution, in turn, said passengers fear of Neely was valid but that Penny did not need to use deadly physical force to address it  or subdue the unarmed Neely once everyone was off the train.

[The] law is very proscribed. It is very narrow, very precise to make sure that people only use deadly physical force against each other when it is absolutely necessary, and for as long as it is absolutely necessary, Assistant District Attorney Dafna Yoran said Monday.

You obviously cannot kill someone because they are crazy and ranting and looking menacing. No matter what it is that they are saying.

-------
A Florida mother was forced to pull her daughter out of school after she says teachers convinced her child she was transgender.

January Littlejohn addressed crowds gathered outside the Supreme Court this week in a speech focusing on her daughters experience of gender dysphoria.

Hundreds of protesters had gathered outside the courts marble steps as the justices heard arguments about whether to block a law in Tennessee banning minors from accessing puberty blockers and hormone therapy.

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Speaking to The Telegraph, the 47-year-old said teachers and medical professionals had allegedly suggested she was harming her daughter, who was 13 at the time, by refusing to affirm her gender identity.

I was watching my child deteriorate, continue to disassociate and grow to hate her developing body, and I was watching teachers from her school cheer her on and celebrate this new identity, she said.

It felt like we were in the twilight zone. She was very cavalierly talking about getting top surgery aged 13 and taking puberty blockers in the way most people would talk about having their nose pierced or getting a tattoo.

It felt like me and my husband were the only ones trying to stop her from making this irreversible decision.

The story of how Ms Littlejohns daughter came to view herself as transgender began in 2019 in the same fashion as many teenage behaviours  with help from her friends.

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Aged 12, she fell in with a new group at school who together started going by different names and pronouns.

Ms Littlejohn, from Tallahassee, described her daughter as quirky and unique but someone who suffered from low self-esteem. She is gifted and highly intelligent, but it makes her odd sometimes, she said.

At first, Ms Littlejohn and her husband, Jeffrey, were excited that their daughter had found a friendship group she fitted in with, but she soon noticed that the group had become obsessive about adopting new gender identities.

When the next school year started in September, knowing her child wished to go by a different name, Ms Littlejohn warned the school about what her daughter was dealing with and explained the family had taken the decision not to call her by her new name but to seek counselling instead.

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But a couple of weeks later, her daughter announced in the car: Mom, I had a meeting today, and they asked me which restroom I wanted to use.

Unbeknown to Ms Littlejohn, school officials had allegedly met with her daughter, affirmed the childs belief that she was transgender and placed her on a gender plan, without first consulting her parents.

I was outraged that three adults had sat alone with my child and agreed to this without my consent, said Ms Littlejohn.

She immediately contacted the schools guidance counsellor to find out what was going on and claims she was told they could not give her any information about the meeting because her daughter was now protected by non-discrimination laws.

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Ms Littlejohn said: It was three adults with her behind closed doors, and she alone had the burden of determining whether or not my husband and I would even be notified that this occurred.

After weeks of emailing, she said she was eventually shown her daughters six-page gender plan, designed to ease her social transition.

Ms Littlejohn holds a sign saying Its time to talk about detransition

The plan included questions about which restrooms and locker rooms her daughter would like to use and which sex she would prefer to room with on overnight field trips.

According to Ms Littlejohn it was based on guidance that explicitly stated that speaking about a childs gender identity with their parents could result in them being abused.

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I was terrified. I was angry, I was confused, she said. I ran the school copy room as a parent volunteer. They knew I was not a danger to my child, but it didnt matter.

What made me particularly more fearful was where this could lead my daughter, she continued.

Grossly unethical

A licensed mental health counsellor, she described her daughters schools approach as grossly unethical.

Why were they not questioning the other issues my daughter was experiencing, like depression and anxiety and her social issues, as opposed to solely affirming this identity that changed four times in two years? she said.

Ms Littlejohn outside the Supreme Court

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Ms Littlejohn said her refusal to comply with the schools gender support plan drove a huge wedge between her and her daughter.

Things started to spiral out of control and her mental health rapidly deteriorated, she said.

The light had left her eyes. My daughter was joyful, she was happy, she was quirky, she was full of life, but during this time there was darkness.

She was so angry, and it was just heartbreaking to watch. And I was so frustrated watching teachers celebrate this false identity.

At the end of the eighth grade, Ms Littlejohn and her husband enroled her in a new school, where they refused to let her use her new name or pronouns.

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At the same time, they took steps to help her again feel comfortable in her body, limiting her internet use, spending more time together and attempting to engage her on the issue. It took us a great deal of time to repair that relationship and to rebuild that trust, she said.

Ms Littlejohn says her daughters mental health started to deteriorate

In October 2021, Ms Littlejohn filed a lawsuit against the school district for parental rights violations.

The school denied claims they had not clearly communicated with Ms Littlejohn, and the case was dismissed by a judge in 2023.

But it did pave the way to the passing of a new parental rights in education law, signed by Florida governor Ron DeSantis, banning classroom instruction about gender identity.

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Ms Littlejohn now volunteers for the organisation Do No Harm, which campaigns to keep identity politics out of healthcare.

Her daughter is now a 17-year-old high school senior and is doing very well. However, she still very much grieves the time that she lost during her adolescence to this ideology.

It stole two-and-a-half years of her life, of time when she should have been carefree and experiencing normal teenage activities, she said. Instead she was miserable, she was depressed, she was anxious, she was hyper-focused on becoming something she could never become.

These girls are at war with their bodies, and its a war that theyre never going to win.

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A macabre torture machine used to crush bodies has been discovered in a Syrian prison nicknamed the human slaughterhouse.

Video of the iron press was posted online as rebels freed inmates from Sednaya Prison near Damascus, the capital of Syria.

The hydraulic press was filmed along with ropes and bags allegedly used to dispose of the remains.

After he is hanged, they put him in the press and press him to become like paper, a caption accompanying the video reads. It continues: His body and bones are crushed. There are blood channels under the press. Then his remains are put in a bag and disposed of outside the prison.

Iron execution press in #SednayaPrison .



After he is hanged, they put him in the press and press him to become like paper.



His body and bones are crushed.



There are blood channels under the press.



Then his remains are put in a bag and disposed of outside the prison.#Syria pic.twitter.com/xOcv9u9ujq  Qusay Noor (@QUSAY_NOOR_) December 8, 2024

The press was reportedly used to crush and execute prisoners held by the Assad regime, which has been accused of human rights abuses.

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The video has not been independently verified.

Amnesty International called Sednaya Prison a human slaughterhouse and accused Assads government of systematic torture and of secretly executing up to 13,000 Syrians at the time of the last uprising between 2011 and 2016.

Syrian rebels are said to have released thousands of prisoners, including women and children, held in underground cells at the hellhole prison. There are reports that many more are still trapped. The cells are said to be in a vast network of buried tunnels that are only accessible using electronic keypads.

An aerial view of the Sednaya Military Prison after opposition fighters took it over on Dec. 9. / Emin Sansar/Anadolu via Getty Images

Women inmates could be heard screaming with their children as their cells were opened. One toddler walked down a corridor with his mother.

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Dont be afraid Bashar Assad has fallen, a rebel told one group of freed women prisoners.

Writer Bashar Barhoum, 63, was among those freed. He told the Associated Press he was due to be executed on Sunday.

I havent seen the sun until today, he said after spending seven months behind bars.

Instead of being dead tomorrow, thank God, he gave me a new lease of life.

The countrys former President Bashar al-Assad has fled with his family to Moscow, where they are being given asylum.
Police say one person is dead after an altercation in Uptown Charlotte Sunday evening.

CMPD says they were called out to East Trade Street around 4 p.m. Sunday for an assist MEDIC call.

When officers got on scene they found an unconscious male victim.

Police say that their preliminary information shows that this was the result of a fight with the victim, security employees, and other people on the street.

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The victim was taken to the hospital where he was later pronounced dead.

CMPD says that this is under investigation and they will provide updates as they are available.

RELATED STORY: CMPD: Death investigation underway in south Charlotte




The Israeli air force says it killed several gunmen in the city of Tubas in the north of the occupied West Bank on Tuesday.

Israeli soldiers encountered the individuals during an anti-terrorism operation, and they were then eliminated with the help of an armed drone, the military said. A machine gun, two pistols and a hand grenade were found on the dead men.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah says at least two people were killed. Palestinian media reported that Israeli soldiers had removed the bodies.

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The already tense situation in the West Bank has worsened significantly since the Hamas massacre in Israel more than a year ago and the subsequent Gaza war.

Since then, at least 771 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in Israeli military operations and violent confrontations, according to the Ministry of Health.
The fall of Bashar al-Assads brutal dictatorship seemed a distant prospect two weeks ago. But Syrias rebels completed a speedy and stunning march to power on Sunday, starting an uncertain new era for the country.

For half a century, the Assad family ruled over Syria with an iron fist, with long-documented reports of mass incarceration torture, extra-judicial killings and atrocities against their own people.

On Sunday, after 13 years of civil war that fractured the country, the regime came crashing down. Rebel fighters declared Damacus liberated in a video statement on state television, sending Syrian President Bashar al-Assad fleeing to Russia.

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Many in the country are hopeful for Syrias next chapter. But the rebels who stormed into Damascus have a complicated past and offer an unpredictable future.

It is an open question who is currently running Syria, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby told CNN on Monday, illustrating the caution permeating the watching world.

Heres what happened in Syria, what it means, and what might come next.

What happened?

An armed rebel alliance charged across Syria over 11 days, sweeping through major cities and reigniting a conflict that had been largely static since a 2020 ceasefire agreement.

A new rebel coalition, led by the militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a surprise attack and took control of Syrias largest city Aleppo on November 30, a seismic move that met little resistance from the Syrian army.

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Syrian and Russian jets targeted rebels in Aleppo and Idlib but opposition forces seized a second major city of Hama and quickly advanced on Homs  the gateway to the capital Damascus.

As Homs fell, rebels encircled and marched into Damascus. Video showed prisoners being freed from Assads notorious detention facilities, rebels and civilians were seen ransacking the presidential palace, with footage revealing his luxurious lifestyle and large car collection.

An official source in Russia told CNN the deposed president and his family fled to Moscow and were granted political asylum.

Anti-government fighters celebrate at Umayyad Square in Damascus on December 8, 2024. - Louai Beshara/AFP/Getty Images

Who are the rebels?

Syrias rebel coalition is a new grouping called the Military Operations Command. Its made up of various Islamist and moderate factions who, despite their differences, are united in fighting the Assad regime, ISIS and Iran-backed militias.

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Theyre led by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the head of militant group HTS who has a complicated past.

Once bedfellows with al Qaeda and an apprentice of the future-ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, Al-Jolani has sought to distance his forces from the radical Islamism that his former allies pursued.

He announced a split from Al Qaeda in 2016 to create what he said was a Syria-focused anti-regime front with other local factions, called Jabhat Fateh al-Sham (the Front for the Conquest of the Levant), which later changed to Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS), or the Organization for the Liberation of the Levant.

HTS had been the de facto rulers of Idlib, the northwestern Syrian city from which the recent offensive was launched.

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But HTS is only one of numerous armed groups operating in Syria. Other groups controlling territory in the country include the Turkey-backed Syrian National Army and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, elements of which Turkey views as a terrorist organization.

The United States, Turkey, the United Nations and several other Western nations continue to designate HTS as a terrorist organization, and the US has placed a $10 million bounty on Jolani.

As his offensive rapidly gathered pace, Jolani accelerated his own years-long effort to redefine himself as a pragmatic statesman. He gave interviews to Western news organizations, telling CNN his opposition ultimately plans to form a government defined by institutions, and a council chosen by the people.

It draws parallels with the Taliban, whose rapid return to power in Afghanistan in 2021 was accompanied by a Western-friendly push to appear moderate, forgiving and forward-looking, even as the group implemented a draconian return to Sharia law and a crackdown on the rights of women and minorities.

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The West is hopeful that HTS will follow through on its promises. But millions of Syrians, including those from minority Christian and other religious communities, remain haunted by a legacy of persecution suffered at the hands of extremist groups like al Qaeda and ISIS.

The leader of Syria's Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group Abu Mohammed al-Jolani at the capital's landmark Umayyad Mosque on December 8, 2024. - Aref Tammawi/AFP/Getty Images

Who is Bashar al-Assad?

Assad is the second generation of an autocratic family dynasty that held power in Syria for more than five decades.

A former ophthalmologist who studied in London, Assad took power in an unopposed election following the death of his father Hafez al-Assad, who had led the Baath Party since seizing power in 1970.

Like his father, Assad tolerated little dissent and throughout the 13-year civil war, he and his forces have been accused of severe human rights violations and brutal assaults against civilians, with reports of using starvation as a weapon of war, enforced disappearances and killings, and the deliberate bombing of civilian buildings like schools and hospitals.

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Among Assads worst atrocities was the 2013 sarin gas attack in the city of Ghouta, which killed more than 1,400 people and was labeled a war crime by the then-UN secretary general.

Assads notorious detention facilities were black holes where anyone deemed an opponent of the regime disappeared, with widespread reports of torture and inhumane conditions. In 2017, an Amnesty International report claimed as many as 13,000 people had been hanged from 2011 to 2015 at Saydnaya Prison.

Flames sweep through the criminal security branch of Syria's Interior Ministry in Damascus on December 8, 2024, after rebels declared they have taken the Syrian capital in a lightning offensive. - Sam Hariri/AFP/Getty Images

Why now?

The conflict in Syria had remained deadly but largely dormant over the past several years, defined by low-level clashes between the rebels and Assads regime rather than dramatic changes in territory and control.

But then the rebels seized an opportunity, capitalizing on a weakened government whose key allies are heavily preoccupied with other conflicts.

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Russias grinding war in Ukraine since 2022 has sucked in manpower and resources. Unlike in 2014, when Moscow stepped in to save Assad, Russian President Vladimir Putins energies  and most of his jets, troops and mercenaries  are elsewhere.

Iran has meanwhile been hamstrung by war with Israel, which has escalated dramatically in the past year. Its main proxy Hezbollah, which also came to Assads aid in the past, has been decimated by Israeli attacks and airstrikes.

Rebels used that vacuum to advance in Syria, and their calculation paid off; an offensive that might have led to another months-long eruption in hostilities instead took days, ending with a march into the capital that was met with little resistance.

The anti-regime coalition is now disbanding Assads military, laying out its vision for a post-Assad Syria.

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But experts wonder if the next phase will be a new dawn for a people strangled by a brutal autocracy  or whether sectarianism will bring a different type of authoritarian rule.

US President Joe Biden described the fall of the Assad regime as an historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future but cautioned it was also a moment of risk and uncertainty in the region.

Syrian rebel fighters and locals celebrate in the central city of Homs early on December 8, 2024, after entering Syria's third city overnight. - Abdulaziz Ketaz/AFP/Getty Images

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Irans ambassador to Syria Hossein Akbari warned that the fallout from the collapse of Assads regime will be beyond American control and could lead to a conflict involving regional countries and Turkey.

What comes next in Syria?

Many in Syria are celebrating a stunning and unexpected political turn that caught much of the world off guard.

Jolani declared victory for the entire Islamic nation on Sunday, in his first public remarks since the coup, which he said marks a new chapter in the history of the region.

My heart longed for this moment, added Jolani. There is not a single household in Syria that the war has not touched.

But the change in power is shrouded by uncertainty, too. Its unclear what a new governing system in Syria would look like, how it will work given the disparate groups and interests involved, and whether the reordering of power will only lead to further instability.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin cautioned on Monday that ISIS could attempt to take advantage of a power vacuum in the country.

Jolani has gone to great lengths to reassure Christian and Kurdish Syrians as his offensive spread across the country, but HTS has a history of harsh treatment against political enemies, and it is an open question whether his outreach will continue once the eyes of the world have moved elsewhere.

A video shared by the rebels Monday shows Jolani meeting with the regimes outgoing prime minister, Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali, to discuss the transfer of power. Mohammed al-Bashir, the HTS-linked prime minister of the Salvation Government, which administers the rebel-held Idlib area of northern Syria, was also at the meeting.

The meeting in Damascus came after the outgoing prime minister pledged to cooperate with the rebels and endorse a smooth and systematic transition of government functions and preserve state facilities, in a message recorded after the rebels took Damascus.

What does this mean for the world?

The fall of Assad has huge reverberations throughout the region and around the world, too.

The development has left Iran weakened and will broadly be celebrated in Israel, where Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu described Assads collapse as a historic day in the history of the Middle East.

Israel will welcome Irans sudden loss of influence in Syria. But Netanyahus forces have, at the same time, already moved to bolster the countrys border with Syria, a reflection of the trepidation that underpins events of the last few days.

In Russia, where Assad fled to, Putin will also be nursing the effects of Assads fall from power. There are obvious military effects  Russia used two bases in Syria to project strength in the Middle East  and potential repercussions for Ukraine, with Putins hand weakened in any future negotiations.

And for many of the 14 million Syrians forced to flee their homes since the civil war began, the question is whether they can and will return home  either voluntarily or against their will.

Germany and Austria paused asylum applications for Syrians within hours of Assads regime falling, amid a Europe-wide hardening in sentiment towards asylum seekers, but a European Union spokesperson has said the conditions are not yet met for a safe return. The UK also temporarily paused decisions on asylum claims from Syria nationals, the Home Office confirmed to CNN on Monday.

CNNs Sana Noor Huq, Simone McCarthy, Nick Paton Walsh, Sophie Tanno, Nic Robertson, Madalena Araujo, Catherine Nicholls, Mostafa Salem, Lex Harvey, Lucas Lilieholm, Manveena Suri and Adam Renton contributed reporting.

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Donald Trump has repeatedly declared that various people who have crossed him, including state and federal prosecutors, members of Congress, and President Joe Biden, should be investigated, prosecuted, and jailed. But in a Meet the Press interview on Sunday, the president-elect said he would not direct his subordinates to follow through on those threats after he takes office on January 20. Trump told the show's host, Kristen Welker, he would instead leave those decisions to his appointees at the FBI and the Justice Department.

That commitment is not exactly reassuring, since Trump's pick to run the FBI, Kash Patel, has repeatedly threatened to "come after" Trump's political opponents, including journalists as well as current and former government officials. Patel published an enemies list as an appendix to his 2023 book Government Gangsters, which alleges a "Deep State" conspiracy against Trump that Patel equates with a conspiracy to subvert democracy and the Constitution. The list, which includes 60 names, is limited to people who have served in the executive branch. Patel notes that it does not include "other corrupt actors of the highest order," such as Rep. Adam Schiff (DCalif.), Rep. Eric Swalwell (DCalif.), and "the entire fake news mafia press corps."

The list nevertheless covers a lot of ground. It includes Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Attorney General Merrick Garland, former Attorneys General Eric Holder and Loretta Lynch, FBI Director Christopher Wray, former FBI Director James Comey, Special Counsel Robert Hur, and sundry Trump appointees who have been critical of the former and future president, such as former Attorney General Bill Barr, former Defense Secretary Mark Esper, former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Mark Milley, and former National Security Adviser John Bolton.

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All these people have irked Trump and his supporters in one way or another. In his Meet the Press interview, for instance, Trump complained that Wray, whom he appointed to run the FBI but now wants to replace with Patel, "invaded my home"a reference to the August 2022 FBI search of Mar-a-Lago, which turned up 102 classified documents that Trump was supposed to have surrendered in response to a federal subpoena. Trump also faulted Wray for initially suggesting that Trump might have been injured by "shrapnel" rather than a bullet during the July 2024 attempted assassination at a rally in Pennsylvania.

According to Patel, Wray and the rest are guilty of "crimes" that justify their prosecution. Patel is hazy on the exact nature of those crimes.

"We will go out and find the conspiratorsnot just in government, but in the media," Patel told former Trump strategist Steve Bannon during an interview in December 2023. "Yes, we're gonna come after the people in the media who lied about American citizens, who helped Joe Biden rig presidential elections. We're gonna come after you. Whether it's criminally or civilly, we'll figure that out."

Patel seems to have a lot of confidence in his ability to "figure that out." His alter ego in his 2022 children's book The Plot Againt the King, which allegorically explains how Trump's enemies conspired to falsely implicate his 2016 presidential campaign in "collusion" with the Russian government, is "a wizard called Kash the Distinguished Discoverer." Kash "was known far and wide as the one person who could discover anything about anything," Patel writes. "He found the Holy Grape, deep in the Enchanted Forest, and he discovered who had stolen the sleeping princess."

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Trump, for his part, has argued that former Rep. Liz Cheney (RWyo.) and every other member of the House select committee that investigated the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol are guilty of "treason," which is punishable by death or by a prison sentence of at least five years. A person commits that crime when he "ow[es] allegiance to the United States" and "levies war against them or adheres to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort within the United States or elsewhere."

In case that does not seem like a good fit for legislators who looked into the circumstances of the attack on the Capitol by Trump supporters, the president-elect also claims that "the January 6th Unselect Committee got rid of EVERYTHING," meaning the evidence it had collected. According to Trump, all of it was "Discarded, Deleted, Thrown Out," which was a "Flagrant Violation of the law" and "AN EGREGIOUS CRIMINAL ACT."

Since the committee published an 800-page report and released voluminous "supporting materials," including transcripts of interviews and depositions, Trump's charge is obviously not true. In a July 2023 letter, Rep. Bennie Thompson (DMiss.), who chaired the committee, noted that it had published and archived "more than 1 million records." He added that "the Select Committee did not archive temporary committee records that were not elevated by the Committee's actions, such as use in hearings or official publications, or those that did not further its investigative activities."

Unfazed by that explanation, Trump told Welker that "everybody on that committeeshould go to jail." But he said he would not instruct his FBI director or his attorney general to make sure that happened. "I think that they'll have to look at that," he said, "but I'm not going toI'm going to focus on drill, baby, drill."

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In response to those remarks, Cheney re-upped her criticism of Trump's reckless conduct before and during the Capitol riot, which she described as "the worst breach of our Constitution by any president in our nation's history." She added, "Donald Trump's suggestion that members of Congress who later investigated his illegal and unconstitutional actions should be jailed is a continuation of his assault on the rule of law and the foundations of our republic."

It is hard to say whether Trump really means any of this or is just trying to get a rise out of his critics. (If the latter, mission accomplished!) His fundamental lack of seriousness was apparent when Welker noted his repeated promises to "appoint a real special prosecutor" who would investigate "the Biden bribery and crime ring."

Trump suggested that Welker had made those promises up. "Where did I say that?" he asked. She offered an example: "You said that on Truth Social, June 12, 2023: 'I will appoint a real special prosecutor to go after the most corrupt president in the history of the United States, Joe Biden.'"

His memory refreshed, Trump said it is "true" that Biden is the most corrupt president in U.S. history. But he suggested that, contrary to what he said during his campaign, he did not plan to do anything about that. "I'm really looking to make our country successful," he said. "I'm not looking to go back into the past. I'm looking to make our country successful. Retribution will be through success."

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Welker pressed Trump. "You wrote on Truth Social in 2023 that you're going to appoint a real special prosecutor to go after Joe Biden," she noted. "Now you're saying you're not going to do that."

Trump backpedaled from his backpedaling. "I'm not doing that unless I find something that I think is reasonable, but that's not going to be my decision," he said, adding that he would defer to Patel and Pam Bondi, his pick for attorney general. "That's going to be Pam Bondi's decision, and, to a different extent, Kash Patel, assuming they're both there, and I think they're both going to get approved. But IIyou know, while you ask me that, what they've done to me with weaponization is a disgrace."

As Trump sees it, the Democrats weaponized government by pursuing two impeachments and two federal indictments against him. Trump thinks he therefore would be fully justified in weaponizing government by pursuing a criminal investigation of Biden. In other words, turnabout is fair play.

Welker asked Trump about Patel's enemies list. "You campaigned on destroying the Deep State," she noted. "Do you want Kash Patel to launch investigations into people on that list?"

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If that is what Patel wants, Trump replied, then yes. "He's going to do what he thinks is right," he said. "If they think that somebody was dishonest or crooked or a corrupt politician, I think he probably has an obligation to do it."

Does Trump expect Patel to "pursue investigations against your political enemies?" Welker asked again. "If they were crooked, if they did something wrong, if they have broken the law, probably," he said. "They went after me. You know, they went after me, and I did nothing wrong."

Although Trump insisted that "Kash Patel is very fair," that does not seem like an apt description of someone who announces, before any investigation has been conducted, that he intends to "come after" specified people for unspecified "crimes" and will figure out the details later. While that mission presumably would be easy for Kash the Distinguished Discoverer, a wizard who can "discover anything about anything," in the real world Patel might have trouble criminalizing opposition to Donald Trump. And if he tried to do that, the legal scholar Paul Rosenzweig notes, the defendants in any resulting criminal cases would have a strong case that they were victims of vindictive prosecution, which ordinarily is a hard claim to substantiate.

"Patel has gone a long way to supporting a claim of vindictiveness and helping defendants who might be charged to make their case," Rosenzweig writes. In addition to the Government Gangsters list and the aforementioned December 2023 interview with Bannon, Rosenzweig notes a 2024 interview in which Patel promised "the retribution of prosecution and civil suits against political opponents for 'borderline treason.'" In another interview with Bannon, "Patel list[ed] a number of names (including by reference all of the people from his enemies list)" before concluding that "these people need to go to prison."

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As Rosenzweig notes, "These are not the words of a neutral investigator. Rather, they are stark evidence of a predisposition to prosecution and strong circumstantial evidence of vindictive intent. Patel has already identified who needs to be prosecuted and what their crimes appear to beall without the benefit of having conducted a criminal investigation."

The possibility that prosecutions might ultimately be blocked, of course, does not mean that Patel, as director of the FBI, could not inflict punishment on Trump's enemies. "Even being subject to a federal investigation is a significant burdenin time, money, attention, and mental stress, not to mention the possibility of public harassment," Rosenzweig notes. "Dismissal of any indictments brought may be some surcease, but it will be cold comfort indeed to those whom Patel and Trump target."

The post When Deciding Whether To Investigate His Opponents, Trump Says, He Will Defer to 'Very Fair' Kash Patel appeared first on Reason.com.
Underly accepted the 2024 Diversity Award from the State Council on Affirmative Action on behalf of her agency. (Screenshot via Wisconsin DOA YouTube)

Department of Public Instruction Superintendent Jill Underly became tearful Friday while speaking about a friend she knew in high school, who was kicked out of her home after coming out as gay to her parents.

Her parents were furious. They said it went against everything they believed, everything they hoped for her, and when she started to cry her dad said, I want you to give us the key and she said, My key? My key to my car? and her mom chimed in and said, No, the key to our house. Underly said, adding that the friend had to stay on another friends couch.

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When I saw her at school, she was so tired and worried. She said she missed her dog. She missed her bed. She missed her brother, Underly said. What this story teaches us is the critical lesson  inclusion begins at home. Our families play a critical role in fostering an environment of love and acceptance for everyone and other identities. But what about our schools? What about our teachers?

Underly was accepting the 2024 Diversity Award from the State Council on Affirmative Action on behalf of her agency. She noted that many Wisconsin children are continuing to deal with mental health challenges with students of color and LGBTQ+ students facing disproportionate challenges.

Theres so many kids who cannot be themselves at home, so they see school as that safe place of belonging, Underly said.

The council established the Diversity Award in 2000 to recognize state agencies, Wisconsin Technical Colleges and UW campuses for their strong commitment to the recruitment, retention and promotion of a diverse workforce as measured by the creation of programs, initiatives and practices.

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This year DPI received the award because of its work on its 2024-26 Equity and Inclusion Strategic Plan. The agency developed the plan in accordance with Executive Order 59, which Gov. Tony Evers signed in 2019. The order requires state agencies to create equity and inclusion plans and other strategic plans, analyze how much is spent by agencies for DEI activities, including for staffing, and review reported outcomes resulting from DEI activities.

DPIs plan laid out the current status of diversity of the agency and laid out specific goals and actions that it could take to improve equity and inclusion, including addressing disparities throughout its hiring process, improving retention of staff from underrepresented and historically marginalized groups and fostering an inclusive community and creating a culture that is respectful, free of bias and where accountability is present at all levels of the agency.

While a significant portion of public school students identify as being of color or of mixed races, a much smaller percentage of DPI staff and teachers reflect this diversity. Addressing this imbalance is vital, the plan states. To effectively serve all students, especially those from historically marginalized groups, it is crucial to enhance staff diversity throughout the educational system, from the DPI down to individual classrooms.

The plan notes that among 576 permanent DPI employees in 2021-2023, an average of 11% were staff of color, 18% had disabilities and 3% were veterans.

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One way the agency could improve its workforce diversity is by increasing outreach to and visibility of the state application and hiring process for DPI positions, the plan suggests.

Underly thanked Gov. Tony Evers for his dedication to diversity, equity and inclusion in her speech and said the award is a testament to the dedicated efforts that the team at DPI, who built and continue to implement our equity and inclusion plan with passion and purpose.

We arent afraid of the politics, and we will support diversity. We will support equity. We will support inclusion and we will support belonging for employees, for our teachers across the state and for every single child, Underly said.

The celebration of the agencys DEI efforts comes in a year when efforts to foster diversity have been increasingly targeted by Republicans in the state. In May, Republicans launched an audit to look at DEI initiatives throughout state government, including to determine specific activities that are being performed in compliance with Executive Order 59.

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At the time, Sen. Eric Wimberger (R-Green Bay) called DEI a neo-Marxian philosophy meant to pit one socially-constructed class against another, and said that Evers executive order divided Wisconsinites into identity groups against each others benefit.

Lawmakers in the last legislative session also introduced a bill to eliminate DEI statements and a proposed constitutional amendment to eliminate DEI throughout state agencies.

DPIs interim communications director Chris Bucher told the Examiner in an email Friday that it would probably be safe to assume that similar efforts will come forward next legislative session as some continue to seek to divide instead of bring us together.

All kids belong in Wisconsins schools, no matter their background, and our schools are some of the most diverse places. As you have seen with bills and rhetoric the last few legislative sessions, promoting inclusion and belonging in our schools has been coined by some as a negative thing, Bucher wrote.

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Bucher said the work of the department would not be affected by efforts to minimize the unique backgrounds and perspectives of kids in our schools and meet their individual needs, and that that the department would continue to advocate for inclusion.

Our diversity is a strength, and as the needs of kids continue to grow, finding ways to improve belonging in our schools is critical, he said. We will continue advocating for our diverse schools to be places where all perspectives are welcome, and the provisions outlined in Dr. Underlys budget proposal are a good starting point in achieving our goals.

Underly has proposed spending an additional $4 billion for education, including increasing the states share of funding for special education, creating additional mental health supports, and implementing free school meals for all students and early literacy initiatives.

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Democratic governors took a wait-and-see approach to the coming Trump administration this weekend, emphasizing possible areas of agreement over mass resistance.

Most of them gathered in Beverly Hills for the Democratic Governors Associations post-election meeting; none were ready to join Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker and Colorados Jared Polis promised coalition against the threat of autocracy.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy told Semafor he congratulated Donald Trump after the election and invited him to cut the ribbon on a project he approved that got built in the Biden administration.

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Incoming North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein said his state would cooperate if Trump mobilized law enforcement to deport non-citizens whod committed crimes.

Tim Walz got a heros welcome, though, and governors didnt agree on exactly what went wrong. Several said theyd run against Trumps proposed tariffs, which would hit their states financially.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear greets supporters at the annual Marshall County Democratic Party bean dinner, Aug. 4, 2023 at Kentucky Dam Convention Center. He was successfully campaigning for a second term as governor. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony)

Kentucky Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear has been voted as chair-elect of the Democratic Governors Association for 2026.

The governors voted Saturday to select Beshear chair-elect as well as vice chair for 2025. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly will remain as chair of the DGA in 2025.

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In a statement, Beshear said he looked forward to working with the DGA to continue to grow our ranks of Democratic governors in the years to come.

In Kentucky, weve shown that when you focus on bringing people together and the fundamental challenges families are facing every day, Democrats can win anywhere, Beshear said. Im excited to build on that record to help elect and re-elect Democratic governors across the country so we can continue making a positive difference in our states.

The DGA supports Democratic candidates in gubernatorial elections across the country. Beshears election withinin the group appears as another step for him to elevate his national profile. In Kentucky, Beshear is term-limited.

After his re-election in 2023, Beshear formed a political action committee called In This Together to support Democratic candidates in Kentucky and across the country. This fall, he supported Democrat Joyce Craig in her bid for New Hampshire governor through a political committee, though Craig was ultimately defeated by Republican Kelly Ayotte. New Hampshire holds one of the first presidential primaries.
Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna has signaled that he is open to bipartisan cooperation with Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency.

The California congressman, who says he has known Musk for over 10 years, told Martha Raddatz on ABCs This Week about his recent conversations with the billionaire on his mission to cut government spending in Donald Trumps second administration.

I think when it comes to defense, getting better defense for value and cutting costs, there can be huge bipartisan cooperation, Khanna said.

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Raddatz asked the Democratic lawmaker to share what the back and forth with Musk has been like.

Khanna was quick to praise Musk for previously having worked with former President Barack Obama on Space X.

Theres one area Elon Musk was brilliant in that he worked with President Obama and Ash Carter to have Space X and that disrupted Boeing and Lockheed, Khanna said. We were getting ripped off the American people and putting satellites up to space. And President Obama, under his leadership, Ash Carters leadership, they said, Elon, with Space X, you can bid on launching these rockets.

Ro Khanna said he is open to bipartisan cooperation with Musk (ABC)

Khanna hinted that he agreed with Musk that there was an argument to be made for reducing costs.

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I made the case to [Musk] that Tesla and SpaceX have been funded by the Obama government and lets have a role for government, Khanna said. But lets look at what you did with SpaceX. Why cant we do that with other parts of the five primes too, to reduce costs?

The Silicon-Valley-based Democrat did, however, warn that DOGE should not touch a penny of social security and should not touch medicare.

While Khanna is one of a handful of Democrats who has shown a willingness to engage with the SpaceX CEO, others are more skeptical.

I highly doubt that one of the largest defense contractors in the United States  and by that, I mean Elon Musk  is going to opt for the federal government to cut the money that he is receiving directly from them, Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez has said. He relies on the federal government to give him money.

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Musk holds billions of dollars in government contracts through his companies SpaceX and Tesla.

Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the entrepreneur and former GOP presidential candidate who will head up DOGE, met with legislators on Capitol Hill last week.

The two billionaires have been tasked with firing federal workers and cutting government programs and federal regulations. Republican Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a fierce Trump ally, is set to chair a new House Oversight subcommittee to oversee DOGE.

Attempts to slash the federal government have been resisted in the past as Americans grapple with cuts to programs they know and trust. Millions of Americans depend on these programs for jobs, health care, security, and other needs.

Trump has appointed people to his administration hellbent on slashing the size of the federal government, such as Russ Vought, the former and next head of the Office of Management and Budget.
Pro-Russian hackers are suspected to be behind a cyberattack on the websites of several Danish municipalities on Monday, 9 December.

Source: Mark Fiedel, director of Denmark's Centre for Cyber Security (CFCS), in a comment to Danish news outlet Ritzau, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Several Danish municipalities have reported being targeted by distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks. The incident disrupted the websites of Arhus, Vejle, Esbjerg, Dragr, Frederiksberg, and other municipalities.

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Fidel stressed that when it comes to DDoS attacks that regularly target Denmark, "it's usually pro-Russian cyberactivists".

The CFCS director stated that the centre had successfully warned several Danish targets about the attacks that occurred on Monday morning.

"It's not always clear who they are targeting. Activists are looking for attention to their cause. That's why they often choose symbolic targets, for example, someone who seems to have a clear connection to Denmark's support for Ukraine," Fiedel added.

Background:

Earlier on Monday, Romanian energy company Electrica, the country's largest, reported that it had suffered a cyber attack.

The UK government warned that Russia was ready to launch a "wave of cyberattacks" against the country and could "cut off power to millions of people".

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TOPEKA (KSNT)  Motorists should drive with caution while a dense fog advisory is posted in east central, north central and northeast Kansas.

According to the National Weather Service (NOAA) of Topeka, patchy fog will limit visibility to half a mile or less through the morning hours. NOAA says visibilities can change very quickly and advises to drive with caution.

Nativity scene brings holiday spirit to life

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The dense fog advisory will be in effect until 10 a.m.

For more Kansas 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.
DENVER (KDVR)  After a mild weekend, colder temperatures and light snow are moving into Denvers weather forecast.

Weather tonight: Cool, mountain snow

Sunday night will be cool with temperatures falling to the 20s.

Snow showers will start in the mountains late while the Denver area sees clouds but stays dry overnight.

Weather tomorrow: Snow showers, colder

Snow showers and much colder air move in Monday. Snow showers will move from the high country down the foothills and Front Range through tomorrow.

High temperatures will reach the 30s, but feel about 10 degrees colder with wind gusts up to 25 mph.

Looking ahead: Sunshine returns for the end of the week

Snow showers will wrap up Monday evening in the metro and Tuesday in the mountains. Then sunshine moves back into the forecast alongside warmer temperatures.

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That sunshine will help boost highs back into the 50s on Wednesday and through the weekend.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver.
CALEDONIA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD)  A crew of five thieves stole rare sports cars from a specialty dealer near Caledonia, leading police on a high-speed chase before a 19-year-old Detroit woman was arrested and one of the cars was ditched six counties away.

Shortly before 2 a.m. Monday, the Kent County Sheriffs Office was alerted to a break-in at Comodo Motors on Broadmoor Avenue SE near the intersection of 84th Street in Caledonia Township.

Jordan Baker, the owner of the dealership, was sleeping when he was disturbed by an automated alert from a motion camera at 1:39 a.m. But a phone call from his security company and what he saw when he looked at his surveillance cameras is what got him out of bed.

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Surveillance video from Comodo Motors:

I immediately call 911.  Luckily, I live close so I could get here or maybe follow, somehow stop what theyre here for, Baker thought.

By the time he arrived, he thought it would be smarter to watch from afar, across the street, to wait for law enforcement.

The thieves arrived in three vehicles with fake license plates, two of which Baker said were stolen from a Ziegler dealership. Baker told deputies he saw multiple suspects stealing cars on live surveillance video.

They broke into the garage to find keys to the most valuable cars on the lot. They searched an outbuilding, eventually finding the gate that protected their targets and took it down.

They then broke into a second garage and used a high-powered pickup truck to smash their way out of the garage as police arrived.

Damage at Comodo Motors after vehicles were stolen on Dec. 9, 2024. Damage at Comodo Motors after vehicles were stolen on Dec. 9, 2024. Damage at Comodo Motors after vehicles were stolen on Dec. 9, 2024. Damage at Comodo Motors after vehicles were stolen on Dec. 9, 2024.

Imagine being across the street and watching five people break into your house and steal your most prized possessions, said Baker. Thank goodness that the men and women in blue were there for us when we needed them. Thats their job. They jumped in and got in harms way.

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When deputies arrived, five vehicles were seen leaving the dealership. Three were confirmed stolen from Comodo: 2019 Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye with a wide body in B5 Blue (one of 148 cars produced that year in B5 Blue), a black 2019 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 and a black 2021 Dodge Ram 1500 TRX. A black Dodge Challenger and a white Jeep were also presumed stolen, according to a news release.

The vehicles drove away, heading northbound toward M-6. Deputies used stop sticks on Broadmoor, partially disabling the blue Challenger. The car continued then stopped near M-6 and I-96, where the suspect got out and entered the white Jeep, according to the sheriffs office.

The Kent County Sheriffs Office said the incident has all the hallmarks of an organized car theft group that came to West Michigan to target specialty, rare cars.

The way they were driving, the way they were communicating, the way they were able to leapfrog ahead of each other to slow our deputies down by blocking that they had done this before, explained Kent County Undersheriff Bryan Muir.

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He said the time of the crime played a role in the extended chase.

All the factors have to align for us to continue this pursuit. It happened to be very early in the morning, very little vehicle traffic in the roadways which allowed for our deputies to continue the pursuit for an extended period of time, so we radioed ahead to those law enforcement partners of our to the east and they were able to assist, Muir added.

The chase, which exceeded speeds of 100 mph, went into Ionia County, where deputies lost sight of the white Jeep and black Corvette. However, a 19-year-old Detroit woman was arrested and the black Dodge Ram was found in the Lansing area, the sheriffs office said. Her name was not released.

The Challenger, Ram 1500 and Corvette were all recovered. The Corvette was found abandoned in a ditch in Livington County in southeastern Michigan, 113 miles away, deputies say.

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Now begins likely weeks of recovery for Comodo  it will cost thousands of dollars to replace their doors and gates and the VIN numbers of the vehicles involved will forever carry the mark of recovered stolen.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Kent County Sheriffs Office at 616.632.6125 or Silent Observer at 616.774.2345.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, December 9. Two military helicopters collided during a training flight in the district center of Keciborlu in Turkiye's Isparta province, Trend reports.

According to the information, five servicemen were killed and one injured as a result of the accident.

The emergency teams and firefighters were involved in the scene of the accident.

The information indicates that as a result of the collision, one military helicopter crashed while the other landed safely.

Furthermore, it was noted that one of the dead in the helicopter was the Commander of the Army Aviation School in Isparta, Major General Isa Baydilli.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP)  A state attorney in Florida told his staff he can't legally help his elected replacement take over his seat because Gov. Ron DeSantis had already suspended the Democrat from the office, according to an internal email obtained by The Associated Press.

An executive order issued by DeSantis in 2023 suspending then-State Attorney Monique Worrell from office is still in effect, argued state attorney Andrew Bain in a message sent to staff on Monday. The governor appointed Bain to the 9th Judicial Circuit to replace Worrell, who beat him in last month's election to retake the Orlando metro area's top prosecutor's office.

While I accept the results of the election and wish to do everything I can to ensure the Office is successful going forward, I do not yet feel I can assist her in that transition, Bain wrote.

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Worrell's new term is slated to begin Jan. 7, 2025. She is one of two elected state attorneys, both Democrats, who DeSantis has removed from office. DeSantis said Worrell failed to prosecute minors and didnt seek mandatory minimum sentences for gun crimes, putting her central Florida district in danger. She disputed his criticism as false and politically driven.

DeSantis and other Republicans across the U.S. have called Democratic prosecutors' decisions into question.

Bain said in the email shared with the AP that Worrell's suspension must be resolved by either another executive order by DeSantis or a decision by the Florida Senate, which reviews the cases of elected officials suspended from office.

Without one of these things, I do not feel I can lawfully assist in a transition to an individual whose lawful suspension was affirmed by the Florida Supreme Court, Bain wrote. We are living through an unprecedented legal event without clear answers.

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Representatives for Bain did not respond to phone and email inquiries from the AP. A statement posted to the state attorney's website Monday appeared to contradict Bain's message to staff.

The state attorney is ready and willing to ensure a smooth transition, reads a message released by the agency's public information office. The state attorneys term ends Jan. 6, 2025, and he will no longer be in office. Ms. Worrells term will begin Jan. 7, 2025. It is the intent of the state attorney to enforce the will of the people.

Worrell criticized Bain's statements as a betrayal of democratic principles and argued that the executive order suspending her expired with the 2024 election.

No executive order, no political maneuver, and certainly no personal grievance can override the will of the people, Worrell said in a statement. Any delay in the transition process is a direct affront to the very people this office serves.

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A spokesperson for DeSantis pointed to the statement released by the state attorney's public information office and didn't respond to other questions from the AP.

___ Kate Payne 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.
The dramatic collapse of Bashar al-Assads regime over the weekend has yielded some extraordinary scenes across the country, including first glimpses into part of the secretive world of the Syrian dictator  as well as his brothers labyrinthine underground bunker. Here you can get up to speed on the situation, with our blow-by-blow account of the rebels lightning dash to the Syrian capital Damascus, which led to Assad running away from the country  his destination was Russia, which he safely arrived at, according to Moscows claims, but the exact whereabouts of Assad remain unconfirmed.

Among the most remarkable imagery that has appeared in the wake of Assads fall is that which shows a huge and modern underground bunker complex, said to be deep beneath the Damascus mansion of Maj. Gen. Maher al-Assad, the disposed dictators brother. Maher al-Assad was best known as the leader of the Syrian Armys Fourth Armored Division, an elite formation tasked with protecting the government from internal and external threats. Clearly he failed in that role.

Footage of Maher al-Assads Underground Bunker



Newly released footage reveals the underground bunker of Maher al-Assad, brother of Bashar al-Assad, located beneath his residence in Damascus.



Note the astonishing documentation: The tunnel beneath Maher al-Assads home the very pic.twitter.com/Ucnr2NpVt8  OSINT WWIII (@OsintWWIII) December 8, 2024

This tunnel was found beneath Bashars Brother, Maher al-Assads villa. Just imagine how massive Sednaya Prison must be.! pic.twitter.com/BUAa3sdDsy  Warfare Analysis (@warfareanalysis) December 9, 2024

Syrian revolutionary exploring Maher Assads underground tunnels:



I feel like I am playing Half-Life. https://t.co/4Z1pOm945x pic.twitter.com/zU9gCVQcrc  Clash Report (@clashreport) December 9, 2024

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The bunker, with its complex network of tunnels buried deep underground, was discovered by rebels who filmed and photographed its interior. The facility is so deep that it includes its own funicular-like trolly system used for descending into it.

One video begins with an entry to the bunker via a door, presumably in the basement of the mansion, which leads to another reinforced blast door, followed by a staircase, under an arched ceiling. Another blast door then provides access to a much longer tunnel, descending deeper into the ground. Running alongside the stairs, this tunnel features the aforementioned steep, funicular-type railway for assisted and cargo movement access. Different underground chambers are linked with other levels via a spiral staircase.

A long tunnel with access provided by steps as well as a funicular-type railway. via X

Another view of the same tunnel. Most seem to feature a characteristic vaulted ceiling. via X

The underground chambers include offices, sitting rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms. Many of the rooms have their contents strewn across the floor, but its not immediately clear if they were simply ransacked or if desperate efforts had been made by the owners to remove certain important items in advance of the rebels assault. One particular room is protected by a heavy vault door, which may have been still locked when discovered. Regardless, we dont get to see inside this area.

An apparently still sealed vault within the bunker complex. via X

A caption on one of the videos posted to social media read: Massive tunnel complex beneath Maher Assads mansion, wide enough for trucks carrying captagon and gold to drive through.

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Captagon is another name for the drug fenetylline, which is illegal in most countries and is produced primarily for illicit use, especially in the Middle East. Reportedly, Syria is the largest producer of the drug, accounting for around 80% of the global supply. There have been multiple reports describing how revenues from captagon played a major role in propping up Assads regime and Maher al-Assad has been labeled as playing a major role in this narcotics trade.

A domestic-sized vacuum machine, likely used in the production of narcotics. via X

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A shrink-wrap machine, also probably used in the production of narcotics. via X

As well as gold and drugs, its rumored that the same bunker network was also used to store weapons, which would have been used to defend it and the Assad family had they been at the facility when it was breached.

Overall, its noteworthy just how modern this complex appears. It is conceivable that Iran  which is well known to be very proficient at building underground complexes  might have assisted in its construction. Underground bunkers are used to protect key regime, command and control, nuclear, and weapons storage facilities in Iran, and similar types of bunkers have also appeared in Lebanon. With that in mind, the Maher al-Assad facility could give us an indication of what others look like in Iran.

Similar architecture has long been a hallmark of authoritarian leaders around the world, more often than not the product of an unhealthy relationship between power, paranoia, and colossal wealth.

Contents of one of the chambers in the bunker complex strewn across the floor. via X

Meanwhile, throughout Damascus  the seat of Assads power  there have been other scenes of rebels and civilians entering government and military compounds after the soldiers and police officers left them deserted.

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People are pictured inside of Syrian President Bashar Assad's presidential palace in Damascus, Syria, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. https://t.co/eBn22g7LIY pic.twitter.com/3NvdO4a9OB  Voice of America (@VOANews) December 8, 2024

Soon after the city fell to the rebels, looters broke into the headquarters of the Syrian Ministry of Defense, while videos from the capital show families having entered the presidential palace. Some of them are seen leaving with stacks of plates and other household items looted from the Assad family, which clearly left in a hurry, with furniture, luxury items, and other objects strewn across empty rooms.

Contents being taken purportedly from inside one of the Assad palaces. via X

Assad residence underground bunker pic.twitter.com/ogv63YOpLO  Majd Arar (@MajdArar) December 8, 2024

Among the odd collection of items claimed to have been recovered from various Assad palaces include a photo of the Syrian dictator in swimwear, along with other candid family photos and his purported DVD collection.

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New Assad photos just dropped. pic.twitter.com/6vzBF6qJcD  Clash Report (@clashreport) December 8, 2024

They found Assads DVD collection in the Presidential Palace. Borat, Kevin Hart comedies, random History Channel documentaries, Ronaldo, Usain Bolt, Star Trek, VALKYRIE, ASSASSINATIONS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD, lol pic.twitter.com/HjGKFbaFJf  Drew Pavlou (@DrewPavlou) December 8, 2024

Rather more valuable assets were found by rebels who broke into the presidential palace to find Assads collection of dozens of prestige cars. According to The Drive, the cars included an Audi R8, a Ferrari F50, a Lamborghini Diablo, a Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG, and an SL65 Black Series. There were also impressive numbers of offroad vehicles, among them Toyota FJ Cruisers and Land Cruisers, and a Land Rover Defender.

JUST IN 



The Syrian rebels have finally found Assads garage with dozens of luxury vehicles pic.twitter.com/piiXSfN3aT  Open Source Intel (@Osint613) December 8, 2024

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More unusual cars included a Lamborghini LM002 off-roader, a Mercedes 600 Grosser limousine, and a six-wheel Revcon Trailblazer, an RV built on a Ford F-350 chassis.

Back in 2018, Assad was filmed allegedly driving his personal Honda Accord into a combat zone on the eastern outskirts of Damascus. As TWZ pointed out at the time, this was clearly propaganda play by the Syrian government, but the use of the no-frills Accord now makes an even starker contrast with the high-end carpool found at the palace.

We are still at a very early stage of the post-Assad era and there is certainly much more to be discovered, not only from secretive locations belonging to the leaders family and its acolytes but also the notorious prisons and other detention centers in which enemies of the regime were tortured and executed. Already, however, the picture is very much one of Assad  and presumably much of his family and close associates  having escaped the country with little to no effort being made to destroy anything left behind.

Contact the author: thomas@thewarzone.com
The remains of a pillbox used by Second World War soldiers for training near Croyde Hoe Farm - Champion News

A farmer is in a court row with the countryside protection watchdog after ploughing fields home to irreplaceable D-Day relics.

Andrew Cooper, a tenant of National Trust-owned Croyde Hoe Farm in North Devon, is facing legal action over claims he is ploughing protected fields with artefacts from the Second World War, and the Neolithic and Mesolithic eras.

The watchdog is seeking a permanent injunction to halt the farmers activity after losing a previous bid to do so  with Mr Cooper arguing the watchdog does not have the power or standing to bring the claim against him.

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Mr Cooper became a tenant of the farm in 1991, and has been paid about 200,000 in grants to maintain nine of its fields since, which have been assessed by experts as containing important stone-age era remains and D-Day relics of national significance.

The court heard the farm, on Baggy Point headland on the north Devon coast, is home to the site of a buried Mesolithic settlement and was also used as a training ground by American forces in the Second World War ahead of the D-Day landings.

They contain historic remains, including dummy pillboxes, trenches and graffiti left by soldier Private Alfred Augustine who was killed in the battle, it was also heard.

Andrew Cooper outside the Court of Appeal in London. Judges have now reserved their decision until a later date - Champion News

But in 2012, Mr Cooper decided to return to normal farming, which resulted in him receiving a notice to stop ploughing the fields pending an archaeological evaluation survey in 2017.

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Despite this, he ignored the notice and was convicted at Exeter Crown Court in April 2021 of cultivating without a Natural England environmental impact screening assessment and breaching the notice to stop. He was ordered to pay 31,500 in fines and costs.

After the conviction, Mr Cooper continued his unlawful activity, lawyers for the watchdog said, which drove Natural England to secure an interim injunction to stop him last year over concerns for the historic remains.

It then sought a permanent civil court injunction to restrain the farmer from keeping on ploughing without Natural Englands consent for the land to be cultivated, but it was rejected by judges.

In February this year, at the High Court in Bristol, Judge Jonathan Russen KC dismissed Natural Englands claim, while leaving in place an earlier interim injunction of preventing damage to flint artefacts and other historical features at the site.

Remains beneath soil not protected

The judge found that while Natural England is responsible for preventing damage and harm to the landscape of England, it does not have responsibility for archaeological remains which lie hidden under the surface of the soil.

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Archaeological remains can form part of the landscape by definition, but only if they are visible on the surface in the contours of the land, the judge found.

Croyde Hoe Farm on Baggy Point in North Devon where there are historical remains, prompting Natural England to secure an interim junction to prevent farming - Champion News

Natural England is now asking judges in the Court of Appeal to overturn its decision not to make the injunction permanent after a judge ruled Natural England does not have the legal standing to bring a civil claim.

Arguing that the conclusion was wrong in the Court of Appeal, Richard Honey KC said buried remains should be legally regarded as part of the fabric of the landscape.

He told the court: The injunction is (needed) to preserve the irreplaceable archaeological remains, particularly when we are dealing with somebody as determined as Mr Cooper...to prevent irreversible and irremediable environmental damage.

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It gives a historic aspect, time, depth and a sense of place to the landscape here, he added.

However, Mr Cooper, representing himself, urged appeal judges to uphold the High Courts refusal to let Natural England sue him.

They said to me would you rather take it to court? and I said, bring it on, Mr Cooper said.

He claimed that he had been given a document from Natural England in July 2012 before he started ploughing which classified all his fields as cultivated land, not uncultivated.

The stop notice was totally unsupported....I dont think theyve got the standing.

Natural England is ultra vires

He said he believes Natural England is ultra vires, a legal term meaning it does not have the legal authority to make the claim.

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All I want to do is be left alone to do my farming. The agreement I took was to be able to farm arable.

I am the legal tenant and until the National Trust tries to evict me I am the land holder.

Lord Justice Coulson told the farmer: You say they were ultra vires and effectively archaeology was nothing to do with them.

We recognise this is extremely serious and important for you and your family.

The appeal judges have now reserved their decision in the case until a later date.

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As Britain is gripped by a prisons crisis, The Telegraph is publishing dispatches from an inmate at a Category B jail  the second highest level of security  to discover what life is really like inside. Recently, the Independent Monitoring Board (IMB) found the jail to be chronically overcrowded and understaffed, with self-harm and drug use rife.

The inmate, a British professional and entrepreneur on the outside, is on remand awaiting trial charged with non-violent crimes, which he denies. To protect his identity, he is not named. Other names and nicknames have also been changed.

Prisons, being full of criminals, are also full of crimes. In fact there is a constant stream of internal misdemeanours, or nickings, which prison governors have to keep up with. Yet the stuff which comes to their attention is merely the tip of a vast and largely undetected iceberg of criminality in the murk of daily prison life.

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Many senior wing officers prefer to use the IPF system (Incentive Policy Framework) than to send you for a nicking. Basically, you have privileges as an Enhanced Prisoner (at the top of the framework) like the use of a TV, more visits and a higher weekly canteen spend. As you misbehave and commit offences you are pegged down the IPF to Standard Prisoner, and worst of all, to Basic Prisoner, where your privileges are stripped.

Prisons prefer to deal with inmates crimes themselves. Six mornings a week, and sometimes afternoons too, one of the prison governors will chair an adjudication panel, also attended by a senior prison officer, based in the hearing room of the Seg (the Segregation Unit, a no-frills environment where around 20 cells are reserved for inmates who commit serious offences while here, especially if they are considered a risk to staff).

Serious charges, however, trigger a legal process before an Independent Adjudicator (a judge) who attends the prison monthly. Some crimes, like assaults on prison officers, will lead to Crown Court trials.

Most prisoners feel they are better off with internal justice: your actions in a fight with another prisoner  e.g. a grip leaving marks on someones neck  could lead to prosecution by the CPS for strangulation or even attempted murder. But if there is a reluctance to press charges by either prisoner, a stern internal punishment for fighting might be a month in the Seg and the loss of privileges like your canteen and your TV. Better than an additional six-year sentence.

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So who are the offenders inside? The outliers are the super-violent, men like Charles Bronson, so violent that he required a six-man door open, and who may never leave prison because of the mayhem they create inside.

Then there are the escapees: an attempt to break out results, we are told, in 10 years being slapped on our sentences. More frequently, a prisoner may find his sentence extended, or early release postponed, as a result of one or both of two principal offences: drugs and violence.

Drug offenders are not merely the drug users: about two-thirds of the prison population, by my reckoning, use prohibited substances, including prison brewed alcohol. While users may be had up on a charge, punishments are relatively lightweight. The bigger fish are those taking delivery of contraband which they then sell on. They are caught quite frequently, though the biggest fish get other prisoners to hold for them.

There exists a vast and largely undetected iceberg of criminality in prison life - Ian Waldie/Getty Images

In recent weeks there has been a huge amount of weed on our spur and the drone traffic is constant. The offence which the governors have come to see as ever more serious in the light of the drugs crisis is possession of a mobile phone: the phone is the main tool for ordering and guiding in deliveries, so being caught with one can result in a trial and add a year to your sentence.

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Recently the main dealer on A wing borrowed my box of Ecover powder (detergent can be ordered in the canteen  we often clean our own clothes). Chronically naive, I thought he wanted it to do some washing and was surprised when he proved reluctant to return it. But Abdi subsequently bought me a brand-new box: he had not, after all, been using my powder for washing but as a canny place to stash a mobile.

There is debt-driven violence as Ive explained, but beyond that there is the sullen, brawny type simply looking to bully more eccentric or unpopular prisoners  like those who kick off in the night and wake everyone up.

And so prisoners enforce their own justice. For example, a surprisingly common prank which prisoners perceive as worthy of punishment, is to flood or set fire to your cell. By sealing your door with wads of paper or linen strips you can smash up a sink or loo and get a full foot of water quite quickly. Though I have never duffed anyone up, I kind of understand how you feel enraged when the overflow from a flooded cell spills into your own, or, locked in your own confined space, the smell of burning nearby is especially terrifying because you cant get out.

On our spur there are currently two (out of 60) prisoners who seem to be the targets of prisoner punishment: new bruises, cuts and welts appear just as the old ones are yellowing up and healing. Often the beatings are dished out by a group rather than an individual (making deniability easier), and they seem to be inflicted with an element of control, as injuries are rarely so serious that officers feel the need to investigate.

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Cameras  hence the prospect of identification  are crucial. When I was on a different wing there was much less prisoner-on-prisoner violence simply because there were cameras on all the landings. Then we were all moved to a wing where, inexplicably, a refit had upgraded cell intercoms but excluded the fitting of cameras on the landings. Violence picked up very quickly.

Naughty prisoners are those who are persistently recalcitrant towards the officers, brazen in their drug use, liable to pop into other prisoners cells to dish out punishment or pinch a few vapes. They are put into banana suits, making them high viz. At our jail, these suits are a bright blue and yellow harlequin scheme, making the wearers resemble, bizarrely, the Switzers who guard the Vatican.

I am not deemed naughty, not as yet, though I am rather proud that I have been up before the governors on three charges in eight months. The first was for fighting; the second for brewing hooch; the third for disobeying a lawful order.

This sounds much worse than it really was: you get put on a fighting charge even when you have been assaulted (thankfully my assailant, a murderer, was caught on camera landing two fairly hefty punches to my chin); you get charged for brewing alcohol even if your cellmate was responsible (accepted, thankfully, by the governor); and I got charged for disobeying a lawful order even if, as was my defence, I soon complied and the order was not lawful. In defence of my theoretical right to a full hours outdoor exercise, I had refused to leave the exercise yard after half an hour. It was a protest. I was found guilty and cautioned: all that happened was that I was kicked out of my more salubrious cell and onto a rougher spur. But lets face it, whatever spur you are on, prison is prison  they cant do that much to you.

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As for my escape plans, they are still on the drawing board. Given that, even before you get to the prison walls, there are two 20ft fences topped with razor wire to get through, I have realised that my best bet is to be mistaken for a prison charity worker and walk out the front door.

Unfortunately, realising that, well-spoken and lacking tattoos on my face, I make quite a plausible prison worker, security teams recently confiscated my chinos and my collared shirts, condemning me to wear only prison greys. Really, Id feel more cheerful in a banana suit.

Next week the Secret Prisoner writes about a murder plot next to his cell

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Kentucky is slowly reducing its huge pandemic-era backlog of annual inspections of the nursing homes  80 percent of them owned by private, for-profit corporations  where more than 20,000 vulnerable adults live at the mercy of their caretakers.

But it still has far to go, and residents are at risk, a Herald-Leader investigation reveals.

While state health inspectors struggle to catch up, Kentucky nursing home residents have been assaulted, robbed and neglected in urine-soaked sheets, public records show.

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The federal government in August issued a 50-state report card  known as the the State Performance Standards System  showing that Kentucky failed to meet eight of 13 performance measures, including getting its nursing home inspections done on time; following up on serious hazards known as immediate jeopardies; and properly responding to complaints from residents and their families.

That tells you that (nursing home) residents in Kentucky arent getting the protection theyre supposed to be getting, that surveyors arent going in there as often as theyre supposed to be and doing the investigations we need them to do to catch the problems that put people in harms way, said Toby Edelman, senior policy attorney with the Center for Medicare Advocacy.

The center is a Washington, D.C., nonprofit law organization that advocates for better health care for the elderly and disabled.

As of October, more than half of the states 269 nursing homes  53 percent  had gone two or more years since their previous so-called annual inspection by surveyors from the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, according to a review of federal health data by the Herald-Leader.

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When the Herald-Leader first reported on the delayed inspections in July 2023, the number was 73 percent, the nations second-largest backlog after Maryland, forcing Gov. Andy Beshear and Health Secretary Eric Friedlander publicly to acknowledge the seriousness of the problem.

We need to be clear: Were way behind. Were waaay behind, Friedlander told uneasy state lawmakers a month after the newspaper originally wrote about it.

Were way behind. KY nursing home inspections wont be fixed quickly, officials say

By the time state surveyors returned to some nursing homes this year for a long-overdue annual inspection, it was their first such visit since the COVID-19 pandemic hit in March 2020, records show.

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For instance, the 165-bed Signature Healthcare at Summerfield Rehab & Wellness Center in Louisville went nearly 52 months between annual inspections  from October 2019, when state surveyors cited it for six health deficiencies, to January 2024, when surveyors finally returned to identify 17 health deficiencies and levy a $12,038 fine.

Thats scary! said Edelman when told by the Herald-Leader about such delays. It really matters that the states not in there on a regular basis looking into whats going on.

Yearly inspections by teams of state surveyors are meant to catch dangerous threats before someone is sickened, hurt or killed.

The surveyors annual inspection reports also shape the five-star quality ratings on Nursing Home Compare, a website provided for public use by the federal agency U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS. Long delays in inspections means the ratings can be badly outdated, leaving consumers unaware of a drop in quality.

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State surveyors are a crucial outside set of eyes to make sure that health and safety rules are obeyed, said Lisa Circeo, a Lexington attorney whose firm represents people suing nursing homes over poor quality of care.

When we file a lawsuit, we request the licensure file and all of the state surveys for a facility, Circeo said.

Unfortunately, what were seeing for a lot of these places is that the state hasnt been in there for years unless theres been a serious complaint filed about something  at which point, you know, something already has gone seriously wrong, she said.

Small problems in a nursing home can develop into widespread systemic failures when nobody is watching, said Sherry Culp, who, as the states long-term care ombudsman, oversees a team of advocates for residents and their families.

Ombudsmen Sue Landis, from left, Sherry Culp, and Denise Wells visited with patients at Brookdale Richmond Place in Lexington. The ombudsmen work for a nonprofit that monitors living conditions in nursing homes.

Things can escalate quickly if you dont stay on top of it, Culp said.

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Theres a lot of staff turnover in these facilities, she added. Many people dont stay in the jobs for long. And even though the role of state surveyor is not really to be an educator, when theyre in there, they can help explain to the staff and to the administrators how things are supposed to work, how to keep the residents safe.

Kentucky is gonna have to get back into compliance on this, she added.

The officials in Beshears health cabinet who are responsible for nursing home inspections declined the Herald-Leaders multiple requests to be interviewed for this story. They are acting Inspector General Tricia Steward and, serving beneath her in the health cabinet, Division of Health Care Director Carrie Storms.

In a corrective action plan that Storms sent to CMS in April, she blamed lack of staff ... numerous resignations and retirements for her offices delays.

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There also are many complaints about Kentucky nursing homes that must be investigated, adding to the existing workload of annual standard surveys, she said. (Complaint inspections are different from annual inspections; theyre quicker and smaller, focused on the subject of the complaint.)

Storms assured CMS that her office holds weekly meetings to address the inspection backlog, review the complaints it receives and prioritize which facilities are most in need of scrutiny.

But when the Herald-Leader asked through the Kentucky Open Records Act for documents related to these weekly meetings, such as agendas, notes or staff assignments, Storms office said it could not locate any such documents.

The man who ran Beshears Office of the Inspector General for four years, former nursing home executive Adam Mather, quit earlier this year to take a job as the nursing home industrys top lobbyist in Frankfort.

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Mather is a former vice president with the Signature Healthcare nursing home chain who is now, after his time in a watchdog role in the Beshear administration, president of the Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities. He also did not respond to the Herald-Leaders multiple requests for comment about the states inspection backlog.

Signature Healthcares political action committee gave $2,000 to Beshears re-election campaign in 2022. The Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities gave $5,100 to Beshears re-election and 2023 inaugural committee.

Adam Mather spent four years as Kentuckys inspector general before returning to the nursing home industry.

In a prepared statement, Beshears office said his administration is aware of the inspection backlog and takes it seriously.

We are committed to making sure the most vulnerable Kentuckians receive the care they need, Beshear spokeswoman Crystal Staley told the Herald-Leader.

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The administration has been transparent about how the pandemic impacted medical staff hiring and how we continue to make steady progress, Staley said. The governor has secured significant pay raises for state workers, and this year the cabinet hired more staff internally and is also using contract surveyors. These actions have helped increase survey visits by 209 compared with the same time-frame last year.

What inspectors found

Among the serious problems uncovered as surveyors returned to Kentucky nursing homes after prolonged absences, according to a Herald-Leader review of dozens of inspection records from the past several years:

 Clifton Heights in Louisville, which, in July 2021, put a diabetic, incontinent, depressed, wheelchair-dependent resident in a taxi and discharged him to a nearby homeless shelter with no medicine, food or money, and without informing the residents legal guardian or doctor, according to an inspection report.

Clifton Heights in Louisville, Ky.

Employees had the resident sign against medical advice paperwork authorizing the discharge, surveyors wrote in their report. The next day, the resident was hospitalized with elevated blood sugar and potassium levels.

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The resident, a ward of the state, was in cognitive decline and could be difficult to manage, the facilitys staff told surveyors. The resident had been found two days earlier rummaging through someone elses things. Staff realized they needed to pay closer attention and possibly find a more appropriate place for him, surveyors wrote.

However, a nurse told surveyors there had to have been a better place to discharge (the) resident to other than a homeless shelter, they wrote in their inspection report.

Clifton Heights did not respond to the Herald-Leaders request for comment.

 Bourbon Heights Nursing Home in Paris, where different parts of the facilitys water system tested positive in February and March of this year for Legionella pneumophila bacteria, according to microbiology analysis reports produced for the nursing home by a third-party contractor.

The bacteria can cause a dangerous pneumonia called Legionnaires disease  and one of the facilitys former care workers became sick with that disease and died last December, alarming county health officials.

Staff said they were not told about the water systems contamination, so they did not follow infection-control procedures meant to protect residents or themselves. During an interview in late March, a nursing assistant told surveyors that residents continued to drink water out of the sinks in their rooms and used the water to wash their hands and brush their teeth.

On the same day, a different nursing assistant told surveyors there were rumors the water was contaminated with legionella, but the facility had not apprised staff of any water contamination concerns, the surveyors wrote.

Bourbon Heights did not respond to the Herald-Leaders request for comment.

County and state health officials are helping Bourbon Heights with continued water monitoring and mitigation efforts, such as faucet filters, county public health director Andrea Davis-Viney told the Herald-Leader. There have been no additional deaths from Legionnaires disease since last December, Davis-Viney said.

Im really hoping we dont see any further problems from it, Davis-Viney said.

 Highlands Nursing and Rehabilitation in Louisville, where a resident with dementia escaped the facility unnoticed in January 2023 when the daytime temperature was 48 degrees. The facilitys receptionist opened the front door for the resident, not realizing the resident wasnt free to leave, the surveyor noted.

The resident hitched a ride with a trucker back to their home 85 miles away, started a fire at the home and had to be hospitalized for smoke inhalation, surveyors wrote.

Highlands did not respond to the Herald-Leaders request for comment.

 Valhalla Post Acute in Louisville, where an employee, angry at an elderly male resident for making repeated requests of him, allegedly declared, Im gonna get that old fu-ker out of here and set fire to the residents room on May 1, 2024.

The resident was not harmed in the fire, which quickly was extinguished, Louisville police wrote in their incident report. Police arrested social service assistant Justin Campisano, 39. He awaits trial on a first-degree arson charge in April 2025.

Valhalla Post Acute did not respond to the Herald-Leaders request for comment.

 Signature Healthcare at Summerfield Rehab and Wellness Center in Louisville, where residents in January 2024 lay in urine-soaked diapers and sheets, with trash overflowing onto the floor.

There was a continuous odor of urine, surveyors wrote in their report. (The word odor appeared 15 times in the 64-page report.) One resident had an excessive amount of dead skin lying on their sheets, on a bedside table and on the floor, with their clothes smeared in blood.

A nursing assistant said she felt badly about the poor state of the residents, but she was overwhelmed because she had to oversee 22 people  an entire hall  by herself.

They never come in here and clean, a miserable resident told surveyors. I have to take out my own garbage. They do not do anything around here. This place is a shithole.

An excerpt from the Jan. 28, 2024, inspection report following a standard survey of Signature Healthcare at Summerfield Rehab & Wellness in Louisville. The previous standard survey was Oct. 5, 2019.

A nurse who pricked the fingers of diabetic residents to check blood-sugar levels using a device called a glucose meter failed to either wash her hands or sanitize the device between uses, putting residents at risk of blood-borne infections, surveyors wrote. One of the diabetic residents had HIV, they said, while another had Hepatitis B.

Signature Healthcare at Summerfield referred the Herald-Leaders request for comment to the chains corporate headquarters in Louisville, which requested questions in writing and then declined to respond.

 Sycamore Heights Health and Rehabilitation in Louisville, where the staff failed  despite warnings  to keep sharp objects away from a schizophrenic resident who suffered from hallucinations.

In the middle of the night on March 11, 2024, the resident stabbed his roommate in the left eye with a fork that was left behind from a meal, badly wounding the man and splattering both with the victims blood.

Sycamore Heights Health & Rehabilitation in Louisville, Ky.

A Louisville police officer who responded to the assault later told surveyors that when he arrived, the facilitys staff were standing outside the door to the room, afraid to intervene. The officer said he was taken aback by the fact that nursing staff had done nothing to render aid or evaluate the residents, surveyors wrote in their report.

I cant really participate in any kind of story, Sycamore Heights administrator Bridgette Beason told the Herald-Leader in response to questions. I dont have any comment.

 Mills Nursing & Rehabilitation in Mayfield, where an employee last year stole $166 in cash and spent $257 on a debit card taken from the purse of an elderly woman living at the facility before the womans family noticed the thefts, surveyors wrote in their report.

The nursing home failed to properly investigate the familys initial June 2023 theft complaint to the facility until police brought criminal charges in the case later, surveyors said. The nursing home also failed to conduct the required criminal background check of the employee suspected of the thefts when it hired her in 2022, surveyors said.

In July 2023, the Graves County Sheriffs Department charged Mills nursing assistant Mindy Marie Issacs, 37, with fraudulent use of a credit card, according to court records. Isaacs pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 90 days in jail.

Mills did not respond to the Herald-Leaders request for comment.

A system breaks down

In 2022, about 15,000 nursing homes nationwide took more than $191 billion from the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs, private insurance, out-of-pocket payments from residents and their families and other sources, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Kentucky nursing homes got about $3 billion.

To watchdog that spending and protect vulnerable residents from abuse and neglect, CMS contracts with state agencies to conduct an unannounced, multi-day inspection of every nursing home once a year. Teams of surveyors led by registered nurses identify problems that they uncover and give facilities a chance to correct them.

Unless you have surveyors in there checking on them, the only ones regulating the nursing homes are themselves, right? said Circeo, the Lexington lawyer. And we know that doesnt work.

Lexington attorney Lisa Circeo runs a law firm that often sues nursing homes over quality of care issues.

Apart from the obvious health and safety problems for residents, the lawyer added, the public should be concerned about all this, because its their Medicare and Medicaid dollars that pay for it.

In Kentucky, the state health cabinets Division of Health Care conducts these standard surveys and reports its findings to CMS, which controls the Medicare and Medicaid cash spigot. When CMS cuts off federal funding to a nursing home over poor quality of care, that facility usually must close.

This system completely broke down during the pandemic.

To curb the spread of the highly infectious COVID virus inside nursing homes, CMS told the states temporarily to focus on infection control surveys rather than all-purpose standard surveys from spring 2020 to fall 2021.

By the time standard surveys resumed in fall 2021, state inspectors across the country faced a pile of catch-up work.

Kentucky had a bigger backlog than most states  and more job vacancies among its surveyors. Nurses in particular have quit Kentuckys health cabinet in large numbers, easily able to find better-paying jobs in the private sector, and often with less travel and better hours.

In October, Kentuckys Division of Health Care had 69 surveyor positions that were filled and 52 that were unfilled, for a job vacancy rate of 43 percent, the health cabinet said in an email to the Herald-Leader.

The health cabinet is paying millions of dollars to two private contractors, CertiSurv and Health Management Solutions, to assist with nursing home inspections while it scrambles to hire more of its own surveyors.

Recruiting surveyors is difficult, state officials told their federal counterparts in letters obtained by the Herald-Leader under the Kentucky Open Records Act.

A complex and delayed hiring process. noncompetitive compensation, extensive travel and overtime demands drive recruitment challenges, Storms, the Division of Health Care director, wrote to CMS in an April 12 letter.

The hiring process for classified positions is intricate due to state statutes. The Office of Human Resource Management has reported that the average time for hire is 80 days from start to finish. This duration often leads applicants to accept other job offers, exacerbating the challenge of filling vacancies, Storms wrote.

They didnt care

For two families who recently spoke to the Herald-Leader about their experiences, the quality of care at the 104-bed Mills Nursing & Rehabilitation in Mayfield worsened during the five years that state surveyors stopped making annual inspections at the facility.

Mills is listed as a one-star facility, or much below average, in the five-star ratings posted on CMS Nursing Home Compare website.

According to federal data, the state went from July 2019 to May 2024 without performing a standard survey at Mills. On their belated return last May, surveyors issued a total of five health deficiencies  two for immediate jeopardy violations  and levied a $16,801 fine.

The immediate jeopardy violations involved a resident who died from their injuries after falling from a moving wheelchair where they were improperly secured by staff, surveyors wrote.

Surveyors did conduct a brief complaint-based inspection during the five-year span, in October 2023, that resulted in six health deficiencies and a $9,331 fine against Mills.

That complaint involved a number of problems, including the Mills nursing assistant who stole from the purse of the elderly woman at the facility. Surveyors said Mills failed to protect residents from abuse because it didnt adequately investigate the thefts until law enforcement got involved weeks later.

The thefts victim was Linda Johnson, mother of Karen Harrison, who reported the crimes to Mills without much response, surveyors said. Later, Harrison called in the Graves County Sheriffs Department, which made an arrest after studying video from businesses where the stolen debit card was used and identified the culprit.

Harrison told the Herald-Leader she pulled her mother from Mills, not just because of the thefts but also because the nursing home clearly was in decline. Her father had stayed at Mills a few years earlier with no serious problems, she added.

I dont know what it was, but the quality really slipped since COVID, Harrison said. You could see it in the management, in the staffing. Mills just wasnt the nursing home that it used to be.

Harrison said she didnt know that Kentucky health officials were failing to conduct inspections during this period.

I know nursing homes smell like pee. I do, Harrison said. But that place was bad. There were people laying in their own (urine). They never got out of their pajamas. They never got out of their beds. Nobody did anything with them. They just werent taking care the residents. It was clear when you looked around.

Another woman, Rose Dismore, is suing Mills for negligence and wrongful death in Graves Circuit Court over the 2021 death of her 51-year-old brother, Terry Ray Crawford. She said Crawford lived at Mills for two years before he died from a fall and a heart attack under circumstances that nobody ever adequately explained to her.

Terry Ray Crawford died in 2021. His family is suing Mills Nursing & Rehabilitation in Mayfield for negligence and wrongful death.

He suffered, from what I heard, Dismore told the Herald-Leader.

According to Dismores lawsuit, Mills didnt employ enough staff to properly care for residents. Mills has denied Dismores claims in its written response to her suit and says that it was not responsible for any injuries Crawford might have suffered. The case is pending.

The nursing home smelled strongly like urine, Dismore said, and staff didnt answer residents call-lights to provide assistance. People who could have participated in activities with a little help instead were left in their beds all day, she said.

When they knew they were going to be inspected, theyd be up on their toes, Dismore said. Otherwise, they didnt care.

Do they not care? Kentucky faces huge backlog of nursing home inspections

How safe are Kentucky nursing homes? There are hardly any inspectors left to tell us
CAMBRIDGE, MA.  While the 2024 election primarily focused on domestic concerns, the policies of President-elect Donald Trumps incoming administration are certain to have far-reaching global implications. Trumps return to power revives the America First agenda, characterized by renegotiating trade agreements, recalibrating alliances, and reducing Americas commitment to any global engagement that doesnt directly benefit U.S. priorities.

For some, Trumps unorthodox leadership offers the promise of a disruptor who could end protracted conflicts in regions like Gaza and Ukraine. To others, his unpredictability poses the risk of exacerbating global instability and tensions.

Theres above all a quite intense and unrelenting speculation about what this highly unpredictable, independent, iconoclastic and unusual American president will mean for Americas role in the world, said Tarek Masoud, professor of democracy and governance at John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and a scholar of the Middle East.

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On Dec. 5, Masoud led a panel of political scientists and analysts, who discussed the global implications of Trumps victory, including its potential effects on sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, China and the broader state of democracy worldwide. The event was hosted by the Kennedy Schools Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation.

When it comes to Americas external orientation, Masoud framed the stakes of Trumps second term by posing a question: Will America continue to be the indispensable nation deeply involved in everything, everywhere, sometimes for good, sometimes for ill  or will we turn inward? Heres how the panelists responded.

Hope for strategic alliances in Africa

In Africa, the responses to Trumps election varied across the continent. Soon after the election, leaders from Kenya, Nigeria and Egypt congratulated Trump, expressing optimism about the potential for improved bilateral relations and expanded collaboration. This response reflects a pragmatic outlook, according to Gloria Ayee, a political scientist who studies sub-Saharan Africa and teaches at the Harvard Kennedy School. Leaders there hope to strengthen ties that align with Trumps business-oriented policies and attract American investments in the areas of infrastructure, energy and technology, offering potential economic growth for the continent, Ayee said. These collaborations could significantly impact local economies if they are tapped effectively, she said.

Others have expressed concern about cuts to U.S. aid to Africa, reduced humanitarian and development support, and a lack of collaboration on issues like climate change, peacekeeping and health initiatives. And all of these areas are really of concern to African nations because they have traditionally relied on American partnership in these dimensions, Ayee said.

Trump resonates with Southeast Asian leaders

Southeast Asian leaders have viewed Trumps return as an opportunity to solidify ties with the U.S. President-elect Trumps fondness for autocrats actually bodes well for many Southeast Asian countries, said Jay Rosengard, chair of the Indonesia Public Policy Program at Harvards Rajawali Foundation Institute for Asia. Leaders in the region are drawn to Trumps transactional approach, his direct communication style, and his image as a strong man of convictions, according to Rosengard.

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Indonesias new president, Prabowo Subianto, who was once barred from entering the U.S. because of alleged human rights violations, shared on his social media a three-minute phone call, congratulating Trump on his victory and praising the president-elect. Trump has also invested in two significant real estate projects in Indonesia  a luxury resort in Lido, West Java, and another in Bali, underlining his personal and business ties to the region.

U.S. policies in Southeast Asia under Trump are expected to maintain a focus on countering Chinas military influence and bolstering security, according to Rosengard. Trumps second administration is unlikely to focus on the issue of human rights, which Rosengard said is seen as a relief by many Southeast Asian nations.

Shipping containers are stacked at a port in Tianjin, China, Jan. 16, 2023. | Mark Schiefelbein

Economically, the region may benefit from Trumps efforts to contain China and the shifting dynamics of global trade. The China Plus One strategy, where multinational companies diversify supply chains to reduce dependence on China, presents opportunities for Southeast Asian nations to attract foreign investment. Additionally, China may relocate some of its manufacturing to the region to circumvent U.S. trade tariffs.

However, these opportunities come with challenges. Domestic governance issues in countries like Indonesia, including funding constraints and entrenched oligarchic interests disguised as economic nationalism, could limit the ability of leaders to capitalize on new economic prospects, Rosengard noted. Trumps Middle East policies could also have repercussions for Indonesia and Malaysia, both of which lack diplomatic ties with Israel. Its a super sensitive issue, and that could hamper any kind of transactional economic benefits in Indonesia and Malaysia, he said.

Dealmaker or aggressive competitor?

Trumps second term revives his hardline stance on China, including plans for steep tariffs and stricter trade policies. He has vowed to impose additional tariffs on goods from Mexico, China and Canada, including a 10% tariff on Chinese imports. Whether the threat of these increases is meant as a negotiating tactic to secure a favorable trade deal for the U.S. or as a strategy to stifle Chinas economic growth remains uncertain, according to Anthony Saich, a professor at the Kennedy School and director of the Rajawali Institute.

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Is the Trump that actually turns up in the China relationship the dealmaker  or .... the aggressive competitor who really wants to be No. 1 and is determined to crush any competition that might threaten that? Saich said. Thats going to determine a lot of the way the policies kind of unfold over time.

Another critical issue in U.S.-China relations under Trump is Taiwan. Regarded by China as a breakaway province destined for reunification with the mainland, Taiwan has historically benefited from U.S. military and diplomatic support. Many experts consider the U.S.-Taiwan relationship essential to Americas Pacific defense strategy. But Trump has questioned the benefit of the relationship. He has urged Taiwan to increase its self-defense spending, likening U.S. support to an insurance company, and accusing Taiwan of drawing U.S. semiconductor business away.

The competition between the U.S. and China over emerging technologies is another key battleground. Who controls the setting of standards for those technologies of the future will have enormous geopolitical influence in addition to economic gains, Saich said. And thats where the U.S. and China are really competing the most ardently.

This rivalry could pressure countries to align with either U.S. or Chinese technology ecosystems, forcing difficult choices  especially in Asia, where nations rely on U.S. security but also benefit from Chinese trade and investment. But when it comes to this one area of technology, theyre going to have to choose, Saich said. Youre not going to be able to run a Western technology and a Chinese technology at the same time.

Democracy in retreat

Trumps re-election comes amid a global decline in democracy, according to Erica Chenoweth, a political scientist and professor at Harvard Kennedy School. Chenoweth said that established democracies are weakening, emerging democracies are reversing and autocratic regimes like Russia and Turkey are solidifying their power. On the aggregate, were seeing declines everywhere, Chenoweth said. And these declines are accelerating.

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Trumps foreign policy has sparked concern among some U.S. allies in Europe, particularly regarding his proposed approach to the Russia-Ukraine war. This has alarmed European democracies, with countries like Norway bracing for potential energy crises tied to geopolitical instability, Chenoweth noted. These shifts suggest a move away from the United States traditional role as a defender of democracy against autocratic threats.

Domestically, Trumps plans to restructure federal agencies and reduce foreign aid and diplomatic missions could also weaken the infrastructure that supports democratic development abroad, according to Chenoweth. Meanwhile, rising populism and anti-establishment sentiment continue to reshape politics worldwide.

Still, Chenoweth emphasized the unpredictability of global events: We can speculate about what we think based on statements and rhetoric and prior behavior in the first administration, but boy, the world is a very complicated place, and nobody actually knows what the future holds.
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP)  Its the holiday season, which means households are decorating their Christmas tree, but do Massachusetts residents prefer a real or fake one?

Heating assistance available for Springfield area residents

The choice between real and artificial Christmas trees is always tough, and there are pros and cons to each. Online-Casinos.com states that those who favor real Christmas trees prefer authenticity. Real trees fill homes with the aroma of evergreen, establish traditions, and can be recycled in some communities.

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Artificial trees offer convenience, and durability, and are mess-free compared to real trees. They are also highly customizable, such as pre-lit trees, and different colors, and can be used over and over again.

Cant make up your mind? Different states favor certain types of trees. Thirty-two states prefer a real Christmas tree, while only 18 states choose to have a fake tree, so whats Massachusetts preference?

Online-Casinos.com

Residents in Massachusetts prefer to put a REAL Christmas tree up in their homes for the holidays! The states that chose real trees often have strong local farming traditions and a cultural emphasis on natural beauty.

States such as California, Florida, and Texas, lean toward fake trees for their convenience, longevity, and urban lifestyles.

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What type of Christmas tree do you prefer?

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.
If your child has a school-issued device, there's a good chance that school administrators are using it to spy on them. According to a new investigation from The New York Times, almost half of American schoolchildren are subject to surveillance on their school devices designed to track whether they're at risk for self-harm or suicide.

Federal law requires schools to use content filters on the devices they give kids. However, many popular educational tech companies also offer AI-boosted tools that look at what students are typing and send school administrators alerts if a student displays warning signs of self-harm.

Advocates of these programs say they can help schools identify and get help to struggling students. However, students, administrators, and parents at one Missouri school interviewed by Times reporter Ellen Barry said that false alarms were common. Students told Barry about being "flagged for text messages about hunting trips, historical research into the Ku Klux Klan and, in one case, the Oscar Wilde play 'The Importance of Being Earnest.'" One administrator reported that he arrived at work one day to find 26 alerts stemming from students researching suicide for a class.

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Sometimes these false alarms can have severe consequences. One 16-year-old girl and her family said they were woken up in the middle of the night by police officers after administrators were alerted by a poem the girl had written years before. The girl was no danger to herself but was shaken by the experience.

"There were people with guns coming to our house in the middle of the night," the girl's father told Barry. "It's not like they sent a social worker."

It's easy to see how this technology can foster a better-safe-than-sorry mindset among administrators. "The girl's mother said she told the school about the visit, and a guidance counselor explained that she felt she had no choice but to call police," Barry writes. "If she had failed to act, and the girl had harmed herself, she could not have forgiven herself."

Even if students and parents find the surveillance tech invasive, it's easy to see how administrators fear being blamed if a student commits suicide after the surveillance tech is removed. "It is hard to switch it off," even during summer break, Talmage Clubbs, the Missouri school district's director of counseling services told Barry. "I mean, the consequences of switching it off is that somebody can die." Clubbs further told Barry that sorting through and responding to the alerts occupied about a quarter of his work hours, and about a third of other counselors' time.

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While it's understandable to want to do everything possible to prevent suicide and self-harm among high school students, there isn't much evidence that spying on them through their laptops helpsor that it's worth invading student privacy.

The post Does Spying on Laptops Really Prevent High School Suicides? appeared first on Reason.com.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  The Department of Justice will be hosting a virtual Zoom meeting on Monday to allow Memphians the chance to give their input on the Memphis Police Department.

This comes days after the DOJ said that the Memphis Police Department engaged in a pattern or practice of conduct that violates the U.S. Constitution and federal law following a 17-month investigation.

The investigation found MPD uses excessive force, conducts unlawful stops, searches and arrests and unlawfully discriminates against Black people when enforcing the law. The DOJ said the City and MPD unlawfully discriminate in their response to people with behavioral health disabilities.

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The Justice Department also identified serious concerns about MPDs treatment of children, and identified deficiencies in policy, training, supervision and accountability that contribute to MPDs and the Citys unlawful conduct, DOJ said in a news release.

Memphis Police violated Constitution, DOJ investigation finds

In an effort to keep the Memphis community updated regarding the investigation, the DOJ will be conducting outreach and allow Memphians to provide input on remedies to address the departments findings.

Individuals may also submit recommendations by email at Community.Memphis@usdoj.gov or by phone at 888-473-3730. The department will hold a virtual Zoom community meeting on Monday at 6:30 p.m. CT.

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Please use this link to register for the event.

Members of the public are encouraged to attend to learn more about the findings.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Influential leaders, intellectuals, and experts from around the world convened in Istanbul for TRT World Forum 2024. Held for the 8th time this year under the theme A World at Breaking Point: Managing Crises and Transformations, the forum took place on November 29-30, gaining significant global attention as a platform for exploring solutions to pressing global issues. Nearly 150 speakers from over 30 countries and more than 1500 participants from diverse regions engaged in two days of dialogue in Istanbul, fostering international solidarity and understanding.

TRT World Forum: A Platform for Global Solutions and Transformations

Policymakers, journalists, academics, and representatives from both the public and private sectors from around the world came together to address critical issues affecting humanity, ranging from geopolitical crises to the societal impacts of artificial intelligence. Throughout the forum, eight panel sessions and eight roundtable meetings were held.

As one of the most high-profile forums in the global media industry, TRT World Forum transformed Istanbul into a hub for international dialogue and solutions. The opening speeches of this significant gathering were delivered by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Presidency's Head of Communications Fahrettin Altun and Director General of TRT Mehmet Zahid Sobac. During the ceremony, a special artwork inspired by Al-Aqsa Mosque was presented to President Erdogan.

The Future of the World Debated in Istanbul

The first day of the forum commenced with a session titled Elections 2024 in US and EU Members. Additionally, key sessions were held on topics such as Turkiyes Path Forward, Media Distortion Exposed, and Addressing Gross Violations of Human Rights in Conflicts. The forum garnered widespread attention in global media, becoming a focal point for calls for international solutions.

The forum hosted prominent figures from the worlds of politics, academia, and media, with renowned speakers from both national and international arenas. Notable participants included former President of Republic of Croatia Ivo Josipovic, Minister of Information of Lebanon Ziad Makary, former President of Republic of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite, Minister of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change Murat Kurum, Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Hakan Fidan, Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacr, Minister of Treasury and Finance Mehmet Simsek, Head of Mission United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine Danielle Belle, former Member of the European Parliament Elmar Brok and Former US Ambassador to Azerbaijan Matthew Bryza.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  Avelo Airlines will soon be taking passengers to five new nonstop destinations.

Four of the new destinations will connect to the airlines headquarters at Tweed-New Haven Airport, and the fifth new destination is a international one connecting to Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks, Avelo officials said.

Avelo Airlines starts flying from Bradley International Airport

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Starting on February 21, 2025, the airline will fly twice a week- Mondays and Fridays- between Bradley International Airport (BDL) and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ), according to Connecticut Airport Authority officials.

We are pleased to have Avelo add another international destination from Bradley International Airport, Kevin A. Dillon, A.A.E., Executive Director of the CAA, said in a statement. We look forward to the start of the new service to Punta Cana, which builds upon our commitment to offer travelers more convenience to popular, nonstop destinations.

Avelo expanded to Bradley International Airport in November, with the first flights heading to Wilmington, NC (ILM) and Charlotte/Concord, NC.

Avelo adding flights to Cancun, Jamaica, from Bradley International Airport

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Other destinations available from Bradley include Houston, TX (HOU), Daytona Beach, FL (DAB), Orlando/Lakeland, FL (LAL), Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ), and Cancun, Mexico (CUN).

On Monday, Avelo also announced theyll start flying to four additional destinations from New Haven next year.

Those include:

Dallas (Fort Worth), TX (DFW) starting March 7, 2025

Detroit, MI (DTW) starting April 4, 2025

Jacksonville, FL (JAX) starting Feb. 14, 2025

Portland, ME (PWM) starting May 22, 2025

With these new routes, Avelo Airlines will service 34 nonstop destinations from Connecticut.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The News

US President-elect Donald Trump made his return to the world stage at the reopening of Paris Notre-Dame Cathedral.

Trump took the opportunity presented by the visit to France and the fall of Syrias Russia-backed government to pressure Moscow to negotiate an end to the Ukraine war, saying Kyiv was ready to make a deal  although the comments drew a cautious response from the Ukrainian side.

Trump also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Frances Emmanuel Macron to discuss a potential resolution.

The president-elect has repeatedly said he would secure peace for Ukraine, even as Kyivs European allies worry he could push an agreement thats more favorable to the Kremlin.
President-elect Donald Trump says he had a telling conversation with Prince William about King Charles and Kate Middleton following a difficult year in which the King and Kate were each diagnosed with cancer.

On Dec. 8, Trump, 78, spoke about his meeting with the Prince of Wales, 42, the day before, recounting the conversation they had at the U.K. Ambassadors Residence in Paris. Trump, William, world leaders and other heads of state convened in the capital of France on Dec. 7 for the ceremonial reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral, which was devastated by fire in April 2019. William represented his father the sovereign at the commemoration, as he continues to elevate his role as a global statesman.

"I asked him about his wife and he said shes doing well. And I asked him about his father and his father is fighting very hard, and he loves his father and he loves his wife, so it was sad," Trump told The New York Post about his one-on-one meeting with Prince William following the ceremony.

Aaron Chown - Pool/Getty Donald Trump and Prince William in the Salon Jaune room at the U.K. Ambassador's Residence in Paris on Dec. 7, 2024. Donald Trump and Prince William in the Salon Jaune room at the U.K. Ambassador's Residence in Paris on Dec. 7, 2024.

Related: Prince William Attends Notre Dame Reopening After Supporting Kate Middleton at Holiday Event

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"We had a great talk for half an hour, a little more than half an hour. We had a great, great talk," the U.S. president-elect said.

Trump also spoke about Prince William's appearance, remarking that he looked well and "very handsome."

"Hes a good looking guy. He looked really, very handsome last night," he told the Post. "Some people look better in person? He looked great. He looked really nice, and I told him that."

"I had a great talk with the prince," Trump said about the time they spent together.

Aaron Chown - Pool/Getty Prince William and Donald Trump at the U.K. Ambassador's Residence in Paris on Dec. 7, 2024. Prince William and Donald Trump at the U.K. Ambassador's Residence in Paris on Dec. 7, 2024.

Related: Inside Kate Middleton's Carol Service, According to an Attendee: 'After a Hard Year, She Put on a Brave Face' (Exclusive)

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As the two men stood in the foyer posing for photos, Trump praised the heir apparent to the British throne, saying, Good man, this one. He is doing a fantastic job.

The British royal family has navigated a year unlike any other (which William has called "brutal"), as it was announced that both King Charles, 76, and Princess Kate, 42, were diagnosed with cancer and began treatment. Buckingham Palace announced the news about the King's health in February, and his treatment is thought to be ongoing. The Princess of Wales shared in March that she was undergoing treatment for cancer, reduced her royal duties to focus on her health and announced in September that she completed chemotherapy.

"I didnt know this year was going to be the year that Ive just had," Princess Kate said in a rare comment about navigating cancer at her Together at Christmas carol service in London on Dec. 6.

Isabel Infantes-WPA Pool/Getty Kate Middleton speaks to Paloma Faith and Olivia Dean at her Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey in London on Dec. 6, 2024. Kate Middleton speaks to Paloma Faith and Olivia Dean at her Together at Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey in London on Dec. 6, 2024.

"The unplanned," said event performer Paloma Faith, who reportedly got Kate on the topic after asking the princess about her health.

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"The unplanned, exactly," the Princess of Wales repeated. "But I think lots of people this year have had such challenging times, and many who are here today."

The royal family came out in full force to support Princess Kate's fourth annualTogether at Christmas at Westminster Abbey on Dec. 6, which marked her most major event since she shared on Sept. 9 that she completed chemo. The Prince and Princess of Wales brought along their kids Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, in what was the children's first public appearance in six months, but King Charles and Queen Camilla weren't among the royal ranks  which was probably for a practical reason.

Aaron Chown - WPA Pool/Getty King Charles and Queen Camilla bid farewell to the Amir of Qatar and his wife Sheika Jawaher as they leave Buckingham Palace after the state visit to the U.K. on Dec. 4, 2024. King Charles and Queen Camilla bid farewell to the Amir of Qatar and his wife Sheika Jawaher as they leave Buckingham Palace after the state visit to the U.K. on Dec. 4, 2024.

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The King and Queen, 77, technically would have overshadowed Princess Kate as the most senior royals at the event, given their place ahead of her in the order of precedence, and Queen Camilla is also recovering from a chest infection.

The Together at Christmas service was a unifying night for the royal family, and Prince William traveled to Paris the following day.





Read the original article on People
Originally appeared on E! Online

Donald Trump has a royal update.

The United States President-elect shared insight from his recent meeting with Prince William at the U.K. Ambassadors Residence in Paris, which included learning how Kate Middleton and King Charles III were doing following their respective cancer battles earlier this year.

"I asked him about his wife and he said shes doing well. And I asked him about his father and his father is fighting very hard, and he loves his father and he loves his wife, Trump told the New York Post Dec. 8 about his one-on-one meeting with William. So it was sad.

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The 78-year-old noted that he spoke with William, 42, for a little more than half an hour, adding, We had a great, great, talk.

Beyond the updates on Charles and Katewith whom William shares Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6Trump also shared his take on how William himself was looking as they attended the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral. After all, the royal has been spotting a bearded look over the last few months.

More from E! Online

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"Hes a good looking guy. He looked really, very handsome last night," the former Apprentice host told the New York Post. "Some people look better in person? He looked great. He looked really nice, and I told him that."

He added, Good man, this one. He is doing a fantastic job.

Oleg Nikishin/Getty Images

Charles, 78, and Kate each announced they were undergoing treatment for cancer earlier this year. In February, the British monarch revealed his diagnosis, after a routine prostate exam. A month later, Kate revealed that she had been diagnosed with cancer. Both Charles and Kate have successfully completed treatment.

Williamwho had stepped in and taken over duties for both Kate and Charles as they stepped out of the public eye for their treatmentsrecently got candid about his familys difficult year.

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It's been dreadful, William told reporters at the end of his visit to Cape Town, South Africa, Nov. 7, per BBC. It's probably been the hardest year in my life.

Trying to get through everything else and keep everything on track has been really difficult, he continued. I'm so proud of my wife, I'm proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. But from a personal family point of view, it's been, yeah, it's been brutal.

Both Kate and Charles have each made gradual returns to the spotlight. Kate and William were joined by their three children for their first outing as a family of five since June, on Dec. 6 for the Princess of Wales fourth annual Christmas carol service.

Keep reading for more royal news from this past year

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Kate Middleton and Prince William Take Their 3 Kids Christmas Caroling

The family of five attended the annual Together At Christmas Carol Service at London's Westminster Abbey on Dec. 6. The holiday outing marked the first time the Prince and Princess of Wales stepped out with their children since the Trooping of the Colour ceremony in June.





Meghan Markle Breaks Silence on Prince Harry Divorce Rumors

The Duchess of Sussex shut down speculation of marital problems, joking during a Dec. 4 event in New York, "We've apparently divorced maybe 10, 12 times." "So, it's just like, 'What?'" continued Meghan, who shares kids Archie Harrison and Lilibet "Lili" Diana with the Duke of Sussex. "It's hard to keep up with, but that's why you just sort of ignore it."





King Charles III and Queen Camilla's Dog Beth Dies

The couple paid tribute to their late Jack Russell terrier on Nov. 18. "A sad farewell to Beth, The Queens much-loved companion from @Battersea Dogs and Cats Home," a message on their official Instagram account read, "who brought such joy, whether on walkies, helping on official duties, or curled up by the fire."

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Queen Camilla Withdraws From Public Engagements Due to Chest Infection

"Her Majesty The Queen is currently unwell with a chest infection, for which her doctors have advised a short period of rest," the Buckingham Palace announced on Nov. 5. "With great regret, Her Majesty has therefore had to withdraw from her engagements for this week, but she very much hopes to be recovered in time to attend this weekend's Remembrance events as normal. She apologises to all those who may be inconvenienced or disappointed as a result." Camilla returned to work on Nov. 12 to host a reception at Clarence House.





Princess Beatrice Is Expecting Baby No. 2

The royal and her husband of four years Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are expecting their second child together, the Royal Family announced Oct. 1. Her Royal Highness Princess Beatrice and Mr Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi are very pleased to announce that they are expecting their second child together early in the new year, the caption of their Instagram post read. His Majesty The King has been informed and both families are delighted with the news.





Kate Middleton Completes Chemotherapy

On Sept. 9, the Princess of Wales shared that she had completed chemotherapy after being diagnose with an unspecified form of cancer earlier this year. "The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you," she said in a video statement. "With humility, it also brings you face to face with your own vulnerabilities in a way you have never considered before, and with that, a new perspective on everything." The royal added, "Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes. I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can."





Kate Middleton's First Formal Appearance Since Cancer Diagnosis

The Princess of Wales returned to the spotlight on June 15three months after sharing her cancer diagnosisfor the Trooping the Colour ceremony in London. She was joined by her husband Prince William and their three kids: Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

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Princess Anne Is Released From Hospital

The Princess Royal was discharged after a five-day stay at Southmead Hospital. Her husband, Tim Laurence, said in a statement June 28, "I would like to extend my warmest thanks to all the team at Southmead Hospital for their care, expertise and kindness during my wifes short stay."





Princess Anne is Hospitalized With Concussion

The younger sister of King Charles III sustained minor injuries during an incident at her estate Gatcombe Park, Buckingham Palace has announced. "Her Royal Highness remains in Southmead Hospital, Bristol, as a precautionary measure for observation and is expected to make a full and swift recovery," the June 24 statement, shared to X, read. "The King has been kept closely informed and joins the whole Royal Family in sending his fondest love and well-wishes to The Princess for a speedy recovery."





Kate Middleton Shares Chemotherapy Update

Nearly three months after sharing her cancer diagnosis, the Princess of Wales said that she's "making good progress" with chemotherapy, though there are "good days and bad days" amid her health journey. "On those bad days you feel weak, tired and you have to give in to your body resting," Kate wrote on Instagram June 14. "But on the good days, when you feel stronger, you want to make the most of feeling well." She added, "My treatment is ongoing and will be for a few more months. On the days I feel well enough, it is a joy to engage with school life, spend personal time on the things that give me energy and positivity, as well as starting to do a little work from home."





New Role for Prince William

On May 13, King Charles III bestowed the title of Colonel-in-Chief of the Army Air Corps to his oldest son, sparking controversy as many royal watchers believed the title would be more suited for Prince Harry, who trained and served in the military branch.

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Kin Charles III Returns to Public Duties

On April 26, nearly three months after sharing his cancer diagnosis, Buckingham Palace announced that Charles will return to public-facing duties.





Queen Camilla Attends Royal Maundy Service

The queen consort attended the Royal Maundy Service on March 28 in place of King Charles III, making her the first spouse of the Monarch to continue the ancient tradition.





Kate Middleton Shares Cancer Diagnosis

In a March 22 video message, the Princess of Wales shared that she'd been diagnosed with cancer after undergoing abdominal surgery in January. "It was thought that my condition was non-cancerous. The surgery was successful," she said before noting that tests after the operation found cancer had been present. "My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment."





Kate Middleton Apologizes for Edited Family Photo Controversy

After photo agencies pulled the picture Kensington Palace shared of Kate since having her abdominal surgery on March 10, the Princess of Wales addressed claims the photo was doctored. "Like many amateur photographers, I do occasionally experiment with editing," she tweeted on March 11. "I wanted to express my apologies for any confusion the family photograph we shared yesterday caused. I hope everyone celebrating had a very happy Mother's Day. C."

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Lady Kitty Spencer Privately Welcomes Baby

Princess Diana's niece celebrated Mother's Day in the U.K. by sharing she and her husband Michael Lewis privately welcomed their first baby. Its the joy of my life to be your mummy, little one. I love you unconditionally," she captioned her March 10 Instagram post. "Happy Mothers Day to those who celebrate today."





Queen Camilla Takes a Break

After keeping up her full slate of engagements in the wake of her husband's cancer diagnosis, the palace cleared Camilla's schedule. The Times pointed out March 2 that the queen consort didn't have any engagements on her calendar until March 11, when she'd be due at Westminster Abbey to observe Commonwealth Day.





Thomas Kensington Dies at 45

The husband of Lady Gabriella Windsor and ex-boyfriend of Pippa Middleton, was found dead Feb. 25. Days later, a coroner's inquest found that he died by suicide.





King Charles Diagnosed With Cancer

While King Charles III was in the hospital for his benign prostate enlargement procedure, the royal family member was diagnosed with cancer. "His Majesty has today commenced a schedule of regular treatments, during which time he has been advised by doctors to postpone public-facing duties," Buckingham Palace said Feb. 5. "Throughout this period, His Majesty will continue to undertake State business and official paperwork as usual.The King is grateful to his medical team for their swift intervention, which was made possible thanks to his recent hospital procedure. He remains wholly positive about his treatment and looks forward to returning to full public duty as soon as possible."

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Sarah Ferguson Is Diagnosed With a Second Type of Cancer

The Duchess of York's rep said in a statement on Jan. 21 that Sarah was recently diagnosed with malignant melanoma, an aggressive form of skin cancer. Several months prior, she underwent a single mastectomy to treat breast cancer.





Queen Margrethe II of Denmark Abdicates the Throne

On Jan. 14, Queen Margrethe II of Denmark made history as she officially abdicated the throne, handing the crown over to her son, now known as King Frederik the 10th.





King Charles III Undergoing Treatment

Shortly after Kate's hospitalization was made public, Buckingham Palace shared that Charles "has sought treatment for an enlarged prostate." "His Majesty's condition is benign and he will attend hospital next week for a corrective procedure," the statement added. "The Kings public engagements will be postponed for a short period of recuperation."





Prince William Adjusting His Schedule

Amid Kate's recovery, Prince William postponed a number of engagements as he supported his family, including the couple's three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.





Kate Middleton Is Hospitalized

Kensington Palace announced on Jan. 17 that the Princess of Wales underwent planned abdominal surgery and was set to remain in the hospital for 10 to 14 days. "Based on the current medical advice," the Palace said, "she is unlikely to return to public duties until after Easter."




Since King Charles announced he had an undisclosed form of cancer in February, Buckingham Palace has given very few updates on his health. However, now some insight has emerged in an unusual way after President-elect Donald Trump spoke to media following his meeting with Prince William.

I had a great talk with the Prince, the President-elect told the New York Post about his 40-minute meeting with the Prince of Wales in Paris over the weekend. I asked him about his wife and he said shes doing well. And I asked him about his father and his father is fighting very hard, and he loves his father and he loves his wife, so it was sad.

Kensington Palace did not comment today when asked about the Princes words. Unlike Kate Middleton, who announced in September that she had finished a course of chemotherapy, King Charles has not given any details on his treatment. Aside from the announcement in February that he had been diagnosed with cancer, any information about his illness or recovery from Buckingham Palace has been given only in the context of updates on his working schedule.

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Despite his diagnosis and treatment, the King has had a busy program this year. He traveled to Normandy in June for the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Landings and visited Australia and Samoa on October. When that trip came to an end, aides told reporters that they were working on a pretty normal looking full overseas tour programme for next year.

Donald Trump also praised Williams appearance following their meeting. Hes a good looking guy. He looked really, very handsome last night, Trump told the New York Post.

Some people look better in person? He looked great. He looked really nice, and I told him that.

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President-elect Donald Trumps surgeon general nominee was involved in a tragic gun accident as a teenager that killed her father.

At age 13, Dr. Janette Nesheiwat  who was announced as Trumps pick to become the "nations doctor" in November  accidentally knocked a handgun off a shelf, fatally shooting her father, The New York Times reported.

According to a police report obtained by the outlet, the tragic incident occurred in February 1990 in the town of Umatilla, Fla., where Nesheiwat, now 48, lived with her family at the time.

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Nesheiwat told police in the report she entered her fathers bedroom while he was sleeping to try to find scissors. She said she opened a fishing tackle box on a shelf above the bed but ultimately pushed it over, leading a .380 caliber handgun inside to discharge and shoot her father in the head.

There was a loud noise. I saw blood on my fathers ear, she recalled to police at the time, per the Times. Police categorized the incident as an accidental shooting, according to the outlet.

Related: Biden's U.S. Surgeon General Declares Gun Violence an 'Urgent Public Health Crisis,' Citing Alarming Statistics

Ryan Liu/Getty Nesheiwat pictured in New York City in May 2016 Nesheiwat pictured in New York City in May 2016

The physician writes in the first sentence of her memoir, Beyond the Stethoscope: Miracles in Medicine, that the traumatic childhood accident led Nesheiwat down her current career path.

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When I was 13 years old, I helplessly watched my dear father dying from an accident as blood was spurting everywhere. I couldnt save his life, she writes in the book, according to the Times. This was the start of my personal journey in life to become a physician and enter the world of healing arts.

Nesheiwat does not mention any other details about how her father died in the book.

Related: Donald Trump's Final Cabinet Picks: Everyone He Tapped to Join His Administration

Dennis Van Tine/STAR MAX/AP Trump announced Dr. Nesheiwat as his surgeon general pick in November

Trump, 78, announced Nesheiwat as his pick for surgeon general on Nov. 22.

Nesheiwat has worked as an urgent-care doctor in New York City for 15 years and joined Fox News as a medical contributor during COVID-19. She is also a member of Samaritans Purse Disaster Assistance, Relief Team.

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.



If her nomination is confirmed, Nesheiwat will replace current surgeon general Dr. Vivek Murthy after Trump begins his second term as president in January.

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Earlier in the year, Murthy declared deaths by firearm as an "urgent public health crisis." He released a firearm violence advisory highlighting the issue in July.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Surgeon General Vivek Murthy speaks during a hearing with the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee in June 2023 Surgeon General Vivek Murthy speaks during a hearing with the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions committee in June 2023

A spokesman for Trumps transition team, Brian Hughes, said in a statement to NYT, As [Nesheiwat] says in her book, she became a physician because of her dads tragic accidental death. She became a physician to save lives, and that dedication to the lives of her fellow Americans is why President Trump nominated Dr. Nesheiwat to be our next surgeon general.

She and her family miss their father, and hope hes proud of them.



PEOPLE has reached out to Nesheiwat's representatives for further comment.

Read the original article on People
As an international student at USC who had not been home for a year, Kevin Lu was excited to return over winter break to see his parents in the Chinese city of Shenzhen.

But with President-elect Donald Trump's Jan. 20 inauguration approaching, he changed his mind, choosing to remain in Los Angeles.

"It's too risky," said Lu, a senior majoring in finance. Lu cited Trump's hawkish stance on China, restrictions during his first term on Chinese student visas for scholars because they were a security "threat" and promises to sign another travel ban like the one nearly eight years ago that left many visa-holding students stranded at airports.

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"You don't know what's next," Lu said.

Read more: California retains No. 1 ranking for international student enrollment as concerns grow over Trump

At USC, where more than a quarter of its 47,000 students are internationals, many are scrambling  with some changing their travel plans at the last-minute and others rethinking post-graduation work searches in the U.S.  ahead of an incoming administration that has sent mixed signals on its interest in foreign students and workers.

The university is warning foreigners to follow in Lu's footsteps by skipping or cutting short travel outside the U.S. after finals end next week.

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"A new presidential administration will take office on January 20, 2025, and  as is common  may issue one or more executive orders impacting travel to the U.S. and visa processing. While there's no certainty such orders will be issued, the safest way to avoid any challenges is to be physically present in the U.S. before the spring semester begins on January 13, 2025," said a letter the USC Office of International Services sent this month.

Demonstrators rally at the Edward J. Schwartz Federal Building in San Diego in June 2018 against then-President Trump's travel ban. (Hayne Palmour IV/San Diego Union-Tribune)

During his first term, Trump's travel restrictions affected several Muslim-majority nations, Iran and Iraq among them. The Supreme Court ruled the bans were legal. Outside the courtroom, immigration experts said the bans were based on limited and at times misleading data about security vetting of U.S. visitors, immigrants and refugees.

Read more: Supreme Court upholds Trump's travel ban, bolstering president's power to block new arrivals

This time, he has said he will institute another travel and refugee ban on "Gaza, Syria, Somalia, Yemen or Libya or anywhere else that threatens our security."

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He said he continues to view China as an economic and security rival and will mandate tariffs on imports. At the same time, his campaign included promises to "automatically" give green cards, which is permanent residency, to foreigners who graduate from U.S. universities  but said the group would be limited after vetting to keep only the "most skilled graduates."

USC is not the alone in issuing its advisory. The University of Massachusetts Amhersts Office of Global Affairs recently put out a similar message that "out of an abundance of caution," international students should return to the country before the inauguration. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Wesleyan University also released such a notice.

Pragya Bhatt, a USC sophomore from Bangalore, India, said the university advisory brought into sharper focus concerns she was already feeling after the election.

"I am not as worried immediately about my own situation because I have a valid visa, am visiting home during the break and already had a ticket to be back here by January 13," said Bhatt, who studies communications and cognitive science. "But it really makes me wonder how friendly the U.S. is overall to people like me. I still have time before I graduate but I am wondering if I should even consider trying to stay in America afterwards."

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Read more: How Trump's win could reshape UC research, LGBTQ+ rights and student loan forgiveness

Niels W. Frenzen, a USC Gould School of Law professor and co-director of the school's immigration clinic, said he has seen a rapid increase in questions from students over what the upcoming Trump term means for their immigration status.

"We have been doing know-your-rights sessions and lots of students have come in for individual sessions just to check in even if their paperwork is all in order," said Frenzen, whose clinic recently hosted a workshop on immigration hurdles ahead of White House changes. The initial travel ban focused on Muslim-majority nations, but the revised version of it upheld by the Supreme Court included two additional countries, Venezuela and North Korea.

"It's not just people who are international students, who are less likely to face issues but certainly did during the early part of the first Trump presidency during the Muslim ban," Frenzen said. Concerns are also growing from "students who are undocumented, who come from mixed [immigration] status families or who are 'DACA-mented,'" Frenzen said, referring to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program that allows those who came to the U.S. as children without legal authorization to legally stay and work in the country.

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Jihwan Lee, a USC student from South Korea, said the concern among internationals he knows depends on their home country's relationship to the U.S.

"I personally do not have any direct concern for any potential travel restrictions.... I am staying here during the break anyway, and even if I left the U.S., I do believe South Korean citizens would not be affected by such travel restrictions," said Lee, who is pursuing a doctorate. South Korea is a strong U.S. ally.

"I do not think there will be such travel restrictions or visa problems for European Union citizens or pro-U.S. East Asian countries, for example," Lee said.

Read more: DACA recipients worry their protection from deportation won't last another Trump term

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Annabelle Layt, a USC senior from Australia, also said she was less concerned because of her background.

"I'm in my fourth year, so in terms of the visa and documents needed for entering and exiting the country I know the drill," said Layt, a business major. She said she had decided months ago to skip a winter break trip home, near Brisbane, to save money.

"But it's really hard to know what will happen. Will Trump be better or worse for international students?"

Some USC students and professors interviewed said they did not expect major changes or were not hearing student concerns.

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"My group is nearly 100% international and we have always been affected by visa issues," said Anna Krylov, a USC chemistry professor whose teachers many international students. "For example, two graduate students who joined my group this year lost a full year of studies because it took them more than a year to get their student visa."

A longtime professor, she said she's seen similar stories over the decade under Presidents Biden, Trump and Obama.

"In other instances, I had my students and postdocs stranded abroad, waiting for a visa renewal, for weeks and sometimes months," Krylov said. "Our classes start on Jan. 13, so I expect everyone to be back before that date."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  A San Angelo man is behind bars after allegedly shooting a vehicle three times following a fight in the afternoon hours of Dec. 3.

Mugshot: Alfredo Chavez 12-8-2024 courtesy Tom Green County Sheriffs Office

Alfredo Chavez, 21, was arrested on Dec. 8 and charged with aggravated assault of a deadly weapon.

San Angelo police officers began their investigation after being dispatched to the Shell Station at the 700 Blk of N. Main St.

It is reported in court records that a fight broke out between several parties in the parking lot of the station at 4:28 p.m. After the fight was over against the victims nephew, five people who assaulted the individual, including Chavez, left in two separate cars  A white car and a brown car.

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Video surveillance showed a man who was identified as Chavez getting into the drivers seat of the white car.

Texas police officer shot and killed during late night traffic stop

While officers were en route to the scene, a call for a drive-by shooting at the intersection of N. Magdalen Street and E. 10th Street was made, just four minutes after the fight reportedly began.

Court records state that during the shooting, the victims car had been shot at three times. Officers found three spent 40 caliber cartridge casings at the scene.

Investigators spoke with the victim who informed officers he was inside the store when the fight involving his nephew had started. When he left the store, the defendant, Chavez, and the other individuals had left the parking lot in a brown car and a white car. After the victim left the Shell Station, he told investigators he had noticed the brown car behind him which was followed by the same white car that Chavez had allegedly driven.

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The victim told officers that he made several turns to see if the vehicles were following him. After slamming on his brakes to come to a stop, the brown car reportedly swerved out of the way. The victim heard his nephew say there was a gun.

Court records state that the victim then looked in the drivers side mirror and observed an arm extending from the open drivers window of the white vehicle holding a firearm.

A warrant for the arrest of Chavez was issued on Dec. 4.

Chavez was booked into the Tom Green County Detention Center and was also charged with possession of marijuana less than two ounces and no signal of intention of turn. His bond is set at $101,420.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
AI offers unparalleled opportunities for China-ASEAN cooperation: Cambodian deputy PM

Xinhua) 14:02, December 09, 2024

PHNOM PENH, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Artificial Intelligence (AI) has offered greater opportunities for cooperation between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Cambodian Permanent Deputy Prime Minister and Cabinet Minister Vongsey Vissoth said here on Monday.

In his opening remarks at the Symposium on "China-ASEAN Cooperation on AI Development and Governance" in Phnom Penh, Vissoth said the emphasis of China's Global AI Governance Initiative and responsible AI development aligned with ASEAN's vision for multilateral collaboration, which emphasized on a shared commitment to coordinated efforts that bridged regional and global aspirations.

"Therefore, for ASEAN nations and China, AI offers unparalleled opportunities to leapfrog developmental barriers, tackle persistent challenges, and usher in a new age of prosperity, inclusiveness, and sustainability," he said.

Vissoth said from modernizing agriculture to enhancing healthcare and revolutionizing governance, AI was not merely a tool but a bridge to realizing collective aspirations.

He said the synergy between ASEAN's collective regional efforts and China's Global AI Governance Initiative had the potential to create a robust platform for driving innovation and fostering inclusive policies, offering valuable insights and solutions that would resonate across the region and ensured the positive benefits of AI for the people.

He said that to tap into the benefits of AI for more inclusive and sustainable growth, China and ASEAN have advanced their cooperation in digital transformation by focusing on efforts to build a sustainable and inclusive digital ecosystem with concrete measures in the recent 27th ASEAN-China Summit in Vientiane, Laos.

"Based on China and ASEAN long shared partnership in this respect, I have no doubt that we have the capacity to shape AI policies and frameworks that can ensure ethical practices, data security, and fairness and leverage AI for regional resilience and prosperity," he added.

Vissoth said the future of AI lies not just in the algorithms but in the values and vision embedded within them. "Together, we can shape an AI-powered future that uplifts societies, strengthens economies, and fosters mutual understanding and especially reflects our shared aspirations: a future of fairness, resilience, and prosperity."

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Co-organized by the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of Cambodia and the China Institute of International Studies, the half-day symposium was attended by some 300 people.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
On the morning of December 9, all border crossing operations were suspended on the border of Ukraine and Moldova. The reason was a technical malfunction in the Moldovan customs database. As a result, the clearance of both people and vehicles was suspended. However, by 16:45 the problem was fixed and the border crossing resumed.

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This was reported by the State Customs Service of Ukraine. "Crossing operations on the border with Moldova have been fully restored. The clearance of citizens and vehicles is carried out in the normal mode after the technical malfunction of the database of the Customs Service of the Republic of Moldova has been eliminated," the statement said.

Earlier, the State Border Guard Service reported that all operations at the checkpoints had been suspended. They immediately warned that the problem was temporary.

Technical problems affected checkpoints in all three regions of Ukraine bordering Moldova. These are:

Chernivtsi;

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Odesa;

Vinnytsia.

"At the checkpoints on the border with Moldova, within the Chernivtsi, Odesa, and Vinnytsia regions, the registration of persons and vehicles has been temporarily suspended due to technical malfunctions of the Moldovan customs database. Please take this information into account when planning your trips in this direction," the statement said.

Ukrainians face difficulties crossing the border with the EU country

Earlier, on the border with Romania, the "Solotvyno  Sighetu-Marmatiei" checkpoint will partially suspend vehicle traffic. The reason is the emergency condition of the bridge structure over the Tisa River and the repair work on it. According to the State Border Guard Service:

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Vehicle traffic will be suspended from Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 15:30.

It is expected that the checkpoint will operate in this mode for 35 days, starting November 22.

Pedestrian traffic at the checkpoint will not stop.

"Solotvyno  Sighetu-Marmatiei" checkpoint will partially suspend vehicle traffic. According to the Romanian side, due to the emergency state of the bridge structure across the Tisza River and to carry out work on its restoration, vehicle traffic will be suspended from 09:00 to 15:30, from Monday to Friday," the statement said.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, at the same time, Polish farmers who blocked the border with Ukraine at the "Medyka  Shehyni" checkpoint have suspended their protest until December 10. By that time, they hope to receive a response to their demands from the local Minister of Agriculture, in particular, regarding opposition to the free trade agreement between the EU and South America. If the answer is deemed unsatisfactory, the organizers of the blockade threaten not only to resume it but also to scale it up.

You can find only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
A suspect fleeing a police traffic stop in St. Paul Sunday evening crashed into a parked car, killing its driver.

The Minnesota State Patrol says a trooper attempted to stop a driver for speeding near Interstate 94 and Marion Street in St. Paul, but after coming to a brief stop, the driver fled.

A state patrol helicopter located the fleeing driver and followed his car. The suspect then crashed into an occupied vehicle in a parking lot at Larpenteur Avenue and Arcade Street. The lone occupant in the parked car died as a result of the crash.

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The suspect, a 28-year-old man from Minneapolis, tried to flee on foot but was arrested by a Ramsey County deputy.

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According to the Minnesota State Patrol, "a taser was used to assist law enforcement in the apprehension of the fleeing driver."

The suspect has been booked into the Ramsey County Jail pending formal charges.

No details have been released about the victim 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.

Related: Man dies after car rolls over, strikes tree in Kanabec County
DENVER (KDVR)  The Jefferson County Sheriffs Office is asking people to correctly dispose of fishing lines and hooks after authorities waded through cold waters to rescue a tangled young bird.

According to the Jefferson County Sheriffs Office, animal control responded to a call about a duck trapped in a fishing line about 20 yards offshore at Crown Hill Lake.

At first, the crew tried to reach the duck by putting on waders and hopping into the water, but after getting chest-deep, they still couldnt reach the duck, even with a long net.

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These Colorado areas will see the most snow on Monday

The West Metro Fire Rescue then assisted by suiting up in dry suits. One of the crew members swam out to the duck, while others held a rope offshore to keep hold of the rescuer. The sheriffs office posted about the rescue on X, which shows snow falling as a crew member swims into the water to catch the duck.

Here are a few photos from the rescue:

Duck tangled in fishing line rescued (Courtesy of Jefferson County Sheriffs Office) Duck tangled in fishing line rescued (Courtesy of Jefferson County Sheriffs Office) Duck tangled in fishing line rescued (Courtesy of Jefferson County Sheriffs Office) Duck tangled in fishing line rescued (Courtesy of Jefferson County Sheriffs Office)

West Metro was able to catch the duck and cut the fishing line off. After the duck was onshore, the sheriffs office said the bird, identified as a male Goldeneye in its first winter, had a lure embedded near its shoulder.

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Woman rushes in to save family dog during Aurora house fire

Always properly dispose of fishing lines and hooks to help protect wildlife. Your small actions can save lives! the sheriffs office said in a post on X.

The sheriffs office said the duck was taken to Greenwood Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for treatment.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
DUGGER, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV)  UPDATE: As of 10:25 a.m., the Duke Energy outage map shows power has been restored to customers in the Dugger area.

UPDATE: As of 9:40 a.m., Duke Energy reports a little more than 200 outages in the Dugger area. Thats down from 1,000 outages less than an hour ago.

Original Story: Schools in Dugger are dismissing early Monday due to a widespread power outage.

In a statement on Facebook, the school corporation said, ATTENTION PARENTS- students will be dismissed at 10am our power is out as the phones. We are sorry for the inconvenience. High school check Google classroom, elementary will bring home paperwork.

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At 9:15 a.m., Duke Energys outage map showed nearly 1,000 customers without power in that area. We do not yet know the cause of the outage.

Stay with mywabashvalley.com for the latest 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 MyWabashValley.com.
The death toll from an explosion and fire that destroyed an apartment block in The Netherlands climbed to six on Monday, officials said, revealing that a teenage girl was among the victims.

Rescue workers pulled a sixth body from the rubble in the early hours of Monday in The Hague, with fears they could discover more victims of the blast that took place at dawn on Saturday.

"At around 02:30 a.m., a sixth body was found and recovered from the cellar of the collapsed building," the local fire service said.

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"The search for possible victims in the basement of the collapsed building is still ongoing, with a USAR dog still being deployed," the service later said.

Emergency personnel work at the scene of an explosion in a residential area in The Hague, Netherlands, December 7, 2024. / Credit: Yves Herman / REUTERS

Police identified four of the dead as two men aged 45 and 31, a 41-year-old woman, and a 17-year-old girl. Four other people are in hospital, two in a serious condition.

Authorities do not know how many people were in the building at the time of the blast, so it remains unclear how many bodies could still potentially be found in the debris.

The fire was so intense that identification has only been possible via DNA tests, further complicating the process.

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Police are still uncertain as to what caused the explosion but the head of the public prosecutor's office told reporters on Sunday there were unspecified indications it was a criminal act.

They are especially keen to speak to the driver of a car seen speeding away from the scene at 6:15 a.m. on Saturday.

A detailed hunt for clues as to what caused the explosion can only begin when the search through the debris for victims is complete, authorities have said.

Dutch authorities deployed a specialized urban search and rescue team to the scene, with four dogs trained to find victims. The team was previously used during the devastating earthquake in Turkey in 2023.

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Soon after the explosion, a line of ambulances could be seen waiting nearby in anticipation of more victims. The spokesperson for the local hospital said that they were on standby to deal with injuries.

The mayor called it "an extremely heavy day."

"I had expected a different Saturday, van Zanen told a news conference.

Prime Minister Dick Schoof said in a statement he was shocked by the images of the disaster. "My thoughts go out to the victims, all other people involved and the emergency services who are now working on the scene," he said.

The Dutch royal family expressed similar sentiments. "Our thoughts are with those affected in The Hague after the explosion and fire this morning, including those "who are afraid of the fate of their loved ones," King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima said in a statement.

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The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Dutch King Willem-Alexander and his wife Maxima visited the scene of the deadly blasts at an apartment block in The Hague on Monday, two days after the disaster struck.

The king said he was shocked by the extent of the devastation in the residential area. "My knees are shaking," he told reporters at the end of the visit.

The king and queen expressed their condolences to victims and relatives during a meeting with them at a neighbourhood centre.

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There were two explosions at the three-storey apartment building on Saturday morning.

Six people are known to have died, with four of the fatalities identified. The police say they were two men aged 45 and 31, a 41-year-old woman and a 17-year-old girl.

Four people were injured and taken to hospitals.

It is unclear whether any other people are still missing, but the emergency services say the search will continue until it was certain that no one was left under the debris.

The investigation into the cause of the explosion is continuing. According to the public prosecutor, there are indications of a criminal background. However, other causes are not excluded.

The driver of a car that drove away from the scene at high speed shortly after the explosion is still being sought.
Duval County Public Schools Superintendent Christopher Bernier has scheduled a series of town hall meetings to meet with families to discuss the future of the district.

These events are an opportunity to hear about the current state of the district and its future, a post on the districts Facebook page states. Dr. Bernier will also facilitate a discussion to gather your input on whats working well and areas for improvement.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

The meetings, which are open to the public, will start Tuesday from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Twin Lakes Academy Middle School, 8050 Point Meadows Dr, Jacksonville.

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Future meetings will be held from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the following locations:

Dec. 17: Alfred I. duPont Middle School, 2710 Dupont Ave, Jacksonville.

Jan. 14: Kernan Middle School, 2271 Kernan Blvd S, Jacksonville.

Jan. 16: Highlands Middle School , 10913 Pine Estates Road E, Jacksonville

Jan. 21: Chaffee Trail Middle School, 11770 Sam Caruso Way, Jacksonville.

Jan. 23: Arlington Middle School, 8141 Lone Star Rd, Jacksonville.

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NEW YORK (PIX11)  One department in New York City government will not only pay for your training but will help you find employment after your contract is up.

The New York City Parks Department is looking to hire a worker for its Parks Opportunity Program. Youll learn about the general maintenance of the citys parks, playgrounds and other public green spaces.

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A POP employee will work with the Parks Department for six months. The salary rate is $18.54 an hour and youll have the opportunity to work 40 hours a week.

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There arent any formal education or work experience requirements. You may need to work early in the morning, late at night or on weekends and you must be able to work outside in all kinds of weather.

Remote jobs in NYC: Major companies let you work from home

The Parks Department will train you and help you earn credentials like a GED, a drivers license and other certifications. It also gives career counseling.

To find out how to apply for the position, click here.

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.

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Much of Earth's lands are drying out and damaging the ability of plant and animal life to survive, according to a United Nations report released Monday at talks where countries are working to address the problem.

The report was released at the U.N. summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on combating desertification  once-fertile lands turning into deserts because of hotter temperatures from human-caused climate change, lack of water and deforestation. It found that more than three-quarters of the world's land experienced drier conditions from 1970 to 2020 than the previous thirty-year period.

The drier climates now affecting vast lands across the globe will not return to how they were," said Ibrahim Thiaw, chief of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, which is facilitating the Riyadh talks. This change is redefining life on Earth.

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At the talks, which started last week and are set to end on Friday, nations are discussing how better they can help the world deal with droughts  a more urgent lack of water over shorter periods  and the more permanent problem of degrading land.

Earth's drying comes with devastating effects

If global warming trends continue, nearly five billion people  including in most of Europe, parts of the western U.S., Brazil, eastern Asia and central Africa  will be affected by the drying by the end of the century, up from a quarter of the world's population today, the report warned.

UNCCD's chief scientist Barron Orr warned drier land could lead to potentially catastrophic impacts affecting access to water that could push people and nature even closer to disastrous tipping points, where humans are no longer able to reverse damaging effects of climate change.

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Sergio Vicente-Serrano, one of the lead authors of the report, said that as the atmosphere heats up because the burning of coal, oil and gas spews planet-warming emissions, it leads to more evaporation on the ground. That makes water less available for humans, plants and animals, making it harder to survive.

Farming is particularly at risk, with drier land being less productive and hurting both yields and the availability of food for livestock, the report said. That can lead to food insecurity for communities worldwide.

Aridity also leads to more migration, because erratic rainfall, degrading land and frequent water shortages make it harder for regions or nations to develop economically, the report said. It said the trend is especially noticeable in some of the world's driest areas such as southern Europe, the Middle East and North Africa and southern Asia.

Addressing the problem at UN talks  slowly

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Negotiators in Riyadh are mainly discussing how best the world can respond to more frequent and damaging droughts.

Jes Weigelt, of European climate thinktank TMG, said it's still a sticking point because countries can't agree on whether rich nations should be forking out funds for drought responses around the world.

Any money pledged would go toward better forecasting and monitoring systems as well as creating reservoirs and other structures that can provide access to water even during prolonged dry spells.

The big contentious issue is do we do this (drought response) through a binding U.N.-level protocol or are there other options that we should explore, Weigelt said. A binding protocol would mean that among other obligations, developed countries might be asked to provide funding.

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Thiaw, the UNCCD chief, said that hosts Saudi Arabia pledging $2.15 billion from various countries and international banks for drought resilience has set the right tone for the meetings. And the Arab Coordination Group  10 development banks based in the Middle East  committed $10 billion by 2030 to address degrading land, desertification and drought.

The funds are expected to support 80 of the most vulnerable countries prepare for worsening drought conditions.

But the U.N. estimates that between 2007 and 2017, droughts cost $125 billion worldwide.

As hosts, our primary objective is to help facilitate the critical discussions taking place," said Osama Faqeeha, Saudi Arabias deputy environment minister and an advisor to the talks' presidency. These crises know no borders."

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Lasting solutions for an arid world

While drought can be very damaging, Thiaw wrote in Monday's report, recovery is possible. But he called the drying of land an unrelenting menace that requires lasting adaptation measures."

Longer lasting solutions  such as the curbing of climate change  are not much of a talking point at the Riyadh summit. Hosts Saudi Arabia have long been criticized by some other nations and climate analysts for stalling progress on curbing emissions from fossil fuels at other negotiations.

The U.N.'s report recommends that countries improve their land use practices and are more efficient at using water. That includes rolling out measures like growing crops that need less water and irrigation methods that are more efficient  like drip irrigation, which feeds water to plants slowly to minimize evaporation  on a much larger scale.

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It also suggests better monitoring so that communities can plan ahead, and large-scale reforestation projects to protect the earth and its moisture.

Andrea Toreti, one of the reports lead authors, said addressing the issue  just like tackling climate change or biodiversity loss  will need countries to work better together.

It requires coordinated international action and an unwavering commitment, he said. ___

Follow Sibi Arasu on X at @sibi123

___

The Associated Press climate and environmental 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.
Retailers and brands are starting to worry again over the possibility of another port strike on the East and Gulf Coasts.

On Friday, the National Retail Federation (NRF) led a coalition of 267 trade associations urging the International Longshoremens Association (ILA) and the United States Maritime Alliance (USMX) to return to the negotiating table and agree to a new deal before their contract expires Jan. 15.

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The ILA walked off the job at ports from Maine to Texas on Oct. 1 after failing to come to terms on a contract with the USMX, but agreed to go back to work after three days of strike action. The union suspended the strike when it negotiated a 61.5 percent pay increase for dockworkers spread over six years. In the wake of the work stoppage, container backlog took days to alleviate at ports like New York and New Jersey, Savannah and Charleston.

The additional costs from mitigation efforts as well as post-strike resumption are still being felt, the NRF-led letter to ILA president Harold Daggett and USMX chairman and CEO David Adam wrote. Companies have continued to implement mitigation strategies because of the ongoing threat of another strike in mid-January if a new contract is not achieved.

Jon Gold, NRFs vice president for supply chain and customs policy, has already said that retailers are pulling forward more goods into the U.S. ahead of the possible second strike and potential new tariffs expected to be implemented by President-elect Donald Trump.

Co-signees of the letter included the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), the Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, as well as representatives of other industries across manufacturing, farming and agriculture, restaurants, distribution, transportation and logistics. The AAFA already wrote its own letter to Daggett and Adam in November calling on both parties to start negotiating again.

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The fact that a strike has already taken place is a clear sign of the disparity between the ILA and USMXa gap that wasnt felt on nearly the same level on the West Coast in 2023, when dockworkers at the International Longshore and Warehouse Union worked for months without a new contract before agreeing to a new six-year deal with their employers, the Pacific Maritime Association.

While the ILAs tentative agreement has already been put in place for wages, the use of automation at the East and Gulf Coast ports led the union to break off contract talks again.

The union is seeking a total ban on technologies like semi-automated rail-mounted gantry cranes (RMGs), which the ILA contends are fully automated for 95 percent of the work they perform. The USMX insists that they have not sought to cut union jobs, and that the RMGs can help bring in and handle more cargoand therefore more money for more workers.

Agreements can usually be reached regarding protections for the existing workforceand, even, some degree of growth in workforce while allowing for the introduction or advancement of technology, said Dr. Tom Goldsby, professor and Haslam Chair of Logistics at the University of Tennessee. The unions hardline approach is getting in the way of that, it seems.

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The NRF-led letter acknowledged the disparity between the ILA and the USMX, but appeared to support the maritime alliances advances to better automate the ports.

It is critical that our ports and terminals have the ability to modernize their systems and processes in order to remain globally competitive and be able to handle the continuing rise of trade volumes, both imports and exports, through our ports, the letter said. Modernization can only happen through true partnership between labor and management, as well as the other supply chain stakeholders that rely on these ports. Modernization efforts will benefit all parties and are essential to address current and future throughput issues.

While the October strike took place in the weeks ahead of the 2024 presidential election, with President Joe Biden pledging not to intervene, the return of Trump to the Oval Office in January brings an added element of uncertainty to how the labor negotiations will play out.

The Trump administration could face a walkout that is approaching a week old by the time they assume their roles. If that were to be the case, U.S. industry would view it as a test case for the administrations position on labor-management relations, Goldsby told Sourcing Journal. Given the criticality of keeping the economy steaming along, I would expect the administration toward resolution, but I could be very wrong about that. I could also anticipate some intense overtures by the Biden administration to resolve the dispute before inauguration day.

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The ILA has backed Trumps Labor Secretary appointee, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who co-sponsored multiple pieces of pro-union legislation in her one year as a House representative.

If a strike were to occur after the Jan. 15 negotiation deadline and last into Trumps inauguration five days later, Chavez-DeRemer would be thrust into the negotiations on the first day of her term.
The News

Ghanas former president is set to return to power after defeating the ruling party candidate in national elections.

The outgoing vice president conceded the loss Sunday following a vote that, like many global elections this year, was defined by citizens anger over the handling of the economy.

The country is mired in its worst cost-of-living crisis in decades, triggered by a 2022 default on its $30 billion sovereign debt.

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A surge in illegal mining and gold smuggling is also eroding the West African nations economy, Semafor Africas Alexis Akwagyiram wrote.

But theres little incentive for the next government to crack down, because it funds political machines and enriches traditional rulers.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on the leader of the Christian Democratic Union of Germany (CDU) Friedrich Merz to increase support for Ukraine in the war against Russia. In a conversation with the CDU leader, the Head of State raised the topic of inviting Ukraine to NATO and providing long-range missiles.

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This was reported by AFP. Zelenskyy's meeting with Merz took place in Kyiv on Monday, December 9.

Friedrich Merz may replace Olaf Scholz as German Chancellor after the February 2025 elections. The President of Ukraine addressed him as a possible head of the government.

"We are counting on stronger, more decisive actions from Germany, from you personally. We are counting on it," Zelenskyy emphasized.

For his part, Merz confirmed his readiness to provide Ukraine with German long-range Taurus missiles if he comes to power in Germany. He emphasized that his position on this remains unchanged.

"President Zelenskyy knows our position on Taurus missiles... As of today, in early December 2024, it has not changed," the politician said.

He criticized Scholz's policy, which, in his opinion, forces Ukraine to fight with its hands tied.

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"Our position is clear, as is the position of our parliamentary faction. We want your army to be able to hit military bases in Russia. Not civilians, not infrastructure, but military targets from which your country is being attacked," Merz said.

The CDU leader also noted that the end of the war is possible only if Ukraine can effectively defend itself, emphasizing: "Putin will only negotiate when he realizes that Ukraine is strong."

During the meeting, Zelenskyy also said that he plans to call US President Joe Biden in the near future to discuss inviting Ukraine to join NATO.

"Because he is now the current president of the United States, and a lot depends on his position," the head of state explained.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, during his visit to Kyiv, Friedrich Merz proposed to create a contact group to form a common position on ending the war in Ukraine. According to the politician, it should include four NATO countries: Germany, France, Poland, and the United Kingdom.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
A person holds a sign that reads Mass Deportation Now on the third day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 17, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by Leon Neal, Getty Images.)

In a recent survey, a majority of Ohio economists said that mass deportations would harm the states economy.

President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to round up and deport millions of undocumented immigrants. But some experts have said that the expense, legality and politics of such a move will place some guardrails on what hes able to do.

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And with migrants playing such an important role in the economy, critics say removing them would be calamitous. CNBC on Monday reported that a massive roundup would take an estimated $1.1 trillion to $1.7 trillion out of the U.S. economy.

In Ohio, the group Policy Matters on Monday reported that the states 580,000 immigrants contribute $53 billion in annual economic output. And the states economists seem mostly to agree that removing a big chunk of them will cost the state on balance.

Scioto Analysis last week published a survey of 20 economists asking about the effect of mass deportations. When asked if the move would significantly reduce the states economic output, 14 said yes, three said no and three were uncertain.

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Among those who agreed that fewer immigrant workers would reduce output was Will Georgic of Ohio Wesleyan University. But he said how much of a loss will depend on the scale of the deportations.

While it is hard to know whether the reduction in state GDP will be significant, and this will largely depend on the scale of the deportations, the effect will be unambiguously negative, he said in the comment section of the survey. Deportations represent negative supply shocks as well as negative demand shocks, both suggesting a decrease in real output.

Among the economists saying that mass deportations wont significantly harm state GDP was David Brasington of the University of Cincinnati, who said the undocumented dont make up a big enough share of the state workforce to have much of an impact.

Not so many workers, and the jobs they have produce lower-value goods, he said.

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Rachel Wilson of Wittenberg University said that the economic harm from a mass deportation would be multifaceted.

Not only will it be reduced by immigrants production but because of their missing demand, she said. Immigrants do not come and work in a vacuum. They spend the money they make creating additional demand for goods and services. They often have a high marginal propensity to consume from each dollar they earn.

The economists were also asked if they thought a mass deportation would reduce the burden on Ohios social safety net. Fifteen disagreed, two agreed and three were uncertain.

Jonathan Andreas echoed some of his colleagues in explaining why he thought expelling the undocumented wouldnt give much relief to the safety net.

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We can only deport people who are not here legally and they are ineligible for social services except kids can get public education and most of the kids of undocumented immigrants are US citizens by birth, he said. Furthermore, undocumented workers typically pay payroll taxes even though they dont get any credit for it, so they subsidize Social Security and Medicare.

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Cammy Day, leader of the Edinburgh City Council, has announced his resignation after police opened an investigation into him on charges of inappropriate behaviour towards refugees from Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda, citing the BBC

Details: In a statement published on Monday, 9 December, Day said that recent reports about his personal life are "detracting from the important work this Labour-led council does for the people of Edinburgh".

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"That's why it's time for me to step aside as leader," he added, pledging to cooperate with law enforcement in their investigation.

The UK Labour Party also reported that it had suspended the man's membership until the investigation was completed. The Edinburgh City Council will now have to elect a new leader next Thursday, 19 December.

Cammy Day has served as a councillor in Edinburgh since 2008 and has led the city council as a representative of the minority Labour Party since 2022.

Over the weekend, Scottish tabloids reported that an investigation had been launched against the politician over reports of inappropriate behaviour towards Ukrainian women who fled the full-scale Russian invasion.

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Articles by these tabloids claimed that Day had asked the women "sexually explicit questions" and invited them to meet him over a glass of wine.

Police Scotland later confirmed that it was investigating a complaint of misconduct made on 22 October but refused to disclose details.

The Ukrainian Consulate in Edinburgh also expressed concern over the reports and said it "looks forward to the outcome of the investigation and hopes for a fair resolution of this case".

Background: In April 2024, the Hamburg Land Court sentenced a 42-year-old official to eight years in prison for sexually harassing Ukrainian boys aged 9 and 11 and producing child pornography.

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During the presidential campaign, Democrats argued that the so-called Deep State, the term many Republicans have given to overreaching federal bureaucrats, was a myth. But some of the protective efforts being made to forestall the incoming Donald Trump administration suggest otherwise.

The latest eyebrow-raiser, as reported by Bloomberg, is the deal made with the American Federation of Government Employees, a union representing some 42,000 Social Security Administration workers, that was signed by an exiting Biden administration commissioner, Martin OMalley. Simply put, the bargain enshrined the ability to work some or all days at home, as per the workers current deals, through 2029.

Whatever you may think of the new Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy effort to stem government waste, to be known as the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, heres an early window into how difficult their task is likely to be, given the forces favoring the status quo. Musk and Ramaswamy have said they plan to force more federal employees back into the office and let any attrition save the taxpayers money.

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Its also revealing when it comes to one of the biggest problems with public-sector unions: the lack of motivation on the part of managers on the other side of the table to do anything but accede to their demands. We are, of course, seeing this play out in Chicago when it comes to Mayor Brandon Johnson, so far unwilling to buck or even push back on any of the absurd wants of the Chicago Teachers Union.

Were not against working from home, per se. Many jobs can be done from a computer in the kitchen, and we support employer flexibility, not least as a way to both reduce costs and retain talented employees. But jobs beholden to the public purse merit more scrutiny and are more ripe for abuse. And we think even Democrats should see the fundamental unfairness of hobbling a new, democratically elected administration in this way, for its entire duration. Imagine if the shoe were on the other foot; Democrats would be howling.

No doubt other unions are pushing for the same treatment.

Representing the desires of their workers is a unions job. Fine. But its also the job of commissioners and the like to represent taxpayers interests and the will of the American people. They just elected a president who campaigned on reining in excessive government spending. To bake in every cost for reasons as flimsy as in this particular case represents a kind of advance sabotage.

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Surely those who take over the Social Security Administration deserve a modicum of flexibility. A chance to improve things that, yes, might include asking some folks to come into the office more. Or not. This is like an outgoing CEO preventing a successor from making any changes. For their entire tenure.

Outgoing Biden officials should not sign long-term deals deliberately targeting a new administration that has yet to have the chance to do anything. Thats unethical and, frankly, undemocratic from a party that claims to be the great defender of democracy.

_____
In Los Angeles, a city desperate for homeless housing, one project that will fill some of that need has been unconscionably delayed for years. The City Council has already approved it twice, most recently two years ago. This week, city officials have a chance to show they are serious about getting that project built.

On Wednesday, the California Coastal Commission will take up the Venice Dell Community project, which will provide 117 units, including 68 for homeless supportive housing and the remainder for low-income affordable housing, on a city-owned 2.65-acre parking lot in Venice not far from the beach.

Commission staff already recommends the project receive a coastal development permit. The Coastal Commission should approve that.

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And any official from the city who shows up at that meeting should support the project. Not doing so would be a disgrace.

The Venice Dell Community project has been in the works for seven years.

After meeting with the community and taking their concerns into account, the nonprofit developers, Venice Community Housing and Hollywood Community Housing Corp., were approved by the L.A. City Council for a development agreement in 2021 and 2022. The site is just the kind of surplus city land that advocates and city leaders covet for homeless housing. But somewhere along the way, city officials seemed to forget that.

In the time since their agreement was signed, the developers have designed and redesigned  and redesigned again  the public parking garage that replaces the lost spots in the original lot at the suggestions of the citys Department of Transportation.

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They lost time on the project last year during an eight-month period when City Attorney Hydee Feldstein Soto, long an opponent of the project, told city departments to stop meeting with the developers to work on plans and contracts. Staff members resumed meeting with them only after Mayor Karen Bass ordered them to do so.

The developers also were set back last year when the Coastal Commission put on hold its decision on whether to grant the project its necessary coastal development permit after city officials couldnt decide whether they would oversee the operation of the parking structure on the site.

And finally, two lawsuits filed by a community group to try to stop the project were rejected by Superior Court judges earlier this year.

Enough.

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Building on a city-owned parking lot is a smart plan for homeless housing, and Venice Dell Community should go forward.

The latest issue for this development is a letter from the city's Department of Transportation urging the Board of Transportation Commissioners, an advisory panel composed of residents appointed by the mayor, to recommend at a special session on Tuesday that the project not go forward.

After years of working with the developers on the project, the department officials suddenly have a change of heart? The developers have already been through numerous discussions with the citys Department of Transportation over parking requirements on the site and have made adjustments to the parking garage. At this point, a negative recommendation from the Board of Transportation Commissioners would be disingenuous. But it would not be binding  a judge decided as much when this issue came up in one of the unsuccessful lawsuits against the project  and it should not be allowed to hinder progress.

What most matters here is the Coastal Commissions decision. The city attorney has written an absurd letter to the Coastal Commission telling its members not to approve the project because the parking will be located on the east side of the site instead of the west side, which would be closer to the beach. Seriously? This project is about creating desperately needed housing for homeless and low-income people, not creating desperately needed parking. (And Becky Dennison, the co-executive director of Venice Community Housing, says that in the latest design, there would be parking on both the west and east sides of the site.)

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The city attorney also says she can't guarantee that the city will agree to oversee the operation of the parking structure. Uncertainty over such a matter should not have delayed the Coastal Commission's decision last year and should not be used as an excuse by city officials to convince the commission to avoid approval this week.

This project has some powerful opponents. The city attorney is one. Traci Park, the councilmember whose district includes Venice, is another longtime detractor. And the mayor has done little to support the project even though she has pledged to expedite the creation of affordable housing. It's shameful that some elected officials have failed to stand up for this project while others actively tried to kill it.

The Coastal Commission should approve Venice Dell and give it the coastal development permit it needs. And if city officials argue against awarding the permit to the project, the commission should see that move for what it is  a ploy to stop a much-needed housing project on the west side of the city, where there is little permanent housing for homeless people.

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.
Matt Gaetz resigned from Congress last month after representing the Florida Panhandle for eight years in order to forestall the House Ethics Committee from publishing a likely damning report about his behavior involving a sexual relationship with an underage girl and for paying for sex. That Donald Trump said he wanted Gaetz to be the U.S. attorney general (a truly horrible idea) was just a convenient way for Gaetz to stop the report.

The ethics panel report still must be published and two failed close votes on the House floor Thursday evening only means we still have to wait.

The explanation of Gaetzs departure comes from former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, who went on national TV Wednesday. McCarthy, who Gaetz toppled from power, has no love for Gaetz, but says hes not alone, as I dont know who really likes him.

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The ex-speaker said Gaetz wanted an excuse to resign as the bipartisan ethics panel was due to release its findings on Nov. 15, a Friday: I blame Matt for lying to the president because Matt needed to get out of Congress before the ethics report came out on Friday. I dont believe he told President Trump that.

Trump tapped Gaetz two days before, on Wednesday, Nov. 13, and Gaetz immediately submitted a letter of resignation. Neither his hasty exit from Congress nor having his AG nomination explode should stop the publication of the report.

As McCarthy said, If he says he hasnt done this, why dont you clear his name? Put the report out there, adding these young women need justice.

On Thursday afternoon the ethics committee met for hours but remained deadlocked on releasing the report, only saying: The Committee is continuing to discuss the matter.

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It then went to the floor, where two motions to out the report failed narrowly, with only one Republican, Californias Tom McClintock, joining the Democrats. But the slim GOP control of the House will be even slimmer when the new Congress is sworn in on Jan. 3, making it more likely that Gaetz will not escape public scrutiny.

In the elections, Republicans won 220 seats and Democrats won 215, a closer margin than exists now. However Gaetz has turned his back on the people who reelected him and wont take his seat, so on the first day the spread will be 219-215. And then on Jan. 20, with Rep. Elise Stefanik leaving to be Trumps UN ambassador and Rep. Mike Waltz becoming the new national security, the House will be divided 217-215. And McClintock will still be there.

That makes it 216 to 216 to release the Gaetz report, taking only a single Republican to side for transparency. We think that Kevin McCarthy will have more friends among GOP conference members than Matt Gaetz.

None of Gaetzs actions  resigning his seat, abandoning the new session or withdrawing from consideration as AG  can wipe away what is written in the report, so publish it.

___
On Friday, we met in person with Dor Shapira, a high-ranking Israeli diplomat who now serves as head of the North American Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We asked him what he thought of the Syrian rebels who that day were moving toward Damascus and soon were to take down the government of dictator Bashar Assad and pack him off to exile in Vladimir Putins Russia, minus all of his chandeliers and his garage of fancy cars.

Shapira, a smart and cautious diplomat, answered cryptically: Is the enemy of your enemy always your friend?

Theres the rub, of course. Assads exit is no cause for mourning for anyone who wants to see progress in the Middle East. His brutal familys dynasty ruled the country with the proverbial iron fist for more than half a century, propped up by Russia and Iran, even as it oppressed (and killed) its people and caused a refugee crisis with Syrians desperate to get out from under that familys fist.

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The Israelis, of course, see the emboldening of the Syrian rebels as no coincidence but a consequence of their having mostly routed the terrorist organization Hamas in Gaza, severely weakened Hezbollah in Lebanon and stood up to Iran. Shapira suggested we look at the timing of the move on Damascus with that in mind and he made a good point. The moment no doubt appeared ripe to the rebels.

Israels opponents have argued that the aforementioned actions came at too great a human cost. And there can be no question that the loss of life and other forms of human suffering, especially in Gaza and Beirut, have been awful in every way imaginable. This cannot be glossed over or viewed as somehow inevitable.

Nonetheless, delight broke out this weekend throughout the Syrian diaspora. We are no longer refugees, we are free Syrians, one such refugee living in Dublin told The Irish Times. And when people feel free, that always is a moment for Americans to cheer. Some Syrians have expressed a desire now to return to their home country.

Of course, storming Damascus and driving off in triumph with a dictators Mercedes is one thing; setting up a government is quite another. What will next befall the Syrian people remains largely unknown. But the diminishment of the power of the Iranian regime in the Middle East is crucial to spur progress for the region; indeed, the repressive Iranian regime itself now looks on shakier ground than it did a week ago. Similarly, the end of the Assad era is a further blow to Putin, who now sees another reduction of his power and influence in the region.

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All of this clearly will present Donald Trump with a fresh opportunity. Clearly, the Israelis want to see increased cooperation with the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, the Qataris and even Saudi Arabia. Shapira spoke affirmatively of the Abraham Accords, the bilateral normalization agreement signed in 2020 between Israel and the U.A.E. and Israel and Bahrain, but partially blown up by Hamas actions on Oct. 7 and the Israeli military response, even if Emirates still flies to Tel Aviv every day, unlike U.S. airlines.

The past is in the past. It is self-evident that the Arab nations will have to be involved in the rebuilding of Gaza. And that will take some coaxing from the likes of the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom. But there is no alternative.

Whats standing in the way of that? Most obviously and immediately, the hostages taken by Hamas.

That explains why Trump posted on Truth Social his bellicose, 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 (sic) in the Middle East.

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The president-elect wants the roughly 100 hostages returned to their families, even though some in that number are believed to be dead, before he takes office. Thats because he knows Israel wont cease its military actions in Gaza until that happens. If and when the hostages are released, the Middle East can perhaps begin to be remade less in the thrall of Putin and the Iranian mullahs who may well now need to become more preoccupied with what is happening within their own borders.

So, we see a glimmer of hope for the Middle East. And we are thrilled for the Syrian refugees  now (we hope) free Syrian citizens  in Chicago and the Midwest.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP)  An elderly man was struck and killed by a vehicle while walking home on Granby Road in Chicopee.

Chicopee Police Officer Travis Odiorne told 22News, that on Saturday, November 23rd a 72-year-old man was crossing Granby Road when he was struck by a motor vehicle traveling west. The driver stopped, called 911, and provided first aid.

Victim of deadly Chesterfield snowmobile crash identified

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First responders took the man to the hospital where he remained in intensive care until he died on Sunday due to his injuries. The victims name has not been released.

The Chicopee police remind residents of the importance of motor vehicle and pedestrian safety. If you are walking at night, consider wearing reflective clothing, and using a flashlight or illuminating device. Drivers are urged to be aware of their surroundings, watch for pedestrians, and obey the speed limit.

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.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, Utah (ABC4)  An elderly woman was hit and killed in an auto-pedestrian crash Monday morning, according to Cottonwood Heights Police.

At around 7 a.m. on Dec. 9, an elderly woman was crossing the northbound crosswalk at 6200 South and Wasatch Blvd. According to police, she was crossing during a green light when a car heading down Wasatch Blvd. struck her.

I-15 closed after fatal crash with one dead, four hospitalized

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The woman was pronounced dead on scene.

The driver, identified as an adult woman, stayed on scene and cooperated with police. She was reportedly not at fault, as the light was green.

This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post 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 ABC4 Utah.
ELGIN, Ill.  An Elgin man has been charged with first-degree murder in connection with a deadly stabbing.

Authorities said at around 1 a.m. Saturday, Elgin police officers were sent to the 700 block of Bluff City Boulevard to investigate reports of a stabbing. When officers arrived, they found Dreanna Booker dead with multiple stab wounds to her body.

2 men robbed at gunpoint within minutes outside Rivers Casino in Des Plaines over weekend, police say

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A short time later, 36-year-old Pierre French was taken into custody without incident, according to investigators.

French has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and is currently being held at the Kane County Jail.

He is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 18 and 9 a.m. at the Kane County Judicial 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 WGN-TV.
Memes exploded online over the alleged flight of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad to Russia after rebels overthrew his regime in Syria. Ukrainians are comparing Assad to other failed friends of Russian dictator Putin who also had to flee in disgrace  Viktor Yanukovych and Viktor Medvedchuk.

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The network suggests that Putin will once again have to bury his Syrian friend in Rostov. Ten years ago, the fugitive Ukrainian president was also hiding in this city.

Journalist Yevhen Plinskyi ironically wrote "Welcome!", adding a photo of Assad with Yanukovych.

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The network also recalled that ten years ago Assad said he would never leave Syria, as Yanukovych did when he fled Ukraine.

The users also created a collage with photos of Yanukovych, Assad, Putin, and Medvedchuk, and next to them, they wrote "Pull over"  the catchphrase of the traitor Yanukovych.

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The following phrase was also used: "Pull over! Rostov is not a rubber city!"

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

 On December 8, rebels in Syria declared that the capital was "free of Bashar al-Assad," and the army command informed officers that his 24-year authoritarian rule was over. The Syrian leader flew out of Damascus, and later it became known that he intended to flee to Russia.

 World leaders reacted strongly to the overthrow of the Assad regime in Syria. The EU said that the end of the dictatorship demonstrates the weakness of its allies Russia and Iran and shows that Russia "can be kicked out and will go home."

 US President-elect Donald Trump said that Russia is no longer interested in protecting Assad because it is exhausted from the war against Ukraine, where it is suffering heavy losses.

 During Leonid Kuchma's presidency, Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad was awarded the Order of Prince Yaroslav the Wise, first class.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (WJHL)  The Elizabethton City Council could appoint an acting municipal judge while the citys current judge remains unable to practice law.

Elizabethton Municipal Judge Jason Hollys law license was suspended in October after he reportedly failed to respond to the Tennessee Supreme Courts Board of Professional Responsibility (TBPR) regarding a misconduct complaint.

Elizabethton court using work-arounds due to Judge Hollys lack of law license

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Hollys suspension came after he was unable to sit on the bench earlier in the year due to a failure to submit his continuing legal education hours.

On Thursday, Dec. 12, the Elizabethton City Council will meet. A meeting agenda for that day shows city council members will consider the appointment of an acting city judge, pursuant to the citys charter.

The agenda does not include any potential candidates the city council could appoint.

News Channel 11 learned on Thursday, Dec. 5 from the TBPR that Holly had not yet taken any action to petition to dissolve his temporary suspension ordered by the Tennessee Supreme Court.

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No action by suspended Eliz. judge to regain law license, TBPR reports

Holly was supposed to hold court the day before but later informed court personnel that he would be unable to return to the bench for at least another week, if not until 2025.

Holly coasted to an easy reelection in November despite not being able to practice law at the time voters went to the polls.

Municipal court primarily deals in traffic violations and other non-criminal matters.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SANDY HOOK, Ky. (FOX 56)  School leaders in Elliott County said the community is mourning after the death of a sixth-grade student on Sunday.

Elliott County Middle School (ECMS) announced on social media that Allison Summons died on Saturday.

Allisons humor and spirit will be missed by students and staff, ECMS staff said. Her quick wit brought a smile to those in her presence daily. We send our deepest condolences to her family, friends, and our community.

(Elliott County Middle School)

The school asked the community to wear purple on Monday to represent epilepsy awareness in honor of Allison.

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Read more of the latest Kentucky news

School staff said that counseling services would be available to everyone affected by Allisons 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 FOX 56 News.
Last month's presidential election was a disappointment, to say the least. Ever since then, it's felt as if the air has just been slowly leaking out of the opposition. Much of the mainstream media seems to be attempting to change course and curry favor with the new administration, while Democratic officials appear to be in shock. In some ways, it's reminiscent of the lead-up to the Iraq war in 2003, with quiet resignation taking the place of the febrile excitement that characterized the push to rally around the flag. People just seem enervated and spiritless. Sometimes it's hard to remember why we fight when it all seems so futile.

Well, I think the opposition is about to get its mojo back.

For the last month, all we saw (to the extent we were even paying attention, which many of us couldn't bring ourselves to do) was the news telling us about what Trump is doing, who he's nominating and what he's planning. And that's all bad! In fact, it's worse than many of us thought it would be. But all that has a sense of unreality because Trump himself, for the first time in years, has been scarce. It's been reported that he was completely exhausted at the end of the campaign, which is to be expected for a man pushing 80 years old. So he was happy to spend the last month holding court down at Mar-a-Lago with his new best bud, the richest man in the world, Elon Musk, and basking in the adoration of his fans and sycophants. He has not been in front of us and that absence has led to the sense of ennui among the opposition. Unless he's out there in front of the cameras, I think many people understandably put him at the back of their minds and forget how crazy it is that such a man is going to be the leader of the most powerful nation on earth. Again.

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In the last few days, he emerged from his Florida lair and flew to Paris for the reopening of Notre Dame. And it all came flooding back:

This is my normal very normal handshake  pic.twitter.com/wuhNyq1nEg  Luke Zaleski (@ZaleskiLuke) December 7, 2024

I don't think anyone really knows why Trump shook hands with French President Emmanuel Macron that way, but it's just weird. So is the fact that instead of bringing his wife, Trump brought along his new BFF, Musk, whom he apparently can't be without even for a minute. At some point just before the ceremony, Musk walked up to Trump, who was seated with the dignitaries. They had words and then Trump, appearing annoyed, pointed at Musk, who retreated back to the seat he was assigned.

Heres what must have really happened. Mrs. Marcon was sitting between Jill Biden and Trump. Musk must have tried to sit to Trumps left, which was reserved for President Macron. Theres even signage on the chair. So Trump directed Musk to make himself scarce. pic.twitter.com/aTMOS6ofPi  Hey, Dave! (@davegreenidge57) December 8, 2024

Why is it that these scenes only happen when Donald Trump is on the world stage? He makes a fool of himself and the country everywhere he goes.

While it was a relief not to have to see or hear him for the last month, that also made it easier to chalk up the horror of his campaign rhetoric to the heat of the moment and his desire to win at any cost. His appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday put any such thoughts to rest. He's just as angry, vengeful and deranged as he was on the campaign trail. In a wide-ranging interview, Trump defended his tariff scheme, saying that he doesn't believe it will cost consumers more, but can't guarantee that they won't. Insufferably blathering on about his supposedly historic first term's massive economic success, he said:

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I think theyre beautiful. Its going to make us rich. Were subsidizing Canada to the tune of over $100 billion a year. Were subsidizing Mexico for almost $300 billion. We shouldnt be  why are we subsidizing these countries? If were going to subsidize them, let them become a state.

That is absurd. The U.S. is not "subsidizing" Canada or Mexico and this trolling about them becoming a state is simply insulting. He also told Welker that after he spoke with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and threatened her with a 25% tariff, that somehow had immediate effects:

[W]ithin 10 minutes after that phone call, we noticed that the people coming across the border, the southern border having to do with Mexico, there was at a trickle. Just a trickle. In fact, I called the border. See, unlike my opponent, I do call the border a lot. And I said, "Hows the border looking today?" They said, "Theres nobody here." They couldnt believe it.

He "called the border"? What's its phone number? Is there a central switchboard or something? And the "invasion" stopped within 10 minutes of his threat to impose tariffs? Were all the potential migrants vaporized? That he believes anyone would swallow such an absurd fantasy is delusional.

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That was the tip of the iceberg. Trump also said he thought the entire Jan. 6 House committee should be put in jail. He insisted he would leave it up to his designated FBI director, Kash Patel, and Attorney General-designate Pam Bondi to decide whether his enemies should be prosecuted, so I suppose we can always hope they weren't watching TV on Sunday morning. He also says he will likely pardon all the Jan. 6 insurrectionists, unless it turns out some were actually antifa or FBI plants.

Trump said he plans to end birthright citizenship on the first day, and that U.S. citizens whose family members are undocumented immigrants can be deported with them. He claimed that the Biden administration allowed 13,000 murders into the country  that statistic actually represents the past 40 years  and that he thinks Robert F. Kennedy Jr. should look into whether vaccines cause autism. (They don't.) There is so much more.

But even writing that brief synopsis amounts to sanewashing Trump. The best thing you can do is either watch the whole interview, which is painful, or read the transcript, which is simply mind-boggling. He literally makes no sense half the time and the rest of the time he's filibustering, lying, bullying and deflecting. It's nothing new, but it's worse than it was before.

He's mentally a complete mess and it's fair to speculate that there's a reason Musk is stuck to his side like superglue these days. Is Musk his Rasputin? Perhaps it would be smarter for "Meet the Press" to interview him, instead of this man who has completely lost the thread.

Once the country sees Trump take office as president again, I suspect that the disconsolate lethargy so many have been feeling will lift and we'll see some energy return to the opposition. At least, I certainly hope so. Hiding our heads in the sand isn't going to make him go away.
We have now learned, belatedly, that billionaire Elon Musk spent at least $250 million to help billionaire Donald Trump win the White House. One key part of that spending came in the form of the $20 million Musk dumped into a brazen pro-Trump propaganda campaign. The move highlights with new urgency what you might call the information gapthe deficit Democrats face in the info wars, which the next Democratic National Committee chair must have a comprehensive plan to address.

Musk lavished that $20 million on a shadowy outfit called the RBG PAC, named after the late liberal Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. The PACs mission was to soften Trumps position on abortion by absurdly suggesting its akin to RBGs. How many low-information voters this reached is unknown. But its another sign that Muskwho also transformed X/Twitter into a sprawling right-wing disinformation machineand the pro-Trump forces have found potent new ways to swamp the system with propaganda and communicate compellingly with politically unengaged Americans, helping cost Democrats the election and leaving them badly disarmed going forward.

So what do the candidates for DNC chair have to say about this disastrous situation? I put the question to three leading hopefuls: Wisconsin state party Chair Ben Wikler, Minnesota state Chair Ken Martin, and former Maryland Governor Martin OMalley.

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For Wikler, the partys central problem became visible back in April, when a little-noticed NBC News poll showed Trump with the support of 53 percent of people who dont follow news at all and 55 percent of those who get news from YouTube and Google. By contrast, President Biden (who hadnt yet left the race) earned 55 percent from those who follow network news and 70 percent from those who read newspapers.

This disparity was then exacerbated by the vastly greater presence that Trump and his surrogates have achieved in other cultural spaces not aligned with liberals or the left, like bro podcasts and other nonpolitical mediums followed by young men and non-engaged voters. As a result, Democrats are not communicating at all with countless people, Wikler notes.

There are millions of voters who get their news about Democrats from Republicans, he tells me, and only hear from the right.

Wikler says Democrats must appear far more on right-leaning political showsnot just Fox News but also podcasts and YouTubes and streamed interviews and the likeespecially in nonpolitical spaces. Democrats must disrupt the right-wing narrative about Democrats, Wikler says, especially in mediums that are not particularly political.

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Wikler says hed invest substantial resources in training armies of surrogates to carry out that mission in all these mediums. Wikler would launch research designed to build a deep, shared understanding of how these mediums function and who is getting information from them, and how, and then train, support, and deploy more communicators to appear in these places.

Perhaps most interestingly, Wikler says the party must invest much more in building an independent, progressive media ecosystem. That idea is often bandied about, but critically, Wikler says the Democratic Party should actively accelerate the success of that ecosystem, by breaking news via those outlets and doing high-profile interviews there, with the express goal of elevating and empowering it, something the GOP does with Fox News. Also essential: marketing these outlets to voters who dont follow political news at all.

Its the people least likely to seek out information about either party who we lost in this election, Wikler said. Theyre generally younger, more working-class. For the party, he said, solving the information problem has to be a core focus, requiring a constant effort to get out of our heads and into the minds of the extraordinarily diverse electorate that is getting information from a dizzying array of places.

Martin, the Minnesota state chair, says the party must invest significant resources in a comprehensive, granular mapping out of how different political demographics get electoral information, including via non-news sources. Martin also sees the information problem as directly linked to a Democratic brand problem, in which the majority of Americans now believe the Republican Party best represents the interests of the working class and the poor. As Martin notes, Republicans have been allowed to keep up a constant drumbeat hammering away at our brand.

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Because were not in these information spaces, weve allowed the Republican Party to define us, Martin said. Were not defining them. We have to be present in every channel. Democratic strategist Simon Rosenberg has aptly termed this the loudness gap.

To counter it, Democrats must enlist an army of trusted messengers and validators in those spaces, Martin said, to remind people who we are and what were fighting for. Martin noted that during the campaign, Trump reached deep into various nonpolitical markets (as Ilyse Hogue details, Trump worked male-heavy audiences particularly hard). Democrats must find their own large niche audiences as a means to giving people a sense that youre one of them, Martin said, adding: It cant be inauthentic.

Importantly, Martin argues that the Democratic consultant class still remains too wedded to traditional paid advertising. During the campaign, some Democrats criticized the leading Super PAC, Future Forward, for spending too much on overly tested ads on network television. Martin declined to fault the group directly but said the party must reorient generally away from broadcast ads made by Democratic admakers.

Part of whats driven this in D.C. is the profit incentive for folks to steer everything to traditional media because thats where they make their money, Martin said. He vowed to break the control of the D.C. consultant class on such communications, by preventing consultants driven by profit from driving excessive spending into paid broadcast TV.

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Meanwhile, a third candidate for DNC chairformer Maryland Governor Martin OMalleynotes that Democrats have allowed Republicans to communicate with voters during electoral off-years largely unchallenged. OMalley says hed ensure that the party puts more emphasis on what he called the longer arc of engagement and connection with both base and swing voters. Hed invest substantial resources in reforming how the party communicates with votersincluding during those down periodsand create an entity within the party that specializes in advising campaigns on how to do this, including for races all the way down the ballot everywhere.

Whats sobering for Democrats is that Musks massive expenditure on pro-Trump propaganda is part of a larger set of honed tactics the pro-Trump forces used to reach the undecided voters who swung the election. The New York Times reports that this included hypertargeted ads directed at precisely located swayable voters who are more reachable via streaming services than other channels, catching Democrats napping.

Learning from that fiasco will obviously be critical for Democrats. But a full overhaul of the partys approach to information should also be contingent on an acknowledgment of some larger truths. For one thing, as Brian Beutler noted on my Daily Blast podcast, the GOPs ability to communicate with the electorate in a more sustained wayby making more noise and generating more controversy than Democrats do during the electoral offseasonhas clearly primed voters to be more receptive to GOP appeals once campaigning starts.

For another, while winning back working-class voters probably requires more populist policies and a real reckoning with some of the partys potentially alienating cultural stances, anyone who tells you thats remotely the whole story is deceiving you. The problem is also informational. Democrats have ceded a lot of spaces where Republicans and the right are left unchallenged to form cultural bonds with working-class voters of all backgrounds. Democrats must find ways to intervene in that arrangement, including with new language of their own. That deficit is compounded by a dynamic detailed by TNRs Michael Tomasky: The right-wing media simply does exert great gravitational pull on mainstream news sources, no matter how loudly newsroom leaders insist otherwise.

Finally, Democrats must treat the current state of the information ecosystem as a matter of urgency. The ideas offered by these candidates for DNC chair suggest this process has begun. It cant be allowed to drop. A key test for any aspiring chair should be whether each is offering a comprehensive agenda illustrating a deep understanding of the information gapand what to do about it.
NEWBURY, Mass. (WPRI)  Endicott Colleges police sergeant who was killed in a wrong-way crash the day before Thanksgiving will be laid to rest on Monday.

Police said Sgt. Jeremy Cole was driving on I-95 North in Newbury when a wrong-way driver crashed head-on into him. Cole was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 49-year-old father of four was killed while driving back home to New Hampshire after working his evening shift on campus.

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BACKGROUND: New Bedford man charged in wrong-way crash that killed Endicott College sergeant

The other driver, 40-year-old Keoma Duarte, of New Bedford, is facing multiple charges including motor vehicle homicide while operating under the influence of liquor, motor vehicle homicide by reckless operation, and manslaughter.

His wake is being held from 2-8 p.m. at the Campbell Funeral Home in Beverly. The funeral service is for family only.

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Turkish-backed rebels claim to have seized a city in northern Syria from US-backed Kurdish militants.

In a separate offensive to the one that saw rebels led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) sweep south and topple the regime of Bashar al-Assad, the Syrian National Army (SNA) said it had claimed Manbij from the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).

The loss, if confirmed, would be a significant blow for the SDF, as Manbij is its largest stronghold west of the Euphrates River. However, the SDF claimed the fighting there was still ongoing.

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The Turkish-backed SNA, an umbrella term for several disparate groups, launched its Dawn of Freedom offensive on Dec 1.

The coalition said its intention was to restore security to the region, as the SDF is led militarily by the Peoples Defence Units (YPG), which Turkey says is a terrorist organisation closely tied to the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militant group.

The PKK has fought a decades-long insurgency against the Turkish state, with the role of Syrias Kurds, who govern an autonomous region in the northeast, being a contentious topic for Ankara.

Turkey has firmly opposed any suggestion that Kurdish groups could be involved in shaping Syrias future.

Syrians living in Turkey wave flags and a banner of Recep Tayyip Erdogan as they celebrate the fall of the Assad regime - Tolga Uluturk/ZUMA Press Wire/Shutterstock

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkeys president, stands to gain from the fall of the Syrian regime - Anadolu

Speaking to local media on Sunday, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkeys president, suggested that he and Vladimir Putin, Russias president, were now the most significant world leaders, implying he also sees his future role as vital.

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He said: There are only two of us left among the leaders. Right now, its just me and Vladimir Putin.

The transition of power in Damascus away from Assad, and his key allies Russia and Iran, is set to reshape the balance of power in the region, with Mr Erdogan probably emerging as a major beneficiary.

The SNA played a key role in the offensive, working alongside HTS, which began forming a new transitional Syrian government on Monday.

Mohammed al-Bashir, a key official in HTSs Idlib administration, was appointed as prime minister.

Turkeys security services are thought to have also co-ordinated with HTS, with Joe Biden, the US president, using Turkey as an intermediary to send secret messages to the group, The New York Times reported.

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Analysts believe the Turkish president did not order the offensive but stands to gain politically and economically from his current position as the most influential foreign actor in Syria, despite the volatile situation.

Jerome Drevon, a senior analyst at the think tank Crisis Group, said: Turkey did not expect this  It was not a plan  They would have feared that if the operation doesnt go well, then it would result in massive bombings and more refugees coming across the border.

It didnt give a green light or a red light, more of a yellow light  do it, but be very careful.

Syrian National Army troops in Manbij on Saturday - dia images/Getty Images Europe

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Members of the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) celebrate after making gains in eastern Syria over the weekend - Orhan Qereman/REUTERS

Turkey has supported Arab uprisings since 2011 and, even as Western powers abandoned the Syrian opposition, it provided arms, training and refuge to opposition fighters.

The country has weathered almost 14 years of instability across its southern border, suffering several Islamic State (IS) attacks and becoming home to the worlds largest refugee population.

The Kurdish-led SDF is backed by the US and was key to dismantling the IS caliphate. However, its future appears uncertain as a new order is carved out in Syria.

If the SDF were weakened, it would raise questions over the future of the IS prisons and camps it holds, including the al-Hol and Roj sites, which are home to tens of thousands of inmates.

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Although many of them are women and children, the camps inhabitants have links to IS either as ideologues or its victims.

They include Shamima Begum, the British schoolgirl who travelled to Syria to join IS and was later stripped of her citizenship.

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Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal arrived in Kyiv to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and other senior officials, the PM said in a post on X on Dec. 9.

Michal replaced Kaja Kallas as the prime minister in July before Kallas became the next foreign policy chief of the European Union. This is Michal's first visit to Ukraine as head of the Estonian government.

In November, Tallinn pledged clothing and small arms for Ukraine, reaffirming Estonias commitment to Ukraines defense by allocating 0.25% of its GDP per year to military support.

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"Supporting Ukraine to victory will remain Estonia's priority, we will not make concessions," the prime minister said.

Estonia has been among Kyiv's staunchest supporters since the start of the full-scale invasion began, offering humanitarian, developmental, and military assistance.

"Ukraines victory is a win for Europe, the U.S., and the whole democratic world," Michal added.

According to his post, the prime minister is also scheduled to meet his Ukrainian counterpart Denys Shmyhal and Parliament speaker Ruslan Stefanchuk. Michal visited Kyiv the same day as Friedrich Merz, the CDU/CSU alliance's candidate for the German chancellor.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
BANGKOK (AP)  One of the most powerful ethnic minority armed groups battling Myanmars army has claimed the capture of the last army outpost in the strategic western town of Maungdaw, gaining full control of the 271-kilometer (168-mile) -long border with Bangladesh.

The capture by the Arakan Army makes the groups control of the northern part of Rakhine state complete, and marks another advance in its bid for self-rule there.

Rakhine has become a focal point for Myanmars nationwide civil war, in which pro-democracy guerrillas and ethnic minority armed forces seeking autonomy battle the countrys military rulers, who took power in 2021 after the army ousted the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi.

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Khaing Thukha, a spokesperson for the Arakan Army, told The Associated Press by text message from an undisclosed location late Monday that his group had seized the last remaining military outpost in Maungdaw on Sunday.

Outpost commander Brig. Gen. Thurein Tun, was captured while attempting to flee the battle, Khaing Thukha said.

The situation in Maungdaw could not be independently confirmed, with access to the internet and mobile phone services in the area mostly cut off.

Myanmars military government did not immediately comment.

Maungdaw, about 400 kilometers (250 miles) southwest of Mandalay, Myanmars second-largest city, has been the target of an Arakan Army offensive since June. The group captured Paletwa and Buthidaung, two other towns on the border with Bangladesh, earlier this year.

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Since November 2023, the Arakan Army has gained control of 11 of Rakhines 17 townships, along with one in neighboring Chin state.

Ann, a town in Rakhine that hosts the strategically important military headquarters overseeing the western part of the country, appears to be on the verge of falling entirely to the Arakan Army.

The group posted on the Telegram messaging app late Friday that it had taken more than 30 military outposts, except the armys western command, which controls Rakhine and the southern part of neighboring Chin state, as well as the countrys territorial waters in the Bay of Bengal.

Recent fighting in Rakhine has raised fears of a revival of organized violence against members of the Muslim Rohingya minority, similar to that which drove at least 740,000 members of their community in 2017 to flee to neighboring Bangladesh for safety.

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The Arakan Army, which is the military wing of the Buddhist Rakhine ethnic group in Rakhine state, where they are the majority and seek autonomy from Myanmars central government, denies the allegations, though witnesses have described the groups actions to the AP and other media.

Rohingya have lived in Myanmar for generations, but they are widely regarded by many in the countrys Buddhist majority, including members of the Rakhine minority, as having illegally migrated from Bangladesh. The Rohingya face a great amount of prejudice and are generally denied citizenship and other basic rights.

The border between Myanmar and Bangladesh extends from land to the Naf River and offshore in the Bay of Bengal.

The Arakan Army said Sunday it had ordered the suspension of transport across the Naf River because police and local Muslims affiliated with the army were attempting to escape by boat to Bangladesh.

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The rebel group has been accused of major human rights violations, particularly involving its capture of the town of Buthidaung in mid-May, when it was accused of forcing an estimated 200,000 residents, largely Rohingyas, to leave, and then setting fire to most of the buildings. It was accused of attacking Rohingya civilians fleeing fighting in Maungdaw in August.

The Arakan Army is also part of an armed ethnic alliance that launched an offensive in northeastern Myanmar last year and gained strategic territory along the border with China.
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Ukraine will soon get another 4.2 billion euros ($4.4 billion) in funds after the European Union's member states approved the planned payment of the money, said the EU Council on Monday.

The money, which forms part of the EU's Ukraine facility, will help Ukraine's economy, as the country continues to fight against Russia.

The G7 group of the world's biggest economies have earmarked an overall loan of $50 billion for Ukraine, serviced by profits generated by Russian assets immobilised in the West.

($1 = 0.9454 euros)

(Reporting by Sudip Kar-Gupta)
European Union Commissioner for Defense and Space, Andrius Kubilius, has proposed allocating 100 billion euros ($105 billion) for defense in the next seven-year EU budget, Politico reported on Dec. 8.

This amount would be a significant increase from the current 10 billion euros allocated for the EUs seven-year budget.

Kubilius emphasized, in his interview with Politico, the need to prepare for potential Russian aggression against EU countries.

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If we fail in Ukraine, then of course, the possibility of Russian military aggression against the EU member states can increase, he said.

Kubilius identified Vladimir Putin as the EU's main adversary and stressed that supporting Ukraines victory is crucial for European security.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen named Kubilius as the head of the position in September, shortly after she won her second five-year term in the June elections.

Von der Leyen said the commissioner will "work on developing the European defense union and boosting our investment in industrial capacity."

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Kubilius also formerly served as the Prime Minister of Lithuania.

Read also: EU fails to approve 15th sanctions package against Russia, Reuters reports

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The news, as strange as it is alarming, has caused many in Colombia, a country mired in internal conflict, to focus their attention on the civil war in Sudan, a battle that has caused a major humanitarian crisis but which barely makes the front pages of national newspapers. More than 20 Colombians were killed by suicide drones in the Darfur region in the east of the country, according to a report issued last week by the Sudanese army. Everything indicates that they were part of the approximately 300 mercenaries who have been recruited to fight side by side with the paramilitaries of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), an armed group that has been trying to take control of Sudan for more than a year and a half.

The first reports appeared at the end of November. A video shared on social media showed a man  presumably a soldier in the Sudanese Armed Forces  recording passports and ID cards found in the desert that belonged to several Colombians. It was the first glimpse of a simmering story, which boiled over with the revelation that there are at least 300 Colombians fighting in the war in Sudan, according to independent media La Silla Vacia, based on the testimonies of several former soldiers involved. They claim that there are many who are there against their will and who claim to have been hired to work as guards in Dubai, over 3,300 kilometers (2,050 miles) east of Darfur.

Recruitment is mostly carried out through private security companies, which offer several thousand dollars for short-term work, explains Ulrich Petersohn, an expert on security and mercenary activity. The last link in the chain are almost always those known in the industry as third-country nationals, who come from Colombia, Peru, El Salvador, Somalia, or Nigeria. Without solid passports or money for plane tickets, they are entirely dependent on what the agencies want to do with them, adds the professor at the University of Liverpool via video call.

These are companies that, on paper, are like any other. They have the proper documentation and present themselves as operators of surveillance services in other countries. We are no longer talking about large corporations like Blackwater [in the U.S.] or Wagner [in Russia], but about one-person companies in which a retired general registers the business and promotes it through WhatsApp chains, explains Mario Uruena, an expert in global security at the Universidad del Rosario in Bogota. They offer ex-military personnel up to five times their retirement salary, which makes the offer very attractive.

Whether deceived or not (Petersohn argues that not all are idiots and that many understand the risks), Colombians in Sudan find themselves at a crucial moment in the conflict. For the first time since the start of the civil war, the Sudanese army has gained ground on the paramilitaries in various areas, especially in Khartoum, the capital, which is largely controlled by the RSF. The conflict has caused one of the most serious humanitarian crises in the world: more than 20,000 people have died, according to the UN (other investigations put the figure at 60,000), and over 10 million have been forcibly displaced from their homes.

Colombians are not the only mercenaries fighting in Sudan. The army has denounced that the RSF has mercenaries from neighbouring countries in the Sahel, such as Chad or Niger, in its ranks. International media such as CNN also claim to have found evidence that the Russian organisation Wagner has supplied the paramilitaries with missiles to attack the Sudanese Armed Forces, which are in turn supported by Egypt. One of the main players is the United Arab Emirates, which has denied its role in the conflict despite reports from multiple humanitarian organizations and UN experts of its role in the war.

In spite of a 1989 UN convention banning the recruitment and training of mercenaries, and evidence that this market is still present in wars such as the one in Sudan, Petersohn points out the difficulty, if not the impossibility, of bringing companies or mercenaries to trial. There are very few examples where contractors have been brought to trial for meddling in foreign conflicts, and that is kind of the point: that there is no accountability, he admits.

Ban paid military personnel

Faced with this dangerous scenario, in which dozens of Colombians find themselves, President Gustavo Petro has assured that it is a practice that must be prohibited. The military must have a better standard of living in Colombia, but the owners of young blood spilled for money in foreign countries must be criminally punished, he indicated on X.

In turn, Foreign Minister Luis Gilberto Murillo regretted the participation of his fellow countrymen in the conflict during a call with his Sudanese counterpart and promised to guarantee the return of those citizens who are still in combat, according to a statement from the Sudanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs cited by the Turkish agency Anadolu. During a trip this week to Doha, the capital of Qatar, Murillo told EFE that he hopes to recover the bodies of the Colombians who have already died.

The Colombian government has pushed through Congress a bill that seeks to outlaw organizations that exploit retired military personnel by approving the 1989 convention. For Uruena, although the pact is not so widespread  barely 30 countries have signed it  it is an intelligent proposal that goes in the right direction, which is to criminalize the leaders who exploit people.

Although Sudan is where cases of Colombian mercenaries have been most recently recorded, retired military personnel have participated for hire in conflicts such as those in Yemen, Iraq, or Afghanistan. One of the most cited events concerning this activity is the assassination of Haitian President Jovenel Moise in 2021, who was killed in an operation in which about 20 Colombians participated, several of them former military personnel.
By Maria Martinez

BERLIN (Reuters) - The European Union should discuss specific ideas on European defence instead of abstract ones like European defence bonds, German Finance Ministry Joerg Kukies said on Monday in Brussels.

"We think that's better than abstract discussions about Eurobonds for defence financing," Kukies said before a meeting of euro area finance ministers.

Spurred by Russia's war in Ukraine and fears that the United States may reduce its commitments to European security, many European leaders have declared the continent needs to spend more on defending itself.

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But the question of how to fund big defence spending increases remains unresolved.

Germany has in the past been among European Union members that have opposed the idea of joint EU borrowing to fund key investments in areas such as defence, a position that has frustrated policymakers in other capitals.

Kukies spoke about "concrete examples" such as the European Peace Facility, an off-budget EU instrument for security, or the idea of the European Investment Bank doing more on in the area of dual-use goods.

"We have a very strong preference to focus on these specific ideas rather than speaking abstractly about euro bonds where nobody knows exactly what they mean, what they will be used for," Kukies said.

(Reporting by Maria Martinez, editing by Thomas Escritt)
Kaja Kallas, the new EU foreign policy chief, openly clashed with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban during the NATO summit in Washington in July, back when she was serving as Estonias prime minister. Orban had opposed Ukraines membership in the Alliance.

Source: Politico publication, as reported by European Pravda

Details: During the NATO summit in Washington in July, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban told fellow leaders and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy that Ukraine should never be admitted to the Alliance. An unnamed participant of the summit described it as a "very rude" moment.

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Kallas was scheduled to speak after Orban. An unnamed source revealed that she discarded her prepared speech.

Quote from the diplomatic source: "She answered Orban directly, saying how wrong he was and that history and facts show that NATOs aim is to avoid wars, and not to provoke [conflict]."

Following Kallas, several other leaders abandoned their pre-prepared speeches and spoke out against Orban.

In her first week as EU foreign policy chief, Kallas has already adopted a more hawkish tone than her predecessor Josep Borrell, Politico writes. She has also shifted the narrative on the war in Ukraine, writing on social media that "the European Union wants Ukraine to win this war".

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Politico reported that in summer 2021, Kallas prevented former German Chancellor Angela Merkel from inviting Vladimir Putin to an EU summit ahead of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

On 1 December 2024, Kallas assumed the role of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. The same day, she visited Kyiv.

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Remember the anti-tourism protesters in Spain this spring? It turns out they may be getting their way after all, as a cohort of British holidaymakers has vowed never to return to the countys shores again  albeit it for a slightly unexpected reason.

The disgruntled minority have been voicing their displeasure at a new Spanish law which will require all hoteliers and Airbnb hosts in the country to keep track of their guests personal data, including passport and payment details. While the system is largely a tightening of existing rules, it hasnt gone down well with some privacy-conscious travellers.

They are off my holiday list, thundered one unhappy Briton on social media. So much for a Spanish holiday, but I am sure another country will be happy to take my money, declared another. Comparisons have even been made with George Orwells 1984.

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Perhaps its a slight overreaction to deploy such dramatic rhetoric. But on the other hand, given the travel sectors seemingly insatiable appetite for our personal data, perhaps this was just the straw that broke the camels back.

From the EUs controversial new entry rules (which will soon require non-citizens to register their fingerprints before entering the Schengen area) to the growing use of similar biometric data in airports and at the border, data harvesting is only becoming a bigger part of the travel experience, whether we like it or not. But why is it happening?

The main reason has been the unprecedented level of state cooperation around security issues, says Chris Jones, director of the civil liberties watchdog Statewatch. He highlights the use of numerous UN resolutions  typically backed by the US, Russia, and China  calling for the use of biometric data to combat terrorism.

While no-one (including Statewatch) would take issue with thwarting terrorism, the past 20 years of surveillance measures  well-intentioned or otherwise  have provided more than the occasional reminder that these things dont always work out so well in practice.

The EU will soon require non-citizens to register their fingerprints before entering the Schengen area - Getty

Jones points to the particular example of PNR (Passenger Name Record) data, by which airlines are often mandated to record the names, passport numbers and payment details of their passengers on behalf of government authorities. The practice became compulsory for US-bound flights in the wake of 9/11 but has since expanded in reach and scope.

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The mass gathering of this data makes it easier for authorities to use algorithms to do whats called rules-based targeting, he says. In theory, the system is meant to help identify potential security threats. In practice, it can mean passengers being held up or grounded just because their data happens to match someone elses.

Compulsory data harvesting usually brings more mundane problems too, not least since the burden of providing it will almost always fall on travellers themselves. Indeed, those that will be tasked with implementing the new EU entry system  for example, Eurostar and Port of Dover  have been warning for years about the risk of crippling delays.

One of the arguments for biometric data is that its machine-readable, meaning that you can do away with some of the human checks and have computers do the work, says Jones. However, we can see from recent history that is rarely the case in practice. Particularly when the system suffers from the kinds of outages that have caused havoc for air travel.

Then there is the potential for hacking or foul play. In 2019, the US hotel chain Marriott apologised after a data breach led to the unencrypted passport details of some 5 million guests being stolen. Compare that to the 700 million people or so who visit the EU each year and you get some idea of how devastating such a breach could be for our personal information.

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The EU is looking to create the largest database of biometric data of regular human beings  people who are just going about their daily business by travelling  on earth, says Gus Hosein, who leads the London-based charity Privacy International. It will end up being the top target of every intelligence agency on the planet, he predicts.

Biometric databases arent the only challenge to travellers privacy. Theres also the ever-growing reach of facial recognition technology, which is quickly becoming the norm in more advanced airports  none more so than the ultra-flashy Zayed International in Abu Dhabi, where passengers can now check in just by peering into a camera.

Would you be happy to have your face kept on file? The worlds richest man seems quite relaxed about the idea. When a travel influencer posted a video of the facial recognition check-in system on X, Elon Musk replied saying that he wanted to see the same kind of technologies rolled out in American airports.

Elon Musk is a fan of facial recognition check-in systems, which could one day replace passport gates - Getty

He might not have to wait long. Two American airlines, Delta and United, are already using face-tracking cameras for parts of the check-in process, but only for those passengers happy to opt in. Closer to home, British Airways has been making limited use of facial recognition for over a decade.

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As for airports, the head of the British Border Force, Phil Douglas, is on record predicting that facial recognition technology will eventually mean the end of passport e-gates. But could it soon end up tracking passengers all the way from the entrance to their boarding gate too?

While the UK has much tighter restrictions than the UAE on face-tracking technology, there are still some workarounds. The tech journalist James OMalley has monitored how British train stations have trialled smart station systems to track passengers using everything but their face  thus staying within the law.

A lot of this is driven by the huge technology consultancy firms who are trying to sell this stuff to governments, says Gus Hosein. If youre one of those kinds of firms, then the border is often the most exciting area you can work on. Its obviously a priority for governments, but there are also few protections for peoples privacy rights.

Is it time to make peace with losing our data privacy when it comes to travel? When everyone from the US Department of Homeland Security to Elon Musk is pushing in one direction, its hard to see any other outcome. Still, it certainly doesnt mean we have to like it.

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The European Union's 27 member states called for an "orderly, peaceful and inclusive transition" after the toppling of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad,

"All must have an opportunity to reunify, stabilise and rebuild their country, restore justice and ensure accountability," the statement from top EU dipomat Kaja Kallas on behalf of the 27-country bloc said on Monday.

The dramatic and rapid end of al-Assad's authoritarian regime comes after a rebel alliance led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a surprise offensive in north-western Syria in late November that quickly seized territory from pro-Assad forces.

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Al-Assad, Syria's strongman president, fled to Russia after the coalition of rebel groups, including Islamist extremist fighters, swept through formerly government-held areas of the country in a rapid offensive and seized control of the capital Damascus on Sunday.

Syria has been at war since 2011 when protests against al-Assad's regime erupted into a multi-sided civil conflict. Various non-state factions continue to control different parts of the fragmented country.

The 27 EU countries underlined the importance of preserving the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria during the transition and to "reject all forms of extremism."

The EU urged all actors to avoid further violence, ensure the protection of civilians, minorities and cultural and religious monuments and uphold international humanitarian law.
The European Union's 27 member states called for an "orderly, peaceful and inclusive transition" after the end of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad's regime, but Brussels has yet to reach out to the rebels that toppled him.

"All must have an opportunity to reunify, stabilise and rebuild their country, restore justice and ensure accountability," the statement from top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas on behalf of the said on Monday.

The dramatic and rapid end of al-Assad's authoritarian regime comes after a rebel alliance led by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a surprise offensive in north-western Syria in late November that quickly seized territory from pro-Assad forces.

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Al-Assad, Syria's strongman president, fled to Russia after the coalition of rebel groups, including Islamist extremist fighters, swept through formerly government-held areas of the country in a rapid offensive and seized control of the capital Damascus on Sunday.

Syria has been at war since 2011 when protests against al-Assad's regime erupted into a multi-sided civil conflict. Various non-state factions continue to control different parts of the fragmented country.

The 27 EU countries underlined the importance of preserving the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Syria during the transition and to "reject all forms of extremism."

The EU urged all actors to avoid further violence, ensure the protection of civilians, minorities and cultural and religious monuments and uphold international humanitarian law.

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The EU is not currently in contact with HTS, the group largely responsible for the overthrow of al-Assad, a European Commission foreign policy spokesman said.

The spokesman noted that HTS, an Islamist group that is a former al-Qaeda affiliate, and associated members is on the United Nations terror list and is subject to EU sanctions as a result.

No funds or other economic resources may currently be made available to the group - and a decision to freeze assets in the EU is in force. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani is included.

Al-Jolani has recently presented himself as politically moderate.

The commission spokesman however said that HTS will need to be assessed on their actions in Syria, and not just their words, as the basis for any engagement by the EU.

The spokesman added that the conditions are not in place for EU countries to deport Syrian asylum seekers to the country, citing the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).
(Bloomberg) -- The European Unions multiyear clampdown on some of the largest American companies is set to force President-elect Donald Trump to decide which bothers him more: Europe or Big Tech.

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In the coming months, Apple Inc., Alphabet Inc.s Google, Meta Platforms Inc., and the X platform owned by Trump confidant Elon Musk, could face billions in fines or even mandatory divestment orders from dozens of separate ongoing EU investigations.

For Trump, who last week accused the tech sector of using its market power to crack down on the rights of so many Americans, that might be welcome. Except he has repeatedly accused Europe of treating the US badly and said he wont accept that.

His relationships with Americas tech titans are also complex. He has publicly feuded with Meta chief Mark Zuckerberg and Google over the years. But hes had a closer relationship with Apple CEO Tim Cook, while Musk is now a fixture of his inner circle at Mar-a-Lago.

The European Commission has long insisted that its powerful new laws like the Digital Services Act, which governs social-media content, and the Digital Markets Act, which targets abuses of dominance, arent aimed at Silicon Valley.

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This is not something that we do against anyone or against any nationality, Teresa Ribera, the EUs new competition chief, told Bloomberg last week in an interview. I dont think that when we are paying attention to eventual distortions in competition in this sector, we are thinking in national terms.

She also noted that some of the cases related to US tech firms began during Trumps first term, and that regulators on both sides of the Atlantic coordinated some of their actions at the time.

Here are some of the biggest fights that lay ahead:

The Musk Dilemma

The most immediate dilemma for the EU may be how to approach the X platform. Musk was a key backer of Trumps campaign, dumping more than $274 million into supporting Trump and his allies, while harnessing X to amplify their supporters. Since the election, he has frequently dined with Trump and even sat in on some of his early phone calls with world leaders.

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In the EU, X faces fines of up to 6% of the firms global revenue under the DSA for failing to tackle illegal content. EU watchdogs are considering whether to calculate the fine based on Musks personal wealth, but with Musks White House role, the decision risks exposing the bloc to new forms of retaliation.

Its unlikely the ongoing investigations into Musks X will change as a result of Trumps election win, and there could soon be an outcome unfavorable to Musk, said Mark Scott, a senior resident fellow at the Atlantic Council. But, he added, the political rhetoric around this decision in particular will be high.

In September, Trumps running mate JD Vance even suggested that the US could halt NATO funding if the EU goes after X, as he reacted to a warning letter sent to the company by Thierry Breton, who at the time was the blocs digital boss.

Apples Sway

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Apple, which the EU has hit with fines, tax decisions and costly orders, faces another potentially significant fine in a case targeting its hugely profitable App Store under the DMA. Watchdogs are readying a fresh penalty as they near a March deadline for a decision.

Its facing extra scrutiny under the DMA into its iOS operating system, iPadOS, and Safari, as well as how it allows makers of rival hardware such as smart watches and headphones access to its iPhone system.

In the US, the company is facing an antitrust suit alleging its illegally blocking rivals from accessing hardware and software on its iPhones.

Trump has spoken openly about his chats with Apple boss Cook, who was a frequent visitor to the White House during the first term. Cook was able to persuade Trump to grant Apple relief from some of his tax and tariff plans.

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I found him to be a very good businessman, Trump told Bloomberg in July.

In October, Trump said Cook called him to complain about the EUs efforts to claw back allegedly unpaid tax from the company  13 billion ($13.6 billion)  as well its decision to fine the firm 1.8 billion for suffocating competition on its App Store. He also revealed in a podcast that he told Cook he wouldnt let the EU take advantage of our companies.

Constraining Google

When Ribera took office last Monday, she inherited a sweeping antitrust investigation into Googles advertising technology empire that could end with a formal breakup order. Its something that is of course on the table, she told Bloomberg TV last week.

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The EUs probe runs in parallel with a US case where the Justice Department under President Joe Biden proposed a partial breakup of Google, including a forced sale of its Chrome browser. The case was originally launched under Trumps first stint in the White House, a sign of his more contentious relationship with Alphabet.

In an interview conducted by Bloomberg Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait in October, Trump said it may not be necessary to break up Google, while adding, They do treat me very badly.

Ribera also takes the reins after her predecessor Margrethe Vestager fought Google on three separate cases through the EU courts, which had hit the Mountain View, California, firm with over $8 billion in fines. Separately, Googles search business is also being probed under the DMA in a case that could lead to more fines further down the line.

Zuckerbergs Transformation

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Zuckerberg, whom Trump had once threatened to jail, congratulated the president-elect straight after his victory, and more recently has been dining with him at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida. Zuckerberg has also been a strong critic of the EUs political leadership in recent years.

Just weeks before Vestagers departure from Brussels, the EU hit Meta with a 798 million fine for harming competition against classified ad platforms. The Facebook parent has vowed to challenge that penalty in court.

The company has dispatched its top public affairs official  former UK deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg  to criticize the blocs digital antitrust rules, which have also subjected Meta to a probe over its pay or consent model for Instagram and Facebook.

The social media giant is also facing a DSA investigation into how it protects minors using its platforms, and has alleged that EU data protection laws are stymieing its artificial intelligence ambitions in the bloc.

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Other Targets

Jeff Bezos, whose e-commerce behemoth Amazon.com Inc. didnt get an EU antitrust fine during Vestagers reign in Brussels, could see the firm he founded under scrutiny. Amazon could face an investigation under the DMA next year into how it may favor its own-brand products across its online marketplace. The firm said it is compliant with the rules and has engaged constructively with the commission over the laws.

Bezos, who has had a contentious relationship with Trump in recent years, barred the Washington Post, which he owns, from endorsing Trumps rival Kamala Harris.

Microsoft Corp.s Satya Nadella was another executive who met Trumps victory with applause. In Brussels, the company is currently subject to an antitrust probe into its productivity software, Teams.

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The Redmond, Washington, firm, however, is expected to avoid heavy scrutiny under the blocs DMA rules  at least for now. Its investment into OpenAI has piqued the interest of antitrust investigators in the EU capital, who have quizzed customers and rivals about any damaging effects of the deal.

If Trump heeds the warnings of Big Tech over the EUs regulatory charge, the bloc could soon face his ire. With new executive powers taking their seats on both sides of the Atlantic, decision-making in both capitals could spark broader tensions.

Instinctively, Trump wont be in favor of EU bureaucrats regulating US tech, said Cristina Caffarra, co-founder of the Competition Policy Research Network. The question is what leverage the EU would have if Trump took that path. Brutally, not much.

She added, Trump, in contrast, holds many cards: he has tariffs, NATO, defense. The commission will have its work cut out.

--With assistance from Michael Shepard and Max Ramsay.

(Updates with Amazon response in 27th paragraph.)

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(Bloomberg) -- Europe will need the US to project strength to halt more aggressive moves from Russia, the Czech Republics prime minister said, as he warned allies against appeasement in any process to end the war on Ukraine.

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Petr Fiala, whose government has been among the most vocal in NATO in denouncing the Kremlins invasion of Ukraine, said forcing Kyiv to cede territory will only encourage Vladimir Putins war machine. He said he was pleasantly surprised by a phone call with US President-elect Donald Trump, who was inquisitive about Pragues position on Ukraine and heard out the eastern European premier.

We find ourselves in a very complicated and dangerous situation that some rightly describe as a second Cold War, Fiala said in an interview in the Czech capital. It is in our interest to have an America that is strong, and which will show its strength to Russia, because that is the only chance to stop Putin.

Fialas government has spearheaded an effort to ship ammunition to Ukraines military and hosted hundreds of thousands of people who have fled the war. More recently, its joined Poland as well as Baltic and Nordic allies to champion continued shipments of materiel to the war-battered nation in the face of waning support.

The prime minister, whos been in office for three years, made reference to a key moment in Czech history as he reinforced a position that any cease-fire terms must be accepted by Ukraine. Anything else would amount to another Munich Agreement, he said, the 1938 deal in which the UK, France and Italy accepted Nazi Germanys annexation of parts of then-Czechoslovakia in a misguided bid to prevent a wider war.

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Chat With Trump

Europes security simply cant be ensured with Russia occupying a part of Ukraine and continuing its aggression, said the premier, 60, who said his views also reflected personal memories of the 1968 Soviet invasion of Czechoslovakia. I dont believe in the politics of appeasement  it always benefits the aggressor. Always.

Trump, Fiala said, repeatedly asked questions as he sought the Czech premiers views when they spoke by phone in the weeks after his re-election. The incoming US president also talked about his family ties to the country, the birthplace of his late second wife, Ivana.

Mr. Trump wanted to understand our point of view, he said. I believe he is very well aware that the situation in Ukraine  and in the Middle East  must be resolved, and that the solution will be very complicated.

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Fiala echoed the president-elects demand to boost defense spending  and urged European allies to bolster their military capabilities and involvement in Ukraine without waiting for the US to move first. His government will lift defense spending to the NATO benchmark  2% of economic output  this year.

Our security cant forever be based on the willingness of the US to defend Europe, said Fiala. We must play a bigger role, take more responsibility.

Europe must also be committed to economic strength, the premier said, as he pointed to the Czech Republics heavy auto exports and the countrys vulnerability to high energy prices and China competition over electric vehicles.

Fiala outlined a prescription of curbing regulation and adopting more pragmatic and realistic environmental goals in the European Union. The Czech and Italian governments are seeking support for relaxed emissions targets and a delay for plan to ban combustion engines from 2035.

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I can see a good chance that at least some of our proposals will find enough support, Fiala said. If we want people to drive EVs, we first must make them cheaper and more attractive. If we just order the switch, it will end badly.

Even as Fialas center-right government sees its support fading over its agenda of budget austerity, the premier said his economic plan would prevail. Surveys predict that billionaire and former Prime Minister Andrej Babis, who has said the war in Ukraine is being prolonged by NATOs backing of Kyiv, could return to power after elections next year.

We have adopted measures that are unpopular, but we have adopted them anyway because they are right, Fiala said. Im offering the Czech Republic a path to become one of the most successful countries in Europe.

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By Riham Alkousaa

BERLIN (Reuters) -European countries put asylum applications from Syrians on hold until further notice on Monday after rebels seized the Syrian capital and President Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia following 13 years of civil war.

The decision, which affects tens of thousands of open claims, reflects the rapidly changing political situation in Syria as well as a resurgence of right-wing parties across Europe keen to restrict immigration.

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Germany opened its doors wide to a surge of asylum seekers in 2015 at the height of Syria's civil war, and is now home to nearly a million Syrians, the largest community in Europe.

The Berlin Interior Ministry said on Monday it would not process asylum requests until there was more clarity on political developments in Syria. Britain paused decisions on asylum claims as well, with the interior ministry saying it was assessing the situation.

Under a British government scheme, 20,319 Syrian refugees had been resettled in the country between March 2014 and February 2021, according to the Refugee Council.

Other countries including Norway, Italy, Austria and the Netherlands also announced suspensions of Syrian requests. France said it hoped to announce a similar decision shortly.

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In its statement, the Italian government said it would keep a diplomatic presence in Damascus, expressing "deep gratitude" to the embassy staff there.

SYRIANS TOP ASYLUM SEEKERS TO GERMANY

Syria was the top country of origin for asylum seekers in Germany this year, with 72,420 applications submitted by the end of November, data from the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) shows. Some 47,270 remain undecided.

The pausing of applications does not affect those already granted, according to BAMF. Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said assessments would depend on developments in Syria, and that it was too soon to say whether the country was safe to return to.

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Norwegian immigration authorities said Syrians' asylum applications would neither be denied nor approved for now.

Denmark also paused processing applications and said Syrians whose applications had already been rejected, and who had been given a deadline to leave, would be allowed to remain longer due to the current uncertainty.

Austrian Chancellor Karl Nehammer instructed his interior minister to suspend all current Syrian asylum applications and family reunifications, and said cases in which asylum had been granted would also be reviewed.

Greece paused the asylum applications of about 9,000 Syrians, a senior Greek government source told Reuters. Officials have said the government will meet on Friday to finalise the move.

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Sweden's immigration authority did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Germany is gearing up for a snap election in February, with far-right and conservative parties topping opinion polls.

An Infratest survey published on Friday indicated that voters view migration as Germany's second-biggest problem after the economy.

ProAsyl, a German group providing legal and practical assistance to asylum seekers, said it might take many months for clarity to emerge on Syria's security situation, potentially exceeding the six-month limit for a decision.

Updating the British parliament on the situation in Syria, Foreign Minister David Lammy warned developments could potentially trigger more migration into European states.

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"Seeing so many start to return to Syria is a positive sign for their hopes for a better future now that Assad is gone," Lammy told parliament.

"But a lot depends on what happens now. This flow into Syria could quickly become a flow back out and potentially increase the numbers using dangerous illegal migration routes to continental Europe and the United Kingdom."

(Reporting by Riham Alkousaa in Berlin, Terje Solsvik in Oslo, Francois Murphy in Vienna, Layli Foroudi and Juliette Jabkhiro in Paris, Karolina Tagaris in Athens, Muvija M and Catarina Demony in London, Anthony Deutsch in Amsterdam, Angelo Amante in Rome; Editing by Friederike Heine, Rachel More, Kevin Liffey, Christina Fincher and Rod Nickel)
By Tim Hepher

VERNON, France (Reuters) - In a discreet forest clearing on a plateau above the town of Vernon in Normandy, France, workers adjust a steel cylinder held under giant red claws - part of a reusable rocket that Europe hopes will slow the meteoric rise of Elon Musk's SpaceX.

Maiaspace, a two-year-old subsidiary of Europe's largest rocket maker ArianeGroup, is entering a crucial period of testing for plans to launch Europe's first partially reusable launcher in 2026, targeting mainly small commercial satellites.

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The effort to make Europe more competitive comes a decade after major European governments decided to develop the Ariane 6 heavy launcher without making it reusable, with some critics calling it outdated even before its commercial debut next year.

"On this side of the Atlantic, we have neglected the technologies of reusability," Maiaspace CEO Yohann Leroy told reporters during a visit to the company's test facilities on an abandoned corner of a sensitive French rocket engine facility.

"To be competitive we have to lower the costs and recover the first stage," he said.

Plans to set up Maiaspace were first announced in December 2021 by then French Finance Minister Bruno Lemaire, who bemoaned the "bad strategic choice" of 2014 and voiced ambitions to build "our own SpaceX and our own Falcon 9".

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Blueprints call for a medium-sized launcher whose first stage can optionally be recovered on a barge off the European spaceport in French Guiana and re-used five times.

The two-stage rocket can additionally be equipped with a small extra "Kick Stage" to increase performance.

It will carry between 0.5 and 4 tons depending on orbit and payload, and whether the first stage is recovered, Leroy said. That places it near Ariane 6's smaller cousin, the non-reusable, 2.3-tonne Italian Vega C which returned to space last week.

So far the goal of emulating dominant player SpaceX appears elusive. But European officials are betting that projects like Maiaspace will spawn a reusable successor to Ariane 6.

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TIGHT SECURITY

The plans are being hatched in remote woodlands once used to hide the birth of France's ballistics and space programme with the help of German scientists recruited after World War II.

Maiaspace shares premises with parent ArianeGroup, builder of Europe's Ariane civil launchers and French strategic missiles, and tight security harks back to its Cold War origins.

Working behind barbed wire and peeling signs warning of risks of explosion, Maiaspace's 230 engineers must try to figure out how to close a seemingly unbridgeable gap with SpaceX which first re-launched a refurbished Falcon 9 booster in 2017.

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They face technological challenges stemming in part from Europe's delay in fully embracing reusable technology.

When traditional rockets separate they do so in the vacuum of space. But to be reusable, the first stage must be separated earlier, which risks disturbance from remaining atmosphere.

This is "one of the major technical challenges on which European industry needs to make progress," Leroy said.

The "interstage" prototype now being prepared by workers is designed to test a solution to that problem this week, with the red claw-like structure simulating the effects of separation.

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Maiaspace must also move fast amid relentless competition. Germany's Rocket Factory Augsburg is also developing a rocket designed ultimately to be partially reusable, RFA ONE, though it suffered a setback when a test engine exploded this year.

Like most of its peers, Maiaspace will also need investment.

It pegs development costs at several hundred million euros. So far it has won 125 million euros from ArianeGroup, owned by Airbus and Safran, and will start discussing a potential new round with its parent next year, Leroy said.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher; Editing by Susan Fenton)
France is in crisis and without a government. And if one starts from the end of this story, one of the main explanations can be found in the headquarters of La France Insoumise (LFI), one of the left-wing parties that make up the New Popular Front (NFP), the progressive alliance that won the last legislative elections and drafted the no-confidence vote that ended Michel Barniers government last week with help from the votes of the far right. Why? Because the result of the election, they claimed, was ignored and the president of the Republic, Emmanuel Macron, insisted on building a conservative executive. Its leader, 73-year-old Jean-Luc Melenchon, the leading and the most radical voice of this alliance, has not stopped asking for the resignation of the head of state since then. And he will continue to do so until it happens, he warns.

Melenchon received EL PAIS and the newspaper La Repubblica, both members of the LENA news media alliance, at the offices of LFI, a sort of labyrinthine warehouse full of offices and all kinds of posters and election brochures. This was not the best day for him. On Friday morning he had learned that the Socialist Party (PS), one of the parties that make up the NFP, has broken the lefts unity. The PS, led by Olivier Faure, had just met with President Macron at the Elysee to offer him support in forming an executive with reciprocal concessions. It is a unilateral negotiation that for Melenchon means the breaking up of the lefts unity. The New Popular Front will continue without them. We will not govern with this right-wing bloc in decline, he proclaims.

Question. In July you predicted a political crisis that could turn into a regime crisis. Are we there yet?

Answer. Macron said he had dissolved the Assembly to bring clarity and to avoid facing a budget debate this year without a majority. Since the elections, his situation has worsened. Without a majority, it was obvious that he would resort to Article 49.3 [allowing the executive to approve major measures by decree] and that, also automatically, we would table a no-confidence motion. We did this 17 times last year on the budget!

Q. This time with the support of [far-right National Rally leader] Marine Le Pens lawmakers.

A. Macron says this to cause controversy and to harm us. In reality, our no-confidence motion is a very harsh text against the far right. Moreover, for something to be a majority, two blocks must vote together. Should we have asked that the votes of the far right not be counted? That is not possible. Two months ago, Le Pen did not support our motion against Barnier. Macron did not reject her abstention.

Q. Has Le Pen, who had promised in September not to censure Barniers government, changed her strategy following the request for disqualification in her trial for misappropriation of European funds?

A. Ask her! We have repeatedly said that thanks to her, Barniers government was maintained. Our message was clear to the popular sectors: they are voting for someone who claims to be against the system, but who is part of it. I once called her the life insurance for Macrons system. Seeing the polls, in which more than 60% wanted to oust Barnier, in the end she gave in.

Q. Would it be a risk for French democracy if Le Pen were unable to run for the Elysee because of a court conviction?

A. If she is convicted, if the judges consider it a proven fact, it is a normal course of events. But it is not acceptable that a sentence be imposed before she can appeal. However, that is what the public prosecutor has requested. Since the prosecutor is acting under government directives, Le Pen may interpret this as an attempt to eliminate her.

Q. In Italy or Spain, when politics is blocked, parties make concessions and pacts with opposing forces.

A. Repeating endlessly that the left must come to terms with the right is dangerous. It produces governments willing to sell their souls just to stay in power. The result? [Italian PM Georgia] Meloni. We refuse to betray our voters for office. We apply our platform without compromise. Democracy is not consensus! On the contrary, when you organize a consensus between reasonable parties, what options do the discontent have? Only the far right remains for them. This has happened all over Europe. Forgive me if I get carried away, but without our opposition to liberalism, my country could allow the far right to win.

Jean-Luc Melenchon at party headquarters on Friday. Louisa Ben

Q. Macron has called you extremely irresponsible along with Le Pen.

A. We are used to these insults. Censorship is in the Constitution, I did not invent it. Nor was it I who created another trillion euros in debt or chaos in this country. Macron recently wanted to send troops to Russia. France has been expelled from Africa. That is his balance sheet. He demands that the French view all this as normal, that they submit, that they cheer him on after returning from Saudi Arabia. France is wealthier than ever, but its people are poorer than they were 20 years ago. And we should keep quiet and be responsible? Being responsible means pointing out the problem: him. He will not finish his term if there is a no-confidence vote every two months.

Q. If the PS reaches an agreement with Macron to form a government, would it be the end of the NFP?

A. The NFP will continue without them. We will not govern with this right-wing bloc in decline. Look how they insult those they call the French on paper. My maternal grandfather was a Spaniard from Valencia, and his father chose France to escape the dictatorship. Are we back to the same thing? No. France must not discriminate based on origin or religion.

Q. Have you spoken to Olivier Faure about the talks for a new government?

A. No, we have been hit with a fait accompli. It is a brutal, personal method. Faure likes to bluff. His party won 1.67% of the vote in the presidential election, yet he wants to be prime minister for the left! He has a high opinion of himself and often makes harsh remarks about me. The grand coalition has been the dream of several French socialists for 40 years.

Q. Will the next government face a no-confidence motion if it has the support of the PS?

A. There will be one every time Article 49.3 is invoked. We will continue until we achieve it. Macron will end up leaving; he cannot endure 30 months of appointing Barnier governments every three months.

Q. Macron has said he will not resign before 2027.

A. It is logical for him to say that. But where will he find a majority of 289 lawmakers to approve the next budget? Without that, there will be another Article 49.3, another no-confidence motion and another government that will fall.

Q. Are you ready to be a presidential candidate?

A. Our organization is ready. We have active bases, our platform is up to date. But we have not yet decided on a candidate. It is a collective decision.

Q. Are you passionate about the revolutionary spirit?

A. Passion is not the right word. I am an intellectual, author of 22 books. The history of France shows that it does not know how to enact reform without great events. We propose a Constituent Assembly and a Sixth Republic. It is our citizen revolution.

Q. Would you have gone to Notre Dame cathedral as president?

A. Yes. Although I am not religious, I cried when Notre Dame burned. It is a work that belongs to all humanity.

Q. Macron has managed to meet that challenge.

A. It was a collective work that showcases French talent. I am looking forward to seeing the renovated cathedral.

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HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  The Evansville Retired Teachers Association is celebrating the holidays with a with a luncheon and program on Thursday.

Organizers say that over 100 members will be coming to the event, along with EVSC Superintendent Dr. David Smith and Executive Director of the Indiana Retired Teachers Association Ms. Laura Penman.

The luncheon will begin at 12 p.m. Thursday at the Embrace Church in Evansville.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW).
Goose Chase

Despite a massively bloated budget, access to more than 15,000 camera feeds, and cutting-edge facial recognition tech, the New York City Police Department appears to be not much closer to tracking down the identity of the man who killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Thompson was shot outside of a Midtown Manhattan hotel on Wednesday morning, leading to a nationwide goose chase assisted by the FBI  and the subsequent manhunt is a fascinating test of whether NYC's aggressive surveillance panopticon is actually useful when push comes to shove.

A recovered backpack that allegedly belonged to the suspect contained only two items: a Tommy Hilfiger jacket and Monopoly money, according to ABC News, which doesn't sound likely to aid the NYPD in their search.

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Not even the roughly 45-pound electric CityBike the suspect rode towards Central Park has so far been recovered. (Police do insist they're making progress on the case behind the scenes.)

It's an unfortunate reality check given the extent of the influence and power handed out to law enforcement. The NYPD spends roughly $29 million every day, according to recent estimates, with critics arguing all that taxpayer money could be spent on much more meaningful initiatives for the betterment of society.

Masked Vigilante

Meanwhile, police believe that the suspect boarded a bus out of the city at the Port Authority bus facility. That means he may have gotten off at six or seven different stops, which could broaden the manhunt considerably.

Still, some experts are hopeful that law enforcement will soon apprehend the killer.

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"Im thinking were going to know who this is within a matter of a few more days, if that," former FBI profiler Mary Ellen OToole told CNN. "Hes completely outnumbered. With that kind of manpower behind their efforts, theyre going to come up with the information that identifies him."

"The ability to stand up against that kind of an investigation, one person cant do it, no matter how arrogant you are," she added. "Youre bound to make mistakes."

Yet countless questions remain. Did the killer want to send a message, as the bullet shells recovered at the scene  "deny," "defend," and "depose"  and the Monopoly money in his backpack would suggest? Was he "extremely camera savvy," as one senior law enforcement official told the New York Times, by still obscuring the rest of his head with a hood even while flashing a smile to the front desk employee at the hostel where he stayed before the slaying?

If anything, the killer has demonstrated that despite committing a blatant murder in one of the most intensely surveilled places in the world, one can still easily avoid detection  which doesn't bode well given how much money is being poured into law enforcement each year.

More on the hunt: NYPD Ridiculed for Saying AI Will Find CEO Killer as They Fail to Name Suspect
By Timour Azhari

DAMASCUS (Reuters) - The Sunni-led Islamist rebels who toppled Syria's Bashar al-Assad met elders in the former president's Alawite hometown on Monday and received their support, in what residents said was an encouraging sign of tolerance from the country's new rulers.

How the rebels treat the sizeable Alawite population, who widely backed Assad and from whom he drew his personal presidential guards, is seen in Syria as a lithmus test of whether the takeover of Damascus on Sunday leads to violent revenge against former loyalists of a hated five-decade regime.

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The rebel delegation visited Assad's hometown of Qardaha in the mountains of Latakia province in northwest Syria, meeting with dozens of religious men, elders and others at the town hall for a discussion, before the Alawite notables signed a statement of support, three residents said.

The residents said the delegation contained members of both Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the Free Syrian Army, Sunni groups that led the rebellion and that Assad had long said were terrorists who would massacre Alawites if he fell.

Syrians from the Alawite religion, an offshoot of Shi-ite Islam, make up about 10% of the country's population and are centred in Latakia province close to the Mediterranean Sea and the border with Turkey.

Sunni Muslims are about 70 percent of the population, and there are substantial communities of Christians, Kurds, Druze and other groups.

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The document, seen by Reuters, underscored Syria's religious and cultural diversity. It also called for state police and services to be restored as quickly as possible under the new rulers, and agreed that any weapons held by Qardaha residents would be handed over.

The acquiescence of the elders was striking sign of regime change in a town that, locals told Reuters this week, for many years hosted continuous funerals due to the numbers of loyalist fighters who were dying to defend Assad in the country's 13 year civil war.

"We affirm the unity of the Syrian Arab Republic's territory and religious and cultural diversity and diversity of thought," said the statement signed by around 30 of the town's notables. It was not signed by the rebels.

A spokesperson for the rebels did not immediately respond to a text message asking for more details.

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One resident, who declined to be named out of fears of retribution in a still-volatile situation, said the discussion had helped to assuage the fears of the local population, building on statements by the rebels that they would respect minority groups.

"It's another good step," said the resident.

The statement affirmed Qardaha's "support for the new path and a patriotic free Syria and our complete cooperation" with HTS and Free Syrian Army.

The apparently cordial nature of the meeting is in line with a message of moderation communicated by the rebels, led by former Al-Qaeda offshoot HTS, in cities such as Aleppo as they swept toward Damascus last week.

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HTS has governed the Syrian city of Idlib and surrounding areas for several years and has tried to distance itself from more radical jihadist movements.

Many members of Syria's sizeable minority religions fear becoming second-class citizens or facing persecution under HTS, who are designated as terrorists by the United States and other world powers.

The HTS leader and mastermind of the rebel offensive, Abu Mohammed al-Golani, said in a 2021 interview with PBS that the terror designation was unfair and that his movement posed no threat outside Syria.

A British minister on Monday said the country was examining whether or not to remove HTS' terrorist designation.

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The residents said locals dismantled a statue of Assad's father Hafez al-Assad before the rebels arrived in Qardaha.

Later, some people from the area, which is among Syria's most impoverished regions, descended on Hafez al-Assad's grand mausoleum in Qardaha and looted it, taking everything from tables and chairs to air conditioning units, the residents said.

(Reporting by Timour Azhari; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel)
By Andrew Mills

DOHA (Reuters) -Qatari diplomats spoke with Syria's leading rebel faction, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, on Monday, an official briefed on the developments told Reuters, as regional states race to open contact with the group after its rapid offensive toppled Bashar al-Assad.

Qatar plans to speak with Mohamed al-Bashir, an HTS leader, on Tuesday, the day after he was appointed to lead Syria's transitional administration, the official said.

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"The focus is on the need for HTS and other groups to maintain calm and preserve Syria's public institutions during the transition period," the official said.

Governments across the region are scrambling to forge new links with HTS and other rebel groups involved in the offensive that seized control of much of Syria. Assad fled to Russia, after 13 years of civil war and more than 50 years of his family's rule.

Qatar's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters requests for comment about the contacts with HTS, a group formerly allied with Al Qaeda and which is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S., European Union, Turkey and the U.N.

Mohammed Al-Khulaifi, Minister of State at Qatar's foreign ministry, said late on Monday that the Gulf Arab state is communicating with "various parties on the ground" in Syria, without specifying who.

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"Qatar has always kept its doors open to everyone, in line with its foreign policy," Khulaifi said in comments broadcast on Al Jazeera's Arabic network.

Assad's main regional ally Iran also opened a direct line of communication with rebels in Syria's new leadership, a senior Iranian official told Reuters, citing the need to "prevent a hostile trajectory" between the countries. It was not clear if Iran's contacts were with HTS or another Syrian rebel faction.

Qatar's outreach to HTS follows a meeting hosted by the Qatari prime minister late on Saturday, which included foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia and Egypt, as well as Syria's neighbours Turkey, Jordan and Iraq, alongside top diplomats from Iran and Russia, another Assad ally.

Hours before Assad fled Damascus, the group of officials reached consensus that communicating with HTS was required in order to stabilise Syria, the official said, adding that it was a priority to ensure extremist groups like Islamic State did not gain a foothold.

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The senior Iranian official said several countries at Saturday's meeting -- including Turkey, Saudi Arabia and Qatar -- offered to open channels to the Syrian rebel leadership.

Qatar, a tiny Gulf Arab country and major ally of Washington, has a track record mediating between Western countries and their foes like Iran or militant groups like Hamas and the Taliban.

The foreign ministries of Qatar, Egypt, Turkey, Jordan, Russia, a foreign affairs adviser to Iraq's prime minister and Saudi Arabia's international media office did not respond to Reuters' requests for comment about Saturday's meeting.

Russian news agencies reported that Syrian rebel representatives guaranteed Moscow that its military bases and diplomatic institutions in Syria would remain safe. It was not clear which Syrian faction issued the guarantees.

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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Monday that Ankara was coordinating with all "regional actors and parties", without naming HTS.

(Reporting and writing by Andrew Mills in Doha; Additional reporting by Parisa Hafezi in Dubai, Timour Azhari in Damascus, Nafisa Eltahir in Cairo, Jonathan Spicer in Istanbul, Guy Faulconbridge in Moscow and Pesha Magid in Riyadh; editing by Deepa Babington and Alistair Bell)
BROOKVILLE, Ohio (WDTN)  A local medical building has been approved for an expansion.

Our partners at the Eaton Register Herald reported a building in the 90 block of Moiser Parkway in Brookville has been approved to add 5,590 square feet. Additional parking spaces and a sprinkler system are also expected to be a part of the propertys plan.

According to our partner, more patients will be able to be seen at the facility upon completion of the project. Brookville Mayor Chuck Letner reportedly told our partner that eight providers and 24 exam rooms will be available for patients after the completion of the upgrades.

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Once the project begins, it is expected to be completed within 10 to 12 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 WDTN.com.
As President Joe Biden weighs whether to issue preemptive pardons to people President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to seek retribution against and even prosecute, experts said he has the power to do so under the Constitution.

In his first network TV interview since his presidential victory, Trump vowed to use the first day of his second Oval Office term to pardon people convicted for their roles in the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection at the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington by a pro-Trump mob, even considering clemency for the more than 900 people who have pleaded guilty. He also said members of the House Select Committee investigating Jan. 6, namely co-chairs Rep. Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., and Rep. Liz Cheney, R. Wyo., should be punished.

"For what they did, honestly, they should go to jail," Trump said on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday.

PHOTO: President Joe Biden, with son Hunter Biden, arrives at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base in Syracuse, New York, Feb. 4, 2023. (Andrew Caballero-reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

'Both legal and probably prudent'

Legal experts said Biden can protect people Trump considers his political enemies by issuing them preemptive pardons.

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"It is both legal and probably prudent for President Biden to consider pardoning people who could be hit with bogus charges or harassed with the elements of law enforcement just because he doesnt like what they say or what theyve said," Norman Ornstein, senior fellow emeritus at the American Enterprise Institute, a public policy think tank in Washington, told ABC News.

Trump nominated Kash Patel as FBI director and Pam Bondi as attorney general. Both have publicly stated that they are on board with using the Justice Department as a mechanism of retribution.

PHOTO: President-elect Donald Trump meets with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the Elysee Palace, Dec. 7, 2024, in Paris. (Aurelien Morissard/AP)

In his 2023 book, "Government Gangsters: The Deep State, the Truth, and the Battle for Our Democracy," Patel included a 60-name list of people he alleges are members of the "Deep State" who "must be held accountable and exposed" -- including President Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, current FBI Director Christopher Wray, Hilary Clinton, former Trump Attorney General Bill Barr and current Attorney General Merrick Garland.

PHOTO: Kash Patel, President-elect Donald Trump's pick to be the director of the FBI, arrives for a meeting in the office of Sen. John Cornyn on Capitol Hill, Dec. 9, 2024, in Washington. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

Trump said in the "Meet the Press" interview that he has no intention of instructing Patel or Bondi on whom they should investigate and prosecute.

Nixon's pardon set precedent

Last week, Biden granted his son, Hunter Biden, a pardon for federal convictions for failing to pay income taxes from 2016 to 2020 and for lying on a federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms and Explosives form when he purchased a handgun in 2018 and said he was not using drugs at the time.

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Ornstein noted that the full pardon of Hunter Biden was not just for his recent convictions but covers any crime he may have committed over a nearly 11-year span: Jan. 1, 2014 to Dec. 1, 2024.

MORE: 'Ridiculous and false': Cheney, Schiff push back after Trump says Jan. 6 committee members should be jailed

He said Biden could craft a similar pardon for the House Select Committee members and others who could be targeted by Trump, including Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, who Trump allies have accused of suppressing information on the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic.

PHOTO: President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for Attorney General Pam Bondi arrives for a meeting with Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Sen. Lindsey Graham in his office, Dec. 2, 2024, in Washington. (Samuel Corum/Getty Images)

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"It would be over a period of time, potentially going back to 2016, where he could pardon them for any potential offenses or real offenses that may have been committed or charged," Ornstein said.

Orenstein said precedent had already been established by former President Gerald Ford when he granted a blanket pardon to President Richard Nixon in 1974 for any crimes committed while he was the commander in chief even though Nixon hadn't been charged with a crime when he resigned from office over the Watergate scandal.

Biden and his senior aides are discussing possible preemptive pardons for people who might be targeted by the incoming Trump administration, a source close to the president told ABC News. Possible names include current and former officials such as Cheney, Fauci and retired Gen. Mark Milley -- the former chair of the Joint Chiefs of Staff under Trump. Milley has long been a target of Republican attacks over the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan.

In September 2023, Trump accused Milley of treason, posting on his Truth Social platform, "In times gone by, the punishment would have been DEATH!

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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."

"He does not need to wait until someone is charged, tried or convicted," said Jeffrey Crouch, an assistant professor of American politics at American University and author of the book "The Presidential Pardon Power." "The Supreme Court has recognized the presidents flexibility in this area."

Risk of weaponizing clemency

But Crouch cautioned that the use of preemptive pardons can be a slippery slope.

"The clemency power was intended to give presidents the ability to dispense mercy and defuse societal tensions, such as a war or rebellion," Crouch told ABC News. "Granting pardons under the current circumstances in the manner being discussed could weaponize clemency. A constitutional power designed to dispense official forgiveness will have evolved into a catch-all provision for shielding political cronies or critics. This is far from what the framers of the constitution had in mind for presidential pardons."

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Crouch said presidential pardons can't be overturned.

During his first term, Trump granted pardons to his former national security adviser Michael Flynn, who was also convicted in special counsel Robert Muller's investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election; his former campaign manager Paul Manafort, who was convicted of bank and tax fraud; and his longtime friend and onetime campaign adviser Roger Stone, who was convicted of lying to Congress, witness tampering and obstruction of a proceeding also stemming from the Russian election interference inquiry.

Trump also pardoned his son-in-law Jared Kushner's fathet, Charles Kushner, of tax evasion and witness tampering convictions. Charles Kushner has been selected by Trump to be his ambassador to France in his second term.

Several Democrats have been urging Biden to issue preemptive pardons to foil Trump's possible attempts at seeking retribution. Rep. Brendan Boyle, D-Pa., said in a Dec. 4 statement, "This is no hypothetical threat."

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MORE: President Joe Biden issues pardon for son Hunter Biden

By choosing Kash Patel as his FBI Director, Trump has made it clear that he is more focused on settling personal scores than on protecting the American people or upholding the rule of law," Boyle said.

Boyle added, "The people theyre targeting include law enforcement officers, military personnel, and others who have spent their lives protecting this country. These patriots shouldnt have to live in fear of political retribution for doing whats right. Thats why Im urging President Biden to issue a blanket pardon for anyone unjustly targeted by this vindictive scheme."

MORE: As Hunter Biden pardon sparks backlash, experts say it can't be overturned

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In a Nov. 26 interview on Boston Public Radio station WGBH, Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., also urged Biden to consider preemptive pardons.

I think that without question, Trump is going to try to act in a dictatorial way, in a fascistic way, in a revengeful way his first year towards individuals who he believes harmed him, Markey said. "If its clear by Jan. 19 that is [Trump's] intention, then I would recommend to President Biden that he provide those preemptive pardons to people, because thats really what our country is going to need next year."

According to the Office of the Pardon Attorney, under the U.S. Department of Justice, Biden has pardoned 26 people during his tenure in the White House compared to the 238 clemency grants made by Trump in his first term.

PHOTO: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries responds to reporters during his weekly news conference at the Capitol in Washington, Dec. 6, 2024. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Other Democrats, including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, are encouraging Biden to use his pardon power to help working-class Americans "who have been aggressively prosecuted and harshly sentenced for nonviolent offenses."

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"During his final weeks in office, President Biden should exercise the high level of compassion he has consistently demonstrated throughout his life, including toward his son, and pardon on a case-by-case basis the working-class Americans in the federal prison system whose lives have been ruined by unjustly aggressive prosecutions for nonviolent offenses," Jeffries said in a statement. "This moment calls for liberty and justice for all."

Experts say Biden has a constitutional right to issue preemptive pardons originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
There will be a coup, a transitional government with representation for all groups, and everything will happen without a bloodbath, said Shivan, a Syrian resident in the north of the country who withheld his real name for security reasons, just a few days ago. If he had been anyone else, his words could have been taken with a grain of salt, but coming from an individual who has lived through the revolution, the atrocious repression of the Bashar al-Assad regime, and the ruthless civil war that was fueled by both Assad and international interference, there was a good chance that his predictions would come true.

Entering Syria has been much easier this time than in 2011, when one had to clandestinely cross rivers, barbed-wire borders and roads in the middle of the night. When Aleppo fell two days ago, Syrians shared their excitement at being able to return to their city after years of exile, or to reunite with their relatives after having been imprisoned for several months: I am crying to see my city again, writes Yasser, a doctor from Aleppo who has lived in exile in a town on the border with Turkey for almost a decade, in a WhatsApp message.

This doctor, who spent several years in prison for opposing the Assad regime and then suffered an assassination attempt by members of the Islamic State, had to leave his city in 2016, when the government army retook it from the insurgency. But he has returned home. His is one of the tens of thousands of stories that are playing out today throughout Syria: families separated by repression and war who can finally meet and embrace each other after rebel militias led by the fundamentalist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) overthrew the Syrian dictator on Sunday after 13 years of conflict. I cannot hold back my tears of emotion after so many years away from Aleppo, writes Yasser.

In the north of the country, the situation is no different. The outlook for the war in northern Syria is very different from that in Aleppo and other southern cities, because while in Al-Hasakah and Qamishli there was a shared authority  until now they have been managed partly by the government and partly by the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF)  the latter have spent years very subservient to the Assad regime.

But joy now reigns among thousands of people who feel freed from repression. In the cities, the official flags are being replaced by the four-coloured flag with three stars of the revolution, and people can be seen crying and hugging each other. Syrians are thrilled to know that they have been freed from a family dictatorship that has lasted more than half a century, and from a regime that responded to the protests of the Syrian Arab Spring with massacres and bombings by the Russian air force. We are very happy, we are free, answers anyone who is asked.

The roads of northern Syria are teeming with trucks and cars filled with fleeing families, but also with others who are returning to their hometowns, where they will find soldiers firing salutes in the air to celebrate the fall of the dictator. In the town of Qamishli, on the border with Turkey, traffic is heavy; drivers honk their horns and wave flags out of their windows. Among the pedestrians, gathered in crowds, some have burned tires and shots can be heard in the air, but the atmosphere is festive. Even children take part in the demonstrations. We are exhausted, but happy, says one passerby.

At one of the citys hotels, an employee named Ahmed is also happy about the sudden turn of events in his country. Were finally rid of Assad, he says, celebrating. He exemplifies the huge difference he sees in small details that were previously forbidden to him and which he believes are now possible: I couldnt even say the word bastard, but now I feel free to do so, he boasts, alluding to the Syrian dictator.

Syrians are aware of the interweaving web of interests and ideologies among the groups and countries that brought down the dictatorship, and of the difficulty of maintaining a peaceful balance between them, but now is the time to celebrate liberation, regardless of their ideological or religious differences.

Between fear and hope

Although there is a sense of happiness similar to that felt by Libyans when Muammar Gaddafi was overthrown in October 2011, there is also a certain fear of a repeat, as happened in the African country, of the disappointment and frustration that came when the country began to fall apart due to fighting between different factions that tried to seize power. It is likely that we will enter a civil war before long, muses another citizen named Farek, a pragmatist.

He is not the only one concerned that the violence may not stop here; many Syrians share the uncertainty that a new war could be brewing between the various groups currently present in the country and supported by various international actors. Groups that are dividing up the territory after years of involvement in the conflict and that will now demand a share of the land, either taking it by force or consolidating their control.

But what is on display in northern Syria the day after the fall of the dictator Assad is relief, celebration and emotion for their newly won freedom and for the memory of the hundreds of thousands of people who were killed and repressed during these decades and who will no longer see a Syria that has been liberated, if only temporarily.

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Claim:

A photo authentically depicts Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein seated together on a private plane.

Rating:

Rating: Fake

In December 2024, an image spread online allegedly depicting President-elect Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein  the late financier and convicted child sex trafficker  seated together aboard a private plane.

While there are multiple authentic photos of the two together  as we've previously reported  this image is not one of them. There are clear visual indications of AI-generation (artificial intelligence), including Epstein appearing to have three legs and a mysterious face being present to the right of Trump's head.

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Numerous X users have posted the image throughout 2024, but most recently, one X user uploaded it in response to a post about Kash Patel, Trump's pick for FBI director, by American media personality Caitlyn Jenner. As of this writing, the image has received more than 62,100 views.

(X account @1stUnity)

Social media users pointed out the dodgy appearance of the image in other X posts, with one saying: "I actually hope you know that's a horrible photoshop job." Another said: "Imagine posting this thinking it's real. How embarrassing. Super cringe dude."

When run through AI detection software Illuminarty, the results came back with a 99.4% probability of it being AI-generated. When checked with Hive, another AI detection program, the result came back as 100% likely to have been AI-generated, as shown below.

(Image via Hive)

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Lastly, results using Google's reverse-image search tool were mostly X posts, with a remaining few originating from other social media platforms.

If this was an authentic photo, major credible news outlets would have reported on it and the photographer's identity could have been confirmed, along with the company that owns the image. As evidenced by a Google Images search, no credible news outlets have ever published such a photo.

In sum, because visual cues, such as Epstein's three legs and the floating face behind Trump, indicate that the image was AI-generated and not authentic, we have rated this image as fake.

Sources:

Google Lens. https://lens.google.com/search?ep=gisbubb&hl=en&re=df&p=AbrfA8p8U5fGlkQ9un1GQRIkif2jq5WC3Nr5uSc5mB_mHvmM4YwAk8HXm58ifFdXfl6kh8-84hmR668DII9BmNdu54griGMWLnMOISRLwG5nAQx3jiqLAJzrwzd6o4S91Xz1XQyMQmBWg5Drr6jdgwx_8egzYwYpbRhGJuqg0RSF9ZJ4YqQTjgg1BGSkWAyykKMjtiIjuD-eYIlIOg%3D%3D#lns=W251bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLG51bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLDEsIkVrY0tKRFE0WlRJNFpHUXdMVEF4WXpZdE5EWTVPQzA0WXpneUxXVm1NVGt6TVdJMVlXWTNZaElmYnpNdGFrRXhRaTAyZGpoV2MwNXBYM3AxVm1GWlRWZHlhRkZZUlhwQ1p3PT0iLG51bGwsbnVsbCxbW251bGwsbnVsbCwiaXAtNTEiLG51bGwsNTRdLFsiOTM0ZDg5NDAtNDQwZC00M2Q3LWI1ODctODg1ODY1NWU2NmI1Il1dLG51bGwsbnVsbCxudWxsLFtudWxsLG51bGwsW251bGwsWzAsMCwxMDAwMDAsMTAwMDAwXV1dXQ==. Accessed 2 Jan. 2024.
Claim:

In 2024, Pope Francis presented a Nativity scene displayed at the Vatican that featured baby Jesus wrapped in a kaffiyeh, a traditional Palestinian scarf.

Rating:

Rating: True

On Dec. 7, 2024, Pope Francis publicly showed off the Vatican's 2024 Christmas decorations: a Nativity scene and Christmas tree in St. Peter's Square and a second Nativity scene inside the Vatican. However, one of those Nativities contained what some online viewed as a stark political statement. The Nativity of Bethlehem 2024, located in Paul VI hall, featured the baby Jesus wrapped in a kaffiyeh, a scarf traditional to the Palestinian people.

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Several news outlets reported on the display, and photos of the pope with the Nativity spread on social media. Given the ongoing conflicts in the region, users left comments supporting the pope's statement or condemning it, depending on their personal beliefs about the Israel-Hamas war. Several Snopes readers wrote in asking whether Pope Francis appeared with the Nativity.

The photos of the Pope with the Nativity were real, and were captured by multiple photojournalists. After viewing the Nativity, the Pope released a statement commenting on the Vatican's Christmas decorations. According to that statement, that Nativity was presented to the Vatican on behalf of the city of Bethlehem, located inside the Palestinian West Bank. Vatican News, the official news source of the Vatican, wrote that the nativity was designed by two artists from Bethlehem, Johny Andonia and Faten Nastas Mitwasi.

In his address, the pope called for peace in the area and condemned the arms industry for profiting from violence.

Finally, let us look at the Nativity displays of Bethlehem, built in the land where the Son of God was born. They are different, but they all bear the same message of peace and love that Jesus left us. Before it, let us remember the brothers and sisters who, instead, right there and in other parts of the world, are suffering from the tragedy of war. With tears in our eyes, let us raise our prayer for peace. Brothers and sisters, enough war, enough violence! Do you know that one of the most profitable investments here is in arms production? Profit for killing But how come? Enough wars! May there be peace in all the world and for all men, whom God loves (cf. Lk 2:14)!

Sources:

Audience with a Delegation of Donors of the Nativity Display and Christmas Tree in Saint Peter's Square. https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/bollettino/pubblico/2024/12/07/241207f.html. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.

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"Baby Jesus in Keffiyeh Unveiled in Vatican Nativity." The Jerusalem Post - Christian World, 9 Dec. 2024, https://www.jpost.com/christianworld/article-832590.

Pope: 'Enough with Wars and Violence in the World!' - Vatican News. 7 Dec. 2024, https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2024-12/pope-enough-with-wars-and-violence-in-the-world.html.

"Pope Francis Unveils Christmas Nativity With Baby Jesus Atop A Keffiyeh." HuffPost, 9 Dec. 2024, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/pope-francis-baby-jesus-keffiyeh-nativity_n_67560b2fe4b06b50ac931068.

Search Result. https://pictures.reuters.com/CS.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&VBID=2C0FCIX7MPSXFQ&SMLS=1&RW=1512&RH=842#/SearchResult&VBID=2C0FCIX7MPSXFQ&SMLS=1&RW=1512&RH=842&POPUPPN=6&POPUPIID=2C0FQE82GX9TV. Accessed 9 Dec. 2024.
FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. (DC News Now)  Fairfax County supervisors are renewing efforts to lure a new FBI headquarters to a site in Springfield.

Chairman Jeff McKay told DC News Now that the changing of the guard at the White House creates the opportunity to revisit last years decision to build the installation in Maryland.

Whether we like it or not, and, you know, there will be plenty of things to agree and disagree on with this administration, but it does give us an opportunity to say new people, new sets of eyes. This hasnt been built yet. Lets take another look at it,' said McKay.

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PREVIOUS COVERAGE | Prince Georges County residents hopeful for FBI headquarters in Greenbelt despite Trumps stance

In November 2023, the General Services Administration (GSA) announced it had selected a 61-acre WMATA-owned tract of land in Greenbelt, Md. as the future home of the FBI, over the Spring site, owned by the General Services Administration.

The choice outraged lawmakers and prompted the Inspector General to open an investigation into the selection process.

A panel comprised of two GSA officials and one FBI official had deemed the Virginia site as the best option to relocate the Bureaus headquarters. The Biden Administration ignited the process to move the agency from its aging headquarters in Washington, D.C. in 2022.

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Following the decision GSA wrote, Greenbelt, Maryland, offers the greatest opportunity for the governments investment to positively impact the Washington, D.C. region through sustainable and equitable development.

Fairfax County officials include the effort in the countys 2025-2026 legislative agenda, boasting that the site is 40 miles from the FBIs Quantico installation, accessible by Metro and Virginia Railway Express, and is already owned by the federal government.

We have the metrics, that support our case. We made a very strong, case with the GSA. The GSA felt like our site was the best, said McKay. All were going to do is present the facts just like we did last time, and hope that the facts drive the decision this time instead of other things.

The findings of the GSA investigation of the selection process have not been made public.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
The regime of Bashar al-Assad has collapsed. He has fled Damascus for Moscow, leaving Syrias rebels  diverse in tribe, race, and religion  in control. Torture chambers like those at Mezzeh and Sednaya are being opened, and the remaining archives will expose the machinery of Syrias system of mass murder. The swiftness of this victory reveals that Assads regime, always hollow, could have been defeated a decade ago had the West acted decisively.

Over 600,000 people have died in the war, millions have been displaced, and thousands perished trying to escape. The war also resulted in the birth of Isis, in a severe blow to global security. While responsibility for these tragedies lie squarely at the feet of Assads regime, they also reflect the failure of Western powers  chiefly former president Barack Obama  to act when it mattered most.

In 2013, Assads forces used sarin gas in Ghouta, killing more than 1,000 civilians. Obama had declared that use of chemical weapons constituted a red line, promising severe consequences if crossed. Yet when the moment came, the response was a hollow diplomatic deal brokered by Russia. This agreement led to unreliable inspections of Assads chemical stockpiles, allowing the regime to continue its campaign of terror. The inaction shattered US credibility, emboldened Assad, and invited intervention by Russia and Iran.

Relentless air strikes

Russias military entered the Syrian civil war in 2015, targeting civilian areas  especially hospitals  with relentless air strikes, while Iran mobilised militias, including Hezbollah, to massacre opposition forces on the ground. These interventions, fuelled by the Wests perceived weakness, prolonged Assads survival. But as 2024 comes to an end, Russia is bogged down in Ukraine, and Irans militias have been degraded by Israeli actions. The Assad regimes rapid collapse underscores what was always evident: it was fundamentally weak and could have been toppled a decade earlier.

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At that time, the Syrian National Coalition (SNC)  a multi-ethnic opposition umbrella group  was ready to govern. Comprising defectors from the Syrian Arab Army and civil society leaders, it envisioned a pluralistic Syria. Assads forces were flailing, facing tough opposition in Aleppo, the Damascus suburbs, and Kurdish-majority areas. Isis had not yet risen, and Russias intervention was still years away. The SNC, bolstered by the Free Syrian Army (FSA), stood as a viable alternative to Assads rule.

Targeted strikes on Assads chemical and aerial capabilities in 2013 could have changed the wars trajectory. These actions, along with enforcing a no-fly zone, arming vetted FSA groups, and transferring Syrias United Nations seat to the SNC, were achievable and could have saved hundreds of thousands of lives. But Obamas hesitance allowed Assad to regroup, destroy opposition strongholds with chemical weapons, and set a precedent for atrocities that would define the war.

The failure to act in 2013 also delayed US involvement until the full emergence of Isis in 2014, by which point the situation had deteriorated beyond recognition. Programmes like the American Train and Equip initiative came too late to counter Assad directly, focusing instead on combating Isis. Meanwhile, Assad and his allies entrenched their control through sieges, gas attacks, and forced evacuations  a strategy documented extensively by organisations like the Global Public Policy Institute.

Assads desperation in 2013 was evident in his resort to chemical weapons, an act of both cruelty and weakness. Yet Obamas failure to respond decisively emboldened the regime, providing space for Russia and Iran to assert dominance. By the time strikes on Assads chemical arsenal occurred in 2017 and 2018, they were too late to prevent the immense human and geopolitical toll of the war.

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Now, as Syrias rebels take control, the regimes hollow foundation is laid bare. Russia and Iran, once its lifelines, are preoccupied elsewhere. But this outcome could have been achieved years earlier, sparing countless lives and preserving much more of the fabric of Syrian society.

The collapse of Assads regime is a stark reminder of the consequences of inaction. The Obama administrations failure to enforce its red line in 2013 not only prolonged the war but also undermined US credibility. Syrias tragedy is a testament to what happens when moral courage and strategic foresight are absent from international leadership.

Dr Azeem Ibrahim OBE is the senior director of special initiatives at the New Lines Institute

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He didnt look like a dictator. Awkward and gangly, his mannerisms unassuming, at least until he opened his mouth, Bashar al-Assad exuded none of the machismo of other Arab strongmen like Muammar Gaddafi or Saddam Hussein.

His wife Asma called him duck, presumably because he looked a little like one  although his benighted people thought he also resembled a giraffe, given his long neck.

Yet when it came to butchery, he was up there with the worst of them, presiding over 13 years of carnage that claimed the lives of well over half a million people.

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If ever there was a modern ruler who epitomised Hannah Arendts description of the banality of evil, it was surely Assad.

X / @danny_makki

For a while, Iran and Russia came to his rescue, laying waste to swathes of Syrias biggest cities until the rebels were driven out. In the end, though, it only delayed the inevitable by a few years.

As the end came, with bewildering speed, Assads extended family scurried for safety as quickly and stealthily as they could, seeking refuge with whichever power would have them. Only Russia seemed willing to come to the rescue.

They left with no announcement, with little clue of their intended destination, presumably fleeing, as other toppled Arab potentates did before them, with as much of their billion-pound fortune as they could stuff into their suitcases.

Greeting his ally Vladimir Putin, Assad shakes hands with then defence minister Sergei Shoigu in Damascus in 2020 - Alexey Nikolsky/AFP via Getty

The only independent confirmation that Assad was no longer either in power or the country came not from any of his officials but from his patrons in Moscow, infuriated to the last in the feckless despot in which they had invested so much with such little reward.

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Russia, however, is likely to be one of Assads best bets as a place of exile  in fact, reports have come out that he is in Moscow and that Russia has offered him asylum.

Russia is one of the few places where he can be confident he will not be handed over either to the new Syrian government or the International Criminal Court to stand trial.

Assad gives Putin a warm embrace in 2017, when he visited his residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi - Mikhail Klimentyev/AP

It is widely believed that Mrs Assad, battling an aggressive form of leukaemia, had already arrived in Moscow with her three children days before he finally fled.

She has always been his mainstay, her ruthlessness tempered by the kind of charisma he never had.

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All strongmen have an element of caricature about them, yet there was little of Assad that fit the kind of strongman Sacha Baron Cohen spoofed in his 2012 comedy, The Dictator.

Instead, he was touchy and thin-skinned, a deeply insecure beta-male despot riled to fury by the slightest criticism.

Bashar al Assad, right, seen in 2000 with army chief Ali Aslan enjoying military training games - Sana/AP

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As the Arab Spring spread through the Middle East in early 2011, Syria initially remained quiet until one night in February, a group of children in the southern town of Deraa daubed graffiti on a wall. Its your turn next, doctor, they wrote, taunting Assad, an ophthalmologist.

The goad infuriated the Assad clan. The local security chief, a cousin of the president, had his men round up and torture the children.

Crowds gathered to demand their release. Assads generals, and quite possibly Asma herself, begged him to comply, apologise and defuse the crisis.

Instead, the president gave the order to open fire on the protesters, triggering the 13-year uprising that eventually saw him dumped so unceremoniously from office.

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Over the coming months, his response became ever bloodier and more ruthless.

In the following decade, his regime would kill hundreds of thousands, torture more than 14,000 prisoners to death and precipitate the greatest refugee crisis since the Second World War, with half of Syrias population fleeing.

A family snapshot taken in 1985 shows then president Hafez al-Assad and his wife Anisa with behind them, from left, Maher, Bashar, Bassel, Bushra and Majd. Bassel was meant to succeed his father, not Bashar - AFP via Getty

The irony is that Assad himself could not stand the sight of blood. It was the reason why, after studying medicine in London, he became an ophthalmologist in the first place, eschewing grander forms of the science.

He was reasonably proficient at it, particularly when it came to draining cysts, former colleagues recall.

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He was not meant to become president at all. His older brother, Bassel, was the one earmarked to succeed their father Hafez, who had seized power in a coup in 1971 to mark the beginning of half a century of Assad rule.

Bassel, with his fondness for fast cars and faster women, was the opposite of his gauche younger brother, who preferred to sit quietly at home, studying, listening to Phil Collins and drinking green tea.

The young Assad family in 1974, three years after Hafez took power - Alexandra De Borchgrave/Gamma-Rapho via Getty

But in 1994, Bassel was killed racing his Mercedes through the streets of Damascus and Bashar found himself the heir apparent and just six years later, the president.

Asma, much to the disgust of Assads mother, Anisa Makhlouf, was by his side.

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Born and raised in a nondescript pebble dash house in nondescript Acton in 1975, still carrying the faintest hint of an estuarine accent despite her private-school education, she was not the Gulf princess Anisa thought her son deserved.

Assad and his wife Asma in Paris during an official visit to France in 2010. She is said to affectionately call him duck - Miguel Medina/AFP via Getty

In his early years in charge, Assad, reportedly encouraged by his wife, flirted with the idea of turning Syria into a more progressive, democratic state.

During what became known as the Damascus Spring, he released prisoners and allowed a degree of freedom of expression.

He was at the height of his popularity, his modesty helping to win over many Syrians.

He didnt spend most of his time in a big castle, said Joshua Landis, a Syria expert at the University of Oklahoma.

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He tried to eat at restaurants downtown. Many people liked him, particularly because he was a little bit shy, particularly after his father, who had been a military man, and his brother, who was a tough guy.

He seemed, in the beginning, to be someone who was genuinely concerned about the modernisation of Syria.

A Syrian opposition fighter sits inside an office at the presidential palace in Damascus - Omar Sanadiki

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It did not last long. Gradually it dawned on Assad that democracy would mean an end to dominance by his Alawite minority, a Shia sect that made up just 10 per cent of the population.

Not only would free and fair elections mean the end of Alawite rule and the surrender of control to the Sunni Arab majority, it might also mean the extermination of the Alawites themselves and perhaps even their Christian allies.

It was not an unreasonable conclusion. For some in the outlawed Muslim Brotherhood, drawn from the countrys Sunni Arab majority, the Alawites were apostates  and therefore fair game.

Perhaps, Assad reckoned, his father had been right. Confronted with a violent insurrection by Islamists in the city of Hama in 1982, Hafez ordered the city to be carpet bombed. A massacre estimated to have killed 20,000 people unfolded.

Bashar was just 16 when it happened, but the memories remained with him and the lesson he took from the massacre was this, according to former regime insiders: by killing thousands of people, his father preserved stability for the next three decades.

There was some truth in it. Even when Syria exploded in 2011, Hama stayed quiet, remaining in regime hands until it fell last week to the opposition forces now in charge.

But it also ensured the hatred of the Assad name among many Syrian Sunnis.

Assad and Asma outside 10 Downing Street with then prime minister Tony Blair in 2002 - Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty

He alienated others, too. His insecurity created a tendency within him to lecture others, often in a hectoring style.

If he was in a room with economists, he would seek to prove he knew more about economics than they did, according to former insiders.

Likewise, at Arab League summits he would scold leaders far older than him for their failure to uphold Arab nationalism. Soon he was as unpopular abroad as at home  and a troublemaker, too.

Lacking his fathers natural authority, he was unable to keep Lebanon, a Syrian client state, in check, and eventually, Rafik al-Hariri, its most prominent Sunni politician, sought to break the bonds with Damascus.

In 2005, Hariri was killed in a massive car bomb in Beirut, the Lebanese capital.

Assad, having threatened to break Lebanon over Hariris head, was seen as the prime suspect, accused of using Hezbollah, the Shia militia he had long armed and funded, to do the deed.

It was the final straw for his relationship with the Sunni states of the Gulf, whose acceptance his father had worked hard to win.

Bashar had no choice but to throw himself into the arms of Iran, soon finding himself in a position of dependency that only increased after the uprising forced him to become more reliant than ever on Tehran.

By then, his horizons had narrowed. In Syria, he could only trust members of his close family.

As the uprising spread in 2011, his thuggish younger brother Maher was charged with suppressing dissent as ruthlessly as he could, a role he relished.

Video footage soon emerged of Maher, clad in a leather jacket, laughing as he fired shots at unarmed protesters in Damascus.

All smiles with his great friend Muammar Gaddafi in 2008. Three years later, the Libyan tyrant was overthrown and killed by rebels - Hassan Ammar/AFP via Getty

There was also his cousin Rami Makhlouf, Syrias richest man, who controlled 60 per cent of the economy thanks mostly to his control of the countrys main mobile phone provider, Syriatel.

Makhloufs wealth, estimated at somewhere between 4 billion and 8 billion, was key to propping up the Assad family  although he would eventually fall out with the president and forfeit many of his assets.

How much Bashar and Asma were worth themselves is unknown, although the US state department has estimated that they personally own assets of more than 1 billion.

The only tangible insight into the Assad clans wealth came in 2020 when a French court charged the former presidents uncle, Rifaat al-Assad, with money laundering.

During the trial, which resulted in a four-year prison sentence, it was disclosed that Rifaat owned two vast houses in Paris, one of which was 32,000 sq ft, along with a stud farm, a chateau and more than 500 properties in Spain.

During 54 years of Assad family rule, the Syrian economy stagnated and then collapsed entirely, shrinking by more than half, as the countrys president sacrificed half a million lives to cling to power.

According to the United Nations, 90 per cent of Syrians live in poverty. The Assad family was not among them.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Nearly three years after he left the airwaves to focus on beating cancer, beloved former NBC4 meteorologist Bob Nunnally has died.

Nunnally died Sunday morning, the family said. He was 68.

The family requests privacy during this difficult time as we grieve our loss and personally contact family members, a statement from Nunnallys family said. Thank you for your understanding and kind thoughts.

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Leave a message of condolence on NBC4s Facebook page

NBC4 meteorologist Bob Nunnally Bob Nunnally

Nunnally successfully beat pancreatic cancer earlier this year but had complications during his recovery period. He entered hospice care on Friday. In his bed, he was covered by one of his most treasured items, a custom-made blanket of favorite photos with his NBC4 colleagues.

Bobs charismatic and endearing nature made a lasting and positive impact on so many central Ohio viewers, NBC4 Vice President and General Manager Larry Cottrill said. His professionalism and dedication to central Ohioans, along with his limitless kindness to everyone who interacted with him, is an inspiration to us all.

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Nunnally was part of the central Ohio media landscape for over 40 years. A Marion native, he joined radio station WNCI in 1977 and moved to WSNY in 1983, where he worked afternoons for 14 years and served at times as music director and assistant programming director. He was a substitute weathercaster for NBC4 and provided forecasts from 1994 to 97 for a 10 p.m. newscast the station produced for Columbus WB affiliate.

He came to NBC4 full-time after that, earned his broadcast meteorological certificate and was seen for years letting central Ohioans know what to expect for the weekday ahead on NBC4 Today. In early 2022, he stepped away once he was diagnosed. The fight took years, with Nunnally revealing in May that he had been declared cancer-free.

I thought  Id be back to work in a few months, he said. Well, you can see that didnt work out.

Nunnallys warm voice was welcomed into the homes of NBC4 viewers for decades, and weather was just one of his many interests. He hosted segments showing off shelter pets available for adoption. He served on the boards of Life Care Alliance, the North Columbus YMCA, the Arthritis Foundation, the Jingle Bell Run and many others. He hosted multiple events around central Ohio, and every year he returned to his hometown for the Marion Popcorn Festival.

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Nunnally shared multiple updates on his cancer fight over the years and to let viewers know how much he appreciated their continued notes and social media posts of support. In 2022, Al Roker gave a tribute on the Today Show after hearing about billboards that appeared around Columbus reading, Were with you, Bob!

Watch digital interview below of Monica Day and Matt Barnes share favorite memories of Bob.

We are with you as well, Roker said. Sending thoughts and prayers and a speedy recovery back to your NBC4 family. So, take care.

Nunnally updated NBC4 Today anchors Monica Day and Matt Barnes that June ahead of the Red, White & BOOM! fireworks show that was returning to Downtown after two years off because of the pandemic. NBC4 is a longtime sponsor of the show. And his updates continued that year on social media.

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I appreciate the prayers, and I appreciate the cards and the notes, he said. Sometimes the days, its so hard because Im not where I want to be. And I get those little notes, or I get a card from someone or a little something on Facebook, and it just makes me feel that much better. 

The funeral will take place in Marion. Arrangements are pending.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The family of a Red Lake Nation Tribal Officer killed in a crash while responding to a call last month is asking for community support.

Jesse Branch, a Red Lake public safety officer, was killed along with Red Lake Band member Alan Lussier Jr. when their vehicles collided on Highway 1 on Nov. 27.

Branch was responding to a call at the time of the crash.

Tributes were paid across Minnesota in the wake of Branch's death, with Governor Tim Walz ordering state flags to be flown at half-staff in his honor.

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A GoFundMe has also since been set up to support Branchs family. That includes his girlfriend and her daughter and niece, who the two raised together.

Unfortunately, since Jesse and Lanelle were not legally married, they will not qualify for survivor benefits, the GoFundMe reads.

The funds raised from this campaign will go towards ensuring that the girls experience a joyful Christmas, and the remaining contributions will help with ongoing expenses as they navigate life without Jesse.

Branch had been with the Red Lake Department of Public Safety for 17 years, joining shortly after his graduation from Bemidji High School, according to the fundraiser.

As of Sunday, the GoFundMe had reached around $800 of its $8,000 goal.
CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Departments Major Crash Investigation Unit is investigating a deadly crash in south Charlotte.

The incident occurred Sunday, Dec. 8, in the 1400 block of Tyvola Road. The road was closed between South Boulevard and Tyvola Drive.

Medic says one person died as a result of the crash. Three others were transported to the hospital with minor injuries.

This is a Developing Story . Check back for updates

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What a popular uprising unsuccessfully attempted in 2011 was achieved in 2024 by the confluence of several major geopolitical crises. The sudden collapse of the dictatorial regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria is a striking example of the interconnectedness of the upheavals shaking up the world. Its downfall has come about from the weakening  on two different but interconnected fronts  of its main allies. Russia is suffering the enormous wear and tear of its invasion of Ukraine. Iran and Hezbollah have been weakened by Israels blows in its reaction to the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023.

Iran, as is well known, provides important military support to the Kremlin in its illegal offensive in Ukraine. Both kept the Assad regime on its feet for years. All three were part of a heterodox galaxy of regimes closing ranks in an attempt to reshape the world order in a way more favorable to their own interests. China is the biggest supporter of both Russia, by means of the injection of essential commercial oxygen, and of Iran, from which it buys large quantities of oil, circumventing U.S. sanctions. But the Assad regime was completely rotten, and a greatly weakened Russia and Iran could no longer sustain it. Its adversaries  a mix of actors that includes radical Islamists and militias backed by Turkey  understood all this perfectly.

The recent events will have enormous geopolitical consequences that may seem regional at first glance, but which in reality have a global reach. First, because it breaks the territorial continuity of the Axis of Resistance. Tehran was able to count on a fluid projection to the Mediterranean thanks to an Iraq in the hands of Shiite factions, Assads Syria, and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The issue complicates the supply capacity of the Lebanese Shiite militia. Second, because it affects the projection in the region of Russia, which had air and naval bases in Syria thanks to the total complicity of Assad. And, in addition, it moves the ground from under the feet of other members of the Axis of Resistance.

These premises outline perspectives of global interest. The first is the new incentive for Iran to acquire nuclear weapons given its obvious situation of weakness. This path would be extremely worrying, and even more so considering that Donald Trump will soon be in the White House; during his first term, Trump withdrew from the nuclear pact sealed by Obama, and he does not seem to be emerging as a particularly stable manager of this situation.

The second place to keep in mind is Yemen, another unstable country where the Houthis, members of the weakened Axis, could suffer the consequences of the changing balance of power in the region. Its position on a strategic maritime route gives global relevance to this instability, with China as a particularly interested player, since many of its exports go through there, added to the fact that its economy is losing steam.

The region is in an interregnum. The U.S. does not have the influence that it had at other periods in time. Its actions  from the illegal invasion of Iraq in 2003 to its deplorable support for Israeli military operations  and its need to focus on other fronts have eroded its projection in the region in recent decades. But it is foreseeable that Trump will give strong support to Israels colonizing plans and to an understanding between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Russia is incapable of projecting influence. And a China in economic difficulties does not seem to have any interest in wasting its strength on this powder keg.

The episode is a reminder that in times of great geopolitical turbulence, changes can be unpredictable and abrupt. Regimes that seemed relatively stable can collapse in a matter of days. Situations that have been in place for decades, such as the crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh, can also be resolved in a matter of days. We are living in a state of profound upheaval. All actors are scanning the horizon to take advantage of imbalances and moments of instability. There are reasons to believe that the turmoil in the Middle East is not over. Benjamin Netanyahu has made it clear that he has a plan to reorganize the regional chessboard. He has hinted that regime change in Iran could come sooner than many expect. Time will tell. But what is clear is that the hatred he created by his barbaric reaction to the Hamas attack will not go away. It is one more element of the upheaval caused by interconnected crises.

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HONOLULU (KHON2)  Federal authorities are investigating what theyre calling a significant cyber espionage campaign, by Chinese hackers known as Salt Typhoon in early November.

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Cyber security experts believe the hackers were after metadata information.

Which endpoint youre communicating with, how frequently youre communicating, the amount of data youre transmitting, that type of metadata under certain circumstances can give away information about you, stated Derek Gabriel, CEO of Ignite Solutions Group.

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US Marshals warn residents of nationwide scam hitting the islands

The group targeted at least eight major telecommunication companies including AT&T, Verizon and Lumen Technologies, according to a joint statement from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA).

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We have identified that PRC-affiliated actors have compromised networks at multiple telecommunications companies to enable the theft of customer call records data, the compromise of private communications of a limited number of individuals who are primarily involved in government or political activity, and the copying of certain information that was subject to U.S. law enforcement requests pursuant to court orders. FBI & CISA

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Experts said the average American should be worried about what could now happen to their personal data.

What is white chocolate, really?

It isnt so much that today the text message you sent has been read. Its that its been captured, heard. Its in a system that we no longer have control over, said Gabriel. It could leak for other reasons. People could trade data. They do this on the Dark Web all the time. So, that data at some point could get to someone who could abuse it.

The FBI urged Americans to use end-to-end encrypted software like Signal or WhatsApp to send texts or make calls.

The way that these apps work is they sort of generate a key only the person that has access to the key that encrypted it can decrypt. It cant be intercepted in transit. It would just look like gibberish if someone didnt have access to it, said Gabriel.

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Officials said the severity of the hack is not yet clear and continue the investigation.

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Federal employees are scrubbing their social media accounts of any negative posts about President-elect Donald Trump as they scramble to save their jobs before his inauguration.

Thousands of civil servants are taking steps to protect themselves from plans to slash the number of federal employees promised by Trump and his allies, according to The Washington Post.

Some federal employees are removing posts from X and Facebook, with one official who testified in Trumps first impeachment inquiry considering filing retirement papers as others are taking steps to move to possibly safer agencies.

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Recruiting firms in the nations capital have seen an increase in business from those looking for work in the private sector. Some agencies have taken action to reclassify some jobs with titles that go against the Trump agenda, such as those including Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, environmental justice, and those looking to address the climate crisis.

Some civil servants are taking out liability insurance for the first time in case they need attorneys if theyre demoted or fired. Departing Biden administration appointees are working with labor unions to extend collective bargaining agreements, securing benefits before the second Trump administration can take action to remove them.

Staffers are working to take steps to protect themselves ahead of Trump instituting his plans to reshape the 2.3 million-strong bureaucracy. Trump has said he plans to fire thousands of federal employees and replace them with allies, and he intends to cut the federal budget by trillions, partly by fully shutting down some departments and relocating others.

Trump has said he wants to move some agencies away from Washington, D.C., and its federal workforce.

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Earlier this year, Trumps choice to run the Office of Management and Budget, Russ Vought, said that the second stint of Trump in the White House would put the bureaucrats in trauma, The Post noted.

Some professionals in the federal bureaucracy are also concerned they may be targeted by the new outside commission run by Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE. Both have taken to social media to mock what they see as wasteful or political jobs.

Frances President Emmanuel Macron, President-elect Donald Trump, and Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky after a meeting at The Elysee Palace in Paris, France on December 7, 2024. Trump and his allies have said they intend to remove thousands of federal workers (Hans Lucas/AFP via Getty Images)

The American Federation of Government Employees Local 3403 represents more than 1,000 scientists and administrators at the National Science Foundation. Its president, Jesus Soriano, told The Post: There is shock and there is actual fear, and there is self-censure in the sense that people are scared about retaliation.

The new Republican majority in Congress is looking at returning to old legislation to force teleworking employees to return to the office, allowing Veterans Affairs to get rid of workers who are not performing as expected and to enact mandatory training to make sure that staffers are following the administrations plans.

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A Trump transition spokesperson told The Post that the administration will have a place for people serving in government who are committed to defending the rights of the American people, putting America first, and ensuring the best use of working men and womens tax dollars.

A National Weather Service meteorologist told the paper that he deleted mentions of how climate change affects extreme weather as well as any mention of union support.

He said he wanted to make everything about me much more apolitical.

I generally take people at their word, and these people have said some pretty awful things about federal workers, he added.
A federal investigation into the Worcester Police Department found that the law enforcement agencys pattern or practice includes outrageous government conduct, excessive force, and sexual misconduct by officers.

The Department of Justice opened the investigation on Nov. 15, 2022, with U.S. Attorney Joshua S. Levy on Monday announcing serious and sobering findings in a 41-page report that concluded theres reasonable cause to believe Worcester police and the city engage in a pattern or practice of conduct that deprives people of their rights under the Constitution and federal law.

Report finds police in Massachusetts city let officers engage in sex with suspected prostitutes

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Federal investigators detailed specific examples of excessive use of force by officers, including unjustified uses of tasers, police dogs, and strikes to the head. The report also stated that officers rapidly escalated minor incidents by using more force than necessary, including during encounters with people who have behavioral health disabilities or are in crisis.

In one of many examples of excessive use of force highlighted in the report, an officer responding to a mental health call to help transport a man to a hospital for an emergency psychiatric evaluation hit the man in the face while he was restrained and lying on a hospital stretcher in July 2020.

The feds also said the department violated the constitutional rights of women suspected of being involved in the commercial sex trade by engaging in sexual contact while undercover as part of official investigations.

DOJ has reasonable cause to believe that WPD has engaged in a pattern or practice of outrageous government conduct during undercover operations by allowing officers to engage in sexual contact with women suspected of being involved in the commercial sex trade, the report stated. This sexual contact served no legitimate law enforcement purpose. Despite being on notice of these issues, WPD failed to establish the policies, training, and supervision needed to ensure officers are not violating womens constitutional rights, instead allowing a problematic culture and unlawful conduct to continue unchecked.

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The DOJs findings also expressed serious concerns about credible reports that officers have sexually assaulted women under threat of arrest.

Excessive force and sexual misconduct at the hands of officers who took an oath to serve and protect deeply diminishes the publics trust in its sworn officers, Levy said in a statement. The actions by certain officers who engaged in this conduct are not a reflection of the many hard-working and ethical officers at the WPD who did not engage in such misconduct or the thousands of police officers around the Commonwealth who serve with honor every day.

The report did acknowledge that changes have already been made by the city and department, while also identifying additional remedial measures that the department believes are necessary to address its findings.

While the findings announced in todays report are serious and sobering, today we start a new chapter, Levy added. We look forward to working with the City of Worcester and the new leadership of the Worcester Police Department to implement reforms that will prevent these kinds of incidents from reoccurring.

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The American Civil Liberties Union of Massachusetts said in a statement that the DOJs findings prove the Bay State is not immune to police corruption. The ACLU also called on Massachusetts officials to investigate Worcesters allegations themselves.

While we welcome the Department of Justices report, its not the end of the story. We urge local officials to work together with the DOJ to adopt and implement reforms to address the egregious misconduct described in the report. We also call on local and state officials to follow up on these findings to pursue their own investigations into misconduct in Worcester, said Jessie Rossman, legal director at the ACLU of Massachusetts. This is critical because such misconduct may undermine the integrity of numerous criminal cases in which the officers referenced in the report were involved. As the Supreme Judicial Court has made clear, the Commonwealth has a duty to investigate and disclose all exculpatory evidence  not just those examples listed in the report  to defendants whose cases may be affected. Prosecutors must now fulfill that duty.

The United States Department of Justice Civil Rights Division conducted this investigation alongside the U.S. Attorneys Office of Massachusetts.

READ THE FULL REPORT BELOW:

Finding Report - Worcester PD by Boston 25 Staff

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Health experts have blamed flavored vapes for the prevalence of their use among high school-aged students. (Getty image)

Weeks before the scheduled start of a new state law banning flavored e-cigarettes, or vapes, a pair of local businesses want a federal judge to snuff it out.

The Nov. 26 complaint filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island by retailers Vaporetti LLC and Sunshine Vape LLC argues that the law is unconstitutional, poorly defined and irrational, asking a judge to overturn it before it takes effect on Jan. 1.

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Even if the Act only goes into effect for a short time and is subsequently vacated or amended, Plaintiffs still will suffer irreparable harm from lost inventory, lost revenue, loss of goodwill, and business disruption, the complaint states.

It names as defendants the Rhode Island Department of Health and its director, Dr. Jerry Larkin; the Department of Revenue and its director, Thomas Verdi; and the Division of Taxation and Neena Savage, state tax administrator.

Rhode Island first attempted to outlaw flavored vape products under a 2019 executive order signed by then-Gov. Gina Raimondo. But it has not been enforced, evidenced by the fact that the owners of Sunshine Vape and Vaporetti each said in sworn court affidavits that flavored vape sales account for 70% of their business annual sales revenues in 2023.

The two businesses together employ a dozen workers across four locations  East Providence, Providence, Warwick and South Kingstown  contributing nearly $900,000 in state tax revenue in the last four years, according to the complaint.

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State lawmakers sought to finally crack down on flavored vapes this year, codifying the executive order and charging the state taxation division with enforcement and confiscation of flavored vapes, as part of the fiscal 2025 budget. Meanwhile, sales of menthol and tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes can continue, but for the first time will be taxed  50 cents per milliliter for disposable vapes, or 10% of wholesale for other projects.

The tax component  expected to generate $2.2 million in fiscal 2025, and $3.9 million in fiscal 2026  would bring Rhode Island on-par with the other five New England states, which already tax vape products. Two other states, New York and New Jersey, ban sales of flavored vapes, while California and Massachusetts ban all flavored e-cigarette and tobacco products, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics.

State health experts have blamed flavored vapes for the prevalence of their use among high school-aged students. New data from a state survey released last week showed one in eight high school students used an e-cigarette at least once in the last 30 days. In the last survey in 2022, one in every 14 student survey participants reported vaping.

While some studies support the claim that limiting flavored tobacco product sales reduces teenage use, other research, including by Brown Universitys School of Public Health, found that vapes were not a gateway to cigarette use among teens, and stressed the importance of cessation tools like nicotine gum and vapes to help cigarette smokers quit.

Anthony Bellospirito, co-owner of Sunshine Vape, spoke against a ban on flavored vapes at a State House hearing on March 12, 2024. Sunshine Vape is one of two Rhode Island retailers that filed a complaint in federal court over the state law banning flavored vapes. (Capitol TV Screenshot)

Indeed, Vaporetti co-owner David Kelley wrote in the court complaint that his wife kicked her 27-year smoking habit with the help of vanilla cake-flavored vape products. The couple opened their East Providence vape shop in 2011 to help others quit smoking, Kelley wrote.

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To equate sales of flavored vape products with teen usage is unfair, the businesses allege, noting that Rhode Island already bans selling vape products, flavored or not, to customers under 21.

The complaint calls out the state laws exemption for compassion centers and licensed cultivators, which can sell flavored cannabis or THC vapes  versus those containing nicotine  as irrational.

The complaint takes aim at the definition of menthol and tobacco flavors, which could still be sold, as too vague. The vape retailers allege the ban is an unconstitutional taking of their revenues, violating the 5th and 14th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution.

The Act, if enforced, will prove fatal to Plaintiffs businesses because they cannot survive the loss of nearly three quarters of their revenue, the complaint states.

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The retailers have asked a federal judge to overturn the ban before it takes effect.

Adam Ramos, the attorney representing Sunshine Vape and Vaporetti, declined to comment when reached by phone on Monday.

The Rhode Island Department of Health, Department of Revenue, and Division of Taxation also declined to comment, citing the pending litigation.

A virtual hearing before U.S. District Court Judge Mary McElroy is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 10.

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The number of people killed in the Russian missile strike on the Dniprovskyi district of the Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on 30 November has risen to five. A man injured in the attack died in hospital.

Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipro Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote: "A 63-year-old man injured in the missile strike on the Dniprovskyi district on 30 November died in hospital."

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Details: Lysak said that doctors fought for the mans life for over a week, but his injuries were too serious.

"This is the fifth fatality of this attack. My condolences to all who have lost their loved ones," he added.

Background: Russian forces carried out a missile strike on the village of Tsarychanka in the Dniprovskyi district of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on 30 November. At the time, 4 people were reported killed and 21 injured.

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CHICOPEE, Mass (WWLP)  For the last roughly three weeks, 22News has been collecting toys for our annual Toys for Tots drive along with the other sponsors, Yankee Candle Village and the U.S. Marines.

I didnt expect it to be this rewarding. I knew it would be happy. I didnt expect the families to come in and be able to work with them firsthand, said U.S. Marine Corps Corporal Seth Anderson.

The lobby and hallways are filling up throughout the day and there has been a steady stream of more donations on this final day, including from local families, postal workers, and a large drop off from the Yankee Candle Village.

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Western Mass. residents show up big for final weekend of 22News Toys for Tots campaign

Yankee Candle Village had collection boxes throughout their local campuses as well as drop-off boxes for the community, so many donations, that they needed a box truck to transport them.

For us, I think we have the ability to give back and I think that is important in your community to support locally and there is a lot of folks that are in need of these toys that are going to make a lot of families Christmas mornings super happy, said Wade Bassett, the Director of Sales and Operations at Yankee Candle Flagship.

Thousands of toys and bikes fill boxes all around 22News. The Marines said two age groups often dont usually get as many toys and gifts donated, so right now, they are at the top of the list.

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Its really the further ends of the spectrum. Its ages 9-13, obviously 13+, 13 and up for those older kids and then ages 0-2, infants, we need toys that are not choking hazards and we run out of them very very fast, said US Marine Corps Sergeant Kyle Sinclair.

Sergeant Kyle Sinclair and Corporal Seth Anderson said the experience is rewarding for the families but also for them helping out during the holiday season.

Some people get really emotional, some people go in and out but either way, I love helping the families, they are always super happy and that makes me happy, said US Marine Corps Corporal Anderson.

The doors at 22News are open Monday until 7 p.m. to drop off a new, unwrapped toy and if you are unable to make it, there is still time to donate online.

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.

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Rep. Randy Fine speaks at an anti-abortion rally on the steps of the Historic Florida Capitol Building. May 24, 2022. (Photo by Danielle J. Brown/Florida Phoenix)

Undocumented immigrants would lose access to in-state tuition rates at Florida colleges and universities under a bill filed by Sen. Randy Fine.

The Republican from Brevard County called the practice of providing in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants a sweetheart deal.

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In-state tuition averages just over $6,000 per year, while out-of-state tuition is nearly $30,000.

This is a no-brainer way to reduce the size of government and free up resources to help Floridians in need, Fine said in a news release. We must put Floridians first, and I am proud to do my part to rebalance the scales for our citizens.

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Undocumented immigrants have had access to in-state tuition since 2014, when then-Rep. Jeanette Nunez led an initiative that made undocumented immigrants eligible for it, signed by then-Gov. Rick Scott. Now lieutenant governor, Nunez has been part of Gov. Ron DeSantis harsh crackdown on undocumented immigrants.

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In 2021, $45 million in state funds went to provide the in-state rate to undocumented immigrants, according to Fines office.

The law passed by the 2014 Republican-controlled Legislature waives out-of-state fees for undocumented students who attended their last three years of high school in Florida. The law does not count undocumented students as resident students in calculating enrollment, nor are they eligible for state financial aid.

Fines filing would strike that waiver but not change admission policy.

Fine will resign from the Florida Senate on March 31, from a seat he won in November after spending eight years in the Florida House. He is a candidate for CD 6, which will be vacated by Rep. Mike Waltz, President-elect Donald Trumps nominee for national security adviser.

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Trump endorsed Fine in his run for Congress. The election for the seat is April 1.

President Trump has made clear it is time to close the border and stop giving illegal immigrants rewards for breaking the law, Fine said. While blue-collar Floridians are struggling to make ends meet, it is not fair to require them to pay $45 million a year to subsidize sweetheart deals for college degrees to those who should not even be here.

Florida has avoided increasing in-state tuition since 2015.

The 2014 waiver is valid at State University System and Florida College System institutions.

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FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.  A former veteran prosecutor who accused Broward State Attorney Harold Pryor of firing him, along with four other white colleagues, in an act of racial discrimination walked away from his discrimination lawsuit with a one-time $90,000 payout, including his attorneys fees.

The settlement was announced in court in October, but the financial details were released this week in response to a public records request.

Andrew Newman had been with the Broward State Attorneys Office for 26 years when Pryor was first elected in 2020 with a promise to ethnically diversify the agencys staff. Newman and four other long-time prosecutors, Tony Loe, Tim Donnelly, Alex Urruela and Ted Daus, were all dismissed during Pryors first months in office.

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Only Newman sued, though Urruela later said he sympathized with the lawsuit.

The settlement included no admission of wrongdoing, and the State Attorneys Office explicitly said Newmans claims were not valid. But, according to the settlement, both sides agreed it would be better to resolve the dispute than bring it to court.

A full-blown trial would have put numerous current and former employees on the stand to answer questions under oath about Pryors efforts to balance his promise of diversity with the rights of white employees. It would also have forced Newman to defend his job performance.

Newman gets $43,750 in compensatory damages and $18,750 in back pay. He is responsible for taxes on those payments. His lawyers get an additional $27,500.

In return, according to the settlement, Newman agreed to waive any claim he has against the office.
The firm at the center of bid-rigging claims involving Gov. Kathy Hochuls overhaul of a $9 billion home care program added staff weeks before it won the contract, records show.

Public Partnerships LLC posted a job for a manager as early as August, almost two months before it was officially awarded the contract to essentially act as a middleman between Medicaid and caregivers  which critics say is proof it was already a done deal.

The mountain of evidence keeps growing and it all points to a rigged bid for PPL, said Bryan OMalley, executive director of Alliance to Protect Home Care, an industry group repping the firms.

The firm the Hochul administration has been accused of rigging a $9 billion contract bidding process for was adding staff weeks before it was awarded the contract, records show. Matthew McDermott

If Governor Hochul was sincere about her promise for a new era of transparency then she would release all communications with PPL before this backroom deal risks the health of hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, OMalley told The Post.

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The company was seeking a so-called director of market implementation to oversee a team of employees to build out the infrastructure needed to take over payroll functions for over 200,000 CDPAP caregivers, according to the job posting, which was obtained by The Post.

It speaks to their arrogance a little bit, one source familiar with the bidding process said.

This is the most messed up procurement Ive ever seen, the source continued, noting that theyve never seen a firm begin hiring for such a contract before it was awarded.

The contract was not officially awarded until Sept. 30.

The posting did not include a salary range, as required by state law.

Public Partnerships LLC was given the contract to act as a middleman between Medicaid and caregivers. zinkevych  stock.adobe.com

But a spokesperson for PPL said they never actually ever hired anyone  and argued job postings are a normal practice for potential large state contracts.

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We did not hire anyone for the NY CDPAP contract in advance of the contract award, the PPL spokesperson wrote. We sometimes try to identify candidates for large contracts we are bidding before we are awarded. This gives us a pipeline of potential staff in the event we are awarded the contract and enables us to hire more quickly upon contract award.

The spokesperson didnt give any examples of other job postings advertised before a contract was awarded.

As part of its contract award, PPL also committed to moving its headquarters to New York. Many current job postings on PPLs website show the firm is seeking candidates located in Albany or New York City, although it will allow remote work.

The companys spokesperson said employees working remotely will still be required to do so within the state.

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Our implementation is on track. We have hired several hundred people, have identified our locations in Albany and Midtown, and are on track with the remaining infrastructure, the spokesperson wrote, noting that the firm is committed to hiring more than 1,000 New Yorkers.

Hochul has been facing intense criticism and questioning over her motives for the massive changes to the rapidly ballooning $9 billion Medicaid program.

One of the current firms that stands to lose business by the transition to PPL is suing the state, alleging that it rigged the bidding process.

Freedom Care, LLC alleges that PPL is struggling financially and coordinated with powerful health care union 1199SEIU to push for the CDPAP overhaul.

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Bombshell reporting by The Post revealed that 1199SEIU was working behind the scenes to ensure the winning contractor would agree to let it unionize the caregivers and to jointly advocate to raise their wages  meaning hundreds of thousands of new dues-paying members.

Hochul had made reining in waste, fraud and abuse of CDPAP a priority in her state budget proposal this year. Her initial proposal would have given the state more oversight and control over the roughly 700 current fiscal intermediary firms.

Those plans were suddenly ditched during backroom budget negotiations between Hochul and state legislative leaders in lieu of the decision to consolidate the services into one hand-picked firm.

A rival firm accused PPL of working with 1199SEIU to push for CDPAP reforms. Office Governor Hochul

Sources told The Post PPL was a frontrunner for the contract before the ink on the state budget deal was even dry.

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Since Hochul and the legislatures decision to scrap most of the middlemen firms, those organizations have been waging war to try and unravel the changes. These include lawsuits, massive ad campaigns and demonstrations.

A spokesperson for Hochul denied the bid rigging accusations.

Obviously, no one from the State advised bidders to start posting for jobs in August, since no State officials knew who would be selected until the procurement process was complete, the Hochul spokesperson wrote in a statement.

Its also obvious that the companies spending millions to try to stop our much-needed reforms are just throwing more spaghetti at the wall to see if anything sticks, they continued.

Last week, New York Republican members of Congress called on the feds to withhold some Medicaid funding in an effort to slow down the implementation of the changes.
New Jersey Sen.-elect Andy Kim, the son of Korean immigrants, condemns Donald Trump's plan to eliminate birthright citizenship on Day 1. "My sister and I got our citizenship before my parents," Kim says. "Where else was I supposed to go?"
When Catherine, Princess of Wales, appeared during the Remembrance Sunday celebrations on November 10 in front of the Cenotaph, the monument to the victims of war in Londons Whitehall Avenue, the media described her as a queen in-waiting.

The rhythm she has adopted for her return to public life after intense chemotherapy treatment, has been a statement of intent: the wife of the heir to the British throne wants to be master of her own time and agenda. Her willingness to resume official duties will always come second to her health, and the 42-year-old Princess has illustrated this with the careful choosing of her moments in the public eye.

Remembrance Day is the closest thing to a national holiday in the United Kingdom. It is an occasion when the royal household, the government and the opposition, come together in an act of great solemnity. The absence of Queen Camilla, due to a lung infection, meant Kate Middleton was the absolute center of attention. Not only was there her return to royal life following her recent illness, but Camillas ill health placed her firmly in the spotlight as the senior royal on the Whitehall balcony, standing where the late Queen would have once stood, flanked by Camilla, Sophie and Kate, or previously Diana, Judi James, a self-styled body language expert, told The Sun tabloid.

Accompanying the Princess on the balcony was Prince Edwards wife, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh. And at the end of the event, Sophies hand on Kates back did not go unnoticed. This is part of a protective strategy being adopted by the royals as Kate returns to the stage, though her treatment is not yet finished, and she still has her good and bad days. The night before, she and William had attended the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, held at the Royal Albert Hall in London. At the entrance, the Prince of Wales also put a protective hand on his wifes back.

Kate Middleton and Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh (right), on the balcony of the Foreign Office in London on Remembrance Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024. Max Mumby/Indigo (Getty Images)

The situation has bolstered Williams popularity and the respect he gets in the press. Its been a hell of a year. He has had to help his wife cope with a very serious illness and, at the same time, he has had to stand in for his father, who is also suffering from cancer, at official events, explains Robert Hardman, King Charles biographer and the most prestigious royal observer in the U.K.

The Prince and Princess of Wales during the ceremony to welcome the Emir of Qatar. Associated Press/LaPresse (Associated Press/LaPresse)

Kate has made it to two public events, a few hours apart, and a third, just three weeks later. At the start of December, she welcomed the Emir of Qatar and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher, to Kensington Palace. She wore a burgundy coat by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen, for the occasion, twinned with a Chanel bag and Gianvito Rossi boots, and discreet pearls. The burgundy is a nod to the guests  in this case, to the colors of the flag of Qatar. Kate appeared tired in a way she had not on previous occasions. But the act was significant as it was her first full compliance with protocol since her return to the spotlight.

It is tradition for the heir to the throne and his wife to be the first to welcome foreign dignitaries visiting the U.K., and accompany them to the parade at the Royal Stables before they meet the monarch. Kate Middleton did not participate in the reception of the emperors of Japan last June, but she did want to be present at that of the Emir of Qatar. She has managed the expectations of the public very well, Sally Bedell Smith, part of a small group of American royal commentators, told People magazine.

Kates most recent public appearance was at the carol service at Westminster Abbey. Together at Christmas is Kates baby; she sent a letter beforehand to the 1,600-odd guests at the concert, which she attended with William and her three children.

Christmas is one of my favorite 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, she wrote in a message that she described on the official Instagram of the Prince and Princess of Wales, as a special letter, reflecting on the importance of love, empathy and how much we need one another in the most difficult times.

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WASHINGTON (AP)  When President Joe Biden visited Angola last week, one of the highlights was his pledge of hundreds of millions of dollars for an ambitious trans-Africa rail project that would bring copper and cobalt from central Africa to the Atlantic port of Lobito.

The project is possible because of the commitment of a $553 million direct loan from the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation, created in 2019 during the first Trump administration to counter China's expansion of its global reach through infrastructure projects, such as the mega-port in Chancay, Peru, inaugurated just last month.

On Monday, the U.S. agency celebrated its five-year milestone by vowing to advance U.S. foreign policy and strategic interests through projects around the world such as the one in Angola. It also seeks re-authorization from Congress and a greater ability to invest in more countries when there's a strategic need to compete with China.

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We need to be good partners while offering an alternative based on our values," said Scott Nathan, the chief executive officer of the development agency, who was in Angola last week with the president. Quite simply, we need to continue to show up.

Nathan is set to leave the post. President-elect Donald Trump is yet to name his pick to lead the agency.

Over its first five years, the agency has developed a portfolio of more than $50 billion in 114 countries, including solar panel manufacturing in India, a power plant in Sierra Leone, and digital infrastructure in South America. To do that, the agency has leveraged government funding to partner with private investments. In the last fiscal year, the agency committed to $12 billion in new transactions, using the roughly $800 million in appropriations, Nathan said.

Investments by the agency are having a transformational impact on economic development while concretely advancing U.S. strategic interests, Nathan said.

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In Angola, for example, the rail project would help secure the supply chain by cutting both time and cost in transporting critical minerals.

National security adviser Jake Sullivan said the agency was created when the U.S. was ceding the field" to China in a new era of geopolitics. The U.S. needed a vision calibrated to new geopolitical realities and that matched the scope of the transformational challenges we faced.

It was in 2013 when Beijing launched the massive Belt and Road Initiative to gain markets and influence around the world by building roads, railways, power plants, transmission lines and ports, usually in less-developed regions.

A recent report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office said China provided $679 billion for international infrastructure projects such as those in transportation and energy between 2013 and 2021, compared with the $76 billion the U.S. provided in the same period. Western politicians have criticized these Beijing-backed projects for creating debt traps, but Beijing argues that they have brought tangible and much-needed economic benefits to the host countries.

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In 2018, Congress passed a bipartisan bill that created the U.S. development agency, aimed at bringing private investments into low- and middle-income countries through tools such as equity investment, loan guarantee and political risk insurance.

On Monday, Secretary of State Antony Blinken praised the agency for reimagining how the U.S. does development and said, through its work, the U.S. has shown countries that they don't have to resort to projects that are poorly built, environmentally destructive, that import or abuse workers, that foster corruption or burden countries with unsustainable debt.

"We really are the partner of choice, Blinken said.

As challenges lie ahead, Blinken said the agency needs to do even more and in more countries than before.
HONOLULU (KHON2)  Baskin-Robbins celebrated the grand opening of its newest shop in Honolulu at the Ala Moana Center with a $20,000 donation to the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii.

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The new Baskin-Robbins, located on Street Level 1 near the Center Court, opened at 9 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8.

The event kicked off with a ribbon-cutting ceremony featuring Baskin-Robbins Brand Head Jonathan Biggs and Hawaii franchisee John Kim.

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The first 500 guests were treated to branded merchandise bags starting at 10:30 a.m., and Baskin-Robbins mascot Coney was also on hand for photos.

As part of the celebration, the Baskin-Robbins Joy in Childhood Foundation presented a $20,000 grant to the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii (BGCH).

Make a meaningful difference, Hawaii Tax-Aide volunteers needed

We were proud to open this new location in the Ala Moana Center and support the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii in helping young people reach their potential, said Kim. We hope our shop becomes a place where families can come together to enjoy great ice cream and give back to the community.

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The new 634-square-foot shop is open daily from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.

To celebrate the opening, the shop offered special promotions throughout the holiday season, including buy-one-get-one-free deals on scoops (Dec. 9-14), sundaes (Dec. 15-21), and $3 off ice cream cakes (Dec. 22-28).

For more information on the Baskin-Robbins Joy in Childhood Foundation, visit joyinchildhoodfoundation.org.

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To explore Baskin-Robbins menu of premium ice cream and desserts, visit baskinrobbins.com or follow the brand on Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, and Facebook.

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BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  A Broome County Jury found a Florida man guilty of weapons charges on Thursday.

According to District Attorney Paul Battisti, 33-year-old Dorian Raysor was found guilty of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree, Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree and Tampering with Physical Evidence.

On May 6, members of the Broome County Special Investigations Unit located Raysor near Eldridge Street in Binghamton. When officers confronted Raysor, he fled the scene. Raysor also discarded a loaded semi-automatic handgun and high-capacity magazine in the brush along Brandywine Avenue.

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Raysor will appear back in court on March 5. He is facing 19 years in New York State prison.

Once again, this jurys guilty verdict sends a clear message that our community will not tolerate illegal activity like Raysors actions. We take such crimes seriously and will continue to hold accountable those who break the law and jeopardize public safety, said Battisti.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34.
The signs of Florida's pending "Silver Tsunami" are all around us. They are easily dismissed or simply overlooked amid the number of seniors living in our area, who remain a vital and vibrant part of our region's communities and economy.

The term silver tsunami is a metaphor to describe the aging Baby Boomer generation. For years, Florida has been a magnet for America's retirees, and now almost 1 out 5 residents are 65 years or older. The question  and it's a big one  is Florida doing enough to prevent this growing part of our population from becoming an underserved segment of society? So far, the answer isn't promising, and that had better change sooner rather than later.

Last month, The South Florida Regional Planning Council and the Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council met at Florida Atlantic University to discuss ways to head off the crisis. The South Florida and Treasure Coast region simply can't afford to ignore its growing but aging population. The region's competitiveness as a destination depends on how well it shores up needed services to address the silver tsunami on its way.

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The Post's View: Condo costs crush in Florida while politicians shrug | Editorial

Florida ignores aging population at its own peril

The silver tsunami isn't limited to Florida. The aging of America's 73 million Baby Boomers, persons born between 1945 and 1965, will have significant impact on our society and everyday life. People 65 and older account for more than a third of the nation's health care spending. Older Americans are also having an impact on the workplace, which is adjusting to employees forgoing retirement, leaving employers with new challenges from an older workforce.

For Florida, the problem should be more obvious than the occasional traffic fatality of an elderly motorist or the growing chorus of retirees who now face six-figure assessments to stay in their aging condominium communities.

Projections discussed at the FAU conference show that the 85-plus population in southeast Florida will more than double in the next 25 years. In Palm Beach County, the figure is expected to increase to 146,000 people from today's 66,000, a 121% increase. Broward and Martin counties will see similar spikes as more retirees move to Florida, joining those already here.

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Florida already faces a shortage of physicians. In 2035, the Florida Safety Net Hospital Alliance and the Florida Hospital Association projects a shortfall of 17,924 physicians in the Sunshine State, including geriatricians, those doctors trained to address the needs of the elderly. Couple this with meager state funding for aging at home versus nursing home care, mental health and transportation services, and you can see how kicking the can down the road is not an option.

When it comes to addressing this problem, Florida is beyond a quick fix. For example, closing legal loopholes that allow seniors to drive when they shouldn't won't cut it in a community that lacks adequate public transportation that lets seniors to maintain a life by getting out and enjoy their communities. Florida needs a better social infrastructure to accommodate its growing senior population. The needs are complex and the solutions are challenging.

Last month's conference at FAU was a wake-up call. The hope here is that local and state officials heard it.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: As Florida ages, it can't ignore the silver tsunami crisis to come
State Rep. Joel Rudman, a Navarre Republican who is running for Congress in a special election, filed a bill Monday to allow guns to be carried openly in public in Florida.

In a Facebook post, Rudman  a family medicine practitioner  said it would also repeal Floridas red flag law passed by lawmakers after the 2018 mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Broward County.

My first bill has been filed for the 2025 Legislative Session, Rudman stated. And it reiterates my commitment to freedom and to the Constitution. My bill repeals Floridas unconstitutional red flag laws and makes Florida an open carry state.

Rep. Joel Rudman was first elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 2022.

The bill (HB 31) would also allow guns to be carried in polling places, on college campuses (known as 'campus carry') and in career centers  all places where firearms are currently banned under state law.

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The red flag law allows friends or family members of an individual, or law enforcement officials themselves, to petition a court to confiscate their firearms if theyre deemed to be a threat to themselves or others.

Many sheriffs throughout the state support the law, saying it has helped them prevent shootings before they happen. The law was part of a series of reforms passed in the wake of the Parkland shooting, which left 17 dead, including 14 children.

The bill passed by the Legislature included funding for school safety measures and a program to allow teachers to be armed in schools, but it also raised the age to buy a rifle to 21 and banned bump stocks, devices that allow semi-automatic firearm to simulate the rapid firing of an automatic weapon.

Many Republicans blanched at the gun control measures in the bill and many voted against it, but it gained enough support to pass and then-Gov. Rick Scott signed it into law. As a U.S. senator, Scott has continued to defend the measures.

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But other Republicans and gun advocates have consistently fought them. The National Rifle Association filed suit against the law the day it was signed. The suit is ongoing.

As a candidate in 2018, Gov. Ron DeSantis said he didnt support the gun control measures in the new law. Efforts to repeal them, however, havent made it through the Legislature.

Open carry bills have also failed to pass in recent years. And Senate President Ben Albritton, R-Wauchula, dampened the measures prospects for next year when he recently said he didnt favor open carry.

He pointed to opposition in the past from law enforcement groups. Albritton has previously supported open carry, though. As a state House member, he co-sponsored a bill in 2016 to allow open carry and voted for it on the floor. The bill passed that chamber but never made it to the Senate floor.

Joel Rudman is running for Congress to replace Matt Gaetz

Rudman is running for a congressional seat based in the state's western Panhandle. Its previous occupant, Matt Gaetz, resigned last month.

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Gaetz was initially tapped by President-elect Donald Trump to be the next Attorney General but lacked the votes to get confirmed by the U.S. Senate.

There are 16 candidates for the 1st Congressional District, including Rudman, in the race to replace Gaetz. Ten of them are Republicans in the GOP-heavy district. Florida Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis could have the inside track to the seat, having been endorsed by Trump, though he doesn't live in the district.

Florida law requires elected officials to resign their current office to run for another office if the terms would overlap with their current seat.

The special election is set for April 1, with a primary to be held Jan. 28. Rudmans resignation is effective Jan. 1, which would leave the bill in limbo after he leaves the Legislature. Another member could take over the bill or could file a similar measure, however.

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Shall not be infringed will mean something here in the Gunshine state! Rudman added in his post.

Gray Rohrer is a reporter with the USA TODAY Network-Florida Capital Bureau. He can be reached at grohrer@gannett.com. Follow him on X: @GrayRohrer.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Florida Rep. Rudman files bill to OK open carry, repeal red flag law
The big story: Air quality in schools has grabbed more attention in recent months, particularly among campuses swamped by hurricanes Debby, Helene or Milton.

Jitters over concerns about mold and mildew after the storms heightened the awareness for families and faculty. That recognition impacted one Pinellas County school that had a separate situation  a teacher passed away in November from illness linked to Legionnaires disease.

People wanted to know whether their school might also have problems with its air handling systems. The district began working with the Department of Health to find out.

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All classes have been moved out of the building in question until the answers are clear. Read more here.

Hot topics

Book challenges: The Hernando County school board is set to consider the fate of three challenged books when it convenes Tuesday, Suncoast News reports.

Choice: Some Duval County parents are complaining that a highly sought after elementary school is cutting staff at the same time it is saying there is no room for more students, WJAX reports. Duval superintendent Christopher Bernier is hosting town hall sessions to hear parent views as he prepares to make new budget recommendations, the Florida Times-Union reports.

Classroom technology: Florida A&M and Florida State universities are devising guidelines for the appropriate student use of artificial intelligence in classes, the Tallahassee Democrat reports.

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Contract talks: Leon County teacher contract negotiations are headed to a special magistrate after the sides failed to reach a deal on salaries, WTXL reports.  Negotiators for the Palm Beach County school district and teachers union expressed hope they can reach agreement over health insurance benefits when they return to the table Monday, WPTV reports.

Iguana invasion: The Palm Beach County school district shut down a high schools swimming pool as it could not keep up with maintenance needs caused by a growing iguana mess, the Palm Beach Post reports.

Science lessons: About 140 Escambia County high school students are participating in a new program focused on the construction of artificial reefs, aimed at restoring the nearby marine environment, the Pensacola News Journal reports.

Special education: Hillsborough County schools will begin allowing private therapists into classrooms to help students with special needs, Bay News 9 reports. Parents had advocated for the change more than a year.

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Teacher discipline: A Broward County teacher faces suspension over accusations of poking a student with a thumbtack, the Sun-Sentinel reports.

From the police blotter ... A University of Florida technology worker was arrested on allegations of selling about $50,000 worth of university equipment for personal gain, WCJB reports.

Dont miss a story. Heres a link to Fridays roundup.

Before you go ... The Daily Show visited Florida to talk to its most prolific school book ban advocate, Clay Countys Bruce Friedman. Heres the shows take.
An American woman who arrived in Australia to attend clown school with a gold-plated pistol in her luggage has been jailed for a year.

Liliana Goodson, a 30-year-old American woman, pleaded guilty to charges of illegally importing a firearm and ammunition, in contravention of Australias strict gun laws.

She was sentenced on Monday to 12 months in jail by Sydneys Downing Centre Local Court, and will serve at least four months in full-time custody.

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The court previously heard that Goodson had arrived in the country from Florida to attend a clown school in April 2023, but was stopped at the border after the authorities noticed a 24-carat gold-plated weapon in her luggage.

The 24-carat gold-plated gun - Australian Border Force

She claimed that she had forgotten it was in her bag, after telling customs officers that she did not have any prohibited items with her.

But police later discovered she had searched online for an answer to the question: Can I have a gun in my suitcase? and set a calendar reminder to herself to put gun in suitcase.

Goodson later said she had brought the gun into the country as protection, even though she was scared to shoot it and would more likely pistol whip anyone who attacked her.

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The court was also told that the Florida woman planned to store the weapon under the passengers seat of her car.

Goodson, who uses they/them pronouns, had travelled to Australia from Florida but told officers that her permit for the Colt 45-style pistol was back in Alabama.

When I got over here the gun was not even in the back of my mind at all, she said at the time.

Cats spine and rabbit urine

She had, however, declared that she was carrying a cats spine, squirrel feet and rabbit urine, the Daily Mail reported. It is unclear why she travelled with those items.

Prosecutors in a previous hearing argued that the weapon would terrify members of the community and could pose a threat to public safety.

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The court also heard that she had used several banned substances in recent years, including psychedelic drugs, synthetic cannabis and crystal meth amphetamines.

She was instructed to remove her extensive piercings after the hearing and was led away by court staff.

Mondays sentence will likely delay her ambitions to become a professional clown. Susan Horan, a magistrate, said the custodial sentence would serve as a deterrent to others entering the country.

Australia has a strong stance against firearms, she said.

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Police are looking for a vehicle believed to be tied to a shooting in Ansonia that landed a man in the hospital on Sunday.

Officers at 7:25 p.m. responded to Pork Hollow Road on the report of shots fired and found a 37-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound, according to Lt. Patrick Lynch of the Ansonia Police Department.

The victim, an Ansonia resident, was shot in the lower body, Lynch said. He was taken to an area hospital for injuries that were not considered life-threatening.

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At the scene, Lynch said police found evidence indicating multiple shots had been fired. Investigators were also able to identify a vehicle of interest. Lynch said the vehicle is believed to be a newer model blue or gray Ford Mustang convertible with white license plates.

This appears to be an isolated incident and there is currently no danger to the public, Lynch said in a statement.

Police are still investigating and asking anyone with information to contact the police department at 203-735-1885. Anonymous tips can be left at tip411.com.
One of the largest emeralds to be excavated from a mine in Brazils Bahia region at the start of this century, the Bahia Emerald, has been under L.A. police protection for the past 10 years. In the photos you can see the crystals, embedded in a blackish stone. They are bright green and you can guess at their hexagonal shape.

The Bahia Emerald is a rare and valuable piece that can be summed up in figures: 380 kilos (837 pounds), 180,000 carats. And it is so exotic that estimates of its worth range from between $370 million and $920 million. The giant gem was taken out of Brazil under false pretenses and eventually confiscated in Las Vegas. It remains in safekeeping while the U.S. justice system resolves the long litigation involving the Brazilian State, individuals and U.S. companies, all of whom claim ownership. At the end of November, a federal judge ruled in favor of Brazil and authorized the gem to be repatriated, but there is room for appeal.

Since its discovery in 2001, the life of the Bahia Emerald has been nothing if not eventful. Excavated from a mine in the Carnaiba mountain range, 400 kilometers (248 miles) inland from Salvador, where five other giant emeralds have been discovered this century, it has earned a reputation for being cursed.

It passed through numerous hands, sometimes in shady transactions, until two Brazilians took it out of the country in 2005. They got it out by claiming it was asphalt stone and natural bitumen. Declared value? $100. Next stop, the United States. That same year the emerald survived Hurricane Katrina, which flooded the warehouse where it was stored.

That year it was sold to the highest bidder on eBay for $19 million, according to Wired magazine. But the transaction never went through. Over the years, the plot thickened: sales at different prices, a fake kidnapping, the use of the emerald as collateral in a diamond sale... In 2008, thanks to a tip-off, the police confiscated the Bahia Emerald in an operation in Las Vegas, complete with special forces and a helicopter. Since then, it has been at the center of a judicial battle.

Innumerable Bahia emeralds have passed through the hands of the gemologist Monica Correa, but not the Bahia Emerald. She has only seen it in photos. The black mineral in which the precious crystals are embedded is called biotite, she explains. She works with polished pieces for jewelry rather than with the rough stones that attract collectors because of their exuberance and size. If you look at this one, you can even see the hexagon shape that emerald crystals have in their natural state, says Correa, who works at the Gemological Center of Bahia, in Salvador, where she analyzes the purity of gemstones for certification.

If the Bahia Emerald is returned to Brazil, it would mark a milestone in the countrys battle to recover pieces plundered centuries ago. Last May, Denmark returned an invaluable piece of indigenous art, also from Bahia, to the National Museum of Rio de Janeiro: a very delicate red feather cape sewn by the Tupinamba Indians that had been in the Danish royal collection since 1689. In 2023, Germanys National Museum of Natural History in Karlsruhe returned the Ubirajara jubatus, the fossil of a dinosaur that lived 110 million years ago in Ceara, which has become the most famous in Brazil thanks to a successful campaign on social media to demand its return from Germany.

The Ubirajara jubatus dinosaur fossil in Brasilia in June 2023, after Germany returned it. Myke Sena (Getty Images)

The case of the Bahia Emerald is as convoluted as a Brazilian soap opera with any number of protagonists, entanglements, betrayals and a plot that is hard to follow. For years, a number of individuals and companies claiming ownership have been fighting it out in the U.S. courts, represented by a large army of law firms. The courts have recognized that some of them acted in good faith and were deceived, but none of them have been recognized as having the right to ownership.

On November 21, U.S. federal judge Reggie Walton ruled in favor of the Brazilian state, which has also been immersed in a legal battle to recover what it considers a national treasure. Lawyers for the Brazilian Public Prosecutors Office adopted a novel strategy, according to Reuters: they called on their U.S. colleagues to comply with the bilateral agreement committing them to enforce Brazilian rulings. The Brazilian magistrate who convicted those who removed the stone from Brazil in 2017 also demanded that it be repatriated. Now Judge Walton has ruled that this be complied with.

The Carnaiba mountain range is considered the Brazilian capital of emeralds. It was 1963 when a farmer who was clearing stubble from his field came across some shiny green stones. He handed them over to the authorities. In no time, the news that there were emeralds in the interior of Bahia spread far and wide. An army of garimpeiros (artisanal miners) promptly appeared to mine the earth, according to Jornal Correio. It was full steam ahead until the end of the 1970s, when the miners came up against an impassable quartz plate.

It was in the 1980s when news of a new emerald deposit in Goias, 1,500 kilometers (932 miles) to the west, reached Pindobacu and other cities in the highlands, and off the miners went. Some perhaps even became rich, but the most valuable thing for the Bahian garimpeiros was to learn about technological advances from their colleagues in Goias. They learned to dig beyond the quartz plate. And, of course, they went back home immediately with this knowledge to extract the precious stones from the interior of Bahia.

Organized into a cooperative since 2006, some 600 miners work in the municipalitys 81 deposits. Last year, they extracted 400 tons of the stone in which the precious green gems are embedded. But the biggest prize is the Bahia Emerald sisters. Six have been discovered in 25 years. The last one, just recently, in September.

It is not unreasonable to think that if Brazil manages to recover the Bahia Emerald, one option would be to hand it over to the Geological Museum of Bahia, in Salvador. But the museologist Elizandra Pinheiro says that no one has contacted them to discuss this possibility. Beyond its multi-million-dollar price tag, the emerald has an enormous patrimonial value.

It represents a historical context: the garimpeira community, an economic activity that passes from generation to generation, explains Pinheiro, who points out that Bahia has already had its diamond, gold and emerald rushes. The museum, which exhibits the rich geological heritage of the state in the form of meteorites and fossils, is also a research center. In 2025, it will be half a century old. Who knows if, in a new unexpected twist in this long saga, it will become home to the cursed Bahia Emerald.

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ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo.  A foreign national currently living in Florida faces jail time for allegedly stealing tools worth tens of thousands of dollars from the Wentzville area.

According to the Wentzville Police Departments probable cause statement, police responded to a theft at the Home Depot on Wentzville Parkway on Thursday, Dec. 5.

Police said Yoandry Rodriguez Mirabel and an accomplice entered the store and grabbed an empty storage tote. Mirabel and the accomplice filled the tote with tools with a retail value of $3,193, and then placed the lid on the tote.

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Mirabel walked out of the store with the tote while the accomplice distracted a store employee at the register. The incident was recorded on store surveillance video, according to the probable cause statement.

Missouri companies sue to stop a law that raises minimum wage and requires paid sick leave

Mirabel loaded the tote and stolen tools into a van and left the area with the accomplice, police said.

A short time later, police conducted a traffic stop on the van. Mirabel was traveling without identification and refused to identify himself to law enforcement, police said. Officers used facial recognition software to identify Mirabel.

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Police eventually learned that Mirabel, who has an address in a Miami suburb, has a felony warrant for his arrest in Florida. Officers recovered the tote and stolen tools from the van, along with an additional $24,000 in tools believed to have been stolen.

The St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged Mirabel with stealing  $750 or more.

Mirabel is in the country illegally, according to the police, and ICE has detained him on two occasions.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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(NewsNation)  Its 4 a.m. in Maine, and just like his father and grandfather before him on this land, dairy farmer Fred Stone makes the frigid journey through the snow to milk the cows.

It was always known as cows first, people second, and thats the way its always been, Stone told NewsNations Natasha Zouves. I wish that snow wasnt cold, and I wish rain wasnt wet, and I wish I still didnt love my cows. But the more people I meet, the more I love my cows.

Stone has chosen each of their names and knows them by heart. In the warm barn, he greets Moon Beam, Blue and Storm Chaser.

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Theres no phoniness about the, you know exactly where you stand, and theyre all different, said Stone. Their personalities are all completely different.

His whole life, he says his care for his cows has been rewarded with what he calls liquid gold. His family has owned this farm since 1914, and for more than a century, their high-quality milk and cream have gone to market.

Now, he milks them only to pour every drop down the drain.

You either laugh or cry, and I ran out of tears a long time ago, said Stone.

Fred Stones milk is contaminated, heavily tainted with PFAS, or forever chemicals, linked with cancer and other serious health issues.

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This has broken our hearts and crushed our spirit, and I dont know if well ever get that back, said Freds wife, Laura Stone.

In 2016, an innocuous, routine water test on their property revealed high levels of PFAS  human-made chemicals the Stones had never heard of before.

Deported veterans seek pardons from Biden

They volunteered to test their soil, cows, and milk. All came back high. Fred Stone said their milk inspector informed him that the USDA was considering the possible extermination of his cows.

I said, Thats a hell of an idea. Ill tell you what, Ill take the cows down to the extermination site and Ill stand there and Ill take the first bullet, and you can kill the rest of them.

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Fred Stone had to euthanize 80% of his cows.

For a long while, we were, I guess you would call it  dead, said Laura Stone.

Fred installed a $23,000 water filtration system, but the contamination returned. He says he went $1.5 million in debt trying to save his farm, all the while dumping thousands of gallons of precious milk. The Stones have been dropped by their milk distributor.

Fred Stone told NewsNation there is one thought in particular that haunts him now:

At some point in time, hopefully not tomorrow, Im going to have to tell my father and grandfather what happened to the dairy farm they entrusted me with. And thats what keeps me up at night.

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Fred Stones family has set up a GoFundMe, you can find it here.

Organic farmers make a terrible discovery

About 120 miles north of Fred Stones farm, a young couple pooled all of their money and put it into a dream.

Adam Nordell and Johanna Davis brought their fiddle and banjo and put down roots, closing on a farm where they could settle down, grow organic produce, have a family  and build a whole life.

And when it came to naming it, the choice was easy for these two musicians: Songbird Organic Farm.

We imagined that we would be here forever. We imagined that we would build a business that would support our family through our career and into our retirement, so we thought we were settling down for the long haul, said Nordell.

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The idea of preventing development and preserving this farmland was also a mans dying wish. The couple found the farm through a service that connects retiring farmers with the next generation. The original owner had developed pancreatic cancer.

A terminal cancer diagnosis, said Nordell, so he needed to move quickly to find the next farmers to take over management of this land.

Under Nordell and Davis care, the land and business flourished, and they raised their little boy.

As news of the contamination on Fred Stones land spread, a customer asked Nordell and Davis if theyd heard of PFAS. They voluntarily tested their land.

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The results were high. Our drinking water tested about 400 times the states drinking water threshold, said Nordell.

Maines PFAS threshold for drinking water is 20 parts per trillion. Nordell says their soil also tested high. He recalls the terror of that time: We were in free fall, do we have a business? Do we have a home here?

Then they had their blood tested for forever chemicals. Nordell says his and his wifes blood levels are higher than chemical manufacturer employees who worked in PFAS factories.

My blood levels after living for seven years on a farm that was spread with sludge four times, are higher than those workers in Decatur, Alabama, said Nordell.

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The couple shut down operations, recalled their products, alerted customers and shuttered their organic farm.

Davis described a gut-wrenching conversation with her little boy:

He said, Is there PFAS, is it in my body and is that bad? And I dont even know what I said, I couldnt answer. Thats not something that I want to have to talk to my kid about when hes 5 years old.

The family hasnt picked up an instrument in a long time now, they say the music just isnt in them anymore. Health is a constant worry. And there are questions that defy answers. What does a farmer do with a farm that can grow nothing?

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Its weird, I get angry at the place. I get angry at the land. As if the ground underneath us has betrayed us, said Nordell. But of course, this place is a victim too, this farm is a victim.

How forever chemicals became a part of American life

When the contamination was discovered on Fred Stones land, he says he was considered an anomaly. Now, in the course of this two-year NewsNation investigation, a growing list of farmers are coming forward, saying they are grappling with the same discovery on their land.

Advocates like Erin Brockovich are sounding the alarm. She says when it comes to forever chemicals, the storm is here. And its not just in Maine, its in every single state.

EPA, FDA, political leaders, where have you been? How did you miss this? Now we have an entire country, an entire country that is potentially in peril from this forever chemical that has destroyed our land, destroyed our farming, destroyed water and destroyed public health and welfare. Wow, kudos, good job, Brockovich said to NewsNation in an exclusive interview.

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PFAS are colloquially called forever chemicals because they are nearly impossible to destroy. The class of chemicals, technically called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, were created from the top-secret WWII nuclear bomb Manhattan Project.

After the war, 3M bought the patent to develop these newly-discovered chemicals, finding they did a remarkable job in resisting water, oil and stains. 3M created a blockbuster product: Scotch Guard.

Beyond a range of industrial applications, PFAS made their way into almost every American home, in carpet and couches, dental floss and rain jackets, pizza boxes and shampoo. Under the company DuPont, forever chemicals entered our kitchens, in our non-stick Teflon cookware.

Its in firefighter gear, or its in flame retardant clothing we put babies in, its in the furniture that we spray with Scotch Guard, so we dont stain something. Its in our makeup. Its everywhere. Its in our coffee cups, said Brockovich. Its everything. Its pretty catastrophic, that a chemical like this has gotten into every aspect of our life.

Forever chemicals have become so ubiquitous that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) say 97% of Americans now have detectable levels of PFAS in their blood. The U.S. Geological Survey says at least 45% of our drinking water has one or more types of PFAS.

But how did forever chemicals end up on valuable American farmland?

The answer lies in a type of fertilizer, made from treated human sewage, called biosolids, or more colloquially, sludge, and a system that spreads it directly on their land.

Spreading fertilizer sludge on prime American cropland

We have this bright idea that were going to take all this sewer sludge, and were going to spread it on the land as fertilizer, said Brockovich.

Epidemiologist Patrick MacRoy explained how this sludge is produced.

He says the process starts with the manufacturing of PFAS. 3M and others actually manufacture these chemicals, said MacRoy, and these manufacturing plants discharge waste to a sewer system, which goes to a wastewater treatment facility.

Simultaneously, there are the PFAS found in our homes, from the clothing that is stain resistant to cleaning products and sofas and carpets. MacRoy says when we clean an item in the washing machine, or dump a bucket down the drain, that PFAS-contaminated waste also goes to a wastewater treatment facility.

They have to do something with all of those solids that settle out, and thats what we call sludge, said MacRoy. Particularly in the 1970s, we start taking that sludge and applying it to farmland as fertilizer. You have this contaminated sludge that then goes to a local farm where its spread out.

If you look at the PFAS thats on the farmland, it goes into crops (that humans eat) or goes into crops that are eaten by animals, that we then eat. That PFAS, is eaten by us, said MacRoy.

MacRoy points out that at no point in this process does the EPA require sludge to be tested for PFAS before being spread on farmland: EPA requires the sewer districts to test for a handful of heavy metals, but they never test for PFAS. Its just not tested, no one knows.

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MacRoy says all 50 states are impacted by sludging. Forty-eight states still spread biosolids today, the only exceptions being Maine and Connecticut. The Environmental Working Group claims as much as 20 million acres of American farmland could be contaminated by forever chemicals.

You have almost like a cycle that you take the hazardous waste, apply the sludge on the land, you now contaminate the land that contaminates the water, thats contaminated the food chain. Were into a real serious problem here with this forever chemical, said Brockovich.

Fred Stone kept the 1986 letter from Maines Department of Environmental Protection, which he says told him the sludge was safe to spread on his farm.

They said it was a safe, safe material to use on our fields. And again, we were, we were doing our civic duty by using it and keeping the material off from landfills and what have you. So yeah, it was great. It was a win-win situation for everybody involved, said Stone.

Stone ultimately ended up sludging his land every year from 1983 to 2004.

When Adam Nordell and Johanna Davis purchased their farm, they didnt know the land had been sludged four times by a farmer in the early 1990s.

They were told it was their civic duty to help with the societal problem of municipal sludge. So they got a bad deal. We got a bad deal. That was not a good idea, said Nordell.

Fred Stone says that without a federal safety net, he understands why other American farmers wouldnt be jumping to test their land.

Youre out there asking someone to shoot you and youre giving them the gun and the bullets to do it with. And you know damn well that youre committing financial suicide. Thats what we did, said Stone.

The paper trail: What did chemical companies know?

NewsNation poured over court documents that show what Erin Brockovich calls the shell game.

Its moving stuff around for, you know, for the end result that makes them more money, and leaves destruction in its path, said Brockovich.

Epidemiologist Patrick MacRoy reviewed the documents with NewsNation.

We have in front of us here a large stack of documents that come from the chemical companies themselves, documenting what they knew about PFAS chemicals, their harm to people and harm to the environment. Most of this was secret, just kept in chemical industry files, right until various lawsuits forced them to disclose it, said MacRoy.

He says the documents start with animal studies in the 1950s and 1960s, that showed impacts to the liver, kidneys, and spleen, and acute oral toxicity.

Going all the way back to 1963, 3M knew there were risks with these chemicals. They put it in their own manual, that theyre toxic, and they need precautions, said MacRoy.

In 1970, a test on firefighting foam had to be abandoned when the substance left all the fish dead.

Then, in 1973, a DuPont study showed PFAS in food packaging impacts the livers of dogs.

And in 1975, the first indication that PFAS already flowed in the blood of Americans.

This was just unrelated to PFAS research  just scientists looking at chemicals in human blood, said MacRoy. The average person already has PFAS in their blood by 1975.

Court filings show that 3M soon replicates this in their own studies. A 1979 letter from their lawyers appears to advise the company to conceal that the chemical found in human blood was a type of PFAS.

A year later, in 1978, DuPont warned 3M about the toxic effects of PFAS in our food packaging.

And by the late 1970s to early 1980s, documents suggest 3M and DuPont were becoming aware that their own employees were getting sick.

In 1981, 3M was concerned enough about the potential for birth defects as a result of these chemicals, that they actually reassigned all the female workers in the plant to jobs that didnt involve exposure, said MacRoy.

By 1984, PFAS starts to appear in water. Specifically, DuPont detects forever chemicals in Little Hocking, Ohio. They do not tell the water utility.

The levels they found back then, would be considered very high today, said MacRoy.

And through the late 1980s through early 1990s, workers keep getting sick  from 3M finding elevating cancer rates among their workers, their male workers more likely to die from prostate cancer, to DuPont finding higher cancer rates in their Parkersburg plant workers.

More than two decades after scientists told 3M the blood of Americans contained PFAS, in 1998, 3M finally alerted the EPA that the type of PFAS in their Scotch Guard builds up in the blood.

USDA and EPA, how in the hell did this get by you? It didnt. You knew something for the sake of money for lobbying power, you turned a blind eye, said Brockovich.

In 1999, a whistleblower came forward; a scientist at 3M by the name of Dr. Richard Purdy stepped down and sent a copy of his resignation letter to the EPA.

This letter basically says, you have asked me to try to help identify where the problems with the substance are. Weve identified a huge list of concerns. We need to do more research, the management is shutting me down. And I feel ethically like I cannot work at 3M anymore, because they are ignoring the science they are ignoring our request to do more study, said MacRoy.

By 2000, 3M agrees to phase out some PFAS in the course of an EPA investigation. According to the 2010 Minnesota Attorney General Congressional Testimony, at this time, 3M publicly suggests it recently learned PFAS are in human blood, when they had known since 1975.

In 2005 and 2006, the EPA fined DuPont $10.25 million and 3M $1.5 million.

A major headline came in 2023, with a multi-billion dollar federal settlement over PFAS contamination in our nations tap water, forever chemicals making their way into many U.S. public drinking water systems.

Theres a reason why theyre settling these lawsuits now for water contamination, because the more we study it, the more we find problems, the larger the problem is going to be. Theyre rushing now to try to settle things before the full scope of the problem is even understood, said MacRoy.

NewsNation reached out to both 3M and DuPont.

Statement from 3M:

As the science and technology of PFAS, societal and regulatory expectations, and our expectations of ourselves have evolved, so has how we manage PFAS.

3M announced in 2000 the phase out of manufacturing of PFOA and PFOS worldwide. In December 2022, 3M announced we will exit all PFAS manufacturing and work to discontinue the use of PFAS across our product portfolio by the end of 2025.

3M is committed to providing accurate information about PFAS with appropriate context. We have shared significant information about PFAS over the decades, including the results of studies 3M conducted on PFOS. 3M also published many of its findings regarding PFAS in publicly available scientific journals dating back to the early 1980s. Those journals were and remain available to the scientific community and the public.

Statement from DuPont:

In June 2019, DuPont de Nemours was established as a new multi-industrial specialty products company. DuPont de Nemours has never manufactured or sold PFOA, PFOS or firefighting foam.

While DuPont is not a PFAS commodity chemical manufacturer, it does use select PFAS compounds within industrial processes pursuant to relevant environmental, health and safety rules and standards. Such uses are necessary to impart specific product performance criteria and only in products that are essential to safety and the critical functioning of society.

Our use of PFAS is limited and is managed as a Substance of Concern (SoC) consistent with the companys Chemical Management Policy  Substance of Concern. We are currently pursuing alternatives to PFAS where possible. Additionally, we have rigorous systems, processes, and protocols in place to ensure that PFAS are used safely, are controlled to the highest standards, and are minimized in our operations.

We support science-based efforts to develop guidelines for PFAS and commit to meeting these requirements in our global operations. We will continue to ensure our products and processes are fully compliant with laws and regulations on PFAS.

Safety, health and protecting the planet are core values at DuPont. We are committed to continuous improvement of our chemical stewardship process and to upholding the highest standards for the safe operation of facilities and the protection of our environment, our employees, our customers, and the people of the communities in which we do business.

The role of the EPA

The chemical industries hid the full extent of the problem from the EPA until the late 1990s. But starting in the late 1990s, EPA had all the information, and theyve done very little, said MacRoy.

MacRoy says, The single biggest thing I think EPA could do today would be to require testing for PFAS before putting sludge on farmland.

In June of 2023, NewsNation went to D.C. for an interview with Radhika Fox, then-assistant administrator for water at EPA. When asked why decisive action wasnt taken by the EPA in the late 1990s, Fox replied: The important thing is were taking action now. Were taking swift action under the Presidents leadership.

NewsNation asked why biosolid sludge application was still continuing if the EPA could not guarantee its safety. Fox replied that land application of biosolids is one of the critical uses of biosolids from the treatment plants that are treating our wastewater. And in many instances, its perfectly safe.

She advised: One of the best things that someone can do is really educate themselves about whats going on in their local community. I suggest talking to your local water system to see what theyre doing, are they testing for PFAS, are they treating for it? We are working very diligently to get this national drinking water standard in place. At the end of the day, it is a partnership with our states and with local communities to together protect the American people.

In April of 2024, the Biden-Harris administration issued the first-ever national drinking water standard, they say it will protect 100 million people from PFAS pollution.

The EPA still allows sludging to take place in all 50 states without testing requirements.

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A group of Texas farmers are currently suing the EPA. The lawsuit contends that in failing to regulate PFAS in biosolid sludge, the agency violated the Clean Water Act and Administrative Procedures Act. The EPA is currently trying to get this lawsuit dismissed.

The relief they seek  an order directing EPA to identify PFAS in its next biennial report, and to regulate PFAS thereafter  is simply not available, the EPA wrote in a September 2024 court filing.

A celebration at Misty Brook Farm

After 11 long months of contamination, the sound of milk being poured into glass bottles instead of down the drain is music to Brendan and Katia Holmes ears.

They proudly peel and stick a bright yellow PFAS tested sticker on each bottle, carton and jug going to market. They dont have to, but they want the public to ask questions.

They say honesty and trust are what made them choose this land to begin with from the moment they asked the previous owner how to get in and see the place.

I said, Hey, is there a key to the house? He said, Key to the house?! I havent locked it since I built it. Im like, alright, thats the place I want to live, said Brendan Holmes. When we moved up here it was do or die, we were either going to go bankrupt or make it work.

In year one, Misty Brook Farm grossed about $15,000. By 2021, it grossed $2 million and employed 13 people.

Its a good feeling. Its a milestone. My goal in life is to leave the piece of land that Im farming in better shape than I got it. If I wanted to make money, I wouldnt have gotten into dairy farming. Maybe Id have gotten work for DuPont. But money I dont care about money. I care about quality and integrity, said Holmes.

Which is why when a customer asked them if theyd ever tested their milk for forever chemicals, they immediately put up thousands of dollars of their own money for testing. And when the results came back high, they say there wasnt hesitation.

People have fight, flight, or freeze. I go straight to fight. And to me, Im like, OK, Im not the only one that this has happened to. And my fight is, Im going to make this public, said Holmes.

They told the public and broke the news to their boys. Katia recalls the familys conversation:

Johnny was like, When do we have to stop selling the milk? And Brennan said, Now. Johnnys like, What are we going to do, daddy? And Brennan said, Well, I dont know but well figure it out.

The first days, weeks, months, we call it firefighting, we were definitely in survival mode, said Katia.

Brendan Holmes had choice words for the chemical companies that profited off of PFAS products and did not disclose what they knew for years.

When they had the choice of do we go public with this or do we sweep this under the rug, they chose the rug, said Holmes.

He described the gravity farmers across the country are facing with forever chemical contamination, and the lack of a safety net or recourse when contamination is found.

Suicide among dairy farmers and farmers in general is incredibly high because a lot of these farms are third fourth and fifth generation and you are going to be the person to lose it, your great great great grandfather cleared the land, and youre the person whose going to have a bankruptcy auction because you cant hold onto the land.

They dumped 26,000 gallons of milk.

We pride ourselves on producing milk that mothers can feed their children, and then to have them call us up and be like, Is my kid going to be OK because I drank your milk? And it wasnt anything we knowingly did, said Holmes.

Testing revealed their cows had become contaminated from someone elses sludged farm. The tainted feed for their cows in Maine was grown in Kentucky.

We are not responsible necessarily for how it happened, how the sludge was spread 20 or 30 years ago that the contaminated soils were where the feed came from. But we are responsible for how we move forward, said Katia.

Their own familys bloodwork also tested high for forever chemicals. The Holmes found themselves putting it all on the line, again.

We borrowed the money and we bought 50 cows that were uncontaminated. $73,000 we borrowed for a new herd, said Brendan.

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After 11 months, thousands in loans and testing, making sure every ounce of feed and water was untainted, enough time passed that all of their cows came back clean. Their milk is now at non-detect levels of PFAS, and sales have resumed.

Since the contamination primarily came from outside the borders of their land, they found themselves in a more tenable situation than farmers like Fred Stone. But Holmes says he knows PFAS contamination has a way of coming back. He worries another farms contaminated feed could taint his herd all over again.

The thing that keeps me up at night  in 2016, we had a severe drought, and I had to buy five tractor-trailer loads of feed from Pennsylvania. I cant verify what soil that feed from Pennsylvania came from. And (with another drought) I will be rolling the dice, said Holmes.

Update on farmers surviving PFAS contamination

NewsNation is updating these farmers stories after our two-year investigation.

Brendan and Katia Holmes are still selling milk at Misty Brook Farms, praying no contamination comes back.

Adam Nordell and Johanna Davis successfully sold their farm to the Maine Farmland Trust, it will be used as a research site to understand how PFAS moves through food and water. They have dedicated themselves to advocacy.

Fred and Laura Stone received new test results:

All of their cows are contaminated with PFAS

About 90% of their usable farmland is also contaminated

Fred says the farm is currently more than $450,000 in debt

Freds family has set up a GoFundMe to help with costs.

Maine has successfully made bipartisan change, becoming:

The first state to ban sludging

The first state to ban the sale of products containing PFAS

The first state to create a PFAS fund to help farmers

Forty-eight states, however, continue to sludge.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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CRESTVIEW, Fla. (WKRG)  A former corrections officer was arrested and charged with a child sex crime after an undercover operation, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.

Over $80,000 raised for Slezak family on GoFundMe after boating tragedy

The FDLE identified the man as James Coffman, 26 of Crestview. Coffman was working as a Corrections Lieutenant in Defuniak at the time of his arrest, officials said.

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According to an FDLE news release, Coffman was arrested after agents participated in an undercover internet chat operation hosted by the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office in November.

Between Nov. 15-17, an online user requested to meet the 14-year-old daughter of an undercover FDLE agent posing as a dad, for sex, the news release said. The investigation identified the user to be Coffman.

After agents interviewed him and seized his electronic devices for forensic analysis, Coffman was booked into the Okaloosa County Jail and charged with soliciting a child for sex online and using a two-way communication device to facilitate a felony.

UPDATE: Atmore Police identifies two killed in car Sunday night

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The case will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney, First Judicial Circuit, officials said. The investigation remains active under the FDLE Pensacola cybercrime unit.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)  A man who was cleared of a charge of murdering another man with a pellet gun last May was back in jail just one day after being featured on the Crime Stoppers Texomas Most Wanted list.

Darren King, 34, was on the December 6 list after failing to show up for a court hearing in November on an evading charge. On Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024, he was picked up on a new evading charge, plus a charge related to allegedly threatening a woman with a hammer.

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His arrest Saturday came after police responded to the 1500 block of Giddings on a report that

King was causing a disturbance and threatening to kill a woman.

Police did not initially find King and talked to the victim and two witnesses. The victim said King, whom she said she barely knew, came into her house through the front door holding a hammer in one hand and bolt cutters in the other and began threatening her.

When she attempted to use her phone to call for help, she said King knocked two holes in the wall with the hammer, then held the hammer to her head and told her to get off the phone.

She complied and said when King began pacing around the room, she was able to call the two witnesses for help.

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When they arrived, they said they convinced King to let the woman go, and when she got out, she called the police. She told police she believed King was going to kill her if she had not been able to leave.

King was later spotted in a nearby alley, and officers chased him through yards and into a house.

An officer said King attempted to crawl out a front window but retreated back into the house when confronted, and another officer then took him into custody at the back of the house. They say they found drugs in his backpack.

Officers said they told King he had been featured on Texomas Most Wanted the day before, and he replied, Yeah, I know.

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Kings previous arrests include a murder charge last May in which Deron Royster was shot in the eye with a pellet gun on New Haven and later died in a Dallas hospital. Police say the pellet entered his brain, and Royster was never able to give details of how or why he was shot.

They later located Roysters sister, who told them she was told her brother got in an argument with King, and King shot him in the face with an air gun. They also found a witness who said she was with King on New Haven when he shot Royster, who ran off, and she drove off, leaving King there.

Police said they found text messages from King that he had shot a dude in the face and that he was mad he had been left at the scene and was trying to find a way out from all the police in the area. Police said they also received multiple Crime Stoppers tips about the shooting.

The murder charge against King was officially dropped on August 20, 2024, after a grand jury declined to indict him on that charge. No other charge in connection with Roysters death has been filed.

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Besides the new charges, King has three other evading cases pending.

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.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Charlotte-Mecklenburg police said they discovered hundreds of photos of women on the phone of former private school administrator Scott Michael Waybright.

The former assistant head of school for academics at Charlotte Country Day was arrested on Friday and charged with five counts of felony secret peeping and five counts of possessing a photographic image obtained in violation of the peeping statute.

Charlotte private school administrator accused of secret peeping, police say

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The 58-year-old man took inappropriate photos of students and random women, according to court documents. He had 10 to 12 images of potential students and employees on his laptop, according to the Charlotte Observer.

The former administrator has been banned from the school where he worked for nearly 30 years.

The school had a private investigator conduct a forensic exam on his work phone and laptop and found inappropriate photos, including hundreds of photos of womens legs and butts, according to court documents.

They were all turned over to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department.

Several photos appear to be students at the school and unknown women in public places such as the grocery store and swimming pools, although its unclear which ones, investigators said.

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No one came to the Waybrights door when a Channel 9 crew went to his house on Monday.

A neighbor, who asked not to be identified, said she was there when police moved in.

It was absolutely shocking, the woman said. I mean we were all overwhelmed by what we heard. It frankly made us completely sick to our stomach because he works at a school and hes worked at a school for so long.

A teacher at the school first reported an incident last year about a student who said Waybright was taking photos of her, according to court records.

The head of school at the time looked through Waybrights phone but reportedly didnt find anything.

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However, the reporting teacher apparently did not feel the situation was handled properly and believed the student.

The private investigator was then hired who allegedly found everything.

The behavior is creepy and sickening, to be honest, the neighbor said.

There was another complaint made about him in 2017, according to a court affidavit.

A man said he believed Waybright took pictures of his wife in the library but no evidence was found.

The school sent a letter to parents last week.

Waybrights attorney appeared in court Monday on his behalf.

He is out on bond.

The school plans to form a task force bringing in national experts and hire two more security workers.
FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA)  Over the weekend, Fort Smith had its 75th pedestrian hit by a vehicle. Overall, three people have died this year from vehicle vs. pedestrian collisions in Fort Smith alone.

The three fatal collisions have all happened in the second half of 2024:

September 20 at 10300 Roberts Boulevard  A 68-year-old cyclist was killed when he was hit by a vehicle driving east. No charges were filed against the driver.

October 11 at Kelley Highway and 44th Street  A 13-year-old was killed when he was struck by a vehicle. The driver, Craig Asplund, 61, was allegedly impaired at the time of the incident. Asplund is facing a DWI charge in connection with the incident.

December 7 at 4500 Towson Avenue  An unidentified adult male was killed in a vehicle-pedestrian accident. No further information about the incident has been released.

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Fort Smith Chief of Police Danny Baker made a formal written statement to the media.

Fort Smith gains traction among college graduates

Fort Smith experienced its 75th pedestrian collision and, tragically, the third fatality this year as a result, he said. Each number in this growing tally represents a life altered or a life lost  a family grieving, a community shaken, injuries that may follow the surviving victims for the rest of their lives.

There has been a nearly 35% increase over the last year in pedestrian collisions. Baker said that the city is making full-scale changes to improve safety.

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We have increased traffic enforcement across the city, established a dedicated 8-Officer Traffic Unit, and launched public awareness campaigns to educate drivers, pedestrians, and our youngest citizens on the critical importance of traffic and pedestrian safety, he said.

The city is taking a big step by making a no-tolerance policy on jaywalking

This is not about punishment; it is about prevention, he said.

Find the chiefs full statement below:

What is Jaywalking?

The FSPD will be enforcing a no-tolerance policy on jaywalking. Chief Baker said in a statement that examples of jaywalking include crossing the street without using a crosswalk, disregarding walk signals, dashing across the street against a red light, and meandering across a busy road instead of waiting at a crosswalk.

Do Arkansas residents have the right-of-way?

Arkansas residents do not have the right-of-way outside of a crosswalk.

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Under Arkansas law 27-51-1204, pedestrians crossing at other than crosswalks must yield the right-of-way to vehicles, and crossing between adjacent intersections with traffic control signals is prohibited except in marked crosswalks, Chief Baker said. Jaywalking is a crime because it endangers lives, and enforcing this law is essential to protecting both pedestrians and drivers.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
DUBAI (Reuters) - Four Israeli soldiers who were killed in southern Lebanon were likely killed in an accidental detonation of explosives as they demolished a Hezbollah tunnel laden with weapons, Israel's Army Radio reported on Monday.

The Israeli military said that four soldiers fell in combat, without providing further details. Army Radio said that the incident happened on Sunday and that an initial review found that the detonation set off secondary explosions, leading to the collapse of the tunnel while the soldiers were in it.

Israeli authorities did not blame the explosion on Hezbollah or say it was a violation of the Nov. 26 ceasefire agreement, though the two sides have accused each other of other infractions over the past two weeks.

(Reporting by Jana Choukeir and Maayan Lubell; editing by Mark Heinrich and Ros Russell)
ANKARA (Reuters) -Five soldiers were killed and another was critically injured in a military helicopter crash in southwest Turkey on Monday, the defence ministry said.

The UH-1 helicopter went down during a training flight in Isparta province, a ministry statement said. The injured soldier was hospitalised for treatment.

(Reporting by Huseyin Hayatsever; Writing by Tuvan Gumrukcu; editing by Ed Osmond and Mark Heinrich)
Colorado Trail Explorer (COTREX) now has avalanche forecasts thanks to a partnership between the Colorado Avalanche Information Center (CAIC) and Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW).



COTREX, created by CPW, the Department of Natural Resources, and Natural Atlas, is a free mobile app that provides Colorado-based adventurers with maps and trails throughout the state. Over 235 land managers contribute to the app, offering data covering more than 50,000 miles of trails. Last spring, COTREX added wildfire alerts.



Going forward, COTREXs maps will include colored avalanche danger rating overlays from the CAIC where theyre availablenot every area of Colorado has CAIC avalanche forecasts.



Providing the public with timely information is key to helping people avoid avalanches and stay safe in the backcountry, said CAIC director Ethan Greene. This collaboration will empower people to make informed decisions and enjoy Colorados mountains safely.

COTREX's new avalanche forecast maps will be immediately familiar to avid backcountry skiers. Photo: COTREX

The added features include daily forecasts from the CAIC and the ability to turn on statewide forecast areas through a new option in the map layers section. Winter recreationists can also view active avalanche warnings, watches, and special alerts on COTREX.



The addition of CAIC avalanche forecasts and warnings will help even more Coloradans as they travel in our backcountry over the winter and keep them updated on the most accurate and latest snow conditions, said Dan Gibbs, executive director of the Department of Natural Resources.



In a press release, the CAIC and CPW reminded prospective COTREX users that they should still visit the CAIC website before heading into the backcountry. There, they can find detailed avalanche forecast information and summaries.

COTREX and CAIC promotion for new avalanche forecast integration. Photo: Courtesy CAIC and COTREX

Colorado experiences uniquely high avalanche risk. During the '23/'24 ski season, Colorado recorded 148 people caught, 59 buried, 13 injured, and two killed in avalanches statewide.



The CAIC hasnt reported any fatal avalanches this winter, but last week, a skier was caught and injured in a slide near Colorados Berthoud Pass. The skier was successfully rescued and transported out of the backcountry.



Comparable mapping tools to COTREX include OnX Backcountry, FATMAP (which is being ported into Strava), and Caltopo. Of the available mapping software, POWDERs gear editor Max Ritter wrote that OnX Backcountry was the best for backcountry skiers. Unlike COTREX, OnX Backcountry doesn't offer its complete features for free.



You can try COTREX by following this link.

Related: Can OnX Backcountry Replace FATMAP For Backcountry Mapping?

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Leah Seneng, a 60-year-old California school teacher, died on Nov. 22, weeks after she was bitten by a bat in her classroom

Her friend Laura Splotch tells PEOPLE that she was able to spend some time in the hospital with her before her death

They tried everything...but it just wasn't enough," she says

A friend of Leah Seneng, the California middle school teacher who died weeks after being bitten by a bat in her classroom, recalls visiting her in the hospital shortly before her death.

To see her in that state was just devastating, just so upsetting, Laura Splotch, a Fresno, California-based stained glass artist and spokesperson for Senengs family, tells PEOPLE.

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Seneng, 60, an art teacher who taught at Bryant Middle School in Dos Palos, encountered a bat in October on the floor of her classroom early in the morning before her students arrived, Splotch previously told CNN.

Related: New Hampshire Man, 86, Bitten by Rabid Bat That Crawled Out of His iPad Case

She scooped it up and she took it outside, Splotch said at the time. I guess it bit her, or she maybe thought it scratched her or something, and then it took off. It flew away, and she didnt think anything of it."

"So she got it out of the classroom, and then she just went about her day," Splotch continued.

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.

Splotch told ABC affiliate KFSN that Seneng initially didnt exhibit any symptoms. However, Seneng became ill and was admitted to the hospital on Monday, Nov. 18. Four days later, Seneng died on Friday, Nov. 22, KFSN and The Fresno Bee reported.

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In a statement previously shared with PEOPLE, Dr. Andrew Schwab, the superintendent of Dos Palos-Oro Loma Joint Unified School District, expressed his condolences to Senengs family. We were shocked to learn that Leahs passing was related to contracting rabies, most likely from being bitten by a bat and we are cooperating with the Merced County Department of Public Health on their investigation," he wrote.

Laura Splotch (L-R) Leah Seneng and Laura Splotch (L-R) Leah Seneng and Laura Splotch

Splotchs friendship with Seneng went back 15 years to when both their kids were in the first grade together at the Valley Arts and Science Academy in Fresno.

We had a group of kids who were all friends and that's how we Leah and I got close," Splotch tells PEOPLE. "We'd go to an art hop  its a First Thursday thing where they open art galleries for free for people to come in and look at the art and stuff. And she had shown some art there, too.

Splotch describes Seneng as kind, spiritual and an "accomplished artist," who later became an art teacher. That was a big deal for her, Splotch says. So when she got her job in Dos Palos, she was very dedicated to her school.

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Additionally, Seneng "loved nature."

"She lived out in the wilderness at one time," Splotch says. "So she was used to animals. She'd always get strays and take home strays and things like that."

Seneng also "loved" bats, according to her friend, who says she "thought they were cute and pretty and fancy little creatures.

Related: Fox Infected with Rabies Attacks 6 People, Including 8-Year-Old: 'I Felt This Horrible Pain'

Splotch says she was unaware that her friend was sick until she received a text from Seneng's daughter "the Friday she passed away."

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By then, her friend's condition was grave, and Splotch says she "dropped everything and went straight to the hospital to see her."

When she arrived with a mutual friend, Seneng's husband and daughter were by her side and playing her favorite music.

I'd sing along and I could see her eyes fluttering, Splotch says. She could hear us, [that] was the point. I watched her husband and saw that every now and then when she would flutter or something like that, he would just start breaking down again."

Related: Virginia Woman Dies From Rabies After Doctors Misdiagnose Her with Anxiety

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"We stayed a couple of hours then left together just before 8 p.m.," she says.

But, about 90 minutes later, she got another message, letting her know that Seneg had died.

They [the medical staff] say that rabies is too far gone and there's not much they can do about it. Splotch says. They tried everything...but it just wasn't enough.

Splotch adds that Seneng was the main breadwinner in her family, so it was kind of upsetting to think about what's going to happen next. She set up a GoFundMe on behalf of the family, which has raised over $7,500. I just wanted to make sure they had what they needed, Splotch says. I love Leah, and I love her family.

Laura Splotch (L-R) Leah Seneng and Laura Splotch (L-R) Leah Seneng and Laura Splotch

On Sunday, Dec. 1, a celebration of Senengs life was held. At the service, she was approached by some of the teachers from Bryant Middle School about installing a mural at the school as a tribute to Seneng next year.

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As for how she would like her friend to be remembered for, Splotch says it's as a great artist and a kind and compassionate person. She loved her own kid and her other kids [at the school], she adds.



Read the original article on People
In the past decade, a former Lebanese Shiite fighter joined Hezbollahs incursion into Syria, driven more by curiosity and solidarity with the militia than by any desire to support Bashar al-Assads army in combat. His account sheds light on the present situation, where the regimes forces have lost key cities  secured over years of grueling warfare  in a mere 11 days. These losses occurred despite the long-standing support of allies such as Hezbollah, Iran, and, most critically, Russia, who no one expects today will intervene.

The former fighter recalls encountering an underprepared Syrian army, lacking both resources and morale. Hezbollah fighters, wary of friendly fire or potential acts of spite, took positions behind the Syrian soldiers. Many of these same soldiers have recently surrendered, defected, fled to Iraq, or retreated in the face of a swift rebel offensive. This offensive culminated in the early hours of Sunday with the capture of Damascus, the regimes formal collapse, and Bashar al-Assad fleeing by plane.

The 11-day blitz has revealed a stark truth: while al-Assad means the lion in Arabic, his regime was more of a paper tiger  fearsome on the surface but inherently fragile. His fall comes ironically at a time when he was being hailed as the de facto victor of a war that began in 2011. Arab leaders who once sought his ouster had recently reinstated him in the Arab League with warm gestures, and even European nations seemed more preoccupied with returning Syrian refugees than addressing his regimes egregious human rights violations.

The Assad regime faced existential threats in the early years of the conflict until Moscow intervened in 2015, dramatically altering the balance of power. Gradually, the regime clawed back territory, securing 70% of the country, including major cities and the entire coastline. However, in 2019, a large-scale assault on Idlib  featuring heavy air and ground attacks by the regimes elite forces  ended in failure. Despite killing hundreds of civilians and displacing 300,000 people, the military operation only captured 1% of the territory.

A street in Aleppo after its capture by rebel forces on December 1. Juma Mohammad (CONTACTO/Europa Press)

A year later, Turkey and Russia  the two most powerful backers of opposing sides in the conflict  brokered a ceasefire, ushering in a period of frozen conflict. Fighting continued, but the front lines remained largely static. A growing sense emerged that the only unresolved matters were for Damascus and Ankara to sort out control of the north  where Turkey had steadily claimed slivers of territory since 2016  and to determine the fate of the Kurds. Idlib, the final rebel stronghold sheltering three million people (nearly two million of them displaced), no longer appeared to pose an existential threat to Assads regime.

At the time, Ankara was in negotiations with Damascus, and the potential return of refugees to Syria was a hot topic not only in Turkey and Lebanon  where anti-Syrian xenophobia had become commonplace  but also across the European Union. Several EU nations, spearheaded by Italy, were exploring the creation of safe zones within regime-controlled areas to facilitate refugee returns. Italy went so far as to reopen its embassy in Damascus this past summer, becoming the most significant EU country to do so 12 years after closing it.

However, these plans have been shattered in just 11 days. Like a trompe loeil painting on a crumbling facade, the regimes apparent stability during the last five years of conflict was an illusion. Beneath the surface, Syria had been devolving into a narco-state, with its economy increasingly dependent on revenue from Captagon, a synthetic drug that is cheap to produce and widely trafficked. Jordan, for instance, reported Captagon shipments smuggled via drones en route to the lucrative Gulf markets. The trade enriched a select few, and  combined with the non-payment of debts to creditors  it prevented the complete collapse of an economy already suffocated by years of Western sanctions, a plummeting currency, and the banking crisis in neighboring Lebanon, where Syrian businessmen had traditionally safeguarded their assets.

During the four years of ceasefire, Syrias humanitarian crisis worsened, with 90% of the population now living in poverty, according to the U.N. The government cut food and fuel subsidies. Meanwhile, two developments unfolded simultaneously.

In Idlib, while global attention shifted to other crises, the fundamentalist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) expanded its influence, blending governance functions with military preparation. The group established a military academy focused on rapid deployment units, drone production, and night vision training. Its leader, Abu Mohamed al-Julani, declared in May 2023  five months before the Hamas attack on Israel that destabilized the region  that military preparation had reached its zenith. Addressing supporters, he added: We are very close to reaching Aleppo. I see you sitting there, as I see you here today.

The Syrian city of Khan Sheikhoun, after being captured by rebels on Tuesday. MOHAMMED AL RIFAI (EFE)

At the same time, Assads three key allies  Russia, Iran, and Hezbollah  were forced to redirect their focus. Russia was mired in its war in Ukraine, Hezbollah was embroiled in conflict with Israel, and Iran faced its own strategic and economic challenges. These distractions weakened the coalition propping up Assads regime. The Syrian rebels had been preparing their surprise offensive for months but chose to strike when Hezbollah, significantly weakened and leaderless, was compelled to accept a ceasefire with Israel after nearly three months of bombings in Lebanon.

In just 48 hours, the rebels  primarily HTS and the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army  captured Aleppo, Syrias second-largest city. This swift victory came despite Russian airstrikes attempting to halt their advance. On social media, a grim joke circulated: it was not Kyiv, as speculated early in the Ukraine invasion, but Aleppo that fell in three days  to the opposition.

By Thursday, Hama  Syrias fourth-largest city and a historic symbol of rebellion  fell. Hama holds deep significance, as it was where Hafez al-Assad, Bashars father, brutally crushed a Sunni uprising led by the Muslim Brotherhood in 1982. Two days later, the rebels seized Homs, effectively severing communication between Damascus and the Alawite-dominated coastal regions  the Assad familys heartland and the site of Russias naval and air base. By Sunday, the capital, Damascus, had fallen. The General Staff announced the regimes collapse, and Bashar al-Assad fled by plane to an undisclosed location.

The swift rebel advance occurred without significant fighting, underscoring what Swiss-Syrian analyst Joseph Daher described as the weakness of a regime that relied heavily on its allies. The majority of soldiers were not fighting to defend it, said Daher, a professor at the European University Institute in Florence and author of Syria After the Uprisings: The Political Economy of State Resilience. They did not want to lose their lives for a regime that treated them badly, paid them meager salaries, and commanded no loyalty. Most had been forcibly conscripted.

Indeed, many adult Syrian men in Lebanon and Jordan  where they faced growing hostility  voiced their reluctance to return home, even after the fighting eased. When asked, they often replied: I dont want to be drafted for 10 years as soon as I cross the border.

Military salaries

Syrias armed forces are demoralized and exhausted after 13 years of civil war, burdened with meager salaries that barely sustain them. For years, it has been an open secret that soldiers, struggling to feed their families, participated in a black market, selling weapons and ammunition to members of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). Last Wednesday, as the regimes collapse loomed, Bashar al-Assad announced a 50% salary increase for career soldiers. It was too little, too late.

A Syrian flag is thrown onto the runway of Aleppo airport after it was captured by rebels on Monday. Omar Albam (AP/LaPresse)

Two recent images, intended to reassure regime supporters, instead highlighted the militarys dire condition. One was a video of regime troops moving to reinforce Hamas defenses, in which many were seen walking, instead of traveling in military vehicles. The second was Syrian Defense Minister Ali Mahmoud Abbas appearance on state television Thursday evening. Not only because he was mechanically reading a speech that would become absurd by Sunday  claiming the military was in a good position on the ground and that retreats were tactical  but because the backdrop featured outdated decor and four antiquated landline telephones.

Syria is now, as rebels declared upon taking Damascus, free of Assad. The allies who rescued his regime from collapse after 2012 were either unwilling or unable to do so this time.

In October, Hezbollah withdrew its forces from Syria (including senior commanders tasked with defending Aleppo, according to Reuters) to focus on the Israeli invasion of southern Lebanon. Following Israels assassination of Hezbollahs leader Hassan Nasrallah in September, his successor, Naim Qasem, delivered a speech on Thursday affirming support for Syria: We will stand by Syria to frustrate the objectives of the aggression, he said, though with a notable lack of detail, adding only, as much as we can. This was a far cry from the thousands of fighters Hezbollah had once deployed to defend Assads regime. Two days later, its elite forces withdrew from Homs.

Iran had already scaled back its military presence in Syria, and Russia was evacuating its naval base rather than reinforcing it  clear signs that Moscow deemed the battle unwinnable. Halting the rebels advance would have required a significant foreign troop deployment, but instead, foreign forces were leaving the country, not entering it.

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With Donald Trump set to return to the White House, German opposition leader Friedrich Merz on Monday urged the creation of a European group to coordinate further military aid for Ukraine during a visit to Kiev.

Merz, a centre-right Christian Democrat (CDU) who is seen as the front-runner to replace German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in upcoming early elections, arrived in the Ukrainian capital on Monday morning for a visit intended to underscore Germany's continued support.

"We must do everything we can to enable Ukraine to exercise its right to self-defence without restriction. And do everything we can to end this war as quickly as possible," Merz said at a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

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There are concerns that Trump could reduce, or even halt, US aid for Ukraine once he takes power on January 20, although Trump has not been explicit about his plans.

Merz said Ukraine's allies in Europe must be prepared for any eventualities, and key powers like Germany, France and the United Kingdom "can only develop this strategy together."

Zelensky also suggested that Denmark could play an important role.

Merz, Scholz take different lines on Ukraine

Merz again indicated that he would likely ease Scholz's strict limits on how Ukraine uses German-supplied weapons in the war against the Russian invasion, and would be far more open to supplying Germany's long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Kiev.

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Merz said that Zelensky "knows our position on the Taurus. Nothing has changed in this regard."

Scholz, a centre-left Social Democrat (SPD), had yet again rejected Ukrainian requests for Taurus missiles during his visit to Kiev a week ago, citing his fears that Germany could be dragged into the conflict.

Merz has repeatedly accused Scholz of being overly cautious and indecisive leadership in the conflict, while Scholz has accused Merz of recklessness and defended his policy toward Ukraine as prudent.

Merz: Less aid will prolong war

Shortly after arriving in Kiev by train on Monday morning, Merz joined Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal to lay a wreath for Ukrainian soldiers killed in the war in the St Michael's Square in the centre of Kiev.

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Merz stressed the importance of continued German aid for Ukraine's battle against Russian attacks.

"If our support for Ukraine weakens, then this war will last longer," Merz warned.

"If our support for Ukraine is consistent, then this war will end more quickly," said Merz, on his second visit to Kiev since the start of Russia's all-out invasion in February 2022.

Zelensky calls for security guarantees

Zelensky, meanwhile, stressed to Merz the importance of European security guarantees in any potential negotiations with Russia to end Russia the war.

Ukraine needs security guarantees not only from NATO, but also directly from European countries, Zelensky said, according to the official German-language translation of his discussion with Merz in Kiev.

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Zelensky conceded that his country is unlikely to be accepted as a member of NATO for the time being, but once again called for an official invitation to join the alliance.

The Ukrainian president met Trump in Paris at the weekend together with French President Emmanuel Macron. Zelensky has announced that he wants to speak to the current US President Joe Biden on the phone soon to discuss NATO membership.

"Because he is the current president of the United States - and of course a lot depends on his opinion," Zelensky said. "Discussing this with Trump now, before he has taken up his post in the White House, doesn't make so much sense."

There are widespread concerns in Ukraine and across the European Union about the extent to which Trump will continue to provide military aid to Ukraine after he takes office on January 20.

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The US has been by far Ukraine's biggest and most important backer, and European allies currently do not appear capable or willing to fill the gap should Trump halt or severely reduce US aid.

Merz tours air-raid damage

Merz on Monday also toured a power station outside Kiev that had been badly damaged by a Russian missile attack alongside Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko.

As cold weather sets in, Russian President Vladimir Putin has been aiming drones and missiles at the electricity and heating infrastructure to make life miserable for Ukraine's citizens.

Ukraine has also been losing territory to Russia at multiple points along the roughly 1,000-kilometre front line, and after nearly three years of full-scale war Kiev's military is stretched thin.
NEWBURY, Mass. (WWLP)  Funeral services are being held on Monday for Endicott Police Sergeant Jeremy Cole.

Two Gardner residents killed in Route 202 crash

The 49-year-old died after his car was hit head-on in a wrong-way crash on 95 North in Newbury early Thanksgiving morning. Sgt. Cole was driving home after completing his evening shift on campus.

The Essex County DA says the other driver, 40-year-old Keoma Duarte of New Bedford is facing multiple charges, including manslaughter and OUI.

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Visiting hours will be held for the public at Campbell Funeral Home in Beverly on Monday from 2 to 8 p.m., after a private funeral for Coles family, according to NBC Boston. The public wake will be preceded by a walk-through for law enforcement at 1:30 p.m.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 future of Ohios oldest log tavern is uncertain after the Overfield Tavern Museum in Troy went up in flames over the weekend.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

As reported on News Center 7 Daybreak, much of Troys oldest building was damaged in a fire over the weekend, and while some things are irreplaceable, there are efforts to rebuild.

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The Overfield Tavern Museum, built in 1808, was turned into a museum in 1965.

It was designed to transport visitors back in time and give them a first-hand look at how a family lived in the early 19th century.

Now some of those artifacts are lost forever.

Troy fire crews were called to the museum in the 200 block of East Water Street just before 5 a.m. Saturday morning.

A Troy Police Sergeant told News Center 7 that no one was inside when the fire started.

Now, Museum officials are mourning the loss of several historical artifacts they say they cant replace, and theyre unsure of what the future looks like for the museum.

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Troys mayor, Robin Oda, announced Sunday that the city will put up to $75,000 towards renovations for the museum.

There are still some things that money cant restore.

A building can be rebuilt- but the loss of artifacts and the history that theyve gathered and all the furniture, probably the specific things that belong to the Overfield, you cannot replace that, Tonya Hittner, the Membership and Social chair for the Historical Society of Vandalia-Butler said.

The museum said that not all of the contents were lost, as many things from the kitchen were saved, but the damage was much worse in other parts of the building.

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Although she was just in her mid-20s, Tulsi Gabbard's hair had already started turning white shortly before she first set foot in the U.S. Senate as a legislative aide in 2006.

Coming from her native Hawaii, she had landed a job with longtime Hawaii Democratic Sen. Daniel Akaka, chair of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee and a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, who would become her mentor.

Now, almost 20 years later, the former Democratic congresswoman returns to the Senate to meet with lawmakers, including members of the Senate Intelligence Committee, as President-elect Donald Trump's pick to be director of national intelligence after appearing with him a number of times on the campaign trail and serving as an honorary co-chair of his transition team.

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Gabbard spent the past week in Oklahoma on Army National Guard duty. She currently holds the rank of lieutenant colonel, something supporters argue qualifies her for the job as critics cite her lack of experience.

She's also facing renewed scrutiny over her past comments on Syria and her meeting with now-overthrown dictator Bashar Assad.

PHOTO: President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to be Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard walks with Sen. Joni Ernst, Dec. 9, 2024, in Washington. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

From Hawaii to Kuwait to Congress

By the time she came to the Senate, Gabbard had already made history in Hawaii as one of the youngest lawmakers elected to a state legislature at age 21. Serving alongside her father, Hawaii state Sen. Mike Gabbard, she became part of the first father-daughter combination in a legislature in the country.

As a Senate staffer, Gabbard remained in Hawaii's National Guard, drilling on the weekends.

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During her first yearlong deployment at Joint Base Balad in Iraq, nicknamed "Mortaritaville" for being hit with daily attacks, she's said fumes from a nearby burn pit would regularly sicken her fellow service members, causing flu-like symptoms they called the "crud."

In 2007, she attended the Accelerated Officer Candidate School at the Alabama Military Academy, graduating at the top of her class as its first distinguished woman honor graduate. After two years working in the Senate, Gabbard volunteered for a deployment to Kuwait.

PHOTO: Former president and Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump embraces former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard at a campaign rally in Greensboro, North Carolina, Oct. 22, 2024. (Erik S Lesser/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

As a military police platoon leader and trainer for the Kuwait National Guard's counterterrorism unit, Gabbard achieved another milestone in 2009, becoming one of the first women to set foot in a Kuwaiti military facility and the first woman to be honored by the Kuwait National Guard.

In her limited free time, Gabbard continued working on her bachelor's degree from Hawaii Pacific University, taking online classes in an education tent.

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Although her hair returned to its natural color, she told ABC News in 2019 she eventually kept a distinctive streak of white.

"It's a reminder, every single day of the cost of war of those we lost and my mission in life to to seek peace and to fight for peace," Gabbard said.

Gabbard later returned to Hawaii and ran for Honolulu City Council, serving from 2010 until 2012, before being elected to Congress as the then-youngest female member.

PHOTO: Tulsi Gabbard is seen in uniform in this undated photo posted to her Facebook page. (Tulsi Gabbard/Facebook)

MORE:Former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is Trump's pick for director of national intelligence

Bipartisan outreach

As a new member of Congress, Gabbard worked to forge relationships with members on both sides of the aisle.

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She arrived armed with 434 boxes of macadamia nut toffee, homemade by her mother, for every member of Congress and an additional 435 boxes for staffers. Each box came with a handwritten letter, a form of diplomacy as a Democrat facing a Republican-controlled House.

During her freshman year in Congress in 2013, Gabbard was appointed vice chair of the Democratic National Committee, but stepped down from that position to endorse Sen. Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential bid.

She co-chaired the Future Caucus, a bipartisan effort to engage members of Congress under 40 years old. Gabbard also bonded with lawmakers over sports, playing on the Congressional Softball Team with New York Democratic Sen. Kyrsten Sinema and joining early morning workouts with colleagues such as Oklahoma GOP Sen. Markwayne Mullin. She and Kentucky Republican Sen. Rand Paul co-sponsored legislation, including the Stop Arming Terrorists Act.

PHOTO: Sen. Bernie Sanders is introduced to speak by Rep.Tulsi Gabbard during a campaign stop at the Bream Wright Hauser Athletic Complex at Gettysburg College in Gettysburg, Pa., April 22, 2016. (Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

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MORE:2020 presidential candidate Rep. Tulsi Gabbard surfs and pitches sports in an appeal to voters

After an unsuccessful bid for the party's 2020 presidential nomination, she left the Democratic Party and became an independent and campaigned for Republicans, including Sens. Mike Lee and Chuck Grassley. She told Trump on a rally stage in October that she was registering as a Republican.

PHOTO: Rep. Tulsi Gabbard is announced before the Congressional Women's Softball game that pits Congresswomen against female journalists at Watkins Recreation Center on Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., June 18, 2014. (Tom Williams/Getty Images)

MORE: Tulsi Gabbard, Trump's pick for top intel role, draws scrutiny over Russia comments

Controversial views on Russia, Syria

Gabbard was one of the first to enter the crowded Democratic 2020 primary and was one of the last three remaining candidates. One of her rivals in that race, Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren, announced she would oppose Trump's choice of Gabbard, alleging she had suggested NATO had provoked Russian President Vladimir Putin to invade Ukraine.

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"Do you really want her to have all the secrets of the United States and our defense intelligence agencies when she has so clearly has been in Putin's pocket? That just has to be a hard no," Warren said on MSNBC's "Morning Joe" in November.

MORE: Tulsi Gabbard's views on Russia shaped in part by Kremlin propaganda outlet, ex-aides say

However, Republican Sen. Eric Schmitt of Missouri defended Gabbard in November on NBC's "Meet The Press," taking aim at accusations that Gabbard was a "Russian asset."

"It's a slur, quite frankly. You know, there's no evidence that she is an asset of another country. She served this country honorably," Schmitt said.

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Democratic Sen. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, who entered the Senate as the first female combat veteran while Gabbard was doing the same in the House, has opposed her pick for DNI, alleging she's been compromised.

"The U.S. intelligence community has identified her as having troubling relationships with America's foes. And so my worry is that she couldn't pass a background check," Duckworth said on CNN's "State of the Union" in November.

Mullin struck back at Duckworth's comments, saying "That's the most dangerous thing she could say -- is that a United States lieutenant colonel in the United States Army is compromised and is an asset of Russia."

"If she was compromised, if she wasn't able to pass a background check, if she wasn't able to do her job, she still wouldn't be in the Army," he said.

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MORE: On 'The View,' Tulsi Gabbard defends non-intervention stance in Syria, Venezuela

Now, with the rebel takeover of Syria and the fall of Assad, Gabbard is drawing renewed attention to her controversial visit to Syria in 2017 -- what she called a fact-finding mission -- and sympathy she expressed after meeting with the Syrian dictator, saying the U.S. should stop aiding the "terrorists" trying to overthrow him.

Gabbard noted in 2019 that a CIA program "was directly and indirectly helping to equip and train and provide support to different armed groups, including those who are allied with and affiliated with al-Qaeda, to overthrow the Syrian government."

The "Stop Arming Terrorist Act" she worked on with Paul in the Senate said the U.S. should stop aiding the "terrorists" trying to overthrow Assad.

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Assad has been accused of war crimes against his own people during the Syrian civil war, in which hundreds of thousands have been killed. A few months after meeting with Assad, Gabbard said she was skeptical he had used chemical weapons against his own people, despite evidence from the U.S. government that he had, to argue against military intervention during Trump's first administration.

Gabbard warned in June of 2019 that she was concerned that the toppling of Assad's regime could lead to terrorist groups like ISIS and al-Qaeda to step in to fill the void and "completely massacre all religious minorities there in Syria."

In a 2019 interview on ABC's "The View" while running for president, she called Assad a "brutal dictator," but said the U.S. regime-change strategy had not improved the lives of the Syrian people.

-ABC News' Selina Wang contributed to this report.

Gabbard's bipartisan congressional connections could be crucial to confirmation originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP)  A gang leader who controls a key port in Haiti's capital is accused of massacring older people and Vodou religious leaders in his community to avenge his son's death, according to the government and human rights organizations that estimate more than 100 were killed.

Reports on the number of dead in Port-au-Prince can vary wildly in a country where such killings often occur in gang-controlled, largely inaccessible areas.

Haitis government in a statement Monday acknowledged the massacre, saying over 100 were killed in the Cite Soleil neighborhood, and promised to bring to justice those responsible for this unspeakable carnage.

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U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the ongoing violence, which saw the killing of at least 184 people, including 127 elderly men and women, between December 6-8 in the Wharf Jeremie neighborhood of Cite Soleil, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said. The U.N. did not respond to queries on how it obtained those figures.

Guterres called on Haitian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure the perpetrators are brought to justice for this killing and all other human rights abuses and violations, Dujarric said.

Volker Turk, the U.N. high commissioner for human rights, told journalists earlier Monday that at least 184 people were killed by a powerful gang leader.

Haitian watchdogs also estimated more than 100 were killed, at times citing community residents.

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The Cooperative for Peace and Development, a local rights group, said in a statement Sunday its monitoring unit found that around 20 older people were killed. But it noted that unidentified residents in the community controlled by gang leader Micanor Altes, also known as Monel Felix and Wa Mikano, claimed there were more than 100 victims.

The National Human Rights Defense Network, another local rights group, said at least 110 people were killed between Friday and Saturday. The group and its executive director, Pierre Esperance, did not say where it obtained that information, and Esperance did not return requests for comment.

The murky information was a worrying sign in a country in the grip of widespread gang violence.

The fact that we have so many doubts about what happened days after the massacre is a signal that clearly indicates the level of control (gangs) have on the population, said Diego Da Rin, an analyst with the International Crisis Group.

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The accused gang leader controls the coastal communities of Wharf Jeremie, La Saline and Fort Dimanche and was known for robbery, extortion and hijacking of goods and trucks, according to a U.N. report earlier this year.

Micanor was not known for being as brutal as other gang leaders, Da Rin said. Not until now.

The gang leader could not be reached for comment and has not posted on social media. A spokesman for Haiti's National Police did not return a message for comment.

The National Human Rights Defense Network said the massacre occurred because the gang leader's child was severely ill, prompting him to seek advice from a Vodou priest. After his son died, he accused older people in the community of practicing witchcraft and harming the child.

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The Cooperative for Peace and Development said that according to information circulating in the community, Micanor accused people in the neighborhood for causing his sons illness.

He decided to cruelly punish all elderly people and (Vodou) practitioners who, in his imagination, would be capable of casting a bad spell on his son, the group said.

It said gunmen rounded up well-known community leaders and took them to the gang leaders stronghold, where they were executed. Also killed were motorcycle drivers who tried to save some victims.

The group also noted that theres a ban on people leaving the community in order to continue to identify (Vodou) practitioners and the elderly with the aim of carrying out the silent killing.

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Da Rin noted that usually killings in Haiti are documented and posted on social media, though they can be difficult to verify. In this case, there was not even a message on WhatsApp or a video on TikTok, which is very unusual, he said.

The Cooperative for Peace and Development said Micanor has previously targeted Vodou practitioners, killing a dozen older women and Vodou leaders wrongly accused of witchcraft in recent years.

Its not unusual for Haitians to seek medical and other advice from Vodou priests known as oungans. The religion that mixes Catholicism with animist beliefs was at the root of the revolution that led Haiti to become the worlds first free Black republic in 1804.

The massacre in Port-au-Prince comes two months after over 70 people were killed in the central town of Pont-Sonde, where gangs are vying to control more territory.

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Such killings have overwhelmed Haitis National Police and a U.N.-backed mission led by Kenyan police that lacks funds and personnel, with the U.S. and other countries pushing for a U.N. peacekeeping mission.

The crisis in Haiti has reached catastrophic levels with allied criminal groups intensifying large-scale, coordinated attacks on the population and key state infrastructure, Human Rights Watch said Monday as it called for a U.N. mission.

It noted that many Haitians live with the constant fear of being killed, raped, kidnapped, or forcibly recruited even as they struggle every day to find adequate food, water, and health care to survive.

More than 4,500 people have been reported killed in Haiti this year, according to the U.N.

___

Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico.
A Haitian gang leader ordered more than 110 people to be massacred for witchcraft after his child got sick and later died over the weekend, a human rights group reported.

Monel Mikano Felix gave the order for the killings, which were carried out with knives and machetes, after a Voodoo priest told him elderly people in Port-au-Princes notorious Cite Soleil slum had cursed the child, the National Human Rights Defense Network told Reuters.

At least 60 people were killed on Friday and another 50 on Saturday, all over the age of 60, the human rights group said. Felixs child died on Saturday afternoon.

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The massacre brought the death toll from Haitis dramatic security crisis to 5,000 civilians killed this year, the United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk told reporters on Monday. Years of political chaos have left a power void filled by violent local gangs.

Felixs Wharf Jeremie gang has about 300 members in Cite Soleil, one of Haitis poorest and most violent areas, and neighboring Fort Dimanche and La Saline, according to the U.N.

The Haitian government has asked for U.N. peacekeepers to assist local police. But so far, only a partial mission has deployed, with China and Russia opposing a more robust response, Reuters reported.

In October, members of a different gang killed more than 115 people in Pont-Sonde, a town about 60 miles north of Port-au-Prince, in retaliation for them fighting back against toll charges the gang levied against drivers.
A Gary man is facing charges he dragged a woman to his apartment and sexually assaulted her.

Dennis Lyons, Sr., 63 was charged Saturday with rape, criminal confinement, intimidation, sexual battery and kidnapping.

He is in custody, held on a $10,500 cash surety bond.

An initial hearing was set Monday.

Gary Police responded at 8:17 p.m. Dec. 5 to the 100 block of W. 11th Avenue.

The victim told police Lyons dragged her to his apartment, threw her to the sofa and began kissing her neck. He ripped clothes off her and forcibly performed a sex act on the victim.

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When she tried to escape, he threw her on a bed. He opened a drawer and flashed a gun.

The victim screamed for help and fled the apartment.

Camera footage showed Lyons dragging the woman to his apartment, then escaping. He later appeared to leave with a gun under his arm.

mcolias@post-trib.com
The average gas price in Michigan fell Sunday to $2.94 a gallon, dipping below $3, the lowest it has been in almost a year, according to auto insurer AAA Michigan.

AAA added that gas prices could go lower, but did not predict by how much.

"Motorists across Michigan are seeing the lowest gas prices since January of this year," said Adrienne Woodland, a spokeswoman for the auto club. "If demand falls, alongside increasing gasoline stocks, pump prices could drop further."

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Gas prices also, however, could climb after the sudden fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assads regime introduced uncertainty to the Middle East, some economists have said.

Oil prices, on Monday initially rose, according to Oilprice.com and other industry publications.

After rebels seized the Syrian capital and President Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia after years of war, analysts began speculating how other nations  and a Trump administration  would react.

More: Israel hits Syria's chemical weapons, sends troops over the border

Whether gasoline prices will ever fall to the low levels President-elect Donald Trump has said they would is unclear. Throughout the campaign and after, Trump has talked about "unleashing American energy," called oil "liquid gold" and promised to "drill, baby, drill."

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Still, presidents can try to influence oil production. Market forces generally determine decisions. The United States has limited influence over oil-producing nations. And world events could have a greater influence on what happens than American policy.

GasBuddy, which also tracks gasoline, noted Monday that nationwide, average prices also fell below $3 a gallon to $2.97 a gallon, the lowest level in three years, down 8.7 cents from a month ago and is 17.7 cents less than a year ago.

Diesel also declined and was $3.49 a gallon."It couldnt come at a better time for motorists with the holidays upon us," Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, said, predicting that the national average could fall "another 10 to 15 cents by Christmas."

Gasoline demand rose slightly from 8.50 million barrels a day to 8.73 million, according to the Energy Information Administration, and total domestic gasoline stocks rose slightly from 212.2 million barrels to 214.6 million barrels, while gasoline production decreased.

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In Michigan, the statewide average was down 14 cents from a week ago. The price is 13 cents less than this time last month and 22 cents less than this time last year. Motorists are paying an average of $44 for a full 15-gallon tank of gasoline.

Across the state, the most expensive average gas prices were in Ann Arbor, $3.02 a gallon; Marquette, $2.98 and Jackson, $2.96. The least expensive: Flint, $2.86; Saginaw, $2.89 and Benton Harbor, $2.90.

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Gas prices in Michigan go below $3 a gallon. Will they keep dropping?
DOUGLAS, Ga. (WSAV)  The Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) has made another arrest in the ongoing investigation of the Johnson Funeral Home.

On Sunday, December 8, GBI arrested and charged James A. Sirmans, 52, with two counts of Insurance Fraud and one count of Conspiracy to Commit Insurance Fraud. The Office of the Commissioner of Insurance, John F. King, secured the warrants, which stem from the 2023 investigation into an attempt by Sirmans to fraudulently obtain additional life insurance proceeds by altering the cause of death on a death certificate in 2022.

King has also charged Chris Johnson with Theft by Deception, Forgery, Submitting Fraudulent Vital Records, Conspiracy to Commit Insurance Fraud, and two counts of Insurance Fraud. The GBI also charged Johnson with Theft by Taking and six counts of Violation of Vital Records Registration. These charges follow the continued investigation into the remains found in his funeral home and his related business practices.

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Johnson was charged with 17 counts of abuse of dead body back in October.

Sirmans was taken into custody With the assistance of the Ben Hill County Sheriffs Office and booked into the Coffee County Jail. He has since been released on bond.

Johnson remains in custody at the Coffee County Jail.

The GBI has identified an additional 4 of the 18 remains found at Johnson Funeral Home on October 26, 2024. The families of the identified remains have been made aware of this and GBI has provided them with the information for them to finalize arrangements for their loved ones.

The GBI will not release any of their names out of respect for the families privacy during their period of mourning.

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The GBI will continue its work to identify the other 2 remains that were found. The GBI Crime Lab is continuing to evaluate the remains that have been turned over to determine if they are human remains. The Bureau also continues its work to verify all cremation information and whether cremains were sent to the correct families.

The Criminal Investigations Division of the Office of the Commissioner of Insurance John F. King will continue to assist the GBI with investigating any irregularities in insurance proceeds.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
My suspension from the student radio station did not exactly come as a shock. Someone had made a complaint about my conduct, I was told. An investigation had been launched. Why? Because outside of my work on the station, I had expressed gender-critical beliefs. My conduct online had apparently brought Leeds Student Radio (LSR) into disrepute.

I am a feminist, I believe in gay rights and I am not transphobic (though the word has become so broad and ill-defined, it is now applied to anyone who deviates from an agreed viewpoint, or even dares to raise questions or concerns). I believe in free speech and open debate  the sort one would hope to find at a university. My experience in recent weeks has proven how sorely this is lacking.

In my teens, I had no doubts about gender issues. I thought it was inarguably transphobic to question the idea that a person was the gender they said they were. An Instagram post from my 16-year-old self shows where I stood. It depicts two identical cartoons of female genitalia, one captioned woman, the other man/non-binary. Above this was the statement: Vulva doesnt define gender. For good measure I added some words of my own: If you have an issue with this youre simply transphobic.

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I led the feminist society at my school in Suffolk, and I favoured inclusive feminism as the progressive, kind approach. I had never been exposed to arguments against the positions I took. I lived in an echo chamber. People called me a feminazi and were scared to say certain things in front of me in case I reported them.

But over time, my opinions shifted. At the end of Year 13, I interviewed a trans student for a podcast we produced at school. Our chat was emotional and upsetting: she said her life expectancy was 30 because she was trans, and talked about the likelihood of suicide. I felt extremely sympathetic and was moved by her distress. I also felt confused.

Its strange, I told a friend. As feminists, were trying to move away from gender stereotypes. So why are we now reaffirming them, rather than teaching children that whatever body they have, they can do what they want?

I believe in free speech and open debate  the sort one would hope to find at a university, says Leeds student Connie Shaw

It occurred to me then that the concept of switching genders relied on the reinforcement of gender stereotypes. It was this that planted a seed of doubt in my mind.

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When I started my degree at the University of Leeds, I found myself surrounded by pronouns and Progress Pride flags (a redesign of the original rainbow flag to represent the trans community). It was hard to avoid, and made me think more and more about it all.

It was a legal decision on the other side of the world that galvanised me to speak up. In August this year, a transgender woman from Australia won a discrimination case against a women-only social media app called Giggle for Girls, which was meant to be a safe space for women. In a landmark ruling by the countrys Federal Court, Roxanne Tickle, who identifies as a woman, was found to be a victim of unlawful discrimination after having her membership revoked. The app was ordered to pay her A$10,000 (5,100) plus costs.

I had never felt so angry about something happening so far away, and decided I could not stay quiet any more. So I started posting on X (formerly Twitter) in support of Giggles founder Sall Grover.

It was a legal battle over app Giggle for Girls a digital women-only safe space and its founder Sall Grover (centre) that galvanised Shaw to speak up - Shutterstock

In September I launched my own podcast, but decided to keep it separate from LSR, where I was head of daytime radio, as I knew it would not go down well there.

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For my podcast, a personal side-project, I interviewed a prominent detransitioner called Charlie Bentley-Astor. I also interviewed Graham Linehan, the Irish comedy writer who has been widely criticised for his gender-critical beliefs. A post I wrote about my own gender-critical views was published on Linehans Substack on October 29.

The storm broke the following day when I was informed by Leeds University Union (LUU) I had been suspended from LSR. A complaint had been made about my conduct and was being investigated. I wasnt given much detail at that stage, only that the complaint related to my social media, Substack and media productions.

I was actually surprised it hadnt come sooner, given the backlash already experienced by a friend who had helped me edit the podcast interview with Bentley-Astor. After this, I was braced for something similar.

As part of the investigation I was invited to attend an interview. Here I was told the inquiry did not concern my right to hold gender-critical views, but I was asked how I maintained an inclusive environment within LSR given that my media might make some feel excluded.

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I explained that I had deliberately appointed pro-trans rights presenters, as I believed a student radio station should reflect what students think.

I was asked how I effectively supported trans people and their allies. I explained that I support everyone, regardless of their views or of who, or what, they are.

My picture on the display board at LSR was taken down when I was suspended, as if I had already been found guilty. Then, on November 29, I was told the outcome of the investigation: it was found that my conduct online had brought LSR into disrepute. It was recommended that I be permanently removed from my position for the rest of the academic year, my final year at Leeds. I would be eligible to run again next year, if I produced a written apology and attended an e-learning course on online conduct.

Irish comedy writer Graham Linehan, who has been widely criticised for his gender-critical beliefs, was also interviewed by Shaw - Andrew Crowley

The Free Speech Union has appealed against this on my behalf and has been supporting me. But I feel for those who lack the support I have, and who are either attacked for their views or feel too afraid to even air them.

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Ive received a mixed response from my peers. A guy I was close to told me his friends had advised him he should stop associating with me (despite him privately sharing my views). Others have confided to me that they secretly agree with me but would never tell anyone else. Messages Ive received from students at other universities indicate the same culture of fear has spread across many academic institutions. Ive had support from some academics at Leeds, who share some of my concerns.

But there arent many other 20-year-old women saying what I am saying: that people can identify as whatever they like, but that policy should be on the basis of sex rather than gender; that men shouldnt be able to enter female-only spaces just by saying they identify as female; that children who are most likely gay should not be encouraged to believe they have instead been born into the wrong body, and given puberty blockers.

It particularly upsets me because I fear gender identity risks erasing what it means to be gay or lesbian. I am labelled transphobic and this erasure, in my opinion, is inherently homophobic.

I dont have an issue with trans people and am all in favour of third spaces for men who dont feel comfortable using mens toilets. I just dont think female toilets should be co-opted for this purpose.

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An LUU spokesman has said that inclusivity is one of our core values, helping to ensure that everyone can enjoy their university experience, free from discrimination. They say they cant comment further, due to the ongoing appeal.

In the meantime, I want to use whats happened to me to highlight the lack of freedom of speech at universities. I hope to encourage students to have more open discussions and not to react with disgust at the idea someone might disagree with you.

I want to break down the echo chambers I was once trapped in myself. In the future, I hope that when student bodies say they believe in free speech they really mean it.

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China strives to facilitate global sharing of benefits from AI development

14:39, December 09, 2024 By He Yin ( People's Daily

A boy tries operating an AI-empowered robot at the exhibition booth of a tech company during the 2024 World AI Conference in east China's Shanghai, July 5, 2024. (People's Daily Online/Guo Zhihua)

On December 3, local time, the first meeting of the Group of Friends for International Cooperation on Capacity-building of Artificial Intelligence (hereinafter referred to as "the Group of Friends") was co-chaired by China and Zambia at the United Nations (UN) headquarters in New York, marking the official establishment of the Group of Friends.

Representatives from over 80 countries and officials from UN agencies including the Office of the Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology attended the meeting. They expected the Group of Friends to inject new impetus into the international cooperation on AI capacity building, improvement of AI governance, and closing the digital divide.

The meeting represents another significant step taken by China to promote the inclusive and universally beneficial development of AI, demonstrating the country's vision and sense of responsibility as a major player in AI technologies.

In recent years, AI technologies have been breaking new ground, with mushrooming new applications, providing tremendous opportunities for economic and social development of all countries.

That said, AI technologies are also accompanied by risks and challenges. Developing countries are yet to benefit from AI advancements, and the AI divide and the digital divide are making development even more uneven among countries. There is a pressing need for the international community to enhance global AI governance and step up AI cooperation.

Last year, Chinese President Xi Jinping put forth the Global AI Governance Initiative, contributing China's wisdom and proposal on global AI governance.

A visitor interacts with digital AI virtual character Yun Xiao Bao developed by Alibaba Cloud, the cloud computing arm of China's internet giant Alibaba, at the APSARA Conference 2024 in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang province, September 19, 2024. (People's Daily Online/Long Wei)

China advocates for international cooperation and practical actions to help developing countries enhance their AI capabilities, in a bid to ensure equal rights, equal opportunities, and equal rules for all countries in global AI development and governance, and make sure that no country is left behind.

In his speech at the Session II of the 19th G20 Summit, Xi further stressed the need to step up international governance and cooperation on AI, to make sure that AI is for good and for all, not a game of the rich countries and the wealthy.

China has been a proactive advocate and a doer in advancing the inclusive and universally beneficial development of AI.

This year, the 78th UN General Assembly adopted a resolution spearheaded by China on enhancing international cooperation for AI capacity building. Besides, China hosted the 2024 World AI Conference and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, and co-organized the inaugural Workshop on AI Capacity Building with the UN.

China is committed to putting AI capacity building at the forefront of the global macro policy framework for AI governance. It has taken tangible measures to support developing countries in enhancing their AI capabilities, ensuring that they truly benefit from AI development.

In September, during the UN General Assembly high-level week, China and Zambia co-hosted the High-Level Meeting on International Cooperation on Capacity-Building of Artificial Intelligence.

Visitors watch Tesla's humanoid robot Optimus at the 2024 World AI Conference in east China's Shanghai, July 5, 2024. (People's Daily Online/Xu Kunde)

At the meeting, China announced the AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All. The action plan presents five visions and goals, including promoting AI and digital infrastructure connectivity, empowering industries through the AI plus application, enhancing AI literacy and strengthening personnel training, improving AI data security and diversity, and ensuring AI safety, reliability, and controllability.

The plan also outlines ten actions in response to the common expectations of the Global South, such as developing AI infrastructure, carrying out cooperation on the R&D of AI models and the empowering application of AI, jointly promoting the fair and inclusive use of global data, and jointly addressing AI risks related to safety and security.

China's proposal to establish the Group of Friends will be a key component in advancing the action plan.

Prudence Kaoma, acting permanent secretary in Zambia's Ministry of Finance and National Development, said that the international community should bridge the intelligence gap and support the UN in playing a key role in global AI governance. Kaoma also expected all countries to support the Group of Friends and strengthen global coordination and cooperation.

The Group of Friends will leverage the UN, the most universal, representative, and authoritative international intergovernmental organization in today's world, to serve as a bridge for building international consensus, and actively promote exchanges and cooperation in AI capacity building.

China welcomes all countries to join and participate in the activities held within the Group of Friends. It will work together with all parties to implement the relevant UN General Assembly resolution and the action plan, so as to close the intelligence gap, ensure that the world shares in the benefits of AI development, and jointly creates a smarter and better future for all.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
The bloodthirsty dictatorship of the Assad family in Syria ended on Sunday after more than half a century and two generations in power. The lightning offensive by an amalgam of rebel groups entered the capital, Damascus, in the early hours of Sunday, just 11 days after having conquered Aleppo and after crossing the country from north to south with little apparent resistance in their path. Bashar al-Assad, in power since 2000 after inheriting the dictatorship from his father, fled the capital and went into exile in Moscow with his family. Since then, scenes of joy within the country and among the Syrian diaspora have been unfolding to celebrate the end of the horror.

The brutal civil war that began with the Arab uprisings and which has torn the country apart for 13 years thus ended overnight, at its lowest point of intensity, with different protagonists from when it began, and in a radically different geopolitical context. The toll is catastrophic: more than 300,000 dead, five million people expelled from their country (of which one million are living in the European Union and three million in Turkey), almost seven million internally displaced people, and episodes that have become part of the history of human horror, such as the use of chemical weapons against the civilian population by Assad or the beheadings carried out by Islamist rebel groups.

None of this has been seen in recent days. The war was apparently at a standstill when the offensive began on Aleppo in the north, led by a fundamentalist militia called Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which encompasses a dozen rebel groups and has the sympathy, if not the direct support, of Turkey. Its leader is Abu Mohammad al-Julani, a son of Syrians raised in Saudi Arabia in the 1980s and trained in jihadism. Al-Julani has apparently stripped the militia of the terrorist fanaticism of ISIS and Al Qaeda, which remain active on their own, although it is essentially an Islamist group.

The sudden collapse of the regime is largely explained by the withdrawal of support from Russia and Iran, its main backers. The former, because the war in Ukraine does not allow it to maintain any more open fronts. It was the Russian air force that saved Assad in 2015. The other great ally, Iran, is in international retreat in the face of Israels advance. The regional consequences are unpredictable at this point. Syria, whether at war or not, was a buffer state in the Middle East penetrated by Turkey and Iran, with conflicting interests, and with the military presence of Russia, the United States and Israel in different corners of its territory. This Monday, Syria is an indefinite stain on the map.

Talking about the end of an era is perhaps an understatement when it comes to defining the end of the Assad family dictatorship, the consequences of which are still too risky to even guess at. Western foreign ministries were quick to celebrate the fall of the dictator, but the reality is that no one is sure that what comes next will be an orderly, or even peaceful, process. In the coming days we will see the impact, if any, of the Syrian prime ministers gesture reaching out to the rebels to form a new government.

It would not be the first time that the world celebrates the fall of an Arab dictator without any plan to guarantee peace and give a true voice to the people. The lack of definition that plunged Libya or Iraq into chaos cannot be repeated. If there are leaders among the rebels willing to engage in constructive dialogue to avoid a power vacuum, they must be identified promptly, and those who have the capacity to engage in dialogue, mainly Turkey and Qatar, must exercise it quickly in that direction, so that the end of the Assad dictatorship is truly the beginning of the reconstruction of Syria.

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Among the things Gene England loved in life, and the list of the things Gene England loved in life is a very long one, was a fully loaded Mountain Dew.

Then one day, someone told him drinking Mountain Dew wasnt good for him.

Im thinking of giving it up  for health purposes, he announced to his family.

That was two years ago. When he was 103.

That story, and hundreds more, have been making the rounds over CB radios, at truck stops, and especially at the CR England Trucking Company ever since news broke in November that the legendary trucker passed away just days after he turned 105.

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In our industry he was kind of a Paul Bunyan type character; I dont think theres ever been anyone quite like him, says Genes grandson Chad, who is sitting in the offices at CR Englands headquarters on the west side of the Salt Lake Valley, where Gene was a fixture practically to the day he died.

He was something else, I mean his life was bigger than life, echoes Dan England, Chads father and one of Genes six sons.

Theyre painting the picture of a man who always looked forward to what was coming next, who lived each day like it wasnt going to be his last.

Dan England and his son Chad England, both executives of C.R. England, in West Valley City on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. Recently, their father and grandfather, 105-year-old Gene England, died. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

A man who, after the death of June, his beloved wife of 50 years, remarried when he was 90, and married again, after the death of his second wife, Dorothy, when he was 100.

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Now thats an optimist.

Youve never met anybody so optimistic in your life, says Dan.

Adds Chad, It was his defining characteristic.

That positive attitude saw him through a life that began on Oct. 24, 1919, in Plain City, Utah, in a house that didnt have indoor plumbing  just scant months after World War I and the Spanish flu pandemic had ended. A year after Gene was born, his father, Chester Rodney England, started a trucking company with just one truck. Today, CR England, with some 4,000 trucks, ranks among the top 20 long haul carriers in America.

C.R. England in West Valley City on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

In one way or another, Gene, who started hauling loads to Idaho when he was 14, never stopped being a trucker. He didnt quit regularly driving big rigs until he was 90, and then only because his kids told him he had to (due to liability concerns). Hes the charter member of the Gene England Million Miler Wall of Honor, which is made up of the companys truckers who have driven at least a million safe miles.

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Nobody knows exactly how many miles Gene racked up in his lifetime, because literally when he started driving they didnt have odometers in trucks, says Chad. Theres speculation  did he drive three million, or eight million, or something in between? Nobody knows.

What is known is that long-haul trucking brought genuine happiness to Gene England.

His joy was going out on the truck and getting something done, thats what gave him gratification, says Chad. I once asked him if hed rather go on a vacation to Hawaii or drive a truck to Maine. He didnt have to think about it. He said hed rather drive a truck across the country  like thats ridiculous, why would you even ask me that?

Gene and his younger brother Bill helped their fathers company take a giant leap forward after both returned from serving in World War II (where Gene was awarded a Bronze Star for bravery at the battle of Okinawa.)

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Neither of the Latter-day Saint boys from Utah smoked, so they spent the war years selling their cigarette rations. At wars end, they had accumulated $5,000 (about $90,000 today), which they used to buy CR Englands first big truck.

Huge growth came in the 1980s when the next generation took over management. But Gene (and his brother Bill, who died in 2018 at the age of 95), remained the heart and backbone of the enterprise, always present, always offering encouragement, always lifting everyones spirits.

Im convinced the secret to his (Genes) longevity is that he always had a purpose, says Chad, he would wake up every day with a goal of something positive to accomplish. He just never stopped.

The Million Miler Wall at C.R. England in West Valley City on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

When Gene was 85 and no longer responsible for daily responsibilities at the trucking company, he and Bill got into the car business. They became certified auto dealers and would go to the auction to buy cars, which they would then lease to the trucking companys drivers.

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Their leasing business quickly grew to include more than 1,000 vehicles, which could be found all over the United States. Sometimes, when a lessee had left the company or for nonpayment, it became necessary to repossess the vehicle. Gene appointed himself the re-po man. He had a pickup and a trailer and hed drive wherever to pick up the car, says Dan. Sometimes they were in some pretty bad neighborhoods. But hed say, Nobody will ever beat up a 100-year-old  and nobody ever did.

The man who never retreated to a rocking chair was one of Utahs oldest men when his physical body finally wore out. He wasnt on pain pills, wasnt in pain, his family says, he just got more and more frail over a period of several weeks, and then he stopped eating. He passed away peacefully in the night on Nov. 13, 2024. The family was alerted by the hospice worker who was keeping watch.

The caregiver was just sobbing when we got there, recalls Dan. He treated all his caregivers so well. We had to console her.

Among the personal items Dan left his dads house with that morning was a case of Mountain Dew that remains in his cars backseat. It was part of Genes stash. He never did quit.

England family photos hang in the boardroom of C.R. England in West Valley City on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. Recently, 105-year-old Gene England died, but regularly came to the office before his death. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

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GEORGETOWN COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD)  First responders in Georgetown County are collecting winter coats for people in need.

Georgetown County Fire/EMS will host the winter coat drive on Sunday, Dec. 15 at Walmart on N Fraser Street from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Officials say coats of all sizes are welcome. They will be donated to residents 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 WCBD News 2.
GEORGETOWN, Ky. (FOX 56)  The Georgetown Police Department (GPD) is asking the community for help finding a missing 21-year-old woman.

Officers posted on Facebook that a search is underway for Emma Smith, 21, who was last seen on Friday in the area of Military Street.

Missing Michigan woman may be in Lexington areaMissing Michigan woman may be in Lexington area

Law enforcement wrote that Emma requires medication that is critical for her health.

A search is underway for Emma Smith, 21, who was reportedly last seen on Friday in the area of Military Street in Georgetown. (Georgetown Police Department)

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

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Anyone who may know where to find Emma is asked to call the GPD at (502) 863-7820.

This is a developing story. Stay with FOX 56 News for updates.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News.
Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze announced plans to introduce a law banning participants in rallies and counter-rallies from covering their faces, Georgia Today reported on Dec. 8.

The law is expected to be finalized next week and enforced by the end of December.

The latest wave of protests against the ruling Georgian Dream party broke out last week after Kobakhidze announced the suspension of the countrys EU accession process until at least 2028.

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Kobakhidze claimed that officers experienced physical and psychological violence, with over ten requiring surgery. However, nothing was mentioned about violence towards protestors by the police forces.

Police officers have used pepper spray, tear gas, and water cannons to disperse demonstrators. Dozens have been injured, and hundreds have been arrested.

Opposition leaders and journalists were among those assaulted and detained.

The Prime Minister praised the police as the true Europeans of the protests and expressed gratitude for their dedication.

Georgian Dream has been accused of democratic backsliding and dragging Georgia into the Kremlin's orbit. Earlier this year, the controversial "foreign agents" law prompted mass protests and violent crackdowns by police.

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Read also: Zelensky meets with Georgian President Zourabichvili, urges Georgians to not let government surrender country to Putin

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
German Finance Minister Jorg Kukies has reaffirmed Berlin's continued support for Kyiv in 2025, even though the country has not yet adopted a permanent budget.

Source: Kukies before a meeting of eurozone finance ministers in Brussels on Monday, 9 December, as reported by European Pravda, citing German television news channel n-tv

Details: Kukies stated that Germany's contribution of bilateral support to Ukraine for 2025 is "secured and also guaranteed" in a preliminary budget agreement.

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He emphasised that Germany's contribution is "secured in full".

According to the draft budget for 2025, German aid to Ukraine has been reduced to 4 billion from around 8 billion in 2024.

However, disputes between the ruling parties and, ultimately, the collapse of the federal coalition and the calling of early elections to the Bundestag put this on hold.

Meanwhile, media reports indicate that Germany will be able to provide most of the 4 billion promised to Ukraine, even if the 2025 budget is not approved on time.

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German Navy Chief Jan Christian Kaack has called for swift approval of a 4.7 billion ($4.9 billion) project to buy four additional submarines, describing them as vital to Europe's deterrence strategy amid rising security threats.

Speaking to dpa, Kaack highlighted the importance of strengthening maritime defence capabilities.

"The threat situation in Europe has intensified. We must and will protect the Baltic Sea and the sea lines of communication in the North Atlantic, including critical maritime infrastructure  from the US coast to our brigade in Lithuania  alongside our NATO partners," he said.

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The four new submarines, of the 212CD class, boast longer ranges, improved sensor technology, and the capability to deploy missiles for the first time, Kaack explained.

He also praised the partnership with Norway on the project as a model for defence cooperation. "We will be able to build and maintain our submarines together, train our crews together and deploy them together. And we will save costs."

In 2021, Germany and Norway agreed a joint contract for the purchase of six submarines from German provider ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. The new proposal would see Germany ordering an additional four units and Norway acquiring two more.

The German Defence Ministry has submitted a draft resolution to the Bundestag's budget committee, seeking approval for the project.
By Andreas Rinke

KYIV (Reuters) -Friedrich Merz, frontrunner in the race to become Germany's next chancellor, used an election-time visit to Kyiv to condemn his country's policy on arming Ukraine as akin to making the country fight with one arm tied behind its back.

Merz, leader of the opposition conservatives, is a critic of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's refusal to follow Britain, France and the United States in sending Kyiv longer-range weapons capable of striking deep inside Russian territory.

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Merz's centre-right party alliance is the clear favourite to unseat the Social Democrat, Scholz, in Germany's Feb. 23 vote, enjoying a lead of more than 10 percentage points in most polls.

"We want your army to be capable of hitting military bases in Russia. Not the civilian population, not infrastructure, but the military targets from which your country is being attacked," he told President Volodomyr Zelenskiy.

Scholz has resisted Zelenskiy's requests for Germany's Taurus cruise missile, whose range and power he said would bring an unacceptable risk of escalation and might be construed as tantamount to Germany joining the war.

Military experts believe the Taurus, with its bunker-busting warhead, could be instrumental in destroying targets like the Kersh bridge that links Crimea, the Ukrainian peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014, with Russia's mainland.

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"With these range limits, we are forcing your country to fight with one hand tied behind your back," Merz said.

Germany is the second largest provider of financial and military support to Ukraine after the U.S. and hosts more Ukrainian war refugees - over a million - than any other country.

With a flagging economy, questions of war and peace, and Germany's capacity for hosting refugees all high on the public agenda, populist left and far-right parties are taking aim at the hitherto broad consensus on backing Ukraine.

Scholz and Merz have both made Ukraine a campaign centrepiece in different ways. Merz's visit follows Scholz's own overnight train journey last week for a coveted photo opportunity with Ukraine's leader.

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Despite a track record of strong backing for Ukraine, Scholz, mindful of his more dovish voter base, now portrays himself as a peace candidate, warning voters against what he says is Merz's willingness to escalate a conflict with a nuclear-armed power.

"Only if Ukraine is strong will (Russian President Vladimir) Putin be prepared to enter into negotiations at all," Merz said on arrival in the capital, adding he wanted to assure the Ukrainian leadership of his conservative bloc's support.

Zelenskiy, thanking both Scholz and Merz for their visits and Germany for its support, echoed Merz on the armaments issue.

"Putin doesn't want to end this war. He must be forced to," Zelenskiy said. 'And he can only be forced if Ukraine is strong."

($1 = 0.9472 euros)

(Editing by Bernadette Baum)
During a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Friedrich Merz, the leader of the German CDU/CSU bloc, which is likely to win the parliamentary election in February, has proposed creating a European contact group to find a common position on ending Russia's war against Ukraine.

Source: European Pravda with reference to Ukrinform news agency

Details: Merz noted that over the next "weeks and months," there should not be any individual peace initiatives from Europe but rather a common European opinion.

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"I have a proposal to form a contact group of Germany, France, Poland, and the United Kingdom  the four major European countries, and NATO to exchange views [on ending Russias war against Ukraine  ed.], and thus develop a common vision with the United States," the German opposition leader said.

For his part, Zelenskyy confirmed the idea of creating such a group and noted in this context "how interestingly opinions intersect."

Background:

Earlier, Merz assured Zelenskyy that Germany would do everything to support Ukraine.

At the beginning of his visit to Kyiv, the German politician also said that Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin would only negotiate if Ukraine could defend itself.

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Friedrich Merz, the leader of the German opposition and candidate to become the German Chancellor of the parliamentary group of CDU/CSU (Union), arrived in Kyiv on a working trip on 9 December. During the trip, he said that Russian leader Vladimir Putin will only agree to negotiate with Ukraine when the latter will be able to defend itself.

Source: Friedrich Merz on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Quote: "The war in Ukraine has to end as soon as possible. Putin will only agree to negotiate when Ukraine is able to defend itself."

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Details: Merz said that he came to Kyiv to find out what the situation in Ukraine was like and how Germany could further support the country.

Background:

In October, Merz proposed to Chancellor Olaf Scholz that Germany, along with the UK and France, issue an ultimatum to Putin. "He must be told: if he does not stop bombing civilians in Ukraine within 24 hours, then Germany must send Taurus missiles to destroy the supply routes this regime is using to harm Ukraines civilian population."

He later expressed a similar position in an interview with the Stern magazine.

Recently, Scholz accused Merz of taking too many risks in supporting Ukraine, including the possible supply of long-range Taurus missiles.

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Friedrich Merz, a German chancellor candidate of the opposition conservative CDU/CSU alliance, arrived in Kyiv on Dec. 9, Deutsche Welle reported.

"The purpose of my visit is to learn about the current state of defense in the country," Merz said upon arrival.

"I am looking forward to a meeting with President (Volodymyr Zelensky) again."

Merz, who has criticized German Chancellor Olaf Scholz for his supposedly hesitant approach in backing Ukraine, is leading the polls ahead of the snap elections in February.

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The conservative politician has called for issuing an ultimatum for Russian President Vladimir Putin to cease his aggression. Otherwise, the West would lift all restrictions on long-range strikes, and Berlin would supply the Taurus missiles to Ukraine, Merz suggested.

Scholz has rejected providing Ukraine with the Taurus system  cruise missiles with a range of 500 kilometers (310 miles)  fearing it would draw Germany into war.

Berlin is Ukraine's second-largest military donor after the U.S., and its importance may yet grow as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump recently signaled Kyiv should brace for decreased American support.

Read also: With Scholzs government in shambles, conservative rival touts more decisive Ukraine strategy

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Germany, France, the U.K., and Poland should set up a contact group to coordinate the European blocs approach to ending the Russia-Ukraine war, Friedrich Merz, the German conservative opposition leader, said in Kyiv on Dec. 9.

Speaking to President Volodymyr Zelensky, the German politician said that this united vision should be presented to the U.S. leadership. Zelensky voiced his support for the proposal, Ukrinform reported.

The German politician arrived in Ukraine's capital earlier the same day to meet Zelensky and "to learn about the current state of defense in the country."

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Merz is the chancellor candidate of Germanys center-right CDU/CSU alliance for the upcoming snap elections in February 2025. The ruling center-left coalition of Chancellor Olaf Scholz is in tatters and unlikely to preserve its seat at the steering wheel.

The politician emphasized that in the upcoming weeks and months, Europe should have a unified approach to the ending of the war in Ukraine without individual peace plans.

His comments come as Western and European countries try to jockey the momentum that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's inauguration in January 2025 will bring. Trump promised a quick end to the war, and his plan allegedly includes bringing the two sides to the negotiating table and changing the amount of military aid accordingly.

Zelensky responded to Merzs initiative by saying that "we have already organized" such a group and adding that Denmark, representing the Nordic countries, would also be part of this forum. The first meeting is scheduled for December.

Read also: German opposition leader Merz arrives in Kyiv

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With Donald Trump set to return to the White House, German opposition leader Friedrich Merz on Monday urged the creation of a European group to coordinate further military aid for Ukraine.

Merz, a centre-right Christian Democrat (CDU) who is seen as the frontrunner to replace German Chancellor Olaf Scholz in upcoming early elections, arrived in Kiev on Monday morning for a visit intended to underscore Germany's continued support.

"We must do everything we can to enable Ukraine to exercise its right to self-defence without restriction. And do everything we can to end this war as quickly as possible," Merz said at a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

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There are concerns that Trump could reduce, or even halt, US aid for Ukraine once he takes power on January 20, although Trump has not been explicit about his plans.

Merz said Ukraine's allies in Europe must be prepared for any eventualities, and key powers like Germany, France and the United Kingdom "can only develop this strategy together."

Zelensky also suggested that Denmark could play an important role.

Merz also again indicated that he would likely ease Scholz's strict limits on how Ukraine uses German-supplied weapons in the war against the Russian invasion, and would be far more open to supplying Germany's long-range Taurus cruise missiles to Kiev.
Europe closed the door to new Syrian asylum seekers on Monday after the regime they fled was overthrown by rebels at the weekend.

France, Germany, Austria and a host of other European countries said they would pause decisions on asylum requests from Syrian citizens until the political situation in the Middle Eastern country became clearer.

Austria also said it wants to begin deportations of Syrians already living there, while Sweden said it had suspended both deportations and asylum requests.

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It comes as the rebel coalition that conquered Damascus on the weekend flung open Syrias borders so that refugees could return from its neighbouring countries of Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq.

Nancy Faeser, the German interior minister, said in a statement: The end of the brutal tyranny of the Syrian dictator Assad is a great relief for many people who have suffered from torture, murder and terror.

Concrete possibilities of return cannot be predicted at the moment and it would be unprofessional to speculate about them in such a volatile situation.

In Germany, Berlins decision will affect more than 47,000 Syrians whose applications are still being processed.

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More than 800,000 Syrians live in Germany, with the majority coming as refugees after Angela Merkel opened the borders and allowed more than one million to claim asylum in 2015.

On Monday, a senior German politician suggested giving cash incentives in order to encourage them to go home now that the regime they fled had crumbled.

Jens Spahn, from the centre-Right Christian Democrats (CDU), said: We will charter flights so that anyone who wants to return to Syria and will give them start-up money of 1000 [827].

Thorsten Frei, another CDU politician, told Welt TV that if the reason for protection no longer applies, then refugees will have to return to their home country.

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Alice Weidel, the co-leader of the Right-wing Alternative for Germany party, reacted to scenes of Syrians celebrating the overthrow of Assad in Germany by suggesting they should now go home.

Anyone in Germany who celebrates free Syria evidently no longer has any reason to flee, she wrote on X. They should return to Syria immediately.

Austria said that it wanted to begin deporting Syrian refugees as well as halting ongoing asylum claims.

The countrys interior ministry said: Chancellor Karl Nehammer today instructed interior minister Gerhard Karner to suspend all current Syrian asylum applications and to review all cases in which asylum was granted.

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Mr Karner said he had instructed his ministry to prepare a programme of orderly repatriation and deportation to Syria.

Syrians wait to cross into Syria from Turkey at the Cilvegozu Border Gate in the Reyhanli district - KAZIM KIZIL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Asylum seekers arrive in Berlin - Sean Gallup/Getty Images Europe

The interior ministry said it was also suspending family reunification applications, under which the families of refugees living in Austria are able to join them.

According to the UN, Austria hosts about 58,000 Syrian refugees.

Almost 13,000 Syrian asylum applications were awaiting a decision when the freeze was announced.

Norway said Syrians asylum applications would neither be denied nor approved for the time being.

Denmark paused processing applications and said Syrians whose applications had already been rejected, and who had been given a deadline to leave, would be allowed to remain longer owing to the current uncertainty.

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Greece also paused 9,000 Syrian asylum applications, with a government spokesman saying he hoped the fall of Assad would lead to peace in the country and encourage Syrians to go home.

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BERLIN (Reuters) - Germany's Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) has put all asylum applications from Syrian nationals on hold until further notice after the toppling Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, an Interior Ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

Asylum requests will be not be processed until there is more clarity on political developments in the country, which is just emerging from a 13-year civil war, the spokesperson said.

Over 800,000 people with Syrian citizenship live in Germany, with the majority having come as refugees following former Chancellor Angela Merkel's decision in 2015 to allow over a million asylum seekers to enter Germany.

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Syria was the top country of origin for asylum seekers in Germany this year, with 72,420 asylum applications submitted by the end of November, BAMF data shows. Some 47,270 asylum applications from Syrians remain undecided.

The decision comes ahead of snap elections set for February. Far-right and conservative parties are topping the polls, and Germans view migration as the second biggest problem their country faces, a poll by Infratest showed on Friday.

The head Bavaria's conservatives, Markus Soeder, on Monday referred to the BAMF suspension as "the right decision."

"We even have to consider how a greater number of people can be repatriated to their Syrian homeland," he said in a news conference.

(Reporting by Riham Alkousaa, Editing by Friederike Heine)
Germany halted decisions on asylum applications from Syrian citizens, after former Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad fled from the country, a spokesman for the Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) told dpa on Monday.

The decision comes after Syrian rebel groups seized control of the capital Damascus following more than a decade of bloody civil war in the country, with al-Assad leaving for Russia.

The halt applies to more than 47,000 asylum applications from Syrians in Germany in which the civil war and current political situation in Syria would be decisive factors in deciding whether the applicants should receive asylum or not, the BAMF spokesman said.

"The BAMF takes a very close look at the individual cases, including an assessment of the situation on the ground in the country of origin," an Interior Ministry spokesman told journalists in Berlin.
Germany has halted decisions on asylum applications from Syrian citizens following the ouster of former Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad, a spokesman for the Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) told dpa on Monday.

The decision comes after rapidly advancing Syrian rebel groups seized control of the capital Damascus following more than a decade of bloody civil war in the country, with al-Assad himself leaving for Russia.

The halt applies to more than 47,000 asylum applications from Syrians in Germany in which the civil war and current political situation in Syria would be major factors in deciding whether the applicants should receive asylum or not, the BAMF spokesman said.

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"The BAMF takes a very close look at the individual cases, including an assessment of the situation on the ground in the country of origin," an Interior Ministry spokesman told journalists in Berlin.

The agency has the option of deferring decisions on asylum cases if the situation in an applicant's home country is unclear, and that currently is the case in Syria, the ministry spokesman said.

In practical terms, this means that applications from Syrians "are sorted down the pile and other asylum decisions are brought forward," he said.

The move will not affect proceedings to send Syrians to other European Union countries that may be responsible for their asylum cases under the so-called Dublin rules, according to BAMF.

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Germany has been a major destination for Syrian refugees during the conflict, including accepting a major wave of Syrian citizens who sought shelter in Germany during the refugee crisis of 2015-16.

Senior leaders of Germany's conservative CDU/CSU bloc quickly suggested encouraging refugees to return to the country in the wake of al-Assad's ouster.

The coalition of rebel groups, including Islamist extremist fighters, swept through formerly government-held areas of the country.

Thousands of Syrians celebrated al-Assad's overthrow on the streets of Germany over the weekend.

But the collapse of al-Assad's government still leaves the country divided between rival forces, including Kurdish forces who also control significant territory. It remains unclear what kind of government might emerge in Damascus to replace al-Assad's authoritarian rule.

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Jens Spahn, a deputy leader of the centre-right CDU/CSU bloc in parliament, argued on Monday morning that the German government should now arrange flights for Syrians who had fled from al-Assad's regime, and offer cash incentives to encourage people to return to their home country.

"As a first step, I would say that we are making an offer. How about the German government saying: anyone who wants to go back to Syria, we'll charter planes for them and give them a starting payment of 1,000," ($1,060), Spahn, Germany's former health minister, told broadcaster RTL/ntv on Monday morning.

Spahn said Germany should also push for an international conference on rebuilding Syria along with Turkey, Austria and Jordan.

But the CDU/CSU focus on Syrian refugees drew criticism from other German politicians, including Katrin Goring-Eckardt, a Green and the vice president of parliament.

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"After a day and a half [since Damascus fell], I find this an inappropriate domestic policy debate," Goring-Eckardt told rbb radio in Berlin.

If Syria becomes a safe country, people should and will return, but that debate should wait until after this period of great instability, she said.

"We should support everything that goes in the direction of freedom, stability and democratic conditions in Syria," she said.

Spahn was not the only senior politician from the CDU/CSU bloc, which is Germany's main opposition group and currently leads the polls ahead of expected early elections in February, to raise the situation of Syrian refugees in Germany.

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CDU foreign affairs politician Jurgen Hardt told public broadcaster ZDF that he believes many Syrian refugees will ultimately want to return to their home country themselves, and that help should be offered.

Hardt called it "a hopeful sign" that people do not appear to be fleeing towards Turkey or Europe from areas taken by the rebels.

He added that the European Union, and Germany in particular, should actively support the transition along with Turkey, "with the result that many refugees will be able to return," and called on German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to quickly reach out to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the issue.
Germany halted decisions on asylum applications from Syrian citizens on Monday following the ouster of former Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad, with the Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF) saying altered conditions required a review.

But German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said that comments from conservative politicians within hours of al-Assad's fall that Syrian refugees in Germany might soon head home was unserious and premature.

"The end of the brutal tyranny of the Syrian dictator Assad is a great relief for many people who have suffered torture, murder and terror," Faeser, a centre-left Social Democrats (SPD), said while visiting London.

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Jens Spahn, a prominent leader of the centre-right CDU/CSU opposition bloc, said earlier on Monday that the German government should charter aircraft to Syria and offer refugees in Germany cash incentives to take the flights.

His comments were echoed by several of his party colleagues.

Al-Assad's downfall celebrated in Berlin

Over the weekend, rapidly advancing Syrian rebel groups seized control of the capital Damascus following more than a decade of bloody civil war in the country, with al-Assad himself leaving for Russia.

But the collapse of al-Assad's government still leaves the country divided between rival forces, including extremist Islamist groups as well as Kurdish forces, who also control significant territory.

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It remains unclear what kind of government might emerge in Damascus to replace al-Assad's authoritarian rule.

A key force in the coalition which has captured territory is the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former al-Qaeda affiliate which is designated as a terrorist organization by the European Union, the United States, the United Kingdom and others.

Thousands of Syrians celebrated al-Assad's overthrow on the streets of Germany over the weekend. Germany is home to nearly a million Syrians, most of whom fled the civil war.

Asylum cases now 'down the pile'

Germany's decision to pause asylum proceedings applies to more than 47,000 applications from Syrians in Germany in which the civil war and current political situation in Syria would be major factors in deciding whether the applicants should receive asylum or not, according to a BAMF spokesman.

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The agency has the option of deferring decisions on asylum cases if the situation in an applicant's home country is unclear, and that currently is the case in Syria, the spokesman said.

In practical terms, this means that applications from Syrians "are sorted down the pile and other asylum decisions are brought forward," he said.

Many Syrian refugees in Germany now finally have hope of returning home and rebuilding their country, Faeser said.

"However, the situation in Syria is currently very unclear. For this reason, specific return options are not yet foreseeable at the moment, and it would be dubious to speculate on this in such a volatile situation," the minister said.

Calls for possible deportations

But Alexander Throm, the CDU/CSU's domestic policy spokesman, said on Monday that Germany must prepare to deport people back to Syria, as refugee protection should only be a temporary status.

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"I expect BAMF to revoke the status of Syrians quickly once the civil war is over," he said.

Many Syrians living in Germany will likely want to return voluntarily, he said, which should also be actively supported through travel grants and charter flights.

The leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), meanwhile, said that Syrians in Germany should be sent back to their homeland "as soon as possible" and that there was now "no question" that many people from Syria no longer had a claim to asylum in Europe.

Such demands were met with indignation from Greens and left-wing politicians.

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"Talking about repatriations just 24 hours after the end of al-Assad's rule is purely motivated by domestic politics" and risked destroying social cohesion, said Green lawmaker Julian Pahlke.

Those who are now calling for deportations to Syria are not concerned with peace and justice for the people in Syria, but with the "right-wing fever dream of deporting hundreds of thousands," said an outraged Clara Bunger, a lawmaker with the Left Party.
Brian Maher, Nebraska's education commissioner, reads a book to a group of mostly 3-year-olds Monday as he and others launched a statewide project to boost reading skills of pre-kindergarteners. The kickoff was at an Educare of Omaha at Indian Hill, 3110 W St., on Oct. 30, 2023. (Cindy Gonzalez/Nebraska Examiner)

While doing research for a book, I came across the story of a man who, despite his inability to read, had what appeared to be a normal and successful life: graduated from high school, worked at a longtime, steady job, paid his bills, raised a family  all while hiding that he was illiterate, compensating as best he could including declining work promotions that required reading.

But when his community launched a new literacy program in its schools, he showed up at a public meeting, rose from his chair and in great detail shared his story, including the internal travails of his secret, with a fearless, out loud honesty, not to diminish the importance of reading  after all, he had done OK without it  but rather the opposite: To advocate for the proposition that no young person should ever leave high school without being able to read.

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His story has stuck with me, especially when I read earlier this fall that the Nebraska Department of Education will employ a $55 million federal grant to boost reading across the state. The department said the big bucks will be used to focus on a number of proven strategies including providing professional development, improving family literacy, providing high quality instructional materials, utilizing tutoring and extended learning opportunities outside of school hours, and working towards reducing chronic absenteeism.

Others are already at it, doing the work, promoting reading across the state, including the Nebraska State Literacy Association, which sees equitable access to literacies for individuals of all ages and diverse communities as a basic human right. Another group at the good guys table is the Nebraska Literacy Project, a collective combining the talents and wisdom of the Education Department, Educational Service Units, state colleges and universities, school districts and foundations to advocate for student reading.

Among the Nebraska Literacy Projects five tenets is one underscoring the importance of  community literacy initiatives. To which this space says bravo. Schools and boards of education and state departments of education are, as they should be, on the frontlines in combating reading deficiencies.

Literacy in general, however, is more than professional educators responsibility. Its societys. If we want our children to read, maybe we adults should shut off the television and put down our own devices (e-books obviously exempted) and model what a reading household, a reading state and a reading nation looks like.

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Literate American adults  grownups who can read dont do it as much as they used to. Thats according to research from at least three groups: the National Endowment for the Arts, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the U.S. Department of Education, the latter possibly on the chopping block when the government changes hands in January.

The math on reading is clear. Adult Americans read fewer books than we used to. Nor are the numbers a dredge from the distant past. Every five years the National Endowment for the Arts conducts surveys which reveal the reading habits of adults. In 2022, the latest data indicated that less than half (48.5%) of adults said they read at least one book in the previous year. Five years earlier the number was 52.7%. In 2012 it was 54.6%.

If youre keeping score at home, youre right. You dont have to read a book to be a reader. Essays, newspapers, magazines, blogs, etc., they all count. I suppose one could even include social media posts as reading. This space, however, would not. Full stop.

Plus, reading a book from front to back requires increased focus, language development, perseverance and a type of thinking that weighs evidence, discerns differences and sees the parts, the whole and the thematic nuances of an entire narrative. Book reading requires a particular skill set but can develop one, too.

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If youre looking for suspects in the diminished reading habits among students and adults, go ahead, blame social media and the internet. Throw in television and radio if you like. But reading can coexist with our consumption of other media, even such modern examples such as TikTok and Instagram. The problem is finding the right balance, placing a priority on whats important.

So kudos to those taking up the reading challenges in Nebraskas schools. Mark Twain said the person who can read books and doesnt has no real advantage over the person who cant read them. Meanwhile, for those outside a K-12 classroom, let a young person catch you reading a book and when they ask, tell them  even without the supporting numbers  its what adults do.
By Maxwell Akalaare Adombila and Bate Felix

ACCRA (Reuters) - Ghana's electoral commission on Monday declared ex-president and main opposition leader John Dramani Mahama winner of Saturday's presidential election with 56.55% of the vote, according to provisional results.

Mahama's main rival, vice president and ruling-party presidential candidate Mahamudu Bawumia, already conceded defeat on Sunday in both presidential and legislative elections to ease tensions.

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The electoral commission said it had counted votes from 267 out of the West African country's 276 constituencies. Voter turnout was 60.9%.

Mahama, 66, is making a comeback after serving as Ghana's president from 2012 to 2016. He described Bawumia as representing a continuation of the policies that led to Ghana's worst economic crisis in a generation.

"This mandate serves as a constant reminder of what fate awaits us if we fail to reach the aspirations of our people and govern with arrogance," he told hundreds of jubilant supporters at his campaign grounds after results were announced.

"The victory shows that the Ghanaian people have little tolerance for bad governance," he added, promising "severe measures and governance reforms" to "reset our nation".

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In an interview with Reuters before the election, Mahama said he would seek to renegotiate terms of a $3-billion International Monetary Fund bailout secured last year to restructure the country's debt.

He has also promised to ease business regulations, introduce a 24-hour triple-shift work system, enact tax reforms and invest $10 billion in modernising infrastructure.

A spiralling economic and cost-of-living crisis in Ghana, which produces cocoa, gold and oil, hit the popularity of Akufo-Addo's government and increased momentum for a change in leadership.

(Writing by Anait Miridzhanian and Sofia Christensen. Editing by Alex Richardson, Mark Potter and Rod Nickel)
KYODO NEWS - Dec 9, 2024 - 18:50 | World, All

South Korea's Justice Ministry imposed a travel ban on President Yoon Suk Yeol, a ministry official said Monday, following a request earlier in the day from the South Korean office that investigates high-ranking officials.

The move comes after police and prosecutors launched a probe into treason and other charges related to Yoon's short-lived declaration of martial law last week, according to local media reports.

Yoon has been strongly criticized for his declaration of martial law, which lasted just six hours from late last Tuesday before it was rescinded.

South Korea's Constitution allows the president to declare martial law in the event of war or a serious emergency, but opposition parties, the public, and even members of Yoon's own party have said his sudden action was unconstitutional and undemocratic.

Opposition parties submitted a motion to impeach Yoon, but the motion was scrapped Saturday due to a lack of the required number of voters in parliament.

The main opposition party, the Democratic Party, which holds a majority in the National Assembly, said Sunday it will submit a motion again in parliament to impeach Yoon, aiming to hold a vote on the motion Saturday.

Prosecutors detained former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, who reportedly suggested to Yoon that he declare martial law, on Sunday. Kim has been questioned on treason and other charges related to the declaration, and prosecutors are expected to seek a court warrant to formally arrest him, Yonhap News Agency reported Monday.

Related coverage:

S. Korea Pres. Yoon to step aside before resigning: party head

Japan wary South Korea turmoil may hurt improving bilateral ties

South Korea president escapes impeachment over martial law turmoil
Police said Luigi Mangione, 26, a person of interest in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City last week, was arrested Monday with a ghost gun in his possession. Mangione was taken into custody in Altoona, Pa., earlier Monday.

New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Altoona police arrested Mangione on firearm charges, after receiving a tip. She said he is believed to be our person of interest in Thompsons shooting.

Mangione was reportedly found with a gun, a silencer, false identification cards and identification with his name on it, along with a handwritten manifesto that criticized health care companies, according to multiple outlets.

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Joseph Kenny, chief of detectives at the New York Police Department, said Mangione was in possession of a ghost gun, which may have been made using a 3D printer, that was capable of firing 9 mm rounds.

Ghost guns have become an emerging public safety threat, targeted at the state and local level for allowing criminals to evade gun regulations.

Heres more about ghost guns.

What is a ghost gun?

A ghost gun is typically sold in a kit and constructed at home without serial numbers or background checks.

Serial numbers would normally allow the guns to be traced back to the manufacturer, the dealer and whoever originally purchased the gun.

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Previously unfinished receivers could be legally purchased online without any serial numbers or license, because the government did not previously define an unfinished receiver as a firearm, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) maintained that it was legal to build your own firearm.

Why are ghost guns raising concerns?

In 2021, the ATF received about 20,000 reports of suspected ghost guns recovered by law enforcement in criminal investigations, up from just more than 1,750 guns recovered in 2016.

Between 2016 and 2021, ATF received 45,240 reports of suspected privately made firearms that had been recovered by officials. Of those, 692 were part of homicide or attempted homicide investigations, the Justice Department said.

In 2022, Attorney General Merrick Garland directed U.S. attorneys to prioritize federal prosecutions of those who illegally sell or transfer firearms used in violent crimes.

What did the Biden administration change?

President Biden in April 2022 announced a ban on unlicensed firearm kits used to manufacture weapons known as ghost guns. The Biden administrations new policy changed the definition, redefining what a firearm is in order to require that these weapons are serialized and traceable.

What does Bidens rule change mean, in practice?

The Justice Department said that the new policy will clarify that parts kits that are readily convertible to firearms are subject to the same regulations as traditional firearms.

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The policy specifically defines what a firearm is, and unfinished parts of a gun must now be licensed with serial numbers. Purchasers must also undergo a background check to buy those items.

These changes effectively mean that federal firearms dealers must put serial numbers on ghost guns. If dealers receive parts without serial numbers, they must add them before selling the gun to someone else. The new rules apply regardless of how the guns are made, including strategies like constructing them from parts, kits and 3D printers.

The National Rifle Association said at the time of the rules announcement that the move was yet another hollow plan that will not stop this violence, and other critics have argued that the policy is extreme, a point Biden countered.

Is it extreme to protect police officers? Extreme to protect our children? Extreme to keep guns out of the hands of people who couldnt even pass a background check? The idea that someone on a terrorist list could purchase one of these guns, the president said.

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It isnt extreme, its just basic, common sense, he added.

Isnt there a court challenge?

Yes. On Oct. 8, 2024, the Supreme Court heard Garland v. VanDerStok, a landmark case that should determine whether firearm kits can still be held to the same standards as regular firearms, subject to background checks, age requirements and serial numbers.

The Biden administrations regulation was challenged by five gun manufacturers and distributors, two gun rights groups and two individuals, who contend that ghost guns cant be categorized as a firearm as defined under federal law.

ATF has now exceeded its authority by operating outside of the bounds set by Congress, Peter Patterson, who represented the challengers, told the justices.

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A majority of the court, including the three liberal justices, appeared sympathetic toward the governments assertion that it wasnt overstepping its authority.

The agency just taking over what is really Congresss business  is that a storyline that the respondents here can tell about this regulation? asked Justice Elena Kagan.

No, I dont think there is any tenable way to characterize this regulation as an attempt to change the meaning of the statute to confront a new problem, responded U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar.

But not all the justices seemed convinced.

You make a lot of the fact that this has been regulated for half a century, but it wasnt regulated in this way for a half century, conservative Justice Clarence Thomas pressed the government.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 12-year-old boy has died and an 11-year-old girl is in critical condition after they fell through the ice in a lake in a New York State park over the weekend.

On Saturday, Dec. 7, at around 4:35 p.m. local time, Albany Police Department officers "responded to Washington Park Lake near the parks lake house for reports of two juveniles who had fallen through the ice," per a news release shared on Facebook.

Officers and Albany firefighters rescued the young girl upon arrival, the release stated, adding that the New York State Police underwater recovery team recovered the deceased boy's body from the water at around 7:25 p.m.

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The girl was "treated on scene and transported to Albany Medical Center Hospital for further treatment," police said.

Lori Van Buren/Albany Times Union via Getty A photo of an Albany Police Department car A photo of an Albany Police Department car

"Through the investigation, it is believed that the 12-year-old boy attempted to walk north across the lake towards the lake house and fell through the ice," police stated.

The release added, "It is then believed that the 11-year-old female observed the boy fall through the ice and, in an attempt to help, followed the same path of travel across the lake, where she also fell through the ice."

Police aren't releasing the victims' names due to their ages, but said that both families had been notified.

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"Both juveniles are students of the Albany City School district, and notifications have been made to school officials," the release said. "The 11-year-old female is being treated at Albany Medical Center Hospital where she is listed in critical condition."

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.

Paul Buckowski/Albany Times Union via Getty A photo of Washington Park Lake in Albany, New York A photo of Washington Park Lake in Albany, New York

The City School District of Albany confirmed two North Albany Middle School students had been "involved in a tragic accident," per a release posted on its website.

"The district will have crisis services available at North Albany on Monday for any student or school employee who needs support or would like to talk about the accident. Crisis services also will be available at elementary schools the students attended before moving up to middle school," the release stated.

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City School District of Albany Superintendent, Joseph Hochreiter, paid tribute to the victims in the release.

Our hearts go out to the families of these students at this incredibly difficult time, Hochreiter said, per the release. This is a terrible tragedy and we are grieving as a school community.

Albany Police Department didn't have any additional information to add when contacted by PEOPLE.



Read the original article on People
One man is dead, a woman is wounded and a baby is unharmed after a car chase in New York City ended in a police shootout.

On Thursday, Dec. 6, New York Police Department (NYPD) officials confirmed during a press conference that officers chased down a car in Brooklyn after ShotSpotter, a gunshot detection system, alerted police that a gunshot may have fired off in the Crown Heights neighborhood.

NYPD Chief Jeffrey Maddrey said officers arrived at a building on N. Portland Avenue around 3 p.m. local time, and a witness gave them the description of a car with an out-of-state license plate hanging on by one hinge.

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Police located the car at the intersection of Fulton Street and Washington Avenue, and the car took off once the driver, a woman believed to be the mother of the baby, noticed a police car.

"They start speeding up. They start cutting through blocks, through Bed-Stuy. They're running red lights. Our officers are closely pursuing," Maddrey said.

The car eventually became stuck in traffic and police blocked it on all sides.

Maddrey added that a man in the passenger seat attempted to get out of the car but couldn't open his door all the way. He added that the individual was holding a gun that he pointed at officers, leading to the shootout.

Google Maps The intersection where officers first spotted the car The intersection where officers first spotted the car

NYPD officers then began firing at the car  about 18 or 19 shots in total from multiple officers, per Maddrey  as they gave the people in the car instructions to drop any weapons.

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The woman driving the car got out and tried to run, and officers alleged that was the moment they noticed a child in the backseat.

At a certain point, while officers were engaged, one of the officers started yelling, 'Baby, baby,' to tell officers to stop firing," Maddrey said, adding that an officer then got inside the vehicle and removed the baby from the backseat.

Local outlets ABC 7 and FOX 5 reported that the woman was 23 years old, the man was 21 and the girl was 3.

The woman was taken into custody after a short foot pursuit and the man sitting in the passenger seat was shot, Maddrey added, noting the man was wanted in a homicide case from March 2024.

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.

A semi-automatic weapon recovered at the scene had a capacity for 30 rounds, police said, but it's not yet clear if the suspect fired his gun. The legal capacity is 10 rounds in New York except for guns used at competitions or ranges.



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The woman had two gunshot wounds on her right thigh, and she and the baby were taken to a local hospital. Maddrey alleged that officers handcuffed the man before trying to perform CPR on him, and he died. He has not yet been identified publicly as his family is still being notified.

ABC 7 also reported that the driver is believed to be the mother of the unharmed child. Although she had not been charged, police alleged that she violated several traffic laws and that the child was in the backseat without a car seat.

Read the original article on People
GLOUCESTER, Va. (WAVY)  A physical altercation over a baggie of methamphetamine has led to the arrest of a 20-year-old Gloucester man, according to police.

On Tuesday, Dec. 3, Gloucester County Sheriffs Office was dispatched to the 7500 block of Riverpark Road in reference to a domestic incident at around 4:15 p.m.

Upon arrival, deputies discovered an individual with injuries that did not require EMS. Officials said the victim is a 38-year-old from Hayes, Virginia.

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An investigation revealed there was a physical fight over a baggie of methamphetamine, which resulted in the suspects arrest for Possession of a Schedule I/II Controlled Substance along with Assault and Battery-Family Member. The suspect was identified as Jesse Shawn Jones.

The suspect was taken to the Gloucester County Jail. Once in jail, an additional search resulted in the discovery of a needle concealed on his privates. He was subsequently charged with being a Prisoner in Possession of a Sharp Object.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
DES MOINES, Iowa  An early Saturday morning fire in Des Moines left eight animals dead on the southside of the city.

Happening just after 2 a.m. in the 2800 block of Southwest 12th Street, Des Moines police told WHO 13 News at the scene that an elderly woman was pulled from the home. Her husband reportedly managed to escape on his own. Both were transported to the hospital; their conditions are still unknown.

A neighbor set up a GoFundMe page for the couple that lived at the home. According to the page, the couple is in need of temporary housing, food and clothing.

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The Des Moines Fire Department continues to investigate the cause of the fire.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.
BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. (AP)  The Golden Globes will return Sunday with major star appeal thanks to a slew of big name nominees, including Zendaya, Timothee Chalamet, Angelina Jolie, Daniel Craig, Denzel Washington, Ariana Grande and more.

Nominations for the 82nd awards ceremony were announced last month. The show will be televised by CBS and streamed on Paramount+ beginning at 8 p.m. Eastern on Sunday.

Here's key things to know about the ceremony:

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Whos hosting the Golden Globes?

Comedian and actor Nikki Glaser was chosen to host next years ceremony.

Glaser has made a name for herself as a riotously sharp wit, especially at roasts, including recently for Tom Brady, who she needled for his complex love life and his one-time advocacy of crypto. She earned an Emmy nomination for her latest special, Someday Youll Die for HBO, which dealt with everything from offering to pay for her friends abortions to her darkest porn habits.

Glaser cited Tina Fey, Amy Poehler and Ricky Gervais as inspirations. Shell follow last years host Jo Koy, who was slammed by critics for a fumbled opening monologue and a rushed pace throughout.

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Glaser began her roasting at the red carpet rollout on Thursday, taking aim at the Globes broadcaster: Were on CBS, which has a show called 60 Minutes, because thats the remaining lifespan of many of its viewers.

But she said that while shed push the boundaries a little bit, she didnt aim to offend: I dont want to ruin anyones evening  at home or in the audience.

Who's nominated for Golden Globes this year?

Jacques Audiards audacious musical Emilia Perez, about a Mexican drug lord who undergoes gender affirming surgery, leads all nominees with 10.

That put it ahead of other contenders like the musical smash Wicked, the papal thriller Conclave and the postwar epic The Brutalist.

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The Apprentice, about Donald Trump as a young man, also landed nominations for its two central performances, by Sebastian Stan as Trump and Jeremy Strong as Roy Cohn.

The Bear leads all television nominees with five.

With his 11th nomination, Denzel Washington is the most-nominated Black performer at the Globes.

Steve Martin is nominated for the four straight year in the best television actor in a musical or comedy series category for Only Murders in the Building. The nomination marks his ninth overall and could be his first-ever Globes win.

There are 26 first-time nominees including Grande, Dakota Fanning, Glaser, Seth Meyers, Zoe Saldana and Pamela Anderson  who surprisingly earned a nod for The Last Showgirl."

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The embattled Globes, which are no longer presented by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association, are still in comeback mode after years of scandal and organizational upheaval.

You can see a full list of nominees here: https://apnews.com/hub/golden-globe-awards

Who is presenting?

A ton of starry people: Andrew Garfield, Anthony Mackie, Anthony Ramos, Anya Taylor-Joy, Ariana DeBose, Aubrey Plaza, Aulii Cravalho, Awkwafina, Brandi Carlile, Catherine OHara, Colin Farrell, Colman Domingo, Demi Moore, Dwayne Johnson, Edgar Ramirez, Elton John, Gal Gadot, Glenn Close, Jeff Goldblum, Jennifer Coolidge, Kaley Cuoco, Kate Hudson, Kathy Bates, Ke Huy Quan, Kerry Washington, Margaret Qualley, Melissa McCarthy, Michael Keaton, Michelle Yeoh, Miles Teller, Mindy Kaling, Morris Chestnut, Nate Bargatze, Nicolas Cage, Rachel Brosnahan, Rob McElhenney, Salma Hayek Pinault, Sarah Paulson, Seth Rogen, Sharon Stone, Vin Diesel, Viola Davis and Zoe Kravitz.

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What are the Golden Globes?

The Globes are the first major ceremony of the awards season. Theyre not exactly an Oscar bellwether, but theyre known for a few things: being a boozy, sometimes irreverent party and a glamourous gathering of the biggest television and film stars.

A Globes win can help build momentum for a movie or actors Oscar campaign. As the first televised awards show of the year, they get ahead of similar ceremonies like the Screen Actors Guild and Critics Choice Awards and are nearly two months before the Oscars, which this year will be held on March 2.

Double nominees please

Stan, Kate Winslet and Selena Gomez are all double nominees.

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Gomez is up for both best performance by a female actor in a supporting role for Emilia Perez" and best performance by a female actor in a television musical or comedy series for Only Murders in the Building.

Winslet is nominated for both best performance by a female actor in a drama for Lee and best performance by a female actor in a limited anthology series for television for The Regime.

Stan earned a nod for both best performance by a male actor in a drama for The Apprentice and best performance by a male actor in a musical or comedy for A Different Man.

Who will receive the Golden Globes' Cecil B. DeMille award?

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Viola Davis will be honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award for her decorated career, starring in an array of powerful roles from  Fences  to  The Woman King.

The actor has won praise for a string of compelling characters in films such as The Help,  Ma Raineys Black Bottom  and Doubt, while captivating TV audiences through the legal thriller drama How to Get Away with Murder.

The DeMille Award has been bestowed to 69 of Hollywoods greatest talents. Past recipients include Tom Hanks, Jeff Bridges, Oprah Winfrey, Morgan Freeman, Meryl Streep, Barbra Streisand and Sidney Poitier.

Who's the next Carol Burnett award honoree?

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The Golden Globes are raising a glass to former Cheers star Ted Danson by naming him the Carol Burnett Award honoree.

Danson, a three-time Globes winner, has been a fixture on TV since he broke out as Boston bartender Sam Malone on NBCs comedy Cheers. His other credits include The Good Place, Mr. Mayor, Fargo, CSI and CSI: Cyber, Damages and Becker.

Danson currently stars in Netflixs A Man on the Inside, which earned his first nomination since 2008 and 13th overall.

The Carol Burnett Award was inaugurated in 2019 and is presented to an honoree who has made outstanding contributions to television on or off screen.

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Past recipients include Norman Lear, Ryan Murphy and Ellen DeGeneres. The first was Burnett herself.

Danson and Viola Davis will be praised at a gala dinner Friday at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. For the first time, the Globes will host a separate event dedicated to both awards.

What will stars eat at the Globes?

The Golden Globes, known as the party of the year, will bring back the celeb-beloved Nobu Restaurants group.

Chef Nobu Matsuhisa returns with several signature dishes, highlighted by The Gold Standard Roll  sushi that includes king crab inside, topped with salmon, gold flakes and caviar, and yuzu sauce on the side. The dish is served in the restaurant for $77.

Other dishes from Matsuhisa include seaweed tacos, yellowtail jalapenos, sashimi salad, black cod and three pieces of tuna, white fish and salmon sushi.

This is kind of like harmony with the caviars and, jalapenos," said Matsuhisa, who served signature Japanese food at the ceremony last year.

___

Associated Press Writer Krysta Fauria contributed to this report.

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For more coverage of the 2025 Golden Globe Awards, visit: https://apnews.com/hub/golden-globe-awards
The Golden Globes nominated more than 40 individual films Monday  and yet still managed to overlook quite a bit. That may just be the brutal truth of awards season: The field narrows and suddenly great performances and wonderful films are simply left in the dust.

The Globes have always had quirks, like A-lister tunnel vision, and while there might not be anything quite as glaring as the infamous year of The Tourist, this batch is not without its oddities: Some good, some bad, some simply perplexing.

Here are some of the biggest snubs and surprises from the nominations.

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Snub: Danielle Deadwyler

Danielle Deadwyler just cant catch an awards season break. After being overlooked for Till by both the Globes and the Oscars, it seemed likely shed be recognized for her turn in Malcolm Washingtons adaptation of August Wilsons The Piano Lesson (which somehow got no nominations at all). Oscar nominations are still over a month away, however, so perhaps this is the spark needed to remind voters.

Surprise: All We Imagine as Light

It may be fun to needle the Golden Globes, but every once in a while they get something very, very right  and this year, the proof is in the nominations for All We Imagine as Light. The Indian film from a small distributor is one of those gems that, more often than not, is mainly celebrated by critics groups. And yet here it was nominated not only alongside a truly great batch of films in the international category  which it won't be at the Oscars because India controversially selected another film to represent the country  but also in directing, for Payal Kapadia.

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Snub: Saoirse Ronan

For an actor who has received four Golden Globe nominations in her lifetime and one win (Lady Bird), it was a bit of a shocker that Saoirse Ronan did not receive any this year. She had two major performances in notable films: as a recovering alcoholic in The Outrun and as a mother in wartime London in Steve McQueens Blitz (also entirely, bafflingly empty-handed). Recognition for both would not have been undeserved.

Surprise: Sebastian Stan

Sebastian Stan managed to get a supporting and lead nomination for two different roles, however. His lauded portrayal of a young Donald Trump in The Apprentice is not awards season kryptonite, after all (Jeremy Strong was also nominated). Equally exciting is Stan's recognition for A Different Man, and yet that also comes with a snub caveat: His breakout co-star Adam Pearson did not get the same.

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Snub: Marianne Jean-Baptiste

Another major oversight is Marianne Jean-Baptiste, who delivered the performance of a lifetime in Mike Leighs Hard Truths as Pansy, the very unpleasant, but very quotable English woman with a chip on her shoulder. She has been getting recognition from prominent critics groups  most recently from the Los Angeles Film Critics Association  so hopefully all is not lost for other nominations.

Snub: Lots of directors

Where do we even start with this one? Certainly, when only six are nominated there are going to be some major exclusions, but the absences were glaring, including RaMell Ross (Nickel Boys), Denis Villeneuve (Dune: Part Two), Jon M. Chu (Wicked), Mohammad Rasoulof (The Seed of the Sacred Fig), and Jesse Eisenberg (A Real Pain).

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Snub: Sing Sing

One nomination for Sing Sing, for Colman Domingo, does not seem sufficient. Though it would have fit well in the best drama category, most glaring is the exclusion of Clarence Divine Eye Maclin from supporting. The former inmate was a revelation in this film about incarcerated men who participate in a theater program.

Snub: June Squibb

The lead performance category for musical or comedy is, as always, all over the place. Unlike most years, there are actual musicals (Karla Sofia Gascon for Emilia Perez and Cynthia Erivo for Wicked). While the others might have comedic elements, mostly of the dark or satirical variety, theres not really a straight comedy in the batch, which is unfortunate in a year when June Squibb delivered such a great comedic performance in Thelma  also her first leading role. A real missed opportunity.

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Surprise: Pamela Anderson

Pamela Andersons renaissance is in full swing, with a nomination for The Last Showgirl that caught some off guard. She and Brazilian actor Fernanda Torres are up against the likes of heavy hitters like Angelina Jolie, Nicole Kidman, Tilda Swinton and Kate Winslet.

Snub: Meryl Streep

Meryl Streep has been nominated 34 times at the Golden Globes (including receiving the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2017) and yet somehow her delightful turn in Only Murders in the Building was not one of them this year.

Snub: Ryan Reynolds

The Globes love movie stars, especially the charismatic kinds who put on charm offensives at guild Q&As. Ryan Reynolds may not exactly be an Oscar contender for Deadpool & Wolverine, but he should have been a shoo-in for the Globes. Is it a sign of the reformed times of the Globes 2.0 that he didnt make the cut? Or perhaps Glen Powell took the high-wattage charm spot this year? Either way, well look forward to an inside joke the next time the merc with a mouth graces our movie theater screens.
Across Kansas, writes opinion editor Clay Wirestone, law enforcement has overreached and abused power in various types insular communities. (Getty Images)

The death of former Kansas City, Kansas, police detective Roger Golubski suggests that the man wanted to create maximum pain, for the greatest number of people, at all times.

He apparently killed himself the morning that his trial on charges of rape and abuse was about to begin. Golubski had acted with impunity for decades, exploiting women and imprisoning men from destitute neighborhoods. His death means that sworn testimony from those women wont enter the public record. His death also means that his coworkers in law enforcement wont be questioned under oath about what they knew and when they knew it.

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Rather than a reckoning, Golubski managed to perpetuate the cover up.

I wish that we could say that this cruel, capricious character was a single bad actor in an otherwise well-operating system. But repeated stories and columns from Kansas Reflector reporters and contributors suggest that profound problems fester within Kansas law enforcement. We overlook these cases at our peril.

Kansas City, Kansas, is part of a big metropolitan area, but its a small town, in terms of the relationships that exist and have existed between the mayor, the police department, the district attorneys office, said Lauren Bonds, executive director of National Police Accountability Project and former legal director of ACLU Kansas.

Its just a very insular community in a lot of ways, particularly the legal and criminal legal system community here, she continued. Everybody knows everybody. Everybody has a connection. And its very hard for outsiders, however that be defined. Even people from Kansas City, Missouri, are considered outsiders in KCK. Its very hard for there to be any kind of external oversight in insular communities like this, and thats definitely a commonality we see.

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Across Kansas, you can see evidence of law enforcement overreach in these kinds of insular communities.

Take the unconstitutional raid carried out on the Marion County Record newspaper last year. Former town police chief Gideon Cody now faces a felony charge, and civil cases have been filed, but special prosecutors filed a report that excused the departments misdeeds. A chilling message sent with the raid has yet to be lifted, and all of those responsible have yet to face consequences.

Former Marion Police chief Gideon Cody enters the Marion County Courthouse for his first appearance in a felony case on Oct. 7, 2024. (Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector)

First Amendment Attorney Max Kautsch has written about 2021 Kansas Open Records Act lawsuit against the Kansas Bureau of Investigation. The bureau had been investigating the Dickinson County Sheriffs Office. Law enforcement officers are or were in an organization whose members are armed and trained to use force, including deadly force, according to the KBI. When persons believe their participation, or even suspected participation, in a serious crime may become exposed to the public, they may resort to physical harm to those cooperating, or otherwise providing information to investigating KBI agents to exact revenge or retribution against persons who provided information.

Doesnt that just give you a warm feeling all over?

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You might also want to refer to Reflector stories filed last year by Duane Schrag dealing with civil asset forfeiture. Thats the practice of law enforcement officers seizing property they suspect has been caught up in a crime of one kind or another. It doesnt require arresting or charging a person. Corrupt cops could essentially steal residents possessions to pad their departments bottom lines. To its credit, the Kansas Legislature passed a reform bill last session to address abuses of the practice.

Dedicated cops and public servants are doing their best to clean it up. Ive heard from some of them. Our reporters have talked to some of them. But an all-too-pervasive code of silence in the profession has made it difficult to even identify bad actors publicly, much less call them to account.

Thats a real factor just about everywhere, Bonds told me. But I think that is more pronounced in, again, these communities that are in more conservative places, that have less external oversight functions and less-robust open records protections.

Mandating the release of more information from law enforcement could begin to turn the tide in Kansas. Improving the Kansas Open Records Act would require political bravery on the part of both Republicans and Democrats, and the willingness to stand up to a police lobby that has been all too willing to throw its weight around at the Statehouse. (If you wonder why marijuana hasnt been legalized in Kansas, law enforcement shoulders a significant part of the blame.)

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A Kansas Supreme Court ruling in 1987 created problems, Kautsch said.

KORA includes a provision that authorizes disclosure of criminal investigation records if such disclosure would serve the public interest, a term left undefined in KORA, he wrote in an email. Even though the Court found there was public interest in disclosing the records, it held that KORA did not compel disclosure. In defanging KORAs applicability to law enforcement records, the ruling neutralized arguably the most efficient means the public has to challenge or verify law enforcements public statements about criminal investigations.

Fixing the law, or at the very least overruling the 1987 precedent, would make a difference to those in Kansas looking to stop the next Golubski.

There can be no doubt that records related to incidents where officers use violence against Kansans would shed light on such conduct, Kautsch said.

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We will learn more about Roger Golubskis reign of terror in the months ahead. For the sake of those so brutally wronged, I hope that anyone who aided or abetted him faces justice. I hope that even those who turned their heads accept their share of blame. The death of one man cannot allow an entire department to skirt accountability.

Police officers work tough and dangerous jobs. They deserve our respect, but they must show themselves worthy of it  in Kansas City, Marion or anywhere in between.

Clay Wirestone is Kansas Reflector opinion editor. Through its opinion section, 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.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) brushed aside concerns surrounding Pete Hegseth, Donald Trumps embattled defense secretary pick, amid reports about the former Fox News hosts excessive alcohol use.

Jake, that wasnt him saying he had an alcohol problem, that was him being honest, Mullin told CNNs Jake Tapper in an interview on Sunday.

Mullin reacted to a 2021 clip of Hegseth opening up to The Will Cain Show about his struggles with alcohol after returning from military deployment in Iraq.

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Id look around at 10 oclock, and Id be like, What am I going to do today? How about I drink some beers? ... And one beers leads to many, leads to self-medication, leads to, Ive earned this. Like, what are you  dont tell me I cant, said Hegseth, a former Army National Guard officer.

Tapper, who earlier in his show aired a recent clip of Hegseth claiming hes never had a drinking problem, said the defense secretary pick is describing just that in the 2021 clip.

How do you reconcile that with him now claiming that hes never had an issue with alcohol? Tapper asked.

Trumps choice of Hegseth has sparked skepticism among a number of Mullins GOP colleagues as the former Fox News host faces mounting criticism amid allegations of sexual misconduct and financial mismanagement.

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He has denied any wrongdoing.

Mullin declared that Hegseths remarks in the 2021 clip are a description of what most combat veterans have faced with alcohol.

And I think its hypocritical for them to even question that. Now, if he did have a drinking problem that would be obvious. But to make something out of it that isnt there just because hes going through secretary of defense, the media should be ashamed of themselves, he said.

Tapper told Mullin that hes done a lot of coverage of veterans and combat, adding that while hes never worn a military uniform, he sees an understanding of the need of our valiant troops when they come home to self-medicate.

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What Im saying is when youre talking about drinking at 10 in the morning, thats a drinking problem, Tapper said. Now it doesnt mean that there should be a stigma .

Mullin argued that there are a lot of politicians and probably a lot of members of the media who have issues with alcohol consumption before Tapper chimed back in.

A drunk reporter whos drinking at 10 a.m. for whatever reason, is not in charge of the 3 million-person defense department, Tapper said.

And so there is a difference.

H/T: Mediaite

Related...
The public pay their taxes begrudgingly or otherwise in the knowledge that it allows the state to perform essential tasks no one else can do, such as maintain public services, national defence, and so on. This assumption largely holds true in Britain.

It might come as a shock then, if an increasing share of taxpayer money was simply vanishing into the ether or  worse still  lining the pockets of criminals.

The National Audit Office (NAO) recently published its assessment on the impact of fraud and error on public funds for the year 2023-24. What they reveal is astonishing: the cost to the taxpayer was between 55-81 billion pounds last year.

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Using estimates from the Public Sector Fraud Authority (PSFA) the report paints a disturbing picture. Of the total cost, 13 billion of fraud and error is known to have occurred, 40 billion is estimated to have been lost (through overpayment of benefits and missing revenue), while an extra 28bn is classed as unknown, a likely consequence of the 560 billion of public spending that is not subject to any measurements at all. Why half of all public spending isnt subject to such controls remains a mystery.

The lower estimate for this figure is what Britain spends annually on defence, while the upper is closer to what is spent servicing the national debt. Preventing just ten percent of these losses would have saved an equivalent to the amount the Chancellor has looked to claw back through the politically explosive changes to both inheritance tax and the winter fuel allowance. It could have also covered the 500m the Defence Secretary expects to save by scrapping several warships and other defence equipment.

Has the taxpayer been swindled out of an amount equivalent to the GDP of Tunisia? Not quite, as intentional fraud and unintentional error are bundled into one, so not all this spending is deliberately fraudulent. But if they arent all criminal, the losses are indicative of an attitude of recklessness when it comes to safeguarding public spending. That the discrepancy between the upper and lower bounds of the fraud and error estimate is itself equivalent to the annual budget of the Home Office does not do wonders for trust in the management of public finances.

Only two years ago, Treasury Minister Lord Agnew resigned during a blistering speech in Parliament over the governments failure to address wide-scale fraud arising from Covid-19 support schemes. While the last government justified the trade-off of compliance for expediency due to the nature of the crisis, Lord Agnews observation that schoolboy errors were being committed doesnt inspire faith in public fraud-prevention.

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Of concern is the glacial pace with which the state acknowledges the flaws in its anti-fraud systems. Lord Agnew was scathing of the Treasury (which was reticent about creating a PSFA in the first place), and the then Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategys (BEIS) inability to comprehend that dormant companies were applying and receiving Covid Loans.

The British Business Bank also comes under fire for failing to demand basic checks from banks that had been authorised to issue loans with a 100 per cent state guarantee if these were not repaid. This is the same British Business Bank which Rachel Reeves has tasked with supporting the new National Wealth Fund to invest 7bn of taxpayer money in strategic industries. We can only pray that lessons have been learned.

While it is surprising that Parliament isnt more outraged by the fact that an entire government departments worth of spending has fallen through the cracks, it would be unfair to say that nothing is being done. The Government has appointed a Covid Corruption Commissioner to trawl through pandemic related public contracts, while the Chancellor allocated resources for an additional 3000 members of DWP staff in the budget to focus on fraud in welfare payments.

Its difficult to say whether these measures will meaningfully bring down the cost of fraud and error, and while millions recovered are welcome, tens of billions remain unaccounted for. Staff increases may help in recovering funds, but the NAO suggests that improvements in data collection and tax simplification are key to driving down instances of fraud and error in the first place.

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Unfortunately, these are the type of changes to the machinery of government despised in Whitehall, where plans to bring in comprehensive digital tax systems have been delayed for years.

Interestingly, the NAO report points out the environmental schemes are quite susceptible to fraud and error given the benefits they are supposed to deliver are difficult to quantify. Mandarins are quite happy to design schemes to give away taxpayer money but are less interested in knowing how it is spent.

Much easier then, to blame the changing social trends of the thieving masses, rather than pay closer attention to public spending. The NAO cites evidence that 12 per cent of people admitted to committing fraud against a public body in 2023, up from 8 per cent in 2021, though it notes that overall cases of fraud are down compared to last year. The Government has leaned into this however, promising a new Fraud Bill.

It is feared that this includes news powers to force banks to give up information concerning peoples private bank accounts. Rather than atoning for its laxity towards public spending and improving anti-fraud measures, the state will now spy on everyones personal finances instead.

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Given this approach, its hard to be optimistic that incidences of fraud and error are likely to decline any time soon. The next time a politician mentions increasing taxes or tightening public spending, remember thirteen aircraft carriers worth of taxpayer money simply vanished last year.

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KYODO NEWS - Dec 8, 2024 - 23:59 | All, World

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government collapsed Sunday as rebels took control of Damacus, ending over half a century of iron-fisted rule by the Assad family.

Assad decided to resign as president and has left the country, his ally Russia said.

Before his departure, Assad gave instructions for a peaceful transfer of power, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement, while giving no details about his whereabouts.

Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said in a statement that he is ready to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the Syrian people.

Syria has been in civil war since 2011, with anti-regime forces making advances since late November.

Assad became president in 2000 following the death of his father Hafez al-Assad, who had held the position since 1971. He received military support from Russia and the Lebanon-based, pro-Iran militant group Hezbollah.

But Russia has been distracted by its invasion of Ukraine, and Hezbollah has been weakened in its conflict with Israel.
Martha Hickson, a recently retired librarian who fought censorship at North Hunterdon High School, shakes Gov. Phil Murphy's hand after he signed a new law that sets limits on book bans and protects librarians from liability. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor)

Librarians and schools weary from escalating efforts to ban books have new protections under legislation Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law Monday.

The Freedom to Read Act limits book bans in public schools and libraries and shields librarians from lawsuits and criminal charges filed by folks who find library materials obscene or otherwise objectionable.

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Murphy signed the bill in the childrens section of the Princeton Public Library, surrounded by a crowd of smiling librarians, lawmakers, civil liberties advocates, and parents.

This law will strengthen, not diminish, the rights of parents to choose what reading materials their children should or should not have access to by ensuring that every family can make their own determination about what books are appropriate for a child, Murphy said.

Under the new law, the states education commissioner  in consultation with the state librarian, the New Jersey School Boards Association, and the New Jersey Association of School Librarians  will develop policies on how library materials are selected and how challenges to books on library shelves should be evaluated. Local school boards and library boards then must adopt their own policies using this model.

The law also bars school and library boards from removing books because of the origin, background, or views of the material or those contributing to its creation, and allows only people with a vested interest to challenge a book in a school library.

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It also gives librarians and library staff immunity from civil and criminal liability for good faith actions.

It will take effect in one year, giving state education officials and libraries time to devise the required policies.

Republicans and conservative activists have fought the measure, warning it would give children access to obscene materials and protect librarians who share obscene books with children.

But Sen. Andrew Zwicker (D-Middlesex) said the new law, which he introduced, is a bold response to this growing wave of censorship. Many of the 10,000-plus book bans reported during the 2023-24 school year were of books with characters or themes centered on people of color and the LGBTQ community, he added.

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That is not a coincidence. These bans are a deliberate effort to erase voices and perspectives that challenge the status quo, often under the guise of protecting children from discomfort, Zwicker said.

Sen. Andrew Zwicker (D-Middlesex), prime sponsor of the Freedom to Read Act, showed his book love on his socks during the bills signing at Princeton Public Library on Dec. 9, 2024. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor)

Zwicker said he was inspired to draft the legislation after hearing Martha Hickson, a recently retired librarian, speak.

Hickson, who successfully fought efforts to ban five LGBTQ-themed books at North Hunterdon High School, got hate mail, was shunned by colleagues and antagonized by administrators, and endured calls for her firing and arrest.

She was there Monday to watch Murphy sign the bill into law.

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Im certainly not the only victim of these politically motivated attacks, Hickson said. The students I serve feel the pain, too, when the books that describe their lived experience were called disgusting, obscene, and depraved. Students recognized that those insults were also intended for them.

She applauded the new law and shook Murphys hand as he gave her the pen he used to sign it.

New Jersey citizens now have protections to read about the topics that interest them in their libraries. When concerns about books arise, parents now have a clear process for raising issues without resorting to bullying. And for librarians across the state, the dignity of our work will now be recognized and preserved, she said. All of that is truly cause for celebration.

The bill signing received boos from three GOP lawmakers  Sen. Parker Space and Assembly members Dawn Fantasia and Michael Inganamort  who said the law will eliminate protections that have kept obscene material out of the hands of children.

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Our school libraries are meant to be a peaceful place for learning, not littered with lewd or inappropriate materials that distract from a childs education, they said in a joint statement. Enabling the distribution of obscene material is reprehensible, but absolving accountability for its distribution is heinous and inexcusable.

The law was a bit pared-down from what its sponsors initially intended. To appease critics, Zwicker and his bill co-sponsors Sen. Teresa Ruiz (D-Essex) and Assemblywoman Mitchelle Drulis (D-Somerset) removed language that would have amended the states obscenity statute to add protections for librarians and teachers and state anti-discrimination law to bar employers from considering librarians actions on book removal requests in hiring decisions.

The bill ultimately passed the Legislature after lengthy committee hearings largely along party lines, with the Senate approving it in October by a 24-15 vote and the Assembly voting 52-20 for it in June.

A poll released earlier this year showed most New Jersey residents are concerned about book bans, with more worried about censorship than classroom content.

Amol Sinha is executive director of the ACLU-NJ. (Dana DiFilippo | New Jersey Monitor)

Amol Sinha, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, said book bans are related to attacks on other freedoms that have sprung up in recent years as politics have become more polarized  and will worsen under President-elect Donald Trumps second term.

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Theres a subset of the population that wants to control what children have access to, regardless of whether or not they parent those children. Whether were talking about book bans or sex ed or abortion rights or critical race theory or DEI initiatives, those are all part of the same ecosystem, Sinha said.

The new law protects the freedom of intellectual choice, he added.

No one parent or no one community member gets to decide what books are appropriate for everybody in that community, he said.

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WHITE CLOUD, Mich. (WOOD)  A grandmother will serve jail time for the death of her 5-year-old grandson, who was shot and killed by his cousin.

Theresa Robart cried as she was sentenced Monday to one year in the Newaygo County Jail, with credit for four days served, and two years of probation.

5-year-old Braxton Dykstra. (Courtesy family)

The shooting happened April 1 at her home near Newaygo. Theresa Robart and her husband Karl Robart were accused of leaving a 12-gauge shotgun behind a bedroom door, near where their grandchildren were watching movies. Braxton Dykstra, age 5, was shot and killed when his 6-year-old cousin picked up the gun, pointed it at him and pulled the trigger.

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Father plans to teach gun safety to honor slain 5-year-old

In court Monday, Braxtons father Domynic Dykstra called it negligence at its finest and argued Theresa Robart was not taking responsibility.

I lost my 5-year-old son in your care, he said, emotional.

The rest of the Dykstra side the family agreed, with Braxtons paternal grandmother calling his death 100% preventable.

Was this intentionally done? No, not at all. But those children were sent in that room knowing that gun did not get taken care of, or at least she should have checked that it did. You didnt, Shawn Dykstra said. You negligently sent all three of those kids into that room and now my grandson is gone.

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Theresa Robart pleaded no contest in October to second-degree child abuse. Under a plea deal, the most serious charge she was facing  a safe storage violation  was dismissed and the Newaygo County Prosecutors Office agreed to recommend no prison time.

The court does think that this jail time is appropriate for you, Judge Robert Springstead told Theresa Robart in handing down his sentence. Really, you are just as guilty as your husband. You worked out a plea agreement that saved you prison time, which is a good thing. It just makes me wonder if we would be having the same discussion if there was pills or poison or anything else that endangered this child out.

Karl Robart was sentenced earlier in October to between 38 months and 15 years in prison after pleading no contest to the safe storage violation. Michigans safe storage laws went into effect in February.

Grandfather sentenced after grandson was shot, killed

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Braxtons paternal grandmother Shawn Dykstra said she did not think the prosecutor should have taken any deals.

You have a law for a law. You dont let them get off on it and thats exactly whats just happened. Theres no justice for my grandson, none at all, she said.

On the other side of the family, Theresa Robarts sister-in-law thought the Robarts were unfairly held responsible.

I feel that nobody should have gotten punished. But there were four adults in that home, not just two. The parents were there.  They were all there. So why is it that Theresa and Karl are the ones irresponsible and the ones that are not doing their job? Kim Thompson wondered.

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This isnt justice. This isnt justice for Braxton, for sure, she continued.

She added that she thought it was Karl Robarts job to have locked up the gun and that she was pretty disappointed in our justice system.

Even after her knee surgery, they had (Theresa Robart) babysit. Thats an irresponsible grandparent, who puts herself out to take care of her grandkids so their parents can work? Thompson said. Those grandkids are her life. And they just took her away from all of them  not just Braxton, all of them.

Shawn Dykstra said that with the court cases concluded, the family must now to grieve.

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Now we can actually try to grieve, try to heal  but were never going to heal, 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 WOODTV.com.
Incoming Senate Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) told FBI Director Christopher Wray on Monday he has a vote of no confidence in his leadership, saying its time for him to move on.

The 11-page listing of grievances from Grassley signals his support for President-elect Trump to fire Wray, who became the FBI director in 2017 after his nomination by then-President Trump. Wray is serving a 10-year term that would keep him in the post until 2027, should Trump decide not to remove him.

For the good of the country, its time for you and your deputy to move on to the next chapter in your lives, Grassley wrote, faulting Wray for hindering his work by failing to respond to requests and having prevented the truth on some issues from ever reaching the American people.

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Trump has announced his intention to nominate Kash Patel as FBI director. Grassley held off on supporting Patel for the role.

I therefore must express my vote of no confidence in your continued leadership of the FBI. President-elect Trump has already announced his intention to nominate a candidate to replace you, and the Senate will carefully consider that choice. For my part, Ive also seen enough, and hope your respective successors will learn from these failures, Grassley concluded.

The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Grassley framed the letter as an opportunity to tell you where you went wrong, for the benefit of the Bureau and that of your successor.

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Much of the letter complains about how the FBI handled the investigations into President-elect Trump and Hillary Clinton, matters that predated Wrays leadership of the FBI.

Grassley also criticized the search of Trumps home ahead of the Justice Department bringing its classified documents case against him, complaining that no such raid took place at Hillary Clintons premises, even though she and her staff mishandled highly classified information.

Grassley complained that no such raid occurred at President Bidens house during his classified documents probe. Biden, however, was the one who alerted authorities to the documents, whereas Trump resisted multiple times when asked to return the records recovered from his home.

Grassley pointed to information he disclosed that was provided by an FBI informant claiming that Biden accepted a bribe. The informant, Alexander Smirnov, was later arrested and charged with providing false information to the bureau.

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Smirnov allegedly fabricated the story due to political animosity toward Biden, but his claims nonetheless were central to a House GOP investigation into the Biden family.

The FBI under your watch, however, had possession of incriminating information against President Biden for three years until I exposed the existence of the record outlining those allegations, but did nothing to investigate it, Grassley wrote in his letter.

The bureau, however, does appear to have investigated the matter as it serves as the basis of the false statement charges against Smirnov, who has also since been indicted on tax charges.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  A Greenville County man will spend 25 years in prison after being found guilty of trafficking drugs.

According to the 13th Circuit Solicitors Office, Anthony Ray Overman, 50, was found guilty by a jury of trafficking methamphetamine, driving under suspension and possession of cocaine base.

According to the solicitors office, in June 2023, deputies with Greenville County Sheriffs Office pulled Overman over and during the traffic stop discovered his license had been suspended. During a search of his vehicle, deputies said they found 53.37 grams of methamphetamine and .24 grams of cocaine base.

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He was sentenced to 25 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 WSPA 7NEWS.
Members of the Patriot Guard Riders will greet troops at the Quad Cities International Airport as they arrive home for the holidays from Dec. 17 until Dec. 24.

The Patriot Guard Riders will be present during the most common flight times, generally from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m.

For more information on how to become a part of PGR, email 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 WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
Dec. 9Kalispell City Council will review Monday options for upgrading the city's wastewater treatment facility and new biosolids disposal methods to keep up with a growing population.

The city's treatment plant is running efficiently, but an increasing population and uncertain future for its current disposal method warrants facility expansion and disposal alternatives, a city-commissioned report found.

Officials hired water engineering consulting firm AE2S to conduct the study. During Council's Monday night work session, the firm will present its findings.

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Council convenes Dec. 9 at 7 p.m. in City Hall, 201 First Ave. E.

Projecting a yearly average population growth of 2.5% over the next 20 years, the report determined that expanded infrastructure is needed to manage the waste that comes with growth.

In 2022, the city disposed of 765 tons of dry biosolids. Using that figure, the report projected that by 2044, the city would be disposing of 1,260 tons annually.

Biosolids, otherwise known as sewage sludge, are generated from treating wastewater. Currently, 70% of the city's biosolids are sent to Glacier Gold Composting and the rest is sent to the Flathead County Landfill. Composted biosolids can enrich soil and replace commercial fertilizers, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

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By 2018, the city was nearing Glacier Gold's delivery capacity, according to the report. And Glacier Gold recently alerted the city that it will be closing its facility in Olney.

"Although Glacier Gold has been a consistent and reliable partner to the city, they may close their doors at any time, provided that they give the city one year of warning before no longer accepting solids for disposal," read the report.

The Kalispell Advanced Wastewater Treatment System "needs to expand its capacity limits beyond existing composting and disposal alternatives and increase the reliability of their solids disposal system," read the report.

Costs range from an estimated $6.8 million to over $20 million. The report recommends accessing low-interest State Revolving Fund loans or using bonds and adopting the cheapest alternative of disposing biosolids, which entails adhering to new landfill standards.

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A COUNCIL subcommittee will also convene for the second time to discuss funding potential projects through a sidewalk and trails assessment district.

Consisting of Councilors Ryan Hunter, Jed Fisher and Chad Graham, the subcommittee previously met Oct. 21 to discuss priority projects that an assessment district would tackle.

The subcommittee identified sidewalk replacement and installation, trails construction and maintenance, Americans with Disabilities Act intersections and traffic control as points of interest. Hunter vied for protected bike lanes as another undertaking to add to the list.

City Manager Doug Russell is expected to present what the cost estimates will look like for each general priority project.

Reporter Jack Underhill can be reached at 758-4407 and junderhill@dailyinterlake.com.
Journalists at The Guardian and The Observer have accused bosses of stonewalling staff over the sale of the Sunday newspaper to a loss-making startup.

More than 100 journalists have signed a letter accusing the Scott Trust, the 1.3bn fund that owns the two titles, of abandoning its principles by pushing through the deal.

They wrote: There were no conversations with Observer staff prior to a decision to explore selling the Observer. Observer journalists have not been involved in due diligence relating to the transfer.

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Several Scott Trust directors have refused to speak to senior Observer staff, including the editor, or simply ignored our approaches. The deal was approved while staff were on strike.

Journalists added that it was distressing to see how far the Scott Trust had departed from its founding principles of honesty, integrity, courage, fairness and a sense of duty to the reader and the community.

The letter, which is due to be published in The Guardian this afternoon, is expected to be signed by high-profile writers including Polly Toynbee, Jonathan Freedland and Marina Hyde.

The Scott Trust last week approved the sale of The Observer to Tortoise, a media start-up run by former BBC News boss James Harding, despite widespread opposition from staff.

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As part of the deal, the Scott Trust will invest 5m in Tortoise and become one of its largest shareholders. It will also retain a stake in The Observer and have a role on both its editorial and commercial boards.

Bosses said they were confident the deal was the right decision to ensure a sustainable future for both The Guardian and The Observer.

But staff are now in open revolt, with anger boiling over during a fiery meeting between journalists and managers on Friday.

Ole Jacob Sunde, chairman of the Scott Trust, has insisted he listened to and addressed staff concerns before approving the deal, adding that he was acting in the best interests of liberal journalism.

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But staff have rubbished this claim, with one high-profile writer accusing Mr Sunde in last weeks meeting of being unable to name a single journalist at the newspaper.

The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) has voted to stage another 48-hour strike after walking out for two days last week. The union is also considering holding a vote of no confidence in Katharine Viner, editor-in-chief of The Guardian.

Key questions unanswered

In the letter, staff said there were key questions still unanswered, including how 5m had been found to invest in Tortoise when bosses had insisted they would not invest in The Observer and why the worlds oldest Sunday newspaper would have a greater chance of success as a standalone outlet.

Journalists have also expressed concerns that the newspaper group engaged in exclusive negotiations with Tortoise without considering alternative bidders.

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At least two groups of potential suitors are known to have written to the Scott Trust to express an interest in tabling a bid, while Dale Vince has also confirmed his interest. The Guardian has insisted it has not received any substantive bids from other parties.

In a statement last week, a spokesman for Guardian Media Group said: The deal announced today is a big change for employees of both The Guardian and The Observer. Our journalists are hugely passionate about what they do and we understand the strength of feeling on this issue.

The board has considered this issue in detail for a long time and weighed up all the alternatives, and we are certain we have made the right decision for both titles which will give them a sustainable future.

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By Michelle Conlin and Federico Maccioni

NEW YORK/ABU DHABI (Reuters) -Key players in U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's new cryptocurrency venture were among high-profile industry figures gathering at a bitcoin conference in Abu Dhabi on Monday, as the digital currency sets record highs.

Speakers at the two-day event include Trump's son Eric as well as billionaire Steve Witkoff, the new White House envoy for the Middle East and co-founder of World Liberty Financial, a crypto platform launched in September that Donald Trump and his family helped set up.

Attendees arriving for the Bitcoin MENA conference were greeted by displays welcoming them to the "golden age of bitcoin", alongside the live price of bitcoin, which last week smashed records when it hit $100,000, buoyed by promises from Trump that he would be the "crypto president".

Nick Damico, co-founder of crypto exchange Roxom, was there, sporting one of the "Make Bitcoin Great Again" caps on sale at the conference, which is projected to draw more than 6,000 people.

Nehayyan Aldhuhoori, another attendee, said he had "especially come" to hear from Eric Trump.

On Tuesday, Eric Trump will deliver the keynote address of the conference and then hold a "whale-only" chat in the VIP lounge, according to the event's agenda.

Witkoff spoke on Monday to that more exclusive crowd, which was closed to the press and requires a $9,999 "whale" pass, a nickname for players who have potential to move a market.

The Gulf gathering comes at an inflection point for the industry. Trump, once a skeptic, has vowed to make America the new "crypto capital of the planet."

The president-elect is World Liberty Financial's "chief crypto advocate", and sons Eric, Don Jr. and Barron are ambassadors, according to the WLF website. Company filings show Donald Trump is entitled to 22.5 billion WLF tokens and a share of its revenue.

"The bitcoin conference carries a lot of significance for crypto as it's one of the longest-running conferences focused on bringing our industry together," said Marshall Beard of Gemini, the crypto exchange founded by Trump backers Cameron and Tyler Winklevoss.

WHITE HOUSE CRYPTO CZAR

Other speakers also have close ties to World Liberty Financial, including Justin Sun, the 32-year-old Chinese founder of blockchain platform Tron.

Three weeks after Trump won last month's U.S. presidential election, Sun posted on X that he bought $30 million worth of WLF tokens, making him the venture's largest investor. Sun was charged with crypto-related fraud and securities violations under the Biden administration.
KYODO NEWS - Dec 9, 2024 - 18:33 | World, All, Japan

A Japanese businessman who has been detained in Beijing since March last year on suspicion of espionage stood trial for the first time in late November, with the hearing closed to the public, a Japanese government source said Monday.

Tokyo has asked Beijing to ensure transparency regarding the legal process of the Astellas Pharma Inc. employee, who served as an executive at the company's China unit. His trial is being held at the No. 2 Intermediate People's Court in Beijing, according to the source.

The man, who is in his 50s, is a former senior official of the Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry in China. He was detained on March 20 last year just before his scheduled return to Japan and was formally arrested in October 2023 before being indicted this summer.

Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba called for the businessman's release during a summit meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Peru in mid-November.

Since China's counterespionage law first came into force in 2014, 17 Japanese citizens, including the Astellas employee, have been detained for their alleged involvement in spying activities. Five remain in custody, according to the Japanese Foreign Ministry.

Related coverage:

China indicts Japanese businessman detained over spying
By Nidal al-Mughrabi

CAIRO (Reuters) - Palestinian group Hamas congratulated the Syrian people on Monday for achieving their "aspirations for freedom and justice" after toppling President Bashar al-Assad.

It was Hamas' first public comment since rebel forces swept into the Syrian capital Damascus on Sunday after a lightning advance that sent Assad fleeing to Russia after a 13-year civil war and six decades of his family's autocratic rule.

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"We stand strongly with the great people of Syria... and respect the will, the independence, and the political choices of the people of Syria," the Islamist faction that has been governing the Gaza Strip said in a statement.

Hamas said it hoped that post-Assad Syria would continue "its historical and pivotal role in supporting the Palestinian people".

In a separate statement,, Ziad al-Nakhala, head of the Islamic Jihad, an Iranian-backed group and an ally of Hamas, echoed that sentiment.

"The Islamic Jihad hopes Syria will remain a real support for the Palestinian people, their just cause, as it has always been," said Nakhala.

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Hamas publicly endorsed the 2011 Sunni Muslim street uprising against Assad's rule and vacated its Damascus headquarters in 2012, a move that angered Iran, an ally of both Assad and the Palestinian group.

Hamas, whose ideological roots stem from the Sunni Islamist Muslim Brotherhood, distanced itself from Assad - a member of the minority Alawite sect, an offshoot of Shi'ite Islam - as he cracked down on the mainly Sunni Muslim protesters and rebels.

The Palestinian group decided in 2022 to restore ties with the Assad government and sent a delegation to Damascus, where Hamas leaders met Assad in the hope of repairing relations.

Assad's Syria and Iran formed an "axis of resistance" with Lebanon's Hezbollah movement and Palestinian militant groups to oppose Israel.

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Hamas's positive response to the fall of Assad contrasted with that of Shi'ite Muslim Hezbollah, which played a major part propping up Assad through years of war. Assad's Syria long served as a vital conduit for Iran to supply arms to the group.

A senior Hezbollah politician on Monday described events in Syria as a "major, dangerous and new transformation".

(Reporting by Nidal al Mughrabi; Editing by Gareth Jones)
The Islamist group Hamas - which has been fighting against Israeli forces in Gaza - on Monday congratulated the Syrian people on toppling the Syrian regime and ousting Bashar al-Assad.

"The Hamas Islamic resistance movement congratulates the brotherly Syrian people on their success in fulfilling their struggle for freedom and justice," it said.

It also called on Syria to keep supporting the Palestinian people.

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Iran supports Hamas and also backed al-Assad's regime in its conflict with rebel groups in Syria.

But al-Assad was hostile to Islamist Palestinian groups that supported armed opposition fighters at the start of the Syrian civil war, and his regime detained hundreds of Palestinians.
BOSTON (WWLP)  A man from New Hampshire was sentenced to prison in connection with a conspiracy to harass and intimidate two New Hampshire journalists employed by New Hampshire Public Radio (NHPR).

In a news release from the Justice Department in Boston, Tucker Cockerline, Michael Waselchuck, Keenan Saniatan, and Eric Labarge were each charged with conspiracy to commit stalking using a facility of interstate commerce and stalking using a facility of interstate commerce.

Police end standoff after Massachusetts man surrenders with several firearms

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The three suspects allegedly harassed and intimidated the victims including vandalizing the victims homes, as well as the vandalism of the home of one of the victims immediate family members with bricks, large rocks, and red spray paint.

According to the charging document, after a year-long investigation, an NHPR journalist (victim 1) published an article in March 2022 detailing allegations of sexual and other misconduct by a former New Hampshire businessperson. Another NHPR journalist (victim 2) also contributed to the article, which appeared on NHPRs website during and after March 2022.

It is alleged that the following acts of vandalism occurred in April and May 2022:

At approximately 11:00 p.m. on April 24, 2022, a brick was thrown through a front exterior window of Victim 1s former residence in Hanover, N.H. The word C*NT was spray-painted in large red letters on the front door;

On the evening of April 24, 2022, or during the early morning hours of April 25, 2022, the word C*NT was spray-painted in large red letters on the front door of Victim 2s home in Concord, N.H. The exterior of the home was also damaged by a large rock, which appeared to have been thrown at the house;

Shortly before midnight on April 24, 2022, or during the early morning hours of April 25, 2022, a softball-sized rock was thrown through a front exterior window of Victim 1s parents home in Hampstead, N.H. The word C*NT was spray-painted in large red letters on one of the garage doors;

At approximately 12:54 a.m. on May 21, 2022, Victim 1s parents home in Hampstead was vandalized a second time. The word C*NT was spray-painted in large red letters on one of the garage doors. Although no windows were broken, a brick was discovered on the ground near the houses foundation as if it had been thrown at the house; and

At approximately 5:54 a.m. on May 21, 2022, a brick was thrown through an exterior window of Victim 1s house in Melrose, Mass. The phrase JUST THE BEGINNING was spray-painted in large red letters on the front of the home.

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Saniatan pleaded guilty and was sentenced on Friday to 30 months in prison, to be followed by three years of supervised release.

In November 2024, Labarge was sentenced to 46 months in prison, followed by three years of supervised release. Earlier this year, Cockerline and Waselchuck were sentenced to 27 months and 21 months in prison, respectively, each followed by three years of supervised release.

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.

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ST. LOUIS  It was another Sunday morning of sometimes heated but always civil political debate on Hancock and Kelley for Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024.

Republican consultant John Hancock and Democratic consultant Michael Kelley discuss the following topics:

St. Louis County Executive Sam Page ups the ante in his battle with Governor Mike Parson over who gets to appoint the next county prosecutor. Page made his pick this past week, nominating Cort VanOstran for the job.

President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter. Could he also pardon former St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner?

President-elect Donald Trumpnot President Bidenvisited Paris for the reopening of the historic Notre Dame Cathedral.

Our Quote of the Week is from a west St. Louis County state senators proposal for Missourians to claim thousand-dollar bounties for rounding up undocumented migrants.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  A hub in New Haven for climate and tech entrepreneurs has received money from the government to go towards coming up with innovative solutions to address climate change.

ClimateHaven has been home to 25 climate tech entrepreneurs for the past year. The space allows them to work, facilitate meetings and collaborate with other like-minded individuals working on green tech solutions.

How cold was the coldest day in CT?

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Youre not just building companies, youre building solutions to help shape a sustainable future for all of us, CEO Justine Lee said.

Those start-ups are now receiving an extra $1 million thanks to the U.S. Department of Energys Energy Program for Innovation Clusters and $500,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending.

From AI to investments in renewable energy, the entrepreneurs at ClimateHaven said they will put the funding towards making an impact as the world continues to face climate change.

2023: New Haven recognized as climate leader

Nadia Ahmad is the Founder & CEO of Mudder AI. Her company uses AI, data, satellite and drone imagery to improve the response to natural disasters.

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Were seeing that theres a loss of lives, injury and also a loss of property damage and so its important to be able to build more resilience, she said.

Meanwhile, Conor Rooney said he will use the funds to expand his company, Oxylus, which focuses on converting carbon dioxide into renewable fuels.

Its really more targeted at heavy industry  aviation or maritimes shipping, where its really hard to electrify them, he said. Batteries dont work very well, so the best solution is to make the same chemical fuels, but from a sustainable source.

Within a year, ClimateHaven has raised over $14 million for its start-ups, while creating 45 jobs.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH)  This gift-giving season, New Haven Police are reminding residents its also a busy time for scammers, thieves and robbers.

New Havens Public Information Officer, Christian Bruckhart, told News 8, People are buying gifts, its that time of year. Package thefts, weve seen an uptick in that. Just do the best you can to protect yourself.

The department has issued a warning following two local online transaction robberies in the last three weeks.

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The most recent happened Saturday night on Harper Avenue and South Genesee Street. The victim was using the OfferUp App to sell his Apple AirPods.

In-person transaction leads to armed robbery in New Haven

A similar incident occurred last month in Westville where the victim was led behind a house during a Facebook Marketplace transaction.

No one was injured in either robbery and no arrests have been made.

Both instances, the person shows up pretending to buy or sell and then meet the person and says hey we need to go this way. They go behind the car or house and they get robbed, Bruckhart continued.

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Officer Bruckhart said when buying or selling items with people you dont know, choose a public, well-lit, place. Their suggestion? The police station lobby.

I would hope the lobby of a police department would be a safe place to conduct a transaction, said Bruckhart.

For Nicholas Wilson, he avoids those kinds of transactions completely.

I think those are scary, said Wilson.  I just want to go safety first, so I dont go for those. I go for those I know are secure.

Facebook Marketplace meetup turns armed robbery in New Haven: Police

Grinches and porch pirates alike, New Haven Police tell us reports of packages being stolen from homes are also on the rise.

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Have the deliverer hold it. Go to an Amazon site. Go to a UPS site and pick it up there. That extra step might be a pain but if its that or losing an expensive item its worth it, said Bruckhart.

I actually make sure they go to a location that I know is always being monitored or I know people will always pick it up immediately, Wilson said. Your life is more important than that package.

Bruckhart said residents can use their lobby for safe transactions year-round, not just during the holidays, and its open 24 hours a 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 WTNH.com.
An apparent, head-on collision between two vehicles in Kalaeloa this morning sent four patients, including a toddler, to the hospital, according to Honolulu Emergency Medical Services.

EMS responded to the scene at F.D. Roosevelt Avenue and Kasaan Bay Street at about 8 :15 a.m. and treated four patients. The first patient was in one vehicle and the others were in a second vehicle.

Paramedics responded with multiple units and treated a 2-year-old girl, a 19-year-old man, a 20-year-old woman and a 21-year-old woman with serious injuries. All were taken to a trauma hospital in serious condition.

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No details on what led to the crash were immediately available.

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KYODO NEWS - Dec 10, 2024 - 00:10 | All, Japan, World

Terumi Tanaka, co-chair of Japan's leading group of atomic bomb survivors and winner of this year's Nobel Peace Prize, said Monday in Oslo that he was "saddened" by recent threats of using nuclear weapons amid heightening global tensions.

The 92-year-old representative of Nihon Hidankyo, also known as the Japan Confederation of A- and H-Bomb Sufferers Organizations, said at a press conference a day before the award ceremony that nuclear weapons could lead to the "destruction of humanity."

"It is extremely regrettable and saddening that we have come to a point when there are talks of using nuclear weapons," said Tanaka, an atomic bomb survivor, or hibakusha, who was exposed to the 1945 atomic bombing of Nagasaki when he was 13.

He noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has made nuclear threats amid the country's war against Ukraine, does not seem to understand the danger nuclear weapons pose to humanity.

"We hibakusha are absolutely convinced that people's lives and assets cannot be protected by (them)," said Tanaka.

Concerning his predecessors, he expressed remorse that "We could have shared this joy if (the win) had been 10 years earlier."

"Without a doubt, their activism paved the way to where we are today, and I would like to tell them that this win is also theirs," he said.

During the press conference attended by around 50 media organizations, he rejected claims that the nuclear abolition movement is regressing, highlighting the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, which entered into force in 2021, and expressed hope that the younger generation would actively help shape the future.

The organization, founded in 1956, won the prize "for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons and for demonstrating through witness testimony that nuclear weapons must never be used again," according to the Norwegian Nobel Committee.

A total of 30 people, including 17 atomic bomb survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, make up the delegation in the Norwegian capital, with some arriving from abroad.

Tanaka is set to deliver a speech at the ceremony on Tuesday, with fellow representatives of the group, Toshiyuki Mimaki, 82, and Shigemitsu Tanaka, 84, slated to join him on stage.

Members of the delegation have a packed schedule during their stay in Oslo through Thursday, including interviews and school visits, with some expected to meet members of the Norwegian royal family.

In addition to the delegation, a group of about 50 people, including a dozen hibakusha, has arrived in Oslo on a tour cohosted by the nongovernmental organization Peace Boat and the Japan Council Against Atomic and Hydrogen Bombs. The group is scheduled to participate in various peace events and observe the ceremony.

Related coverage:

Japanese atomic bomb survivors depart for Nobel Peace Prize ceremony

A-bomb survivor to bring origami peace cranes to Oslo in Nobel week

FOCUS: A-bomb survivors' Nobel prize win highlights receding nuke taboo
AUSTIN (Nexstar)  The states chief epidemiologist said the risk of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as H5N1 Bird Flu, spreading among the general population in Texas is very low. Still, he cautioned farm workers and people with backyard chicken flocks to be extra careful around animals.

Dr. Varun Shetty, the chief epidemiologist at Texas Department of State Health Services, agreed to speak with Nexstar about the risks of HPAI as more scientists around the country express worry the virus could mutate to allow for human-to-human transmission.

The virus can spread to humans who come into contact with a sick animal, but a risk assessment from the Johns Hopkins Center for Outbreak Response Innovation in December listed the potential for human-to-human transmission as high for farm workers, but low for the general public.

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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said there have been 58 confirmed cases of humans with HPAI in the United States this year. One of those cases was reported in Texas. Shetty said that man came into contact with a sick dairy cow while on the job. He was treated for mild symptoms and made a full recovery, according to Shetty.

The United States Department of Agriculture announced last week it is requiring raw milk collected at dairy farms to be tested for the virus on request. This is to monitor the presence of H5N1 in the nations milk supply.

Currently, there is no case of human-to-human transmission of HPAI, and Shetty said the risk of human-to-human spread in Texas is low.

We have not to date seen any genetic changes or mutations that would make this virus more dangerous, Shetty said.

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It is more likely for someone to become sick with the common or seasonal flu than the avian flu, Shetty explained. All of them show similar symptoms  like fever, cough, runny nose, and body aches  but Shetty said something different about the avian flu cases in Texas and around the country is eye irritation and the presence of Conjunctivitis, or pink-eye.

However, Shetty does advise people who work closely with cattle and poultry to take steps to keep themselves safe. This can include wearing goggles, face shields, and masks.

What to do with your backyard flock

Rhonda Winegar has been a nurse practitioner for more than 20 years, and has owned chickens in her backyard for the same amount of time.

Chickens are just so relaxing and fun to watch, Winegar explained. She has names for all of them and treats them like members of the family. She is not worried about the risk of HPAI. After more than two decades with them, she knows how to keep her birds safe and healthy.

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She keeps the chicken coup clean with new shavings replaced every week for her birds. She owns a separate pair of shoes that are solely for being inside the chicken coup to keep everything outside of her home. She also has separate bird feeders to keep wild birds away from her flock as they feed.

You dont want to drag in like chicken droppings and everything in your house, Winegar said. She knows how fast an infection can wipe out a flock. She did have one bad year where she bought a sick chicken and introduced it into her flock too quickly. That sick chicken quickly infected and killed everything else. She now makes sure to keep any new chickens quarantined before introducing them to the entire flock.

Winegar is the perfect example of a chicken owner for Dawna Michalke, a training inspector for the Texas Animal Health Commission. The commission keeps track of flocks and cattle farms that are infected by HPAI. This year, three flocks were infected by the virus, but there has not been a confirmed case in the past eight months.

Michalke said the main source of infection of domestic birds is migratory waterfowl. As those wild birds make their way to their seasonal homes, some fly right in the path of Texas. Those wild birds can come into contact with domestic birds and cause infections, Michalke explained.

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Theyre carrying that, and then they come down and feed with your birds, you may not even recognize it, Michalke said about wild birds with the virus. Humans that come into contact with sick birds can become infected as well.

The warning signs are fairly obvious, according to Michalke. We see a lot of morbidity and mortality. It means you see sick birds or you see dead birds, Michalke said.

She advises both commercial farms and hobbyists to practice safe biosecurity measures. That includes keeping the coup, and anything that transports or tools that get near the animals, is clean. She also says there needs to be a line of separation, a defined boundary between the birds and everything else.

The warning signs to look out for in your chickens are a lack of energy and appetite. HPAI will happen fast, Michalke said.

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Backlash continued to build over the weekend against UnitedHealthcare following the shocking assassination of CEO Brian Thompson and a subsequent rant by parent company UnitedHealths CEO Andrew Witty, during which he defended the insurers practices as justified in order to prevent unnecessary care.

In response, a flood of social media users shared stories about how the insurer denied them coverage for what it deemed unnecessary care.

Witty last week sent staff a video message condemning the vitriolic commentary on social media following Thompsons death. The message was only sent to employees of the multinational insurance giant, but a video recording was leaked and published by independent journalist Ken Klippenstein on Friday.

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Our role is a critical role, and we make sure that care is safe, appropriate, and is delivered when people need it, Witty said. And we guard against the pressures that exist for unsafe care or for unnecessary care to be delivered in a way which makes the whole system too complex and ultimately unsustainable.

Unnecessary care



United wouldnt approve my mother for the medicine her doctor said she needed until she first tried this other medicine. As a result, one day she went temporarily blind on the way home. https://t.co/oOKYsxJkHs  Justin Whang  (@JustinWhang) December 7, 2024

Witty told employees to tune out the criticism levied against the insurer, insisting it does not reflect reality.

But users on multiple platforms lashed out after the CEOs comments were made public, with many sharing stories of how the company denied coverage for health care for them, their friends, or their family members. The Daily Beast could not confirm the details of any individual posts, but dozens of commenters have used various social media forums to express frustration with the company.

Users on Twitter shared stories about being denied coverage, with some claiming the insurer denied coverage for everything from a mammogram or a hospital stay for a senior woman with Alzheimers.

Protesters hold banners outside the UnitedHealthcare headquarters in Minnetonka, Minnesota in July 2024. / Getty Images for People's Action

A new mother took to TikTok to share her own experience getting booted from her UnitedHealth plan after she gave birthand now qualified for Medicaid.

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One user, YouTuber Justin Whang , said that the company initially refused to pay for a particular medication for his mother before she tried another alternative. The alternative medicine made her temporarily blind, the YouTuber said.

And one user on Reddit posted a denial letter from UnitedHealthcare, which showed the company refusing to pay for a power wheelchair for a child with cerebral palsy.

UnitedHealth Group did not immediately respond to a request for comment from the Daily Beast about the video or the ongoing backlash.

Its not the first time UnitedHealthcare has faced criticism for their policies surrounding denial of claims. A Senate subcommittee investigated United, as well as Humana and CVS Health, over the surge in denial rates for seniors on Medicare Advantage plans for costly yet critical stays in post-acute care facilities for common issues like falls and strokes.

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According to a report published by the subcommittee in October, UnitedHealthcares denial rate for post-acute care grew from 10.9 percent in 2020 to 22.7 percent by 2022.

Doctors also weighed in from their standpoint, with some physician commenters on Reddit reflecting on their poor experiences with the company that convinced some to stop accepting UnitedHealthcare as a carrier.

Dr. Helen Ouyang, an emergency physician, penned an op-ed in The New York Times on Sunday. Ouyang condemned the responses taking glee in Thompsons killing, but wrote about how her own patients struggled to navigate their precarious health-care coverage.

That reaction, even in its objectionable vitriol, matters for how it lays bare Americans deep-seated anger toward health care, Ouyang wrote. Around the country, anecdotes were unleashed with furor.
Editors note: Video was from Walmart shooter Patrick Crusius last court appearance back on Oct. 31 and Nov. 1.

EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  A hearing scheduled for this week in the Walmart massacre case has been postponed.

District Court Judge Sam Medrano issued an order Monday, Dec. 9, delaying the hearing in the Walmart shooting case that was scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, Dec. 11-12 at the request of the defense team.

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The hearing was to determine if Walmart shooter Patrick Crusius had his constitutional rights violated by the prosecution, which the defense team has alleged in several court filings.

Crusius pleaded guilty to federal charges back in July 2023 and was sentenced to 90 consecutive life sentences. Crusius murdered 23 people at the Cielo Vista Walmart store on Aug. 3, 2019 and wounded more than 20 others.

The states case, which is seeking the death penalty against Crusius, has long been delayed.

The next hearing in the case is scheduled for Jan. 13, 2025.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
Heating oil leaked into the Muddy River over the weekend, endangering wildlife on the Boston and Brookline sides of the waterway, officials said.

Officers and firefighters responding to a report of a possible oil leak in the Muddy River in the area of the Longwood MBTA station around 12 p.m. Sunday discovered some sort of leak and called in the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection and Clean Harbors to evaluate the situation, according to the Brookline Police Department.

The New England Wildlife Center said crews were able to rescue the most significantly impacted waterfowl, including Canadian geese and ducks after an unknown quantity of whats suspected to be heating oil was released into the river.

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NEWC teams were giving emergency care to the birds by clearing their airways, flushing oil from their eyes and mouths, and providing heat support.

The public is urged to stay away from the scene of the spill until further notice.

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In the interim, we are asking folks not to approach or attempt to capture any wildlife in this area, the NEWC said in a statement. They are very stressed and contact with the oil may be harmful to humans and pets. Many of the remaining birds are still able to fly so we dont want to cause them additional harm or cause them to leave the area.

An investigation into the cause of the spill and emergency response remains ongoing.

Police said an update on the spill was expected to be released on Monday.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Investing.com -- Shares of HelloFresh (ETR:HFGG) fell over 6% on Monday after ABC News reported an ongoing investigation into allegations of migrant children working at one of its facilities in Aurora, Illinois.

The U.S. Department of Labor is probing the claims that at least six minors, some of whom migrated from Guatemala, were employed in dangerous overnight shifts at the facility, which operates under the brand Factor75, a prepared meal delivery company acquired by HelloFresh in 2020.

The allegations were brought to light by Cristobal Cavazos, executive director of Immigrant Solidarity, an advocacy group that reported the issue to federal regulators.

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Cavazos condemned the illegal and exploitative employment of minors in hazardous conditions.

The Department of Labors investigation also extends to Midway Staffing, the agency responsible for hiring employees at the facility. Midway Staffing has not responded to ABC News requests for comment.

In response, HelloFresh stated it was "deeply troubled" by the allegations and emphasized that the company immediately terminated its relationship with the staffing agency upon learning of the situation.

HelloFreshs spokesperson said that it maintains strict protocols to ensure all vendors adhere to its rigorous global ethics and compliance standards, including a zero-tolerance policy for child labor, as per the report.

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Labor Department records show that in fiscal year 2024, 4,030 children were found working in violation of child labor laws across various industries, nearly half of them in hazardous conditions.

The situation at the Aurora facility is not an isolated case. Similar allegations have emerged across the food and agriculture industries.

Last month, a sanitation contractor in Sioux City, Iowa, was fined for employing children to perform dangerous cleaning tasks at a pork processing plant.

The children reportedly handled corrosive chemicals and hazardous machinery during overnight shifts.

In Massachusetts, a federal lawsuit filed in September accused a seafood processing plant of forcing immigrant teenagers to work perilous overnight shifts. Advocacy groups and labor experts have highlighted how such practices persist despite public outrage and legal action.

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Reid Maki, Director of Child Labor Advocacy for the National Consumers League, criticized the pervasive nature of child labor violations in the U.S. and called for increased funding for the Labor Department to enhance enforcement.

The fallout from this has raised questions about HelloFreshs oversight of its supply chain and vendor relationships.

With consumer trust at stake and regulatory investigations underway, the company faces challenges in addressing these allegations and restoring its reputation in a highly competitive market.

The issue has also reignited calls for stricter labor regulations and corporate accountability in industries that rely heavily on migrant labor, particularly amid rising reports of underage workers in hazardous roles.

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Flowers of hemp plants that contain less that 0.3 percent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) the primary psychoactive substance in marijuana, to be used for student instruction at the Cleveland School of Cannabis, October 30, 2023, in Independence, Ohio. (Photo by Graham Stokes for Ohio Capital Journal. Republish photo only with original article.)

Workers in the hemp industry spoke out against a bill that would ban intoxicating hemp products in Ohio, effectively putting them out of business. These are known as delta-8 THC products that are often sold at smoke shops and corner stores.

Those who spoke out against Senate Bill 326 during last weeks Senate Government Committee Meeting called for regulations, not a ban on sales  arguing that would cause the black market to flourish.

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Strict bans will only support illicit sales of these products, with no enforceable safety or age requirements, which does nothing to address the issues legislators have cited as the need for new hemp legislation, said Jonathan Miller, general counsel for the U.S. Hemp Roundtable.

Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has been asking lawmakers to regulate or ban delta-8 THC products and State Sen. Steve Huffman, R-Tipp City, introduced S.B. 326 last month.

Twenty-five people submitted opponent testimony on S.B. 326 last week and nearly 20 people submitted proponent testimony on the bill last month.

Marijuana is legal in Ohio and is not considered an intoxicating hemp product. The 2018 Farm Bill says hemp can be grown legally if it contains less than 0.3% THC.

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Senate Bill 326 aims to make illegal an industry made up of thousands of small businesses but in fact it will simply strengthen the black market, said JD McCormick, president of the American Healthy Alternatives Association.

Several Ohioans have turned to hemp as an alternative to opioid pain prescriptions, he said.

A 2023 economic impact report on the United States cannabinoid industry indicates that Ohios hemp-derived cannabinoid market is responsible for $704,782,000.00 in revenue, he said. It also estimates the hemp-derived product industry provides 8,157 jobs with $327,448,000.00 in wages for the employees of the industry, and approximately $40,524,970.00 in annual sales tax receipts.

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Mo Dayem owns six smoke shops across the state that sells hemp products.

S.B. 326 bill would jeopardize my business and my employees, he said. I assure you that the industry is in support of reasonable regulations. We want the responsible businesses to continue to operate and ensure there are not bad actors, and unsafe products, in the market.

The hemp industry supports banning sales to people under 21, testing products, labeling requirements, and restrictions, Dayem said.

Some products that have garnered media attention are packaged like known childrens candy brands, he said. This should be prohibited, and the industry agrees they should be off the market.

Delta-8 products purchased from a gas station. (Photo by Megan Henry, Ohio Capital Journal).

Doug Strahm owns two CBD stores  Happy Harvest Delaware and Happy Harvest Marion  and he said this bill would destroy his business.

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My familys financial stability and well-being, as well as the jobs of our employees, are all tied to this industry, he said.

About 80% of their sales come from delta products, which they only sell to customers 21 and older.

The median age of our customers is actually around 45 years old, Strahm said.

Jaimee Courtney owns a CBD store in Bellefontaine where most of their customers are over 55.

These are responsible adults seeking relief and wellness without the intoxicating effects of marijuana, she said.

Courtney shared the story of a 90-year-old customer who says taking CBD gummies has helped her stop having seizures.

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I think this ban would hurt people more than it would actually help, she said.

Lawmakers are trying to get their bills passed before the current General Assembly comes to a close at the end of the month, meaning any bills that dont pass will die and would have to be reintroduced in the next General Assembly, which starts in January.

Follow OCJ Reporter Megan Henry on X.

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TEXARKANA, Texas (KETK)  Three Texarkana police officers are being recognized for their heroic efforts after they entered a house fire to rescue a resident with disabilities.

185-year-old Marshall church destroyed in fire

According to the Texarkana Police Department, Officers Kevin Buck, Kevin Cornelius, and Ty Ford responded to a fire at around 12:30 a.m. on Saturday at Knotty Pine Drive.

When they got there, they were told that a special needs resident was trapped in a bedroom at the back of the house and was unable to get out of bed, Texarkana PD said.

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Although the fire department was on its way, the police officers said they saw smoke was filling the home entered.

East Texas stands with Terrell PD after officer fatally shot

Courtesy of the Texarkana Police Department.

Courtesy of the Texarkana Police Department.

Texarkana PD said the officers were able to get the resident out through a window and they were all treated for minor smoke inhalation.

I am so proud of the heroism of these three officers and them putting service above self. Their quick thinking and selfless actions saved this persons life, Chief Kevin Schutte said.

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Hillsborough deputies fatally shot a man who aimed a gun at them after an apparent suicide attempt on Saturday, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office.

Dispatchers received a 911 call shortly after 11 p.m. from a woman who said her husband, Anthony Dadante, 67, closed himself inside their bathroom and wanted to die by suicide.

Deputies were sent to their home in the 10000 block of Courtney Palm Boulevard, in the Courtney Palms condo complex near the junction of U.S. 301 and the Selmon Expressway, and the woman reported hearing a gunshot while they were on the way, Chief Deputy Joseph Maurer said in a statement released by the sheriffs office.

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When deputies arrived, the woman said Dadante was still inside the bathroom. Deputies entered and found him alive in the bathtub with the shower curtain drawn halfway, Maurer said.

When Deputy Jose Rodriguez pulled back the curtain, he saw Dadante was armed and had blood on his chest.

Both Rodriguez and Deputy Jenna Roberts asked Dadante to drop the gun several times, according to body camera footage released by the agency.

Dadante pointed the gun at Rodriguez, and both deputies shot Dadante multiple times, killing him, Maurer said.

Investigators said Dadante did not have a criminal history and records showed there had been no prior 911 calls at the address.

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Rodriguez, 29, has been with the agency since March 2022. Roberts, also 29, started with the department in September 2017.

Neither deputy has been involved in a prior use of force with the sheriffs office, Maurer said.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is investigating the shooting.

Sheriff Chad Chronister said in a statement that deputies made the right decision in opening fire.

What began as a response to a potential suicide changed into a life-threatening confrontation that no deputy ever wants to face, Chronister said. Our deputies had to make a tough decision in an instant, and it was the right one.

Need help?

If you or someone you know is contemplating suicide, reach out to the 24hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255; contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741; or chat with someone online at suicidepreventionlifeline.org. The Crisis Center of Tampa Bay can be reached by dialing 211 or by visiting crisiscenter.com.
John Kirby, White House National Security Communications Advisor, joins Andrea Mitchell Reports to discuss the fall of Bashar al-Assads regime in Syria, highlighting the profound implications for regional stability. Kirby explains that such a shift could weaken Syrias alignment with Iran, helping the United States strategic interests while also offering hope for a more stable future for the Syrian population.
Jeff Bezos and Donald Trump have quarreled at times over the years. AP / Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

Jeff Bezos and Donald Trump have been at odds over the years.

However, Bezos says Trump has "probably grown in the last 8 years" and he'd like to help him in "reducing regulation."

The two men recently had dinner at Mar-a-Lago.

A dinner between Donald Trump and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos is the latest development in their history, which has seen both men criticize each other publicly.

Bezos has spoken out against Donald Trump in the past  and vice versa. However, Bezos has changed his tune on the president-elect, saying he is feeling optimistic now about Trump's return to the Oval Office.

Speaking at The New York Times' DealBook Summit earlier this month, Bezos said he's "actually very optimistic" about another Trump term.

"What I've seen so far is he is calmer than he was the first time and more settled," he said. "You've probably grown in the last eight years. He has too."

Bezos said he's also encouraged by Trump's deregulation aims, which include his newly created Department of Government Efficiency, headed by Vivek Ramaswamy and Elon Musk, a Trump ally and major donor to his campaign.

"He seems to have a lot of energy around reducing regulation. If I can help do that, I'm going to help him," Bezos said.

Bezos, alongside fiancee Lauren Sanchez, recently met with Trump at Mar-a-Lago for dinner, joined by Musk.

The billionaire Amazon founder and Trump have been contentious at times. In 2016, Bezos said Trump's wish to lock up Hillary Clinton or refuse to accept a loss in that election "erodes our democracy around the edges."

"One of the things that makes this country as amazing as it is, we are allowed to criticize and scrutinize our elected leaders," Bezos said at the time.

"An appropriate thing for a presidential candidate to do is say, 'I am running for the highest office in the world, please scrutinize me,'" he continued. "That's not what we've seen. To try and chill the media and threaten retribution and retaliation, which is what he's done in a number of cases, it just isn't appropriate."

Following Trump's election that year, Bezos was one of several tech leaders who met with the president-elect in a summit Bezos later described as "very productive." Introducing himself in the meeting, Bezos added that he was "super excited about the possibilities this could be the innovation administration."

Trump and Amazon
CHENGDU, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- In celebration of the Qiang New Year festival's inscription on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage list on Dec. 5, young people from the ancient city of Qiang in Maoxian County, dressed in traditional attire, gathered to perform a vibrant Qiang Salang dance, delighting visitors.

The Qiang people, one of China's oldest ethnic groups, are often regarded as a "living fossil" in the evolutionary history of the Chinese nation. Southwest China's Sichuan Province is home to the country's only Qiang ethnic enclave, where approximately 300,000 Qiang people primarily reside in the Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, and Beichuan Qiang Autonomous County in Mianyang City.

Every year, on the first day of the 10th lunar month, the Qiang people celebrate their most significant traditional festival -- the Qiang New Year. Centered around themes of worshiping heaven and expressing gratitude, they hold ceremonies during the festival to honor the gods, drive away evil, express gratitude for the harvest, and pray for blessings.

The Qiang people are renowned for their talent in singing and dancing, exemplified by the Salang dance, a distinctive circle dance whose name means "sing and dance" in the Qiang language.

"We perform every day, hoping to showcase the authentic charm of our traditions so visitors can experience our warmth and hospitality," said a local Qiang performer in Maoxian County. "We aim to make the ancient Qiang city a window for the world to learn about the Qiang New Year and Qiang culture."

Maoxian County, the largest Qiang enclave in China, is home to 74-year-old Yu Youchen, who has devoted over 20 years to preserving the Qiang New Year tradition. As a provincial-level inheritor of this intangible cultural heritage, Yu has trained three apprentices and gained local recognition for his skillful portrayal of the "Shibi," a key figure in the Qiang New Year celebrations.

"The Qiang New Year celebrations incorporate cultural elements such as Qiang customs, traditions, and dances, providing valuable insights for studying the history and culture of the Qiang people," said Yu, noting that he plans to further refine and pass on the techniques of Shibi performance.

The 8.0-magnitude Wenchuan earthquake in 2008 not only caused the collapse of many Qiang villages and left the community without shelter, but also claimed the lives of key cultural inheritors and ritual hosts of the Qiang New Year. The disaster further destroyed event venues, ceremonial artifacts and historical records, severely impacting the preservation of Qiang culture and the celebration of Qiang New Year.

Also, the declining use of the Qiang language among younger generations has further endangered traditional cultural expressions, with the intergenerational transmission of the Shibi role facing critical challenges. As a result, the survival of the Qiang New Year is at serious risk, making its preservation an urgent priority, according to Geng Jing, director of the Sichuan provincial institute of ethnic studies.

"To safeguard Qiang culture after the earthquake, governments and cultural departments at all levels in China have implemented a series of rescue and reconstruction measures," said Li Jin, a professor at Sichuan University.

A national Qiang cultural ecological protection zone was established, prioritizing the preservation of Qiang culture. Through joint efforts, Qiang New Year was also included in 2009 by UNESCO in the List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding.

Local communities are now actively encouraged to celebrate the Qiang New Year in accordance with traditional timelines and rituals, preserving the authenticity of the customs. The festival has also been designated a public holiday in Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture and Mianyang City, allowing Qiang people the time to joyfully celebrate their heritage.

"Now that the endangered status of Qiang New Year has been alleviated, our goal is to transform it into a platform for the Qiang people to strengthen emotional bonds and convey cultural values," said Li, adding that future efforts will focus on systematic protection, holistic preservation and authentic safeguarding. 
GRANBY, Mo.  For some, New Years is celebrated at the end of the year.

However, one local Hmong community started the celebration on Saturday.

The 20th annual Hmong New Years celebration kicked off at the Granby Intermediate School.

The Hmong New Year holiday starts at the end of the harvest season.

Hundreds of Hmong-Americans came out to celebrate in traditional and modern Hmong clothes.

The event had dance performances and fashion shows showing off generations of the Hmong style.

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Also part of the celebration is the tradition of finding a significant other at the event.

There was also a special guest appearance from the youngest son to General Vang Pao.

It means a great deal for everyone, but for me to personally, be here in Granby, Missouri to participate, it is meaningful for me too, said Chi Neng Vang, youngest son to General Vang Pao.

Just to see how many people are here and everyone coming together for this one day, I mean theres been moments Im like I wanted to break down in tears and Im going to break down here  because all the hard work that put in to put today together  means a lot, said Kelly Lee, Southwest Missouri Hmong Association board president.

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Hmong New Year is actually November 30, which was when the harvest season ended.

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A festive evening turned chaotic at Palm Springs' beloved Festival of Lights Parade when a police traffic officer lost control of his motorcycle, injuring multiple spectators, including a child and two seniors.



As reported by The Desert Sun, the incident occurred around 6 p.m. Saturday near 288 North Palm Canyon Drive, bringing the 32nd annual holiday parade to a temporary halt. "We did see him pop a wheelie, and all of a sudden, he went sideways," recalled witness Veronica Ortiz, describing how the motorcycle "went straight into the crowd."



Another spectator from Riverside noted the officer appeared to be traveling between 25 to 35 miles per hour before the crash. "There are kids running around... to my eyes, they were going recklessly fast," the witness observed.

A joyous holiday celebration took a troubling turn when a police motorcycle lost control, injuring a child and two seniors during the 32nd annual Festival of Lights Parade in Palm Springs. Officials confirmed all injuries were non-life-threatening, and the parade resumed shortly after.Credit: X/republican42 /TMX

Palm Springs Police Chief Andy Mills addressed the incident with contrition. "I feel terrible about the accident and injuries to the very people we protect," Mills wrote on Facebook. "After we conduct our investigations, I will report back to the community."



The California Highway Patrol has taken charge of the investigation, with city officials requesting that witnesses submit any video or images to PSCityGovernmentMedia@palmspringsca.gov.



While the crash temporarily paused the festivities, the paradewhich typically draws between 80,000 and 100,000 spectatorseventually resumed. Police spokesperson Gustavo Araiza confirmed that while one child sustained minor to moderate injuries and two seniors were among those hurt, none of the injuries were life-threatening. All injured parties received treatment at local hospitals.

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Dec. 8Local nonprofit housing developer Homewise Inc. will be the master developer of the long-awaited Phase 3 of the Tierra Contenta residential community in southwestern Santa Fe, a project that could include up to 1,500 new homes  many of them to be rented or sold at below-market rates considered affordable.

"We're just all really excited about it because 1,500 housing units does not solve the whole housing problem by any means, but it's a really significant heft," Homewise Executive Director Mike Loftin said. "It's a big deal."

Homewise recently purchased a 216-acre tract of land from Tierra Contenta Corp. for about $3.2 million. Of that, $2.3 million will go to the city of Santa Fe, which originally purchased the property for the subdivision in the early 1990s and then sold it to the corporation. The remaining $900,000 will go to Tierra Contenta Corp. as seed money for its new venture as a community development corporation focused on improving residents' quality of life.

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Tierra Contenta Corp. announced the deal with Homewise in a news release last week, stating the project will include a school site and a public park.

Under the agreement, Homewise will develop the spine infrastructure for the third and final phase of the community  which includes an extension of Paseo del Sol, construction of a loop road and installation of utilities. Homewise also will sell tracts of land to other local homebuilders, including housing nonprofits such as Habitat for Humanity and The Housing Trust, and will build some of its own units.

More than 2,000 homes, most between Airport Road and Jaguar Drive, already have been built in the subdivision, which began over 30 years ago. The city purchased the land for the project in 1992 after former landowner Bellamah Community Development went bankrupt and then sold it to Tierra Contenta Corp., according to previous reports in The New Mexican. The corporation served as the master developer for the first two phases, but development of the Phase 2 lots slowed when the Great Recession of 2008 caused a housing market crash.

At least 40% of the housing units in each phase of the subdivision's development must meet the city's affordable housing criteria, "a standard set by TCC since the community's inception," Tierra Contenta Corp. said in the news release last week.

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Phase 3 has been years in the making, with Tierra Contenta Corp. holding public meetings five years ago to present its plans and gather input.

Lisa Gavioli, who is serving as Tierra Contenta Corp.'s administrator through a contract with the firm NV5 Inc., said Homewise reached out to the organization with interest in the property several years ago, and they agreed Homewise "was best suited" to serve as master developer.

Tierra Contenta Corp., meanwhile, will invest profits from the property sale back into the community, Gavioli said. Instead of serving as developer, the corporation will partner with other organizations that serve the city's south side, with a goal of improving programs and services.

"The board of directors is really excited about this new chapter," she said.

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She added Tierra Contenta Corp. has been working with the city on a grant-funded initiative to design infrastructure for Phase 3.

Homewise is working to raise funds for infrastructure construction, which Loftin said could include capital outlay from the upcoming session of the state Legislature. He described public funding as "essential" to meeting the 40% affordability requirement due to the high infrastructure costs.

"The numbers don't work if it's all debt and has to be repaid with interest," he said.

After financing is secured, he added, the next step will be to go to bid for the infrastructure work.

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"We want to hit the ground running," Loftin said.

Building a supply of 'missing middle' housing

The project will emulate older neighborhoods in Santa Fe, such as South Capitol, which has a variety of housing types, and Casa Solana, where duplexes are mixed in with single-family homes, Loftin said.

The units  between 1,175 and 1,500, depending on housing density  will include a mix of rental properties and homes for purchase, he added.

"Not everyone needs a single-family home with a yard and a garage, but on the other hand, people with kids and dogs want a fenced-in yard for a good reason," Loftin said. "So, we think we can create a better mix, a more diverse mix of housing that meets the needs of people more effectively than doing the same old cookie-cutter stuff."

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Gavioli said the focus will be medium-density, "missing middle" types of housing, which Tierra Contenta Corp. described in its news release as "duplexes, triplexes, and casita courts."

A city-commissioned study found Santa Fe could benefit from a diversity of housing types, Gavioli said, noting single-family homes and apartments "really can't fully address the full range of housing needs out there."

"There are a variety of housing types that have basically fallen out of the market in the last 50 years because of the way that housing is financed," she said.

Homewise will establish an architectural review committee to ensure the development adheres to design standards set by Tierra Contenta Corp. that focus on "sustainability, pedestrian-friendly streetscapes, and diverse housing options," according to the corporation's news release. The city will have final development review authority.

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The design standards will include incentives for the creation of these missing-middle housing styles: Developers who build more affordable or more environmentally sustainable units or unique types of housing will be able to build more densely.

Homewise was interested in moving forward with the final phase of Tierra Contenta, Loftin said, because it seemed like "low-hanging fruit" in terms of trying to boost the city's supply of affordable housing, the lack of which has been described by many city leaders as Santa Fe's No. 1 problem.

"It not only gets housing built that we desperately need, it's good for local builders and developers," Loftin said. "And we're excited about that because the bottom line is, after the Great Recession ... we've never gotten back to building the homes that we need."
ALEXANDRIA, Va. (DC News Now)  A go-to for readers in Old Town said it would be closing after nearly 17 years in business.

Hooray for Books!, located at 1555 King St., posted a message to its customers on its website that explained the business landlord was not extending the bookstores lease and planned to remodel the space for the landlords use.

Hooray for Books! will not be sold or relocating  its time to conclude our story, the announcement read.

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Fire forces DMVs first romance bookstore in Alexandria to close days after grand opening; other businesses affected

The shop, which began as a specialty childrens bookstore and expanded to adult and young adult literature, said it would be open through the end of 2024, with some closures due to Christmas. As of Jan. 1, 2025, it would be closed.

Hooray for Books! provided guidance for people about speical orders, gift certificates, store credit, and more.

The team there stated: Were thankful for the support and love weve received from loyal customers and bookish friends during our nearly 17 years in business. Youve helped us survive the Great Recession, multiple flash floods, and the COVID Pandemic. Endings are hard to write, but nows the time to do just that.

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A new House bill would ban health insurers from imposing arbitrary time limits on patients under anesthesia  days after Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield only backed off the move amid outcry.

We cannot trust insurers to do right by doctors and patients out of the kindness of their hearts, Rep. Ritchie Torres (D-Bronx), who is sponsoring the bill, told The Post.

There is a need for legislation that prevents any insurer anywhere in America from micromanaging the length of anesthesia care in a medically necessary surgery, Torres said. The purpose of medicine should be to prevent pain, rather than cause it through the denial of anesthesia.

Bronx Rep. Ritchie Torres is sponsoring a bill that would ban health insurers from putting time limits on coverage for patients under anesthesia during surgeries. Matthew McDermott

The bill comes after Anthem Blue Cross Shield backed off an attempt at putting limites on anesthesia. Getty Images

The congressmans Anesthesia for All Act would prohibit health insurers from determining how long a person can stay under anesthesia, threatening to withhold reimbursement if they go beyond it.

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Anesthesia keeps patients from feeling pain during surgery or other procedures through heavy sedation or being temporarily put to sleep.

The proposed law would ensure reimbursement for costs is based on medical necessity as determined by the attending anesthesiologist and prohibit insurers from denying payment solely because the length of surgery or care exceeds their pre-set limit.

The furor over Anthem Blue Cross Shields aborted cap erupted about the same time that UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down and killed in front of the Hilton hotel last week.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in Manhattan last week. Linkedin / Brian Thompson

Security footage of the suspect murdering Thompson. Obtained by NY Post

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Authorties have said Thompson may have been murdered by a disgruntled customer  and the Internet promptly blew up with people noting how many patients have been treated poorly by the behemoth medical industry.

Torres, 36, is considering a run for governor in 2026 and has not ruled running for mayor.

Gov. Kathy Hochul had slammed Anthem for its proposed policy shift, too, and the companys reversal came after her office contacted the insurer, she said.

The person who killed Thompson is still on the loose. DCPI

I shared my outrage at a plan from Anthem to strip away coverage from New Yorkers who had to go under anesthesia for surgery. We pushed Anthem to reverse course and today they will be announcing a full reversal of this misguided policy, the governor said on X last week.

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Dont mess with the health and well-being of New Yorkers  not on my watch.

In recent weeks, Torres has publicly criticized fellow Democrat Hochul as the new Joe Biden who could lose to a Republican if she seeks re-election.

Gov. Kathy Hochul blasted Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield after its policy was announced. Matthew McDermott

He has said both the city and state are poorly governed and that New York regulations make it impossible to do business.

Torres last month also slammed the administrations of Adams and Hochul and New York city and state lawmakers as complicit in the murders of three innocent people by serial stabber Ramon Rivera during a citywide rampage. He said city and state policies and laws allowed the crazed deadly Rivera to slip through the cracks and go on a killing spree.

The congressman has moderated from lefty positions he held earlier in his political career about illegal immigration/border security and policing. For example, Torres disavowed defunding the police nearly three years ago  well before eyeing a run for governor.
Haitis crisis has reached catastrophic levels and the country urgently needs a full-fledged United Nations mission to stem the intensifying violence being carried out by heavily armed allied criminal groups that have been launching coordinated attacks on the population and against key infrastructure, Human Rights Watch says.

The watchdog group, which has approached such a deployment with caution in the past given Haitis history of failed U.N. interventions, is now adding its voice to those looking to the U.N. to provide a solution to the escalating gang violence rapidly spreading hunger and fear as Haitians continue to wade through a new crisis: Days of torrential rain last week triggered flooding and mudslides in communities in the north and south of the country, where many had fled to escape the gangs in Port-au-Prince.

With more than 700,000 already internally displaced by gangs, U.N. humanitarian agencies last week warned that the natural disaster was adding to an already dire reality as millions across the country struggle daily to find adequate food, water and healthcare in the face of closed hospitals and cut off roads.

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The Haitian people have endured so much and waited so long for a meaningful international response to the crisis, said Ida Sawyer, crisis, conflict and arms director at Human Rights Watch. The U.N. has the opportunity now to get it right by authorizing a strong new human rights-compliant U.N. mission and mobilizing the necessary resources so it can effectively work with the Haitian people to restore security, ensure access to basic necessities, and address the root causes of instability.

Haiti is grappling with not just a security crisis but a profound constitutional crisis. Its last presidential election was held in 2016 and despite pressure from the U.S. and others to lay the ground work for new elections, armed gangs continue to pose a major threat. In a briefing paper on the security situation in Haiti, Human Rights Watch said the Haiti National Police, the armed Multinational Security Support Mission and a transitional government, put in place in March with the support of the United States, Caribbean Community and others  have all failed to deliver.

The police are under-equipped and understaffed, while many officers are implicated in serious human rights abuses or have links to criminal groups, the report said. Furthermore, the transitional government, which last month installed a new prime minister, Alix Didier Fils-Aime, after sacking longtime U.N. civil servant Garry Conille after less than six months in office, has fallen short in taking meaningful steps to restore the rule of law, root out corruption, or plan for the organization of credible elections.

The Kenya-led Multinational Security Support, MSS, mission, which had offered hope as it deployed in late June, has also proven ineffective against the gangs, Human Rights Watch. It cited governments failure to provide the mission, which also draws security personnel from Jamaica, Belize and The Bahamas, with enough resources to make it fully operational.

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Haitians say that the fear of attacks by criminal groups has taken over their daily lives, and millions struggle to find food, water, and health care, Sawyer said. A new, full-fledged U.N. mission that respects rights and builds on the initial UN efforts could provide the Haitian people a genuine opportunity to reconstruct their lives with hope and dignity.

The United States has so far been the largest contributor to the Kenya-led mission, providing more than $300 million in funding, armored vehicles, a base of operations and other support. But it has not been enough. A U.N. Trust Fund has only amassed $97.4 million, further hampering its ability to be effective or fully operational.

Last week, Kenya Force Commander Godfrey Otunge refuted claims in a report by the news agency Reuters that a delay in pay for Kenyan troops and poor working conditions in Haiti had led to the resignation of 20 police officers in the mission. Otunge said officers remain highly motivated and fully committed to supporting the Haitian national police in conducting operations and called the information on members resignation inaccurate and malicious.

Still, the missions funding and resource have been well documented challenges, and had led to the mission remaining in its pre-deployment phase with just 416 of the 2,500-strong security personnel it supposed to have. This has led to the Biden administration pushing for its transformation into an official U.N. peacekeeping mission. The proposal has the support of many countries in Latin America, as well as the endorsement of the 15-member Caribbean Community known as CARICOM.

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China and Russia, which are permanent members of the Security Council and have veto power, have balked at the idea. During a recent U.N. Security Council debate on Haiti their representatives argued there is no peace to keep in Haiti and cited the present chaotic situation in Haiti as well as the past failings of U.N. interventions.

Nevertheless, the nations, which have veto power and have yet to contribute to the MSSs funding, did allow the Security Council to ask U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to present recommendations for the role the U.N. could play in addressing the security crisis as well as humanitarian, and economic situation in Haiti, if the MSS were to become a full U.N. peacekeeping mission.

The letter dated on November 29 and obtained by the Miami Herald, requests that Guterres provides a comprehensive assessment of the current Haiti context and information on the ongoing U.N. and international efforts along with strategic-level recommendations within the next 60 to 90 days.

Guterres, Human Rights Watch said, should offer clear and comprehensive recommendations for the swift transformation of the MSS into a mission that advances human rights and accountability to promote security and the rule of law in Haiti.

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In a briefing paper, Human Rights Watch has also offered guidance on what a newly re-envisioned U.N. mission in Haiti should look like. The groups recommendations dont differ that much from the current criteria of the MSS, which requires U.S. vetting of all security personnel and adherence to international human rights standards. However, Human Rights Watch does expand on the current mandate, which is supposed to include protecting key infrastructure from gang attacks as well as the population from imminent threats of physical violence.

Among the recommendations being put forward by Human Rights Watch, which agrees it should be a police-led operation:

 Human rights monitors and public reporting on rights abuses, including by criminal groups, Haitian security forces and U.N. mission members should be part of the mission. Childrens rights, the prevention of sexual violence, and the protection of populations living in areas under the control of criminal groups, should be a key focus.

 Special considerations for children, and conditions should be created to allow them to safely surrender.

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 Intelligence support from the U.N. security mission to the Haitian authorities as they seek to investigate, arrest and appropriately prosecute abusive leaders of criminal groups and those backing these groups, as well as other individuals responsible for serious crimes.

 An independent board should be created to ensure accountability. Members should include Haitian civil society and community-based groups tasked with monitoring and reporting on the international forces conduct and performance. This should be known to the Haitian public and accessible with an independent complaints procedures for the public; an independent investigation branch with a gender perspective; and procedures to share evidence with other countries judicial systems to better ensure accountability in the countries of origin of forces responsible for violations of international norms and U.N. codes of conduct.

 Specialized programs to encourage and support people associated with violent criminal groups who choose to leave the groups, with special attention paid to trauma-informed support for children associated with such groups.

A new mission should be viewed as an opportunity to address past failures, advance reparations for abuses committed during past international interventions, and ensure mechanisms are in place to promote accountability to rebuild public trust, Human Rights Watch said, while advocating for regular consultations from Haitian stakeholders.

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The dire situation in Haiti has been compounded by a fresh round of attacks by criminal groups that have been gaining ground in Port-au-Prince and other neighboring communities for months. The violence is fueling deeper despair as the number of children recruited into gangs skyrocket, and women and girls continue to be subjected to horrific sexual violence.

Already this year, armed groups have killed at least 4,544 people while 4,000 women and girls reported being sexual violated, including gang raped, according to the U.N.

The intensifying violence has forced the departure or relocation of international aid workers; the internal displacement of an additional 50,000 people and a disruption to U.S. commercial and cargo air travel after an attack on three U.S. airlines prompted a ban from the Federal Aviation Administration.

Over the weekend, as human rights workers and police were investigating reports of a new gang massacre in Port-au-Prince, American Airlines confirmed the indefinite suspension of its daily service between Miami and Port-au-Princes International Airport, dealing another blow to the country.

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Haitians, the group said, are calling for a strong international response to help restore basic security, but they also stress the need to avoid the failings of past interventions and for it to be part of a comprehensive response that also addresses the root causes of Haitis instability.

A U.N. mission could provide increased resources, expertise, and international coordination to strengthen judicial and security institutions, while ensuring a human rights-based approach, Lionel Bourgoin, the Port-au-Prince government commissioner, is quoted as telling Human Rights Watch. He, however, underscored that transparency and consultation with civil society actors, judicial authorities, and affected local populations must be at the heart of the process to ensure its effectiveness and legitimacy.
ODESSA, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)  The Humane Society of Odessa said it could close its doors in 9-10 months if there is no increase in funds. The shelter is at full capacity, and relies on donations for its day-to-day needs.

The Humane Society posted a GoFundMe on their Facebook, saying The Humane Society of Odessa is a nonprofit, no-kill pet rescue and adoption shelter in Odessa, TX. We currently house over 360 pets that were rescued. These pets need safe homes to go to. We operate solely upon donations and adoption fees. Unfortunately, both have slowed to a point where we face closing our doors in 9-10 months. Donations are desperately needed right now to continue our mission.

To donate to the GoFundMe, click here.

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Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan speaks at the 15th Ambassadors Conference in Ankara, Turkiye, on Dec. 9, 2024. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

ANKARA/ISTANBUL, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Turkiye will make efforts for the safe return of the Syrian refugees residing in the country back home, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Monday.

"We will do everything in our power to ensure their safe and dignified return," Fidan said when addressing the 15th Ambassadors Conference in the capital Ankara.

The foreign minister added that Turkiye is ready to support and coordinate efforts with all stakeholders to secure Syria's territorial integrity and stability.

Also on Monday, Istanbul-based Hurriyet Daily News reported that Syrian refugees eager to return home formed a long line at Turkiye's border gate with Syria in the Reyhanli district of southeastern Turkiye's Hatay province to complete customs procedures.

To prevent congestion at the border gate, gendarmerie teams set up an additional checkpoint about 5 km from the border, the report said.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 3.5 million Syrians have come to Turkiye. 

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan (at the podium) speaks at the 15th Ambassadors Conference in Ankara, Turkiye, on Dec. 9, 2024. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)
An Ohio commission approved hundreds of acres in a state park for fracking at its meeting on Monday.

The Oil and Gas Land Management Commission approved a nomination for two parcels in Salt Fork State Park, northeast of Cambridge. The commission previously delayed voting on the approval in October.

Theresa White, the chief operating officer of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, had said the commission needed more time to review the public comments submitted for the nomination. All but three commenters were opposed to fracking in the park, according to reporting from Cleveland.com.

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The commission also selected bids for fracking in Egypt Valley Wildlife Area in Belmont County and a property along a state road in Monroe County.

The meeting was punctuated with exclamations and mocking from protestors gathered to oppose fracking on public land.

"We should all be outraged, because our state is actively industrializing pristine public owned lands, which will destroy tree plant, animal, fish and bird populations. It will accelerate global warming and actively permit the destruction of a natural resource. We cannot live without our fresh water," Melinda Zemper, a member of the Save Ohio Parks organization said.

Save Ohio Parks was joined by students from the Sunrise Movement at Ohio University. Maeve Fellerhoff said they drove from Athens during finals week to protest at the meeting. She said she's trying to fight for a "practical future."

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"Most of us, have lived in Ohio our whole lives. We care a great deal about our public lands. We've grown up in our public lands, and being a campus rooted in Appalachia, we've seen how these extractive industries can damage the land, the water, the people, and it's boom and bust economy," Fellerhoff said.

The commission delayed voting on fracking in Leesville Wildlife Area in Carroll County and property along a state road in Belmont County.

Erin Glynn is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio approves hundreds of acres in state park for fracking
Hundreds of airmen and more than a dozen bombers are temporarily relocating Air Force bases beginning this month, the service announced Dec. 2.

Eight hundred service members and 17 B-1B Lancers will move from Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota, to Grand Forks Air Force Base, North Dakota, for the next 10 months as Ellsworth undergoes runway construction to prepare for the arrival of the new B-21 Raider.

This project illustrates the U.S. Air Forces commitment to our nations newest long-range strike bomber and to the surrounding community, said Col. Derek Oakley, 28th BW commander, in a release.

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Ellsworth will be the first home of the bomber, which is projected to arrive in the mid-2020s.

The first of the 17 B-1Bs scheduled to temporarily relocate to Grand Forks touched down Thursday, according to the Air Force. The rest of the planes are set to arrive in North Dakota early next year. Maintenance crews at Grand Forks will inspect and repair the B-1B fleet to ensure its safe for flight. Larger maintenance work will take place at the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.

Ellsworth AFB moves B-1 bombers to Texas amid crash probe

The Grand Forks Air Force base houses the 319th Reconnaissance Wing, which operate the RQ-4B Global Hawk, an unmanned surveillance aircraft.

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Theres no doubt integrating the B-1 community into our Grand Forks Unmanned Aerial System ecosystem will pay dividends for everyone involved, said Col. Tim Monroe, 319th Reconnaissance Wing commander, in a release. This temporary relocation is the vanguard of Air Force integration, readiness, and agile combat employment, and epitomizes the mantra of One Team, One Fight.

The move to Grand Forks marks the second time B-1Bs from Ellsworth have temporarily relocated in a year. B-1Bs from the South Dakota base temporarily relocated in January to Dyess Air Force Base, Texas, after a nonfatal Lancer crash on the Ellsworth runway. Roughly 250 personnel from the base made the pilgrimage to the Lone Star State for several weeks.
CILVEGOZU BORDER CROSSING, Turkey (AP)  Hundreds of Syrian refugees gathered at two border crossings in southern Turkey on Monday, eagerly anticipating their return home following the fall of Bashar Assads government.

Many arrived at the Cilvegozu and Oncupinar gates at daybreak, draped in blankets and coats. Some camped by the barriers, warming at makeshift fires. The crossings correspond to the Bab al-Hawa and Bab al-Salameh gates on the Syrian side.

Among those waiting at Cilvegozu was 28-year-old Muhammed Zin, who fled Damascus in 2016 and has been living and working in Istanbul.

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Assad was shooting us, killing us, he told The Associated Press. I will return to Syria now. Thank God, the war is over.

Assads fall has sparked widespread joy among Turkeys 3 million Syrian refugees, with many taking to the streets of Istanbul and other cities to celebrate. On Sunday, Syrians removed the governments flag from the Syrian Consulate in Istanbul, replacing it with the oppositions flag.

At the Oncupinar border gate, Mustafa Sultan, 29, said he was crossing into Syria to find his older brother who was imprisoned in Damascus under Assads rule.

I havent seen him for 13 years. The prisons have been emptied so I am going to go see whether hes alive, he said.

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Turkish officials have not said how many Syrians have returned since Assads downfall on Sunday. But Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the numbers would increase as Syria stabilizes, and announced plans to reopen a third border crossing to prevent congestion.

As Syria gains more stability, God willing, voluntary, safe and honorable returns will increase, Erdogan said in a televised address following a Cabinet meeting.

Turkey welcomed Syrian refugees with open arms in the early years of Syria's civil war that broke out in 2011  becoming host to the world's largest number of refugees. Ankara believed the conflict would end quickly and the influx would be temporary.

But as Turkey faced economic challenges, public opinion toward the refugees soured, forcing Erdogans government to seek ways to ensure their safe and voluntary repatriation.

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Turkish officials now hope that a significant number of Syrians will return voluntarily.

We will continue our efforts to ensure the safe and voluntary return of Syrians and to rebuild the country, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said Monday.

At Cilvegozu, some refugees wheeled their suitcases while others carried belongings in sacks. Authorities set up a checkpoint some 5 kilometers (3 miles) away, only allowing Syrians with proper documents to the border gate, HaberTurk television reported.

Zakariya Mori al-Shami, 31, who arrived in Turkey in 2019, was waiting to cross with his wife and two children to return to Aleppo. He hopes to rebuild his home, which was destroyed during the conflict.

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Anxious to rejoin his family in Damascus, Mohammed al Muhbuhar, 27, said he headed to the border immediately after Assad left.

There is no more torture. God willing, Syria will be better, he said.

Hundreds of displaced Syrians were also returning Monday from Lebanon.

Sami Abdel-Latif, a construction worker from Hama who hoped to join his wife and four children, said while the future in Syria is uncertain, anything is better than Bashar. He said he expected some chaos initially but that eventually the situation would settle down.

Look at Aleppo now, Abdel-Latif said, referring to the first major city taken by opposition forces more than a week ago, where life has continued more or less as normal.

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Malak Matar, who was preparing to return to Damascus, said: You feel yourself psychologically free  you can express yourself, saying people had waited 14 years for that.

Now, he said, Syrians have to create a state that is well-organized and takes care of their country. Its a new phase.

___

Guzel reported from the Oncupinar border crossing. Associated Press writers Suzan Fraser in Ankara, Turkey and Robert Badendieck in Istanbul contributed to this report.

___

Follow the APs Syria coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/syria
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. (WCIA)  Firefighter crews responded to reports of a fire at the Jacksonville Development Center on Sunday morning.

According to the Jacksonville Fire Department, the fire was called in around 10 a.m. and under control around noon.

IL OSFM announces fire station construction, rehabilitation grant

The Jacksonville Development Center has been empty and locked up for several years, and the fire department said theyll need to resecure it after the fire. They had to open up doors and windows to effectively extinguish the fire.

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Over the years, multiple fires have broken out in the building. Another fire broke out at the Jacksonville Development Center in August.

The fire is suspicious in nature because there is no electrical in the building. The fire department said the Illinois State Fire Marshal is investigating.

While the fire was burning, the Jacksonville/Morgan County Office of Emergency Management asked residents to avoid the area of Morton Avenue between Diamond and Main Street. Morton Avenue reopened around 1 p.m. on Sunday.

There were no injuries reported from the fire.

WCIA has reached out to the Fire Marshal and is waiting to hear back about the status of their investigation.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com.
ILLINOIS (WCIA)  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Illinois was in the top five states for most vehicle thefts in 2023. The Illinois State Police is offering tips to try and change that.

Vehicle fire extinguished in Coles Co.

There were over one million vehicle thefts reported in 2023. And, the ISP said that vehicle thefts can happen at any time, to anyone.

Read on below for tips to reduce your likelihood of becoming a victim:

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Be aware of your surroundings

Park in well lit areas

Lock your car and take your keys with you

Leave space in front of your vehicle to avoid being boxed in and so you can make a quick getaway if necessary

If another car hits you from behind, keep your doors locked and windows up. Signal to the other to driver to follow you to a populated area and call the police.

Dont leave your car unlocked, either running or unattended

Dont leave valuables in your car

Dont sit in your car while using your phone

ISP also said that if you are a victim of a carjacking, do not argue or fight back. They said to give up your car and possessions inside. And, to call 911 as soon as possible after the crime.

For more information on how to protect yourself from vehicle theft, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Starting this year, public libraries in Illinois had a choice: adopt principles against book banning or give up state grants.

A number of school districts, many of them in deeply conservative areas of south and central Illinois, appear to have taken the latter option. Administrators at some of those districts acknowledged being concerned about giving up any measure of control on what books are allowed on their schools library shelves.

Im sure there are certain politicians that want to score political points for themselves and maybe make an issue of it, said Keith Price, superintendent of the North Clay Community Unit 25 school district in southeast Illinois. But we feel strongly about our local decision-making here.

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The state library grants are not large  about $850 for small districts. No district that opted out of applying for funding this year received more than $4,000 in grant money during the last fiscal year, according to state records.

Dustin Foutch, superintendent at Central Community High School District 71 in downstate Breese, said his districts leadership didnt feel an $850 grant was worth giving up any independence in making decisions on books.

I think theres a concerted effort around the state of Illinois from a lot of school boards to kind of take back a little bit of control, Foutch said.

Book bans have been the subject of intense debate in recent years amid heightened political partisanship. Democrats on the state and national level say book bans often discriminate against the LGBTQ community and other marginalized groups, while Republicans have argued that some titles need to be out of the reach of children if they contain pornography or obscene imagery.

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Illinois library measure was pushed in early 2023 by Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias, whose office administers the library grants for elementary and high schools, colleges and universities and municipalities. The Democratic-controlled Illinois General Assembly passed the measure mostly along party lines before Gov. JB Pritzker signed it into law shortly thereafter.

The law allows the secretary of states office to withhold grant funding from municipal and school district libraries if they dont adopt the American Library Associations Library Bill of Rights, which holds that materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

The law also gives libraries the option of developing their own written statement prohibiting the practice of banning books or other materials within the library or library system.

Illinois law received national attention during a September 2023 U.S. Senate hearing, where Republican senators including Lindsey Graham of South Carolina questioned Giannoulias about the measures intent and the potential for government overreach.

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Am I supposed to take over every school board in the country and veto their decisions about what books go into public schools? Graham asked Giannoulias during the hearing.

Some 700 school districts statewide have regularly applied for state library grant funding in the last two years. Since the law took effect on Jan. 1, about 40 elementary and high school districts opted not to seek the funding from the secretary of states office for the current fiscal year after acquiring the grant money during the previous two years, according to state records obtained by the Tribune.

Foutch said he thinks its good for high school students to be exposed to diverse points of view, but he felt like the new law amounted to overreach from the state.

A lot of school boards are kind of a little averse to getting wrapped up in all the political division, he said.

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Prices district of about 550 students in rural Louisville also received $850 in library grants from the secretary of states office during each of the previous two fiscal years. Price said the district has a multimillion-dollar budget that covers teachers salaries, transportation and other costs, and the amount of money it would miss out on by not applying for the library grant could be made up through other funding sources.

When you look at a school library, its specifically catered toward children, Price said. I mean, I think its common sense, reasonable that a school would have authority over what kind of content is in those books, and if we learn of something thats inappropriate then a school should be able to remove those. And if the only consequence the state of Illinois has is were going to lose $850, then well take that hit.

Closer to Chicago, Joe Salmieri, superintendent of the Laraway Community Consolidated School District 70C in the Joliet area, said he didnt want to lose autonomy over his school or library policies by applying for a grant. But like Price and Foutch, he said he didnt know of any specific instances of parents or community members requesting books to be taken off shelves in their districts.

Salmieri said many books deemed controversial in recent years are not on the shelves of his elementary school districts libraries to begin with.

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I think they were requiring us to maybe be a little less conservative and be more open to some of those other  there were some value statements in that document that just didnt align with my school board, my district, Salmieri said of the ALA standards.

Giannoulias office said the law does not dictate what books libraries must keep on hand, and that the measure applies to certain instances of libraries deciding to remove books out of circulation.

In a statement, he disputed any suggestion that the law is political.

No library surrenders its autonomy by refusing to ban or censor books. At its core, the legislation is apolitical and seeks to ensure nonpartisanship by preventing one political ideology from dictating or restricting what information is right for everyone, Giannoulias said.

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His office said libraries that apply for the grants must certify in their applications that theyve adopted the ALAs Bill of Rights or a similar pledge against book bans. The state has the authority to monitor, audit and investigate any reports of noncompliance, Giannoulias office said. A library would lose its funding from the state if its determined it violated the law, and the library wouldnt be able to reacquire the grant money unless they adopt an anti-book-banning policy.

Democrat-leaning states including Maryland and Minnesota have also passed anti-book-ban laws.

According to the ALA, about 50 school districts in Illinois in 2022 and 2023 saw some kind of book challenge, which the association defines as an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon the objections of a person or group. The ALA tracks reports of challenges to books from the news media, library workers and other members of the public, but those reports dont necessarily mean a book was removed from a library.

PEN America, which tracks instances of books actually being banned, recorded only two such examples last school year in Illinois while Republican-leaning states like Iowa and Florida saw far more. In Florida, there were more than 4,000 instances of books being pulled across its districts in the same period, according to the organization, while Iowa had more than 3,600 such instances.

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The group defines school book bans as any action taken against a book as a result of parent or community challenges, administrative decisions, or in response to direct or threatened action by lawmakers or other governmental officials that leads to a previously accessible book being either completely removed from the library or where its access is restricted or diminished, either temporarily or permanently.

The ALA Library Bill of Rights, a document that school districts in Illinois must agree to in order to receive state grants for libraries, is relatively brief: Its seven articles total only about 200 words.

The first article states that Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation. Other articles say books should not be excluded based on partisan ideology, and that people should be able to use libraries regardless of demographic factors including age.

A longer document from the ALA called Interpretations of the Library Bill of Rights more specifically references some of the political controversies surrounding book bans. For example, it says that the ALA stringently and unequivocally maintains that libraries and librarians have an obligation to resist efforts that systematically exclude materials dealing with any subject matter, including sex, gender identity, or sexual orientation. The interpretations document also clarifies that all its provisions apply equally to school libraries and municipal public libraries.

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The number of municipal libraries applying for and receiving grants was virtually unchanged after the state anti-book-banning law took effect, according to the secretary of states office.

A spokesperson for the ALA said the new law was passed in response to an environment of suspicion targeting libraries.

ALA hopes that library boards throughout Illinois, whether they ascribe to the Library Bill of Rights or to an alternative policy that ensures access to information, will continue to place their trust in their library professionals to do the work they are trained to do, the spokesperson said.

A month after Pritzker signed the measure into law, the Illinois Freedom Caucus, a group of the General Assemblys most conservative legislators, decried the appointment of the ALAs then-president while also urging Giannoulias to sever Illinois ties with the organization.

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The stated purpose of the ALA is to promote library service(s) and librarianship, but increasingly the organization has become more focused on advancing a woke agenda, the caucus said in a July 2023 statement.

Carolyn Kinsella, executive secretary at the nonprofit Association of Illinois School Library Educators, said her group supports the Illinois law, which she noted still allows districts to decide what books they select for their schools and maintains a choice about whether local districts adopt the ALA standards.

A top concern for AISLE is a lack of licensed librarians statewide, including in districts that failed to apply for library funding for reasons other than the new law.

These are the choices of the individual districts, and I dont always agree with choices that individual districts make, but I may not live there, Kinsella said.

Several districts told the Tribune they failed to reapply for library funding this year by accident or other reasons unrelated to the new state law or ALA standards. A superintendent in Calumet City in south suburban Chicago said his district inadvertently missed the deadline to apply; a high school principal in the southern Illinois town of Eldorado said his school got rid of its library altogether in favor of checking books out through English classes.

A couple of school administrators downstate who decided not to apply for the funding this year indicated theyd be open to applying in the future.

In Sparta, a small southwest Illinois town of about 4,000 people, Community Unit School District 40 received more than $950 in each of the two previous fiscal years for the library grant funding but didnt apply for it this year.

District Superintendent Chris Miesner said that decision was not meant to be negative by any means and hes open to his district reapplying for the grant at some point. But he said his administration needs a better understanding of the new requirements before deciding whether to move forward.

Its purely just trying to understand the law change, the wording and make sure were all in agreement with it, he said. I am a strong proponent of trying to get as many books in kids hands.  But I want to make sure that its appropriate for the student reading level and age level.

_____
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO)  On January 1st, 2025, new laws passed in the Illinois statehouse and signed into law by Gov. JB Pritzker will take effect.

Here are some of the notable laws going into effect:

What is the Illinois minimum wage in 2025?

Starting on January 1st, 2025, the minimum wage in Illinois will go up again, thanks to a law passed in 2019.

The minimum wage was $8 an hour when the law was passed, with the rate of pay increasing each year until it reaches the final scheduled increase of $15 an hour in 2025.

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So, starting January 1st, 2025, the Illinois minimum wage will be $15 an hour, according to the Illinois Department of Labor.

Tipped workers will also see a minimum wage increase, from $8.40 an hour to $9 an hour. Thats thanks to a state law that says tipped workers must earn at least 60% of the states minimum wage.

Workers under the age of 18, working less than 650 hours per year, will see an increase from $12 to $13 an hour.

Elimination of subminimum wage for disabled workers

Disabled Americans living in Illinois will be allowed to earn a minimum wage, thanks to the Dignity in Pay Act, which eliminated Illinois 14(c) certificate program, which allowed employers to pay people with disabilities a subminimum wage.

Employers are required to post salary and benefits on job listings

Starting January 1st, 2025, most employers in Illinois will have to disclose pay and benefits information on job postings, thanks to a new law.

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The change is mandated by an amendment to the Equal Pay Act of 2003 that Gov. JB Pritzker signed into law last year.

The law requires that all employers with 15 or more employees include the pay scale and benefits on job postings, both internal and external.

It will apply to positions that will be performed in Illinois, including remote work.

Companies will have 14 days from the start of the year to add salary and benefit information to job postings or face a $500 fine.

Illinois will allow digital drivers licenses on your phone

The law allows governmental agencies and businesses to accept either digital IDs or physical versions, but says upon request by law enforcement, a credential holder must provide the credential holders physical credential.

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The state can charge a maximum of $6 for a smartphone application that registers the digital ID or drivers license.

Allow qualified applicants an eight-year drivers license

A new 2025 law will order the Secretary of State to offer qualified applicants to be issued a drivers license that will be good for eight years, instead of the current four. The Secretary of State must submit rules for the program to the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules no later than January 1st, 2027.

Employees can skip mandatory work meetings where political or religious matters are shared

The Worker Freedom of Speech Act bans employers from disciplining employees who fail to attend mandatory meetings where opinions on political or religious matters are shared.

According to the National Labor Relations Board, 89% of all employers hold mandatory meetings as a response to unionizing efforts, causing union election victory rates to drop to 47%.

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The law prohibits employers from threatening, disciplining, firing, or otherwise retaliating against workers who refuse to attend mandatory workplace meetings where company views on politics or religion are espoused, but it does not prevent employers from holding such meetings.

Under the law, an employer can face a $1,000 penalty for each violation.

Illinois employers are prohibited from checking to verify if applicants can legally work in the United States

A new Illinois law prohibits Illinois employers from voluntarily enrolling in the E-Verify program or similar Electronic Employment Verification System unless they are required to by federal or state law.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, E-Verify is an electronic system that compares a workers Form I-9 information with government databases to verify employment eligibility to legally work in the United States.

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The Right to Privacy in the Workplace Act requires that employers follow certain steps if they believe that an employees employment verification information is inaccurate, which includes providing the employee with specific information about the claimed discrepancy and allowing the employee to correct the discrepancy (if required by law). An employee has the right to representation during any meetings or discussions regarding employment verification information.

Limit employers from using predictive AI in hiring practices

Employers will be restricted from considering an applicants race or zip code when using artificial intelligence-powered predictive analytics to reject an employee in its hiring or firing practices.

New predictive human resource analytics can use artificial intelligence to predict which employees are more likely to quit within a certain timeframe, which candidates will be the most successful, and which employees will be top performers.

Illinois law makes predictions based on a persons race, or zip code when it is used as a proxy for race, a civil rights violation for discrimination.

Crime victims DNA cannot be entered into a database

HB 1168 prevents a crime victims DNA profile, when collected as part of a law enforcement investigation, from being entered into any DNA database, with certain exemptions made for certain medical examiner or coroner investigations, but without contradicting rules developed by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Require police to undergo autism-awareness training

People with autism can sometimes be nonverbal or easily agitated, making stressful situations  like encounters with law enforcement  especially dangerous.

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The new law, SB 3201, will require the Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board to develop and approve a course to assist police officers in identifying spectrum disorders. The training will be required every three years.

The Illinois Law Enforcement Training Standards Board will have two years to approve an autism-informed training program once the new law goes into effect January 1st.

The state must conduct a Property Tax Study

SB 3455 requires the Department of Revenue to conduct a study to evaluate Illinois property tax system. The law provides that the Department may also determine whether the existing property tax levy, assessment, appeal and collection process is reasonable and fair and may issue recommendations to improve that process.

Illinois homeowners currently pay the second-highest property tax rate in the United States. A study by ATTOM found that Illinois topped the state with the highest property tax rate, with 1.86%. New Jersey (1.73%), Connecticut (1.67%), Vermont (1.55%) and Pennsylvania (1.37) have among the highest in the country.

Catalytic converter recyclers must record donor vehicles VIN

House Bill 4589 requires recyclable dealers to keep track of vehicle identification numbers (VIN) of the vehicles from which the catalytic converter was removed and make a copy of the certificate of title or registration showing the sellers ownership of the vehicle.

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The bill would make it illegal to sell or buy a catalytic converter unless those conditions are met.

Data from the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) showed that Illinois was in the top five states in the country for catalytic converter thefts between 2020-2022.

While State Farm said thefts of the device declined in Illinois in 2023 vs 2022, the state still ranks #3 for the most catalytic converter thefts, behind California and Texas.

A catalytic converter filters fumes from a vehicles exhaust system and reduces harmful emissions. The device uses elements of platinum, palladium, and rhodium, which can be sold for profit.

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Since 1975, all gasoline-powered vehicles in the United States have been equipped with catalytic converters to comply with federal EPA regulations.

Require drivers to yield right of way to emergency vehicles

HB 5370 requires that drivers who are approaching an emergency scene or a stopped emergency vehicle, or a construction zone, must make a lane change to yield the right of way if it is possible. If not, the driver must reduce speed.

Post instructions on how to report child abuse at businesses

A new law requires certain businesses, including daycare centers, schools, bus stations, hospitals, and doctors offices, to post signs in a conspicuous place that informs children under 18 what physical and sexual abuse is and how to report it.

Replace the term offender with justice impacted individuals in Illinois Crime Reduction Act

An amendment to the Illinois Crime Reduction Act of 2009 will change references to offenders to justice-impacted individuals. The law also creates an Adult Redeploy Illinois Oversight Board to oversee a plan to redeploy convicts into public life once they are no longer incarcerated.

Law helps juveniles clear their criminal record

The Juvenile Court Act has been amended by a bill that mandates state courts to expunge the records of individuals charged as juveniles, two years after they have completed their sentences.

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The bill also speeds up the expungement process by scheduling expungement hearings when they are released.

Creation of an Illinois Pretrial Services Director

Following the passage of the SAFE-T Act, which abolished cash bail, the state has ordered the judicial branch of government to create an Office of Statewide Pretrial Services and install a director, appointed by the Illinois Supreme Court, to oversee it.

Bans hotels from using single-use plastic bottles

A new law will ban hotels with 50 rooms or more from providing guests with single-use plastic bottles and provide civil penalties for operators who violate the rule. In 2026, hotels with less than 50 rooms will also be banned from offering single-use bottles to guests.

You can find a full list of new laws here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
RACINE, Wis. (WFRV)  A 41-year-old Illinois man was killed in a shooting Saturday night in southeast Wisconsin.

According to the Racine Police Department, officers heard gunfire shortly after 7 p.m. Moments later, dispatch reported a man down in the 1000 block of Villa Street.

Supreme Court rejects Wisconsin parents challenge to school guidance for transgender students

When officers arrived, they found Jeffrey Garrott, 41, of Illinois, suffering from a single gunshot wound. He later died from his injuries.

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The investigation is ongoing, and no suspects have been identified. Authorities urge anyone who witnessed the shooting to contact the Racine Police Department.

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA)  The Illinois Supreme court ruled that the odor of raw cannabis alone gives law enforcement officers probable cause to search someones vehicle.

The ruling comes months after the states high court came to a different conclusion in another case, ruling that officers dont have probable cause to do a search if they smell burnt cannabis.

Theres no way to prove after the fact what the police officer smelled other than the police officers say so, so then you have the police officers word against the drivers word or the passengers word and theres really no way to hold police officers accountable to be accurate in those assessments, Alexandra Block, the director of the Criminal Legal System and Policing Project at the ACLU of Illinois, said.

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This case goes back four years when a state trooper pulled a driver over for speeding. The trooper smelled raw cannabis coming from the vehicle and decided to search it.

He found several marijuana joints. The driver was charged with a misdemeanor.

Block said the ACLU of Illinois had hoped the court would reach the same conclusion in this case as they did in the case involving the odor of burnt cannabis, and that the decision raises some concerns.

When the police officers are making stops for these purposes, theyre really just fishing and stereotyping people based on race because they assume that Black and Brown drivers are more likely to have drugs or weapons in their cars, and these are practices that are really harmful to the community, Block said.

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State law requires drivers to store raw cannabis in an odor-proof container. The court ruled that if an officer can smell raw cannabis in a vehicle, it means the driver isnt following that law.

Unlike the odor of burnt cannabis, the odor of raw cannabis coming from a vehicle reliably points to when, where, and how the cannabis is possessednamely, currently, in the vehicle, and not in an odor-proof container, Justice P. Scott Neville, Jr. wrote for the majority.

The ruling was split. Two justices said they were not in favor of the ruling, to point out the absurdity of this inconsistency.

It makes no sense to treat raw cannabis as more probative when the odor of burnt cannabis may suggest recent use, whereas the odor of raw cannabis does not suggest consumption, Justice Mary K. OBrien wrote for the dissent.

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Kenny Winslow, the executive director of the Illinois Association of Chiefs of Police, said the two rulings are in conflict with one another, but he said he understands the reason for that.

The odor of burnt cannabis, somebody could have had on the night before or they could have borrowed somebodys coat, that kind of thing, but the odor of raw cannabis with the clear requirement right now that it has to be in an odor proof container gives us some leeway that if you smell it in the car, its supposed to be in an odor proof container, Winslow said.

Winslow said raw and burnt marijuana smell different from one another, and through training and experience, officers have learned to tell the difference.

We just have to rely on our experience, rely on the guidance that the courts have provided and move forward, Winslow said.

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In the decision, the court also suggested that lawmakers in Springfield take action to make some clarifications. They pointed to two bills. The first would not give officers probable cause to search someones vehicle regardless if they smell burnt or raw cannabis. Another bill would get rid of the requirement for drivers to transport the cannabis in an odor proof container.

Neither proposal has made much progress.

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Farmers plant asafetida at a field in Parwan of Afghanistan, Dec. 7, 2024. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)

KABUL, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Working on land along with over two dozen daily laborers in the Bagram district, 50 km north of Afghanistan's capital Kabul, Safiullah Rohani believes that the cultivation of asafetida, commonly known as "Hing," could serve as a viable and profitable replacement for opium poppy in the once poppy-growing country.

"Hing (Asafetida) is the best replacement for poppy in Afghanistan. It is more profitable and generates significantly higher income than poppies," Rohani told Xinhua on his farm recently.

Afghanistan has hugely suffered due to unchecked poppy cultivation and the rising number of drug addicts to about 4 million during the 20-year U.S.-led military presence that ended in August 2021.

The cultivation of poppies and subsequent drug trafficking surged following the U.S.-led invasion in October 2001, and by 2021, Afghanistan was reportedly producing more than 90 percent of the world's heroin supply.

However, poppy cultivation has seen a dramatic decline since the withdrawal of foreign forces and the assumption of power by Afghanistan's caretaker government in August 2021 as poppy cultivation decreased by 95 percent in 2023 following a ban imposed by the administration in 2022.

Despite a recent UN Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report citing a 19 percent increase in the poppy plantation in 2024, the Afghan caretaker government has reiterated its commitment to eradicating drugs.

The Afghan caretaker administration continues to appeal for international assistance to provide farmers with sustainable alternatives to poppy farming.

Returning to the asafetida plantation has also created job opportunities for the people in Afghanistan as many youths work on the farmland to plant the precious seed.

"We have invested and cultivated asafetida on more than 100 acres of land in Mazar-i-Sharif and 30 acres of land here in Parwan, and about 100 to 200 persons are working with us," said Rohani, managing director of Rohani Company, a local firm investing in asafetida farming.

Each daily worker earns 500 afghani (about 7.1 U.S. dollars), including 150 afghani for lunch a day, Rohani said. Describing his business as highly profitable, he explained that he invested 100,000 afghani (about 1,429 U.S. dollars) in a farm of asafetida and would earn 1 million afghani (about 14,286 U.S. dollars) after two years.

Widely used in medicine manufacturing both domestically and internationally, particularly in India, the plantation of asafetida has been on a constant rise in Afghanistan over the past decade. However, Rohani complained that fragile trade relations, sanctions on the Afghan banking system, and the absence of air trade corridors have hindered the export of this valuable plant.

Nevertheless, Rohani expressed optimism about future exports to China, saying he has sent the samples of asafetida to the neighboring country and is looking forward to exporting his products to China in the near future.

Zainudin, a manager of the daily laborers at the asafetida farm, emphasized the benefits of asafetida cultivation. "This is a good job, as asafetida farming is far more profitable than poppy cultivation, which brings nothing but harm," he said.

As Afghanistan seeks to transition away from its troubled history of poppy production, crops like asafetida offer hope for a more sustainable and prosperous future. 

This photo taken on Dec. 7, 2024 shows asafetida at a field in Parwan of Afghanistan. (Photo by Saifurahman Safi/Xinhua)
Thirty million acres of unprotected wetlands across the Upper Midwest, including 1 million acres in Illinois, are at risk of being destroyed largely by industrial agriculture  wetlands that provide nearly $23 billion in annual flood mitigation benefits, according to new research. In the long term, these wetlands could prevent hundreds of billions of dollars of flood damage in the region.

Wetlands can help mitigate flooding and save our homes. They can help clean our water. They can capture and store carbon. They support hunting and recreation, and they support the commercial fishing industry by providing habitats for the majority of commercially harvested fish and shellfish, said study author Stacy Woods, research director for the Food and Environment program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, a nationwide nonprofit science advocacy organization.

Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court stripped protections from freshwater and inland wetlands in its Sackett v. EPA ruling, allowing private property development in wetland areas that dont have a continuous surface connection to permanent bodies of water.

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But environmentalists say wetlands are rarely truly isolated from a watershed, no matter how inland they may be. Some experts worry that after President-elect Donald Trump takes office, he might roll back President Joe Bidens effort to counter the Supreme Court ruling by expanding federal regulations of small bodies of water and wetlands under the Clean Water Act. Undoing those protections would leave control of wetlands up to the states, some of which  like Illinois  have no strong safeguards in place.

Half of the nations wetlands have disappeared since the 1780s, and urban development and agriculture in Illinois have destroyed as much as 90% of its original marshy, swampy land. Nowadays, its wetlands are vastly outnumbered by the 26.3 million acres of farmland that cover almost three-fourths of the state.

While urban and rural development and climate change disturbances contribute to the problem, the expansion of large-scale agriculture poses the biggest threat to wetlands, according to the study. Advocates see an opportunity in the next farm bill in Congress to support and encourage farmers to protect wetlands on their property.

A wetland is a natural sponge, said Paul Botts, president and executive director of The Wetlands Initiative, a Chicago-based nonprofit that designs, restores and creates wetlands.

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By absorbing water from storms and flooding, wetlands can effectively reduce the risks and destructive effects of these disasters, which are intensifying and becoming more frequent because of a changing climate. Previous research estimated that 1 acre of lost wetland can cost $745 in annual flood damage to residential properties, an amount that taxpayers fund through local, state or federal assistance programs.

The trees and plants in wetlands trap and slow rushing waters, while wetland soil can soak up vast amounts of water, Woods said. So communities really benefit greatly from wetlands as natural flood barriers.

Since 1980, Illinoisans have endured seven flooding events that each caused losses costing more than $1 billion, according to the National Centers for Environmental Information at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Six of these happened in the past 16 years.

That is a staggering cost, Woods said. But its important to remember that it could have been worse because the existing wetlands in Illinois helped to reduce the impact of those terrible floods.

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A study found that in spring 2019, one of the most recent billion-dollar flooding disasters that hit Illinois and other states prompted 2,204 claims for federal assistance through the National Flood Insurance Program, with claims averaging $14,342. In the aftermath of heavy rains that rolled through Chicago and its suburbs in mid-September last year, the federal government provided over $23 million in relief to Illinois residents.

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In the long term, Woods calculated, wetlands could provide flood mitigation benefits of $10.8 billion to $25.2 billion in Illinois and $323 billion to $754 billion across the Upper Midwest, which includes Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Nature bequeathed to the flat Midwest a vast number of these sponges scattered all over the place. We spent a couple of hundred years busily filling them in, draining them, etc., Botts said. And if we had more of those original small, scattered sponges across our great Midwest, our suburban areas, our exurban areas and our farming areas would have less local flooding.

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He pointed out that wetlands can be beneficial in controlling smaller floods that dont qualify homeowners and renters for relief funds  but that can compound and become a nuisance. These are particularly common in Chicagos Chatham neighborhood and suburban Cicero.

The more routine flooding  it really drives people crazy, Botts said. Why the hell is all this water ending up in my basement all the time? Even if its just one or two days, its also really unpleasant to clean up and it does damage.

Additional costs are associated with those regular floods, from preventive measures like lining basements, paying higher insurance premiums, and running sump pumps nonstop, all of which are harder to quantify and analyze at a bigger scale.

Dolores Sanchez, a Berwyn resident who lived between Cicero and Chicago during her college career, vividly remembers the first major flood she experienced in the suburban town in 2010. Water levels reached her thighs in the basement where she used to sleep. Her family bought a sump pump that helped except during more intense storms when the electricity went out.

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People have been advocating throughout the years to get more green spaces, she said. There are a ton of empty lots that are not being put to use.  Because flooding is going to continue to happen in Cicero, and its horrible.

Her family stopped using the basement, dreading the next rainfall. She said her former neighbors and her relatives who still live in the suburb have their basements flooded almost every time it storms.

The local adds up to the occasional giant flood that makes all the headlines, but its the regular, local every-other-year kind of flooding  thats really the point of the spear, where these small, scattered wetlands can really help, Botts said. It isnt just about the big, giant floods.

Rippling benefits

Even these considerable costs dont capture the myriad benefits that healthy wetlands offer.

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For instance, they help mitigate climate change in other ways. Besides reducing flooding, wetlands trap and store carbon, preventing the gas from heating the atmosphere.

According to the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, the wetlands it manages can store up to 6,000 tons of this heat-trapping greenhouse gas each year, the equivalent of what coal-fired power plants would release to provide electricity to 1,059 homes annually.

Wetlands trap and store over 30% of soil-stored carbon on Earth, which is especially impressive when you consider that wetlands only cover about 6% of the Earths surface, Woods said. So thats incredible.

Yet this can be a double-edged sword, she said.

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When wetlands are damaged or destroyed, they release that stored carbon as methane, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide, which accelerate climate change. Even rising temperatures can have this effect on intact habitats by increasing the activity of microbes and speeding the breakdown of organic matter in waterlogged soil, which emits methane.

Wetlands also support wildlife such as aquatic animals, amphibians, reptiles and insects; a decline in biodiversity can cause large losses for the regions thriving outdoor recreation, tourism, hunting and fishing industries. Wetland vegetation can absorb contaminants in the water, keeping them from moving downstream.

In Illinois, these pollutants include nitrogen and phosphorous from wastewater treatment plants, urban stormwater drainage and agricultural runoff, which flow into the Mississippi River Basin. Making their way into the Gulf of Mexico, these contaminants create an oxygen-void area, or dead zone, that pushes fish and shrimp away or kills them, causing billions of dollars in damage to local fisheries and marine habitats.

The future of wetlands protection

Some Midwestern states, including Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota, offer comprehensive protections for water bodies. Seven states across the country, including Illinois, dont have laws as robust but do provide some regulatory protections for nonfederal waters, according to the Environmental Law Institute.

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Illinois protects its wetlands only from state-funded activities. But some local governments go further: A DuPage County ordinance requires a stormwater permit for developments near wetlands, and a Lake County ordinance protects all bodies of water outside of federal jurisdiction.

A coalition of environmentalists and state lawmakers are pushing for stronger legislation.

Earlier this year, Sen. Laura Ellman, a Naperville Democrat, and Rep. Anna Moeller, an Elgin Democrat, introduced companion bills in the Illinois General Assembly that would establish a permitting program to protect wetlands from pollution and draining.

If passed, the Wetlands and Small Streams Protection Act would empower the states Department of Natural Resources to regulate private land use around the states remaining wetlands.

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The law  would, for the great majority of existing wetlands in Illinois, simply establish a permit process, Botts said.

At the federal level, a new farm bill being drafted in Congress  an extensive piece of legislation that sets agricultural and conservation policy nationwide  could address regulatory rollbacks from the executive and judicial branches. After a largely bipartisan history, the new bill has been delayed for more than a year by policy disagreement between Republicans and Democrats.

Woods hopes legislators can come together to significantly raise the cap on acreage that can be enrolled in the decades-old Conservation Reserve Program with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

She recommended increasing support for that and similar USDA-administered programs that fund and assist farmers in restoring damaged wetlands on their properties and converting cropland back into wetlands. These programs also encourage adopting agricultural conservation practices like planting cover crops, eliminating harmful tilling and reducing fertilizer and pesticide use.

Expanding equity initiatives also would provide all farmers  especially those who are new or have been historically underserved  access to federal conservation programs to preserve and restore wetlands.

The recommendations we make demand only a fraction of the annual value that wetlands deliver, Woods said. I think as research continues coming out, it shows how incredibly valuable wetlands are to everyone in the United States.

Thats because even people who dont live near drained wetlands pay taxes to help others recover from residential flooding, she said. And its not hard to empathize with those suffering such a devastating loss.

One thing I know is that, no matter how you voted in the recent election, you dont want to lose your home to flooding, Woods said. And thats why no matter how we vote, no matter what party we align with, we should be invested in protecting wetlands.

Chicago Tribunes Karina Atkins contributed.

adperez@chicagotribune.com
The Chancellor set out a bold aim of making the UK the fastest growing G7 economy. Trying to tweak the EU deal is not going to get us there. So far this century the US has grown more than twice as fast as the UK and the EU, creating a large advantage in living standards and GDP per head across the Atlantic.

The Trump Administration is pledged to lift the growth rate from around 2.5 per cent to 3 per cent, whilst Germany is mired at zero growth and France is slowing badly against the background of a Budget crisis which has brought the government down. The EU stumbles to achieve growth above 1 per cent.

This makes the Chancellors decision to re-open the terms of the UKs comprehensive free trade agreement with the EU difficult to comprehend. She must have seen what a tough bargain the EU drove over that Agreement, and she must be aware that any attempt to re-open it will lead to further strong demands from the EU. They will want us to accept greater freedom of movement, comply with more EU rules and laws, and make further financial contributions to the EU programmes and to their defence.

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The UK establishment always puts us as the petitioner in need of making more sacrifices, when the UK is in a much stronger position now it is out of the EU to pursue growth unencumbered by new EU rules and financial obligations. The UK is not going to have to pay a share of the large 800 billion Euro borrowing programme of the EU. We do not have to follow austerity budgetary policies to meet the strict controls on debt and deficit laid down in EU Treaties, a freedom the Chancellor is making all too full use of. The EU sees us as treasure island which should make a bigger contribution to them.

The governments argument that we can have faster growth if we increase goods exports to the EU is simply wrong. There are no big wins from changing the terms of the Trade Agreement. Meanwhile government policy is designed to cut our goods exports to the EU and elsewhere substantially. Three of our top six export categories are crude oil, oil products and vehicles.

The government has put in a policy to wind down our oil and gas more quickly, banning any new oil and gas developments. It has ensured the high taxes and EU style carbon costs lead to a quicker run down in our oil refining, with Grangemouth about the close. An early ban on new diesel and petrol cars by 2030 means a rapid rundown in our factory output of successful cars and vans, with loss of exports and jobs.

The US has gone for plenty of cheap domestic energy, bringing in big tax revenues, well paid jobs, and attracting industry to invest. The UK with EU carbon trading and its own high prices and energy taxes has been losing aluminium, ceramics, building materials, paper, glass and other energy intensive manufacture. It is about to close all its steel blast furnaces. It is closing down fossil fuel generators to import more electricity from a continent short of power itself.

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The UK and the EU have watched as the US has driven an amazing digital revolution through its great companies. Whilst the US does the business, the EU tries to regulate and tax the US successes. The UK has talent and needs to foster it more.

Instead of trying to find marginal improvements at likely high cost to our EU trade agreement the UK needs a growth strategy based on lower energy prices, lower taxes and a friendlier climate for enterprise. The Chancellor will not boost the UK investment and consumer confidence her Budget has damaged by visiting Brussels. She could rebuild confidence by reversing the anti growth policies that are hitting many of our manufacturers as well as our care homes and hospitality businesses knocked sideways by the National Insurance hike.

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A lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This is TPMs Morning Memo. Sign up for the email version.

Dont Blink

While Donald Trumps vow to jail members of the Congress who investigated his efforts to subvert the 2020 election has been repeated ad nauseam, it remains an unprecedented and extraordinary threat to the rule of law, the separation of powers, and the Constitution.

In his first sit-down interview since the election, President-elect Trump reiterated on Meet the Press his desire for the Jan. 6 committee members to be jailed. In an awkwardly worded exchange, Trump said he wouldnt order his Justice Department to pursue the Jan. 6 committee members but that he expected his new appointees there to do it on their own. So much for coded speech.

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Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-WY), the vice chair of the Jan. 6 committee, issued a withering statement in response to Trumps interview. There is no conceivably appropriate factual or constitutional basis for what Donald Trump is suggesting  a Justice Department investigation of the work of a congressional committee  and any lawyer who attempts to pursue that course would quickly find themselves engaged in sanctionable conduct, Cheney said.

Trump Jan. 6 Pardons Could Come As Soon As Day 1

Trumps latest promise to pardon Jan. 6 rioters was laden with misinformation, mistruths, and misdirection  but he appears likely to follow through with a blanket pardon as soon as he takes office next month.

The Last Remaining Recourse Against Trump?

Though the criminal cases against him are all but dead, Trump is likely to be fighting eight civil lawsuits  from members of Congress and injured police officers  deep into his second term. They may be the last form of legal redress Trump faces for his role in spurring the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.Politico

The cases are not criminal, but if they end up at trial, they could result not only in financial damages imposed on Mr. Trump, but also in the public airing of evidence about Jan. 6 that has not taken place  and may never  in the context of his dismissed or delayed criminal trials.NYT

Bracing For Trump II

WaPo: Federal employees scramble to insulate themselves from Trumps purge

AP: Military leaders are rattled by a list of woke officers that a group urges Hegseth to fire

Hegseth Held On Through The Weekend

I didnt think Pete Hegseths nomination as secretary of defense would survive through the end of last week. It not only made it through Friday but survived the weekend, too. Its worth noting that no GOP senators has gone so far as to openly oppose Hegseth. So, while GOP senators have told reporters the votes arent there, Hegseths demise is not a done deal  yet.

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At the same time, some GOP members of Congress are rallying to defend Hegseth against allegations of sexual assault and excessive drinking on the job  in the most shameless ways.

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

Tapper: When you're talking about drinking at ten in the morning, that's a drinking problem.



Mullin: Well, then there's a lot of politicians that have a drinking problem and there's probably a lot of media that has a drinking problem too. pic.twitter.com/1Sk9qv1TA4  Acyn (@Acyn) December 8, 2024

Meanwhile, Kevin Roberts, the head of the Heritage Foundation and incubator of Project 2025, is pledging to spend $1 million to pressure reluctant GOP senators to support the Hegseth nomination. (Thats not really much money, to be honest.)

More On Hegseth 

Politico: Pete Hegseths Crusade to Turn the Military into a Christian Weapon

CNN: Hegseths name has been submitted for FBI background check, weeks after he became presumptive nominee

Hegseth is threatening a civil extortion claim against his sexual assault accuser if he is not confirmed as defense secretary:

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Pete Hegseth's lawyer on CNN threatens Pete Hegseth's sexual assault accuser with a defamation lawsuit if he's not confirmed as secretary of defense



[image or embed]  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) December 5, 2024 at 9:43 PM

IMPORTANT

Beyond Pete Hegseths abject unsuitability for the job of defense secretary, theres a whole nother issue that deserves close scrutiny: His support for limiting VA health care for veterans and for privatizing the VA system:

Hegseth, now Trumps nominee to serve as secretary of defense, had been a vocal and persistent advocate for veterans having unfettered access to private health care, rather than having to go through the VA to keep their benefits. Hes also lobbied for policies that would restrict VA care and believes veterans should ask for fewer government benefits.

Trump II Clown Show

Trump has named his criminal defense attorney Alina Habba as a White House counselor to the president

Fracking CEO Chris Wright , Trumps pick for energy secretary, preaches the benefits of climate change

Tulsi Gabbard, Trumps pick for director of national intelligence, is on the Hill this week meeting with senators.

Grifters Gonna Grift

The WSJ introduces us to the Trump presumptive nominees personally hawking supplements:

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Kash Patel for FBI director;

Dr. Janette Nesheiwat for surgeon general;

Dr. Mehmet Oz for administrator of Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services

Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is not included on the list, even though hes expected to champion supplements, because hes not selling them personally.

Trump Picks America First Trio For Top Roles At State

Former ambassador to Mexico Christopher Landau : deputy secretary of state

Former Trump White House official Michael Anton : director of policy planning

Michael Needham, counselor of the State Department

Birthright Citizenship Alert

Despite all the talk of birthright citizenship over the weekend, including Trumps posturing that he might just try to usurp the 14th Amendment via executive action, reporting from the WSJ suggests the transition team is working on a more modest executive order:

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Weeks before he takes office, Trumps transition team is now considering how far to push the scope of such an order, knowing it would almost immediately be challenged in court, according to a transition official and others familiar with the matter. The eventual order is expected to focus on changing the requirements for documents issued by federal agencies that verify citizenship, such as a passport.

Still potentially damaging and all but certain to be challenged in court, but perhaps less than a full-blown attempt to pretend the 14th Amendment doesnt exist.

Ya Dont Say?

The Guardian:

As Donald Trump gathered his supporters, family and friends at Mar-a-Lago on US election day last month to wait for the results to trickle in, a small group of far-right Germans went largely unnoticed. Among them was the purported semi-professional, one-time porn actor, self-confessed former cocaine user, convicted thief and hard-right candidate for the German parliament Phillipp-Anders Rau. Together with a compact delegation of young political activists and influencers, Rau posed for the cameras with the American president-elect at his invitation, chanting Fight! Fight! Fight! in English and German.

A Brutal Denouement For Biden

WSJ: Biden Is Ceding Presidential Influence to Trump, and Some Democrats Are Furious

Politico: Biden shrinks from view ahead of Trumps return to Washington

GOOD READ

The NYTs Adam Liptak with a good primer on a how a 1925 law conveyed to the Supreme Court much of its current power and indluence.

Quote Of The Day

Our involvement over there had a cost. The cost was Syria.Anton Mardasov, a Moscow-based analyst referring to Russias war in Ukraine

Do you like Morning Memo? Let us know!
President-elect Trumps incoming hostage affairs envoy Adam Boehler pressed the rebels in Syria to release the American hostages in the country as the region grapples with more instability.

The most important thing we should be thinking about right now is whether we can get Americans home, Boehler said Monday on Fox & Friends. There is an American thats there. In fact, there are four or five more.

Boehler mentioned the American Austin Tice, a freelance journalist who disappeared near the Syrian capital city of Damascus in August 2012. A video released weeks after he went missing showed Tice blindfolded and being held by armed men.

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President Biden said Sunday that the U.S. believes Tice is still alive, 12 years after his disappearance.

Tices family members met with White House and State Department officials in recent days. They have, for years, put pressure on government officials to bring him home.

The conversations come after rebels in Syria overthrew the government and President Bashar Assad over the weekend, concluding a 10-day offensive where fighters took over government-controlled land. Assad fled the country with his family and was granted asylum in Russia.

The upheaval in the country is adding to the instability in the region with Israel, Iran and proxy groups. Boehler said it would be great to get Tice back to the United States, because the Syrian regime is collapsing.

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You see that Bashar went to Russia, and now you have rebels that may or may not be friends to the United States, he said.

As the United States prepares for the Trump administration to take power, questions remain about how he will interact with the growing international crises. Boehler said he thinks the Biden administration has done nothing and uses only words, which has empowered Israel to step into the void and actually blows people away.

They blow them away because they create a situation where pagers blow up in Hezbollah. They create a situation where they take out Nasrallah. And now the big difference is the president of the United States, Trump, just got elected, he said.

Boehler continued, noting that since Trump won the presidency, things have begun to change in the Middle East.

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In Syria, the rebels got emboldened. In Ukraine, they suddenly want to talk about a ceasefire, where they didnt before, he argued.

All of those things that the president of the United States, Trump, promised that peace would start through strength, already started since his election, Boehler said.

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All voters living within the boundaries of Oklahoma City Public Schools can vote in the three-candidate race for school board chair. The primary election is Feb. 11. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

OKLAHOMA CITY  A three-way race for the top school board seat in Oklahoma City Public Schools features a longtime incumbent and two challengers intent on change.

Paula Lewis, 54, has spent almost nine years on the board, including eight years in its most influential position  board chair. In her bid to keep the seat for another four years, Lewis faces two opponents who both come from an education and business background, Niah Spriggs, 50, and Jan Barrick, 73.

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All voters living in the Oklahoma City school district will be able to vote in the board chair primary election on Feb. 11. If no candidate earns more than 50% of the vote, the two with the highest vote totals would advance to an April 1 general election.

Two other board incumbents, Carole Thompson from District 1 and Vice Chairperson Lori Bowman from District 2, automatically were reelected to four-year terms after not drawing opponents.

Oklahoma City Board of Education Chairperson Paula Lewis, right, listens to Vice Chairperson Lori Bowman before a meeting Jan. 8 at the Clara Luper Center for Educational Services. (Photo By Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

I love the district. It has served my kids very well, said Bowman, 49, who has a student in middle school and another in high school. I think we are doing good things, and theres so much more that we can do. I think were on a good path, and I want to help keep that positive momentum.

Thompson, 67, did not return a request for comment.

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Lewis, the co-owner of Quest Pediatric Therapy, echoed Bowmans sense of momentum as the board begins crafting a new five-year strategic plan focused on measuring student outcomes. District officials issued surveys and hosted listening sessions in recent months to gather input on which goals parents and community members most want the board to prioritize.

The objective, Lewis said, is to establish measurable goals and spend 50% of our time talking about the outcomes of students instead of adult issues. She said the board plans to begin outlining its strategic plan in January

I absolutely love the work, and I love being a voice for kids and families that dont have a voice, Lewis said. I also believe in the vision that were moving towards. I believe that the board is working really solid together and moving towards outcomes for kids.

Her opponents said the school board hasnt done enough to improve academic results.

Niah Spriggs said the school board in Oklahoma City Public Schools should be more focused on student performance. (Photo provided)

Spriggs said the board has not sufficiently focused on strategies to improve academic metrics. After working in finance and business, Spriggs taught for five years in public schools in Oklahoma and Texas and now leads a homeschool co-op for elementary-age children in Oklahoma City.

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She said she wants to see at least 50% of students in the district score at a proficient level in reading and math. Last school year, 28% of students made a proficient or advanced score in reading, and 19% did so in math, according to state testing data.

However, Oklahoma recently lowered the bar for students to make a proficient score on annual state tests, which has inflated proficiency rates. The year before, Oklahoma City had only 12% of students meet the proficient benchmark in reading and 11% in math.

I am going to be extremely focused on how do we move the kids from this point to that point, and we need real, actionable plans, Spriggs said.

Barrick similarly criticized chronically low-performing schools in Oklahoma City, and she pledged to lead an ambitious turnaround.

Jan Barrick promised an ambitious academic turnaround if elected as the school board chair in Oklahoma City Public Schools. (Photo provided)

She said she would ensure all schools are off of federally designated low-performance lists after a year in office. In three years, the district as a whole will meet the state average in academic achievement, she promised.

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Its a big lift, Barrick said. And they say it cant be done. Elect me as the school board chairman, and then tell me I cant do it because Ill make a liar out of you every time.

Barrick said her history of improving struggling schools gives her the right credentials. However, a school board members role would be different from a hired consultant. School boards are, by design, not involved in day-to-day academic operations.

The tutoring service Barrick founded while working as a special education teacher later grew into multiple locations and became a producer of curriculum and learning materials.

She also tutored teachers in effective instructional methods and worked to improve some of the lowest-scoring schools in the state, she said. The first school that hired her to do so was Roosevelt Middle School in the Oklahoma City district.

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Barrick said she sold her company, Alpha Plus Educational Systems, last year and is now free to run for office. Joining the school board has been on her bucket list, she said.

Both Spriggs and Barrick said they would welcome more charter schools into Oklahoma City to give students more high-quality educational options. Lewis, too, has voted in favor of authorizing more charter schools, saying in the past that shed rather be a partner than an adversary.

Her and other board members support for opening more charters put them at odds with district Superintendent Sean McDaniel, who later announced he would resign at the end of the 2023-24 school year.

Oklahoma City Public Schools Superintendent Jamie Polk, right, and the districts Board of Education Chairperson Paula Lewis, left, attend a board work session Nov. 18 at the Clara Luper Center for Educational Services in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice)

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Lewis had campaigned on delivering stability to the superintendents office. Before McDaniel became the districts longest-tenured chief executive in three decades, the position had been a revolving door.

But, Lewis said McDaniel and the board had long prepared for the eventuality that he could leave, ensuring lower-ranking administrators held the proper certification for the top job. The board chose the districts head of elementary schools, Jamie Polk, to succeed McDaniel as superintendent.

All three board chair candidates said they would work with Polk to achieve better outcomes for students.

Lewis said the board chose Polk not only for continuity but because of her track record of improving Oklahoma Citys lowest-performing schools.

What we really did was we hired results, Lewis said.

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By Munsif Vengattil and Aditya Kalra

BENGALURU (Reuters) - Indian police have sent a legal demand to Elon Musk's Starlink seeking details of who purchased its internet device that helps in sea navigation when smugglers with $4.2 billion worth of meth were caught in the biggest such Indian seizure.

Two people with direct knowledge of the police notice sent by Andaman and Nicobar island officials said Starlink had been asked for the purchaser's name and payment method, registration details and where the internet device was used when smugglers travelled in international waters from Myanmar to India.

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Starlink and Andaman police did not respond to Reuters request for comment.

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 in a major drug haul.

The investigation comes just as the Musk-owned company is trying to address any potential security concerns before it is given a green light to launch its satellite broadband services in India.

Starlink recently won a lobbying battle after a bitter faceoff with billionaire Mukesh Ambani over how exactly New Delhi should allocate satellite spectrum to companies.

Police in the remote outpost of the Andaman and Nicobar islands seized more than 6,000 kg (13,000 pounds) of meth in late November in a Myanmar boat carrying sacks of suspected contraband, and found that the Starlink Mini internet device had been used. Starlink says the device works in international waters.

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The police estimated that the seized meth had a retail market value of 360 billion rupees ($4.25 billion).

The first source said Andaman police had sent a notice on Dec. 4 under an Indian law that empowers authorities to seek information from companies related to an investigation.

It has also sought the mobile number and email ID registered to the Starlink account, said both the sources, who declined to be named as the matter is sensitive.

(Reporting by Munsif Vengattil and Aditya Kalra; Editing by Gareth Jones)
The Indiana Supreme Court declined to review a state law that would have banned Lake County Sheriff Oscar Martinez from having a service weapon after he was charged with a felony.

Martinez, 54, pleaded guilty in February to Cass C misdemeanor reckless driving. He was sentenced to two months probation.

Since he no longer faced a felony, the issue was moot, Chief Justice Loretta Rush wrote on Dec. 5, directing a lower court to dismiss the case.

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Martinez was charged on Jan. 6, 2022, with Level 6 felony resisting law enforcement and misdemeanor reckless driving.

Court records allege Crown Point police officers tried to pull over a black SUV on Sept. 18, 2021, at Taft Street/Main Street, which was going well over the 45 mph speed limit. The driver turned east on U.S. 30. As they caught up, the SUV driver turned on his police lights and they broke off the pursuit.

mcolias@post-trib.com
FAYETTE COUNTY, WV (WVNS)  A woman from Indiana pleaded guilty to First-Degree Murder in Fayette County.

According to a press release, 32-year-old Amanda Don Soultz, of Elkhart, Indiana, pleaded guilty to First-Degree Murder on Friday, December 6, 2024.

Indiana man found guilty of First-Degree Murder, Kidnapping

The press release stated that Soultzs plea agreement provides for her to be sentenced to life in prison and becoming eligible for parole after she serves 15 years in prison. Soultzs sentencing is scheduled for February 11, 2025.

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Andres M. Torres, Jr. was Soultzs co-defendant, was found guilty Murder in the First Degree, Kidnapping, Robbery, and Conspiracy on October 31, 2024. His sentencing is scheduled for January 30, 2025.

In late January 2023, Soultz and Torres left Indiana and went to Fayette County. Soultz knew Michelle Smith due to living in the area before. Once Soultz and Torres arrived in Fayette County, Torres pawned a watch to Smith for $50 due to needing money, and Smith later put the watch up for sale on Facebook.

One person dead after officer involved shooting in Fayette County

The press release stated that once he knew about the Facebook post, Torres got angry that Smith was trying to sell the watch. Soultz and Torres went to Smiths home in Fayette County to try and get the watch back on February 16, 2023, and ended with Smith kidnapped, robbed, and murdered.

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On February 16, 2023 Soultz and Torres allegedly had dinner and were drinking with Smith, but according to the press release, there was not evidence at the crime scene that showed there was a friendly dinner.

Statements reported that Torres became angry when Smith did not return the watch claiming that it was no longer in her possession, and Soultz and Torres allegedly handcuffed Smith before Torres beat Smith with a pistol as well as his fists.

Summers County Sheriffs Department arrests man in connection with overdose death

Both Torres and Soultz looked for and eventually found the watch in Smiths house. Once the watch was found, Torres reportedly got angrier, shot Smith in the head, and then left her for dead. Smiths adult son found her alive around 12 hours later after going to check on her due to not hearing from her.

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According to the press release, Torres stated that he shot Smith because she disrespected him, and Soultz told members of law enforcement that she helped Torres but that Torres made her participate in the crimes and that she followed Torres demands out of fear.

Evidence involved between Torres and Soultz after the shooting allegedly showed that they worked together to leave the area and avoid getting caught by law enforcement. Once they were arrested, the press release stated that they kept up their relationship using jail calls and planned to get married, with Torres planning to take all the blame for the crime to let Soultz go free.

One dead and officer injured in shooting in Raleigh County

41-year-old Michelle Smith died on March 31, 2023 from the injuries sustained during the incident, and was not able to talk about what happened the night of the shooting.

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The West Virginia State Police, the Oak Hill Police Department, Fayette County Sheriffs Office, and the United States Marshals Service investigated the incident.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS.
"The expectations from our trip to China are great." A Croatian tour guide said before his trip to China after China decided in November to expand visa-free policy to more countries, including Croatia. #GLOBALink




WHITE PINE, Tenn. (WATE)  Court records revealed new information on the teacher charged with child abuse.

On December 5, special education teacher Joseph Drake Lee, 31, allegedly struck a 7-year-old student with an iPad.

New details and mugshot in Bean Station officer-involved shooting

According to the affidavit of complaint, an officer was notified of the incident and went to White Pine School. He spoke to a staff member who said he had taken the student who had been hit to the school nurse. The staff member said that the nurse found a small knot on the top of his head, the affidavit reported.

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The affidavit says that Lee confessed to striking the student on the head with the iPad. Two witnesses agreed to write statements about the incident.

The officer wrote that, there is probable cause to believe that the suspect struck the victim to get his attention while the child was having a disruptive tantrum in class.

Groundbreaking at new Knoxville park

Lee was charged with assault and child abuse. Bail was set at $5,000.

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 WATE 6 On Your Side.
The person of interest in the UnitedHealthcare CEOs killing was carrying a note that said these parasites had it coming when he was nabbed, a bombshell report said Monday.

Ivy League graduate Luigi Mangione, 26, was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after a McDonalds worker spotted him eating. When cops searched him they found a ghost gun made on a 3-D printer and a manifesto railing against corporate America.

CNN reported that he was carrying a note that said, I do apologize for any strife or trauma but it had to be done. These parasites had it coming. I acted alone. Im self-funded.

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The letter said that protest was ineffective and only violence would work, CNNs chief law enforcement analyst John Miller reported on air.

Luigi Mangione. / Luigi Mangione/Facebook

Law enforcement sources described the note to The New York Times as a manifesto.

Mangiones dramatic arrest ended a manhunt that began when UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down Wednesday outside a Hilton in Midtown Manhattan, where he was set to address investors.

Just days ago, the suspects backpack was recovered from Central Park, with Monopoly money inside. Experts claimed that the board games fake bills may have been meant to send a message.

Flags fly at half mast outside the United Healthcare corporate headquarters on Dec. 4, 2024 in Minnetonka, Minnesota after United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot dead in New York City. / Stephen Maturen/Getty Images

The Monopoly money conveys messages, both that UnitedHealthcare is a ripoff that steals money from patients in order to pay its executives millions, and that it is itself a monopoly, Carole Lieberman, a psychiatrist and trail expert, told the Daily Beast. He may have planned to scatter the Monopoly money around the CEOs body after he shot him, but he forgot to take the bills out of his backpack.

Crime Scene Unit police work at the scene where CEO of UnitedHealthcare Brian Thompson, 50, was shot as he entered the New York Hilton early on Dec. 4, 2024 in New York. / Bryan R. Smith/AFP via Getty Images

The killer had meant to send a message to investigators, and the world. Etched in the bullet casings found at the scene of CEO Brian Thompsons slaying read deny, defend and depose, according to reports.

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News articles were quick to point out that the three words are almost identical to the phrase Delay, deny, defend, a saying used to describe insurance company maneuvers to steer clear of paying for filed claims; and a 2010 book title that was critical of insurance companies.

On social media, many users rallied behind the killer, praising him for the murder of one of the CEOs behind the industry.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. / United Health Group

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Memes, merchandise and more painted the murderer as the internets new Robin Hood.

Do you expect people to feel bad that a guy who denied people healthcare was murdered, wrote one commenter on an Daily Beast Instagram post.

Nobody is condoning murder but if thats what it takes to bring attention to corrupt mega monopolies literally letting people die, wrote another. So be it.

Now, other executives are being threatened.

I have heard of two incidents just over the weekend where CEOs have receivedone anthrax, one a package threatened to be a bomb that had some of the same language about defy and depose, Kathryn Wyldethe president and CEO of the Partnership for New York City nonprofit told CNBC.
The Saudis, it is fair to say, are not known for doing things by halves.

A skyscraper a kilometre tall and a futuristic megacity the size of Belgium complete with its own artificial moon are just some of the megaprojects currently under construction in the country.

The Kingdom has long been synonymous with large-scale building projects, so much so that the crane has become an unofficial national symbol.

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But it has now embarked on what could be its most ambitious project yet  taming the heat in Riyadh, its sprawling capital, by turning the desert green.

The objectives are to bring down temperatures, which get close to 50 degrees in the summer, and slash the citys air-conditioning bill by reversing course on decades of outdated urban planning.

Plans are afoot to plant seven-and-a-half million trees across the city - Royal Commission for Riyadh City

They plan to plant seven-and-a-half million trees across the city and build numerous new parks and green spaces including one four times the size of Hyde Park. A new irrigation system using treated wastewater is being developed, and the building code is being rewritten taking inspiration from traditional local architecture to make new homes more energy efficient.

Much is riding on the projects success  making Riyadh a more appealing place to live to tempt in expats and foreign investment is a cornerstone of Crown Prince Mohamed bin Salmans efforts to overhaul the countrys image and diversify the economy away from oil.

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And with millions of people suffering from extreme heat in cities around the world  increasingly relying on environmentally disastrous air conditioning  the lessons Saudi Arabia learns could be vital to averting the worst effects of climate change in the coming decades.

Extreme heat

Even in the cooler winter months the heat in Riyadh, which is surrounded on all sides by the Arabian desert, is oppressive.

When The Telegraph visited, temperatures hit 38 degrees in the middle of the day, making even standing outside for any length of time an uncomfortable experience. In summer, it is even worse.

In its current form, there isnt much you can do to escape the heat other than to travel by car between air conditioned buildings. Changing this and making the city more liveable is one of the main aims of the Green Riyadh project.

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The Royal Commission for Riyadh City (RCRC), which has overseen its rapid transformation from an isolated town to a metropolis since the 1970s, has set a target of reducing the overall average temperature by two degrees celsius. It also wants to reduce temperatures by as much as 15 degrees in intensively afforested locations across the city.

If all goes to plan, by the end of the decade there will be almost one tree for every person living in the city.

There are some 72 native species being used that have been chosen because they can survive the harsh desert heat and wind. The trees will not only provide shade, but physically cool their environment by releasing water vapour from their leaves.

It is hoped that planting them in large numbers across the city will also reduce the amount of dust in the air, make the city more resilient to flooding, and encourage people to lead healthier lifestyles  helping Riyadh into the list of the top 100 most liveable cities around the world.

Green Riyadh is one of the most ambitious urban forestation projects in the world - Royal Commission for Riyadh City

The RCRC has been collaborating with a team of researchers behind a recent study published in Nature Cities that suggested it is possible to dramatically reduce air conditioning use and bring down temperatures in cities.

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They carried out large-scale simulations in Riyadhs Al-Masif neighbourhood and developed a set of eight cooling strategies which brought peak temperatures down by as much as 4.5 degrees on average and cut energy use by up to 16 per cent.

Professor Mat Santamouris, Professor of High Performance Architecture at the University of New South Wales in Australia and senior author of the study, has experienced the fierce heat of the Riyadh summer.

Its very difficult to walk outside  its impossible really, he told The Telegraph.

To bring down the temperatures, Prof Santamouris and his team used a combination of low- and high-tech solutions  from simple shutters on windows and broadleaf trees supplied with water, to so-called super cool materials on building roofs that reflect rather than absorb solar energy.

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Once this is combined with some adaptation technologies  better buildings  we can have some spectacular results, said Prof Santamouris.

A reduction of two or even four-and-a-half degrees might not sound like a lot, but research has shown that even small increases in temperature can have a devastating impact.

In Europe, every increase in temperature of just one degree in the summer causes an estimated 18,547 additional heat-related deaths, according to a recent study in Nature Medicine.

The elderly and the very young are most at risk, but anyone can fall victim.

This summer, at least 1,300 people who travelled to Mecca for the annual Hajj pilgrimage died as a result of extreme heat amid temperatures in excess of 50 degrees.

Redesigning Riyadh

Riyadhs heat woes have been blamed in part on the architects and urban designers who were brought in after the oil began flowing and laid out the city along Western lines.

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Their influence is still clearly visible today  most of the city is made up of two-by-two kilometre neighbourhood blocks that stretch for miles out of the centre along a sort of spine running from North to South.

After the discovery of oil, Western architects and urban planners were invited to the Gulf and applied Western models of architecture, neglecting the special nature of the place and its climate and its building traditions, said Lotfy Azaz, Professor of Urbanism at Egypts Menoufia University and an expert on traditional architecture in the Middle East.

As Riyadhs population boomed, traditional courtyard houses disappeared and were replaced with Western-style villas, skyscrapers and high-rise apartment blocks of concrete, glass and steel.

Much of Riyadh is made up of two-by-two kilometre neighbourhood blocks that stretch for miles out of the centre - Getty

The widespread use of these materials, which absorb heat much more readily than local or traditional alternatives like mud-brick or adobe, has turned Riyadh into an urban heat island  the name given to a powerful phenomenon that makes cities much hotter than their surroundings  and made the city completely dependent on air conditioning.

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We need to go back to [our] roots in architecture by adopting traditional designs using local building materials that did not absorb heat as much as concrete blocks used today, said Prof Azaz.

Even ancient architects had their own tricks to beat the heat, he said.

Traditional buildings designs had smart solutions to combat heat such as Al Badjir  ventilation towers or wind catchers that work as a kind of passive air conditioning, he told The Telegraph.

Overheating cities

Riyadh is far from the only city dealing with excessive heat. In fact, some 13,000 cities are exhibiting symptoms of overheating, affecting more than 1.7 billion people.

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By 2100, between half and three quarters of the global population will be impacted by life-threatening heat and humidity, according to the UN.

At the same time, air conditioning use is soaring  the number of units in operation around the world is expected to triple by 2050.

The problem, as in Riyadh, is partly down to architecture.

So-called modern architecture is implemented all around the world now  you have these glazed buildings and large structures and all these kinds of things, said Prof Santamouris. This has resulted in a tremendous increase of energy consumption, low-comfort conditions, emissions, pollution  important environmental problems.

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A second wave of urbanisation that began in the 1950s and is continuing at pace is also a major driver of energy consumption.

In 1980, we had 34 per cent of the population living in cities  now its 56 per cent, said Prof Santamouris.

Redesigning cities to make them cooler and less reliant on air conditioning will be vital to averting the worst effects of climate change - Royal Commission for Riyadh City

With the number of people living in cities expected to double and cooling set to account for over 10 per cent of global emissions by the middle of the century, redesigning our cities to make them cooler and less reliant on air conditioning will be vital to averting the worst effects of climate change.

Its an emergency that is particularly acute in Asia, said Prof Santamouris.

Take India for example. The countrys electricity demands  just for running household air conditioning  are on course to exceed the total power consumption of the whole of Africa by 2050, according to the International Energy Agency.

The rest of the region is facing a similar future, and there are already brutal high temperatures to contend with.

The frequency of heat waves in Southeast Asia has increased by a factor of 30  not 30 per cent  a factor of 30, said Prof Santamouris.

Tackling the problem of overheating cities will require massive investment.

In order to really decarbonise the built environment, we need investments close to $1.6 trillion per year  money that is simply not available in the countries where its needed, he said.

A lot of change is happening

A lack of cash certainly isnt holding back the Saudis, but their ambitious project has its own problems  not least that it doesnt appear to be working yet.

Researchers used satellite sensors to study changes in vegetation cover and temperature in the city between 2018, shortly before the project was announced, and 2022.

They concluded that the Green Riyadh initiative appeared to have shown no impact on surface temperature.

But those involved in the project are confident that it will bring results.

Massive construction is still ongoing, and the fine details of the project are still being finalised.

As we speak, we are engaging the private sector on the new building code  theyre adding [requirements] to it to make housing and buildings more environmentally friendly, said Prince Waleed bin Nasser Al-Saud, the CEO of Mukatafa, a company set up to bridge the gap between Saudi Arabias public and private sectors.

Not only that  the greenery  how to increase it, to give it more space, how to preserve the valleys whenever they do the master plans and so on, he told The Telegraph.

An environmental rehabilitation of Ghudhwana, one of the tributaries of Wadi Hanifa, has also been completed - Royal Commission for Riyadh City

Miles of hoarding bearing the Green Riyadh logo flanks roads and motorways all over the city, and hundreds of cranes loom over the vast swathes of the city being given over to the project.

Riyadhs metamorphosis is one aspect of the seismic economic, cultural and social transformation that Saudi Arabia is undergoing as it opens up under the Crown Prince.

A lot of change is happening, said Prince Waleed. No one could imagine the transformation of the government, of the economy. But the transformation that has happened to the people is beyond description.

Walking around Diriyah, once the ancient Saudi capital and now a major tourist destination, it is possible to see this vision coming into focus.

After the sun has set, Saudi families come to see the reconstructed fort and traditional buildings, walk along the carefully-manicured, tree-lined wadis and drink Arabic coffee on its shaded terraces.

Among them are a surprising number of Western tourists and expats  an early sign that the project to turn Riyadh green and rediscover its history is beginning to bear fruit.

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For the record:

11:05 a.m. Dec. 11, 2024: A previous version of this article identified the suspect as Larry Manatt. His full name is Michael Larry Manatt.



Nearly 41 years after a carpenter was found beaten to death in his home, Newport Beach police arrested a 70-year-old man in connection to the cold case.

Michael Larry Manatt was arrested Friday on suspicion of killing Ronald Gaskey, the Newport Beach Police Department announced in a social media post. Manatt, a Huntington Beach resident, was taken into custody and booked in jail on suspicion of murder, days before the 41st anniversary of Gaskey's death.

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Gaskey was found dead in an upstairs hallway at his home in Newport Shores on Dec. 13, 1983, the Orange County Register reported days after his killing. Gaskey, 35, was found by his girlfriend, who went to check on him after he did not show up for work at his family's construction company. Authorities said he was beaten with a blunt instrument, but there were no details about a suspect, the newspaper reported.

"It's a real mystery," then-Newport Beach police spokesperson Tom Little told the media.

Detectives collected evidence from the home and interviewed multiple people when Gaskey's body was found, and in the last few years the case was reopened, police said. Detectives reviewed the case file and completed additional interviews, which led them to Manatt as their suspect.

The case was presented to a Superior Court judge and the department obtained an arrest warrant for Manatt. He was taken into custody without incident, according to police.

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Manatt was released from custody after he posted bail, a police spokesperson said Monday. Homicide investigators have not presented their case to the Orange County district attorney's office.

Anyone with information about the case can contact Police Det. Kyle Markwald at (949) 644-3762 or kmarkwald@nbpd.org.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A sorting machine processes ballots at the Adams County Government Center in Brighton, Nov. 7, 2023. (Kevin Mohatt for Colorado Newsline)

A third-party law firm hired to investigate the Colorado secretary of states election system password breach found that passwords were posted online unintentionally, though two policies related to training and review of publicly posted documents were violated, an investigators report says. The investigator recommended increased review measures to minimize future risk.

Colorado Secretary of State Jena Griswold disclosed in late October that a document posted to her offices website included a hidden but accessible worksheet containing Basic Input Output System  or BIOS  passwords to election equipment in counties throughout the state. Her office said the staff member responsible for posting the spreadsheet had left their position amicably before state officials discovered the passwords were inadvertently exposed. The department requested a third-party investigation into the breach shortly after discovering it.

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Beth Doherty Quinn of Baird Quinn, LLC, led the investigation, which was commissioned by Griswolds office. Quinn interviewed department staff, reviewed various department policies and documents, and worked with digital forensics experts. The secretary of state released Quinns report into the breach Monday.

Quinns report said all employees interviewed during the investigation showed a sincere desire to maintain the confidentiality of the BIOS passwords. She said the devastating impact the breach has had on the voting systems team and on the health and well-being of particular individuals on the team was palpable during interviews. She also said the unique set of circumstances that led to the breach would have been difficult to anticipate.

Two current employees with the voting systems team Quinn interviewed sincerely described their belief in the importance of their work  facilitating secure and fair elections  and the importance of doing their job well, the report says. The report found that employees were unaware of the hidden tabs after the employee who created them left the department.

A former employee with the Department of State migrated the states voting systems inventory information from a Microsoft Access database to a Microsoft Excel file in 2021. In transferring this data, the former employee created four hidden tabs used solely for her own purposes, some of which contained the BIOS passwords. She never informed other employees about the hidden tabs, so she would not be surprised that they would be unaware of their existence, the report said.

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None of the employees are named in the report.

The Colorado Legislatures Legislative Audit Committee declined Monday to start its own investigation into the breach. County clerks said that while election security in the state remained strong following the breach, many were upset that Griswold did not inform them about the breach until after the Colorado Republican Party learned about and announced it.

Recommendations

The report also found that voting systems inventories are not legally required to be posted online, rather the department posted them historically in PDF form for transparency. Forensic computer experts said that converting an Excel spreadsheet to a PDF makes any hidden tabs inaccessible, so the former employee who added the hidden tabs had no expectation that the hidden worksheets (tabs) would become public.

The former employee who created the hidden tabs resigned in May 2023, and she did not inform other members of the voting systems team of the hidden tabs included in the new inventory spreadsheet. No other members of the voting systems team were aware of the hidden tabs until the state learned they were posted online in the spreadsheet on Oct. 24, nor did they know a whole tab could be hidden.

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Prior to the spreadsheet with hidden tabs being posted, the last voting system inventory was posted online on Nov. 6, 2023, in PDF format. The voting systems team wanted to update the inventory posted online ahead of the June primary, and a member of the team suggested posting an Excel version of the file as opposed to a PDF to make the public document more user-friendly.

The employee copied the original document and renamed the copy to signify it would be publicly posted, unaware that the copy included hidden tabs that contained BIOS passwords. The employee deleted sensitive information included in the only visible tab remaining and requested that the departments content management team replace the voting inventory PDF online with the new spreadsheet.

Other employees interviewed during the investigation approved the request without any review of the document itself. Quinn found the lack of review violated state information security protocol related to reviewing publicly accessible data.

Quinn made seven recommendations to prevent a future breach, and the department agreed to implement the recommendations. The department should create a detailed review process for web requests from the Elections Division, with specific requirements that must be met before a document can be posted. It should also implement a policy prohibiting the use of hide functions for sensitive or confidential information.

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She also recommended all passwords be kept in a password safe unless an exception is granted in writing by the Department of States IT Division. The department should also better train employees on data protection features of computer software used regularly, such as specific features of Microsoft Excel and Word that could have found the hidden tabs prior to publication.

The department should also consider a transition and exit process for departing employees whose responsibilities include handling sensitive information to review where it is located and how the information should be handled. The department should also update its Acceptable Use Computing Policy to clarify requirements around managing passwords, and employees should be required to review and sign the policy annually.

The Department of State thanks Baird Quinn for their thorough review of this matter, Griswold said in a statement. We are committed to implementing their recommendations to ensure a situation like this never occurs again.

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DENVER (AP)  A series of inadvertent and unforeseen events resulted in Colorado voting system passwords being posted on the Secretary of States website, an outside investigator said.

A Denver attorney did not find any intentional wrongdoing by Secretary of State Jena Griswold or staff in her office, but said two policies were violated. Attorney Beth Doherty Quinn suggested in her report, dated Sunday, that the agency require a more thorough review of documents before they are posted on the secretary's website and better protection of passwords.

The passwords  only some of which were still active, Doherty Quinn said  were on hidden tabs in a spreadsheet containing information about county voting systems that was posted on the secretary's website on June 21. The information had previously been posted as a PDF that could not be manipulated, but an employee suggested posting the information in a spreadsheet software in the interest of transparency. The hidden sheets were discovered on Oct. 24.

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The passwords were one of two needed to access components of the Colorado voting system, Griswold's spokesperson Jack Todd has said. Griswold said it was not a security threat.

The tabs that included the passwords had been hidden in a file kept by a former employee. None of the employees involved in posting the document online knew that hiding tabs was a feature of the software, the investigation found.

The substantial weight of the evidence shows the hidden tabs with the passwords were posted mistakenly, unknowingly and unintentionally, because the employees involved were unaware the hidden worksheets existed, Doherty Quinn wrote in her report.

Doherty Quinn recommended the office require all passwords to be stored using software called a password safe," and to create a checklist of things that need to be reviewed before something is posted on the website, including seeing if there are hidden tabs and removing any metadata.
By Julio-Cesar Chavez, Andrew Hay and Joseph Ax

ALTOONA, Pennsylvania (Reuters) -New York prosecutors filed a murder charge against the suspect in the killing of a UnitedHealth executive, a brazen shooting that set off a tense five-day manhunt that culminated in his capture in Pennsylvania earlier on Monday.

The suspected killer, identified as Luigi Mangione, 26, was captured in Altoona, Pennsylvania, after he was spotted eating at a McDonald's by a customer and an employee who believed he resembled the gunman, officials said at a news conference.

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When approached by two police officers inside the McDonald's and asked if he had recently been in New York, Mangione began to shake and went quiet, one of the responding officers said at a press conference. He had been wearing a mask and sitting alone with a laptop and backpack.

A search of the backpack at the police station turned up a black "ghost gun" - a firearm assembled from parts, making it untraceable - loaded with a magazine and a silencer. Pennsylvania authorities said the weapon, as well as clothing and a mask, were similar to those used by the killer.

Mangione was led into the Blair County courthouse in Altoona for his arraignment on Monday night, where gun and forgery charges were read against him. The judge asked Mangione if he understood the charges against him, and he said he did. No plea was entered.

Prosecutors in New York brought a murder charge, along with four related gun charges, against Mangione, according to court records.

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Pennsylvania prosecutors, citing false IDs and a large sum of cash that were found on Mangione, argued he was a flight risk and asked that bail be denied, which it was. Several electronic devices were also found with the suspect, and they were being examined by police.

Officers in Pennsylvania said at a press conference that they were working to determine if Mangione had any accomplices and if he intended to kill anyone else. They said he had been in Pennsylvania for several days and were investigating exactly where he was and what he did in the state.

Mangione, a Maryland native, had multiple fraudulent identifications, including a fake New Jersey ID that matched the one used by the gunman to check into a Manhattan hostel days before the shooting, officials said.

Police also found a handwritten document that speaks to "both his motivation and his mindset," New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said earlier on Monday.

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While the document did not mention specific targets, Mangione harbored "ill will toward corporate America," said Joseph Kenny, the NYPD's chief of detectives.

Mangione graduated from a private all-boys school in Baltimore as valedictorian in 2016 before earning dual engineering degrees in 2020 at the University of Pennsylvania, a prestigious Ivy League university, according to school records. His last known address was in Honolulu, officials said.

"Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi's arrest," the Mangione family said in a statement posted on Maryland politician Nino Mangione's site on X. They said they could not comment further as they "only know what we have read in the media," and they offered their prayers to Thompson's family.

Thompson, 50, was gunned down outside a Manhattan hotel early on Wednesday morning by a masked man who appeared to wait for his arrival before shooting the executive from behind.

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The suspect ran from the scene and then rode a bike into Central Park. Surveillance video captured him exiting the park and taking a taxi to a bus station in northern Manhattan, where police believe he used a bus to flee the city.

DENY DEFEND DEPOSE

Police said Thompson appeared to be deliberately targeted and were investigating whether others also may have been at risk.

The words "deny," "defend" and "depose" were carved into shell casings found at the scene, several news outlets have reported. The words evoke the title of a book critical of the insurance industry published in 2010 titled "Delay, Deny, Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don't Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It."

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A Facebook profile that appears to belong to Mangione identified him as a native of Towson, Maryland, and a former student at the University of Pennsylvania. Photos appear to show Mangione at Stanford University wearing Stanford-branded clothing.

An X account that appears owned by Mangione says he lives in Honolulu, Hawaii.

Thompson's murder unleashed a wave of frustration from Americans who have seen their health insurance claims or care denied, faced unexpected costs or paid more for premiums and medical care - all trends that are rising, according to recent data.

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, speaking at a press conference with prosecutors and police in Altoona, said he understood the frustrations that some Americans, angered by health insurance companies and their refusal to pay for some treatments, had expressed online since Thompson's killing. But he rejected the glorification of the suspect in some circles online.

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"In America we do not kill people in cold blood to resolve policy differences or express a viewpoint," Shapiro said.

Thompson, a father of two, had been CEO of UnitedHealth Group's insurance unit since April 2021, part of a 20-year career with the company. He had been in New York to attend the company's annual investor conference.

"Our hope is that today's apprehension brings some relief to Brian's family, friends, colleagues and the many others affected by this unspeakable tragedy," a spokesperson for UnitedHealth said.

(Reporting by Julio-Cesar Chavez, Andrew Hay, Joseph Ax, Katharine Jackson, Costas Pitas, Brad Brooks, Doina Chiacu and Amina Niasse; Writing by Joseph Ax and Brad Brooks; Editing by Paul Thomasch, Bill Berkrot, Richard Chang and Sonali Paul)
A furious blame game is unfolding among Irans armed forces over the fall of Bashar al-Assad, The Telegraph has learned.

Officials of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said commanders of the elite military force were blaming each other in angry terms for the collapse of Assads regime and the loss of Iranian influence in the region.

The atmosphere is like something between almost punching each other, punching the walls, yelling at each other and kicking rubbish bins. They are blaming each other, and no one is taking responsibility, one official from Tehran told The Telegraph.

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No one ever imagined seeing Assad fleeing, as the focus for 10 years had been only on keeping him in power. And it was not because we were in love with him, it was because we wanted to maintain proximity to Israel and Hezbollah.

Iran spent billions of dollars propping up Assads regime after intervening in the Syrian civil war in the mid-2010s.

His government was also the lynchpin in a regional axis of resistance masterminded by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans supreme leader, and Qassim Soleimani, a former commander of the IRGCs Quds Force who was killed by a US air strike in 2020.

That network had already been badly mauled over the past 14 months by Israels wars against Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, and British and American airstrikes against the Houthis in Yemen.

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But the loss of Syria could be fatal because it was the main route for supplying Hezbollah, whose arsenal in southern Lebanon had projected Iranian military power directly to the border of Israel.

You need someone there to send arms to [but] they are either getting killed or escaping. Now the focus is on how to move forward from this impasse, a second IRGC official told The Telegraph.

Brig Gen Esmail Qaani appears to be in frame for Irans failure in Syria - Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu

For now, there are no discussions about arms, as everyone is trying to understand what is really happening and how dangerous it is for Iran, he said.

He added that some are blaming Brig Gen Esmail Qaani, the present commander of the Quds Force for allowing Assads army to disperse.

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No one dares to tell him to his face, but... he is the one to hold accountable and fire, he said.

He has done nothing to prevent Irans interests from crumbling. Allies fell one after another, and he was watching from Tehran. Even worse days might yet be coming.

Irans supreme leader is due to address the nation on Wednesday about the recent regional developments.

In its official statement, the Islamic Republic expressed expectations of continued friendly relations with Syria.

Irans allies surrender in Syria

X/ @MintelWorld

Irans foreign ministry said the historical ties between Iran and Syria would persist.

The relations between the two nations of Iran and Syria have a long history and have always been friendly, and it is expected that these relations will continue, it said.

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But behind the scenes, Tehran is in crisis.

The first IRGC official mentioned rumours suggesting that Maj Gen Qaani could be replaced by Khamenei because many are now calling for it.

He said Khamenei had summoned commanders several times in recent days as Syrian rebels were advancing towards Damascus.

The situation is bizarre and heated and angry discussions are taking place  the other concern is what to tell supporters in Iran, he added.

Rumours in Tehran suggest Ayatollah Ali Khamenei will take over some military operations - Iranian Leader Press Office/Anadolu via Getty Images

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Asked about the militarys view of Yahya Sinwar, the Hamas leader whose Oct 7 attack on Israel sparked the past 14 months of war, the official said: I can just tell you that he is no longer a celebrity here.

Soleimani, who was killed near Baghdad in January 2020, spent years in Syria and was credited in Iran with saving Damascus and reclaiming territory from the rebels.

Khamenei at the time had instructed the IRGC to save Assad and called the Quds Force soldiers without borders.

Former foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif praised Soleimani as a commander in the fight against terrorism and claimed the US and Europe owed him for helping defeat Isis in Iraq and Syria.

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But its a memory in black and white now and the resistance project almost no longer exists, added the IRGC official who spoke to The Telegraph.

You dont need to be an expert to see that we are in our weakest and most vulnerable position in decades and many acknowledge that here, he added.

Iran still has some options for supplying its proxies, including by sea, and is unlikely to simply abandon its network.

Iran is anticipating the arrival of the Trump administration and maximum pressure of sanctions. It sees its partners across the region significantly weakened, said Sanam Vakil, director of Chatham Houses Middle East and North Africa programme.

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But, I do think, Iran will find new ways to provide that support.

What has Iran done more successfully in the past is taking advantage of state weakness as well as opportunities in the region, and it will be looking for those moments of weakness and opportunities, Mrs Vakil said.

But they might not come now.

Arash Azizi, an Iranian historian and author of a book about Soleimani, said others in the Iranian leadership may seize the opportunity for a fundamental reset of foreign policy.

There is a big segment of the Iranian establishment which realises the gig is up: revolutionary Islamism devoted to confronting America is not going to get them anywhere, he said.

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That doesnt mean they want to be a liberal democracy, but they want to be more like Turkey or India, a big power in pursuit of their own interests.

Some ordinary Iranian citizens, however, are celebrating the fall of Assad and told The Telegraph they hope the Ayatollah will go the same way.

I celebrated with a bottle of aragh sagi [Iranian moonshine] and the hope for the fall of the mullahs, one Tehran resident said. The region deserves peace, and that wont happen until they are gone.

More than 90 per cent of the people are happy and celebrating it, the mullahs should know that this is what will happen if they dont have the peoples support, he said.

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The repression of people leads to dictators downfall, he added. The mullahs will soon regret their actions in Moscow.

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Footage emerging from the liberation of Bashar al-Assads most notorious prisons has revealed that the Syrian dictator used underground cells and body-crushing iron presses to detain and torture thousands of civilians.

Syrian rescue teams were still trying desperately to reach prisoners trapped in the underground labyrinth of jails deep inside the city of Sednaya on Monday.

Fleeting video clips taken by the first civilians and rebels to arrive at the prison  known locally as the human slaughterhouse  begin to show the horrors of the Assad regimes interrogation and detention, where mass hangings, torture and sexual abuse are said to have taken place.

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One clip shows a large iron press that is believed to have been used to break bones and execute prisoners, while endless red rope used for unknown torture methods lies discarded on the floor.

X / @AJA_Egypt

Other inmates were filmed screaming as they forced their limbs through the metal bars of their high-walled cells, desperate to be freed.

X / @clashreport

One man is seen dragging his broken body along the prison floor after being left unable to walk.

X / @Charles_Lister

The race to save the last of the inmates continues as CCTV appears to have shown people being held in dungeons as deep as 100ft underground and locked behind heavy electronic doors.

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X / @sentdefender

The Syrian civil defence group  known as the White Helmets  said they had deployed five specialised emergency teams to release the remaining prisoners, including wall-breaching specialists, iron door-opening crews, trained dog units and medical responders.

Rescuers have appealed to former soldiers and prison workers from the Assad regime to share the codes that release the electronic doors.

Nobody has been found in the search so far, the Turkey-based Association of Detainees and The Missing in Sednaya Prison (ADMSP) said later on Monday. It claimed the prison could now be empty.

The Syrian civil defence group has deployed five specialised emergency teams to the rescue effort - Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters

The secretive security prison, which is located some 20 miles north of Syrias capital city, became a central component of Assads system of terror and a potent symbol of the regimes brutality.

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The prison is split into two buildings, with the red building mainly holding civilians and the white building typically housing officers and soldiers from the Syrian military.

At its peak, Amnesty International estimates that 20,000 people were being held inside the complex  detained in near silence and usually transferred after spending months, or even years, locked up elsewhere.

Sednaya is the end of life  the end of humanity, a former guard told the human rights group in a 2017 report.

Among the thousands of prisoners finally set free on Sunday, a tiny three-year-old toddler waddled out of his mothers cell.

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Those liberated also included a pilot jailed in 1981 for refusing orders to bomb Hama city and a teenager who had spent his entire life in Sednaya. He was filmed saying the only word he knew  Halap (or to Aleppo).

Survivors described being kept in darkness while the stone floors were coated in blood and sweat. Blankets and clothes were confiscated should inmates dare to talk or sleep without permission and relatives were forced to torture each other or face execution.

The scenes I saw cannot be erased from my memory even until death, Safi al-Yassin, a 49-year-old who spent a year inside Sednaya, told Al Jazeera after he was released from another prison in Aleppo.

The blacksmith said the treatment inside the facility was indescribable and unwritable, adding that he could not shake the image of an elderly man covered in blood who later passed away.

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Across Syria, more than 136,000 people were detained before the rebel offensive, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights.

Teams continue to investigate allegations of a secret compartment in the Sednaya prison - Emin Sansar/Anadolu via Getty Images

A defector from the Syrian military  known only as Caesor  smuggled more than 53,000 haunting photographs out of the country in 2013, including 6,700 images of bone-thin, battered corpses.

He said the photos documented clear evidence of widespread torture, rampant disease and mass starvation inside the regimes prisons.

However, Sednaya became the facility that was feared the most. The site effectively became a death camp once the country descended into civil war, according to a 2022 report by ADMSP.

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The group estimated that more than 30,000 people died there either by execution, torture, a lack of medical care or starvation between 2011 and 2013. At least 500 more lost their lives between 2018 and 2021.

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X / @QalaatAlMudiq

The US State Department alleged in 2017 that there was a crematorium at the site to dispose of bodies.

An Amnesty report from the same year detailed a series of atrocities inside the facility, such as mass hangings after military trials that rarely lasted more than three minutes, forced starvation as one of their modes of abuse, psychological manipulation, and rape.

One detainee named Sameer told the rights group: The beating was so intense. It was as if you had a nail and you were trying again and again to beat it into a rock. It was impossible but they just kept going. I was wishing they would just cut off my legs instead of beating them any more.

X / @k7ybnd99

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Other survivors told the New York Times that they were stuffed into tyres while they were beaten and would wake up naked in a freezing hallway after passing out. Another said he watched a teenager take 21 days to die after having been doused with fuel and set alight by interrogators.

Across the now rebel-held country, Syria braces for information on whether the more than 100,000 unaccounted-for detainees are still alive after disappearing into the system years ago.

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A colorful winter patchwork in SW China's Yunnan Province

People's Daily Online) 15:17, December 09, 2024

As winter arrives, the land in Hongtudi township, Dongchuan district, Kunming city, southwest China's Yunnan Province, becomes a vibrant tapestry of colors, marking the most enchanting season of the year.

Under the sunlight, freshly harvested fields reveal striking red soil that interweaves with patches of barley, rapeseed, buckwheat, and corn. These bold color blocks, paired with layered terraced fields, create a dazzling patchwork. The vivid hues and flowing lines deliver a powerful visual impact, making the scene truly spectacular.

Intern Han Yifan contributed to this story.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
This photo taken on Dec. 9, 2024 shows space-bred highland forage in Cona, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Wang Zehao)

LHASA, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- In the world's highest plateau region, the seeds of certain high-quality pasture grasses have been sourced from a place far higher than their growing altitude -- beyond the skies.

It all began when Losang Norbu, an agricultural official from Cona City in the southeastern part of the Himalayan mountain range, realized that improving local herders' livestock yields required better forage, a challenge further complicated by the region's harsh climate.

Ranging from 2,400 to 4,400 meters in elevation, Cona features a diverse landscape, from lush forests and alpine meadows to barren hillside fields.

Later, a cadre sent to support Southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region as part of a paired-up assistance program had an idea: why not experiment with seeds from an even higher altitude? He proposed a joint space-breeding study for saline-alkali-tolerant forage grasses in cold, arid regions.

"I was thrilled to learn of Cona's plan to test our space-grown seeds," said Guo Rui, director of Shaanxi provincial space breeding engineering technology research center. "Although space breeding is widely adopted, it had never been tried on the snowy plateau until now."

Space breeding involves sending seeds into space aboard returnable satellites or spacecraft to expose them to conditions like high vacuum, microgravity and cosmic radiation, which randomly cause genetic mutations.

Back on Earth, scientists select seeds with beneficial traits -- such as high yield, superior quality, early ripening and disease resistance -- and cultivate them into new crop varieties.

The two parties immediately agreed. In early May, Guo, 56, headed a team to Cona for an on-site assessment and obtained some soil samples for subsequent analysis back at the lab.

Using these soil samples, the team tailored organic fertilizers, optimized for space-bred seeds to be used in the high-altitude environment.

About a month later, they rushed back to Cona, since the cold-resistant plants must be sown before the end of the frost-free period that lasts only over 40 days there.

The team opted to conduct the trial on a barren 2.5-hectare plot of neglected, sloping land. "Our goal was to perform an extreme test," said Guo. "If these seeds can thrive in the poorest conditions, they will be well-suited to the natural environments across a broader part of Xizang."

The team chose six space-bred forages, including broadleaf chicory and string-leaf rosin, for their cold resistance, disease resistance, and high nutrition and yield. The seeds ventured into space via Shenzhou-15 and Shenzhou-16 manned spacecraft.

Their successful cultivation could significantly boost feed production, helping to address the grass-to-livestock balance issue.

Guo's team prepared the land and set up a greenhouse nursery to analyze the growth of the seedlings. Yuan Zhongquan, 66, the oldest member of the team, endured altitude sickness and worked in the field for 48 days.

"The grasses began to thrive, with some varieties growing over 40 centimeters by late August, surpassing our expectations," said Guo, adding that the overwintering process has been progressing well so far.

The planting of space-bred seeds in Xizang has proven to be a roaring success.

Despite encountering extreme, low temperatures of minus 40 degrees Celsius, these plants are capable of surviving the winter, according to Guo.

The team also collected 350 grams of seeds from 11 local crops in Xizang, including barley and rapeseed. These seed packets were launched into space aboard China's first reusable and returnable satellite, Shijian-19, in September, and the retrieved payloads were delivered to scientists in October.

"In the future, we will introduce space-bred vegetable and fruit seeds in Xizang to boost local agriculture," said Guo, his eyes brimming with confidence as he stood on the field's ridge, gazing toward the horizon. 
The Israeli Air Force struck a storage facility in southern Lebanon where officials alleged Hezbollah was operating "within a weapons storage facility," the Israel Defense Forces said in a release Sunday.

Israeli forces said Hezbollah violated the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Lebanon because their members were operating there.

MORE: Gaza teen receiving medical care in US after double leg amputation

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Despite the strike, the IDF said they were "operating according to the agreement and understanding between Israel and Lebanon."

"The IDF is operating according to the agreements and understanding between Israel and Lebanon, maintaining the ceasefire conditions. The IDF remains deployed in southern Lebanon and will operate against any threat posed to the State of Israel and its citizens," the IDF said in the statement.

Israel invaded southern Lebanon in October as part of an escalation of their conflict with Hezbollah.

MORE: Israeli Cabinet approves Israel-Hezbollah ceasefire deal

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Following lengthy negotiations, the Israeli government approved a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hezbollah on Nov. 26, which went into effect the following day.

When submitting the deal for approval, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that the deal would rely on the actions of Hezbollah.

"The duration of the ceasefire depends on what happens in Lebanon," Netanyahu said at the time. "We will enforce the agreement and respond forcefully to any violation. We will continue together until victory."

Israel claims Hezbollah violated ceasefire, strikes Hezbollah target in Lebanon originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
By James Mackenzie and Nidal al-Mughrabi

JERUSALEM/CAIRO (Reuters) - Israel is now more optimistic about a possible hostage deal in Gaza, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said on Monday, amid reports that Hamas had asked for lists of all hostages still held by militant groups in the Palestinian enclave.

He said indirect negotiations were under way about the return of about 100 hostages and that, while it was still too early to be sure, prospects had improved.

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"We can be more optimistic than before but we are not there yet. I hope we will be there," Saar told a press conference in Jerusalem, reiterating Israel's position that the hostages still held in Gaza must be returned before Israel agrees to an end to the fighting.

"There will not be a ceasefire in Gaza without a hostage deal," he said.

On Monday night, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told a press conference that Hamas' increasing isolation following the collapse of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's rule potentially opened the door to a hostage deal but it was too early to say efforts would succeed.

A Palestinian official with knowledge of the mediation effort said Hamas had asked other factions in Gaza to start listing the names of Israeli and foreign hostages in their custody, whether dead or alive.

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The official gave no further details of the mediation effort but said the mediators, backed by the United States, had stepped up contacts with Israel and Hamas.

Hamas officials declined immediate comment.

An official of a militant group allied with Hamas expressed hope that talks could lead to a deal.

Hamas gunmen took over 250 hostages back to Gaza after their attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed some 1,200 people, according to Israeli tallies. Over 44,700 Palestinians have been killed in the Israeli offensive on Gaza that followed, Gaza health authorities say.

Some hostage families voiced cautious optimism after meeting Netanyahu on Sunday. Netanyahu told them the time had come for a hostage deal, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said.

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Each side accuses the other of standing in the way of a deal but Saar said Hamas' previous position "might have changed during recent times".

"So if both parties are interested in an agreement, there is a better chance it will be achieved," he said.

Israeli strikes across Gaza continued overnight and on Monday, medics said. One strike killed at least four people near Jabalia camp on the northern edge of the enclave, they said.

In Rafah, near the southern Gaza border with Egypt, health officials said rescue teams have recovered at least 11 bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli airstrikes overnight and on Monday.

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Residents of Al-Maghazi camp in the central Gaza Strip said some Israeli tanks pushed into the eastern area of the camp early on Monday, forcing some residents to flee their homes.

Later on Monday, medics said an Israeli strike in Al-Maghazi killed four children aged between 4 and 13, while an airstrike in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip killed six people.

The Israeli military has not commented on Monday's strikes on Gaza.

(This story has been corrected to rectify the name of the ousted Syrian president to Bashar al-Assad, not Hafez al-Assad, in paragraph 5)

(Reporting by James Mackenzie and Nidal al-Mughrabi; Additional reporting by Emily Rose in Jerusalem; Editing by Ros Russell and Toby Chopra)
Israeli warplanes have struck suspected chemical weapons depots in Syria, the countrys foreign minister confirmed on Monday.

Gideon Saar, Israels foreign minister, said they attacked in order that they will not fall in the hands of extremists following the collapse of Bashar al-Assads regime.

Israel also destroyed weapons and ammunition depots in intensive air strikes launched in coastal and southern Syria, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based monitor.

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Footage released on Monday showed damage at Mazzeh military airport on the outskirts of Damascus, including destroyed helicopters and jets, where the Israeli military struck nearby weapons depots.

Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel was using all the tools it has to ensure its security after the change in the Syrian leadership.

Israel targeted air defence sites near the coastal port of Latakia, according to two Syrian security sources.

Blurry footage showed an orange fireball erupting near what appeared to be residential buildings. It was not clear if the targets were destroyed.

At least two large explosions were also heard in Barzeh close to Damascus, where a scientific and military research centre was based.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said it had reminded Syria of its responsibility to secure any of its remaining stockpiles.

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The OPCW said it removed Assads stockpile after a chemical attack killed 1,400 in Damascus in 2013 but said on Monday it had serious concerns about the fate of significant amounts of chemical weapons unaccounted for.

The strikes came as Israel ordered the complete seizure of a demilitarised buffer zone on its border with Syria. It did not rule out pushing further into the now rebel-held country.

For the first time in 50 years, Israels troops marched into the territory on the Syrian side of occupied Golan Heights on Sunday, as its warplanes dropped bombs on Assads leftover long-range weapons.

Mr Saar said that in order to prevent an October 7 scenario from Syria, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) had temporarily taken control of the separation zone in south-west Syria.

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With the Syrian regime forces gone, Israel wants to prevent the build-up of hostile forces on its border amid concerns the rebel groups might team up with jihadists to exploit the power vacuum left by the fall of Assads regime.

The 155-square-mile demilitarised zone was created by a 1974 agreement and overseen by the UN.

The Telegraph asked the IDF to elaborate on how far the troops could go into Syria. The IDF declined to comment.

Mr Saar also confirmed on Monday that Israel was attacking the Syrian Armys advanced weaponry, including chemical weapons, long-range missiles and rockets, to prevent them from falling into the hands of extremists.

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A senior Israeli official told Reuters that the air strikes would continue over the coming days.

Mr Saar stressed that Israel had no interest in interfering in internal Syrian affairs and was concerned only with defending its citizens.

Mohammed al-Jolani, the leader of the Syrian rebellion, head of Hayat Tahrir Al Sham (HTS) group and a former al-Qaeda fighter, has been vocal in his opposition to Israel.

Israeli tanks and armoured vehicles have moved to the buffer zone that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from the rest of Syria - AFP/Menahem Kahana

Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will not allow any hostile forces to establish themselves at our border and moved IDF troops into the buffer zone - Shutterstock /Atef Safadi

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On Sunday, the Israeli air force carried out strikes on Damascus and sites in the south of the country, hours after the capital fell to the Islamist-led rebel forces and Assad fled the country.

A security complex and a government research centre was hit in Damascus, one of which was used to store sensitive military data, equipment and guided missiles parts, security sources told Reuters.

Another seven air strikes hit south-west Syria, including the north of Sweida city.

Following the ousting of Assad, Benjamin Netanyahu visited the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights on Sunday.

This is a historic day in the history of the Middle East, he said, adding it was a direct result of the blows we have inflicted on Iran and Hezbollah, the main supporters of the Assad regime.

Israeli elite special forces have taken control of the Syrian side of Mount Hermon, considered a key strategic area - Via Reuters/IDF

He vowed that Israel would not allow any hostile forces to establish themselves at our border, saying the 1974 disengagement agreement with Syria had collapsed as the regime soldiers had abandoned their posts.

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Dozens of elite special forces took control of the Syrian side of Mount Hermon on Sunday, with footage showing them raising the Israel flag on the snowy mountaintop.

The mountain cluster is considered a key strategic area as it overlooks Syria, Lebanon and Israel.

The Israeli army already began deploying additional troops to occupied Golan Heights last week as the rebel offensive, which started on Nov 27, swept further across Syria.

Its military had already cleared landmines and established new barriers on the frontier. On Monday, it announced that it would further fortify its barrier to prevent any possible infiltration.

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Israel captured the Golan Heights from Syria in the 1967 Six-Day War and annexed the territory in 1981. The international community, except the US, recognises it as occupied Syrian territory.

Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that the Golan Heights would remain Israeli for eternity.

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By Maayan Lubell and Emily Rose

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Israel will step up airstrikes on Syrian stores of advanced weaponry, Israeli officials said on Monday, and keep a "limited" troop presence on the ground, hoping to head off any threat that could emerge in the fallout of president Bashar al-Assad's overthrow.

Israel has watched the upheaval in Syria with a mixture of hope and concern as it weighs the consequences of one of the most significant strategic shifts in the Middle East in years.

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"We are taking all the actions necessary to try to ensure our security with regard to the new situation in Syria," Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters in a late-night press conference at his office without going into detail.

While Assad's fall wiped out a bastion from which Israel's arch-foe Iran had exercised influence in the region, the lightning advance of a disparate group of rebel forces with roots in the Islamist ideology of Al Qaeda poses risks.

Defence Minister Israel Katz said the military would "destroy heavy strategic weapons throughout Syria, including surface-to-air missiles, air defence systems, surface-to-surface missiles, cruise missiles, long-range rockets, and coastal missiles".

A senior Israeli official said airstrikes would persist in the coming days, while Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said Israel had no interest in interfering in internal Syrian affairs and was concerned only with defending its citizens.

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"That's why we attack strategic weapons systems like, for example, remaining chemical weapons or long-range missiles and rockets in order that they will not fall into the hands of extremists," Saar told reporters in Jerusalem.

Still reeling from the Palestinian militant group Hamas' attack in October 2023, Israel is also looking to head off any future threat from its neighbour.

Israeli forces had already cleared landmines and established new barriers on the frontier between the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and a demilitarised strip bordering Syria in October.

Early on Sunday, the military said it had sent ground forces into the demilitarised zone, a 400-sq-km (155-sq-mile) buffer created by a 1974 Separation of Forces Agreement and overseen by the U.N. Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF).

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The military on Monday published photos of Israeli commandos in the Syrian Mount Hermon area.

Saar said the troop presence was strictly limited. "It's basically near our borders, sometimes a few hundred metres, sometimes one mile or two miles," he said. "It is a very limited and temporary step we took for security reasons."

(Reporting by Maayan Lubell and Emily Rose; Additional reporting by James Mackenzie; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
CAIRO (Reuters) - An Israeli strike targeted an air defence installation near Syria's Mediterranean Latakia port, Syrian security sources said on Monday.

Israel conducted three airstrikes in the Syrian capital a day earlier, against a security complex and a government research centre which it has said in the past was used by Iran to develop missiles, two regional security sources told Reuters on Sunday.

Earlier on Sunday, Israel struck at least seven targets in southwest Syria that included the Khalkhala air base north of Sweida city, the sources said.

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The strikes come after Syrian rebels overthrew President Bashar al-Assad, which Israel has watched with a mixture of hope and concern.

Israel has been carrying out strikes against Iran-linked targets in Syria for years but has ramped up such raids since last year's Oct. 7 attack by Palestinian group Hamas on Israeli territory that sparked the Gaza war.

(Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Giorgia Melonis friendship with Elon Musk is paying off.

The far-right Italian premiere continued her charm offensive of the MAGA universe, using the opening of Notre Dame as an opportunity to pal around with Donald Trump and their mutual friend Musk.

I was with her a lot, Trump told the New York Post after dining with Meloni during a reception for world leaders. We got along great, he added, saying Meloni was a real live wire with a lot of energy.

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He was apparently so impressed with Meloni he invited her to his inauguration, the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reported.

Meloni also seemed to enjoy the president-elects company, calling the evening a pleasant opportunity for dialogue with Trump and Musk.

Photos of the event posted to social media by Meloni and by Musks pro-Trump super PAC America show Meloni listening intently to Trump, laughing hysterically with Musk and flashing an awkward thumbs up with the once and future president.

BREAKING: President-Elect Donald Trump meets with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Elon Musk in Paris, France pic.twitter.com/4Woz2llNu4  America (@america) December 7, 2024

Meloni was elected prime minister in 2022 as the head of the post-fascist Brothers of Italy party. Like Trump, she rose to the top of a conservative coalition by vowing to crack down on illegal immigration.

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A year later, she invited Musk to Rome to discuss their shared obsessions: technology, artificial intelligence and falling birth rates.

The worlds richest man was the surprise guest of honor a few months later at the Atreju Festival, a regular political gathering named for Atreyu, protagonist of the fantasy novel and film The Neverending Story, that Meloni founded in the 1990s in Rome when she was head of the local youth wing of Brothers of Italy.

This year, Musk presented Meloni with a controversial award from the Atlantic Council in New York. After photos circulated of the two gazing at one another after the ceremony, the billionaire founder of SpaceX took to social media to clarify that their relationship was not in fact romantic.

But after Trump won re-election in November, Meloni called the president-elect to offer her congratulationsand then wasted no time also congratulating her friend Musk, who poured a quarter of a billion dollars into Trumps campaign.

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Meloni is apparently hoping her relationship with Musk will give Italy an outsized role in the U.S.s relationship with Europe, according to a post on X from Andrea Stroppa, Musks right-hand man in Italy.

Since powering Trump back to the White House, Musk has been offered an advisory position cutting waste and eliminating government bureaucracy. An area in which, for all of Meloni and Musks shared love of technology and high birth rates, the Italians do not exactly excel.
Big news for local travelers: Jacksonville International Airport (JIA) is adding a new airline to its lineup. Avelo Airlines will become the 10th carrier at the airport.

Its offering nonstop flights to Southern Connecticuts Tweed-New Haven Airport starting Feb. 14, 2025. The new service will provide more options for passengers traveling to and from Jacksonville, with one-way fares starting as low as $48.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

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Avelo Airlines, known for its affordable fares and top rankings in performance, boasts an 85% on-time arrival rate and the lowest cancellation rate in the industry at just 0.5%. These high marks are among the reasons Jacksonville International chose Avelo as its newest airline.

It gives our passengers an opportunity to connect nonstop to a new destination. It also means that people in New Haven are now able to enjoy Northeast Florida, which will help increase tourism here, Greg Willis with Jacksonville Aviation Authority said.

Avelo, which launched in April 2021, is a relatively new player in the aviation industry. Since its debut, the airline has flown over 6 million customers on more than 46,000 flights. Now, Avelo serves 54 cities across 24 states and Puerto Rico, as well as three international destinations: Jamaica, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic.

Were also an airline that values partnership. With Jacksonville, we had great partnerships with the airport. It makes sense for us to try service here as the next place for our expansion, Mike Corcoran with Avelo Airlines said.

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Avelo wont be the only airline offering nonstop flights to New Haven. Breeze Airways, another budget carrier, is launching its own service to Connecticut on Feb. 6, creating competition between the two airlines.

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Competition in the market means lower fares for our travelers, and lower fares for our travelers is a good thing, Willis said.

To accommodate the increase in passengers, JIA is expanding its infrastructure. The airport recently added a third economy lot and is currently constructing a new parking garage, which will provide 2,000 additional spaces.

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Avelo Airlines said it will evaluate the performance of its New Haven route to determine whether to add more destinations from Jacksonville in the future.

The airline will operate the New Haven route twice a week, on Fridays and Mondays.

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PHNOM PENH, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- A Symposium on China-ASEAN cooperation on AI development and governance was convened in Phnom Penh, capital of Cambodia, on Monday, aiming at leveraging AI's potential for sustainable socio-economic development in the region.

In his opening remarks, Cambodian Permanent Deputy Prime Minister and Cabinet Minister Vongsey Vissoth said artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed industries through increasing productivity and become a new catalyst for growth and prosperity.

"We see AI as a tool not only for innovation but also for inclusion and sustainability," he said.

For Cambodia, Vissoth said the government has set out digital technology as one of the key priorities, integrating technology as a cornerstone of its development strategy and ensuring that technological innovation, including AI, is used to uplift all segments of society, leaving no one behind.

For ASEAN, he said AI has offered greater opportunities for ASEAN-China cooperation.

He said the emphasis of China's Global AI Governance Initiative and responsible AI development aligned with ASEAN's vision for multilateral collaboration which emphasized a shared commitment to coordinated efforts that bridged regional and global aspirations.

"Therefore, for ASEAN nations and China, AI offers unparalleled opportunities to leapfrog developmental barriers, tackle persistent challenges, and usher in a new age of prosperity, inclusiveness, and sustainability," he said.

Speaking at the event, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wenbin said China and ASEAN have a solid foundation, huge potential, and broad opportunities for cooperation in the field of AI.

"China is willing to strengthen cooperation in the development and governance of AI with ASEAN countries including Cambodia," he said.

Wang said China-ASEAN cooperation on AI development and governance would inject vigorous momentum into the building of a closer China-ASEAN community with a shared future.

ASEAN groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Co-organized by the Economic, Social and Cultural Council of Cambodia and the China Institute of International Studies, the half-day symposium was attended by some 300 people. 
TOKYO (AP)  Japanese Empress Masako said the Nobel Peace Prize awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, an organization of survivors of the U.S. atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, was a key event of this year that impressed and reminded her of the importance of global peace efforts.

Masako, the wife of Emperor Naruhito, said she thought of the pain and suffering of the survivors and struggles of those who have long led the nuclear disarmament effort.

She felt anew the importance for the people of the world to strive for mutual understanding and work together in order to build a peaceful world, Masako said in a statement released by the Imperial Household Agency for her 61st birthday Monday.

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Her comment comes one day before a group of 30 atomic bombing survivors will attend Tuesdays Nobel prize award ceremony in Oslo.

Hidankyo was awarded for its decadeslong activism against nuclear weapons. The 30 survivors, known as hibakusha, see the prize and the international attention as a last chance to get their message to younger generations.

Terumi Tanaka, a 92-year-old survivor of the Nagasaki bombing who will speak at the award ceremony, told reporters after arriving in Oslo that he planned to talk about the survivors campaign and their demand that nuclear weapons must be abolished.

I plan to make an even stronger plea for what hibakusha have sought and convey our hope for the younger generations to take over, Tanaka said.

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He has said he feels hibakushas' sufferings are not fully understood and that he hoped to raise awareness about the need to join hands to achieve a world without nuclear weapons.

The first U.S. atomic bombing killed 140,000 people in the city of Hiroshima. A second on Nagasaki on Aug. 9, 1945, killed another 70,000. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, ending World War II and its nearly half-century aggression in Asia.

The war was fought in the name of Emperor Hirohito, grandfather of Naruhito.

Masako, a Harvard-educated former diplomat, has been struggling with adjustment disorder since 2003, soon after giving birth to Princess Aiko, the only child between her and Naruhito, following intense pressure to bear a male heir for the monarchy. She has made a number of public appearances this year, but palace doctors say she needs time to recover after major events or a busy schedule.

The 1947 Imperial House Law, which largely preserves conservative prewar family values, allows only males to take the throne and forces female royals who marry outside the family to give up their status.
Jay-Z, the star rapper and entrepreneur whose real name is Shawn Carter, was accused in a lawsuit Sunday of raping a 13-year-old girl in 2000 allegedly along with Sean Diddy Combs.

The anonymous accuser, identified only as Jane Doe, said the assault happened after she was driven to an MTV Video Music Awards after-party.

The federal lawsuit was originally filed in October in the Southern District of New York, listing Combs as a defendant. It was refiled Sunday to include Carter.

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Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee, who filed the suit, did not comment.

Carter called the allegations "idiotic" in a lengthy statement Sunday evening and alleged that Buzbee was engaged in unprofessional behavior.

"These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree?" Carter said in a statement to NBC News. "These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case."

A spokesman for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York declined to comment on whether the office is pursuing the case when shown NBC News' report on the lawsuit.

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Buzbee has filed several lawsuits in recent months  all have withheld their complainants names  accusing Combs of assault and rape. This is the first suit in which he has named another high-profile defendant.

In a statement, legal representatives for Combs called the suits "shameless publicity stunts, designed to extract payments from celebrities who fear having lies spread about them, just as lies have been spread about Mr. Combs."

"As his legal team has said before, Mr. Combs has full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyoneman or woman, adult or minor, the statement read.

Federal prosecutors in New York criminally charged Combs in September with racketeering, sex trafficking and other offenses, and he is behind bars at Brooklyns Metropolitan Detention Center after he was denied bail for a third time last month. His trial is scheduled for May 5.

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Prosecutors said in a court hearing last month that they are in the process of potentially bringing more charges against Combs in a superseding indictment.

Before the lawsuit was refiled Sunday, "Carter received a letter from Plaintiffs counsel requesting a mediation to resolve this matter," Buzbee wrote in the suit. In response to the letter, which NBC News has seen, Carter filed his own lawsuit against the accuser's attorneys, Buzbee wrote in the suit.

You have made a terrible error in judgement thinking that all celebrities are the same, Carter added in his statement Sunday. Im not from your world. Im a young man who made it out of the project of Brooklyn. We dont play these types of games. We have very strict codes and honor. We protect children.

The lawsuit claims that in 2000, when Doe was 13, Combs and Carter raped her at a house party after the MTV Video Music Awards in New York.

Jay-Z at the MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York on Sept. 7, 2000.

The lawsuit says a friend dropped her off at the VMAs at Radio City Music Hall. She did not have a ticket, and she approached various limousine drivers to try to gain access to the show or an after-party.

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One driver, the lawsuit says, told her that he worked for Combs and that she fit what Diddy was looking for. He invited her to a party after the show and told her to return to his car later in the evening after he transported Combs, the suit says.

Later, the driver picked her up, the suit says, and after 20 minutes they arrived at a white house with a U-shaped driveway, the suit says. She had to sign a document she believed was a nondisclosure agreement on arrival  and did not receive a copy  to enter the party, which the suit says was filled with celebrities and people doing marijuana and cocaine.

She was offered a drink that made her feel woozy, lightheaded and felt [like] she needed to lie down, the suit says, and she went into a room to rest.

Shortly afterward, the suit says, Combs and Carter entered the room with Combs saying, You are ready to party!

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Thats when, she alleges, Carter removed her clothes, held her down and raped her while Combs and an unnamed female celebrity watched. She says Combs also raped her as Carter and the woman looked on.

The suit says that she was able to resist being forced to perform oral sex on Combs by hitting him in the neck and that he stopped.

After the alleged assault, the suit says, she grabbed her clothes and left. She made her way to a gas station, where she called her father, it says.

The accuser is seeking unspecified damages. The lawsuit is filed under New Yorks Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act.

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"My only heartbreak is for my family," Carter said in the statement. "My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people. I mourn yet another loss of innocence.

"Only your network of conspiracy theorists, fake physics, will believe the idiotic claims you have levied against me that, if not for the seriousness surrounding harm to kids, would be laughable," Carter added.

CORRECTION: (Dec. 16, 2024, 4:14 p.m. ET): A previous version of this article misstated who a limo driver was transporting to an after-party. It was just Combs, not Combs and Carter.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
In an amended lawsuit filed Sunday, Jay-Z has been accused of raping a 13-year-old girl, identified only as Jane Doe, in 2000 alongside Sean Diddy Combs. The rapper, whose real name is Shawn Carter, was added to the lawsuit originally filed against Combs in October.

The lawsuit was filed by Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee.

Buzbee has filed several lawsuits against Combs in recent months, but this is the first that has named a second famous co-defendant. In the amended lawsuit, Combs is accused of having drugged and raped a 13-year-old girl at an afterparty following the 2000 Video Music Awards.

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Another celebrity stood by and watched as Combs and Carter took turns assaulting the minor, the suit reads. Many others were present at the after-party, but did nothing to stop the assault. Combs has been allowed for years to conduct himself in this manner without any consequences. He believes he is above the law. He is not. His close friend Shawn Carter has been with Combs during many such instances described herein.

The lawsuit also describes the personal and professional relationship between Carter and Combs. The pair met in the 1990s and began to work together, the documents read, and were not simply occasional collaborators in the music industry.

Indeed, the two are apparently so close that Combs stated in 2023 that Carter is the only person, other than Combs mother, who is allowed to call him by his legal first name of Sean.'

Carter was identified in the original lawsuit as Celebrity A, the documents also read, and before filing the amended lawsuit he received a letter from Plaintiffs counsel requesting a mediation to resolve this matter.

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Instead, he responded to said letter by not only filing an utterly frivolous lawsuit, but by also orchestrating a conspiracy of harassment, bullying and intimidation against Plaintiffs lawyers, their families, employees and former associates in an attempt to silence Plaintiff from naming Jay-Z herein.

The documents also claim that Doe observed widespread drug use, including marijuana and cocaine at the party before she accepted a drink described as a reddish-yellow mixture that tasted like orange juice, cranberry juice, and something bitter. After drinking the beverage she felt light-headed and found a room to lie down in.

Soon after, Combs entered the room, along with defendant Carter and a female

celebrity (Celebrity B), the documents continue. Both Combs and Carter are accused of vaginally raping Doe while Celebrity B watched.

In a statement on social media shared by Roc Nation, Carter said, My lawyer received a blackmail attempt, called a demand letter, from a lawyer named Tony Buzbee. What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle.

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No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!! Carter continued.

These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree? These alleged victims deserve real justice if that were the case.

This lawyer, who I have done a bit of research on, seems to have a pattern of these types of theatrics! he continued.

I have no idea how you have come to be such a deplorable human, Mr. Buzbee, but I promise you I have seen your kind many times over. Im more than prepared to deal with your type. You claim to be a marine?! Marines are known for their valor, you have neither honor nor dignity.

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My only heartbreak is for my family. My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people. I mourn yet another loss of innocence. Children should not have to endure such at their young age. It is unfair to have to try to understand inexplicable degrees of malice meant to destroy families and human spirit.

My heart and support goes out to true victims in the world, who have to watch how their life story is dressed in costume for profitability by this ambulance chaser in a cheap suit.

You have made a terrible error in judgment thinking that all celebrities are the same, the statement continued. Im not from your world. Im a young man who made it out of a project in Brooklyn. We dont play these types of games. We have very strict codes and honor. We protect children, you seem to exploit people for personal gain. Only your network of conspiracy theories, fake physics, will believe the idiotic claims you have levied against me that, if not for the seriousness surrounding harm to kids, would be laughable.

I look forward to showing you just how different I am.

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Combs trial date has been set for May 5, 2025. He is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center on a federal indictment. Each of his attempts for release has been denied.

The post Jay-Z Accused of Rape of a Minor in Civil Lawsuit Originally Filed Against Sean Diddy Combs appeared first on TheWrap.
Jay-Z, the legendary rapper whose real name is Shawn Carter, was accused in a lawsuit of raping a 13-year-old girl at a party following the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards alongside the disgraced music mogul Sean Diddy Combs.

The bombshell allegations were revealed after Carters name was added to one of several lawsuits filed over the last year from alleged victims of Diddy, the founder of Bad Boy Records.

Diddy is also facing federal charges for sex trafficking and racketeering, and is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center awaiting a trial in 2025.

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The suit was originally filed in October by Tony Buzbee, the Texas attorney who has filed multiple lawsuits on behalf of alleged victims of Diddy dating back decades.

In a lengthy statement sent to the Daily Beast, Carter, 55, called the allegations levied against him idiotic and vowed not to give the plaintiff ONE RED PENNY.

Diddy has previously denied all accusations against him.

The pleading speaks for itself, Buzbee said in a statement to the Daily Beast. This is a very serious matter that will be litigated in court.

In the suit, which was first filed in October, an unnamed woman accused Combsand now Carterof drugging and raping her at an afterparty for the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards.

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The plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, tried to get into the VMAs at Radio City Music Hall that year without a ticket, according to the lawsuit. Although she was unsuccessful, a limousine driver later offered her an invite to an afterparty with celebrity guests.

According to the complaint, the driver told her she fit what Diddy was looking for.

At the party, the plaintiff began to feel sick after drinking a small portion of a drink she was offered, the suit states. She found an empty bedroom to lie down in, but was soon interrupted when Combs entered the room with Carter and another female celebrity. Combs allegedly approached her and said you are ready to party!

The suit alleges Combs and Carter raped her, while the unnamed celebrity, named only as Celebrity B, watched. The teenager was able to escape the bedroom after punching Combs in the neck, then escaping from the house to a nearby gas station. An attendant at the gas station allowed her to use a phone, which she used to call her father to come pick her up.

Jay Z appears at the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. / FilmMagic, Inc

News of the amended civil complaint was first reported by NBC News Sunday night.

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In his statement, Carter also lashed out at Buzbee, calling a demand letter he previously sent to the rapper a blackmail attempt.

What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle, an irate Carter said in the statement. No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!

Carter expressed support for what he called the true victims in the world, imploring his accuser to file a criminal case rather than a civil one.

He also said the lawsuit would ultimately harm his own three children, who he shares with his wife, pop star Beyonce Knowles-Carter.

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My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people, Carter wrote. I mourn yet another loss of innocence.

Sean Diddy Combs and Jennifer Lopez at the 2000 MTV VMAs. / Kevin Mazur Archive 1/WireImage

Buzbee shot back at Carter on social media, accusing the rapper of trying to bully and harrass both himself and the alleged victim.

In November, an anonymous male celebrity filed a lawsuit against Buzbee in Los Angeles, claiming he was trying to extort exorbitant sums, CNN reported at the time.

On Sunday, Buzbee claimed that Jay-Z was the one responsible for the lawsuit, accusing the rapper of filing it under a pseudonym.

Buzbee, however, acknowledged that Jay-Z denied being the anonymous celebrity in question.

A representative for the rapper did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the allegations.
Jay-Z has been accused of raping a 13-year-old girl in 2000 in a lawsuit that also alleges Sean Diddy Combs took part in the act, according to NBC News.

For his part, the rapper-mogul  whose real name is Shawn Carter  responded that the claims are idiotic and part of a blackmail attempt.

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In the lawsuit, the accuser, identified only as Jane Doe, alleges Carter and Combs raped her at a house party after the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards, which took place in New York, NBC News reported.

The lawsuit, which was first filed in October in the Southern District of New York, originally listed Combs as a defendant. It was refiled Sunday to include Carter. Attorney Tony Buzbee, who filed the suit, also has filed numerous suits against Combs in the past several months.

Buzbee wrote that Carter received a letter from Plaintiffs counsel requesting a mediation to resolve this matter before the lawsuit was refiled and that Carter had filed his own lawsuit against the accusers attorneys.

For his part, Carter posted via his company Roc Nations X (formerly Twitter) account Sunday that the letter from Buzbee was a blackmail attempt.

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What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle, he wrote in a lengthy post. No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!! These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree? These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case.

He went on to says hes done a bit of research on Buzbee and that he has a pattern of these types of theatrics. He also called him deplorable and that he was feeling heartbreak for his wife, Beyonce, and their three kids.

He added that doesnt play these types of games.

Only your network of conspiracy theorists  will believe the idiotic claims you have levied against me that, if not for the seriousness surrounding harm to kids, would be laughable, he continued.

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Shortly after Roc Nation posted on X, Buzbee put up his own post on Instagram that didnt mention anyone by name but alleged hes been getting threats as a result of the lawsuits hes filed. The post included a photo of him in a military uniform with the caption: Recognize this guy? This is a picture of the Weapons Platoon Commander, Alpha Company, First Battalion, Fourth Marines from our old Western Pacific cruise book. Despite a coordinated and aggressive effort that has included harassing my kids, contacting my clients and former clients to encourage them to sue me, contacting my colleagues or former employees asking if Ive abused them, showing up at my current employees homes to harass them, filing frivolous cases against me and my law firm, defaming me with outrageous assertions to anyone who will listen, and having mysterious people follow me and my family, Im still THAT guy. I wont be bullied or intimidated. People will see through this effort to discredit me and my clients and the truth will be revealed. I also wont allow anyone to scare my clients into silence. Sunlight is the best disinfectant and I am quite certain the sun is coming.

The Hollywood Reporter has reached out to Jay-Zs rep. Combs, who has denied all allegations against him, is currently in custody at Brooklyns Metropolitan Detention Center awaiting trial, which is scheduled to begin May 5.

In the lawsuit, the accuser claims that she was dropped off at Radio City Music Hall, where the VMAs were being held, despite not having a ticket. She was trying to score entry into the ceremony or the afterparty when a limousine driver told her he worked for Combs and that she fit what Diddy was looking for, the lawsuit states.

After being driven to a party, she was asked to sign a document she believed was a nondisclosure agreement to enter the bash, where celebrities and others were doing marijuana and cocaine. There, she was offered a drink that made her feel woozy, lightheaded and felt [like] she needed to lie down, the suit says. She went into a room to rest; the lawsuit alleges that Combs and Carter entered the room. You are ready to party! Combs allegedly said.

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She alleges that Carter then took her clothes off, pinned her down and raped her, and that Combs and an unnamed female celebrity allegedly watched. She alleges that Combs also raped her as Carter and the woman watched.

She additionally alleges that Combs was trying to force her to perform oral sex on him but she was able to prevent that from happening by hitting him in the neck. The accuser claims that after the alleged assault, she grabbed her clothes and left; she found a gas station and called her dad.

The accuser is seeking unspecified damages.

Read Carters full response below.

See Buzbees post below.

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JAY-Z has been accused of raping a 13-year-old girl in a new lawsuit.

NBC News reports that Hov, along with Diddy, were both named in a lawsuit accusing the moguls of raping a then underaged Jane Doe. Tony Buzbee originally filed the suit as a part of the Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act in the Southern District of New York in October, where it only included Sean Combs. However, the suit was refiled on Sunday (Dec. 8) to include Shawn Carter.

Jane Does suit recalls the alleged graphic incident at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty in New York City, where a friend dropped her off. The woman claims to have not been invited to the party so she approached numerous limo drivers hoping to get into the exclusive event. One driver then claimed to have worked with Diddy and that she fit what Diddy was looking for, ultimately inviting her to the afterparty.

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The driver then transported her to the event, where she was then forced to sign, what she thinks, was an NDA. Her suit details entering the party, where she recalled seeing celebrities partaking in a bevy of drugs, such as marijuana and cocaine. Jane Doe allegedly then sipped on a drink that was offered to her, which made woozy, lightheaded and felt [like] she needed to lie down. Feeling the effects of the drink, the woman claimed to have gone into another room to do so.

LOS ANGELES  FEBRUARY 15: Rap artist Jay Z and recording artist and producer Sean P Diddy Combs attend the 2004 NBA All-Star Game held on February 15, 2004 at the Staples Center, in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Vince Bucci/Getty Images)

She was then allegedly met with the arrival of Combs and Carter, with Diddy shouting at her, You are ready to party! At this point, the suit claims that Carter took off her clothes, pinned her down, and began raping her while Diddy and an unnamed female celebrity watched. Diddy then began allegedly raping the woman as JAY-Z and the unidentified woman watched on. Diddy then allegedly attempted to force her to give him oral sex, but she claimed to have stopped him by hitting him in the neck.

Jane Does suit claims that she then grabbed her clothes, went to a gas station and had her father take her home.

Doe is seeking unspecified damages.

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JAY-Z and Roc Nation responded to the suit shortly after the news broke on Sunday on X/Twitter. The statement, which appears to be written by Carter himself, takes aim at Buzbee, claiming that the man previously attempted to blackmail him and his lawyer.

The Brooklyn natives missive then went on to give love to the true victims in the world and labeled Tony Buzbees filing nothing more than an ambulance chaser in a cheap suit. Carter then firmly drew a line in the sand, asserting that he protects children while Buzbee only exploits people for personal gain.

Shawn Carter concluded his statement by vowing to show Buzbee that he isnt like other celebrities and that he looks forward to showing you how different I am.

Read the full statement above.

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Rap mogul Jay-Z has been accused of raping a 13-year-old girl along with Sean Diddy Combs during a party in 2000, in an amended civil lawsuit that came to light at the weekend.

Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, denied the allegations on social media and blasted the lawsuit, calling it part of a blackmail attempt by the plaintiffs lawyer.

Lawyers for Jay-Z did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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Jay-Z said in a statement on X, formerly known as, Twitter: These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!

The lawsuit was originally filed in October in the Southern District of New York and at that time did not name Jay-Z as a defendant, though the amended lawsuit said that Jay-Z was identified as Celebrity A on the original complaint.

Combs denied all allegations against him, including this one, in October. He is currently in jail on federal sex trafficking charges, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

The lawsuit alleged the unnamed girl was drugged and raped by both Jay-Z and Combs at a party hosted by Combs following the MTV Music Awards in 2000, which was held in New York.

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Tony Buzbee, the Texas lawyer representing the girl who filed Sundays lawsuit, has filed at least 20 civil lawsuits against Combs accusing him of sexual misconduct.

In an email to Reuters, Mr Buzbee said the Jay-Z lawsuit speaks for itself.

This is a very serious matter that will be litigated in court, Mr Buzbee wrote.

Mr Buzbee, in his amended lawsuit, said his legal firm had previously sent Jay-Z a letter seeking to mediate a settlement.

The lawsuit said Jay-Z responded to that letter by filing a lawsuit against Mr Buzbee, and by orchestrating a conspiracy of harassment against Mr Buzbee and other lawyers in his firm, which the lawyer said was an intimidation tactic meant to silence his client.

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In his statement, Jay-Z said his lawyer had received a blackmail attempt, called a demand letter.

In a post on social media, Mr Buzbee said the alleged rape victim he is representing never demanded a penny from Jay-Z, writing that she only sought a confidential mediation.

Mr Buzbee last week filed a lawsuit against law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, whose lawyers represent Combs and Jay-Z, accusing the firms legal team of harassing his colleagues, his clients and his family.

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A lawsuit refiled on Sunday alleges that Jay-Z sexually assaulted a teen girl with Sean Diddy Combs.

According to NBC News, the anonymous accuser said she was raped by the rapper, whose real name is Shawn Carter, at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party in New York.

She said she was 13 years old at the time. The lawsuit said she became woozy and lightheaded after consuming a drink that was offered to her before the alleged rape.

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The lawsuit was refiled on Sunday to include Jay-Z after it was originally filed in October, listing Combs as a defendant.

Jay-Z issued a statement Sunday evening and denied the allegations. In part, he told NBC News:

These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree? These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case.

NBC News reached out to Tony Buzbee, the attorney who filed the lawsuit, but he did not comment.

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(NewsNation)  Rap mogul and entrepreneur Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter, is accused of raping a 13-year-old girl in 2000, alongside defamed music star Sean Diddy Combs, an amended complaint obtained by NewsNation alleges.

The victim, identified as Jane Doe, alleges that the pair of stars assaulted her at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty. She was invited by a limousine driver after the Video Music Awards in Manhattan in September 2000.

Originally filed in October 2024, the suit named only Diddy. Sundays amended complaint identifies Jay-Z as Celebrity A, who was accused of raping the 13-year-old while Celebrity B, a female, watched.

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Court documents also accuse Jay-Z of being present during many such instances.

He believes he is above the law. He is not, the filing reads. His close friend Shawn Carter has been with Combs during many such instances described herein. Both perpetrators must face justice.

The suit also accuses Jay-Z of orchestrating a conspiracy of harassment, bullying and intimidation against Plaintiffs lawyers, their families, employees and former associates in an attempt to silence Plaintiff from naming Jay-Z herein.

Jay-Z on accusations: I look forward to showing you just how different I am

The record executive released a lengthy statement in response to the complaint. In it, Jay-Z claims the lawyer behind the 13-year-old accusers suit  and many others  attempted to blackmail him.

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What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle, Jay-Zs statement reads in part. No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!

Jay-Z said his only heartbreak is for his family, as having to explain the allegations will be hard on the Carter-Knowles three children. He also said his heart and support goes out to the true victims in the world.

Only your network of conspiracy theorists, fake physics, will believe the idiotic claims you have levied against me that, if not for the seriousness surrounding harm to kids, would be laughable, the music mogul continued. I look forward to showing you just how different I am.

Diddy has pleaded not guilty to federal sex trafficking charges contained in an indictment unsealed the day after his Sept. 16 arrest. Charges include allegations he coerced and abused women for years, aided by associates and employees, and silenced victims through blackmail and violence, including kidnapping, arson and physical beatings.

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He has remained incarcerated pending a May 5 trial after his bond request was denied for a third time in late November.

Combs indictment came after months of speculation about a possible federal investigation tied to civil lawsuits alleging abuse and sexual assault spanning more than 30 years.

The indictment alleges Combs lured in women with promises of a romantic relationship before using intimidation and threats to have them engage in prostitution at reported so-called freak offs. There, victims were allegedly drugged and told to engage in sex acts with male sex workers for an extended period, while someone filmed them.

Combs allegedly kept some of the videos, sometimes without the victims knowledge.

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According to the indictment, Combs and the victims often required IV fluids afterward due to physical exertion.

NewsNations Liz Jassin, Katie Smith 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.

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BAGHDAD, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Two Iraqi security officers were killed on Monday in an operation against Islamic State (IS) militants in Iraq's western province of Anbar, the Iraqi National Security Service (INSS) said in a statement.

Acting on intelligence reports and monitoring, members of an INSS force clashed with the IS militants after raiding a house in the province, the statement said.

The clash resulted in the killing of two officers from the INSS force as well as two IS militants, it added.

The security situation in Iraq has improved since the defeat of the IS in 2017. However, IS remnants have sneaked into urban centers, deserts, and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerrilla attacks against security forces and civilians. 
Jay-Z has filed his first response to a lawsuit alleging he and Sean "Diddy" Combs raped a 13-year-old.

He said he wanted to force the woman to proceed under her real name instead of Jane Doe.

A lawyer for the woman said she fears retribution and harassment if she is named.

Rapper Jay-Z is fighting to quickly unmask the Jane Doe accuser who has sued him and Sean "Diddy" Combs over allegations that she was sexually attacked after the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards when she was 13 years old.

The accuser, who lives in Alabama, alleges in her lawsuit that she was given a drugged drink at a party "at a large white house" somewhere in New York, and was then raped by both rap A-listers as a third, unnamed female celebrity watched.

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In papers filed Monday, a lawyer for Jay-Z  given name Shawn Carter  complained that the accuser should not be allowed to tarnish his name while hiding her identity.

In a 29-page filing in federal court in Manhattan, Carter says that the woman had previously sought money from him and that he had refused to pay.

The filing is Carter's first formal response to the new accusations, and follows his strongly-worded denial from Sunday on his company Roc Nation's X account.

Carter's attorney, Alex Spiro, said in Monday's filing that the lawsuit is a good thing.

"Now, at last, the false, unfounded allegations that underlie this campaign of extortion are having judicial light shined on them," Spiro wrote. "Except that this Plaintiff is bringing them as a Doe, who would continue to hide under cover of darkness."

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When the Jane Doe first filed her lawsuit, in October, she had named only Combs, his companies and his associates as defendants. On Sunday she filed an updated lawsuit that removed a reference to "Celebrity A" and added "Shawn Carter" as defendant.

"Another celebrity stood by and watched as Combs and Carter took turns assaulting the minor," the updated lawsuit reads, continuing to protect the identity of that third person.

The woman's lawyer, Tony Buzbee, confirmed to Business Insider on Sunday there had been previous contact between the Jane Doe and Carter. Buzbee said he had sent a letter to Carter requesting mediation before naming him in Sunday's updated lawsuit.

Carter responded to that outreach with a campaign of "harassment, bullying, and intimidation against Plaintiff's lawyers, their families, employees, and former associates in an attempt to silence Plaintiff from naming Jay-Z herein," the updated lawsuit alleges.

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In fighting to keep his client's Jane Doe status as the lawsuit proceeds, Buzbee told a federal judge on Sunday that anonymity is necessary to protect all of his clients who are accusing Combs of sexual assault.

"My firm currently represents over 200 clients with claims against Mr. Combs," Buzbee wrote in a filing on Sunday.

More than 80 percent of these clients have said Combs threatened them or their family members in hopes of keeping them quiet, Buzbee wrote.

"For many of the clients referenced above, Mr. Combs' threats of violence were a primary reason why they did not speak out or file lawsuits earlier. Most of our clients still fear retribution and have conditioned moving forward on anonymity," he wrote.

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Since mid-October, Buzbee has filed some 20 lawsuits in which men and women allege they were sexually assaulted by Combs.

Buzbee told Business Insider that he had anticipated Carter's move to unmask his client and said that he would be filing a response "in due course."

He also said that he believes Carter is the celebrity John Doe who sued him in November. "He sued me under a pseudonym but files a motion to reveal the victim," Buzbee said.

BI could not confirm that Jay-Z is the one suing Buzbee. The John Doe plaintiff's identity has not been revealed in court filings and would not have been disclosed in the documents Buzbee was served.

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Spiro did not immediately respond to requests by phone and email for comment on this story.

In a separate filing on Monday, Spiro also asked US District Court Judge Analisa Torres to schedule a hearing "on an expedited basis" at which both sides would make their case for why the plaintiff should or should not remain anonymous.

"For the avoidance of doubt, Mr. Carter is entirely innocent," he wrote. "This is a shakedown."

He added, "Allowing Plaintiff to proceed anonymously would deny Mr. Carter the fundamental right to confront his accuser, while simultaneously enabling Plaintiff and her counsel to conduct a trial by media."

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Combs remains held in a federal jail in Brooklyn on his September federal sex-trafficking indictment. Combs has pleaded not guilty and has promised to fight that indictment at a trial scheduled for May 5.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Jay-Z has been accused of raping a 13-year-old girl 24 years ago alongside Sean "Diddy" Combs in a civil lawsuit, originally filed in October.

The 55-year-old rapper, whose legal name is Shawn Carter, has been named in a civil lawsuit filed by a woman identified only as Jane Doe. According to the amended complaint obtained by PEOPLE, Doe alleges that she was assaulted after she was driven to an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty in 2000.

NBC News was the first to report the news.

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The same civil lawsuit was originally filed in New York City in October with the names of two celebrities redacted and only listed Sean "Diddy" Combs, 55, as a defendant. An amended complaint was filed on Sunday, Dec. 8, to name Carter.



MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty JAY-Z in January 2024 JAY-Z in January 2024

Related: Woman Who Accused Diddy of Raping Her When She Was 13 Claims 2 Celebrities Were Also Involved: Complaint

In the lawsuit, originally filed on Oct. 20, the unnamed woman alleges that she was raped by Combs and Carter while a still-unnamed female celebrity watched during a party in a N.Y.C. residence after the VMAs.

"Defendant Sean Combs, along with his longtime friend and collaborator Shawn Carter (a/k/a 'JayZ'), drugged and raped a thirteen-year-old girl at an afterparty following the 2000 Video Music Awards," the suit states. "Another celebrity stood by and watched as Combs and Carter took turns assaulting the minor."

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Carter shared a lengthy response to the filing on Roc Nation's X (formerly Twitter) account on Sunday, writing that the filing was a "a blackmail attempt." He called the accusation false, and spoke out against Jane Doe's attorney, Tony Buzbee.

"What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle. No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!" the rapper wrote in part.

"These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree? These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case," he continued.

"You have made a terrible error in judgement thinking that all 'celebrities' are the same," Carter wrote. "I'm not from your world. I'm a young man who made it out of the project of Brooklyn. We don't play these types of games. We have very strict codes and honor. We protect children, you seem to exploit people for personal gain. Only your network of conspiracy theorists, fake physics, will believe the idiotic claims you have levied against me that, if not for the seriousness surrounding harm to kids, would be laughable."

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"I look forward to showing you just how different I am," he concluded.

A representatives for Carter did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

Combs' attorneys denied the allegations in a statement to PEOPLE. This amended complaint and the recent extortion lawsuit against Mr. Buzbee exposes his barrage of lawsuits against Mr. Combs for what they are: shameless publicity stunts, designed to extract payments from celebrities who fear having lies spread about them, just as lies have been spread about Mr. Combs," the statement said.

"As his legal team has said before, Mr. Combs has full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process," the statement continued. "In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone  man or woman, adult or minor.

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Jane Doe's attorney Buzbee told PEOPLE in a statement, The pleading speaks for itself. This is a very serious matter that will be litigated in court."

Related: Sean 'Diddy' Combs Drugged and Raped 13-Year-Old Girl, Lawsuit Claims: 'Crazed Look in His Eyes'

Steve Granitz/WireImage Sean "Diddy" Combs in 2020. Sean "Diddy" Combs in 2020.

The unnamed woman, who was 13 years old in 2000, alleges in the lawsuit that she had been trying to get into the VMAs by standing outside of Radio City Music Hall and walking up to limousines that were bringing guests into the venue.

Per the suit, one limousine driver told Jane Doe that he worked for Combs and she "fit what Diddy was looking for." She was invited to an afterparty following the awards show, and the driver told her to come back to his car later in the evening.

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Upon arrival at the party, the suit claims, she was asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement and was eventually drugged after being given a drink, according to the complaint.

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Jane Doe said she was later approached by Combs, who had a "crazed look in his eyes" and who allegedly told her, "You are ready to party!"

The accuser, who is now in her mid-30s, then claims that she was raped by an unnamed male celebrity, while an unnamed female celebrity watched, before Combs raped her, according to the complaint.

"Plaintiff was held down by Carter as he vaginally raped her, while Combs and Celebrity B watched," the suit states. "After Carter finished, he stepped back toward the wall. Combs then stepped forward and vaginally raped Plaintiff while Carter and Celebrity B watched."

The unnamed Jane Doe is seeking unspecified damages, and attorney Buzbee previously announced that he was representing more than 100 people accusing Combs of misconduct.

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Combs last appeared in court for his criminal case on Oct. 10 and his trial is scheduled for May 2025.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.



Read the original article on People
Originally appeared on E! Online

Jay-Z is pushing for more information.

One day after the "Run This Town" rapperwhose real name is Shawn Carterwas accused in a civil suit of raping a 13-year-old girl alongside Sean "Diddy" Combs in 2000, Carter filed a motion in New York City Dec. 9 requesting that the accuser reveal her name, instead of filing anonymously as "Jane Doe."

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In the motion obtained by E! News, his lawyer Alex Spiro stated that Carter "is respectfully seeking either dismissal of the allegations or disclosure of the Plaintiffs identity."

"Fair is fair," Spiro wrote in the motion. "It is not consistent with justice, fairness, or the rules governing federal proceedings for the Plaintiff and her counsel to smear [Jay-Z]'s good name."

The document also noted that Carter, 55, has built an "impeccable reputation," adding he "has never

been accused of, let alone engaged in, any sexual misconduct."

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Following the refiling of the civil suit by "Jane Doe"in which she listed Carter as the previously unnamed individual she claims raped her along with Combs at a house party after the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards in New Yorkthe "Empire State of Mind" rapper released a statement emphatically denying the claims.

"These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!!" he shared in a Dec. 8 statement to E! News. "Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree? These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case."

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Carter also took aim at lawyer Tony Buzbee who filed the allegationsand has filed a number of similar lawsuits against Combsaccusing Buzbee of sending him a "demand letter" prior to litigation, saying that Buzbee had contacted Carter's own lawyer to reach a settlement. However, Buzbee denied the claim in a statement to E!, saying he only sought confidential mediation, not money.

"You have made a terrible error in judgement thinking that all celebrities' are the same," Carter continued. "I'm a young man who made it out of the project of Brooklyn. We don't play these types of games. We have very strict codes and honor."

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The Grammy winner also added that because of the suit, he and wife Beyonce would be forced to have a difficult conversation with their children: 12-year-old daughter Blue Ivy Carter and 7-year-old twins Rumi Carter and Sir Carter.

"My only heartbreak is for my family," he said in his statement. "My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people."

Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Roc Nation

Carter continued, "I mourn yet another loss of innocence. Children should not have to endure such at their young age. It is unfair to have to try to understand inexplicable degrees of malice meant to destroy families and human spirit."

Prior to Carter's Dec. 9 motion, Buzbee said in his statement to E!, "As far as the allegations in the complaint filed, we will let the filing speak for itself and will litigate the facts in court, not in the media."

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For now, the lawyer is continuing to bring about several sexual abuse civil suits against Combs, who is currently in jail awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges, for which he has pleaded not guilty. He also denied wrongdoing in the sexual abuse cases filed against him.

Keep reading for a full breakdown on the current legal issues facing Combs.

Search Warrants Executed on Sean "Diddy" Combs' L.A. and Miami Properties

Federal agents with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed search warrants at Sean Diddy Combs Los Angeles and Miami properties on March 25, multiple law enforcement sources confirmed to NBC News.



The sources told the outlet the warrant was out of the Southern District of New York, and a spokesperson for HSI New York confirmed to E! News it executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation, with assistance from HSI Los Angeles, HSI Miami, and our local law enforcement partners.



Law enforcement sources told NBC News the music mogul was in the Miami area when the search warrants were executed.





News about the investigation broke after Combs faced allegations of sexual misconduct in lawsuits filed by multiple accusers starting in November, with the musician denying the allegations.



Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday, he wrote in a December statement posted on Instagram. Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.

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Diddys Attorney Speaks Out

The day after HSI executed the search warrants at Combs' L.A. and Miami properties, his lawyer spoke out.



"Yesterday, there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs' residences," attorney Aaron Dyer said in a March 26 statement to E! News. "There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated."



Dyer noted Combs was never detained but spoke to and cooperated with authorities.



Despite media speculation, neither Mr. Combs nor any of his family members have been arrested nor has their ability to travel been restricted in any way, his lawyer's statement continued. This unprecedented ambushpaired with an advanced, coordinated media presenceleads to a premature rush to judgment of Mr. Combs and is nothing more than a witch hunt based on meritless accusations made in civil lawsuits.





And Dyer expressed Combs' intent to defend himself.



There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations, he added. Mr. Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every single day to clear his name.





Details About the Raid Revealed

As for what actually went down during the searches, multiple law enforcement sources familiar with the warrant told NBC News authorities with the Department of Homeland Security seized phones from Combs home in Miami before he was scheduled to travel to the Bahamas, and several sources familiar with the matter added that guns were discovered during the search.





One source familiar with the matter also told NBC News three women and one man were interviewed by prosecutors and investigators from the Southern District of New York about allegations of sex trafficking, sexual assault, the solicitation and distribution of illegal narcotics and firearms purportedly tied to Combs.

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Diddys Associate Brendan Paul Arrested on Suspicion of Drug Possession

On the same day the search warrants were executed at Combs Miami and Los Angeles properties, one of his associates, Brendan Paul, was arrested by the Miami-Dade police on suspicion of drug possession, a law enforcement source familiar with the matter told NBC News.



According to the Miami-Dade arrest affidavit obtained by the outlet, Paul was taken into custody for allegedly possessing suspected cocaine and suspected marijuana candy.



Prison records obtained by NBC News show Paul was released on March 26 after posting bond.



We do not plan on trying this case in the media, Pauls attorney Brian Bieber said in a statement obtained by the outlet, all issues will be dealt with in court.



In May, Paul accepted a plea deal, with his lawyer Bieber telling People, "Brendan accepted the prosecutors offer to permit his entry into the diversion program which, after completion, the case against him will be dismissed in its entirety."





Diddy Arrested in New York

He was arrested in the lobby of a New York hotel on Sept. 16, 2024, according to NBC News. It's unclear what Combs has been charged with and if the arrest has any potential connection to the raids. We are disappointed with the decision to pursue what we believe is an unjust prosecution of Mr. Combs by the U.S. Attorneys Office," his lawyer Marc Agnifilo said in a statement to E! News. "He is an imperfect person but Is not criminal. To his credit Mr. Combs has been nothing but cooperative with this investigation and he voluntarily relocated to New York last week in anticipation of these charges." The lawyer added, "Please reserve your judgment until you have all the facts. These are the acts of an innocent man with nothing to hide, and he looks forward to clearing his name in court.





Diddy Charged With Sex Trafficking & Racketeering

After Combs was arrested based on the sealed indictment, the indictment was unsealed on Sept. 17.



The 54-year-old was charged with racketeering conspiracy; sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion; as well as transportation to engage in prostitution, according to court documents obtained by NBC News.



The indictment alleged Combs abused, threatened, and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation, and conceal his conduct for more than a decade, with prosecutors saying the purported behavior started around 2008.



"To do so," the documents stated, "Combs relied on the employees, resources, and influence of the multi-faceted business empire that he led and controlledcreating a criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in, and attempted to engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice."

According to NBC News, Combs pleaded not guilty and was denied bail.



Hes going to fight this with all of his energy and all of his might, his attorney Marc Agnifilo told reporters outside the courthouse prior to the arraignment, and the full confidence of his lawyers."





Diddy Is Held Without Bail in New York Facility

Following his arrest, Combs was held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center where he was denied a $50 million bond. The music mogul was also placed on suicide watch, which a source told E! News is a customary procedure for high-profile inmates. He was since taken off. He was assigned the same area of the jail as cryptocurrency fraudster Sam Bankman-Fried, a source told NBC News.

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Comedian Jeff Wittek Says He Attended "Freak Off"

Comedian Jeff Wittek, 34, came forward Sept. 29 to say he attended one of Diddy's "freak off" parties around 2010 in a Miami mansion. "It was like eight stories high and it just kept going up," Wittek said on Jeff FM, "and the higher you went, the weirder s--t was going on." "I saw live sex happen that night," he continued. "That's the first time I saw that happen ever in my life. And did I partake? No, but I got f--king drunk there." As Wittek put it, "It's just crazy. I was literally there. I lived through it."





Diddy Accused of 120 New Sexual Assault Cases

In an Oct. 1 press conference, attorney Tony Buzbee detailed that 120 people had come forward with new sexual assault allegations against the rapper. The allegations against Combs, Buzbee noted in a press conference with NBC News, include, "violent sexual assault or rape, facilitated sex with a controlled substance, dissemination of video recordings, sexual abuse of minors." A lawyer for the rapper, Erica Wolff, later responded to the allegations, emphasizing that Combs maintains his innocence. He cannot address every meritless allegation in what has become a reckless media circus," she said. "That said, Mr. Combs emphatically and categorically denies as false and defamatory any claim that he sexually abused anyone, including minors."





Diddy Accused of Abusing Minors

One of the 120 accusers was only 9 years old when they were allegedly assaulted by Combs, their lawyer Tony Buzbee said in an Oct. 1 press conference, per NBC News. According to the attorney, 25 of the accusers were minors at the time of the alleged incidents."





Diddy's Mom Janice Small Combs Defends the Rapper

It is heartbreaking to see my son judged not for the truth, but for a narrative created out of lies, Janices attorney Natlie G. Figgers shared in a statement on her behalf to The Hollywood Reporter Oct. 6. To bear witness what seems to be like a public lynching of my son before he has had the opportunity to prove his innocence is a pain too unbearable to put into words. Like every human being, my son deserves to have his day in court, to finally share his side, and to prove his innocence.

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Beyonce and Jay-Z's Lawyer Calls Out Piers Morgan Over Diddy Comparisons

Beyonce and Jay-Z's lawyer spoke out after Piers Morgan's TV guest Jaguar Wright claimed the couple had more victims than Diddy. "Theres rumors, and then theres nonsense, and this is one step further, lawyer Alex Spiro told TMZ Oct. 9. This is a formal and pointed accusation of something. Their attorney told Piers to remove that false accusation," which the host later did and apologized. As I noted in the moment," Piers said on his Oct. 8 show, "they were not present to respond or defend themselves. But now they have: their lawyer has contacted us to say those claims are totally false and have no basis in fact.



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A lawyer for Jay-Z argued in a filing on Monday that the woman who on Sunday accused the rapper of raping her when she was 13 must reveal her identity or drop the lawsuit altogether.

In the lawsuit, originally filed in October, a woman identified only as Jane Doe sued Sean Diddy Combs for allegedly raping her at a party following the the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards, when she was 13. The suit was amended on Sunday to include the allegation that Jay-Z (aka Shawn Carter) was also present and participated in the assault.

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Jay-Zs lawyer Alex Spiro said in a filing in Manhattan federal court on Monday that the Jane Doe has not provided substantial evidence to justify her anonymity, saying her vague assertions of potential harm fall far short of the stringent requirements.

Mr. Carter deserves to know the identity of the person who is effectively accusing him  in sensationalized, publicity-hunting fashion  of criminal conduct, demanding massive financial compensation and tarnishing a reputation earned over decades, Spiro wrote. He has never been accused of, let alone engaged in, any sexual misconduct.

Spiro also pointed to other sexual misconduct lawsuits against Combs  who was recently denied bail for a third time as he awaits trial for sex trafficking charges  brought forward by this womans attorney, Tony Buzbee, which Spiro said do not meet the criteria to proceed anonymously.

In a statement on social media Sunday, Jay-Z wrote that he had anonymously sued Buzbee, claiming that the lawyer was trying to blackmail him.

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When Buzbee wrote that he had sent a request for mediation to resolve the matter, Jay-Z responded saying, What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle. He went on to accuse Buzbee of fraud and write I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!

Buzbee responded again saying that my firm sent his lawyer a demand letter on behalf of an alleged victim and that victim never demanded a penny from him. He went on to say that Carter has tried to bully and harass me and this plaintiff and promised to litigate the facts in court, not in the media.

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Jay-Z made rare comments about his wife Beyonce and their three children after being accused in a civil lawsuit of raping a 13-year-old girl along with Sean "Diddy" Combs in 2000.

On Sunday, Dec. 8, the rapper, 55, spoke out about the allegations tied to a federal lawsuit that was originally filed in October, which listed Combs, also 55, as a defendant. It has now been amended to include Jay-Z.

In one section of a denial statement shared on X (formerly Twitter), Jay-Z said the "heinous" claims will affect his family, which includes 12-year-old daughter Blue Ivy and twins Rumi and Sir, 7.

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"My only heartbreak is for my family," he said. "My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people."

Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, added, "I mourn yet another loss of innocence."

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VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Jay-Z with daughter Blue Ivy in February 2024. Jay-Z with daughter Blue Ivy in February 2024.

Related: Beyonce and JAY-Z's 3 Kids: All About Blue Ivy, Sir and Rumi

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In the amended civil lawsuit, a woman identified only as Jane Doe alleges that she was assaulted after she was driven to an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty in 2000.

The woman claims she was raped by Combs and Jay-Z while a still-unnamed female celebrity watched during a party in a New York City residence following the annual music event.

The unnamed Jane Doe is seeking unspecified damages, and her attorney, Tony Buzbee, previously announced that he was representing more than 100 people accusing Combs of misconduct.

Combs, who was recently denied bail for a third time and is still being held in a federal prison in Brooklyn on sex trafficking and racketeering charges after his arrest in September, has his trial scheduled for May 2025.

Kevin Mazur/Getty Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Jay-Z in December 2019. Sean 'Diddy' Combs and Jay-Z in December 2019.

Combs' attorneys denied the allegations put forth by the Jane Doe in a statement to PEOPLE.

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This amended complaint and the recent extortion lawsuit against Mr. Buzbee exposes his barrage of lawsuits against Mr. Combs for what they are: shameless publicity stunts, designed to extract payments from celebrities who fear having lies spread about them, just as lies have been spread about Mr. Combs," the statement said.

"As his legal team has said before, Mr. Combs has full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process," the statement continued. "In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone  man or woman, adult or minor.

A representative for Jay-Z did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.

Michele Crowe/CBS via Getty Images Jay-Z, Blue Ivy and Beyonce in January 2018. Jay-Z, Blue Ivy and Beyonce in January 2018.

Related: Why Piers Morgan Apologized to Beyonce, JAY-Z and Edited His Show After Jaguar Wright Made 'Totally False' Claims

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Elsewhere in his lengthy response to the filing, Jay-Z said it was a "a blackmail attempt" and spoke out against Buzbee.

"What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle. No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!" the "Empire State of Mind" musician wrote in part of the lawyer.

"These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree? These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case," he continued.

"You have made a terrible error in judgement thinking that all 'celebrities' are the same. I'm not from your world. I'm a young man who made it out of the project of Brooklyn. We don't play these types of games. We have very strict codes and honor. We protect children, you seem to exploit people for personal gain," Jay-Z added.

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"Only your network of conspiracy theorists, fake physics, will believe the idiotic claims you have levied against me that, if not for the seriousness surrounding harm to kids, would be laughable," he concluded. "I look forward to showing you just how different I am."

Jane Doe's attorney Buzbee told PEOPLE in a statement, The pleading speaks for itself. This is a very serious matter that will be litigated in court."

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.



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Jay-Z and Sean 'Diddy' Combs attend Roc Nation THE BRUNCH on Jan. 27, 2018, in New York City. - Credit: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Roc Nation

Jay-Z was accused in a civil lawsuit on Sunday of raping a 13-year-old girl in 2000 alongside Sean Combs. The lawsuit, first filed in October in the Southern District of New York, initially listed the Roc Nation mogul, whose real name is Shawn Carter, as an unidentified celebrity defendant. Carter has vehemently denied the allegation and accused Tony Buzbee, the lawyer who brought the suit, of blackmail.

What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle, Carter wrote in a statement. No sir. It had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!

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The accuser, suing as a Jane Doe, claimed she was assaulted by Combs and Carter after being driven to an afterparty for the MTV Video Music Awards held in New York City.

The amended complaint, obtained by Rolling Stone, states that Doe had a friend drop her near Radio City Music Hall so she could try and attend the VMAs, but she did not have a ticket. Because she wanted to attend the show or an afterparty, she says she approached limousine drivers to attempt to have them help her gain entrance. One of the drivers claimed to work for Combs and invited her to an afterparty. Per the suit, he told her to return to the location where they met, so he could take her to the event after he drove Combs and others to the afterparty first.

Per the complaint, two men asked Doe to sign a document, which she claimed she did not read but now assumes was a nondisclosure agreement. She was advised not to discuss the proceeding at the event. Doe said she recognized many celebrities inside and witnessed widespread drug use.

After being offered a drink from one of the waitstaff, Doe began to feel woozy and lightheaded, making her need to lie down, the lawsuit alleges. Doe then sought a place to rest, and found a room with a large bed. Shortly after, Combs allegedly entered the room with Carter and a female celebrity, who is unnamed in the complaint.

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Combs allegedly aggressively approached Plaintiff with a crazed look in his eyes, grabbed her, and said, You are ready to party!'

Combs then threw Plaintiff toward a wall, causing Plaintiff to fall, per the complaint. Doe then attempted to get up and stumbled. Combs grabbed her again and threw her on the bed. At that point, Carter began removing Plaintiffs clothes as she grew more and more disoriented, the complaint alleges. Doe claims she was held down by Carter as he allegedly raped her, while Combs and the female celebrity looked on.

Afterward, Combs allegedly raped Doe while Carter and the unidentified female celebrity watched. Combs then allegedly attempted to force Doe to perform oral sex on him, but she fought back and punched him in the neck, which stopped his attempt, the lawsuit states.

According to the suit, after the alleged assault, Doe grabbed her clothes and left. She found her way to a gas station where she called her father to pick her up, she says.

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Carters attorney did not immediately respond to Rolling Stones request for comment. But in a statement from Jay-Z, he accused Buzbee of blackmail in the form of a demand letter. What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle, the statement read. No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud that you are in a VERY public fashion.

These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one, the statement continues. Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away. It continued, These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case.

My heart and support goes out to true victims in the world, who have to watch their life story is dressed in costume for profitability by this ambulance chaser in a cheap suit, the statement adds.

This amended complaint and the recent extortion lawsuit against Mr. Buzbee exposes his barrage of lawsuits against Mr. Combs for what they are: shameless publicity stunts, designed to extract payments from celebrities who fear having lies spread about them, just as lies have been spread about Mr. Combs, Combs legal team said in a statement. As his legal team has said before, Mr. Combs has full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone  man or woman, adult or minor.

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Jane Doe is seeking unspecified damages. Her lawsuit is one of at least 20 complaints filed by Buzbee clients against Combs so far. The Texas-based lawyer has said hes representing more than 120 clients against Combs. He filed a first batch of six lawsuits against Combs earlier in October. There have been more than 30 sexual misconduct lawsuits filed against Combs since his former partner Casandra Cassie Ventura first sued him for rape and trafficking in November 2023. That lawsuit was settled within 24 hours, but it opened the floodgates to other allegations and a criminal investigation.

Combs, 55, was indicted in September and has pleaded not guilty to charges of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and transportation to engage in prostitution. The media mogul was arrested in New York City on Sept. 16 and has been detained since. Hes currently housed at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn. His trial is set for May.

In November, a self-described celebrity anonymously sued Buzbee, claiming the lawyer was shamelessly trying to extort him while representing more than 100 men and women with purported legal claims against Combs. According to a statement from Buzbee posted on X on Sunday, the anonymous celebrity is Carter. My firm sent his lawyer a demand letter on behalf of an alleged victim and that victim never demanded a penny from him, Buzbee wrote, addressing Carters statement. Instead, she only sought a confidential mediation. Since I sent the letter on her behalf, Mr. Carter has not only sued me, but he has tried to bully and harass me and this plaintiff.

This article was updated with a statement from Tony Buzbee on X, claiming Shawn Carter anonymously sued him.

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Rappers Jay-Z and Sean "Diddy" Combs have been accused in a civil lawsuit of raping a 13-year-old girl back in 2000.

The lawsuit, which was originally filed in October and re-filed Sunday in New York to add Jay-Z to the list of defendants, alleges that the victim, identified only as a woman now living in Alabama, was raped by both men at a Video Music Awards afterparty.

Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, referred to the allegations in a statement as a "blackmail attempt." Combs' attorney denied the allegations.

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The lawsuit alleges the girl went to the VMAs in New York City without a ticket hoping to get inside, but was instead invited to an afterparty by a limo driver who claimed to work for Combs. The limo driver allegedly drove her to the party, where she was told to sign something that she believes was a non-disclosure agreement, the lawsuit claims.

While inside, the lawsuit alleges, "after attempting to talk to numerous celebrities, Plaintiff accepted a drink from one of the waitresses circulating the crowd." The lawsuit claims she began to feel "woozy and lightheaded" after drinking "a portion of the drink" and went to find a place to lie down. She went into a room that had a bed in it and, shortly after lying down, Combs, Carter and an unnamed woman celebrity whom the alleged victim recognized entered the room, the lawsuit claims.

The lawsuit then alleges that Carter held her down and raped her while Combs and the woman celebrity watched. After, Combs also raped her while Carter and the woman watched, the suit claims. Combs then attempted to force the girl to perform oral sex on him, but she managed to punch him, grab her clothes, wrap them around her and run away, according to the lawsuit.

"Although there were other guests still at the party, no one appeared to take notice of Plaintiff's distress or attempted to help her," the lawsuit alleges.

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According to the lawsuit, after leaving the house and putting her clothes back on, the girl managed to run back to a gas station she had seen on the way to the party, where a clerk "noticed her distress and allowed her to use the phone." She then allegedly used the phone to call her father and have him pick her up.

The woman is seeking unspecified damages.

In response to the filing, Carter said in a statement, "My lawyer received a blackmail attempt, called a demand letter, from a 'lawyer' named Tony Buzbee. What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle. No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!"

"Only your network of conspiracy theorists, fake physics, will believe the idiotic claims you have levied against me that, if not for the seriousness surrounding harm to kids, would be laughable," the statement added.

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In a letter sent Monday to the judge overseeing the case, an attorney for Carter wrote, "For the avoidance of doubt, Mr. Carter is entirely innocent. This is a shakedown. He is not mentioned, referenced, or implicated in any way in the criminal investigation of Mr. Combs. He is neither a target nor a person of interest in that investigation."

The letter was sent to request an expedited hearing on a petition to prevent the plaintiff in the case from remaining anonymous.

Teny Geragos, an attorney representing Combs, said in a statement, "This amended complaint and the recent extortion lawsuit against Mr. Buzbee exposes his barrage of lawsuits against Mr. Combs for what they are: shameless publicity stunts, designed to extract payments from celebrities who fear having lies spread about them, just as lies have been spread about Mr. Combs. As his legal team has said before, Mr. Combs has full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyoneman or woman, adult or minor."

Buzbee was sued last month by an anonymous male celebrity, who alleges the lawyer tried to extort payments by threatening to file allegations of sexual assault, which the celebrity denies. Buzbee, in return, denies the extortion allegations.

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Buzbee did not immediately respond to a CBS News request for comment. In a statement posted Sunday night on X, Buzbee alleged that Carter was behind the anonymous lawsuit against him.

"What he fails to say in his recent statement is my firm sent his lawyer a demand letter on behalf of an alleged victim and that victim never demanded a penny from him. Instead, she only sought a confidential mediation," Buzbee wrote. "Since I sent the letter on her behalf, Mr. Carter has not only sued me, but he has tried to bully and harass me and this plaintiff. His conduct has had the opposite impact. She is emboldened. I'm very proud of her resolve."

Buzbee also wrote on Instagram that there has been a "coordinated and aggressive effort" against him that has included "filing frivolous cases against me and my law firm, defaming me with outrageous assertions to anyone who will listen, and having mysterious people follow me and my family."

"People will see through this effort to discredit me and my clients and the truth will be revealed. I also won't allow anyone to scare my clients into silence," Buzbee wrote.

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Combs is currently in custody in New York as he awaits trial on federal sex trafficking charges. His attempts to secure bail have been denied several times.

Combs was arrested in September and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution, with prosecutors accusing him of using his business empire to engage in repeated abuses over the years. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

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On Sunday (Dec. 8), rapper and business mogul Jay-Z (real name Shawn Carter) was accused in a lawsuit of raping a 13-year-old girl in 2000 alongside Sean Diddy Combs.

Since then, Jay has publicly gone back and forth with Tony Buzbee, the Texas-based attorney who filed the suit. Buzbee has filed several lawsuits over the last few months from anonymous accusers who say Combs either assaulted or raped them. The suit aganst Jay is the first with another high-profile defendant.

In a statement posted to the Roc Nation X account on Sunday, Carter denied the allegations made against him after news of the lawsuit first broke.

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My lawyer received a blackmail attempt, called a demand letter, from a lawyer named Tony Buzbee. What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle, the star wrote.

No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!! Carter added.

The Tidal founder also added that his family may be affected by the filing.

My only heartbreak is for my family. My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people, he continued

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However, Buzbee quickly responded with a statement to Fox 26 in which he gave his own sequence of events.

Mr. Carter previously denied being the one who sued me and my firm. He even filed his frivolous case under a pseudonym. What he fails to say in his recent statement is my firm sent his lawyer a demand letter on behalf of an alleged victim and that victim never demanded a penny from him, Buzbee said.

Instead, she only sought confidential mediation. Since I sent the letter on her behalf, Mr. Carter has not only sued me, but he has tried to bully and harass me and this plaintiff. His conduct has had the opposite impact. She is emboldened. Im very proud of her resolve. As far as the allegations in the complaint filed, we will let the filing speak for itself and will litigate the facts in court, not in the media.

Buzbee also made an Instagram post Sunday evening that seems to respond directly to what he calls harassment over the Jay-Z suit, reminding folks that hes a former Marine built to endure the madness.

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Despite a coordinated and aggressive effort that has included harassing my kids, contacting my clients and former clients to encourage them to sue me, contacting my colleagues or former employees asking if Ive abused them, showing up at my current employees homes to harass them, filing frivolous cases against me and my law firm, defaming me with outrageous assertions to anyone who will listen, and having mysterious people follow me and my family, Im still THAT guy, Buzbee wrote. I wont be bullied or intimidated.

The accuser is seeking unspecified damages. The lawsuit against both Carter and Combs is filed under New Yorks Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act.

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Less than 24 hours after Jay-Z was publicly named in a lawsuit accusing the 99 Problems rapper and the currently incarcerated Sean Diddy Combs of raping a 13-year-old over 20 years ago, a flurry of filings Monday finds the musician/entrepreneur  born Shawn Carter  wanting the whole thing tossed in the legal dumpster or brought out into the light of day.

Defendant is respectfully seeking either dismissal of the allegations or disclosure of the Plaintiffs identity, reads a memorandum accompanying a motion filed in federal court in New York this morning from Jay-Zs high powered Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan attorney Alex Spiro. Fair is fair.

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The horrific alleged attack on the then teen Jane Doe is said to have occurred on September 7, 2000 during one of Diddys drug fueled so-called freak offs just after that years MTV VMAs. A graphic October 20 filed lawsuit named Combs for the rape, but merely mentioned a male Celebrity A and a still unnamed Celebrity B who also participated.

That alleged Celebrity A has now been named as Jay-Z/Shawn Carter.

Mr. Carter deserves to know the identity of the person who is effectively accusing him  in sensationalized, publicity-hunting fashion  of criminal conduct, demanding massive financial compensation, and tarnishing a reputation earned over decades, Spiros memo states. This Court has recognized the nearly identical claims brought by other Plaintiffs represented by Attorney Buzbee do not meet the criteria to proceed anonymously. Here, the balance of the equities afford all the more reason why this Plaintiff should be proceeding under her true name, if she wishes to proceed at all.

First put before the court by lawyer Tony Buzbee back on October 20 under the New York City Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act as one of the dozens of civil cases the Texan has filed against Combs, the documents initially only identified a Celebrity A and a Celebrity B who joined the Bad Boy Records founder in a brutal and repeated sexual assault on a minor. On November 18, an Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan-represented anonymous celebrity and public figure who resides in Los Angeles went after the hyperbolic Buzbee for extortion in LA Superior Court. On December 8, the Houston-based lawyer refiled his initial suit with Beyonces better half now in the sort of spotlight nobody ever ever wants.

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In a long statement not long after that refiling, the usually media-reticent Jay-Z admitted he was the celebrity in the LASC case, and personally wrote of the amended civil complaint: These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree?

Throwing some Brooklyn street strict codes and honor out there, there renowned wordsmith multi-Grammy winner added: This lawyer, who I have done a bit of research on, seems to have a pattern of these type of theatrics! I have no idea how you have come to be such a deplorable human Mr. Buzbee, but I promise you I have seen your kind many times over. Im more than prepared to deal with your type. You claim to be a marine?! Marines are known for their valor, you have neither honor nor dignity.

Buzbee swung back on social media yesterday, saying that long time Combs pal Jay-Z has not only sued me, but he has tried to bully and harass me and this plaintiff.

Regarding the Jay Z case and his efforts to silence my clients: Mr. Carter previously denied being the one who sued me and my firm. He filed his frivolous case under a pseudonym. What he fails to say in his recent statement is my firm sent his lawyer a demand letter on behalf of  Tony Buzbee (@TonyBuzbee2) December 9, 2024

Failing in late November in his third attempt at getting a proposed $50 million bail approved, Combs is set to go on trial for racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution on May 5, 2025. Behind bars at Brooklyns notoriously harsh Metropolitan Detention Centre since his arrest in a NYC hotel lobby on September 16, the 55-year-old Combs, who has entered a not guilty plea, faces life in prison if found guilty by a jury of his peers.

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No date has been set yet for Jay-Zs request for a hearing on his motion to dismiss the rape case or have Jane Doe unmasked. For those who recognize the name of the billionaire rappers main attorney, Alex Spiro has represented a number of big names over the years, including recently Alec Baldwin in his now dismissed involuntary manslaughter case related to the 2021 fatal shooting of Rust cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

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Vice President-elect JD Vances mother pleaded with her sons Ohio hometown last week to officially recognize him for winning the second-highest office in the landonly to come up against a divided city council and concerns about her sons hardline MAGA views.

I am just here because I am JD Vances mother and, as you know, he is our new vice president-elect and he thinks of Middletown as his home, Beverly Aikins, Vances mother, told the Middletown City Council on Tuesday, Dec. 5.

I still live here and his sister still lives in Middletown. Hes got two nieces who live here and I just think it would be nice if we could acknowledge that this is his hometown and put up some signs.

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Adding that Vance comes back here frequently to visit me and take me to dinner, she humbly requested the city, which has a population of around 50,000, offer some form of recognition for her son.

But members of the five-person city council were split on howor even whetherto acknowledge Vances electoral victory.

Why cant we wait and see what he does? asked Councilwoman Jennifer Carter, who supported Democrat Kamala Harris failed bid for the White House and previously said she did not like Vances policies.

If he gets into office and creates havoc, with him and Trump sending people out of the country... all of the things they said they wanted to do. If all of these things happen, were still saying yay?

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Councilman Paul Lolli went in the opposite direction, agreeing with the vice president-elects mother that there should signs in recognition of Vance and even proposing there be a street named after him, the Cincinnati Inquirer reported.

He also criticized the city for not having recognized Vance on social media weeks earlier.

City staff rushed up a congratulatory message on Facebook a day later.

In a little over one month, J.D. Vance will be sworn-in as the first ever vice president to hail from Middletown, Ohio.... Posted by City of Middletown, Ohio - City Hall on Wednesday 4 December 2024

Another councilman, Paul Horn, tried to split the difference, suggesting they could take down recognition of Vance if he does pursue harmful policies.

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What if he really does bad things? he asked. Thats how you remove signswhen people screw up.

Councilman Steve West II said he was concerned that there even had to be a debate about recognizing Vance.

What we are saying is the fact that the city wont even recognize that a Middletonian has been elected as vice president, that is a problem, he said. I would say the same thing if it were an Independent or a Democrat. We should be proud.

Vance graduated from Middletown High School in 2003 and his memoir Hillbilly Elegy recounts his upbringing in working-class southwestern Ohio. Nearly two-thirds of Middletown voters cast a ballot for Vance and Donald Trump in November.

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Middletown Mayor Elizabeth Slamkawho weirdly stated I am not a political person at a political meeting where she was the mayoracknowledged the issue can be very polarizing but said it was fair to recognize Vance with signs, and in other municipal forums.

That is in the works, she said. The citys January newsletter will also contain a feature on Middletowns most famous son.
Workers sort fennel seeds at a spice processing factory of Shanghai Bolex Food Technology Co., Ltd. in Yulin City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nov. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Wang Churan)

NANNING, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Sandeep Bhura, a trader from Seeds & Grains India Pvt. Ltd., proudly presents a pinch of turmeric for a curious buyer to smell at a spice fair in Yulin City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

"Yulin is our gateway to China's vast markets, where the appetite for spices is on the rise, especially with the boom in barbecue and hotpot culture," Bhura said.

The city is famed for its spice production and is the epicenter of China's spice trade, managing a staggering 80 percent of domestic spice commerce and nearly two-thirds of the global total. Yulin's geographical location, coupled with its dynamic industry, has positioned it a key player in the domestic and international spice markets.

Star anise, a culinary treasure, is the beating heart of Yulin's spice industry. The region's favorable climate, abundant rainfall and aerated soil make it a suitable environment for the cultivation of this aromatic spice.

On the Liuwan forest farm in Yulin's Fumian District, star anise trees thrive under meticulous care. As winter settles in and the harvest season winds down, the trees remain dotted with young, green star anise fruits, which will reach full maturity in the spring.

The towering star anise trees, which stretch to over 10 meters in height, once presented formidable harvesting challenges. However, technological innovations, such as the introduction of crown-grafting techniques, have revolutionized the process.

"The dwarf varieties have boosted our yield by over 50 percent," said Wei Guobin, deputy general manager of a local forestry tech firm. "Their fruits are juicier and more resilient to disease."

Once harvested, sorted and dried, the star anise and other spices are transported to the city's spice market, where fragrances flood the air as sacks of spices are unloaded from trucks and prepared for buyers from near and far. The products are carefully arranged for selection, ready to be dispatched to destinations across China and beyond.

Yulin's trade hub status positions it as an ideal base for the conversion of raw spices into finished products.

One company engaged in this work is Shanghai Bolex Food Technology Co., Ltd., which opened a spice processing factory in Yulin earlier this year. Inside its production facility, spices undergo sorting, crushing, dust removal and sieving before becoming aromatic spice powders.

"Yulin's unparalleled access to a wealth of high-quality raw materials was our deciding factor," said Zhou Shuangqiao, who manages a company subsidiary.

Just a stone's throw away, one of the company's suppliers, Xiangweinong, sources raw materials directly from local farms and processes them to meet specific client needs. This proximity fosters seamless cooperation between the two enterprises, reducing operational costs and forming a tightly integrated supply chain.

The business cluster in Yulin not only draws downstream enterprises but also lures spice traders from afar. A company specializing in amomum tsao-ko fruits from southwest China's Yunnan Province recently opened a sales outlet in the city, keen to leverage the region's thriving spice industry to boost its brand visibility and expand its market presence.

Yulin's spice industry is booming, with over 233,000 hectares of land dedicated to spice cultivation. In the first 10 months of 2024, its spice trade volume exceeded 30 billion yuan (about 4.18 billion U.S. dollars), according to local authorities.

Moving forward, Wang Chen, secretary of Yulin's municipal Party committee, said that the city will continue prioritizing the development of its spice industry, aiming for integrated growth across production, distribution, exhibition and processing to cement its status as a global spice nexus. 

People buy spices at a spice trade center in Yulin City, south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nov. 22, 2024. (Xinhua/Zhang Ailin)
As 100-year-old Jimmy Carter nears two years in home hospice care, his grandson, Jason, is reflecting on the former presidents incredible longevity.

Jason, 49, the oldest of Jimmy and Rosalynn Carters 22 grandchildren, shared his theories for how his grandfather continues to defy the odds in a recent appearance on the podcast Politically Georgia by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He began by revealing that based on what the doctors told us, the family was prepared for the patriarch to have a short hospice stay. Nobody would have guessed that the 39th president would last as long as he has.

For context, the average hospice stay among Medicare patients was 92 days in 2021. Half of the patients spent 17 days or less.

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At this point, Jason said that Jimmys continued survival is more evidence of two important things.

Number one: that we are not in charge and this is a process that humans do not understand, he said. We are not the ones responsible for when and how people leave this world in this kind of a way, and his faith story is one that has been important to him, and this is another part of that.

On a more personal level, I just think hes stubborn, Jason added with a laugh. I mean, hes never given up on anything in his life and hes not going to start now.

Following a few brief hospitalizations, Jimmy announced his decision to forgo further medical intervention in February 2023. The oldest living president in U.S. history celebrated his 100th birthday on October 1, 2024.

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Related: 39 Inspiring Jimmy Carter Quotes To Live By

Jason told Politically Georgia that at this point, his grandfathers ability to interact on a particular day is pretty limited.

He's got big, good days where he's up and active and talking, and engagingincluding in politics in a variety of ways. But most days he's not that active, he's going to sleep a lot of the time. I mean, hes 100 years old.

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FORT WORTH, Texas (AP)  David Seymour's job over the next few weeks is making sure that American Airlines flights take off on time and fly safely during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

Seymour is American's chief operating officer, which means he oversees flight and airport operations for a carrier that figures to make about 6,500 flights a day between now and New Year's Day.

A West Point graduate and former U.S. Army infantry officer, Seymour joined America West Airlines in 1999. America West became US Airways, then merged with American in 2013. Seymour has held a variety of operations-related jobs and was promoted to his current post in 2020.

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Seymour spoke with The Associated Press recently about managing huge passenger numbers during the holidays and preventing people from getting on a plane before their boarding group is called. The answers have been edited for length and clarity.

Q. How are you going to make sure American flights run on time during the holidays?

A: There are many thousands of people running the airline every day. My job, honestly, over this period isnt so much about managing the chaos, it's managing really all the challenges, and we'll call it the headwinds that come our way. And I would say the vast majority of those are the uncontrollable.

Q. Such as?

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A: Whats going on the (air-traffic control) system around us. If there weren't weather that we have to deal with and other complications that sometimes arise, running an airline would be pretty easy.

Q. How will you recover from disruptions?

A: Before the pandemic, we would have a big storm in the DFW (Dallas-Fort Worth) area or the Charlotte (North Carolina) area, and it would take us a couple of days (to recover). We set about coming through the pandemic and coming out that we are going to recover better than any carrier out there.

Q. And how will you do that?

A: By anticipating the weather. My team looks out constantly at what the weather is, looking at multiple weather forecasts to understand whats coming, what could it do, and how are we prepared for that.

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Q. How much do you learn from big cancellation events? And how much do you learn from meltdowns at other airlines?

A: The team here, they do an after-action review. We will look at it and say, What could we have done better? And we archive that information. Now, to your other question about competitors. Im not inside the other competitors' operations centers and looking at how they do that. Their networks are set up differently than ours. We do ask ourselves, OK, if something similar were to happen to us, what would we do?

Q. With Christmas travel, what what are the big things youre looking for? Is it weather? Air-traffic control problems?

A: Weather is always a tough thing to predict. Thats really going to be one of the largest things because it has the potential for having the most impact. Controller-wise, we stay in touch with (the Federal Aviation Administration). We have a team out here that is in constant communication with the FAA, looking at whats happening in the system, and were building contingency plans if they think there are going to be some challenges.

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Q. You need to deice planes.

A: The only difference between summer and now is we have to deal with winter weather in some locations. So, deicing. But were ready for that. The technology we have right now with the deicing vehicles ... weve been able to reduce our throughput time on deicing by half and still meeting all the requirements that we need to in terms of adequately deicing the aircraft, but having one person do it.

Q. Are the delays in deliveries of new planes from Boeing affecting your holiday season planning?

A: No. Boeing needs to be successful, they need to be able to deliver quality aircraft, but we haven't built our schedule for the holiday period that is dependent on getting any deliveries. We have enough buffer built in.

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Q. American recently expanded the rollout of technology to catch people who try to board the plane before their boarding group is called. What went into that decision?

A: Our frequent and premium travelers look at (the technology to catch line-jumpers) as a benefit of being loyal to American Airlines. It's a huge plus for our gate agents because they do like order.

Q. Were people boarding out of order slowing down the boarding process?

A: No. We just want a steady stream (of passengers) going in. The ability to get overhead bin space ... has gotten a lot better with some of the upgrades that weve done with larger overhead bins on the vast majority of our aircraft. We're going to finish up the rest of the fleet in the next couple years with the large overhead bins. So that wont be the issue, but that used to be a bit of that driver there.
Joe Biden warned Syrias leading rebel group against working with Islamic State (IS) terrorists in secret messages exchanged during the collapse of Bashar al-Assads regime.

The US president, using the Turkish government as an intermediary, was reassured by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) it had no intention of allowing IS into its movement, according to Turkish and US officials.

HTS, which led the rebel uprising across Syria that toppled the Assad regime on Sunday, was once affiliated with al-Qaeda but claims to have grown more moderate in recent years. It remains proscribed as a terrorist group by the US, UK and UN.

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Mr Biden is now debating the extent to which they should engage directly with Islamist-led rebel groups amid concerns they could still team up with jihadists, The New York Times reported.

In a televised address on Sunday, the outgoing president noted that some of the rebel groups had their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses.

Rebels wave an Islamic flag in Damascus on Monday - Omar Haj Kadour/AFP

He added: Weve taken note of statements by the leaders of these rebel groups in recent days and theyre saying the right things now. But as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words but their actions.

US officials have also discussed removing a $10million (7.8million) bounty on Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, the leader of HTS, a senior Arab official told Middle East Eye.

Mr Bidens warning came as the US carried out precision air strikes against IS targets in Syria on Sunday and overnight.

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Meanwhile, Russia vowed to hold talks with Syrias next leaders over the future of its military bases in the Middle East region.

On Monday, the Kremlin said it was too early to predict how HTS would view its military facilities, including the Khmeimim air base in Latakia province and its naval base in the coastal city of Tartus.

Joe Bidens warning came as the US carried out precision air strikes against IS targets in Syria - Pete Marovich/Getty Images

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said: Its premature to talk about it yet. This is all a subject for discussion with those who will be in power in Syria.

Western nations have broadly welcomed the collapse of Assads brutal regime but have warned against automatically welcoming HTS given its past terrorist links.

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Sir Keir Starmer, the Prime Minister, said it was very early days when asked whether his Government would engage with HTS.

But on Monday, a senior Cabinet minister acknowledged calls to remove the Syrian rebel group from the UK terrorist list.

Pat McFadden, who oversees the Cabinet Office, said that the Government would review the designation of HTS as a terrorist group.

A joint statement released by the European Union called for a peaceful transition of power that is Syrian-led.

Germany, meanwhile, said HTS would be judged based on how it treats Syrian minorities.

A foreign ministry spokesman said: In recent months and years, HTS has endeavoured to distance itself from its jihadist origins and to build up civilian structures.

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HTS has vowed to respect the rights of ethnic and religious minorities. A message sent out by the groups central command on Monday told fighters not to interfere with womens clothing.

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A judge on Monday approved a motion from both the prosecution and defense to push the start of Karen Reads second murder trial back three months, a new court filing showed.

The retrial of Read will not take place until April 2025 at the earliest after Norfolk Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone signed off on the motion, which was initially filed in November.

In the joint motion, the prosecution and defense argued that moving the retrial from January to April would create a more efficient presentation of evidence.

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The joint request will allow both the Commonwealth and defense adequate time to prepare for the trial, accommodate new witnesses, including expert witnesses, will allow for the testing and disclosures by the experts timely before trial, and will result in a far more efficient and streamlined presentation of evidence by both parties, the new filing on Cannones approval of the motion to delay stated.

Days after Reads first trial ended with a hung jury and a mistrial, Cannone scheduled Reads retrial for Jan. 27, 2025.

The SJC is currently determining if jurors who sat through Reads first trial for the death of Boston Police Officer John OKeefe will be questioned about their deliberations. The SJC will issue a written decision that could take four months before it is published.

Reads lawyers have been fighting to dismiss her second-degree murder and leaving the scene of a deadly crash charge for double jeopardy reasons. Double jeopardy is a legal protection that prohibits anyone from being prosecuted twice for the same crime.

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Read is accused of hitting OKeefe with her SUV and leaving him to die after a night of drinking. The defense has sought to portray Read as the victim, saying OKeefe was actually killed inside Brian Alberts home and then dragged outside and left for dead.

Morrisseys office opposes Reads bid to get the charges dropped and argues that Cannone was correct when she ruled all of Reads charges should remain for her retrial.

Cannone recently denied special prosecutor Hank Brennans request for phone records from Reads parents. Prosecutors have also asked Cannone to exclude a medical expert who took the stand in the cases first trial.

Breaking: Judge Cannone agrees to delay the start of the Karen Read retrial. It had been scheduled to begin in January but both the prosecution and defense asked to push it back to April.  Ted Daniel (@TedDanielnews) December 9, 2024

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A state judge in Washington is slated to issue his ruling in the antitrust case against Krogers proposed $25 billion takeover of rival Albertsons.

King County Superior Court Judge Marshall Ferguson is scheduled to file his decision on Tuesday, according to the courts website. The date was set last month when Ferguson delayed his plans to reach a ruling in mid-November.

The merger is the subject of two other antitrust lawsuits brought by regulators at the Federal Trade Commission and the Colorado Attorney Generals office. Both cases have been tried and subject to different judges deliberations, but theres no firm timeline for decisions in those cases.

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Antitrust experts say Kroger needs to win all three cases to keep its merger hopes alive. All three cases would be subject to appeal.

How big is the Kroger Albertson's merger?

First announced in October 2022, Cincinnati-based Kroger wants to buy all outstanding shares of Boise, Idaho-based Albertsons, adding most of its employees and stores to its supermarket operation. If the deal is completed, Kroger would:

Operate more than 4,400 supermarkets, up from 2,700 right now.

Generate about $208 billion in annual sales, compared to $150 billion.

Employ about 640,000 workers, up from about 414,000 currently. That would make it one of the 10 largest private employers in the world.

Arguments for and against

But regulators have objected to the deal they say would lessen competition and give Kroger too much power to raise prices for consumers. They are also concerned about Krogers related deal to sell off 579 stores to C&S Wholesale Grocers. The divestiture would give the Keene, New Hampshire-based supplier with limited retail experience hundreds of stores.

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Kroger and Albertsons have promised the deal will lower prices for consumers, wont lead to any store closures and wont create mass layoffs. They claim they need to merge to compete effectively against a wave of growing nontraditional grocers, such as Walmart, Costco and Amazon.

For the latest on Kroger, P&G, Fifth Third Bank and Cincinnati business, follow @alexcoolidge on X (formerly Twitter).

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Washington state judge set to rule in Kroger merger with Albertsons
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  A federal judge is considering whether to overturn a Minnesota law that bans religious tests for colleges that participate in a state program that allows high school students to take college courses for credit.

The state argued at a hearing Monday that the 2023 law rightly protects high school students who are not Christian, straight, and cisgender  those whose gender identity matches the sex they were assigned at birth.

The law targets the state's only two conservative Christian colleges that require students to sign statements of faith  Crown College in St. Bonifacius and the University of Northwestern in Roseville. A group of parents and high schoolers who are earning college credits at those institutions, or would like to, are suing to overturn the law, saying it violates their religious freedom under the First Amendment to choose schools with campus atmospheres that that reflect their values.

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The longstanding Minnesota Postsecondary Enrollment Options program lets high school students earn free credits at state expense at public or private colleges of their choice, although the courses must be nonsectarian. Around 60,000 students have taken advantage of it. State education officials learned more than a decade ago that Crown and Northwestern in Roseville bar students who arent Christian or who are LGBTQ+ from campus activities, and started trying to change the law regulating the program.

After several previous attempts to change it failed at a divided Legislature, the legislation passed in 2023 after Democrats gained control of both chambers. Democratic Gov. Tim Walz signed it into law after a session that enacted a series of broad new protections for LGBTQ+ rights.

Under an agreement between the states and colleges, the law is not being enforced while court challenges are pending, including any appeals. U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel didn't say at the end of the hearing when she would rule. But she confirmed with both sides after two hours of highly complex legal arguments that the law will remain on hold into the next academic year if there's no final resolution by then.

The state of Minnesota has a fundamental right to protect its students from discrimination, Assistant Attorney General Jeff Timmerman argued at the hearing.

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But Eric Baxter, an attorney from The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, told the court that the law improperly targeted the two colleges after the state had long allowed them to restrict admission to the program.

There's no evidence that the admissions requirements at Crown and Northwestern were causing a problem that was so compelling that they had to restrict these schools' religious practices, Baxter said.

Baxter argued that the U.S. Supreme Court has held several times in recent years has held that once a state starts funding private institutions, the First Amendment forbids excluding participants on the basis of religion, citing high court decisions in cases from Montana,Maine and Missouri. He also said a Supreme Court decision in a Philadelphia case established that a state's interest in preventing discrimination against LGBTQ+ people doesn't outweigh the rights of religious organizations to live out their beliefs.

Timmerman countered that those precedents don't fit this case. The state's attorneys wrote in their brief that maw was changed to eliminate all forms of discrimination  not just religious discrimination  because the schools' policies exclude LGBTQ+ students based on their sexual orientation and gender identity, not just students of other faiths. And they said the schools have offered no evidence that admitting non-Christian or LGBTQ+ high school students to the program would harm the colleges' religious beliefs or practices.

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Northwestern, whose former presidents include famed evangelist Billy Graham, is one of the largest providers of classes to high schoolers under the state program. Both schools allow all students, regardless of their beliefs, to take online courses.

Baxter said afterward that many states have college credit programs like Minnesota's, but that most states that have tried to exclude religious organizations have been shot down.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  After three days of deliberating, jurors have still not reached a verdict for the man charged with murdering Cash App founder Bob Lee.

Nima Momeni is charged with first-degree murder. Lee, 43, was fatally stabbed three times under San Franciscos Bay Bridge on April 4, 2023.

Prosecutors said Momeni killed Lee as an act of revenge after Lees drug dealer sexually assaulted Momenis sister, Khazar. Momeni, according to prosecutors, also suspected that Lee had an inappropriate relationship with his married sister.

Bob Lee

Momeni testified that the tech mogul became enraged over a bad joke and pulled out the knife. Momeni, who is trained in martial arts, said he fought back in self-defense.

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Jurors left the courthouse late Monday afternoon without reaching a verdict. They will return Tuesday morning to resume deliberations.

UC Law San Francisco professor Hadar Aviram said, based on how much time has gone by, there are probably disagreements between jurors in the deliberation room.

Theres peer pressure in the room. Sometimes people get convinced and they change their mind. And maybe other people change their mind the other way. Whatever the cocktail of opinions in the room, its very hard to know just by sitting here and waiting, Aviram told KRON4.

Jurors are reviewing two months of testimony from dozens of witnesses, as well as surveillance videos, text message exchanges, and other evidence.

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In closing arguments last week, prosecutor Dane Reinstedt said Momenis claim that Lee turned into a violent raving monster over a bad joke was absurd and a lie. Lee was unarmed when Momeni attacked and stabbed Lee through the heart, Reinstedt said.

For the defenses final piece of evidence before deliberations begin, Zangeneh threw an unexpected curve ball. He played a surveillance video from The Battery bar that was recorded around 10 p.m. on April 3, 2023. In the video, Lee and his friend are standing outside the bar sniffing cocaine, according to the defense. Lee is holding an object, but the video is not clear enough to see what the object is. Zangeneh suddenly pointed at it and exclaimed, Thats the knife! Look at the dimensions. Its his, its in his possession.

In their rebuttal, prosecutors maintained that Momeni produced the knife.

The jury is considering four possible verdicts: Guilty of first-degree murder; guilty of voluntary manslaughter, guilty of involuntary manslaughter, or not guilty. If the jury returns with a guilty verdict for first-degree murder, Momeni could face life in prison. If found guilty of manslaughter offenses, he could face as little as two years.

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Lees brother said hes hoping for a verdict that will lock up Momeni in prison for life. I dont want to see Bobs kids ever have to watch the man who killed him back on the street, the brother 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 KRON4.
U.S. Rep. Ron Estes, a Republican, is running for reelection to represent Wichita and south central Kansas in Congress. Estes, along with Kansas other Congressional incumbents, appeared likely to win another term. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  U.S. Rep. Ron Estes and U.S. Sen. Roger Marshall, both Kansas Republicans, will join the caucuses supporting President-elect Donald Trumps new Department of Government Efficiency.

Estes, who represents Kansas south-central 4th District, is set to be a member of the House Delivering Outstanding Government Efficiency, or DOGE, caucus, which has been envisioned as a vehicle for lawmakers to pitch budget cuts.

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DOGE will be another helpful tool to identify waste, fraud and abuse and rein in wasteful spending, ensuring the government serves as a responsible steward of taxpayer dollars, Estes said in a Sunday newsletter.

Marshall is set to join the Senate DOGE caucus, chaired by Iowa Sen. Joni Ernst, who has already pitched $1 trillion in spending cuts to the Trump team.

Enough is enough, Marshall said in a Friday newsletter. Its past time for three letter agencies and unelected D.C. bureaucrats to come down to reality and remember We the People sign their checks.

Republicans from Florida and Texas launched the House DOGE caucus Nov. 19, selecting more than 30 members. Ernst followed with a seven-member Senate caucus.

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Estes said he met last week with tech billionaire Elon Musk and former Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy to brainstorm priorities. Musk and Ramaswamy were Trumps handpicked allies selected to lead the new department, which doesnt technically exist without an act of Congress.

Itll take hard work, Estes said, but I am excited about the prospects of what DOGE can achieve to make government work for the people again.

Estes called the federal governments more than $36 trillion debt total shameful and simply unsustainable. He said he was glad to join the caucus to participate in addressing bureaucracy, excess regulations, wasteful spending and restructuring of federal agencies.

Peeling back regulations was of particular interest, Estes said. He blamed President Joe Bidens administration for costly rulemaking and lauded the first Trump administration for cutting old regulations as new ones were added.
NANJING, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese researcher from Changzhou University has acquired two photo albums from Japan, providing new evidence of war crimes related to the 1937 Nanjing Massacre perpetrated by the invading Japanese troops, the university said on Monday.

One album, containing 73 photos, was taken during Nanjing's occupation. Among them are photos documenting the routine operations of a Japanese military organization located near Xiaguan Wharf in Nanjing, now revealed for the first time.

During the Nanjing Massacre, the organization was not only responsible for logistical support for the invaders but also had a secret task -- destroying the bodies of the massacre victims to erase evidence, according to Lu Yanming, a Chinese researcher from Changzhou University.

The discovery of this album confirms the historical records related to the Nanjing Massacre, said Sun Zhaiwei, a historian of the Nanjing Massacre and researcher at the Jiangsu Provincial Academy of Social Sciences.

The other album contains over 150 photos related to wartime air defense facilities in Nanjing.

"These photos serve a clear military investigative purpose and are irrefutable evidence of the Japanese troop's invasion of China," said Lu.

The Nanjing Massacre took place when Japanese troops captured the then-Chinese capital on Dec. 13, 1937. Over six weeks, they killed approximately 300,000 Chinese civilians and unarmed soldiers in one of the most barbaric episodes of World War II. 
The Scoop

Kari Lake is a leading contender for the nomination as Donald Trumps ambassador to Mexico, two people familiar with the situation told Semafor.

Lake won Trumps endorsement in both her unsuccessful bids for statewide office in Arizona. The former news anchor and vocal proponent of stringent border security lost an Arizona Senate bid last month to Democratic Sen.-elect Ruben Gallego. She also lost a race for Arizona governor in 2022, although she has never officially acknowledged that result.

A staunch Trump ally, Lake has remained close to the president-elect over the last few years, backing his unproven claims that the 2020 election was stolen. During her most recent run for office, Lake sought to moderate some of her positions, particularly on the topic of abortion.

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She also made efforts to mend fences with some establishment Republicans whom she had sparred with in the past.

A Trump transition spokesperson declined to comment.



Know More

Lake has echoed Trump in backing strict limits on immigration. On the campaign trail, Lake described the influx of migrants entering the US as an invasion.

She campaigned on finishing the wall at the US southern border, increasing the number of judges who hear asylum claims, stepping up quick deportations of undocumented immigrants who cross outside official ports of entry and building additional border detention facilities.

As US ambassador to Mexico, Lake would be responsible for engaging with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaums government on a host of contentious issues, including migration, counternarcotics, and Trumps pledge to enact new tariffs on imports.

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The position would require confirmation by the GOP-controlled Senate, meaning she could only afford to lose three Republican votes assuming no Democrats vote to confirm her.



Notable
ASHEBORO, N.C. (WGHP)  FOX8 honors Kelly Bowman of Liberty Elementary School. Congrats, Mrs. Bowman!

If you know of an educator who is worthy of this nomination please fill out the nomination form here. Educator of the Week is sponsored by the North Carolina Education Lottery.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
This story was originally posted on MyNorthwest.com

A 35-year-old man from Seattle was arrested on felony charges of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes after a Kent Police Department (KPD) investigation found evidence of the suspect sending sexually explicit messages to the victim.

Kent Police found that the child met the suspect while trick or treating earlier this year. According to KPD, the man said he thought the victim was pretty and got her cell phone number. The teenager and the 35-year-old man texted back and forth for approximately a week before the suspect suggested they meet up to engage in sexual activity. It was at this point in their conversation when a parent discovered the messages.

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More King County crime: Shooting in Seattles International District injures five people

KPD is now bringing the incident to light to send a warning to other parents to check their childrens electronic devices and make sure theyre safe.

It seems obvious to us as adults not to give random strangers our phone numbers or addresses, and not to try to meet up with someone we barely know, KPD stated in a release about the incident. But kids lack our experience and think differently.

According to the Child Crime Prevention and Safety Center, there are an estimated 500,000 online predators active each day. More than 50% of the victims of online sexual exploitation are between the ages of 12 and 15, according to the FBI, while an estimated 89% of sexual advances directed at children occur in internet chatrooms or through instant messaging.

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In a press release, KPD offered tips and reminders to all parents to think of their childs cell phone, iPad, laptop and other similar devices as windows in their home that provide access to their child.

You would not leave your windows open to allow just anyone to sneak inside, police said. Dont leave your screens unguarded either. Talk to your kids, check their phones frequently and put safeguards on their devices.

KidsHealth.org and UNICEF offer many other tips and information for parents and kids, including warning signs that a child is being targeted by an online predator. These can include:

Spending long hours online, especially at night

Phone calls from people you dont know

Unsolicited gifts arriving in the mail

Your child suddenly turning off the computer or other device when you walk into the room

Withdrawal from family life and reluctance to discuss online activities

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More from Luke Duecy: Dozens of animals are receiving care after being rescued from Clallam County farm

Kent police tracked the adult suspect to a Seattle address and developed probable cause to arrest him. Seattle Police made the arrest and the suspect is facing felony charges, as of this reporting.




BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  Saturday, Dec. 7 marked the 83rd anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.

Community members in Kern County gathered for Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day at Jastro Park. Family, friends, and vets gathered at the park at about 10 a.m. Saturday morning for the final unveiling ceremony of veterans to be honored on the Kern County WWII Veterans Memorial.

Police search for missing 14-year-old near downtown Bakersfield

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The President of the Kern County Memorial described the tribute honoring the brave men and women who served our country during WWII.

It is a very special day to honor these final World War II veterans on this memorial, said Ed Gaede, President of the Kern County WWII Veterans Memorial. Weve added 741 new names for a total of 2,439 names of World War II heroes that are engraved up on this memorial.

If you want to learn how you can donate to the cause, 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 KGET 17.
BALTIMORE  The members of Marylands congressional delegation, including three who will soon retire, are in a last-minute sprint to secure full funding for the Francis Scott Key Bridge replacement before lawmakers leave for the holidays.

Theyre appealing to their fellow representatives and senators, making the case for Maryland and other states that have faced disasters this year, sticking together and trying to stave off a growing wave of pushback from the House Freedom Caucus.

While the overwhelming majority of Marylands senators and congressmen are optimistic about securing full funding for the bridge rebuild, there is also a hint of caution.

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The outlook is positive, but on Capitol Hill, an old Yogi Berra saying is important to remember  It aint over til its over,' Sen. Chris Van Hollen said, quoting the New York Yankees legend.

Sen. Ben Cardin, who is retiring at the end of the year, believes theres a really good chance a relief bill passes before lawmakers go home for the holidays, but its not without risk.

The Democratic senators from Maryland are hoping the full funding for the bridge will be included in a disaster relief aid package that is likely to be attached to the continuing resolution that would keep the government funded.

Well work to get it on any vehicle that moves before the end of the year, Van Hollen said.

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President Joe Biden recently requested nearly $100 billion in new funding that would help with recovery efforts in states ravaged by hurricanes and other disasters. Though there have been many conciliatory talks about the aid in Washington, D.C., some members of the House Freedom Caucus threw a torch in the mix on Wednesday.

Congress should not pass a whopping $100 billion unpaid disaster supplemental funding bill  that Democrats will use to cement their own unrelated priorities  in the waning days of Democrat control in Washington right before Republicans take control of the White House and both Chambers, the House Freedom Caucus said in a statement.

The conservative caucus is led by the lone Republican congressman from Maryland, U.S. Rep. Andy Harris, who represents Marylands 1st Congressional District, which largely comprises the states Eastern Shore. His office didnt respond Friday to a request for comment, but he recently told The Sun he sees eye to eye with his Democratic colleagues when it comes to bridge funding.

Most of the pushback is coming from outside of Maryland. Im not going to vote for $100 billion unpaid for. Zero chance, Rep. Chip Roy, a Texas Republican and member of the Freedom Caucus, told Fox News in November.

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Congressman Kweisi Mfume, a Baltimore Democrat, reminds his colleagues that disasters dont know political parties or state lines.

Disasters like the Key Bridge collapse cannot be predicted, and I have emphasized the point with other lawmakers from across the country that while this bridge collapsed in Baltimore, the next tragedy of this scale could occur anywhere, in any congressional district, without regard to party affiliation, Mfume said.

With our unified front in the Maryland congressional delegation driving this effort, I am still very optimistic that we are going to get this done, he added.

Team Maryland

When reporters ask the states senators and House representatives in Washington about replacing the Key Bridge, a critical artery of the federal interstate highway system, theres much talk about how Team Maryland is working tirelessly.

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Perhaps nobody says it more than the congressman who has represented the state the longest. Our congressional delegation and the rest of Team Maryland is laser-focused on the effort to secure funding to replace the Key Bridge, said U.S. Rep. Steny Hoyer, the former House majority leader.

The team has pushed for language in the disaster aid bill that provides for a full federal cost share for the bridges reconstruction, he said, and the delegation is working tirelessly to ensure its included in the end-of-year CR  the continuing resolution that will keep the government funded.

Theyve already secured 90% of the funding through the National Relief Program, but the last 10% of the $1.7 billion to $1.9 billion price tag is no small ask.

Team Maryland remains united in our commitment to securing the federal funding essential for rebuilding the Key Bridge, and we are working tirelessly to see it through, said Congressman John Sarbanes, who represents Marylands 3rd Congressional District.

Political pressures

Funding the Key Bridge replacement is more than a spending battle. Its ensuring a major part of the nations infrastructure can be rebuilt, carrying the components that fuel Americas economy.

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The bridges restoration is an urgent bipartisan imperative, and serious efforts are underway in Congress to do it, said Congressman Jamie Raskin, representing Marylands 8th Congressional District. From day one, Team Maryland, including federal, state and local leaders, have united to support the greater Baltimore community, including by working to secure the funding needed to advance relief, rebuilding and recovery.

Congressman Dutch Ruppersberger, who represents Baltimore County and is retiring at the end of the year, spoke to House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, an Oklahoma Republican, a few days ago to emphasize the dire need for bridge funding, Ruppersberger spokesperson Jamie Lennon said. The chairman indicated he understands the importance.

The delegation is working hard to get full funding, but the end-of-the-year legislation to keep the government open and provide disaster aid is running into political pressures, especially from the House Freedom Caucus, Lennon said.

Baltimores bridge replacement is also competing with other parts of the country that have been ravaged by natural disasters and fires.

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Everyone needs help, Lennon said.

Outgoing Congressman David Trone, a Democrat who represents Marylands 6th Congressional District is a member of the House Appropriations Committee, which has a huge role in deciding how the government spends taxpayer money.

I hope my Republican colleagues recognize the urgent need for this funding, and I remain committed to working with them to get it across the finish line in the next two weeks, Trone said. Americans are counting on us.

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(Bloomberg) -- Senator Joni Ernst, a key player in the struggle over Pete Hegseths confirmation as defense secretary, offered a boost on Monday to President-elect Donald Trumps embattled nominee.

Most Read from Bloomberg

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As I support Pete through this process, I look forward to a fair hearing based on truth, not anonymous sources, Ernst, an Iowa Republican, said in a statement after meeting with Hegseth.

His nomination is mired in allegations of sexual misconduct along with accusations of alcohol abuse and mismanagement of two veterans organizations.

Ernst, a combat veteran and rape survivor who is an influential voice on military matters in the Senate, had pointedly declined to support Hegseth after meeting with him last week. Her noncommittal statements angered many conservatives and provoked threats of a primary challenge against her in two years.

After the meeting, Hegseth said on X that he was grateful for Sen. Ernsts support through this process.

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She has long been a leader on many important defense issues  which I deeply appreciate, he posted, along with a picture of him with Ernst. I welcome her ongoing counsel.

Ernsts statement Monday fell short of signaling a vote in favor of his nomination but it conveyed public encouragement for continuing to seek confirmation.

I am supporting the process, Ernst told reporters when asked if she would vote in favor of Hegseths appointment. She called the meeting very productive. He does respect that Im taking the time.

Trumps team was said to be examining alternative candidates for the position last week as Hegseth came under increasing criticism and scrutiny. But Trump defended him in a social media post late in the week and in an NBC News interview.

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Hegseth is a very smart guy, Trump said in an interview for Sundays edition of NBCs Meet the Press. He loves the military and I think people are starting to see it, so well be working on his nomination.

Hegseth is set to meet with Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska later this week  two other potential Republican holdouts. He can lose no more than three Republican votes and win confirmation given Republicans will have 53 votes and the tie-breaking vote of the vice president.

Hegseth, a former Fox News host, is facing allegations that he raped a woman in 2017, a claim he has repeatedly denied. He was not charged after the allegation, but paid the accuser a financial settlement. A lawyer for Hegseth had said the encounter was consensual.

The New Yorker also detailed his resignation from two veterans advocacy groups. The magazine highlighted a 2015 whistleblower report that described Hegseth as intoxicated on the job as president of Concerned Veterans for America and alleged that he and members of his management team pursued sexual relationships with the groups female staff. Years earlier, another veterans advocacy group Hegseth also ran closed amid allegations of financial mismanagement.

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Hegseth and other contentious choices by Trump drew more attention following former Representative Matt Gaetzs withdrawal from consideration to lead the Justice Department after he was scrutinized for alleged sexual misconduct.

Also in the spotlight are vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Heath and Human Services Department; Tulsi Gabbard who was accused of being a Russian sympathizer, to run national intelligence, and Kash Patel to head the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Ernst also met with Patel and Gabbard on Monday and backed their nominations.

Hegseth, an Army veteran who served in Iraq and Afghanistan, has also repeatedly opposed women in combat. That stance puts him at odds with Ernst, whose daughter serves in the Army.

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Ernst sometimes criticized Trump, including in 2017 when she opposed a plan to ban trans members of the military, but has generally voted for his agenda and nominees.

Ernst helped lead a bipartisan push to combat sexual assault in the military. In 2019, she told Bloomberg she was raped in college and later physically abused by her ex-husband.

(Updates with Hegseth, in sixth and seventh paragraphs)

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The CEO of UnitedHealthcare was gunned down this morning in Manhattan. Brian Thompson, 50, was accosted outside the Hilton hotel in Midtown, and later pronounced dead at Mount Sinai West hospital.

Police say that the killing was a targeted attack rather than a random act of violence. New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch called the shooting a premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack. The shooter was captured on camera, and last seen in Central Park. They have not been apprehended. The motive for the murder is unknown, but Thompsons wife told NBC News that there were some people that had been threatening him.

Thompson was an executive vice president at UnitedHealth Group and CEO of its UnitedHealthcare division, a role he was named to in 2021, while Andrew Witty is CEO of UnitedHealth Group. Thompsons killing comes as companies have grown increasingly concerned about the security of their top executives, and it could confirm corporate Americas worst fears. More acutely, the targeting of a high-profile executive raises new questions about whether personal security, corporate aircraft travel, and trained defensive drivers should extend to roles beyond the CEO.

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We dont know the motivation. Certainly, if its a personal motivation, that changes the landscape a little bit, Glen Kucera, president of the enhanced protection services division at Allied Universal, a security services company, tells Fortune. If it was motivated by the business that theyre in, the health care business, or anything that could be related, then certainly thats a wake-up call to a lot of CEOs and executives traveling throughout the country and the world.

Increased investment in executive security

Large companies seem to be increasingly aware of safety risks for their top executives.

In a review of CEO perks between 2020 and 2023, advisory firm ISS-Corporate found that home security perquisites for CEOs of S&P 500 companies rose from 12.6% in 2020, to 15.7% in 2023. And the prevalence of personal and home security perquisites among S&P 500 companies have been on a steady rise since 2018, data from Esgauge shows. In 2018, only 13.2% of CEOs had these benefits, compared with 17.9% in 2024.

However, the trend to boost security is far less pronounced among health care companies. Among Russell 3000 health care companies, personal security costs actually trended downward from 0.8% in 2018, to 0.5% in 2024, Esgauge data reveals. And the median value of security for CEOs in general in 2023 was around $50,000, according to WTW, an insurance broker and risk management company.

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Some of the worlds most prominent executives, however, are costing their companies millions a year in protection services. The worlds richest man, Elon Musk, now travels with up to 20 security guards, the New York Times reported. Personal security for Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai costs around $6.8 million a year, according to SEC filings. And Meta Platforms increased security spending for Mark Zuckerberg from $10 million to $14 million a year in February 2023, according to public documents.

We believe that Mr. Zuckerbergs role puts him in a unique position: He is synonymous with Meta, and as a result, negative sentiment regarding our company is directly associated with, and often transferred to, Mr. Zuckerberg, the company wrote last year in disclosures.

When youre talking about somebody whos worth millions of dollars or billions of dollars, and they are in charge of an entire company, there is a real possibility of kidnapping, theres a real possibility of extortion, theres a real possibility of attempts on their lives, Bill Herzog, CEO of Arizona-based LionHeart Security Services, previously told Fortune about executive security.

However, most security focus has been at the CEO and chairman level, and not among other named executive officers. At UnitedHealth Group, the company requires CEO Andrew Witty to fly on a corporate jet for all business travel, and encourages him to fly on the jet for personal and family travel. Based on the companys most recent disclosures, Witty did not use the jet for personal travel in 2023. But the company did not disclose other personal security benefits for executives, including Thompson.

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Cardinal Health spent $445,732 on corporate jet travel, home security, and monitoring and liability for CEO Jason Hollar. The company did not disclose the same benefits for other top executives, according to the companys 2024 proxy statement.

Other companies have taken a harder stance. Meta in January and February 2021 approved new personal security services for its entire board, given the level of scrutiny at the company and the charged atmosphere following the 2020 U.S. elections and the attack on the U.S. Capitol, Meta told investors. It also disclosed that it provides personal security for other execs in response to specific threats.

Nobody ever goes to work expecting this to happen to him, right? So thats why its so important to, you know, be informed. Be aware of your surroundings. Have good security protocol in the event that this does happen, says Kucera. You have to be prepared.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
Even Kings get the wobbles on coronation day!

King Charles has confessed that he was worried his crown might topple off during his Coronation in May 2023 so he practiced wearing it like his late mother Queen Elizabeth so he would be used to its weight.

Charles, 76, made the revelation while speaking to a group of Canadian women late last year as they made an unforgettable trip to the U.K., retracing the steps theyd made to see Elizabeths Coronation in 1953. The moment was captured in a charming upcoming documentary called Coronation Girls, which will be shown on PBS in Canada on Dec. 26.

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Related: King Charles and Queen Camilla Are Crowned! See the Exact Moment from Their Coronation

FeltFilm Inc King Chalres talking to some of the Canadian women at Buckingham Palace for the film 'Coronation Girls' King Chalres talking to some of the Canadian women at Buckingham Palace for the film 'Coronation Girls'

At the end of their visit last year, in which they commemorated their first visit as teens, the group were taken to tea at Buckingham Palace  and King Charles walked in to the Bow Room to surprise them.

The women had been among 50 girls aged around 17 who had been picked from communities from the length and breadth of Canada to make a trip of a lifetime to watch the late Queen being crowned. On their return, talk at the palace quickly centered on the coronations and the King explained the difference between the heavy 5lb. St. Edwards Crown and the lighter Imperial State Crown he also wore at the ceremony.

Its important to wear it for a certain amount of time because you get used to it then. But the big one that you are crowned with, the St. Edward's crown ... is much heavier and taller, he told his excited guests. So there's always that feeling slightly anxious in case it wobbles.

BEN STANSALL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images King Charles in the Imperial State Crown at Westminster Abbey during his Coronation in May 2023 King Charles in the Imperial State Crown at Westminster Abbey during his Coronation in May 2023

You have to look really straight ahead.

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Charles also recalled how he and his younger sister Princess Anne, who was aged 2 at the time of the coronation in 1953, were shown the crown by their late mother. My mama used to come up at bath time wearing the crown to practice. Because you have to get used to how heavy it is. I've never forgotten. I can still remember it vividly, the King said.

Coronation Girls was shot during the womens visit last December, before Charles revealed he had cancer in February of this year, and one of the women urged him to come to Canada. Im sure I will, he said before adding a self-deprecating quip, Don't worry. I'm sure I will if I'm still alive.

FeltFilm Inc King Charles during the surprise meeting with the Canadian visitors at Buckingham Palace in Dec. 2023 King Charles during the surprise meeting with the Canadian visitors at Buckingham Palace in Dec. 2023

Related: King Charles and Queen Camilla's 2024 Christmas Card Revealed

One of the women, Carol Bowyer Shipley, replied, You'll be alive. We won't be. (Aides say that he does hope to visit the country.)

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The film, made by Doug Arrowsmith, weaves between previously-unseen archive footage and poignant interviews with the women as they look back on their lives and enjoy seeing the sights they first saw seven decades earlier.

FeltFilm Inc The women during their trip over from Canada to Britain for the coronation of 1953 The women during their trip over from Canada to Britain for the coronation of 1953

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It captures the story of how businessman and philanthropist Garfield Weston sponsored the trip, which he hoped would not only give the women a trip of a lifetime but continue to cement relationships between Canada and the U.K.

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

FeltFilm Inc Capturing the excitement of the Coronation in 1953, as seen in 'Coronation Girls' Capturing the excitement of the Coronation in 1953, as seen in 'Coronation Girls'

The women were taught etiquette by Westons daughters and  dressed in matching in smart dark navy suits and hats  got to watch the Coronation from a perfect spot on Piccadilly in central London.

FeltFilm Inc Some of the Canadian visitors touring Buckingham Palace before their surprise from King Charles in 'Coronation Girls' Some of the Canadian visitors touring Buckingham Palace before their surprise from King Charles in 'Coronation Girls'

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 film also shows the women, who forged lifelong friendships, seeing St. Georges Chapel in Windsor  where Elizabeth was laid to rest in Sept. 2022  and historical sites like Coventry Cathedral that they also visited in 1953.

Read the original article on People
Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) said she is not a fan of President Biden issuing preemptive pardons for critics of President-elect Trump.

Klobuchar joined MSNBCs Jen Psaki and weighed in on the rumors that Biden will pardon those who are critical of Trump ahead of the administration change.

She added that she wasnt a fan of Biden pardoning his son, Hunter Biden, either.

I am not a fan of these. I didnt like the pardon of the presidents son; I didnt think that that was prudent, she said, as highlighted by Mediaite. But I also am very concerned about what Trump is going to do with this Justice Department.

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Democrats appear to be divided over the issue of preemptive pardons. The president has had discussions with his senior team about using the pardon power to protect Trump critics who may be targeted in the next administration, like Sen.-elect Adam Schiff (D-Calif.). During the campaign, Trump has said he would go after his political enemies in office.

Klobuchar said she spoke with Schiff, who has publicly said he doesnt want a preemptive pardon from Biden.

He believes that this is a nation of laws and that there are judges that make decisions all the time, including during the last Trump administration, including Republican appointees from many different administrations who did the right thing in many cases under the law, she said.

Klobuchar acknowledged Biden has the power to preemptively pardon people, but she would like to see some sort of pardon reform, pointing to Trumps abuse of the pardon power.

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You could have a committee set up, you could have suggestions from a board, you could do all kinds of things, Klobuchar said. Thats what Id like to see. Itd be interesting.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Cruise travel to Mexico will be more expensive in 2025, but after industry pushback on the decision to charge passengers, the implementation of those fees won't take effect until mid-summer.

What to know about new Mexico cruise tax

Starting July 1, 2025, any passenger who visits a Mexican port will pay a fee of $42, according to nonprofit trade organization Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association, which said the tax was initially set to be enforced starting Jan. 1.

In a statement obtained by ABC News, the organization said Mexico's decision to postpone the tax came after a meeting between the group and Mexican government officials on Friday.

PHOTO: A crowd of passengers disembarks in Costa Maya, Mexico, Dec. 18, 2023. (Jeff Greenberg/Getty Images)

Despite the temporary respite, the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association said it "stresses that more comprehensive measures are required to address broader concerns about the tax's devastating impact on cruise tourism, Mexico's economy, and the livelihoods of its coastal communities."

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State of cruises and overtourism as Barcelona plans to increase visitor fees

The $42 per passenger fee -- the equivalent of 860 Mexican pesos -- is 213% higher than the average cost at Caribbean ports, according to the cruise association.

While other popular destinations with overtourism concerns such as Venice, Italy -- which implemented a day-tripper access fee earlier in 2024 -- have implemented taxes to help pay for preservation efforts or crowd control, the cruise group noted that this concept would cost a family of four visiting a Mexican cruise port an additional $168 in fees for just a few hours ashore.

Tourists crossing the border by land who are visiting for seven days or less remain exempt from this tax.

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The Mexican Association of Shipping Agents, which issued a statement last month in support of the Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association's efforts against the tax, noted at the time that historically, cruise passengers had been exempt from Mexico's non-resident fee, which is paid by international tourists visiting the country, because they fell under a "transit exemption."

PHOTO: Stock photo. (P A Thompson/Getty Images)

"However, the elimination of this exemption and the imposition of the new fee ... puts at risk the competitiveness of Mexican ports, as well as the economic benefits generated by the industry," the shipping association stated, arguing that "If the measure is implemented, Mexico could lose up to 10 million passengers and more than 3,300 ship calls in 2025, directly impacting the local economies of tourist ports and thousands of small suppliers and national companies."

The Florida-Caribbean Cruise Association similarly warned this week that "placing such a burden on cruise tourists with minimal time actually spent in Mexico will deter visitors, alter cruise itineraries, and create economic ripple effects in communities that heavily rely on cruise tourism."

Last month, Mexico's Congress approved the measure for the levy for every passenger, regardless of whether or not they disembark the vessel, the Associated Press reported previously.

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Octavio de la Torre, the president of Mexico's National Confederation of Chambers of Commerce, Services and Tourism, has voiced his and the organization's support for merchants and businesses in every cruise ship port. He previously called on the decision makers to evaluate the measure and reconsider its approval due to the affect he believed it would have on the shops, businesses and companies that depend on this economic activity.

What to know about the cruise tax in Mexico, now postponed until next summer originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com
GAZA, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Hamas on Monday called on the Syrian people to unite.

"We call on all components of the Syrian people to unite their ranks, have more national cohesion, and rise above the pains of the past," Hamas said in a press statement.

"We, in the Hamas movement and our Palestinian people, stand firmly with the great Syrian people, and we affirm the unity of Syria and the integrity of its territories, and respect for the Syrian people, their will, independence, and political choices," it added.

In the statement, Hamas condemned Israel's "repeated brutal aggression" against Syrian territories, "categorically" rejecting "any Zionist ambitions or plans targeting sisterly Syria, its land and people."

Meanwhile, Ziyad al-Nakhalah, Secretary-General of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad Movement, said that the changes in Syria are "a Syrian affair and related to the choices of the Syrian people."

"We hope that Syria will remain a true supporter of the Palestinian people and their just cause," added he in a press statement.

In a stunning turn of events on Sunday, opposition forces in Syria seized control of the capital, Damascus, following a rapid offensive that saw major Syrian cities falling within days. 
Luigi Mangione, who has been charged with murder in the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, apparently had a ghost gun, a type of firearm that can be made at home, police said Monday.

Mangione was detained on Monday at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, nearly a week after Thompson was killed in New York City. Thompson was shot in the back and in the calf.

"As of right now the information we're getting from Altoona is that the gun appears to be a ghost gun, may have been made on a 3D printer, with the capability of firing a 9mm round," NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said Monday. "Obviously, that will come out during our ballistics testing."

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According to the Pennsylvania criminal complaint filed after Mangione's arrest, officers found a black 3D-printed pistol and a black 3D-printed silencer in a search of his backpack. CBS News obtained the photo below showing the weapon police say was found.

Photo of the gun police say was found on Luigi Mangione, the suspect charged with killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. / Credit: Obtained by CBS News

"The pistol had a metal slide and a plastic handle with a metal threaded barrel," the police affidavit stated. "The pistol had one loaded Glock magazine with six nine-millimeter full metal jacket rounds. There was also one loose nine-millimeter hollow point round."

Earlier in the investigation, a law enforcement official with knowledge of the investigation had told CBS News that police believed the suspect used a B&T Station SIX gun to carry out the shooting. Investigators visited gun dealers in Connecticut during their search. The gun used in the shooting had a long barrel and a distinctive look, CBS News' Anna Schechter reported.

In addition to the unusual gun, the words "delay," "deny" and possibly "depose" appeared on shell casings and bullets recovered from the shooting scene, police said.

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What is a ghost gun?

A privately made firearm, more commonly known as a ghost gun, is a firearm that has been assembled or completed by people other than licensed manufacturers, according to the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

They're made without a serial number, which can make them difficult to track. Not all ghost guns are illegal and not all firearms are required to have a serial number. Ghost guns can be pistols, revolvers, rifles, shotguns, machineguns and more.

From 2016 through 2021, there were more than 45,000 suspected ghost guns reported to the ATF as having been recovered by police from potential crime scenes.

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How do people usually make ghost guns?

Ghost guns can be made using a 3D printer or assembled from a kit. The weapons can be produced for less than $200, though officials have put the average price at around $500, CBS News previously reported.

In 2018, CBS News correspondent Carter Evans was able to purchase a kit for a gun similar to a Glock 9mm with no background check or waiting period. Kits online are available for everything from handguns to AR-15s and AK-47s.

"You can buy a box of firearms parts, and you can assemble those firearms together. And I've seen videos on YouTube, where you can see people doing it in record time  20, 30 minutes," Marvin Richardson, ATF acting director in 2022, has previously said.

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Are ghost guns illegal?

Not all ghost guns are illegal. According to the ATF, individuals can make their own firearms using a 3D printing or other process if the gun is "detectable," as defined in the Gun Control Act.

It's generally legal to make a firearm for personal use without a license, according to the ATF.

Some states, including New York  where Thompson's shooting happened  have additional laws related to ghost guns.

What does a ghost gun look like?

There are many types of ghost guns with a range of appearances.

The ATF lists 10 categories of privately made firearms: pistol, revolver, rifle, shotgun, frame or receiver, machinegun conversion device, destructive device, machinegun, firearm silencer and any other weapon.

An ATF image of ghost gun types. / Credit: ATF

New Jersey man on car-sized drone hovering near him

What to know about Luigi Mangione's court hearing after outburst outside

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For much of its 13 years, the horrors of Syrias grinding civil war felt unending. Now, after just 11 days, the regime of President Bashar al-Assad is gone, the dictator fleeing his country in the face of a sensational advance by rebel forces.

Many Syrians are jubilant.

Assad clung to power through domestic oppression, torture and murder, eventually suppressing a 2011 uprising with a mix of chemical weapons and deadly backing from Russia and Iran. That seems to be over, bringing to an end his familys iron-fist dynasty that began in 1971.

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However, this is far from a quick, simple fix. The rebels who toppled Assad are led by a group that the United States and others regard as a terrorist organization. And they reclaim a Syria deeply scarred by more than a decade of war  with no clear path to what happens next or how it might be governed.

There is undoubtedly justified optimism in Syria today after the overthrow of the brutalizing dictatorship of Assad, said Burcu Ozcelik, a senior research fellow at the Royal United Services Institute, a London-based think tank. What is simultaneously true is that Syria remains fragile and faces an uncertain future.

Heres what to know.

Assad is gone

The sensational news that spread across Syria and social media was eventually confirmed in an announcement Sunday from Russian state media: This once feared strongman had fled the country his family had ruled for more than 50 years.

Citizens in Syria take down statues of Hafez al-Assad, the father of Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus on Monday.

He did so as the rebels entered and seized Damascus, seemingly with little fightback from Assads government forces. Their lightning advance only began Nov. 27, quickly overrunning the cities of Aleppo, Hama and then the capital itself.

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The rebels appear to have capitalized on Syrias backers being distracted elsewhere: Russia in Ukraine, and Iran and its Lebanese proxy Hezbollah fighting Israel. Nevertheless, many experts did not see this coming. And Moscow was no different.

What happened surprised the whole world, and we are no exception here, Kremlin spokesman Dimitry Peskov said Monday.

Syria dominated international consciousness for almost a decade, its civil war erupting after Assad crushed peaceful protests during the region-wide 2011 Arab Spring.

It soon became a head-spinning, complex conflict, with Iran, Russia and Hezbollah lining up behind Assad and the U.S., Turkey and others supporting different rebel groups, which in turn fought not just each other but also the Islamic State terror group as it captured and then surrendered large swaths of Syria and Iraq.

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But until last month the conflict had been largely at a stalemate, after Assads forces regained control of much of the country.

Syrians are celebrating  and searching

Syrians gather at Umayyad Square in Damscus on Monday to celebrate the collapse of 61 years of Baath Party rule.

As the rebels swept through Damascus, celebratory gunfire reverberated around the streets as people swaddled themselves in the flag of the Syrian opposition and toppled statues of the former ruler.

More than 13 million people fled their homes in the war, according to the U.N.s refugee agency, UNHCR. Some 7 million of them were displaced within the country and 6 million abroad  scattered throughout Turkey, other parts of the Middle East and beyond. The conflict in Syria partly contributed to a wave of mass migration into Europe, met by a right-wing backlash across the continent that is still reverberating today.

Much of this diaspora has also responded to Assads downfall with astonished glee, some rushing to return home.

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Thousands of people rallied across European cities such as London and Berlin, capital of the continents largest Syrian population, Germany, where more than 1 million of them live. It wasnt just the fighting they were escaping.

The brutality of the Assad regime was illustrated in stark detail Sunday as Syrians began freeing people from the regimes network of political prisons  essentially dungeons  where rights groups say it disappeared, tortured and executed its own people.

One of these liberated gulags was Saydnaya military prison outside Damascus  known as the human slaughterhouse  where Amnesty International says people were executed every week, an estimated 13,000 in total. On Monday it was being searched after survivors reported the possible presence of secret underground jail cells, with families across the country looking for loved ones long held as political prisoners.

What next for the rebels?

That brutality has been replaced with uncertainty.

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The rebels are led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group that grew from an Al Qaeda affiliate. Its leader, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, was involved with militants battling American forces in Iraq following their 2003 invasion. And the State Department has a $10 million bounty for information about him.

In recent years he has sought to project a more moderate image, however, cutting ties with al-Qaeda, renouncing international extremism and instead focusing on creating an Islamic republic in Syria. He says he supports religious tolerance and internal debate.

This was echoed in its order via Syrias state newspaper Monday that there should be no controls on womens clothing.

Even so, myriad complexities and problems remain.

A woman leans on a bullet-riddled wall last week outside Raqa, Syria.

First, the rebel coalition led by HTS appears to be fragile. Turkish-backed rebels have in recent days launched attacks on Kurdish forces in the northern town of Manbij, local officials said.

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Meanwhile, HTS has started outlining the basics of a nascent state  publishing prison sentencing guidelines for theft and criminal damage, as well as a plea not to settle scores or seek revenge.

However, it remains unclear what HTS has in mind for Syrias future, and stories of war-torn states rising from iron-fist dictatorship to flourish into democracies are rare. Syrias will be as challenging as any.

Steven A. Cook, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, a think tank in Washington, called it a now out of never moment reminiscent of Eastern Europeans throwing off Soviet rule in 1989.

The country is not fated to a violent future, but it would be remiss not to consider the possibility and plausibility of an insurgency against the new order, he wrote in a briefing.

How does the U.S. fit into all of this?

President Joe Biden and his officials have welcomed Assads fall while voicing caution at the potential for further violence and oppression as Syria enters a new era.

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Its a moment of historic opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country, he said Sunday. Its also a moment of risk and uncertainty as we all turn to the question of what comes next.

The U.S. has around 900 troops supporting Kurdish forces in northeast Syria, part of an 80-country coalition to keep ISIS at bay.

President-elect Donald Trump has said he wants to withdraw these forces, reiterating on his website Truth Social that the U.S. should have nothing to do with the situation in Syria. This is not our fight. Let it play out, he wrote.

Washington is stuck between a rock and a hard place, according to Ozcelik at RUSI.

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Two questions will be key to his decision, Ozcelik added. Are the Kurds the most effective or only option in the new post-Assad Syria to facilitate American interests? And How much of a clear and present danger do remaining Islamic State cells pose to stability in Syria and neighboring Iraq?

A loss for Russia and Iran

Russia has been dealt a huge blow, the regime it so vehemently backed in 2015 being wiped out in the blink of an eye.

With it is likely much of Moscows influence in this part of the world, not to mention its strategic warm water Mediterranean port of Tartus.

Putin and Assad in 2017.

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Iran and Hezbollah have also been chastened, after a year in which Israel has dealt both significant blows in the conflict farther south. In Assad, Iran has lost a key pillar of its vaunted Axis of Resistance, after backing Syria with funds and armed forces.

The presence of Moscow and Tehran in Syria has therefore been severely diminished. The question is what steps into that void.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Police investigating the crime scene outside the Manhattan hotel where United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot. - Credit: Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Luigi Mangione, 26, was detained in Altoona, Pennsylvania Monday, Dec. 9, and eventually arrested and charged in the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Mangione was picked up five days after Thompson was killed outside the New York Hilton Midtown in New York City early in the morning on Dec. 4. At first, he was just detained and labeled a person of interest in Thompsons killing, but he was arrested on a firearms charge in Altoona. (Mangione did not enter a plea during his one court appearance yesterday in Pennsylvania.)

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He was later charged in New York on one count of murder, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, one count of second-degree possession of a forged document, and one count of third-degree criminal possession of a firearm.

On Tuesday, Dec. 10, Mangione appeared in court in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania for an extradition hearing. During the hearing, the office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg released a statement saying it would seek a governors warrant to secure Mangiones extradition. Meanwhile, Mangiones lawyer Thomas Dickey said that his client was contesting the extradition. A decision has yet to be made, though a judge did deny Mangione bail.

Details about Mangione are still emerging, but heres everything we know so far about the person of interest, as well as Thompsons death.

Preplanned, Targeted

Authorities have described Thompsons killing as a preplanned, targeted attack. The shooting occurred at around 6:45 a.m. when the suspect fired several bullets at Thompson, striking him in his back and leg. Three live rounds and three fired shell casings were recovered from the scene by police. The 50-year-old was pronounced dead after being transported to a nearby hospital.

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Immediately after the shooting, authorities said the suspect fled the scene, first on foot, then on a bicycle, and quickly left New York City via bus (surveillance cameras caught him entering the Port Authority Bus Terminal but not leaving it). Police officers also recovered a backpack  reportedly stuffed with Monopoly money  in Central Park that they said belonged to the shooter.

During the manhunt, police shared a handful of photos of the suspected shooter culled from surveillance footage. These included images of the shooter in a Starbucks, as well as a taxi cab, though in both of those images, his face was covered. Images of the shooter without a face mask were captured at the Manhattan hostel where he was reportedly saying.

IDd in Altoona

It was these images that appeared to lead to Mangiones identification in Altoona. At a press conference on Monday, Dec. 9, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Mangione was recognized by a McDonalds employee, who then called the police.

When the officers arrived on the scene, Tisch continued, they questioned Mangione, whom they said was acting suspiciously. The police found that Mangione was carrying multiple fraudulent IDs  including a fake New Jersey ID that matched the one the suspect allegedly used to check into his New York City hostel. Tisch also said officers recovered a face mask similar to one worn by the suspect, as well as a gun and a suppressor both consistent with the weapon used in the murder.

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At the press conference, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said they believed Mangione was carrying was a ghost gun. These are firearms that are made out of parts and DIY kits bought online, and then assembled at home, rendering them untraceable.

In charging documents from Mangiones firearms case in Pennsylvania obtained by Rolling Stone, police officers described the gun found on Mangione as a black 3D-printed pistol with a silencer that was also 3D printed. The cops affidavit also said: The pistol had a metal slide and a plastic handle with a metal threaded barrel. The pistol had one loaded Glock magazine with six nine-millimeter full metal jacket rounds. There was also one loose nine-millimeter hollow point round.

Lastly, Mangione had a handwritten manifesto that Tisch said spoke to his motivation and mindset.

Who Is Luigi Mangione?

At the press conference, Kenny shared a few biographical details about Mangione, saying he was born and raised in Maryland, had ties to San Francisco and recently lived in Honolulu. Since then, more information has emerged about a young man from a well-to-do Baltimore family who appeared to suffer from debilitating back pain and suddenly disappeared about six months ago.

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As The New York Times reported, Mangiones family has long been influential throughout Maryland. They own two country clubs, as well as a nursing home company, which Mangiones father, Louis, eventually took over. The family also owns a conservative-leaning talk radio station, WCBM, while one of Mangiones cousins, Nino, is a Republican member of the Maryland House of Delegates.

Mangione attended the Gilman School, a private all-boys institution in Maryland, where he wrestled and graduated in 2016 as valedictorian. Mangiones budding interest in computer science, took him to the University of Pennsylvania, where he majored in computer science, minored in mathematics, and also earned a masters degree in engineering. He was also invited to join Eta Kappa Nu, an exclusive academic honor society only open to the top engineering students at Penn.

After graduating in 2020, Mangione took internships at several tech companies and briefly worked as a software engineer at TrueCar, an automobile pricing and review site (a company spokesperson confirmed to Rolling Stone that Mangione had not worked there since 2023).

Hawaii and Back Problems

In 2022, Mangione moved to Honolulu, settling in at a co-living space for remote workers known as Surfbreak. Speaking to The Times, Surfbreak founder R.J. Martin described the place as a community of givers, and called Mangione an ideal member. But Martin said he and others at Surfbreak were well aware that Mangione was suffering from serious back issues, too. His spine was kind of misaligned, Martin said. He said his lower vertebrae were almost like a half-inch off, and I think it pinched a nerve.

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Martin said he did not think Mangione was taking painkillers, nor did Mangione tend to complain about his issues. But he was reportedly upfront about how inhibitive the pain was. He knew that dating and being physically intimate with his back condition wasnt possible, Martin said. I remember him telling me that, and my heart just breaks.

After his first stint at Surfbreak, Mangione reportedly traveled back and forth between Hawaii and the East Coast. During his trips back east, Mangione reportedly saw doctors, and in the summer of 2023, he may have undergone a back operation. Martin said that in Aug. 2023 he texted Mangione to see how he was doing, and in return received pictures of his back surgery.

Its believed that Mangione underwent a spinal fusion operation. In the procedure, screws and rods are used to connect bones in the spine to address misalignments and prevent movements that can cause pain. The banner photo of Mangiones Twitter account includes an X-ray image of one such reinforced spine.

Martins communications with Mangione became more scattershot after that (though Mangione did return to Hawaii in late 2023, which is when he received a $100 fine and citation for failing to observe a sign at a scenic spot on Oahu). Martin said he texted Mangione in May and June of this year, but Mangione did not respond.

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Martin wasnt the only person to lose touch with Mangione, who appeared to cut off communication with friends and family about six months ago. After his name was released yesterday, social media users uncovered a string of messages ostensibly from a friend trying to contact Mangione via Twitter: You made commitments to me for my wedding and if you cant honor them I need to know so I can plan accordingly, he wrote in one (the posts have since been deleted).

Aaron Cranston, a high school friend, told The Times that earlier this year he was forwarded a message from Mangiones family, who were trying to track him down. The family reportedly said they had not heard from Mangione in several months after his surgery and did not know where he was.

According to The San Francisco Standard, Mangiones mother, Kathleen Mangione, reported her son missing to the San Francisco Police Department on Nov. 18.

Suspected Social Media

The release of Mangiones name revealed several social media accounts that share his name, as well as some matching biographical details. (For instance, a Twitter account for a Luigi Mangione includes his college credentials, M.S.E. and B.S.E. in Computer Science @ Penn.)

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Many of his accounts featured the usual fare, like photos from his travels, and with friends and family, as well as posts about weightlifting, physical fitness, self-improvement, science, and tech. He frequently retweeted or responded to popular figures in those spheres, like Andrew Huberman, Tim Urban, Tim Ferriss, and Michael Pollan. (Mangiones post could veer into the bizarre, like an April post that surfaced in which he claimed falling population rates in Japan were due not to immigration but a decline in things like spirituality and human connectivity and a proliferation of things like sex toys.)

It also appears Mangione was an active Reddit user, and a survey of his posts reveals more information about his struggles with back pain (via Forbes and The New York Times). Under the username Mister_Cactus, Mangione frequently posted on a subreddit for spondylolisthesis  a condition that occurs when a bone in the spine slips out of place and presses down on the vertebra below it (via the Cleveland Clinic).

On Reddit, Mangione reportedly posted about how how the minor back pain hed experienced during his life had grown worse after a surfing trip in 2022, followed by a fall a few weeks later. When my spondy went bad on me last year (23M) it was completely devastating as a young athletic person, Mangione allegedly wrote in one post. Seemingly all I could read on the internet was that I was destined to chronic pain and a desk job for the rest of my life.

Other posts corroborated the belief that Mangione underwent a spinal fusion surgery in July 2023. A post not long after suggested the operation had been a huge success: The surgery wasnt nearly as scary as I made it out to be in my head, and I knew it was the right decision within a week, he said, adding he no longer needed pain medication and could sit, stand, and walk without any problems.

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Despite posting frequently about his medical journey, it does not appear that Mangione ever made any statements about health insurance companies. The only relevant post in that regard appeared to be one on a subreddit for people dealing with irritable bowel syndrome, with Mangione saying he had a test covered by Blue Cross Blue Shield. (Mangiones suspected Reddit account has since been suspended, with a spokesperson for the site saying its policy is to suspend accounts that may be related to criminal investigations.)

Mangione also appeared to be very active on Goodreads, where he logged sci-fi and pop science books, as well as texts on addressing and overcoming back pain. But arguably, the most striking book logged on that Goodreads account was Industrial Society and Its Future  otherwise known as the manifesto of the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski.

Its easy to quickly and thoughtless [sic] write this off as the manifesto of a lunatic, in order to avoid facing some of the uncomfortable problems it identifies. But its simply impossible to ignore how prescient many of his predictions about modern society turned out, Mangione wrote in his review back in January.

(It should be noted that, following his detainment yesterday, a mysterious YouTube account appeared using Mangiones name. The account shared a short clip that included the text, If you see this, Im already under arrest, and promised All is scheduled, be patient. This account, however, was quickly debunked as phony and suspended. A YouTube spokesperson told Newsweek, The channels metadata was updated following widespread reporting of Luigi Mangiones arrest, including updates made to the channel name and handle.)

The Manifesto

According to early reports, Mangione had a handwritten manifesto on him that criticized healthcare companies and the ways they prioritize profits over patient care.

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Speaking on the manifesto at the press conference Monday, Kenny said the document remains in the possession of Altoona police as part of their investigation. He added: Just from briefly speaking with them, we dont think that theres any specific threats to other people mentioned in that document. But it does seem that he has some ill will towards corporate America.

The Times later obtained an internal NYPD report on the manifesto, which noted that Mangione appeared to view the targeted killing of the companys highest-ranking representative as a symbolic takedown and a direct challenge to its alleged corruption and power games, asserting in his note he is the first to face it with such brutal honesty.

While the full contents of the document havent been released yet, some quotes have emerged via police officials. One provided CNN with two quotes: These parasites had it coming and I do apologize for any strife and trauma, but it had to be done.

And according to The Times, another part of the document reads: To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasnt working with anyone. The document also reportedly decries health insurance companies that continue to abuse our country for immense profit because the American public has allowed them to get away with it.

Those contents certainly to appear to line up with one of the most striking pieces of evidence to come out of the crime scene: Bullet casings engraved with the words deny, defend, and depose, a possible allusion to terms used by health insurance companies to avoid paying claims.

This story was updated 12/10/24 @ 10:22 a.m. ET with more details about Mangione. This story was updated again at 3:41 p.m. ET with details about Mangiones reported Reddit posts and the gun he had on him when he was arrested.

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Dmitry Peskov, the spokesperson for Russia's leader, stated on Monday, 9 December, that the Kremlin is working to establish contact in Syria with individuals or groups capable of ensuring the security of its military bases.

Source: Kremlin-aligned news agency RIA Novosti; CNN Turk; the Russian Latvia-based media outlet Meduza

Details: Peskov stated that it is too early to discuss Russias continued military presence in Syria, as this will be determined through negotiations with the countrys future authorities.

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Quote: "Its premature to address this now. In any case, this will be a matter of discussion with whoever holds power in Syria," said Putins spokesperson.

Media reports indicate that Russia has requested Turkiyes assistance to ensure the safe withdrawal of its troops from Syria. The troops are expected to be moved to Turkish-controlled areas before being airlifted back to Russia.

CNN Turk reports that while Russia plans to retain its bases in Tartus and Khmeimim, it has sought Turkeys help to withdraw forces from other parts of the region.

Peskov also confirmed that Moscow is in talks with Ankara regarding Syria.

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Quote: "We are in dialogue with other regional states, particularly about developments in Syria. Syria is entering a very challenging period of instability, and maintaining dialogue with all regional countries is vital. We are committed to continuing consultations and analysing the situation," he said.

Background:

On the morning of 8 December, Syrian rebels announced the liberation of Damascus, the capital of Syria, with President Assad reportedly fleeing.

The Institute for the Study of War reports that the loss of military bases in Syria could significantly hinder the Kremlins ability to conduct operations in Africa. This setback would weaken Russias influence in Libya and Sub-Saharan Africa while also raising doubts about its sway over authoritarian regimes across the continent.

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By Gleb Stolyarov

MOSCOW (Reuters) -The Kremlin said on Monday President Vladimir Putin had made the decision to grant asylum in Russia to Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted as Syria's president by a lightning rebel offensive.

Assad's fall is a big blow to Iran and Russia, which had intervened in Syria's 13-year civil war to try to shore up his rule despite Western demands that he leave power.

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Russian news agencies cited an unidentified Kremlin source on Sunday as saying Assad was in Moscow with his family.

"Such decisions cannot be made without the head of state. This is his decision," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters but gave no further details on Assad's movements.

Assad's departure removes a bastion from which Iran and Russia wielded power across the Middle East. Assad's father, Hafez al-Assad, sided with the Soviet Union to try to achieve parity with U.S.-backed Israel.

The Kremlin said Syria was subject to "extreme instability" and it was too early to speak about the future of Russian bases in the country.

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"We are in dialogue with Ankara and other regional states, including on Syrian affairs," Peskov said.

"Indeed, Syria is going to have a very difficult period now, due to instability. And, of course, it is very important to maintain a dialogue with all regional countries here. We are determined to do this."

RUSSIAN BASES

It is unclear how Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a former al-Qaeda affiliate that led the rebels' advance, will view Russia's military facilities in Syria - the Hmeimim airbase in Latakia province and a naval facility at Tartous on the coast.

"It's premature to talk about it yet," Peskov said. "This is all a subject for discussion with those who will be in power in Syria."

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"Of course, everything is being done now that is necessary and everything that is possible in order to get in touch with those who can deal with security. And, of course, our military is also taking all necessary precautions," Peskov said.

The Tartous facility is Russia's only Mediterranean repair and replenishment hub and Moscow has used Syria as a staging post to fly military contractors in and out of Africa.

Moscow has supported Syria since the early days of the Cold War, recognising its independence in 1944 as Damascus sought to throw off French colonial rule. The West saw Syria as a Soviet satellite.

"We see the situation around Ukraine, we see many contradictory statements in this regard, we see a growing conflict potential in other regions, we can say the burning Middle East," Peskov said.

(Reporting by Reuters in Moscow; writing by Guy Faulconbridge)
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 Western Illinois University Board of Trustees voted unanimously on Dec. 6 to appoint Kristi Mindrup as the Universitys 13th president, effective immediately, making her the first female president in Westerns history. The Board will approve Mindrups salary and contract at its March meeting.

Dr. Mindrup has demonstrated outstanding leadership since her appointment to interim president in April 2024, Board Chair Carin Stutz said. She has proven to be the bold, transparent, strategic and thoughtful leader that WIU needs today. The board is unanimous in selecting Dr. Mindrup as the 13th president of WIU as we are confident that she will continue to bring insight and expertise in the bold decision making WIU needs. She has our full support.

Mindrup has served as WIUs interim president since April 2024. Prior to that, she served as the Vice President for Quad Cities Campus Operations. Mindrup brings 27 years of experience in higher education, focused on organizational leadership, strategic planning, academic affairs, student services program and partnership development, inclusive campus environments and campus operations. Mindrup also provided leadership for the planning and establishment of the WIU Quad Cities Riverfront Campus in Moline.

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She serves on the Board of Directors for Renew Moline and the United Way Education Council. She previously served for 9 years on the Council for Advancement of Standards in Higher Education, and served as president of the Illinois Association for Institutional Research. Mindrup has taught in the College Student Personnel program at WIU, and has served as an adjunct instructor with Eastern Iowa Community College District.

Mindrup earned a Ph.D. from the University of Iowa in educational policy and leadership studies, masters degree from Western Illinois University and two bachelors degrees from the University of Northern Iowa.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
Mondays Top Stories

Mondays Five Facts

[1] Thousands of dollars worth of Pokemon cards stolen from Old Town shop  An Old Town business is asking for the publics help finding the person who broke in and stole thousands of dollars worth of trading cards. Old Town Hobbies and Games owner Joe Benitez said a man claimed onto the roof, jumped into the courtyard, and dropped the rebarb off the window before breaking in on Saturday. He stole $7,000 to $10,000 worth of Pokemon cards. Benitez is now asking for the stolen cards to be returned. Anyone with information is asked to call 242-COPS.

[2] New Mexico Environment Department fines natural gas firm nearly $48 million for harmful emissions  The New Mexico Environment Department is fining natural gas firm millions for what they say is a harmful amount of emissions. On Friday, the department announced legal action against Targa Northern Delaware saying the Texas-based firm released more than 2 million pounds of emissions than what was allowed at its Red Hills Gas processing plant near Jal. In addition to the nearly $48 million fine, the company is also ordered to stop its excess emissions and to take steps to prevent it from happening again.

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[3] Northern snowstorm and colder air move into New Mexico  Varying temperatures are the big weather story Monday morning as while chilly rain showers to light snow activity is falling in northeastern areas of New Mexico, down-sloping westerly winds are a bit gusty this morning, preluding to changes ahead. Colder air is filtrating in from the Four Corners mountainous terrain with patchy blowing snow, but its very mild with patchy dust in the Pecos River Valley, with temperatures starting off near the high single digits, teens, 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, and even near the low 60s from northwest to southeast from high to lower elevation.

[4] Albuquerque officers treat local kids to games, shopping spree  Nearly 100 kids from across the metro are checking a few things off their Christmas list this year and its all thanks to the help of local law enforcement. For the last 30 years, the Albuquerque Police Department has helped grant Christmas wishes for nearly 100 deserving kids and their families.

[5] Pet adoption center at Coronado Mall to close as Animal Welfare Department transitions to mobile events  A popular animal shelter in Albuquerque is officially closed. The Albuquerque Animal Welfare Department said with more people shopping online these days, the Lucky Paws shelter in Coronado Center doesnt see the same foot traffic it used to.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds the "1+10" dialogue with heads of 10 international economic organizations, including President of the New Development Bank Dilma Rousseff, President of the World Bank Group Ajay Banga, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva, Director-General of the World Trade Organization Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Secretary-General of UN Conference on Trade and Development Rebeca Grynspan, Director-General of the International Labor Organization Gilbert Houngbo, Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Mathias Cormann, General Manager of the Bank for International Settlements Agustin Carstens, Chair of the Financial Stability Board Klaas Knot, and President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Jin Liqun, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

BEIJING, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- China will work harder to expand domestic demand and consumption, further deepen reform comprehensively, steadfastly expand opening-up, and work for the sustained growth of the Chinese economy, Premier Li Qiang has said.

Li made the remarks on Sunday and Monday when meeting respectively with President of the New Development Bank Dilma Rousseff, President of the World Bank Ajay Banga, Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva, who were here for the "1+10" Dialogue.

Against the backdrop of an international landscape fraught with instability and changes, Li said, only by strengthening opening-up, cooperation and mutual benefit can we jointly promote an early recovery and steady growth of the world economy.

"This year the Chinese economy has enjoyed generally stable growth, and recently we have unveiled a package of incremental policies. Market confidence and expectations have been significantly enhanced," Li said, adding that China will work to inject more impetus and certainty into the recovery and growth of the world economy.

China supports the continuous expansion of the New Development Bank and is willing to expand project and financing cooperation between the two sides to jointly contribute more to the economic and social development of BRICS countries and developing countries. China is willing to strengthen cooperation with the World Bank in international development, loans, knowledge and other fields to improve the quality and efficiency of cooperation, he said.

China supports the WTO in carrying out necessary reforms, promoting the vitality of the multilateral trading system, and safeguarding economic globalization and free trade, and China is willing to deepen cooperation with the IMF and make greater contributions to maintaining global financial stability, promoting common development and tackling climate change, Li noted.

The leaders of the New Development Bank, the World Bank, the WTO and the IMF spoke highly of China's important leading role in safeguarding world peace and development and upholding multilateralism, saying that China has taken measures and achieved remarkable results in promoting economic growth, improving the business environment and expanding opening up to the outside world, bringing impetus and confidence to global economic growth.

They voiced appreciation for China's long-term support for the work of international economic organizations, China's positive contribution to the development of the least developed countries and the Global South, as well as commitment to developing stronger and more comprehensive cooperative relations with China, and jointly upholding multilateralism and free trade. 

China supports international economic organizations in playing important role in global governance: premier

Chinese Premier Li Qiang holds the "1+10" dialogue with heads of 10 international economic organizations, including President of the New Development Bank Dilma Rousseff, President of the World Bank Group Ajay Banga, Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund Kristalina Georgieva, Director-General of the World Trade Organization Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Secretary-General of UN Conference on Trade and Development Rebeca Grynspan, Director-General of the International Labor Organization Gilbert Houngbo, Secretary-General of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development Mathias Cormann, General Manager of the Bank for International Settlements Agustin Carstens, Chair of the Financial Stability Board Klaas Knot, and President of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank Jin Liqun, at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in Beijing, capital of China, Dec. 9, 2024. (Xinhua/Liu Bin)
Disaffected Democrats, including some from within his own administration, are furious with President Joe Biden for shrinking into a political non-entity since his party was walloped in last months election, according to multiple reports.

Hes been so cavalier and selfish about how he approaches the final weeks of the job, a former White House official told Politico.

The outletwhich spoke to nearly two dozen officials, including current and former White House staffersreported that, since the Nov. 5 vote, Biden has mostly avoided unscripted events and press questions while neglecting to address policy matters on Capitol Hill and Democratic Party.

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Many party officials, Politico reported, no longer even bother to monitor Bidens daily activities.

His interactions with media have been similarly muted: In two weeks of foreign traveling since the election, Biden uttered a mere seven words to the press pack traveling with him, the outlet said.

The president is yet to holdor schedulea post-election press conference, something his predecessors George W. Bush and Barack Obama did before leaving office.

This is one of the lamest of lame ducks weve seen with a Democratic administration, Usamah Andrabi, a spokesman for the progressive Justice Democrats PAC, told the Wall Street Journal. A massive missed opportunity.

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One Democratic strategist said Bidens relative inactivity has allowed President-elect Donald Trump to control the narrative in D.C. and nationally, and that more people would know about the questionable track records of some of Trumps proposed cabinet nominees if President Biden spoke about them.

The only way to win the war of attention is by going to the voters and explaining things to them, which President Biden has consistently avoided doing, Waleed Shahid, the strategist, told the Journal.

The rudderless administration has reportedly been felt acutely on Capitol Hill.

There is no leadership coming from the White House, an anonymous Democrat close to senior lawmakers told Politico. There is a total vacuum.

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They added: In conversations that Im having, they dont even mention the president. Its kind of sad. It feels like Trump is president already.

The White House defended Biden to the Journal and Politico by saying he is making every day of this term count. A spokesperson told Politico he is leading by example for the sake of American democracy, honoring his campaign promise to respect the will of the voters and provide an orderly transition.

The White House also pointed to his recent trips to Africa and South America as evidence Biden is still engaged.

Sources also told Politico that Biden is keeping a low profile for two reasons: He doesnt think there is much clamoring from people to hear from him, and he doesnt think he owes anything to a party that launched a mutiny against his presidential bid earlier this year and forced him from the race.

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Caitlin Legacki, a Democratic strategist, told the outlet Bidens perceived disappearing act is a case of just reading the room.

If him speaking out doesnt achieve any actual strategic objectives, theres no real point in doing it, she added.
Lara Trump has announced she plans to step down as Republican National Committee co-chairman as she said she would 100 per cent consider becoming Floridas new senator.

Mrs Trump, who is married to Donald Trumps son Eric, announced her resignation on X before revealing she would seriously consider replacing Marco Rubio, whom the president-elect has tapped as his secretary of state.

If Im being completely transparent, I dont know exactly what that would look like, she told reporters on Sunday. And I certainly want to get all of the information possible if that is something thats real for me. But yeah, I would 100 per cent consider it.

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If Mr Rubios Cabinet selection is confirmed, Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor and one-time rival of Mr Trump, will decide who fills the vacancy for the remainder of the senators term, which expires in 2026.

Appointed to her RNC post in March, Mr Trumps daughter-in-law emerged as one of his key surrogates on the presidential campaign trail, and her installation would make her the first member of the president-elects family to serve in the Senate.

Mrs Trump and her husband Eric were active campaigners for Donald during the presidential election - AP Photo/Evan Vucci

The proposal has been lauded by Senate Republicans including Rick Scott, the junior senator from Florida, who told Axios last month: I hope thats exactly who DeSantis picks when asked if he supported Mrs Trump for the vacancy.

Meanwhile, Maye Musk, the mother of Tesla and SpaceX billionaire Elon Musk, has also drummed up support for the 42-year-old.

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The Senate is an old mans club. We desperately need a smart, young, outspoken woman who will reveal their secrets, she posted on X.

Mr Musk, who spent time with Mrs Trump on election night at Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, replied to his mothers post: Lara Trump is genuinely great.

Job complete

During Mrs Trumps tenure, the RNC recruited around 230,000 volunteers and an army of lawyers to carry out its election integrity effort, designed to clamp down on voter fraud following false claims that the election was stolen from Donald Trump in 2020.

Mrs Trump said she felt she had accomplished the three goals she set out to achieve: surpassing all fundraising records, building the largest army of lawyers and poll watchers to ensure election integrity and turning out millions of early voters.

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The job I came to do is now complete and I intend to formally step down from the RNC at our next meeting, she wrote on X.

Michael Whatley will remain as RNC chairman.

It comes after Mrs Trump, a former TV producer and Fox news contributor, told the TV channel last month that she would love to represent Florida at the Senate.

I would love to serve the people of Florida. This is my home state now, and has been for three years. This is where Eric and I live, and truly to have that opportunity, I think would be incredible, she said.

No one knows better than I do the America First agenda or the goals of Donald Trump in the coming four years. So if I am asked, I would love to consider it, but I have yet to have a conversation with Governor DeSantis, so we will have to see.

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Lara Trump, the wife of Donald Trumps third child, Eric, announced her resignation as co-chair of the Republican National Committee Sunday nightprompting a new round of speculation over her political future.

The 42-year-old posted on X Sunday night that serving as the @GOP co-chair throughout the course of the most consequential election in American history has truly been the honor of my life.

The news was initially reported by the Associated Press, which noted the former television producer was looking into a number of potential roles within the new Trump administration.

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At the RNC, we had three distinct goals, Lara Trump wrote on X in her resignation letter. She noted the goals were to surpass all fundraising records, to build the largest army of lawyers and poll watchers to ensure election integrity and turn out millions of Americans and low prepencity [sic] voters during early voting.

She added: We accomplished all three.

The job I came to do is now complete and I intend to formally step down from the RNC at our next meeting.



Serving as the @GOP co-chair throughout the course of the most consequential election in American history has truly been the honor of my life.



At the RNC, we had three distinct goals:



1) surpass all fundraising records



2) build the largest army of lawyers and poll watchers pic.twitter.com/bcHdDHhwQq  Lara Trump (@LaraLeaTrump) December 9, 2024

It remains unclear what comes next for Lara Trumpthough several key roles in Republican politics have been floated as potential options for her in the coming months.

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One of those reported roles would be replacing Marco Rubios vacant Senate seat in Florida, after he accepted the president-elects nomination for secretary of state. If Rubio is confirmed, it will then be up to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to decide who will fill the position.

It is something I would seriously consider, Lara Trump told the Associated Press in an interview. If Im being completely transparent, I dont know exactly what that would look like. And I certainly want to get all of the information possible if that is something thats real for me. But yeah, I would 100% consider it.

Trump has been co-chair of the RNC since March 2024. Hours before her announcement on Sunday, Trump spoke of her ambitions in an interview with Howard Kurtz on Fox News.

Certainly, weve all had the opportunity over the past nine years to fully involve ourselves in politics, to understand the American people, what they want, and weve all been residents of the state of Florida now for over three years, she said. If thats something thats put in front of me, it would be a true honor.

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When quizzed on whether her last name helped her political future, she answered, Well, some may say its an asset, some may say its not an asset. I think it depends how you look at it. Look, I think probably my last name does heighten my political profile a little bit, but Ive got a proven track record.

Maybe having the last name Trump is just a little bit extra. Im always happy to have it, she added.
Lara Trump is stepping down as co-chair of the Republican National Committee, a role she has held since March, as some of Donald Trumps allies continue to push for her to replace Florida Sen. Marco Rubio on Capitol Hill.

In announcing her resignation on X, Lara Trump, who is the president-elects daughter-in-law, said the job I came to do is now complete, touting the RNCs fundraising records, election integrity efforts and voter turnout.

Shes expressed openness to replacing Rubio, the president-elects pick to be secretary of State, in the Senate, telling The Associated Press its a role she would seriously consider.

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If Im being completely transparent, I dont know exactly what that would look like, she told the AP in an article published Sunday. And I certainly want to get all of the information possible if that is something thats real for me. But yeah, I would 100% consider it.

Among those supporting her as a potential Rubio replacement is billionaire Elon Musk, a close ally of the incoming president, and his mother, Maye Musk.

But as much as allies of the president-elect push for her to replace Rubio, the decision will ultimately fall on Florida Gov. Ron DeSanis.

DeSantis has said he plans to have a decision on the replacement by the beginning of January, and it would follow a process that includes extensive vetting and candidate interviews.
Lara Trump will step down from her position as co-chair of the Republican National Committee, she announced on social media Sunday.

Serving as the @GOP co-chair throughout the course of the most consequential election in American history has truly been the honor of my life, Trump wrote. The job I came to do is now complete and I intend to formally step down from the RNC at our next meeting.

Trump, the daughter-in-law of President-elect Donald Trump, served as the RNCs second-highest-ranking officer since March. Her abrupt decision to depart the Republican Partys organizing body fuels speculation about the possibility of her serving in her father-in-laws administration or filling a vacant U.S. Senate seat in Florida, where she resides.

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In an interview with the Associated Press on Sunday, Trump said she would seriously consider becoming the next U.S. Senator from Florida, after one of the states seats was vacated by Sen. Marco Rubio, Trumps nominee for Secretary of State.

If Im being completely transparent, I dont know exactly what that would look like, Lara Trump told the AP when asked about joining the Senate. And I certainly want to get all of the information possible if that is something thats real for me. But yeah, I would 100% consider it.

Rubios replacement will be selected by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and would serve through the duration of Rubios term, which expires in 2026. DeSantis said he plans to name a replacement by the beginning of January, following a period of extensive vetting.

In 2022, Lara Trump considered running for an open U.S. Senate seat in North Carolina, her home state. One early poll of the 2026 U.S. Senate election in North Carolina found Trump to be the runaway favorite. Lara Trump has never held elected office.

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During her tenure at the RNC, Trump helped orchestrate the Republican Partys successful 2024 elections, including retaking the White House and the U.S. Senate, and maintaining control of the U.S. House. When Donald Trump retakes office in January, it will mark the first government trifecta since 2016.

Lara Trump served as the RNCs co-chair since March, after her father-in-law endorsed her for the position. Lara Trump and Michael Whatley, the RNCs chairman, filled their positions after Ronna McDaniel  the longest-serving RNC chair in modern history  resigned her post earlier this year.

On Wednesday, President-elect Trump expressed his desire for Whatley to maintain his position. I have asked Michael to return as Chairman of the RNC to continue to build our Party, and be a trusted partner as we Make America Great Again, and ensure Free and Fair Elections, Trump wrote in a statement. Republicans everywhere should support him as he continues his mission at the RNC.
Lara Trump is stepping down as the co-chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) and would "seriously consider" joining the U.S. Senate, the Associated Press reported on Sunday.

Donald Trump's daughter-in-law over the weekend announced her resignation from the RNC after holding the position since March.

The job I came to do is now complete and I intend to formally step down from the RNC at our next meeting, Lara Trump wrote on X, touting her accomplishments as co-chair, including fundraising records, election integrity and voter turnout.

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Her resignation comes as a number of Trump allies have floated her as a replacement for Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., who Trump has tapped to be his secretary of state. If Rubio is confirmed, it will be up to Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to pick who will fill the position.

"The next senator for Florida should be @LaraLeaTrump. The Senate is an old mans club. We desperately need a smart, young, outspoken woman who will reveal their secrets," wrote Maye Musk, the mother of billionaire and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, in a post on X.

Lara Trump is genuinely great, Elon Musk responded to his mother's post.

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., has also pushed Lara Trump as a replacement for Rubio.

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It's an opportunity she would "seriously consider," Lara Trump told the AP.

If Im being completely transparent, I dont know exactly what that would look like, she said. And I certainly want to get all of the information possible if that is something thats real for me. But yeah, I would 100% consider it.

The 42-year-old elaborated on her political ambitions in an interview with Fox News on Sunday, reiterating her willingness to join the Senate.

Certainly, weve all had the opportunity over the past nine years to fully involve ourselves in politics, to understand the American people, what they want, and weve all been residents of the state of Florida now for over three years, she told host Howard Kurtz.

If thats something thats put in front of me, it would be a true honor.
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Lara Trump, President-elect Donald Trump's daughter-in-law, said she would step down as co-chair of the Republican National Committee (RNC) and would consider a U.S. Senate vacancy if Marco Rubio is confirmed as secretary of state.

"The job I came to do is now complete and I intend to formally step down from the RNC at our next meeting," she said in a Sunday night post on X that cited fundraising, election integrity and voter turnout as goals met.

Lara Trump told the Associated Press in an interview she was open to filling the U.S. Senate seat that would be vacated if the Senate confirms Trump pick Marco Rubio as the next secretary of state.

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"It is something I would seriously consider, she told the AP. "If Im being completely transparent, I dont know exactly what that would look like. And I certainly want to get all of the information possible if that is something thats real for me. But yeah, I would 100% consider it.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis would choose a replacement to serve out the remainder of Rubio's six-year term, which ends in 2026.

Lara Trump and North Carolina Republican Party leader Michael Whatley in March assumed leadership of the RNC, which played a key role in marshaling voters and funds for the Nov. 5 general election. Trump last week asked Whatley to remain as chair of the organization.

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
Lara Trump will step down as co-chair of the Republican National Committee as she considers a number of potential options with her father-in-law, President-elect Donald Trump, set to return to the White House.

Among those possibilities is replacing Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, whom Trump tapped to be the next secretary of state. If Rubio is confirmed, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis will choose who takes the seat through the remainder of Rubios term, which expires in 2026.

It is something I would seriously consider, she told The Associated Press in an interview. If Im being completely transparent, I dont know exactly what that would look like. And I certainly want to get all of the information possible if that is something thats real for me. But yeah, I would 100% consider it.

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Elected as RNC co-chair in March, Lara Trump was a key player in the Republicans retaking the White House and control of the Senate while maintaining a narrow House majority. What she does next could shape Republican politics, given her elevated political profile and her ties to the incoming president.

The idea of placing a Trump family member in the Senate has been lauded in some Republican circles. Among the people pushing for her to replace Rubio is Maye Musk, mother of Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.

The Senate is an old mans club. We desperately need a smart, young, outspoken woman who will reveal their secrets, she posted on X. Lara Trump is 42.

Elon Musk, who was with Lara Trump on election night at Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, responded to his mothers post: Lara Trump is genuinely great.

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Read: Its been a warmer end to the weekend and the warming trend will continue heading into the work week

Led by chairman Michael Whatley and Lara Trump, the RNC invested heavily in recruiting roughly 230,000 volunteers and an army of lawyers for what it called its election integrity effort, four years after Donald Trump lost his reelection bid to Democrat Joe Biden, citing false or unproven theories about voter fraud. Outside groups such as Turning Point Action and Musks America PAC took a greater responsibility for advertising and get-out-the-vote efforts.

While Whatley will remain RNC chairman, Lara Trump said she felt she had accomplished her goals in the co-chair role.

With that big win, I kind of feel like my time is up, she said. What I intended to do has been done.

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Lara Trump praised Musks new endeavor, the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, a nongovernmental task force headed by Musk and and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Theyve been tapped to fire federal workers, cut programs and slash federal regulations as part of Trumps Save America agenda for his second term.

I really dont think weve seen movement like this in our federal government since our countrys founding in many ways, she said. And I think if they are successful in what they plan to do, I think it is going to be transformative to America in a great way.

She said she expects a different presidency this time, beginning with the structure of the administration: While Trumps daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner served as White House advisers in his last administration, Lara Trump said she doesnt see any family member taking any position in the White House this time around with her father-in-law.

Read: Big questions confronting the Biden administration and Trumps team after Assads collapse in Syria

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While Whatley will remain RNC chairman, Lara Trump said she felt she had accomplished her goals in the co-chair role.

With that big win, I kind of feel like my time is up, she said. What I intended to do has been done.

Lara Trump praised Musks new endeavor, the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, a nongovernmental task force headed by Musk and and fellow entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy. Theyve been tapped to fire federal workers, cut programs and slash federal regulations as part of Trumps Save America agenda for his second term.

I really dont think weve seen movement like this in our federal government since our countrys founding in many ways, she said. And I think if they are successful in what they plan to do, I think it is going to be transformative to America in a great way.

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She said she expects a different presidency this time, beginning with the structure of the administration: While Trumps daughter Ivanka and son-in-law Jared Kushner served as White House advisers in his last administration, Lara Trump said she doesnt see any family member taking any position in the White House this time around with her father-in-law.

Read: Snowball Express brightens the holiday season for families of Military Service members

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.




LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A judge dismissed murder charges Monday against Margaret Rudin, the woman dubbed The Black Widow who a jury convicted of killing her husband more than two decades ago.

Clark County District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus dismissed the case after reading filings from both Rudins attorneys and Clark County prosecutors. The hearing itself lasted about a minute.

I dont think its sunk in yet, you know? I am very happy, Rudin said afterward.

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Holthus dismissal means Rudins murder charge and conviction are dismissed and vacated. In 2022, a federal judge vacated her conviction, citing poor attorney representation and possible other suspects. The state and the Clark County District Attorneys Office declined to retry Rudin.

In 2001, a Clark County jury found Rudin, now 81, guilty of the death of her husband, Ron Rudin, a real estate investor. Ron Rudins charred body was found near Lake Mohave in 1995. Margaret Rudin served 20 years in prison before the parole board granted her release.

The legal effect is that Margaret has never been convicted legally of any crimes and we can never be reprosecuted, Rudins attorney, Adam Breeden, said Monday. The state will not admit shes innocent of the crimes. The wrongful conviction action, which is still ongoing, is where we will prove that Margaret, in fact, did not commit these crimes.

Rudin has since filed a civil lawsuit against the state. A hearing in that case was likely before the end of the year.

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The case is ripe for dismissal, prosecutors said in court paperwork, adding a request the judge include specific factual findings as to why the court is now dismissing this case should Holthus dismiss it. It is factually correct that she is no longer convicted of a crime there has never been an indication from anyone other than Rudin herself that she was wrongfully convicted and actually innocent of the crimes.

In this Feb. 22, 2001 file photo, Margaret Rudin, left, with her attorney Michael Amador, attends a hearing in Clark County District Court in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/Las Vegas Sun, Aaron Mayes, File)

In 2022, Rudin spoke exclusively with the 8 News Now Investigators one day after the Nevada Attorney Generals Office ran out of time to appeal the federal judges decision.

What do you think of that moniker? 8 News Now Investigator David Charns asked Rudin about the Black Widow name.

I dont think anybody would dare call me that to my face, she said.

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Rudin maintained her innocence throughout her trial. Prosecutors theorized she shot her husband while he was asleep in bed. Police found human blood in the room, but an expert testified the amount was less than a drop of blood from an eye dropper. An expert for the defense also testified that there was no evidence of a cleanup and there would be much more evidence had Ron Rudin been killed in the bedroom.

The federal judge who overturned her conviction wrote there was no evidence linking Rudin to the murder weapon, Ron Rudins abandoned car, or the suspected crime scene. He also said Rudins defense attorney, Michael Amador, who has since died, did not do enough to defend her.

Rudins attorneys said they were waiting for the state to issue their client a certificate of innocence. Holthus was expected to officially sign a document within the next few weeks with language from both Rudins attorneys and prosecutors.

Im very relieved, but I always keep looking over my shoulder, Rudin said, adding she did not expect to ever see the certificate.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  The Las Vegas Sands has donated $15 million to UNLV, establishing the Sands Institute.

The Nevada Board of Regents formally approved the Sands Institute for Chinese Language and Culture on Dec. 5, paving the way for the institute to offer a wide range of comprehensive programs.

This partnership with UNLV reflects our dedication to global engagement and cultural exchange, Sands chairman and chief executive officer Robert G. Goldstein said. The Sands Institute for Chinese Language and Culture at UNLV will serve as a vital resource for students, scholars, and the broader community to immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage of China.

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The institute offers Mandarin language courses for students and community members and cultural programming including film screenings, art exhibitions, musical performances, lectures, and opportunities for student and faculty exchanges.

Sands Institute is located in UNLVs newly renovated Maryland Administrative Building. It provides a central, accessible hub for university students and the wider Las Vegas community.

Sands, a global leader in developing and operating integrated resorts, boasts a portfolio that includes properties such as Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, The Venetian Macao, and The Londoner Macao, among others.

The Las Vegas Sands is owned by the Adelson family.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
CAIRO, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Egypt on Monday strongly condemned Israel's seizing control of the demilitarized buffer zone in the Golan Heights and other neighboring leading positions.

The Israeli move constitutes "an occupation of Syrian land and a blatant violation of its sovereignty," the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in a statement, adding that the move is also a clear violation of the Agreement on Disengagement signed in 1974 between Israel and Syria.

The Israeli practices violate international law, the unity and safety of the Syrian land, the statement said, describing the Israeli action as "exploitation of the state of vacuum in Syria to occupy more Syrian land."

Egypt called on the UN Security Council and international forces to assume their responsibilities and take a firm stance against the Israeli attacks on Syria in a way that guarantees its sovereignty over all its territories.

The Israeli army has seized control of areas near the Israel-Syria border and struck strategic weapons in Syria as of Monday, according to Syrian and Israeli sources.

In a video statement released by his office on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the military to take control of the positions temporarily to ensure they would not fall into the hands of the militant groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, whose sweeping offensive across Syria since Nov. 27 resulted in the rapid fall of President Bashar al-Assad's government on Sunday.

Netanyahu claimed in the video that the UN-monitored 1974 agreement had "collapsed." 
With a little over two weeks to go until Christmas, many shipping firms, including the U.S. Postal Service, have published deadlines for shoppers to use as guides to make sure packages make it to their destinations in time for the holidays.

While many start in the middle of week of Dec. 15, the deadlines vary by location and how quickly you want a package to arrive. For last-minute Christmas shoppers, theres also a potential to forego pesky fees this weekend.

Heres what shipping deadlines you need to know if you want packages to arrive in time for the holidays:

What is National Free Shipping Day?

Aside from shipping deadlines across the U.S., another key date for holiday shopping this year is National Free Shipping Day, which falls on Saturday, Dec. 14.

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It started in 2008, taking place throughout mid-December annually, and lets shoppers save some cash by eliminating shipping costs. Retailers decide whether they will participate.

What are the shipping deadlines for USPS?

If youre shipping something to any of the 48 U.S. contiguous states, the USPS recommends the following deadlines for packages to arrive by Wednesday, Dec. 25:

Wednesday, Dec. 18 for USPS Ground Advantage and First-Class Mail

Thursday, Dec. 19 for Priority Mail

Saturday, Dec. 21 for Priority Mail Express

If youre shipping something to Alaska or Hawaii, the deadlines are slightly different. Heres what the USPS recommends:

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Monday, Dec. 16 for USPS Ground Advantage

Wednesday, Dec. 18 for First-Class Mail

Thursday, Dec. 19 for Priority Mail

Friday, Dec. 20 for Priority Mail Express

For the full USPS 2024 holiday shipping schedule, click here.

What are the shipping deadlines for UPS?

If youre shipping something throughout the U.S., UPS recommends the following deadlines for packages to arrive by Tuesday, Dec. 24:

Thursday, Dec. 19 for UPS 3 Day Select

Friday, Dec. 20 for UPS 2 nd Day Air

Monday, Dec. 23 for UPS Next Day Air

For UPS Ground shipping, click here to calculate time and cost.

If youre shipping something to Canada, UPS recommends the following deadlines:

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Friday, Dec. 20 for UPS Worldwide Expedited

Monday, Dec. 23 for UPS Worldwide Express

For UPS Standard, click here to calculate time and cost.

If youre shipping something to Mexico, UPS recommends the following deadlines:

Thursday, Dec. 19 for UPS Worldwide Expedited

Friday, Dec. 20 for UPS Worldwide Express

For UPS Standard, click here to calculate time and cost.

If youre shipping something to other international destinations, click here to calculate the time and cost.

For the full UPS 2024 holiday shipping schedule, click here.

What are the shipping deadlines for FedEx?

If youre shipping something throughout the U.S., FedEx recommends the following deadlines for packages to arrive by Tuesday, Dec. 24:

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Wednesday, Dec. 11 for FedEx Freight Economy

Friday, Dec. 13 for FedEx Ground Economy

Thursday, Dec. 19 for FedEx Express Saver and FedEx 3Day Freight

Friday, Dec. 20 for FedEx 2Day, FedEx 2DayAM and FedEx 2Day Freight

Monday, Dec. 23 for FedEx First Overnight, FedEx Priority Overnight, FedEx Standard Overnight, FedEx 1Day Freight and extra hours

Tuesday, Dec. 24 for FedEx Same Day

Deadlines vary for FedEx Ground, Home Delivery and Freight Priority.

If youre shipping something to Canada, FedEx recommends the following deadlines:

Tuesday, Dec. 17 for FedEx International Connect Plus

Wednesday, Dec. 18 for FedEx International Economy

Thursday, Dec. 19 for FedEx International Priority and International Priority Distribution

Friday, Dec. 20 for FedEx International First

Monday, Dec. 23 for FedEx International Next Flight

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You can find more information on ground shipping deadlines for U.S. to Canada packages here.

If youre shipping something to Mexico, FedEx recommends the following deadlines:

Thursday, Dec. 19 for FedEx International Connect Plus and FedEx International Economy

Friday, Dec. 20 for FedEx International First and FedEx International Priority

Monday, Dec. 23 for FedEx International Next Flight

If youre shipping something to Puerto Rico, FedEx recommends the following deadlines:

Wednesday, Dec. 18 for FedEx International Economy

Thursday, Dec. 19 for FedEx International Priority

Friday, Dec. 20 for FedEx International First

Monday, Dec. 23 for FedEx International Next Flight

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You can find more information on shipping deadlines for other international locations here.

For the full FedEx 2024 holiday shipping schedule, click here.

More: Thousands of shoppers fall victim to holiday scams every year. How to avoid them in Wisconsin

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: 2024 Christmas shipping: See deadlines for USPS, Fedex in Wisconsin
Police arrested a strong person of interest Monday in the brazen Manhattan killing of UnitedHealthcares CEO after a quick-thinking McDonalds employee in Pennsylvania alerted authorities to a customer who was found with a weapon and writings linking him to the ambush.

The 26-year-old man had a gun believed to be the one used in the killing and writings suggesting his anger with corporate America, police officials said. He was taken into custody after police got a tip that he was eating at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference.

Police identified the suspect as Luigi Mangione. Mangione was born and raised in Maryland, has ties to San Francisco, and his last known address is in Honolulu, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said at a news briefing.

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Mangione was charged with weapons, forgery and other charges in Pennsylvania on Monday. He was arraigned and ordered held without bail.

Here's the latest:

Suspect wrote parasites simply had it coming, law enforcement source says

A three-page, handwritten document found in Mangiones possession included a line in which he claimed to have acted alone, according to a law enforcement official who wasnt authorized to discuss the investigation publicly and spoke with The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.

To the Feds, Ill keep this short, because I do respect what you do for our country. To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly that I wasnt working with anyone, the document said, according to the official.

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It also had a line that said, I do apologize for any strife or traumas but it had to be done. Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming.  By Michael R. Sisak

New York prosecutors file murder charge against suspect

Late Monday, Manhattan prosecutors filed murder and other charges against Mangione, according to an online court docket. He remained jailed in Pennsylvania, where he was charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police.

Mangione's family releases statement following his arrest

Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigis arrest, Mangiones family said in a statement posted on social media late Monday by his cousin, Maryland lawmaker Nino Mangione. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.

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Writings from the suspect are voluminous, Altoona deputy chief of police says

They were very detailed, and everything we have is going to be turned over to NYPD, Altoona Deputy Chief of Police Derek Swope told The Associated Press.

He did not characterize the writings further.

A McDonalds customer first recognized Mangione and notified an employee, authorities say

The customer recognized, notified an employee and wanted someone to check it out further, said Lt. Col. George Bivens of the Pennsylvania State Police.

Suspect went from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh after the shooting, authorities say

He likely was in a variety of locations across the state, Bivens said.

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Based on everything we have seen, he was very careful with trying to stay low profile, avoid cameras  not all that successfully in some cases, but that was certainly the effort he was making," Bivens said. He took steps to try and avoid detection with some of the electronic devices as well.

Rookie police officer who helped arrest the suspect says, We knew that was our guy

Officer Tyler Frye, who has only been on the job for about six months, and a fellow officer responded to the McDonalds where the suspect was spotted.

They asked him to pull his blue medical mask down and recognized him immediately Frye said. We didnt even think twice about it, we knew that was our guy.

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Frye said it feels good to get a guy like that off the street, especially starting my career this way, it feels great.

Mangione had a large sum of cash when he was arrested, prosecutor says

Blair County District Attorney Peter Weeks said in court that Mangione was carrying a passport and $10,000 in cash  $2,000 of it in foreign currency.

Mangione disputed the amount.

He was also found with a box of masks, the prosecutor said.

Gov. Josh Shapiro hails the hero who notified police about the suspect

A Pennsylvania resident saw something early this morning and said something to our local police, Shapiro said.

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In some dark corners, this killer is being hailed as a hero. Hear me on this, he is no hero, the Democrat continued. The real hero in this story is the person who called 911 at McDonalds this morning.

Authorities are giving an update after Mangiones arraignment

Altoonas Deputy Chief Derek Swope opens the news conference. At least a half-dozen men in NYPD jackets are lined up behind the microphones, along with a Pennsylvania state trooper and other law enforcement personnel.

Mangione is arraigned and ordered held without bail

Asked if he needed a public defender, he asked if he could answer that at a future date.

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What police say they found in Mangiones backpack

After Mangione provided his real name and birth date, he was taken into custody on charges of forgery and false identification to law enforcement, court documents say.

In his backpack, police found a black, 3D-printed pistol and a 3D-printed black silencer, the papers say.

The pistol had a metal slide and plastic handle with a metal threaded barrel. It had one loaded Glock magazine with six 9 mm full metal jacket rounds and one loose 9 mm hollow-point round.

Court docs describe the moment police saw Mangione in the McDonalds

According to court documents, Mangione was sitting at a table in the rear of the McDonalds wearing a blue medical mask and looking at a silver laptop computer and had a backpack on the floor.

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When he pulled down his mask, Altoona police officers immediately recognized him as the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, the documents say.

Asked for identification, Mangione provided officers with a fake ID  a New Jersey drivers license bearing another name and the incorrect date of birth.

Mangione began shaking when police asked if he had been in New York recently, court papers say

When an officer asked if hed been to New York recently, he became quiet and started to shake, according to a criminal complaint based on police accounts of the arrest.

Mangione is charged with weapons, forgery and other charges in Pennsylvania

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A police criminal complaint charged him with forgery, carrying firearms without a license, tampering with records or identification, possessing an instrument of crime and providing false identification to law enforcement.

Mangione arrives at court

Video posted on the social platform X shows a handcuffed Mangione arriving at the Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania.

Recent cases su ggest that it could be a while before Mangione is returned to New York

For example, it took about 10 months to extradite a man charged with stabbing two workers at the Museum of Modern Art in 2022.

The suspect, Gary Cabana, was also arrested in Pennsylvania, where he was charged with setting his Philadelphia hotel room on fire. Cabana was sent back to New York after he pleaded guilty to an arson charge in Pennsylvania.

Manhattan prosecutors could seek to expedite the process by indicting Mangione for Thompsons killing while hes still in custody of Pennsylvania authorities. They could then obtain whats known as a supreme court warrant or fugitive warrant to get him back to New York.

Former classmate of Mangione says 'he had everything going for him

Freddie Leatherbury hasnt spoken to Mangione since they graduated in 2016 from Gilman School in Maryland. He said Mangione was a smart, friendly and athletic student who came from a wealthy family, even by the private schools standards.

Quite honestly, he had everything going for him, Leatherbury said.

Leatherbury said he was stunned when a friend shared the news of their former classmates arrest.

He does not seem like the kind of guy to do this based on everything Id known about him in high school, Leatherbury said.

Mangione comes from a prominent Maryland family

Luigi Mangione is one of 37 grandchildren of Nick Mangione Sr., according to a 2008 obituary.

Mangione Sr. grew up poor in Baltimores Little Italy and rose after his World War II naval service to become a millionaire real estate developer and philanthropist, according to a 1995 profile by the Baltimore Sun. He and his wife Mary Cuba Mangione, who died in 2023, directed their philanthropy through the Mangione Family Foundation, according to a statement from Loyola University commemorating her death. They donated to a variety of causes, ranging from Catholic organizations to higher education to the arts.

A man who answered the door to the office of the Mangione Family Foundation declined to comment Monday evening.

Mangione Sr. was known for Turf Valley Resort, a sprawling luxury retreat and conference center outside Baltimore that he purchased in 1978. The father of 10 children, Nick Mangione Sr. prepared his five sons  including Luigi Mangiones father, Louis Mangione  to help manage the family business, according to a 2003 Washington Post report.

The Mangione family also purchased Hayfields Country Club north of Baltimore in 1986. On Monday afternoon, Baltimore County police officers had blocked off an entrance to the property, which public records link to Luigi Mangiones parents. A swarm of reporters and photographers gathered outside the entrance.

UnitedHealth Group comments on the arrest

Our hope is that todays apprehension brings some relief to Brians family, friends, colleagues and the many others affected by this unspeakable tragedy, a spokesperson for UnitedHealth Group said Monday. We thank law enforcement and will continue to work with them on this investigation. We ask that everyone respect the familys privacy as they mourn.

Baltimores Gilman School sends an email about Luigi Mangiones arrest

In an email to parents and alumni, Gilman headmaster Henry P.A. Smyth said it recently learned that Mangione, a 2016 graduate, was arrested in the CEOs killing.

We do not have any information other than what is being reported in the news, Smyth wrote. This is deeply distressing news on top of an already awful situation. Our hearts go out to everyone affected.

Mangione earned undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Pennsylvania

Mangione, a high school valedictorian from a Maryland prep school, earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science in 2020 from the University of Pennsylvania, a spokesman told The Associated Press on Monday.

He had learned to code in high school and helped start a club at Penn for people interested in gaming and game design, according to a 2018 story in Penn Today, a campus publication.

His posts also suggest that he belonged to the fraternity Phi Kappa Psi. They also show him taking part in a 2019 program at Stanford University, and in photos with family and friends in Hawaii, San Diego, Puerto Rico, the New Jersey shore and other destinations.

Altoona police describe how they arrested the suspect

Altoona police say officers were dispatched to a McDonalds on Monday morning in response to reports of a male matching the description of the man wanted in connection with the United Healthcare CEOs killing in New York City.

In a news release, police say officers made contact with the man, who was then arrested on unrelated charges. The Altoona Police Department says its cooperating with local, state, and federal agencies.

Police are investigating the path the suspect took to Pennsylvania

This just happened this morning. Well be working, backtracking his steps from New York to Altoona, Pennsylvania, Kenny said.

Suspect will face gun charges in Altoona, Pennsylvania, police say

And at some point well work out through extradition to bring him back to New York to face charges here, working with the Manhattan district attorneys office, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.

Suspect had a ghost gun, police say

As of right now, the information were getting from Altoona is that the gun appears to be a ghost gun that may have been made on a 3D printer, capable of firing a 9 mm round, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said at a news briefing.

Suspect had handwritten document that speaks to both his motivation and mindset, police commissioner says

The document suggested the suspect had ill will toward corporate America, police added.

Police identify the suspect as Luigi Mangione

Mangione, 26, was born and raised in Maryland, has ties to San Francisco, and his last known address in Honolulu, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said at a news briefing.

26-year-old arrested with weapon consistent with the gun used in killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO

Police have arrested a 26-year-old with a weapon consistent with the gun used in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, New York Citys police commissioner says.

Thompson, 50, died in a dawn ambush Wednesday as he walked to the companys annual investor conference at Manhattan hotel. Thompson had traveled from Minnesota for the event.

Man questioned in UnitedHealthcare CEOs killing had writings critical of the industry, source says

A man being questioned Monday in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson had writings that appeared to be critical of the health insurance industry, a law enforcement official told The Associated Press.

The man also had a gun thought to be similar to the one used in the killing, the official said.

Police apprehended the man after receiving a tip that he had been spotted at a McDonalds near Altoona, Pennsylvania, about 233 miles (375 kilometers) west of New York City, said the official, who wasnt authorized to discuss details of the investigation and spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity.

Along with the gun, police found a silencer and fake IDs, according to the official.

 Michael R. Sisak

Along with the gun, police found a silencer, fake IDs and writings apparently critical of the health insurance industry

Thats also according to the law enforcement official.

 Michael R. Sisak

Police take suspect into custody after getting a tip that hed been spotted at a McDonalds

Thats according to a law enforcement official.

 Michael R. Sisak
One year ago, Venezuela held a referendum to reaffirm its territorial claims on Guyanas Essequibo region. That ballot ended up being a preview of the countrys stolen presidential election in July of this year. The turnout was so low that the electoral authorities lied about the results and never released the full vote tallies. While authorities claimed that 10 million votes were cast, independent analysts believe the number was fewer than 2 million, given the empty polling sites.

Immediately following the referendum in December 2023, President Nicolas Maduro began what many portrayed at the time as a march to war with Guyana. Venezuelan authorities changed the official map of the country to include Essequibo and threatened to prosecute any Venezuelans who used the old map. The Venezuelan government took a much more hostile tone toward its neighbor, insinuating at times that it would be willing to take Essequibo by force. To underscore the threat, the Venezuelan military engaged in exercises simulating an invasion along the border, built up border infrastructure and facilities, conducted naval patrols in the river that serves as a border, and moved Iranian-made missile boats closer to Guyanas Atlantic coast.

In response, Brazil deployed military personnel and equipment to its border with Venezuela, where the only road into the Essequibo region runs. The U.S. began sending diplomatic and military officials on regular visits to Guyana and at one point even moved an aircraft carrier close by and flew fighter jets over the country, all to reinforce Washingtons partnership with Georgetown and make it clear to the Maduro regime that an invasion would not be tolerated. The Caribbean Community, or Caricom, and other regional organizations all issued statements backing Guyanas territorial integrity and attempting to push back against the Venezuelan aggression.

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At the time of the referendum and amid Venezuelas mounting saber-rattling campaign last December, I explained why Venezuela was unlikely to invade Guyana and why, if it did, it would be an enormous mistake that would likely lead to the Maduro regimes downfall. Venezuela lacked then and still lacks now the diplomatic and military capabilities to successfully invade Guyana and hold territory there. The Maduro regime cant afford the international pressure that would come with an illegitimate invasion: Guyanas allies dont just include Brazil and the U.S.; they also include China and Cuba, two countries that regularly side with Caracas on other issues. Venezuelas military is also so degraded that it does not have the equipment or personnel to secure much of rural Venezuelaleaving that job to illegal armed groups such as Colombias ELN and the Pranes prison gangsmuch less territory outside the countrys borders.

To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter.

The same kind of fraud seen in the December 2023 referendum on Essequibo would occur again in the July 2024 presidential election. Maduro lost to opposition candidate Edmundo Gonzalez by approximately 40 percentage points, but the electoral authorities declared Maduro the winner anyway. While the government once again never released the voting tallies, this time the opposition collected enough of them to independently verify Gonzalezs overwhelming victory.

Maduros regime is on much shakier ground today than it was a year ago. He could see lashing out at a foreign enemy as a way to regain legitimacy and distract from domestic problems.

In the immediate aftermath of the fraudulent presidential election, Maduro and Venezuelas military turned their attention inward to focus on the repression of protests by political opponents. Outside of a few brief diplomatic comments, theres been barely a peep out of Caracas about its territorial claim on Essequibo, much less an invasion, in the past four months. For now, then, the war that was hyped relentlessly across so many media outlets has never come close to occurring.

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Was that inevitable? There is a case to be made that Venezuela was never going to invade and that the threats to do so were all empty rhetoric from Maduro to try to rally the nation around the flag in an election year. There is also an argument that the strong statements from countries across the region and the red line set by the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden made the critical difference in dissuading Maduro from launching an invasion, as reckless and counterproductive as it would have been.

The question matters because three things will change in the coming year that may put a Venezuelan military campaign back on the regional agenda.

First, Maduro is under greater pressure after his presidential election loss. Most dictators maintain political power by creating the illusion of democratic legitimacy, even if it means rigging elections to guarantee victory. Demonstrating big wins, even when everyone knows the rules arent fair and the results are falsified, is part of how dictators like Russian President Vladimir Putin, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega maintain control of their countries and their security forces.

In Venezuela, everyoneincluding top civilian allies and military commanderswatched Maduro lose the election and then inelegantly steal it in a desperate attempt to hold onto power. The fact he could steal the vote shows he is still in control. But the fact he lost the vote by such a large margin, including in neighborhoods that were previously government strongholds, places the regime on much shakier ground today than it was a year ago. Maduro could see lashing out at a foreign enemy as a way to regain legitimacy and distract from domestic problems.

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Second, Guyana has elections coming up in 2025. With strong economic growth driven by revenues from newly developed oil reserves, President Irfaan Ali is the favorite to win reelection. However, in an anti-incumbent moment when so many democratic leaders are losing, taking Alis reelection for granted would be a mistake. Furthermore, the main criticisms of Ali revolve around the licensing contracts the country signed with oil companies and whether Guyana is getting the best deal possible. Maduro may see an advantage in striking should the election provoke political divisions in Guyana. Alternatively, Ali may try to ramp up tensions on the border as a way to remind voters how important it is for Guyana to remain united in an election year. In such circumstances, bellicose rhetoric and posturing could cause the situation to spiral, even if neither side actually wants a war.

Third, there are questions about whether the administration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump will maintain the same commitments to Guyanas territorial integrity as the Biden administration. The expectation is that it will, especially with a Venezuela hawk like Sen. Marco Rubio, the secretary of state-nominee, poised to manage the administrations Latin America policy. However, other advisers have advocated focusing attentionand perhaps military operationson Mexico, and the Wall Street Journal has reported that various Trump advisers are calling for negotiations with Caracas. Maduro may test Trumps commitment to Guyana if the Venezuelan president feels the U.S. is pulling back from the hemisphere or if he believes Trump is willing to trade deals on oil and migrants in exchange for going easy on the dictatorship in Caracas.

War remains unlikely, and any war would be a disaster for Maduro. But with the region in flux, mistakes could easily reignite the conflict and put the issue back on the agenda in 2025, despite the past months of silence. In Latin America, interstate war rarely occurs, but that should not be taken for granted. Therefore, the region should continue pushing de-escalation and directing strong messages at Caracas underscoring just how bad the consequences of a military offensive would be.

James Bosworth is the founder of Hxagon, a firm that does political risk analysis and bespoke research in emerging and frontier markets, as well as a global fellow at the Wilson Centers Latin America Program. He has two decades of experience analyzing politics, economics and security in Latin America and the Caribbean.

The post Latin America Cant Let Its Guard Down on Venezuela-Guyana Tensions appeared first on World Politics Review.
The Washington state Capitol building in Olympia, on Feb. 7, 2024. (Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard)

Child care affordability, crime trends, environmental protections, access to addiction treatment and housing costs. These are some of the issues on Washington lawmakers agenda this week.

Starting Monday, legislators convene in Olympia for their annual committee days, a chance to get up to speed on issues that may arise during next years session and to get situated with any committee changes. And with 20 new faces roaming the halls following last months election, its also an opportunity for lawmakers to meet their colleagues.

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This week is just a preview of whats to come Jan. 13, when the Legislature will officially gavel in for their 105-day session.

House members will meet Monday and Tuesday with 19 committees scheduled, and senators will convene Thursday and Friday with 14 of their own. On Wednesday, eight committees with members of both chambers will convene.

Things kick off Monday at 1:30 p.m. when five House committees meet.

That includes the House Health Care and Wellness Committee, which will get presentations on efforts to strengthen the behavioral health workforce and the benefits of universally free school meals.

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At the same time, the State Government and Tribal Relations Committee will talk about voter turnout from the November election, and the Postsecondary Education and Workforce Committee will learn about financial aid and work readiness programs across the state.

Later that day, the Appropriations Committee will discuss access to the states behavioral health and child care systems, and the Transportation Committee will receive a revenue forecast for the transportation budget.

The House is back at it the next day with presentations on housing costs, recent crime trends, a cannabis social equity program and Paid Family and Medical Leave.

On Wednesday, the Joint Transportation Committee will get recommendations for transit-oriented development policies while the Joint Committee on Veterans and Military Affairs will talk about suicide prevention efforts for active duty members and veterans.

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Other committees on aging and disability issues, higher education and behavioral health will also meet midweek.

On Thursday, its the Senates turn. Its committees on agriculture and state government will both meet bright and early at 8 a.m. with topics like wildfire prevention and state building names on their agendas.

Later that day, the Law and Justice Committee will discuss using artificial intelligence in courts while the Human Services Committee will delve into the states juvenile rehabilitation system.

On Friday, senators on the Environment, Energy and Technology Committee will discuss permitting clean energy projects, and the Housing Committee will talk about the right to counsel for those facing eviction.

For a full meeting schedule and agendas, visit the Legislatures website. For those interested in watching the action, all meetings will be livestreamed on TVW.
Rep. Justin Sparks, a Wildwood Republican, speaks during Missouri House debate on March 1, 2023 (Tim Bommel/Missouri House Communications).

Two bills pre-filed before the 2025 legislative session seek to put restrictions on how Missourians can change their gender marker on their state-issued IDs.

From 2016 until this August, transgender Missourians could change their gender designation on their licenses with a form and physician signature. The Missouri Department of Revenue pulled the form after a couple of lawmakers complained.

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Currently, the departments policy is to require proof of gender-transition surgery or a court order to allow transgender people to have their gender identity represented on their IDs.

State Rep.-elect Brandon Phelps, a Republican from Warrensburg, hopes to codify the policy with his first bill filed.

This is something that should make sense with the majority thats in our legislature, he told The Independent. It seems to make sense with my constituency, and it doesnt seem to be a stretch since it is something that already matches current policy.

Phelps said his constituents were in favor of restrictions.

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People are wanting to see some kind of guards or protections against males in female locker rooms or whatever else it may be, he said. That whole area obviously is a touchy one for some people, but this was something that seemed pretty simple to me.

Rep. Justin Sparks, a Republican from Wildwood, proposed a more restrictive policy in a bill that limits gender-marker changes only to those that match sex assigned at birth. The bill has a caveat that those with sex-development disorders who may have been incorrectly assigned a gender designation may still change their marker.

The bill would prohibit changes on licenses for any factor other than evidence demonstrating the persons biological sex.

This is an issue that will have to be addressed, he told The Independent. We cant hide from it, nor should the legislature try to hide from it. Thats why I think we should just try to establish an objective standard and go from there.

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He believes the best standard to determine gender markers are ones chromosomes, which largely align with sex as assigned at birth except in those with sex development disorders.

This is all about ensuring that women and girls know and have the expectation of privacy in a girls bathroom and locker room, he said.

Sparks became interested in the policy after a transgender woman in Ellisville was using the womens locker rooms at a private gym.

He led a press conference outside of the gym Aug. 2, and his legislative assistant contacted the department about the policy.

Internal emails show Department of Revenue employees wondering if they had authority to change policy on gender markers. An administrator said that since policy was silent on the issue, the department could switch up policy.

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Sparks says the department didnt have the authority to make the call. He pointed to a recent U.S. Supreme Court case decision, which overturned the standard of deferring to executive agencies when the law is ambiguous.

It is necessary to stipulate the gender-marker designation policy in law, he said, in order to fix the separation-of-powers issue.

Sparks bill would also remove a provision that currently allows birth certificates to be amended following gender-reassignment surgery.

Both bills are likely to face opposition from LGBTQ+ advocates. A coalition of 10 organizations wrote Thursday to Department of Revenue Director Wayne Wallingford that requiring proof of surgery was too restrictive, writing that transgender people without gender-reassignment surgery should qualify to change their markers.

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This policy change now means that many Missourians are unable to obtain, renew, or replace their identification because they have not and do not plan to obtain the now-required surgical interventions and do not want an ID that does not have a marker that aligns with their identity, they wrote.

The organizations labeled the departments new policy as discriminatory, adding that discrimination has severe negative impacts to mental and physical wellbeing.

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This fire hydrant in Mandan ruptured in 2023, flooding residential property down a hillside below the hydrant. (Courtesy of Marc Montplaisir)

The insurance provider for cities and other local governments across North Dakota routinely denies claims from state residents without providing an explanation, according to an audit report presented to legislators last week.

Several legislators who heard the report on the North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund were appalled by the report and the treatment of people who said they were harmed by incidents such as water main breaks and vehicle accidents.

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This is government at its worst, Rep. Austen Schauer, R-West Fargo, told Keith Pic, CEO of the nonprofit insurance provider.

The North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund was created to serve local governments, such as cities, counties and park, fire and school districts. A state law put the company under the authority of the state Insurance Department on July 1, 2023.

Pic took questions and criticisms from members of the interim Legislative Audit and Fiscal Review Committee on Tuesday after the report.

Rep. Mike Nathe, R-Bismarck, said the agency seemed to have little oversight, poor customer service and there doesnt seem to be much common sense, about how it investigates and approves or denies claims.

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Deputy Insurance Commissioner John Arnold presented the report that covered a review period of Feb. 1, 2019, through Jan. 31, 2024, examining a sample of 299 of the funds claims.

The report says claims lacked documentation such as damage estimates, photographs and police reports to support the conclusions reached by the company. In some files, there was no documentation reflecting any form of investigation.

Overall during the period, in third party claims involving a person or business that is not a member of the insurance fund  71.5% were closed without payment.

Pic, who has been with the insurer since 2012 and became CEO in July, after the examination period, pushed back against some of the findings in the report.

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Pic told the committee that when a claim is made, it is up to the claimant to prove that the government body covered by the fund is at fault.

He also said there could be documentation added to claim files but that it would become very redundant for the claims adjuster.

Nathe took issue with that response.

The customer service is extremely poor, Nathe said. Youre not informing the claimant at all and its just enraging people and then we hear about it.

Water pooled around and seeped into a backyard shed at Marc Montplaisirs home in Mandan, North Dakota, after a fire hydrant broke on a hill above his property. (Courtesy of Marc Montplaisir)

Pic said there also may be claims paid without a police report, calling it a matter of efficiency.

Marc Montplaisir of Mandan told legislators his story of his property and that of neighbors being flooded by a broken fire hydrant. Their claims have been denied by the insurance fund.

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He thanked the legislators for listening to the report and encouraged them to dig deeper into the issues at the insurer. But he said the discussion, made my blood boil even more.

The report made recommendations to improve the insurance fund, including creating a checklist for adjusters, creating a policy for handling claims and having a supervisor review claim files before they are closed.

Nathe and committee chair Emily OBrien, R-Grand Forks, said the Legislature may need to provide more oversight. State law does provide some financial reporting requirements for a self-insurance provider such as the North Dakota Insurance Reserve Fund.

Schauer called the insurance provider nearly criminal and said the insurance fund should be dissolved.

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Rep. Scott Wagner, R-Fargo, a former Cass County commissioner who was a board member for the insurance fund, expressed some concerns about the lack of documentation but also some support for what the insurance provider has done for local governments, which includes things such as safety training and advice on avoiding claims.

Overall, I think your organization has done an excellent job over the years, Wagner said.

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The US State Department is advertising an up to $10 million reward for information leading to the capture of Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, who the agency first designated as a terrorist more than a decade ago, saying his group had carried out multiple terrorist attacks throughout Syria. Yet, Jolani is also the leader of the rebel forces that just toppled the tyrannical regime of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in a fast-moving offensive that surprised the world.

As a result, Jolani is now the de facto leader of more than 23 million Syrians and the several million Syrian refugees who are outside of their country, many of whom will surely want to return home now that Assad is gone.

So, who is Jolani, and what does he want? As a Syrian foreign fighter in his early 20s, Jolani crossed into Iraq to fight the Americans when they invaded the country in the spring of 2003. That eventually landed him in the notorious US-run Iraqi prison, Camp Bucca, which became a key recruiting ground for terrorist groups, including what would become ISIS.

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Freed from Camp Bucca, Jolani crossed back into Syria and started fighting against the Baathist Assad regime, doing so with the backing of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, who would later become the founder of ISIS.

In Syria, Jolani founded a militant group known as Jabhat al-Nusra (the Victory Front in English), which pledged allegiance to al Qaeda, but in 2016, Jolani broke away from the terror group, according to the US Center for Naval Analyses.

Since then  unlike al Qaeda, which promoted a quixotic global holy war  Jolanis group, now known by the initials HTS (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham), has undertaken the more prosaic job of trying to govern millions of people in the northwestern Syrian province of Idlib, providing basic services, according to the terrorism scholar Aaron Zalin who has written a book about HTS.

Same old jihadist wine in a new inclusive bottle?

Jolani rarely gives interviews to Western news organizations, but on Thursday, he spoke with CNNs Jomana Karadsheh. In that interview, Jolani was at pains to distance himself from Sunni terrorist groups like ISIS and al Qaeda, saying, People who fear Islamic governance either have seen incorrect implementations of it or do not understand it properly, and he tried to reassure Syrias minority Alawites and Christians by saying, These sects have coexisted in this region for hundreds of years, and no one has the right to eliminate them.

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Jolani, now 42, also told CNN that he has matured since he was fighting the Americans in Iraq two decades ago: A person in their twenties will have a different personality than someone in their thirties or forties, and certainly someone in their fifties. Its hard to assess the veracity of Jolanis recent mollifying statements and what they might mean over the longer term, although his men have not carried out ISIS-style sectarian massacres when they have seized Syrian cities.

From a US perspective, a positive indicator would also be if Jolani helps to find Austin Tice, an American journalist who disappeared in Syria a dozen years ago and who President Joe Biden said on Sunday he believed was still alive.

So, is Jolani simply the same old jihadist wine repackaged in a new inclusive bottle? Or is he more in the mold of an Islamist leader like Turkeys President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who, while no liberal democrat, wont unleash sectarian cleansing on his population?

Its worth recalling that the Taliban positioned themselves as a kinder, gentler Taliban 2.0 before they seized all of Afghanistan in the summer of 2021, and they are now ruling with an iron misogynic fist just as they did the last time they were in power before the 9/11 attacks. And when ISIS seized much of Iraq a decade ago, the terrorist army ruthlessly suppressed pretty much every ethnic and religious group other than the Sunnis. So, Jolanis treatment of the Alawites and Christians that he now rules over will be an important indicator of his true colors.

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For its part, the Biden administration is taking no chances over whether Jolani has the capability to manage the threat from ISIS. US Central Command announced on Sunday that it had carried out more than 75 strikes at suspected ISIS camps and operatives in central Syria.

On Saturday, President-elect Donald Trump posted about Syria in all caps: THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED! But the US is already involved in Syria with nearly 1,000 US troops deployed there on an anti-ISIS mission. American forces have been in Syria a decade now, and during his first term, Trump went back and forth about withdrawing all of them. What to do about those US forces in Syria is a decision that Trump will likely face as he assumes office.

Lessons from history

In 2003, the Americans toppled another Baathist dictator, Iraqs Saddam Hussein, and then fired as many as 30,000 members of the Baath party who were running the country. They also disbanded about half a million members of the Iraqi armed forces. This simultaneously collapsed the government of Iraq while also creating a large cadre of angry, armed, trained men, some of whom joined the insurgency fighting US forces. Jolani was fighting against the Americans in Iraq then, so he is presumably aware of this instructive history.

In Libya in 2011, a US-led NATO bombing campaign contributed to the fall of another brutal secular dictator, Moammar Gadhafi. Thirteen years later, Libya is still embroiled in a civil war with countries like the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Russia, Turkey and the US all backing or attacking various factions in the war.

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Perhaps Jolani may be able to pull off the neat trick of bringing order to Syria while keeping many of Assads bureaucrats in place, so the country continues to be governed while simultaneously pursuing a big tent strategy of protecting all of Syrias religious minorities.

Jolani won the war against one of the 21st centurys nastiest dictators. Now the hard part begins.

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BEIRUT (Reuters) - Lebanon's Hezbollah views events in Syria as a "major, dangerous and new transformation", a senior Hezbollah politician said on Monday, the Iran-backed group's first reaction to the toppling of its ally Bashar al-Assad.

Hezbollah played a major part propping up Assad through years of war in Syria, before bringing its fighters back to Lebanon over the last year to fight in a bruising war with Israel - a redeployment which weakened Syrian government lines.

His downfall has stripped Hezbollah of a vital ally along Lebanon's eastern border. Assad-ruled Syria long served as a vital conduit for Iran to supply weapons to the Shi'ite Islamist Hezbollah.

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"What is happening in Syria is a major, dangerous and new transformation, and how and why what happened requires an evaluation, and the evaluation is not done on the podiums," Hezbollah lawmaker Hassan Fadlallah said in a statement.

Syrian armed groups led by the Sunni Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham swept into Damascus on Sunday, seizing the capital and forcing Assad to leave for Russia.

Israel dealt heavy blows to Hezbollah during more than a year of hostilities, which began when the Lebanese group opened fire on Oct. 8, 2023 in solidarity with its Palestinian ally Hamas in Gaza. A ceasefire in Lebanon took effect on Nov. 27.

(Reporting by Laila Bassam; writing by Tom Perry; editing by Mark Heinrich)
Bipartisan legislation, supported by one local congressman, would provide Medicare coverage of multi-cancer early detection screening tests.

The bill is called the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act. It would allow for Medicare coverage and payment for multi-cancer early-detection screening tests.

The whole goal of this legislation is to get these tests covered by Medicare, which then will greatly benefit older patients disproportionately affected by cancer.

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If this is enacted by the time these new tests are FDA-approved, it will prevent significant delays in patient access to these tests.

Action News Jax talked with Jody Hoyos, the Chief Executive Officer of the Prevent Cancer Foundation, who supports the legislation.

Read: Disrespecting us: Two local restaurants reopening after closing without warning last week

We want to make sure that there are not unnecessary delays in people accessing these tests once they do receive FDA approval, Hoyos said.

Hoyos said detecting cancer early, before it has spread throughout the body, is something that saves lives.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

Early detection can mean more treatment options available, less intensive treatment options, and better chances of survival, Hoyos said.

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According to the American Cancer Society, there will be more than 160,000 new cancer cases this year in Florida.

Congress has yet to pass this as it is still going through committees.

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Congressman John H. Rutherford (FL-05) is a cosponsor of the legislation.

His office sent Action News Jax a Statement:

Catching cancer early saves lives. Thats why I was proud to cosponsor the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act to improve seniors timely access to multi-cancer screening technology by creating a pathway to Medicare coverage once these lifesaving innovations are FDA approved. We must help open the door to a new era of detecting and treating cancer while ensuring that our most vulnerable citizens are not left behind.

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.
UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Sunday that the future of Syria is a matter for the Syrians to determine and that there is much work to be done to ensure an orderly political transition to renewed institutions.

The UN chief reiterated his call "for calm and avoiding violence at this sensitive time, while protecting the rights of all Syrians, without distinction."

The inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises and personnel must be respected in all cases in accordance with international law, he said.

"We will need the support of the international community to ensure that any political transition is inclusive and comprehensive and that it meets the legitimate aspirations of the people of Syria, in all their diversity. Syria's sovereignty, unity, independence and territorial integrity must be restored," said Guterres.

The United Nations will honor the memory of those who have borne the brunt of this conflict, he said. "We remain committed to helping Syrians build a country where reconciliation, justice, freedom, and prosperity are shared realities for all. This is the path to sustainable peace in Syria." 
Allison Herrera

Osage News

Its been over a year since the release of Martin Scorseses film Killers of the Flower Moon based on David Granns bestselling book. The film made non-Osages aware of the brutal system that put a target on Osage citizens because of their wealth. Parts of this have been dismantled but one thing remains: the laws that keep more than 25 percent of Osage headrights in non-Osage hands.



In an Oct. 20 post on Instagram, the Osage Nation said it supported the Osage Minerals Councils effort to help amend the law to make sure those headrights are returned.



The law, originally written to allow for the transfer of headrights, does not provide for their return, wrote Principal Chief Geoffrey Standing Bear in the post. Its a one-way street, and we must demand this law be modified to allow for their rightful return.



That could take some time.



According to Standing Bear, new legislation being drafted and worked on by both the Osage Nations lawyers and the Osage Minerals Councils legal team would need to change the 1984 amendment to the 1906 Act. A headright is considered a piece of property  making it difficult to take without compensation.



After 1978, it became illegal to sell or transfer headrights to non-Osages with the exception of a life estate.

An Oct. 20, 2024, post on the Osage Nations Instagram page requests a citizens call to action to contact the Osage Minerals Council. (Osage News Screenshot)

Talk of legislation to return headrights was introduced in 2021 and was worked on by Wilson Pipestems law firm Pipestem law, based in Tulsa. Currently, legislation is being worked on by Oklahoma Congressman Frank Lucas office, who represents the states 3rd district. Standing Bear said Lucas has always been supportive of the Osage Nation.



Standing Bear also told Osage News about another way non-Osages could return headrights that doesnt involve changing the law.



My solution for now is just tell people  If you want to [donate] your headright money  just donate it to the Osage Foundation or to the Osage Nation, Standing Bear said.



Minerals Council Chairman Myron Red Eagle said the process could take some time and that the Minerals Councils legal team is now working with the ON executive offices lawyers on a new draft of legislation  which is what Congressman Lucas office wants.



Red Eagle and Chief Standing Bear were recently in California and fielded questions about headright legislation. The most recent draft was a one-page copy that contained little detail beyond the intent of allowing the transfer of headrights from a non-Osage entity.



Red Eagle said its going to take a lot of discussion about how to move forward and that there were a lot of factors to be considered: tracking down descendants of headright owners and none are still alive, what would happen to those headrights? Could they be sold to other Osages or go into an account held by the Osage Minerals Council?



Standing Bear said the Bureau of Indian Affairs often times has the final say.



Its not under our control, Standing Bear said.



Its under the Bureau of Indian Affairs. So, we can give our opinion on the research to the BIA, but they dont have to follow it.



The goal is to find a method to get headright shares back in a way that will work for all parties involved. Red Eagle said he hopes to get something before the Osage Nation Congress in the coming months.
CASPER  As the 2025 legislative session approaches, wildland firefighters are considering how they will advocate for their interests as bills concerning fire safety come before state lawmakers.

We just need to educate our legislators, Wyoming Fire Advisory Board President Shad Cooper said Thursday.

During the Wyoming Rural Fire Association and Wyoming Fire Chiefs Association joint meeting, Cooper took the groups input on the bills set to face the Legislature.

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Following one of the most active fire seasons Wyoming has seen in decades, Gov. Mark Gordon included wildfire concerns in his supplemental budget requests. In line with that priority, Cooper and the Wyoming Fire Advisory Board decided to make recuperating funds lost to this years fire season a priority.

Theres going to be some opposition in this upcoming legislative session, Cooper said Thursday. What I want to do is make (refilling funds) our priority as a body. We need to go down (to Cheyenne) and actively lobby  for making the accounts whole again to prepare for the next fire season.

While Wyoming State Forestry cant lobby for a bill, State Forester Kelly Norris did address needing the counties input before they talk to legislators and answer questions like What does State Forestry need? and How can we help?

Were realizing our legislators dont know about fire, Norris said. They dont know about timber. Theyve never been on a timber sale before. These are all things we have to do now to help them understand what we need in the future.

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While there is still time for bills to be proposed before the legislative session begins, the association already had several issues to consider, including building codes, protecting utility companies from wildfire liability, forest health and school security.

Utilities protection

The association voted to seek an amendment on a draft bill, Public utilities-wildfire protection plans and liability measure.

The bill, as it is currently written, is intended to address the rising cost of electricity as utility-sparked wildfires become more common. The bill would ideally incentivize power companies to mitigate the risks of wildfires in exchange for damage claim limits.

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Utility companies are running the bill to reduce their liability; that seems to be the primary concern, Cooper said. But then in that bill are some minor mitigation requirements for having fuel reduction.

If its introduced for consideration, the association would seek an amendment requiring strong mitigation actions, as opposed to minor ones, from power companies prior to allowing them to receive the benefits of limitations on damage claims.

The draft bill had previously come before the Joint Minerals, Business and Economic Development Committee, but the committee tabled the bill, meaning it will not go to the session with a committee sponsorship.

The bill could still appear in the session if it receives individual sponsors, however.

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Wildfire property tax exemptions

The association voted to seek an amendment on another draft bill that would provide property tax exemptions for landowners who were affected by wildfires in the past year.

Not only are we losing money to provide suppression responsibility and all the costs associated with that. Now were also going to lose tax revenue as a result of that, Cooper said Thursday. ... The concern is the impact to our ability to provide fire protection services by reducing taxation.

The fire community would be lobbying for an amendment to backfill local taxes for fire response capability, ensuring that the tax exemptions dont limit their ability to provide services.

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Single stair exits

The association voted to strongly oppose a draft bill that would force counties, cities and towns to allow single exits in specified multi-family dwellings, particularly multi-family units under six stories.

Theres a push, a nationwide push, to basically take away the code enforcement authority of the State Fire Marshal or local jurisdiction, Cooper said.

One community member explained to the association that there are already processes in place to get a building like this approved, but this bill takes away a major safety precaution that would be essential in the event of an evacuation.

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Proponents of these types of bills say it will allow developers to fit more units into smaller lots. However, there are safety concerns, as witnessed in this weeks discussion.

Forest health

The association voted to support a draft bill titled Forest health grant program-3, which would create a grant program through the Wyoming State Forestry Division. Grants from this program could be used to fund 75% of a forest health project, which would reduce hazardous fuels, limit the risk of wildfires or benefit the forests health in a number of other ways.

This is going to be to help us reduce hazard fuels in our counties and at a local level, Cooper said. I think its important to give additional funding, additional authority to the State Forestry Division, to help us to take steps and actively manage the risk of wildland fire.

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Norris did briefly introduce the bill to the association during her update speech.

This is a cost-share opportunity to deal with fuels. Its using state funds to do that, Norris told the group.

If passed, the bill would give State Forestry $3 million from the general fund to support forest health projects.
OURAY COUNTY, Colo. (KREX)  On Tuesday, the Colorado Department of Transportation will start work on Red Mountain Pass, stopping traffic in both directions.

CDOT said crews will start around 10 a.m. for winter maintenance operations on Highway 550 between Ouray and Silverton. The closure is expected to last most of the day with no estimated time of reopening. CDOT is asking travelers to plan ahead and allow for extra travel time.

Drivers can also use an alternate route through CO 145 through Lizard Head Pass. This route takes around an extra hour of travel time.

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Additionally, CDOT noted:

Northbound travelers will encounter a closure 4 miles north of Silverton near Ophir Pass Road around Mile Point 75.

Southbound travelers will encounter a closure 14 miles south of Ouray at Chattanooga Mine around Mile Point 79.

Do not attempt to bypass the closure gates.

For more information, visit COtrip.org.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
LENOIR COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT)  Western North Carolina is set to receive a tractor full of supplies from Lenoir County this week.

The tractor will depart early Tuesday morning. Donations have been collected at two Lenoir County convenience sites and they include supplies like diapers and water. The supplies will be driven to Statesville by Lenoir County Sheriffs Department Deputy Don Crawford.

Lenoir County Administration is appreciative to staff with Lenoir County Maintenance and the Lenoir County Sheriffs Office who have helped make this possible, Lenoir County Assistant County Manager Adam Short said. Short was responsible for organizing and coordinating the effort. Most importantly, thank you to all those in Lenoir County who donated, truly showing support for our fellow North Carolinians in their time of need.

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A press conference at the Lenoir County Sheriffs Office Annex was held on Monday morning to spread the news.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT.
We want presidents to be competent leaders who honor and improve the country they serve. We do not want them to be narcissists who want to burn down our democracy to gain more power and wealth.

Americans distrust elites in both major parties. Donald Trump campaigns like a populist, but governs like an oligarch. He doesnt seem to care that 90% of the wealth of the nation is owned by a tiny fraction of the population. Trump is a billionaire who claims he can fix every problem with tax cuts for the rich, mass deportations and tariffs.

The real enemies from within are billionaires and corporations who control most of the capital. As wealth is concentrated in the hands of the superrich, they use their influence to write laws that give them even greater power.

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The result is a vicious circle in which inequality and an unfair political system reinforce each other.

Democrats must challenge the ultrawealthy who have caused Americans to lose faith in government. They must make clear that the real threat to democracy is widening economic inequality and the colossal role of big money in politics.

Democrats must prove to working class people of every background and every region that they are prepared to stand with them in their struggle for a better life.

Richard A. Weiherer

Wyomissing
Roy Cohn has reached through the browning sod again to help his mentee beat some man-made laws. But President-elect Donald Trump is in over his head on two promises he made. If he removes 10 million illegal immigrants, many gainfully employed in food-related businesses, billionaire-controlled enterprises would lose their prime workforce. That would drastically raise food prices that Trump has vowed to reduce. Wisconsin dairy entrepreneurs predict skyrocketing prices for milk, if its available at all. The American Immigration Council estimates deporting 1 million people annually for a decade would cost roughly $88 billion per year,

I suggest Trump make these workers legal by issuing them the necessary documentation and working with state and local law enforcement to remove any miscreants in the country illegally. This would help him keep his food price promise.

Trumps promise to expand fossil fuel extraction will undo any chance of him having a positive presidential legacy.

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If he doesnt initiate and carry out a massive climate crisis mitigation project, keep us in the Paris Accords and reverse his drill baby drill debacle, the United States will become a pariah and third-rate nation with few friends.

His ideas threaten to leave us with no protection from NATO and dwindling numbers of predictable trading partners.

Trumps absurd position that the climate crisis is a hoax exemplifies his nonexistent business acumen and his nine-year history of refusing to even learn about the crisis from scientists, oil executives and Cabinet-qualified citizens.

On whom are you going to rely? Me? Not Trump.

Gary Coller

Spring Township
Lesbian couple of two women adopted baby, thanks to new law legalizing LGBT marriages. Happy lesbian girls experience instinct of motherhood and want to have child in same-sex family

Originally published by The 19th

After three rounds of fertility treatments, Haley Swenson and her wife, Alieza Durana, had a baby boy in March 2023. Because Swenson carried their baby and was the biological mother, only she was seen as the parent in the eyes of the law. Durana would have to adopt her own son.

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That process is expensive  at least a couple thousand dollars  so they put it off as the costs of raising an infant mounted. But the day after Donald Trump was reelected, the couple felt a new urgency: Would the incoming administration strip away their rights to call themselves moms? They had to seriously consider taking extra steps to ensure their child would, legally, always be considered theirs.

Ahead of a second Trump administration that is likely to be hostile to LGBTQ+ people, queer parents across the country are calling attorneys and researching how they can protect themselves in the event that a Republican-controlled White House and Congress attempts to strip back protections for LGBTQ+ families.

Project 2025, the 920-page document that lays out priorities for a second Trump term, envisions a federal government that uplifts families made up of a married mother and father, while undermining LGBTQ+ parents. Policies focused on supporting LGBTQ+ equity should be repealed and replaced by policies that support the formation of stable, married, nuclear families, the document states. The courts could also take up LGBTQ+ equity cases. When Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas indicated the court may consider revisiting other cases, including Obergefell v. Hodges, which secured marriage equality for LGBTQ+ couples.

Its unclear what they want to do, and that lack of specificity is whats really scary if youre a queer parent because you dont really know how to protect yourself, Swenson said. So since we know there was this one thing we could do to protect ourselves, and we hadnt done it yet, it was like, OK, there are so many unknowns  lets at least take care of what we can.

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After the election was called for Trump, Swenson and Durana gathered all their documents and typed a letter to their closest family and friends, asking them to help gather the funds to retain an attorney who would help them finalize the adoption before Trumps inauguration at the end of January. They knew that simply being listed as a parent on a childs birth certificate is not enough to establish legal parentage, especially for non-biological parents. Within less than a week, they had the $3,500 they needed to start the process. In late November, Swenson watched a webinar outlining steps LGBTQ+ families could take. Many other attendees were asking about pursuing adoptions for their children.

We are getting a lot of questions about that, said Meg York, the director of LGBTQ+ Family Law and Policy and an attorney at Family Equality, a nonprofit working to support LGBTQ+ families that helped organize the webinar. Regardless of how your family is formed, its that security thats the key concern here  without [a court judgment] your parentage might be questioned or challenged or unrecognized across state lines.

Family laws like this often vary by state, each with their own rules about what they will recognize or not.

Often, attorneys recommend that same-sex couples obtain a court order that will ensure their parent-child relationship is recognized under the full faith and credit clause of the U.S. Constitution, which establishes that a court order in one state must be recognized elsewhere. Parents can obtain an adoption or a parentage order. Both are court orders recognized across states and cant be undone if a state legislature decides to roll back protections for LGBTQ+ families.

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Adoptions, which are subject to background checks and a court hearing, are an option for both unmarried and married couples and help establish that the nonbiological parent is the parent of the child. Some states may refer to it as second-parent, co-parent or stepparent adoption. Parentage orders are similar in terms of the process and cost but differ in one sense: Couples can apply for them prior to the childs birth, meaning those parental rights are established as soon as the child is born and there is no gap. Its often an option for parents undergoing fertility treatments or surrogacy.

Children born to a married same-sex couple should be recognized as the parents of those children under the law, but discrimination against LGBTQ+ families has led to an uneven adoption of that standard. Thats why attorneys recommend families take additional steps.

Swenson is based in Utah, in a county where more than 70 percent of voters elected Trump to office in part because of conservative views. She knows the stakes.

There are so many scary situations people are in where its going to come down to convincing a judge of your humanity, Swenson said. Your gender and sexual identity dont change the fact that youre a human and a good parent. Theres just a lot of people out there who are really uncertain about what lies ahead.

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In Austin, attorney Meghan Alexander used to receive maybe three calls a week about second-parent adoptions. The week after the election, she received 26. The calls and emails havent stopped.

The advice is the same as its been for the last couple of decades, which is to do a second-parent adoption. Do not depend on the federal government or the gay right to marry to give you parental rights, Alexander said.

Alexander recommends to her clients that parents get an adoption instead of a parentage order because in Texas, for example, parentage orders for LGBTQ+ families have not been thoroughly challenged in the court system, Alexander said, while adoptions have been upheld by the courts many times.

Adoptions are a popular option because they are also more commonly understood and universally recognized across states and countries, said Nancy Polikoff, professor emerita at American University Washington College of Law and an expert in LGBTQ+ family law. Still, it ultimately will depend on state laws and the parents preferences as to which avenue they pursue.

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What is clear, Polikoff said, is that the incoming administration has increased concerns among LGBTQ+ families to seek out additional legal protection. Shes also been hearing from attorneys across the country who have been fielding numerous requests.

When we are looking at the possibility of cutting back on LGBT family recognition, states that are not inclined to recognize the legitimacy of parenting by LGBT people are going to be emboldened to deny that status whenever they can, she said.

Polikoff said she does not believe that gay marriage will be overturned in the next four years, but what may be more likely to happen is that states and courts will try to cut back on some protections LGBTQ+ people have recently secured. Parenting relationships could become easy prey.

Nobody is expecting Obergefell to be overturned anytime soon, Politikoff said. Unfortunately, I think parentage is one of those places where if a court is just not going to be as protective in a particular state, I think they are going to have more leeway to discriminate under a Trump administration.

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But ensuring additional legal protections comes with a price. The process can cost in the thousands  Alexander said that in Texas its about $5,000  and thats usually after a family has undergone fertility treatments.

Swenson paid about $6,000 for fertility treatments, and when her son was born, she didnt have any access to paid leave in her contract job as a gender and family researcher. Then her wife got laid off in August. They depleted much of their savings and have been living paycheck to paycheck. Alexander, the attorney in Texas, and her wife also put theirs off because of cost. In her law practice, she tries to help families seeking an adoption by offering a sliding scale depending on their income, or a zero-interest repayment plan.

Being a queer parent is expensive in other ways, Swenson said. It makes me sick to think there are people who need this done and cannot get it done.

For Swensons family, the process will take about six weeks, and involves a court hearing, as well as child abuse and criminal background checks. Her attorney, Lauren Barros, has told her she is very busy managing multiple cases for LGBTQ+ parents in the Salt Lake City area. The family also plan to change their last names to all match their sons: Swenson Durana.

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Since their son was born, Swenson and Durana have settled into the parental reality of constantly trying to anticipate danger, but the prospect of an anti-LGBTQ+ administration at a time of rising anti-LGBTQ+ sentiment has introduced new fears. Theres the regular stuff, like worrying about how to shield their son from hazards on the playground, or figuring out when to wean him off the bottle and whether hes eating enough. And now there are new, more existential concerns  both for them and for many queer parents.

We are also thinking, can we always be there for him? Swelson said. Can we ensure that no matter what happens he has his moms  forever?

The 19th is an independent, nonprofit newsroom reporting on gender, politics and policy.
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB)  The Isaias Gonzalez-Soto Branch Library on Buffalos West Side reopened Monday morning after undergoing a seven-month long $2.5 million renovation project.

The library, located at 280 Porter Ave., now houses new features to enhance accessibility and modernize facilities, a spokesperson said in a release.

Samantha Purpora, the assistant deputy director of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Libraries, said the branch was in dire need of renovations.

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We are reopening after phase two of construction, she said. The upstairs was renovated in the first phase. We did do some fine-tuning, but downstairs was completely renovated.

Some of the branchs renovations include new flooring and paint, a handicap lift, restroom upgrades, parking lot and sidewalk restoration, new outlets and refurbished shelves.

This renovation honors the legacy of Isaias Gonzalez-Soto, a beloved leader who dedicated his life to uplifting Buffalos Puerto Rican community, John Spears, director of the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, said in the release. It is now better equipped to serve as a gathering place, resource hub, and cultural beacon for generations to come.

In 2018, the library was renamed after Gonzalez-Soto, a World War II veteran and founding father of the citys Puerto Rican community. The branch is a tribute to his support of newly-arrived Puerto Ricans with housing, jobs, food and legal assistance, the release said.

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The librarys new hours are as follows:

Monday, Thursday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Wednesday: Noon to 8 p.m.

Friday and Sunday: Closed

A community celebration for the reopening is being planned for early 2025.

Latest Local News

Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo.
Luigi Mangione, 26, has been arrested in connection to the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City. He was taken into custody in Pennsylvania.

Mangione was arrested at around 9 a.m. at a McDonalds in Altoona, about 280 miles from New York City, after police received a tip, according to officials.

New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference that police recovered clothing, including a mask consistent with those worn by our wanted individual.

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Also recovered was a fraudulent New Jersey ID matching the ID our suspect used to check into his New York City hostel before the shooting incident.

Reports also are emerging about a manifesto the suspect appeared to have with him when he was arrested.

Follow along for live updates.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Luigi Mangione, the 26-year-old accused of killing UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson earlier this month, was indicted Tuesday in New York on one count of first-degree murder and two counts of second-degree murder, including one count of second-degree murder as an act of terrorism.

"This was a frightening, well-planned, targeted murder that was intended to cause shock and attention and intimidation," Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said at a press conference announcing the indictment, which also includes a number of weapons charges.

Bragg said Mangione had arrived in New York City by bus on Nov. 24 and checked in to a hostel on the Upper West Side using the name "Mark Rosario" with a fake New Jersey ID. On the morning of Dec. 4, Bragg said Mangione left the hostel around 5:30 a.m. ET and traveled to midtown near the Hilton hotel. When Thompson showed up, "we allege [Mangione] then took out a 9mm, 3D-printed ghost gun, equipped with a 3D-printed suppressor, and shot him once in the back and once in the leg."

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Mangione was then found at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pa., with the same fake New Jersey identification and the 3D-printed ghost gun. He is currently being held without bail at a Pennsylvania state prison on weapons and other charges while contesting his extradition to New York.

Bragg noted Tuesday that Mangione is currently scheduled to appear in court in Pennsylvania on Thursday morning, first for a preliminary hearing on his Pennsylvania charges and then for an extradition hearing.

It has been reported that Mangione could waive the extradition hearing.

Who was Brian Thompson?

Thompson was named the CEO of UnitedHealthcare in April 2021, after having previously served as the CEO of UnitedHealthcare's government programs, which include Medicare & Retirement and Community & State, according to his company profile. He joined the company in 2004.

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In a statement, UnitedHealth Group said: "We are deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend and colleague Brian Thompson. ... We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to Brian's family and all who were close to him."

Thompson's wife, Paulette Thompson, told NBC News that he had been receiving "some threats" but didn't know the details.

A former private security leader for Thompson said he was surprised the CEO didn't have a private detail with him at the time of the shooting. "What stands out most to me is the inability to provide him security in New York City while he's going to give a speech to many mad stockholders and possibly mad clients of the health care company," Philip Klein, Klein Investigations CEO, said Friday on Fox & Friends First.

UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. (UnitedHealth Group/AP)

"I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him," she told the news outlet. "I can't really give a thoughtful response right now. I just found this out and I'm trying to console my children."

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Sen. Amy Klobuchar, from Minnesota, said in a post on X: "This is a horrifying and shocking act of violence. My thoughts are with Brian Thompsons family and loved ones and all those working at United Healthcare in Minnesota."

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called the news of Thompson's shooting "horrifying."

"A terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota," he wrote on X. "Minnesota is sending our prayers to Brian's family and the UnitedHealthcare team."
LOS ANGELES, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Economists have warned that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's proposed tariffs could trigger retaliatory measures, leading to significant losses for California's agriculture industry, The Los Angeles Times reported on Sunday.

A recent analysis, published by the University of California's Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics, examined potential scenarios involving tariffs and retaliation.

If a major trade war were to erupt, the report said, California's agricultural exports could decline by as much as 25 percent, resulting in annual losses of up to 6 billion U.S. dollars. California's agricultural sector generates billions of dollars from exporting products such as pistachios, wine, and other goods to countries including China, Mexico, and Canada.

The study also pointed to some of the most vulnerable commodities, including pistachios, dairy products, wine, and almonds, all of which are exported in large quantities to China. Researchers from the University of California, Davis, and North Dakota State University identified these products as especially at risk in the event of a trade war.

"The worst-case scenario is pretty bleak," Sandro Steinbach, director of North Dakota State University's Center for Agricultural Policy and Trade Studies was quoted as saying. "Basically, tariffs are harmful to U.S. agriculture, and to California agriculture in particular, because they will invite tariff retaliation."

If the Trump administration were to impose large tariffs in the most extreme scenario, retaliatory measures by other countries could have a ripple effect throughout California. This would impact everything from the vast almond orchards of the Central Valley to the small family-run vineyards scattered throughout the state's wine country.

"Rather than pursuing policies that invite global retaliatory measures, the United States should work toward more balanced trade agreements that protect domestic industries without sparking harmful trade wars," researchers noted.

"All countries involved in a trade war lose, and California agriculture simply cannot afford another trade war," they added. 
President-elect Donald Trump floated the idea of jail time for former Rep. Liz Cheney, R-Wyo., and other Jan. 6 committee members over the weekend, accusing them of tampering with evidence, which, he alleges, could vindicate him from the Jan. 6 riots from nearly four years ago.

In her response, Cheney reiterated her belief that Trump is connected to the riots on Jan. 6, and said his allegations against her are not only baseless but also a continuation of his assault on the rule of law and the foundations of our republic.

Here is the truth: Donald Trump attempted to overturn the 2020 presidential election and seize power, she said before suggesting the president-elect mobilized the mob of protesters and encouraged them to go to the U.S. Capitol.

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Trump watched on television as police officers were brutally beaten and the Capitol was assaulted, refusing for hours to tell the mob to leave, she said, calling it a breach of our Constitution The former Wyoming representative, who lost her reelection bid to pro-Trump candidate Harriet Hageman, categorized Trumps claims as ridiculous and false.

There is no conceivably appropriate factual or constitutional basis for what Donald Trump is suggesting  a Justice Department investigation of the work of a congressional committee  and any lawyer who attempts to pursue that course would quickly find themselves engaged in sanctionable conduct, she said, according to the statement obtained by CNN.

President Joe Biden is reportedly considering giving preemptive pardons to a laundry list of individuals who could be targeted by Trump.

According to Politico, aside from figures like Dr. Anthony Fauci, the list also includes members of the Jan. 6 committee, notably Cheney, one of two Republicans on the committee, and Sen.-elect Adam Schiff, D-Calif.

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Cheney is one of 10 Republicans who voted to impeach Trump in 2021 for incitement of insurrection.

Trump, in a post on Truth Social in March, said Cheney, along with other members of the Jan. 6 House panel, should face prison time. In an appearance on NBC News Meet the Press Sunday, Trump reiterated those comments.

He criticized Cheney for siding with Democrats and supporting Vice President Kamala Harris for president. But Cheney did something thats inexcusable, he said. The president-elect accused the committee of destroying evidence that former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi turned down 10,000 troops. You wouldnt have had a J6 because other people were guilty, Trump added.

Cheney has maintained that Trump and his inner circle broke the law knowingly. I think what we have seen is a massive and well-organized and well-planned effort that used multiple tools to try and overturn an election, Cheney said in 2022, as the Deseret News previously reported.
Former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) said President-elect Donald Trumps assertion she be jailed for her work investigating the Capitol insurrection is yet another effort to undermine the rule of law and the foundations of our republic.

Cheney was one of two Republican members on the House select committee investigating the origins of the Jan. 6, 2021, attack, alongside then-Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.). She drew Trumps ire throughout the 2024 campaign, supporting Vice President Kamala Harris ultimately unsuccessful bid for the White House while lambasting Trumps role inciting his supporters in hopes of overturning the 2020 presidential race.

Trump told Meet the Press in an interview that aired Sunday he believes lawmakers who participated on the select committee should be jailed, claiming to host Kristen Welker they committed a major crime.

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Cheney did something thats inexcusable, along with [Chairman Bennie] Thompson and the people on the un-select committee of political thugs and, you know, creeps. ... Honestly, they should go to jail, Trump said.

Trump: Cheney...Bennie Thompson, and everybody on that committee...should go to jail.



Q: So you think Liz Cheney should go to jail? Everyone on the committee, you think, should be in jail?



Trump: I think everybody...Anybody who voted in favor. pic.twitter.com/O4SkRSGuUC  Republican Voters Against Trump (@AccountableGOP) December 8, 2024

The president-elect went on to claim the select committee had deleted and destroyed evidence in their investigation, which is false. The committee released a comprehensive, 845-page report that detailed Trumps extensive work to undermine the results of the 2020 election. It cited many Republicans who worked directly for the then-president and then-Vice President Mike Pence.

Cheney said Sunday that Trump was lying about the panels work.

Here is the truth: Donald Trump attempted to overturn the 2020 presidential election and seize power, she said in a statement. He mobilized an angry mob and sent them to the United States Capitol, where they attacked police officers, invaded the building and halted the official counting of electoral votes. Trump watched on television as police officers were brutally beaten and the Capitol was assaulted, refusing for hours to tell the mob to leave.

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The former lawmaker went on to call Trumps efforts the worst breach of our Constitution by any president in our nations history.

Donald Trumps suggestion that members of Congress who later investigated his illegal and unconstitutional actions should be jailed is a continuation of his assault on the rule of law and the foundations of our republic, she concluded.

The Biden White House has reportedly been mulling the idea of preemptive pardons for some on Trumps list of political enemies. Names discussed reportedly include Cheney; California Sen.-elect Adam Schiff (D); special counsel Jack Smith; and Anthony Fauci, the former head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

Related...
LUFKIN, Texas (KETK)  For the 21st year in a row, a Lufkin attorney has been selected as a Texas Super Lawyer in the schools and education category.

Police arrest East Texas man for cruelty to puppies

Wayne D. Haglund was named a Texas Super Lawyer, which is meant to honor the top 5% of Texas lawyers and selected by their peers. Haglunds website said his firm advocates for communities, school districts and individuals.

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In addition, Haglund is proud to have received the recognition from Texas Monthly Magazine and Texas Law and Politics every year since 2004 as a Texas Super Lawyer in the area of education law, his website said.

Courtesy of Lufkin ISD.

Not only has Haglund been selected every year since 2004, he has also been awarded the Kelly Frels Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest award given by the School Law Section of the State Bar of Texas.

Mr. Haglund had served as the outside legal counsel for the Lufkin Independent School District far 46 years before he was employed as the Legal Counsel by the district in January 2023, officials said.

PHOTOS: 185-year-old Marshall church destroyed in fire

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Haglund has practiced law since 1975 in Lufkin while serving clients throughout the state, his website said.

We are proud to have Mr. Haglund serving the students and staff of Lufkin ISD and are thrilled to recognize his well-deserved honor, the district said.

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  The Sioux City Human Rights Commission is celebrating Universal Human Rights Day by honoring local individuals and organizations in the Siouxland area.

According to a release, the Universal Human Rights Day War Eagle Award Ceremony will be held on Tuesday, December 10, from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Betty Strong Encounter Center.

Childrens Miracle Network gets big donation

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Award recipients include Mayflower Congregational United Church of Christ, Women Aware of Siouxland, Kristine Bornholtz, and Perla Alarcon-Flory. They are being recognized for outstanding public service in promoting civil and human rights in Siouxland, according to the release.

A meal will be served at 6 p.m., and a free showing of the movie Origin will be shown at 7 p.m. The film is a 2023 American biographical drama film written and directed by Ava DuVernay.

The award ceremony will also be live-streamed on the Sioux City Human Rights Commissions Facebook page.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports.
BEIRUT (AP)  For the first time in 50 years, the question of how Syria will be governed is wide open. The end of the Assad family's rule is for many Syrians a moment of mixed joy and fear, of the total unknown.

The insurgency that swept President Bashar Assad out of power is rooted in Islamist jihadi fighters. Its leader says he has renounced past ties to al-Qaida, and he has gone out of his way to assert a vision of creating a pluralistic Syria governed by civil institutions  not dictators and not ideology.

But even if he is sincere, he is not the only player. The insurgency is made up of multiple factions, and the country is riven among armed groups, including U.S.-backed Kurdish fighters controlling the east. Remnants of the old regimes military  and its feared security and intelligence services  could coalesce once again.

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Foreign powers with their own interests have their hands deep in the country, and any of them  Russia, Iran, Turkey, the United States and Israel  could act as spoilers.

Syrias multifaith and multiethnic population sees itself poised on a moment that could tip either into chaos or cohesion. The countrys Sunni Muslims, Shiite Alawites, Christians and ethnic Kurds have often been pitted against each, whether by Assads rule or a 14-year civil war.

Divisions from the conflict run deep, and many worry about revenge killings, whether against former figures of Assads state or  more frightening  whole communities seen as backing the old system.

The civil war displaced half of Syria's prewar population of 23 million. Many who fled are watching developments closely to determine whether the time has come to return.

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Right now there are only questions.

How will Syria be governed?

In the short period following Assads abrupt fall, rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, has sought to reassure Syrians that the group he leads  Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS  does not seek to dominate the country and will continue government services. He has spoken of setting up a decentralized governance system.

Government officials who remained in Damascus as Assad fled  including Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali  have met with the rebels to discuss the transfer of power.

The Al Jazeera television network reported Monday that HTS had decided to appoint the head of the salvation government running its stronghold in northwest Syria, Mohammed Al-Bashir, to form a transitional government. There was no official confirmation.

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Details on what form the government will take have been scarce.

The rebels likely did not expect to be saddled with running an entire country when they launched their offensive against Aleppo less than two weeks ago, said Qutaiba Idlbi, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Councils Rafik Hariri Center and Middle East Programs. The rapid fall of Damascus and the melting away of police and military, left security challenges, he said.

The only existing framework for a transition is no longer relevant. U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254 had called for a political process involving both Assads government and opposition groups.

Everyones saying, especially rebels on the ground, That framework is no longer applicable, because there is no longer a regime. Were not going to give the regime in politics what they lost through military means, Idlbi said.

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So far, public sector workers have not heeded calls from the caretaker prime minister to go back to their jobs -- causing troubles in places like airports, borders and at the Foreign Ministry, said Adam Abdelmoula, the U.N.'s humanitarian coordinator for Syria.

I think it will take a couple of days  and a lot of assurance on the part of the armed groups  for these people to return to work again, he said. In the current chaos, U.N. workers have had difficulty accessing the country, and that has hampered distribution of humanitarian aid, he said.

How inclusive will the insurgents be?

The insurgents have sought to reassure Syrias religious minorities that they will not be targeted, despite HTS' fundamentalist Sunni Muslim origins.

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So far the civil peace seems to be holding. The insurgents have appeared disciplined, working to keep order, with no sign of reprisals. Experts say only time will tell what post-Assad Syria will look like.

Everyones still willing to really engage, really work with others, said Haid Haid, a consulting fellow at the Middle East and North Africa program of Chatham House. That sort of positive atmosphere is crucial, but it might not last long.

Splits could open as decisions are made.

It cant be guaranteed all the fighters within the HTS will back al-Sharaas talk of a pluralist system. Outside Damascus historic Hamadiyeh market on Sunday, around a dozen fighters chanted, Down, down with a secular state  a sign that at least some among the insurgents may seek a harder Islamist line.

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The opposition is not a homogenous movement, said Burcu Ozcelik, a senior research fellow for Middle East Security at the Royal United Services Institute think tank in London.

There are multiple armed opposition groups, including forces in the south who are distinct from HTS and the Turkish-backed groups in the north. Internal fractures within the HTS-led movement, which may become more salient in the weeks and months to come, may lead to discord and threaten Syrian stability, Ozcelik said.

There may be pressure to purge former members of Assads large state bureaucracy, especially those employed as part of a vast security state that included informers and officers widely hated for torture, abuses and corruption.

Insurgents and many in the public dont want them to return. But a purge can spark a destabilizing backlash  as when U.S. administrators disbanded Iraqs army after Saddam Husseins fall in 2003, fueling a Sunni insurgency.

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Syrias Alawite population is feeling particularly vulnerable. Assad and his family were Alawites  a branch of Shia Islam  and many among the Sunni insurgents see the community as his loyalists.

The question of the Kurds looms large

Kurdish-led forces allied with the United States have run a semi-autonomous zone in Syrias northeast for years, where they have been a key player in the fight against the Islamic State militant group. While both were opponents of the government during the civil war, the relationship between the Kurds and the Arab opposition groups is tense.

HTS has been extending an olive branch to the Kurds. Reintegrating the east would likely mean some form of concession to Kurdish autonomy.

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But that risks angering neighboring Turkey, which vehemently opposes the Kurdish factions that run Syrias east. Already, Turkish-backed insurgents allied with HTS have taken the opportunity to push the Kurds out of some pockets of territory, seizing the northern town of Manbij, and clashes have broken out in other areas.

While the insurgents' largely benign approach to minorities so far has allayed many international worries, Abdelmoula said, those pockets of fighting are very significant because the fighting is mostly along ethnic lines. And thats dangerous.



Associated Press writers Danica Kirka in London and Jamey Keaten in Geneva contributed to this report. Keath reported from Cairo.
LANSING, Mich. (WLNS)  Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel has reissued a consumer alert on phishing, warning residents to be on the lookout for phishing scams.

The Attorney Generals office says that scammers may use various tactics to steal personal information and financial data.

Phishing is a scam where a criminal poses as a reliable person or organization to trick people into sharing sensitive data or sending money through emails or websites. Smishing has the same goal but comes in the form of a text message.

Examples of smishing:

This message may appear to be from a legitimate source such as USPS or Amazon, however, this is a fraudulent message from a scammer. Links contained in the message are designed to take consumers to fake websites designed to steal login credentials, credit card details, or other sensitive information.

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The USPS smishing scam often alerts consumers to an alleged delayed package and requires them to pay for updated tracking information.

If consumers receive a suspicious email or text, they should:

Not download any attachments in the message. Attachments may contain malware such as viruses, worms, or spyware.

Not click links that appear in the message. Links in phishing messages direct consumers to fraudulent websites.

Not reply to the sender. Ignore any requests from the sender and do not call any phone numbers provided in the message.

The increase in online shopping and home deliveries has provided opportunities for criminals to masquerade as delivery companies, Nessel said in a news release sent to 6 News.

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A 'For Sale' sign is seen on March 19, 2024 in Austin, Texas. From peaking in 2022, From peaking in 2022, home prices and apartment rents in Austin, Texas, have declined more than any other city in the country in 2024. (Photo by 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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.
Bosses terrified of misjudging a future hire due to higher staff costs and reforms on workers rights may have felt particularly uncomfortable during last weeks Prime Ministers Questions.

The resignation of former transport minister Louise Haigh, who stood down after further information about a historic fraud offence came to light, gave Tory leader Kemi Badenoch ample ammo.

Taking the chance to mock Sir Keir Starmer over the appointment of a convicted fraudster, she argued that the country needs conviction politicians, not politicians with convictions.

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Badenoch said Sir Keir never answers any questions and it looks like he didnt ask his transport secretary any questions either.

Its the sort of grilling which bosses in the private sector fear they will soon encounter regularly. As the stakes of hiring rise, they are going to become petrified of unearthing any skeletons in a new recruits closet and then being called incurious recruiters, too.

While its no surprise that Sir Keir is under pressure about what exactly he knew and when  this is someone who he had put in charge of a 30bn government department, and he has said himself that lawmakers cant be lawbreakers  managers in the private sector have largely been able to hire who they think is best for the job without fear of excessive scrutiny.

A minor former conviction obviously isnt a problem in the same way it is in senior government roles, and nor should it be.

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The Government is desperate for employers to take a chance on those with former convictions in a bid to ease the prison crisis and stop reoffending, as well as to tackle worklessness. But corporate Britain is set to become more close-minded following a number of seismic changes.

One is Angela Rayners Employment Rights Bill, which includes measures such as protecting staff from unfair dismissal from their first day in a job and extending paternity and statutory sick pay eligibility.

Most employers accept that some sort of labour law upgrade is overdue. The UK lags behind many other wealthy countries when it comes to employment protections. But, they fear that combining such a widespread shake-up with a 25bn tax raid on the amount of National Insurance employers pay on staff salaries is going to completely change hiring behaviours for the worse.

David Hale, the head of public affairs at the Federation of Small Businesses, told a parliamentary committee last month that the reforms will make bosses fearful about hiring those with career gaps.

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Small businesses currently recruit the most from outside the labour market. If they dont do that then its not just small businesses that lose out, its the larger businesses that in turn recruit from them, he warned.

Alex Hall-Chen, the Institute of Directors policy head who also gave evidence to the employment bill committee, agreed that companies could be much less likely to take a risk on a borderline candidate under the planned reforms because the cost of getting a hire wrong will be far greater.

Many will fear getting sued if they need to get rid of someone. Hall-Chen questioned how this would work with the Governments ambition to have an 80pc employment rate as part of its Get Britain Working plans.

The stakes of getting a hire wrong are expected to go up by such a degree that there will be little sympathy for misjudgments in future. Those with past convictions such as Haigh could struggle to get a job in this new environment, unofficially locking millions out of the labour market.

More questions will be asked about the instincts of managers. As businesses prepare for job cuts and hiring freezes as a result of the Budget, there are fears that what might currently be considered a blemish on a CV could suddenly feel like a gigantic red pimple that needs to be squeezed.

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That could lead to a hiring landscape where cookie-cutter CVs are treated like gold dust, while someone with a career gap or any sign of historic misbehaviour will find it even harder to get a chance than they do now. Worklessness and reoffending will soar.

Business leaders tell me that they have already warned Angela Rayner, who is leading the workers rights reforms, that bosses shouldnt be punished for taking a chance on workers who might need a bit more training because they havent worked for a while.

Aware of the concerns, Jonathan Reynolds, the Business Secretary, promised a room full of company chiefs at the Labour Party Conference that he was making sure better workers rights and reducing long-term sickness are consistent because, whatever the jargon, I need businesses to take people on to fix that problem.

I need for them to trust that the Government understands there is perhaps a bit more risk if people havent been in the labour market recently than there otherwise would be.

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But theres been little reassurance since that spiel that businesses really should plump for the less obvious CV.

Bosses are preparing to warn MPs that the current mishmash of contradicting solutions being proposed to fix Britains biggest problems, such as worklessness, plummeting productivity, exploited workers and an enormous fiscal black hole, will create an uncertain and jittery hiring landscape.

As one person who has been in regular Whitehall meetings about Rayners employee shake-up says, this combination of factors will impact anyone who is on the fringe of the labour market for whatever reason when it comes to job hunting because the cost of getting a hire wrong will be far greater.

Thats a big problem because jobs are desperately needed to help solve a range of societal and economic issues, from crowded prisons to long-term sickness.

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Employers repeatedly reaching for the safest candidates because of a sudden rise in costs and reforms wont fix anything at all.

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BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD)  Black bear hunting is back for the first time in Louisiana since the late 1980s. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries announced how theyre divvying up the first round of tags and what could happen in the future.

In the middle of the 20th century, the Louisiana black bear population had dwindled to less than 120 bears. In 1992 they were given protection through the Endangered Species Act. In 2016, they were removed from the list due to extensive efforts to bring the population back  which is estimated now at around 1,500.

We now have so many that they are getting in the way of deer hunting and with sometimes four to five black bears showing up at one hunt on a game cam, Gov. Jeff Landry said.

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For the first time since the hunting of black bears was banned in the state in 1988, a small group of people will be allowed to hunt the bears. Only 10 tags were released this year. One went to a veteran through the Healing Road Foundation, seven went to private landowners who aided in the growth of the bear habitat, one went to wildlife management, and one was released to the public through a lottery. According to wildlife officials, over 900 applications were submitted for the one public tag.

Louisiana snake ID: Know where, when youll see them, how to know the venomous ones

The current hunting season for the black bear in the state started on Saturday, Dec. 7, and will run through Sunday, Dec. 22. A lottery took place earlier this year with a total of 10 permits issued for the hunt.

Bear hunting is currently only allowed in Tensas, Madison, and East and West Carroll parishes. Hunters with the tags have to have a bear license and go through training.

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The Louisiana black bear restoration is seen as a major conservation win. The state also saw success through its efforts to restore populations of the American alligator, which is also now allowed to be hunted.

We went out and we worked with private landowners to really increase the capacity on private land, said LDWF Secretary Madison Sheahan. So throughout this process, millions of acres of habitat has actually been restored in Louisiana to be able to use conservation easements and other projects to be able to increase the habitat statewide.

The LDWF will be monitoring the population to potentially increase or lower the number of bear tags released in later years. They also will look at expanding the regions where the bears can be hunted.

When were working with anything that was on the endangered species list at one time and we want to be very careful about what we do with this species, we want to make sure were managing it so that it can be hunted by the sportsmen of the state, Sheahan said.

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Louisiana enacts major tax reforms: Sales tax hike, income tax cut

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LOVELAND, Colo. (KDVR)  A Loveland woman is gearing up to go to Africa next month for the ninth year in a row, each time with the goal of giving clean drinking water to thousands of people.

Georgia Evans first visited Africa in 2016; her initial trip was as a wildlife photographer. But a single photograph she saw in National Geographic changed her entire outlook on what she could do there in the future.

Boulder PD investigating after 6 overdose on possibly tainted drugs at fraternity house

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I saw that and it was just like a lightbulb went off. It was otherworldly for me, you know? Maybe something I was supposed to be called to do, she said.

A trip to Tanzania in 2016 to take photos of animals turned into several more trips, each time bringing with her water filters. Evans has since turned the effort into a nonprofit called Village Care Project and said she has visited more than 50 villages, helping tens of thousands of people.

I get a lot of hand-holding, I get a lot of hugs, I get a lot of smiles, Evans said.

What began with just the filters has evolved, every trip back, with more things like mosquito nets, tarps and now solar-powered lanterns.

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I see stuff on each trip and its like, gosh, if we just brought such and such it would solve that, Evans said.

How TikTok led to a Colorado town as the setting for a new Christmas movie

She now emphasizes teaching women of the villages how to work everything she brings.

Women empowering women is just a huge thing, Evans said.

As she gears up for her ninth trip to Tanzania in January, Evans said its those hugs and smiles that keep her going back.

Theres just no words. It just fills me up, Evans said. Thats basically all I want. I dont want anything else from them.

While Evans has everything she needs for this upcoming trip, she said it takes her the full year to get everything she needs ready for the next one. You can donate to the Village Care Project by visiting the organizations website.

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China hopes Syria will find political solution as soon as possible in interests of people: spokesperson

Xinhua) 16:27, December 09, 2024

BEIJING, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- China hopes all parties concerned will proceed from the fundamental interests of the Syrian people and find a political solution to restore stability in Syria as soon as possible, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Monday.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks in response to relevant queries on the situation in Syria.

Mao said that China pays close attention to the development of the situation in Syria. The future and destiny of Syria should be decided by the Syrian people. China hopes that all parties concerned will find a political solution to restore stability and order as soon as possible based on the principle of being responsible for the long-term and fundamental interests of the Syrian people.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
ZAGREB, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Ivan Markovic Ribic, a Croatian tour guide with 16 years of experience in the tourism sector, is eagerly anticipating a long-awaited journey to China in less than two weeks.

Ribic, his wife -- a professor at the University of Zagreb -- and their 12-year-old son will be among the first Croatians to visit China under the newly introduced visa-free policy for ordinary passport holders from nine countries, including Croatia.

China announced the policy on Nov. 22, allowing visa-free entry on a one-year trial basis starting Nov. 30. Ribic and his family plan to travel to China on Dec. 21 for a 17-day trip, exploring Beijing, Chongqing, Xi'an, and Shanghai.

"Visiting China has been on my bucket list for years," Ribic told Xinhua. "As the largest country in Asia with a very long history, China has always fascinated me. This year, we decided as a family to finally make the trip, to experience its history, culture, and cuisine, and to explore a completely new destination."

The family is excited to immerse themselves in China's unique culture, which Ribic believes will be vastly different from the regions they have previously visited, such as northern Africa, the Middle East, Europe, and Latin America. "We are looking forward to experiencing a culture unlike any we've encountered before," Ribic said.

A self-proclaimed "big foodie," Ribic is particularly eager to taste China's renowned cuisine. "I want to try as many different foods as possible," he said, adding that he considers China a "great destination" for individual and family travelers. "China is a very safe, highly organized country, which makes it ideal for exploring."

Ribic praised the Chinese government's visa-free policy for its convenience, particularly for Croatians living far from the capital. "Those who live in other cities across Croatia no longer need to make the long trip to the Chinese Embassy in Zagreb to apply for a visa. This is a significant advantage."

Through talking to his friends and colleagues in tourism, he said he knew that China is on the list of many travelers. "The visa-free policy will undoubtedly increase demand for travel to China and enhance bilateral connections on multiple levels," he said. 
NEW YORK  A person of interest, identified as 26-year-old Luigi Mangione, has been arrested in connection to the Midtown Manhattan murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside the Hilton Hotel following a five-day manhunt, police said Monday.

Mangione was nabbed at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, carrying a gun that appears to match the murder weapon seen in security video of the shooting, police said. He was carrying writings critical of the health care industry when captured, police sources told The Associated Press.

A worker at the McDonalds believed he recognized Mangione from surveillance images released by the NYPD and called in the tip, officials said. Altoona police arrested Mangione on gun charges.

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Mangione was not on investigators radar prior to the tip, officials said.

The suspect was taken into custody carrying a fake New Jersey ID, police sources said. No charges were immediately filed. NYPD detectives are on their way to Pennsylvania to interview the suspect.

At a press conference at City Hall in Manhattan, Mayor Eric Adams credited good old fashioned police work for the arrest.

Mangione, based on his writings, has ill will toward corporate America, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.

The gun appears to be a ghost gun, may have been made on a 3D printer, Kenny added.

The Maryland native graduated at the top of his high school class and went on to major in computer science at University of Pennsylvania.

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Included on an online list of books Mangione read this year is Unabomber Theodore Kaczynskis Industrial Society and its Future, which he rated four out of five stars.

Mangione graduated as valedictorian of the private, all-boys Gilman School in 2016, according to the Baltimore schools website.

In a recap of the graduation ceremony posted on the site, Mangione is quoted as commending his classmates for their inventive, pioneering mentality that accompanies a strong commitment to Gilman tradition.

The suspects last known address is Honolulu, Hawaii, police said. He has connections to San Francisco and no arrest history in New York City.

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Police were offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the gunmans capture as the search for the masked shooter continued. The FBI also offered $50,000 for information resulting in an arrest and conviction of the suspect.

Harrowing surveillance footage shows the suspect creeping up and shooting Thompson in the back on West 54th Street near Sixth Avenue about 6:45 a.m. Wednesday.

The 50-year-old CEO of the Minnesota-based company was approaching the Hilton to help prepare for an investor day conference, officials said.

After shooting Thompson in the back, the gunman then coolly clears a jam in his pistol before firing at least three more times, the video shows.

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He fled the scene on a bicycle and disappeared in Central Park but cops picked up his trail late Wednesday night on the Upper West Side.

Cops found the words Deny, Delay, and Depose written on the bullets  a supposed insurance industry mantra for delaying claims and maximizing profits  leading police to believe that the killer has a beef with the insurance industry.

The gunman arrived in New York City on a Greyhound bus from Atlanta more than a week before unraveling his murder plot  and allowed images of his face to go public when he let his guard down flirting with a hostel worker.

NYPD detectives, with the help of Port Authority police, managed to track the gunmans movements from when he first arrived in the city. Police sources said the suspect arrived in the city on a Greyhound bus from Atlanta on the evening of Nov. 24.

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He found his way to the HI New York City Hostel on Amsterdam Avenue near West 104th Street, where cops recovered images of the suspect without a mask and smiling at someone behind the reception desk.

The hostel staffer reportedly got the suspect to smile by flirting with him and asking him to pull down his mask to see his handsome face.
NEW YORK  A person of interest identified as 26-year-old Luigi Mangione was arrested Monday in connection to the Midtown Manhattan murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside the Hilton Hotel following a five-day manhunt, police said.

The break in the shocking case came when a worker at a McDonalds in Altoona, Penn., recognized Mangiones face from surveillance images released by the NYPD, authorities said. The worker called in the tip and police in Altoona arrested Mangione on gun charges inside the fast food joint.

He was carrying a three-page handwritten manifesto when cops found him, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters at a press conference at City Hall Monday. His writings were critical of the health care industry and included complaints about how the industry treated a sick relative, police sources told the Daily News.

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It does seem he has some ill will toward corporate America, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters.

The elusive shooter was the suspect of an intense search since the Wednesday shooting, with police scouring surveillance footage and using drones, dogs, scuba divers, and the NYPDs high-tech domain awareness system in attempt to track his moments via bicycle, cab and bus.

Mangione was carrying a gun that appears to match the murder weapon seen in security video of the shooting, police sources said.

He also had a suppressor for the firearm, both consistent with the weapon used in the murder, Tisch said, as well as clothing and a mask consistent with the shooters garb.

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He was carrying a fake ID which matched the ID used to check into the hostel, she said. He had several fake IDs, including a U.S. passport, police said.

The gun appears to be a ghost gun, may have been made on a 3D printer, Kenny added.

Mangione was not on investigators radar prior to the tip and police didnt have his name before Monday, officials said.

The combination of old-school detective work and new-age technology is what lead to this result today, Tisch said.

Added Kenny, I really couldnt put it on one thing but if I had to Id put it on the release of that photograph from the media.

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NYPD detectives were on their way to Pennsylvania to interview the suspect Monday afternoon.

Mangione graduated top of his high school class and went on to major in computer science at University of Pennsylvania.

Included on an online list of books Mangione read this year is Unabomber Theodore Kaczynskis Industrial Society and its Future, which he rated four out of five stars. Police sources said Mangiones manifesto used language similar to his online writings about Kaczynski.

Mangione graduated as valedictorian of the private, all-boys Gilman School in 2016, according to the Baltimore schools website.

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In a recap of the graduation ceremony posted on the site, Mangione is quoted as commending his classmates for their inventive, pioneering mentality that accompanies a strong commitment to Gilman tradition.

Mangiones last known address is Honolulu, Hawaii, police said. He has connections to San Francisco and no arrest history in New York City.

His cousin is Nino Mangione, a GOP lawmaker who represents a suburban Baltimore district in the states House of Delegates, the lawmakers office confirmed Monday. There is no indication that Nino Mangione had any ties to the shocking assassination.

Police were offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the gunmans capture as the search for the masked shooter continued. The FBI also offered $50,000 for information resulting in an arrest and conviction of the suspect.

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Harrowing surveillance footage shows the suspect creeping up and shooting Thompson in the back on W. 54th St. near Sixth Ave. about 6:45 a.m. Wednesday.

The 50-year-old CEO of the Minnesota-based company was approaching the Hilton to help prepare for an investor day conference, officials said.

After shooting Thompson in the back, the gunman then coolly clears a jam in his pistol before firing at least three more times, the video shows.

He fled the scene on a bicycle and disappeared in Central Park but cops picked up his trail late Wednesday night on the Upper West Side.

Cops found the words Deny, Delay, and Depose written on the bullets  a supposed insurance industry mantra for delaying claims and maximizing profits  leading police to believe that the killer has a beef with the insurance industry.

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The gunman arrived in New York City on a Greyhound bus from Atlanta more than a week before unraveling his murder plot.

NYPD detectives, with the help of Port Authority police, managed to track the gunmans movements from when he first arrived in the city. Police sources said the suspect arrived in the city on a Greyhound bus from Atlanta on the evening of Nov. 24.

He found his way to the HI New York City Hostel on Amsterdam Ave. near W. 104th St., where cops recovered images of the suspect without a mask and smiling at someone behind the reception desk.

The hostel staffer reportedly got the suspect to smile by flirting with him and asking him to pull down his mask to see his handsome face.

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Police do not believe Mangione was trying to flee the country, Kenny said. When the tipster spotted him, the Chief of Detectives added, He was sitting there, eating.

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(Daily News staff writer David Goldiner contributed to this story.)

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NEW YORK  Luigi Nicholas Mangione, the strong person of interest arrested in connection to the shooting slay of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson is a Maryland native who graduated at the top of his high school class and went on to major in computer science at University of Pennsylvania.

Included in an online list of books 26-year-old Mangione read this year is Unabomber Theodore Kaczynskis Industrial Society and its Future, which Mangione rated four out of five stars.

Mangione graduated as valedictorian of the private all-boys Gilman School in 2016, according to the Baltimore schools website.

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A Gilman classmate, Freddie Leatherbury, told The Baltimore Sun he almost had a heart attack from the shock of seeing Mangione was suspected in the shooting.

He would be the last one I would think would do something like this, Leatherbury said to the newspaper. He was a nice kid. He was the valedictorian.

Leatherbury said Mangione had joined the private prep school in sixth grade.

He was a brainy kid, he said. He was a big math guy and belonged to a number of academic clubs.

In a profile of area high school valedictorians written in the Baltimore Fishbowl in 2016, Mangione said his instructors emphasized learning outside of school and an excitement to explore academic topics outside of the classroom.

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The teachers at Gilman influenced me especially, Mangione said before he graduated.

In a recap of the Gilman graduation ceremony posted on the schools site, Mangione is quoted as commending his classmates for their inventive, pioneering mentality that accompanies a strong commitment to Gilman tradition.

During high school, Mangione learned how to code and when he got to the University of Pennsylvania he co-founded a group to develop video games, according to Penn Today, a publication of the college.

University of Pennsylvania Game Research and Development Environment (UPGRADE), then in its second year, was profiled in Penn Today in 2018, and quoted Mangione as saying he was a computer science major.

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Before starting his freshman year of college, he posted in the class of 2020s Facebook group asking if classmates wanted to start UPGRADE, he told the publication.

I just really wanted to make games, said Mangione.

According to a Facebook account, Mangione was a UI Programming intern at Maryland-based Firaxis Games in 2016 and 2017, which makes the popular XCOM strategy game series.

Take2 Games, which owns Firaxis, declined to speak to the Daily News about Mangione on Monday.

As a practice, we do not comment on former employees, said spokesman Alan Lewis.

Mangiones cousin is Nino Mangione, a GOP lawmaker who represents a suburban Baltimore district in the states House of Delegates, the lawmakers office confirmed Monday.

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In January, Mangione tweeted a post that asked for reactions to a quote from philosopher J. Krishnamurti: It is no measure of good health to be well-adjusted to a profoundly sick society.

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(John Annese, Chris Sommerfeldt, Rocco Parascandola, Graham Rayman and David Goldiner contributed to this story.)

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The suspect arrested in connection with the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week has been identified as Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate from Towson, Maryland.

Mangione was taken into custody in Altoona, Penn., on Dec. 9 after he was recognized at a McDonalds and reported to local authorities.

Police found Mangione in possession of a fake New Jersey ID that matches the one used by the suspect to check into a hostel on the Upper West Side of Manhattan 10 days before the shooting. Police also recovered a firearm similar to the one used in the killing, a silencer, and a three-page handwritten manifesto that investigators say sheds light on his motivations, though its specific contents have not been revealed. The New York Times reported that the document criticized health care companies for putting profits above care.

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We dont think theres any specific threats to other people mentioned in that document, but it does seem that he has some ill will towards corporate America, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.

Mangione is facing a firearm charge, among others, in Pennsylvania. He was charged in New York with murder, along with firearms charges and forgery.

The shooting on Dec. 4 of Thompson, 50, was described by New York Police Department officials as a premeditated, preplanned targeted attack. Thompson was outside the New York Hilton Midtown when he was shot multiple times, including once in the back and once in the right calf, as he made his way to the companys annual investor conference conference. The shooter, who was wearing a mask, fled the scene on foot and later hopped on a bicycle into Central Park. A backpack believed to be owned by the gunman was later recovered by police in Central Park. It contained Monopoly money. Investigators recovered shell casings at the scene, which were engraved with the words deny, delay, and depose, a cryptic message that has raised questions about the shooters motives.

Heres what to know about Mangione.

He comes from a prominent Maryland family

Mangione comes from an influential real estate family in Baltimore. He is one of 37 grandchildren of the late Nick Mangione Sr., who, according to a Baltimore Sun obituary in 2008, was a self-made real estate developer who owned country clubs, nursing homes and a radio station. One of Mangione Sr.s most prominent projects is the Turf Valley Resort, a high-end retreat and conference center in Ellicott City, Md., which he purchased in 1978.

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Luigi Mangione is also the cousin of Maryland state legislator Nino Mangione, a spokesperson for the Republican lawmakers office confirmed to the Associated Press.

The Mangione family issued a statement through Nino Mangiones social media: Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigis arrest. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.

He attended the University of Pennsylvania

Mangione graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2020 with bachelors and masters degrees in computer science, a spokesperson for the University told the AP. Authorities confirmed that the 26-year-old suspect attended college in Pennsylvania.

During Mangiones time at Penn, he served as a teaching assistant, head of the recitation committee, and co-founded the universitys Game Research And Development Environment club, according to his LinkedIn profile. He is quoted in a 2018 press release posted by Penn Engineering as saying that he decided to major in computer science because he wanted to make video games. Mangiones social media posts suggest that he belonged to the fraternity Phi Kappa Psi.

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While in college, he was employed as a head counselor in the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies Program from May through September of 2019.

In 2016, he graduated from Gilman School, an all-boys private high school in the Baltimore area, where he wrestled and became valedictorian.

He worked as a data engineer

Mangione has held various tech jobs and internships since he was in high school, and was employed as a data engineer for TrueCar, a car shopping website, since Nov. 2020, according to his LinkedIn profile. While in high school, he was co-founder and lead programmer for AppRoar Studios, a gaming app development company in Baltimore. He also held a robotics research internship at Johns Hopkins Whiting School of Engineering and a UI programming internship at Firaxis Games, a Baltimore-based video game developer.

Investigators said he was last known to be living in Honolulu, Hawaii. Mangione has no prior criminal record in New York. He is believed to have traveled to New York City by bus in late November, and later arrived in Altoona by Greyhound from Philadelphia, investigators said.

Social media accounts show media habits and views

Social media profiles that appear to belong to Mangione show that he subscribed to anti-capitalist causes and had previously expressed admiration for the notorious Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, a former mathematics professor who carried out a nationwide bombing campaign in the United States from 1978 to 1995.

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Mangione had written on Goodreads that Kaczynskis anti-technology essay, Industrial Society and Its Future, contained prescient insights into modern society, though he condemned the violent methods used by the Unabomber. The reviewer wrote: Its easy to quickly and thoughtless[ly] write this off as the manifesto of a lunatic, in order to avoid facing some of the uncomfortable problems it identifies. But its simply impossible to ignore how prescient many of his predictions about modern society turned out.

In the months leading up to the attack, Mangione frequently posted on X about the negative health consequences of modern technology. He shared content from prominent figures in the wellness and self-improvement spheres, including Andrew Huberman, a neuroscientist known for his health podcast, and Tim Ferriss, the entrepreneur behind The 4-Hour Workweek. Mangione expressed concern over the negative health consequences of modern life, often reposting material from writers like Michael Pollan, who critiques processed foods, and Jonathan Haidt, a sociologist who has examined the impact of smartphones on young people.

Chad de Guzman contributed reporting.

Write to Nik Popli at nik.popli@time.com.
Five days after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot outside of a Manhattan hotel, police identified Luigi Mangione as the primary suspect.

On Dec. 9, 2024, Mangione, 26, was apprehended at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pa., after an employee reported his suspicious behavior. Police allegedly found a gun resembling the one used by Thompson's shooter, a silencer, a fake New Jersey ID used to book a stay at an Upper West Side hostel and a three-page "manifesto" in the suspect's possession, police sources told PEOPLE.

Thompson was shot three times by a masked gunman early on Dec. 4 as he arrived at the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan. The gunman fled on an electric Citi Bike and disappeared into Central Park, avoiding police and prompting a $10,000 reward for information leading to his capture. Thompson was transported to Roosevelt Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.



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Related: Who Was Brian Thompson? All About the UnitedHealthcare CEO Shot Dead Outside a Hotel in Manhattan

Detectives reportedly found the words "deny," "defend" and "depose" on the shell casings found at the scene, police sources told ABC News. The words are similar to "Deny, delay, defend," a phrase about the insurance industry to describe a strategy for rejecting claims. However, a motive has yet to be established.

Mangione was charged with one count of murder, two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, one count of second-degree possession of a forged document, and one count of third-degree criminal possession of a firearm, PEOPLE confirmed on Dec. 9.

Here's everything to know about Luigi Mangione.

He was born and raised in Maryland

Luigi Mangione/X.com Luigi Mangione Luigi Mangione

According to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny, Mangione was born and raised in Maryland. Although his last known address was in Hawaii, he also has ties to San Francisco.

Mangione was a high school valedictorian

Luigi Mangione/Facebook Luigi Mangione Luigi Mangione

Mangione graduated as valedictorian from Gilman School, an all-boys independent institution in Baltimore, per his LinkedIn.

He received bachelors and masters degrees from the University of Pennsylvania

Luigi Mangione/Facebook Luigi Mangione Luigi Mangione

A spokesperson for the university confirmed to PEOPLE that Mangione graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2020 with a bachelor's and master's degree in engineering, computer and information science.

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Before starting his final year at the University of Pennsylvania, Mangione worked as an artificial intelligence teaching assistant at Stanford University in the summer of 2019.

He was a data engineer

According to Mangione's LinkedIn, he began working as a data engineer at TrueCar, Inc., an automotive retail website based out of Santa Monica, Calif., in November 2020. However, he has not been an employee of the company since 2023, a spokesperson for TrueCar told PEOPLE.



He is the suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson

United Health Group ; New York Police Department/Facebook United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson; Person of interest wanted for questioning regarding the Midtown Manhattan homicide of Brian Thompson. United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson; Person of interest wanted for questioning regarding the Midtown Manhattan homicide of Brian Thompson.

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On Dec. 9, 2024, Mangione was identified and detained as the primary suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Thompson, which occurred five days earlier.

Thompson was arriving at the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan just before 6:45 a.m. on Dec. 4 when a masked gunman shot him in the chest, in what police deemed a "targeted" attack.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said in a press conference that day that the gunman had been "lying in wait for several minutes," before he shot Thompson at least three times. (The New York Times reported that the unidentified gunman had known which door the CEO was going to enter.)

The suspect then got on an electric Citi Bike and fled toward Central Park. With him on the loose for several days, police had been offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to his capture.

Mangione was detained while at McDonald's

New York Police Department/Facebook United Healthcare CEO shooting suspect United Healthcare CEO shooting suspect

Mangione was found on Dec. 9 in a McDonald's in Altoona, after an employee recognized him, per police.



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He was allegedly found with a gun resembling the one used by Thompson's shooter, along with a silencer and a fake New Jersey ID that police claim he used to book a stay at an Upper West Side hostel where the shooter is believed to have stayed. The name the suspect used on his fake ID was Mark Rosario, according to the source.



He had a "manifesto" against healthcare companies with him

A law enforcement source told PEOPLE that Mangione had a three-page manifesto  which was critical of the healthcare insurance industry  on his person when he was detained.

During a Dec. 9 press conference, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said "officers recovered a handwritten document that speaks to both his motivation and mindset."

He has pled not guilty

STEVEN HIRSCH/POOL/AFP via Getty Luigi Mangione in 2025 Luigi Mangione in 2025

Mangione is facing several charges, including murder and terrorism, across three jurisdictions. He has pled not guilty to the state charges in New York but has not entered a plea on the federal charges.

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During Mangione's first court hearing on Feb. 21, he was required to remain cuffed and wear a bulletproof vest for "security reasons," which his lawyer Karen Friedman Agnifilo found unnecessary.

"When I go visit a Mangione at [the Metropolitan Detention Center] in Brooklyn, I sit with him, he is unshackled, he walks around freely in the visiting area, we sit in a room together without law enforcement hovering over us," she said during a press briefing, claiming that her client is being "treated differently."

Read the original article on People
Luigi Mangione studied computer science at the University of Pennsylvania, one of the most prestigious universities in America

The suspect charged in connection with the murder of Brian Thompson, the American insurance boss, was an Ivy League student who thought the Unabomber was an extreme political revolutionary.

Luigi Mangione, 26, was eating in McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Monday morning when a member of staff recognised him and tipped off the authorities.



The six-day manhunt for the New York assassin culminated in Mr Mangione being found with a three-page manifesto, a ghost gun  a homemade firearm  and a silencer. He also had his passport and the fake ID the suspect used to check in at a hostel on the Upper West Side.

He was wearing clothing that matched the suspect and his manifesto showed he had ill will towards corporate America and is said to have listed grievances with the healthcare industry.

Luigi Mangiones booking photo - HANDOUT

Photos of Luigi Mangione, a high-achieving mathematical whizz from Maryland, have bene found online after his arrest

New York investigators charged Mr Mangione with murder and four other counts including firearms charges early on Tuesday.

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A high-achieving mathematical whizz from Maryland, Mr Mangione appears to have long wanted to make his mark on the world.

In one social media post, he said he used to get bummed out in maths class because all the low hanging fruit has been solved before I was born.

Luigi Mangione was carrying a weapon and multiple fraudulent IDs, say police - UNPIXS

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He added that he was now grateful for his 21st century education and he would focus on issues including evolutionary psychology, primitive neuroscience, and information networks.

After becoming valedictorian of his 2016 high school class at Gilman School in Baltimore, which costs around $40,000 a year, Mr Mangione went on to study computer science at the University of Pennsylvania, one of the most prestigious universities in America.

He then went on to work as a data engineer for TrueCar living in California and later Honolulu, Hawaii, according to his LinkedIn.

Luigi Mangione has not yet been charged

CCTV released of a suspect in the killing by police - NYPD

According to his Goodreads account Mr Mangione was sympathetic towards Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber, who he described as a mathematical prodigy.

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In his review Industrial Society and Its Future, the Unabomber Manifesto, he wrote: Its easy to quickly and thoughtless[ly] write this off as the manifesto of a lunatic, in order to avoid facing some of the uncomfortable problems it identifies. But its simply impossible to ignore how prescient many of his predictions about modern society turned out.

He was a violent individual  rightfully imprisoned  who maimed innocent people. While these actions tend to be characterised as those of a crazy luddite, however, they are more accurately seen as those of an extreme political revolutionary.

Mr Mangione went on to share an online take he said was interesting that read: When all other forms of communication fail, violence is necessary to survive. You may not like his methods, but to see things from his perspective, its not terrorism, its war and revolution.

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Social Media | X/@CollinRugg

It went on to criticise fossil fuel companies, adding: They have zero qualms about burning down the planet for a buck, so why should we have any qualms about burning them down to survive?

Were animals just like everything else on this planet, except weve forgotten the law of the jungle and bend over for our overlords when any other animal would recognise the threat and fight to the death for their survival. Violence never solved anything is a statement uttered by cowards and predators.

Luigi Mangione was sympathetic towards Ted Kaczynski, the Unabomber

Fox News

Mr Mangiones social media accounts are filled with comments about the state of society and mental health.

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In one post on X he shared an analysis on the declining birth rate in Japan, criticising sex toys that he described as custom pornstar pocket p----- and maid cafes where lonely salarymen pay young girls to dress as anime characters and perform anime dances for them.

Mr Mangione also reposted comments about a book titled The Anxious Generation and the impact of seasonal and circadian rhythms on mental health.

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UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot outside a Manhattan hotel on December 4.

The police arrested Luigi Mangione, who now faces a murder charge over the killing.

Mangione has hired a prominent New York lawyer, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, to defend him.

Luigi Mangione, the man who the police say killed UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has hired a high-profile attorney to defend him.

The attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, is married to Marc Agnifilo, the lead lawyer defending Sean "Diddy" Combs against federal sex-trafficking charges.

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The Combs and Mangione cases will be handled by the same Manhattan law firm, Agnifilo Intrater LLP, and can be expected to dominate legal news headlines in the coming year.

In getting retained, Friedman Agnifilo bested some half dozen other prominent attorneys who had been interviewed by the Mangione family last week, according to multiple people who asked not to be named because of their connection with the case.

Friedman Agnifilo last week left her previous law firm, Perry Law, to join her husband's firm as counsel, representatives for both firms told Business Insider.

Friedman Agnifilo had been a CNN commentator as recently as Wednesday, when she suggested that an insanity defense would be Mangione's best bet.

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"It looks like to me there might be a 'not guilty by reason of insanity' defense that they're going to be thinking about because the evidence is going to be so overwhelming that he did what he did," she told the journalist Kaitlan Collins.

On Friday night, Collins broke the news that Friedman Agnifilo had been hired by the Mangione family.

Friedman Agnifilo worked as the chief assistant district attorney at the Manhattan district attorney's office for seven years before pivoting to private practice in 2021.

Mangione faces a charge of second-degree murder in New York over the fatal December 4 shooting of Thompson, a 50-year-old father of two from Minnesota. That charge carries a maximum sentence of life in prison.

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(A charge of first-degree murder is reserved for those accused of killing a law-enforcement official or crime witness or of committing murder during the commission of another high-level crime, including robbery, rape, or kidnapping.)

Mangione is fighting extradition to New York City. The 26-year-old Ivy League graduate appeared for a hearing on December 10 at Pennsylvania's Blair County Courthouse, where a lawyer, Thomas Dickey, told the judge that Mangione was contesting his extradition. The police arrested Mangione in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on December 9 on local charges and later arraigned. Mangione made a bail request, which the judge denied during the hearing.

The suspect is set to remain at Pennsylvania's Huntingdon State Correctional Institution during the extradition proceedings. Dickey told reporters on December 10 that Mangione would plead not guilty to all the charges in Pennsylvania.

In an interview with CNN that evening, Dickey also said he anticipated Mangione would plead not guilty to the murder charge in New York and that he hadn't seen any evidence that officials in New York "have the right guy."

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Mangione also faces four other charges related to the killing of the insurance CEO: two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, one count of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, and one count of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree.

A gun found on Mangione matched the three shell casings found at the site of the shooting, the New York City police commissioner, Jessica Tisch, said during a December 11 press conference.

Tisch added that the suspect's fingerprints also matched those found on a water bottle and snack bar wrapper discarded near the crime scene.

Tisch said at a separate press conference on December 9 that upon arresting Mangione officers found a three-page handwritten document "that speaks to both his motivation and mindset."

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An internal NYPD report obtained by The New York Times gave the clearest indication of a motive yet. Based on the handwritten document, which has been referred to publicly as a "manifesto," Mangione "likely views himself as a hero of sorts who has finally decided to act upon such injustices," the NYPD report said, as reported by the Times.

The NYPD report, from the department's Intelligence and Counterterrorism Bureau, said Mangione "appeared to view the targeted killing of the company's highest-ranking representative as a symbolic takedown and a direct challenge to its alleged corruption and 'power games,' asserting in his note he is the 'first to face it with such brutal honesty,'" per the Times.

In a statement to Business Insider, representatives for Nino Mangione  a Maryland state legislator who is a cousin of Mangione's  declined to comment on the news of Mangione's arrest.

"Unfortunately, we cannot comment on news reports regarding Luigi Mangione," the statement said. "We only know what we have read in the media. Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigi's arrest."

Recognized at a McDonald's

Mangione was eating in an Altoona McDonald's when an employee recognized him from the several surveillance images that authorities released in the aftermath of Thompson's killing and called the police, the New York police said at the December 9 press conference.

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The Altoona police found Mangione in the McDonald's with fake IDs and a US passport, as well as a firearm and a suppressor "both consistent with the weapon used" in the shooting of Thompson in the heart of Manhattan, Tisch said.

The gun appeared to be a "ghost gun" that may have been made with a 3D printer. The NYPD's chief of detectives, Joseph Kenny, said at the press conference that such a gun could fire a 9 mm round.

A Pennsylvania criminal complaint filed against Mangione said officers found a black 3D printed pistol and 3D printed silencer inside the suspect's backpack.

When Altoona officers asked Mangione whether he had been to New York recently, he "became quiet and started to shake," the criminal complaint said.

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Clothing, including a mask, was also recovered "consistent with those worn" by the gunman wanted for Thompson's killing, along with a fake New Jersey ID matching the ID that the then-unidentified suspect used to check into a Manhattan hostel before the attack, Tisch said.

Kenny said that based on the handwritten document the police found on Mangione, "it does seem that he has some ill will toward corporate America."

During a December 10 interview on NBC's "Today" show, Tisch said the document revealed "anti-corporatist sentiment" and "a lot of issues with the healthcare industry."

"But as to like particular, specific motive that'll come out as this investigation continues to unfold over the next weeks and month," the police commissioner said.

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NBC News and The New York Times, each citing an unnamed senior law-enforcement official, reported that the handwritten document read in part: "These parasites had it coming."

"I do apologize for any strife and trauma, but it had to be done," it added, according to the reports.

The police believe that Mangione acted alone.

NYPD investigators traveled to Altoona last week to interview Mangione after Altoona officers took him into custody.

Blair County District Attorney Peter Weeks said at Mangione's Pennsylvania arraignment that Mangione was carrying $10,000 in cash, including foreign currency, according to the Associated Press.

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Mangione disputed the amount in court.

The NYPD released images of a person of interest in Thompson's killing, later identified as Mangione. DCPI/NYPD

Mangione was active on social media

Mangione posted and amplified posts on X about technological advances like artificial intelligence. He also posted about fitness and healthy living.

He frequently shared posts by the writer Tim Urban and the commentator Jonathan Haidt about the promise and perils of technology. He also appeared to be a fan of Michael Pollan, known for his writing about food and ethics.

Other deleted social-media posts showed support for Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and expressed skepticism toward both President Joe Biden and President-elect Donald Trump.

At the top of his profile was a header image with three images: a photo of himself, smiling, shirtless on a mountain ridge; a Pokemon; and an X-ray with four pins or screws visible in the lower back.

Mangione founded a company called AppRoar Studios in 2015 while still in high school. AppRoar released an iPhone game called "Pivot Plane" that is no longer available.

The two other cofounders of AppRoar could not be reached for comment.

Mangione's X account has been deactivated. A spokesperson for YouTube said that the company had terminated his three accounts on the platform and that the accounts had not been active for about seven months.

A manhunt

Mangione's arrest followed a nearly weeklong manhunt.

According to the police, Manigone was born and raised in Maryland and has ties to San Francisco. His last known address was in Honolulu.

The New York Post, citing law-enforcement sources, reported that Mangione's mother reported him missing in mid-November.

Law-enforcement sources told ABC News that FBI agents and members of the NYPD spoke with the mother a day before Mangione's arrest, following a tip, and that in the conversation she indicated that the person in the surveillance photos could be her son.

Kenny, the NYPD's chief of detectives, said Manigone had no prior arrest history in New York and no known arrests in the US.

A Luigi Mangione with a matching birthday and address received a citation for simple trespass for entering a forbidden area of a state park in Hawaii in November 2023. He pleaded no contest and paid a $100 fine.

"For just over five days, our NYPD investigators combed through thousands of hours of video, followed up on hundreds of tips, and processed every bit of forensic evidence  DNA, fingerprints, IP addresses and so much to tighten the net," Tisch said at the press conference announcing the arrest of Manigone.

Thompson was shot multiple times on a Midtown sidewalk as he was walking toward a Hilton hotel. He was steps away from a side entrance to the hotel  where he was set to speak at UnitedHealth Group's investor conference  when a hooded gunman opened fire on him from behind.

The chief executive of the nation's largest health insurer was struck at least once in the back and at least once in the right calf, the police said.

Surveillance footage showed the gunman firing his weapon as Thompson, wearing a blue suit jacket, walked several feet in front of him.

Surveillance images showed the gunman during and just after Thompson's killing. NYPD via AP

The gunman fled the scene, first on foot and then on an electric bike, which he rode into Central Park before ultimately escaping from New York City, the police said.

Shell casings and bullets found at the scene had the words "deny," "defend," and "depose" written on them, according to multiple reports citing unnamed sources. BI couldn't independently confirm these details.

In the aftermath of the attack, the NYPD offered a $10,000 reward for tips leading to the gunman's arrest, with the FBI offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction.

A spokesperson for UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of UnitedHealthcare, reacted to news of Manigone's arrest in a statement to BI, saying: "Our hope is that today's apprehension brings some relief to Brian's family, friends, colleagues and the many others affected by this unspeakable tragedy. We thank law enforcement and will continue to work with them on this investigation. We ask that everyone respect the family's privacy as they mourn."

Read the original article on Business Insider
NEW YORK (PIX11)  Police have identified the person of interest in the shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown last week as Luigi Mangione.

Mangione, 26, was taken into custody in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Monday, police said. He was arrested by the Altoona Police Department on unrelated firearms charges after a McDonalds employee recognized him, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.

More Local News

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Responding officers questioned the suspect, who was acting suspiciously and was carrying multiple fraudulent IDs as well as a U.S. passport, Tisch said.

Officers recovered a firearm and suppressor consistent with the weapon used to kill Thompson, the commissioner said. Clothing and a mask consistent with those worn by the shooting suspect, as well as a fake New Jersey ID matching the one used at a Manhattan hostel where the gunman was believed to have stayed before the shooting, were also recovered.

Mangione also had writings critical of the health insurance industry with him, sources said. Tisch said the document speaks to both his motivation and mindset.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said Mangione was born and raised in Maryland and has ties to San Francisco, California. His last known address was in Honolulu, Hawaii.

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Mangione earned undergraduate and graduate degrees in computer science in 2020 from the University of Pennsylvania, a spokesman said. In an email to parents and alumni, Gilman headmaster Henry P.A. Smyth said they recently learned that Mangione, a 2016 graduate, was identified as a person of interest in the CEOs killing.

We do not have any information other than what is being reported in the news, Smyth wrote. This is deeply distressing news on top of an already awful situation. Our hearts go out to everyone affected.

A LinkedIn page purportedly made by Mangione lists Stanford University as a previous employer. A university spokesperson told PIX11 News that a person by that name was employed as a head counselor under the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies program between May and September 2019.

Who was Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare CEO?

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Thompson, 50, was shot and killed outside a Midtown hotel Wednesday morning as he arrived for an investors meeting. The brazen shooting set off a days-long manhunt, with NYPD officers combing through Midtown, Central Park, and the Upper West Side.

Late last week, police said they believed the suspect had left New York City on a bus on the day of the shooting.

Tisch previously described the shooting as a premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack. Kenny on Monday said the three-page document found on Mangione indicated he had ill will toward corporate America.

We dont think that theres any specific threats to other people mentioned in that document, Kenny said.

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The words delay, deny and depose were written on the ammunition found at the scene of Thompsons killing, according to Kenny. The words are similar to a phrase used by critics of the insurance industry.

Mangione has no prior arrest history in New York. Members of the NYPD arrived in Altoona Monday evening to question Mangione.

The FBI offered up to $50,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction in the case. It was not immediately clear whether the McDonalds employee would receive the reward.

Lauren Cook is a digital journalist who has covered local news in the New York City area for over a decade. She has been with PIX11 since 2020. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter.

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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.
ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ)  After an arrest was made in Altoona Pennsylvania, authorities have identified Luigi Mangione as the prime suspect in the NYC killing of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

Mangione was reportedly found with writings on him when arrested at a McDonalds while eating breakfast that may become the motive behind the killing, NYC officials said. Altoona police also informed the NYPD that he was found with a 9mm gun that appeared to be a 3-D printed ghost gun.

Murder of United Healthcare CEO leads to person of interest in Altoona, Pa.

Who is Mangione?

Luigi Mangione, 26, was born and raised in Maryland, according to NYPD Chief of Detective Joe Kenny. Axios and Mangiones profile on goodreads.com shows his last known address was in Honolulu. Officials said he also had ties to San Francisco.

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Born in Towson, Maryland, Mangione went to school at Gilman School in Baltimore as a child until 2016, his Facebook profile shows. Mangione went on and graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and claims to have an M.S.E. and B.S.E. in Computer Science, according to his X profile.

A timeline of the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and search for his killer

Mangiones Facebook reads that hes a co-founder of AppRoar Studios, an app development company. AppRoar Studios hasnt had much of a social media presence over the past few years and hasnt made any Instagram posts since the account was started.

Mangione appeared to be active on X with retweets from others on various subjects including technology vs mental health, what seems to be human immortality vs human extinction and appears to have a disdain for corporate America.

Stay up to date with the latest news in the palm of your hand. Click here to download the WTAJ app for Apple and Android devices.

While he mentioned in a 2022 tweet on X that its one of the most exciting times on Earth, Mangione may now spend most of that time behind bars if hes guilty of whats been alleged.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Media representatives from over 20 media outlets across the Asia-Pacific region have gathered in China's Harbin to explore the charm of the "Ice City." #GLOBALink




During Donald Trumps latest appearance on NBC News Meet the Press, the president-elect assured host Kristen Welker that hes open to working with congressional Democrats to protect Dreamers  a label used to describe undocumented immigrants who entered the U.S. as children.

When Welker specifically asked, You want them to be able to stay, thats what youre saying? Trump replied, I do. I want to be able to work something out.

Of course, shortly after taking office in 2017, the Republican said Dreamers should rest easy about his immigration policies. He soon after betrayed them, rescinded the program and its protections for the young immigrants, and tried to use them as political pawns. For those inclined to take his latest comments at face value, Id recommend caution: Trump hasnt exactly earned credibility on the subject.

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Nevertheless, a casual observer mightve seen this part of the interview and wondered whether the president-elect is moderating a bit on matters related to immigration and the border. The rest of the interview, however, proved otherwise. NBC News reported:

President-elect Donald Trump said in an interview with Meet the Press moderator Kristen Welker that you have no choice but to deport everyone who is illegally in the U.S., including possibly removing the American citizen family members of those deported. Trump also said he will move to end birthright citizenship  long enshrined in the 14th Amendment of the Constitution  which would strip rights from those born in the country to undocumented parents.

Right off the bat, the glaring contradiction matters: The president-elect can support making a deal to help Dreamers stay in the United States, or he can insist that U.S. officials have no choice but to deport every person who is on American soil illegally. He cannot, however, do both.

But even more important is the profound radicalism of the Republicans vision: Trump envisions a policy in which American citizens are kicked out of the country.

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Let me ask you about another group of people, the estimated 4 million families in America who have mixed immigration status. So Im talking about parents who might be here illegally, Welker said, but the kids are here legally.

I dont want to be breaking up families, Trump replied. So the only way you dont break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back.

As for U.S. Constitutions 14th Amendment, which guarantees citizenship for those born in the United States, the president-elect confirmed during the on-air interview that he intends to end birthright citizenship on the first day of his second term. Asked about trying to get around constitutional law with an executive action, Trump seemed determined.

[W]e have to end it, he added, referring the 14th Amendments protections. Were the only country that has it, you know.

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As is often the case, Trump was referring to a made-up detail  more than 30 countries around the world have birthright citizenship  because he often struggles with the policy specifics surrounding his own plans.

Nevertheless, if the Republican is serious about this vision, the fights  legislative, legal and political  are going to be brutal. Watch this space.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
There was an impressive ceremony in Paris on Saturday marking the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral, and some prominent Americans were in attendance. First lady Jill Biden was there, for example, and she was seated near Donald Trump, who was making his first overseas trip since becoming president-elect.

This wouldnt be especially notable were it not for the fact that the Republican quickly put an image from the event to unusual use. USA Today reported:

Get a whiff of this: For $199, you can smell the sweet scent of victory. And who can resist that? Not even your enemies, according to President-elect Donald Trump, who is hawking his Fight Fight Fight line of mens and womens fragrances. In a Truth Social post on Sunday, Trump shared a picture of himself having a pleasant exchange with first lady Jill Biden with a tongue-in-cheek caption: A fragrance your enemies cant resist.

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On Friday, the president-elect used his social media platform to tout the Trump-branded perfumes and colognes, and directed supporters to a sales website. I call them Fight, Fight, Fight, because they represent us WINNING, the Republican wrote, referring to the fragrances. Great Christmas gifts for the family.

It was two days later, however, when Trump published a follow-up item featuring an image of the president-elect and the incumbent first lady, alongside A fragrance your enemies cant resist text.

Its unclear whether Dr. Biden approved of her image being used in the Republicans commercial enterprise, though I have a hunch I know the answer to that question.

But while that seems like a relevant detail, its also worth pausing to appreciate the larger context: Americans have never seen a president-elect sell so much branded merchandise.

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To be sure, the Republican is no stranger to selling stuff. Indeed, as regular readers know, one of the many strange things about Trumps 2024 campaign was the frequency with which the Republican would unveil new branded merchandise that had nothing to do with his candidacy. In fact, the list of side-deals became a running joke: The GOP nominee pitched everything from Trump-branded watches to silver Trump commemorative coins, batches of digital trading cards to a weird cryptocurrency project, gold sneakers to Trump-endorsed Bibles.

But at the time, it seemed plausible to think that he was trying to cash in while he had the chance: There was a possibility that Trump, already cash strapped, might lose the election, limiting his money-making opportunities.

Now that Election Day has come and gone, it stands to reason that his sole focus would be on his return to the White House, not merchandising.

And yet, here we are.

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On Friday, a half-hour after encouraging supporters to buy Trump-branded fragrances, the Republican also published an item encouraging supporters to buy Trump-branded watches. (The most expensive of the timepieces cost $100,000.)

And did I mention the Trump-branded guitars? Because they became available after Election Day, too.

Theres no modern precedent for anything like this, and it renews questions about the president-elects controversial personal finances and the motivation behind the schemes.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Those hoping to see Donald Trump held criminally liable for his post-defeat efforts in 2020 have reason to be disappointed: Left with few choices, special counsel Jack Smith and his team have grudgingly agreed to wrap up their compelling, backed-by-voluminous-evidence felony cases against the president-elect.

That said, theres still another avenue that isnt yet closed. Politico reported:

Donald Trump isnt off the hook for Jan. 6 just yet. Though the criminal cases against him are all but dead, Trump is likely to be fighting eight civil lawsuits  from members of Congress and injured police officers  deep into his second term. They may be the last form of legal redress Trump faces for his role in spurring the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021.

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Given the extensive focus on the criminal charges that the president-elect has faced, its easy to forget about the civil litigation related to Jan. 6 that hes faced  and continues to face.

For those who might benefit from a refresher, in the aftermath of the insurrectionist violence, among those who filed lawsuits against Trump were police officers injured during the insurrectionist violence. In fact, multiple cases were filed:

In March 2021, two Capitol Police officers, James Blassingame and Sidney Hemby, sued Trump, claiming he was liable for the injuries they suffered during the riot.

In August 2021, seven more police officers who were attacked and beaten during the Capitol riot sued the former president.

In January 2022, three more police officers  including two who aided the evacuation of lawmakers  sued Trump, seeking damages for their physical and emotional injuries.

In January 2023, the longtime partner of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who died after the Jan. 6 riot, filed a wrongful death civil suit against Trump.

The New York Times reported the suits have all been consolidated for the moment in front of Judge Amit P. Mehta, who has handled several criminal cases related to the riot. The plaintiffs have accused the incoming Republican president of conspiracy to violate civil rights, incitement to riot, battery, assault, disorderly conduct and infliction of emotional distress, among other things.

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To be sure, even if Trump were to lose the civil suits, there would be no criminal consequences, but they could prove to be politically embarrassing and financially costly. Indeed, lets not forget that hes suffered several major legal setbacks and defeats in recent years  the E. Jean Carroll case, the Trump Organizations fraud case, the demise of his fraudulent charity, the demise of his fraudulent university, et al.  and those were all civil cases.

Whats more, while the Justice Department has a policy prohibiting federal criminal charges against a sitting president, the U.S. Supreme Court has already ruled that sitting presidents can face civil suits while in office, and claims from Trumps lawyers that hes immune in these cases have already been rejected by two courts.

Watch this space.

This post updates our related earlier coverage.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
Todays installment of campaign-related news items from across the country.

* In Texas, Republican state House Speaker Dade Phelan announced Friday that hes ending his bid to keep his leadership post. The incumbent has faced allegations from within his party that he simply isnt far enough to the right, and Donald Trump tried to derail his career in a GOP primary in May. (Phelan won re-election anyway.)

* Lara Trump, the president-elects daughter-in-law, is stepping down as co-chair of the Republican National Committee after nine months on the job. She also appears to be angling for an appointment to the U.S. Senate, hoping to succeed incumbent Republican Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, whos likely to become the next secretary of state.

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* Democrat Andy Kim of New Jersey is poised to be sworn in as the U.S. Senates newest member, succeeding appointed Democratic Sen. George Helmy, who filled the vacancy left by former Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez.

* On a related note, Democrat Adam Schiff of California is also poised to join the Senate. In addition to having won a Senate term of his own last month, Schiff also won a special election to fill the remainder of the current term, succeeding appointed Democratic Sen. Laphonza Butler, who filled the vacancy left by the late Democratic Sen. Dianne Feinstein.

* During Donald Trumps Meet the Press interview, NBC News Kristen Welker asked the president-elect, For the sake of unifying this country, will you concede the 2020 election and turn the page on that chapter? The Republican replied, No. No. Why would I do that?

* Following an election cycle in which House Democrats narrowed the Republican majority in the chamber, party leaders have decided to keep Washington Rep. Suzan DelBene on for another term as chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

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* And though the public didnt know it at the time, post-election campaign finance reports show that the Senate Majority PAC, the top Democratic super PAC in Senate races, invested $4 million into Dan Osborns independent campaign in Nebraska. Osborn lost to Republican Sen. Deb Fischer last month by roughly six points  in a state Trump won by 21 points.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
In July, just a few days after President Joe Biden ended his re-election bid, as Democrats rallied behind Vice President Kamala Harris 2024 candidacy, Donald Trump turned his attention to something unexpected.

In a rant published to his social media platform, the Republican condemned a gag order imposed on him months earlier in his criminal case in New York, slamming the order as unconstitutional. The then-candidate went on to claim that the order was interfering with his candidacy  he didnt say how or why  and suggested the gag order was part of an electoral conspiracy.

Can this really be allowed to stand? Trump concluded. The answer, evidently, is yes. The Washington Post reported:

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The Supreme Court on Monday declined to lift the gag order placed on President-elect Donald Trump that bars him from talking about people involved in his New York criminal trial that resulted in his conviction for trying to influence the 2016 election. The justices did not offer a rationale for why they were keeping in place the order by New York Supreme Court Justice Juan M. Merchan, who presided over the trial in which Trump was found guilty on 34 felony counts of making hush money payments to an adult-film actress to keep her quiet about their sexual relationship.

In case anyone needs a refresher, It was in April when Judge Merchan first imposed a gag order on the then-GOP candidate in his hush-money/falsifying-business-records case. Trump responded soon after by going after the judges daughter  publicly and repeatedly  which led to a revised gag order.

The Republican was told he could still talk publicly about much of the case  at the time, he spoke of little else  but among other things, the criminal defendant was told to refrain from making public statements related to jurors and witnesses.

When Trump played fast and loose with the boundaries, he was held in contempt and faced financial penalties in the form of thousands of dollars in fines.

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While a jury ultimately found the defendant guilty on 34 counts, the defendant and his attorneys have continued to challenge the legality of the gag order, though each of those efforts have failed.

As for Trumps underlying claim that gag orders are unconstitutional, no court has ever reached such a conclusion. When accused criminals are out on bond, they have to meet a variety of conditions, including refraining from making public comments that might interfere with the judicial proceedings. It's pretty standard stuff.

The president-elect would have Americans believe that hes some kind of victim. Those claims have never made any sense, and they apparently didnt generate much sympathy from the U.S. Supreme Court.

This post updates our related earlier coverage.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
There are a surprising number of common denominators tying together Donald Trumps personnel decisions for his second term. As regular readers know, the president-elect has, for example, announced plans to nominate a great many contributors to the right-wing Project 2025 blueprint. Hes similarly tapped some people whove faced sexual misconduct allegations. He also apparently wants a variety of former television personalities and snake oil salesmen on his team.

The Republican also appears to have an inordinate fondness for people from Florida.

But the list keeps growing.

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Trump has picked several billionaires. The New York Times noted last week that the president-elect has chosen at least five billionaires to serve in key roles in his incoming administration, and in the days that followed, Trump chose billionaire entrepreneur Jared Isaacman to lead NASA and billionaire Stephen Feinberg for a leadership position at the Pentagon. A variety of others have reportedly amassed comparable net worth.

Given these extraordinarily wealthy peoples vast business interests, theres no shortage of questions about ethics and potential conflicts of interest.

Trump has picked some ex-cons. Two weeks after Election Day, Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama assured the public that Trump wouldnt choose a criminal for a governmental position. About a week later, the president-elect announced his intention to nominate Charles Kushner  an ex-con convicted of tax evasion, witness tampering and making illegal campaign contributions, whom Trump pardoned four years ago  to serve as the U.S. ambassador to France.

Days later, the president-elect tapped Peter Navarro, who completed a prison sentence earlier this year after being convicted for contempt of Congress, for an advisory post at the White House.

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This comes on the heels of a campaign season in which Trump critics noted that hed surrounded himself with a surprising number of convicted criminals.

Trump has picked a lot of failed candidates. Roll Call ran an interesting item late last month with a headline that read, Trumps second administration set to be filled with losers. From the article:

For someone who has made winning a key part of his personal, professional and political brand, Donald Trump is set to rely on a large stable of losers in his second term. The president-elect has tapped more than a dozen people who previously lost elections to join his administration next year.

In all, according to the Roll Call report, at least 17 of the president-elects personnel choices have previously lost elections. After the report was published, Trump tapped former Sens. David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler  both Georgia Republicans who lost elections in the recent past  for prominent positions in the upcoming administration.

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In fact, three Republicans ended up losing Senate races in Georgia in 2020  Perdue, Loeffler, and former Rep. Doug Collins  and now all three of them have been tapped for Trump administration jobs.

There are still open slots that need to be filled. Watch this space.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
In recent years, some of the most eloquent commentary related to the Jan. 6 attack has come, unexpectedly, from federal judges, many of whom have sentenced insurrectionist rioters. Judge Royce Lamberth, a Reagan-appointed jurist, has been especially outspoken, warning of a vicious cycle ... that could imperil our institutions if Americans, upset with future election results, resort to the vigilantism, lawlessness and anarchy that occurred on January 6, 2021.

We as a society, as a community, and as a country cannot normalize the events of Jan. 6, Lamberth added earlier this year.

The judge clearly hasnt changed his mind. As last week came to an end, and three more men who participated in the assault on the U.S. Capitol were sentenced to prison, Lamberth declared, No matter what ultimately becomes of the Capitol riots cases already concluded and still pending, the true story of what happened on January 6, 2021 will never change.

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The phrasing was not accidental: By referring to the uncertainty surrounding the cases, the jurist was implicitly acknowledging the fact that Donald Trump might soon pardon the rioters  a commitment the Republican has emphasized publicly for more than two years.

Two days later, the public saw the president-elects latest appearance on NBC News Meet the Press  his first sit-down interview since Election Day  which featured Trumps vow to act very quickly to set free Jan. 6 criminals, adding that Americans should expect to see him take these steps on the first day of his second term. (He said there might be some exceptions for crazy people. In the same exchange, he peddled nonsense about law enforcement operatives infiltrating the mob.)

As NBC News report noted, Trump also didnt rule out pardoning people who had pleaded guilty, even when host Kristen Welker asked him about those who had admitted assaulting police officers. Because they had no choice, the president-elect added.

In context, it wasnt altogether clear whether he meant that the rioters who violently clashed with police officers had no choice but to plead guilty or whether they had no choice but to attack law enforcement, but either way, Trump apparently intends to give the violent criminals get-out-of-jail-free cards.

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But as part of the same interview, the Republican didnt just defend Jan. 6 rioters, he also lashed out at those who investigated the assault on the Capitol. The New York Times report noted:

For what they did, honestly, they should go to jail, Mr. Trump said of [former Rep. Liz] Cheney, a Republican who represented Wyoming, and the rest of the bipartisan House committee that looked into the attack.

Its important to emphasize that the president-elect, during the same Meet the Press appearance, said that he wouldnt direct the Justice Department or the FBI to prosecute Jan. 6 committee members  none of whom have been credibly accused of any wrongdoing.

But thats far more provocative than it might seem at first blush.

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On the surface, Trump was effectively arguing that he thinks the bipartisan Jan. 6 panel is filled with criminals, but he would refrain from siccing federal law enforcement on the committees former members. But just below the surface, there are key details that deserve attention.

First, there are ample reasons to believe the Republican will do the opposite, because his record is littered with allegations that he did, in fact, give explicit directions to prosecute his perceived political opponents.

Second, in the Meet the Press interview, Trump said, in reference to FBI officials, If they think that somebody was dishonest or crooked or a corrupt politician, I think [Kash Patel] probably has an obligation to do it. The president-elect has, of course, falsely accused Jan. 6 committee members of being dishonest, crooked and corrupt.

But perhaps most importantly, were dealing with a rhetorical shell game. As the Times Jonathan Swan summarized, Trump is sending clear public signals to his nominees that he wants retribution, although he is then saying he will not direct them to act. But by saying that Jack Smith is corrupt and that members of the Jan. 6 committee belong in prison, Trump is making no secret of what he wants his Justice Department to do.

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Exactly. The president-elect just told a national television audience that he believes the Jan. 6 committee was comprised of criminals. At that point, whether he literally directs the FBI or the Justice Department to launch investigations is largely irrelevant.

Trump expects loyalists to make him happy  and he just left no doubts as to what would make him happy. The message wasnt subtle, and it was almost certainly noticed by those eager to do his bidding.

The Republican doesnt have to make direct orders under circumstances like these. Hes eager to install partisan loyalists in positions of authority, while making his preferences known. Its expected that theyll know precisely what to do, making the discussion about pre-emptive pardons all the more relevant.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
The far right is rejoicing at Daniel Penny being found not guilty of criminally negligent homicide in the May 2023 New York City subway strangling death of Jordan Neely.

Penny, who is white, put Neely, a Black man, in a chokehold for six minutes while other train passengers captured the incident on film. Pennys lawyers argued that he believed Neely was a volatile, mentally ill man who posed a threat to the public. Neely was unarmed and had a muffin in his pocket, but Penny quickly became a hero to the right wing.

Right-wing figures, including one Donald Trump staffer, immediately took to social media and rejoiced at the verdict on Monday.



X screenshot Dan Scavino Jr. @DanScavino: JUSTICE HAS PREVAILED (sharing Fox News video of verdict)

X screenshot Libs of TikTok @libsoftiktok: BREAKING: Daniel Penny found not guilty of negligent homicide. His other charge of manslaughter was dismissed last week. HES A FREE MAN (sharing news video on verdict from Fox News)

X screenshot TONY @TONYxTWO: DANIEL PENNY ACQUITTED!!!! HE IS A FREE MAN AND A HERO  (resharing Fox News video posted by Dan Scavion Jr.)

X screenshot Hugo Vale @HugoVale_: The fact that there was a chance that he'd be found guilty is what's most concerning about our justice system.. The man was a real hero. 11:38 AM  Dec 9, 2024  8,246 Views

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X screenshot Sage Steele @sagesteele: I have chills. Praise God. Daniel Penny remains a hero in my book.  (quote tweet of Libs of TikTok)

Some took aim at the Manhattan district attorney, Alvin Bragg, for bringing charges against Penny in the first place. Bragg is also hated by MAGA for successfully prosecuting Donald Trump for paying off an adult film star to hide their affair before the 2016 election.

X screenshot Ben Shapiro @benshapiro: America needs more men like Daniel Penny. America needs fewer prosecutors like Alvin Bragg. 12:02 PM  Dec 9, 2024  159.9K Views

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said Pennys acquittal was clearly the just and correct verdict.

I must admit I was skeptical that a jury in New York City would reach a unanimous not guilty verdict, and the jury deserves credit for doing the right thing, DeSantis said. Meanwhile, is there a worse prosecutor in America than Alvin Bragg?

The right-wing reaction to Pennys acquittal seems to echo the rulings exonerating Kyle Rittenhouse for shooting demonstrators in Kenosha, Wisconsin, in 2020, and George Zimmerman for shooting unarmed 17-year-old Trayvon Martin in Sanford, Florida, in 2012. In all three cases, the perpetrator was lionized by the far right as making justified killings against criminals, rather than enacting vigilante justice fueled by racism.


On the turquoise waters of the Arabian Gulf, an elegant black vessel carves its way through a gentle swell. Its long, low, pitch-black hull curves gracefully up into a tall prow that is mirrored at the stern. Above the broad deck, a wide stretch of square sail, as dark as the boat itself, bulges with the wind and pushes the boat onwards. There is something deeply pleasing about the ships dimensionsit looks right. For the archaeologists on board, it is a breathtaking achievement: A working reconstruction of a ship not seen for millennia and the return of a once common sight off the shores of Arabiathe Magan Boat.

As the UAE explores its past, the history of its lands and peoples, the Saadiyat Cultural District in Abu Dhabi is a focal point for learning. Research conducted here is peeling back the layers of time, not only to uncover what life was like for the early inhabitants of the land, but also to shine a light on the regions often overlooked importance to the wider ancient world. Archaeology on Marawah Island, west of Abu Dhabi, has revealed that 8,000 years ago the Arabian coast was home to a sophisticated seafaring people. They built stone structures, herded livestock, fished and dived for pearls, crafted jewelry, and developed a talent for sailing that started a remarkable cultural exchange.

By the Bronze Age, around 4,500 years ago, the region was prominent enough to have a name in ancient writings: Magan. From the island of Umm an-Nar, in modern Abu Dhabi which was part of ancient Magan, merchants sailed an international trade route that connected Mesopotamia, in what is now Iraq, to the Indus Valley in todays India and Pakistan. Magan traded locally sourced pearls, stone and copper, one of the most sought-after commodities of the time, for ceramics, fabrics, jewelry, and other precious objects. Its ships were renowned through the Arabian Gulf.

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In 2021, a collaboration between Zayed National Museum, Zayed University and New York University Abu Dhabi, brought together a team of international and local specialists to solve the challenge of how to make a boat that could have plied such long distances. With only a few surviving fragments and images to work from, the groundbreaking project relied on research, hypothesis, and experimentation. The boats shape was based on ancient engraved seals, the broad materials were described on an ancient clay tablet, and the tools and techniques were those of traditional Bronze Age craftsmenwith not a nail, bolt, or screw in sight.

The reconstruction of the Magan Boat was an exercise in research, hypothesis, and experimentation, with craftspeople using Bronze Age tools and techniques. Photograph courtesy of the ZAYED NATIONAL MUSEUM

The ship was built using 15 tons of locally sourced reeds that were painstakingly prepared by being soaked, stripped of leaves, crushed, and then tied into bundles using rope made from date palm fibers. These formed the hull, to which was attached a wooden frame. The boats dimensions were calculated based on what is known about similar vessels as well as hydrostatic analysis of what was needed to make it float. The reed hull was then waterproofed with a coating of bitumen, which was traded from Iraq. The heavy sail, raised purely by muscle without the benefit of pulleys, was crafted of goats hair in a patchwork of shades that suitably reflect the vessels organic, imperfect nature.

Every step was an experiment driven by curiosity and passion, especially among the many young students who volunteered to help. Combining in-depth historical research with a methodical scientific approach, the team meticulously tested everything from ropes and knots to the strength needed for the reed bundles, and the optimum mixture for the bitumen. The result was the worlds largest ever reconstructed Bronze Age vessel: 60 feet long, capable of carrying 36 tons of cargo, and achieving surprisingly high speeds of 5.6 knots. Cutting confidently through the waters of the Arabian Gulf, the Magan Boat is a tangible demonstration of how ships of such size and strength would have revolutionized international trade.

The Magan Boat during its sea trials off the coast of Abu Dhabi. Capable of carrying 36 tons of cargo at speeds of more than five knots, the reconstruction showed how effective maritime trade could be. Photograph by EMILY HARRIS for the ZAYED NATIONAL MUSEUM

As such, the Magan Boat contributes to the broader purposes of Saadiyat Cultural District, which consciously brings together diverse cultures and fosters knowledge and understanding through its museums, educational, and cultural institutions. The Magan Boat will be displayed in the Zayed National Museum, the principal museum of Saadiyat Cultural District. Among the district's many museums, visitors can engage with stories of natural history, cultural heritage, and contemporary creative expression that collectively tell the story of the United Arab Emirates, the world, and the connections that have fostered creativity and innovation for millennia.

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Just as the original Magan boats connected civilizations, the reconstruction has brought together many different nationalities and disciplines. Its experimental archaeology has deepened our understanding of the regions past, how its people lived, and how they interacted with the wider worlda fascinating and important story that has long been overlooked. Around 2350 BCE, King Sargon of Mesopotamia wrote with pride that boats from Magan were docked in his capital of Akkad, near modern Baghdad. Today, there is a similar sense of national pride in the UAE that a Magan boat is at home in Abu Dhabi.
Immigrant farm workers harvest broccoli on March 16, 2006 near the border town of near San Luis, south of Yuma, Arizona. (David McNew/Getty Images)

Maines governor and two federal lawmakers are calling on President Joe Bidens administration to make permanent a temporary rule that increased the automatic extension period of work authorizations for immigrants and asylum seekers, citing the current backlog as a threat to the livelihoods of those workers as well as employers amid nationwide staffing shortages.

Democratic U.S. Rep Chellie Pingree, independent U.S. Sen. Angus King and Democratic Gov. Janet Mills sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Ur Jaddou on Friday to expeditiously codify the automatic extension of expiring Employment Authorization Documents for up to 540 days.

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[Employment Authorization Documents] allow immigrants and asylum seekers to provide for themselves and their loved ones and integrate into their new communities while navigating the adjudication process, they wrote. They also provide critical relief to employers.

Nearly two jobs are open for every job seeker in Maine, they wrote, adding that every willing and able worker makes a difference.

The automatic extension period was increased to up to 540 days from 180 days under a temporary rule issued in April, but the Maine officials are seeking to make that rule change permanent. Currently, USCIS has a processing time of 12 months, which would be double the automatic extension time if the rule isnt codified.

As of June 30, 2024, 900,000 people were waiting for their initial EAD application to be processed, while an additional 500,000 were seeking renewals.

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Given these numbers and that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services anticipates their processing workload to increase, significant delays in authorizations and renewals are continued to be expected, the lawmakers concluded.

While we appreciate the efforts USCIS has made to resolve this issue, such as using supplemental funding appropriated by Congress to alleviate staffing shortages and investing in improved technology, more relief is needed, they wrote.

These Maine officials have also been pushing to expedite work authorizations.

Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, asylum seekers currently have to wait 180 days after filing for asylum to obtain a work permit. Leaders of immigrant rights groups in Maine argue shortening the waiting period would help alleviate constraints in providing resources, such as housing to new arrivals, while also addressing the workforce shortage.

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In 2023, Pingree introduced a bill in the U.S. House to shorten the waiting period to 30 days, as well as eliminate the 2-year renewal schedule, which she argues places unnecessary bureaucratic burdens on USCIS and creates costly delays for immigrants.

Her counterparts in the Senate, King and Republican Susan Collins, proposed similar legislation, however their plan would require asylum seekers to enter the U.S. through an official port of entry. For that reason, Pingrees version has been the preferred choice of many immigrant rights groups in Maine.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
by Ding Yinghua, Zhang Zhaoqing, Zhang Xinwen

BRUSSELS, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) has been persisting in its regulatory push to lead global digital governance since 2018, but questions remain about whether its approach balances protecting society with fostering innovation.

Will its hardline stance help realize a visionary "man + machine" future, or does it risk stifling innovation and ultimately sidelining Europe in the race for technological supremacy?

SWORD IS DRAWN

OpenAI's Advanced Voice Mode, launched in May, was delayed for months before reaching EU due to regulatory requirements, while Meta's Llama AI model remains unavailable, citing the unpredictable regulatory environment.

Over the past decade, the EU has emerged as a global trailblazer in digital governance, beginning with the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) in 2018.

It sets new global data privacy standards and imposed significant compliance costs on tech giants, including a 91 million-euro (96 million -U.S.-dollar) fine for Meta this year.

The EU's regulatory ambitions have since expanded with the Digital Services Act (DSA) and the Digital Markets Act (DMA), aiming to curb the dominance of tech giants like Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, Meta, Microsoft, and ByteDance.

Under DSA rules, Meta's Facebook and Instagram are being investigated for potential violations of EU online content regulations on child safety.

The EU has also pursued several high-profile antitrust cases this year, with Meta fined 797.72 million euros, Google loosing a 2.42-billion-euro appeal, and Apple ordered to repay 13 billion euros in back taxes.

The new European Commission has emphasized its commitment to tighter oversight of digital markets. New antitrust chief Teresa Ribera has vowed dedication to vigorously enforcing the DMA.

A range of aggressive actions reflects EU's intent to strengthen its digital sovereignty and shape global digital governance through "Brussels Effect," said Lin Ying, a cyber and data security PhD researcher at Vrije Universiteit Brussel.

GUARDRAILS OR ROADBLOCKS?

The EU's zeal to solidify its "Brussels Effect" through sweeping regulations has sparked debate over whether its approach builds trust or stifles innovation.

The newly adopted AI Act, the world's first comprehensive AI law, categorizes AI systems by risk levels: "minimal," "limited," "high risk,"and "unacceptable," and will impose fines of up to 7 percent of global revenue for non-compliance.

This framework, while aiming to ensure ethical AI use, has caused unease among tech firms. In a September open letter, executives from over 20 major companies, including Meta, warned that ambiguities around data usage for AI training could chill innovation.

Some tech giants, including Google, Meta, and Apple, have delayed product launches in the region in recent years.

Local tech firms also felt the strain. Andreas Cleve, CEO of Danish health-tech Corti, which is classified as "high risk," has said that the costs of compliance, estimated by European officials to run into six-figure sums for a 50-member company, amount to an extra "tax" on the bloc's small enterprises.

Giuliano Noci, a strategy and marketing professor at the Politecnico University in Milan, warned Europe's regulatory primacy may come at a price. "Being the first to regulate is not a good thing, because our companies are under more constraints compared to their counterparts from other countries," the professor said.

EUROPE'S TALENT DRAINS

Swedish fintech Klarna has planned to seek U.S. listings. Stripe's Collison brothers and WhatsApp's Jan Koum moved to the U.S. before launching their companies.

Europe boasts world-class talent, but its entrepreneurs often look abroad for opportunities.

Data show that the EU lags behind in producing unicorn startups valued at over 1 billion U.S. dollars. As of May 2024, EU hosts less than 9 percent of the world's over 1,200 unicorns, compared to more than 50 percent in the United States and 14 percent in China, according to research firm CBInsights.

Between 2008 and 2021, 40 percent of Europe's 147 unicorns relocated abroad. Former Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi attributed this exodus to the lure of abundant U.S. venture capital and the prospect of faster growth and higher profitability.

Right after the rollout of GDPR, experts had warned of its chilling effect on European ventures. Now the trend may be repeating over generative AI.

According to the European Parliamentary Research Service, in 2023, the United States led private investment in AI with 62.5 billion euros, followed by China with 7.3 billion euros, while the EU struggled to catch up.

"Imagine if the Continental Congress in North America had attempted to regulate all uses of electricity and its applications in the 18th century," said Henrique Schneider, the chief economist of the Swiss Federation of Small- and Medium-sized Enterprises.

Regulating a multipurpose and versatile technology right at its inception is misguided, Schneider warned.

Yet, concerns linger over charging full steam ahead into uncharted territory with unpredictable outcome, compounded by risks of misuse and overdependence.

Geoffrey Hinton, known as the "godfather of AI," quitted Google in 2023 over concerns about inadequate risks assessing by the company, warning the humanity could be walking into a "nightmare."

While regions like Japan and the United States take more flexible approaches, the EU opted to establish itself as a global AI hub and create trustworthy AI ecosystem with comprehensive and stringent governance.

For now, with the rules still in their infancy, the EU's goal of achieving a "man + machine" future, rather than "man vs. machine," remains a work in progress.

Although the EU's strict AI regulations have faced various criticisms, it is widely agreed that simply letting market forces steer the way forward is surely not an ideal option. (1 euro = 1.06 U.S. dollars) 
Educators meet for listening sessions conducted by the Teach Maine Center, a teacher-led effort to recruit and retain Maines workforce developed by Educate Maine and the Maine Department of Education. (Courtesy of Educate Maine)

Dozens of Maine educators said the states support for education, autonomy in the classroom and tight-knit communities were appealing factors to stay in the profession. But because of various barriers including low pay, restrictive certification requirements and limited pathways to becoming a teacher, Maine is suffering from the same educator shortage as the rest of the country.

Thats according to a report released through the new Teach Maine Center, a teacher-led effort to recruit and retain Maines workforce developed by Educate Maine and the Maine Department of Education.

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In recent years, staffing shortages have been a major issue across the state, with hundreds of unfilled teacher, education technician and school bus driver positions (although data on current open positions is not collected at the state level, by the Maine Department of Education or other organizations). The shortages can be attributed, in part, to the financial and policy barriers to becoming a teacher, as well as the average teacher salary, which advocates say is inadequate in the face of rising costs.

Maine teachers love what they do. They also face deep, systemic challenges in their day-to-day work, for which there are no easy fixes, the report said. Fewer and fewer people are entering the teaching profession over time.

While Maine educators often find teaching to be a meaningful and rewarding profession, the cost-benefit analysis of an increasing workload, expectations from administrators and parents, and the low pay combined with the rising costs of housing and teacher certification means more teachers are leaving the profession entirely. That means the state has to develop new strategies to make the profession more attainable, attractive and financially sustainable, the report said.

Between October 2023 and May 2024, the Teach Maine Center conducted listening sessions with more than 240 educators throughout the state. They represented all grade levels, including early childhood and adult education and at least 157 different schools from 100 districts. The feedback from the listening sessions will inform the priorities for the Teach Maine Center and the development of a strategic plan.

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One of the biggest issues for a lot of Maine teachers remains a largely underpaid, stressful work environment with a lack of support, according to the report.

What surprised us a bit was that there were themes across all 16 counties regardless of where folks were teaching, said Jason Judd, executive director of Educate Maine. We heard so much about creating more pathways into the teaching profession by addressing things like teacher certification as well as supporting grow your own programs for ed techs and other school staff that might want to be teachers in the future.

Maine educators discussed the changing nature of teaching, including the growing workload, high expectations from administrators and parents, and challenges managing classrooms with increasing student behavioral challenges.

But new teachers are also facing barriers entering the profession, the report found. Most Maine teachers are still using traditional routes, including an undergraduate teacher preparation program or certification course after completion of a bachelors degree. Options for alternative certification are particularly limited in rural or coastal counties.

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The Maine Department of Education said it processed 34,794 applications for certification and/or background check clearance to work in Maine schools during the 2023-2024 school year. While those numbers do not represent approval status of applications  nor the number of certified individuals actually working in Maine  more applications were processed in the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 school years than in the two years before the COVID-19 pandemic, a department spokesperson said.

The number and diversity of barriers to becoming a teacher in Maine is astonishing given that there is such an intense workforce shortage  more must be done to alleviate barriers to joining the profession, the report said.

Recommendations based on educator feedback

The center offered recommendations based on feedback from educators, ranging from quick fixes to large-scale policy changes. One key focus was eliminating barriers to certification, including finding alternative pathways for districts to help ed techs or other school staff pursue teacher certification, accepting out-of-state certifications, and counting prior work experience toward certification.

The State Board of Education, which develops the rules for teacher education and certification, is currently accepting public comments ahead of changes to the states certification requirements, Judd said.

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Its a really important time for educators to weigh in on how they can make changes to the teacher certification system to support new pathways into the profession, because we do have a pretty traditional pathway into the profession in Maine, Judd said, adding that he believes theres an openness to identifying and making some changes in order to make it more flexible but still have rigorous pathways to ensure that we have the best educators all across the state.

Another proposal is increasing teacher compensation, such as providing financial support for certification, paying student teachers while theyre completing required credits, and raising salaries for teachers and ed techs.

Educator salary increases were considered by the Maine Legislature this past year, though measures to increase minimum teacher and support staff salaries were introduced but died when the session ended.

Finally, the report emphasized the need to bring teachers together for peer learning opportunities, professional development and mentorship to address the complaint that teaching can sometimes feel isolating.

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The funding for these initiatives would have to come from partnerships between the state, various nonprofit organizations and higher education institutions, Judd said. While its unclear how much, he believes that in order to implement the report recommendations, the state budget would need to include educator workforce reform.

It all comes down to mentorship and support, a teacher from Cumberland County quoted in the report said. The Center could identify educators who would like to become teachers and help them find those pathways, and then support them through those years when they first start at teaching.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Religious leaders and parishioners gathered Sunday for the first time since a fire ravaged Paris' iconic Notre Dame cathedral five years ago, celebrating the medieval church's rebirth and marking the consecration of its altar.

Catholic faithful stood outside in the cold and the rain.

Inside hundreds of worshipers gathered in the newly rebuilt sanctuary to experience the music from the painstakingly and meticulously cleaned 8,000 pipe organ, bringing Notre Dame's interior to life after more than half a decade of silence, when a rogue fire destroyed much of the religious and cultural icon.

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A new altar and golden cross have been installed, and fire doors and sprinklers have been added as modern additions. The Crown of Thorns, said to be the wreath placed on Jesus Christ's head during his crucifixion, and one of the cathedral's most sacred items, will sit in a reliquary.

A cruise boat passes underneath a bridge near the Notre-Dame on the re-opening day of the world-famous cathedral in Paris, France, on Sunday. Hundreds of worshippers gathered as the medieval cathedral officially rang its bells again today for the first time in five years after it burned down in a devastating fire. Photo by Maya Vidon-White/UPI

The restoration was completed last week and French President Emmanual Macron took a tour to see the makeover, which includes a total rebuild of the historic and soaring ornamental wooden spire, known as "la fleche," or arrow in French, which required 500 tons of timber coated with 250 tons of lead.

"It's going to come back to the Parisian landscape for many years to come," Patrick Jouenne, the project's lead carpenter, told the PBS Newshour. Jouenne left his regular job not knowing if he would even be working on the spire but, while not especially religious, said he felt there was something guiding him to the work.

Visitors take selfies in front of Notre-Dame on the re-opening day of the world-famous cathedral in Paris, on Sunday. Photo by Maya Vidon-White/UPI

"We had to use exactly the same techniques as before or at least assemble things as closely as possible to make it look 100 percent like what was there before. So I looked back at the documents from 1858 by the carpenter at the time. And, wow, what an honor to touch the papers drawn by the former workers involved in the project. It was really moving."

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Macron set a five-year deadline to rebuild the mammoth and historic cathedral, a huge undertaking for a world- renowned icon, much of which had been reduced to smoking ash by the blaze. It took three quarters of a billion donated dollars to complete the rebuild.

Visitors look at Notre-Dame on the re-opening day of the world-famous cathedral in Paris on Sunday. Photo by Maya Vidon-White/UPI

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In addition to the iconic spire, Notre Dame has been refurbished and reconstructed to be as historically close as possible to the original, which opened in 1163. The effort is in no small part due to the efforts of the chief architect, Philippe Villeneuve.

"When I was young, I used to build my model of Notre Dame out of wood, cardboard, whatever you like," he said. "And when I closed the vault of the north transept, which was the first vault we closed, well, I felt like I was still 16.

Villeneuve credited not only the tight five-year deadline imposed by Macron, but also generous donors who made paying for the rebuild possible

"And we really have to thank them, because this is the first time we have been able to say that we built a cathedral almost entirely from the inside out," Villeneuve said.

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Beyond the reconstruction of the spire and the expansive and intricate architectural work to restore the icon's most basic foundation, Notre Dame's interior was also completely cleaned, returning it to its nearly original condition. It had become nearly unrecognizable over the centuries.

"The masonry in particular was very dark," archaeologist Dr. Dorothee Chaoui-Derieux said. "It was the dust of centuries that had finally accumulated. Me, in my memory, I really had the image of a very, very dark, very dark cathedral. The stained-glass windows had not been cleaned for a very long time as well. There, we will find a stone that is very, very blond."

"We owe this metamorphosis to you," Macron told the reconstruction team. "You were the magicians of this construction site and you changed charcoal into art," the PBS Newshour story reported.
Dec. 8She never made it to Fort Knox.

But as America's 45th treasurer, the first Native American to hold the post, Lynn Malerba left her mark on U.S. currency and, more important, on U.S. relations with Indian Country as the first head of the Department of the Treasury's Office of Tribal and Native Affairs.

Malerba, 71, back home in Niantic after serving in President Joe Biden's administration for a little more than two years, said Friday she's taking a bit of a break before resuming her duties as chief of the Mohegan Tribe.

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"It was such an adventure," she said of her tenure as treasurer, which ended three weeks ago. "I had done work on the federal level for years, always on the advocacy side, not the agency side. This was about how you get things done."

As a former nurse, she said the pace was sometimes slower than she would have liked.

Never, she said, did she intend to serve beyond the Biden administration's current term. She said that wouldn't have changed if Kamala Harris, Biden's vice president, had been elected president last month instead of Donald Trump.

Long before her swearing-in as treasurer on Sept. 12, 2022, Malerba, then a member of the Treasury Tribal Advisory Committee, had pushed for the creation of an office of tribal affairs in the Treasury Department. It was an honor, she said, to "stand up that office as treasurer."

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She cited some of the office's "multiple achievements" during her stint as treasurer. One involved the adoption of proposed rules for implementing the Tribal General Welfare Exclusion Act, a 2014 law that sought to limit federal taxes on government services provided to Native American populations. In some areas, Malerba said, basic government-provided goods and services like food, clothing and health care have been taxed when they shouldn't be.

"We've now written guidance and have submitted it to tribes for consultation," she said. "We're very excited about it."

In October, the Treasury Department and the Internal Revenue Service introduced a proposal to clarify the tax-exempt status of tribe-owned businesses, making them eligible for certain clean energy tax credits.

Malerba said she she's been proud of the Treasury Department's disbursement of tens of billions of dollars in Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act and American Rescue Plan Act funds to tribal nations, highlighting the example of an Oklahoma tribe that was able to erect a cell tower that provided some 1,000 tribal members with wireless service for the first time.

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That tribe's leaders' first call was to the Treasury Department.

Malerba said she's confident the department's office of tribal affairs will continue to ensure the federal government consults tribes when considering policies that affect them.

"We've definitely had a lot of influence," she said. "There was a commitment on the part of this administration, starting with Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, who worked hard to be inclusive of tribes. The level of attention tribes have received is gratifying. ... Tribes work hard to develop good relations with all administrations."

Signing on

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Malerba said she's "a little sad" about not getting an opportunity to visit Fort Knox, the depository in Kentucky where much of the United States' gold reserves are kept. Oversight of the facility is one of the treasurer's duties, as is oversight of the U.S. Mint, which produces the country's coinage, and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which prints all currency. Malerba also served as a liaison to the Federal Reserve and as a senior adviser to Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen in the areas of community development and public engagement.

President-elect Trump has nominated Scott Bessent, a hedge fund manager, to be Yellen's successor.

Malerba said she visited the U.S. Mint and the Bureau of Engraving and Printing many times and developed a good understanding of the manufacturing process. She also visited the Massachusetts factory that produces the cloth  a combination of linen and cotton  used in currency and met with engravers.

She said U.S. currency has more than 300 security features and that the government works constantly to stay ahead of counterfeiters.

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At the time of her swearing-in as treasurer, she provided the signature that eventually will appear along with Yellen's on all denominations of currency  the only U.S. currency to bear signatures of two women. Not all denominations bearing their signatures are yet in circulation.

Malerba said she was asked to sign her name seven times and to select the version she preferred. She signed "Lynn Roberge Malerba," including her maiden name. She didn't use her given first name, Marilynn, because "not even my own parents called me that," she said.

The first bills with the Malerba and Yellen signatures were produced at a plant in Fort Worth, Texas, in December 2022. They began circulating in early 2023.

"It was just such an honor to be asked to be treasurer," Malerba said. "There's nothing better than making your family, your tribal family, your state proud of the work you do, and to be so well received everywhere you go. ... I was only able to do it because my own tribe allowed me to take a sabbatical."

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Upon her return, she foresees a shift in focus.

"I don't plan to work so much on federal policy," she said. "I want to engage more deeply in the cultural aspects of my role (as chief). I want to become more fluent in the language, to be a beader, to be more present and available to leadership ..."

"I have some historical context," she said.

b.hallenbeck@theday.com
TOBYHANNA, MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Police say a man was arrested after he started a standoff with officers and fled from the window of a home.

According to the Pocono Mountain Regional Police Department, on Monday, December 9 around 1:00 a.m. officers were called for a welfare check at Vista Drive in Tobyhanna.

Officers said they were told a domestic dispute was happening inside a home where 21-year-old Donti Jackson had pointed a gun at family members. The family was able to safely exit the house after Jackson threatened to not let anyone leave, police stated.

Monroe County Prison: Donti Jackson

Woman charged after crashing car while doing makeup

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Investigators set up a perimeter and began negotiating with Jackson to exit the house however he refused, the press release states. After a long period, police said Jackson jumped from a side window and fled into the community.

A K9 team began tracking and officers were able to arrest Jackson several hundred yards away from the home.

Jackson has been charged with aggravated assault, escape, flight to avoid arrest, terrorist threats, and other related offenses.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
ST. GEORGE, Utah (ABC4)  An 18-year-old man is now facing charges of sexual abuse and kidnapping after allegedly grabbing a woman in a St. George parking lot in November.

Police say Oliver Hepworth, 18, attacked the woman on Nov. 18 near 38 West Tabernacle Street. Hepworth was reportedly walking in the opposite direction of the victim when they crossed paths. He then followed the woman onto an elevator.

The victim made her way to her car and opened the drivers side door. Once the door was open, Hepworth allegedly grabbed her by the waist and the back of her head forcing her into her car. The victim reportedly screamed several times, causing Hepworth to let her go and flee the scene, according to court documents.

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When speaking with police, Hepworth allegedly admitted to being high on methamphetamine at the time of the incident. He also allegedly claimed to have been kidnapped at gunpoint by five people in a black SUV.

How cold was the coldest day on record in Utah?

He stated the group initially forced him into a vehicle at gunpoint and offered him drugs and $2,000 to find a random person and make them scream,' police said in a booking affidavit.

Hepworth later admitted to lying, saying he drove himself to the parking garage and was walking around, police said. He allegedly told investigators that he feels horny when he gets high and noticed the victim wearing a short skirt. He reportedly said he knew there were bars in the area and assumed she might have been drinking and feeling the same way.

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Police said Hepworth allegedly admitted to grabbing the victim from behind, saying he was trying to catch a feel. According to court documents, he told investigators that he would have asked her if he could catch a feel if she would not have screamed.

Hepworth was booked into the Washington County Jail, facing third-degree felony charges of attempted forcible sexual abuse, third-degree felony aggravated kidnapping, and misdemeanor assault.

He has been ordered to be held without bail, pending a pretrial hearing.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
A passenger aboard a Mexican airline flight to Tijuana on Sunday allegedly tried to divert the aircraft to the United States by use of force, according to the airline Volaris.

After departing from El Bajio en route to Tijuana, the passenger tried to forcibly redirect the aircraft, prompting an emergency landing at Guadalajara International Airport, the airline said in a news release.

The crew acted according to established security procedures and, according to protocol, the plane was diverted to the airport in Guadalajara, where the airline turned the passenger over to the custody of competent authorities, Volaris said.

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The National Guard was notified, according to the Federal Civil Aviation Agency, known as AFAC, though its specific role remains unclear. The passenger was detained without further incident in Guadalajara, AFAC said in a statement.

Officials have not explained what type of force the passenger allegedly used or where in the United States the individual, who was not identified, demanded to go.

CNN reached out to Mexicos federal Department of Security and Volaris for comment but did not immediately hear back.

The rest of the passengers were protected and able to continue on to their final destination, said the airline.

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All crew members also were safe, according to Volaris, and the aircraft was not damaged. The airline said it regrets the inconvenience and that the safety of its passengers and crew remains its top priority.

CNNs Amanda Jackson and Andy Rose contributed to this report.

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Authorities on Monday arrested a Maryland native and one-time Gilman School valedictorian in connection to Wednesdays fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City  a killing that gripped the country and ignited debate about health care in America.

Luigi Nicholas Mangione, 26, was eating at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania Monday morning when an employee recognized him  police had widely circulated surveillance footage of an alleged shooter  and called local police, authorities in New York told reporters at a news conference.

Mangione is the grandson of a self-made real estate developer, Nicholas Bernard Mangione, who rose from humble roots in Little Italy to develop a portfolio that included Turf Valley Resort and Hayfields Country Club, the Lorien nursing homes and radio station WCBM-AM.

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Responding officers questioned the suspect who was acting suspiciously and carrying multiple fraudulent IDs as well as a U.S. passport, New York City Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference. Upon further investigation, officers recovered a firearm on his person, as well as a suppressor  both consistent with the weapon used in the murder.

Tisch and Joseph Kenny, chief of detectives at NYPD, added that police in Pennsylvania found clothing, including a mask, matching the description of the shooter in Manhattan, on Mangione. The officials described the firearm confiscated from Mangione as an untraceable ghost gun that may have been manufactured with a 3D printer.

The police in Pennsylvania also took from Mangione a three-page, handwritten document that suggested he has some ill will toward corporate America, Kenny told reporters, saying he could not elaborate until his investigators had an opportunity to review the document in its entirety.

Mangione has not been charged in Thompsons killing. Kenny said the office of Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg would work with its counterparts in Pennsylvania, where hes expected to face gun charges, on extradition.

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In Maryland, several Gilman graduates were stunned that a former valedictorian at the prestigious private school was now considered a person of interest in a homicide of international intrigue.

When he addressed the graduating class of 2016, Mangione characterized his classmates as having incredible courage to explore the unknown and try new things, according to Gilmans report on the Class of 2016.

Mangione said members of the class came up with ideas such as selling Chick-fil-A sandwiches at lunch as a class fundraiser, and in sixth grade, starting grassroots recesses for kids to play rather than wait for class to begin.

He went on to thank Gilmans families and teachers.

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Our imagination draws from your inspiration, and our courage largely depends on your encouragement in the classroom, on the field, and on the stage, he said.

Mangiones yearbook said he was nicknamed Pepperoni and was involved in robotics and the model U.N. He played soccer during his freshmen and sophomore years, according to the yearbook. He added a note to his parents.

Ill admit, no matter how much I hated it at the time, your sending me to Gilman was the best thing thats ever happened to me, Mangione wrote.

He also wrestled at Gilman at one point, stories in The Baltimore Sun at the time show.

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One of his Gilman classmates, Freddie Leatherbury, was shocked that Mangione was suspected in the shooting.

He would be the last one I would think would do something like this, Leatherbury said. He was a nice kid. He was the valedictorian.

Leatherbury said Mangione joined the prep school in sixth grade, describing him as a brainy kid and a big math guy who belonged to a number of academic clubs.

Another Gilman classmate, Maxwell B. Strome, said he last spoke with Mangione in January 2023. Strome said Mangione had posted on Instagram Story about a book by Tim Urban, Whats Our Problem?: A Self-Help Book for Societies that he had also read.

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Barnes & Noble describes the book as a deep and expansive analysis of our modern times by the writer of the popular blog, Wait But Why.

We talked a little bit, said Strome, a machine learning engineer in California. He had left his job and was doing more yoga and reading.

Mangione matriculated to the University of Pennsylvania after high school, majoring in computer science for his bachelors degree and computer and information sciences in a simultaneous masters, according to a university spokesperson.

Gilmans head of school, Henry P.A. Smyth, sent a message to the school community saying staff only recently became aware of Mangiones arrest.

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This is deeply distressing news on top of an already awful situation, Smyth said. Our hearts go out to everyone affected.

Authorities have said little about what motivated the shooter to target Thompson outside a hotel in Manhattan early Wednesday morning.

Tisch said the document police recovered from him speaks to both his motivation and mindset, but noted that her investigators were on the way to question him in Pennsylvania.

Our NYPD investigators combed through thousands of hours of video, followed up on hundreds of tips, and processed every bit of forensic evidence  DNA, fingerprints, IP addresses and so much more  to tighten the net, Tisch said, adding that the department deployed drones, K-9 units and scuba divers and conducted aviation canvasses as part of its probe.

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Amongst the various false identifications police in Pennsylvania found on Mangione was a fraudulent New Jersey ID that Tisch said the suspect used at his New York City hostel prior to the shooting incident. Kenny added investigators were still retracing how Mangione traveled from New York to Pennsylvania.

The words deny, defend and depose were found emblazoned on the ammunition, echoing a phrase used by insurance industry critics, law enforcement officials previously told The Associated Press.

In a statement Monday, a spokesperson for UnitedHealthcare thanked law enforcement, pledged to continue working with police and asked for privacy on behalf of Thompsons family.

Our hope is todays apprehension brings some relief to Brians family, friends, colleagues and the many others affected by this unspeakable tragedy, the spokesperson said.

Have a news tip? Contact Jean Marbella at jmarbella@baltsun.com, 410-332-6060 and x.com/@Jean_Marbella. Contact Alex Mann at amann@baltsun.com and @alex_mann10 on X.
BALTIMORE  The person arrested in connection to Wednesdays fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City is a Maryland native and former graduate of the Gilman School in Baltimore, according to authorities.

Luigi Nicholas Mangione, 26, was eating at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, Monday morning when an employee recognized him from photos circulated by authorities and called the police, Joseph Kenny, chief of detectives of the New York Police Department told reporters Monday.

Responding officers questioned the suspect who was acting suspiciously and carrying multiple fraudulent IDs as well as a U.S. passport, New York City Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch said at a news conference. Upon further investigation, officers recovered a firearm on his person, as well as a suppressor  both consistent with the weapon used in the murder.

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The gun was an untraceable ghost gun capable of firing 9 mm rounds, Kenny said. It may have been made on a 3-D printer, he added, saying police would conduct ballistics testing and investigate how the Mangione got the gun.

Tisch added that the suspect had clothes and a mask consistent with those worn by our wanted individual. Police in Pennsylvania also found a handwritten document that speaks to his motivation and mindset in the fatal shooting.

Kenny said that the three-page document was in the possession of police in Pennsylvania and that he couldnt speak to all its contents, but added that it suggested, it does seem he has some ill will toward corporate America.

Mangione is not yet charged in Thompsons shooting and Kenny said authorities in New York would work with their counterparts in Pennsylvania, where hes expected to face gun charges, on extradition.

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Mangione was the valedictorian of his class at Gilman in 2016.

A Gilman classmate, Freddie Leatherbury, said he almost had a heart attack from the shock of seeing that Mangione was suspected in the shooting.

He would be the last one I would think would do something like this, Leatherbury said. He was a nice kid. He was the valedictorian.

Leatherbury said Mangione had joined the private prep school in sixth grade. He was a brainy kid, he said. He was a big math guy, and belonged to a number of academic clubs.

Another Gilman classmate, Maxwell B. Strome, said he last spoke with Mangione in January 2023. Strome said Mangione had posted on Instagram Story about a book by Tim Urban, Whats Our Problem?: A Self-Help Book for Societies that he had also read.

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Barnes & Noble describes the book as a deep and expansive analysis of our modern times by the writer of the popular blog, Wait But Why.

We talked a little bit, said Strome, a machine learning engineer in California. He had left his job and was doing more yoga and reading.

Gilman Head of School Henry P.A. Smyth sent a message to the school community saying staff only recently became aware of Mangiones arrest.

This is deeply distressing news on top of an already awful situation, Smyth said. Our hearts go out to everyone affected.

In a statement Monday, a spokesperson for UnitedHealthcare thanked law enforcement, pledged to continue working with police and asked for privacy on behalf of Thompsons family.

Our hope is todays apprehension brings some relief to Brians family, friends, colleagues and the many others affected by this unspeakable tragedy, Thompson said.

_____
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Officials with the San Diego County Sheriffs Department said deputies are searching for a suspect after a man was attacked in an apparent road rage incident Sunday in East County.

A call came in at 11:51 a.m. reporting that two men were allegedly engaged in a road rage altercation at Broadway and Grove Street in Lemon Grove. It was reported that the suspect, armed with a metal bat, struck the victim multiple times.

Deputies responded to the scene, finding the victim who refused to accept medical attention. Meanwhile, the suspect reportedly fled the scene in a White Acura.

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Officials with the Sheriffs Department described the suspect as a Black man with dreadlocks who was last seen wearing green colored clothing.

An investigation into the altercation remains ongoing. Anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
BRUSSELS, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Chinese firms remain cautiously optimistic about the EU market amid rising policy uncertainty, according to a report released on Monday by the China Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU) and global consultancy Roland Berger.

Ninety percent of surveyed Chinese firms in the EU say that the adverse effects of EU policies focused on "economic security" and "de-risking" are undermining business confidence, the report said.

In sectors such as electric vehicles, anti-subsidy investigations have prompted over 30 percent of firms to adjust their investment plans, the report said.

Despite the challenges, Chinese firms expressed cautious optimism about the EU market. Around 21 percent of the surveyed companies consider the EU their most important market outside China, and 66 percent expect its strategic importance to grow over the next one to three years.

More than half of respondents remain positive about the medium- to long-term prospects for China-EU trade and economic relations, particularly in areas like green cooperation. Enhanced collaboration, they said, could accelerate the EU's digital transition, advance AI applications, and strengthen industrial supply chain complementarities.

Noting that the EU and China remain important for each other amidst geopolitical shockwaves, Denis Depoux, global managing director at Roland Berger, said it is hoped both sides could understand each other's concern and drive the resolution of some issues through new strategies and rebalanced environments.

Chairman of the CCCEU, Liu Jiandong, highlighted the strong economic ties between China and the EU, with daily trade exceeding 2 billion euros (2.11 billion U.S. dollars) in 2024. At Monday's event, he emphasized Chinese firms' contributions to EU tax revenue, job creation, and innovation through research, design, and production facilities across the region.

"With the 50th anniversary of China-EU diplomatic relations approaching in 2025, we are willing to join hands with European partners to inject new vitality and momentum into the long-term development of China-EU relations," Liu added. 
A person of interest in the deadly shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was questioned in Pennsylvania.

Police say the man, Luigi Mangione, 26, of Maryland, was stopped at an Altoona-area McDonalds because of reports that he looked like the shooting suspect.

According to a criminal complaint, Mangione was found sitting in the McDonalds with a laptop and a backpack. He provided officers with a fake ID from New Jersey.

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Authorities later said a McDonalds customer first recognized him and notified an employee.

The complaint said officers asked Mangione if he had been to New York recently and he got quiet and started shaking, the complaint said.

When the ID came back with no results, Mangione provided officers with his real name and date of birth. When asked why he lied about his name, he said, I clearly shouldnt have, the complaint said.

Mangione was found with a 3D-printed gun similar to the one used in the shooting and a silencer. The New York Times reports that the man had a written manifesto that criticized health care companies for putting profits above care.

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Mangione is a University of Pennsylvania graduate and most recently lived in Hawaii.

He has not been charged in Thompsons death, but was arrested on unrelated weapons, forgery and other charges. He was ordered held without bail after brief court appearance.

The sources tell NBC New York that NYPD detectives are in the area to question Mangione and assist local investigators.

Thompson was killed Wednesday morning outside the New York Hilton Midtown. Police believe it was a targeted attack and the shooter acted alone.

CLICK HERE FOR A TIMELINE OF EVENTS

The gunman fled to Central Park after the shooting, and police have been in the area collecting evidence for days. It is believed he left New York City by bus soon after the shooting. The man was spotted on several surveillance cameras  in a taxi, at a bus depot and at a hostel.

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Two young children were at a state-licensed day care center when police found numerous bags of fentanyl and methamphetamine, and a local man is now facing drug trafficking charges, the district attorney said Monday.

Antonio Tony Solano, 40, of Lawrence, pleaded not guilty to the charges during his arraignment Monday in Lawrence District Court, Essex County District Attorney Paul Tucker said in a statement. Judge Carol Ann Fraser set bail at $25,000.

Solano is charged with trafficking in 36 grams or more of fentanyl, two counts of trafficking in more than 10 grams of fentanyl, distribution of methamphetamine, distribution of a Class B substance, and possession with intent to distribute a Class B substance, Tucker said.

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Former chief of staff to Lawrence mayor pleads guilty to child porn charges

Solano was charged after police found a variety of suspected drugs in the Sixta Child Daycare on Ames Street on Friday, Tucker said. The district attorney did not disclose Solanos connection, if any, to the day care center, or where the drugs were found in the center.

According to online state records, Sixta Peralta Nunez operates the day care center, which provides day care for up to six children on the first floor of 346 Ames St. The state renewed the license for the day care facility on June 30, 2023, after it was first licensed on June 30, 2008.

On Friday, state police detectives assigned to Tuckers office, the Massachusetts State Police Northshore Gang Unit, and Lawrence Police detectives executed a search warrant at the day care that yielded numerous plastic bags of suspected drugs including fentanyl and methamphetamine, Tucker said. Two young children were present at the day care when police executed the search warrant.

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Solano is scheduled to return to court on Jan. 3 for a probable cause hearing.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY)  The long-time boyfriend of a Morgantown woman who went missing in May and was found buried in a shallow grave last month had allegedly threatened to kill her before she disappeared and lied about his alibi after she went missing.

Joseph Nevera, 51, of Morgantown, was charged with murder in the death of Kimberly Osborne, 47, over the weekend. A criminal complaint obtained by 12 News on Monday says that Osbornes body was found less than 2.5 miles from Neveras home.

Joseph Nevera

According to the complaint, Osborne had spent the day before her disappearance with Nevera; witnesses said the pair had been arguing that that Osborne was collecting items from Neveras home with the intention of moving to a cabin away from Neveras house.

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She was seen on gas station surveillance footage on Fairmont Road in Morgantown on May 12 and was never seen or heard from again, the complaint said.

Detectives with the Monongalia County Sheriffs Office said in the complaint that Osborne told multiple people approximately a month before her disappearance that if something happened to her, Joe Nevera was responsible. She also told witnesses that Nevera had showed her an open grave at an unknown location and threatened her that if she did not change her behavior, she would end up there, the complaint said.

Large hole on I-79 South to be repaired within 24 hours, WVDOH says

Detectives said that Nevera was interviewed in May after Osbornes disappearance and provided an alibi for the night she went missing; however, that alibi was later proven to be partially false, the complaint said.

Kimberly Osborne

Nevera said that on the night of May 12, he had driven Osbornes truck to the cabin she was moving to while she remained at his home, and surveillance footage showed her truck going toward the cabin. However, the complaint said that in the video, about 20 minutes later, her truck came back up the road with another truck following behind with no lights on.

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Detectives said after Osbornes remains were found in November buried in a shallow grave, concealed from the road and hidden approximately 2.3 miles from Neveras home, the investigation concluded that Joseph Nevera murdered Kimberly Osborne.

Nevera is charged with first degree murder and is being held without bond in the North Central Regional Jail.

Law enforcement with the Monongalia County Sheriffs Office, FBI Pittsburgh, West Virginia State Police, Monongalia County Prosecutings Attorneys Office and Pennsylvania State Police Remains Detection K9 Division, as well as the Forensic Anthropology Team from Mercyhurst University, assisted with the case over course of the seven-month investigation.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
WACO, Texas (FOX 44)  A Waco man has been arrested after sending lewd messages and images to a minor who turned out to be McLennan County Sheriffs Office (MCSO) investigators.

The Sheriffs Office announced Monday mornng that its Human Trafficking/Child Exploitation Unit arrested an individual for Online Solicitation of a Minor, a second-degree felony. This comes as part of an ongoing proactive investigation aimed at protecting children from online predators.

Investigators posed as a minor online and were contacted by a suspect identified as Ignacio Perez, of Waco. The Sheriffs Office says Perez believed he was communicating with a 15-year-old girl and engaged in inappropriate behavior by sending sexual comments, propositions, and an explicit image.

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Man charged with having sex with underage runaway

Upon confirming Perezs identity and residence, the Sheriffs Offices Trafficking Unit collaborated with the Fugitive Apprehension & Special Tasks (FAST) Unit to coordinate his arrest. Perez was taken into custody on November 21st and charged with Online Solicitation with Minor  Solicit to Meet.

This case remains under active investigation.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44.
ROARING CREEK TOWNSHIP, COLUMBIA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Authorities say a Columbia County man is displaced after a fire broke out in Roaring Creek Township Sunday afternoon.

Shortly after 4:30 p.m., the Fire Chief of Valley Chemical Fire Company, Mark Sharrow, told 28/22 News crews were called to the 1800 block of Old Reading Road in Roaring Creek Township for a reported structure fire.

4 hospitalized after Hazle Township crash

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Chief Sharrow explained that a generator sparked the fire which spread from the summer kitchen to the main house.

Officials say there are no reported injuries in the fire and the scene was cleared at about 8:05 p.m.

Chief Sharrow said the fire is being ruled accidental.

The Red Cross was called to help the man after being displaced, as the home is likely a total loss, Chief Sharrow explained.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  A man is facing charges for embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from a local Saladin Shriners organization, the Kent County Prosecutors Office said.

Richard Ivan Williams is facing three counts of embezzlement over $100,000 and three charges of embezzlement of at least $50,000 but less than $100,000, the prosecutors office said. The most serious charge carries a maximum of 20 years in prison.

The prosecutors office said that the earliest charge stems from theft in 2019 and the latest from July. The release did not specify how much was stolen.

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The Saladin Shriners is a local chapter of a fraternal organization focused on community service and philanthropy. It supports Shriners Childrens, a network of many pediatric hospitals and medical clinics. The Shriners have been around since 1922, according to the organizations website.

In a Monday afternoon interview, Prosecutor Chris Becker said his office seeks restitution in embezzlement cases to help victims get back what they lost. But its rare that actually happens, especially a loss of this magnitude.

The restitution order remains in place until somebody pays it off in full, but we dont necessarily see it all get paid back because people are taking money for a reason, Becker said. They dont have the ability to pay it back.

Williams arraignment date hasnt been released.

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News 8 has reached out to the Saladin Shriners organization for a comment and has yet to hear back.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
For a previous report on this story view the video player above.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  A man charged in the murder of a 20-year-old in east Columbus 11 months ago was found guilty and will serve at least 18 years in prison.

According to court documents, a Franklin County Court of Common Pleas jury found Dayveion Carroll guilty of two counts of murder and a weapons charge pertaining to the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Saadiq Teague.

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Suspect dead, officer stabbed at Richland County restaurant

Teague was found in the 100 block of South Hampton Road during the afternoon of Jan. 16 in the Eastmoor neighborhood. Witnesses reported they heard yelling and screaming and between 10-to-15 pops in the alley behind some South Hampton Rd. homes.

Police said Carroll was considered armed and dangerous after being identified as a suspect on Jan. 19 and he was arrested four days later.

Carroll was found guilty on two counts of murder, which were merged together for sentencing. A judge issued him a prison sentence of 15-years-to-life, plus three years for having weapons under disability.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
The News

New York prosecutors charged Luigi Mangione, 26, with murder in connection to the Dec. 4 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, court documents show.

Mangione was detained on Monday and questioned by police after an employee in a McDonalds in Altoona, Pa. called 911. He presented police with what appeared to be the same fake ID used to by the suspect to check in to a New York City hostel prior to the murder, police sources told The New York Times.

Mangione was also carrying a gun that resembled the murder weapon, police said, as well as what cops described as a manifesto that criticized health care companies for prioritizing profit margins over patients. Mangione was arrested on gun charges in Pennsylvania and is expected to be extradited to New York.

Know More

The UnitedHealthcare CEOs murder and the suspects escape set off a multi-state manhunt and put new scrutiny on companies executive security measures. Some of the reaction from the public, however, pointed to pointed to deeper concerns, experts said.

Sociologist Zeynep Tufekci warned in The New York Times that the the currents we are seeing are expressions of something more fundamental, comparing contemporary concerns over immigration, inequality, and technological change to the 19th centurys Gilded Age.
A man stabbed Saturday in a fight at a North Highlands Walmart is in a hospital and his suspected juvenile attacker was in custody.

Sacramento County Sheriffs deputies were looking for at least one other suspect, described as a teenage boy, connected to the fight at the Walmart, 4675 Watt Ave. at Wynona Avenue. The stabbing happened just before 7:30 p.m. Saturday, according to Sheriffs Office dispatches reviewed by The Sacramento Bee.

The fight and stabbing appear to have happened in the bicycle section of the store, according to the dispatches. The suspect was detained by Walmart security and was said to have received a small cut on the hand.
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) is investigating after a man was shot in Northeast D.C. on Sunday night.

MPD responded to the intersection of 19th and Rosedale Streets shortly before 9:30 p.m. A man was found suffering from a gunshot wound to his upper body.

DC police investigate deadly stabbing in Northwest DC

DC Fire and EMS took him to the hospital while conscious and breathing.

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Anyone with information is asked to contact MPD at (202) 727-9099 or text the departments tip line at 50411.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly resigned and arrived in Russia for asylum as his government collapsed on Sunday following a sweeping offensive by militant groups. #GLOBALink
A man was killed and a youth injured when Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces conducted an operation against members of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in the West Bank, the WAFA news agency reported.

The PA said it had moved against "lawless" elements in a days-long operation aimed at restoring law and order in Jenin in the north of the West Bank. The man killed was 19, and the youth, who suffered a serious head injury, was 16, the report said.

Jenin has long been seen as an Islamist stronghold. Israeli security forces have mounted repeated operations in the city.

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A PA spokesman told WAFA that numerous arrests had been made and that mines and explosives intended for targeting Israeli forces had been removed.

Hamas and the PIJ, which are battling Israel in the Gaza Strip, accuse the PA of collaboration with Israel.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  Police on Monday identified a person of interest related to the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown last week.

Luigi Mangione, 26, was arrested by the Altoona Police Department on unrelated firearms charges Monday, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. He was taken into custody after he was recognized by a McDonalds employee, Tisch added.

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Mangione was found with a fake New Jersey ID that was used at a Manhattan hostel where the gunman was believed to have stayed before the shooting, according to Tisch. Officers found a ghost gun on the man, as well as a suppressor consistent with the weapon used in the shooting, law enforcement officials said.

Mangione was also found with clothing and a mask that matched last weeks shooting, Tisch said. He was found with a handwritten document that speaks to both his motivation and mindset, Tisch added.

We dont think that theres any specific threats to other people mentioned in that document, but it does seem that he has some ill will toward corporate America, NYPD Chief Joseph Kenny said.

Members of the NYPD are en route to question the man, according to sources.

Who is Luigi Mangione?

Mangione is from Maryland but his last known address was in Honolulu, Hawaii, according to Kenny. Mangione has ties to San Francisco, California. Police believe Mangione attended college in Pennsylvania, Kenny said.

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A person with the same name is listed in the University of Pennsylvanias 2020 graduating class with a bachelors degree in engineering and a masters degree. He was a high school valedictorian at a Maryland prep school.

In an email to parents and alumni, Gilman headmaster Henry P.A. Smyth said it recently learned that Mangione, a 2016 graduate, was identified as a person of interest in the CEOs killing.

We do not have any information other than what is being reported in the news, Smyth wrote. This is deeply distressing news on top of an already awful situation. Our hearts go out to everyone affected.

A LinkedIn page purportedly made by Mangione lists Stanford University as a previous employer. A university spokesperson told PIX11 News that a person by that name was employed as a head counselor under the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies program between May and September 2019.

The shooting

Thompson, 50, was arriving at an investors meeting at the New York Hilton Midtown hotel just before 7 a.m. Wednesday when he was shot in the back and leg by a masked gunman, according to the NYPD.

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Thompson was rushed to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The suspect was waiting for the CEO to arrive at the hotel, police said.

The gunman then fled into an alleyway between 54th and 55th streets, where he dropped a cellphone, according to investigators. He then rode an e-bike into Central Park before he was seen in a taxi heading to a bus station, police said.

The handgun used in the shooting is similar to guns used by farmers to put down animals that dont make a loud noise, according to authorities.

The words delay, deny and depose were written on the ammunition found at the scene of Thompsons killing, according to Kenny.

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A backpack believed to belong to the suspect was found in Central Park on Friday, but the gun used in the shooting was not in it, sources said.

More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State

The gunman arrived to New York City by bus, sources said.

The FBI offered up to $50,000 for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in Thompsons death. The NYPD also offered a $10,000 reward.

This story comprises reporting from The Associated Press.

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.

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NEW YORK (PIX11)  A man in Pennsylvania is being questioned on Monday in connection to the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, sources told PIX11 News.

The man is in Altoona, Penn., according to sources. Hes believed to have a gun similar to the one used to kill Thompson in front of a Midtown hotel, sources said.

The NYPD is en route to question the man, according to sources.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
NEW YORK (WPIX)  A man in Pennsylvania has been arrested and charged with murder in connection with the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson after being recognized by a McDonalds employee.

Manhattan prosecutors filed murder and other charges against Luigi Mangione, 26, late Monday, according to an online court docket. He remained jailed in Pennsylvania, where he was charged with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police.

According to court documents, Mangione was sitting at a table in the rear of a McDonalds in Altoona earlier in the day wearing a blue medical mask and looking at a silver laptop computer.

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Once he pulled down his mask, Altoona police officers immediately recognized him as the suspect in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, the documents said.

In some dark corners, this killer is being hailed as a hero. Hear me on this, he is no hero, Gov. Josh Shapiro said during a Monday night press conference. The real hero in this story is the person who called 911 at McDonalds this morning.

Who is Luigi Mangione? Person of interest in CEO killing

This booking photo released Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, shows Luigi Mangione, a suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. (Pennsylvania Department of Corrections via AP)

When an officer asked the suspect if he had recently been to New York, he became quiet and started to shake, according to the documents.

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In his backpack, police found a black, 3D-printed pistol and a 3D-printed black silencer, the documents said. The pistol had a metal slide and plastic handle with a metal threaded barrel.

Authorities said Mangione was also carrying a passport and $10,000 in cash  $2,000 of it in foreign currency. He disputed the amount. Mangione was also in possession of a three-page document with writings critical of corporate America with him, they said.

We dont think that theres any specific threats to other people mentioned in that document, but it does seem that he has some ill will toward corporate America, NYPD Chief Joseph Kenny said.

Mangione had no prior arrests that the NYPD was aware of, and the investigation indicated that the suspect acted alone, they said.

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The suspects arrest came shortly after dogs and divers returned Monday to New Yorks Central Park while the dragnet for Thompsons killer stretched into a sixth day.

Investigators have been combing the park since the Wednesday shooting and have been searching at least one of its ponds for three days looking for evidence that may have been thrown into it.

Thompson was arriving at an investors meeting at the New York Hilton Midtown hotel just before 7 a.m. when he was shot in the back and leg by a masked gunman, according to the NYPD.

He was rushed to a hospital where he was pronounced dead. The suspect was waiting for Thompson to arrive at the hotel, police said.

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The shooter appeared to be lying in wait for several minutes before approaching the executive from behind and opening fire, Tisch said.

The NYPD offered a $10,000 reward for information in the targeted shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown on Dec. 4, 2024. (WPIX/NYPD)

Bullet casings found at the scene had the words deny, defend, and depose written on them, sources previously told WPIX.

A backpack believed to belong to the suspect was found in Central Park on Friday, but the gun used in the shooting was not in it, sources said.

The gunman arrived in New York City on a bus that originated in Atlanta, sources said.

The suspect was believed to have fled the city by bus after the shooting, police said.

The FBI was offering up to $50,000 for information that would lead to an arrest in Thompsons slaying. The NYPD was also offering a $10,000 reward.

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Late Saturday, police released two additional photos of the suspect that appeared to be from a camera mounted inside a taxi. The first shows him outside the vehicle and the second shows him looking through the partition between the back seat and the front of the cab. In both, his face is partially obscured by a blue mask.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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A 35-year-old man sent sexual texts to a preteen girl he met while she was trick-or-treating in Washington, police said.

Now, police are warning parents to be vigilant about whats on their childrens devices

The childs parents discovered sexual text messages from a stranger on her phone and called 911, the Kent Police Department said in a Dec. 9 Facebook post.

Police said the Seattle man, who they did not name in the post, had met the girl while she was trick-or-treating and thought she was pretty and somehow, obtained her cell phone number.

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The two texted for a week before the parents found the messages, police said, and the man had been suggesting they meet up to engage in sexual activity.

The man was arrested on suspicion of communicating with a minor for immoral purposes, police said.

It (seems) obvious to us as adults not to give random strangers our phone numbers or addresses, and not to try to meet up with someone we barely know. But kids lack our experience and think differently, police said in the post.

Police said parents should be aware of whats on their childrens phones, laptops and iPads. Additionally, police advised parents to talk to their children and put safeguards on their devices.

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You would not leave your windows open to allow just anyone to sneak inside. Dont leave your screens unguarded either, police said.

Police did not immediately respond to McClatchy News request for more information on Monday, Dec. 9.

Kent is about a 20-mile drive south from Seattle.

Stranger gropes 12-year-old girl sitting at bus stop, California officials say

11-year-old girl escapes accused kidnappers truck and runs home, Oregon officials say

Man arrested in child molestations dating back decades, CA cops say. More victims sought
A 20-year-old man is dead after the car he was riding in was shot at as it traveled on Interstate 24 over the weekend.

Nashville Police initially said Sunday that one victim, identified as De'Angelo Black, was taken to a hospital from the scene with a gunshot wound. He later died from his injuries, according to a Monday morning statement.

Black was a back passenger in a Saturn Ion Sunday when the occupants of the car got into "some type of encounter" with people in another vehicle at a gas station in North Nashville, police said.

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"The people in the Saturn said the other car followed them onto the interstate, where shots were fired just after they entered I-24 west from I-40," police said in their statement.

Black was the only person hit.

The driver of the Saturn pulled onto the Shelby Avenue exit ramp and flagged down an officer who was working a traffic assignment, police said. Black was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Police believe they found the suspect's car at a North Nashville apartment complex, but the vehicle was unoccupied at the time, the statement said.

Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Police: Man injured in I-24 shooting dies, launching probe
A man who police say spent nine hours with missing Hawaii woman Hannah Kobayashi after she landed in Los Angeles last month has told police that she appeared coherent and normal and was trying to get to a train station, People reported.

Kobayashi, 30, met the man at a Metro stop near Los Angeles International Airport at around 9 p.m. on Nov. 11, police told the outlet. This was three days after authorities said that she flew into LA from Hawaii with plans to catch a connecting flight to New York. For an unknown reason, she instead left the airport, baffling her family.

Kobayashi and the unidentified man struck up a conversation, and he offered to help her get to Union Station, police told People.

A flyer with information on Hannah Kobayashi, currently missing, is displayed on Nov. 21 in Los Angeles. via Associated Press

She just spoke and talked about her life in Maui, her personal life, her love life and so forth. And he just listened to her, Los Angeles Police Department Detective Omar Franco told the outlet.

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Franco said the man offered Kobayashi an ear to listen.

Video of the two walking around the city does not appear to show her in distress. At one point, they passed two police officers without Kobayashi appearing to signal that she needed help, police said.

We see a lot of smiling, LAPD Lt. Doug Oldfield told People. We see smiling from the guy.

Kobayashi and the man made it to Union Station, had dinner together and then both fell asleep inside the station, according to police. In the morning, Kobayashi got up and walk[ed] off on her own, Franco said.

She bought a bus ticket at 6:10 a.m. local time, and at 12:13 p.m. she was seen walking through a tunnel to Mexico while carrying her luggage, police have said.

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She appeared fine. She was with nobody else, Oldfield said at a press conference last week.

The LAPD has since declared Kobayashi a voluntary missing person, meaning authorities now believe she left of her own free will. Authorities have said that theres no evidence that Kobayashi is being trafficked or is the victim of foul play. Shes also not a suspect in any criminal activity.

The LAPD said that its investigation will not continue into Mexico, but that law enforcement will be notified if she returns to the U.S.

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ROME, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed, and nine others injured in a massive explosion at an Eni fuel depot near Florence in central Italy on Monday, according to the Italian media Corriere della Sera. Another three individuals remain missing.

The explosion occurred around 10:15 a.m. at the Calenzano facility of Eni, shocking nearby residents. The blast shattered windows in surrounding buildings, prompting some residents to believe there had been an earthquake or a bomb.

Authorities instructed residents within a five-km radius of the depot to stay indoors and keep their windows shut due to potential health risks from the smoke. The explosion also disrupted regional train services.

The Calenzano facility, covering 170,300 square meters, stores petrol, diesel, and kerosene for later distribution.

Eni, Italy's energy giant, said that the cause of the explosion is under investigation. The company confirmed that the flames were confined to a loading area and did not spread to nearby storage tanks. 
(KRON)  A man who stole a single-engine airplane from Palo Alto before landing on a beach in Half Moon Bay in order to show the government that airports lack proper security, according to the San Mateo County District Attorneys Office, was sentenced in court Friday after pleading no contest.

Luiz Sunrock Gustavo Aires will serve no more jail time after a court sentenced him to 605 days in county prison with 615 days credit for time served and good conduct. Aires, 50, will be under mandatory supervision for 125 days and must pay $58,000 in restitution to the airplanes owner. He must also abstain from alcohol and drugs, possess no dangerous weapons, and be subject to chemical testing, genetic marker testing and search and seizures.

On Feb. 8, Aires walked onto the tarmac at Palo Alto Airport and got into a private American Champion airplane. Starting the single-engine plane without a key, he took off and flew over the San Francisco Peninsulas coastal mountains before landing in the sand between Poplar and Redondo beaches in front of shocked witnesses.

San Mateo County Sheriffs deputies look at a plane that landed on a Half Moon Bay beach on Feb. 8, 2024. (KRON4 Photo / Sara Stinson)

Aires told authorities that he learned how to fly while growing up in Brazil. The $150,000 aircraft was not seriously damaged in the landing, prosecutors said.

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Inside Aires backpack, deputies uncovered identification belonging to three other people. Aires faced three misdemeanor charges of ID theft before they were dismissed as part of a negotiated plea.

Man arrested in connection to UnitedHealthcare CEO shooting has ties to SF

In May, Aires was committed to the California Department of State Hospitals after being found not competent to stand trial. On September 30, criminal proceedings resumed after Aires was restored to competency.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
A man wearing a Syrian flag around his shoulders was set upon in Berlin's Treptow district and beaten up by a group of men he identified as speaking Lebanese Arabic, police in the German capital reported on Monday.

The assault took place shortly before midnight on Sunday. The 26-year-old victim suffered bruises to his face and was bleeding when found by a passer-by on a main thoroughfare in the south-eastern Berlin district, according to the police report.

The passer-by called the police, and the victim was taken to hospital.

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The man told police that he had been walking away from a bus stop when a car stopped. Five men had got out of the car to beat him and kick him until he was unconscious, he said.

There were several demonstrations in Berlin on Sunday by Syrians celebrating the fall of the regime of Bashar al-Assad.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  A man who reports said threatened to blow up City Hall last month because they would not take care of rats in his house has been taken into custody.

Charles Brewer, 64, is expected to be arraigned Wednesday in municipal court on a charge of making terroristic threats, a third-degree felony.

Brewer was taken into custody by police Monday at his home. A warrant was filed Friday in municipal court.

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A police report said Brewer is accused of threatening to blow up City Hall on Nov. 29 while talking to an employee in the Park Department.

Reports said Brewer was upset of rodents in his East Side neighborhood and he had been asking city officials to get rid of them for six months.

Brewer told the employee he would take off his clergy collar to handle the problem and gave a deadline of today to have the problem solved. He also said during the call he was going to blow up City Hall and fill body bags with government officials, a news release from Chief of Detectives Capt. Jason Simon said.

Violent threats such as these  especially toward government officials  have no place in our society, Simon said. They undermine trust and mutual dialogue and are antithetical to making true and meaningful progress.

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Brewer will be held in the Mahoning County jail pending his arraignment.

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West Virginia Sen. Joe Manchin (I) and Vermont Sen. Peter Welch (D) have introduced a resolution to impose 18-year term limits on Supreme Court justices, which would require some turnover on the high court every two years.

Specifically, their resolution calls for a constitutional amendment to institute nonrenewable 18-year terms for new Supreme Court justices, with a new term starting every two years.

The current lifetime appointment structure is broken and fuels polarizing confirmation battles and political posturing that has eroded public confidence in the highest court in our land, Manchin, who is retiring at the end of the year, said in a statement.

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Our amendment maintains that there shall never be more than nine Justices and would gradually create regular vacancies on the Court, allowing the President to appoint a new Justice every two years with the advice and consent of the United States Senate, he said.

Welch, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the measure is intended to restore public trust in our nations most powerful court.

Setting term limits for Supreme Court Justices will cut down on political gamesmanship, and is commonsense reform supported by a majority of Americans, he said.

The proposed amendment would not alter the tenure of sitting justices, who would continue to serve as long as they desire or until incapacitation.

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It would implement a transition period during which 18-year terms would begin every two years regardless of when a current justice leaves the bench, according to an explanation issued by the senators offices.

When a current justice retires, the newly appointed justice would serve out the remainder of the next 18-year term.

It would keep the total number of justices at nine.

The senators pointed out that public confidence in the Supreme Court has plummeted in recent years, as only 16 percent of Americans said they had a great deal of confidence in it after the 2024 term.

An Annenberg Public Policy Center survey of 1,600 U.S. adults conducted in May found that 68 percent of Americans support setting term limits for justices and 71 percent support requiring justices to retire at a certain age.

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A variety of former federal judges and legal scholars support Manchins and Welchs proposal.

Diane P. Wood, a retired U.S. Circuit judge for the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals pointed out that only one state allows judges to serve life tenures without restriction and that most apex courts around the world have implemented term limits.

It is time for the United States to make this change to the federal judiciary. The proposed joint resolution does so in a manner consistent with our constitutional design, Wood said.

Kermit Roosevelt, a professor at the University of Pennsylvanias Carey Law School said the senators proposal offers a non-partisan fix to an appointment process that our political parties have broken in ways the Framers could not anticipate, referring to the politicization of the judiciary.

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Marian Price, the subject of the new historical drama Say Nothing, is set to sue Disney+ for defamation.

The show, which streams on Hulu in the U.S., draws from Patrick Radden Keefe's Say Nothing: A True Story of Murder and Memory in Northern Ireland. In Radden Keefe's book, he argues that Marian killed Jean McConville, and the show takes this one step further, and in the finale, actually shows Marian (played by Hazel Doupe) committing the act.

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"That particular piece of informationthe fact that Marian Price is the killer of Jean McConvillewas vetted before Patrick published," showrunner Joshua Zetumer tells T&C. "That piece of information was confirmed by multiple sources before he put it in the book. He has a ton of journalistic integrity, and he's not putting something in a book unless he knows that it's true. He's not randomly going to point the finger at someone unless he has good reason. Similarly, I wouldn't put it on television if I hadn't been so convinced of the facts that Marian was the shooter."

Niall Carson - PA Images - Getty Images

Now, however, Marian intends to sue for defamation.

Her lawyer, Peter Corrigan, (via the Irish News), As a result of the instant publication, our client has been publicly connected with the murder of the innocent mother, Jean McConvilleThis allegation is unfounded in all respects. Indeed, it is difficult to envisage a more damaging allegation in which to level at our client without any evidential foundation. He adds that the scene in was created for the purposes of theatrical elaboration.

The murder of Jean McConville is one of the most egregious murders pertaining to the Northern Ireland past, to which your publication seeks to identify and allege our clients involvement, Corrigan writes. Given the inaccuracy of the proposed publication and the innuendo that arises from same, the damage to our clients reputation is obvious.

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He also denied Marian's involvement in the McConville murder: It is illustrated by the fact the police didnt even arrest her for this offence because there was not reasonable suspicion of her involvement in the murder of Jean McConville. Corrigan added, As someone who has been involved at every level of the related Boston College criminal proceedings, it is clear that the instant allegation is not based on a single iota of evidence.

The allegations, Corrigan continued, are not only unjustified they are odious insofar as they seek to cause our client immeasurable harm in exchange for greater streaming success. So, he said, Our client has now been forced to initiate legal proceedings to hold Disney to account for their actions.

We'll update this as we learn more about Marian Price's lawsuit against Disney+ and Say Nothing.

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The Maricopa County Republican party asked the Superior Court on Sunday to dismiss its own lawsuit challenging the certification of Proposition 479.

County voters overwhelmingly passed the ballot measure in November. It raises nearly $15 billion for regional highways, roads and bus routes by extending a half-cent countywide sales tax that's existed for 40 years.

Attorney Bryan Blehm had filed the complaint on Nov. 30 in Maricopa County Superior Court, asserting the ballot measure only garnered 59.82% of the vote and should not stand because voters amended the Arizona Constitution in 2022 to "require all tax measures to receive at least 60% of the votes cast."

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Blehm argued the courts should decertify the results because they fell short of the 60% threshold established by the passage of Proposition 132.

But Proposition 479 supporters contended Blehm's legal basis was wrong because Proposition 132 applied to constitutional amendments or statewide actions, which Proposition 479 was not.

Chandler Mayor Kevin Hartke, who also chairs of Maricopa Association of Governments, the quasi-governmental agency that crafts the regional transportation plan funded in-part by Proposition 479, said Monday he was "pleased" that voters' decision to continue developing the "robust transportation system will proceed as planned."

"Maricopa County voters understand our planned investments will reduce congestion, support local business, and increase transportation options for the nearly 5 million people in our region. We look forward to continuing our 40-year legacy of building a strong, vibrant and sustainable region now and into the future," Hartke said in a prepared statement.

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Blehm did not respond to several requests for comment from The Republic since he filed suit. Arizona's Law reported Monday that Blehm said he withdrew the election contest after he "discussed this matter in more detail with my client and after reviewing the motions to dismiss."

(This story was updated with new information.)

Taylor Seely covers Phoenix for The Arizona Republic / azcentral.com. Reach her at tseely@arizonarepublic.com or by phone at 480-476-6116.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Maricopa County GOP files to withdraw suit challenging Proposition 479
Editors note: This article has been updated to include a statement from the Marine Corps.

Nearly half of the amphibious warfare ships Marines need to deploy often are unavailable due to maintenance, according to a government watchdog. How the Navy currently manages those repairs means jarheads will continue to deploy late to the fight.

The Dec. 3 Government Accountability Office report, which detailed an audit from April 2023 to December 2024 at Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, and Naval Base San Diego, California, provided a decades worth of data regarding underperforming amphibious warfare ships.

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In the report, Marine Corps data from 2011 to 2020 showed that the specific class of ships were available for operational tasks only 46% of the time.

Here's what narcos could teach Marines, sailors about 'cocaine logistics'

Earlier this year, meanwhile, the Boxer and America amphibious readiness groups  and their associated Marine Expeditionary Units  were hampered with missed exercises and delayed deployments due to the unavailability of the vessels.

The GAO report made four recommendations to the Navy.

Among them, researchers suggested that the secretary of the Navy as well as the Marine Corps commandant refine definitions on amphibious ship availability and establish a period for completing a joint-service plan on availability concerns.

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The Navy secretary also should ensure that the chief of naval operations updates ship maintenance policy to clarify that depot maintenance should not be canceled for amphibious warfare ships slated for divestment, the report added.

Lastly, the secretary and chief should establish performance goals for implementing amphibious readiness review recommendations, according to the report.

Lt. Col. Joshua Benson told Marine Corps Times in an email statement that the GAO findings and recommendations align with the services perspective on the matter.

The current state of readiness impacts the Marine Corps capacity to support Combatant Commanders needs, to maintain a 3.0 presence with Marine Expeditionary Units performing heel-to-toe deployments, and ultimately limits our ability to respond to crisis around the globe, said Benson, spokesman for Marine headquarters.

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Navy officials concurred in whole or in part with all of the reports recommendations.

The Navy currently has 32 amphibious warfare ships in its fleet, one more than the congressionally mandated requirement. Half of those ships, however, are in non-operational status, though they were previously counted as operational by the Navy, even when undergoing maintenance.

But when a ship is non-deployable, Marines are left high and dry.

Earlier this year the sister services reconciled on the definition of non-operational, which now includes ships in maintenance, though report authors dinged the services for not clarifying what types of maintenance would designate a ship as non-operational.

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The Navy considers a ship undergoing an intermediate maintenance period to be capable of stopping maintenance work and getting underway within four days ... to perform a mission, according to the report.

Repair, maintenance and modernization needs, however, can put a ship out of service for anywhere between six months and three years. One ship identified in the report has gone 12 years without deploying.

But when GAO staff toured the amphibious dock landing ship Germantown in October 2023, officials told them, The ship could not deploy within 96 hours due to the extensive amount of maintenance in its ongoing intermediate maintenance period.

As of September 2024, ships in the Navys amphibious warfare fleet include two (LHA) amphibious assault ships, seven (LHD) amphibious assault ships, 13 (LPD) amphibious transport dock ships and 10 (LSD) dock landing ships.

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Of the 32 amphibious warfare ships, 16 are not expected to reach their 40-year service life. However, the entire fleet will need to serve beyond that time limit to maintain at least a 31-amphibious warfare ship requirement, according to the report.

That will cost an estimated $1 billion per ship, the report said.

A $9.6 billion deal inked in September between the Navy and shipbuilder Huntington Ingalls Industries to build three new amphibious transport dock ships will, in a few years, help slow  but not stop  the bleeding when it comes to amphibious warfare ship availability.

Defense News reported in January that Huntington Ingalls Industries was uncertain it could deliver amphibious warfare ships to the Navy if an extended pause on the shipbuilding funding continued. Any future funding delays would further exacerbate ship production.
Actor and activist Mark Ruffalo is urging the Biden administration to take decisive regulatory action on forever chemicals, as the return of President-elect Trump to the White House looms near.

The EPA has worked their butts off, against all odds, to get a drinking water standard on this particular chemical class, Ruffalo said at a Monday webinar, hosted by the Environmental Working Group.

Now the Biden administration just has to close the loop and hold the people responsible who have killed people, he added.

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Ruffalo was referring to the producers of the thousands of types of synthetic compounds known as per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS.

Notorious for their ability to persist in the human body and in the environment, these chemicals are found in certain types of firefighting foam, industrial discharge and a long list of household items. They have been linked to many serious illnesses, including thyroid disease, testicular cancer and kidney cancer.

Weve been to the White House with families whove lost children from these diseases, and they continue to compile in our bodies, Ruffalo said.

The problem now is they still are protecting these companies from accountability, he added, referring to the federal government.

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The Biden administration has already taken several decisive steps in the long-term mission to regulate and clean up the decades of PFAS pollution caused by companies and military institutions across America.

In April, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated two types of PFAS as hazardous substances under the countrys legacy Superfund law  making it easier to force polluters to pay for their actions. That decision occurred just days after the EPA issued a separate rule setting limits for several PFAS in drinking water.

And just last week, the agency published a new regulation preventing PFAS from being approved through Low Volume Exemptions  abbreviated reviews granted to chemicals that will be created in small quantities.

But Ruffalo and his fellow activists are pressing the Biden administration to take further decisive action aimed at strengthening PFAS-related oversight before Trump takes office.

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In particular, they referred to a potential proposed rule about PFAS-containing wastewater discharges  which have been under consideration in the White Houses Office of Management and Budget for review since June.

Those possible plans have been in the works since 2021, when the EPA first announced that it would propose a rule setting limits on these releases.

The Biden administration has finally done the right thing, more than any other administration in the United States in the decades that have passed, Ruffalo said on Monday, referring to the PFAS-related action the EPA has taken over the past four years.

But Ruffalo also pointed out what he described as the bad news  the fact that the potential discharge proposal is getting hung up right now in the Biden administration.

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Its been sitting there for a long time, and it is the taxpayers and the communities downstream who are still repeatedly paying the price for this, Ruffalo said.

Melanie Benesh, a legislative attorney for the Environmental Working Group, offered a similar perspective, noting that polluters already have the tools needed to stop dumping PFAS into water.

The longer that we delay addressing industrial discharges and really getting to PFAS at the source, the more illnesses and even deaths that we risk, Benesh said.

Speaking on behalf of an area stricken by such tragedies, Brenda Hampton, from northern Alabama, said that she and her neighbors have had so many deaths in this area that [its] unreal.

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In Hamptons region, numerous companies near Decatur, Ala., were for decades dumping PFAS-laden discharge into the Tennessee River, which flows downstream toward her community.

Im hoping that this administration can put a law out that will be there permanently, so that the incoming administration cant overturn it, Hampton said. Drinking water is a right. It is not a privilege; it is a right.

Nonetheless, even if the EPA does officially propose this PFAS-laden discharge rule  which at this point is still in review  it would be practically impossible to finalize before Trump takes office, due to set-in-stone deadlines of the federal regulatory process.

Such rules, which are governed by the Administrative Procedure Act, typically take at least a year to go from the proposal to finalized stages. Following a proposal, most rules require a 30 to 60 day comment period, after which the agency needs to review all of these submissions.

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The Hill has reached out to the Office of Management and Budget for comment.

But at the webinar on Monday, Hampton emphasized the need to provide Americans with clean and safe drinking water, expressing her hope that this administration can really do something to really help us, because we are dying out here.

Emily Donovan, co-founder of Clean Cape Fear in North Carolina, echoed Hamptons sentiments and noted that her regions PFAS crisis is massive and contaminates public water systems servicing over half a million residents across three counties.

Donovan credited the current president for finalizing the PFAS drinking water standard, but at the same time, she said she is begging the Biden administration to allow the EPA to propose a rule to limit PFAS discharges.

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Please do not fail us, she said. Do it for the children in my region who no longer have their moms or dads.

As PFAS activists around the country grapple with the uncertainty of a future Trump administration, both Hampton and Donovan stressed that they would continue their local- and regional-level fights.

For her part, Hampton said she will be pressing Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) to rescind permits of the polluting companies, while Donovan emphasized a need to keep her areas fight alive in the state and local governments.

We are leaving the door open for the possibility, maybe of movement with this Trump 2.0, Donovan said. But if history is any indication, the hopes are not that high.

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Ruffalo likewise stressed the importance of focusing on the regional politicians who will be held accountable for this, and who will have activists and people who have been harmed constantly dogging them.

He also expressed support for getting philanthropists to invest money into this fight, so that these environmental justice communities have ample resources on the ground.

Ruffalo also pointed to Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Trumps pick for secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, as someone who has done extensive work on water contamination  and called upon him to take this issue seriously.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr., if you are who you say you are, we are reaching out to you to do what you know better than anybody in that administration, Ruffalo said.

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Asked by The Hill whether he believes Kennedy would have power to make such change  given that he would be in Health and Human Services rather than the EPA  Ruffalo said that therell be no other expert in the administration that knows water more than Robert.

Im hoping that he uses whatever position he has, expertise, to actually influence the policy of the EPA, the actor-activist continued.

If this is a populist administration, like were being told, theres nothing that transcends policy and ideologies and parties more than water, Ruffalo added. I know that every Republican wants clean water. I know that every working-class person wants clean water.

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Mary Trump suggested that her uncle, President-elect Donald Trump, appears to have forgotten one key fact about their family with his vow to stop the automatic granting of citizenship to anyone born in the United States.

We have to end it, Trump told NBC Meet the Press host Kristen Welker this weekend, dodging how he would actually circumvent the 14th Amendment to do so. Trump campaigned on the promise to deport millions of undocumented immigrants.

Trumps niece, who is a longtime vocal critic of her relative, slammed his position on the policy as despicable in an interview on MSNBC.

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The returning president doesnt know what hes talking about and is a deeply ignorant, cruel man who seems to forget that his father was a first-generation American, she continued. So, if it hadnt been for birthright citizenship, my grandfather probably wouldnt have been allowed to stay here.

Indeed, Donald Trumps grandfather, Friedrich Trump, left Germany for New York in 1885.

Mary Trump said she doubted there is any mechanism by which her uncle can make it happen but lamented it as another instance in which we are in the unfortunate position of having to rely on Republicans to do the right thing and protect American citizens.

Watch Mary Trumps analysis here:

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TOKYO, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- The support rate for Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's cabinet dropped to 38 percent, a 3-point decline from the previous month, results from an NHK opinion poll showed Monday.

Disapproval rate rose by 1 point to match 38 percent, according to the poll conducted from Dec. 6 to Dec. 8, which received responses from 1,224 participants.

The poll revealed that trust in Ishiba's character (33 percent) was the most common reason for support, followed by perceptions that the cabinet is better than alternatives (30 percent).

Among those disapproving, 34 percent cited a lack of confidence in policies, 24 percent pointed to insufficient execution, and 13 percent mistrusted Ishiba's character.

The poll also gauged public sentiment on the government's latest economic measures, including electricity and gas subsidies and cash payments for low-income households. While 9 percent expressed high expectations, 35 percent had moderate expectations, 37 percent had little expectations, and 16 percent had no expectations. 
UPDATE, 12/9  The Associated Press reported late Monday night that Luigi Nicholas Mangione, 26, from Towson, Md., was officially charged with murder in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcares CEO last week.

MARYLAND (DC News Now)  On Monday, police identified a man from Maryland as a suspect related to the deadly shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, according to a report from Nexstars sister station PIX11 News.

A masked gunman shot 50-year-old Thompson outside of a midtown Manhattan Hotel on the morning of Dec. 4., before fleeing on an e-bike into Central Park, according to the Associated Press.

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As the search for the gunman continued, authorities identified Luigi Mangione, 26, of Towson, Md., as the New York Police Departments (NYPD) person of interest. His identification came after the Altoona Police Department in Pennsylvania arrested him on unrelated firearms charges on Monday morning, according to PIX11 News.

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NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said officers took Mangione into custody after a McDonalds employee in Altoona recognized him and called local police.

Officers said they found him in the back of a McDonalds, wearing a blue medical mask and looking at a laptop. They asked him to pull down his mask and the officers with the Altoona Police Department immediately recognized him as the suspect from New York City.

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When asked if hed been to New York lately, he became quiet and started to shake. Dispatchers checked his ID, which was a New Jersey License saying his name was Mark Rosario. After some pressing by police, he said his name was Luigi Mangione.

When asked why he lied about his name, he reportedly said I clearly shouldnt have.

He was charged with forgery, tampering with records or identification and related firearms and identity charges.

A Mcdonalds employee did something we ask everyone to do  if you see something, say something, but most importantly, do something, and they did, and because of that, we believe we have a strong person of interest, said NYC Mayor Eric Adams.

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Tisch noted that Mangione was found with multiple fraudulent IDs, including a fake New Jersey ID that was used at a Manhattan hostel where police believed the gunman stayed before the shooting, as well as a U.S. passport.

A timeline of the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and search for his killer

Upon further investigation, authorities said they recovered a firearm and a suppressor, both consistent with the weapon used in the CEOs murder. Mangione also had clothing and a mask that matched the shooting and a handwritten document that speaks to both his motivation and his mindset, according to Tisch.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said Mangione was born and raised in Maryland but has ties to San Francisco, Calif. His last known address was Honolulu, Hawaii.

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The Associated Press reports that Mangione graduated from Baltimores Gilman School in 2016, per a letter sent from the school to parents and alumni. A 2016 story by the Baltimore Fish Bowl reported he was the high schools valedictorian that year. He was described as inventive, with incredible courage to explore the unknown and try new things.'

Luigi Mangiones suspected involvement in this case is deeply distressing news on top of an already awful situation. Our hearts go out to everyone affected, the Gilman School said in a statement. Here on campus, our focus will remain on caring for and educating our students.

Mangione is reportedly cousins with Nino Mangione, a Republican member of the Maryland House of Delegates in Baltimore County. Del. Mangione posted the following statement on the X platform:

Statement from the Mangione Family Regarding Luigi Mangione: Unfortunately, we cannot comment on news reports regarding Luigi Mangione. We only know what we have read in the media. Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigis arrest. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved. We are devastated by this news. The Mangione Family

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His family also reportedly owns Hayfields Country Club in Cockeysville. According to the clubs website, Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas B. Mangione and family purchased the property in 1986.

Hayfields Country Club in Cockeysville, Md. (Gillian Silbiger/DC News Now)

NYPD detectives were en route to Pennsylvania on Monday to interview Mangione further.

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SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  The Massachusetts Association of Contributory Retirement Systems annual conference was held at the Sheraton in Springfield on Monday.

This conference which is usually held in October is all about improving the retirement system in ways that will benefit employees and retirees. The conference highlighted important discussions and updates about the Commonwealths retirement system so that their Board can assist those looking to retire.

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The president of MACRS Kathleen Kiely Beccheti says its important for public employees to stay informed when it comes to retirement policies. She says its important for people to have security and benefits at the end of their careers.

Anything that we can do to make sure that we are keeping people working in our city hall, our town hall, DPWs, not just police and fire but we need people in our community to strengthen our communities and I think one of the greatest benefits would be the pension at the end of your career, said Kathleen Kiely-Bechetti.

The purpose of this association is to preserve and strengthen the 104 public retirement systems in the Commonwealth. Organizers say hosting this conference in December resulted in a higher attendance so it will return again around this time next year.

Mayor Sarno states, I want to thank the Massachusetts Association of Contributory Retirement Systems for holding their annual fall conference here in downtown Springfield at our Springfield Sheraton Hotel. This conference will feature important updates and discussions about the Commonwealths retirement system and best practices to utilize so that our retirement boards can better serve our employees and retirees. I want to thank the members, especially President Kathleen Kiely-Becchetti and our very own Springfield Retirement Board member Robert Moynihan who also serves as the Association treasurer, for their continued efforts on behalf of our public sector employees and retirees.

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.

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Mayor Brandon Johnson declined to weigh in Monday on the fact that his top adviser voted last month in Texas, saying any questions about whether it was improper for him to cast his ballot in Houston are the responsibility of election officials there.

During his first remarks to reporters since the Tribune reported last week that Jason Lee voted in the November presidential election in person on Election Day in Houston, Johnson said this is a matter that is being looked into but did not elaborate on what he meant.

Asked who is investigating Lees voting and residency history, Johnson said, As I understand, this will be the responsibility of the state of Texas to make some level of determination.

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Records obtained by the Tribune show Lees voter registration address was listed in Houston, and one document indicates he told Texas election officials he lived there. Lee has also served as Johnsons senior adviser since the mayoral transition in May 2023 and signed an affidavit that month attesting that Chicago is his permanent home.

As you know, this is a personal element, and I dont discuss those type of personal dynamics publicly, Johnson told reporters. As that process continues to unfold and play out, decisions and conclusions will be made based upon how this particular matter is not only underscored but what is uncovered as a result of it being looked into.

Authorities from the Harris County clerk and Texas attorney generals offices have not announced any investigation of Lee, who hasnt been charged with wrongdoing. In a phone interview last week, Lee told the Tribune he had wanted to vote for his sister, Erica Lee Carter, in a special election to complete the unfinished congressional term of their late mother, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, after she died of pancreatic cancer in July.

Lee has said he is allowed to vote in Texas even though he lives in Chicago.

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Being registered in a city and living in a city arent the two same things, Lee told the Tribune in his interview. You dont have to be registered to vote to live in a city. And on May 15, (2023,) I had residency in Chicago, and Ive been a resident.

Lee has no voting history in Chicago except in the March 2020 primary, according to public records released by the Chicago Board of Elections. Records from the clerk in Harris County, Texas, show Lee voted in Texas later that November, and that in the Nov. 5 election this year he voted at Thompson Elementary School in Houston.

His voting information from last month indicates Lee gave confirmation to the poll worker that he still lives in Texas, though Lee told the Tribune he does not recall such a conversation.

I dont know what they asked me. I dont recall what they asked. It doesnt matter what they asked me, Lee said when presented with his voting record from November. You think that every single interaction at a polling location goes exactly by what they mark?

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On the Chicago government side, frequent mayoral critic Ald. Raymond Lopez, 15th, filed a complaint with the citys Office of the Inspector General on Friday after reading the Tribune story.

On its face, the narrative provided is, at best, problematic and, at worst, constitutes felonious election fraud, Lopez wrote to Inspector General Deborah Witzburg. Therefore, I am requesting an immediate investigation into this matter. This is inexcusable behavior from someone in a leadership role within the current administration.

Johnson on Monday defended Lees character in response to questions asking if the mayor still had confidence in his senior adviser in the midst of any investigations.

As you know, Jason and I go back a little bit, and he has been a tremendous advocate for working people in this city, Johnson said. What I do know about Jason is that he comes from a legacy of leadership and organizing on behalf of working people. And I know his value system in that regard. And Im very, very much appreciative of him.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Youngstown Mayor Jamael Tito Brown, in accordance with the recommendation from law director Lori Simmons, has declined to take disciplinary action against fire Chief Barry Finley after a grievance was filed by Youngstown Fire Department union representatives.

Read next: Local family struggling after fiery head-on crash

In a memo addressed to Mayor Tito Brown, Law Director Atty. Lori Simmons said she recommends that fire chief Barry Finley should not be disciplined following an argument with Jon Racco and Jordan Thomas at a Sept. 6 meeting.

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The memo states Racco and Thomas, Youngstown Fire Department union representatives, were involved in an argument with Finley that led the attorney assigned to union matters to end the meeting due to divisiveness among the parties. Following the meeting, Racco and Thomas filed a grievance on the happenings, which the law department was assigned to investigate.

Law director Simmons detailed her methodology, which involved speaking with numerous sets of witnesses.

During discussions with Racco and Thomas on Oct. 16, Simmons reported that They both expressed their dismay at the severity of the disagreement with Chief Finley over the meeting topic of EMTs. The memo continues that They felt the Chief did not understand that dynamic regarding Union involvement and They indicated that because of what Chief said to them, which they felt was racist, the Chief should be disciplined.

They later stated there could be no resolution that would be successful unless Finley was removed as chief.

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As part of her continuing investigation, Simmons stated she spoke with ranking officers and firefighters, whose consensus is that the chief should retain his position.

Simmons also met with community members, stating they approached her about the investigation and they all supported Chief Finley and was appalled at the fact he was being treated unkindly.'

Chief Finley spoke with Simmons several times during the investigation, and her memo states he expressed regret over arguing with Racco and Thomas, stating he regretted what he said to them. He told Simmons he felt they always disrespected him and said he was dismayed with the disrespectful t-shirts, mugs, hats and license plates that were made with the letters FBF. Finley said the items were around for a while before they were removed, contributing to his feelings that some staff were being racist and disrespectful toward him.

Finley also expressed the need for an assistant to delegate duties to in order to run a more efficient department and at Simmons suggestion, was more than willing to take professional development classes, the memo states.

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In her recommendation, Simmons states she does not think Finley should be disciplined, stating While his statement was unfortunate, and he did indicate that he should not have said it, it is my opinion that Chief deserves some grace.

She continued He deserves grace because, until this moment, the disrespectful incidents the Chief has experienced OVER THE YEARS have not been addressed.

Simmons said that besides the two union representatives, no one else was calling for Finleys removal, stating they primarily indicated he was doing a good job.

A statement attributed to Mayor Tito Brown states, in part:

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In response to the summary of findings from the citys law department, I will not take disciplinary action against Chief Finley regarding this matter. Following a career of over 30 years putting his life on the line for our community and country, Chief Finley was chosen to lead the Youngstown Fire Department because of the shared vision to bring innovative thinking to modernize the department and efficiently deliver the public safety needs of our community. Unfortunately, what is evident is an environment of continuous tension and distrust between union and department leadership, and a history of antagonistic behavior towards Chief Finley. This resistance to change threatens the ability of the Chief to implement the needed initiatives to modernize the department and ensure the safety of our community. Mayor Tito Brown

Racco, who serves as president of Youngstown professional firefighters local 312, said the results are disappointing but not unexpected.

The details and statements listed in the Citys investigation into Chief Finley are false, Racco said in a statement provided to First News. This conclusion is disappointing, but one we expected from this INTERNAL process. The facts are that Finley has a documented pattern of violent, abusive, racist behavior that has continued across his entire employment history and 3 different Union administrations since hes been Chief. Our ongoing EXTERNAL litigation will prove it. The City is negligently violating its own policies by keeping him in place and failing to provide a safe, discrimination free workplace for our members.

Simmons said there is work that needs to be done to enhance the relationship between the chief and YFD, and the Law Department is happy to facilitate anything necessary for this to happen. She also recommends sensitivity training for the entire department.

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Stan Boney contributed to this report.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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McLENNAN COUNTY, Texas (FOX 44)  The McLennan County burn ban has been lifted, according to Judge Scott M. Felton.

Judge Felton, as authorized by the McLennan County Commissioners Court, has lifted the Order Prohibiting Outdoor Burning effective immediately. This comes due to rainfall received throughout the county.

SEE ALSO: Brazos County burn ban lifted

Although the order has been lifted, citizens are still urged to use extreme caution when engaging in any outdoor burning activities.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. gives remarks at the Renaissance Phoenix Downtown Hotel on Aug. 23, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images.

The availability of safe, effective COVID-19 vaccines less than a year into the pandemic marked a high point in the 300-year history of vaccination, seemingly heralding an age of protection against infectious diseases.

Now, after backlash against public health interventions culminated in President-elect Donald Trumps nominating Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the countrys best-known anti-vaccine activist, as its top health official, infectious disease and public health experts and vaccine advocates say a confluence of factors could cause renewed, deadly epidemics of measles, whooping cough, and meningitis, or even polio.

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The litany of things that will start to topple is profound, said James Hodge, a public health law expert at Arizona State Universitys Sandra Day OConnor College of Law. Were going to experience a seminal change in vaccine law and policy.

Hell make America sick again, said Lawrence Gostin, a professor of public health law at Georgetown University.

State legislators who question vaccine safety are poised to introduce bills to weaken school-entry vaccine requirements or do away with them altogether, said Northe Saunders, who tracks vaccine-related legislation for the SAFE Communities Coalition, a group supporting pro-vaccine legislation and lawmakers.

Even states that keep existing requirements will be vulnerable to decisions made by a Republican-controlled Congress as well as by Kennedy and former House member Dave Weldon, should they be confirmed to lead the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, respectively.

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Both men  Kennedy as an activist, Weldon as a medical doctor and congressman from 1995 to 2009 have endorsed debunked theories blaming vaccines for autism and other chronic diseases. (Weldon has been featured in anti-vaccine films in the years since he left Congress.) Both have accused the CDC of covering up evidence this was so, despite dozens of reputable scientific studies to the contrary.

Kennedys staff did not respond to requests for comment. Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaigns national press secretary, did not respond to requests for comment or interviews with Kennedy or Weldon.

Kennedy recently told NPR that were not going to take vaccines away from anybody.

Its unclear how far the administration would go to discourage vaccination, but if levels drop enough, vaccine-preventable illnesses and deaths might soar.

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It is a fantasy to think we can lower vaccination rates and herd immunity in the U.S. and not suffer recurrence of these diseases, said Gregory Poland, co-director of the Atria Academy of Science & Medicine. One in 3,000 kids who gets measles is going to die. Theres no treatment for it. They are going to die.

During a November 2019 measles epidemic that killed 80 children in Samoa, Kennedy wrote to the countrys prime minister falsely claiming that the measles vaccine was probably causing the deaths. Scott Gottlieb, who was Trumps first FDA commissioner, said on CNBC on Nov. 29 that Kennedy will cost lives in this country if he undercuts vaccination.

Kennedys nomination validates and enshrines public mistrust of government health programs, said Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia.

The notion that hed even be considered for that position makes people think he knows what hes talking about, Offit said. He appeals to lessened trust, the idea that There are things you dont see, data they dont present, that Im going to find out so you can really make an informed decision.

Targets of anti-vaccine groups

Hodge has compiled a list of 20 actions the administration could take to weaken national vaccination programs, from spreading misinformation to delaying FDA vaccine approvals to dropping Department of Justice support for vaccine laws challenged by groups like Childrens Health Defense, which Kennedy founded and led before campaigning for president.

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Kennedy could also cripple the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, which Congress created in 1986 to take care of children believed harmed by vaccines  while partially protecting vaccine makers from lawsuits.

Before the law passed, the threat of lawsuits had shrunk the number of companies making vaccines in the United States  from 26 in 1967 to 17 in 1980  and the remaining pertussis vaccine producers were threatening to stop making it. The vaccine injury program played an integral role in keeping manufacturers in the business, Poland said.

Kennedy could abolish the CDCs Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, whose recommendation for using a vaccine determines whether the government pays for it through the 30-year-old Vaccines for Children program, which makes free immunizations available to more than half the children in the United States. Alternatively, Kennedy could stack the committee with allies who oppose new vaccines, and could, in theory at least, withdraw recommendations for vaccines like the 53-year-old measles-mumps-rubella shot, a favorite target of the anti-vaccine movement.

Meanwhile, infectious disease threats are on the rise or on the horizon. Instead of preparing, as a typical incoming administration might, Kennedy has threatened to shake up the federal health agencies. Once in office, hell give infectious disease a break to focus on chronic ailments, he said at a Childrens Health Defense conference last month in Georgia.

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The H5N1 virus, or bird flu, that has spread through cattle herds and infected at least 55 people could erupt in a new pandemic, and other threats like mosquito-borne dengue fever are rising in the U.S.

Traditional childhood diseases are also making their presence felt, in part because of neglected vaccination. The U.S. has seen 16 measles outbreaks this year  89% of cases are in unvaccinated people  and a whooping cough epidemic is the worst since 2012.

So thats how were starting out, said Peter Hotez, a pediatrician and virologist at the Baylor College of Medicine. Then you throw into the mix one of the most outspoken and visible anti-vaccine activists at the head of HHS, and that gives me a lot of concern.

The share prices of drug companies with big vaccine portfolios have plunged since Kennedys nomination. Even before Trumps victory, vaccine exhaustion and skepticism had driven down demand for newer vaccines like GSKs RSV and shingles shots.

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Kennedy has ample options to slow or stop new vaccine releases or to slow sales of existing vaccines  for example, by requiring additional post-market studies or by highlighting questionable studies that suggest safety risks.

Kennedy, who has embraced conspiracy theories such as that HIV does not cause AIDS and that pesticides cause gender dysphoria, told NPR there are huge deficits in vaccine safety research. Were going to make sure those scientific studies are done and that people can make informed choices, he said.

Kennedys nomination bodes ill for the development of new vaccines and the use of currently available vaccines, said Stanley Plotkin, a vaccine industry consultant and inventor of the rubella vaccine in the 1960s. Vaccine development requires millions of dollars. Unless there is prospect of profit, commercial companies are not going to do it.

Vaccine advocates, with less money on hand than the better-funded anti-vaccine advocates, see an uphill battle to defend vaccination in courts, legislatures, and the public square. People are rarely inclined to celebrate the absence of a conquered illness, making vaccines a hard sell even when they are working well.

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While many wealthy people, including potion and supplement peddlers, have funded the anti-vaccine movement, there hasnt been an appetite from science-friendly people to give that kind of money to our side, said Karen Ernst, director of Voices for Vaccines.

Hes serious as Hell

RFK Jr. was a punch line for a lot of people, but hes serious as hell, Ernst said. He has a lot of power, money, and a vast network of anti-vaccine parents wholl show up at a moments notice. Thats not been the case with groups like hers, Ernst said.

On Oct. 22, when an Idaho health board voted to stop providing COVID vaccines in six counties, there were no vaccine advocates at the meeting. We didnt even know it was on the agenda, Ernst said. Mobilization on our side is always lagging. But Im not giving up.

The kaleidoscopic change has been jarring for Walter Orenstein, who persuaded states to tighten school mandates to fight measles outbreaks as head of the CDCs immunization division from 1988 to 2004.

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People dont understand the concept of community protection, and if they do they dont seem to care, said Orenstein, who saw some of the last cases of smallpox as a CDC epidemiologist in India in the 1970s, and frequently cared for children with meningitis caused by H. influenzae type B bacteria, a disease that has mostly disappeared because of a vaccine introduced in 1987.

I was so naive, he said. I thought that COVID would solidify acceptance of vaccines, but it was the opposite.

Lawmakers opposed to vaccines could introduce legislation to remove school-entry requirements in nearly every state, Saunders said. One bill to do this has been introduced in Texas, where whats known as the vaccine choice movement has been growing since 2015 and took off during the pandemic, fusing with parents rights and anti-government groups opposed to measures like mandatory shots and masking.

The genie is out of the bottle, and you cant put it back in, said Rekha Lakshmanan, chief strategy officer at the Immunization Partnership in Texas. Its become this multiheaded thing that were having to reckon with.

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In the last full school year, more than 100,000 Texas public school students were exempted from one or more vaccinations, she said, and many of the 600,000 homeschooled Texas kids are also thought to be unvaccinated.

In Louisiana, the state surgeon general distributed a form letter to hospitals exempting medical professionals from flu vaccination, claiming the vaccine is unlikely to work and has real and well established risks. Research on flu vaccination refutes both claims.

The biggest threat to existing vaccination policies could be plans by the Trump administration to remove civil service protections for federal workers. That jeopardizes workers at federal health agencies whose day-to-day jobs are to prepare for and fight diseases and epidemics. If you overturn the administrative state, the impact on public health will be long-term and serious, said Dorit Reiss, a professor at the University of Californias Hastings College of Law.

Billionaire Elon Musk, who has the ear of the incoming president, imagines cost-cutting plans that are also seen as a threat.

If you damage the core functions of the FDA, its like killing the goose that laid the golden egg, both for our health and for the economy, said Jesse Goodman, the director of the Center on Medical Product Access, Safety and Stewardship at Georgetown University and a former chief science officer at the FDA. It would be the exact opposite of what Kennedy is saying he wants, which is safe medical products. If we dont have independent skilled scientists and clinicians at the agency, theres an increased risk Americans will have unsafe foods and medicine.

Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable illness could be alarming, but would they be enough to boost vaccination again? Ernst of Voices for Vaccines isnt sure.

Were already having outbreaks. It would take years before enough children died before people said, I guess measles is a bad thing, she said. One kid wont be enough. The story theyll tell is, There was something wrong with that kid. It cant happen to my kid.

This article first appeared on KFF Health News and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.
Dec. 9Ahead of mediation over Rio Grande water use, New Mexico's attorney general is concerned the federal government will support stricter limits on groundwater pumping, which could inhibit the growth of southern New Mexico municipalities like Las Cruces.

Mediation between New Mexico, Texas, Colorado and the federal government is scheduled to begin Tuesday for a decade-long lawsuit about Rio Grande water use. The federal government wants to base water allocations on water usage in 1938 when the Rio Grande Compact was signed, which New Mexico Attorney General Raul Torrez believes "would be devastating" to the state's residents and economy.

"I would insist that New Mexico go to trial before conceding this issue," Torrez wrote in a September letter to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland. The 1938 Rio Grande Compact between Colorado, New Mexico and Texas governs the division of water from the Rio Grande. Texas sued New Mexico in 2013 for excessive groundwater pumping, and the states reached a deal in 2022. But the federal government objected to the deal, and in June the Supreme Court ruled 5-4 the agreement needs the federal government's support.

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The states and the federal government will begin mediation Tuesday.

Torrez has written three letters to Haaland urging her to "prioritize a reasonable and amicable resolution" and met with Haaland, the former 1st District U.S. House representative from New Mexico, in August.

"Time is running out, and I am pleading with you to resolve this issue for the benefit of all the parties, but especially for the people of southern New Mexico, rather than leaving the matter to become a political bargaining chip for the next administration," Torrez wrote in November.

New Mexico's congressional delegation also asked Haaland and U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to quickly resolve the litigation in a November letter. The Department of Interior had not responded to a request for comment by the time this story went to press.

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Torrez believes the United States' position, that the Compact should use 1938 allocations as a baseline for water use, could have "disastrous consequences for water users and communities in southern New Mexico," he wrote in a July letter.

The 1938 baseline would reflect water use in that year, when the compact was signed before widespread groundwater pumping.

In the late 1940s and 1950s, there was a serious drought, so farmers began using groundwater pumping to supplement their surface water. Both agricultural users and municipalities continue to use groundwater pumping.

The Bureau of Reclamation developed a linear regression model called the D2 Curve to reflect water use between 1951 and 1978, to allocate water between New Mexico and Texas farmers. That equation has been used by Reclamation since 1978 and was in the operating agreement for the Rio Grande Project in 2008.

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Using a D2 baseline for water allocation is "from New Mexico's perspective, non-negotiable," Torrez wrote in a September letter.

The state has already conceded it exceeded groundwater pumping under the D2 condition in 2003 and 2004, said New Mexico Department of Justice Deputy Chief James Grayson.

"New Mexico is not advocating for more groundwater pumping than D2, but New Mexico and Texas and Colorado are all on the same page in terms of advocating for the D2 baseline as the baseline measure for how the compact and the requirements in the compact should be effectuated. If things went back to the 1938 condition, essentially what that would mean is that you have about a third of the total acreage in New Mexico that would have to be dried up."

The Las Cruces City Council and the Dona Ana County Commission also opposed the U.S. litigation stance in resolutions passed in September and October.

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The estimated annual economic loss to New Mexico of changing to the 1938 baseline could be up to $75 million, according to the Dona Ana County resolution.

"Pecan and chile farmers rely on groundwater and without access would not have enough water for their industries to survive," the resolution reads.

The City of Las Cruces would not have enough water to maintain its current size, much less accommodate growth, under the 1938 standard, according to the Las Cruces City Council resolution. Las Cruces is the second most populous city in the state, with an estimated 115,000 residents.

Creating access to a different source of groundwater would cost an estimated $1 billion and take 15 years to implement, the resolution says.

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The conflict over how to use Rio Grande water is not just state to state, but also about surface water irrigation versus groundwater irrigation, according to Burke Griggs, a water law professor at Washburn University in Kansas.

"I am encouraged to see the United States assert its interests in protecting federal irrigation infrastructure, because by protecting surface flows, you are protecting at least in part, the hydrologic integrity of a river system," Griggs said.

"If you allow groundwater to take over, and that will come at the expense of surface flows, then you're causing all sorts of harms, not just to surface irrigators, but also to environmental flows and potential endangered species issues."
Packages of Mifepristone tablets are displayed at a family planning clinic on April 13, 2023. (Photo illustration by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Members of the states medical regulatory board have rejected a push by the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis to revoke a doctors medical license for providing 193 abortions, mostly medicinal, without adhering to a 24-hour waiting period requirement.

Dr. Candace Cooley was charged with a single violation of failing to perform any statutory or legal obligation placed upon a licensed physician stemming from abortions she performed between April 25, 2022, when the 24-hour waiting period went into effect, and that May 7. The waiting period is one of the mandated informed consent requirements in Floridas abortion laws.

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An administrative law judge concluded the state could not discipline Cooley on charges not alleged in the complaint; the Florida Department of Health alleged a single violation of the law, not 193 separate violations. But the DOH took exception to the recommended order and asked the governor-appointed board to revoke her license.

The board, meeting in Orlando on Friday, instead accepted the judges recommendation and fined the physician $10,000 and ordered her to take five hours of continuing medical education.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

Four board of medicine members  Drs. Matthew Benson, Steven Christie, J. Matthew Knight, and Hector Vila  voted against approving the recommended order because they wanted to impose a tougher penalty than Judge James Peterson recommended.

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Vila, a Tampa anesthesiologist and longtime board member, called the case egregious and specifically said he endorsed revoking the physicians license, a move that would have left her unable to work.

Members, I find this egregious and Im just asking you to kind of consider what is the evidence in the record, said Vila, who is politically active in the anti-abortion movement.

An anesthesiologist, Vila was a witness for the state when the 24-hour waiting period was being litigated and testified that he was not aware of another area of medicine, besides abortion, in which a non-emergency outpatient invasive procedure is performed without a prior visit and consultation.

They werent surgical procedures

Vila and other board members questioned the high number of abortions and whether Cooley was spending enough time with patients before providing the abortions. Cooley, these doctors maintained, was spending less than 20 minutes with each patient before providing an abortion, most of which were medicinal, not surgical procedures.

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I think that we should at a minimum place a restriction on the license because I feel like this doctor doesnt use good judgment in doing these abortions, Vila said. The rapidity in which she did the procedures and the way she tried to cram them in is egregious and so at the minimum what would you think about restricting her license from doing these procedures?

Vila wasnt the only board member who questioned the number of procedures, most of which were medicinal, Cooley conducted during the period in question.

I can tell you, I went through the timeline 17 times. Every which way, it is the very timeline I have trouble with, said Dr. Patrick Hunter, a Pensacola pediatrician.

Hunter questioned how Cooley could have completed medical histories and obtained and informed consent in the time she allotted.

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To me the timeline ignores the law. The law is important, Hunter said, adding, an ethical requirement to get a truly valid informed consent existed long before April 25, when the waiting period went into effect.

But Zachariah Zachariah, a Ft. Lauderdale cardiologist and long-time board member, urged the board to accept the judges recommended order.

I understand the emotion and the discussion of the board. I totally understand. I dont think she did a stellar performance, either. But lets face reality. This went to a judge who is a trier of facts. They looked at all the evidence heard from all the witnesses, came to a conclusion, made a recommendation. Unfortunately, whether you like it or not, thats what you gotta do, Zachariah said of approving the judges recommendation. And I call the question.

It was the boards first meeting since the election in which the proposed state constitutional amendment to enshrine abortion rights failed to get the 60% needed to pass. Had the amendment passed, the 24-hour waiting period could have been determined a barrier to women from accessing abortion.

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One board seat is vacant. Of the 14 sitting members, two are women but only one of them, Amy Derick, a Wesley Chapel dermatologist, participated in the meeting as the chair.

Doctor didnt address board

Cooley attended the Orlando board meeting but because the board was considering an administrative judges recommended order, she did not testify. Thats because when considering recommended orders, the board can act solely on the testimony considered during the administrative hearing and contained in the order. It cannot consider testimony the judge did not hear.

Cooley also refused to discuss the case with the Florida Phoenix following the meeting or to have her picture taken.

But Cooleys attorney, Julie Gallagher, told the board that Cooley met all the other requirements in Floridas informed consent law, which include providing an ultrasound that confirms gestational age and information about abortions and the risks involved with the procedure.

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None of the 193 patients were injured as a result of Cooleys actions and none filed complaints. The state Agency for Health Care Administration, which regulates abortion clinics, referred Cooley to the Department of Health for prosecution.

I wish Dr. Cooley could address you directly because she could explain more about the timeline, Gallagher said.

Board counsel Christopher Dierlam told members to stick to the findings in the recommended order. Theres no evidence in the record that the judge found she was rushing, Dierlam said. To the extent the board wanted to rely on that, there would need to be a finding by the ALJ addressing that.

In regard to Cooleys single violation, Gallagher told the board that her office tried repeatedly to contact AHCA to ask about the effective date of the 24-hour waiting period requirement, which had been litigated for years before taking effect. AHCA, Gallagher said, started surveying clinics May 9 asking about the effective date, a month before the agency notified the providers that the law was in effect.

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The Board of Medicine is the state licensing board in charge of disciplining medical doctors. It considers all disciplinary cases against physicians. While abortion-related cases fall under its purview, there arent many of them.

Following the vote, Derick told the Florida Phoenix: This case was not a referendum on abortion. It was about a specific case and so thats how it was adjudicated.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
The failure of the medical insurance system has been at the top of millions of Americans' minds after the targeted killing of the UnitedHealthcare CEO.

After the news of the murder broke, thousands of people took to social media to share their stories of being denied care by medical insurance companies, and it shined a light on a wave of profound anger about healthcare access. Spencer Platt / Getty Images

Now, we're asking medical professionals in the BuzzFeed Community for their perspective. So, if you're a medical professional, tell us about a time when you witnessed medical insurance directly fail a patient.

Liliane Lathan / Getty Images

For instance, maybe you're a pediatric doctor who has seen medical insurance companies deny children access to certain seizure medications until they've had a certain number of seizures.

Nicole Wilder / Getty Images

Or maybe, as a doctor, you've seen countless patients lose everything because of their medical debt.

Ann Marie Fox / Getty Images

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Or maybe you're a surgeon who has witnessed a medical insurance company refuse to pay for a patient's anesthesia after a surgery ran longer than expected.

Liliane Lathan / Getty Images

Medical professionals, whatever your story is, we want to hear it. Comment below or fill out this Google form to remain anonymous. Your comment could end up in a future post.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  After no one candidate in the Austin Independent School District At-Large Position 8 race secured more than 50% of the vote in the general election, AISD residents will be asked to head back to the polls this December to select a school board member.

There are two at-large members for AISD, the remaining seven represent specific districts. Members are elected to a four-year term.

Dec. 10: Last day of early voting

Dec. 14: Election Day

You can check your sample ballot here

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The two candidates vying for the spot are Fernando Lucas de Urioste, who received roughly 32% of the vote during the general election, and Lindsey Stringer, who received around 26%. Stringer received roughly 13,000 less votes than de Urioste.

AISD trustee At-Large D8 candidates (top: Lindsey Stringer) (bottom: Fernando de Urioste)

The candidates are listed below in the order you will see them on your ballot.

Lindsey Stringer

Stringer is a lifelong Austinite, graduated from Austin High School and said she has been in education her entire career.

I started as a fifth grade teacher in Baltimore City Public Schools, an under resourced school, and have spent my entire career since then working to improve educational outcomes, especially for kids further from opportunity, Stringer said. Im also an AISD parent and volunteer in our public schools.

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Stringer works for the National Math and Science Initiative serving as Technology & Business Operations, according to their website.

Stringer said her priorities include using data and community input to improve operations, including enrollment numbers, and improving student outcomes.

Also just increasing family and community engagement. You know, Im a mom of a kid with special needs, and so when I hear about initiatives from the school district around improving special education, Im like, I havent heard much,' she said. Im just one person, but I hear that from lots of different people across the community.

Fernando Lucas de Urioste

After graduating from the University of Texas in 1996, de Urioste said he started his career as a substitute teacher for AISD, then became a paraprofessional educator, then full-time teacher. In that time, roughly a decade, de Urioste spent most of his time working in special education.

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After that, de Urioste moved to education advocacy.

So I started working more directly with families, and in that role I worked with families all over Texas. Eventually I became the Director of Advocacy Services at the Cirkiel Law Group, a civil rights law firm up in Round Rock, Texas, de Urioste said.

He is also the vice president of the Texas Organization of Parents Attorneys and Advocates (TOPAA).

We were real active last session, fighting against vouchers and helping those initiatives. And then now Ive decided to run for AISD, de Urioste said.

He said his priorities include special education, being a family advocate, improving communication with the community and supporting staff.

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I had the educators union endorsing me and a lot of elected representatives, but there was a lot of support afterwards [the general election], and Im really happy about that, de Urioste said. But I do want to make sure that its clear that this is the community making the choice, and so the more people that come out and vote, the more it shows that its the communitys choice.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Li Huarong (R), an account director at the BlueFocus (Tianjin) Digital Service Industry Promotion Center, showcases the Tianjin Digital Trade Global Promotion Platform on a screen in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Nov. 15, 2024. (Photo by Hu Zhenze/Xinhua)

TIANJIN, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Visitors at a digital center in the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city Science Park in north China's Tianjin Municipality are greeted in multiple languages by digital humans, showcasing the heritage and cultural narratives of Tianjin's time-honored products, and immersing visitors in a technological experience.

In the center's exhibition hall, VR glasses transport visitors to a virtual realm where they can explore intangible cultural heritage, century-old brands and creative cultural products from the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and beyond.

In July 2023, the Tianjin Digital Trade Global Promotion Platform that the center developed began trial operations. More recently, the platform's 2.0 version was officially launched, enabling the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region and other key areas to engage in global cultural and commercial exchange.

As an innovative hub for the digital services industry, the center has attracted over 100 digital services enterprises over the past year. "The platform allows enterprises to match domestic and international market information intelligently through AI and big data, significantly reducing market expansion costs and enhancing cooperation efficiency," said Li Huarong, an account director at the BlueFocus (Tianjin) Digital Service Industry Promotion Center.

China's first 3A game, "Black Myth: Wukong," gained global popularity this year. SNK Technology leveraged the digital platform developed in Tianjin and provided marketing services for related game companies, joining other tech firms in promoting domestic cultural products to international markets.

In the virtual experience space on the center's third floor, wearable VR equipment allows visitors to immerse themselves in the worlds of games and movies. Among the exhibits, many have been produced by Tianjin Mdog Animation Studio.

"We've made animated films, such as 'Monkey King: Hero is Back' and 'Nezha.' We've also done lots of work in the CG production of many Chinese-style games, which were later introduced abroad. The final products are quite good because of our advanced technology and workflow," said Li Ning, co-founder of Mdog Animation Studio.

The company has also cooperated with BlueFocus to build a VR laboratory and experience center, and to introduce Chinese games and cultural products to the world, Li added.

The digital trade platform gathers momentum for enterprises to go global, digitally empowering cultural exports. As the only national-level cultural export base in Tianjin, the Eco-city has attracted many renowned domestic cultural enterprises, forming five leading industries: film and television, animation, book publishing, esports, and advertising.

"We will continue to support cultural export enterprises in terms of technology, platform construction and content production, helping global audiences understand Chinese culture better," said Wang Lei, who works at the cultural export base of the Sino-Singapore Tianjin Eco-city.

By the end of 2023, over 2,500 enterprises in the eco-city were focused on cultural exports, with digital culture exports valued at around 39 million U.S. dollars. Digital technology continues to empower Chinese culture to go global, steering "China-chic" brands toward the vast international arena, according to eco-city authorities. 

Visitors try out VR devices at the BlueFocus (Tianjin) Digital Service Industry Promotion Center in north China's Tianjin Municipality, Nov. 15, 2024. (Photo by Hu Zhenze/Xinhua)
Sacks will be Trump's crypto and AI czar, boosting Silicon Valley's place in the administration.

From his days at Stanford and PayPal, he's close with tech leaders Elon Musk and Peter Thiel.

Here's the lowdown on Sacks' personal history, business ventures, and political rise.

Venture capitalist David Sacks is joining the ranks of tech executives who will staff President-elect Donald Trump's White House. He will serve as the artificial intelligence and crypto czar, further cementing Silicon Valley's role in the administration.

Here's a look at Sacks' personal history, business career, and political machinations.

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A representative for Sacks' company, Craft Ventures, did not respond to Business Insider's request for comment.

Sacks was born in South Africa and attended Stanford University, where he met conservative billionaire Peter Thiel.

Sacks was born in Cape Town, South Africa on May 25, 1972. His family immigrated to Tennessee when he was five. He attended Stanford University, where he met and befriended Peter Thiel, the controversial billionaire and so-called conservative kingmaker. After graduating from Stanford, Sacks attended law school at the University of Chicago.

Sacks has known Thiel since his days as an undergrad at Stanford, where the two championed conservative causes together. ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS / AFP

Though Sacks has only recently gained recognition in national political circles, he's been involved with conservative causes since his undergraduate days in the early 1990s. He served as editor-in-chief for the Stanford Review, a libertarian newspaper that Thiel founded. The two friends also co-authored a book, "The Diversity Myth: Multiculturalism and Political Intolerance on Campus." In it, they argue against anti-Western "zealotry" and downplay the seriousness of date rape, saying that it is merely "belated regret" from the woman. In 2016, both Sacks and Thiel apologized for parts of the book.

"It does not represent who I am today or what I believe today," Sacks said at the time. "I'm embarrassed by some of my former views and regret writing them."

After graduating, Sacks became a member of the famed 'PayPal Mafia.'

Sacks briefly worked as a management consultant at McKinsey before leaving to make his name in the tech world. In 1999, he joined Confinity, a startup Thiel co-founded that eventually became PayPal. Sacks became the company's chief operating officer and stayed in the role between 1999 and 2002, when it was bought by eBay. Now, Sacks is considered a member of the elite "PayPal Mafia," along with Thiel, Elon Musk, and LinkedIn co-founder Reid Hoffman.

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Sacks became close to Musk during their time at PayPal and the two remain friends. He encouraged the Tesla CEO to get more involved in Republican politics, the Times reported.

Sacks has founded several companies and invested in Musk's business ventures.

After leaving PayPal, Sacks pursued a brief stint in Hollywood and produced Thank You for Smoking, a 2005 satirical film that was nominated for a Golden Globe. He soon swung back to the tech world, though, and founded workplace communications company Yammer in 2008. Microsoft bought the company for $1.2 billion in 2012, and by 2017 Sacks co-founded Craft, the venture capital firm where he still works.

In recent years, he's invested in various companies, including Mark Zuckerberg's Facebook, Thiel's Palantir, and Musk's SpaceX.

Sacks has invested in some of Musk's businesses. Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images

Though Sacks has supported various politicians, including Hillary Clinton, he's now firmly in Trump's orbit.

Sacks espouses many of his political views on "All-In," the podcast he launched in 2020 and co-hosts. In June, Trump sat for a nearly 90-minute interview on the show, which is particularly popular among conservatives in Silicon Valley. The venture capitalist is also active on X, where he frequently posts political commentary.

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Despite his newfound prominence in the national conservative ecosystem, Sacks has been somewhat inconsistent with his political donations. He's given money to Sen. Mitt Romney, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. Sacks is also among the tech leaders close to Vice President-elect JD Vance.

On January 8, 2021, Sack said on an episode of his podcast that Trump was "clearly" responsible for the January 6 riot and had "disqualified himself from being a candidate at the national level." Come the 2024 general election, though, Sacks was all in on Trump, even hosting a fundraiser for the campaign at his San Francisco home. Tickets sold for as much as $300,000 per person and the event raised $12 more than million. Later that month, Sacks published a 23-paragraph-long X post about why he was voting for Trump, and by July he'd snagged a speaking spot at the Republican National Convention.

Sacks will serve as the crypto and AI czar in Trump's second term.

On December 5, Trump announced that Sacks will serve as his AI and crypto czar, to the delight of some Silicon Valley execs. Musk congratulated Sacks in a post on X.

"David will focus on making America the clear global leader in both areas," Trump wrote on Truth Social announcing his pick. "He will safeguard Free Speech online, and steer us away from Big Tech bias and censorship."

In his role, Sacks will likely serve as a liaison between the executive branch, private sector, and regulatory agencies. Reuters

In the new role, Sacks will likely guide the deregulation of the crypto industry that Trump promised on the campaign trail and give industry leaders a direct line to the White House, per Bloomberg. He could also serve as a liaison with Congress and key regulatory industries like the Securities and Exchange Commission. Sacks will head a council of advisors on science and technology, which the White House said will be comprised of industry actors, academics, and people from non-profit organizations.

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As a special government employee, Sacks won't have to divest or publicly disclose his assets, but will have to recuse himself from conversations that could impact his holdings. He is permitted to work up to 130 days annually, with or without pay. Sacks won't have to go through confirmation hearings, and he won't have the direct power that formal offices offer. Representatives from Craft Ventures, his VC firm, said he'll stay at the company.

Sacks is the latest in a string of Silicon Valley and Wall Street leaders to join the Trump administration. Trump's appointments of Sacks and others have sparked a cryptocurrency boom.

Read the original article on Business Insider
An arson attack on a synagogue in Melbourne last week is being investigated as terrorist incident, Australian officials said Monday, as the government announced it was establishing a new task force to combat antisemitism.

The Adass Israel Synagogue in the citys south  one of Australias most significant Jewish centers  burst into flames early on Friday. Two worshippers inside the synagogue at the time of the attack reported seeing people pour liquid on the floor, police said.

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton on Monday said the horrific, callous and targeted attack was likely a terrorist incident and would be investigated by a joint counter-terrorism team including Victoria Police, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO).

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Patton said police were searching for three suspects in connection with the firebombing but would not go into detail about their identities or whether they were known to police.

There was no evidence to suggest there would be any more attacks against other synagogues in Melbourne, said Patton, who added that officers would continue to patrol areas with a large Jewish population.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said Fridays fire at the Melbourne synagogue was the third antisemitic attack in recent months.

The Australian Federal Police had established a special task force called Operation Avalite to respond to the attacks, which include a fire at a Jewish ministers Melbourne office and vandalism targeting cars in a Jewish area of Sydney.

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AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw said the national force would play a greater role in policing threats, violence and hatred toward the Jewish community.

Unfortunately, in Australia today those of Jewish ethnicity and religion are being targeted because of who they are, he said. The AFP will not tolerate crimes that undermine Australias security or our way of life.

A policewoman stands guard at the scene of a fire at the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea, Melbourne, Australia, on December 6, 2024. - AAP Image/Con Chronis via Reuters

On the weekend, the Albanese government committed an extra 32.5 million Australian dollars (close to $21 million) to increase security at Jewish community sites across the country, including synagogues and schools.

Jewish communities across Australia have called out a drastic increase in antisemitic attacks since the Hamas attacks on October 7, 2023 and Israels ensuing war in Gaza.

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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the Melbourne attack as an abhorrent act of antisemitism, and linked the firebombing to the Australian governments support of a United Nations resolution calling on Israel to end all hostilities in Gaza.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to separate this reprehensible act from the extreme anti-Israeli position of the Labor government in Australia, including the scandalous decision to support the UN resolution calling on Israel to bring an end to its unlawful presence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, as rapidly as possible, the Prime Ministers Office statement said on Friday.

The statement also pointed to Australias decision to stop former Israeli minister Ayelet Shaked from entering the country for a speaking tour. Australias home affairs minister said Shaked was denied a visa over fears her presence would undermine social cohesion.

Of the UN vote, Albanese said Monday that Australia cast its vote along with 157 nations  including most of its Five Eyes partners  and that its position on the conflict hadnt changed.

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Australia has had for a long period of time  a bipartisan position for a two-state solution in the Middle East  that is still my governments position, he said.

CNNs Angus Watson contributed to this report.

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Gov. Mike Parson listens to a question at a 2022 news conference (Rudi Keller/Missouri Independent).

Eric DeValkenaere is going to have his prison sentence commuted. The only suspense remaining is whether the ex-Kansas City cop convicted of murder in the death of a Black man will be back with his family for Christmas.

Gov. Mike Parson is on record saying that he doesnt like the fact that DeValkenaere is serving a six-year sentence. Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, who will succeed Parson on Jan. 13, has flatly vowed to free DeValkenaere if Parson doesnt do it first.

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With their support for the former officer, Missouris highest officeholders are placing the final stamp of approval on a poisonous false narrative that took hold soon after DeValkenaere shot 26-year-old Cameron Lamb five years ago as Lamb was sitting in his car on his own property.

In that narrative, DeValkenaere is the hero cop who saved another officers life, only to be targeted by the woke Jackson County prosecutor, Jean Peters Baker, who somehow managed to convince a grand jury, a circuit judge, three Missouri appeals judges, the entire Missouri Supreme Court and a federal judge to participate in an epic injustice.

The narrative was forged by the leadership of the Kansas City Police Department at the time of the shooting, and the union representing its officers. It has been adopted by some Republican lawmakers and Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey.

None of it is accurate.

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On the morning of Dec. 3, 2019, DeValkenaere responded to a request over his police radio to check out a driver who had been speeding through city streets. The driver, Lamb, had pulled his pickup truck into a driveway and was backing into a garage. DeValkenaere, who was not in a police uniform, knocked down a makeshift fence to enter the property. Nine seconds later he shot Lamb, who was sitting in his pickup and had just placed a phone call.

The chief of police at the time, Rick Smith, arrived on the scene and was captured on audio declaring that the bad guy was dead. Police officers raced to the home of Lambs ex-girlfriend and held the occupants there at gunpoint. Evidence at trial provided a convincing case that police planted a gun beside Lambs truck to support DeValkenaeres contention that Lamb had pointed a gun at another police officer.

These actions portray a version of policing in which cops are armed occupiers, not keepers of the peace. If you think otherwise ask yourself if it would be acceptable for an officer to storm onto your property and shoot your family member with no evidence that the person presented a threat or had committed a crime beyond traffic infractions.

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The answer is no. It is not acceptable in any neighborhood, under any circumstance.

Jackson County Judge J. Dale Youngs convicted DeValkenaere of second-degree involuntary manslaughter and armed criminal action. The officer had no legal right to enter Lambs property, he ruled, and the shooting was unconstitutional.

Since then, an appeals court panel has upheld the verdict. The Missouri Supreme Court refused to review the case. A federal judge ruled in a civil case that DeValkenaere violated Lambs constitutional rights.

But none of that matters in Missouri Republican political circles. In that world, the convicted cop is still the hero, the dead driver is still the bad guy, and the prosecutor seeking justice for Lamb is forever the villain.

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If the Kansas City Police Department has enacted any constructive reforms after Lambs shooting, they havent been announced publicly. On the contrary, police appear to have reacted to DeValkenaeres conviction with a disastrous passive-aggressive response.

The department is facing two civil lawsuits from citizens who separately claim that officers said they could not properly respond to calls for help because of an informal policy initiated after Youngs ruling. Because DeValkenaere got into trouble for entering a property without a warrant, a decision apparently was made inside the department to avoid that situation.

One of the lawsuits was filed by the family of a 24-year-old woman who made a distress call to 911 two months after DeValkenaeres conviction. Two officers knocked on her door. No one answered and the officers departed without entering the house. About 12 hours later the woman was found murdered and her 4-year-old daughter severely injured.

In the other lawsuit, a resident says police cited the DeValkenaere case as the reason they refused to enter a neighbors house in 2022 after the man called to report seeing an intruder inside. He claims police harassed him because he complained about the incident on social media.

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Lambs death and the fallout from DeValkenaeres conviction solidified the deep mistrust of police that runs deep in Kansas City in the best of times. The appointment of a new police chief, Stacey Graves, in December 2022 created something of a fragile peace, which could shatter in a heartbeat.

I anticipate that an announcement from either Parson or Kehoe will come late some Friday afternoon, perhaps when the weather is bad, or when people are preoccupied with last-minute holiday details.

Some of Kansas Citys leaders have warned of unrest in the streets. I think a more likely outcome will be simmering hostilities for a very long time.

DeValkenaeres freedom will come at the expense of constructive relationship-building and enlightened policing in Kansas City. That will be the ongoing story.
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Merriam-Webster named "polarization" its 2024 Word of the Year on Monday, citing its prominence in describing the political landscape of the 2024 presidential election.

The dictionary said it defines polarization as a "division into two sharply distinct opposites; especially, a state in which the opinions, beliefs, or interests of a group or society no longer range along a continuum but become concentrated at opposite extremes."

"The word was widely used across the media landscape, "Merriam-Webster said in a statement. "The word was also used to describe divides beyond the U.S. election, as when Forbes warned that in workplaces, 'cultural polarization is becoming a more pressing challenge.'"

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The dictionary said the "polar" in polarization is from the Latin word Polaris, which describes the Earth's North and South poles. The North Star is also known as Polaris.

Other words made an impression within Merriam-Websters lookup date throughout the year.

The word "totality" was popular in April during the total eclipse of the sun that happened in April and the scene in 13 states.

"Demure" surged in use in August with TikTok influencer created a line of makeup videos using the phrase "very demure, very mindful." It was the word demure, which describes people who avoid attention to themselves," that sent video watchers running to the dictionary.

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Singing superstar Taylor Swift made the word "fortnight" a lookup sensation with her use this year. Fortnight means "a period of 14 days, two weeks," it had been rarely used until Swift made it popular again.

The word "pander" became popular among news organizations and political groups in describing their opponents on the campaign trail trying to connect to different constituents. The word was often heard during pollical coverage, the dictionary said.

Other words, that became popular in 2024 included resonate, allison, weird, cognitive, and democracy.
Credit - Rob DobiGetty Images

Sharp divides have seemed to define America latelyand Merriam-Webster just made it official.

The famous American dictionary publisher on Monday announced that polarizationdefined as division into two sharply distinct opposites; especially, a state in which the opinions, beliefs, or interests of a group or society no longer range along a continuum but become concentrated at opposing extremesis its Word of the Year for 2024.

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Read More: Brain Rot Is the 2024 Word of the Year, According to Oxford University Press

The termwhich dates back to the early 1800s in reference to light waves but is often used today in relation to politicswas chosen at the end of the worlds biggest-ever election year, including a U.S. presidential race that saw left and right continue to split further apart. Merriam-Webster had already announced in October the introduction of new words to its dictionary in 2024, including far left and far right as well as MAGAthe shorthand for President-elect Donald Trumps highly-polarizing Make America Great Again movement.

Polarization tends to be decried by observers. Its bad for democracy, bad for our health. In a little bit ironic twist to the word, said Merriam-Websters editor at large Peter Sokolowski of the wide usage of polarization across the spectrum, in an interview with the Associated Press, its something that actually everyone agrees on.

But Merriam-Webster didnt just pick one word for 2024. It also highlighted nine others that the dictionary publisher said stood out in search volume on its website this year:

totality

Defined as the phase of an eclipse during which it is total, the word totality garnered much interest surrounding the total solar eclipse that occurred in April 2024a rare astronomical event that inspired intrigue and travel.

demure

The word demure, was popularized this year by TikTok creator Jools Lebron, who started an Internet trend centered around the phrase very demure, very mindful. According to Merriam-Webster: In its earliest use in the 14th century, demure described people who avoid drawing attention to themselves. Since then, it has also come to describe those whose shyness is a bit of an act.

fortnight

Fortnighta primarily British word for a span of 14 dayswas plucked out of relative obscurity, according to Merriam-Webster, by Taylor Swift, who promoted her 2024 album The Tortured Poets Department with a #ForAFortnightChallenge on social media and whose song Fortnight has been nominated for Record of the Year at the 67th Grammy Awards. It remains to be seen whether Swifts use of the term will lead to its wider adoption in American English, said the dictionary publisher.

pander

Lookups of the verb panderwhich means to say, do, or provide what someone wants or demands even though it is not proper, good, or reasonablespiked at the height of the U.S. presidential race in mid-October, according to Merriam-Webster, as both sides accused the other of pandering to different groupsfrom conservative outlets saying Democratic nominee Kamala Harris did it to Black men to Harris running mate Tim Walz saying Trump did it when he visited a McDonalds.

resonate

Merriam-Webster thinks the word resonate, defined as to affect or appeal to someone in a personal or emotional way, saw an increase in searches because it is one of ChatGPTs favorite words in its AI-generated writing. The dictionary publisher also said the word appeared often in news stories about political positions and issues resonating with voters.

allision

The word allision emerged following the crash of a cargo ship into Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge in March, which caused the deaths of six workers. While many news outlets used the word collisionwhich Merriam-Webster says according to some traditional definitions, refers only to contact between two moving objectsto describe the incident, many maritime publications opted to use allisiondefined as the act or an instance of a ship striking a stationary object.

weird

Weird was weaponized by both sides of the political spectrum this presidential election. Minnesota Gov. Walz gained national prominence by his persistent labeling of Republicans and their platform as weird, while Republicans showed no hesitation lobbing the adjective (defined as of strange or extraordinary character) back at Democrats. Weird seemed to be directed at not only the policies, but also the appearance and behavior, of the opposing candidates, said Merriam-Webster.

cognitive

Like several other words on the list, cognitivewhich means of, relating to, being, or involving conscious intellectual activity (such as thinking, reasoning, or remembering)saw a notable rise in searches this year, according to Merriam-Webster, on account of its relevance to the presidential election. President Joe Biden dropped out of the race amid questions about his cognitive ability, while Trump also faced accusations of cognitive decline. After the election, Merriam-Webster said, the term cognitive dissonance (referring to psychological conflict resulting from incongruous beliefs and attitudes held simultaneously) appeared in discussions about states that voted for Trump but against restrictions on access to abortion.

democracy

The word, which is defined as government by the people, saw a surge in lookups throughout 2024 across red states and blue states, according to Merriam-Webster, as people tried to fully understand what it means. In a year best summed up by polarization, the dictionary publisher fittingly also put the spotlight back on its inaugural Word of the Year for 2003, when it began participating in the annual tradition. The word democracy never appears in the Declaration of Independence or the Constitution, Merriam-Webster concluded its announcement, but it has long been a focus of American and global attention, rarely more so than now.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
In 2003, Merriam-Webster kicked off the annual tradition of choosing a "word of the year," based on search volume on the dictionary publisher's website, which serves as an on-the-nose superlative of the current cultural landscape.

The first word chosen"democracy"aligned perfectly with where American heads were at during the start of the Iraq War and a George W. Bush presidency. Decades later, their latest pick is equally fitting when it comes to summarizing the headlines published during one of the tensest election years in history.

Beating out close contenders like "demure," "fortnight," "pander" and "weird," 2024 saw the widest number of Merriam-Webster.com users interested in one word above all  "polarization," defined as "division into two sharply distinct opposites  a state in which the opinions, beliefs, or interests of a group or society no longer range along a continuum but become concentrated at opposing extremes," which seems about right.

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Polarization means division, but its a very specific kind of division, said Peter Sokolowski, Merriam-Websters editor at large, in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press ahead of Mondays announcement. Polarization means that we are tending toward the extremes rather than toward the center.

Compared to the "word of the year" in 2023  "authentic"  this year's pick reflects a year that ended with American voters aligning with Donald Trump in his campaign against Kamala Harris, but Sokolowski is letting the data speak for itself.

Its always been important to me that the dictionary serve as a kind of neutral and objective arbiter of meaning for everybody, Sokolowski said. Its a kind of backstop for meaning in an era of fake news, alternative facts, whatever you want to say about the value of a words meaning in the culture.
WILMINGTON, Del. (AP)  Attorneys for Meta shareholders asked a Delaware judge Monday to sanction the company's former Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg and fellow Facebook board member and current White House chief of staff Jeff Zients for deleting emails related to the Cambridge Analytica privacy scandal, despite being told to preserve such records.

The plaintiff attorneys contend that Sandberg and Zients used personal email accounts to communicate about key issues relating to their 2018 shareholder lawsuit that alleged Facebook officers and directors violated both the law and their fiduciary duties in failing for years to protect the privacy of user data.

Although Sandberg and Zients received a litigation hold requiring them to preserve documents from these accounts, they both knowingly and permanently destroyed electronically stored information from such sources, attorneys said in a court filing.

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The plaintiffs say the former board members were either reckless or intentional in destroying documents, noting that Sandberg deleted communications to and from her Gmail account after only 30 days, even after being notified of the litigation hold to preserve documents. Zients never disabled an auto-delete function on his email account, even though he, too, received a litigation hold and consulted with lawyers, they said.

The plaintiffs argue that Sandberg and Zients should be prohibited from testifying about information they sent or received using their personal email accounts. They also say the burden of proof for any affirmative defense they present should be raised to a standard of clear and convincing evidence, instead of the lower standard of a preponderance of the evidence.

Sandberg was deposed last week. Plaintiff attorney Max Huffman said Zients is busy and will be deposed in February after theres an effective transition in Washington.

Defense attorney Berton Ashman described the email deletions as unfortunate but argued that the plaintiffs have not shown that they were prejudiced in any way.

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Theres no intent here to destroy relevant or responsive information, Ashman told Vice Chancellor J. Travis Laster, adding that there no trove of missing emails.

Theres no grand scheme or suggestion of bad behavior, he added.

Ashman said the vast majority of emails that Sandberg and Zients sent or received using their personal accounts were also received by other individuals at Facebook. He suggested that any emails that may have been deleted have been made available to the plaintiffs from other sources at Facebook.

Huffman, the plaintiffs lawyer, said Sandberg does not deserve the benefit of the doubt.

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She unilaterally controlled what was kept and what was destroyed, he told the judge.

Laster, who is scheduled to preside over a non-jury trial in April, said he wanted to see a transcript of Sandbergs deposition before ruling on the motion for sanctions.

Last year, the judge rejected a defense motion arguing that the lawsuit should be dismissed because the plaintiffs did not first demand that Facebooks board take legal action before filing litigation themselves. He agreed with the plaintiffs that such a demand would have been futile because of doubts that a majority of the relevant Facebook board members, many with close personal and business ties to Mark Zuckerberg, would be willing to confront the CEO and founder of the company over its privacy failures.

Laster noted that, in deciding on a motion to dismiss, he was required to accept the allegations in the complaint as true.

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The complaint alleges that Facebook officials repeatedly and continually violated a 2012 consent order with the Federal Trade Commission under which Facebook agreed to stop collecting and sharing personal data on platform users and friends without their consent.

Facebook later sold user data to commercial partners in direct violation of the consent order and removed disclosures from privacy settings that were required under consent order, the lawsuit alleges. The companys conduct resulted in significant fines from regulators in Europe and culminated in the Cambridge Analytica scandal in 2018. That case involved a British political consulting firm hired by Donald Trumps 2016 presidential campaign that paid a Facebook app developer for the personal information of tens of millions Facebook users.

The fallout led to Facebook agreeing to pay unprecedented $5 billion penalty to settle FTC charges that the company violated the 2012 consent order by deceiving users about their ability to protect their personal information.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Body-worn camera footage shows the moment a man armed with a stun baton ran toward police officers, causing them to fire several times early Thursday morning.

The shooting happened at around 2:20 a.m. on Thursday, Dec. 5 in the 1500 block of North Eastern Avenue near Owens Avenue when police responded to a report of a man armed with a bat.

The person reporting told police the man was swinging the bat and attempting to strike citizens and vehicles passing in the area, Assistant Sheriff Jamie Prosser told media at a Monday news conference.

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Officers arrived and found the man wrapped in a blanket standing in the middle of the road. He was later identified as Luis Sanchez-Gomez, 46. He was armed with an armored stun baton and a kitchen knife.

WARNING: The following photos are graphic and may be disturbing. Discretion is advised. Photos shown by police at a news conference show the weapons Luis Sanchez-Gomez, 46, was armed with before an officer-involved shooting. (LVMPD)

As officers attempted to contain Sanchez-Gomez, he walked near businesses in the 1500 block of North Eastern Avenue, stopping in front of an empty laundromat. Sanchez-Gomez used the stun baton to smash the front window of the laundromat and enter the building, Prosser said.

After leaving the laundry mat, Sanchez-Gomez smashed another nearby businesss glass window.

Officers then ordered Sanchez-Gomez to drop the bat, telling him that if he did not comply, he would be hit with a low-lethal bean bag round.

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Sanchez-Gomez did not listen to the officers commands. An officer then shot him with a low-lethal bean bag round, causing Sanchez-Gomez to turn toward the officers.

Prosser said Sanchez-Gomez then moved toward the officers with the stun baton raised above his head. Officers continued to shoot low-lethal rounds at him as he advanced toward them.

As he got closer, Officers Justin Lee, 38, and Victor Robinson, 36, simultaneously discharged their firearms at Sanchez-Gomez, causing him to fall to the ground.

Lee has been with the LVMPD since 2021 and he fired three shots during this incident. Robinson has been with the LVMPD since 2017. He fired five shots. Both are assigned to the tourist safety division in the downtown area command.

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While Sanchez-Gomez was on the ground, officers saw him armed with a knife as he attempted to push himself up. Another officer fired two additional low-lethal rounds, causing Sanchez-Gomez to stay on the ground.

Officers then yelled at Sanchez-Gomez in both Spanish and English to drop the weapon. He dropped the knife and police took him into custody and rendered aid.

Medical personnel took Sanchez-Gomez to a local hospital where he remains in critical condition, Prosser said.

He faces the following charges: three counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a protected person, one count of burglary, and one count of resisting a public officer with a deadly weapon, not a firearm.

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Prosser said this was the 15th officer-involved shooting in 2024, and the 7th non-fatal. On Sunday, Dec. 8, there was another officer-involved shooting at the South Point Hotel and Casino, bringing the total to 16.

At this point in 2023, there were eight officer-involved shootings and five were non-fatal.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
BEIJING, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- When meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting in the Peruvian capital of Lima, Chinese President Xi Jinping listed seven experiences and inspirations that should be drawn from the past four years of China-U.S. relations. These insights offer strategic guidance for ensuring a stable, healthy and sustainable bilateral relationship in the future.

At the meeting, Xi enumerated the seven points as to have a correct strategic perception, to match words with actions, to treat each other as equals, not to challenge red lines and paramount principles, to conduct more dialogue and cooperation, to respond to the expectations of the people, and to shoulder the responsibilities of major countries.

The China-U.S. relationship is one of the most consequential bilateral relations, critical to the world's peaceful development and humanity's future. Over the past four years, although China-U.S. relations have experienced ups and downs, the two countries have also engaged in dialogue and cooperation, with their relationship stable on the whole under the stewardship of the two presidents.

History has illustrated time and again that only with a strong sense of responsibility, a rational perception of each other, and the utmost sincerity to enhance relations can U.S.-China ties regain stability and return to a path of healthy development.

As the world's largest developing and developed economies, China and the United States share immense potential for cooperation in trade, energy, science and technology, education, and people-to-people exchanges. Both play a significant role in such global endeavors as fostering economic recovery, fighting climate change and terrorism, preventing nuclear proliferation, and tackling regional and international crises.

Together, the two countries have made great achievements for the good of the world, including combating terrorism, addressing financial crises, fighting Ebola, and pushing for the Paris Agreement on climate change. An unfailing truth in China-U.S. interactions is that both countries stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation.

Through the past 45 years, China-U.S. relations have overcome various difficulties and continued to advance. The breadth of their cooperation, the depth of entwined interests, and the impact of the relationship have reached unprecedented levels.

The historical trajectory should enlighten the future development of the relationship between the two countries. When they treat each other as partners and seek common ground while shelving differences, their relationship will make considerable progress. However, if they see each other as rivals and engage in vicious competition, their relationship will suffer disruptions and even setbacks.

Today, humanity is faced with unprecedented challenges in a turbulent world suffering from frequent conflicts. Major-country competition should not be the underlying logic of the times; only solidarity and cooperation can help humanity overcome current difficulties.

The U.S. side should also realize that neither decoupling nor disrupting supply chains is the solution, while common development can only be achieved through mutually beneficial cooperation. Moreover, a major country should not pursue a "small yard, high fences" strategy; only openness and sharing can advance humanity's well-being.

During his meeting with Biden, Xi called for joint efforts to explore the right way for two major countries to realize long-term, peaceful coexistence on this planet, and inject more certainty and positive energy into the world.

The planet is big enough to accommodate the common development and respective prosperity of the world's two largest economies.

As the United States prepares for a new administration, China and the broader world hope that the U.S. side will join China in embracing mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, ensuring a seamless transition in their relations, and finding a right way for the two countries to co-exist for the shared benefits of their people and the wider global community in the new era. 
CLOVIS, N.M. (KRQE)  Authorities are looking for a man accused of murder. Despite leads, he hasnt turned up yet.

According to the Clovis Police Department, officers had a domestic violence call on Friday around 11:20 a.m. Authorities responded and contacted a woman at an apartment in the 1000 block of North Martin Luther King Boulevard.

Family asks for help finding hit-and-run driver that killed 15-year-old in Bernalillo

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Police learned a wanted person, identified as Alex Capata, 27, might be at the apartment with a firearm. New Mexico State Police also responded to help secure a perimeter.

A search warrant was served for the apartment after the occupants failed to cooperate. Zapata wasnt found in the apartment, but theyre still looking for him.

Clovis police said Zapata is wanted for murder.

If you know his whereabouts, use the Clovis Police Departments tip411 program. Anonymous tips can be sent to the Curry County Crime Stoppers at 575-763-7000.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos.
Mexican authorities said they are on track to produce and export a record number of passenger vehicles and pickup trucks in 2024.

From January through November, auto factories in Mexico produced 3.7 million units, a 5.6% year-over-year increase, according to data released Friday from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI).

Pickup trucks accounted for 76% of total vehicles produced at Mexican auto factories during the first 11 months of the year, INEGI said.

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Vehicles exported from Mexican factories from January through November totaled 3.2 million units, a 6.5% year-over-year increase from the same period in 2023.





These results confirm the beginning of a new stage of expansion for the automotive industry. As a reference, 2017 was a record year in production, with 3.9 million vehicles; at the close of November 2024 we are only 168,000 units away from reaching it, the Mexican Association of the Automotive Industry (AMIA) said in a statement.

Related: Texas bridge expansion focused on cross-border trucking

Mexico City-based AMIA is a chamber association formed in 1951 to represent the interests of foreign vehicle manufacturers established in Mexico, including Audi, BMW, FCA, Ford, GM, Honda, JAC, KIA, Mazda, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen.

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About 87% of cars produced in Mexico are exported, with 80% of them destined for the U.S.

During November, production of vehicles from Mexican auto factories increased 6.7% year over year to 351,535 units. Exports increased 2.9% year over year in November to 289,309 vehicles.





GM factories in Mexico exported 75,319 units in November, an 8% year-over-year increase.

In Mexico, Detroit-based GM has three production complexes, including plants in the cities of Ramos Arizpe (Chevy Blazer and Equinox), Silao (Chevy Silverado 1500 and GMC Sierra 1500) and San Luis Potosi (GMC Terrain and Chevy Equinox), according to GM Authority.

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Nissan exported 37,390 passenger vehicles during the month, a 40% year-over-year

Increase. Japan-based Nissan has two factories in Mexico where it produces models such as the Sentra and Kicks.

Toyota exported 26,905 units during November, a 46% year-over-year gain over the same period in 2023. The Japanese automaker produces the Tacoma pickup truck and the Corolla sedan in Mexico.

The post Mexicos automotive industry exports 289,309 vehicles in November appeared first on FreightWaves.
The Michael Latt Legacy Fund, which launched earlier this year to honor and continue the social justice advocacy work of Michael Latt, has announced a series of grants, scholarships and educational programming to support nonprofit organizations and artists whose work leverages storytelling as a vehicle for social transformation.

The funds initial grantees include: Harness; Protect the Sacred; Question Culture; Saved By A Story; Center for Art & Advocacy; BLD PWR (Build Power); Sola Foundation; and Brown Girls Doc Mafia. Details of each organization can be found below.

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Latt, a studio marketing consultant and founder of social impact group Lead with Love, was killed in a home invasion robbery in November 2023 at age 33. His killer was convicted in July of this year.

In addition to the grantees, organizers said the fund also has garnered a three-year commitment from Panavision, which established the Panavision | Michael Latt First Feature Award, providing a first-time filmmaker from an underrepresented community access to a camera package and dedicated educational resources. The 2024 recipient is writer-director Ramzi Bashour, who recently completed filming his feature Tomahawk Springs.

In addition, Sundance Collab, the digital education arm of the Sundance Institute, will launch a Cultural Impact Online Residency for six emerging artists working in fiction and nonfiction. The six-month program begins in March 2025 and is designed to provide an accessible learning touchstone for global creators.

In honor of Latts dedication to the arts as a tool for social change, Howard University will offer the Michael Latt full scholarship for cinematic arts and social change, which will go to a student whose work uses film, photography or design in the service of cultural and social impact.

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The fund also announced the formation of the Michael Latt Legacy Fund/Spark Features Marketing Impact Grant to be awarded annually through 2027 to a diverse emerging filmmaker with a film premiering at the Sundance Film Festival. Underwritten by Spark founders Robina Riccitiello and Josh Peters, the $12,500 award will help support a films marketing campaign, including social media and publicity initiatives. The 2025 recipient will be announced later this month.

As a family, we are deeply moved by the support we have received during this difficult and sad time,  said Michelle Satter, David Latt and Franklin Latt. Every day we miss Michaels infectious energy, his passion for social advocacy work and his capacity for big ideas. So many of his friends and collaborators have shown us the way forward as they celebrate his memory. We are committed to continuing his work as a passionate social justice leader who believed in the power of art and storytelling to change the lives of individuals and communities. We will continue to use the Legacy Fund to support organizations that Michael worked along with organizations that Michael would have embraced. We hope you will join us in this work.

The announcement caps a year of advocacy work by the fund and recognition for Latt that included the NAACP Dorothy Parker Ally Award, the African American Film Critics Association Freedom Award, and the first-ever Changemakers Film Showcase, hosted by New Media Ventures in partnership with the fund to empower and spotlight the work of emerging BIPOC artists.

As part of that event, three filmmakers were awarded mentorship opportunities and access to the educational resources of Sundance Collab to support their ongoing endeavors.

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Latt and his company, Lead With Love, were recently commemorated in Glenn Kainos art installation Sails at the Intuit Dome, the new home of the Los Angeles Clippers. Latt also was honored by the For Freedoms Congress, an artist-led organization that centers art as a catalyst for creative civic engagement, discourse and direct action.

Here is more into on the Michael Latt Legacy Fund grantees:

Harness

Harness is hosting a series of artist salons and community gatherings to harness the power of storytelling and community to ignite civic engagement. The goal is to resource and coordinate emergent strategies that foster innovative and impactful collaborations between artists and social justice organizers from underserved communities. Harness.

Protect the Sacred

Protect the Sacred educates and empowers the next generation of Native leaders and allies to use transformative storytelling and community building to strengthen Indigenous sovereignty and protect Indigenous elders, languages, and medicine ways. We create a world where ancestral resilience and generations of traditions echo through Indigenous youth and their creativity; where Indigenous voices not only survive but thrive; where hope is restored, lighting the way forward for the next seven generations. Protect the Sacred  Harness.

Saved By A Story

Saved By A Storys Community Writing Workshop for Former Foster Youth will offer a safe, affirming, inclusive space that creates a sense of belonging for young people who are transitioning out of the foster care system. This prompt-driven writing workshop will help former foster youth get their story to the page, create a cohesive narrative of their life experiences, build community with each other and elevate well-being through writing. The workshop will put youth in community with others who have experienced a life of foster care and who are now transitioning to adulthood with scant support in placea space where young people can be free of stigma and lean into their strengths and wisdom and share their stories, Saved By A Story.

Center for Art and Advocacy/Right of Return

The Center for Art and Advocacy will bring together system-impacted artists, cultural leaders, and advocates to explore the role of art in justice reform at the Los Angeles Right of Return Fellows Convening to take place alongside Frieze LA. The event will showcase the work of Right of Return fellows and the Frieze LA Impact Prize winner, focusing on how storytelling can challenge mass incarceration in the United States. Attendees will engage in discussions, share experiences, and network, promoting collaboration and amplifying the impact of art in advocacy efforts. Center For Art and Advocacy.

BLD PWR/Free Yo Mind

Free Yo Mind is a healing justice initiative by BLD PWR focused on mental health care for Black and Indigenous men. Through immersive experiences such as True: an Immersive Experience, it combines live events, multimedia storytelling, and community engagement to challenge harmful media narratives and inspire systemic change. In addition to live events, the project continuously updates its Liberate Mental Health resource page, providing an evolving list of mental health resources, uplifting the work of partner organizations, and ensuring ongoing access to culturally relevant tools and support for Black and Indigenous communities. BLD PWR/Free Yo Mind.

SoLa Foundation

The SoLa will host a 12-week program for ten young adults (ages 16-21) from South LA interested in art, advocacy and entrepreneurship. This initiative will explore opportunities for art and activism through workshops, programming, and events featuring prominent artists and creatives of color. The program aims to inspire and educate the next generation of artistic and entrepreneurial leaders in Greater South Los Angeles. SoLa Foundation.

Brown Girls Doc Mafia (BGDM)

Brown Girls Doc Mafia (BGDM)s Sustainable Artist Micro-Grants offer women and non-binary filmmakers of color financial support, impact mentorship, industry access, and a strong community to embolden their creative practice and develop deeper sustainability for their careers. The 2025 cohort will prioritize directors and producers that seek to leverage storytelling for cultural and social change. The three selected recipients will also receive in-kind benefits through BGDMs robust year-round programming which prioritizes visibility for underrepresented artists, and centers wellness, care, joy, and community. Brown Girls Doc Mafia.

Question Culture

The impact campaign for Songs from the Hole centers around a national tour of free community events for incarcerated people and people from communities impacted by interpersonal and state violence. The events feature screenings of Songs from the Hole and are followed by guided healing circles facilitated by the films JJ88, producer Richie Reseda and other currently and formerly incarcerated facilitators. Question Culture.

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GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Michigan election clerks are pushing back against a set of bills that would expand voting access, citing a lack of available resources.

Lawmakers adjourn for the year on Dec. 19. Democrats have been pushing to pass various legislation before Republicans take back the House next year, returning divided government to Lansing.

This week, the House Elections Committee passed the Michigan Voting Rights Act, a package of bills that would expand voting access for non-English speakers and those with disabilities. The bills, which already passed the Senate in September, go to the House next for a final vote.

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Republicans win back Michigan House of Representatives

If the legislation is signed into law, ballots would have to be provided in more languages, translated to those not covered by the federal Voting Rights Act. Kent County Commissioner Ivan Diaz, a Democrat who serves southwest Grand Rapids and north Wyoming, said the package of bills will break down voting barriers.

If we dont have materials in the language, the first language of people who are trying to vote, that is a barrier in and of itself, Diaz said in an interview Sunday. Im surprised that weve gotten this far in our states history without having this type of legislation. The more we can reduce barriers to give people the ability to vote, then thats the thing we need to do.

Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson testified Tuesday before the House committee in support of the legislation, arguing it would help ensure no citizen is denied the right to vote. Her office also applauded measures aimed to stop voter dilution or suppression.

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We need look no further than the consistent weakening of federal voting protections over the last several decades and the impact that has had in other states nationwide to realize that it is up to states in this moment to step up and ensure the basic right to freely elect our representatives and hold them accountable remains intact for every citizen in our country and in our state, Benson said.

But many who run our elections have spoken out against the bills, like Grand Haven City Clerk Maria Boersma and Lansing City Clerk Chris Swope. Clerks have argued they wont have enough resources to implement the changes, especially since early voting became required by law and elections have cost more to run.

Election officials preparing for early in-person voting

Its providing materials in a language, but its also providing an interpreter if thats needed, Boersma said in a Sunday interview. We have over 1,200 municipalities in the state of Michigan that are running elections. A lot of those overnight are going to see the need to require additional language assistance. That cost is going to be exponential.

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Boersma said rural communities with fewer registered voters could be especially affected by the change.

Some small farming communities that might barely have 1,000 registered voters might all of a sudden overnight see themselves needing to provide extra language assistance, Boersma said. That doesnt just cover a ballot in a different language. Instructions, public notices, audio recordings of ballots would have to be read in a different language.

Curbside voting would also be required for voters with disabilities who cant enter a polling place. Diaz argued its another proposal that should be common-sense.

What we want to avoid is people showing up to vote seeing long lines and then saying, Im gonna go back home or try a different day,' Diaz said. Allowing people with disabilities to drive up or come up to the curbside and vote that way, why not?

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How Ottawa County is working to reduce early voting wait times

In contrast, Boersma worries clerks dont have enough staff to accommodate curbside voting, and it could also put them in legal jeopardy.

You are inviting liability when you have individuals taking a ballot in and out of a polling location, Boersma said.

Clerks also fear the requirements could expose them to lawsuits. Voters would be able to sue cities or counties for moving a polling place to a new location that could be inaccessible.

It creates new harsher penalties for clerks and election officials that weve never seen before for things like simply moving a polling location, Boersma said. A lot of clerks know we havent been welcome in places weve normally been in, such as schools and churches, because of security concerns.

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While Diaz acknowledges election officials concerns and believes they should be more involved in the process, he also argued that having a lack of resources is not an excuse for us to not try and improve a system.

If anything, that just means we need to talk about, do we need more resources at the state level? he said. Do we need to change the way were using those resources?

Diaz suggested the state should consider imposing a graduated income tax, also known as a progressive tax, which levies increasingly higher tax rates on higher-earning people. He argued that would help deliver more resources. With less than two weeks left before lawmakers adjourn for the year, Diaz said lawmakers should act quickly on this legislation as well as others.

I would say the legislators in Lansing need to do their job, Diaz said. Not just the legislators, the governor, everyone thats part of the legislative process.

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After a collection of lake effect and snow squalls last week, followed by warming temperatures, here's what the weather in the mitten state may look like this week.

According to the National Weather Service, Marquette may see warmer than normal temperatures early Monday and 1-3 inches of snow expected by Monday morning with a winter weather advisory in effect. With falling temperatures, dipping down to 22 degrees, lake effect snow will continue from Tuesday through the middle of the week.

What is lake effect snow

Lake effect is a phenomena in which moisture-laden air drops heavy snow in some places downwind from large bodies of water while other areas receive almost no snow.

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Lake effect snow occurs when cold air moves across the open waters of the Great Lakes, said Lily Chapman, a meteorologist at the NWS Forecast office in Marquette.

Often originating in Canada during the fall and winter months, colder air moves across the warmer Great Lakes. Water evaporates from the lakes, adding moisture to the lowest portion of the atmosphere, according to the NWS.

More: Lake effect snow blankets part of Michigan every year. Here's where and what to know

Weather in Detroit

For southeast Michigan, Detroiters (and metro Detroiters) can expect to see temperatures ranging from the upper 50s to the mid-teens as the week progresses and gets colder.

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Snow showers later in the week are possible due to cold fronts that will sweep rain to the east side of the state, bringing cooler air into the area Tuesday night through Wednesday night, according to the NWS in Detroit/Pontiac.

More: Snow squalls are taking Michigan by storm. How to prepare for whiteouts

Weather in Grand Rapids

In Grand Rapids, morning fog and rain could cloud the area Monday afternoon. Temperatures will be above normal in the 40s through the day.

A lake effect snow event will leave most of the area covered Tuesday through Thursday. Grand Rapids' NWS office is encouraging residents to be cautious of travel impacts across western lower Michigan.

NWS offices in Michigan

Michigan Weather Services has five forecast offices throughout the state including an office in:

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Detroit/Pontiac

Gaylord

Marquette

Grand Rapids

Northern Indiana

For more information on the weather in your region, visit the National Weather Service website for your local community.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Weather forecast in Michigan: Colder temps, lake effect snow possible
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In the flurry of end-of-session bills descending onto the floors of both chambers of Michigans state legislature, lawmakers are considering bill packages to offer individuals in prison a second look at their sentences or productivity credits to get out early

Proponents of the bills proclaim that Michiganders want reforms to the states criminal justice system that offer second chances to those who have changed with time or were too young to absorb the gravity of their criminal actions. Some members of the criminal justice system, including victims of crimes, say the legislative efforts prioritize those who have committed violence over the safety and rights of those who had no say in becoming victims.

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There are many things to be proud of in Michigan, but its criminal justice system isnt necessarily one of them, state Rep. Amos ONeal (D-Saginaw) told media last week pointing to Michigan keeping people in prison for longer and sentencing more juveniles to life than most other states. He argued that the legislation would encourage the opportunity to consider when society would be better served by a persons release than continued incarceration.

This is not a free ticket out. Its a process for the parole board to hear you, see what type of programs youve been in, ONeal said. Were sensitive to the concerns of our victims, but we also have to think about there are victims on both sides. There are families associated with both sides and so you have to take that into totality and be realistic and not be insensitive.

MI state Rep. Amos ONeal speaks at a press conference to sign legislation to limit gun access to those convicted of domestic violence offenses on Nov. 20, 2023. (Photo: Anna Liz Nichols)

Many of the bills that advanced out of committee to the floor in the last week saw little movement for more than a year, to the ire of reform advocates, and were unexpectedly advanced in the final days of the legislative session as Democrats prepare to give up their short lived majority in the state House.

Second Look

Proponents for legislation to offer Second Look hearings to examine if a person can be released early after they have served at least 20 years of their sentence, say lengthy prison sentences in many cases do little to make the state more safe, failing to work towards the goals of rehabilitation and deterrence that the prison system is charged with.

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The American Bar Association supports Second Look legislation to review lengthy sentences after at least a decade in an effort to combat bias in the justice system by reforming laws and practices that have an unjustifiably disproportionate impact on protected classes of individuals, e.g., race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and socio-economic class.

While members of the criminal justice system for decades believed that lengthy sentences served to promote public safety as offenders were largely viewed as incapable of rehabilitation, the system has changed for the better, recognizing the power of healing in prisons, Fair and Just Prosecution, or FJP said in testimony submitted to the House Criminal Justice Committee in March. The group, which consists of prosecutors from around the country interested in criminal justice reform, say that as states have pursued efforts to amend unproductive sentencing laws and promote rules to ensure individuals dont reoffend, those serving lengthy sentences under old rules have been left behind.

Too many members of our communities are aging in prisons, often serving sentences far longer than they would receive for comparable conduct today, FJP said in written testimony. And many of them can safely return to our communities and deserve to be considered for an opportunity to come home.

The Second Look Sentencing Act, comprising House Bills 4556, 4557, 4558, 4559 and 4560 would allow incarcerated individuals to petition for a second look at their sentence after serving 20 years in prison. Any and all offenses would be eligible for petition except for those who committed a mass shooting. Courts recieving a petition for a second look resentencing could reject holding a hearing at its discretion for some violent offenses such as sexual abuse of children, including producing sexually abusive materials, domestic or aggravated assault with other convictions or human trafficking offenses.

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The average age of individuals serving sentences in Michigan prisons in 2022 was 41 years old, up from 35 years old in 2002, according to annual data from the Michigan Department of Corrections.

By the time an individual has served more than 10 years in prison, theyre often past their window of risk for criminal activity, Safe & Just Michigan said in submitted testimony to the House Criminal Justice Committee in March. The organization, which advocates for criminal justice reform policy, argues that individuals who commit criminal acts early in life are often different people after a decade in prison, having matured and hopefully received rehabilitative services, able to positively impact their local community.

The bill package cleared the House Criminal Justice committee without support of any Republicans on the committee last Tuesday.

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Not everyone is supportive of the Second Look Sentencing Act, as there are crime victims who say the new rules violate the protections they benefited from under truth in sentencing and worry that the peace theyve lived under knowing their offenders are incarcerated would disappear.

Nicole Beverly has told lawmakers she knows exactly how much time she has until her ex-husband, who tried to end her life in 2009, is released from prison and she has to change her identity and relocate. Beverly, who spoke to Michigan Advance last year about her story of survival and the need for better victim services, said a second look for violent offenders means victims would be looking over their shoulders for the rest of their lives.

While I agree that our criminal justice system needs reform and revamping and many individuals are serving sentencing terms for non-violent crimes that are unjust, the answer is not to blindly open the floodgates for all, Beverly said in testimony submitted to the House Criminal Justice Committee in March. I am not sure when the focus turned so sharply from protecting victims of violent crimes which included providing them resources, shelter and other supports to instead cutting victim related funds drastically, but I am gravely concerned about the impact this is already having on victims in our state.

Michigan-based domestic violence survivor and advocate Nicole Beverly (Courtesy of Nicole Beverly)

Productivity credits

Rep. Graham Filler (R-St. Johns) told the Advance last week he remembers Beverlys case from when he was an assistant attorney general with the Michigan Attorney Generals Office and its cases like hers, where a lengthy prison has allowed for victims to reclaim their lives from their abusers, that are the driving force of why Second Look or productivity credits are not an option.

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Under Senate Bills 861, 862, 863 and 864 individuals could have up to 20% of their prison sentences reduced by participating in programming within the Department of Corrections such as educational and vocational curricula.

About 95% of people incarcerated in prison will be released at some point, according to the U.S. Department of Justice, so its a matter of how the justice system returns those individuals to society, Sen. Ed McBroom (R-Waucedah Twp.) said in a news release introducing the bipartisan bill package in May.

Sen. Ed McBroom (R-Vulcan), Oct. 26, 2021 | Laina G. Stebbins

If we are going to reduce crime, we must stop repeat crime, McBroom wrote. Prisoners who complete Productivity Credits are better prepared to return to their communities as engaged, employed members of society who do not re-offend and create new victims. This program offers a strong incentive to complete programming that has been proven to reduce reoffending.

Most states have some form of good time credits that reward constructive behavior in prison with the goal of previously incarcerated individuals being able to participate in society and the economy and end cycles of incarceration and violence. Michigan had a good time system until 1978, when voters revoked such allowances through a ballot initiative, which would require a 3/4ths vote from the Michigan legislature where the steep political divide between parties would likely prevent the bill from progressing.

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The bills cleared the Senate Civil Rights, Judiciary, and Public Safety Committee last Tuesday without support from the two Republicans serving on the committee.

There are about 32,000 incarcerated individuals in Michigans prisons, with thousands being released each year, and the hope is that individuals might be better prepared to be lawful members of local communities by the time they are released, Mayor of Detroit and Gubernatorial Candidate in 2026 Mike Duggan said in submitted testimony in support of productivity credits in November.

In communities with limited opportunities for those suffering under the weight of poverty, poor educational opportunities, and hopelessness, we need our returning citizens to come home ready to contribute and help rebuild an[d] uplift our community, Duggan wrote.

But the Michigan Domestic and Sexual Violence Prevention and Treatment Board, or MDSVPTB, harbors concerns for survivors of violence if productivity credits become reality. As the board examines many pieces of legislation to determine the impact on crime victims or curbing acts of violence from occurring in the first place, chair of the board, retired Judge Elizabeth Pollard Hines, said in her opposition that up to 90% of prisoners participate in certain eligible programs, making the bill package too broad.

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The Board recognizes the value in prisoners completing educational and other programs while incarcerated to prepare them to come home ready to work and live productive lives in their communities, and such program[s] are already currently being completed, Hines wrote in testimony submitted Tuesday. The additional incentives offered by SBs 861-864 in the form of productivity credits are not needed and would harm victims.

Over the next few weeks the legislature is expected to take up action on a downpour of criminal justice reforms and not everyone will be pleased with every part of the bills, Chair of the House Criminal Justice Committee Kara Hope (D-Holt) told media after Tuesdays committee. But the important thing is that Michiganders across the state, including many of the individuals who have testified against some of the proposed reforms, want the system to work better, for victims and communities to be safer and for families to be reunited and be in a better place than they were when a person entered into prison.

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ST. LOUIS  A man from the Detroit, Michigan, area appeared in federal court on Monday and was sentenced months for stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of watches from an Ellisville, Missouri, jewelry store, approximately two months after a co-defendant was sentenced for the same crime.

Prosecutors with the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Missouri said Kordaryl Cross, 35, and Dajuan Marcellus, 34, planned to use a stolen vehicle to travel to Ellisville in order to steal several Rolex watches.

Marcellus said he purchased a pre-paid Visa gift card on Jan. 2, 2023, which Cross used eight days later to buy sledgehammers at a store in Missouri.

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Missouri proposal aims to eliminate state income tax

Cross and Marcellus, along with two other men, stole a Dodge Ram truck in Brentwood and drove to Ellisville. Marcellus and one of the unidentified cohorts broke into the jewelry store and used the sledgehammers to bust open the glass cases containing Rolex watches. Cross monitored the time during the robbery.

The group abandoned the truck in a nearby parking garage, and Marcellus and Cross took the watches to Illinois.

Cross and Marcellus pleaded guilty over the summer to conspiracy to commit interstate transportation of stolen property.

On Monday, a U.S. District Court judge sentenced Cross to 57 months in federal prison. Marcellus was sentenced in October to 37 months in federal prison. Both Cross and Marcellus were ordered to pay $344,300 in restitution to the jeweler.

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CONNECTICUT (WTNH)  A Michigan woman was extradited to Connecticut on Monday on an arrest warrant related to a Nov. 2022 investigation, according to state police.

Southington police warn residents of caller impersonating an officer

Donna Monique Morgan, 37, was charged with criminal impersonation, conspiracy to commit larceny and telephone fraud after she allegedly defrauded an attorney of more than $350,000 via false documents sent to the law firm.

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She was assigned a $350,000 bond and was arraigned at Danbury Superior Court on Dec. 6.

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FRANKLIN COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  A church in Franklin County is going solar.

Solomons United Church of Christ held a ribbon cutting Sunday to celebrate its new solar array.

The system is made up of 30 solar panels that are designed to generate 100% of the churchs electric usage.

That should amount to about 27% a month in savings on their energy bill, or about $70,000, they said.

They say those funds will be invested into their mission and community programs.

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We felt like we needed to do our little part to help care for the environment, Julia Brown, pastor, said. And solar panels are a great way to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, contribute to American energy independence, and reducing our national emissions is also a great way to steward our financial resources.

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Monday will be the warmest day of the week. The cold air is set to return in the coming days, along with small snow chances.

Rain moved through central Indiana Sunday night into this morning. Most of the rain has moved out but patchy drizzle or light rain showers will remain possible into the afternoon. Temperatures are starting near 50, which is well-above the average high for the date (42). Temperatures will stay mostly steady through the day with just a slight bump in temperatures, taking us up a few degrees into the afternoon.

A series of cold fronts pass through the region this week. Temperatures will trend cooler the rest of the week. High temperatures fall to the mid 40s Tuesday. A few spotty showers are possible but much of the day will be dry.

We turn much colder Wednesday and Thursday with high temperatures in the 20s and 30s. A few flurries and light snow showers are possible Wednesday. No major accumulation is expected but it will be enough to potentially create slick road conditions.

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Temperatures swing back to above average levels by the end of the weekend. The 8-14 outlook signaling above average temperatures are favorable into next week.

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XIAMEN, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- More than 700 people from the Chinese mainland and Taiwan gathered on Monday in Xiamen, east China's Fujian Province, to discuss strengthening cross-Strait industrial chains.

The 2024 annual conference of the Cross-Strait CEO Summit, which opened on Monday, received a congratulatory letter from top political advisor Wang Huning.

On behalf of the General Secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Xi Jinping and the CPC Central Committee, Wang congratulated the convocation of the conference and sent regards to members of the summit and all attendees.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, reaffirmed the mainland's support for Taiwan compatriots and enterprises, encouraging them to take an active part in Chinese modernization and benefit from the mainland's development.

Wang reiterated the mainland's commitment to upholding the one-China principle and the 1992 Consensus, its firm opposition to "Taiwan independence" separatism and external interference, and its dedication to fostering cross-Strait economic and cultural collaboration as well as integrated development in various fields.

Wang lauded the summit's role in uniting business leaders across the Taiwan Strait, urging attendees to enhance exchanges, promote high-quality economic cooperation, and contribute to the growth of the Chinese economy.

Wang also called on entrepreneurs on both sides of the Strait to work together toward national reunification and rejuvenation. 
The loss of military bases in Syria could seriously undermine the Kremlin's ability to conduct operations in Africa. It would weaken Russia's position in Libya and sub-Saharan Africa and call into question its influence over African authoritarian regimes.

Source: ISW (Institute for the Study of War)

Details: The Russian naval base in Tartus provided logistical support for the Kremlin's operations on the African continent. Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War argue that its loss will disrupt personnel rotation, resupply, and Russia's ability to project military power in the region. This will especially affect operations in Libya and sub-Saharan Africa, where Russia seeks to maintain its influence.

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The Kremlin may try to compensate for its losses by increasing its presence in Libya or Sudan, but the lack of formal agreements with these countries and weak infrastructure complicate such plans.

Russia has used Syria as a bridgehead to maintain its presence in Africa. The loss of this strong point would have a devastating effect on its operations in Libya and the Sahel region.

Analysts say that the fall of the Syrian regime of Bashar al-Assad will pose an additional challenge to Russia's strategy.

The collapse of the Assad regime and Russia's inability to preserve it will cause significant damage to Russia's global image as a reliable ally, as well as call into question its influence on African authoritarian regimes that Russia seeks to support and its broader geopolitical goal of positioning itself as a global great power.

To quote the ISWs Key Takeaways on 8 December:

The rapid collapse of the Assad regime in Syria  a regime that the Kremlin helped prop up since 2015  is a strategic political defeat for Moscow and has thrown the Kremlin into a crisis as it seeks to retain its strategic military basing in Syria.

The Kremlin reportedly secured an agreement on 8 December with unspecified Syrian opposition leaders to ensure the security of Russian military bases in Syria, but the contours of this arrangement and its longevity remain unclear given the volatile and rapidly evolving political situation on the ground in Syria.

ISW has collected strong indicators that Russia has been setting conditions to evacuate its military assets from Syria and that Russian military basing is not secure. Even if Russia maintains some or all of its bases in Syria, it is a major geopolitical loss for Moscow, as Russias continued basing in Syria will be at the mercy of Syrian opposition groups that the Kremlin previously used to call terrorists.

The loss of Russian bases in Syria will have major implications for Russias global military footprint and ability to operate in Africa.

Russian ultranationalist milbloggers  many of whom fought in or covered the Syrian war  are upset about the fall of the Assad regime, criticising it as yet another failure of Russian foreign policy to exert and maintain influence in areas of strategic importance.

The US Department of Defense (DoD) announced on 7 December an additional military aid package for Ukraine worth US$988 million.

Russian authorities detained alleged terrorists in the Republic of Dagestan on 7 December amid growing Russian milblogger claims that the fall of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria will foster terrorism in Russia.

Russian forces recently advanced in Kursk Oblast and the Pokrovsk and Vuhledar directions.

One of Russia's largest microchip manufacturers has reportedly begun bankruptcy proceedings.

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It may be the sweeping views of the city skyline and Lake Michigan, or the sounds and smells of the Summerfest grounds, that draw people to Lakeshore State Park. But there is something just as remarkable  yet much more humble  tucked away within the city's only state park.

There you can find an urban prairie, filled with native grasses, wildflowers, bees, butterflies and urban wildlife. Its even a stopover for many migratory shorebirds.

Lakeshore State Park sits on an artificial island, made from bedrock and debris excavated when Milwaukees Deep Tunnel was built in the 1980s and 1990s. At first it was known as Harbor Island, helping to protect the Summerfest grounds from erosion and create a safe harbor space for boats to go during bad weather.

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In 1998, the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources turned it into a state park and created a space for a prairie  a habitat that once covered southern Wisconsin  to thrive.

The prairie in Lakeshore State Park is home to a diverse assemblage of native grasses and flowers with deep roots that help prevent erosion, filter pollution and provide habitat for pollinators and urban wildlife. It is also an important resting place for migratory birds, and a peaceful place to enjoy views of the city and Lake Michigan.

Prairies arent often found in urban environments, and it's a great example of how nature can coexist within a city.

Heres what to know about Milwaukees urban prairie, why its important and where else you find prairies in southeastern Wisconsin.

Prairies, oak savanna once covered southern Wisconsin

Wisconsin sits in a transition zone where the deciduous forests in the east meet the grasslands in the west. Before European colonization, it was estimated that Wisconsin was home to more than 2 million acres of grasslands, namely prairie and oak savanna found largely in the southern part of the state.

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Nearly all of the habitat was destroyed for agriculture, urbanization and other development, leaving behind a patchwork of grasslands dotted across the landscape.

Prairies are a kind of temperate grassland found in North America that are home to a diverse community of plants made up of native grasses and herbaceous flowering plants known as forbs. Prairies lack trees and other woody stemmed vegetation.

Oak savanna are another kind of grassland habitat where oak trees are scattered within native grasses and flowering plants.

More: River revival: Milwaukee's long-neglected Kinnickinnic River is on the verge of a revival

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More: A paddle trip on the Kinnickinnic River highlights Milwaukee's past, present and future

Deep roots filter pollutants

Much of the plants within prairies are perennial, meaning they continue to grow each year and do not need to be replanted. The continual growth allows the roots of native prairie plants to grow deep underground. In fact, more than half of the biomass of prairie plants are below ground.

Grassland habitats often have been treated as useless, which is why many have been converted to agriculture use. However, these habitats can play an important ecological role  even in a city like Milwaukee.

The extensive root systems help support soil health by holding it together, which prevents erosion and helps to sequester carbon  a key tool in combating climate change by getting carbon out of the air and storing it underground.

Elaine Zautke, park manager with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, points out hoary vervain, a native prairie plant, in Lakeshore State Park on Sept. 20, 2024.

Prairie plants are also like a big Brita filter, removing pollutants and helping water penetrate farther into the soil, said Elaine Zautke, Lakeshore State Park manager with the Wisconsin DNR. The roots of big bluestem, for instance, can extend up to 12 feet deep. In turn, less untreated stormwater ends up in nearby water bodies, like Lake Michigan.

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The more we can do to improve the water that is going directly back into the lake, the better off we are when we try to recycle it for drinking water, Zautke said.

More: Believe it or not, Milwaukee is a bird haven. Here's how to start your own birding obsession.

Native prairie grasses, wildflowers attract pollinators

Cities in the Great Lakes are a haven for birders, as the region sits in between the Atlantic and Mississippi flyways, North Americas two bird super highways. Green spaces in urban environments, like at Lakeshore State Park, can be important stopovers to rest.

The diversity of plants also supports pollinators, like bees, butterflies and other insects as well as urban wildlife.

The common milkweed, a native prairie plant, is visited by large milkweed bugs in the prairie in Lakeshore State Park. Prairies are a kind of temperate grassland found in North America, characterized by a diverse community of plants and a lack of trees.

Its not just a space that can be enjoyed during the warmer months. Zautke explained that its a great place to bird in the winter. The state park is also an accessible spot to ice fish.

Fire will return to Milwaukees urban prairie

Fire is essential to maintaining healthy prairie habitats. Deep root systems of native plants help them withstand fire.

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During a fire or a prescribed burn, native plants can shrink up, hunker down and save themselves, Zautke said. Fires kill off invasive species and stop trees from encroaching on the habitat.

The after-effect is vigorous regrowth, helping bring in pollinators and other wildlife.

According to Zautke, the DNR will have its first prescribed burn in the prairie habitat at Lakeshore State Park in the spring. The timing will depend on the sweet spot after the snow melts and the invasives start to grow just before native grasses sprout up.

Elaine Zautke, park manager with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, holds a seed pod from a blue false indigo seed pod on Sept. 20, 2024. The native prairie plant is a bushy perennial with deep blue flowers.

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The effort is a part of a grant to help the state reintroduce fire to manage grassland habitats across the state, Zautke said.

Were really lucky to finally be able to do one here, she said.

Other prairies to see in near Milwaukee

Here are other prairies to check out in southeastern Wisconsin.

Milwaukee and Ozaukee counties:

The Wehr Nature Center in Franklins Whitnall Park is home to another Milwaukee County prairie. The prairie is tucked within the parks woodlands, and accessible via a one-mile loop trail. The same trail also takes you through one of Wisconsins oak savannas, which is a forested grassland.

The UWMs Innovation Campus in Wauwatosa has 11 acres of prairie in the Monarch Conservancy. The lush habitat provides a resting place as well as food and shelter for migrating monarchs.

The hiking trails in the Schlitz Audubon Nature Center in Bayside travel through prairie habitat as well as near the visitor center. The nature center is also home to a restored wet prairie, which has continuously saturated soils. Wet prairies are one of the states rarest habitats, now covering less than one percent of their original habitat.

The Swan Road Prairie in Mequon is 20 acres of prairie restored from land donated by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District. The prairie was restored for conservation and flood water management.

Kenosha and Racine counties:

At roughly 480 acres, the Chiwaukee Prairie State Natural Area in Pleasant Prairie is one of the largest untouched prairies remaining in Wisconsin and the largest unbroken stretch along the states Lake Michigan shoreline. The prairie is incredibly biodiverse, containing more than 400 species of vascular plants as well as 26 rare plants, 10 of which are listed as endangered or threatened.

The Richard Bong State Recreation Area in Kansasville contains large swaths of managed prairie habitat along its hiking and mountain biking trails.

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This story was updated because an earlier story included an inaccuracy.

Caitlin Looby is a Report for America corps member who writes about the environment and the Great Lakes. Reach her at clooby@gannett.com or follow her on X @caitlooby.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Discover Milwaukee's urban prairie on the shores of Lake Michigan
A missing South Carolina woman has been found dead.

Shelia Thompson, of Greenville, was last seen on the evening of Monday, Dec. 2, and was reported missing by her family a day later on Tuesday, Dec. 3, the Greenville County Sheriff's Office said in a news release.

According to the sheriffs office, Thompson, 54, was reported as having serious medical conditions, although her specific medical history was not made available.

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Around 10:45 p.m. local time on Sunday, Dec. 8, the Anderson County Sheriff's Office responded to a call that a vehicle had been found submerged near West Church Road and Alpen Road in Easley, Fox affiliate, WHNS reported.

The Greenville County Sheriff's Office later confirmed on social media that she was "found deceased" in the car.

Greenville County Sheriff's Office Shelia Thompson's vehicle Shelia Thompson's vehicle

According to the Anderson County Coroners Office, the 54-year-olds drowning death has been ruled accidental, reported WHNS, NBC affiliate WYFF and CBS affiliate WSPA.

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The corner said that it appeared Thompson lost control of her car while driving on West Church Road, then traveled off the road and into the creek, according to the outlets.

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Representatives from the Anderson County Coroners Office and the Greenville County Sheriffs Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for comment.

Related: Body of Missing Woman Found in River, Educator Sister Arrested as Victim's Phone Found in Dunkin' Donuts Trash

At the time the car was discovered, Thompsons family was also searching the area after learning that her cellphone pinged in the vicinity, reported WYFF.

My sister is the sweetest person you would want to know," sister Toni Fuller told WHNS in a statement. "She has 4 loving children, 7 grands, she was very spiritual and loving. She is the glue that holds the family together and she is already missed by the entire family."

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Related: Missing Woman, 80, Last Seen Walking into Hurricane Shelter and Is Then Found Dead Days Later: Officials

An investigation into Thompsons death is currently ongoing by both the Anderson County Coroners Office and the South Carolina Highway Patrol.

Read the original article on People
LEE COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV)  A Mississippi couple pled guilty to one count each of conspiracy to defraud the government.

State Auditor Shad White said Brandon Williams made numerous phone calls to Miranda Truelove, his wife at the time, requesting she help him apply for unemployment benefits while he was incarcerated. Williams received the benefits via a Way2Go debit card, which Truelove used on multiple occasions.

What happened to Jay Lee? Murder trial moves into second week

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Our team at the State Auditors office uses the latest technology and investigative techniques to get record results for taxpayers, said White. Thank you to my team of investigators and to the prosecutors for bringing this case to a close.

Brandon Williams (Courtesy: State Auditors Office) Miranda Truelove (Courtesy: State Auditors Office)

Williams and Truelove were both prosecuted in the Lee County Circuit Court. They both were sentenced to five years of house arrest, post-release supervision and ordered to pay a total of $7,329.60 in restitution.

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ST. CHARLES COUNTY, Mo.  A Springfield, Missouri, man is accused of stealing ammunition from a Bass Pro Shops in St. Charles and selling it online.

According to the St. Charles Police Departments probable cause statement, the thefts took place over a five-month period from late 2023 to early 2024, at the Bass Pro Shops store on South Fifth Street.

On Oct. 8, 2023, police said Daniel Scherer entered the store just before 7 p.m. and took 14 boxes of Hornady Black. 300 ammo boxes and a box of Browning .223 ammo without paying for it.

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On Feb. 2, 2024, Scherer allegedly walked into the store around 5:50 p.m. He selected two boxes of Herters handgun ammo and 10 boxes of Winchester ammunition and hid the boxes in a Bass Pro Shops shopping bag. Scherer again left without paying.

Arrest warrant request filed after Troy teen breaks probation order

Scherer returned to the Bass Pro Shops store around 12:20 p.m. on Feb. 5. He took two more boxes of Herters handgun ammo and left the store.

Police said Scherer drove a white 2018 Ford Edge to and from the store on each occasion. The total value of stolen ammunition was calculated at $2,329.71.

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On May 2, police saw the vehicle in the parking lot outside the same Bass Pro Shops and confirmed the vehicle was registered to Scherer and another person.

On May 24, Scherer was arrested during a traffic stop near Ameristar Casino. Police said he was driving the same 2018 Ford Edge. During a search of the vehicle, police found several boxes of ammo and approximately 100 empty Bass Pro Shops shopping bags.

While in custody, police said Scherer admitted stealing the ammo and selling it online. Scherer also said he received payment for the stolen ammo via Zelle.

The St. Charles County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged Scherer with one count of stealing and two counts of stealing  $750 or more. Scherer will be arraigned on Jan. 8, 2025.

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Senator Mitch McConnell took a subtle jab at President-elect Donald Trump during a speech on Saturday night.

Speaking at the annual Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, the Kentucky senator claimed that current influential voices were forgetting the threat of China and Russia and neglecting the history of the Cold War.

Within the party Ronald Reagan once led so capably, it is increasingly fashionable to suggest that the sort of global leadership he modeled is no longer Americas place, McConnell said per Politico which also wrote that he received a standing ovation after his speech. But lets be absolutely clear: America will not be made great again by those who are content to manage our decline, referring to Trumps slogan and seemingly taking a swipe at the president-elect.

US President Donald Trump speaks alongside Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R), as they hold a meeting about tax reform in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington, DC, September 5, 2017. / SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

McConnell proceeded to criticize elements of both the Republican and Democratic party, claiming that theyre bolstering a dangerous fiction about the U.S.s position in global politics.

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At both ends of our politics, a dangerous fiction is taking holdthat Americas primacy and the fruits of our leadership are self-sustaining, he said. Even as allies across NATO and the Indo-Pacific renew their own commitments to hard power, to interoperability, and to collective defense, some now question Americas own role at the center of these force-multiplying institutions and partnerships.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) arrives to a news conference after a lunch meeting with Senate Republicans U.S. Capitol 26, 2023 in Washington, DC. / Drew Angerer/Getty Images

After stepping aside as GOP leader, McConnell is set to take on the role of chair of the Senate Defense Appropriations panel, a committee that helps regulate the Pentagons budget. During his speech, he urged for generational investments in the national defense enterprise and bolstering weapons production.

The Pentagon is not equipped to meet the demands of protracted or multi-theater conflict, he said. Neither is our defense industrial base.

Patriotic companies have more work to do to expand production capacity. And they need to do it today, rather than wait for contracts we all know are coming, McConnell continued. We need to adopt new technologies more quickly and expand production capacity at the same time.
Mitch McConnell received a standing ovation after delivering a speech that made an indirect swipe at President-elect Donald Trump.

The outgoing Republican Senate leader bemoaned the current state of the party compared to when Ronald Reagan was in power and cautioned the GOP against isolationism.

Within the party Ronald Reagan once led so capably, it is increasingly fashionable to suggest that the sort of global leadership he modeled is no longer Americas place, McConnell said at the annual Reagan National Defense Forum at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California, on Saturday.

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In a nod to Trumps campaign slogan, McConnell added: But lets be absolutely clear: America will not be made great again by those who are content to manage our decline.

McConnell did not reference the president-elect directly but referred to growing threats from Russia and China and how influential voices risk forgetting lessons from the Cold War, Politico reported.

The Kentucky senator, who was presented with the Peace Through Strength award, stressed that America must stand with friends in need. Whether theyre resisting neo-Soviet imperialism in Ukraine, Iran-backed terrorist slaughter in Israel, or PRC hegemony in the Indo-Pacific, he said.

Mitch McConnell, pictured at the Capitol last month, made an indirect swipe at Trump in a speech (Getty Images)

And he warned of a dangerous fiction taking hold of politics in both parties. At both ends of our politics, a dangerous fiction is taking hold  that Americas primacy and the fruits of our leadership are self-sustaining, McConnell said.

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Even as allies across NATO and the Indo-Pacific renew their own commitments to hard power, to interoperability, and to collective defense, some now question Americas own role at the center of these force-multiplying institutions and partnerships.

The president-elect has taken an isolationist approach to foreign conflicts, believing the U.S. should not get involved unless it has a direct interest in it.

McConnell, who has long been critical of Trump, previously said the MAGA movement is completely wrong and Trump has done a lot of damage to the Republican party, a book published before the presidential election revealed.

The president-elect has taken an isolationist approach to foreign conflicts (Getty Images)

McConnell delivered a withering assessment of how Trump has transformed the GOP to the point where Reagan wouldnt recognize the party today, according to the author.

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The revelations emerged in McConnells biography by Michael Tackett, titled The Price of Power. The senator gave Tackett personal recordings of his oral histories spanning almost three decades.

I think Trump was the biggest factor in changing the Republican Party from what Ronald Reagan viewed and he wouldnt recognize today, McConnell told Tackett, according to an extract of the book.

He added that Trump has done a lot of damage to our partys image and our ability to compete.

Despite years of acrimony between Trump and McConnell, and his scathing review of Trump in the book, the GOP senator publicly endorsed him as the Republican presidential candidate in March.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Nashville authorities have launched a homicide investigation after a body was discovered in the Hamilton Creek Recreation Area Sunday morning.

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, a man was found dead with an apparent gunshot wound in the woods off Bell Road on Sunday, Dec. 8. Officials are still working to identify the individual.

1 seriously injured, I-24W back open after shooting, Metro police say

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If you have any information that will assist with this death investigation, youre asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.

No additional details have been released about this case.

 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.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Guangdong, Macao SAR are increasingly integrated, as two-way commerce hits 15.88 billion yuan in the first 10 months of 2024

Global Times) 16:57, December 09, 2024

South China's Guangdong Province plans to seek enhanced trade and industrial integration with the Macao Special Administrative Region (SAR), officials said on Monday, as trade between Guangdong and Macao in the first 10 months this year exceeded last year's total at 15.88 billion yuan ($2.18 billion).

Guangdong and Macao have deepened economic links, with their trade recording a 25.7 percent year-on-year rise in the first 10 months. The growth manifests the positive momentum in Guangdong-Macao economic integration, said Zhang Ke, deputy director of Guangdong Customs.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of Macao's return to China. According to customs data, from 1999 to 2023, total trade between Guangdong and Macao reached 307.29 billion yuan, averaging an annual growth rate of 5.9 percent, said Zhang.

Against the backdrop of increasing exchanges between the two, the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone has drawn growing attention. Since March 1 this year, the island of Hengqin implemented a new customs arrangement, enabling most goods from neighboring Macao to move in tax-free.

Under the new measures, tariffs are largely waived for goods entering from Hengqin island to the Chinese mainland, Xinhua News Agency reported.

Since the implementation of the new customs management system in March, commerce between Hengqin and Macao reached 750 million yuan, reflecting a 32.8-percent increase. Zhang noted that this accelerated industrial integration lays the groundwork for a unified Hengqin-Macao development framework.

In addition, people-to-people exchanges between Guangdong and Macao have also strengthened. As of October 31, nearly 15 million passengers had passed through the Hengqin port, according to Yang Hai, deputy director of Gongbei Customs.

Since the implementation of the policy allowing Macao-registered vehicles to enter the mainland on January 1, 2023, the region has experienced a significant increase in vehicle traffic. As of October, Gongbei Customs has handled over 2.38 million vehicle entries. Yang noted that the number of vehicles has kept going up.

The policies are driving closer integration of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and boosting the development of Macao's inbound and outbound tourism.

According to the Macao Special Administrative Region's police force, by Saturday, the total number of border crossings in Macao this year has exceeded 200 million, setting a new record and reflecting a 9.4-percent increase compared to the 180 million crossings seen in 2023.

(Web editor: Tian Yi, Zhong Wenxing)
YANGON, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- About 220,000 students registered for the nationwide matriculation examination of Myanmar for the academic year of 2024-2025, state-run Myanmar Radio and Television (MRTV) reported on Monday.

The number of students registered to take the exam for the 2024-2025 academic year increased compared to the previous academic year, the report said.

In the 2023-2024 academic year, over 120,000 students sat for the exam, out of which more than 74,000 passed, it added.

The nationwide matriculation exam for the 2024-2025 academic year will be held from March 17 to March 22, 2025, according to the Department of Myanmar Examinations. 
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  A Mobile man is dead after he was ejected from his vehicle in a crash, according to the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

ALEA troopers identified the man as 37-year-old Vernon Harshaw and said he was killed on Friday, Dec. 6, in a single-vehicle crash on Alabama 217 near the 11-mile marker, which is about a mile north of the Semmes city limits.

Over $80,000 raised for Slezak family on GoFundMe after boating tragedy

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Troopers said that Harshaw was not wearing a seatbelt when the crash occurred.

As a result, officials said he was ejected from his 2016 Dodge Charger when it left the roadway, went into a ditch, struck a culvert and overturned. Harshaw was then taken to USA Providence Hospital in Mobile, where he died from his injuries, an ALEA news release said.

ALEAs Highway Patrol Division is continuing to investigate 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 WKRG News 5.
Dreary days are not uncommon during the month of December and boy did we get one today. Clouds kept temperatures from moving much with morning lows in the mid-40s and afternoon highs in the low 50s. The day ended with a touch of sunshine closer to Central Missouri, a promise of brighter weather to come.

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For tonight, clouds will hang around through the evening. A little patchy drizzle may come with the clouds, but most areas will remain dry. Clouds will clear out from northwest to southeast by morning with temperatures slipping to freezing.

Colder air will settle in Tuesday making for a more winterlike chill. We can look forward to a mix of sun and clouds with temperatures struggling to get to 40.

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This is ahead of the next cold front that will arrive by Wednesday morning. That front will usher in some arctic air setting the stage for an even colder day Wednesday. Some clouds will come with the arctic blast and there may even be a few snow flurries or light snow showers northeast of Springfield. Temperatures will only warm into the 30s in most areas with gusty northwest winds driving wind chills down into the 10s and 20s.

Thursday will be a transition day back to a milder mode with a warm front lifting out of Arkansas. But first, weve got to get through a frigid morning with lows in the upper 10s and 20s. The day as a whole looks nice with a mix of sun and high clouds and temperatures climbing into the 40s and 50s. Winds will pick up out of the south though generating a little bit of a bite to the air.

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Our next storm may also be approaching the area on Friday. This would lead to cloudier skies Friday into the weekend with a chance for showers Friday into Saturday.

Temperatures will be cool, but a little above normal for mid-December. The backend of the coming weekend should come with sunnier weather with another storm on track to bring clouds and a chance for showers by Monday.

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BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  It has now been one week since the city of Delano was turned upside down after a killer broke free from corrections officers in a daring escape that caught the nations attention.

Youre not sleeping well at night right now, said Maria Villalobos, manager at Don Roberto Jewelers. Its scary.

Hernandez, 34, was serving a sentence of 80 years to life for first degree murder in 2019 out of Los Angeles County.

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75-year-old man missing in east Bakersfield: police

He was set to appear in court the morning of Dec. 2 after pleading no contest to manufacturing a weapon and possessing drugs in prison.

Video captured the daring escape showing Hernandez running across an empty field without shackles or handcuffs with the officer far behind.

In the video, Hernandez looks back when the officer raises his weapon, but does not fire.

Hernandez then fled down Kensington Street, across the field, in front of city hall, and then south through the alley towards 10th Street. After that, no one knows.

It had to be an inside job, said Annie Silva, who was incarcerated herself. I did 12 years in prison and I was in CDCR, and for him to not have shackles or handcuffs on? Something was going on.

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New information on The Ralph Bailey Show quotes sources saying Hernandez used a self-made key to break free from the chains and punched a guard before running through an open gate in the transfer parking lot of the courthouse.

Delano schools were put on lockdown Monday and Tuesday, classes were canceled Wednesday and Thursday, and the Christmas Parade was postponed.

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Theyre scared too, said Villalobos. Its not just us. The children are scared.

The California Department of Corrections issued a statement Thursday stating Hernandez most likely fled Delano. School resumed Friday.

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We still dont know how Hernandez escaped, but we do know this killer is still on the run. Hes 5 feet, 5 inches tall and weighs 160 pounds.

Hernandez has ties to Kern, Los Angeles, and Riverside County. A cash reward is available for information leading to his arrest.

If you have any information on his whereabouts, call or text the U.S. Marshals at 979-1187.

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GEORGETOWN, Guyana  Guyana is revisiting a dark history nearly half a century after U.S. Rev. Jim Jones and more than 900 of his followers died in the rural interior of the South American country.

It was the largest suicide-murder in recent history, and a government-backed tour operator wants to open the former commune now shrouded by lush vegetation to visitors, a proposal that is reopening old wounds, with critics saying it would disrespect victims and dig up a sordid past.

Jordan Vilchez, who grew up in California and was moved into the Peoples Temple commune at age 14, told The Associated Press in a phone interview from the U.S. that she has mixed feelings about the tour.

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She was in Guyanas capital the day Jones ordered hundreds of his followers to drink a poisoned grape-flavored drink that was given to children first. Her two sisters and two nephews were among the victims.

I just missed dying by one day, she recalled.

Vilchez, 67, said Guyana has every right to profit from any plans related to Jonestown.

Then on the other hand, I just feel like any situation where people were manipulated into their deaths should be treated with respect, she said.

Vilchez added that she hopes the tour operator would provide context and explain why so many people went to Guyana trusting they would find a better life.

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The tour would ferry visitors to the far-flung village of Port Kaituma nestled in the lush jungles of northern Guyana. Its a trip available only by boat, helicopter or plane; rivers instead of roads connect Guyanas interior. Once there, its another six miles via a rough and overgrown dirt trail to the abandoned commune and former agricultural settlement.

Neville Bissember, a law professor at the University of Guyana, questioned the proposed tour, calling it a ghoulish and bizarre idea in a recently published letter.

What part of Guyanas nature and culture is represented in a place where death by mass suicide and other atrocities and human rights violations were perpetuated against a submissive group of American citizens, which had nothing to do with Guyana nor Guyanese? he wrote.

Despite ongoing criticism, the tour has strong support from the governments Tourism Authority and Guyanas Tourism and Hospitality Association.

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Tourism Minister Oneidge Walrond told the AP the government is backing the effort at Jonestown but is aware of some level of push back from certain sectors of society.

She said the government already has helped clear the area to ensure a better product can be marketed, adding that the tour might need Cabinet approval.

It certainly has my support, she said. It is possible. After all, we have seen what Rwanda has done with that awful tragedy as an example.

Rose Sewcharran, director of Wonderlust Adventures, the private tour operator who plans to take visitors to Jonestown, said she was buoyed by the support.

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We think it is about time, she said. This happens all over the world. We have multiple examples of dark, morbid tourism around the world, including Auschwitz and the Holocaust museum.





Luring tourists: The November 1978 mass suicide-murder was synonymous with Guyana for decades until huge amounts of oil and gas were discovered off the countrys coast nearly a decade ago, making it one of the worlds largest offshore oil producers.

New roads, schools and hotels are being built across the capital, Georgetown, and beyond, and a country that rarely saw tourists is now hoping to attract more of them.

An obvious attraction is Jonestown, argued Astill Paul, the co-pilot of a twin-engine plane that flew U.S. Rep. Leo J. Ryan of California and a U.S. news crew to a village near the commune a day before hundreds died on Nov. 18, 1978. He witnessed gunmen fatally shoot Ryan and four others as they tried to board the plane on Nov. 18 and fly back to the capital.

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Paul told the AP he believes the former commune should be developed as a heritage site.

I sat on the tourism board years ago and did suggest we do this, but the minister at the time lashed the idea down because the government wanted nothing to do with morbid tourism, he recalled.

Until recently, successive governments shunned Jonestown, arguing that the countrys image was badly damaged by the mass murder-suicide, even though only a handful of Indigenous people died. The overwhelming majority of victims were Americans like Vilchez who flew to Guyana to follow Jones. Many endured beatings, forced labor, imprisonment and rehearsals for a mass suicide.

Those in favor of a tour include Gerry Gouveia, a pilot who also flew when Jonestown was active.

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The area should be reconstructed purely for tourists to get a first-hand understanding of its layout and what had happened, he said. We should reconstruct the home of Jim Jones, the main pavilion and other buildings that were there.

Today, all that is left is bits of a cassava mill, pieces of the main pavilion and a rusted tractor that once hauled a flatbed trailer to take temple members to the Port Kaituma airfield.



An offering to the land: Until now, most visitors to Jonestown have been reporters and family members of those who died.

Organizing an expedition on ones own is daunting: the area is far from the capital and hard to access, and some consider the closest populated settlement dangerous.

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Its still a very, very, very rough area, said Fielding McGehee, co-director of The Jonestown Institute, a nonprofit group. I dont see how this is going to be an economically feasible kind of project because of the vast amounts of money it would take to turn it into a viable place to visit.

McGehee warned about relying on supposed witnesses who will be part of the tour. He said the memories and stories that have trickled down through generations might not be accurate.

Its almost like a game of telephone, he said. It does not help anyone understand what happened in Jonestown.

He recalled how one survivor had proposed a personal project to develop the abandoned site, but those from the temple community said, Why do you want to do that?

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McGehee noted that dark tourism is popular, and that going to Jonestown means tourists could say they visited a place where more than 900 people died on the same day.

Its the prurient interest in tragedy, he said.

If the tour eventually starts operating, not everything will be visible to tourists.

When Vilchez returned to Guyana in 2018 for the first time since the mass suicide-murder, she made an offering to the land when she arrived in Jonestown.

Among the things she buried in the abandoned commune where her sisters and nephews died were snippets of hair from her mother and father, who did not go to Jonestown.

It just felt like a gesture that honored the people that died, she said.


NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  Morgan Wallens defense attorney says his client will enter a plea in court on Thursday.

Wallen was initially set to appear in court Thursday, Dec. 12, but court officials said his attorney would appear in court for him Tuesday, Dec. 10, and announce Wallen would waive his preliminary hearing. By waiving the hearing, the case would be bound over to the Davidson County grand jury.

A Nashville court spokesperson told News 2 Morgan Wallen, who faces four charges related to his throwing a chair off a Broadway rooftop bar onto the street below in April, would waive his preliminary hearing, and his case would be bound over to a grand jury.

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Wallen was arrested on April 7 by the Metro Nashville Police Department for throwing the chair off the roof of Eric Churchs bar Chiefs in the 200 block of Broadway. The chair nearly hit Metro officers who were standing in front of the bar around 10:53 p.m. Authorities reported the chair landed approximately 3 feet away from two officers.

PREVIOUS | Morgan Wallen arrested in Nashville after throwing chair from bar rooftop: docs

An investigation identified Wallen as responsible for throwing the chair through video surveillance footage. The footage showed Wallen lunging and throwing an object over the roof, according to the arrest report.

Witnesses reportedly told officers they were standing next to Wallen and observed him pick up the chair, throw it over him, laughing afterward.

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He was taken into custody and charged with three counts of reckless endangermenttwo for each of the officers in the vicinity where the chair landed and one for the danger to the publicand disorderly conduct.

According to the Davidson County Criminal Court Clerks Office, the reckless endangerment charges are felonies; the disorderly conduct charge is a misdemeanor.

Two weeks after his arrest, Wallen addressed the incident on social media.

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I didnt feel right publicly checking in until I made amends with some folks. Ive touched base with Nashville law enforcement, my family, and the good people at Chiefs. Im not proud of my behavior, and I accept responsibility, the musician said in his first post. He followed up with, I have the utmost respect for the officers working every day to keep us all safe. Regarding my tour, there will be no change. -MW

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The Davidson County Grand Jury was expected to be impaneled sometime in January.

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In the wake of three factory fires in Morocco caused by unsafe practices, IndustriALL Global Union and its local affiliate, Syndicat National de Textile Habillements et Cuirs (SNTHC-CDT),are urging the countrys government to work with the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry.

The unions would like to see Moroccos government to set up a worker safety program to prevent future incidents. In recent weeks, textile factory fires in Fez, Casablanca and Tangier led to the death of one worker and severe burns for others. The fires were caused by unsafe practices such as use of gas-fired boilers, putting a spotlight on inadequate safety conditions in the nations textile sector.

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Last month, SNTHC-CDT launched a campaign to address subpar working conditions and safety protocols, calling for stakeholders to come together to work out a strategy for solving the problem. On Nov. 29, the union met with Moroccos Ministry of Labor, as well as secretary of state Hicham Sabri, to discuss improving safety for textile workers.



The meeting was positive as the ministry took note of SNTHC-CDTs request to hold a national debate bringing together all stakeholders in the sector, said SNTHC-CDT general secretary Ahmed Hassoun. We also informed the minister about the Accod agreement and stressed the importance of its implementation in Morocco.



As a result of the meeting, the Ministry of Labor organized a meeting with representatives of Accord, IndustriALL and SNTHC-CDT to further discuss the possibilities of implementing the the International Accord for Health and Safety in the Textile and Garment Industry in Morocco.



The delegation laid blame on employers who refuse to adhere to health and safety laws while also raising concerns about underground textile operations and the inhumane working conditions in their facilities. Representatives from the unions urged the Ministry of Labor to develop protocols for implementing effective safety and health measures in textile manufacturing facilities.



We are deeply saddened by the news of such frequent accidents in the sector in Morocco, said IndustriALL general secretary Atle Hie. We welcome the results of the meeting between the minister and the SNTHC-CDT, which is part of the unions ongoing efforts and initiatives to address such a serious situation.

With the ongoing growth of Moroccos textile industry (the countrys apparel market is estimated to be $2.63 billion in 2024 and projected to grow by 2.87 percent annually, according to Statista) Hie said the nation needs to act quickly to prevent another tragedy.



Time is not on our side. We need stronger actions, he said. An agreement to bring the International ACCORD to Morocco would be a big step in the right direction.
TAMESNA, Morocco (AP)  After African countries struggled to get testing kits during the COVID-19 pandemic, officials vowed to make the continent less dependent on imported medical supplies. Now, in a first for Africa, a Moroccan company is filling orders for mpox tests as an outbreak continues.

Moroccan startup Moldiag began developing mpox tests after the World Health Organization declared the virus a global emergency in August. Africas Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported more than 59,000 mpox cases and 1,164 deaths in 20 countries this year.

The WHO has also announced a plan to provide mpox tests, vaccines and treatments to the most vulnerable people in the worlds poorest countries, after facing criticism for moving too slowly on vaccines. It recommends all suspected mpox cases be tested.

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But in some far-flung areas of the mpox outbreak, tests have to be delivered to distant labs for processing. Most of Congos 26 provinces dont have such facilities. And some areas have no tests. In eastern Congos South Kivu province, doctors are still diagnosing patients by taking temperatures and looking for visible symptoms.

That makes it difficult to tell how the virus is spreading, health officials say.

"This is a major problem, said Musole Robert, medical director of the Kavumu Referral Hospital, one of the few treating mpox patients in eastern Congo. The main issue remains the laboratory, which is not adequately equipped.

Mpox primarily spreads through close skin-to-skin contact with infected people or their soiled clothes or bedsheets. It often causes visible skin lesions. A health worker swabs the rash and sends the sample to a lab. Mpox testing is critical because many symptoms resemble diseases like chicken pox or measles.

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When mpox cases were found in some Western countries like the United States in 2022, some companies began developing rapid test kits that dont require lab processing. But they shelved those efforts when the virus was largely contained.

Then outbreaks emerged again in Africa. Scientists are concerned by the spread of a new version of the disease that might be more easily transmitted among people.

Morocco has reported three mpox cases, though most have been in central Africa.

At his factory in Morocco, Moldiag founder and chief scientific officer Abdeladim Moumen said the tests they make  sold for $5 each  can help to remedy shortages affordably.

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The company last month began accepting orders from Burundi, Uganda and Congo and has also sold them to Senegal and Nigeria as well.

Its rather easy to send tests from an African nation to another one rather than waiting for tests to come in from China or Europe, Moumen said.

Moldiag was founded out of Moroccos Foundation for Advanced Science, Innovation and Research, a university-affiliated nonprofit whose research has received funding from the European Commission and Moroccos government. The startup previously developed similar genetic tests for COVID-19 and tuberculosis.

Moldiag won approval to distribute its mpox tests from the Africa CDC in November. But it hasn't submitted paperwork to be considered for expedited approval from the WHO, which during this outbreak has approved three mpox tests and is considering five others. Each is made in North America, Europe or Asia.

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The Africa CDCs acting director for laboratory diagnostics and systems, Yenew Tebeje, said the organization created a process to accelerate approval of tests like Moldiags because the WHOs approval process can take months or years and be a limiting factor for access to diagnostics.

Historically, international institutions have not always ensured medical supplies like tests are quickly made available for crises in Africa, Tebeje added.

Only mpox tests that require laboratory processing have been approved by the WHO and Africa CDC, which has expressed the need for rapid tests that don't need to be sent to labs.

Moldiag and other companies are working to develop rapid tests and pursue approval.

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Moldiag's $5 price for the current tests aligns with recommendations from both the WHO's target product standards and demands of health advocates who have criticized the cost of other tests. The nonprofit Public Citizen last month called on Cepheid  one of the WHO's three approved mpox test manufacturers  to reduce its price from about $20 to $5, citing a Doctors Without Borders analysis showing genetic tests can be produced for less.

Africa-based manufacturing fulfills a primary objective that African Union member states agreed on after the COVID-19 pandemic, which revealed global disparities and unequal access to medical supplies, including vaccines, tests and antiviral medications.

In 2022, shaken by the pandemic, African leaders called for action to address those disparities plaguing the continent's over 1.4 billion people, who experience the highest incidence of public health emergencies.

Moumen said experts were waking up to the fact that it makes more sense for tests to come from regions where outbreaks are taking place so manufacturers can tailor production to address issues close to home.

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"They want African tests for Africa," he said.

___

Alonga reported from Goma, Congo. Houda Benalla contributed reporting from Tamesna, Morocco.

___

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.
The News

A United Nations report Monday found that more than three quarters of the worlds land became permanently drier in the last 30 years, with rising temperatures and climate-change induced drought escalating the problem. The study was released as global delegates met at the COP16 summit on desertification in Saudi Arabias capital Riyadh.

Led by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, the summit aims to restore 1.5 billion hectares of desertified land by 2030, and is seeking $2.6 trillion in investment to restore salvageable land and protect at-risk regions from degrading.

This analysis finally dispels an uncertainty that has long surrounded global drying trends, a UNCCD representative said, adding that desertification and the subsequent loss of arable land represents an existential threat affecting billions around the globe.

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Some 2.3 billion people live in expanding drylands, the report found, with South Sudan, Tanzania, and China being the countries most affected.

SIGNALS

Saudi Arabia under scrutiny as COP16 host

Sources: The New Arab, The Guardian

As host, Saudi Arabia is experiencing somewhat of a role change after being accused of blocking key resolutions at the UNs COP29 climate conference just last month. The worlds largest oil producer, Saudi is also home to one of the worlds largest deserts. The kingdoms life-threatening exposure to desertification means that Saudi Arabia can, with some legitimacy, claim to be standing up for the little guy, a climate activist told The New Arab. Still, Riyadh is reluctant to link desertification to climate. Saudi Arabia could face significant international scrutiny if it evades climate change and limits the talks to tree planting initiatives, another activist told The Guardian. The countrys environment minister pushed back on that criticism: This Cop is not about Saudi Arabia, its about the whole world and global challenges.

Expectations of financial commitments in Riyadh low after Baku

Sources: Reuters , AFP

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Much like Novembers COP29 and another UN conference on plastic pollution, COP16 delegates are negotiating over investments and other funding for land restoration and desertification prevention for the worst-affected countries. UNCCD Executive Secretary Ibrahim Thiaw said that a rebalancing of private versus public investment in land protections is necessary: A key driver of land degradation is food production, which is a private sector issue, while governments are largely expected to pay for the consequences. COP16 delegates face an uphill battle if they are to meet its goals: I wouldnt hold my breath for COP16 to yield a tenable solution to desertification, one expert said.

Africas Sahel region at the front line of desertification

Sources: The Africa Report, The World Meterological Organization

One of the worlds most vulnerable regions to desertification  the Sahel is also among the most unstable, and African countries there have experienced a domino effect of successive coups since 2020, The Africa Report wrote. When they no longer have grazing land, when conflict is rife in their communities, people either move or are easily attracted to these extremist groups, an expert told the outlet. The region has become so volatile that existing initiatives like the $33 billion Great Green Wall reforestation project are struggling to continue their work, further exacerbating the problem. African countries have had to divert as much as 9% of their national budget to responding to climate emergencies, the World Meteorological Organization wrote.
Around 11 p.m. on Dec. 7, Puyallup officers and crews from the Central Pierce Fire and Rescue answered a call of a person versus car crash on South Meridian between 23rd Avenue Southeast and 27th Avenue Southeast.

When police arrived, they found a woman who was struck by a car going northbound.

The driver told police that he stopped after hitting the woman who was in the street at the time of the crash and called 911.

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Police said the woman was with her kids when she began to have car troubles in a nearby parking lot. Police said she appeared to be flagging down a car when she was hit.

Central Pierce Fire and Rescue crews took the woman, who was conscious and breathing, to the hospital.

At 2:39 a.m. Dec 8, police were told by the King County Medical Examiners Office that the 26-year-old woman died of her injuries.

The police checked the driver and determined that he wasnt impaired. He was given a ticket for driving without a valid license and for not having proof of insurance.
JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- The South African Police Service has announced that six more illegal miners have resurfaced at various abandoned mine shafts in Stilfontein, North West Province, bringing the total number of miners who have come out from underground to 1,420.

Eight bodies have been recovered at one of the mine shafts, police said late Sunday.

With more than 1,400 illegal miners arrested, the police continued to monitor the situation, waiting for more miners to resurface.

However, the exact number of miners still underground remains uncertain.

"We have asked those who have come out about the number of those still inside. They are contradicting themselves. Some say over 3,000 are still there underground, while others say the numbers are less. So we can't speculate," North West Police Spokesperson Adele Myburgh told Xinhua on Monday.

The old mines, closed for years, pose significant safety risks, making it challenging for police to enter and rescue the miners.

The police have been monitoring the unused mining shafts in Stilfontein for almost a month, following reports of thousands of illegal miners, mainly from neighboring countries, entering the shafts in search of gold.

Last week, a high court ordered that the miners still underground be provided with food and other essentials, an order the government complied with.

National Police Commissioner Fannie Masemola said late last week that the police would continue to clamp down on illegal mining, emphasizing the dangers posed by the unsafe shafts. 
GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA)  A Spartanburg County woman was killed Sunday evening in a motorcycle wreck, according to officials.

The Greenville County Coroners Office said at around 7:06 p.m. Sunday that Erin Bochette, 28, of Wellford, was driving a motorcycle east on Woodruff Road near Woodruff Industrial Lane when she lost control of the motorcycle and was ejected. She was then hit by another vehicle.

Bochette was pronounced dead at the scene. An external examination has been ordered in her death. The wreck remains under investigation by the Greenville County Coroners Office and Greenville Police Department.

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Ashburnham sisters Rebecca and Jessica Lee weren't sure college was the right path for them, and the financial burden of getting a higher education was one reason they didn't think they should try it. However, through the MassEducate program, the two discovered career opportunities they would never have without the financial freedom of free community college.

It's been four months since the approval of the $93.5 million free community college program MassEducate was passed, which is open to any Massachusetts resident, regardless of age and income.

Besides covering the full cost of tuition and fees at any of the 15 community colleges in the commonwealth, eligible students may also obtain an allowance of up to $1,200 for books and supplies, which is based on income level. An additional allowance of up to $1,200 is available to some students to cover the cost of other college-related expenses.

Rebecca and Jessica Lee said if it wasn't for the statewide free college program, they didn't see college as a path fit for them. Now that they don't have to worry about the cost of getting a higher education, they see several more opportunities to pick from.

"I definitely think if it wasn't for free college, I don't know if I would try college again," Rebecca Lee said. "The free college program gave me that push I needed to take the opportunity to go back to school and actually go for what I want and do something that I would like to do in the future."

The Lee sisters' journey to higher education

Before Jessica enrolled at MWCC, she said she had tried a year at a four-year college after graduating high school in 2020. However, the academic pressure of higher education combined with the financial burden of tuition made her soon realize that college was not where she wanted to be.

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After dropping out, Jessica said she tried to return to school in 2021 by taking online courses, but once again, she realized she didn't have the heart for it. Jessica said she didn't try school again for another year and didn't see college as an option until she realized that MWCC was a cheap alternative to the four-year college experience.

More: New MWCC establishes transfer program with WPI to benefit STEM students: How it works

More: Mount Wachusett greenhouse now accessible to students with disabilities: how they did it

"When I was at Worcester State, I consistently thought about money, and it was definitely harder than high school, and it was during the pandemic, so everything fell apart for me," Jessica said. "I took some time off to figure out myself and enjoyed that time I would never have if I was in a four-year college. Starting at the Mount, I was relieved from the weight that money had over me on my first try at college."

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Although the free community college program didn't start until this semester, Jessica said the affordability of community college is a huge reason people should try it before jumping into a four-year college, especially now that it's free for everyone. Jessica is studying media and art technology with a concentration in communications at MWCC. She plans to transfer to Fitchburg State next semester and get a Bachelor's in communications media, focusing on public relations, social media, and advertising or marketing.

"I think this is a good opportunity for a lot of people who want to figure out what they want to do or get their foot in the door regardless if they can't afford it," she said. "I think it opens up a lot of doors for people, and that's what my sister did. She wasn't sure she wanted to go to school and waste the money, so this free college program motivated her to give it a shot."

Rebecca's journey to the Mount

Rebecca graduated high school in 2023 and went straight to MWCC. However, she couldn't stick with it undefined and decided to drop out and work full-time for the next year. When she saw the advertisement for the MassEducation free college program over the summer, she thought it might be time to try college again, and this time, the stress of money wouldn't be an issue.

"I wasn't in the mindset of being in college, but when I heard about the free college opportunity, I saw this as an opportunity to work hard and get a degree," she said. "I really like being at this community college, and I feel like it's getting me to the point where I want to be."

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Rebecca is currently in her first semester at MWCC as a business major. She said she wants to be a business owner one day, and she knows that the teachers and supporting staff at MWCC will prepare her for that future.

How to access the free tuition program

Any Massachusetts resident can participate in the free college program by applying to any of the 15 community colleges in the commonwealth and filing a Free Application for Federal Student Aid form. Mass. residents can enroll at a state community college any time, and all MassEducate awards are directly distributed through the community college at the start of the student's enrollment and throughout the academic year.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: Impact of the free MassEducate program at Mount Wachusett Community College
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A man is in critical condition after an overnight shooting, Memphis Police confirm.

When officers responded to a shooting in the 1000 block of Thomas Street, they were told a male victim had arrived in critical condition.

Man critically injured after shooting at hotel declared a public nuisance

Police said that the shooting stemmed from an argument.

However, no one is in custody at this time.

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A judge has awarded the owner of Charlies Place possession of the building space that The Peach Cobbler Factory was looking to open at in Mt. Juliet.

Sellars Commemorative Solutions was the plaintiff in a civil case on behalf of Charlies Place over rent payments due, according to a summons.

San Franklin and John Clark had signed a lease agreement in December 2022 to open and operate The Peach Cobbler Factory as part of the Charlies Place commercial center. Charlies Place is owned by Judd Sellars just off North Mt. Juliet Road near East Division.

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The Peach Cobbler Factory never opened Charlies Place due to some issues they couldnt work out, Sellars said. The default judgment by Judge Barry Tatum is for possession of the space only.

The commercial space at Charlie's Place in Mt. Juliet where a lease was signed for The Peach Cobbler Factory to open.

"I am definitely still going to open in MJ," Franklin said in a text message. "I have something in the works and it will be a win-win."

Another food business named Maniacs recently closed its Mt. Juliet location in Charlies Place that was next to the space The Peach Cobbler Factory was to open.

The Maniac's at 99 Seaboard Lane in Brentwood remains open. The closure in Mt. Juliet was due to rising operational costs in the restaurant according to an announcement by Maniac's.

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No future tenants were immediately announced for Charlie's Place, but Sellars said there have been "several inquiries" about the retail center's available space. Dunkin', Leon's Famous Deli, Jeremiah's Italian Ice are among food businesses operating in Charlie's Place, which is anchored by The Incredible Christmas Place.

BJ Hot Chicken: BJ Hot Chicken recently opened a restaurant at 1984 Providence Parkway, Suite 101 in Mt. Juliet.

The first restaurant opened in 2017 in Nashville and locations have been added in Hendersonville, Lebanon and Mt. Juliet.

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Will Peach Cobbler Factory open in Mt. Juliet? BJ Hot Chicken
Most Brooklyn-bound straphangers who travel over the Manhattan Bridge are familiar with the moment that the sweeping East River view is replaced by the darkness of a tunnel as the train descends back underground and, almost like clockwork, stops and holds in the tunnel before entering DeKalb station.

The delay happens often enough is more noteworthy when it doesnt  and the MTAs planners, signal officers and train crews all know that travel on the B, D, N, Q and R trains slows down through the series of switches and tracks known as the DeKalb interlocking.

But now, armed with new train cars, new signal systems  and, hopefully, billions of dollars with which to buy more of both  the MTA says relief is on the horizon for one of the subway systems most stubborn sections.

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Not everyone knows its name, but every Brooklyn rider knows the effects of the DeKalb interlocking, Jamie Torres-Springer, MTAs construction and development boss, said during a recent visit to DeKalb. Youve got 350,000 daily riders on these five lines, and almost every one of them seems to experience a few seconds or more of delay as one train is stuck on the bridge or in the tunnel, waiting for another train to cross in front of it.

Put simply, the array of switches around the DeKalb Ave. station swaps trains between Manhattans Sixth Avenue line  the orange B and the D trains on a typical subway map and Broadway Line  the yellow-bulleted N, Q and R  and recombines them to put the D train with the N and the R down Fourth Avenue in Brooklyn, and the B with the Q along Brooklyns Brighton Line.

This practice, called interlining, gives passengers the ability to get to more parts of the city without transferring trains. But it also means transit workers must act like air traffic controllers, governing the switches and signals that make some trains stop so that others can cross in front of them.

At DeKalb, this is done at the DeKalb Signal Tower  a room which, despite its lofty name, is buried behind a locked, non-descript door off the stations mezzanine.

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This is essentially the beating heart of the B-division  the lettered lines, said Chris Pangilinan, Chief of Operations and Planning for New York City Transit. Almost all the lettered lines are affected somehow, either directly or indirectly, by all the lines running through here.

At the center of the room sits the model board, a large black metal triptych with white lines showing tracks, switches and stations under the towers control. Small LED segments light up to show when a train has occupied a given section of track.

Perched atop the model board, amid memos from headquarters, sat a small wooden ship and a sign that read, be grateful.

The tower operators sitting at the board pressed buttons along the track lines, setting routes through the interlocking for oncoming subways as radio chatter crackled from their crews.

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One door down, in a large relay room, rows and rows of 1930s era electro-mechanical relays clicked and clacked as tower operators set routes and trains moved along the tracks below.

This is a large tower, said Shanna Parker, a general superintendent with NYC Transit. It has the B, the D, the Q, N [and] R regularly, the W certain times  in the morning and in the evenings you have Ws come through here  and the Franklin Ave. Shuttle.

You have DeKalb interlocking, you have Gold Street interlocking, Pacific Street interlocking, and you have Prospect Park interlocking, all in this tower, she added.

As she spoke, lights on the board began to move, shadowing a train moving out from DeKalb and toward Atlantic Avenue.

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But the lights dont track the train as much as they identify occupied blocks of track, explained Sandy Castillo, an Assistant Chief Signals Officer for the subway system.

The position is not accurate, he said. As you can see here, between DeKalb and Atlantic  which is about half a mile  you only have a set number of indications. The blocks that we detect, its a large area.

That system, known as block signaling, only tells the tower operators roughly where a train is located. That can lead to traffic jams entering the interlocking.

Theyre very large physical blocks  the trains must be very far apart, Castillo said. And that adds to the time until you can replace a train in the station.

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By contrast, modern computerized signaling  known as communication-based train control, or CBTC  involves wireless transponders in a train communicating with transponders along the track, allowing for precise triangulation of a trains location.

With CBTC we can bring a train much closer, said Castillo. We know exactly where that train is. Timing is improved.

CBTC  which requires new train cars as well as new signalling equipment  is already in use along the 7 and L trains, a portion of the E train on the Queens Boulevard Line, and was recently put into service on the the Culver line of the F train between West 8th St. and Ditmas Ave. in Brooklyn.

CBTC prep work has also been completed along the northern end of the A train, as well as the Crosstown Line of the G train.

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The MTA had planned to install CBTC equipment along one of the two lines feeding the DeKalb Interlocking  the Sixth Avenue line of the B, D, F and M trains  in the 2020-2024 capital budget, but had been unable to fund the project amid delays to the states congestion tolling program.

Now that the toll is expected to start in 2025, Torres-Springer said the signal upgrades are back on track for Sixth Avenue. Upgrades to the Broadway line  the N, Q, R and W  are expected to be funded in the upcoming 2025-2029 capital budget.

In all, the MTA is asking for $5.4 billion to upgrade signals in the next five years, a budget that also includes CBTC installation on the J and the Z in Manhattan and the A and Rockaway Shuttle in southeastern Queens.

Not only would new signals speed trains up through the DeKalb Interlocking, it would also make the tower obsolete, allowing the interlocking to be controlled from afar at MTAs Rail Control Center in Midtown Manhattan.

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But theres no firm timeline yet as to when DeKalb can be fully converted  with new equipment, signals and trains  to a modern CBTC system.

For now, those riders waiting to pass through the interlocking will have to sit tight, and hope the train gets held on the bridge where they can still enjoy the view.
A person of interest was taken into police custody on Monday for questioning regarding the shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan. If the man in question is in fact the alleged shooter, his digital footprint raises many more questions than answers.

Luigi Mangione, 26, from Baltimore County, Maryland, was apparently apprehended at a Pennsylvania McDonalds on Monday. Mangione went to Gilman, a private all-boys high school in Baltimore, and then studied at University of Pennsylvania, where he acquired a master of science in engineering degree and a bachelor of science in engineering degree in computer science.

Perhaps of greatest note, his cover photo on X contains an image of an X-ray, leading to speculation about the status of his own health.

Luigi Mangiones cover photo featuring a Pokemon, an X-ray photo of his back with four spikes in the pelvis area, and a photo of him shirtless in the mountains

His X account is rife with mostly right-leaning, slightly nihilistic, tech bro-y takes concerning AI, mental health, altruism, ancient history, and society in general. Mangione follows Ezra Klein, Sam Altman, AOC, Edward Snowden, and Robert F. Kennedy, among others.

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In April, he posted that modern Japanese urban environment is an evolutionary mismatch for the human animal. The solution to falling birthdates isnt immigration. Its cultural. He reshared another video from June of Republican megadonor Peter Thiel talking about people with Aspergers running start-ups. He reposted a pseudo-motivational quote, Netflix, door dash, and true crime podcasts have stolen more dreams than failure ever will. And he reposted several messages railing against wokeism.

Luigi Mangione reposted: Gurwinder: Wokeism needs racism to exist, so it's always looking to pathologize new things as racist, including, now, attempts to start conversation by asking where you're from. If wokeism teaches minorities to be traumatized even by friendly gestures, it cannot claim to bridge divides. Screenshot of Uju Anya: No matter how sweetly you ask it,

His Goodreads is also of interest. He reviewed the Unabombers book, writing that when all other forms of communication fail, violence is necessary to survive. You may not like his methods, but to see things from his perspective, its not terrorism, its war and revolution. Fossil fuel companies actively suppress anything that stands in their way and within a generation or two, it will begin costing human lives by greater and greater magnitudes until the earth is just a flaming ball orbiting third from the sun.

His Goodreads also noted that he read Crooked: Outwitting the Back Pain Industry. Perhaps Mangione, who again was 26 years old, was recently off his parents health care, injured, and radicalized by his struggle to figure out a convoluted system.

Mangione was also allegedly found with a gun similar to the one used by the CEO shooter and a written manifesto criticizing health care companies. He has yet to be charged.
(Bloomberg Law) -- A clash among lawyers from Elon Musks X Corp., Alex Jones Infowars, and The Onion would normally be enough to pack a courtroom.

Most Read from Bloomberg

But the question each will debate before a Texas bankruptcy judge Monday rises to another level: Who really owns the rights to a social media handle?

Asking to intervene in the liquidation of Infowars, X wants Judge Christopher M. Lopez to block the transfer of any Jones- or Infowars-associated accounts on its platform to The Onions corporate parent, Global Tetrahedron LLC, which last month won the auction for the right-wing conspiracy news platforms assets.

Notwithstanding all the commentary about free speech, the terms of use provide pretty broad discretion and latitude to the social media companies to control what goes on their platforms, said Greg Pesce, a partner at White & Case LLPs restructuring practice.

Lopez will assess the structure of The Onions winning bidwhich includes support from families of Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims who hold $1.5 billion in judgments against Joneswhile also considering Xs concerns in one of the first times a social media platform has elbowed itself into a bankruptcy court sale of a user account.

The few bankruptcy courts that have overseen social media account ownership disputes havent addressed whether the social media company had a superior ownership right over either the individual or the corporation that controlled the accounts, Xs lawyers said in court papers.

The law in this space is developing rapidly, they said. But under any of the tests articulated, X Corp. owns the X Accounts.

Terms of Service

Social media services normally stay out of battles between rival claimants to a social media handle, said Eric Goldman, a professor at Santa Clara University School of Law and co-director of its High Tech Law Institute.

While Xs position that it owns all handles instead of its users isnt novel, enforcement of restrictions to transfer accounts are usually done quietly and rarely involve court proceedings, Goldman said.

Social media services approach this topic gingerly because they want to encourage their users to invest heavily in their accounts, Goldman said.

While X has given account holders like Jones and Infowars a license to use its services, that license cant be assigned to others under its terms of service or as a personal services contract, Xs lawyers said in court papers.
MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW)  A Myrtle Beach woman is raising money to give to those still in need after in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.

Angela Lee Chen has already raised nearly $75,000. She said it is special to be able to help those so far away.

It feels amazing to be on the end where we can give, and whatever little bit or large bit you can give, it changes peoples lives, Chen said. It changes that individuals life in a way that is way more huge than we can even imagine because they really have lost everything.

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The in-person and online holiday bazaar fundraiser was started in September to support those affected by the hurricane and those who are doing relief work.

Chen is a part of the Meher Baba community, and founded the Baba Zoom community that encourages virtual community gatherings. She said she wanted to do what she could to help those in the mountains.

When Hurricane Helene happened, I just felt a huge need to raise funds to help them, Chen said. I was initially not sure what to do but then members of our community were doing incredible things on the ground there so thats when two and two came together.

With the fundraiser, they are selling jewelry, paintings, clothing and more given by those in the Myrtle Beach community, as well as businesses in Asheville, North Carolina.

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Chen said one of the women in the Baba Zoom group is in Asheville and has donated campers to help get people out of the cold.

She has folks on the ground who are able to help fix them up, put hoses on them, fix all the nuts and bolts of the actual campers, Chen said. But they still need bedding, mattresses, pots and pans, propane heaters and blankets.

Chen said they are working hard to get as many people as possible in the campers, while also making sure they are safe to be in with all of the necessities.

All of the fundraiser proceeds will go toward the Baba Zoom Hurricane Relief Fund.

Instead of talking about the negatives the hurricane left, Chen said she wants to look at the bright side and see how the Myrtle Beach community can give to those in need.

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I dont want to keep harping on the suffering part of it because the joy thats possible when we are able to give of our resources to people who appreciate, it so much, its so powerful, Chen said.

To learn more about the fundraiser, buy an item, or give a donation, click here.

* * *

Hannah Huffstickler is a multimedia journalist at News13. She joined the News13 team in January 2024 after graduating from Coastal Carolina University in December of 2023. Keep up with Hannah on Facebook, X, formerly Twitter, and Instagram. You can also 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.
A mysterious illness, which the Africa Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is calling "disease X," has killed at least 31 people  mostly children  in the remote Panzi region of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the World Health Organization says.

The WHO said Sunday that 406 cases of the disease have been recorded in the Kwango Province, approximately 435 miles southeast of the capital Kinshasa. More than half of those who died were children younger than 5 years old who were severely malnourished, the health agency said.

The actual number of deaths in the region is difficult to determine, and some reports say as many as 143 people have died. A team of scientists from the World Health Organization is on the ground investigating the illness, which researchers believe started circulating in October.

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The DRC's Ministry of Public health sent an alert to WHO on Oct. 29 saying it was concerned about a mysterious illness that had caused "increased" deaths in the Panzi health region, according to the WHO. The ministry said in a press briefing on Dec. 5 that the mortality rate was about 8% and that several deaths were reported outside of health facilities.

The community deaths are of concern, local health officials told CBS News, and the WHO said they need to be investigated.

Doctors say the disease presents much like a respiratory infection, with people suffering from fevers, headaches, coughing, runny noses and body aches. The WHO said rapid response teams have been sent to identify the cause of the outbreak and help coordinate a suitable response.

"The teams are collecting samples for laboratory testing, providing a more detailed clinical characterization of the detected cases, investigating the transmission dynamics and actively searching for additional cases, both within health facilities and at the community level," the WHO said in a statement Sunday.

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"Given the clinical presentation and symptoms reported, and a number of associated deaths, acute pneumonia, influenza, COVID-19, measles and malaria are being considered as potential causal factors with malnutrition as a contributing factor," the WHO said. "Malaria is a common disease in this area, and it may be causing or contributing to the cases."

The area where the outbreak is taking place is remote, located roughly 48 hours by road from the capital Kinshasa. The rainy season, which brings an influx of malaria cases, is complicating the situation, the WHO said. There is also no functional laboratory in the region, and communication infrastructure is limited. The area is also at risk of attacks by armed groups, the WHO said.

Experts have warned about the risks of further spread of the disease and said they have not ruled out that it is airborne. The WHO said the risk at a global level remains low, but that due to the proximity of the boarder with Angola, there is concern of cross-border transmission.

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HANOI, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's total goods retail sales and consumer service revenues increased by 8.8 percent year on year in the first 11 months of this year to more than 5.8 quadrillion Vietnamese dong (228.5 billion U.S. dollars), according to the latest statistics of the country's General Statistics Office.

During the cited period, the restaurant and accommodation revenues increased 13 percent, and tourism revenues surged 17.3 percent compared to the same period last year, according to the office.

Specifically, Vietnam's goods retail sales stood at nearly 2.5 quadrillion dong (98.5 billion dollars), up 8.1 percent, with the sales of food and foodstuff growing by 10.8 percent, those of household equipment rising by 5.9 percent, and those of clothing going up by 8.1 percent.

In November alone, the revenue from retail sales of consumer goods and services totaled 562 trillion dong (22.1 billion dollars), an increase of 8.3 percent year on year thanks to the major contribution of the food, accommodation and tourism sector, said the office. 
A mysterious stranger who was spotted on surveillance video with a Hawaii woman who went missing shortly after arriving in Los Angeles has been cleared as a suspect in her disappearance by police, who, after twice questioning the unidentified man, say he did nothing wrong.

For the amount of time they spent together, he pretty much was an ear to listen, Detective Omar Franco of the LAPDs Missing Persons Unit told People magazine . She just spoke and talked about her life in Maui, her personal life, her love life and so forth. And he just listened to her.

Hannah Kobayashi, 30, vanished last month while traveling from Hawaii to New York City (Sydni Kobayashi/Facebook)

On November 11, Hannah Kobayashi, 30, flew from Hawaii to LA, where she was scheduled to catch a connecting flight to New York. But she never made it onto the plane, and her distraught family has not seen or heard from her since. As police mounted a search, Kobayashi was seen with an unknown man around the city, who was flagged as a person of interest by police. She was last seen on November 12 walking into Tijuana via a pedestrian crossing after taking a bus from LA to the border, authorities said. But while Kobayashis sister and mother continue looking for her, seemingly convinced she is the victim of foul play, investigators insist she vanished voluntarily.

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The man last seen with Kobayashi has not been named publicly.

Hannah Kobayashis sister and mother continue looking for her, seemingly convinced she is the victim of foul play, investigators insist she vanished voluntarily. (AP)

In interviews with police, the man said he met Kobayashi near the LAX train stop at around 9 p.m., and agreed to help her find Union Station, a transport hub downtown, LAPD Lt. Doug Oldfield told People.

We have this gentleman, we have them walking [on video], Oldfield told the magazine. Were looking  Hey, does this person seem like shes in distress, what does she look like? We see a lot of smiling. We see smiling from the guy.

Another video showed Kobayashi and the man walk past a pair of police officers, which ostensibly would have given her a chance maybe to say, Help, help, if theres anything wrong, said Oldfield. So, from here, were able to then get a better idea of who this guy was and we identified him.

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The man said he found Kobayashi to be a free spirit, and that she appeared coherent and calm. She told him that she wanted to see the redwoods, and mentioned her plan to be in New York, he told police. When they got to Union Station, the man and Kobayashi had dinner, chatted for a few hours, and fell asleep in a waiting area, according to cops. In the morning, Kobayashi woke up and walked off by herself, buying a bus ticket at 6:10 a.m. to the border. The ride to the border took about four hours, and Kobayashi crossed into Mexico at around noon, Franco said, adding that Kobayashi left her phone behind at LAX for yet-to-be-determined reasons.

Investigators are eager to complete the puzzle, and find out what Kobayashis end game or goal was, according to Franco.

Because, as Oldfield told People, We dont have her side of the story.
An investigation is underway after a man was found dead of an apparent gunshot wound at the Hamilton Creek Recreation Area.

Nashville Police said the man was found in the woods of the recreation area off Bell Road Sunday morning. Hamilton Creek Recreation Area is a small park off an inlet of Percy Priest Lake.

Police have not yet identified the man, they said in a Sunday evening statement.

Anyone with information abolut this case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Police: Man found shot dead at small, Percy Priest-area park
Two Dutch F-35 fighter jets intercepted Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea on Dec. 6, the Netherlands Defense Ministry announced on Dec. 9.

The F-35s, deployed under NATOs eastern airspace monitoring mission, intercepted a Russian An-72 transport aircraft and an SU-24 reconnaissance aircraft.

Later, they were scrambled again to intercept a Russian IL-20 reconnaissance aircraft.

The Dutch F-35s escorted the Russian planes over international waters to the boundary of NATOs airspace. That is why our people are there: to protect our common airspace from Russian threats, Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans wrote on X.

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Russian aircraft frequently operate over the Baltic Sea without transponders or flight plans, actions often seen as testing NATO's response capabilities.

In September, the Latvian Air Force reported that NATO jets intercepted six such Russian aircraft over the Baltic Sea.

That same month, Latvia confirmed that a Russian Shahed-type drone equipped with explosives had crashed on its territory.

The drone, reportedly heading to Ukraine, entered Latvia from Belarus before crashing near Gaigalava parish in the Rezekne district, approximately 85 kilometers (52 miles) from the Belarusian border.

Read also: Zelensky plans to call Biden to discuss NATO invitation for Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP)  Australia announced a multimillion-dollar agreement with Nauru on Monday that gives Australia a veto right over a range of pacts the tiny Pacific atoll might want to enter with third countries including China.

Australia offered 140 million Australian dollars ($89 million) over five years to the remote nation's population of 12,000 under the treaty to be implemented next year, including AU$40 million ($26 million) to enhance policing and security.

Recognizing the security of one of us affects the security of both of us, the treaty provides that Nauru and Australia will jointly agree to any engagement by other countries in Naurus security, banking and telecommunications sectors, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said in a joint statement with Nauru President David Adeang at Australia's Parliament House.

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Adeang said Naurus partnership with Australia, its former colonial master, is vital to his country.

The pact has some similarities to a deal a struck in May with Tuvalu, another tiny Pacific island nation with a similar-size population as Nauru, which also gave Australia a veto power over third-country deals.

The Tuvalu deal followed a security agreement struck between China and the Solomon Islands in 2022 that has raised concerns of a Chinese naval base being established in the South Pacific.

Meg Keen, director of the Pacific Island Program at the Lowy Institute, a Sydney-based think tank on international policy, said Nauru had sacrificed its ability to strike security, banking and infrastructure deals with China and other third parties in return for a big increase in Australian funding.

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It is a move by Australia to limit Chinese reach and influence in the region, Keen said in an email.

The treaty allows Australia to strengthen regional ties and cement its leading role as the development and security partner of choice, she said.

A key part of the deal is that Nauru will retain an Australian bank.

The Commonwealth Bank of Australia will open a branch in Nauru next year after Australias Bendigo Bank withdraws from the country.

This treaty strengthens our own economy, enhances also our mutual security and addresses critical challenges like debanking and ensuring inclusive growth and resilience for our own people, Adeang said.
As his incoming administration prepares to take over the reins of the federal government, activists who fought Donald Trumps immigration policies during his first term are bracing for the more aggressive plans he campaigned on pursuing in his second term.

This time, as the former president returns to the White House, the political and legal environment in which battles over immigration enforcement will play out have changed in important ways.

While on the campaign trail this year, Trump made his vow to launch the largest deportation effort in history a key component of his reelection message.

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And as his administration works to deliver on that promise next year, immigration authorities working with local law enforcement in North Carolina will be aided by newly enacted House Bill 10, a GOP measure that requires sheriffs to comply with temporary detention requests issued by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Republicans passed the bill into law over Gov. Roy Coopers veto last month after years of trying and failing to do so, going back to 2019.

Activists who organized against the first Trump administrations immigration policies question if Democrats are as dedicated to their cause this time around.

Mario Alfaro, a policy manager at Raleigh-based El Pueblo, said in an interview he was disappointed that, in his personal opinion, Democrats didnt raise their voices for immigrants during this years campaign, and tried to sweep the issue under the table.

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Now that the election is over, Alfaro said he hopes Democrats will be more vocal, more active, and understand that the immigrant community is fundamental to North Carolina.

Josh Stein on Trumps proposed deportation efforts

The Trump transition has moved quickly to announce key administration staff and appointees who will lead the border management and deportation efforts.

Within days of his victory on Election Night, Trump announced he would tap Tom Homan, the acting director of ICE during his first administration, to serve as his border czar.

Since then, the transition has named several more appointments that will be tasked with carrying out immigration policy, including leaders of ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, both of whom were announced Thursday.

Governor-elect Josh Stein speaks to the crowd during a North Carolina Democratic Party election night event at the Marriott City Center in Raleigh, N.C., Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024.

While some Democratic leaders were quick to vow to fight the Trump administrations deportation efforts, others, including incoming North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein, have said theyre waiting to see specific plans and policies before they decide how they will respond.

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Well, one thing about President Trump is he says a lot, and then you dont know what the actual policy behind the bluster is going to be, Stein said during an appearance on ABC News on Sunday. And so I have to wait to see what he actually proposes as opposed to what he says through Twitter or any other social media platform.

Asked if he wasnt ruling out working with Trump on some deportations, Stein said that under current law, if folks break the law and harm North Carolinians, they get deported as it is.

Folks who are law-abiding, deporting them is not a priority at all, Stein added. They are instrumental to our communities. Theyre instrumental to our economy.

In response to follow-up questions from The News & Observer, Laura Brewer, a spokeswoman for Steins gubernatorial transition, said: It is premature to discuss how the state might respond before we see the president-elects plan.

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During his campaign for governor, Stein avoided saying if he supported the ICE cooperation bill but backed a legislative deal in Congress meant to secure the border, calling it the strongest in a generation. The bill emerged from a bipartisan deal and would have made it more difficult for people entering the country to qualify for asylum and sent away those who didnt qualify while speeding up hearings for people who do, NBC News reported. But Republicans blocked it, saying it didnt go far enough.

A spokesperson for incoming Attorney General Jeff Jackson declined to comment on how he would respond to Trumps immigration policies.

Expectations among activists for Democrats to push back

Alfaro said that in addition to pushing back against the new administrations policies, itll be just as important for activists to combat the notion that he said seemed to gain a foothold in this years election, that immigrants who entered the country illegally are some kind of public enemy which is responsible for every single domestic problem.

During a press conference ahead of the successful votes last month to override Coopers veto of HB 10, advocates speaking against the bill said it would make immigrants more fearful of interacting with law enforcement, and could drive workers out of the state.

Ana Ilarraza-Blackburn, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Women Leading for Wellness and Justice, speaks during a press conference and vigil against NC House Bill 10 outside the Legislative Building in Raleigh, N.C., Monday, Nov. 18, 2024.

Do not forget the billions of dollars that our community keeps dumping into this state, and into this nation, said Ana Ilarraza-Blackburn, the founder and co-executive director of Women Leading for Wellness and Justice. Do not forget, because thats the true face of our community.

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Ilarraza-Blackburn said that she hopes Stein stands up for immigrants who contribute to the state financially and help with recovery efforts, whether it was during the COVID-19 pandemic, or after natural disasters like Hurricane Helene.

She wants both parties to listen to the concerns of advocates, adding that neither party has done well by the immigrant community.

Alfaro said his organization expects Stein and Jackson to do what is right for everyone and create conditions that favor the integration of immigrant families throughout the state, just as it expects of all elected officials, from both parties.

He said itll be important for activists from both larger regional and national organizations to partner with local groups that are plugged into their communities and bring grassroots support.

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The coalition of local, statewide and national groups that have worked together in the past is large. When the N.C. House originally took up the ICE cooperation bill in March 2023, more than 120 groups including immigrant and civil rights groups, local businesses and faith-based institutions came together to urge a handful of swing-voting Democrats to oppose the bill.

I dont see any possibility to succeed if we dont work together, Alfaro said. Networks are fundamental, and are the only way, in my opinion, to create a common cause.
Opinion. During the opening general session of the annual National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) in late October, NCAI President Mark Macarro, chairman of the Pechanga Band of Indians, shared the story of being among several prominent Native Americans invited to fly on Air Force One with President Joe Biden as he traveled to Phoenix to issue an apology for the U.S. governments role in federal Indian boarding schools in late October.

Macarro recounted receiving a call from Rose Petoskey (Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa Indians), director of Tribal Affairs and Senior Advisor to the White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, who asked if he would fly to Washington, D.C., and meet at Joint Base Andrews to travel aboard Air Force One with the president to attend a presidential event at the Gila River Indian Community.

He explained that he did not know in advance what the important announcement by President Biden would be. Macarro said he did not learn the details of the event until more than an hour into the flight.It would be a historic presidential event.

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A while into the trip, President Biden joined the group in Air Force One's boardroom. Each leader was told they would have five minutes to discuss any topic they wished with the president.

Macarro quickly considered what he wanted to discuss. He thought about raising the topic of the Dodgers or perhaps the accomplishments of the Biden-Harris administration in Indian Country, including the important nomination of Deb Haaland (Laguna Pueblo) as Secretary of the Interior.

Ultimately, Macarro decided to raise the issue of clemency for Leonard Peltier (Turtle Mountain Ojibwe), a member of the American Indian Movement (AIM), who is serving two consecutive life sentences for his conviction in the 1975 killing of two FBI agents, Jack R. Coler and Ronald A. Williams, on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation. Imprisoned for nearly half a century, Peltier is currently incarcerated at the United States Penitentiary in Coleman, Florida, a high-security facility.

Mr. President, we are flying to Phoenix where you will apologize on behalf of the government for its role in Indian boarding schools, Macarro began. You need to know that there is an 80-year-old named Leonard Peltier, one of the oldest surviving Indian boarding school survivors, who is in prison. He attended the Wahpeton Indian School in North Dakota, Macarro told the president.

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Macarro commented that he didnt think the president was aware of this. It was new information for him, Macarro said. I then told him that Peltier has served five decades in federal prison for a crime that the government has admitted it could not prove.

Macarro also informed the president that Peltier is in poor health and uses a walker to get around.

The NCAI president told the president of the United States that members of Congress, both current and former, have called for Peltiers release.

Macarro explained that the biggest opposition to Peltiers release comes from the FBI. He told Biden that the FBI director would present him with evidence that has already been proven false. Macarro explained that the FBI wants someone to pay for the loss of their two agents, and Peltier is that person.

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Macarro added that even the federal prosecutor who argued Peltiers case admitted that the governments case against him was flawed.

After listening, President Biden paused and then asked Macarro if Peltier had been convicted by a jury.

Yes, Mr. President, he was, and let me tell you that trial was a miscarriage of justice. There was prosecutorial misconduct, and exculpatory evidence was not allowed to be presented. Evidence that would have exonerated Leonard, Macarro explained.

He also told the president that one of the 12 jurors had admitted during jury questioning that she hated Indians, yet she was allowed to stay on the jury, and it was that jury that convicted him.

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Macarro later told Native News Online that President Biden was non-committal about any action he would take on behalf of Peltier but thanked Macarro for bringing up the case.

This past week, Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI), chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs, spoke on the Senate floor and called on President Biden to release Peltier.

Biden, known for his human compassion as a loving father, pardoned his son, Hunter Biden, citing the improper prosecution of his son because of his familys political standing.

I have written several opinion pieces in the past calling for Leonard Peltiers release. I have also written that I believe the Biden-Harris administration has been the most beneficial presidential administration for Indian Country.

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President Joe Biden can seal his legacy with Indian Country by granting clemency to Leonard Peltier, a man who uses a walker to get around and deserves to be near his family in the sunset of his life.

Thayek gde nwendemen - We are all related.

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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
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT)  Nelly is coming to Birmingham in 2025 as a part of his Where The Party At Tour.

The tour comes to the Coca-Cola Amphitheater on Sept. 18, 2025. It celebrates the 25th anniversary of Nellys debut studio album, Country Grammar. The tour will also feature Ja Rule, Eve, St. Lunatics, Fabolous, Jermaine Dupri, and Chingy. The guests will vary across markets.

Tickets go on sale Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. You can buy tickets here.

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JERUSALEM (AP)  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to take to the witness stand Tuesday for the first time in his trial on corruption allegations, a pivotal point in the drawn-out proceedings that comes as he wages war in Gaza and faces an international arrest warrant for war crimes charges.

Netanyahu is on trial at home on accusations of fraud, breach of trust and accepting bribes in three separate matters. Netanyahu denies wrongdoing, but his appearance on the witness stand will be a low point in his decades-long political career, standing in contrast to the image of a sophisticated, respected leader he has tried to cultivate.

The trial will take up a chunk of Netanyahu's time at a crucial point for Israel. While he makes his case for weeks from the stand, he will still be tasked with managing the war in Gaza, maintaining a fragile ceasefire with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah and keeping tabs on threats from the wider Middle East, including Iran.

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It will be the first time an Israeli prime minister has taken the stand as a criminal defendant. Netanyahu has repeatedly sought to delay the proceedings, citing the war in Gaza and security concerns. The judges ordered the trial to resume Tuesday, moving the proceedings to an underground chamber in a Tel Aviv court as a security precaution.

Netanyahu's appearance in the courtroom will also draw attention to other legal issues in the Israeli leader's orbit. Close advisers in his office are embroiled in a separate series of scandals surrounding leaked classified information and doctored documents. While Netanyahu is not suspected of direct involvement in those, they could weaken his public image.

On Monday evening, Netanyahu called a press conference, his first in three months, where he gave a glowing overview of Israels achievements in 14 months of war and said the fighting with Hamas and Hezbollah were directly responsible for the fall of Bashar Assads government in Syria.

When questioned about the next days testimony, Netanyahu became visibly angry. I have been waiting eight years for this day, to present the truth, he said, railing against the political hunt that he asserted had ruined the lives of dozens of people caught up in the trial. He accused the media of pursuing fake news against him and reporting lies.

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Here is a look at the trial.

Where does Netanyahu's trial stand?

The trial, which began in 2020, involves three separate cases in which prosecutors say Netanyahu exchanged regulatory favors with media titans for favorable press coverage and advanced the personal interests of a billionaire Hollywood producer in exchange for lavish gifts.

Prosecutors have called roughly 140 witnesses to the stand  fewer than the 300 initially expected to testify.

Those witnesses have included some of Netanyahu's closest former confidants who turned against him, as well as former prime minister Yair Lapid, former security chiefs and media personalities. Lawyers have submitted thousands of items of evidence including recordings, police documents and text messages.

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A new documentary, The Bibi Files, has shined new light on the cases by obtaining footage of Netanyahu being questioned by police, as well as interrogations of his wife and some key witnesses. In a glimpse of what can be expected in the courtroom, Netanyahu appears combative and anxious at times, accusing police of unfairly picking on him and denigrating other witnesses as liars.

The prosecution called to the stand its final witness over the summer, bringing to an end three years of testimony and setting the stage for the defense to lay out its case, with Netanyahu its first witness. Netanyahus appearance will give Israelis a chance to see the long-serving Israeli leader answer to the charges before the three-judge panel.

What are some notable moments from Netanyahu's trial?

The prosecution has sought to portray Netanyahu as media-obsessed, to push its narrative that he would break the law for favorable coverage.

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Witness accounts have shed light not only on the three cases but also on details about Netanyahus character and his familys reputation for living lavishly on the backs of taxpayers and wealthy supporters.

One former aide and a key prosecution witness called him a control freak over his image. Another witness described expensive gifts for Netanyahu and his wife.

Arnon Milchan, an Israeli producer of Hollywood blockbuster films such as Pretty Woman," took the stand last year by videoconference, describing how he routinely delivered tens of thousands of dollars of champagne, cigars and other gifts requested by the Israeli leader.

One key witness, a former top aide to Netanyahu, stunned prosecutors by backtracking from his earlier claims against the prime minister, opening the door for the defense to erode his credibility as a witness. The trial was jolted by Israeli media reports that police used sophisticated phone-hacking software to spy on this witness.

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What happens next in Netanyahu's trial?

Like other witnesses, Netanyahu will testify three days a week, for hours at a time. The defense will seek to depict him as a law-abiding leader who was a victim of careless and biased police investigations.

Netanyahu's critics have sought to draw a clear line between the cases and the war in Gaza. They say the allegations led Netanyahu to promote a contentious judicial overhaul plan last year that bitterly divided the country and created an image of weakness that encouraged the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that triggered the war.

Netanyahus critics, including families of hostages held by Hamas, now accuse him of dragging out the conflict  and risking the lives of their loved ones  to avoid an embarrassing investigation and new elections that could force him from power.

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If he is eventually voted out of power, being away from the prime ministers seat would make it harder for Netanyahu to rail against the justice system and delegitimize the verdict in the eyes of the public.

A verdict isnt expected until 2026 at least, and then Netanyahu can choose to appeal to the Supreme Court. Israel's courts are notoriously sluggish, and the case was further delayed last year when courts went on hiatus for two months after war broke out following Hamas' Oct. 7 attack.

Once the defense rests, each side will summarize their cases before judges convene to deliberate over Netanyahu's fate.
By Maayan Lubell

TEL AVIV (Reuters) -Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu took the witness stand for the first time on Tuesday in his long-running corruption trial, saying he was being hounded for his hawkish security policies.

Netanyahu, 75, is Israel's first sitting prime minister to be charged with a crime. He is testifying at the same time Israel is engaged in a war in Gaza and facing possible new threats posed by regional turmoil, including in Syria.

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Last week judges ruled that Netanyahu, indicted in 2019, must testify three times a week, forcing the longtime Israeli leader to juggle between the courtroom and the war room at Israel's Defence Ministry, minutes away from the courthouse.

He took the stand for about four hours and will resume testifying on Wednesday. Twice his military secretary handed him written messages, the first time requiring a recess and underscoring his having to do double duty as prime minister.

The leader of the right-wing Likud party, Netanyahu assailed the Israeli media for what he called its leftist stance and accused journalists of having hounded him for years because his policies did not align with a push for a Palestinian state.

"I have been waiting for eight years for this moment to tell the truth," Netanyahu told the three-judge court. But I am also a prime minister ... I am leading the country through a seven-front war. And I think the two can be done in parallel."

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Netanyahu was indicted in three cases involving gifts from millionaire friends and for allegedly seeking regulatory favours for media tycoons in return for favourable news coverage. He denies any wrongdoing and has pleaded not guilty.

"Had I wanted good coverage all I would have had to have done would be to signal toward a two-state solution. ... Had I moved two steps to the left I would have been hailed," he said.

He stood rather than sat in the witness box while testifying. In lengthy replies, he portrayed himself as a staunch defender of Israels security, withstanding pressures from international powers and a hostile domestic media.

TESTIMONY IN AN UNDERGROUND COURTROOM

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Netanyahu smiled confidently when he entered the Tel Aviv District Court around 10 a.m. (0800 GMT). The trial was moved from Jerusalem for undisclosed security reasons and convened in an underground courtroom.

Before Netanyahu took the stand, his lawyer Amit Hadad laid out for the judges what the defence maintains are fundamental flaws in the investigation. Prosecutors, Hadad said, "werent investigating a crime, they were going after a person."

A few dozen protesters gathered outdoors, some of them supporters and others demanding Netanyahu do more to negotiate the release of some 100 hostages still held by Hamas in Gaza.

Israel has been waging war in Gaza against the Palestinian militant group for more than a year, during which Netanyahu had been granted a delay for the start of his court appearances. Last Thursday, judges ruled that he must start testifying.

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In the run-up to his court date, Netanyahu revived familiar pre-war rhetoric against law enforcement, describing investigations against him as a witch hunt.

DIVISIONS AMONG THE ISRAELI PUBLIC

Before the war, Netanyahu's legal troubles bitterly divided Israelis and shook Israeli politics through five rounds of elections. His government's bid last year to curb the powers of the judiciary further polarised Israelis.

The shock Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, and the ensuing Gaza war swept Netanyahu's trial off the public agenda as Israelis came together in grief and trauma. But as the war dragged on, political unity crumbled.

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In recent weeks, while fighting abated on one front after Israel reached a ceasefire with Hamas' Lebanese ally Hezbollah, members of Netanyahu's cabinet, including his justice and police ministers, have clashed with the judiciary.

His domestic legal woes were compounded last month when the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him and his former defence chief Yoav Gallant along with a Hamas leader, for alleged war crimes in the Gaza conflict.

(Reporting by Maayan Lubell; editing by Howard Goller and Mark Heinrich)
SEOUL, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's Ministry of Justice Monday placed a travel ban on President Yoon Suk-yeol, Yonhap news agency reported, marking the first time a sitting South Korean president has been barred from leaving the country.

The unprecedented measure came at the request of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, which sought the restriction as part of its investigation into Yoon's abrupt imposition of martial law last week.

The office that investigates high-ranking officials is one of several law enforcement bodies, including public prosecutors and police, probing into allegations of insurrection and abuse of power tied to Yoon's role in the martial law declaration.

Overseas travel bans have already been imposed on four other key figures in the martial law turmoil, including two top military commanders and the former interior minister.

Earlier in the day, the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea submitted bills to investigate charges of Yoon's alleged insurrection and scandal involving his wife.

The Democratic Party proposed to appoint special counsels to investigate Yoon's botched martial law declaration and various allegations related to First Lady Kim Keon-hee.

Meanwhile, defense ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-kyu said Monday the control of the country's military forces currently lies with President Yoon as the commander-in-chief, when asked whether a suspect in an insurrection case could hold such powers.

Kim Hyun-tae, head of the 707th Special Mission Group, said Monday his soldiers, mobilized to storm the National Assembly after Yoon declared martial law on the night of Dec. 3, are victims used by former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun.

Kim Hyun-tae made the accusation against the former defense chief at a press conference, saying his troops were only at fault for following his orders while noting he would bear all legal responsibility.

The special prosecution investigation team questioned former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun for the third round Monday morning on treason, abuse of power and other charges since his emergency arrest the previous day. 
Related video: Fertility doctor avoids jail time after admitting to secretly impregnating patients

INDIANAPOLIS (WIXN)  A federal court in Indianapolis has ordered Netflix to pay $385,000 to an Indiana woman it outed as the daughter of Donald Cline, a former fertility doctor who secretly used his own sperm to inseminate patients.

The woman filed a complaint against the streaming giant in Marion County Superior Court back in 2022, alleging she was exposed without her consent as one of Clines secret children in the Netflix documentary, Our Father.

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Per the original complaint, the womans photo and name appeared in the film.

Her attorneys claimed the documentarys producers promised anonymity to Clines secret children who did not want to be identified during the film.

The womans attorneys also alleged that the photographs and names of several other secret children were blurred in the documentary, but she was not given those same protections.

Check your junk mail: Some affected by the Equifax data breach to get more money

Per the complaint, the woman suffered severe harm to her reputation. She also claimed to have been distressed, embarrassed and emotionally traumatized by the documentary.

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Beyond being outed in the film, the woman was also identified in social media posts promoting the documentary, according to the complaint.

The lawsuit initially included two women, but the jury awarded compensatory damages to only one plaintiff. While it ruled in favor of Netflix regarding the second woman, court documents provided little explanation of the reasoning behind the differing decisions.

Court records filed Friday indicate the jury reached their verdict on Thursday.

This Sept. 12, 2016 booking photo provided by Marion County, Ind. shows Donald Cline. (Marion County, Ind. via AP)

The documentary at the center of the lawsuit examined the case of Cline and his secret children. The film came after a 2016 investigative report by Nexstars WXIN revealed Cline had used his own sperm to impregnate women who were patients at his clinic.

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The report also indicated that Cline lied to some of his patients about the source of the sperm he used to impregnate them. In an interview with WXIN, Cline estimated that he had used his own sperm for insemination 50 times.

Cline, who was 79, pleaded guilty to two counts of obstruction of justice in 2017. However, he did not face charges for the inseminations themselves because, at the time, there was no law in Indiana prohibiting fertility doctors from using their own sperm. Instead, Cline was only charged for lying to investigators during the case.

Last New England mob boss from Rhode Island dies at 97

Even still, he avoided prison time and received a one-year suspended sentence, which placed him on probation. The judge cited Clines advanced age and his remorse.

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Following the scandal, Indiana lawmakers passed legislation in 2019 that provides legal recourse to victims of fertility fraud. The law makes misrepresentation related to a medical procedure or human reproductive material a felony. It also allows victims to file a civil lawsuit against a doctor within five years of discovering theyre a victim of fertility fraud or a defendants confession.

Cline eventually ended up paying more than $1.3 million in various civil suits, though.

The jury in the case involving Netflix and one of Clines secret children has been discharged and released, as its final judgment has been declared.

Kristen Eskow and Ashleigh Jackson contributed to this report.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A Nevada company lied to consumers and charged hundreds of dollars in advance fees to reduce how much they owe on student loans, according to court documents.

Superior Servicing was hit with a preliminary injunction on Friday, Dec. 6, as the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) pursued action against the company and Dennise Merdjanian, identified as its manager.

The defendants promised consumers student debt relief and forgiveness but gave them virtually nothing, keeping over $10 million for themselves and leaving consumers deeper in debt, Samuel Levine, Director of the FTCs Bureau of Consumer Protection, said. The FTC will continue taking decisive action against those who prey on Americans with student debt.

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The FTC filed a complaint on Nov. 18 alleging the company preyed on consumers with student loans as a three-year pause in federal student loan payments ended. Superior Servicing told consumers they could help erase student loan debt. A temporary restraining order was issued by U.S. District Court in Nevada on Nov. 22.

Consumers paid an initial advance fee of up to $899, and consumers believed the money was going toward their student loan balance, according to the FTC complaint.

Company representatives led consumers to believe they were with the Department of Education or a government-affiliated student loan servicer, and signed people up to pay $49 a month for services that they failed to provide, the complaint said.

Merdjanian, also known as Dennise Correa, directed the activity, according to the complaint. Consumers across the United States were victims of the scheme, contacted by phone or through the mail.

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Telemarketers who contacted victims already had their names, social security numbers and loan balances, the FTC complaint said.

The company engaged with consumers who filed Better Business Bureau complaints, issuing partial refunds in some cases. They did not refund payments for services they claimed they had provided, and the business is not accredited through BBB. Superior Servicing lists a Las Vegas address: 400 S 4th St., Suite 500.

The operators falsely claimed they would take over responsibility for servicing loans, collecting monthly student loan payments for a term of up to 20 years, and said that upon completion of those monthly payments, the consumers federal student loan debt would be forgiven, according to an FTC news release.

Borrowers have reported that they never received loan consolidation, lowered payments, or loan forgiveness, according to the complaint. The FTC noted that at most, defendants filled out applications for debt relief that are available for free from the Department of Education.

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The FTC charged that the schemes operators violated the Impersonation Rule by claiming to be affiliated with the Department of Education, as well as the FTC Acts prohibition on deceptive practices, the Telemarketing Sales Rule, and the Gramm-Leach-Bliley Act.

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A hospital claimed it didn't have the "capacity" to care for a mom in labor, which caused her baby to die of infection at 35 hours old, a lawsuit alleges

Chelsea Wootten says she was in labor for 60 hours and was "ignored" because of other emergencies until her daughter's heart rate became "suspicious"

In a statement to PEOPLE, a representative for the hospital says, "We have all learned from this tragedy"

A baby died after a hospital did not induce labor for more than 60 hours, a lawsuit alleges.

Chelsea Wootton, 31, was scheduled to be induced at 41 weeks pregnant, her law firm Irwin Mitchell said, according to the BBC.

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Yet she was never warned about the dangers of going over the 41-week mark, according to a statement Irwin Mitchell shared with PEOPLE.

In August, the mom from Birmingham, UK, went into labor a day before her planned induction to deliver daughter Ava-Lea, the BBC reports. After being admitted to Birmingham City Hospital one day early, she was sent home due to "a lack of hospital capacity," and told to return the next day, the lawsuit alleges. Two hours after she got home, her water broke.

As the Cleveland Clinic explains, water breaking is a sign that labor is coming. "Amniotic fluid is a protective barrier, and without it, the fetus is at risk for infection and other medical conditions.



Irwin Mitchell/SWNS Adyn Humphries and Chelsea Wootton with their daughter. Adyn Humphries and Chelsea Wootton with their daughter.

Related: Unplanned Ozempic Babies Are on the Rise  but the Drug Can Cause Pregnancy Complications'

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According to the lawsuit, the BBC reports, Wootton was re-admitted to the hospital and classified as "low risk." The next day, meconium  a babys dark, sticky first bowel movement  was detected. While its common for a baby to pass meconium while still in utero, inhaling it into the lungs can cause serious problems, the Cleveland Clinic explains.

It was at this time Wootton asked for an emergency C-section, but the outlet says she was denied care due to other emergencies at the hospital.

"I kept trying to raise concerns and I asked for a cesarean but I felt I was being ignored. It was only when concerns were raised about Ava-Lea's heart rate did it feel that our care was a priority, she said, according to Irwin Mitchell. "By then it was too late."

When Ava-Leas heartrate was classified as "suspicious," Irwin Mitchell says, Wootten agreed to an assisted birth with forceps. But Ava-Lea died at 35 hours old, a direct result of oxygen deprivation and inhaling meconium, according to the BBC.

Irwin Mitchell/SWNS Chelsea Wootton takes a selfie while pregnant. Chelsea Wootton takes a selfie while pregnant.

Related: Mom Put into Coma Minutes After Giving Birth Due to Rare Complication: I Remember Telling the Staff, Im Dying

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Irwin Mitchell says Ava-Lea had developed sepsis, which, according to the National Library of Medicine, can result from meconium aspiration syndrome. The law firm says the newborn had to be resuscitated and was then placed on palliative care in the neonatal intensive care unit.

"Instead of bringing her home and starting our new lives together we had to say goodbye and leave her in hospital. Wootten said, according to Irwin Mitchell. And as the law firm's statement says, an inquest determined that earlier intervention would likely have changed Ava-Lea's outcome.

PEOPLE reached out Sandwell and West Birmingham trust, which operates Birmingham's City Hospital, for comment. In a statement to PEOPLE, Helen Hurst, Director of Midwifery for the trust said: This is unbearably sad and we are deeply distressed at the loss of Ava-Lea. We extend our deepest sympathies to her parents, wider family and friends. We have all learned from this tragedy and have already enacted a plan to monitor the improvements we have made."

We apologised to Ava-Leas family when we met with them to share the findings of our own investigation.

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California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) is positioning himself as a leader of the Democratic resistance to President-elect Trumps forthcoming second term, as chatter builds about his potential 2028 ambitions.

Newsom moved quickly to counter the new president-elect in California, declaring the Golden State ready to fight and calling a special session of the state Legislature to Trump-proof progressive policies. He drew Trumps ire but doubled down on promises to push back and just proposed a $25 million fund for anticipated legal battles against the new administration.

Newsom is one of multiple blue state leaders forming a line of defense as Republicans get ready to take power over the White House and Congress next year  and one of several Democratic governors named amid early 2028 presidential speculation. But his steps further into the spotlight are set to come with new scrutiny and pushback that could complicate potential national ambitions.

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Hes always been a politician whos been looking for a way forward and a way up. And that presents, I think, some challenges for him as he catapults beyond a cheerleader for Democrats onto the national stage, said David McCuan, a political science professor at Sonoma State University in California.

Newsom emerged this cycle as a star surrogate for President Bidens reelection campaign, even as he shrugged off suggestions that he could challenge the incumbent for the White House. He was also floated as a potential contender to replace Biden as the partys nominee after the president dropped out  and then found himself in veepstakes talks about who would join Vice President Harris, a fellow Californian, in her fast-tracked 2024 bid.

In the wake of Trumps victory, Newsom warned in a proclamation that the consequences of his presidency for California may be significant and immediate. He convened a special session to safeguard Californias liberal policies, and last week asked state lawmakers for a $25 million litigation fund to address potential federal overreach. He called the Golden State a tent pole of the country  from the economy to innovation to protecting and investing in rights and freedoms for all people.

Days later, Newsom visited the southern border and slammed Trumps proposals for mass deportations and major tariffs. At the same time, hes also stressed that hes open to working with the president-elect, whos nicknamed the governor Newscum.

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Newsoms latest moves all add fuel to the long-standing speculation that hes readying for a future White House run.

Hes been running for president for two years, Sacramento-based Democratic strategist Steven Maviglio said.

Newsom batted away 2024 rumors and has been mum about whether he has his sights set on 2028. But talk of a future presidential bid is intensifying for the term-limited governor as he heads into his last couple of years in the California office.

A recent Emerson College poll found Newsom as Democrats second-favorite pick for 2028  though, with 7 percent support, he was well behind Harriss 37 percent.

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A November poll from Puck News/Echelon Insights also found Newsom in second place behind Harris, ahead of a handful of other high-profile Democratic governors, though he trailed her by 33 points. Some strategists have notably suggested that Harris, who served as Californias attorney general before ascending to the Senate and then the vice presidency, could instead jump into the 2026 race to replace Newsom as California governor.

Among his other national-stage plays: Newsom made a surprise visit to Israel shortly after the Hamas attacks in October 2023, and went head-to-head with Florida GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis in a Fox News Red vs. Blue State debate. Last week, after serving as Bidens attack dog throughout 2024, he broke with the president to express disappointment at Bidens bombshell decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, after repeatedly vowing he wouldnt do so.

Anything that Trump does on a national scale, hell try to be the foil for that on the state level, Maviglio said of Newsom when Trump enters the Oval Office next year.

While Newsom could be seen as the leader of a new resistance nationally, Californians may not see him that way, Maviglio added, because theres a pretty high level of disgruntlement at Newsoms apparent moves toward the White House, even from California Democrats.

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Theres a danger that hes running the risk of being at the tip of the spear.

While the vocal defense of his party and public sparring with Republicans, including DeSantis, has helped propel Newsom to Democratic stardom, its also brought criticism, including GOP-led recall efforts in his state.

A September poll from the Public Policy Institute of California found Californians split on their governor, with 49 percent approval and 48 percent disapproval. Just 43 percent said the state is headed in the right direction.

Tab Berg, a California-based GOP strategist, said Newsoms Trump-proof efforts are tone deaf, pointing to Californias slight rightward shift this election as a sign of the Republicans nationwide appeal  and argued theyre also a performance, as Newsom eyes more national moves.

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Hes campaigned more in other states than he has in California, Berg said. Hes clearly been running for president for years.

Meanwhile, the liberal bastion on the so-called Left Coast has increasingly become a Republican target over issues such as homelessness, transgender rights and immigration.

Theres this dilemma of a guy who is searching for his role  which has been front-and-center, has been about Dobbs, has been about pushing back against Trump in particular, and against Republicans  but is also framed by a dynamic in California where theres the stereotype that California is the place where everything  has gone wrong, McCuan said.

Experts say California is likely to be ground zero for Trump resistance over the next four years. Working alongside Newsom is state Attorney General Rob Bonta (D), who told The Hill last month that Trump cant help but break the law and said the state is ready to take his policies to court if it comes to that. California alone brought more than a hundred lawsuits against the president-elects first term.

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If Newsom decides to get into the 2028 race, hes likely to be a top candidate, strategists say. Plus, Democrats bruised by the 2024 results may want a candidate who will go on offense against the GOP.

But the way hes been able to dominate California politics is not going to be the same way he can be successful at the national level, McCuan said, calling the coming years a test of political maturity.

Newsom will have to take advantage of the next few years and navigate courting a national audience while soothing issues at home  and building a working relationship with Trump while helping lead the resistance to him. He aimed to strike that balance over the weekend, when he welcomed Democratic governors to Los Angeles for their winter meeting, Politico reported.

Hes a lame duck. Hes done in two years. So hes got to do everything he can now to propel himself to the front of the pack for consideration if hes going to be able to attract money and run a real campaign without being governor, Maviglio said.

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Usually, when youre a lame duck, you sort of fade away. But that would be the opposite of what hes going to be doing, because he has to be out there promoting himself to be president. So its going to be just a very politically interesting year.

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Two years ago, fashion designer, entrepreneur and philanthropist Nicky Hilton came across an item by Rebecca Vallance (rebeccavallance.com) that she wanted to wear to a charity event.



It was her classic dress with the puff sleeves and the triple bow, Hilton recalls. It was sold out everywhere, so I just DMed her. We started chatting, and she was coming to New York, so we met up.

Hilton, whos created her own apparel, handbag, jewelry and footwear collections, had been a fan of the Australian designer for years. Me, my mom [Kathy Hilton], my sister [Paris Hilton], weve been wearing the dresses for a while, she says, praising the feminine, flirty designs. Over some margaritas at Zero Bond, [Vallance and I] were just getting to know each other, talking about our careers, and we both had this aha moment. Like, what if we joined forces?

A former fashion publicist, Vallance launched her brand in 2011  designing luxurious, alluring items for women that want to stand out, including celebrity fans like Lady Gaga, Rita Ora and Hailey Bieber. Theres a lot of workmanship thats put into each garment, Vallance says of the pieces adorned with touches like hand-beaded pearls or hand-embroidered diamante designs, which were also in line with Hiltons tastes. Aesthetically, we like the same things, whether its clothes, makeup or hair, Vallance says.

I think were drawn to each other because were very similar, Hilton adds. Were both married to English boarding school boys. We both have young children. We have a similar taste and style.  We had this singular vision [for a collaboration], and it came together so seamlessly.

The Delta Jumpsuit ($710)Courtesy Rebecca Vallance x Nicky Hilton

For their debut collection, they immediately decided on holiday. [Its] the most fun, fabulous time of the year, Hilton says. Everyones dressing up, going out, excited, joyful. And we wanted to create pieces to accompany our customers on those special occasions.

The Lena Strap Gown ($1,150)Courtesy Rebecca Vallance x Nicky Hilton

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They envisioned sparkle, sequins and playful pieces  chic, elegant, but with a sense of fun and purpose, Vallance says. So, we put together mood boards of favorite looks of Nicky throughout the years, dressed in Rebecca Vallance. From there, we were on Zoom every day, constantly sending things backwards and forwards, whether illustrations or fabric swatches.

The Zelda Puff Sleeve Mini Dress ($790)Courtesy Rebecca Vallance x Nicky Hilton

With the 31 looks that range from a red short-sleeved mini dress in sequin-embellished lace ($749) to a long black halter gown with ombre pearl detailing ($1,360), the pair honored the Rebecca Vallance DNA  as well as Hiltons seasonal predilections. You can see that shes pushed me, Vallance says. Usually for the holiday collection, Ill do jewel tones. Nicky was like, No! We need some ice blue, its my favorite color! And a winter white. Ive never done that, ever. Adds Hilton: I want the customer to be able to wear it year-round.



They designed the Nicky Hilton for Rebecca Vallance capsule collection  which is now available at Saks Fifth Avenue in the U.S.; Harrods in the UK; Vallances stores in Australia; Bloomingdales in Dubai and Kuwait; and online through Mytheresa, Revolve and Vallances website  with a global customer in mind. Were going into summer in Australia, so were selling all of the sleeveless pieces, says Vallance. But you guys are going into winter.

For the holidays, Vallance  whos now based in Sydney  will spend time in Europe with her husbands family, while Hilton usually comes to California. We have some traditions, Hilton says. Waking up, watching the Christmas parade, my mom making her frittata. We open presents, hang out, go to the Hotel Bel-Air down the street.

Hilton just launched a holiday Ruggable collection and has a line of ballet flats with French Sole, while Vallance is preparing to expand her brand from nine stores to 15  with flagship locations coming to London and the U.S. Both look forward to future design work.



Says Hilton, It was such fun creating this line, and I hope that our customers feel that joy every time that they slip into their Nicky Hilton and Rebecca Vallance dresses.
It was terrifying being Jewish in that room. I dont think any of them would have actually attacked us, but it certainly felt like that in the moment. None of us left alone. Boruch Epstein, 27, a PhD student, was one of a handful of Jewish and Israeli students present at the Oxford Union on Nov 28 debating the motion: This house believes Israel is an apartheid state responsible for genocide.

The events and atmosphere of that night, which saw the motion carried by 278 ayes to 59 noes, has led to further accusations of intimidation and bias against the four pro-Israel speakers, two of whom were not Jewish. Among those who have been heavily critical of the Oxford Union and its handling of the debate is one of the opposition speakers, Jonathan Sacerdoti, who wrote that it had disgraced itself and indulged in mob rule. Those allegations have again raised serious concerns about the prevalence of anti-Semitism at Oxford University more generally and the effects it is having on its 500 Jewish and Israeli students.

The Oxford Union has a long history of hosting controversial debates, says Dave Rich, the director of policy at the Community Security Trust, a charity that monitors anti-Semitic incidents in the UK. To an extent that has always been part of student politics and you take it with a pinch of salt, but this is Oxford, and a lot of people who are involved in the Union go on to have stellar political careers, so there is a sense that what happens there matters more than what happens at some other universities.

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The nature of the debate itself was shocking, says Epstein. Specifically, the way that the president [Ebrahim Osman-Mowafy] accepted points of order. The reaction of the audience was also shocking.

The Oxford Union debate on Israel, posted by Jonathan Sacerdoti on X, carried the motion of Israel is an apartheid state responsible for genocide - Jonathan Sacerdoti

When the audience were asked whether they would have reported last years Oct 7 attacks to the authorities if they had known of them in advance, the vast majority indicated they would not have done so. And when one of the speakers, Miko Peled, expressed his support for the Oct 7 attacks as heroism, he was greeted with cheers.

I have been a member of the Oxford Union for three years, adds Epstein. I have never witnessed a debate like this. I have never been ashamed to be a member until that night.

The Oxford Union, venerated for 201 years as a crucible of Britains political and cultural elite, is not part of Oxford University, although its members are almost all Oxford students. The union did not respond to a request for comment about the conduct of those involved in the debate in question, or the concerns of students representing the opposition to the motion.

The city of Oxford, where students have become embroiled in the political debate over Israel - Joe Daniel Price/Getty

We spoke to several Oxford students who expressed common worries about the virulence of anti-Semitism and the impact it has on their lives across the institution more broadly.

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During the debate, a protest was organised outside which was advertised with a poster Zionists not welcome on campus, says Lydia*, 22, an Oxford student. A few nights after the debate, I was in the queue for a nightclub when my friend was harassed by someone they didnt know shouting, Shes a Zionist, to a group of us. My friend hasnt expressed political views around the university, let alone had ever engaged with the accuser. She knows that the girl has seen her before with her visibly Jewish boyfriend, who wears a kippah [a small cap]. She was trying to publicly shame and ostracise and exclude my friend.

The Oxford Union this term has been the natural culmination of a year of hate, says Sarah*, who graduated last year. I believe in free speech and would have no problem with any of these speakers being invited on their own, and challenged, but we cant pretend there isnt a pattern here. Am I surprised? No. Because this has been a climate on campus for over a year. I know people who cheered Hamas as the resistance. I know people whove said all Israelis are complicit. I know people who said that its justified to kill civilians. This is not a new problem.

Even before the war in Gaza, I had people say to me that the Jews control the media. Or I had an American friend tell me that her college peer said to her, I cant believe they let Jews into this college. Anti-Semitism existed on a personal level before October 7. Obviously, after October 7, it got much worse, and more organised and very normalised.

In the wake of the union debate, 300 signatories wrote to Lord Hague, the new Oxford chancellor, expressing their concern and questioning whether praise for the Oct 7 attacks broke the law.

Lord Hague, who will be inaugurated as chancellor of Oxford University in the New Year - The Office of William Hague/PA

One of those academics, Prof Sir Vernon Bogdanor, the historian and former vice-principal of Brasenose College, says: I believe the university needs a specific document on anti-Semitism and not just one on racism, which is too general. We need strong punishment for people guilty of it. Anyone at a university who tries to stop freedom of speech on any issue should be sent down immediately because its against the whole ethos of the university, where different views should be held and debated.

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In May, the student Madeline Bryant announced in an open letter that she was stepping down as junior common room vice-president at St Hughs College, writing that she had experienced blatant anti-Semitism and that other students laughed as she brought up her concerns about anti-Jewish prejudice on campus.

There was a concerted social ostracisation, and a stark difference between the year before and after October 7, says Sarah. People I knew pretended we didnt have relationships. People in my degree would tell my friends that they shouldnt be friends with me because I support genocide.

Also in May, a group of Jewish students wrote anonymously to the vice-chancellor, deans and proctors at Oxford accusing the university of promoting conspiratorial narratives, as well as failure in reporting procedures. With an accompanying list of 70 alleged incidents, the letter claimed the university is becoming a no-go area for Jews and Israelis and that when some individuals raised concerns to their heads of programmes, they were simply advised to leave Oxford. The letter says a group of students told a Jewish student that the Jews control the American government, Jews are everywhere, and that they had a Jewish nose.

Just two weeks after the letter from Jewish students to the Oxford vice-chancellor, and at the same time the pro-Palestinian protests occupied lawns at a number of Oxford and Cambridge colleges, swastikas were discovered scrawled in lavatories at Regents Park College. The college condemned the act as completely unacceptable.

Safe space

We founded the Israel Society of Oxford specifically to be a safe space for all students who care about Israel to have proper discussions, says Laura Butcher, in her fourth year at Merton College. Because, unfortunately, on our campus, theres no productive debate going on regarding Israel outside of our society. I would say this is a sad reality, because wherever you go, you cannot identify yourself as Israeli, or even Israel-supporting. When I say Israel-supporting, I mean supporting the Jewish democratic state of Israel, because you will be labeled a genocide supporter. You will be labeled an apartheid supporter. You feel threatened physically.

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Talks about Israel remain taboo despite its importance to many Jews and Judaism, says Lydia. Anything Israel-related feels like it cant be discussed for fear of exclusion, for example: family there, holiday plans, gap years. Israeli Jewish students often refrain from revealing their identity.

Im sure the people exhibiting this behaviour towards Jewish students consider themselves to be good people who are not racist and yet they would never apply the same approach to a Black person and say we dont want you here, but they feel its OK to be racist towards a Jewish or Israeli person, says Rich. To have prejudice against a person on the basis of their religion, ethnicity or nationality is the most basic definition of racism. Weve heard loads of stories like this from students.

In October, academic members of the University and College Union at Oxford had planned to debate a pro-Palestinian motion calling for intifada until victory but cancelled the extraordinary general meeting after the university cited serious legal concerns. The motion stated that only a mass uprising on both sides of the green line and across the Middle East can free the Palestinian people.

Growing antagonism

The fears that opposition to Israels actions in the region is continually feeding into antagonism against  in the case of universities  Jewish students has been growing at campuses around the country.

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I dont think Oxford is necessarily more or less anti-Semitic than other universities, says Emelia*, 21, an Oxford student. I have sisters at Manchester and its truly awful there. Even though the Oxford Union has nothing to do with the university, what happens there doesnt help the atmosphere more generally.

Its not just Oxford, says Prof Bogdanor. If the universities vice-chancellors wont deal with it, the Government should. Its a public issue. Its odd because a lot of people would say they didnt like Chinese or Russian government policy but you dont see Chinese or Russian students harassed in the street or discriminated against, but it happens to Jewish and Israeli students.

Universities need to do much more to show their students that this kind of behaviour is unacceptable and goes against the principles of what it means to be at a university and take action, not just words, says Rich. We need leadership to make it clear where the red lines are and that there is a fundamental difference between political protest or activism and harassing or excluding fellow students on the basis of their identity. We need sanctions for this and they need to be applied. There has to be a cost to being anti-Semitic. There is a social cost for some Jewish students to be Jewish. That cost needs to be transferred to the people being racist towards Jews.

An Oxford spokesman says: Oxford University thoroughly rejects and condemns anti-Semitism, and has clear policies spelling out there is no place for unlawful discrimination of any kind here. We are committed to ensuring that all students feel safe and included, and we investigate all formal complaints made about harassment or discrimination at the university. We have taken steps to urge Jewish students in particular to report such incidents when they occur.

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Providing a 10-point list of actions and initiatives the university has taken, the spokesman adds: The university has worked hard with our Jewish and Israeli students and staff over the past year to strengthen our response to harassment and discrimination. In the past term alone, we have together implemented a wide range of practical actions. These include new training for student leaders, freshers and staff, reinforcing to all students our expectations that they adhere to our disciplinary code and with our equality and harassment policies, and working with the Oxford Jewish Society to help students in reporting incidents and concerns. We have also established a task and finish group to consider student experiences with racial and religious discrimination, and which will recommend ways in which we can further improve our response.

Throughout, we have made clear to all members of our university that they must conduct themselves with respect, civility and empathy.

*Names have been changed

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New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed a law Monday prohibiting book banning in state libraries and schools.

The law says school boards and the governing boards of public libraries need to create standards for how books are removed from shelves and how complaints are addressed.

Books will not be allowed to be removed based on the origin, background, or views of the material or of its authors, nor can books be censored based on a disagreement with a viewpoint, idea, or concept, or solely because an individual finds certain content offensive, unless they are restricting access to developmentally inappropriate material for certain age groups.

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The governor is also providing legal protections for librarians from civil or criminal lawsuits around book banning.

The Freedom to Read Act cements New Jerseys role on the forefront of preventing book bans and protecting the intellectual freedom of our educators and students. Across the nation, we have seen attempts to suppress and censor the stories and experiences of others. Im proud to amplify the voices of our past and present, as there is no better way for our children to prepare for the future than to read freely, Murphy said in a statement.

New Jersey is the third state to sign a law against book banning, following Minnesota and Illinois.

The move comes amid reports of increases in book bans in recent years, especially in Republican states such as Florida.

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It also was signed ahead of a new Trump administration, while some advocates are worried the Department of Education could create rules on which books are allowed on school shelves.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
AMMAN, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Jordan's Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Monday reaffirmed his country's commitment to Syria's efforts to restore security and stability.

According to a statement by the foreign ministry, Safadi said in a speech at the Parliament that Jordan supports Syria in launching an inclusive political process where the Syrian people choose their own destiny and future.

He urged coordinated Arab efforts in this regard, and stressed Jordan's readiness to provide necessary humanitarian aid to the Syrian people, the statement showed.

Safadi also said that Israel's seizing of the buffer zone with Syria violates international law and attacks on Syria's sovereignty.

Preserving Syria's state institutions is vital to preventing the country from sliding into chaos, he added.

The Israeli army has seized control of areas near the Israel-Syria border and struck strategic weapons in Syria as of Monday, according to Syrian and Israeli sources.

In a video statement released by his office on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the military to take control of the positions temporarily to ensure they would not fall into the hands of the militant groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, whose sweeping offensive across Syria since Nov. 27 resulted in the rapid fall of President Bashar al-Assad's government on Sunday. 
NJ Transit CEO Kevin Corbett's resignation announcement comes months after a series of high-profile rail service disruptions and cancellations led to widespread anger among commuters. (Courtesy of NJ Transit)

NJ Transit CEO Kevin Corbett, who has led the beleaguered transportation agency for nearly seven years, will resign his post on Jan. 15, a move that comes months after a series of high-profile rail service disruptions and cancellations led to widespread anger among commuters.

Corbett is leaving the position to take a role at one of our states prestigious universities, he said in a resignation letter to Gov. Phil Murphy.

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Serving as president and CEO of NJ Transit has been the honor of a lifetime. I am profoundly grateful for the trust Governor Murphy and the board placed in me and for the opportunity to work alongside an extraordinary team of more than 12,00 men and women dedicated to serving the residents of New Jersey, Corbett said in the letter.

As the agencys head, Corbett presided over the installation of key safety technology to prevent collisions and derailments, a swell of capital spending meant to bring the agencys aging fleet and infrastructure into the modern age, and a bolstering of the agencys workforce.

But Corbetts tenure over the agency has not been without controversy. NJ Transit drew scrutiny over its decision to select a new and expensive headquarters in the heart of Newark, and the agencys trains have continued to see cancellations and delays years into his term.

This summer saw more disruptions and cancellations than all but one other under Murphy, due largely to aging infrastructure, old trains, and severe heat.

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Murphy told reporters Monday that Corbett had probably the most difficult job in our government, maybe with the exception of mine. The governor also repeated a common defense of his administrations handling of NJ Transit issues: that Corbett inherited a mess from Murphys predecessor.

Hes an incredible human being, and as I say, he was dealt an awful hand and played it about as well as you can play it, Murphy said.

The New Jersey Globe first reported Corbetts resignation.

Assemblyman Chris DePhillips (R-Bergen) called for Corbetts resignation during a legislative hearing last month.

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Corbett should have been fired, especially following the disastrous summer season, to send a message that we mean business. But if he is truly leaving, then I expect a stronger, forward-thinking leader to be installed to turn this failing agency around, DePhillips said in a statement Monday.

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LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A man and woman facing charges for allegedly torturing and killing an English bulldog named Reba appeared in a Las Vegas courtroom Monday morning following their arrests over the weekend.

Photo shows Reba, the English Bulldog found inside a sealed plastic tub in 110-degree heat. (KLAS)

It was 32-year-old Isaac Laushaul Jr.s first appearance in court after refusing to appear on Sunday following his Saturday arrest. He is currently being held without bail at the Clark County Detention Center until a hearing can take place on his custody status.

Isaac Laushaul makes his first appearance in a Las Vegas courtroom on Dec. 9, 2024, on charges of torturing and killing an English bulldog named Reba. (KLAS)

Also connected to the case is 30-year-old Markeisha Foster. Bail for Foster was set at $50,000 following her Sunday appearance in court. As of Monday at noon, Foster was still in the Clark County Detention Center. Both are facing charges of willful/malicious/torture/maiming/killing of a dog, cat, or animal.

Markeisha Foster appears in court on Dec. 9, 2024, on charges of animal torture and killing. (KLAS)

Laushaul and Foster are accused of putting Reba in a plastic tub, taping it shut, and leaving the tub next to a dumpster near a grocery store on E. Twain Avenue near Maryland Parkway and Flamingo Road in July when the temperature was a scorching 110 degrees. Reba was discovered and rescued on July 26 but was in critical condition and suffering from heat stroke. She died two days later.

Photos show the plastic tote Reba the dog was found taped up inside during 110-degree weather in Las Vegas. (Vegas Pet Rescue Project)

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Animal advocates were present in the court and have been strongly involved in the case which received national attention. A $50,000 reward was offered for information leading to an arrest. Its not known yet if the reward money was paid out.

She didnt have to die, explained John Waudby, creator of the Justice For Reba group. I created a Justice for Reba campaign and it just went crazy.

Animal advocates who were are the court appearance, with some wearing tee-shirts with Rebas photo, said they have been waiting for this moment since July when Reba was found dumped. (KLAS)

We wanted them to see our face, said Lindsey Pinapfel, a volunteer with the Las Vegas Pet Rescue Project. We are here to make sure we are here every step of the way that we want justice for Reba.

The Justice for Reba group has a petition that has garnered more than 3,000 signatures pushing for tougher animal abuse laws.

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Im hoping I can get the attention of Carson City and say look this didnt have to happen, Waudby said.

In October, police released surveillance video of a white car with a man and woman who parked in the area where Reba was found. They were described as persons of interest in the 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 KLAS.
By Gleb Stolyarov

MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Monday that it had so far had no contact with Donald Trump or his team after the U.S. president-elect called for an immediate ceasefire and negotiations between Ukraine and Russia to end "the madness" of war.

Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine has left tens of thousands of dead, displaced millions and triggered the biggest crisis in relations between Moscow and the West since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.

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Trump said Ukraine had lost some 400,000 soldiers while Russia had lost 600,000 dead and wounded. Russia does not disclose its losses but Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskiy said 43,000 soldiers had been killed in the war and that there had been 370,000 wounded soldiers.

Asked if there had been any contact with Trump or his team, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "No, there have still been no contacts."

Peskov said the Kremlin had made its position clear during a rare Sunday statement.

The Kremlin said on Sunday that Russia was open to talks, but that they had to be based on agreements reached in Istanbul in 2022 and on current realities on the battlefield where Russian forces have been pushing forward at their fastest rate since the early days of the war.

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Trump, who has vowed to swiftly end the conflict, is returning to the White House at a time of Russian ascendancy. Moscow controls a chunk of Ukraine about the size of the American state of Virginia and is advancing at the fastest pace since the early days of the 2022 invasion.

Putin has said that Ukraine must not join the NATO military alliance and that Russia should be left fully in control of four Ukrainian regions his troops partially control at the moment for a peace deal to be done.

Reuters reported last month that Putin is open to discussing a Ukraine ceasefire deal with Trump but rules out making any major territorial concessions and insists Kyiv abandon ambitions to join NATO.

(Reporting by Gleb Stolyarov; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)
Lexington fans of the Frischs Big Boy will have until the end of the week to grab their favorite fudge cake.

Local employees and customers were told Sunday that the Harrodsburg Road, Hamburg, and Winchester Frischs locations would close the week of Dec. 9.

Kim Brown, a server at the Hamburg location said she was told by corporate about the closure over a phone call Sunday. She has worked with Frischs since 1998, she said.

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We have been crying with the customers, Brown said Sunday. Ive raised three kids with this job.

The Harrodsburg Road location will close on Wednesday, Winchester on Thursday and Hamburg on Friday, Brown said.

According to a letter obtained by the Herald-Leader, Frischs landlord, NNN REIT, sent a notice on Nov. 25 ordering the Lexington stores  at 1849 Alysheba Way and 1927 Harrodsburg Road  to vacate the buildings.

The landlord said that the restaurants, as well as 10 others in Kentucky, had defaulted on the rent owed and were ordered to vacate within seven (7) days or the landlord would pursue eviction and other legal action, including lawsuits for damages and filing a petition of involuntary bankruptcy.

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No eviction notice apparently has been filed yet in Fayette County courts; no court date has been set. Brown said she was hopeful that the corporate office would wait until the court matter would be resolved, or at least, the end of the month.

The closures are the latest blow to the struggling Cincinnati-based restaurant chain. Many of the chains Ohio locations are already being evicted, and several have closed. Several vendors for the once-thriving restaurant filed suit recently in Ohio over unpaid bills including coffee and IT services.

In addition to Lexington, the other locations on the Kentucky closure list attached to the letter include:

 843 Bypass Rd. in Winchester

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 1731 Patrick Dr. in Burlington

 6808 Burlington Pike in Florence

 7908 Dream St. in Florence

 157 Keystone Crossroad Dr. in Shepherdsville

 5010 Alexandria Pike in Cold Spring

 2112 Declaration Dr. in Independence

 4016 Dixie Highway in Erlanger

 494 Orphanage Rd. in Fort Mitchell

 408 Market Square Dr. in Maysville.

Its unclear how many employees in Lexington would be impacted by the closures.

Grocery store, 2 new-to-Lexington retailers coming to Hamburg shopping center

Lexington restaurant condemned after car crashes through drive-thru

Health department recently closed two Lexington restaurants for presence of insects

Lexingtons favorite Chinese restaurant sold. What new owner is (and isnt) changing
The Ohio Supreme Court voted 4-3 against reconsidering its decision on whether consumers can assume that their boneless chicken wings might contain bones.

Writing for the majority, Justice Patrick Fischer said the request for reconsideration didn't identify new points to be addressed. The case drew international headlines and became the butt of late-night comedy show jokes. Fischer, though, cautioned the court against caving to public clamor or media criticism.

Justices Michael Donnelly and Melody Stewart, two Democrats who lost their reelection bids in November, dissented and took shots at their Republican colleagues.

Plaintiff Michael Berkheimer stands outside the Stokar Law office in Montgomery, Ohio, on Wednesday, July 31, 2024. In April 2016, Berkheimer ordered boneless wings at Wings on Brookwood in Hamilton. On the third piece, he felt "something go down the wrong pipe." He unsuccessfully tried clearing his throat and later that night, started to run a fever. The next day, a doctor removed the chicken bone but Berkheimer ended up with an infection and endured two surgeries.

Donnelly said the Republicans orchestrated the desired outcome by usurping the jury's traditional role and they think anyone who disagrees with them is unreasonable. He warned that results-oriented jurists could contort words on abortion rights cases, which are likely to reach the Supreme Court.

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Likewise, Stewart said the Republicans fabricated a new definition of boneless chicken to be a cooking style, which isn't based in law, fact or reality.

In July, Republicans on the Ohio Supreme Court ruled that bones are a natural part of chicken so a consumer should be on guard for them  even in boneless wings.

There is no breach of a duty when the consumer could have reasonably expected and guarded against the presence of the injurious substance in the food, Republican Justice Joe Deters wrote for the majority.

But Democrats on the court called that reasoning absurd. They contended that a jury, not appeals court judges, should decide whether customers should expect to find bones in boneless wings.

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At the center of the case is Michael Berkheimer, who swallowed a 1.3-inch chicken bone in boneless wings, tore his esophagus and has never been the same since.

In April 2016, Berkheimer ordered boneless wings with parmesan garlic sauce at Wings on Brookwood in Hamilton. On the third piece, he felt "something go down the wrong pipe." He unsuccessfully tried clearing his throat and later that night, started to run a fever. The next day, a doctor removed the chicken bone but Berkheimer ended up with an infection and endured two surgeries.

Laura A. Bischoff is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Supreme Court won't reconsider its boneless chicken wing case
The Lexington Herald-Leader has reported on problems in Kentucky nursing homes for many years.

Unfortunately, the biggest problem  a lack of adequate staff on duty to care for vulnerable residents  has never been resolved.

Nearly half of Kentuckys nursing homes are rated as substandard by the federal government, the newspaper reported in 2018 as part of a package of investigative stories about abuse, neglect and political connections in the nursing home industry. A big problem is inadequate staffing that puts residents in harms way.

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He writes laws that help Kentuckys low-rated nursing homes. He also works for them.

Some state lawmakers responded as the late state Sen. Tom Buford, R-Nicholasville, did a few months after the stories were published, with bills to require nursing homes to hire a certain number of nurses and nursing assistants, depending on how many people live there.

But those bills were opposed by the nursing home industry. They went nowhere.

In fact, as the Herald-Leader reported in 2019, the nursing home industry has enough clout at the state capitol to help write bills that benefit it, including proposed limits on state inspections of their facilities and on the lawsuits they face after things allegedly go wrong.

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When Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear organized his first administration in 2020, the Herald-Leader revealed he picked Adam Mather, vice president of a nursing home chain, to serve as the inspector general at the Health and Family Services Cabinet, the states official nursing home watchdog.

Mather left his state post this year to become president of the states largest nursing home industry lobbying organization.

Andy Beshear picks nursing home exec as watchdog of troubled nursing home industry

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Herald-Leader reported on the thousands of people sickened or killed as the virus spread through Kentucky nursing homes, even as state health inspectors said they were finding very few infection control deficiencies.

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In July 2023, the newspaper explained that it wasnt just nursing homes that had too few employees to get the job done. The state health cabinet likewise, since the pandemic, was struggling with the countrys highest vacancy rate for nursing home inspectors.

The inspectors quit in droves because of low pay, long hours and burnout.

A resignation letter submitted to the state in 2021 by one of Kentuckys nursing home inspectors.

Largely as a result of the inspector shortage, the annual state inspections of Kentucky nursing homes that are supposed to catch problems before people are sickened, injured or killed were delayed for years, the newspaper reported. By summer 2023, roughly three in every four Kentucky nursing homes had gone two or more years since their last so-called annual inspection.

After the Herald-Leader published its stories about the inspection backlog, state legislators held a hearing in Frankfort to ask the Beshear administration for answers. Mather and his boss, Health Secretary Eric Friedlander, acknowledged the dire situation.

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Were way behind. KY nursing home inspections wont be fixed quickly, officials say

Theres no quick fix on this. Its gonna take us, if were lucky, a year to dig out of this, Friedlander testified.

We werent lucky.

A year later, in October 2024, the Herald-Leader returned to the subject.

For its latest stories, the newspaper discovered that the inspection backlog slowly is shrinking, but more than half of the states nursing homes still havent had an annual inspection in at least the last two years.

Some havent been properly inspected since before the 2020 pandemic.

When inspectors make their belated returns to the nursing homes, theyre sometimes finding serious problems, including residents left in their own urine and feces and or who are victims of crimes like theft and assault while lying in bed.

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Also, the Herald-Leader is reporting that a new federal rule will require most nursing homes to hire more staff, starting in May 2026. But Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman is challenging the rule, joining a lawsuit in Iowa along with 19 other states and assorted nursing home industry groups.

To report its latest stories, the newspaper compiled inspection data; reviewed many hundreds of pages of state inspection reports for dozens of facilities from the past few years, as well as other public documents, such lawsuits and police reports; and interviewed health-care experts, lawyers and the families of nursing home residents.

There were obstacles to our reporting.

The health cabinet denied the Herald-Leaders Kentucky Open Records Act request for documents related to staff meetings about the inspection backlog and related correspondence with the director of the Division of Health Care. The newspaper appealed that denial to the attorney generals office.

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The appeal is pending.

Likewise, the health cabinet officials chiefly responsible for nursing home inspections declined multiple requests to be interviewed.

The nursing homes mentioned in the latest stories either did not respond to requests for comment or declined to comment. The Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities, which lobbies for the nursing home industry in Frankfort, also did not respond to requests for comment.

Part of the Herald-Leader mission is to protect the most vulnerable in the commonwealth, said Executive Editor Richard Green.

John Cheves, our senior investigative reporter, has led our coverage of nursing home inspections and the conditions in which so many Kentuckians now live. Hell continue to dig, Green said.

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Well continue to be vigilant. Well continue to ask tough questions. Well continue to invest hours reviewing public records. And if state employees arent doing their job, well report that, too.

He crashed to his death down the nursing home stairs. Nobody noticed for nine hours.

Louisville nursing homes closing because of rats as big as cats and other problems
OSLO, Norway (AP)  Terumi Tanaka, a survivor of the U.S. atomic bombings of Japan and the representative of an organization that won this year's Nobel Peace Prize, called on Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday to stop making nuclear threats.

The 92-year-old spoke at a news conference in Oslo, Norway, a day before a ceremony where he is to deliver a lecture on behalf of Nihon Hidankyo, an organization of survivors of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki that won this year's prize.

Asked by a reporter if he had a message for Putin, Tanaka said that the Russian leader's repeated nuclear threats convinced him that Putin must not understand how devastating the use of nuclear weapons would be.

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He said that his organization's message to Putin  which he said had also been conveyed to the Russian leader directly  is that nuclear weapons are things which must never be used."

I dont think he has even thought about this or understood this. Therefore, he is able to say these kind of things. So I think that how we can change his way of thinking is what we need to do to have him really understand what these are, he said through a translator.

The first U.S. atomic bombing killed 140,000 people in the city of Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945. A second on Nagasaki on Aug. 9, 1945, killed another 70,000. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, ending World War II.

Tanaka was 13 and living in Nagasaki when the United States dropped the atomic bomb there.

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While he did not suffer major injuries himself, he lost five family members, and has said that the images of burned bodies in the devastated city are etched in his memory.

Jrgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, said in announcing the award weeks ago that it was made as the taboo against the use of nuclear weapons is under pressure.

The committee noted that rather than embrace disarmament, nuclear powers are upgrading their arsenals, while other countries appear to be preparing to acquire nuclear weapons. It also noted that threats are being made to use the weapons in ongoing warfare, an apparent reference to Russia's threats amid its war in Ukraine.

The Japanese group's elderly members are calling for the abolishment of nuclear weapons, a message also directed at the United States.

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Tanaka noted that we are old now but still carry a heavy sense of responsibility as witnesses to remind the world of the destructiveness of nuclear weapons.

"Nuclear weapons and humanity cannot coexist," he said.

Back in Japan, Empress Masako on Monday described the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Nihon Hidankyo as a key event of this year that impressed upon her the importance of global peace efforts.

In a statement, she said she felt anew the importance for the people of the world to strive for mutual understanding and work together in order to build a peaceful world."

___

Vanessa Gera reported from Warsaw, Poland.
Registered Nurse Orlyn Grace administers a COVID-19 booster vaccination to Jeanie Merriman at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic on April 06, 2022, in San Rafael, California. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

It seems no one is taking COVID-19 seriously anymore, said Mollee Loveland, a nursing home aide who lives outside Pittsburgh.

Loveland has seen patients and coworkers at the nursing home where she works die from the viral disease.

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Now she has a new worry: bringing home the coronavirus and unwittingly infecting her infant daughter, Maya, born in May.

Lovelands maternity leave ended in late June, when Maya wasnt yet 2 months old. Infants cannot be vaccinated against COVID-19 until they are 6 months old. Children younger than that suffer the highest rates of hospitalization of any age group except people 75 or older.

Between her patients complex medical needs and their close proximity to one another, COVID-19 continues to pose a grave threat to Lovelands nursing home  and to the 15,000 other certified nursing homes in the U.S. where some 1.2 million people live.

Despite this risk, a CDC report published in April found that just 4 in 10 nursing home residents in the U.S. received an updated covid vaccine in the winter of 2023-24. The analysis drew on data from Oct. 16, 2023, through Feb. 11, 2024, and was conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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The CDC report also revealed that during Januarys covid peak, the rate of hospitalizations among nursing home residents was more than eight times that of all U.S. adults, age 70 and older.

Billing complexities and patient skepticism

Last winters low vaccination rate was partly driven by the end of the federal governments paying for administering the shots, said Rajeev Kumar, a Chicago-based geriatrician.

While the vaccines remain free to patients, clinicians must now bill each persons insurer separately. That makes vaccinating an entire nursing home more logistically complicated, Kumar said.

Kumar is president of the Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Medical Association, which represents clinicians who work in nursing homes and similar settings, such as post-acute care, assisted living, and hospice facilities.

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The challenges of navigating through that process and arranging vaccinations, making sure that somebody gets to bill for services and collect money, thats what has become a little bit more tedious, he said.

In April, after the study was released, the CDC recommended that adults 65 and older get an additional dose of an updated vaccine if its been more than four months since their last dose. That means most nursing home patients who have had only one shot in fall or winter are not considered up to date on the covid vaccines.

Kumar and his colleagues are encountering more skepticism of the COVID-19 vaccines, compared with their rollout.

The long-term care population is a microcosm of whats happening across the country and, unfortunately, covid vaccine reluctance remains persistent throughout the general public. Its our most significant challenge, according to an emailed statement from David Gifford, chief medical officer at AHCA/NCAL, which represents both for-profit and nonprofit nursing homes.

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Nursing aide Loveland also has observed doubts and misinformation cropping up among patients at her job: Its the Facebook rabbit hole.

But there are ways to push back against bad information, and states show wide variation in the proportion of nursing home residents who got vaccinated last winter.

For example, in both North and South Dakota, more than 55% of residents at nursing homes that reported data have gotten an updated covid vaccine this fall. Nationally, that share is 32%.

Building trust through relationships

One major medical system operating in the Dakotas, Sanford Health, has managed more than two dozen nursing homes since a 2019 merger with the long-term care chain Good Samaritan Society.

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In some of these nursing homes more than 70% of residents were vaccinated last fall and winter  at one Sanford facility in Canton, South Dakota, the rate exceeded 90%.

Sanford achieved this by leveraging the size of the health system to make delivering vaccines more efficient, said Jeremy Cauwels, Sanfords chief medical officer. He also credited a close working relationship with a South Dakota-based pharmacy chain, Lewis Drug.

But the most crucial factor was that many of Sanfords nursing home patients are cared for by doctors who are also employed by the health system. At most Sanfords North and South Dakota nursing homes, these clinicians provide on-site primary care, meaning patients dont have to leave the facilities to see doctors.

These employed doctors have been critical in persuading patients to stay up to date on their covid shots, Cauwels said. For example, a medical director who worked at the Good Samaritan nursing home in Canton was a long-serving physician with close ties to that community.

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An appropriate one-on-one conversation with someone who cares about you and has a history of doing so in the past, for us, has resulted in much better numbers than other places have been able to get to nationally, said Cauwels, who added that Sanford still needs to work on reaching more patients.

Sanfords success shows the onus of getting patients vaccinated extends beyond nursing homes, said Jodi Eyigor, director of nursing home quality and public policy for LeadingAge, which represents nonprofit nursing homes. She said primary care providers, hospitalists, pharmacists, and other health care stakeholders need to step up.

What conversations have occurred before they walked into a nursing homes doors, between them and their doctors? Because theyre probably seeing their doctors quite frequently before they come into the nursing home, said Eyigor, who noted these other clinicians are also regulated by Medicare, the federal health insurance program for adults 65 and older.

Critics: Shot uptake linked to residents dissatisfaction

Nursing homes are required to educate patients  as well as staff  about the importance of the COVID-19 vaccines. Industry critics contend that one-on-one conversations, based on trusted relationships with clinicians, are the least that nursing homes should do.

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But many facilities dont seem to be doing even that, according to Richard Mollot, executive director of the Long Term Care Community Coalition, a watchdog group that monitors nursing homes. A 40% recent vaccination rate is inexcusable, he said, given the danger the virus poses to people who live in nursing homes.

A study from the Journal of Health Economics estimates that from the start of the pandemic through Aug. 15, 2021, 21% of covid deaths in the U.S. were among people living in nursing homes.

Mollot said that the alarmingly low covid vaccination rate is a symptom of larger issues throughout the industry. He hears from patients families about poor food quality and a general apathy that some nursing homes have toward residents concerns. He also cites high rates of staff turnover and substandard, even dangerous, care.

These problems intensified in the years since the start of the covid pandemic, Mollot said, causing extensive stress throughout the industry.

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That has resulted in much lower care, much more disrespectful interactions between residents and staff, and theres just that lack of trust, he added.

Loveland, the nursing aide outside Pittsburgh, also thinks the industry has fundamental problems when it comes to daily interactions between workers and residents. She said the managers at her job often ignore patients concerns.

I feel like if the facilities did more with the patients, they would get more respect from the patients, she said.

That means that when administrators announced it was time for residents to get one of the newest COVID-19 vaccines this year, Loveland said, residents often simply ignored the message, even if it meant putting their own health at risk.

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This article is republished from a partnership that includes NPR and KFF Health News.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.

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This article first appeared on KFF Health News and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
This article was originally published in Chalkbeat.

After denying thousands of New York City students with disabilities critical services earlier this year, Education Department officials are now offering them a chance to restart those services  with a big catch.

Just weeks before the start of the school year, the city Education Department, with little warning, began strictly enforcing a June 1 deadline for students with disabilities who attend private school and requested city-funded special education services to which theyre entitled under state law. The deadline had previously been loosely observed, and its newfound enforcement was part of a larger crackdown meant to rein in alleged fraud and ballooning costs.

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While roughly 17,000 families filed on time, another 3,000 families missed the cutoff, losing out on services like tutoring or speech and occupational therapy.

Education is at a Crossroads: Help Us Illuminate the Path Forward. Donate to The 74

Education Department officials promised to start restoring services for the late filers once theyd arranged services for families who met the deadline.

This week, officials took a step toward making good on that pledge, sending out letters to thousands of families who missed the deadline offering vouchers to cover the cost of special education providers.

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But the offers come with a big asterisk.

To receive the vouchers, families have to sign a waiver relinquishing their rights to file a legal complaint against the city Education Department, according to the letter obtained by Chalkbeat. Families have two weeks to decide whether to sign it.

The proposal is already drawing sharp criticism from some lawmakers.

After failing to provide these services, [the citys] plan to dangle in front of parent and guardians their childrens badly needed educational support in exchange for being freed from legal liability is nothing short of outrageous, said Rita Joseph, Brooklyn City Council member and education committee chair, in a statement posted to the social media platform X.

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Officials told Chalkbeat that asking families to waive their rights to sue the Education Department was the only way to restore the services without opening up the city to hundreds of millions of dollars in liability.

By offering the late filers services, the city is forfeiting its right to use the missed deadline as a legal defense, which creates massive legal exposure, officials said. The Education Department is unwilling to take that risk without the waiver since the city already spends north of $500 million a year on special education for private school students, officials said.

For families eager to restart services, the new offer poses a dilemma.

On one hand, accepting the offer may be the fastest route to restarting desperately needed services, according to special education lawyers who spoke with Chalkbeat.

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But it means losing the option to force the city to retroactively cover the costs of the services theyve missed so far this school year, known as compensatory services. It also means families cant force the city to supplement the value of the voucher if, as often happens, families cant find a provider willing to accept the standard rate the city offers.

Theyre kind of putting parents in between a rock and a hard place, said Jesse Cutler, a partner at Regina Skyer and Associates, a firm that represents families in special education cases. I think its a case-by-case decision  you have to look at all the circumstances.

Heres what several lawyers said families should consider when weighing the offer from the Education Department:

How fast do you want to restart services?

For some families, the most important consideration might be how quickly they can resume services after months off, said Rebecca Shore, the director of litigation at Advocates for Children, a group that represents families pro bono in special education disputes.

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If the parent has already found a provider, and the provider accepts the voucher, it certainly can be a course that they should consider, said Shore. It would be probably the fastest course.

Otherwise, families may need to file a legal claim called a due process complaint that is heard by an impartial hearing officer, a process that can take time to resolve.

What youre looking at is several months, if not longer, Cutler said.

Plus, winning a favorable ruling from an impartial hearing officer isnt guaranteed, and city officials would likely challenge a familys legal claim by noting they missed the filing deadline, which is enshrined in state law.

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Shore said a family still can have a claim against the city even if they missed the deadline. But she didnt want to generalize about a familys chances of prevailing because the outcome of a given case is highly dependent on the specific facts.

Education Department officials argued that families who missed the deadline essentially have no legal recourse and therefore have little to lose by accepting the citys offer.

Are you seeking compensatory services?

One concrete thing that families would give up by accepting the Education Departments offer and signing the waiver is the right to push the city to pay for compensatory services for this school year.

Normally, families can file due process complaints to try to force the city Education Department to pay for services to which their child was entitled but never received. By signing the waiver, families lose that option.

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These students are entitled to services [in] September, October, November, December, said Shore. Giving up their right to make-up services for that entire time period, again, is a parents consideration.

Can you find a provider who accepts the Education Departments voucher?

The last big variable is whether families are willing to give up the right to try to force the Education Department to pay a higher rate than the voucher offers.

The citys voucher for special education tutoring services is worth $86 an hour, but many providers charge more than that, Shore said. To cover the difference, families often have to file a legal complaint against the Education Department seeking an enhanced rate.

City officials have argued that the enhanced rate system is rife with fraud and say many providers are overcharging or collecting for services they dont perform.

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One of the conditions of accepting the Education Departments new voucher offer, however, is waiving the right to seek an enhanced rate. That could put families in a tough spot, legal advocates said.

For families who dont already have a provider lined up who accepts the Education Departments rate, finding one in the middle of a school year would be a Herculean feat, said MRal Broodie-Stewart, a lawyer at Staten Island Legal Services.

Its great if the family has a provider that is able to accept the Department of Educations rate, Cutler said. But there is a substantial and significant lack of providers citywide.

Education Department officials said families unable to find a provider can contact their local Committees on Special Education for help. The Education Department also employs 19 itinerant special education teachers who work with private school families. But thats a drop in the bucket of the roughly 20,000 students entitled to services.

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Related

At Special Ed Teacher Shortage Hearing, Panelists Debate Dismantling Ed Dept.

Making matters even more complicated, the legal process for pursuing an enhanced rate is in flux. In past years, families have relied on due process complaints to compel the city to pay more than the standard voucher rate. The states Board of Regents passed a resolution this year empowering the citys Education Department to set up its own system to adjudicate those requests. A lawsuit has temporarily put that resolution on hold, but its still unclear what the process will look like in the long term.

Education Department officials said they plan to post an FAQ on the citys website to help parents decipher the waiver.

But Broodie-Stewart recommended parents consult a lawyer before making a decision.

The average person may not fully understand what [the] legalese term of release, waive and relinquish means, she wrote in an email. Yet they would be giving their rights away by signing this form.

Chalkbeat is a nonprofit news site covering educational change in public schools.
BEIJING, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- China hopes all parties concerned will proceed from the fundamental interests of the Syrian people and find a political solution to restore stability in Syria as soon as possible, a Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson said Monday.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks in response to relevant queries on the situation in Syria.

Mao said that China pays close attention to the development of the situation in Syria. The future and destiny of Syria should be decided by the Syrian people. China hopes that all parties concerned will find a political solution to restore stability and order as soon as possible based on the principle of being responsible for the long-term and fundamental interests of the Syrian people. 
NEW YORK -- The NYPD searched the lake in Central Park again Sunday, hoping to recover evidence linked to last week's murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Midtown Manhattan.

As the manhunt for the gunman continues, officials said on Sunday they're widening their search.

The NYPD released new photos of a person of interest they want to speak to in connection to the Dec. 4, 2024 shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. / Credit: NYPD Crime Stoppers

Police sources say investigators with the NYPD and U.S. Marshals Service have been dispatched to Atlanta and along the Greyhound bus route stops between Atlanta and New York City. They want to find out where the person of interest boarded the bus that took him to the Port Authority Bus Terminal on Nov. 24. They are also canvassing the Greyhound terminals and reviewing surveillance footage in an effort to pin down at what point he boarded the bus.

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The latest images released of the person of interest show him in the back seat of a taxi and another just outside of the cab, both with his mask on. The FBI released a poster highlighting a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

"The net is tightening and we're going to bring this person to justice," Mayor Eric Adams said.

Surveillance photos show a person who police say they want to question in connection to Wednesday's fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a hotel in Midtown Manhattan. / Credit: NYPD

The only images believed to be of the person of interest without a mask were captured on surveillance cameras from inside an Upper West Side hostel, where police sources say he had a flirtatious encounter with the front desk employee.

"The event was obviously well planned out, but everyone makes mistakes and I think his mistake was probably putting his mask down so the whole world can see who he is," retired police officer Tom Walsh said.

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Read more: Timeline shows suspect's movements in UnitedHealthcare CEO's killingNYPD divers return to Central Park lake on Sunday

NYPD divers searched Central Park's lake on Sunday after sources told CBS News New York that Saturday's search was unsuccessful.

A woman told CBS News New York she saw the dive teams in the lake on Saturday, but didn't see them come out with anything.

"This corner was blocked off with probably five policemen, one van and we saw scuba gear and a couple divers getting in, just kind of splashing around, looking in this area," the witness said.

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The latest on the backpack found in the park

On Friday, investigators found what is believed to be the person of interest's backpack. It contained a jacket that he did not wear on Wednesday, the day of what officials have called the targeted shooting of Thompson, and some fake Monopoly money, but no gun, sources familiar with the investigation told CBS News. That area of the park is still blocked off by police tape.

The weapon used to kill Thompson is critical to the investigation because with it police can find out where it was purchased and who owned it. Police said the lack of concrete evidence is why they continue to call the man they are looking for a person of interest.

"They found the backpack here in Central Park, so it only make sense that that's a good dumping ground for a gun," Walsh said.

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Forensic testing results on the backpack still need to come in before determining whether it's linked to the shooter.

Read more: "Delay" and "Deny" written on bullets found at the scene of UnitedHealthcare CEO's murder. Here's what they may mean.Law enforcement knows the name of the person of interest

The mayor said on Saturday that law enforcement knows who they are looking for, but don't want to tip him off by announcing his name prematurely.

"We don't want to release that now. If you do, you are basically giving a tip to the person we are find ... we're seeking, and we do not want to give him an upper hand at all. Let him continue to believe he can hide behind the mask," Adams said.

Crypto cash flooded the election. Here's why and the impact it may have | 60 Minutes

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NYPD divers Sunday continued to search the Central Park Boathouse pond for potential clues including the gun used in the slaying of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson as cops were still hunting the killer.

Investigators believe the on-the-lam suspect may have tossed evidence into the lake in the middle of the sprawling park, sources said. The murder weapon has yet to be recovered, sources noted.

Video footage showed two divers prepping to hit the water Sunday for the second straight day at the popular landmark, five days after Thompsons shocking caught-on-video shooting death outside a high-end Manhattan hotel.

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The dive team apparently turned up empty-handed and is expected to pick up its search of the pond again Monday.

The NYPD also deployed gun-sniffing dogs to Fort Tryon Park on Sunday, but the search turned up empty for any firearms, too, police sources said.

NYPD divers enter the water at the Central Park Boathouse pond Sunday as the manhunt for Brian Thompsonss killer goes into a fifth day. LP MEDIA

Investigators believe the suspect may have tossed the murder weapon into the water. LP Media LLC

Tracking a killer: Timeline of the assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week. New York Post

Cops have released photos of the alleged killer inside a Big Apple taxi cab and recovered what investigators believe was his backpack in the park, which contained a jacket from the popular American brand Tommy Hilfiger and fake Monopoly money.

New surveillance images reviewed by The Post on Sunday suggest that the gunman got out of the cab in front of 2372 Amsterdam Avenue between West 177th and West 178th streets, next to an MTA bus stop known as the East Village M101 bus line, before disappearing again. The location is near the George Washington Bridge bus terminal.

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The detectives search through all of our video on Friday, the manager of an apartment building at the Amsterdam Avenue site said Sunday. They didnt have any luck. They never saw him.

The footage does not show the suspect leaving the area on foot, she added.

Thompson, 50, was walking outside a Midtown hotel when he was shot dead. UnitedHealth Group

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Thompson, 50, was on his way to a business meeting Wednesday when he was shot dead outside the New York Hilton Midtown with a type of veterinarian gun, authorities said.

Cops said the bullet casings had bizarre scribblings on them, including the words depose, delay and deny, seemingly drawn from a 2010 book titled Delay, Deny, Defend that criticizes the health industry.

How The Post reported a break in Thompsons death. csuarez

The NYPD scuba squad continues at search for the gun that was used in the murder of the United healthcare CEO in Central Park Lake on Sunday morning. LP MEDIA

Surveillance footage shows that after the shooting, the suspect hopped on a bicycle and peddled up Sixth Avenue to Central Park, where he allegedly grabbed the cab.

On Saturday, Mayor Eric Adams told reporters the net is tightening on the killer, but police have not closed in on the suspect entering the fifth day of the manhunt.
An NYPD sergeant who made more than $200,000 last year including nearly $55,000 in overtime assigned to a headquarters unit was arrested Saturday for allegedly shoplifting cough medicine, according to officials, records and police sources.

Sgt. Rayna Madho, listed as a detective squad commander, was suspended without pay at about 10 p.m. Saturday after her arrest in Nassau County, NYPD records show.

A Nassau County police spokesman said Madho, 41, of Queens, was charged with two counts of petty larceny for two separate incidents on Dec. 7 and Nov. 24 at the Target store on Sunrise Highway in Valley Stream, L.I. She was issued a desk appearance ticket and ordered to return to court on Dec. 27, Nassau police said.

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Madho was accused in the Dec. 7 incident of stealing Zarbees Cough Syrup, which retails for $9.99 at Target, and Ricola Cough Drops, selling for $4.99 at the store, a law enforcement source said.

Madho is assigned to the SIU photographic squad, where her job includes arranging photo arrays for detectives who are investigating cases and handling photos for official identification cards at Police Headquarters. She joined the unit in March 25, 2022.

In total, Madho made $201,625 in fiscal 2024, the most recently available figure, including $126,211 in base pay, $54,939 for 555 hours of overtime and $20,475 in other pay, city payroll records show.

Madho is the vice president of the influential Desi Society, an umbrella NYPD fraternal group that represents cops of South Asian heritage.

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Reached by phone, Madho initially said No when asked by a reporter with the Daily News if she was arrested and then ended the call.

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An NYPD spokesman declined comment except to confirm she was suspended without pay.

She previously was assigned to the photo unit, detective squads in the 7th and 13th Precincts and two commands in Brooklyn, according to 50-a.org.

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She has been a defendant in five civil lawsuits that settled for a total of $161,000. In one of those suits filed in 2019, video allegedly showed Madho dropping a pill bottle in a car while her police partner arrested motorist Abdul Pullium back in 2015, Gothamist reported.

Pulliams lawyer alleged the video showed officers planting the bottle, Gothamist reported. The suit settled for $7,500, a relative drop in the bucket when compared with other police settlements.

Madho joined the force in January 2006. She was promoted to detective and sergeant in 2013 and to detective squad commander in 2021.

In a March social media post for Womens History Month, the Sergeants Benevolent Association said Madho was born in Trinidad, moved to the U.S. at age 12 and graduated from York College.
An NYPD worker claims she faced retaliation and discrimination after she begged to be reassigned after an alleged domestic violence attack, she claims in a fiery new lawsuit.

Fingerprint tech Santio Williams claimed the mistreatment began when she requested a move from NYPD headquarters at 1 Police Plaza to avoid any future interactions with her alleged abuser.

Her request was not only denied, but her police supervisors sent her to instead work at a department known for its abuse, harassment and micro-managing, her suit states.

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When her sister died in October and Williams asked for bereavement leave along with a death certificate, her supervisor demanded she return with a funeral program showing a list of siblings to prove that [Williams] is a family member, her suit states, something that is not required by the department.

NYPD fingerprint tech Sanito Williams says her police bosses not only rejected her request for a domestic violence accommodation, but then retaliated against her repeatedly. Peter Senzamici/NY Post

Its like a torture chamber, Williams told The Post. Its a case of retaliation.

The daily harassment has led to severe stress, anxiety and panic attacks so severe that first-responders were called at least twice, she claims in the lawsuit, which was filed in Manhattan Supreme Court in November.

The suit follows a similar legal action filed in October by a Staten Island detective who claimed she faced daily harassment and racism at her precinct after she asked for an accommodation as a single mother.

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The NYPD consistently disregards New York City law by retaliating against employees who request accommodations, said attorney John Scola, who filed both of the recent suits.

In a disturbing contradiction of its mission to prevent domestic violence, the department refused to provide a necessary accommodation to an employee seeking protection from a domestic abuser and then retaliated against her for seeking safety, Scola told The Post.

After she and her two kids fled her allegedly abusive husband for a domestic violence shelter, police supervisors said they couldnt help her find a new location to work from  despite her social workers safety recommendation. Peter Senzamici/NY Post

A spokesperson for the NYPD told The Post that the department does not tolerate discrimination in any form and is committed to respectful work environments for our diverse workforce, and declined to comment further on pending litigation.

After Williams allegedly fled her physically abusive husband and moved into a domestic violence shelter last year, police leaders told her that there werent any other locations for fingerprint techs at the moment, she claimed.

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But Williams had been working out-of-title as a police administrative aide  a higher-ranking civilian position  since a few months after she joined up in spring 2023, and could have been relocated easily as an aide, her suit claims,

Williams had been working at 1 Police Plaza when she asked to be transferred to a new location for safety reasons. Taidgh Barron/NY Post

When I became homeless, I asked for the reasonable accommodation, Williams recalled, And [when]I was told I cant get it, I argued: I said, why cant I get it when Im not even working as a fingerprint technician?

That did not rub them the right way, she said, and Williams soon received a letter denying her request.

On the same day, she was allegedly transferred back to the fingerprint division, forcing her to work back in title, Williams said.

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Why, for security reasons, I couldnt be accommodated, out of [NYPDs] duty of care to me, to transfer me away from this area? she recalled.

Williams said when she was first hired at the NYPD in May 2023  with a long work history from her longtime home of London with law enforcement, trained in forgery, experienced in investigations and intelligence, behavioral profiling, and safeguarding, her suit states.

She made the hiring team well aware of her childcare responsibilities for her two kids  ages 3 and 8  and asked for a daytime tour, which the department gladly accommodated.

The only way I could imagine being safe was being away from him, Sanito Williams told The Post. Peter Senzamici/NY Post

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I was even told that I was overqualified, Williams said, and she recalled that she only took the lower-ranking job under the fingerprinting title because she was told there would be some retirements soon for higher positions she qualified for.

After a month, Williams was transferred to the Criminal Records Unit at 1 Police Plaza, where she began working as a PAA out-of-title with no pay increase, she told The Post. She had also passed her PAA civil service exam with high marks, according to her lawsuit.

For the next few months, she was commended for her work ethic, the suit claims.

Williams said her job was a safe haven after the alleged abuse at the hands of her husband, an American she met while on vacation in Jamaica. She moved to the city in 2019 with her husband as a sponsor, she claimed.

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The abuse began as verbal  but then turned physical, Willaims claimed, and turned to superiors because she didnt know what to do.

We used to vent about it every day until things got really bad, Williams recalled, then her supervisor told her: No, you had to do something about it, and gave her a pamphlet for a domestic violence shelter.

Williams said her supervisors were supportive and gave her resources for domestic violence victims  but that all changed when she faced a retaliatory transfer. Caroline Rubinstein-Willis/Mayoral Photography Office

He was so unpredictable. The only way I could imagine being safe was being away from him, she claimed to The Post.

When her case worker told her she should try to work in a different zip code to make it harder for her husband to find her, thats when she asked for an accommodation  requests for which are handled by a totally different team, she said.

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But her denial and move back to the fingerprinting office, where she had worked previously for only a few weeks, was just the start of the retaliation, according to her claims.

The office was no longer a safe haven for her, and her supervisor didnt just lack a receptive ear, but was determined to ostracize her entirely, Williams claimed.

Everyone was very stiff-necked, she told The Post, and said her new manager wouldnt even face her when she had to speak.

Williams, whose duties meant she was rarely at her desk for most of the day, said the manager would just drop work on her desk and not inform her  leaving her in the dark  and would exclude her from office-wide emails about picture day or that everyone was supposed to wear red for some coordinated event, she said.

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Even on bring-your-child-to-work day, my request to bring my child was denied, Williams said.

Williams said the harassment got more overt when her supervisor made onerous requests for medical documentation of any sick days or doctor appointments  a requirement not set by the NYPD Medical Division or expected of any other employee, the lawsuit states.

The stress caused WIlliams to have multiple panic attacks  with at least two sending her to the hospital, she told The Post. Peter Senzamici/NY Post

She even allegedly refused a COVID test result printed on letterheaded documents  which sent Williams over the edge.

I had a severe panic attack  EMS was called, she said. It had just become so hostile It was one thing after another.

I started to have headaches, stomach aches, I would lay in bed thinking about waking up the next morning to go to work, Williams said. It had become a nightmareand its hard to hide that sort of feeling when you have two small kids.

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Twice her supervisor allegedly wrote her up for tardiness for being one minute late returning from a break, and another time in September, claiming that she never informed them of an instance where her lunch ran over, Williams said.

I was furious because this is distorting facts, Williams said, like, this was not what happened.

When Williams confronted her supervisor, she acknowledged Willams had told her about it, according to the claims.

I said: youre targeting me, Williams said. I said: this doesnt seem right. This is harassment.

Williams said she thinks its a case of emotional management, and said she hopes the new NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch can improve things.

You have managers who they cant manage with their emotions, Williams said, they dont make the right decisions, and its a part of the chain of command.

When you have an emotional manager who just feels like: I dont like this person, so whatever they want to make their life a living hell, they will do.
The News

Its no surprise Republicans arent exactly rushing to repeal Obamacare.

Fifty-four percent of US adults approve of the Affordable Care Act, according to Gallup, including record highs of Democrats and Republicans.

And 62% of US adults say the federal government has the responsibility to ensure all Americans have health care coverage, a figure that has been steadily rising in recent years after reaching a low point during the bungled Obamacare rollout.

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The public is divided on whether a government-run health care system or a private system is better, but the share of Republicans who favor a government-run system  21%  is the highest on record.

House Speaker Mike Johnson backtracked after suggesting Republicans would try to gut Obamacare. Trump, who tried unsuccessfully to repeal the ACA during his first term, told NBC News he would only try again if we find something better.
HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT)  Owensboro Community and Technical College (OCTC) has announced a significant boost to its Radiography Technology program through a new $150,000 funding initiative.

Officials say the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education has awarded OCTC a $75,000 grant, which will be matched dollar-for-dollar by Owensboro Health, to provide comprehensive scholarships for radiography students. The grant, funded through the Kentucky General Assemblys Healthcare Workforce Investment Fund, aims to strengthen Kentuckys healthcare workforce by supporting students pursuing careers in radiography.

How to protect packages from porch pirates during the holiday season

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This funding represents a crucial investment in our future healthcare professionals, said Michelle Tudor, OCTC Radiography Program Coordinator. These scholarships will help remove financial barriers for students committed to serving our communitys healthcare needs.

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OCTC says eligible candidates must be Kentucky residents entering their second year of the Radiography program. The scholarships will cover various educational expenses, including tuition, books, fees and other attendance-related costs. Recipients will begin receiving support in the fall 2025 semester. As part of their commitment, scholarship recipients will be required to work in their field for a designated period after graduation.

Officials say interested students can apply through OCTCs regular scholarship process. The application deadline is April 1, 2025.

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SHELBY, Ohio (WJW)  An officer who was stabbed before a fatal police-involved shooting at an Arbys Saturday is out of the hospital after treatment for his injuries.

Sgt. Noah Kocher and Officer Dominic Ewing went to the Arbys restaurant at 234 Mansfield Avenue just after 11:15 p.m. Saturday to serve a warrant on Tyler Jacobs.

Man in Pennsylvania being questioned over UnitedHealthcare CEO killing: sources

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As Kocher made contact with Jacobs, Jacobs stabbed Kocher in the neck with a knife, according to police. Kocher was able to get away from Jacobs, but Jacobs ran toward Kocher with the knife still in his hand.

At that point, Kocher drew his weapon and fired at Jacobs, according to police.

Ewing provided aid to Kocher and Jacobs. Jacobs died at the hospital from his wounds.

Jacobs warrant was for a charge of failure to appear.

Tick Tock Tavern to close after nearly 90 years

Kocher is currently on paid administrative leave pending completion of the investigation into the incident, according to a release from the police department. The move is part of the normal process for events of this nature.

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The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification is investigating.

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The Hamilton County Coroner's Office has released the identity of a teen killed in a shooting in Elmwood Place late Friday, one of four victims fatally shot in Greater Cincinnati over the weekend.

Anthony Boyd, 17, died at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center after police found him while responding to a shooting near the intersection of Highland Avenue and Oak Street, according to the Hamilton County Sheriff's Office.

Officials have not announced any arrests nor released information about a possible suspect.

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Darius Letcher, 28, and 20-year-old Lanyah Dawson were also killed in separate shootings in Hamilton County over the weekend. Both of those deaths are being investigated by the Cincinnati Police Department's homicide unit.

Letcher was found shot behind a vacant apartment building in Avondale on Sunday morning and pronounced dead at the scene, officials said. Police found Dawson on Trail Ridge Road in Mount Airy Forest early Saturday with a gunshot wound and she was also pronounced dead at the scene.

Anyone with information about these killings is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at 513-352-3040.

A 22-year-old Isaiah Erickson of Colerain Township was also killed during a home invasion in West Chester Township on Sunday, according to the township and Butler County Coroner's Office. Authorities have yet to identify the homeowner.

Detectives with the West Chester Police Department are investigating the shooting.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Elmwood Place shooting: Officials ID teen victim killed
Police in Pennsylvania on Monday arrested a "strong person of interest" in connection to the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside a hotel in New York City last week, officials said.

Officials identified the man as 26-year-old Luigi Nicholas Mangione. He was born in Maryland and his last known residence was Honolulu. He was arrested on firearms charges and taken in for questioning related to Thompson's death. He has not been charged with Thompson's killing at this time.

We have a strong person of interest in the shooting that shook our city last week," New York City Mayor Eric Adams said during a news conference on Monday. "CEO Brian Thompson of United Healthcare was a victim of a senseless act of violence."

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Earlier Monday, authorities in Altoona, Pennsylvania, were questioning a man in part because he was found with a gun similar to the one used in the shooting, NBC News reported, citing two sources familiar with the matter. Altoona is roughly 300 miles west of New York City and about 100 miles east of Pittsburgh.

The man was spotted by people at a local McDonalds and police were called to investigate, three senior officials told NBC News.

When police arrived, they noticed the man had a fake New Jersey ID and was taken in for questioning, two senior officials told NBC News. At the police station, investigators found the man had a gun similar to the one used in Thompsons killing, the officials said.

Officials said it appears the gun is a "ghost gun" made by a 3D printer. Police also recovered a handwritten document from the person of interest that speaks to a possible motivation and mindset for the shooting, officials said.

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Thompson, 50, was shot dead outside a Hilton hotel in Manhattan on Wednesday. He was slated to speak at the health insurance company's annual investor conference at the hotel that day, but was killed in what police say was a targeted attack. A massive manhunt operation followed in the days after the shooting.

Police had not identified the gunman before his arrest nor did they confirm a possible motive.

Investigators found shell casings last week at the scene of the shooting with the words deny, defend and depose written on them. Those words are also similar to those in the title of a 2010 book about insurance, although police said at the time that there was no known connection.

Over the weekend, investigators found a backpack in New York City's Central Park that possibly belongs to the shooter, a senior official told NBC News. Three sources familiar with the investigation said the backpack contained only a jacket, and two sources said some Monopoly money was found in it.

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Police believe the shooter may have arrived in New York City last month on a bus that departed from Atlanta.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
GENEVA, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- United Nations (UN) High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk on Monday urged Syrian parties to engage in an inclusive dialogue to advance the country's transition process.

Speaking at the end-of-year press conference of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), Turk expressed hope that the current circumstances would pave the way for such dialogue. "I hope that within this current environment, there will be this inclusive, very inclusive dialogue," he said.

"There is a huge opportunity for this to happen, and what we have seen initially is indeed cooperation," he added.

Turk also noted that hostilities continue in some parts of Syria and stressed that all parties must uphold their obligations under international humanitarian and human rights law.

He further stated that his office "is ready to support the transition process." 
The owner of a marijuana dispensary shows marijuana plant buds. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images)

Although voters overwhelmingly chose to legalize recreational marijuana in 2023, one of the most powerful leaders in the state plans to dramatically change what Ohioans selected. So far, the policy has been safeguarded, but it likely wont be in 2025.

Nearly $200 million of adult-use cannabis has been sold in the four months that sales have been allowed, according to the Department of Cannabis Control.

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This is all thanks to the passage of Issue 2 in 2023, which allowed adults 21 years of age and older to smoke, vape and ingest weed. Individual Ohioans are able to grow up to six plants with up to 12 per household.

But dispensaries and users are worried because Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima, wants to change the policy.

There were some fundamental flaws in the initiative that was introduced and passed by the voters  which you usually have when theres not a vetting from all sides, Huffman said last Wednesday. The bill that the Senate passed last December addresses many of those things.

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In December of 2023, the Senate passed a bill to restrict marijuana. If signed into law, it would decrease the THC content and raise the cost. Among dozens of other restrictions and changes to what the voters chose, it would ban the vast majority of vapes. It would also limit home-growing marijuana from 12 plants to six.

The amount of home growth thats happening, of course, is far beyond the use for one to two people who may be growing it in their home The only reason that someone would be growing that much marijuana is to resell it, Huffman added, later saying that someone growing 12 plants would likely be participating in the illicit market.

House leaders, specifically marijuana enthusiast state Rep. Jamie Callender, R-Concord, have been adamant about listening to Ohioans, blocking Huffmans proposal.

Sales have already been in motion since August, so he said changing the law now would be harmful and confusing.

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One of the things that this day helps is to move one step forward  to show that the world doesnt fall apart, the sky isnt falling, Callender told me on the first day of sales.

House Speaker Jason Stephens, R-Kitts Hill, Huffmans rival, isnt impressed with the presidents recent comments.

As weve said, this is the Peoples House, and we will continue to respect the will of the voters, Stephens said in response.

But in January, Huffman is set to become the speaker of the House, so he has a better chance at changing the law.

In the meantime, both chambers agree to revise the policy on Delta 8, a hemp product. Right now, its legal for anyone to buy this low-level marijuana at convenience stores.

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I think its very appropriate to look at age limits, similar to other products, whether its tobacco or alcohol, Stephens said.

However, a bill going through the Senate would completely ban it. But it seems the bill sponsor would consider an amendment to restrict and not totally prohibit it.

We need to get that regulated, Huffman said.

House leaders have continuously said they will fight against anti-democratic policies regarding marijuana. Senate leaders have said that they arent ignoring the will of the people because, they claim, voters didnt really know everything that they were voting on.

This article was originally published on News5Cleveland.com and is published in the Ohio Capital Journal under a content-sharing agreement. Unlike other OCJ articles, it is not available for free republication by other news outlets as it is owned by WEWS in Cleveland.

Follow WEWS statehouse reporter Morgan Trau on Twitter and Facebook.

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Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine has been pressing to use the phonics-based science of reading since early 2023, mandating the approach as the sole way to teach reading in elementary schools.

Now, hes targeting preschools and younger children, this time with a carrot and no stick.

DeWine and the state Department of Children and Youth have been offering free, voluntary online classes in the science of reading to preschool teachers and administrators for nearly a year.

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Last month, DeWine and state officials set aside $5 million in federal grants to offer $750 bonuses to preschool teachers and administrators who complete at least 10 hours of the training by next summer.

By providing Science of Reading training for those who teach and care for our young children, we will be empowering these educators to lay the groundwork for more of our kids to reach their full potential, DeWine said in a press release announcing the grants.

Within a week, more than 500 teachers had already applied for the $750.

Early childhood experts say that though preschools dont offer the same intensity of reading lessons that kindergarten and first grade teachers do, there are ways to subtly improve young childrens understanding of letters and their sounds with play, songs and games that fit their age.

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Preschool is a golden opportunity to capitalize on the unique energy, curiosity, and explosive growth in oral language that children experience during the preschool years, University of California, Berkely Emerita professor Lily Wong Fillmore and New York University professor Susan Neumann wrote for The 74 earlier this year.

Early-learning experiences have exponential power: they can shape lifelong learning habits and accelerate literacy, particularly for English-language learners, they wrote.

How many states have made science of reading a focus for preschool isnt clear, largely because states dont require preschool and few pay for it. Only 35 percent of four year olds nationally attend preschool, according to the National Institutes for Early Childhood Research at Rutgers University.

But NIEER researcher Lori Connors-Tadros said requiring, or encouraging science of reading methods in preschools, like Ohio is doing, is a growing trend.

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Legislators are adding requirements if they have a state funded Pre-K program around training for preschool teachers, and in some states, theyre actually requiring some training for administrators, she said.

DeWine and the Ohio legislature joined a national movement to the science of reading in 2023, ordering schools in to stop using other methods and to implement the curriculum by the 2024-25 school year.

They budgeted $64 million to help school districts using other approaches buy new teaching materials and required teachers from kindergarten and up to be trained in science of reading concepts.

The state then created a series of online lessons that take eight hours for some high school teachers and administrators and 22 hours for most elementary school teachers.

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More than 85,000 K-12 teachers completed that training by the end of October, according to the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce.

The state also started offering two tracks of free online training for preschool staff  one for three and four-year-olds and one for younger infants and toddlers  through the Rollins Center for Language & Literacy, based in Atlanta last December.

Students at the First Baptist Church Childrens Center in Shaker Heights, Ohio, learn about the sounds each letter represents, not just how they look and their order.

Jane Pernicone, director of the First Baptist Church Childrens Center in Shaker Heights, Ohio, said she took some of the classes and planned to have teachers at her child center take them over the next few years.

With grants now available, Pernicone said shes encouraging her eight lead teachers to take the classes right away to earn the bonus. The state limits grants to $3,000 per preschool, or four staff, so Pernicone said shell skip her bonus and share the total grants between the eight teachers.

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Though her center was mostly using science of reading through its Creative Curriculum materials, Pernicone said the lessons are good reinforcement and reminders to focus on using varied vocabulary, constantly interact with children in conversations and to show them how each letter sounds and not just teach them what the letters are.

Its good awareness for staff to realizeoh, I should focus on building vocabularyas opposed to just making sure children know their ABCs, she said. Theres a lot of good content, just kind of a reframing of good practices.

The $5 million for the grants comes from the federal Preschool Development Birth through Five Grant and the Child Care and Development Fund. DeWines office did not respond to questions about whether his new two-year state budget proposal due early next year would include any money for preschool reading training.
What are your political views? Where are you originally from? Are you vaccinated?

Intrusive questions like these in a job interview should set off alarm bells in the job applicant's mind. And they're not at all uncommon. Do applicants have to answer them? What if they deliberately give a false answer? Two labour experts give answers:

What questions are permissible in a job interview, and what aren't?

Basically, only questions closely connected with the advertised job are permissible, at least ethically, but often also legally, since most countries with strong labour laws have clear rules aimed at ruling out discrimination during hiring.

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"The answers should above all indicate whether the applicant has the necessary traits and skills required for the job," says Kaarina Hauer, head of legal policy and advice for the Bremen Chamber of Employees in Germany.

"Questions about these characteristics [i.e. such as the aforementioned ones] can allow prejudices and stereotypes to enter the decision-making process. And they often involve very personal aspects of the applicant's life," says Daniel Stach, a labour lawyer in the federal administration of the German trade union Verdi.

Questions such as, "Do you want children?" are therefore off limits, as they violate the right to privacy. So are questions about religious affiliation, political views, membership in a political party or trade union, ethnic background, marital status, family responsibilities, sexual orientation and health.

Sometimes, however, a normally impermissible question is so essential for filling a position that it can be asked anyway. "For a cashier vacancy, for example, a question about any convictions for property offences is OK, even though asking whether someone has a criminal record is generally impermissible," explains Stach.

Is it OK to lie in response to impermissible questions?

Yes. If you're asked such questions in a job interview, you effectively have - in Germany, at least - "the right to lie," Stach says, a right resulting from a German Federal Labour Court decision that refusing to answer a question can be construed as concealing unfavourable circumstances.

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Since then, he goes on, it's been generally acknowledged that a job applicant's untruthful answer to an impermissible question must have no detrimental consequences.

The problem, notes Hauer, is that job applicants often don't know on the fly whether a question is impermissible or not. So she says it can be wise to inform yourself beforehand in accordance with the labour laws in your jurisdiction.

What clever answers are there to impermissible questions?

To avoid incriminating silence or lying, job applicants can try to respond diplomatically to an overly probing question, such as by politely pointing out that it's out of line. Stach has a couple of suggestions:

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"I'm not sure that this piece of information is relevant to the position. I'd like to ensure that we focus on my qualifications for the job." Or: "I don't think that personal aspects necessarily have anything to do with my suitability for the position. I'd prefer to talk about my professional skills."

The questioner's the one in the driver's seat, so when an applicant's in doubt, Hauer advises asking the interviewer about the relevancy of the requested piece of information to employment with the company. This, she says, puts the employer's representative on the defensive.

And if you have the feeling you're being discriminated against, Stach advises documenting the impermissible questions. This can be helpful in case you decide to take legal action against the employer.

When asked about your skills, what happens if you exaggerate?

Did you tack on a few extra years of work experience or overstate your competency in Microsoft Excel? While it's understandable that job applicants want to present themselves in the best possible light, you should be truthful, Stach advises.

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If you embellish in answers to legitimate questions about experience or skills, you risk arousing the employer's mistrust, he says. What's more, you put yourself under pressure by creating unrealistic expectations of your abilities, which can be highly stressful.

Are legal consequences possible?

You're on thin ice, legally speaking, if you answer permissible questions in a job interview untruthfully. The consequences can range from labour law sanctions to dismissal or the employment contract being contested.

"The contract would then be contestable on account of malicious deceit, and that's a sharp sword," remarks Hauer. "The contract is then immediately annulled without protection against unfair dismissal."

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Dismissal on grounds of a lie is subject to strict requirements though, according to Stach. "First of all, the lie must concern information essential for the position in question," he says.

Secondly, the lie must be a violation of the employee's duty of good faith towards the employer so serious that the employer can't be reasonably expected to honour the contract. In addition, there must be no measure to restore trust milder than dismissal.

Employees unsure of their rights should seek legal counsel.
An open seat on a new state education board  one thats asking the U.S. Supreme Court to allow it to approve the nations first religious charter school  has been filled by an entrepreneur who once enjoyed success in the restaurant industry.

In mid-November, just four days before leaving office due to term limits, former Oklahoma House Speaker Charles McCall, R-Atoka, appointed David Rutkauskas of Edmond to the nine-member Statewide Charter School Board, an executive agency that began its work July 1, succeeding the now-dissolved Statewide Virtual Charter School Board.

The new Statewide Charter School Board met Monday in Oklahoma City.

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Rutkauskas term will last until July 31, 2026. According to his LinkedIn page, Rutkauskas spent five years as the chief operating officer at UBuildIt, a company that says it assists homeowners with overseeing and managing the entire planning and building process of do-it-yourself house building. He left in November. He also founded Franchise Innovations in January 2022.

In a statement, Rutkauskas said he was honored to serve on the charter schools board and said he planned to champion innovation and educational opportunities.

More: Gov. Stitt. Ryan Walters back religious charter school with Supreme Court brief filings

An entrepreneur and business executive is the newest member of the Statewide Charter School Board.

Education is the foundation for a thriving future, and charter schools play a vital role in providing families with quality choices that meet diverse needs, Rutkauskas said.

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Under law, the House speaker is allowed two appointments to the nine-member board. One of McCalls previous appointments, Ben Lepak, resigned from the board in October after becoming the general counsel for Gov. Kevin Stitt.

Though Lepak attended only two of the boards five meetings before he resigned, he made a significant impact during his short tenure. During the July 30 meeting, he made a motion  approved 8-1 by the board  that it pursue an appeal of the Oklahoma Supreme Courts decision that the board rescind its contract with St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School to the U.S. Supreme Court. That appeal has since been filed, although the U.S. Supreme Court hasnt yet decided if it will hear it.

The board is pitted against Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond, who filed the lawsuit with the state Supreme Court that forced the board to rescind its contract with St. Isidore.

Rutkauskas made his name in the world of restaurant franchising, founding Camilles Sidewalk Cafe and eventually starting and leading a company known as Beautiful Brands International, which included multiple eateries among its portfolio. In 2013, the Tulsa World reported Camilles had had 107 restaurants across the nation in 2009, but that number had fallen to 36, with some angry franchisees blaming Rutkauskas.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Camille's Sidewalk Cafe founder named to Oklahoma charter school board
File boxes containing the signatures of supporters of an initiative petition to increase the state's minimum wage are stacked Sept. 15 in front of an Oklahoma City building. (Photo courtesy of Raise the Wage Oklahoma)

Christmas has come early this year for Oklahomas winsome lawmakers and business community.

But rather than Santa Claus, its Gov. Kevin Stitt, who earlier this year flew in on a sleigh pulled by eight tiny buffalo. He brought with him good tidings of great joy as he trumpeted a decision to postpone a statewide vote on hiking the states minimum wage until June 2026.

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In exchange, Im certain our leaders left their benevolent gift giver plates of mouthwatering burgers cooked by employees making $7.25 an hour.

The question is: Are our lawmakers and business leaders smart enough to recognize a gift buffalo when it kicks them in the face?

It remains to be seen if its dawned on them that Stitts delay has given them two full legislative sessions to have some tough conversations about how to responsibly raise our states minimum wage.

Hopefully, theyre smart enough to take advantage of it.

Because if theyre dumb enough to bury their heads in the sand and pretend this vote isnt going to happen, they are going to find themselves stuck with an increase anyway.

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If history is any indication, our lawmakers tend to be the worst judges of what our citizens are going to do when it comes to issue-specific votes. When Medicaid expansion appeared on the ballot, lawmakers were insistent that voters were going to nix it. Medicaid was expanded.

Remember medical marijuana? Lawmakers were so convinced that voters wouldnt legalize it that they refused to even consider putting a preemptive framework in place to govern the industry. Were all still dealing with the consequences of that idiocy as we play regulatory catchup years after voters approved it.

Then there was their effort to create something called public infrastructure districts. That went over like a lead balloon with voters last month. (Maybe it was the wonky-sounding name. Or maybe it was because voters didnt want one more group levying taxes.)

I sense a similar naivete  or perhaps hapless hand wringing  when it comes to the minimum wage initiative.

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Lawmakers have resisted multiple efforts to boost the minimum wage legislatively over the years, so proponents decided to circumvent lawmakers to force a reckoning on the issue.

As it stands right now, it has a good chance of passing.

All you need to do is look at the groundswell of support that exploded when proponents began collecting the signatures needed to get the measure known as State Question 832, on a future statewide ballot. Proponents needed 92,263 signatures. They collected over 157,000.

That indicates a fair number of Oklahomans are keen on raising the minimum wage, which mirrors the federal $7.25 an hour. Weve been setting the pay bar low since 2009.

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The Oklahoma Policy Institute says that about 200,000 workers would benefit from a minimum wage hike. About 2 in 3 of those workers are women. Workers of color comprise about half of our states minimum wage workforce.

Among the Oklahomans who typically make minimum wage: child care employees, teaching assistants and home health workers.

Nearly three dozen states, territories and districts have minimum wages above $7.25, including our neighbors in Missouri, Colorado, New Mexico and Arkansas.

State Question 832 asks voters to increase the minimum wage by $1.50 a year to a final rate of $15 an hour in 2029. After that, the minimum wage would automatically increase based on the cost of living set by the U.S. Department of Labors Consumer Price Index.

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That means businesses could find themselves stuck with a minimum wage that could potentially continue rising each year in perpetuity. Even if they currently pay wages that are well above the minimum, in six years, they may be out of compliance.

So I wonder, do businesses and Republican legislators want a seat at the table in setting a hike thats on their terms or do they want voters, who dont understand their bottom lines, to set it?

Its important to get this right because while this requirement isnt baked into our state Constitution, lawmakers are going to look pretty tone deaf undoing the will of the voters if this gets the greenlight in 2026.

Any minimum wage ballot measure is likely to be less palatable to voters if lawmakers take the reindeer by the antlers and pass their own first.

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If they do nothing during the next two legislative terms, it sends a clear message that business leaders are OK with placing their fortunes into the hands of voters.

So heres hoping that they dont stand there puzzling for too long.

Because like Christmas, or a giant avalanche, June 2026 is coming whether they want it or not.

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UPDATE: Names have been released after a vehicle pursuit in Muscatine ended in the deaths of two people. An earlier news release said one person had died in the incident.

According to a crash report from the Iowa State Patrol, Brittany Dale Miles, age 36 of Cedar Rapids, was driving a 2021 Nissan Rogue at the time of the incident. The vehicle she struck was a 2017 Ford Explorer driven by Olivia Maria Alvarez, 27, of Cedar Rapids.

Miles died on impact while Alvarez was pronounced dead after life saving measures were performed.

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EARLIER: One person is dead following a vehicle pursuit in Muscatine.

According to a release, on December 8 at approximately 3:15 p.m., the Muscatine Police Department received multiple reports of a female suspect driving through Muscatine and shooting at people. Officers located the vehicle on Park Ave. and attempted to stop the suspect. The driver refused to yield, and a vehicle pursuit led out of Muscatine along 231st St.

A Muscatine Police Officer, involved in the pursuit, lost control of his car and crashed near the Cedar River. The Officer sustained non-life threatening injuries and was transported to the hospital for treatment.

Outside law enforcement agencies continued pursuit of the suspect vehicle and continued west and onto US Hwy 218. The pursuit ended when the suspect drove the wrong way into oncoming traffic. The driver hit another vehicle head on and was pronounced dead at scene.

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Both accidents are being investigated by the Iowa State Patrol. No one was reported injured during the shooting incidents in Muscatine. The Muscatine Police Department is continuing to investigate the incident.

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GROTON, NY (WIVT/WBGH)  A house fire early Sunday morning resulted in the death of one man who was trapped inside, New York State Police announced Monday morning.

At around 1 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8, NYSP troopers were dispatched to 771 Sovocool Hill Road in Groton for a reported house fire. Members of the Groton Fire Department were attempting to enter the house when they learned a man was trapped inside.

By the time firefighters got in, 73-year-old Gary W. Hendrix was found dead. Troopers say a 69-year-old woman was able to escape the fire through a window and was taken to Guthrie Cortland Hospital and later transferred to Upstate Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

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Additional Fire Companies that responded to assist included Freeville, Neptune Hose (Dryden), Lansing and McLean Fire Departments. The Tompkins County Medical Examiners Office also responded.

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SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA)  There are four hundred new, paid internship opportunities for high school students thanks to a new initiative from OneSpartanburg.

From governmental agencies to healthcare positions, construction and a group of local businesses, rising and graduating seniors in Spartanburg County will be able to find their passion through internships and apprenticeships.

The internships were made possible by a grant from the Spartanburg Academic Movement.

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Ron Garner, Chief Talent Officer for OneSpartanburg, said as someone who worked in the Spartanburg County education system for 29 years, the need and want for this has always been there.

Theres always been an interest in students to have the opportunity to get outside of the classroom and have a real-world experience, said Garner. So, for me, as a former superintendent, having the opportunity to work as chief talent officer here at OneSpartanburg Inc., it was a natural connection.

He explained how work experience, positive or not, is beneficial for students before heading off to college.

A work-based learning experience can translate into making better decision, he said. Decisions about what to major they are going to be in college, about the direction that they want to go in life, even work being based experiences that are not positive also help students make decisions about what they dont want to do with the rest of their life.

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He said the internship and apprenticeship opportunities align with Spartanburg industries highest needs.

Our employers are looking at this as an opportunity to tap into the future talent pool, which helps them make better hiring decisions for the future, so were really looking at this from a win-win perspective, Garner explained.

Garner said OneSpartanburg wants to retain the talent they already have, and they can do so by making students aware of the opportunities available all around them.

Spartanburg County is in a period of rapid growth and development, lots of career opportunities, there are very good paying opportunities for students right here in Spartanburg County, he said. We want to make sure that all the students in our school district know about and are aware of all the career opportunities that are available to them right here in Spartanburg County.

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Garner suggested students who are interested reach out to guidance counselors or career development facilitators at their respective school.

OneSpartanburg said they hope over the years and months more businesses will create work-based opportunities for their own organizations.

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JERUSALEM/DAMASCUS, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Israel will broaden its military operations in Syria to target advanced weapons storage facilities, Israeli officials said Monday.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, a government official told Xinhua that Israel is concerned those weapons could fall into the hands of militant groups in Syria following the rapid fall of President Bashar al-Assad's government on Sunday.

Airstrikes are expected to continue in the coming days, the official said.

Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said the Israeli military has been directed to "destroy heavy strategic weapons throughout Syria, including surface-to-air missiles, air defense systems, surface-to-surface missiles, cruise missiles, long-range rockets, and coastal missiles."

Speaking to reporters on Monday, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said militants in Syria crossed into the buffer zone between Syria and Israel over the weekend, violating the Agreement on Disengagement signed in 1974 between Israel and Syria.

The militants also attacked positions of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF), which monitors the agreement near the border, Sa'ar said.

"In response, and given the threat to our communities in the Golan Heights, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) carried out a targeted and temporary operation to take control of areas near the border," he said.

The Israeli army also launched strikes targeting "strategic weapons systems, residual chemical weapons capabilities, and long-range missiles and rockets" in Syria to prevent them from falling into the hands of "extremist elements," he added.

He claimed that Israel does not aim to interfere in Syria's internal politics.

Also on Monday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that paratroopers have been stationed in the demilitarized buffer zone between Israel and Syria at "strategic vantage points" and that it has struck "dozens" of targets recently to "neutralize" advanced weapons, including anti-aircraft systems, in Syria.

Israeli commando units and other troops have established new land barriers along the border in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and seized a Syrian army outpost on Mount Hermon, it said, adding that engineering, infantry, and armored forces are also deployed along the border.

Overall, forces are deployed from Mount Hermon to the border triangle where Israel, Syria, and Lebanon meet, it said.

Israel's state-owned Kan TV reported that Syrian army outposts and bases, along with their stored weaponry, have been abandoned and destroyed by the IDF and that UNDOF has not evacuated.

On Monday, Syrian media outlets reported that Israeli airstrikes struck arms warehouses in the village of Ain Menin in the al-Tal area in southern Syria, sites north of al-Qarah in Rural Damascus in southwestern Syria, and "al-Kamm" depots near the town of Mahja in the northern countryside of Daraa province in southwestern Syria.

The strikes reportedly took place over a span of hours and also included tunnels once believed to connect Syria with neighboring Lebanon.

In Damascus, a Xinhua correspondent witnessed Israeli warplanes flying overhead.

In a video statement released by his office on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the military to take control of the positions temporarily to ensure they would not fall into the hands of the militant groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which waged a major offensive from northern Syria since Nov. 27 and had since swept southwards through government-held areas, capturing the capital Damascus within 12 days.

Netanyahu claimed in the video that the UN-monitored 1974 agreement had "collapsed."

Earlier in the day, Syrian online media outlet Sawt al-Asima reported that Muhammad al-Bashir, born in 1983 and an electrical engineer and head of the "Syrian Salvation Government" opposition group in Idlib under the aegis of the HTS, has been tasked with forming a new Syrian government. 
An auction company executive involved in the liquidation of Alex Jones conspiracy theory platform Infowars testified for nearly five hours Monday, as a bankruptcy judge in Texas began a hearing into whether The Onion satirical news outlet was properly named the winning bidder over a company affiliated with Jones.

Jeff Tanenbaum, president of ThreeSixty Asset Advisors, was grilled by lawyers for Jones and the company in a Houston courtroom over how The Onions bid came to be valued at $7 million and why a live auction was not held. He defended both the value of the bid and its selection after the two sealed offers were opened.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher Lopez continued the hearing to Tuesday afternoon, when the trustee overseeing the sale of Jones assets is expected to take the stand. Lopez could ultimately decide whether to void The Onions bid, name the Jones-affiliated company the winner or hold another auction, among other possibilities.

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Jones and First United American Companies, which runs a website in Jones name that sells nutritional supplements and submitted the other bid, are alleging fraud and collusion in the auction that concluded on Nov. 14. The trustee and The Onion deny the allegations, accusing Jones and the company of sour grapes.

The sale of Infowars is part of Jones personal bankruptcy case, which he filed in late 2022 after he was ordered to pay nearly $1.5 billion in defamation lawsuits in Connecticut and Texas filed by relatives of victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Connecticut. Jones repeatedly called the 2012 shooting that killed 20 children and six educators a hoax staged by actors and aimed at increasing gun control.

Most of the proceeds from the sale of Infowars, as well as many of Jones personal assets, will go to the Sandy Hook families to help satisfy judgments issued by juries and judges in state courts in Connecticut and Texas. Some proceeds will go to Jones other creditors.

The Onion, which wants to turn Infowars website and social media accounts into parodies, offered $1.75 million for Infowars assets in the auction, while First United American Companies bid $3.5 million.

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But The Onions bid also included a pledge by many of the Sandy Hook families to forgo some or all of the auction proceeds due to them to give other creditors a total of $100,000 more than they would receive under other bids.

The trustee, Christopher Murray, chose The Onion, saying its proposal was better for creditors because they would receive more money. The Onion valued the bid, with the Sandy Hook families offer, at $7 million, because that amount was equal to a purchase price that would provide the same amount of money to the other creditors.

Tanenbaum testified that he agreed with the $7 million valuation and believed The Onions bid conformed to the auction rules.

A lawyer for Jones, Ben Broocks, asked Tanenbaum how it was possible that the Sandy Hook families offer boosted The Onions offer to such a high amount.

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It means the purchase price value has gone up because another purchase price would have to be higher than that value in order to provide the same net benefit to that group of creditors, Tanenbaum said.

During his opening argument, Broocks said there was no way The Onion should have been chosen over First United American.

How does a $1.75 million bid beat a $3.5 million bid? he asked. How is that $1.75 million greater? Well, its voodoo economics to use a phrase.

Broocks and a lawyer for First United American, Walter Cicack, also questioned why a live bidding round wasnt held after the sealed offers werent submitted, as they said they expected, but the judges order made live bidding optional.

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Jones has been criticizing the sale process on his show and social media sites, calling it rigged and a fraud.

Joshua Wolfshohl, an attorney for Murray, told the judge Monday that no wrongdoing occurred during the auction. He called the complaints by Jones and First United American Companies unfounded.

The vast majority of their complaints are just fantastic, imagined conspiracy theories that have no basis in reality, he said.

Murray, The Onion and the Sandy families deny allegations of wrongdoing. In his own court filing, Murray called the allegations a disappointed bidders improper attempt to influence an otherwise fair and open auction process.

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Up for sale at the auction were all the equipment and other assets in the Infowars studio in Austin, Texas, as well as its social media accounts, websites, video archive and product trademarks. Jones uses the studio to broadcast his far-right, conspiracy theory-filled shows on the Infowars website, his account on the social platform X and radio stations.

Jones has set up another studio, websites and social media accounts in case The Onion wins approval to buy Infowars and kicks him out. Jones has said he could continue using the Infowars platforms if the auction winner is friendly to him.

Jones is appealing the $1.5 billion in judgments citing free speech rights but has acknowledged that the school shooting happened.

On Friday, a Connecticut appeals court reduced by $150 million the original $1.44 billion judgment against Jones in the lawsuit against him in that state, but upheld the rest of the award. Jones lawyer said he will ask Connecticuts highest court to review the appellate ruling. Jones is also appealing a $50 million judgment in a similar Texas defamation lawsuit.
On Dec. 4, Centralia Police got a call about an armed robbery at Borst Park.

Police said that a person selling an item online agreed to meet the buyer at the park.

Once at the park the buyer got into the sellers car and pulled a gun.

Police said that the suspect hit the buyer in the face with the gun and robbed him.

To address the safety concerns about this incident in the strongest terms possible, I want to emphasize that this was an isolated incident, Interim Police Chief Andy Caldwell wrote. Within 24 hours of the crime occurring, the primary suspect was in custody.

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The investigation also led to the arrest of a second suspect and the recovery of the gun police believed was used in the robbery.

Centralia Police Department is staffed with individuals who care about the quality of life in our community and want our community to feel safe, Caldwell continued.

Caldwell told its residents to be aware of their surroundings, trust their feelings and not be an easy target during the Christmas shopping season.

Caldwell also recommends that if you sell through social media, to meet in a well-lit public place with cameras for an extra layer of safety.

Police ask that if you have any information about the robbery in Borst Park call the Centralia Police Department at (360) 330-7680 or (360) 740-1105.




Ukraine is a nation of reforms, constantly striving for improvement through roadmaps and input from domestic and international partners. These efforts have not been in vain. As we mark International Anti-Corruption Day, its crucial to reflect on our achievements and build on the progress made. The past decade, shaped by the Revolution of Dignity, offers a valuable perspective on successes and challenges.

Here are 10 key reforms that have transformed Ukraine.

Law enforcement

After the Revolution of Dignity, trust in law enforcement collapsed due to police brutality against protesters and their role in upholding a corrupt regime under Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.

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In 2015, the National Police was established with international guidance, notably from Eka Zguladze, who had reformed Georgias police force. Rigorous recruitment focused on young, untainted candidates, restoring trust, especially in cities where new patrol officers improved the police's image.

However, reforms remain incomplete. In smaller towns, many former officers kept their positions, perpetuating corruption and scandals, highlighting the need for systemic change and stricter oversight.

Despite challenges, the reformed police have been pivotal in crises, managing evacuations, documenting war crimes, and maintaining order during the war with Russia, showcasing their potential as a reliable institution when restructured effectively.

Medical reform

Equal access to healthcare, a constitutional right, was largely symbolic until 2016. Then-acting Health Minister Ulana Suprun introduced the money follows the patient principle, creating the National Health Service of Ukraine (NHSU) to guarantee financial coverage. Digital initiatives like eHealth, the Affordable Medicines program, and new cardiac centers improved healthcare accessibility and quality.

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Still, the reform remains unfinished. Secondary and tertiary care need upgrades, and patients with rare diseases are often left out. Corruption, such as scandals involving medical commissions, and shortcomings in hospital reimbursements also demand attention.

Judicial reform

Judicial reform required constitutional and legislative changes. One landmark shift was transferring judge appointments and dismissals from the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraines parliament, to the High Council of Justice. Judicial immunity was scaled back, and new judges were selected through transparent competitions involving the High Qualification Commission of Judges (HQCJ) and the Public Integrity Council (PIC).

The three-tier judicial system now includes local, appellate, and a reformed Supreme Court, complemented by specialized courts like the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC). While reforms have improved justice mechanisms, challenges remain in ensuring their efficiency and independence.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks to Members of Parliament at the Verkhovna Rada, Ukraine's parliament, in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Oct. 16, 2024. (Andrii Nesterenko/Global Images Ukraine via Getty Images)

Decentralization

Launched in 2014, Ukraines decentralization reform aimed to empower local governments and build strong territorial communities. By transferring authority and resources to local levels, Ukraine fostered more efficient governance.

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The reform is widely considered one of Ukraines most successful. It earned international recognition, with the European Parliament encouraging its replication in other nations.

Public procurement

Public procurement reform, a critical anti-corruption initiative post-Revolution of Dignity, introduced the Prozorro electronic system in 2016. Prozorro enabled transparent, online tenders under the principle everyone sees everything, reducing corruption and fostering competition.

The 2015 Public Procurement Law set new standards, requiring open tenders above certain thresholds. While challenges like manipulations and legal disputes persist, Prozorro has increased transparency, saved public funds, and earned international praise.

Privatization

Years of mismanagement and corruption in state-owned enterprises necessitated privatization reform. A 2018 law simplified and digitized the process, attracting international investors. Small-scale privatization, conducted via Prozorro.Sale, generated over 100 billion hryvnias ($2.4 billion) for the state budget.

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Large-scale privatization, including the sale of strategic enterprises and factories, remains challenging due to political resistance, but progress has reduced unprofitable enterprises and improved asset management.

Open data

In 2016, Ukraine joined the International Open Data Charter, mandating government agencies to publish key datasets in accessible formats. The national portal data.gov.ua and platforms like Prozorro and eHealth enhanced transparency, spurring innovation and new businesses.

Although wartime security concerns have limited access to some information, open data reforms positioned Ukraine among the top 10 global leaders in data transparency.

A tractor prepares the soil ahead of sowing in Yerkivtsi, Kyiv Oblast, Ukraine, on March 3, 2024. (Diego Fedele/Getty Images)

Land reform

For over 20 years, a moratorium on agricultural land sales stifled market development. In 2020, after prolonged debate, the Verkhovna Rada passed a law enabling land sales, marking a key step in market liberalization.

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The reform began cautiously, allowing individuals to buy up to 100 hectares from mid-2021, with legal entities gaining access in 2024. Prozorro.Sale ensured transparency in transactions, and the updated State Land Cadastre facilitated better land management.

While concerns persist, the reform has boosted agricultural investment and improved land-use efficiency.

Digitalization of services

Ukraines digitalization reform aimed to simplify interactions between citizens, businesses, and the state through digital services. In February 2020, the Diia platform launched, consolidating dozens of public services into a mobile app and web portal. Citizens can now access digital documents, register businesses, pay taxes, and receive assistance without visiting government offices. Over five years, the range of services available on Diia has expanded significantly.

The reform also included digitizing key state registers, automating healthcare via the eHealth system, and introducing online services for land management, construction, and social security. These advancements have positioned Ukraine as a European leader in digitalization, cutting costs and time, reducing corruption, and enhancing governance transparency.

Anti-corruption reform

Anti-corruption reform has been a cornerstone of Ukraine's transformation, addressing one of the primary demands of the Revolution of Dignity: justice. This reform created a comprehensive ecosystem of new institutions.

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The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) investigates corruption crimes, the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office (SAPO) provides procedural support, and the High Anti-Corruption Court (HACC) adjudicates relevant cases. The National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) oversees property declarations, shapes anti-corruption policies, and protects whistleblowers, while the Asset Recovery and Management Agency (ARMA) handles the management and sale of assets linked to corruption and other crimes.

Reforms also introduced transparent public procurement through the Prozorro system, open data registers, and legislation to expose and punish corruption. Despite progress, challenges remain, including ensuring the independence of anti-corruption bodies, resolving high-profile cases, and eradicating corruption in the public sector. Nevertheless, these reforms have strengthened public trust and created a foundation for Ukraines sustainable development.

A decade of change

Over the past decade, Ukraine has made remarkable strides. These reforms are not just milestones  they are the foundation for future progress.

However, reforming is a continuous process. The experience of countries like Georgia shows that resting on past achievements can lead to stagnation. Ukraine must sustain its momentum, remembering that its successes today fuel tomorrows ambitions.

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Editors Note: The opinions expressed in the op-ed section are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Kyiv Independent.

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Today marks the 10th anniversary of the release of the heavily redacted 500-page executive summary of the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committees landmark report, following its investigation into the CIAs post-9/11 detention and interrogation program.

Also known as the Torture Report, it is more than 6,000 pages long. Adam Driver starred in a film about it. But virtually no one has ever read it. It remains classified and shielded from public scrutiny and accountability.

It is one of the most significant acknowledgments the U.S. uses torture. Yet its lessons remain glaringly ignored.

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The release of the summary in 2014 was a seismic moment, offering a harrowing glimpse into the systemic cruelty of a program justified under the guise of counterterrorism. It confirmed the extensive use of torture techniques  including waterboarding, mock executions and rectal feeding  on detainees.

It also highlighted the programs failures. Contrary to the CIAs claims, so-called enhanced interrogation techniques did not result in any actionable intelligence. Despite this, none of the individuals who engaged in, authorized, or covered up torture were prosecuted. No amends were made to victims.

The summarys anniversary arrives at a significant moment. Tomorrow is the 40th anniversary of the United Nations Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, which the U.S. ratified in 1994. The convention reaffirms the absolute prohibition of torture, under all circumstances, including during war. It also enshrines the rights of survivors to redress and rehabilitation.

At the time, President Barack Obama, who ended the use of enhanced interrogation techniques, said, One of the strengths that makes America exceptional is our willingness to openly confront our past, face our imperfections, make changes and do better.

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Yet, with respect to post-9/11 torture, the U.S. has persistently dodged its obligations. Survivors of U.S. torture, including those released without charge after years of detention, have faced barriers to the redress to which they are entitled.

Former detainees report lasting trauma from their treatment but often remain trapped in legal limbo, without access to adequate medical care. Some continue to languish in indefinite detention at Guantanamo Bay. For survivors, justice is an ever-receding horizon.

So far, the only semblance of justice for survivors has been through their own efforts.

Last month, in a historic verdict in Al Shimari, et al. v. CACI, a federal jury found a government contractor, CACI Premier Technology, Inc. liable for its role in the torture of three Iraqi men at Abu Ghraib prison, awarding $42 million in damages. This verdict came after more than 16 years of litigation and more than 20 dismissal attempts by the contractor. It was the first case of its kind to go to court.

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However, in cases brought by survivors against the government, the government has invoked the state secrets privilege to protect national security information or else sought immunity. Additionally, the U.S. has failed to hold the architects of the torture program accountable. Former President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney and other officials have not faced legal consequences.

This accountability vacuum has global implications.

Torture thrives in the absence of accountability. By refusing to reckon with its actions, the U.S. undermines its credibility when condemning human rights abuses abroad and damages relationships with allies. China called the report proof of Americas sheer hypocrisy. Iran labeled the U.S. a symbol of tyranny. Russia cited it as evidence of systemic human rights violations.

It also emboldens other nations to use similar justifications for torture and other abuses under the pretext of national security. Between 2006 and 2010, then-U.N. Special Rapporteur on Torture Manfred Nowak reported challenges in addressing countries human rights records due to U.S. policies. He recounted a clear statement from Jordans parliamentary speaker that if the U.S. officially condoned torture, other nations felt justified in doing the same. His successors noted similar challenges.

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Following the release, former special rapporteur on torture, Juan Mendez, and former U.N. special rapporteur on counterterrorism and human rights, Ben Emmerson called for prosecutions of U.S. officials.

There is a profound moral and strategic cost to this lack of accountability. In failing to confront the truth of its post-9/11 actions, the United States perpetuates a culture of impunity.

The most significant action taken following the summary was the bipartisan enactment of the 2015 McCain-Feinstein Amendment, which banned torture and any form of cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment during interrogations by U.S. agencies, and made the U.S. Army Field Manual on Interrogations the single standard for all U.S. government interrogations. But there hasnt been any meaningful change beyond that.

The U.S. must take concrete steps to address its failure to reckon with the torture program. First, it must declassify the full Senate Report, giving survivors, their families, and the public the transparency they deserve. Second, it should provide redress and rehabilitation to survivors, as required under the Convention Against Torture. Third, it must commit to criminal accountability for those responsible for authorizing and implementing torture.

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The moral high ground cannot be claimed without confronting the truth. A decade after the Torture Reports revelations, the clock is still ticking. Will the United States rise to the challenge? Or will this anniversary pass as another missed opportunity to confront the past and protect the future?

The answer will shape not only Americas legacy but any remaining commitment it has left to the rule of law and human rights.

Yumna Rizvi is a senior policy analyst at The Center for Victims of Torture.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Democrats are still soul-searching about losing last months election. Was it the Harris campaign? The price of butter? The ASPCA vote?

It could be a little of all three. However, the fundamental reason is simple: The U.S. is the among the wealthiest countries in the world per capita, but the American people are not happy.

The Constitution doesnt guarantee happiness, but the founding documents do say we all have an equal right to pursue it. The Declaration of Independence calls the right to pursue happiness inalienable and God-given. Its one of the promises on which our government was built.

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However, the government is not keeping that promise. On Nov. 5, exit polls showed that 72 percent of voters were unhappy with the countrys direction, while only 7 percent were enthusiastic. In 2016, before Donald Trumps first presidency, the United States ranked 13th on the list of the worlds happiest countries. By March of this year, we had dropped to 23rd.

So, who were the happiest countries, and what might we learn from them?

Year after year, Nordic nations dominate the top 10 list compiled by the World Happiness Report. Finland ranked first this year, followed by Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Norway, Luxembourg and Switzerland. The report considered per capita GDP, life expectancy, freedom to make life choices, the populations generosity, perceptions about the quality of governance, and the support provided by social systems.

This last metric, social support, is especially significant in Americas slippage. The happiest countries have capitalist economies and democratic governments, but they provide their people with essential tools for success  tools that American conservatives brand as socialist.

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Universal health care is one. The United States is the only high-income nation without it. Americans pay nearly four times as much for prescription drugs and higher costs for hospitalization and doctors than people in other developed countries. More than 27 million Americans still have no health insurance.

As of March, over 45 million Americans were enrolled in Obamacare. Trump tried to kill that option during his first term and says he has concepts to replace it now. According to the Congressional Budget Office, 3.4 million Americans would lose health insurance without Obamacare.

Access to quality education is another factor. Our education system starts crushing opportunity at a very early age, especially among children of color and in low-income households. In 2016, the United Negro College Fund reported that African American students are often concentrated in schools with fewer resources, less qualified and lower-paid teachers, and fewer college-ready courses or programs for gifted and talented students.

Compared to other countries, 15-year-olds in the U.S. ranked 16th out of 81 in science in 2022 (the most recent test) and 34th in math. The United States isnt investing as much in human capital as other developed countries, according to one analysis, and its comparative advantage is falling behind as a result. Nevertheless, Trump has promised to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education.

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Trump won 56 percent of the vote among people without college degrees. The average cost of college in the U.S. has tripled in the last 20 years, making advanced education unavailable and causing justified resentment among those who cant afford it. David Brooks points out that the diploma divide became the most important chasm in American life. High school graduates die years sooner, marry less and divorce more, are more likely to have children out of wedlock, and dont hold the sort of luxury beliefs that are markers of public virtue.

That may be one reason the World Happiness Report found that unhappiness among young Americans especially drove the U.S. happiness ranking down. The U.S. ranked 62nd in happiness for people below age 30.

Forty-six countries avoid these inequities by offering free college tuition, typically without regard to income or social status. They include six of the 10 happiest nations: Luxembourg, Norway, Iceland, Sweden, Denmark and Finland.

Income and wealth are more equitably distributed in happy countries such as Iceland, Denmark and Norway. Credit Suisse reports the average wealth per person in the U.S. was more than $550,000 in 2022. However, 10 percent of Americans own about 70 percent of the nations wealth, while the poorer half owns only 2 percent.

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America ranks only 15th in median wealth, the best indicator of how evenly wealth is distributed.

In 2017, Trumps tax cuts widened the wealth gap by skewing tax policy toward the rich. The Center for Budget and Policy Priorities calculates that in terms of after-tax income, the cuts were more than triple for the top 5 percent of households compared to the bottom 60 percent. Trump has promised to lower corporate taxes even more next year.

Meanwhile, Americas middle class is shrinking while its lower class expands. Nearly 38 million Americans live in poverty. The World Happiness Report says, While it is considered the leader of the world stage, the United States still has one of the biggest problems with homelessness, even when compared to more impoverished countries. With a homeless population per night of over half a million souls, the numbers are concerning.

There is other work to do to provide equal opportunity in the pursuit of happiness, like improving early childhood education, making childcare more affordable, raising the minimum wage, guaranteeing equal pay for equal work, shattering the glass ceilings that deny upward mobility based on gender or race, and investing in growth industries like clean energy rather than dead-end industries like fossil fuels. Until we do these things, we are squandering Americas human capital. We will never know how many extraordinary scientists, entrepreneurs, artists and political leaders have been held down, their potentials unfulfilled, by denying opportunity.

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The socialism brand has become a poison pill in U.S. public policy, but the progressive policies of the happiest nations are not socialist. According to the World Happiness Report, five of the 10 happiest countries are among the worlds 10 most capitalist economies. And while people in the 10 happiest nations pay some of the worlds highest taxes, they believe they are investing in their societies and purchasing a high quality of life.

On the other hand, report classifies the U.S. as a mixed-market economy that already blends the attributes of capitalism and socialism  not because of its social supports, but because the government subsidizes profit-making private companies like those in the fossil-fuel sector.

These facts should tell Democrats two things. First, the U.S. should adopt a more holistic system than GDP for measuring progress. Second, the right of all Americans to pursue happiness may be inalienable, but it has little meaning when so many are denied the basic tools to use it.

William S. Becker is executive director of the Presidential Climate Action Project and a former senior official at the U.S. Department of Energy.

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On Nov. 27, Arizonas Democratic attorney general announced her intention to seek a death warrant in the case of Aaron Gunches and to restart executions after a two-year hiatus. My office has been preparing since earlier this year to resume executions in Arizona, Kris Mayes said. Back in May, I indicated that executions would resume by early 2025.

The attorney generals plan is a mistake and a politically motivated calculation in a closely divided state where Democrats must be careful not to offend Republican and independent votes. But the fact of the matter remains: Arizonas death penalty is no more reliable or fair now than it was in 2022.

And what is true in Arizona is true everywhere the death penalty exists in this country.

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Before looking more closely at Arizonas death penalty mistake, we should recall that the state has a long death penalty history, marked by frequent starts and stops dating all the way back to the period before it was admitted to the Union.

In 1910, Arizona began carrying out executions at the newly constructed Florence State Prison. Jose Lopez was the first individual executed by hanging at Florence.

Six years later, the voters passed a ballot measure that abolished the death penalty. Just two years after that, voters reversed course, and executions resumed.

Another chapter in Arizonas off-again, on-again death penalty history occurred between 1962 and 1992 when no executions were performed. All told, 143 people have been put to death in the states history.

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Arizona has had its share of botched executions. In 1930, Eva Dugan was decapitated when the state hanged her. In 2014, Joseph Wood was given 15 doses of a two-drug combination over two hours in another botched execution.

Eight years later, Arizona botched the execution of Clarence Dixon. The execution team failed to set an intravenous line in Dixons arms for 25 minutes before performing an unauthorized cutdown procedure to use a vein in his groin to insert the IV.

Beyond these gruesome failures, Arizona also has had difficulty obtaining drugs needed to carry out executions. It even tried to import them from a supplier not approved by the Food and Drug Administration, an act prohibited by federal law.

These problems led Mayes and Gov. Katie Hobbs (D) to stop executions in January 2023, soon after they took office. The governor ordered a review of the death penalty system, which she said needs better oversight on numerous fronts.

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As NPR reported at the time, that review was intended to examine, among other things, the states procurement process for lethal injection drugs and lethal gas, execution procedures, the access of news organizations to executions and the training of staff to carry out executions. Hobbs then appointed retired Judge David Duncan as the Death Penalty Independent Review Commissioner and charged him to make recommendations on improving the transparency, accountability, and safety of the execution process.

But instead of identifying ways to clean up Arizonas lethal injection mess, Duncan wrote to the governor saying that recommending that, because the requisite drugs were not reliably available, the state should start using the firing squad.

The governor apparently did not like what Duncan had to say and fired him before he could make his report official. Explaining her decision, she claimed that he had gone far afield of her directive to focus on procurement, protocols, and procedures related to carrying out an execution under existing law.

Mayes, in contrast, is eager to get Arizona back in the execution business. She assured citizens of the Grand Canyon State that We have worked with ADCRR throughout its process to carefully review and improve the states death penalty procedures, and expressed confidence that executions can now proceed in compliance with state and federal law.

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Hobbs followed suit. Her spokesman said that she remains committed to upholding the law while ensuring justice is carried out in a way thats transparent and humane. He emphasized that corrections officials conducted a thorough review of policies and procedures and made critical improvements to help ensure executions carried out by the State meet legal and constitutional standards.

This the classic just following the law excuse, as hollow as it is familiar. Recall that when Vice President Harris was attorney general of California, she used the same excuse to explain why, even though she claimed to be opposed to capital punishment, she was defending existing death sentences in her state.

Hobbs herself exposed this charade last year. In response to a suit brought by the victims family seeking an order directing her to proceed with Gunchess execution, Hobbs pointed out that neither she nor the attorney general is legally obligated in any case to seek a death warrant or proceed with an execution.

The Arizona Supreme Court agreed. It held that the execution warrant that it issued authorized the governor to proceed with the execution of Mr. Gunches. This authorization, however, did not rise to the level of a command. So the decision to resume executions rests entirely with the governor and the attorney general.

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Both are up for re-election in 2026. Both were elected in 2022 by razor-thin margins.

Restarting the death penalty next year is one way for them to walk the fine line of running as a Democrat in a Trump-backing border state with a Republican advantage in voter registration.

But they have done very little to address the problems that plague their states death penalty system. Laura Conover, an attorney for Arizonas second-largest county, labels it a failed system proven to be racially biased, subjective, and dangerous, as our wrongful conviction team knows all too well.

And, as Judge Duncan explains, lethal injection is nothing like what happens when  (someone has) to put a beloved pet to sleep.  The medical personnel who are best suited to do this are not allowed to be anywhere near it because the  American Medical Associations code of ethics says that, a physician must not participate in a legally authorized execution.

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Duncan rightly notes that the world of execution  is so secretive that no best practices ever emerge, no mistakes are shared, no lessons are ever learned or shared with other people. All of this, he argues, breeds errors and flawed practices that hobble lethal injections.

That is why it is a serious mistake for Arizona to restart the machinery of death and for other states to cling to capital punishment. It is not too late for Hobbs and Mayes to change course and spare the state they serve from making it. If they do, they can send a message to the country: that no political calculations justify maintaining Americas deeply flawed death penalty system.

Austin Sarat is the William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Jurisprudence and Political Science at Amherst College. His views do not necessarily reflect those of Amherst College.

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The 2024 election made it abundantly clear that the Democratic Party is in need of reform if it hopes to compete in future elections.

More specifically, this must be a total overhaul of the partys approach to how it campaigns, the candidates it recruits, the policies it advances, and importantly, who leads the Democratic National Committee.

Put another way, the party must break from its recent past, which saw power concentrated in progressives and the interest groups they dominate. That approach has steered the party too far left and out of step with mainstream voters, including core Democratic voters.

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To be sure, the 2024 election was not just a blip, but the confirmation of a trend plaguing the Democratic Party for nearly a decade. Democrats have been hemorrhaging support among key voting blocs since 2016, particularly Hispanic voters, working-class, and non-college-educated voters.

Indeed, eight years ago, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton won Hispanic voters by a 38-point margin (66 percent to 28 percent), voters making less than $50,000 by 12 points (53 percent to 41 percent), and lost non-college educated voters by 7 points (44 percent to 51 percent).

In the 2024 election, Vice President Kamala Harris won Hispanic voters by just 5 points, while losing voters making under $50,000 (50 percent to 48 percent), and Trump expanded his margin with non-college-educated voters, winning them by 13 points.

Clearly, core parts of the Democratic base are abandoning the party. If Democrats hope to stem this outflow of support and remain politically viable, a good first step to take would be selecting Rahm Emanuel to lead the party into the future.

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Emanuel is reportedly considering a run for the DNCs top spot. He has previously served as an advisor to former President Bill Clinton, an Illinois congressman, chairman of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, chief of staff to former President Barack Obama, and Mayor of Chicago. He is now Bidens ambassador to Japan.

It may seem counterintuitive to elect a DNC leader who has spent the last four decades in Democratic politics at a time when the party needs true change. But Emanuel has repeatedly proven that he can usher in turning points.

He has a history of building coalitions from the center and running effective campaigns. Emanuels aggressive, methodical, operational style, in the words of former Rep. Steve Israel, would be a significant boost to the Democratic Party.

Further, Emanuel has done this before. He successfully rebranded his party as DCCC chair from 2004 to 2006, and under his leadership, the party delivered Republicans what then-President George Bush called a thumping in the 2006 midterms.

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Reflecting on his time working with Emanuel in Congress, Israel noted that in 2004, he watched as Emanuel developed a strategy and recruited candidates geared to address voters concerns.

By 2006, Emanuel had built such an impressive operation that in that years midterms, Democrats made a net 31-seat gain, flipping the House of Representatives.

As Israel, Ezra Klein and Nate Silver all noted recently, 2004 is in many ways a perfect parallel to 2024 in that it finds Democrats at a crossroads following brutal electoral losses and the party needing to reinvent itself in order to win in the future.

Speaking with the New York Times Brett Stephens recently, Emanuel recognized that former President Clinton was successful largely because he moved to the center to take back the issues of crime, immigration and welfare back from Republicans.

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Stephens noted that this approach required Clinton to pick at least as many fights with his partys left as he picked against Republicans. This is exactly what the larger Democratic Party must do, and what Emanuel would bring to the role as DNC leader.

Emanuel can be aggressive at times according to Israel, who described him as, bare-knuckled, sharp-elbowed. Then again, President-elect Donald Trump has won two elections campaigning as a bully, and Israel  correctly  believes Emanuels style is perfectly suited to unsettle Trump as head of the DNC.

And yet, for now, its not Trump and Republicans who are unsettled by Emanuel, rather its the left wing of his own party. Progressives have mobilized against Emanuel and his brand of pragmatic  winning  politics.

Prominent progressives, including Sen. Bernie Sanderss (I-Vt.) chief of staff, have slammed even the notion of Emanuel leading the DNC due to his neoliberal centrism and status as part of the elite. And Jonathan Cohn, policy director at one progressive interest group, derided it, asking How is this not a sick joke?

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These criticisms are sorely misguided, and putting leftist ideological opposition over political pragmatism is a significant reason Democrats are in the situation they now find themselves in.

In his closing statements to Brett Stephens, Emanuel quipped, I think Democrats prefer losing and being morally right to winning. Me, Im not into moral victory speeches. Im into winning.

That attitude is currently lacking  and sorely needed  within a Democratic Party that finds itself at a monumental crossroads.

Its defeat in the 2024 elections and continued erosion in support among the partys base can rightly be called a crisis, and to paraphrase Emanuel himself  by way of Winston Churchill  you never let a serious crisis go to waste.

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Electing Emanuel to lead the DNC would be Democrats best bet to take advantage of their current crisis, to break from their recent past and rediscover their winning ways.

Douglas E. Schoen is a political consultant and the founder and partner at Schoen Cooperman Research. His latest book is The End of Democracy? Russia and China on the Rise and America in Retreat.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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The Democratic Partys loss of the White House and Congress in 2024 has forced the party into a solemn quiescence.

Democrats admit the difficulties they experienced this year go far beyond the deficiencies of any particular candidate. Already, party strategists are thinking ahead to winning the 2026 midterm elections.

But Democrats would be wise to emulate the Republicans who, when facing defeat, have thought in terms of decades, not of two-year cycles.

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The American Legislative Exchange Council is an illustration of such thinking. Established in 1975 by conservative activist Paul Weyrich, ALEC became a vehicle for conservative state legislators to share ideas and draft model bills.

Only 27 legislators attended the first ALEC conference. Decades later, ALEC counts more than 2,400 lawmakers in its ranks.

The organization has sponsored conservative legislation that restricts illegal immigration, fights environmental regulations, tightens voter identification laws, weakens labor unions, and opposes gun control.

Leaders We Deserve, founded by David Hogg, a survivor of the 2018 Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School massacre in Parkland, Fla., and co-founder of March for Our Lives, is likewise thinking about how young voters can exert their influence in the coming decade.

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Founded in August of 2023, Hogg told me in an interview last week that Leaders We Deserve raised $11 million and began recruiting young candidates for legislative offices. Leaders We Deserve focuses on recruiting young candidates who will fight for a progressive future and tackle issues like gun violence, climate change, affordability and rising costs, and attacks on rights and freedoms.

Despite its late start in 2024, the organization claimed six important victories. It helped elect U.S. Rep.-elect Sarah McBride (D-Del.,), soon to be the first transgender member of Congress; Bryce Berry, who ousted a Republican incumbent to become the youngest person elected to the Georgia state legislature; Dante Pittman, whose election to the North Carolina state legislature broke a Republican supermajority; Oscar De Los Santos, the youngest Arizona House minority leader; Molly Cook, the youngest member of the Texas state Senate; and Christine Cockley, the youngest member of the Ohio House.

For decades, Baby Boomers have controlled both major political parties. In 2016, at age 70, Donald Trump was elected president, followed by Joe Biden in 2020 who turned 78 shortly after his election. Trump is likely the last Boomer president, assuming office next year at age 78. Kevin Munger describes this gerontocracys legacy as Boomer ballast whose continuous hold on political power is deeply resented by Millennials and Zoomers.

Political demography is continuously changing. But as Democrats have learned, demography is not destiny. An electorate that skews younger, is more racially diverse, and more female than male does not translate into automatic victories or generate the reforms younger voters seek.

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Hogg understands this. He told me: In college, I studied the way conservative political movements built their power over the past thirty years, winning control of state legislatures and appointing a ton of far-right judges to advance their agenda, he told me. It didnt happen out of nowhere  conservatives and Republicans worked tirelessly to get to where they are now.

Nonetheless, Hogg recognizes there are several challenges to getting younger voters to run for office. First, most do not see either party as having records of successful governance. Instead, they have witnessed a cascade of failures: growing economic and racial inequality, a worldwide pandemic, a climate crisis threatening the planets existence, a gun violence epidemic, and failed wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

More than six out of ten Millennials and Zoomers say they distrusted their political leaders when they were coming of age. The alienation is pervasive.

Another challenge is the poor pay given to state legislators. Unless those officeholders can rely on another source of income to pay for basic needs such as maternity leave or childcare, the incentives to run simply arent there. A recent study found the average state legislative salary is just under $40,000 per year, a figure that has actually decreased since 1970.

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Hogg understands that the success of Leaders We Deserve ultimately rests upon creating a network of officeholders that exchanges ideas and legislative proposals that can become the basis for real reforms across the country. His hope is that Leaders We Deserve can be a resource center that can help write bills, share ideas, build coalitions, and partner legislators with other organizations.

Crucially, Hogg recognizes that winning an election is just the beginning of instituting the kinds of progressive change he seeks. He cites the State Innovation Exchange as a model that helps legislators strategize and provide needed policy assistance, a potential resource for the public officials Leaders We Deserve seeks to elect.

Building Leaders We Deserve into a powerful recruitment organization and resource center will not happen overnight. Like ALEC before it, Hogg is embarked on a decade-long project that will not yield immediate victories. But the doggedness of those conservatives who, decades ago, experienced defeat after defeat only to produce ultimate victories, is exactly what Hogg and Leaders We Deserve hope to emulate.

This is exactly the kind of long-term thinking Democrats need at this moment.

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John Kenneth White is a professor emeritus at The Catholic University of America. His latest book is titled Grand Old Unraveling: The Republican Party, Donald Trump, and the Rise of Authoritarianism. He can be reached at johnkennethwhite.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 The Hill.
Over the last year, a number of very wealthy Americans have argued that the problem with the federal government is that it is full of unelected decision-makers working without authorization from Congress and the Constitution.

But as it turns out, these critics dont really mind any of those things, as long as theyre the ones in charge.

The latest example of this turnabout is billionaire Silicon Valley investor Marc Andreessen. According to an article in the Financial Times, which cites two unnamed sources with knowledge, Andreessen is helping identify and interview candidates for President-elect Donald Trumps advisory commission on cutting government spending.

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If true, this is particularly odd, given the substance of Andreessens recent complaints about the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the agency created after the 2008 financial crisis to protect consumers from deceptive financial products.

In a recent appearance on Joe Rogans podcast, Andreessen went after the CFPB for being an independent federal agency:

We have this thing called independent federal agencies. So like, for example, we have this thing called the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau, CFPB, which is sort of Elizabeth Warrens personal agency that she gets to control. And its an independent agency that just gets to run and do whatever it wants, right? And if you read the Constitution, like there is no such thing as independent agency, and yet there it is.

To be fair, the CFPB has an unusual structure, but this is by design. Congress created it in 2011 as an independent bureau within the Federal Reserve to keep it from being politically influenced. It is headed by a director appointed by the president and confirmed by the Senate to a five-year term. Other independent agencies include the Federal Reserve; the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., which insures your bank accounts; and the Securities and Exchange Commission, which was created after the Wall Street crash of 1929 to regulate financial markets.

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You might notice a theme here. All of these agencies were created to regulate some of the largest and most powerful companies in the United States and keep the economy from crashing. Like Odysseus lashing himself to the mast as his ship passed the sirens, Congress designed them to be independent to avoid the temptation to meddle with their work. Contrary to what Andreessen says, Sen. Elizabeth Warren  who first proposed the CFPB  no more gets to control it than any other senator.

Compare this to the Department of Government Efficiency, the advisory commission that Trump created to suggest spending cuts.

Although it has the mostly joking name of department, the commission is not a government agency at all, but more like one of those blue-ribbon panels that presidents occasionally create to give themselves outside advice. Its being headed by billionaire Tesla owner Elon Musk and former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, both of whom supported Trumps election. (Musk, it turns out, spent more than $250 million to boost Trumps campaign.)

So, to be clear, DOGE is an independent advisory panel that Musk gets to personally control, with no limits on its purview, which is not directly authorized under the Constitution or even by Congress. In other words, its the exact thing that Andreessen decried  inaccurately  about the CFPB.

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But its not just him. When Ramaswamy ran unsuccessfully for the Republican presidential nomination, he campaigned on Ten Truths that summarized his beliefs. No. 9 on the list: There are three branches of the U.S. government, not four. This supposed fourth branch was what he called the administrative state, the federal workers who write and enforce the rules at government agencies. Now that hes one of the people in charge at DOGE, he has threatened to use it to target the jobs of those workers.

But where does this outside commission fit into the three branches outlined in the Constitution? Unlike the heads of those agencies, Ramaswamy and Musk wont face Senate confirmation. Unlike the federal workers they criticize, the people on the DOGE commission arent a part of the executive branch. And unlike the jobs those workers do, their duties arent authorized by any congressional statute.

Musk lodged similar criticisms against federal workers. The unelected and unconstitutional Federal bureaucracy currently has more power than the presidency, legislature or judiciary! Musk posted on X in November. This needs to change. Over the years, hes been particularly concerned about unelected government officials who make decisions he doesnt like, criticizing an unelected county health officer in California, an unelected pseudo-judge in Brazil, an unelected official in charge of online safety in Australia and unelected judges in Italy.

But Musk, who has not won any election, is now going to make recommendations on what he says could be as much as $2 trillion in federal spending, including possibly cutting Social Security and other programs that help seniors and the poor.

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To be clear, there are plenty of problems with DOGE, but how its set up is not one of them. Presidents have long had the authority to set up advisory committees overseen by outsiders not confirmed by Congress. Any of its recommendations, however ill-advised, will still have to go through Congress or be undertaken by executive orders from the president. Nothing in the Constitution bars Trump from asking for advice from a commission, even if the people staffing it seem ill-equipped for the task.

But by the same token, there was never anything wrong with federal workers writing regulations based on laws passed by Congress, or with the president and Congress working together to create an agency thats free from day-to-day political meddling, or with judges and other unelected officials making decisions. Thats how government has long worked, and the fact that Andreessen, Musk and Ramaswamy have suddenly dropped those concerns raises questions about how serious their complaints really were.

If you only object to the rules when you arent in power, then you arent really objecting to the rules at all; youre objecting to not being in power.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
As a father, I understand President Joe Bidens decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden. Biden faced congressional foes relentlessly attacking his son, hungry to avenge what they labeled lawfare, or political prosecutions, against President-elect Donald Trump.

Yes, all along Republicans aimed to use the Biden sons legal woes to skewer the father. Their goal was to make President Biden look like a hypocrite for excusing his son from legal jeopardy while defending the many prosecutions of Trump.

That is all true.

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It is also true that Biden is guilty of running for president while knowing his lone surviving son meant more to him than the oath to defend the nations laws, courts, and system of equal justice.

Please dont say you wont pardon your son if you dont mean it. And really, dont deny interest in issuing a pardon after your son has been convicted.

A desperate father knows a pardon from his presidential desk undermines faith in the nations justice system. Biden, the father, also knows it rips away at his legacy as a man who said he ran to defeat Trump in 2020 because of Trumps ethical failings.

Biden said he had to run because he saw Trump excuse a 2017 rally involving white supremacists that resulted in a death. Biden framed the 2024 election as a battle for the soul of this nation.

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Now Bidens soul is lost in the fog of moral compromise over his sons pardon.

Trump is headed back to the White House with a pledge to use the Justice Department as a tool for retribution. His nominee to lead the FBI, Kash Patel, has vowed to target Trumps political rivals.

That leads to reports that Biden may issue preemptive pardons for some identified as Trumps political enemies, including former Rep. Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) and Dr. Anthony Fauci.

Democrats, including Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado, are sending distress signals.

While as a father I certainly understand  Bidens natural desire to help his son  this is a bad precedent that could be abused by later presidents, said Polis. Hunter brought the legal trouble he faced on himself  no one is above the law, not a president and not a presidents son.

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Biden is now caught in the hell of his own moral failure. He knows the consequences of this pardon go beyond rescuing a loved one. For all his good intentions, he is now involved in undermining the justice system.

Biden has handed his political rivals, Trump and congressional Republicans, all the ammunition they need to derail the justice system and escape accountability for major crimes, like the January 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol, whose perpetrators Trump has promised to pardon.

The story of Hunters pardon leads me to despair because it plays directly into the lies and the conspiracy theories Trump spreads in which he is the supposed victim of lawfare.

Trump has been twice impeached, indicted for election interference and convicted by a jury of 34 felony counts in New York. Yet somehow, he remains a free man and his fans believe his claims of victimhood  in fact, he just won the presidency again.

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Trump and his allies campaigned on claims that he and even his most violent supporters involved in January 6 are innocent victims of a twisted justice system.

Trump himself hinted at this, writing on Truth Social, Does the Pardon given by Joe to Hunter include the J-6 Hostages? Such an abuse and miscarriage of Justice!

During his first term, Trump pardoned Charles Kushner  his daughter Ivankas father-in-law  who had been convicted of and served time for campaign finance violations, tax evasion, and witness tampering. Kushners crimes included hiring a prostitute to entrap his brother-in-law and sending a recording of the encounter to his own sister.

And last week, Trump announced Kushner as his nominee for U.S. ambassador to France, the same position once held by Benjamin Franklin.

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The Biden pardon gives credence to every whataboutism  as in, what about Hunter Biden walking away from legal accountability for his crimes  as Trump and his loyalists dismantle the law and constitutional norms to assert power over the government.

American law does grant presidents sweeping pardon powers. Ideally, they are used to provide mercy for people caught in a nightmare of corrupt cops and prosecutors or bad laws.

It was not intended for relatives.

But both parties have tested the ethical limits of this authority:

Bill Clinton pardoned his half-brother Roger for drug crimes and a close associate, financier Marc Rich, for tax evasion.

Gerald Ford pardoned the man who made him a vice president, his predecessor, Richard Nixon.

Jimmy Carter, a military veteran, pardoned hundreds of thousands of Vietnam War draft-dodgers.

George W. Bush commuted the sentence of a man who served in his administration, Scooter Libby, convicted of perjury in leaking the identity of a CIA officer in an effort to discredit evidence that cast into question Bushs stated rationale for the Iraq War.

Barack Obama commuted the sentence of a soldier court-martialed for espionage  Chelsea Manning.

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President-elect Trumps history of pardons differs in that it centers on political loyalty to himself.

He pardoned men who campaigned for him  allies such as Michael Flynn, Steve Bannon, Roger Stone and Paul Manafort.

That is why Bidens decision to pardon his son will not quickly pass into history as a tough call by a loving dad.

His act of mercy for his son sets a dangerous precedent  one that opened the door for the constitutional chaos we may yet see in Trumps second term.

Juan Williams is senior political analyst for Fox News, a prize-winning civil rights historian, and author of the new book New Prize for these Eyes: The Rise of Americas Second Civil Rights Movement, available now for preorder.

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Israeli troops are seen at a Syrian outpost in the Golan Heights, on Dec. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

DAMASCUS/JERUSALEM, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army has seized control of areas near the Israel-Syria border and struck strategic weapons in Syria as of Monday, according to Syrian and Israeli sources.

On Monday, Israeli tanks advanced into the southwestern Syrian city of Quneitra near the occupied Golan Heights, reaching the governorate building as drones circled overhead, a Syrian source told Xinhua.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based war monitor, said multiple sites in Quneitra have been hit.

In Damascus, a Xinhua correspondent witnessed Israeli warplanes flying overhead. Mobs brandishing weapons looted from abandoned army positions roamed the streets that were riddled with shattered glass, disabled military vehicles, robbed banks, stolen cars, and ransacked kiosks.

Meanwhile, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar said Monday in a press briefing that militants in Syria crossed into the buffer zone between Syria and Israel over the weekend, violating the disengagement agreement between the two countries.

The militants also attacked positions of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, which monitors the agreement near the border, Sa'ar said.

"In response, and given the threat to our communities in the Golan Heights, the IDF (Israel Defense Forces) carried out a targeted and temporary operation to take control of areas near the border," he said.

The Israeli army also launched strikes targeting "strategic weapons systems, residual chemical weapons capabilities, and long-range missiles and rockets" in Syria to prevent them from falling into the hands of "extremist elements," he added.

According to the IDF, Israeli commando forces on Sunday seized the buffer zone and a Syrian army outpost on the summit of Mount Hermon, whereas Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes near Damascus and elsewhere in Syria, targeting weapons storage facilities.

In a video statement released by his office on Sunday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had ordered the military to take control of the positions temporarily to ensure they would not fall into the hands of the militant groups led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, whose sweeping offensive across Syria since Nov. 27 resulted in the rapid fall of President Bashar al-Assad's government on Sunday.

Also on Monday, the general command of the militant groups that recently captured Damascus said in a statement broadcast on local channels that acts of violence, personal score-settling, and the sale of stolen weapons would carry stiff penalties, including prison terms of up to three years.

Public sector employees were ordered to return to work, and pharmacists were directed to keep their shops open during designated hours or risk confiscation.

A strict overnight curfew was also imposed from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. local time in Damascus and surrounding areas, as well as in the coastal provinces of Latakia and Tartous, exempting security personnel, firefighters, medical staff, ambulances, and internal security forces. Violators will face a month in jail.

The University of Tartous has announced the resumption of administrative and academic operations starting Tuesday. Exams, particularly practical assessments, will be rescheduled at a later date. 

Israeli troops are seen near the buffer zone in the Golan Heights, on Dec. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Israeli troops are seen near the buffer zone in the Golan Heights, on Dec. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Israeli troops are seen near the buffer zone in the Golan Heights, on Dec. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Israeli troops are seen near the buffer zone in the Golan Heights, on Dec. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Israeli troops are seen at a Syrian outpost in the Golan Heights, on Dec. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Israeli troops are seen near the buffer zone in the Golan Heights, on Dec. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Israeli troops are seen near the buffer zone in the Golan Heights, on Dec. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Israeli troops are seen near the buffer zone in the Golan Heights, on Dec. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Israeli troops are seen near the buffer zone in the Golan Heights, on Dec. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)

Israeli troops are seen near the buffer zone in the Golan Heights, on Dec. 9, 2024. (Photo by Jamal Awad/Xinhua)
On Jan. 20, 2025, JD Vance will be sworn in as the nations 50th vice president, the third youngest in history behind John Breckenridge and Richard Nixon. His ascent from the hills of Kentucky to Ohios industries, Iraqs battlefields and Yale Law captures a classic American success story. Having been poor and rich, anti-Trump and pro-Trump, civilian and soldier, Vance leaves Americans wondering: Who will he become next?

The answer might be the most powerful vice president in American history. Vance could use his intellectual prowess, congressional and venture capitalist relationships, and competitive roots to expand the power of the vice presidency and lead America in a new direction.

Vances historic path to power resembles another vice president from the hills, Lyndon Johnson. Johnsons path to power led him from a tough life in the Texas Hill Country to the House of Representatives by 26, the Senate by 40, Senate majority leader by 46, and vice president by 52. Johnson leveraged relationships and tipped the scales of power in his favor to fulfill his ambitions.

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In 1937, while running for the House of Representatives, Johnson received critical financial support from Herman Brown of Brown & Root. While in the House and Senate, Johnson built bonds with future Speaker Sam Rayburn from Texas and Richard Russel Jr. from Georgia. Johnson and his wife Ladybird frequently entertained (separately) bachelors with large political capital. The dinners they held created an informal space for Johnson to seek advice and discuss political strategy.

Vance met Peter Thiel, a venture capitalist and techno-libertarian, at a lecture in 2011. He called it the most significant moment of my time at Yale Law School. He would join Thiels venture capital firm, Mithril Capital, and later co-found Narya Capital with significant investment from Thiel. And during Vances 2022 Senate run, Thiel invested $15 million to help Vance close the financial gap between him and his competitors and secure victory.

In a short time, Vance has formed a lot of current allies in the Senate, including Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Mike Lee (R-Utah), Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Thom Tillis (R-N.C.). He also has a strong relationship with Donald Trump Jr., Cabinet nominee Marco Rubio, and New Right thinkers such as Patrick Deneen and the president of the Heritage Foundation, Kevin Roberts.

While in the Senate, Johnson effectively leveraged his relationships and worked across party lines, building coalitions and passing legislation. He believed, Power is where power goes. As vice president, Johnson planned to use his senatorial influence to act as a bridge from the White House to Congress. With the help of the new Senate majority leader, Mike Mansfield, Johnson wanted to be elected chairman of the Democratic Conference.

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But Johnson overplayed his hand, and the plan failed. Despite the setback, during the 87th Congress, Johnson helped pass JFKs New Frontier initiatives, but his role was limited due to his competitive relationship with Robert Kennedy Jr.

The hand that Vance holds is arguably stronger than the one that Johnson had. Vance will serven under an aging lame-duck president instead of a young, vibrant, once-in-a-generation leader. Vances relationships with Silicon Valley donors paid for the campaign. The slim majorities mean President-elect Donald Trump will rely on Vance and his relationships in the Senate to confirm his Cabinet picks. Unlike Johnson, who was outside Kennedys inner circle, Vance is at the center of Trumps.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnells (R-Ky.) resignation leaves a leadership void in the Senate  a vacuum Vance is uniquely positioned to fill. Like Johnson, McConnell was a master of Senate procedure and a fundraising powerhouse. Vance could step into this space by frequently presiding over Senate sessions, learning procedures, engaging in policy negotiations, leveraging his relationships to broker key policy deals, and using his tie-breaking vote strategically. Additionally, Vances connections to Silicon Valley donors position him to become the GOPs new fundraising linchpin.

If Trump recognizes Vances growing influence and reacts unpredictably, Vances position as vice president would make him the only person in Trumps inner circle who cannot be fired. Vances leverage could extend even to invoking the 25th Amendment if circumstances demanded it. Trump was a notoriously erratic executive in his first term and was impeached twice. Suppose Trump goes off script again and becomes destructive to himself, the party, or the country. Its not a far stretch to believe that Vance could leverage his relationships with a majority of the Cabinet to remove him from office.

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Political power is a thinking mans game run by money, built on relationships, and empowered by people. Vances success story from the hills of Kentucky to the Vice Presidency shows he has the potential to wield that power in ways never seen before.

Vance has relationships in Congress and with donors, and he represents a part of America that has been forgotten by the WASPs of the Northeast. He can upstage Johnson and be the bridge from Congress to the White House, helping pass much-needed immigration reform and getting the debt under control.

Vance stands at a crossroads. With his unique alliances and a finger on the pulse of unrepresented America, he has the potential to redefine the vice presidency. Whether he chooses to build bridges or consolidate power will shape not only his legacy but also the nations future.

Jeff Mayhugh is the founding editor of Politics and Parenting and vice president at No Cap Fund.

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NewsNation Chief Washington Anchor and On Balance host Leland Vittert was a foreign correspondent for four years in Jerusalem. He gives you an early look at tonights 7 p.m. ET show. Subscribe to War Notes here.

Irony alert: The Left is up in arms that Daniel Penny is free, but the guy who killed the UnitedHealthcare CEO is starting a conversation about healthcare and is a folk hero to the left.

Watch tonight: Bill OReilly will be on to discuss if the jury verdict in Manhattan proves America is coming to its senses.

An aerial picture shows members of Syrias White Helmets civil defence service clearing vehicle carcasses and rubble from a street in Aleppo on December 5, 2024. (Photo by OMAR HAJ KADOUR / AFP)

Ask the Zen Master

I am going to tell you something that nobody else will say about Syria and I am the only one who is unquestionably right: I dont know.

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Movie clip: To understand all events in the Middle East, watch Philip Seymour Hoffman explain the story of the zen master and the little boy in the film Charlie Wilsons War. It comes just after Russia left Afghanistan in the 1980s.



Well, thirteen years later, Barack Obama, John Kerry, Joe Biden and Hilary Clinton finally got their wish  Syrias Bashar al-Assad is gone.

It will take close to another thirteen years to figure out if its a good thing or not.

A smart friend: If Assads replacement is worse, does that mean Tulsi Gabbard was smart for meeting with Assad?

Ground truth: Assads replacement will be worse, but terrorists fighting against each other is better than them having a safe haven.

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The Middle East is a very complicated place  the Israelis understand that the best.

The Washington Post writes, Western governments long worried about a catastrophic success in Syria if Islamist fighters gained control. But experts say the rebels have changed.

We are moderate, says the terrorists  ha!

Watch: Jerusalem is next. The Syrian rebels said in this video, We will also conquer Jerusalem and Mecca with the help of Allah. Conquer Mecca sounds a lot like ISIS, who wanted to take over the entire Middle East.



I lived in the Middle East for years  jihadists dont change  just read this quick primer on the new Syrian leader.

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Does that outweigh the colossal embarrassment and loss for Iran of its land bridge to Hezbollah, its main client state and a border with Israel? Well see.

One thing is for sure: Fourteen months after the October 7 attacks on Israel, Irans big gamble to use its ring of fire and embroil Israel in a massive regional war failed miserably. Hamas is destroyed and its leadership is decimated. Hezbollah is destroyed and its leadership is decimated. Syrias Assad is gone, leaving Iran with zero influence. Houthis/Yemen: Israel keeps pounding away.

Be fair: President Joe Biden predicted as much. Check out this must read from Axios Barak Ravid here. After Oct. 7, when much of the world was still reeling from the Hamas terrorist attack, Iran and its proxies chose to launch a multi-front war against Israel, Biden said in a speech from the White House Sunday. That was a historic mistake on Irans part, the president declared.

Be more fair: All of this happened because Israel often ignored the Biden administrations advice and demands.

Pretty good take on the Putin question: Except I thought we couldnt negotiate with Russia?!

Russian military doctrine says to escalate to de-escalate  now that a bunch of jihadists have embarrassed Putin, will he double down in Ukraine, or sue for peace?

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Lindsey Graham  lets go!

Read Sen. Lindsey Grahams statement here  he never met a war he didnt like  that doesnt mean hes wrong.

The United States is already involved. There have been dozens of airstrikes by U.S. forces over the past few days.

Opportunity: Israel spent the past few days pounding away at:

Syrian chemical weapons facilities: They dont want terrorists with weapons of mass destruction.

Syrian air defenses and Iranian outposts: This clears the airspace for direct attacks on Iran. Watch Israels attacks on Syria here.



Memories: In the weeks after rebels took over eastern Libya and kicked out Gaddafis forces, I headed in  the first city we reached was Tobruk.

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We headed to the local outpost of Gaddafis secret police and toured the torture cells.

It made me physically ill: I still remember my producer and photographer putting me in a cell, slamming the door, and having me speak to the camera about what I felt.

Syria makes that look like a picnic  if half of this stuff is true  WOW! Watch this clip of Assads prisons. This video shows the bodies of detainees. Read more about the torture prisons here.



Last question: Where is Austin Tice?



Tune into On Balance with Leland Vittert weeknights at 7/6C on NewsNation. Find your channel here.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily of NewsNation.

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If you take a step back, its impossible not to marvel at our technological ingenuity.

We have created supercomputers that fit in our hand. We are creating human organs on 3D printers. We may soon put humans on Mars, a mere 140 million miles away.

It has been 55 years since the first moonshot, where Americans landed the first manned spacecraft on the moon. Now, its time to invest in an AI moonshot  not with an intergalactic goal, but one of far more significance (and arguably more impressive) to the average American  to make the government efficient, benefiting both the people and the businesses that count on it every day.

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This month, Ill join a group of top business leaders for the final time as members of President Bidens export council, with a shared goal of improving global trade for American companies. But this meeting will also focus on a transition to a Trump presidency, which I am hopeful will continue to unlock innovation and growth through technological investment.

While most of the attention on trade has revolved around President-elect Trumps threats to impose sweeping tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico  and the inflated costs they could bring to materials and goods  the recent reporting by Axios that Trump plans to appoint an AI Czar, with input from Elon Musk, means emerging technologies are front-and-center of the next administration.

The first step for an AI moonshot is making a historic investment in the Technology Modernization Fund. Established in 2017, the funds mission is to modernize government processes with new, more efficient technologies.

By streamlining trade processes with AI, we can speed up customs procedures and supply chain visibility, reducing barriers to international commerce and enhancing U.S. export capabilities.

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Smaller businesses, disproportionately affected by our labyrinth of complex regulations, will be some of the biggest winners. In the first eight months of 2023 alone, there were over 740,000 new regulatory updates worldwide on trade. Making that environment easier to navigate will increase productivity and unlock new global markets for them.

And if Trump invests in critical energy infrastructure, U.S. companies should be able to continue to rely on domestic power for their computing needs.

There are also likely opportunities to identify specific areas within other agencies, such as the State Department, Veterans Affairs and Medicare/Medicaid, where AI can enhance the processing of applications and expedite services for users, who are no strangers to frustrating red tape.

During his previous term, Trump spearheaded Operation Warp Speed  a monumental effort to produce COVID-19 vaccines in record time.

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The key to the initiative was investing in public-private partnerships, as the government could not do it alone.

An AI moonshot is no different, and I suspect its biggest cheerleader will be Musk, who has built an empire on public-private investments.

Federal grants for entrepreneurs could help develop AI tools targeting specific government inefficiencies; businesses could benefit from federal funding for training and upskilling programs; and U.S. tech companies could ensure their place at the forefront of innovation with subsidized access to the massive computational power required for AI development.

If we truly want to improve government processes, we need to empower smaller entrepreneurs who understand the specific challenges firsthand  and have the expertise to address them.

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The final piece of the moonshot almost seems counterintuitive: stronger regulations around ethics, risk management and interoperability.

The National Institute of Science and Technology (NIST), part of the Department of Commerce, has made substantial progress on this front in recent years with its robust-yet-flexible AI Risk Management Framework (RMF).

We should continue empowering NIST to drive regulatory and ethical standards that give American businesses a competitive edge. By providing robust governance guidelines, NIST helps safeguard their information and infrastructure against cyber threats.

And while Musk may be well-positioned to help guide this moonshot, it remains imperative that perspectives from diverse stakeholder groups, including business owners and enterprises from underrepresented groups, are incorporated into the development and implementation of AI policies and regulations.

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Just as the Trump administration did with Operation Warp Speed, a spirit of urgency and optimism fueled innovations that would have been hard to believe if they werent so real and tangible.

Trump has the opportunity to do it again with an AI moonshot.

Instead of trade wars based on tariffs, the U.S. can secure its place as a global trade and technology leader by investing in AI to drive innovation, create jobs and protect national security in a rapidly changing world.

Patrick E. Murphy is a former member of Congress from Florida, currently serves on President Bidens Export Council, is the Chief Investment Officer of Coastal Construction in Miami, and is the founder of Togal.AI , which applies artificial intelligence to the pre-construction process.

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In an all-too-poised appearance on Fox & Friends last week, Penelope Hegseth sought to distance herself from herself.

The mother of president-elect Donald Trumps choice for Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, Penelope listened intently as host Steve Doocy read excerpts from a scathing email she had sent her son in April 2018. (The New York Times had published the email a few days prior, a flashpoint in Hegseths already-controversial nomination.)

In blunt language, Penelope accused her son of being a liar, a cheater, and an abuser of women. Doocy ended his recitation with the devastating quote: We are broken by your behavior and lack of character.

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He then turned to Hegseth and asked, What was going on that made you so angry you wanted to write that?

She flashed a smile and chuckled, before offering a spirited defense of her sons capacity to lead the US military.

President-elect Donald Trump's Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth (center) leaves a meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. November 21, 2024. / REUTERS

Despite Hegseths attempt to laugh it off, her email comes across dead seriousa cry from a disgusted mother who is out of patience and out of fks. But a very different Hegseth showed up on Fox to tell the networks viewers (and US senatorsespecially female senators) that she no longer believes anything she wrote to be true.

Pete is a new person. He is redeemed. Forgiven. Changed, she insisted. I think we all are after seven years.

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If Pete is a changed man, Hegseth is a changed mom. Her critical parental stance has been replaced by a subservience that could be the start of a new retro cultural trend: As some women have embraced the trad wife lifestyle, Hegseth was performing the role of trad mom.

During her Fox appearance, she exhibited all the characteristics associated with trad wives, starting first and foremost with utter devotion to her manor at least, her boy. In 2018, Hegseth told Pete that she had no respect for him, but today, her faith is rock solid.

I believe in God. I believe in Pete, she said.

She looked the part too, wearing a deep purple dress paired with knee-high black boots, a gold cross and perfect blonde highlights.

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Hegseth ascribed blame not to her sons own actions, but to media misinformation. To be fair, blame also fell somewhat on her. She told Doocy that about two hours after she sent that emotional email, she followed it up with an apology. This latter message has not been made public.

She was working to clean house and tidy up her sons mess, explaining that the trigger for her missive was that Pete and his then-wife, Samantha Deering, were at the time going through a very difficult divorce. She did not explain that the divorce was likely difficult, in part, because Pete had impregnated his Fox News colleague Jennifer Rauchet while still married to Deering. (Hegseth and Rauchet are currently married.)

Finally, Hegseth displayed the ultimate trad wife trait: obedience. When Doocy asked why Hegseth wanted to tell her story, she said, Ill do anything for my son.

Except, perhaps, to do the hardest thing for any parentto see ones child for who they truly are.

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As an all-too-true joke tells it, the two skills every parent needs are the ability to love unconditionally and to hide their disappointment. The fact that Hegseth did not hide her disappointment in her son in 2018 is remarkable. Even though she admitted it pained and embarrassed her to be stating the sad, sad truth, she took the blinders offbriefly.

But now theyre back on.

Whether Hegseth saved her sons nomination remains unclearalthough her appearance probably helped keep him in the running. A leader doesnt need to be a saint in their personal lives, but a man who is by his own admission a serial adulterer, and has reportedly struggled with drinking to excess, would seem to lack impulse control. These are not qualities that screams, Make me leader of the largest military force in the world.

(Pete Hegseth has denied ever having a drinking problem.)

Penelope Hegseths backpedaling may serve her sons ambitions, but they do not serve our countrys best interests. The stakes are too high. And we cant afford to look back and sayto use Hegseths own wordsthat we were broken by her sons behavior.
The free speech implications of the coming ban on TikTok in the United States are staggering and unprecedented. On Friday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit upheld a federal law that requires TikTok to stop operating here on Jan. 19 if its owner, ByteDance, does not sell it to a non-Chinese company. The 150 million Americans who use TikTok to share and receive information no longer would be able to do so.

In upholding the law, D.C. Circuit Court of Appeals minimized the 1st Amendment impact of banning TikTok, while uncritically accepting the federal governments claim that national security is threatened by this app.

This is the first time in history that the government has ever banned a medium of communication. It is not simply outlawing a single newspaper or publisher, which itself would be deeply troubling under the 1st Amendment, but banning a platform on which billions of videos are uploaded a year. As the circuit courts chief judge, Sri Srinivasan, said in a concurring opinion, the TikTik ban will cause a huge number of people in this country to lose access to an outlet for expression, a source of community and even a means of income.

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Read more: A U.S. TikTok ban is nearing for social media app after another court defeat

The decision stressed that TikTok is controlled by a foreign adversary, the Peoples Republic of China, and that those outside the United States do not have 1st Amendment rights. But this ignores the rights of millions of users of TikTok in this country to post on the site and to receive information. Moreover, the Supreme Court has long made clear that the identity of a speaker should not matter under the 1st Amendment. This was the basis for the courts Citizens United holding that corporations have the right to spend unlimited amounts in election campaigns. The central premise of the 1st Amendment is that more speech is inherently better, regardless of the source.

The court of appeals recognized the free speech implications of the TikTok ban but concluded the ban was justified by national security considerations. In doing so, the court professed the need to give great deference to the government and its evaluation of the facts concerning TikTok.

The circuit court identified two national security concerns. First, that China would use TikTok to collect data of and about persons in the United States. There is no dispute that China does this, but the question the court does not answer is how these data can be used to harm national security. The court points to China being able to mine the data for commercial benefits, but this seems quite different from showing that China can gain a national security advantage from knowing what Americans upload and watch on TikTok.

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The second rationale given by the court is even more problematic: China will covertly manipulate content on TikTok to undermine democracy and extend the PRCs influence abroad. The court said that China threatens to distort free speech on an important medium of communication.

Read more: TikTok lost a major legal bid to avoid a U.S. ban. Now what?

Under this rationale, the United States could ban a foreign newspaper or a book published in another country from being available in this country because it is seen as undermining democracy. Indeed, this justification would allow the federal government to prohibit any book published by the Chinese government because it could be deemed an effort to extend the PRCs influence in the United States. The government never should have the power to censor speech because it dislikes the message expressed.

There are still several paths to saving TikTok in the United States. There certainly will be an appeal to the Supreme Court. The justices could grant review on an expedited basis and decide the case by Jan. 19, or they could temporarily keep the law from going into effect until they hear and resolve the issue by the end of the court's term in late June. The case demands Supreme Court attention because of the unique and important issues raised. Of course, it is uncertain whether the justices will look at the law any differently than the federal court of appeals judges. There is a long history of judicial deference to the government when it raises national security as the justification for its action.

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Another possibility is for President-elect Donald Trump to try to save TikTok once he is inaugurated, the day after the TikTok ban is scheduled to go into effect. Trump has explicitly said he wants to do this, but it is unclear how he could accomplish it. He cannot repeal the law banning TikTok; that would take an act of Congress. He could direct the Department of Justice to not enforce the law. But it is doubtful that would be enough assurance for companies like Apple and Google to continue to make the TikTok app available knowing of the potential liability for doing so. If there is a sale or restructuring of the ownership of TikTok, Trump, under the law, can deem it no longer to be under foreign control and allow it to continue to operate. If a deal is in the works, the president can grant a one-time 90-day extension before the ban goes into effect.

It seems highly unlikely that the Chinese government would accede to selling or restructuring TikTok. And its cost is astronomical: about $200 billion.

The TikTok case is a difficult one involving issues never before faced by the courts. Yet when the implications for speech are so massive and the justifications for the restrictions so speculative, the only conclusion is that the D.C. Circuit struck the wrong balance. The Supreme Court should correct it.

Erwin Chemerinsky, a contributing writer to Opinion, is dean of the UC Berkeley Law School.

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.
President Bidens Aug. 9, 2023 executive order declared Chinas pursuit of the worlds cutting-edge technologies to be a national emergency. The Chinese Communist Party is developing technologies in civilian, commercial settings and then applying them for military purposes to threaten the national security of the United States, the order warned.

Regrettably, this national emergency has been financed by American capital and advanced by American know-how.

Bidens order resulted in the Treasury Departments new outbound investment rules, issued Oct. 28, 2024. And although Biden deserves credit for defining the emergency, Treasurys response is the equivalent of putting a band aid on an arterial bleed. Congress and President-elect Trump must square up to a national emergency of our own making and deliver comprehensive solutions.

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Beijing exploits civilian, commercial activities such as international academic collaborations, Western management consulting engagements, and foreign investment in China in order to develop its military, which is designed to defeat the U.S. in a war. These settings confer access to American dual-use technology from additive manufacturing and advanced materials to robotics and space.

Curiously, Bidens executive order directs the Treasury secretary to only partially address the investment side of the problem, leaving the academic and consulting dimensions unaddressed. Indeed, the most obvious indictment of the final rule is that it complies with what multiple Chinese state-backed organizations and front groups successfully lobbied for during the Treasury Departments deliberations.

Treasurys new rules put light restrictions on U.S. investment in three areas: Chinese advanced semiconductors, artificial intelligence and quantum technologies. When Treasury solicited public input on its response to the presidents executive order, both the China Chamber of International Commerce and the China Council for International Investment Promotion complained that any kind of restriction on investment would compromise the shared interests of the global business community and the security of global industrial and supply chains. Without offering evidence, they denied that China is exploiting the crossover between civilian commercial know-how and military technology to advance the Peoples Liberation Army. Their hollow objections only confirm the assessment.

Similarly, two U.S.-based China-linked academic non-profit institutions answered the call for comments with pleas for universities to be excluded. The two institutions were the Optical Society of America, known as Optica, based in Washington, and Eastern Michigan University, a public, space-grant research university in Ypsilanti, Mich. Several months after Optica submitted its comments, Bloomberg revealed that it had been taking money from Huawei, the Chinese telecommunications firm that has been under U.S. government sanctions since 2019.

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Eastern Michigan, meanwhile, has received nearly $2 million in gifts and contracts from China-based entities since 2021. Part of that total relates to a partnership with Beibu Gulf University, an engineering school boasting an industry-university-research program that, according to Chinese sources, is the Chinese Communist Partys new model of military-civil fusion.

Treasury has now at least begun to limit U.S. investment in the three selected areas, but the new rules, released last month and set to go into effect a few weeks before President-elect Trumps inauguration, only ban private  i.e., venture-capital and private-equity  investment over $2 million and corporate investment in certain subsets of semiconductor-, AI-, and quantum-related technologies.

The new rules do not limit investment in public securities, which account for the majority of U.S. investment in China. Trump and Congress need to rectify this omission, which will admittedly impose a burden on investors already highly exposed to dual-use Chinese AI companies, from Alibaba to Tencent.

In addition, the new administration should work with Congress to curtail transactions in other technologies. Since advanced manufacturing and materials, biotech, new energy, robotics and space  to a name a few of the fields prioritized by Beijing  are as dual-use as semiconductors, AI, and quantum, transactions in these areas should be restricted as well.

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Finally, because China exploits not just commercial investment but also academic collaborations and consulting engagements with Western institutions, these activities should be banned too.

All of this indicates that the Biden administration left plenty of work undone in its response to the executive order. A national emergency demands concerted effort, and it now falls to President-elect Trump and Congress to counter the multi-faceted threat that was described by President Biden but scarcely addressed in the limited response mustered by his Treasury Department.

One test for Congress to use: new laws should include the full range of measures that Beijing has been lobbying against, from restrictions on all kinds of outbound capital flows to limits on consulting and academic partnerships, as these are the steps that the United States needs to take to protect itself from the Chinese Communist Partys long-term, comprehensive strategy to use American technology against the United States.

Jacqueline Deal, Ph.D., is a member of the Advisory Board of State Armor.

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People with substance use disorder across the country are not getting a formal say in how most of the approximately $50 billion in opioid lawsuit settlement money is being used to stem the crisis, a new analysis found.

Some advocates say that is one factor in why portions of the money are going to efforts they don't consider to be proven ways to save lives from overdose, including equipment to scan jail inmates for contraband, drug-sniffing police dogs and systems to neutralize unneeded prescription medications.

In Jackson County, West Virginia, officials voted earlier this year to use more than $500,000 in settlement funds for a first-responder training center and a shooting range. They also allocated $35,000 to a quick response team that works with overdose survivors.

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Josh George, who has been in recovery for three years after 23 years of drug use, primarily heroin, now runs a recovery group with his wife and other family members.

Some of the money could have gone to the county's only recovery house, he said.

All these people were doing it on their own dime," George said, trying to help these people.

Over the past eight years, drugmakers, wholesalers, pharmacy chains and other companies have agreed to settlements to resolve thousands of lawsuits filed by state, local and Native American tribal governments claiming the companies practices contributed to the crisis.

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Opioids have been a major problem in the U.S. since the late 1990s, with the deadliest stretch earlier this decade reaching more than 80,000 annually. The major causes have shifted from prescription pills to heroin to fentanyl and other lab-produced substances often added to other illicit drugs.

Funds from the multi-billion dollar nationwide settlements began rolling out in 2022 and will continue until at least 2038. The agreements require most of the money be used to fight the crisis but offer great flexibility in how to do it.

Christine Minhee of Opioid Settlement Tracker and Vital Strategies, a public health organization, released a state-by-state guide on Monday outlining how government funding decisions are being made. The guide aims to help advocates know where to raise their voices.

Using that information and other data, Minhee, who has tallied just under $50 billion in settlements excluding one with OxyContin maker Purdue Pharma that the Supreme Court rejected, found advisory groups help determine spending of about half of it. But they have decision-making authority over less than one-fifth of it.

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Less than $1 in $7 is overseen by boards that reserve at least one seat for someone who is using or has used drugs, though some places where it's not required may have such members anyway.

Brandon Marshall, a professor of epidemiology at the Brown University School of Public Health and a former member of the Rhode Island Opioid Settlement Advisory Committee, said he has observed that processes involving experts and people with drug use experience have made quick allocations to groups working on harm reduction and other areas because they know the groups.

Its not just a way to ensure that the funds are used effectively, he said. Those kinds of systems are also ensuring the funds are getting out the door faster.

Public health advocates say the money should be used in ways proven to save lives, prevent drug use and focus on racial equity and that the decisions should be transparent.

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But many communities are following regular government spending practices rather than assessing local needs or consulting with experts or people impacted by the epidemic.

Renville County, Minnesota, used $100,000 in settlement money to pay about two-thirds of the cost of a body scanner for the county jail to detect drugs on incoming inmates, even if they have swallowed bags of them.

You cant possibly tell me that whoever made those decisions thinks thats the best use of the funding, said Alicia House, executive director of the Steve Rummler Hope Network, which provides overdose prevention and education across Minnesota.

Renville County Sheriff Scott Hable said in an interview that keeping drugs out of the jail  without subjecting people entering to strip searches  fits with the facilitys emphasis on treatment for inmates with substance use disorder.

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The scanner has been used nearly 1,400 times since last year, identifying contraband in six cases. Twice, it found packets of drugs inmates swallowed before entering, he said.

The countys governing body made the spending decision. Sara Benson, the countys public health director, said the government is assembling an advisory group for future settlement use and wants to include people with lived experience.

In West Virginia, Jackson County Commission President Dick Waybright said the training center will help law enforcement, EMS and 911 employees respond to the opioid crisis.

It wouldn't just be throwing money to a program that wasnt going to last, he said in an interview. Besides, he said, no one else besides the quick response team requested funds from the first opioid settlement payment.

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George's mother, Kelly DeWees, said there are many needs in an area hit hard by addiction, including transportation for people in recovery, prevention education and counseling for children of those with substance use disorder. Breath of Life, the group her son and daughter-in-law run, could use help launching a recovery home.

The group is requesting the $15,000 that currently remains in the countys fund and Waybright said he expects it to be awarded to them soon.

For others, the spending decisions are even more personal.

Tonia Ahern, a community coordinator for the National Center for Advocacy and Recovery, lost her son to an overdose when he was 29. She co-founded a group planning to produce a handbook of suggestions for New Jersey communities on how to use the funding.

If you havent ever experienced it, you have no idea what they need, Ahern said.
(WHTM)  Opposition continues to grow over the proposed Gettysburg Station Project that aims to build an apartment complex in historic Gettysburg.

abc27 has been in contact with local businesses who are very opposed to the project, saying the apartments will not blend in with the historic area and would cost taxpayers money. The project would add around 180 apartments between Carlisle and Stratton streets, as well as retail and restaurant space.

The Historic Architectural Review Board unanimously voted to recommend that the Borough Council issue a certificate of appropriateness for the design plan a few weeks ago. Borough manager Charles Gable said in a statement that the project, will bring economic growth and modern amenities to the area, while being respectful and in keeping with Gettysburgs historic character.

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Meanwhile, a petition against the project now has over 4,000 signatures.

Its going to be so crowded on that lot, 2.4 acres, these three large buildings, said Peggy Rock, manager of Gallery 30 in Gettysburg. Traffic is going to be an absolute nightmare getting in and out of it. The thing that is most disturbing is that our historical architecture review board has not done their job.

Another concern is that project plans would require the Rabbit Transit station to be relocated on Stratton Street. Rock and Fresh Boutique owner Shelly Knouse doesnt want that to happen because taxpayer money was used to build it and its where the public can go to use the restroom on that side of town.

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Theres also, you know, concerns with meeting the infrastructure demands of that amount of people into that area, our water supply, our ability to handle fires because we have a volunteer fire department, Knouse says.

A few have spoken in favor of the project prior to the meeting, including former Council President Susan Naugle and Jill Sellers from Main Street Gettysburg.

The Borough Council voted six yay and one nay for the certificate of appropriateness for the Gettysburg Station Project during its meeting Monday night at 7 p.m.

Gable says he hopes further public discussions with the Planning Commission will ensure that the development is designed properly.

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The Columbia Inn in Astoria is one of 32 shelters across the state funded by Project Turnkey. (Julia Shumway/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

Editors note: The Capital Chronicle is running an end-of-year fundraising campaign, with a $10,000 goal, 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, and theyre tax deductible. Please contribute to us if you can.

Just before a tour of an Astoria homeless shelter late last month, Gov. Tina Kotek met with a single father living there with his children.

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Hed been paying rent for five years in nearby Seaside when his landlord terminated his lease without giving a reason. The father and his children were homeless, in a remote coastal region of Oregon with the states highest per capita rate of homelessness. Until 2023, it had no permanent shelters even though more than one in 50 Clatsop County residents were homeless that year.

The father is among thousands of people statewide whove been at least temporarily housed through Project Turnkey, an Oregon program that turned $125 million into nearly 1,400 new shelter beds, mostly by buying and converting existing hotels and other vacant buildings into shelters like the one in Astoria.

Shelter units provided through Project Turnkey cost about half as much as the statewide average for affordable housing, and U.S. Rep. Suzanne Bonamici has proposed congressional legislation to expand the program nationwide.

Kotek, who was speaker of the House for the first round of Project Turnkey, advocated for it in the Legislature. She still supports the program, among other options.

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Her 476-page budget proposal, released Monday, includes a request for $217.9 million to maintain existing shelters but it has no funding to build new ones. Instead, her 2025-27 recommended budget prioritizes increasing rent assistance and eviction prevention to prevent more Oregonians from slipping into homelessness and efforts to permanently rehouse people.

We dont have all the money in the world, so I am still staying focused on (where) weve made commitments, Kotek told reporters during her Astoria visit. We have to sustain them. We have to continue to fund things through the next biennium. And I also want to build what we have started, which is a statewide system where there is a clear financial commitment with our local communities to say, Youre going to provide a continuum of care for folks who are experiencing homelessness. Were going to be there with you.

In Clatsop County, Kotek visited the Columbia Inn, a converted 21-room motel that opened in October 2023 with Project Turnkey funding and shelters around 50 to 60 people each night. She also toured the nearby Owens Adair apartments, which has 46 units for low-income seniors and will add 50 more through an ongoing construction project.

Both the shelter and the apartment expansion exist in part because of state action: Lawmakers allocated $2.8 million to help Clatsop County buy the Columbia Inn as part of its 2023 Project Turnkey expansion, and Owens Adair is able to add units on an adjacent lot in part because of legislative changes this year that allowed cities to adjust parking minimums in the interest of building more homes.

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The Owens Adair apartments, in a historic hospital overlooking the Columbia River, have a waitlist of more than 300 people. The expansion will reduce that waitlist.

Itll help for sure, said Hsu-Feng Andy Shaw, the countys housing authority director. Itll help generations of people in Astoria.

As part of its efforts to meet Koteks goal of building 36,000 homes per year, the Legislature ordered cities to fast-track housing permits and allocated money toward infrastructure improvements needed for housing. In coastal cities like Astoria, where the Columbia River and the Youngs Bay prevent growth in three directions, developable land for housing is even harder to find than in other parts of the state.

If you see a vacant lot, theres a reason, Astoria Mayor Sean Fitzpatrick said.

Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek, center, talks with Northwest Oregon Housing Authority executive director Hsu-Feng Andy Shaw on the site of the future Owens Adair II affordable apartments. (Julia Shumway/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

Turnkey results

A recent analysis by Portland State University of the first round of Project Turnkey shelters found that slightly more than half of the people who left Project Turnkey shelters before Dec. 31, 2023, returned to homelessness  either by using emergency shelters or being unsheltered. More than a quarter of people who left those shelters moved into permanent housing and 12% moved to temporary housing.

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Those rates vary by site. In Astoria, Clatsop Community Action executive director Viviana Matthews said about 50% of the people who have left the Columbia Inn moved into permanent homes.

Statewide, Portland State University researchers found that families with children were twice as likely to move from shelters into permanent housing than single adults. Nearly half of the sheltered families with multiple adults and no children returned to unsheltered homelessness.

Staff interviewed by researchers pointed to a lack of available, affordable housing, as well as different needs for different people. Some need the structure and support of managed shelters or nursing facilities. Others, particularly older adults, might move in with family members.

The Turnkey model is the idea that youre helping people find where they need to be next, one site director quoted in the report said. Its not always directly into housing.

From left, Astoria Mayor Sean Fitzpatrick, Clatsop County Commission Chair Mark Kujala and Gov. Tina Kotek talk about coastal needs at the Columbia Inn, a shelter in Astoria. (Julia Shumway/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

The study found that Project Turnkey sites helped residents meet basic needs. Only 40% of guests said they often had access to showers before entering the shelter, while 49% said the same about restrooms and 58% said the same about laundry facilities. After the shelter, more than 90% of interviewees said they could access showers, restrooms and laundry.

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The rate of people who said they had enough privacy nearly tripled, from 27% pre-shelter to 78% after. And worries about missing sleep or food plummeted.

Staff and residents at other Project Turnkey sites have described the privacy that comes with individual rooms as an advantage over more traditional congregate shelters. Ashley Hamilton, chief program officer for the ARCHES Lodge project in northeast Salem, told the Capital Chronicle last year that the locking doors on that converted hotel were one of the more humanistic aspects of a Project Turnkey is that door.

When you live a life of homelessness, its incredibly traumatic, she said. The bulk of individuals who go into a homeless experience will be victimized on some level within the first 48 hours. You just have this heightened state of fear and anxiety and lack of safety.

Parents interviewed by Portland State researchers said staying at shelter sites allowed their children to perform better at school because they could focus on classwork instead of worrying about where they would sleep or shower. Others had freedom to play that they didnt in previous living situations.

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(The children) feel like they dont have to be quiet and everything, one mother of four said. They feel like they have their own space without other people and being able to eat when they want.

Toys sit outside at the Columbia Inn, a Project Turnkey shelter in Astoria. (Julia Shumway/Oregon Capital Chronicle)

Tents across street

At the Columbia Inn in Astoria, bike helmets, kneepads and a hula hoop hang from a rack over a collection of scooters, skateboards, sidewalk chalk and a foot-powered car for toddlers with a classic red frame and yellow roof. There are some balls, but because the mostly-empty parking lot that doubles as a play area abuts a busy road, staff encourage kids to use a tetherball pole instead of playing catch.

But the shelter isnt able to help everyone. Across the street, tents and tarps lined a short road leading to the Columbia River.

Some of the people staying outside arent ready for shelter, local police and community service providers told Kotek, but staff work to build trust and relationships.

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Anyone living outside is not OK, Kotek said. Were making progress, and theres a structure now in place here, where people know where to go, they know how to do the outreach, they know whos doing the work. That is a big change, and that provides at least an opportunity for someone to go out off the street.

Eventually, Kotek hopes to see everyone now living on the streets or in shelters like the Columbia Inn find their own permanent homes.

As she and local politicians stood with hard hats and construction vests on the small parking lot where the future Owens Adair II will open its doors to residents in 2026, a rainbow emerged from the clouds over the river. Kotek took it as a sign.

See? she said. More housing is coming!

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Orlandos power provider plans to vote Tuesday on revamping its billing structure, changing incentives for when and how customers consume power, which has fueled a combative controversy over whats best for local solar energy and electricity users.

The publicly owned Orlando Utilities Commission contends it needs to restructure rates to be modern, nimble and fair as the utility  in advancing the fight against climate change  hurtles toward phasing out coal and natural gas in favor of solar and other green energy. Bills on average for more than 250,000 customers would change little, the utility asserts.

But some environmentalists, civic activists and proponents of residential rooftop solar panels are lashing out at OUCs initiative as less about climate action and more about jacking up power bills, wrecking a nascent solar industry and funding lavish expenses.

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Both sides accuse each other of making outdated assumptions, ignoring inconvenient realities and dishing out falsehoods.

It is my deeply held opinion that they are stretching the truth and in some cases blatantly lying, said Heaven Campbell, Florida program director for Solar United Neighbors, a nonprofit that helps communities set up solar cooperatives.

Also deeply vested in the outcome is Orlando city government, which siphons away nearly $100 million of OUCs annual income to pay for essential municipal services, but which also has been a strong advocate for the utilitys transformation to clean energy.

Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has a permanent seat and by far the most potent voice on OUCs five-member board, which must approve the proposed rate overhaul. Friday afternoon, the mayor responded in writing to Orlando Sentinel questions on where he stands in the matter. Dyer had opposed an earlier version of the plan, forcing OUC back to the drawing board, and he appears to have been mollified.

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Mayor Dyer supports OUCs plan, noting their responsiveness to extensive stakeholder input and their efforts to address his concerns through thoughtful modifications, city spokesperson Ashley Papagni said in a statement.

The most provocative issue in OUCs intended rate revamp is a proposed reduction in the utilitys longstanding incentive for customers to install solar panels on rooftops.

Today, the utility pays a retail rate  which is the same rate it charges when selling power to customers  for the extra electricity coming from household solar systems.

With its intended rate revamping, OUC after a 20-year grandfathering for existing rooftop solar would sharply reduce the compensation to a wholesale rate, equal to how much it costs OUC to generate electricity.

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The utilitys reasoning is that household solar systems have become more affordable, that OUCs large solar systems generate electricity at a far lower cost than rooftop systems and that paying a retail rate for surplus solar power is not fair to the vast majority of OUC customers who do not have solar panels.

That single proposal has been met with strident outrage from those involved with solar cooperatives, the solar industry and a city council member, Patty Sheehan, who has solar panels and considers herself to be one of city halls experts.

They do not appreciate the investment that individuals like myself have put into rooftop solar and how it decreases their need to produce energy, Sheehan said of OUC, responding to the Sentinel. I believe they have become an unreliable and unsustainable municipal utility that is punishing solar customers for their investment.

Opponents contend the switch to a wholesale rate will dissuade more residents from installing panels on their rooftops and hamper the citys solar industry, undermining support needed for OUCs quest to be done with fossil fuels by 2050.

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The Florida Solar Energy Industries Association, whose members include companies related to sales, installation and upkeep of solar panels on residential rooftops, has been the hardest hitting of opponents to OUCs rate overhaul.

Its website, www.dontdoublemyelectric.com, warns that Orlando will face dire employment, economic and consumer consequences if its utility approves a new rate structure.

The website claims that 10,000 local jobs would be jeopardized and that rate changes would underwrite OUCs lavish expenses, a claim made beneath an illustration of dollar signs and a fresh martini.

The association provided little substantiating detail when asked about those assertions.

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Asked to explain the associations claim on its website that rates would double for all OUC customers, a group leader, Justin Hoysradt, said: We do not see a path where they dont.

Two other OUC rate proposals  not directly about solar energy but still enveloped in the solar disputes rancor  address the amount, timing and other customer behavior in consuming electricity.

A proposed change that OUC calls Demand Level Pricing would slightly reduce the per-watt charge for electricity but add a monthly fee according to usage of $5, $10 or $15  so that the more a customer uses, and puts a strain on OUCs electrical system, the higher the monthly fee.

The other rate change, called Save and Shift, would result in the per-watt charge being higher during times of peak demand, including, for instance, afternoon hours during the summer. Off-peak times would see a reduced per-watt charge.

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For several reasons, peak electricity is more expensive for OUC to generate than off-peak electricity.

Our goal is a modern pricing structure that meets todays energy needs while building a stronger, more resilient energy system, said Mindy Brenay, OUCs chief financial officer, in a guest column running Friday in the Orlando Sentinel.

Yet opponents say Orlando is poorly prepared for those changes, which would come too fast and too harsh especially for low-income customers.

The Rev. Kathy Schmitz, president of the League of Women Voters of Orange County, said OUC has gone astray recently in its quest for renewable energy and would give the utility a F grade if it adopted its rate changes.
MOSCOW, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- It is still too early to talk about Russia's military bases in Syria as it will be a subject for discussions with future Syrian authorities, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Monday.

Peskov said Russia is taking all necessary precautions to ensure the security of its bases in Syria.

Syria's Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militants have gained full control of the Latakia province where the Russian bases are stationed, the TASS news agency reported Monday, citing local sources.

The militants have not penetrated Russia's Tartus and Hmeimim bases in the area, and the bases continue to operate normally, said the sources.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has reportedly resigned and arrived in Russia for asylum as his government collapsed on Sunday following a sweeping offensive by militant groups led by the HTS. The groups waged a major offensive from northern Syria on Nov. 27, and have since swept southwards through government-held areas, capturing the capital Damascus within 12 days. 
A Florida House member wants to repeal the state's red-flag law and legalize the open carrying of firearms. (Photo by Sergio Flores/Bloomberg, Getty Images)

North Florida House Republican Dr. Joel Rudman, who plans to leave the Legislature to run for Congress, has filed legislation to repeal the states red-flag laws and legalize the open carry of guns in Florida  long a goal of Second Amendment advocates.

I take the Constitution very seriously, Rudman wrote on his Facebook page on Monday. Thats why my first bill of the 2025 Session is a 2nd Amendment bill that repeals Floridas unconstitutional red flag laws and makes Florida an open carry state. If you value #liberty and #freedom, then you stand with me!

Florida Senate President Ben Albritton speaking to reporters on Nov. 19, 2024. (Photo by Mitch Perry/Florida Phoenix)

While the measure may gain traction in the Florida House, its likelihood of becoming law is remote, as Senate President Ben Albritton has already said he wont go against the wishes of the Florida Sheriffs Association, which historically has opposed open carry.

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Let me be clear about this: Ive supported law enforcement my entire life, Albritton told reporters in Tallahassee last month. Its the way I was raised. And Ive been super consistent as a legislator to support law enforcement in Florida, and I encourage you to check that record. And I stand with them today in opposition.

There was also opposition to the legislation in the past two years under former House Speaker Paul Renner. New House Speaker Daniel Perez hasnt commented on such legislation. He did recently receive a 92% rating by the National Rifle Association.

The proposal does include places where the open carrying of a firearm would not be allowed, including any law enforcement station, detention facility, prison, jail or courthouse. Nor could weapons be brought into a meeting of the Legislature or legislative committee.

Judges would be allowed to openly carry a weapon into a courthouse and determine who will carry a concealed weapon or concealed firearm in his or her courtroom or chambers, and this exception shall not extend to any parking facility in or near any courthouse.

Guns in polling places, campuses

State Rep. and Navarre Republican Joel Rudman, M.D. (Photo courtesy of Rep. Rudman)

The proposal would strip out the ability of law enforcement to use what are known as risk protection orders (also known as a red flag law) to remove firearms from individuals deemed dangerous to themselves or others.

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And it would permit guns to be carried into polling places, on college campuses, and in career centers  all places where they now are banned under state law.

Left unsaid in Rudmans social media message is that he is only weeks away from leaving the chamber, as he has filed to run in the special election in Floridas 1st Congressional District to succeed Matt Gaetz. Rudmans resign-to-run letter said he would leave the House on Jan. 1. The Republican primary is set for Jan. 28, 2025, and the general election is set for April 1.

Florida is one of only four in the nation that ban the open carrying of a firearm either with or without a permit (the others are California, New York, and Illinois).
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  The Overland Park Police Department is investigating an aggravated robbery and auto burglary involving a juvenile victim Monday morning.

According to OPPD, at about 8:05 a.m., a suspect got into a victims car and stole an item near 132nd Terrace and Outlook Street  a few blocks from a middle school.

After the robbery, the suspect got back into a car and attempted to leave the neighborhood; however, before leaving, a passenger in the suspects car got out and pointed a firearm at a juvenile and stole their backpack.

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One teen dead, one Life Flighted in rural Cass County crash: MSHP

OPPD said the juvenile was not injured in the incident.

The suspect is described as being a white man driving a white SUV. He was wearing a black mask and a gray sweatshirt at the time of the crime.

According to OPPD, the SUV was last seen driving eastbound toward Nall Avenue.

Overland Park police are searching for a robbery suspect who held a juvenile at gunpoint and stole their backpack on Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, in Overland Park, Kansas.

If you or anyone you know has information regarding the aggravated robbery and burglary, OPPD asks that you contact the department directly at (913) 890-1374.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Palm Beach Post readers respond: Stop abusing Trump nominees

America has to stop abusing our Cabinet nominees, judges. Pete Hegseth and others unjustly accused of criminal actions of a sexual nature should not be subjected once again to false charges and accusations. To do so is to subject them to the "Me Too" system of judgment and condemnation.

With the election in which Americans commandingly rejected this cancel culture mentality, we are done with this guilt by accusation. Americans who love justice, truth, and freedom will now have the authority and encouragement to stand up and aggressively defend the system of truth and justice which has always accompanied the Judeo-Christian ethics upon which this nation was founded.

God bless President Trump for taking advantage of our victory, quickly putting forth his nominees and his winning agenda  pounding the unrepentant Left with repeated jabs of the triumph of truth. Americans must follow his example, joining him in assertive measures carrying out his promised agenda. God bless Pete Hegseth, a sterling candidate with a record of high moral character and integrity, ideal for the job of defense secretary.

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Elizabeth Hinesley, Delray Beach

FBI background checks essential for Trump nominees

I strongly disagree with the letter that appeared in the Dec. 6 Post. Pete Hegseth should not be rejected for position of Secretary of Defense just for his disgusting history of public drunkenness, womanizing and fiscal irresponsibility but more importantly for the fact that he is completely unqualified for the job. He is definitely not a sterling candidate.

The nominees put forward by Trump and his team are obviously unvetted, as in the case of the disgraced Matt Gaetz for attorney general. Even Pam Bondi is a terrible choice for that position, given her history as a Trump sycophant. There are too many nominees to mention that have no business being in Cabinet positions. The FBI should be doing background checks on all of them.

Elaine Oksner, West Palm Beach

Trump needs to put up better nominees

A recent letter writer tells us to stop abusing President-elect Donald Trump's nominees, especially Pete Hegseth, who in her eyes is a sterling candidate. Did she also admonish his mother for the email she sent him a few years ago excoriating him for abusing women? And what about the woman who accused him and with whom he settled out of court? And what about his colleagues at Fox News, who were worried about his excessive drinking?

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Does she also think Matt Gaetz is a paragon of virtue, who was investigated by the House of Representatives for having sex with a minor? While the writer has been busy God-blessing our incoming president, does she also think he, who has been condemned, tried and found guilty of, among other things, sexual abuse, is being unjustly abused by America? Since the writer's busy invoking Judeo-Christian values, may I remind her that one of the most important is to love one's neighbor as oneself. Has Donald Trump lived by this commandment?

Ellie Schweitzer, Palm Beach Gardens

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Trump nominee Pete Hegseth: Reviews from Palm Beach Post readers
Danger to our food supply is lurking at the US-Mexico border.

A terrifying parasite that hasnt breached North America in over a century has reemerged in Mexico, the US Department of Agriculture has warned.

Health officials in Mexico alerted the US about a recent infestation of New World screwworm in a cow from Chiapas during an inspection near the Guatemala border.

Screwworm larvae are flesh-eating maggots typically found congregating on the periphery of flesh wounds. California Department of Food and Agriculture

Screwworm flies prefer to nest on the periphery of fresh wounds in warm-blooded animals  as well as humans  depositing hundreds of eggs that hatch into flesh-eating maggots, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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If eggs hatch, the larvae can infest the bloodstream, a condition called myiasis, and begin to consume their host from the inside out.

The USDA is asking cattle producers to monitor livestock and pets closely, and promptly report their suspicions until further notice.

Myiasis is an extremely painful illness marked by the presence of maggots, a foul stench or lesions and sores that wont seem to heal.

The USDAs concerns come just a few decades after health agencies in the US, Mexico and other Central American countries spent $800 million to banish the screwworm. However, a spike in illegal cattle trafficking throughout these countries is putting consumers at risk of seeing the parasites resurgence.

Screwworm flies lay 200-300 eggs on superficial lesions of warm-blooded animals, where they can enter the bloodstream and cause an infestation of larvae in the body. US Department of Agriculture

With this latest find in Mexico, we will further intensify this work to protect American agriculture and reestablish the barrier in Central America, said US Chief Veterinary Officer Dr. Rosemary Sifford, the Daily Mail reported on Friday.

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Officials reported that the recent infestation began in Nicaragua and traveled for two-and-a-half months through Honduras and Guatemala before it spread to livestock in southern Mexico.

Evidence directly links illegal cattle trafficking to the screwworms resurgence, said Jeremy Radachowsky, the Wildlife Conservation Societys regional director for Mesoamerica, per the Daily Mail. By bypassing sanitary controls, often with stressed, undernourished and injured livestock, cattle smuggling creates the ideal conditions for transboundary transmission of diseases, including brucellosis, tuberculosis and parasites such as the screwworm.

Not to mention the risk of illness to individuals, such an infestation would be catastrophic, the WCS warned, taking decades to remove and costing the US billions of dollars.

The recent screwworm alert has prompted US officials to halt beef exports from Mexico until further notice. REUTERS

The US has put a hold on Mexican beef exports amid further investigation while farmers implement stringent protocols to combat the bug, such as additional inspections, deworming procedures and bathing livestock in pesticides to eliminate larvae before they infest.

Said the WCS, Only bold, coordinated international action can protect biodiversity, save billions in public spending and livestock losses and prevent a crisis from spiraling out of control.
Two Indiana parents are in custody after allegedly leaving their 2-year-old daughter in a closet overnight with a space heater turned all the way up.

Berne Police officers found the toddler dead on Nov. 27 with an internal body temperature as high as 109.4 degrees, according to local news outlets WLBT, WPTA, and WANE.

The parents, 21-year-old Sintia Perez and 23-year-old Jace Hirschy, have been each charged with a felony for neglect of a child resulting in death and two more felony charges for neglect of a dependent, according to WANE.

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The Indiana Department of Child Services took the couples two other children, ages 3 and 5, into custody after allegedly finding the familys living conditions to be extremely unhealthy for the kids, according to WLBT.

A Berne Police officer who responded to the scene said the room where they found the deceased 2-year-old was disarrayed with trash, soiled diapers and feces around the room, WLBT reported.

The young girl was found lying on a very soiled mattress in her crib, police said, according to WLBT.



Citing a probable cause affidavit, WPTA reported that responding officers felt an immediate heat difference from the main bedroom to the interior of the closet, where the child was allegedly left overnight.

Adams County Sheriff's Department Sintia Perez, Jace Hirschy Sintia Perez, Jace Hirschy

Perez, the girls mother, allegedly told police they placed the toddler in her crib around 7 p.m. the night before with a space heater turned as high as it could be set and did not check on her until about 3 p.m. the next day, WPTA reported, citing the affidavit.

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An autopsy showed the young girl died from hyperthermia, or overheating, according to WPTA.

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Perez and Hirschy appeared in court for the first time last week and remain in custody at the Adams County Jail, according to the outlets.

If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.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
Dangerous fire weather in this weeks forecast prompted Red Flag Warnings for parts of Southern California, issued by the National Weather Service on Sunday.

The warning, which NWS labeled as a Particularly Dangerous Situation (PDS), will be in place from Monday night through Wednesday as a strong, widespread, and long duration Santa Ana event will bring widespread critical to extremely critical fire weather conditions to many areas of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

Los Angeles County Fire officials say the department is beefing up its staff, it is pre-positioning trucks with water tanks in the event that they have to get to a rural area without hydrants, and theyre advising people to take precautions themselves.

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For example, officials say its a good idea to preemptively clear brush away from your home and get your things ready just in case of an evacuation.

This event has the potential to be as strong as the November 5-6 Santa Ana event that led to the Mountain Fire, a NWS release warns. Prepare for fire weather by ensuring you have defensible space and creating a plan in case of evacuation. Any new fire will grow rapidly, likely exhibiting extreme fire behavior.

Meteorologists with NWS told KTLAs Rachel Menitoff that they are comparing these weather conditions to those that led to the Mountain Fire and also to the Thomas Fire which affected Ventura and Santa Barbara Counties in 2017.

L.A. County firefighter specialist, Brad Auman, says when you add in 45 to 65 mile per hour winds, it makes containment especially challenging.

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Winds will dry out the fuels and then, if it gets in alignment with a hill, we have wind going up, and fire burning up the hill, its going to burn very very quickly, says Auman.

On a more minor scale, periods of high wind and low humidity also bring irritants, exacerbate allergies, and impact our air.

The hardest hit areas will likely be the San Gabriels, Santa Susanas, western Santa Monicas into Malibu, Ventura county valleys (especially Simi Valley and Moorpark), western San Fernando Valley (especially Highway 118/210 corridors from Porter Ranch to San Fernando), and the hills above Camarillo into east Ventura, NWS details.

Southern California Edison officials say they are already starting to send out alerts letting people in parts of the valley and in Malibu know that they might have to shut off power given the winds and fire danger.

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For more information on the warnings from NWS, 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 KTLA.
A passenger aboard a flight in Mexico was arrested on Sunday after the person attempted to use force to divert a plane towards the United States, Volaris airlines said in a statement.

The Mexican low-cost airline said the incident took place on Flight 3041, which was flying from El Bajio, located in the central state of Guanajuato, to Tijuana, located near the border of Mexico and Southern California, on Sunday.

The crew acted in accordance with established security procedures and, in accordance with protocol, the plane was diverted to the Guadalajara airport, where the airplane placed the passenger at the disposal and custody of the competent authorities, Volaris said, according to a translation of its official statement shared Sunday.

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Volaris said all passengers, crew and aircraft are safe following the incident. The remaining passengers were protected and continued their flight to their final destination, according to the airline.

The airline said it regrets the inconvenience but that the safety of our passengers and crew is the highest priority.



The Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) said in a statement that the incident stemmed from one single passengers actions during the flight and said emergency assistance was provided to Volaris to handle the situation.

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The National Guard was also notified, according to AFAC, which added that the aircraft was able to land without incident at the Guadalajara International Airport and the passenger was detained.

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There has been no official statement about what type of force the passenger attempted to use to divert the aircraft and where the passenger had attempted to take the plane once assuming control.

According to ABC News, citing Mexican authorities, the suspect was a 31-year-old man who was traveling on the flight with his wife and two children. He allegedly claimed to police that he found out shortly before the flight took off that a close relative had been kidnapped and he was threatened with death if he arrived in Tijuana, the outlet reported.

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A passenger on a Mexican domestic flight tried to force it to divert to the US on Sunday.

The incident occurred on a Volaris flight from El Bajio to Tijuana.

A witness told Fox 5 San Diego he saw a man grab a flight attendant and hold a pen against her neck.

A passenger on a Mexican domestic flight tried to force the aircraft to divert to the US, the airline, Volaris, said.

Volaris said the incident occurred on Sunday morning on Flight 3041 from El Bajio to Tijuana.

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It added that the flight was diverted to Guadalajara in central Mexico, where the passenger was handed over to the authorities.

Flightradar24 shows the plane landed in Guadalajara 46 minutes after taking off from El Bajio.

A passenger told Fox 5 San Diego that the man who was apprehended grabbed a flight attendant and held a pen against her neck before trying to open one of the plane's doors. Another passenger and crew members restrained him.

A Mexican government statement cited by Bloomberg said the man was a 31-year-old Mexican traveling with his wife and two children. The report added that the man told cabin crew members he had received death threats and would be in danger if he traveled to Tijuana.

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Volaris said in a statement in Spanish that it regretted the inconvenience caused and that the safety of passengers and crew members was the airline's highest priority.

In a post on X, Volaris' CEO, Enrique Beltranena, apologized to the passengers on the flight and thanked them for their composure and support.

Read the original article on Business Insider
MEXICO CITY (AP)  A passenger on a domestic flight in Mexico who tried to divert an aircraft to the United States by force said that he was under threat by criminals who had kidnapped one of his relatives, authorities said.

Mexico's Public Safety Department said late Sunday the man had been detained by National Guard officers in the western city of Guadalajara, where the flight was diverted following the incident.

Videos posted on social media showed other passengers subduing the man on a Volaris airline flight Sunday from the central city of Leon, in Guanajuato state, to the border city of Tijuana.

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Airline personnel said the aggressor said a close relative of his had been kidnapped, and at the moment the flight lifted off from Leon, he had received a death threat if he traveled to Tijuana, the department said in a statement.

Guanajuato state has long been dominated by warring drug cartels, and has the highest number of homicides of any state in Mexico.

But that wasn't all. The federal Attorney General's office said the man tried to break into the airline's cockpit, to force the pilots to land in U.S. territory.

Once he was in National Guard custody, he tried to grab one of the guard officer's guns, causing the vehicle he was being transported in to crash, injuring him and the officers. The suspect is being treated for his injuries at a hospital.

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Videos appeared to show the man lunging toward one of the doors on the plane, in what may have been an attempt to open it mid-flight, before other passengers wrestled him and subdued him.

Officials gave only the man's first name and age, 31, and said the other passengers continued on to Tijuana.

The Attorney General's office said the man would face charges, including making threats and an attack on transportation.

Volaris airlines said in a statement on X that the crew managed to detain him, and all those aboard the flight were safe. Volaris said it has become a plaintiff to ensure that the passenger faces the full weight of the law.

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Attempts to divert or hijack planes have been extremely rare in Mexico. In 2009, a Bolivian religious fanatic briefly hijacked a jetliner from the beach resort of Cancun as it landed in Mexico City. All passengers and the crew were released unharmed.

____

Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
BEIJING, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- China's domestic demand, the main growth engine for the world's second-largest economy, has huge potential for continuous expansion, officials said in an economic roundtable event broadcast on Monday.

The country has broad space for invigorating domestic demand by revving up investment and consumption, the officials said in the ninth episode of the China Economic Roundtable, an all-media talk show hosted by Xinhua News Agency.

As the country strives to promote technological innovation and industrial upgrading, and to improve infrastructure and public services to meet the people's aspirations for a better life, there is significant potential to boost investment growth, said Zhao Chengfeng, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission, the country's top economic planner.

Zhao said the country has allocated about 6 trillion yuan (about 834.84 billion U.S. dollars) in government investment funds so far this year. These funds have supported the implementation of major national strategies and the building up of security capacity in key areas, facilitated post-disaster recovery and reconstruction, strengthened disaster prevention and relief efforts, and backed projects to improve livelihoods, boost employment and spur consumption.

"These projects are expected to play an important role in driving this year's economic growth and fulfilling the full-year economic and social development targets," Zhao said.

He highlighted several sectors that require increased investment, including green energy, new infrastructure, water conservation projects, emerging industries, future-oriented sectors, and areas related to people's livelihoods.

He took the underground pipeline network upgrades as an example, saying he expected it to generate an investment demand of 4 trillion yuan in the next five years.

Speaking about the country's consumption growth prospects, Yang Nie, an official with the Ministry of Commerce, expressed a highly optimistic outlook. Yang noted that the country has a vast market of more than 1.4 billion people, 190 million business entities, a complete industrial system and various consumption scenarios that are thriving.

Yang said that as Chinese people's living standards have continued to rise, consumers now focus more on services, consumption experience, and green and low-carbon products, generating new demand and opportunities for consumption.

As the country's pro-growth measures gradually take effect, signs of improvement in domestic demand have begun to emerge. The country's fixed-asset investment grew by 3.4 percent year on year in the first 10 months of 2024, while retail sales, a main gauge of consumption, expanded at a faster pace of 4.8 percent in October, official data showed. 
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  A Volaris flight in Mexico from Guanajuato to Tijuana was briefly hijacked Sunday morning by a passenger who wanted the plane diverted to San Diego.

According to a witness on the plane, a man traveling with his wife and children reportedly grabbed a flight attendant, threatened her with a pen against her neck, and grabbed the handle to the planes door saying he would jump to his death, threatening to take the flight attendant with him.

Jay-Z accused of raping 13-year-old in 2000 with Diddy

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The witness said the man managed to get the plane door cracked open as passengers could be heard screaming, crying and pleading with him not to open it. A passenger on the plane was able to grab him and pull him back and the crew managed to subdue the hijacker.

The plane made an emergency landing in Guadalajara, Mexico, where the suspect was taken off the plane and arrested, Mexicos Federal Civil Aviation Agency (AFAC) announced.

A timeline of the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and search for his killer

Volaris said in a statement on X, in part, the airline apologizes for the inconvenience, and that the crew acted in accordance with established safety procedures and protocol.

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The passengers and crew later continued on to their intended destination in Tijuana.

Some passengers who were interviewed after the flight finally landed in Tijuana said the hijacker kept saying his life, as well as his familys, was in danger should the plane land not in the U.S.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Dec. 8Pearl Harbor Day lives in the minds and hearts of those who have served in the armed forces, and those who know that day in American history. On the morning of Dec. 7, 1941, Japan attacked the United States Navy's Pacific fleet based in Pearl Harbor on Hawaii's island of Oahu, killing 2,335 American service- men and women, including nine from New Hampshire  three from Manchester.

More than 1,140 U.S. servicemen were wounded, 68 U.S. civilians were killed, and 19 American ships were destroyed.

"It's so important to remember those who gave their lives for our country and our freedom," Gov.-elect Kelly Ayotte said at the Pearl Harbor Day of Remembrance Sunday at Manchester's Arms Park. The Greatest Generation, who served in World War II, "showed us what courage, honor and patriotism are all about."

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The event brought veterans and their family members, civic leaders, the Navy Junior ROTC and band from Manchester High School West, representatives from the VFW, Marine Corps League, and American Legion Posts 2, 43 and 79, including people whose loved ones are in the armed forces now.

Their mission: Make sure Americans never forget the event that sparked America's entrance into World War II and brought this country together in a united quest to save the free world.

On Sunday, the NJROTC color guard marched. A rifle was fired in a gun salute. The Manchester West band played taps. The Rev. Eric Delisle, pastor of St. Hedwig's Parish, a Catholic church in Manchester, offered prayers.

"May their courage inspire us and their sacrifice never be forgotten," Delisle said. "Grant peace to those who grieve, strength to our nation, and a commitment to uphold freedom. Bless us with unity and remembrance."

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A battalion of onlookers came from American Legion Sweeney Post 2 in Manchester.

"We're here to honor all the guys who fought in all of the wars so we could be here today," said Bill Cote of Manchester, a member.

"It's important to remember those of us who gave their lives for their country ... just as we remember 9-11," said Dan Beliveau of Manchester, district commander for the American Legion in New Hampshire and a past head of Sweeney Post 2. "It was a sudden attack, a pre-meditated invasion. They were eating breakfast."

"The attack on Pearl Harbor was so unexpected and people were just waking up and going about their day. A lot of lives were lost. All that the people had to do, I just couldn't imagine," said Paul Tower of Manchester, who belongs to Post 2.

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"The least we can do is keep the memory of them alive," said Scott Johnson, a district vice commander of the American Legion in New Hampshire.

"We should have been prepared then. We should be prepared now," said Ed Sapienza, alderman for Manchester Ward 8, adding that the U.S. ranked 44th among nations that were militarily ready to fight in World War II.

"If we don't remember history, we're doomed to repeat it," said Bill Roy of Sweeney Post 2. "Peace through strength."

On Sunday, Dec. 7, 1941, 353 planes from six Japanese aircraft carriers targeted the U.S. Pacific fleet which had relocated from San Diego to Pearl Harbor only several months before. The heaviest loss occurred on the battleship USS Arizona: 1,177 died out of 1,512 on board.

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From New Hampshire, two soldiers, five sailors, one marine and one airman perished in the Pearl Harbor attack: Edward B. Cloues of Warner, David L. Crossett of Manchester, Bruce R. Edmunds of Epsom, Carlton H. Hartford, Hickam Field, Edwin C. Hopkins of Keene, Joseph Jedrysik, Hickam Field, Orvell Vaneil, Jr., Joseph S. Rozmus of Manchester and Maurice J. St. Germain of Manchester.

"May their courage inspire us and their sacrifice never be forgotten," Rev. Delisle said in his opening blessing, honoring the American service members who died that day. "Grant peace to those who grieve, strength to our nation, and a commitment to uphold freedom. Bless us with unity and remembrance."

Ayotte and Congressman Chris Pappas threw a ceremonial wreath into the teeming Merrimack River.

"We can never forget their courage, dedication and what they stand for today," Ayotte said in her keynote speech. "They show how we can love our country, stand up for our Constitution, and defend each other. May God bless the greatest country on earth."
TOPEKA (KSNT)  Police have released the identity of a pedestrian killed in an east Topeka crash on early Sunday morning.

The Topeka Police Department (TPD) has identified the crash victim as Fernando Alvarez, 26, of Topeka. His death marks the second deadly pedestrian crash in less than a month for the area.

Law enforcement responded to a reported injury crash involving a pedestrian just after midnight on Dec. 8 in the 2500 block of Southeast Adams. Officers arriving at the scene found a man, later identified as Alvarez, was hit and killed by a vehicle traveling south. The area was closed to traffic for several hours while police investigated the situation.

Man sentenced after 2021 axe killing of ex-girlfriend in Shawnee County

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Another individual was killed in the same area on Nov. 20 in a deadly pedestrian crash. Emmett Leatherwood, 72, of Topeka was identified as the crash victim.

If you have any information to share with police regarding this investigation, you can call 785-368-9400 or send an email to telltpd@topeka.org. You can also make anonymous tips to 785-234-0007 or by clicking here.

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

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PITTSYVANIA COUNTY, Va. (WFXR)  Virginia State Police say a pedestrian was hit twice and killed during a multi-vehicle accident on US 29 South in Pittsylvania County on December 8.

VSP said that around 5:45 p.m. on Sunday, a 2024 Honda CRV was driving on US 29S near Route 946 when it hit a person standing in the road. The pedestrian was then hit a second time by a 2021 Subaru.

Chatham man killed during pedestrian accident in Pittsylvania County

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79-year-old Carlos Manuel Vientos of Danville was pronounced dead at the scene.

The driver of the Honda was not injured.

The investigation is ongoing; however, no charges are pending.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
A pedestrian was fatally struck on Route 3 in Billerica early Monday morning moments after they managed to escape the fiery wreckage of a car crash on the side of the highway, authorities said.

Troopers responding to a report of a car fire with possible entrapment on the northbound side of Route 3 in the area of Treble Cove Road just after midnight found a mangled sedan that had gone through the guardrail and a seriously injured person who had climbed out of the fire, according to Massachusetts State Police.

The victim, whose name hasnt been released, was pronounced dead at the scene.

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The preliminary investigation indicates that a Honda Accord crashed and caught fire, state police said in a statement. After the operator exited the vehicle, a Mercedes struck them in the left travel lane.

It wasnt immediately clear if the Mercedes driver stayed at the scene.

Route 3 was closed until shortly before 4 a.m. for the safety of motorists and first responders, according to state police.

The Billerica Fire Department helped extinguish the flames while Billerica police assisted with traffic diversion.

The initial and subsequent crashes remain under investigation.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

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SALAMANCA, N.Y. (WTAJ)  A New York man was arrested after allegedly trying to meet a pre-teen who turned out to be a Pennsylvania predator group.

Jack Sherlock, 55, of Salamanca, NY, was arrested and charged with attempted production of child pornography and attempted coercion and enticement of a minor, which carries a mandatory minimum 15-year sentence and a maximum of life behind bars.

According to U.S. Attorney Trini E. Ross, a group of predator hunters in Pennsylvania had set up a fake social media profile as a 12-year-old girl, who was contacted by Sherlock. Sherlock allegedly tried to solicit nudes from what he thought was the girl and tried to make plans to meet up.

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The group turned over the account to Salamanca Police who then reached out to Homeland Security Investigations for assistance.

Pennsylvania law results in dropped charges for accused child predators

Officials continued to act as the young girl, ultimately creating a second account as the young girls cousin. According to the release, Sherlock then began messaging the cousin about nude photos and meeting up to have sex.

Sherlock was arrested Dec. 4 after trying to meet one of the girls and was met by law enforcement instead, Ross added.

Stay up to date with the latest news in the palm of your hand. Click here to download the WTAJ app for Apple and Android devices.

Officials are urging anyone who may have had similar interactions with Sherlock  or their children have  to call the HSI Buffalo Office at 716-945-2330.

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NEW YORK  The acquittal of Daniel Penny in the death of Jordan Neely sharply divided the political establishment Monday in a case that has highlighted New Yorks failure to adequately care for mentally ill and homeless residents.

Jurors found Penny did not commit criminally negligent homicide when he placed Neely in a chokehold aboard an F train in February 2023. Neely later died, and a medical examiner ruled homicide as his cause of death.

With New Yorkers still ranking crime among their top concerns, reaction to the case split sharply along partisan lines among elected officials.

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In addition to praising Penny as a hero, many Republicans took the opportunity to decry Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, a Democrat, for charging Penny at all. They said the former Marine was merely standing up for his fellow passengers and pointed to the fact that he told police he did not intend to kill Neely.

I have not said much about this case out of fear of (negatively) influencing the journey, Vice President-Elect JD Vance posted on X Monday afternoon. But thank God justice was done in this case. It was a scandal Penny was ever prosecuted in the first place.

Many Republicans have been calling for Bragg to resign or be removed from office for years, citing his prosecution of President-elect Donald Trump and his policy of foregoing prosecutions for certain low-level crimes. Some elected officials reiterated those calls after the verdict, including Rep. Mike Lawler, whos considering a run for governor, and City Council Minority Leader Joe Borelli.

The only evidence we saw was the clear and convincing evidence of the perverse idea of justice held by Alvin Bragg, Borelli said. He should resign, move out of state and live out the rest of his days in shame as the least effective law enforcement official since Barney Fife.

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Bragg has resisted all such calls and is favored for reelection in 2025 in his heavily Democratic borough. Mayor Eric Adams, who has also faced calls to resign or be removed following his indictment, stood up for Bragg saying he is totally against using mechanisms to remove elected officials, adding that they have had a great partnership.

Braggs office defended bringing the charges, saying that the jurys four days of deliberations underscored why this case was put in front of a jury of Mr. Pennys peers. The office said it respects the jury process  an earlier manslaughter was dismissed after jurors were deadlocked  and the verdict. But in a sign of how the case had become a cause celebre on the right, he condemned how the prosecutors on the case and their family members were besieged with hate and threats  on social media, by phone and over email.

Advocates and left-leaning organizations expressed outrage at the acquittal.

David Giffen, executive director of the Coalition for the Homeless, said Neely was well known to service providers and had long been in and out of the homeless shelter system. Instead of clashing with Penny, he argued, Neely should have received medical care long ago.

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Jordan deserved a life of dignity and respect  and deserved the help that he sought, but could not get, Giffen said in a statement. Instead, he became the victim of  Daniel Pennys outrageous and unacceptable vigilantism and of our Citys and States failure to provide quality voluntary mental health care and access to permanent supportive housing to people trying to survive on our streets.

Public Advocate Jumaane Williams pointed to the racial and socioeconomic overtones of the case. Penny, 26, is white and a former Marine. Neely was Black and 30 years old when he died last year.

What would the verdict be if there was a Black homeless man who felt threatened by a white ex-Marine who maybe had some mental issues, and choked him to death? Williams asked a group of reporters.

The New York Working Families Party called Neelys death a modern-day lynching.

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Todays news that Daniel Penny was found not guilty of murdering Jordan Neely underscores that our criminal justice system is still beyond broken, Jasmine Gripper and Ana Maria Archila, co-directors of the party, said in a statement. This ruling fails to recognize that Jordan Neelys life mattered.

Gripper and Archila singled out the mayor for failing to condemn Pennys actions.

On Monday, Adams largely deferred to the jury while lamenting the state of New Yorks social safety net. Adams has been seeking more authority from Albany to forcibly detain New Yorkers living on the streets who pose a danger to themselves or other people.

Do I think its the right verdict or the wrong verdict? The jury made their decision, he said. I respect the process.
PERRY, Iowa  A Perry woman has been accused of setting her estranged husbands home on fire early Saturday morning.

According to the Perry Police Department, at around 12:30 a.m. the police department and fire department responded to a house fire in the 1200 block of Bateman Street. When first responders arrived on scene they found a fire on the west side of the two-story residence, by the back door. The residence has two apartments, one upstairs and one downstairs, that were occupied at the time. A white van parked next to the building was also on fire. Firefighters were able to quickly extinguish both fires.

Police investigating Git N Go robbery in West Des Moines

An investigation discovered that the fire was intentionally lit, the police department said. The potential arsonist was identified as 54-year-old Rosa Perez Diaz, the estranged wife of one of the individuals who lived in the downstairs apartment.

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According to police, Perez Diaz rented a white Chevy Malibu from AVIS Car Rental in Johnston the day before the fire, December 6. Police said Perez Diaz used this vehicle to drive to the house, start the fire, and then flee from the scene.

Perry Police said they received information that Perez Diaz might have fled to California. At around 5 a.m. Saturday, the Johnston Police Department told the Perry Police Department that Perez Diazs vehicle had been flagged by a FLOCK plate reader near Kearney, Nebraska. Later that day, at around 2 p.m., Perez Diaz was stopped by a Colorado State Trooper on Interstate 74 in Eagle County Colorado.

The Perry Police Department announced on Monday that Perez Diaz was booked into the Eagle County Jail on a Dallas County warrant from another incident. She will be extradited back to Iowa to face the following charges in connection to the arson investigation.

Attempted Murder, four counts

Arson  1st Degree

Criminal Mischief, 2nd Degree

Latest Iowa News:

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MANHATTAN, N.Y. (PIX11)  A person of interest was taken into custody Monday in connection to the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police said.

Police identified the person of interest as 26-year-old Luigi Mangione. He is from Maryland, has ties to San Francisco, and his last known address was Honolulu, Hawaii, according to police.

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Police arrested the man Monday morning on unrelated firearms charges in Altoona, Pennsylvania, authorities said. He was at a McDonalds and was recognized by an employee who called the police, according to authorities.

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Mangione was found with a fake New Jersey ID that was used at a Manhattan hostel where the gunman was believed to have stayed before the shooting, according to NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch. Mangione was found with clothing and a mask that matched last weeks shooting, Tisch said.

Police found writings critical of the insurance industry on him, sources said. He was found with a handwritten document that speaks to both his motivation and mindset, Tisch said.

Officers also found a ghost gun and a suppressor consistent with the weapon used in the shooting that killed the 50-year-old UnitedHealthcare CEO in front of the New York Hilton Midtown hotel in Manhattan last Wednesday, police said.

Thompson was walking to the hotel where he was to speak at an investor conference when the gunman approached him from behind and fatally shot him, police said. NYPD officials said the shooting was a preplanned and targeted attack.

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Who was Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare CEO?

The document found on Mangione is three pages long and handwritten, according to NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny.

We dont think that there are any specific threats to other people mentioned in that document, but it does seem that he has some ill will toward corporate America, Kenny said.

The words delay, deny and depose were written on the ammunition found at the scene of Thompsons killing, according to Kenny. The words mimic a phrase used by critics of the insurance industry.

The person of interest was taken into custody after a days-long manhunt. The FBI offered up to $50,000 for information that led to the arrest and conviction in the case.

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Members of the NYPD arrived in Altoona Monday evening to question Mangione.

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.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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Luigi Mangione, the suspect arrested in an Altoona, Pa., McDonalds in connection to the Midtown Manhattan slaying of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was charged with murder by Manhattan prosecutors late Monday, according to court documents.

The 26-year-old remained behind bars in Pennsylvania, where he was being held without bail after being arrested and charged earlier in the day with possession of an unlicensed firearm, forgery and providing false identification to police.

The alleged gunman will have an opportunity to contest or waive his extradition now that charging documents have been brought in New York. Pennsylvania law enforcement officials said they would make him available to the NYPD and Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs office when the time comes.

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Mangione, an Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland family, had been the subject of an intense manhunt since the Wednesday shooting, as NYPD investigators scoured camera footage and used drones, dogs, scuba divers and the NYPDs high-tech domain awareness system to track his movements via bicycle, cab and bus and gather evidence.

The big break in the case came when he pulled down his mask to flirt with an Upper West Side hostel worker, exposing his face to a camera  and on Monday, a McDonalds worker more than 200 miles away from the scene recognized him and called in the tip.

A pair of officers from the Altoona police department who responded to the fast-food restaurant found Mangione sitting at a table toward the back, looking at a silver laptop, according to court documents. He was wearing a blue surgical mask.

At a press conference, Altoona Officer Tyler Frye, who has only six months on the job, said he and his partner didnt even think twice when Mangione complied with an order to pull down his mask.

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Frye said Mangione handed over a fake New Jersey drivers license and became quiet and started to shake when asked if hed been to New York recently.

After cops failed to verify his ID, he told them his actual name and was arrested for forgery. Asked why he lied, he said, I clearly shouldnt have, according to charging documents.

Cops found a black 3D-printed pistol and silencer in his backpack after an inspection. It appeared to match the murder weapon seen in security video of the shooting, police sources told The News.

The pistol had one loaded Glock magazine with six 9-mm. full metal jacket rounds and one loose hollow point round.

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At the press conference in Pennsylvania Monday evening, Lt. Col. George Bivens from the state police said Mangione tried to keep his devices undetectable and was generally very careful with trying to stay low profile, avoid cameras  not all that successfully in some cases.

According to Pennsylvania prosecutors, Mangione had about $10,000 in cash on him. The NYPD said Monday that his fake ID matched the ID used to check into the hostel and was one of several he had, including a U.S. passport.

Mangione was also carrying a three-page, handwritten manifesto when cops found him, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Monday at a separate City Hall press conference.

It does seem he has some ill will toward corporate America, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters Monday of the manifesto.

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His screed included complaints about how insurers treated a sick relative and communicated that he was sorry for any hurt he caused but that his actions were necessary, police sources told the Daily News.

One of the sources said Mangione labeled those in the health care industry as parasites more concerned with money than helping people.

Mangione was not on investigators radar before the tip, and police didnt have his name before Monday, officials said.

The combination of old-school detective work and new-age technology is what lead to this result [Monday], Tisch said.

Added Kenny, I really couldnt put it on one thing, but if I had to, Id put it on the release of that photograph from the media, showing the shooting suspects face.

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Mangione graduated as valedictorian of the private, all-boys Gilman School in 2016, according to the Baltimore schools website. He went on to major in computer science at the University of Pennsylvania, where he also earned a masters degree in engineering in 2020.

Included in an online list of books Mangione read this year, according to a website, is Unabomber Theodore Kaczynskis Industrial Society and its Future, which he rated four out of five stars. Police sources said Mangiones manifesto used language similar to his online writings about Kaczynski.

Mangiones last known address is Honolulu, police said. He has connections to San Francisco and no arrest history in New York City.

A cousin of his is Nino Mangione, a GOP lawmaker who represents a suburban Baltimore district in the states House of Delegates, the lawmakers office confirmed Monday. There is no indication that Nino Mangione had any ties to the shocking assassination.

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Late Monday, Nino Mangione posted a statement from the family on social media.

Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigis arrest, the family statement said. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.

Police were offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the gunmans capture as the manhunt for the masked shooter continued. The FBI also offered $50,000 for information, resulting in an arrest and conviction of the suspect.

Chilling surveillance footage shows a gunman in a hoodie, mask, and sporting a large knapsack creeping up and shooting Thompson in the back on W. 54th St. near Sixth Ave. at about 6:45 a.m. Wednesday.

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Officials said the 50-year-old CEO of the Minnesota-based company was walking toward the Hilton to help prepare for an investor day conference sponsored by UnitedHealthcare.

After shooting Thompson in the back, the gunman fled the scene on a bicycle and disappeared in Central Park, but cops picked up his trail late Wednesday night on the Upper West Side.

Cops found the words Deny, Delay, and Depose written on the bullets  a supposed insurance industry mantra for delaying claims and maximizing profits  leading police to believe that the killer was motivated by a beef with the insurance industry.

NYPD detectives, with the help of Port Authority police, managed to track the gunmans movements from when he first arrived in the city. Police sources said the suspect arrived in Manhattan on a Greyhound bus that originated in Atlanta on the evening of Nov. 24, more than a week before unraveling his murder plot.

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He found his way to the HI New York City Hostel on Amsterdam Ave. near W. 104th St., where cops recovered images of the suspect without a mask and smiling at someone behind the reception desk.

At Monday nights press conference, the officer who apprehended Mangione was asked about arresting the most sought-after suspect in the country so soon into his new gig.

I cant say I was expecting it, Frye said. It feels good to get a guy like that off the street, especially starting my career this way.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro expressed his condolences to Thompsons family and said Mangione isnt the folk hero people in some dark corners had built him up to be.

Hear me on this, he is no hero, Shapiro said. The real hero in this story is the person who called 911 at McDonalds this morning.

With David Goldiner and News Wire Services
UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- UN humanitarians on Monday described the situation in Syria as chaotic and fluid, with more than 16 million people in the country requiring assistance.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said 1 million people were displaced from their homes in the west and northwest alone from Nov. 28 to Dec. 8. "There is an urgent need for more shelter, food, and sanitation facilities."

The office said the recently displaced were primarily women and children from Aleppo, Hama, Homs and Idlib governorates. The situation is very fluid, with reports of more people returning in the last couple of days. Transportation routes were disrupted, limiting the movement of people, goods and humanitarian aid.

Some looting of civilian properties and factories, as well as warehouses holding humanitarian supplies, has been reported, according to OCHA.

"Despite the challenges and the volatile situation, we and our partners continue to provide emergency aid," the office said.

The office said that in northwest Syria, all humanitarian organizations in Idlib and northern Aleppo resumed regular operations and the three border crossings from Turkiye used to deliver aid into Syria remained open.

"In the northeast, we are providing supplies for those who recently fled Aleppo," OCHA said. "In Aleppo, we are providing basic assistance including food, health and nutrition services, and support for access to clean water."

However, the office said that health facilities are overwhelmed, with major hospitals operating at limited capacity due to shortages of staff, medicine and supplies.

"Our health partners continue to provide critical services in impacted areas, including providing trauma care kits." OCHA said. "They have also deployed medical units in reception centers and schools across Raqqa, Tabqa and Al-Hasakeh."

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) deployed mobile teams and established fixed clinics in Homs. In northwest Syria, all 24 health facilities that had suspended operations recently resumed services, although others remain non-functional.

"Syria is at a crossroads between peace and war, stability and lawlessness, reconstruction or further ruin," UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi said in a statement.

"There is a remarkable opportunity for Syria to move toward peace and for its people to begin returning home. But with the situation still uncertain, millions of refugees are carefully assessing how safe it is to do so. Some are eager, while others are hesitant," he said.

"UNHCR's advice is to remain focused on the issue of returns," Grandi said. "Patience and vigilance will be necessary, hoping that developments on the ground will evolve in a positive manner, allowing voluntary, safe and sustainable returns to finally occur -- with refugees able to make informed decisions."

Grandi said that as the situation evolves, UNHCR will monitor developments, engage with refugee communities and support states in any organized voluntary returns.

Some voices have been heard in nations hosting refugees on forcing refugees to return to their homes in Syria as Bashar al-Assad's government has collapsed following a sweeping offensive by militant groups.

Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the world body calls on donors to ensure that UNHCR and its partners have the resources to respond swiftly and effectively, including in neighboring countries still hosting millions of refugees.

"These countries need international support to sustain their exceptional solidarity and generosity," Dujarric said. "Resources need to be provided as flexibly as possible to allow for assistance to be provided where it is most needed." 
NEW YORK  A person of interest has been taken into custody for the Midtown Manhattan murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson outside the Hilton Hotel following a five-day manhunt, police said Monday.

The man was nabbed in Altoona, Penn., carrying a gun that appears to match the murder weapon seen in security video of the shooting, police sources said. A tip from a civilian who spotted the man lead cops to take him into custody, sources said.

The man taken into custody carrying a fake New Jersey ID, police sources said. No charges were immediately filed.

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Police were offering a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the gunmans capture as the search for the masked shooter continued. The FBI also offered $50,000 for information resulting in an arrest and conviction of the suspect.

Harrowing surveillance footage shows the suspect creeping up and shooting Thompson in the back on W. 54th St. near Sixth Ave. about 6:45 a.m. Wednesday.

The 50-year-old CEO of the Minnesota-based company was approaching the Hilton to help prepare for an investor day conference, officials said.

After shooting Thompson in the back, the gunman then coolly clears a jam in his pistol before firing at least three more times, the video shows.

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He fled the scene on a bicycle and disappeared in Central Park but cops picked up his trail late Wednesday night on the Upper West Side.

Cops found the words Deny, Delay, and Depose written on the bullets  a supposed insurance industry mantra for delaying claims and maximizing profits  leading police to believe that the killer has a beef with the insurance industry.

The gunman arrived in New York City on a Greyhound bus from Atlanta more than a week before unraveling his murder plot  and allowed images of his face to go public when he let his guard down flirting with a hostel worker.

NYPD detectives, with the help of Port Authority police, have managed to track the gunmans movements from when he first arrived in the city. Police sources said the suspect arrived in the city on a Greyhound bus from Atlanta on the evening of Nov. 24.

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He found his way to the HI New York City Hostel on Amsterdam Ave. near W. 104th St., where cops recovered images of the suspect without a mask and smiling at someone behind the reception desk.

The hostel staffer reportedly got the suspect to smile by flirting with him and asking him to pull down his mask to see his handsome face.
Worried loved ones reached out to the Ivy League graduate named as a person of interest in UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompsons killing days before the executive was executed outside of a New York City hotel.

One of Luigi Mangiones loved ones shared a message on X to let him know that he cared about him and missed him on Nov. 25, a day after the shooter was believed to have arrived in Manhattan on a Greyhound bus.

Thinking of you and prayers everyday in your name, wrote user @Collin30923201P on Nov. 25. Know you are missed and loved.

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Another suggested that loved ones had been concerned about his whereabouts the month prior.

@PepMangione Hey, are you ok? Nobody has heard from you in months, and apparently your family is looking for you, wrote X user @TheRealMandusa on Oct. 30 on the platform.

The account, which is under the name P. Collins, also tweeted out Mangiones LinkTree. It has since been made private.

Tweets from users expressing concern for the person of interest in the CEO shooting in Midtown Manhattan. / X

Mangione, a University of Pennsylvania graduate from Towson, Md., was arrested on gun charges at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania Monday after an employee recognized him from wanted posters, police said.

At this time, he is believed to be our person of interest in the brazen, targeted murder of Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, last Wednesday in midtown Manhattan, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters.

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The 26-year-old was apprehended with a ghost gun similar to the weapon used in Thompsons killing, police said. He also had a silencer for the weapon, several fake IDs and writings critical of the healthcare industry.

The manifesto warned these parasites had it coming, and said, I do apologize for any strife and trauma, but it had to be done, sources told CNN.

Mangione is expected to is to appear in court for a preliminary arraignment Monday evening.

Police had been searching since Wednesday for the man who executed 50-year-old Thompson as the executive was heading to an investors' meeting at the New York Hilton in Manhattan.

He taken into custody with several fake IDs and writings critical of the healthcare industry. / Luigi Mangione/Facebook

Authorities have said the alleged killer spent ten days in the city before the targeted attack.

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The suspect of the murder left a plethora of clues at the crime scene and around New York City before he fled: A partial fingerprint on a water bottle; words engraved on the bullet casings; video footage that caught him escaping; burner cell phones and Monopoly money in his bag recovered in Central Park.

However, many photos released of the suspect featured him with a masked face-- except in one, where he was flirting with a worker at the hostel he was staying at.

Officials with the Manhattan District Attorneys Office are in Altoona for questioning, the New York Times reported.

Mangione graduated from a tony all-boys prep school, Gilman School, where he was the valedictorian in 2016.

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In his speech, he praised his fellow classmates for coming up with new ideas and challenging the world.

Mangione graduated from a tony all-boys prep school, Gilman School, where he was the valedictorian in 2016. / Luigi Mangione/Facebook

To the class of 2016, a kind of class that only comes around once every 50 years, its been an incredible journey and I simply cant imagine the last few years with any other group of guys, he said.

He continued his education at the University of Pennsylvania, where he received a masters and bachelors degree in computer science and a minor in mathematics, a university spokesperson told CNN.

After his graduation, he worked as a software engineer for the online car sales company TrueCar, according to his LinkedIn page.

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He also spent time in Hawaii, where he was a member of a co-working space, Hub Coworking Hawaii, in the Kakaako neighborhood of Honolulu, the New York Times reported.

The 26-year-old hails from a large family in the Baltimore area, one of 37 grandchildren descended from millionaire real estate developer Nick Mangione Sr., according to a 2008 obituary.

He is a cousin of Republican Maryland state legislator Nino Mangione, a spokesperson for the delegates office confirmed to the Associated Press.

Social media accounts believed to belong to Mangione paint him as an anti-capitalist who liked online quotes from Unabomber Ted Kaczynski that blasted the medical community.

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Its unclear whether his frustrations with the industry stemmed from personal experience, though an X-ray image was shared on his X account of sacral spine fusion caused by a condition more commonly found in athletes than in the general population.

Friends of Mangione seemingly unfriended him on Facebook after the news of his arrest broke, going from 1,500 friends to 1,200 on Monday, before his page was wiped from the internet.

Former classmates expressed shock over his arrest.

Quite honestly, he had everything going for him, high school classmate Freddie Leatherbury told the Associated Press.

He does not seem like the kind of guy to do this based on everything Id known about him in high school, Leatherbury added.
FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW)  A person was killed Sunday afternoon after their vehicle struck a tree outside of Florence, the South Carolina Highway Patrol said.

It happened about 1:30 p.m. at the intersection of Walnut Street and East Palmetto Road. A motorist traveling westbound on Walnut Street lost control and hit the tree.

No further information was immediately available.

* * *

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.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW.
A Change.org petition calling on more food allergy measures in California has been launched after influencer Dominique Brown recently passed away after experiencing an allergic reaction to holiday food served at an event in downtown Los Angeles.

BoxLunch, a retailer that specializes in fandom merchandise, hosted the event on Thursday. Brown was 34.

Our beloved Dominique Domo Brown tragically lost her life due to a severe allergic reaction at an event + food establishment in Los Angeles. Despite informing staff of her life-threatening allergy, she was served a dish containing the allergen. The establishment lacked critical life-saving tools like epinephrine autoinjectors (EpiPens) and trained staff to respond effectively, the petition stated.

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The petition calls on California lawmakers to:

Make EpiPens available at all establishments serving food, including restaurants and event venues

Train staff to help them recognize and treat allergic reactions

Real-time ingredient transparency, including clear communication protocols between chefs, servers, and patrons to ensure all ingredients in a dish are disclosed, particularly when recipes or preparation methods change.

The petition has 16,227 signatures so far. Marcus Medley, who started the petition and was Browns best friend for 14 years, said the response has been unbelievably positive so far.

Food allergies are serious- life or death serious  but for far too long, theyve been treated almost as if theyre a preference. Its similar to someone wanting a burger without ketchup or a drink without ice. Domos story isnt unique, and thats why we want justice and change. People should be able to eat out without fear that their next meal could be their last, Medley told KTLA.

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According to a representative, BoxLunch is currently arranging grief counseling for its team and members of the BoxLunch collective, the companys ambassador program. Measures were also taken to ensure the event venue was aware of all known allergens and an investigation into the matter has been launched.

The representative also noted that during the event, 911 was called immediately, and a DJ made two announcements, asking if anyone had an EpiPen.

We are devastated by the passing of Dominique Brown, a beloved member of the BoxLunch Collective, who suffered a medical emergency at an event hosted by BoxLunch Thursday in Los Angeles, the company told KTLA in a statement. Our hearts go out to her family and friends, and we will do everything we can to support them and the members of the BoxLunch Collective and our team during this painful time.

Petition urges Disney to reverse changes to Disability Access Service program

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Brown, a beloved influencer within the Disney community, co-founded Black Girls Disney with Mia Von in 2018. The two wanted to create a welcoming community for women of color who love the brands films and theme parks.

Medley described her as a magical person.

Dominique was just as magical as her persona, HellooDomo. She wore her heart on her sleeve and let you know it. She and Mia Von inspired an entire generation of black women with Black Girl Disney. Her legacy is already stamped  there will never be another Dominique Brown, Medley said. And we want to honor her legacy, as well as millions of others living with food allergies or who have lost a loved one due to them, with action  legislation that requires preventive and life-saving measures at all establishments that serve food.

Other Disney influencers and fans of Browns content reacted to the news on social media over the weekend.

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Thank you for loving everyone unconditionally. Thank you for being so accepting of others. You were the best person and Im so sad we have to go on without you. I love you forever, one Instagram user said.

Browns brother, Patrick Ramos, shared the news about her passing in the comments of her final Instagram post.

According to her Instagram account, Brown was a resident of Long Beach. Medley told KTLA that he and Brown attended Millikan High School in Long Beach and Grambling State University in Louisiana together. Brown also worked at the LAPD in forensics.

More information about the petition can be found here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
MANILA, Philippines (AP)  A plume of hot ash and gases up to 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) high forced residents to seek shelter after a volcano in the Philippines erupted on Monday.

There were no immediate reports of casualties in the latest explosion of Mount Kanlaon, on central Negros island, but authorities shut schools and imposed a nighttime curfew after ash falling in several villages clouded the the visibility of motorists and sparked health concerns.

It sounded like a cannon, Mayor Jose Chubasco Cardenas of Canlaon city, which lies southeast of the volcano, told The Associated Press by telephone. There have been quiet eruptions before, but this was one very loud.

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Disaster-response officials raised the danger level around Kanlaon due to a greater risk of hazardous volcanic activity and ordered villagers within a 6-kilometer (3.7-mile) radius of the crater to be evacuated.

About 100 people had fled to emergency shelters in Canlaon by nightfall after the midafternoon volcanic eruption, Cardenas said. The number of displaced people could reach more than 2,000 due to stronger prospects of more eruption, he added.

The Philippines' Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said the eruption had caused a pyroclastic density current  a superhot stream of ash, debris and rocks that can incinerate anything in its path.

The alert level around Kanlaon is at the third-highest of a five-step warning system, indicating magmatic eruption has begun that may progress to further explosive eruptions."

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The 2,435-meter (7,988-foot) volcano, one of the countrys 24 most-active volcanoes, last erupted in June sending hundreds of villagers to emergency shelters.

Located in the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, a region prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, the Philippines is also lashed by about 20 typhoons and storms a year and is among the countries most prone to natural disasters.
Phoenix police are searching for a suspect in a shooting that occurred in an alley late Saturday evening.

Phil Krynsky, a department spokesperson, said officers responded to Sixth Street and Broadway Road in Phoenix at around 10:45 p.m. where they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. The man was rushed to a local hospital where he was being treated for life-threatening injuries on Sunday.

Krynsky said officers searched the area, but the shooter fled before they arrived.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix police seeking leads in alley shooting that hospitalized man
Chad Hunter

Cherokee Phoenix

NORMAN  A move by the University of Oklahoma to potentially cut foreign language requirements from the College of Arts and Sciences has garnered backlash from those who fear a domino effect that could impact Native courses, staff and student opportunities.

That really negatively affects our language courses and could even possibly affect faculty jobs, Cherokee Nation citizen and OU undergraduate student Reagan Hargis said.

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The university, based in Norman, requires that students in the College of Arts and Sciences take three semesters of a foreign language. Class offerings include Native languages of the Cherokee, Choctaw, Creek, Kiowa and Potawatomi.

If they take away the language requirement, that would make less people enroll in those classes, Hargis said. That could risk them being cut from the university altogether. Thats obviously not good because theres already not that many people that speak those languages. For Cherokee Nation, theres like 2,000 first-language speakers left. It would risk the longevity of these languages staying alive.

University representatives say a routine review has been initiated for its language requirements in the Dodge Family College of Arts and Sciences.

Let me assure you that no decisions regarding language requirements have been made, OU Senior Vice President and Provost Andre-Denis Wright stated in a letter to College of Arts and Sciences faculty, and there are no plans to remove language programs at the University of Oklahoma.

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In his letter to staff, Wright said the evaluations intent is to ensure that our degree programs align with both our commitment to a transformative education and the evolving needs of our students in a rapidly changing world.

In that spirit, all academic programs and courses at OU undergo regular, rotating reviews  a standard process consistent with higher education institutions nationwide, he added.

But even the potential loss of language requirements sparked a petition among students opposing the cut, according to Hargis, who is a member of several Indigenous groups on campus.

Its really important in the Native community at OU, she said. Weve been handing out flyers and making petitions and having people sign the petitions. Weve been trying to spread awareness.

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The student petition, Hargis said, had more than 200 signatures as of Nov. 27. A petition started by OU Native American studies professor Raina Heaton on the change.org website had 1,879 supporters as of Dec. 2.

Removing the foreign language requirement from general education at OU trivializes its importance and undermines the institutions promise of a well-rounded education, the online petition states. This move particularly endangers Native language classes, to which the university has a special commitment and which are not widely available elsewhere.

One petitioner wrote that cutting the course requirement is absolutely shameful and disgusting and is reminiscent of the legacy of the residential boarding schools.

Charles Watson, associate professor of classics and a faculty chair at OU, said he learned of the plan after being summoned to the deans office on Nov. 18.

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We were told in that meeting that the college was going to drop its foreign language requirement, he said.

Removing requisites for language programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, Watson said, would be an absolute disaster, leading to a potential reduction in faculty.

Requirements drive enrollments, he said. So, once you take away that language requirement, it means the beginning language classes we teach also are going to dry up. Once those smaller classes start to dry up, it means you stop having upper-division courses because you dont have enough students. Then when that happens, youre not graduating students from your degree program in sufficient numbers to let it continue. So, that means in about four years, youre going to see the program dry up, and it will automatically be cancelled. Thats the new rule  you have to graduate a certain number on a rolling average, or its gone.

For students, he added, it will close avenues of opportunity.

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No ones going to have an opportunity to get a degree in Russian anymore, Watson said. Its hard now, but Russian, Latin, Choctaw, all this stuff, gone. Its absolutely nuts.

The Cherokee Nations principal chief, OU alumnus Chuck Hoskin Jr., weighed in, sharing his concerns with OU President Joseph Harroz Jr.

As the home of 38 federally recognized tribes, Oklahoma is uniquely positioned as a center of Native languages, each a storehouse of treasured cultural knowledge and history, Hoskin said. At Cherokee Nation, we have invested millions of dollars and countless hours of teaching and learning to protect and revitalize our Cherokee language. That is why I am concerned by reports that the University of Oklahoma may remove the language requirement from degree tracks, which could threaten numerous courses including the Cherokee language program at the university.

Hoskin said he was assured that OU will consult with the Cherokee Nation before making changes that could affect Native languages.

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I urge the university to consult with tribes well in advance of any changes to enrollment practices or course requirement decisions for language programs, he said.

This story was first published in the Cherokee Phoenix
NEW YORK, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Google on Monday unveiled a new quantum computer that may end this back-and-forth race with traditional machines and that points to a future in which quantum computers could drive advances in areas like drug discovery and artificial intelligence, according to The New York Times (NYT).

Google said its quantum computer, based on a computer chip called Willow, needs less than five minutes to perform a mathematical calculation that one of the world's most powerful supercomputers could not complete in 10 septillion years, a length of time that exceeds the age of the known universe.

"Quantum computing -- the result of decades of research into a type of physics called quantum mechanics -- is still an experimental technology," noted the report. "But Google's achievement shows that scientists are steadily improving techniques that could allow quantum computing to live up to the enormous expectations that have surrounded this big idea for decades."

Many other tech giants, including Microsoft, Intel and IBM, are building similar technology as the United States jockeys for supremacy in this increasingly important field. The mathematical calculation performed by Google's machine was a test designed solely to gauge the progress of quantum computing, it added. 
PLEASANT HILL, Iowa  ThriveNow Recovery Center is holding a grand opening for its new Pleasant Hill location on Monday.

ThriveNow focuses on providing treatment for people struggling with substance abuse issues. The new Pleasant Hill facility is located at 6132 NE 12th Ave. Pleasant Hill.

The grand opening starts at 11 a.m. and runs until 2 p.m. and will feature facility tours, guest speakers, and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

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Heart of Gold toy drive delivering to 495 families

Brock Milligan, the Senior Development & Community Relations Specialist at ThriveNow Recovery Centers, said that the recovery center will help fill a shortage of medical detox beds in Des Moines.

Des Moines has never had a designated detox facility, and there are actually less detox beds in Des Moines today than when I went through treatment six years ago, which is crazy because medical detox is critical for your health. Its very dangerous to do without medical supervision, especially with alcohol. As you can have a seizure, you can have delirium tremens, you can have a stroke and you can die, Milligan said.

To learn more about the new center in Pleasant Hill, visit the ThriveNow website.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com.
Dec. 8A moose was illegally shot in Anchorage's Kincaid Park in 2020. The next year, three Dall sheep were killed in the McHugh Creek area of Chugach State Park and another moose was shot illegally in Bear Valley on the city's Hillside.

Several years later  and with the help of a wildlife photographer and another witness  three men were charged in July with dozens of criminal counts related to illegal kills, all in areas where hunting isn't allowed.

Two signed plea deals that include 5-year hunting bans and possible incarceration: 27-year-old Jon Wilson and 43-year-old Jerome Orton. This week, Alaska State Troopers said 33-year-old Jedidiah Lomer is still wanted on a warrant and has not been located.

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The men bragged to others about their kills, according to charging documents filed in Anchorage District Court. The moose at Kincaid was killed near the archery range and then left without most of the meat salvaged as required by state law, troopers said. Same for the sheep at McHugh Creek.

The men lied to authorities about the hunts to make them appear legal, according to a summary of a troopers report and other evidence included with charges. And they took photos with the dead animals.

Back in 2021, Anchorage-based wildlife photographer Ryan Miller saw a picture Orton posted on a Facebook hunting group posing with a Dall sheep. The ram had a distinctive crack across the tip of its right horn. Orton claimed he shot the animal in the Talkeetna Mountains, the photographer said.

But Miller knew better. That wasn't the Talkeetnas. It was Chugach State Park. He'd photographed that sheep a few months earlier. It was one of numerous animals that roam the drainage, some emerging at rocky cliffs above the Seward Highway where drivers catch glimpses of the sure-footed sheep.

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"I know exactly where that ram lives," he said he thought to himself at the time, "and he lives in McHugh Creek."

In October 2021, Miller said, he led a friend at the Alaska Department of Fish and Game to the spot in the McHugh Creek drainage where the photo was really taken. They found two sheep carcasses partly buried by a bear.

One of them was that ram.

"I cracked the whole case open," Miller said this week.

Troopers spokesman Austin McDaniel said while he couldn't provide specific details, the photographer "was very helpful with the investigation." Court documents indicate that Miller's report, as well as another person's testimony about the other animals, provided a foundation for the criminal case.

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The illegal moose kills at Kincaid Park and Bear Valley, as well as a third sheep shot at McHugh Creek, came to light via Wilson's roommate, according to the report summary in the charging documents. Wilson bragged about a moose he'd killed in 2021, the summary said. The roommate also said Wilson had shot a moose in Kincaid in 2020 and a sheep he believed was illegal, it said.

Kincaid, threaded by popular trails, is not open to hunting. State officials this year rejected a proposal to allow a limited number of people with physical disabilities to hunt for antlerless moose within the park using archery, a crossbow or shotgun for two weeks in October.

Troopers said they interviewed Wilson in 2021 and he admitted to killing the Kincaid moose and the sheep but denied killing the Bear Valley moose, according to the summary.

One photo on his iPhone showed Wilson posing alone with bow and arrow over a moose in Bear Valley in September 2021, the summary said. Lomer was with him in other photos that day. They transported the animal in a vehicle registered to Orton and stored it at Orton's house, it said. Troopers found the Kincaid moose antlers and head at Wilson's house and the horns from the sheep in his garage, according to the summary.

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The three men all know each other, according to Scott Dattan, the attorney representing Orton. Wilson's attorney was out of the office until later this month and couldn't be reached for comment.

Troopers this week said they are still looking for Lomer. A judge issued a bench warrant in August after Lomer failed to show up for an arraignment hearing on several evidence tampering charges. His current whereabouts are unknown, McDaniel said.

Wilson, initially charged with 14 wildlife crimes, entered guilty pleas to seven misdemeanor counts including wanton waste of big game and hunting in a restricted area. He was sentenced to serve 120 days in a halfway house, and report to Cordova Center in January. He was also ordered to pay a $3,000 fine and $3,100 in restitution and the terms of his probation bar him from hunting or accompanying other hunters for five years.

Orton, also charged with 14 crimes, entered guilty pleas to misdemeanor counts including unlawful possession or transportation of game and failing to salvage hindquarters.

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He was ordered to pay a $4,000 fine and $2,200 in restitution and the terms of his probation bar him from hunting or accompanying other hunters for five years. His sentence includes serving 120 days in a halfway house. He is scheduled to report to the Cordova Center later this month.

Dattan said his client is a single father with two children and has applied for ankle monitoring to avoid incarceration. Orton had a problem with alcohol at the time of the illegal hunts but has been sober for several years, he said.

The men knew what they were doing was wrong, Dattan said.

"I think it's important to note he did voluntarily return the horns," he said, of his client's actions once the investigation began. "He cooperated dutifully."

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Dattan credited the Office of Special Prosecutions assistant attorney general on the case, Ronald Dupuis, for being "open-minded" enough to agree to significant fines and restitution but less significant jail time.

Dupuis couldn't be reached for this story.

Miller, who is also a hunter, criticized the sentence as "so low" even with the roughly $6,000 in fines and restitution both men have been ordered to pay.

Other hunters looking to bag a ram might pay far more than $6,000 to get into the Brooks Range or another remote location instead of wandering into the wilderness next door, he said.

"Once again, it seems like it's always the case with these wildlife cases, it always ends up more of a slap on the wrist," Miller said. "Many Alaskans, especially in Anchorage, sort of take for granted what's in our backyard here. This is like nowhere else. It's pretty special."
Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and Minister of Justice, met with Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski in Warsaw on Monday, 9 December.

Source: Stefanishyna and Sikorski on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda

Details: Stefanishyna noted that she and Sikorski had discussed Ukraine's integration into the EU and NATO, the current security situation, financial and military support, and the use of proceeds generated by frozen Russian assets.

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"With Poland set to assume the EU presidency in early 2025, [we] paid special attention to the enlargement agenda," she added.

 In Warsaw, met with Minister @sikorskiradek to discuss Ukraine's EU & NATO integration, current security situation, financial and military support as well as the use of frozen russian assets. With Poland set to assume the EU presidency in early 2025, paid special attention pic.twitter.com/4Vb9V81OPe  Olga Stefanishyna (@StefanishynaO) December 9, 2024

Sikorski highlighted the priorities of Poland's EU presidency, emphasising Ukraine's accession to the EU, expert assistance for integration, and "sustainable military and financial support" as key discussion points.

Poland is set to hold the presidency of the Council of the European Union in the first half of 2025.

Tydzien rozpoczaem spotkaniem z @StefanishynaO, Wicepremierka Ukrainy ds. Integracji z UE i NATO oraz Ministra Sprawiedliwosci.



Tematy konsultacji:

Priorytety polskiej prezydencji w kontekscie akcesji Ukrainy do UE.

 Wsparcie integracji z Unia Europejska w zakresie pic.twitter.com/6kg1zCWIBN  Radosaw Sikorski  (@sikorskiradek) December 9, 2024

Previously: Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that his country's presidency of the EU Council could see significant developments regarding war and peace in Ukraine.

In addition, Warsaw has identified security, energy and competitiveness of Poland as its presidency's priorities.

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The person of interest in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City has been charged in Pennsylvania with five counts, including carrying a firearm without a license, providing police with false identification and possessing instruments of a crime, according to state police officials.

Police arrested 26-year-old Luigi Mangione in Altoona, Pennsylvania, a small city thats a four-hour drive west of Philadelphia, on firearm charges Monday, said New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch at a press briefing. He is being held without bail, and Pennsylvania officials said Monday night that charges, including homicide, are likely forthcoming as well as an arraignment in New York City.

A witness recognized the man from images of the suspect that were circulated by police after he walked into a McDonald's on Monday morning. After police detained him, they found a gun similar to the one used in the slaying of Thompson last week.

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Mangione was carrying multiple fake IDs, including a fake New Jersey identification that matched the one the suspect used to check into a hostel before the shooting, Tisch said. He also had a handwritten document that speaks to both his motivation and mindset, she said.

It does seem he has some ill will toward corporate America, said New York Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny at the briefing.

Mangione was born and raised in Maryland and has ties to San Francisco, officials said. His last known address was in Honolulu, Hawaii. He had no prior arrests in New York City and no known arrests elsewhere.

NYPD detectives are en route to Pennsylvania to interview him, officials said.

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Background: Thompson, the 50-year-old head of UnitedHealth Groups insurance business, was fatally shot outside of a Hilton in Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday. Police had since been searching for the shooter in what they believe was a targeted attack.

The motive is unknown, but the killing has led to a wave of online vitriol against health insurers over how often the companies deny medical care and how they conduct business. Thompsons wife confirmed to NBC that her husband had received threats possibly over a lack of coverage.

Mangione is a data engineer at TrueCar, Inc., a pricing and digital retail platform for new and used cars that is based out of Santa Monica, California, according to his LinkedIn page. He attended the University of Pennsylvania, where he was the founder, president and project lead of a video game development club, according to LinkedIn.

Mangione worked at Stanford as a head counselor and teaching assistant in 2019 at a pre-collegiate studies summer course on artificial intelligence, according to his LinkedIn page. A Stanford spokesperson confirmed to POLITICO that a person by the name of Luigi Mangione worked in the program.

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A Facebook page appearing to belong to Mangione contains pictures of him posing with other counselors and spending the summer in the Bay Area, visiting places in San Francisco, Santa Cruz and Carmel. The comments on the photos were flooded Monday with replies about the alleged shooting.

Mangione in January left a review through his Goodreads account praising the Unabomber Manifesto, a 1995 anti-technology essay by domestic terrorist Ted Kaczynski.

He was a violent individual  rightfully imprisoned  who maimed innocent people, Mangione wrote in the review. While these actions tend to be characterized as those of a crazy luddite, however, they are more accurately seen as those of an extreme political revolutionary.

Eric He contributed to this report.
HUNT COUNTY, Texas (KETK)  After nearly 10 months since a man was accused of dumping puppies in a secluded county road, Hunt County authorities have arrested him for animal cruelty.

The SPCA of Texas Animal Cruelty Investigations (ACI) Unit received a call on Feb. 26 that a person abandoned a litter of puppies in Hunt County. The West Tawakoni Police Department was able to locate the suspect and the ACI unit took the puppies to the Russell Dealey Animal Rescue Center in Dallas.

East Texas stands with Terrell PD after officer fatally shot

Mugshot of Billy Joe Byerly, courtesy of Hunt County Jail.

Forensic exams were performed on the puppies that determined they were eight to nine-weeks-old when abandoned.

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The ACI Unit and West Tawakoni PD spoke with the puppies owner, Billy Joe Byerly, who reportedly admitted that he had abandoned them on a secluded county road. Criminal charges were later filed against Byerly and in September the Hunt County attorneys office issued a warrant for his arrest.

On Dec. 4, the sheriffs office arrested Byerly and charged him with cruelty to non-livestock animals, a Class A misdemeanor.

East Texas stands with Terrell PD after officer fatally shot

The pups were well cared for in the custody of the SPCA of Texas, and all have been adopted into loving homes, SPCA of Texas Chief Investigator, Animal Cruelty Investigations Unit Courtney Burns said. Thanks to the hard work of the West Tawakoni Police Department and Hunt County officials, we were able to save these puppies and to apprehend the man who left them to die.

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Anyone looking to support the SPCA of Texas efforts to rescue and find homes for animals from cases of neglect and cruelty can visit the SPCA website.

Close to 10,000 dogs survived abandonment in Texas last year, and who knows how many did not survive the ordeal,  Burns said. These precious puppies had barely been weaned from their mother when they were abandoned. They are lucky that a concerned citizen reported the incident, or it is highly likely these four dogs would not have survived.

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Police said a 26-year-old man has been arrested in Pennsylvania on local charges and has been identified as a person of interest in the deadly shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City last week.

New York Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed Altoona police arrested Luigi Mangione. He is believed to be our person of interest in the brazen, targeted murder of Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, last Wednesday in Midtown Manhattan, Tisch said during a briefing.

Mangione was arrested at around 9 a.m. at a McDonalds in Altoona, about 280 miles from New York City. He was recognized by an employee who then called police, according to officials.

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Mangione was carrying a gun, silencer and a fraudulent New Jersey I.D. with a name on it consistent with the one the suspect used to check into a hostel on Nov. 24, Tisch said. Officers also recovered clothing and a mask consistent with those worn by our wanted individual.

Mangione has not been charged in connection with the shooting as of 3 p.m. Monday, nor was he officially named as a suspect. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said Mangione will be facing gun charges in Altoona, and potential extradition back to New York City will be worked out with the district attorneys office.

New York Mayor Eric Adams called Mangione a strong person of interest at a briefing Monday afternoon.

Mangione was born and raised in Maryland, police said, and lived in San Francisco and Hawaii. A person with the same name went to a private high school in Baltimore, the New York Times reported. He graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2020 with a degree in engineering, the Philadelphia university confirmed.

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Kenny said Mangione was in possession of a ghost gun, which may have been made using a 3-D printer, that was capable of firing 9mm rounds.

Kenny said Mangione was also carrying a three-page handwritten manifesto. He wouldnt say if it mentioned Thompson by name, or UnitedHealthcare, but noted police dont see any threats to others.

It does seem that he has some ill will toward corporate America, Kenny said.

Kenny also credited a photo police released of the suspects face as the key to capturing Mangione.

Thompson was killed early in the morning Dec. 4 outside a hotel in Midtown Manhattan after being shot in the back and right calf on the way to address a meeting of investors. He was declared dead at a hospital.

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The attacker fled into Central Park, and police have been searching for a suspect ever since. They found a backpack Friday in Central Park that they said the killer discarded as he fled the area. Officials have said they believe he left the city on a bus on the day of the shooting.

Authorities have collected and tested DNA evidence, including a discarded water bottle and protein bar wrapper, discovered near the scene. The police say they believe the suspect used a fake ID when staying in the city overnight.

The FBI also joined the investigation, offering up to $50,000 for information leading to the gunmans arrest and conviction, according to the FBIs field office in New York City.

On Monday, a UnitedHealth Group spokesperson released a statement responding to news of the arrest, saying they hope the arrest brings some relief to Brians family, friends, colleagues and the many others affected by this unspeakable tragedy. We thank law enforcement and will continue to work with them on this investigation. We ask that everyone respect the familys privacy as they mourn.

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Updated at 3:49 p.m. EST

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Police have arrested a man believed to be connected with the Dec. 4 killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, having acted on a tip about a person in Altoona, Pennsylvania, roughly 230 miles west of New York City.

Law enforcement officials told CNN local police apprehended the 26-year-old at a McDonalds in the city, later identifying him as Luigi Mangione.

Luigi Mangione, 26, was arrested Monday in connection with the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Altoona Police Dept.

Mangione was charged Monday evening in Pennsylvania with carrying firearms without a license, providing a fake ID to law enforcement, and forgery, among other charges.

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Mangione was found with a homemade, untraceable gun and a suppressor that resemble the one used in last weeks shooting, as well as several fake IDs and documents that could hint at a motive.

At this time, he is believed to be our person of interest in the brazen, targeted murder of Brian Thompson, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said.

Thompson, 50, was fatally shot outside of the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan in what police believe was a premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack. Police released photos showing the suspects face on Thursday prior to his arrest.

The authorities also reportedly found shell casings from the bullets used to kill Thompson that were inscribed with the words deny, defend and depose.

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The words on the shell casings resemble a similar phrase: Delay, Deny, Defend. The three words, also the title of a 2010 book about insurance companies, indicate a tactic that insurers have been accused of using to disadvantage patients with insurance.

Video footage of Thompsons killing shows a person shooting Thompson in the back, unjamming his weapon and shooting again before fleeing by foot, HuffPost previously reported. Thompson, who did not appear to have security with him, was reportedly heading to the companys annual investor conference.

Thompsons wife, Paulette, told NBC News Thompson had been receiving threats prior to his death.

There had been some threats, she said, adding that he didnt change his travel habits. Basically, I dont know, a lack of coverage? I dont know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him.

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Thompson became the CEO of UnitedHealthcare, one of the biggest insurance companies in the U.S., in April 2021. He was named in a lawsuit accusing him and other executives of insider trading earlier this year.

Related...
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 04: Police gather outside of a Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan where United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot on December 04, 2024 in New York City. Brian Thompson was shot and killed before 7:00 AM this morning outside the Hilton Hotel, just before he was set to attend the company's annual investors' meeting. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Police in Altoona arrested a strong person of interest Monday in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week in New York after finding him in a fast-food restaurant with an illegal weapon and false identification, authorities announced.

New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch identified the man arrested as Luigi Mangione, 26, with ties to Philadelphia and whose last known address was in Honolulu. Mangione was in possession of what New York police described as a ghost gun made with a 3D printer and a handwritten document that speaks to his motivation and mindset, Tisch said.

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The suspect was in a McDonalds and was recognized by an employee who then called local police, Tisch said. The New York Police Department has published images showing the shooters face culled from surveillance camera footage before and after Thompson was shot.

Tisch said Mangione was also carrying a U.S. passport and multiple false IDs including a fraudulent New Jersey ID matching the one the person police believe to be the shooter used to check into his New York City hostel before the shooting incident.

Police also recovered clothing including a mask Tisch said was consistent with those worn by the person sought in connection with Thompsons killing.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joe Kenny said Mangione had no prior criminal record and that NYPD detectives traveled to Altoona on Monday to question Mangione.

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Kenny said the document Mangione had when he was arrested is in the possession of Altoona police. They did not believe there were specific threats to other people mentioned in the document, but it does seem that he has some ill will toward corporate America, Kenny said.

Thompson, 50, was shot several times by a person who authorities believe was lying in wait early Wednesday morning outside the Manhattan hotel where United HealthCare was holding an investors meeting.

Thompson had been CEO of UnitedHealthcare, one of the nations largest for-profit health insurance providers, for nearly three years. His killing has prompted an outpouring of criticism of the company and the United States health care system generally for denying or unnecessarily complicating medical treatment.

Mangione was arraigned Monday evening at the Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg on charges of carrying a firearm without a license, forgery, records or identification tampering, possession of instruments of crime and presenting false identification to law enforcement.

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Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a news conference Monday evening after the arraignment that attention generated by the investigation helped Pennsylvania police capture the person sought in connection to Thompsons killing.

But some attention in this case, especially online, has been deeply disturbing, as some have looked to celebrate instead of condemning this killer, Shapiro said, noting that Thompson, who was laid to rest Monday in Minnesota, was a father to two, a husband and a friend to many. And yes, he was the CEO of a health insurance company. In America, we do not kill people in cold blood to resolve policy differences or express a viewpoint.

This killer is being hailed as a hero, Shapiro said. Hear me on this. He is no hero. The real hero in this story is the person who called 911 at McDonalds this morning.

According to a criminal complaint against Mangione: Altoona police were called to the McDonalds on Plank Road for a suspicious person who resembled the person wanted in connection with Thompsons shooting. Officers located Mangione sitting at the rear of the restaurant wearing a blue medical mask and looking at a laptop computer on the table.

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Officers asked Mangione to pull down the mask to show his face and recognized him as the person in the pictures released by New York police of the person wanted for the shooting. When asked for identification, Mangione provided a New Jersey drivers license with the name Mark Rosario and a July 1998 birthdate, according to the complaint. Police were unable to find any information with the identity Mangione provided and advised him that he would be arrested for lying about his identity.

Mangione then identified himself. When asked why he had lied, Mangione replied I clearly shouldnt have. He was then handcuffed, searched and taken to the police station. Inside Mangiones backpack, police said they found the 3D-printed pistol loaded with nine rounds of 9 mm ammunition and a loose hollow-point round. The gun was with a silencer that had also been 3D printed, police said.

A spokesperson for the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia confirmed that Mangione is a 2020 graduate of the universitys undergraduate and graduate degree programs, where he studied computer science. A LinkedIn profile in Mangiones name says he has worked as a data engineer for a Santa Monica, California, online auto sales marketplace.

Mangione comes from a large and high-profile family in the Baltimore area, with branches of the family that own the Turf Valley and Hayfields country clubs in Ellicott City and WCBM Radio, among other businesses, the Capital-Stars sibling publication Maryland Matters reported.

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WBAL-TV in Baltimore reported that Luigi Mangione was valedictorian of the Class of 2016 at the Gilman School and later graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. The office of Del. Nino Mangione (R-Baltimore County) confirmed to the TV station that the lawmaker is a cousin.

Nino Mangione, a radio host at WCBM who was elected to the General Assembly in 2018, did not immediately respond to calls and an email from Maryland Matters seeking comment Monday. The Gilman School did not immediately respond to a request to confirm that Luigi Mangione was a student there.

The arrest Monday was the result of tireless work of the greatest detectives in the world, Tisch said, who reviewed thousands of hours of video, followed up on hundreds of tips and processed forensic evidence. The NYPD also deployed assets including scuba divers, drones and electronic surveillance systems.

This combination of old school detective work and new age technology is what led to this result today, Tisch said, adding that the media and the public played a crucial role. We should never underestimate the power of the public to be our eyes and our ears in these investigations.
Australian police on Monday said that an arson attack on a synagogue in Melbourne is being treated as a terrorist incident.

Emergency services were called to a fire in the Adass Israel Synagogue, located in the Ripponlea area in south-east Melbourne, in the early hours of Friday. Witnesses told police they had seen people inside the premises pour liquid on the floor.

The fire caused significant damage to the building, but firefighters quickly contained the blaze.

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Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton told a press conference on Monday that police were searching for three suspects in connection with the firebombing, adding that investigations over the weekend had made significant progress, though no further details were provided.

Patton said a joint management committee had assessed the attack and concluded it was "likely a terrorist incident."

"We will now transition the investigation under the umbrella of the joint counter-terrorism team," he added.

Australian Federal Police Deputy Commissioner Krissy Barrett confirmed that the attack was now being treated as terrorism, describing it as a "likely politically motivated attack."

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On Friday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the attack, calling it an "outrage."

Meanwhile, Israeli President Isaac Herzog had assured the Jewish community of the support and solidarity of the Israeli people.

On the social media platform X, he wrote: "I call on leaders in Australia and around the world, to strongly condemn this vile act of terror and to combat the intolerable rise of anti-Jewish racism worldwide."

Melbourne is home to the country's largest Jewish population, with 54,583 Jews living there according to a 2021 census, the Jewish Council of Australia (JCA) has reported.
Sen. Amy Grady, chair of the Senate Education Committee and a fourth grade teacher, said lawmakers must prioritize bolstering elementary teachers' ability to support students with behavioral issues. (Will Price | West Virginia Legislative Photography)

Last week, an elementary student violently attacked Kanawha County principal Stephanie Haynes for 38 minutes.

Myself, an assistant principal and another staff member are currently covered in bruises because of this child, she told lawmakers at the Capitol on Monday. I actually called the police, and if you dont know this, the police cant help me.

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Haynes recalled that last year, the same boy tried to stab her with a night lock system that was meant to keep schools safe from intruders.

The Republican-led Legislature is trying to figure out how to help teachers deal with worsening elementary student behaviors that are crippling teaching time.

Haynes and other educators asked lawmakers to help them remove these students so that they and other students can feel safe. They proposed alternative learning spaces and funding to hire additional staff focused on helping these children.

Im not really sure what the answer is, said Tina Wallen, a principal in Raleigh County Schools. I dont feel like sending these kids home is the best answer because thats kind of where these things are allowed to take place most of the time. We do everything we can to try to help them.

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West Virginia classrooms often include children who have experienced trauma stemming from the states high rate of childhood poverty, thousands of kids in foster care and children living with grandparents. There arent enough resources in and outside of schools to help them.

Lawmakers earlier this year considered legislation, crafted by a senator who is a teacher, that would have given elementary teachers greater authority to remove students for disruptive, aggressive or violent behaviors. It outlined steps for how schools should deal with students who needed to be removed from their classrooms.

The measure died on the final night of session in March as the Senate and House were bickering over other bills.

Weve got a major problem, said Sen. Rollan Roberts, R-Raleigh, who is a principal at a private, religious school. We are losing kids out of the public education system  and you guys are getting beat up  We should be concerned about the other kids in the classroom with the trauma.

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Four educators shared stories with lawmakers about kids violent outbursts, ongoing disruptions and incidents where they were physically attacked. Many of the students had experienced trauma, they said, but there were others whose parents didnt support discipline.

There have been times theyve been so violent, weve had to remove all the other kids from the classroom  because they are throwing things, Wallen said.

Educators explained the barriers they face in dealing with the behaviors, including an inability to take away recess as punishment due to the states rules on physical activity at schools. It is also challenging to expel elementary students, and the violent outbursts dont always qualify as reason to remove the child from school.

Morgan Elmore is a preschool teacher in Randolph County Schools. She is also a foster parent.

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It is important to give age appropriate consequences but also not say just because a student has childhood trauma, an [Individuals Education Plan], or etc., that theyre entirely exempt from having to be accountable for their actions, she said. This should not be a free excuse to be dangerous.

Lawmakers want to tackle a complex problem

Senate Education Committee Chair Amy Grady, a fourth grade teacher, stressed that a school discipline bill needed to be a priority for lawmakers during the next regular session in February 2025.

Until we get these behaviors under control, we are not going to see our test scores improve and our enrollment is going to decline, she said. School enrollment around the state has declined, and students have access to a broad education savings account program that gives families money to use at private schools.

This has to be a priority this session. We have to find something that will help our teachers, these kids and our staff, Grady said.

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This years school discipline bill, crafted by Grady, faced criticism from Democrats and school employees who said it could result in children in need of serious mental health support being disproportionately removed from their classrooms. It didnt come with funding for behavior support programs; Grady had suggested that counties use opioid settlement funds to pay for it.

Only 13 of the states 55 counties had an elementary alternative discipline program last school year, according to the West Virginia Department of Education. Wallen said an alternative learning program for elementary students in Wyoming County can only accept six students at a time.

Del. Dave Foggin, R-Wood, floated the idea of reinstating physical punishment in elementary schools. He is a teacher.

Pain is a great motivator. No one wants to issue pain to a child  but the only people who want to issue pain to a child are people who truly love them and want to correct their behaviors, he said. Who took the paddles out of the schools? Thats my quick and easy fix to this problem thats not fun to talk about.

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Roberts said that the problem should be dealt with by the state education leaders.

We can pass laws and make them do things, but Im really disappointed that we are talking about having to do such, he said. We should have people in leadership positions in the state of West Virginia for our students and our children that will do whatever needs to be done to make it so you all dont have to leave your classrooms and come to a place like this and tell us your stories.

Del. Jimmy Willis, R-Brooke, said that the information shared was deeply concerning.

I think it was a productive conversation today and only wish the State Department of Education would have been in attendance to join the conversation, Willis said. We as the Legislature will continue to work diligently and do what those in the classroom continue to tell us is needed to improve education and outcomes for every West Virginia student.

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ACCRA, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- International election observer groups monitoring Ghana's general elections on Monday commended the West African country for a peaceful poll.

The groups from the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), and the Commonwealth of Nations lauded the Electoral Commission (EC), polling staff, political parties, police, and the media for their respectful roles in ensuring the successful conduct of the election in Ghana.

Addressing a press conference in the Ghanaian capital of Accra to present their preliminary statement, Sahle-Work Zewde, former president of Ethiopia and head of the AU Election Observation Mission (AUEOM), said the peaceful conduct reinforces the country's democratic credentials.

"The AUEOM commends the people of Ghana for their commitment to democratic principles, as evidenced by the peaceful conduct of the Dec. 7 general elections. The overall electoral process adhered to regional and international standards, reinforcing Ghana's democratic credentials," she said.

Former Nigerian Vice President and Head of the ECOWAS Election Observation Mission Mohammed Namadi Sambo stated that voters were able to express their choice in a free atmosphere. "The conduct of the 2024 general elections was largely peaceful and, to a significant extent, complied with national and regional normative frameworks."

More than 18 million Ghanaians cast their ballots Saturday to elect a new president and 276 parliamentarians in a highly staked election.

Former President John Dramani Mahama, leader of the opposition National Democratic Congress, announced his victory on social media Sunday.

Meanwhile, the EC is scheduled to announce official results of the polls late Monday. 
Five days after UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was gunned down on the sidewalk in front of the New York Hilton Midtown hotel, police announced that they had a suspect in custody  Luigi Nicholas Mangione, 26, of Honolulu, Hawaii.

Mangione was arrested in Altoona, Pa., after a McDonald's employee notified police, authorities said.

He was found in possession of a firearm similar to that used to shoot Thompson, as well as a fake N.J. ID used to check into a hostel where the shooter allegedly stayed, and a manifesto critical of the health insurance industry, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed at a press conference on Monday, Dec. 9.

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Mangione was arrested on firearms charges, Tisch said.

"The suspect was in a McDonald's and was recognized by an employee who then called local police," Tisch said. "Responding officers questioned the suspect who was acting suspiciously and was carrying multiple fraudulent IDs as well as a U.S. passport."

NYPD detectives "are en route to Pennsylvania ... as we seek to interview the subject," she said.

Related: Suspect ID'd in Fatal Shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson

NYPDnews/X; Luigi Mangione/Facebook Luigi Mangione Luigi Mangione

Shortly after the shooting, NYPD released photos of the suspect captured on video in a Manhattan Starbucks and then at a hostel on 103rd St. and Amsterdam Avenue in Manhattan, where the suspect is believed to have stayed during his visit to New York City.

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Those images came after NYPD investigators "combed through thousands of hours of video, followed up on hundreds of tips, and processed every bit of forensic evidence, DNA fingerprints, IP addresses, and so much more to tighten the net," said Tisch.

The NYPD deployed drones, canine units and scuba divers to search for any clue as to the identity of the suspect, she said.

Detectives also went door to door interviewing potential witnesses "and doing the good old-fashioned police work that our investigators are famous for," Tisch added.

"This combination of old school detective work and new age technology is what led to this result today."

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She also acknowledged the role the media and the public played in helping apprehend Mangione.

"The images that we shared with the public were spread far and wide, and the tips we received led to the recovery of crucial evidence," she said. "We should never underestimate the power of the public to be our eyes and our ears in these investigations."

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said the initial photo police released of the person of interest was obtained by the NYPD during one of its extensive video canvases.

"We took that photograph and we asked for the public's help in identifying the subject and the public responded," he said.

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"Luckily, a citizen in Pennsylvania recognized our subject and called local law enforcement," said Kenny.

This investigation is still active and ongoing, say police.



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ROCHESTER, Mass. (WWLP)  An armed man from Rochester is in custody after a police pursuit and a standoff with Massachusetts State Police ended safely Sunday night.

In a news release from Massachusetts State Police Spokesperson Tim McGuirk, at around 10 p.m. troopers were advised by Rochester Police that 35-year-old Shawn Smalley reportedly left his home in a Toyota Tundra with multiple firearms. Troopers located the truck on Route 28 in Dennis and attempted a traffic stop.

Victim of deadly Chesterfield snowmobile crash identified

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The police ended the pursuit as Smalley entered a congested area and continued towards Harwich. The State Police Air Wing was called in to assist and Orleans Police deployed a tire deflation device which made contact with the vehicles front passenger tire. Smalley continued driving at a low speed for a short time before stopping and running away from the truck in the area of Eves Way and Great Pond Road in Eastham.

Officers chased Smalley on foot for approximately 100 yards when a standoff began. During this time, Massachusetts State Police Spokesperson Tim McGuirk told 22News that Smalley pointed a firearm at himself and police. After about 30 minutes, Smalley surrendered to police and was placed into custody.

A pistol and two shotguns were seized and Smalley is charged with three counts of assault with a dangerous weapon (firearm), failure to stop for police, and negligent operation.

No injuries or property damage was reported.

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.

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DISTRICT HEIGHTS, Md. (DC News Now)  Police have identified the two men who were shot and killed in a Prince Georges County parking lot on Friday.

The Prince Georges County Police Department (PGPD) said that around 9:25 p.m., officers responded to a shooting reported in the 6200 block of Surrey Square Lane.

Responding officers found 24-year-old Vernon Bond III and 28-year-old Jonathan Jamal Williams, both of Washington, D.C., in a parking lot with gunshot wounds.

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Both of them died shortly after.

Mother charged with murder after drowning 3-month-old baby in Chevy Chase, court documents say

Police believe that Bond and Williams knew each other and shot each other during an argument.

Anyone with any information is asked to call 301-516-2512.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Luigi Mangione, who was arrested Monday morning in Pennsylvania as a strong person of interest in the death of United Healthcares CEO Brian Thompson, has been charged in Manhattan with murder, according to online court records, reported The New York Times.

Mangione, 26, was arrested at a McDonalds in Altoona, almost 300 miles west of New York City, after an employee thought he matched images released of the alleged shooter and called the police, according to The New York Times.

Mangione matched the description of the man in photos of the suspect and had multiple items allegedly connecting him to the killing in his possession.

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According to The New York Times, Mangione was born and raised in Maryland. He also has ties to San Francisco and his last known address was in Honolulu, Hawaii. The University of Pennsylvania confirmed that Mangione earned both bachelors and masters degrees in engineering from the school. He graduated in May 2020.

In high school, Mangione was the valedictorian of his 2016 class at the Gilman School in Baltimore, per The New York Times.

He has no known criminal record in New York, per wire service reports.

Last Wednesday, at around 6:40 a.m. ET, Thompson was shot and killed by a masked man outside a Manhattan hotel, per Axios.

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According to CNN, the shooting prompted a manhunt that reached up and down the East Coast.

NYPD officers in diving suits search a lake in Central Park, Monday, Dec. 9, 2024, in New York. | Yuki Iwamura

What evidence was found in Mangiones possession when he was arrested?

When officers arrested Mangione, they found a gun and a silencer which are consistent to those used in the killing, per The New York Times.

The gun found in Mangiones possession is believed to be a ghost gun.

Ghost guns are untraceable, self-assembled firearms, often put together with parts sold online, sometimes in as little as 30 minutes. The weapons, sometimes referred to by officials as privately made firearms, or PMFs, do not have serial numbers, making them all the more difficult to track and regulate, per CNN.

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He also had a fraudulent New Jersey ID, which matches one used to check into a New York City hostel ahead of the shooting.

Mangione was also found with clothing that matched what the gunman was wearing, according to The New York Times.

Authorities also found a handwritten manifesto in Mangiones possession, which criticized health care companies and also suggested violence as a solution to the problem.

The document included threatening sentences such as these parasites had it coming and I do apologize for any strife and trauma, but it had to be done, per CNN.

In the manifesto, Mangione said he acted alone and that he was self-funded.

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We dont think theres any specific threats to other people mentioned in that document, but it does seem that he has some ill will towards corporate America, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said according to CNN.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Authorities have identified the man shot to death in NE Portlands Sumner neighborhood on Dec. 4, according to police.

Officers responded to the area of 8200 NE Sandy Boulevard shortly after 5 a.m. and found Benjamin Walker, 45, dead at the scene. A medical examiner later determined his death was a homicide.

Roads blocked, school closed after late night crash in Hillsboro

Any suspects fled the scene before officers arrived, officials said.

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Those with information about the shooting are encouraged to contact the Portland 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 KOIN.com.
A man is being held by police in Pennsylvania in connection to the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, ABC News reported Monday.

The man was identified by authorities as 26-year-old Luigi Mangione. He was traveling on a Greyhound bus and stopped at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where he was recognized by a witness from the photos circulated by police, law enforcement sources told ABC.

Mangione was carrying a fake New Jersey ID that matched the ID used by the gunman to check into a hostel on the Upper West Side before the shooting. He was also carrying a handwritten manifesto that criticized healthcare companies for "putting profits above care," law enforcement sources told The New York Times.

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Altoona police arrested Mangione on firearm charges, New York City Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters. She added that Mangione is believed to be their "person of interest."

On Wednesday morning, Thompson was shot and killed in midtown Manhattan in what police say appears to be a "premeditated, preplanned targeted attack. A new video obtained by ABC showed the gunman waiting for Thompson to exit the New York Hilton Midtown, before running across the street and shooting him. The video has not yet been released publicly.

The shooter fled the scene on foot and then on a rental bike before boarding a bus outside of New York City. Police have been unable to locate the suspect since.

Sources told ABC that the NYPD is sending detectives to Altoona to question the Mangione.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Las Vegas police are investigating an officer-involved shooting that stemmed from a barricade at a south Las Vegas hotel Sunday evening, according to Metro police.

On Sunday around 5:05 p.m., police responded to the South Point Hotel and Casino in the 9700 block of South Las Vegas Boulevard.

Police said a person on the hotel property was refusing to comply with officers, resulting in the barricade.

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Around 10:10 p.m., police said there was an officer-involved shooting at the same location. No officers have been reported injured at this time,

This is an ongoing story, stay with 8 News Now for updates.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
WILLIAMSBURG, Brooklyn (PIX11)  A 14-year-old boy was shot in Williamsburg Sunday afternoon, according to the NYPD.

The incident happened around 4:42 p.m.

More Local News

The shooting happened around Clymer Street between Juliana Pl and Bedford Ave, according to the FDNY. The boy was taken to a local hospital.

Police say the suspect was a man wearing all black.

No other information was immediately available.

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Ben Mitchell is a digital content producer from Vermont who has covered both local and international news since 2021. He joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of his work here.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
(WJET/WFXP) Pennsylvania State Police in Corry are asking the public for information after an ATM was ripped out of the ground and stolen in Crawford County Sunday morning.

Police said a GENMEGA ATM machine was stolen from outside a local business at the intersection East Freemont Street and North Main Street in Townville Boro on Dec. 8 around 8:18 a.m.

Oil City man dead after single-car airborne crash in Venango Co.

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The person involved reportedly used tow straps and their vehicle to pull the machine from its secured location before leaving.

No description was given for the vehicle and anyone with information is asked to call PSP Corry at (814) 663- 2043.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Police have arrested a man in Pennsylvania who New York City authorities confirm is a "strong person of interest" in the killing of Brian Thompson, the chief executive officer of UnitedHealthcare.

At a press conference, New York City Mayor Eric Adams said the man taken into custody matches the description of the shooter and was found in possession of items suspected to be tied to the health insurance executive's targeted killing.

New York City Police Department Commissioner Jessica Tisch said the Altoona Police Department arrested 26-year-old Luigi Mangione on Monday morning in connection with firearms charges.

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Mangione was born and raised in Maryland and has ties to San Francisco, California, NYPD said. He has no prior arrest history in New York and his last known address was in Honolulu, Hawaii.

"At this time, he's believed to be our person of interest in the brazen, targeted murder of Brian Thompson," Tisch stated.

According to Tisch, the suspect was inside a McDonalds and recognized by an employee who called police.

"Responding officers questioned the suspect, who was acting suspiciously and was carrying multiple fraudulent IDs, as well as a U.S. passport," she said.

Police said Mangione was also found to be carrying a "ghost gun" firearm and suppressor, which are "both consistent with the weapon used in the murder."

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Authorities also recovered clothing, including a face mask, as well as a fraudulent ID matching the ID used by the suspect to check into a New York City hostel.

"Additionally, officers recovered a hand-written document that speaks to both his motivation and his mindset," Tisch said.

NYPD personnel is traveling to Pennsylvania on Monday to interview Mangione.

Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcements latest version of events, and may be subject to change.
This photo taken on Dec. 8, 2024 shows thick smoke after an explosion in Damascus, Syria. (Photo by Monsef Memari/Xinhua)

Syria is at a crossroads between peace and war, stability and lawlessness, reconstruction or further ruin, a senior UN official said.

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- UN humanitarians on Monday described the situation in Syria as chaotic and fluid, with more than 16 million people in the country requiring assistance.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said 1 million people were displaced from their homes in the west and northwest alone from Nov. 28 to Dec. 8. "There is an urgent need for more shelter, food, and sanitation facilities."

The office said the recently displaced were primarily women and children from Aleppo, Hama, Homs and Idlib governorates. The situation is very fluid, with reports of more people returning in the last couple of days. Transportation routes were disrupted, limiting the movement of people, goods and humanitarian aid.

Some looting of civilian properties and factories, as well as warehouses holding humanitarian supplies, has been reported, according to OCHA.

"Despite the challenges and the volatile situation, we and our partners continue to provide emergency aid," the office said.

The office said that in northwest Syria, all humanitarian organizations in Idlib and northern Aleppo resumed regular operations and the three border crossings from Turkiye used to deliver aid into Syria remained open.

"In the northeast, we are providing supplies for those who recently fled Aleppo," OCHA said. "In Aleppo, we are providing basic assistance including food, health and nutrition services, and support for access to clean water."

However, the office said that health facilities are overwhelmed, with major hospitals operating at limited capacity due to shortages of staff, medicine and supplies.

"Our health partners continue to provide critical services in impacted areas, including providing trauma care kits." OCHA said. "They have also deployed medical units in reception centers and schools across Raqqa, Tabqa and Al-Hasakeh."

This photo taken on Dec. 8, 2024 shows thick smoke after an explosion in Damascus, Syria. (Photo by Monsef Memari/Xinhua)

The UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) and the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) deployed mobile teams and established fixed clinics in Homs. In northwest Syria, all 24 health facilities that had suspended operations recently resumed services, although others remain non-functional.

"Syria is at a crossroads between peace and war, stability and lawlessness, reconstruction or further ruin," UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Filippo Grandi said in a statement.

"There is a remarkable opportunity for Syria to move toward peace and for its people to begin returning home. But with the situation still uncertain, millions of refugees are carefully assessing how safe it is to do so. Some are eager, while others are hesitant," he said.

"UNHCR's advice is to remain focused on the issue of returns," Grandi said. "Patience and vigilance will be necessary, hoping that developments on the ground will evolve in a positive manner, allowing voluntary, safe and sustainable returns to finally occur -- with refugees able to make informed decisions."

Grandi said that as the situation evolves, UNHCR will monitor developments, engage with refugee communities and support states in any organized voluntary returns.

Some voices have been heard in nations hosting refugees on forcing refugees to return to their homes in Syria as Bashar al-Assad's government has collapsed following a sweeping offensive by militant groups.

Stephane Dujarric, the spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, said the world body calls on donors to ensure that UNHCR and its partners have the resources to respond swiftly and effectively, including in neighboring countries still hosting millions of refugees.

"These countries need international support to sustain their exceptional solidarity and generosity," Dujarric said. "Resources need to be provided as flexibly as possible to allow for assistance to be provided where it is most needed." 
NEW YORK -- Luigi Mangione, who has been charged in last week's murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City, was taken into custody on unrelated charges in Pennsylvania earlier on Monday.

Mangione, 26, was spotted at an Altoona McDonald's in the morning by someone who'd seen photos of the person of interest in the case. Local authorities responded and arrested him on forgery and illegal gun charges.

"At this time, he is believed to be our person of interest in the brazen, targeted murder of Brian Thompson," NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch said. "The suspect was in a McDonald's and then recognized by an employee who then called police. Responding officers questioned the suspect, who was acting suspiciously and was carrying multiple fraudulent IDs as well as a U.S. passport."

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How the arrest went down

Responding Altoona Police Officer Tyler Frye, who is only six months on the job, said he directed Mangione to remove his mask.

"We didn't think twice about it. We knew it was our guy," Frye said during a news conference on Monday night.

Frye said he asked Mangione if he had been in New York City recently.

"He became visibly nervous, kind of shaking at that question, and he didn't really answer it directly," Altoona Police Deputy Chief Derick Swope said.

When prompted for his ID, police say he gave a fake New Jersey driver's license, which investigators believe was used to check into a Manhattan hostel 10 days before the shooting.

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The NYPD is working to extradite Mangione to New York, a process that could take days or weeks.

"This is a strong person of interest," New York City Mayor Eric Adams said. "He matches the description of the identification we've been looking for. He's also in possession of several items that we believe will connect him to this incident."

Mangione is an Ivy League graduate and part of a prominent family in Maryland. Police said he has no prior arrests.

Watch: Who is accused UnitedHealthcare CEO gunman Luigi Mangione? Gun recovered is consistent with murder weapon, police say

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Mangione was sitting and eating at the McDonald's when officers arrived, police said.

Once in custody, police searched his backpack, where they found a U.S. passport, clothes that matched the shooter's attire, a ghost gun with a suppressor, consistent with the murder weapon, and a three-page writing.

Police revealed Mangione also had various electronic devices, which they believe he was using to evade detection.

"He was very careful with trying to stay low profile, avoid cameras," Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Col. George Bivens said.

"The document is currently in possession of the Altoona Police Department," Kenny said. "But just from briefly speaking with them, we don't think that there's any specific threats to other people mentioned in that document. But it does seem that he has some ill will toward corporate America."

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Thompson, 50, was fatally shot outside the Hilton Midtown hotel on Dec. 4. The NYPD identified a person of interest who it said had used a fake New Jersey ID to check into a hostel on Manhattan's Upper West Side before the shooting. Investigators later said they believed the person of interest had left New York City, possibly on a bus.

"NYPD investigators combed through thousands of hours of video, followed up on hundreds of tips and processed every bit of forensic evidence, DNA, fingerprints, IP addresses, and so much more. We deployed drones, canine units, scuba divers," Tisch said.

Over the weekend, the NYPD continued to search Central Park for clues, specifically the weapon used to kill Thompson, but was unsuccessful. Investigators on Friday found what they believe is the suspected gunman's backpack in the park, law enforcement officials told CBS News.

"In this case, it really came down to technology. It was the use of drones in Central Park, and really comes down to the video canvas that we did. We used every source of video that we could collect. Hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of hours, from hundreds of sources, and that helped bring this to where we are right now," Kenny said.

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CEO's shocking murder caught on video

Thompson's murder outside the Hilton on Sixth Avenue near West 54th Street was captured on surveillance video. It showed Thompson walking down the street and the gunman appearing behind him. Wielding a pistol with a silencer on it, the gunman is seen taking aim and firing, shooting Thompson in the back. As Thompson falls, the gunman appears to clear a jam in the weapon, take aim and fire again. The gun then apparently jams again, before the gunman clears the round and fires once more before running across the street.

Tisch called the killing a "premeditated, preplanned, targeted attack" as the department launched an all-out manhunt and offered a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest. The FBI was also offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

"Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target," Tisch said at a news conference the day of the shooting. "The full investigative efforts of the New York City Police Department are well underway, and we will not rest until we identify and apprehend the shooter in this case."

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Quickly, investigators put together a timeline of the shooting, including the suspect's movements and escape route.

The next day, police released images of a person they wanted to question in connection with the killing as they zeroed in on the hostel where he was allegedly staying.

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Police are questioning a man in Altoona, Pa., in connection with the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, police sources tell PEOPLE.

ABC7 and NBC4, citing sources, report that police are questioning the man because of his possession of a unique weapon police believe the shooter used to kill Thompson last week.

Thompson, 50, was shot just before 6:45 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 4, by a masked gunman who was "lying in wait" outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan, NYPD officials said at a press conference. The shooting took place as the healthcare executive was entering the hotel for an investors' conference, according to police.

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The gunman fired at least three shots at Thompson before fleeing on foot and bike heading towards Central Park, police said. Thompson was pronounced dead at a local hospital a short time later, police said.

NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters that the gunman appeared to deliberately target the CEO.

UnitedHealth Group Brian Thompson Brian Thompson

Police did not immediately identify a motive for the attack. However, the words "deny," "defend" and "depose" were reportedly discovered by detectives on shell casings found at the scene, police sources told ABC News.

Those words are similar to "delay, deny, defend"  a phrase about the insurance industry to describe a strategy of rejecting claims.

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Related: Words Reportedly Written on Bullet Casings Tied to CEO's Killing Echo Scathing Phrase About Insurance Industry

In photos released on X, formerly Twitter, Thursday, Dec. 5, a person sought for questioning in the killing show a smiling man wearing a brown jacket with the hood up, and no face mask, while checking in at an Upper West Side hostel. Further images released by the NYPD showed the man masked up in a taxi cab following the shooting.

NYPDnews/X

Related: UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson Was Killed in 'Brazen, Targeted' Attack by Masked Gunman 'Lying in Wait': Police

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Thompson's wife Paulette told NBC News that her husband had been the subject of threats before he embarked on his trip to New York.

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According to a bio on UnitedHealthcare's company's website, Thompson was named CEO of the company in April 2021 and joined the company in 2004. He lived in Minnesota and is survived by his wife and their two children, according to Local Channel2 Now.

In a statement issued after Thompson's killing, UnitedHealth Group said, "Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him. Our hearts go out to Brian's family and all who were close to him.



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MT. JULIET, Tenn. (WKRN)  Mt. Juliet authorities spent part of their Sunday night searching for three children  including one teenager  who ran away.

The Mt. Juliet Police Department (MJPD) posted on Facebook shortly after 9 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8 that the 7-year-old, 10-year-old, and 14-year-old were last known to be in the area of Mt. Juliet Road and Pleasant Grove Road, so officers were looking around Mt. Juliet Road from Weston Drive to Interstate 40.

Officials offered the following descriptions of the runaway kids:

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7-year-old Hispanic girl wearing a pink shirt

10-year-old Hispanic boy wearing a gray shirt, camouflage pants, and a gray backpack

14-year-old Hispanic girl wearing a black Chicago Bulls sweatshirt and black pants

Teen facing charges following Mt. Juliet road rage incident

At 9:45 p.m., MJPD posted on X that officers were still searching for the runaways, who were believed to be in the area and possibly hiding.

Then, at 10:30 p.m., police announced the unruly, runaway 14-year-old, along with her 7-year-old and 10-year-old siblings, were found safely.

MJPD Deputy Chief Tyler Chandler said the children ran away from their home on Northwest Rutland Road, adding that with the rain and chilly temperatures, officers wanted to track down those kids as quickly as possible.

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According to Chandler, a call came in around 8:30 p.m. from a foster family who reported there was a note saying the children no longer wanted to be there and wanted to go back home with their biological parents, who no longer have custody of the kids for reasons that were not disclosed. The Department of Childrens Services was involved in removing those children from their parents home since it was reportedly not safe for them.

Chandler said authorities are looking into why the 14-year-old convinced her younger siblings to run away with her from the foster home, which they were recently placed in, and making sure there was no criminal reason they didnt want to be there.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

The deputy chief said a resident found the kids hiding in their garage and had a conversation with them, but the children ran off when the resident went to call police.

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After bringing in the Wilson County Sheriffs Office, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and a Middle Tennessee State University Police Department bloodhound team to look for the kids, Chandler reported they were discovered behind a commercial building off Mt. Juliet Road near Mister Car Wash, about a half a mile away from the garage where the resident found them.

According to Chandler, the children were safe, but medics still checked them out to make sure they were okay after being exposed to the rain and cold temperatures.

No additional details have been released about these kids or the circumstances surrounding their departure.

 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.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
JANESVILLE, Wis. (WFRV)  Authorities in Wisconsin are cautioning residents about individuals posing as utility workers to gain access to homes.

The Janesville Police Department reported that Janesville Water Utility has received multiple complaints about people impersonating utility employees.

37-year-old Wisconsin man arrested after Fond du Lac County chase

Officials remind residents that legitimate utility staff will always carry city-issued identification and operate marked city vehicles displaying the utility logo.

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Authorities advise residents not to allow anyone into their home unless they are certain the individual is a city employee.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
NEW YORK (AP)  Police find writings critical of insurance industry on man being questioned in UnitedHealthcare shooting, AP source says.
PHOENIX (AP)  A polygamist religious leader who claimed more than 20 spiritual wives including 10 underage girls was sentenced to 50 years in prison on Monday for coercing girls as young as 9 years old to submit to criminal sex acts with him and other adults, and for scheming to kidnap them from protective custody.

Samuel Bateman, whose small group was an offshoot of the sect once led by Warren Jeffs, had pleaded guilty to a yearslong scheme to transport girls across state lines for his sex crimes, and later to kidnap some of them from protective custody.

Under the agreement, Bateman pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit transportation of a minor for sexual activity, which carries a sentence of 10 years to life imprisonment, and one count of conspiracy to commit kidnapping, which is punishable by up to life imprisonment. He was sentenced to 50 years on each count, to be served concurrently.

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The rest of the charges were dismissed as part of the agreement.

Authorities say that Bateman, 48, tried to start an offshoot of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints based in the neighboring communities of Colorado City, Arizona, and Hildale, Utah. The fundamentalist group, also known as FLDS, split from the mainstream Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints after Mormons officially abandoned polygamy in 1890.

U.S. District Court Judge Susan Brnovich sentenced Bateman after hearing statements in court by three teenage girls about the trauma they still struggle to overcome. Although they gave their names in court, The Associated Press does not name victims of sexual crime, and some appeared to still be minors.

You should not have the opportunity to be free and never have the opportunity to be around young women,  Brnovich told Bateman, noting that for a man of his age the 50-year sentence was effectively a life sentence.

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"You took them from their homes, from their families and made them into sex slaves, the judge said. You stripped them of their innocence and childhood.

A short competency hearing that was closed to the public was held just before sentencing to discuss a doctors assessment of Batemans mental health. The defense had argued that Bateman could have benefited from a maximum of 20 years of psychiatric treatment behind bars before being released.

The girls told the court, sometimes addressing Bateman himself, how they grappled to develop relationships in high school, among other struggles. Now living with foster families, they said they had received much support from trusted adults outside their community.

After the sentencing, the teens hugged and wept quietly. They were escorted out of court by a half dozen men and women in jackets with the slogan Bikers Against Child Abuse," a group dedicated to protecting children from what it calls dangerous people and situations. A woman who sat with the teens said no one in the group would have a comment.

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There was no one in the courtroom who appeared to be a supporter of Bateman.

The alleged practice of sect members sexually abusing girls whom they claim as spiritual wives has long plagued the FLDS. Jeffs was convicted of state charges in Texas in 2011 involving sexual assaults of his underage followers. Bateman was one of Jeffs' trusted followers and declared himself, like Jeffs, to be a prophet of the FLDS. Jeffs denounced Bateman in a written revelation sent to his followers from prison, and then tried to start his own group.

In 2019 and 2020, insisting that polygamy brings exaltation in heaven and that he was acting on orders from the Heavenly Father, Bateman began taking female adults and children from his male followers and proclaiming them to be his wives, the plea agreement said. While none of these marriages were legally or ceremonially recognized, Bateman acknowledged that each time he claimed another wife, it marked the beginning of his illicit sexual contact with the woman or girl.

Federal agents said Bateman demanded that his followers confess publicly for any indiscretions and he imposed punishments that ranged from public shaming to sexual activity, including requiring that some male followers atone for their sins by surrendering their own wives and daughters to him.

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Bateman traveled extensively between Arizona, Utah, Colorado and Nebraska and regularly coerced underage girls into his criminal sexual activity, the U.S. Attorney's Office in Arizona said. Recordings of some of his sex crimes were transmitted across state lines via electronic devices.

Bateman was arrested in August 2022 by state police as he drove through Flagstaff, Arizona, pulling a trailer. Someone had alerted authorities after spotting small fingers reaching through the slats of the door. Inside the trailer, which had no ventilation, they found a makeshift toilet, a sofa, camping chairs and three girls, 11 to 14 years old.

Bateman posted bond but was soon arrested again, accused of obstructing justice in a federal investigation into whether children were being transported across state lines for his sex crimes. Authorities also took nine children from Batemans home in Colorado City into protective custody.

Eight of the children later escaped from foster care in Arizona, and were found hundreds of miles away in Washington state, in a vehicle driven by one of the adult wives. Bateman also admitted his involvement in the kidnapping plot.

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Federal prosecutors noted that Bateman's plea agreement was contingent on all of his co-defendants also pleading guilty. It also called for restitution of as much as $1 million per victim, and for all assets to be immediately forfeited.

Seven of Batemans adult wives have been convicted of crimes related to coercing children into sexual activity or impeding the investigation into Bateman. Some acknowledged they also coerced girls to become Bateman's spiritual wives, witnessed Bateman having criminal sexual activity with girls, participated in illicit group sex involving children, or joined in kidnapping them from foster care. Another woman is scheduled to be tried Jan. 14 on charges related to the kidnappings.

Two Colorado City brothers also face 10 years to life at their sentencings, on Dec. 16 and Dec. 20, after being convicted in October of charges including interstate travel to persuade or coerce a child to engage in sexual activity. Authorities say one bought Bateman two Bentley automobiles, while the other bought him a Range Rover.

In court records, lawyers for some of Batemans wives painted a bleak picture of their clients religious upbringings.

One said his client was raised in a religious cult that taught sexual activity with children was acceptable and that she was duped into marrying Bateman. Another said her client was given to Bateman by another man as if she were a piece of property, feeling she had no choice.
Pope Francis was seen with a bruise on his chin during a ceremony, sparking concerns about his health  but the Vatican says it was the result of a minor fall.

On Saturday, Dec. 7, the pope, 87, arrived at St. Peter's Basilica for a ceremony to install 21 new cardinals, and attendees noticed a large, purple bruise on the right side of his chin and neck. According to Reuters, the Vatican press office said that he sustained the injury after hitting his chin on his bedside table on Friday morning.

Reuters reported that he seemed to be in otherwise good health on Saturday, as he officially appointed 21 new men from 17 countries  including Peru, Argentina, Japan, the Philippines, Algeria, India and Serbia  to the College of Cardinals. They will eventually elect his successor.

Antonio Masiello/Getty Pope Francis photographed at Rome's Piazza di Spagna on Dec. 8, 2024 Pope Francis photographed at Rome's Piazza di Spagna on Dec. 8, 2024

Related: Pope Francis Keeps Accidentally Tweeting About the New Orleans Saints  and the Team Is Loving It

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Francis, who became pope in 2013, has had a few health issues in recent years. In June 2023, he underwent intestinal surgery for an abdominal hernia, as he was experiencing "recurring, painful and worsening" symptoms.

"At the end of the General Audience, the Holy Father went to the A. Gemelli University Hospital where in the early afternoon he will undergo a surgical operation of laparotomy and plastic surgery of the abdominal wall with prostheses under general anesthesia, the Vatican said in a statement to PEOPLE at the time.

In April last year, the pope was hospitalized for bronchitis, and the Associated Press reported at the time that he joked that he was "still alive, you know," while he left the hospital, giving reporters a thumbs up.

Francis also uses a wheelchair and other mobility devices due to back and knee issues.



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Related: 'God's Influencer,' 15, Set to Become First Millennial Saint After Pope Francis Recognizes Second Miracle

The pontiff recently made headlines when he announced that he will publish an autobiography, titled Hope, in January 2025, marking the first time a sitting pope has released a memoir.

The book took Francis six years to write with co-writer Carlo Musso, and will be released in time for the 2025 Jubilee of Hope, a year-long religious event in the Catholic church that is celebrated every 25 years and encourages followers to repent for their sins, forgive others and more.

The upcoming memoir  which follows his March 2024 book Life: My Story Through History  was originally meant to be published after Francis death, but the pope decided to release it in 2025 in celebration of the Jubilee year.

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The book of my life is the story of a journey of hope, a journey that I cannot separate from the journey of my family, of my people, of all Gods people," Francis said in a statement. "In every page, in every passage, it is also the book of those who have traveled with me, of those who came before, of those who will follow.

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.

Hope is set to be published on Jan. 14, 2025.

Read the original article on People
Pope Francis called upon politicians and global leaders to bring about a ceasefire across the globe, including Russias war against Ukraine, during his Sunday prayer on Dec. 8.

"I appeal to governments and the international community that a ceasefire may be reached on all war fronts by the Christmas celebrations," Pope Francis said.

His words came as Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine is about to enter its third year, with 2024 marking the 10th anniversary of Russias illegal occupation of Ukraines Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, as well as the Crimean Peninsula.

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"Let us continue to pray for peace, in tormented Ukraine, in the Middle East  Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, and now Syria  in Myanmar, in Sudan, and wherever people suffer from war and violence," the pope said.

The pope earned a controversial reputation in Ukraine with his earlier remarks that relativized the responsibility of Russias war, encouraging Ukrainians to have the "courage" to negotiate for peace.

Pope Francis also met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the Vatican in October, exchanging symbolic gifts. Zelensky received a bronze bas-relief with a flower and an inscription, "Peace is a fragile flower," while Pope Francis received a painting of the Bucha massacre.

Chances that the Russian military would halt for Christmas appear slim as they gather speed in eastern Ukraine, ratcheting up their offensive operations before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January 2025.

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Moscow's losses also mount, with reported daily losses of well over a thousand troops in recent months.

Read also: Zelensky gives Pope painting about Bucha massacre during Vatican meeting

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Pope Francis made a plea for peace while unveiling a nativity featuring baby Jesus nestled in a keffiyeh in Vatican City on Saturday.

The pontiff declared Enough wars, enough violence! while receiving a delegation of representatives from the Palestinian groups that organized the project by Bethlehem-based artists Johny Andonia and Faten Nastas Mitwasi, Vatican News reported.

Part of a series of scenes from a collection titled Nativity of Bethlehem 2024, the biblical tableau shows figures of the holy family carved from olive wood while baby Jesus lies atop a keffiyeh, a style of scarf worn across the Middle East which has become a symbol of Palestinians resistance to the ongoing occupation by Israel.

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Above the family is a panel of glass inscribed with, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill to all people in Latin and Arabic.

Addressing the donors of this year's Nativity Scene and Christmas tree in St. Peters Square, Pope Francis renews his impassioned appeal for peace in the Holy Land.https://t.co/04c6byifiO  Vatican News (@VaticanNews) December 7, 2024

At the event, the pope went on to tell his audience to remember the brothers and sisters, who, right there [in Bethlehem] and in other parts of the world, are suffering from the tragedy of war, according to the Times of Israel.

Following the nativitys dedication, the New Arab reported that a mass for peace and a ceasefire in the region took place at the Angeli Chapel.

Pope Francis has previously called the public to support a ceasefire between Palestine and Israel as well as the safe release of hostages taken in the Oct. 7 attacks.

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The head of the Holy See directly questioned Israels aggressive military response in interviews from a new book published last month, in which he calls for an investigation into whether Israels actions in Palestine fits into the technical definition of genocide.

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ANKARA, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced on Monday that Turkiye will reopen a border gate with Syria in southern Hatay province to facilitate the voluntary and secure return of Syrian refugees.

"We are opening the Yayladagi crossing to prevent overcrowding and facilitate traffic during the return (of Syrian refugees)," Erdogan said at a press conference after a cabinet meeting in the capital Ankara.

The Yayladagi crossing close to the northwest tip of Syria has been closed since 2013 due to fighting near the border.

While highlighting significant changes in Syria's socio-political landscape, Erdogan expressed optimism about the region's future. "As of yesterday, a dark period in Syria has ended, and a brighter era has begun," he said.

"The strong winds of change sweeping Syria will lead to positive outcomes for all Syrians, especially refugees. As stability is restored to Syria, voluntary, safe, dignified, and orderly returns (of Syrian refugees) will increase," he added.

Erdogan also stressed Turkiye's stance on respecting the territorial integrity of other states. "Turkiye has no interest in occupying another country's land. Our cross-border operations aim solely to protect our nation and citizens from terrorist threats."

Turkiye controls large areas of northern Syria following multiple cross-border operations against the Syrian Kurdish People's Protection Units, which Ankara views as a branch of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK).

In addition, hundreds of Syrian refugees gathered at two border crossings in southern Turkiye -- the Cilvegozu border gate in Hatay and the Oncupinar border post in Kilis province -- to return to their homeland following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's government on Sunday.

According to a UN report updated on Nov. 30, approximately 3.7 million Syrian refugees live in Turkiye, making the country the largest host of Syrians who have fled the civil war. 
A town in Gran Canaria has announced they are introducing a tourist tax for visitors staying in the area, with the profits being reinvested into the local tourism industry and infrastructure.

Authorities in Mogan, a town 93 kilometres outside the capital, Las Palmas, and one of the best beach resorts across the Canary Islands, said on Thursday they plan to approve the tax in a plenary session on 12 December.

The fee will be set at 0.15 per person per day for those staying at a tourist establishment. Mogan City Council said the profits will be used exclusively to finance activities, services or infrastructure in the popular tourist area, as well as promote tourism in the municipality.

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However, the 0.15 may not be set in stone, as the rate could fluctuate annually, depending on the costs derived from tourist activity foreseen in the councils budget.

Onalia Bueno, the mayor of Mogan, said that the tax policy will be brought to the plenary session next week, but will be enacted sometime in January 2025.

The council said it will become the first tax in Spain at a municipal level. At present, autonomous tourist taxes have been applied in the Balearic Islands and Catalonia for overnight stays.

The tax will extend to those staying in tourist accommodation within the municipality, such as hotel complexes and holiday homes. However, it will be the owners of these properties that must pay the tax to the Mogan Town Hall for six-month periods.

The area is well known for its colourful buildings (Getty Images)

This is due to local councils not having the power to impose overnight stay taxes, so it will be imposed as a charge for local services instead.

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The level of the tax arose from a study that looked at which services and activities had been underfunded and affected by the amounts of tourism the area received, which amounted to over 2.7m (2.2m).

The tax amount was then calculated by dividing this number by how much was being generated by tourists visiting the area, and setting the price according to roughly how much each person was costing the area per day.

Bueno said in a press conference last week that this rate is born from the disgust of having to bear the economic overexertion that the local administration has to make to maintain services, public spaces and tourist infrastructures in optimal conditions and also to be able to create new ones and adapt to the demands and preferences of tourists to continue being a competitive destination.

All this, while also preserving and improving residential areas, she added.

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The council said that the benefits generated by tourism across the whole of the archipelago  which is around 35.5 per cent of its GDP, or amounting to 20m (16.56m) in 2023  do not revert back to the tourist municipalities.

The tax will be set at 0.15 per person per day (Getty Images)

"This situation leads us to be underfunded" Bueno pointed out, stating that Mogan has now decided to take "a firm step to seek extra funding" that will allow "reducing or ending the budget deficit derived from tourism action."

The mayor added that tax currently comes only from residents in the area, but it is not just them who enjoy Mogans public services, as 44.75 per cent of the total population of the municipality are tourists who stay in Mogan.

The objective is that the tourists who stay in the municipality contribute to paying what proportionally corresponds to them for the services and activities they enjoy during their stay.

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Under no circumstances do we want the residents to assume all the tax pressure through an increase in rates.

Mogan does not turn its back on tourism but quite the opposite. We embrace it and expect it with quality services, Bueno added.

For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast
MONDAY, 12/9/2024, 11:18 a.m.

(WFRV)  The body of the missing fisherman in Kewaunee County was found by authorities just after 10 a.m.

According to the Kewaunee County Sheriffs Office, around 10:05 a.m., the body of the fisherman who was missing was found and recovered. The man was only identified as 65-year-old David Mastalir.

He was reportedly last seen on Sunday and was described as an avid fisherman.

No additional details were provided.

ORIGINAL: Possible missing fisherman in Kewaunee County, his boat and equipment found near river after not returning home

MONDAY, 12/9/2024, 8:28 a.m.

KEWAUNEE, Wis. (WFRV)  Authorities in Kewaunee County are asking residents to avoid part of CTH E after a man who went fishing never came home.

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According to the Kewaunee County Sheriffs Office, on December 9 around 5:30 a.m., it got a call for a welfare check. The caller reportedly told authorities that his brother had gone fishing and did not come back home.

The mans vehicle and fishing equipment were found near the Kewaunee River. Officials say that units from the Kewaunee County Sheriffs Office, the Kewaunee Fire Department, Luxemburg Fire Department, Door County Dive Team and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources are on the scene.

15-year-old boy dies after ATV accident in Oconto County, investigation underway

Authorities also asked the community to avoid traveling in the area of CTH E west of Kewaunee.

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The identity of the man was not provided. No additional information was provided.

Local 5 will update this story if more details are 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.
With South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment looking more likely, analysts say there is a higher chance of the main opposition party rising to power - and it could take a more "conciliatory approach" to China.

But they had mixed views on how Seoul's foreign policy and its relations with Beijing - which are in a stalemate under Yoon - might unfold if a new leader is elected.

On Thursday, South Korea's main opposition Democratic Party (DP) said it would vote on Saturday for an impeachment motion against Yoon over his declaration of martial law on Tuesday.

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Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

The martial law decree was lifted six hours later after 190 lawmakers unanimously voted to reject Yoon's move.

The DP and five other opposition parties submitted the motion on Wednesday, arguing Yoon's martial law declaration was a violation of the constitution and laws. They said they would file the motion again if it was blocked in parliament.

Ruling conservative People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon initially said he would block the motion but on Friday he reversed that stance, saying Yoon needed to be swiftly suspended from exercising power.

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A two-thirds majority - 200 out of 300 members - is required to pass a motion in the National Assembly. With the opposition camp holding a total of 192 seats, it would need at least eight votes from the ruling PPP.

If lawmakers vote to impeach Yoon, he will be immediately suspended from office and the prime minister will become acting president. A trial will then be held in the Constitutional Court, and the president will be impeached if six or more of the nine members of the court vote to sustain the motion.

And if that happens, the government must hold an election within 60 days. That could mean a change from the conservative PPP to the progressive DP, and a possible shift in direction - including on foreign policy.

Should Yoon be ousted, it would be the second time for a South Korean president after Park Geun-hye of the conservative Saenuri Party was impeached in 2017. She was succeeded by Moon Jae-in of the DP.

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Analysts say the DP - which has been critical of Yoon's foreign policy promoting cooperation with the United States and Japan - could gain a political advantage if the president is impeached.

Troy Stangarone, director of the Hyundai Motor-Korea Foundation Centre for Korean History and Public Policy at the Wilson Centre, said that with the opposition united for impeachment and growing public pressure, it was likely that enough PPP members could vote in favour of the motion.

But he said even if the motion was blocked, Yoon would "remain in office as a weakened president".

"If the Constitutional Court confirms an impeachment of President Yoon, the short duration of the election to choose his successor favours the main opposition [DP] and its leader Lee Jae-myung," Stangarone said.

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Darcie Draudt-Vejares, a fellow for Korean studies in the Asia Programme at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, agreed the vote looked likely to pass.

"Lee Jae-myung and the Democrats are well-positioned to capitalise on this crisis ... the DP's supermajority since 2020 shows their possible strength," she said. "The conservatives will struggle to recover from Yoon's democratic breach."

Lee and the DP have pushed for a more low-key approach to China in their foreign policy agenda.

During the National Assembly election campaign in March, Lee accused Yoon of jeopardising Chinese trade relations with unnecessary provocations.

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"China was South Korea's top export market, but now South Korea is importing mostly from China. Chinese people don't buy South Korean products because they don't like South Korea," Lee said at the time.

"Why are we bothering [Beijing]? We should just say xiexie [thank you] and xiexie to Taiwan as well," he said. "Why do we interfere in cross-strait relations? Why do we care what happens to the Taiwan Strait? Shouldn't we just take care of ourselves?"

The opposition's impeachment motion also takes aim at Yoon's foreign policy, saying it "antagonises North Korea, China and Russia while ignoring geopolitical balance". It claims Yoon has brought "isolation in northeast Asia, triggered a crisis of war, and abandoned national security and the duty to protect the people".

Analysts disagree over whether there will be a shift in foreign policy if a new leader is elected from the opposition.

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Andrew Yeo, a senior fellow and the SK-Korea Foundation chair of Korea studies at Washington-based think tank the Brookings Institution, said Yoon had been cautious on China despite his tough rhetoric, but a DP-led government would focus more on relations with Beijing.

"If there's an opposition party DP member that becomes president, I think we would see even more effort to try to reach out to China," Yeo said.

"They may not toe the line if the Trump administration is very tough when it comes to things like control of exports, investment, security and technology. I'm not sure if South Korea would necessarily follow suit."

Yeo said Beijing was also likely to prefer a change in power to the DP since they tended to be "more amicable" towards China.

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Ellen Kim, a senior fellow with the Korea Chair at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, said if Lee won the next election, South Korea's foreign policy was likely to "shift away from the current Yoon administration's policy", which could create opportunities for Beijing to draw Seoul closer.

"The Lee government will try to improve South Korea's ties with China, which could drive him to seek, at minimum, a neutral stance between the US and China," Kim said.

"He will likely favour engagement with North Korea ... This might strike a chord with [US president-elect Donald] Trump's stance. But there will be many contentious issues in the US-ROK relationship under Trump 2.0, which could raise tension," she added, using the acronym for the Republic of Korea, South Korea's official name.

Draudt-Vejares said the DP's current position and the political climate suggested they could secure both Yoon's removal and an electoral mandate, which would "restructure [South] Korea's political landscape".

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"Lee's signals of a more conciliatory approach to Beijing contrast sharply with Yoon's US alignment and focus on strengthening US-ROK alliance cooperation, particularly in the military domain," she said.

"This could affect regional dynamics, especially with Trump's return and uncertainty over what his Korea policy will be."

But she noted that Lee's ongoing legal troubles could block a presidential run. Lee was handed a suspended jail sentence last month for violating election law and is also facing corruption and other charges.

Ramon Pacheco Pardo, an international relations professor at King's College London, did not expect any significant change in South Korea's China policy no matter which party is in power.

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"The heyday in South Korea-China relations ... is now a thing of the past," he said. "Future presidents may seek to engage in more dialogue with China, but I don't think that the fundamentals ... will change."

Stangarone from the Wilson Centre agreed that a change in administration might not bring much of a change in policy.

"Yoon was already trying to rebalance his foreign policy to place more emphasis on China. Any incoming administration will likely continue that, but in the context of managing relations with the incoming Trump administration," he said.

"An impeachment process would constrict South Korea's ability to manage relations with the incoming Trump administration, as policy couldn't be set until after the new election. This means any new president will lose valuable time in building relations with the new Trump administration."

This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
Rebels toppled the Assad regime in Syria after a brutal 13-year civil war.

Once again, the region's power dynamics have been dramatically reshaped.

And there are risks and opportunities for the US.

In a lightning two-week campaign that shocked the world, Syrian rebels led by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham group deposed Bashar Assad, the longtime ruler of Syria.

President Joe Biden cautiously welcomed Assad's removal on Sunday, calling it a "moment of historic opportunity."

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With Assad gone, there is a lot at stake for the US, and analysts warn that it must work carefully to further its goals in the region, and avoid the country collapsing into chaos.

Burcu Ozcelik a senior research fellow for Middle East Security at the UK's Royal United Services Institute think tank, said Assad's defeat presents the US with an opportunity to further its longtime goal of denting Iranian regional power.

"With the overthrow of Assad, Iran has been dealt a strategic blow, meeting overarching US objectives to diminish and dismantle Iran's so-called axis of resistance," she said.

But Chris Doyle, director of the Council for Arab British Understanding, said that since the Arab Spring of 2011, the US has had no diplomatic relations with Syria, and its role in the country in recent years has largely been limited to defeating ISIS.

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This means it is still figuring out how to handle the situation.

"All of a sudden, I think they're dusting down documents," he said of the US.

A divided country

When the Syrian civil war broke out in 2011, it quickly became a brutal struggle for power between rebel militias, government forces, and their powerful foreign backers, including the US, Turkey, Iran, and Russia.

The US provided training and support for some rebel groups, notably Kurdish militias and moderate groups, but stopped short of direct involvement in the conflict.

When Islamic State militia seized swaths of northeastern Syria in 2014, and used it as a base for terror attacks in the West, the US led an international campaign to destroy the group.

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But it's played a largely limited role in the country since, and has around 900 troops in the northeast, whose task is to quash IS operations and defend the US' Kurdish allies.

This could limit its ability to play a larger role now.

Anti-regime groups opposing Bashar Assad took control of the city of Hama on December 5, 2024. Ammar Hatib/Anadolu via Getty Images

Developing ties

Andreas Krieg, a Gulf specialist at the Institute of Middle Eastern Studies at King's College London, told BI that the US will likely limit its role to a "low-level campaign" fighting ISIS until a new authority is in place in Syria.

One key goal for the US will be to help restore order, defend its allies, and prevent another brutal power struggle among rival militias and religious groups that could spill over into neighboring countries.

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According to Mohammed Albasha, founder of Basha Report, a Virginia-based consultancy specializing in Middle East affairs, the end of Assad's rule has led to a "significant security vacuum" that extremist groups could exploit to regroup and expand.

Against that backdrop, the "caretaker government may struggle to deliver basic services," worsening the already dire humanitarian situation, he said.

On top of that, he said the US will likely have to contend with Iran and Russia as they seek to rebuild influence. Both countries will likely act "swiftly" to strike favorable deals with emerging power brokers in Syria, he said.

"Without effective coordination, this could spiral into another civil war."

Iran's power damaged

For years, Iran helped prop up the Assad regime, providing vital economic and military support during the civil war.

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With Assad gone, Iran's "Axis of resistance" of states and militias whose mission is to eradicate US regional influence and destroy Israel looks much weaker, according to the Royal United Services Institute's Ozcelik.

She added: "As the dust settles, Iran will seek to carve out a reformed role for itself in a post-Assad Syria in the months and years to come, but for now, Tehran is weakened in its foreign policy adventurism and reputation in the Middle East."

Russia has also suffered a defeat with the overthrow of Assad.

Russian forces played a key role in rolling back advances by rebels when Russia entered the conflict in 2015. According to reports, Assad and his family have taken refuge in Moscow.

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With Assad gone, Russia may have lost access to strategically vital military bases in Syria.

Who will take over?

Speculation is swirling on who will take power in the vacuum left by Assad's deposal.

Among the key contenders is Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, leader of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham militia that played a central role in defeating Assad, and who fought alongside an Al Qaeda affiliate during the US occupation of Iraq.

HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani at the capital's landmark Umayyad Mosque on December 8, 2024. ABDULAZIZ KETAZ/AFP via Getty Images

The HTS  a militant group designated as a terrorist organization by the US and the United Nations  has controlled Syria's northwestern Idlib Province, where analysts say it worked to consolidate power and transform its image while pursuing its ultimate goal of toppling Assad.

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But the group's roots as an affiliate of the terrorist group al Qaeda will likely be of concern in Washington, which has a $10 million bounty on the head of al-Jolani that US officials are now reportedly discussing removing.

"The terrorist designation of HTS and al-Jolani's own violent legacy in Iraq against American troops makes him far from an ideal partner for peace from the perspective of Western policymakers," said Ozcelik.

In a post on Sunday, President-elect Donald Trump said the US should stay out of the conflict.

Edmund Fitton-Brown, a senior advisor to the Counter Extremism Project, an international organization formed to combat the threat from extremist ideologies, said the main US concerns revolve around whether the HTS would seek stable governance, or continued insurgency.

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"Some aspects of their rule in Idlib have been exclusionary and tyrannical," he said, "yet they claim to have cut ties with Al-Qaeda and to embrace diversity (Christians, Kurds, etc.) as part of Syria's identity."

Yaniv Voller, a senior lecturer in Middle East Politics at the University of Kent, meanwhile, said he struggles to see how Washington could work with al-Jolani directly unless he completely abandons his jihadist rhetoric and animosity toward Israel.

"Jolani is associated with al Qaeda and throughout much of his 'career' has expressed staunch anti-American and anti-Western views," he said.

However, he said another risk is that Syria breaks into territories controlled by competing militias and warlords, which he said would turn Syria into a potential base for terrorist activities.

From a US perspective, that would arguably be far worse.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Texas Rep. Michael Burgess announced that his eldest daughter, Christine Burgess, died as he closes out his final term in Congress.

In a Facebook post on Monday, Dec. 9, the Republican congressman's office stated that Christine died in her sleep over the weekend, though no additional details were provided.

"Congressman Burgess appreciates all of the thoughts & prayers & respectfully requests privacy for his family at this difficult time," the statement read.

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Related: Congresswoman and Mom of 2 Speaks Candidly About Her Incurable Brain Disease: 'I'm Too Young for This' (Exclusive)

Burgess, 73, has represented the north Dallas area in the U.S. House of Representatives since 2003. He currently chairs the Rules Committee, and prior to his election, he practiced as a doctor of obstetrics and gynecology.



Upon hearing the unexpected news of his daughter's death, fellow lawmakers offered their condolences to Burgess.

"It is with deep sadness that we share the tragic news about the passing of Congressman Burgess' beloved daughter, Christine," wrote House Speaker Mike Johnson in a post on X. "Our hearts and our prayers go out to our dear friend and colleague and his family at this very difficult time."

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"Jill and I are saddened to learn of the passing of @michaelcburgesss daughter, Christine. Please join us in praying for the entire Burgess family during this incredibly difficult time," said fellow Texas Rep. Troy Nehls in a post on X.

Related: Ethel Kennedy Laid to Rest Next to Husband RFK 1 Month After Her Death

Burgess opted not to run for reelection in 2024 and is set to finish his work in the House this month before a new Congress is sworn in on Jan. 3.

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.

He was recently honored for his years of service by the House Rules Committee on Dec. 5, when his portrait was added to the U.S. Capitol Rules Committee hearing room, according to his official House of Representatives site.

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I am beyond grateful and honored for the opportunity of a lifetime to serve as the Representative of the 26th Congressional district for the past 22 years, he said at the portrait unveiling. Reflecting on my time in Congress, I am filled with gratitude and appreciation for the people that surrounded me and the impactful legacy we have created together for North Texans."



Read the original article on People
The suspected assassin who gunned down a health care executive in cold blood last week was arrested in Altoona, Pennsylvania with a manifesto against health care companies on Monday, law enforcement officials confirm.



Luigi Mangione, 26, the wealthy son of resort and country club owners from Maryland, was arrested at a McDonalds by Altoona police on an unrelated gun charge, said New York City Mayor Eric Adams. He was on a Greyhound bus traveling through Altoona on Monday morning, sources said, when he got off and walked into a McDonald's where a witness recognized him from the images of the suspect circulated by the NYPD.

"A man was taken into custody [Monday] in Altoona, Pennsylvania this morning. He has been identified as Luigi Nicholas Mangione. He's a male, 26 years old, he was born and raised in Maryland," NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny announced at a news conference Monday afternoon. "We know he has ties to San Francisco, California, and his last known address was Honolulu, Hawaii. He has no prior arrest history in New York."

Luigi Mangione, 26, is a "strong person of interest" in killing of UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson who was executed last week in Manhattan, the NYPD says Instagram

Altoona police officers recovered a gun similar to the one used in Thompson's killing, as well as a silencer and a fake New Jersey ID. The suspected gunman allegedly used a fake New Jersey ID when he checked into a Manhattan hostel last month, sources had said.



NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters that the manifesto officers recovered from Mangione provided "motivation and mindset" into the cold-blooded killing. He has not yet been charged with Thompson's murder at his time.

Related: NYPD Releases Unmasked Photos of Assassin Who Rubbed Out Insurance Executive in NYC

"At this time, he is believed to be our person of interest in the brazen, targeted murder of Brian Thompson, CEO of UnitedHealthcare, last Wednesday in midtown Manhattan," Tisch said at a press conference alongside Mayor Eric Adams.



"Officers recovered a firearm on his person as well as a suppressor, both consistent with the weapon used in the murder," the commissioner added.

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When Mangione sat to eat, a McDonalds employee reported him, and "because of that, we believe we have a strong person of interest," Adams said at a news conference Monday. "It was crucial we remove him from the streets of America," Adams said he matched the description of the gunman, which was sent across the country by the NYPD.

UPDATE: Below are photos of a person of interest wanted for questioning regarding the Midtown Manhattan homicide on Dec. 4.



The full investigative efforts of the NYPD are continuing, and we are asking for the public's helpif you have any information about this case, call the https://t.co/U4wlUquumf pic.twitter.com/243V0tBZOr  NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 8, 2024

Mangione reportedly graduated in 2016 as valedictorian from Gilman School, an all-boys prep school in Baltimore, Maryland, not far from the upscale suburb of Towson where he grew up. His family owns Turf Valley Resort and Hayfields Country Club, Los Angeles confirmed.

He is now the lead suspect in the killing of Thompson, a father of three who was ambushed last week in an early-morning assassination as he arrived at the Hilton for his companys annual investor conference. The killer used a .9 mm pistol like the one Mangione was carrying at McDonalds, the NYPD says.

BREAKING: Suspect arrested in UnitedHealthcare CEO homicide 

 Luigi Mangione, 26, detained in Altoona, PA.

 Found with fraudulent IDs, a gun, and suppressor.

 Document hints at ill will toward corporate America.pic.twitter.com/f5TDS5Avx1  Los Angeles Magazine (@LAmag) December 9, 2024

A LinkedIn profile purportedly linked to the suspect has him listed as a data engineer for a Santa Monica-based company TrueCar.
SILVERTHORNE, Colo. (KDVR)  Thousands are visiting high-country resorts ahead of the holidays, and heavy traffic is expected during peak travel times in December along the Interstate 70 corridor.

Those taking a break from the ski slopes are flocking to see holiday attractions, including beautiful light displays, in charming mountain towns like Idaho Springs, Georgetown, Silverthorne, Keystone, Dillon, Frisco, Breckenridge, Winter Park and others.

FOX31 Weather: View the latest Denver forecasts, maps and radar

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Its just beautiful any time of the year, one tourist told FOX31.

Traffic delays are most likely to occur on Sunday evenings.

Everyones just following everybody else, said a skier traveling past the Eisenhower Tunnel.

Ski resorts report that the most recent storm in November brought this seasons snow totals to more than 43 inches in some areas.

The Colorado State Patrol has already written more than 400 traction law citations this season, down from 542 citations during this same season in 2023. CSP said the increased compliance results from more frequent checks and improved interaction with the trucking industry.

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New chain laws aim to reduce mountain traffic snarls and dangers

CSP warns that not following chain laws can result in penalties, crashes and liability for drivers.

Motorists should carry and understand how to properly use chains, make sure tires have a minimum tread depth of 3/16 of an inch and use tires rated for use in mud and snow.

Drivers can check their route before leaving at COtrip.org, which also provides weather conditions, chain law activations and closure updates. Information about Colorados expanded chain law requirements effective this year is featured on CDOTs 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 FOX31 Denver.
USPS plans to reduce some services in rural areas while transferring some processing to regional hubs like Kansas City and St. Louis. (Meg Cunningham/The Beacon)

A snowstorm that swept western Missouri last year left a patient waiting on critical medication they needed to ward off seizures.

That patient ended up in a hospital to deliver a dose of the drug.

Now, with an increasing number of rural residents relying on mail service to get their prescriptions  and the U.S. Postal Service set to cut some services to more remote areas  medical professionals worry about the consequences.

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What Im concerned about from a rural health standpoint, said Tessa Schnelle, the director of pharmacy at the Cass Regional Medical Center in Harrisonville, Missouri, is some of the things that we even see now with mail order becoming more exacerbated.

The USPS didnt meet its delivery goals in Missouri this year. Now, to save more than $3.5 billion a year, the Postal Service announced a Regional Transportation Optimization plan that would centralize service around regional hubs like Kansas City and St. Louis.

Instead of twice-a-day pickup and drop-off at local post offices, the USPS is planning to reduce those services to once a day.

The Postal Service says the plan could mean an additional day in transit for some mail. Medical professionals in Missouri say that slowing the mail could threaten the ability of their patients, particularly in rural areas, to get timely delivery of prescriptions that are critical to their health.

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Postal Service officials promise that deliveries should still reach mailboxes within current delivery times. But after delays and spotty service, Missourians fret that things will get worse.

Goals for delivery time lowered

The change in services comes as many Americans embrace mail-order prescriptions and as rural pharmacies close their doors.

Between 2018 and 2023, retail pharmacies in rural communities decreased by nearly 6%, a study from the RUPRI Center for Rural Health Policy Analysis found. Its a nationwide trend in rural and urban areas: pharmacies in urban areas declined by 3.4% over the same time.

New 2025 delivery target information published by the Postal Service found that it fell short of its fiscal year 2024 delivery goals. The 2024 targets called for delivering a single piece of first-class mail within two days after its dropped in a collection box 93% of the time. Actual deliveries hit that mark 86.9% of the time.

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Now, the Postal Service lowered the targets to 87% for the budget year that started in October.

In Missouri and Kansas, the percentage of mail that met the two-day first-class mail delivery goal fell to 85.9% in 2024 from 90.4% in 2023.

The Postal Service has  decided that the best way to achieve targets is to lower them, Steve Hutkins, a retired English professor wrote on his Save the Post Office website. Expect things to get worse before they get any better.

The Missouri Farm Bureau and U.S. Sen. Josh Hawley criticized the proposal, saying USPS is prioritizing urban customers over rural ones.

How could the USPS plan impact patients?

The slowdown and missed targets trouble Schnelle as she works to support her rural patients.

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An additional day in processing medication could present challenges for patients whose insurance companies dont refill medications before a certain time. That makes it less likely that a patient would be able to call in their prescription early if they are anticipating delays in the mail.

I dont see it being a positive impact for patients, Schnelle said.

And worries persist that more medications might go bad if deliveries take longer. Many medications are sensitive to temperature changes that could make them less effective, Schnelle said.

The Missouri Rural Health Association said it is too early to tell how much the plan may impact service, but the groups executive director has concerns given service disruptions shes seen over the past few years.

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Im not sure if this is necessarily the answer to make service delivery better, said Heidi Lucas, the groups executive director. If medication is lagging and not in a climate-controlled environment for a couple of days as it awaits delivery, that could be a massive problem.

USPS is currently making the case for the plan to the Postal Regulatory Commission, which doesnt have total power to veto the changes. The commission is expected to release a nonbinding opinion on the plan in January.

Most prescriptions delivered through the mail are sent first-class. A top Postal Service official told the commission in October that single-piece first-class mail would be slowed the most by the changes. That means that 68% of first-class mail volume in rural communities could see potentially slower services.

The plan comes as USPS started to walk back some other consolidation proposals in September for Florida, California and Tennessee, which would have slashed some operations at local offices.

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That walkback was considered a win by the American Postal Workers Union, which criticized the chaotic implementation of changes to the USPS.

The union said despite the reversal in California, Florida and Tennessee, its advocating for mail to be processed locally.

The union has consistently advocated that mail generated in a local area, for delivery in the local area, should stay and be processed and sorted in the local area, the APWU wrote in a press release.

Correction: This story originally misidentified a source as a Beacon board member. But Heidi Lucas told a Beacon reporter only that she knows one of The Beacons board members. The reporter misheard her and incorrectly identified her as a board member. The reporter failed to check the listing of the board.

This article first appeared on The Beacon and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
MACAO (AP)  A crack of fire under a sprawling wok, a dab of soy sauce and a splash of Chinese rice wine. Bursts of aroma from spices sourced from around the world sizzle as a chef prepares Minchi, a dish of fried minced meat with diced potatoes topped with a sunny-side-up egg. This is one of the most iconic comfort foods for the Macanese.

Restaurateur Manuela Sales da Silva Ferreiras hopes to ensure her grandmothers version of dishes like Minchi are not forgotten, using recipes passed down through generations at her eatery, Restaurante Litoral.

In the 25 years since Portugal returned its trading outpost to China, Macau has become known for its glittering, luxurious casinos and nightlife. But as the city evolves, old restaurant owners retire and outlets close and some people fear Macanese traditions and authentic cuisine could disappear.

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Macanese food is a mix of Portuguese and Chinese cooking, combined with flavors and ingredients that Portugal imported from its other colonies, from Brazil to Mozambique, Goa to East Timor. UNESCO called Macao home of the first fusion food,' blending Western and Eastern cuisine.

Ferreiras paternal ancestors arrived from Portugal more than 400 years ago. She decided to pack her bags and leave in 1995, just four years before the Portuguese administration would end. But a sudden fear that Macanese cuisine could be lost pulled her back to her home city.

At that time, I was already married with children and even my children didnt ask what Macanese cooking is, she said. If I dont do anything, Macanese cooking will be lost.

That was when she opened her own restaurant.

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Ferreira said she believes her family recipes derive from home cooking after centuries of Portuguese wives tried to replicate familiar dishes using local Chinese ingredients, while Chinese wives tried to recreate Portuguese cooking for their interethnic families.

Her own favorite is baked crabmeat, which she learned from her mother. While the original version in Portugal could have been crabmeat mixed with cream and pickles, served cold, the recipe has evolved while being passed down the generations and crossing oceans. Ferreira now serves it hot, baked in crab shells.

The city of Macao on the southeast coast of China has a population of around 684,000. Ethnic Chinese make up 89.4% of the population while Portuguese, Portuguese-Chinese and other mixed Portuguese residents account for just 1.9%, according to the most recent census conducted in 2021.

Miguel de Senna Fernandes, who heads an association representing residents with mixed Portuguese and Chinese heritage, said Macanese people with mixed backgrounds have historically served as a bridge between Portuguese administrators and local Chinese. Fernandes traces his own Portuguese heritage to 1750 when his ancestors arrived in Macao.

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As time passes, language, religion and identity are at risk of being lost along with food traditions. To keep Macanese heritage alive, the Macanese need to embrace their uniqueness, Fernandes said.

We are from Macao," he said. "We are different from the Chinese, but we should embrace the differences.
President Joe Biden said the toppling of Bashar al-Assad in Syria was a moment of historic opportunity for the Syrian people after they suffered for more than 50 years under a totalitarian regime led by Assad and his father.

But the U.S. is also keeping a close watch on rebel groups as they assume power, and the U.S. military is continuing its fight against ISIS in Eastern Syria, Biden said during a press conference in the White House on Sunday.

It would be a waste of this historic opportunity if one tyrant were toppled, only to see a new one rise up in this place, he said.

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The U.S. conducted airstrikes against ISIS operatives and camps on Sunday to keep them from gaining a larger foothold in the country, Biden said. The Pentagon says there are 900 U.S. troops in Syria whose mission is to defeat ISIS.

Were clear-eyed about the fact that ISIS will try to take advantage of any vacuum to reestablish its capabilities to create a safe haven. We will not let that happen, Biden said.

Biden also said as rebel groups organize to assume control of Syria, they must demonstrate their commitment to the rights of all Syrians, to the rule of law and the protection of religious and ethnic minorities.

Christian groups in Syria have expressed concern for their safety in recent days as it became clear rebel groups had gained the upper hand in the long-running civil war.

Bashar al-Assad flees Syria, granted asylum in Russia

The Russian state media said Bashar al-Assad and his family are in Moscow, where he was granted asylum, according to the BBC. Assad fled Damascus ahead of rebels overtaking the city on Sunday.

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Assad counted Russia and Iran as close allies during his rule, but in recent days leaders in both countries signaled they wouldnt intervene as rebels took city after city, eventually entering Damascus on Saturday, early Sunday local time, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Smoke billows as people arrive to celebrate the fall of the Syrian government, in Damascus, Syria, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. | Ugur Yildirim

A civil war has raged in Syria for more than 13 years, starting in March 2011. It was put down by al-Assad, at times brutally, as he relied on allies Russia and Iran for help and support.

Biden credited his administrations approach of sanctions, support for Israel and pressure on Iranian proxies with helping to end Assads reign.

For years, the main backers of Assad have been Iran, Hezbollah and Russia. But over the last week, their support collapsed, all three of them, because all three of them are far weaker today than they were when I took office, he said.

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Biden said Irans decision to launch an attack on Israel through its proxies in the wake of the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7, 2023, was a historic mistake on Irans part, as it weakened the regime. Russia was also weakened by its invasion of Ukraine, he said.

The upshot for all this is for the first time ever neither Russia nor Iran nor Hezbollah could defend this abhorrent regime in Syria, Biden said.

He struck a hopeful note about the future of Syria, and said the U.S. would provide aid to assist in rebuilding the country. The U.S. will also provide assistance to Syrias neighbors, including Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Israel, in case the destabilization in Syria poses a regional threat.

An opposition fighter fires his AK-47 in the air in celebration after opposition forces took control of the city in Damascus, Syria, Sunday, Dec. 8, 2024. | Ghaith Alsayed

Who controls Syria now?

Abu-Mohammad al-Jolani, leader of the rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, gave a speech Sunday, where he said the end of the Assad regime was a victory for the entire Islamic nation, CNN reported.

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Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, or HTS, is an offshoot of al Qaeda, and is one of several rebel groups that fought the Assad regime in Syria. HTS is designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. and other countries, according to the BBC.

Other rebel groups, according to CNN, include the Syrian National Army, the National Liberation Front, the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army, and the Syrian Democratic Forces, which reportedly has ties to Kurdish groups.

The U.S. will assist with the transition in Syria through a process led by the United Nations, to establish an independent and sovereign nation, Biden said.

Biden said he is aware that some of the rebel groups who toppled the regime have a grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses.

Biden says U.S. captive Austin Tice believed to be alive

Freelance journalist Austin Tice was taken captive in Syria more than 12 years ago. Biden said he believes Tice is still alive.

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We remain committed to returning him to his family, Biden said.

In response to questions from the media, Biden said they dont have a clear location on where Tice is being held, but added, we think we can get him back.

The FBI is offering up to a $1 million reward for his safe return.
JERUSALEM, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Seven Israeli soldiers have been killed in the past two days in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip, Israel's military said on Monday.

In southern Lebanon, two commanders and two soldiers were killed on Sunday as an explosion caused the collapse of a building.

The troops were in an underground structure when the building collapsed. The military said they were on an operation to search the area for Hezbollah militants.

The military added it was checking whether the explosion was caused accidentally by explosives put there earlier by another Israeli force.

Although a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah went into effect on Nov. 27, Israeli troops remained in southern Lebanon and operated to prevent Hezbollah from deploying and to remove threats.

Under the ceasefire agreement, Israel is required to withdraw from southern Lebanon within 60 days.

On Monday, three soldiers were reported killed in the northern Gaza Strip. The three "have fallen during combat," the military said in a statement.

Israel has been conducting a large-scale offensive against Hamas in Gaza, following a Hamas attack on Israel's southern border on Oct. 7, 2023, in which about 1,200 people were killed and approximately 250 taken hostage. 
Steve Mensch, the president of Tyler Perry Studios, was killed in a plane crash at age 62.

The Georgia-based film executive was piloting a small plane when it crashed on Friday, Dec. 6, at about 8 p.m. in Homosassa, Florida. According to the Federal Aviation Administration, it was a single-engine Vans RV12 and only Mensch was on board.

The FAA and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the incident.

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A statement from Tyler Perry Studios said the company is "incredibly saddened by the passing of our dear friend."

Steve was a cherished member of our team for more than eight years, and well beloved in the community of Atlanta," added the statement. "It is hard to imagine not seeing him smiling throughout the halls. We will miss him dearly. Our heart goes out to his family as we all send them our prayers."

Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Bevy Smith and Steve Mensch on Jan. 26, 2019 in Park City, Utah Bevy Smith and Steve Mensch on Jan. 26, 2019 in Park City, Utah

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Tyler Perry also remembered Mensch in a tribute shared on Instagram Dec. 7.

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"This time of year, grief meets me like an unwanted visitor, as tomorrow marks 15 years since the loss of my mother. It feels especially harder because I have lost so many friends and mentors this year, ranging in age from as young as 40 to 92. And today, yet another loss," wrote the Six Triple Eight director, 55.

Related: Tyler Perry 'Has Been Taking Care' of 'House of Horrors' Turpin Family, Oprah Winfrey Says: 'He Is the Quiet Good Samaritan'

"Ive been trying to understand this tragedy all day  what went wrong with that plane. Steve loved flying, and he loved that plane; he took so much pride in it," added Perry. "Steve Mensch was truly a kind soul and a great leader at the studio. We all adored him and are devastated that hes gone. Im praying for his family as we all try to make sense of this heartbreak."



Perry concluded, "Life is but a moment; we are like vapors. Hold strong to the people you love AND TELL THEM!"

CBS News reported that Mensch is survived by his wife Danila and three kids.



Read the original article on People
South Korea's Ministry of Justice has banned President Yoon Suk Yeol from leaving the country, as the country's political crisis deepens.

The South Korean news agency Yonhap reported on Monday that the reason for the travel ban is the ongoing investigation against Yoon on suspicion of high treason.

Yoon unexpectedly imposed martial law on his country last Tuesday night and hours later, after massive political resistance, repealed the order.

On Saturday evening, a motion by the opposition to impeach the president in parliament failed. However, public pressure against the 63-year-old continues.


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Prince Louis may be young, but he already knows that the holidays are all about spending time with family.

The six-year-old prince joined his family last Friday for Princess Kates annual Together at Christmas carol service. Arriving at Westminster Abbey alongside his siblings, 11-year-old Prince George and 9-year-old Princess Charlotte, the young royal participated in a holiday-themed activity that involved writing a note of gratitude and attaching it to an outdoor Christmas tree.

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Louiss note read: Thank you for Granny and Grandpa because they have played games with me.

While Louis didnt specify which set of grandparents his message was directed to, some royal fans have assumed that he was referring to Kates parents, Carole and Michael Middleton, who were also in attendance at the service. The Middletons were previously seen playing card games with the Wales children in a family video released this past September.

Samir Hussein - Getty Images

JORDAN PETTITT - Getty Images

Louis, Charlotte, and Georges attendance at the carol service marks their first public appearance in six months. They were last seen at Trooping the Colour this past June.

Samir Hussein - Getty Images

Samir Hussein - Getty Images

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Kates Together at Christmas event returned for the fourth year in a row, capping off a particularly turbulent year for the royal family amid cancer diagnoses for King Charles and Kate.

The theme of the 2024 service subtly acknowledged Kates personal experiences. This years service provides a moment to reflect upon the importance of love and empathy, and how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times of our lives, Kensington Palace said in a statement shared last month. The service will shine a light on individuals from all over the UK who have shown love, kindness and empathy towards others in their communities.

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Private school parents are being forced to pay more for the Duke of Edinburghs Award under Labours tax raid  a move that would have outraged Prince Philip.

Royal commentators said the late Duke would have lobbied Keir Starmers Government both publicly and privately against the inequality of private school children having to pay more.

It comes as a number of private schools have written to parents to tell them that from January 1, they will have to pass 20pc VAT on the cost of Duke of Edinburgh expeditions  as Labours tax on education includes some extra-curricular activities.

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The Duke Of Edinburghs Award was founded by Prince Philip in 1956 at the request of Kurt Hahn, his former Gordonstoun headmaster, to help young boys develop their strength and courage.

Prince Edward receiving the Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award from his father at St Jamess Palace - PA

It was quickly expanded to include girls, and today almost seven million people have taken part. The scheme involves community service and an outdoor expedition where young people work unaided, using a compass and map, to navigate over challenging terrain.

The cost of expeditions varies between schools but can cost as much as 500 for the Gold expedition which involves five days of hiking through some of Britains highest mountains.

Extra 100 in VAT costs

However, Labours VAT raid means children who attend private school will have to pay approximately an extra 100 in VAT compared to children who attend state schools.

Joe Little, managing editor of Majesty magazine, said Prince Philip, who was best remembered for his forthright manner, would undoubtedly have been vocal about the impact of VAT being levied in this way.

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He said: He devised the Duke of Edinburgh scheme to make it accessible to young people from all walks of life, rich and poor, and would have been outraged by the threat of inequality.

Richard Fitzwilliams, royal commentator, said the late Duke would have had a lot to say about this and would have lobbied Labour ministers both publicly and privately.

He said: There is little doubt that in the days when the Duke was with us, he would have very strongly made comments that would have been pretty brisk and to the point publicly because he did tend to speak out when he was outraged.

The scheme has been adopted throughout the world, it takes place in more than 140 countries. Its an absolutely phenomenal uptake and very clearly this is something I think he would have thought outrageous.

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However, Mr Fitzwilliams feared the current Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Edward, did not have the same lobbying clout to urge the Government to exempt children taking part in the charity scheme.

A Duke of Edinburgh Award spokesman said they wanted to ensure no young person missed out on doing their Duke of Edinburgh due to financial challenges, and added they offered a range of funding that schools could access to support pupils with the participation costs.

Labour will levy 20pc VAT on private school fees from January 1. The Government has claimed this will raise up to 1.8bn which will be used to fund 6,500 new teachers, the equivalent of one new teacher for every three state schools.

Among the schools to ask parents to pay more for the Duke of Edinburgh Award are Bedford Girls School, Bedford Boys School and Bedford Modern School, which are run by the Harpur Trust.

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A spokesman said: All independent schools are obliged to follow the Governments new legislation which states extra-curricular activities which are educational in nature will be subject to VAT when provided by a private school.

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The royal family is supposed to remain neutral when it comes to politics, but theyve been wading into the hot topic over the last few years. Its a sign of shifting traditions after the death of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 and Prince William seems eager to lead the way with the palaces idea of soft diplomacy.

The Prince of Wales was spotted in Paris on Saturday with Donald Trump, the president-elect who will officially be in office on Jan. 20, 2025. According to The Telegraph, Williams trip for the Notre Dame Cathedral reopening was a hastily arranged diplomatic mission because there is so much at stake with a second Donald Trump administration.

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U.S. President Donald Trump and Queen Elizabeth II attend a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace on June 3, 2019 in London, England.

The U.K. wants to continue its special relationship with the U.S., a royal source explained while also noting that William was extremely comfortable with his task at hand. As The Telegraph noted, the U.K. government is acutely aware of the potential pitfalls of the coming presidency with Donald Trump and thats why a royal representative was key.

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Donald Trump has a soft spot for the royal family, so Williams presence was likely a warm welcome for the incoming president. After the election results in November, iNews reported that many countries were nervous about Donald Trumps promise to shake up the world order. This particularly pertains to his stance on Russias war against Ukraine and how it will impact Europe. There have been plans to use King Charles IIIs soft power to stay on the controversial politicians good side.

Evie Aspinall, director of the British Foreign Policy Group, told the media outlet that leaning into Donald Trumps ego is a solid idea. Donald Trump, he loves family, he loves the pomp of the monarchy, and I think thats an exciting way for him to feel important, she explained. Being seen to be recognized by the Royal Family is something, I think, that he would like.

While Queen Elizabeth might not have approved of this political strategy, the royal family has always been a part of politics whether they want to acknowledge it or not. With King Charles III and William stepping deeper into international relations, they will have to figure out a balance that doesnt get them into hot water over controversial issues and leaders. Its a part of modernizing the monarchy that is going to be tricky, especially as global politics become a more contentious landscape.

Before you go, click here to see every time Queen Elizabeth has met the US Presidents!

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A private funeral service for health care CEO Brian Thompson was scheduled to take place Monday according to a report by NBC Monday morning.

No further information was provided to NBC News about where or when the funeral for the executive shot outside a Hilton hotel in Midtown Wednesday was to take place. The 50-year-old father of two resided in Maple Grove, Minnesota. He was killed before the start of an investors meeting for UnitedHealthcare near Central Park.

His shooting began a massive manhunt that may have concluded Monday with the police questioning of Luigi Mangione in Altoona, Pennsylvania.

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Police were tipped off by a McDonalds worker who thought the 26-year-old person of interest resembled the ubiquitous photos splashed across television station and posted online.

Its suspected the shooter was motivated by a distaste for insurance industry practices. Evidence from the crime scene included bullets with the terms deny, defend and depose etched onto their casings, according to officials.

Thompson was named chief executive officer at UnitedHealthcare in 2021 after 17 years with the insurance juggernaut. A statement announcing the promotion credited his experience, relationships and values for his success with the insurance provider.

Thompson was known to keep a low profile despite a 2023 salary of more than $10 million. His shooting was condemned by Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar who called it horrifying and shocking.

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Gov. Tim Walz called his death a setback for the community.

This is horrifying news and a terrible loss for the business and health care community in Minnesota, he posted online.

Both politicians offered condolences to his family, including his wife Paulette, from whom he lived separately, according to the Wall Street Journal.

UnitedHealthcare said it was deeply saddened and shocked to learn of its leaders death in a statement calling Thompson a friend to his colleagues.

_____
RAMALLAH, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Two Palestinians were killed in an Israeli bombing in the northern West Bank city of Tubas on Monday, said the Ramallah-based Palestinian Health Ministry.

The ministry, in a press statement, identified the victims as Khalil al-Masri, 26, and Adi Daraghmeh, 32.

Tubas Governor Ahmed al-Asaad told Xinhua that Israeli forces killed the two young men near a house and detained their bodies after withdrawing from the city.

The Palestine Red Crescent Society reported that the Israeli army prevented its workers from approaching the targeted site and transporting the wounded.

Meanwhile, Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee said in a press statement that during the army's operation to arrest wanted persons and dismantle militant infrastructure in Tubas, the Air Force attacked and killed some gunmen spotted in the area.

Adraee added that Israeli forces confiscated M-16 weapons, two pistols, and a hand grenade from the gunmen.

Since the onset of the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict on Oct. 7, 2023, about 810 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli gunshots and bombings across the West Bank, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. 
Victoria Hinks watched her daughter get sucked into the dark sides of social media, and she couldn't pull her out.

"We tried to take her phone away at night, but it was like taking a drug away from an addict," Hinks said at a news conference at the Boys & Girls Clubs of San Francisco's Don Fisher Clubhouse on Monday.

Hinks, whose 16-year-old daughter died by suicide in August, joined California Atty. Gen. Rob Bonta and Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) in announcing proposed legislation that would require social media companies to warn California users their platforms could pose risks to the mental health and well-being of young people.

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The effort to add warning labels is the latest in a series of moves by state lawmakers to bolster online protections for children. Bonta and Bauer-Kahan, who introduced the new legislation, Assembly Bill 56, expect they will face pushback from tech industry groups that have sued to stop new child safety laws from being enforced.

Although supporters acknowledge warning labels wouldn't be a cure-all, lawmakers and child advocates say the labels would help parents decide whether they should allow their kids to use these popular services. Bonta, Bauer-Kahan and Common Sense Media Chief Executive and founder Jim Steyer compared the proposed labels to putting warnings on cigarette cartons.

"It will raise public awareness and turn the tide in this public health crisis," Bauer-Kahan said.

The move comes after U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy also called for warning labels on social media this year. In an op-ed published in the New York Times, Murthy said that putting a label on these online services would remind parents and young people about social medias potential dangers.

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Last year, the surgeon general published a report stating that while social media can have some benefits such as connecting young people to family and friends, the platforms also pose potential risks such as depression, anxiety, social comparison and body image issues.

Social media companies have been adding features to give parents more control over their childrens use of social media. Meta Platforms-owned Instagram, a social media app popular among young people, introduced teen accounts this year so parents can limit the content their teens see and who contacts them online.

Google, TikTok, Snap and NetChoice, a trade group backed by major tech companies, didn't respond to requests for comment. Meta didn't immediately have a statement about the proposal.

The California attorney general also sued TikTok and Meta over alleged harms to young people.

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Efforts to protect kids online have faced several legal roadblocks as tech industry groups sue to block new laws from being enforced, alleging the new laws violate free speech protections under the 1st Amendment.

This year, a federal appeals court partly upheld a lower courts decision to block a California online child safety law passed in 2022. Known as the California Age-Appropriate Design Code Act, the law requires online platforms to assess whether the design of their product, service or feature could harm children before they're released to the public.

Bonta said there's no 1st Amendment right to harm children and his office will battle it out in court.

"The fact that we might get sued down the road after an important bill that protects our children is passed will not slow us down," Bonta said.

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Hinks echoed Bonta's comments, noting that adding warning labels is a step in the right direction. Despite using parental controls to limit the amount of time her daughter spent on social media apps, Hinks said her daughter was still served content about eating disorders and self-harm. Convinced she wasn't pretty enough, the teen used beauty filters offered on various apps to change her appearance, her mom said.

"There is not a bone in my body that doubts social media played a role in leading her to that final, irreversible decision," Hinks said.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
When the Cincinnati Public Schools Board of Education meets on Monday, Dec. 9, it will decide the fate of one of its most successful schools. George Hays-Jennie Porter School, a state of Ohio four-star winner and the only remaining public elementary school in the West End, is on the chopping block.

The question is whether to solve a space utilization problem by closing a four-star school and merging it with a 2.5-star school. If the guiding principle of a school board's decision-making is to do what's best for its students, then the answer is an emphatic no.

More: Cincinnati school board to vote on restructuring. Why? And why are some opposed?

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The CPS boards proposed Phase II reorganization plan would shutter Hays-Porter at the end of this school year. This drastic and ill-advised action would fly in the face of Hays-Porters status as one of only nine out of the 66 schools in the district to receive at least four stars on the Ohio School Report Card. That places Hays-Porter in the top 14% of all CPS schools. Closure of this rare gem is not in the best interests of its students.

I am part of a 42-person team of volunteer reading tutors at Hays-Porter. For approximately 15 years, we have provided weekly one-on-one tutoring for second through sixth-grade students in phonics, fluency and comprehension. It works. Along with the excellent daily work of the administration, teachers and reading specialists, we have seen Hays-Porter students who began reading 40 words or less per minute finish the program at well over 200 words per minute.

Hays-Porter School's "Bearcat Buddies" program with the University of Cincinnati provides one-on-one tutoring to reinforce learning.

It gets better. On the most recent report card, Hays-Porter also earned four stars from the state in early literacy, while the district as a whole earned two stars in that category.

To be sure, Hays-Porter still has its challenges. There is much more work to be done, but it has momentum. It would be tragic to stop that momentum in its tracks. Today, the Hays-Porter students have the support of the educators who know them so well, our 42 morning reading tutors, the 40 Bearcat Buddies afternoon math tutors, and over 30 other West End community partners.

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The only rationale offered to date for closing Hays-Porter is low student enrollment. Our understanding is that Hays-Porter does meet the enrollment requirement, if only barely. A simple solution to this danger zone is increasing preschool enrollment from the current single class of 20 preschool children. That would be a win for the neighborhood, which needs more preschools, for the school, which needs more students, and most importantly, for the preschool children, who would benefit significantly from early education in reading.

The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce website states, "Ohio School Report Cards are required by lawto provide information about district and school performance  to celebrate successes and identify areas for improvement." Two years ago, the state of Ohio recognized Hays-Porter as a school to celebrate. Last year, Hays-Porter climbed even higher in the rankings, keeping company with the top 14% of schools in CPS. This is a remarkable achievement that should be supported and rewarded.

Success is not celebrated with closure.

More: Cincinnati Public Schools board failed by abandoning superintendent search | Editorial

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If the school board does vote to close one of its shining stars, the exiled Hays-Porter students will be relocated to an unfamiliar neighborhood and an unfamiliar, struggling school. The momentum will be lost, volunteerism will drop with the comparatively limited parking available at what will be a distant location, and the outcome for the students will be, at best, uncertain.

Before the CPS board votes Monday, lets tell them that Hays-Porters success must be celebrated, not crushed.

Andy Kaplan

Andy Kaplan is a retired attorney and volunteer tutor at George Hays-Jennie Porter School.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: CPS board proposes closing one its most successful schools | Opinion
(Bloomberg) -- Electricity supplies to Mozambiques southern regions, including the capital Maputo, have been cut by about a third as the output of two key power plants was disrupted by ongoing protests against disputed Oct. 9 elections.

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The affected plants, Ressano Garcia and Gigawatt, use natural gas supplied by Johannesburg-based Sasol Ltd. to generate electricity which is then also exported to neighboring countries.

A group of protesters assembled at the two plants, forcing authorities to shut them down and reducing electricity output by 250 megawatts for an indefinite period, state-owned power utility Electricidade de Mocambique said in a statement on Saturday.

In neighboring Zambia, 300 megawatts of power imports from Mozambique have been halted after state-owned utility Zesco Ltd. received notification of an indefinite unavailability of power exports related to the shutdowns.

A severe drought has sapped Zambias hydro power generation, which supplies the bulk of its electricity. Thats left Africas second-largest copper producer to rely on Mozambique to cushion its supply gap. Emergency load management has been implemented, further reducing supplies to residential customers, Zesco said in a statement on Sunday.

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The demonstrations, called by opposition presidential candidate Venancio Mondlane, have turned deadly, with at least 90 fatalities reported  most of them demonstrators shot during clashes with police. Hundreds have been injured and thousands arrested.

Protesters have also targeted other infrastructure, damaging courts, police stations and ruling party offices.

--With assistance from Matthew Hill and Taonga Mitimingi.

(Updates with impactd on Zambia from fourth paragraph)

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For more than a year, the Milwaukee Journal Sentinels Public Investigator team has fielded tips from Wisconsin residents about issues they see sprouting up in their communities.

Our consistent goal has been to help readers find ways to get their problems solved, resolve burdensome financial disputes and ensure residents' safety throughout.

So far this year, Public Investigator has published 64 stories in response to reader tips and inquiries. Each piece has answered a variety of questions about workplace discrimination, mail scams, political disinformation, incorrect medical billing, contractor scams and more.

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As our team continues to tackle stories into the new year, we want to hear what questions you have about the local policies and decisions impacting your neighborhood, workplace or local government. That includes helping you get answers to obscure or even quirky questions you might have about what's happening where you live.

Are you wondering how many potholes have been reported in your neighborhood? Or getting a call from a suspicious company offering cheap home buying opportunities? Have you wondered whether your landlord can enter your unit without permission? Has a local development proposal been introduced in your city council, and you are curious how it might impact you?

To give you a better idea of how Public Investigator could help, here's a glimpse at some of our recent stories where we found answers for readers.

Keep in mind our motto: No question is too big or too small.

Is it legal for my landlord to split the utility bills equally?

In an apartment building with more than 160 units, a reader wondered if it was legal for his landlord to split the water bill evenly, even if some units use more water than others. Public Investigator reporter Gina Castro went to city officials and local utility companies to get him the answer. (It's perfectly legal, it turns out.)

Was this prize letter a scam?

In April, a Wisconsin woman received a $750,000 prize in the mail. The letter detailed that she had won a Publishers Clearing House sweepstakes, but she was unsure if it was real. The company confirmed to Public Investigator that the letter and check were fake. Our story explains what consumers should watch out for to identify mail scams.

What happened to the Milwaukee Breakwater Lighthouse?

Ten years ago, the Milwaukee Breakwater Lighthouse was acquired by a Brookfield nonprofit, which pledged to spend millions to restore it. A Madison resident was curious where that stood. Public Investigator reporter Quinn Clark reached out to the nonprofit for an update and spoke to the federal agencies that once owned the lighthouse to learn whether the nonprofit could lose ownership.

Is donating at the cash register a scam?

72-year-old Teresa Grimm makes a habit out of rounding up her grocery store bill at the register for charitable donations. In July, she asked Public Investigator, Does the money really get where they're telling me it's going?" Public Investigator talked to tax experts about whether these donations are legitimate  and whether grocery chains are getting any benefits.

Who's behind this political mailer?

Kris Miller, a resident of a West Bend senior living community, was skeptical of a political flyer that landed in her mailbox shortly before the election. The flyer accused the Biden administration of raising Medicare costs to fund its "liberal, green agenda. Public Investigator reporters helped figure out the dark money funders behind the mailers, which also raised eyebrows in other states.

What can the city do about e-scooters blocking sidewalks?

When Lower East Side resident Nick Rozwadowski stumbled upon two Lime scooters blocking a sidewalk on Brady Street in June, he wondered if the issue was a violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Public Investigator contacted Milwaukees two electric scooter companies and city officials for insight on fines the city can issue against the companies for badly parked scooters, and how residents can report them.

How can I check my city's water quality?

In February, Public Investigator reported that residents in the small village of Cleveland in Manitowoc County frequently dealt with brown, fishy-smelling water flowing out of their faucets. The same month, Public Investigator published a guide detailing how communities that rely on public water systems can check if their water passed safety tests.

What do I need to know about the eviction process?

After residents at Sycamore Place Apartments in Milwaukee contacted Public Investigator about multiple residents who received unexplained five-day no cure eviction notices, Public Investigator published a guide to Wisconsins eviction process and tenants' rights, alongside investigative stories about the apartment complex.

How to contact the Public Investigator team

Government corruption. Corporate wrongdoing. Consumer complaints. Medical scams. Public Investigator is a new initiative of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and its sister newsrooms across Wisconsin. Our team wants to hear your tips, chase the leads and uncover the truth. We'll investigate anywhere in Wisconsin. Send your tips to watchdog@journalsentinel.com or call 414-319-9061. You can also submit tips at jsonline.com/tips.

.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Our Public Investigator team finds answers for Wisconsin readers
WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. (WWLP)  Avelo Airlines is starting a new, nonstop flight from Bradley International Airport to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Beginning on February 21st, Avelo Airlines is offering non-stop flights to Punta Cana. Flights will operate twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays. Avelo Airlines started offering international nonstop flights from Bradley Airport in November to Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Cancun, Mexico.

Does Massachusetts prefer real or fake Christmas trees?

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The airline also has flights from Bradley Airport to Charlotte, Daytona Beach, Houston, Lakeland, Florida, and Wilmington. Visit Avelo Airlines for more information on these and other flights out of Bradley Airport.

We are pleased to have Avelo add another international destination from Bradley International Airport, said Kevin A. Dillon, A.A.E., Executive Director of the CAA. We look forward to the start of the new service to Punta Cana, which builds upon our commitment to offer travelers more convenience to popular, nonstop destinations.

We are excited to introduce a third exclusive international nonstop destination for Connecticut travelers, said Andrew Levy, Avelo Airlines Founder and CEO. With the addition of Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, travelers now have even more choices on Avelo from BDL. With eight nonstop destinations from Hartford, Avelo is making travel a more convenient, affordable, and reliable experience than ever.

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.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A Manhattan jury found Daniel Penny not guilty in the chokehold death of Jordan Neely, following nearly a week of deliberations.

Penny, a former Marine and architecture student, was initially charged with manslaughter and negligent homicide. Prosecutors alleged that Penny killed Neely, a 30-year-old homeless man who had previously been a Michael Jackson impersonator, when he placed him in a six-minute-long chokehold on a subway car in May 2023, holding Neely for at least 51 seconds after his body went limp. The city's medical examiner concluded Penny's chokehold killed Neely.

The defense told jurors that Penny "acted to save" subway passengers from a "violent and desperate" Neely, who was acting erratically, and that Penny continued to hold on because he feared Neely would break free, though he didn't intend to kill Neely. The defense argued Neely died from a genetic condition and the synthetic marijuana found in his system.

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The jury deliberated for more than 24 hours across five days before acquitting Penny of criminally negligent homicide on Monday. They were previously deadlocked on the more serious charge of second-degree manslaughter, which Judge Maxwell Wiley dismissed on Friday at the request of prosecutors.

Penny pleaded not guilty to both charges.

The jury submitted several questions to the court during the course of their deliberations, giving some insight into their thinking.

MORE: Daniel Penny not guilty of criminally negligent homicide in subway chokehold case

Day 1

A little more than an hour after beginning deliberations, the jury on Tuesday asked for a readback of a portion of the judge's instructions on the law. The jury was interested in the part about justified use of force.

Day 2

The jury asked to see key videos shown during the trial -- police body camera footage, Penny's interrogation video and a bystander's video on Wednesday.

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Later that day, the jury asked for a readback of testimony. The jury wanted to hear part of the cross-examination of the city medical examiner who concluded Penny's chokehold killed Neely. Dr. Cynthia Harris, who was the final witness for the prosecution during the trial, determined that Neely died from compression to the neck.

During an intense cross-examination, Harris had pushed back against the defense suggestion that the public sentiment surrounding the trial influenced her conclusion that "there are no alternative reasonable explanations" for Neely's death other than Penny's chokehold.

"No toxicological result imaginable was going to change my opinion," she testified.

PHOTO: Daniel Penny arrives at Manhattan Criminal Court as a jury continues deliberations in the trial of the former Marine sergeant facing charges of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide in New York, Dec. 9, 2024. (Shannon Stapleton/Reuters)

Day 3

The jury heard more testimony read back from the cross-examination of Harris.

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The jury subsequently requested to see two bystander videos capturing the moments when Penny placed Neely in a chokehold. The jury had already requested one of the two bystander videos the previous day.

Wiley allowed the jury to access a laptop with the videos so they could watch the requested videos as many times as they'd like.

Later that day, the jury requested the definitions of criminal negligence and recklessness.

"We the jury request that Judge Wiley read the definition of recklessness and negligence. Please read it more than once," the note read. "Could the jury have the definitions in writing?"

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The jury was considering two counts  second-degree manslaughter, which carries a maximum 15-year sentence, and criminally negligent homicide, which has a four-year maximum. To convict Penny of manslaughter, the jury must be convinced Penny acted recklessly and grossly deviated from how a reasonable person would behave knowing the risk his conduct posed.

MORE: Daniel Penny's subway chokehold trial: The key takeaways

Day 4

The jury told the judge on Friday they were "unable to come to a unanimous vote" on whether Penny committed manslaughter.

"We the jury request instructions from Judge Wiley. At this time, we are unable to come to a unanimous vote on court one," the note said.

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The verdict form asked the jury to decide the first count -- second-degree manslaughter -- before potentially moving to the second count of criminally negligent homicide. Only if they found Penny not guilty on the first count could they consider the second count.

About 20 minutes after the judge encouraged them to continue deliberating despite their deadlock, the jury sent back another note requesting more information about the term "reasonable person" in their instructions.

"Ultimately what a reasonable person is up to you to decide," Wiley told the jury in response to their note, referring them to a two-part test in jury instruction.

"Would a reasonable person have had the same honestly held belief as the defendant given the circumstances and what the defendant knew at that time?" Wiley asked, referring to the second part of the test.

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Several hours later, Wiley dismissed the top charge of second-degree manslaughter at the request of prosecutors.

The judge encouraged the jury to continue deliberating on Monday the lesser charge of whether Penny committed criminally negligent homicide.

MORE: Manslaughter charge dismissed in Daniel Penny trial, jury to consider negligent homicide charge

Day 5

The jury announced Monday morning they had reached a unanimous decision on count two -- finding Penny not guilty of criminally negligent homicide.

The courtroom broke out in a mix of cheers, clapping, and jeers as soon as the verdict was read.

Neely's father cursed in anger shortly after the verdict and was forcibly removed from the courtroom by a court officer. Others in the gallery shouted, and one woman broke down in tears.

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Penny, walking out of the courtroom, flashed a brief smile before returning to his stone-faced demeanor. His lawyers embraced one another while seated at the counsel table.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, whose office prosecuted the case, thanked the jury and vowed to respect their verdict.

"The jury has now spoken. At the Manhattan D.A.'s Office we deeply respect the jury process and we respect their verdict," he said in a statement.

Questions the jury asked before acquitting Daniel Penny in the subway chokehold death originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
By Brad Brooks

(Reuters) - An amended lawsuit filed in federal court on Sunday alleges that rap mogul Jay-Z raped a 13-year-old girl along with Sean "Diddy" Combs during a party in 2000.

Jay-Z denied the allegations on social media and blasted the lawsuit, calling it part of a "blackmail attempt" by the plaintiff's lawyer. Lawyers for Jay-Z did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

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The lawsuit was originally filed in October in the Southern District of New York and at that time did not name Jay-Z as a defendant, though the amended lawsuit says that Jay-Z was identified as "Celebrity A" on the original complaint.

Combs has denied all allegations against him, including this one, in October. He is currently in jail on federal sex trafficking charges, to which he has pleaded not guilty.

The lawsuit alleges that the unnamed girl was drugged and raped by both Jay-Z and Combs at a party hosted by Combs following the MTV Music Awards in 2000, which was held in New York.

Tony Buzbee, the Texas lawyer representing the girl who filed Sunday's lawsuit, has filed at least 20 civil lawsuits against Combs accusing him of sexual misconduct.

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In an email to Reuters, Buzbee said the Jay-Z lawsuit "speaks for itself."

"This is a very serious matter that will be litigated in court," Buzbee wrote.

Buzbee, in his amended lawsuit, says his legal firm had previously sent Jay-Z a letter seeking to mediate a settlement.

Jay-Z, the lawsuit says, responded to that letter by filing a lawsuit against Buzbee, and by "orchestrating a conspiracy of harassment" against Buzbee and other lawyers in his firm, which the lawyer said was an intimidation tactic meant to silence his client.

In a post on social media, Buzbee said the alleged rape victim he is representing "never demanded a penny" from Jay-Z, writing that "she only sought a confidential mediation."

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Buzbee last week filed a lawsuit against law firm Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, whose lawyers represent Combs and Jay-Z, accusing the firm's legal team of harassing his colleagues, his clients and his family.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan did not respond to requests for comment.

(Reporting by Brad Brooks in Colorado; Editing by Paul Thomasch and Lincoln Feast)
Blood oozed across the dry, dusty earth as the high priest of Gadhimai raised his traditional khukuri knife and beheaded the five animals before him, triggering a frenzy of killing in the early hours of a foggy Sunday morning.

Hundreds of butchers with their blunt metal swords were soon cutting the necks of the agitated, crying animals  from rats and pigeons to goats and water buffaloes  in a religious ritual watched by both adults and children. Before long, rivers of red ran through the Hindu temples grounds, while people carried away the creatures heads, ten to a sack.

Dubbed the worlds bloodiest festival, it is estimated that well over 200,000 animals were sacrificed on Sunday and Monday as devotees marked the Gadhimai festival in Bariyarpur, a small town 10 miles north of Nepals border with India.

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Held every five years, the sacrifice is the culmination of a month-long celebration to honour the Hindu goddess Gadhimai in return for prosperity.

This temple is recognised as the largest animal sacrifice site in the world [and] I am the eleventh generation continuing the tradition, Shiva Chaudhari, the high priest, told the Telegraph. This is a matter of our tradition and culture, and everyone should respect it. There is no question of stopping it.

Devotees consider the ritual an untouchable cornerstone of their religion - Arkaprava Bhar

But there is a growing stand off between the devotees who consider the ritual an untouchable cornerstone of their religion, and the animal welfare activists at home and internationally who decry the event as cruel and unnecessary  including the French actress Brigitte Bardot and Britains Joanna Lumley.

As animal rights activists, we understand there are several other industries, like the meat industry, where animals get slaughtered and killed every day, said Arkaprava Bhar, senior manager of campaigns for Humane Society Internationals (HSI) India office.

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The point is, the magnitude of the cruelty is completely different. There is no other thing I can imagine which can match with the cruelty level of this particular festival.

The festival dates back more than 250 years, when the founder of the temple dreamt that the goddess Gadhimai wanted blood in return for freeing him from prison, protecting him from evil, and ensuring prosperity. After successfully persuading the deity to accept an animal instead of a human, he kick started a ritual that has since been repeated every five years.

Animal activists rescue animals bound for sacrifice - PRABIN RANABHAT

At its peak, devotees estimate that some 2.5 million animals were slaughtered as people travelled from across India and Nepal to take part. But the last decade has seen a surge in criticism, and a series of court orders have tempered proceedings.

In 2014, the Supreme Court of India directed the government to halt the illegal movement of animals across the porous border with Nepal for use in the festival. Five years later, Nepals highest court ordered an end to sacrifices, and urged authorities to phase out the practice worldwide.

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Activists have also launched door-to-door awareness campaigns from activists in the region urging people to abstain, while joint effort from border police and NGOs has sought to confiscate animals being transported from India to Nepal for the event  HSI said it had helped rescue more than 700 buffaloes, goats, pigeons and chickens in the last week.

If people are killing in the meat industry, there is a reason: to consume it, says Mr Bhar. And its completely different because there are standards and you have to follow certain rules. Here there is none of that. And there is zero sanitation, so from the health aspect it is also very, very bad.

But thankfully, most of the younger generation have a better education and understand these things. Those Ive met are in favour of stopping this practice.

Confiscated animals are rescued and re-homed in safe shelters - PRABIN RANABHAT

Others, though, lament that the government is obfuscating and trying to limit photography, rather than end the sacrifice.

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But the government is blatantly disregarding the Supreme Courts order, said Sneha Shrestha, president of the Federation of Animal Welfare Nepal. Not only is there a lack of support, but the government has actually been uncooperative [and] high-ranking government officials in Nepal are still sending animals for sacrifices.

Activists also claim that the temple wants to continue the ritual because its a money-maker.

In a statement Alokparna Sengupta, HSIs India director, said it costs a fee of 500 Nepali rupees (3) to slaughter a buffalo, while the temple makes money from auctioning off the animal meat and skins.

It is disgraceful that the Gadhimai temple committee is exploiting the hopes, fears and frustrations of impoverished people for its own profit, he said.

Animal activists assist law enforcement inspecting vehicles at the border for animals being illegally transported for sacrifice - Arkaprava Bhar

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Yet, with fervent devotees arguing that the sacrifice is an important element of their beliefs, the sacrifice seems unlikely to end soon.

People from India have been arriving a month in advance and are staying in villages, they come with tents and settle in the villages nearby, said Lalbabu Thakur, who lives in the nearby village Majhadiya. He added that across the region, animals were being prepared ahead of Sundays sacrifice  including 15,000 in his village alone.

There is a belief that by offering sacrifices, our desires or wishes are fulfilled, Mr Thakur told the Telegraph. After visiting Gadhimai, people feel that their vows have been fulfilled, and their wishes granted. This is the reason why the tradition has continued for such a long time. The scene there cannot be described in ordinary terms. It is something that is felt.

Shyam Prasad Yadav, Gadimais mayor, added: The issue of animal sacrifice is a matter of peoples faith and belief Although animal rights activists have raised questions and suggested reducing the practice, it seems unlikely to happen in the near future.

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A two-volume set containing the writings of William Penn and published in London in 1726 has found a new permanent home in the Reading Public Library.

The books titled A Collection of the Works of William Penn are a gift of the Reading Central Library of Reading, Berkshire, England.

The set is a comprehensive compilation of the writings of William Penn, 1644 to 1718, the English Quaker and founder of the Pennsylvania colony. It includes a variety of his works, such as essays, letters and sermons, which offer insights into his religious beliefs, political ideas and vision for a just and peaceful society.

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The books were presented by Tony Jones, a former mayor and alderman of Reading, England, during a brief ceremony recently at the library, 100 S. Fifth St.

Now you might think, But whats the point of bringing a couple of battered books across the pond, across the Atlantic? Jones said of the volumes, which contain essays, sermons, letters and other writings of Penn, the English writer, religious thinker and influential member of the Society of Friends, or Quakers, who founded Pennsylvania during the British colonial era. Well, if I was more high-minded, I might say, Well, theyll be there as a scholastic reference.

More simply put, he said, the gift is an act of friendship between the two Readings.

Tony Jones, a former mayor of Reading, Berkshire, England, reads from one of two volumes of the writings of William Penn, published in 1726. The nearly 300-year-old books were presented to the Reading Public Library by the Reading Central Library of Reading, Berkshire, England. (MICHELLE LYNCH  READING EAGLE)

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Melissa Adams, library executive director, accepted the books on behalf of the citizens of Reading.

Initially, the books were to be a loan, but Jones surprised Adams by announcing the permanent gift.

We are excited for this historic partnership with the Reading Libraries and Museum, Adams said, accepting the volumes and thanking Jones and Simon Smith, libraries and museum manager, Reading, England, who joined the ceremony virtually.

Penn lived in Pennsylvania for less than three years from 1682 into 1684, when he returned to England. From 1710 until his death, he lived in Ruscombe, Berkshire.

Jones pointed out the similarity of the names of several places in Berks County to those in Penns home of Berkshire.

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He also read from a letter reprinted in one of the volumes in which Penn reported on the plentiful natural produce of Pennsylvania.

In the letter, Penn also described the native Lenape as tall, straight and well built, and noted Dutch, Swedish and Finnish settlers preceded the English in settling what became Pennsylvania, Jones said.

The library will display the books through the end of 2025 and will feature displays and programs that connect the volumes and their significance to the history of the city and Pennsylvania, Adams noted.

Formerly a frontier town, Reading was laid out in 1748 by two of Penns sons, Thomas and Richard Penn.

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Part of the librarys display will include two documents recently discovered in the librarys archives: a land grant indenture and a letter from King George III of England to William Penns sons.

Those interested in reading Penns writings have no need to worry about damaging the dusty and fragile set.

Adams said a link for viewing a digital version of the books will be available on the librarys website at readingpubliclibrary.org.

Michael Sninsky, deputy chief of the Reading Fire Departments EMS unit, accepts a friendship plaque from Tony Jones, public governor of the Reading, England, ambulance service and a former mayor of the borough in England. (MICHELLE LYNCH  READING EAGLE)

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Jones, who now serves as public governor of the Reading, England, ambulance service, has visited the city several times in the last 25 years, helping to strengthen the ties between the two Readings.

Following the book presentation, he presented a friendship plaque from the chief executive of the emergency medical service unit of Reading, England, to Michael Sninsky, deputy chief of the Reading Fire Departments EMS unit.
TEHRAN, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Iran's First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref on Monday affirmed the country's commitment to negotiations over its nuclear program but firmly rejected any form of "paying a ransom," according to Iran's official news agency IRNA.

During a visit to the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Aref criticized Western threats to activate the snapback mechanism, which would reinstate international sanctions against Tehran. He emphasized Iran's focus on "constructive interaction" to lift "cruel sanctions" while continuing "peaceful nuclear activities."

Aref reaffirmed Iran's readiness to rejoin the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) if other parties also return to compliance. He highlighted Iran's transparency in its nuclear activities and adherence to the safeguards agreement, which ensures the peaceful use of nuclear materials and technology.

Rejecting recent Western statements on the snapback mechanism, Aref warned that such actions would effectively end the JCPOA, adding, "Our strategy is action for action."

Iran signed the JCPOA with world powers in 2015, agreeing to limits on its nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. However, the United States withdrew in 2018 and reimposed sanctions, prompting Iran to scale back its commitments. Talks to revive the deal, ongoing since 2021, remain stalled. 
By Ece Toksabay and Jonathan Spicer

ANKARA (Reuters) -The United States and Turkey reached an agreement to ensure the safe withdrawal of U.S.-backed Kurdish Syrian forces (SDF) from the northern city of Manbij after an advance by Turkey-backed rebels, a Syrian opposition source said on Monday.

The Turkey-backed Syrian opposition groups had earlier taken control of Manbij from the SDF, a Turkish security source said, a day after rebels in the southern capital of Damascus declared Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's ouster.

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Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan, speaking separately in Anakra, said he welcomed the clearing out of "terrorists" from Manbij, which the SDF had been holding in recent days amid fighting with the Syrian National Army (SNA) and other Turkey-backed groups.

The Kurdish fighters "have withdrawn from the city and still need to withdraw from the other areas" east of Manbij, said the Syrian opposition source familiar with the matter.

The SDF is the main ally in a U.S. coalition against Islamic State militants. Turkey says it is spearheaded by a terrorist group closely tied to the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) militants who have fought the Turkish state for 40 years.

A video, verified by Reuters, showed opposition forces being welcomed by some people in Manbij, which is some 30 km (19 miles) south of the Turkish border and west of the Euphrates river.

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The SDF could cross east of the river, nearer a Kurdish stronghold, analysts say. Some of its fighters also withdrew from Tel Refaat and parts of Aleppo to the west, in the early days of a lightning rebel offensive that swept south across the country.

The sporadic clashes in Syria's north continued even as the world was caught surprised by the opposition's swift successes in initially seizing Aleppo and, on Sunday, Damascus.

The offensive took less than two weeks, after a 13-year war, and was spearheaded by the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a group that Ankara and the West deem terrorists.

Turkish state-owned Anadolu news agency reported that Manbij was being searched for possible landmines left behind.

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Abdurrahman Mustafa, head of the Turkey-backed opposition's provisional government, congratulated the troops that took Manbij and said: "We support them to complete the liberation of every inch of our land and achieve the aspirations of our people..."

The United States said it will maintain its presence in eastern Syria, where the SDF is concentrated, and will take necessary steps to prevent a resurgence of Islamic State. Some 900 U.S. troops are in eastern Syria alongside the SDF.

Separately, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said U.S. strikes in Syria in recent days were focused on Islamic State cells to hinder them from taking advantage of fallout from the rebellion.

(Additional reporting by Timothy Kelly; Writing by Huseyin Hayatsever; Editing by Ed Osmond and Jonathan Spicer)
Momentum and trajectory are far more important than absolute position, the Reform Party chair Zia Yusuf clipped at me between sips of tea at Kettners in Soho. A bygone bunker once frequented by Winston Churchill, where hardcore regulars take absinthe shots in their champagne, it seemed an apt setting for talking ruthless battle strategy with Nigel Farages chief general.

Over the years, one of the criticisms of Farageisms various vehicles is that they seemed too much like one-man bands. But Reform now feels different.

Millionaire entrepreneur-turned-populist campaigner Zia Yusuf could emerge to be one of this centurys biggest political influencers. Like all talented generals, he is a grand thinker with attention to detail. With the same jaunty, multi-directional energy as the swing jazz tinkling in the background, he switches rapidly from Britain being at the hinge of history to the nuts and bolts of council elections  from global populist earthquakes to voter ire over potholes.

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One might wonder why one of Britains most successful startup whizzes would want to involve themselves in dismal politics. But Yusuf  whose concierge service Velocity Black was Britains fastest growing company in 2018  can sniff out an opening in Westminster as keenly as he can in the business world. He is convinced that Reform will take off in a way that previous Right-wing startup parties have not due to the sheer appetite for change.

Like all savvy entrepreneurs, he knows that huge and rapid accomplishments are built on strong and simple foundations. Repeatedly during our chat, he stressed that Reforms unbreakable strength is rooted in the fact that it is united in its principles. Repeatedly, he contrasted this with the Tories. With the latter still split after the election, their paralysis is immutable, according to Yusuf, a problem of physics.

It is not only Yusufs insight but also his honesty that I found refreshing. So many politicians I encounter skirt around the truth with artful revulsion, like children forking around vegetables on their plate. Yusuf asked me for my brutal assessment of Reforms prospects. I told him flatly: It is yours to lose. He looked at me dead centre: Yes. It is ours to screw up.

There is no question then that Reform is on the cusp of surging as a political force. Its three-phase strategy to propel itself to main opposition status within 18 months is surreally feasible. The party is on track to do well in the May local elections  an outcome that could plunge the Tories into a fresh civil war and leave Kemi Badenoch fighting for her job.

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Reform will then set its sights on the Welsh and Scottish elections in 2026. It will leverage its growing army of members to hone its Lib Dem-inspired ground game, focusing on local gripes, such as the poor state of Britains roads, as well as national

hot-potato issues like immigration.

What is fascinating is that Reform may already have reached its tipping point, as Farage has claimed in recent days. The idea behind tipping points is that behavioural shifts  from fashion fads to political affiliations  spread like viruses.

In his book on the subject, Malcolm Gladwell uses the example of Hush Puppies, the brush-suede footwear brand which exploded into a global trend, after a few hipsters started buying them from the SoHo Village charity shops to wear on the dance floors of Manhattans clubs. This prompted a designer to install a giant inflatable hound dog on his ateliers roof. Hollywood stars started snapping them up from his neighbouring boutique. And that was it.

The latest defectors, including former Tory MP Andrea Jenkyns and ConservativeHome founder Tim Montgomerie are the SoHo Village hipsters of the British Right.

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Several Tories are looking on with a mixture of envy and anxiety. Some are irked at being frozen out of Badenochs inner circle, and fantasise about the influence they might garner if they can clinch a seat at the top table with Farage. Others are getting tetchy about defecting before rival colleagues; Reform will only welcome a small quota of renegade cool kids, lest the odour of washed-up Toryism contaminate its brand. And it is only a matter of time before there is an inflatable dog moment. Elon Musks putative 80 million donation, if it materialises, might be it.

Still, Reform does have one sizeable weak point  the vagueness of its plan for change. While voters yearn for politicians to get a grip on migration, many wonder whether Reforms net zero policy is wishful thinking. Tax cuts have featured heavily in its economic plans  but tax cuts alone will not solve Britains productivity problem. Having observed this possible Achilles heel, Badenoch is quietly crafting a detailed manifesto for deep change which she hopes will expose Reform as hollow.

Yusuf is confident that when the party turns properly to the task of policy, it will find it much easier than the divided Tories. Maybe so, but the unstable early history of the last party to emerge from nowhere to shake the political system  Labour  should serve as a warning. Labour soared from the fourth party in 1918 with 57 seats to the main opposition with 142 MPs in 1922. As with Reform, its greatest strength was its unity, in contrast with Liberals reeling from the split between Lloyd George and Asquith in 1916. But Labour almost disappeared as quick as it rose to power, swept away in 1931 after failing to properly think through how it would deliver on its manifesto, a glittering forest of Christmas trees with presents for everyone.

Then again, Labour ultimately endured because it grasped what the historian R G Collingwood called the dialectic of English politics  namely that it was their task to be the driver of progress, as it was the task of the Tories to hold back its pace.

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Something very similar is happening now. Reform may be imperfect. But it understands that the dialectic of politics demands a party of radicalism to do combat with a party of restraint. The Tory party simply does not get this. Such is why it is not merely possibly, but plainly probable, that Reform will soon be the official opposition.

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Nearly six years after it was installed, a $250,000 octopus sculpture meant to welcome visitors to downtown Tacoma still hasnt been let out of its cage.

Gerties Ghost was installed in early 2019 by Sound Transit  part of its 1 percent for art program  at South Tacoma Way and Pacific Avenue in Tacoma. Its 12-foot-tall steel tentacles erupt from the earth in a grassy space adjacent to the Pacific Avenue train bridge.

The fenced-off sculpture adds to a less than picture perfect collection of sights along Pacific Avenue at the southern end of downtown. A graffiti-covered and fenced-off former Jack in the Box sits just on the other side of the bridge, and unloved Pugnetti Park decays at state Route 509.

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So, why hasnt the sculpture been freed from its cyclone fence prison?

The Gerties Ghost sculpture park next to Sound Transits railroad line in downtown Tacoma, Washington, has been fenced in since its installation in 2019. The city says its to protect the young trees planted there, shown on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, as well as protect the sculpture from vandalism. Tony Overman/toverman@theolympian.com

Who fenced it off?

According to Sound Transit spokesperson David Jackson, the agency paid for the fencing as part of a contract with the city of Tacoma.

For the time being, we are keeping the fence in place for safety and maintenance reasons but plan to revisit options with our partners at the city, he said in a statement to The News Tribune on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the city said fencing needs to stay up to protect the sculpture along with approximately 16 quaking aspen trees planted in 2020, which are in their establishment period, according to city spokesperson Maria Lee.

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They will continue to assess the area, but for now, the fence will remain in place, Lee said. The city could not offer a timeline for the fences removal.

The trees are located to either side of the sculpture, which is set in a field of stone. The aspens are meant to frame the sculpture.

While the sculpture is in a bed of uncomfortable rocks, its surrounded by a grassy expanse. A bench and bike rack is nearby, also fenced off.

The Gerties Ghost sculpture park next to Sound Transits railroad line in downtown Tacoma, Washington, has been fenced in since its installation in 2019. The city says its to protect the young trees planted there, shown on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024, as well as protect the sculpture from vandalism. Tony Overman/toverman@theolympian.com

Some 1,500 feet up South Tacoma Way, a large homeless encampment has been erected.

Artists

The 40,000-pound sculpture was conceived and built by two Richmond, California-based large-scale installation artists, Sean Orlando and Dave Shulman of Engineered Artworks.

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We always say wed like people to love it, obviously, Orlando said in 2019. But we wouldnt mind it if they hated it. As long as they have a strong emotion about it. Thats why we make art.

The inspiration for the multi-tentacled beast came from Tacoma history, real and imagined.

First, theres Galloping Gerties famous 1940 plunge into the depths of Puget Sound, and then theres a local legend.

We were enamored with the story of the giant octopus that lives in the wreckage of the bridge, Shulman said in 2019. We kind of fused all of those things together to try and build something that was evocative of an old railroad trestle but had the tapering lines and organic curves of an octopuss tentacles.

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Orlando and Shulman did not return several requests for comment for this story.

Gateway art

In 2019, Barbara Luecke, the deputy director for public art at Sound Transit, said the sculpture would serve as an entry to downtown Tacoma, which now has the train bridge as a demarcation.

This time it really worked out as a gateway because theres a real logic to going under that portal of the new track into downtown Tacoma, she said in 2019.

Creation of the bridge was controversial, with some protesting its construction as an unsightly barrier.

Luecke did not return a request for comment for this story.
NEW YORK (PIX11)  If youre looking for opportunities to work remotely while living in New York City, many major companies are hiring in the area.

Microsoft is hiring account managers in multiple departments. Some of the roles are up to 50%-100% work-from-home eligible, according to the job postings.

More Local News

A strategic account manager in health care develops ways to sell Microsofts products, strategizes long-term goals, budgets and forecasts and collaborates with different departments and Microsoft partners. Click here for more information on the job.

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Google is also hiring for different roles, including in cybersecurity, Google Cloud, engineering and more.

A thermal cooling engineer helps create cooling solutions for Googles data centers on time and within budget. If youre looking for more information, click here.

Amazon has many remote roles listed on its jobs website. A business analyst with Amazon Fresh will put together data from the grocery supply chain product team to present to stakeholders.

Youll find out more about that listing by clicking here.

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.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11.
The Lawrence Energy Center in Kansas burns coal for electric power. A federal lawsuit filed by 11 Republican attorneys general claims institutional investors BlackRock, Vanguard and State Street committed antitrust violations to lower supply and increase the cost of coal. (Jill Hummels/Kansas Reflector)

Major institutional investors have artificially lowered coal production and raised energy costs for consumers in an effort to lower global carbon emissions, a federal lawsuit claims.

Republican attorneys general in 11 states filed a joint lawsuit last month against BlackRock, Vanguard and State Street, claiming the organizations efforts to pressure coal companies to lower carbon emissions and respond to climate change amount to anti-competitive business practices.

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All three companies, the lawsuit says, have acquired significant shares in the largest publicly-traded coal companies to coerce their management.

For the past four years, Americas coal producers have been responding not to the price signals of the free market, but to the commands of Larry Fink, BlackRocks chairman and CEO, and his fellow asset managers, the lawsuit says.

BlackRock is the worlds largest financial asset manager.

The case was in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas on behalf of the states of Texas, Alabama, Arkansas, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, West Virginia and Wyoming.

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The case asks the court to find that the companies have violated federal antitrust laws and prohibit them from using their stock holdings in coal companies to limit output.

In a statement, State Street called the lawsuit baseless.

State Street acts in the long-term financial interests of investors with a focus on enhancing shareholder value, the company said. As long-term capital providers, we have a mutual interest in the long-term success of our portfolio companies.

BlackRock, too, called the lawsuit baseless and said it defies common sense.

On behalf of our clients, we have billions invested in the energy sector, partnering with states to attract investment into energy infrastructure and helping millions of Americans retire with dignity, the company said.

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In 2020, Fink wrote in a letter to CEOs that climate risk is investment risk and announced efforts to place sustainability at the center of our investment approach. He said companies and investors had a meaningful role to play in the transition from fossil fuels and coal to clean energy.

The following year, BlackRock, State Street and Vanguard joined the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative, acknowledging an urgent need to accelerate the transition towards global net zero emissions and committing to work to reduce carbon emissions.

Black Rock and State Street also signed onto Climate Action 100+, a similar initiative where investors work with companies on improving climate change governance, cutting emissions and strengthening climate-related financial disclosures.

Burning coal produces carbon dioxide, the most prevalent greenhouse gas and a significant drive of climate change, scientists say. It also produces sulfur dioxide, particulates and other emissions that can be harmful to human health.

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Coal made up 19% of energy-related carbon emissions in 2022 and more than half of emissions from electric power companies, according to the Energy Information Administration.

In a press release, Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers office accused the three companies of weaponizing their shares of the coal market.

Whether it comes from state or federal governments or the private sector, Hilgers said, the radical climate agenda harms Nebraskans.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey vowed to not stand idly by while these companies hamper energy production and raise prices for Missouri consumers.

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Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokitas office said in a press release that he was taking further action to stop work corporatists and their left-leaning allies in government from driving up energy costs for hardworking Hoosiers.

Coal has been the backbone of Indianas economic success for decades, Rokita said. The demand for electricity has gone up and these (environmental, social and governance) titans are reaping the benefits of these skyrocketed prices by keeping their thumb on production.

And Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird said she would keep fighting until we take down every cog of the woke machine and protect hardworking families and farmers.

While Woke Wall Street lines its own pockets, Bird said, families and farmers are forced to pay the price.

Like SC Daily Gazette, Kansas Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kansas Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Sherman Smith for questions: info@kansasreflector.com. Follow Kansas Reflector on Facebook and X.
House Republicans selected Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) to chair the House Foreign Affairs Committee and Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) to lead the Energy and Commerce Committee in the 119th Congress, as the conference works to organize its panels for the next two years of Republican-controlled Washington.

Republicans also selected Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas) to lead the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, sources said.

The chair picks were made by the House GOP Steering Committee, a panel of roughly 30 lawmakers that includes leadership and elected regional representatives. Their recommendations must be ratified by the whole House, which will likely take place early next year.

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The Steering Committee is expected to select the remaining committee chairs this week.

Heres more information on the committee chair selections.

House Foreign Affairs Committee

Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) addresses the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wis., on Wednesday, July 17, 2024.

Rep. Brian Mast (R-Fla.) beat out the competition from three experienced members of the committee, winning the gavel to succeed Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas), who was term-limited from running for the position again and opted against seeking a waiver. Reps. Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Joe Wilson (R-S.C.) and Ann Wagner (R-Mo.) were also vying for the gavel.

Mast has served in the House since 2017, chairing the Subcommittee on Oversight and Accountability. He served in the U.S. Army for more than 12 years, where he earned a Purple Heart, among other honors.

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The Florida Republican will enter the high-ranking position at a tenuous moment on the world stage, as the conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, Ukraines war against Russia drags on, and Syria reels from the fall of the regime led by Bashar al-Assad.

One of the primary powers of the chair and ranking member is review of U.S. weapons sales to foreign countries, and the opportunity to exercise a hold to block such sales. Mast is unlikely to oppose any weapons sales to Israel or Middle East allies that are viewed as key partners in pushing back against Irans threat into the region.

Mast, a Trump ally, will also wield the gavel as President-elect Trump looks to advance his America First mantra through legislation.

Trumps efforts to establish a ceasefire between Russia and Ukraine; support for Israel and the plight of American hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip; the shock ousting of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and confronting Chinas threats to U.S. security interests are just some of the top line issues the chair will face.

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Foreign policy initiatives could also include legislation sanctioning officials with the International Criminal Court over issuing of arrest warrants for Israeli officials; maintaining a block on aid for UNWRA, the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency; eliminating programming at the State Department that promotes LGBTQ visibility and blocking aid to any initiative that provides information on abortion access.

Mast drew headlines last year after, as a way to show his support for Israel, he wore to the Capitol his uniform for the Israeli military, which he volunteered to serve alongside after his time in the Army.

House Energy and Commerce Committee

Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) leaves a closed-door House Republican Conference meeting on Tuesday, June 6, 2023.

Guthrie was selected to lead the House Energy and Commerce Committee, a powerful panel whose broad mandate spans energy, environment, technology and healthcare.

He defeated Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio), who was also seeking the position.

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Guthrie is currently the chairman of the panels health subcommittee. He also sits on its oversight and energy subcommittees.

I am humbled and excited to get to work next Congress to deliver on President Trump and House Republicans America First agenda, Guthrie said in a written statement.

We must work together to restore Americas energy dominance and lower energy prices, protect childrens online safety and ensure America remains the world leader in technological innovation, and protect access to life-saving treatments while lowering health care costs, he added.

Hell replace retiring Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-Wash.).

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Latta congratulated Guthrie in a post on X, saying, Congratulations to my friend, Brett Guthrie, on being named the next Chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee. Im ready and eager to begin this hard work, and I look forward to working closely with our new Chair and my colleagues on the Energy and Commerce Committee to craft policies that make life better, safer, and more affordable for the American people.

House Committee on Science, Space and Technology

Rep. Brian Babin (R-Texas) arrives to the House Chamber for the final vote series of the week on Wednesday, September 25, 2024.

Babin is slated to be the next chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology, a source confirmed to The Hill, taking the reins from Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), who was term-limited from seeking another round atop the panel and instead seeking the gavel for the Financial Services Committee.

Babin is currently the chairman of the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics. No one challenged him for the new role.

Updated at 9 p.m.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Republicans hope Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes new role working with Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamys Department of Government Efficiency will turn her into a leadership ally. Privately, they worry shell once again turn into a political headache.

In a move that surprised a number of GOP lawmakers, the Georgia Republican is poised to lead a new House Oversight subcommittee focused on DOGE, the advisory office President-elect Donald Trump created to help slash government spending. Most publicly praised the move, citing her ability to shake conventional norms, close ties with Trump and strong following with the base as key assets for her new role.

Yet, some Republicans also privately fear that Greene  one of the most incendiary and combative elected officials who tends to be on the GOP fringe  will end up being more of a distraction than a helpful facilitator of the DOGE agenda. One House Republican, granted anonymity to speak candidly, said the assignment could be perceived as rewarding bad behavior.

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Underlying the concerns is the view among Greenes fellow GOP lawmakers that the post was a payoff from party leadership to shore up her support for Speaker Mike Johnson, who in January will have to convince his conference to let him run the House for another term. Greene said this week that she would support Johnsons speakership bid, after trying to force him out of the job in May.

She came in to visit with me about the path forward and how she wanted to be part of the team, part of the solutions. And I welcome that, Johnson said in an interview, adding that House Oversight Chair James Comer of Kentucky picked her for the spot without consulting him. There was no quid pro quo. We just decided that cooperation serves the country.



The situation illustrates Johnsons wider efforts in the House GOP. Hes working to keep his critics on his side ahead of the speakership vote and beyond, all while balancing the needs of an ideologically diverse conference with an incredibly ambitious agenda on immigration, spending cuts and taxes. Through it all, he needs to keep Trump, as well as Trump allies like Greene, as happy as possible.

Some Republicans are hoping the role will make Greene more aligned with leadership, citing her change in behavior when she began working closely with former Speaker Kevin McCarthy.

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If she is operating like she did with Speaker McCarthy, moving forward, shes gonna be a pleasure to work with. If she goes back to how it was, then its probably gonna be a little bit more challenging. But I have faith  that she can go back and be a really productive member of the body, said Rep. Max Miller (R-Ohio), a former Trump campaign aide and McCarthy ally who noted that the extra responsibility may help encourage her on this path.

Greene, however, isnt making any commitments about being a team player  she viewed the term with some derision.

Ive always faced criticism, but thats also what makes me perfectly cut for this. And, you know, the team player approach  look, were in $36 trillion of debt because everybody played ball, she said.

The Georgia Republican has a long list of controversies that have made her colleagues cringe. She recently claimed  and later doubled down  that Jews controlled the weather when Hurricane Helene ravaged North Carolina and other southern states ahead of the election and has faced accusations of racism after her verbal spat with Democratic Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas). (Crockett also faced criticism over her response to Greene, which some labeled homophobic.)



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Greenes not ready to publicly discuss her top goals on the panel, saying shes still working out priorities like the committee witnesses they want to hear from first. But she indicated Musks and Ramaswamys stated intention to cut $2 trillion from the federal budget is a very worthy goal mark that she believes would be difficult but attainable.

The Georgia Republican did say she expects frequent communication with Musk and Ramaswamy. She met with the duo during their Hill visit on Thursday in a small group, along with Johnson.

Additionally, she cited a range of areas she is eager to examine for waste, fraud and abuse. That included: federal union contracts, the California rail project, Ukraine aid, crazy grants, non-government organizations who have aided undocumented immigrants and federal dollars that go toward gender-affirming surgery for children. Plus, she wants to hear direct feedback from the American people on other potential areas to scrutinize.

I, myself, have been critical of my own party many times. It probably is equally as much, sometimes, as I have been of Democrats. And so Im looking at this as a really good chance to take my critical eye and use it in a subcommittee and use it in hearings, she said.

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Yet, she got backing from various corners of the party, from the conservatives, leadership and more centrist members. Rep. Tony Gonzales (R-Texas), whos on the Homeland Security Committee with Greene, said shes exactly the right person.

If youre going to shake up Washington, Marjorie comes to mind, Gonzales said.

And Comer, who echoed Johnson that he had picked Greene without consulting the speaker, said he thought the role would be a good fit given shes very energetic and high profile.

I think she wants to prove people wrong. She knows theres people criticizing, Comer added.
BOSTON (AP)  Wildlife rescuers were rushing Monday to tend to dozens of geese and ducks that were soaked in oil after a spill in a Boston river.

Police and fire departments were dispatched to the Muddy River on the border of Boston and the town of Brookline a little after noon on Sunday following reports of a possible oil leak, Brookline police said. Responders found there was some kind of leak into the waterway that impacted wildlife  including numerous ducks and geese, police said.

State environmental officials and wildlife rescuers responded and were still on the job Monday, officials said.

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Preliminary findings show the oil leak appears to be coming from a storm drain under a nearby condominium complex, said Danielle Burney, spokesperson for the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection estimates less than 100 gallons (379 liters) of oil was released, Burney said.

The DEP was still investigating the exact source of the spill, which is being contained and managed, Burney said.

The New England Wildlife Center is on-site to collect affected waterfowl for treatment and rehabilitation at their facility. They will continue to monitor the area to ensure the safety and well-being of the local wildlife, Burney said.

Rescuers said it would take up to a month for the birds to be treated and released back into the wild. Twenty birds were accounted for by Monday afternoon, but dozens more were expected to need care, said Katrina Bergman, president of New England Wildlife Center, which was responding to the animals.

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Bergman said most of the birds were Canada geese and mallards, which are a common sight alongside the Muddy River. The river is a popular site for walkers and joggers. The spill happened in the area of the Longwood train station, about a mile from Fenway Park.

Caring for the animals is difficult because they need to be cared for without stressing them out, said Zak Mertz, chief executive officer of New England Wildlife Center.

Giving the injured wildlife room to let rescuers tend to them was critical, officials said.

We don't want to cause them to do any extra activity, especially if they have oil in the mouth and nose, that could do more damage, Mertz said.

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Wildlife rescue involves proper training that most members of the public lack, police said.

We know that members of the community are concerned for the well being of the impacted wildlife and were interested in what they could do to help. On scene for something like this its important that we only use people with proper PPE and training, Brookline police said in a statement.
Several groups of conservationists banded together to restore a snail species thought to be extinct in the wild  and their efforts are yielding good results, as Smithsonian Magazine reported.

The tiny, less-than-one-inch-long tree snail species known as Partula tohiveana is native to French Polynesia. There, these snails play an important role by eating decaying plant matter, thereby keeping the forests healthy. However, it hadn't been spotted in the wild in more than four decades before a coalition of zookeepers and conservationists stepped in.

These efforts have seen them, over the past 10 years, breed P. tohiveana snails in captivity and then fly them to the French Polynesian island of Mo'orea once a year in hopes of seeing them begin to reproduce in the wild.

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The gambit finally paid off this year, as the scientists making their annual trip to deliver new snails noticed some P. tohiveana snails without the marking painted on the ones they would drop off, meaning that new ones had been born in the wild.

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"This is the kind of news that you work your whole career for," said Kayla Garcia, zoological manager of invertebrates at the St. Louis Zoo, one of the groups involved in the project. "This is an amazing discovery, an amazing accomplishment, and you just can't help but just feel all of the good feelings coursing through you."

The discovery means that the P. tohiveana, which is currently listed as "Extinct in the Wild" on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's Red List, could soon be upgraded to "Critically Endangered."

As explained by the St. Louis Zoo's official Instagram account, "Partula snails experienced a devastating decline when the predatory rosy wolf snails (Euglandina rosea) were introduced to French Polynesian islands in the 1970s as a form of biological control."

Conservation efforts started not too long after scientists began to notice the decline, but it has taken decades of diligence for that work to pay off. The entire episode is a useful reminder that just as humans can (and so often do) cause problems that harm species, we also have the ability to help those species thrive once again.

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 Crown Point apartment building is uninhabitable after an early Sunday morning fire ravaged its roof.

The Crown Point Fire Department was called around 3:24 a.m. December 8 to the 900 block of Cypress Point Drive for a fire, according to a Sunday news release from the City of Crown Point. Crews arrived the scene to find a fire that extended to the roof, so, officers started alerting neighbors to evacuate, according to the release.

None of the residents in the building when the fire broke out were injured, although a dog  a Dachshund named Pippi  died, according to social media. While its unclear how many units were occupied in the building, all 36 units were affected because of the roof damage and power getting cut off; as such, the property manager has coordinated with the American Red Cross to get the residents temporary accommodations, CPFD Deputy Fire Chief Ryan Cusack told the Post-Tribune Sunday.

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Four units, however, were destroyed, and four additional units have smoke and water damage, according to the release.

Firefighters from multiple departments brought the fire under control in about an hour and cleared the scene by 7:15 a.m., according to the release. No firefighters were injured in the fire.

The cause of the fire is under investigation. Those residents displaced by the fire who havent gotten help from the American Red Cross yet are asked to call 1-800-733-2767.

The Crown Point Police Department and Emergency Management Agency, as well as the Merrillville, Cedar Lake, Lowell, Lake Dale, Lake Hills, Hebron, Schererville, Union Township and Boone Grove Fire Departments and Tri-Creek EMS, assisted.
PRAGUE, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Charles University in Prague on Monday introduced new projects to strengthen the resilience and psychological well-being of its students and employees almost a year after the shooting tragedy at the university's Faculty of Arts.

The university said in a statement that it decided to open three sub-funds: a resilience fund and two funds bearing the names of two of the 14 shooting victims.

The resilience fund aims to support projects that promote psychological resilience, mental health and overall wellbeing. One of the projects to be financed from the fund is the new Resilience Center at the university. The other two funds will support students facing family tragedies that somehow hinder their studies.

"The past year has been a search for balance and a way for us to best provide assistance to the injured and become a support for all survivors. Together with the Faculty of Arts, the entire university tried to support the injured in their return to studies and academic life," said the university rector Milena Kralickova.

Meanwhile, the university has been implementing a range of security measures, including security drills and improved information transfer, at its faculties, dormitories, and canteens. Additionally, a crisis and notification system is being developed for specific faculties to ensure swift and effective responses in emergency situations.

On Dec. 21 last year, a student shot and killed 14 people at the university's Faculty of Arts building in central Prague before committing suicide. The tragic incident also left 25 others injured. Czech Interior Minister Vit Rakusan has called the shooting "a terrible act, unprecedented in the history of the Czech Republic." 
CLEVELAND (WJW)  The Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force is offering a reward for information leading to the capture of Demetrius Caffee, who is wanted for homicide.

Demetrius Caffee

Caffee, 32, is accused in the May 27 shooting of Rodney Edwards on Caine Avenue in Cleveland. The Cleveland Division of Police and the United States Marshals Service have charged Caffee in connection with the fatal incident.

Where winning Powerball ticket was sold in Ohio

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Authorities describe Caffee as a Black male, 5 feet 9 inches tall, and weighing about 140 pounds. He is known to frequent the Cleveland area.

Anyone with information about Caffees whereabouts is urged to contact the Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force at 1-866-4WANTED or submit a tip online.

Tips can be made anonymously, and reward money 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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
PRAIRIE BAND POTAWATOMI NATION

16281 Q ROAD

MAYETTA, KS 66509

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS

RFQ 2024-0001 District Court Judge Pro Tem

SUBMISSION DEADLINE:

OPEN UNTIL FILLED

SUBMIT TO:

PBPN Procurement Office

Michael Tamez

michaeltamez@pbpnation.org

REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS (RFQ)

PART I: GENERAL INFORMATION AND PROCESS

1. PURPOSE

The Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation is seeking applicants for the position(s) of District Court Judge Pro Tem.

2. SCOPE OF WORK

The position scope of work is in Attachment A

3. DUTY TO EXAMINE:

It is the responsibility of each submitting party to examine the entire submission, seek clarification in writing (inquiries) and examine their Statement of qualifications accuracy before submitting. Lack of care in preparing a submission shall not be grounds for modifying or withdrawing after the due date and time.

4. INSTRUCTIONS:

1. No meeting / teleconference is scheduled for this solicitation.

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2. Questions may be submitted by e-mail to procurement@pbpnation.org

3. This Request for Qualifications is NOT a contract or a binding document.

4. The SOQ (Statement of Qualifications) must be submitted by the person seeking the appointment.

5. Any changes to the SOQ, after submission, must be made by the respondent in writing and must be received by the Procurement Office prior to the closing date.

6. The PBPN reserves the right to reject any and all submissions.

7. It is the intent of this request to obtain qualified submissions for the position of District Court Judge Pro Tem.

This is a contract position and does not create an employment relationship or a guarantee of minimum number of hours of work.

5. SUBMITTAL CONTENT

Submissions must be organized according to the mandatory sections listed below. Submissions that do not address all the mandatory sections listed below may be considered non-responsive and will not be evaluated. A submission should be of sufficient length and details to demonstrate the submitting party has a thorough understanding of the skills necessary to deliver the services requested.

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1. Cover Letter / Letter of Interest

2. Provide a SOQ (Statement of Qualifications) with detailed background and experience.

3. Include a copy of your resume.

4. Include a copy of a current certificate of good standing issued by a state agency with authority for admitting persons to practice law

5. Evidence of citizenship in a Federally recognized Indian Tribe

6. Include three professional references with contact information.

7. Submittal Certification Signature

8. Include a rate sheet for billable hours and any associated fees.

6. EVALUATION AND SELECTION

1. All submittals received by the submission deadline will be evaluated and selected for interviews according to the qualifications and criteria cited.

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2. The PBPN may validate any information by using outside sources or materials.

3. All submittals must be emailed to procurement@pbpnation.org

4. The selected contractor will be notified by phone or email once evaluations have been completed and selected for an interview with the Administrative Judge for the District Court.

5. Any and all questions regarding this RFQ request shall be directed to the procurement email address listed above.

7. AWARD

The Selected contractor will commence with service upon successful completion of a criminal background check and approval of a District Court Judge Pro Tempore contract.

1. Number and Types of Awards:

The PBPN reserves the right to make multiple awards or to award a Contract by individual line items or alternatives, by group of line items or alternatives, or to make an aggregate award, whichever is most advantageous to PBPN.

2. Contract Inception:

A submission does not constitute a Contract, nor does it confer any rights on the submitting party to the award of a Contract. A Contract is not created until the Offer is accepted in writing by the Tribal Council after consultation with the Administrative Judge of the District Court.

3. Effective Date:

The effective date of the District Court Judge Pro Tempore Contract shall be the date that the PBPN Tribal Council sign the Offer and Acceptance or other official contract form, unless another date is specifically stated in the Contract.

CERTIFICATION:

By signing below, I certify that I have read the RFQ and understand that the statements of qualification contained herein are true and accurate and that falsifying or withholding requested information may result in the rejection of a submission or withdrawal of an acceptance or contract, and that I accept these terms and conditions.

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____________________________________________________

Date Signature:

____________________________________________________

Print Name:

____________________________________________________

Title:

____________________________________________________

Company Name:

____________________________________________________

Telephone:

____________________________________________________

Email:

____________________________________________________

ATTACHMENT A- SCOPE OF WORK

The District Court shall be comprised of at least one (1) judge, and more than one if the need arises. The Nations Law and Order Code requires a member of the Nations Judicial Council be a citizen or a member of an Indian nation, a graduate of an accredited law school, and be admitted to the practice of law.

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The District Court Judge Pro Tem shall serve on a part-time or as-needed basis per month, unless otherwise negotiated and agreed to in writing by the Nation. It is anticipated that this will be no more than 10-15 hours per month and will be paid at a daily stipend rate and/or hourly rate. Assignments are at the discretion of the Administrative Judge for the District Court and subject to the Nations needs. The District Court Judge Pro Tem when serving is subject to the terms and conditions of their contract with the Nation and Title 2 of the Nations Law and Order Code.

General Duties and Powers. District Court, Court of Appeals, Employee Disputes Tribunal.

(A) The District Court shall have such power necessary to decide all criminal and civil disputes and proceedings except disputes regarding elections and government employment. The Court of Appeals shall have such power necessary to review decisions appealed from the District Court. The District Court and the Court of Appeals shall have the power to review legislative and executive actions for consistency with the Nations Constitution.

(B) All Judges and Justices in cases within their authority shall have the duty and power to conduct all court proceedings and issue all orders and papers in order to administer justice in all matters unless disqualified for conflict of interest or cause. In doing so the Court shall:

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(1) Be responsible for creating and maintaining the regulations and rules of the Court, not conflicting with the Tribal Code for the orderly and efficient administration of justice. Such rules must be filed in the office of the Court Clerk before becoming effective.

(2) Hold Court regularly at a designated time and place.

(3) Undertake all duties and exercise all authority of a judicial officer under the law.

(4) Hear and decide all cases properly brought before the Court.

(5) Enter all appropriate orders and judgments.

(6) Issue all appropriate warrants and subpoenas.

(7) Keep all records as may be required.

(8) The performance of any and all other duties as may be required for the operation of the District Court, which may include Healing to Wellness Court duties, as assigned by the Administrative Judge for the District Court.
The transportation sector accounts for more than 36% of overall carbon emissions in Rhode Island. (Getty image)

After Rhode Islands greenhouse gas emissions spiked in 2021 when pandemic lockdowns lifted, state emissions decreased ever-so-slightly, says a new report by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management published on Monday.

The 9.6 net million metric tons of carbon dioxide produced from travel, buildings, and other human activity in Rhode Island in 2022 marks a 2.2% drop over 2021 level emissions. But the state has to pick up the pace in order to meet upcoming benchmarks in its 2021 Act on Climate Law.

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Significant decarbonization of transportation, electricity consumption, and buildings are instrumental to attain net-zero emissions by mid-century, the report states.

The state climate law calls for incrementally decreasing Rhode Islands greenhouse gas emissions over the next 27 years in order to hit net zero by 2050, as measured against a baseline emissions amount from 1990. By 2030, the law requires the state to reduce emissions by 45% compared to the 1990 baseline.

The 2022 level is 18.3% less than the 1990 baseline, meaning the state has to reduce its emissions another 26.7% within eight years.

(Source: 2022 Rhode Island Greenhouse Gas Inventory/Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management)

Yet state officials appear optimistic.

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Rhode Island has established ambitious and necessary goals to reduce GHG emissions and increase renewable energy, Gov. Dan McKee said in a statement. Rigorous monitoring of emissions through our annual GHG inventories and continued investments will keep us firmly planted on the path to a low carbon future.

Rhode Island was also the only state in New England to see its emissions decline year-over-year, according to unofficial, state-level data published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

We are pleased to see the reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in 2022, and it may be an early reflection of the growing investments in renewable energy, clean transportation, and energy efficiency, Terry Gray, DEM director, said in a statement.

Gray also heads a consortium of state agencies, the Executive Climate Coordinating Council, charged with laying out the map for how Rhode Island meets its decarbonization mandates. Early projections reported by the council suggested the state was poised to fall short of that 2030 milestone, though the 2022 report emphasized that the model was simple and preliminary.

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The councils next report is due in 2025.

The 2022 emissions are 6.3% higher than in 2020, when pandemic travel restrictions helped curb emissions, but 0.3% less than in 2019.

The biggest culprit remains the transportation sector, responsible for more than 36% of overall emissions. While overall transportation-related emissions fell, driven by fewer miles traveled by state highway vehicles, this was partially offset by an 18.6% jump in aircraft travel compared with the prior year, according to the report.

Heating of residential, commercial and institutional buildings accounts for another 20% of state emissions  the second-largest source.

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Despite a 1.2% year-over-year decline in residential heating emissions, helped by a smattering of state incentives for weatherization and energy efficiency, Rhode Islands aging and inefficient building stock is considered a major question mark in meeting upcoming decarbonization mandates. Legislation introduced in 2024 that would have required new buildings to be electric ready got watered down to a much less stringent and less comprehensive resolution in the final days of the session.

Electricity consumption, the third-highest emissions factor, fell 1.2% year-over-year. More significant declines are expected as offshore wind projects  Revolution Wind and SouthCoast Wind  begin operations that generate electricity for Rhode Island, the report stated.

The inventory also considers emissions from industrial product uses, agriculture and waste, while accounting for trees and natural lands that absorb some of the greenhouse gases released.

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President-elect Donald Trump, in his first broadcast news interview since the election, said members of the House committee that investigated the attack on the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, should be jailed.

"For what they did, honestly, they should go to jail," Trump told NBC's Kristen Welker on "Meet the Press."

Trump specifically singled out Rep. Bennie Thompson, the Democrat who chaired the committee, as well as former Rep. Liz Cheney, the Republican vice chair who was ostracized from her party over breaking with Trump and ousted by a Trump-backed GOP challenger. Among other things, he's accused them of deleting evidence, which the committee has vigorously denied.

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MORE: Trump promises pardon for Jan 6 rioters on his first day

Cheney hit back in a statement on Sunday: "Here is the truth: Donald Trump attempted to overturn the 2020 presidential election and seize power."

"This was the worst breach of our Constitution by any president in our nation's history," Cheney said. "Donald Trump's suggestion that members of Congress who later investigated his illegal and unconstitutional actions should be jailed is a continuation of his assault on the rule of law and the foundations of our republic."

PHOTO: Former U.S. Rep. Liz Cheney speaks at a town hall with Democratic presidential nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, at the Royal Oak Music Theatre on Oct. 21, 2024 in Royal Oak, Michigan. (Sarah Rice/Getty Images, FILE)

The Jan. 6 committee, after an 18-month investigation including more than 1,000 witnesses and several public hearings, identified Trump as the "central cause" of the Capitol attack by the pro-Trump mob. The panel, made up of seven Democrats and two Republicans, voted unanimously to recommend charges to the Justice Department.

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Trump has long denied any wrongdoing in connection with Jan. 6 and tried to recast the violent events as a "day of love" during his campaign. In his interview with NBC, Trump again promised, in the first day of his new administration, to look at pardons for those who've been prosecuted for their role on Jan. 6.

MORE: As Biden considers preemptive pardons, experts he has constitutional right

While Trump said he believed the Jan. 6 committee members should go to jail, he said he would not direct his top officials to prosecute them. He's tapped Kash Patel to be his FBI director and Pam Bondi to be attorney general, pending Senate approval, two allies who've made comments about going after Trump's political opponents.

"I think that they'll have to look at that. But I'm not going to. I'm going to focus on 'Drill, baby, drill,'" Trump said.

PHOTO: President-elect Donald Trump meets with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysee Palace, Dec. 7, 2024, in Paris. (Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters)

The president-elect also claimed in the interview that the House Jan.6 committee "deleted and destroyed all the evidence" related to its probe.

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Cheney, in her statement, said Trump "knows his claims about the select committee are ridiculous and false, as has been detailed extensively, including by Chairman Thompson in this July 2023 letter."

Thompson defended the archival process in the letter, noting the records such as interview transcripts and video exhibits have been preserved online and can be easily accessed by the public. Thompson also noted that they were consulting with the White House and Department of Homeland Security on some information that could be sensitive to national security or to witness safety.

"There is no conceivably appropriate factual or constitutional basis for what Donald Trump is suggesting -- a Justice Department investigation of the work of a congressional committee -- and any lawyer who attempts to pursue that course would quickly find themselves engaged in sanctionable conduct," Cheney added.

MORE: What a 'deep state' investigation could look like if Kash Patel becomes FBI director

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Democrat Adam Schiff, who on Monday will be sworn in as a senator, responded to Trump's comments on social media.

"When Trump violated his oath, I stood up to him," Schiff wrote on X. "When he tried to overturn the 2020 election, the January 6th Committee stood in defense of our democracy. Threats to jail us will not deter us. Nothing will stop me from doing my duty to the American people."

PHOTO: Senator-elect Adam Schiff during a photo opportunity as Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Democrat of New York, welcomes newly-elected Democratic senators in his office at the Capitol in Washington, DC, on Nov. 12, 2024. (Allison Robbert/AFP via Getty Images, FILE)

Former Rep. Adam Kinzinger, the second Republican on the committee, also pushed back on Trump.

"Let me be clear: we did nothing wrong. The January 6 Committee's work was driven by facts, the Constitution, and the pursuit of accountability -- principles that seem foreign to Trump," Kinzinger wrote in a blog post shared on Substack.

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"If Donald wants to pursue this vindictive fantasy, I say bring it on. I'm not intimidated by a man whose actions on January 6th showed a cowardly disregard for democracy and the rule of law," Kinzinger said.

President Joe Biden is said to be considering preemptive pardons for figures who may be targeted in the Trump administration, a source previously told ABC News. On the list of possible names, the source said, were Cheney and Schiff.

'Ridiculous and false': Cheney, Schiff push back after Trump says Jan. 6 committee members should be jailed originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
UPDATE: According to the California City Police Department, an at-risk missing 12-year-old boy who was reported missing on Dec. 8 has been located.

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET)  The California City Police Department is asking for the communitys help in searching for an at-risk missing 12-year-old boy.

Knowledge McGlon, 12, was reported missing in California City and last seen on Dec. 8 around 7:30 a.m. wearing a blue sweater and blue jeans.

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10 hospitalized after motorcycle officer crashes into crowd at California parade

McGlon has autism and may not immediately speak if spoken to, according to the California City Police Department.

He is described as 4 feet, 8 inches tall and weighs 85 pounds with black hair and brown eyes.

Anyone with information on McGlons whereabouts is asked to contact the California City Police Department at 760-373-8606.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO)  A man charged with robbing a Rockford Walgreens drug store on Friday is also accused of punching a female employee in the face during the crime.

According to the Rockford Police Department, Dominique Davis, 35, entered the store, located at 3136 11th Street, on Friday, December 6th around 7:10 a.m. and struck the employee before escaping with an undisclosed amount of cash.

Davis was found at the OYO Hotel at the Chicago Rockford International Airport, at 4419 11th Street, later that morning, around 8:24 a.m.

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He was arrested at that location and charged with Battery and Robbery and booked into the Winnebago County Jail, pending the outcome of a pretrial detention hearing.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  During December, downtown Rochester radiates holiday spirit. Thats because its when ROC Holiday Village opens, attracting many folks to the community to bask in the festivities.

The influx of visitors to the festival at Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park on Court Street also brings an uptick in support for nearby businesses. This includes bars, restaurants and shops on or around East and Alexander, Adventure Place and Park Avenue.

Owner of Capri Wine Bar and Restaurant on East Avenue Tatyana Qadiri definitely notices a difference in business this time of year.

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A lot of people come out to the city and enjoy ROC Holiday Village. Its a great opportunity for families and kids to enjoy the sites that our city has to offer, Qadiri said. So since weve opened this weekend, weve definitely seen an uptick in business. Its great to welcome all of the out-of-towners and locals.

Aidan OBrien has worked for Fatty Beer Company for about two months now and said that the last week has been one of the busiest hes seen while working there.

People like to come in and have a drink, OBrien said. Theyll be looking for parking [for ROC Holiday Village] and walk around the neighborhood due to the festivities. They come in for a beer and stay a while, its great.

ROC Holiday Village provides a great opportunity for these businesses to continue serving their regular customers and welcome new ones.

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Were always busy, but Id say weve especially been busy these past few weeks, said Alex Calvo, who is a Server at Veneto on East Avenue. Everyone is joyous. The holidays are the best time of year for sure, and people really show that when they come here.

The 6th annual ROC Holiday Village is scheduled to continue until December 29. More details on special events that are planned for each day can be found on their website.

Although Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park isnt part of the East and Alexander Bar District, which has had late-night special event zone restrictions since September, many of the neighboring businesses are classified within that perimeter. Only those 21+ are allowed in that zone on Saturday nights between 10 p.m.  3 a.m.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst.
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO)  A Rockford man was sentenced to 10 years in prison last week for his role in a kidnapping and beating that occurred in 2023 on the citys south side.

Connor Steffler, 22, pleaded guilty Dec. 2 to aggravated armed kidnapping as part of a plea agreement.

Steffler was initially charged with attempted murder, kidnapping and mob action after a naked man found beaten on June 20, 2023, near Samuelson Road and Alpine Road.

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Police learned from the victim that the incident began at a residence in the 4300 block of Nina Terrace, where a 42-year-old man caught him having sex with a girl. The 42-year-old, identified as Allen Hawkins, allegedly fired a shotgun into the air as the victim fled.

Hawkins was allegedly with Steffler and three others when they chased the victim in a van. When they caught up to him, authorities say they got out and beat him with a metal pipe and forced him into the vehicle. The beating continued inside the van, prosecutors say.

The victim was left near Samuelson and Alpine, where he was beaten again and threatened with a machete, according to court documents.

Steffler was given credit for 10 days served in the Winnebago County Jail.

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Hawkinss case is pending. Hes charged with attempted murder, kidnapping, aggravated discharge of a firearm, felon in possession of a firearm and mob action.

Twenty-six-year-old Lisa Lies was sentenced to 180 days in jail in September 2023 for her role in the case after pleading guilty to a single count of mob action.

Kyla Lee, 18, and Kylee Farmer, 19, also pleaded guilty to mob action in 2023 and were sentenced to 180 days in jail and probation.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
(Bloomberg) -- Romanias pro-European parties kicked off talks on Monday for a new government following the shock cancellation of a presidential vote whose first round was won by a fringe Russia-friendly candidate.

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The victory of far-right independent Calin Georgescu in a high-stakes election shook Romanias political establishment. It prompted political rivals in parliament to sign a deal last week to unite in a bid to stop nationalist forces and preserve the Black Sea countrys pro-European path.

Although the top courts controversial decision to scrap the presidential runoff eases the pressure to swiftly form a cabinet, political instability lingers. The new date for the vote will be set by the incoming government.

Each of the four parties, alongside a group of lawmakers from ethnic minorities, is expected to hold internal discussions on the details of a governing program, including candidates for prime minister, on Monday. A meeting between the four parties is yet to be scheduled.

The second presidential round, which was to be held last Sunday, would have pitched Georgescu against Elena Lasconi, leader of the centrist Save Romania Union. As the ballot approached, suspicions arose about the lack of transparency about Georgescus social media-driven campaign, for which he declared no funding despite its success.

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In documents released last Wednesday, Romanias defense council alleged that Russian interference had assisted Georgescu in his first round triumph. That allegation featured in the constitutional courts decision last Friday to annul the vote and order a re-run of the entire presidential race, a move protested by Lasconi and Georgescu.

The danger hasnt passed and we expect Russia to continue to try to influence the elections in Romania and in other European countries, Siegfried Muresan, interim deputy leader of Romanias Liberal party, told Bloomberg News. He urged leaders to act with urgency and place national interests over those of their parties.

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LOS ANGELES, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- SpaceX conducted a static fire of its Super Heavy booster on Monday to prepare for an upcoming seventh test flight of its giant Starship rocket.

During the static-fire test, SpaceX ignited 33 Raptor engines for the Super Heavy first-stage booster at the company's Starbase facility in the U.S. state of Texas.

SpaceX has not announced a launch date for Starship's seventh test flight yet. The company completed its sixth test flight of Starship rocket on Nov. 19.

SpaceX's Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket, collectively referred to as Starship, represent a fully reusable transportation system designed to carry both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the moon, Mars and beyond.

Starship plays a key role in NASA. It is the vehicle that NASA selected to carry astronauts on the final leg of their trip to the moon during a mission called Artemis III, currently planned for 2026. 
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Rochester police officers have accused a man of kidnapping his 5-year-old child from a home on Fifth Street in Rochester.

Around 1:30 a.m. Monday, officers said 25-year-old Malik Breedlove threw rocks at the windows. A woman, who has a child in common with Breedlove, told Breedlove to leave.

It was alleged that Breedlove pulled out a handgun, forced his way into the home, and forced the child out of the house. Investigators said adults in the home tried to stop him, but Breedlove fired at least one shot from his gun.

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Officers found Breedlove and the child in the area of Central Park and Niagara Street in Rochester. The child was physically unharmed and returned to their mother. Police said they arrested Breedlove and found a loaded handgun on him.

Breedlove has been charged with second-degree kidnapping, first-degree burglary, second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, first-degree reckless endangerment, endangering the welfare of a child, and fourth-degree criminal mischief. He also had two outstanding warrants from Rochester City 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 RochesterFirst.
Kentucky is challenging a new federal rule that will require better staffing at nursing homes despite the states own evidence that better staffing is needed to protect the vulnerable people who live in those facilities.

Inside Lyndon Woods Care & Rehabilitation, a Louisville nursing home, elderly residents without proper supervision punched, kicked and slapped each other; repeatedly fell to the floor; lay in their own urine and feces, their pleas for help unanswered; and suffered serious injuries, including bedsores and broken bones, some fatal.

These were the findings of Kentucky state health inspectors who, over five visits in 2023, cited Lyndon Woods with 72 health and safety deficiencies and levied $650,448 in fines.

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The biggest problem, inspectors said: Lyndon Woods didnt employ enough staff to care for the 120 people living there. Overwhelmed care workers complained that they couldnt change everyones soiled briefs or get them out of bed each day, inspectors said.

A nursing assistant said she and a colleague were responsible for 60 residents.

One employee protested that not having enough aides scheduled to work was very dangerous for the residents and did not provide them with the care they needed and deserved, inspectors wrote in a March 16, 2023, report.

Another employee told inspectors that she worked when there was critical staffing shortages in the building, and management staff would just sit in their office and not come and help.

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Brent Moss is a Houston attorney who has defended nursing homes as a corporate lawyer and prosecuted them as senior Medicaid fraud counsel in the Arkansas attorney generals office. Hes suing Lyndon Woods for the estate of Wayne E. Moore, an 81-year-old Shelbyville man who died Feb. 15, 2023, after a six-month stay at the facility where his medical needs were neglected because of under-staffing, according to the lawsuit.

The nursing homes that Ive dealt with over my career, if the experience is a bad one, its always tied to staffing, Moss told the Herald-Leader recently.

Where you have problems providing enough staff, youre going to have problems with your quality of care and youre putting people at risk, Moss said.

Lyndon Woods and its owner, Journey Healthcare of Noblesville, Ind., did not respond to calls seeking comment.

Requiring more care daily

On April 22, the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, or CMS, said its addressing the dangers of inadequate staffing in nursing homes with a new rule that establishes minimum staffing standards. (Nursing homes rely on billions of federal dollars from Medicare and Medicaid, so when CMS talks, they have to listen.)

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CMS is a federal agency within the US Department of Health and Human Services.

Starting in May 2026, CMS will require nursing homes to provide an overall 3.48 hours of direct care per resident every day. More specifically, it will mandate at least 0.55 hours of care per day from registered nurses and 2.45 hours from nursing assistants.

A registered nurse will need to be on site at all times to provide skilled care as needed.

The federal government wants nursing homes to hire more direct-care staff. The industry is pushing back.

Limited exemptions will be allowed for nursing homes that make good-faith efforts to hire staff but still fall short because of demonstrable workforce shortages in their area. The federal government has committed $75 million in tuition and scholarships to train more skilled-care staff in order to help nursing homes comply.

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An analysis by KFF, a nonprofit health policy research, polling and news organization, estimates the rules annual cost at $4.3 billion, or a 2 percent increase in expenses for the national nursing home industry.

Kentucky sides with industry

The nursing home industry is fighting back with legal challenges against CMS, calling the rule an unreasonable financial burden when theres already a shortage of health-care workers.

And it has powerful allies: Kentucky and 19 other states joined industry groups in one of their lawsuits asking a judge to block the rule on the argument that CMS overstepped its regulatory authority. Their case was filed Oct. 8 in federal district court in Iowa. A similar challenge is pending in federal district court in Texas.

In his portion of the Iowa suit, Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman said most of his states nursing homes  211 out of 269  dont meet the minimum staffing standards. They will need to hire an additional 185 registered nurses and 1,336 nursing assistants to comply with the impending rule, Coleman argued.

Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman

Kentucky law only requires nursing homes to provide a sufficient number of personnel on duty at all times to meet the total need of residents, Coleman said. It does not specify numbers for hourly care or on-duty employees.

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CMS rule is an existential threat to the nursing home industry, as many nursing homes that are already struggling will have no choice but to go out of business, the suit states. Instead of addressing the legitimate challenges nursing homes face, the defendants put forward a heavy-handed mandate through its final rule.

Colemans office did not respond to requests for comment about his participation in the lawsuit.

Trump might oppose rule

Its not clear the federal government will allow the minimum staffing standards to proceed in 2026 under the Trump administration.

Donald Trump, reelected president in November, has tapped television celebrity Dr. Mehmet Oz as his choice to lead CMS. During his first term as president, Trump repealed a number of pro-consumer nursing home regulations enacted by Democratic predecessor Barack Obama and reduced the fines levied on the facilities.

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Trumps focus is largely on incentivizing at-home care and supporting family caregivers, albeit with a more hands-off regulatory approach and tax cuts, which raises worries about the quality of care, Skilled Nursing News wrote in an analysis of Trumps record on nursing homes published shortly before the Nov. 5 election.

Possibly offering a further clue, Trumps previous CMS head, Seema Verma, was a staunch opponent of minimum staffing standards for nursing homes, calling them government micromanagement in a 2022 opinion piece that she wrote.

More staff, better care

Sherry Culp, Kentuckys long-term care ombudsman, says her watchdog agency hears plenty from residents and their families unhappy about too few employees being on duty in Kentucky nursing homes.

In the past year, Culp said, the ombudsmans office has fielded 222 complaints about failure to respond to residents requests for help through their bedside call-lights and 149 complaints about facilities being short-staffed generally.

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Culp said other categories that relate to under-staffing include gross neglect (28 complaints in the past year), preventable injuries (30 complaints), symptoms left unattended (132 complaints) and lack of incontinence and hygiene care (140 complaints).

Although Kentucky has struggled with one of the nations largest backlogs of nursing home inspections since the COVID-19 pandemic, in the inspections that state officials have managed to make over the last five years, they have cited the specific deficiency of inadequate nursing or physician care at 21 facilities across the state.

Three of those nursing homes were cited repeatedly for that deficiency, including Lyndon Woods in Louisville.

But most kinds of serious deficiencies found at nursing homes can be traced back to inadequate staffing, said Toby Edelman, senior policy attorney with the Center for Medicare Advocacy in Washington, D.C.

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Everything comes back to staffing. Whether its pressure sores because nobody is moving the residents in their beds or broken bones from falls because nobody is assisting them, the research consistently shows that more staff means better care in a nursing home and less staff means worse care, Edelman said.

Edelman said she cant sympathize with facilities crying poverty at hiring time when research shows that so many corporations that own nursing home chains are tunneling profits back into their own pockets through real-estate and management subsidiaries that are allowed to siphon money from the operations through rents and fees.

So, its troubling to see the states siding with the industry against minimum staffing requirements and making the industrys arguments, Oh, we cant meet these standards! It will be too much of a burden! I think its pretty bogus, Edelman said.

If theres no money in nursing homes, then why do these companies keep buying them?

Competing for Kentucky nurses

Kentuckys chief nursing home lobbying group, the Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities, did not respond to requests for comment for this story.

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At a Sept. 25 state legislative hearing, officers with the organizaiton testified that minimum staffing standards pose the greatest threat their industry has seen since the pandemic sickened or killed thousands of people in their facilities.

Kentucky has too few registered nurses  a University of Kentucky study puts the number at 69,102  so nursing homes must compete with hospitals and medical practices to hire from a limited supply, said Lisa Biddle-Puffer, vice president of quality and regulatory affairs with the health care facilities association.

Jeremy Bischoff and Lisa Biddle-Puffer of the Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities testify in Frankfort.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, hospitals hold the advantage because they offer more money. Hospitals pay registered nurses an average of $96,800 a year and nursing assistants an average of $40,670, compared to nursing homes, which on average pay $82,930 and $38,370, respectively, for the same jobs.

Given the noncompetitive wages and staff burnout, most nursing homes in the Kentucky Association of Health Care Facilities say they have employee shortages, according to survey results presented to the legislatures Interim Joint Committee on Health Services.

Forty percent of Kentucky nursing homes that responded to the survey acknowledge they have low-level staffing.

The timing of this is dreadful, to be honest, Biddle-Puffer told the committee. It really makes no sense right now to have staffing mandates at a time when were having the most changing demographics for the elders that we serve and the highest caregiver shortage.

As a result of the new rule, Kentucky will see some nursing homes close or reduce the number of people they admit, warned Jeremy Bischoff, KAHCF vice president of reimbursement, in his own testimony.

To support his point, Bischoff presented the committee with a short list of nursing home closures in recent years. However, some on his list were shuttered when CMS terminated their federal payments because of serious health and safety violations, including Regis Woods in Louisville and Johnson Mathers Nursing Home in Carlisle.

The nursing home lobbyists got a sympathetic ear from lawmakers in Frankfort, where attempts to set minimum staffing standards in state law have gone nowhere in past legislative sessions.

You folks are certainly a victim of everybody wanting the best health care that somebody elses money can buy, said the committees co-chairman, state Sen. Stephen Meredith, R-Leitchfield, a former hospital chief executive who said he started his career in the long-term care industry.

During the third quarter of 2024, around the time of the legislative hearing, the health care facilities organization gave $28,466 in campaign donations to state politicians, including $2,100 to Coleman, the attorney general; $5,000 each to the Republican House and Senate caucus committees; and $10,000 to committees run by the Republican Party of Kentucky, according to campaign-finance reports.

As of Aug. 31, the group reported spending more than $50,000 lobbying the legislature so far this year.
The fishing vessel Nancy Elizabeth, a herring trawler involved in the Loper Bright Supreme Court decision in June, is seen in Cape May, N.J. The decision upheld a challenge by herring fishermen to a rule that made them pay for federal monitors and could set an important precedent for states seeking to challenge both Republican and Democratic federal rules. (Courtesy of Cause of Action Institute)

A major U.S. Supreme Court decision this summer was hailed as a conservative courts broadside against a Democratic administration, giving red states more backing to delay or overturn policies they dont like, such as transgender protections and clean energy goals.

But the ruling in the Loper Bright case, which granted courts more power to scrutinize federal rules, can go both ways. Experts say it will likely give blue states more leeway to attack any forthcoming policy changes from President-elect Donald Trump  ranging from immigration and the environment to Medicaid and civil rights.

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The decision overturns a legal concept called Chevron deference, in place since 1984 and named after a case involving the Chevron oil company. That ruling granted federal agencies wide discretion in interpreting vague laws that had been passed by Congress and sent to the executive branch to sort out the details. Generally, courts deferred to the agency regulations.

Chevron deference became a superstar of the courts, cited in more than 18,000 federal court decisions.

The latest ruling wipes that all away. Experts said it will boost blue-state resistance to Trump policies. Lawsuits already are being planned in many statehouses, as California holds a special session to set aside money for legal fights, and other states such as Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey and New York also talk court strategy. Democratic governors in Colorado and Illinois formed a coalition in November to fortify essential democratic rights nationwide.

In effect, the ruling opens more federal rules to those court challenges. Blue states now have a new weapon to fight conservative federal rules on issues such as immigration, climate change, abortion access and civil rights.

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Ironically, the original 1984 decision establishing more power for federal agencies was made by a conservative court that was paving the way for deregulation in the Reagan administration, noted Leonardo Cuello, a research professor at Georgetown Universitys McCourt School of Public Policys Center for Children and Families.

It was a case that really opened the door to Reagan deregulation, sort of untying the hands of the [federal] agencies by saying, Were going to give you a lot of slack to start doing things, Cuello said.

Fast-forward to today, and overturning Chevron really has the opposite effect, Cuello said. Youre handcuffing the new [Trump administration] agency from deregulating.

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It makes it hard for an agency to build out new things and it makes it hard to undo existing things, he said. Theres some irony to the fact that a conservative majority issued that ruling just before a conservative administration took office.

Trump appointed three of the six justices who supported the decision.

Some Trump allies still see the ruling as a weapon against excessive regulation. Vivek Ramaswamy, chosen by Trump alongside tech billionaire Elon Musk to lead an advisory body the president-elect named the Department of Government Efficiency, said in a December post on X that the decision paves the way for not a slight but a drastic reduction in the scope of the federal regulatory state.

But most experts see the change as an obstacle to a new Republican administration looking to make sweeping changes but lacking enough support in Congress to pass large-scale legislation. Any proposals restricting access to abortion or attempting to dismantle the Affordable Care Act or Medicaid expansion will be more complicated, said Zachary Baron, a director of the Center for Health Policy and the Law at Georgetown Universitys ONeill Institute.

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All these new policies are going to be challenged in court, and state attorneys general will certainly be leading the way. Baron said. I think there will be a lot of big legal fights to come.

Now, it could become harder for a Trump administration to deregulate areas of the economy, crack down on immigration, impose work requirements on Medicaid recipients, or remove protections for gender and LBGTQ+ status. The Biden administration similarly has run into roadblocks.

We have already seen conservative judges point to Loper Bright as one reason to block the Biden administrations efforts to expand the reach of nondiscrimination protections, including with respect to LGBTQ+ folks, Baron said.

All these new policies are going to be challenged in court, and state attorneys general will certainly be leading the way. I think there will be a lot of big legal fights to come.

 Zachary Baron, a director of the Center for Health Policy and the Law at Georgetown Universitys ONeill Institute

For instance, federal courts in Florida, Mississippi and Texas  in response to lawsuits brought by various Republican states  prevented an Affordable Care Act rule banning gender identity-based discrimination from taking effect in July. Each ruling cited Loper Bright as one factor.

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With Trumps election, its now blue states that have a sharper tool to combat Republican agendas.

To the extent that the Trump administration tries to radically rewrite these nondiscrimination protections again, he may well find that Democratic state AGs [attorneys general] will be able to successfully block such efforts as a result of Loper Bright also, Baron said.

Congress has not approved a major immigration or environmental law for decades. That has forced both Democratic and Republican administrations to change policy through either executive order or federal regulations that can now be more easily challenged by hostile states in the courts.

Advertisement Advertisement

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If you like the administration thats advancing policies, then Loper Bright is not a good thing for what would happen when states challenge those policies, said Nancy Morawetz, a New York University law professor who helps run an immigrant legal clinic, speaking at a September conference on immigration law.

Trumps election does not change that, Morawetz told Stateline later.

If the administration is anti-immigrant, Loper Bright provides stronger grounds for having a court look at whether it is breaking the law, Morawetz said. The executive branch gets less deference.

The courts decision may also help immigrants themselves when they go to court to challenge federal policies on deportation and legal status, Morawetz said.

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Red states looking to enact Medicaid work requirements under a more amenable Trump administration also might be thwarted by the Loper Bright decision, Cuello said. The first Trump administration lost every court challenge when it granted state requests for work requirements, he said, and Loper Bright will make it even harder this time.

Even with the more generous standards granted to the agency [under the previous Chevron deference], those cases got shot down, and so now you would expect theyd be even more likely to be shot down, Cuello said. The win is harder.

The Loper Bright decision could also hamper promised efforts by a Trump administration to unwind environmental regulations, by making it easier for blue states to challenge any changes. That would flip the script from todays lawsuits, in which red states are fighting the stricter regulations of coal-fired power plants.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Red states have also fought new Biden administration vehicle pollution standards, and Trump allies have threatened to undermine scientific integrity policies seen as preventing deregulation by shielding scientists from political interference.

The Loper Bright decision went 6-2 in favor of New Jersey herring fishermen who opposed a 2020 federal rule requiring them to pay salaries for the third-party observers on their boats who were there to ensure compliance with regulations. The fishermen argued that the cost, up to $710 per day, had no legal justification and cut their family profits by 20%.

Lower courts ruled against the fishermen, saying the often-cited Chevron deference principle did not allow them to challenge the federal rule. The Supreme Court struck down the principle, ruling that courts are required to exercise their independent judgment on federal rules.

Agencies have no special competence in resolving statutory ambiguities. Courts do, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

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In a dissenting opinion joined by liberal justices, Associate Justice Elena Kagan called the deference to agency interpretations part of the warp and woof of modern government, supporting regulatory efforts of all kinds  keeping air and water clean, food and drugs safe, and financial markets honest. And the rule is right.

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A 2024 U.S. Supreme Court ruling gives Democratic-led states a new weapon to fight conservative federal rules on issues such as immigration, climate change, abortion access and civil rights. (Photo by Allison Robbert-Pool/Getty Images)

A major U.S. Supreme Court decision this summer was hailed as a conservative courts broadside against a Democratic administration, giving red states more backing to delay or overturn policies they dont like, such as transgender protections and clean energy goals.

But the ruling in the Loper Bright case, which granted courts more power to scrutinize federal rules, can go both ways. Experts say it will likely give blue states more leeway to attack any forthcoming policy changes from President-elect Donald Trump  ranging from immigration and the environment to Medicaid and civil rights.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The decision overturns a legal concept called Chevron deference, in place since 1984 and named after a case involving the Chevron oil company. That ruling granted federal agencies wide discretion in interpreting vague laws that had been passed by Congress and sent to the executive branch to sort out the details. Generally, courts deferred to the agency regulations.

Chevron deference became a superstar of the courts, cited in more than 18,000 federal court decisions.

The latest ruling wipes that all away. Experts said it will boost blue-state resistance to Trump policies. Lawsuits already are being planned in many statehouses, as California holds a special session to set aside money for legal fights, and other states such as Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey and New York also talk court strategy. Democratic governors in Colorado and Illinois formed a coalition in November to fortify essential democratic rights nationwide.

In effect, the ruling opens more federal rules to those court challenges. Blue states now have a new weapon to fight conservative federal rules on issues such as immigration, climate change, abortion access and civil rights.

The fishing vessel Nancy Elizabeth, a herring trawler involved in the Loper Bright Supreme Court decision in June, is seen in Cape May, N.J. The decision upheld a challenge by herring fishermen to a rule that made them pay for federal monitors and could set an important precedent for states seeking to challenge both Republican and Democratic federal rules. (Courtesy of Cause of Action Institute)

Ironically, the original 1984 decision establishing more power for federal agencies was made by a conservative court that was paving the way for deregulation in the Reagan administration, noted Leonardo Cuello, a research professor at Georgetown Universitys McCourt School of Public Policys Center for Children and Families.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

It was a case that really opened the door to Reagan deregulation, sort of untying the hands of the [federal] agencies by saying, Were going to give you a lot of slack to start doing things, Cuello said.

Fast-forward to today, and overturning Chevron really has the opposite effect, Cuello said. Youre handcuffing the new [Trump administration] agency from deregulating.

It makes it hard for an agency to build out new things and it makes it hard to undo existing things, he said. Theres some irony to the fact that a conservative majority issued that ruling just before a conservative administration took office.

Trump appointed three of the six justices who supported the decision.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Some Trump allies still see the ruling as a weapon against excessive regulation. Vivek Ramaswamy, chosen by Trump alongside tech billionaire Elon Musk to lead an advisory body the president-elect named the Department of Government Efficiency, said in a December post on X that the decision paves the way for not a slight but a drastic reduction in the scope of the federal regulatory state.

But most experts see the change as an obstacle to a new Republican administration looking to make sweeping changes but lacking enough support in Congress to pass large-scale legislation. Any proposals restricting access to abortion or attempting to dismantle the Affordable Care Act or Medicaid expansion will be more complicated, said Zachary Baron, a director of the Center for Health Policy and the Law at Georgetown Universitys ONeill Institute.

All these new policies are going to be challenged in court, and state attorneys general will certainly be leading the way. Baron said. I think there will be a lot of big legal fights to come.

Now, it could become harder for a Trump administration to deregulate areas of the economy, crack down on immigration, impose work requirements on Medicaid recipients, or remove protections for gender and LBGTQ+ status. The Biden administration similarly has run into roadblocks.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

We have already seen conservative judges point to Loper Bright as one reason to block the Biden administrations efforts to expand the reach of nondiscrimination protections, including with respect to LGBTQ+ folks, Baron said.

All these new policies are going to be challenged in court, and state attorneys general will certainly be leading the way. I think there will be a lot of big legal fights to come.

 Zachary Baron, a director of the Center for Health Policy and the Law at Georgetown Universitys ONeill Institute

For instance, federal courts in Florida, Mississippi and Texas  in response to lawsuits brought by various Republican states  prevented an Affordable Care Act rule banning gender identity-based discrimination from taking effect in July. Each ruling cited Loper Bright as one factor.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

With Trumps election, its now blue states that have a sharper tool to combat Republican agendas.

To the extent that the Trump administration tries to radically rewrite these nondiscrimination protections again, he may well find that Democratic state AGs [attorneys general] will be able to successfully block such efforts as a result of Loper Bright also, Baron said.

Congress has not approved a major immigration or environmental law for decades. That has forced both Democratic and Republican administrations to change policy through either executive order or federal regulations that can now be more easily challenged by hostile states in the courts.

If you like the administration thats advancing policies, then Loper Bright is not a good thing for what would happen when states challenge those policies, said Nancy Morawetz, a New York University law professor who helps run an immigrant legal clinic, speaking at a September conference on immigration law.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Trumps election does not change that, Morawetz told Stateline later.

If the administration is anti-immigrant, Loper Bright provides stronger grounds for having a court look at whether it is breaking the law, Morawetz said. The executive branch gets less deference.

The courts decision may also help immigrants themselves when they go to court to challenge federal policies on deportation and legal status, Morawetz said.

Red states looking to enact Medicaid work requirements under a more amenable Trump administration also might be thwarted by the Loper Bright decision, Cuello said. The first Trump administration lost every court challenge when it granted state requests for work requirements, he said, and Loper Bright will make it even harder this time.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Even with the more generous standards granted to the agency [under the previous Chevron deference], those cases got shot down, and so now you would expect theyd be even more likely to be shot down, Cuello said. The win is harder.

The Loper Bright decision could also hamper promised efforts by a Trump administration to unwind environmental regulations, by making it easier for blue states to challenge any changes. That would flip the script from todays lawsuits, in which red states are fighting the stricter regulations of coal-fired power plants.

Red states have also fought new Biden administration vehicle pollution standards, and Trump allies have threatened to undermine scientific integrity policies seen as preventing deregulation by shielding scientists from political interference.

The Loper Bright decision went 6-2 in favor of New Jersey herring fishermen who opposed a 2020 federal rule requiring them to pay salaries for the third-party observers on their boats who were there to ensure compliance with regulations. The fishermen argued that the cost, up to $710 per day, had no legal justification and cut their family profits by 20%.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Lower courts ruled against the fishermen, saying the often-cited Chevron deference principle did not allow them to challenge the federal rule. The Supreme Court struck down the principle, ruling that courts are required to exercise their independent judgment on federal rules.

Agencies have no special competence in resolving statutory ambiguities. Courts do, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote.

In a dissenting opinion joined by liberal justices, Associate Justice Elena Kagan called the deference to agency interpretations part of the warp and woof of modern government, supporting regulatory efforts of all kinds  keeping air and water clean, food and drugs safe, and financial markets honest. And the rule is right.

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.
People came out to raise money for a good cause during the holiday season while also getting some exercise.

Amachi Pittsburghs Run Santa Run event started at Helicon Brewing in Oakdale on Sunday morning.

Amachi Pittsburgh is a mentorship program that supports children.

Organizers of the run want to provide toys for kids who have incarcerated parents or caregivers.

We just want to try to raise some spirits at the holidays and make sure that kids who might not otherwise have a good experience at Christmas are able to, said Matt Imhof with GCXC.

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GCXC is an event timing and management company that specializes in racing and encourages volunteering.

There are two more races scheduled for next weekend.

One will take place on Saturday at Cranberry Townships Graham Park and the other will be held on Sunday in South Park.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

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By Dawn Chmielewski

(Reuters) -Rupert Murdoch has lost a bid to change his family trust to consolidate control of his media empire in the hands of his son Lachlan, the New York Times reported on Monday, citing a sealed court document.

Nevada commissioner Edmund Gorman concluded in a decision filed on Saturday that Rupert Murdoch and his eldest son, Lachlan, who is the head of Fox News parent Fox Corp and News Corp, had acted in "bad faith" in their effort to amend the irrevocable trust, the Times reported.

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The court docket indicates Gorman issued a recommendation or order Saturday, but the document is not publicly available.

The trust currently would divide control of the company equally among Rupert Murdochs four oldest children - Lachlan, James, Elisabeth and Prudence - after his death.

Rupert Murdoch proposed amending the family trust to solidify Lachlan's leadership of the family's media empire after the his death, and block any interference by three of Lachlans siblings, who are politically moderate, the Times reported.

Under one scenario, three of the heirs could technically out-vote a fourth, setting up a battle over the future of the powerful media outlets, even as Lachlan Murdoch runs Fox and is sole chair of News Corp.

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In his opinion, Gorman said the plan to change the trust was a "carefully crafted charade" to "permanently cement Lachlan Murdochs executive roles" inside the empire "regardless of the impacts such control would have over the companies or the beneficiaries" of the family trust, the Times said.

A lawyer for Rupert Murdoch, Adam Streisand, said they were disappointed with the ruling and intended to appeal, the Times reported. The commissioner's ruling is subject to approval by a district judge, whose decision could be challenged in court.

The trust was set up in Nevada, which is prized for its strict confidentiality rules.

A spokesman for Rupert Murdoch, 93, could not immediately be reached for comment. Lachlan Murdoch did not respond to an email seeking comment.

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Lachlan's siblings James, Elisabeth and Prudence issued a joint statement expressing hope that the family would focus on mending relationships.

"We welcome Commissioner Gormans decision and hope that we can move beyond this litigation to focus on strengthening and rebuilding relationships among all family members," the siblings said.

(Reporting by Dawn Chmielewski inLos Angeles; Katharine Jackson and Eric Beech; editing by Rami Ayyub and Deepa Babington)
A probate court has ruled against Rupert Murdoch in a petition to change the terms of his succession plan to ensure that his eldest son Lachlan remains in charge of his conservative media empire after his death, The New York Times reported, citing a sealed document.

A Nevada commissioner on Saturday found that Murdoch acted in bad faith in attempting to change the terms of the irrevocable family trust  the instrument through which he controls News Corp. and Fox, according to the report. As currently constructed, the trust gives equal voting shares to his four eldest children. Although Lachlan is currently chair of News Corp., he could be stripped of his title by his siblings, largely seen as more politically moderate and have banded together to oppose revisions to the trust.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

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Edmund J. Gorman Jr. concluded that the legal maneuver initiated by Murdoch is a carefully crafted charade to cement Lachlans control. He ruled against Murdoch that maintaining Fox as a conservative political media force by ensuring that Lachlans brothers and sisters wont be able to wrest control of the company from him and moderate its coverage is in the best interest of all of the media juggernauts beneficiaries.

Lawyers for Murdoch and James, Elisabeth and Prudence didnt immediately respond to requests for comment. Adam Streisand, representing Murdoch, told the Times that an appeal is planned.

The case now moves to a district court, which will decide whether to accept a recommended resolution by the commissioner. More litigation could follow.

A two-week saga in a Nevada court, which kept the proceedings and filings under seal, examined proposed changes to the trust. It was revealed that Lachlan initiated plans to change the trust when he began to suspect that James, whos no longer with the company, was planning to oust him after their fathers death. He allegedly introduced the plan last year at a special meeting of the trust. Today is about Dads wishes and confirming all of our support for him and for his wishes, he wrote in a text message to Elisabeth the day of the meeting, reported the Times. It shouldnt be difficult or controversial. Love you, Lachlan.

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To solidify Lachlan as his successor, Murdoch had to prove that the changes are being implemented in good faith, with the purpose of benefiting all of the trusts members.

James, who at one point was seen as the heir apparent to his fathers media empire but lost a power struggle to his brother, has taken aim at his familys business. He stepped down from the News Corp. board in 2020 due to disagreements over certain editorial content published by the companys news outlets. He could have been alluding to Foxs coverage that the election was stolen, which has led to at least three shareholder lawsuits against the board, plus a $787.5 million payout to Dominion Voting Systems. Voting technology company Smartmatic continues to pursue a $2.7 billion defamation lawsuit against the network.

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Rupert Murdoch lost his initial bid to amend his family trust to cede power over his vast media empire to his eldest son Lachlan, according to The New York Times.

Washoe County Probate Commissioner Edmund Gorman wrote that both Murdochs acted in bad faith to strip control over the trust from three of Rupert Murdochs other childrenJames, Elisabeth, and Prudence.

He also blasted the pairs carefully crafted charade as an attempt to permanently cement Lachlan Murdochs executive roles.

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Rupert Murdoch had testified that the amended trust would have benefited all of his children, as he believed Lachlans leadership would have maintained their conservativeand therefore commercialvalues.

A lawyer for Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch did not respond to a request for comment. In a statement, James, Elisabeth, and Prudence welcomed the decision and said they hope that we can move beyond this litigation to focus on strengthening and rebuilding relationships among all family members.

Gorman wrote in a 96-page ruling that the effort was an attempt to stack the deck in Lachlan Murdochs favor after Rupert Murdochs passing so that his succession would be immutable, according to the Times. The Murdoch familys net worth is currently $22.5 billion, according to Forbes, representing control of companies such as Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, and the New York Post.

The play might have worked; but an evidentiary hearing, like a showdown in a game of poker, is where gamesmanship collides with the facts and at its conclusion, all the bluffs are called and the cards lie face up, he continued. The court, after considering the facts of this case in the light of the law, sees the cards for what they are and concludes this raw deal will not, over the signature of this probate commissioner, prevail.

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The trust came into place after Murdochs divorce from his second wife, Anna Murdoch Mann. As part of the settlement, Murdoch granted equal voting rights to the four children and cemented it as part of an irrevocable trust. All six of Murdochs children, including two children with ex-wife Wendi Deng, have equal financial stakes, though only his eldest four were given voting rights.

James, Elisabeth, and Prudence Murdoch have prevailed against their father and older brother's quest to amend their family trust. / Alan Devall/Reuters

The ruling revealed various details of the familys squabbling, which culminated this year in a two-week trial in Reno. Gorman wrote that the family began preparing a public-relations strategy for Murdochs death after Successions series finale episode where patriarch Logan Roy dies, sending the Roy empire into chaos. It prompted Elisabeths trust representative to draft a Succession memo that would avoid a repeat of the shows plot line, according to the Times.

Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch, fearing the younger trio would oust Lachlan from his role as the companies executive steward and eradicate their conservative values, later worked to develop Project Family Harmony to amend the trust to strip the three younger siblings of their voting power after Ruperts death. They revealed their plan at a special meeting for the trust late last year, according to the Times, prompting James, Elisabeth, and Prudence to push back in court.

They argued to Gorman that they disavowed any plan to oust their brother, and the commissioner found the siblings hadnt shared any singleness of purpose in changing the management of Fox News or any other Murdoch company, according to the Times.

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Gorman did not spare words for the elder Murdochs trust representatives, either, including former Attorney General Bill Barr. He claimed the representatives demonstrated a dishonesty of purpose and motive in executing Rupert and Lachlans plans. He also chastised a newer trust representative, claiming their limited knowledge of the Murdochs stemmed mostly from Google searches and watching YouTube videos about the Murdochs (or the fictional family in the show Succession).

The case now moves to a district judge, who can either approve or reject Gormans recommended resolution. The Murdochs, however, could still appeal the case.
Russia has asked Turkiye to help with the withdrawal of its troops from Syria after the fall of the Bashar al-Assad regime.

Source: CNN Turk, as reported by European Pravda

Details: According to the TV channel's correspondent in Ankara, Russia is looking for a way to safely withdraw some of its troops from Syria with the support of Turkiye and has made a request in this regard.

In particular, Russia proposes that its military should go to the Turkish-controlled areas of Syria and then fly to Russia.

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At the same time, Russia wants to keep its military bases in Tartus and Khmeimim.

Background:

A number of European leaders had earlier reacted to the news of the fall of the Syrian regime by saying that Assad's bet on Russia had failed.

There were also suggestions that Vladimir Putin's power could one day "crumble" just as unexpectedly.

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ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Ethiopian government has expressed keen interest to further penetrate the fast-growing Chinese coffee market as China becomes one of the top destinations for Ethiopian coffee export.

The call was made by officials at the Ethiopian Coffee and Tea Authority (ECTA) during discussions with Chinese business representatives who are interested in the East African country's coffee, the ECTA said in a statement issued Monday.

During the discussion, ECTA officials and Ethiopian coffee exporters underscored the Chinese market's growing importance to Ethiopian coffee exporters, as China becomes one of the top 10 importers of Ethiopian coffee.

Amid the rapid rise in Ethiopia's coffee exports to China in recent years, officials and coffee exporters said the increasing number of consumers and growing popularity of Ethiopia's coffee among the Chinese people are propelling Ethiopia's coffee export market.

In the past three years or so, the amount of coffee Ethiopia exports to China has been growing at an average rate of 27 percent annually, according to recent data from the authority, attributing the surge to a significant increase in Chinese coffee buyers who import coffee directly from Ethiopia.

Ethiopia, renowned for its coffee production, earned 1.43 billion U.S. dollars from coffee exports in the last Ethiopian fiscal year, which ended on July 7, 2024. The East African nation aims to increase this figure to 2 billion dollars during the current 2024/2025 fiscal year.

Regarded as the origin of Arabica coffee, Ethiopia is one of Africa's largest producers and exporters of the commodity. Coffee production is dubbed as the backbone of the country's agriculture-led economy. Widely recognized for its rich coffee quality and flavors, ranging from winy to fruity and chocolatey, the country's coffee is in high demand across the globe. 
Russia has transferred the bodies of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POW) allegedly killed in a plane crash over Russias Belgorod Oblast in January, Russian Ombudsman Tatyana Moskalkova claimed in an interview with state-run RIA Novosti published on Dec. 9.

A Russian Il-76 military cargo plane crashed in Russia's Belgorod Oblast on Jan. 24, with the cause of the incident unclear. Moscow alleged that 65 Ukrainian POWs were on board the plane during the fatal crash. Ukraine has not confirmed this claim and called for an international investigation, a proposal that Russia refused.

A spokesperson for Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of POWs told the Kyiv Independent that Russia had handed over several bodies during the latest exchange, but the efforts to identify them are still underway.

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"During the latest repatriation activities, the remains of the deceased were transferred to Ukraine from (Russia), but they require additional identification," spokesperson Petro Yatsenko said. Ukraine repatriated the bodies of 502 fallen soldiers in late November.

"As of now, specialized institutions are trying to establish whether the remains of these individuals really belong to Ukrainian service members within the framework of criminal proceedings," Yatsenko added.

Undisclosed U.S. officials told the New York Times in February that the U.S.-made Patriot missile system was likely responsible for the plane's downing. The officials suggested that the plane likely had at least some Ukrainian prisoners onboard.

Ukraine has not commented on the cause of the crash, but its military intelligence agency suggested the Il-76 may have been transporting arms and ammunition along with Ukrainian POWs as human shields.

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Since then, Ukraine has been requesting the transfer of the bodies.

Read also: Ombudsman on Il-76 crash: Russia speculates on transferring Ukrainian POWs bodies, no lists given

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Ukraines Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War has confirmed that Russia had handed over the bodies of what it claimed were Ukrainian defenders killed in the downing of the IL-76, but that these remains require additional identification, which is currently underway.

Source: Ukraines Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War

Quote: "Regarding the statements of the Russian side on bringing back the bodies of Ukrainian defenders, allegedly killed in the crash of the IL-76 aircraft.

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During the latest repatriation activities, the remains of the deceased were transferred to Ukraine from the aggressor state, which requires additional identification. As of now, expert institutions are establishing, within the framework of criminal proceedings, whether the remains of these individuals really belong to Ukrainian servicemen."

Details: The Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War added that they are monitoring the situation and are in contact with all authorised institutions.

For reference: On 8 November, the bodies of 563 fallen Ukrainian defenders were returned to Ukraine as a result of repatriation operations.

Later, Tatyana Moskalkova, Russia's Commissioner for Human Rights, said in an interview with the Kremlin-aligned Russian news agency RIA Novosti that Russia had handed over to Ukraine the bodies of prisoners of war who were allegedly killed in the crash of an IL-76 in Belgorod Oblast on 24 January.

Background:

On 24 January, a Russian Il-76 aircraft crashed in the Korocha district of Russia's Belgorod Oblast. Sources in the General Staff stated the plane was carrying S-300 anti-aircraft missiles.

After the crash of the Russian Il-76 in Belgorod Oblast of Russia, a number of Russian media outlets spread statements by the head of Andrei Kartapolov, chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee on Defence, who claimed that the plane contained dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war who had been taken for exchange. Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets stated that he was looking into the situation. Ukraines Defence Intelligence commented that a prisoner swap between Russia and Ukraine had been due to take place on Wednesday, 24 January.

A few hours after the information about the downing of the IL-76 appeared, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces released a statement hinting that the aircraft was a military target and was carrying ammunition for the Russian army.

Dmytro Lubinets, Ukraines Commissioner for Human Rights, said that Ukraine had not seen any signs that the IL-76 that crashed in Belgorod Oblast was carrying many Ukrainian prisoners of war, as claimed by the Russian Ministry of Defence and other representatives of Russia. The head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, Kyrylo Budanov, said that the situation with the IL-76 was unclear because Russia did not show the bodies.

Russia did not provide the UN Security Council with any evidence that there were Ukrainian prisoners of war on board the Il-76 military transport plane that crashed in Belgorod Oblast. Furthermore, Russia rejected a request for an international commission to investigate what happened near Belgorod on 24 January.

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Russias spending on national defense reached an unprecedented $43 billion in the third quarter of 2024, The Moscow Times reported on Dec. 9.

From July to September, the Russian government spent an average of $3.29 billion per week, or $19.6 million per hour, on military maintenance and arms purchases, based on an exchange rate of 100 rubles per dollar.

Both open and classified defense expenditures soared. Publicly disclosed spending totaled $13.81 billion, up 71% from the previous quarter, while classified spending surged 131% to $29.47 billion.

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This marks an 80% increase compared to the second quarter and a 53% year-on-year rise.

This single-quarter defense expenditure is nearly triple Russias annual higher education budget of $15.46 billion and about 15 times the yearly budgets of regions such as Irkutsk ($2.7 billion) or Novosibirsk ($3.33 billion).

Spending on military salaries, including substantial bonuses for contract workers, rose by 26% year-over-year to $6.14 billion.

Additionally, expenditures on military cooperation with foreign countries, potentially including Iranian drones and North Korean munitions, reached a record $1.73 billion in Q3.

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Russian President Vladimir Putin approved a federal budget on Dec. 1 with record defense spending over the next three years.

In 2025, military expenditures will reach 13.5 trillion rubles ($126 billion), or over 6% of GDP, exceeding combined spending on education, healthcare, social policy, and the economy.

While military spending is projected to decline slightly in 2026 and 2027, it will remain substantial at 12.8 trillion rubles ($114.9 billion) and 13.1 trillion rubles ($122.4 billion).

Read also: Russia has spent $200 billion on full-scale war in Ukraine, suffered 700,000 casualties, Austin says

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The Russians attacked Ukraine with two missiles and 37 attack drones on the night of 8-9 December. All missiles and 18 UAVs were shot down, 18 drones disappeared from radar, and one more is still in the air and combat operations are ongoing.

Source: Ukrainian Air Force on Telegram

Quote from the Air Force: "As of 08:00, units of anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare and mobile firing groups of the Air Force and the defence forces of Ukraine shot down two Kh-59/69 air-to-surface missiles and 18 enemy UAVs in Sumy, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Chernihiv, Vinnytsia, Khmelnytskyi, Rivne, Ternopil and Odesa oblasts.

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18 drones disappeared from radar, and one is still in the air. Combat operations are ongoing."

Details: The Air Force noted that the infrastructure of several private enterprises was damaged due to the fall of the wreckage of downed drones in Vinnytsia Oblast.

Reports indicate that the Russians launched the missiles from the airspace over the Black Sea and the drones from the areas of the Russian cities of Oryol and Primorsko-Akhtarsk.

Background: Russia launched attack drones twice overnight on the territory of Ukraine.

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Russia is scrambling to make a deal with Syrias victorious rebels to keep hold of its vital military bases after the collapse of Bashar al-Assads regime.

Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said communication lines with Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) had been opened but it was premature to talk about Russia retaining its naval and air bases in Syria.

Everything possible is now being done to get in touch with those involved in ensuring security and, of course, our military is also taking all the necessary precautions, he said.

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Mr Peskov also confirmed that Vladimir Putin had personally allowed Assad to flee into exile to Russia.

The murderous Syrian dictator fled Damascus on Sunday after the collapse of his army allowed Jihadi-linked HTS forces to complete their capture of Syria in only 12 days.

Putin (right) personally allowed Assad to flee into exile to Russia, the Kremlin says - Sputnik/Mikhail Klimentyev/via Reuters

In Russia, shocked Kremlin-linked news agencies and propagandists have tried to explain the humiliating collapse of a key Russian ally in the region by saying that it took everybody by surprise.

They also framed Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the leader of HTS, as a CIA agent and blamed Iran for failing to back up Russian airstrikes.

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Boris Rozhin, an analyst at the Centre for Military-Political Journalism, told the Moskovskaya Kommsomelts newspaper that Russia had been stabbed in the back in Syria because Iran had not passed on information about the HTS attack and not committed soldiers to support Assads forces.

What happened can be regarded as a betrayal, he said.

Russia and Iran have developed strong relations through their joint military actions in Syria. Iran has also supplied missiles and drones to Russia since the Kremlins invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

In the week before the capture of Damascus, Russian warplanes had bombed HTS convoys before Putin, frustrated with the collapse of Assads forces, ordered a halt. Instead, Russian warplanes at its Khmeimim air base and warships at its Tartus naval base 75 miles further south along the Mediterranean coast have been evacuated.

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Analysts said that although he has been humiliated, Putin was determined to keep hold of his prized bases.

John Foreman, a former Royal Navy officer who was previously the British defence attache in Moscow, said: Russia lacks permanent bases generally, so both are important and both had significant investment over the past seven years.

The Khmeimim air base was given to Russia in 2015 as a thank you from Assad for Russias ruthless carpet-bombing of rebels that helped reverse the civil war.

As well as hosting some of Russias most advanced fighter jets, it was used by Russia as a refuelling stop for military and cargo planes heading to Africa. The Tartus naval base was originally built in 1971 by the Soviet Union. Putin modernised and enlarged the base again in 2012 and 2015 because he had designs on Africa.

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Without the Tartus naval base, analysts said that Putin can still operate in Africa but it becomes far more difficult to resupply and support the estimated 20,000 Africa Corps mercenaries operating there, mainly in Libya, Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

Their likely loss is a significant strategic setback for Russia on its southern flank, Mr Foreman said.

Russias Tartus naval base along Syrias Mediterranean coast - Planet Labs PBC/AFP via Getty Images

Putin sees Africa as a Western weakness that he can exploit. He has encouraged a series of coups against pro-West governments by promising security support, as well as bilateral energy and communication projects.

In return, Putin expects his West African crony allies to spread his anti-Ukraine policies. When a group of rebels ambushed Russian mercenaries and Malian government soldiers in the Sahara Desert in July, killing dozens, the pro-Russia Mali government was quick to blame Kyiv.

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These West African coup leaders regularly turn up in Moscow for meetings and to take orders, before returning to Africa to do the Kremlins bidding by promoting Russia as a force for peace.

They also come with vital votes at the UN, which Russia leverages, and access to valuable metals and rare earth deposits that the Kremlin wants to control.

Key to Russias influence had been the Wagner mercenary group, which also fought in Ukraine. This has been rebranded as the Africa Corps and is still highly regarded for beefing up local security services who are fighting wars against various rebel groups.

On Telegram, the Rybar blog, which has strong links to the Russian military, published a map showing the Kremlins two bases in Syria as vital staging posts for its operations in West Africa via Libya.

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It said alternative options now needed to be considered, including boosting its presence in Libya and Sudan. The problem, it said, was that cargo planes can only reach Libya from Russia if they are empty and Sudans ongoing civil war makes it unstable.

The loss of Syria as a transit base is a blow not only to our positions in the Middle East, but also in Africa, it said.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW), a US-based think tank, echoed Rybars analysis, saying the loss of the Russian bases would have major implications for Russias global military footprint and ability to operate in Africa.

The ISW added that Russias inability or decision to not reinforce Assads regime as the Syrian opposition offensive made rapid gains throughout the country will also hurt Russias credibility as a reliable and effective security partner throughout the world.

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This, it said, would negatively affect Putins ability to garner support for his desired multipolar world.

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Russia has asked Turkey to assist in withdrawing its troops from Syria following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's regime, CNN Turk reported on Dec. 9.

According to the outlets correspondent in Ankara, Russia has proposed relocating its forces to Turkish-controlled areas of Syria before transporting them to Russia by air.

However, Moscow reportedly intends to retain control over its key military bases in Tartus and Khmeimim.

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The reports align with claims by Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR) that Russia has begun withdrawing military and naval assets from Syria after Assads regime fell to opposition forces.

A rapid offensive on Dec. 8 resulted in the capture of Damascus, ending Assads 24-year rule.

The Kremlin has been a staunch ally of Assad, maintaining a substantial military presence in Syria since intervening in the Syrian Civil War in 2015.

Strategic facilities such as the Tartus Naval Base and Khmeimim Airbase have been critical to Russia's regional influence.

The Russian media previously reported that Assad and his family arrived in Russia on Dec. 8, where they were granted asylum by Russian authorities.

Read also: What does Assads downfall mean for Russia and Ukraine?

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Russia has spent at least $200 billion on its war with Ukraine since the start of the full-scale invasion in 2022, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said at a conference on Dec. 7 in California.

Moscow also lost more soldiers in the first year of the war than in any other of its conflicts since World War II combined, Austin added. He said it has been losing at least 1,000 troops a day in recent months.

"Russia has paid a staggering price for (President Vladimir) Putin's folly. Russia has suffered at least 700,000 casualties since February 2022. It's squandered more than $200 billion," Austin said.

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These figures are close to those provided by the Ukrainian military, which estimated Moscow's losses at over 750,000 as of Dec. 9, including killed and wounded. Russia has not publicly disclosed its casualties, claiming only they are lower than the Ukrainian ones.

Recently, President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukraine had suffered 43,000 soldiers killed and 370,000 wounded.

Read also: Ukraine has lost 43,000 soldiers in action since start of invasion, Zelensky says

"Russian losses in just the first year of Putin's war of choice seem to have been more than Moscow's losses in all of its conflicts since World War IIcombined," Austin said. Russia allegedly suffered record losses in November, which coincided with an increasingly rapid advance in Ukraine's east.

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The Pentagon chief also cautioned against an isolationist U.S. foreign policy, a turn many experts expect after Donald Trump takes office in January 2025.

"The starting point and cornerstone of our foreign policy is our alliance and partnership with our fellow democraciesSo here is the stark military fact: our allies and partners are huge force multipliers," he said.

U.S. aid for Ukraine hangs in the air as Trump vowed during his campaign that he would put an end to the war in 24 hours upon his reelection. He also repeatedly hinted that one of his plans to achieve that would be reducing aid for Ukraine to force it to the negotiating table and cede territory for peace.

In an interview aired on NBC on Dec. 8, when asked whether Ukraine should prepare for reduced U.S. assistance, Trump responded, "Possibly, sure."

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Following a meeting with Zelensky in France, Trump said on social media that Russia had suffered 600,000 casualties, while Ukraine lost 400,000 injured and wounded.

Read also: Zelensky ready to make a deal on the war in Ukraine, Trump says after meeting in Paris

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Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin, speaking at the Reagan National Defense Forum in California, has stated that Russia's losses during the first year of its full-scale war in Ukraine are unprecedented, surpassing the cumulative toll of all conflicts since World War II.

Source: US Department of Defense

Details: Austin reported that Russia has suffered at least 700,000 military casualties (both killed and wounded) since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Moreover, the Kremlins military expenditures have exceeded US$200 billion. He described these figures as a "staggering price" of Russian aggression.

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He emphasised the importance of countering the Kremlin and supporting Ukraine. He highlighted the success of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting (also known as the Ramstein Group), which has provided Ukraine with over US$57 billion in direct security assistance.

"Together, we have helped Ukraine survive an all-out assault by the largest military in Europe," Austin remarked.

Austin also noted that the US and its allies have avoided nuclear confrontation with Russia, strengthened NATOs eastern flank and prompted Alliance members to increase annual defence spending by nearly US$80 billion.

Background:

US President-elect Donald Trump acknowledged that US aid to Kyiv may be reduced after his return to the White House on 20 January.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy revealed on 8 December that 43,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed since 24 February 2022.

On the same day, Pentagon Chief Lloyd Austin and Ukraines Defence Minister Rustem Umierov discussed plans for the next meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group during a phone call.

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Moscow could not support its ally in Syria, former dictator Bashar al-Assad, due to the "massive damage" inflicted on Russian forces by Western-supported Ukrainian troops, U.S. President Joe Biden said on Dec. 8.

The comments follow the fall of Assad's 24-year rule after a lighting offensive by opposition forces that culminated in the capture of Damascus, Syria's capital city, on Dec. 8.

"Rebel forces have forced Assad to resign his office and flee the country. We're not sure where he is, but word that he's in Moscow," Biden said amid reports that Syria's former dictator fled to Russia with his family.

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Assad was a close ally of Russia and Iran, but the two powers did little to prevent the fall of his regime. Ukrainian intelligence claimed that Russian forces began withdrawing from their bases in Syria following the rebel advance.

"For years, the main backers of Assad have been Iran, Hezbollah, and Russia. But over the last week, their support collapsed, all three of them," Biden said during a press conference.

"Because all three of them are far weaker today than they were when I took office." The U.S. president recounted that Iran and its allies, the Hezbollah and Hamas militant groups, were weakened in a multi-front conflict with Israel in Lebanon and Gaza.

"Additionally, Russia's support for Assad also failed. And that's because Ukraine, backed by our American allies, has put up a wall of resistance against invading Russian forces, inflicting massive damage on the Russian forces," the U.S. president said.

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Washington played a key role in supporting Ukraine against Russian aggression, but the future of this support now lies in doubt as President-elect Donald Trump, who will take office on Jan. 20, signaled that Kyiv should brace for reduced assistance.

Speaking about Syria, Biden called Assad's defeat a "historic opportunity" for the Syrian people to "build a better future for their proud country" but also a "moment of risk and uncertainty."

Pointing out that some of the groups that toppled the Syrian dictator have their own "grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses," the U.S. president nevertheless said that Washington is ready to "work with our partners and the stakeholders in Syria."

Read also: Assad regime collapse in Syria exposes weakness of Russia, Iran, EUs top diplomat says

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Russia has established a supply chain of American microchips and chips used for the production of weapons from the online store of Texas Instruments, or TI store.

Source: Bloomberg

Details: It is worth noting that Russian distributors replicate information from the TI store online marketplace to their trading platforms, allowing clients to view semiconductor availability and costs before placing an order.

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Getchips.ru and altchips.ru are two Russian sites that sell TI products for a 40% markup.

US officials have established that Russian portals get entire product information via the Texas Instruments API (an application programming interface that allows companies to exchange data).

TI provides its partners with an API that allows them to view prices, product availability, order details, and so on. In some circumstances, authorised users of this API, such as price comparison websites, combine this data with additional sources to create a new API.

TI asserts that it does not provide its API to any Russian company, and that any companies that have access to it must go through a verification process.

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According to Bloomberg, Russian distributors replicate product information from a Western company's website without direct access to the Texas Instruments API. However, it was not possible to determine the name of this company.

Reports say that the Russian government must first approve the acquisition before ordering and supplying the essential equipment to at least one intermediate country.

Records reviewed by Bloomberg show that Hong Kong-based intermediaries include Sure Technology, Chipower Electronics, and Horsway Tech.

Goods are mostly delivered from Hong Kong and Russia by Sea Global SCM and the Russian aircraft Aeroflot.

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By August 2024, one of the largest Russian distributors had handled over 4,000 orders for hundreds of thousands of TI store goods totalling over US$6 million. Orders of over US$4 million were planned for Russian military businesses.

Previously, the US authorities accused the TI store of lax oversight over online sales. At the same time, the online store claims to regularly review and cancel thousands of orders that seem suspicious.

TI chips, in particular, were discovered in Russian Kinzhal missiles and Lancet-3 attack drones. Since the outbreak of the full-scale war, Ukrainian investigators have discovered over 4,000 Western components in Russian weapons, with Texas Instruments accounting for 14% of the total.

Background:

India plays a vital role in supplying Russia with powerful Nvidia AI chips, while Malaysia has emerged as the primary provider of technology.

Russia manages to circumvent sanctions by purchasing electronic components from Western businesses for its missiles, twice overpaying for them.

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OSLO, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store welcomed Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi to Oslo on Monday, marking the first-ever visit by an Egyptian head of state to Norway.

Their discussions centered on pressing regional and bilateral issues, with a strong focus on the Middle East's ongoing challenges.

"The situation in the Middle East was central to the talks, not least the dramatic developments in Syria over the last couple of days," Store said, noting that both Norway and Egypt "are concerned about the need for a peaceful transition for the Syrian people and to safeguard stability in the region."

The leaders highlighted their collaboration on resolving the Palestinian situation. Store praised Egypt's efforts in mediating a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas and facilitating humanitarian aid to Gaza, expressing gratitude for Egypt's role in evacuating Norwegian citizens from Gaza last autumn.

Both nations reaffirmed their commitment to a two-state solution and a political resolution for Palestine.

The meeting also showcased deepening cooperation in green technology and renewable energy. Agreements were signed between Norwegian renewable energy company Scatec and Egyptian partners. 
One person was killed, and two others were injured in Russian strikes on Kherson on the morning of 9 December.

Source: Roman Mrochko, Head of Kherson City Military Administration, on Telegram

Quote from Mrochko: "The enemy used a drone to attack a vehicle in the Dniprovskyi district of the city at around 11:30. An unidentified man sustained fatal injuries."

Details: Another man was injured when explosives were dropped from a drone in the suburbs of Kherson. The local resident, 61, sustained shrapnel wounds.

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Russian forces attacked the central part of Kherson from the temporarily occupied left bank of Dnipro river, injuring a woman, 44, who was outside at the time, at around 10:30. She was taken to hospital with blast trauma and shrapnel wounds.

Additionally, the Russians targeted a vehicle belonging to one of Khersons municipal enterprises, using a drone.

"The workers were in the suburbs at the time. They were lucky to survive. Three municipal employees are experiencing acute stress reactions. The photo shows the municipal vehicle after the enemy drone strike," Mrochko wrote.

Update: Later, local authorities reported that Russian forces again attacked Kherson with a UAV at around 12:30. A man, 61, who was walking home, was injured when explosives were dropped from the drone. He was taken to hospital with blast injuries and a leg wound.

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Background: Earlier, the Financial Times reported that Russia is using civilians in Ukrainian cities to hone in its kamikaze drone attacks and improve drone operators skills.

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Russian attacks against Ukraine killed at least one person and injured at least nine over the past day, regional authorities reported on Dec. 9.

One person was killed, and eight others got injured as a result of the Russian militarys attacks on the city of Kherson and five other settlements, Kherson Oblast Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported on his Telegram channel.

One person was injured in Donetsk Oblast, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported on his Telegram channel.

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Overnight on Dec. 9, the Russian military attacked Ukraine with two Kh-59/69 cruise missiles from the Black Sea. During the night attack, Russia also launched 37 Shaheds and other unidentified drones, Ukraines Air Force reported.

Air defense shot down 18 drones over nine oblasts while 19 drones were lost in the airspace, the Air Force said.

Read also: Ukraine has lost 43,000 soldiers in action since start of invasion, Zelensky says

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A Russian-controlled court in occupied Crimea sentenced a 33-year-old local resident to 15 years in a strict regime colony on charges of state treason, Russia's prosecutor's office reported on Dec. 9.

The man was accused of transmitting information about the movement of Russian military equipment and a military facility under construction to Ukraines Ministry of Defense between December 2022 and March 2023.

The ruling was issued by the so-called Supreme Court established by the Russian occupation authorities.

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Russian-installed courts in Crimea have escalated repressions since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Krym.Realii reported on Nov. 3 that 472 rulings for "discrediting" the Russian military have been issued in Crimea since February 2022.

Moscow's sweeping censorship laws, introduced in March 2022, effectively criminalize criticism of the war or narratives contradicting Russian propaganda.

The European Court of Human Rights condemned Russia on June 25 for systematic human rights violations in Crimea since its illegal annexation in 2014.

The court found that Russia carried out a "campaign of repression" targeting pro-Ukrainian individuals, which included disappearances, fabricated charges, suppression of Ukrainian media and education, and forced transfers to Russian prisons.

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Read also: Ex-chief of Russian-run Olenivka prison allegedly killed in car bombing in occupied Donetsk

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A 43-year-old Russian citizen, a former employee of the ASML Dutch company, has been accused of stealing technologies and violating sanctions law. His identity has not been disclosed.

Source: NOS, Dutch public broadcasting organisation

Details: According to the investigation, the man is suspected of stealing documents containing technological manuals related to microchip production. These materials could allegedly assist the development of Russia's semiconductor industry.

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He reportedly worked as an engineer at several Dutch chip production companies, including ASML, a global leader in semiconductor equipment since 2015. He also cooperated with other firms, including Mapper, now owned by Russias military drone manufacturer Astron.

Both companies are under US sanctions, which prohibit trade with them.

Intelligence services claimed the engineer participated in a scheme to help Russia bypass sanctions, earning tens of thousands of euros in compensation.

ASML has confirmed the theft of technology and is cooperating with law enforcement.

"The stolen information, among other things, could help Russian microchip production," the report said.

The suspect remains in the Netherlands in custody, with a Rotterdam court set to determine his pretrial detention measures on 9 December.

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Credit: ASML

The Ministry of Asylum and Migration of the Netherlands has imposed a 20-year entry ban on an ex-ASML employee. A Russia-connected individual is currently under investigation, suspected of potential espionage and theft of vital microchip documents from ASML, reports Dutch outlet NOS. Per the report from local media, the Netherlands rarely imposes such prohibitions, and they are typically reserved for cases involving national security.

ASML is one of the world's leading tech companies - making bleeding-edge high-NA EUV photolithography machines employed in the fabrication units of Intel, Samsung, and TSMC. This one Dutch firm holds the key to entering the sub-5nm era and recent US legislation has been detrimental for sanctioned companies like SMIC in China. Russia, being on the sanctioned list of countries following a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, is also hamstrung by sanctions.

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The report mentions that a 43-year-old engineer has been accused of stealing important documents including microchip manuals from both ASML and Mapper Lithography - another company involved in manufacturing lithography machines that underwent bankruptcy in 2018 and was since acquired by ASML. It is suspected that the accused sold these documents to supposedly boost chip production in Russia - likely derived from his Russian background - for tens of thousands of Euros.

"We are aware of the lawsuit against a former Mapper and ASML employee. In accordance with our policy, we have also filed a report ourselves. We will not comment further during the trial."

ASML acknowledged these claims and filed a report accordingly. The Dutch public prosecution service and the engineer's lawyers refused to provide further details to the media outlet NOS. The man remains in custody in the Netherlands and will appear before a court in Rotterdam in a pro forma hearing - where the prosecutor and defendant share information to move the case forward - on Monday. The nature of this hearing could mean a lighter sentence is being considered, but we shall see

Technological espionage accusations aren't new and similar cases - at least for China - have been plastered over the wall in the aftermath of US sanctions. It doesn't just stop at ASML, though the lack of EUV technology remains the primary Achilles' heel for Chinese chip manufacturer SMIC - stuck at old DUV machines for 5nm wafers. Russia is following in China's footsteps with lofty goals of producing a 7nm lithography scanner by 2028 though, since the country is currently capable of producing only 65nm-grade chips, that would be quite the feat to accomplish.
Tatyana Moskalkova, Russias Human Rights Commissioner, has said that Russia has handed over the bodies of Ukrainian prisoners of war allegedly killed in the Il-76 crash in Russias Belgorod Oblast on 24 January.

Source: Tatyana Moskalkova in a comment to pro-Kremlin Russian media outlet RIA Novosti (RIA News)

Details: When asked whether Russia was able to hand over the bodies of soldiers killed in the Il-76 crash, Moskalkova said: "They [the bodies] have been handed over. This happened, and I was there when it did."

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Ukraine has not commented on Moskalkovas claim.

Reference: On 8 November, Ukraines Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War reported that the bodies of 563 fallen defenders have been brought back to Ukraine as a result of repatriation efforts. A total of 320 bodies of defenders who were killed in action on the Donetsk front and 89 fallen soldiers who were killed on the Bakhmut front were repatriated. In addition, 154 bodies were brought back from morgues within Russian territory.

Background:

On 24 January, an Il-76 aircraft crashed in the Korocha district of Russias Belgorod Oblast. Ukrainska Pravda's sources in the Armed Forces confirmed the downing of the aircraft, saying that "it was their job". Sources in the General Staff stated the plane was carrying S-300 anti-aircraft missiles.

Following the downing of a Russian Il-76 transport aircraft in the Russian Federation's Belgorod Oblast, a number of Russian media outlets cited Andrei Kartapolov, chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee on Defence. He claimed that the plane contained dozens of Ukrainian prisoners of war who had been taken for exchange, and Ukrainian Ombudsman Dmytro Lubinets stated that he was looking into the situation.

In response to the news of the downing of an Il-76 aircraft in Russia, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has issued a statement saying that it would "continue to destroy means of delivery and control the airspace to eliminate the terrorist threat, including on the Belgorod-Kharkiv front".

Ukraine has received no evidence indicating that a large number of prisoners of war were onboard the Il-76 military transport aircraft that crashed in Russias Belgorod Oblast, contrary to statements made by the Russian Ministry of Defence and other representatives of the aggressor country. Kyrylo Budanov, Head of Defence Intelligence of Ukraine, has said that the situation around the crash was unclear as Russia has failed to show the bodies of the soldiers allegedly killed in it.

Among the prisoners who returned to Ukraine as a result of the exchange on 31 January, there were no soldiers who had been agreed to be exchanged on 24 January and were not exchanged after the Il-76 crash.

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On the morning of 9 December, Russian forces targeted one of the thermal power facilities in Donetsk Oblast, killing and injuring several people.

Source: Ukraines Ministry of Energy on Telegram

Details: Volodymyr Kiliarov, the station's fitter, who was born in 1959, was killed in the attack.

Two station employees were wounded.

Following the bombardment, Ukrenergo implemented emergency blackouts in Donetsk Oblast.

Background: Two Ukrenergo substation employees were killed in a huge Russian strike on the morning of 17 November.

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Suppliers of Russias defence industrial base have exploited a loophole to place orders for microchips from the US company Texas Instruments (TI) despite the sanctions.

Source: Bloomberg; European Pravda

Details: Bloomberg revealed that certain Russian distributors have integrated information from Texas Instruments online store, TI Store, into their trading platforms.

This integration allows Russian customers to view details about semiconductor stock availability and prices. They then place orders, which are fulfilled and delivered through companies located outside Russia, the report states.

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Most of these orders were processed via websites like getchips.ru and altchips.ru, which are blocked in the US and Europe but remain accessible in Russia. The product listings on these sites match those available to customers through Texas Instruments' official online store.

Sources cited by Bloomberg suggest that Russian distributors may have gained access to the company's proprietary application programming interface (API), a technical tool that enables software to communicate and exchange data.

For example, one major Russian distributor processed over 4,000 orders for hundreds of thousands of TI products, valued at approximately US$6 million, between August 2023 and August 2024. Of these, nearly US$4 million worth of orders were intended for Russian military companies. Before reaching Russia, the products were routed through Hong Kong or other countries.

Bloomberg discovered 287 orders labeled as "cancelled" in internal Russian documents, indicating that some clients either changed their minds or the distributor was unable to fulfill these orders.

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Russian distributors reportedly applied a 40% markup to TI prices to cover the costs of delivery and payment, Bloomberg sources indicated.

Background: Independent Russian media previously confirmed in mid-2022 that the import of Western technology products, including those from Texas Instruments, continued into Russia despite sanctions.

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The silent black-and-white surveillance camera video of the Russian missile attack in the Ukrainian city of Dnipro was brief but chilling: Six huge fireballs pierced the darkness and slammed into the ground at astonishing speed.

Within hours of the Nov. 21 attack on the military facility, Russian President Vladimir Putin took the rare step of speaking on national TV to boast about the new, hypersonic missile. He warned the West that its next use could be against Ukraines NATO allies who allowed Kyiv to use their longer-range missiles to strike inside Russia.

Putin said the missile was called the Oreshnik  Russian for hazelnut tree."

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A look at the weapon, how it fits into Moscow's battle plan and what political message Russia wants to send by using it:

What's known about the Oreshnik?

A satisfied smile played across Putin's face as he described how the Oreshnik streaks to its target at 10 times the speed of sound, or Mach 10, like a meteorite, and claimed it was immune to any missile defense system. Ukrainian military officials said it reached Mach 11.

Gen. Sergei Karakayev, head of Russias Strategic Missile Forces, said the Oreshnik could carry nuclear or conventional warheads and has a range to reach any European target.

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The Pentagon said the Oreshnik was an experimental type of intermediate-range ballistic missile, or IRBM, based on Russia's RS-26 Rubezh intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM. The attack marked the first time such a weapon was used in a war.

Intermediate-range missiles can fly between 500 to 5,500 kilometers (310 to 3,400 miles). Such weapons were banned under a Soviet-era treaty that Washington and Moscow abandoned in 2019.

Ukraines Main Intelligence Directorate said the missile had six warheads, each carrying six submunitions. Its payload of independently targetable warheads, like a cluster of hazelnuts growing on a tree, could be the inspiration for the missile's name.

Video of the attack appeared to show six warheads surrounded by clouds of plasma raining down in a fiery descent. The six submunitions released by each warhead apparently were unarmed but had high kinetic energy estimated to deliver a destructive force equivalent to tons of explosives.

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Putin claimed the weapon is so powerful that using several such missiles  even fitted with conventional warheads  could be as devastating as a nuclear strike. Its capable of destroying underground bunkers three, four or more floors down, he boasted, threatening to use it against the government district in Kyiv.

Ukraines Security Service showed The Associated Press wreckage of the missile -- charred, mangled wires and an ashen airframe  at Dnipro's Pivdenmash plant that built missiles when Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union. There were no fatalities in the attack, and authorities havent described the damage to the plant. They said the missile was fired from the 4th Missile Test Range of Kapustin Yar in Russias Astrakhan region on the Caspian Sea.

What other missiles has Russia used?

Russia has used an assortment of missiles to pummel Ukraine since the start of its invasion in February 2022, but none had the range and power of Oreshnik.

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They included subsonic long-range cruise missiles that carry about 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds) of explosives, enough to inflict a significant damage to Ukrainian power plants and other key infrastructure. The winged, jet-propelled cruise missiles have a range of up to 2,500 kilometers (1,550 miles), able to reach all of Ukraine.

Russia also used swarms of inexpensive, Iranian-designed drones that carry only about 50 kilograms (110 pounds) of explosives. The slow-flying drones are relatively easy to intercept, but Russia used dozens of them at a time to overwhelm Ukrainian defenses and divert attention from simultaneously launched cruise missiles.

For some priority targets, Russia has used faster and harder-hitting missiles, including the ground-launched Iskander short-range ballistic missile with a range of 500 kilometers (310 miles).

For particularly important targets, Moscow has used the hypersonic Kinzhal air-launched ballistic missile. Its high speed  able to briefly reach Mach 10  and ability to maneuver in flight helps it evade air defenses, although Ukraine claims to have shot down a few of them.

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Oreshnik is even more difficult to intercept than Kinzhal. It can inflict significantly heavier damage because of its multiple high-energy warheads.

What message is Putin sending with the Oreshnik?

Putin described the Oreshnik as a response to the U.S. and U.K. allowing Ukraine to use their longer-range weapons to strike Russian territory, a move he said gave elements of a global character to the conflict.

We believe that we have the right to use our weapons against military facilities of the countries that allow to use their weapons against our facilities, he said.

Dmitry Medvedev, deputy head of Putins Security Council, said Oreshnik could reach targets in Europe within minutes, inflicting catastrophic damage. Bomb shelters will not save you, he posted on his messaging app channel.

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Russian state media extolled the Oreshnik, claiming it will take just 11 minutes to reach an air base in Poland and 17 minutes to reach NATOs headquarters in Brussels. T-shirts have appeared with images of Putin and the Oreshnik, and he was told at a briefing that a couple planned to name their daughter after the missile.

Military expert Mathieu Boulegue of Chatham House in Britain said that while the Oreshnik isnt a game-changer on the battlefield, in terms of psychological warfare, it works great in serving the Kremlins goal to scare a Western audience.

The Nov. 21 attack came two days after Putin signed a revised version of Russias nuclear doctrine, which lowered the threshold for using nuclear weapons. The doctrine allows for a potential nuclear response by Moscow even to a conventional attack on Russia by any nation that is supported by a nuclear power.

The use of the Oreshnik was an expression of Moscows anger at the use of longer-range Western missiles and a signal to Ukraine and President-elect Donald Trump that Russia was going to pursue its goals, regardless of the support for Kyiv, said James J. Townsend, senior fellow at the Center for New American Security.

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This is a very powerful message being sent, Townsend said. Its showing Trump how serious Russia looks on what the Biden administration has been doing and how seriously they look on and how angry they are about this type of assistance.

Putins warning about potential strikes on NATO assets follows calls by Russian hawks for such attacks to force Ukraines allies to back down.

Unlike other Russian conventional weapons with a shorter range, Oreshnik offers the capability to launch a powerful, conventional strike anywhere in Europe, giving the Kremlin a new instrument of escalation without tapping its nuclear arsenal. There will be no way to know whether Oreshnik carries a nuclear or a conventional warhead before it hits the target.

The enemy must understand that we are ready to take the most resolute steps and strike the territory of NATO members with conventional weapons first, said Sergei Karaganov, a political expert who advises the Kremlin. At the same time, we will warn them that if they respond to that attack in an escalatory way, a nuclear strike would come second, and a third wave will target American bases.
Sacramento police arrested a woman who, they say, chased an officer with a knife before being taken into custody.

The incident happened just before 11 a.m. Sunday near 16th and F streets, Sacramento police said. Officers received calls of a person brandishing a knife near the intersection. When the officers arrived, the person gave chase with the knife before police set up a perimeter and began to negotiate.

Officers used less-lethal force to subdue and arrest the 60-year-old suspect, police officials said. The woman threw a knife at the officers during the incident, but did not hit them.

The suspect faces numerous charges including assault of a police officer on duty and is being held without bail at the Sacramento County Main Jail. Shes expected to be arraigned Tuesday in Sacramento Superior Court.
Smoke rises following airstrikes in Damascus, Syria, on Dec. 9, 2024. (Photo by Monsef Memari/Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Israeli warplanes launched a series of airstrikes on Monday targeting Syrian navy vessels docked at Latakia Port and military depots in coastal areas, according to a war monitor.

The Israeli strikes also hit arms depots in Syria's capital Damascus in what appears to be a systematic effort to dismantle Syria's remaining military infrastructure following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government, said the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

In addition, airstrikes targeted the 112th Brigade between the cities of Sheikh Miskin and Nawa in the west of Daraa province, as well as military depots near the Mahja town in northern Daraa.

Two civilians were killed in airstrikes on the 12th Brigade in the city of Izraa, the observatory added.

According to the observatory, the strikes are part of Israel's intensified efforts to degrade Syria's military capabilities by systematically destroying its equipment and facilities, including radar systems, long-range missiles, and airbases.

The Britain-based war monitor noted that Israeli warplanes have targeted over a dozen military sites in Syria since early December. 

Smoke rises following airstrikes in Damascus, Syria, on Dec. 9, 2024. (Photo by Monsef Memari/Xinhua)
Hundreds of objections have flooded in against a 10bn plan to redevelop Londons Earls Court, signalling the beginnings of Sadiq Khans newest home-building headache.

Nearly a decade has passed since the Earls Court Exhibition Centre was demolished, leaving behind a vast, 44-acre triangular stretch of land that has become central Londons biggest empty site.

Efforts to build housing on the land have proved tortuous, with opposition over the level of affordable housing proposed and the broader vision for what it should look like.

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Now, the Earls Court Development Company (ECDC)  a joint venture between property developer Delancey, Dutch pension fund APG and Transport for London (TfL), which Khan chairs  has submitted plans to build 4,000 homes on the site, 35pc of which would be affordable. Three cultural venues are planned for the area to ensure its heritage of events is continued. ECDC seeks to begin construction in 2026.

Earls Court Exhibition Centre was demolished in 2014, leaving the 44-acre area empty for a decade - Bob Thomas/Popperfoto

The proposals would contribute to Khans goal of building 80,000 homes per year in London, a compulsory target set by the Labour government which more than doubles the amount required in the capital every year. The 35pc affordable housing provision means it is eligible for the Mayors fast-track planning route, which was designed to speed up approvals for such schemes.

But the new plans, which were submitted in September, have been met with a fresh wall of resistance from locals. The size of the project means it stretches across both the Conservative-run Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) council and Labour-run Hammersmith & Fulham. Between them, the two councils have received around 400 letters objecting to the scheme, compared with some 135 voicing support.

Plans for the first stage of the project include two skyscrapers, the tallest of which will be 42 storeys, and this aspect has drawn particular ire.

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Residents have claimed the area would be transformed into a mineral glass and concrete city with no character. One dissenter wrote: The height of the buildings and the modern design are a monstrosity. Another claims the development would result in very crowded living conditions and a certain destruction of the existing local neighbourhoods, and questioned how the water supply and the sewers would cope with an influx of new residents.

The comments coming back from residents is that these guys are using our name, but theyre actually sucking the lifeblood out of Earls Court, says Linda Wade, a Liberal Democrat councillor for the Earls Court ward at the RBKC.

In Earls Court, many of the businesses, the hotels, relied on the exhibition centre. Where weve arrived today is very much a reflection of developers taking the lead on urban planning, rather than local authorities being able to identify needs and [meeting] them through development.

But the problem is that it is about building a community, if you want it to be sustainable. It should be an opportunity to regenerate an area that has been under fire since the closure of the exhibition centre.

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Beyond concerns about the impact on the community, Wade also takes issue with the designs themselves.

There is a tower that is a bad pastiche of the Thirties, with something that looks like the White Witch from Narnias headpiece on the top, she says. It is so tacky.

Other concerns voiced by residents include the impact on transport links, parking provisions, heritage concerns, the potential impact on nearby Brompton Cemetery, and a lack of sufficient amenities such as healthcare.

A group of civic societies, including the Kensington Society and Hammersmith Society, has described the proposed building cluster on the site as more a White City jumble, saying the involvement of multiple architects means there is no harmonious mix of buildings.

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Then there is the question of what kinds of homes will be built. Hamish Adourian, a Conservative councillor in the Earls Court ward at the RBKC, says: The housing mix is a concern, particularly the family housing provision.

We want this to be a place where people across different generations can settle down, put down roots and not be an entirely transient population [but] we dont have reassurances at the moment about what will really be delivered on-site.

Theres a lot of potential in the development, but a lot of concerns that need to be ironed out.

As well as a lack of sufficient amenities, there are also concerns that the type of housing isnt the right fit for families wanting to put down roots - Earl's Court Development Company

There are fears that Earls Court could end up resembling yet another overseas investors playground, filled with high-rise, high-end flats owned by absent landlords.

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Developments in Vauxhall and Nine Elms  where the average price of a flat exceeds 1m, according to Foxtons  serve as a cautionary tale. Even those in the property industry admit these areas often feel like ghost towns, with many of the flats in the areas gleaming new towers owned by overseas investors.

Adourian says: Earls Court has had a vibrant history of many different communities, and long may that continue, but the key point is people actually living there  we dont want safety deposit boxes in the sky.

One objector wrote to the council: Ive seen the horror in the Battersea area completely out of context steel and glass buildings sold at top market prices as luxury condos to foreign buyers. Do we really want [Kensington and Chelsea] to lose all of its appeal?

Two skyscrapers, the tallest of which will be 42 storeys, have drawn particular ire from locals who fear a ghost town of apartment banks - Earl's Court Development Company

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Wade says: Everybody would like to see something happen and to see homes on the site. But everybody wants homes for people who are going to live here, not just apartment banking. Ive seen it time and time again.

Rebekah Pazcek of ECDC says the projects exact mix of housing will be worked out through the planning process, adding that developers absolutely do want [the homes] to be accessible to a range of people. She says: We talk about this being a neighbourhood for all stages of life, and thats very much where were at  it is not about homes that arent then lived in.

Pazcek says the developer has done a huge amount of work with local residents through workshops, meetings and exhibitions. Weve carried out a far-reaching programme of engagement.

Our role, and the role of those responsible for creating the homes and communities on which London depends, is to balance the needs of future generations with the needs and aspirations of existing communities  we have consistently worked to get that balance right.

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We have a deliverable plan which will make a strong contribution to addressing housing needs in London.

Ultimately, the decision over whether to approve the project is likely to rest with the Mayor. Khan has a history of intervening in the stalled site, having spoken out against the schemes former developer, Capital & Counties, on several occasions when it sought to build 7,500 homes on 77 acres. He criticised its affordable housing levels, before ECDC bought the site in 2019.

Labours manifesto pledge to deliver 1.5m homes across Britain by the end of Parliament will likely apply some pressure to ensure the long-stalled development goes through. Sir Keir Starmer has also made it clear that he wants to override Nimby concerns that are blocking developments across the country.

A spokesman for the Mayor of London said: The ambitious masterplan for Earls Court prioritises the delivery of thousands of homes and jobs, in addition to new cultural and open spaces  key priorities for the Mayor.

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As Wade points out, the redevelopment of Earls Court can make or break the area.

If you have targets to deliver homes, what are we actually producing? she says. We should target homes that match the need [for] a living community, rather than a landscaped wasteland.

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NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY)  A former U.S. Navy sailor pleaded guilty Friday to receiving child sexual abuse material.

From Jan. 11 2023 to Mar. 23, 2023, Gabriel Benjamin Hester, an active-duty service member at that time, uploaded seven child sexual abuse material files.

The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) received several tips to its cyber tipline from a cloud-based storage provider that a user uploaded seven files of child sexual abuse material. The center reported this information, along with the phone number associated with the users account, to the Chesapeake Police Department.

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In April 2023, the Chesapeake Police Department identified Hester, noting that he appeared to be an active-duty servicemember. The Chesapeake police then notified the Naval Criminal Investigative Service of the investigation. NCIS confirmed Hester was active-duty in the Navy, stationed in Portsmouth, Virginia from April 30, 2020 until Sept. 23, 2024.

NCIS executed a command authorized search and seizure for Hesters cell phone aboard the USS John Warner Barge. NCIS recovered 206 pictures and 62 videos of child sexual abuse material and 71 images of child erotica from the phone. An additional 60 files of child sexual abuse material were recovered from the Snapchat folder my eyes only.

A further search of Hesters phone revealed Hester received, purchased, traded and distributed child sexual abuse material using an online messaging app. According to court documents, on April 27, 2023, Hester asked another user on the messaging app, You have cp? and requested to exchange files. He then sent two videos of child sexual abuse material and asked, Bueno? Hester then received three child sexual abuse material videos and thanked the sender. Hester followed by asking the user in Spanish if he had more such videos. Hester sent two more child sexual abuse material videos and asked the user to trade. He then received four more child sexual abuse material video files.

Court documents state that on some occasions, Hester would communicate in Spanish to obtain child sexual abuse materials.

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Hester is set to be sentenced April 16. He will serve at least five years behind bars but could serve as much as 20 years in prison.

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HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT)  Chances are youll spot one of those iconic red kettles for the Salvation Army, prompting you to donate. But theres an even greater chance you wont have any cash to give.

The Salvation Army says its seen a decline in physical monetary donations as American moves closer to becoming a cashless society. This year the organization is offering more ways to give for those who might not carry cash but still want to give.

The Red Kettle Campaign is a Salvation Army tradition that spans over 100 years to help provide Christmas for children, families, and senior citizens.

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On the kettle there are smart chips and Q-R codes located on the physical Red Kettle signs. This allows anyone to donate through Apple Pay, PayPal, and Venmo. Based on the zip code of the credit card used to donate, the money will filter through the Salvation Army connected to that area.

Major Joseph May with the Salvation Army in Huntsville says the desire people have to give is still strong.

Weve heard some response of, oh Id like to give but I dont have any cash on me. So we just wanted to give that option so that those that wanted that will have that option, said May. It kind of gives everyone the opportunity regardless of your situation.

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Donations will go toward outreach programs that help children and families who are less fortunate and most vulnerable in the community by providing food, toys, and clothing. Money not used during Christmas will go towards other programs funded throughout the year.

365 days a yearThe Salvation Army is here and those expenses go on throughout the year, said May. So it is very important and we depend a lot on the generosity of people at Christmas so that we can help people 365 days a year.

You can donate to the Virtual Red Kettle here.

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BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH)  As Christmas nears, The Salvation Army of Binghamton is looking to the community for support in order to achieve its holiday goal.

The organizations Red Kettle Campaign has a little over two weeks remaining. According to The Salvation Army, the campaign has only reached 29% of its donation goal. As of December 6, the campaign had raised $21,341 and needs $53,659 or more to reach this years $75,000 goal. The campaign ends on December 24.

The Salvation Army has operated locally for more than 100 years. It has relied on the Red Kettle Campaign since the 1890s to provide social services and other programs to those in need throughout the year.

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Although Im concerned when donations are down, I remain confident that we can still make our goal this year, says Capt. Joseph Hansen. This community has a wonderful history of supporting our programs and services, and I firmly believe this will be the case again this year.

Hansen says donors are once again proving to be generous, but The Salvation Army is severely lacking volunteers to stand at the kettles, directly resulting in the lack of funds.

To volunteer as a bell ringer, search The Salvation Army of Binghamton on Facebook to find a link to its online schedule.

Red kettle stands and volunteer bellringers are located at Walmart, Sams Club, Weis, and Price Chopper. There are also countertop kettles at various locations. Those not able to give cash at a kettle location can still donate by simply scanning a card, phone, or watch on the TipTap devices at some locations.

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The Salvation Army is also hosting its annual Angel Tree Program. The Angel Trees are hosted by Walmart, Planet Fitness, and several other groups and organizations throughout the community. To participate, pick a tag from the tree, purchase the corresponding clothing items and toys, and turn them into either the service desk at Walmart or Planet Fitness, or drop them off at The Salvation Armys Washington Street location. Toys will be distributed to families with enough time before Christmas for the parents to wrap the gifts and have them ready for the children on Christmas morning.

If you wish to donate to The Salvation Army this holiday season but are unable to do so in person, click here.

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SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  The familiar sound of bells ringing fills the air as The Salvation Army staff and volunteers seek to raise money to help meet the growing demand for essential services in San Angelo.

According to a press release from The Salvation Army of San Angelo, a goal to raise $100,000 during the 2024 Red Kettle campaign has been set and the organization needs the communitys help to hit the goal in the next two weeks. Every year The Salvation Army works to provide shelter, meals, emergency financial assistance, clothing vouchers, food boxes, disaster assistance and more to individuals and local families. Donations help provide year-round aid with things like rent, housing assistance and utilities, and support initiatives like the Angel Tree program that provides clothes and toys to children and seniors.

Major Alfonso Martinez shared how hard the holiday season can be for individuals and that donations can help those in the community.

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The holiday season brings unique challenges for many in our community, but it also brings out the generosity of those who can help, said Major Martinez, with The Salvation Army of San Angelo. Every donation, no matter the size, is a step toward lifting someone out of hardship and it is important to remember that every dollar given stays local, helping your neighbors in need, right here in San Angelo. Your generous support helps bring hope and stability to those who need it most  not just during Christmas but also throughout the entire year.

The Salvation Army of San Angelo is asking for the help of the community and local businesses to raise enough money to reach the $100,000 goal in the remaining two weeks of the Red Kettle campaign.

The economy is challenging for many right now, and perhaps you are not in the financial position to give what you might have done in the past, said Martinez. A wonderful way to help The Salvation Army is to volunteer and ring the bell, and it costs nothing! We desperately need bell ringers and would love to set you up with an apron and bell and have you ring for a couple of hours. You can ring for two hours, a morning or afternoon, or the entire day. Best of all, youll be making a difference in the lives of people you will probably never meet, who come to The Salvation Army every day for help.

Other ways to get involved this year with The Salvation Army of San Angelo include:

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Donate on The Salvation Army of San Angelo website

Donate with checks, cash, coins, Apple Pay, Google Pay, PayPal and Venmo at any Red Kettle

Sign up to volunteer at a Red Kettle by clicking here or calling (325) 655-6981

Support the Angel Tree program by providing gifts for children and seniors

Sign up for a sustaining gift of $25 a month by clicking here.

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A Santa Ana kicked up late Monday and will continue into Tuesday night over portions of Southern California. A fire near Southern California's downtown Malibu ignited late Monday and is spreading quickly, prompting mandatory evacuations and threatening structures, including the city's iconic Malibu Pier. Nearby Pepperdine University canceled classes Tuesday and ordered students to shelter in place. The inferno is already closing in on 2,000 acres, CALFire said.

While this Santa Ana is not an extreme wind event, AccuWeather meteorologists believe there is still be some risks to lives and property. A building area of high pressure across the Great Basin will be the driving force behind the gusty winds. The rising pressure forces a rush of wind over the ridges, down the slopes and through the northeast-to-southwest-orientated valleys and canyons in Southern California.

Into Tuesday night, wind gusts from the northeast in many areas will range between 40 and 60 mph, which is strong enough to break tree limbs and knock down power lines. The AccuWeather Local StormMax wind gust for this event is 90 mph.

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When power lines come down, sparks are sometimes produced that can trigger rapidly growing wildfires, like the Franklin Fire burning in Malibu. Those working with power equipment should use caution during the wind event.

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Gusts will be strong enough to knock over outdoor grills and carry embers from campfires to dry brush areas where a fire can start and spread out of control quickly.

Where the winds blow across highways, they can also topple high-profile vehicles such as 18-wheelers, campers and box trucks. Gusty winds can also topple or blow away holiday decorations.

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Because of the topography, much of downtown Los Angeles will be protected from the strong winds, but moderate gusts can reach all the way to the coast, such as in Oxnard and Newport Beach, California.

The dry northeasterly winds will help warm up much of Southern California. On Wednesday, Los Angeles temperatures are projected to rebound to the mid-70s F.

By the middle of the week, the area of high pressure will have moved well inland over the West, and the strong northeast winds produced by rising pressure in Southern California will ease. Breezes will pick up from the south and west by Thursday as a storm moves inland over the Pacific Northwest.

That storm is forecast to bring in cooler air with low-elevation rain and mountain snow to Northern California on Thursday.

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A strong Santa Ana wind event will bring extreme fire danger to Southern California this week.

A fire weather warning is pretty much in effect for all of us, especially as youre up against the foothill areas, KTLA Meteorologist Henry DiCarlos said Monday.

The warning includes areas of Los Angeles, Ventura, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties and will be in place until 6 p.m. Wednesday.

(National Weather Service)

The National Weather Service is predicting the most dangerous conditions occurring between 10 p.m. Monday and 2 p.m. Tuesday with wind gusts up to 50 to 80 mph.

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Officials warned of downed trees and power outages as well as hazardous crosswinds making for dangerous driving conditions.

Humidities will drop to between 5 and 15% increasing the chance for rapid fire growth.

Toward the end of the week, we will start to see an area of low pressure to the north. High pressure breaks down and we lose the winds, Henry said.

On the bright side, Henry says there will be a modest cooldown and maybe even the risk of a little drizzle toward the end of the week.

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The Santa Ana winds of Southern California can be visualized in several ways. You can see their effects as palm trees sway in the morning light or when clean-up crews arrive to deal with branches and debris on streets. Woe unto any Angeleno who doesn't keep their car indoors - as objects large and small end up on vehicles, with alarms going off wildly in the night.

Santa Ana winds bring distinct weather to Southern California. Observing weather data, clues of past wind events are immediately clear. Nov. 12, 2023, Hawthorne, California: High 83F, with a bone-dry humidity recording of 9%. Nov. 14, 2021, Burbank, California: A scorching high of 92F with humidity again in the single digits.

Santa Ana winds occur when winds blow and pick up speed as they travel from the inland deserts toward the coast. These wind events usually kick off in the fall and winter months in the Los Angeles area, coinciding with Southern California's notorious fire season.

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After a low pressure system passed through the Bay Area on Monday to bring precipitation to the Bay Area and cooler weather to Southern California, moderate northerly winds impacted Los Angeles and San Diego areas on Tuesday, raising temperatures in some areas and drying things out. Today is forecast to be the warmest day of the week in Los Angeles, with high temperatures expected to be back in the upper 70s near Downtown Los Angeles.

But while Angelenos might enjoy the warmer and drier weather during these wind events, all it takes is an unattended campfire or a cigarette to spark a massive wildfire in environments where land is already parched having not received any rain since the spring in some cases.

As the region braces for more inevitable rounds of Santa Anas during the fall and winter, here are a few facts, and also some myths, about them.

Santa Ana winds and, their Bay Area cousin, the Diablo winds occur when air from a region of high pressure over the dry Great Basin region of the U.S. flows westward toward lower pressure located off the California coast. Remember that air generally wants to flow from higher pressure to lower pressure. As that cool interior air flows over and through mountain passes, it accelerates, sinks and compresses. When you take this dry air and cause it to flow downhill to the lower elevations, the temperature rises as the air descends.

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Think of the flow of air much like the flow of water, AccuWeather Meteorologist Dave Houk explained.

"If you think of the mountains as rocks jutting up in a stream or river, that barrier blocks the water flow and causes the flow to accelerate around the rock," Houk said. "This is the same basic physics that governs the acceleration of the air through the gaps and canyons down to the coast."

But while we often think of these winds as ushering in warmer weather, causing even some January days to soar into the 80s in L.A., this isn't always the case. The warm and cold flavors of Santa Ana winds are generally rooted in the same dynamics. But cold Santa Ana wind events, Houk said, are driven by mid- and upper-level low pressure and colder air aloft. "These mid- and upper-level low pressure areas are typically what produce the majority of fall and winter precipitation events over the Southwest and snow in the Great Basin," Houk explained. This limits how much warming the air can undergo as it tumbles down from the mountains to the coast.

Most importantly, with both flavors, you still need these winds to line up flowing from the northeast into Southern California for a Santa Ana event.

(Photo credit: Getty Images)

Those who have not experienced Santa Ana winds might not appreciate how strong they can be. In March 2024 after a cold storm coming from the Great Basin, the mountains near Santa Clarita recorded an 86-mph gust, Rancho Cucamonga reached 82 mph and Arrowhead Springs had an 87-mph gust, according to the National Weather Service.

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An even more vicious Santa Ana setup happened in early December 2011, with a peak gust of 97 mph at Whitaker Peak, winds commonly found in a Category 2 hurricane. These devastating winds toppled thousands of trees, knocking out power for over a week. Schools were closed, airplanes were diverted and Pasadena declared a state of emergency.

There's the science of Santa Ana winds and then the mythology as these winds weave in and out of Southern California memory. "There was a desert wind blowing that night. It was one of those hot, dry Santa Anas that come down through the mountain passes and curl your hair and make your nerves jump and your skin itch," wrote Raymond Chandler in "Red Wind: A Collection of Short Stories."

A 1988 Los Angeles Times article claims that the Santa Ana winds "contain an excess of positive ions," leading to complaints of more headaches, nausea and changes in mood, but there isn't any real data to support this.

As the Santa Ana winds continue to howl like clockwork every year across Southern California, expect the real and imagined impact of them to continue. What else can you expect in Hollywood's backyard?
A man dressed as Santa Claus was rescued from the side of a 13-story building over the weekend during a holiday event in Norwalk.

Fire crews responded to 50 Washington St. at 6:36 p.m. on Saturday on the report of an individual who was stuck on the side of a building about 60 feet off the ground, according to the Norwalk Firefighters Local 830.

The individual dressed as Santa was rappelling down the building during the Norwalk Holiday Extravaganza when part of his costume became entangled in the rigging, leaving him unable to descend any further, fire officials said.

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Rescue crews from the Norwalk Fire Department made contact with the individual from a sixth-floor window and were able to attach a safety line to him that was anchored inside the building. After removing a window, crews were able to get the victim inside the building, fire officials said.

No injuries were reported.
NORWALK, Iowa  Santa thinks of every boy and girl during the holidays and Sunday he held a special sensory friendly event in Norwalk.

The normal Santa Meet and Greets that are held during the holidays may be too much for those who have sensory issues, so the Norwalk Santa came up with a solution.

Families were able to book a private session that lasted 15 minutes where they interacted with Santa in a quiet and safe environment.

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We do strictly appointment only, we dont have to many people here, its quiet and peaceful, said Santa. Weve got sensory friendly toys all around the room they can play with and then they can take pictures with Santa.

Heart of Gold toy drive delivering to 495 families

The event was held at the Norwalk Public Library and lasted from 9 a.m. to 1p.m., the 15-minute session also had 5-minute breaks in between so nobody was rushed.

This is the first year that Santa has held the event and Santa wanted to be sure that everyone had a good time and felt comfortable.

This is the first time doing Sensory Santa, so we are all excited, said Santa I got sensory certified to do this, to make sure that everyone is safe and there were no problems.

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Santa hopes that those who partake in the event are able to enjoy an aspect of the holiday season they might normally have to miss out on.

DSM Refugee Support brings Christmas to the metro early

Smiles! The goal is smiles, to have them have a good time and remember Santa, and to feel comfortable. Thats what were after, so they can see Santa in a safe, comfortable atmosphere

The event also acted as fundraising for the Norwalk Santa. He has adopted 19 families this year and is able to bring them holiday cheer through the communitys help.

Leading up to the event Santa accepted sensory friendly toy donations which he is now donating to the Norwalk School District teachers.

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To learn more about Norwalk Santa and where you can spot him next visit his 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 who13.com.
KHARTOUM, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Arab League (AL) on Monday urged an immediate halt to the ongoing conflict in Sudan, emphasizing the need for the country's reconstruction and the safe return of displaced populations.

The statement followed a meeting in Port Sudan between Sudan's Transitional Sovereign Council Chairman and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) Commander Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and AL Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit, according to a sovereign council statement.

"The meeting with the chairman of the sovereign council was very positive," Aboul Gheit told reporters, reaffirming the AL's willingness to work with the African Union and the international community to restore peace and stability in Sudan.

Sudan's representative to the AL, Imad Al-Din Adawi, underscored the League's role as a "security fence," highlighting the importance of non-interference in the country's domestic affairs.

Aboul Gheit arrived in Port Sudan earlier on Monday for a two-day visit, during which he also met Ibrahim Jabir, a sovereign council member, and held discussions with Sudanese ministers of foreign affairs, culture, and information.

Sudan has been engulfed in a brutal conflict between the SAF and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces since April 2023. The fighting has claimed over 27,120 lives and displaced more than 14 million people, according to international estimates. 
The teenage daughter of Nicolas Sarkozy and Carla Bruni has been described as more of a woman than ever on the cover of a fashion magazine, sparking outrage in France.

Giulia Sarkozy, who is 13, posted a series of online videos in which she is seen lip-syncing to provocative rap songs.

Madame Figaro, one of the countrys most popular upmarket glossy magazines, ran pictures of Giulia, and reported: We discover a teenager who is more of a woman than ever.

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In response, furious critics have described the magazines coverage of the daughter of the former French president and Italian supermodel as shocking, saying: Shes only a girl.

Referring to the short films on TikTok, Madame Figaro wrote: Giulia films herself facing the camera, dressed in a black tank top, with straight hair, cheekbones and eyes subtly made up.

While conceding she is just 13 years old, it referenced her model looks and said they are an obvious nod to the legacy of her mother, a catwalk icon in the 1990s.

The offending phrase  We discover a teenager who is more of a woman than ever  which has since been removed by the magazine - X

Italian-born Ms Bruni, who turns 57 this month, was a model and fashion star before becoming first lady of France when she became Mr Sarkozys third wife in 2008.

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The report continued: One thing is for sure: Giulias attitude and charisma have not failed to make TikTok users react, many of whom have praised her appearance.

Madame Figaro referenced comments posted on social media about Giulia including Youre sublime, Star and Be a model.

But the coverage provoked anger among those who believe that Giulia is far too young to be made into a fashion celebrity on account of her famous parents.

Nathalie Loiseau, Frances former minister for European affairs and now an MEP, wrote on X: Madame Figaro, you are talking about a 13-year-old child.

This vocabulary is inappropriate. I would even say that it is irresponsible. Think before publishing such phrases.

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Erwan Le Morhedec, a Paris lawyer and essayist, was equally concerned, saying Shes a little girl and that her parents would be wise to take a look at her account.

And Hugo Baup, a leading psychiatrist in France, wrote: Presenting a 13-year-old girl as more of a woman than ever is shocking. Its embarrassing.

In the videos, Giulia mimes to songs by Maitre Gims (Master Gims)  the French-Congolese hip-hop star who was linked to the Paris rap collective, Sexion dAssaut (Assault Section), one that was accused of a number of prejudices, including sexism and homophobia.

In one video, Giulia mimes along to Zoum Zoum  a song about rappers persuading young girls to get into their limousines.

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Giulia sings: She asked me for a selfie, she was beautiful as an elf. The compliment is not free, go to the passenger side in the Merco Benza (slang for Mercedes-Benz).

Removed their online reference

Following multiple complaints, Madame Figaro removed their online reference to Giulia being more of a woman than ever, but it otherwise stood by its coverage.

Madame Figaro is part of Le Figaro  the conservative daily which has been a consistent supporter of Mr Sarkozy, who served one term as president, from 2007 until 2012.

Giulia was born in October 2011, and, when posting images of the child on her own social media accounts, Ms Bruni always used to cover her face with an emoji.

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This attempt to preserve Giulias anonymity has now ended, however, and her parents have given her permission to promote her activities, which also include horse-riding.

The scandal comes at a difficult time for the Sarkozys, as both are indicted criminal suspects facing prison.

Ms Bruni was allegedly part of a criminal conspiracy to whitewash her husband over allegations that he accepted millions in cash from Muammar Gaddafi, the late Libyan dictator.

Both deny any wrongdoing, while Mr Sarkozy has already been convicted in relation to other crimes.

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Russia's warships are no longer at its base in Tartus, Syria  a critical facility for Moscow.

Satellite imagery shows several warships docked there earlier this month, but they were gone by Monday.

The development has come after rebel forces ousted Bashar Assad, Syria's longtime dictator.

Russia's warships have been missing from its base in Syria in the days after rebel forces ousted the country's longtime dictator, Bashar Assad, satellite imagery obtained by Business Insider shows.

In imagery captured by Planet Labs PBC earlier this month, warships can be seen docked at the Russian naval facility in Tartus, a port city on the Mediterranean Sea. In a photo taken on Monday, however, the warfighting vessels are all gone.

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The vessels remained away from their berths as of Tuesday, according to a new satellite image taken by BlackSky.

The ongoing situation raises significant questions about the future of Russia's military presence in Syria. Moscow supported Assad in his ruthless civil war, which ended in stunning fashion over the weekend after rebel forces toppled his government in a rapid offensive.

It's unclear whether the Russian warships have left for good. A December 1 image shows several warships docked in Tartus, but two days later, they were no longer there. By Friday, some warships  including two surface combatants and a submarine  were back. But three days later, they were gone once again.

This image captured on December 1 shows several Russian warships docked at Tartus. Planet Labs PBC

By December 3, the warships were gone. Planet Labs PBC

Some of the warships were back in this Friday image. Planet Labs PBC

On Monday, they were gone again. Planet Labs PBC

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A separate image captured on Thursday by BlackSky, which provides space-based real-time intelligence, showed that the original six vessels docked at Tartus at the start of the month returned. This suggests Russia may have gradually moved its assets away from the port as Assad's government crumbled.

An intelligence analyst familiar with the satellite imagery said the five Russian surface vessels  three frigates and two replenishment oilers  and the lone submarine had left the base by Monday.

Additional Russian warships can be seen in this Thursday image. BlackSky

The Russian vessels were still missing from Tartus as of Tuesday, new imagery shows.

The Russian vessels remained missing from Tartus as of Tuesday. BlackSky

Russia's defense ministry hasn't confirmed any major force posture changes, but Ukraine's military intelligence agency said Monday that Moscow had withdrawn its warships from Tartus and was airlifting weaponry out of the nearby Hmeimim base.

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BI was unable to immediately verify reports on these Russian military developments.

Open-source intelligence accounts on social media noted the unusual naval activity, sharing images that suggested the Russian warships were loitering off the coast of Syria.

Tartus is Russia's main naval base overseas, and it provides the country with access to a warm-water port. Moscow meanwhile uses nearby Hmeimim to shuttle military forces in and out of Africa. Losing both of these facilities would be a major blow to the Russian military.

The Kremlin appears to be taking steps to ensure the security of its military facilities, but the details surrounding a new transition government are unclear. Russian state media reports say Syrian rebels now have full control of the province where its bases are.

The Russian missile ship, the Veliky Ustyug, sailing from Tartus in September 2019. AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko, File

When asked on Sunday about the fate of the Russian bases in Syria, a senior Biden administration official said they "can't speculate."

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"It's not lost on anybody that the Russians have now announced, I think, that they've taken Assad to Moscow," the US official said during a call with reporters. "So, we'll see what the Syrians, who have worked for decades to overthrow the yoke of the Assad regime, think about that when it comes to the Russian facilities."

Rebel forces led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham  an organization that traces its origins to Al Qaeda but has since split off from the terrorist group  launched a surprise offensive in northwest Syria in late November. The rebels quickly captured several key cities before taking control of Damascus Sunday, ending a bloody civil war that lasted more than 13 years.

For years, Assad relied on military support from Russia, as well as Iran and Lebanese Hezbollah, to maintain power. The White House is blaming his government's shocking collapse on the fact that these three actors have been "weakened and distracted" by their respective conflicts against Ukraine and Israel.

"Assad was effectively abandoned because his only friends  again, Iran, Hezbollah, and Russia  no longer had the capacity to help," the Biden administration official said.

December 10, 2024: This story was updated with additional satellite imagery and related information.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Action is needed at the EU level to strengthen the struggling steel industry, a spokesman for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Monday following a steel industry summit in Berlin.

Scholz hosted labour leaders and executives from Germany's steel industry to discuss possible efforts to prop up the sector, which for years has struggled against lower-cost competition from Asia and a fluctuating market.

The German government has urged the European Commission to keep important relief measures for the steel industry in place, and improve some of the supports, according to a statement from Scholz's chief spokesman, Steffen Hebestreit.

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Hebestreit said Scholz has called on the European Commission to act decisively when it comes to distortions of competition caused by dumping and market-distorting subsidies, and the EU must examine further trade protection measures for the steel sector.

Scholz also reiterated proposals from his minority government to offset high electricity prices for industrial producers by subsidizing fees that fund the expansion of Germany's power grid.

However, Scholz has lacked a majority in parliament since he fired ex-finance minister Christian Lindner, and enacting those proposals would require support from the opposition.

Early elections are expected to be held on February 23.

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A key lawmaker with the centre-right CDU/CSU opposition bloc, Julia Klockner, on Monday dismissed Scholz's proposals and the steel industry summit, describing it as a "summit for show" given Scholz's lack of majority.

The IG Metall trade union's Jurgen Kerner said that steel industry labour leaders highlighted the troubled state of Germany's steel industry during the gathering at the chancellery.

"Ten thousand employees have demonstrated in the past for the climate-neutral restructuring of the steel industry and now feel left alone," he said.

Capping of electricity grid fees, as proposed by the German government, is the right first step but shouldn't have to wait until after the election: "We need an internationally competitive electricity price now."
Kokomo School Board meets at 6 p.m. Monday in the Administrative Service Center, 1500 S. Washington St., Kokomo.

Up for approval are school calendars.

Peru School Board meets at 6:30 p.m. Monday at Peru Junior Senior High School, 410 N. Broadway St., Peru. This is both a change in date and location.

Eastern School Board meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at 221 W. Main St., Greentown.

Tipton School Board meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday in the Community Room, 817 S. Main St., Tipton. Meetings are also livedstreamed on the Tipton Community School Corporation YouTube page.

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The board is expected to appoint a new board member following the resignation of Amber Rodibaugh last month. Three people interviewed for the open seat Dec. 2

An update to next years school calendar is also expected as to align the districts fall and spring breaks with the other schools in the Kokomo Area Special Education Cooperative.

A work session at 5:30 p.m. precedes the meeting.

Taylor School Board meets at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday at 3750 E. 300 South, Kokomo. An agenda was not available Friday afternoon.

Northwestern School Board meets at 7 p.m. Thursday in the high school library, 3431 N. 400 West, Kokomo. An agenda had not been posted as of Friday afternoon.


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Could you live 54 million lifetimes by spending each minute in a simulated life?

Melvin Vopson makes scientific observations and measurements to support his theory.

He may be a good professor, and even scientist, but this work makes errors and wild claims.

One controversial scientist is doubling down on his theory that were living in a simulation, More recently, hes even started to say that he can also prove it, if you believe what you read elsewhere. Yes, it is controversialhis outsider theories take a lot of imagination to believe in, and his studies of interesting real phenomena are couched in circular fallacies about simulation theory. But in the abstract of his papers and his comments, hes also frank about the more speculative nature of his work. So, wheres the truth?

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A revitalized story on the Daily Mails MailOnline science section appeared late last week, running the math on a popular (in the online discourse sense) theory of Vopsonsthat time dilation seems possible in a simulation. According to this idea, in the same way that our dreams can feel days long but last only minutes in real life, an entire lifetime in a simulated universe could take just one minute in the real world. That means a person could become virtually immortal by stacking up these one-minute simulated lives across their entire human lifetime, leaving 52 million chained lifetimes behind.

The Daily Mail isnt a science publication, and its often steeped in controversy as a U.K. tabloid. So, its easy to try to discredit this story as exaggeration or clickbait. The thing is, Vopson says things like this in his own words in other places as well. He appears on podcasts for skeptics and those who say they question our assumptions, including at least one podcast where he talked about finding evidence for simulation theory in the Bible.

Vopson works at the University of Portsmouth along the southern coast of England. But he has also started his own physics institute, and he self published his 2023 book through that institute. The 2023 paper he released to coincide with that book was published in the open access mega journal AIP Advances, and picked up by The Conversation.

These mega journals can electronically publish thousands of articles per year without breaking a sweat, and their peer review standard is lower than at more selective and curated scholarly print journals. They contribute to the crisis of extreme publishing in academia, where people can publish ten or more papers in a single year.

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In his academic publishing, Vopson focuses on the amount of information he says we can quantify in our universe. His theory is that the way information is organized seems to violate the second law of thermodynamicsthe idea that everything in the world experiences rising entropy, meaning that the level of overall disorder is always increasing. This is essential to the times arrow that pushes events in our universe in a forward direction.

But Vopson believes that information experiences less entropy over time rather than more, and he says his work can prove that. Then, he concludes that this is a way in which we could verify that the data portion of our world is being simulated and organized. If its breaking physical laws, he postulates, it could be the smoking gun for a simulation.

The mega journals only check for basic scientific rigor, which means that Vopson cant say that he can make rain fall upward from the ground or something, but he can define his own terms and then draw conclusions based on what hes defined. His overall theory is not under scrutiny by a mega journal like the one in which he published.

And it shows in Vopsons circular reasoning. Hes cherrypicking one very specific measurement, with terms he has extrapolated like a dead-reckoning navigator, and counting it as evidence of his theory. And it doesnt even really make sense in his own context. Think about itsome higher intelligence that could manufacture the entire universe wouldnt be so foolish as to leave a giant footprint in the way they handled the data load for us to find.

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While Vopsons particular take on simulation theory is more public and far out than some others, hes not alone by any means. Googles Ngram service shows interest in simulation theory leaping in fits and starts (including a giant climb after the release of The Matrix). And while technology is enabling us to probe the universe more deeply and explore challenging ideas, its also anecdotally true that pop culture influences what people believe or even experience in psychiatric delusions.

Until the rise of under-informed and confused beliefs about things like artificial intelligence and technology accelerationism became mainstream, simulation theory was more of a thought exercise. If you could realize, somehow, that the universe was a simulation, could you violate physics and have superpowers? What does a simulated universe mean about the moral responsibility we have toward our fellow simulated people and the animals and plants of our world?

The thing is, somewhat outsider science ideas have long been able to eventually find more legitimate platforms. Historian Alfred Crosby, who died in 2018 at the age of 87, sought a non-academic publisher for his groundbreaking theory of the Columbian exchange, wherein biodiversity from Europe and America was mingled in a way that massively changed our world. Paleontologist and Ken Burns guest Stephen Jay Gould advanced a new (and now outmoded!) evolutionary theory in his book Wonderful Life, which was a bestseller and Pulitzer Prize nominee. Well formed work that passes muster in validity and logic can find a respectable home, even when theres no specific journal or publisher for them yet.

But the ideas of people like Vopsonwho may be totally sincere in his beliefs about simulation, the Bible, his information physics theories, and the rest of what he writes aboutare getting propped up and amplified by extremely wealthy people who have financial incentive to make people feel like they arent real, dont exist, or must question everything around them every day. There is profit to be made in curating a loss of public trust in institutions, which are then deregulated, destroyed, and replaced with cheaper and less regulated private versions. If you can convince people that they may be living just one of 54 million lifetimes, or that something about this life is an experiment to improve the programming, you can devalue their lived experiences and human rights.

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Vopson seems to be, in his work, trying to combine the spiritual ideas of a creator, everlasting life, and unfathomable higher intelligence into something he can try to prove. And hes not alone in that, either. Science and philosophy both originated in peoples bewilderment at the world around them, and the seeming cruelty of random events or mysterious illnesses. Vopson has updated intelligent design theory by adding more journal articles to the pile, and he even combs through the Bible looking for language that can be interpreted to support him.

By following ideas like Vopsons brand of simulation theorywhich hold very little logical water on close inspectionmany grand, existential questions are conveniently pushed into a black box of mysteries. Because we dont know the physics and other qualities of the reality where the intelligence is theoretically running our program, the laws of our world cant ever be studied or proven.

Asking questions is the core of science, and propping up ideas that encourage those questions to be left unanswered might not be intentionally malicious, but it also isnt particularly scientific.

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A scientific study of a tropical virus has revealed some surprising results, with researchers warning that a variant might be on the move.

What's happening?

Cornell University's College of Veterinary Medicine set out to study the Oropouche virus in the Brazilian Amazon region, which is spread by midges and mosquitoes. While this typically impacts animal populations, including birds, monkeys, and sloths, cases have also been reported in humans.

The disease brings similar symptoms to other vector-borne illnesses like dengue or Zika, including fever, severe headaches, and muscle and joint pain. Because of this, Oropouche can be misdiagnosed, which means it may have spread more widely than assumed. Cornell said that there have been 100,000 cases since the 1960s.

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The University's September study, published in Nature Medicine, saw researchers track a variant of the virus that is spread by both insect and human vectors, with cases now seen beyond the Amazon River, where it has typically been contained.

"In 2023-24, we started to see the pathogen spread in other areas in Brazil," said Ana Bento, co-author of the study and assistant professor in the Department of Public and Ecosystem Health in the College of Veterinary Medicine. "We also started to see a higher magnitude of cases, from a few hundred to a few thousand."

Some 6,000 cases were reported in the 2023-24 season, representing a record high this century. And among the cases, a never-before-seen variant was reported.

Why is the spread of Oropouche concerning?

Travel has been established as one reason for the virus's spread, with infected people bringing Oropouche to previously unaffected destinations. Mosquitoes then help to spread the virus after biting hosts.

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Another factor is a warming planet. Longer-lasting high temperatures are increasing the typical mosquito-breeding window and extending it to new places. This can encourage the spread of Oropouche for a greater length of time and to new locations that typically aren't favorable for mosquito reproduction.

Bento said, "It's a worrying trend that these diseases are more spread out," adding that these pathogens could soon make it as far as "Southern states in the U.S."

Do you worry about getting diseases from bug bites?

Click your choice to see results and speak your mind

What can be done to slow the spread of Oropouche?

Understanding possible symptoms is important to reduce the risks of spreading the virus to others. In addition, wearing clothes that cover the skin when out and about can minimize the risk of a mosquito bite, which is important for both avoiding the virus and preventing its transmission.

But with rising global temperatures also a factor in the virus's ability to spread to new regions, reducing our production of planet-warming pollution is also important  wherever we are.

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To do so, you can try to limit your consumption of single-use plastics, eat more plant-based meals, and use gas-guzzling transportation less, among other positive actions.

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.




The leader of Scotlands Labour council, Cammy Day, has been accused of sending sexually explicit messages to Ukrainian refugees.

Source: Telegraph and BBC, citing Daily Record

Details: Police are investigating Cammy Day over allegations of inappropriate behavior. He allegedly sent messages to refugees, asking about their sexual preferences.

Ukrainian refugees also reported that the politician invited them on dates, complimented them and sent heart and kiss emojis.

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In 2022, Cammy Day chaired Edinburgh City Council. Since then, the politician, 50, has been considered one of the most influential Labour figures in Scotland.

He was a vocal supporter of aiding Ukrainian refugees who settled in Edinburgh after Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

However, Ukrainian refugees have complained about numerous messages from the politician on various social media platforms and dating websites. They said he actively invited women out for drinks.

Quote from one refugee: "When Cammy Day first messaged me on several social media platforms, I was surprised that someone holding such a high position was interested in me. I had seen him a few times at pro-Ukrainian events. He found me and followed me on social media, liking my stories intensively and sending kiss emojis, especially when I posted photos from the gym or swimming pool."

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Another woman shared that she tried to remain polite and avoided discussing sexual topics.

Quote from another refugee: "Several of my friends faced similar situations when he messaged them on social media and in a dating app. One of my Ukrainian friends said this man showed sexual interest for a while, but I dont know what exactly happened or why he focused on Ukrainians."

Tabloids write that Ukrainian women had contacted the police about the offensive messages, but officers initially did not find anything criminal.

On 22 October 2024, however, a formal complaint about the politicians inappropriate behavior was filed with the police, prompting an investigation.

Currently, law enforcement is reviewing messages sent over the past 18 months and interviewing Cammy Days colleagues and other senior officials.

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SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  The Sioux City Police Department is warning residents of porch pirates as the holiday season sweeps into town, as well as trying to identify an individual caught on camera stealing packages over the weekend.

Community Policing Sergeant Tom Gill states that the SCPD is looking for the publics help in identifying a person who was spotted during the overnight hours of Saturday into Sunday on the north side of Sioux City.

Stanton Co. Sheriff states 2 men fortunate to be alive after crash

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View the footage shared with KCAU in the video player above.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the SCPD at 712-279-6440 or Crimestoppers at 712-258-8477 (TIPS).

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Throughout her four years at Pike High School, Brandi Molina-Menjivar struggled with social anxiety. After starting as a freshman in the fall of 2020, Molina-Menjivar confined herself to a small bubble of friends and familiar faces.

Then, partway through her senior year, Molina-Menjivar took a bold step. She applied for a spring internship with the DirectEmployers Institute, an Indianapolis nonprofit founded in 2014 to connect disadvantaged students with careers in science, technology, engineering and math. The position entailed organizing the institute's flagship STEM YES! summer camp, which brings middle and high school students together for two-week sessions to build robots, develop business plans and learn about various STEM jobs.

The paid internships typically go to college students, institute founder Simone Murray told IndyStar, but she was impressed by Molina-Menjivar's story and offered her the job. The youngest of four children whose parents migrated to Indianapolis from El Salvador shortly before she was born, Molina-Menjivar said she's the first of her siblings to graduate high school.

Program Manager Brandi Molina-Menjivar poses for a photo Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, at the DirectEmployers Institute (DEI) office in Indianapolis. DEI is an organization that helps underrepresented students experience STEM professions with Indiana employers. Molina-Menjivar started as an intern in March and now works part-time with the organization.

Molina-Menjivar's role included recruiting camp participants, so she gave informational speeches to her Pike High School peers this spring. The presentations taught her how to carry herself with confidence, she said.

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That experience helped her to secure a summer internship with the organization and stay poised while working alongside older college interns.

After her internships, Molina-Menjivar accepted a part-time role as program manager with the nonprofit. She said she plans to work there until next summer, while she uses this year as a gap year to decide whether and where to attend college.

"Lots of students now, they dont really talk to each other or interact with each other unless they are asked to ...," she told IndyStar in a recent interview at the DirectEmployers Institute's offices. "I was also in that category where I really didnt want to talk to anyone, let alone work with someone, unless I was already comfortable with them."

I want to help other students overcome similar struggles to what I had to go through, she added.

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The camp participants focus on STEM education, Murray said, and interns like Molina-Menjivar help show young students the benefits of breaking out of their social shells. The program aims to teach campers not just new technical skills from the institute's job-shadowing and training programs, but also the confidence to say yes to opportunities.

It's identifying the skills that you don't know that you have," Murray said, "and then it's giving you the confidence to think outside of what you thought you wanted or what your parents wanted."

Program Manager Brandi Molina-Menjivar works Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024, at the DirectEmployers Institute (DEI) office in Indianapolis. DEI is an organization that helps underrepresented students experience STEM professions with Indiana employers. Molina-Menjivar started as an intern in March and now works part-time with the organization.

What is the organization's mission?

DirectEmployers Institute is a nonprofit that gives middle and high school students, particularly those who lack exposure to high-paying jobs because of their socioeconomic status or their disabilities, the chance to explore STEM careers with Indiana employers through job-shadowing and internship programs.

How many people does it serve?

In 2024, the DirectEmployers Institute served more than 500 students.

What is the organization's No. 1 need?

The institute's top priority is to raise more money so it can reach more students. For instance, although 150 students took part in this year's STEM summer camp, an equal number were on the waitlist, Murray said.

How can people get involved?

Anyone can donate money and business leaders can support the DirectEmployers Institute by offering job-shadowing opportunities, hosting field trips and sending guest speakers to educate students. For more information, email Murray at simone@directemployersinstitute.org.

About DirectEmployers Institute

Address: 9100 Purdue Road, Suite 400, Raybourn Group International, Indianapolis, IN 46268

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Phone number: 317-388-5362

Website: https://directemployersinstitute.org/

How to help through Season for Sharing

The mission of IndyStar's annual Season for Sharing campaign is to harness the power of local journalism and you to make a difference in the lives of Central Indiana youth.

This year, Season for Sharing is joining the Summer Youth Program Fund, a partnership of Indianapolis funders that supports high-quality programs serving more than 80,000 Marion County youth each year. Your gift to Season for Sharing makes it possible for kids to hike, play sports, act, sing, paint, grow food, perform experiments, build robots, solve problems, explore the city, do service projects, gain job skills and earn money during their time out of school.

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Last year, the Summer Youth Program Fund was able to provide only 55 cents for every dollar requested. Your generosity makes a big difference in the lives of young people in our community.

To contribute, visit indystar.com/ocdonate or mail a check to: Central Indiana Community Foundation, Attn: Season for Sharing, 615 N. Alabama St. Suite 300, Indianapolis, IN 46204.

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This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Season for Sharing: Indianapolis STEM camp for underserved students
NEW YORK, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- For decades, there's been a clear king of efficiency and environmental friendliness among U.S. cars: the sedan, but the reigning champion has been dethroned, and the cleanest car category in the United States is now the compact SUV, The Washington Post on Monday cited the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

"The reason for this sudden shake-up is the rapid rise of small, electric SUVs," noted the report. More than a third of new compact SUVs sold in the United States are now electric, compared with 15 percent of sedans. These electric SUVs offer American drivers the extra space they want while creating less air pollution and greenhouse emissions than gas-powered sedans.

Experts say small, electric SUVs could be the key to cleaning up the roads while keeping American car buyers happy. "This segment of SUVs is where the demand -- what people want -- and the efficiency of vehicles meet," said Gil Tal, who heads the Electric Vehicle Research Center at the University of California at Davis.

Last year, smaller SUVs, which go by the name "car SUVs" in EPA jargon, emitted less carbon pollution per mile than the average sedan for the first time since government records began in 1975, it added. 
YOKOSUKA (WAVY)  Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin went onboard USS George Washington right after its deployment to Japan. This comes within just a few weeks after two sailors died shortly after the ship arrived in Yokosuka.

Two USS George Washington sailors die shortly after arrival in Japan

Addressing the thousands of crew members on board, Austin expressed how critical their presence is on this part of the earth.

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When America wants to send the message that it cares, it sends typically sends a US Navy Vessel, Austin said. When America wants to send the message that it really cares, it sends a carrier. A carrier battle group.

Taking some time to chat with the press, Austin answered questions about the situation in Syria.

ISIS could try to take advantage of this opportunity and regain capability, Austin said. Weve been tracking ISIS as a part of our defeat ISIS campaign for some time as you know. Weve seen some cells try to strengthen and develop additional capability out in the Bidiya Desert.

He also touched on the investment our forces are making in neighboring countries when asked by reporters about China potentially taking future action in Taiwan.

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We will continue to help Taiwan attain the capability that it needs to defend itself, Austin said. Thats been our word throughout.

Austin said there is a lot of speculation about Chinese President Xi Jinping. In his words, he does not think an attack in Taiwan is imminent or unavoidable.

USS George Washington spent six years in Hampton Roads for maintenance before being sent to Yokosuka.

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Diego Morales, left, goes through the line at a staff Thanksgiving meal costing $3,000. (Photo from office X account)

Included in the Indiana secretary of states new budget requests are hundreds of thousands of extra dollars for IT-related needs and expansions. But recent vendor contracts awarded by the agency show millions have already been quietly spent on those services, absent any competitive bidding to find the most cost-effective providers for the projects.

The contracts  provided to the Indiana Capital Chronicle upon request  are not visible in the states transparency portal, where agreements entered into by state agencies are typically housed and made public.

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Agreements with one Indianapolis-based IT company, CleanSlate Technology Group, amounted to more than $2.3 million for services provided between March 2023 and July 2024.

Online application support and development services are also being contracted out to MTX Group, a Texas-based technology consulting firm. Since the 2025 fiscal year began on July 1, the state agency has paid MTX more than $1.7 million for contractual services. By agreement, the vendor could receive upwards of $1.8 million for work completed before Dec. 31.

The contract is the third-largest currently on file with the agency, according to state finance records.

None of the contract work was obtained via requests for proposals, or RFPs, meaning both companies were awarded contracts without having to go through the competitive bid process that is normally required by state law.

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Around the time contracts were initially signed, top brass at both CleanSlate Technology and MTX made donations  totaling tens of thousands of dollars  to Secretary of State Diego Morales reelection campaign.

Lindsey Eaton, an office spokesperson, defended the contracts in a written statement to the Capital Chronicle.

Pursuant to Indiana Code 5-22-6-1, time considerations, and critical business applications where choice of a lowest cost bidder would be questionable, the agency opted to pursue vendors with strong track records, and commercially competitive proposals in lieu of public bidding, Eaton said.

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Its not the first time Morales has faced scrutiny for his offices spending.

Last year, the Capital Chronicle reported that Morales had given a spot bonus to nearly every employee in his office  including a family member and his former campaign manager  for a total of more than $308,000.

The secretary of state was additionally criticized in the months after he took office when it was revealed that he created a new agency position  with a six-figure salary  for his brother-in-law.

Contracts and campaign dollars

The first contract with CleanSlate for a range of IT services was signed March 16, 2023, and included $66,000 in compensation. The vendors work started on March 21 of that year and was originally set to expire Dec. 31.

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On Nov. 11, 2023, the agreement was extended to June 30, 2024. The amended contract came with an extra $1,519,998.

Several weeks later, on Dec. 30, CleanSlate made a $10,000 donation to the Diego for Indiana election committee, according to the Indiana Election Division. It was the first time the company donated to Morales or any other Hoosier political candidate.

Then, on March 27, 2024, CleanSlate made a second donation, in the amount of $19,000, to Morales election committee. Another such contribution of $30,000 was made to the committee on June 24. The business has not made donations to any other Indiana candidate, according to campaign finance records.

Morales, elected in 2022, was not up for reelection in 2023 or 2024.

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Within that same timeframe, CleanSlates contract was extended again, on April 30, 2024, for as-needed services. Additional payouts were capped at $759,999.99  for a total contractual payout of no more than $2,342,997. Services were supposed to end on July 31 of this year.

A second, separate contract  for ongoing maintenance of INBiz applications  was awarded to CleanSlate on April 28, 2023, for $270,000. Related work under that contract started on May 1, 2023, and was initially set to end three months later on July 31.

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The contract was extended on June 15, 2023, however, for another $270,000. It expired last year on Oct. 31, per the contracts terms.

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According to the state transparency portal, the secretary of states office paid CleanSlate approximately $422,000 in Fiscal Year 2023, $2.5 million in Fiscal Year 2024, and $393,000 in the current 2025 fiscal year. Public records do not show any other state contracts with CleanSlate.

Additionally, a contract with MTX Group was signed on May 23, 2024 for as-needed IT services provided to the secretary of states auto dealer and business services divisions through the end of the calendar year. Total compensation for that work can total up to $1,842,300, according to the contract. The company has nearly reached that cap as of Dec. 7, expenditure records show.

Not long after the contract was finalized, MTX founder Das Nobel, of Texas, donated $80,000 to Morales campaign coffers, according to campaign finance records. That included a $50,000 contribution on June 30.

Sizable donations from Nobel during the 2024 election cycle were also made to campaigns for Mike Braun, now the governor-elect, and Attorney General Todd Rokita. Both Republicans were on the ballot in November.

Increased budget asks

Ahead of the General Assemblys upcoming budget-setting legislative session, the secretary of state is seeking additional funding increases, which the agency said is especially needed for increased staffing, carrying out election duties, and modernizing online services.

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The agency is seeking roughly $24.5 million per year for fiscal years 2026 and 2027  up about 10% from the amount appropriated for fiscal year 2025 of $22.3 million.

Eaton said the discontinued availability of federal CARES Act funding after 2023 to support election administration has largely increased the need for more state dollars.

Morales was not present at a November presentation before the state budget committee, but representatives from his office outlined various appropriation requests for the next biennium, including:

$7 million for statutorily mandated election administration duties and programs

$1.8 million for staffing costs, including increased cost of employer paid benefits, increased cost of office business administration, and additional staff positions for the offices business services, election administration, and securities registration and enforcement divisions

$1.1 million for election division expenses and duties

$750,000 for line-item funding for the securities divisions investor education and financial literacy programs

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Ongoing salaries for multiple home-based, regional staff, are also wrapped into the agencys budget requests.

The office said it currently employs 18 such employees, consisting of field examiners, investigators, educators, and outreach staff.

Eaton said those individuals perform essential agency duties throughout the state pertaining to automobile manufacturing, distributing, marketing and salvage, auto dealer registration, licensing and enforcement, administration of temporary auto plates and registrations, business registration and development services, election administration, voter education and outreach, securities registration, licensing, and enforcement, financial literacy, and investor education programming.

The secretary of states budget does not make clear how much the home-based employees salaries tally in total, however. Eaton emphasized that the agencys preliminary asks for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 do not contain requests specific to home-based, regional staff, or for expansion of the agencys executive office staffing or functions.

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One of the regional employees is also a city councilman in northern Indiana, and the salary is $55,000.

The budget asks also come on the heels of a nearly $3,000 Thanksgiving luncheon hosted by the secretary of state in November for agency staff.

The office indicated that the meal was meant to celebrate Thanksgiving, successful administration of the 2024 General Election, and recognize staff accomplishments. Approximately 95 staff, interns and on-site contractors were invited.

Still, Morales office emphasized that  as a result of operational efficiencies  the agencys general fund spending is currently 6.7% under budget, equal to a roughly $400,000 projected surplus for Fiscal Year 2025.

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A security breach at a Massachusetts hospital may have exposed the data of hundreds of thousands of patients, officials warned.

In an online notice announcing the data breach, Newburyports Anna Jaques Hospital said the impacted information varies per individual, but includes demographic information, medical information, health insurance information, Social Security numbers, drivers license numbers, financial information, and other personal or health information provided to the healthcare facility.

Anna Jaques, which is part of Beth Israel Lahey Health, said it learned that some of its systems were affected by the breach on Christmas 2023.

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Following a lengthy forensic investigation and manual document review, Anna Jaques on Friday notified individuals whose information may have been impacted as a result of the incident.

While the hospital noted that it has no indication that there has been any fraud as a result of the security incident, patients and employees are urged to monitor their financial accounts.

Anna Jaques reminds its employees and patients to remain vigilant in reviewing financial account statements on a regular basis for any fraudulent activity, the notice stated. Anna Jaques also recommends that its patients review the explanation of benefits statements that they receive from their health insurance providers and follow up on any items not recognized.

Edelson Lechtzin LLP, a law firm investigating claims regarding data privacy violations by Anna Jaques, said in a news release that up to 316,342 individuals may have been affected.

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Anna Jaques serves the Merrimack Valley, North Shore, and Southern New Hampshire areas.

Anna Jaques said it is taking measures to augment its existing cybersecurity.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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A judge ruled Friday that a security contractor can seek punitive damages against CNN over a November 2021 report about war profiteers who charged Afghans who were trying to leave their country after the U.S. military withdrawal.

The contractor, Zachary Young, said CNN destroyed his business by including him in a segment by chief national security correspondent Alex Marquardt, which focused on how Afghans were being charged high prices by evacuation services.

The report used the term black market in an on-screen graphic and in a spoken introduction. Young, the only person mentioned by name in the segment, said the report gave the false impression that he was involved in illegal activity and exploited "desperate Afghans."

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Florida Judge William S. Henry had previously ruled that Young's actions did not violate any laws and that he never took any money directly from Afghans. Young's company sought corporate sponsors to pay for assistance in leaving Afghanistan.

"Sufficient evidence exists upon which a reasonable jury could find with convincing clarity that Defendant acted with actual malice," Henry wrote in his ruling.

If the case goes to trial, a jury will be asked to determine whether CNN journalists acted with actual malice, defined as the publication of false information with reckless disregard of the truth.

Read more: CNN facing defamation trial over report on company that charged fees to Afghanistan evacuees

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A CNN representative declined to comment on the case.

Marquardt's story, which first aired on "The Lead With Jake Tapper," reported that "Afghans trying to get out of the country face a black market full of promises, demands of exorbitant fees, and no guarantee of safety or success."

CNN removed the term "black market" from the web version of the report after Young complained, and the network issued an on-air apology on March 25, 2022, clarifying that he was not involved in illegal activity. But Young said the network fell short of a full retraction of the story.

A two-week jury trial has been scheduled for Jan. 6. If it goes forward, CNNs journalists and producers will have to give public testimony on the internal workings in the news organization, some of it potentially embarrassing.

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Evidence in the case includes text messages from CNN journalists describing Young as a sbag and a. There was also a text that said, we gonna nail this Young mf.

There are also emails from editors raising questions as to whether the story was ready to air. (The segment got approved after going through the networks vetting process.)

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
DISCOVERY BAY, Calif. (KRON)  A minor is facing vehicular manslaughter charges after driving a car through a security shack in front of a Discovery Bay gated community on Friday night. The crash killed one guard and critically injured another.

The security guard was identified as 62-year-old Rene Bucaro of Oakley, according to the Contra Costa County Coroners Office.

The California Highway Patrol responded to the fatal crash just minutes before midnight. The preliminary investigation showed a juvenile was traveling eastbound on Balfour Road near Bixler Road before leaving the roadway, driving over a raised divider island and colliding with the security building at The Lakes that was occupied by two guards.

(KRON4)

One guard sustained fatal injuries in the crash and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The second guard was rushed to a local hospital with severe injuries, CHP said.

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Pedestrian severely injured in Rohnert Park vehicle collision

The minor who was driving the vehicle suffered minor injuries and was later arrested for vehicular manslaughter. According to authorities, alcohol or drugs were not factors in the crash. Anyone with information is asked to contact the CHP Contra Costa Area office at (925)-646-4980

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
As the timeline surrounding the murder of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson becomes more clear, local companies are thinking twice.

The face of the matter is, he should have never been alone being in the business that he was, said Hill Martin. He should have never been alone.

Martin works for Hawque Protection Group, a leader in Atlantas security industry, providing guards for people who work in businesses across the board.

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Executives, athletes, politicians, said Martin.

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Thompson was in New York City for an investor conference at the Hilton Midtown December Fourth. Police said he walked along from his hotel across the street just before 6:45 am when the shooter ambushed him.

Before running, the suspect tossed out bullets with the words delay, deny, depose written on them, a phrase insurance industry critics use mockingly.

Weve definitely seen an influx of calls since this transpired, said Matin.

He said insurance and pharmaceutical companies have reached out to find out what services are available for employees in leadership positions, or C-Suite roles like Chief Executive Officers.

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Up until this point, its been a lot of political parties, politicians, said Martin. Whereas now, youre seeing larger companies and even medium-sized companies realizing their c-suite needs protection not only at the office but when theyre out and about every day.

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(Reuters) - A seismic event sparked a fire and halted operations at the Alardinskaya mine in southwestern Siberia, Russian officials and news agencies said on Monday.

Russia's ministry of emergency services said that 120 miners have been evacuated from the mine in Russia's vast coal region, the Kuznetsk Basin known as Kuzbass, with two of them requiring medical assistance.

Russia's RIA and TASS state news agencies reported, citing regional prosecutor's office, that a seismic event had likely sparked the fire, which has yet to be contained.

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The Alardinskaya mine is part of the Raspadskaya coal mine, and has production capacity of 3 million metric tons of coal per year, RIA agency reported.

The Interfax news agency reported, citing a Raspadskaya representative, that operations have been suspended at the mine.

(Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Michael Perry)
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV)  The federal financial incentives that will make Microns promised project in the Town of Clay a reality will be finalized this week, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer told NewsChannel 9.

In a statement, Schumer said, Micron is on the finish line for the CHIPS deal and I expect the final agreement to be signed as soon as this week. This will lock in the funding for Central New York and Idaho.

In April, President Joe Biden visited Downtown Syracuse to announce the preliminary terms of the deal, which includes $6.14 billion in funding from the CHIPS and Science Act.

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The finalized dollar amount will be part of the pending deal.

Most of that money will apply to Microns first two of four promised fabs in the Town of Clay. The total project is promised to be worth $100 billion and bring 50,000 jobs to Central New York.

Some of the funding will go towards Microns expansion of its world headquarters in Boise, Idaho.

Pressure to finalize the deal has increased since Election Day when President-Elect Donald Trump has made comments that threaten the CHIPS program.

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Junior enlisted troops are poised to see a massive increase in base pay next year. Senior enlisted service members could be next in line.

Even as they were putting the finishing touches on service member quality of life reforms in this years defense authorization bill, lawmakers were already looking ahead at the next steps for improving pay and benefits for troops.

At the Reagan National Defense Forum this weekend, Virginia Republican Rep. Rob Wittman  a senior member of the House Armed Services Committee  told Military Times that leaders on the panel have already begun discussion on boosting pay for senior enlisted troops in an effort to help with recruiting and retention challenges in the ranks.

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The authorization bill, which sets plans for $850 billion in Defense Department spending for fiscal 2025, is expected to be voted on by the full House this week. It includes a 4.5% pay raise for all service members in 2025 but an additional 10% pay boost for troops rank E-1 through E-4.

Congress to boost junior enlisted pay by thousands of dollars in 2025

If approved, it will mean between $3,000 and $6,000 more annually for those individuals, and bring nearly every junior service members base pay above $30,000 annually. Improving pay for junior enlisted had been a major priority of House lawmakers this year, and Wittman said he is pleased with the final compromise.

This [authorization bill] is for E-1 through E-4, so the next effort has to be from E-5 to E-9, Wittman said. I think the officer corps is in fairly good shape, too, because there was an overall salary increase in the bill. ... The next step well have to take is for senior enlisted. There are folks that are committed to doing that next year.

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Wittman would not speculate on what a pay bump for senior enlisted troops would look like, or if it would approach the extra 10% boost given to the younger troops. But he said Republican leaders on both his committee and the House Appropriations Committee are focused on the idea.

The nearly 1 million enlisted personnel currently serving in the armed forces are roughly evenly split between the junior enlisted and senior enlisted ranks. A pay raise of 10% for the more senior troops would cost more than the same raise for younger troops, because of the larger base pay service members with more experience receive.

According to estimates released by the Congressional Budget Office earlier this summer, the 14.5% pay raise for all junior enlisted troops is expected to cost around $10 billion over three years. Updated estimates are expected to be released in coming days.

Getting the junior enlisted pay raise in the final compromise authorization bill took a year of negotiations between House and Senate leaders. Whether a senior enlisted pay raise could survive the same gantlet is unclear.

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House Armed Services Committee ranking member Adam Smith, D-Wash., told Military Times he is skeptical about another large targeted pay boost in 2026.

I think its just wildly speculative at this point, he said. If youve got a new administration that wants to cut $2 trillion out of a $6.5 trillion budget and defense is 13% of that, thats a bit of a math problem. That math is not going to add up.

The 4.5% pay raise for all troops next year is below the 5.2% boost military families saw at the start of 2024, but marks the third consecutive year of salary hikes over 4%.
A serious overnight crash is under investigation in Billerica.

The crash happened on the northbound side of Route 3 near Treble Cove Road.

Boston 25 was on the scene shortly after the crash happened around 1 a.m. and saw a sedan on the other side of the guardrail.

First responders were seen rushing to the scene and we know that one person was seriously hurt.

The highway going north was shutdown for a brief time to allow crews to investigate.

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Boston 25 has reached out to Massachusetts State Police for more information.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemns the continued gang violence and loss of life in Haiti and calls for a thorough investigation, his spokesperson said on Monday.

Guterres strongly condemns the continued gang violence and loss of life in Haiti, where an armed gang is reported to have killed at least 184 people, including 127 elderly men and women, between Dec. 6 and 8 in Cite Soleil, Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN chief, said in a statement.

The secretary-general expresses his deepest sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims of this horrific act, the statement said.

He calls on the Haitian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that perpetrators of these and all other human rights abuses and violations are brought to justice, it said.

Guterres reiterates his pressing call to member states to provide the Multinational Security Support mission the financial and logistical support required to successfully assist the Haitian National Police in addressing gang violence. He also calls on all Haitian stakeholders to accelerate progress in the political transition, the statement said. 
The closed Peter Pan Seafood plant in King Cove in July. The seafood plant there that was formerly operated by Peter Pan Seafood Co. and a Valdez plant formerly operated by the company were the subjects of a Clean Water Act settlement concerning improper handling of fish-processing waste. (Photo by Marc Lester/Anchorage Daily News)

The company that operated the sprawling but shuttered fish processing plant in King Cove must do annual seafloor surveys to check for impacts of waste deposits there and take other corrective actions to protect the marine environment, under civil settlement signed earlier in the year.

The requirement for corrective steps at King Cove is one of the terms of a $750,000 settlement for environmental violations that Peter Pan Seafood Co.s successor, PSF Inc., paid earlier in the year, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said.

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The settlement was announced this week by the EPAs Seattle-based regional office. Terms are detailed in a consent decree.

The case concerns the discharge of fish waste at both the Peter Pan King Cove plant and the companys Valdez plant, which was acquired earlier this year by Silver Bay Seafoods.

At King Cove, the company was using a broken outfall pipe to send fish waste into receiving waters, the EPA said. The company also replaced that pipe, without getting clearance from state environmental regulators, and was discharging waste at an incorrect depth, among other violations, according to the EPA.

At Valdez, the plant had an outfall that was too shallow, and its fish-waste discharges covered an area much larger than the allowed one-acre zone of deposit, according to the complaint in the case, which was filed in May in U.S. District Court in Anchorage.

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The practices violated the Clean Water Act and date back to 2017 at both plants, according to the complaint.

Corrective actions at King Cove are to be undertaken every year within two months of the processing seasons end until the termination of the consent decree, according to the documents wording. The consent decree assigns that duty to Peter Pan, but in its Dec. 5 announcement, the EPA said the responsibility will fall to the companys successor.

Whether the plant will be operating in any future processing seasons is unclear.

Peter Pan announced last January that it was closing the King Cove plant indefinitely. The plant had operated in the community for about a century, and it was key to both the local economy and the source of most of the local tax revenues. The closure has thrown King Cove, a community of about 800 people, into turmoil.

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The company itself is no longer operating in Alaska and in April, it was put into receivership, a status similar to bankruptcy. Since then, disposition of its assets has stirred controversy among Alaska Peninsula fishers and residents.

Corrective actions are also required at the Valdez plant, under the consent decrees terms. Silver Bay Seafoods, as the new owner, has pledged to carry out those actions, which include better controls of waste sources, monitoring of the seafood waste pile and other tasks.
SIOUX FALLS S.D. (KELO)  Police continue to investigate what happened with shots fired inside the Empire Mall Friday night.

Surveillance video pointed police to a suspect who was then arrested Saturday morning  18-year-old Jaden Bingham, who is charged with aggravated assault.

1 arrested in Empire Mall shooting incident

Lt. Aaron Nyberg said detectives believe two people potentially fired guns at the scene. Detectives recovered three guns from the suspect involved and Nyberg pointed out South Dakota law doesnt require guns to be registered.

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This case is still ongoing, detectives are working to try and identified everyone that was involved at the mall, Nyberg said, adding there were no injuries in the shooting.

Police did not share where the shots were fired but said there were not bullet holes in the ceiling of the mall.

Nyberg said there may be gang affiliation involved in the incident. SFPD received more than 40 calls to the Empire Mall related to the incident.

SFPD Chief Jon Thum said one officer commented about how Friday night into Saturday morning was the busiest 24 hours of his career. Police responded to a deadly stabbing in a home Saturday morning where a 30-year-old was arrested for murder.

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Thum stressed mall shoppers were not the target during the shooting at the mall and the case is two groups of people upset with each other. He said people should look at becoming mentors for young people to help kids from embracing a bad lifestyles.

They are no strangers to us, Thum said. There are chances to make interventions. It often comes in investing in grade schoolers and middle schoolers before we get to this point where this is the outcome.

Thum said many of the core schools are seeing a decrease in mentorship involvement.

Not a silver bullet, but we better get engaged within that field, Thum said. Take this event and find a sense of action within that about what you can do within your community to intervene.

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BERLIN  The shallow waters of the Baltic Sea have become a secondary arena of confrontation in the larger standoff between the East and the West. Fears of hybrid warfare, coupled with key vulnerabilities on both sides, make this narrow stretch of water one of the key areas to watch as hybrid warfare activities expand and NATO bolsters its eastern flank.

Recent events show just how seriously both sides are taking the challenge.

When two undersea cables were severed in mid-November  one connecting Germany to Finland, and one Lithuania to a Swedish island  Germanys defense minister was quick to announce that no one believes that these cables were cut accidentally, hammering the point home by adding that we have to assume  it is sabotage.

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Soon after the cables were cut, armed vessels from several Baltic Sea states, including Denmark, Sweden and Germany, approached a Chinese ship that they suspected of having been responsible for the rupture, the Yi Peng 3, making its way toward the Atlantic. Visible damage on the ships anchor and hull, seen by journalists from a Danish state broadcaster, suggested it may have dragged its anchor across the sea floor in an effort to cause damage.

NATO draws up plans for its own fleet of naval surveillance drones

Satellite-based ship tracking data implies a tense standoff with the ship stopped just a short distance outside of Danish territorial waters and being watched over by armed European vessels. A Russian warship was keeping nearby, spotted on satellite imagery. The ships owner, China-based Ningbo Yipeng Shipping, told the Financial Times that the government has asked the company to cooperate with the investigation.

It wasnt the first time that undersea infrastructure in the Baltic Sea mysteriously and violently disconnected. It wasnt even the first time that a Chinese cargo ship had dragged its anchor across a cable connecting two NATO states and caused considerable damage in doing so. In October 2023, the Newnew Polar Bear damaged a gas pipeline and data cables in the same manner.

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And in September 2022, months after the start of Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine, the Nord Stream gas pipelines connecting Russia to Germany exploded, leaving a gaping hole and taking them out of commission. While much blame was initially heaped on Russia, the Kremlin has denied any wrongdoing, and additional evidence has emerged since that complicates the picture. A perpetrator has not been publicly identified, although German authorities have issued an arrest warrant for a Ukrainian man in connection with the incident.

So, what is going on in the Baltic Sea, and why is it suddenly so important?

A NATO lake?

With the recent accession of Finland and Sweden  two previously longtime neutral states  to NATO, many Western observers triumphantly declared the 386,000 square kilometer sea a NATO lake. Russia, whose empire once controlled roughly half the coastline here, now holds on to only about 700 kilometers around Saint Petersburg and its Kaliningrad exclave wedged between Lithuania and Poland. Both are incredibly valuable to Moscow: Kaliningrad is heavily militarized and serves as the headquarters of the Baltic fleet, while Saint Petersburg is one of the regions most important financial centers and plays a major role in Russian foreign trade.

Kaliningrad is also Russias only year-round ice-free port in the Baltic. And the territorys forward position much closer to Western Europe makes it prime real estate for stationing bombers and missiles, according to Moscows calculus.

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For Russia, as for the other states sharing the Baltic coastline, the sea and its narrow connection to the open Atlantic through the Danish Straits is a crucial link to global trade and commerce. Things get crowded there: Around 2,000 ships are in the Baltic at any given time, and the trade volume amounts to about 15% of the global total, according to the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission HELCOM.

NATO drill sends divers, drones to sneak by underwater alarm sensors

Its not just whats on the water but what lies under it that has attracted attention  wanted and unwanted. Beneath the waves stretch dozens of cables transporting power and information between the tightly interconnected European countries on either side of the straits. These pieces of undersea infrastructure crisscross through national and international waters, under shipping lanes and across the exit from the Gulf of Finland, which harbors Saint Petersburg. They are joined by other maritime infrastructure usually found closer to the shore, like liquefied natural gas terminals taking deliveries of gas from countries that Europe has better relations with than Russia, and wind farms that were developed to bolster Europes energy independence.

The cutting of undersea cables is not a new hybrid warfare tactic. During World War I, both the British and German navies severed the opposing sides underwater telegraph lines. The idea of hybrid warfare likely has become attractive for Russia due to the military imbalance with the West: Moscow avoids engaging in outright war by employing plausible deniability while still having the potential to undermine Western infrastructure, resolve and cohesion, explained Sebastian Bruns, a senior researcher at the Kiel, Germany-based Institute for Security Policy at Kiel University (ISPK).

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With thousands of kilometers of cables spread across the worlds oceans, it is practically impossible to protect them all in an efficient way, said Basil Germond, a professor of international relations at Lancaster University who researches naval affairs and maritime security. Instead, redundancy and deterrence must be employed. If a network is redundant enough, there will be no significant impact from an attack unless it is large-scale and coordinated, he argued.

Military posturing

The crowdedness and strategic importance of the Baltic to its neighbors means that it has played a central role in these countries defense policies. For Russia, access to the Baltic Sea is vital to keep Kaliningrad supplied, as the exclave lacks a direct land connection to Russia and is surrounded by NATO members. To others, like Sweden, it presents the countrys longest frontier and one that is remarkably tough to guard: With archipelagos, bays and sounds, there are plenty of places for unwelcome guests to hide, which led to repeated submarine hunts during the Cold War years.

As a result, Sweden and other Baltic states have developed uniquely adapted navies and military doctrines for the Baltic littoral environment. The Swedish navy operates a fleet of five submarines designed for brown-water operations near land  and is constructing two more  in contrast to the blue-water, deep-sea navies of other NATO states, and a set of seven minesweepers and other boats designed to operate close to shore.

The Baltic Sea is a unique environment, boasting an average depth of just around 55 meters. It is also considered brackish water (an in-between level between salt- and freshwater) due to the many rivers that empty into it. Layers of varying salinity provide ideal conditions for submarines to hide, especially the smaller ones capable of operating in the Baltic in the first place.

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States around the Baltic Sea have been some of Ukraines most ardent supporters, given their own proximity to Russia. Particularly the Baltic nations have sent outsized contributions to Kyivs defensive war effort: Estonia and Lithuania gave 1.8% of their GDP to Ukraine and Latvia 1.5%, according to a report by the Wilson Center, a Washington-based think tank.

In September, NATO announced it would open a naval command center for the Baltic Sea in the German coastal city of Rostock to coordinate naval activities in the region and provide NATO with a maritime situation picture in the Baltic Sea region around the clock, according to the German military. Staff from 11 other alliance countries will be present at the HQ.

This map, last updated Dec. 12, 2023, shows active and planned subsea cables in the European region. Cable-tracker TeleGeography estimates there were about 870,000 miles of subsea cables in service globally as of early 2023. (TeleGeography via https://www.submarinecablemap.com)

Russia decried the move as a violation of an agreement that no NATO forces would be moved to the territory of the former GDR, which the USSR had considered a precondition to agree to German reunification following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the collapse of the East German government in 1989.

German defense minister Boris Pistorius argued the naval command center was necessary to ensure that Putin will not have his way, referring to Russian President Vladmir Putin.

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According to experts, the quick response to the most recent case of severed cables shows that European preparation has worked. Efforts led by NATO have focused on better surveillance and operational coordination, said Christian Bueger, author of the book Understanding Maritime Security and professor at the University of Copenhagen. The involved governments reaction to the Yi Peng 3 incident clearly indicates that the strategy and coordination on the NATO level work well now, he said.

Simultaneously, the increased attention has galvanized scrutiny of national and international legal frameworks for protecting undersea infrastructure and interdicting ships. Some countries, such as Belgium, have moved to introduce legislation criminalizing damage to critical infrastructure. On the other side of Europe, Portugal and Italy have led the charge in coordinating with industry and conducting legal reviews on the security of maritime infrastructure, said Bueger.

How is China involved?

The part of the story that continues to perplex analysts is the China connection.

In both recent incidents, it was Chinese civilian vessels that appear to have dragged their heavy anchors along the seafloor for large distances on their way out of Russian waters and toward the open Atlantic, a pattern that has baffled marine experts. It is unlikely such a thing would happen accidentally, most say, and even less likely that it would go unnoticed by the crew for long stretches. Suspicious movement of the vessels near crucial undersea infrastructure and away from typical shipping routes further suggests intentionality rather than accidents.

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In both cases last month, the Chinese government rejected any claims that it had been involved. Additionally, Chinese authorities appeared cooperative and, in the case of the damaged gas pipeline and data cables between Estonia and Finland, later even publicly stated that their ship had accidentally caused the damage.

Mao Ning, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, said on the more recent incident involving the cables around Estonia, Sweden and Finland that China maintains communication with relevant parties, including Denmark, through diplomatic channels. Reporting from governments involved in the investigation seemed to support this and indicate a generally constructive attitude.

What exactly is going on here is hard to say. While China has an interest in undermining the West, broadly speaking, in its quest to replace the United States as the worlds preeminent superpower, it has little reason to be focused on the Baltic Sea in particular. Nor does it have a significant track record of similar actions in parts of the world more relevant to Chinas immediate geopolitical ambitions, though it has used some methods that could be considered hybrid tactics in the disputed archipelagos of the South China Sea.

Several experts interviewed for this story said they considered it highly unlikely the Chinese government was directly involved. However, with Chinese shipping companies being among the few that still conduct business with Russia, they said there is a chance of their ships being employed  even unknowingly  for nefarious actions.

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Both of the Chinese ships involved in the recent Baltic incidents had fairly close ties to Russia, beyond simply coming from a Russian port when the damage took place. The Economist has previously reported that the Newnew Polar Bear, linked to the damaged pipeline between Estonia and Finland, had a number of ties to Russia, including through its ownership, crew, prior voyages and shipping contracts.

While less is known so far about the 225-meter-long Yi Peng 3, reporting has emerged that suggests similar connections. Erik Kannike, an Estonia-based defense consultant, found that Russian federal port records listed the captain of the ship as being a Russian citizen. He also pointed out that the vessels ownership was only transferred to the current company about a month before the incident. The presence of a Russian warship near the site of ongoing investigations further suggests Russian interest in the case.

Among the unresolved questions, one thing is certain: The Baltic Sea has shaped up to be a new frontier in the geopolitical cat-and-mouse game that has engulfed Europe since the escalation of the war in Ukraine.

With surveillance technology still allowing attacks on sea floor infrastructure to go unnoticed, more incidents testing the waters may only be a matter of time.
The Rev. Al Sharpton is condemning a jurys decision to acquit a white Marine veteran in the chokehold death of a homeless Black man on a subway train in New York City last May.

Sharpton accused Daniel Penny, a 26-year-old who held 30-year-old Jordan Neely in a headlock until he stopped breathing, of unnecessary vigilantism.

Todays verdict in the Jordan Neely case does not change what we have known to be true in our hearts since the very beginning: Jordan Neelys life was brutally taken away because of unnecessary vigilantism, Sharpton said.

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This kind of behavior was inexcusable 40 years ago when Bernhard Goetz opened fire in a subway car, and it remained the case more than a year ago when Daniel Penny took Jordans life, Sharpton said. Jordan was in the middle of a mental health crisis, but instead of being offered a helping hand, he got an arm around his neck.

Penny was indicted by a grand jury last June after the chief medical examiners office concluded Neely died from compression of the neck and ruled his death a homicide.

Neely, who was known for his Michael Jackson impersonations and suffered from mental illness, had been shouting at passengers on a subway that he was hungry, thirsty and suicidal when Penny intervened. He forced Neely to the ground, where he then held him in a chokehold for several minutes as another passenger pinned Neelys arms and a third person held down his shoulder.

In court, Pennys defense argued he was protecting himself and the other passengers from a mentally ill man.

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A manslaughter charge against Penny was dismissed by Judge Maxwell Wiley on Friday after jurors told the court they could not reach a unanimous verdict. On Monday, the jury acquitted him of a criminally negligent homicide charge.

But Sharpton said after Mondays verdict that Neelys family was denied justice.

This verdict represents the blatant legalization of civilian vigilantism, sending a dangerous message that citizens can now take matters into their own hands, even if it leads to someones death, said Sharpton. That is a threat to all of us. We fought this 40 years ago with Goetz, we fought it when Eric Garner was killed, and we will continue to fight it today.

While Penny smiled as the verdict was read on Monday and some applauded, Neelys father, Andre Zachary, shouted expletives. Zachary has filed a civil suit accusing Penny of negligence, assault and battery.

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Sharpton on Monday also said the nation must do more to help those struggling.

Todays acquittal should still serve as a reminder that we cannot fear or ignore those who are struggling but must instead recognize their equal humanity, said Sharpton.

Jordan, famous for the smiles he brought to peoples faces with his Michael Jackson impersonation, had dreams, passions, and love in his heart too. Our brothers and sisters in crisis deserve our compassion and understanding, not violence. While this verdict may not bring the closure Jordans family deserves, his legacy will continue to demand compassion and action from all of us.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
SHELBYVILLE, Ill. (WCIA)  The Shelby County Board is working to find solutions after the coroner passed away last week.

Shelby County Board Chairman Tad Mayhall said he has offered condolences to his family after he learned Shelby County Coroner Brad Phegley died Friday afternoon. His body was discovered in Lake Mattoon after a hunting accident.

READ MORE: Body of Shelby County Coroner discovered in Lake Mattoon in hunting accident

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Phegley worked in the county as Chief Deputy Coroner for eight years before becoming Coroner in 2020. He also won re-election for a second term last month.

Mr. Phegley was deeply loved by his family, and I have vowed that the Shelby County Board will promote and secure his legacy, he said.

Mayhall said he has been in contact with Sheriff Brian McReynolds, States Attorney Ruth Woolery, Shelby County Clerk Jessica Fox, and Vice Chair Teresa Boehm to fill the needs of the county after Phegleys death.

His service to the county and his compassion to the families of Shelby County are a huge part of his legacy as a public servant and man of compassion, Mayhall said.

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UPDATE: Danville fatal shooting suspect in custody

The chairman also thanked Moultrie County Coroner Lynn Reed for offering his advice and expertise to guide the county on how to continue coroner services.

Sheriff McReynolds told WCIA Phegleys preliminary cause of death is drowning.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage)  The Tom Green County Sheriffs Office will be conducting a realistic training exercise in the 8300 Blk of US Highway 87 North in Grape Creek during the morning and early afternoon hours of Monday, Dec. 9.

According to a Facebook post shared by the sheriffs office, citizens might see emergency lights and visible weapons and hear loud noises. This training will be done in a designated area of a neighborhood on the south side of US Highway 87.

The TGSO stated that the Grape Creek Volunteer Fire Department will also be on the scene to assist with traffic control.

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If an emergency occurs in the area that this training is taking place, TGSO shared that people should let dispatch know that is is not related to the training exercise.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU)  A Sioux City man has been arrested for the alleged sexual abuse of a minor.

According to court documents, Mark Vasquez, 21, called 911 Sunday just before 1 a.m., saying he committed a crime and that he thought someone was hurt. He said he was at Headington Park.

Polygamist with 20 wives to be sentenced for sex acts with children

When officers arrived, they spoke with a woman who said she saw a video of Vasquez committing sexual acts with a two-year-old.

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Vasquez was arrested and charged with second-degree sexual abuse, felony lascivious acts, indecent contact with a child, and indecent exposure. He was booked into the Woodbury County Jail on a $50,000 bond. His next court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 19.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Jerry and Katherine Qualls of Mount Carmel, Tennessee, have filed complaints with the Tennessee government about the care provided at Ballad Healths Holston Valley Medical Center. (Brett Kelman/KFF Health News)

KINGSPORT, Tenn.  Jerry Qualls had a heart attack in 2022 and was rushed by ambulance to Holston Valley Medical Center, where he was hospitalized for a week and kept alive by a ventilator and blood pump, according to his medical records.

His wife, Katherine Qualls, said his doctors offered little hope. In an interview and a written complaint to the Tennessee government, she said doctors at Holston Valley told her that her husband would not qualify for a heart transplant and shouldnt be expected to recover.

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Defiant, she insisted he be transferred hours away to a hospital in Nashville. Within days of leaving Holston Valley, Jerry Qualls was awake and sitting upright, his wife said, and he ultimately received a lifesaving heart transplant.

How many families dont know how to get a transfer and their loved one dies? Katherine Qualls wrote in her complaint to the state. My husband would have been dead within a few days if I didnt get him out when I did.

Holston Valley Medical Center is a flagship of Ballad Health, a 20-hospital system in northeastern Tennessee and southwestern Virginia that is the only option for hospital care in a large swath of Appalachia. Ballad formed six years ago when lawmakers in both states, in an effort to prevent hospital closures, waived federal antitrust laws so two rival health systems could merge. The merger created the largest state-sanctioned hospital monopoly in the nation.

Since then, Ballad has largely kept those hospitals open. But the monopoly has also fallen short of about three-fourths of the quality-of-care goals set by the states over the last three fiscal years, including failing to meet state benchmarks on infections, mortality, emergency room speed, and patient satisfaction, according to annual reports from the Tennessee Department of Health and Ballad itself.

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Some local residents have become wary, afraid, or unwilling to seek care at Ballad hospitals and must drive over an hour to reach other options, according to written complaints to the Tennessee government and state lawmakers, public hearing testimony, and KFF Health News interviews conducted over the past year with patients, family members, local leaders, and some officials who once publicly supported the monopoly, including a former government consultant and one state lawmaker. Many of those who submitted complaints or were interviewed allege that paper-thin staffing at Ballad hospitals and ERs is the root cause of the monopolys quality-of-care woes.

In a two-hour interview vigorously defending the company, Ballad Health CEO Alan Levine said the hospitals are rapidly recovering from a quality-of-care slump caused by COVID-19 and a subsequent rise in nursing turnover and staff shortages. These issues affected hospitals nationwide, Levine said, and were not related to the Ballad merger or the monopoly it created.

Levine declined to discuss specific complaints from patients. But he said that each of the complaints referenced in this article took issue with medical decisions made by doctors in Ballad hospitals  not any policy or practice at Ballad.

I can understand if the patients, if the wife, was upset about the medical decisions they made if it turned out to be wrong, Levine said. But that has nothing to do with the merger, OK? Thats a completely different issue, and it happens in hospitals all over the country.

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In the interview with KFF Health News and in the days that followed, Levine flexed considerable connections to officials in the Tennessee government. As Levine spoke in a boardroom at Ballads hilltop headquarters, he was flanked by three local mayors who voiced support for the hospitals and said complaints came from a vocal minority of their constituents. Days later, Levine got two Tennessee state agency directors and a former state health commissioner to provide emails or text messages supporting statements he made during the interview.

Logan Grant, executive director of the Tennessee Health Facilities Commission, which processes complaints against hospitals for the state, said in a statement prompted by Levine that Ballad hospitals are not an outlier in terms of substantiated survey findings.

Joe Grandy, the mayor of Tennessees Washington County, where Ballad is headquartered, said most residents consider the quality of care in the area about as good as it gets.

Brenda Getaz, a retired hospital quality-of-care professional, said she is considering moving away from her home in Johnson City, Tennessee, because she does not trust the hospitals owned by Ballad Health. (Brett Kelman/KFF Health News)

Brenda Getaz certainly doesnt.

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Getaz, 76, who spent three decades as a hospital official specializing in quality standards before retiring to Washington County, said she plans to move to Atlanta if state governments do not take action to fix Ballad in the coming year. Getaz said local medical professionals she trusts have urged her to move away so she does not have to rely on Ballad for care.

Im frightened to be taken to a Ballad facility, she said.

Glimpses of government concern

The Tennessee Department of Health, which has the most direct oversight over Ballad Health, over the past year has declined multiple interview requests to discuss the hospital monopoly. Department emails reviewed by KFF Health News, some of which were obtained through public record requests, offer glimpses of concern inside the agency.

Emails show the health department has attempted to hold Ballad more accountable for its quality of care in closed-door negotiations and is investigating Holston Valleys treatment of a recent heart patient after receiving detailed complaints from his family. In a 2023 email, Tennessee Health Commissioner Ralph Alvarado reacted to a news story about low job satisfaction among Ballad nurses by writing: Ouch.  What are they doing to address this?

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In another email from the same year, Alvarado praised an informal report submitted at a public hearing that concluded Ballads monopoly had caused more harm than good. The report was written by Wally Hankwitz, a retired health care executive who once led a physician management company in Kingsport. The report levied pages of criticism against Ballads sub-par performance and called for the monopoly to end.

THIS communication from the COPA hearing is particularly good, the health commissioner wrote to some of his staff. Totally based on data. I would almost like to hear Ballads response to this.

When asked to respond to the Hankwitz report, Levine said it was full of errors and that no credible institution would pay attention to it.

Despite concerns, Tennessee and Virginia have each year determined that the benefits of the Ballad monopoly outweigh any negative impacts, issuing stamps of approval that allow the monopoly to continue. This has occurred, at least in part, because both states grade Ballad against scoring rubrics that do not prioritize quality of care.

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Larry Fitzgerald, a retired Tennessee consultant who monitored the monopoly for the state for more than five years and always gave Ballad high marks, said in an interview that his hands were tied by the states lenient grading system, which allowed Ballad to succeed on paper even when it failed to meet the states quality-of-care goals.

Fitzgerald said he is unconvinced that the state-sanctioned monopoly had prevented any hospital closures and said the merger had probably not benefited local residents overall.

When asked where he would get medical attention if he lived in northeastern Tennessee or southwestern Virginia, Fitzgerald immediately responded, Im not going to a Ballad hospital.

In his interview, Levine alleged Fitzgerald had basically defrauded the state by not raising these criticisms of Ballad in his public reports on the monopoly and said it was irresponsible and obscene to express his concerns about quality of care after retiring.

Holston Valley Medical Center is one of the flagship hospitals of Ballad Health, a 20-hospital system in northeastern Tennessee and southwestern Virginia that is the only option for hospital care in a large swath of Appalachia. (Brett Kelman/KFF Health News)

Horror stories from Ballad patients

Tennessee House member Bud Hulsey, a Republican from Kingsport, wrote in a 2023 letter to the state health department that he was an avid supporter of the merger that created Ballad but since then had become concerned and saddened by the state of the local hospitals.

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In a recent interview, Hulsey said that while his family has received excellent care from Ballad, his constituents have told him horror stories for years.

I had people call me from the waiting room after theyve sat there for 12 or 14 hours, Hulsey said. The scales have far more complaints on them than accolades.

Others have soured on the monopoly, too. Joe Macione, who for years was on the board of Wellmont Health System, one of the rival companies that became Ballad, once publicly advocated for the merger.

In an interview, Macione said state leaders should have admitted years ago that the monopoly was a mistake.

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It has not worked, said Macione, 87. All my family knows that, if I have the time, I want to go to a highly graded hospital, either in Asheville or Knoxville.

Ballad Health was created in 2018 after Tennessee and Virginia officials waived federal anti-monopoly laws and approved the nations biggest hospital merger, based on whats called a Certificate of Public Advantage, or COPA, agreement. Ballad is now the only option for hospital care for most of the approximately 1.1 million people in a 29-county region at the nexus of Tennessee, Virginia, Kentucky, and North Carolina.

In the years since, there have been multiple signs of discontent with and within Ballad hospitals. In 2019, protesters gathered daily for eight months outside Holston Valley to oppose the closure of the neonatal intensive care unit and the downgrading of a trauma center. (Ballad has said the NICU closure was necessary and benefited patients, and a study published this year said the trauma changes saved lives.)

In 2020, Bristol Regional Medical Center CEO Greg Neal resigned after it was discovered he made the initial incision in a heart surgery despite not being a doctor, according to Tennessee state records. (Levine said in his interview that the resignation shows Ballad is holding employees accountable.)

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In 2022, 14 cardiologists signed a letter warning of severe limitations in the Bristol Regional cardiac catheterization lab that were affecting patient safety and delaying procedures for weeks or months. (Ballad said in a letter to the Tennessee government that it worked with the cardiologists, who it said were partly to blame, to make the lab more efficient.)

In 2023, Ballad Health was ranked last among 200 large health care organizations in an analysis of nurse satisfaction published by an MIT business magazine. (Levine dismissed this analysis as unscientific.) This year, the Federal Trade Commission cited Ballad as a cautionary tale while opposing a similar hospital merger under consideration in Indiana, and a longtime Kingsport doctor took a parting shot at Ballad in his obituary. (Ballad declined to comment on either topic.)

And in August, the widow of a Tennessee sheriff filed a lawsuit alleging that Ballad caused her husbands death and intentionally understaffed hospitals to save money. Brenda Tester, the wife of Johnson County Sheriff Eddie Tester, alleged in that lawsuit that Ballad put her husband on blood thinners and then gave him an unnecessary liver biopsy, causing life ending internal blood loss that led to his cardiac arrest and ultimately his sudden death.

Ballad has yet to respond to the Tester lawsuit in court. Levine said in his interview that the doctors who treated the sheriff were not employed by Ballad but merely contracted to work in its hospitals.

Some of Ballads most determined critics are family members of Anton Maki Jr., a former Holston Valley doctor who returned to the hospital as a patient in February. The family has filed complaints with multiple Tennessee agencies and the federal government and provided emails to KFF Health News showing that Tennessee is investigating Makis case.

In an interview and in those complaints, Makis family members allege Holston Valley gave Maki improper treatment, even though his symptoms and lab tests made it obvious that he was having a serious heart attack that required urgent attention.

The improper care did permanent damage to Makis heart, the familys complaints allege. That damage required him to have a permanent mechanical heart pump surgically implanted at a non-Ballad hospital, said one of his daughters, Alexandra Maki, who is a surgeon in Kentucky. She said her father died after a fall three months later while still in a weakened state.

Alexandra Maki said that her father had been alarmed by the Ballad monopoly for years but that she didnt fully appreciate his warnings until she witnessed his care at Holston Valley firsthand.

I filed these complaints because it is my duty as a doctor to report what I saw, Alexandra Maki said. That was not care. It is a facade of a hospital. It is a well-oiled death machine.

Anna Maki Cowley and Alexandra Maki, the daughters of Anton Maki Jr., have filed complaints with the Tennessee and federal governments about the care that their father received at Ballad Healths Holston Valley Medical Center earlier this year. Alexandra Maki, a surgeon in Kentucky, is shown with her late fathers stethoscope. (Brett Kelman/KFF Health News)

KFF Health News reporter Samantha Liss contributed to this article.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF  an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.

Subscribe to KFF Health News free Morning Briefing.

This article first appeared on KFF Health News and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
BEIJING, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Heads of international economic organizations have called for joint efforts to promote the economic growth of the world as global development has entered an important juncture, a senior official with China's Ministry of Finance said Monday.

Leaders of international organizations have expressed widespread concern over possible damages to be brought by "decoupling" to global economic development, fearing that unilateralism and protectionism would further undercut and impede global economic recovery, Liao Min, vice minister of finance, said at a briefing on the "1+10" Dialogue.

The dialogue, held in Beijing on Monday morning, was attended by heads of 10 international economic organizations, including President of the New Development Bank Dilma Rousseff, President of the World Bank Ajay Banga, Director-General of the World Trade Organization Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Kristalina Georgieva, Director-General of the World Trade Organisation Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Secretary-General of UN Trade and Development Rebeca Grynspan.

Leaders of these organizations have called for global efforts to strengthen international macroeconomic policy coordination, firmly oppose protectionism, create a peaceful and stable development environment, and properly resolve differences and contradictions through dialogue and consultation, Liao said.

Representatives at the meeting have also reaffirmed their commitment to economic globalization and multilateralism, stressing that the development of economic globalization and multilateralism is an unstoppable trend, according to Liao.

It was agreed at the meeting that the global community needs to put development high on the international agenda, and seize the opportunity of science and technology revolution and industrial transformation to make the "cake" of global economy bigger.

Representatives have also agreed that international economic institutions should beef up communication and cooperation, stressing that joint efforts should be made to ensure stable and unimpeded global industrial and supply chains and foster new growth drivers, Liao said. 
With exceptional fire weather conditions forecast starting Monday night, the National Weather Service office issued a rare "Particularly Dangerous Situation" red flag warning to last through Tuesday in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

The last time a Particularly Dangerous Situation red flag warning was issued for the area was just a month ago, on election day, when forecasters warned of extreme fire weather behavior. A day later, on Nov. 6, the Mountain fire ignited in Ventura County and, whipped by powerful winds, razed more than 240 buildings. It became the third-most-destructive wildfire in Southern California since 2013.

Before November, the last time a Particularly Dangerous Situation red flag warning was issued by the National Weather Service office for L.A. and Ventura counties was in 2020, the first year those alerts existed for the region.

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National Weather Service meteorologist Robbie Munroe said Particularly Dangerous Situation red flag warnings should, on average, occur only once every three to five years. But it has now happened twice in the same fire season, just as it did in 2020  once in October and another time in December.

Munroe warned that the "Particularly Dangerous Situation" conditions were expected to start around 8 p.m. Monday and last through 2 p.m. Tuesday. He said the extreme fire weather could be "similar in magnitude" to the howling Santa Ana wind event on Nov. 5 and 6 that fueled the Mountain fire.

Read more: In a few terrifying hours, the Mountain fire exploded into SoCal's most destructive in years

Fire weather conditions were expected to be "extreme" and "extraordinary," Munroe said. "This is a very dangerous situation, with the potential for large and dangerous, life-threatening fires, should a fire ignite."

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The winds were expected to ramp up as early as 4 p.m. Monday.

The windy, dry and vegetation-dessicating conditions also are similar to those that kindled the Thomas fire of 2017, Southern California's second-most-destructive fire since 2013, which destroyed more than 1,000 structures in Ventura and Santa Barbara counties. (The region's most destructive fire in that time frame was the Woolsey fire of 2018, which destroyed more than 1,600 structures in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.)

What makes this week's weather forecast so dangerous?

The National Weather Service issued a "Particularly Dangerous Situation" warning for a large swath of Southern California (National Weather Service)

A key focus for forecasters during this wind event will be the traditional Santa Ana wind corridors of Los Angeles and Ventura counties.

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Santa Ana winds form around this time of year when a system of high pressure builds in the Great Basin  over Nevada and Utah  and then seeks a release valve off the coast, where there is low pressure.

Valleys and canyons can transform into wind tunnels in these extreme conditions. Sinking wind blows at high speeds en route to the beaches, generally in a northeast-to-southwest direction. With gusts of up to 80 mph possible, a small fire could transform into an inferno, whipping embers at astonishing speeds and leaving firefighters with few options other than trying to get people to evacuate.

(Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times)

A Santa Ana wind corridor to watch will be that of the Santa Clara River Valley, which essentially funnels air sinking from a high pressure area above the high desert to the Ventura County coast by way of Santa Clarita.

"Rapid-fire spread is anticipated with any new fire in these wind corridors," Munroe said. "The damaging winds will also likely lead to scattered downed trees, power lines and power outages."

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Areas within the Particularly Dangerous Situation include large swaths of Ventura County, such as Thousand Oaks, Ventura, Oxnard, Fillmore and Ojai, as well as places like Malibu, Canoga Park, Santa Clarita and Acton in L.A. County.

(Paul Duginski / Los Angeles Times)

Boaters should be aware of the extreme winds, which are expected to be strongest in the area extending from Ventura to Malibu and offshore to the Channel Islands. Strong winds are also expected from San Pedro Channel to Santa Catalina Island. Waves of 6 to 8 feet and coastal flooding could hit east-facing harbors, such as those on Catalina Island, Munroe said.

The criteria to issue a red flag warning that's a Particularly Dangerous Situation include a forecast of sustained winds of at least 35 mph and/or gusts of at least 60 mph, single-digit relative humidity, and extremely dry vegetation.

There could be peak gusts of 31 mph in Canoga Park, 44 mph in Oxnard, 52 mph in Fillmore, 60 mph in Thousand Oaks and 64 mph in Santa Clarita. Munroe said there was a chance over the next two days that Southern California airports would be forced to delay flights due to strong winds.

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Minimum relative humidity is expected to hit very low levels  as little as 1% in Oxnard and Thousand Oaks; 3% in Canoga Park, Ojai and Fillmore; 6% in downtown L.A. and Santa Clarita; 7% in Covina and 11% in Long Beach.

A regular red flag warning  which means the National Weather Service has high confidence that dangerous fire conditions will materialize  is expected to be issued for a larger portion of Southern California starting late Monday morning, including the San Fernando and San Gabriel valleys; the Palos Verdes Peninsula; the Grapevine section of Interstate 5; the San Luis Obispo County mountains; the Inland Empire and large swaths of San Diego County.

After the wind event, there's not too much hope for significant rain for Los Angeles and Ventura counties. There could be some light amounts in Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, Munroe said, but even that is "unlikely to be much help for any possible fires that start early this week."

"We're not seeing any significant rain prospects for L.A. area for the next week," Munroe said. "We'll probably remain dry."

Red flag conditions are expected in much of Southern California between Monday morning through Wednesday. Officials were expected to add the Palos Verdes Peninsula to the red flag warning starting Monday night. (National Weather Service)

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A Manhattan jurys decision to acquitDaniel Penny of criminally negligent homicide in the 2023 death of Jordan Neely on Monday caused quite a reaction on social media.

Thats not surprising, considering the case became, as The Associated Press put it, a flashpoint in the nations debate over racial injustice and crime.

Penny, who is white, physically restrained Neely, a Black man, on a subway train in May 2023, leading to Neelys death. Medical examiners ruled the death a homicide.

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Florida governor Ron DeSantis (R) took to X, formerly Twitter, to declare the acquittal clearly the just and correct verdict, while adding that he was skeptical that a jury in New York City would reach a unanimous not guilty verdict.

The acquittal of Daniel Penny is clearly the just and correct verdict. I must admit I was skeptical that a jury in New York City would reach a unanimous not guilty verdict, and the jury deserves credit for doing the right thing.



Meanwhile, is there a worse prosecutor in America https://t.co/fVJJQTQQqV  Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) December 9, 2024

However, others, such as broadcaster Medhi Hasan, pointed out how the race of the two men might play a factor how people are reacting.

Imagine, just imagine, if Jordan Neely had been white and Daniel Penny was black



Imagine what some of the folks defending Penny today would be saying.



Just imagine.  Mehdi Hasan (@mehdirhasan) December 9, 2024

Others on X were also supportive of the verdict, while there appeared to be more skepticism on BlueSky and Threads.

Justice was done finally. Danny Penny not guilty on all counts.  Jeanine Pirro (@JudgeJeanine) December 9, 2024

Daniel Penny needs to leave NYC and never return. Come down here to Tennessee. Well welcome you like the hero you are.  Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) December 9, 2024

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The recent conviction of an APD officer shows that the public is not simply going to "trust the experts" when there is video evidence to the contrary.



The Penny acquittal in NYC is the inverse. How could jurors disregard all of the witnesses who said Penny protected them?  Jack Craver (@JackCraver) December 9, 2024

The Daniel Penny verdict is a signal: the BLM era is over.  Christopher F. Rufo  (@realchrisrufo) December 9, 2024

Cue Daniel Penny having dinner at Mar-a-Lago inauguration in 3 2  JoGo (Jonathan Goldman) (@akjakalope.bsky.social)2024-12-09T17:12:01.402Z

I am sick to my stomach at the sheer jubilation over on Twitter right now that Daniel Penny got away with murdering Jordan Neely, an unhoused Black man with mental issues.It's disgusting.  BrooklynDad_Defiant! (@mmpadellan.bsky.social) December 9, 2024 at 9:04 AM

Absolutely insane. Daniel Penny choked Jordan Neely until he fucking DIED and he knew damn well that was a possibility. He didnt care about Jordans life. He didnt care if he died. Jordan Neely was just another worthless homeless person to Daniel Penny.  Shannon Kerr (@kerrtaincall.bsky.social)2024-12-09T17:20:53.455Z

In light of the Penny verdict, just a reminder that "sickle cell trait" is a nonexistent condition that is frequently used to excuse police officers when black people die in their custody.www.nytimes.com/2021/05/15/u...  Radley Balko (@radleybalko.bsky.social)2024-12-09T17:18:02.395Z

BREAKING: Danial Penny found not guilty. Its funny how the people who dont recognize the verdict against Trump in Manhattan are the same ones praising the judicial system over this verdict. Hypocrites!  Krassensteins (@krassenstein.bsky.social)2024-12-09T16:39:48.592Z

If theres anything the UHC CEO shooting and the Daniel Penny verdict news cycles is teaching us is that pretty much all Americans agree that *some* people can be killed by vigilantes that should not be punished for it and the dividing line here is which people should it be  Collin Reischman (@collinreischman.bsky.social)2024-12-09T18:14:21.296Z

Related...
SOMERSET, Ky. (FOX 56)  A Somerset man is facing charges after police said he held a woman captive at gunpoint in October.

In a Facebook post on Monday morning, the Pulaski County Sheriffs Office (PCSO) said deputies responded Oct. 8 to a home on Providence Road after a woman said her sister called her asking for help. The caller told the sheriffs office that she heard screaming in the background.

Deputies arrived on the scene as the woman ran to them, crying for help, the sheriffs office said.

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According to the authorities, the woman went to 48-year-old Charles Hendrixs home the night before to buy four-wheeler parts posted for sale on Facebook.

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Law enforcement said the woman claimed Hendrix couldnt find his wallet and accused her of taking it. Hendrix then reportedly threatened her with a gun and told her she was not leaving until his wallet was returned.

At the scene, deputies said they werent able to find Hendrix, but a warrant for his arrest was issued, and he was charged with:

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First-degree unlawful imprisonment

First-degree wanton endangerment

On Dec. 4, the U.S. Marshals Service found a possible location for Hendrix and set up a surveillance perimeter, according to the sheriffs office. After confirming that Hendrix was at the location, marshals and deputies went to the residence and arrested him without further incident.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

After his arrest, Hendrix was also charged with an outstanding parole violation warrant. He was booked into the Pulaski County Detention Center, where hes being held on a $10,000 cash bond.

Hendrix is due to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

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Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Indiana woman has been convicted of first-degree murder in Fayette County.

According to Fayette County Prosecuting Attorney Anthony Ciliberti Jr., Amanda Don Soultz, 32, of Elkhart, Ind., pleaded guilty to first-degree murder before Circuit Judge Paul M. Blake Jr. on Dec. 6.

Soultzs plea agreement provides for her to be sentenced to life in prison with parole eligibility after she serves 15 years, according to a press release from Ciliberti.

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She will be sentenced on Feb. 11, 2025, at 10 a.m.

The co-defendant, Andres M. Torres Jr., was convicted on Oct. 31 of murder in the first degree, kidnapping, robbery and conspiracy following a three-day jury trial. He faces sentencing on Jan. 30, 2025, at 2:15 p.m., Ciliberti noted.

According to the release, Torres and Soultz came to Fayette County from Indiana in late January 2023. Soultz had previously lived in the area and knew local resident Michelle Smith prior to arriving in the county. Shortly after arriving in Fayette County, Torres pawned a watch to Smith for $50. Sometime thereafter, Smith listed the watch for sale on Facebook, the release noted. When Torres learned of the Facebook post, he became angry that the watch was listed for sale. On Feb. 16, 2023, Torres and Soultz went to Smiths home on Deepwater Mountain Road to retrieve the watch, which led to Smith being kidnapped, robbed and murdered, Ciliberti said.

In their statements to police, both Soultz and Torres claimed that they had dinner with and had been drinking with Smith the night of Feb. 16. However, Cilibertis release said that evidence from the crime scene did not support their claims that it was a friendly gathering. The statements to police further indicated that when Smith refused to return the watch to Torres, claiming that she no longer had it, he became enraged. Soultz and Torres then restrained Smith with handcuffs found in Smiths bedroom, and Torres beat Smith with his fists and a pistol, according to the prosecutor.

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Soultz and Torres then searched Smiths residence for the watch. The watch was eventually located, and Torres became even more enraged and shot Smith in the head with a .45-caliber firearm and left her for dead, according to the release, which revealed that Torres admitted to police that he shot Smith because she disrespected him. Smith was found still alive about 12 hours later by her adult son, who went to the home to check on his mother since he had been unable to contact her during the day.

In her statement, Soultz admitted to police that she helped Torres, but she claimed he forced her to participate in the crimes and that she complied with Torres demands out of fear. Evidence regarding the interaction between Soultz and Torres subsequent to the shooting showed the two continued to work together to avoid capture and to leave the area together, according to Ciliberti. After their apprehension the duo continued their relationship, with jail calls revealing that the couple planned to get married. Recorded jail calls further revealed their plan was for Torres to take responsibility for the crime to allow Soultz to go free.

Smith, 41, died on March 31, 2023 from the gunshot wound to her head after medical efforts to save her life failed.

The crime was investigated by the West Virginia State Police, with assistance from the Oak Hill Police Department, Fayette County Sheriffs Department and the United States Marshals Service. Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Jennifer D. Crane and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Amy McLaughlin prosecuted the case.
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand  South Koreas navy formally received the first of a new class of guided-missile destroyer equipped with the Aegis combat system late last month. Such vessels, equipped to counter ballistic missiles, are deemed vital to help Seoul neutralize threats from the North.

Built by HD Hyundai Heavy Industries in Ulsan, the new 8,200-ton vessel is christened ROKS Jeongjo the Great. It belongs to the KDX-III Batch II class that will eventually comprise three vessels, these being the largest surface combatants Korea has ever built.

Koreas Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) had contracted the warships construction in October 2019, and it was duly launched on July 28, 2022.

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The navy explained, We evaluate that the Jeongjo the Great  which is equipped with the ability to intercept ballistic missiles and strike enemy leadership and key strategic targets  will demonstrate a strong deterrent against North Korea to repel enemy provocations in the event of an emergency.

Further, DAPA said this vessel is expected to play a key role in the sea-based maneuvering Three-Axis system by possessing the ability to detect and track ballistic missiles as well as intercept them.

This Three-Axis system refers to three connected defense initiatives aimed at negating Pyongyangs nuclear and missile threat.

DAPA said the new destroyers combat capabilities have dramatically improved compared to the preceding 7,600-ton KDX-III Batch I class, three of which were commissioned from 2008-2012.

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The 170m-long (558 foot) vessel is stealthier and is heavily armed with anti-ship missiles, surface-to-surface missiles plus air defense missiles that include the SM-3 and SM-6. Other weapons include a 5-inch naval gun and close-in weapon system, plus it is well equipped for anti-submarine warfare.

Commodore Shin Hyun-seung, head of DAPAs Shipbuilding Division, confirmed: Jeongjo the Great is equipped with the latest Aegis combat system, an integrated sonar system developed domestically, and a Korean vertical launching system, so it can respond to various threats such as ballistic missiles, and is expected to play a strong role as a guardian of our national security.

In fact, it is the first warship to adopt the Korean Vertical Launching System II. According to the Ministry of National Defense, the destroyer also features improved habitability with larger crew compartment spaces and even a wireless network allowing crew members to instantly communicate with each other using smart devices.

The second destroyer of the class is scheduled to launch next year, while HD Hyundai Heavy Industries commenced construction of the third ship on Oct. 17. These two vessels should be delivered in 2026 and 2027 respectively, according to the shipbuilder.

ROKS Jeongjo the Great will undergo around a year of operational training before officially deploying in late 2025.
By Ju-min Park and Joyce Lee

SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been banned from leaving the country over a failed attempt at imposing martial law, a justice ministry official said on Monday, amid growing calls for him to step down and a deepening leadership crisis.

Yoon has apologised for the botched attempt and said he was leaving his political and legal fate to his ruling People Power Party (PPP) but has not resigned. He has become a subject of criminal investigation, according to local media reports.

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On Monday, the defence ministry said Yoon was still legally commander in chief, but growing dissent among senior military officers against the president has thrown into question his grip on power.

Oh Dong-woon, the head of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials, said he had barred Yoon from foreign travel, when asked at a parliament hearing what actions have been taken against the president.

A justice ministry official, Bae Sang-up, told the committee the travel ban order had been executed.

The panel was established in 2021 to investigate high-ranking officials including the president and their family members but it does not have authority to prosecute the president. Instead it is by law required to refer the matter to the prosecutors' office.

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While Yoon survived an impeachment vote in parliament on Saturday, his party's decision to delegate presidential authority to the prime minister has plunged the key U.S. ally into a constitutional crisis.

Yoon has refused calls, including some from within his own ruling party, to resign, but his future looked more uncertain over the weekend when Yonhap news agency reported he was under criminal investigation for alleged treason.

Prosecutors on Sunday arrested ex-defence minister Kim Yong-hyun over his alleged role in the declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, Yonhap reported.

Yoon gave the military sweeping emergency powers on Dec. 3 to root out what he called "anti-state forces" and obstructionist political opponents. He rescinded the order six hours later, after parliament voted against the decree.

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Amid the backlash, multiple military officials, including the acting defence minister, have said they would not follow any new order to impose martial law again.

The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) has called for Yoon to be stripped of his authority over the military. The DP has also demanded the arrest of Yoon and any military officials implicated in the martial law fiasco.

The head of a task force established by Yoon's party to handle his eventual and "orderly" resignation, Lee Yang-soo, said the team would consider all options and timing for the president's early departure "without any limitations".

On Sunday, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon said the president would be excluded from foreign and other state affairs, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would manage government affairs.

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That proposal has drawn criticism from the opposition, which says it is unconstitutional. It says Yoon must be impeached or resign and face legal prosecution, and plans to table another impeachment bill on Saturday.

Chang Young-soo, professor at the School of Law at Korea University, said the president was able to delegate authority to the prime minister, especially his control of the military, but there is debate on whether the prime minister has authority to act as head of state on diplomatic matters.

"Also, unlike a U.S. vice president, a South Korean prime minister is not elected, which means democratic legitimacy is weak. So it will also be an issue how long this system can go on," he said.

MILITARY BACKLASH

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Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung said on Monday the political crisis threatened to cause irreversible harm to Asia's fourth-largest economy, a major global supplier of memory chips.

South Korea's finance ministry and regulators said they would make all-out efforts to stabilise financial markets by deploying contingency plans and boosting liquidity by end-December.

In the latest sign of dissent within military ranks, the commander of South Korea's special forces said he was ordered to send his troops into parliament last week to stop a vote to reject martial law.

Colonel Kim Hyun-tae, the commanding officer of the 707th Special Missions Group, said he took responsibility for his troops' actions but he was acting under orders from then defence minister Kim Yong-hyun.

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"We were all victims who were used by the former defence minister," he told reporters outside the defence ministry.

He said he had not told the military about his plan to speak to the media out of fear he might be stopped.

Yoon's decision to declare emergency rule stirred protests on the streets and raised alarm among Seoul's allies.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin scrapped plans to travel to South Korea and Secretary of State Antony Blinken called his South Korean counterpart, saying he expected the democratic process to prevail.

The United States has 28,500 troops stationed in South Korea, a legacy of the 1950-1953 Korean War.

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The turmoil in Seoul comes at an important geopolitical moment in the region, with North Korea reportedly sending troops to help Russia's war against Ukraine amid growing military ties between Moscow and Pyongyang.

South Korean foreign minister Cho Tae-yul told ministry officials: "We must also be unremitting in our efforts to restore the trust of our partners and once again measure up to the expectations of the international community towards Korea."

(Reporting by Hyunsu Yim, Joyce Lee and Ju-min Park; Writing by Jack Kim; Editing by Stephen Coates, Michael Perry and Gareth Jones)
South Koreas justice ministry has imposed a travel ban on president Yoon Suk Yeol while an investigation into his brief declaration of martial law is ongoing.

Mr Yoon, who was still the commander-in-chief of the countrys military, faces an investigation for suspected treason over last weeks martial law declaration.

South Koreas police, prosecutors and anti-corruption agency have requested the ban as they expand their probes into possible rebellion charges.

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Mr Yoon had said he entrusted his fate to the ruling party after a botched attempt to impose martial law prompted calls for resignation and impeachment.

Prosecutors also detained Kim Yong Hyun, who reportedly advised the president to declare martial law and resigned as defence minister soon after.

The control of the armed forces currently lies with the commander-in-chief, the Yonhap news agency quoted the defence ministry spokesperson Jeon Ha-kyou as saying.

Meanwhile, Mr Yoon has been banned from foreign travel, a justice ministry official told a parliament committee hearing on Monday.

Mr Yoon declared martial law late on Tuesday evening, only to see lawmakers overturn it through a parliamentary vote. Some of the lawmakers climbed over walls and pushed past soldiers deployed at the National Assembly to cast their votes.

A participant wearing a mask of South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol attends a rally demanding his impeachment outside the National Assembly in Seoul (AP)

The martial law decree was lifted by the cabinet early on Wednesday but political turmoil in the country continued as lawmakers pressed for the president to be ousted.

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Mr Yoon also survived an impeachment vote on Saturday after his partys lawmakers boycotted it. But the leader of the ruling People Power Party, Han Dong-hoon, declared during a joint public address with prime minister Han Duck-soo that the president would be excluded from his duties.

The opposition said it would bring a new impeachment bill against Mr Yoon on 11 December, and put it to a vote three days later.

People hold posters ahead of a rally calling for the impeachment of South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol in Seoul (Reuters)

Mr Han said on Sunday that the president would step away from state affairs and diplomacy until he left office. He also claimed that stepping aside from state affairs would include his control over the military.

Mr Yoon issued an apology over his martial law decree, and claimed that he would not shirk legal or political responsibility for the decision. He said he would leave it to his party to chart a course through the countrys political turmoil, including matters related to my term in office.

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The Democratic Party called Mr Yoons martial law declaration unconstitutional, illegal rebellion or a coup, and filed complaints with police against at least nine people, including the president and his former defence minister, over the alleged rebellion.

The defence minister was the first person to be held over the declaration.

Since taking office in 2022 for a single five-year term, Mr Yoon has struggled to push his agenda through an opposition-controlled parliament and grappled with low approval ratings amid scandals involving himself and his wife.

If he leaves office before his single term ends in May 2027, the constitution requires a presidential election to be held within 60 days.

Martial law has been declared more than a dozen times since South Korea was established as a republic in 1948, the last time in 1980.
SEOUL, Dec. 9 (UPI) -- South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was barred from leaving the country Monday as investigations for treason and abuse of power over his short-lived martial law decree get underway.

Justice Ministry official Bae Sang-up told a parliamentary hearing on Monday afternoon that Yoon was prohibited from foreign travel.

"Yes, we did," Bae said when asked by a lawmaker if his office had approved a departure ban. A short time earlier, the government's Corruption Investigation Office had submitted a request for the order.

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South Korea's National Police have also formed their own treason investigation team, with Yoon and ten other individuals listed as suspects related to the declaration of martial law.

Woo Jong-soo, head of the police's special investigation team, said at a press briefing Monday morning that Yoon would not be exempt from the probe as president.

Protesters held a massive rally in front of the National Assembly in Seoul on Saturday, calling for President Yoon Suk Yeol's ouster after his martial law attempt. Yoon survived an impeachment vote that night. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI

"There are no human or material restrictions to the subject of an investigation," Woo said. "We will conduct a strict investigation based on law and principles."

On Sunday, police arrested former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who allegedly proposed the martial law plan and resigned soon after it ended.

Protesters called for People Party Power lawmakers to return and cast their votes for an impeachment motion Saturday night after walking out of the National Assembly. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI

Yoon shocked the nation when he declared martial law in a televised address late Tuesday night. Lawmakers rushed to the National Assembly to overturn the decree within hours, despite the deployment of nearly 300 soldiers to the building.

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The embattled president survived an impeachment motion on Saturday, as all but three members of his ruling People Party Power walked out and left the parliament short of the necessary quorum.

Public outrage has grown since Yoon's short-lived martial law late Tuesday night, leading to rallies and demonstrations around the country. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI

Despite the reprieve, Yoon is facing enormous pressure to step down amid public outrage that has led to massive rallies and demonstrations.

Yoon's own People Power Party said Sunday it will sideline the president from foreign and domestic affairs until his resignation, with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo taking over government affairs.

A protester takes a photo with his phone at a rally near the National Assembly in Seoul, calling for President Yoon Suk Yeol's ouster after his martial law attempt. Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI

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"The prime minister will consult closely with the party before the president leaves office to ensure that the people's livelihood and national affairs are not disrupted," PPP leader Han Dong-hoon said in a public address. "Even before he leaves office, the president will not get involved in state affairs, including foreign affairs."

The opposition Democratic Party called the plan unconstitutional and a "second coup," however.

Yoon's People Power Party has claimed that he will be sidelined from foreign and domestic affairs until his resignation. However, the opposition Democratic Party has called the plan unconstitutional and a "second coup." Photo by Thomas Maresca/UPI

"On what basis do chairman Han Dong-hoon and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo take over the authority to run the government?" party spokesman Cho Seung-rae said at a press conference Monday. "Is there any basis in the Constitution and the law for an unelected person, a mere leader of a political party, to be arbitrarily entrusted with the sovereignty of the people?"

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung has called for Yoon to step down immediately and announced plans to hold another impeachment vote on Saturday.

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In the meantime, Yoon maintains command of the military, a Defense Ministry spokesperson said Monday.

"Legally, (the control of military forces) currently is in the hands of the commander in chief," spokesman Jeon Ha-kyou said at a press briefing when asked whether an insurrection suspect could still control the armed forces.

He added that there was no change in the president's power to declare martial law under wartime circumstances.

Yoon made a brief public apology on Saturday before the impeachment vote, his first remarks since rescinding the martial law order on Wednesday.

"I am sincerely sorry and apologize to the people who must have been very surprised," Yoon said in the two-minute televised address.

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He said he imposed martial law due to "desperation" as president but pledged not to make another attempt.

"For the rest of my term, I will entrust my power to our (ruling) party to stabilize the political situation, " Yoon said. "Our party and the government will together take responsibility for future state affairs."
South Korean authorities have imposed an overseas travel ban on President Yoon Suk Yeol as prosecutors weigh possible insurrection charges over his botched attempt to impose martial law last week.

While Yoon survived an impeachment vote in an opposition-led parliament on Saturday, his political survival now hangs in tatters. The travel ban on the countrys embattled leader was confirmed by the Corruption Investigation Office on Monday.

His party previously said they will seek Yoons resignation and urged the president to be suspended from duties to protect the country from grave danger.

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South Koreans watched in disbelief when Yoon declared martial law in a shocking televised announcement late Tuesday. Defying the military decree, protesters gathered outside to demand Yoons resignation.

In a night of high drama, lawmakers forced their way past nearly 300 troops deployed outside the National Assembly building, and unanimously voted to block the decree, which the president was legally bound to obey  effectively reversing the presidents unilateral order.

The declaration of a military emergency, though lasting six hours, has stirred widespread anger across the country, which remains deeply scarred by the brutality of martial law imposed during decades of military dictatorship before it won a long, bloody fight for democracy in the 1980s.

On Saturday, Yoon earlier apologized to the nation in his first public comments since his abortive attempt to impose martial law, acknowledging that he caused anxiety and inconvenience to South Korean citizens.

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This emergency martial law declaration stemmed from my desperation as the ultimate responsible party for state affairs, Yoon said in a two-minute address.

The decision by the police to impose the travel ban on Yoon comes as a commander of South Koreas special forces has apologized for ordering his troops to storm parliament last week after martial law was declared, saying he placed them in grave danger.

Col. Kim Hyun-tae, commander of South Koreas 707 Special Task Force, described himself to reporters at a Monday briefing as an incompetent and irresponsible commander when he authorized troops to storm the National Assembly during President Yoon Suk Yeols short-lived imposition of martial law.

I ordered the deployment to the National Assembly. As the on-site commander for the 197 troops involved, I was the first to arrive by a helicopter. I instructed them to seal the building, engage in physical confrontations at the front and rear gates, break windows, and enter the premises, he said.

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If such orders had been given in combat, everyone would have died, he added. These troops are the most tragic victims of this situation. They are not guilty. Their only fault lies in following the orders of an incompetent commander. Please forgive them.

Kim also blamed the countrys former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun for exploiting soldiers during the chaotic night.

One of the defining scenes to emerge from the night was a video of journalist-turned-politician An Gwi-ryeong grabbing a soldiers gun as lawmakers faced off against troops who had blocked their way into the parliament building.

Kim pleaded for understanding and forgiveness for his soldiers, who he said were merely following his commands.

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Right now, my troops are suffering immensely, and their families  wives and children  are watching this unfold in agony, he said.

Kim added he would accept full responsibility for his actions and face any legal consequences: I will bear the burden for everything they have done.

South Koreas national police are also investigating former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun and other top officials for alleged treason. Kim Yong-hyun was detained by prosecutors on Sunday.

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South Korean police will consider imposing a travel ban on President Yoon Suk Yeol, a senior officer said at a press conference on Monday, local time.

Additionally, they had not ruled out questioning Yoon as part of their ongoing investigation into the illegality of last week's martial law declaration, the officer said.

PHOTO: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol answers a reporter's question during a press conference at the Presidential Office in Seoul, Nov. 7, 2024. (Kim Hong-ji/Reuters)

"There are no human or physical restrictions to the subject of an investigation," Woo Jong-soo, a senior police officer in charge of the inquiry into the martial law declaration, said, before outlining the scope of the current investigation.

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He explained that there were originally 120 members of the Security Investigation Division assigned to look into five reports related to Yoon's implementation of martial law on Dec. 3.

MORE: South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol faces impeachment vote after imposing martial law

As of Sunday, there were about 150 people working on the investigative team that he's leading, he said.

So far, the team has "conducted searches and seizures of the office, official residence, and home of former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, a key suspect in this case," Woo said, adding that investigators were also questioning key witnesses, including the National Election Commission and the Ministry of National Defense.

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"Going forward, we plan to closely investigate the decision-making process related to the declaration of martial law, the damage to the National Assembly and the National Election Commission, and the police measures," Woo said.

"In addition, we will focus on proving the charges through forensic analysis of seized items and analysis of call records," he added.

MORE: South Korea's ruling party now believes it is 'necessary' to suspend President Yoon

Woo also explained that his team, which he referred to as "the main investigator of the crime of sedition," feels a heavy sense of responsibility, and therefore, he promised the public: "We will thoroughly investigate, without any doubts."

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He stated that they would do so by "mobilizing all available resources in accordance with the law and principles."

South Korean police consider travel ban for President Yoon amid martial law inquiry originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
KIGALI, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- African Union Special Envoy on the Prevention of Genocide and Other Mass Atrocities Adama Dieng on Monday called for urgent actions to combat racism, negative ethnicity, xenophobia, and all forms of intolerance in the region.

Speaking at the International Conference on Genocide Prevention in Kigali, the Rwandan capital, Dieng said that the Rwandan genocide against Tutsi in 1994, in which about a million people were killed, did not start with machetes but dehumanization of the Tutsi ethnic group. He noted that the conflict in South Sudan started as a political crisis, where hate speech across ethnic lines was encouraged and instigated.

Quoting United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Dieng said hate speech is, in itself, an attack on tolerance, inclusion, diversity, and the very essence of human rights norms and principles.

"We should combat intolerance, treat our fellow human beings with dignity and respect. We cannot just be speaking about preventing genocide and then fail to take urgent actions to prevent it," he said.

Dieng congratulated the Rwandan government for transforming the country from ashes in the aftermath of the genocide into a thriving nation where all citizens live peacefully.

The conference was organized as part of the 76th commemoration of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide. Adopted in 1948, this landmark United Nations instrument defines genocide as an international crime and establishes responsibility for both individuals and states.

Jean-Damascene Bizimana, Rwandan minister of national unity and civic engagement, highlighted the failures of the international community to stop the Rwandan genocide despite the 1948 genocide convention.

He expressed gratitude to all stakeholders who continue to raise awareness about the genocide against the Tutsi and called for collective efforts to prevent genocide and combat its ideology. 
Dec. 8Christmas caroling set for Dec. 16

SOUTH POINT  A contract has been approved for concrete to build pickleball courts in the Village of South Point.

Mayor Jeff Gaskin said the plans are for two courts, to be located on the north end of the village's park.

He said the village will pay for fencing and other items, but the biggest expense was the concrete, which is being covered by American Rescue Plan Act funding, which needed to be spent by the end of the year.

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ARPA was a COVID-19 relief package, passed by Congressional Democrats and signed into law by President Joe Biden in 2021.

Gaskin said the courts should be ready for use by spring.

In other news, the mayor said the village will host Christmas caroling on Monday, Dec. 16. Those taking part will gather at the community center at the village park at 5:30 p.m. Carolers will ride on a hayride truck and proceed on a route throughout the village, then will meet back at the community center for hot chocolate, Gaskin said.

This is the second year for that event.

Also at the community center that night, People for the Point is hosting a free Christmas in the Village, from 6  9 p.m. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be in attendance.

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Gaskin said this month's meeting of village council, which took place on Tuesday, was "a quiet one."

The main order of business was passing an ordinance, allowing for side-by-side vehicles within the village. Gaskin said applications for those can be picked up at the police station.

He said the village is also beginning discussion on budget items, and there was an executive session on personnel matters, with no action taken.

Also, the village's new fire levy, which was passed by voters in November, will take effect next month.

Gaskin said those increased funds will allow the village to begin the search for a new fire engine for the department.

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He said the cost of a new engine has increased since the old levy was passed 30 years ago and a new truck could cost roughly $1 million.

He said the purchase will not be done immediately and time will be taken to consider options.

"We are looking around to get the best deal for the village," he said.
Deputies arrested a man on Sunday after he walked into a movie theater with an airsoft rifle and tactical vest, prompting evacuations, according to the Apple Valley Police Department.

According to the departments report, deputies responded to the Cinemark, located at 18935 Bear Valley Road, around 4:19 p.m. for calls regarding a person entering the cinema wearing a bulletproof vest and carrying a firearm.

Deputies arrived and evacuated the theater, soon finding the suspect with the airsoft rifle and vest.

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Police identified the suspect as 35-year-old Byron DeShawn Murphy of Victorville, and found that he also had misdemeanor warrants.

Murphy was booked into the High Desert Detention Center, and police did not immediately say whether he had a bail posted.

The Apple Valley Police Department would like to thank the publics cooperation and assistance with the calm evacuation of the theater, stated the departments release.

Details are limited, it was not revealed in preliminary reports how long the evacuation lasted or if Murphy made any advances once he entered the theater.

The department asks that anyone with any information about this investigation contact Deputy Dominguez with Apple Valley Sheriffs Station at 760-240-7400 or Sheriffs Dispatch at 760-956-5001.

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To remain anonymous, callers can call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-78CRIME (27463) or leave the information on the We-Tip website at www.wetip.com.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
(Bloomberg) -- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez should seek a vote of confidence in parliament, according to one of the parties that supported his election as premier.

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Sanchez must request a confidence vote because hes not trustworthy, Catalan separatist Carles Puigdemont said at a press conference on Monday. Puigdemont, who leads the pro-independence party Junts, said he has not discussed this request with other parties.

I have no interest or need to request a vote of confidence, Sanchez told reporters in Madrid on Monday.

Under Spanish rules, only the government can request a vote of confidence. Other parties can request a no-confidence vote to replace the premier, but would require a majority in parliament for it to be successful.

Sanchez first became premier in 2018 by leading the first successful no-confidence vote in Spanish history against conservative leader Mariano Rajoy. After the 2023 election, he continued as premier with support from a group of eight parties, including Junts.

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Puigdemonts party has only seven lawmakers in parliament but has been kingmaker since the inconclusive election in July 2023. It has voted both for and against government proposals on major legislation.

(Adds comment from Sanchez in third paragraph.)

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Disclaimer: All persons are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)  Investigators with the Shreveport Police Department are seeking the publics help to find two men who are wanted in connection to an armed robbery and a carjacking.

Officials with SPD say that just before 4:30 p.m. on Wed., Aug. 14, officers responded to reports of a carjacking in the 3700 block of Richmond Street in Shreveport.

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The victim told police that two Black men approached him, took his wallet and cell phone, ordered him around, and left the scene in the stolen vehicle.

The vehicle was later found in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

SPD alleges that investigators found evidence that confirmed Johnson and White were armed during the robbery.

SPD has identified two suspects in the case: Jeremiah Johnson, 22, and Jaivion White, 22. Arrest warrants have been obtained.

White and Johnson both face armed robbery and armed robbery with firearm enhancement charges. Their bonds have been set at $300,000 each.

Police consider these two suspects armed and dangerous and ask that anyone with information about their whereabouts contact the department at (318) 673-7300.

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If you prefer to remain anonymous while providing information to police, call 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.
The jury in Michael Madigans corruption trial has heard many nicknames given to the powerful Democratic House Speaker, from the obvious, like MJM or Mr. Speaker, to the more esoteric, such as Himself and our Friend.

On Monday they heard a new one: Sphinx.

That was the moniker applied to Madigan by some members of JB Pritzkers team after Pritzkers election in 2018, according to U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Ill., who was a top Pritzker aide before her election to Congress in 2022.

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The nickname, a reference to the mythical figure of Egyptian pharaohs typically used to convey strength and ferocity  and in modern times to suggest someone can be hard to read  was used in an email shown during Budzinskis testimony referencing a job recommendation from Madigan for Pritzkers new administration.

Attached is the most recent Sphinx list of recommendations ahead of your meeting today, read the Dec. 4, 2018, email, sent from Budzinski to Pritzker and his soon-to-be chief of staff, Anne Caprara. We have noted these in our process and they are coming thru our portal.

Its not the first time Madigan was referred to as Sphinx in political circles. In fact, some of the speakers own friends and colleagues sometimes called him the Sphinx from Pulaski Road, a nod to his 13th Ward headquarters at 65th and Pulaski.

But Budzinskis testimony was the first the jury had heard of it. And while she confirmed that Sphinx was a reference to Madigan, she couldnt explain why.

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On cross examination, Madigans attorney Lari Dierks asked if the Sphinx nickname was part of the myth of Madigan in Springfield.

I cant really speak to that. It wasnt my nickname, Budzinski testified.

The image of Madigan, a famously Irish Southwest Sider, as a monumental desert colossus with the head of a human, body of a lion and wings of an eagle brought some levity to an otherwise quick, cut-and-dried day of testimony in Madigans trial, which is now in its 10th week.

U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey recessed the trial for the day after only an hour so that the parties could attend services for longtime U.S. 7th Circuit of Appeals Judge Joel Flaum, who died last week at age 88.

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Testimony resumes Tuesday morning. Prosecutors have said they could rest their case in chief next week.

Madigan, 82, of Chicago, who served for decades as speaker of the Illinois House and the head of the state Democratic Party, faces racketeering charges alleging he ran his state and political operations like a criminal enterprise.

He is charged alongside his longtime confidant Michael McClain, 77, a former ComEd contract lobbyist from downstate Quincy. Both men have pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing.

Budzinski, a Springfield Democrat elected to the U.S. House last year, was senior adviser to Pritzker in his 2018 campaign to unseat Gov. Bruce Rauner and later was a key aide in Pritzkers new administration.

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When she took the stand Monday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu asked her, When youre not testifying in federal court, can you tell the jury whats your day job?

Im a United States representative, she said. I represent the 13th District of Illinois in Congress.

After Pritzker was elected in 2018, Budzinski became the executive director of the transition committee, helping to select, interview and hire a number of individuals into state government and for boards and commissions. Pritzker had the final say on any hires, Budzinski said.

The transition team set up a government portal where any applicants had to sign up, Budzinski said. Other candidates came through LinkedIn and other social media. They also took recommendations from elected officials and others in government.

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Budzinski said she was aware that Madigan had been a legislative leader for a very long time and that they gave serious consideration to any job recommendation that came from him. But she said recommendations from any of four legislative leaders were in no way a slam dunk.

We had a lot of due diligence, Budzinski said. We really took it very serious to vet every single candidate that was recommended.

Jurors were shown one email from Budzinski to other Pritzker transition staff saying they had a resume from a guy from New York seeking a position with the Illinois Department of Transportation that should have MJM on it.

We need to call him at least and perhaps maybe consider him for number two spot, Budzinski wrote.

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According to the indictment, one of Madigans recommendations was then-Ald. Daniel Solis, who was working undercover for federal investigators and asked Madigan to help him get a state board position in Pritzkers administration as part of an FBI ruse.

Jurors have previously watched undercover video in which Solis asked Madigan for help getting on a state board that paid at least $100,000, including either the Labor Relations Board or the Illinois Commerce Commission.

Prosecutors have also presented evidence that Madigan sent Solis information about state boards and commissions in response.

The indictment against Madigan alleges he sat down with Pritzker in December 2018 and mentioned Solis as a candidate for a board seat.

But Budzinski was not asked specifically about Solis in her testimony, which lasted only about 30 minutes.

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com

mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com
CHICAGO  The jury in Michael Madigans corruption trial has heard many nicknames given to the powerful Democratic House Speaker, from the obvious, like MJM or Mr. Speaker, to the more esoteric such as Himself and our Friend.

But on Monday they heard a new one: Sphinx.

That was the moniker applied to Madigan by some members of JB Pritzkers team after Pritzkers election in 2018, according to U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski, who was a top Pritzker aide before her election to Congress in 2022.

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The nickname, a reference to the mythical figure of Egyptian pharaohs typically used to convey strength and ferocity, was used in an email shown during Budzinskis testimony referencing a job recommendation from Madigan for Pritzkers new administration.

Attached is the most recent Sphinx list of recommendations ahead of your meeting today, read the Dec. 4, 2018, email, which was sent from Budzinski to Pritzker and his soon-to-be chief of staff, Anne Caprara. We have noted these in our process and they are coming thru our portal.

Its not the first time Madigan was ever referred to as Sphinx in political circles. In fact, some of the speakers own friends and colleagues sometimes called him the Sphinx from Pulaski Road, a nod to his 13th Ward headquarters at 65th and Pulaski.

But Budzinskis testimony was the first the jury had heard of it. And while she confirmed that Sphinx was a reference to Madigan, she couldnt explain why.

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On cross examination, Madigans attorney Lari Dierks asked if the Sphinx nickname was part of the myth of Madigan in Springfield.

I cant really speak to that. It wasnt my nickname, Budzinski testified.

The image of Madigan, a famously Irish Southwest Sider, as a monumental desert colossus with the head of a human, body of a lion, and wings of an eagle brought some levity to an otherwise quick, cut-and-dried day of testimony in Madigans trial, which is now in its 10th week.

U.S. District Judge John Robert Blakey recessed the trial for the day after only an hour so that the parties could attend services for longtime 7th Circuit Judge Joel Flaum, who passed away last week at age 88.

Advertisement Advertisement

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Testimony resumes Tuesday morning. Prosecutors have said they could rest their case in chief later this week.

Madigan, 82, of Chicago, who served for decades as speaker of the Illinois House and the head of the state Democratic Party, faces racketeering charges alleging he ran his state and political operations like a criminal enterprise.

He is charged alongside his longtime confidant Michael McClain, 77, a former ComEd contract lobbyist from downstate Quincy. Both men have pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing.

Budzinski, a Springfield Democrat elected to the U.S. House last year, was senior advisor to Pritzker in his 2018 campaign to unseat Gov. Bruce Rauner and later was a key aide in Pritzkers new administration.

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When she took the stand Tuesday, Assistant U.S. Attorney Amarjeet Bhachu asked her, When youre not testifying in federal court, can you tell the jury whats your day job?

Im a United States representative, she said. I represent the 13th District of Illinois in Congress.

After Pritzker was elected in 2018, Budzinski became the executive director of the transition committee, helping to select, interview and hire a number of individuals into state government and for boards and commissions. Pritzker had the final say on any hires, Budzinski said.

The transition team set up a government portal where any applicants had to sign up, Budzinski said. Other candidates came through LinkedIn and other social media. They also took recommendations from elected officials and others in government.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Budzinski said she was aware Madigan had been a legislative leader for a very long time, and that they gave serious consideration to any job recommendation that came from him. But she said recommendations from any of four legislative leaders were in no way a slam dunk.

We had a lot of due diligence, Budzinski said. We really took it very serious to vet every single candidate that was recommended.

Jurors were shown one email from Budzinski to other Pritzker transition staff saying they had a resume from a guy from New York seeking a position with the Illinois Department of Transportation that should have MJM on it.

We need to call him at least and perhaps maybe consider him for number two spot, Budzinski wrote.

Advertisement Advertisement

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According to the indictment, one of Madigans recommendations was then-Ald. Daniel Solis, who was working undercover for federal investigators and asked Madigan to help him get a state board position in Pritzkers administration as part of an FBI rise.

Jurors have previously watched undercover video in which Solis asked Madigan for help getting on a state board that paid at least $100,000, including either the Labor Relations Board or the Illinois Commerce Commission.

Prosecutors have also presented evidence that Madigan sent Solis information about state boards and commissions in response.

The indictment against Madigan alleges he sat down with Pritzker in December 2018 and mentioned Solis as a candidate for a board seat.

But Budzinski was not asked specifically about Solis in her testimony, which lasted only about 30 minutes.

____
Republicans say the economy is a disaster while Democrats say its the envy of the world. Economists say the big picture is a lot more complicated than either side would have you believe.
(Bloomberg) -- Squid Game auteur Hwang Dong-hyuk has joined calls by hundreds of Korean actors and directors to impeach or oust President Yoon Suk-yeol, pitting one of the countrys most powerful industries against the embattled leader.

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Hwang, who won global acclaim for creating Netflix Inc.s most popular show of all time, used a press briefing in Seoul Monday ahead of the second seasons launch to blast Yoon for his now-revoked martial law decree. Yoon survived an impeachment motion over the weekend for his move, which plunged the country into its worst political crisis in about four decades.

Calling the situation ridiculous, the 52-year-old pointed out how divisions in society like those in his 2021 and upcoming series were fueling chaos around the world.

Its unfortunate and infuriating that the whole country has to spend the end of the year with fear, anxiety, and depression because of this ridiculous situation, Hwang told reporters. I hope that the person who is responsible for this situation takes responsibility as soon as possible, whether it is through impeachment or voluntary resignation, so that we can have a blessed year-end.

On Sunday, more than 3,000 film professionals, including Parasite director Bong Joon-ho and Old Boy director Park Chan-wook, issued a statement calling for Yoons exit.

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Netflix and Hwang decided to move ahead with the scheduled event despite the political crisis. The nation of 50 million is grappling with the uncertainty stemming from Yoons decision last week which has raised profound questions about his leadership and Koreas stability. It also took its closest ally US by surprise.

Hwangs brief comments stood out during an hour-long session during which he mostly answered questions about his shows second season, debuting after Christmas. He joins academics, officials, and ordinary citizens in calling for Yoon to answer for his actions. Last week, Nobel Prize-winning author Han Kang  whose book Human Acts is credited for educating succeeding generations about the violent aftermath of a 1979 military coup  also spoke out publicly against the events of Dec. 3.

The first season of Squid Game is Netflixs most-watched series to date, drawing a record 330 million views with more than 2.8 billion viewing hours. Netflix has ambitions to turn the series  a violent parable about the extent to which people will go to best each other  into one of its largest global franchises. It plans a third and final season in 2025.

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ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  Kicking off the holiday season  Saint Johns Home hosted their 30th annual Illumination of Love for the residents.

Folks in the community could purchase one light for 5-dollars in honor or in memory of a loved one.

Usually, the ceremony takes place the first Sunday in December and all money raised goes directly to the residents for any personal needs.

A select resident also has the honor of flipping the switch that lights up the Skalny Courtyard at home.

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Leaders at Saint Johns tell news 8 that an event like this helps residents feel the holiday cheer.

This year, the community raised $12,000 lighting up the courtyard with 2400 lights.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
State Attorney Andrew Bain dropped four forgery-related felony charges against former state Rep. Carolina Amesty, upon Amestys completion of community service and a financial crimes course.

Amesty was indicted by a grand jury in August following an investigation by Florida Department of Law Enforcement that concluded she had improperly notarized  and likely had forged  a mans signature on a licensing form for a small Orlando-area private college run by her family. The investigation came in the wake of investigative reporting by the Orlando Sentinel into Amestys conduct.

Jason Gunn, a spokesman for Bains office, wrote in an email Monday afternoon that Amesty was eligible for what is known in the courts as diversion based on her lack of criminal history and the non-violent nature of the charges against her. Diversion is a not uncommon procedure in such instances, often requiring a defendant to undergo education and fulfill a service requirement in exchange for avoiding a criminal record.

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The diversion terms required the defendant to complete a financial crimes course, a financial literacy course and 30 hours of community service, Gunn wrote.

Once Amesty completed those requirements, a notice of non-prosecution was filed in the case, he added. The document signed by Chief Assistant State Attorney Ryan Williams was entered into Orange County Circuit Court early Sunday morning.

The legal action appears to resolve much of the remaining controversy surrounding Amesty, a Republican from west Orange County who was first elected to the Florida House in 2022 and narrowly lost her reelection bid in November to Democrat Leonard Spencer, a former Disney executive. She was the only sitting GOP legislator to lose their race.

Amesty, 30, said Monday in a statement that the dismissal of the charges was just and correct. Her six-paragraph statement did not mention the diversion program instead decrying the politics of personal destruction.

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I am extraordinarily grateful to God, my family, and the many friends who stood by me during this painful ordeal, she said.

Amestys attorney John Lauro wrote in an email on Monday morning that justice was served for his client.

Spencer, a political newcomer, was sworn in last month to represent the district which includes much of west Orange County, including Windermere, Horizon West and Disney World and part of northern Osceola County. He said Monday in a statement that his victory last month demonstrated that constituents were ready to move on from the politics of chaos and corruption that defined the last two years of leadership, in the district.

While there are many questions around todays decision, the answers that I am most focused on are how to lower costs for Floridians, Spencer said.

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A story in March published by the Sentinel detailed how Amesty notarized a form in September 2021 claiming Robert Shaffer, a veteran educator with a Ph.D from the University of Florida, was an employee at Central Christian University, a small college run by Amestys family. But Shaffer, who previously served as the principal of the adjacent K-12 school also run by Amestys family, told the Sentinel he never worked at the university nor signed the form Amesty said he did.

Amesty pleaded not guilty to all of the charges, which were third-degree felonies. Three of the counts name the Shaffer document that was a subject of the Sentinels investigation.

Attorney Mark NeJame, who was not involved in Amestys case, said the state attorneys office has wide latitude to offer pre-trial diversions to defendants with no criminal history, but he thinks the former lawmaker is getting less than a slap on the hand given the multiple felony charges and the deception to the public caused by the alleged forgery.

She got the break of a lifetime, he said.

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Bain ran for re-election this year with no party affiliation but was appointed to his current role by DeSantis, a Republican. The leniency Bains office showed to Amesty, who received the support of Donald Trump Jr. earlier this year, looks questionable, said NeJame, a Democratic donor who has supported local and national candidates.

The optics dont look good, he said.

Amesty previously served as a vice president at Central Christian University, a small school located on Hiawassee Road that was founded by her father, Juan Amesty. The Sentinel reported last year that the school also failed to pay on time the property taxes it owed on its five-bedroom pool home near Windermere, and Amestys shuttered fast-food restaurant failed to pay its property taxes and utility bills for months.

The Orlando Utilities Commission cut off the restaurants electricity and water service after the restaurant did not respond to past-due notices.

anmartin@orlandosentinel.com
VIENNA, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Austria will drop its veto on Bulgaria and Romania fully joining the border-free Schengen area, its interior ministry said on Monday.

This will remove the last roadblock to the European Union (EU) interior ministers' approval of the two countries' full entry into the Schengen area at a meeting in Brussels on Thursday.

According to Austrian broadcaster ORF, the country's interior ministry said on Monday that it would no longer "stand in the way" for the two countries' full accession to the Schengen area.

The European Council greenlighted at the end of last year the partial entry of the two countries, both EU members, into the Schengen area, with the controls at the air and sea borders lifted since the end of March this year.

With their expected full entry, the controls on land borders will also be dropped.

Austria initially opposed their full accession due to the high number of illegal immigration via the Balkan route.

However, with the joint border protection efforts by Austria, Romania, Bulgaria and Hungary since the end of last year, Austria's interior ministry has seen a significant drop in illegal border crossings into the EU this year, ORF reported. 
ORLANDO, Fla.  State Attorney Andrew Bains office is dropping four felony charges against former state Rep. Carolina Amesty, who was accused of forging a mans signature on a form she notarized while working as an administrator for a small Orlando-area private college run by her family.

Amesty was indicted by a grand jury in August after an investigation by Florida Department of Law Enforcement that was initiated in the wake of an investigative story by the Orlando Sentinel into Amestys conduct.

The notice of non-prosecution entered into Orange County Circuit court early Sunday morning does not provide any insight into why the charges were dropped. The document signed by Chief Assistant State Attorney Ryan Williams indicates Amesty wont be prosecuted for any of the four charges.

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Williams and press contacts for Bains office couldnt be reached for comment Monday morning.

Amestys attorney wrote in an email that his client planned to make a statement shortly.

We are pleased to see and grateful that the State Attorneys Office has dropped all charges against Ms. Amesty, attorney John Lauro wrote. Justice was served.

Amesty, a Republican from west Orange County who was first elected to the Florida House in 2022, narrowly lost her reelection bid in November to Democrat Leonard Spencer, a former Disney executive. She was the only sitting GOP legislator to lose their race.

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Bain, who was appointed by DeSantis to be the state attorney for Orange and Osceola counties last year, also lost his election bid in November to former State Attorney Monique Worrell.

A story in March published by the Sentinel detailed how Amesty notarized a form in September 2021 claiming Robert Shaffer, a veteran educator with a Ph.D from the University of Florida, was an employee at the university. But Shaffer, who previously served as the principal of the adjacent K-12 school run by Amestys family, told the Sentinel he never worked at the university nor signed the form Amesty said he did.

Amesty immediately pleaded not guilty to all of the charges, which were third-degree felonies. Three of the counts name the Shaffer document that was a subject of the Sentinels investigation.

--------
STATE COLLEGE, Pa. (WTAJ)  State College police are clearing up social media rumors about a violent crime happening over the weekend.

According to police, posts have circulated on social media with a photo of a bloody naked man, claiming there was a violent crime that happened at an apartment building downtown.

Police said they were called for an incident involving the man in question, but added that it had nothing to do with a violent crime. Police stressed that there was and is no threat to others.

Stay up to date with the latest news in the palm of your hand. Click here to download the WTAJ app for Apple and Android devices.

However, due to the nature of the call with the naked man, police said no further information would be released.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.
SOUTH DAYTONA, Fla. (WTAJ)  A Pennsylvania man wanted by multiple police departments, including in State College, was arrested in Florida last week.

Michael Lloyd, 43, was arrested by South Daytona Beach Police and placed in Volusia County Correctional Facility on no less than four warrants out of Pennsylvania.

Less than two weeks ago, State College police put out a news release about Lloyd. He was wanted for stalking and police were hoping the public could help locate him.

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Police searching for man wanted on stalking warrant in State College

In an update Monday morning, State College police said Lloyd was arrested in Florida on multiple warrants, including two out of State College. Court dockets show that Lloyd has had numerous run-ins with State College police over the past two years that include stalking, terroristic threats and bad check charges.

Stay up to date with the latest news in the palm of your hand. Click here to download the WTAJ app for Apple and Android devices.

Lloyd will remain in Volusia County Correctional Facility while he awaits extradition back to Pennsylvania.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com.
The new State Lab is under construction on the Capitol grounds in Bismarck on Nov. 21, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

A new State Lab under construction on the Capitol grounds will give North Dakota expanded capabilities to address public health and environmental concerns, including testing to detect forever chemicals.

North Dakotas Department of Environmental Quality sends up to 100 samples each year to out-of-state labs to test for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances, or PFAS, also known as forever chemicals, said Karl Rockeman, deputy director of the Department of Environmental Quality.

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PFAS are widely used chemical components in consumer and industrial products that break down very slowly over time, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. The chemicals have been found in animals and humans and have been linked to harmful health effects.

Rockeman said the amount of PFAS testing required for states is continuing to increase as more information about the compounds becomes known.

This is an emerging thing so every state is kind of going through something similar, Rockeman said.

The new State Lab will allow North Dakota to test for PFAS locally. That could reduce the wait time for results from up to nine months to approximately two to four weeks if the new lab is fully staffed, equipped and certified, according to the department.

North Dakota Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller, chair of the Capitol Grounds Planning Commission, speaks during a commission meeting in Bismarck on Feb. 22, 2024. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor)

Lt. Gov. Tammy Miller highlighted the PFAS testing capability during an October ceremony that celebrated the placing of the final structural beam of the State Lab.

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We want to establish a regional testing lab here by 2030 because PFAS testing options in this EPA region are very limited, said Miller, who chaired the North Dakota State Laboratory Steering Committee.

Rockeman said the department has a testing program to look for PFAS in drinking water, regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The department also does periodic screenings at sites such as landfills and wastewater treatment facilities to better understand the scope of PFAS contaminants and how they end up in different water systems, Rockeman said. He added PFAS is also found in firefighting foam.

PFAS is in a number of products that we use in our homes, Rockeman said. Because of that, it ends up in our garbage. It ends up in our wastewater, so that is, of course, a concern.

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While there are hundreds, if not thousands, of PFAS compounds, Rockeman said quality testing can be done on only about 40 different PFAS chemicals nationwide.

Rockeman said after the department settles into a portion of the new lab, it could provide health officials with some budget savings.

Its not going to be huge compared to all the samples and things we do  but certainly there will be savings there, he said.

The $70 million State Lab is anticipated to be complete in June 2026. It will house about 50 staff from the Department of Environmental Quality and Department of Health and Human Services.

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The new facility also will help the state comply with new EPA rules surrounding the replacement of lead pipes to homes within the next 10 years. Miller said during the October event that the lab already conducts about 1,300 lead and copper tests per year, but that number is expected to increase to 8,000 tests.

The new facility also will allow the Department of Health and Human Services to provide additional toxicology services, which the department says will be essential for diagnosing and managing exposure to harmful substances that could cause significant health problems.

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HIV blood test tube and prescription on table. (Getty)

State and local leaders gathered in South Charleston on Wednesday to discuss challenges with West Virginias drug and overdose epidemic, including ongoing difficulties in both identifying and preventing HIV and hepatitis among people who use drugs.

The conversation  hosted at Cafe Appalachia, a nonprofit cafe that employs and supports people with substance use disorders  was facilitated by the Community Education Group and moderated by the organizations founder, A. Toni Young.

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The panel featured Sen. Tom Takubo, R-Kanawha, who is a physician by trade; Bishop Robert L. Haley, III, the founder and CEO of A More Excellent Life Center Church on Charlestons West Side; Dr. Stephen Loyd, the new head of the states Office of Drug Control Policy, and Megan Simpson, the program officer for the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation. They spoke to an audience filled with people working in direct response to the ongoing crisis; current and former state officials, members and staff of the West Virginia First Foundation, harm reduction program providers, community advocates and more.

Panelists discussed everything from challenges that come with accessing funds for programming related to the epidemic to the political environment that can  and often does  complicate this work.

Through the nearly two hour conversation, several key points were made by nearly all those who participated in the conversation: state lawmakers need to be better educated on the reality of substance use disorder and the consequences of the laws they consider and pass and collecting and utilizing accurate data is crucial to both understanding and forming adequate responses to the ongoing crisis.

Working with the Legislature and within the law

The state Legislature is critical in determining what kind of services for people who use drugs are allowed to be offered in the state. Over recent years, however, numerous policies have been adopted by lawmakers that undermine what experts say and what decades of research show can lead to the best outcomes for both people with substance use disorders and the communities around them.

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Laws on the books today include limits to the operation of harm reduction programs that outlaw the existence of any needs-based syringe service program, which are proven to be effective at decreasing rates of HIV and hepatitis among people who inject drugs while increasing the likelihood that they enter a recovery program. Other laws include a moratorium on the creation of new opioid treatment programs, a ban on distributing safe smoking equipment, policies that limit how state funds can be used for drug programs and hefty criminal penalties targeted toward people who possess or use drugs.

Takubo, who is in the middle of his third term as a state senator, said it can be challenging for state legislators and other elected officials to break away from their assumptions about drug use and people who use drugs.

Theres a lot of misconceptions, and theres a lot more education that needs to be done with our legislators. Many of them come in with the predisposition of what they see on the street, Takubo said. They dont see whats happening inside rooms like this and in all the churches and the community centers. They dont see the results  that people are successful. Theyre only looking at the dark side of it. There has to be a better job of communicating and educating legislators, so that they have a better understanding of it.

But often, Takubo said, advocates want to work on that education during the chaotic 60-day regular session, when lawmakers are gathered at the state Capitol. He said thats not a great strategy. During that period, Takubo continued, lawmakers are busy hearing from stakeholders on dozens of different issues.

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The most effective way to educate and connect with lawmakers, he said, is during the other 10 months of the year and in smaller, more intimate settings.

When you get big groups, you lose people. If youre able to get them one on one, where they can actually get down in the weeds, see it get more of a granular feel for things, that sticks better, Takubo said.

Challenges and benefits of collecting good data

To date, many of the laws that have been passed by the state Legislature have complicated how service providers can connect with people who use drugs, robbing them of what used to be critical touchpoints that allowed them to build trust with users while educating them on options for recovery. Local leaders and service providers have lamented these losses for years now.

The end of needs-based syringe service programs saw the number of programs in the state cut in half, down to eight. Most of these programs see fewer clients now than they did before the law took hold because of the stringent policies they must follow, like checking a photo ID for service and collecting syringes before more can be distributed.

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As fewer people now attend these programs, its become more difficult to target testing efforts for HIV and hepatitis toward the most at-risk populations while building relationships that make people who use drugs feel comfortable asking for help.

While state data shows there has been a decrease in the number of HIV and hepatitis cases circulating in hotspots throughout West Virginia, experts have warned to be wary of those figures. Its likely that numerous cases are going undiagnosed, either due to limited testing capabilities or fear over getting screened.

In this country, we say that we cant find approximately 20-25% of HIV cases. But I believe those cases are in rural America, that theyre here, Young said. I believe that theyre in medically assisted therapy centers, MAT providers, at buprenorphine, suboxone and methadone [clinics], where we have to increase screening, where we cannot continue to allow people to opt out.

Loyd, who started leading the state ODCP in September and who is in long-term recovery for addiction himself, said an integral part of increasing testing for HIV and other bloodborne illnesses is ensuring people who are at risk understand that there are treatments available.

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Most people dont want to know [their status], because first of all, HIV has been a death sentence for most peoples lives. Its been a death sentence. Well, Its not a death sentence anymore, Loyd said. Weve got to overcome their denial about what theyre at risk for by showing them that theres a cure, that theres help on the other side.

And with better testing infrastructure  as well as widespread treatment options and touchpoints for care  the state and providers across it can collect data that paints a more accurate picture of what works and what doesnt.

That data can then be used to challenge preconceived notions about how people who use drugs interact with the systems around them. It can help lawmakers, Takubo said, understand that certain interventions are necessary and worth learning more about.

If they dont know, if theyre not educated, they dont see [what can work], its hard to get them to fund it, Takubo said. Its hard to get them to buy in on it. And the only way were going to do that is with education through data.
A 36-year-old man in a St. Paul church parking lot was killed when a man whod been fleeing from law enforcement crashed into his car, authorities said Monday.

Law enforcement arrested a 28-year-old from Minneapolis on suspicion of criminal vehicular homicide, fleeing police in a motor vehicle and a Minnesota Department of Corrections warrant, according to the Ramsey County sheriffs office. They and the Minnesota State Patrol said they had stopped pursuing the driver before the crash.

Investigators determined the suspects vehicle left the roadway while he was driving at excessive speeds and struck a parked vehicle in the parking lot of Gustavus Adolphus Lutheran Church, on Arcade Street near Larpenteur Avenue, said a statement from the sheriffs office.

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Day Por Tho, of St. Paul, was the only person in the Mazda 3 when his car was hit by the 28-year-old driving a Toyota Camry, according to the State Patrol.

The church wasnt aware of Tho being connected to Gustavus Adolphus, said Rob Sebo Lubke, the churchs communication director. Whoever was in that car was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, he said before the victims name was released by the State Patrol. We just feel terrible.

The initial belief is that the victim was sleeping in his car when the crash happened, said Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher. The State Patrol investigation continues.

Started with speeding; suspect had warrant

The incident began when a trooper stopped a vehicle for speeding near Interstate 94 and Marion Street just after 11:15 p.m. Sunday.

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After coming to a brief stop, the driver fled the traffic stop and troopers began to pursue the fleeing driver before discontinuing the pursuit, said Lt. Michael Lee, State Patrol spokesman.

A Ramsey County sheriffs deputy assisted the State Patrol with the pursuit in the area of northbound Interstate 35E from I-94, and pursued the vehicle for half a mile east on Larpenteur Avenue. The deputy also discontinued the pursuit once the Minnesota State Patrol helicopter located the suspect vehicle, according to a statement from the sheriffs office. The church is approximately another half-mile east.

The helicopter radioed to squads on the ground that the suspect vehicle crashed. The suspect ran, and sheriffs deputies apprehended him using a Taser.

The suspect was on intensive supervised release from prison since May. He was sentenced to a prison term of nearly 11 years in 2014 for attempted murder in a shooting in Minneapolis.

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Then, he was sentenced in August 2023 to 2 years in prison, with credit for more than a year served, for possession of a firearm by a person prohibited because of a conviction of a crime of violence. Most people convicted of felonies in Minnesota serve two-thirds of their prison sentence in custody and the remainder on supervision in the community.

The Department of Corrections issued a warrant for the man in July for alleged violations of his condition of release, according to the department.

In September, the man fled from Minneapolis officers, crashed his vehicle and ran, said the Ramsey County sheriffs office. The Hennepin County Attorneys Office is reviewing the case for potential charges.

State records dont indicate the suspect ever had a Minnesota drivers license, according to a state Driver and Vehicle Services spokesperson.
Stephen Miller reiterated Sunday that President-elect Donald Trump will spend his first days in office enacting his sweeping plans for mass deportations across the country.

Miller, one of Trumps closest advisers and a key figure in the president-elects far-right immigration agenda, was recently tapped to serve as White House deputy chief of staff for policy. In a conversation with Fox News Maria Bartiromo on Sunday, Miller said Trump would issue a series of executive orders on day one to seal the border shut and begin the largest deportation operation in American history.

That effort, he said, would include working with incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-Ind.) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) to pass a comprehensive border bill when Republicans take control of the chamber in January.

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John Thune and Lindsey Graham have promised that they can get a full funding package for the border, the most significant border security investment in American history, which would be the biggest domestic policy win in at least 50 years, to the presidents desk in January or early February, Miller said Sunday.

Stephen Miller said Trump will spend his first day in office issuing executive orders on the border before turning his attention to other campaign promises. AP Photo/Evan Vucci

He laid out a list of boons included in a new border package  an increase in border agents, pay raises for those working there and increased funding for Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Republicans united to tank a similar, bipartisan measure earlier this year after Trump intervened to deny President Joe Biden a legislative victory in an election year.

Trump has long pledged to deport millions of undocumented immigrants living in the United States, although its unclear how easily he will be able to turn the campaign pledges into reality considering the sheer number of people hes targeting. Regardless, the effort is sure to harm millions of immigrants and their families and could be even more indiscriminate than the deportation policy enacted during his first term.

Miller claimed Sunday that Trumps actions on his first day will immediately stem the flow of people seeking to enter the U.S. without authorization. Other key campaign promises, including broad tax reform, will come later, Miller said, once Trump builds momentum along the border.

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Now, President Trump, regardless on day one, is going to issue a series of executive orders that seal the border shut and begin the largest deportation operation in American history, the aide said. Its something the Republicans have been talking about for decades.

But with Donald Trump, this is something that is going to happen.

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Dec. 9BROOKLYN PARK, Minn.  A Stewartville man was shot in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, on Saturday, Dec. 7.

According to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office, Ramone Rashawn Blue, 23, died around 2:45 p.m. after he was taken to the North Memorial Health Hospital in Robbinsdale, Minnesota. His cause of death was listed as multiple gunshot wounds.

Brooklyn Park police responded to a shooting at a business parking lot at 8069 Brooklyn Boulevard around 2 p.m. Saturday, a Brooklyn Park Police Department release said.

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Officers found two individuals with gunshot wounds, the release said. Both were brought to the hospital, where Blue later died. The other was "seriously wounded," according to the release.

The suspect fled the scene prior to police arrival, the Brooklyn Park Police Department said.

The medical examiner ruled Blue's manner of death as homicide.

The case remains under investigation.
NBC News Kristen Welker took on Donald Trumps talk of concepts of a plan for health care in a sit-down interview with the president-elect on Sundays edition of Meet the Press.

Sir, you said during the campaign you had concepts of a plan. Do you have an actual plan at this point for health care? Welker asked in reference to Trumps vague claim during his debate with Kamala Harris.

Yes, we have concepts of a plan that would be better, Trump replied.

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Still just concepts? Do you have a fully developed plan? asked the host of Meet the Press.

We have the biggest health care companies looking at it. We have doctors who are always looking. Because Obamacare stinks, its lousy. There are better answers, he said.

He continued: If we come up with a better answer, I would present that answer to Democrats and to everybody else and Id do something about it. But until we have that or until they can approve it  were not going to go through the big deal. I am the one that saved Obamacare, I will say, and I did the right thing.

Trump, when asked if Americans will see his fully developed plan, said he doesnt know if people will see it at all.

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He told Welker that Americans with preexisting conditions will still have coverage under his concepts of a plan and declared that he wants better health care for less money.

The president-elect  who promised to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act during his 2016 campaign  has tried to rewrite history on his Obamacare record by claiming that he tried to save the law during his first term as president.

Earlier in the interview, Welker cited Republicans who told her its no longer feasible to repeal and replace Obamacare because its so entrenched in the system.

Do you see it that way? Is that now off the table? she asked.

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In response, Trump slammed the late Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) for his thumbs-down vote against repealing the ACAs individual mandate. He went on to describe how he made it so Obamacare works.

But you did try to overturn it, sir, Welker noted.

Its lou  well, its lousy, Trump said.

You did try to overturn it. You did have your Justice Department try to direct the Supreme Court to overturn it, she continued.

Trump claimed he got a little bit of a surprising opinion from the court before adding that Americans would have had much better health care if it were overturned.

I couldve made the worst of it and it would have fallen by the wayside. I did the right thing from a human standpoint, he said.

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Documentary filmmakers tend to keep an open mind when they are pulling together the elements to make their latest project. That allows them to adjust to any twists or turns that can arise during the process.

Director Julian Brave NoiseCat believes despite their best efforts, everyone has a perspective that they bring to the filming. In his case, that perspective is a very personal one to him that can be seen in his award-winning feature documentary Sugarcane. The film is now available on the National Geographic channel and will stream starting Dec. 10 on Disney+ and Hulu.

It is obviously a personal story, the director says.

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The decision to make the film was sparked by evidence of unmarked graves that were discovered in 2021 on the grounds of an Indian residential school run by the Catholic Church in Canada. The forced separation, assimilation and abuse many children experienced was covered up until the discovery that sparked a national outcry against a system designed to destroy Indigenous communities.

NoiseCats personal connection is that his father was born at St. Josephs Mission, an Indian residential school near Williams Lake, British Columbia. The director didnt know the story of his fathers birth until after ground-penetrating radar detected suspected graves of missing children at the school.

Ultimately in non-fiction you need to be driven by the pursuit of the truth. And there are multiple forms of the truth, NoiseCat says. There is the investigative and historical truth and those are obviously essential to the film that we made.

There is also emotional truth. There is also spiritual truth. Part of the power of film is that it can get at those as well in the way that we approach Sugarcane with our observational approach, our character-led approach and the investigation running through it.

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Although he embraced all the avenues for finding the truth, it was the personal and spiritual roads that were the most important to NoiseCat. It wasnt enough to know what story was to be told but to feel it in his heart.

NoiseCat was not the only person involved with the project with a personal connection. Indigenous actress Lily Gladstone, an executive producer on the project, is the granddaughter of a boarding school survivor. There were 139 segregated boarding schools in Canada and the 417 federally funded schools in the United States.

The work by NoiseCat and fellow director Emily Kassie won the U.S. Documentary Competition Directing Award at Sundance Film Festival earlier this year. It has screened at more than 60 festivals globally and won 19 festival awards.

The film has been included in the DOC NYC Shortlist as well as the IDA Documentary Awards Shortlist for Best Feature Documentary. It received eight nominations at this years Critics Choice Documentary Awards and is on the Cinema Eye Honors Audience Choice Award Long List.

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Sugarcane is filled with very personal and emotional moments but NoiseCat points to the segment with Rick Gilbert, former chief of Williams Lake First Nation, as one of the most powerful. Gilbert had held true to his Catholic faith despite witnessing the atrocities at St. Josephs but after being invited to the Vatican for a meeting between Pope Francis and Indigenous Canadians, Gilbert confronted a member of the Catholic Order with the abuse he had brought to him and four generations of his family.

I think that was very clearly a turning point not only in the importance of that scene but to the entire production, NoiseCat says. It also influenced me on my own journey.

It was after that I needed to go there with my story and my familys story.

Unlike her co-director, Kassie came to the project with experience in filmmaking and investigative journalism. She has directed and reported projects for The New York Times, PBS Frontline, and The Guardian, among others.

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What happened in these facilities was kept a deep secret. Kassie grew up in Canada but never heard a word about the horrors that were committed such as how this was the first time a pattern of infanticide was documented.

For over 150 years in both the U.S. and Canada there was this system of forced assimilation, separation of indigenous children at these schools that were set up to erase who they were to their families and their communities, Kassie says. Not only that, they were horrifically abused, many by clergy members. And predominantly in Canada by the Catholic Church.

Canadian society and American society chose to look away.

The secret was kept even after Indigenous people reported what was happening to the police. The documentary includes a newspaper article detailing what was happening that didnt spark any official response.

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Both directors are happy that their film is casting a light on what happened. They would like an inquiry to be opened to determine wat really happened and the record be corrected to reflect the truth.

We insist with the film that if nothing else, the survivors are owed the truth, Kassie says.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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MOGADISHU, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Somali government has ramped up its efforts to repatriate nationals from foreign African countries, successfully facilitating the return of 230 citizens who were stranded or detained over the past five days.

This repatriation process, supported by the United Nations migration agency, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), took place in Libya, Madagascar, and Sudan.

On Dec. 5, 161 Somali nationals returned from Libya, while 47 survivors of a boat disaster were brought back from Madagascar on Saturday. On Monday, 22 Somali nationals who had been detained in Sudan for attempting irregular migration were repatriated to Somalia.

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Ahmed Moallim Fiqi called the successful repatriations a significant milestone in addressing the challenges of irregular migration and ensuring the safety of Somali nationals abroad.

"This operation highlights Somalia's unwavering commitment to its citizens and to addressing migration challenges through cooperation with our international partners," the minister said in a statement released on Thursday when the citizens returned from Libya.

The repatriation efforts, funded by the European Union and implemented by the IOM, saw most of the returnees from Libya on the Dec. 5 charter flight as young men and women under the age of 30 who had been stranded in the country for several months.

The survivors of the Madagascar boat tragedy, aged between 17 and 50, expressed immense relief at returning to safety. The foreign ministry said the survivors of the early November boat tragedy, which claimed 28 lives in the Indian Ocean off Madagascar, shared harrowing accounts of their ordeal.

On Monday, the minister also announced the successful repatriation of 22 Somali citizens who had been detained in Sudan's Dongola and Gadaref detention facilities for three months.

All the 22 individuals arrived safely in Mogadishu, marking another milestone in the ministry's efforts to protect the rights and dignity of Somali citizens abroad and combat human trafficking, Figi said.

Every year, hundreds of Somali migrants embark on perilous journeys along the Northern Mediterranean route, passing through multiple countries with hopes of reaching Europe, the IOM said.

According to the IOM's Displacement Tracking Matrix report published in July, more than 1,500 Somali migrants were stranded in Libya, where many face dangerous and precarious conditions.

Insecurity, lack of food, shelter, and healthcare in Libya expose these migrants to significant risks, the IOM said, noting that thousands urgently require protection and humanitarian assistance. 
PLATTSBURGH  More than 300 SUNY Plattsburgh undergrads and graduate students are eligible to cross the dais Saturday, Dec. 14 during the universitys annual winter commencement ceremony being held at 10 a.m. in the Plattsburgh State Field House, Rugar Street.

Students, faculty, administrators and invited guests will take their places in the gymnasium, with members of the RCMP C-Division Pipes and Drums leading faculty to their seats. Marshal and SUNY Distinguished Service Professor, Dr. Mohamed Gaber, will carry the mace as a senior-most faculty member. The mace, crafted by the late Dr. Edgar Barton, Distinguished Teaching Professor emeritus of art, symbolizes a universitys authority, scholarship, and integrity. Its use signifies the importance of the event.

President Alexander Enyedi will preside over the ceremony with Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Marcus Tye presenting candidates for their degrees for the first time since joining the SUNY Plattsburgh administration in August of this year.

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SUNY Honorary Degree

A SUNY honorary degree of doctor of fine arts will be presented to award-winning author and 1974 alumna, Xu Xi Sussy Komala. The Chinese-Indonesian native of Hong Kong is internationally recognized as an author and editor, whose books and essays have been published in the United States, United Kingdom and Hong Kong.

Komala has taught writing and literature at universities around the world, including China, Australia, Thailand, Denmark, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Macau, New Zealand, Singapore and Sweden. She was featured on The Voice of Americas Chinese-language TV series, Cultural Odyssey, and her novels and short stories have been nominated and selected for the OHenry Prize Stories collection, the South China Morning Post, the Ploughshares Cohen Award and the Man Asian Literary Prize.

An English major who said she attended SUNY Plattsburgh because it was the only college to offer a scholarship for international students, Komala has specified in her will that the college will receive the proceeds from the sale of her Morrisonville home after she and her husband, XXX, pass away, funds that will be used for scholarships and the universitys other top priorities, including applied-learning and emergency grants.

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Student Speaker

In keeping with the tradition of having a student address fellow graduates during commencement, biomedical sciences major Sukhpreet Kaur of Karnal, India, will represent her classmates and give the student address.

Kaur came to SUNY Plattsburgh in part because of its strong support for international students in addition to its reputation for academic excellence and its beautiful campus, she said.

The biomedical sciences program particularly caught my attention as it aligned perfectly with my interest in healthcare and research.

What truly sealed the deal for me was the welcoming environment I saw in the stories and testimonials of other students; it felt like a place where I could grow both personally and academically, and I knew it was where I belonged, Kaur said.

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Campus Community Warm, Supportive

Citing the campus community, Kaur said the university has far exceeded what I had hoped for. The community here is so warm and supportive  Ive felt a sense of belonging from the very beginning.

The faculty, staff and my peers have all contributed to making my journey here special. The resources on campus, from the library to the academic support centers, have played an integral role in my success. Most importantly, the challenges I faced here, from adjusting to a new culture to navigating rigorous coursework, have helped me grow immensely, she said. SUNY Plattsburgh didnt just meet my expectations; it became my second home.

Dreams of Improving Peoples Lives

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The soft-spoken Kaur said she envisions herself running her own pharmaceutical or cosmetic company, having long dreamed off using my education and entrepreneurial spirit to develop products that improve peoples lives.

Whether its a groundbreaking skincare line or innovative medications, I want to focus on quality, accessibility and making a positive impact, she said. This goal is deeply personal to me, and Im committed to working hard to make it a reality.

And she would share that sense of commitment to hard work with potential future SUNY Plattsburgh students, she said.

More than just a College

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SUNY Plattsburgh is more than just a college  its a place where I found myself, she said. Its a community that nurtures your potential, challenges you to grow, and celebrates your victories.

Ill remember it as a transformative time in my life where I discovered not only my academic and professional passions but also the strength and resilience within me, she said.

Members of the RCMP C-Division Pipes and Drums will be on hand performing Battle of Waterloo, Lord Lovats Lament and Caber Feidh during the processional as well as Pipe Major Angus MacDonald and Castle Dangerous. During the recessional, the group will perform Glendaruel Highlanders, among other selections. They plan to perform the universitys alma mater as well.
The Blueprint for Maryland's Future education reforms have "inspired significant optimism and progress" in schools, but may need to be tweaked to keep going as the state faces a fiscal crisis, school administrators say. Screenshot.

Some state school superintendents are saying its clear that adjustments are needed on the Blueprint for Marylands Future education reform plan as the state faces a looming fiscal crisis, and are asking to work with the Moore administration on potential changes.

The Nov. 27 letter from the Public School Superintendents Association of Maryland comes as the association is preparing to release legislative and policy recommendations this week to Gov. Wes Moore (D) and other state officials on some changes they believe are needed on the Blueprint.

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The letter, signed by five of officers of the association  Baltimore County Superintendent Myriam Rogers, Calvert County Superintendent Andrae Townsel, Cecil County Superintendent Jeffrey A. Lawson, Charles County Superintendent Maria Navarro and Washington County Superintendent David Sovine  is careful to note support for the Blueprint, which the superintendents say has inspired significant progress and optimism.

But it also notes clear that adjustments are needed in the plan, not to compromise the mission of the Blueprint, but ensure its long-term success.

We can offer modifications to the Blueprint that are grounded in real-world experiences, data analysis, and the guiding principle of enhancing student growth and achievement, the letter says, asking the administration to collaborate with superintendents on changes.

SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE

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Mary Pat Fannon, executive director of the superintendents association, said in an interview Friday that the superintendents want to help find ways for state lawmakers to prioritize spending on the plan as they grapple with a budget crisis in the 90-day legislative session that begins Jan. 8.

This is a letter of partnership and cooperation and not like a flamethrowing exercise, Fannon said. Were three years in [on implementing the Blueprint]. Weve identified some issues and some refinements that we think would go a long way for student improvement and operations in the system.

The letter was also distributed to the legislatures presiding officers, chairs of the Senate and House committees on fiscal and education policy, and other state officials.

The letter and planned release of legislative and policy recommendations from the association come as two other superintendents  Sean Bulson from Harford County and Dereck Simmons from Caroline County  are scheduled to talk about the Blueprint plan Thursday at the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) winter conference in Cambridge. The superintendents will be joined by local school district Blueprint coordinators from Garrett and Charles counties.

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Fannon acknowledged one state lawmaker who has been outspoken on the plans lack of local autonomy: Sen. Mary Beth Carozza (R-Lower Shore), who will moderate the Blueprint discussion at MACo.

That session, entitled What Weve Learned About Learning: The Blueprint in Year Three, is slated to highlight how Blueprint successes in one jurisdiction represent challenges in another based on the plans five pillars, or priorities: hiring and retaining high-quality and diverse teachers, early childhood education, providing additional resources for students in need, preparing students for college and technical careers, and governance and accountability.

When you give the local flexibility and the local authority [to school leaders], they are in the best position to know of the Blueprint goals, Carozza said Friday. Its needed even more so because of the budget challenges that we currently face in the state of Maryland.
Voters make selections at their voting booths inside an early voting site on Oct. 17, 2024 in Hendersonville, North Carolina. (Photo by Melissa Sue Gerrits/Getty Images)

Raymond Corbett of Johnston County has voted in every general election in North Carolina since at least 2004 and will say, unprompted, that Ronald Reagan was the last great president.

He doesnt think much of lawyers and politicians. When he received a mailer from the state Republican Party telling him his vote in this years election might be challenged, he told his wife to throw it away.

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I dont get involved in all that mess, he said.

Still, he doesnt think its right that after casting ballots for so many years that the legitimacy of his vote is being questioned. Everyone has the right to vote, Corbett said, unless theyre in the country illegally. Its a constitutional right.

Judge Jefferson Griffin and Justice Allison Riggs (Courtesy photos)

Republican Appeals Court Judge Jefferson Griffin is challenging more than 60,000 ballots as part of his attempt to unseat Democratic incumbent Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs.

Riggs had a lead of 734 votes after all the 5.5 million ballots were counted the first time. A machine recount Griffin requested affirmed that 734 lead. Griffin requested and is getting a partial hand recount.

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The bulk of the ballots Griffin wants thrown out are votes of people who may not have included a partial Social Security number or drivers license number on their voter registration forms. His voter challenge casts a wide net. It captures long-time Republican, Democratic, and unaffiliated voters who are now having the legitimacy of their ballots questioned.

Corbett is an unaffiliated voter. He said in an interview that he didnt remember whether he voted for Griffin.

There were so many names on that ballot it would make your head spin, he said. Most of those people I havent even heard of.



Wade Leatham is a member of the Wayne County Board of Education and a Republican who is having his vote challenged. (Photo: Waynecountyschools.org)

Griffins protest impacts elected officials

But its certain that Griffin is challenging ballots of people who voted for him, including loyal Republicans, and even local elected officials.

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Wade Leatham is a member of the Wayne County Board of Education and a Republican who has voted regularly in general elections and Republican primaries since 2004. Leatham said he voted for Griffin to fill the Supreme Court seat.

Leatham didnt know Griffin was challenging his ballot until Friday, when a reporter told him he was on the list of people in Wayne County whose registration Griffin is claiming is incomplete. Leatham said he didnt receive the state Republican Party postcard telling him his vote may be challenged.

It makes no sense to me, he said. Im going to take a trip down to my Board of Elections today to find out whats going on.

The focus on voter registration forms without identifying government digits started months ago when conservative activist Carol Snow filed a Help America Vote Act complaint claiming that the missing information made elections vulnerable to ineligible voters. The Board of Elections voted unanimously to dismiss the complaint.

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The Republican National Committee and NC GOP used Snows complaint as the foundation of a lawsuit. But as the issue of incomplete registrations moved to the courtroom, the argument changed. Republican lawyers argued that people missing digits on their forms are not legally registered to vote.

A federal judge dismissed part of the Republican lawsuit in October.

Arguing in federal court earlier this year, a lawyer for the state Board of Elections said there were no ineligible voters in the group of 225,000 because voters must show documents establishing their identity before casting ballots.

Griffin is repeating the GOP claim about invalid registrations as he protests tens of thousands of votes cast in the general election.

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The Board of Elections is set to consider Griffins protest on Wednesday, but the state Democratic Party last Friday filed a federal lawsuit to prevent the Board from throwing out batches of votes. Democrats said in the lawsuit that tossing votes en masse would violate the Constitution and federal law.

If a court ends up agreeing with Griffin, it could create a problem for elected officials that are among the voters Griffin targets. One of the requirements to run for office is being a registered voter.

Bob Hall, a voter advocate, found at least 21 current and newly elected local officials from both major parties on Griffins protest list.

Matt Mercer, spokesman for the NC Republican Party, said any problems are the state Board of Elections fault because it did not address the issue of missing voter information when Snow first brought it up.

Lee County commissioner Taylor Vorbeck is another Republican whose vote is being challenged. (Photo: Leecountync.gov)

Republican Taylor Vorbeck, a Lee County commissioner, said the head of the Lee County GOP gave her the heads up that she was on Griffins list.

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My response back was, I dont even know how thats possible. If thats the case, what is the next step?

She received the postcard from the GOP three days later. That still didnt tell me anything, she said.

Vorbeck said she updated her registration at the DMV in 2019 when she moved to Lee County and needed a new drivers license. Shes voted in eight primaries and general elections since 2020.

Everything was fine when she registered to run for office in 2022 at the Lee Board of Elections. My registration was okay, she said. I brought all my information.

Vorbeck ended up filling out a new voter registration form after she found out about Griffins protest. She said Friday she plans to find out more from the state Board of Elections.

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None of it makes sense to me, she said.

Am I on the list?

Its relatively easy to find out if youre on the list of voters challenged by Republican Supreme Court nominee, Judge Jefferson Griffin, by following the following steps:

Click here to go to a PDF document which list all protests submitted by Griffin to the State Board of Elections for voters alleged to have incomplete registrations. Scroll down to find your county and see the names of all challenged voters listed in alphabetical order  note that its a big document with 1,282 pages. You can also use the search function at the top of the document  look for the magnifying glass icon  where you can enter a name or part of a name. Note that search results may take a minute to load and some last names are very common and will come up multiple times.

Voters could not make sense of GOP notices

By law, voters must be notified that their ballots are being challenged. But voters said the GOP postcards with QR codes were inadequate.

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Aidan Hunt, an overseas voter whose ballot Griffin wants to throw out, filed a formal objection to Griffins challenge.

The GOP postcards were confusing, could have been mistaken for junk mail, and were sent using U.S. Postal Service nonprofit marketing mail rather than first class mail, making it likely that voters wouldnt find out about their ballots being challenged before the Dec. 6 Board of Elections deadline for responses, Hunts brief said.

Griffin is challenging ballots from Hunt and other overseas voters because they did not include photo ID.

Hunts brief said he was told explicitly that he did not need to include a photo ID.

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Let us make no mistake that discarding the ballots of citizens eligible to vote is the death penalty for democracy, Hunts brief said.

Unlike a protest of disqualified voters, this protest aims to destroy the voices of North Carolinians unequivocally eligible to vote by law due to an alleged requirement that could not have been known to them at the time of voting.

Abraham Rubert-Schewel couldnt make sense of the GOP postcard alert.

Rubert-Schewel, a registered Democrat, was born in Durham and voted in North Carolina for the first time in 2004, during his first year at UNC-Chapel Hill. He voted again in North Carolina in 2008 before leaving the state for work and school. He registered again in North Carolina when he returned in 2020 and has been voting here regularly since then.

He didnt know what to make of the Republican postcard saying his vote may be challenged. He didnt find any information on the GOP website.

He learned the details later from Riggs campaign manager.

You hear a lot about voter disenfranchisement and voter suppressions, but I never thought it would affect me, or it would potentially affect me, he said.

Its disheartening and its exhausting. It feels like gamesmanship of the highest order that we really shouldnt have to deal with.

Following the trail from the QR code on what Dr. Amy Bryant described as a nondescript mailer addressed to her or current resident led to her finding her name on Griffins list.

It felt like a gut punch, she said. Ive been voting legally in this state since 2011.

She wasnt sure shed be able to attend the Board of Elections meeting on Griffins protest, but wants to do what she can to object to having her vote thrown out.

I take my role as a voter seriously. I try to vote in every single election and to be informed on all the issues, Bryant said.

I have to believe that democracy is going to prevail and this tactic cant work. Its very disturbing and I want to make sure that my vote counts.
The questions made it clear: Supreme Court justices are divided over gender-related health care.

During oral arguments last week in the courts case about medical options for transgender minors, more liberal justices raised concerns about the harm that could be done by blocking access to treatments, while more conservative justices emphasized the harm that could be done by making treatments too available.

Both sets of justices are worried about kids, but they clashed over which legal path would create a safer future.

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That internal split over gender-related laws is once again in the spotlight in the Supreme Courts latest order list, which was released Monday morning.

The list revealed that the court will not hear a new case involving transgender minors. It also revealed that three more conservative justices are unhappy with their colleagues decision.

Supreme Court on parental rights

The case, called Parents Protecting Our Children v. Eau Claire Area School District, Wisconsin, centers on how a school district in Wisconsin deals with students questioning their gender identity and what rights parents have to be involved in the process.

Eau Claires policy says, in part, that school teachers and administrators should not notify a students parents about whats going on until theyve spoken with the student about whether they potential ramifications of that conversation, according to SCOTUSblog.

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Once the policy was made public, a group of parents sued the school district, alleging that administrators were violating their parental rights and religious freedom. Federal district and appeals courts ruled against the parents, saying that they lacked standing to challenge the gender-related guidelines since none of their own children were transgender.

The parents appealed to the Supreme Court, where they needed at least four justices to vote to hear the case in order for it to be added to the oral arguments schedule. Mondays order list shows they only got three.

The list includes a dissent from Justice Samuel Alito, which is joined by Justice Clarence Thomas. Justice Brett Kavanaugh didnt join the dissent, but the document says that he would grant the petition for a writ of certiorari.

In his dissent, Alito argued that some lower courts are ruling on standing to avoid having to face tough questions about issues like gender-related care and parental rights head-on.

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I am concerned that some federal courts are succumbing to the temptation to use the doctrine of Article III standing as a way of avoiding some particularly contentious constitutional questions. While it is important that federal courts heed the limits of their constitutional authority, it is equally important that they carry out their virtually unflagging obligation ... to exercise the jurisdiction given them, he wrote, quoting a past ruling.

Supreme Court on womens sports

Alitos dissent doesnt change the fact that the previous ruling against the group of parents in Eau Claire will stand. But it does make it clear that he and at least one or two other justices are eager for the court to dive more deeply into legal battles involving the transgender community.

The justices will have another opportunity to do just that as soon as this month, as they continue weighing whether to hear two cases on the courts doorstep about transgender athletes in womens sports.

Little v. Hecox, which centers on Idahos prohibition on transgender women participating in womens sports, and West Virginia v. B.P.J., which centers on a similar law in West Virginia, were both distributed for the justices weekly private conference in late November.

The Supreme Court has not yet announced whether the justices agreed to hear one or both cases.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal from Boston parents who claimed a temporary admissions policy for the city's elite high schools discriminated against white students and those of Asian descent.

The Boston School Committee had temporarily dropped the entrance exam for Boston Latin School, Boston Latin Academy and the OBryant School of Math and Science because it was not safe to hold exams in-person during the coronavirus pandemic. Instead, the committee used student performance and ZIP codes to weigh admission.

Justices Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas dissented from their colleagues' decision to leave in place lower court rulings in favor of the plan, which was used just once during the pandemic. A third justice, Neil Gorsuch, said he also was troubled by the policy.

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A panel of the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said a June 2023 Supreme Court ruling striking down race-conscious college admissions policies did not doom Bostons temporary policy.

Alito called the lower court ruling a glaring constitutional error that threatens to perpetuate race-based affirmative action in defiance of the high court's decision last year.

Alito, joined by Thomas, wrote that it's clear to him that race was front and center when the committee adopted new policy.

___

This story has been corrected to delete the word exam from the lede since it was the overall plan being questioned.
WASHINGTON  Christopher Wilson had a loaded pistol in his waistband when the Maui Police Department in 2017 responded to a complaint that he was trespassing on private property.

Wilson did not, though, have a permit to carry that gun. And in a case that put a spotlight on Hawaii's strict gun regulations, as well as on its low rate of gun deaths, his challenge to the permit requirement made its way to the Supreme Court  which, in recent years, has embraced a looser approach to guns.

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to overturn a ruling in that case by Hawaii's top court. The Hawaii court had touted the state's "spirit of Aloha" that it said was in contrast to the justices' more gun-friendly record.

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The spirit of Aloha clashes with a federally-mandated lifestyle that lets citizens walk around with deadly weapons during day-to-day activities, Hawaii Supreme Court Justice Todd Eddins wrote, defending the states long history of regulating deadly weapons.

Wilson had been challenging the states requirement that he needs permission to carry a gun in public. The Supreme Court denied his appeal.

Justice Clarence Thomas, in a statement joined by Justice Samuel Alito, said too many courts are not giving the Second Amendment proper respect.

The decision below is the latest example, Thomas wrote.

Still, he said, the Supreme Court may not yet be able to weigh in at this stage of the dispute. Both Thomas and Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote that may be possible later on.

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Wilson wanted the court to summarily throw out the ruling that the state can prosecute him.

He argued that the state Supreme Court did not apply the requirement that gun regulations be "consistent with this nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation."

The Hawaii Supreme Court said the 2022 Supreme Court test created in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen doesnt bar states from requiring a license to publicly carry a gun.

FILE PHOTO: A view of the U.S. Supreme Court in Washington, U.S. June 29, 2024. REUTERS/Kevin Mohatt/File Photo

The states high court also heavily criticized the U.S. Supreme Courts fuzzy `history and traditions test to evaluate laws designed to promote public safety.

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The thing about the old days, they the old days, Eddins wrote, borrowing a line from the HBO series The Wire to warn against an overreliance on the culture and laws at the time the nation was founded.

The National Association for Gun Rights told the U.S. Supreme Court such disdain and contempt for the justices past decisions is not an isolated occurrence across the nation and cannot stand.

Wilsons lawyers said the state Supreme Court displayed open hostility to gun owners rights.

Hawaiis attorneys said the courts criticisms of Bruen were solely related to how Hawaii chooses to interpret its own constitution and not to its evaluation of the U.S. Constitution.

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The Hawaii Supreme Court did not flout Bruen, they told the U.S. Supreme Court.

Hawaiis gun restrictions have been among the toughest in the nation. The states rate of gun deaths is among the lowest.

The state constitution includes language nearly identical to the 2nd Amendments right to bear arms. The state Supreme Court said both are about militias, not an individuals right to a weapon.

Thats what they were thinking about long ago, Eddins wrote. Not someone packing a musket to the wigmaker just in case.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Supreme Court rejects case pitting `spirit of Aloha' against gun rights
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Supreme Court on Monday rejected an appeal from Wisconsin parents who wanted to challenge a school district's guidance for supporting transgender students.

The justices, acting in a case from Eau Claire, left in place an appellate ruling dismissing the parents' lawsuit.

Three justices, Samuel Alito, Brett Kavanaugh and Clarence Thomas, would have heard the case. That's one short of what is needed for full review by the Supreme Court.

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Parents with children in Eau Claire public schools argued in a lawsuit that the school district's policy violates constitutional protections for parental rights and religious freedom.

Sixteen Republican-led states had urged the court to take up the parents' case.

Lower courts had found that the parents lacked the legal right, or standing. Among other reasons, the courts said no parent presented evidence that the policy affected them or their children.

A unanimous three-judge panel of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals included two judges Republican Donald Trump appointed during his first term.

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But Alito described the case as presenting a question of great and growing national importance, whether public school districts violate parents rights when they encourage students to transition or assist in the process without parental consent or knowledge.

Administrative Guidance for Gender Identity Support encourages transgender students to reach out to staff members with concerns and instructs employees to be careful who they talk to about a students gender identity, since not all students are out to their families.
WASHINGTON  The Supreme Court on Monday declined to take a Wisconsin case that could have made it easier for parents to fight schools efforts to support transgender and nonbinary students.

Three of the court's six conservatives  Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh  said they would have taken the appeal.

A group of Eau Claire parents argued challenges to gender identity support policies are being dismissed by judges across the country before they can be fully litigated because parents cant show theyve been affected.

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But the policies usurp parental authority even before theyve been applied to a particular student, the parents argue. And parents may not always know if a gender identify support plan is being used on their child.

Alito, in a statement explaining why he and Thomas wanted to hear the case, echoed the parents' concerns. And he said lower courts may be trying to avoid taking on "some particularly contentious constitutional questions" like this one, which he said is of "great and growing national importance."

Supreme Court takeaways What we learned from oral arguments in transgender care case

The Eau Claire Area School District of Wisconsin, which is defending its guidelines for ensuring a supportive environment for transgender students, countered that the parents are trying to create a new standard for lawsuits that would allow parents to preemptively challenge any school policy even if it doesnt apply to them.

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The school districts lawyers said the parents are asking for that so that lower courts can issue advisory opinions on socially or politically charged issues.

Other transgender issues before the court

The case was the latest involving transgender issues to reach the Supreme Court, but it wont be the last.

This month, the justices debated whether states can ban transgender people under the age of 18 from receiving puberty blockers and hormone therapy.

The Supreme Court has yet to decide if it will hear pending appeals to a lower courts decision that states exclusion of gender-affirming care from health plans for employees or for low-income residents is unconstitutional.

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And it is also being asked to weigh in on Idaho's and West Virginia's efforts to block transgender athletes from participating in girls and women's sports.

More: Transgender lawyer makes history, takes case on puberty blockers and hormone therapy to Supreme Court

On the issue of schools support for students gender identity, the court declined in May to hear a challenge to a plan adopted in Marylands largest school district in 2020. That lawsuit had been dismissed by lower courts because none of the parents objecting to the plan said their children were transgender, struggling with gender identity or likely to question their biological gender.

The Wisconsin parents argued the Supreme Court needs to make clear that such policies can be preemptively challenged.

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This Court can right this ship now and establish that federal courts are not so anemic, but can and should protect parental decision-making authority when it is so flagrantly usurped  before children are hurt by such policies, their lawyers told the Supreme Court.

How the lower court ruled

The template Gender Support Plan prepared by the Eau Claire Area School District in 2022 recognizes that parents may not always be involved in a plans creation for a student. School personnel are supposed to check with a student before discussing their transgender status with a parent. But the support plan will be released to parents who request it.

A three-judge panel of the Chicago-based 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in May that none of the parents challenging the policy has experienced an actual or imminent injury.

The parents, Judge Michael Scudder Jr., wrote, are trying to draw the court into the complex and often emotional challenges on matters of gender identity, where the right policy recipe is not yet clear and the best answers are sure to come in time  through the experiences of schools, students, and families.

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The courts role, Scudder continued, is limited to awaiting concrete disputes between adverse parties.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Supreme Court rejects Wisconsin case on gender identity in schools
The Supreme Court turned away a group of white and Asian parents challenge to a temporary admissions policy at Bostons prestigious exam schools over dissents from two of the courts conservatives.

The parents argued the policy runs afoul of the courts decision striking down affirmative action in higher education last year, but Mondays order keeps the justices out of the dispute that wouldve created another major case implicating race and school admissions.

Justice Samuel Alito, joined by fellow conservative Justice Clarence Thomas, said they would have taken up the case, calling Bostons admissions policy a glaring constitutional error that threatens to perpetuate race-based affirmative action.

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I would reject root and branch this dangerously distorted view of disparate impact. The Court, however, fails to do so today, so I must respectfully dissent, Alito wrote.

Justice Neil Gorsuch, President-elect Trumps first appointee to the court, in a separate statement said he shared his colleagues concerns, but the court was right to stay out of the case because the challenged admissions policy has since been replaced.

The parents and students do not challenge Bostons new policy, nor do they suggest that the city is simply biding its time, intent on reviving the old policy. Strictly speaking, those developments may not moot this case. But, to my mind, they greatly diminish the need for our review, Gorsuch wrote.

The Boston Parent Coalition for Academic Excellence sued over a one-year policy implemented during the pandemic that overhauled how students were admitted to the citys three exam schools: Boston Latin School, Boston Latin Academy and the John D. OBryant School.

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After previously basing students admittance on their grades and standardized test scores, the new policy guaranteed seats for students with the highest GPAs from their zip code.

White students made up 31 percent of accepted students after previously comprising 39 percent, and 18 percent of accepted applicants were Asian, down from 21 percent.

Lower courts rejected the parents equal protection challenge, noting both racial groups were still overrepresented compared to their share of the citys school-aged population. The parents then asked the Supreme Court to take up their appeal.

Should the Court turn away this case, it will only embolden government officials to continue targeting disfavored racial groupsparticularly, Asian Americans, they wrote in their petition. The facts of this case make it especially troubling, and the Courts refusal to intervene would send the signal that even overtly racist behavior will not stand in the way of racial balancing by proxy.

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Various libertarian and conservative interests filed friend-of-the-court briefs supporting the appeal.

It gave the justices another opportunity to weigh in on racially neutral admissions policies. They previously turned away a similar lawsuit against how students are now selected for Northern Virginias Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology.

Both cases latched onto the Supreme Courts decision effectively striking down affirmative action at colleges.

Bostons school board, known as the School Committee, urged the Supreme Court to stay out of the case because it was no longer a live controversy.

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The same students were eligible to apply again in 2022 under a new process that they do not challenge, and (if they applied) were either unsuccessful or already admitted, the committee wrote in court filings.

The NAACP Boston Branch, which intervened in the case to defend the policy, similarly urged the justices to let the lower ruling stand.

This is a uniquely fact-bound case about an expired policy and hobbled further by an utterly undeveloped record due to Petitioners strategic litigation choices, it wrote.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Supreme Court declined Monday to hear an appeal from a group of parents who say their Wisconsin school district is hiding transgender support plans involving their children.

Three conservatives said they would have heard the case: Justices Brett Kavanaugh, Samuel Alito and Clarence Thomas. While the Supreme Court didnt say why it declined to hear the case, a lower court had ruled against the parents because, it said, they didnt have standing to sue since they didnt demonstrate the policy affected their children.

I am concerned that some federal courts are succumbing to the temptation to rely on standing as a way of avoiding particularly contentious constitutional questions, Alito wrote.

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Parents Protecting Our Children was asking the high court to allow the lawsuit against the district to continue.

The parents claim the schools policy facilitates gender identity transitions at school and keeps the effort hidden from parents who would disagree that it is in their childs best interest.

Eau Claire Area School District officials counter that gender support plans are included in a students record and are available for parents to see. The policy, school officials said, is intended to provide support to students who express concern about their gender identity.

The issue in the Wisconsin case is less about the underlying question of parental rights, and more about what plaintiffs have to show before theyre allowed to challenge government actions that may not have happened and may not ever happen, said Steve Vladeck, CNN Supreme Court analyst and professor at Georgetown University Law Center.

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In that respect, its a bit ironic that Justice Alito is publicly dissenting from the Courts denial of review, since he authored the 2013 ruling that makes it harder for plaintiffs to sue in such cases. Then it was because plaintiffs challenging allegedly unlawful governmental surveillance couldnt prove that they were likely to be surveilled, Vladeck added.

Similar cases have made their way to the Supreme Court before. The justices in May denied an appeal from a group of parents in suburban Washington who made the same argument. The challenge for the parents groups is being able to demonstrate that they were specifically harmed by the policy.

A federal district court and the Chicago-based 7th US Circuit Court of Appeals sided with the school district in the Wisconsin case.

This lawsuit came as the ink was still drying on Eau Claires administrative guidance, US Circuit Judge Michael Scudder, a Donald Trump nominee, wrote for the appeals court. Parents Protecting seeks to pull a federal court into a range of complex and often emotional challenges on matters of gender identity, where the right policy recipe is not yet clear and the best answers are sure to come in time  through the experiences of schools, students, and families.

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ACCRA, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- A total of 30 suspects have been arrested in Ghana for looting and causing property damage during post-election violence, Ghanaian police confirmed late Sunday.

The police said medical authorities had confirmed the death of a suspect who was shot by an accomplice during an attack. Additionally, an official of Ghana's Electoral Commission (EC) injured in the violence is receiving treatment at a medical facility.

The police urged the public to remain calm, saying intelligence-led operations have been fully deployed to apprehend other perpetrators of electoral violence. Patrols have also been intensified to maintain law and order.

Ghanaians voted on Saturday to elect a new president and 276 parliamentarians. Former President John Dramani Mahama, leader of the opposition National Democratic Congress, announced his victory on social media Sunday.

As of Monday morning, the EC had yet to officially announce the final results. 
SHELBY, Ohio (WCMH)  A Richland County police officer was stabbed and a suspect killed after a confrontation at a Shelby fast food restaurant late Saturday night.

According to the Shelby Police Department, officers attempted to serve an arrest warrant at an Arbys restaurant on Mansfield Avenue at approximately 11:18 p.m.

When a Shelby police sergeant made contact with the suspect, Tyler Jacobs, Jacobs stabbed the officer in the neck with a knife. The officer managed to get away from Jacobs, at which point, Jacobs, still holding the knife, began moving toward the officer, police said, which is when the officer pulled his gun and shot Jacobs.

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A second officer at the scene rendered medical aid to both Jacobs and the sergeant until medics arrived. Both men were taken to the hospital, where Jacobs was pronounced dead. The officer is listed in a stable condition.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) is investigating the officer-involved shooting.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
The suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson may have used a so-called "ghost gun" he made from a 3D printer, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said.

On Monday, Dec. 9, the NYPD announced that they identified Luigi Mangione, 26, as the suspect in the fatal shooting of Thompson, who was fatally shot in Manhattan last week, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed at a press conference.

Mangione was detained on Monday at an Altoona, Pa., McDonalds after an employee notified police, police said.

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He was discovered in possession of a firearm similar to that used to shoot Thompson, a fake N.J. ID used to check into a hostel where the shooter allegedly stayed, and a manifesto critical of the health insurance industry, police say.

Related: Suspect ID'd in Fatal Shooting of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson

NYPDnews/X Luigi Mangione Luigi Mangione

Kenny said the ghost gun  an untraceable firearm, often assembled from kits or 3D-printed  "may have been made on a 3D printer."

The gun was "capable of firing a 9 mm round," Kenny said. Confirmation of that "will come out in testing."

Related: CEO Shooting Suspect Had 'Manifesto' Against Health Care Companies on Him When He Was Detained: Source

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An X account belonging to a Luigi Mangione describes him as a Honolulu, Hawaii, resident with a bachelor's and master's degree in computer science from the University of Pennsylvania.

Related: Suspect in UnitedHealthcare CEO Shooting Detained in McDonald's After Employee Found Him Suspicious: Police

Thompson was fatally shot outside the New York Hilton Midtown hotel, where the CEO was attending a company investors' conference. The hooded, masked suspect fled the scene on a bike, with police losing track of him in Central Park.

Police believe the suspect deliberately targeted Thompson, "lying in wait" outside the hotel as other pedestrians walked by and only opening fire when Thompson arrived.



Read the original article on People
A wanted poster for the suspect in the targeted shooting in New York City last week of United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Pennsylvania police on Monday arrested a Maryland native who is being called a "strong person of interest" in the case. Photo by Alex Kent/Getty Images.

The man who was arrested in Pennsylvania Monday and described by police as a strong person of interest in the New York City shooting last week of a prominent health care executive is a Towson native and cousin of a Maryland state lawmaker.

New York law enforcement authorities said that Luigi Mangione, 26, was arrested and taken into custody at a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, where he had a gun thought to be similar to the one used in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, who was slain Wednesday outside the Hilton Hotel in Midtown Manhattan.

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New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said Mangione was in possession of what New York police described as a ghost gun made with a 3D printer and a handwritten document that speaks to his motivation and mindset, Tisch said. Police also said they recovered a silencer, a mask and clothing similar to that worn by the shooter, a passport and multiple fake IDs, including a bogus New Jersey ID the shooter used to check into a New York City hostel.

Luigi Mangione in a holding cell Monday after being taken into custody in Pennsylvania in connection with the shooting death of a health care executive. Photo coutersy Altoona Police Department via Getty Images.

Mangione was arrested at a McDonalds, where he was recognized by an employee.

Mangione comes from a large and high-profile family in the Baltimore area, with branches of the family that own the Turf Valley and Hayfields country clubs in Ellicott City and WCBM Radio, among other businesses.

WBAL-TV in Baltimore reported that Luigi Mangione was valedictorian of the Class of 2016 at the Gilman School and later graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. The office of Del. Nino Mangione (R-Baltimore County) confirmed to the TV station that the lawmaker is a cousin.

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On social media late Monday, Nino Mangione, a radio host at WCBM who was elected to the General Assembly in 2018, posted a statement that said the family was devastated by reports of Luigis arrest, but could not comment on the case because they only know what they have seen in news reports.

Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigis arrest, the family statement said. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.

The Gilman School released a terse statement Monday: Luigi Mangiones suspected involvement in this case is deeply distressing news on top of an already awful situation. Our hearts go out to everyone affected. Here on campus, our focus will remain on caring for and educating our students.

Mangione was arraigned Monday evening at the Blair County Courthouse in Pennsylvania on charges of carrying a firearm without a license, forgery, records or identification tampering, possession of instruments of crime and presenting false identification to law enforcement. He is expected to appear Tuesday for a hearing on possible extradition back to New York, where prosecutors have filed a murder charge.

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Thompson, 50, was shot several times by a person who authorities believe was lying in wait early Wednesday morning outside the Manhattan hotel where UnitedHealthcare was holding an investors meeting.

Thompson had been CEO of UnitedHealthcare, one of the nations largest for-profit health insurance providers, for nearly three years. His killing has prompted an outpouring of criticism of the company and the United States health care system generally for denying or unnecessarily complicating medical treatment.

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said in a news conference Monday evening after the arraignment that attention generated by the investigation helped Pennsylvania police capture the person sought in connection to Thompsons killing.

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But some attention in this case, especially online, has been deeply disturbing, as some have looked to celebrate instead of condemning this killer, Shapiro said, noting that Thompson, who was laid to rest Monday in Minnesota, was a father to two, a husband and a friend to many. And yes, he was the CEO of a health insurance company. In America, we do not kill people in cold blood to resolve policy differences or express a viewpoint.

This killer is being hailed as a hero, Shapiro said. Hear me on this. He is no hero. The real hero in this story is the person who called 911 at McDonalds this morning.

New York Police detectives were said to be en route Monday to Altoona, about 300 miles west of the city.

 This story has been updated to include details of Mangiones arraigment and statements from the family and the Gilman School. Danielle J. Brown of Maryland Matters and Peter Hall of the Pennsylvania Capital-Star contributed to this report.
Police have identified Luigi Mangione, 26, as the suspect held in connection with the fatal shooting of Brian Thompson, the UnitedHealthcare CEO who was fatally shot in Manhattan last week, NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch confirmed at a press conference on Monday, Dec. 9.

Mangione was detained on Monday at an Altoona, Pa., McDonalds after an employee spotted him eating and notified police, authorities confirmed to PEOPLE.

He was discovered in possession of a 9mm "ghost gun" similar to that used to shoot Thompson, multiple fake IDs including a N.J. ID used to check into a hostel where the shooter allegedly stayed, and a 3-page manifesto critical of the health insurance industry, New York and Altoona police say.

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An X account belonging to a Luigi Mangione describes him as a Honolulu, Hawaii, resident with a bachelor's and master's degree in computer science from the University of Pennsylvania. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said he was born and raised in Maryland and has ties to San Francisco, Calif.; Honolulu was his last known address.

The suspect had no known prior arrests, Kenny said, and the NYPD did not have his name on their radar until his arrest in Altoona.

New York Police Department/Facebook UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson Suspect UnitedHealth CEO Brian Thompson Suspect

Officials with the NYPD and Manhattan District Attorney's office are en route to Pennsylvania to interview Mangione, who was arrested on weapons charges in Pennsylvania and would have to be extradited to New York before facing potential murder charges.

Thompson was fatally shot outside the New York Hilton Midtown hotel, where the CEO was attending a company investors' conference. The hooded, masked suspect fled the scene on a bike, with police losing track of him in Central Park.

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Related: Police Find 3 Chilling Words on Bullet Casings Used by Killer of CEO Brian Thompson: Report

Police believe the suspect deliberately targeted Thompson, "lying in wait" outside the hotel as other pedestrians walked by and only opening fire when Thompson arrived.

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UnitedHealth Group Brian Thompson Brian Thompson

Back home in Minnesota, Thompson's wife said he had been the subject of threats before he embarked on his trip to New York.

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Related: Newly-Released Photos Show Face of Brian Thompson Shooting Suspect, as Killer Remains at Large

The words "deny," "defend" and "depose" were reportedly discovered by detectives on shell casings found at the murder scene. That's similar to a phrase used in a 2010 book, Delay, Deny, Defend, by Jay Feinman discussing health insurance tactics for denying claims.

A motive has not yet been established, but Kenny said it appeared evident from the manifesto that the shooter "has some ill will toward corporate America."



Read the original article on People
A 26-year-old man has been charged with murder and multiple other counts in the death of the chief executive of UnitedHealthcare, who was gunned down last week on the streets of New York.

After an intensive manhunt, Luigi Mangione was taken into custody Monday by law enforcement in Pennsylvania on suspicion of killing Brian Thompson, 50, in an early-morning ambush Wednesday.

He was charged in New York on Monday night with one count of murder, two counts of carrying a loaded firearm, one count of possessing a forged instrument and one count of criminal possession of a weapon.

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At a news conference announcing the arrest, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said that Mangione was born and raised in Maryland, had ties to California and that his last known address was in Honolulu.

According to public records, Mangione spent time at Stanford University in 2019 and once worked for the Santa Monica company TrueCar, a digital marketplace for automobiles.

The shackled suspect was seen in video stepping out of an SUV on Monday afternoon and being led by deputies into a Pennsylvania courthouse.

He was charged in Pennsylvania with five criminal counts, including forgery, carrying a firearm without a license, tampering with records or identification, possessing instruments of a crime and providing false identification to law enforcement.

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His arrest came after what police described as a significant use of police resources, including combing through thousands of hours of video, reviewing hundreds of tips, DNA testing, fingerprint analysis, drones and aviation canvasses, that for days appeared to yield no results.

Then a tip from someone at a McDonald's restaurant in Altoona, Pa., broke open the case, Kenny said.

Altoona Police Department officers found Mangione seated at the fast-food chain wearing a blue medical mask and looking at a silver laptop, according to a criminal complaint. After asking him to remove his mask, they immediately recognized him as the shooting suspect.

Read more: Northern California gunman planned 'child executions' at Christian school, authorities say

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When they asked Mangione whether he had been in New York recently, he became quiet and started to shake, according to the complaint.

At a news conference Monday, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro praised the person at the restaurant who spotted the suspect and contacted law enforcement.

"I want to ask all of our fellow Pennsylvanians to demonstrate the same type of thoughtfulness and courage and smarts as the individual at McDonald's did this morning and help law enforcement here in Pennsylvania as we continue with our investigation," Shapiro said.

The governor also responded to online reaction to the suspect and the killing of Thompson. In social media posts, some have praised the killing and criticized the role of companies such as UnitedHealthcare in the healthcare industry.

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"I have no tolerance or should anyone for one man using an illegal ghost gun to murder someone because he thinks his opinion matters the most," Shapiro said. "Hear me on this. He is no hero."

Mangione's family broke their silence on the arrest through a statement posted on the social media profile for Republican delegate Nino Mangione, cousin of the alleged shooter.

Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigis arrest, the statement said. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.

Detectives obtained a handwritten, three-page document from Mangione when he was taken into custody that appeared to outline his motives for the killing, the New York City Police Department's Kenny said.

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Officials declined to discuss the contents of the letter but said Mangione appeared to have "some ill will toward corporate America."

R.J. Martin, a friend of Mangione who lived with him in Hawaii in 2022, spoke with CNN about health struggles Mangione had faced in 2023. He said Mangione had struggled with chronic back pain and underwent spinal surgery that year.

"It was really traumatic and difficult," Martin said, "you know, when youre in your early 20s and you cant, you know, do some basic things.

Martin said he was shocked to hear that Mangione was a suspected killer.

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"He never once talked about guns, never once talked about violence," Martin said. "He was absolutely a nonviolent person as far as I could tell."

Mangione was denied bond and was set to be transferred to a state correctional facility Monday night.

When Altoona police responded to McDonald's, the suspect was carrying a firearm and suppressor that were "consistent" with the weapon used in the killing, said New York Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch.

The weapon was described as a ghost handgun capable of firing 9-millimeter bullets, police said.

Ghost guns are unserialized and mostly difficult to trace. They are at times purchased by individuals as kits, using unfinished frames and receivers and, other times, created with 3D printers.

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Law enforcement sources said Mangione was carrying bullets, a loaded magazine, and a large amount of cash.

The weapon that was seized when he was detained contained 3D-made parts, including a 3D-printed silencer.

Officers also recovered clothing and masks believed to have been used by the suspect, Tisch said.

According to the criminal complaint, Mangione initially handed Altoona police officers a fake driver's license bearing the name Mark Rosario with a birth date of July 21, 1998. Officers ran the name through the National Crime Information Center and found no record.

They then informed Mangione that he was under an official police investigation and would be placed under arrest if he lied about his identity. He then stated that his true name was Luigi Mangione, with a birth date of May 6, 1998.

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When asked why he lied about his name, he said, "I clearly shouldn't have," according to the complaint.

Few details were available about Mangione's time in California, but New York police noted a connection to the San Francisco area when announcing the break in the case.

A spokesperson for Stanford confirmed that a person named Luigi Mangione was employed as a head counselor under the Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies program between May and September 2019, and a Truecar spokesperson confirmed Mangione worked for the company and left sometime in 2023.

A former co-worker at Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies said Mangione seemed like a "really nice, goofy guy" during their time there. They asked to not be identified, as they had not spoken with him for several years.

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Before Stanford, he studied computer science at the University of Pennsylvania, online profiles show. His LinkedIn and Github profiles reflected an entrepreneurial streak: Mangione founded a video game club and later a startup developing games.

Mangione was the class valedictorian in 2016 at Gilman School, a private all-boys school in Baltimore, according to the Baltimore Sun.

Race Saunders, who graduated from Gilman with Mangione, described him as "a great friend" and a "smart guy and kind, as well."

"I don't think this was a mental breakdown," Saunders said in a text message. "I don't want to speculate, I'm sure he will speak for himself."

Mangione posted extensively in favor of experimentation with psychedelic drugs on social media and pontificated on trends in tech.

According to an archived page of Mangiones Facebook profile, which was removed as of Monday, he co-founded a company called AppRoar Studios. He also worked as a UI programming intern at Firaxis Games from 2015 to 2017 in Maryland.

Mangione's LinkedIn profile shows that he once volunteered for Lorien Health Systems, an assisted-living facility for elderly people in Maryland, in 2014, when he was in high school.

He is the grandson of Nicholas Mangione, a real estate developer who owned nursing homes and country clubs in Maryland. Mangione's grandfather died in 2008 of complications from a stroke.

Read more: Women once held in California 'rape club' prison reach historic settlement to protect inmates

On Goodreads, he reviewed 13 books, including the Unabomber's manifesto.

He appeared to empathize with some of Theodore Kaczynski's writings, based on the review he provided on the site.

"While these actions tend to be characterized as those of a crazy luddite," he wrote in February, "they are more accurately seen as those of an extreme political revolutionary.

Its easy to quickly and thoughtless write this off as the manifesto of a lunatic, in order to avoid facing some of the uncomfortable problems it identifies. But its simply impossible to ignore how prescient many of his predictions about modern society turned out.

He then copied in a comment from Reddit about the manifesto in which a commenter wrote: "When all other forms of communication fail, violence is necessary to survive."

CNN reported that police found a document when making the arrest in which the suspect allegedly railed against the healthcare system.

These parasites had it coming, CNN reported the document as saying. I do apologize for any strife and trauma, but it had to be done."

The Times could not confirm the document or its origins.



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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A suspect was shot and killed after stabbing an Ohio police sergeant at an Arbys on Saturday.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

A police sergeant was stabbed in the neck with a knife while serving a warrant to a suspect at an Arbys restaurant in Richland County, our news partners at WBNS-10 TV reported.

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A sergeant and another officer with the Shelby Police Department went to the Arbys restaurant on Mansfield Ave around 11:20 p.m. to serve a warrant to a man identified as Tyler Jacobs.

While they were making initial contact with Jacobs and informing him about the warrant, Jacobs allegedly stabbed the police sergeant in the neck with a knife.

The sergeant was able to distance himself from Jacobs, but Jacobs then ran toward him with the knife still in his hand, according to police.

That was when the sergeant took out his gun and shot Jacobs, according to police.

The other officer, who was covering the back door of the restaurant, provided aid to the sergeant and Jacobs.

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Both were taken to a nearby hospital by medics.

The sergeants condition was described as stable. Jacobs died from his injuries, according to police.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is investigating the incident.

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Impact Statement

The suspected killer of UnitedHealthCare CEO Brian Thompson was reportedly carrying a several-page document when he was arrested  and though its contents are just starting to trickle out, they hold the promise of fleshing out the worldview that drove him to murder a healthcare CEO in broad daylight.

A police official who'd viewed the document found with suspect Luigi Mangione told CNN that it was two pages long and included the phrase "these parasites had it coming."

"I do apologize for any strife and trauma," the missive reportedly reads, "but it had to be done."

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As the Daily Beast noted based on CNN's on-air reporting about the pages found on Mangione, the document also claimed that protest was ineffective and that violence was the only answer  a claim echoed in his four-star Goodreads review of the Unabomber manifesto.

"Peaceful protest is outright ignored, economic protest isn't possible in the current system," the suspect wrote in the January review, "so how long until we recognize that violence against those who lead us to such destruction is justified as self-defense[?]"

Manifesto of Interest

Described to the New York Times as a handwritten "manifesto" against the healthcare industry, the document is said to speak to the mindset of the 26-year-old suspect. Police also told the NYT that Mangione is now considered a "strong person of interest" in light of the new evidence.

Mangione, a prep school valedictorian and Ivy League graduate, was captured by police in Altoona, Pennsylvania earlier on Monday. His arrest followed a days-long manhunt for Thompson's suspected assassin that included the deployment of drones, scuba divers, and K-9 units.

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As digital sleuths discovered soon after Mangione's name was released, the young man's social media accounts contain a wealth of information about his worldview, which seems to have morphed from disgruntled academic to angry manarchist over the course of this year  before dropping off completely months before the killing.

This entire debacle has been incredibly dramatic  and as we learn more about law enforcement's primary suspect, we're likely in for a few more shocks.

More on the murder of Brian Thompson: Bill Burr: Murdered Insurance CEO Was a "Gangster"
By Johan Ahlander

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Ministers in Sweden's government are considering imposing age limits on social media platforms if tech companies find themselves unable to prevent gangs from recruiting young people online to carry out murders and bombings in the Nordics.

A wave of gang crime has led to Sweden recording the most deadly shootings per capita in Europe, a reverse from two decades ago when it had among the lowest.

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Over the last two years Swedish police say gangs have begun using social media platforms as "digital marketplaces" to openly recruit anonymous teenagers, in some cases as young as 11, to commit murders and bombings in the country and elsewhere in the Nordics.

"It's a very serious situation," Swedish Justice Minister Gunnar Strommer told Reuters after a meeting with other Nordic justice ministers and social media companies in Copenhagen on Monday.

"We are not ruling out anything," he said, adding that they would examine measures taken by other countries and see what was best for Sweden.

Australia passed a social media ban for children under 16 in November.

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In the first seven months of this year 93 children in Sweden under the age of 15 are suspected of having been involved in planning murders, three times more than in the same period last year, according to police statistics.

Strommer said that representatives from TikTok, Meta, Google and Snapchat had promised to do "everything in their power" to tackle the issue and that it was up to the social media platforms to show "concrete results."

Telegram and Signal were also invited but did not attend, the Danish government said in a statement.

TikTok, Meta, Google, Snapchat, Telegram and Signal did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

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Danish police said this month that since April they had registered 32 cases in which Swedes were hired to commit violent crimes. The mostly young perpetrators have been labelled "child soldiers" by Danish politicians.

Swedish Education Minister Johan Pehrson said he was watching developments in Australia after a social media ban was imposed there recently.

"It's not a the first step but it's not ruled out," he said of a ban, but he added that the government would leave no stone unturned to stop children spending too much time on social media.

"We see that children are stuck in this dark sludge, throwing away their lives" he said.

(Reporting by Johan Ahlander; Additional reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen; Editing by Hugh Lawson)
Dec. 8Symmes Valley schools were closed on Thursday after a bomb threat was emailed to the school before classes even started for the day.

Superintendent Greg Bowman made the announcement on Facebook that "Early this morning one of our administrators noticed they had received an email with a bomb threat directed toward one of our school buildings," the Facebook post read. "We immediately made the decision to initially go on a two-hour delay so that we could contact the authorities and thoroughly assess the situation. The local authorities were then notified, and after some additional discussion with staff, we decided the best thing to do would be to go ahead and close for the day."

The post continued that the Lawrence County Sheriff's Office had cleared the campus for return to normal activity and thanked the sheriff's office and other local authorities, including the Aid Fire Department and local EMS station for their help in clearing the property."

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"As of now, this situation is in the hands of the authorities, and rest assured that whoever is responsible will be prosecuted to the fullest extent possible," Bowman said in the post.

Lawrence County Sheriff Jeff Lawless said that investigators "have submitted a subpoena to the email provider to find out the ISP address of the person who sent the threat. We are working to find out who sent the threat."

Lawless said, that although this threat against the school "appears to be a hoax, as most of them are, thank the Lord, we will continue to investigate and find out who did this."

In most cases of threats made against a school that went to court, the person, whether a minor or adult, is charged with inducing panic, a fifth-degree felony or making terroristic threats, a third-degree felony.
JOHANNESBURG, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- South Africa commenced Monday its inaugural Group of 20 (G20) engagement under its presidency, which began on Dec. 1, setting the tone for its leadership tenure.

At the opening of the first G20 Sherpas Meeting in Johannesburg, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation Raymond Lamola outlined South Africa's agenda to advance shared global goals through key priorities.

In his address, Lamola highlighted the theme of South Africa's presidency, "Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability," and emphasized key objectives such as bolstering disaster resilience, addressing debt challenges faced by low-income countries, and mobilizing resources for a just energy transition.

"We will address these challenges through our high-level deliverables and priorities, which lie at the core of the original G20 mandate of promoting strong, sustainable, balanced, and inclusive growth and by building partnerships across all sectors of society to find collective solutions," he said.

Lamola noted the pivotal role of Sherpas in translating G20 leaders' commitments into actionable cooperation. "The first Sherpas Meeting of the G20 is important traditionally, as it sets the stage for the upcoming presidency and the critical conversations on some of the most vital issues of our time," he said. "In the spirit of Ubuntu, our shared humanity, we will address these challenges through our high-level deliverables and priorities."

Lamola reiterated the need for South Africa's presidency to bridge the Sherpa and Finance tracks, announcing the establishment of three temporary task forces, an initiative, and a commission. These structures will focus on priorities including inclusive economic growth, industrialization, employment creation, reducing inequality, food security, artificial intelligence, data governance, and innovation for sustainable development.

The minister further said South Africa's G20 presidency would "emphasize" the importance of adhering to universal values and strengthening multilateral institutions. "Now more than ever, multilateral institutions must be strengthened and reformed to deliver broad global consensus and serve as platforms to resolve disputes."

The minister also said multilateral institutions which focused on economic and developmental mandates should be empowered, "as the need for their intervention is even much bigger now."

He affirmed South Africa's intention to align its G20 efforts with the African Union's Agenda 2063, a strategic framework for Africa's socio-economic transformation.

Acknowledging challenges such as divisive geopolitics, climate change, slow economic growth, and deepening poverty, Lamola called on the G20 to prioritize practical and mutually beneficial collaboration. "The G20 must make strides in forging practical, mutually beneficial cooperation that champions an international order that is fairer, just, inclusive, and representative," said Lamola.

Sherpas, who are personal representatives of G20 leaders, oversee negotiations, shape the agenda for the G20 Summit in 2025, and coordinate preparatory work. The Sherpas Meeting, which runs until Dec. 10, will be followed by the Finance and Central Bank Deputies Meeting on Dec. 11-12. 
For 83 years, Dec. 7 has been remembered as a day of infamy. After this weekend, that day will have a new legacy  a day of freedom, as one of the most brutal and repressive regimes in modern history disappeared.

The liberation of Syria from the clutches of President Bashar al-Assad, after his family ruled the country for 50 years, is an unqualified good. How did it happen so quickly and so unexpectedly? And what comes next? I reached out to the New Yorkers Anand Gopal, who has reported extensively from Syria over the past several years, to help make sense of the extraordinary events of the past two weeks.

According to Gopal, three external factors loomed large. Under Assad, Syrias biggest regional benefactor was Iran, but since the Oct. 7 attacks, it has withstood Israeli military strikes and watched its Palestinian ally, Hamas, also weakened by Israel.

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Irans proxy, Hezbollah, had also been an important provider of military resources and fighting men for Assad  but the Islamic group has been severely diminished after weeks of Israeli attacks in Lebanon.

Finally, and perhaps most decisively, with Russia bogged down in Ukraine, Assad could no longer rely on Moscows direct military engagement in fighting the rebels, particularly Russias close air support that had become crucial for Syrias army.

However, perhaps the most critical factor was internal: the slow-motion decay of the Assad regime. Massive corruption, economic stagnation and the utter dysfunction of the government hollowed out the country and tested the loyalty of the military rank and file. When the rebels finally mobilized from their area of control and captured Aleppo, the countrys second largest city, on Nov. 29, the low morale of Syrias army, combined with the lack of Russian air support, doomed Assads regime. Rather than fight for the countrys leader, government forces abandoned their posts  and, in some cases, also their uniforms and equipment.

Ironically, all this was happening at the same time thered been a steady and slow move toward regional normalization. Just weeks ago, Assad attended a meeting of the Arab League in Saudi Arabia, a year after his Arab opponents had given back Syrias seat in the organization.

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Now hes in Moscow, likely forever.

What comes next? Since the outbreak of civil war in 2011  and even after Assad largely put down the rebel uprising  Syria has devolved into sectarian conflict.

Even before Assads fall, a host of rebel factions controlled much of the states territory, including the Syrian National Army, which is basically a Turkish proxy; the Syrian Democratic Forces, an American proxy consisting of Kurdish and Arab elements that controls around 30% of Syrias territory; and now Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the group responsible for the final nail in the coffin of the Assad regime. How these groups interact and cooperate (or dont) will be crucial to Syrias future.

Much has been made of the fact that HTS grew out of Al Qaedas Syria offshoot and that the United States has designated its leader, Abu Muhammad al-Jolani, a terrorist. But Jolani has gone out of his way to disown Al Qaeda, purge HTS of more extremist elements and publicly moderate his views.

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Gopal, the New Yorker's reporter, believes the ideological shift is genuine, and Jolani appears to be very pragmatically minded. Indeed, Jolani seems to be saying all the right things in the run-up to Assads fall and after the presidents flight to Moscow.

Hes beseeched his supporters to avoid reprisals against Assad loyalists and has consistently preached a message of unity, dignity, and justice. Hes even extended an olive branch to Syrias Christian, Kurdish and Alawite minorities. The latter is most notable because, through the Assads, it was the Alawites that ruled Syria with an iron fist for the past five decades.

Gopal, who has watched HTSs growth over the past several years, is less surprised by the groups political and diplomatic success than its military capacity, which seemed to catch much of the world off guard as well. Theyve thought about the politics of this in ways that are impressive, he said. Indeed, after HTSs takeover of Aleppo, Syrias second-largest city, in late November, the group immediately moved to establish security, protect civilians and provide basic services to the citys residents. According to Middle East analyst Aaron Zelin, this is consistent with HTSs rule in the parts of Syria they controlled before the events of the last few weeks. These governing efforts and outreach to civilians contrasts with the Islamic State, which seemed more interested in ideological purity than institution building.

Perhaps the most striking thing about HTS, under Jolanis leadership, is the groups outreach to the international community. They are very serious about wanting rapprochement with the West and refashioning themselves as a national movement, not a transnational jihadist movement, Gopal said.

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He noted that, usually, the prime audience for a rebel group is their domestic constituencies, but HTS is different," he said, adding, They are attuned to the international community  and see it as a very important audience. HTS has been in direct contact with Irans government and agreed to requests from Tehran to protect the countrys embassy and Shiite religious shrines. In addition, HTS has avoided antagonizing Russia, even going so far as to leave the countrys naval bases in Syria untouched. Jolani seems to recognize that he cannot afford to alienate the various external groups who have been meddling in Syrias affairs during its bloody civil war  even those who have caused so much needless death and destruction.

Whether Jolani and HTS stay on a moderate course remains to be seen. The potential for further sectarian conflict or score-settling is high. Moreover, there is always the possibility that Jolani is talking a good game but will change his stripes once HTS achieves power. Even in an ideal world, consolidating their rule, forming a stable, representative government, and ensuring harmony among Syrias grab bag of militias and external actors are herculean tasks. Jolani has played things well so far, but the real work begins now.

The U.S. and the rest of the international community should offer its support to HTS and the new government taking root in Damascus while also holding the groups feet to the fire when it comes to distancing from jihadists and upholding human rights. But patience is also required: Under Assads rule  and particularly since the 2011 civil war began  Syria has experienced untold suffering. Large swathes of the country lie in ruins, and millions of refugees have fled their homes. The economy is in tatters, and the Syrian people are impoverished and hungry. The trauma of those imprisoned and tortured by Assads henchmen  or have seen firsthand the destruction wrought by his soldiers  is profound.

But after decades of darkness, the Syrian people are finally experiencing the first rays of freedom. The scenes on the streets of Damascus  and the elation of political prisoners freed from Assads hellish prisons  are wonderfully joyous. It is a moment for celebration and a reminder that the desire for freedom and recognition is unquenchable. Syrias neighbors, along with the international community, must do everything they can to help the country stay on the right path.

This article was originally published on MSNBC.com
As they celebrate the downfall of the Assad regime, many Syrians have been too busy revelling in their present joy to worry about the future.

Few would begrudge them their moment.

Yet Viktor Chernomyrdins famous aphorism will be lurking in the back of many minds among those who watch the Middle East: We wanted the best, but it turned out as always.

Chernomyrdin, Russias prime minister for much of the decade after the end of the Cold War, was talking about his homeland. But his words are just as apt in the Middle East, where the optimism of the Arab Spring, which toppled the dictators of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and Yemen more than a decade ago, soured as hopes for democracy were obliterated by civil war, resurgent Islamism and renewed dictatorship.

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The fall of Bashar al-Assad provides the Arab Spring with an unexpected coda, but whether Syria can buck the trend remains to be seen.

The optimists hold up the prospect of lessons learnt, arguing that Syrias fractured opposition has already endured such bloodshed that it understands the need for compromise, tolerance and inclusivity in a land of many confessional persuasions.

The pessimists fear that Chernomyrdin will once again be proved right.

So far, at least, the worst has been avoided. Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the main armed group at the forefront of the offensive which swept the Assad regime before it, has long disavowed its former links with al-Qaeda.

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So, too, has its leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, who is eager to shed his jihadist nom de guerre, Mohammed al-Jolani, by which he is better known.

He has given reassurances to Syrias minorities, particularly Assads Alawite sect and its Christian allies, that they will not be a target of reprisals.

So far, he has mostly made good on his word. A Christmas tree in Aleppo deliberately damaged by one of his fighters after HTS captured it last week was swiftly repaired and an apology was extended. Despite some signs of retribution in the form of smashed car windows and burnt-out off-licences, there have been no reports of targeted killings of Christians or Alawites.

Since assuming power, Jolani has so far managed an orderly transition, co-operating with Assad-era civil servants, ordering his fighters not to fire into the air in celebration and taking action to ensure there is little looting.

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Likewise, his appointment of an interim government led by a trusted lieutenant, Mohammed al-Bashir, augurs well, the optimists contend. Bashir ran the HTS government in the territory it has occupied in the northwestern province of Idlib since 2017, steering a moderate course.

Yet these are the earliest of the post-Assad eras salad days. Syria remains a patchwork of armed factions and opposition groups with wildly different, frequently competing aims. They will all be jostling for a privileged position under the new dispensation, ideally at the expense of their rivals.

A group of men standing on a tank in Damascus cheer the defeat of the Syrian regime - HASAN BELAL/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

Founding a new order that manages to include prominent moderates like Dima Moussa, a Christian liberal feminist who wants to end gender discrimination, with jihadists for whom gender discrimination is a central tenet of their ideology will be tough. And that is just within the ranks of the anti-Assad former opposition.

The new government also has to find a way of persuading Alawites, Christians and Kurds that they, too, have a place in a new Syria dominated by the Sunni Arab majority for the first time in more than half a century.

With Bashar al-Assad gone, there is uncertainty over the countrys future - RAMI AL SAYED/AFP

The scale of the challenge is laid bare by the myriad acts of violence, nearly all of it state-sponsored, Syria has witnessed over the past three days.

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Even as Syrians were celebrating in Damascus, Israel launched repeated airstrikes against former regime chemical weapon facilities and ammunition dumps to stop them from falling into the hands of fighters whose intentions towards the Jewish state remain unclear.

Meanwhile, the US struck repeatedly at Islamic State targets, hoping to prevent the most extreme of Syrias Islamist groups from taking advantage of the situation, while a Turkey-backed Syrian faction, reinforced by the Turkish air force, launched attacks on a Kurdish-led group supported by the US.

That a faction supported by one Nato country is fighting a rival supported by another is but one example of the complexities of the Syrian political landscape and shines a light on one of the many fires that could keep the countrys civil war blazing even in the post-Assad era.

Syrias trajectory may therefore greatly depend on how genuinely Jolani has turned his back on radical Islam.

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While Britain and other Western states are rapidly reconsidering the removal of HTSs designation as a terrorist outfit, Joe Biden, the US president, acknowledged that establishing any kind of relationship with Jolani would require a leap of faith  particularly given that the State Department still classifies him as a specially designated global terrorist with a $10 million (7.8 million) bounty on his head.

Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses, Mr Biden said, adding that while Jolani was saying the right things now, the US would judge HTS by not just their words, but their actions.

Many analysts believe that Jolani is unlikely to implement Taliban-style rule in Syria even if he wanted to, arguing that he has shown over the years the importance he attaches to pragmatism, particularly given the parlous state of his countrys finances.

Rebel fighters seized Syrias capital over the weekend - Mohamed Azakir/REUTERS

Knowing he will need US goodwill, at least in the form of lifting sanctions, to rebuild Syria, he is, therefore, likely to continue reining in whatever jihadist instincts he and his movement still harbour, some argue.

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Jolani is very strategic, says Joshua Landis, head of the Centre for Middle East Studies at the University of Oklahoma. Hes learned a tremendous amount and he clearly wants to control things because he needs to get out from underneath sanctions.

Hes going to face all the same problems that Assad faced, which is bankruptcy, having zero money.

Yet whether pragmatism alone will be enough to hold Syria together remains far from clear. Healing the countrys deep ethnic, sectarian and religious revisions and preventing it from becoming a terrorist state, or a failed one, will require an astonishing feat of statesmanship.

Bashar al-Assad and his brutal henchmen failed wretchedly. Whether Mohammed al-Jolani will fare any differently is anyones guess.

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Rebel forces in Syria captured the capital Damascus and toppled the regime of President Bashar Assad in a lightning-quick advance across the country.

Meanwhile, the ceasefire in Lebanon is holding despite ongoing Israeli airstrikes on Hezbollah targets, which Israeli officials say are responses to ceasefire violations by the Iranian-backed militant group. The Israel Defense Forces continues its intense airstrike and ground campaigns in Gaza.

Tensions also remain high between Israel and Iran after tit-for-tat long-range strikes in recent months and threats of further military action from both sides.





Latest Developments





Dec 10, 2:24 PM

White Helmets search 2nd prison

The White Helmets said they have searched a second prison in Damascus within a training center for the Assad regime's State Security Branch.



"Our teams conducted searches and inspections inside the prison and the basement, which contains collective and solitary confinement cells, where innocent people were detained and brutally tortured. The teams found papers with numbers of soldiers who worked in the branch. The teams contacted them and they confirmed that the cells were only within the basement and that there were no hidden detention centers in the place," the White Helmets said in a statement.





Dec 10, 2:16 PM

White Helmets demand Assad hand over maps of secret prisons

After searching Monday for secret prisons and cells, the White Helmets are now demanding Bashar Assad hand over the locations of the regime's secret prisons along with a list of detainees being held.



Many believe there are still prisons that have yet to be discovered.



"The defunct Assad regime has practiced indescribable brutality and criminality in killing, arresting, and torturing Syrians, prolonging the period of oppression and pain in the hearts of mothers. Justice for all victims and holding accountable the perpetrators of crimes against Syrians is the first step in healing wounds and supporting peace-building efforts," the White Helmets said in a statement Tuesday.



The White Helmets said they sent a request to the United Nations through an international mediator to demand that Russia pressure Assad to release the information so the prisoners can be reached.





Dec 10, 1:27 PM

Israel will act 'to ensure security,' but won't interfere in Syria, Netanyahu says

Israel will act decisively against positions in Syria if Hezbollah reemerges, but it has "no intention of interfering in the internal affairs of Syria," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in remarks Tuesday.



"I authorized the Air Force to bomb strategic military capabilities left behind by the Syrian army, so that they would not fall into the hands of the jihadists," Netanyahu said.



"We want relations with the new regime in Syria. But if this regime allows Iran to re-establish itself in Syria, or allows the transfer of Iranian weapons or any other weapons to Hezbollah, or attacks us -- we will respond forcefully and we will exact a heavy price from him," Netanyahu said.





Dec 10, 12:29 PM

IDF says they've destroyed almost all Assad regime capability

The Israel Defense Forces said it has hit about 320 targets, destroying almost all of the Assad regime army's capability throughout Syria, from Damascus to Tartus.



"The operation destroyed dozens of fighter jets, combat helicopters, radars, surface-to-air missile batteries, ships, surface-to-surface missiles, rockets, weapons production sites, weapons depots, Scud missiles, cruise missiles, coastal missiles, sea-to-sea missiles, UAVs, and more," the IDF said in a statement Tuesday.

PHOTO: Smoke billows following airstrikes in Damascus early, Dec. 10, 2024. (Omar Haj Kadour/AFP via Getty Images)

"The operation is still ongoing on the ground, with the IDF ground forces operating in the buffer zone. There, too, the IDF is working to establish a grip on the area, destroy weapons, and ensure that they do not fall into unwanted hands," the IDF said.



-ABC News' Jordana Miller





Dec 10, 12:21 PM

Fighting escalates between Kurds, Turkey-supported group in northeast Syria

With focus still on the collapse of Bashar Assads government, there are signs fighting is dramatically escalating in northeast Syria. The area is held by U.S.-backed Kurds, while Turkey-supported rebel groups have gone on the offensive there, aided by Turkish airpower.



The Turkish rebels have attacked the territory controlled by the Kurds, who helped the U.S. defeat the Islamic State in eastern Syria. There are fears that Turkey -- which has waged a long war against the Kurds and considers the U.S.-backed group to be a terrorist group -- will use the chaos in Syria to now force them back.



There are reports the Turkish-backed rebels are now advancing on Kobani, an important Kurdish-majority town on Turkeys border. It comes a day after the rebels successfully drove the Kurds from the key town of Manbij in northern Syria.



There are concerns that if Turkey and its rebel proxies press on against the Kurds it could endanger the containment efforts against the Islamic State. The Kurds currently guard 50,000 Islamic State prisoners in camps and are also essential to prevent the group regaining a foothold.



There are calls from some for the U.S. to warn Turkey to pull the rebels back.



-ABC News' Patrick Reevell





Dec 10, 12:17 PM

US will recognize, fully support a future Syria government

Secretary of State Antony Blinken reaffirmed the U.S.'s "full support for a Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition."



"This transition process should lead to credible, inclusive, and non-sectarian governance that meets international standards of transparency and accountability," Blinken said in a statement Tuesday.



"The Syrian people will decide the future of Syria. All nations should pledge to support an inclusive and transparent process and refrain from external interference. The United States will recognize and fully support a future Syria government that results from this process. We stand prepared to lend all appropriate support to all of Syrias diverse communities and constituencies," Blinken said in a statement.



Blinken added that it must also "fully respect the rights of minorities, facilitate the flow of humanitarian assistance to all in need, prevent Syria from being used as a base for terrorism or posing a threat to its neighbors, and ensure that any chemical or biological weapons stockpiles are secured and safely destroyed."



-ABC News' Shannon K. Kingston





Dec 10, 11:58 AM

New Syrian government begins to form

The Hayat Tahrir al-Sham rebels have begun to form a new government as they seize power in Damascus, Syria. The group has appointed Mohammed al-Bashir as the new prime minister, according to state media outlet SANA.



Al-Bashir has previously held leadership roles and he will run the new government until March.





Dec 10, 12:33 PM

Israel destroys Syrian navy fleet

Israel destroyed the Syrian navy's fleet overnight in a "large-scale operation," according to the Israel Ministry of Defense.



"The IDF has been operating in Syria in recent days To harm and destroy strategic capabilities that threaten the State of Israel. The Navy operated last night to destroy the Syrian fleet with great success," Israel Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement Tuesday.

PHOTO: Damaged vessels at Latakia port after a reported Israeli airstrike targeting facilities at the port, Latakia, Syria, Dec. 10, 2024. (Bilal Al Hammoud/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock)

PHOTO: Smoke billows from Syrian naval ships destroyed in an overnight Israeli attack on the port city of Latakia, Dec. 10, 2024. (Aaref Watad/AFP via Getty Images)

"I hereby warn the rebel leaders in Syria: Whoever follows Assad's path will end up like Assad - we will not allow an extremist Islamic terrorist entity to act against Israel across its border and at the risk of its citizens, we will do everything necessary to remove the threat," Katz said.

PHOTO: Destroyed Syrian naval ships following an overnight Israeli attack on the port city of Latakia on December 10, 2024. (Aaref Watad/AFP via Getty Images)

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PHOTO: An aerial photo shows a Syrian naval ship destroyed in an overnight Israeli attack on the port city of Latakia, Dec. 10, 2024. (Aaref Watad/AFP via Getty Images)





Dec 10, 8:21 AM

Israel focused on Iran's movements and interests in Syria, IDF says

Israel is focused on Iranian forces and interests in Syria as it continues strikes across the country, an Israel Defense Forces spokesperson said during a Tuesday briefing.



Israeli warplanes have launched hundreds of strikes all over Syria since Bashar Assad's regime was toppled on Sunday, according to local reports. Israeli troops have also crossed into the demilitarized buffer zone between the two countries established in 1974.

PHOTO: Israeli military vehicles return from the buffer zone with Syria near the Druze village of Majdal Shams in the Israel-occupied Golan Heights, on Dec. 10, 2024. (Jalaa Marey/AFP via Getty Images)

Lt. Col. Nadav Shoshani refused to go into details on "the nature of what we are doing and long-term plan of these operations," which the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said included strikes on naval assets and port facilities in the Mediterranean city of Latakia.



"This is something we've been committed to for years," Shoshani said during the briefing. Israel is committed to preventing "lethal strategic weapons from reaching the wrong hands," he added.



"The primary focus is observing Iran's movements and interests and our secondary focus is on local factions who are taking control of the area, assessing their actions, behavior and deterrence level and ensuring they do not mistakenly direct their actions toward us," Shoshani continued.



Shoshani repeated the IDF's earlier denial of local reports that Israeli tanks were operating on the outskirts of Damascus. Israeli forces, he said, have been operating in the "Area of Separation" buffer zone between Israel and Syria and "in a few additional points."



-ABC News' Bruno Nota and Joe Simonetti





Dec 10, 7:49 AM

Assad made 'personal decision' to resign, Kremlin says

Syrian President Bashar Assad made a personal decision to resign and leave the country as rebel forces closed in on the capital Damascus, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Tuesday.

PHOTO: This photo shows personal souvenirs of Syria's Bashar Assad inside the Presidential Palace in Damascus, Syria, on Dec. 10, 2024. (Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters)

"It was a personal decision of Assad to withdraw from the process of service as the head of state," Peskov said when asked if Russia played any role in Assad's decision.



Peskov said Monday that President Vladimir Putin will grant Assad political asylum in Russia.



-ABC News' Joe Simonetti

Click here to read the rest of the blog.
The stunning collapse of President Bashar Assad's regime in Syria presents "a moment of historic opportunity," President Joe Biden wrote on X on Sunday, as rebel fighters and Damascenes celebrated the end of their 14-year war against the authoritarian government.

But, the president added, "It is also a moment of risk and uncertainty."

The uprising that began with a protest march in the southern city of Daraa in 2011 ended with celebratory gunfire in Damascus in 2024.

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The surprise rebel offensive that surged out of northwestern Idlib province last month showed the regime in Damascus to be hollow. Its backers in Moscow, Tehran and Beirut were unable or unwilling to respond, perhaps because their attention and resources having been sapped by wars in Ukraine, Lebanon, Gaza and elsewhere.

The story of the fall of Damascus was -- arguably -- written in Donetsk and Dahiya. The coup de grace, though, was inherently Syrian.

PHOTO: A Syrian anti-government fighter stand by large banner bearing a picture of Syria's President Bashar Assad in Hama on Dec. 5, 2024. (Bakr Alkasem/AFP via Getty Images)

The offensive that toppled Assad was led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an Islamist group with roots in al-Qaeda. The group is listed as a terrorist organization in the U.S. and European Union.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said over the weekend that the group's background "is a concern," noting that elements of the group are affiliated with organizations "that have American blood on their hands."

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HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani has become the most recognizable face of the Syrian opposition. Speaking at Damascus' 8th-century Umayyad Mosque on Sunday, Jolani said the opposition victory is "historic for the region" and that "Syria is being purified."

It remains unclear whether and how Jolani -- who is increasingly using his real name of Ahmed al-Sharaa, rather than his nom de guerre -- will be able to exert control over the disparate groupings of rebel forces drawn from around the country.

MORE: Syria live updates: Putin to give Assad asylum in Russia, Kremlin says

What does the US think?

American officials are concerned that the power vacuum will allow ISIS to reconstitute. The U.S. launched 75 strikes against ISIS targets in central Syria on Sunday in a move that Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said was designed "to keep the pressure on ISIS."

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"As this unfolds, there's a potential that elements in the area, such as ISIS, could try to take advantage of this opportunity and regain capability," Austin warned.

The future shape of U.S.-Syrian relations will depend on the composition and direction of the next government in Damascus.

The White House may be somewhat pleased by Jolani's speech at the Umayyad Mosque on Sunday, in which he lamented how Syria became "a playground for Iranian ambitions."

"We will remain vigilant," Biden said on Sunday after Damascus fell. "Make no mistake, some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human rights abuses." The president, however, added that the groups are "saying the right things now."

PHOTO: President Joe Biden speaks about the sudden collapse of the Syrian government at the White House in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 8, 2024. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)

"But as they take on greater responsibility, we will assess not just their words, but their actions," Biden added.

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Thomas S. Warrick -- a former deputy assistant secretary for counterterrorism policy in the Department of Homeland Security -- said the U.S. "has a huge stake in what comes next," even if it was not directly involved in Assad's ousting.

A more stable Syria "that frees itself from Iranian and Russian dependence" could, Warrick wrote, allow millions of refugees to return home, end its role as a Hezbollah conduit to threaten Israel and perhaps even join the Abraham Accords at some point in the future.

"All these unthinkable things are now possible," Warrick -- now a nonresident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Scowcroft Middle East Security Initiative -- wrote. "But this will not happen spontaneously, without outside help and support. Postwar planning for Syria needs to go into high gear."

The incoming Trump administration will need to chart a policy approach to Syria. Some will be skeptical of success, but others -- Warrick wrote -- will note that "weakening Iranian influence, supporting Israel's security, and peace in Lebanon are, collectively, one of the biggest wins that a Trump administration could hope to achieve."

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MORE: World 'surprised' by how quickly Assad's Syria collapsed, Austin says

A Syrian power struggle

In a recent interview with CNN, Jolani said that Syrians should not fear HTS's brand of Islamism. "People who fear Islamic governance either have seen incorrect implementations of it or do not understand it properly," he said.

As the rebels reached Damascus, Assadist Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi al-Jalali said the outgoing regime would "extend its hand" to the opposition and assist with the transition of power. Jolani said on Sunday that Jalali will remain in his post to supervise state bodies during the transition.

Jolani and his HTS will have competition for influence in the new Syria.

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The Turkish-backed Syrian National Army also took part in the offensive, with fighting still ongoing between the SNA and the Kurdish Syrian Democratic Forces -- who are supported by the U.S. -- in the northeast of the country. Ankara enjoys significant control over the SNA and other groups and can be expected to seek influence over the future direction of its neighbor.

"The opposition is not a homogenous movement and there is a risk that internal fractures within the HTS-led umbrella movement -- which may become more salient in the weeks and months to come -- may lead to discord and threaten Syrian stability," Burcu Ozcelik of the Royal United Services Institute think tank in the U.K. told ABC News.

PHOTO: The leader of Syria's Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, addresses a crowd at the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, Syria, on Dec. 8, 2024. (Abdulaziz Ketaz/AFP via Getty Images)

"A new transitional Syrian administration will soon need to take on the task of state-building, including the rebuilding of a national Syrian security force and a constitution-building process, as the Syrian state has been painfully hallowed out by the Assad regime," Ozcelik said.

The next government will also need to address the question of Russian presence in Syria. Russian forces retain control of Khmeimim Air Base and Tartus naval base on Syria's Mediterranean coast, two key strategic facilities from which Moscow helped keep Assad in power.

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"It is in Russia's interest to seek to maintain access, but its ability to project power in and through Syria is now severely debilitated," Ozcelik said.

"It will take time and negotiations with the new Syrian administration, a yet to be determined entity, before it is clear what Russia's stakes in Syria will be," Ozcelik added. "But this is now a radically transformed Syria, and Russia has no good options."

Moscow is in touch with the opposition factions, Russia's Foreign Ministry said in a Sunday statement. "All necessary measures are being taken to ensure the safety of our citizens in Syria," it said. "Russian military bases in Syria are on high alert. There is currently no serious threat to their security."

For Tehran, "there is no doubt that the fall of the Assad regime is a highly consequential defeat for Iran," Ozcelik said. "Syria was the conduit for Iran's systematic support for Hezbollah in Lebanon, this supply chain has now been cut off.

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MORE: Who are the Syrian rebels that have toppled Assad and taken Damascus?

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Tehran is concerned about the "possibility of a renewed civil war or a sectarian war between different sects or the division of Syria and the collapse of Syria and its transformation into a haven for terrorists."

Meanwhile, rebel-liberated territory is already being bombed by Israeli warplanes and occupied by Israeli soldiers. Israeli officials have said they intend to deny "extremist" elements access to the Assad regime's advanced military capabilities.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the regime's collapse "is a direct result of the blows we have inflicted on Iran and Hezbollah, the main supporters of the Assad regime."

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"The collapse of the Assad regime, the tyranny in Damascus, offers great opportunity but also is fraught with significant dangers," he added.

Assad's legacy

Assad fled the country for Russia in the early hours of Sunday, state-owned Russian media said, having resigned the presidency following negotiations with opposition factions, per a Russian Foreign Ministry statement.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced Monday that President Vladimir Putin would grant his longtime ally political asylum in the country.

Assad's departure ended 24 years of his rule -- and 50 years of Assad family rule. Posters and statues of Assad, his brothers and his father, Hafez Assad, were being torn down by jubilant crowds around the country.

More than a decade of civil war left at least 307,000 people dead by the end of 2022, per United Nations figures. The fighting forced around 12 million Syrians -- more than half of the country's 2011 population of around 22 million -- from their homes, around 5.4 million of whom were still living abroad as of late 2022.

PHOTO: People celebrate holding a large Syrian opposition flag at Umayyad Square in Damascus, Syrian, on Dec. 9, 2024. (Omar Haj Kadour/AFP via Getty Images)

Assad's regime fought bitterly to retain control of much of the country during the hot phase of the civil war. But his victory proved a pyrrhic one.

The northern city of Aleppo fell to the Idlib rebels on Nov. 29 -- a shocking development that helped spark renewed rebel uprisings all across the country.

In Daraa -- known as the "Cradle of the Syrian Revolution" for its role in the 2011 unrest -- opposition groups rose anew and began their march on the capital.

"Damascus has been liberated and the tyrant Bashar Assad has been overthrown, and oppressed prisoners in regime prisons have been released," a rebel spokesperson said at the state television headquarters in Damascus after opposition forces seized the building.

"We ask people and fighters to protect all property in Free Syria," the spokesperson added. "Long live Syria free for all Syrians of all sects."

MORE: Syria's civil war reignites: Reporter's notebook

ABC News' Hami Hamedi, Ellie Kaufman, Luis Martinez and Lauren Minore contributed to this report.

Syria post-Assad power vacuum poses unexpected problems for Middle East, US originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
The News

The overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assads government has created a power vacuum that could see the entire Middle East regions geopolitical landscape reshaped.

Perhaps the biggest fallout is the hit on Iran, which has lost a key ally in its proxy fight with Israel: Hamas, Tehrans proxy in Gaza, congratulated Syrian rebels Monday for toppling Assad, and reports suggested Hamas may be more willing to negotiate a hostage return with Israel. Russias influence in the region  it has military bases in Syria  has also taken a hit.

Ultimately, the biggest player in Syrias future may prove to be US President-elect Donald Trump, analysts said, as well as crucial mediators like Turkey, which backed some of the rebel groups, and US ally Israel.

SIGNALS

Israel is approaching the Syrian regime change with caution

Source: Haaretz

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The overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria is, on the one hand, good news for Israel as it removes another key node in Irans proxy network and loosens Tehrans grip on the regions power centers. It could also offer an effective excuse for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to postpone a ceasefire agreement in Gaza, Haaertz argued. However, some of the rebel factions are suspected of having current links to Al-Qaeda, the outlet reported, even though some have sought to rebrand themselves ideologically to gain Western support: Their basic ideology likely remains unchanged, as does their attitude toward Israel. To that end, Israel launched a ground operation and struck Syrias arms depot Monday in a signal to the rebels to keep their distance.

Russias loss may be Washingtons gain

Sources: The New York Times, Politico

Assads ouster is a blow to Russias influence in the Middle East: Syria has long been considered Moscows crown jewel in the region, The New York Times wrote. Russia permanently losing access to Syria would be of huge strategic advantage to the United States, the outlet added. US President-elect Donald Trump has said he is not interested in engaging in Syria, however the situation could prove an interesting early test for Trumps relationship with Russias Vladimir Putin. Russias fall back is also advantageous to Israel: Netanyahu has been quite deferential to Russia on Ukrainian issues out of concern that Moscow might supply Syria with weapons to attack Israel, a Middle East analyst told Politico, but Putin no longer has that leverage.

Turkey weighs Kurdish autonomy and refugee crisis

Sources: Ea WorldView, The Associated Press

For the Kurdish people based in northern Syria  whose military factions the US supported in their fight against the Assad regime  are living through historic moments, including the prospect of autonomy under a new Syrian government, Middle East news site EA WorldView wrote. Any attempt to create a Kurdish autonomous zone would largely depend on support from Turkey, however: Ankara has a fractious relationship to Turkeys own sizable Kurdish population and the last thing [Ankara] wants is a Kurdish-controlled autonomous region on its border, The Associated Press wrote. Turkey could push for a stable period of transition in Syria that would see millions of Syrian refugees currently in Turkey return to the country.
CHICAGO  It was a sea of green flags on Michigan Avenue Sunday as hundreds of Chicagoans celebrated the end of the regime in Syria.

People can just look out. People are driving by. There are a lot of tourists. Everyones eyes are on this right now, and I think thats kind of important to spread awareness about whats been going on, Chicagoan Lilah Khoja said.

After rebel groups reached the capital city of Damascus, Syrian President Bashar Assad fled the country Sunday, bringing an end to the 50 years the Assad family has been in power.

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Syrian government falls in stunning end to 50-year rule of Assad family

Peaceful protests against the president in 2011 ultimately turned into a war.

The existing regime, the Assad regime that ruled Syria up until that point for 54 years, responded brutally, Co-Executive Director of the Syrian Community Network Maya Atassi said.

For years, Syrians looking to flee conflict have made a home in Chicago. The Syrian Community Network, a local nonprofit, supports 1,300 Syrians.

Its one of the biggest population sources for Syrian Americans in the United States in around the Chicagoland area, Atassi said. So there are members and fabrics of this American society.

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Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

While Syrias future remains unclear, Syrians in Chicago are choosing to be optimistic about the future and about whoever is next in power.

My greatest concern is that they recognize that Syria is a pluralistic society and that its not just for one people and for one religion, Chicagoan Abdul Khawam said. And if they can maintain that, then I hope theres a bright future for Syria.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

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Syrias prime minister said the countrys government is still functioning and most Cabinet ministers are still working, even after rebels entered Damascus and President Bashar Assad fled the country.

We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth, Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali told Sky News Arabia TV.

The prime minister also said the government is working with insurgents, and he is ready to meet their leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani.

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Jalali added that food and medicine are available to Syrians.

The Associated Press noted that Jalali remained at his post after Assad left the country over the weekend and has worked to maintain an air of normalcy.

Jalali said in a video statement that the government was ready to extend its hand to opposition forces and work toward a transitional government.

The rebels victory early Sunday concluded a 10-day offensive during which fighters took control of much of government-held land and effectively ended the Assad familys 50-year reign.

Reports indicated Assad fled the capital before fighters entered and he and his family arrived in Moscow on Sunday. They were granted asylum by Russia.

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Citizens took to the streets in celebration of the momentous time in Syrias civil war, but the uprising has raised questions about the instability in the country and region.

President Biden called Assads fall from power a fundamental act of justice but said the moment had risk and uncertainty.

Israel welcomed the news of Assads fall, since he was a key ally of Iran and Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Sunday that Israeli troops temporarily seized a buffer zone inside Syria that dated to a 1974 agreement after Syrian troops withdrew from the area amid the uprising.

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The Associated Press contributed.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Syrian opposition fighters took control of the Latakia province, where Russian military facilities  the Khmeimim airbase and the Tartus naval base  are located, Russian state news agency TASS reported on Dec. 9, citing a Syrian source.

The fighters did not enter or threaten the Russian bases, a Kremlin source told TASS separately. The claims could not be immediately verified.

The reports follow a statement by Ukraine's military intelligence agency (HUR) that Russia had begun withdrawing its naval and military assets from Syria amid the collapse of dictator Bashar al-Assad's regime.

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Read also: What does Assads downfall mean for Russia and Ukraine?

Assad's 24-year rule ended following a lighting offensive by opposition forces that culminated in the capture of Damascus, Syria's capital city, on Dec. 8.

The Kremlin has long been a key supporter of the Assad regime, maintaining a substantial military presence in Syria through facilities such as the Tartus naval base, the Khmeimim airbase, and other strategic sites across the country.

According to open-source intelligence researchers, Russian military transport airplanes began arriving in Latakia, presumably to facilitate evacuations.

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Opposition fighters took control of the Latakia province on Syria's Mediterranean Sea coast on Dec. 8 without invading the territory of Russian military bases, "which are functioning normally," TASS's source was quoted as saying.

The Russian media previously reported that Assad and his family arrived in Russia on Dec. 8, where they were granted asylum by Russian authorities.

Read also: Fall of Aleppo deals blow to Russias Middle East clout, may indirectly strengthen Ukraines hand

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
MOMBASA, Kenya, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- A three-day regional conference began on Monday in Kenya's coastal city of Mombasa in an effort to boost energy security in the region.

The Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) Regional Trade Conference 2024 was organized by the EAPP, a regional organization that aims to promote and facilitate cooperation in the field of electricity generation, transmission and distribution, in collaboration with the World Bank. The meeting brought together more than 300 delegates of energy ministers, regulators, utilities, international experts, and development partners from across the continent to discuss strategies for greater energy integration.

In his opening remarks, Opiyo Wandayi, cabinet secretary for the Kenyan Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, said there is noticeable progress in the development of regional electricity infrastructure in interconnecting countries to allow bilateral trading and a centralized competitive market.

"Kenya has finalized the construction of the 400-kilovolt transmission line with Tanzania, which will enable Tanzania to harness renewable energy capacity in Kenya and also leverage Kenya's transmission infrastructure to access renewable energy from Ethiopia," Wandayi added.

He revealed that the establishment of a competitive regional power market presents immense opportunities, including enhancing energy security through cross-border interconnections, which will enable the utilization of indigenous energy resources.

Okaasai Opolot, chairperson of the EAPP Council of Ministers and Ugandan minister of state for energy, said the shared physical infrastructure between EAPP member markets will provide access to low-cost energy and integration of intermittent renewable energy produced in member countries.

Opolot noted that the benefits of a single regional market will extend to citizens and businesses across Eastern Africa, providing them with reliable, affordable, and sustainable energy.

Erik Fernstrom, practice manager at the World Bank, said harmonization of national and regional energy regulations is key to achieving a seamless transition to a single market framework.

Fernstrom noted that sharing resources and integrating markets will promote the development of renewable energy by accelerating investments in renewable energy projects, leveraging the region's vast potential in solar, wind, geothermal and hydroelectric power. 
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP)  Bashar Barhoum woke in his dungeon prison cell in Damascus at dawn Sunday, thinking it would be the last day of his life.

The 63-year-old writer was supposed to have been executed after being imprisoned for seven months.

But he soon realized the men at the door weren't from former Syrian President Bashar Assad s notorious security forces, ready to take him to his death. Instead, they were rebels coming to set him free.

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As the insurgents swept across Syria in just 10 days to bring an end to the Assad familys 50-year rule, they broke into prisons and security facilities to free political prisoners and many of the tens of thousands of people who disappeared since the conflict began back in 2011.

Barhoum was one of those freed who were celebrating in Damascus.

I havent seen the sun until today, Barhoum told The Associated Press after walking in disbelief through the streets of Damascus. Instead of being dead tomorrow, thank God, he gave me a new lease of life.

Barhoum couldnt find his cellphone and belongings in the prison so set off to find a way to tell his wife and daughters that hes alive and well.

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Videos shared widely across social media showed dozens of prisoners running in celebration after the insurgents released them, some barefoot and others wearing little clothing. One of them screams in celebration after he finds out that the government has fallen.

Torture, executions and starvation in Syria's prisons

Syria's prisons have been infamous for their harsh conditions. Torture is systematic, say human rights groups, whistleblowers, and former detainees. Secret executions have been reported at more than two dozen facilities run by Syrian intelligence, as well as at other sites.

In 2013, a Syrian military defector, known as Caesar, smuggled out over 53,000 photographs that human rights groups say showed clear evidence of rampant torture, but also disease and starvation in Syria's prison facilities.

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Syrias feared security apparatus and prisons did not only serve to isolate Assads opponents, but also to instill fear among his own people said Lina Khatib, Associate Fellow in the Middle East and North Africa program at the London think tank Chatham House.

"Anxiety about being thrown in one of Assads notorious prisons created wide mistrust among Syrians, Khatib said. Assad nurtured this culture of fear to maintain control and crush political opposition.

Just north of Damascus, in the Saydnaya military prison known as the human slaughterhouse, women detainees, some with their children, screamed as men broke the locks off their cell doors in the early hours Sunday as insurgents entered the city. Amnesty International and other groups say that dozens of people were secretly executed every week in Saydnaya, estimating that up to 13,000 Syrians were killed between 2011 and 2016.

Dont be afraid  Bashar Assad has fallen! Why are you afraid? said one of the rebels as he tried to rush streams of women out of their jam-packed tiny cells.

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Tens of thousands of detainees have so far been freed, said Rami Abdurrahman of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based pro-opposition war monitor.

Over the past 10 days, insurgents freed prisoners in cities including Aleppo, Homs, Hama as well as Damascus.

Families seek loved ones who have been missing for years

Omar Alshogre, who was detained for three years and survived relentless torture, watched in awe from his home far from Syria as videos showed dozens of detainees fleeing.

A hundred democracies in the world had done nothing to help them, and now a few military groups came down and broke open prison after prison, Alshogre, a human rights advocate who now resides in Sweden and the U.S., told The Associated Press.

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Meanwhile, families of detainees and the disappeared skipped celebrations of the downfall of the Assad dynasty. Instead, they waited outside prisons and security branch centers, hoping their loved ones would be there. They had high expectations for the newcomers who will now run the battered country.

This happiness will not be completed until I can see my son out of prison and know where he is, said Bassam Masri. I have been searching for him for two hours. He has been detained for 13 years," since the start of the Syrian uprising in 2011.

Rebels struggled to control the chaos as crowds gathered by the Court of Justice in Damascus.

Heba, who only gave her first name while speaking to the AP, said she was looking for her brother and brother-in-law who were detained while reporting a stolen car in 2011 and hadn't been seen since.

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"They took away so many of us, said Heba, whose mothers cousin also disappeared. We know nothing about them ... They (the Assad government) burned our hearts.

___

Chehayeb reported from Beirut. Associated Press writers Sarah El-Deeb and Ghaith Alsayed in Damascus contributed to this report.
The Islamist rebel alliance that toppled the Syrian regime has declared a general amnesty for military conscripts of the Syrian armed forces.

Their safety is to be guaranteed and all attacks on them banned, the alliance announced on Telegram.

The alliance of rebel groups, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), toppled the regime of Bashar al-Assad in an operation that lasted just 12 days and ended with the fall of Damascus on Sunday.

Many areas fell to the rebels without a fight.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  For one Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) engineering professor, the recent collapse of the Assad regime hit close to home.

More than 40 years ago, Dr. Saleh Sbenaty, who now lives in Murfreesboro, fled his home country of Damascus, Syria, and traveled 6,400 miles to Nashville in search of a better life and an education.

US journalist Austin Tice, who disappeared in Syria in 2012, believed to be alive: Biden

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It was around that same time in 1982 that Syrias president Hafez al-Assad crushed an uprising against the regime. The nearly month-long attack led to between 10,000 to 40,000 people being killed in central Syria. It came to be known as the Hama Massacre which author and actress Robin Wright referred to in her book Dreams and Shadows: The Future of the Middle East, as what may have been the single deadliest act by any Arab government against its own people in the modern Middle East.

At that time, I recognized that this is not the place for me to stay and raise my family, Sbenaty said.

Sbenaty had to make a difficult choice to leave many of his family members behind.

We looked at the United States as the freedom beacon of the whole world, Sbenaty said. In Damascus, economically, we were upper middle class. I was with my family, and I had everything I needed financially, but the only thing that was missing was my freedom.

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Assads downfall is a humbling blow to Russia. How will it affect Putins prestige?

He quickly applied to graduate school and was able to secure a U.S. student visa.

Luckily, I came to, of all places, Cookeville, Tennessee, Sbenaty said. I did not know English. I decided to stay at Tennessee Tech, and I got my masters and PhD, and then I joined MTSUs staff 33 years ago.

The rest was history.

I couldnt be any happier, Sbenaty said. I have three children who were born or raised here, and Tennessee is our home, and Ive been here for 42 years now.

Fast forward to the present, over the course of 11 days, opposition forces captured major cities before sweeping through Damascus, which led to the collapse of the Assad dictatorship.

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I never thought I would live to see this day, Sbenaty said. The Assad regime has been in power for over 54 years, and when the liberation started with Aleppo, which is the most northern big city, close to Turkey, we did not believe that this was going to go as smoothly and as fast as it did.

Who is Abu Mohammed al-Golani, the leader of the insurgency that toppled Syrias Assad?

Sbenaty told News 2 that despite the distance and dramatic time difference, he speaks to his family in Damascus daily. He said they were all over the moon about the end of the autocratic family dynasty in Syria.

We were locked in a bad situation for so many years, and we almost lost hope about improvement, but now we are all hopeful that things are going to get better, Sbenaty said. When Aleppo was liberated, even a few days afterward, things got back to normal in terms of normal life, people are getting their food, their medicine, their gas, their electricity, so were hopeful that this is going to be also the case in the rest of the country.

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Many Syrians took to the streets and gathered in groups to celebrate an unexpected new era for their country.

Everybody is just ecstatic about freedom, Sbenaty said. One thing about the Syrian people, is they want to live peacefully and freely, and this is something they have been deprived of for more than five decades. Anything is better than the past, so they are very happy.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Although he admits the future of his home country is uncertain, hes more optimistic than ever that he will be able to reunite with his loved ones in Damascus safely in the years to come.

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Damascus is just the most beautiful city on Earth, at least to me, Sbenaty said. Its the oldest inhabited city on Earth, and it holds a special meaning to me and my family. All my children used to go there, but for the last 14 years, they could not, and we still hope that we are going to go together soon and see our extended family, their cousins, and my mom and everybody there, so were excited.

As for ousted president Bashar al-Assad and his family, Russian state media said they fled to Moscow where they were granted political asylum.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Syrian rebel group which deposed Bashar al-Assad has promised amnesty to regime soldiers and opened the borders for returning refugees as it prepares to form a new government.

The announcement came as Mohammed al-Bashir, a politician linked with the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, was installed as prime minister in a new transitional administration.

Mohammed Ghazi al-Jalali, Assads prime minister, on Monday agreed to hand over power to the rebel salvation government.

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Joe Biden has been spearheading Western efforts to communicate with the Islamist rebels who ousted Syrias dictatorship over the weekend amid fears the Islamic State (IS) could capitalise on a power vacuum in the country.

The US president used the Turkish government as an intermediary to warn HTS, a proscribed terror organisation in the US, EU and UK, against working with IS jihadists.

Syrians topple a statue of Assads father Hafez al-Assad in Damascus - Anadolu

The rebel group was once known as the al-Nusra Front, a former affiliate of al-Qaeda, but has claimed to have become more tolerant and moderate in recent years.

Its leaders reassured Washington that they had no intention of letting IS into their movement.

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The HTS-led coalition on Monday began unveiling its first policy plan for the countrys transition after toppling Assads regime.

The revolutionaries pledged not to impose religious dress codes on women and vowed to guarantee the rights of individuals  including former regime soldiers and conscripts called up to fight the rebels lightning advance.

Their lives are safe and no assault on them is permitted, the group said in a statement as part of a drive to present a moderate and tolerant image.

They also declared the countrys borders with Turkey, Lebanon, Jordan and Iraq would be opened for returning refugees.

The offer of amnesty for Syrian regime soldiers raised comparisons with the toppling of Saddam Hussein in Iraq. Offers of amnesty from the Western invading armies were not widespread, leading to the growth of IS terror networks and a decade of instability in both countries.

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In an earlier statement to Sana, the state-run news agency, Syrias parliament announced it would support the will of the people to build a new country and a better future governed by law and justice.

However, Western leaders remained sceptical about whether the rebels could be fully trusted with the transition away from the tyranny of Assad.

Mr Biden and his leading advisers are now debating over the extent to which the US should engage directly with Islamist-led rebel groups amid concerns they could still team up with jihadists, The New York Times reported.

Syrian women in Damascus on Monday celebrate the overthrow of Assad - BILAL AL HAMMOUD/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock

US officials have also discussed removing a $10 million (7.8 million) bounty on Mohammed al-Jolani, the leader of HTS, a senior Arab official told Middle East Eye.

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Earlier on Monday, the insurgents general command said in a social media post: It is strictly forbidden to interfere with womens dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty.

Pat McFadden, the UK Cabinet Office minister, said the Government would review its proscription of the HTS militants.

Asked if the Islamist group would be removed from the UKs terror list, he told Sky News: Yeah, we will and we will consider that and I think it will partly depend on what happens in terms of how that group behaves now.

But I think countries around the world who proscribed this [group], it is not just the UK, the United States, European countries as well, I think probably will look at that now and see what is going to happen in the future. But we have not made any decisions on that over the weekend.

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HTS was added to Britains proscribed list in 2017 because it was judged to be an alias of al-Qaeda.

Mark Rutte, Natos secretary-general, said of the group: We will be closely watching to see how the rebel leaders conduct themselves during this transition. They must uphold the rule of law, protect civilians and respect religious minorities.

The European Union said it was holding off on outreach with the rebels while officials assessed their leadership.

Kaja Kallas, the blocs leading foreign diplomat, said: We urge all actors to avoid any further violence, to ensure the protection of civilians, and to uphold international law.

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The group has cut ties with al-Qaeda and Jolani has also recently expressed his tolerance for different religious groups and communities.

Meanwhile, Israel has struck suspected chemical weapons depots in Syria to stop them falling into the hands of extremists, the countrys foreign minister said.

The US also announced on Sunday it had hit IS targets in an attempt to prevent the terror groups resurgence.

06:16 PM GMT

Thats all for today

Thank you for following our live coverage.

06:03 PM GMT

Pictured: Syrians celebrate under the independence flag

Supporters of the rebels who ousted Bashar al-Assad have taken to the streets to celebrate under the countrys former independence flag.

The green-white-black horizontal tricolour adorned with three red stars was first adopted in the pursuit of independence from France in the 1930s and is seen by many as the natural successor to the Assad regimes two starred version.

Syrians gather at Umayyad Square in Damascus, Syria on Dec 09 - EMIN SANSAR/ANADOLU

Syrian citizens wave the revolutionary flag in Damascus, on Dec 9 - HUSSEIN MALLA /AP

DAMASCUS, SYRIA - DECEMBER 09: Syrians celebrate the collapse of 61 years of Baath Party in Damascus - EMIN SANSAR/ANADOLU

05:51 PM GMT

Syrias unravelling could fuel illegal migration, warns Lammy

The foreign secretary has warned that the situation in Syria could see a flow of people using dangerous illegal migration routes to Europe and the UK.

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Assads demise brings no guarantee of peace, he told the Commons, adding: This is a moment of danger as well as opportunity for Syrians and for the region.

David Lammy said almost 17 million people were in need in Syria, with millions of refugees stationed in neighbouring Turkey, Lebanon and Jordan.

He added: Seeing so many start to return to Syria is a positive sign for their hopes for a better future now that Assad is gone, but a lot depends on what happens now, this flow into Syria could quickly become a flow back out and potentially increase the numbers using dangerous illegal migration routes to continental Europe and the United Kingdom.

05:39 PM GMT

Qatar condemns Israels land seizure in Syria

Qatar has condemned the Israeli seizure of the buffer zone and sites on the border with Syria.

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In a statement the foreign ministry said this is a dangerous development.

The IDF seized an area in the Golan Heights after Syrian forces withdrew during the toppling of the regime.

Egypt has also condemned the seizure, accusing Israel of exploiting the power vacuum to occupy more Syrian territories and create a fait accompli in violation of international law.

05:35 PM GMT

Assads fall is humiliating for Russia and Iran, says Lammy

The foreign secretary has described the toppling of the Assad regime as a humiliation for Russia and Iran.

David Lammy said the UK Government had long hoped to see Bashar Assad gone, telling MPs: We welcome the opportunity this brings the people of Syria.

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Assads demise is not just a humiliation to him and his henchman, it is a humiliation for Russia and Iran. Irans so-called axis of resistance is crumbling before our eyes.

05:28 PM GMT

Far too early to decide on removing rebel group from terror list, says Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer has said it is  far too early to consider removing Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) from its listing as a terror group.

The UK cannot currently communicate with HTS, the group which led the ousting of Bashar al-Assad, as it is a designated terror group.

Speaking on a diplomatic visit to Saundi Arabia, the prime minister added that HTS must reject terrorism and violence before the UK can engage with the rebels.

David Lammy also told the Commons that the Government would judge HTS by its actions.

The foreign secretary acknowledged that the group had offered reassurances to minorities and committed to international monitoring over chemical weapons, but said time would tell how HTS treated all the civilians in areas under its control.

Sir Keir Starmer at the old city wall of Diriyah in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Dec 9 - KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/PA

05:21 PM GMT

Britain pauses decisions on Syrian asylum claims

Britain has paused decisions on Syrian asylum claims while it assesses the current situation.

A Home Office spokesman said: The Home Office has paused decisions on Syrian asylum claims whilst we assess the current situation.

We keep all country guidance relating to asylum claims under constant review so we can respond to emerging issues.

The decision comes after Germany, France and other European countries froze Syrian asylum applications in the wake of the overthrow of Bashar al-Assads regime.

05:17 PM GMT

Syrian rebel leader agrees transfer of power

Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) that led the offensive to oust Bashar al-Assad, met with the Syrian prime minister to discuss the transfer of power, the rebels said.

Mr Jolani, now using his real name Ahmed al-Sharaa, met with Mohammed al-Jalali to coordinate a transfer of power that guarantees the provision of services to Syrias people, said a statement posted on the rebels Telegram channels.

Speaking to Al Arabiya TV, the prime minister said he had made an agreement with what he called the Salvation Government, adding that he would oversee the transition of power which he hoped would remain peaceful.

The leader of Syrias Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, address a crowd on Dec 8 - AREF TAMMAWI /AFP

04:56 PM GMT

Assad is a rat who fled with tail between his legs, says Lammy

The foreign secretary has described Bashar al-Assad as the rat of Damascus who fled to Moscow with his tail between his legs.

David Lammy, making a statement to the Commons, said the UK Government had chosen not to re-engage with Syria under Mr Assads rule as the former president was a monster.

He told MPs: We said no because Assad was a dictator, whose sole interest was his wealth and his power. And we said no because Assad is a criminal who defied all laws and norms to use chemical weapons against the Syrian people.

We said no because Assad is a butcher with the blood of countless innocents on his hands and we said no because Assad was a drug dealer.

Mr Lammy added the UK Government knew Mr Assad was never, ever going to change, telling MPs: There were those who used to call Assad the lion of Damascus. Now we see the reality: Assad is the rat of Damascus, fleeing to Moscow with his tail between his legs. How fitting he should end up there.

David Lammy foreign secretary gives statement on Syria

04:44 PM GMT

Israel strikes chemical weapons depots in Syria

Israeli warplanes struck suspected chemical weapons depots in Syria, the countrys foreign minister said.

Speaking at a press conference, Gideon Saar said Israel attacked weapons sites in order that they will not fall in the hands of extremists following the collapse of Bashar al-Assads regime.

Israel also destroyed weapons and ammunition depots in intensive air strikes launched in coastal and southern Syria, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a Britain-based monitor.

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) said on Monday it had reminded Syria of its responsibility to secure any of its remaining stockpiles.

The OPCW said it removed Assads stockpile after a chemical attack killed 1,400 in Damascus in 2013 but said today it had serious concerns about the fate of significant amounts of chemical weapons unaccounted for.

04:36 PM GMT

Iron body presses and bed clamps: horrors of Syrias slaughterhouse prison emerge

Footage emerging from the liberation of Bashar al-Assads most notorious prisons has revealed that the Syrian dictator used underground cells and body-crushing iron presses to detain and torture thousands of civilians, writes Sarah Newey.

Syrian rescue teams were still trying desperately to reach prisoners trapped in the underground labyrinth of jails deep inside the city of Sednaya on Monday.

Fleeting video clips taken by the first civilians and rebels to arrive at the prison  known locally as the human slaughterhouse  begin to show the horrors of the Assad regimes interrogation and detention, where mass hangings, torture and sexual abuse are said to have taken place.

Read the full story here.

04:05 PM GMT

Starmer announces new humanitarian aid funding for Syria

Sir Keir Starmer has announced 11m in additional humanitarian aid funding for Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

The funding will help the UN and NGOs meet the needs of the most vulnerable across the country, including more than 370,000 people estimated to have been displaced by recent events.

What happens in the Middle East matters at home, the prime minister said during a trip to Riyadh in Saudi Arabia.

To deliver on my plan for change, we need a strong foundation of security, but that cannot just be built at home, it requires us to play our part on the world stage to support stability and protect partners from threats, both now and in the future.

Sir Keir said the UK would play a more present and consistent role in the region, working with partners to strengthen deterrence of threats from land, sea, air and cyber.

Sir Keir Starmer arrives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Dec 9 - KIRSTY WIGGLESWORTH/AFP

03:49 PM GMT

Syrian rebels grant amnesty to army conscripts

Syrian rebels have granted amnesty to all military personnel conscripted into service during ousted President Bashar al-Assads rule, they announced on Monday on their Telegram channel.

Their lives are safe and no assault on them is permitted, the group said in a statement.

03:15 PM GMT

Starmer talks Syria with UAE leader

Sir Keir Starmer spoke with UAE President Sheik Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan about the evolving situation in Syria, No 10 said on Monday.

The Prime Minister, on his first visit to the region since winning power earlier this year, is due to visit Saudi Arabia next before stopping off in Cyprus.

He stressed before he set out that he would be encouraging the Gulf Cooperation Council, a six-nation regional bloc that includes the UAE and Saudi Arabia, to conclude a free trade agreement.

03:02 PM GMT

In pictures: Syrians gather outside Sednaya prison

A man holds a rifle as people gather outside Sednaya prison - Getty Images Europe

There were reports of thousands of prisoners being detained inside Sednaya prison - Getty Images Europe

02:38 PM GMT

No one found in search for missing prisoners, says campaign group

The search for thousands of missing prisoners reportedly trapped in hidden underground cells has not led to any detainees being found, according to a campaign group.

A spokesman for the Association for Detainees and the Missing in Sednaya Prison (ADMSP) said Assads notorious Sednaya prison, once likened to a human slaughterhouse, is now empty.

The last detainee from the prison was rescued on Sunday, a spokesman added.

It comes after the White Helmets, a civil defence group, offered a $3,000 (2,350) reward to anyone who provided accurate information leading to the secret prison cells.

A woman examines the cells at the notoriously brutal Sednaya military prison - AP

02:29 PM GMT

Germany and Austria freeze Syrian refugee claims

Germany and Austria have frozen Syrian asylum applications in the wake of the overthrow of Bashar al-Assads regime, writes Daniel Hardaker.

All asylum requests from Syrian citizens will be put on hold until there is more clarity on political developments in the country, Berlins migration office said on Monday.

Syria was the most common country of origin for asylum seekers in Germany this year, with 72,420 applications submitted by December.

More than 47,000 asylum requests from Syrian citizens are still pending a decision.

Austria has also said it has suspended Syrian asylum applications, and its interior ministry has been instructed to start preparing the deportation of Syrians already living there.

Read the full story here.

02:14 PM GMT

US not involved in Assads downfall

The US was not directly involved in the collapse of Assads regime, according to a senior national security adviser.

We did not direct it, Jake Sullivan told CBS, adding theres an opportunity to build something significantly better going forward.

The US currently supports the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces, who have been opposed to both Assad and Isis.

01:56 PM GMT

Syria warned to secure chemical weapons

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has warned Syria of its responsibility to secure any of its remaining stockpiles, a spokesman for the group said on Monday.

Syria agreed in 2013 to join the OPCW shortly after an alleged chemical gas attack killed more than 1,400 people near Damascus.

The OPCW said it removed Assads declared stockpile of chemical weapons in 2014 but the former Syrian president retained large supplies, experts believe, often using them against civilians.

Serious concerns have remained about the completeness of Syrias initial declaration and the fate of significant amounts of chemical weapons unaccounted for, the group added.

01:44 PM GMT

Russia and Iran share responsibility for Assads crimes, says Nato chief

Mark Rutte, Nato secretary seneral, has branded Russia and Iran as unreliable partners, saying the nations were complicit in the crimes of ousted Syrian president Bashar al-Assad.

Russia and Iran were the main backers of the Assad regime, and they share the responsibility for the crimes committed against the Syrian people, Mr Rutte said, adding: They also proved to be unreliable partners, abandoning Assad when he ceased to be of use to them.

Mr Rutte called for a peaceful transition of power and an inclusive, Syrian-led political process.

This is a moment of joy but also uncertainty for the people of Syria and the region. We hope for a peaceful transition of power and an inclusive Syrian-led political process, Rutte said in a statement.

01:39 PM GMT

Pictured: Military vehicle hit in Israeli strike

A Syrian man flashes the victory sign while passing by a burned military vehicle that was hit by Israeli strike, in Damascus - AP

01:35 PM GMT

Pictured: Rebel flag taped to London embassy

The three-starred flag favoured by the opposition has been taped to the front door of the Syrian embassy in London.

The Bashar al-Assad regime flag remains atop the pole above the entrance to the building.

The three-star flag attached to the door of the Embassy of Syria on Dec 09 - LEON NEAL/GETTY

Police officers stand guard the two-star Baathist Syrian flag flies on the flag pole - LEON NEAL/GETTY

01:10 PM GMT

Hamas congratulates Syrian people

Hamas, the Iran-backed terror group, congratulated the Syrian people on Monday for achieving their aspirations for freedom and justice after toppling Assad.

12:55 PM GMT

Search continues at Sednaya prison

The White Helmets, a Syrian civil defence group, are continuing their search of Assads brutal Sednaya prison following reports it is housing thousands of prisoners in underground cells.

The defence group said it would give $3,000 (2,350) to anyone who provided information leading to the secret prisons.

Sednaya , once described by Amnesty as a human slaughterhouse, was liberated after the Islamist-led opposition forces entered the capital after their lightning offensive across Syria.

Teams continue to investigate allegations of a secret compartment in the Sednaya prison - Anadolu

An aerial view of Assads Sednaya prison - Anadolu

12:24 PM GMT

Hezbollah sees major, dangerous change in Syria

Hezbollah views the toppling of Assads regime in Syria as a major, dangerous and new transformation, a senior politician said on Monday.

Hezbollah played a major part propping up Assad through years of war in Syria, before bringing its fighters back to Lebanon over the last year to fight in a bruising war with Israel - a redeployment which weakened Syrian government lines.

His downfall has stripped Hezbollah of a vital ally along Lebanons eastern border. Assad-ruled Syria long served as a vital conduit for Iran to supply weapons to the Shiite Islamist Hezbollah.

What is happening in Syria is a major, dangerous and new transformation, and how and why what happened requires an evaluation, and the evaluation is not done on the podiums, Hassan Fadlallah, a Hezbollah politician, said in a statement.

12:07 PM GMT

Why the next twist could bring yet more pain after Assad

It took just 11 days to end the 13-year rebellion against Bashar al-Assad, an offensive so rapid that what unfolds next in Syria itself is, to an extent, anyones guess.

What is clear is that the dial of history is shifting again in the Middle East, not for the first time in the tumultuous 14 months since Hamas carried out its massacre in Israel on Oct 7 last year.

Over the coming days and weeks, the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East will be redrawn further as power in Syria shifts from Assads Alawite minority, a Shia offshoot, to the countrys Sunni Arab majority.

Both Shia Iran and Russia will lose their most important Arab client. Russia, whose ruthless aerial bombardment helped Assad to recapture rebel-held cities, looks set to lose its naval base at Tartus and air base at Hmeimim to the north, depriving Vladimir Putin of a foothold on the eastern Mediterranean.

But Putin has other options in the region, most notably in Libya, where Russia supports Khalifa Haftar, the warlord who controls most of the country.

Read the full story here.

Children pose alongside the toppled statue of Bashar al-Assad - Juma Mohammad/Shutterstock

12:00 PM GMT

Deposits safe at all operating banks, says Syrias central bank

The deposits of Syrian citizens in functioning Syrian banks are safe, Syrias Central Bank said in a Facebook post on Monday.

The central bank and commercial banks will resume operations on Tuesday, when staff will be asked to come back into work, according to multiple sources.

11:42 AM GMT

EU urges orderly, peaceful and inclusive transition in Syria

The European Union has called for a peaceful political transition in war-torn Syria after the ouster of Assad by Islamist-led rebels.

Now more than ever, it is imperative that all stakeholders engage in an inclusive, Syrian-led and Syrian-owned dialogue on all key issues to ensure an orderly, peaceful and inclusive transition, the 27-nation bloc said in a statement.

11:09 AM GMT

Watch: Israel strikes military airbase in Damascus

An Israeli airstrike on the Mezzeh military airbase caused a massive explosion in Damascus on Sunday.

Israel said it had launched strikes on chemical weapons facilities and rocket launchers in Syria to stop them falling into the wrong hands.

10:57 AM GMT

Pictured: Syrians flock to Umayyad Square in Damascus

Syrians flocked to the main square of the capital Damascus on Monday to mark what many regard as a long-awaited new dawn after the fall of president Bashar al-Assad.

People hold a large Syrian opposition flag at Umayyad Square in Damascus - AFP

10:38 AM GMT

Syrian government still functioning, says PM

Syrias government is still functioning and is now communicating with rebel leaders, according to the countrys prime minister.

Mohammed Ghazi Jalali, who remained in post during the fall of Assads regime, said most cabinet ministers continue to work from their offices in Damascus.

We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth, he told Sky News Arabia TV.

10:32 AM GMT

US launches air strikes on Isis targets in Syria

The US has carried out precision air strikes against Isis targets in Syria amid concerns that the terror group will regroup in the vacuum created by the fall of Bashar al-Assad.

Joe Biden, the US president, said on Sunday afternoon it had struck targets after learning that Damascus had been overtaken by rebel groups. The US military will continue to operate in the region to quell the threat of IS.

The president added that he would send members of his administration to Syria and work with Jordan, Lebanon, Iraq and Israel should any threat arise from Syria during this period of transition. He called the fall of Assad a fundamental act of justice.

The strikes were conducted by B-52 bombers, F-15 fighter jets and A-10 aircraft and hit Isis leaders, operatives and camps, CNN reported.

Read the full story here.

10:24 AM GMT

Russia to hold talks over future of military bases

Russia will hold talks with Syrias next rulers over the future of its military bases in the region, the Kremlin said on Monday.

Asked about the future of the bases, Dmitry Peskov, a Kremlin spokesman, said: Its premature to talk about it yet.

This is all a subject for discussion with those who will be in power in Syria, Mr Peskov said, adding that there was extreme instability in the country.

Of course, everything is being done now that is necessary and everything that is possible in order to get in touch with those who can deal with security. And, of course, our military is also taking all necessary precautions, he added.

10:02 AM GMT

Pictured: Israeli forces operating in Syria

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has released a picture showing its forces operating in the Mount Hermon region in Syria.

It comes after Israeli ground forces crossed into Syrian territory for the first time since 1973 on Sunday.

Israeli troops took control of the mountain summit in Mount Hermon as it seeks to ensure stability along its border with Syria.

Israeli forces operate in Mount Hermon region, Syria - REUTERS

09:57 AM GMT

Putin gave Assad asylum, says Kremlin

The Kremlin has confirmed Bashar al-Assad fled to Moscow, where he was granted political asylum by Vladimir Putin.

Moscow had nothing to say about Assads whereabouts, a spokesman said.

Asked whether Russia was surprised by the events unfolding in Syria, Dmitry Peskov said: What happened in general surprised the whole world. In this case, we are no exception.

09:52 AM GMT

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09:37 AM GMT

Moscow vows harsh response if military bases hit

Moscow has threatened a harsh response if Russias military bases in Syria are attacked.

Russia has its Hmeimim airbase in Syrias Latakia province, as well as a naval facility in Tartous.

The Kremlin has reportedly struck a deal with Syrias rebel leaders to guarantee the safety of its bases.

But one Russian war blogger, who was links to the defence ministry, said the countrys military presence in the Middle East was hanging by a thread.

What anyone decided in high office is absolutely irrelevant on the ground.

09:28 AM GMT

Fall of the House of Assad, with a billion-pound fortune and blood on their hands

He didnt look like a dictator. Awkward and gangly, his mannerisms unassuming, at least until he opened his mouth, Bashar al-Assad exuded none of the machismo of other Arab strongmen like Muammar Gaddafi or Saddam Hussein.

His wife Asma called him duck, presumably because he looked a little like one  although his benighted people thought he also resembled a giraffe, given his long neck.

Yet when it came to butchery, he was up there with the worst of them, presiding over 13 years of carnage that claimed the lives of well over half a million people.

If ever there was a modern ruler who epitomised Hannah Arendts description of the banality of evil, it was surely Assad.

For a while, Iran and Russia came to his rescue, laying waste to swathes of Syrias biggest cities until the rebels were driven out. In the end, though, it only delayed the inevitable by a few years.

Read the full story here.

Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma with their daughter Zein and sons Hafez, second right, and Karim in 2022 - AFP/AFP

09:11 AM GMT

Syrian rebels may be removed from terrorist list

The Syrian rebel group that led the overthrow of Bashar al-Assads regime could be removed from the UK terrorist list, writes Charles Hymas.

Pat McFadden, who oversees the Cabinet Office, said that the Government would review the proscription of the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which led the rebels two-week march on Damascus.

Asked if the Government would look again at the ban, Mr McFadden told Sky News: Yeah, we will and we will consider that and I think it will partly depend on what happens in terms of how that group behaves now.

But I think countries around the world who proscribed this [group], it is not just the UK, the United States, European countries as well, I think probably will look at that now and see what is going to happen in the future. But we have not made any decisions on that over the weekend.

Read the full story here.

09:05 AM GMT

In pictures: Syrian rebel flag flies in Moscow

The Syrian opposition flag flies at the Syrian embassy building in Moscow - Shutterstock

The Syrian rebel flag is flown over the embassy in Moscow - AP

Bashar al-Assad fled to Moscow over the weekend, according to state media - AFP

09:00 AM GMT

Watch: Torture device found in Sednaya prison

A torture device, used to crush prisoners after they are hanged, was found in Assads Sednaya prison.

The prison was considered to be one of Assads most brutal prisons, where people were regularly sent to die by torture, disease or starvation, according to human rights organisations.

X / @AJA_Egypt

08:39 AM GMT

Two specialist teams arrive at Sednaya prison

Two specialist teams arrived at Sednaya prison to investigate hidden underground cells on Sunday evening, according to the White Helmets, a Syrian civil defence group.

The teams, which include search and rescue units, are being shown around by a guide who has knowledge of the prisons layout.

Thousands are thought to be trapped in underground cells inside the prison, where death by torture was commonplace, according to human rights organisations.

The White Helmets has deployed 5 specialized emergency teams to Sednaya Prison to investigate hidden underground cells, reportedly holding detainees according to survivors. The teams consist of search and rescue units, wall-breaching specialists, iron door-opening crews, trained  The White Helmets (@SyriaCivilDef) December 8, 2024

08:30 AM GMT

Watch: Syrian embassy in Moscow raises rebel flag

The three-starred flag of the Syrian rebel groups has been installed over the Syrian embassy building in Moscow, video footage showed on Monday.

Bashar al-Assad, Syrias fallen dictator, reportedly fled to Moscow with his family after rebels took control of Damascus.

BREAKING  New Syrian flag has been raised to Syrian Embassy in Moscow.



Diplomats chanted "free Syria" and "Syria belongs to all Syrians" pic.twitter.com/dCQTyQTEgF  Ragp Soylu (@ragipsoylu) December 9, 2024

08:24 AM GMT

Sednaya prison became death camp after war

Assads notorious Sednaya prison effectively became a death camp after civil war broke out in Syria, according to the Association of Detainees and the Missing of Sednaya Prison (ADMSP), a Turkey-based organisation.

Some 30,000 people are estimated to have died by execution, torture, starvation, or lack of medical care between 2011 and 2013, according to the group.

You will struggle to find a former Sednaya prisoner who will tell you what really happened there, because it is so humiliating, Omar, who was a teenager when he was arrested, told Amnesty.

I dont even know what term to use to describe what I saw.

08:17 AM GMT

Toddler released from jail with hopes of Syria on his shoulders

First they tried to shoot the lock off. Then they tried crowbarring it. Maybe someone found a key.

When the cell door swung open to reveal a tiny toddler, eyes filled with curiosity and trepidation as his liberators shouted: Run! Run!

The rescue of this scared child from Syrias most notorious prison is perhaps the most fitting symbol of Bashar al-Assads downfall.

From the lifeless infants pulled from the rubble of barrel bombings and the little girls choked by Sarin gas in Ghouta, Assads legacy has been a massacre of children.

On Sunday morning, the 54-year Assad dynasty finally came to an end.

Dictatorships always fall gradually, then suddenly.

Read the full story here.

08:12 AM GMT

Israel says it struck chemical weapons sites in Syria

Israel struck suspected chemical weapons sites and long-range rockets in Syria in order to prevent them falling into the hands of hostile actors, the countrys foreign minister said.

Gideon Saar said Monday that the only interest we have is the security of Israel and its citizens.

Thats why we attacked strategic weapons systems, like, for example, remaining chemical weapons, or long-range missiles and rockets, in order that they will not fall in the hands of extremists, Mr Saar said.

08:04 AM GMT

What we know about Sednaya prison

As rebels declared victory over Bashar al-Assad on Sunday, a crowd of fighters with torches stormed into the notorious Sednaya prison, throwing open the metal cell doors to release thousands of exhausted, stunned prisoners languishing inside, writes Sarah Newey.

But the race is now on to release upwards of 10,000 more detainees, who are being held in a labyrinth of hidden cells as deep as 100ft underground, locked behind hefty electronic doors.

Across Syria, more than 136,000 people were detained before the latest rebel advance, according to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, but Sednaya was the most feared.

According to a 2022 report from the Turkey-based organisation, the Association of Detainees and The Missing in Sednaya Prison, the facility effectively became a death camp once the country descended into civil war.

07:53 AM GMT

Watch: Rebels in prison control room free inmates

This is the moment Syrian rebel fighters entered the control room inside Assads Sednaya prison, which was liberated as they took control of Damascus.

Rebels could be heard cheering as dozens of inmates flooded out of the prison.

07:47 AM GMT

Welcome to our live updates

Good morning and welcome to our live updates on the latest news in Syria.

Well be bringing you news and analysis throughout the day.

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DAMASCUS, Syria  Jubilant Syrians waving flags clambered Monday onto a government tank abandoned in the capital city's main square and took selfies.

Others defaced or tore down the omnipresent portraits of ousted President Bashar al-Assad from government buildings. At the same time, hundreds of Syrian exiles streamed back into the country from Lebanon through unguarded border crossings.

And just outside Damascus, celebrating crowds tossed a noose around the towering statue of Assad's father, Hafez al-Assad, the dictator who first imposed his iron grip on Syria a half-century ago, and toppled it to the ground. Then they chained it to the back of a truck and dragged it through the streets past cheering crowds.

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Everywhere, it seemed, the celebrations were accompanied by the sounds of rebels firing their AK-47s into the air, by honking horns, and by the sounds of Syrians of all ages yelling "Hurriyah! Hurriyah!"  or "Freedom! Freedom!"

The streets were littered in places with the discarded uniforms of Assad's soldiers, who dispersed before the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militants entered Damascus and all but ended a bloody 13-year civil war that had torn this ancient land apart.

Assad, who fled with his immediate family to Russia and was granted asylum by his longtime patron Vladimir Putin, was not around to see his countrymen embracing the HTS rebels who had, in a matter of days, taken over Syria.

Hours after Assad fled, HTS leader Abu Mohammad al-Jolani arrived at a Damascus mosque wearing military fatigues.

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In recent years hes also taken to using his real name, Ahmad al-Sharaa.

Al-Jolani ordered his men to not harm civilians and to stop looting, although Syrians could be seen removing furniture and other items from Assad's abandoned palaces and eyeing the fleet of luxury cars the dictator kept in a garage.

One of the first things al-Jolani's forces did was burst into Assad's brutal jails and free thousands of prisoners, many of whom had been held for decades in horrific conditions under which rape and other sexual torture were rampant.

But al-Jolani heads a militant group that was once Al Qaedas Syria branch and which both the U.S. and United Nations have designated a terrorist organization. And a wary world was watching to see whether Syria was replacing one despot with another.

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Still, President Joe Biden on Sunday declared, "At long last, the Assad regime has fallen."

We will engage with all Syrian groups, including within the process led by the United Nations, to establish a transition away from the Assad regime," he said.

The U.S. has about 900 American troops stationed in northern Syria and has been closely monitoring the HTS takeover of Syria.

President-elect Donald Trump delivered a different message on his Truth Social platform Saturday morning, writing, in capital letters, that the U.S. should have nothing to do with the situation in Syria.

This is not our fight," he wrote. "Let it play out.

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Al-Jolani has tried to reassure his countrymen in multiethnic and multireligious Syria that all faiths will be respected and that there will be no retribution against the low-level government functionaries and soldiers who served the Assad government.

He has also vowed not to go after all of the Alawites, the minority sect that Assad's family is part of and that ran the military and government and controlled the country with a Soviet-style secret police apparatus whose main objective was stifling all dissent by any means necessary.

So far, most Syrians appeared to be taking al-Jolani at his word.

After Damascus fell, Syrias prime minister, Ghazi al-Jalali, said in a statement that he does not intend to leave except in a peaceful manner that ensures the continued functioning of public institutions and state facilities, promoting security and reassurance for our fellow citizens.

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He said that the government is ready to cooperate with any leadership chosen by the Syrian people.

In the town of Qardaha, where the Assad family is from and where Hafez al-Assad is buried, the elders vowed in a statement Monday to cooperate with Syria's new rulers.

As for the portraits of the father-son dictators that are everywhere in this coastal Syrian city, "the attendees call for the removal of all statues and images from public squares and places," the elders declared.

Nearly 7 million Syrians have fled the country in the last four years, many of them to Europe where the sudden influx of refugees fueled a resurgence of anti-immigrant far-right movements.

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With the fall of the Assad regime, the governments of Britain, Germany, Finland and several other European countries announced they would suspend making decisions on asylum applications from Syrian nationals.

We are analyzing various migration scenarios following the political changes in Syria taking place before our eyes," Poland's deputy interior minister, Maciej Duszczyk, whose country takes over the presidency of the European Union Council on Jan. 1, posted on X. "Ensuring security is key."

Richard Engel reported from Damascus, and Corky Siemaszko from New York City.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
WASHINGTON (DC News Now)  Syrians in D.C., Maryland and Virginia gathered at Lafayette Square on Sunday to celebrate the fall of Syrias Bashar Assads regime.

Syrian people in 2011 took our streets peacefully asking for human rights and dignity. Assad, with his backers, Iran and Russia, responded with power and forces and killed hundreds of thousands of people and drove millions of people outside their countries, said Farouk Belal, the president of the Syrian American Council.

Im glad that Syria is free, and Im glad that my uncles blood didnt go in vain, said Zain al-Helal, 17, of Springfield, Va., who attended the rally at Lafayette Square Park with her family.

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Zains uncle died in 2012 during civil unrest in Syria.

This day is special because we have a lot of people in Syria. There are family that were killed because they want freedom, because we want our land back to us. Zain said. And we dont want a dictator like us to be in our country.

PHOTOS: Firefighter hurt in 2-acre fire in Rock Creek Park

Assad left the country on Sunday as Syrian rebels captured Damascus, ending the over 50-year rule of the Assad family.

Reports say Russia granted Assad and his family asylum.

Yesterday it was official that Assad ran out of Syria and this is a sign of the fall of the Regime. Of 53 years of the Assad father and now his son rule of Syria, of destruction, of not only buildings but destruct[ion] of our community, destruct[ion] of our people, said Belal.

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The Syrian community in the DMV went out in the streets to celebrate.

To see an end to this is amazing, its unbelievable, Belal continued.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Syrians on Monday celebrated the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad, as thousands of detainees were freed from his notorious jails while families and rescuers searched for those still missing.

Powerful images have emerged showing people, including women and children, being freed from prisons across the country after the toppling of Assad, whose brutal regime saw hundreds of thousands of political prisoners disappear into jails where many faced torture and death.

While Assad was in Moscow having fled the country, one facility known as the human slaughterhouse was being searched for signs of secret underground cells.

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Men in one video verified by NBC News could be seen cheering as they were released by fighters who shot the lock off the doors, then entered Saydnaya prison near Damascus in the hours after rebel forces captured the Syrian capital.

In another video, a little boy appeared to toddle out of a cell as women around him rejoiced, with some expressing confusion after being told they'd been freed and asking for their belongings and their identification cards.

But harrowing stories also emerged, and rescue teams rushed to search Saydnaya after receiving reports of detainees being held in "hidden underground cells," with families also racing to the facility in hopes of finding their loved ones.

The White Helmets rescue organization said it had deployed five specialized emergency teams to search for underground cells, citing survivors' accounts.

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"The teams consist of search and rescue units, wall-breaching specialists, iron door-opening crews, trained dog units, and medical responders," the White Helmets said in a statement on X, adding that the crews were "well trained and equipped to manage such complex operations."

As of early Monday, the group said there was "no evidence confirming the presence of detainees in the basements or cellars of the prison, with search efforts still underway. It offered a $3,000 reward for anyone who provides information that helps locate secret prisons and detention centers where detainees are held.

The prisons are infamous for their harrowing conditions, with human rights groups long warning that Assad oversaw a system of torture, abuse and killings to maintain his grip on the country.

Video appears to show a child being freed from prison after the fall of the Assad regime.

'They said he was killed'

For more than a decade, Abdulaziz Almashi thought a close family member was dead. He told NBC News on Monday of his shock when he learned that his second cousin had in fact been locked inside one of Assad's prisons.

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"They said he was killed by 'terrorists,'" said Almashi, 39, a refugee in London from the Syrian city of Manbij who founded the organization Syria Solidarity Campaign. "It turned out, he's alive."

Almashi said his second cousin, now in his early 30s, had been carrying out mandatory military service when the Syrian revolution began. He tried to flee, not wanting to fight for Assad, but was captured.

Authorities told Almashi's family in 2012 that he was killed on the battlefield, filling them with grief, despair  and shame.

"Can you imagine how we thought about it?" said Almashi. "Like, how could someone from our family die from fighting for Assad? Hes on the wrong side of history."

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It was only on Sunday, when his cousin emerged from his prison cell emaciated and raced to find his family, that they learned he had been incarcerated the entire time.

"Its unbelievable," Almashi said. "And will he ever recover? That is the question."

And Almashi, who is desperate to return to Syria to be reunited with his loved ones, stressed that his family's harrowing account is just one of many.

"Everyone that has come out of prison has stories," he said.

Tens of thousands of people have been "forcibly disappeared" in Syria, according to Amnesty International, with Assad's overthrow raising the prospect "that they could finally discover the fate of their missing loved ones, in some cases decades later," the organization said in a statement Sunday.

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In a 2017 report called "Human Slaughterhouse" Amnesty described the brutal conditions of the Saydnaya military prison, marked by "killings, torture, enforced disappearance, mass hangings and extermination of detainees."

Almashi said he was amazed his loved one survived his harrowing ordeal.

Why would you call his family and say hes dead?" he said. "Because you know that he will end up dead in a prison anyway."

Teams investigate allegations of a secret compartment at the prison in Damascus on Monday.

Salem Alaya, who fled Syria and settled in Britain as a refugee in 2014, said he cried as he watched videos of people being freed from prison cells.

"When my dad passed away, I did not cry like I did yesterday," said Alaya, 38, noting that he never got to say goodbye to his father, who died in 2016.

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"I was just crying," he told NBC News.

Alaya, who helps run a Facebook group supporting Syrian refugees arriving in London, said he had several friends and loved ones, including two uncles, who had been held as political prisoners in Syrian jails for years with no word on their whereabouts or well-being.

"Maybe they died. Maybe they disappeared. Maybe they have been killed inside the prison," he said. "I hope that we can hear about them."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
ADDIS ABABA, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- United Nations (UN) and African Union (AU) experts have called for investing heavily in infrastructure development and strengthening global partnerships to speed up industrialization and economic transformation in Africa.

The appeal came Monday at AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, the capital of Ethiopia, during the opening of Africa Industrialization Week 2024 themed "Leveraging Artificial Intelligence, Green Industrialization, and Intellectual Property for Africa's Transformation."

Batanai Clemence Chikwene, program manager at the African Trade Policy Center within the UN Economic Commission for Africa, said Africa needs to invest more in the infrastructure and energy sector to accelerate its advancement toward industrialization.

"Africa needs to invest highly in basic infrastructure development mainly on roads, airports, energy as well as on education sectors to be able to realize fast industrialization and economic transformations," Chikwene told Xinhua in an interview.

He said the industrial sector in Africa has been characterized by sluggish development attributable largely to a number of supply-side constraints, including the lack of the required industrial capacities, inadequate entrepreneurship skills, and the colonial legacy that requires them to export unprocessed products to foreign markets.

"Africa is not going to be able to industrialize on its own. It will need a market within the continent and abroad, and it needs to collaborate with partners that understand the circumstances of the continent and that provide assistance," he said.

Komi Tsowou, United Nations Development Program regional adviser on the African Continental Free Trade Area, said that Africa needs to focus on intra-African value chain integration and reduce export dependency on unprocessed goods and natural resources to speed up its industrialization.

"There is also an urgent need to generate skills, stimulate productivity, promote investment, provide infrastructure and transport facilities, upgrade enterprise operations, transfer technology, reduce the costs of doing business and introduce appropriate standards to enable products to compete in international markets," Tsowou said.

Peter Kuria, an AU expert on small and medium enterprises and special economic zones, said that there is an urgency to refocus on national industrial plans, accelerate regional value chain development, generate skills, stimulate productivity, and support enterprise operations to speed up Africa's industrialization.

"Africa has enough resources, and the policy needs to be inward looking where we are supporting the development of local industries. Africa needs skills that are appropriate to its industrial needs, and there should be better collaboration between its industries and learning institutions to industrialize the continent," said Kuria, noting that inaccurate mindset, policy alignment, and resource allocation remain a challenge for Africa's advancement toward industrialization. 
(Bloomberg) -- China sent large amount of military vessels into the waters around Taiwan in Beijings latest display of anger over a visit by the democracys president to the US.

Most Read from Bloomberg

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Chinas Peoples Liberation Army has deployed vessels from three theater commands to waters stretching along the first island chain in a scale that is larger than Beijings drills in 2022, Taiwan defense ministry spokesperson Sun Li-fang said on Tuesday. Sun did not give the exact number or locations of the Chinese vessels.

On Monday, China reserved seven airspace areas east of its Zhejiang and Fujian provinces through Wednesday, requiring planes to seek its approval for passage. Taipei has set up a response center and instructed troops to closely monitor the enemys situation, but there have not been live-fire drills within the areas as of Tuesday, according to Sun.

The ministry also added in the briefing that Chinas recent activities not only targeted Taiwan. In 2022, China sent missiles, warplanes and warships around the main island of Taiwan during drills in summer after former US House speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taipei.

Beijings purported move came after Taiwans President Lai Ching-te concluded his first overseas state visit, which included stopovers in Hawaii and the US territory of Guam. China has condemned the US for allowing Lai to transit in Hawaii because it opposes all official contact that implies statehood for the self-ruled democracy it claims as part of its territory.

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China has made no public announcement of its naval deployments or airspace restrictions. A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson declined to answer a question on the drills, saying Taiwan matters are an internal affair.

Lai went on his trip during a sensitive time as President Joe Biden prepares to leave the White House after repeatedly vowing to defend Taiwan from any Chinese invasion, muddying the long-standing US position of strategic ambiguity.

President-elect Donald Trumps return to office casts doubts over such reassurances, adding fresh turbulence to a major flashpoint between the worlds largest economies as the threat of their new trade war looms. Trump has appointed several China hawks to key positions, a move that leaders in Taiwan have interpreted as meaning they will continue to have US backing.

During his brief stay in Guam, Lai spoke on the phone with House Speaker Mike Johnson about economic and security issues.

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China has stepped up its military activity around the democracy of 23 million people in recent years. In summer 2022 and again in early 2023, the PLA carried out exercises after Lais predecessor, Tsai Ing-wen, met top US lawmakers.

--With assistance from Allen Wan, Paul Abelsky, Samson Ellis and Cindy Wang.

(Update with latest Taiwanese defense ministrys comments)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2024 Bloomberg L.P.
BEIJING (AP)  China's military appears to be preparing for widely anticipated drills in response to a recent visit by Taiwan's president to Hawaii and Guam.

Taiwan's defense ministry said Monday that it detected Chinese naval and coast guard ships entering the Taiwan Strait and the western Pacific and that China had restricted airspace along its southeast coast through Wednesday.

There was no immediate confirmation from the Chinese side.

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It comes as U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said he would not commit to defending Taiwan if China were to invade during his presidency.

China says Taiwan is part of its territory and opposes American support and military sales to the self-governing island. Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te made stops in Hawaii and Guam during a weeklong tour of the Pacific that ended Friday.

China maintains that Taiwan is a province that should not have its own president or foreign relations.

Taiwan's defense ministry said it has set up an emergency response center and launched combat readiness exercises in response to Chinese activity in the Taiwan Strait. It did not say what those exercises entailed.

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It must be pointed out that there is no such thing as a defense ministry in Taiwan, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said when asked about the Taiwanese statement. Taiwan is part of China, and the Taiwan issue is Chinas internal affairs. China will firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

China, which views Lai as a separatist, held major military exercises around Taiwan following his inauguration in May and his national day speech in October. It also held a major drill after Nancy Pelosi, then the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, visited Taiwan in 2022.

The Taiwan defense ministry statement said China had restricted air space in seven zones off Fujian province, which faces Taiwan, and off Zhejiang province, which stretches north from Fujian to Shanghai.

Trump was asked during a televised interview if he would commit to defending Taiwan.

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I never say, because I have to negotiate things, right? he told NBC's Meet the Press.

He said he had spoken in recent days with Chinese leader Xi Jinping but the two did not discuss the Taiwan issue.

We talked about other things, he said. But I have a very good relationship, and I hope he doesnt do it.
How tall is Donald Trump?

The world already knows his youngest son, Barron Trump, towers over the president-elect and his mother, former first lady Melania Trump. But a photo of Donald Trump and Prince William during their appearance Saturday, Dec. 7, in Paris has got the internet buzzing.

Donald Trump and Prince William met in Notre-Dame Cathedral after attending a ceremony to mark the reopening of the landmark cathedral following the 2019 fire in Paris, France. French President Emmanuel Macron had invited Donald Trump along with First Lady Jill Biden, Prince William and other heads of state including Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for the special event.

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The legendary Notre-Dame could have gone viral anyway for its Cinderella-esque comeback  the 12th-century cathedral caught fire April 15, 2019, when the world watched the beloved tourist landmark in flames.

This time, however, Notre-Dame wasn't the burning topic on social media.

In a tweet on X, the social platform formerly known as Twitter and owned by Elon Musk, a photo of the British Royal and former president went viral on Dec. 7. X user @revdaniel said in his caption: "Trump says he is 6'3. Prince William is 'also' 6'3. What a liar the Prince of Wales is. (three eyeroll emojis)"

As of Monday, Dec. 9, the tweet has been viewed 2.8 million times with almost 5,000 comments.

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How tall is Barron Trump? Photos show the only son of Donald and Melania Trump towering over his parents for years

How tall is Donald Trump? How tall is Prince William?

According to sites like potus.com and Biography.com, Donald Trump is listed as 6 feet 3 inches, although some reports say he's actually 6-2.

Prince William of Wales, the elder son of the late Princess Diana and King Charles III, is also 6-foot-3-inches tall. Biography.com also lists the Prince of Wales and heir apparent to the British throne at 6-3.

In the photo and video above in this story, however, Prince William is visibly taller than Donald Trump.

For those wondering, at 6-foot-7, Barron Trump is the tallest of the Trump siblings, and has been taller than his father since at least 2018 or 2019, when he was 12 or 13 years old. Barron Trump's mother, former model Melania Trump, is reportedly 5-foot-11-inches tall. Donald Trump's older sons Barron Trump's half-brothers  Eric Trump is reportedly 6-foot-5, and Donald Trump Jr. is 6-foot-1.

Trump says he is 63

Prince William is also 63



What a liar the Prince of Wales is.  pic.twitter.com/J5fCXK8IQo  RevDaniel (@RevDaniel) December 7, 2024

Contributing: Mike Snyder, USA TODAY

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Sangalang is a lead digital producer for USA TODAY Network-Florida. Follow her on Twitter or Instagram at @byjensangalang. Support local journalism. Consider subscribing to a Florida newspaper.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Prince William pic at Notre Dame questions Donald Trump's actual height
Hey kids, were about a month out from the election. Hows the retribution stuff working out for you so far?

Our old/new President-elect Donald Trump promised retribution on the campaign trail, and at least he told the truth about that.

Retribution takes many forms, and thus far, several of Trumps clowniest of cabinet nominees have promoted disastrous plans to attack the president-elect's critics, threaten public health and the basic rule of law.

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There are reports that business rivals of the power behind the throne, Elon Musk, the pride of South Africa, are terrified he will use federal power to go after them. And then you have Trump supporters such as right winger Nick Fuentes taunting women your body, my choice, or masked Nazis marching in the Short North section of downtown Columbus, Ohio.

And there are tariffs.

More from Freep Opinion: As GM prepares to move out, let's be honest: The RenCen is an embarrassment.

But we like Canada

Tariffs are generally designed to raise revenue and boost domestic economic development. But Trump is proposing tariffs aimed at many top U.S. trading partners and allies, which can only be considered retributive. Hes aimed such a tariff, 25% on all goods exported to the U.S., at Canada, that place we see across the Detroit River.

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So we need to talk about Cornelis Piet Hoekstra, better known as Pete Hoekstra, named by Trump to be the U.S. Ambassador for Canada. Hoekstra  a former West Michigan U.S. House representative, unsuccessful candidate for governor and U.S. Senate, former U.S. Ambassador to the Netherlands, and the current chair of the Michigan Republican Party  has, so far, said nothing publicly about Trumps threat to impose 25% tariffs on goods from Canada and Mexico, if they dont block illegal immigration, and curb fentanyl getting into the U.S.

As ambassador, Hoekstra has to represent the U.S.s interests in Canada, but also represent the Canadian view to the administration to ensure we maintain a good mutual relationship.

He presumably learned that while serving as ambassador to the Netherlands, though he got off to a rough start there. (When Dutch journalists asked Hoekstra about anti-Islamic comments hed made in 2015, saying that there were no-go zones in the Netherlands and that Muslim youth were burning Dutch politicians alive, he said it was fake news, moments later denying hed used the words fake news, and refusing to answer questions.)

So, as our new ambassador to Canada, and someone whos learned the hard way about not getting along with the locals, Hoekstra should say something about the tariff threat. (My efforts to reach Hoekstra for comment have thus far been unsuccessful.)

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The potential effect that such rashly imposed tariffs could have on the U.S. economy demands serious talk and sober reflection.

Specifically, the threatened Canadian tariff could take a serious whack at Michigans economy, given that some $160 billion in trade between Canada and the U.S. crosses the Detroit River annually. The entire nation could also be knocked over by the price effects on imported Canadian oil and fresh produce from Mexico, not to mention industrial products from both nations.

The threat has hammered the panic buttons in both Ottawa and Mexico City, and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and President Claudia Sheinbaum have tried to smooth things with Trump.

But reports also indicate Trump, at least when it comes to Canada, has no real understanding of our relationship and economic partnership.

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It is reported in recent days that when Trudeau met with Trump, the sage of Mar-a-largo said if Canada was unhappy ripping off the U.S. for billions, then it should become the 51st state. In fact, for decades Canadians worried the U.S. would pressure them to become part of America, so Trump aint helping us here.

More from Freep Opinion: Its time to let go of the past, Detroit. Let the Boblo Boat sink.

Must love tariffs

Trump has an odd obsession with tariffs. He has called tariff the most beautiful word in the English language (love, peace, joy, happiness and friendship are apparently all ugly, one guesses, by his measure).

During his first term, Trump imposed, or threatened to impose, a variety of tariffs, with little effect.

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Still, Trump insists tariffs will strengthen the U.S. economy.

At the same time, he's made it clear his threats against Canada and Mexico have nothing whatever to do with the economy.

No, these proposals are retributive attacks on two of our largest trading partners, so that Trump can fulfill election promises to deny undocumented immigrants access to the U.S. and to end the fentanyl scourge. (In regards to fentanyl, it should be noted records documented during border stops show most incidents of transporting fentanyl involve U.S. citizens hauling it in).

All through the election, campaign economists, as well as Democratic candidate Vice President Kamala Harris, warned against the impact tariffs and potential mass deportations could have on us economically. And still, more than a month away from Trump taking the oath, we are shuddering against the retributive possibilities, just in terms of the potential cost increases tariffs could impose.

What would George Washington do?

From the beginning, the U.S. has used tariffs as a primary source of government revenue, and a way to protect industry. The second law then-President George Washington signed instituted a tariff.

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Tariffs werent our only source of revenue. We used excise taxes, especially on items such as liquor. During the Civil War the Union  that was us, remember, the winners  imposed an income tax which was repealed in the 1870s. But until the 20th century and the growth of government, tariffs were our financial breadbasket.

Beyond the revenue aspect, tariffs were promoted, particularly by Republicans in the 19th century, as a benefit for the U.S.s industrial economy.

But our economy was entirely different a century ago, and our economic aims were different. And even then tariffs were unpopular, especially with lower- and middle-income residents, because they jacked up prices. For much of our early history, the U.S. tried to be entirely self-sufficient when it came to industrial goods, and tariffs reflected that drive.

Since World War II, our economy  the entire worlds economy  has been based more on cooperative trade.

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Beyond just growing domestic and international wealth, this policy has helped build international cooperation and peace, and has played a major role in improving education and human rights in lesser-developed nations. Yet there have been some negative tradeoffs, as international goods compete against U.S. goods, and has weakened some of our industrial leadership. Workers have been hurt when companies moved production overseas to find cheaper labor.

Tariffs play a much lower role in revenue generation for the U.S. government, but Trump seems to think his tariffs will change that reality.

Which is one reason why, every time he seemed to turn around on the campaign trail, he was proposing another tax cut which he claimed would be offset by tariff revenues.

Yet, one can fully expect that just like the Smoot-Hawley Tariff made the Great Depression quantitatively worse, Trumps tariffs will slam our economy, as well as the economy of Canada and our other key trading partners. They will also leave America with an image as a less reliably and rationally run nation.

Paging Pete Hoekstra

Which means anybody out there who has Pete Hoekstras phone number needs to call on the ambassador-to-be and urge him to take a stand against the possible crippling effects Trumps threatened tariffs could have on arguably the strongest economy on the planet.

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He needs to show Trump that dropping the tariff threat will help our economy as much if not more than it will help Canada and Mexico.

Hoekstra also needs to convince Trump it is always in our best national interest to have friends internationally, and not folks who distrust you. You cant maintain a great nation on the basis of retribution, in whatever form it takes. OK, eh?

Free Press contributing columnist John Lindstrom has covered Michigan politics for 50 years. He retired as publisher of Gongwer, a Lansing news service, in 2019. 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: Trump's tariff threats against Canada will whomp Michigan | Opinion
HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WHLT)  A Taste of Ireland is coming to Hattiesburgs Historic Saenger Theater on Thursday, March 6, 2025.

After premiering Off-Broadway last season, A Taste of Ireland returns to stages across the USA in 2025.

Lights of the Wild one of Best Zoo Lights in US

Tickets for A Taste of Ireland range from $29.95  $59.80 plus fees and go on sale Friday, December 13 at 10:00 a.m. online.

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Performed by former World Irish dance champions, and featuring dancers from Lord of the Dance and Riverdance, A Taste of Ireland transports the audience through the story of Irelands tumultuous history delivered with a pint of Irish wit.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV.
ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC)  A statewide teachers union is calling on New Yorks leaders to dial back on cellphone usage in the classroom.

New York State United Teachers is urging Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature to support distraction-free schools to help foster learning and well-being.

In a statement released Monday morning, the union said New York must provide restrictions on cellphone use during the school day. This, according to the union, will help protect students mental health and improve their learning.

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Last September, the organization passed a resolution to call for bell-to-bell restrictions on smartphones, smartwatches, and earbuds in schools. Some parents approve of the idea and some educators say school districts should choose.

NYSUT will hold a conference at the New York State Capitol Monday morning at 11 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 RochesterFirst.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A Memphis teenager has been arrested after being accused of holding up multiple gas stations.

Cordarious Moody, 18, is now facing three counts of aggravated robbery and two counts of criminal attempt.

ORIGINAL STORY: 18-year-old serial robber arrested in Southeast Memphis: Deputies

Cordarious Moody. (SCSO)

The Shelby County Sheriffs Office said additional charges will be forthcoming as they say Moody is responsible for other robberies in the MPDs jurisdiction.

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According to SCSO, Moody robbed the same two gas stations multiple times over an eight-day span.

Investigators said the two targeted gas stations were Exxon on East Shelby Drive and Circle K on Hacks Cross Road.

In each incident, two men wearing masks (Police say Moody was one of them) entered the businesses, brandishing handguns and demanding cash.

What happened to Univ. of Miss. student Jay Lee? Prosecution says Herrington Googled strangling info

Records show that the two hold-ups at Exxon resulted in Moody and his alleged accomplice making off with $8,500.

Investigative efforts led to surveillance footage showing a red Dodge Dart which was linked to Moody.

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The clerk, who was on duty during the incident said he ran to the back as the gunman entered the store.

He shared with WREG his firsthand account of one of the terrifying robberies.

He had the gun and nobody was here, the gas station manager said. He saw me and said, Man, open your register. And I ran. I ducked and ran. I was in the same position as he was behind the register. He came in and looked at me but he wasnt able to get any money out of the register because the register is locked.

After leaving the gas station, the manager overheard the police scanner reporting that the suspect had robbed a nearby Circle K just minutes later.

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DOJ hosting Zoom meeting to discuss investigation into MPD

Then he left and went to Circle K, the manager said. When I called the officers were here. They said the same guy robbed the Circle K.

In that incident, detectives said the Moody got away with $150.

According to the manager, the gas station will have to install bulletproof glass to secure the register desk which will cost around $15,000.

Moody was arrested on December 5 was arrested during a traffic stop.

A search warrant was also executed where detectives said they found the clothing Moody was allegedly seen wearing on video during some of the robberies.

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Moodys bond was set at $250,000. Hes set to be in court on Monday.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
PHNOM PENH, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Cambodia has launched an innovative packaging center to boost food industry competitiveness and sustainability, said a joint press release on Monday.

Located at and administered by the Royal University of Agriculture (RUA) in Phnom Penh, the Cambodia Packaging Center (CPC) was inaugurated last Friday, the press release said.

The center is part of the Food Technology, Research, and Innovation Platform, established by the European Union-funded CAPFISH-Capture: Post-harvest Fisheries Development project, which is jointly implemented by the Fisheries Administration (FiA) and UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

"This facility represents a significant step towards Cambodia's more sustainable and competitive food industry," the press release said. "By providing innovative and sustainable packaging solutions, the center aims to enhance food security, reduce waste, and position the country as a leader in sustainable food processing."

Innovative packaging was crucial for addressing key challenges faced by food processors, including food loss and waste and climate change issues, it said, adding that an official assessment of the packaging landscape within the agri-business and food sectors highlighted these challenges and the growing demand for practical solutions.

"The establishment of this center is a strategic response to these challenges, aiming to provide innovative solutions that will enhance the competitiveness of local businesses while promoting sustainability within the sectors," said Shetty Seetharama Thombathu, UNIDO chief technical advisor for the CAPFISH-Capture project.

"The center is set to become a vital resource for the wider agriculture and food sectors, enabling competitiveness in local and global markets," he added.

Key functions of the center include research and development, offering cutting-edge solutions tailored to local needs, and providing training and capacity building to equip food professionals with the skills necessary for effective, sustainable packaging practices.

RUA's rector Ngo Bunthan said the center would serve not only as a hub for businesses but also as a platform for students and researchers to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application.

"It will not only support local enterprises but also foster educational opportunities for the university's students and researchers," he said. 
A Tennessee family wants answers after a FedEx driver was allegedly caught on camera hitting their dog before driving off.

The person in question was said to have delivered a package to the Burleson family on Nov. 30, before running into their beloved pup Bear, whom Jessica Burleson adopted 14 years ago, local station WJHL reported.

Burleson told the outlet, When he was leaving, he didnt bother to stop or look to see. I mean, he clearly [saw] Bear. He looked over in the video and turned back. And he just kept on going even after he hit him, he never stopped. And my aunt and uncle actually witnessed him flying up our driveway and almost hit their dog as well.

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Bear now stays with Burleson's parents, but she lives next door, KTLA reported.

Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty A stock photo of a FedEx Express truck A stock photo of a FedEx Express truck

She told WJHL that her mom and dad want an apology from the driver, noting, "They would love to just know why he didnt try to swerve around him or instead just try to stop."

"I mean, in the videos, you can clearly see that he didnt try to stop or anything. He just kept going and never let up. He just kept going on down the driveway. It just to me it didnt seem like he had any remorse for what happened, Burleson continued.

After the incident, she told the station that the family spent hours searching for the pup before locating him underneath her home.

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I looked there a couple of times. My dad had passed him up a couple of times. He wasnt crying, barking, whining or anything, Burleson recalled, adding, And thats where he was. He was up under the underpin and he found him right there and got him. He had to remove the underpinning and get him out and he was terrified and brought him over here.

Despite not suffering "any broken bones" in the accident, the family did receive a heartbreaking diagnosis after taking the pup to the vet.

Burleson told the outlet, There was a tumor that was inside of his belly that had ruptured when he got hit."

And so basically, theres nothing they can do. Either, they could either bring him home or put him down. And my mom and dad decided to bring him home. They gave him some doggy pain pills. And they basically said that he wouldnt last more than a couple of days, she continued.

Burleson said she hasn't been told what will happen to the FedEx driver, but claims that she has been advised that the company was "willing to pay the vet bills," per WJHL.

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In a statement to the outlet, FedEx said, We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of their beloved pet involved in this incident."

"We take this matter very seriously and are working directly with those involved to determine the circumstances behind this event. Based on the outcome of our investigation, we will take the appropriate action, they concluded.

FedEx didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE.



Read the original article on People
After years of temporary tax holidays  and blaming Bidenomics for punting on permanent cuts  Tennessee House Republicans are pitching a bill to eliminate the state's 4% sales tax on food.

Rep. Elaine Davis, R-Knoxville, filed legislation Thursday to eliminate the 4% state sales tax on food and food ingredients  one of the highest in the country.

We have all felt the impact of rising food prices over the last few years, and working families have struggled to put food on the table as a result, Davis said in a statement. Tennesseans know best how to spend their own money. Repealing taxes on essential items like food and personal hygiene products has been one of my top legislative priorities.

Representative Elaine Davis, R-Knoxville, Representative Mary Littleton, R-Dickson, and Senator Jack Johnson, R-Franklin, applauded as Gov. Bill Lee speaks about the importance of the ELVIS act at Robert's Western World during signing day in Nashville, Tenn., Thursday, March 21, 2024.

Tennessee is one of 13 states that still levies sales tax on food and groceries. Combined with local option sales tax, consumers can pay upward of 6.75% in sales tax on essentials like bread and milk.

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Democrats in the state legislature have perennially proposed reducing the states grocery sales tax, but the idea has not gained support among Republicans. Instead of an across-the-board rate cut, or total elimination, Republicans have opted to approve temporary grocery sales tax holidays in recent years.

This year, Republicans declined to approve a grocery sales tax holiday. Republicans focused on offering $1.9 billion in franchise tax cuts and refunds for corporations, more than half of which will go out of state.

House Bill 21, sponsored by Davis, would eliminate taxes on food items and ingredients: ready-to-eat meals, prepared foods, candy, alcohol, tobacco, and diapers would remain taxed. The bill would allow individual county governments to implement their own grocery sales tax. If approved, it would take effect on July 1, 2025.

Rep. Elaine Davis, R-Knoxville, is proposing legislation to eliminate Tennessee's 4% state tax on food and food ingredients.

This legislation will save families hundreds of dollars annually and not have any consequences for our business owners or their employees, Davis said.

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Its unclear what Davis proposal would cost the state, though the sum will likely be in the hundreds of millions of dollars. A three-month grocery tax holiday in 2022 cost the state $288 million in revenue. With state revenues tight this year, a significant fiscal impact could be a barrier to approval.

But while Republican leaders have in the past been skeptical of permanent grocery tax rate cuts, House GOP leadership this year is backing Davis proposal.

House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, who in 2022 said an across-the-board grocery tax cut would not be possible because of economic uncertainties under the Biden administration, is co-sponsoring Davis bill.

Rep. William Lamberth R- Portland defends HB 1663, during a House session at the Tennessee Capitol in Nashville , Tenn., Monday, April 22, 2024. The bill states authorizes the death penalty as a punishment for rape of a child, aggravated rape of a child, or especially aggravated rape of a child.

"Repealing the state grocery tax without burdening our businesses is a critical step in our ongoing efforts to reduce the financial burden on working families and ensure that basic necessities are more affordable for all Tennesseans, Lamberth said in a statement. This tax cut is not just about saving money  it's about helping families thrive by making Tennessee a more affordable place to live. Im proud to continue our supermajoritys tradition of good fiscal stewardship that Tennesseans have come to expect and rightly deserve.

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Davis is not the only lawmaker proposing to eliminate the grocery tax this year. Rep. Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, has re-filed a bill seeking to abolish the grocery tax and require corporations who do business in Tennessee to pay taxes based on worldwide combined reporting, aggregating profits and losses of all affiliated entities worldwide and paying taxes based on a Tennessee-specific share. Similar legislation by Behn last year did not move forward.

The last time the state food sales tax rate was cut was during the Haslam administration, when the grocery tax was reduced from 5% to 4% in the IMPROVE Act, which put in place a higher gas and diesel tax. That legislation also cut business taxes for manufacturers by $113 million.

Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com or on X @Vivian_E_Jones.

This story has been updated to add video.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Tennessee Republicans file bill to cut state's grocery tax
Manila  A volcano briefly erupted in the central Philippines on Monday, sending a huge ash column high into the sky as the government ordered the evacuation of tens of thousands of people from surrounding villages. Rising more than 8,000 feet above sea level on the central island of Negros, Kanlaon is one of 24 active volcanoes in the Philippines.



A nearly four-minute eruption Monday afternoon sending a 2.5-mile ash column above the crater and a deadly spurt of hot ash, gases and fragmented volcanic rock about 2 miles down the mountain's southeast flank, officials told a news conference. The nation's volcano alert level was raised, indicating more explosive eruptions could still follow.

There were no reported casualties from Monday's eruption, but volcanic ash fell across a wide area, including in Antique province, some 120 miles across the sea to the west of the volcano. The ash cloud obscured visibility and created a potential health risk, officials warned.

A screengrab from video shared by the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology shows the Mt. Kanlaon volcano erupting on Dec. 9, 2024. / Credit: Philippine Information Agency/PHIVOLCS

"Getting hit by these pyroclastic density currents is like being run over by a high-speed vehicle," said Maria Antonia Bornas, volcano monitoring chief of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology.

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"If the ash enters your lungs it would cause asphyxiation," she said, urging local officials to evacuate 15 villages within six kilometres of the crater.



She said ash from the eruption rained down on several nearby towns and cities around the volcano and warned heavy rain could dislodge the fresh volcanic sediment from the latest eruption, which could bury communities below.

A vehicle negotiates a road covered with volcanic ash at Bago City, Negros Occidental province, Philippines, Dec. 10, 2024, a day after an eruption of Mount Kanlaon. / Credit: Chona Aplaon/AP

About half of a dozen domestic flights and one bound for Singapore were canceled Monday and Tuesday due to the eruption, according to the Philippine Civil Aviation Authority.

"Evacuations are ongoing" in four upland villages of La Castellana town, on the volcano's southwest slope, municipal police officer Staff Sergeant Ronel Arevalo told AFP, adding he did not have the total number of residents to be evacuated. The Philippine government said in a notice posted on its official information agency website that an "urgent evacuation operation is underway, affecting approximately 87,000 residents" in the area around the volcano.

La Castellana resident Dianne Paula Abendan, 24, used her mobile phone to take a video clip of a giant cauliflower-shaped grey mass of smoke billowing above the crater.

The Mt. Kanlaon volcano erupts in Negros Occidental province, Philippines, Dec. 9, 2024, in a picture obtained from social media. / Credit: Dianne Paula Abendan/REUTERS

"These past few days we've seen black smoke coming out of (the) volcano. We were expecting that it would erupt anytime this week," she told AFP by phone.



Abendan said people rushed home to await evacuation orders, but added that the volcanic activity appeared to ease slightly about an hour later.



Authorities said flights to and from the Bacolod-Silay international airport, nearest the volcano, remained normal, but carriers were warned from flying below 10,000 feet near the volcano.



"Flight operators are advised to avoid flying close to the volcano due to possible hazards of sudden steam-driven or phreatic eruptions and precursory magmatic activity," said an official bulletin from the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.



In September, hundreds of nearby residents were evacuated after the volcano spurted thousands of tons of harmful gases in a single day. The seismology office said Kanlaon has erupted more than 40 times since 1866.



In 1996, three hikers were killed due to ash ejection from the volcano.

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AMERICUS  Georgia Southwestern State University will hold its fall 2024 commencement ceremonies Thursday in the Convocation Hall of the Student Success Center, also known as the Storm Dome.

Graduates from the College of Arts and Sciences, the College of Business and Computing, and the College of Nursing and Health Sciences will be recognized during a 10 a.m. ceremony, while graduates from the College of Education will be honored at a 2 p.m. ceremony. These ceremonies celebrate the achievements of more than 600 students, with approximately 415 graduates from the fall and summer 2024 semesters walking in the ceremony.

The commencement speaker will be Teresa MacCartney, chief operating officer of the University System of Georgia and former interim president of GSW. She currently oversees the systems overall operations for all 26 of USGs public colleges and universities. This includes defining and evaluating solutions for USG objectives in the departments of information technology, cybersecurity, real estate and facilities, legal affairs, human resources, safety and security, leadership and institutional development, as well as strategic implementation.

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MacCartney previously served as USGs executive vice chancellor for administration (2019-2021) and as acting chancellor (2021-2022). Before joining the USG, she served as Georgias chief financial officer as well as executive director of the Governors Office of Planning and Budget. She has held a number of leadership roles throughout state government, including with the Georgia Student Finance Commission and Georgia Department of Education. In the past, she has served on various boards, including as chairman of Leadership Georgia and on the Board of Directors of the Georgia Lottery Corporation. Currently, she serves on the board of the Georgia Higher Education Facilities Authority.

MacCartney earned both a bachelors degree in mathematics and a Master of Public Administration degree from Georgia Southern University. She lives in Cobb County with her family.

Guests are encouraged to arrive up to an hour before the ceremony to allow ample time for parking and seating arrangements. Doors to the inside of the Convocation Hall will close five minutes before the ceremony begins. Accessible parking and seating accommodations will be available for those in need. Overflow rooms will be available for late-comers and guests with restless children.

The ceremony will be live-streamed on GSWs YouTube channel for those unable to attend at www.youtube.com/GeorgiaSouthwestern. Visit gsw.edu/graduation for more information on GSWs commencement ceremony, including directions on where to park.
In November 2023, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton garnered national attention by issuing civil investigative demands, or CIDs, to out-of-state health care providers that offered gender-affirming care to transgender youth from Texas. The demands specifically targeted Seattle Childrens Hospital and QueerMed, a telehealth provider in Atlanta, requesting sensitive medical records of Texas minors.

The justification for these demands was rooted in alleged violations of the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices Act, or DTPA, with claims that providers had engaged in misrepresentations regarding gender transitioning and reassignment treatments. Critics, however, contend that Paxtons actions form part of a broader, politically driven effort to discourage families from pursuing gender-affirming care outside Texas. This development follows the states enactment of increasingly restrictive laws on gender-affirming care for minors, sparking concerns about the wider consequences of restricting interstate access to such care.

We are already seeing clinics close down or stop serving minors. This leaves children and their families without the expert medical care they need. We are already seeing families plan to leave their home states. Unfortunately, not all families have the means to do so, nor should they have to, Heather Walter-McCabe, an associate professor at Saint Louis University School of Law, told The New Republic.

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While these demands have serious implications for trans youth in the Lone Star State, they likely signal something broader and more sinisteran early look at what legal strategies, which have come to be a mainstay in Texas, might serve as a model for federal-level actions aimed at targeting providers of gender-affirming care nationwide in the next Trump administration.

There is tremendous risk to transgender rights at this moment, at both the state and the federal level. I expect we will see many aspects of what has, to date, been a state-by-state attack on transgender rights migrating to the federal level, Katie Eyer, a law professor at Rutgers University, told TNR. Many transgender people are worried about their privacy and about the possibility of government targeting and surveillance if this transpires.





Seattle Childrens Hospital swiftly responded to Paxtons civil investigative demands, challenging the CIDs on the grounds that Texas had no jurisdiction over its operations. The hospital, based in Washington, neither operates in Texas nor employs Texas-based staff that provide gender-affirming care. Moreover, Seattle Childrens argued that complying with the demands would violate federal privacy laws, including the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, as well as Washington states privacy protections.

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Legal scholars say that the Texas DTPA, which Paxton used to support his investigations, is traditionally a consumer protection law aimed at preventing deceptive business practices, which has been repurposed to target providers of gender-affirming care. Many see this as an ideological move, politicizing retrofitted consumer protection laws to serve a broader and more ideological agenda well beyond the original intent of the law.

I think the actions by the Texas [attorney general] test the extremes by weaponizing information shared in good faith for the genuine purpose of seeking and providing the best quality health care. Not only does this appear to include billing codes, generally a somewhat value-neutral form of information, it also appears to include the very gender markers that trans patients select for their health records, Elana Redfield, the federal policy director at the Williams Institute, told TNR. In other words, the [attorney general] is not just targeting providers, he is alleging that even listing your correct gender identity is a form of fraud if it is not what was assigned to you at birth. This goes beyond investigating violations of the care ban. This is an attempt to characterize being transgender itself as fraudulent and illegal.

Seattle Childrens emphasized in court documents that, because it does not advertise in Texas and does not accept Texas Medicaid reimbursements, it should not be under the jurisdiction of the DTPA. Additionally, the hospital argued that it follows best practices for gender-affirming care as outlined by major medical organizations and that Paxtons maneuver was an attempt to use legal instruments to stigmatize and restrict access to gender-affirming care for transgender youth.

Even if the Demands did constitute a legitimate investigation (and they do not), the requests are overly broad because they are not specific and limited in scope to the extent reasonably practicable in light of the purpose for which the information is sought, Seattle Childrens said in a court document. Instead, Seattle Childrens asserted that the demands were an improper attempt by the Attorney General to investigate and enforce recently-enacted SB 14 against Seattle Childrens, referring to the Texas law that banned gender-affirming care for minors.

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The Texas CIDs raised the potential for health records to be weaponized as political tools. The idea motivating all of these attacks [is] that gender-affirming care is a fundamentally dangerous and unjustified treatment. If a legislature or court agrees, none of what we think of as private health data applies, Dana Purvis, professor of law at Temple University, told TNR.





At the heart of the dispute is the issue of privacy, specifically how anti-trans actors can exploit gaps in existing federal privacy protections. For instance, Seattle Childrens argued in court documents that Texass request for medical records violated HIPAA, a law designed to safeguard sensitive health information. However, the HIPAA Privacy Rule only sets a baseline for protecting health data, but it applies narrowly, covering only specific entities such as health care providers, insurers, and business associates. This leaves significant gaps, as it allows these entities to share protected health information, or PHI, for purposes such as treatment, payment, and health care operations with minimal restrictions. Moreover, HIPAA includes broad exceptions for public policy reasons, allowing disclosures for law enforcement, public health, and oversight activities.

In states like Texas, where laws ban care for trans youth, authorities have used these exceptions to request private health care information, claiming it is necessary to enforce such laws, as Redfield explained to The New Republic.

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HIPAA protects health care data in a variety of ways, but it has exceptions, and there is a particularly relevant one, for the purposes of law enforcement, Redfield said. And while there are substantial objections that providers could make, in some cases we are seeing them turning over the data as requested.

Moreover, state prescription drug monitoring programs, or PDMPs, exploit these HIPAA exceptions, Jennifer Oliva, professor of law and Val Nolan Faculty Fellow at the Maurer School of Law, told TNR. PDMPs are surveillance tools that track prescriptions, including controlled substances such as testosterone, commonly used in gender-affirming care. States often mandate data sharing with law enforcement and other states, bypassing HIPAA protections once data is in the PDMP. This enables potential misuse, as states like Texas reclassify drugs or leverage PDMP data to enforce restrictions on gender-affirming care.

The news reports make it clear that all of the patient prescribing targeted by Texas involved the prescription of Schedule III testosterone, Oliva said. One can believe that Texas is almost exclusively focused on female-to-male transition, but its much more likely the case that Texas is focused exclusively on testosterone under current law simply because [it] has easy and ready access to that information in its PDMP.

Critically, most PDMP agencies are not even covered entities under HIPAA, Oliva emphasized. This means that once data enters a PDMP, it is regulated only by state law, not federal privacy standards.

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Simply stated, the health data of transgender youth are poorly protected under current federal and state law, and things are likely to get even worse as states begin to use their PDMPs to collect and surveil female hormone prescribing information, Oliva said.

Additionally, while this conflict arose in the context of Washingtons 2023 shield law, which was enacted to protect state providers from civil and criminal actions initiated by states that restrict or criminalize reproductive and gender-affirming care, the full legal strength of this law has yet to be tested in the courts. In its petition, Seattle Childrens asserted that the information sought may not be disclosed pursuant to the [law enforcement] exception because it is prohibited by Washingtons Shield Law. However, the case ultimately saw Seattle Childrens agree to withdraw its Texas business license in exchange for the dismissal of the CID.





Legal scholars say that Texass actions are part of a much larger legal and political effort to extend state-level bans on gender-affirming care beyond their borders.

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Texas has been a pioneer in techniques to attack transgender health care, so I have no doubt that Paxtons demands will be reproduced across the country. I also expect the Trump administration to support Paxtons efforts at the federal level, Purvis said. This tactic could have far-reaching consequences for families of transgender children, particularly those in states where such care is restricted or banned.

In 26 states, laws have been passed restricting the ability of providers to provide medical care that is considered a best practice. That alone is enough to intimidate providers or chill the ability to get care. In some of those states, the laws create civil liability for providers even decades in the futureI think it is reasonable to expect that could seriously deter providers as well, Redfield said. This is all despite the fact that the evidence and best practices support providing access to the careand one might argue, even the Hippocratic oaththe famous oath of ethics that states the obligations and proper conduct of doctors and includes the promise to not cause harm.

Because gender-affirming care has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of suicide, depression, and other mental health challenges among transgender youth, some advocates assert that it is imperative that doctors provide needed care to transgender patients despite anti-trans laws. Yet, the fear that health care providers could face legal repercussions may discourage them from offering these services, thus limiting health care access for transgender youth and their families.

There is no question that the goal of these statutes and law enforcement actions is to get health care providers to stop providing gender-affirming care. And I want to be explicit that the threats are both legal and illegalthe threat of prosecution from active and motivated [anti-trans] state officials is a very real one, but every headline with leaked and usually inaccurate descriptions of what a clinic or hospital or doctor offers generates a flood of threats of violence, Purvis said. So this isnt just intrusive requests for records that might be used in state proceedings, its very real risks of violence against health care providers.





A newly reelected Trump administration is poised to take a more aggressive stance on regulating health care for transgender youth, signaling a nationwide shift in how gender-affirming care is treated.

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The ultimate goal of these attacks is to have transgender people disappear from public life, said Allison Chapman, a transgender legislative researcher. Attacking the basic right to privacy would help create those conditions. So I think its absolutely possible this will be a continual issue and well continue to see regulations and legislation to make this happen.

Trump will likely enact a federal gender-affirming care ban for minors, and may use legal strategies similar to those employed by Texas to serve as a template for his likely pick for attorney general, Pam Bondi. Bondi, a longtime opponent of LGBTQ rights, has supported anti-transgender policies at the state level, and her leadership at the Department of Justice could lead to increased scrutiny of gender-affirming care providers nationwide.

Legal experts note that a Trump-led DOJ may refuse to defend federal protections for transgender rights, as it has done in the past.

Pam Bondi has a history of support for anti-transgender legislation and administrative action at the state level. Given the Trump administrations interpretations of Section 1557 of the [Affordable Care Act], declining to include gender identity as a protected class, I do not expect that the administration will change its stance this time, Walter-McCabe said.

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The DOJ could also encourage states to increase surveillance of gender-affirming care through tools like PDMPs, Oliva explained. This could create a chilling effect on health care providers, exacerbating their fears of legal or professional repercussions for offering essential care to transgender youth. In fact, states like Texas could exploit the PDMP system to track gender-affirming care prescriptions and share this data with other states and law enforcement. I would be unsurprised if the Trump DOJ begins to provide incentive funding to states to enhance their surveillance of gender-affirming care prescription drugs, Oliva said.

Additionally, according to documents reviewed by Punchbowl News, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Commissioner Andrew Fergusons pitch to be designated Chair under Trump plans to use the FTC to fight back against the trans agenda. Fergusons pitch says that he could use the FTC to investigate the doctors, therapists, hospitals, and others who provide gender-affirming care to both minors and transgender adults.



Fergusons approach could draw on tactics already employed by state attorneys general like Paxton in anti-trans campaigns, adapted for federal enforcement. For example, the FTC could target healthcare providers offering gender-affirming care, alleging deceptive practices related to the safety or efficacy of treatments. In fact, Fergusons pitch already uses this language, saying that providers who have deceptively pushed gender-affirming care or who have not disclosed anti-trans misinformation about such care could be targeted. By leveraging its authority in consumer protection and competition, the Trump Administrations FTC could use Paxtons anti-trans blueprint to amplify attacks on trans healthcare, potentially chilling access and advocacy nationwide under the guise of regulatory oversight.





However, there are steps that sanctuary states can take to make trans people safer. Because private health care information shared to a states PDMP database is no longer protected by HIPAA but regulated by state law, advocates stress that gender-affirming care sanctuary states should stop sharing prescription data related to hormone therapy with states that criminalize it. Such measures would limit the ability of anti-trans states to track, monitor, and potentially punish families seeking care for their children across state lines. One thing that legislatures need to do now is remove themselves from the PDMP system and  not share who has been prescribed hormones, including testosterone, with other states, said Chapman.

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Advocates also stress that the need for stronger privacy protections at the federal level has never been more urgent. Although Congress is unlikely to pass new data protection laws to protect transgender people under the incoming administration, legal experts agree that state legislators have the power to create stronger shield laws that protect transgender health care.

Federal lawmakers could and should pass a new statute with stronger and updated data protections, but that prospect is unlikely in the incoming Congress, Purvis said. Lawmakers at the state level have much more power to pass the strongest shield laws they can, which I do think can make a big difference unless and until courts strike shield laws down. And if a court strikes a shield law down, I hope that state legislature passes a new shield law in its place. State lawmakers can really be a clear line of defense for health care providers and trans youth.

While the political climate remains hostile, legal scholars are hopeful that legal protections can be used to protect trans youth now. As Walter-McCabe noted, I dont have an illusion that the states wishing to keep transgender people from the standard of care they need will stop trying, but it is my hope that the courts will serve as guardrails.

However, with the Supreme Court currently considering a case that could further curtail trans rights, transgender advocates say that trans people must continue to fight for their rights even if the courts do not protect them.

Activists need to continue to get louder and push back harder against the increased attacks, Chapman said. Make it clear we will not go back into the closet and be a beacon of hope for those who are in the closet or struggling.
Three people, including a 15-year-old boy, are dead in what appears to be a murder-suicide, Frisco law enforcement reports.

Stacey White, 53, her boyfriend Ronald Morris, 54, and Morris' 15-year-old son, Gavin Morris, were identified as those deceased in the Frisco residence on the 10200 block of Bancroft Lane.

Around 4 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 6, a co-worker of one of the deceased requested the police issue a welfare check. The reporting party said the individual had not come to work and wasn't answering phone calls, according to a statement by the Frisco Police Department.

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While driving to the scene, officers learned a family member had also called 911. The individual had arrived at the home and discovered two of the deceased in the entryway. Police did a quick search of the premises and found a third body in the home's garage.

"The preliminary information gathered at the scene suggests that this is a double murder-suicide," the police statement says. "However, Frisco Detectives continue to investigate all aspects of this case, and a final determination may not be made for some time."

Law enforcement did not disclose which of the deceased they believe died by suicide.

The Frisco Police Department is asking anyone with information about the case to contact them at 972-292-6010. Anonymous tips can be submitted by texting "FRISCOPD" and the tip to TIP411 (8474211) or by using the Frisco PD app.

'It's mind-blowing': Neighbors react to news of double murder-suicide

Eulanda Reddick, a neighbor to White for two decades, spoke to CBS News.

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"Twenty years we were neighbors, we're sister neighbors," Reddick said. "She stays to herself, has a really meek spirit. For the most part, she didn't bother anybody, so for something like this to happen, it's mind-blowing."

Reddick says White and Ronald Morris had dated for around two years, and Morris had moved into White's home.

"She seemed really happy, and you know the few times that I saw them, they looked like the perfect balance, so to experience this, it's like what happened," Reddick said.

Another neighbor, William Riddick, told FOX News he woke to police lights around 6 p.m.

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"When I saw the yellow tape around the house, I was like, 'oh man, something bad happened,'" Riddick said.

Riddick shared about polite exchanges he had with White, who he calls "Miss Stacey." He said investigators remained at the home until 3 a.m., presumably gathering evidence.

"Right now, it's just the shock of it all," Riddick said. "This close to the holidays, man."

Gavin Morris was a freshman at Memorial High School in Frisco. The school's principal notified parents of the student's death.

"On Monday morning, we will acknowledge Gavins death during second period and will offer support throughout the day," Principal Fesco said in a letter. "District and campus counselors will be available to support your child through the grieving process. You can also encourage your child to talk with their school or personal counselor."

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: 3 dead in likely double murder-suicide in Frisco, Texas, police say
Fears are mounting over the future of a helicopter factory in Somerset as confusion reigns over the status of a vital government contract.

Close to 3,000 jobs at the Yeovil manufacturing plant may be at risk if ministers fail to press ahead with the so-called New Medium Helicopter (NMH) procurement, which is intended to replace older Puma models.

While the Ministry of Defence (MoD) revealed last month that the existing supply of RAF Puma helicopters will be retired in March, it has yet to award a 1bn contract to replace the outgoing fleet.

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Leonardo, the Italian defence giant responsible for running the factory in Somerset, is currently the sole bidder involved in the NMH procurement.

However, the delay is fuelling concerns that minsters may scrap the NMH order entirely and make do with other helicopter types, plunging Leonardos Somerset site into crisis.

It comes as the Government evaluates the future of outstanding military projects as part of an ongoing defence review.

The Unite union said its General Secretary Sharon Graham recently met with Defence Secretary John Healey and urged him to press ahead with the order.

She said: We have had the Governments statement of intent for the defence sector. Now we need to see some action.

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These are highly skilled workers and a further delay in awarding this contract would have disastrous consequences for the long term future of this factory.

Responding to questions about the order in Parliament, Defence Procurement Minister Maria Eagle said no decision is imminent.

She said that while there are no plans to modify the NMH tender, an appraisal process will continue through next year, after which a contract will be awarded subject to Government approval.

However, an industry source said concern is mounting that the MoD may recommend utilising helicopters such as the Chinook for a wider array of missions.

The MoD may make do with other helicopters in its fleet and therefore avoid purchasing new AW149 aircraft - Paul Thomas/Bloomberg

That would allow the NMH project to be scrapped and money diverted to other programmes, aiding Rachel Reevess efforts to save billions of pounds across Government departments.

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The source said: There is no way they can procure everything they want to procure.

So the question is, will the NMH order even happen at all? With the defence review coming, nobody really knows anything.

It would be a ridiculous stretch to substitute Chinooks for Pumas to fly three people around, but thats one of the possibilities and it fits with the idea of reducing the number of helicopter types.

In announcing last month that the Pumas - which have been in service since the early 1970s - would be withdrawn, the MoD also placed an order for six H145 Jupiter helicopters from Airbus that will take over their role in Cyprus and Brunei.

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Airbus had previously expressed an interest in the Puma defence contract, although pulled out of the bidding process earlier this year after claiming the terms of the tender werent sufficiently attractive.

Sikorsky Aircraft, a US-based rival, also withdrew - leaving just Leonardo in the running. The weaponsmaker currently produces the AW149 helicopter at its site in Yeovil.

Bruno Even, Airbus Helicopters boss, said earlier this year: We took the decision to withdraw only after concluding that we could not provide long-term returns to our business, address the requirements in terms of social value and industry capacity and still have a fair chance to win.

But we are not the only ones to take this decision, which questions the current set of requirements.

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Had Airbus succeeded in securing the contract, it had vowed to build a new factory in Broughton, Flintshire, creating hundreds of jobs in the process.

While the MoD originally sought up to 44 aircraft as part of the 1bn contract, that number is understood to have been reduced to to around 25, including the six ordered from Airbus.

The Chancellor has said she will only unveil her plans for military spending once the defence review is completed next year. However, she has vowed to increase defence spending to 2.5pc of GDP.

The Government declined to 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.
SEOUL, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- South Korean police are mulling a travel ban on President Yoon Suk-yeol, Yonhap news agency reported Monday.

Police also did not rule out questioning President Yoon over treason charges related to his short-lived declaration of martial law last week, Woo Jong-soo, a senior police official, told reporters.

Earlier in the day, the main opposition Democratic Party submitted bills to investigate charges of Yoon's alleged insurrection and scandal involving his wife.

The Democratic Party proposed to appoint special counsels to investigate Yoon's botched martial law declaration and his wife Kim Keon-hee in connection with various allegations.

Meanwhile, the defense ministry said Monday that control of the country's military forces currently lies with President Yoon, according to another Yonhap report. 
Kansas legislators resist marijuana legalization ahead of the 2025 session as thousands cross the Missouri border as medical marijuana patients and countless others for recreation. (Tim Carpenter/Kansas Reflector)

TOPEKA  Thousands of Kansans are crossing the Missouri border with medical marijuana cards in hand, and thats unlikely to change as Kansas lawmakers resist medical legalization in 2025.

Legislators tabled a medical marijuana bill in March and promised to revisit it at the beginning of the 2025 session, which begins Jan. 13. In October, a majority of medical marijuana committee members declined in a 5-4 vote to urge the Legislature to pass a medical marijuana bill.

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Anyone can bring a bill for consideration at any time, said Sen. Mike Thompson, a Shawnee Republican, at the October committee meeting.

But I think it would not be the place of this committee to force upon the Legislature a bill when a large number  well, quite a few of the committee  I think still have a lot of questions, he said.

Thompson has been cautioning legislators against making a hasty decision for at least two years.

Nearly 2,200 Kansans are medical marijuana patients in Missouri, according to October data obtained through a public records request from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.

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Outgoing Rep. Dennis Boog Highberger, a Lawrence Democrat, pointed to polls that show more than 70% of Kansans favor legalization.

I think if we dont come back to this in January, it will just die or get punted until next year, he said.

Medical and recreational sales in Missouri in 2024 have totaled more than $1.3 billion combined as of October, according to the states cannabis patient, caregiver and consumer data. Most of the sales, about $1.1 billion worth, were recreational, which began in February 2023.

Taxes gleaned from marijuana sales  4% on medical and 6% on recreational  have funneled millions of dollars to Missouris veterans commission, public defense system and a substance use treatment program within the health department.

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The Kansas Cannabis Chamber of Commerce has been watching the number of people taking Kansas dollars to Missouri, but its focus has shifted to hemp instead of marijuana after years of adversarial legislative sessions, said Erren Wright, the chambers board president.

Small businesses and community members are suffering, she said. All the while, she said legislators continue to act in bad faith.

Were really unhappy with the way Kansas is going about this, Wright said.

Grace Hoge, a spokeswoman for Kansas Gov. Laura Kellys office, said medical marijuana legalization is a widely supported, commonsense policy.

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Gov. Kelly has been consistent in her belief that legalizing medical marijuana would improve Kansas overall health and economy and help those who suffer from chronic pain and serious illnesses, Hoge said. She will continue to support the passage of a Kansas-specific approach that is both feasible and well-regulated.

Cannabis on all four corners

Some legislators expressed interest at the October meeting in waiting to see the results of marijuana ballot measures in Nebraska and Florida in the 2024 general election.

Nebraska voters approved a medical marijuana program, joining the ranks of other Kansas neighbors Colorado, Missouri and Oklahoma. While a majority of Florida voters favored a ballot measure to legalize recreational cannabis, it was 4 percentage points short of the required 60% threshold for passage. Recreational cannabis is permitted for people 21 and older in Missouri and Colorado.

Colorado doesnt allow medical marijuana cardholders to live outside the state upon applying, said Mariah La Rue, a spokeswoman for the Colorado Center for Health and Environmental Data. Similarly, Oklahoma requires out-of-state medical marijuana cardholders to possess licenses from their own state.

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The true number of Kansans crossing state lines to access some form of legal cannabis is unknown.

The Kansas Highway Patrol is aware of the exploration of legalized cannabis in and around Kansas, but its focused on impaired driving, said April McCollum, a spokeswoman for the patrol.

We strive to provide our troopers and other officers both in and out of state with the most current and reliable methods for removing impaired drivers from our roadways, she said. We will continue to remain focused on these efforts.
Editors note: This story has been corrected with the proper location of the crash.

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Three juveniles were booked Saturday into the Mahoning County Juvenile Justice Center after an SUV car police said was stolen led officers on a chase on the East Side.

Read next: Online sale meetup goes wrong in Boardman Friday night

The three  a male and two females  were in an SUV that police tried to pull over at about 3:50 p.m. at Republic Avenue and Albert Street for running a stop sign.

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Reports do not list the ages of the juveniles.

The SUV refused to stop and as police chased they learned it had been stolen, reports said.

Reports said the SUV drove on several East Side streets with police behind and at one point on East High Avenue, two females jumped out.

Reports said the SUV continued until it crashed in a side yard in the 500 block of Dean Avenue. The driver ran away but was caught by police at the Early Road branch of the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County.

A cruiser chasing the SUV slid through the yard into a wooded area, reports said. No officers were injured.

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During the chase officers saw the driver of the SUV throw something out the window in the 1800 block of East High Avenue. Police went back to check and found a loaded 9mm handgun in the front yard of a home, reports said.

The driver was brought back to where he crashed and while he was there the two females who got out of the car earlier came back to check on his condition, reports said. They were both arrested on charges of receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony.

The driver was also arrested for receiving stolen property as well as third-degree felony charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm and tampering with evidence and a fourth-degree felony charge of improper handling of a firearm in a motor vehicle.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
UPDATE: An email from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources has the names of the three men who died.

Mitchell Thompson, 30 of Stanwood, Iowa; Nicholas Thompson, 40 of Tipton, Iowa and Kirk Stout Sr., 61 of Marion, Iowa were identified as the three victims who were fishing directly beneath the dam when their boat overturned. The incident is still under investigation.

EARLIER: On Sunday, Dec. 8 at approximately 11 a.m., a boat with three occupants capsized below Lock and Dam No. 12 in Bellevue on the Mississippi River. The victims were fishing in a restricted area directly beneath the dam when their boat overturned.

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According to preliminary reports, the boat was pulled into the hazardous waters below the dam due to a strong black flow current created by the dams operation. The men were pulled from the water and taken to shore. Emergency responders arrived and administered lifesaving measures, but two were confirmed dead at the scene. One victim was transported by ambulance to the MercyOne Dubuque Medical Center and was later pronounced dead.

The names of the victims are currently being withheld pending notification of their families. The incident is under active investigation.

Iowa DNR was assisted by the Jackson County Sheriff, Bellevue Fire & Rescue, Bellevue EMS, Illinois DNR, Key West Fire/EMS, University of Iowa Air Care 3, University of Iowa Air Care 4, Jackson County Emergency Management, and Springbrook Fire/EMS.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com.
TikTok and Bytedance, its Beijing-based parent company, filed an emergency injunction on Monday calling for an appeals court to temporarily block the law that is set to ban the popular app from the U.S.

The delay, TikTok argued in its filing, would create breathing room for the U.S. Supreme Court to conduct an orderly review of the law, as well as give the incoming Trump administration time to evaluate the matter. TikTok pointed to president-elect Donald Trumps comment earlier this year that he was going to save TikTok in its filing. The app has 170 million monthly users in the U.S., according to its filing in U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. circuit.

Time is running out for TikTok and Bytedance to find a way to remain active in the States. The app will be banned from the U.S. on January 19, 2025  one day before Trump returns to the White House  unless its Chinese owners divest its American operations by then.

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Before that happens, the Supreme Court should have an opportunity, as the only court with appellate jurisdiction over this action, to decide whether to review this

exceptionally important case, TikTok argued in its filing. And an injunction is especially appropriate because it will give the incoming Administration time to determine its positionwhich could moot both the impending harms and the need for Supreme Court review.

The TikTok ban was initially floated during Trumps first administration, before ultimately being passed by Congress and signed into law by President Joe Biden earlier this year.

Mondays appeal comes just a few days after a federal court upheld the Jan. 19 deadline for the Chinese-owned social app to sell or leave the country. TikTok has previously argued the ban would trample the First Amendment right to free speech of its users.

The chief concern U.S. lawmakers have with TikTok is that it doubles as a spyware app for the Chinese government; TikTok, according to Chinese law, is required to share user data with Chinas communist government, if it is asked to.

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Most Americans dont seem to be too concerned with Chinas government having easy access to their data, though. Only 32% of Americans are in favor of the U.S. government banning TikTok, according to a Pew Research Center survey in September of 10,678 respondents aged 18 and older. Thats down from 50% who supported a ban in March 2023  and TikToks users are even less inclined to support a ban, with 61% of U.S. users opposing it. (Among those surveyed, 51% leaned towards Democrats politically, while 46% said they were Republican-leaning.)

In its Monday filing, TikToks lawyers asked the appeals court to rule on whether it will pause the law enforcing the ban by December 16.

The post TikTok Files Emergency Appeal to Give Supreme Court, Trump Breathing Room to Review Ban appeared first on TheWrap.
By Mike Scarcella

(Reuters) - TikTok and its Chinese owner ByteDance have turned to a veteran U.S. Supreme Court lawyer as they prepare to ask the justices to block a law that could ban the popular short video platform in the United States.

Noel Francisco, who served as U.S. solicitor general during Republican President-elect Donald Trump's first administration, will represent TikTok along with his partner Hashim Mooppan at law firm Jones Day, court papers show.

As the Justice Department's top Supreme Court advocate from 2017 to 2020, Francisco defended Trump's ban on people from six predominantly Muslim countries entering the United States. He has argued more than 20 cases before the high court.

Defending the potential TikTok ban is the job of the Justice Department, which Trump will again oversee when he takes office on Jan. 20. Trump has said he will not allow TikTok to be banned.

Francisco, Mooppan and Jones Day did not immediately respond to requests for comment. The Justice Department declined to comment. TikTok had no comment on Francisco's hire.

Democratic President Joe Biden signed a law in April requiring ByteDance to divest TikTok by Jan. 19, 2025, or face a nationwide ban. U.S. lawmakers said TikTok poses national security risks because China could compel the company to share data on its 170 million monthly users. TikTok has denied being beholden to the Chinese government.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit ruled last week that the law was constitutional. ByteDance on Monday asked the D.C. Circuit to put the law on hold pending Supreme Court review.

Francisco's firm advised Trumps 2016 presidential campaign. Many Jones Day lawyers took prominent roles during Trumps first term.

Francisco is currently representing major U.S. gun makers before the Supreme Court after Mexico sued them for allegedly aiding illegal trafficking.

(Reporting by Mike Scarcella; Editing by David Bario and Nick Zieminski)
TikTok on Monday requested the emergency pause of a law set to ban the popular social media app next month.

A temporary lifting of the measure would afford the Supreme Court time to determine whether it should review the law, the company said in a court filing.

The filling arrives days after TikTok -- which boasts more than 170 million U.S. users -- lost a challenge against the measure in a federal appeals court.

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MORE: Federal appeals court rejects TikTok's bid to overturn US ban

A pause of the law would afford the Supreme Court time to determine whether it should review this exceptionally important case, TikTok said in the court filing on Monday.

Attorneys for the Department of Justice on Monday urged the federal court to reject TikTok's request for a temporary injunction. The DOJ said it plans to file a formal motion opposing TikTok's request as soon as Wednesday, but the government agency urged the court to reject TikTok's request even before then.

"The Court is familiar with the relevant facts and law and has definitively rejected petitioners constitutional claims in a thorough decision that recognizes the critical national-security interests underlying the Act," the DOJ's attorneys said.

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The law would impose a nationwide ban of TikTok on Jan. 19, 2025, unless the company finds a different owner.

The ban would take effect one day before the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump, who has signaled that he would seek to reverse a possible ban.

The legal pause would also allow the Trump administration an opportunity to decide its approach to TikTok, the companys legal filing said.

TikTok had challenged the law on First Amendment grounds, arguing that a potential ban would deny American users access to a popular venue for public expression. Attorneys for the company also disputed claims that the app poses a national security risk.

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In a ruling on Friday, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit rejected TikToks bid to overturn the law.

The federal court found merit in security concerns about potential data collection or content manipulation undertaken by the Chinese government.

Each of those two concerns "constitutes an independently compelling national security interest," the court opinion said. The court cited previous instances in which the Chinese government had pursued data, noting the government's use of relationships with Chinese-owned businesses.

PHOTO:TikTok content creators gather outside the Capitol to voice their opposition to a potential ban on the app, highlighting the platform's impact on their livelihoods and communities, in Washington, D.C., March 22, 2023. (Nathan Posner/Getty Images)

The China-based app has faced growing scrutiny from government officials over fears that user data could fall into the possession of the Chinese government and the app could be weaponized by China to spread misinformation. TikTok's parent company, ByteDance, has denied those claims.

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There is little evidence that TikTok has shared U.S. user data with the Chinese government or that the Chinese government has asked the app to do so, cybersecurity experts previously told ABC News.

In a statement on Monday, TikTok urged the Supreme Court to intervene on its behalf.

"The Supreme Court has an established historical record of protecting Americans' right to free speech, and we expect they will do just that on this important constitutional issue, the company said. Unfortunately, the TikTok ban was conceived and pushed through based upon inaccurate, flawed and hypothetical information, resulting in outright censorship of the American people.

ABC News' Steven Portnoy contributed to this report.

TikTok files emergency motion to stop ban from taking effect originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
MANILA, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Monday approved a 100-million-U.S. dollar loan in additional financing to support critical infrastructure development through public-private partnerships in Bangladesh.

The ADB said the country's infrastructure development, primarily driven by the public sector, faces challenges due to limited resources and implementation constraints.

"This project will enable Bangladesh to catalyze private sector financing, reduce pressure on public finance to address infrastructure development deficits, and create more employment," said ADB Country Director for Bangladesh Hoe Yun Jeong.

The loan will enhance the financial and institutional capacity of the Bangladesh Infrastructure Finance Fund Limited to deliver its mandate of fostering an environment that supports sustainable private investments through the mobilization of public-private partnerships, with a strong focus on gender and climate change, the Manila-based bank said. 
Credit - Getty Images

Since the beginning of the bird flu outbreak nearly three years ago, state and federal departments of agriculture have had one goal in mind: Maintain consumer confidenceas tens of millions of birds are culled and taxpayers bear the cost of industry bailouts. Every new media report of an infected dairy herd, poultry flock, or farm worker comes with the ubiquitous industry-approved mantra, Dont worry, the meat and the milk are safe.

But this messaging deflects from the production methods that have enabled the virus to spread in ways yet to be fully understood. Case in point: on November 19, a California child with no known contact with an infected animal tested positive for avian influenza and, just seven days before that, a previously healthy teenager in British Columbia was hospitalized in critical condition with the virus. Investigators are still unsure how the patients acquired it. And with highly pathogenic avian influenza now infecting pigs, we are one step closer to the next pandemic.

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Pigs can foster the creation of a more virulent and transmissible human pathogen due to their ability to harbor both avian and human influenza viruses. Yet, officials continue to dismiss those voicing concerns, calling for more subdued messaging so as not to foster panicand time and time again, the industry narrative is refuted. We were told the virus doesn't spread from cow to cow; that was quickly proven false. In June, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack told scientific experts the virus would just burn itself out, only to have the virus explode in California a few months later.

Weve seen this type of thinking before. Its reminiscent of Stockton Rushs ominous assurances before the doomed Titan sub made its final descent in June 2023. The leader of the private sea exploration firm, Oceangate, told his former director of marine operations David Lochridge, No one is dying.

But, footage of piles of dead cows awaiting pickup by rendering trucks on California roadways has inspired further questioning. It brings to light the dire consequences of this unprecedented outbreak. And we have a right to know what is happening.

Our food systems, heavily dominated by concentrated animal feeding operations, facilitate the spread of pathogens. In crowded and filthy conditions, turkeys and chickens (as well as other farmed animals and human workers) are vulnerable to diseases like bird flu. Meanwhile, our exploitation of animals, both farmed and wild, on a massive scale is putting public health at immense risk. In fact, over 75% of emerging human pathogens are zoonotic in origin.

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Read More: Is It Time to Worry About Bird Flu?

After learning the unsavory truth about the industry, informed consumers are beginning to become conscientious objectors to the oppression of our fellow animals by avoiding products derived from their exploitation. Despite fluctuations in consumer demand, animal agriculture receives billions of dollars of public support to ensure its survival in the face of changing consumption habits. In fact, 73% of dairy profits come from some form of subsidy, according to a 2015 report made for the dairy industry.

When animal welfare or public safety concerns make headlines, the industry responds with claims that it is highly regulated. But just who is regulating it?

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is known to be friendly to agribusiness and knows that transparency about the harsh realities of infectious disease outbreaks would diminish consumer trust and threaten its prime directive: To expand markets for producers. The actual animal welfare and public health disaster is often handled with the callousness and obfuscation emblematic of an industry that profits from separating mothers from their babies to sell cows milk to misguided human consumers.

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Veterinarians take an oath to protect animal welfare and public health and play a key role in mitigating disease threats. But veterinarians have been silenced, threatened, and even fired for not toeing the industry line during this unprecedented bird flu outbreak.

Producers always claim they treat their animals well because healthy, happy animals are the most profitable. But when those same animals succumb to infectious diseases, adverse weather events, natural disasters, or predator attacks, they shirk their responsibilities, and the public is forced to foot the bill.

Most businesses would pivot when faced with recurring disruptions and losses or when they forecast high levels of risk on the horizonbut not animal agriculture. Instead of using innovation to shift to responsible and resilient animal-free food production, they can rely on government handouts, $38 billion a year according to a study by U.C. Berkeleys Sutardja Center for Entrepreneurship & Technology, to enable their current business model.

Instead of using technology to create more ethical food production methods, these advancements have brought us genetic selection, milking robots, vaccines, antibiotics, and hormones, advancing us toward a dystopian future wherein animals are forced to produce more meat, milk, and eggs than nature ever intended.

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As this recent, unprecedented multi-species outbreak shows, our dependence on mass-produced animal protein has entered us into an ever-escalating arms race against nature. Our adversaries are pathogenic viruses and bacteria that are constantly evolving and becoming resistant to pharmaceutical interventions.

Every few years, another major crisis arises in the animal-based protein industry. Each time it happens, the sector seems bewildered and caught, yet again, completely off-guard. Like the Oceangate team, these multibillion-dollar businesses are in denial, ignoring numerous red flags while doggedly carrying on with the same outdated method of protein production. Instead of welcoming diverse perspectives and reflecting on their model, they retaliate against those of us who voice concerns, labeling critics extremists out to cause the industry harm and take away our food choices.

Its a business model that incentivizes secrecy and inhumane practices. In 2015, producers and officials struggled to figure out ways to exterminate massive flocks quickly as an outbreak of bird flu led to the extermination of an estimated 50 million commercially raised poultry across the U.S. As the COVID-19-induced bottleneck closed slaughterhouses due to worker illnesses, pig producers resorted to sealing up buildings, pumping in heat and steam, and waiting hours for their excess pigs to die in a process known as ventilation shutdown plus (VSD+). The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) states that VSD+ should be reserved for only constrained circumstances, but when bird flu struck again in 2022, the poultry industrys failure to plan led VSD+ to become one of the most commonly used methods of killing. Whats more, taxpayers were forced to bail out producers while those same billion-dollar companies made record profits. Its a system that rewards businesses that act in irresponsible and callous ways toward the animals with a recklessness that also jeopardizes public safety and the health of workers.

We need to come to terms with the reality that our public health is threatened by an ever-evolving virus that has already infected dozens of people, with 7% of farm workers showing evidence of infection. Our economy is also at risk: 3.5% of the U.S. Gross Domestic Product is tied to the dairy industrys precarious production method.

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While individual consumers choices are often at the mercy of industry marketing, businesses can base their decisions on a thorough analysis of strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Those dependent on animal-based ingredients must look to the future and start replacing animal-based with animal-free protein in their products, not only for their financial security but for public and planetary health.

Lets learn from the fate of other public health disasters, get out before its too late, and end our dependence on this industry before the walls close in.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
The search for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson s killer since Thompson was ambushed Wednesday outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel has stretched beyond New York City. A person of interest was questioned in central Pennsylvania Monday.

The gunman used a fake ID and paid cash during the 10 days he was in the city, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters Friday. He also kept his face covered except while checking in at a hostel. He was captured on some of the thousands of surveillance cameras blanketing Manhattan, allowing police to build a timeline of his movements.

Heres what we know so far about what the NYPD describes as a planned attack.

Nov. 24

10:11 p.m.  The suspected shooter arrives in New York City on a Greyhound bus at the Port Authority terminal. The bus originated in Atlanta and made six or seven stops on the way to New York. Police could not immediately determine where he got on the bus.

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The man then takes a taxi to the area of the New York Hilton Midtown and is there for about a half hour.

About 11 p.m.  The man takes a taxi to the HI New York City Hostel at 891 Amsterdam Ave., where he stays until the morning of the shooting. He presents an ID that police believe to be fake. Two roommates in a shared room that had bunkbeds never saw his face, police said, because he kept his mask on.

When speaking with an employee in the hostel lobby, he briefly pulled down his facemask and smiled  a moment captured on surveillance images that have been widely circulated by police.

Nov. 29

The man was checked out of the hostel, where guests are automatically checked out if they dont show at the desk by a certain time. Police dont believe he stayed someplace else and checked back into the same hostel the next day.

Dec. 4

About 5:30 a.m.  The suspected shooter leaves the hostel well before dawn.

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5:41 a.m.  He appears on video at 54th Street and Sixth Avenue walking back and forth in the area of the Hilton hotel where United Healthcares parent company, UnitedHealth Group, is holding its annual investor conference.

Police deduce that he rode a bicycle to the Hilton because it took him such a short time to get there. Could he have stolen the bike? These are things were still looking into, Kenny said.

At some point, he went to a nearby Starbucks and purchased a bottle of water and at least one energy bar before returning to the hotel.

6:44 a.m.  He shoots Thompson as the executive arrives alone, on foot, having walked from a hotel across the street. The man flees.

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6:48 a.m.  The man enters Central Park by bicycle at the 60th Street and Center Drive entrance. Its in the park and away from security cameras that police believe he discards a gray backpack.

6:56 a.m.  He leaves the park at West 77th Street and Central Park West, still on the bicycle.

6:58 a.m.  He passes another camera on 85th Street and Columbus Avenue, still on the bicycle.

7 a.m.  Hes at 86th Street, no longer with the bicycle.

7:04 a.m.  He enters a taxi northbound at 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue.

7:30 a.m.  Hes near the George Washington Bridge and the bus terminal there. It offers commuter service to New Jersey and Greyhound routes to Philadelphia, Boston and Washington.

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After the attack, investigators find the words deny, defend and depose, written in permanent marker on ammunition at the scene. The words mimic a phrase used by insurance industry critics.

Dec. 6

Kenny and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch reveal that investigators believe the gunman left New York City on a bus. Investigators say he entered the George Washington Bridge Bus Station but have not found video of him leaving or getting on a bus.

It could possibly be a disgruntled employee, or a disgruntled client, Kenny says of a possible motive in a briefing.

Police find what they say is the mans backpack. Its contents are not disclosed.

Dec. 7

Police continue to search Central Park; scuba divers are seen scouring a pond. The NYPD releases additional photos showing the suspected shooter next to and in the back seat of a taxi. In both images he is seen wearing a blue, medical-style face mask.

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Despite recovering a fingerprint from the Starbucks purchase and sending items for DNA testing, police have yet to publicly identify the suspect.

Dec. 8

Scuba divers are again seen at a Central Park pond. Police decline to comment on the investigation.

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Hannah Kobayashi's family lost contact with her days after she missed her connecting flight from Los Angeles to New York City. But weeks later, police say she voluntarily disappeared.

The 30-year-old Hawaii native was flying from Maui to N.Y.C. with a connection at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) on Nov. 8. While her family thought something suspicious caused her to miss the flight, Los Angeles Police Department Chief Jim McDonnell confirmed on Nov. 26 that she purposely didn't board the plane.

Two days later, McDonnell confirmed that Kobayashi crossed the U.S. border to Mexico on Nov. 12, determining her to be a "voluntary missing person."

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Related: What Happened to Hannah Kobayashi? What We Know About the Hawaii Woman Declared a 'Voluntary Missing Person' After Crossing Mexico Border

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 following the news.

However, on Dec. 11, Kobayashi was found. "We are incredibly relieved and grateful that Hannah has been found safe," her sister and mother, Sydni Kobayashi and Brandi Yee, said in a statement to PEOPLE through their attorney, Sara Azari. Four days later, she crossed the border back into the U.S.

From her initial alarming text messages to her family to her disappearance to Mexico, here's a complete timeline of Hannah Kobayashi's case.

November 8, 2024: Hannah Kobayashi misses her connecting flight in Los Angeles

Hannah Kobayashi on Nov. 8 in Los Angeles International Airport

Kobayashi was taking a flight from Maui to L.A. on Nov. 8 and had a connecting flight from LAX to New York City later that evening that she missed.

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So I reached out to her and Im like, Hey, are you in New York yet? And shes like, Not yet. And it was weird because the flight that she was supposed to go on had already flown, Yee, Hannah's mother, told KHON.



Her sister, Sydni, told CNN that she was struggling to rebook her flight. Police previously told PEOPLE that they think she actually attempted to rebook a flight, but the cost was too high.



November 9, 2024: Hannah Kobayashi is seen at The Grove shopping mall in Los Angeles

At some point, Kobayashi left LAX and was spotted the following day at The Grove, a shopping mall in L.A. She was seen at a Taschen bookstore, and her family noted that she sent two Venmo payments to names they did not recognize, per CNN.

Later that day, Kobayashi returned to the airport, where she called her aunt, Geordan Montalvo, whom she was planning on visiting, to tell her she was trying to book another flight to N.Y.C.

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"She was like, 'This is a nightmare. I dont understand whats going on with these airlines, Im trying to get to you,'  Pidgeon previously told PEOPLE.

November 10, 2024: Hannah Kobayashi is again seen at The Grove

Hannah Kobayashi seen at the LeBron XXII Trial Experience, which was held at the Nike store on Nov. 10 at The Grove in Los Angeles

The following day, Kobayashi once again returned to The Grove, where she was spotted in a promotional video for the LeBron XXII Trial Experience, which was held at the Nike store.

She was also in a YouTube video posted on Nov. 10 by an attendee.

November 11, 2024: Hannah Kobayashi returns to LAX and spends the day with an unidentified man

On Nov. 11, Kobayashi returned to LAX, marking the last day her family heard from her and the last time her phone showed her location.

"Her phone pinged at LAX at 4 p.m. and then after that, Geordan kept trying to talk to her, and then it went dark. Her phone went dead, and her communication cut off completely, her aunt, Larie Pidgeon, told Hawaii News Now.

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Pidgeon told PEOPLE that a ticketing agent informed the family that Kobayashi was attempting to buy a ticket that day to either Maui or N.Y.C. However, police confirmed that she left the airport later in the afternoon.

It has been confirmed that she did leave the airport on 11/11 in the evening and that she boarded the Metro, Pidgeon told KGMB/KHNL. She was not alone. She was with an unidentified person."

The LAPD was able to locate the person and confirmed to PEOPLE that the two were strangers who met near the airport around 9 p.m. local time on Nov. 11, and formed a quick bond after spending nine hours together and walking around downtown L.A. They both also spent the night in Union Station in a waiting area.

Police ruled that he was not a dangerous figure as surveillance footage showed him and Kobayashi smiling while talking to one another. We have this gentleman, we have them walking [on video]. We're looking  hey, does this person seem like she's in distress, what does she look like? We see a lot of smiling, Lt. Doug Oldfield told PEOPLE. We see smiling from the guy.

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The two got dinner together and were chatting about their lives, with the man  whose identity the police would not reveal  telling LAPD that Kobayashi "just spoke and talked about her life in Maui, her personal life, her love life and so forth," Detective Omar Franco told PEOPLE.



November 12, 2024: Hannah Kobayashi takes a bus to Mexico

Hannah Kobayashi buying a bus ticket to Mexico on Nov. 12

At 6:10 a.m. local time on Nov. 12, Kobayashi bought a ticket at Union Station and boarded a bus shortly after. She arrived at the Mexican border four hours later and crossed into Tijuana by foot around 12 p.m., using the San Ysidro point of entry tunnel.

Her phone, however, was left behind at LAX.

November 24, 2024: Hannah Kobayashi's father dies by suicide amid the search for her

ABC 7 Ryan Kobayashi, father of missing woman Hannah Kobayashi. Ryan Kobayashi, father of missing woman Hannah Kobayashi.

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Before more details came to light and while the search was ongoing, Kobayashi's father, Ryan Kobayashi, flew to Los Angeles to help her family look for the photographer. However, on Nov. 24, his body was found in a parking lot.

The L.A. County medical examiner confirmed his cause of death was by suicide from multiple blunt force traumatic injuries.

December 2, 2024: Hannah Kobayashi is declared a voluntary missing person

Emi Ko/GoFundMe Hannah Kobayashi. Hannah Kobayashi.

Just a week after her father's death, police announced at a press conference on Dec. 2 that Kobayashi was now considered a voluntary missing person after seeing footage of her crossing into Mexico, alone and unharmed.

LAPD Chief McDonnell shared that before she left Maui, Kobayashi "expressed the desire to step away from modern connectivity," while Oldfield told reporters that her latest social media had "indications that there were some desires or posts that would be consistent in somebody who would" want to disconnect.

December 7, 2024: A Tijuana official confirms to PEOPLE that "no one is looking for her" in the city

Since Kobayashi is no longer considered a missing person and is in Mexico, police will not continue their investigation there. However, McDonnell confirmed that if she returns to the U.S., law enforcement will be informed.

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In the meantime, Kobayashi's family does not believe that she is voluntarily missing but rather that something nefarious is at play. They hired lawyer Sara Azari, who is continuing the search for Kobayashi in Mexico.

They're pretty shocked at the LAPD conclusion that she's voluntarily missing. They don't agree with that at all, Azari told PEOPLE after the police statement. They don't believe that there's anything voluntary about this, because ... Hannah doesn't have any drug addiction, mental illness."

She added that the family also does not believe Kobayashi is acting of her own accord, as she'd never before "disconnected" from them.

The family obviously knows her very well, so they've confirmed to me over and over again that her behavior in all of this is extremely suspect, Azari said. And it's almost like she's influenced by someone.



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While Azari hopes to make Mexican media aware of the situation, as of early December, ex-patriots in Tijuana, Mexico, told PEOPLE that they hadn't heard of the case  nor Kobayashi.

Meanwhile, Guillermo Manjarrez, commander of the State Police, Binational Unit, Unidad de Enlace Internacional, added that talking to a reporter was the first he'd heard of the case since LAPD had not reached out to him about it.

"No one is looking for her here," he said.

"If she doesn't have a warrant, I cannot bring her back to the U.S.," Manjarrez continued. "I can find her to let her family know that she's safe, but I cannot bring her back."



December 11, 2024: Hannah Kobayashi is found

A week after police declared Kobayashi a voluntary missing person, the 30-year-old woman was found.

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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," her family said in a statement.

"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," they added.

December 15, 2024: Hannah Kobayashi crosses the border back into the U.S.

Police confirmed that Kobayashi crossed back into the U.S. on Dec. 15 and spoke with Customs and Border Protection.

She "appeared to be in good health" and "did not appear to be under any distress," Lt. Olfield told PEOPLE.

"We are listing her as found," he added. "Our case is closed."

In a statement shared by her lawyer with PEOPLE the same day, Kobayashi confirmed she crossed the border on Dec. 15 and claimed she was "unaware" of the media coverage surrounding her disappearance.

"My focus now is on my healing, my peace and my creativity. I am deeply grateful to my family and everyone who has shown me kindness and compassion during this time," she said.

The statement continued, "I was unaware of everything that was happening in the media while I was away, and I am still processing it all. I kindly ask for respect for myself, my family, and my loved ones as I navigate through this challenging time. Thank you for your understanding."



Read the original article on People
The search for UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson s killer since Thompson was ambushed Wednesday outside a Midtown Manhattan hotel has stretched beyond New York City. While still looking to identify the suspect, the FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction. Thats on top of a $10,000 reward offered by the NYPD.

The gunman used a fake ID and paid cash during the 10 days he was in the city, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters Friday. He also kept his face covered except while checking in at a hostel. He was captured on some of the thousands of surveillance cameras blanketing Manhattan, allowing police to build a timeline of his movements.

Heres what we know so far about what the NYPD describes as a planned attack.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Nov. 24

10:11 p.m.  The suspected shooter arrives in New York City on a Greyhound bus at the Port Authority terminal. The bus originated in Atlanta and made six or seven stops on the way to New York. Police could not immediately determine where he got on the bus.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

The man then takes a taxi to the area of the New York Hilton Midtown and is there for about a half hour.

About 11 p.m.  The man takes a taxi to the HI New York City Hostel at 891 Amsterdam Ave., where he stays until the morning of the shooting. He presents an ID that police believe to be fake. Two roommates in a shared room that had bunkbeds never saw his face, police said, because he kept his mask on.

When speaking with an employee in the hostel lobby, he briefly pulled down his facemask and smiled  a moment captured on surveillance images that have been widely circulated by police.

Nov. 29

The man was checked out of the hostel, where guests are automatically checked out if they dont show at the desk by a certain time. Police dont believe he stayed someplace else and checked back into the same hostel the next day.

Dec. 4

About 5:30 a.m.  The suspected shooter leaves the hostel well before dawn.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

5:41 a.m.  He appears on video at 54th Street and Sixth Avenue walking back and forth in the area of the Hilton hotel where United Healthcares parent company, UnitedHealth Group, is holding its annual investor conference.

Police deduce that he rode a bicycle to the Hilton because it took him such a short time to get there. Could he have stolen the bike? These are things were still looking into, Kenny said.

At some point, he went to a nearby Starbucks and purchased a bottle of water and at least one energy bar before returning to the hotel.

6:44 a.m.  He shoots Thompson as the executive arrives alone, on foot, having walked from a hotel across the street. The man flees.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

6:48 a.m.  The man enters Central Park by bicycle at the 60th Street and Center Drive entrance. Its in the park and away from security cameras that police believe he discards a gray backpack.

6:56 a.m.  He leaves the park at West 77th Street and Central Park West, still on the bicycle.

6:58 a.m.  He passes another camera on 85th Street and Columbus Avenue, still on the bicycle.

7 a.m.  Hes at 86th Street, no longer with the bicycle.

7:04 a.m.  He enters a taxi northbound at 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue.

7:30 a.m.  Hes near the George Washington Bridge and the bus terminal there. It offers commuter service to New Jersey and Greyhound routes to Philadelphia, Boston and Washington.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

After the attack, investigators find the words deny, defend and depose, written in permanent marker on ammunition at the scene. The words mimic a phrase used by insurance industry critics.

Dec. 6

Kenny and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch reveal that investigators believe the gunman left New York City on a bus. Investigators say he entered the George Washington Bridge Bus Station but have not found video of him leaving or getting on a bus.

It could possibly be a disgruntled employee, or a disgruntled client, Kenny says of a possible motive in a briefing.

Police find what they say is the mans backpack. Its contents are not disclosed.

Dec. 7

Police continue to search Central Park; scuba divers are seen scouring a pond. The NYPD releases additional photos showing the suspected shooter next to and in the back seat of a taxi. In both images he is seen wearing a blue, medical-style face mask.

Advertisement Advertisement

Advertisement

Despite recovering a fingerprint from the Starbucks purchase and sending items for DNA testing, police have yet to publicly identify the suspect.

Dec. 8

Scuba divers are again seen at a Central Park pond. Police decline to comment on the investigation.

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SYDNEY (Reuters) -Tongan Prime Minister Siaosi Sovaleni has resigned "for the good of the country and moving Tonga forward", the Pacific Island nation's parliament said on Monday.

Media reported the resignation in parliament shortly before midday came ahead of a motion for a vote of no confidence expected to be put to the assembly.

"I'll be resigning immediately according to the constitution," Sovaleni told the Pacific nation's parliament, according to a report on the Matangi Tonga news website and a livestream of his speech.

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Reuters could not immediately reach Sovaleni's office.

"Siaosi Sovaleni has voluntarily resigned as Tongas Prime Minister effective today," a statement on parliament's Facebook page said.

He would continue to serve as a member of parliament, and had told media he made the decision "for the good of the country and moving Tonga forward", it added.

King Tupou VI had accepted the resignation, and parliament would reconvene on Dec. 24 to consider nominations for prime minister, a statement from the parliament office said.

Sovaleni, who was also chairman of the Pacific Islands Forum regional bloc, had a tense relationship with the nation's monarch, apologising in March after a constitutional dispute.

(Reporting by Renju Jose and Kirsty Needham in Sydney; Editing by Christopher Cushing and Stephen Coates)
German politicians already speculating about whether Syrian refugees will go home following the fall of Syrian ruler Bashar al-Assad are speaking prematurely, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said on Monday.

"The end of the brutal tyranny of the Syrian dictator Assad is a great relief for many people who have suffered torture, murder and terror," Faeser said while visiting London.

Many Syrian refugees in Germany now finally have hope of returning home and rebuilding their country, she said.

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"However, the situation in Syria is currently very unclear. For this reason, specific return options are not yet foreseeable at the moment, and it would be dubious to speculate on this in such a volatile situation," the minister said.

Senior politicians from the centre-right opposition CDU/CSU bloc spoke out on Monday morning about possible charter flights back to Syria and cash incentives to encourage Syrian refugees to leave the country.

That speculation comes just hours after al-Assad reportedly fled the country amid a rapid offensive by a coalition of rebel groups that swept through government-held territory and captured Damascus over the weekend.
British heritage is sometimes just history on life support and should be allowed to die, one of Labours biggest donors has said.

Dale Vince, the green energy tycoon, praised Angela Rayner, the Housing Secretary, for approving the demolition of Marks & Spencers art deco Oxford Street store as she attempts to get the country building.

Mr Vince said he disagreed with critics arguing that the Government was allowing an architectural gem to be destroyed, and questioned the need to conserve every historic building.

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He said: Sometimes heritage is just history on life support and we should let it go.

Ms Rayners decision to allow M&S to demolish and rebuild its 1920s Oxford Street store follows years of hold-ups. The scheme was initially blocked by Michael Gove, the former housing secretary, who claimed the project would fail to support the transition to a low carbon future and also risked harming the areas heritage.

Mr Vince, who founded energy company Ecotricity, shrugged off environmental concerns over the project. Campaigners had argued that Ms Rayner should push M&S to refit the store rather than knock it down, given the higher carbon footprint from a rebuild.

He said: From what I understand the building will be almost double the size but energy consumption will fall by 75pc  thats incredible and shows how outdated the old building was.

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The comments come after heritage and eco campaigners lashed out at Labour as it attempts to kickstart a building blitz across the UK.

The Government has unveiled plans to unleash the biggest building boom in half a century by waving through a flurry of major development projects.

Gaping holes in planning policy

As well as approving the M&S scheme, Ms Rayner last week also gave the green light for a 670m data centre to be built on green belt land. That scheme had been blocked by the Conservative-run Buckinghamshire County Council in October 2023.

Sir Keir Starmer has pledged to stop projects being held to ransom by Nimbys and environmentalists.

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Heritage campaigners have, however, questioned the new building push, instead saying Britain needs an urgent reform of planning policy to stop incentivising demolition.

Save Britains Heritage last week said there were gaping holes in the policy, which needed to catch up with climate science and strongly prioritise refitting historic buildings.

Save Britains Heritage had been leading the campaign against the M&S Oxford Street scheme. Henrietta Billings, the director, said it was wilfully myopic not to see that the elegant M&S building could play a similar role in the story of Oxford Street.

She added: The Government has chosen the easy option  business as usual  when it had a real chance to show leadership and ambition on this urgent issue. Our old, wasteful knock-it-down-and-start-again model is broken.

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However, M&S claimed Ms Rayners backing of its project was a sign that Labour was serious about getting Britain building and growing.

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.
TOPEKA (KSNT)  The City of Topeka is working with apartment building owners and managers to bring buildings up to fire code.

According to Topeka Fire Marshal Alan Stahl, the City of Topeka uses the 2015 National Fire Protection Associations Life Safety Code for fire inspections of buildings. As part of the Changing Our Culture of Property Maintenance initiative, the fire department has started inspecting buildings annually.

One of the enforced changes involves installing self-closing devices on main doors into apartments.

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Dense fog blankets eastern Kansas

In this spirit we have been working with property owners and managers who have older buildings that need changes to work with them to bring them up to code in a way that will not affect their ability to provide quality affordable housing, Stahl said.

The Changing Our Culture of Property Maintenance initiative aims to achieve:

A reduction in substandard structures by 50% in 5 years.

A reduction of deterioration in vacant structures.

A reduction in the expense/revenue gap on abatement cases by 50%.

To improve the perceived appearance of the neighborhoods.

To improve the safety of neighborhoods by increasing the Crime Prevention through Environmental Design to an 80% compliance rating.

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For more information about the Changing Our Culture of Property Maintenance Initiative and the Mowing Pilot Program, click here.

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.
By Gabriel Stargardter

PARIS (Reuters) -France's far-right National Rally (RN) suffered a surprise by-election loss late on Sunday, in what its critics said was a sign of voters punishing it for its push last week to topple former Prime Minister Michel Barnier's government.

The close vote in the Ardennes left Marine Le Pen's RN with 124 lawmakers - a setback, though it remains the largest party in the 577-seat parliament. The RN did not respond to a request for comment or mention the loss on its social media accounts.

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President Emmanuel Macron pressed on with meetings with leftist leaders on Monday as he seeks to name a new prime minister.

One of them, Green party leader Marine Tondelier, said the RN had "put themselves out of the game" and that the party's influence over national politics was waning as a result of its decision to topple Barnier.

In the by-election, Lionel Vuibert - running as an independent but with close ties to Macron's centrist coalition - won 50.9% in a run-off in the first voting district, where the far-right has had strong support. Vuibert had campaigned against the no-confidence motion.

The RN's Jordan Duflot, who got the most votes in the first round and called for the toppling of the government during campaigning in the second round, won 49.1%.

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Turnout was low, at around 30%.

Vuibert's "victory ... is a strong signal" against "those who want censorship, inaction and chaos," Xavier Bertrand, a centre-right politician who has been mooted by the press as a possible prime minister, wrote on X.

Former Prime Minister Gabriel Attal congratulated Vuibert for his "seriousness and proximity" to voters.

"Attention to the daily lives of the French prevails over the chaos desired by Marine Le Pen and the extremes," Attal wrote on X.

SEARCH FOR PM

The by-election was called after the RN incumbent resigned for unspecified health reasons.

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In a sign of the importance of the vote, RN party president Jordan Bardella travelled to the district to drum up support for Duflot, but it was not enough.

Le Pen's move to bring down the government with the far left was a risky one, as it threatened to alienate the moderate conservatives she needs to win over for her expected fourth run for the presidency in 2027.

Macron has signalled that he wants to name a government chief quickly.

However, Tondelier appeared to pour cold water on the idea of a rapid hire, saying Macron had "understood that he must stop doing things his own way and rushing into appointments that would lead to no-confidence motions."

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Boris Vallaud, the leader of the parliamentary bloc of the Socialist Party, said on Monday his party would not join the government unless Macron names a leftist.

"If it is not a left-wing Prime Minister, we will not participate," he said on France Inter.

The Socialists, a moderate leftist grouping with 66 seats in the National Assembly, also voted to topple Barnier on Wednesday last week, but could emerge as crucial kingmakers.

If Macron can win their backing, a new prime minister would likely have the numbers to stave off no-confidence motions from other parts of the left and the RN.

(Reporting by Gabriel Stargardter; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
WASHINGTON COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  Traffic was at a standstill along Interstate 70 after a tractor-trailer caught fire in Washington County on Monday morning.

According to the Maryland Department of Transportation (MDOT), the fire is on I-70 East at Bower Avenue.

Maryland State Police (MSP) told DC News Now that shortly after 6:30 a.m., troopers were called to the area for a tractor-trailer on fire.

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PHOTOS: Firefighter hurt in 2-acre fire in Rock Creek Park

State police said their preliminary investigation revealed that the truck had a mechanical issue, which caused a fire to ignite on the highway.

MSP confirmed that no one was hurt.

For several hours, lanes on I-70 were blocked off. In an update just before 11 a.m., MDOT announced that all lanes on the highway were open to traffic.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
SYDNEY, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- A major police investigation is underway after a body was found dumped near Sydney Airport on Monday.

The body was discovered by a member of the public on Monday morning local time in bushes next to a major road that runs adjacent to the airport in Sydney's inner-southern suburbs.

News Corp Australia newspapers reported that the body, which has not been publicly identified, was wrapped in plastic.

In a statement, police in the state of New South Wales (NSW) said that a crime scene has been established.

"Officers attached to South Sydney Police Area Command are being assisted by specialist officers from the State Crime Command's Homicide Squad," it said.

"A crime scene has been established and an investigation into the incident has commenced. No further information available at this time," it added.

The road where the body was found is hundreds of meters away from the airport's third runway, which is mainly used by aircraft flying domestic routes. 
Disney influencer and cofounder of Black Girl Disney, Dominique Brown, died at a holiday gathering last week after suffering a medical emergency, according to an official statement from event host and pop-culture retail company BoxLunch.

Amid an ongoing investigation by the company, some media outlets and influencers are specifying that Brown, 34, died of an anaphylactic reaction after unknowingly ingesting food that she was allergic to, possibly peanuts, despite what many allege were warnings given by Brown to the staff. After 911 was called, a People reporter witnessed Brown receive CPR at the event, which took place at Vibiana in Los Angeles.

Approximately 33 million people in the United States have at least one food allergy, according to Food Allergy Research & Education, which issued a statement in reaction to Brown's death that stressed, "As a community, we need to be informed and ready to act so that this doesnt happen anymore; or, if it does happen, so we are able to assist."

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Anaphylaxis is a severe and life-threatening reaction that happens when an over-release of chemicals puts a person into shock, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology. Allergies to food, insect stings, medications, and latex are most frequently associated with anaphylaxis, and symptomswhich can occur suddenly and progress quicklymay start with a runny nose or strange feeling and then lead to more serious reactions, including trouble breathing, nausea, swelling, or cardiac arrest.

Browns brother, Patrick Ramos, thanked her supporters in the comments of Browns last Instagram post, in which she was trying on a Winnie the Pooh hat at a Disney Store. I wanted to take a moment to say thank you to her social media fam for showing her so much love and light, he wrote. Disney did bring her joy, but it was unparalleled that she found a community who loved her and Disney as much as she did. I will miss my sister and best friend and that infectious smile she always had.

Other comments by Browns 20,000-plus followers expressed both sadness over losing someone they had followed for years and anger over what appeared to be a mix-up with caterers. We will be LOUD about your death and support your family in however they choose to handle your untimely, avoidable passing, noted one supporter in the comments of the last Black Girl Disney Instagram post. Another added, Absolutely unacceptable! I hope her family sues the letters off the sign.

Many others took to X to blame BoxLunch for the incident, while Browns friend, animator Eddie Clark, posted a video of him with Brown and the comment, My soul hurts. I lost my cohost, my friend, my sister. It doesnt seem real.

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BoxLunch has not yet responded to Fortune's request for comment, but a statement offered by BoxLunch to People and Us Weekly reads, We are devastated by the passing of Dominique Brown, a beloved member of the BoxLunch Collective, who suffered a medical emergency at an event hosted by BoxLunch Thursday in Los Angeles. Our hearts go out to her family and friends, and we will do everything we can to support them and the members of the BoxLunch Collective and our team during this painful time.

Vibiana shared the following statement with Fortune, from owner Amy Knoll: "Our hearts and deepest sympathy go out to the family and loved ones of Dominique Brown during this heartbreaking time. As we await further, more conclusive information about this tragic incident, we remain fully committed to our ongoing and comprehensive internal review and to collaborating closely with all parties involved to understand the circumstances surrounding this devastating loss."

Brown, 34, founded Black Girl Disney and created the #blackgirldisney hashtag with Mia Von in 2018 after noticing that the world of Disney fandom was melanin deficient, they explain on the website. Like most things that lack representation, new platforms are created out of a necessity to see yourself. We wanted to create a space where we were not only represented, but CENTERED!

The influencer celebrated her birthday on Nov. 12, posting a photo of herself in front of an Inside Out 2 poster on Instagram with the caption, All the emotions and the one Im feeling the most is JOY.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
On 9 December, Vadim Krasnoselsky, the leader of the unrecognised Transnistria, signed a decree declaring an economic emergency due to the potential disruption in Russian gas supplies to the province.

Source: European Pravda; Moldovan news agency Newsmaker

Details: According to the decree, the state of economic emergency will last 30 days. During the state of emergency, all businesses in the region should use gas and other energy resources sparingly.

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The export of energy resources will be prohibited, and limits imposed on certain types of financial and commercial activities, such as the movement of products, financial resources, and services. It is worth emphasising that Russian gas is sent to the Moldovan Kuchurgan power station in Transnistria, from which official Chisinau purchases the majority of the country's electricity.

The unrecognised Transnistrian parliamentary body should adopt Krasnoselsky's decree. Local "authorities" will discuss this topic in a meeting on 11 December.

After the outbreak of the full-scale war in Ukraine, Moldova refused Russian gas and instead purchased it on the European market. However, Gazprom continues to send gas to Transnistria. The unrecognised state does not pay for Russian gas.

Russian Gazprom may suspend gas deliveries to Transnistria beginning 1 January 2025. This is owing to the expiration of the contract for the passage of Russian gas through Ukraine and Kyiv's unwillingness to renew it.

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Victor Parlicov, Moldova's former minister of energy, recently visited the Russian Federation to arrange the delivery of Russian gas to Transnistria.

He stated that Gazprom was willing to send gas via another route, but the Russian side clarified that the issue was related to the settlement of Moldovagaz's previous obligations. Chisinau and Moscow have fundamentally different stances on the debt issue, and there is no consensus between them.

According to Parlicov, the prospect of a gas-related accident on the Dniester's left bank is still very serious. The Foreign Ministry of Transnistria blamed the situation on official Chisinau.

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Leader of Moldova's Russian-occupied Transnistria region, Vadim Krasnoselsky, signed a decree on Dec. 9 introducing a 30-day economic state of emergency due to the risk of Russian gas supply disruptions, Newsmaker media reported.

The emergency measures include conserving gas and energy resources, banning energy exports, and restricting specific financial and economic activities, such as moving goods, funds, and services.

The decree must still be approved by the occupied region's legislative body.

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The threat of a gas cutoff arises from Ukraine's decision not to renew the transit contract for Russian gas to Europe beyond 2024.

The current agreement, which expires on Dec. 31, 2024, has facilitated over five decades of gas flows from Siberia to Europe.

While Ukrainian officials have indicated they will not extend the contract, Russian President Vladimir Putin has expressed willingness to continue gas deliveries if Kyiv agrees. However, Putin has also suggested that transit through Ukraine might cease.

Ending the transit could cost Russia billions in lost revenue, dealing a significant blow to Gazprom, the state-controlled gas monopoly.

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Gazprom is reportedly preparing for a scenario where no gas flows through Ukraine to Europe after 2024.

Ukraine earns approximately $1 billion annually in transit fees, but Russia's gas exports through Ukraine have already diminished sharply.

In 2023, only 15 billion cubic meters (bcm) of Russian gas were transported via Ukraine, representing just 8% of peak flows in 2018-2019.

The Urengoy-Pomary-Uzhhorod pipeline carried 14.65 bcm through Russias Sudzha entry point to Slovakia in 2023, accounting for roughly half of Russias remaining gas exports to Europe.

Read also: SBU releases video of Sea Baby naval drones repelling Russian helicopter attack

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
As the REAL ID deadline approaches, it may bring up questions like what is it, whether you need one, when you need it and how to apply.

Officials with the Washington State Department of Licensing, the Transportation Security Administration, SEA International Airport, and Alaska Airlines announced in a news release earlier this year that Washington state residents will need to have a REAL ID-compliant drivers license, identification card or other acceptable document to board a commercial flight starting May 7, 2025.

The 2005 REAL ID Act established security standards for state-issued drivers licenses and identification cards and prohibits specific federal agencies from accepting licenses or identification cards that do not meet those standards, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

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This deadline is quickly approaching, so we spoke with the DOL to determine five key things that Washington residents should know about Washingtons REAL ID-compliant enhanced driver license (EDL) or enhanced ID card (EID).

Five things to know about Washingtons EDL and EID

Here are five key things that the DOL thinks you should know about Washingtons EDL and EID:

 First-time EDL or EID applicants must apply in person

Anybody who is applying for an EDL or EID must do so in person at any of the 52 DOL offices in the state. EDL and EID renewal can be done online through the DOL website.

You need one way to prove your identity, two ways to prove your residence, and your social security number. The DOL has a toolkit that helps residents prepare for the upcoming REAL ID travel requirements.

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 Not everyone needs a REAL ID-compliant drivers license or identification card

Christine Anthony, the Digital Communications Manager at the Department of Licensing, said in an interview that Washington is one of the few states that makes having a REAL ID-compliant form of identification optional.

In our state, you can either have a standard drivers license or you can choose the enhanced drivers license if you plan to travel [by plane], but there are other forms of ID that you can travel with, Christine Anthony said.

Other forms of acceptable identification for travel include a U.S. passport, foreign passport, permanent resident card, federally recognized tribal-issued photo ID and U.S. military ID, according to the DOL. Visit the ID2025 website for a full list of REAL ID-compliant forms of identification.

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 EDLs can be used to travel to Mexico and Canada

People traveling to and from Canada and Mexico by land or sea in states with EDLs can use that instead of a passport or passport card.

According to the Department of Homeland Security website, state-issued EDLs are acceptable border-crossing documents under the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.

Washington is currently one of five states that offer EDLs.

A valid passport will still be required if you plan to travel internationally by plane.

 Receiving your EDL/EID can take up to three weeks

It currently takes about three weeks to receive an EDL or EID in the mail, but this time frame can change depending on if there is an influx of applicants.

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Anthony recommends that people who are interested in upgrading their drivers license or ID to an EDL or EID do so right away.

If you decide to upgrade your current standard driver license to an enhanced, make an appointment today, Anthony stated in an email. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL APRIL because driver license offices will only get busier.

 Some Federal agencies will require an EDL/EID to enter

An EDL or EID will be required to enter certain federal agencies, military bases and nuclear plants, according to the DOL and DHS.
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- President Joe Biden appeared Monday at his fourth and final Tribal Nations Summit in Washington, where he announced the establishment of the Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument in Carlisle, Penn.

In introducing the president, U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland praised Biden's leadership on myriad issues important to American Indians, calling him the "best president for Indian country in my lifetime." She then presented the president with a tribal blanket embroidered with "Joe Biden, Champion of Indian Country 2021-2024."

"You know, it's the honor of my life to be a partner of the tribes throughout my presidency," Biden said. "I'm gonna cherish this moment."

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The outgoing president reaffirmed his administration's "historic" progress to strengthen the "Nation-to-Nation relationships with Tribal Nations and cementing its legacy as one of the most supportive administrations for tribes ever," as announced by the White House in an earlier release.

The Cumberland County monument will, according to the White House, tell the story of "oppression endured by thousands of Native children and their families at this site and the harmful legacy of the broader Indian boarding school system that the federal government operated or supported across the country for more than 150 years."

A cultural performance displays colorful pieces during the 2024 White House Tribal Nations Summit at the U.S. Department of The Interior in Washington, D.C., on Monday. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

It's located on a little more than 24 acres of what is now the U.S. Army's Carlisle Barracks at one of the nation's oldest military installations. The U.S. Army will transfer administrative jurisdiction over its storied gateposts to the National Park Service. The new monument will be managed jointly by the Army and National Park Service.

According to officials, the boundary will encompass historic buildings and structures that make up the Carlisle School's campus.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland addressed the 2024 White House Tribal Nations Summit on Monday at the Interior Department in Washington, DC. Haaland is the first Native American to serve as a Cabinet secretary and the second to serve in the Cabinet after ex-Republican Vice President and Kaw Nation citizen Charles Curtis. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

The Tribal Nations Summit, established by executive order, is now the annual convening of the federal government and America's tribal nations.

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The summit brings together the current president, Cabinet officials and agency-level officials together in order to reinforce "the fundamental principles of tribal sovereignty, tribal self-determination, and the federal governments trust responsibility, in order that native nations and native peoples thrive, prosper and retain their reserved rights," according to the U.S. government.

U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris speaks at the 2024 White House Tribal Nations Summit at the U.S. Department of The Interior on Monday in Washington, D.C. Photo by Will Oliver/UPI

Also on Monday, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced that more than $72 million will be given to 38 tribal communities through its Indian Community Development Block Grant program to be used for a number of critical investments such as infrastructure, community buildings, housing, land acquisition and economic development to support native American and Alaskan families on reservations.

Meanwhile, the White House highlighted its "respect" and the outgoing Biden administration's effort to aid American tribal nations, adding that Monday's action builds on Biden's "historic" recent apology to afflicted tribal nations.

The Tribal Nations Summit, established by executive order, is now the annual convening of the federal government and America's tribal nations. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

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In October, the incumbent Democratic president issued an official presidential apology to the Native American population for the numerous harms caused by the U.S. government's atrocities to American tribes during the federal Indian boarding school era from roughly 1819 to the mid-1970s.

The Biden administration says this new action builds on that. The Pennsylvania location also is expected to lead research and listening sessions with tribes and native communities across the United States as part of the Federal Indian Boarding School Initiative.

A cultural performance displays colorful pieces during the 2024 White House Tribal Nations Summit at the U.S. Department of The Interior in Washington, D.C., on Monday. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

However, scores of activists, actors and lawmakers have been calling on Biden to grant clemency to jailed native American activist Leonard Peltier as a necessity for healing the long-standing generational wounds between the U.S. government and its indigenous populations.

Amnesty International has long-since called for presidential intervention for Peltier doing so as recently as October on Indigenous Peoples' Day -- the former "Columbus Day."

President Joe Biden speaks during the 2024 White House Tribal Nations Summit Monday in D.C. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

"As President Biden considers candidates for clemency in the final weeks of his term, the Native American activist Leonard Peltier is among those who deserve that grace and mercy," Sen. Ben Schatz, D-Hawaii, chair of the Senate's Indian Affairs Committee, said last week on the Senate floor.
EXCLUSIVE: Triggerfish, the Cape Town-based producer behind Disney+ series Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire, and UNESCO are launching a program for African women in animation.

The South African toon house has teamed with the United Nations organization to launch The Creator Labs, which will seek to address gender disparities and foster inclusivity in African animation.

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According to Triggerfish and UNESCO, the African film and audio-visual sector contributes an estimated $5B to the continents GDP and employs over five million people. However, women, particularly those of color, remain underrepresented in leadership roles across the sector. The initiative will seek to make a comprehensive capacity-building program tailored to women through Triggerfishs non-profit foundation and UNESCOs expertise.

The initiative will comprise a Director Lab and an Animation Art Lab for artists. Participants will get access to masterclasses led by leading professionals, small group mentorship sessions and networking opportunities. Training materials will be made freely accessible online through Triggerfish Academy.

Among those contributing to the program are Ngendo Mukii, Tshepo Moche, and Caroline Vos who worked on Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire, Disney+), Cinzia Angelini (Hit Pig!) and Nadia Darries (Star Wars Visions Vol. 2).

Empowering African women in animation is not just a goal; its a necessity, said Carina Lucke, Director of Triggerfish Foundation. Through this collaboration with UNESCO, we aim to advance gender equality in animation. By prioritizing leadership positions throughout the pipeline, were not only cultivating creativity and innovation but also dismantling obstacles for a more inclusive and diverse industry.

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UNESCOs publication on the African film sector highlighted a major gap in education and training across the continent  and it disproportionately affects women, said Ernesto Ottone, UNESCOs Assistant Director-General for Culture. The new partnership with Triggerfish Foundation is an important part of responding to these existing needs. Through technical and vocational education in animation production, well contribute to enhancing career opportunities in TV and filmmaking among women.

The Creator Labs will open for applications today, and remain open until January 5, 2025. Online masterclasses and mentoring sessions are scheduled to run from March 2025 through the end of May 2025.

Triggerfish is known for Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire, which launched on Disney+ in 2023, and other shows such as Supa Team 4 for Netflix, short film Aaus Song for the Star Wars anthology Visions Part 2. It has also made numerous short films for UK animation biz Magic Light Pictures and the BBC.

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Three individuals in Fayette County face felony charges following an alleged kidnapping incident, according to authorities.

In a Saturday press release, Fayette County Sheriff Shannon Morris said that FCSD deputies responded on Nov. 29 to a possible kidnapping complaint. When the deputies made contact with the woman in question, she said that nothing had occurred. However, the next day, the woman arrived at sheriffs department headquarters and asked to speak with deputies. She told them she was afraid to be forthcoming the day before and that she had been taken against her will after being threatened with weapons, according to Morris.

Subsequently, Mount Hope residents Hursey A. Milam, 63, Krisy J. Waddell, 42, and Justin R. Craigo, 30, were each charged with the felony offenses of kidnapping, armed robbery and conspiracy, the release noted. All three await further court proceedings.

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The FCSD was aided by the Southern District of West Virginia U.S. Marshals C.U.F.F.E.D. Task Force in the apprehension of the trio.

Anyone with more information on the incident is urged to contact the Fayette County Sheriffs Department at 304-574-3590 or call Crime Stoppers of West Virginia at 304-255-STOP.
The new system allows the three magistrates to take the role of judges and set bail for people who are arrested for serious crimes. (Getty Images)

Two weeks ago, Jaye Duncan was the type of lawyer handling 100 cases at once.

As a Manchester public defender, Duncan represented dozens of clients, helping them to advocate for favorable bail conditions, enter plea agreements, and defend themselves against their charges. The caseload is the norm for judges, prosecutors, and attorneys in New Hampshires larger cities.

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You certainly dont touch every single case every single day, thank goodness, she said in an interview. But its an open file. Its something that needs your attention.

Soon, Duncan will be on the other side of the process. On Dec. 2, she was sworn in as one of the New Hampshire Judicial Systems three magistrates. Starting in January, she will be in charge of setting defendants bail  in a brand-new role some are hoping improves the states criminal justice system.

The new system allows the three magistrates to take the role of judges and set bail for people who are arrested for serious crimes. It is designed to speed up bail on weekends, when courts are closed.

Following a broad bail law signed by Gov. Chris Sununu this summer, Duncan and two other attorneys were sworn in to their positions last week. The others are Frank Weeks, a police captain with the University of New Hampshire Police Department in Durham who has prosecuted cases, and Stephanie Johnson, a private attorney who previously served as assistant county attorney in Rockingham. Duncan, who also briefly served as assistant county attorney in Rockingham County, is the one magistrate with public defender experience.

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Under the law, anyone who is charged with one or more of 12 serious offenses  ranging from murder to assault to possession of child sexual abuse images  must get a bail determination within 24 hours of their arrest. If they are arrested on a weekend, they will now go before one of the three magistrates, who are empowered to set their bail determination telephonically.

The magistrates are able to set any bail conditions that a judge could set: They could order the defendant to enter services, impose a curfew, require them to live at a specific address, maintain employment, refrain from drugs and alcohol, and more.

The three magistrates were picked by state Supreme Court Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald, Superior Court Chief Justice Mark Howard, and Circuit Court Administrative Judge Ellen Christo. Each magistrate was required to be a member of the New Hampshire bar and have three years relevant experience; they will serve for five-year terms.

The court has not indicated how much magistrates will be paid, but an administrative order states that it will be consistent with similarly situated positions within the Judicial Branch.

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The magistrates order on bail is not necessarily the last word. The new law provides that the defendant or prosecutors can request the magistrates decision be reviewed by a judge, which must happen within 48 hours. Over the weekend, the magistrates will be setting bail determinations, not conducting bail hearings, which are more formal and often involve reviewing more evidence. And bail conditions can always be changed by a judge after they are initially set to take into account new information or arguments by either side.

Its not yet known how often prosecutors or defense attorneys might try to override magistrates decisions by requesting a follow-up hearing before a judge. But supporters of the new magistrate system are hoping that simply creating a process for setting bail over the weekend will reduce the backlog and help defendants achieve more certainty after their arrests.

Duncan knows that backlog. In Manchester and Concord courts, judges can sometimes be faced with 20 arraignment hearings a day. That kind of workload prevents defendants from getting bail determinations and attorneys from helping their other clients, and makes it harder for judges to write their decisions.

The new system is not in effect yet; the magistrates will start Jan. 1. Currently, Duncan and her two peers are undergoing intensive planning and training from the judicial system to prepare.

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Its giving Duncan and the others a new window into the court system. Seeing the backside to it, its been pretty interesting, she said.

Some of what the job will entail logistically is still not known, Duncan says. But there are some certainties.

Like judges, the magistrates will need to take into account whether releasing the defendant would pose a danger to themselves or others, and will need to hear arguments from law enforcement, prosecutors, and defense attorneys. And like judges, they will need to consider what bail conditions would best help the defendant rehabilitate and victims to remain safe.

Having been involved with the system for more than 15 years, Duncan says shes up to it.

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It was pretty immediate once I saw that this was now an opportunity. I knew really quickly that it was something I was interested in pursuing, she said.

When it comes to ordering pretrial services  programs intended to help defendants with mental health or substance use disorder treatment and other areas  not all defendants will have the same opportunities, Duncan noted.

Not every countys resources are the same or equal to other other counties in terms of pretrial services or substance use disorder treatment programs, but some counties certainly do have some great resources available to criminal defendants, she said.

New Hampshire already has a bail commissioner system in which quasi-volunteers are trained to meet with recently arrested people, in person or virtually, and determine whether they can be released ahead of an arraignment or bail hearing by a judge.

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That system is not going away; bail commissioners may still meet people charged with any offense that is not on the list of 12 serious crimes listed in the new law.

Some are already skeptical of the magistrate system. Gov.-elect Kelly Ayotte said during her campaign that she would prefer the state return its bail laws to pre-2018, the year of a major reform, and that she is not sure about the magistrate system.

Its really unclear yet how its going to be implemented, she said in October.

And now that the new program has been established, determining how successful it is at setting proper bail might be a difficult metric to track.

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Albert Buzz Scherr, a University of New Hampshire Franklin Pierce School of Law professor who was recently elected as a Democratic state representative in Portsmouth, has been intimately involved with the bail reform discussions and helped to craft the compromise bill signed this year.

Scherr says he hopes the magistrate system will help speed up proceedings, but he is not sure the outcomes will change significantly.

It tends to be the case that people charged with the (12 serious) crimes, they already tended to be held at a much higher rate than people charged with other crimes. So its unclear what we compare the rate under magistrates to (in order) to add meaning to it.

To Scherr, the real victory would come if the new reforms changed the perception by some around the current bail system  that too many people are being released when they shouldnt be.

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I think its going to be: Has it helped the court system? Are the police still complaining? And if the police are still complaining, are their complaints justified any more?

On a basic level, Duncan is hopeful the addition of magistrates will help reduce court backlog and waiting times for defendants.

Success, she said, would be people having bail determinations made quickly without languishing in jail, especially if its a situation where services are necessary  mental health or drug-type services

I think having these kinds of issues addressed quickly, rather than the wait-and-see approach, would be successful for this program.

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As for the actual workload, Duncan isnt sure what to expect next month. Because arrests for serious offenses are less prevalent than other offenses, it is hard to predict what a weekend will look like.

It could be a fire hose and it could be a trickle, she said.
(Bloomberg) -- Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said Canada will respond if US President-elect Donald Trump imposes new tariffs on Canadian imports, and argued that retaliatory tariffs were successful when Trump put tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum in 2018.

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The comments on Monday were Trudeaus strongest language yet in signaling his government is preparing retaliation if Trump follows through on his threat.

Following Trudeaus remarks, Trump repeated his jab about Canada being like a US state in a post on his social media site. Canadian officials have downplayed the quip as teasing since Trump made the joke during a meal with Trudeau at his Mar-a-Lago resort on Nov. 29.

It was a pleasure to have dinner the other night with Governor Justin Trudeau of the Great State of Canada, Trump wrote on Truth Social. I look forward to seeing the Governor again soon so that we may continue our in depth talks on Tariffs and Trade, the results of which will be truly spectacular for all!

Days before the dinner, Trump said he would impose across-the-board 25% tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports on the first day of his presidency unless both countries crack down on the flow of migrants and fentanyl into the US.

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Lets not kid ourselves in any way, shape or form: 25% tariffs on everything going to the United States would be devastating for the Canadian economy, said Trudeau on Monday, speaking to the Halifax Chamber of Commerce. But he said the tariffs would also raise costs on a wide range of goods the US gets from Canada.

Canada will respond to unfair tariffs in a number of ways, and were still looking at the right ways to respond, but our responses to the unfair steel and aluminum tariffs were what ended up lifting those tariffs last time, he said.

Shortly after Trump announced the tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminum in the spring of 2018, Canada rolled out retaliatory tariffs on targeted, politically sensitive items such as bourbon and Harley Davidsons and playing cards and Heinz ketchup, Trudeau said.

The tariffs were politically impactful to the presidents party and colleagues, and that was how we were able to punch back in a way that was actually felt by Americans, Trudeau said.

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Canadian officials have stressed that Canada is also a huge market for American businesses. We are the biggest customer by far of US exporters, said Kirsten Hillman, Canadas ambassador to the US, in a Bloomberg TV interview last week. She said 36 US states count Canada as their biggest export market.

The Canadian prime minister cautioned that Trump should be taken seriously when he threatens to impose tariffs, but said history has shown Trump can have other motivations as well. His approach will often be to challenge people, to destabilize a negotiating partner, to offer uncertainty and even sometimes a bit of chaos into the well-established hallways of democracies and institutions, Trudeau said.

One of the most important things for us to do is not to freak out, not to panic, Trudeau said, arguing Canada will need a thoughtful and united approach to reach an agreement with Trump and avoid harming both economies.

However, he said managing the trade file is likely to be more difficult in Trumps second term, despite the fact Canada, Mexico and the US renegotiated the entire North American free trade pact in 2018.

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This times going to be different, its going to be a little more challenging, Trudeau said. Trump and his inner circle are coming in with a much clearer set of ideas of what they want to do right away than they had last time, he said.

But he said he believes Canada can again find a win-win solution that works for citizens and businesses on both sides of the border.

(Adds information about Trump social media post in third and fourth paragraphs.)

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US president-elect Donald Trump has suggested that China could play a key role in brokering peace between Russia and Ukraine, in comments that referenced the dramatic collapse of Bashar al-Assad's 50-year regime in Syria on Sunday.

"Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, and if it keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse. I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting," Trump said in a social media post.

In an interview aired later on Sunday, Trump told NBC that he "got along very well" with Chinese President Xi Jinping and that the two leaders had "communication as recently as this week."

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Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

Recorded on Friday, the interview featured Trump talking about the US fentanyl crisis and how he could have prompted Xi to take a harder line against drug trafficking.

"I had an agreement with President Xi, who I got along with very well. We've had communication as recently as this week," Trump said, asserting that had the 2020 US election turned out differently, he could have persuaded China to impose the death penalty on anyone trafficking drugs into the US.

"Not that conversation, but I had other conversations. But in the past, I've had that conversation", Trump said when asked if he had discussed fentanyl in his most recent exchange with Xi.

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Later in the interview, Trump said that Taiwan issue was also not discussed. "We have been communicating with each other, like three days ago", adding "we talked about other things".

The Chinese embassy in Washington declined to comment on any recent communication between Xi and Trump, saying only that Beijing "welcomes and supports all effort conducive to the peaceful settlement of the crisis".

"China stands ready to maintain communication with relevant parties, including the US, to promote continued effort in the international community to create conditions for the political settlement of the Ukraine crisis through dialogue and negotiations", embassy spokesman Liu Pengyu said in an emailed statement to the Post.

Last month, Xi spoke with Trump to congratulate him on his election victory, marking their first conversation since the US presidential polls.

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In a statement from China's Foreign Ministry on November 6, Xi told Trump that both countries would "benefit from cooperation and lose from confrontation," stressing that stable ties serve the interests of both nations and meet "the expectations of the international community."

Beijing has deepened its ties with Russia's President Vladimir Putin since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, describing the bilateral relationship as a "no limits" partnership.

The outgoing US administration of US President Joe Biden has repeatedly accused Beijing of aiding Russia's "war machine" - a charge China has denied.

In May, Beijing unveiled a six-point peace proposal for Ukraine, jointly with Brazil, calling for a halt to any escalation on either side, a peace conference and humanitarian aid.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky walks with French President Emmanuel Macro and US president-elect Donald Trump before a trilateral meeting in Paris on Saturday. Photo: Ukraine Presidency/Ukrainian Pre/Planet Pix via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa alt=Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky walks with French President Emmanuel Macro and US president-elect Donald Trump before a trilateral meeting in Paris on Saturday. Photo: Ukraine Presidency/Ukrainian Pre/Planet Pix via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa>

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The proposal was rejected by the US and its allies because it included no mention of Ukraine's territorial integrity.

Positioning itself as a neutral mediator, China's Special Representative for Eurasian Affairs, Li Hui, has conducted multiple rounds of shuttle diplomacy to rally support for Beijing's proposal.

During his August visit to Brazil, Li claimed the plan had "gained the support of more than 110 countries." He has made similar diplomatic trips to Europe and the Middle East.

While Beijing skipped a peace summit held in Switzerland in June, it hosted Ukraine's then-defence minister Dmytro Kuleba in July.

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That same month Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he hoped that Beijing would assert greater pressure on Moscow to end the war.

"If China wants to, it can force Russia to stop this war. I do not want [China] to act as a mediator. I would like it to put pressure on Russia to put an end to this war," Zelensky told a news conference.

During his presidential campaign, Trump pledged to end the Ukraine war within "24 hours" of taking the White House, without offering any insights on how he planned to do so.

He will be inaugurated on January 20, but has already started diplomatic efforts to make good on this goal.

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Trump met with Zelensky on Saturday, before the reopening of Notre Dame cathedral in Paris - his first international trip since winning the presidential election in November.

"Zelensky and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness. They have ridiculously lost 400,000 soldiers, and many more civilians. There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin", Trump said in his social media post on Sunday.

The US president-elect added that Russia has "lost all interest in Syria because of Ukraine, where close to 600,000 Russian soldiers lay wounded or dead, in a war that should never have started, and could go on forever".

He claimed that "Russia and Iran are in a weakened state right now, one because of Ukraine and a bad economy, the other because of Israel and its fighting success".

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In November, Trump held his first conversation with Putin since winning the election, when the two men discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine.

During the call, Trump urged President Putin not to escalate the conflict and reminded him of the significant US military presence in Europe.

A similar call was also held last month with Zelensky from Mar-a-Lago, Trump's private resort in Florida.

Trump's close aide, the billionaire businessman Elon Musk reportedly also joined the call briefly. Musk's Starlink satellite has helped provide interest access in Ukraine since the war began.

Zelensky later posted on social media that he had an "excellent" call with Trump. He made no mention of Musk.

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Shortly after a face-to-face chat with Trump on Saturday, Zelensky described it as a "good and productive trilateral meeting" in a post on social media.

"We all want this war to end as soon as possible and in a just way," he said, adding that "President Trump is, as always, resolute."

Just hours later, the Biden administration announced a new US$1 billion military aid package for Ukraine.

Trump himself and members of his incoming administration have repeatedly questioned US aid to Ukraine.

"How does that actually advance a purpose that serves the US taxpayer in the best interests of the United States of America?" Vivek Ramaswamy, co-chair of Trump's commission to cut government spending alongside Elon Musk, said last week about US foreign aid.

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This article originally appeared in the South China Morning Post (SCMP), the most authoritative voice reporting on China and Asia for more than a century. For more SCMP stories, please explore the SCMP app or visit the SCMP's Facebook and Twitter pages. Copyright  2024 South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.

Copyright (c) 2024. South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved.
SEOUL, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- South Korean prosecutors on Monday requested for an arrest warrant against former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun.

The prosecutors are seeking the arrest warrant on charges of insurrection and abuse of power. 
Neither President-elect Donald Trump nor President Joe Biden seems too confident in the United States Department of Justice.

Trump disposed of Attorney General Jeff Sessions like last weeks leftovers and called Attorney General Bill Barr a RINO who couldnt get the job done.

Biden thought a pardon was in order because Attorney General Merrick Garlands DOJ didnt give Hunter Biden a fair shake.

The damndest lies are the ones we tell ourselves. Underneath that blindfold, Lady Justice could always see.

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In his nominating speech for Garland, Biden employed the popular image. Our president is not above the law. Justice serves the people. It doesn't protect the powerful, he said. Justice is blind.It isnt. In truth, it never was.

As an attorney, Ive encountered countless personifications of justice. In almost every one of them, shes blindfolded and holding a scale. You know who doesnt need a blindfold? A blind person.

Politicians like the justice system when it works for them

Law enforcement is an unmistakably human exercise. Every governmental authority in America acknowledges the concept of prosecutorial discretion. We teach it regularly in criminal law classes. Justice cannot be both truly blind and make decisions about which cases to advance.

So whats with the blindfold? Why should we even try to be objective about law enforcement? When a president wins an election, whats wrong with allowing him to direct and decline prosecutions on a whim?

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American justice must not be the plaything of the powerful, affluent, and connected. We attempt to elect, hire, appoint, and confirm men and women of high character across the entire justice system. Those officials and their teams hopefully ensure that our duly enacted laws are enforced as free from personal and political biases as is humanly possible.

Thats the standard. In any society that hopes to function and endure, it must be. Otherwise, the sweeping power of the law becomes a dangerous sword instead of a shield for our communities.

In appointing Garland, Biden offered soaring aspirational rhetoric. More than anything, we need to restore the honor, the integrity, the independence of [the] Department of Justice in this nation that has been so badly damaged, he said.

Opinion: 'Emperor' Biden pardons son Hunter and undermines an independent justice system

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When it mattered to his immediate family, the presidents tune ultimately changed. 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 said in a White House statement justifying his sweeping pardon.

The legal system did not fail in the cases of Trump and Biden  politics intervened

Bidens political hypocrisy is far from shocking. My former Senate Judiciary Committee colleague, Gregg Nunziata, put it well. I have always had a soft spot for Biden, Nunziata posted on X. But it's mostly because he's a wink atcha while he's lying (you know it, he knows you know it) standard issue pol. The pardon of his son is totally expected and it's very strange that any of you didn't see it coming.

Once we move past the feigned shock that our politicians arent the moral stalwarts we project them to be, were still left to contend with whether or not we can trust federal law enforcement and, specifically, the Department of Justice.Before we resort to vigilante justice or elaborate conspiracies, consider that our current federal justice system operates in a relatively fair manner in spite of our politicians telling us otherwise. The prosecutions against Trump and the cases against Hunter Biden are actually good examples.

The cases against Trump have been dispensed with in a number of different holdings. Hes not in prison. In fact, hes going to be president again. Democrats may not like the result, but where did the justice system actually fail?

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Hunter Bidens cases were in the middle of the legal process, and the gun charges in particular were ripe for a constitutional challenge. The layers of review in the legal process were working. His father simply used his presidential prerogative to take the process off the table. Again, nothing about the system failed.

I have always had a soft spot for Biden, but it's mostly because he's a wink atcha while he's lying (you know it, he knows you know it) standard issue pol. The pardon of his son is totally expected and it's very strange that any of you didn't see it coming.  Gregg Nunziata (@greggnunziata) December 2, 2024

Reforming the justice system starts by repealing unnecessary criminal laws

Maybe its the prosecutors themselves who cant be trusted? Our criminal justice system is and will always be subject to prosecutors who make charging decisions for the wrong reasons.

We have juries and judges to decide the cases, and layers of independent judges to review those decisions. Those are all safeguards against overzealous prosecutors.Prosecutors can indeed charge a ham sandwich, but convicting that sandwich and sustaining a conviction through appeals are other matters entirely.

Im not familiar with another legal system which has afforded a higher measure of justice and simultaneously adapted to an evolving society as well as ours.

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The United States does have an overcriminalization problem that receives little attention. Our justice system has procedural safeguards, but were putting too many people in legal jeopardy without considering the cost on our society.

A 2023 study by the Mercatus Center at George Washington University provided staggering information about the scope of federal criminal law:

Today, 1,510 sections of the US Code create crimes. That number has steadily increased, growing by about 36 percent since 1994, when the total was 1,111. Thats an overall growth rate of 1.27 percent per year.

Criminal laws that dont clearly involve either an enumerated federal power in the Constitution or directly impact interstate commerce should be left to the states. Weve given far too much discretion to prosecutors whose jobs arent accountable to the communities where they live.

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If we want to restore the reputation of the Department of Justice, refocus its mission. The Attorney General should make recommendations to Congress for repealing antiquated laws, culling laws that duplicate state law, and removing federal edicts which are infrequently or inconsistently charged.

Cameron Smith, columnist for The Tennessean and the USA TODAY Network Tennessee

Take off the partisan blinders for a moment. Trump and Biden both uphold the rule of law and independence of the legal system until it isnt convenient for them. We shouldnt be shocked. Americans must protect our justice system, ensure men and women of character run it, and keep it as close to home as possible.

Lady Justice isnt blind, but she can be fair.

USA TODAY Network Tennessee Columnist Cameron Smith is a Memphis-born, Brentwood-raised recovering political attorney who worked for conservative Republicans. He and his wife Justine are raising three boys in Nolensville, Tenn. Direct outrage or agreement to smith.david.cameron@gmail.com or @DCameronSmith on X, formerly known as Twitter. Agree or disagree? Send a letter to the editor to letters@tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Biden and Trump blasted justice system for political reasons | Opinion
Even the normally brash Donald Trump seems disconcerted by the volatile international situation hell inherit as the new president next month and to which hes certain to inject new unpredictability.

It certainly seems like the world is going a little crazy right now, the president-elect said Saturday when he met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris as he climbed back onto the global stage for his second go-around.

The stunning fall of the al-Assad dynasty in Syria on Sunday created new and treacherous circumstances that will demand Trumps attention  despite his wish to disengage the US from dangerous Middle Eastern war zones  and will likely provide an immediate test of his foreign policy goals and acumen in January.

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This is not our fight. Let it play out. Do not get involved, Trump wrote Saturday on Truth Social, in block capital letters, as rebels raced toward the Syrian capital of Damascus. His comment was characteristic of a foreign policy backlash against nearly two decades of US wars in the Middle East and South Asia. But as a global power, in an integrated world economy, and with US enemies seeking to dilute American influence, there may also come a time when American interests mean Trump has no choice but to get involved, diplomatically if not militarily.

When it becomes a national security interest and a threat to the United States, then we would get involved, Republican Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a key Trump ally, said on CNNs State of the Union on Sunday.

And the sudden reordering of Middle East geopolitics could offer openings for Trumps other international goals, including his renewal of his confrontation with Iran. In his weekend social media posts, the president-elect also highlighted how the toppling of President Bashar al-Assad was a defeat for Russia and pushed President Vladimir Putin to cut his losses by ending the war in Ukraine.

But Trumps first-term policies and his plans for his second term  including those laid out in his first major TV interview since the election, which was taped on Friday, before Assads ouster  show that he sees the world and its crises through a win-loss prism for the United States. In the wide-ranging interview with NBCs Kristen Welker on NBCs Meet the Press, which aired Sunday, he, for example, said Ukraine should probably prepare for less aid with him in power and would commit to staying in NATO only if other members pay their bills and treat us fairly. And he underscored his America First outlook by previewing his plans to prioritize the mass deportation of migrants with criminal records and to end birthright citizenship.

Trump faces tightening web of US adversaries

But Trump has stiff challenges in Syria and beyond.

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The takeover, led by a rebel group that Washington regards as a terrorist organization once affiliated with al Qaeda, raises uncertainty over whether the fractured nation could again become a terror haven threatening US security. Trump may have to quickly decide whether to maintain a deployment of hundreds of US troops in Syria to fight any resurgence of ISIS. President Joe Biden ordered a volley of US strikes against ISIS targets in the country on Sunday.

And Assads fall from power is intricately linked to other US foreign policy priorities  including, as Trump noted, Russia, which propped up the Syrian presidents rule to save its own footprint in the Middle East.

Assads fall is another serious blow to Iran, after Israels wars in Lebanon against Hezbollah and in Gaza against Hamas devastated the Islamic Republics proxies and left the leadership in Tehran looking more vulnerable than it has for years as it braces for a looming succession drama given the advanced age of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Perceptions that Iran is weakened could prompt an even tougher line than is already expected from the Trump administration as the regime increases its stockpile of near-weapons grade uranium.

Related foreign policy challenges for the new president stretch in a vast arc from Syria, Lebanon, Israel and Yemen in the Middle East, through Eurasia, rooted in the war in Ukraine and its tributary crises. The conflict has gone global with North Korean ground troops stunning entry into a European land war. If Russia, as some experts suspect, is supplying Pyongyang with ballistic missile expertise or technology in return, the US standoff with the isolated state could become even more dangerous. Iran has also supplied Russia with drones and missiles, according to US officials.

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And Americas problems with Russia, North Korea and Iran are compounded by the loose but expanding strategic synergy between the trio and China. Many of the incoming Trump administrations top officials and supporters have previously argued that the US needs to disengage from places like the Middle East and Europe to direct military and financial resources to what they see as an existential face-off with Asias superpower. But quickly changing geopolitical realities mean that Americas adversaries probably wont give the president-elect the option.

This is a far more complex and potentially dangerous world than the one with which Trump was familiar during his first term. The globe often reeled from his unpredictable pronouncements and rebukes to US allies  like those in Europe and Asia, many of which are now weakened by their own domestic turmoil. Those allies are also bracing for his demands for increased defense spending, which many may struggle to satisfy given their diminished economic situations.

Biden leads US response, but the world looks to Trump

Until January 20, Russia is not officially Trumps problem  even if his aggressive foreign policy statements, tariff threats and trip to Paris for the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral this weekend made it look like hes already running the show.

Biden reacted to Assads fall by proclaiming justice for the Syrian people and vowing to prevent any instability in the country from barreling across the region. He pledged to work with the United Nations to transition to an independent and sovereign Syria with a new constitution and a new government. And he announced the airstrikes by B-52 bombers, F-15 fighter jets and A-10 aircraft against ISIS targets in central Syria.

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But he will soon hand over to Trump, whose deep suspicion of Middle East ventures is fueled by years of bloody foreign wars. History also suggests that most hopeful moments in a tortured region are merely false dawns.

I think the US is conflicted. On the one hand, they are basically boasting in the fact that basically this is a  major setback for Russia and Iran, Fawaz Gerges, an international relations professor at the London School of Economics, told CNNs Becky Anderson. On the other hand, the Americans know very well that Syria could really go  the wrong way. And Syria ruled by an Islamist Salafi movement is not really the American preference for Syria.

A week ago, no one would have predicted the end of Syrias murderous half-century rule by Assad and his father, the late President Hafez al-Assad. The speed at which the regime fell means its impossible to predict the situation Trump will inherit next month.

The danger is that a nation that is deeply split ethnically and religiously will further splinter, that a murderous civil war will again break out and that refugees will flood neighboring states and cause a humanitarian crisis. Even if the dominant group in the rebel coalition, Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), asserts control and brings peace, the economy is in shambles, cities and public services are ruined, and the return of refugees who fled in recent years could breed huge instability.

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So, as Trump considers the current US deployment in Syria, he must also decide how deeply he will engage in the countrys future  and if he doesnt, whether hes content to let US adversaries fill the vacuum and build their own power.

Theres no obvious monetary gain for the US in Syria  and the traditional view of most presidents that the US should promote stability clashes with Trumps character and America First worldview.

Still, the fall of Assad could help enhance Israels security, which is important to Trump. A unified, stable country could block off Tehrans land shipments of weapons to rebuild Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Trump uses Assads fall to pressure Putin on Ukraine

The president-elect showed that he appreciates the wider implications of Assads fall on Sunday, placing immediate pressure on Putin to negotiate an end to the war in Ukraine, even if his post on Truth Social underplayed how hard this might be.

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Russia and Iran are in a weakened state right now, one because of Ukraine and a bad economy, the other because of Israel and its fighting success. Likewise, (Volodymyr) Zelensky and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness, Trump wrote, a day after meeting with the Ukrainian president in Paris. Too many lives are being so needlessly wasted, too many families destroyed, and if it keeps going, it can turn into something much bigger, and far worse. I know Vladimir well. This is his time to act. China can help. The World is waiting!

Trump vowed to end the Ukraine war within 24 hours if elected president, but its not clear Putin is ready to talk peace after recent battlefield advances. At the very least, hell drive a hard bargain, leading to fears that Trump will force Ukraine to accept a deal that hands Russia territory seized in its brutal and illegal invasion. That would reward Putins aggression. The president-elects critics worry he will also oppose any security guarantees for Ukraine and thwart its hopes of a path to NATO and EU membership to appease Putin. Such a deal might stop the killing in the short term. But Putins history suggests hed probably use such a settlement to rearm and regroup for a new onslaught aimed at wiping Ukraine off the map.

One of Trumps former national security advisers, H.R. McMaster, urged his old boss on Sunday to treat Iran, Russia, China and North Korea as different threads of the same challenge.

Some people think you should try to separate them. I think we should glue them together because whenever we act like theyre separate, they get to cover for each other and act like theyre not operating together, McMaster said on Fox News Sunday.

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This, however, would fly in the face of Trumps desire to broker individual deals with foreign dictators and to play adversaries against one another.

Still, the weekends events in Syria are a reminder of the speed of global political change at a time of shifting alliances, growing great power challenges to the United States, and the way that even Trumps red lines on the use of US power abroad will be challenged by events.

I think that the president-elect is right to say that the United States for the moment should sit back and see how this plays out, Uriel Epshtein, CEO of the Renew Democracy Initiative, said on CNN International. I would also note that this is actually an important moment in which we can see how you cannot look at conflicts individually, how you have to look at the world globally, because Assads fall in Damascus runs through Jerusalem and Kyiv.

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President Joe Biden's administration has been horrible for tech companies. The incoming Trump administration may be just as bad.

That's disappointing, if not really surprising. During Donald Trump's first presidential term, he frequently railed against big tech companies via his social media accounts, called for European-style regulation of tech businesses, and set out to ban TikTok, while the Department of Justice (DOJ) sued Google and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) sued Facebook. And incoming vice president J.D. Vance hasn't just been critical of major tech companies; he has praised current FTC head Lina Khan, who has aggressively pursued those companies using an expansionist concept of antitrust law.

Trump has occasionally deviated from this anti-tech stance, as when he criticized more recent efforts to ban TikTok. And many Republicans have been highly critical of Khan's FTC, kindling some small hope that the incoming Trump administration would do things differently.

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But last week Trump smothered any hope that he had changed his stance when it comes to American tech companies. It looks like we can expect the aggressive attacks via antitrust law to continue.

"Make America Competitive Again"

In announcing Gail Slater as his pick to lead the DOJ's Antitrust Division, Trump opined that "Big Tech has run wild for years, stifling competition in our most innovative sector and, as we all know, using its market power to crack down on the rights of so many Americans, as well as those of Little Tech! I was proud to fight these abuses in my First Term, and our Department of Justice's antitrust team will continue that work under Gail's leadership." Slater, he continued, "will help ensure that our competition laws are enforced, both vigorously and FAIRLY, with clear rules that facilitate, rather than stifle, the ingenuity of our greatest companies. Congratulations Gail - Together, we will Make America Competitive Again!"

That might sound OK. Who doesn't like fair competition?

But under both Trump 1.0 and Biden, "competition" served as a euphemism for a marketplace in which the federal government decides which businesses win and lose.

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Big tech companiespolitically unpopular on both the right and the left, albeit often for differing reasonshave been branded by both sides as undeserving of their successes. Without legitimate criminal acts to go after or traditional antitrust violations to stop, politicians have taken to applying antitrust laws more expansively. This might mean slagging big tech companies for thwarting their competitors (which is kind of the whole point of business, no?) or suggesting that antitrust law means things it doesn't (like requiring tech companies to maintain some sort of speech neutrality).

While the Biden-era FTC has been most aggressive toward tech companies, it has applied its expansive antitrust agendaone that no longer considers consumer harm as the lodestar of antitrust enforcementto all sorts of businesses. It's unclear whether the Trump-Vance administration will continue down that path or if it will embrace a Khan-style agenda only in the tech industry.

Antitrust Hawks and 'Free Speech' Warriors

In his most recent column at Reason, Steven Greenhut suggests that there isn't "a dime's worth of difference between conservative populism and democratic socialism" when it comes to antitrust enforcement. Greenhut notes that several of the antitech antitrust cases pursued by the Biden administration were inherited from Trump. "It's my hope that the Trump administration takes a more market-oriented approach toward antitrust law, but it's unlikely given the origin of the cases," he writes.

It's not just Trump's words that don't inspire confidence in a change from Khan-era policies. His pick to head the DOJ antitrust division is an "antitrust hawk," according to New York Post business reporter Thomas Barrabi.

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Matt Stoller, research director for the progressive American Economic Liberties Project, suggests that Slater will continue to carry out the Biden administration's antitrust agenda. "Whoever took over at the Antitrust Division would have inherited monopolization cases against Google, Apple, Ticketmaster, Visa, and RealPage, as well as an unusually aggressive merger program, and broad investigations into UnitedHealth Group, seed monopolists, Nvidia, and a whole set of other corporations," writes Stoller on his Substack:

The risk was that these cases would be settled on the cheap and the investigations shut down. The Slater pick makes that less likely; she's a competent, creative, and enforcement minded lawyer, with a background at Fox, Roku, and in the Federal Trade Commission. Right now, she's on the staff of Senator J.D. Vance, and likely shares his economically populist views, most notably his belief that big tech is too powerful and needs to be broken up.

As of yet, it's unclear who Trump will pick to head the FTC. Current FTC commissioner Andrew Ferguson is one of those angling for the job. His pitch to run the agency suggests what already seems the most likely scenario under Trump: a rollback of some of Khan and Biden's most business-unfriendly policies but continued aggressive attempts to use antitrust law to proselytize against popular tech companies.

Ferguson pledges to "reverse" Khan's "anti-business agenda" while also "focus[ing] antitrust enforcement against Big Tech." This is sadly hilarious, considering that one of his planks is to "end Lina Khan's politically motivated investigations." If there's one thing I think we can guarantee, it's that the Trump administration will not end politically motivated antitrust and trade investigations; it will simply shift them in a direction most amenable to its agenda.

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And if recent communications from current conservative commissioners at the FTC and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) are any indication, this will include continuing to use an twisted conception of "free speech" that actually limits free speech.

"In a disturbing (if unsurprising) trend, Republican FCC and FTC commissioners are deliberately misusing 'free speech' rhetoric in an Orwellian attempt to justify government intervention to control and suppress online speech," writes Mike Masnick at Techdirt. "Last week, FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr pushed censorial policies in the name of 'free speech.' This week, GOP FTC Commissioners Melissa Holyoak and Andrew Ferguson followed the same playbook. Of course, the context here is that Holyoak and Ferguson are fighting to get into Trump's good graces to be named FTC chair, and he's apparently worried that the two of them will be 'soft' on his 'big tech' enemies. That resulted in them hijacking an unrelated enforcement action against e-commerce site GOAT to attack social media content moderation and advertiser boycotts."

As under Biden, it looks like we can expect some measure of free markets and free speech to be sacrificed in the political vendetta against the tech industry.

More Sex & Tech News

 TikTok ruling raises alarms: The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has greenlit the government's TikTok ultimatum. The court "ruled Friday that the federal government can tell a foreign-owned website that it must either sell itself to an American owner or be banned," notes Reason's Joe Lancaster.

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This is bad for TikTok as a company and bad for U.S. users of TikTok, obviously. But it also sets a very bad precedent, both for further American crackdowns on foreign-owned businesses and for foreign companies to use against American tech companies operating abroad. And the slippery slope doesn't end there.

Techdirt's Mike Masnick has called the opinion "tortured and alarming":

The court ruled that while banning TikTok clearly impacts speech, the law somehow passes strict scrutiny, the highest level of First Amendment review. The court's reasoning that blocking potential Chinese government influence over TikTok's content moderation enhances free speech is deeply flawed. Banning an entire platform, and the speech of millions of Americans on it, does far more damage to the First Amendment than the speculative concern that China might try to influence content moderation decisions. Indeed, the ruling's dangerous language could be used to justify all sorts of future government censorship and control over online speech.

 Huh: The FBI now wants us to use encrypted messaging?

Followups

 Last Monday's Sex & Tech newsletter discussed a new Belgian sex work law that, among other things, allows sex workers to enter into formal employment contracts. I worried that doing so to the exclusion of other work arrangements could have some unintended consequences. I'm happy to report that the new law will not limit options in that way, according to a representative from the Belgian sex worker union, UTSOPI. A spokesperson for the group told me via email that under the new law, "sex workers who want to work as a self-employed sex worker, can do so. They can still rent a place, publish advertising, and work for an agency as a freelancer. In a brothel, they can pay for the use of the space, while other sex workers working at the same place might be working as a contractual worker.So yes, renting a space at a sex business will still be possible for a non-employee. As is the case for working as an independent worker for an escort agency."

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 Last Wednesday's newsletter covered a new North Carolina law stating that "any person who solicits another for the purpose of prostitution is guilty of a Class I felony for a first offense," reporting that such a felony came with a minimum sentence four months in prison, up to a possible two years. I wanted to clarify that that's a presumptive minimum, not a mandatory minimum. A judge may impose a lesser sentence if the judge determines that there are mitigating circumstances.

Today's Image



Brooklyn | 2014 (ENB/Reason)

The post Trump Is Coming for Tech Companies appeared first on Reason.com.
Majority Leader-elect John Thune, R-South Dakota, speaks to reporters following the weekly Senate Republican policy luncheon at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 19, 2024, in Washington, D.C. (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images)

The United States Senate is arguably the least democratic (small d) institution in any democracy in the world, with the possible exception of the British House of Lords.

The Senate exists without proportional representation. Every state has two senators without regard to population. Wyomings two senators represent 586,000 citizens, while Californias 39 million citizens are represented by two senators.

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The Senate has quirky rules: unlimited debate (the filibuster); much happens by unanimous consent (or doesnt happen when one senator objects); seniority rules meaning a cranky old senator like Chuck Grassley of Iowa, age 91, will soon again chair the powerful Judiciary Committee. Grassley has been a senator since 1981, meaning the youngest senator, Jon Ossoff of Georgia, wasnt alive when Grassley took office.

The Senate has six-year terms, a function of the Founders unfortunately naive belief that a longer term of office insulates senators from the worst of grubby political pressures.

The Senate has extraordinary powers, again thanks to the original thinkers who came up with the idea of an institution to balance the rambunctious House of Representatives. Senators have the constitutional duty to advise and consent  or not consent  on presidential appointments to the Cabinet and judiciary. The Senate, by super majority vote, can ratify treaties. The Senate judges, when it cares to, the impeachment of high governmental officials. The Senate traditionally has had a major voice in foreign policy. And the Senate, when it cares to, has the power to investigate. Google Watergate, the CIA, Teapot Dome or even the sinking of the Titanic to see what the Senate has historically done to expose and inform.

Now, as the Founders would certainly have appreciated, the Senate faces an enormous historical test  a power-hungry president committed to vastly enlarging executive power at the expense of the legislative branch. Donald Trump has signaled that he expects a GOP Congress will do his bidding no questions asked. Questions must be asked.

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The widely floated idea that the Senate should allow recess appointments to critical executive branch jobs should be dead on arrival, but incoming Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota hasnt ruled out the Senate rolling over for Trump.

I think that all options are on the table, including recess appointments, Thune said recently while disingenuously suggesting that Republicans might need to forgo advising and consenting because Democrats might not play ball. But caving on the constitutional demand for Senate concurrence in major appointments isnt about Democrats. Its about Trump.

Still, there are modestly hopeful signs that at least some Republicans wont diminish their own and the Senates power by simply giving a grasping president who he wants in his Cabinet  an accused sex abuser, vaccine denier or Russian stooge just to flag three of the worst of the nominees.

Idahos James Risch, easily one of the most partisan Republicans in the Senate who spent the first Trump term defending the administrations feckless foreign policy, has  so far at least  refused to commit to supporting some of Trumps craziest nominees, a group properly termed by commentator Charlie Sykes as a cabinet of zealots, toadies, and cretins.

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Ask me this question again after the hearings, Risch said regarding support for the inconceivable nominations of a Fox New host, Pete Hegseth, to be secretary of Defense and a Putin apologist, Tulsi Gabbard, to head the national intelligence agencies. These appointments by the president are constrained by the advice and consent of the Senate, Risch said. And demonstrating that he recalls his oath of office, Risch added, The Senate takes that seriously, and we vet these.

Despite his earlier comments Thune has shown a hint of backbone, telling a home state audience recently, Every president is going to come in and try to do as much as they can by executive action  Congress, in some cases, is going to be the entity that sometimes will have to put the brakes on.

Trumps return to the White House will test, sooner than later, whether the Senate has the ability  meaning individual senators possess the courage  to use its substantial power to constrain Trumps most dangerous inclinations, including appointing a gang of woefully compromised incompetents.

Congress also, of course, has the power of the purse and should scotch any Trumpy plan to illegally impound dollars appropriated by the legislative branch. Expect Trump to push this issue to the limit. Hope for the sake of the Constitution that Thune and fellow senators resist more effectively than they did when during his first administration Trump diverted military funding to his border wall, a project you may recall that Mexico was never going to pay for.

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Republican senators know, certainly better than most of their voters, that Trump cares nothing about the nuts and bolts of the federal government. More than any man who has held the office Trump is an agent of chaos, destruction and revenge.

But the Senate was designed to obstruct and delay would-be tyrants just as it was designed to give small states like Idaho and South Dakota outsized influence in the business of the federal government.

Mike Mansfield, the great Montanan who led the Senate for 16 years, spent his tenure gently persuading fellow senators to behave as national legislators and not merely as partisan representatives of individual states. Mansfields perspective has never been more important.

In the end, it is not the Senators as individuals who are of fundamental importance, Mansfield said in 1963. In the end, it is the institution of the Senate. It is the Senate itself as one of the foundations of the Constitution. It is the Senate as one of the rocks of the Republic.

The rock of the Republic must be solid if the Constitution is to hold.

This column was originally published in South Dakota Searchlight.
President-elect Donald Trump was on a charm offensive in the city of love, as he checked in on the United Kingdoms royals and even complimented Prince Williams dashing appearance while on international duty in Paris.

Trump represented the U.S. on the world stage as he visited the Notre-Dame Cathedral in the French capital to mark its reopening after it was decimated by a blaze five years ago.

The pair during a ceremony to mark the re-opening of the landmark Notre-Dame Cathedral / POOL/AFP via Getty Images

The 78-year-old made headlines as he claimed to be getting on well with incumbent First Lady Jill Biden, talked world peace with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and French President Emmanuel Macronand became besties with Italys live wire conservative Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, per The New York Post.

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In amongst all of this, he had time for a rendezvous with Prince William, who was only confirmed as attending in King Charles place on Friday.

The pair met at the cathedral and enjoyed some small talk before a one-to-one at the residence of the British ambassador in Paris.

And Trump dished to The Post about his great talk with the prince. On the 40-minute chat, he said: I asked him about his wife and he said shes doing well. And I asked him about his father and his father is fighting very hard, and he loves his father and he loves his wife, so it was sad. We had a great talk for half an hour, a little more than half an hour. We had a great, great talk.

William meets Trump at the UK Ambassador's Residence / Getty Images

Trump was referencing the recent royal health battles of Williams wife, Kate Middleton, and father, King Charles, who were both diagnosed with cancer this year.

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Trump lightened the mood and reportedly commented on the princes good looks, too. He told the aforementioned title: Hes a good looking guy. He looked really, very handsome last night. Some people look better in person? He looked great. He looked really nice, and I told him that.

In a comment to the BBC, Kensington Palace described the meeting between as warm and friendly.
President-elect Donald Trump distanced himself from Project 2025 on the campaign trail but has since nominated several authors or contributors from the controversial conservative presidential wish list to his administration.

Trump called the Project 2025 policy proposals -- which include restrictions on abortion pills, birth control pills and Medicare access, as well as eliminating a couple of federal agencies -- "extreme, seriously extreme" in a July 20 rally.

"I don't know anything about it. I don't want to know anything about it," he previously said, despite having many connections to its authors and contributors.

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Democrats pounced on Trump for Project 2025 during the election season, calling it a warning of what is to come under a second Trump term.

"Project 2025 is the plan by Donald Trump's MAGA Republican allies to give Trump more power over your daily life, gut democratic checks and balances, and consolidate power in the Oval Office if he wins," the Biden campaign stated.

Project 2025 is an over 900-page playbook of policy proposals created by conservative think tank The Heritage Foundation intended to guide the next conservative administration. The organization behind the document told ABC News in a past statement that it was not intended to speak for any candidate during the election.

Project 2025 and Trump's Agenda47 share similarities -- including proposals to eliminate the Department of Education, increase fossil fuel energy production, and begin mass deportations.

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At the ABC News debate with Vice President Kamala Harris, Trump reiterated his earlier sentiment on the project. "This was a group of people that got together, they came up with some ideas, I guess some good, some bad, but it makes no difference. I have nothing to do [with it]."

Now, several Project 2025 authors and contributors are not just connected to Trump, but also nominated for roles in his administration.

Here's a look at which Project 2025 contributors may have a place in the incoming Trump administration:

Russ Vought

Russ Vought, who is cited as authoring a chapter on "Executive Office of the President" for Project 2025's "Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise," has been nominated to head the Office of Management and Budget. He was also the RNC platform committee's policy director.

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During Trump's first term, Vought led the Office of Management and Budget, a department meant to oversee the presidents vision across the executive branch for everything from budgeting to managing certain agencies.

He could return to the post after authoring an entire chapter of Project 2025, where he argues federal regulatory agencies that arent under the control of the White House should have less autonomy: A President today assumes office to find a sprawling federal bureaucracy that all too often is carrying out its own policy plans and preferences  or, worse yet, the policy plans and preferences of a radical, supposedly 'woke' faction of the country," the chapter read.

In the chapter, he outlined ways his office could help consolidate executive power by using existing tools to impose a crackdown on federal spending and work with Congress to pass policy and reforms that would rein in what he calls the administrative state.

In a November interview on the "Tucker Carlson Show," Vought claimed he helped the president-elect to exert executive power during his first term: The president wanted to fund the wall. We at OMB gave him a plan to be able to go and fund the wall through money that was Department of Defense and to use that because Congress wouldnt give him the ordinary money at the Department of Homeland Security.

Pete Hoekstra

Pete Hoekstra, who is listed as a contributor to Project 2025, has been tapped to be the ambassador to Canada.

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Most recently, Hoekstra served as chairman of the Michigan Republican Party. He previously served as the U.S. ambassador to the Netherlands during Trump's first term.

Stephen Miller

Stephen Miller, the former Trump aide, led an interest group that advised Project 2025 on policy. Trump has named Miller as his Deputy Chief of Staff for his second term.

Miller told ABC News in July that he has zero involvement with Project 2025, only making an advice video for students.

America First Legal, founded by Miller, was previously listed as an advisory board member for the project.

Brendan Carr

Brendan Carr, Trump's nomination for chairman of the Federal Communications Commission, is credited as the author of Project 2025's FCC recommendations which include: a ban on TikTok, restrictions on social media moderation, and more.

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Carr would be tasked with regulating broadcasting, telecommunications and broadband. Trump has suggested that he would expand the White House's influence over the FCC and potentially punish TV networks that cover him in a way he doesn't like.

Carr is a longtime member of the commission and served previously as the FCC's general counsel and as the senior Republican for the FCC. He has been unanimously confirmed by the Senate three times and was nominated by both Trump and President Joe Biden to the commission.

PHOTO: In this June 24, 2020 file photo Commissioner of Federal Communications Commission, Brendan Carr, answers questions during an oversight hearing to examine the Federal Communications Commission on in Washington, DC. (Jonathan Newton/POOL/AFP via Getty Images, FILE)

John Ratcliffe

Ratcliffe, listed as a contributor who assisted "in the development and writing" of Project 2025, has been nominated to serve as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.

Ratcliffe is a three-term Republican congressman from Texas and served as the director of national intelligence from mid-2020 until the end of Trump's first term.

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Project 2025's Intelligence Community chapter, credited to The Heritage Foundation's intelligence research fellow Dustin J. Carmack, notes that the "CIA's success depends on firm direction from the President and solid internal CIA Directorappointed leadership. Decisive senior leaders must commit to carrying out the President's agenda and be willing to take calculated risks."

PHOTO: In this Dec. 12, 2020 file photo of Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe waits to board Marine One with President Donald Trump on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington. (Patrick Semansky/AP, FILE)

Tom Homan

Former Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director Tom Homan has been designated as Trump's "border czar" -- which is not an official Cabinet position.

Homan, who is expected to be in charge of the mass deportations promised by the Trump campaign, is listed as a contributor to Project 2025 who assisted in its "development and writing."

Project 2025's Department of Homeland Security chapter, credited to Trump's former Acting Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security Ken Cuccinelli, calls for full use of ICE's "expedited removal" authority and further development of immigrant detention spaces. This all aligns with Trump's immigration proposals on mass deportations and funds for the construction of detention centers.

PHOTO: Former Acting Director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement Thomas Homan speaks on stage on the third day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 17, 2024 in Milwaukee. (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images, FILE)

Other links to Project 2025

Christopher Miller is credited with the project's Department of Defense recommendations. Miller served as Acting Secretary of Defense and Special Assistant to the President under Trump from November 2020 to January 2021.

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Ben Carson is credited with the project's Housing and Urban Development recommendations. He served as the Secretary of HUD under Trump's first administration.

Adam Candeub is credited with the project's Federal Trade Commission recommendations. He served under the Trump administration as Acting Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Telecommunications and Information.

Bernard L. McNamee is credited with recommendations on the Department of Energy and Related Commissions. He was nominated to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission by Trump in October 2018.

Cuccinelli -- who wrote the Department of Homeland Security section -- was also part of Trump's former administration as the Acting Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security.

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The RNC platform committee's Deputy Policy Director Ed Martin is also president of the Eagle Forum Education & Legal Defense Fund, which is listed on the project's advisory board.

Others connected to Trump, including Trump's United Nations Commission on the Status of Women appointee Lisa Correnti, are listed among the contributors.

How Trump has infused parts of Project 2025 into his administration originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Donald Trumps criminal cases may be behind him, but that doesnt mean his legal woes are over.

The president-elect is still on the hook for eight civil cases relating to his involvement in the January 6 attack. The cases, which come from congressmembers and injured police officers, could be the last bastion in holding Trump to account for failing to intervene as his supporters ransacked the U.S. Capitol.

These cases, unlike the criminal case, will not be affected by the election, Joseph Sellers, a lawyer representing 10 current and former Democratic House members suing Trump and the far-right groups that led the January 6 riot, told Politico. Our clients suffered real injuries that entitle them to relief, but also I think are seeking some measure of accountability given President Trumps role in the Jan. 6 events and the events leading up to it.

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The criminal cases against Trump died overnight after the MAGA leader won the presidential election, effectively allowing him to skirt all responsibility by resuming an office that cannot be criminally prosecuted. Trump faced 91 criminal charges across four cases that prosecutors waited years to take to court. Separately, he was convicted on 34 criminal counts relating to covert hush-money payments made to porn actress Stormy Daniels ahead of the 2016 electionbut that sentencing dissolved just days after Trump won the election.

Some of those near-election trial delays were thanks to a game-changing Supreme Court decision in July, in which the nations highest court ruled 63 to expand a presidents immunity and redefine what constitutes an official act, nearly allowing Trump to get off scot-free.

In a dissenting opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor feared for the future of a country that legally permits the executive branch authority to commit crimes under the cloak of the office, arguing that the courts decision made a mockery of the constitutional principle that no man is above the law. She warned that the courts own misguided wisdom gave Trump all the immunity he asked for and more.
As President Biden mulls over a preemptive pardon to protect potential targets from revenge prosecution by President-elect Donald Trump, one of those targets said Monday that he doesn't want Biden to establish a partisan precedent.

Trump said Sunday that members of Congress who investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection should be imprisoned.

Honestly, they should go to jail, Trump said of elected officials who led the investigation, speaking in an interview with NBCs Meet the Press.

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One of those investigators, former Rep. Adam B. Schiff (D-Burbank), was sworn in Monday as California's junior U.S. senator. Schiff served on the Jan. 6 committee and led the first impeachment trial of Trump.

"I don't want to see a precedent where you have presidents, as they leave office, issuing blanket pardons to members of their party or members of their administration," Schiff said in an interview with The Times. "There was talk of Trump doing that when he left office, of members like Mark Meadows and Jim Jordan seeking pardons from him. It would be another diminution in our democracy, and I just think it's completely unnecessary."

Trump said Sunday that he would not directly order his administration to pursue such prosecutions and would leave the decision up to Pam Bondi, his pick for attorney general.

He also said he would "most likely" pardon his supporters who were convicted in the riot.

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Read more: Trump says he can't guarantee tariffs won't raise U.S. prices, won't rule out revenge prosecutions

Schiff said he believes Trump's comments on prosecuting members of the Jan. 6 committee are intended primarily to create a chilling effect on congressional and judicial oversight. Instead of preemptive pardons, Schiff said he would like the Biden administration to ensure that all records of the Department of Justice's investigation into Jan. 6 are preserved, and that the special counsel's report makes as much information public as possible "so that the evidence can't be buried or misrepresented."

Asked whether he worries about becoming a target, Schiff said he is more concerned about the increasing acceptance of political violence.

"All of us have been getting threats for years now, and those seem to be escalating," he said. "That's a more immediate problem than these sorts of vague threats of 'You're going to go to jail.'"

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Schiff won the election to replace outgoing Sen. Laphonza Butler, who was appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom to temporarily fill the seat of Sen. Dianne Feinstein after Feinsteins death in September 2023.

Read more: Schiff to be sworn in Monday as California's next U.S. senator

He gained national prominence during Trumps first term, leading multiple investigations into Trump and his allies.

Schiff said how much Trump can do to target members of the Jan. 6 committee will depend on who gets confirmed for key law enforcement jobs. He said Kash Patel, Trump's pick to lead the FBI, is unfit for office.

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As senator, Schiff said he will consider and have questions for the other nominees, including Bondi, who supported Trump's assertion that the 2020 election was stolen and threatened to go after Department of Justice prosecutors who indicted Trump.

"I want to know whether those are really her intentions, or whether this was some form of political hyperbole," Schiff said. "Some of the people he's nominated, like Marco Rubio, I think are very well qualified. It's obviously a mixed lot, so I'll take them one at a time."

Beyond confirmations, Schiff said he has begun scheduling meetings with Republican senators after spending the last six months meeting with Democratic senators. He said he wants to sift out the nonpartisan, shared challenges he can begin to tackle with colleagues from across the aisle, such as wildfire prevention, rural healthcare and the high cost of housing that drives residents of many states into homelessness.

"When I did the Trump impeachment, the first time I stepped onto the Senate floor, I had the sense that a lot of these folks just knew me from Fox," he said. "I think they were a bit surprised that I wasn't this stereotype they'd seen on conservative TV."

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He said he also wants to spend more time in Northern California and the Imperial Valley, much as he has recently done in the Central Valley, to ensure that residents see him not just as someone who represents the Los Angeles region but as a champion for the entire state.

"I want to hear what they want me to focus on, what their priorities are, what I can do to bring back resources for their city or community or region," he said. "The fact that we're going to have two male senators means I'm going to work all that much harder to make sure that women are at the table."

In comments from the Senate floor ahead of Schiff's confirmation, Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer of New York called Schiff "a leading voice among House Democrats, where he was known for his piercing eloquence, his thoughtfulness, his unwavering support of democracy and his courage."

Schiff was escorted Monday afternoon to his swearing-in ceremony by fellow Californians Sen. Alex Padilla and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-San Francisco). Also in attendance were Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Oakland), who ran against Schiff for the Senate seat, and Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks).

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Schiff, who is Jewish, was sworn in by Vice President Kamala Harris on a Maimonides Mishneh Torah. He then cast his first vote in favor of Tiffany R. Johnson as a federal district judge for the northern district of Georgia.

Times staff writer Kevin Rector and the Associated Press 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.
President-elect Donald Trump announced that Alina Habba, his senior adviser and attorney, will serve as counselor to the president.

The appointment was shared through a post on Truth Social on Sunday evening, in which he wrote, "Alina has been a tireless advocate for Justice, a fierce Defender of the Rule of Law, and an invaluable Advisor to my Campaign and Transition Team. She has been unwavering in her loyalty, and unmatched in her resolve - standing with me through numerous 'trials,' battles, and countless days in Court."

"As a first generation American of Middle Eastern Heritage, she has become a role model for women in Law and Politics, most recently being named Chaldean Woman of the Year," the post continued, before congratulating Habba and her family on the appointment.

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In his former administration, the position was held by Kellyanne Conway. It is not associated with the White House counsel's office.

PHOTO: Celebrity Sightings In New York City - May 30, 2024 (James Devaney/GC Images)

In additional social media posts the same evening, Trump announced several State Department roles, including Michael Anton as director of policy planning, Michael Needham as counselor and Christopher Landau as deputy secretary.

MORE: Trump meets with Macron in first international trip since reelection: 'World is going a little crazy right now'

"Michael served me loyally and effectively at the National Security Council in my First Term," Trump's post regarding the director of policy planning position said.

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"He spent the last eight years explaining what an America First foreign policy truly means," it added.

For Needham, he wrote, "Mike has capably served Senator Marco Rubio for many years, and is a key leader in the America First Movement. He has been on the front lines of the fight for the Forgotten Men and Women of America for nearly two decades, and will do a great job at State."

MORE: Trump promises pardon for Jan 6 rioters on his first day

In while appointing the deputy secretary of the State Department, the president-elect posted, "Chris will work closely with our great Secretary of State Nominee, Marco Rubio, to promote our Nation's security and prosperity through an America First Foreign Policy. Chris served as my Ambassador to Mexico, where he worked tirelessly with our team to reduce illegal migration to the lowest levels in History."

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"He is also one of our Country's great lawyers, and clerked for both Justices Antonin Scalia and Clarence Thomas on the United States Supreme Court," the post continued. "He graduated from Harvard College, first in his Class, and Harvard Law School, and has argued nine cases in the U.S. Supreme Court."

All four of the posts appeared on Trump's account within the span of about one minute, just before 7 p.m.

Trump names Alina Habba counselor to the president, with other State Department roles originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
ISLAMABAD, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Two terrorists were killed during an intelligence-based operation in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military said on Monday.

The security forces conducted the operation in Dera Ismail Khan district of the province on reported presence of terrorists, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR), the media wing of the Pakistan Army, said in a statement.

"During the conduct of the operation, the terrorists' location was effectively engaged by own troops," the ISPR said, adding that two terrorists were killed while one was apprehended in injured condition during the operation.

According to the ISPR, a huge cache of weapons and ammunition were also recovered from the terrorists, who remained actively involved in terrorist activities against security forces as well as target killing of civilians in the area.

Clearance operation is being carried out to eliminate the presence of other terrorists from the area, it added.

The military said the security forces of Pakistan are determined to wipe out the menace of terrorism from the country. 
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- Donald Trump nominated his former ambassador to Mexico, Christopher Landau, to serve as deputy secretary of State, as the president-elect continued to fill out the foreign policy arm of his incoming administration on Sunday night.

If confirmed by the Senate, Landau will work with Trump's secretary of State on a range of pressing issues, including illegal immigration, which the president-elect heavily ran on during his election campaign, and ongoing wars in Israel and Ukraine.

Trump has tapped Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida to serve as secretary of State.

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In a statement, the former New York real estate mogul said Landau will work closely with Rubio "to promote our Nation's security and prosperity through an America First Foreign Policy."

He also lauded Landau for being "one of our Country's great lawyers."

"I'm deeply honored by, and grateful for, this nomination and the opportunity to work with Senator @marcorubio to implement President @realdonaldtrump's foreign policy agenda," Landau said in a statement on X.

Born in Madrid, Spain, Landau speaks fluent spanish and earned a Certificate in Latin American studies at Harvard, where he also earned his Bachelor of Arts in history in 1985, according to his biography on the U.S. Embassy in Mexico website.

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He later clerked for Clarence Thomas when the future Supreme Court justice was a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia. He then clerked for conservative Associated Justices Antonin Scalia and Thomas on the U.S. high court in 1990 and 1991.

After years of practicing law, Landau was confirmed as the U.S. ambassador to Mexico in 2019, a position he held under 2021.

In a Spanish-language statement addressed to the people of Mexico on X, Landau said that if confirmed by the Senate, "the relationship between our countries will continue to be one of my top priorities."

"Even if I do not have the pleasure of living among you again, you will always be very present of me."

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The U.S.-Mexico relationship under the Trump administraiton got off to a tumultuous start, even before his return to the White House.

Late last month, Trump threatened to impose a 25% tariff on all imports from Mexico, as well as Canada, if Mexico did not do more to stem the flow of migrants and drugs into the United States.

Discussiones between Trump and President Claudia Sheinbaum of Mexico led Trump to claim that Sheinbaum had "agreed" halt migration into the United States through Mexico -- a statement that Sheinbaum undercut by saying that while she had an "excellent" talk, she indicated that Mexico's border policies would not change.

On Sunday night, Trump also announcement several other nominations to the Department of State.

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He named Michael Needham to serve as counselor to the department. Needham is chairman of American Compass and is executive director of America 2100, both conservative policy groups. He also served as chief of Staff to Rubio.

"Mike has capably served Senator Marco Rubio for many years, and is a key leader in the America First Movement. He has been on the front lines of the fight for the Forgotten Men and Women of America for nearly two decades, and will do a great job at State," Trump said in a statement.

Trump also named Michael Anton to serve as director of policy planning at the State Department on Sunday night.

Neither Needham nor Anton need confirmation by the Senate.
The screen fills with images of migrants dodging highway traffic. They keep coming, says a narrator. The federal government wont stop them yet requires us to pay billions to take care of them.  Enough is enough.

This message might sound familiar, but it isnt new. Its a 1994 campaign ad in support of Republican politician Pete Wilsons run for reelection as California governor.

At the time, California was experiencing its worst recession in decades. Although immigrants living in the state illegally did not cause Californias economic crisis, they were a convenient scapegoat. By blaming immigrants for Californias financial woes, Wilson turned his faltering campaign around and won reelection in November 1994.

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Thirty years later, the United States is in a similar political moment, with many Americans worried about the cost of living and immigration.

President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly  and misleadingly  blamed immigrants for crime, high housing costs and other problems. He is promising to quickly close the U.S. southern border and deport the nearly 12 million immigrants without legal authorization to remain in the country.

As a scholar of migration in the Americas, my research shows that Trumps approach is unlikely to stop migrants from trying to enter the U.S. but very likely to enrich criminals. Migrants will keep fleeing desperate circumstances under even more treacherous conditions that leave them vulnerable to exploitation by criminal groups.

U.S. Border Patrol agents assist Venezuelan migrants who were seeking asylum as they pass through razor wire at the U.S.-Mexico border on Sept. 29, 2023, in Eagle Pass, Texas. John Moore/Getty Images

Prevention through deterrence

A few months after Wilsons campaign ad hit the airwaves, the U.S. Border Patrol issued its strategic plan for 1994 and beyond.

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In this plan, the Border Patrol proposed a strategy called prevention through deterrence that was designed to make illegal entry across the southwest land border so risky that potential migrants would decide to stay home.

By concentrating border enforcement in the urban areas where most migrants were trying to cross, the plan aimed to force them over more hostile terrain in the desert and to increase the cost of hiring a smuggler.

Today, illegal migration to the U.S. is far more deadly and expensive than it was 30 years ago, just as the authors of the 1994 Border Patrol plan anticipated.

But the reports authors believed that potential migrants would forgo the dangers of migrating to the U.S. without authorization, as well as the high costs of getting there. They thought potential migrants would simply stay in their home countries.

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They were wrong.

Fortified borders

The strategy of discouraging migrants from coming to the U.S. by making it more difficult required a large federal investment in border enforcement and cooperation from other countries, especially Mexico.

Over the past 30 years, the Border Patrols budget has grown more than sevenfold, and the number of agents stationed along the southwest border has quadrupled.

The U.S. government has also built physical infrastructure to stop migrants from entering the country, including massive walls that extend into the Pacific Ocean.

In more remote areas, drones, surveillance towers and extreme temperatures do the work of border control, often with deadly consequences for migrants.

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The U.S. also provided more than US$176 million in funding between October 2014 and Sept. 30, 2023, to support Mexicos immigration control efforts.

There is some evidence that stricter border enforcement deterred Mexicans from crossing illegally into the United States after the 1990s. The number of migrants apprehended by the Border Patrol along the southwest border plummeted from 1.6 million between October 1999 through the end of September 2000, to 327,577 between October 2010 and the end of September 2011.

But the deterrent effect of increased enforcement did not last. Migrant apprehensions at the southwest border began to rise again in 2012 and spiked to 851,508 between October 2018 and Sept. 30, 2019. After falling briefly during the pandemic, total apprehensions averaged 1.9 million per year between October 2020 and Sept. 30, 2024.

These numbers exceed the historic peaks in 1986 and 2000  despite the much greater costs and dangers of migrating illegally today.

Illusory deterrence

In 2023, my research team and I interviewed over 130 migrants in Colombia, Costa Rica and Mexico to understand why they were taking such enormous risks to get to the United States. What we found is that deterrence isnt working because of shifts in who is migrating and why they are leaving home.

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Until 2011, the vast majority of illegal border crossers were Mexicans, mostly young men seeking higher incomes to support their families. As the Mexican economy recovered and fewer young people entered the labor market, Mexican workers had less need to migrate. Those who made it to the United States stayed put instead of going back and forth.

Today, more than 60% of the migrants who cross the U.S. border without legal authorization are from places other than Mexico, including Central America, Venezuela, Ecuador and Haiti. Forty percent of them are parents traveling with children.

Many of these migrants are fleeing chronic violence, rampant corruption, natural disasters or economic collapse.

For these migrants, it is worth the risk of being kidnapped, dying in the desert or being deported to escape a desperate situation.

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If they deport me, sister, I will come back, a Honduran mother of three told us in Tijuana in June 2023. If you go back, you die. So you have to go forward, forward, forward all the time.

Migrants in Tapachula, Mexico, advance in a caravan heading to the U.S. on Nov. 5, 2024. Jose Eduardo Torres Cancino/Anadolu via Getty Images

Increased criminality

While prevention through deterrence has not stopped migrants, it has enriched smugglers, corrupt government officials and other criminals who take advantage of vulnerable migrants on their way to the U.S. border.

Before I would charge you $6,000, explained a Salvadoran smuggler to an Associated Press reporter in December 2019. Now I am charging you double. And depending on the obstacles on the way, the price can go up.

This doesnt include the fee to cross the heavily fortified U.S.-Mexico border, which increased from a few hundred dollars in the 1990s to between $2,000 and $15,000 today.

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According to one estimate, smuggling revenues in the Americas grew from $500 million in 2018 to $13 billion in 2022. Criminals have shifted from their primary business, which was drug trafficking, the director of an anti-kidnapping unit at an attorney generals office in Chihuahua, Mexico, told a journalist in June 2024. Now 60 to 70% of their focus is migrant smuggling.

Its not just smuggling that is lucrative. As Mexicos own immigration policy has become more restrictive, migrants have fallen into the clutches of an extensive extortion racket that involves kidnapping migrants once they set foot in Mexico.

Prevention through deterrence is a failed policy with a tragic human cost. It doesnt stop migrants who are fleeing dire conditions, and it fuels violence and criminality. Drug cartels, armed groups and corrupt officials get rich while insecurity spreads, fueling more migration. It is a vicious cycle that will likely only get worse with stricter enforcement and mass deportations.

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: Katrina Burgess, Tufts University

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Katrina Burgess does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President-elect Donald Trump has promised to end birthright citizenship as soon as he gets into office to make good on campaign promises aiming to restrict immigration and redefining what it means to be American.

But any efforts to halt the policy would face steep legal hurdles.

Birthright citizenship means anyone born in the United States automatically becomes an American citizen. It's been in place for decades and applies to children born to someone in the country illegally or in the U.S. on a tourist or student visa who plans to return to their home country.

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It's not the practice of every country, and Trump and his supporters have argued that the system is being abused and that there should be tougher standards for becoming an American citizen.

But others say this is a right enshrined in the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, it would be extremely difficult to overturn and even if it's possible, it's a bad idea.

Here's a look at birthright citizenship, what Trump has said about it and the prospects for ending it:

What Trump has said about birthright citizenship

During an interview Sunday on NBCs Meet the Press Trump said he absolutely planned to halt birthright citizenship once in office.

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Were going to end that because its ridiculous, he said.

Trump and other opponents of birthright citizenship have argued that it creates an incentive for people to come to the U.S. illegally or take part in birth tourism, in which pregnant women enter the U.S. specifically to give birth so their children can have citizenship before returning to their home countries.

Simply crossing the border and having a child should not entitle anyone to citizenship, said Eric Ruark, director of research for NumbersUSA, which argues for reducing immigration. The organization supports changes that would require at least one parent to be a permanent legal resident or a U.S. citizen for their children to automatically get citizenship.

Others have argued that ending birthright citizenship would profoundly damage the country.

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One of our big benefits is that people born here are citizens, are not an illegal underclass. Theres better assimilation and integration of immigrants and their children because of birthright citizenship, said Alex Nowrasteh, vice president for economic and social policy studies at the pro-immigration Cato Institute.

In 2019, the Migration Policy Institute estimated that 5.5 million children under age 18 lived with at least one parent in the country illegally in 2019, representing 7% of the U.S. child population. The vast majority of those children were U.S. citizens.

The nonpartisan think tank said during Trumps campaign for president in 2015 that the number of people in the country illegally would balloon if birthright citizenship were repealed, creating a self-perpetuating class that would be excluded from social membership for generations.

What does the law say?

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In the aftermath of the Civil War, Congress ratified the 14th Amendment in July 1868. That amendment assured citizenship for all, including Black people.

All persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside, the 14th Amendment says. No State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens of the United States.

But the 14th Amendment didn't always translate to everyone being afforded birthright citizenship. For example, it wasn't until 1924 that Congress finally granted citizenship to all Native Americans born in the U.S.

A key case in the history of birthright citizenship came in 1898, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that Wong Kim Ark, born in San Francisco to Chinese immigrants, was a U.S. citizen because he was born in the states. The federal government had tried to deny him reentry into the county after a trip abroad on grounds he wasnt a citizen under the Chinese Exclusion Act.

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But some have argued that the 1898 case clearly applied to children born of parents who are both legal immigrants to America but that it's less clear whether it applies to children born to parents without legal status or, for example, who come for a short-term like a tourist visa.

That is the leading case on this. In fact, its the only case on this, said Andrew Arthur, a fellow at the Center for Immigration Studies, which supports immigration restrictions. Its a lot more of an open legal question than most people think.

Some proponents of immigration restrictions have argued the words subject to the jurisdiction thereof in the 14th Amendment allows the U.S. to deny citizenship to babies born to those in the country illegally. Trump himself used that language in his 2023 announcement that he would aim to end birthright citizenship if reelected.

So what could Trump do and would it be successful?

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Trump wasn't clear in his Sunday interview how he aims to end birthright citizenship.

Asked how he could get around the 14th Amendment with an executive action, Trump said: Well, were going to have to get it changed. Well maybe have to go back to the people. But we have to end it. Pressed further on whether he'd use an executive order, Trump said if we can, through executive action."

He gave a lot more details in a 2023 post on his campaign website. In it, he said he would issue an executive order the first day of his presidency, making it clear that federal agencies require that at least one parent be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident for their future children to become automatic U.S. citizens.

Trump wrote that the executive order would make clear that children of people in the U.S. illegally should not be issued passports, Social Security numbers, or be eligible for certain taxpayer funded welfare benefits.

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This would almost certainly end up in litigation.

Nowrasteh from the Cato Institute said the law is clear that birthright citizenship cant be ended by executive order but that Trump may be inclined to take a shot anyway through the courts.

I dont take his statements very seriously. He has been saying things like this for almost a decade," Nowrasteh said. "He didnt do anything to further this agenda when he was president before. The law and judges are near uniformly opposed to his legal theory that the children of illegal immigrants born in the United States are not citizens."

Trump could steer Congress to pass a law to end birthright citizenship but would still face a legal challenge that it violates the Constitution.

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Associated Press reporter Elliot Spagat in San Diego contributed to this report.
Speaking widely about his plans for mass deportations, President-elect Donald Trump said families with undocumented parents who have U.S.-born children would be deported together because he doesnt want to be breaking up families.

So the only way you dont break up the family is you keep them together and you have to send them all back, Trump said to Kristen Welker on Sundays episode of Meet the Press.

Even kids who are here legally? Welker asked.

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Well, what youve got to do if they want to stay with their father  look, we have to have rules and regulations, Trump said.

President-elect Donald Trump speaks about his mass deportation plans in an interview with NBC News. Peter Kramer/NBC via Getty Images

Welker was asking Trump about the approximately 4 million mixed-status families in America, in which some family members have legal status and others are undocumented.

Trumps answer echoes that of his border czar, Tom Homan, who in a 60 Minutes interview in October said, Families can be deported together, in response to a question about how mass deportations can be carried out without separating families.

Later in the Meet the Press interview, he doubled down on the idea that families wouldnt be separated.

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Well send the whole family, very humanely, back to the country where they came. That way the familys not separated, he said. The family may decide to say, Id rather have Dad go, and well stay here. And in which case they have that option.

Trump confirms that he plans to deport US citizens who have undocumented parents  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com)2024-12-08T15:20:44.266Z

Trump appeared to have a softer stance toward Dreamers, the hundreds of thousands of people brought to the country as children by undocumented parents and protected from deportation under the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, program.

The Dreamers are going to come later, and we have to do something about the Dreamers because these are people that have been brought here at a very young age, Trump said.

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He said he wanted to work with Democrats on a plan for the Dreamers to stay.

Also in the interview, Trump vowed to use an executive action to end birthright citizenship, something that is enshrined in the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. When asked if thats even possible, he said, Well, were going to have to get it changed. Well maybe have to go back to the people. But we have to end it. He incorrectly said that America is the only country to have birthright citizenship  about three dozen countries, including Canada and Mexico, provide birthright citizenship.

During Trumps 2024 campaign, he promised to deport undocumented immigrants living in the United States, saying he will focus on violent criminals  but seemingly meaning the roughly 11 million undocumented people in the country are all part of that group.

In September at a campaign rally, Trump said deporting undocumented immigrants would be a bloody story. His allies have said prison camps will be needed to deport immigrants.

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In 2016, Trump said former President Dwight D. Eisenhowers Operation Wetback, which was named after a slur and deported a reported 1 million immigrants in 1954, was a very effective chapter, according to some people.

Sundays interview on Meet the Press was Trumps first as president-elect.

Other topics covered in the interview included pardons for Jan. 6, 2021, rioters, grocery prices and the lack of detail about his health care plan.

Trump also spoke about Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News host, whom Trump plans to nominate for secretary of defense. Hegseth has been accused of rape and drinking on the job, and his mother once called him an abuser of women. Trump said Hegseth has a tremendous track record.
President-elect Donald Trump's recounting of a recent conversation with Britain's Prince William has thrown a new spotlight on the health of William's father, King Charles III.

The two men spoke in Paris over the weekend for the reopening of Notre Dame cathedral.

Asked about their conversation, Trump told the New York Post that according to William, Charles is "fighting very hard" after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.

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Charles, 76, did not attend the cathedral's reopening events.

PHOTO: Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani, Britain's King Charles III, followed by Britain's Queen Camilla and Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim al-Thani, arrive for a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace in London, Dec. 3, 2024. (Aaron Chown/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Buckingham Palace first announced the monarch's cancer diagnosis in February, shortly after he underwent a procedure to treat an enlarged prostate.

The palace has not shared what type of cancer Charles was diagnosed with, nor his treatment.

King Charles visits cancer center in 1st return to public duties since cancer diagnosis

According to the Post, Trump said he also spoke with William about his wife, Kate, the Princess of Wales, who announced her own cancer diagnosis in March.

"I had a great talk with the prince," Trump said. "And I asked him about his wife and he said she's doing well. And I asked him about his father and his father is fighting very hard, and he loves his father and he loves his wife, so it was sad. We had a great talk for half an hour, a little more than half an hour. We had a great, great talk."

PHOTO: Donald Trump meets Britain's Prince William at the UK Ambassador's Residence in Paris (Aaron Chow/Pool/Getty Images)

Trump's account of his conversation with William caught the attention of royal watchers due to his description of Charles as "fighting very hard."

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The last time Trump was seen publicly with Charles was during Trump's 2019 state visit to Britain, a visit during which he also met with William.

PHOTO: Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Donald Trump and Melania Trump talk as they pose for photographs at Clarence House in central London on December 3, 2019. (Chris Jackson/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

The palace, which has shared few details about Charles' health since announcing his cancer diagnosis, has not publicly commented on Trump's remarks to the New York Post.

A royal source who spoke with ABC News downplayed Trump's remarks, arguing that they could have been in reference to the king being courageous in continuing to be visible and active while living with an illness.

Charles, who became king in 2022 after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, took more than two months away from public duties after his diagnosis was announced.

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At Fox Nation awards ceremony, Trump boasts about recent conversations with foreign leaders, promises to 'look at' election system

He returned to the public spotlight at the end of April with a visit to a cancer treatment center, but continued to maintain a limited schedule of engagements.

When asked by a patient at the cancer center how he was doing, Charles replied, "Not too bad. Its always a bit of a shock, isnt it, when they tell you?," according to the U.K.'s The Telegraph newspaper.

In June, Charles joined Kate and other members of the royal family at the annual Trooping the Colour celebration, and in October, he and his wife Queen Camilla took part in an 11-day official visit to Australia and Samoa.

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More recently, Charles hosted a state visit for the emir of Qatar at Buckingham Palace.

Trump says Prince William told him King Charles is 'fighting very hard' after cancer diagnosis originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com
US President-elect Donald Trump has shared his conclusions from a conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Paris. They both went to attend the opening ceremony of the Notre Dame cathedral, and Trump said he was "formulating a concept" for implementing his plan to end the war quickly.

Source: European Pravda with reference to The New York Post

Details: Trump said he had spoken to Zelenskyy about how to end the war and that he was ready to negotiate.

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"He wants to make peace. That's new," Donald Trump said.

"He wants to have a ceasefire. He wants to make peace. We didnt talk about the details. He thinks its time, and Putin should think its time because hes lost  when you lose 700,000 people, its time. Its not going to end until theres a peace," the US president-elect said.

Trump added that he was "formulating a concept of how to end this ridiculous war".

He also voiced similar theses in a post on his Truth Social social media platform, where he said that "Ukraine and Zelenskyy" want an agreement to end the fighting.

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Background:

After speaking with Trump and Macron, Zelenskyy said he insisted on "effective guarantees" of peace.

In his first interview after the election, Trump did not rule out the possibility of cutting aid to Ukraine.

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President-elect Donald Trump named Alina Habba, one of his defense attorneys, as a counselor to the president on Sunday.

Alina has been a tireless advocate for Justice, a fierce Defender of the Rule of Law, and an invaluable Advisor to my Campaign and Transition Team, Trump wrote on Truth Social. She has been unwavering in her loyalty, and unmatched in her resolve  standing with me through numerous trials, battles, and countless days in Court.

Few understand the Weaponization of the Injustice System better than Alina, who has fought relentlessly against the full force of Lawfare with courage and an unshakable commitment to Justice.

Alina has been a tireless advocate for Justice, a fierce Defender of the Rule of Law," Trump said Sunday. Cheney Orr/Bloomberg via Getty Images

In his first term, the counselor role was held by longtime GOP strategist Kellyanne Conway.

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Habba represented Trump in the defamation and civil rape lawsuits filed by the writer E. Jean Carroll. Carroll won both cases after juries found Trump liable for sexual abuse in one and guilty of defamation in another. Judgments in both matters were nearly $100 million, but Trump is appealing them.

On the campaign trail, Habba served as a fierce surrogate for Trumps White House bid. She said Sunday it was the honor of my life to serve the president-elect and the American people.

Related...
If President-elect Donald Trump follows through on his promise to deport millions of undocumented immigrants, the privately-run detention center in Tacoma could play an important role in the feds Northwest operations.

The Northwest Immigration Processing Center is among the largest detention centers in the United States with 1,575 beds, and its the only detention facility Immigration and Customs Enforcement has in the Pacific Northwest.

Trumps promise to carry out the largest deportation program of criminals in the history of America is filled with questions. Where will immigrants be held while their cases process through the court system? What would happen to immigrants whose native countries dont accept deportation flights? How will Trump pay for the plan, which the American Immigration Council estimates could cost $88 billion per year.

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The capacity of the NWIPC is far surpassed by the number of people ICE is keeping tabs on in the Seattle area of responsibility, which includes Alaska, Washington, Oregon and parts of Idaho. At the beginning of November, there were 10,214 people on alternatives to detention, such as SmartLink, a phone app that tracks the whereabouts of 86 percent of those people, and ankle and wrist monitors.

Those means of digital monitoring have expanded dramatically in the last six or eight years, according to Tim Warden-Hertz, directing attorney for the Tacoma office of the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project.

That level of surveillance means that trying to arrest a lot of people more quickly, that is certainly easier, right? Warden-Hertz said. Because you have close tabs on people.

The overall population of undocumented immigrants in Washington is much larger. According to Pew Research, as many as 325,000 lived here in 2022.

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ICE is also looking at the possibility of expanding its capacity to house undocumented immigrants in custody by adding bedspace to existing ones or obtaining new facilities, including in the Pacific Northwest. In August, the federal agency issued a request for information to identify available detention facilities for single adults in Washington and Oregon, Northern California, Arizona and New Mexico.

Documents show ICE is looking for facilities with 850 to 950 beds and which are publicly or privately owned. Facilities should also be within a two-hour drive of ICE field offices or sub-offices, which are located in Tukwila and Tacoma.

ICE notes that the request for information is solely for planning purposes, and responses cant be accepted by the government to form a binding contract. News outlets such as CalMatters and the Associated Press have reported that the American Civil Liberties Union is suing to learn more about the agencys expansion plans.

The Northwest ICE Processing Center, formerly known as the Northwest Detention Center, is a privately owned and operated immigration detention center on the Tacoma Tideflats. It opened in 2004 with a 500-bed capacity. It has since expanded capacity three times into a facility with 1,575 beds, making it one of the largest immigration detention centers in the U.S. Aerial photo taken in Spring of 2012.

If ICE finds and moves forward with obtaining new facilities in Washington, its unclear how long it would take to get them operational.

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Trump confirmed last month on his social media platform, Truth Social, that reports showing he was prepared to declare a national emergency and use military assets for mass deportations were true. The Wall Street Journal has reported that aides to Trump believe that a national emergency declaration would allow the administration to use military assets to detain and remove migrants, such as bases. Joint Base Lewis-McChord is just south of Tacoma, and its the largest military base in the western United States.

In 2018, Trumps administration started his zero tolerance immigration enforcement policy which separated children from their parents at the southern border of the U.S. Warden-Hertz said that at the time, when there wasnt space to house parents, federal jails and prisons were used, including FCI Sheridan, southwest of Portland, and FDC SeaTac. Warden-Hertz said use of the facilities led to problematic results in terms of due process, access to legal representation and visitation.

I think those were terrible experiences for people who were detained there, Warden-Hertz said.

ICE would not answer questions from The News Tribune about how the use of the detention center in Tacoma might be ramped up under Trump or whether other federal facilities could be used and directed questions about future policies to the president-elects transition team.

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Enforcement Removal Operations Seattle conducts removals of individuals without a lawful basis to remain in the U.S. who are ordered removed by immigration judges with the Justice Departments Executive Office for Immigration Review, spokesperson David Yost said.

Individuals detained at the Northwest ICE Processing Center may be subject to mandatory detention or may be a risk to national security, threaten public safety, and/or pose a risk of flight.

In response to questions, Trumps transition team sent an emailed statement from his appointed White House press secretary, Karoline Leavitt.

President Trump will enlist every federal power and coordinate with state authorities to institute the largest deportation operation of illegal criminals, drug dealers, and human traffickers in American history while simultaneously lowering costs for families, Leavitt said. The American people re-elected President Trump by a resounding margin giving him a mandate to implement the promises he made on the campaign trail, like deporting migrant criminals and restoring our economic greatness. He will deliver.

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People held at the detention center in Tacoma are suspected of being in the country illegally or are awaiting deportation. The population often is largely made up of people transferred there from other parts of the country. Earlier this year, the American Civil Liberties Union of Washington said many were asylum seekers brought north after being apprehended at the southern border. Others are picked up on warrants or are brought to the detention center after release from the Department of Corrections.

Its hard to say what mass deportations might look like, but Tom Homan, Trumps appointed border czar, has said he wants to prioritize deporting noncitizens with criminal histories.

In the second Trump administration, Warden-Hertz said he expects more Washingtonians to be detained at the NWIPC. Although many people were held there under the administration of President Joe Biden, he said there was increased detention under Trump during his first term.

Available ICE data on detention statistics shows that in fiscal year 2019, the average daily population of the NWIPC in Tacoma was 1,342. That number fell in 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic to 739, and in fiscal year 2021, when Biden took office, it dropped sharply to 362. The average daily population has climbed since then. The most recent data, as of Oct. 28, shows the average daily population was 661.

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Unfortunately, theres room for many more people to be locked up in the detention center, Warden-Hertz said.

The Northwest ICE Processing Center, a privately-run jail for immigrants facing possible deportation, has been operating on Tacomas Tideflats for the last 20 years. It is shown on Thursday, April 11, 2024.

When it comes to actually deporting people who are detained, the attorney said there are some limits on what a new administration could accomplish. Although undocumented immigrants are not guaranteed access to an attorney, they do have due-process rights, and Warden-Hertz said the immigration court system moves very slowly.

There are more than 3.7 million cases in the immigration court backlog, according to Syracuse Universitys Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, and out of that total, more than 1.6 million immigrants are waiting for asylum hearings.

Warden-Hertz said people are getting their final hearings set for around four years from now.

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Theres not sort of a move-people-quickly-to-deport-them kind of space in the immigration court system, he said.

Washington is often labeled as a sanctuary state, and Warden-Hertz said he feels fortunate that the states elected leaders are committed to standing up for immigrants, but he also said he thinks the label over-promises on what protections exist.

Both Gov.-elect Bob Ferguson and Attorney General-elect Nick Brown have promised to defend the rights of Washingtonians if Trump oversteps. Ferguson recently announced the launch of a transition team subcommittee meant to protect residents from Project 2025, a federal policy agenda that includes plans for mass deportations.

But neither of the leaders can stop ICE from operating in Washington, Warden-Hertz said.

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For now, Warden-Hertz and others who work with immigrant communities are waiting to see what actually comes to pass after Trump is sworn in on Jan. 20. He said the Northwest Immigrant Rights Project has been able to expand its capacity to offer free legal aid, but its far from meeting the need.

The Washington Immigration Solidarity Network, a grassroots coalition of immigrant and refugee rights organizations, is also looking to Ferguson and Brown to prioritize protecting their rights. In a Nov. 26 statement, the organization urged them to proactively challenge the Trump administrations dehumanizing rhetoric and xenophobic policies.

We look forward to working together to ensure that our state remains a safe haven for all and to fight for justice and dignity for every individual, regardless of immigration status, the statement read.
Former European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker looked back at his relationship with re-elected US president Donald Trump in an interview with dpa.

"You should treat Trump with respect and take what he says seriously and conduct substantive negotiations with him," he said.

"Not everything Trump puts forward is automatically topsy-turvy."

Juncker, who turned 70 on Monday, served as European Commission president from 2014 until 2019 and as Luxembourg's prime minister between 1995 and 2013.

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When trade tensions between the European Union and the United States heightened during his tenure as commission president, the two politicians "found an understanding" which helped avoid further escalations, Juncker said.

At the time, Trump had just raised tariffs on aluminium from the EU, complained about car imports and threatened a trade war. Juncker offered Trump increased imports of liquid gas and soya beans.

To the surprise of observers, the threat of a trade war was averted and Trump shared a picture of the two embracing in the Oval Office on social media.

Trump is "not the kind of man who concludes big agreements - he prefers a deal."

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Turning to the bloc, Juncker said that the EU was not in a real crisis, but more people were favouring national positions over European ones and governments were less interested in the EU.

The increasing role of social media is leading to "a flattening of political debates in Europe," he said.
MOSCOW, Dec. 8 (Xinhua) -- Former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family have arrived in Moscow, Russia's state-run RIA news agency reported Sunday, citing a source from the Kremlin.

The source said that Russia had granted asylum to them out of humanitarian considerations.

Russia supports a political solution to the Syrian crisis and regards it necessary to resume negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations, said the report. 
There's still more than a month until Inauguration Day, but President-elect Donald Trump's administration is already off to a rocky start. His first nominee for attorney general, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, had to drop out of consideration after a week amid allegations that he paid for sex with underage girls. And last week, reports surfaced that Trump may replace his nominee for secretary of defense, former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, amid swirling sexual-assault allegations and other concerns about his fitness for office.

It's a throwback to the human-resources turmoil that marked Trump's previous stint in the White House. During his first four years, Trump had more failed Cabinet nominations than any president since at least Jimmy Carter  and this time around, he's already the fastest president(-elect) in decades to see a Cabinet nominee fail.

Failed Cabinet nominations are a rite of initiation for presidents: Every president since Carter has had at least one of their Cabinet appointees fail to be confirmed by the Senate. (Most, like Gaetz, withdrew rather than face a tough confirmation fight, but one  former Sen. John Tower, former President George H.W. Bush's first choice for defense secretary  was actually voted down.)

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But Trump set a modern record in his first term when six* of his nominees for jobs that are currently at the Cabinet level** withdrew from consideration. Former President Bill Clinton is second with four failed nominations,*** while former Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama had three each. All other presidents since Carter had exactly one.

PHOTO: Trump's Cabinet misfires are off to an early start. (Katie Marriner for 538)

Of course, these numbers represent nominees who withdrew over the course of previous presidents' entire terms  and Trump's second term hasn't even started yet. As the chart above shows, it's normal for presidents to whiff on one Cabinet nominee at, or even before, the start of their presidency. Obama even had three: his initial pick for secretary of health and human services and his first two picks for commerce secretary. (For what it's worth, this didn't seem to have a negative impact on his presidency. Obama's average approval ratings stayed above 60 percent through May 2009, and the 2009-10 Congress was one of the most productive in history.)

But Trump is already ahead of Obama's pace. Obama's first commerce secretary nominee, then-New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson, dropped out on Jan. 4, 2009. Gaetz withdrew on Nov. 21, 2024. In fact, Gaetz withdrew quicker than any other Cabinet appointee has withdrawn in the last 50 years.

And while we don't know for sure what will happen in the future, Trump appears to have a good chance to tie or break Obama's record of three failed nominees at the start of a presidency. There's plenty of time left, and plenty of controversial Cabinet appointees who could face difficult paths to confirmation, such as Hegseth, anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr., his nominee for secretary of health and human services, and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, his nominee for director of national intelligence.

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That may seem particularly embarrassing for Trump given that his party is set to hold a 53-47 majority in the next Senate. But historically, most failed Cabinet picks actually haven't been torpedoed by the opposite party; they've withdrawn in the face of (potential) resistance from their own side. Seventeen of the 21 failed Cabinet nominations since the Carter administration have happened when the Senate was controlled by the president's party.

Instead, the vast majority of failed Cabinet nominations tanked because a scandal emerged about the nominee. It's a subjective exercise to try to boil down the failure of every past Cabinet appointment to a single reason, but by my reckoning, 14 of the 21 failed because some kind of scandal was swirling around them. Sexual misconduct allegations, like the ones dogging Gaetz and Hegseth, have been among the most common reasons, also dragging down Tower and Clinton veterans affairs secretary nominee Hershel Gober. But the most common genre of scandal that has doomed Cabinet nominees, interestingly, has been employing or housing an undocumented immigrant or someone who was not authorized to work in the U.S. Contemporary media reports cited that as the reason behind five Cabinet withdrawals.

By contrast, I count only two Cabinet nominees who have withdrawn in the face of partisan attacks, and only one who was forced to step aside because of concerns he was unqualified. Two more withdrew because senators took issue with their prickly personalities: John Bolton, one of George W. Bush's nominees for ambassador to the United Nations, was undone by accusations that he was a difficult boss and motivated by ideology over facts,**** while President Joe Biden's first choice for director of the Office of Management and Budget, Neera Tanden, dropped out because she had sent too many mean tweets. One or two***** others withdrew because of apparent ideological differences with the administration that appointed them.

This may actually bode well for Trump: Unlike Gaetz and Hegseth, Kennedy, Gabbard and Trump's other nominees so far haven't been accused of any illegal activities. Instead, senators have appeared lukewarm on them because of Kennedy's conspiratorial views and Gabbard's Russian sympathies. Of course, past presidents have never appointed people with such unusual baggage to their Cabinets before, so there isn't exactly a precedent for how they will be handled. As is so often the case, Trump is sailing us into uncharted waters with many of his Cabinet picks, so we don't know what will happen.

Footnotes

*Including former Rep. John Ratcliffe, who withdrew his nomination for director of national intelligence in August 2019 but was renominated in February 2020 and then successfully confirmed.

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**Different presidents have designated different offices to be in the Cabinet. In addition to the vice president and the heads of the 15 Cabinet departments, the current Cabinet includes the chief of staff, the director of the Central Intelligence Agency, the chair of the Council of Economic Advisers, the director of national intelligence, the director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, the administrator of the Small Business Administration, the ambassador to the United Nations, the U.S. trade representative, the administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and the director of the Office of Management and Budget. In order to fairly compare the number of failed nominations across time, the data in this article includes all of these offices even if they weren't in the Cabinet during the period in question  and doesn't include offices that were in the Cabinet at the time but aren't anymore.

***Not including Judge Kimba Wood, a reported Clinton nominee for attorney general. On Feb. 5, 1993, Clinton administration officials anonymously told reporters that Clinton would appoint Wood, but the following day, she took herself out of the running because she had employed an undocumented immigrant as a nanny. Because Clinton never explicitly announced Wood's appointment, we've excluded her from our data.

****After Bolton's nomination stalled, Bush used a recess appointment to install him as U.N. ambassador. However, he needed to get confirmed by the Senate in order to stay on in the job, and when that didn't happen, Bolton stepped aside.

*****We never got an official answer about why Trump homeland security secretary nominee Chad Wolf bowed out, but we can make a guess: His withdrawal came on Jan. 7, 2021, just hours after he issued a strongly worded statement condemning the Jan. 6 riot and saying, "Any appearance of inciting violence by an elected official goes against who we are as Americans."

Trump's Cabinet woes are back, earlier than ever originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
By Mike Stone and Joe Brock

SIMI VALLEY, California (Reuters) - President-elect Donald Trump's planned U.S. government efficiency drive involving Elon Musk could lead to more joint projects between big defense contractors and smaller tech firms in areas such as artificial intelligence, drones and uncrewed submarines, according to interviews with company executives.

Musk has indicated that Pentagon spending and priorities will be a target of the efficiency initiative, spreading anxiety at defense heavyweights such as Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics.

Smaller military technology companies such as artificial intelligence software firm Palantir and drone-maker Anduril have been buoyed by the prospect of Musk further loosening the grip that defense giants have held on the Pentagon's budget for many decades.

Participants at the Reagan National Defense Forum, a summit in Simi Valley, California, that brought together corporate executives, U.S. military leaders and lawmakers, said they expect smaller tech firms to play a bigger role given that Musk, one of their own, is entering a position of enormous influence.

Musk and many small defense tech firms have been aligned in criticizing legacy defense programs like Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter jet while calling for mass production of cheaper AI-powered drones, missiles and uncrewed submarines.

Such views have given major defense contractors more incentive to partner with emerging defense technology players in these areas, some having strong personal relationships with Musk and his companies such as SpaceX and Tesla, according to executives at technology and big defense firms.

One senior executive at a top defense contractor, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters that contract negotiations by his company with smaller military tech providers have been "on steroids" since Trump's Nov. 5 election victory.

The amount of money available for the newer defense companies might be limited, however. Less than 20% of the Pentagon budget buys weapons systems and, historically, only around 1% goes to brand-new program purchases like those being offered by these young market entrants, according to Tara Murphy Dougherty, CEO of defense acquisition software company Govini.

These emerging firms could benefit from teaming up with the big legacy contractors if the newer companies want to quickly scale production of new weapons and deploy new technology platforms in the field, according to executives at the summit.

"What we're locked into is a current worldview in defense that everything is zero sum. If you're growing, that means I'm shrinking. I don't think that's true," Shyam Sankar, Palantir's chief technology officer, told Reuters on the sidelines of the two-day summit, which ended on Saturday.
With Matt Gaetz and Pete Hegseth serving as lightning rods, Tulsi Gabbards nomination as director of national intelligence has so far mostly avoided the Washington storm clouds.

The winds are now shifting.

The shocking collapse this weekend of Syrian President Bashar al-Assads regime has reinvigorated scrutiny about Gabbards past sympathies for the brutal dictator. Her 2017 visit to Damascus to meet with Assad  years after he gassed his own people  and her comments defending his rule have long exemplified the former Democratic congresswomans unconventional foreign policy views.

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Now her past is both a punchline  Wonder if [Gabbard] will offer Assad safe harbor at her house, former Rep. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) jested as rebels closed in  and a complication for her confirmation prospects as senators begin to take stock.

As if on cue, Gabbard has left an Army training assignment in Oklahoma for Capitol Hill, where she will begin to press her case in person. That begins today with Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.), Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) and James Lankford (R-Okla.), with additional Senate Intelligence Committee Republicans scheduled for later in the week.

Despite the attention on her views, Gabbard and her allies remain cautiously optimistic. They say shes eager to tackle her critics head-on. And unlike Gaetz and Hegseth, she has a posse of Hill allies prepared to help her along.



She is very prepared, because its the same shit people have been throwing at her for years, one Gabbard confidant said Sunday night. Shes not easily rocked by anything.

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Former national security adviser John Bolton is already swinging hard. In a Sunday phone call, the renowned hawk said Gabbard has shown an inclination to believe the most outrageous propaganda against the United States by some of its strongest enemies  citing, as an example, her parroting the unfounded, Russia-backed biolabs conspiracy theory holding that the U.S. was conducting biological warfare research in Ukraine.

It raises serious questions about her judgment, Bolton said, reflecting a funhouse of mirrors view of American foreign policy that goes beyond normal political discourse in this country  and really is evidence of some kind of flaw, maybe even a character flaw, that she doesn't realize what she's saying.

But Gabbards allies say shes ready to go toe-to-toe with Bolton and likeminded critics, Republican and Democrat alike.

When it comes to Bolton & Co., they argue, they are simply out of touch with todays GOP  its Gabbard who is in lockstep with President-elect Donald Trump, who controversially met with authoritarian figures like Russias Vladimir Putin and North Koreas Kim Jong Un in his first term.

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John Bolton is irrelevant and him saying he would write in Dick Cheney for president this year should tell you everything you need to know about his disastrous and failed foreign policy instincts of never-ending wars and more American deaths, said transition spokesperson Alexa Henning.

Senate Republicans, however, are a different breed on foreign policy matters. Most are traditionally hawkish and aligned ideologically with Bolton. They will want to know if she will respect the assessments of intelligence community professionals  or substitute her own judgment in advising the president.

But Gabbards team says she is well-positioned to address any doubts.

 She already holds a Top Secret security clearance, one Senate Republican recently told us (and the Trump transition confirmed). The senator also noted that Gabbard was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve in 2021  years after her Syria trip. If this were a problem, then they would have had an investigation a long time ago and she wouldnt have the high-level clearance she has, one ally said.

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 Shes prepared to add context to some of her more controversial moments. Expect Gabbard to argue that meeting with Assad isnt the same as sympathizing with him, and she can point to instances where she called him a brutal dictator and made other frank assessments of his atrocities.

 Shes ready to make a broader case for her noninterventionist views and argue to senators that meetings like the one she had with Assad are critical to stopping endless wars. Shell argue that its her military service  not Russian propaganda  that shaped her worldview. Gabbard is in lockstep with President Trump and his statements on the events in Syria over the weekend, Henning said. This is why President Trump was re-elected to prevent endless wars and put America First.

 She has the backing of one prominent hawk in Graham, who called her extremely bright and capable last month. On the other side of the ideological spectrum, she has Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) in her corner. And her team says shes close with a cadre of former House members now in the Senate, including Lankford, Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska) and Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.).

 Shes looking to cross the aisle, or at least try: The former Bernie Sanders backer has tried to schedule meetings with at least some Intel Committee Democrats, so far to no avail. Still, her team has taken note that House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries was recently asked if she was a Russian agent, and he wouldnt go there. One nod she could conceivably get is from Sanders (I-Vt.)  who has expressed a willingness to support Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s HHS nomination but has kept mum on Gabbards.



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Tulsi Gabbards nomination as Donald Trumps director of national intelligence had largely gone under the radar, with critics taking aim at Pete Hegseth and Matt Gaetz.

But now shes the latest Trump administration pick to come under scrutiny over her colorful past.

With questions being raised about her links with Russia and Syria, the former Hawaii congresswoman met with senior Republicans on Capitol Hill on Monday in a bid to shore up her support.

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Gabbard, a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve, has defended now-deposed Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in interviews, saying he was not an enemy of the United States. She visited Assad in Damascus in 2017, four years after he was accused of gassing his own people.

Tulsi Gabbard: Assad is not the enemy of the United States pic.twitter.com/DOOfbNH4RR  Republicans against Trump (@RpsAgainstTrump) December 8, 2024

After Assad fled to Moscow with his family over the weekend, former Illinois GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger trolled her on X, writing: Wonder if @TulsiGabbard will offer Assad safe harbor at her house? They are great friends.

Wonder if @TulsiGabbard will offer Assad safe harbor at her house?



They are great friends https://t.co/vcrNbhNylI  Adam Kinzinger (Slava Ukraini)  (@AdamKinzinger) December 8, 2024

Former Trump National Security Adviser John Bolton also questioned Gabbards judgment, telling Politico that her idea of U.S. foreign policy was like a funhouse of mirrors.

He referenced her support for a Russian-backed conspiracy theory that the U.S. was researching biological warfare in Ukraine and said she had an inclination to believe the most outrageous propaganda against the United States by some of its strongest enemies.

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Bolton claimed that Gabbards worldview goes beyond normal political discourse in this countryand really is evidence of some kind of flaw, maybe even a character flaw, that she doesnt realize what shes saying.

In a bizarre twist, Russian state media backed Gabbard for Americas spy chief, a move that only served to fuel her critics.

She will need Senate confirmation to take up the role overseeing 18 intelligence agencies and managing a budget of more than $70 billion.

The former Democrat, who ran unsuccessfully for the partys presidential nomination in the 2020 election, was meeting on Monday with Sens. Mike Rounds (R-SD), James Lankford (R-OK), and Lindsey Graham (R-SC), who called her extremely bright and capable last month.

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Transition spokesperson Alexa Henning hit back at Bolton, telling Politico: John Bolton is irrelevant and him saying he would write in Dick Cheney for president this year should tell you everything you need to know about his disastrous and failed foreign policy instincts of never-ending wars and more American deaths.

Henning insisted Gabbard is in lockstep with President Trump and his statements on the events in Syria over the weekend. This is why President Trump was re-elected to prevent endless wars and put America First.
Mohammeds view

Syrian rebels stunned the world over the past 10 days, erupting from their small northeastern enclave, blitzing through the country, reclaiming their towns and cities, and forcing a dictator  who together with his father brutalized the country for 54 years  out of power.

I grew up in Aleppo, and left immediately after high school because I could. In 2012, I was living in New York, covering private equity, but aborted my career to document my peoples revolution. It was, and remains, a revolution: A complete reversal of the old order, a fight for freedom against tyranny that most people, even those in repressive states, cant imagine. Just look at the survivors emerging from dungeons across Syria  some just meters away from the trendy bars and cute shops that tourists cite when lamenting the countrys pre-war splendor.

I stopped covering the war in 2014, not disillusioned by Syrians but by a world that has forsaken them. In April 2013, I was the only journalist on the scene of a chemical weapons attack in Aleppo, months before the larger one near Damascus exposed that no number of dead Syrian civilians would trigger the Responsibility to Protect. As Fred Hof, the former US Special Envoy to Syria would say, the world allowed Never Again to become Well, maybe just this once.

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As rebels converged on Damascus on Saturday, the final negotiations among nations with stakes in Syria unfolded at the Doha Forum  held in opulent rooms of the Sheraton Hotel, renovated by Syrian construction contractors exiled by the war.

With Assad clinging to power, Sergey Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, was more scowl and jowls than when I covered him a decade ago. Back then, he saved the Obama administration from enforcing its redline by compelling Assad to relinquish his chemical weapons  which he still hasnt, and which he continued to use. Israel bombed chemical-weapons facilities shortly after he fled. Now, with Moscow bogged down in Ukraine, Lavrov was seeing the decades-long Assad project crumbling. During a forum interview, he bristled at Syria-related questions, preferring to lecture about Russias righteous invasion of Ukraine. You wish to drown me in Syria, he told the interviewer.

On Sunday, it was over. Turkey, Russia, and Iran expanded their contact group to include Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, and Iraq, negotiating late into Saturday night, calling for a political solution. Its still not clear what guarantees were made, what bits of Syrian sovereignty were traded to achieve the bloodless capture of Damascus.

Hakan Fidan, Turkeys foreign minister, strutted with the confidence of the victor. He blamed Assad for refusing to engage, to heed Ankaras warning of his fate. The former intelligence chief has been deeply involved in Syrias rebellion since the beginning, and knew better than anyone the capabilities of the rebel groups, and the strategy hatched by Hayat Tahrir al-Shams Ahmed al-Shara (better known as Abu Mohammed Al-Jolani), a former Al Qaeda commander who broke ties with the global network.

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In Doha, dozens of Syrians who have been lobbying for years to protect civilians and advocate for regime change were in a state of awe, relief, grief, and tremendous joy. They shared hugs, tears, and lingering questions about whats next.

A chart showing Syrias GDP per capita change against historic event of the last 75 years

Non-Syrians asked if I was worried  a strange question given the context. The world tolerated this regimes rule, ignored thousands languishing in dungeons, and allowed Syrians abroad to bear the financial burden of supporting those trapped inside with minimal dignity in their impoverished lives. Ive been worried since March 25, 2011, and terrified my entire life.

Will the weeks, months, or years ahead bring utopia? No. Will tyranny return? Perhaps. Could it be more brutal than what weve endured? Unimaginable.
Luigi Mangione, the man apprehended Monday on suspicion of killing United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, was found with a manifesto on his person. Two lines in the manifesto read, These parasites had it coming and I do apologize for any strife and trauma, but it had to be done, according to CNNs John Miller.

Mangione, 26, from Baltimore County, Maryland, was taken into custody at a Pennsylvania McDonalds on Monday. Mangione was found with a gun similar to the one used in Thompsons killing, several fake IDs, and the aforementioned manifesto.

More details from the manifesto have yet to be released, but the two lines may confirm what many suspected were the shooters personal vendetta against the health care company.

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His high schools valedictorian, Mangione went on to study at University of Pennsylvania, where he acquired a master of science in engineering and a bachelor of science in engineering degree in computer science.

Thompson was killed Wednesday morning, and police were looking for Mangione for five days. His social media profiles muddy the waters in regard to his personal politics and motive. His X account is full of posts about the future of AI, tech, altruism, and complaints about wokeism, and his header contains an image of the injury that may have possibly radicalized him. His Goodreads contains more left-leaning selections like The Lorax and Crooked: Outwitting the Back Pain Industry. He also reviewed the Unabombers book, writing that when all other forms of communication fail, violence is necessary to survive. You may not like his methods, but to see things from his perspective, its not terrorism, its war and revolution.

Mangione has yet to be charged.


Two people were injured, one seriously, after a one-car crash in Griswold on Sunday morning.

The crash occurred eastbound on Hell Hallow Road east of the Stone Hill intersection at 1:48 a.m. according to Connecticut State Police.

Police said a 38-year-old Voluntown man was the driver; he sustained minor injuries after his 2008 Honda Civic ran off the roadway on the left side and collided with rocks and then a standing tree. The driver was able to exit the car.

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However, the passenger, a 60-year-old Warwick, Rhode Island resident, was trapped in the vehicle. Both were transported to Backus Hospital. The passenger sustained serious injuries and was transferred to Hartford Hospital, according to Connecticut State Police.

The crash remains an active investigation. State police are asking anyone who may have witnessed this accident or has information pertaining to the accident to contact Trooper Timothy Wengloski at Troop E-Montville at (860) 848-6500 ext. 5 or by email at timothy.wengloski@ct.gov.
KIEV, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Monday that he discussed the prospects for freezing the Russia-Ukraine conflict with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, the UNIAN news agency reported.

"I told him that we want the war to end more than anyone else in the world. A diplomatic resolution would certainly save more lives, and we want that," Zelensky told reporters.

At the same time, he said that Ukraine requires additional weapons, including long-range systems, as well as an invitation to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to ensure its security.

Later in the day, Zelensky wrote on Telegram that if there is a "pause" while Ukraine is not in NATO, Kiev might consider French President Emmanuel Macron's proposal to deploy foreign troops on Ukrainian soil to guarantee security.

Zelensky also revealed plans to call U.S. President Joe Biden to discuss prospects for inviting Ukraine to NATO.

Zelensky, Trump and Macron met in Paris on Saturday on the sidelines of the inauguration ceremony of the restored Notre-Dame de Paris cathedral. 
Two men died Sunday in a wrong-way crash in northeast Kansas.

The crash was reported at 5:13 a.m. along Kansas Highway 4 in Jefferson County, Kansas Highway Patrol crash logs show.

Dylan Harvey, 28, of Topeka, was heading north in the southbound lanes of K-4 in a 2002 Chevy Silverado. At the same time, Gavin Royer, 33, of Valley Falls, was heading south on K-4 in a 2006 Jeep Wrangler. Harveys vehicle struck Royers head on, according to the KHP.

Both men died at the scene, the report said.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Authorities are investigating after two people were shot in an alleyway in the Rolando neighborhood Sunday.

According to the San Diego Police Department, a man and a women were sitting in their vehicle in the alley behind 7073 El Cajon Blvd. around 3:30 a.m. For reasons unknown, suspects approached the vehicle and fired multiple shots.

Both the man and woman were transported to a local hospital to be treated for non-life threatening injuries, police said.

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No further information, including suspect descriptions, were immediately available. Mid-City detectives will be handling the investigation.

Anyone with information related to the shooting is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.
Dec. 8 (UPI) -- The United States has committed an additional $1 billion in lethal assistance for Ukraine as the Biden administration seeks to surge weapons to Kyiv ahead of an uncertain future for the embattled ally after the Trump administration takes office next month.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin announced the package, valued at $988 million, Saturday during the Reagan National Defense Forum hosted in Simi Valley, Calif.

The package includes ammunition for High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, which have proven effective in the war against Russia, as well as drones and equipment, components and spare parts to maintain, repair and overhaul artillery systems, tanks and armored vehicles.

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The assistance comes from the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which is a U.S. program to supply weapons to Ukraine via defense company contracts.

The package represents roughly half of the $2.21 billion remaining in the USAI fund.

Roughly $8 billion in Congressional-approved funds still remain available to the Biden administration, which has been the largest backer of Ukraine in its war against Russia.

The Biden administration is expect to keep surging weapons to Ukraine as the future of U.S. support for Kyiv is uncertain. The White House is to be handed over Jan. 20 to President-elect Donald Trump, who has criticized funding Ukraine and is widely expected to pursue a more nationalistic agenda than his predecessor.

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He has also said he could end the nearly three-year-old war in 24 hours.

"We can continue to stand up to the Kremlin. Or we can let [Russian President Vladimir] Putin have his way -- and condemn our children and grandchildren to live in a world of chaos and conflict," Austin said Saturday.

"This administration has made its choice. And so has a bipartisan coalition in Congress. The next administration must make its own choice."

Saturday's announcement is the 22nd USAI package announced by the Niden administration.

Since the war began with Russia's invasion of Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022, the United States has committed more than $62 billion to Kyiv.
Vandalized vehicle belonging to University of Michigan Regent Jordan Acker. Dec. 9, 2024. Facebook photo by permission

The sound of shattering glass rang through the house as one of University of Michigan Regent Jordan Ackers young daughters ran into her parents room early Monday morning.

Acker told Michigan Advance that he ran downstairs to find that someone threw Mason jars through the front window of his Oakland County home, shattering the glass. Police believe the jars were filled with urine, Acker added.

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And the vandalism didnt end there as Acker said he ran outside to see the words Divest and Free Palestine spray painted in red on his wifes car.

But it was the upside down triangle beside the words that particularly disturbed Acker as the symbol has become synonymous with attacks by Hamas as a symbol to mark Israeli targets and has been used internationally in crimes against Jewish officials like himself.

Broken window at the home of University of Michigan Regent Jordan Acker after vandals struck overnight. Dec. 9, 2024. Photo from Jordan Acker

Those are symbols used by Hamas as a threat, to show what are legitimate military targets. Im not a legitimate military target for Hamas. Im not a legitimate military target for anybody. Im a University Trustee in a Midwestern state, Acker said. This whole idea that Im somehow responsible, because Im Jewish, for the behavior of a government that I dont necessarily support is, quite frankly, absurd. Its absurd, and its antisemitic.

This is the third time this year where Acker has been the target of pro-Palestinian vandalism

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In June Free Palestine, and Fk you Acker, were spray-painted on the building and sidewalk in front of the law offices of Goodman Acker P.C in Southfield, the firm where Acker is a partner.

Acker is one of the eight Regents for Michigans largest university and while leadership at the University of Michigan has faced public outcry from the university community to divest from companies pro-Palestine protesters say are profiting from the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, Acker said other officials arent facing the same backlash.

I know that Im being targeted because Im Jewish, Acker said, adding that there are seven other regents, some of which have far more notability than him in the state.

The month before his law firm was vandalized, Acker reported that a masked intruder came to the door of his home in the middle of the night with a list of demands.

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The other regents also had list of demands delivered to their homes in May with demonstrators appearing outside of the Meridian Township home of the Chair of the Board of Regents Sarah Hubbard who had protestors chanting through bullhorns and placing what appeared to be fake corpses wrapped in bloodied sheets, and stuffed animals covered in red paint, on her porch and around the outside of her house.

At the time Gov. Gretchen Whitmer told the Advance in a statement that she was concerned with the increase of acts of intimidation and threats against students and board members at schools.

The hateful rhetoric weve seen on some college campuses across the country is unacceptable, especially when it becomes unsafe for students and faculty or targeted toward communities. I know many in the Arab-American and Jewish communities in Michigan are experiencing an enormous amount of pain, and these acts do not represent the good people in both communities in our state, Whitmer said. Thats why we must work together to de-escalate and turn down the heat.

After Acker shared what happened at his home Monday morning, several elected officials in Michigan shared their vocal support for Acker, condemning the vandalism.

Glass from a window broken at the home of University of Michigan Regent Jordan Acker. Dec. 9, 2024. Facebook photo by permission

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Democratic U.S. Representative and U.S. Senator-elect Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly) lamented in a statement that this is the third time in six months Acker has been targeted.

This is targeted hate meant to intimidate and threaten him and his family, and law enforcement has a responsibility to move quickly to connect the dots and do something about it, Slotkin said. This is not activism or free speech on behalf of a cause  indeed this criminal activity undercuts the very cause they purport to care about.

Michigans Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, who is expected to enter into the 2026 race for Michigan Governor declared on X that what happened to Acker was an act of hate, which has no place in Michigan.

Jordan Acker is a dedicated public servant, and he and his family should be safe in their home and their community, Benson said. This is yet another horrific example of the rising antisemitism in our state and our country. These threats, violence, and vandalism are unacceptable.

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County Executive for Oakland County David Coulter called what happened an antisemitic attack adding that such acts of violence and vandalism have no place in the county, while former Michigan Republican Congressman Peter Meijer called it another disgusting antisemitic attack which if left unchecked by political leaders could escalate to physical violence.

Local law enforcement, Michigan State Police and Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel have taken the acts of intimidation towards university community members and Jewish officials seriously, Acker said, but hes disappointed beyond belief with the local FBI and the U.S. Attorneys Office who he says dont seem to be recognizing the incidents as hate crimes. He said as of Monday afternoon, neither entity has contacted him to inquire further on the incidents.

Acker has been seen being accosted by pro-Palestine protests across the state for the last year, from a rally for Vice President Kamala Harris presidential campaign to the state Democratic partys nominating convention. Its been isolating to watch people he thought were his friends be silent, Acker said.

I think thats been the hardest part to deal with, is hearing from people who you stood with event after event during the first Trump administration, justifying criminal behavior against you, Acker said. But the biggest thing isfor every jerk who sends me messages that I deserve this or something, theres 10 people who are disgusted. And frankly, the community that has been showing a lot of their allyship has been the Arab American community.
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill.  A 37-year-old man was arrested by U.S. Marshals last week in connection to the shooting death of a 16-year-old and later charged with first-degree murder.

According to Illinois State Police, John Mosley, 37, of Belleville, Illinois, was arrested for the fatal shooting in the 3000 block of Converse Avenue in East St. Louis on October 30.

When East St. Louis Police responded to a request for a homicide investigation, they found the 16-year-old victim struck by gunfire. The victim was taken to a local hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

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After investigation, ISP agents identified Mosley as a suspect for the victims death. Mosley was charged on Friday with first-degree murder, aggravated discharge of a firearm, and felon in possession of a firearm stemming from a deadling shooting.

Mosley is being held at the St. Clair County Jail.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A man who was wanted for murder in Mississippi was taken into custody in Memphis by the U.S. Marshals Service, reports say.

Tony Lott, 18, is accused of shooting Jerrian King to death in Greenville, Miss. on October 25.

Tony Lott (Courtesy of the U.S. Marshals Service)

According to the U.S. Marshals, five days after the deadly shooting, a murder warrant was issued for Lott. The case was then adopted by the USMS Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force in Mississippi.

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 See more breaking news, local news and weather from WREG.com for Memphis and the Mid-South.

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Reports say the Gulf Coast Regional Task Force developed information that Lott was in the Memphis area and the investigation was turned over to the USMS Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force in Memphis.

On December 5, Lott was found in an apartment in the 3000 block off East Point Cove in Memphis. He was taken into custody and is now awaiting extradition back to Mississippi.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- Moscow said that the United Nations Security Council held a closed-door emergency session at its request Monday to discuss the "fluid situation in Syria" following the fall of the regime of Bashar al-Assad over the weekend.

"The Council, I think, was more or less united on the need to preserve the territorial integrity and unity of Syria, to ensure the protection of civilians, to ensure that humanitarian aid is coming," Russian U.N. ambassador Vassili Nebenzia told reporters.

First Deputy Permanent Representative to the U.N., Dmitry Polyansky, made the announcement in a social media post saying the closed-door meeting of the 15 member-country body took place Monday afternoon in New York City.

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"In connection with the latest events in Syria, the depth and consequences of which for this country and the entire region have yet to be realized, Russia has requested urgent closed consultations of the U.N. Security Council," said Polyansky.

He said, in particular, Moscow wanted to raise the issue of the U.N.'s mandate to uphold a 50-year-old cease-fire between Israeli and Syrian troops in the Golan Heights via the U.N. Disengagement Observer Force.

The U.N. meeting comes a day after Israeli forces seized a buffer zone in the eastern part of the Golan Heights, which is claimed by both countries, established in the agreement with Syria that was signed in May 1974 following the Yom Kippur War the previous fall.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Sunday that the Agreement on Disengagement between Israeli and Syrian forces had collapsed as Syrian troops had abandoned their positions.

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The U.S.-brokered agreement provided for an area of separation and for two equal zones of limited forces and armaments on both sides of the area, and called for the establishment of a United Nations observer force to supervise its implementation.

"This is a historic day in the history of the Middle East. We will not allow any hostile force to establish itself on our border," Netanyahu said.

Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that it had deployed troops in the buffer zone and in a number of areas that are "necessary to defend, in order to ensure the security of the communities in the Golan Heights and the citizens of Israel."

"We emphasize that the IDF is not interfering with the internal events in Syria. The IDF will continue to operate as long as necessary in order to preserve the buffer zone and defend Israel and its civilians."

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However, Israel and the United States carried out scores of airstrikes inside Syria in the past 24 hours -- the Americans attacking Islamic State leaders, operatives and camps to prevent the group from taking "advantage of the current situation to reconstitute in central Syria" and the IDF apparently targeting "strategic weapons systems."

"The only interest we have is the security of Israel and its citizens. That's why we attacked strategic weapons systems, like, for example, remaining chemical weapons, or long-range missiles and rockets, in order that they will not fall in the hands of extremists," said Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar.

CNN, which has reporters on the ground in Damascus, reported airstrikes in Damascus in the early hours of Monday morning but said it was not immediately clear who had carried out the strikes.

The Pentagon said in a statement that U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin had spoken with his Turkish counterpart, Yasar Guler, with the pair calling on Syrian opposition forces to actively "protect civilians, including ethnic and religious minorities, and abide by international humanitarian norms."

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Austin emphasized that the United States was closely watching the statements and actions of the various opposition groups and that he and Guler agreed the importance of close coordination between the United States and Turkey to prevent further escalation of an "already volatile situation, as well as to avoid any risk to U.S. forces and partners, and volatile situation, as well as to avoid any risk to U.S. forces and partners, and the 'Defeat-ISIS Mission.'"

On Monday, President Joe Biden spoke with King Abdullah II of Jordan as the president offered his full support for a Syrian-led transition process under the auspices of the United Nations as outlined in the U.N. Security Council Resolution 2254, according to a White House statement.

Biden also discussed the situation in eastern Syria and the U.S. commitment to the D-ISIS mission, including the strikes conducted last night against a concentration of ISIS fighters.

During the call, Biden maintained U.S. support for Jordan's role in de-escalating tensions throughout the Middle East, as the two leaders also discussed the situation in Gaza and the urgent need to secure a cease-fire and hostage release agreement.

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Gen. Michael Kurilla, commander of the U.S. Central Command, visited Jordan on Monday to meet with Maj. Gen. Yousef Al-Hunaiti, chairman of the Jordanian Joint Chiefs of Staff. The two discussed efforts to enhance regional security and military cooperation in Syria. Kurilla vowed U.S. support for Jordan "should any threats arise from Syria during the current period of transition," according to U.S. CENTCOM.

A Biden administration official said Washington would be talking with regional leaders and contacts across the spectrum of Syrian society, including opposition groups and groups currently in exile "to establish and help wherever we can a transition away from the Assad regime towards an independent, sovereign Syria that can serve the interests of all Syrians under the rule of law."

The official said the United States had been "watching very closely" to see if rebel leaders' promises were "translated into actions on the ground," a reference to assurances from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani that calm will be preserved and of a smooth political transition.

As recently as 2017, Washington was offering a $10 million reward for information "leading to the identification or location" of Al-Jawlani due to the group's al-Qaida links.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  A University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences researcher has been awarded $3.3 million from the National Institute of Drug Abuse to study treatment options for treating post-traumatic stress disorder in prisoners.

Officials said the study will examine the benefits of using cognitive processing therapy (CPT) versus the more typical trauma-focused self-help for addressing PTSD. UAMS professor of psychiatry and director of the Health and the Legal System Lab Melissa Zielinski will lead the study in 10 prisons across five states.

University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences receives $11 million grant for clinical, building additions and upgrades

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CPT has been effective in treating other types of PTSD brought on by such events as child abuse, combat, rape and natural disasters. Zielinski has spent the last five years researching CPT and its value to those with PTSD and substance use disorders in two correction centers in Arkansas. She sees this new multistate study as a way to identify new strategies for helping to break longstanding cycles of trauma, addiction and incarceration that characterize the nations prisons more broadly.

Officials said roughly 5.5 million adults in the United States are either incarcerated or under correctional supervision. Approximately 85% of those individuals have an active substance use disorder or were imprisoned for a drug-related crime.

Trumps deportation plans worry families with relatives in US illegally

PTSD and substance use disorders increase the risk of those formerly incarcerated being arrested repeatedly, according to Zielinski. Despite this fact, few prisons in the U.S. provide PTSD therapy for persons in custody.

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Weve known for decades that people who become incarcerated have almost all experienced repeated trauma exposure, and that a much greater percentage of this population have PTSD than we see in the general community, Zielinski said. But we havent yet done is taken that knowledge and systematically studied our evidence-based therapies for PTSD in prisons.

Panel rejects psychedelic drug MDMA as a PTSD treatment in possible setback for advocates

The study will enroll over 600 incarcerated adults, male and female and about 100 prison staff members.

When I talk to people who work inside prisons, there is almost always immediate buy-in about the role that trauma exposure and PTSD play in people coming to prison and struggling to succeed post-release, Zielinski said. They see it every day. This study is an opportunity to build knowledge on therapy with a real potential to disrupt that cycle, improving the health of people in prison, their families and the community.

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Health insurance nonprofit UCare has closed its corporate offices in Minneapolis and Duluth following a "concerning comment" on Friday.

UCare spokesperson Wendy Wicks said the company received a "concerning comment" late Friday evening. Details of the comment have not been shared.

It comes as health insurers tighten security following the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City.

UCare offices on Stinson Blvd., Minneapolis.Google Streetview

"Out of an abundance of caution, we decided to close our offices for a week," Wick said. "Employees will work from home as UCare takes every precaution to protect our team."

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Wick said that while they are unaware of any threat to its offices or team, the police were notified of the call.

Police have continued searching for the shooter, and as of Monday morning, it's being reported they are questioning a man in Pennsylvania.

Related: UnitedHealthcare CEO killing: Police questioning man in Pennsylvania, report says
A woman purchases a fan at the Chinese booth during the 17th International Charity Bazaar in Warsaw, Poland, Dec. 8, 2024.

More than 50 embassies in Poland joined the event, with proceeds from the sales to be donated to 16 Polish charitable organizations. (Xinhua/Xia Yuanyi)

Staff from the Chinese Embassy in Poland participate in the 17th International Charity Bazaar in Warsaw, Poland, Dec. 8, 2024.

More than 50 embassies in Poland joined the event, with proceeds from the sales to be donated to 16 Polish charitable organizations. (Xinhua/Xia Yuanyi)
The United Kingdom has announced a new wave of sanctions aimed at what it says is illegal gold trading that is financing Russia's military actions in Ukraine.

Source: Reuters

Details: UK authorities have frozen the assets belonging to five individuals: four linked to gold smuggling operations and one accused of buying Russian gold valued at over US$300 million.

The UK and other major Western economies have banned imports of new Russian gold in 2022 following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

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Last week, the UK, working together with the United States, announced that it had disrupted a global money laundering network used by wealthy Russians to avoid sanctions.

Background:

On 7 November, the UK announced new sanctions against the Russian defence industry and Russian-backed mercenary groups in its biggest package of anti-Russian restrictions since May 2023.

On 17 October, sanctions were imposed on 18 Russian oil tankers and four liquefied natural gas tankers.

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(Bloomberg) -- UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting has been accused of uncomradely behaviour toward a former Cabinet colleague, in the latest case of tensions between Labour government factions spilling into the open.

Most Read from Bloomberg

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Streeting  an outspoken Blairite known for his calls to overhaul the public health system  is facing an internal Labour Party complaint over jokes he made about outgoing Transport Secretary Louise Haigh at a Westminster dinner last week. Haigh was seen as one of the most high-profile representatives of the so-called soft left in Prime Minister Keir Starmers government before her resignation last month.

The former Transport chief became the first Cabinet minister to leave her post after it emerged that she received a criminal conviction for incorrectly telling police that a work phone was stolen during a mugging in 2013. Haighs then-employer, Aviva Plc, investigated her after she said company mobile phones had been stolen or lost on repeated occasions, the Times newspaper reported, a claim that Haighs aides did not deny.

Days after Haighs resignation, Streeting hosted the Spectator magazines Parliamentarian of the Year awards, a glitzy Westminster dinner often associated with barbed jokes from the politicians who attend. In his speech, Streeting said there had been a spate of bike thefts around Westminster lately. Police urge vigilance, as a photograph of Haigh riding a bike appeared on the screen behind him. No, seriously, I love Louise, Streeting went on. And Im going to call her tomorrow on one of her phones.

While the joke was met with laughter in the room, several Labour government and party figures told Bloomberg afterward that they found it inappropriate. A Labour member of a local council subsequently filed a complaint with the party accusing Streeting of bullying, defamation/libel and uncomradely behavior.

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The complaint, which has been seen by Bloomberg, notes that Labours bullying and harassment policy covers derogatory remarks, jokes, insults, offensive language, gossip and slander and argues that Streetings comments come entirely within this category.

A person close to Streeting said the health secretary considered Haigh a friend and that his remark was clearly intended as a joke. The Labour Party said in a statement that all complaints are thoroughly assessed in line with our rules and procedures. Still, a person familiar with the process said they didnt expect any further action to be taken.

Labours official complaints process was overhauled at the start of Starmers leadership as part of legally mandated changes ordered by the Equality and Human Rights Commission following its investigation into anti-Semitism in the party under the previous leader, Jeremy Corbyn. The commission found that political interference in the complaints process had been unlawful and mandated a new system.

This is not the first time in recent weeks that Streeting has caused internal consternation over his public comments. The prime minister personally met with Streeting last month to express his displeasure with his health chiefs vocal opposition to a bill to allow assisted dying.

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Streeting has embraced his status as a standard-bearer for the right wing of the Labour Party, which Starmer moved to the center ahead of his landslide election victory over the Conservatives in July. Streeting joked at the dinner hosted by the right-leaning Spectator that he was a real Tory.

He also took swipes at Energy Secretary Ed Miliband and Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner  the other two soft left members of the Cabinet  describing Starmer ally Pat McFadden as the deputy prime minister, while Rayner looked on. She later quipped in her own speech that you and me are in competition, Wes, openly acknowledging that she and Streetig are seen as rivals to succeed Starmer when he steps aside.

Were not really, she quickly added.

(Updates with comment from Streeting ally in seventh paragraph.)

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The UK is nearly as divided between the political Right and Left as the US, according to a new study.

The research by Dame Sara Khan, the Governments former counter-extremism tsar, found the UK had the highest levels of polarisation between the two groups outside the US.

She warned there was decreasing societal cohesion and resilience which was contributing to a permissive environment that extremists could exploit.

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The percentage of people who viewed Muslims as having completely different values had increased from 38 per cent to 44 per cent following the summer riots after the Southport murder of three girls at a Taylor Swift dance class.

Around eight in 10 (80 per cent) of Jews felt less safe in Britain than before the Oct 7 Hamas terror attack on Israel which claimed the lives of more than 1,200 people.

Forty-five per cent of those questioned said they almost never trusted the government to put the nations interests first, regardless of the party in power. This was up from 23 per cent in 2020. Only 41 per cent of people trusted their neighbours.

Out of 28 countries, the UK was the least trusting at 39 per cent, down from 43 per cent last year. The study published by Crest Insights, an independent think tank that specialises in the criminal justice system, found the UK had the least trust in the media.

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Around 43 per cent of people described Britain as declining and a further 25 per cent said it was weak.

Risk of gradual democratic decline

Ms Khans report warned of a boiling pot of issues facing the Government fuelled by socio-economic and political issues.

These included the ongoing cost of living crisis, legitimate concerns about the scale and pace of immigration, global events such as the conflict in Gaza, and hostile foreign state interference, she said.

The spread of extremist and conspiratorial narratives, persistent extremist actors, rising polarisation, severe distrust of our institutions and weakening democratic resilience is, among other things, contributing to an increased risk of gradual democratic decline and extremism being mainstreamed in society, said Ms Khan.

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This poses a long-term and chronic threat to the well-being and functioning of our democracy and requires a new and strategic approach.

The Government lacks a dedicated strategy to address declining democratic resilience and the mainstreaming of extremist and conspiratorial narratives.

Relevant existing policies including the Prevent programme, counter-extremism, and social integration, have failed to prevent long-term extremism concerns or address what are now chronic trends. This is untenable. Nothing short of a radical approach is now needed in government policy to effectively address these emerging challenges.

Ms Khan proposed establishing a new Cabinet Office directorate to ensure Whitehall developed a much-needed strategic and analytical approach to preventing democratic decline, building societal resilience and cohesion, and counter extremism and other related threats.

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She said the Government should also commit to developing a multi-agency partnership and referral mechanism aimed at under-18s who are displaying extremist behaviours and who fall below the terrorism threshold.

Her report highlighted how nearly three-quarters (73 per cent) of 16 to 24-year-olds had encountered hateful, violent, extremist or terrorist content on social media.

Nearly half (45 per cent) of young men had a positive view of misogynistic influencer Andrew Tate while one in 10 shared the views of people who engaged in violent disorder and rioting during the summer and had sympathy for the use of violence against refugees. Around eight per cent believed violent protest outside refugee accommodation was justified.

Ms Khan said: It would be tempting to limit reform to publishing a new counter-extremism strategy, making minor adjustments to the Prevent programme and producing a social cohesion strategy.

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This would, however, represent outdated thinking and result in a continuation of a disjointed and siloed approach across government departments with continuing gaps in knowledge, policy and delivery. Such an approach will not meet the challenge that lies ahead.

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LONDON (Reuters) -Britain paused decisions on Syrian asylum claims on Monday, a government spokesperson said, after rebel forces seized the capital of Damascus over the weekend.

"The Home Office has temporarily paused decisions on Syrian asylum claims whilst we assess the current situation," a spokesperson from the interior ministry said in a statement.

"We keep all country guidance relating to asylum claims under constant review so we can respond to emerging issues.

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The UK decision comes after Germany, Austria and other European countries ordered a halt to asylum applications by Syrians after President Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia following 13 years of civil war.

The war forced millions of Syrians to flee the country.

Most went to Turkey and other neighbouring nations but Syrians also made up a large proportion of the more than a million people who fled to Germany and Austria during the European migration crisis of 2015 and 2016.

In the UK, by the end of February 2021, more than 20,000 Syrian refugees had been resettled under a government scheme, according to the Refugee Council.

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Speaking separately, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy warned that events in Syria could trigger more migration into European states depending on what comes next in the country.

"Seeing so many start to return to Syria is a positive sign for their hopes for a better future now that Assad is gone," Lammy told parliament.

"But a lot depends on what happens now. This flow into Syria could quickly become a flow back out and potentially increase the numbers using dangerous illegal migration routes to continental Europe and the United Kingdom."

(Reporting by Muvija M and Catarina Demony; editing by William James and Christina Fincher)
Ukraine is assembling a coalition of partners to create a working group aimed at bolstering its defense and forming a united diplomatic stance on ending the war, the president's spokesperson Serhii Nykyforov said on Dec. 9, as reported by Ukrainska Pravda.

"These are countries with long-range capabilities, significant investments in Ukrainian weapons production, and influence over Ukraines future NATO membership," Nykyforov said.

The group will include Ukraines strongest European allies alongside the United States.

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A meeting of participating nations is planned for December to coordinate their positions and ensure Ukraines strength both in negotiations and on the battlefield.

The announcement coincided with German opposition leader Friedrich Merzs visit to Kyiv.

At a joint press conference with President Volodymyr Zelensky, Merz proposed a contact group comprising Germany, France, the U.K., and Poland to coordinate Europes strategy for ending the war and aligning it with U.S. policies.

Zelensky endorsed the proposal, emphasizing the importance of unity among allies in crafting a clear vision for Ukraines security and the diplomatic resolution of the conflict.

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Read also: Zelensky may consider deployment of foreign peacekeepers in Ukraine to ensure ceasefire

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Ukrainian forces say they are now using Sea Baby drone boats armed with heavy machine guns. The Security Service of Ukraine says the machine gun-toting uncrewed watercraft engaged Russian Flanker-series fighters, Mi-8/Mi-17 Hip helicopters, and Raptor patrol boats during a recent attack on targets on the occupied Crimean Peninsula around the Kerch Bridge.

The Security Service of Ukraine (SSU, also known by its Ukrainian abbreviation SBU) released a video earlier today, seen below, that it said showed views through the targeting systems on the machine gun-equipped Sea Baby uncrewed surface vessels (USVs) during the attack on the Kerch Bay area on the night of December 5-6. Kamikaze drones were also reportedly involved in the attack, the results of which are not immediately clear. The SSU/SBU has been using Sea Baby USVs for more than a year now and the family has grown to include baseline kamikaze types and other versions with mounted rocket launchers.

Intercepted Russian radio communication indicates that there are killed and wounded on board the helicopters. The helicopters themselves were significantly damaged and now require major repairs, according to a machine translation of the caption accompanying the SSU/SBU video on YouTube. Also, SBU drones hit a barge carrying military equipment and equipment for the repair of the Crimean Bridge, which the occupiers are still unsuccessfully trying to restore after previous bombings by the Ukrainian special services.

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The War Zone has not been able to immediately verify these claims independently. The video does show Mi-8/Mi-17-series helicopters (as seen at the top of this story) and patrol boats being fired on. A Flanker-type fighter is also seen at one point appearing to conduct a strafing run, but the footage does not clearly show the jet being engaged in return. The exact model of Flanker is unclear, but it appears most likely to be an Su-30SM variant from what can be seen, including its forward canards. Russian Su-30SMs regularly operate over and around the Black Sea including in sorties against Ukrainian maritime forces.

Screen captures from SSU/SBU video showing, at left, a Flanker-series fighter conducting what looks to be a strafing run (muzzle flash appears to be visible) and, at right, a better look at the jet as it pulls away. SSU/SBU captures

A grainy screen capture from the SSU/SBU video said to show another boat in the sights of a gun-armed Sea Baby. SSU/SBU capture

When it comes to the actual weapon systems on the Sea Babies, they are equipped with large-caliber machine guns of unspecified types and with ballistic programs for automatic guidance and auto-capture of targets, according to the SSU/SBU video caption. These water drones were manufactured as a result of joint fundraising with UNITED24, monobank, Oleg Gorokhovsky, Sergey Sternenko, and Igor Lachen in February of this year.

The video shows views through electro-optical and infrared cameras, along with a targeting reticle and general user interface in line with that seen on remote weapon stations designed for use on ground vehicles and ships. No external views showing the weapon system installed on the drone boats, which could offer more insight into its capabilities, have emerged so far.

Whether the gun-armed Sea Babies are also equipped to act as kamikaze drone boats or are intended to be recovered and reused is unknown.

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As already noted, this is not the first time that Sea Babies have emerged with additional external armament in addition to their internal explosive payloads. The SSU/SBU has employed versions armed with infantry-type shoulder-fired rocket launchers (reportedly RPV-16s loaded with rockets with thermobaric warheads) and 122mm Grad artillery rockets in the past.

A Sea Baby fired a 122mm Grad artillery rocket during testing ashore. SSU/SBU

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A Ukrainian Sea Baby USV is firing rockets pic.twitter.com/wbDExAfSPo          (@TheDeadDistrict) January 1, 2024

Ukraines Defense Intelligence Directorate (also known by the Ukrainian abbreviation GUR) has also employed Magura V USVs, which are broadly similar in form and function to the Sea Baby, armed with R-73 air-to-air missiles modified for use as surface-to-air weapons.

Undated footage of the crew of a Russian BSF's Kamov Ka-29 helicopter attempting to destroy a Ukrainian unmanned surface vehicle (USV), which appears to be equipped with a Soviet-era R-73 air-to-air missile (modified for launches from USVs).



As the video ends, the Ukrainian USV pic.twitter.com/EbZdYIZsvA  Status-6 (Military & Conflict News) (BlueSky too) (@Archer83Able) October 23, 2024

The appearance of the machine gun-equipped Sea Babies makes sense. Ukrainian USVs have proven to be a scourage to Russian naval operations in and around the Black Sea. They also present real threats to vessels in port, as well as bridges and other coastal infrastructure.

 /1. Ukrainian sea kamikaze drones attack and destroy Russian Guided Missile Corvette Ivanovets. Tonight. https://t.co/zoBlutzDb3pic.twitter.com/jBs61hXQhb  Special Kherson Cat   (@bayraktar_1love) February 1, 2024

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At the same time, Russias forces have been steadily developing and employing new tactics, techniques, and procedures for countering these drone boats from the air and the sea, as is clear from the SSU/SBUs newly released video. The Russian military has also been implementing a still-growing array of defense measures against drone attacks from the sea and the air, as well as other threats, around the Kerch Bridge and other high-value targets in Crimea and elsewhere in the region. Reports of major Ukrainian USV attacks have notably slowed in recent months. As noted earlier, it remains unclear what damage the Ukrainian attack last week caused to Russian targets in the Kerch area.

The emergence of the R-73-armed Magura Vs earlier this year already reflected increased aerial threats to Ukraines USV operations. As The War Zone has highlighted in the past, the rocket-armed Sea Babies would also provide an additional way to still be able to prosecute attacks, at least on some level, in the face of expanding Russian defenses.

Still, there are questions about the effectiveness of the new gun-toting Sea Babies and the general utility of employing the USVs armed in this way. The drone boats are already understood to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars apiece before the addition of the new weapon systems, which would be lost by design if they are still intended to end their missions in a kamikaze attack. Ukrainian decision-making regarding the allocation of its resources now comes amid renewed concerns about the future flow of military aid from the West, especially the United States.

If nothing else, the new Sea Baby developments highlight the continued speed of iteration when it comes to uncrewed systems across domains being employed by both sides of ongoing the conflict in Ukraine. Whether gun armament ultimately proves worthwhile, Ukrainian forces are clearly continuing to explore ways to challenge Russian countermeasures to their USV operations.

Contact the author: joe@twz.com
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told German chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz in Kyiv on Monday that the Ukrainian side expects Berlin to strengthen Ukraine's long-range capability.

Source: Zelenskyy, quoted by the Interfax-Ukraine news agency, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The Ukrainian president thanked Germany for "the aid provided by the German government and parliamentarians, people who have been hosting Ukrainians since the beginning of the war."

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At the same time, the President noted: "We are counting on the strengthening of Ukraine's long-range capability."

The Presidential Administration's press service noted that both Zelenskyy and Merz agreed that "Ukraine can be strengthened by long-range capabilities and an invitation to NATO." The statement does not explicitly mention Taurus missiles, but Ukraine has long been asking Germany to provide these long-range weapons, the idea that Chancellor Olaf Scholz has been opposing.

Instead, Friedrich Merz, whose chances to become the next German chancellor after the February elections are recognised as very high, supports the transfer of these cruise missiles to Ukraine.

Background:

Recently, Scholz accused Merz of taking too many risks in supporting Ukraine, including the possible delivery of Taurus.

Merz suggested that Scholz, together with the UK and France, should issue an ultimatum to Putin, the failure to comply with which would mean that Ukraine could be provided with Taurus.

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TALLINN, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission has approved Estonia's 2.6 billion euros (2.8 billion U.S. dollars) program to support offshore wind farms by offering these power plants a guaranteed price for the electricity they produce.

Brussels' permission gives the green light to hold auctions with the lowest price, before which a number of amendments to the legislation will also need to be made, reported on Monday the Estonian Public Broadcasting (ERR), citing the Ministry of Climate.

The offshore wind farm program aims to support the transition to a climate-neutral economy. It will provide support for the construction and operation of these power plants in Estonia's maritime zone.

The permit allows Estonia to enter into guaranteed electricity price agreements with power plant operators for 20 years. The maximum subsidy amount is two terawatt-hours of electricity per year.

Under this scheme, the market price of electricity sold by an offshore wind farm will be compared with the performance price of the contract.

If the market price is lower than the price fixed in the contract, the state will pay the difference to the power plant, but not more than 65 euros per megawatt-hour (6.5 cents per kilowatt-hour). If the market price is higher than the price in the contract, then the difference will be returned by the power plant.

It is planned that the government will order the Ministry of Climate to hold such auctions in April 2025. New onshore wind farms must begin producing electricity by 2029, and offshore wind farms by the end of 2033. (1 euro = 1.06 U.S. dollar) 
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes the regime of Bashar al-Assad in Syria collapsed because nearly 800,000 Russian troops are deployed in Ukraine.

Source: Zelenskyy prior to his meeting with Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine

Quote: "We see that Assads regime has fallen. Why? Because there are no considerable Russian troops there. Lets be honest. And not just because of the efforts of the rebels and their supporters, but also because there are no considarable Russian forces there."

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Details: The president stated that nearly 800,000 Russian troops are currently in Ukraine: "This means that the entire army of the large pseudo-empire is fighting against the Ukrainian people. The same applies to Africa. We know that Wagnerites [fighters of the Russian state-funded Wagner Private Military Company  ed.] were there."

Zelenskyy added that Russian forces aim to ensure their regimes maintain influence on the African continent.

The president emphasised that if Ukraine falls, "Putin will come back to Syria, Africa and many other countries."

To prevent this, Zelenskyy stressed the importance of global unity in supporting Ukraines success.

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President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Kyiv may consider French President Emmanuel Macron's idea for the future deployment of Western military forces in Ukraine, despite the fact that Ukraine is not a NATO member.

Source: Interfax-Ukraine

Quote: "I'll be honest: we can think about and work on Emmanuel's position. Remember, he suggested that some of the forces of one country or another be stationed on specific Ukrainian territory to ensure security until Ukraine joins NATO."

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Details: At the same time, the president said, there should be certain conditions for this.

"But we must have a clear understanding of when Ukraine will join the EU and when Ukraine will join NATO," Zelenskyy stressed.

Background: At the end of November, Le Monde reported that discussions on deploying Western troops and private defence contractors to Ukraine resumed in Europe after Donald Trump's victory in the US elections.

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Ukraine is currently forming a list of partners to join a working group aimed at strengthening its defence and shaping a unified position on diplomatically ending the war.

Source: European Pravda; Presidents spokesperson Serhii Nykyforov in comment to journalists

Details: Nykyforov revealed that Kyiv is now bringing together key European partners who, along with the United States, "can provide the maximum strengthening of our country".

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Quote: "The final list of participants is still being finalised, but these are countries with long-range capabilities, countries making significant investments in Ukrainian weapons production and countries pivotal to Ukraines future in NATO."

The spokesperson announced that Ukraine plans to hold a meeting of these countries in December "to coordinate and develop a unified position" to ensure Ukraine's strength "in any scenario  both at the negotiation table and on the battlefield".

The creation of the group was discussed during a joint press conference held by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Friedrich Merz, the leader of Germanys opposition, who visited Kyiv on 9 December.

Merz proposed establishing a contact group comprising Germany, France, Poland and the United Kingdom to exchange ideas on ending the war in Ukraine and "develop a joint vision alongside the United States".

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Zelenskyy responded that Ukraine is already organizing such a group and, in addition to the mentioned countries, hopes for Denmarks participation, with the first meeting planned for December.

The president previously stated that Ukraine requires a just and strong peace that Russians cannot dismantle in a few years, as they have done before.

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The countries contributing to the International Cooperation Account for Chornobyl have announced the allocation of about 7 million to develop the Chornobyl exclusion zone.

Source: Svitlana Hrynchuk, Minister of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, on Facebook

"Canada has announced its plans to transfer 5 million from the fund recently closed in Russia. The European Commission is adding 1.7 million to the 5 million that was previously provided. Belgium's contribution will also be added," Svitlana Hrynchuk said at a meeting of the Assembly of Depositors of the account organised by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

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The Ukrainian minister reports that the depositors' funds will be used to restore the equipment of the Chornobyl Nuclear Power Plant that was destroyed and damaged during the Russian occupation.

The Minister assured that work on restoring the Chornobyl zone will continue. On 5 June, the law of Ukraine on the ratification of the Framework Agreement between Ukraine and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on the operation of the International Cooperation Account for Chornobyl came into force.

Background: The State Agency of Ukraine on Exclusion Zone Management has used up 75% of the funds for the maintenance of the Chornobyl zone  UAH 2.11 billion (approx. US$50.72 million) out of the UAH 2.81 (approx. US$67.57 million) billion included in the budget.

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Key developments on Dec. 9:

Zelensky 'may consider' deployment of foreign peacekeepers in Ukraine to ensure ceasefire

Ex-chief of Russian-run Olenivka prison allegedly killed in car bombing in occupied Donetsk

Trump 'formulating a concept' to end Russia-Ukraine war

Russia claims bodies of Il-76 crash victims given to Ukraine, Kyiv says examinations ongoing

Russias defense spending surges to record levels, media reports

Russian military suppliers exploit loophole to source US microchips

Ukraine "may consider" French President Emmanuel Macron's proposal to deploy foreign peacekeepers on its territory but only after getting a clear understanding of the NATO membership timeline, President Volodymyr Zelensky said after meeting German opposition leader Friedrich Merz on Dec. 9.

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The president also said he plans to call U.S. President Joe Biden to discuss a NATO membership invitation for Ukraine.

"I'm telling you frankly: We can work on Emmanuel's (Macron) proposal. He proposed that troops of this or that country could be present on Ukrainian territory to guarantee security while Ukraine is not in NATO," Zelensky said following talks with Merz in Kyiv.

According to recent media reports, the U.K. and France are considering the deployment of peacekeepers to Ukraine following a possible ceasefire, with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock also not ruling out the possibility. Merz called Baerbock's statement irresponsible, saying that ending the war is currently the most pressing matter.

European troops overseeing a peaceful post-war situation in the country were reportedly included in a peace plan of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's team.

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"But first, we must have a clear understanding of when Ukraine will be in the EU and NATO," Zelensky commented.

Ukrainian officials have stressed that NATO membership is the only path toward a just and lasting peace. While acknowledging that the country cannot become a full member amid the full-scale war, Kyiv asked the allies to at least extend an invitation now as a clear signal of support.

Read also: Zelensky may consider deployment of foreign peacekeepers in Ukraine to ensure ceasefire

Ex-chief of Russian-run Olenivka prison allegedly killed in car bombing in occupied Donetsk

A car exploded in Russian-occupied Donetsk on Dec. 9, seriously injuring two people inside, Russian state media reported.

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The Russian Telegram channel Mash claimed that Serhii Yevsiukov, the former head of Russia's notorious Olenivka prisoner of war (POW) camp in the occupied part of Donetsk Oblast, was killed in the blast.

The claims could not be independently verified as there has been no official confirmation that Yevsiukov was killed in the bombing. Ukraine did not comment on the incident.

Yevsiukov was wanted by Ukraine on murder, torture, and war crime charges. The Olenivka camp, notorious for the torture and abuse of Ukrainian captives, was hit by an explosion in June 2022, killing over 50 Ukrainian POWs and injuring more than 150. Kyiv called this a deliberate Russian war crime.

Russian state news agencies reported that a Toyota SUV exploded in central Donetsk, seriously injuring two people inside the vehicle who were also family members. The man's leg was torn off by the blast, RIA Novosti reported, without revealing his identity.

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The explosion occurred on the side of the driver, the state news agency TASS reported.

Read also: Ex-chief of Russian-run Olenivka prison allegedly killed in car bombing in occupied Donetsk

Trump 'formulating a concept' to end Russia-Ukraine war

Russian President Vladimir Putin should seek an end to the war as he lost 700,000 people to hostilities, U.S. President-elect Donald Trump said in comments for the New York Post published on Dec. 8.

"Im formulating a concept of how to end that ridiculous war," Trump told the news outlet following his trip to Paris, where he met Zelensky for the first time since the former's reelection.

"He (Zelensky) wants to have a ceasefire... He wants to make peace. We didnt talk about the details," Trump said in a phone interview.

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Speaking about Putin, Trump said that "when you lose 700,000 people, its time. Its not going to end until theres peace." The U.S. president-elect previously said on Truth Social that Russia had lost 600,000 soldiers during the war in Ukraine.

Trump, who will return to the White House on Jan. 20, pledged to end the war within 24 hours following his reelection and bring both sides to the negotiating table. In a media interview published on Dec. 8, the president-elect said Kyiv could expect a possible reduction of U.S. assistance.

The contours of Trump's plan to end the war remain unclear, but suggestions circulating within his team entailed freezing the war along the current front lines and postponing Ukraine's NATO aspirations.

"(W)hen we talk about effective peace with Russia, we must first and foremost talk about effective guarantees for peace," Zelensky said on X after his talks with Trump.

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Read also: Trump formulating a concept to end Russia-Ukraine war

Russia claims bodies of Il-76 crash victims given to Ukraine, Kyiv says examinations ongoing

Russia has transferred the bodies of Ukrainian prisoners of war (POW) allegedly killed in a plane crash over Russias Belgorod Oblast in January, Russian Ombudsman Tatyana Moskalkova claimed in an interview with state-run RIA Novosti published on Dec. 9.

A Russian Il-76 military cargo plane crashed in Russia's Belgorod Oblast on Jan. 24, with the cause of the incident unclear. Moscow alleged that 65 Ukrainian POWs were on board the plane during the fatal crash. Ukraine has not confirmed this claim and called for an international investigation, a proposal that Russia refused.

A spokesperson for Ukraine's Coordination Headquarters for the Treatment of POWs told the Kyiv Independent that Russia had handed over several bodies during the latest exchange, but the efforts to identify them are still underway.

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"During the latest repatriation activities, the remains of the deceased were transferred to Ukraine from (Russia), but they require additional identification," spokesperson Petro Yatsenko said. Ukraine repatriated the bodies of 502 fallen soldiers in late November.

"As of now, specialized institutions are trying to establish whether the remains of these individuals really belong to Ukrainian service members within the framework of criminal proceedings," Yatsenko added.

Read also: Russia claims bodies of Il-76 crash victims given to Ukraine, Kyiv says examinations ongoing

Russias defense spending surges to record levels, media reports

Russias spending on national defense reached an unprecedented $43 billion in the third quarter of 2024, The Moscow Times reported on Dec. 9.

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From July to September, the Russian government spent an average of $3.29 billion per week, or $19.6 million per hour, on military maintenance and arms purchases, based on an exchange rate of 100 rubles per dollar.

Both open and classified defense expenditures soared. Publicly disclosed spending totaled $13.81 billion, up 71% from the previous quarter, while classified spending surged 131% to $29.47 billion.

This marks an 80% increase compared to the second quarter and a 53% year-on-year rise.

This single-quarter defense expenditure is nearly triple Russias annual higher education budget of $15.46 billion and about 15 times the yearly budgets of regions such as Irkutsk ($2.7 billion) or Novosibirsk ($3.33 billion).

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Spending on military salaries, including substantial bonuses for contract workers, rose by 26% year-over-year to $6.14 billion.

Additionally, expenditures on military cooperation with foreign countries, potentially including Iranian drones and North Korean munitions, reached a record $1.73 billion in Q3.

Russian President Vladimir Putin approved a federal budget on Dec. 1 with record defense spending over the next three years.

In 2025, military expenditures will reach 13.5 trillion rubles ($126 billion), or over 6% of GDP, exceeding combined spending on education, healthcare, social policy, and the economy.

While military spending is projected to decline slightly in 2026 and 2027, it will remain substantial at 12.8 trillion rubles ($114.9 billion) and 13.1 trillion rubles ($122.4 billion).

Read also: Russias defense spending surges to record levels, media reports

Russian military suppliers exploit loophole to source US microchips

Russian suppliers to the military-industrial complex exploited a loophole to order microchips from Texas Instruments (TI) despite international sanctions, Bloomberg reported on Dec. 9.

Russian distributors allegedly integrated TIs online store into their trading platforms, enabling customers in Russia to access semiconductor inventories and prices, and place orders.

These orders were reportedly fulfilled through intermediaries outside Russia.

Websites like getchips and altchips, blocked in the U.S. and Europe but accessible in Russia, were primarily used to facilitate these transactions.

The availability of TI products on these platforms mirrored data from TIs proprietary application programming interface (API), suggesting Russian distributors accessed the companys technical coordinates to process orders.

Between August 2023 and August 2024, a large Russian distributor reportedly processed over 4,000 orders for thousands of TI products worth nearly $6 million.

Around $4 million in orders were for Russian military firms. Goods were routed through Hong Kong and other intermediaries before reaching Russia, with distributors applying a 40% markup to cover shipping and payment costs.

Read also: Russian military suppliers exploit loophole to source US microchips

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Ukraine just showed off new modifications to its fleet of naval drones.

They appear to have been outfitted with machine guns and given the ability to carry small flying drones.

It marks Ukraine's latest innovation for these systems, which have battered Russia's Black Sea Fleet.

Ukraine appears to be operating modified naval drones in the Black Sea, sending its crewless boats into battle against Russian helicopters and patrol boats and combat against strategic gas platforms.

The naval drones used in these recent engagements were said to have been equipped with new weapons and strike capabilities, highlighting Ukraine's innovation in this space.

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On Saturday, the Ukrainian Navy shared footage of it using naval drones to carry out an operation against oil platforms held by Moscow off the coast of the Russian-occupied Crimean peninsula. Kyiv said the mission targeted surveillance systems at the facility.

Ukraine typically loads its naval drones with explosives and drives them directly into targets; they detonate on impact. Footage of the oil platform operation showed the drones being used in this capacity, but the drone boats also served as a launching platform for smaller first-person view (FPV) drones.

         



    -    -  .



https://t.co/xGrVFNsBIr pic.twitter.com/WnfNSnYaDl  -    (@UA_NAVY) December 7, 2024

This strategy depicted in the video essentially saw the naval systems converted into drone-carrying motherships. At one point, the FPV drones can even be seen chasing after multiple individuals on the oil platform. It's unclear when, exactly, this operation took place.

A few days later, on Monday, the Security Service of Ukraine shared footage of its "Sea Baby" naval drones engaging in a firefight with Russian helicopters, aircraft, and patrol boats that tried to intercept them in the Kerch Bay off the coast of Crimea.

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The SBU said that its newly modified Sea Baby drones had been equipped with large-caliber machine guns and automatic target acquisition. "The Russian pilots considered themselves hunters and counted on easy hunting, but they became the prey, because the naval drones opened fire in return," it said.

Ukraine said the drones struck a barge that was transporting military equipment during the operation, which took place Thursday night.

Exclusive footage of the "Sea Baby" special operation in the Kerch Bay.



During the night of December 5-6, a @ServiceSsu maritime drone group engaged in combat with russian helicopters, aircraft, and Raptor patrol boats attempting to intercept them.



The "Sea Baby" drones were pic.twitter.com/31gCmN1sdj  Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) December 9, 2024

Business Insider could not immediately verify the reported details of the footage of the recent naval drone engagements.

The two recent engagements appear to be the first public showcasing of their new capabilities. It is not, however, the first time Ukraine has innovated with its naval drones; Kyiv also equipped them with rocket and missile launchers earlier this year.

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Ukraine fields several different variants of its domestically produced naval drones, including the Sea Baby platforms used by the SBU last week. These systems have allowed Kyiv, which lacks a traditional navy, to wage an asymmetrical warfare campaign against Russia and its Black Sea Fleet.

This campaign has been a major area of success for Ukraine, which has sunk, destroyed, or damaged at least 32 medium and large Russian naval vessels since the war started. Kyiv has also driven the Black Sea Fleet away from its long-held headquarters in Crimea and forced it to relocate across the waterway to the port of Novorossiysk in southwestern Russia.

Read the original article on Business Insider
US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Ukrainian Defence Minister Rustem Umierov discussed planning for the next meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group in a telephone conversation on Sunday.

Source: Pentagon website

Details: Umierov and Austin discussed the latest developments on the battlefield and US security assistance to Ukraine.

Quote: "Secretary Austin updated Minister Umierov on US security assistance to provide the capabilities Ukraine needs to fight Russian aggression.

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They also discussed planning for the next Ukraine Defence Contact Group meeting and the continued strong support of Ukraine's international partners.

The two leaders pledged to remain in close contact."

Background:

In the summer and early autumn, NATO was sceptical about continuing its work in the event of a Trump victory. However, in November, Ukraine's defence minister said he hoped to preserve Ramstein under Trump.

Germany is known to be pushing for a meeting in the Ramstein format in December, likely at the level of the leaders.

In early December, several sources at NATO headquarters assured European Pravda that representatives of the North Atlantic Alliance do not see a significant chance that a change in the US administration will lead to the collapse of the Ramstein format, which coordinates military assistance to Ukraine.

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By Yurii Kovalenko and Valentyn Ogirenko

KYIV REGION, Ukraine (Reuters) - When Ukrainian judge Vladyslav Tsukurov learned he could serve his country with both gavel and gun, he jumped at the chance.

By day, he helps keep the wartime judicial system going, ruling over civil and criminal cases outside Ukraine's capital Kyiv.

By night, he joins a volunteer force mostly made up of fellow judges, law enforcement officials and other public servants shining searchlights into the sky, trying to spot Russian drones and shoot them down with machine guns.

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Judges are exempt from the draft. But he said he signed up after his daughters chose to stay in the country as the fighting raged. "As a father, I must protect them," he said. "My family chose Ukraine."

Russian forces, advancing on the battlefield, are increasingly striking Ukrainian towns and cities and focusing their fire on infrastructure as winter sets in and demand for electricity rises.

Much of the job of scanning the skies for incoming attacks falls to territorial defence units, most of them made up of a random collection of volunteers and recruits.

Tsukurov's unit, called "Mriya" ("Dream"), was founded soon after Russia's February 2022 invasion by a former Supreme Court justice who drew on his contacts.

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"We are all judges from different courts, and we find a common language. And I believe this is one of the best teams," said Tsukurov, a native of Kharkiv.

Ukraine's judiciary is badly understaffed - something the government has said it needs to address as it tries to meet the terms of joining the European Union.

Sleepless nights on air-defence duty can put further pressure on their day jobs.

"The only thing is fatigue. Lately, air-raid alarms have been ringing all night," said Leonid Merzlyi, a municipal judge in a Kyiv suburb, near his heavy machine gun.

"Then you go to work, and ... you need to listen to cases."

(Additional reporting and writing by Dan Peleschuk; Editing by Andrew Heavens)
Ukraines Security Service deployed Ukrainian-made Sea Baby naval drones in a special operation in Kerch Bay in Crimea on the night of 56 December.

Source: Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) on Telegram

Details: According to the SSUs 13th Main Directorate of the Military Counterintelligence Department, Russian pilots were themselves planning to carry out an operation but became targets of the Ukrainian operation instead.

   5  6      "Sea Bab"      ,     "",    .



 :  pic.twitter.com/35sf4JpNSv     (@ukrpravda_news) December 9, 2024

Ukrainian naval drones, armed with large-calibre machine guns with automatic guidance, returned fire when the Russians launched their attack.

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An intercepted conversation between Russian soldiers suggests that Russian troops sustained significant personnel losses, with killed and injured on board the helicopters targeted by the Ukrainian attack and serious damage to the aircraft, which will now require extensive repairs.

Ukrainian drones also struck a barge transporting military equipment and equipment for the repair of the Crimean Bridge, which the Russians are still trying to rebuild after previous attacks by Ukrainian special services.

Quote: "Sea Baby is our multitarget platform, which can accommodate different types of weapons: multiple-launch rocket systems, aerial drones and large-calibre machine guns. The main thing is that it has once again proved its effectiveness. The outcomes of our work are actually much more extensive than what we can disclose now, but that will come in due course."

Background:

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On 22 May, a source in the Security Service of Ukraine told Ukrainska Pravda that Ukrainian Sea Baby naval drones have been fitted with Grad multiple-launch rocket systems. The upgraded drone had already been tested, killing Russian soldiers on the Kinburn Spit.

On 23 May, Vasyl Maliuk, Head of Ukraine's Security Service, confirmed that Sea Baby uncrewed surface drones had been fitted with Grad multiple-launch rocket systems (MLRS), and that Ukraine's Defence Forces had already hit four Russian ships with the upgraded drone.

Reference: Sea Baby uncrewed surface drones were developed by Ukraine's Security Service. During 2022-2023, SSU drones attacked the Russian frigates Admiral Makarov and Admiral Essen, as well as the minesweeper Ivan Golubets, the patrol ship Ladny, the missile carriers Samum and Buyan, the patrol ship Pavel Derzhavin, the multipurpose tugboat Professor Nikolai Muru, and the large hydrographic survey ship Vladimir Kozitsky.

A Sea Baby can carry 850 kg of explosives, accelerate to 90 kph, and cover a distance of 1,000 km. Its body is made of a material that radar cannot detect.

Each Sea Baby drone costs UAH 8.5 million (approx. US$213,000).

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(Reuters) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday he had issued orders to increase funding for equipping the country's brigades with new drones.

Zelenskiy, speaking in his nightly video address, said he had received a report from Pavlo Palisa, a former military commander and the president's newly-appointed deputy chief of staff, to provide additional funding for drones.

"We recently approved a decision about the amount of such direct funds. But now I see that the amount is insufficient," Zelenskiy said.

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"I instructed the prime minister to increase financing for brigades in the coming days, to increase several times over."

Zelenskiy has increasingly focused on the deployment of drones in the war, which has extended over 33 months since Russia invaded in February 2022.

In October, the president said Ukraine had already contracted to produce 1.5 million drones this year and was capable of ramping up production to four million annually.

Drone production was virtually non-existent in Ukraine before Russia's invasion in February 2022.

(Reporting by Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar; Editing by Rod Nickel)
THE HAGUE, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Netherlands tightened border controls on Monday as part of the government's efforts to address irregular migration and human trafficking.

"This measure aims to curb the flow of illegal immigrants into the Netherlands," Minister of Asylum and Migration Marjolein Faber told Dutch RTL News. "It is not merely symbolic. It will undoubtedly have an impact. Moreover, it may act as a deterrent."

Faber had announced in November that the enhanced border checks would begin on Dec. 9 and remain in place for six months. According to the statement, the controls will be implemented in a way that minimizes disruption to economic and commuter traffic in border regions.

At airports, the checks will only target specific flights identified as posing a risk of irregular migration or cross-border crime, the statement added.

The Dutch move comes after Germany reinstated passport checks at all land borders in September to combat irregular migration, terrorism threats and cross-border organized crime.

The Netherlands shares land borders with Germany to the east and Belgium to the south. 
BUCHAREST, Romania (AP)  A Ukrainian man who embarked on a perilous journey fleeing his war-torn country into Romania was rescued from a deep mountain ravine in subzero temperatures with an unlikely companion: his months-old kitten named Peach.

More than a dozen rescuers worked in a harsh blizzard to save Vladislav Duda, 28, who was found soaked and frozen and severely hypothermic in a 400-meter (437-yard) deep ravine in the northern Maramures region last week, according to the region's mountain rescue service. Duda had fled Ukraine to avoid being drafted into his country's armed forces fighting Russia.

The cat was warm and was warming him  so he saved his life, Dan Benga, the director of the Maramures mountain rescue service, told The Associated Press. The only thing we saw he is caring about is the cat. He doesnt care about himself.

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When the rescue team located and found the Ukrainian, they unzipped his jacket and discovered Peach snuggled up inside. Benga recalls asking Duda if he was OK, to which he replied: Im happy because my cat is alive. I got a chance from God for a new life. The happiest moment is because the cat is here with me, Benga recalled Duda saying.

The auburn-colored kitten, a tomcat named Peach in Ukrainian, was experiencing the effects of malnutrition after they ran out of food four days earlier and melted snow helped to keep him alive.

Its like a dream, after all I have been through, I only hoped to be found and to survive," Duda, who worked as a journalist in Ukraine, told the AP. Peach kept my heart warm and he kept my faith alive."

A helicopter retrieval was initially launched but was aborted due to dangerous weather that hampered visibility. Ground rescuers then embarked on a grueling mission through deep snow and temperatures as low as minus 10 degrees Celsius (14 degrees Fahrenheit) until they reached the pair.

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During the complex ascent out of the ravine which took more than five hours, the Ukrainian would not let go of his kitten. He kept Peach clutched to his chest from the bottom to the top ... until we put him in the ambulance," Benga said. He said only Please take care of the cat.'

Close to getting frostbite, Duda is now receiving anti-inflammatory medication and blood circulation treatment, said Izabella Kiskasza, who runs a community center for Ukrainian refugees in Maramures and is assisting the duo. Peach received veterinary treatment in Baia Mare on Monday and is expected to fully recover.

Duda left his home in Ukraines war-ravaged Kharkiv region more than a week before getting stranded with his feline companion in the arching Carpathian Mountain range, which straddles northern Romania and southwest Ukraine.

While Peach is the first feline rescued from the mountainous Romanian region, Duda is just one of many Ukrainian men who have risked their lives traversing the harsh conditions of the mountains to avoid being drafted into their country's grinding war with Russia.

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Since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, more than 160 Ukrainian men have been rescued from Romanias Maramures region and the numbers have doubled each year since, Benga said. Another 16 have been found dead.

Two other Ukrainian draft-aged men were rescued by helicopter the same day as Duda, he said.

There are a lot of people who are coming, but they have no medical problem  and they dont call for help, Benga said. The people who are calling for help are in the last few hours of their life.

Ukraine has taken steps to broaden its pool of draft-eligible men, but the efforts have only scratched the surface against a much larger Russian military. In April, Ukraines parliament passed a law lowering its draft-eligible age for men from 27 to 25.

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Desertion is also starving the Ukrainian army of desperately needed manpower at a crucial time in its war with Russia. The U.S. has also urged Ukraine to draft more troops, and allow for the conscription of those as young as 18.

What I remember is the fear of the unknown and the fear of not making it through the night alive, Duda recalled on Monday. My Peach kept me alive. When escaping we were afraid of everybody, not to be sent back to fight in a war that is not ours.
Ukrainian writer Victoria Amelina was posthumously honored with the Prix Voltaire Special Award at the 34th International Publishers Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico, PEN Ukraine reported on Dec. 6.

The International Publishers Association presents the Prix Voltaire Special Award to honor the laureate's efforts in defending freedom of expression and to underscore how their voice was silenced.

Amelina, who documented war crimes and authored several notable works, was killed in 2023 following a Russian missile strike on Kramatorsk.

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She was in Kramatorsk with a delegation of Colombian writers and journalists on June 27 when Russian forces fired two Iskander missiles at the city, hitting a popular restaurant downtown. 13 people were killed and 60 were injured following the strike.

Amelina was one of Ukraine's most popular young writers. Her work has been translated into numerous languages, including English, Polish, Italian, Spanish, German, Croatian, Dutch, Czech, and Hungarian.

Oleksandra Matviichuk, head of the Center for Civil Liberties, accepted the award on Amelina's behalf.

"I am once again amazed at how much she did - traveled and spoke, volunteered, documented war crimes, wrote a book. And of course, I am very sad that Vika cannot receive her award herself, Matviichuk said of Amelina. But the bridges she built between Ukraine and the world are still functioning, and this is very palpable at this international congress of authors and publishers.

Read also: Ukrainian poet Myroslav Herasymovych killed on front line

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LONDON (Reuters) - British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has pledged to step up the country's engagement in the Middle East to support long-term stability, the government said on Monday.

"The stability of the Middle East is paramount to delivering a foundation of security at home," the statement cited Starmer as having said during his first visit to the region since taking office in July.

"The Prime Minister said the UK will play a more present and consistent role in the region, and work with partners to increase defence cooperation to strengthen deterrence of threats across land, sea, space, air and cyber."

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Starmer also set out an additional 11 million pounds ($14.07 million) of humanitarian aid for Syria, where rebel forces have seized the capital of Damascus and President Bashar al-Assad has fled to Russia.

Starmer has also agreed to bolster the existing defence partnership between Britain and Saudi Arabia and promote greater defence industrial cooperation.

($1 = 0.7820 pounds)

(Reporting by Muvija M; editing by William James)
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday condemned gang violence and loss of life in Haiti, his spokesperson said, after more than 180 people were killed over the weekend in Haiti's Cite Soleil area.

"The Secretary-General calls on the Haitian authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that perpetrators of these and all other human rights abuses and violations are brought to justice," U.N. spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; Editing by Doina Chiacu)
GENEVA (Reuters) - The United Nations human rights watchdog has in part resumed its activities in Venezuela, its chief said on Monday, after it was forced to leave the country nearly 10 months ago following what the government described as a review of its activities.

The U.N.'s High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk made the announcement at a press conference in Geneva in response to a reporter's question.

"We have been able to resume partly our activities," he said, without going into further detail. The head of the international body's human rights office said he hoped to eventually resume prison visits and trial monitoring but did not provide a timeline.

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When the office was at full operations, it included a staff of around a dozen foreign members working to pressure the government of President Nicolas Maduro to adhere to its human rights commitments.

Maduro was proclaimed the winner of last July's contested presidential election by the government-aligned electoral authority and supreme court. But the opposition released thousands of copies of voting machine receipts that it argues show a lopsided win for its candidate, who has since fled to Spain.

(Reporting by Emma Farge in Geneva; Additional Reporting by Vivian Sequera; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
GENEVA (Reuters) - The U.N. refugee chief on Monday called for patience as millions of Syrian refugees displaced by the 13-year civil war weigh a possible return to the country after the toppling of autocratic president Bashar al-Assad.

"There is a remarkable opportunity for Syria to move toward peace and for its people to begin returning home," said United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Filippo Grandi in a statement sent to journalists.

"But with the situation still uncertain, millions of refugees are carefully assessing how safe it is to do so. Some are eager, while others are hesitant." He called for "patience and vigilance" as refugees weigh their options.

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Already on Monday, European countries were putting asylum applications from Syrians on hold until further notice.

The likelihood of returns is likely to depend on whether Syrian's new leaders prioritise law and order, he said. "A transition that respects the rights, lives, and aspirations of all Syrians  regardless of ethnicity, religion, or political beliefs  is crucial for people to feel safe." UNHCR stood ready to help states organise voluntary returns, Grandi added.

(Reporting by Emma Farge; Editing by Alex Richardson)
By Emma Farge

GENEVA (Reuters) -The U.N. human rights chief called on Monday for accountability for perpetrators of abuse under toppled Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, but said there was a "huge chance" for an inclusive political transition, and that early signs were promising.

Syrians woke on Monday to a hopeful if uncertain future, after rebels seized the capital Damascus and Assad fled to Russia, following 13 years of civil war and more than 50 years of brutal Assad family rule.

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"We will need to make sure that those who are responsible for these violations, be it on the side of the previous government, the president and others, but also all others who are responsible for violations - that they are brought to account," U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk told a Geneva press briefing, calling for meticulous preservation of evidence.

"(Accountability) is going to be a key piece of the transition, because we cannot afford that we go back to those periods where indeed impunity reigns."

Turk's office pointed to the disappearance of more than 100,000 people during the war alone, and the use of torture and chemical weapons.

Syria is not currently a member of the International Criminal Court, although a new government could join it. Russia blocked past attempts at the U.N. Security Council to refer Syria to the court.

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Turk said there was a "huge chance" for inclusive dialogue on the political transition in Syria's new era.

"I hope that within this current environment ... there will be this inclusive, very inclusive dialogue," he said. "There is a huge chance for this to happen. And what we have seen initially is indeed cooperation," he added, citing coordination between Assad's prime minister, Mohammed Jalali, and rebel leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani.

At the same press conference, called to mark the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948, Turk urged states to stem arms flows to conflicts such as those in Haiti, Sudan, Gaza and Ukraine.

"We need to insist that it is not OK, and not legal, to use anti-personnel mines in Ukraine, it is not OK to provide them for use there," he said, in an apparent reference to U.S. President Joe Biden's approval of the export of such mines last month.

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Turk said at least 184 people had been killed in gang violence in Haiti's capital at the weekend, bringing this year's total death toll to a "staggering" 5,000.

(Reporting by Emma Farge, Editing by Rachel More; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
The News

The UN Security Council is today set to discuss the shock overthrow of Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad, a move that has buoyed many in the country and upended geopolitics.

Huge numbers were freed from the regimes notorious prisons  a video showed rebels opening jail cells, with a glimpse of a toddler in one  while many of the millions of Syrians refugees abroad began contemplating heading home.

Assads fall leaves significant questions, however, about the future leadership and regional dynamics.

SIGNALS

Syrian rebels seek to appear more tolerant

Sources: X, Voice of America, The National

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The rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) that overthrew Assad is trying to present itself as moderates who would eschew both the excesses of his regime and their own reputation as hardline Islamists. Despite its origins in Al-Qaeda, the group has disavowed the global terror network and pledged to respect minority and womens rights: Observers noted that the Sunni fighters had avoided violence in the vicinity of a prominent Damascus shrine that was a rallying cry for Shiite militias. Still, activists were skeptical, and experts warned that Syrias new rulers would need to be particularly cognizant of the trauma facing a population emerging from six decades of dictatorship.

Global reactions demonstrate tentative glee in the West and concern in Russia

Sources: The Associated Press, France 24

Much of the world has taken a tentative approach to the new Syrian leaders, while wholeheartedly celebrating the fall of Assad: As one refugee told The Associated Press: Anything is better than Bashar. The UN human rights chief said Monday that there is now a huge chance for inclusive dialogue on Syrias political transition, while US President Joe Biden called the moment one of opportunity as well as risk and uncertainty. However, Russia  who helped prop up Assads power and is reportedly giving him asylum  has condemned the takeover by a terrorist group, and called for Mondays emergency UN Security Council meeting.

The future of the region now even more uncertain

Sources: The New York Times, The Washington Post

Sundays takeover was perhaps the most momentous upheaval in the Middle East since Hamas Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel, The New York Times wrote. There are major questions going forward: Will Iranians, weakened by the fall of their proxy groups Hamas and Hezbollah, seek to open negotiations with the more Russia-friendly US President-elect Donald Trump, or will they reach for a nuclear bomb? The answers will determine whether Assads fall marks an era of rebuilding for Syria or a prelude to more military action. Meanwhile, other Middle Eastern powers have attempted to ease the transition: Qatar has been aiding the implementation of a temporary government in Syria, to prevent it from descending into chaos.
HOUSTON, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- A man was shot and a suspect has been arrested on Monday morning following juveniles fighting near Spring High School in the Houston area of Texas, authorities said.

The fight happened in the parking lot of a Burger King across from Spring High School, the Harris County Pct. 4 Constable's Office said.

Authorities did not reveal the victim's age or condition. It wasn't immediately known if those involved were students of the school, and an investigation is underway. 
Shortly after noon Sunday, the waters eight miles off the coast of Newport Beach were broken by an unusual, if not majestic, sight.

A several-ton humpback whale broke through the surface and leaped into the sky, like a Pacific Life insurance commercial, scattering adjacent seabirds while opening its massive mouth to consume anchovies near the surface.

Wildlife photographer Mark Girardeau captured the moment via a drone, something that has become more common in the last few weeks.

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For the last two months, Orange County waters have become Southern Californias own humpback hangout.

Ive been working in this area for 10 years and Ive never seen this crazy level of humpback whales, Girardeau said. But theyre here and its incredible.

Girardeau also works as a deckhand for Newport Coastal Adventure , which offers ocean tours and sightseeing excursions.

In a normal year, Girardeau would be pointing out dolphins, along with fin and minke whales, to tourists in search of sea life.

The humpbacks started popping up recently, following massive schools of anchovies, a typical food source.

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Read more: Entangled humpback whale is finally freed off Dana Point

While its normal to see humpbacks in Monterey Bay or Hawaii, Southern California is more of a transitory point for the whales en route to Mexico or even Costa Rica, according to Girardeau.

You know how we travel to Cabo and Puerto Vallarta for vacation, Girardeau said. Well, they do the same except as part of their breeding patterns.

Newport Coastal runs a sighting log that has tracked the first appearance of humpback whales, starting Sept. 25. Since then, humpbacks have been spotted in droves, including 18 on Oct. 19, more than 16 on Oct. 26 and 17 on Nov. 1.

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A dozen were spotted between 10 a.m. and 1:45 p.m. on Wednesday.

Read more: Thar she blows! A hot spot for whale watching in L.A.s backyard

The hundreds  or, in some cases, thousands  of dolphins that share space with the whales push the anchovies from shallow waters to the surface as they also consume the creatures, according to Girardeau.

That spurs the humpbacks to lunge into the air to collect the small fish, creating the iconic imagery.

Girardeau said he wasnt quite sure whats led to the increase of area anchovies, but that global warming or changes in currents may play a factor.

Its been almost all day for the last few weeks watching these amazing creatures, Girardeau said.

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Normal whale-watching season is expected to resume with the return of the gray whales, which will be traveling between Alaska and Mexico from January through May.

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.
Good morning.

Im in San Francisco for Fortune Brainstorm AI and our local CEO Initiative dinner. Join us via livestream for the conference, where well talk about how AI is rapidly reshaping everything from supply chains to space exploration.

Here on earth, you cant ignore how humans are rapidly reshaping the political landscape, most recently with the ouster of Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, who fled to Russia after his government collapsed yesterday. Along with ending a dictatorship that began in 1971 under Assads father, the rebels have dealt a blow to Russia, Iran and Hezbollah.

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Syrias regime collapse could be a boon for business and democracy, or it could lead to further instability. The countrys 14-year civil war already sparked the worst refugee crisis since WWII. Now, U.S. troops will stay in Syria to battle ISIS in the hope that former jihadist leader Abu Mohammed al-Jawlani will embrace a more pro-Western world view. It wont be easy: Much like Suharto did during his three-decade rule in Indonesia, Assad kept a tight grip on core economic sectors. That could make it tougher to rebuild.

Meanwhile, France's government also collapsed last week after a no-confidence vote forced Prime Minister Michel Barnier to resign after just 91 days. While the motivation and methods may be different, the collapse of Frances minority government also comes at a delicate time for its economy. Already burdened by rising debt, borrowing costs, and bankruptcies, its predicament has been exacerbated by a rolling wave of public-sector strikes. The collapse of Frances government is also a blow to the European Union, which was already dealing with the collapse of Germanys coalition government last month. (However, pro-EU protesters have taken to the streets in Georgia.)

Technology didnt cause the ouster of Assad or the collapse of Frances coalition government. But AI could transform society in a way that deprives people of jobs, spurring more unrest, frustration and a feeling of unfairness.

Every good leader tries to win the hearts and minds of the people they serve. After all, unhappy people tend to challenge the status quo. The murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last week set off a torrent of complaints about fairness in healthcare costs, making other leaders fearful for their safety. Trying to understand whats driving some of the public reaction doesnt make Thompsons death any less tragic. As one CEO told me last week: When people try to tell you something, Ive learned its better to listen than dismiss what they have to say.

More news below.

Diane Brady

diane.brady@fortune.com

Linkedin

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
WEST JORDAN, Utah (ABC4)  A motorcyclist has died after being involved in a crash on South Redwood Road on Sunday afternoon.

After the crash, the motorcyclist  who was identified only as a 25-year-old male  was taken to an area hospital, where he later died, according to officials with the West Jordan Police Department,

Carbon monoxide poisoning caused by improperly vented appliance at West Jordan facility

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The incident occurred around 3:30 p.m., near 8660 South Redwood Road on Sunday, Dec. 8, officials said. The motorcyclist collided with a vehicle that was turning left.

West Jordan PD said first responders issued life-saving measures on the motorcyclist at the scene, and he was later taken to Intermountain Medical Center.

The car that the motorcyclist collided with had only one occupant, and that person was not injured in the crash, according to police.

The accident is still under investigation. The identity of the deceased was not released as of the publication of this story.

There is no further information at this time.

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Connor Comeau 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.
A new report from Union of Concerned Scientists pushes for wetland protections in a new farm bill. (Courtesy of USDA)

A new report from the Union of Concerned Scientists found wetlands in the Upper Midwest region, including Nebraska, are in peril due to recent legal challenges and a lack of state-level regulation. The report looks to a new farm bill as a vessel to protect wetlands.

The report, authored by Stacy Woods, the research director for the Food & Environment program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, said industrial agriculture has inflicted devastating damage on wetlands across the country and that Iowa has more than 640,000 acres of wetland.

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These wetlands, along with those in states across the Upper Midwest region, act as natural barriers to flooding. The report found this flood protection equates to nearly $23 billion in annual residential flood protection. Iowas wetlands alone could mitigate $477 million worth of flood damage to residential areas.

For Nebraska, the report found that 1.2 million acres of wetlands are at risk, which could cost over $951 million in annual flood mitigation benefits. The organization noted that Nebraska doesnt have wetlands protection.

These estimates in the report are extrapolated from a 2022 study that found one acre of wetland was the equivalent to $745 in benefits from prevented flood damage.

The Union of Concerned Scientists is a non-profit advocating for science and evidence-based decision making for climate, energy, transportation, food and equality issues.

Protected wetlands cant be drained

The report alleges the Supreme Court decision in Sackett v. the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency stripped Clean Water Act protections from wetlands that are not connected to federally recognized bodies of water.

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The new interpretation of the law, combined with the absence of state-level wetland protections in Iowa and other Upper Midwestern states makes wetlands particularly vulnerable to pollution or drainage, the report found.

Chapter 456B of Iowa Code says a protected wetland cannot be drained without a permit from the Department of Natural Resources and the wetland must no longer meet the criteria of a protected wetland, or be replaced by a wetland of equal or greater value.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in 2020, the Conservation Reserve Program had restored more than 3 million wetland acres across the country since the program started in 1985. The same program has restored over 118,000 acres of wetland in Iowa and enrolled 66,000 acres as buffer in farmable wetlands, according to data collected by Environmental Working Group.

The report looks at the farm bill as a place to implement wetland regulations to stop large-scale commodity growers and corporate agribusiness interests that exploit wetlands for agricultural expansion.

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Farm bills in the past have established protections for wetlands, including the Conservation Reserve Program and the swampbuster provision that linked a landowners eligibility for USDA incentive programs to their preservation of wetlands.

An Iowa landowner recently sued the USDA over the provision and several groups including Iowa Environmental Council, Iowa Farmers Union, Dakota Rural Action and Food & Water Watch, sought to intervene in the lawsuit, which a federal judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa approved Tuesday.

The lawsuit alleges swampbusters created an unconstitutional condition for a farmer to receive USDA benefits, while the now-approved intervenors say without the law, there would be little to no protections for wetlands from farmers seeking to expand their croplands.

Report urges enhancing current programs, launching new ones

In addition to swampbuster, the report details other farm bill provisions that have protected wetlands, including conservation and wetland easement programs and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, or EQIP, which enhance(s) wetlands by promoting soil and water conservation.

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The report calls for the next farm bill, which Congress has been unable to agree on and pass for more than two sessions now, to enhance existing conservation programs and implement new incentives that foster soil and water health.

These suggestions include: increasing the Conservation Reserve Program acres to 45 million acres; increasing funding for the Conservation Stewardship Program from $1 billion to $4 billion annually; expanding funding to historically underserved, disadvantaged and new farmers, and to link the Federal Crop Insurance Program to a farmers participation in conservation practices.

According to the report, investments from these recommendations constitute only a fraction of the significant annual value wetlands deliver.

Integrating these initiatives into the next food and Farm Bill will fortify USDA programs that safeguard wetlands from industrial agriculture, ensuring these vital ecosystems thrive and continue to mitigate flooding, purify water, and support our communities and our climate, the report said.

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Groups across the country and political parties, including Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds, have urged Congress to reauthorize the Farm Bill, rather than extend the 2018 bill for a second time.

This article first appeared in the Iowa Capital Dispatch, a sister site of the Nebraska Examiner in the States Newsroom network.
A man arrested in connection with the killing of UnitedHealthcares CEO was found with a three-page manifesto that indicates he has ill will towards corporate America, police said at a news briefing Monday.

Luigi Mangione, 26, was described by the New York Police Department as a strong person of interest in the fatal attack on Brian Thompson outside a New York City hotel on Dec. 4.

It followed local police arresting Mangione in Altoona, Pennsylvania, roughly 230 miles west of the crime scene, on firearms charges.

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As well as carrying a homemade weapon consistent with the firearm used in the killing and a fake ID, Mangione had a handwritten document that spoke to his motivation and mindset, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch told reporters.

At the news briefing, Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny was asked about the content of the document, and whether Thompson or other individuals were named in it.

Kenny told reporters: We dont think theres any specific threats to other people mentioned in that document. But it does seem that he has some ill will towards corporate America.

Kenny added he did not know if the document had been posted online.

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Bullets recovered at the scene of the shooting that killed Thompson were inscribed with the words delay, deny and possibly depose.

The three words closely echo the phrase delay, deny, defend, which insurance companies are accused of commonly doing to deny insurance services and payments. It is also the title of a 2010 book that was highly critical of the industry.

Related...
Originally appeared on E! Online

UPDATE: Authorities have arrested Luigi Mangione on firearm charges in Altoona, Pennsylvania, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch announced at a news conference Dec. 9. The 26-year-old, who has not been charged in connection with Brian Thompson's killing, has been named as a strong person of interest during the NYPD press conference. Tisch noted that Mangione was found in possession of a ghost gun and suppressor that was "consistent with the weapon used in the murder."

Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenney said that a handwritten three-page document, which is in the possession of the Altoona Police Department, was recovered and "speaks to both" Mangione's "motivation and mindset."

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However, Kenney noted that "just from briefly speaking" with the investigators, "It does seem that he has some ill will toward corporate America."

_______________________________________________________________

New details may lead to more answers in the death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

After the health insurance executive was fatally shot outside of a New York City hotel Dec. 4, authorities are questioning a Pennsylvania man in connection to the killing, NBC News reported.

On the same day, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenney told CNN that investigators believe the gunman left New York City as they have footage of him taking a taxi to the Port Authority Bus Terminal. "We don't have any video of him exiting," he explained, "so we believe he may have gotten on a bus."

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Although the motive of the shooting is still unclear, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the incident as a "premeditated, preplanned targeted attack" during a Dec. 4 news conference.

"It appears a suspect was lying in wait for several minutes," she explained. "As the victim was walking to the conference hotel, the suspect approached behind and fired several rounds, striking the victim at least once in the back and at least once in the right calf. Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target."

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Although it is too soon to know if the man is connected to Thompson's killing, multiple officials told the outlet that this could be a break in the case. According to two senior officials, authorities arrived at a McDonald's 280 miles from the shooting after a customer thought the man looked suspicious. Senior law enforcement officials told NBC News that the man was taken to the police station for questioning after noticing a fake ID, where they discovered that he had a similar gun to the one used in Thompson's killing and a silencer.

The latest update comes after a backpack was found Dec. 6 in Central Park that law enforcement believes could belong to the suspect, officials told NBC News. The bag, which contained Monopoly money and a jacket, was sent to a lab to see if it was indeed linked to the shooter, per the outlet.

On the same day, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenney told CNN that investigators believe the gunman left New York City as they have footage of him taking a taxi to the Port Authority Bus Terminal. "We don't have any video of him exiting," he explained, "so we believe he may have gotten on a bus."

Business Wire/AP

Although the motive of the shooting is still unclear, Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch described the incident as a "premeditated, preplanned targeted attack" during a Dec. 4 news conference.

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"It appears a suspect was lying in wait for several minutes," she explained. "As the victim was walking to the conference hotel, the suspect approached behind and fired several rounds, striking the victim at least once in the back and at least once in the right calf. Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target."

Investigators also recovered three discharged gun shell casings from the scene, which a senior New York City law enforcement official told NBC News had the words "deny," "defend" and "depose" etched on them.

And Thompsons wife, Paulette Thompson, told the outlet that prior to his death, he had been receiving threats.

Yes, there had been some, she explained. I dont know, a lack of coverage? I dont know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him.

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For more details on Thompsons tragic death, keep reading

(E! News and NBC News are part of the NBCUniversal family.)

Who is Brian Thompson?

Brian Thompson was the CEO of UnitedHealthcare. He first joined the company in 2004 and held several positions before taking on the role of CEO in 2021.



Prior to working at UnitedHealthcare, Thompson was employed at PwC, according to his LinkedIn profile. He also graduated with honors from the University of Iowa with a Bachelor's degree in business administration as an accounting major in May 1997, the school's public relations manager Steve Schmadeke told NBC News.



Thompson, who lived in Minnesota, was married to Paulette Thompsonthough according to a Wall Street Journal report, they had been living in separate homesand was the father of two sons.

He was shot and killed in New York on Dec. 4, 2024. Thompson was 50 years old.





How did Brian Thompson die?

Patrol officers from the New York City Police Departments Midtown North Precinct responded to a 911 call at 6:46 a.m. on Dec. 4, 2024 regarding a person who was shot in front of the New York Hilton Midtown hotel, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said in a media briefing later that morning.



Kenny noted officers arrived at the scene at 6:48 a.m. and found gunshot wounds on Thompsons back and leg. The chief detective said Emergency Medical Services transported Thompson several blocks to Mount Sinai West, where the CEO was pronounced dead at 7:12 a.m.



The victim was in New York City to speak at an investor conference," NYPD commissioner Jessica Tisch said during the media briefing. "It appears the suspect was lying in wait for several minutes. And as the victim was walking to the conference hotel, the suspect approached from behind and fired several rounds, striking the victim at least once in the back and at least once in the right calf. Many people passed the suspect, but he appeared to wait for his intended target.



Tisch said the shooting appeared to be a pre-meditated, pre-planned, targeted attack and not a random act of violence.



The full investigative efforts of the New York City Police Department are well underway, she noted, and we will not rest until we identify and apprehend the shooter in this case.





What do investigators know about the shooting of Brian Thompson so far?

According to Kenny, the shooter headed to the New York Hilton Midtown on foot and arrived outside the hotel five minutes before Thompsons arrival.



In a video, Kenny continued, Thompson was seen walking alone towards the Hilton at 6:44 a.m. after exiting his separate, nearby hotel apparently for a UnitedHealth Group investors conference that was scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. that day.



The chief detective added the shooterwho ignored numerous other pedestriansapproached Thompson from behind, shot him, walked towards him and continued shooting.



Kenny said the gunman then fled on foot before getting on an ebike, and the shooter was seen riding into Central Park at Center Drive at 6:48 a.m.



Kenny said three live nine-millimeter rounds and three discharged shell casings were recovered during the investigation. A senior New York City law enforcement official briefed on the investigation told NBC News Dec. 5 the words "deny," "defend" and "depose" were written on the shell casings.



However, Kenny noted the motive for the killing is still unknown.



He added a cellphone was discovered in an alley where the shooter fled before walking on a sidewalk toward the ebike, but it's unclear if it belonged to the gunman.



Kenny also said investigators are "looking at everything"including Thompson's social media and interviews with employees and familythat could help in the case. They're also working with Minnesota and Atlanta law enforcement.

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What have investigators revealed about the gunman who shot Brian Thompson?

During the Dec. 4 briefing, Kenny said the shooter appeared to be a "light-skin male" who was "wearing a light brown or cream-colored jacket, a black face mask, black and white sneakers and a very distinctive gray backpack."



On Dec. 4, New York police shared photos of an individual they're looking for holding a gun and riding a bike.



Later that day, the NYPD tweeted out more pictures of a person they said they're searching for wearing a black mask, dark hooded jacket and gray backpack. Two senior law enforcement officials told NBC News these photos were captured from a Starbucks prior to the shooting.



On Dec. 5, the NYPD released additional photos of a person of interest that showed the individual wearing a hooded jacket and lowered face mask. A senior law enforcement official told NBC News the photos came from surveillance video at an Upper West Side hostel. Two separate law enforcement officials noted to the outlet investigators are trying to determine if the individual used a fake ID and paid cash for a hostel room.



Three senior law enforcement officials also told NBC News investigators think the shooter possibly took a bus to New York from Atlanta, with the outlet reporting officials are looking at names on tickets from a Nov. 24 Greyhound bus trip to see if they can identify the shooter and that Greyhound said they're cooperating with authorities.



On Dec. 6, Kenny told CNN investigators think the shooter may have left New York as he was spotted at Port Authority.





Why was Luigi Mangione arrested?

Police arrested Luigi Mangione, 26, in Pennsylvania on Dec. 9 and identified him as a person of interest. He was taken into custody on charges of forgery, firearms not to be carried without a license, instruments of a crime, tampering with records or identification and false identification to law enforcement, according to a criminal complaint obtained by NBC News. When officers approached Mangione at a McDonald's, he allegedly handed them a fake New Jersey driver's license. When asked if he had been to New York recently, Mangione "started to shake," according to the complaint. E! News has not been able to locate a lawyer to speak on his behalf.





What did police find on Luigi Mangione?

At the time of his arrest, Mangione was carrying a ghost gun and suppressor that was "consistent with the weapon used in the murder" of Thompson, the New York City Police Commissioner announced Dec. 9. The Ivy League graduate also had a mask that matched the one worn by the shooting suspect and multiple fake IDs on him, including the New Jersey card he handed police.





Who is Luigi Mangione?

Police said Mangione is a person of interest and was arrested on Dec. 9 on multiple charges including forgery and weapons charges. He's an Ivy League graduate, having received a Bachelors of Science in engineering in 2020 and a Masters of Science in engineering at the University of Pennsylvania, the school confirmed to NBC News. NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny shared additional details on Mangione's upbringing, saying he was was born and raised in Maryland. His most recent address is listed as Honolulu but he also has connections to San Francisco, Kenny told NBC News.

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What has Brian Thompsons family said about his death?

After learning of the shooting, Thompsons family mourned his passing.



We are shattered to hear about the senseless killing of our beloved Brian, a family statement obtained by NBC affiliate KARE in Minneapolis on Dec. 5 read. Brian was an incredibly loving, generous, talented man who truly lived life to the fullest and touched so many lives. Most importantly, Brian was an incredibly loving father to our two sons and will be greatly missed. We appreciate your condolences and request complete privacy as our family moves through this difficult time. Thompsons wife Paulette also recalled how her husband had received threats prior to his death.



"Yes, there had been some threats," she told NBC News Dec. 5. "Basically, I dont know, a lack of coverage? I dont know details. I just know that he said there were some people that had been threatening him."





What has UnitedHealth Group said about Brian Thompsons death?

UnitedHealth Group, the parent company of UnitedHealthcare, also expressed how it was "deeply saddened and shocked at the passing of our dear friend" Thompson, flying its flags at half-mast at corporate headquarters in Minnesota.



"Brian was a highly respected colleague and friend to all who worked with him," a Dec. 4 statement from the organization read. "We are working closely with the New York Police Department and ask for your patience and understanding during this difficult time. Our hearts go out to Brians family and all who were close to him.



And while the company noted "our hearts are broken," it shared in a Dec. 5 statement that it has also "been touched by the huge outpouring of kindness and support in the hours since this horrific crime took place."



"So many patients, consumers, health care professionals, associations, government officials and other caring people have taken time out of their day to reach out," the message read. "We are thankful, even as we grieve. Our priorities are, first and foremost, supporting Brians family; ensuring the safety of our employees; and working with law enforcement to bring the perpetrator to justice. We, at UnitedHealth Group, will continue to be there for those who depend upon us for their health care. We ask that everyone respect the familys privacy as they mourn the loss of their husband, father, brother and friend."





However, there's also been public criticism about UnitedHealthcare, Thompson and America's healthcare system overall.



These have included online conversations about insurance companies' claim denial rates as well as a look at accusations against Thompson.



For instance, in a class-action lawsuit filed by the City of Hollywood Firefighters' Pension Fund in May 2024 and obtained by NBC News, Thompson was accused of selling more than $15 million of his personal UnitedHealth shares after allegedly learning of an investigation of the company by the U.S. Department of Justice before the public did. When asked about the trades allegedly made by Thompson and other executives, a UnitedHealth spokesperson told Bloomberg in April 2024 "these directors and officers followed our protocols and received approval from the company."



The lawsuit, per the BBC, remains active.



And while a motive for the shooting has again not been revealed, many outlets have noted the words "deny," "defend" and "depose" on the shell casings are similar to the title of a 2010 book called Delay Deny Defend: Why Insurance Companies Don't Pay Claims and What You Can Do About It.



(E! and NBC News are both part of the NBCUniversal family).



For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Law enforcement in Pennsylvania are questioning a man Monday in connection with last week's killing of Brian Thompson, according to NBC News.

NBC News on Monday morning said police were called to a McDonald's in Altoona after customers reported a suspicious person.

Citing law enforcement sources, NBC News reports the man was taken to a police station for questioning after officers discovered he had a fake New Jersey ID.

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At the station, police reportedly discovered the man possessed a gun similar to the one used in Thompson's killing and a silencer.

The New York Times reports a "handwritten manifesto" criticizing health care companies has also been found on the man.

Monday marks six days since a masked gunman shot and killed Thompson, the chief executive officer of Minnesota-based UnitedHealthcare, in a targeted attack in New York City.

The New York City Police Department has released a series of suspect photos, though authorities have yet to publicly identify the gunman who investigators say shot Thompson in the back as he was headed into the Midtown Hilton for an investor's conference early Wednesday.

Via New York City Police Department.

While authorities have not indicated a motive in the killing, there has been widespread speculation that the premeditated attack related to grievances against the private health insurance company's practices.

The words "deny", "defend" and "depose", an apparent reference to how insurer's avoid paying claims, were discovered written on shell casings at the scene, according to media reports.
HOUSTON, Dec. 9 (Xinhua) -- A high school student was hit and killed by a Union Pacific train on Monday morning in southeast Houston, the largest city of the southern U.S. state of Texas, the Houston Independent School District (HISD) confirmed.

The 10th-grade Milby High School student was found dead on the scene after being struck by the train around 7:35 a.m. Central Standard Time, local media reported.

"This morning a Milby student was involved in a fatal accident near campus. HISD's Crisis Response team has responded to the school to provide support to students and staff and communications have been sent to Milby HS families," the district said in a statement.

"The Milby HS community has suffered a tragic and unfortunate loss," the statement said.

The Houston Police Department said it appears to be a tragic accident with no signs of foul play. 
ABC News reports that a person of interest in custody in Pennsylvania in connection to the deadly shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

New York Police identified him as 26-year-old Luigi Mangione.

Sources have told Channel 2s Michael Seiden that the man does not have any known family or history ties to Atlanta.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

ABC News reports that a man walked into a McDonalds where a witness recognized him from photos that police put out. Sources told ABC News that the man had a fake ID and a gun similar to the one used in the shooting that killed Thompson in midtown Manhattan.

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NYPD detectives are now heading to Altoona, Pennsylvania, according to ABC News.

NYPD detectives were previously on the ground here in Atlanta over the weekend. Investigators believe the suspect boarded a Greyhound bus that originated in Atlanta and headed to New York where he shot Thompson 10 days later. Police have not said where he got on the bus.

Sources told Seiden that the detectives have already flown back to New York.

Follow live updates on the investigation here.

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Police officers investigate the scene where UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was shot and killed in New York City. - Credit: Kyle Mazza/Anadolu/Getty Images

A 26-year-old man was identified as a person of interest in connection with the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson.

At a press conference Monday, Dec. 9, New York City Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch identified the suspect as Luigi Mangione. Tisch confirmed several reports that had emerged earlier in the day, saying Mangione was recognized by an employee of a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, who then called the police.

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Responding officers questioned the suspect, who was acting suspiciously and was carrying multiple fraudulent IDs, as well as a U.S. passport, Tisch continued. Upon further investigation, officers recovered a firearm on his person, as well as a suppressor, both consistent with the weapon used in the murder. They also recovered clothing, including a mask, consistent with those worn by the our wanted individual. Also recovered was a fraudulent New Jersey ID matching the ID our suspect used to check into his New York City hostel before the shooting incident.

Tisch also said that officers recovered a handwritten document that speaks to both his motivation and mindset. Previously, a law enforcement source told The New York Times that the manifesto criticized health care companies and the ways they prioritize profits over patient care.

Joseph Kenny, the NYPDs chief of detectives, said during the press conference: It does seem he has some ill will toward corporate America.

Kenny offered some additional biographical details about Mangione, as well. He said he was born and raised in Maryland, had ties to San Francisco, and also recently lived in Honolulu. Mangione has no known criminal record in New York.

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Mangione has not been arrested or charged yet in connection to the shooting. He was, however, been arrested on a local firearms charge. If he is arrested and charged in Thompsons death, he would first need to be extradited to New York.

Tisch said NYPD detectives are en route to Pennsylvania to further question Mangione.

The questioning is the most significant development in the manhunt for the shooter since Thompson was killed outside the New York Hilton Midtown on the morning of Dec. 4. Authorities have called the killing a pre-planned, targeted attack, and at the scene of the crime, they recovered multiple shell casings engraved with the words deny, defend, and depose  a possible allusion to terms used by health insurance companies to avoid paying claims.

Following the attack, authorities said they believed the shooter fled the scene, first on foot, and then on a bicycle. Its believed he quickly left New York City by bus, with surveillance cameras catching him entering the Port Authority Bus Terminal, but not leaving it. Police officers also recovered a backpack  reportedly stuffed with Monopoly money  in Central Park that they believe belonged to the shooter.

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On top of tracking his movements, police also shared a handful of photos of the suspect culled from surveillance footage. These included images of the shooter in a Starbucks, as well as a taxi cab, though in both of those images, his face was covered. Images of the shooter without a face mask were captured at the hostel where he was reportedly staying.

This story was updated at 1:51 p.m. ET after Luigi Mangione was identified as a person of interest in the shooting of death of Brian Thompson.

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A Goodreads account seemingly belonging to Luigi Mangione, the suspect in connection with the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, has surfaced.

The account has come to light amid Mangione's detainment at an Altoona, Pa., McDonalds, where he was found in possession of a 9mm "ghost gun," multiple fake IDs, and a 3-page manifesto critical of the health insurance industry, following Thompson's Wednesday, Dec. 4 death.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny said Mangione's manifesto indicated he "has some ill will toward corporate America." Bullet casings found at the scene of the crime also had engravings with the words "deny," "defend" and "depose," similar to a phrase about the insurance industry to describe a strategy of rejecting claims, "delay, deny, defend," which was used as the title of a 2010 book by Rutgers University professor Jay Feinman.

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Related: UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson Killed, Suspect at Large: Full Recap

NYPDnews/X; Luigi Mangione/Facebook Luigi Mangione Luigi Mangione

While a motive remains unclear, Mangione's Goodreads account shows that he read and gave a four-star review to Theodore (Ted) John Kaczynski's Industrial Society and Its Future, also known as the Unabomber Manifesto.

Although Mangione wrote on Goodreads that Kaczynski was a "violent individual" who was "rightfully imprisoned," he described his actions "as those of an extreme political revolutionary."

He also liked a quote from Kurt Vonnegut's anti-war novel Slaughterhouse-Five, and John Stuart Mill's economic textbook Principles of Political Economy and a quote from Tim Urban comparing knowledge to a tree.

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Related: CEO Shooting Suspect Had 'Manifesto' Against Health Care Companies on Him When He Was Detained: Source

Luigi Mangione/X.com Luigi Mangione Luigi Mangione

The account shows that he had been reading books such as Michael Pollan's How to Change Your Mind, which examines the history of psychedelic drugs, and Pollan's The Omnivores Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals, which explores the food industry.

Another book Manigone appeared to be reading was Markus Zusak's historical fiction The Book Thief, set in Nazi Germany during World War II.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

PEOPLE previously confirmed that Mangione was the valedictorian of the Gilman School, a prestigious boys' prep school in Baltimore. An X account belonging to a person by the same name states he has a bachelor's and master's degree in computer science from the University of Pennsylvania.

Read the original article on People
As the manhunt for the suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson intensifies, investigators believe he left New York City by bus.

The suspect was last seen on Wednesday taking a cab in Manhattan from the vicinity of 86th Street and Columbus Avenue to George Washington Bridge Bus Station near 178th Street and Broadway, Fox 9 News reported. There, police say, he likely boarded a bus.

Those buses are interstate buses. Thats why we believe he may have left New York City, NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters Friday.

New images of suspect

Over the weekend, police released two new images of the suspect wanted in connection with the fatal shooting.

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One image appears to show the unidentified male suspect in the back seat of a taxi cab, wearing a blue surgical mask and dark hooded jacket. The other appears to show the same man on the street outside of the cab.

This undated photo released by the New York Police Department shows a suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Dec. 4, 2024, in a taxi. Part of the image was blurred by the source. (NYPD via AP)

This undated photo released by the New York Police Department shows a suspect in the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on Dec. 4, 2024, outside of a taxi. Part of the image was blurred by the source. (NYPD via AP)

On Friday evening, police said they had found the distinctive backpack worn by the suspect in Central Park, the Associated Press reported. The backpack was sent to a forensics lab for testing, the New York Times reported. Police also found other items in the park, including clothing.

Earlier Friday, DNA samples from a cellphone and water bottle recovered at the scene were turned over to a lab for testing, according to CNN.

Officials are hopeful the new clues could help identify the suspect  described by police as a light-skinned male wearing a cream-colored jacket and carrying a gray backpack.

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Thompson, 50, from Minnesota, was shot outside the New York Hilton in midtown Manhattan early Wednesday in what police said appeared to be a "brazen, targeted attack." The suspected shooter fled from the scene.

Heres what we know about the suspects movements so far:

Arrival in New York City

According to CNN, police believe the suspect arrived at New York Citys Port Authority bus terminal on a Greyhound bus on Nov. 24  10 days before the shooting. The bus originated in Atlanta, but it is unclear where the suspect boarded the bus before its arrival in New York.

The suspect then checked into the hostel on the Upper West Side using a fake New Jersey drivers license, paid in cash and appeared to wear a mask throughout most of his stay.

The day of the killing

The suspect was seen on numerous surveillance cameras in midtown Manhattan on the morning of Thompsons slaying:

6:15 a.m. ET: Suspect is seen leaving midtown subway station

Surveillance footage obtained by the Washington Post shows the suspect leaving midtown Manhattan's 57th Street subway station at 6:15 a.m. ET.

6:17 a.m. ET: Suspect spotted inside the Starbucks on 56th Street

NYPD News via X

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After leaving the station, the suspect is next seen at 6:17 a.m. ET inside a Starbucks coffee shop on Sixth Avenue.

6:20 a.m. ET: Suspect seen outside the Stage Star Deli on 55th Street

Security camera footage via Gideon Platt, Stage Star Deli

Security camera footage obtained by Yahoo News appears to show a person matching the description of the suspected shooter walking west on 55th Street  a block from the Hilton hotel where the attack took place  at about 6:20 a.m. The person in the video appears to pause and lean over a pile of trash bags on the sidewalk for a few seconds before continuing on.

6:39 a.m. ET: Suspect seen outside the Hilton

Police said the suspected shooter arrived at the scene on foot just minutes before Thompson showed up outside the Hilton Hotel.

6:46 a.m. ET: Thompson is shot by the suspect

Security camera still images showing the suspected shooter wanted in the killing of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson are displayed at an NYPD press conference in New York City on Wednesday. (Mike Segar/Reuters)

The suspect approached Thompson from behind and shot him in the back and leg, police said. The gun appeared to be fitted with a silencer and seemed to jam, a law enforcement official told CNN, but the suspect was able to fix it and continued firing. Police responded to a 911 call at 6:47 a.m. ET. Thompson was transported to Mount Sinai West hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

6:48 a.m. ET: Suspect is seen entering Central Park

The suspected shooter headed north on foot before getting on a bicycle and riding toward Central Park.

6:56 a.m. ET: Suspect leaves on the bicycle at 77th Street

Shortly thereafter he abandons his bicycle near 86th Street and Columbus Avenue.

7:04 a.m. ET: Suspect gets into a taxi

He rides north from 86th Street and Amsterdam Avenue to Port Authority bus depot in Upper Manhattan, arriving by 7:30 a.m. From there, police say, he takes a bus out of the city.

Surveillance photos released

UPDATE: Below are photos of a person of interest wanted for questioning regarding the Midtown Manhattan homicide on Dec. 4. This does not appear to be a random act of violence; all indications are that it was a premediated, targeted attack.



The full investigative efforts of pic.twitter.com/K3kzC4IbtS  NYPD NEWS (@NYPDnews) December 5, 2024

Officials on Thursday released new surveillance photos showing a "person of interest wanted for questioning" about the shooting. The NYPD did not confirm to Yahoo News that the person photographed was the suspected shooter nor identify where and when the photos were taken. But multiple news outlets reported that the image was taken at the hostel where the suspect had been reportedly staying.

More evidence recovered late Friday

Police scoured the area in Central Park where they found what is believed to be the backpack the suspect was seen wearing. They turned up other items that they think could be connected to the crime.

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Earlier Friday, investigators finished processing items collected from the scene, including a cellphone and water bottle that were turned over to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner on Friday for testing.

A fingerprint was found on the bottle, but the print was smudged, which means it cant be identified. It's not determined if the phone belonged to the gunman. Police have not yet been able to gain access to the device.

Police officers investigate the scene where UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson was fatally shot in Manhattan on Wednesday. (Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images)

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Officials have yet to determine a motive for the shooting. Investigators have been examining evidence found at the scene, including bullet casings that, according to multiple reports, had the words delay, deny and depose written on them. As the Associated Press noted, the words echo delay, deny, defend  a phrase commonly used to describe how insurers avoid paying claims.

Kenny said Friday that investigators believe that the gunman could be a disgruntled ex-employee of UnitedHealthcare or a client of the company.
The University of Michigan on Monday denounced an attack on the home of Jordan Acker, a university regent, in which his house was vandalized and pro-Palestinian messages were spray-painted on his wifes car.

The vandalism of Regent Jordan Ackers home early this morning is a clear act of antisemitic intimidation. The University of Michigan condemns these criminal acts in the strongest possible terms, the school said in a statement.

Acker told CNN the incident happened around 2 a.m., when he heard the glass from the front window on his home shatter.

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This is unacceptable and will not be tolerated. We call on our community to come together in solidarity and to firmly reject all forms of bigotry and violence, the university said.

The individuals vandalized the car with what Acker told the outlet were messages about Palestine with a Hamas upside triangle.

The message on the car said divest and free Palestine.

As a public official, you expect a certain level of criticism  even protests  but this is not protest, this is terrorism, Acker told CNN.

This has nothing to do with the First Amendment, has nothing to do with Palestine, nothing to do with Israel and everything to do with trying to harass and intimidate Jews, he added. And this Jew will not be intimidated by it.

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The vandalism comes just days after the university said it would no longer require diversity statements for faculty hiring, promotion or tenure.

This is also not the first time Acker was personally attacked, with his law firm vandalized with pro-Palestinian messages back in June.

Public leaders have public obligations, and I would call on every member of our congressional delegation  any elected official in Michigan  to call this out publicly as antisemitism because thats exactly what this is, Acker said.

Many universities have struggled with a spike in antisemitism since Israels war in Gaza began last year.

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Last month, the University of Rochester had wanted posters of Jewish faculty members plastered around its campus.

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The home of a Jewish member of the University of Michigans Board of Regents was vandalized early Monday, in what the university described as a clear act of antisemitic intimidation.

The incident marks the third time Jordan Acker, a Michigan attorney elected to the board overseeing the universitys governance, has been targeted since the start of the Israel-Hamas war.

The University of Michigan condemns these criminal acts in the strongest possible terms, the school said in a statement. They are abhorrent and, unfortunately, just the latest in a number of incidents where individuals have been harassed because of their work on behalf of the university. This is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

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The sound of shattering glass jolted Acker from his sleep just after 2 a.m. Monday, he told CNN. He went downstairs to find his front windows had been smashed and his wifes car vandalized with what he described as messages about Palestine with a Hamas upside triangle.

The upside-down triangle has become a symbol of violent resistance to Israel, according to the Anti-Defamation League. Photos provided by Acker show someone scrawled Divest and Free Palestine on the vehicle.

Acker said his neighbors captured the incident on their ring camera and called the police. CNN has reached out to the Huntington Woods Police Department for comment.

As a public official, you expect a certain level of criticism  even protests  but this is not protest, this is terrorism, Acker said, adding the incident took place while his daughters were asleep upstairs.

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This has nothing to do with the First Amendment, has nothing to do with Palestine, nothing to do with Israel and everything to do with trying to harass and intimidate Jews, Acker said, And this Jew will not be intimidated by it.

Jordan Acker, who is on the University of Michigan Board of Regents, is seen during a meeting, Wednesday, July 13, 2022, in Ann Arbor, Mich. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio) - Carlos Osorio/AP

The latest incident comes after months of escalating tensions between the universitys administration and students who have used increasingly confrontational tactics to demand leaders divest from Israel.

In May, protesters held late-night demonstrations outside the private homes of several university regents, placing fake bloody body bags on their lawns and tacking a list of demands to their front doors, according to a statement from university president Santa J. Ono. Ackers home was among those targeted.

Then, in June, Ackers law firm, Goodman Acker, was vandalized with pro-Palestinian language, CNN previously reported. At the time, the Southfield Police Department said they would investigate the incident as a hate crime.

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Acker said hes received numerous private messages of sympathy following each of the attacks against him, but he said it is no longer enough.

Public leaders have public obligations, and I would call on every member of our congressional delegation  any elected official in Michigan  to call this out publicly as antisemitism because thats exactly what this is, he said.

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Great businesses rarely go on sale. But one fintech stock that I have followed for years just experienced a sudden correction. Give your portfolio an early gift by investing in this quality business before the holidays hit.

Nu Holdings is a growth machine backed by Warren Buffett

I've been a big fan of Nu Holdings (NYSE: NU) since its initial public offering in 2021. And I'm not alone in my fandom. Warren Buffett has picked up more than $1 billion in shares, a stake that he has refused to trim even as the stock price skyrocketed by more than 200% since mid-2022.

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What do I love most about Nu? It has developed a proven recipe for growth that should be sustained for years, if not decades to come.

More than a decade ago, Nu's founders realized that Latin America's banking industry was primed for new competition. At the time, the banking industry was largely consolidated, with minimal innovation despite the advent of new technologies like the internet and smartphones.

What the company decided to do was a novel break from tradition, at least for a Latin American financial services business. Instead of opening a bunch of physical branches, Nu went directly to consumers through a smartphone app. While this was fairly common at the time in more developed markets, the strategy was wholly unique in Latin America.

By offering its services directly through a smartphone, Nu was able to lower costs for most conventional financial services like debit and credit cards, banking and checking accounts, and basic investment accounts. This reduction in fees, plus ease of access, allowed it to grow quickly.

But there was another major advantage to this strategy: Nu could innovate far more nimbly than the competition. At the push of a button, it could activate a new product or service for millions of customers.

Clearly these factors were in demand by Latin American residents. The company went from zero customers to 109 million as of the most recent quarter. And with more than 650 million residents across the entirety of Latin America, the company has plenty of room for long-term growth.

The discount on this fintech stock may not last long

Nu has become a growth machine, and its stock price has risen consistently due to that reality. But even growth superstars like this temporarily go on sale.

Over the last few weeks, shares have fallen in value by nearly 25%. What was the cause? In mid-November, the company reported blockbuster earnings. But sales growth was below historical norms, while certain profitability metrics compressed.
Mainstream media spent last week in a self-righteous frenzy over Joe Bidens pardon of his son. Almost none of the coverage explained that Hunter Biden was pardoned for offenses rarely prosecuted in the first place.

Because he was in recovery and not using at the time, Hunter Biden answered no on a gun permit application where it asked about drug addiction. While this may have been a context needed response, according to the National Criminal Justice Association, almost no one gets prosecuted for grey or even false answers on a gun permit application. Similarly, the tax charges brought against Hunter Biden were for first time tax offenses related to mis-claimed expenditures; such charges are rarely brought against first-time offenders, and almost never result in jail time.

The rarity of similar, arms-length prosecutions in both cases supports a strong inference that Hunter was prosecuted for politics, not cause, as President Biden made clear.

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On the surface, Bidens justification echoed Trumps repeated claims of victimhood, but theres no factual comparison. Lying about expenses on a personal tax return, or drug use on a permit for a gun that was never used, isnt in the same league as Trump inciting a violent mob to attack the U.S. capital. Nor is it anywhere near Trump asking a state official to find 11,000 votes to rig an election, decades of business and financial fraud, a jury finding of sexual abuse and defamation, or staggering emoluments from foreign governments.

Media malfeasance on parade

Since the pardon was announced, Fox News has churned non-stop false narratives equating the Biden crime family with Trumps long litany of felonies. Fox News ran over 80 features covering the Biden pardon over the past week alone, yet to this day has still never factually discussed J6 or Trumps role in it.

Fox similarly offers no criticism of Trumps plan to install a psychopath to turn the FBI into a dragnet against American citizens. Kash Patel is so rabidly obsessed with Trumps revenge hell make J. Edgar Hoover look like a puppy. Fox calls Patel, who writes children's books about a persecuted King Donald, an advocate for truth who will use the FBI to bust the deep state.

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Fox will continue to propagandize Trump to low-information voters in service to Murdochs and Trump donors deep-pocket interests and no surprise there. What is surprising is that the NYT and other mainstream outlets have engaged in similar malfeasance, continuing the same media double standard that helped return a felon to the presidency. The day Bidens pardon was announced, The New York Times devoted nearly its entire cover page to the story, and, over the past week, has run at least 28 features covering the pardon, almost none supportive.

Self-righteous objections disregard reality

Critics are correct that Biden previously said he would not pardon his son. But Biden made this statement before an untethered criminal was re-elected who, post-election, has paraded his plans to abuse his office for un-American revenge.

Pundits also argue that the pardon weakens Democrats commitment to the rule of law, even though Trump issued pardons for far more consequential offenses. Trump pardoned his in-law Charles Kushner, and has offered him an ambassadorship, after Kushner pleaded guilty to 18 federal charges including witness tampering, violating election laws, and tax evasion. After Kushner found out members of his family were cooperating with authorities, he hired a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law and sent a videotape of the affair to his sister. Chris Christie, then-U.S. attorney, called it one of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes he had ever prosecuted.

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Trump also pardoned Michael Flynn after he admitted he lied to the FBI to protect Trump in the Russia investigation. Along with Roger Stone, Paul Manafort, drug dealers and over 175 other defendants, the crimes Trump pardoned are venomous snake bites compared to Hunter Bidens mosquito bite.

When Trump pardons Jan. 6 rioters who assaulted federal police and wanted to hang Mike Pence, the upset over Hunters pardon for lying on a form will look ridiculous.

Norm follows function

One pundit after another argues that Biden should honor norms, stand on ceremony, and throw his son to Trumps lawless and vindictive FBI to prove a point.

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If upholding norms resulted in anything like reciprocity, i.e., if it would lead Republicans to follow suit, standing on principle might have merit. But there is no evidence whatsoever that Trumps enablers care about norms; if anything, owning the libs and other juvenile ethos from the right require rejecting them.

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Endorsing Bidens pardon isnt just a matter of disregarding norms already discarded by the other side. Its a reality-based refusal to stand on a burning platform while the other side holds the torch. Any recollection of Trumps first term coupled with the pre-planned miscarriage of justice for his second makes objecting to Bidens pardon look naive to the point of virtue signaling.

Biden needs to pardon everyone in Trumps crosshairs

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If anything, Biden needs to keep the pardon ink flowing as Trump showcases the most dangerous and unqualified cabinet in American history, expressly assembled to take down his domestic enemies. Biden should also initiate FBI background checks, immediately, for any nominees Trump refuses to vet.

In light of Trumps public vow to wreck the government and the people in it, Biden should use his remaining time in office to issue blanket pardons to those on Patels target list, including prominent Republicans like Liz Cheney of Wyoming, whom Trump says should go to Jail along with the rest of the Unselect Committee.

Trumps sinister threats of vengeance against every American who lawfully sought to hold him accountable for his crimes are rapidly materializing. Instead of enabling Trumps reign of terror by letting it unfold as Trump, Patel, Hegseth and other blood-thirsty goons have threatened, Biden has the pardon power to preemptively kneecap it, and he should use it.

A presidents duty to protect and defend demands no less.
President-elect Donald Trump announced on Sunday that he selected his advisor and defense attorney, Alina Habba as counselor to the president.

Alina has been a tireless advocate for Justice, a fierce Defender of the Rule of Law, and an invaluable Advisor to my Campaign and Transition Team, Trump wrote on Truth Social. She has been unwavering in her loyalty, and unmatched in her resolve - standing with me through numerous 'trials,' battles, and countless days in Court.

Few understand the Weaponization of the Injustice System better than Alina, who has fought relentlessly against the full force of Lawfare with courage and an unshakable commitment to Justice, the president-elect added.

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The role of counselor in Trumps first term was previously held by Kellyanne Conway.

Habba represented Trump in both the defamation and civil rape lawsuits filed by writer E. Jean Carroll. Trump was found liable for sexual and guilty for defamation.

Habba often accompanied Trump on the campaign trail and has since spent significant time in Mar-a-Lago, the Associated Press reported.

"As a first generation American of Middle Eastern Heritage, she has become a role model for women in Law and Politics, most recently being named Chaldean Woman of the Year," Trump wrote.

Habba is just the latest loyalist to be appointed to Trumps Cabinet as he seeks to fill his administration with steadfast supporters.

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Honor of my life to serve the 45th and 47th President and the American people, Habba wrote on X.

In similar social media posts on Sunday evening, the president-elect announced several other Cabinet appointments, including Michael Anton as director of policy planning and Christopher Landau as deputy secretary.
A laptop screen shows part of a presentation by the Rhode Island Department of Education department during an August 2024 meeting of the Providence School Board. (Alexander Castro/Rhode Island Current)

When I was a young mom, the Parent/Teacher Association at my kids elementary school in Providence invited the late, legendary union leader Marcia Reback to speak at a PTA meeting. Parents complained bitterly that our concerns and needs for change were dismissed as impossible because of the teachers contract.

Annoyed by the barrage of parent concerns, Reback said the day the kids paid her to represent them, she would. But she was paid to get the best possible deal for the teachers.

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What about the kids? parents asked in dismay.

With a this-is-just-the-way-it-is shrug she said, Not my problem.

A handful of parents took their kids out of that school that night. Most Providence public-school parents have no such option.

My sincere appreciation of unions here in the U.S. does not preclude questioning the behavior of any entity standing in the way of kids success. Unions sometimes do.

Nationally, about 24% of school board/committee members are also teachers union members. Most, but not all, are members of their own districts union. Yet more board members are union-endorsed. As such, unions participate in negotiating their own contracts  salaries, benefits and work conditions.

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Having the employees become the employers and managers of their public service obligations seems fishy to me  if not a full-on conflict of interests. Can union members and their endorsed associates make hard, sometimes unpopular, calls that support kids and education instead of the deals the union wants?

In the Nov. 5 election, for the first time since the 1960s, Providence voters chose half the members of a hybrid school board, while the other half will continue to be appointed by the mayor.

City leaders divided the city into five regions each to be represented by one appointed and one elected member, for a total of 10.

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The union put forward and endorsed a candidate for each of the five new regions and won three races. Teachers union associates will be 33% of the board.

Most school boards are elected  88%. Occasionally boards flip from elected to appointed, and vice versa, usually because of budget, performance or in-fighting crises. Least common are hybrid boards.

Arguments for each governance model attract the different constituencies they serve. Voting is intrinsically democratic, hopefully drawing more people to pay attention to their local schools.

But Brookings and other researchers argue that mayors can make boards more representative both demographically and with a broader range of skills.

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Thats because elections draw only candidates willing to withstand the personal and fiscal challenges of running for office. And elections open the door to special interest candidates. Annenberg reports that union-endorsed candidates win about 70% of their elections, not the least because of teachers unions vaunted organizing strength to get out the vote.

Mind you, the new school boards power is limited by the three-year extension of the 2019 takeover by the Rhode Island Department of Education.

Still, no matter who the ostensible leaders are, will they confront the problems cemented into the teachers contract or face the harm being done by anti-education legislation?

For example, the states recent education commission flags three legacy throwbacks to the 1960s contracts modeled on automotive-workers contracts. Specifically, they are legislative mandates to hire by seniority, to use a lock-step pay schedule, and to impose an onerous grievance process. These arent the only bad state laws. But a 21st century government has no business hanging onto mid-20th century known mistakes.

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No matter who the ostensible leaders are, will they confront the problems cemented into the teachers contract or face the harm being done by anti-education legislation?

President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, no hard-hearted, economy-first conservative, strongly supported private-sector unions, but of the public sector he said, the process of collective bargaining, as usually understood, cannot be transplanted into the public service.  The employer is the whole people, a.k.a. the public.

In the private sector, the marketplace acts as a natural counterweight to labors demands. The company as a whole must stay competitive. Some pundits argue that private unions caused some of their own decline by pricing themselves out of the market. Yes, corporate moguls who become obscenely rich by milking their workers underscore the ugliest value of our wealth-obsessed culture.

But public-sector unions have no counterweight. Schools cant up and move to China. Taxpayers become a bottomless pocket. Does the public know that Rhode Islands per pupil expenditure is 8th highest in the nation, delivering mediocre results, while Massachusetts is 6th highest with first-in-the-nation results? In a recent settlement, the court ruled that Providence owes millions to its state-controlled schools. The city won the right to have the school department audited by a third party, but the city will pay for it.

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Consider this: The president of Rhode Islands state teachers union is about to become the Senate majority leader. Will she, Valerie Lawson, an East Providence Democrat, fight to free public school kids from their legislative shackles? Of all people, she could make a huge difference.

Who will become the profile in courage standing firm against structural impediments to high-quality education for Providence kids? Probably not the newly union-peppered Providence school board. So the job is wide open.

Absolutely nothing will improve otherwise.

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The United States has launched airstrikes against ISIS camps in Syria, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) said in a statement.

The operation consisted of dozens of precision airstrikes and struck more than 75 targets in central Syria using Air Force assets, including B-52s, F-15s and A-10s.

The strikes against the ISIS leaders, operatives, and camps were conducted as part of the ongoing mission to disrupt, degrade and defeat ISIS, in order to prevent the terrorist group from conducting external operations and to ensure that ISIS does not seek to take advantage of the current situation to reconstitute in central Syria, CENTCOMs statement said.

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Earlier Sunday, the Syrian government fell after rebels entered the capital city and ended President Bashar Assad and his familys 50-year rule.

Assad and his family fled to Russia, where they were welcomed and approved for asylum.

Citizens took to the streets in celebration of the overthrow and pivotal moment in the civil war.

The uprising has raised questions about what lies ahead for the country and region, but Gen. Michael Erik Kurilla said there should be no doubt that the U.S. will not allow ISIS to reconstitute in the wake of the current situation.

All organizations in Syria should know that we will hold them accountable if they partner with or support ISIS in any way, he said in a statement.

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President Biden said Sunday that the U.S. will continue its anti-ISIS operations. He called Assads fall a fundamental act of justice but also said the current moment was full of risk and uncertainty.

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The US would run out of missiles within days if war breaks out with China, a House committee has found.

American supplies of long-range anti-ship missiles will run dry within three to seven days if China invades Taiwan, according to a wargame simulation conducted by the House select committee on China.

Within a month, the US would run out of long-range cruise missiles. Meanwhile, Taiwans own stockpiles of mid-range anti-ship missiles would be spent within a week of fighting.

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The findings will raise alarm bells among lawmakers, who worry that Americas defence industry is woefully underprepared to protect Taiwan should Beijing make good on its repeated threats to invade.

What we learned is that in a protracted war, our defence industrial base does not have the resources it needs to win that war, John Moolenaar, the China committees chairman, said, according to The Washington Free Beacon.

Its stretched thin with different regional conflicts around the world. We need to make sure we shore up our defence industrial base so that we can win a war if it were ever necessary.

US military stressed

US military experts have projected 2027 as the year by which China would be fully equipped for a military invasion of Taiwan.

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While Chinas military industrial base continues to expand rapidly, the wargames session found that US military and defence industrial base [is] being stressed by intervention in global conflicts, including turmoil in the Middle East and the war in Ukraine.

Hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies at the end of November, the simulation was run more than 25 times and repeatedly found that the United States had insufficient stockpiles of critical munitions for protracted war.

The US possesses just 440 long-range missiles, which would run out within a week if war were to break out.

US Navy aircraft carrier USS George Washington during an exercise in the East China Sea in November - Kim Kyung-Hoon/REUTERS

Under current conditions, the report found it would take roughly two years to produce key munitions needed to compete with China, including Tomahawk missiles, cruise missiles, and surface-to-air munitions.

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The war would have devastating consequences for the US fleet, with the military estimated to lose 10-20 warships, two aircraft carriers and 200-400 warplanes, Fox reported.

The report also outlined the multi-decade timeframe it would take to build new US vessels destroyed in a standoff with Beijing.

Aircraft carrier replacements would take an estimated 40 years to resupply, while new attack submarines would take around eight years, the report found.

As for aircraft, replacement planes could take anything between a year-and-a-half to 12 years to produce.

Faced with US underpreparedness, China has invested heavily across naval, land and air warfare.

Chinese drills in the South China Sea in October - Liu Fang/Xinhua News Agency / eyevine

Beijing holds a particular advantage in naval production, where its capacity to build ships is 230 times larger than the US.

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It comes after US strategic command warned last year that China had outstripped America in its supply of land-based intercontinental ballistic missile launchers.

Jake Sullivan, the White House national security adviser, recently expressed grave concerns about the consequences of direct conflict with China at an event with the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

God forbid we end up in a full-scale war with the PRC [Peoples Republic of China], he said last week. But any war with a country like the PRC, a military like the PRC, is going to involve the exhaustion of munition stockpiles very rapidly.

Relations between the US and China are only expected to deteriorate when Donald Trump returns to the White House on Jan 21.

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The president-elect has pledged to impose sweeping tariffs on Beijing to which China has responded with counter-threats of its own, including restricting shipments of rare metals.

Whether Mr Trump chooses to act on the growing military production gap could play a crucial role in determining the outcome of a potential armed conflict between the two superpowers.

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WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. State Department announced a slew of sanctions on Monday to mark International Anti-Corruption Day and the eve of Human Rights Day, targeting individuals from multiple countries, including the former CEO of SriLankan Airlines over Airbus purchases.

Also targeted were North Macedonia's former deputy prime minister, Artan Grubi, as well as Enver Bexheti, a judge from that country's appeals court and Kevin Kedi, a councilman from the Marshall Islands, for allegedly accepting bribes.

The State Department said the United States was redesignating UK resident Fawaz Akhras, father of the British-born wife of the deposed Syrian president, Bashar al-Assad, for providing him with material support.

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A State Department statement said Kapila Chandrasena, the former CEO of SriLankan Airlines, was designated for sanctions along with immediate family members, for allegedly accepting a bribe in exchange for ensuring Sri Lanka purchased Airbus aircraft for over market value.

Sri Lanka's former ambassador to Russia, Udayanga Weeratunga, meanwhile, was accused of benefiting from a corrupt scheme involving the procurement of MiG aircraft for the Sri Lankan Air Force. He and immediate family members were designated, the statement said.

In 2020, Sri Lanka ordered a probe into allegations of bribery by European planemaker Airbus over the sale of aircraft to state-run carrier SriLankan Airlines, after Airbus agreed to settle a corruption probe with regulators.

A senior official at SriLankan Airlines said at the time that a Colombo court had issued orders to arrest Chandrasena and his wife Priyanka Niyomali Wijenayake as suspects of money laundering.

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The State Department also said that the United States, in close coordination with the United Kingdom, was also sanctioning nine individuals and 19 entities involved in a global gold and diamond corruption network based in Zimbabwe.

It said Abdul Qader al-Murtadha, head of the Houthi National Committee for Prisoners Affairs (HNCPA) and that organization were designated for involvement in torture, while visa restrictions were imposed on seven individuals accused of undermining peace and security in the West Bank.

None of the individuals named could immediately be reached for comment on the steps, which involve a range of sanctions including freezes of any U.S. assets and U.S. visa bans.

(Reporting by David Brunnstrom in Washington; Editing by Matthew Lewis)
By Erin Banco and Humeyra Pamuk

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. officials were pressing on Monday for information about Austin Tice and to secure the release of the American journalist captured in Syria 12 years ago.

Washington's hostage-affairs envoy Roger Carstens was in Beirut as part of intensive efforts to locate Tice, according to the State Department, while White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said other officials were seeking information from people in Syria.

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"This is a top priority for us - to find Austin Tice, to locate the prison where he may be held, get him out, get him home safely to his family," Sullivan told ABC's "Good Morning America."

"We are talking through the Turks and others to people on the ground in Syria to say, 'Help us with this. Help us get Austin Tice home.'"

Tice, a former U.S. Marine and a freelance journalist, was 31 when he was abducted in August 2012 while reporting in Damascus on the uprising against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted by Syrian rebels who seized the capital Damascus on Sunday. Syria had denied he was being held.

Assad fled to Russia after a 13-year civil war and more than five decades of his family's autocratic rule.

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The United States received intelligence over the summer from a Lebanese source who said they saw Tice alive and believed the group holding him was connected to Hezbollah, according to a former U.S. official familiar with the intelligence.

The official said the U.S. often receives varying reports regarding Tice's whereabouts and it has been difficult to determine their accuracy or credibility.

Years of secret talks with the Assad government were fruitless, with Syria saying they could only offer proof of Tice's life if the U.S. met demands such as withdrawing troops from the country, according to a person familiar with the discussions. Lebanon helped broker those talks.

LAST INTERACTION

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The last Biden administration interaction with Syria on Tice was a little over a month before Aleppo fell to the rebels late last month, the person said.

"There are intensive efforts under way by the United States to find Austin Tice and bring him home to his family," said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller. "We are pressing all parties in the region to support this effort."

President Joe Biden said on Sunday the U.S. government believes Tice is alive. He has tasked his team with doing whatever it takes to bring Tice home, according to people familiar with the directive.

"We think we can get him back, but we have no direct evidence to that yet. And Assad should be held accountable," Biden said. "We have to identify where (Tice) is."

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There is no U.S. government intelligence that suggests Tice is dead, according to the person familiar with the matter. Assad is believed to have held him at one point, the person said.

The FBI is offering a $1-million reward for information leading to Tices safe return.

Tice's parents said on Monday they were watching families reunite in Syria and expect that will be possible for them as well.

"Austin Tice is alive, in Syria, and it's time for him to come home. We are eagerly anticipating seeing Austin walk free and we are asking anyone who can do so to please assist Austin so he can safely return home to our family," Marc and Debra Tice said in a statement.

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Sullivan met with Debra Tice on Friday at the White House after she told journalists at the National Press Club that she believed her son was alive.

(Reporting by Erin Banco and Simon Lewis; additional reporting by Doina Chiacu, Trevor Hunnicutt, Humeyra Pamuk, Kanishka Singh and Patricia Zengerle; Writing by Doina Chiacu and Trevor Hunnicutt; Editing by Heather Timmons, Timothy Heritage and Rod Nickel)
SIMI VALLEY, Calif.  American forces in the Middle East pounded central Syria Sunday in a massive round of strikes just a day after the countrys government crumbled.

U.S. Central Command said that its warplanes conducted dozens of airstrikes on more than 75 sites, including known ISIS leaders, operatives and camps. The attacks used B-52 bombers, F-15 fighters and A-10 Warthogs, which have already been flying over the country this month for other attacks.

There should be no doubt - we will not allow ISIS to reconstitute and take advantage of the current situation in Syria, Gen. Erik Kurilla, head of CENTCOM, wrote in a statement. All organizations in Syria should know that we will hold them accountable if they partner with or support ISIS in any way.

In all, around 140 munitions were used in what a separate senior U.S. administration official called a significant strike while speaking with reporters Sunday.

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CENTCOM is still assessing the strike and said there were no reports yet of civilian casualties.

The barrage comes a day after Syrias government fell in a dramatic end to the countrys decade-long civil war. The Assad regime had ruled the country for half a century, and its last ruler Bashar al-Assad had cruelly held down a rebellion for years  including the use of chemical weapons on his own people.

The Syrian civil war in part led to the emergence of ISIS in the 2010s and Americas military leading an international coalition to fight the terrorist group. There are now around 900 U.S. personnel in the country, and the international mission in the country is scheduled to wind down within two years.

Assads downfall came with his main supporters  Russia, Iran and the Lebanese militia group Hezbollah  all being weakened or distracted in the last year. When a rebel group began taking major cities across the country over the last two weeks, the governments military collapsed.

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According to Russian state media, Assad has since fled to Moscow.

American government and military officials watched the collapse near its climax over the weekend from California at the Reagan National Defense Forum. Of concern for lawmakers was the future of American forces in the country. President-elect Donald Trump tried to withdraw Americas military from Syria in his first administration and has said the U.S. shouldnt get further involved in a social media post this weekend.

Speaking at the White House Sunday, President Joe Biden said the U.S. would maintain its positions in Syria  mainly located in the northeast across from the Euphrates River  and continue fighting ISIS.

While Biden said the weekends events were a rare opportunity to steady an otherwise war-torn country, the group that took power was once affiliated with al Qaeda and considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. government.

The senior official speaking earlier said Americas government is speaking with a broad range of Syrian groups to offer any help in forming a more peaceful government and monitoring, in particular, Assads former stocks of chemical weapons.
Warren Buffett's holding company, Berkshire Hathaway, has about 45 equity positions, in addition to the 60 or so companies that it owns outright. But not all of its equity positions are single stocks. Berkshire Hathaway owns two exchange-traded funds (ETF), The SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (NYSEMKT: SPY) and the Vanguard S&P 500 ETF (NYSEMKT: VOO). Both of these ETFs track the S&P 500.

Each of these ETFs make up a negligible portion of the total Berkshire Hathaway equity portfolio. But Buffett has explained many times why he thinks every investor should own a fund that tracks the S&P 500. Here's his thinking.

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Not everyone can beat the market

Buffett has advised most investors to buy funds that track the S&P 500 on many different occasions over the past few years. At the 2020 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting, he said it simply: "In my view, for most people, the best thing to do is to own the S&P 500 index fund."

The main reason Buffett likes index-tracking ETFs is that it's not easy to beat the market. Granted, Buffett is one of the money managers who has beaten the market, and by an incredible lead. As of last year, Berkshire Hathaway's annualized gains were 19.8% since 1965, while the S&P 500's total annualized return over the same time was 10.2%.

But most money managers don't beat the market. In any given year, more money managers underperform than outperform the market, including 60% of large-cap fund managers last year. For the average investor, it makes more sense to park your money in a secure index fund than choose a money manager.

Shareholders pay a fee, but it's typically much lower than paying a money manager. The SPDR ETF has an annual expense ratio of 0.09%, while the Vanguard ETF has an expense ratio of 0.03%.

It's for all investing levels

Because it's so hard to beat the market, and most individual investors have day jobs, it makes sense to entrust your money in an index fund. Money managers are paid to pick stocks. All the more so, individual investors, who have other things to do with their time, might have an even harder time beating the market; so you might as well buy the market, instead, or at least in tandem with your own picks.

At the 2021 Berkshire Hathaway annual meeting, Buffett recommended buying index funds over Berkshire Hathaway stock. "I like Berkshire," he said, "But I think that a person who doesn't know anything about stocks at all, and doesn't have any special feelings about Berkshire, I think they ought to buy the S&P 500 index."
By Andrew Chung

(Reuters) -The U.S. Supreme Court rejected on Monday a Hawaii man's bid to throw out criminal charges for carrying a pistol while hiking, as the justices declined to review a ruling by the liberal-leaning state's top court that denounced an expansion of gun rights by the nation's highest judicial body.

The man, Christopher Wilson, had appealed the Hawaii Supreme Court's decision to reinstate the charges against him after he was accused in 2017 of violating state laws restricting people from carrying firearms and ammunition outside the home without a license. The U.S. Supreme Court's action left that judicial ruling in place.

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Wilson argued that the charges brought against him after he was arrested for carrying a .22-caliber handgun on private property in the West Maui mountains violated his rights under the U.S. Constitution's Second Amendment, which protects the right to keep and bear arms.

Wilson also argued that his actions were not illegal under the U.S. Supreme Court's landmark 2022 ruling in a case called New York State Rifle & Pistol Association Inc. v. Bruen that recognized for the first time a person's right to carry a handgun in public for self defense. The U.S. Supreme Court has a 6-3 conservative majority.

The Hawaii Supreme Court's decision was critical of the U.S. Supreme Court's widening of rights under the Second Amendment and in particular the reasoning in the Bruen decision. The Hawaii court wrote that while the U.S. Supreme Curt has declared in major rulings since 2008 that the Second Amendment protects an individual's right to keep and bear arms including in public, the nearly identical provision of the state's constitution does not.

The state court wrote that Hawaii's constitution supports a "collective, militia" view of gun rights, and that in its view "there is no state constitutional right to carry a firearm in public."

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The U.S. Supreme Court, the Hawaiian court wrote, "distorts and cherry-picks historical evidence" and "discards historical facts that don't fit" to support its emphasis on an individual right. The state court decision was alluding to the Bruen decision, which directed lower courts to strike down gun restrictions if they are not "consistent with this nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation."

The Hawaii court called that a "fuzzy" test based on a "liberty-reducing" interpretative method that wrongly looks to centuries past to control modern life.

"Time-traveling to 1791 or 1868 to collar how a state regulates lethal weapons - per the Constitution's democratic design - is a dangerous way to look at the federal constitution. The Constitution is not a 'suicide pact,'" the state court wrote.

On Monday, conservative Justice Clarence Thomas, who authored the Bruen ruling, wrote in a statement that while he agreed with the decision to deny Wilson's appeal for procedural reasons, the Hawaii Supreme Court "failed to give the Second Amendment its due regard." His statement was joined by fellow conservative Justice Samuel Alito.

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Police arrested Wilson after he and some companions were hiking on private property near Maalaea, Hawaii, to look at the moon and at indigenous plants.

Among the charges he faced, prosecutors said Wilson broke laws that prohibit the carrying of firearms and ammunition outside the home without a license.

Wilson argued that these charges violated his rights to keep and bear arms under the federal and state constitutions. A state trial judge agreed, dismissing those charges. But the Hawaii Supreme Court overturned that decision with its ruling in February.

Wilson's appeal drew the support of petition is supported by several conservative and gun rights advocacy groups.

(Reporting by Andrew Chung in New York; Editing by Will Dunham)
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Aspiring teachers in Utah are being offered new pathways into the classroom without the need for a bachelors degree.

The Utah State Board of Education on Monday, Dec. 9, launched the Utah Registered Apprenticeship Program for Teachers (U-RAPT), which it described as a competency-based pathway into the teaching profession.

The program is structured into two different phases. The first Pre-Apprenticeship Phase helps those who are interested in teaching but have no formal post-secondary education. The second Apprenticeship Phase offers a paid apprenticeship geared toward helping aspiring educators with 1,000 hours of on-the-job learning  which is roughly one school year.

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The apprenticeship allows participants to receive support through degree completion and preparation to get their professional educator license.

Utes Coach Kyle Whittingham will return for 2025 season

This programs launch marks a significant advancement in teacher preparation pathways within the state, said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Sydnee Dickson. We hope that U-RAPT helps aspiring teachers overcome barriers that had previously prevented them from pursuing this career.

The Utah State Board of Education said there are several benefits to participating in the U-RAPT program, as opposed to going through more traditional methods. This includes raises in pay as they demonstrate competency in the classroom, hands-on work experience with the help of a mentor, financial assistance for college tuition, and a professional educator license at the end of the program.

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Those interested in participating in the apprenticeship must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or a GED. They must also have a clear background check and enroll in the FBI Rapback. Teaching apprentices can make anywhere from $18.21 an hour to $26.49 an hour, depending on demonstrated competencies.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
The unit offers support and educational guidance on student rights and responsibilities related to demonstrations on UTs campus to comply with university policies and institutional rules. Currently, the unit is made up of the Director of the Event Readiness and Response Team Joe LoBrutto, three team leads and 12 members.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 79 arrested on UT campus during Monday protest, sheriffs office says

LoBrutto began the new role in July as director for the unit after wrapping up four and a half years with the UT Austin Police Department, ending his term as a K-9 sergeant. He explained there was a reorganization around January and February of this year, which prompted the Office of the Dean of Students to reassess the universitys demonstration response efforts.

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It deserved more than part-time. It deserved to be something that was full-time  That way we could better assist the students and we could better help the students, LoBrutto said.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: UT creates unit for free speech rights on campus

Demonstration response has been a part of the Office of the Dean of Students for about 15 years. In addition to taking on the new role full-time, LoBrutto also created a new website that laid out the specifics of how students can demonstrate on campus.

Palestine protest at University of Texas at Austin (KXAN viewer photo) People showed back up on the UT campus lawn after law enforcement cleared the area during protests earlier in the day on Monday | Grace Reader/KXAN News Law enforcement arrives at UT Austin campus as pro-Palestine protesters gather Monday, April 29, 2024 (KXAN Photo/Taryn Jones) Law enforcement arrives at UT Austin campus as pro-Palestine protesters gather Monday, April 29, 2024 (KXAN Photo/Taryn Jones) Day 2 of protests at UT (Frank Martinez/KXAN photo)

In a sit-down interview with KXAN, LoBrutto shared his units processes and how they assist student organizations from start to finish. LoBrutto described how he comes across various events where students plan on demonstrating on campus through online platforms or word of mouth. Depending on the size of the event, students are encouraged to contact the unit with ample time before their planned event to receive guidance.

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The website suggests at least 21 days, but if its sooner than that, then well work with you, LoBrutto said.

They can go to a space on campus and they can have their expressive activity and sometimes with whats going on in life and the culture and events, those spur-of-the-moment things happen and we encourage them to act appropriately on those moments so that their voice can be heard, LoBrutto said. We look at those time, place and manner considerations.

According to the University of Texas System Regents Rules and Regulations, time, place and manner considerations are implemented so that the activities do not intrude upon or interfere with the academic programs and administrative processes of the University of Texas System Administration or any of the institutions.

Some time, place, and manner rules on UTs campus include:

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Reservations required in order to use to use amplified sound at any time

Amplified sound can only be used at designated times and in designated areas with a reservation

The use of sticks or batons, including metal, plastic or wood poles affixed to signs, is not allowed

Open flames are prohibited on campus

Community members/visitors cannot obscure their faces with masks

Community members/visitors must allow a 10-foot clearance around points of entry and the perimeter of all university buildings

The general public is not allowed to hang signs or banners on campus buildings, landscaping, hardscape or trees

Campus community members may apply through the dean of students for a temporary banner space in the universitys limited public forum

Commercial solicitation is prohibited

A map of the amplified sound areas on the UT campus

It covers itself in a cloak of wanting to help students, wanting to engage with students, wanting to connect the community and build trust, Austin Students for a Democratic Society member Arshia Papari said of his perception of the unit.

Papari told KXAN he was disappointed with his groups interaction with LoBrutto after they hosted a Divest from Death rally on Oct. 30. As part of the rally, Austin SDS members tried to hand-deliver a letter to UT President Jay Hartzell with a list of demands, including UT divesting from the Israeli Occupation of Palestine.

Papari said that LoBrutto initiated contact with Austin SDS President Gianluca Reyes over email on Oct. 29 to discuss the rally. While organizations are not required to work with the unit and reserve a space as the campus itself is a public forum they still have to comply with university rules.

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Luca Reyes was contacted about this, and the Event Readiness and Response Team led by Joe LoBrutto reached out asking for us to engage with them, to speak with them about the event, Papari said. Sort of work together with administration to have the event on their terms.

Papari and Austin SDS decided against partnering with the unit for their event because they felt a lack of trust with university administration and believed moving forward without them would be in their best interest, without causing further consequences.

[The rally] was a perfect example of what I just described, a unit, in the interest of administration, that forward facingly states that its in the interest of students and trust building, Papari said.

Email transcripts obtained by KXAN from Papari showed LoBrutto sent over information for how Austin SDS could ensure their rally would meet the time, place and manner considerations a day before the event would take place.

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Weve seen your post and know you would like to deliver a letter to the Presidents oce, LoBrutto wrote in an email to Reyes. What we must keep in mind is this is an administrative building with daily operational needs and considerations and cannot be disrupted.

The email showed that LoBrutto had suggested an alternate plan to Reyes that would allow for Austin SDS to deliver their letter of demands without breaking any rules.

To help you accomplish your goals and allow the media to record the exchange of the letters, we will meet you on the south steps of the Main [Building] facing the Main Mall, LoBrutto wrote. I will be there with a representative from the Provosts oce and the Presidents oce. You will have time to conduct the exchange at that location.

Ultimately, Papari and Reyes entered the Main Building to proceed with the letter delivery but were barred by LoBrutto from going any further.

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I think not allowing us to get to that point and to officially be able to go up to the office was a breakage in our students rights and our rights to free speech, Papari said.



In a phone call with KXAN, Assistant Vice President of University Communications Mike Rosen said that while student organizations partnering with the unit remains optional, upholding the law and university rules are not in question.

To avoid disruption of University operations, the Main Building may not be used for such public assembly at any time, according to the universitys institutional rules.

KXAN followed up with Papari about his knowledge of this rule and received no comment.

Its a tough balancing act

On the one hand, its great to be prepared and to have people who know the law and know peoples rights and are going to make sure everyone stays safe while facilitating free expression, said Emily Berman, a law professor at the University of Houston Law Center. But at the same time, if youre not careful, then that kind of presence can have the opposite effect.

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Berman, who specializes in constitutional law, national security law and has an area of expertise in separation of powers and checks and balances, said that if the readiness and response unit begins to enforce those guidelines in a way where their presence may be felt, it may result in students being intimidated by university officials and abstaining from protesting altogether.

I think the university should get credit for sort of thinking through how can we handle these, Berman said. But again, the devils in the details about how they get enforced.

University of Texas Communications and Marketing Manager Tina Shively said the Event Readiness and Response Unit has worked with several organizations, such as University Democrats, Longhorn Students for Israel, Turning Point USA, Muslim Student Association and Longhorn Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship.

KXAN reached out to those organizations to learn the processes of partnering with the unit and what their timeline was like. Longhorn Students for Israel declined the interview request; University Democrats responded initially, and the others did not reply.

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We are all dedicated to ensuring that we create an environment where the campus community, and our community in general, feel like they have a place to express their First Amendment rights and to have that expressive activity, LoBrutto said.

Students and members of the UT community are encouraged to contact the Event Readiness and Response team at doseventreadiness@austin.utexas.edu to get guidance on how to comply with university guidelines.

Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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.
A train drives along the Colorado River near downtown Glenwood Springs, June 9, 2023. (William Woody for Colorado Newsline)

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments this week in a case that could determine the fate of a Utah oil train project opposed by Colorado communities  and possibly reshape a key federal environmental law in the process.

Its been more than five years since the Uinta Basin Railway was first formally proposed to federal transportation regulators. The 88-mile short-line railroad would connect Utahs largest oil field to the national rail network, allowing drillers there to dramatically ramp up production and ship it in tanker cars to Gulf Coast refineries on a route that runs directly through some of Colorados most environmentally fragile and densely populated places.

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The multibillion-dollar proposal could be an economic boon for the isolated Uinta Basin, and its backed by a public-private partnership between industry and seven Utah county governments. But environmental groups and Colorados Eagle County have sued to overturn the projects approval, arguing that regulators failed to properly analyze downline impacts from the railways construction, including the added risks of accidents, spills, wildfire ignitions and more.

At an estimated capacity of up to 350,000 barrels of oil per day, the Uinta Basin Railway would rank among the largest sustained efforts to transport oil by rail ever undertaken in the U.S., singlehandedly more than doubling the 2022 nationwide total. Traffic from the new rail line alone would represent a tenfold increase in hazmat rail shipments through central Colorado.

Environmental groups have also cited concerns about the railways downstream impacts on communities living near refineries on the Gulf Coast, as well as a worsening ozone pollution problem in the Uinta Basin itself as producers there increase production.

Attorneys for the railways backers, dismissing concerns about what they call remote contingencies and uncertain and far-downstream ramifications, have asked the Supreme Court to impose drastic limits on the agency reviews required by the National Environmental Policy Act. Meanwhile, the federal government has staked out a middle ground before the court, asking justices to issue a narrow ruling and remand the case back to a lower court for further proceedings.

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Arguments in the case, Seven County Infrastructure Coalition v. Eagle County, will be heard by the Supreme Court on Tuesday.

You need transportation

Oil companies and public officials have spent decades studying ways to solve the problem of exporting the Uinta Basins waxy crude oil, so called because it contains a high degree of paraffin, or wax, and congeals into a solid at room temperature. Conventional pipelines arent an option, and the waxy crude must be heated to be loaded in and out of tanker trucks. Thats how limited volumes of Uinta Basin oil have been shipped out of the region to date, a practice that has caused spills and safety concerns of its own.

Theres only those two-lane highways. How do you get bulk commodities out? You cant do it very effectively, you cant do it very safely, Keith Heaton, the Seven County Infrastructure Coalitions executive director, explained at a June 2023 public meeting. Not to criticize the way its been done, but you need transportation.

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In 2019, the SCIC settled on a new solution: a railway that would connect the basin to existing rail lines, allowing its waxy crude to be shipped to refineries out of state. The SCICs effort, in partnership with private equity firm Drexel Hamilton and the short-line railroad company Rio Grande Pacific, revived a state-led railway plan that was dropped in 2014 over concerns about high costs.

Rail industry observers say the completion of a new 88-mile right-of-way in eastern Utah would be the countrys biggest rail project in a half century. The federal Surface Transportation Board, which regulates railroad construction, voted 4-1 to give the green light to the project in December 2021.

The STBs decision came after the preparation of a 3,600-page environmental impact statement, which analyzed the projects likely effects on rail operations, water and biological resources, air quality impacts and more.

As part of the review, regulators with the STBs Office of Environmental Analysis studied a 350-mile stretch of existing railroad between Price, Utah, and Denver. But despite estimating that the oil-train traffic from the Uinta Basin would result in one additional rail accident every 13 months, and a major spill roughly once every five years, regulators wrote that the agency does not expect that downline impacts would be significant.

Colorado opposition

Colorados Eagle County and five environmental groups vehemently disagreed with that conclusion in separate lawsuits filed in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in February 2022. The lawsuits were consolidated into a single case shortly after they were filed.

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Despite identifying the dramatic changes in rail traffic on the (existing rail line), the board failed to evaluate their many potential effects, attorneys for Eagle County argued. That error resulted in an uninformed, arbitrary agency decision and prevented the public from being fully informed about the railways effects on the environment and communities along the (line).

Several of Colorados Democratic members of Congress, including U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet and Rep. Joe Neguse of Lafayette, have joined the chorus of voices opposing the project, and at least a dozen other Colorado communities have supported Eagle Countys litigation through court briefs.

The release of highly flammable crude oil could ruin this unique region for decades.

 A group of local governments in Colorado in a legal brief about proposed rail shipments through the state.

The release of highly flammable crude oil could ruin this unique region for decades, a group of 10 local governments wrote in a 2022 brief. The board neither analyzed the profound economic harm these accidents will induce, nor considered (or adopted) any mitigation measures to lessen these calamitous impacts in the (Interstate 70) corridor.

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In August 2023, a panel of three D.C. Circuit judges sided with Eagle County, ruling that the STB failed to weigh the projects uncertain financial viability and the full potential for environmental harm against the transportation benefits it identified.

The appellate courts decision found that the STBs approval contained numerous and significant violations of NEPA, including in regards to downline rail system risks, potential impacts on endangered species and the effects of increased oil refining on the Gulf Coast. The ruling remanded the railways application for approval back to the STB for further proceedings in accordance with this opinion.

Supreme Court appeal

But in March, the railways backers instead petitioned the Supreme Court to review the case, and justices granted their petition in June.

The railways backers argue that federal agencies conducting NEPA reviews must be limited to considering proximate effects of the action over which the agency has regulatory authority.

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There is simply no role under NEPAs text and this Courts precedents for stymying development projects based on environmental effects that are so wildly remote in geography and time, attorneys for the Seven County Infrastructure Coalition wrote in an Aug. 28 brief.

A long list of conservative advocacy organizations and fossil fuel industry groups have filed amicus briefs in support of the Seven County Infrastructure Coalitions argument. Experts and advocacy groups say the courts imposition of such limits on NEPA reviews would dramatically remake a law that has been a bedrock of federal environmental policymaking since its passage in 1970.

President Joe Bidens administration has asked the court to refrain from such a sweeping reinterpretation of NEPA, and instead issue a narrow ruling that returns the case to the D.C. Circuit. The government argues that the STBs approval of the railway was based on a reasonable, context-specific determination that it did not need to provide additional analysis of the upstream and downstream effects of oil and gas development in its review.

At the same time, petitioners go too far, U.S. Solicitor General Elizabeth Prelogar wrote in a Nov. 18 brief. The court of appeals erred in vacating (a) portion of the Boards decision. This Court should so hold and remand to the court of appeals.

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Colorado Attorney General Phil Weiser, a dozen Colorado local governments and a group of high-ranking congressional Democrats are among the parties who have supported Eagle Countys case in briefs before the Supreme Court.

The (STBs) failure to adequately analyze these indisputably foreseeable impacts is a run-of-the-mill violation of NEPA, the local governments brief states.

The railways backers have asked the Supreme Court to affirm that the projects environmental impact statement was sufficient, which could fast-track the projects re-approval by the STB. But depending on its scope, the Supreme Courts eventual ruling could set the stage for further regulatory or judicial proceedings.

Worst case scenario is we can always go back and re-do the environmental impact statement, Heaton said earlier this year.

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A mishap on an Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) CV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft last month has led to an operational pause for the U.S. militarys fleet of the aircraft, which are operated by Marines and Navy as well. Marines are pausing all non-essential flights.

The Osprey was conducting a training mission at Cannon Air Force Base on Nov. 20 when it experienced a material failure that forced the crew of four to make an emergency landing, AFSOC spokesperson Lt. Col. Becky Heyse told The War Zone Monday morning. There were no known injuries or external damage to the aircraft, she added.

A CV-22 like this one from Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico was forced to land on Nov. 20 after experiencing a material failure. (USAF)

As they were flying, the crew started to get indications in the cockpit to land as soon as possible, Heyse explained. The incident is under investigation, but the initial indications are that this was another material failure. We believe it was different than what occurred last year.

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Heyse was referring to the Nov. 29, 2023 mishap that killed all eight aboard a CV-22 operating off the coast of Japan. A subsequent investigation found that the crash was caused by a catastrophic failure of one of the tiltrotors gearboxes and decisions made by the pilot.

From our story about the investigation:

After an analysis of the parts of the left-hand [proprootor] PRGB that could be recovered, it was determined that the catastrophic failure in this instance was most likely initiated by a crack in one of the high-speed pinion gears and fatigue cracking of the associated pinion gears bearing cage. Additionally, at least one piece of the failed high-speed planet pinion wedged in the high-speed carrier assembly, grinding against the high-speed sun gears teeth until finally removed.

In that flight, the pilot and crew did not plan for, deliberate, or even discuss closer suitable landing options after they received the chip burn warning about the left-hand [proprotor gearbox] PRGB, according to the Accident Investigation Board report. The AIB described as an insufficient sense of urgency throughout the entire mishap sequence, beginning with the first PRGB cockpit advisory approximately 49 minutes prior to aircraft impact.

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Heyse said it was too early to offer any details about the new material failure.

Wreckage of the CV-22B Osprey off Yakushima Island, as photographed by the Japan Coast Guard, November 29, 2023. Japan Coast Guard

The entire fleet of U.S. Ospreys was finally cleared to fly again in March, which you can read more about here. Now they are grounded again.

Out of an abundance of caution, NAVAIR recommended an operational pause for all V-22 Osprey variants Dec. 6, 2024, said spokesman Neil Lobeda. This decision comes following a recent precautionary landing of a CV-22. There were no injuries to the crew. The safety of our V-22 aircrew is our top priority. We are committed to ensuring our Sailors, Airmen and Marines are able to successfully complete their missions and return home safely.

All three services have paused their V-22 operations.

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We have a pause right now to our flight training operations, based on the recommendation from NAVIAR, Heyse told us.

A CV-22 Osprey from the 21st Special Operations Squadron flies in support of exercise Resolute Dragon 22 over Kamifurano Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 11, 2022. Resolute Dragon 22 is an annual bilateral exercise designed to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the U.S.-Japan Alliance by exercising integrated command and control, targeting, combined arms, and maneuver across multiple domains.

In response to a NAVAIR recommendation on the V-22 Osprey fleet, the Marine Corps has decided to implement a 96-hour operational pause for non-essential flight operations starting on December 6, 2024, a USMC spokesman said in a statement. This decision underscores our unwavering commitment to the safety of our personnel and the reliability of our aviation platforms. This pause will give us time to determine if any additional measures are necessary to ensure the continued safety and effectiveness of this critical capability. The Marine Corps remains confident in the safety and effectiveness of the MV-22.

Since the Osprey first flew in 1989, more than 400 V-22s have been delivered to the Marines, Air Force, and Navy, as well as the Japan Self-Defense Forces (JSDF), the latter being the only non-U.S. operator of the type. The Marines are by far the largest operator of the Osprey, with some 348 MV-22Bs spread across 17 squadrons. AFSOC has about 50 and the Navy has 36, including one test aircraft.

210825-N-LN075-2010



The Marines have paused flying their MV-22 tilt-rotor aircraft. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Jessica Kibena)

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On Dec. 9, 2024, Commander, Naval Air Forces directed an operational pause for all U.S. Navy CMV-22B Ospreys following the recommendation by Naval Air Systems Command, Navy Cmdr Beth Teach said in a statement.

Navy CMV-22Bs.( U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Emma Burgess)

The lessons learned from the fatal 2023 crash contributed to the Cannon crews ability to land safely, Heyse told us.

AFSOC updated all procedures after the crash last year, she said. The return to fly part was an increased focus on training and simulators. The initial indicators show that is why they were able to safely land, based on those flight control measures and training taken. We will learn more as the investigation continues.

After the November 2023 mishap, all V-22s were limited to flying within 30 minutes of a suitable divert airfield. In particular, this limits the CMV-22s ability to operate from aircraft carriers. The main function of CMV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft is to perform aircraft carrier onboard delivery (COD).

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Marine Ospreys from HMX-1 also support presidential airlift mission, primarily carrying the press pool, aids, and Secret Service counter-assault team around, which you can read more about here.

This is the latest mishap in a long string of problems for the Ospreys. Overall, the Bell-Boeing tiltrotor has had a checkered history, punctuated by numerous fatal crashes since its first flight in 1989, though U.S. military officials regularly point to a broadly improving track record in the past few decades.

For now, we will have to wait and see how long this latest pause lasts, which material part failed, and whether other variants are experiencing the same problem.

Contact the author: howard@thewarzone.com
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  For the third time this year, vandals have targeted University of Michigan regent Jordan Acker.

In a social media post, Acker, his wife and their three children were asleep at their home early Monday morning when they heard two objects crash through a window.

I ran downstairs, saw the broken window, and then ran outside to find my wifes car had been graffitied by anti-Semitic vandals, Acker wrote.

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The truck was tagged with red spray paint and read Divest and Free Palestine. It likely refers to the on-campus push for the university to divest its interests from companies that are connected to the Israeli military campaign in Gaza.

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Acker, who is Jewish, called on other members of the community to publicly admonish vandalism and ethnic intimidation.

We need to call out this cowardly act attacking my family and my home for what it truly is  terrorism, Acker wrote. And like we always do in this great nation when were confronted with terrorism  I will not let fear win. All this does is harden my resolve to continue to do the right thing for the University and the Michigan voters who elected me.

Protesters allegedly targeted University of Michigan Regent Jordan Acker on Dec. 9, 2024. (Courtesy Jordan Acker/Instagram) Protesters allegedly targeted University of Michigan Regent Jordan Acker on Dec. 9, 2024. (Courtesy Jordan Acker/Instagram) Protesters allegedly targeted University of Michigan Regent Jordan Acker on Dec. 9, 2024. (Courtesy Jordan Acker/Instagram)

Michigan State Rep. Haley Stevens, D-Birmingham, took to social media to condemn the latest act.

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Jordan Acker is a dedicated public servant and he and his family should be safe in their own home, Stevens wrote. Vandalism, violence and bigotry have no place in America. Enough. Our Jewish brothers and sisters deserve to live in security and peace.

According to The Michigan Daily student newspaper, this is the third time Acker has been targeted by protesters this year. The first incident happened May 15 when a masked protester came to his home in the middle of the night with a list of demands for the regent. On June 3, his law firms office in Southfield was vandalized, again with references to divestment demands.

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PARIS (WAVY)  On Saturday, Virginia Beach native and Grammy Award winner Pharrell Williams performed as part of the reopening ceremony for the famed Notre Dame Cathedral.

Williams posted about his performance with Voices Of Fire on Instagram, calling it a historic moment.

During the ceremony, the bells of the Cathedral rang for the first time since a fire tore through the landmark five years ago, nearly destroying it.

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Notre Dame opens to the public for first time since 2019 fire

French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the public during the ceremony, which was also attended by various public figures, including First Lady Jill Biden, President-elect Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Britains Prince William and billionaire Elon Musk.

Notre Dame reopens its doors to Macron and other world leaders in a rare symbol of unity

Following the ceremony, on Sunday, the Cathedral held its first mass, where close to 170 bishops from around the world attended.

The spiritual heart of Paris awakens: Notre Dame hosts first Mass since 2019 fire

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The Cathedral in now open to the public for visiting.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
An investigation is underway after a vehicle crashed in an MBTA parking lot in Quincy.

According to Transit Police on Sunday, December 9 around 9 a.m. for a crash at the Quincy Adams MBTA station.

Upon arrival, officers found that a 2024 Chevy had cashed into the parking bollards. The driver fled the scene as well as two other passengers.

The car was registered in Pennsylvania and was returned to a rental company.

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Transit police are investigating the incident.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

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Property taxes to pay for pre-k-12 education are projected to climb again next year, this time by an average of 5.9%, the Vermont Department of Taxes announced on Monday in its annual Dec. 1 letter.

The predicted increase comes after an already financially strenuous year for property owners, who saw their property taxes soar almost 14% in 2024 due to rising education spending needs. This years increase was originally supposed to be even higher at 18.5%, but lawmakers managed to pare it down by using one-time monies and reallocating additional revenue to the education fund.

If lawmakers do not again take action to reduce next years education tax rate during the upcoming legislative session, Vermonters will have faced an increase in property taxes of 33% over the last three years.

Gov. Phil Scott

While we are relieved to see a decrease from last years projection, the continued growth in our property taxes is unsustainable and unaffordable for Vermonters across the state, said House Speaker Jill Krowinski (D-Burlington) in a press conference on Tuesday.

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One of the greatest issues facing Vermonters is affordability, said Gov. Phil Scott (R-Vermont) in a press release following the release of the Dec. 1 letter, adding that the last thing Vermonters need is yet another property tax increase.

In a press conference on Wednesday, Gov. Scott said he will be fighting for a zero percent increase or, preferably, a property tax decrease. Senate Minority Leader Scott Beck (R-Caledonia) said Republican senators supported Scotts pitch for a zero percent cap. House Republicans proposed a 3% cap during a press conference prior to Scotts own on Wednesday afternoon.

'Meaningful change is coming': Lawmakers agree property taxes are first priority

Education property tax increases are largely believed to be the main reason Republicans won their most legislative seats in decades and put an end to the Democrat-Progressive supermajority in both the house and senate.

Vermonters clearly voiced their opposition to increasing education property tax rates in the most recent election, wrote Beck in a Dec. 2 press release, promising that Republican would work to reform the Education Fund so that it is transparent, understandable to Vermonters and establishes a closer connection between district spending decisions and local tax rates.

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Surviving Democratic lawmakers  who still hold a meager majority in both chambers  are working hard to reassure voters that they, too, will prioritize property tax reform.

Vermont House Speaker Jill Krowinski, D-Burlington.

We have reached a critical juncture, and this pattern cannot be continued, Krowinski said during her Dec. 3 press conference, adding that Vermonters deserve a thriving public education and affordable, predictable tax rates and to achieve both, we need all hands on deck.

Krowinski added in her press conference that every house committee would have a role to play in making property taxes more affordable for residents this year.

I want to assure you that real meaningful change is coming, she said.

When does the work start this session?

Senate Pro Tempore Sen. Phil Baruth (D/P-Burlington)  who has accused Scott of placing unfair blame on Democratic and Progressive lawmakers for Vermonts affordability crisis  said in a press release that he is giving the governor the chance to hit the ground running at the start of the session.

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Im offering Governor Scott the first full week of the new legislative session to present his proposals  both past and present  to address projected property rates for the coming year and larger structural reforms to prevent such spikes in the future, Baruth wrote.

He also accused Scott and his team of historically providing last minute proposals comprising only bullet points or a quickly sketched menu of options.

Its critical that his proposals be provided at the very beginning of the legislative session, Baruth said, because the education finance system is complex and committees, legislative counsel and the Joint Fiscal Office need time to review them.

Scott, however, said in his Wednesday press release that day one is too early to propose his teams new policy because they need to know what the budget is going to be first, but that he will present it to lawmakers sometime at the beginning of the session.

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Scott said that in the meantime, hes happy to discuss proposals he has made in the past.

We had an answer back in the spring, but they didnt take that up and then later chose to override his veto, Scott said. He added, however, that hes encouraged to hear Democratic lawmakers are finally willing to listen to his ideas.

Potential solutions

Rep. Emilie Kornheiser (D-Brattleboro), who chairs the House Committee on Ways and Means, said during Krowinskis Dec. 3 press conference that there is no one solution to fixing the complex property tax system, and that reform will be a significant undertaking for the entire legislature.

Were going to need to move forward with a slew of meaningful policy reforms, Kornheiser said.

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For instance, lawmakers may consider ideas like performing a major audit of the education funds costs or adjusting the funds revenue sources, Kornheiser said. She added that lawmakers have talked extensively about modifying the education funding formula, like how taxes are levied.

This is everything from appraisals to property tax credits, Kornheiser said.

Beck, however, wrote in his Dec. 2 press release that senate Republicans will not accept anything less than fundamental systemic reform to the education fund.

Some have proposed that education tax increases can be averted by simply dedicated additional revenue to the education fund or cost-shifting, he wrote. Others believe if we craft a correct system of penalties and thresholds, the problem can be solved. We strongly disagree with such thinking.

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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: Vermont education property taxes are increasing again this year
As 2024 comes to a close, British American Tobacco's (NYSE: BTI) stock is sitting on a roughly 25% year-to-date price gain. That's a pretty rapid advance, particularly for a company that is largely viewed as an income investment, with most of the rally happening over a six-month period, between April and September.

Is this cigarette maker worth buying after the price advance, or is there now even more reason to avoid the stock? Here's a look at four key issues you need to consider when making your call.

Start Your Mornings Smarter! Wake up with Breakfast news in your inbox every market day. Sign Up For Free 

One big reason to like British American Tobacco

The one thing that has likely drawn most investors to British American Tobacco is still the biggest reason to like the stock: its dividend yield. Even after this year's price advance, the yield is still 8%, which is far better than the S&P 500 index's 1.2% or the average consumer staples stock's yield of about 2.5% (based on the Consumer Staples Select Sector SPDR ETF as a proxy for the industry).

Image source: Getty Images.

Clearly, if you are looking to generate as much income as possible from your investments, British American Tobacco is a consumer staples business worth looking at. Also notable on this front, the British company shifted to paying dividends quarterly in 2018 and has, since that point, increased its annual payment every year (in British pounds). With this stock, it would be difficult to find anything to complain about when it comes to the income stream it produces.

One big reason to dislike British American Tobacco

The dividend, however, must be juxtaposed against the company's business, which is largely selling cigarettes. Its core tobacco business has not been performing well. To be fair, no cigarette maker has been doing all that well lately. But it is important to understand what is going on.

In the first half of 2024, British American Tobacco sold 6.8% fewer cigarettes than it did in the same period of 2023. In 2023, cigarette volumes declined by 5.3%. And in 2022, they witnessed a 5.1% volume drop. So it's no surprise that the stock had taken a beating in in 2022 and 2023 with the market cap decline more than 40% at one point. This is not the type of trend you see from a healthy business.

British American Tobacco, like its peers, has offset its volume declines with price increases, resulting in increased profits this year and a corresponding stock rally. Given the addictive nature of nicotine, smokers are a fairly loyal and reliable customer group.
CHESTERFIELD, Mass. (WWLP)  A man from Hampshire County has died after crashing a snowmobile into a tree in Chesterfield early Sunday morning.

Northwestern District Attorneys Office Spokesperson Laurie Loisel told 22News that at around 1:30 a.m., first responders were called to the area of Smith Road in Chesterfield for a report of a man suffering serious injuries after crashing a snowmobile.

Springfield man dead after car crash in Chicopee

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The DAs office says a friend who was snowmobiling behind 37-year-old Derek Graves called 911 when he came upon the crash. An ambulance had taken Graves to Cooley Dickinson Hospital in Northampton where he died due to his injuries.

MAP: Smith Road in Chesterfield

Detectives for State Police assigned to the Northwestern District Attorneys Office, Chesterfield

Police, State Police troopers from the Crime Scene Services Section, the Collision Analysis

and Reconstruction Section, and the Massachusetts Environmental Police assisted during the incident.

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.

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ALEXANDRIA, Va. (AP)  A Virginia man accused of funneling tens of thousands of dollars to the Islamic State group was a lonely man looking for a wife and relentlessly targeted by FBI sting operations, a defense lawyer told jurors Monday, including one undercover operative who pretended to be a willing bride.

A jury in U.S. District Court in Alexandria heard opening statements in the terrorism trial of Mohammed Chhipa, 35, of Springfield, Virginia. Prosecutors say he met several times with an undercover FBI operative who gave him hundreds of dollars on multiple occasions in 2021 and 2022, earmarked for a Syrian woman and Islamic State member known as Umm Dujanah.

In his opening statement, prosecutor Andrew Dixon said Chhipa took the money on each occasion, converted it to Bitcoin and sent it to accounts in Turkey, destined for the Islamic State.

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Dixon said Chhipa sent more than $74,000 in similar fashion to accounts in Turkey, collecting money from willing donors and funneling it to the Islamic State through Umm Dujanah. Chhipa was particularly interested in sending funds to help women from the Islamic State escape prison camps to which they had been sent after the terrorist group was routed from territory it held in Iraq and Syria, Dixon said.

Dixon said Chhipa was well aware that what he was doing was illegal, fleeing the country at one point, only to be forced back to the United States. At one point, he said while under surveillance, I'm not sure why I'm not in prison.

Chhipa's defense attorney, Zachary Deubler, said the FBI had closely scrutinized Chhipa for years, based largely on advocacy of extremist views on social media. But he said the FBI never came up with a reason to arrest him, even after searching his home in 2019 and finding a cache of Islamic State propaganda.

Deubler acknowledged that Chhipa left the country, through Latin America with an ultimate goal of getting to Egypt. The FBI met Chhipa when he returned to the U.S. at Dulles International Airport and questioned him about his activities but never arrested him.

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Deubler said the government's entrapment efforts intensified, to include a fake bride at one point and a supposed Muslim marriage broker at another.

He was a lonely, sad, inflated man who the government tried to set up, Deubler said.

The trial began with several quirks. Chhipa appeared at trial in a green jumpsuit from the Alexandria jail, where he is being held. He said he did not want to wear civilian clothes, which are typically provided to defendants out of concern that jail outfits will prejudice the jury against a defendant.

After a morning break, Chhipa's family refused to stand when the clerk said all rise as the judge left the bench, and U.S. District Judge David Novak angrily told the family either to stand or be taken into custody. No arrests were made, even though several family members refused repeated directives from court security officers to stand.

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Last year, after Chhipa's arrest, prosecutors said Chhipa considers himself to be married to Allison Fluke-Ekren, an American from Kansas who is serving a 20-year prison sentence. Fluke-Ekren pleaded guilty last year to organizing and leading the Khatiba Nusaybah, a battalion in the Islamic State in which roughly 100 women and girls learned how to use automatic weapons and detonate grenades and suicide belts.

Prosecutors, though, say that the marriage was apparently conducted online and has no legal status in the U.S. They said Chhipa, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from India, has been trying to adopt Fluke-Ekrens children.

The trial is expected to last about a week.
Rep. Scott Krugs column made me shake my head (We can end doubts about Wisconsin election integrity once and for all, Dec. 3).

Sure, his suggested reforms are all good. But passing them, as he suggested, to assuage obtusely imaginary fears of late night ballot dumps  Im sick of being gaslit by Republican election deniers.

Editorial: Hovde's election claims are false. He's blaming Milwaukee  without evidence.

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There is not, nor has there ever been, more than a handful of attempted frauds per election. Open your eyes, folks!

Tim Haering, Shorewood

Tips for getting your letter to the editor published

Here are some tips to get your views shared with your friends, family, neighbors and across our state:

Please include your name, street address and daytime phone.

Generally, we limit letters to 200 words.

Cite sources of where you found information or the article that prompted your letter.

Be civil and constructive, especially when criticizing.

Avoid ad hominem attacks, take issue with a position, not a person.

We cannot acknowledge receipt of submissions.

We don't publish poetry, anonymous or open letters.

Each writer is limited to one published letter every two months.

All letters are subject to editing.

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Write: Letters to the editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 330 E. Kilbourn Avenue, Suite 500, Milwaukee, WI, 53202. Fax: (414)-223-5444. E-mail: jsedit@jrn.com or submit using the form that can be found on the on the bottom of this page.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Wisconsin election reforms are good but not for reason given | Letters
WYTHE COUNTY, Va. (WFXR)  Virginia State Police are investigating a deadly multi-vehicle accident on I-81 in Wythe County that killed a North Carolina woman and seriously injured two others on November 30.

VSP said that around 12:15 p.m. on Saturday, November 30, a 2018 Freightliner Cascadia tractor-trailer was driving on I-81N near mile marker 59 when it hit a 2014 Chrysler Town and Country van from behind while it was stopped in the right lane.

South Carolina man killed in rollover Franklin County crash

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The tractor-trailer went off the left side of the road, hit a guardrail, overturned, and then caught on fire.

The collision from the tractor-trailer caused the Chrysler to first go off the right side of the road, before going back into traffic. It then went off the left side of the road and hit the guardrail.

A passenger in the Town and County, identified as 73-year-old Sarah Ann Williams of Kinston, NC, was taken to the hospital where she later passed away from her injuries.

Two other occupants in the van, 77-year-old Marquerite Clegg of Godwin, NC, and 78-year-old John Clegg suffered serious injuries. Police were unable to determine who was driving the vehicle.

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Pedestrian killed, struck twice during multi-vehicle crash in Pittsylvania County

According to VSP, the two occupants of the tractor-trailer, who were identified as Harpinger Singh and Kamaljeet Singh, both of Tracy, California, allegedly fled the scene after the crash.

Both individuals have been charged with felony hit and run.

The crash remains under investigation.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv.
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  A Mobile Walmart employee was fired and arrested after she allegedly stole money from the store, according to the Mobile Police Department.

Over $80,000 raised for Slezak family on GoFundMe after boating tragedy

According to an MPD news release, officers were called to the Walmart on Rangeline Road around 4:30 p.m. on Dec. 6 for a report of theft of property.

INCIDENT LOCATION:

When officers arrived they found that the woman, now identified as 20-year-old TaMaya Riley-King of Semmes, had been fired from the store for stealing the cash.

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UPDATE: Atmore Police identifies two killed in car Sunday night

Riley-King was arrested and charged with third-degree theft of property, a Class D felony.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
(FOX40.COM)  A man is hospitalized following a stabbing at a Northern California Walmart, according to the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office.

Around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, SCSO responded to 4675 Watt Avenue for reports of a stabbing. Deputies said they learned the victim got into an argument with two disruptive juveniles in the store. One of the juveniles stabbed that victim and fled, the other was detained by store security and handed over, according to SCSO. The incident happened near the bikes inside of the store.

Husband fatally shoots wife, salon owner in San Joaquin County, deputies say

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SCSO said a private party transported the victim to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. One teen was arrested and another suspect is still at large.

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Saeed Arida loves Syria -- its food, its culture, its history. But he hasnt been back in about twenty years. However, Aridas now making plans for a visit -- after the shockingly sudden overthrow of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

This was completely inconceivable just two weeks ago. I mean impossible, he said. What we built in our head as this regime that was so entrenched to just disappear into thin air?

The al-Assad regime had been entrenched in Syria for more than fifty years. Bashar al-Assad assumed the presidency in 2000, after the death of his father, Hafez al-Assad -- who took power in the early 1970s.

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There was a lot of oppression of free speech, Arida said. The whole system was based on fear. You did not know whether thats exactly real or not. Its just that they created this culture of fear.

Human rights organizations said the feeling of fear was warranted -- with the al-Assad regime jailing, torturing and killing tens of thousands of Syrians over the years -- even using chemical weapons on the population.

I have an aunt who has a son who was taken away when he was eighteen, Arida said. And we still have no idea where he is. There are no records. There is nothing. At some point, there is also relief in knowing that he passed or something happened.

To that end, many Syrian families are now looking for answers at some of the countrys most notorious prisons, where al-Assad jailed political opponents, many of whom have now been liberated.

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Arida escaped Syria in the early 2000s, after finishing studies at a university in Damascus. He was accepted into a graduate program at MIT and remained in the Boston area. Today, he is Founder and CEO of the private NuVu High School in Central Square. He, like many other local Syrians, watched in joyous disbelief the liberation of their country.

Were still trying to process that it actually ended, he said. We are kind of trying to suspend disbelief. This is a dictatorship that lasted 55 years and its gone, so we just want to celebrate that moment. I think anything thats going to come next is going to be better than what we had before, absolutely.

Mahmoud Elsayed shares that hope. He came to the US about a dozen years ago, just after The Revolution against al-Assad began. He now owns Tarboosh Pizza and Grill in Brighton.

Its been a cancer thats been there for 50 years, he said. This is done now. Were looking for a brighter future for Syria.

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Elsayed calls the overthrow of al-Assad the longest, fastest thing thats happened.

It was unbelievable. Its such a relief, he said. I cant describe the feeling. I want to cry. I want to laugh. I feel like Im... released.

Elsayed said Syrians back home have been oppressed for so long that they may not even understand the concept of freedom of speech.

They have a voice, he said. They can say yes or no, they can choose whats going to happen next and if they dont like it they can change it.

At least that is the hope. Though it is unclear at this point what the new government in Syria will look like -- given the disparate groups fomenting al-Assads overthrow.

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But that is a concern for another time, said Arida.

We are full of questions we are full of hope, he said. The honeymoon for us at least is going to continue a lot longer than just a few days.

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Dec. 9 (UPI) -- A professional reptile wrangler was summoned to a South African home after a resident found a highly venomous cape cobra lurking underneath the pillow on their bed.

Stellenbosch Snake Removals posted a video to social media showing the scene that snake catcher Emile Rossouw was confronted with when he was called out to a Stellenbosch home.

Rossouw removed a highly venomous cape cobra from underneath the resident's pillow.

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"Not something you want in your bed," Rossouw quips while handling the snake.

The African Snakebite Institute describes the cape cobra as "by far our most dangerous cobra and with the black mamba it accounts for the majority of fatal snake bites in South Africa."
Dec. 9 (UPI) -- A pair of Michigan brothers came to the aid of a deer that fell through the ice covering an Upper Peninsula bay -- and then rescued it a second time moments later.

A video posted to Facebook by the Island View Resort shows brothers Jeff and Greg Lipple coming to the rescue of the doe stranded in the frigid waters of the Cedarville Bay.

Greg Lipple used a kayak to corral the deer to a spot where Jeff was able to get a rope around the animal and pull it out of the water.

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The deer started running toward shore, but ended up falling through the ice a second time.

The brothers were again able to rope the doe, and this time it was able to make it to shore.

Jeff Lipple shared a warning for others in the Facebook post.

"Going out onto thin and dangerous ice is not recommended," he wrote. "We meticulously checked the ice on the way in and out, we were wearing ice gear that floats, had ice picks, a ladder, rope, jet sleds and somebody watching and assisting from shore. Always have an emergency plan and never go alone without letting someone know where you're going and when you'll be back."
Altria Group (NYSE: MO) has emerged as a surprising stock market winner in 2024, propelled by an impressive earnings rebound. At the time of this writing, its shares had surged by 41% this year to their highest level since 2019.

There's a lot for investors to like about this tobacco giant, including the stock's 7% dividend yield as a compelling income opportunity. That being said, are there enough positives in the outlook to keep the rally going?

Are You Missing The Morning Scoop? Breakfast News delivers it all in a quick, Foolish, and free daily newsletter. Sign Up For Free 

Let's discuss whether Altria stock is a buy, sell, or hold in 2025.

The case to buy or hold Altria stock

The tobacco industry has undergone a dramatic transformation in recent years. Even as smoking rates continue to decline worldwide, consumers are increasingly turning to smoke-free alternatives.

These include electronic cigarettes and oral tobacco, seen as less-harmful replacements, which are proving to be highly popular. Altria, the leading U.S. cigarette manufacturer known for iconic brands like Marlboro and Parliament, appears to be successfully navigating these shifting market dynamics by diversifying into smoke-free products.

In the company's third quarter (for the period ended Sept. 30), the story was the 7.8% year-over-year increase in adjusted earnings per share (EPS), through a better than expected top-line figure and efforts at cost controls.

Image source: Getty Images.

Altria's NJOY e-cigarette brand posted a 16% climb in shipment volume for the consumable device cartridges, which allowed the company to capture a 6.2% retail market share, up from 3.2% in the third quarter of 2023. The other standout is ON! nicotine pouches posting a 46% volume increase.

On the cigarette side, Altria managed to balance lower sales volumes with higher pricing, particularly in the premium category, supporting company-wide cash flows. For the full year 2024, management is targeting adjusted EPS in a range of $5.07 to $5.15, representing growth of 2.5% to 4% from 2023.

That's great news for investors when thinking about the sustainability of the $1.02 per share quarterly dividend. The company is recognized as a Dividend King, having increased its annual payout for the past 55 years, with management reaffirming a commitment to continue that streak through at least 2028. Investors who are confident in Altria's ability to remain profitable and execute a long-term strategy have a good reason to buy or hold the stock today.

The case to sell Altria stock

It's important to examine Altria's outlook critically to understand what could go wrong with the investment idea.
FORT MYERS, Fla. (WFLA)  A 16-year-old was arrested at the Southwest Florida International Airport on Monday regarding a carjacking, the Florida Highway Patrol announced.

According to the Lee County Sheriffs Office, the incident occurred on Friday when the female victim reported an encounter with Felix Marcial Ayala, 16, where he demanded she give him her keys.

Video from FHP shows the driver of the vehicle speeding along Daniels Parkway before crashing into several unoccupied vehicles.

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The driver then fled the car before being apprehended on airport property and taken into custody.

Ayala was charged with carjacking without a weapon, resisting an officer, and trespassing on critical infrastructure, 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 WFLA.
U.S. Air National Guard Airmen with the 134th Air Refueling Wing made a special delivery to the children at East Tennessee Children's Hospital this holiday season

With the help of Santa and Mrs. Claus, the Airmen, stationed at McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base outside of Knoxville, delivered a sleigh full of gifts and smiles to patients at the East Tennessee Children's Hospital on Saturday, Dec. 7.

The special delivery was part of the wing's "Santa Cops" program, an annual act of kindness led by Lt. Col. Matthew Bailey and Tech. Sgt. Michael Cornett.

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"It's an opportunity for us who wear the uniform to give back to the community," Bailey said.

On Friday, Dec. 6, the Airmen got to work shopping for all the kids at the Walmart in Alcoa. The next day, the 134th Air Refueling Wing personally passed out the gift bags at East Tennessee Children's Hospital.

Video of the exchange shows the kids excitedly opening the gift bags and admiring all of the goodies inside. Bailey described the day as "very emotional."

Since its conception in 2000, the program has raised more than $190,000 and has served hundreds of patients, according to Bailey. This year alone, Santa Cops raised $17,500 and fulfilled the Christmas wish lists of 60 kids.

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The money is raised through donations and fundraisers.

Santa Cops is a tradition that will continue for years to come, spreading a little bit of holiday joy to families who need it most, according to Bailey.

This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: TN airman pass out gifts at East Tennessee Children's Hospital
Two good Samaritans pulled a pilot from his burning airplane after it crashed into a field in Monroe County on Sunday.

The pilot, a 71-year-old Waterloo man, was critically injured and was airlifted by Arch Helicopter to a St. Louis hospital, according to a news release from the Monroe County Sheriffs Department.

The man, the sole occupant of the aircraft, had been working on the airplanes engine prior to taking off from an airfield off Bluff Road, west of Columbia and Interstate 255. Smoke reportedly began filling the cockpit, the sheriffs release stated, prompting the pilot to attempt a return to the airfield.

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The Federal Aviation Administration website lists an airport at 11563 Bluff Road in Monroe County called Sackman Field.

The plane crashed into a field near the 500 block of DD Road, near Sackman Field, the release stated. Sheriffs deputies and Columbia Police, Fire and EMS responded to the scene at about 12:12 p.m.

The plane, a 2007 Zenith Zodiac 601 HDS, caught fire prior to the crash, according to the sheriffs department. The single-engine airplane had a 23-foot wingspan, fixed landing gear and two seats in the cockpit, according to the Zenith website.

The crash remains under investigation by the FAA.

The Monroe County Sheriffs Department extends gratitude to the responding agencies and the Good Samaritans for their swift and heroic actions in assisting the injured pilot, Sheriffs Department Sgt. Justin Biggs stated in the release.
With its prospects for a new local sales tax on hold, Waukesha County has focused on another potential revenue source  one which would require broad-based agreement among state legislative leaders.

In a recent resolution approved by the Waukesha County Board, supervisors are trying to make a case for additional state funding to support ongoing services, especially those mandated by the state. They argue that, as they see it, the county ranks near the bottom per capita in state funding, making it difficult for the county to generate a budget that serves its residents effectively.

"Residents are already overtaxed, yet our county government receives woefully inadequate funding from the state," County Board Supervisor Jacob LaFontain, who introduced the resolution on Nov. 26, said in a news release. "This resolution is the first step in finding a more equitable solution to fund county government while avoiding any sales tax."

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In short, county taxpayers are subsidizing the cost of services, such as enforcement of state laws and regulations, the resolution suggests.

Waukesha County points to financial stress tied to state aid

The resolution specifies that the county, with its 411,000 residents, sends about $1.5 billion to the state in taxes and receives about $60 million in state funds to fund its budget. It also says that, for the 2025 budget approved in November, about 44% ($51 million) of the revenue collected from county property taxpayers will be allocated to cover the funding county officials feel should be covered by the state.

Using data collected for the Green Book, a publication from the research arm of the Wisconsin Counties Association, county officials noted that Waukesha County, among the 72 counties, ranks second lowest in state aid and shared revenue at $148 per person. The state average is $285. The median is $352. (Only Rock County, at $124, ranked lower.)

The funding disparity has particularly challenged public safety budget areas, including in the district attorney's office (which is more than 10 positions shy of prosecutors needed to manage its caseload) and the county jail (which is close to capacity with nearly half of its inmates coming from homes outside the county), according to the resolution.

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Budget cuts in public safety, including the closing of its Huber work-release jail facility, were a notable part of the 2025 budget, officials have previously said. Supervisors reiterated that point in backing the passage of the resolution unanimously.

"The countys budget issues have not been resolved, and the county is facing looming budget challenges related to public safety," Supervisor Larry Bangs said in the release. "I hope this resolution can be used to encourage all residents to contact their state representatives and demand fair funding for Waukesha County."

Additional state funds won't come easily

But such increases in funding are problematic. Any revenue boost would be subject to the normal legislative process, requiring the introduction of a bill that legislative leaders would have to consider at the committee level, then in the Assembly and Senate, before it could even hope to advance to the governor's office.

County officials believe they have a convincing argument. As part of the resolution, supervisors asked that the county's request be sent directly to Gov. Tony Evers and each legislator whose district includes Waukesha County, plus the Wisconsin Counties Association.

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"I believe if we work with the state in a civil and collaborative way, the legislature will come to the table and heed our requests," Supervisor Johnny Koremenos said in the news release.

Legislative leaders, however, can't make any promises.

State Rep. Dave Maxey (R-New Berlin), who has previously met with supervisors to discuss the county's budget-related concerns, and other legislative leaders have reportedly suggested to county officials that some believe that the county's lack of a sales tax means that it has not used all the tools at its disposal to fund its budget.

Maxey did not respond to messages seeking further comment on his talks with county officials or the county's chances of gaining additional state aid.

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But State Sen. Chris Kapenga (R-Delafield), whose 33rd District consists largely of communities within the county, said the political environment offers little hope for additional state funding than currently formulated. That means budget cuts may be the only answer locally.

"The county needs to increase efficiency and make tough decisions like we did when we passed Act 10, and put the taxpayer first, who is their boss," Kapenga said in an emailed statement. "For this reason their proposal won't make it through the Senate."

State Rep. Scott Allen (R-Waukesha), who represents Assembly District 97, wasn't quite so pessimistic, at least offering hope that legislative leaders will entertain a proposal.

"It never hurts to ask," Allen said in an emailed statement. "No odds offered on success. We will have to see."

State funding resolution grew out of sales tax discussion

While the push for more state funding is hardly new, the motive for a renewed effort is indelibly tied to Waukesha County's recent discussions and subsequent attempt to approve an ordinance that would have authorized a 0.5% county sales tax effective July 1, 2025.

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That effort stalled in November after a pushback from business and Republican party leaders, who questioned the wisdom of creating a $50 million revenue source to address a $5.5 million budget shortfall.

Even county officials were apologetic in proposing a sales tax, saying it was necessary but not ideal. However, they noted that the county was one of only three among the 72 counties to have rejected such a funding option. (Racine County subsequently approved a sales tax, leaving only Winnebago and Waukesha counties without one.) They also pointed to the state's property tax levy limits, in place since 2011, as too restrictive to fund even a conservative county's budget needs.

In public statements following the withdrawal of the sales tax ordinance proposal, county officials acknowledged exploring other revenue alternatives, including seeking additional state aid. Officials have also hinted they might ask legislative leaders to support a bill that would allow a smaller sales tax than the 0.5% rate currently specified in state law.

Contact reporter Jim Riccioli at james.riccioli@jrn.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Waukesha County asks for more state funding in lieu of new sales tax
Known as one of the most prescient observers of American democracy, Alexis de Tocqueville was also keenly interested in the countrys potential devolution into tyranny. In his magnum opus Democracy in America, the 19th-century French diplomat made an important proposition: The best defense against tyranny could be found in the circumstances and the manners of the country more than in its laws.

By manners Tocqueville did not just mean social politeness, but rather the whole moral and intellectual attitude of the country embodied in public practice. He had in mind, in other words, virtue. Without virtuous norms people turn inward, focusing on the preservation of their own private interests. The public square grows vacant, and the state steps in to claim more and more power over our daily life. Eventually, this loss of public virtue leaves the nation a mass of atomized individuals before an all-powerful, corrupted sovereign.

If Tocqueville is right, then rebuilding public virtue is an essential work in our time, even more imperative than any transient political victories. We are becoming too comfortably cynical about politics, willing to accept that our leaders are people of weak moral fiber, and we ourselves are withdrawing from community life amid growing perceptions of disorder and insecurity. This type of moral reform, though, is far more difficult than political maneuvering. After all, moral reform is not about the exertion of power, but rather about the hard work of forming relationships and developing human souls. How do we do that?

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Though not as well known in the West as Tocqueville, a Chinese philosopher and public official from the fourth century B.C. might help us answer the question.

"Accumulations: The Spirit of the East" by J.C. Kuo features "Confucius (L) and Mengzi (R)". (Photo by Alain Nogues/Corbis via Getty Images)

That philosopher was named Mengzi, and he lived during a crisis of public norms in his own society. Neighboring lords fought one another in constant wars of conquest and recrimination. People were engaged in violent competition for scarce goods. Historians now refer to this era, 475-221 B.C., as the Warring States period.

Known as the Second Sage, Mengzis influence as a thinker in Chinese history is second only to Confucius himself. As a scholar and public official, he was famous for traveling through China, attempting to persuade its lords to follow the path of benevolent government. Although largely unsuccessful in this pursuit, Mengzi gained a following in his home state of Zou, and his students compiled a book of his sayings and stories, which is known in the West today as The Mencius. Beyond these few details, little of his biography, like that of Plato in our own tradition, is certain.

But we do know that Mengzi was preoccupied with questions of virtue and moral reform. These terms might sound vague and platitudinous. Its easy to understand winning elections and passing laws, but what would it mean to build virtue? Isnt virtue just a subjective matter anyway?

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Not for Mengzi, who argued that virtue had an objective grounding in human nature. All human beings, he thought, had the seeds of virtue within them: our basic moral feelings of compassion, shame, respect, and a sense of right and wrong. It is up to us to develop or negate those feelings, but all of us experience them in some way. These feelings are grounded in truths about our nature and our place in the world. There is, then, a common ground to which we can return and from which we can reason with one another.

But suppose that we really can find some common ground about virtue. Even if we could agree that honesty, integrity, fair dealing, and mutual respect are human goods, how would we go about spreading them in a society that has started to lose them? Aristotle, the great virtue-thinker of the West, thought that moral formation had to begin in childhood, that we have to be raised with the right habits in order to be virtuous as adults. But what if members of our community were not raised that way? What if virtue has decayed in parents themselves? Are we out of luck?

Mengzi didnt think so. Why? Because the seeds of goodness remain, even if covered in bad habits. He made an effort to approach influential people and, by helping them notice their own goodness, convert them to virtue. His first method was to present to a leader the places where their moral instincts were still operative, and then to demonstrate how their other public actions contradicted their best impulses.

One famous story has Mengzi approaching one of the corrupt warrior kings of his time. He points out that the king had once taken pity on a suffering ox being led to slaughter, and set it free. Why, then, does the king nonetheless lead his people to death in senseless war? The king protests that war is a necessary evil required to expand his territory. Mengzi responded, When a person cannot lift a feather, he is not using his strength. When someone does not rule well, he is not using his compassion. To Mengzi, the king clearly had the resources within him to do goodif he would only notice and act consistently with them.

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This, however, was not the most meaningful way by which Mengzi changed Chinese society. (Most of the rulers refused to budge.) He eventually took a different route, retiring from political life and returning home, teaching the young people there to honor and follow what was called the Way (the path of moral living in harmony with the will of Heaven). Those who were not already married to power, apparently, were easier to persuade.

Here he had much more success. With due humility, he said that a man cannot hope to solve all of the problems in his lifetime; he can only try to leave behind a good tradition. So he started one. He did this through teaching, but also through the work of expounding on the public rites of virtue. These rites were something like what Tocqueville called manners, namely, the cultural practices whereby a community expresses its moral identity to itself. Rites are practices that institute norms of what good citizenship looks like.

Passing on a tradition meant cultivating, by example and instruction, norms and practices that communicated virtue. Among these were norms about public service, which stated that, for example, if a man needs to commit even the smallest wrong for the sake of political advancement, it is better that he retire.

These norms, in time, became embodied in the Civil Service Exam, a test that any citizen pursuing public service needed to pass, which held sway for hundreds of years across all China. This was not a political science test; it was an examination of the applicants knowledge of the shape of a virtuous life. Of course, this did not work flawlessly, but it was a standard that held sway for centuries, and one to which people could point when their leaders fell short or violated the public trust. The tradition Mengzi affirmed became the immutable standard of good government against which centuries of future leaders would be judged.

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The introduction of this immutable law did not banish tyranny and injustice from Chinese history, but it proved a resource for reform down the ages. Emperor Wang Mang cited it in the first century A.D., when he abolished slavery in all of China and redistributed land to the peasants. Scholars and philosophers frequently used it as a means of criticizing unjust power in the following centuries. In the second century A.D., Dong Zhongshu, a scholar and adviser to emperor Wu, drew from this tradition as a means of checking the kings unlimited power, advancing the establishment of Confucian colleges that would train civic leaders in virtue. In the Middle Ages, the philosopher Zhu Xi famously took up the banner of Mengzi, criticizing a corrupt ruling class and seeking reform, even sacrificing his life for this cause. These are but a few instances of the thread of reform and virtuous influence flowing down from Mengzi through Chinese history.

Promoting public virtue will never bring about utopia, but neither is it a waste of time. The aim is not perfection; the aim is peace and the common good, and Mengzis example shows that virtue can go a lot farther than we think.

Vice will always be with us. But we can choose whether vice merely haunts around the edges of our commonwealth or occupies its very heart.

These ideas are not foreign to our own tradition. Our Constitution was made only for a moral and religious People, John Adams once said in a speech to the Massachusetts militia in tones echoed by his fellow founders. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other. In the 1840s, Abraham Lincoln, in his first-ever public speech, argued that America could not be killed from the outside, but could only die by suicide. Speaking against the lynching laws and rampant crime that were common at the time, Lincoln reminded the people of Illinois that if their morals were such that they no longer respected true justice and the rule of law, our nation would fall into chaos and disaster.

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So, where does moral formation begin? We need to be creative about developing those public rites, those manners that Tocqueville wrote so persuasively about, those practices of public life that embody honesty, faithfulness, fairness, and integrity. In the institutions we belong to, we must be examples of these qualities. If we are in leadership, we must assert these qualities as norms. If we are not in leadership, we must hold our leaders to account. We cannot be willing to sacrifice virtue in pursuit of temporary political wins; in the long run, this poisons the soil of our common life.

All of this work begins in the heart of the citizen. Han Yu, a poet and follower of Mengzis Way in terms that echoed Confuciuss The Great Learning, wrote this when describing the practice of virtuous leaders:

In order to govern their country They rst rectified their own family. To rectify their own family, They rst took heed of their own conduct. In order to straighten their conduct, They looked to better their hearts.

In order to better their hearts, They made straight their intentions.

By beginning with ourselves, we have the potential to initiate what Mengzi called the brilliant, transformative influence of morality. This is never a battle that is finally won. Vice will always be with us. But we can choose whether vice merely haunts around the edges of our commonwealth or occupies its very heart. So then, it is a charge given to each citizen, not to solve the worlds problems, but, where he is, simply to leave behind a good tradition.

Read more at The Dispatch

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The Scoop

Last week, Republican Sen. John Kennedy introduced the subtly named No Propaganda Act. If enacted, it would end federal funding for Americas public media.

He joined an effort by billionaires Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy, who are heading up an amorphous cost-cutting advisory group for President-elect Donald Trump and have also suggested that support for public media should be eliminated from the federal budget.

Musks suggestion and Kennedys bill got little press coverage for an understandable reason: Its nothing new.

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Kennedy is the latest in a long line of Republicans who have drafted legislation to defund NPR, PBS, their member stations and their primary funding mechanism, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. Efforts to defund NPR and PBS have been raised by Republicans and successfully batted away by public media defenders with annual regularity for decades.

Maxs view

This time could be different. Republicans focus on the media has never been remotely this intense. While PBS has found some success on YouTube, NPRs incomplete digital transformation, declining radio listenership, and high-profile political stumbles have left it weaker than ever. Now theres greater concern among public radio figures than there has been in years about the future of NPR and public radio broadly.

The threats also come at a moment when NPR and its member stations also face commercial rivals like The New York Times, Spotify, and other audio giants, who have challenged and in many cases weakened their longtime hold on listeners. And the differences between NPR and its member stations over the direction of public radio, and how best each can tackle changes to user behavior that have sucked audio audiences into podcasting, have made the path forward even less clear.

Know More

Republicans have been trying unsuccessfully to defund public media for much of its existence. When Richard Nixon wanted to halve the CPBs budget in 1969, Fred Rogers (of fame) convinced a congressional committee on the spot to reverse the proposed cuts. Newt Gingrich pushed in 1995 to slash funding to public media when he was speaker of the House, as did George W. Bush every year he was in office and Trump during his first term. A narrow Republican majority in the House means even a single Republican defection from the defund cause would be fatal, while fighting defunding efforts has proved to be one of public medias most time-tested skills.

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But the business-as-usual attitude towards Republican threats ignores the strength of the current wave of conservative backlash to public media, and the weaker positions of many of even the most powerful NPR stations. In previous eras, these stations loomed large as the No. 1 option for listeners looking for news in their area. But in recent years, public radio has shed a third of its audience, which, like that of linear television, is increasingly old.

NPRs chief political foes in previous eras acknowledged that public radio had good programming and served an important purpose, arguing instead that it was simply a waste of money. Their opposition wasnt necessarily political.

This generation of defunders also believe the moment has changed. In an interview with me this week, Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) cited the much publicized accusations of internal liberal bias by former NPR staffer Uri Berliner as a reason he believed NPR should not receive government funding. But he also argued that the changing media landscape meant that his constituents no longer saw much of a need for public radio.

Time marches on, people are consuming their media very differently now than when Newt Gingrich was the speaker, Perry said. And NPR has completely showed itself to be an unnecessary  and quite honestly, because of the bias, the complete bias, self-admitted  a very inflammatory expenditure, for which many taxpayers feel there is not only little to no value, but a detrimental value.

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PBS CEO Paula Kerger since 2006 has used her connections with establishment Republicans to convince an increasingly conservative Congress that public local television stations deserve funding  even if their grip, too, has been weakened in recent years by changes in the media landscape. The growth of childrens programming online and the loss of broadcast rights of nearly universally beloved (and politically helpful) in 2016 to HBO have prompted conservative members to question what theyre still funding.

One of the most popular parts of the public broadcasting portion, the TV portion, , was sold off, Perry said. Its an acknowledgement that he world is changing.

The incoming Republican-led Congress and White House  emboldened by their empowerment of alternative media  appear as serious as ever to follow through on their threat. This year alone, there were three different bills aimed at eliminating funding for NPR and CPB, and members such as Rep. Claudia Tenney (R-N.Y.), who sponsored one of the bills, said they will be reintroduced again in the next congress.

Not a dime of taxpayer dollars should be forced to go to these organizations, Tenney told Semafor.

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Public media still has a few strong cards to play. NPR and the CPB employ government affairs officials who have a 50-year-old successful lobbying playbook that they will run again in the spring. NPR has often leaned on rural Republicans whose constituents have fewer options for local news than their urban counterparts, or pressured members from swingy districts, whose more moderate voters still flip the dial to NPR on occasion.

But even if NPR and its peers beat back the looming political threats, the energy they will expend will continue to distract from a larger structural problem facing public radio. NPR and many of its member stations have continued to struggle to build a lifeline to the digital future, which could bring in new audiences and new sponsorship dollars.

NPR has had some successes in adapting its radio programming to digital audiences, most notably , an abbreviated morning newscast that made Apples list of most listened-to podcasts this year, and itsseries, which has made the NPR Music account one of the most popular music channels on YouTube. But higher-ups within the organization and within public radio have looked with alarm at the rise of more nimble podcast competitors, chief among them The New York Times, which over the last decade took many of the lessons of public radio and built a series of audio shows that have eclipsed many flagship NPR programs., the most popular news podcast in the country, now runs over the air on many public radio stations.

NPR has also failed to fully monetize both podcasts and its additional digital assets. In 2022, NPR hired former 21st Century Fox and Dreamworks executive Gordon Synn, saying that the move would help us go where NPR has never gone before with new content opportunities and negotiated partnerships and IP deals. Synn was also tasked with building out a bigger business around NPRs series like , which he was attempting to expand into an international franchise before he left. But earlier this fall, the organization quietly parted ways with Synn and some of his team.

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Last year, NPR canceled four podcasts amid broader cuts aimed at closing a $30 million budget gap, and has since weighed offloading the dead podcasts to its for-profit audio competitors. Other efforts have gone nowhere. NPR and the member stations poured significant funds into , its attempt to replicate with an afternoon news podcast pegged to a feature story from one of its non-D.C. affiliates. But that process proved to be too cumbersome, costly, and distracting for many member stations.

In my conversations with current and former NPR staff and higher-ups at member stations, some blamed the lack of more serious digital progress on the old-guard radio personalities who continue to prioritize traditional radio broadcasting over digital. Others blamed NPRs corporate structure and dissonance between member stations and D.C.

Local radio stations are generally responsible for their own funding, which they raise through membership drives and sponsorships, and get a chunk of money from the CPB. They pay dues to NPR for the rights to broadcast its flagship programs, such as and . NPRs organizational structure means that while the member stations pay dues to the NPR mothership in return for content, those stations leaders also sit on its board, giving them some sway over the larger organization.

NPR and some of the public radio stations have been at odds over how to confront the digital future and how to manage their relationship. Some stations were alarmed when National Public Media, the entity that sells ads for many NPR podcasts, began selling geotargeted ads on national podcasts, which stations saw as a threat to their local sponsorship dollars.

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Some member stations have done well and attempted to craft their own unique brand independent of NPR. Oregon Public Broadcasting, for example, built its own non-NPR website, and doesnt even mention the association on its homepage.

But over the past several years, many of the biggest member stations themselves have faced fundraising challenges that have forced them to abandon many digital aspirations. WNYC has cut much of its podcast business, laid off staff, and deemphasized its digital news site, Gothamist. As Semafor first reported earlier this year, New York Public Radio CEO LaFontaine Oliver said candidly in a memo to employees, Without swift action, we will soon face significant questions about our ability to continue to serve New York. WAMU shuttered its local site DCist earlier this year, and both KCRW and LAist in Los Angeles laid off staff and cut podcasts this year. In March, San Franciscos KQED cut 34 jobs and offered buyouts, citing a budget crunch.

Former NPR CEO and Executive Director of Aspen Digital Vivian Schiller told Semafor she was alarmed by public radios current slate of challenges and struggles to adapt to podcasting. She argued that the current organizational structure is antiquated, as some member stations still see NPRs own content as a threat to their own relationship with their listeners.

The challenge is: If NPR was going to put out podcasts, that would be bypassing the stations, right? she said. So this is probably, in my view, the single biggest source of slowness to be able to really launch meaningful podcasts, because you cannot bypass the stations. Its a challenge, and it has really impeded innovation.

Room for Disagreement

A legitimate threat to NPR could galvanize dormant support for public radio, and the reach of activated member stations could be a powerful force to contend with. Other audio insiders also suggested to Semafor that even the worst-case scenario could present an opportunity. Losing federal funding via NPR would of course be seriously damaging to many member stations. But it could force them to take bigger risks and put forward programming that more effectively captures audiences.

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NPR did not respond to specific questions about its future and its digital challenges. But a spokesperson said that NPR remained committed to serving its core audience while adapting to changing listener and reader habits.

As an organization, weve moved in the past year to integrate an audience-first approach, meeting people where they are, whether on radio or digital device, understanding what they want out of public media reporting in their day-to-day, and working more closely with our colleagues at our member stations to ensure were covering the full breath of the nation they represent, the spokesperson said. This means engaging audiences that are as varied as our nation: urban and rural, a diversity of perspectives and views often together in one community.



WNYC has only sold off one podcast, and has cut others. An earlier version of this article overstated the number that have been sold. That earlier version also misidentified the public media company that Paula Kerger leads: it is PBS.
By Will Dunham

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Fresh corroboration of the perplexing observation that the universe is expanding more rapidly than expected has scientists pondering the cause - perhaps some unknown factor involving the mysterious cosmic components dark energy and dark matter.

Two years of data from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope have now validated the Hubble Space Telescope's earlier finding that the rate of the universe's expansion is faster - by about 8% - than would be expected based on what astrophysicists know of the initial conditions in the cosmos and its evolution over billions of years. The discrepancy is called the Hubble Tension.

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The observations by Webb, the most capable space telescope ever deployed, appear to rule out the notion that the data from its forerunner Hubble was somehow flawed due to instrument error.

"This is the largest sample of Webb Telescope data - its first two years in space - and it confirms the puzzling finding from the Hubble Space Telescope that we have been wrestling with for a decade - the universe is now expanding faster than our best theories can explain," said astrophysicist Adam Riess of Johns Hopkins University in Maryland, lead author of the study published on Monday in the Astrophysical Journal.

"Yes, it appears there is something missing in our understanding of the universe," added Riess, a 2011 Nobel laureate in physics for the co-discovery of the universe's accelerating expansion. "Our understanding of the universe contains a lot of ignorance about two elements - dark matter and dark energy - and these make up 96% of the universe, so this is no small matter."

"The Webb results can be interpreted to suggest there may be a need to revise our model of the universe, although it is very difficult to pinpoint what this is at the moment," said Siyang Li, a Johns Hopkins doctoral student in astronomy and astrophysics and a study co-author.

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Dark matter, thought to comprise about 27% of the universe, is a hypothesized form of matter that is invisible but is inferred to exist based on its gravitational effects on ordinary matter - stars, planets, moons, all the stuff on Earth - which accounts for roughly 5% of the universe.

Dark energy, believed to comprise approximately 69% of the universe, is a hypothesized form of energy permeating vast swathes of space that counteracts gravity and drives the universe's accelerating expansion.

What might explain the anomalous expansion rate?

"There are many hypotheses that involve dark matter, dark energy, dark radiation - for example, neutrinos (a type of ghostly subatomic particle) - or gravity itself having some exotic properties as possible explanations," Riess said.

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The researchers employed three different methods to measure a specific telltale metric - distances from Earth to galaxies where a type of pulsating star called Cepheids have been documented. The Webb and Hubble measurements were in harmony.

The universe's expansion rate, a figure called the Hubble constant, is measured in kilometers per second per megaparsec, a distance equal to 3.26 million light-years. A light-year is the distance light travels in a year, 5.9 trillion miles (9.5 trillion km).

Under the standard model of cosmology - basically, the conventional wisdom concerning the universe - the value of the Hubble constant should be about 67-68. The Hubble and Webb data give a value averaging about 73, with a range of about 70-76.

The Big Bang event 13-14 billion years ago initiated the universe, and it has been expanding ever since. Scientists in 1998 disclosed that this expansion was actually accelerating, with dark energy as the hypothesized reason.

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The new study looked at Webb data covering about a third of Hubble's full slate of relevant galaxies. The researchers in 2023 announced that earlier interim Webb data validated the Hubble findings.

So how might this Hubble Tension mystery be solved?

"We need more data to better characterize this clue. Exactly what size is it (the discrepancy)? Is the mismatch at the lower end - 4-5% - or the higher end - 10-12% - of what the current data allows? Over what range of cosmic time is it present? These will further inform ideas," Riess said.

(Reporting by Will Dunham, Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV)  Wells Memorial United Methodist Church, which hosts WellsFest, presented a check to WellsFest CARES on Sunday.

WellsFest CARES was established in 2023 to honor the musicians who have donated their time and talent to perform at every WellsFest. The nonprofit provides a safety net for musicians in need.

And its $100,000 is what we are able to give as our gift this year to this beneficiary of WellsFest CARES. And its just a beautiful way to celebrate, said Pastor Susannah Grubbs-Carr.

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Each year, Wells Church selects a different nonprofit social service agency to receive the festivals net proceeds.

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A visitor attractions group in Wales says it is advising attractions to close their doors on Tuesday (10 December) in protest over the Welsh Governments tourist tax plans.

The Welsh Association of Visitor Attractions (WAVA) announced that after an emergency meeting it has decided to recommend that its members close down for one day.

The WAVA is an independent trade body that represents over 100 visitor attractions in Wales.

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After the government shared its plans for a tourist tax last month, the WAVA said that the reason for this action is in response to the Welsh Governments proposed tourism tax where their own government reports indicated such a tax would damage the Welsh tourism industry.

Finance Secretary Mark Drakeford introduced the bill on Monday, 25 November for consideration by the Senedd, the Welsh Parliament, who will scrutinise and vote on the legislation. A final decision may not be made until 2025.

The bill currently proposes that the levy would be set up at 75p per person, per night for those staying in hostels and on campsites.

A 1.25 tax would be charged per person, per night to people staying in all other accommodation types.

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The government said that it estimates that if all Welsh local authorities choose to introduce a visitor levy, it could generate up to 33m a year.

In WAVAs press release, however, it pointed out that in the latest commissioned Welsh Government report, their own findings were that in the worst scenario, over 700 tourism jobs could be lost by this tax, with a revenue loss of 40m+.

Welsh Government figures were based only on a 1.6 per cent drop in visitor numbers. Many in tourism expect the drop to be more."

The governments economic impact assessment, conducted by Calvin Jones of Cardiff Business School, weighed up scenarios based on an optimistic, neutral and pessimistic outlook on how the tax will affect the economy.

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Gross losses to full-time employment under a pessimistic model is 730 jobs, a neutral outlook is 485 job losses and an optimistic outlook is a loss of 250 jobs.

Economy-wide visitor levy-related trip expenditure related losses in Welsh economic output (in 2023 terms) range from an estimated -16.1m in the most optimistic scenario, to -47.5m, the report adds.

Frankie Hobro, who has run Anglesey Sea Zoo for the last 18 years, is one member to speak out about shutting its doors on Tuesday, telling WalesOnline that the introduction of the tax means people are in despair because their costs are the same but theyre not making more money.

Cliff Railway in Aberystwyth has also said it is planning to close on Tuesday, telling Cambrian News that it feels like tourism is being treated like a second-class industry.

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One anonymous member at the WAVA meeting said they were suffering from mental stress due to the government continuously putting hurdles in the path of my business.

I feel like retiring and giving up the fight, they added.

Another member said that the visitor levy is complete economic madness.

We should be encouraging visitors to come to Wales and not taxing them for coming, they said.

For more travel news and advice, listen to Simon Calders podcast
LEWISBURG, WV (WVNS)  The West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicines Center for Rural and Community Health asked the community to help donate toys to children in North Carolina and Tennessee who were affected by Hurricane Helene.

According to a press release, the donations of new, unused toys will be a part of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicines (WVSOM) Center for Rural and Community Healths (CRCH) Project Hope campaign, and will go to children whose families were affected by flooding and other issues caused by the aftermath of Helene in Tennessee and North Carolina.

2024 Student Ornament Competition winners announced by First Lady Cathy Justice

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Some of the new and unused toys that can be donated include: board games, puzzles, crafts, action figures, and dolls.

Donated toys will be accepted through Friday, December 13, 2024, and people can donate toys at locations such as:

The WVSOM James R. Stookey Library

The CRCH area in the WVSOMs Main Building

The East Wing and West Wing lobbies of the Robert C. Byrd Clinic

The Greenbrier County Family Support Center in Rupert, WV

During the flooding in Greenbrier County in 2016, many volunteers and supplies came from areas that are now going through the same pain and hurt we experienced. We knew we needed to do something after seeing all the damage, the lives lost and the heartbreak residents of North Carolina and Tennessee were going through. We wanted parents to experience the kindness of others and not to have to worry about gifts for their children. We wanted to be a small part of placing a glimmer in kids eyes, smiles on their faces and joy in their heart Joyce Martin | Administrative Director for WVSOMs CRCH

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Concord University Esports rocket their way to win the 2024 CRL Championship

In addition to toys, cards with drawings and words by children from the Greenbrier County School District will also be sent. The toys and cards will be delivered on December 16, 2024 to Unicoi Elementary School, near Johnson City, Tennessee, by staff with CRCH. Rise Erwin, a nonprofit organization will give the toys and cards out to those who need them.

WVSOM will work with East Tennessee State Universitys Quillen School of Medicine, who will also participate in Project Hope by collecting toys.

Additional information about Project Hope can be found by calling 304-793-6571 or emailing jmartin@osteo.wvsom.edu Joyce Martin.

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The back half of 2024 has been a strong period for speculative high-growth stocks. Like dozens of these companies, Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) is up over 100% in the past month, with its stock boost happening right around the United States presidential election. Archer Aviation is an air taxi company looking to build a network in multiple wealthy cities around the globe with its point-to-point strategy.

Is Archer Aviation stock a buy, sell, or hold for investors today? Let's take a look into this soaring air taxi start-up and find out.

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Big potential in commercialized air taxis

Archer Aviation is building a fleet of electric vertical take-off and landing taxis, otherwise known as eVTOL. They are similar to helicopters, but slightly different and less noisy, which should allow them to operate more in cities. Management is aiming to tackle heavily traffic routes that take around an hour to drive, such as going from downtown Manhattan to the airport. In its proposed route, a trip from the south end of Manhattan to Newark Airport will take only nine minutes. Customer value comes from the exclusive service and time saved, which wealthy people will pay a pretty penny for.

Due to the long regulatory journey, Archer Aviation is not operating today. In 2025, it plans to produce around two aircraft per month and (hopefully) commence operations in New York, Tokyo, and Abu Dhabi. Its order book is large, estimated to be over $6 billion, which shows the commercial demand for eVTOL taxis if the technology and infrastructure can work correctly.

Once the test routes start working, there is a near-endless growth runway for Archer Aviation to go after. There isn't a city around the world that doesn't deal with traffic issues, with more and more routes that can be added to its point-to-point network in major urban areas. It will be a long journey, but this disruptive new mode of transportation could become a big deal over the next decade, at least in a select few cities around the globe.

No revenue, heavy losses

Potential is a word that should be associated with Archer Aviation. Don't think this is a slam-dunk guarantee yet. Archer Aviation has never generated sales and is still undergoing regulatory approval with the Federal Aviation Association (FAA). Sure, the company will generate a lot of sales when its taxi network starts operating, but that has not happened yet.

Its financial statements are fairly ugly as a result of being pre-revenue. Free cash flow was negative $415 million over the last 12 months and has only gotten worse since Archer Aviation went public two years ago. Cash burn will likely get worse as it builds out its inventory of eVTOL vehicles, which will take a lot of upfront capital to build. Even if the taxi network starts operating in a few cities, Archer Aviation will still be losing money. Even if it gets to 100 point-to-point networks generating $100 an hour in revenue 24/7 and 365 days a year, that equates to just $87.6 million in annual revenue, or well below its current expense base. This scenario will not occur for many years, either.
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP)  Western Massachusetts residents in the giving spirit this holiday season donated toys during the final weekend of our stations Toys for Tots campaign.

New lighting approved for I-91 in Springfield

We wanna give to the community during Christmas because theres a lot of people who are less fortunate than us, said Denali Sid of East Longmeadow.

Many western Massachusetts community members showed up on Sunday to help make a local kids Christmas a little brighter. Its been another successful annual Toys for Tots campaign here at 22News and with our final weekend collecting toys under way we saw impressive, generous donations.

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From bikes to board games, dolls, and stuffed animals, these donations assure children of all ages receive something special just for them this holiday season. For some, donating to Toys for Tots is a holiday tradition. Like the Sid family, who has been donating every year for 10 years!

Its a great way to give back to the community. And, make sure that kids dont go without. Especially if we have a little bit to share, then we can give, expressed Jose Sid of East Longmeadow.

The Boulevard Bombers Car Club of Bondsville, another committed yearly donor, uses their reach to do good.

Lance Ferrell of the Boulevard Bombers Car Club told 22News, We do a drive out of my tattoo shop in Bondsville, Mass, and today we all come here to drop off toys for those in need.

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And even the little ones who understand the importance of doing what they can for those who need it most, say it feels really good to help.

I know the toys are going to a bunch of kids who like, cant afford them, said Ellie Payant.

If you couldnt make it to our studios this weekend there is still time on Monday, December 9th to drop off toys. We stop accepting toy donations at 7:00 p.m. Then local Marines will pick them up, sort them, and distribute them to non-profit agencies and churches for final distribution to area children in need so each one can get their holiday wishes. And all of the toys go to children, right here, in western Massachusetts.

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.

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Luigi Mangione, 26, has been charged with murder in the Dec. 4 shooting death of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in New York City.

Police nearly 300 miles away, in Altoona, Pa., responded to reports of a male matching the description of the shooting suspect at a local McDonalds at about 9:15 a.m. Monday.

Authorities said Mangione was seen by a McDonalds employee who recognized him from the photos released by the NYPD and published by news outlets, and the employee called the police.

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Mangione was detained in Altoona after he showed local police a fake New Jersey ID and was found to have a ghost gun and suppressor similar to those seen in surveillance footage of the shooting. Ghost guns are assembled using a kit or multiple separate pieces, making them unregistered and untraceable by law enforcement. The fake ID is believed to be the same one used by the suspect to check in at a hostel on Manhattans Upper West Side days before the shooting.

Mangione had clothing  including a face mask  that looked similar to what was worn by the suspect, as well as a handwritten document that police say describes potential motivation.

NYPD Chief of Detectives Joseph Kenny told reporters that there does not appear to be "any specific threats" mentioned in that document, but "it does seem that he has some ill will toward corporate America.

Luigi Mangione arrives for his arraignment at Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg, Pa. (Fox News Channel via Reuters)

In Pennsylvania, Mangione was charged with five crimes, including carrying a gun without a license, forgery, falsely identifying himself to authorities and possessing "instruments of crime." He was ordered held without bail.

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Late Monday, prosecutors in Manhattan charged Luigi Mangione with murder and four other crimes, according to online court records:

One count of second-degree murder

Two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon

One count of second-degree possession of a forged document

One count of third-degree criminal possession of a weapon

What do we know about Luigi Mangione?

Luigi Mangione stands in a cell in Altoona, Pa., on Monday. (Altoona Police Department/Handout via Reuters)

Yahoo News viewed public accounts on X, Facebook and Instagram that appeared to belong to Mangione, featuring his name and similar photos across the platforms. His Facebook and Instagram accounts have since been deleted. The X account with what appears to be Mangiones name and photo says it was created in 2016, while the Instagram account had in its first post what appears to be a photo of Mangione and his sister that was uploaded in 2018. (The number of followers for these X and Instagram accounts has skyrocketed in the last few hours by tens of thousands.)

At the NYPD press conference, Kenny said Mangione was born and raised in Maryland and his last known address was in Honolulu. The X account associated with Mangione lists his location as Honolulu, and the most recent photos on the Instagram page, posted in 2021, are tagged as having been taken in Fiji.

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According to what is Mangiones Facebook page, he graduated in 2016 as a valedictorian from Gilman School, a private, all-boys school in Baltimore. A local Baltimore news outlet wrote that Mangiones graduation speech was about maintaining tradition while also pioneering innovations.

Valedictorian Luigi Mangione gives a farewell speech to the Class of 2016 during commencement at Gilman School in Baltimore. (Nicole Munchel/The Baltimore Sun/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)

The Instagram account associated with Mangione states that he attended the University of Pennsylvania as an undergraduate and was a member of the Phi Kappa Psi fraternity. UPenns Alumni site confirms that he graduated in 2020 with a dual bachelor's degree in computer engineering (BSE) and a masters degree in computer and information science (MSE).

CBS News reported Monday that Mangione comes from a prominent Maryland family, noting that he is the cousin of Maryland State Delegate Nino Mangione, a Republican. Mangioni's grandfather was a real estate developer who owned country clubs in Maryland, according to the Baltimore Banner.

The NYPDs Kenny also mentioned at the news conference that Mangione may have connections to San Francisco. The Facebook account associated with Mangione includes photos indicating that he worked as a counselor for the Pre-Collegiate Studies program at Stanford University, 35 miles outside of San Francisco, in 2019. Stanford confirmed his 2019 involvement with the New York Times.

The X account under his name, which was created in 2016 and only has 287 posts, does not appear to have any posts that specifically mention UnitedHealthcare or Thompson.
The Assad dynasty has fallen. After 54 years of Assad family rule, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad quietly fled the capital city of Damascus on Saturday night, seeking asylum in Russia. The government that had clung onto power through military force for so long crumbled in the face of a sudden uprising led by Abu Mohammad al-Jolani, former head of Al Qaeda in Syria who later fought against Al Qaeda and founded an independent Islamist organization.

The United States did not expect Assad to fall, but it now has many cards to play in influencing the postwar situation. President Joe Biden gloated on Sunday that his policies have "shifted the balance of power in the Middle East," and promised to keep U.S. troops on the ground in Syria. Although President-elect Donald Trump personally said that Syria is "not our fight," he bashed the Obama administration for not getting involved more decisively. Members of Trump's circle also seem eager to shape the postwar outcome.

"I think Abu Muhammad al-Jolani must be delusional if he thinks that Syrians, having seen the departure of a 54-yr dictatorship yesterday, will sit still as he installs himself as another dictator in Assad's place," wrote Joel Rayburn, a former Trump administration official who is reportedly part of Trump's new National Security Council, in a social media post. Regime change in Syria has been one of Rayburn's pet projects for a long time.

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Jolani's forces were not the first to enter Damascus. A motley coalition of local militias with ties to Jordanian and U.S. intelligence beat him to the punch. ("They're very different [from Jolani]. We know a lot of them," a senior Biden administration official told reporters on Sunday.) Still, Jolani is the kingmaker, if not the king. After entering Damascus, he gave a victory speech and installed one of his loyalists as the new prime minister.

Along with its indirect support for rebels, the U.S. military currently has "approximately 900" troops stationed in Syria, some of them stationed alongside Kurdish-led rebels known as the Syrian Democratic Forces, and some of them sitting at a lonely outpost on the Jordanian border known as al-Tanf. Although these forces were originally sent to fight the Islamic State, they have since become a tool for countering Iran and Russia, the Assad government's old backers. In a show of force on Sunday, the U.S. military bombed 75 alleged Islamic State hideouts in areas that used to be under Russian military control.

Turkey, a U.S. treaty ally, and Israel, a close friend that receives extensive U.S. military aid, have joined the fray.

The Israeli army, which had already taken the Golan Heights from Syria in 1967, seized another 155 square miles of Syrian territory along the border. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called for the deployment of a "temporary defensive position until a suitable arrangement is found" in an English-language video, but left that phrase out of the Hebrew-language announcement. Israeli fighter jets have also been bombing military equipment across Syria to keep it out of "the hands of extremists."

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Turkey, meanwhile, immediately attacked the town of Manbij, near the Turkish border. It was a case of a U.S. ally fighting U.S. proxies. Syrian mercenaries, some of them formerly armed and trained by the CIA, advanced against the Syrian Democratic Forces under Turkish air cover. The Syrian Democratic Forces agreed to withdraw from Manbij after a U.S.-Turkish agreement, a rebel source told Reuters.

"The situation is really bad," Sihem Hemo, a Kurdish official from Manbij, tells Reason by text message. "The people are exposed to torture and pillaging." She says that the Turkish-backed mercenaries began looting after they entered the city and that they have been targeting Kurds as well as former Syrian Democratic Forces fighters.

Aside from its military influence, Washington has one last powerful piece of leverage: economic sanctions. During the war, the United States imposed a trade embargo on Syria and passed the Caesar Civilian Protection Act, designed to prevent international reconstruction as long as Assad remained in power. Jolani's organization, known by its Arabic initials HTS, is also considered a terrorist organization by the United States, the United Nations, and the European Union, which could expose any HTS-led government to more sanctions.

U.N. Special Envoy Geir Pedersen told the Financial Times that there was "no way to exclude" HTS from the future of Syria, and hinted that "those who are dealing with these questions" would be "willing to look at" the terrorism designation if Jolani installs an "inclusive" government. A U.S. official also told reporters that Jolani's organization "will be an important component" of Syria and "we will intend to engage with them appropriately and with U.S. interests in mind."

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How the U.S. actually uses its leverage, of course, is the million dollar question. Biden said in his speech that he wants to see a region "where our friends are safe, where our enemies are contained" and a Syrian government with a "commitment to the rights of all Syrians, the rule of law, the protection of religious and ethnic minorities." They're noble goals for sure, but the United States has an awful track record of balancing them, including in Syria itself.

It's hard to see, for example, how to square Biden's vision for an "independent, sovereign" Syria with the fact that two U.S. partners are currently nibbling away at Syrian territory.

Trump's instincts, then, might not be so bad: "THE UNITED STATES SHOULD HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT. THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!"

The post What's Left For the U.S. To Do in Syria? appeared first on Reason.com.
Jon Finer, Deputy National Security Advisor to the White House, believes that the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in Syria indicates the weakening of Russia and Iran.

Source: European Pravda, citing Finer in an interview with CNN

Details: Finer noted that Moscow and Tehran, the main pillars of the Assad regime, "were completely caught off guard by this [the fall of Assad's regime], but that wasn't just a mistake, and it wasn't just an accident".

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"[The Assad regime  ed.] had effectively become a Russian-Iranian joint venture inside Syria, and both of those joint venture partners were no longer able to provide the support that the regime needed in order to survive, and that's a big part of why it's no longer in power," he added.

The White House official added that this is not Iran's first loss in the Middle East in recent months, recalling the Hamas and Hezbollah groups weakened by the war with Israel.

"This is not a moment of strength for Iran, and what the implications are of that I'll let others speculate about, but that is, frankly, the result of work by the United States and our partners over the course of the last year that brought us to that moment," said Finer.

On the other hand, the war in Ukraine has already "shown what kind of a security partner Russia can be to other countries," the advisor added.

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Background:

On 8 December, rebels in Syria announced that they had taken control of the capital, Damascus, signalling the end of more than two decades of Assad's rule. Assad is believed to be in Moscow.

Jake Sullivan, the White House National Security Adviser, noted that the United States will work to protect the US against the terrorist threat that could come from Syria after the sudden overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime in the country.

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CHICAGO  A 14-year-old boy from Whiting, Ind., was shot multiple times and killed Sunday night in South Chicago, according to police.

In a preliminary investigation, police say the incident happened just before 6 p.m. in the 8800 block of South Houston Avenue.

1 dead, 3 injured in shooting at Cicero intersection; latest violent incident in west suburban town

A male victim was dropped off at an area hospital with one gunshot wound to the neck, one in the chest, two in the back and one in the left hand, according to police. He was pronounced dead at the hospital.

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Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines

The Cook County Medical Examiners Office identified the victim as Israel Maldonado, 14, of Whiting, Ind.

Police say nobody is in custody, and Area Two 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.
JOHNSON COUNTY  Tony Coleman recognizes the signs all too well. A cow drools strings of saliva. Then it starts to limp, each step slower. Then it grows stiff.

Then its quick. Theres nothing to be done. The cow dies.

Since early 2023, the Grandview rancher has watched more than 35 of his 150Black Angus cattle perish. July was especially brutal. In the span of a week, Coleman lost a 3-week-old calf; a cow; and Little Red, a strong bull full of spirit, leaving Coleman with nothing but unanswered questions.

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This is destroying our lives, he said. You never know what you're going to get every day when you get down here.

Next door, James Farmer has lost two calves, and he found two of his wifes beloved horses toppled to the ground like dominoes, their bodies swarmed by buzzards.

It's hard for me to tell her because I know she's going to break down, he said. Why are our animals dying? Just back to back? It never ends.

Months before, the men said they noticed a gag-inducing sewage smell drifting from smoking piles of fertilizer on their neighbors property. Heavy rains then washed some of the fertilizer onto their land. Soon after, they said, they found fish floating dead in the stock ponds from which their livestock drink.

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They contacted the county with their concerns, triggering a nine-month investigation. Thats when their cattle and horses began to die.

An environmental crime investigator in Johnson County collected samples of the dead animals tissue and organs, their water source, the soil and the fertilizer that was applied next door.

After the county received test results, the two families finally got their answer: The animals had been killed by something in the fertilizer.

The fertilizer had been made with biosolids, part of an effort to find a climate-friendly method to recycle municipal sewage. But the fertilizer also contained synthetic and highly hazardous chemicals known as PFAS, which are found in hundreds of household products and have had devastating effects on farms and ranches that inadvertently spread them on their land.

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An untold number of farms and ranches across Texas and the rest of the nation might have also used fertilizer made from sewage tainted with these forever chemicals  which dont break down in the environment  without knowing it.

PFAS, or perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances, are human-made chemicals used since the 1940s that have a singular ability to repel oil and water and resist heat. They are used in products such as nonstick cookware, pizza boxes, waterproof mascara, toilet paper, soaps and rain jackets.

There are more than 12,000 types of PFAS, but researchers have studied the health effects of only about 150. They can contaminate food and water and build up in the body over time. Exposure to certain PFAS has been linked to cancer, low birth rates and birth defects; damage to the liver and immune system; and other serious health problems. One study found the chemicals in the blood of nearly 97% of Americans.

Due to their widespread use in consumer products, forever chemicals have been discharged into waterways by chemical manufacturers; trucked to landfills with household trash; or flushed into city sewers via toilets, sinks, showers and washing machines.

Bottom left: The first step of the wastewater treatment process involves sending raw sewage through screens to remove trash. Top left: In one of the last steps of the process, the wastewater is injected with chlorine to kill any remaining bacteria. Fort Worth Water sends the recycled water to the Dallas-Fort Worth airport for industrial use. Top right: Mary Gugliuzza, spokesperson for Fort Worth Water, said forever chemicals enter the wastewater treatment plant from homes, businesses and industrial customers. Bottom right: Air is pumped into wastewater pools known as aeration basins, where oxygen promotes microbial growth that helps break down pollutants.

Then they end up in local wastewater treatment plants, where the solids are separated from sewage. Fertilizer companies that are often paid to haul these biosolids away process them into fertilizer thats sold to farmers and ranchers as a cheaper alternative to chemical fertilizers.

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A number of Texas wastewater plants have contracts with fertilizer companies to take their biosolids, including Fort Worth, Houston, San Antonio, Dallas and Arlington. Nationally, more than half of sewage sludge was treated and spread on land, according to one study; 19 billion pounds of it was spread on American farms between 2016 and 2021, the nonprofit Environmental Working Group found in 2022.

Wastewater treatment and biosolids experts call this an environmental win-win because those solids dont go to landfills or incinerators  processes that create greenhouse gases, which contribute to climate change.

But nobody knows how much of that fertilizer is contaminated with PFAS, which can be absorbed by crops and consumed by livestock, and then enter the food supply. There are no requirements to test biosolids for PFAS or to warn farmers and ranchers that they could be using contaminated fertilizer made with biosolids on their land.

Some people are saying (PFAS contamination) are isolated incidents. No, they're not. I guarantee that this is a problem in every single state that uses biosolids, said Kyla Bennett, a former U.S. Environmental Protection Agency employee who is now a science policy director for the nonprofit group Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility.

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The reason we're not hearing about it all over the country, in all 50 states, is because nobody's looking for this problem, Bennett added.

According to EPA data analyzed by the nonprofit Environmental Working Group in 2022, an estimated 5% of all crop fields in the U.S.  up to 20 million acres  could have used fertilizer made with biosolids. In Texas, more than 157,000 dry metric tons of biosolid-based fertilizer were applied to agricultural lands in 2018.

Though the EPA recently set limits for a handful of the chemicals in drinking water, those rules do not cover biosolids.

The evidence is out there that PFAS are a health hazard, Bennett said. We shouldnt have to wait for the EPA to act.

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Without federal regulations, some states have taken action, requiring wastewater treatment plants to test their biosolids for PFAS or setting their own limits for PFAS in biosolids. Texas is not among them. State environmental regulators said in a statement that theyre not required to by law.

Coleman and other Johnson County farmers who know their land is contaminated are now faced with an existential dilemma: Do they sell their cattle and their crops, knowing theyre probably laced with PFAS, or face financial ruin?

Coleman and Farmer have both decided not to sell any cattle. That means the men now run zombie farms. They pay to feed animals and harvest hay that they wont sell  a single 900-pound steer could sell for $4,800, Coleman said.

Everything we plant here is just sucking this (PFAS) stuff up, Coleman said. The cows drink the water and eat the grass. For them there is no escaping.

Anxiety in Johnson County

In February, Johnson County residents packed the courthouse and listened intently as Dana Ames, an environmental crime investigator for the county, and other local officials explained the findings from the nine-month investigation into the noxious smells and dead livestock.

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Ames, who spent $35,000 of the countys money on the investigation and sent samples to a lab in Pennsylvania, told residents that the liver of the Colemans stillborn calf contained 610,000 parts per trillion of perfluorooctane sulfonic acid, or PFOS, one of the many types of forever chemicals.

The tissue from a calf belonging to Farmer that died a week after being born tested at 320 ppt of PFOS.

Currently, there are no federal food safety standards for PFAS. In Maine, which in 2016 became the first state to detect PFAS contamination at a farm, state officials issued limits for beef containing PFOS at 3.4 parts per billion and milk containing PFOS at 210 parts per trillion  meaning that beef or milk exceeding these levels should be considered unsafe for consumption. Maine, which has discovered 78 contaminated farms and shut five of them down, has been the only state to set its own PFAS limits for food.

Samples of the pond water the ranching families livestock drink ranged from 84 ppt to 1,333 ppt of PFAS.

The Colemans have lost more than 35 animals. One went blind before dying, they said, with a white film coating its pupils. A pair of calves died less than a week after birth. They found dead fish floating in their stock ponds. When an animal dies it's a race against time. Coleman and neighbor James Farmer scramble to beat the buzzards and coyotes to the carcass and then drive it to a lab in College Station.

The county also tested the fertilizer their neighbor spread on his farm and found 27 types of PFAS chemicals, including four of the five for which the EPA has set limits in drinking water.

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These people were led to believe this was safe and a cheap fertilizer, County Commissioner Larry Woolley said at the meeting. And this isnt just isolated to this one incident or multiple counties. This is going on all over.

The amount of beef and milk thats gone into the food chain, who knows what their PFAS levels are? The level of victimization is widespread, he added.

The Colemans, Farmer and four other local farmers have sued Synagro, the Maryland-based company that produced the biosolid-based fertilizer applied on their neighbors fields, and Renda Environmental, a Texas-based fertilizer company that sold to the neighbor before Synagro. The lawsuit claims the companies knew about the contaminants in the fertilizer and failed to provide adequate warning to their customers.

Synagro denies the allegations. Kip Cleverley, a spokesperson for the company, said Synagro did its own testing on the land where the fertilizer was applied and preliminary results found PFAS levels in the single-digit parts per trillion in the surface water.The company did not provide its test results to the Tribune, saying its analysis was still in progress.

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The data strongly suggests that the farm where biosolids were used could not be a source for the PFAS allegedly found on the plaintiffs farms, Cleverley said.

Renda Environmental told the Tribune the company does not comment on pending litigation.

In a separate lawsuit filed against the EPA in June by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility on behalf of the farmers, the group claimed the agency failed to implement restrictions on PFAS in biosolids despite knowing the health risks posed by the chemicals. Johnson County later joined the suit.

My heart breaks for the farmers, said Bennett, the group's science policy director. It could be years until the EPA sets biosolids regulations. Somebody needs to hold their feet to the fire.  Farmers are losing their livelihoods.

The biosolids used to create the fertilizer blamed for contaminating the Colemans and Farmers farms came from Fort Worths Village Creek Water Reclamation Facility, which treats sewage from 1 million people, many industries and 23 communities in North Texas. It generates between 27,000 and 31,000 tons of biosolids per year.

Mary Gugliuzza, spokesperson for Fort Worth Water, said the fertilizer pellets produced by Synagro meet EPA and Texas Commission on Environmental Quality requirements.

Gugliuzza said the city had tested some of its biosolids for PFAS even though its not required. Those results showed PFAS in the biosolids, but Gugliuzza said thats the case at wastewater facilities across the country.

Synagro has contracts with more than 1,000 municipal wastewater plants, and industrial and agricultural customers in North America  including Fort Worth  to turn biosolids, which one employee described as resembling chocolate milk, into fertilizer that it markets as nutrient rich and environmentally friendly.

In 2022 Synagro processed 6.5 million tons of biosolids nationwide.

The EPA "has not suggested that any changes in biosolids management is required because of the presence of trace amounts of PFAS, Cleverly, the company spokesperson, said.

In September, the EPA responded to the lawsuit by saying it has complete discretion over which pollutants to regulate under federal law  so it can't be sued.

But the agency is now studying the presence of PFAS in wastewater and sewage sludge nationally and conducting a risk assessment on the use of biosolids and sewage sludge containing the two most widely used and studied forever chemicals  PFOA and PFOS  focusing on health risks through exposure to soil, water, crops, meat and dairy. It expects to publish the results by the end of this year, and that will determine whether new federal rules are necessary.

Who should be responsible for removing forever chemicals?

In Texas, most biosolids end up in a landfill. But the rest is diverted for agricultural use in the state.

At San Antonios wastewater treatment plant, water is removed from sewage sludge by using a machine that squeezes it between two tensioned belts or by spreading it in drying beds so the sun evaporates the moisture. After being dried to a crumblike texture, the biosolids are piled into black mountains and transported to other facilities where two Texas compost companies turn it into fertilizer.

Pitched as a cost-effective way to improve soil fertility, biosolids have been applied to land in the U.S. since the 1970s. Scientists say they contain nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium that helps plants grow.

The EPA requires wastewater treatment plants to test biosolids only for heavy metals and pathogens that can be harmful to health.

If the EPA issues new restrictions on PFAS in biosolids, utilities fear they are likely to bear the responsibility for removing the chemicals from wastewater.

If we are required to treat a particular chemical that is not covered in the way you already treat, you have to design a whole new system, said Ed Guzman, the senior vice president and chief legal and ethics officer at the San Antonio Water System. You have to put it in place, and that all takes time. It takes money.

The cost of removal is significant: A 2023 report by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency found that it would cost between $2.7 million and $18 million per pound to remove and destroy PFAS from municipal wastewater, depending on facility size, and between $1 million and $2.7 million per pound of PFAS removed from biosolids.

Adam Krantz, the CEO of the National Association of Clean Water Agencies, a group representing municipal wastewater treatment agencies, said the cost of remediation could be passed on to water utility customers but argues that "polluters should pay."

It really is the corporate polluter that needs to foot the bill for this as the wrongdoer, he said.

Others, like Janine Burke-Wells, executive director for the North East Biosolids & Residuals Association, which represents wastewater treatment facilities and biosolids producers, said that the responsibility to curb PFAS should fall on everyone.

Unless we really eliminate all the sources of PFAS there's always going to be a background level because (PFAS) is in everything, Burke-Wells said.

One county doing what it can

In Johnson County, Woolley drives his silver pickup down rural roads, pointing out hay bales and miles of milo grain, corn and wheat  crops the county commissioner says have been blessed by heavy rainfall earlier this year.

Woolley, a former agriculture teacher who moved to Grandivew in 1982, said hes spent sleepless nights worrying about PFAS impacts on ranching families in this county of 180,000 residents.

I lay awake at night thinking of the magnitude of this whole deal. Its just crazy, Woolley said. This is just the tip of the iceberg. I think there's going to be so much public outcry on this  it's going to be hard for our state officials to ignore that.

After the countys investigation, Woolley led the charge to pass a local resolution urging farmers to stop using biosolids on their land.

The resolution called for Fort Worth to stop sending its biosolids to fertilizer companies until the TCEQ tests them for the presence of PFAS and asked the EPA to set limits on PFAS in biosolids. The resolution also called on state lawmakers to regulate the application of biosolid-based fertilizer on farmland or give power to counties to do so.

Thats the hard part, Woolley said. We dont have authority to ban biosolids.

In July, neighboring Ellis County passed a similar resolution calling for regulation and legislation to restrict the application of biosolids on farms and ranches until further testing is done. Since then, Kaufman, Henderson, Somervell and Wise counties have done the same.

Woolley has traveled around the state to sound the alarm about PFAS at conferences for county officials. He said he and his staff are preparing to go to Austin to meet with state lawmakers during the next legislative session. He hopes they will introduce new bills that will address PFAS contamination in biosolids, including giving counties money to test for the contaminants, and require TCEQ to test biosolids statewide for forever chemicals.

So far, there have been no bills filed by state lawmakers regarding PFAS contamination in biosolids ahead of the legislative session that will begin in January.

In 2021, Michigan began requiring all municipal wastewater treatment plants to test their biosolids for PFAS before spreading them on agricultural land. The state also began prohibiting the application of biosolids containing more than 150 parts per billion of PFOS on agricultural land. Since then, the state has lowered that threshold to 100 ppb and added another type of PFAS to the list, PFOA.

What experts refer to as the "Michigan model" has now been embraced by other states, including California, Wisconsin and Washington. Connecticut and Maine have banned the use of biosolids on agricultural fields.

Ellen Mallory, a professor of sustainable agriculture at the University of Maine, said state response has been crucial given the lack of standards at the federal level.

The important part here is it's really hard to have any response to PFAS contamination if we don't have any standards. So a state like Texas that has no standards, what do you do? How do you help farmers determine if their food is safe or not? she said.

Meanwhile, Tony Coleman and his wife are still watching their livestock die. They pack dead cattle in a big cooler, load them onto a trailer and drive 140 miles to a laboratory at College Station where vet technicians perform a necropsy and remove tissue to be tested for PFAS.

The couple both work two jobs and are looking for a third. They'reworried they have lost the ability to make a living off their own land.

We can't consciously sell you a side of beef and then you eat it and you get sick. What kind of people does that make us? Coleman said.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas farmers say sewage-based fertilizer poisoned land, killed animals
Donald Trump wont be sworn in for his second term as president for more than a month, yet by some measures one could infer that Joe Biden has largely given up acting as Americas head of state.

When world leaders gathered in Paris over the weekend to celebrate the reopening of the iconic Notre Dame cathedral, the sitting American president was nowhere to be found. Instead, only his wife, First Lady Jill Biden, was there to represent the US government. Joe Biden remained in Washington, apparently due to an unspecified scheduling conflict.

Meanwhile, Trump  by law a private citizen with no official functions until noon on Inauguration Day  was posing for grip-and-grin shots with French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky during a meeting between the leaders arranged by Macron.

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The scene in Paris was yet another display of the shrinking presence Biden has exhibited since the election just over a month ago.

President-elect Donald Trump and First Lady Jill Biden talk at the reopening ceremony for Pariss Notre Dame Cathedral (AP)

Not long after Trumps victory, Biden left the continental United States for a ten-day trip to Peru and Brazil for the APEC and G20 summits, where he met with a succession of heads of state and government. Then, after a brief return to Washington and a Thanksgiving holiday sojourn in Nantucket  during which he issued a sweeping pardon to absolve his son Hunter of multiple federal crimes  he left for a long-planned trip to Angola, making him the first American president to visit that continent since Barack Obama.

Biden didnt hold a single press conference on either trip, even though its standard practice for American leaders to take questions from traveling reporters when overseas.

Into that vacuum has entered Trump, moving rapidly to roll out personnel picks and make bold declarations of soon-to-be US policy on his preferred social media platform, Truth Social. And to a certain extent, he has already gotten results.

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A threat to impose tariffs on imported goods from Canada and Mexico immediately put him into contact with the leaders of both countries, after which he claimed to have had productive conversations. Meanwhile, his visit to Paris at Macrons invitation saw him arrive with the pomp and circumstance of a sitting head of state.

And during the days-long rebel action that toppled Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assads regime, Trump spoke publicly before Biden, with a Truth Social post in which he declared that the US should have nothing to do with it and not get involved. Biden didnt weigh in until Sunday, after it was clear that Assad had fallen, with a brief statement delivered to television cameras in the West Wing. He then took a single question on the whereabouts of journalist Austin Tice, long thought to be held captive in a Syrian prison.

Biden has also declined to offer any reaction to or opinion on Trumps proposed nominees, including his pick to run the FBI, Kash Patel, or his Secretary of Defense-designate, ex-Fox News host Pete Hegseth. Other Democrats have condemned both selections as evidence of Trumps commitment to retribution over the needs of the American people.

Privately, Biden aides dispute that he  or Trump  is doing anything differently from previous outgoing presidents or presidents-elect. And its true that its not unusual for presidents-elect to meet with or speak to foreign leaders. Nor is it abnormal for them to make announcements about personnel or policy.

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People familiar with the presidents thinking also tell The Independent that Bidens relative reticence is a product of his deep desire to respect the outcome of last months election  something he said he would do on multiple occasions when pushed by reporters.

It is understood that Biden is acting out of a belief that a smooth transition of power is more important than ever, as well as a desire to set an example for the nation and the world as to how it is done in the wake of the election denial and violence that accompanied Trumps exit from office four years ago.

Biden confidantes also say that he plans to speak out more forcefully about his own accomplishments and legacy in coming weeks, including in a major address at the Brookings Institution set for Tuesday morning.

One adviser also pointed to the Democratic National Committees aggressive messaging regarding Trumps proposed nominees as evidence that Biden still takes his role as Democratic Party leader seriously in the waning days of his term.

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Yet not all corners of his party are satisfied by the tone he is setting over the last weeks of his administration.

Waleed Shahid, a progressive strategist, told The Wall Street Journal that Bidens relative silence has prevented Americans from learning about the true danger of Trumps picks. Many Americans, he said, dont know Kash Patel or even who Matt Gaetz or Tulsi Gabbard are, but could be educated about them if Biden used his bully pulpit.

The only way to win the war of attention is by going to the voters and explaining things to them, which President Biden has consistently avoided doing, he said.

Another strategist  who asked not to be named because of the sensitivity of criticizing the sitting president  said Biden is exhibiting the same unilateral disarmament impulse that caused Vice President Harriss campaign to not hit back more forcefully against Trumps attack ads during the election.

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But the White House is defending Bidens pace and tone as appropriate for the period.

In a statement to The Independent, White House Senior Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates pointed to Biden making every day of this term count by working to accelerate the implementation of an unprecedented agenda that will benefit hardworking Americans for generations: bringing American manufacturing home from overseas, taking the most significant action to fight climate change in human history, beating Big Pharma so Medicare can negotiate lower drug costs, bipartisan legislation to protect communities from gun violence, repairing and modernizing our nations infrastructure, and hundreds of groundbreaking judicial confirmations.

Biden, Bates said, is leading by example for the sake of American democracy, honoring his campaign promise to respect the will of the voters and provide an orderly transition and also actively engaging with a wide range of leaders about the future of the Democratic Party, the need to continue fight for working people.
Colorado voters had the chance to weigh in on 14 ballot measures when they voted in November 2024, covering a wide range of issues, including abortion, school choice, taxes, trophy hunting and primary elections.

Denver voters faced an additional 11 ballot measures.

These measures were in addition to voting for president and other federal, state and local officials.

Is this asking voters to make too many decisions? And why were there so many ballot measures in the first place?

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I have studied and written about ballot measures for more than 30 years and recently published a book called Let the People Rule, and often get questions like those.

Colorados history of ballot measures

Colorados 14 measures were the most in the country this year, with Arizona a close second with 13. While this isnt even close to a record for Colorado  there were 32 propositions on the ballot in November 1912  the number has grown considerably over the past 60 years.

Colorados ballot contains two types of ballot measures: Initiatives are citizen-sponsored proposals, while legislative measures are sponsored by elected legislators.

To get an initiative on the ballot, sponsors have to collect signatures from fellow citizens equal to 5% of the number of votes cast in the previous gubernatorial election.

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In 2024, half of the measures in Colorado were initiatives and half were legislative.

The state also allows referendums, which are votes to repeal existing laws, but they are rare.

While in all states citizens vote on certain legislative measures, such as constitutional amendments or the issuance of bonds, only 24 permit citizen-led initiatives.

I counted up the number of initiatives, or citizen-sponsored measures, for each state. Since 1960, a total of 166 initiatives have come before the voters in Colorado. This puts Colorado third among states in initiative activity, behind California with 263 and Oregon with 191, but above Washington with 139, North Dakota with 88 and Arizona with 85.

Since 1960, the Colorado Legislature has placed an additional 133 measures on the ballot. This is not an extremely high number compared with other states: Colorado ranks only 18th in terms of legislative proposals.

Voter representation

As described in my book, political observers have argued about the merits of citizen lawmaking  direct democracy  since the founding of the republic.

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Elected officials and political elites generally dislike initiatives, preferring to have laws made by elected representatives instead of by the people directly. They argue that voters lack the knowledge to make good decisions; but they may also simply dislike giving up power.

Voters, on the other hand, strongly support voting on ballot propositions, favoring citizen lawmaking over representative lawmaking by about 2 to 1 in polls.

Colorado voters adopted the initiative process in 1910, and most other initiative states adopted around the same time, during the Progressive Movement. The Progressive Movement  not to be confused with the contemporary progressive label  was a bipartisan centrist movement that sought to professionalize government and cleanse it from what the reformers saw as capture by powerful interest groups, particularly corporations and big-city machines. Advocates for adoption of the initiative and referendum included both Republican President Theodore Roosevelt and Democratic President Woodrow Wilson.

The impulses that drove the Progressive Movement are still alive today, and have heightened recently. According to opinion polls, a sizable majority of voters no longer trust government and believe that government officials do not care about their interests. Initiatives give citizens a chance to overrule their elected representatives if they feel those representatives have lost sight of their interests.

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A striking example of this recently has been initiatives in some red states that sought to replace highly restrictive abortion laws with more balanced, centrist laws that better reflect majority opinion.

If elected officials adopt policies favored by the majority, then there would be little reason for citizens to sponsor initiatives. Part of the reason, then, for so many initiatives in Colorado recently is likely that voters are not feeling well-represented by their elected representatives, at least on certain issues.

From this perspective, having a large number of ballot measures is a symptom of a problem, not the problem itself. Id even argue that the measures are a healthy way of trying to solve the problem of poor representation.

Too many decisions?

But this only follows if you believe that voters are able to make good decisions on the measures that come before them. As I explore in detail in my book, some argue that policy issues are too complicated for ordinary people to decide, and that because of their ignorance, they are easily manipulated by big-spending interest groups.

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Colorados Proposition 129 on the November ballot, for example, proposed to create a certification program for veterinary assistants under which they would be able to provide some services currently available only from veterinarians. The text detailing the regulations was nine pages, over 3,200 words, and not easy reading. The opposition campaign was funded by veterinary associations, who argued that the new veterinary assistants wouldnt be adequately trained to do surgery on pets as the law allowed.

While this concern about overloading voters has some merit, I dont believe it should be taken too far. For one thing, my examination of the history of initiatives across the country shows that corporate interests typically do less well under citizen lawmaking than when dealing with the legislature, which, incidentally, may explain why many business interests oppose the initiative process.

The other thing thats important to understand is how voters decide on ballot measures.

While writing my book, I reviewed a great deal of research showing that voters do not, in fact, study the underlying statutory text of a ballot measure and try to parse its meaning. Instead, they read the ballot summaries and rely heavily on advice from informed parties they trust, such as family, friends, advocacy groups, politicians and journalists.

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For example, on a civil liberties issue, some voters may follow the recommendations of the American Civil Liberties Union; on a tax issue, some may follow the National Taxpayers Union. Research has shown that by using these shortcuts, voters often are able to overcome the complexity and campaign ads to cast votes that accurately represent their interests.

In the case of Proposition 129, voters approved the law for veterinary assistants, even though opponents substantially outspent supporters.

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: John Matsusaka, University of Southern California

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John Matsusaka is executive director of the Initiative and Referendum Institute at USC, a nonpartisan educational organization focused on direct democracy.
The two airports Palm Beach County residents use the most have more delays than almost every major airport in America, an analysis of flight data shows.

Palm Beach International Airport has the fifth-worst rate of flight delays in the nation, and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport has the third-worst, according to an analysis of Federal Aviation Administration data conducted by British internet data-scraping company SOAX. And most of Florida's major airports are not far behind.

The FAA data SOAX examined spans September 2023 through August 2024, covering more than 6.8 million flights from 105 airports across the nation. The company limited its analysis to airports with at least 10,000 departing flights during those 12 months.

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About 24% of flights from PBIA and 26% out of the Fort Lauderdale-area airport left at least 15 minutes behind schedule.

More: In time for the holidays, low-price nonstop flights to Toronto starting at PBIA

How do PBIA and Fort Lauderdale delays compare with other big airports?

These delays were worse than airports in or near destinations such as Las Vegas, New Orleans, Boston and Chicago. PBIA and Fort Lauderdale even ranked worse than New York City's major airports, LaGuardia  19%  and John F. Kennedy International  21.5%.

The FAA, which controls plane traffic in and out of airports, did not respond to a request for comment on delays for PBIA, Fort Lauderdale or other Florida airports.

Why PBIA and Fort Lauderdale have so many delays

PBIA has set records each month for commercial flights. More traffic has meant more delays, a report published in May by the county Citizens Committee on Airport Noise says. The airport plans to expand one of its runways, more than doubling its length to 8,000 feet, from 3,214, to take on more traffic. That will take 10 to 12 years.

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Weather, mechanical problems and delays from originating airports are also among reasons for delays at PBIA, airport spokesperson Nicole Hughes said. In addition, one of the airport's runways was closed for construction this year but has reopened, she said.

Fort Lauderdale has lots of low-cost airlines, Broward County Aviation Department spokesperson Paris Tyburski said, "and low-cost carriers tend to have the most delayed flights." Spirit Airlines, headquartered just south of Fort Lauderdale in Dania Beach, comprised 31% of more than 24,000 delayed flights out of the airport. Spirit did not return a request for comment.

Broward County's aviation department is examining the surveys to see what it can do, working with state and federal agencies, to improve, she said, noting that factors beyond the county's control, such as FAA air traffic orders, can cause delays.

Other Florida airports have lots of delays

Airports in most of Florida's major cities ranked high on SOAX's list for most delays. With 25% of flights delayed 15 minutes or more, Orlando International Airport ranks No. 4. Tampa International Airport, at No. 6, had 24%. Spirit and Frontier Airlines, another low-cost airline, together accounted for almost one-third of delayed flights from Orlando.

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Jacksonville International Airport ranks at No. 16 with 23%. And Southwest Florida International, near Fort Myers, ranks at No. 21, had 22.6%.

Miami International Airport ranked at No. 37 with 22%, better than airports in or near other big cities such as Baltimore, Dallas and Houston. It's also better than airports in smaller cities such as Reno, Nevada; Omaha, Nebraska; and Albuquerque, New Mexico.

On average, 20.6% of flights from the airports analyzed departed at least 15 minutes behind schedule. Every major Florida airport reported delays above that rate. Airports in or near smaller cities, such as Tallahassee, Daytona Beach, Gainesville or St. Petersburg logged fewer than 10,000 flights and were excluded from SOAX's rankings.

Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in San Juan, Puerto Rico, topped SOAX's list with nearly 29% of flights delayed more than 15 minutes, followed by San Francisco International Airport at 26.5%.

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The four airports with the fewest delays in SOAX's analysis were all in Hawaii, with Kahului Airport doing best. Just 12% of departing flights were delayed.

The world's busiest airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, boasted the eighth-lowest rate of delay. Just 17% of more than 340,000 departures were delayed more than 15 minutes.

The top 20 big U.S. airports with the most delays

Rank Airport Percent of flights delayed 1 Luis Munoz Marin International - San Juan, Puerto Rico 28.7% 2 San Francisco International 26.5 3 Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International 26 4 Orlando International 25.3 5 Palm Beach International 24.1 6 Tampa International 24.09 7 Colorado Springs Municipal Airport 24 8 San Antonio International 23.96 9 Bradley International (Windsor Locks, Connecticut) 23.8 10 Louis Armstrong New Orleans International 23.76 11 El Paso International (Texas) 23.7 12 Ontario International (Ontario, California) 23.55 13 Harry Reid International (Las Vegas) 23.54 14 Logan International (Boston) 23.4 15 Rhode Island T.F. Green International Airport 23.3 16 Jacksonville International 23 17 Buffalo Niagara International 22.9 18 Milwaukee Mitchell International Airport (Wisconsin) 22.8 19 Chicago Midway International 22.7 20 Tulsa International (Oklahoma) 22.68 37 Miami International 21.73 39 Pensacola International 21.71 51 Sarasota/Bradenton International 21.2

Chris Persaud is The Palm Beach Post's transportation reporter. Send news tips and story ideas to cpersaud@pbpost.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: PBIA, FLL have more flight delays than most major U.S. airports
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang. - Photo: Annabelle Chih/Bloomberg (Getty Images)

Nvidia (NVDA) is under investigation for allegedly violating anti-monopoly laws in China.



The countrys State Administration for Market Regulation has launched a probe into whether Nvidias acquisition of Israeli chip designer Mellanox Technologies violated anti-monopoly laws, according to a report from China Central Television on Monday.

Shares of Nvidia fell nearly 2% in pre-market trading on Monday.

The leading artificial intelligence chipmaker bought Mellanox for $6.9 billion in 2020 after receiving conditional approval from Chinese authorities. Conditions included requirements that Nvidia and Mellanox not bundle or tie together products, continue to supply on fair terms, and ensure that chips from Chinese manufacturers worked with the technology.

Other requirements were aimed at maintaining independence between the two firms, and lessening any potential impacts of export controls amid the trade war between the U.S. and China that began in 2018 under the first Trump administration.

This comes as chip trade tensions between the two economic superpowers continue to escalate. Last week, the Department of Commerce introduced more restrictions on the sale of high-bandwidth memory and chipmaking tools to China, including tools produced by U.S. companies abroad.

The new rules include controls on 24 types of semiconductor manufacturing equipment, as well as on three types of software tools that can be used to develop or produce chips, the Commerce Departments Bureau of Industry and Security said.d

Another 140 unnamed Chinese entities  including semiconductor fabs, tool companies, and investment firms  accused of working on behalf of the Chinese government were added to the U.S. trade blacklist.

According to the agency, the curbs are aimed at slowing Chinas advanced AI developments that have the potential to change the future of warfare and impairing Chinas development of its chip ecosystem.

Last month, the U.S. reportedly asked Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSM), the worlds largest chipmaker, to stop sending its advanced AI chips to China.

 Britney Nguyen contributed to this article.

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President-elect Trump on Sunday said he will likely pardon most if not all January 6 rioters on his first day in office. The Morning Joe panel discusses.
Utahs youngest state lawmaker appeared on Thursdays episode of Dr. Phil Primetime to defend the importance of prioritizing victims, not perpetrators, in the criminal justice process.

State Rep. Tyler Clancy, R-Provo, earned the approval of Phil McGraw, one of the countrys most popular talk show hosts, and his audience, when he explained his frustration with policies that enable violent criminals to become repeat offenders.

Weve got to a point in our society where when someone commits a crime, we look at the criminal and say, Well, what are these different factors that played into it, and completely ignore the innocent public, Clancy said. Any criminal justice system that doesnt begin and end with keeping innocent people safe from repeat violent offenders is a failure.

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Clancy, who at age 27 was recently hired as a detective at the Provo Police Department, received applause when he explained how he had introduced a piece of legislation, HB308, that would ensure victims of crimes are informed throughout the entire judicial process with the help of a full-time victims rights coordinator.

Clancy was joined onstage by Candice Cooley, a Utah woman whose 19-year-old son Dylan Rounds was murdered by James Brenner, a violent repeat offender, in 2022. Cooley described what she said sometimes felt like an unserious investigation, which was ultimately followed by an unsatisfying conviction for the perpetrator who had previously served time for attempted murder, and according to some, should have still been in prison.

Any criminal justice system that doesnt begin & end with keeping innocent people safe from repeat violent offenders is a failure. pic.twitter.com/mHLWahlDP9  Tyler Clancy (@Clancy4Utah) December 6, 2024

The episode was recorded for McGraws new television network, Merit Street, in February, but was not released until Thursday. The delay may have been caused, in part, by new developments in the case surrounding Rounds murder, Clancy said, including the discovery of his remains in April, Brenners guilty plea in May and sentencing in July.

To record the Dr. Phil episode, Clancy told the Deseret News he had to fly directly to and from work at the Utah Capitol during the 2024 legislative session. Weeks after appearing with McGraw, who Clancy described as super down-to-earth and very smart, Clancy was able to get his bill, HB308, signed into law.

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In addition to shoring up protections around victims rights, the new law requires prosecuting attorneys to consult with victims before taking certain steps in domestic violence cases and to keep victims in the loop about other procedural changes.

Clancy said he hopes this bill goes a long way toward answering the question, How do we make this system that already exists actually work for those who need it? Clancy believes the 2024 election shows citizens around the country are looking for the answer, too.

California voters reject soft on crime approach

In November, Californians overwhelmingly rejected a soft-on-crime ballot proposition originally passed in 2014 that downgraded most thefts from felonies to misdemeanors, allowing thefts under $950 and hard drug use to go essentially unpunished.

Over 70% of voters  including a majority in every one of Californias 58 counties  supported Proposition 36 which returned harsher penalties for these crimes, Clancy pointed out.

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Citizens of Los Angeles County also delivered a rebuke to District Attorney George Gascon. Considered one of the most progressive district attorneys in the country, Gascon banned the pursuit of the death penalty and stopped the prosecution of juveniles as adults after getting elected in 2020.

Nearly 60% of county residents voted to turn the page in favor of Gascons opponent, a moderate former federal prosecutor, Nathan Hochman.

I think common sense is continuing to lead out, Clancy said. Im feeling pretty confident that folks are seeing how we can still be compassionate to people who make mistakes without jeopardizing the safety and health of our communities.
MARION, N.C. (WNCN)  A wildfire in the North Carolina mountains has burned about 520 acres and continues to grow with four homes still at risk, officials said Sunday.

The fire in McDowell County near Marion is now 50 percent contained, but is still burning with nearly 100 crews fighting the blaze, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

Wildfires have been a major concern since Hurricane Helene knocked down hundreds of trees, providing fuel for any possible blaze.

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The Buck Creek Fire, which began from a downed powerline, is located east of N.C. 80 in the Lake Tahoma area of Marion.

U.S. Forest Service photo of the wildfire on Sunday.

The fire is burning primarily on U.S. Forest Service lands in the Grandfather Ranger District, part of the Pisgah National Forest. Four houses remain at risk within the Buck Creek fire area.

The public should still expect to see smoke, particularly in Marion along the U.S. 221 corridor.

Use caution when driving through smoky areas, particularly in the evenings and mornings when smoke settles closer to the ground, U.S. Forest Service officials said.

U.S. Forest Service photo of the wildfire on Sunday.

U.S. Forest Service and North Carolina Forest Service resources are working under a unified command for the Buck Creek fire with approximately 90 personnel on scene. McDowell County Emergency Management is assisting.

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WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. (FOX 56)  A Williamsburg man is facing charges after reportedly secretly recording children getting out of the shower.

In a news release Monday morning, Kentucky State Police (KSP) said Pierce Hamblin, 47, was arrested around 3:30 p.m. on Friday following an Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) investigation.

LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS:

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Investigators said they received a complaint from the Whitley County Sheriffs Office that Pierce was recording minors on a tablet in his home.

According to an arrest citation, Hamblin told investigators he was videoing to make sure the children wouldnt steal anything from the closet between the toilet and the shower. He admitted doing this multiple times per week for the last month.

Read more of the latest Kentucky news

The citation noted that there were five children recorded between the ages of 8 and 17.

Hamblin reportedly told investigators that he threw the tablet into the river at the end of Ballard Ford Road. Authorities said theyre still working to recover it.

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Hamblin has been charged with:

Promoting a minor under the age of 16 in a sexual performance (three counts)

Promoting a minor under the age of 18 in a sexual performance (two counts)

Possessing matter portraying a minor over the age of 12 in a sexual performance

He was booked into the Whitley County Detention Center.

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WINDSOR, NY (WIVT/WBGH)  One man is dead after being trapped inside a house fire in Windsor early Sunday morning, New York State Police announced.

At around 4:45 a.m. on Dec. 8, NYSP troopers at Deposit were sent to 68 White Birch Lake Road in Windsor by Broome County 911 to assist at a reported house fire. Upon arrival, troopers say the home was fully taken over by the flames with one person still trapped inside. Two others, an 82-year-old woman and a 53-year-old man, were able to escape.

Once the fire was handled, members of the Windsor Fire Department found 84-year-old Daniel R. Price dead inside the home. The two who were able to make it out with their lives were taken to Wilson Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.

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Additional Fire Companies that responded to assist included West Windsor, Harpursville, Five Mile Point, Susquehanna and Deposit Fire Departments. The Broome County Fire Investigator and Broome County Coroner also responded to the scene.

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There is a winter weather advisory in effect for parts of Massachusetts through late Tuesday morning before a midweek impact storm system moves into the region.

The National Weather Service issued the advisory for Northern Berkshire, Western Franklin, Northern Worcester, Wester Hampshire, and Northwest Middlesex counties until 10 a.m. Tuesday.

A light wintry mix of rain, snow, and ice will likely lead to slick travel for areas of higher elevations, Boston 25 Meteorologist Vicki Graf warned in her latest forecast.

We have a Winter Weather Advisory for the higher elevations across central MA and southern NH through Tuesday morning. A wintry mix of snow/ice will lead to some slick travel, use extra caution if you are traveling north of Route 2! pic.twitter.com/aGA8aFHwyM  Vicki Graf (@VickiGrafWX) December 9, 2024

Monday started dry and sunny, but rain will move into Massachusetts between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m., likely causing slow travel for the evening commute.

It's cool and dry to start, rain arrives for the evening commute. pic.twitter.com/JjYN045G2q  Vicki Graf (@VickiGrafWX) December 9, 2024

The rain will wind down late Monday night but the threat for slick travel north of Route 2 through Tuesday morning will persist.

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Parts of northern New England, including New Hampshire, will mainly snow from this storm system.

Rain arrives later today, we are watching for a wintry mix in the higher elevations from central MA into southern NH tonight. pic.twitter.com/okxVkBkp2F  Vicki Graf (@VickiGrafWX) December 9, 2024

Tuesday will be mainly dry, but a big impact storm system will arrive by 7 a.m. Wednesday and intensify through the afternoon into the evening.

Some parts of the Bay State could see up to inches of rain with Wednesdays storm, according to Graf.

Were expecting some really heavy rain, 1 to 2 inches across the area, Graf said in her forecast. But also some strong and even damaging wind gusts potentially...We will get a soaking rainfall.

Plan for 1/4"-1/2" of rain later today, but some areas could see up to 2" of rain with Wednesday's storm! pic.twitter.com/6brKMVmoP5  Vicki Graf (@VickiGrafWX) December 9, 2024

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For more on the forecast, visit the Boston 25 Weather Page.

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Nasal Narcan, used to reverse an overdose, stock the inside of Milwaukee County's first harm reduction vending machine. (Photo | Isiah Holmes)

The Wisconsin Department of Justice has been awarded a $7 million grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to increase access to substance abuse treatment, the agency announced Friday.

The Wisconsin Examiners Criminal Justice Reporting Project shines a light on incarceration, law enforcement and criminal justice issues with support from the Public Welfare Foundation

Making treatment more accessible is important not only for those struggling with substance-use disorder but for public safety as well, Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul said in a statement acknowledging the grant. This grant will allow for more to be done to help fight addiction.

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The Wisconsin DOJ was awarded the grant to implement the Wisconsin Deflection Initiative (WDI). The program aims to connect people struggling with substance use disorders to services before they have a crisis, an overdose or a criminal charge, according to the DOJ.

Key components of the Wisconsin Deflection Initiative include self-referral and officer intervention programs, active outreach to at-risk individuals, better response to overdose incidents, comprehensive support services and coordination between law enforcement and treatment providers, the Wisconsin DOJ said.

The program will be implemented across multiple Wisconsin jurisdictions and have a focus on urban, tribal and rural communities.

If programs like the Wisconsin Deflection Initiative lead to fewer people with a substance use disorder entering Wisconsin prisons, it would reduce strain on the state prison systems programming. As of October, substance use disorder programming for incarcerated people had a waitlist of over 11,500. The Wisconsin Department of Corrections website says the agency tries to enroll individuals in programming close to their release date.

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We would like to be able to serve every single person that we come into contact with at the highest level that they need in terms of intervention and more research, Alisha Kraus, then-director of program services for adult prisons, said in an article published by PBS Wisconsin in June. More resources would allow us to do that, more efficiently.

In the U.S. in 2022, nearly 108,000 people died from drug-involved overdose, including from illicit or prescription drugs. Drug overdose deaths in the United States have declined since then, but the fight against addiction continues. In Wisconsin, drug overdose deaths declined from 1,828 in 2022 to 1,771 in 2023.

Funds directed toward fighting addiction in Wisconsin have included opioid settlement money from lawsuits against pharmaceutical companies. The Oneida Nation in northeast Wisconsin is considering an emphasis on prevention in the spending of $6.5 million in settlement money it estimates it will receive, to be allocated between 2020 and 2037, the Examiner reported last month.

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MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Wisconsin Republicans have filed a lawsuit seeking a court order to resolve a discrepancy between state and federal law about what date the state's presidential electors must meet to cast Wisconsin's 10 Electoral College votes for President-elect Donald Trump.

State law calls for the electors to meet on the first Monday after the second Wednesday in December, which this year is Dec. 16. But federal law requires the meeting to be the first Tuesday following the second Wednesday, which is Dec. 17 this year.

The Wisconsin Republican Party asked in the lawsuit filed Friday in U.S. District Court seeking an order that the electors follow federal law and cast their votes on Dec. 17. The lawsuit argues that the state law requirement is unconstitutional, unenforceable and therefore should be declared void.

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If the presidential electors do not follow federal law for when they must cast their votes, then those votes could be contested, the lawsuit contends.

The Republican-controlled Wisconsin Legislature, recognizing the conflict, attempted to bring the state into compliance with federal law with a bill last session. The Senate passed it 31-1, but it never got a vote in the Assembly.

The lawsuit was filed against Gov. Tony Evers, Attorney General Josh Kail and Wisconsin Elections Commission Administrator Meagan Wolfe. Spokespeople for all of them declined to comment.

The new day for electors to meet was included in a federal law passed with bipartisan support in 2022 that overhauled the rules for certifying the results of a presidential election in response to the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection and Trumps failed attempt to remain in power.

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The law updated an 1800s-era law that governs, along with the U.S. Constitution, how states and Congress certify electors and declare presidential election winners. The law clarifies that the vice presidents role presiding over the count is only ceremonial and that he or she cannot change the results.

It also sets out that each state can only send one certified set of electors after Trumps allies had unsuccessfully tried to put together alternate slates of illegitimate pro-Trump electors in Wisconsin and other swing states where President Joe Biden won.

Fifteen states had updated their laws to come into compliance with the new federal law by mid-October, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.
CHICAGO  A woman was shot and critically wounded during a home invasion in the Rogers Park neighborhood.

The incident happened around 8:50 a.m. Sunday on the 7700 block of North Marshfield Avenue.

Police said a 50-year-old woman was inside her home when a man made entry inside. The man opened fire, striking the woman.

She sustained gunshot wounds about the body and was transported to St. Francis Hospital in critical condition.

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1 dead, 3 injured in shooting at Cicero intersection; latest violent incident in west suburban town

No one is in custody at this time. Area Three Detective are investigating.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV.
By Liam Mo and Brenda Goh

BEIJING (Reuters) -China said on Monday it has launched an investigation into Nvidia over suspected violations of the country's anti-monopoly law, a probe widely seen as a retaliatory shot against Washington's latest curbs on the Chinese chip sector.

The statement from the State Administration for Market Regulation announcing the probe did not elaborate on how the U.S. company, known for its artificial intelligence and gaming chips, might have violated China's anti-monopoly laws.

It said the U.S. chipmaker was also suspected of violating commitments it made during its acquisition of Israeli chip designer Mellanox Technologies, under terms outlined in the regulator's 2020 conditional approval of that deal.

The announcement is the latest salvo in a long-running trade war between China and the United States as the countries vie for technological superiority.

Last week, four of China's top industry associations issued a rare and coordinated response saying that Chinese companies should be wary of buying U.S. chips as they were "no longer safe" and should buy locally instead.

Nvidia's shares closed 2.5% lower on Monday. An Nvidia spokesperson said the company worked hard to "provide the best products we can in every region and honor our commitments everywhere we do business," adding that "we are happy to answer any questions regulators may have about our business".

TECHnalysis Research chief analyst Bob O'Donnell told Reuters that the probe is unlikely to have much of an impact on the company, particularly in the near term, because most of Nvidias most advanced chips are already restricted from being sold into China.

The investigation comes after the U.S. last week launched its third crackdown in three years on China's semiconductor industry, which saw Washington curb exports to 140 companies, including chip equipment makers.

Shortly after Washington's announcement, Beijing banned exports to the United States of the critical minerals gallium, germanium and antimony.

Nvidia is one of many companies caught up in U.S.-China friction. U.S. sanctions in 2022 banned shipments of A100 and H100 AI chips to China, leading Nvidia to develop modified versions. These China-specific variants were later restricted under tightened U.S. controls in October 2023, prompting Nvidia to release another set of modified chips for the Chinese market.

"It's clear that the Chinese government is trying to react against recent restrictions from the U.S., but their ability to impact the U.S. semiconductor industry continues to decrease over time," O'Donnell said.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  Phoebe Copas, the woman accused of shooting and killing Uber driver Daniel Piedra Garcia last year, fainted in court on Monday morning, Dec. 9, during the first day of jury trial selection.

The first day of jury selection was scheduled for Monday, but has now been scheduled for April 28, after Copas medical emergency.

As we have previously reported, Copas is facing a charge of murder. She has claimed Piedra Garcia was kidnapping her and taking her to Mexico on June 16, 2023, as he drove the assigned Uber route on U.S. 54 near Loop 375 while driving her to Speaking Rock Casino.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
LONDON (Reuters) - A British woman accused of stalking former British finance minister George Osborne and his wife for more than a year pleaded not guilty to the charges in a London court on Monday.

Lydia Suffield is charged with stalking Osborne  finance minister from 2010 until 2016  and Thea Rogers between June 8, 2022, and July 5, 2023.

Prosecutors say the 27-year-old allegedly sent emails and messages on Instagram and also "false, anonymous tip-offs" to children's charity the NSPCC, which resulted in "investigations for drug abuse and neglecting their children".

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Suffield, from Liverpool, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court, where she pleaded not guilty to two charges of stalking involving serious alarm or distress.

Prosecutor Rhianne Neil said the complainants felt forced to pay for additional security around the time of their wedding, and that Suffield allegedly sent a present "which was said to be for the young children".

Neil added that Suffield was accused of sending messages to Osborne and Rogers' close friends and family, which referred to their private life.

Suffield was granted bail on condition she does not contact Osborne or Rogers until she is due to appear at Isleworth Crown Court on Jan. 6.

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Osborne has held a variety of roles since leaving government including editor of newspaper the Evening Standard and now works for boutique investment bank Robey Warshaw as well as being chair of the British Museum. He married Rogers on July 8, 2023.

(Reporting by Sam Tobin; editing by Sarah Young)
WESTCHASE, Fla. (WFLA)  A mother was killed by her son on Monday in Westchase, the Hillsborough County Sheriffs Office announced.

According to HCSO, the Communication Center got a call on Monday at 8:22 a.m., from Russell Antonio Moore, 36, who was making comments regarding his mental health.

Deputies arrived at the home on the 8000 block of Beaty Grove Drive in Tampa where they met with Moore and interviewed him.

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15-year-old inmate captured after escaping from detention center: Tampa police

During the interview, Moore made threatening statements regarding his mother 54-year-old Shambray Lavern Levy, according to HCSO.

Deputies entered the home and found Levy deceased with trauma to her upper body.

Ted Lamb lives just next door and says the crime shocked him.

She seemed like a very lovely lady, always very kind. She used to run a daycare, so my nieces and nephews went there, said Lamb, who says he was a little frightened when he learned what happened.

I was a little scared to be honest, a little shocked because it was right next door and you dont want anything bad for the neighborhood, said Lamb.

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Across the street, neighbor Cesar Heyaime says he was saddened by the news.

I think its really unfortunate. I think mental health, you know, mental health issues need to get more attention and more resources devoted to that and I just think its really tragic, said Heyaime.

This is an incredibly heartbreaking and tragic situation for the family and everyone involved, said Sheriff Chad Chronister. Our deputies acted swiftly to investigate and an arrest has been made. Our hearts go out to the loved ones affected by this unimaginable loss, and we will do everything we can to support them during this difficult time.

Moore was arrested at the scene and charged with murder in the first degree and tampering with evidence relating to a capital felony.

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Tuesday a Hillsborough County judge ordered Moore to be held without bond until a pretrial detention hearing next week.

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A woman is out of the hospital after surviving a shooting that killed her husband.

The deadly shooting happened Wednesday inside Budimans Smokeshop & Art Gallery on Cherry Road in Rock Hill.

Layana Thabet, 32, said Monday that her husband, Emad Thabit, 36, saved her life by stepping in front of her.

2 killed, 1 hurt in shooting at Rock Hill smoke shop, police say

He was the most amazing father to their six kids and the best husband, the woman said.

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She said he always put others before himself and thats what he did Wednesday night when he shielded her from bullets.

The gunman, Zachary East Elias, shot her about seven times.

She said she shouldnt be alive, but prayers saved her.

Her husband died from gunshot wounds.

An employee at the store, Celci Johnson, 27, was also shot and killed.

The community is coming together to help the victims.

Workers at Richies Italian Bistro in Rock Hill said Monday they are taking gifts and cash donations.

Theyll also donate 20% of all sales Thursday to the survivors.

It was traumatizing and now is the time to come together as a community and we need to help them whether we know them or dont, said Kayla Stanek, manager of Richies Italian Bistro. We need to make sure their families are taken care of, and theyre taken care of. That could have been any of us.

Donation recommendations:

For a 15-year-old girl; size medium or large 13 in pants. She loves arts and crafts.

For an 11-year-old boy; size 12 clothes. He loves Pokemon.

For an 8-year-old girl; size 9 in clothes. She loves dinosaurs, catching bugs and arts and crafts.

For a 2-year-old boy; size 5/6. He loves cars and trucks and anything outdoors.

For a 10 pound, 2-month-old girl; wears 3-month-old clothes. Needs diapers and blankets.

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GoFundMe: In loving Memory of Emad Thabet

SLED investigates

After the smoke shop shooting, Elias, who was armed, drove off which prompted a pursuit with the Rock Hill Police Department, state authorities said.

The truck he was driving crashed on Cherry Road near the Catawba River.

An officer fired a shot, but no one was hit, said officials with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division.

Police charged Elias with two counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder, and possession of a weapon during a crime of violence.

SLED was requested to investigate the officer-involved shooting.

The incident in York County was the 41st officer-involved shooting in South Carolina in 2024. It was the first officer-involved shooting for the Rock Hill Police Department this year, SLED said. The Rock Hill Police Department had one officer-involved shooting last year.
ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo.  The St. Louis Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged a woman Sunday with fatally shooting her boyfriend over the weekend.

According to Sgt. Tracy Panus, a St. Louis County Police Department spokeswoman, the shooting happened around 10:25 p.m. Saturday at a residence in the 10500 block of Emerald Ridge Avenue.

Officers arrived to find Timothy Dickerson shot to death. Dickerson was 38. Police took Porsche Moore, Dickersons girlfriend, into custody.

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Missouri companies sue to stop a law that raises minimum wage and requires paid sick leave

Police said Moore admitted shooting Dickerson during an argument.

Prosecutors charged Moore with second-degree murder and armed criminal action. Moore remains jailed on a $250,000 cash-only bond.

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Western leaders have welcomed the fall of Bashar Assad but warned of uncertainty about what's next.

Biden warned of "a moment of risk" over Syria's future.

Assad was ousted by a coalition that included Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, whose leader fought the US in Iraq.

World leaders are warning the downfall of Syria's dictator Bashar Assad leaves the country's future uncertain, as most of them celebrate his toppling.

Assad had, for more than a decade, faced a loose coalition of rebel groups, including the US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces. But it was Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, an Islamist group that traces its roots to Al Qaeda, that stormed from city to city in days, prompting Assad to flee to Russia, which had helped keep him in power.

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Questions remain about what sort of government may form under Hayat Tahrir al-Sham's leader, Abu Mohammad al-Jolani. Though he has broken ties with Al Qaeda and is projecting messages of religious tolerance, the US designates him a terrorist and has a $10 million bounty on his head.

Here's how the world's been reacting to Assad's fall.

US: President Joe Biden

"At long last, the Assad regime has fallen," Biden said on Sunday during a press briefing in the Roosevelt Room.

Biden called the Assad government's expulsion a "fundamental act of justice" and a "moment of opportunity for the long-suffering people of Syria to build a better future for their proud country."

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"It's also a moment of risk and uncertainty," the president added. "As we all turn to the question of what comes next."

The US has been conducting airstrikes against ISIS targets in Syria, Biden said.

US: President-Elect Donald Trump

Trump, who is to succeed Biden on January 20, referenced the war in Ukraine as a key reason for Russia's waning military support for Assad.

"Assad is gone. He has fled his country. His protector, Russia, Russia, Russia, led by Vladimir Putin, was not interested in protecting him any longer," he wrote on Truth Social on Sunday.

In a post on Saturday, Trump wrote that the US should avoid any involvement in Syria.

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"THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT. LET IT PLAY OUT. DO NOT GET INVOLVED!" he wrote.

EU: European Commission President Ursula Von der Leyen

In a statement on Sunday, Von der Leyen wrote that Europe hoped to support Damascus in "rebuilding a Syrian state that protects all minorities."

"This historic change in the region offers opportunities but is not without risks," Von der Leyen wrote.

The majority of the nation's population is Sunni Muslim, but among them are Alawites, Christians, Shiite Muslims, Druze, and other ethnicities and religious movements.

UK: Prime Minister Keir Starmer

Starmer cautioned on Sunday that Syria's new political situation is still in its "early days," but said Assad's fall was a "very good thing for the Syrian people."

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"The Syrian people have suffered under Assad's barbaric regime for too long and we welcome his departure," Starmer said. "Our focus is now on ensuring a political solution prevails, and peace and stability is restored."

Starmer called for a "rejection of terrorism and violence" and for civilians to be protected.

Israel: Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu

On Sunday, Israel's Netanyahu lauded the end of Assad's rule, while saying that the moment was "fraught with significant dangers."

In a video statement on X, he said it was "a historic day for the Middle East" and claimed the events were a "direct result" of Israel's military campaign against Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon, which he described as having been Assad's primary backers.

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But Netanyahu also said that he had ordered Israeli forces to take over positions at the Golan Heights, a buffer zone at Syria's border with Israel, "to ensure that no hostile force embeds itself" there. He described it as a "temporary defensive position."

On Monday, Israel's foreign minister, Gideon Saar, said that Israel had struck Syrian weapons systems to stop them from falling into the hands of extremists.

Germany: Chancellor Olaf Scholz

Scholz posted identical statements on Sunday in German, Arabic, and English.

"Today, we stand with all Syrians who are full of hope for a free, just, and safe Syria," the chancellor said.

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"A political solution to the conflict in Syria is possible. With international partners and on the basis of the resolutions of the UN Security Council, Germany will make its contribution," he added.

A few hours earlier, Scholz said that the end of Assad's rule was "good news." He also urged that civilians and minorities be protected.

France: President Emmanuel Macron

"The barbaric state has fallen. At last," Macron said in identical statements in Arabic, French, and English.

He called the current situation a "moment of uncertainty" and said he wished Syrians "peace, freedom, and unity."

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"France will remain committed to the security of all in the Middle East," Macron added.

Canada: Prime Minister Justin Trudeau

Trudeau also celebrated Assad's fall as the end of decades of dictatorship in Syria, and said Canada was "monitoring this transition closely."

"A new chapter for Syria can begin here  one free of terrorism and suffering for the Syrian people," he said.

China: Foreign Ministry

The Chinese foreign ministry's initial response focused on the status of its citizens in Syria.

A ministry spokesperson said on Sunday that China's embassy in Syria was still operational and was assisting Chinese nationals in the country.

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"We urge relevant parties in Syria to ensure the safety and security of the Chinese institutions and personnel in Syria," they added.

On Monday, a spokesperson for the foreign ministry, Mao Ning, said Beijing was "closely watching developments."

"We hope all relevant parties will proceed on the basis of the Syrian people's fundamental interests and find a political resolution as soon as possible to restore stability in the country," she said.

Iran: Foreign Ministry

Iran, which backed Assad for over a decade, indicated that it hopes to continue to establish a presence in the region.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran, emphasizing Syria's role as an important and influential country in West Asia, will spare no effort to help establish security and stability in Syria," its foreign ministry said in a statement.

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Despite its past support for Assad, it added that "determining Syria's future and making decisions about its destiny are solely the responsibility of the Syrian people, without any destructive interference or external imposition."

Turkey: Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan

Fidan said Assad's fall paves the way for millions of Syrian refugees in neighboring Turkey to potentially return home.

"As of this morning, the Syrian people have started a new day in which they will determine the future of their country," Fidan said in a statement.

Turkey is home to some 3.6 million Syrian refugees, and Ankara has been actively supporting some rebel forces in the north with troops, drone strikes, and artillery.

Fidan added that Turkey would "assume responsibility for whatever needs to be done to heal Syria's wounds and ensure its unity, integrity, and security."

Russia: Foreign Ministry

In a statement on Sunday, Russia's foreign ministry said it was monitoring Syria "with extreme concern."

The ministry said Assad had resigned after discussing with "a number of participants" in the civil war, and that Moscow was not involved in the negotiations.

"However, we call on all the parties involved to renounce the use of violence and resolve all governance issues through political efforts," it said.

"In this regard, the Russian Federation maintains contact with all Syrian opposition groups," the ministry added.

Russia has said for years that it's supported Assad to protect Syria's legitimacy and to fight terrorism.

It fields two major military bases in Syria, the Hmeimim Air Base and the Tartus Naval Base, which provide Russia with access to Africa and the Mediterranean.

"Russian military bases in Syria are on high alert. There is no serious threat to their security at the moment," the foreign ministry said.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Read the original article on Business Insider
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (WBOY)  The Morgantown Readiness Center hosted a holiday concert put on by the West Virginia National Guards 249th Army Band.

Music filled the center Sunday afternoon with a wind ensemble concert providing plenty of festive cheer with their joyous melodies. The event was free and open to the public to attend.

Band member Jeremiah Bennett was happy to participate and spread the joy of music.

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WVU Erickson Alumni Center hosts Cookies and Cocoa with Santa event

Through music, you get to spread a lot of holiday cheer and stuff like that. For us, its more important because of what we represent of the military, Bennett said.

A lot of people think of the military as only what you see on the news, see on the T.V. We actually get to do kind of the public relations, so you actually get to see what other things are happening in the guard.

The show offered a full variety of holiday tunes with the theme Let the Bells Ring, with songs ranging from the traditional sleigh ride to a few vocal performances as well.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com.
Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) have negotiated updated text for the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) with Elon Musks social media platform X in an effort to quell Republican concerns about censorship in the House.

In a statement Saturday, the senators announced the updated text for KOSA boosts the protection of freedom of speech for minors online, a key concern for GOP leadership in the House, where the bill remains stalled.

Led by X, the new changes made to the Kids Online Safety Act strengthen the bill while safeguarding free speech online and ensuring it is not used to stifle expression, Blackburn and Blumenthal wrote. These changes should eliminate once and for all the false narrative that this bill would be weaponized by unelected bureaucrats to censor Americans.

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X CEO Linda Yaccarino echoed their remarks, calling on Congress to pass KOSA before the end of the year.

The measure, which overwhelmingly passed in the Senate in July, seeks to create regulations for the kinds of features tech and social media companies offer kids online and reduce the addictive nature and mental health effects of these platforms.

At X, protecting our children is our top priority. As Ive always said, freedom of speech and safety can and must coexist. And as a mother, its personal, she wrote Saturday on X.

Responding to Yaccarinos statement on X, Musk said, Protecting kids should always be priority #1.

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X already backed the legislation before its passage in the Senate last summer, though the renewed endorsement now comes with the support of Musk, an emerging ally of President-elect Trump and other Republicans.

Blackburn and Blumenthal thanked Musk and Yaccarino for their bold leadership, suggesting the billionaire had some role in the process of updating the text.

It comes amid Musks increasing involvement around government, as seen by his new leadership of Trumps Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) panel, which will offer recommendations to cut government spending and regulations.

Musk, along with DOGEs co-head, Vivek Ramaswamy, was on Capitol Hill last week meeting with Congressional leaders to discuss the advisory panels goals.

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Trumps son Donald Trump Jr. also voiced his support for the updated measure, writing on X Sunday, We can protect free speech and our kids at the same time. Its time for House Republicans to pass the Kids Online Safety Act ASAP.

The pressure comes with just weeks to go in the lame-duck session. KOSA, along with privacy bill COPPA 2.0, advanced out of the House Energy and Commerce Committee in September, but House leadership has mostly sidestepped whether the bills will be brought to the floor before the end of the year.

Many Republicans in the House have expressed concerns KOSA could censor conservative viewpoints, and House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) told Punchbowl News last month he likes the concept of the bill, though the details of the Senate-passed version are very problematic.

When asked about the changes, Johnson told The Hill on Monday he is passionate about addressing childrens online safety.

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And as an attorney and legislator, I have worked on the protection of children my entire career. I have been and continue to be open to working on a solution that protects kids online while continuing to protect the free speech rights of all Americans, he added. Its essential to get this issue right and House Republicans look forward to working with the Trump administration to get the right bill into law.

Blackburns office said the changes to the bills text further clarify KOSA would not censor, limit or remove any content from the internet. The bill also does not give the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) or state attorneys general the authority to bring lawsuits over content or speech, her office added.

Blackburn and Blumenthal have ramped up pressure on House leaders in recent weeks, sending a letter last week to Johnson and House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) urging the bill to be brought to the floor.

Blumenthal expressed optimism the bill will pass if brought to the floor, telling The Hill last week, There is such momentum in favor of this measure.

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I am very hopeful well see action in the House. All we need is a vote. If theres a vote it will pass, he said.

Should the bill not be brought to the floor, Blumenthal said there is no question that KOSA will be on the agenda in the next session.

Updated at 5:38 p.m. EST

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Bloomberg) -- China has opened a probe into Nvidia Corp. over suspicions that the US chipmaker broke anti-monopoly laws around a 2020 deal, taking aim at the AI heavyweight as Washington ramps up sanctions.

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The State Administration for Market Regulation opened an investigation into the companys recent behavior as well as the circumstances surrounding the acquisition of Mellanox Technologies Ltd., the government said in a statement on Monday. Beijing gave approval for the deal four years ago, on condition that Nvidia not discriminate against Chinese companies.

The move against Nvidia is Beijings latest riposte to escalating US technology curbs, coming just a week after the Chinese government banned exports of several materials with tech and military applications. Nvidias market value has ballooned this year on demand for chips that can run artificial intelligence programs, making it one of the most valuable publicly traded companies and Chinas largest corporate target in the tech trade war so far.

In a statement, Nvidia said that its happy to answer any questions regulators may have about our business.

Nvidia wins on merit, as reflected in our benchmark results and value to customers, and customers can choose whatever solution is best for them, the Santa Clara, California-based company said. We work hard to provide the best products we can in every region and honor our commitments everywhere we do business.

China had approved Nvidias $7 billion acquisition of Mellanox in 2020, but stipulated that the Israeli computer networking equipment maker provide information about new products to rivals within 90 days of making them available to Nvidia.

Nvidia gets about 15% of its revenue from customers in China, according to its most recent financial report.

Shares of Nvidia fell as much as 3.7% to $137.13 on Monday in New York trading. They had been up 188% this year through the end of last week.

Washington has sought to slow Chinas development of advanced chip technology and has barred Nvidia from selling its most advanced semiconductors to companies there. The US has also pushed allies to make similar moves. The Biden administration pressured the Dutch government to prevent ASML Holding NV, which has a monopoly on machines that make the most advanced chips, from not only selling its highest-performing equipment to China, but repairing and maintaining it as well.
It may look like a simple bedroom in Raleigh, North Carolina, but for Ethan Clark, it's the headquarters of North Carolina's Weather Authority, one of the state's most-followed Facebook pages. With more than 600,000 followers, Clark, 22, delivers detailed weather updates, often live as storms pass through.

"If you're just joining us, storms are gonna continue to push east," Clark said during one of his live broadcasts.

Clark's fascination with weather began in middle school. A photo of him at age 10 dressed as The Weather Channel's Jim Cantore on Halloween showcased his passion.

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"I love hurricanes," Clark said. "Like, I don't love one that does destruction, but I love the science of how it goes from a thunderstorm to a hurricane. I love the process of snow. It's something new every day."

Clark's work has had a profound impact on his community. Leslie Dean, a Greenville resident, started following his page in 2016 during Hurricane Matthew.

"Ethan's forecast is very accurate," Dean said. "He doesn't exaggerate possible systems coming through."

For Stacy Huff, Clark's page became a lifeline during a tornado threat.

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"My husband, me, and the dog all crammed in the closet and listened to his livestream the whole time," Huff said. "It was so comforting to have that voice say, 'Okay, now you're out of danger, you can come out.'"

Emily Brewer credited Clark with saving her parents' lives during Hurricane Helene. "In this crisis, the helper was a college student in his dorm room, sitting at his desk, making these forecasts and sharing them with all of us," Brewer said.

A community celebration

Clark's dedication earned him one of North Carolina's highest civilian honors from Governor-elect Josh Stein. In November, CBS News contributor David Begnaud surprised Clark with a celebration at Raleigh's Mecca restaurant, filling the room with his biggest fans.

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"I'm so proud of the work you do and the lives you have affected," Dean told Clark during the gathering.

Huff echoed the sentiment. "Everybody feels like you are their weather guy," she said. "You're not the Raleigh weather guy or the Charlotte weather guyyou're their weather guy."

Meeting his hero

The surprises continued when Begnaud revealed Clark would meet his childhood hero, Jim Cantore of The Weather Channel.

Last week, Clark flew to Atlanta to meet Cantore.

"You're ready to just jump on the air, aren't you?" Cantore said, impressed by Clark's professionalism.

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Clark even delivered a forecast at The Weather Channel: "We have a brief warm-up and another clipper system with highs in the 40s on Friday and lows in the 20s," he said.

Cantore was impressed. "Dude, if I had done it that good my first time, I wouldn't have had to finish college," he joked.

David Begnaud loves uncovering the heart of every story and will continue to do so, highlighting everyday heroes and proving that there is good news in the news with his exclusive "CBS Mornings" series, "Beg-Knows America." Every Monday, get ready for moments that will make you smile or even shed a tear. Do you have a story about an ordinary person doing something extraordinary for someone else? Email David and his team at DearDavid@cbsnews.com

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YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  Have you ever thought of starting a small business, but didnt know how to begin? The Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County stepped in to help by hosting a Business Resource Fair.

Nearly 30 agencies set up at the main library to teach people all the steps involved. It was an opportunity for entrepreneurs to access free resources that might otherwise be unavailable to them.

The small business resource fair teaches people things like bureau of workers compensation, department of taxes, even getting counseling or help with their small business if theyre having an issue, said Stuart Gibbs, business and grant librarian. All of the resources are available today, and if they didnt come today, they can actually reach out to the public library and we can provide them with a list.

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Gibbs says starting a small business is an excellent way for people to diversify their income.

Nick Rich contributed to this report.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN)  City police early Saturday found a shotgun, a bulletproof vest and arrested a man while answering a gunfire call on the East Side.

Allen Jordan, 55, was booked into the Mahoning County jail on charges of being a felon in possession of a firearm, a third-degree felony; assault on a police officer, a fourth-degree felony; and misdemeanor charges of resisting arrest and obstructing official business. He is expected to be arraigned Monday in municipal court.

Reports said Jordan was arrested after police were called about 1:05 a.m. for a report of gunfire in the 1600 block of Shehy Street and that someone in a white SUV was doing the shooting.

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When police arrived they found a man sleeping in the drivers seat of the SUV. Police woke him up and took him out of the SUV so they could investigate. As they did, reports said Jordan came out of a nearby home, asked police what they were doing and they had no right to search the SUV, which he said was his.

When an officer walked up to him, Jordan punched the officer in the arm, reports said, and was taken into custody.

Police searched the SUV and found two spent shotgun shells as well as a third spent shell on the street. Police got permission to search the home Jordan was in and found several live .22-caliber rounds, a bulletproof vest and a .12-gauge shotgun under a couch.

Another person at the scene was taken into custody on two misdemeanor warrants.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com.
By Renju Jose

SYDNEY (Reuters) - A terror attack in New Zealand remains a "realistic possibility" over the next year as evolving global and domestic security trends continue to drive extremist sentiment, the country's intelligence service said on Tuesday.

Following its annual review of the national terror threat levels, the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) said people were getting exposed to an increasingly diverse range of violent extremist narratives through online networks, raising the risk of radicalisation and potential violence.

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"An attack is a realistic possibility amid what is a deteriorating global security environment," NZSIS Director-General of Security Andrew Hampton said in a statement.

There is no change to the national threat level, which has remained at 'low' since November 2022, Hampton said.

The NZSIS said it was severely concerned about the impact of the online networks on young people, "who are being exposed to and influenced by violent extremism in ways we haven't seen before."

A report published last week by the "Five Eyes" intelligence partners - Australia, the U.S., Canada, Britain and New Zealand - said they were increasingly concerned about the radicalisation of youth, and minors who support, plan or undertake terror activities.

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The NZSIS said the most likely terror attack in New Zealand, the second-safest country in the world according to the Global Peace Index, will be by someone who acts alone.

A lone gunman armed with semi-automatic weapons targeted Muslims attending Friday prayers in two Christchurch mosques in March 2019, killing 51 people and wounding dozens, in the country's worst peacetime mass shooting.

The report highlighted NZSIS's concerns about the volume and accessibility of extremist views online and said the agency was aware of the impact it was inflicting on some communities, such as those affected by conflicts in the Middle East.

"There is now a growing threat from individuals embracing a fluid mix of ideologies, conspiracy theories and highly personalised grievances, who are fixated on violence, and whose intentions are difficult to assess," the NZSIS said.

(Reporting by Renju Jose in Sydney; Editing by Stephen Coates)
(Bloomberg) -- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he raised the risk of a frozen conflict with Russia and pressed for security guarantees in talks with US President-elect Donald Trump and Frances Emmanuel Macron.

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Zelenskiy said he sought to drive home his position that Ukraine can only enter into ceasefire talks from a position of strength  and told the leaders in Paris on Saturday that Russian President Vladimir Putin doesnt want to end the war.

Nobody wants to end the war more than us, Zelenskiy told reporters in Kyiv on Monday, as he weighed in on inducing Putin to back down. We need to force him  one can force him only if Ukraine is strong, he said, meaning a robust military and the capability to launch long-range attacks.

Macron orchestrated the meeting between Trump and Zelenskiy in the French capital as leaders gathered for the reopening of Notre-Dame cathedral. The Ukrainian has made overtures to the president-elect, who has been skeptical about sustained support for Kyiv  and has called for a swift end to the war.

Zelenskiy and European governments have insisted that any resolution to the conflict cant be forced on Kyiv. He reiterated that Ukraine needs security guarantees to prevent a future Russian attack  and underscored his aim to receive an invitation to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.

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We cannot be in NATO now, but there could be an invite to join NATO, he said, adding that he plans to call US President Joe Biden to press his case. That is what we discussed.

Boots on the Ground

Zelenskiy has been pushing western allies to accept Ukraines NATO bid to prevent another Russian assault after the current war ends. He also raised a proposal  once floated by Macron  for a Western military presence in Ukraine to back Kyiv.

While the proposal has failed to gather support of European leaders, the Ukrainian president said it may be back on the table as a way to protect his country after the war ends, but before its able to join the 32-member military bloc.

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We can think and work on Emmanuels proposal  he suggested for some troops of some countries to be present on some parts of Ukrainian territory to guarantee our security while Ukraine isnt in NATO, Zelenskiy said.

But we will need to have a clear understanding of when Ukraine is going to be in the EU and when Ukraine is going to join NATO, he added.

Zelenskiy spoke alongside Germanys conservative opposition leader, Friedrich Merz, who will seek to take over the countrys chancellorship after a snap election in February. The two discussed establishing a contact group of European nations to coordinate a position with the US.

The group  consisting of Germany, Poland, France and the UK  will bring these four large countries together in order to develop a common position with the United States, Merz said. Denmark may also join, representing Nordic nations, Zelenskiy said.

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Merz also stressed his willingness to send German long-range Taurus missiles Taurus. We must do everything to enable Ukraine to exercise its right to self-defense - without restrictions, he said.

In a separate meeting with Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal, Zelenskiy said Ukraine wants to join the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force, a multi-national military partnership.

--With assistance from Kateryna Chursina and Olesia Safronova.

(Updates with Zelenskiys quotes from seventh paragraph)

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President Volodymyr Zelensky announced on Dec. 9 his intention to call U.S. President Joe Biden to discuss Ukraines invitation to NATO.

Zelensky made the statement following a meeting in Kyiv with Friedrich Merz, German opposition leader, whose party is the frontrunner to win the upcoming parliament elections.

During the discussion, Zelensky emphasized the need for clear security guarantees and a timeline for Ukraines integration into NATO and the EU.

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He noted that discussions with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump are premature, as Trump does not have the authority to address such matters.

It is difficult to talk to President Trump about this because he is not yet in the White House. By the way, I am going to call President Biden in the near future to raise the issue of Ukraines NATO invitation, Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian president also expressed openness to French President Emmanuel Macrons proposal to deploy international military forces in Ukraine, potentially bridging the gap before NATO membership.

Reports indicate that the U.K. and France are considering peacekeeper deployments after a possible ceasefire, an idea that German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock did not rule out.

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Friedrich Merz criticized such proposals as irresponsible, arguing that ending the war should take precedence.

Kyiv has consistently argued that NATO membership is the only path to lasting peace. While acknowledging that full membership is unfeasible during the ongoing war, Ukrainian officials are pressing for a formal invitation to signal solidarity and commitment from NATO allies.

Despite NATOs assertion that Ukraine is on an irreversible path to membership, divisions remain within the alliance. The U.S., Germany, Hungary, and Slovakia are among the key members opposing an invitation at this stage.

Read also: Zelensky may consider deployment of foreign peacekeepers in Ukraine to ensure ceasefire

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that more than 400,000 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed or injured during the war with Russia.

He admitted the previously top-secret casualty numbers a few hours after Donald Trump released the data as evidence that the war between Ukraine and Russia needed to stop.

Mr Zelensky has previously insisted that Ukrainian casualty figures are strictly confidential and could not be released because they may undermine public morale.

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Since the start of the full-scale war, Ukraine has lost 43,000 soldiers killed in action on the battlefield. There have been 370,000 cases of medical assistance for the wounded, Mr Zelensky said on X.

Russia is believed to have suffered 750,000 casualties, dead or badly injured. This high rate of attrition has been blamed on the Kremlins swarm infantry tactics against Ukrainian strongholds.

Mr Zelensky also tried to differentiate between the Ukrainian and Russian casualty figures by claiming that Ukraines data included light injuries.

In our army, approximately half of the soldiers wounded in action are later returning to the battlefields, he said.

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Analysts have said that the Russian army lost a record 1,500 soldiers every day in November as Putin urged his forces to capture as much territory as possible ahead of an anticipated peace deal next year.

Putins forces have been taking ground but at a huge cost, which Mr Zelensky highlighted.

Since September this year, Russia has been losing troops on the battlefield at a ratio of 5 to 1, or even 6 to 1, compared to us, he said.

Mr Zelensky met with Mr Trump in Paris on Saturday after attending a ceremony with other global leaders to watch the reopening of the Notre-Dame Cathedral after it was badly damaged in a fire in 2019.

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At the meeting, Mr Trump, who will be sworn in as US president in January, said that he wanted to stop the war in Ukraine.

Mr Zelensky also made one of his most conciliatory comments yet, pledging that talks could bring peace.

An unnamed Ukrainian official told the Washington Post that the meeting was productive, grounded, and we all want to end this war as soon as possible.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stressed the importance of European security guarantees in any potential negotiations to end Russia's ongoing invasion during a meeting with German opposition leader Friedrich Merz on Monday.

Ukraine needs security guarantees not only from NATO, but also directly from European countries, Zelensky said, according to the official German-language translation of his discussion with Merz in Kiev.

Zelensky conceded that his country is unlikely to be accepted as a member of NATO for the time being, but once again called for an official invitation to join the alliance.

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The Ukrainian president met incoming US president Donald Trump in Paris at the weekend together with French President Emmanuel Macron. Zelensky has announced that he wants to speak to the current US President Joe Biden on the phone soon to discuss NATO membership.

"Because he is the current president of the United States - and of course a lot depends on his opinion," Zelensky said. "Discussing this with Trump now, before he has taken up his post in the White House, doesn't make so much sense."

There are widespread concerns in Ukraine and across the European Union about the extent to which Trump will continue to provide military aid to Ukraine after he takes office on January 20.

The US has been by far Ukraine's biggest and most important backer in the fight against the full-scale Russian invasion, which was launched on February 2022.

European allies currently do not appear capable or willing to fill the gap should Trump halt or severely reduce US aid.
DALHOUSIE, NB, Dec. 9, 2024 /CNW/ - Atlantic Canada-based artist Dee Hernandez, known for blending her Cuban roots with R&B, funk, and pop, is set to release her latest single, Navidad Under the Stars, on December 11thher late grandmother's birthday. This deeply personal project is a tribute to her grandmother and a gift to loved ones in Cuba, blending heartfelt lyrics in both Spanish and English to celebrate the joy of the holiday season.

Navidad Under The Stars Lyrics by Dee Hernandez and Music by Silvio Pupo (CNW Group/DEE HERNADEZ MUSIC)

A Song Born from Collaboration and Connection:

Navidad Under the Stars began with a simple text exchange between Dee and her longtime collaborator, musician Silvio Pupo. "I shared the idea for a Christmas song, and Silvio immediately embraced it," says Dee. The duo worked together, refining ideas until they found the perfect sound. "Silvio's dedication to perfecting the song matched my own perfectionism," Dee jokes.

The track was then mixed by producer Marc Gosselin, resulting in a warm, joyous piece that captures the magic of Christmas. Dee's vocals, soothing and nostalgic, bring a sense of comfort and holiday spirit.

A Tribute to Family, Love, and Togetherness

The song paints a vivid picture of holiday celebrations, evoking memories of togetherness even when loved ones are far away:

> Pienso en ti todos los dias

Oh how I wish you were here

Las estrellas, brillan sin cesar

In my heart, we are not far apart

For Dee, this song is more than just a holiday anthem; it's a way to connect with her family in Cuba and honor her grandmother's memory. "The stars remind me of her presence, even though she's no longer with us. Releasing this song on her birthday felt like the perfect tribute."

A Celebration for All:

With bilingual lyrics, lush instrumentation, and themes of love and joy, Navidad Under the Stars brings people together. The uplifting chorus captures the essence of the holiday season:

> Oh, Navidad, tiempo de amar

Family and friends, here in my heart

Un abrazo, un brindis, un cantar

Celebramos juntos, under the stars

Dee hopes the song will resonate with anyone looking to feel connected this holiday season.

Release Details:

Navidad Under the Stars will be available on all streaming platforms starting December 11th. Stay tuned to Dee Hernandez's social media and website (deehernandezmusic.com) for updates.

This holiday season, Dee invites everyone to celebrate love and connectionunder the stars.

Credits:

Artist: Dee Hernandez

Music: Silvio Pupo

Lyrics: Dee Hernandez

Mixing Engineer: Marc Gosselin

Photography & Design: Terri Winchester @teedubscraft
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that he instructed Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal to increase funding for the procurement of drones for military brigades in the near future.

Source: Zelenskyy's address

Details: The president stated that Monday's meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief addressed the quality of training for Ukrainian soldiers. "This is an area that requires significant changes," the president said.

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Quote: "Personnel changes have been made specifically to reboot the system of training for our warriors. Oleh Apostol and Mykhailo Drapatyi will be responsible for this. Today marked the beginning of the relevant discussions at our Staff meeting.

I gave instructions to prepare a detailed report for the next meeting of the Staff. Right now, a review must be conducted to identify what needs immediate change, what must be corrected, what should be added, and who else needs to be replaced. Everything necessary can be provided  both at the organizational level and in terms of funding. It is the quality of training that largely determines the effectiveness of our warriors in battles, and of course, the preservation of the lives of our men."

Details: During the Staff meeting, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Oleksandr Syrskyi reported on the situation on the frontline. Additionally, newly-appointed colonel and Deputy Head of the Presidents Office Pavlo Palisa made a report regarding the amount of direct funds allocated to brigades specifically for the additional procurement of drones.

Quote: "A decision was recently made on the sum of these direct funds, but its now clear that the amount is still insufficient. I have instructed the Prime Minister to increase funding for the brigades significantly in the coming days."

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KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Monday that he's open to the potential deployment of Western troops in Ukraine to guarantee the countrys security as part of a broad effort to end the almost three-year war with Russia.

The deployment would be a step toward Ukraine joining NATO, Zelenskyy said in a post on his Telegram channel.

But before that, we must have a clear understanding of when Ukraine will be in the European Union and when Ukraine will be in NATO, Zelenskyy said.

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His proposals tread a delicate diplomatic path amid international efforts to find a way of ending Europes biggest conflict since World War II at a time when Russia has gained an upper hand in the fighting.

U.S. President-elect Donald Trump is seeking to bring about a ceasefire and met with Zelenskyy in Paris on Saturday. But Zelenskyy said Monday that he would approach outgoing U.S. President Joe Biden about Ukraines possible NATO membership because he's still in office, while Trump doesn't yet have legal rights to decide on the matter.

He wants to have a cease-fire, Trump said of Zelenskyy in comments to the New York Post published Sunday. He wants to make peace. We didnt talk about the details.

Putins forces are taking heavy losses in Ukraine, Trump noted.

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Im formulating a concept of how to end that ridiculous war, he said.

The possibilities of Ukraine joining the 32-nation NATO military alliance and of Western troops being stationed on its soil have been deeply divisive and contentious issues since Russias full-scale invasion began on Feb. 24, 2022.

At their summit in Washington in July, NATO declared Ukraine on an irreversible path to membership, but stopped short of inviting the country in. The United States and Germany have balked at Ukraine joining NATO while at war with Russia.

One obstacle has been the view that Ukraines borders would need to be clearly demarcated before it could join so that there can be no mistaking where the alliances pact of mutual defense would come into effect. Russias invading army occupies about one-fifth of Ukraine.

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French President Emmanuel Macron floated the idea of Western troops on the ground in Ukraine last February. But it raised the same fears of escalation that have led Western leaders to place limits on weapons supplies and permissions for their use.

European military heavyweights Germany and Poland immediately said they wouldn't send troops to Ukraine. Macron declined to provide details about which nations were considering sending troops, saying he preferred to maintain some strategic ambiguity."

Ukraines forces are weathering a monthslong onslaught by Russia centered on the eastern Donetsk region, where Kyivs defenses are creaking.

Zelenskyy said on X that over the past week alone, Russia launched nearly 500 powerful guided bombs, more than 400 attack drones and almost 20 missiles of various types against Ukraine.

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Ukraine wants this war to end more than anyone else. No doubt, a diplomatic resolution would save lives. We do seek it, he said.

Zelenskyy thanked Biden for the latest U.S. military aid of nearly $1 billion. With doubts about whether Trump will keep up U.S. military support, the Biden administration has been trying to spend every dollar remaining from a massive foreign aid bill passed earlier this year to put Ukraine in the strongest position possible.

Meanwhile, Chancellor Olaf Scholzs challenger in the upcoming German election, Friedrich Merz, said that theres a basic consensus in Germany on continuing to provide military aid to Ukraine.

But during a visit to Kyiv, he also highlighted differences with Scholz, who has refused to send Taurus long-range cruise missiles to Ukraine as he insists that everything must be done to prevent a wider war between the West and Russia. Merz has been open to providing them and allowing Ukraine to hit military targets inside Russia.

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As he met Zelenskyy, Merz noted that France, the U.K. and the U.S. have a different position from the current German government.

Our position is clear, as is that of my parliamentary group: we want to put your army in a position to reach military bases in Russia  not the civilian population, not the infrastructure, but the military targets from which your country is being fought, he said.

With this range restriction, we are forcing your country to fight with one hand behind its back, and that is not our position, he added.

Merzs center-right Union bloc leads German opinion polls. The election is expected on Feb. 23.

___

Follow APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that he will contact the outgoing President of the United States, Joe Biden, to address the matter of inviting Ukraine to join NATO.

Source: Zelenskyy following a meeting with German Chancellor candidate Friedrich Merz in Kyiv, as reported by Ukrinform

Quote: "By the way, I'm going to call President Biden in the near future, if he has the opportunity, to talk with me and raise the issue of an invitation to join NATO, because he is now the current president of the United States and much depends on his position."

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Details: According to Zelenskyy, it is "difficult to speak" with US President-elect Donald Trump because he has not yet taken his position and does not have "all of these legal rights."

"And it makes no sense to discuss with President Trump that, while today he is not in the White House, it does not depend on him," Zelenskyy told reporters.

Background:

Ukraines Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement affirming that Ukraine rejects substitutes for NATO membership.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Ukraine is not pushing for NATO membership during the war, taking into account the stance of certain member states.

Read also: NATO guarantees for Ukraine: how and why Kyiv changed its stance in relations with the Alliance

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Claim:

An X-ray shows a gymnast performing an extreme backbend.

Rating:

Rating: Miscaptioned

In early December 2024, an X-ray allegedly showing a gymnast performing an extreme backbending maneuver resurfaced on social media (archived).

"I know it's silly, but I see a snake with a human skull," one Reddit user commented, while another asked, "This might be a silly question, but how come when gymnasts do these things they are ok .. but when a normal person does this, they get a package of injuries if not even paralyzes [sic]?"

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Google reverse image search results showed the image had spread hundreds of times on social media platforms, including Threads, Imgur, Reddit, 9GAG, X, and Facebook. A TinEye reverse image search indicated the image had spread online at least since March 2016.

The image was authentic. However, because it showed a contortionist, an acrobat able to twist the body into unusual postures, rather than a gymnast performing a maneuver, we have rated this claim as miscaptioned.

What We Know About Pic

Some social media users claimed the image showed Italian contortionist Irene Betti. In fact, when we investigated this claim in 2021, we contacted Betti, who confirmed that she was the contortionist depicted in the image. While she could not recall specific details about the picture, she identified Michel Ritz, a French physiotherapist specializing in the study of contortionists, as the creator. Betti provided the following statement (translated via Google and edited for clarity):

Ciao si sono io. E un immagine di lavoro del medico Michel Ritz, e un fisioterapia Francese che ha approfondito gli studi sul contorsionisti. Hi yes it's me. It is a professional image of the doctor Michel Ritz, he is a French physiotherapy who has deepened his studies on contortionists.

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We also found that the image was first shared on a website for Contortion Amsterdam, a stretching studio based in the Netherlands. Max Zegers, the owner, confirmed via email it was originally published on his www.contortiontrainer.com, but the website is now renamed to www.contortionamsterdam.nl.

"[The image] was taken in 2009 by a French doctor in France whose name I forgot. The girl on the scan is Irene Betti from Italy," Zegers stated.

While the blue scan was not available on the website at the moment of this writing, it featured a nearly identical image captioned: "One of my students in a MRI scanner. Notice the angle of the neck." The image is displayed below:

(www.contortionamsterdam.nl)

Text in the bottom-right corner of the image indicated that it was created using OsiriX, a medical imaging viewer.

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Below is a comparison between the blue-tinted image shared on social media and the X-ray posted on the Contortion Amsterdam website, which are identical except for their coloring.

When asked about the color differences, Zegers responded: "There are several versions of this photo. Both are the same. Or maybe somebody downloaded the photo and turned it into blue. I have no idea, it is more than 15 years ago."

Additionally, an animated version of the scan, also created using OsiriX, was available in the Contortion Amsterdam website's section titled, "The secret of a flexible back," with a caption reading: "One of my students, Irene in the 3D scanner  Contortion Amsterdam."

(Contortion Amsterdam)

The accompanying text discussed the anatomy of backbending poses and highlighted the importance of neck flexibility in creating the visual effect of an extreme backbend. It also informed it was captured via an MRI scanner (we translated it using Google Translate, emphasis added):

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An aspect that is overlooked by most people is the mobility of the neck. If you look closely at a contortionist you will see that she can bend her head so far back that the back of her head touches her back. The flexibility of the neck is an important visual part of the back bending, because of this the back seems to bend deeper than it actually does. Just look at the above video of one of my students from Italy, Irene, who was invited by a French researcher to take a seat in the MRI scanner to have her back scanned during a 'head-sit'. You can clearly see that the angle of the neck is deeper than that of the back. Irene does not have a particularly hypermobile back but she was crazy about contortion and absolutely wanted to sit on her head. After a few months of training she succeeded. Partly due to the fact that her neck has become considerably more flexible due to the training. So you see, there is always hope.

We asked Zegers whether the image was indeed captured using an MRI scanner or an X-ray or CT scan, as suggested by numerous social media users. He responded: "In my opinion it is a MRI scan, but I am not a doctor. [...] It also can be both, an X-ray (the blue one) and a MRI scan (the moving video)."

For context, some social media users shared an authentic photograph of Betti striking a pose similar to the one in the viral image:

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We have reached out to Betti for a comment and will update this article if we receive a response.

Snopes has investigated similar images in the past, including a rumor that an X-ray showed hundreds of bubble tea pearls inside a teenage girl's stomach and an image allegedly showing an X-ray of a 900-pound man.

Sources:

"Contact - Contortion Amsterdam Contact Contortion Amsterdam." Contortion Amsterdam, https://www.contortionamsterdam.nl/contact-e-mail-of-klik-op-de-groene-whatsapp-knop-voor-direct-contact/. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.

Definition of CONTORTIONIST. 19 Nov. 2024, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/contortionist.

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Evon, Dan. "Does This X-Ray Show 100s of Bubble Tea Pearls In Teen's Stomach?" Snopes, 19 June 2019, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/bubble-tea-pearls-in-stomach/.

---. "FACT CHECK: Is This an X-Ray of a 900-Lb. Man?" Snopes, 3 Jan. 2016, https://www.snopes.com//fact-check/900-pound-man-x-ray/.

"Testimonials." Contortion Amsterdam, https://www.contortionamsterdam.nl/over-contortion-amsterdam-contortion-en-lenigheidstraining-stretching-voor-professionals-en-beginners/testimonials/. Accessed 5 Dec. 2024.
The DP World Business Credit Card is tailored for corporate clients in the ports and logistics sectors, backed by the support and financial security of Banco del Pacifico and Mastercard.

GUAYAQUIL, Ecuador, December 09, 2024--(BUSINESS WIRE)--DP World, a global leader in logistics and supply chain solutions, has teamed up with Banco del Pacifico and Mastercard to launch the DP World Business Credit Card in Ecuador. The DP World Business Credit Card is designed to support executives and corporate clients in the logistics and ports and terminals sectors.

DP World has a significant presence in Ecuador; its deepwater port in Posorja  which connects the country with key international markets  is one of the most modern and secure ports in all of Latin America. The company also boasts comprehensive end-to-end logistics services across the entire supply chain. This new credit card allows DP World clients in Ecuador to benefit from this global network with the support and financial security from Banco del Pacifico and Mastercard.

The DP World Business Credit Card is designed for those clients who are looking for a reliable and flexible payment solution, with exclusive benefits that boost their businesses and give them access to a revolving and deferred credit line. Users of this card will be able to make transactions both inside and outside the port, at any Mastercard establishment worldwide, providing ease and financial support. In addition, clients have access to additional services and assistance at no cost that complement their financial experience.

Carlos Merino, CEO of DP World in Ecuador, Colombia, and Peru said: "This groundbreaking partnership with Banco del Pacifico and Mastercard underscores our commitment to driving innovation and providing tailored solutions for businesses in Ecuador. The DP World Business Credit Card is more than a financial tool  its a gateway to greater operational efficiency and global connectivity for our clients in the logistics and trade sectors."

"We are proud to lead this initiative, empowering businesses to thrive in an increasingly dynamic and competitive market," Merino added.

The new card was presented at a special event in Guayaquil, with the participation of representatives from the corporate sector, highlighting the commitment of Banco del Pacifico and DP World to offer innovative solutions for trade and logistics in Ecuador. By offering this card with DP World, Banco del Pacifico facilitates a robust financial tool for companies that are part of the global supply chain, allowing them to operate safely and with support through a leading brand in sustainable and comprehensive logistics solutions.
According to a sneak peek of the data from one of Eli Lilly's (NYSE: LLY) late-stage clinical trials, the cardiometabolic medicine juggernaut now looks even stronger in comparison to its similarly powerful arch-rival, Novo Nordisk, (NYSE: NVO) and it isn't the first time.

Here's why the stock is worth investing in even more than before.

Are You Missing The Morning Scoop? Breakfast News delivers it all in a quick, Foolish, and free daily newsletter. Sign Up For Free 

This is one big step forward in Lilly's most important competitive fight

One of the most important questions about the competitive prospects of Lilly against Novo Nordisk in the market for anti-obesity medicines is, quite simply, which company makes the more effective drug.

While it's typically beneficial to have more than one intervention to choose from, it's also obvious that, on average, physicians will first reach for the tool that's proven to be better, which directly impacts a drug's market share. Considerations like side effects tend to be of secondary importance unless one therapy is significantly more burdensome for patients than another.

On the basis of the clinical trials that led to the approval of tirzepatide, Lilly's drug that's sold under the trade name Zepbound, investors had good reason to suspect that it'd be more effective than Novo Nordisk's candidate semaglutide, which is known by the trade name Wegovy. But, until recently, there has not been any scientifically rigorous investigation that directly compares the two molecules.

Per a preview of a head-to-head phase 3b clinical trial comparing the efficacy of weight loss with Zepbound versus Wegovy published on Dec. 4, Zepbound was the clear winner. After 72 weeks of once-weekly treatment, the Zepbound cohort experienced a loss of 20.2% of their body weight on average, compared to a loss of just 13.7% for the patients treated with Wegovy. For those keeping score, that's 47% more weight loss on a relative basis. But that's not all: 31.6% of the Zepbound patients experienced a weight loss of at least 25% of their total body weight, whereas only 16.1% of Wegovy patients reached the same milestone.

In other words, on average, Lilly's drug was more effective for more people than the alternative. That implies it'll now have a significant advantage in gaining market share, even without spending more on marketing relative to Novo Nordisk. And that's why the bull thesis for buying its stock just got even stronger than it was before.
Evidence suggests that Lorinc Meszaros has moved on from renting a private jet for his travels and has purchased a newly bult aircraft, Atlatszo reports.

A Bombardier Global 6500 model which sells for $56 million left the Canadian factory on September 4, and flew from Montreal to Vienna, and then to Budapest a few days later.



Since then, the jet has made several trips when it stayed abroad with its passengers for one or even more than two weeks, a clear indication that these are not instances of a simple, occasional rental, according to the website.



On October 3, the aircraft flew to Bordeaux, where Laszlo Kalocsai, a man known as Meszaross winemaker, owns a 60-hectare historic vineyard.



After returning to Hungary, the jet has since flown to Dubai and stayed there for two weeks, followed by a trip to South Africa from November 16 to 23.



On each occasion, a helicopter owned by Meszaros flew from Budaors airport to Budapests international airport before departures and flew back to Budaors upon their return.



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Close to 4,900 businesses have submitted applications for subsidies in a scheme to support purchases of EVs, the Energy Ministry said in a post on social media, one year after the launch of the scheme.

The companies have applied for more than HUF 22bn of support out of the HUF 30bn total, for the purchase of more than 5,700 vehicles. Most of those applications are for passenger cars.



More than 3,800 of the businesses have already been allocated a combined HUF 17.4bn, and more than HUF 7bn has been disbursed to one-third of applicants.



Chinese brand BYD was the most popular among applicants, accounting for 1,378 of purchases.



Businesses may apply for grants of between HUF 2.8m and HUF 4m per vehicle, depending on battery capacity, in the programme funded from the European Union's REPowerEU.



The scheme runs until March 2025.



Over 5,000 businesses apply for EV subsidies



More than 5,000 businesses have submitted applications for subsidies in a scheme to support purchases of EVs, the Energy Ministry said in a post on social media.



The companies have applied for HUF 22.8bn of support out of the HUF 30bn total, for the purchase of more than 5,900 vehicles, including close to 4,600 passenger cars and around 1,300 LCVs.



Chinese brand BYD was the most popular among applicants, accounting for around 1,400 purchases.



Businesses may apply for grants of between HUF 2.8m and HUF 4m per vehicle, depending on battery capacity, in the programme funded from the European Union's REPowerEU.



The scheme runs until March 2025.



Over 4,300 Companies Apply for EV Subsidies in Hungary



More than 4,300 companies have applied for over HUF 20bn of subsidies to purchase battery electric vehicles, the Energy Ministry said.



Applications from around 3,400 of those companies have already been approved. About HUF 4.7bn of the subsidies have been paid out.



Businesses may apply for grants of between HUF 2.8m and HUF 4m per vehicle, depending on battery capacity, in the programme funded from the European Union's REPowerEU.



The HUF 30bn scheme runs until March 2025.



Source:

MTI - The Hungarian News Agency, founded in 1881.

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New Delhi: YesMadam, a doorstep beauty service platform is under fire for allegedly terminating employees following an in-office stress survey. As per a LinkedIn post, the company sent an email to the affected employees informing them of their immediate termination.

The email stated, "Recently, we conducted a survey to understand your feelings about stress at work. Many of you shared your concerns, which we deeply value and respect. As a company committed to fostering a healthy and supportive work environment, we have carefully considered the feedback.

To ensure that no one remains stressed at work, we have made the difficult decision to part ways with employees who indicated significant stress. This decision is effective immediately, and impacted employees will receive further details separately. Thank you for your contributions."

However, ZeeNews could not independently verify the authenticity of the viral email screenshot.

The post was shared by Anushka Dutta, a UX copywriter at YesMadam. In her caption, she questioned the companys actions, saying, What's happening at YesMadam? First you conduct a random survey and then fire us overnight because we're feeling stressed? And not just me 100 other people have been fired too.

The email's blunt tone and the decision to terminate stressed employees instead of addressing their concerns have sparked online backlash. One user criticized the viral screenshot, saying, So basically to remove stress they removed people. Totally illogical and nonsense. Is the owner brainless or what. Useless people.

Another user expressed disbelief, stating, I just cant believe. Shame on such organizations. Your team is your backbone, its high time you start treating them well.

A third comment suggested ulterior motives, adding, I guess they just wanted to lay off, but didnt want to make it obvious. So they tried to make it look like We love you enough to let you go.
New Delhi: AAP Candidates List for Delhi Elections 2025: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday unveiled its second list of candidates for the 2025 Delhi Assembly elections, setting the stage for a high-stakes battle in the capital. Former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia, who had earlier represented Patparganj, will now contest from Jangpura. Civil services teacher Avadh Ojha has been fielded from Patparganj, a constituency long associated with Sisodias electoral victories.

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Saturday announced its second list of 20 candidates for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, slated for early next year. This follows the release of an initial list last month, which featured 11 candidates. With this, the ruling party has yet to declare nominees for 39 constituencies in the 70-seat Assembly.

For Avadh Ojha, who recently joined AAP, Patparganjs status as an AAP stronghold makes it a promising constituency for his electoral debut. the east Delhi constituency has been represented by former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia since 2013.

AAPs second list features Jintender Singh Shunty (Shahdara) and Surinder Pal Singh Bittu (Timarpur), both recent BJP defectors. Shunty replaces outgoing Assembly Speaker Ram Niwas Goel, while Bittu takes the place of chief whip Dilip Pandey.

Check Full List:

Aam Aadmi Party releases its second list of candidates for Delhi assembly elections 2025



Former Dy CM Manish Sisodia to contest from Jangpura, Avadh Ojha from Patparganj pic.twitter.com/7gq5xX87yi December 9, 2024

The party had earlier announced 11 candidates, with elections for the 70-member Assembly due by February 2025.
Atleast 4 people have died and around 30 have injured in an accident after Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) bus crashed into some vehicles near Anjum-E-Islam School at SG Barve Marg in Kurla (West) on Monday night.

The incident occurred near the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) L Ward when the driver of a BEST bus on route number 332 reportedly lost control of the vehicle. The bus, which was en route from Kurla railway station to Andheri, veered off its path, hitting pedestrians and several vehicles before crashing into the gates of a residential complex, officials said.

According to media reports, a staff nurse at the Kurla Bhabha Hospital confirmed that 20 individuals were brought to the facility, with three declared dead upon arrival.

Preliminary investigations suggest that a brake failure may have caused the accident. Municipal authorities are looking into the exact cause of the mishap.

The Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB0 told Mid-Day that the accident occurred at 9:50 PM. Firefighting personnel, along with other authorities, promptly initiated rescue operations. By 10:10 PM, the MFB classified the incident as a 'Level-1' mishap.

Further details are awaited as the investigation progresses.
Delhi School Bomb Threats: The Delhi Police on Monday said that several schools, including Mother Marys School, British School, Salwan Public School, and Cambridge School, received bomb threats via e-mail today. Initially the police said that warnings were received in two schools, one in RK Puram and another one in Paschim Vihar.

Several schools including Mother Marys School, British School, Salwan Public School, Cambridge School received bomb threats via e-mail today: Delhi Police



More details awaited. December 9, 2024

After receiving the information pertaining to the threat, the administrations of the two schools sent children back to their homes.

#WATCH | Delhi | Visuals from outside of GD Goenka Public school, Paschim Vihar - one of the two schools that received bomb threats, via e-mail, today morning pic.twitter.com/XoIBJoVsVt  ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2024

The DFS official said calls of bomb threats were received from DPS RK Puram at 7.06 am and GD Goenka Paschim Vihar at 6.15 am, according to news agency PTI. The fire officials, including the dog squad, bomb detection teams, and local police, reached the schools and conducted the search operation.

#WATCH | A team of Delhi police arrives at RK Puram's DPS - one of the two schools that received bomb threats, via e-mail, this morning pic.twitter.com/c23ciJTLGi  ANI (@ANI) December 9, 2024

Nothing suspicious was found after the preliminary investigation, according to an official. According to ZEE News sources, the threat mail suggested that many bombs have been planted in the buildings. The bombs are very small; they are kept hidden, and their explosion can injure many people.

The email arrived around 11:38 PM on December 8. It stated that if the bombs exploded, there would be significant damage. The sender of the email demanded $ 30 thousand in exchange for not detonating the bombs. The Delhi Police are investigating the IP address and the sender of the email.
Pushpa 2, the blockbuster starring Allu Arjun, has inspired a poster war between the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Delhi. Both parties leveraging the film's theme ahead of the Delhi Assembly elections

AAPs Bold Poster: "Kejriwal Jhukega Nahi"

The AAP recently unveiled a poster based on the cult dialogue fromPushpa 2, which reads "Kejriwal Jhukega Nahi". The poster features Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal posing as the protagonist of the movie, carrying AAPs symbol  the jhaadu (broom)  over his shoulder.

The poster also teases the upcoming election with the tagline "4th Term Coming Soon," referencing Kejriwals previous electoral victories in 2013, 2015, and 2020, when AAP swept the Delhi Assembly elections.

BJP Responds with Poster Featuring Virendra Sachdeva

The Delhi BJP issued a counter-poster, depicting its state president Virendra Sachdeva as the character Pushpa from the movie, seated on a throne. The poster reads "Bhrashtachariyon Ko Khatam Karenge" (We will finish the corrupt), aiming to position the BJP as the party that will eliminate corruption.

The slogan "Rappa-Rappa," a popular catchphrase from Pushpa 2, is also featured in the poster, emphasizing the BJP's determination to make significant changes in the city.

AAPs Bid for a Third Term

The AAP is striving to retain its grip on power in Delhi for a third consecutive term, following its dominant victories in 2015 and 2020. In both elections, the party won an overwhelming majority, securing 67 and 63 seats, respectively, in the 70-member Delhi Assembly. With the 2024 election on the horizon, AAPs focus is on retaining its leadership and continuing its policies in the capital.

BJPs Push for Change

On the other hand, the BJP, which has been out of power in Delhi since 1998, views the upcoming Assembly elections as a crucial opportunity to break AAPs hold on the citys politics. The BJP has launched its own aggressive campaign, with slogans like "Ab Nahi Sahenge, Badal Kar Rahenge" (We wont tolerate anymore, we will bring the change), aimed at galvanizing voters who are dissatisfied with AAPs governance.

The BJP has been accusing AAP of widespread corruption and failing to deliver basic services to the people of Delhi during its 10 years in power. This includes criticism of the AAP governments handling of crime in the city.

In response, AAP has focused on highlighting law and order issues in Delhi, using incidents of crime as ammunition to attack the BJP-led central government, particularly targeting Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Social Media War Between AAP and BJP

Both parties are also engaging in a fierce social media battle, using posters, memes, animation videos, and slogans to attack one another. AAP has been particularly vocal in accusing the BJP of failing to address crime in the national capital, while the BJP has been pushing the narrative of corruption under AAPs rule.

With Inputs From PTI
(Bloomberg) -- MicroStrategy Inc. bought another $2.1 billion in Bitcoin while its combination of equity and fixed-income securities sales to finance the rapidly increasing acquisitions draws increased scrutiny.

Most Read from Bloomberg

It was the fifth consecutive Monday that the Tysons Corner, Virginia-based firm announced purchases of the digital asset. Co-founder and Chairman Michael Saylor has accumulated Bitcoin now worth more than $41 billion over the past four years after deciding that the small enterprise software maker needed to embark on a different path to survive. He accelerated the strategy shift in October by announcing plans to raise $42 billion over the next three years through an evenly split combination of at-the-market stock sales and convertible debt offerings.

MicroStrategy acquired 21,550 tokens for an average price of approximately $98,783 from Dec. 2 through Dec. 8, according to an US Securities and Exchange Commission filing on Monday.

The firm has quickly accelerated its Bitcoin purchases. While it took almost a year to amass its first 100,000 tokens, it only took two weeks to go from 300,000 tokens to 400,000. With its large stash of Bitcoin, its holdings are worth more than Nvidia Corp.s cash holdings, and all but six of the non-financial companies listed on the S&P 500 Index.

With MicroStrategys recent increased Bitcoin purchases, the company has been buying tokens for an average purchase price above the average price of Bitcoin over four of the last five weeks it bought tokens.

The almost 500% surge in the companys shares this year has fueled demand from investors for the stock. At the same time, hedge funds have been snapping up the notes, which are used in market-neutral arbitrage bets that exploit the surging volatility of the underlying asset. MicroStrategy has been among the most volatile US stocks this year. MicroStrategy fell 7.5% to $365.34 on Monday.

The danger is the possibility cryptos massive year-long rally reverses, in which case an ever-more leveraged bet on its value could have severe consequences for its owners. Bitcoin has surged more than 130% since last December.

The companys reliance on Bitcoin to meet its financial needs could prove risky, said Min Jung, a research analyst at Presto Research.

For now, Bitcoins favorable price movement allows MicroStrategy to sustain a positive feedback loop: rising MSTR stock prices enable additional fundraising, which funds further Bitcoin purchases, driving up Bitcoin prices and stock value, he said. While effective during a bull market, this strategys sustainability depends heavily on continued Bitcoin price appreciation.
Punjab farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said no 'jatha' (group) of farmers will resume foot march to Delhi on Tuesday, and accused the Centre of being confused on how the protesters should proceed to the national capital.

Pandher said they will decide their next course of action in a meeting of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha on Tuesday.

"No 'jatha' will be going tomorrow," Pandher said.

Agitating farmers suspended their foot march to Delhi from the Shambhu border on Sunday after some of them sustained injuries in teargas shelling by Haryana security personnel who thwarted yet another attempt by the protesters to cross the Punjab-Haryana border.

Addressing the media at the Shambhu and Khanauri border points separately on Monday, Pandher claimed that the BJP-led Centre was "confused" after farmers decided to march on foot to the national capital.

"Now Central minister Manohal Lal Khattar is saying farmers should come by other vehicles. When Khattar was the chief minister of Haryana, he used to say that farmers should come on foot.

"Earlier, the entire BJP was objecting to farmers going by tractor trolleys to Delhi. The government is confused on what to say and what not to say. This is lowering the credibility of the government among people," Pandher said at Shambhu.

In Karnal on Monday, Union minister Khattar, when asked about the farmers' protest, said, "Nobody is stopping them from going to Delhi but there is a way. There is no gain in doing such a kind of protest."

When asked farmers have said that they were going on foot, he took a swipe at them, saying there are so many vehicles and they can go using those.

At Khanauri, Pandher slammed Khattar for his statement.

"Khattar is saying there is no bar on farmers going to Delhi and they can come by using other vehicles. When he was the chief minister he used to say that farmers should give up tractor trolley and come on foot," he said.

"Another Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu said they will welcome the farmers coming on foot to Delhi. The Haryana Agriculture minister too was saying they will welcome farmers coming on foot, while Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini is asking farmers that they should seek permission from the Delhi Police before going there," said Pandher.

So be it the central ministers or Haryana ministers, they are confused as to what statement they have to give, he said.

Farmer leaders protesting at the Shambhu and Khanauri borders have claimed that earlier, the Central ministers and BJP leaders had raised an objection to farmers heading to the national capital along with their tractors and trolleys and asked what was the objection now, when they wanted to march on foot.

Referring to farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal's fast unto death which entered 14th day on Monday, Pandher said he has lost 11 kg weight but the government is not waking up from its slumber.

"The government is trying to divert the real issue and trying to focus the debate on which vehicles farmers use to come to Delhi and what method they should adopt to go there," he said.

"I have met Dallewal ji today...he will continue his fast till farmers' demands are met," said Pandher.

Pandher cautioned the Punjab Police not try to repeat the November 26 incident when they forcibly removed Dallewal from the Khanauri border point just hours before he was going to start his fast unto death.

He said Punjab Police officials met Dallewal at the Khanauri border point and that they said they were worried about his health.

"The Punjab government should rather press the Centre if they are really worried about farmers," said Pandher.

Another farmer leader Sukhjit Singh said no meal will be cooked on Tuesday by farmers at Khanauri in solidarity with Dallewal.

A jatha of 101 farmers under the banner of the Samyukta Kisan Morcha (Non-Political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha had made two attempts to go to Delhi on foot on December 6 and 8 but they were not allowed to move ahead by the Haryana security personnel.

Farmers have been camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since February 13 after their march to Delhi was stopped by security forces.

The farmers had earlier attempted to march towards Delhi on February 13 and February 21 but were stopped by security forces deployed at the border points.

Besides a legal guarantee to MSP for crops, the farmers are demanding a debt waiver, pension for farmers and farm labourers, no hike in electricity tariff, withdrawal of police cases, and "justice" for the victims of the 2021 Lakhimpur Kheri violence.

Reinstatement of the Land Acquisition Act, 2013 and compensation to the families of farmers who died during the previous agitation in 2020-21 are also part of their demands.
Indias Foreign Secretary, Vikram Misri, expressed New Delhi's concerns over recent attacks on religious minorities in Bangladesh during a significant diplomatic meeting in Dhaka.

According to MEA, Misri conveyed India's disapproval of the violent incidents, particularly those targeting places of worship and religious institutions, stressing that such actions were "regrettable." He said, "India desires positive, constructive ties with Bangladesh, relationship is people-centric.

This was part of his discussions with Bangladeshi Foreign Adviser Mohammad Touhid Hossain.

Concerns Over the Safety of Minorities

The key topic during the meeting was the situation of minorities in Bangladesh, particularly the safety and welfare of religious communities. Misri shared Indias concerns over the rise in attacks on religious and cultural properties, which have disproportionately affected the Hindu minority.

The Foreign Secretary made it clear that such violence was unacceptable, stressing the importance of ensuring the protection of religious freedoms and minority communities in Bangladesh.

Misri noted that the conversations were "frank, candid, and constructive," giving both sides an opportunity to review their relations and identify ways to move forward despite the challenges.

Tensions Between India and Bangladesh

The meeting between Misri and Hossain came amid a backdrop of strained bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh, following political upheaval in Dhaka. In August, Bangladeshs Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina was ousted after widespread anti-government protests. This led to the appointment of Nobel laureate Mohammad Yunus as the new Chief Adviser to the interim government, sparking tensions between the two countries.

Diplomatic relations further soured due to incidents of violence targeting Bangladeshs Hindu minority. These incidents included mob attacks, property vandalism, and desecration of places of worship.

Reports have also indicated a crackdown on Hindu priests, with some facing prosecution, raising concerns about their safety and well-being under the interim government.

Dhaka's Response to the Violence

In response to international criticism, including from India, Dhaka has maintained that the violence was a result of anger against the political opposition, particularly the ousted Hasina regime.

Authorities in Bangladesh have argued that the incidents of violence were not motivated by religious intolerance but were instead a reaction to the political turmoil, with some of the affected Hindus allegedly having ties to Hasinas Awami League party.
One Nation One Election: On September 2, 2023, the Narendra Modi government established a High-Level Committee to examine the feasibility of holding simultaneous elections in India. The committee was chaired by former President Ram Nath Kovind. After gathering suggestions, viewpoints, and comments from various stakeholders, including political parties, the committee submitted its report on March 14, 2024. The purpose of the government is to hold Parliamentary and Assembly elections in one go.

Now, the reports claim that the NDA government may table the bill either in the ongoing winter session or in the budget session next year. Congress has already opposed the bill and the INDIA bloc parties are likely to remain united in opposing the legislation.

Reports suggest that the government aims to build consensus on the proposed bill and may refer it to a Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) for thorough deliberation. The JPC is expected to engage in discussions with representatives from all political parties. Additionally, it is reported that Speakers of state assemblies, along with intellectuals from various parts of the country, may also be invited to contribute to the discussions.

BJP and Opposition Tally

According to the rule, the NDA government will require a two-thirds majority in Parliament to get the bill passed and a simple majority in 50% of the state assemblies. While the BJP-led NDA has a simple majority in the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha, getting a two-thirds majority is a tough task. In the Lok Sabha, a two-thirds majority mark is 363 out of the total 543 MPs and in the Rajya Sabha, the two-thirds majority is 164 out of the total 245 MPs. In the Lok Sabha, the BJP-led NDA has 292 seats while the INDIA bloc has 234 MPs. Likewise, in the Rajya Sabha, the NDA has 112 MPs and the opposition INDIA bloc has 85.

Can The BJP Get It Passed?

While the NDA would need a 2/3rd majority to get the bill passed, there is one catch that the BJP may look to turn in its favour. The 2/3rd rule simply means - 2/3rd of MPs present in the House on the day of voting. For example, in the Lok Sabha, if only 400 out of 543 members are present during voting, the required special majority would be 268 (calculated as two-thirds of 400 plus one). The same goes for the Rajya Sabha as well. If some opposition parties stage a walkout during the discussion and voting, the 2/3rd majority mark will come down as per the House of the strength.

As far as states are concerned, the BJP-led NDA already rules around 20 states and thus getting the bill vetted by 50% of the state assemblies is likely to be a cakewalk.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday has sharply criticized recent remarks by certain Bangladeshi politicians, who claimed that Bangladesh will occupy parts of India, including Bengal, Odisha, and Bihar.

Speaking in the West Bengal Assembly, Banerjee mocked the statements, questioning whether Indians would be handed a "lollipop" while foreign forces attempt to claim Indian territory.

Banerjee advised people to remain calm and not react impulsively to such provocations, emphasizing the need for peace and unity. She reassured the public that West Bengal would stand behind any decision made by the Indian government in response to the situation.

The comments from the Bangladeshi politicians, including a leader from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP), were widely condemned in India. Mamata Banerjee, while criticizing these claims, also acknowledged that the people of West Bengal, including imams, had condemned both the remarks and recent attacks on minorities in Bangladesh. The CM reiterated the states unwavering solidarity with Bangladeshs minority communities, reinforcing the message that peace and unity must prevail across borders.

Banerjee said, The same blood flows in the veins of Hindus, Muslims, and all other communities. We must work together to ensure that no one aggravates the situation in West Bengal.

Reiterating her partys stance, Banerjee assured that the Trinamool Congress (TMC) would adhere to the guidelines set by the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and avoid making statements on matters of foreign policy without proper coordination.

She referenced the current visit of India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Bangladesh, where he is in talks with Bangladeshi officials, and called for patience while awaiting the outcomes of these high-level discussions.
Madhya Pradesh News: A shocking incident unfolded in Madhya Pradeshs Bhopal, where a pregnant woman was reportedly denied admission to a government-run hospital in Sidhi district despite being in a critical condition.

Following the tragic incident of alleged medical negligence, the woman ended up delivering her baby outside the hospital premises on a stretcher. According to the news agency IANS, the newborn girl survived for only 30 minutes.

The shocking episode took place late Sunday night at the Sidhi district hospital.

The woman was initially admitted to a primary health centre in Majhauli, located about 50 km from Sidhi. Later, she was referred to the district hospital after her condition deteriorated.

Upon her arrival at the Sidhi district hospital on Sunday evening, her condition continued to deteriorate.

Medical staff at the district hospital subsequently referred her to Sanjay Gandhi Memorial Hospital (SGMH) in Rewa, which is nearly 70 km away.

While the womans family was preparing to transport her to Rewa, she experienced severe labour pains. Despite being in urgent need of care, the woman remained on a stretcher outside the hospital. A group of women used sarees to create a makeshift cover, under which the woman delivered her baby girl. Tragically, the newborn died 30 minutes after birth.

Following the incident, the womans family staged a protest outside the hospital, alleging gross medical negligence.

A relative of the woman Nikhil Kumar said, "She was in critical condition and urgently needed medical attention, but the hospital staff refused to admit her, claiming she had been discharged and could not be taken back. Security guards even assaulted us when we pleaded for help, as quoted by IANS.

Reacting to the uproar, Sidhi District Collector Swarochish Somavanshi has ordered an inquiry into the matter. "A detailed investigation has been initiated, and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings," the collector asserted.

The incident has drawn widespread criticism, raising questions about the state of healthcare facilities in Madhya Pradesh.

(With IANS Inputs)
Parliament Winter Session: Amid the ongoing winter session of Parliament, leaders of the opposition bloc INDIA continued their protest against the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government inside Parliament premises over the Adani issue on Monday.

The protests were joined by senior Congress leader and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi. During the protest, Congress leaders Manickam Tagore and Saptagiri Sankar Ulaka were seen wearing face masks of PM Modi and Adani Group Chairman Gautam Adani.

VIDEO | Opposition leaders hold protest against the government inside Parliament premises over the Adani issue. #ParliamentWinterSession



(Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/v8gBUJMgb1  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) December 9, 2024

Rahul Gandhi clicked pictures of Tagore and Ulaka with masks on and also asked them to describe their "relationship." Responding to Congress MPs question, they mocked PM Modi and Adani, saying, "Hum dono milke sab karenge (We will do everything together). We have had a relationship for years".

On Rahul Gandhi asking them why proceedings of Parliament had stopped because of them, the MPs replied, "He is missing today. Amit Bhai (Union Home Minister Amit Shah) did not come to the House today." The MP who portrayed Adani pointed towards his colleague wearing the Prime Ministers mask and stated, "Whatever I say, he does it."

Since the start of the Winter Session of Parliament on November 20, the two Houses have witnessed several adjournments over the opposition bloc constantly attacking the Central government for avoiding a discussion on the bribery charges in the US against Adani.
Sonia Gandhi Birthday: As former Congress president Sonia Gandhi celebrates her 78th birthday today, wishes poured in from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and her Congress party colleagues. Wishing the senior Congress leader on her birthday, PM Modi wrote, Greetings to Smt. Sonia Gandhi Ji on her birthday. I pray for her long life and good health.

Greetings to Smt. Sonia Gandhi Ji on her birthday. I pray for her long life and good health. December 9, 2024

Congress chief Mallikarjun Kharge extended his wishes and hailed her as a "true champion" of the rights of the marginalised. He said Gandhi's contribution to public life has inspired millions. Sonia Gandhi, the longest-serving Congress president, is a member of the Rajya Sabha and continues to be the chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party.

In a post on X, the Congress president extended his warm greetings to Sonia Gandhi on her birthday. "A true champion of the rights of the marginalised, embodying utmost grace, dignity and courage amidst adversity, her contribution to public life has inspired millions," Kharge said. "I wish her a long and healthy life," he added.

              ,           



        ,      , ,     pic.twitter.com/5KdblVry5F December 9, 2024

Congress general secretary in charge of the organization, K. C. Venugopal, also extended his best wishes to Gandhi and lauded her for being "an iconic leader."

"Her unparalleled contribution to India, in the face of the immense sacrifices she made, is an inspiration for millions across the world. Her guidance, during the years of good governance under PM Dr. Manmohan Singh ji, played a pivotal part in India's post-independence journey towards growth," Venugopal said in a post on X.

"Despite the continuous attacks she faces, she has shown great wisdom and commitment in her public service. Her support and vision continue to be great sources of strength for our party," he said.

My best wishes and kind regards to an iconic leader of our times, CPP Chairperson Smt. Sonia Gandhi ji on her birthday.



Her unparalleled contribution to India, in the face of the immense sacrifices she made, is an inspiration for millions across the world. Her guidance, during pic.twitter.com/Sdp0zwS20l  K C Venugopal (@kcvenugopalmp) December 9, 2024

The Congress, on its official X handle, hailed Gandhi's contribution and said she is a leader whose commitment and belief in the founding principles of India and the party are an inspiration.

"Championing women's empowerment, social justice, and inclusive growth, her vision led to the upliftment of millions of marginalized people and the strengthening of India's welfare state," the Congress said. As president of the Congress and chairperson of the UPA, she has played a pivotal role in pathbreaking reforms, it said.

From MGNREGA and the Right to Food to the Right to Education and the Right to Informationthese landmark legislations have reshaped India's political, social, and economic landscape, the party said.

"Through personal sacrifice and deep-rooted commitment to India's democratic values, she has exemplified selflessness, grace and dignity in public life. Here's wishing the Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party Sonia Gandhi ji a very happy birthday!" the party said. "May she be blessed with good health, happiness, and more strength as she continues to guide and inspire generations through her vision," the party said.

A leader whose commitment and belief in the founding principles of India and the Congress party are an inspiration.



Championing women's empowerment, social justice, and inclusive growth, her vision led to the upliftment of millions of marginalized people and the strengthening of pic.twitter.com/57WLYnXXr3  Congress (@INCIndia) December 9, 2024

Several Congress leaders extended birthday wishes to Gandhi and lauded her contribution in public life.
Mumbai: Sobhita Dhulipala recently sent fans into a frenzy when she shared unseen pictures from her wedding with actor Naga Chaitanya. The couple, who had kept their relationship low-key for the most part, surprised fans with these intimate glimpses from their special day. The pictures have gone viral, with fans admiring the couples effortless charm and undeniable chemistry.

The wedding was a celebration of love, family, and tradition. Sobhita looked ethereal in a traditional silk saree, adorned with intricate jewellery that highlighted her timeless beauty. Her elegant makeup and confident smile added a touch of modernity to her otherwise classic bridal look. Naga Chaitanya, on the other hand, embodied sophistication perfectly complementing Sobhitas attire.

The photos showcased moments that were both emotional and joyous, capturing the essence of their relationship. From candid shots of the couple laughing together to serene portraits of them during the wedding rituals, every frame told a story of love and togetherness.

Sobhita and Naga Chaitanya have been linked for some time, but they have rarely addressed their relationship publicly. Their subtle displays of affection and mutual respect have always spoken louder than words. This wedding solidifies their bond, marking a new chapter in their lives.

One of the pictures that caught fans attention was a candid shot of the two exchanging smiles during the ceremony, reflecting their deep connection and mutual admiration.

The couple opted for an intimate wedding with close family and friends, shying away from the usual Bollywood extravagance. The ceremony was held in at Annapurna Studios in Hyderabad decorated with earthy tones, flowers, and traditional elements, creating a perfect blend of simplicity and elegance.

As soon as Sobhita shared the wedding pictures , fans screamed they were meant to be together.
New Delhi: SBI Credit Cardholders must note that starting 1 December 2024, new rules have kicked in for SBI Cards.

SBI cards has issued important notice to customers stating that with effect from 1 December 2024, accrual of Reward Points on spends done on Digital Gaming Platforms/Merchants will be discontinued for certain credit cards.

List of SBI Credit Cards where Reward Points will not be applicable on Digital Gaming Platforms/Merchants From December 1

AURUM

 SBI Card ELITE

 SBI Card ELITE Advantage

 SBI Card Pulse

 SimplyCLICK SBI Card

 SimplyCLICK Advantage SBI Card

 SBI Card PRIME

 SBI Card PRIME Advantage

 SBI Card Platinum

 SBI Card PRIME Pro

 SBI Card Platinum Advantage

 Gold SBI Card

 Gold Classic SBI Card

 Gold Defense SBI Card

 Gold & More Employee SBI Card

 Gold & More Advantage SBI Card

 Gold & More SBI Card

 SimplySAVE SBI Card

 SimplySAVE Employee SBI Card

 SimplySAVE Advantage SBI Card

 Gold & More Titanium SBI Card

 SimplySAVE Pro SBI Card

 Krishak Unnati SBI Card

 SimplySAVE Merchant SBI Card

 SimplySAVE UPI SBI Card

 SIB SBI Platinum Card

 SIB SBI SimplySAVE Card

 KVB SBI Platinum Card

 KVB SBI Gold & More Card

 KVB SBI Signature Card

 Karnataka Bank SBI Platinum Card

 Karnataka Bank SBI SimplySAVE Card

 Karnataka Bank SBI Card PRIME

 Allahabad Bank SBI Card ELITE

 Allahabad Bank SBI Card PRIME

 Allahabad Bank SBI SimplySAVE Card

 City Union Bank SBI Card PRIME

 City Union Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card

 Central Bank SBI Card ELITE

 Central Bank SBI Card PRIME

 Central Bank SimplySAVE SBI card

 UCO Bank SBI Card PRIME

 UCO Bank SimplySAVE SBI Card

 UCO Bank SBI Card ELITE

 PSB SBI Card ELITE

 PSB SBI Card PRIME

 PSB SBI SimplySAVE

 SHAURYA SELECT SBI Card

2. SBI Card has added that with effect from 1 December 2024, if the sum of all Utility Payments made in a billing cycle exceeds Rs.50,000, 1% fee on Total amount of Utility payments will be applicable.
New Delhi: The Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC), the ticketing arms of Indian Railways, suffered outage affecting both app and website on Monday morning (November 9).

As per media reports, the timing of the outage has irked the users most because it clashed with the exact timings for tatkal ticket booking.

Several users across India reported issues on Downdetector, the platform that monitors service disruptions. Users witnessed problems, with some unable to log in while others said that their Tatkal bookings were massively impacted.

Meanwhile, IRCTC in its downtime message has said, "Due to maintenance activity, e-ticketing service will not be available for next one hour. Please try later. For Cancellation/file TDR please call at customer care no 14646,0755-6610661 & 0755-4090600 or mail at etckets@irctc.co.in".
Reinsurance broker Miller has named Elizabeth McGonagle as the head of Power for Asia-Pacific, effective January 2025.

Operating out of Singapore, McGonagle will report to head of Energy & Marine for Asia-Pacific Matthew Hooker.

With more than a decade of experience in the power sector, McGonagle joins Miller from Howden Singapore, where she served as regional director.

Her previous roles include a seven-year stint at Willis Towers Watson, culminating as division director for natural resources, power and renewables in Asia.

The move is part of Miller's growth strategy in the power sector and is in line with the broker's broader objectives to enhance its energy, power and construction capabilities in the region.



Hooker said: We are seeing strong demand for the specialist expertise that we have built in Asia, and I am delighted to enhance this with Lizs experience and passion. As a leading figure in the Asia power market, her decision to join us is testament to the team we are growing and further strengthens our ability to offer clients tailored solutions.

McGonagle added: The Asia-Pacific region presents immense opportunities for growth and innovation, and with Millers strong reputation and growing momentum, I look forward to building on this success and helping clients confidently navigate these challenges and opportunities.

Last month, Miller appointed Amanda Armitage as business development manager within the International Professions team, and Scott Gorman as the leader of the UK and International Professional Indemnity (PI) Wholesale team.

"Miller appoints Howden executive as APAC head of Power " was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand.




Redmi Note 14 5G Series India Launch: Xiaomi has launched the Redmi Note 14 series in the Indian market. The lineup includes the Redmi Note 14 5G, Redmi Note 14 Pro 5G, and Redmi Note 14 Pro+ 5G. The Redmi Note 14 series offers top-of-the-line features such as 3D curved glass on the front, an EV-grade battery, Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection, and Android 15-based Xiaomi HyperOS 2, enhanced with a host of AI features.

Redmi Note 14 Pro+, Redmi Note 14 Pro, Redmi Note 14 Price In India

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ is available in two variants: the 8GB + 128GB model priced at Rs 30,999, and the 12GB + 512GB variant at Rs 35,999.

The Redmi Note 14 Pro comes in two configurations as well, with the 8GB + 128GB variant priced at Rs 24,999 and the 8GB + 256GB model available for Rs 26,999. Adding further, the Redmi Note 14 5G starts at Rs 17,999, making it an affordable option in the 5G category.

Redmi Note 14 Series Availability And Exchange Bonus

The Redmi Note 14 series will be available for purchase in India starting December 13 through mi.com, Flipkart, and Xiaomi retail stores. To celebrate the launch, the company is offering an exchange bonus of Rs 1,000 along with a Rs 1,000 cashback on payments made using ICICI Bank cards.

Redmi Note 14 Pro+ Specifications:

The Redmi Note 14 Pro+ features a 6.67-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and an impressive 3,000 nits of peak brightness.

The handset is powered by the Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 SoC, it is equipped with a massive 6,200mAh battery and offers durability with Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 protection on the front and Corning Gorilla Glass 7i on the back.

Introducing the #RedmiNote14 Pro+ 5G, packed with everything you need for an unforgettable experience!



Segment's largest 6200mAh battery for all-day power

20+ AI features to make your phone smarter than ever

IP68+69 durability and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2 for pic.twitter.com/suuGBX9See  Xiaomi India (@XiaomiIndia) December 9, 2024

For photography, the device boasts a 50MP Lighthunder 800 sensor with OIS, a 50MP telephoto lens, and an 8MP ultra-wide angle lens. The Pro+ variant also includes enhanced durability with IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings, making it dust and water-resistant.

Adding further, the device comes preloaded with AI-powered editing features, such as AI Image Expansion, AI Erase Pro, AI SmartClip, and AI Cutout.

Redmi Note 14 Pro Specifications:

The Redmi Note 14 Pro features a 6.67-inch 1.5K AMOLED display with an impressive 3,000 nits of peak brightness, providing vibrant visuals. The Redmi Note 14 Pro is equipped with a 5,500mAh battery and supports 45W fast charging for quick power-ups.

The handset is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7300-Ultra SoC and 8GB of RAM, it delivers smooth performance for everyday tasks and gaming.

The #RedmiNote14 Pro 5G is here to help you be a pro every day!



With IP68+69 durability and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, it's built to withstand whatever life throws at you

Enjoy immersive visuals on the 1.5K Curved AMOLED display with 3000 nits peak brightness

 pic.twitter.com/U695SWu6Da  Xiaomi India (@XiaomiIndia) December 9, 2024

For photography, the device includes a 50MP LYT-600 sensor, an 8MP ultra-wide camera, and a 2MP macro camera for versatile shooting options. Furthermore, it boasts an IP68 + IP69 rating, ensuring water resistance up to 1.5 meters, making it durable enough to handle submersion.

Redmi Note 14 Specifications

The smartphone offers an impressive 2100 nits of peak brightness, ensuring excellent visibility even on sunny days. It is powered by a 5110mAh battery with support for 45W fast charging, allowing for quick power-ups and all-day usage.

The #RedmiNote14 5G has it ALL!



2100 nits peak brightness  perfect for sunny days

50MP Sony camera  capture the sharpest shots every time

45W charging & 5110mAh battery  power up fast, go all day

Dolby Atmos dual stereo speakers  experience sound like never pic.twitter.com/s0C2mXKpnT  Xiaomi India (@XiaomiIndia) December 9, 2024

On the photography front, the smartphone is enhanced by a 50MP camera, delivering crisp and detailed shots. Adding further, the inclusion of Dolby Atmos dual stereo speakers provides an immersive audio experience like never before.
Syrian Crisis: After the dramatic downturn of Syrias Bashar al-Assad regime, Russia has granted asylum to the fallen leader and family out of humanitarian considerations. Syrian rebels seized control of Damascus on Sunday, compelling President Bashar al-Assad to flee. The development has become a critical point of focus for neighboring nations, raising regional tensions.

The Russian Foreign Ministry voiced deep concern over the situation in Syria on Sunday. It urged all parties to abandon violence and seek political solutions through negotiations. "Russia has always spoken in favour of a political settlement of the Syrian crisis. We insist that the UN-mediated talks be resumed," ANI cited Russian news agencys source.

The Moscow source added that Assad has stepped down and given instructions for a peaceful transition of power. He further said, "Russian officials are in touch with representatives of armed Syrian opposition, whose leaders have guaranteed security of Russian military bases and diplomatic missions on the Syrian territory," the source added, TASS reported.

Meanwhile, a statement from Russian Foreign Ministry said, "We are following the dramatic events in Syria with extreme concern. As a result of negotiations between B Assad and a number of participants in the armed conflict in the SAR, he decided to leave the presidential post and left the country, giving instructions to transfer power peacefully. Russia did not participate in these negotiations."

"In this regard, the Russian Federation is in contact with all groups of the Syrian opposition. We call for respect for the opinions of all ethno-confessional forces of Syrian society, and support efforts to establish an inclusive political process based on the unanimously adopted UN Security Council Resolution 2254," the statement added.

The Syrian civil war, dormant for years, reignited in recent weeks. Rebel groups swiftly captured key cities, including Aleppo, Homs, and Daraa. On Sunday, they took control of Damascus unopposed, ending nearly six decades of Assad family rule.

Hours before seizing the capital, rebels claimed victory in Homs, Syrias third-largest city. Opposition leader Hadi al-Bahra declared Damascus 'without Bashar al-Assad,' according to Reuters.
Following the departure of former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who sought asylum in Russia, Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali has pledged to restore stability during Syria's transitional period.

During an interview with Sky News Arabia, Jalali claimed that "most" cabinet ministers were continuing their work from offices in Damascus despite the ongoing turmoil.

Jalali stated, We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth. He also revealed that the government is coordinating with rebel forces and expressed openness to meeting Ahmad al-Sharaa, also known as Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, the leader of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

Government Operations in Damascus

Despite fears of reprisals from armed rebel groups, some government officials have begun adjusting to the new circumstances. Judge Khitam Haddada of the Damascus Court of Justice expressed a commitment to restoring judicial functions. We want to give everyone their rights. We aim to build a new Syria and adopt new methods, Haddada stated outside the courthouse.

Many shops and government institutions remained Damascus closed in on Monday. Residents gathered in public squares to celebrate Assad's departure, while others queued at bakeries and food stores as public transport services were suspended.

What is UN saying?

Adam Abdelmoula, the United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria, noted that the abrupt shift in power has left public services paralyzed. Many government employees, fearing instability, have chosen to stay home.

This country has been under one government for over five decades. Now, those once vilified by state media are in control of the capital, Abdelmoula said. He also highlighted delays in medical aid delivery as aviation staff abandoned their posts amidst the uncertainty.

Rebels Reassure Citizens Amid Sparse Security

Rebel forces have sought to reassure Damascus residents, with fighters urging citizens to cooperate. A video from the Mezzeh neighborhood featured a rebel stating, We have no issue with Alawites, Christians, Shiites, or Druze. Everyone must act responsibly, and no one should attempt to harm us.

The rebel leadership has pledged representative governance and religious tolerance, with an official statement affirming that they would not impose restrictions on womens dress. It is strictly forbidden to interfere with womens clothing or impose requests related to their appearance, including suggestions of modesty, the groups General Command announced.
CFOTO / Future Publishing / Getty Images Nvidia's display at a technology conference in Shanghai, China on Sept. 5, 2024





Key Takeaways

Nvidia shares slipped Monday after a Chinese regulator said it is investigating the chipmaker.

The State Administration for Market Regulation said it is investigating Nvidia over its 2020 acquisition of Mellanox Technologies.

Regulators in China and other nations approved the deal, with Chinese officials requiring conditions such as Nvidia not discriminating against its companies.







Nvidia (NVDA) shares moved lower Monday after China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) said it is investigating the chipmaking giant for potential violations of the country's anti-monopoly laws.

The antitrust regulator said Monday that it is looking into Nvidia over the chipmaker's 2020 acquisition of Israeli-American networking hardware maker Mellanox Technologies. SAMR said it "is opening a probe into Nvidia in accordance with law," according to a translation from CNBC.

In a statement provided to Investopedia, a company spokesperson wrote, "NVIDIA wins on merit, as reflected in our benchmark results and value to customers, and customers can choose whatever solution is best for them. We work hard to provide the best products we can in every region and honor our commitments everywhere we do business. We are happy to answer any questions regulators may have about our business."

The $6.9 billion deal was announced in March 2019 and completed in April 2020, days after the same Chinese regulators signed off on the deal along with regulators in Europe, Mexico, and the U.S.

Approval for the deal came with the conditions from Chinese regulators that Nvidia wouldn't discriminate against its companies and that Mellanox informed competitors of new products within 90 days of providing them to Nvidia, according to Bloomberg.

Shares of the chipmaker that have surged thanks to the artificial intelligence (AI) boom were down about 2% Monday afternoon to $139.61, but still have risen more than 180% since the start of the year.

UPDATEThis article has been updated with a statement from Nvidia, additional information, and the latest share price movements.

Read the original article on Investopedia
By Valentina Za

MILAN (Reuters) -UniCredit is ready to sit down with Credit Agricole, a spokesperson for the Italian bank said in a LinkedIn post after the French lender increased its potential stake in Unicredit's takeover target Banco BPM.

UniCredit's bid for its smaller peer prompted Credit Agricole to say on Friday it had entered derivatives that would raise its stake in BPM to 15% from 9.9% once the European Central Bank gives its green light.

"Yesterday's news about Credit Agricole's increased stake in BPM changes nothing for UniCredit," the spokesperson for UniCredit said on social media network LinkedIn.

"We were always prepared to negotiate with CA, as this would have been necessary whatever the scale of their shareholding."

Sources with knowledge of the French bank's strategy have told Reuters Credit Agricole's focus is to protect the commercial partnerships that allow it to sell its products in Italy. Credit Agricole has ruled out a full buyout of BPM, in which it is the single biggest shareholder.

"UniCredit's early move made Credit Agricole's investment more expensive and more complicated. BPM shareholders should not welcome this development," the UniCredit spokesperson said.

UniCredit last month claimed a seat at Italy's bank consolidation table by launching a 10 billion euro ($11 billion) all-share unsolicited bid for Banco BPM.

The move scuppered plans by the Rome government to broker a merger between BPM and state-backed Monte dei Paschi di Siena. Both banks partner with fund manager Anima Holding, which Banco BPM is in the process of taking over.

On Saturday, sources told Reuters that Credit Agricole had got informal backing from the Rome government prior to announcing its increased stake in Banco BPM.

The UniCredit spokesperson warned BPM shareholders they should be wary of a potential combination of BPM with the Italian business of Credit Agricole, or of any attempt to merge BPM with Monte dei Paschi.

A bid for Monte dei Paschi is a possible defence strategy for BPM, which has spurned UniCredit's offer as too cheap.

"Credit Agricole's likely options would be to merge BPM with Credit Agricole Italia (on attractive terms for Credit Agricole) or face a complicated combination with Monte dei Paschi. Both of these routes would destroy BPM shareholder value," the UniCredit spokesperson said.($1 = 0.9463 euros)

(Reporting by Valentina Za, editing by Gavin Jones)
The Transportation Security Administration anticipates screening more than 100,000 people at Colorado Springs Airport, and more than 39 million travelers at airports across the U.S., between Dec. 19 and Jan. 2, the official end-of-the-year holiday season.
Rep. Iman Jodeh, D-Aurora, told Colorado Politics she would run for the Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Janet Buckner.
The longtime presiding judge of the Denver Juvenile Court, D. Brett Woods, retired from the bench on Friday amid a misconduct investigation whose details are still unclear.
Colorado Supreme Court says license plate corresponding to other vehicle is grounds for stopping driver

However, the Supreme Court stopped short of finding the search of the defendant's vehicle constitutional, as the trial judge needed to explore when in the encounter the deputies noticed drug paraphernalia
A third-party investigation into how voting equipment passwords were posted online concluded that the Secretary of State's Office failed to review documents before posting them online but that the mistake was "unintentional."
A member of the federal appeals court based in Denver moderated a discussion earlier this fall about public nuisance lawsuits, including one pending before the Colorado Supreme Court seeking to hold oil and gas producers accountable for climate change.
Psilocybin mushrooms are seen in a grow room at the Procare farm in Hazerswoude, Netherlands, in a 2007 file photo. (Peter Dejong, Associated Press)
Two Colorado Springs police officers sustained minor injuries after being assaulted by a burglary suspect on Saturday, law enforcement officials said.

Jody Jackson, 53, is currently being held at the El Paso County Jail on $10,000 bail and faces several charges including burglary and assault on a peace officer, according to a blotter entry.

At about 4:35 p.m. Saturday, police received a call about a burglary in progress at an office in the 600 block of Southpointe Court, east of Highway 115. The caller, an office employee, said they had been working in an office when they heard someone trying to break down the door. The suspect kept hitting the door despite warnings that police had been called. The man eventually broke the door open, but the caller was able to exit safely, police said.

Responding officers found the suspect, later identified as Jackson, inside an office and tried to get him to surrender. Jackson allegedly ignored commands and fought with the officers despite one of them deploying a Taser, police said.

After the officers subdued Jackson, he was treated for minor injuries at a nearby hospital and booked into the jail.

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Both officers were able to return to duty.
Derrick Patrick Bernard is the figure at the center of a federal indictment and political dust-up involving an alleged hate crime hoax in the closing days of the 2023 Colorado Springs mayoral election.

But before his complicated career in Colorado Springs, Bernard had already had his share of run-ins with the law in his home state.

Born in Florida in 1989, Bernard was 15 when state records indicate he was first arrested for petty theft. Just two months later he would be arrested again, this time for felony burglary and grand theft.

More charges would follow: possessing an incendiary device at school, trespassing on school grounds, more petty larceny, probation violation, contempt of court, and marijuana possession all before the age of 18.

Turning 18, and thus a full-fledged adult in the eyes of the Florida justice system, did not seem to dissuade Bernard. He was convicted of conducting a home invasion with a weapon just months after his birthday, and sentenced to four years of prison.

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He served around two years.

Having served his first prison term, Bernard faced a smattering of probation violation charges. In the years that followed he would face a series of serious felonies, including grand theft, aggravated battery with a firearm and even attempted first-degree murder  but all of those charges were eventually dropped.

Sometime during his life in Florida, Bernard joined a Bloods-affiliated street gang, according to Colorado Springs police.

Bernard says he moved to Colorado Springs in early 2016.
Wanted

Pikes Peak Area Crime Stoppers is asking for the publics help finding the following people for whom felony arrest warrants have been issued.

Andrew Benjamin Burton  age 33, 6 feet 2 inches tall, 340 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, sought on suspicion of failure to register as sex offender, theft  at risk, identity theft, attempted murder 1, violent crime, assault 1, habitual criminal, theft and possession of weapon by previous offender.

Kevin Michael Chester  age 41, 5 feet 10 inches tall, 160 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, sought on suspicion of felony menacing and theft.

Isaiah Bruce Lorenzo Colbert  age 18, 5 feet 7 inches tall, 120 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, sought on suspicion of attempted murder 1, murder 1  extreme indifference, reckless endangerment, aggravated robbery, felony menacing, assault 2  strangulation, assault 3, assault 1, harassment, possession of drug paraphernalia, protection order violation, possession of large capacity magazine, possession of weapon by previous offender, repeat juvenile offender and possession of controlled substance with intent to sell.

Alexandria Nicole Callis Delisi  age 38, 5 feet 3 inches tall, 155 pounds, with black hair and green eyes. She is sought on suspicion of attempted aggravated robbery, assault 3, theft, ID theft, expired plates, driving under restraint, criminal possession of financial device, criminal possession of ID document and attempted aggravated motor vehicle theft.

Brian James Lichtle  age 34, 5 feet 11 inches tall, 165 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, sought on suspicion of burglary 1, assault 3, expired plates, no insurance, driving without a license, felony menacing and harassment.

Journey Jatayvian McClinton  age 22, 6 feet 2 inches tall, 290 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes, sought on suspicion of harassment, violation of protection order, child abuse, resisting arrest, criminal mischief, stalking and obstruction.

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Alberto Nicolas Orozco-Velasco  age 29, 5 feet 6 inches tall, 120 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, sought on suspicion of attempted robbery, assault 3, harassment, kidnapping 2, assault 2, false imprisonment, motor vehicle theft, possession of controlled substance and obstructing a peace officer.

Ryan Todd Orr  age 38, 5 feet 9 inches tall, 180 pounds, with brown hair and blue eyes, sought on suspicion of attempted sexual assault on a child, fraud by check, possession of controlled substance and driving under restraint.

Remain anonymous

If you have information about these fugitives or a serious crime, call Crime Stoppers at 719-634-7867.

You will never be asked for your name or identification and you could earn a reward of as much as $1,000 for information given to Crime Stoppers.

A list of featured fugitives wanted in the Pikes Peak region is on the Crime Stoppers website: crimestop.net.

The people with the following Crime Stoppers numbers need to call 719-444-7866: 277-M26524, 277-M26602, 277-M26948, 277-M26941.
An El Paso County sheriff's lieutenant was arrested last week and faces misdemeanor assault charges for allegedly hitting his soon-to-be ex-wife, according to an arrest affidavit obtained by The Gazette.

Paul Allen Mynatt, 42, was arrested on Saturday after assaulting his estranged wife, as the couple were in the tail end of divorce proceedings and had been separated for several months, according to the affidavit.

According to the arrest affidavit, the victim went to Mynatt's apartment to talk because it was the day of their 10-year anniversary and Mynatt had told the victim todays tough for me. The conversation between Mynatt and the victim began well, but Mynatt began to get upset when he accused the victim of communicating with other men.

The affidavit states that a verbal altercation began and Mynatt took the victims phone to prove that she was speaking with other men. Allegedly, when the victim went to reach for her phone Mynatt pinned her to the ground and struck her in the face with his palm.

When police made contact with the victim, they noted within the affidavit that her upper lip was swollen and bleeding, she had several small scratches on her arms and her right wrist was swollen and red. The affidavit adds that all injuries were consistent with the struggle she described.

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After the assault, the victim informed police she went back to Mynatts apartment because she was still worried about his well-being, but when she returned Mynatt called the police. The victim told police she was shocked Mynatt called the police given what happened.

Mynatt currently faces one count of misdemeanor assault and one count of misdemeanor harassment involving a strike, shove or kick. Mynatt posted a $3,000 personal recognizance bond to be released from custody the same day of his arrest.

A news release from the El Paso County Sheriffs Office issued on Saturday states that Mynatt, who joined the Sheriff's Office in February 2007, has been placed on administrative leave in accordance with policy.

Mynatt will return to court Dec. 17.
Early morning in the basement level of Heidi Mathers Colorado Springs house is a scene of controlled chaos. She and a handful of aides wrangle a group of children from infant to preschool aged, who draw, play and babble in all corners of the space. Each child needs constant and individualized attention from the early morning drop-off to a parents after-work pickup.

Mather has been a professional care provider in the area for decades, but things may be more difficult for her business now than ever.

It just seems like the funding is dipping, dipping, dipping, she said.

As costs increase for Mather due to state facility requirements and business overhead, she must walk a fine line between remaining affordable for her client families and riding out a period of anemic state funding.

Many of her current families cannot afford a rate that would allow her to stay in business, so she opens about half of her slots to the Colorado Child Care Assistance Program, a statewide child care subsidy administered by El Paso County and used by thousands of families. With the program on an enrollment freeze announced in November, Mather is concerned for parents and for her business.

It keeps getting harder and harder, she said.

Mather is not alone. Just as the enrollment freeze signals trouble ahead for low-income parents, many in the industry are sounding the alarm about the long-term stability of quality early childhood education and care in El Paso County. Without systemic changes and outside funding, insiders say the state of early childhood education and care in El Paso County may only deteriorate.

This impacts absolutely everyone, said Liz Denson, executive director of Early Connections Learning Centers in Colorado Springs.

A cycle of chaos

For a long time now, math for the early childhood industry has not been adding up in the Pikes Peak region.

According to local social services organization Joint Initiatives, El Paso County has about 16,000 fewer slots open for children ages birth to 5 than are needed, a situation that has steadily gotten worse since the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out about 9% of area day care facilities. Rates for child care statewide have steadily increased, with the average cost of infant care now in the tens of thousands each year.

At the same time, remaining providers say they are struggling to make ends meet with high employee turnover and a majority of clientele who cannot pay market rates. For Denson, that means relying more and more each year on charitable donations to keep the doors open for one of El Paso Countys largest and oldest early child care providers.

Early Connections is a nonprofit founded in 1897 in Colorado Springs and has grown to five centers serving over 300 children. About 60% of children receiving care are enrolled in assistance, said Denson, while families who were not eligible for the state subsidy program pay tuition on a sliding scale based on income. Despite government subsidy rates falling well below market, Early Connections makes less money in tuition from private pay clients than those on assistance due to its sliding scale.

Families cant afford the true cost of child care, she said.

For Early Connections, child care assistance dollars and grant funding are how its centers make up the difference between what parents can pay and the actual business costs, including salaries for qualified early education professionals. With an enrollment freeze, the nonprofit must rely on philanthropy for up to about $182,000 in dropped enrollment from children aging out of assistance and not being replaced.

If the indefinite enrollment freeze continues past next year, the century-old center will need to adjust to losses in the hundreds of thousands.

Were struggling to keep up, she said. We cant just pass that charge onto parents and cant pass the charge onto counties and states.

As a nonprofit, Early Connections is still in a better spot than small business providers like Mathers, who have no other revenue stream to make up the difference in enrollment. While many centers and in-home providers have long waitlists for slots, those may go unfilled without subsidy dollars to pay the tuition that most families cannot afford.

The problems incurred by the freeze are worse in parts of Colorado Springs and the county where the few providers that still exist have been accepting high rates of child care assistance. Kelly Hurtado, the chief operating officer of Joint Initiatives, said that some neighborhoods in southeast Colorado Springs and Fountain have as much as 70% to 90% child care assistance enrollment among children in care.

She said that many providers in those areas struggle to maintain enough revenue to stay in business, contributing to widening geographical gaps in care.

We kind of see this cycle of chaos that happens in those programs, she said.

Sandra Black is an in-home provider in Fountain with about half of her families enrolled in assistance. She said that the program, though not generous in its reimbursements, has kept her afloat while also allowing her to provide professional quality care to families who could not otherwise afford it. She said she was among just a handful of providers in the city.

Its important to me that these kids get the same chances that private care kids get, she said.

Checking boxes

The end of child care assistance enrollments is a big blow to the industry, but its impact is hitting a sector struggling under more than just market forces. Some point to burdensome regulations that make it difficult to open and maintain a business, driving an unlicensed shadow industry that undercuts licensed providers.

Regulations on the industry have increased in the past decade, said Hurtado. Some requirements are in response to new research, while others are in response to prior child abuse and neglect cases. Licensing in Colorado Springs is conducted through a state-contracted agency called the Institute for Racial Equity and Excellence, which conducts pre-licensing and drop-in inspections on facilities.

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Facility requirements are strict and, in some cases, require major overhead costs for a daycare provider who can expect thin profit margins. As an example, Hurtado said that an in-home care provider may be required to install a new regulation fence around their yard to the tune of about $15,000.

If youre a family child care provider, thats probably not a sum of money that you have to invest in your business, she said.

State and federal funding for mandated upgrades is available through agencies like Joint Initiatives, but as COVID-19 stimulus funds dry up so, too, has grant money. Mathers said that she applied for and received about $7,500 to install new doors at her in-home facility. She ordered the doors, then the money was revoked.

They were out of money, she said. They pulled the funding and gave me nothing.

Hurtado said that the funds Joint Initiatives authorized to disburse to providers through the Colorado Department of Early Childhood are just about depleted halfway through the 2024-2025 fiscal year.

A majority of those funds have already been spoken for, she said.

While effective regulations help keep children safe and ensure a high quality of care, Denson says some rules can be hoops to jump through for smaller providers without the ability to take out a business loan or push through startup costs.

The result? Some providers are choosing not to pursue a license at all, forgoing any government regulation. In Colorado it is legal to care for up to four children including your own without a license. With the lowest tier of child care licensing, that number increases to just six children.

Marie Steier, the director of Purple Mountain Playroom in northeast Colorado, is currently an unlicensed care provider. While she has accreditation and wants to open a licensed center once her paperwork goes through, the process is costly.

Every time I thought, All right, box is checked, three more things popped up, she said.

In the meantime, she is not struggling to find clients. While Steier stays strictly below the state-mandated amount of children she can have in her care, she has heard of other unlicensed care providers taking on more children than allowed. She said the child care shortage makes families happy to find what they can.

We need more providers than we have now, she said.

Unlicensed care is a big worry for providers like Black and Mathers, whose business model is not much different but for costly regulations. Without child care assistance as an option for parents, they are worried families will resort to unlicensed care at lower rates.

A lot of unlicensed providers undercut even (the child care assistance program), said Black.

The process for flagging illegal day cares has improved in recent years, but unlicensed care facilities still receive vastly less scrutiny than those operated under a license. The Colorado Department of Early Childhood publicizes unlicensed facilities that have received cease-and-desist letters, often after multiple complaints and an investigation.

Ive seen that be really effective, said Hurtado. I think that really shakes families up and makes them want to find different care.

Still, she said it was difficult and labor intensive to root out illegal businesses, acknowledging that many of the 16,000 children in need of day care in El Paso County are likely in some form of unlicensed or informal care. Joint Initiative has a program to help care providers in the friends, family and neighbors network of unlicensed care providers get access to help and education.

Those care providers were the least linked to resources, she said.

While informal care for young children is legal and accepted, cases of abuse can be major. In 2021, a Colorado Springs woman named Carla Marie Faith was found guilty on multiple counts of child abuse after multiple complaints led to the discovery of 26 children in a basement concealed behind a false wall in her home. Faith was up for parole this year, according to Gazette news partner KOAA.

Oh, my goodness, have we seen what can happen to children when those regulations arent put in place? said Hurtado.

A lot of heart

Across the board, El Paso County providers say funding is what they need to keep going. El Paso County Department of Human Services has blamed the countywide freeze on child care assistance on state legislation increasing the reimbursement rate for providers, as have the six other counties that have put holds on their programs or instituted waitlists in the past year.

Denson said she was concerned that requirements passed on the state and federal level meant to revamp child care assistance may do the opposite without money to back the changes. By 2026, the program will need to pay providers in advance instead of after each month of care, for enrollment rather than attendance, and at a higher overall rate.

Families in the program will also pay no more than 7% of their yearly income through the subsidy, regardless of how many children they have enrolled.

While an effective reform in theory and a needed boost to providers, Denson said that lawmakers were not doing anything so far to prevent the changes from becoming an unfunded mandate.

Thats just another drain on the pot of money available, she said.

On the local level, some Colorado counties have taken proactive action in the issue. For example, Summit County voted in 2022 to approve a lodging tax to fund and affordable housing. While no such measure is currently in talks in El Paso County, Denson said she hoped something similar might come on the table.

She said child care, long dominated by women and people of color, has always been an underappreciated and underpaid profession.

It takes a lot of heart and a lot of passion to work with these little bodies, these little humans, she said.
Tejon Street will be filled with colorful floats, dazzling lights, and Christmas joy as the Festival of Lights Parade returns to Colorado Springs Saturday night.

The beloved event will return for its 40th year, bringing holiday cheer downtown. The annual parade will feature nearly 100 unique floats, immersing Tejon in the holiday spirit.

This year's theme is "celebrating the holiday season through the sights and sounds."

Here's what to know about this year's Festival of Lights parade:

When and where

The Festival of Lights parade will take place Saturday, Dec. 7 at 5:50 p.m.

The parade will begin at the intersection of Boulder and Tejon streets, continuing along Tejon, and ending at Vermijo Avenue.

Parking

With any major event happening downtown, finding parking can be a hassle. This year, there will be free parking at these downtown parking garages the entire day of the parade:

Bijou-Cascade parking garage located at 215 N. Cascade Ave.

Nevada-Colorado parking garage located at 130 S. Nevada Ave.

Kiowa-Nevada parking garage located at 127 E. Kiowa St.

Note: Click on each location for a Google map of the garage

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Festivities ahead of the parade

Visit the Pioneer's Museum for a free holiday celebration ahead of the parade from 2 to 6 p.m. The festival will feature musical performances, crafts, face painting, and many more family-friendly activities. Starting at 6, the museum will serve hot cocoa and cookies. RSVP for the event here.

Before the parade, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum will host a Winter Celebration from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The event will feature athlete meet-and-greets, indoor curling, artifact demos, and much more. Visitors will also have the chance to hold the Olympic torch.

Click here to purchase USOPM tickets.

Tuba Christmas

Enjoy holiday tunes at the annual Tuba Christmas performance just before the parade at 3:30 p.m. at Acacia Park.

Food Truck Villages

Savor different flavors of cuisine at three food truck villages open during and before the parade.

The food truck villages will be open from 1 to 9 p.m. at the Pioneer's Museum, Platte Avenue and Tejon Street, and Kiowa Street and Tejon.

For more information about the parade and related events, visit the Festival of Lights official website.
The Fountain Creek Watershed District has moved their public meeting on bank stabilization online.

The district asks attendees log-in by 5:50 p.m. tonight at https://us06web.zoom.us/j/86124461814.

South of Colorado Springs, Fountain Creek has cut into deeply into the sandy soil, leaving a soaring bank about 50 feet high, so unstable an adjacent road has been closed since 2020.

The Fountain Creek Watershed District started work in November to stabilize the area east of Camping World and north of the Mesa Ridge Parkway exit along Interstate 25. The work is intended to stabilize the eastern bank, a vertical wall that's eroded so badly it's threatening Southmoor Drive, explained Executive Director Allison Schuch.

But right now crews are focused on the western bank, taking out trees and other vegetation ahead of moving the river to the west so they can work on the problematic eastern side. They are expected to put in large, salvaged trees from a burn scar to help stabilize the bank, Schuch said.

Schuch expects the work will go through the spring of next year and help slow the dramatic erosion that the area has been seeing.

It's a step that is expected to benefit downstream water users, such as the farmers in the Arkansas Valley, she said.

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"We're playing a very vital role in protecting our creeks and our communities to ensure clean water and safer communities and resilient ecosystems," Schuch said.

This the first highly visible project for the district, she said, but it's put in 13 projects along Fountain Creek that's prevented 150,000 tons of material from eroding into the creek.

The district relies largely on $50 million from Colorado Springs Utilities to fund projects. The funding was required by Pueblo County as part of the permit it issued to allow the construction of the Southern Delivery System, a large pipeline that brings water from Pueblo Reservoir to Colorado Springs, Schuch said.

Pueblo County wanted to see Utilities address some of the issues that sending more water down Fountain Creek would create, such as more erosion and habitat loss. The funding is set aside to for the mainstem of Fountain Creek in the southern part of the watershed, she said.

This project is a partnership and received $600,000 from the city of Fountain, $700,000 in grant funds from the Colorado Water Conservation Board and $4.9 million from the district.

While it looks a little messy right now from the Fountain Creek Regional Trail that runs adjacent to the site, crews expect to put in cottonwoods and willows to restore the landscape, Schuch said. Healthy, low-lying vegetation can help absorb floods, and it's a strategy she suggests to other property owners seeing problems.

The Fountain Creek Nature Center has a display about the work that's open to the public.
Denver Mayor Mike Johnstons response to the president-elects illegal immigration deportation strategy has prompted one Colorado town to push back  again.

Since Johnston took office in July 2023, Denver has welcomed nearly 43,000 immigrants, most whom illegally crossed the southern border, into Colorados most populous city.

Johnston, a Democrat, recently made national headlines when he told local news blog Denverite the citys police and 50,000 Denverites would not comply with President-elect Donald Trumps plans to deport thousands of immigrants currently residing illegally in the Mile High City. Denvers mayor even suggested hed go to jail if necessary.

In Castle Rock, a town 25 miles south of Denver and within Republican-dominated Douglas County, town councilmember and Colorado House District 45 Rep.-elect Max Brooks, a Republican, called Johnstons anti-deportation response insurrectionist rhetoric.

Brooks balked at Johnstons push to care for immigrants in Denver, lamenting he defunded several departments to fund the citys immigration response.

He defunded law enforcement to fund the asylum seekers for illegal migrants, and yet he thinks (Denver police) was going to turn around and stand shoulder to shoulder with him at the Denver county line defending against federal authorities that are coming in towards illegal migrants, Brooks said.

Its laughable, he said.

The Johnston administration redirected funds from current programs and agencies in order to pay for the citys immigration response. More specifically, the mayors office froze hiring for some positions in the public safety department.

Three months ago, Castle Rock Town Council passed a motion to research language for a lawsuit against Denver over its sanctuary city status. Brooks, who filed that motion, said on Thursday that lawsuit consideration is on pause in lieu of what might happen with the new administration.

Most recently on Tuesday, Brooks  along with the seven-member town council  unanimously passed another motion. Councilmembers agreed to direct town staff to prepare a declaration supporting Trumps deportation plans. That declaration expects to face a town council vote within the next two meetings, according to Brooks.

Trump campaign officials, when previously asked how his deportation pledge would be carried out, said Trump would begin the largest deportation program in U.S. history. A spokesperson said Trump would marshal every federal and state power necessary to institute the largest deportation operation of illegal criminals, drug dealers, and human traffickers.

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In his new position, Brooks said he plans on reintroducing state House Bill 24-1128, a failed proposal last year that intended to reverse the 2006 senate bill (06-090).

The proposed 2023 laws intention was to allow law enforcement to report, with probable cause, anyone not legally in the U.S. to the federal immigration and customs enforcement office, according to HB24-1128.

From the law enforcement perspective, Douglas County Sheriff Darren Weekly told The Denver Gazette we dont have the authority to arrest people who are in this country illegally, but added local law enforcement can arrest immigrants committing crimes and that those would be the first people to be deported.

Douglas County, along with Elbert County, in April filed a lawsuit against the state of Colorado over its sanctuary statutes that restrict local law enforcement officials from working with federal authorities on illegal immigration, arguing they are unconstitutional and preempted by federal laws.

Brooks said he expects to push against anti-deportation efforts when he becomes the representative of HD45, which covers Castle Rock and surrounding area.

I feel like its the duty of this job, whether its as a representative in the legislature or or as a member of Castle Rock Town Council, the job is very clear to me, Brooks said, and that is to represent the views, the wishes, the desires of your constituency.

In response to Douglas Countys pushback, Jon Ewing, a spokesperson for Johnstons office, told The Denver Gazette we will always remain a welcoming city that supports our neighbors, whether you were born and raised here or recently arrived.

Castle Rock councilmembers, including Douglas County commissioners and Sheriff Weekly, have decried a growing immigrant population within the county directly south of Denver.

Federal law supersedes state law, but I dont know what thats going to look like after January, Weekly said.

The sheriff concluded: If you are an illegal migrant and you commit a crime in Douglas County, we can identify positively who you are, or know that youre going to show up for court, that there will be a custodial arrest.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
For years, Colorado Parks and Wildlife officers have driven out to the eastern plains in the middle of the night, a predators hunting hours, in hopes of spotting a pair of green, gleaming eyes.

Officers are expected to do just that sometime next year, out on a sweeping ranch near Lamar. This is where they recently released 17 black-footed ferrets in the latest attempt to boost the population of whats been called North Americas rarest mammal.

As a Colorado Parks and Wildlife report plainly put it last month: Black-footed ferrets are endangered and the work to restore them is hard.

In Colorado, work began in 2001. Black-footed ferrets were reintroduced in the states northwest, only to die of plague like other released groups in the years to come.

For decades across the Great Plains, those late-night scouting trips have all too often ended with no sign of life  no sign of those little green eyes peeking out of burrows.

Those eyes are on the lookout for prairie dogs, the main prey of the slender carnivore native to the American West. Historic threats to that prey spelled the demise of the black-footed ferret: Westward expansion came with converting the prairie to agricultural fields and a government campaign to wipe out prairie dogs.

The black-footed ferret was long thought to be extinct. Then, in 1981, a Wyoming ranch dog named Shep happened upon one.

The discovery spurred scientists to action; they rushed to the ranch to retrieve 18 black-footed ferrets that quickly dwindled to seven. Those seven would be used for breeding the next generation, which would struggle one generation after another.

This was the start of the multi-state, multi-agency mission to restore the black-footed ferret. And, indeed, it is a hard mission.

Despite vaccines and efforts to guard against predators, such as coyotes and raptors, the species struggled to regain native ground. The program that started out of Wyoming in the 1980s has reportedly bred more than 11,000 black-footed ferrets. Hundreds are thought to live in the wild today.

Small groups are released after going through the National Black-Footed Ferret Conservation Center in northern Colorado.

Sylvatic plague is our largest hurdle to recovery, said the centers Robyn Bortner. It can take out entire sites, and it has.

But now, perhaps, theres hope beyond that sight of green eyes in the dark.

The recent news came like a page out of a sci-fi book.

Read the press release: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and conservation partners are excited to announce a groundbreaking achievement in endangered species research: the first-ever birth of black-footed ferrets produced by a cloned endangered animal.

The cloned black-footed ferret, Antonia, produced two kits, a male and female, at the Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Virginia. The organizations senior curator, Paul Marinari, called it a major milestone in endangered species conservation.

A previous milestone was marked at the National Black-Footed Conservation Center outside Fort Collins. There in 2020, the first cloned black-footed ferret was born  North Americas first endangered animal cloned as part of a conservation program.

Elizabeth Ann resides at the center still today, a couple of years after failed attempts to mate and produce kits of her own. While shy around visitors who come to admire her through a window, shes a very happy and healthy ferret, Bortner said.

That the first clone remains such a draw is no surprise. Her existence alone was amazing, Bortner said. But in order for (clones) to benefit the population, they need to reproduce so we can incorporate their genetics in the larger population.

This was the upshot of the cloning idea, using cells that had been cryopreserved for 35 years: to expand the species genetic diversity, from one generation to the next.

Other than Elizabeth Ann, Antonia, a third clone named Noreen and now Antonias offspring, the hundreds of black-footed ferrets living today all descend from those seven founders retrieved from that Wyoming ranch in the 1980s. This narrow genetic pool has worried biologists.

Biologists know the perils of genetic bottlenecks: deformities and limits to fertility and adaptability  adaptability to stand against, say, disease and a changing environment.

It comes down to, would you want to marry your first cousin? said Ben Novak, lead scientist for Revive and Restore.

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The California-based nonprofit has coordinated the cloning initiative, guiding partners with Fish and Wildlife and ViaGen Pets. The Texas-based company recreated peoples dogs, cats and farm animals before black-footed ferrets.

It was a neat project, said ViaGens chief science officer, Shawn Walker. I mean, how often do you get the federal government to step up and do something like this?

It was a government representative, Fish and Wildlifes Seth Willey, who inquired in the first place. Read the subject line of his email sent to Revive and Restore: Out of the box.

In 2013, Willey had sat in on Revive and Restores TEDx talk that explored bold possibilities of de-extinction through biotechnology.

Basically, he said, If you guys are contemplating bringing back extinct species, there has to be some way you can help black-footed ferrets, Novak recalled.

Novak reached out to his contact at San Diegos Frozen Zoo, which preserves a vast collection of animal genetic material in tanks of liquid nitrogen.

Was there anything from black-footed ferrets? Novak asked one of the zookeepers.

And he got really excited. He said, Yeah, weve got these two cell lines!

One belonged to a black-footed ferret named Willa, among the larger group of 18 retrieved from Wyoming in the 80s. Long before Dolly the sheep, biologists had the foresight to bank that tissue, Bortner said, amazed.

Willa was missing from todays black-footed ferret gene pool that came down to the seven founders. And Novak saw the potential: The first time in history that people have been able to reach back in time and revive a new founder for a breeding program like this.

For longtime conservationists gathered at a meeting in 2014, Novak needed to do some convincing: We were the new kids on the block. We were met with skepticism.

Years of more research, testing and development did the convincing. There was another another long process for an unprecedented federal permit. In 2020, ViaGen got the go-ahead; and, thus, launched the process of somatic cell nuclear transfer.

Willas genetic material was injected into an egg to be carried by a domestic ferret. The domestic ferret would serve as the clones surrogate mother.

Because of our limited breeding stock of black-footed ferrets, it would have been difficult for us to spare any females from our breeding program, Bortner said.

Following a tense cross-country drive to bring the surrogate mother to the national conservation center in Colorado  very precious cargo, Bortner said  round-the-clock watches upon arrival and a nerve wracking C-section, Elizabeth Ann was born. Then followed more tense days and weeks of watching her grow to good health.

We were always a little bit nervous, Bortner said. This was probably the most important animal thats been here, maybe except for the very first in the 80s.

And maybe even more important: the first kits of a clone recently announced.

The news garnered international response, including from the director of the Ethics Institute at Bostons Northeastern University. In an interview with the schools Northeastern Global News, Ronald Sandler noted the kits remaining inside a facility for further research, with no plans for the wild.

Maybe their populations could be rebuilt, and that would be very interesting and scientifically amazing, Sandler said, but its not real conservation unless you also protect their habitat and youre able to put them back into that habitat. Otherwise, its just kind of a curiosity; its like a sideshow or theyre just in a zoo.

On the topic of black-footed ferret cloning, another publication, High Country News, previously quoted a memorable Jurassic Park character: Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didnt stop to think if they should.

Critics have asked: Is it really a black-footed ferret if its birthed by a domestic ferret? By DNA involved in somatic cell nuclear transfer, what were looking at is 99.9999% black-footed ferret, Novak said.

And the clones sure act like skittish black-footed ferrets more than curious domestic ferrets, Bortner said. The chance at increasing genetic diversity was an advantage that couldnt be overlooked, she said, while recognizing there was more to learn.

She recognized concerns, echoing Fish and Wildlifes recent announcement: While this technology represents a promising new approach, it is one of many strategies being employed to aid species recovery.

Efforts to restore habitat and combat disease would continue, the agency said. Releases into the wild would continue, along with those late-night searches for signs of hope: little green eyes glowing in the dark.




In the Italian city of Florence, a Chinese restaurant named "Xinge," combining the charm of the East with a modern and stylish atmosphere, has become a favorite among local food enthusiasts.

Founded by Liu Xinge, who studied fashion design in Florence, the restaurant aims to blend various Chinese culinary traditions-from Sichuan and Cantonese to Shanghai and Beijing-with a modern twist, making Chinese cuisine appealing to more Italians.

Italian vlogger Laura Della Corte, a loyal fan of Xinge, sees the restaurant as a bridge for cultural exchanges. Follow Laura to chat with the restaurant owner and discover the fusion of Chinese tradition and Italian elegance.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
On December 4th, the Yangtze River Delta Regional Cooperation Office held a news conference in Shanghai to announce the latest achievements and results on the integrated development of the Yangtze River Delta over the past year.

Industrial innovation has been thriving. In May 2021, the Yangtze River Delta New Energy Vehicle Industry Alliance was established, with enterprises from the new energy vehicle industry chains across Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui provinces responding collectively. Through the alliance, these enterprises leverage complementary advantages. Subsequently, the three provinces and one city in the Yangtze River Delta reached new cooperative agreements, including accelerating the construction of a unified network for new energy vehicle charging and battery swapping infrastructure.

A new energy vehicle manufacturing plant can source all necessary supporting parts within a 4-hour drive, forming a "4-hour industrial circle" that embodies the characteristics of a modern industrial system. Currently, there are over 10 new energy vehicle brands that have established production factories in the Yangtze River Delta.

The Yangtze River Delta Science and Technology Innovation Community has become an "innovation alliance" for collaborative innovation and technical cooperation among the three provinces and one city.

Anhui, together with Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang, is building world-class advanced manufacturing and strategic emerging industry clusters. The province now boasts over 40 listed companies in the next-generation information technology industry, ranks second in the country in new display panel production capacity, and fifth in the comprehensive evaluation of the artificial intelligence industry chain.





Source: Anhui Daily
Swedish telecoms equipment vendor Ericsson has won a multi-year, multi-billion US dollar extension deal from giant Indian telco Bharti Airtel for 4G and 5G RAN products and solutions.

Under the new contract, Ericsson will deploy centralised RAN and Open RAN-ready solutions for network transformation and will also implement a software upgrade of its current deployed 4G radios.

Airtel is a global telecommunications provider and, although headquartered in India, boasts 550 million customers in 17 countries across South Asia and Africa.

In India Airtel has 352 million mobile accounts, services 7.6 million homes and provides 16.1 million digital TV services.

Ericsson has been a longstanding telecoms provider for Airtel, supporting every generation of mobile communications and the new contract is an extension of the existing relationship between the two companies.

"The strategic partnership with Ericsson to deploy the latest technology is a testament to Airtel's pursuit of network excellence," Randeep Sekhon, CTO, Bharti Airtel, said.

"This deployment will enable us to further improve the speed, reliability, and coverage of our network, ensuring an exceptional experience for our customers.

Andres Vicente, Head of Ericsson South-east Asia, Oceania and India said the partnership extension reflects a shared vision to build a robust 4G and 5G infrastructure for Bharti Airtel to serve the connectivity needs of its customer base  including the new 5G use cases as they emerge.

"We will work closely with Bharti Airtel to deliver great user experiences for their customers, Vicente said.
COMPANY NEWS: Following its successful implementation in two of Great Southern Banks national hubs, Optus, one of Australias leading telecommunication providers and Australias largest contact centre service provider is rolling out the contact centre of the future experience across further bank locations. To fulfil this project Optus, selected NICE, a global leader in AI-powered self-service and agent-assisted customer experience (CX) software for contact centres to overhaul the banks contact centre operations and deliver a more positive customer and employee experience.

When Great Southern Bank engaged Optus, they had been utilising an on-premiss Interactive Voice Response (IVR) solution. This led to an often-poor customer experience regarding wait times, resolution rates, fragmented customer service channels and a lack of scalability.

Danny Price, VP of Delivery at Optus, said, Our partnership with Great Southern Bank 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.

This collaboration with NICE underscores Optus commitment to unique proven expertise in CX transformation and innovation that directly enhances Great Southern Banks performance, customer experience and strengthens operational efficiency through an excellent employee experience.

Great Southern Bank engaged Optus to deploy the NICE CXone solution, a leading cloud-native contact centre tool that seamlessly aligns with Great Southern Banks needs and values as a customer-led institution. Following the successful transition to a cloud-based, omnichannel contact centre system, contact centre agents were empowered to address customer needs more swiftly and efficiently, leading to dramatic improvements in customer satisfaction and service efficiency.

Naushad Ahmed, Chief Operating Officer, Great Southern Bank, said, Great Southern Bank leveraged the telephony platform to provide multiple channels for customers to reach the contact centre. There was an opportunity to rebuild the IVR through Optus with NICE CXone to ensure that the most vulnerable customers reach the specialists they need to speak with immediately or within seconds to prevent potential loss.

With CXone, Great Southern Bank knows that more than 80 per cent of customers consistently have their calls answered within 30 seconds, which is a significant reduction.

With a refreshed IVR system and comprehensive support, Great Southern Bank can now more efficiently manage customer interactions and provide immediate assistance in times of financial distress or potential fraud. Customers further benefitted from significantly reduced wait times and enhanced service quality, while employees enjoyed a more engaging and fulfilling work environment.

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 organization 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.

Great Southern Bank's trust in Optus demonstrates its commitment to innovation in driving positive change. Optus deep partnership with NICE allowed for an exceptional solution at a great value during a time where the financial landscape continues to evolve. Through Optus, Great Southern Bank remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences and fostering a culture of excellence.
The University of Adelaides Australian Institute for Machine Learning (AIML) in partnership with the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has launched its Responsible AI Research Centre (RAIR).

The new centre will be based at the Lot Fourteen business and technology precinct in Adelaide.

Responsible AI is the practice of developing and using AI systems in a way that provides benefits to individuals, groups, and the wider society while minimising the risk of negative consequences. Given their increasing importance in our society and economy, AI systems must be trusted to behave and make decisions in a responsible manner, the University of Adelaide and the CSIRO note.

RAIR will bring AIMLs world-class researchers in artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) together with scientific experts from CSIRO with support from the South Australian Government, and research conducted at RAIR will explore four key themes:

Tackling misinformation: developing methods that enable attribution of trusted data sources to AI-generated content in order to avoid misinformation and misuse.

Safe AI in the Real World: exploring the foundational science questions that underpin how AI interacts with the physical world, linking to areas including robotics.

Diverse AI: developing AI systems that can accurately assess their own knowledge limitations and reliably express uncertainty, helping to reduce AI hallucinations.

AI that can explain its actions: developing AI that understands cause-and-effect relationships, beyond correlations, particularly in complex and dynamic environments.

RAIR represents AIMLs third significant AI initiative this year alone. In September, the Institute announced the establishment of the CommBank Centre for Foundational AI Research, in partnership with Commonwealth Bank, and AIMLs Industrial AI program, which supports the development of core industrial AI capability in South Australia and across the nation in a range of sectors. In total, the three initiatives represent more than $33 million in investment in AI research at AIML.

Susan Close MP, Deputy SA Premier and Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science:

Given its increasing importance in our society and economy, AI must use algorithms, guidelines, systems and case studies that promote human values and trust.

The Responsible AI Research Centre will have national and international impact and reinforces South Australias reputation as a recognised leader in articial intelligence research.

Our investment of $5 million to establish the RAIR Centre is in addition to $6 million in State Government funding already committed to AIML earlier this year, which builds on its considerable success supporting businesses to develop AI-enabled products and services, automate processes and improve productivity.

Professor Peter Hj AC, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Adelaide:

The University of Adelaides experts are at the forefront of research that helps find solutions to many of societys challenges.

Our researchers from the Universitys Australian Institute for Machine Learning will collaborate with experts from the CSIRO and the South Australian Government to apply the latest techniques in artificial intelligence.

Their work will be of direct benefit to peoples lives by improving how AI is used.

Professor Simon Lucey, Interim Director, RAIR, and Director, AIML, University of Adelaide:

We are excited to launch this valuable new initiative and to continue AIML's tradition of being at the forefront of AI research impact.

AI is already having a significant impact on the lives of Australians. There are, however, sectors that have not previously benefited from AI due to concerns about safety and reliability. Safeguards alone are not enough; we also need innovation.

"RAIRs establishment will combine AIML's expertise with CSIROs Data61 and the Government of South Australia to generate innovative AI that can be deployed in a safe and reliable manner. Our research will have a national and global impact as we strive for AI solutions that will enhance the lives of everyday Australians.

RAIR will position Australia as a world leader in responsible AI research, opening up new avenues for investment and economic opportunity.

Professor Elanor Huntington, Executive Director, Digital, National Facilities and Collections at CSIRO:

This centre will bring together expertise from two of the countrys leading responsible AI research institutions to collaboratively tackle some of the most pressing grand challenges of our time.

Responsible AI is an emerging field; this centre shows Australias very real commitment to strong global leadership in the development of innovative technologies for deploying AI.
Cybercrime shows no signs of abating, but the good news is you can have visibility across your network and sleep peacefully at night, according to Rapid7 chief product officer Craig Adams who spoke with iTWire to discuss the state of the industry.

Cybersecurity has always been a concern for IT departments worldwide, but is becoming increasingly prominent to everyday consumers as well as boards and executives teams. The threat of cybercriminal activity shows no signs of abating, and every day the news brings to us information on yet another breach, yet another scam, yet another way that criminals have electronically stolen data, vandalised information systems, held a company or individual to ransom, and more.

Rapid7 chief product officer Craig Adams has been in cybersecurity a long time, and previously worked directly in threat intelligence himself. Adams was responsible for founding Akamai Australia, before moving on to Rapid7 where, he says, the platform is unique in giving customers full command over their attack surfaces.

Adams was in Australia visiting customers and took time from his busy schedule to speak with iTWire. "Our customers are bombarded with threats," he said. "Every organisation is concerned they don't have full visibility over their envornment and struggle with prioritisation at scale and the concern of missing threats."

It's a serious problem. While we used to speak about "protecting the perimeter", what is the perimeter in a hybrid multi-cloud era? Adams explains so many businesses in the world today cannot identify their full environment. Gartner says only 17% of organisations can identify 95% of their environment, while "the things you don't know are probably the weakest part of your environment," Adams said.

"You can't protect what you can't measure," he said. Which is why Rapid7 has sought to hone in on this problem. In every organisation, everywhere in the world, technology teams are bombarded with security alerts. "There are tens of thousands of new exposures," Adams said, "and you want to be notified of anomalous behaviour but end up drowning in alerts."

"How do you provide detection and response in that environment," he asked.

Here's where Rapid7 comes in. "The unique aspect of Rapid7 is its visibility, detection, and response at scale measuring exposure, and in a cost effective manner," Adams said.

Let's drill into that. "In security there's always something new to worry about," Adams joked. "One tool tells you something but not everything. You have to take a step back if you want full control and visibility."

"No one tool does everything, no one tool tells you the definitive source of risks."

But - Adams said - "if you can combine and aggregate all the tools then you have detection and response that will scale."

And combining and aggregating is what Rapid7 does. "We're unique in this. Rapid7 will monitor Microsoft, CrowdStrike, Sentinel One ... everything," he said.

"All the customers I meet with, whether Government or private or public, are looking at tool consolidation," Adams said. "In the security industry we've hit peak tooling - in some organisations they have 35, 55, even 65 or more security tools."

"The notion of having separate bespoke tools has forced customers to be system integrators and for IT and security teams to have knowledge over such an incredible stack."

While here in Australia, Adams helped lead organisations look at how they can cost-effectively consolidate their security providers without removing efficiency. It's where Rapid7 specialises, gaining control over your entire attack surface, and monitor for exposures at scale. "We're unique in our ability to do that," Adams said.

Like everyone, Rapid7 is embracing AI. In fact, when iTWire asked Adams if AI has a place in security tools, he replied, "the biggest risk of AI is not using AI."

Attackers are already using AI to be more efficient and effective, he explained. So trying to protect your organisation with all the same old traditional methods and processes can well be your organisation's largest security risk.

"We've been really aggressive in using AI to help identify true threats in an environment. Most security teams spend most of their time on benign alerts instead of malicious things. One of the greatest use cases of AI is to remove the hay and find the needle. It can give you the greatest impact."

While ChatGPT has caught the world's imagination, "it's a big mistake to associate AI with chatbots," Adams said. "I'm not sure Clippy is the answer to our cybersecurity problem," he joked.

Instead, "organisations need AI-powered solutions where AI is built into the tool, versus simply 'click here to use AI'."

"We've focused on using AI to help teams focus on things that take human effort, by removing the things that don't," Adams said. Here, Rapid7 provides AI-powered application security as part of its base product. It eliminates a sizeable number of security alerts that otherwise customers would need to deal with by themselves.

Here's where Adams sees the biggest customer value of AI - "when AI guides you where to focus, and removes things to help you get that time to focus."

In fact, Adams said, there's a real multiplier effect too. "The biggest threat to organisations when it comes to AI is not using it. With AI we can perform auto-remediation and provide an initial investigation and position to the things that require human investigation."

"All cyber teams jump for joy when we say we're removing all the things that are benign, and let them focus on the real stuff," he said.

It's not only customers; Rapid7 eats its own dogfood as the term goes - it uses the product itself. Uniquely, Rapid7's own security operations team sits unde Adams' product organisation. "It's unheard of; security and product are usually separate," he said. "Security vendors are notorious for creating a hammer and saying its magic but the hammer creates problems. By putting security and product together it makes us listen. We design products for our own use case and it's made Rapid7 a leader in the extended managed detection and response space."

As an example, "people tell us having a vendor manage a single space of telemetry is helpful, but what's more helpful is having all the data across all the things together in one place. That feedback came from inside Rapid7. Our customers benefited from having a security product set that was built for and by users of the product itself. No other cybersecurity company is structured this way."

Meanwhile, Rapid7's security operations centre can see where incidents are happening "in the wild for our 11,000 customers" and continuously trains its AI models on these threats to model at scale "not simply lab data."

"We're pretty aggressive about constant training and retraining," Adams said.

Whether you are a Rapid7 customer or not, Adams has advice for you to safeguard and maintain the integrity of your systems.

First, start with a clear, unbiased view of your security posture. "Look at all the tools, and look at the attack surface," he said.

Secondly, assess the exposure that you have across your environment, whether cloud, on-prem, identity services, etc.

Third, then begin listening and looking at your detection and response tools. You need the first steps, though; if you only look at your tools you are unaware of where you aren't protected. Some tools might cover different aspects of your security posture, and so you have multiple dashboards to monitor.

Of course, Rapid7 can combine all this data to give a comprehensive view of your posture, by aggregating from all your security tools in one place, and prioritise where you are exposed.

And for the beleagured security and IT managers, Adams said, "we have this built in, so you can focus on innovation."
COMPANY NEWS: It's that time of year again when everyone winds down and gets ready for their holiday break over Christmas and New Year. For many small and medium-sized businesses, this means shutting up shop for several days or even weeks.

However, while employees enjoy well-earned downtime, an unattended business can become a target for opportunistic criminals who take advantage of the holiday season to disrupt unsuspecting businesses. Taking a few steps to secure the premises ahead of this period is essential to providing peace of mind and preventing unfortunate disruptions when it's time to reopen.

One of the most effective ways to protect businesses during the shutdown is through 24/7 monitoring. Statistics show more than 70 per cent of burglaries happen at night, making after-hours protection especially critical.[1]

If an alarm is triggered, monitoring professionals will promptly notify you, enabling you to review your camera recordings and assess the situation. This could range from a minor issue, such as a false alarm caused by weather conditions, pests, or shifting shadows, to a serious threat, such as an attempted break-in.

In any scenario where movement is detected near a side entrance or around the property, the monitoring team can notify you directly and, with your authorisation, contact licensed security personnel or local authorities to address the situation.

Dennison Hambling, Managing Director, Intelligent Monitoring Group, said, Visible security cameras serve as a strong deterrent to potential intruders and provide invaluable evidence if an incident occurs. Many businesses with visible cameras report a reduction in break-ins and vandalism, as criminals are less likely to target locations where their actions could be recorded.

"When intruders see cameras, they understand the risk of being caught is significantly higher. At best, this encourages them to move on to a less secure target. In the unfortunate event of an incident, recorded footage supports insurance claims and investigations, aiding authorities in identifying and apprehending offenders."

Before closing for the holidays, there are some practical steps every business should take to reduce security risks:

Install or upgrade security cameras and alarm systems. Make sure the system is up to date and covers all key entry points.

Secure all doors and windows. Double-check all access points, so nothing is left unlocked or vulnerable.

Communicate with neighbouring businesses or local security. Let them know the business will be closed for a period, so they can keep an eye out for any unusual activity.

Schedule regular patrols or property checks. Some businesses arrange for a security company or a trusted individual to visit the premises periodically during the holiday break.

Dennison Hambling, Managing Director, Intelligent Monitoring Group said, "Taking a few proactive steps can save business owners a lot of trouble when they reopen after the holiday. No one wants to return to damaged property or stolen assets. We've seen how proper preparation can prevent everything from petty vandalism to major theft. Businesses should do what they can now, so they don't have to deal with the consequences later."

[1] https://www.police.act.gov.au/safety-and-security/property-crime-prevention/business-security
Technology services provider Logicalis has acted on its plan to unite its Australian and Asian arms into a single APAC entity, becoming a regional powerhouse with over $US 450 million in revenue across 10 countries. The company is looking to foster innovation and identify joint opportunities across the region, while bringing an experienced, integrated customer-focused organisation to organisations in our area.

Logicalis first announced this plan back in May, and the resulting entity now sees more than 1,600 employees serving Asia Pacific from operations in 10 different countries. Logicalis CEO Bob Bailkoski spoke with iTWire to explain how the company came to this point, and what it means for organisations in the region.

Logicalis is, of course, not new; in fact, the company started in 1997 and is approaching its 30th anniversary. "Logicalis is a global technology services provider that empowers organisations to succeed in a digital-first world. Logicalis has expertise in cloud, connectivity, collaboration, and security, delivering lifecycle services that optimise operations, reduce risk, and empower employees, achieving sustainable business outcomes through next-generation digital managed services," Bailkoski explained.

The business was born out of a mission to support organisations with transformative IT solutions. Back in 1997 the focus was on networking and infrastructure, but in its 27 years since Logicalis has evolved to become a global technology service provider, delivering next-gen digital managed services. It runs out of more than 30 countries, with 7,000 employees around the world, and has $US 1.8 billion in revenue. Logicalis has been recognised for the strength of its strategic partnerships with vendors such as Microsoft and Cisco.

"Sustainability is a core pillar of Logicalis' operations and strategy," Bailkoski said, "shaping both internal initiatives and customer solutions. The companys responsible business strategy highlights its commitment to reducing its environmental footprint, aligning with global standards like the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi). Logicalis has set ambitious goals, such as a 50 per cent reduction in Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions across Scopes 1, 2, and 3 by 2050."

It's a serious committment; Logicalis knows that customers are increasingly seeking partners who prioritise sustainability and are integrating environment goals into their service offerings. As such, Logicalis encourages low-carbon practices such as optimising travel emissions and promoting renewable energy use through is operations. In FY24 alone, "Logicalis transitioned 11 sites to renewable energy," Bailkoski said, "with the aim of fully switching all locations by 2030."

Beyond these operational changes, Logicalis also focuses on reducing Scope 3 emissions through supplier engagement, aiming for 85 per cent of suppliers by spend, covering purchased goods and services, to adopt science-based targets by 2028. Logicalis helps its clients align their business objectives with sustainability through such initiatives, demonstrating that responsible practices can drive operational efficiency and positive societal impact.

That's Logicalis in a nutshell. Earlier, in May 2024, Logicalis announced it planned to unite the Australia and Asia operations together as Logicalis APAC. The decision to create a single APAC entity "reflects a strategic shift to foster operational synergy across the region," Bailkoski said. "Consolidating leadership and resources will position Logicalis as a stronger, more agile player in the APAC market. This alignment lets the company leverage the complementary strengths of each region, including Australias robust managed service expertise and Asias innovation ecosystem, while enhancing the customer experience through seamless regional collaboration."

There's another aspect too - "the restructuring also aligns with Logicaliss vision of becoming a regional powerhouse," Bailkoski explained. "The new entity consolidates 1,600 employees and generates over $US 450 million in revenue across 10 countries, including Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong. A unified leadership structure under APAC CEO, Chong-Win Lee, creates opportunities for shared growth while optimising delivery models for customers across industries. Anthony Woodward, Logicalis Australia CEO, is also leading a special task force focused on fostering innovation and identifying joint opportunities across the region. This integration is paving the way for increased influence with global technology vendors, strengthening relationships with leading partners."

The primary objective of the combined APAC division is "to build a more integrated, customer-focused organisation that harnesses the strengths of both Australia and Asia. The goal is to streamline service delivery, provide unified access to expertise across the region, and drive innovation through cross-border collaboration. This new structure gives customers a consistent and scalable set of solutions that align with market needs and evolving digital trends."

Further, Bailkoski told iTWire, the integration sharpens Logicalis' competitive edge by consolidating resources and developing high-value digital capabiliites. "This includes expanding offerings in cloud services, artificial intelligence (AI), and Everything-as-a-Service (XaaS) models to meet shifting market demands. The APAC entity is also driving the development of local expertise to better meet customer expectations and accelerating innovation across the region."

If you're a Logicalis customer, what this means for you practically is enhanced support, faster service delivery, and seamless cross-regional collaboration with integrated teams working across multiple countries.

Additionally, Logicalis customers gain access to the companys regional security operations centre (SOC), bolstering cybersecurity capabilities and providing advanced threat detection and response. Aligning resources enhances Logicaliss ability to target key industries, such as financial services, government, and healthcare, with tailored solutions. The new structure also strengthens vendor relationships, delivering more competitive solutions from partners like Cisco, Microsoft, and Atlassian.

Going forward, Logicalis APAC intends to expand its cloud and managed service offerings to support customers' digital transformation journeys. "This is a key priority," Bailkoski said. "Strengthening relationships with strategic partners remains central to this approach, supporting Logicalis to offer advanced solutions in areas like data modernisation, cybersecurity, and AI. The company will also drive a culture of innovation through cross-border collaboration, enhancing capabilities across key markets."

Logicalis APAC is also committed to operational excellence, including onshore service delivery and capacity. Further, "the company places a strong emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), developing initiatives that create an inclusive workplace and support talent development," he said.

Ultimately, the new Logicalis APAC unit is more than the sum of its parts, providing enhanced capacity, capability, support, and expertise throughout APAC.

Yet, Logicalis doesn't want to stop there and has big goals on its roadmap. "Logicalis is focused on scaling operations and deepening expertise in high-demand areas like cloud transformation, cybersecurity, and AI," Bailkoski said. "Sustainability remains at the forefront of Logicaliss roadmap, with plans to transition additional operations to renewable energy by 2025. The company will continue driving its responsible business strategy, integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles across its operations."

And, "Logicalis also plans to invest further in employee career development, having already committed US$1.9 million towards training and accreditations between FY22 and FY24."

"Staying ahead of market trends and prioritising sustainable practices will solidify Logicaliss position as a trusted digital transformation partner and maintain momentum towards its long-term goal of net-zero emissions by 2050," Bailkoski said.
Entsia Founder and CEO Alistair McElligott : Marcels technical leadership and Spelas proven ability to deliver results will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our platform and operations

COMPANY NEWS: Leading Insurtech Entsia is excited to announce two strategic leadership appointments as part of its ongoing growth and commitment to delivering exceptional solutions for the insurance industry.

Marcel Basson joins Entsia as Head of Product Engineering, a newly created role that combines Entsias Product and Engineering teams to ensure seamless integration and focus. Marcel brings a wealth of experience in scaling platforms and leading high-performing teams. His leadership will drive the evolution of Entsias platform, ensuring it meets the industrys changing demands.

Im thrilled to join Entsia and contribute to the next chapter of its growth journey, Marcel shared. Entsias vision and commitment to excellence resonate deeply with me, and Im eager to leverage my experience to scale our engineering and product capabilities. Working with such a skilled and dedicated team, Im confident we can shape a future of growth, innovation, and impactful solutions for our customers.

Spela Adamic Malik steps into the role of Head of Delivery, bringing almost two decades of experience across a broad range of sectors in both Australia and Europe. Known for her ability to lead transformative projects, Spelas approach emphasises operational excellence and meaningful collaboration to achieve shared success. Her expertise is grounded in delivering tailored strategies that meet the unique needs of clients.

Im excited to join Entsia as Head of Delivery. My goal is to ensure we deliver impactful, efficient solutions that not only create value for our clients but also drive long-term success. Im deeply committed to building strong, collaborative partnerships and embedding best practices across our work. Over the coming weeks, I look forward to connecting with the team and contributing to Entsias continued growth through innovative and results-driven delivery. shared Spela.

Entsia Founder and CEO, Alistair McElligott commented, Were delighted to welcome Marcel and Spela to our leadership team. Marcels technical leadership and Spelas proven ability to deliver results will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our platform and operations. Their appointments reflect Entsias commitment to innovation, growth, and delivering exceptional solutions to our customers.

These leadership changes underscore Entsias dedication to advancing its platform capabilities and operational excellence, ensuring it remains a trusted partner in the insurance industry.

Entsia: Entsia offers a full lifecycle insurance administration platform, covering single risk retail products to complex commercial packages. They enable insurers to manage and distribute their products across multiple channels, both intermediated and direct. Their platform combines underwriting, distribution, credit control and claims management into one scalable and future-proofed solution, accommodating the needs of start-up to enterprise insurers. They also allow customers to integrate seamlessly with broker channels, enhancing distribution efficiency.
GUEST OPINION: As Australia embraces the age of Artificial intelligence, the cloud, and digital economy applications, managing consumer data is central to the competitiveness of some of our most important and iconic industries.

As I return to the ANZ region after a long career across the Asia Pacific working in technology company leadership roles, Australians rightly have concerns about how their data is used by many organisations which they interact with daily. This includes retailers, banks, insurance companies and even health organisations.

While Australians embrace the benefits of the cloud, excellent internet access, applications, and data-based decision-making, data security is still a major concern for many enterprises and brands in Australia.

Based on recent in-depth research from Cohesity, urgent changes are starting to occur in the understanding of the regulatory environment at the board level policy of all companies to address the challenges of trust amongst Australian consumers with the brands and enterprises handling their data.

The Importance of Trust in Business Resilience

Trust is the cornerstone of any successful business relationship, and this holds especially true in the context of data security. For businesses looking to establish and maintain resilience, securing consumer trust is non-negotiable. In Australia, consumers are notably wary of technology and the potential for cyber breaches. This wariness underscores a broader trend where Australians, historically early adopters of technology, now face an erosion of trust when their personal data is compromised.

Survey Insights and Consumer Awareness

To test this idea, earlier this year, Cohesity commissioned a report to dive deeply into consumer trust and how their data is being used. The report compared the attitudes of thousands of Australian consumers with their peers in the US and the UK. In total, 6000 consumers participated in the survey, and 2000 were from Australia.

The report consistently shows that Australians have the lowest levels of trust in their data.

Amongst its many alarming revelations, the study concluded that 88 per cent of Australians (vs 74 per cent in the UK and 85 per cent in the US) want to be asked for permission before their personal or financial data is fed into AI models. The vast majority of respondents (79% in the UK, 87% in the US, and 90% in Australia) want to know who their data is being shared with, and 90% of Australians want companies to vet third-party providers' data security and management practices with access to customer data.

This clear call for more control, transparency, and protection around their data is largely motivated by respondents' negative experiences. Unsurprisingly, most respondents are highly critical of buying access back to their compromised data - essentially fuelling cyber criminals' business model with fresh capital.

Our observations reveal that Australia is somewhat behind other regional nations in terms of cyber resilience, and this can be due to a variety of factors.

Reasons for Cyber Resilience Challenges

Several factors contribute to Australia's current cyber resilience challenges. Historically, Australians have integrated technology deeply into their daily lives, relying heavily on digital solutions.

The surge in the adoption and applicability of cloud-based technology and its ability to enable organisations to make sense of immensely large amounts of consumer data  previously impossible  has meant that we have entered a new era of data-led consumer behaviour. The rise of generative artificial intelligence has supercharged this transition.

Taken together, this dependency means that data breaches and technical failures lead to a profound sense of betrayal and a loss of trust.

Unfortunately, as we have seen too often, the bad guys know how to use technology too, including AI, and so we have found ourselves in a situation where the capacity to protect our data has not kept pace with the myriads of ways in which cyber criminals can access it.

Thats partly to be expected, unfortunately. Every leap in technology use has been associated with crime.

But this only makes it more imperative than ever for two things to happen, for Australians to again trust their major institutions with their data.

Institutional and Regulatory Gaps

What are the implications? Firstly, and most obviously, the Cohesity study shows clearly that cyber resilience is a board-level problem for companies. Its no longer an issue that is the sole responsibility of IT or cyber security experts, who in many cases are four or more levels below the CEO and rarely, if ever, present to the company board.

In my anecdotal observations, Australian boards must continue to focus on cyber resilience from a strategic perspective.

Secondly, the regulatory landscape and policy frameworks in Australia must also continue to evolve and sharpen their focus on data protection for Australians. Agencies like the Australian Signals Directorate (ASD) and other regulators are now making significant strides in this area but there is always more work to do to ensure we, as a wider society, close gaps that cybercriminals can exploit, further eroding consumer trust.

The Skills Deficit

Another critical issue is the skills gap in cyber resilience. Australia needs a larger workforce with the necessary skills to manage and protect against cyber threats effectively. This includes fostering diversity-based skills that can bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the table. It is clear that the industry as a whole needs to prioritize developing a skilled and diverse cybersecurity workforce.

The Path Forward

Looking ahead, the security and protection of personal data will continue to be critical concerns for both consumers and organizations. It is encouraging to see that Australians are becoming more aware of the risks and are demanding greater accountability from businesses that hold their data. This heightened awareness, reflected in our research, signifies a positive shift towards a more informed and vigilant consumer base.

To build and maintain trust, companies must prioritize transparency in their data-handling practices. This involves clear communication about how data is collected, stored, and protected. By doing so, businesses can foster a sense of security and trust among consumers, which is essential for long-term resilience.
(Soju and Shochu bottles)

Whats the difference between soju and shochu? Soju and shochu may sound alike, but is that just a coincidence?

Soju has been taking the world by stormdid you know that Jinro Soju is the best-selling spirit brand in the world? Meanwhile, shochu is experiencing a resurgence, gaining attention from mixologists worldwide and rising in popularity as izakaya culture continues to spread globally.

But how exactly do these two drinks differ, and what makes them similar?

Shared Origin and Etymology

Han China and its neighbors in 1 AD (Credit: Thomas A. Lessman)

Both soju and shochu trace their roots to the Chinese term shaojiu (), meaning cooked alcoholic drink, a reference to distilled spirits. This Chinese liquor, now commonly referred to as baijiu, has roots in the Neolithic period, with systematic distillation processes emerging during the Han dynasty (202 BC  220 AD).

Historically, each version was regarded as an equivalent of the other: soju in Japan was often thought of as shochu from Korea, and likewise, shochu was considered soju from Japan in Korea. In short, at least historically, soju and shochu are essentially the same spirits with shared origin and etymology. Though they differ slightly in characteristics and tendencies, they are primarily distinguished by their origins.

Ingredients and Alcohol Content

Both spirits can be made from various base ingredients, including rice, barley, and sweet potatoes. However, Japanese shochu can also be made from brown sugar, especially in Kyushu, adding a unique depth to its flavor. Traditionally, soju was primarily made from rice, but many well-known brands today, especially popular fruit-flavored soju, are mass-produced using cassava.

The Korean Peninsula was under Japanese control from 1905 to 1945. Immediately after, the region was divided between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, leaving the nation with poverty and a severe rice shortage as the population grew. From 1965 to 1990, the South Korean government banned the use of rice in soju production, a policy that has influenced the ingredient sourcing to this day.

Traditionally, both soju and shochu had a wide range of alcohol content. However, government regulations have since standardized their typical alcohol levels. Soju typically has an alcohol by volume (ABV) ranging from 12.5% to 53%. Most varieties found in supermarkets are around 20%. Shochu generally sits at 25% ABV, though it can reach as high as 45%. Both are considered mid-level alcohols, offering versatility for drinking straight or mixing into cocktails.

Distinctions in Production

(Ikinokura Shochu Distillery in Nagasaki)

Soju is often distilled multiple times to achieve a neutral, smooth flavor, making it comparable to vodka. Premium soju brands often highlight their extensive filtration processes, such as using bamboo charcoal, as a key selling point. This clean taste serves as a versatile base, which has contributed to the popularity of fruit-flavored soju varieties.

Today, most soju in South Korea is mass-produced by a few major companies due to the countrys economic landscape and chaebol culture. Many modern soju brands use ethanol distilled to 95% ABV. It is then diluted with water and mixed with sweeteners and flavorings. The latter is especially for the popular fruit-flavored varieties. However, traditional varieties like Andong soju still exist. Theres a growing movement toward artisanal soju, crafted in historically preserved ways.

Shochu is divided into two distinct classifications in Japan. The first type, honkaku shochu, meaning authentic shochu, is produced through single distillation and is highly regulated in both ingredients and production. Known for its savory and bold flavors is generally considered a high-end variety.

The second type, korui shochu, is made through consecutive distillation, similar to soju. This type of shochu has a clean, neutral taste and is affordable, making it a popular base for liqueurs like umeshu (plum wine). Okinawan liquor Awamori, made using long-grain indica rice, is technically classified as korui shochu under licensing laws. However, as an indigenous Ryukyuan alcohol, it is widely recognized as a distinct category.

Whats the Difference Between Soju and Shochu? And Sake?

Many online articles that compare soju and shochu are titles like Soju vs. Shochu vs. Sake. And if you have read the article up to this point, you should know this is weird. (Hint: sake is not distilled). The English name rice wine already explains that it is not a spiritthough, to be precise, sake is much closer to beer in its production. So, at first glance, soju and shochu are worth comparing, while sake seems irrelevant here.

(Aspergillus oryzae, known as koji, is a fungus used in Japanese cuisine. It ferments foods to produce miso, soy sauce, sake, and shochu.)

However, sake and shochu share something in common: koji (Aspergillus), a type of mold also used in fermenting soy sauce and miso. Yellow koji (A. oryzae) was traditionally used for both sake and shochu. In 1901, University of Tokyo scholar Tamaki Inui isolated and cultivated black koji (A. luchuensis), now used in some shochu and awamori. Then, in 1918, Genichiro Kawachi, the father of modern shochu, isolated and cultivated white koji (A. kawachii), now used in shochu.

Soju traditionally relied on nuruk. This is a fermentation starter similar to koji, along with makgeolli, but this is uncommon in mass-produced soju found in supermarkets today. While many big brands use the ethanol method, some incorporate white koji from Japan, while others use traditional nuruk.

Fun Fact: Korean Shochu in Japan

(Kyogetsu bottle and a sunakku street)

Kyogetsu is a Korean Shochu brand widely recognized in Japan. It entered the market before soju gained global prominence and was marketed as shochu. Called Gyeongwol in Korean, it is still produced in South Korea near Mt. Seorak, but is now almost exclusively sold in Japan.

Today, Kyogetsu is often associated with the sunakku scenea retro Showa-era cultural staple. Sunakku establishments are small bars with a counter. Theyre typically run by a mama, an older woman who entertains customers with conversation.

Kyogetsu, unlike the small bottles of soju that are standard today, is packaged in larger bottles. This fits well with the Japanese bottle-keep culture. This is especially popular in sunakku, where patrons buy bottles and store unfinished portions at bars for future visits.

Today, soju is a very popular spirit in Japan, available virtually everywhere, including convenience stores. While soju has become a common term, it typically refers to the modern Korean standard 350ml bottle. Interestingly, even with the widespread popularity of the term, Kyogetsu is not usually referred to as soju but is considered a type of shochu instead.

Embracing Both Spirits

Both spirits share many similarities, but their unique histories, cultural contexts, and regulations have shaped them into distinct drinks. Soju, now produced through modern methods, has gained global popularity. But theres a growing movement to return to its traditional production techniques. On the other hand, while shochu hasnt been a staple among Japans younger generation, is gaining recognition worldwide for its craftsmanship.

metropolisjapan.com
Nine months after leaving her post as assistant city manager in Winston-Salem, Patrice Toney finds herself in a much smaller town but on a considerably larger stage.

As town manager in Carrboro, Tony serves as point person in the Orange County municipalitys newly filed lawsuit accusing Duke Energy, one of the nations largest utilities, of engaging in a decades-long deception plan to mask the climate impact of fossil fuels.

Its a bold move for the trendy, progressive-leaning community of 22,000 residents just southeast of Durham, and Toney is embracing the challenge.

The town of Carrboro is a small-yet-bold, progressive, action-oriented and fearless leader in the climate crisis fight, she told the Winston-Salem Journal. Year after year of business as usual has allowed Duke Energy to expand its burning of fossil fuels, stifle true solutions such as local solar and foster the illusion that North Carolina is tackling the global climate crisis.

Toney, a Winston-Salem native who split the first quarter-century of her career in stints with the city and Forsyth County governments before taking over in Carrboro in May, said she relishes her new role.

My experience in Carrboro has been thrilling, she noted. The top two pillars of the town are climate action and race equity, and Im excited to support them in implementing their progressive policy decisions related to these goals.

Acrimonious end, amazing beginning

Its a far different tone than the one Toney and some supporters took during a leadership transition in her hometown last year.

Toney moved on from Winston-Salem after being passed over in the search for a new city manager in the summer of 2023 following the retirement of longtime leader Lee Garrity.

The hiring process took on racial overtones as a divided city council settled on Pat Pate, then city manager in Manassas, Virginia, for the top job. Pate and another finalist, Ben Rowe (also a Winston-Salem assistant city manager) are white. Toney was the sole Black finalist.

Pates selection touched off objections from the local chapter of the NAACP and the Ministers Conference of Winston-Salem and Vicinity, a group made up mostly of Black clergy, who saw the city councils action as a snub to Toney. Three of the councils four Black members backed Toney, who expressed her own frustration after councils 5-3 vote for Pate.

As a woman, and a Black woman, we have to do 10 times more to prove ourselves and show that we are capable of leading, Toney told the Winston-Salem Journal at the time. This decision reflected that they are just not ready for a woman leader. I am qualified and I have proven myself.

Toneys work so far in Carrboro, including serving as the conduit between the elected town council and outside parties involved in mounting the legal challenge, has passed muster with Mayor Barbara Foushee.

Patrice has been on point because shes been the point of contact for everything (related to the lawsuit) including logistics and the sharing of information, and shes been very professional every step of the way, the mayor said. And shes been really helpful to the council as well as the nonprofits that were resources for us as we prepared to launch this lawsuit, so shes been amazing.

A dauting task

Charlotte-based Duke Energy, a Fortune 150 company with $177 billion in assets, serves 3.7 million electric customers and more than 800,000 natural gas customers in North Carolina alone.

Carrboro, meanwhile, operates on a general fund of less than $33 million.

It feels like a daunting task, and some people describe it as a David-and-Goliath scenario and, I mean, it is, Foushee said of the legal fight. But we cant let that stop what needs to be done. If there are injustices or wrongs that need to be righted, someone has to step out, and the opportunity presented itself.

The lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Orange County Superior Court, is being funded by the non-profit NC WARN, one of Duke Energys loudest critics.

Duke is still expanding fossil fuels and suppressing renewables  in flat defiance of scientists demanding that we do the exact opposite, said NC WARN Executive Director Jim Warren. We need the judicial system to hold Duke Energy leadership accountable and finally break their corporate control over our political system and public decisions.

The company offered the following comment on the legal action: We are in the process of reviewing the complaint. Duke Energy is committed to its customers and communities and will continue working with policymakers and regulators to deliver reliable and increasingly clean energy while keeping rates as low as possible.

Carrboro, about 75 miles east of Winston-Salem, is seeking damages to cover a projected $60 million in costs to adapt roads and infrastructure to extreme weather linked to the warming atmosphere, and for rising energy costs.

Dukes latest roadmap for future energy generation, approved Nov. 1 by the N.C. Utilities Commission, calls for adding solar, wind and storage, while also pursuing the development of 900 megawatts of additional natural gas capacity by 2030 while it works to retire all 8,000 megawatts of coal-fired production by 2036.

While burning gas produces less than half the heat-trapping pollution of coal combustion, it still releases carbon dioxide, the leading human-caused contributor to climate change.

Carrboros suit comes less than three weeks after a report from the non-profit research group Energy and Policy Institute concluded that some of the companies that make up todays Duke Energy Corporation  including Duke Power and Carolina Power & Light  were cautioned about the coming climate crisis decades ago.

Although Duke has understood the dangers of climate change for decades, the company actively participated in a far-reaching, decades-long campaign to deceive the public and decision-makers about these dangers, the suit says.

Toney, the town manager, and Foushee, the mayor, stressed that Carrboros suit was filed with the entire state in mind.

The people of Carrboro, like communities all across North Carolina, are suffering because of the worsening climate crisis, Toney said. North Carolinians are on the frontlines of increasingly devastating climate disasters, including hurricanes and floods. Science demanded dramatic action and a prompt transition from fossil fuels to clean, renewable energy decades ago. The alternative to this transition was exactly the type of climate crisis with which North Carolinians are now confronted.
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We sit down with medical student Medha Venigalla to explore the urgent issue of resident sleep deprivation and its impact on health care. We discuss the systemic challenges residents face, including long hours, under-reporting of work, and the culture of overwork. Medha shares insights on how sleep loss not only affects residents health but also patient safety, leading to increased medical errors and burnout. We also examine potential policy changes and cultural shifts needed to protect residents and improve care quality.

Medha Venigalla is a medical student.

She discusses the KevinMD article, The cost of exhaustion: Resident fatigue is a public health emergency.

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Transcript

Kevin Pho: Hi, and welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today we welcome Medha Venigalla. Shes a second-year medical student. Todays KevinMD article is The Cost of Exhaustion: Resident Fatigue Is a Public Health Emergency. Medha, welcome to the show.

Medha Venigalla: Thank you so much for having me. Happy to be here.

Kevin Pho: All right, so lets start by jumping into your article, The Cost of Exhaustion: Resident Fatigue Is a Public Health Emergency. Before talking about the article itself, what led you to write this one in the first place?

Medha Venigalla: Yeah, so I wrote this article during my first year in medical school. I had heard everyone talk about how hard med school is, and I expected that. But going in, it was definitely an adjustment to fix my study schedule and figure out how my day was going to look. It required time management.

Within that, I started dealing with sleep troubles. Meeting residents, older medical students, and clinicians, I learned that sleep deprivation is a significant problem in the field. Last year, we had an assignment in our health policy class where we were asked to write an op-ed about an issue important to us. I chose resident sleep deprivation as my topic. Sleep is really important to me, and I think its important to everyone considering we spend a third of our lives asleep.

Kevin Pho: As a first-year medical student, you said you talked to interns, residents, and senior medical students. Tell uswhat did you hear from them, especially regarding sleep?

Medha Venigalla: I heard that everyone loves what they do here. Everyone is really excited to be in medicine, and its a privilege to do what medical professionals get to do. But at the same time, its important to see yourself as a person. Many residents I spoke to mentioned long hours and how it was stressful, taking a toll on their health, personal wellness, and relationships.

That felt like a significant cause for concern to me and to them as well. Recently, residents at UChicago unionized, calling for better conditions and hours. That showed me that these are real issues people are thinking about and taking action on. I wanted to be a part of that conversation.

Kevin Pho: Tell us about your op-ed for those who havent read it.

Medha Venigalla: My op-ed is called The Cost of Exhaustion: Resident Fatigue Is a Public Health Emergency. In it, I discussed how resident fatigue negatively affects not only the health of residents but also the health of their patients and others they interact with while experiencing cognitive impairment due to sleep deprivation.

I found some interesting facts while researching. Resident fatigue can lead to increased motor vehicle accidents, posing a danger to others beyond the residents themselves. After shifts that are 24 hours or longer, their cognitive impairment is equivalent to being legally drunk. Thats a major concern when theyre treating patients and holding their health in their hands.

Duty hour limits imposed by the ACGME cap the workweek at 80 hours and shifts at 24 hours. But these regulations need enforcement. Theres underreporting of hours because of the go, go, go culture in medicine, where residents feel pressure to perform and impress. This can push people to underreport their hours or not be completely honest about being overworked.

Reputation matters in this field, which sometimes puts mental health on the back burner for trainees. Thats something we need to address collectively as a profession.

Kevin Pho: You mentioned that residents sometimes underreport their hours due to the culture of medicine. Do you have any personal storiesanonymously, of coursewhere residents specifically said they worked more hours than they reported?

Medha Venigalla: I havent personally met anyone who has told me that theyve done that. Honestly, the culture at UChicago is better than I expected after hearing stories about residency. Residents here have unionized, as I mentioned, so mental health, wellness, and fatigue are issues being brought to the forefront.

However, Ive read online accounts and seen statistics about residents underreporting hours out of concern for how theyll be perceived.

Kevin Pho: Regarding the cognitive impairment caused by fatigue, did you find a direct link between fatigue and increased medical errors in your research?

Medha Venigalla: Yes, there is a direct link. Residents working longer shifts have a higher incidence of medical errors. Its pretty straightforwardif you sleep less, youre cognitively impaired and more likely to make mistakes. One study found that these mistakes are more likely to lead to fatal outcomes for patients when residents work longer shifts.

Kevin Pho: The ACGME has limited work hours to 80 hours a week and shifts to no longer than 24 hours. What more can be done from a regulatory standpoint?

Medha Venigalla: Theres currently an act in Congress called the Resident Physician Shortage Act. This act aims to increase the number of residency spots in the U.S. to address the physician shortage and reduce the hours residents work.

Capping hours was a step in the right direction, but enforcement is key. Programs need to ensure that residents arent slipping through the cracks. Mental health issues and resident suicides still occur despite these regulations. Enforcement and culture change within programs are critical.

Kevin Pho: Some criticisms of duty hour caps suggest they create a shift-work mentality, with physicians handing off patient care more often. What are your thoughts on this as a second-year medical student?

Medha Venigalla: While it may seem like a shift-work mentality, I think residents still take responsibility for their patients health and follow them as long as necessary before handing them off. Ultimately, the focus is on providing the best care while recognizing that fatigue can compromise that care.

Kevin Pho: You mentioned that residents at the University of Chicago unionized to address concerns about resident fatigue. Tell us more about that initiative.

Medha Venigalla: Earlier this year, the residents at UChicago unionized. The issues they brought up included pay, working hours, and overall working conditions. They recognized the necessity of long hourstheres so much training, learning, and work to do before a resident becomes an attending.

However, they wanted better working conditions to ensure they could perform better for their patients and achieve better outcomes for the institution as a whole. This effort had significant support from residents and medical students alike. It was inspiring to see that mental health and wellness for residents are becoming priorities in the field.

Kevin Pho: Among your medical school classmates, what were the reactions when you heard about the residents unionizing?

Medha Venigalla: Many of us were surprised but also optimistic and happy. It was encouraging to see resident wellness becoming a focal point. It speaks volumes about the direction of the field when mental health and wellness are taken seriously. For us as medical students, its reassuring to know that this is the future being created for us. It made us feel supported and excited for what lies ahead.

Kevin Pho: Burnout sometimes starts as early as medical school. Are you seeing any initiatives to reduce burnout and ease the pressure on medical students?

Medha Venigalla: Yes, definitely. One initiative is the widespread adoption of pass-fail grading for preclinical courses across the U.S., which has had a positive impact on mental health. Step 1 is also now pass-fail, which helps reduce some of the stress associated with board exams.

That said, medical students are a hardworking and disciplined group. Even with pass-fail grading, there are still standards were expected to meet. But these changes reflect an effort by medical schools to prioritize mental health while maintaining rigorous standards. I think these initiatives are making a difference in reducing burnout among trainees.

Kevin Pho: Is there anything more that could be done to address burnout among medical students and residents?

Medha Venigalla: For residents, I think enforcing the current 80-hour workweek limit is essential. Even with regulations in place, residents can slip through the cracks, and mental health remains a significant issue. There have been tragic cases of resident suicides, such as Will West and Jing Mai, which highlight the need for continued action.

For medical students, while progress has been made, I think grading during the clinical rotation year is an area for improvement. Its a stressful time because grading can feel subjective and inconsistent across attendings. Adding more objectivity to the evaluation process during rotations could alleviate some of that stress.

Kevin Pho: When you mentioned enforcement of the 80-hour workweek, are you suggesting stricter adherence to existing rules or further reductions in work hours?

Medha Venigalla: I think stricter enforcement of existing regulations would be a great place to start. Programs need to show their residents that they care about their well-being. Mental health and wellness need to be priorities. Even with the 80-hour limit, suicides among residents still occur. Enforcement and cultural change within programs are critical steps toward addressing these issues.

Kevin Pho: Were speaking to Medha Venigalla, a second-year medical student. Todays KevinMD article is The Cost of Exhaustion: Resident Fatigue Is a Public Health Emergency. Medha, lets end with some take-home messages youd like to leave with the KevinMD audience.

Medha Venigalla: Fatigue during residency isnt just a resident issueits a public health emergency. The health care system needs to take care of our residents so that they, in turn, can take better care of their patients and improve outcomes for everyone. This requires shifting the culture of medicine to one that values the mental health and wellness of physicians. When physicians are cared for, theyre better equipped to care for their patients.

Kevin Pho: Medha, thank you so much for sharing your perspective and insights. Thanks again for coming on the show.

Medha Venigalla: Thank you so much for having me.
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On Wednesday, the Supreme Court heard oral argument in this term's marquee case, United States v. Skrmetti.

The case, out of Tennessee, nominally involves a state law banning minors' use of puberty blockers and cross-sex hormones for purposes of so-called gender-affirming care  which, stripped of all euphemism, means genital mutilation and chemical castration. And the justices will indeed have to resolve the narrow legal question before them in this case: namely, whether or not Tennessee's commonsense protection of vulnerable youth from the predations of the billion-dollar transgender industry offends the 14th Amendment's injunction that no state "deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the laws."

The straightforward legal answer is that it plainly does not. Fatuous arguments this week from the U.S. solicitor general and American Civil Liberties Union advocate aside, one simply cannot divorce the issue of medical treatment from the issue of medical purpose. Consider the case of fentanyl. There are legitimate purposes for small amounts of fentanyl, which can be used as a painkiller in a contained hospital setting. There are also myriad illegitimate purposes for fentanyl, as anyone remotely familiar with America's depressing drug overdose crisis can sadly attest. So too can a reasonable person distinguish between testosterone therapy for an adolescent boy with delayed puberty, on the one hand, and testosterone therapy for an adolescent girl with gender dysphoria, on the other hand.

Tennessee's law does treat every "person within its jurisdiction" equally. It simply requires that the remedy for gender dysphoria for all children and adolescents "within its jurisdiction," regardless of biological sex, is psychological treatment  not irreversible physical damage to the human body. As recent as a decade ago, this would have been considered so obvious as to not even require legislation. Because we live in morally confused and ideologically fervent times, sadly, such laws are now necessary.

But the Skrmetti case also entails a considerably more important, and more sweeping, dispute than the technical constitutional issue that is now pending before the justices. More fundamentally, what was presented to the Supreme Court on Wednesday were two diametrically opposed conceptions of anthropology and the human person  of man's very being and his relation with his fellow man, the state and God Himself.

The transgender lobby and the Biden-Harris administration argue that the human person is, in essence, a "Choose Your Own Adventure" book. Under this dispensation, it is not sufficient that free will exists when it comes to making the decisions and choosing the courses of action that define our lives. Rather, "free will" also extends, in a bastardized sense, to the biologically irreducible question of who we quite literally are as Homo sapiens, members of the human race. The result of this pseudo-intellectual sophistry is the bizarre spectacle of Ketanji Brown Jackson, then an intellectually challenged judge and now an intellectually challenged justice, refusing to answer the question of what a "woman" is when pressed during her Supreme Court confirmation hearing. Gender activists hectored us for years that sexual orientation is established at birth, but apparently one now gets to choose whether he is man or woman.

On the other side of the civilizational clash, there are those of us who still "get bitter" and "cling," to use our 44th president's infamous words, to the norm established by God Himself in the Book of Genesis: "And God created man in His image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them." Even holding the Good Book aside, it doesn't require a Ph.D. in biology or embryology to grasp that human beings (and any number of species of animals) have precisely two possible chromosomal structures: XX for "female," and XY for "male." We know from the birds and the bees that human beings are specifically designed with sexual complementarity so that they can, upon the marital union, become one flesh and, to again cite Genesis, "be fruitful and multiply."

These two visions of the human person are in irreconcilable tension with one another. There is no middle ground here. Only one vision can survive.

The imperative of the statesman, be he political or judicial in nature, is to choose. It is not statesmanlike  indeed, it is cowardly  for constitutional officers of all stripes, judges included, to simply toss their hands in the air and proclaim their contentedness with letting the chips fall where they may. America's great antebellum dispute, that over chattel slavery, similarly concerned the nature of the human person. That dispute ended in tragedy, destruction and mass bloodshed.

In order to forestall a similar fate, we need more Lincoln-esque figures in our time: those who, like the Great Emancipator, have the courage to advance forthright moral arguments. Perhaps the Supreme Court can begin by using Skrmetti to declare transgenderism the lie against the human person that it is.

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Josh Hammer is senior editor-at-large at Newsweek, a research fellow with the Edmund Burke Foundation, counsel and policy advisor for the Internet Accountability Project, a syndicated columnist through Creators and a contributing editor for Anchoring Truths


On 7 December the Dominican Republics national drug control directorate (DNCD) announced the seizure of 9.5 tonnes (t) of cocaine at the port of Caucedo in Boca Chica municipality, Santo Domingo province, the countrys most important port.

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The California Department of Fish and Wildlife has released a proposed plan to protect the state's famous Joshua trees. Environmentalists say the trees are threatened by wildfires, human development and climate change.

An early version of the plan calls for avoiding or reducing direct and indirect effects of overgrazing, insect-killing chemical use and off-roading activity. The plan advises moving trees when projects require their removal or could harm them. It also calls for identifying and protecting lands where the trees could survive if the climate in southern California becomes drier and hotter.

In many ways, it's a good comprehensive plan of the things we need to do if the western Joshua tree is going to survive the very, very difficult decades ahead, said Brendan Cummings. He is conservation director with the Center for Biological Diversity based in Tucson, Arizona. The nonprofit group asked the California government in 2019 to list the western Joshua tree as threatened under the state's Endangered Species Act.

The conservation plan is a requirement by the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Act. California lawmakers passed the act last year. It is the first law in the state to protect a species from the threats of climate change. The law also bars anyone from killing, damaging, or removing a tree without state permission.

The proposed plan lists ways to help identify land that should be recognized as most important for conservation. This includes large areas with Joshua trees or areas with a high density of healthy and adult trees. The plan suggests placing restrictions on areas where there is low risk of such threats as fires, invasive plants and animals, development and where pollinators and seed-spreading animals exist. It aims to identify these lands by December 2025 and place permanent restrictions on 70 percent of them by 2033.

The plan also calls on land managers and wildfire workers to create methods to reduce and fight wildfires that threaten the trees and lessen effects from rehabilitating burned areas. That includes protecting trees, replanting them, planting other native species, and controlling invasive ones.

The proposed plan says, its effectiveness and the survival of the trees will mainly depend on whether reductions can be made in the release of heat-trapping gases. Such emissions come mainly from burning coal, oil and gas.

Cummings said climate change could destroy most, if not all, of the areas where the trees live if the situation does not change.

If emissions are limited as planned, Cummings said, we have a very good chance of saving the species if all the things outlined in this plan are carried out. And primarily thats doing what we can to protect as many of them as possible."

Approval from Californias Fish and Game Commission is necessary for the proposed plan to go into effect.

Im Caty Weaver.

The Associated Press reported this story. Caty Weaver adapted the story for VOA Learning English.

_____________________________________________

Words in This Story

over-grazing  n. the act of permitting animals to graze (an area, such as a field) to the point of damaging vegetational cover

off-roading  n. the activity of driving a vehicle in a place where there is no road

comprehensive  adj. covering completely or broadly

decade  n. a period of 10 years

pollinator  n. an agent (such as an insect) that pollinates flowers

rehabilitate  v. to restore or bring to a condition of health or useful and constructive activity

manager  n. a person who runs a business or organization
A new study suggests that Venus likely never had water flowing on its surface. The research was based on data related to the chemical makeup of the planets atmosphere.

Scientists have long considered whether Venus once held liquid water, even possibly large oceans. Such research was based on the fact that Venus is like our own planet in many ways. It is a rocky planet similar in structure and size to Earth and is also our closest planetary neighbor.

But the latest study provides evidence that Venus has likely always been the hot, extremely dry planet it remains today. Researchers from Britains University of Cambridge led the study. It recently appeared in the publication Nature Astronomy.

The researchers data examinations led them to conclude that both the surface and interior of Venus remain dry. The team said the strongest evidence that Venus once had large amounts of water would be the discovery of some water inside the planet today. But the study provided no evidence of that.

Since water is considered an important element for supporting life, the researchers also suggest that Venus was likely never habitable, or able to support life.

The lead writer of the study was Tereza Constantinou, a doctoral student at the University of Cambridge's Institute of Astronomy. She told Reuters news agency, "We suggest that a habitable past would be associated with Venus' present interior being water-rich, and a dry past with Venus' present interior being dry.

The researchers explained they attempted to measure the current destruction rate of molecules in water, carbon dioxide and carbonyl sulfide in Venus atmosphere. The state of the planets atmosphere is linked to volcanic activity, the team said.

Volcanism, through its supply of gases to the atmosphere, provides a window into the interior of rocky planets like Venus, the researchers wrote in a statement. As magma rises from the mantle to the surface, it releases gases from the deeper portions of the planet.

Volcanic explosions, or eruptions, can provide information on the amount of water contained deep below a planets surface, the scientists said.

On Earth, for example, volcanic eruptions mostly release steam, a vapor created when water gets heated. Measurements of volcanic gases on Earth have shown they release about 60 percent water vapor.

But the researchers said their examinations suggested volcanic gases released on Venus were less than 6 percent water vapor. This persuaded the team to conclude that the planets interior  the source of the magma that releases volcanic gases  must be very dry.

The team noted that scientists have had two leading theories on the history of water on Venus. The first is that the planet had a moderate climate for billions of years, with liquid water flowing over areas of the surface. Over time, widespread volcanic activity likely led to extreme heat and dry conditions that made the water disappear.

The second theory imagined Venus as being very hot from the beginning, preventing liquid water from ever forming on the surface.

Constantinou said, Both of those theories are based on climate models, but we wanted to take a different approach based on observations of Venus current atmospheric chemistry. She added that the team did not find evidence that any chemicals being removed from the atmosphere were later being restored.

This provides strong evidence that Venus has a very dry interior today, the scientists concluded. "The atmospheric chemistry suggests that volcanic eruptions on Venus release very little water, implying that the planet's interioris equally dry, Constantinou said.

She added that her team would have loved to find that Venus was once a planet much closer to our own. However, Constantinou noted the finding suggests that researchers should center their searches on planets that are mostly likely to be able to support life  at least life as we know it.

Im Bryan Lynn.

Bryan Lynn wrote this story for VOA Learning English, based on reports from Reuters and the University of Cambridge.

Quiz - New Study Examines Whether Venus Had Liquid Water Start the Quiz to find out Start Quiz

___________________________________________

Words in This Story

magma  n. hot liquid rock found just below the surface of the Earth

mantle  n. a layer of something that covers a surface

vapor  n. many small drops of liquid that form in the air

approach  n. the way something is done

imply  v. to communicate an idea or feeling without saying it directly
Recently, a rare pudu was born in an Argentinian zoo. The birth has given scientists and conservationists a chance to study and collect data on the small deer.

Pudus are one of the smallest deer species in the world. They can grow up to 50 centimeters tall and weigh up to 12 kilograms. At birth, the white-spotted male pudu weighed just 1.21 kilograms.

Workers at the conservation organization Temaiken Foundation named it Lenga after a tree species in the Andean Patagonian Forest of Chile and Argentina.

"It's a very enigmatic animal. It's not easy to see," said Maximiliano Krause. He is Lenga's caretaker at the nonprofit organization.

Krause says Lenga is spending his days exploring the park with his mother, Chalten, and father, Nicolino. Lenga is breastfeeding for the first two months until he can eat plants on his own.

After that, Lenga will lose his white spots and the spotty skin color that helps small deer hide from both daytime and nighttime predators. At about one year, pudus develop antlers and reach up to 10 centimeters.

Pudus are very elusive animals. In other words, they are hard to find and difficult to see in the wild. When chased by predators, they escape in a zig-zag manner. The small deer also face threats from wild dogs and species introduced into southern Argentina and Chile.

Only about 10,000 pudus remain in the wild. They are classified as near-threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

"This pudu birth is obviously a joy for us," said Cristian Guillet. He is the director of zoological operations at the Temaiken Foundation.

Guillet said that Lenga will help them research and gather data that will help conservation efforts for pudus and other Patagonian deer, like the huemul.

"(This) offers hope of saving them from extinction," Guillet said.

Im Anna Matteo.

Lucila Sigal and Alexander Villegas reported this story for Reuters. Anna Matteo adapted it for VOA Learning English.

________________________________________________

Words in This Story

conservationist  n. a person who is in favor of conservation especially of natural resources (as forests)

species  n. a category of living things that ranks below a genus, is made up of related individuals able to produce fertile offspring, and is identified by a two-part scientific name

enigmatic  adj. of, relating to, or resembling a puzzle or enigma : mysterious

predator  n. an animal that obtains food mostly by killing and eating other animals

zig-zag  adv. one of a series of short sharp turns, angles, or alterations in a course

classify  v. to consider (someone or something) as belonging to a particular group : to arrange in classes that have systematic relations usually founded on common properties

extinction  n. the process of no longer existing : an act of extinguishing or an instance of being extinguished

We want to hear from you. Do you have a similar expression in your language? In the Comments section, you can also practice using any of the expressions from the story. Our comment policy is here.
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Deflated by the resounding November defeat, the left now believes it can magically rebound by destroying President-elect Donald Trumps cabinet nominees.

Many of Trumps picks are well outside the usual Washington, D.C./New York political, media, and corporate nexus.

But that is precisely the point  to insert reformers into a bloated, incompetent, and weaponized government who are not part of it.

Trumps nominee for FBI director, Kash Patel, is already drawing severe criticism.

His furious enemies cannot go after his resume, since he has spent a lifetime in private, congressional, and executive billets, both in investigations and intelligence.

Instead, they claim he is too vindictive and does not reflect the ethos of the FBI.

But what will Patel not do as the new director?

He will not serially lie under oath to federal investigators as did interim FBI Director Andrew McCabe, a current Patel critic.

He will not forge an FBI court affidavit, as did convicted felon and agency lawyer Kevin Clinesmith.

He will not claim amnesia 245 times under congressional oath to evade embarrassing admissions as did former Director James Comey.

He will not partner with a foreign national to collect dirt and subvert a presidential campaign as the FBI did with Christopher Steele in 2016.

He will not use the FBI to draft social media to suppress news unfavorable to a presidential candidate on the eve of an election.

He would not have suppressed FBI knowledge that Hunter Bidens laptop was genuine  to allow the lie to spread that it was "Russian disinformation" on the eve of the 2020 election.

He will not raid the home of an ex-president with SWAT teams, surveil Catholics, monitor parents at school board meetings, or go after pro-life peaceful protestors.

Decorated combat veteran Pete Hegseth is another controversial nominee for secretary of defense.

What will Hegseth likely not do?

Go AWOL without notifying the president of a serious medical procedure as did current Secretary Lloyd Austin?

Install race and gender criteria for promotion and mandate Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion training?

Insinuate falsely that cabals of white supremacists had infiltrated the military only to alienate that entire demographic and thus ensure the Pentagon came up 40,000 recruits short?

Oversee the scramble from Kabul that saw $50 billion in U.S. military equipment abandoned to Taliban terrorists?

Watch passively as a Chinese spy balloon traversed the continental United States for a week?

Allow the chairman of the Joint Chiefs to promise his Chinese communist counterpart that the Peoples Liberation Army would first be informed if the President of the United States was felt to issue a dangerous order?

Rotate into the Pentagon from a defense contractor boardship and then leave office to rotate back there to leverage procurement decisions?

Oversee the Pentagons serial flunking of fiscal audits?

Health and Human Services nominee Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. is certainly a maverick. He may earn the most Democratic hits, given his former liberal credentials.

But what will RFK also not do as HHS secretary?

Oversee his agencies circumventing U.S. law by transferring money to communist China to help it produce lethal gain-of-function viruses of the COVID-19 sort  in the manner of Dr. Fauci?

Organize scientists to go after critics of mandatory masking and defame them?

Give pharmaceutical companies near-lifetime exemptions from legal jeopardy for rushing into production mRNA vaccines not traditionally vetted and tested?

Leave office to monetize his HHS expertise and thus make millions from the pharmaceutical companies?

Trumps nominee for Director of National Intelligence, former congressional representative and military veteran Tulsi Gabbard, will soon be defamed in congressional hearings.

But what has Gabbard not done?

Joined "51 former intelligence authorities" to lie on the eve of the 2020 election that the Hunter Biden laptop "had all the hallmarks" of a Russian information/disinformation operation"  in an effort to swing the election to incumbent Joe Biden?

Lied under congressional oath like former DNI James Clapper, who claimed he only gave the "least untruthful answer" in congressional testimony?

Encourage the FBI to monitor a presidential campaign in efforts to discredit it in the manner of former CIA Director John Brennan, who lied not once but twice under oath?

Fail to foresee the American meltdown in Kabul, the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel, or the Houthis' takeover of the Red Sea?

We are going to hear some outrageous things in the upcoming congressional confirmation hearings.

But one thing we will not hear about are the crimes, deceptions, and utter incompetence of prior and current government grandees.

The current crew, not their proposed Trump replacements, prompted the sick and tired American people to demand different people.

Voters want novel approaches to reform a government that they not only no longer trust but also now deeply fear.

( Hanson's latest book is "The Dying Citizen" from Basic Books. Buy it in hardcover at a 58% discount! by clicking here or order in KINDLE edition at a 41% discount by clicking here. Sales help fund JWR.)

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Victor Davis Hanson is the Martin and Illie Anderson Senior Fellow in Residence in Classics and Military History at the Hoover Institution, a professor of classics emeritus at California State University at Fresno, and a nationally syndicated columnist for Tribune Media Services.
23:56 India adopts balanced approach to W Asia clash: Jaishankar External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday said India's approach to the conflict that has been going on in West Asia since last year is balanced as it looks at the issues in all their complexities and also has a fundamental commitment to justice and equity. Jaishankar, 69, also... Read more >

23:31 Yes Madam criticised over purported email on firing of stressed staff File image Online beauty services platform YesMadam drew flak on Monday after a purported internal email leaked on social media suggesting the termination of those staff who had indicated workplace stress, although many dubbed it a marketing gimmick for a possible campaign. An email sent to the... Read more >

23:07 3 killed, 17 hurt as bus hits pedestrians in Mumbai File image Three persons died and 17 others were injured after a bus of the Mumbai's civic transport body BEST dashed into pedestrians as well as some vehicles on Monday night, a municipal corporation official said. It is suspected the accident near the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation L Ward in... Read more >

22:44 Filmmaker Shaji N Karun chosen for JC Daniel Award Eminent filmmaker Shaji N Karun has been selected for the JC Daniel Award for 2023, recognising his lifetime contribution to Malayalam cinema, an official release stated on Monday. The award, the highest honour in Malayalam cinema instituted by the state government, includes a cash prize of... Read more >

22:23 Unidentified persons abduct and kill BJP MLC's kin in Pune Maharashtra BJP MLC Yogesh Tilekar's uncle was allegedly abducted and murdered by unidentified persons in Pune district on Monday, a police official said. The victim, Satish Wagh (55), was bundled into an SUV near Shewalwadi Chowk in Hadapsar area of Pune city by four to five persons when he... Read more >

21:53 Mumbai records coldest day in 9 years Representational image. Mumbai recorded its coldest day on Monday since December 24, 2015, with the temperature dipping to 13.7 degrees Celsius, an India meteorological department official said. On December 24, 2015, the lowest temperature was recorded at 11.4 degrees Celsius. The 13.7 degrees recorded on Monday... Read more >

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21:15 UP man dies by suicide in Bengaluru, leaving behind 24-page note File image A 34-year-old man from Uttar Pradesh died by hanging himself from the ceiling at his residence on Monday, the police said.Atul Subhash, who worked in a private firm in Bengaluru, left behind a 24-page death note alleging harassment by his wife and her relatives, they added.The incident occurred... Read more >

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20:46 Police custody for 13 Siddique murder accused Baba Siddique The Mumbai police seeking the remand of 13 accused in the Baba Siddique murder case told the MCOCA court on Monday that jailed gangster Lawrence Bishnoi's role in the killing has not been found as yet, while his brother Anmol Bishnoi is running a separate gang. Siddique was shot dead on... Read more >

20:34 TN assembly urges Centre to cancel Madurai tungsten mining rights File image The Tamil Nadu assembly on Monday passed a resolution urging the Centre to immediately cancel tungsten mining rights granted to Hindustan Zinc Limited in the state, following an intense debate in the Assembly House. Chief Minister MK Stalin, who intervened during the debate, asserted he... Read more >

20:05 Filmmaker Ali Abbas booked for duping producer Film director Ali Abbas Zafar (right)/File image/Courtesy Ali Abbas Zafar/Instagram Film director Ali Abbas Zafar and two others were booked for allegedly duping producer Vashu Bhagnani of Rs 9 crore, a police official said on Monday. As per the First Information Report registered on Sunday, Zafar and his associates Himanshu Mehre and Ekesh Randive are accused of siphoning... Read more >

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19:44 Doctor beaten up in clinic near Mumbai File image A doctor was beaten up by four unidentified persons in Mumbra in Thane district, a police official said on Monday. The incident took place on Saturday night when two women at his clinic raised an alarm that something wrong had happened to a girl there, the official said. When the... Read more >

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19:00 Bomb threat at Agra airport, 'nothing suspicious found' File image The Agra airport received a bomb threat through an email on Monday, prompting a thorough search by security agencies but nothing suspicious was found, the police said. The Kheria Airport serves as a civil aviation facility as well as a base station for the Air Force. An email was... Read more >

18:23 PM to reply on Constitution debate in LS on Dec 14 Prime Minister Narendra Modi/File image Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to reply to the two-day debate on the Constitution in the Lok Sabha on Saturday, parliament sources said. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is likely to initiate the debate on the Constitution, among the key demands of the opposition alliance for the... Read more >

18:20 Four college students among 7 killed as two cars collide in Gujarat Seven persons, including four college students, headed to a village to appear for an exam, were killed when two cars collided in Gujarat's Junagadh district on Monday, the police said. The incident occurred on the Junagadh-Veraval Highway around 8 am when a car jumped the road divider at... Read more >

17:57 IndiGo's A320 makes first validation flight for Noida Airport An IndiGo flight makes first validation flight for Noida Airport/ANI on X The first validation test flight for the upcoming Noida International Airport was conducted successfully on Monday, with an Airbus 320 of IndiGo receiving a ceremonial water cannon salute upon the maiden landing at the greenfield facility, officials said. The airport is being built in the... Read more >

17:41 Revenue secy Sanjay Malhotra is new RBI governor Sanjay Malhotra with Nirmala Sitharaman Just In: The government has appointed Revenue Secretary Sanjay Malhotra as the next Reserve Bank governor, according to sources. Malhotra, a 1990 Batch Rajasthan cadre IAS Officer, will replace Shaktikanta Das, whose tenure comes to an end on Tuesday (December 10, 2024). Malhotra will... Read more >

17:17 Markets settle lower amid selling in blue-chip stocks Equity benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty ended lower on Monday, dragged down by selling in blue-chip stocks Reliance Industries, Hindustan Unilever, Axis Bank and mixed global trend. After oscillating between highs and lows during the day, the 30-share BSE benchmark Sensex declined... Read more >

16:46 India raises concerns over safety of minorities during Bangladesh visit India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday raised the issue of attacks on minorities, including Hindus, with Bangladesh leaders and officials in Dhaka. ...I emphasised that India desires a positive, constructive and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh. I have underlined... Read more >

16:44 INDIA bloc to move no-trust vote against Dhankar INDIA bloc to move no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar due to the partisan functioning of the House. INDIA bloc parties --- including Mamata Banerjee's Trinamool Congress, Arvind Kejriwal's Aam Aadmi Party and Akhilesh Yadav's Samajwadi Party have signed the... Read more >

16:00 Fire breaks out in Rajouri Garden; 10 fire tenders rushed A fire broke out in a building in west Delhi's Rajouri Garden market on Monday, authorities said. We received a fire call near Rajouri Garden Metro Station at 2.01 pm. 10 fire tenders were immediately dispatched to the site to control the blaze, Delhi Fire Services chief Atul Garg... Read more >

15:30 Mamata's lollipop jibe at B'desh attacking India Taking a dig at a section of Bangladeshi politicians, who said the country has legitimate claims over Bengal, Bihar and Odisha, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday wondered whether Indians would have lollipop when external forces would try to occupy Indian... Read more >

15:09 Big Soros showdown in RS, House adjourned The Rajya Sabha proceedings were adjourned for a third time till 3 pm on Monday as the treasury benches accused top Congress leaders of collusion with billionaire investor George Soros to destabilise the country.The Upper House witnessed two adjournments during the pre-lunch session, with... Read more >

14:40 PM: Politics can't be left to those who... Emphasising preparing the youth for leadership in every field of nation-building, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday said that the youth should lead the country in politics, adding that politics cannot be left to those who consider politics as their family's property.We need to prepare youth... Read more >

14:10 Fadnvis govt sails through trust vote in Assembly The Devendra Fadnavis-led ministry on Monday sailed through a trust vote in the Maharashtra assembly. The trust motion, tabled by Shiv Sena MLA Uday Samant and others, was passed by a voice vote. Speaker Rahul Narwekar announced that the trust motion has been approved by the House. The... Read more >

13:56 2 students fall to death from 4th floor PG in Delhi Representational image Two students died after falling from the fourth floor of their PG (paying guest) accommodation in Delhi's Rohini on Monday, an official said. The police had earlier said the students had jumped from the fourth floor. The deceased have been identified as Ishaan, a resident of... Read more >

13:24 87 roads closed in Himachal after 1st snowfall Himachal Pradesh witnessed its first snowfall of the season which led to the closure of at least 87 roads in the state, including Atari-Leh National Highway 3 near Manali's Rohtang Pass, the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) said. A total of 58 roads were closed in Shimla, followed by 17... Read more >

13:02 Adopt inclusive Syrian-led political process: India A day after Islamist rebels captured power in Syria, India on Monday called for a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political process to bring stability in that country. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said it is monitoring the unfolding developments in Syria. We are... Read more >

12:53 Farmers' protest: SC dismisses plea to clear road The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a plea seeking directions to the Centre and other authorities to immediately clear blockades on national and state highways in Punjab where farmers are staging protests. A bench of justices Surya Kant and Manmohan said the matter is already pending... Read more >

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12:10 Foreign Secretary Misri holds talks with Bangladeshi counterpart FS Vikram Misri Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday held talks with his Bangladeshi counterpart Mohammad Jashim Uddin, amid strained bilateral ties since August following the ouster of prime minister Sheikh Hasina. Misri arrived in Dhaka earlier in the day on an Indian Air Force jet for a day-long visit,... Read more >

11:59 Big B has a message for Allu Arjun: Give me... Amitabh Bachchan on Monday expressed gratitude to Allu Arjun after the Pushpa 2: The Rule star described himself as an ardent fan of the megastar who is a source of inspiration for actors like him. At an event last week, Arjun, 42, was asked which Hindi cinema actor inspires him the... Read more >

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10:41 Three killed in bomb explosion in Bengal's Murshidabad At least three persons were killed and a few others injured in an explosion when they were allegedly manufacturing illegal crude bombs in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, police said on Monday. The incident happened late Sunday night at Khoyertala village under Sagarpara gram... Read more >

10:40 India FS in Dhaka, 1st visit after Hasina ouster Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Bangladesh on Monday on a day-long visit, the first high-level trip from India after a massive uprising ended deposed prime minister Sheikh Hasina's 15-year rule in August. Misri's visit comes amid increasing strain in ties between New Delhi and Dhaka... Read more >

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09:41 Deserve to lose limbs: 40 bomb threats to schools File pic More than 40 schools in the national capital received bomb threats via e-mail and demanded a ransom of USD 30,000, Delhi Police said on Monday.I planted multiple bombs (lead azide, explosive compound used in detonators) inside the building. I planted multiple bombs inside the building. The bombs... Read more >

09:31 Happy anniversary! Shabana Azmi shares this picture with Javed Akhtar saying, It's 40 years today since we got married and he still makes me laugh (heart emojis). Read more >

09:15 'You can breathe in Syria after Assad' Syrians celebrate. Pic: Andreea Campeanu/Reuters There was a snarl of cars when we arrived. We could hear chanting. Someone was waving a rebel flag. Overnight news that Damascus had fallen and Syria's president had fled spurred Syrians in Lebanon to rush to Masnaa, the border crossing closest to their capital, reports the BBC.We'd been planning... Read more >

09:01 Two schools in Delhi receive bomb threats: Police Representational image Two private schools in Delhi received bomb threats on Monday morning, an official of Delhi Fire Service (DFS) said. The DFS official said calls of bomb threats were received from DPS RK Puram at 7.06 am and GD Goenka Paschim Vihar at 6.15 am. The fire officials, including the dog... Read more >

08:59 Sebis Stealth Op On Shadow Players Social media platforms are flooded with advertisements for online stock market tutorials and crash courses. These courses often lure students with low fees but later charge extra for stock tips.However, providing unregistered investment advice is illegal under Sebi regulations. To... Read more >

08:58 Market Timers Reset: New Expiry Clock Is Ticking The National Stock Exchange, has announced changes to the 'expiry day' for its index derivatives contracts. Starting January 1, all monthly contracts for Bank Nifty, Nifty Financial Services, Nifty Midcap Select, and Nifty Next 50 will expire on the last Thursday of each month.Currently, expiry... Read more >

08:42 SBI to sell Rs 2,732 crore of bad loans Subrata Panda/Business StandardState Bank of India, Indias largest lender, is looking to sell bad loans worth Rs 2,732.5 crore related to Odisha-based ARSS Infrastructure Projects Ltd through a Swiss challenge auction and has invited expressions of interest (EoIs) from entities interested in... Read more >

08:40 Days before term ends, RBI Guv meets FM Ruchika Chitravanshi/Business StandardReserve Bank of India Governor Shaktikanta Das met Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday evening, a day after the meeting of the Monetary Policy Committee and just ahead of his term coming to an end on Tuesday.The meeting took place at the FMs North... Read more >
And Joe didn't simply pardon his son of one particular crime, oh no. The Hunter pardon covers any crime big or small that Hunter may have committed over the last 11 years! That's a blanket pardon that lasts for over a decade.

And people are betting that Biden is going to pardon his brother too, before his presidency ends. Realize that in so doing Joe has protected himself as well. The whole thing is so obviously corrupt and disgusting you have to be a total partisan or a total moron not to see it. When Joe Biden said, "nobody is above the law" he meant except for the Biden family.

President Trump's team made this statement concerning the pardon: First, 51 "intelligence experts" told us the Hunter Biden laptop was Russian misinformation.

Then, they tried to give Hunter a sweetheart deal to avoid convicting him for his obvious corruption.

And now, after repeatedly telling the American people it would NEVER HAPPEN, "the big guy" issues the broadest pardon in this nation's history for his son Hunter.

Joe Biden LIED about discussing business with his son.

Joe Biden LIED about getting paid by Communist China.

Joe Biden LIED about selling the Biden brand' to cut deals.

But the most insulting part? Crooked Joe Biden oversaw a Department of Justice that harassed and imprisoned President Trump and his allies over the past four years.

In an article in the Wall Street Journal titled "His Pardon Lies Were Pure Biden," columnist Holman W. Jenkins wrote, "Out goes one of the most cynical and shallow presidencies in history, that of Joe Biden.

I refer to the "presidency" rather than the "president" because Mr. Biden isn't the sole author of his political strategy.

On MSNBC the Trump-hostile former GOP Rep. Joe Walsh might as well have been summarizing the entire Biden record and not merely this week's Hunter Biden pardon when he said it "politically only strengthens Trump."

But nobody should be surprised that Joe Biden is a liar. He's been a liar all his life. His plagiarism is well known.

From the time he was a student in law school throughout his entire career in government he has stolen the words and sometimes entire texts from others.

In 1987, he was forced out of the presidential race when he was caught stealing lines of British politician Neil Kinnock's speeches. Maybe worse, he also mimicked some of Kinnock's mannerisms in a style a reporter at the time called "creepy."

Political author Richard Ben Cramer said Biden knew what he was doing and even had a video of Kinnock to study.

Throughout his time as president he's been lying about just about everything. The list is a long one. In his statement concerning the pardoning of his son, Biden said, "For my entire career I have followed a simple principle: just tell the American people the truth." Actually, for his entire career, including his four years in the White House, Biden has done the complete opposite. He has looked squarely into the camera and lied to the country continually, from minor personal events to major issues concerning our economy, foreign affairs, crime, and the open border. Americans finally saw through this and decided that enough was enough.

All politicians are concerned about their legacy when they leave office.

Biden's legacy will be a simple one. He will go down as a phony, lying, feebleminded crook who did nothing as senator, but did great damage to America in the four years he served as president..

(COMMENT, BELOW)
Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lkke Rasmussen is set to hold a bilateral meeting with his Filipino counterpart in Manila to enhance cooperation in various areas, including trade and maritime affairs, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Saturday.

Rasmussen will be in Manila from Dec. 9 to 10, marking the first visit of a Danish foreign minister to the Philippines in 25 years.

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The DFA said his meeting with Foreign Affairs Secretary Enrique Manalo would also focus on strengthening ties on green shipping, green transition, health, financial and development cooperation, and people-to-people links.

In addition, the two will exchange views and insights on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The visit underscores the 78 years of Philippines-Denmark bilateral relations and the like-minded interest to forge even stronger partnerships in future-leading sectors, the DFA said.

Rasmussen is also expected to engage with the Philippine Coast Guard, which will provide the minister with a brief overview of the situation in the West Philippine Sea.
Britains leader Keir Starmer makes his first trip to the Gulf as prime minister from Sunday, seeking to attract investment from the regions oil-rich states, Downing Street announced.

Starmer will first visit the United Arab Emirates and then travel to Saudi Arabia, before stopping off in Cyprus on his way back to London on Tuesday in a bid to build closer ties and drive long term UK growth.

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The trip to Abu Dhabi and Riyadh comes as his Labour government pursues a free-trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Councils six nations: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and UAE.

There is huge untapped potential in this region, which is why, while here, I will be making the case to accelerate progress on the Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement, Starmer said in a statement released Saturday.

The meetings will also aim to deepen our research and development collaboration and partner on projects in areas including defence and artificial intelligence, Starmer added.

The British leader will land in the UAE on Sunday evening, ahead of Monday morning talks with its president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Later Monday, Starmer will fly to Saudi Arabia to meet Riyadhs de facto leader Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who last week hosted French President Emmanuel Macron.

A Downing Street press release called the UAE and Saudi some of the UKs most vital modern-day partners.

The regional tour will end on Tuesday with Starmer meeting President Nikos Christodoulides in Nicosia, the first bilateral talks between the leaders of Britain and Cyprus in over five decades.

Starmer is also due to address British troops stationed in Cyprus.

 Economic boost 

Labour has staked its credibility on a promise to get Britains sluggish economy firing again.

It says a GCC agreement could boost bilateral trade, currently accounting for 55 billion ($70 bn) of UK trade, by 16 percent, potentially adding an extra 8.6 billion a year in the long run.

It hopes a deal would see Gulf sovereign wealth funds invest in a range of sectors, including energy and infrastructure, while also opening up lucrative markets to British firms.

Starmers trip comes after Britain last week rolled out the diplomatic red carpet for Qatars emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani who enjoyed a state visit to the UK.

Starmer discussed trade with the royal during talks in Downing Street that coincided with Qatar announcing it will invest 1 billion ($1.3 billion) in British climate technologies.

Discussing regional conflicts is expected to be high up the agenda, including the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, the fragile ceasefire in Lebanon and renewed unrest in Syria.

Starmer will also be looking to repair relations between the UK and UAE that soured under the previous Conservative government after an Abu Dhabi-backed bid to buy the Telegraph newspaper failed.

The Gulf visit will be Starmers 15th international trip since he entered Number 10 on July 5.

Opponents have criticised the amount of time he has spent out of the country but allies insist the trips have been vital to get to know other world leaders.

Starmer, 61, has been insisting in capitals that Britain is back on the world stage following rancour over its departure from the European Union.
On Saturday, December 7, Chad officially began campaigning for its legislative, municipal, and provincial elections scheduled for December 29, 2024. This marks the final phase of the political transition initiated in 2021 following the death of former President Idriss Deby. In three weeks, Chadians will head to the polls to elect deputies, mayors, and local representatives in what is being hailed as a historic moment for the country.

The Patriotic Salvation Movement (MPS), the ruling party, kicked off its campaign with a grand rally at the Paris-Congo stadium, which was filled to capacity. The event, organized in just 48 hours, saw the presentation of nearly 3,000 candidates vying for positions in the upcoming elections. Despite the fanfare, the streets of the capital, NDjamena, showed little sign of campaign activity.

This election is unprecedented in Chads history, as it combines legislative, provincial, and local elections into a single voting process. However, the legitimacy of the elections is being challenged by 15 opposition parties, which have declared a boycott, deeming the process undemocratic. Issa Doubragne, spokesperson for the MPS campaign, responded to the boycott, stating:

The boycott is an expression of their stance. We respect their choice.

To ensure the campaigns reach, the MPS will deploy 23 mission heads across Chad and its diaspora zones within two days, underscoring the partys organizational efforts.

The start of the campaign coincided with a significant protest from the Chadian media sector. On December 7, more than 40 online news outlets ceased operations, following a call by the Association of Online Media of Chad (AMET). This was in response to a decision by the High Authority of Audiovisual Media (HAMA), which banned news sites from producing audiovisual content without prior authorization. The AMET criticized the decision, calling it a violation of media laws and press freedom.

With political tensions and media freedom concerns shaping the electoral landscape, the December 29 elections will not only conclude Chads transition but also test its democratic resilience.
The World Bank (WB) announced on Friday, December 6, in Seoul that it will mobilize an unprecedented $100 billion over the next three years to support the worlds poorest nations. This milestone marks the culmination of a year-long fundraising effort spearheaded by the International Development Association (IDA), the WBs arm dedicated to providing grants and low-interest loans to 78 low-income countries, primarily in Africa.

The $100 billion target will be achieved through the World Banks leveraging model, which multiplies nearly $24 billion pledged by donor countries. While African nations had initially sought $120 billion, the $100 billion allocation represents a record-level refinancing for the IDA. Despite a challenging global fiscal environment, some donor nations increased their contributions by as much as 50%, demonstrating robust commitment to the cause.

Axel van Trotsenburg, Director of Development Policy and Partnerships at the World Bank, praised the collective effort:

We commend donor countries for their extraordinary contributions. In a difficult budgetary climate, they have rallied to support IDA, ensuring critical resources for the countries that need them most. This $100 billion will enable transformative investments in health, education, infrastructure, and climate change adaptation.

As the worlds largest source of climate financing, the IDA has allocated $270 billion over the past decade, with more than two-thirds channeled to African nations. These funds, provided as grants or zero-to-low-interest loans, have been instrumental in driving essential development initiatives, including improving healthcare, expanding educational access, building resilient infrastructure, and bolstering climate adaptation efforts.

The newly secured financing reinforces the IDAs mission to alleviate poverty and promote sustainable development in low-income nations. It comes at a critical time, as these countries grapple with escalating challenges such as economic inequality, climate change, and post-pandemic recovery.

This milestone sets the stage for accelerated progress in areas vital to the resilience and growth of the worlds most vulnerable populations.
Guineas customs Director, Moussa Camara, along with his deputy, Macky Diallo, and nine other individuals, were detained on Saturday December 7 following allegations of embezzling over 700 billion Guinean francs (approximately 76.7 million). This announcement was made by Aly Toure, the prosecutor of the Special Court for Financial Offenses (CRIEF), as part of an ongoing investigation into widespread corruption and financial mismanagement within the General Directorate of Customs.

Toure disclosed on Friday that the investigation, focusing on embezzlement, malfeasance, and corruption, had uncovered a sophisticated network operating within the customs administration. According to a statement broadcast on national television, this network of customs officers and freight forwarders circumvented the official one-stop payment system to divert significant funds.

By these means, more than 700 billion Guinean francs were misappropriated, inflicting substantial losses on the state, the statement detailed.

Following the discovery, Camara, Diallo, and the nine others were charged with a range of offenses, including forgery, corruption, embezzlement of public funds, illicit enrichment, money laundering, and complicity. All the accused have been placed in detention at the Conakry prison as the case progresses.

This high-profile investigation underscores Guineas ongoing efforts to tackle corruption and financial crimes within its public institutions. Under the current administration, anti-corruption initiatives have intensified, targeting key sectors of the government where systemic graft has hindered economic progress and undermined public trust.

If convicted, the accused face severe penalties under Guinean law, signaling a potential turning point in the countrys fight against financial impropriety. Meanwhile, the authorities are continuing their probe to determine the full extent of the scheme and whether additional individuals or organizations were involved.

This case, involving one of Guineas most vital revenue-generating institutions, has drawn significant public attention, with citizens and civil society groups calling for justice and greater transparency in government operations.
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Older adults are more inclined toward risk-taking than previously believed, and they also demonstrate an inherent ability to resist manipulation effectively, according to a study conducted by SWPS University researchers that challenges prevailing myths about this age group.

Polish society is inevitably aging. According to Statistics Poland (GUS) data, the group of people aged 65 and older increased to 7.5 million in 2023, constituting over 20% of the population. This becomes particularly significant considering that older adults often need to make important financial and health-related decisions.

Previous research on the decision-making abilities of older adults has not yielded consistent conclusions. Some studies portray older adults as risk-averse and susceptible to manipulation , while others suggest the opposite. The study by SWPS University researchers challenges common beliefs about how aging affects decision-making, particularly in situations involving risk and uncertainty.

It turns out that with some practice and familiarity with the task, older people have the same ability to make complex decisions as younger people, and they should be neither underestimated nor overprotected when making important choices.

"The study challenges dominant stereotypes about aging and decision-making. Too often, older people are portrayed as defenseless and less capable of making correct decisions, which can lead to their infantilization or exclusion from important choices," emphasizes one of the study authors, Dr. Maciej Koscielniak from the Faculty of Psychology and Law in Poznan at SWPS University, Head of Department of Social and Cross-Cultural Psychology.

Older adults more likely to take risks

In the paper "Effect of Age on Susceptibility to Attraction Effect in Sequential Risky Decision-Making" published in Ageing and Society, researchers focused on older adults' susceptibility to the attraction effect, also known in the literature as the decoy effect or asymmetric dominance effect. The scientists also examined how decision-making in risky situations changed with age.

Using specially designed gambling tasks, researchers conducted two experiments: an online study with 357 participants, and a laboratory study with 173 participants. Participants were divided into age groups: young adults (1833 years), middle-aged adults (4257 years), and older adults (6580 years). There was no significant difference between groups in terms of years of education.

The findings were surprising: while older adults were significantly more prone to risk-taking than younger people, both age groups were equally capable of resisting manipulation related to the attraction effect.

Slower but capable of correcting errors based on experience

Importantly, althoughas expectedolder adults initially made more mistakes in situations that could have serious financial and social consequences, they successfully learned and improved their decision-making process through practice. It simply took them more time.

By the end of the trial, they performed just as well as younger adults. This suggests that while aging may affect the speed of processing new information, it does not reduce the ability to make good decisions, or defenses against manipulation.

"The discovery that learning ability is comparable between older and younger adults has profoundly influenced my view on cognitive functions in the aging processit's not simply a story of decline, but rather one of adaptation," emphasizes Koscielniak.

The researchers' observations provide insight into the cognitive functioning of older adults and indicate that decision-making ability in late adulthood may be more complex than commonly believed.

These findings have important implications for addressing age-based stereotypes. "Whether we're talking about interactions with financial advisors, health care workers, or family members helping older people make decisions, our findings suggest that older adults often do not need protection from choices, but rather an opportunity and sufficient time to become familiar with new situations," says Koscielniak.

More information: Maciej Koscielniak et al, Effect of age on susceptibility to the attraction effect in sequential risky decision-making, Ageing and Society (2024). DOI: 10.1017/S0144686X24000527

Provided by SWPS University
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Two clinical trials testing the antibody loncastuximab tesirine (Zynlonta) showed encouraging results in patients with high-risk forms of two blood cancersfollicular lymphoma and marginal zone lymphoma.

The findings, led by physician-scientists at Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, were presented at the American Society of Hematology's 2024 meeting in San Diego.

One study, a Phase II clinical trial led by Juan Alderuccio, M.D., a Sylvester hematologist and lymphoma specialist and associate professor of medicine at the Miller School, tested loncastuximab in combination with the antibody rituximab in 39 patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma who also had high tumor burden.

That study is also published Dec. 7 in the journal Lancet Haematology. Alderuccio is now expanding that study, which comprised all Sylvester patients, to include patients at multiple sites around the U.S. and to enroll a total of 100 patients.

The other study, led by Izidore Lossos, M.D., professor of medicine and chief of the lymphoma section of the division of hematology at Sylvester, tested loncastuximab alone in 23 patients with relapsed or refractory marginal zone lymphoma, a rare form of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, in an ongoing multi-center Phase II trial.

Both studies showed encouraging results for the new treatment in these patient populations.

Because both of these cancers are typically slow-growing, both trials looked at overall response and complete response rates rather than survival rates.

For the follicular lymphoma trial, patients receiving loncastuximab and rituximab had a 67% complete response rate, meaning their cancer could no longer be detected by imaging, and an overall response rate of 97%only one patient out of 39 had no response to the treatment.

In the marginal zone lymphoma trial, 70% of patients had a complete response and 91% had an overall response. As this trial is still ongoing, Lossos is presenting interim results at the conference.

Overcoming high-risk factors

Although these types of lymphoma are both typically indolent or slow-growing, patients with either type can see faster progression of their cancer and worse prognoses.

For the follicular lymphoma trial, Alderuccio and his colleagues enrolled patients whose cancer had not only relapsed or failed to respond to treatment but also showed a high disease burden or had seen progression of their disease within 24 months of their initial treatment, either of which carries a worse prognosis.

Follicular lymphoma patients with faster progression, known as POD24, have a five-year survival rate of only 50%, as compared to a survival rate of 85% for follicular lymphoma patients as a whole.

Most positively, the antibody combination showed similar response rates in patients with POD24 and those without, each of which made up roughly half the patients in the trial.

"Even in patients with high-risk disease, this treatment is able to overcome adverse prognosis factors," Alderuccio said.

In the marginal zone lymphoma trial, the 70% complete response rate is the highest such rate in any trial for this cancer, Lossos said. Although this cancer is also slow-growing, relapsed patients rarely achieve complete response in other treatment settings.

Reducing side effects

Alderuccio noted that the treatment landscape for high-risk follicular lymphoma has changed dramatically just in the last few years. Patients now have many more treatment options than they once did.

"The prognosis for patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma has significantly improved over the last couple of years," he said. "We have several options, and our goal now is to keep high efficacy but also decrease toxicity. And that's what we're trying to do now."

Although other treatment options also show high efficacy, the antibody combination appears to pair that high efficacy with a low burden of side effects and a short course of treatment. The main side effects seen in the trial were a rash that gets worse with sun exposure (patients are counseled to stay out of the sun during treatment) and fluid retention, which can be treated with diuretics.

Because so many patients saw a complete response by 12 weeks of treatment, the researchers also recently reduced the treatment length in their study from 10 to 6 months. Alderuccio hopes that the relatively short course of treatment combined with low toxicity will mean patients can carry out this treatment without difficulty. One of the patients who completed the treatment in the trial was 89 years old.

Options for a rare cancer

The marginal zone lymphoma trial is unique in that most clinical trials don't separate out patients with this type of cancer because it is relatively rare, comprising only 6 to 8% of non-Hodgkin lymphoma cases. Although other trials have included patients with this cancer, it can be hard to draw conclusions from those studies because the numbers of patients with marginal zone lymphoma are so low in any given trial, Lossos said.

Although it's an indolent disease with a median survival of 10 to 15 years, many patients need immediate treatment as the cancer can cause significant symptoms such as vision loss.

For most patients, even with treatment, they don't see their cancer die downcomplete response has to date been rare for this disease. That's why Lossos is optimistic about the 70% complete response rate seen so far in the ongoing trial, which has enrolled 23 patients out of a targeted 50. Currently, sites are open at the University of Miami and City of Hope, and the researchers will soon expand that to five total sites.

"We are excited about the complete response rate," Lossos said. "We are hoping this treatment will allow patients to live many more years than they used to be able to."

More information: Juan Pablo Alderuccio et al, Loncastuximab tesirine with rituximab in patients with relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma: a single-centre, single-arm, phase 2 trial, The Lancet Haematology (2024). DOI: 10.1016/S2352-3026(24)00345-4 Journal information: The Lancet Haematology
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Australian general practitioners (GPs) are rapidly adopting Medical AI Scribe software. This is an artificial intelligence program that captures consultations in real-time by recording in the background and generating detailed notes ready to go into a patient's medical record.

While it may initially seem like an advanced dictation tool, as a GP, I'm finding that it's transforming clinical practice in ways that go far beyond basic transcription.

In my medical career spanning over three decades, medical records have evolved from illegible scribbles on cards to electronic recordsand AI scribes represent the next big leap.

I think of it as the latest evolution of clinical consultations, profoundly shaping the way doctors document and provide care.

AI as a conscientious listener

One surprising advantage is that when I review the notes generated by the software, I often find small but significant details that I may have missed in real-time while focusing on my next question or the management plan.

For example, I might have overlooked a comment about the patient's lack of sleep or a past reaction to medication.

It's like having an extra set of ears in the room, quietly catching additional symptoms or bits of social context that a patient mentions in passing. This extra layer of listening helps ensure important comments don't slip through the cracks, helping me catch things I might otherwise miss.

That said, as with all AI, doctors have to be cautious.

AI can "confabulate," acting more as a storyteller than a documenter. This can create very plausible-sounding facts that can easily slip past a vigilant clinician.

Every clinician should never forget that, ultimately, the buck stops with them.

AI as a trusted clinical assistant

As with any groundbreaking technology, what starts as optional quickly becomes essential.

Just as we rely on Google Maps to navigate or Uber Eats to order a late-night pizza without thinking about the mechanics, AI scribe software soon feels indispensable, seamlessly integrating into clinical workflows.

Before long, it's hard to imagine practicing without it.

It saves time and, like any technology, fades into the background, allowing more cognitive space to focus on important aspects of the consultation.

For a technology that's going to be so deeply embedded in our health care system, we must ensure in Australia that we are well-prepareddeveloping our own national AI expertise rather than simply relying on overseas technologies for such an important role in our health system.

A detailed roadmap has now been developed.

AI as a clinical formulation assistant

The structure of information influences our thinking, and this is especially true in clinical reasoning.

With medical AI software, the process of organizing notes isn't just about documentationit also shapes my clinical understanding of the patient. For example, when the software organizes information into clinical issues with the various relevant facts and symptoms grouped under each theme, this shapes my thought processes.

In this way, AI is not merely serving as a record-keeper but is already an active part of the clinical reasoning process.

AI as a virtual GP supervisor

Using AI scribe software feels a bit like having a GP supervisor or a medical student in the consulting room. It reminds me of the Hawthorne effectwhere research participants modify their behavior when they know they're being observed.

I already sense that I'm subtly adjusting my consulting style.

Knowing that the consultation is being recorded and transcribed for my own reviewing adds a layer of accountability and encourages me to be more thorough.

Even in straightforward cases, like a respiratory infection, I'm more likely to ask all the classic systems review questions as if in a medical student examination. I'll talk through my findings in detail, and even announce aloud negative findings like "chest clear, no wheezing, no crepitations."

I'd be interested in future research on whether having AI software in the consulting room impacts consulting style or if patients notice any differences. They may end up with more questions: "Why is my doctor saying 'no crepitations'? What is a crepitation?"

The future potential for AI to help tailor medical education also seems extraordinary.

I was simultaneously complimented and shocked when the software recently advised me after a long mental health consultation that it was impressed with my empathetic approach.

Cautions on data security and privacy

While the benefits of medical AI software are clear, as with any new technology, we're in the honeymoon period, and some risks will likely become more apparent.

It's essential to consider patient consent and data privacy. I make it a point to explain to patients if I'm using the software and document their consent.

So far, I am finding almost all patients are comfortable with it, but they must be informed about what's being recorded, how it's used and their right to opt out if they prefer.

Data security is another critical factor, as these tools handle sensitive medical information that must be securely stored and transmitted to prevent unauthorized access.

Clinicians and practices should work with software providers to ensure compliance with data protection and privacy laws.

The future of AI in clinical practice

As we become familiar with new tools, we develop routines and workflows that maximize their strengths while being mindful of their limitations.

Working with AI is no different.

For the next generation of clinicians, AI will be a core skill, underscoring the need for its integration into medical training and ongoing professional development.

If we can establish appropriate regulatory frameworks and learn to use AI scribes as an ally, it has the potential to deepen clinical reasoning, help structure our thinking and improve patient care.
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Stylized illustration of rabies virus-infected tumor cells (in magenta and green) and the nerve cells directly connected to them (green). Credit: Cell (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.11.002

The tumor cells of highly aggressive glioblastomas grow into the brain like a mycelium. This invasion is promoted by the nerve cells of the brain itself as they form cell-cell contacts with the tumor cells and pass on excitatory signals to them.

Using a new method, researchers from Heidelberg University, the University Hospital (UKHD) and the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) have now shown that this contact occurs much earlier and also involves more types of nerve cells than previously assumed. The work is published in the journal Cell.

The team, led by Dr. Varun Venkataramani, a neurologist and research group leader at the UKHD, infected and labeled human glioblastoma cells with modified rabies viruses and tracked how contact-seeking nerve cells became infected in human tissue models and in the mouse brain. The researchers hope to use their new findings for future therapies for glioblastomas, which are currently incurable.

"The tumor network makes glioblastomas so difficult to fight: they cannot be completely removed and their interconnection makes them almost insensitive to radiation and chemotherapy," says Professor Dr. Wolfgang Wick, Medical Director of the UKHD's Department of Neurology.

"Every new insight into how these tumors 'tick' and where their weak points might be is a valuable step in the development of future therapies." Despite modern therapeutic strategies, patients diagnosed with glioblastoma have a less than two-year average survival rate.

Dynamic investigation of single tumor cell and whole-tumor-associated neuronal connectome in glioblastoma. (A) Sparse labeling approach of glioblastoma in co-culture of neurons and tumor cells allows tracking of a single glioblastoma cell. (B) Dense labeling approach of glioblastoma in co-culture of neurons and tumor cells for depicting the whole neuronal connectome. Credit: Cell (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.11.002

Rabies virus spreads from infected tumor cells to contact-seeking nerve cells

Dr. Venkataramani's idea was to use a virus that specializes in infecting the nervous system to combat the tumor cells: rabies viruses are usually transmitted via the bite of an infected animal and attack nerve cells. From the bite wound, they migrate along the neural connections into the brain, where they cause life-threatening inflammation.

"We have exploited the ability of rabies viruses to pass from one nerve cell to the next via their contact points," says the neurologist.

Changes to the virus genome ensure that the viruses only pass from the tumor cell to directly connected nerve cells. Transmission from these to other nerve cells is not possible. In addition, the modified virus transfers the genetic blueprint for proteins that are fluorescent, thus making both tumor cells and their direct contact partners visible.

"With previous techniques, these cell-cell contacts could only be traced in the immediate vicinity of the tumor. With the help of the rabies viruses, we can now also see the contact partners that connect with the tumor cells over long distances via long cell extensions," says Svenja Tetzlaff from Dr. Venkataramani's team, one of the two lead authors of the article.

"We can now map the entire network of tumor-nerve connections in the brain."

Graphical abstract. Credit: Cell (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.11.002

Aggressively invasive growth even in the very early stages of the disease

Molecular contact tracing showed that the tumor cells connect to nerve cells extremely quickly. Long before the tumor becomes visible using clinical imaging and long before neurological disorders occur, the cancer cells are already linked to neuronal networks.

"We did not expect this. It means that the aggressive growth of these brain tumors occurs at a very early stage, long before the first signs of disease," says Ekin Reyhan, a junior scientist at the Heidelberg Medical Faculty and also a first author on the paper.

In addition, the new method of visualizing more distant contact partners revealed several different types of nerve cell for the first time. However, so-called acetylcholinergic nerve cells, which are important for memory and attention processes, appear to play a special role. In animal experiments, tumor growth slowed down when the tumor cells were genetically modified so that they could no longer receive signals from these nerve cells.

Combination of radiation and targeted drugs could improve therapy

The close contacts with healthy nerve cells also help the tumor network to survive radiation better, even if the main tumor in the core radiation area dies, as the scientists discovered: in mice, the radiation increased neuronal activity, so more excitatory signals reached the remaining tumor cells and thus fueled their spread. When the researchers dampened the overactivity of the nerve cells with a specific epilepsy drug, the radiotherapy had a more lasting effect, and the glioblastoma regenerated much more slowly.

"This could be highly relevant for therapy," says Dr. Venkataramani. "However, since the results of animal experiments cannot be transferred 1:1 to humans, we will only know for sure after clinical trials with patients."

The modified rabies viruses could also be used to block the nerve cells in contact with the tumor. The team showed that this is possible in principle. However, extensive modifications to the virus are still needed before it can be used in humans.

More information: Svenja K. Tetzlaff et al, Characterizing and targeting glioblastoma neuron-tumor networks with retrograde tracing, Cell (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2024.11.002

Provided by Universitatsklinikum Heidelberg
The News in Brief Monday, December 9, 2024

On December 7, Georgian Public Defender Levan Ioseliani condemned violent attacks carried out by groups of alleged Titushky - unofficial enforcers often associated with suppressing protests - against demonstrators and journalists near Rustaveli Avenue in Tbilisi. Ioseliani called for immediate intervention by law enforcement to protect citizens and ensure accountability."For the last hour, according to the information spread in the media and social networks, in Tbilisi, near Rustaveli Avenue, people dressed in black are attacking and physically assaulting citizens and TV Pirveli journalists," Ioseliani stated. He urged police forces mobilized in the area to "respond immediately and ensure the safety of citizens on the spot," and demanded that law enforcement authorities launch an investigation and prosecute those responsible.Journalists from TV Pirveli, including Maka Chikhladze and cameraman Giorgi Shetsiruli, were among those targeted on Besiki Street. Chikhladze reported that Titushky physically assaulted them, confiscated their broadcasting equipment, and subjected them to verbal abuse.In a separate incident, members of the Coalition for Change were attacked in their office. Two individuals were assaulted, including coalition member Koba Khabazi, who was reportedly beaten by the group.On December 6, journalist Mindia Gabadze of Publika was reportedly attacked by a group of individuals believed to be Titushky, while at least two police officers were present at the scene. Despite requests from citizens, the police did not arrest the attackers.In response to the incident, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Aleksandre Darakhvelidze addressed the situation, stating that when a group is involved in an assault, a single police officer cannot effectively intervene. "We react to each fact and do everything that is within our mandate and defined by the law. Accordingly, when the patrol police are called, of course, they record the fact and react," Darakhvelidze said.He stated that police officers may not have the same capabilities as specially trained units. "We cannot ask a policeman or a patrolman to have the same skills as a special forces officer or someone else who has undergone special training. When a group is violent, in this case, one person cannot do anything there," he added.Darakhvelidze assured that the situation was being addressed, stating that the relevant units had been called, an investigation had been launched, and all necessary investigative actions were being carried out.
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CNC-Center for Neuroscience and Cell Biology researchers in Portugal report that regular, moderate coffee consumption (three cups per day) not only contributes to a longer life but also enhances the quality of those additional years by reducing the risk of major age-related diseases and maintaining better overall health.

Coffee consumption's perception has shifted from potentially harmful to potentially beneficial over the last several decades. Scientific understanding of the underlying mechanisms by which coffee's primary components, namely caffeine and chlorogenic acids, influence fundamental biological processes and are understood to have alertness, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, though how these might be involved in aging remains unclear.

Beyond the primary components, coffee is a complex mixture of thousands of potentially bioactive substances, most of which lack comprehensive study of their impact, making it difficult to break down the specific effects of individual components on human health.

With coffee being the most consumed beverage in the world after water, what we can observe through large population studies may reveal its overall effect on human health.

In the study, "Impact of coffee intake on human aging: Epidemiology and cellular mechanisms," published in Ageing Research Reviews, researchers reviewed over 50 epidemiological studies from different regions and ethnicities, analyzing patterns of coffee consumption and their association with mortality data, healthspan indicators, and various disease metrics withing the combined cohort of nearly 3 million individuals.

Results indicate that regular, moderate coffee consumption not only contributes to a longer life but also enhances the quality of those additional years by reducing the risk of major age-related diseases and maintaining better overall health.

Moderate and regular intake correlated with a 17% reduction in all-cause mortality rates, fewer age-related diseases, and an extension of healthy life span by approximately 1.8 years.

Coffee drinking was correlated to lower functional deterioration in aging, mitigating memory loss, mood, and physical condition. The analysis also found consistent links between moderate coffee intake and reduced major causes of mortality, including cardiovascular, cerebrovascular, cancer, and respiratory disease-related deaths.

With a total cohort size of nearly 3 million participants, the current review has considerable statistical significance, increasing the confidence in the observed associations between coffee intake and reduced mortality from major causes.

The study authors also introduce the concept of caffeine as a "normalizer," reframing it as a stabilizing agent for physiological systems, as opposed to its traditional status as a psychostimulant. This perspective shift would radically redefine how coffee is thought of, researched, and consumed, moving it away from the concept of a stimulant and into a broader category of routine health optimization.

The research was funded by coffee industry companies illycaffe, JDE Peet's, Lavazza, Nestle, Paulig, and Tchibo through their collective non-profit, the Institute for Scientific Information on Coffee (ISIC).

While ISIC emphasizes scientific integrity and often collaborates with reputable institutions to maintain research credibility, having exclusively coffee industry companies as stakeholders reasonably raises concerns about selection bias in favor of highlighting positive findings.

In relation to the current review, individuals who drink three cups of coffee daily might be experiencing better health outcomes due to improved well-being related to social or economic status.

Alternately, people with certain medical conditions or diseases that carry higher mortality risks may be self-excluded from drinking coffee at moderate levels. For example, studies on moderate coffee consumption might regularly exclude people with hypertension, arrhythmias, heart disease, anxiety, sleep and digestive disorders.

As mentioned previously, coffee is currently the most frequently consumed beverage in the world besides water, which will make any study that correlates health benefits to the beverage highly comforting to those of us seeking a little confirmation bias with their third cup.

More information: Catia R. Lopes et al, Impact of coffee intake on human aging: Epidemiology and cellular mechanisms, Ageing Research Reviews (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.arr.2024.102581

 2024 Science X Network
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Health officials warned Thursday that people who were at Los Angeles International Airport and Children's Hospital of Orange County in recent days may have been exposed to measles.

A flier infected with the disease was at LAX a day before Thanksgiving, and an infant with measles was at the Orange County hospital after the holiday. It wasn't immediately clear whether this was a single individual.

Those at highest risk of getting sick are unvaccinated people who haven't had measles before. Babies are at high risk from the highly contagious disease.

Others at risk of severe outcomes include pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems.

A person infected with measles arrived at Los Angeles International Airport at 12:35 p.m. on Nov. 27, on Qatar Airways Flight 739. The flight originated out of Doha, the capital of Qatar.

The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health said that people who were at LAX's Tom Bradley International Terminalalso known as Terminal Bbetween 12:30 and 6 p.m. that day might be at risk of contracting measles due to exposure to the traveler.

Separately, the Orange County Health Care Agency said a measles patientan infant returning from international travelvisited the Children's Hospital of Orange County emergency room three times in recent days: On Saturday, between noon and 5 p.m.; on Monday between 2 and 10 p.m.; and on Tuesday between 5:30 and 9 p.m.

The exposure comes as measles is on the upswing nationwide, with 280 cases reported nationally as of Nov. 21, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That's compared with 59 measles cases reported in all of 2023.

Of the measles cases reported so far nationally this year, 41% have been among children under the age of 5, while 31% of them were among those ages 5 to 19.

Nearly nine in 10 of those measles cases occurred in unvaccinated people, and 112 people have been hospitalized; 60 of those who were hospitalized were younger than 5.

"Before the measles vaccine was introduced, an estimated 48,000 people were hospitalized and 400500 people died in the United States each year," according to the CDC.

The CDC recommends children get their first dose of the measles vaccine between 12 and 15 months of age, with a second dose at 4 to 6 years old. Two doses of the vaccine are 97% effective against getting the disease. The vaccine is known as MMR, which not only protects against measles but also mumps and rubella.

"MMR vaccines are very safe. The benefits far outweigh any risks. Side effects are usually mild, such as soreness where the shot was given," the Orange County Health Care Agency said.

Infants under 12 months of age who are traveling internationally should get an early vaccination, sometime between 6 and 11 months of age, the Orange County Health Care Agency said.

People who aren't immunized are at risk of developing measles from seven to 21 days after their exposure. Measles can be spread through the air, and can stay there and or on surfaces for many hours, "even after the infected person has left," the L.A. County Department of Public Health said.

"The infected person can spread the disease up to four days before a measles rash appears and up to four days after the rash appears," the agency said. "If other people breathe the contaminated air or touch the infected surface, then touch their eyes, noses, or mouths, they can become infected."

Symptoms of measles include a high feverpossibly exceeding 104 degrees a cough; runny nose; red, watery eyes; and rash, according to the CDC. Serious health complications are possible, especially in children younger than 5, such as pneumoniathe most common cause of death from measles in young childrenand swelling of the brain, which can trigger convulsions and lead to deafness or intellectual disability.

Of every 1,000 children who become infected with measles, about one to three will die, the CDC says.

There can also be long-term complications from measles, such as SSPE, which stands for subacute sclerosing panencephalitis. SSPE is rare but can develop seven to 10 years after a person recovers from measles, and can result in a deadly disease of the central nervous system.

The risk of getting SSPE may be higher for those who get measles when younger than age 2, the CDC says.

2024 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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An electron micrograph of the measles virus. Credit: CDC/ Courtesy of Cynthia S. Goldsmith

The availability of safe, effective COVID vaccines less than a year into the pandemic marked a high point in the 300-year history of vaccination, seemingly heralding an age of protection against infectious diseases.

Now, after backlash against public health interventions culminated in President-elect Donald Trump's nominating Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the country's best-known anti-vaccine activist, as its top health official, infectious disease and public health experts and vaccine advocates say a confluence of factors could cause renewed, deadly epidemics of measles, whooping cough, and meningitis, or even polio.

"The litany of things that will start to topple is profound," said James Hodge, a public health law expert at Arizona State University's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law. "We're going to experience a seminal change in vaccine law and policy."

"He'll make America sick again," said Lawrence Gostin, a professor of public health law at Georgetown University.

State legislators who question vaccine safety are poised to introduce bills to weaken school-entry vaccine requirements or do away with them altogether, said Northe Saunders, who tracks vaccine-related legislation for the SAFE Communities Coalition, a group supporting pro-vaccine legislation and lawmakers.

Even states that keep existing requirements will be vulnerable to decisions made by a Republican-controlled Congress as well as by Kennedy and former House member Dave Weldon, should they be confirmed to lead the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, respectively.

Both menKennedy as an activist, Weldon as a medical doctor and congressman from 1995 to 2009 have endorsed debunked theories blaming vaccines for autism and other chronic diseases. (Weldon has been featured in anti-vaccine films in the years since he left Congress.) Both have accused the CDC of covering up evidence this was so, despite dozens of reputable scientific studies to the contrary.

Kennedy's staff did not respond to requests for comment. Karoline Leavitt, the Trump campaign's national press secretary, did not respond to requests for comment or interviews with Kennedy or Weldon.

Kennedy recently told NPR that "we're not going to take vaccines away from anybody."

It's unclear how far the administration would go to discourage vaccination, but if levels drop enough, vaccine-preventable illnesses and deaths might soar.

"It is a fantasy to think we can lower vaccination rates and herd immunity in the U.S. and not suffer recurrence of these diseases," said Gregory Poland, co-director of the Atria Academy of Science & Medicine. "One in 3,000 kids who gets measles is going to die. There's no treatment for it. They are going to die."

During a November 2019 measles epidemic that killed 80 children in Samoa, Kennedy wrote to the country's prime minister falsely claiming that the measles vaccine was probably causing the deaths. Scott Gottlieb, who was Trump's first FDA commissioner, said on CNBC on Nov. 29 that Kennedy "will cost lives in this country" if he undercuts vaccination.

Kennedy's nomination validates and enshrines public mistrust of government health programs, said Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.

"The notion that he'd even be considered for that position makes people think he knows what he's talking about," Offit said. "He appeals to lessened trust, the idea that "There are things you don't see, data they don't present, that I'm going to find out, so you can really make an informed decision.'"

Targets of anti-vaccine groups

Hodge has compiled a list of 20 actions the administration could take to weaken national vaccination programs, from spreading misinformation to delaying FDA vaccine approvals to dropping Department of Justice support for vaccine laws challenged by groups like Children's Health Defense, which Kennedy founded and led before campaigning for president.

Kennedy could also cripple the National Vaccine Injury Compensation Program, which Congress created in 1986 to take care of children believed harmed by vaccineswhile partially protecting vaccine makers from lawsuits.

Before the law passed, the threat of lawsuits had shrunk the number of companies making vaccines in the United Statesfrom 26 in 1967 to 17 in 1980and the remaining pertussis vaccine producers were threatening to stop making it. The vaccine injury program "played an integral role in keeping manufacturers in the business," Poland said.

Kennedy could abolish the CDC's Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, whose recommendation for using a vaccine determines whether the government pays for it through the 30-year-old Vaccines for Children program, which makes free immunizations available to more than half the children in the United States.

Alternatively, Kennedy could stack the committee with allies who oppose new vaccines, and could, in theory at least, withdraw recommendations for vaccines like the 53-year-old measles-mumps-rubella shot, a favorite target of the anti-vaccine movement.

Meanwhile, infectious disease threats are on the rise or on the horizon. Instead of preparing, as a typical incoming administration might, Kennedy has threatened to shake up the federal health agencies. Once in office, he'll "give infectious disease a break" to focus on chronic ailments, he said at a Children's Health Defense conference last month in Georgia.

The H5N1 virus, or bird flu, that has spread through cattle herds and infected at least 55 people could erupt in a new pandemic, and other threats like mosquito-borne dengue fever are rising in the U.S.

Traditional childhood diseases are also making their presence felt, in part because of neglected vaccinations. The U.S. has seen 16 measles outbreaks this year89% of cases are in unvaccinated peopleand a whooping cough epidemic is the worst since 2012.

"So that's how we're starting out," said Peter Hotez, a pediatrician and virologist at the Baylor College of Medicine. "Then you throw into the mix one of the most outspoken and visible anti-vaccine activists at the head of HHS, and that gives me a lot of concern."

The share prices of drug companies with big vaccine portfolios have plunged since Kennedy's nomination. Even before Trump's victory, vaccine exhaustion and skepticism had driven down demand for newer vaccines like GSK's RSV and shingles shots.

Kennedy has ample options to slow or stop new vaccine releases or to slow sales of existing vaccinesfor example, by requiring additional post-market studies or by highlighting questionable studies that suggest safety risks.

Kennedy, who has embraced conspiracy theories such as that HIV does not cause AIDS and that pesticides cause gender dysphoria, told NPR there are "huge deficits" in vaccine safety research. "We're going to make sure those scientific studies are done and that people can make informed choices," he said.

Kennedy's nomination "bodes ill for the development of new vaccines and the use of currently available vaccines," said Stanley Plotkin, a vaccine industry consultant and inventor of the rubella vaccine in the 1960s. "Vaccine development requires millions of dollars. Unless there is a prospect of profit, commercial companies are not going to do it."

Vaccine advocates, with less money on hand than the better-funded anti-vaccine advocates, see an uphill battle to defend vaccination in courts, legislatures, and the public square. People are rarely inclined to celebrate the absence of a conquered illness, making vaccines a hard sell even when they are working well.

While many wealthy people, including potion and supplement peddlers, have funded the anti-vaccine movement, "there hasn't been an appetite from science-friendly people to give that kind of money to our side," said Karen Ernst, director of Voices for Vaccines.

"RFK Jr. was a punch line for a lot of people, but he's serious as hell," Ernst said. "He has a lot of power, money, and a vast network of anti-vaccine parents who'll show up at a moment's notice." That's not been the case with groups like hers, Ernst said.

On Oct. 22, when an Idaho health board voted to stop providing COVID vaccines in six counties, there were no vaccine advocates at the meeting. "We didn't even know it was on the agenda," Ernst said. "Mobilization on our side is always lagging. But I'm not giving up."

The kaleidoscopic change has been jarring for Walter Orenstein, who persuaded states to tighten school mandates to fight measles outbreaks as head of the CDC's immunization division from 1988 to 2004.

"People don't understand the concept of community protection, and if they do they don't seem to care," said Orenstein, who saw some of the last cases of smallpox as a CDC epidemiologist in India in the 1970s, and frequently cared for children with meningitis caused by H. influenzae type B bacteria, a disease that has mostly disappeared because of a vaccine introduced in 1987.

"I was so naive," he said. "I thought that COVID would solidify acceptance of vaccines, but it was the opposite."

Lawmakers opposed to vaccines could introduce legislation to remove school-entry requirements in nearly every state, Saunders said. One bill to do this has been introduced in Texas, where what's known as the vaccine choice movement has been growing since 2015 and took off during the pandemic, fusing with parents' rights and anti-government groups opposed to measures like mandatory shots and masking.

"The genie is out of the bottle, and you can't put it back in," said Rekha Lakshmanan, chief strategy officer at the Immunization Partnership in Texas. "It's become this multiheaded thing that we're having to reckon with."

In the last full school year, more than 100,000 Texas public school students were exempted from one or more vaccinations, she said, and many of the 600,000 homeschooled Texas kids are also thought to be unvaccinated.

In Louisiana, the state surgeon general distributed a form letter to hospitals exempting medical professionals from flu vaccination, claiming the vaccine is unlikely to work and has "real and well established" risks. Research on flu vaccination refutes both claims.

The biggest threat to existing vaccination policies could be plans by the Trump administration to remove civil service protections for federal workers. That jeopardizes workers at federal health agencies whose day-to-day jobs are to prepare for and fight diseases and epidemics. "If you overturn the administrative state, the impact on public health will be long-term and serious," said Dorit Reiss, a professor at the University of California's Hastings College of Law.

Billionaire Elon Musk, who has the ear of the incoming president, imagines cost-cutting plans that are also seen as a threat.

"If you damage the core functions of the FDA, it's like killing the goose that laid the golden egg, both for our health and for the economy," said Jesse Goodman, the director of the Center on Medical Product Access, Safety and Stewardship at Georgetown University and a former chief science officer at the FDA.

"It would be the exact opposite of what Kennedy is saying he wants, which is safe medical products. If we don't have independent skilled scientists and clinicians at the agency, there's an increased risk Americans will have unsafe foods and medicine."

Outbreaks of vaccine-preventable illness could be alarming, but would they be enough to boost vaccination again? Ernst of Voices for Vaccines isn't sure.

"We're already having outbreaks. It would take years before enough children died before people said, 'I guess measles is a bad thing,'" she said. "One kid won't be enough. The story they'll tell is, 'There was something wrong with that kid. It can't happen to my kid.'"

2024 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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In the era of artificial intelligence (AI), medical AI is gaining significant attention for its potential to revolutionize health care and enhance a wide range of medical services.

In recent years, AI-assisted disease diagnosis and prevention have begun to specifically target age-related conditions like Alzheimer's disease.

These tools include a deep-learning algorithm using voice and facial expressions to identify patients with early-stage Parkinson's disease and AI tools designed to detect Alzheimer's disease from brain images.

Despite these advances, there has been little focus on aging in the general development of medical AI technologies.

Specifically, we lack an understanding of how older adults are represented in training AI datasets and design processes. If this is not addressed, AI is prone to reinforcing bias, which can lead to misdiagnoses and a lack of generalization to the wider population.

Questions about the acceptance and adoption of these technologies also persist.

So as our population ages, it becomes more important to understand how older adults perceive medical AI technologies and whether they are willing to embrace AI-assisted disease diagnosis and other health care services.

Creating a representative dataset of older adults

Issues with data representation and bias are longstanding challenges in developing medical AI models. Older adults are often poorly represented in the construction of data sets, apart from those exclusively targeted to age-related diseases.

For example, research shows that because AI training datasets are focused on young and healthy individuals, automated algorithms frequently miss or misinterpret sleep disorders in older patients.

Developing representative datasets for older adults is challenging due to difficulties in accessing the specific types of data needed while ensuring diversity in gender, ethnicity and age.

Curating such intricate datasets can take years, leading to the underrepresentation of older patients unless the focus is explicitly on geriatric diseases.

Even when research prioritizes data from the older population, concerns about data quality persist.

In ophthalmology, for example, cataracts are a common age-related eye condition where the eye's lens becomes cloudy, leading to blurred vision and in advanced cases, vision loss.

This cloudiness can make it more difficult to capture high-quality retinal images in older adults for AI training.

Additionally, certain patient groups may face limited access to health care services, making it challenging to obtain their eye image data. This lack of representation can lead to AI models that perform poorly in rural and remote areas.

Enhancing data diversity and accessibility is crucial to ensure that AI implementations serve all populations effectively.

Acceptance is a complicated story

It is also important to recognize the general lack of consumer research on how older adults perceive AI technologies in health care.

It can be challenging to gather opinions from relatively marginalized older communities, especially those with restricted socio-economic status, lower levels of digital literacy, and limited access to medical resources.

For example, in a recent survey conducted by the Center for Eye Research Australia, due to accessibility issues, the respondents were predominantly from higher socio-economic backgrounds and possessed higher levels of education.

While many participants expressed openness to medical AI, the results may be biased due to the demographics of the sample.

The acceptance of medical AI is also often viewed as being primarily reliant on the end-users, who are the patients. However, acceptance is a more complex issue that also involves clinicians, whose attitudes can ultimately influence whether patients accept these technologies.

For instance, in the context of age-related eye diseases, it is crucial to distinguish between two types of clinicians.

The first group consists of eye care professionals, including optometrists and ophthalmologists, who typically have access to specialized technologies in their clinical settings. These professionals can easily obtain high-quality fundus images (the back surface of the eye) and, in some cases, have established collaborations with industry partners.

For example, some optometry stores use AI to assist in diagnosing conditions like glaucoma, particularly in difficult cases.

In contrast, non-eyecare professionals like general practitioners (GPs), face different challenges. Patients typically do not visit optometrists or ophthalmologists unless they experience symptoms, making GPs crucial in the early diagnosis of eye diseases.

However, due to a lack of specialized knowledge, GPs may feel less confident in identifying eye diseases in their patients. In such cases, AI could be a valuable tool in helping GPs detect referable eye diseases, like diabetic retinopathy and refer patients to the appropriate eyecare professionals.

Nonetheless, the extent to which GPs accept AI-assisted diagnosis in this context remains uncertain.

Who needs AI explainability and to which degree

Some AI-assisted diagnostic models are more easily accessed by older patients. In these cases, AI explainability is directly provided for the end user, which may improve user experience and acceptability.

For instance, health apps with embedded medical AI models for skin lesion assessment (dermatology) are already available on the market providing a preliminary diagnosis based on photos of the skin taken by a mobile camera.

Depending on the capabilities of AI models in the apps, AI explainability can range from highlighting key areas in the skin image to identifying the most significant contributing factor, like recent sun exposure.

However, in fields like neurology and ophthalmology, AI-assisted diagnosis typically requires mediation by clinicians.

These professionals interpret the AI-generated report and based on their analysis, communicate the diagnosis or treatment plan to patients.

Here, AI explainability is geared toward clinicians rather than the patients themselves as the reports are often dense with medical terminologyreflecting the nature of the training data used to develop these models.

In the future, truly explainable models would become interactive by providing outputs, similar to conversational AI systems like ChatGPT, allowing users to ask follow-up questions.

The model would then respond to those questions, fostering a more dynamic understanding of the results. These models could help laypeople, including older patients, better comprehend the diagnostic outcomes.

Towards more user-centered AI health care

Several new questions have emerged around medical AI and aging populations. The first relates to enhancing interdisciplinary collaboration.

While collaborations between AI scientists and medical professionals are increasingly common, integrating the insights and theories of social scientists remains challenging.

Addressing this requires dismantling existing barriers to foster meaningful engagement and ensuring the human factor is adequately considered in the development of medical AI technologies.

But this is also a two-way process that will involve enhancing social scientists' understanding of technological advancements, enabling them to effectively contribute to the research process.

The second critical question revolves around the agency of older adults in the adoption and development of medical AI technologies.

Traditionally viewed as passive recipients of technology, it is becoming increasingly important to empower older patients by giving them a more substantial voice in shaping the future of medical AI.

As technology advances, understanding and integrating the perspectives of older adults can lead to more user-centered and effective AI solutions in health care.

This shift not only acknowledges the valuable insights that older adults can provide, but also ensures that medical AI technologies are responsive to their specific needs and preferences.
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More than half of Americans (52%) worry about affording the cost of often hidden health care fees, increasingly pervasive charges that could add hundreds or even thousands of dollars to their medical bills, a new West Health-Gallup poll finds.

Hospitals typically add these fees on top of charges for routine medical services like lab tests or physical examinations provided at outpatient centers, clinics, and medical offices that they own. This means patients end up paying more for the same medical service than they would at independent providers or freestanding clinicsand some may not even know it. In the new poll, half said (50%) they were unaware if they were ever charged fees while 29% said they were.

Given the high price of health care, and that hospital care is the single largest source of expenditure within the U.S. health care system, it comes as no surprise federal reforms on facility fees have strong bipartisan support. Nearly eight in 10 (79%) of Americans, including majorities of both Democrats (88%) and Republicans (75%), support federal legislation that limits when and how much hospital systems can charge for facility fees.

"The time for site-neutral payment reform is long overdue," said Tim Lash, President, West Health Policy Center, a nonprofit focused on health care and aging.

"The high and rising costs of health care requires addressing the market inefficiencies that come from site-specific payment rates. A new policy could save patients and taxpayers billions in health care costs. There is clear directive for Congress to act."

The West Health-Gallup poll found more than 70% agree that hospitals should not be able to charge more for the same care and services provided regardless of where that care is provided (site-neutral payment).

Methodology

The West Health-Gallup Post-Election Health care Survey was conducted by web November 1118, 2024, with 3,583 adults aged 18 and older, living in all 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia as a part of the Gallup Panel.

For results based on the full sample, the margin of sampling error at the 95% confidence level is 2.1 percentage points for response percentages around 50% and is 1.2 percentage points for response percentages around 10% or 90%, design effect included. Reported sub-groups will have a larger margin of error, typically 3 to 5 percentage points.

Gallup weighted the combined samples to correct for nonresponse. Nonresponse adjustments were made by adjusting the sample to match the national demographics of gender, age, race, Hispanic ethnicity, education and region. Demographic weighting targets were based on the most recent Current Population Survey figures for the aged 18 and older U.S. population.

In addition to sampling error, question wording and practical difficulties in conducting surveys can introduce error or bias into the findings of public opinion polls.

More information: Learn more about how the Gallup Panel works.

Provided by West Health Institute
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A recent analysis reveals that the incidence rates of soft tissue sarcomascancers in muscle, fat, blood vessels, nerves, and tendonsare lower in young U.S. active-duty military servicemen compared with those in the general population, but higher in middle-aged servicemen, perhaps due to greater cumulative exposure to toxins.

The findings are published in Cancer.

Soft tissue sarcomas are rare cancers arising all over the body, in various organs and tissues such as muscle, fat, and viscera. Most sarcomas arise sporadically, but a small subset arise from exposure to radiation or other environmental factors.

Because individuals in the military may experience more frequent and greater exposure to such environmental risk factors, researchers compared incidence rates of soft tissue sarcomas between active-duty U.S. servicemen and men in the general U.S. population, with the goal of assessing whether they differed in the occurrence of soft tissue sarcoma, providing clues for future research on related factors.

Due to the small numbers of active servicewomen in the dataset for further analysis, a comparable evaluation could not be accurately performed in women.

After analyzing data from the Department of Defense's Automated Central Tumor Registry (ACTUR) for active-duty servicemen and the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) program for men in the general population, soft tissue sarcoma incidence rates for men aged 1859 years were lower in ACTUR than SEER: 14% lower overall, 22% lower among 1839-year-olds, 15% lower among white men, and 23% lower among Black men, compared with their corresponding counterparts in the general population.

Rates of soft tissue sarcomas that had spread or metastasized were also lower in ACTUR than in SEER. However, rates of soft tissue sarcomas were higher in ACTUR than in SEER for men aged 4059 years, especially for localized tumors.

The scientists suggest that lower rates among young servicemen may be due to better health and early detection and treatment of cancer-associated conditions within the military health system that provides universal care.

Higher rates among older servicemen, especially for localized tumors, may result from greater cumulative military-related exposures to toxins or earlier diagnosis of the cancer due to universal care, compared with the U.S. general population.

"Our study is descriptive, hoping to provide clues for analytical studies on factors associated with the differences between the military and general populations," said senior author Kangmin Zhu, MD, Ph.D., of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. "Further descriptive research with more recent data containing a larger number of military patients is warranted."

More information: Julie A. Bytnar et al, Incidence Rates of Soft Tissue Sarcoma among U.S. Military Servicemen: Comparison with the Rates in the General U.S. Population, Cancer (2024). DOI: 10.1002/cncr.35607 Journal information: Cancer
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An emergency can strike anyone, anywhere, but only some hospitals are equipped to handle critically injured patients. Of these patients, up to a third are first taken to the closest non-trauma-specialized hospitals before being transferred to a higher-level trauma center. In a life-or-death emergency, every second countsand these transfers, often averaging more than double the recommended two-hour window, can lead to preventable deaths.

In the first study to address why severely injured patients in Illinois are not transported to trauma-specialized hospitals as quickly as possible, Northwestern Medicine scientists identified a crucial need to improve inter-hospital transportation of patients as well as communication of their clinical information.

"In the hospital system, we're more than just the sum of our parts," said senior study author Dr. Anne Stey, assistant professor of surgery at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and a Northwestern Medicine physician. "How we work together in these spaces is really, really critical for actually saving people's lives."

Improving inter-hospital coordination, the scientists said, will require increased access to critical-care ambulances and training of transport staff in addition to new mechanisms to exchange information, including radiology scans and estimated arrival times, between hospitals.

The study, which was published in the journal Annals of Surgery in recent months, surveyed nine high-level trauma hospitals and three high-level pediatric trauma centers across Illinois. The team spoke with 64 health care workers involved throughout the receiving end of the transfer process to determine the most urgent areas for improvement.

An earlier study from Stey and her team examined the sending end of the transfer process. It found the most urgent problems identified by non-trauma or lower-level trauma hospitals were a lack of clear and consistent criteria for which patients should be transferred and the inability to connect with higher-level trauma centers that would accept their patients.

"That there wasn't a little more synergy was surprising to me," Stey said.

To begin to address these gaps as soon as possible, Stey's team is developing guidelines for hospital staff. One solution that has already been introduced into the field is a bed tracker. During the height of COVID-19 hospitalizations, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) required hospitals to update the number of available beds twice per day.

CDPH created a tracker for hospitals to share their bed capacity data directly from the electronic health record, which could then be viewed on a shared dashboard. According to scientists, this tool would save valuable time and reduce human error compared to assigning the task to an already busy nurse or other health care worker.

"Initiatives like that are the types of things that can make a big difference," Stey said. "If hospitals are willing to collaborate more broadly around sharing the bed resources that they have available and prioritizing injured patients in particular, there is so much potential to save people from dying at small, non-trauma hospitals."

More information: John D. Slocum et al, Failure Mode Effects Analysis of Re-triage of Injured Patients to Receiving High-Level Illinois Trauma Centers, Annals of Surgery (2024). DOI: 10.1097/SLA.0000000000006561 Journal information: Annals of Surgery
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A major UK study into the effectiveness of a World Health Organization's (WHO) online resource for caregivers of people living with dementia has revealed disappointing results.

Researchers assessed the use of iSupport in a randomized controlled trial in the UK for the first timethe findings of which have recently been published in The Lancet Regional HealthEurope.

The WHO developed iSupport amid rising numbers of people with dementia, including in low and middle income countries, and in response to the increasing call for low-cost scalable interventions to help those who care for them.

Quality of life

Distress and depression are common among caregivers of people with dementia, which exacts a high price on them and the wider society.

The aim of the program is to address the mental and physical health problems associated with care and to improve the quality of life of those caring for people with dementia.

Since its release in 2019, the tool has been culturally adapted and implemented across 40 countries, but experts have warned that the evidence on its effectiveness is scant.

Though the research found that it does not reduce distress and depression for caregivers of people living with dementia at this time, it is still viewed as a useful resource.

Support resource

The randomized controlled trial involved 352 caregivers in England, Wales and Scotland. It examined the effectiveness of the interactive training and support resource, in its current format as a self-guided program, in reducing distress and depression.

The research team was led by Professor Gill Windle, Director of Dementia Services Development Center in the School of Health Sciences at Bangor University, and involved scientists from University College London, the University of Strathclyde, along with Alzheimer Scotland and Caregivers Trust Wales.

Dr. Kieren Egan, in the Department of Computer and Information Sciences who led Strathclyde's work on the study, said, "This work marks a significant milestone in advancing digital efforts to enhance the quality of life for people with dementia and their families. While the randomized controlled trial did not show significant improvements in reducing distress or depression among caregivers, it highlights critical learning points.

"These include gaps in evidence regarding engagement with digital approaches, challenges in measuring outcomes within the context of dementia, and the need for further development, testing, and refinement of programs to build upon the existing evidence base."

Digital transformations

Professor Windle said, "iSupport is a useful source of information for caregivers, but we did not find that it reduced caregiver distress and depression. We found that despite being digitally literate, caregivers in the research did not use iSupport as much as anticipated.

"The low use of iSupport points to wider limitations in self-guided online health resources, which are increasingly becoming part of mainstream care delivery as part of the digital transformations in health and social care. Those tasked with implementation may need to think creatively about how they might enhance the impact of iSupport, for example, through non-specialist led support to provide some human contact."

The randomized controlled trial of iSupport was one piece of work in this program of research. Alongside the trial, the team from Bangor University, UCL and University of Strathclyde successfully undertook major adaptations of iSupport and produced new online resources for young people, South-Asian caregivers in the U.K. and caregivers of people with rarer dementias.

The researchers say these make a valuable contribution to the limited resources available for these groups, as the majority of people living with dementia are supported and receive care from family members.

More information: Gill Windle et al, Evaluating the effects of the World Health Organization's online intervention 'iSupport' to reduce depression and distress in dementia carers: a multi-centre six-month randomised controlled trial in the UK, The Lancet Regional Health - Europe (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.lanepe.2024.101125
China-Arab TV: Syrian President Bashar al-Assads government has come to an end and a new government is about to set up. What is Chinas comment on the current situation in Syria? Will China establish contact with the new government?

Mao Ning: China is closely following the situation in Syria and hopes that relevant parties will bear in mind the fundamental interest of the Syrian people and find as soon as possible a political settlement that will restore stability in Syria.

Anadolu Agency: I think it seems President Bashar al-Assads familys rule in Syria alongside Baath Partys 61-year-old rule has ended after a 13-year civil war in which tens of thousands of Syrians were killed and millions of them were displaced. What does China think about recent developments in Syria and how do you see the future of the country?



Mao Ning: The future of Syria should be decided by the Syrian people. We hope relevant parties will find a political settlement to restore stability and order in Syria for the long-term and fundamental interest of the Syrian people.

CCTV: As far as I know, Premier Li Qiang held the 1+10 Dialogue with heads of major international economic organizations today. Could you share more information with us on that?



Mao Ning: This morning, Premier of the State Council Li Qiang held the 1+10 Dialogue with heads of major international economic organizations and they had an in-depth exchange of views under the theme of Building Consensus on Development to Promote Global Common Prosperity. Over the years, Chinese leaders have held the dialogue with heads of major international economic organizations on a regular basis, which has played a positive role in strengthening communication and exchanges, jointly promoting world economic growth and improving global economic governance.

In a world struggling to find drivers for growth, economic globalization and multilateralism now face challenges and uncertainties are rising. At the 19th G20 Summit, President Xi Jinping pointed out that countries should make global development more inclusive, beneficial to all, and more resilient and build a just world of common development.

China is a staunch champion of economic globalization and multilateralism and remains committed to promoting global economic recovery and fostering new drivers of growth. While sharing development dividends with and providing stable quality products to the rest of the world, China has become a big market for the world and a big opportunity for global development.

The underlying logic for a stronger Chinese economy remains unchanged and its guiding principle of benefiting the world also remains unchanged. Through its steady development, China will continue to provide more certainty and predictability for the world economy.

AFP: Taiwans ministry of defense said today it detected Chinese warships and coast guard vessels in waters surrounding Taiwan and said that the Peoples Liberation Army has restricted the airspace off the Chinese coast. What is Chinas comment? Is China conducting military drills around Taiwan?



Mao Ning: First of all, there is no such thing as Taiwans ministry of defense. Taiwan is an inalienable part of Chinese territory. The Taiwan question is Chinas internal affair. China will firmly defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

China-Arab TV: Its said that Israel during the unrest in Syria seized the Golan Heights and launched airstrike against facilities in Damascus. Whats Chinas comment?



Mao Ning: China is closely following the situation in Syria. The sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria should be respected.

Anadolu Agency: China was one of the friendly countries with the Syrian regime under Bashar al-Assad. And why do you think this quick fall of the regime happened? Why do you think the situation unraveled like that? What do you think about this?



Mao Ning: Chinas friendly relations with Syria are for all Syrian people. We hope stability will return as soon as possible.

AFP: Just to clarify, has China been in contact with Bashar al-Assad?



Mao Ning: We are closely following the situation in Syria and hope that stability will return as soon as possible, and relevant parties will find a political settlement that will restore stability and order in Syria.

AFP: Regarding South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol who last week declared and reversed martial law spurring huge protests in the streets of Seoul, leaving the political future of South Korea unclear. How will the unrest in South Korea affect relations between China and South Korea?



Mao Ning: Ill not comment on the ROKs internal affairs. On China-ROK relations, Chinas position is consistent.

Anadolu Agency: There were political commentators who said the Syrian regime fell because they lost the support of Russia and Iran. What do you think about this comment?



Mao Ning: I just shared Chinas position on the situation in Syria. I will not comment on individuals views.
Detectives from the Operations Support Unit have arrested Steve Okoth Odek, also known as David Bett, for scamming a foreign national out of a staggering USD 256,000(Ksh33 million) in a fake gold deal.

The scam involved over 500kg of counterfeit gold, with investigations revealing crucial details about the fraudulent transactions.

According to the police statement, the victim entered into two separate gold purchase agreements with Odek. On February 6th, 2024, the victim agreed to purchase 500kg of gold, and on March 14th, 2024, another 580kg. Each kilogram was priced at USD 40,000(Ksh 5 million).

However, the first deal failed, and the scammer promised delivery only after the buyer met specific conditions, including jet chartering, and covering taxes and insurance.

Despite these terms, Odek failed to deliver the gold. To keep the scam going, he provided 20kg of fake gold bars as collateral, which were stored at MySafe Vault.

The victim, unaware of the scam, paid a total of USD 256,000(Ksh33 million) through two law firms: Owano & Associates Advocates ($126,000) and Alata & Co. Advocates ($139,200).

The scammers attempt to extort an additional USD 188,080(Ksh24 million) was foiled after his fraudulent dealings were uncovered, and a report was made to the police.

Detectives worked tirelessly, uncovering the 20kg of gold provided as collateral. A thorough analysis revealed that the bars were made of copper, zinc, and tin, with no gold present.

Further investigation revealed that the sellers company, PCL Natural Resources Limited, was not licensed by the Ministry of Mining to deal with gold or any precious metals.

Armed with this information, detectives tracked down and arrested Odek, who is now awaiting arraignment.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has addressed the governments delay in reconstituting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC), citing a court injunction as the primary obstacle. His remarks come amid increasing pressure from opposition leaders and concerned citizens.

Speaking during a church service at Chebuyusi Boys High School in Navakholo, Kakamega County, Kindiki explained that legal proceedings have stalled the recruitment process for new IEBC commissioners.

The reason there is no IEBC at the moment is because some Kenyans went to court, Kindiki stated. There is an injunction against establishing the recruitment panel that is supposed to appoint IEBC commissioners.

The Deputy President reiterated the governments commitment to upholding the rule of law, asserting that it cannot bypass the courts orders. He urged petitioners to prioritize national interests by allowing the injunctions to be lifted.

Our hands are tied as a government. We cannot defy the courts to re-establish the IEBC, Kindiki said. We appeal to our fellow Kenyans who stopped the process to withdraw the petitions so the country can move forward.

He emphasized the urgency of forming a fully constituted IEBC to facilitate by-elections in constituencies and wards lacking representation.

The legal challenge delaying the IEBC recruitment process dates back to October 2024. Boniface Njogu filed a court case, arguing that the selection panel lacked adequate representation for people living with disabilities.

Njogu petitioned the court to bar the Attorney-General and the Clerk of the Senate, who serves as the secretary to the Parliamentary Service Commission (PSC), from forwarding the panel nominees to President William Ruto for appointment. The court will determine the case on January 25, 2025.

Meanwhile, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has criticized the government for failing to prioritize the IEBCs reconstitution. Speaking during a church service in Mwiki, Kasarani, Gachagua warned that further delays could jeopardize the credibility of the 2027 elections.

An election is only as credible as the process, Gachagua stated. The Krigler report stressed that the electoral commission must be in place three years before elections. With only two and a half years remaining, the absence of an IEBC raises concerns and could be seen as suspicious.

As public scrutiny intensifies, the government faces mounting pressure to resolve the legal and procedural hurdles delaying the reconstitution of the IEBC.
On December 6, 2024, the Chinese Embassy in Sierra Leone held the 2024 Ambassador Scholarship and Grant Award ceremony. Ambassador Wang Qing, Minister of Technical and Higher Education of Sierra Leone, Dr. Ramatulai Wurie and Minister of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, Mr. Conrad Sackey delivered speeches.

Ambassador Wang Qing expressed his sincere congratulations to the awardees and then reviewed the fruitful results achieved by both sides in the field of education over the past 53 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. Under a series of important consensuses reached by the heads of state of the two countries, China will continue to deepen cooperation in the field of education between China and Sierra Leone, and will always provide all possible help to young students in Sierra Leone. He hopes that everyone will become the backbone of Sierra Leone in the future, and the inheritors and promoters of China-Sierra Leone friendship.

Minister Dr. Ramatulai Wurie and Minister Mr. Conrad Sackey highly appreciated China's long-term support and assistance to Sierra Leones young students, positively evaluated the fruitful results of educational cooperation between the two countries, and looked forward to strengthening close cooperation with China in the field of education. At the same time, they encouraged Sierra Leones young students to make progress constantly and actively become the disseminators of China- Sierra Leone friendship.

Two award-winning students expressed their gratitude to the Chinese Embassy in Chinese and promised to study hard and strive to be messengers of China-Sierra Leone friendly cooperation and cultural exchanges.




The Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development, Wycliffe Oparanya, has urged Kenyans to repay their Hustler Fund loans.

Speaking at the launch of a local foundation in Vihiga, Oparanya stressed the importance of financial responsibility among small business owners. He emphasized that timely repayment would ensure other borrowers can access credit in the future.

Take loans, do your business and repay. Because there is another who will use that money to do their business too. You cannot fail to repay loans, he said.

Oparanyas statement comes amid growing concerns about rising loan defaults. Many Kenyans are struggling to repay loans borrowed through the Hustler Fund and Uwezo Fund, placing financial pressure on these government borrowing programs.

In October 2024, the government announced plans to introduce a legal framework targeting loan defaulters. The proposed measures aim to recover defaulted loans by accessing funds directly from mobile money services like Mpesa accounts and mobile airtime.

The government seeks to recover Ksh. 7 billion from around 13 million defaulters as of October 2024.

These efforts aim to secure the sustainability of the Hustler Fund and other financial assistance programs while ensuring compliance and continued access to credit for borrowers in need.
The Multinational Security Support (MSS) has strongly denied allegations that members of its Kenyan contingent are considering resignation over delayed allowances.

SS Force Commander Godfrey Otunge labeled the claims as inaccurate and malicious, pointing out that the source of the allegations did not approach the agency for clarification.

All MSS personnel have received their salaries, including monthly allowances, and no member of the MSS has tendered their resignation as alleged, Otunge stated.

The agencys response follows reports suggesting that nearly 20 Kenyan police officers, deployed in Haiti as part of a United Nations-backed anti-gang force, had submitted resignation letters due to delayed payments.

The officers, who remain anonymous, reportedly received no response to their resignation letters but continued to serve.

Commander Otunge reaffirmed the officers commitment, emphasizing their continued support for the Haitian National Police in restoring peace.

The officers continue to demonstrate dedication in their mission to restore peace in Haiti, Otunge added.

He urged media outlets and stakeholders to directly seek clarification from MSS before publishing unverified claims.

Our doors remain open for transparent communication, he concluded.
Kenyans can now travel to Russia using a single electronic visa, following approval by the Russian government.

The Russian Embassy in Kenya confirmed yesterday that Kenya, Eswatini, and Zimbabwe have joined the list of eligible countries for this visa, which facilitates travel to Moscow and other regions of Russia.

The single electronic visa grants travelers the right to enter Russia once for purposes such as tourism, business, or personal visits. It also allows participation in scientific, cultural, socio-political, economic, and sporting events, enabling broader connections and collaborations.

Valid for 60 days from the date of issuance, the visa permits a stay of up to 16 days in Russia. Travelers can enter and exit the country via air, road, rail, and water transport. Foot entry and exit are also allowed through designated checkpoints outlined by the Russian government.

Applicants can easily obtain the visa by completing an online application on the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs official website at https://electronic-visa.kdmid.ru or through a mobile application available on the same site.

The process requires a digital photograph and a scanned copy of the applicants machine-readable passport data page. No additional documents are necessary.

To ensure timely processing, applications must be submitted at least four calendar days before the planned travel date. The entire process is completed online, making it convenient for travelers planning a trip to Russia.

This streamlined visa option is expected to enhance travel and strengthen ties between Russia and the newly eligible countries.
Sports Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen is optimistic that the Kenya Sevens team will reclaim its lost glory in the World Rugby Series.

In a statement on Sunday, December 8, 2024, Murkomen expressed confidence that the Shujaas would bounce back to success at the upcoming Perth 7s in 2025.

Murkomens optimism follows a strong performance from the Shujaa team during the Cape Town 7s, where they secured seventh place in the World Rugby Series standings. The mens rugby team delivered an impressive 32-17 victory over Great Britain at the DHL Stadium on Sunday evening.

Murkomen attributed the win to determination, teamwork, and strategic preparation. He emphasized that the 32-17 triumph against Great Britain marked a significant improvement, especially compared to their tenth-place finish at the Dubai 7s earlier this year.

This is a great improvement from the opening tournament in Dubai when we finished 10th, Murkomen said.

He added, Were growing into the series, and Im confident we will post better results again in Perth. Onwards and upwards.

The victory has provided a morale boost for the Shujaa team as they aim to build on their recent success. Fans now have renewed hope that the team will maintain this momentum in upcoming tournaments.

All eyes are now on the Perth 7s in 2025 as Kenya Sevens continues its climb up the series standings and looks to reestablish itself as a major contender on the global stage.
By Nazrin Abdul



Azerbaijan and Saudi Arabia discussed opportunities to promote trade and investment, Azernews reports, citing the Ministry of Economy.

These discussions took place during Minister Mikayil Jabbarov's visit to Saudi Arabia.

Jabbarov met with Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al-Falih, the Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia, where they highlighted the growing economic and business relations between the two countries. The conversation focused on economic diversification and ways to promote trade and investment in alignment with the sustainable development goals of both nations.

During a meeting with Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, the two sides exchanged views on the "green energy" agenda, discussing successful joint efforts and potential future cooperation on energy transition projects.

The importance of increasing the efficiency of renewable energy and expanding alternative energy sources in Azerbaijans economic development strategy was also emphasized, with cooperation from Saudi Arabia seen as key in this effort.
By Akbar Novruz



A dazzling solo concert by Azerbaijani People's Artist Miri Yusif took center stage at one of Londons elite concert venues, celebrating the World Azerbaijanis' Solidarity Day.

Organized by the Azerbaijani Embassy in the United Kingdom with the support of the Azerbaijani Diaspora Support Fund under the State Committee for Work with Diaspora, the event brought together more than 400 Azerbaijani community members, including students and professionals, living in the UK.

Miri Yusif captivated the audience with his soulful performances of iconic songs such as "Agh Teyyara," "Tark-i Hayat," "Senden bir denedir," and "Ad gune." His vibrant energy and heartfelt renditions, accompanied by DJ China, created an electric atmosphere, leaving the audience mesmerized and applauding thunderously.

Azerbaijans Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Elin Suleymanov, addressed the gathering, extending his heartfelt congratulations on the occasion of the World Azerbaijanis' Solidarity Day. He expressed gratitude to Miri Yusif for his outstanding performance and thanked the State Committee for Work with Diaspora for their invaluable support in organizing the event.

In his remarks, Suleymanov highlighted Azerbaijans growing achievements under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, which serve as a source of pride for Azerbaijanis worldwide. He called on the diaspora to uphold unity and solidarity, ensuring that Azerbaijans tricolor flag continues to soar. Concluding his speech, he wished Azerbaijanis a prosperous and successful New Year.

The celebration wrapped up on a high note with a vibrant set by DJ China, leaving attendees with cherished memories of an evening filled with music, pride, and togetherness.
ATLANTA  Parents in Northlake and throughout the metro Atlanta area have a new option for child care. The new Primrose School at Emory Healthcare  Northlake Campus is now open for enrollment. The school is accepting children ages six weeks to 5 years old and offers summer camp for school-aged children.

Emory Healthcare and Emory University employees are eligible to receive subsidized tuition based on income when enrolling their children at this location only. The new school will serve more than 175 children.

We are pleased to offer subsidized tuition to Emory employees for this much needed early education program at our Northlake location, says Rock Anderson, Jr., chief human resources officer at Emory Healthcare. Choosing a child care provider can be a difficult decision for parents to make and we are excited about this opportunity with Primrose. It offers our employees and those in the community a new location for their children to thrive in a caring environment.

The nearly 13,000-square-foot campus features 11 classrooms and age-appropriate playgrounds. The employer-sponsored school is a collaborative effort with Primrose on Premise and is part of a mixed-use development in Northlake Mall, where Emory Healthcare has office and meeting space.

Children at the Northlake campus will have access to the Primrose-exclusive, research-informed Balanced Learning approach, which blends purposeful play with nurturing guidance from teachers to encourage curiosity, creativity, confidence and compassion.

Primrose franchise owners Laura and Paul Stechmesser are excited to continue to bring exceptional, early-learning experiences to children in the Northlake community.

We are thrilled to bring high-quality, early education and care to the Northlake community, says Laura Stechmesser. We were drawn to Primrose Schools because of the balanced approach to curriculum and the commitment to the communities we serve, and we are proud to help children discover a lifelong love of learning at our school.

Primrose School at Emory Healthcare  Northlake Campus is located at 4820 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta, Georgia 30345. Visit here to inquire about enrollment or schedule a tour.
SIU Carbondale to honor nearly 1,600 grads at fall 2024 commencement

by Pete Rosenbery

CARBONDALE, Ill.  The academic achievements of nearly 1,600 Southern Illinois University Carbondale students will be celebrated at fall 2024 commencement exercises on Saturday, Dec. 14, at Banterra Center.

Commencement begins at 10 a.m. There is no limit to guests, and all seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis with no tickets required.

Media advisory

Reporters, photographers and camera crews are welcome to cover commencement ceremonies. Kim Rendfeld, director of communications, will be available that day to assist journalists. She can be reached at 765-426-3650 (cell).

The ceremony will honor graduates for both summer and fall 2024 semesters. As of early December, there are 1,596 candidates for degrees: 945 for bachelors degrees, 470 for masters degrees, 111 for doctoral degrees, five for law degrees and 65 for associate degrees. The youngest graduate is 19; the oldest is 72, and there are students from seven different countries earning degrees.

There are 324 graduates with an overall GPA of 3.5 or higher and 16 students who earned a 4.0 GPA. In addition to the United States, students from Canada, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Trinidad and Tobago will also be graduating.

Banterra Center will be filled with excitement as our students and their families celebrate this milestone, said Chancellor Austin A. Lane. Our students imagine how they can make their world better, even when it defies the odds. I look forward to personally congratulating all our Salukis on the degrees they earned through their drive, hard work and persistence.

More information is available at commencement.siu.edu. The ceremony will be available via livestream and begin 15 minutes before the ceremony.
Indian stock markets started the second week of December with a pause as both indices opened with a marginal dip on Monday. The Nifty 50 index opened at 24,633.90 points with a decline of 43.90 or 0.18 per cent, while the BSE Sensex index opened at 81,602.58 with a dip of 106.54 or 0.13 per cent. Experts highlighted that markets have recovered around 50 per cent from the October and November fall; however, now the markets will remain in a consolidated position before marching towards the rally. Ajay Baggga, Banking and Market Expert told ANI "Indian markets have recovered more than 50 per cent of their post September fall. We expect markets to consolidate for some time and then resume their uptrend. Seasonality and flows are in favour of a market advance. Global events this week include the US CPI print which is expected to be in line with the last months advance rate. Overall the markets are factoring in a 25 bps rate cut by the US Fed next week on the 18th". In the sectoral indices on NSE, a mixed trend was visible during the opening session, with Nifty BANK, Nifty Financial, Nifty Metal, and Nifty Realty surging, while other sectors, including Nifty IT, declined marginally. In the Nifty 50 list of stocks, 22 shares opened with gains, while 28 declined at the time of filing this report. "The nifty's drop on Friday traced a small-sized bar contained within Thursday's long-range, creating a so-called "inside day". This represents volatility compression but since volatility is cyclical, one should expect a trending move soon. At current prices, the nifty is facing resistance from the 50- and 100-day moving averages and an Ichimoku hurdle, so the 24800 - 24900 area is formidable. Supports lie at 24,445 and 24,360" said Akshay Chinchalkar, Head of Research, Axis Securities. L&T, Bajaj Finance, SBI Life, HDFC Bank, and Shriram Finance emerged as the top gainers in Nifty 50 at the opening, while Hindustan Unilever, Tata Consumer, and Britannia opened as the top losers in Nifty 50. Last week, foreign investors made a strong comeback to Indian equity markets, with a net purchase of over Rs 24,400 crore in the first week of December. According to data from the National Securities Depository Limited (NSDL), Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) invested Rs 24,453 crore in equities between December 2 and December 6. The biggest single-day inflow during the week was on Friday, December 6, when FPIs bought equities worth Rs 9,489 crore, marking their highest investment for the week. "Markets are poised for a breakout in the days to come as we have seen Nifty Breaking back to back Crucial Resistance. Nifty 50's outperformance this week, surging by +546 points, indicates a strong reversal and bullish uptrend in the sector. This week, Nifty 50 started well with back-to-back bullish candles, strongly indicating gaining strength. Buyer interest towards the sector has the potential to push prices higher" said Sunil Gurjar (CMT, CFTe), SEBI Registered Research Analyst, Founder- Alphamojo Financial Services Pvt Ltd. In other Asian markets, South Korea's KOSPI index continued to decline amid political uncertainty. Hong Kong's Hang Seng index was down by 0.33 per cent. Japan's Nikkei 225 index was up by 0.27 per cent, while the Taiwan Weighted index also gained 0.10 per cent. (ANI)
PRNewswire Chennai (Tamil Nadu) [India], December 9: Uncia has been honored with the Best Supply Chain Finance Implementation - Best Project Implementation award at the 6th edition of the IBS Intelligence Global FinTech Innovation Awards 2024. Recognized as a hallmark of excellence, the Global FinTech Innovation Awards celebrate revolutionary advancements in banking technology. The awards spotlight the transformative power of innovation, highlighting outstanding implementations in traditional banking technologies as well as the cutting-edge adoption of emerging technologies. Uncia's award-winning project involved the complete migration of a leading Indian NBFC's supply chain finance infrastructure to its next-generation digital ecosystem. At the core of this transformation was UnciaFlow, built on a microservices architecture and pre-mapped with 51 predefined SCF product variations, covering nearly every SCF-related business scenario in the Indian market. The solution featured a powerful Business Rule Engine and Validation Management and was bundled with Uncia Studio, an intuitive user-driven configuration studio. The deployment of the solution, fully powered by Robotic Process Automation (RPA), delivered game-changing benefits: * Instantaneous transfer of funds * Faster cash flows * Significant reduction in lead times for counterparties and dealers processing bulk invoice uploads -- all achieved without manual intervention * Single point limit management across working capital and term loans This innovation has set a new benchmark for supply chain finance in India, empowering our clients with a highly self-service-oriented platform, enabling them to manage configurations and integrations independently. Nikhil Gokhale, Director - Research & Digital Properties at IBS Intelligence, congratulated Uncia for their exceptional achievement in winning the category of 'Best Supply Chain Finance Implementation: Best Project Implementation' at the Global FinTech Innovation Awards. He remarked, "The transformation of a leading Indian NBFC's SCF platform using Uncia's innovative solution has redefined industry benchmarks for automation and efficiency. By significantly cutting bulk invoice processing time, this fully integrated digital ecosystem delivers a profound impact on operational efficiency, regulatory compliance, and customer retention, while positioning the platform for sustainable future growth." Hari Padmanabhan, Chairman, Uncia, said, "We are deeply honored to receive this award for the successful transformational capabilities of UnciaFlow, which has set new benchmarks in automation, efficiency, and user-centric design. This award is not just a celebration of our technical prowess but also a reflection of the trust our clients place in us as partners in their digital transformation journey. We are proud to lead the way in reshaping supply chain finance in India, empowering our clients to achieve faster, smarter, and more sustainable growth. This milestone inspires us to continue pushing boundaries and redefining what's possible in digital lending." Uncia remains at the forefront of fintech innovation, empowering financial institutions to stay agile and deliver unparalleled value to their stakeholders. Revolutionise the Supply Chain Finance business with UnciaFlow. To book a customised experience today, visit https://www.uncia.ai/ For further information, please contact: Dwaipayan Narayan DebUncia 91 7899801980dwaipayandeb@uncia.ai Avantika HariA Richer Lensavantika@aricherlens.com About Uncia Uncia, formerly known as ThemePro Technologies Private Limited, was established in the year 2020. Uncia is a young enterprise application software product company addressing Banks and NBFCs with a comprehensive suite of pure-play SaaS products designed to meet the ever-changing Digital Lending space, encompassing Loan Origination, Loan Management, and Supply Chain Finance. Uncia boasts a formidable and referenceable marquee client list across Banks and NBFCs, where it has achieved unprecedented success in rapid go-to-market (GTM) with its innovative product and delivery models. For more information about Uncia and its products, please visit https://uncia.ai/ or follow us on LinkedIn. Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2574323/Uncia_IBS_award.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2455689/4799094/uncia_Logo.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)
The Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) organised the vibrant Ashtalakshmi Mahotsav at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, hosting an exclusive Buyer-Seller Meet aimed at fostering long-term business relationships between North East India's artisans and buyers from across the country. According to the Ministry of Development of North-East Region, the event, which highlighted the rich cultural and economic potential of the North Eastern Region (NER), facilitated direct business interactions across key sectors such as Textiles, Sericulture, Handloom & Handicrafts, Gems & Jewellery, Agriculture & Horticulture, and Tourism. The platform encouraged bulk orders, immediate trade deals, and long-term partnerships, marking a significant step toward the economic development of the region. Senior officials from MDoNER, the North Eastern Handicrafts and Handloom Development Corporation Ltd. (NEHHDC), and the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) were present at the event, underscoring its importance. During the opening session, the Advisor, NEHHDC, emphasised the investment opportunities in the North Eastern Region. He outlined its unique advantages, encouraging stakeholders to tap into the region's abundant resources and vibrant cultural heritage. Highlighting ONDC's transformative potential, the Chief Business Officer explained how the tech-based initiative, built on an open protocol, aims to revolutionise e-commerce in India. He noted that ONDC is onboarding artisans, weavers, and sellers from NER to enhance their market reach. Chief Business Officer, ONDC mentioned that ONDC, a tech-based initiative, to transform the way e-commerce functions in the country by enabling e-commerce through an open protocol based on open-source specifications. The initiative will not only facilitate the rapid adoption of e-commerce, but also boost and strengthen the growth of startups in India. By facilitating scalable and cost-effective e-commerce through the open protocol, ONDC will empower startups to grow collaboratively. He also highlighted that the ONDC in collaboration with NEHHDC is onboarding artisans/weavers/sellers of the North Eastern Region on their platform to increase their market linkage. Managing Director, NEHHDC appreciated the initiatives taken by MDoNER and stated that such kind of initiatives will not only help in promotion of indigenous products of the North Eastern Region but also help in economic prosperity of the local artisans/weavers/seller of the region. Joint Secretary, MDoNER, reaffirmed the region's readiness for growth, citing strategic investments and government initiatives that have created a favorable environment for businesses. She emphasized the unique opportunities offered by all eight North Eastern states and the commitment of central and state governments to support investments. The meet featured one-on-one interactions between sellers from NER and buyers from other regions, fostering deeper connections and practical outcomes. (ANI)
VMPL Hyderabad (Telangana) [India], December 9: Tanla Platforms Limited (NSE: TANLA; BSE: 532790), a global leader in CPaaS, is pleased to announce the appointment of Naiyya Saggi to its Board of Directors. A visionary leader and accomplished entrepreneur, Naiyya brings extensive expertise in leveraging technology and consumer-first strategies to drive innovation and impact across industries. As Co-Founder & Board Member of The Good Glamm Group and Founder of BabyChakra, Naiyya has built and scaled transformative ventures that have empowered millions of users. Her groundbreaking work has earned global recognition, including being featured in a prestigious Harvard Business School case study. Naiyya has also played a pivotal role in scaling The Good Glamm Group to unicorn status, with a diverse portfolio of market-leading brands. Naiyya's leadership extends across sectors. She is an Independent Director on the Board of Welspun Living and an advisor to organizations like Steer World. She also serves as a Governing Council member of the Tech Entrepreneurs Association of Mumbai, representing the $60 billion Mumbai tech ecosystem, and is on the Board of the Harvard Alumni Entrepreneurs Association India, the India chapter of a global non-profit connecting over 18,500 Harvard alumni across 20 chapters. Commenting on her appointment, Naiyya said: "Tanla has been at the forefront of transforming global communication with its innovative platforms and unwavering commitment to trust and transparency. I am thrilled to join the Board and collaborate with a team dedicated to building scalable, future-ready solutions." Uday Reddy, Chairman & CEO of Tanla, welcomed Naiyya, stating: "We are delighted to have Naiyya join Tanla's Board of Directors. Her exceptional track record in building and scaling consumer-first businesses, coupled with her passion for leveraging technology to drive impact, will be instrumental as we continue to innovate and expand globally." Naiyya is a Harvard Business School graduate where she was a Fulbright and Tata Scholar. She began her career as a Management Consultant with McKinsey & Co. and later at The Bridgespan Group in Boston, specializing in scaling healthcare and education ventures. She is also a qualified lawyer, holding a BA.LLB (Hons) from the National Law School of India University (Bangalore). Tanla Platforms looks forward to leveraging Naiyya's vision and expertise as the company continues to strengthen its position as a global pioneer in cloud communications. With Naiyya's addition as an Independent Director, the Tanla Board now comprises seven members including, Uday Reddy, Founder, Chariman and CEO; Deepak Goyal, Chief Business Officer and Executive Director; Sanjay Kapoor, Non- Executive Director; Rahul Khanna, Lead Independent Director; Dr. RS Sharma, Independent Director and Francois Ortalo-Magne, Independent Director. For more details, please refer to this link: https://bit.ly/3Zu5Cq8. About Tanla Founded in 1999, Tanla Platforms Limited has revolutionized digital interactions by empowering users and enabling enterprises through its innovation-led SaaS business. With a unique enterprise and user-centric approach, Tanla has emerged as a leader in the CPaaS industry dominating data security, privacy, spam, and scam protection. Headquartered in Hyderabad (India), Tanla is the preferred partner for over 2,000 enterprises across various industries, including global tech giants like Google, Meta, and Truecaller. Tanla is recognized as a 'Visionary' in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for CPaaS and is ranked among the "1000 High-Growth Companies in Asia Pacific" by the Financial Times. Tanla is publicly traded on the NSE and BSE (NSE: TANLA; BSE: 532790) and is included in prestigious indices such as the Nifty 500, BSE 500, Nifty Digital Index, FTSE Russell, and MSCI. 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By Laman Ismayilova



A regional meeting of international experts dedicated to the inclusion of the Caspian Corridor of the Great Silk Road in the UNESCO World Heritage List has been held in Ashgabat, Azernews reports, citing Turkmenportal.

Government representatives, national coordinators, and experts from Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan, as well as representatives of UNESCO and other international organisations, participated in the event.

The meeting discussed draft programs and documents aimed at preserving and popularizing historical heritage. Particular attention was paid to the development of a Roadmap for the nomination process of the Caspian-Volga Corridor and the integration of modern technologies in the research and management of heritage sites.

The participants also highlighted possibilities of using advanced techniques, such as remote sensing and field research, to study land and underwater archaeological sites in the region.

The meeting program includes a trip to the open-air monument-Old Nisa, included on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Recall that Azerbaijan National History Museum hosted the second annual sub-regional conference and practical field workshop on the Volga-Caspian Corridor of the Silk Roads this October.

Co-organized by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry and the UNESCO World Heritage Center, the conference and workshop were aimed at continuing efforts in the areas of developing guidelines and recommendations on the Volga-Caspian Corridor of the Silk Roads Heritage; conducting an inventory and scientific documentation of heritage sites; defining criteria for prioritizing components in the selection process for the transnational nomination of the Volga-Caspian Corridor to the World Heritage List; agreeing on a coordination mechanism and the role of the Secretariat in the nomination process; conducting research on underwater heritage and establishing links between archaeological research on land routes and underwater archaeological work; continuing thematic research on the Silk Roads by ICOMOS (International Council on Monuments and Sites), including a study of the Volga-Caspian Corridor.
Rajkot (Gujarat) [India], December 9: Captain Polyplast Limited (CPL, BSE: 536974), one of the leading providers of irrigation solutions, has announced a preferential issue of 48,00,000 convertible warrants at a price of Rs72 each to support its growth and operational expansion. The total funds raised through this initiative amount to Rs34.56 crore, with Rs20.88 crore contributed by the promoters through 29,00,000 warrants.

Commenting on the performance Ritesh Khichadia, a Whole Time Director of Captain Polyplast Limited said, "We are pleased to announce the strategic preferential issue of 48,00,000 convertible warrants, a significant step toward enhancing our operational framework and driving sustainable growth. This initiative reflects our commitment to operational excellence and our focus on innovation in delivering high-quality irrigation solutions.

This strategic move aligns with our vision of empowering sustainable agriculture through cutting-edge solutions. By optimizing resources and upgrading infrastructure, we aim to enhance our market presence, support agricultural productivity, and contribute to water conservation efforts. With this infusion of capital, we are well-positioned to enhance customer satisfaction, meet evolving market needs, and create lasting value for our stakeholders."

(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)
PNN Ahmedabad (Gujarat) [India], December 9: Serving Indian farmers since 2005, Dhanlaxmi Crop Science is a technology-driven seed company engaged in the development, production, processing, and supply of hybrid and open-pollinated seeds for a wide range of field crops and vegetables. These seeds ensure better quality and higher yields suited to diverse agro-climatic conditions. The company is poised for its Initial Public Offering (IPO), with plans to raise Rs23.80 crores through the issuance of 43.28 lakh new shares. For its SME Initial Public Offering (IPO), Dhanlaxmi Crop Science Limited has established a price band of Rs52 to Rs55 per share. The company's shares will open for subscription on December 9, 2024, and close on December 11, 2024. These shares will be listed on the NSE SME platform, with a projected listing date of Monday, December 16, 2024. Finshore Management Services Limited is the book-running lead manager for the Dhanlaxmi Crop Science IPO, while Bigshare Services Pvt Ltd is the registrar for the issue. The proceeds from the issue will be utilized to meet working capital requirements and for general corporate purposes. The shares for the Dhanlaxmi Crop Science IPO are expected to be allotted on Thursday, December 12, 2024, and credited to the demat accounts of the allottees on Friday, December 13, 2024. The IPO allocation comprises 50% of the net issue for Qualified Institutional Buyers (QIBs), 35% for retail investors, and 15% for the Non-Institutional Investor (NII) segment. Retail investors need to contribute a minimum of Rs1,10,000, as the minimum lot size for an application is 2,000 shares. For HNIs, the minimum bidding size is two lots, or 4,000 shares, requiring a total investment of Rs2,20,000 at the upper price band. Dhanlaxmi Crop Science Ltd reported revenue of Rs11,996.26 lakhs for HY1 FY25, with a net profit of Rs820.81 lakhs. The company boasts a Return on Capital Employed (ROCE) of 39.07%, a Return on Equity (ROE) of 33.82%, and a Debt-to-Equity ratio of 0.06. The company integrates traditional breeding techniques with biotechnological tools to produce hybrid and open-pollinated varieties of field crops and vegetable seeds. These seeds offer higher yields, improved quality, and greater tolerance to pests and diseases compared to naturally occurring varieties. As of March 31, 2024, the company's product portfolio includes over 24 seed varieties for various field crops and vegetables. It operates through a network of 1,185 authorized dealers across four states and has access to farmland in four states through contractual agreements with more than 45 seed growers and organizers. (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)
VMPL Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], December 9: Roto Energy Systems Ltd., a subsidiary of Roto Pumps Ltd. (BSE: 517500, NSE: ROTO), has secured orders for over 400 units for its newly launched Solar Submersible Pumping Systems under the brand name "Roto Rudra", reinforcing its position as a key player in sustainable water management globally. The orders span Australia, South Africa, and the Indian states of Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, supporting agriculture, irrigation, and renewable energy initiatives. In South Africa, the Company will supply 100 units of solar submersible helical rotor and centrifugal pumping sets and in Australia, the Company will supply 100 solar submersible helical rotor pumping sets. Commenting on the orders, Harish Chandra Gupta, Chairman and Managing Director of Roto Pumps Ltd. stated, "The global orders reinforce Roto Energy Systems Ltd.'s role in addressing global water challenges, further establishing the Roto Rudra brand as a pivotal player in supporting sustainable water management projects worldwide. We are committed to delivering sustainable and high-performance solutions for water management in challenging environments. These systems not only address critical water needs but also align with global sustainability goals by leveraging renewable energy to minimize environmental impact. These orders reflect the trust our global customers have placed in our newly launched Solar Submersible Pumping Systems under the brand name "Roto Rudra"." The Company received two major orders from Chhattisgarh under the CREDA Schemes, for 100 units of solar submersible helical rotor pumping sets and one order from Maharashtra for 100 units of solar submersible helical rotor pumping sets. These orders are for drinking water application. Gupta further added that, "Roto Rudra is driving India's renewable water projects forward with its Solar Submersible Pumps, delivering sustainable water solutions powered by clean energy. This initiative aligns with our Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of enhancing India's solar capabilities, promoting energy efficiency and contributing to the nation's green energy goals. By supporting Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra's renewable energy goals, we are advancing sustainable water management and empowering communities reliant on efficient drinking water." The orders underscore Roto's ability to deliver tailored solutions that meet diverse operational requirements, combining cutting-edge technology with reliability. These projects represent another milestone in the company's commitment to providing high-performance, energy-efficient and environmentally friendly products that contribute to global sustainable development objectives. About Roto Pumps Ltd. A globally preferred brand in positive displacement pumps, Roto Pumps is a public listed company with presence across 5 continents and a rich legacy of over 50 years. Established in 1968, Roto Pumps is the pioneer manufacturer of Progressive Cavity Pumps in India, renowned for providing efficient and reliable pumping solutions to a diverse range of industries including Wastewater, Sugar, Paper, Paint, Oil & Gas, Chemicals & Process, Ceramics, Food & Beverages, Renewable Energy & Power, Mining & Explosives, Marine & Defense and many more. With its state-of-the-art manufacturing unit based at Greater Noida, India & Ultra-modern R&D centre based at Noida, India, Roto Pumps is successfully exporting to more than 50 countries. Roto Pumps is ambitiously working towards its expansion by strengthening the strategic global partnerships, establishing new branches & subsidiaries across continents and aims to be among the top 5 positive displacement pump manufacturers with a presence in 100+ countries. For further information about the company: www.rotopumps.com About Roto Energy Systems Ltd. Roto Energy System Ltd. (RESL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Roto Pumps Ltd., was established in 2021 to provide sustainable groundwater pumping solutions under the brand name "ROTO RUDRA." With a state-of-the-art 8,000 sq. m. facility in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, RESL has a production capacity of 5,000 solar systems per month and is ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, and ISO 45001:2018 certified. Our product range includes high-efficiency PMSM solar motors, unique 10-pole motor designs, and advanced solar controllers with remote monitoring, serving applications in agriculture, drinking water, livestock, and community water supply. Leveraging over 55 years of expertise in elastomer technology, RESL delivers unmatched quality and performance. Each product undergoes rigorous endurance testing and is manufactured with in-house capabilities for rubber compound formulation and mold design, ensuring reliability. Backed by a dedicated R&D team and stringent quality control processes, RESL guarantees superior performance, making ROTO RUDRA a trusted choice for sustainable water solutions. For further media queries, please contact: Sonia Kulkarni | Hunk Golden and Media 9820184099 | sonia.kulkarni@hunkgolden.in (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)
Air India on Monday confirmed that it placed an order to purchase 100 more Airbus aircraft, comprising 10 widebody A350 and 90 narrowbody A320 Family aircraft, including A321neo. These 100 new aircraft are in addition to the firm orders of 470 aircraft that Air India had placed with Airbus and Boeing last year. The latest order takes the total number of aircraft that Air India ordered with Airbus in 2023 from 250 aircraft, comprising 40 A350 and 210 A320 Family aircraft, to 350. Air India also announced it has selected Airbus' Flight Hour Services-Component (FHS-C) to support the maintenance requirements of its growing A350 fleet. The new materials and maintenance contract will help Air India to optimise the reliability and performance of its A350 fleet, with comprehensive engineering services and integrated component services including on-site stock at Delhi provided by Airbus. Natarajan Chandrasekaran, Chairman, of Tata Sons and Air India, said, "With India's passenger growth outpacing the rest of the world, its significantly improving infrastructure and an aspirational young population increasingly going global, we see a clear case for Air India to expand its future fleet beyond the firm orders of the 470 aircraft placed last year." "These additional 100 Airbus aircraft will help to position Air India on the path to greater growth and contribute to our mission of building Air India into a world-class airline that connects India to every corner of the world," he added. Guillaume Faury, Airbus CEO, said, "Having personally witnessed the formidable growth of the Indian aviation sector in recent months, I am glad to see Air India renew its trust in Airbus with this additional order for both our A320 Family and A350 aircraft." "Through this continued partnership, we are committed to supporting the success of Air India's "Vihaan.AI" transformation plan under Tata's vision and leadership," the CEO added. With the order for 100 additional aircraft, Air India currently has a total of 344 new aircraft incoming from Airbus, having received six A350s so far. Air India in 2023 had also placed orders for 220 widebody and narrowbody aircraft with Boeing, of which 185 aircraft remain to be delivered. Air India is the first Indian airline to operate the Airbus A350, powered by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB engines. Delivering exceptional fuel-efficiency, passenger comfort, and long-range capabilities, the A350s now offer an all-new Air India flying experience to travellers flying non-stop from Delhi to London and New York. The A320 Family fleet, powered by CFM LEAP 1-A engines, is a backbone of Air India's domestic and short-haul operations, delivering world-class flying experiences to millions of the airline's customers as well as remarkable operational efficiency and flight economics. (ANI)
VMPL New Delhi [India], December 9: MatchMe, a pioneer in personalised matchmaking services since 2015, proudly announces the launch of its own mobile application, available now on the App Store and Google Play Store. The MatchMe App is India's first personally curated matrimonial platform, designed to connect well-educated and progressive individuals seeking compatible life partners. "We are thrilled to introduce the MatchMe App, designed for individuals seeking compatible life partners. Our platform upholds a rigorous screening process to nurture a selective community, ensuring users have a smoother experience finding meaningful connections," said Mishi Mehta, co-founder of MatchMe. "Since 2015, we have been offering personalised matchmaking services, and with the launch of our App, we are enhancing the process to be more efficient, streamlined, and accessible." Key Features of the MatchMe App: Invite-Only Access: The app is exclusively available by invitation, ensuring a high-quality user base. Referral Code Requirement: Prospective members must have a referral code to apply for membership, maintaining the community's exclusivity. Personal Screening: A screening video call with founders Mishi and Tania is required to ensure alignment with the platform's values and community standards. Secure Onboarding: Upon approval, users receive their app login details, granting access to a curated matchmaking experience. The MatchMe App eliminates the frustrations of endless swiping by providing users with filtered matches every week, enhanced by psychometric testing. This approach ensures that matches are not only compatible but also aligned with users' interests and values, making the process of finding a life partner smooth and convenient. Over the past eight years, founders Mishi and Tania have meticulously built a niche network of highly educated and well-established individuals who share common values and beliefs. "With our all-new MatchMe App, we will continue building an exclusive community of educated, progressive Indians who look beyond typical arranged marriage parameters of caste, community, etc., and prioritise compatibility while seeking their life partner," added Tania Sondhi, co-founder of MatchMe. "Our App is a gateway to a community of verified individuals ready to settle down for the right reasons." MatchMe addresses the modern dilemma of being overwhelmed with choices on conventional matrimonial and dating apps, which often lack effective filtration for serious relationships. The platform caters to individuals aged 24 to 39 worldwide, providing a niche space for those who prefer a thoughtful and curated approach to finding a life partner. "Our mission is to create a meaningful and efficient matchmaking experience for those who are serious about finding the right person," Mishi emphasised. "We believe the right age to marry is when you meet the right person, and if you're 24 and haven't met the right one yet, it's the ideal time to make an effort." The MatchMe App is now available for download on the App Store and Google Play Store. Join India's first personally curated matrimonial community and take the first step towards finding a meaningful and compatible life partner! About MatchMe Since 2015, MatchMe has been dedicated to providing personalised matchmaking services to well-educated and progressive individuals in India. With a commitment to building a selective and supportive community, MatchMe combines traditional matchmaking principles with modern technology to facilitate meaningful connections. The launch of the MatchMe App marks a significant milestone in the company's mission to enhance the matchmaking experience through innovation and exclusivity in India and globally! MatchMe App is an exclusive invite-only platform for Indians all across the globe in the age bracket 24-39 years, available on the App Store: https://apps.apple.com/in/app/matchme-indian-matchmaking/id6475705272 Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cms.matchme For more information, visit the website https://www.matchmeglobal.com/ (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
PNN Indore (Madhya Pradesh) [India], December 9: SkyDecor Laminates Pvt. Ltd. announced the grand launch of 'Design Master 1 MM+ Decorative Laminates' and 'Acrylish - Volume 2' during dealership meet in Indore. The newly launched Design Master 1 MM+ range includes over 300 unique laminates that effortlessly decorate spaces and efficiently improve functionality. Moreover, Acrylish - Volume 2, the new version of high-gloss laminates, is made with 100% virgin PMMA, which guarantees surface stability and scratch resistance. Speaking about the launch, Manoj Bansal, Managing Director, Skydecor Laminates Pvt. Ltd., said, "Skydecor Laminates has always aimed to provide premium service and state-of-the-art products to our customers. Hence the brand is recognized today for pioneering quality, affordable design, and sustainability. The launch of Design Master 1 MM+ and Acrylish - Volume 2 is a significant milestone for us. These products will provide our customers with high quality and unique design options to make their spaces even more beautiful and functional." Mushtaq Ali Rangwala, Managing Director, of Star Plywood (Indore), and Distributor of SkyDecor said, "Skydecor Laminates has always been committed to innovation and excellence. With Design Master 1 MM+ and Acrylish - Volume 2, we have taken another step forward. The new laminates not only enhance the visual aesthetics but also serve the purpose of functional utility. We aim to provide our customers with something new and better every time." Design Master 1 MM+ is unique in its diverse European paper range that caters to various aesthetic preferences and design needs. The laminates in this range include unique textures that add depth and character to the interiors. Be it classic elegance or modern innovation, Design Master offers a perfect solution for every space. Acrylish - Volume 2 is a perfect example of advanced high-gloss laminates. It has over 111 designs to meet the highest standards of quality suitable for every interior and space. These laminates are made from European raw materials and bring life to the interiors. The innovative designs and textures enhance the visual appeal and tactile experience. About SkyDecor Laminates SkyDecor Laminates began its journey in the year 2016. With an infrastructure of over 100,000 sq. m and premium machinery, SkyDecor Laminates is committed to continuous growth and innovation. The company has manufacturing units located in Greater Noida and Hapur, producing high-quality PVC, acrylic, and decorative laminates. It has its operational headquarters in Noida and an experience center in Kirti Nagar. With a legacy of a decade, Skydecor Laminates is committed to changing places and proudly says that we are the only PVC laminate company in India to be certified as a Green Product. (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)
NewsVoir Chandigarh [India], December 9: Chitkara University's Department of Fashion Design, Chitkara Design School, recently hosted the "EMERGE Graduate Fashion Show 2024," a dynamic showcase of creativity and innovation from emerging fashion talents. The event featured 11 carefully curated student collections, ranging from knitwear, zero-waste designs, and heritage Indian textiles to fusion wear, streetwear, athleisure, and avant-garde styles. Each collection highlighted diverse design approaches, with a strong focus on sustainability, innovation, and fresh perspectives on fashion. The show was attended by notable industry figures, including Ujjawal Dubey, Founder & Creative Director of Antar-Agni, and Yvette Joan Noethen and Javier Reyes, International Recruiters from The Walt Disney Company. Their presence highlighted the global reach and importance of the event. The collections were brought to life with choreography, music, and production entirely managed by students, guided by faculty mentors, showcasing Chitkara University's hands-on approach to education. Dr. Madhu Chitkara, Pro-Chancellor of Chitkara University, spoke about the importance of nurturing creativity and innovation in fashion. She stated, "Our students are being trained to not only excel in design but also to be aware of the need for sustainable, forward-thinking solutions in the fashion industry. EMERGE is an opportunity for them to demonstrate their capabilities and engage with global industry leaders." The highlight of the evening was the presentation of the Best Graduate Collection award to Anshika Gupta for her avant-garde collection Altered Perspectives. Inspired by organic architecture, Gupta's work impressed for its unique blend of form, function, and sustainable design. The event also reflected Chitkara University's focus on experiential learning, empowering students to push creative boundaries while preparing them for the evolving demands of the fashion industry. Through initiatives like EMERGE, Chitkara Universities continues to inspire the next generation of fashion leaders to think critically, creatively, and sustainably. Chitkara University, a leading private university in India, is recognised for its focus on practical, industry-aligned education. Offering a wide range of undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral programs, the university is known for its cutting-edge research, innovation, and strong industry partnerships, aiming to produce graduates well-prepared to meet the challenges of the global marketplace. For more information log in to university website : www.chitkara.edu.in (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)
PNN New Delhi [India], December 9: At the ongoing Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Summit 2024 in Belgrade, Serbia, Shashi Shekhar Vempati, Co-Founder of the DeepTech for Bharat Foundation (AI4India.org) and former CEO of Prasar Bharati, delivered a compelling address on the transformative power of AI in emerging economies along with co-panel members Milan Bosnic, Laurence Lew, Marco Cadez. Participating in a panel discussion on "AI's Impact on Emerging Economies," Vempati underscored India's unique position to leapfrog into an AI-driven future, much like its rapid adoption of mobile technologies in the past. He articulated how India's evolving AI ecosystem, bolstered by government-backed initiatives like the Public GPU Cloud, is democratizing access to technology and fostering grassroots innovation. Mr. Vempati drew attention to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of democratizing technology through Digital Public Goods, which now extends to AI infrastructure. Highlighting India's focus on developing indigenous AI capabilities, he spoke about the importance of Indic-language AI tools like BHASHINI, which are breaking down language barriers to enhance accessibility and inclusivity. These efforts, he noted, are paving the way for transformative applications across agriculture, manufacturing, and public services, ultimately contributing to India's socio-economic development. A central theme of his address was the DataDaan campaign, a pioneering effort to build large, publicly accessible datasets. The initiative invites individuals, institutions, and public bodies to contribute their datasets to create a repository that can empower startups, researchers, and academia to build AI models tailored to India's local context. "Data Daan is about turning a challenge into an opportunity. By sharing our datasets, we're not just fostering innovation but enabling India to lead in building AI solutions for diverse and nuanced applications," Mr. Vempati explained. In his remarks, Vempati reflected on the unique advantage emerging economies like India possess--the absence of legacy systems, which allows them to adopt advanced technologies with agility. He stressed that with the right investments in AI and initiatives like Data Daan, India could position itself as a global leader in AI innovation. At GPAI 2024, Mr. Vempati who is also on the advisory board of the Center of Policy Research and Governance credited CPRG for its continuous contribution and support to the Data Daan Initiative in collaboration with AI4India . Founded in 2016, CPRG is an independent Delhi-based think tank dedicated to advancing people-centric policymaking and addressing challenges in the economy, workforce, and education through research on emerging technologies. CPRG Director Dr. Ramanand underscored the importance of AI4India and CPRG's joint participation at the GPAI in presenting India's priorities and challenges in this fast emerging field. Adding to the discourse, Visiting Fellow Chetan Aggarwal presented insights on 'AI in Agriculture Green Transition and Climate,' at the GPAI exemplifying CPRG's commitment to driving sustainable growth through innovation. Mr. Alok Agrawal, Co-Founder of AI4India, the joint efforts of AI4India and CPRG at GPAI 2024 as a "blueprint for how emerging economies can harness AI for equitable and sustainable progress" with initiatives like 'Data Daan' gaining momentum. The GPAI Summit 2024, a global forum dedicated to advancing the responsible and sustainable use of artificial intelligence, provided a vital platform for discussions on AI's role in shaping the future of developing economies. Vempati's contributions underscored the importance of building local capabilities, democratizing access, and leveraging technology to address India's unique challenges. About AI4India.org: AI4India.org, driven by the DeepTech for Bharat Foundation, is committed to advancing grassroots innovation in AI. The organization focuses on empowering key sectors such as agriculture, manufacturing, and public services through indigenous AI tools and solutions. Its flagship initiative, Data Daan, seeks to create a publicly accessible repository of datasets, enabling researchers, startups, and academia to develop AI models that address India's diverse needs. AI4India is dedicated to making India self-reliant in AI technologies, fostering inclusivity, and aligning innovation with the nation's socio-economic priorities.For more information, visit www.ai4india.org. Youtube Link :https://www.youtube.com/clip/Ugkx5jgdSfkgVOOfYjp2lzfFM5wsdxfFr_Yi Youtube Link :https://www.youtube.com/clip/Ugkx5jgdSfkgVOOfYjp2lzfFM5wsdxfFr_Yi If you have any objection to this press release content, kindly contact pr.error.rectification@gmail.com to notify us. We will respond and rectify the situation in the next 24 hours. (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)
PNN Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], December 9: SearchingYard Software Private Limited, a global leader in IT and SaaS solutions, has announced a major milestone by signing an MoU with the Government of Rajasthan. The company plans to invest over Rs100 crores to establish the Amber Digital Delivery Centre in Jaipur. This cutting-edge software development campus aims to blend technological innovation with the cultural heritage of Rajasthan, reinforcing Jaipur's reputation as a rising IT hub. Visionary Campus to Drive Growth The Amber Digital Delivery Center, located in the heart of Jaipur, is set to be a state-of-the-art facility featuring modern architecture inspired by the city's rich cultural legacy. The campus will not only serve as a hub for delivering cutting-edge IT solutions but also contribute significantly to employment generation and skill development in the region. According to the proposed timeline, the campus will commence operations within a year, creating 500 direct employment opportunities in its first phase. Over the next five years, it is expected to generate more than 5,000 jobs, significantly boosting the local economy and positioning Rajasthan as a leader in India's digital transformation journey. Statement by Ashutosh Mohapatra, CEO & Founder, SearchingYard Group "Rajasthan is emerging as a prominent destination for technological innovation, and we are thrilled to contribute to this growth with our Amber Digital Delivery Center in Jaipur. Our investment of Rs100 crore underscores our commitment to fostering innovation, generating employment, and promoting sustainable growth in the region. The Amber Digital Delivery Center will serve as a beacon of modern technology integrated with Jaipur's heritage, setting a global benchmark for IT infrastructure. This initiative not only reflects our vision for SearchingYard Group but also highlights our dedication to nation-building and economic empowerment," said Ashutosh Mohapatra. A Strategic Move SearchingYard Group's decision to establish its development center in Jaipur aligns with its long-term strategy to expand its footprint across India while leveraging the state's growing talent pool and business-friendly policies. The campus will focus on delivering end-to-end IT solutions, including software development, cloud computing, AI solutions, and digital transformation services. Equipped with smart meeting rooms, green building practices, and recreational facilities, the Amber Digital Delivery Center aims to provide a world-class working environment for its employees. Commitment to Sustainability and Innovation In addition to driving economic growth, the campus design incorporates sustainability practices, such as energy-efficient systems, rainwater harvesting, and green spaces. This initiative reflects SearchingYard Group's commitment to creating a balance between technological progress and environmental responsibility. About SearchingYard Group Founded by Ashutosh Mohapatra, SearchingYard Software Private Limited has established itself as a leader in IT and SaaS services, catering to clients across government, private, and international sectors. With divisions including YARDDRONE, YARDSTREAM, YARDERP, YARDONE, YARDHOTEL, and YARDHEALTH, the company continues to pioneer innovative solutions in diverse industries. With this investment in Jaipur, SearchingYard Group takes a significant step toward shaping India's digital future, setting the stage for further advancements in the IT sector. For media inquiries, please contact: Amber Digital Delivery Center Team Email:info@searchingyard.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same)
Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar, who have been setting couple goals for four decades, are celebrating their 40th wedding anniversary today. To mark the special occasion, Shabana treated fans with an adorable picture. Taking to her Instagram account on Monday, the "Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani" actress shared an adorable post for husband Javed and it is undoubtedly the cutest thing on the internet today. Shabana dropped a picture of the two of them. In the picture, she looks stunning in a pink suit paired with a matching dupatta and a flower tucked into her hair, while Javed exudes elegance in a crisp white shirt and jacket. Alongside the photo, Shabana wrote, "It's 40 years today since we got married, and he still makes me laugh." https://www.instagram.com/p/DDVg9yay0oi/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link Meanwhile, veteran actor Annu Kapoor, who shares a close bond with the Azmi and Akhtar families, shared an interesting story about his involvement in their marriage. While speaking to ANI, Kapoor, revealed that he was responsible for helping them in getting married on a "December night " and described how he convinced the couple to go ahead with the ceremony. "I was the one who arranged Javed Akhtar and Shabana Azmi's wedding on the night of December 9, 1984. Javed Akhtar was sitting there, while Shabana was inside reading a book. So, I arrived that night, and since she considered me her brother, I told her to make a decision," the actor shared. "He (Javed Akhtar) said, 'What decision? She's not ready.' So, I went to her and asked, 'Are you ready?' She said, 'Yes, I am.' Then I told him, 'Okay, I'm going.' She replied, 'Yes, go ahead,'" the actor added. The actor also shared how he rushed to invite a Maulvi (priest) from Bandra Mosque to perform the Nikah. "Their driver was named Michel. I told him, 'Let's go, Michel'. I rushed to invite a Maulvi from Bandra Mosque. Shabana's mother pulled out a traditional red wedding dress. Then I called Boney Kapoor and Anil Kapoor. Everyone came, and there was dancing and celebration until around 4 or 5 in the morning after which they finally got married," the actor said. Shabana and Javed tied the knot in 1984. Reportedly, the legendary writer had met Shabana for the first time at her father and famous poet, Kaifi Azmi's home. Javed was previously married to Honey Irani. He has two children, Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar, from his first marriage. (ANI)
A meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council was held in Malta. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan was engaged in promoting Pashinyan's "Crossroads of the World" during the event. Mirzoyan promoted the stillborn project in meetings with colleagues from other countries, demonstrating its alleged advantages from all sides. The "Crossroads of the World" is included in the list of mandatory topics for officials to raise whenever possible. On the sidelines of the event, Mirzoyan campaigned for Pashinyan's project with colleagues from the Netherlands, Kazakhstan, Georgia, and others who were willing to listen to him.

While the Armenian Foreign Minister is promoting Nikol Pashinyan's rainbow fantasies, Armenia remains isolated in the colorless reality, dependent on the vagaries of the climate and the lack of internal resources. This reality intrudes especially rudely into the grandiose plans of Yerevan with the onset of winter. The Georgian Upper Lars was covered with snow, and 1,200 Armenian trucks were stuck at the Georgian-Russian border. Armenia has no other ways to maintain economic ties with its main trading partner, Russia, which has been the key factor in the Armenian economy's growth. Armenia lacks reliable and efficient transport corridors in any direction, and it won't have any unless the borders are opened. It is unclear what Yerevan hopes to achieve by advertising its "crossroads." Perhaps it expects to charm its partners, dazzling them with the brilliance of far-fetched prospects, hoping for some change.

Having no clear project, no specific calculations, and no resolved issues related to the implementation of the "Crossroads," Armenia is already holding forums and conferences, showing maps on the wall with routes marked in marker. It is immediately obvious that Yerevan has no experience in implementing international projects. The most important condition for such projects is that they must be realistic and based on the real situation in and around the country. In Armenias case, these are closed borders, a lack of financial and human resources to implement such projects, and zero authority for the country and its leadership. To hold forums about becoming a transit hub, Armenia must have some foundation to demonstrate that it is capable of tackling such tasks. This is a country that, without outside help, has not been able to build a single highway for twenty years. What kind of "crossroads" is there to speak of? By advertising the project, Pashinyan seeks not so much to attract investors (which is problematic) as to find supporters who will pressure Baku to open communications for Armenians. This goal is pursued by the prime minister and his team, describing on international platforms how regional transit will improve when the "Crossroads of the World" is implemented, how both the West and the East have missed this opportunity, and how much benefit they will receive from it.

For internal use, another version has been prepared, no less incredible, which was recently voiced by Nikol Pashinyan.

Speaking at a forum in October, he announced that the project could bring tens of billions of dollars to Armenia. And this is why Azerbaijan is so jealous and tries so hard to prevent its implementation. According to him, we should be afraid that Armenia will get rich and use its billions against us. If we have aggressive plans against peaceful Armenians, the "Crossroads of the World" will help Yerevan foil these insidious plans. Nikol Pashinyan tried to explain to Armenian society and his audience why the "Crossroads of the World" was so important for the government, despite Armenia having many other, more real problems. Armenians should close their eyes and imagine the "huge economic flows" promised by Pashinyan passing through their country. The fact that there is nothing behind these words is no longer the concern of ordinary Armenians.

Meanwhile, dreams of a crossroads could take tangible shape if Armenia thought for itself and not according to others' ideas. It is no coincidence that some in the country believe the "Crossroads of the World" is an externally imposed project. Although Pashinyan denies everything, claiming that Armenia needs the project like air, this version has a basis. Armenia lacks the facilities and infrastructure for international transit. All of this would need to be created from scratch. The projects would cost astronomical sums, as the terrain would require the construction of complex engineering structures, including dozens of tunnels and bridges. None of Armenia's current partners will finance this. Recall that Russia, which used to act as Armenia's protector, once refused to finance the Armenia-Iran railway, calling it a dead-end project.

The "Crossroads of the World" is impossible. But its specter serves the interests of those who want to take control of the region and interfere with established and emerging transit corridors tied to China. In other words, Armenia is being used once again. There will be no "Crossroads," and Pashinyan knows this better than anyone. Revenues would flow to Armenia if the Zangezur corridor were restored, but political will and independence are required to make such a decision. Nikol Pashinyan has neither.

Armenians also prevented the construction of the road through Zangezur during Soviet times. The issue was delayed for many years, and the road was only put into operation shortly before the deportation of Azerbaijanis from Armenia began. Yerevan resisted with all its might, inventing reasons, and frustrating the decisions of the Council of Ministers and the State Planning Committee of the USSR. Armenians are known for their ability to concoct stories. To justify their refusal, they claimed that subtropical crops could be grown in the area, which would yield 50 million rubles. They later invented a story about mineral deposits along the planned route. Finally, Yerevan stated that villages for "repatriates" would be built in Zangezur, and there simply was no room for a railway. A little more, and the Armenian side would have announced that it had discovered oil in Zangezur, rather than opening direct access to Azerbaijan's autonomy.

Decades have passed. No bananas, no oil, no villages for "repatriates." But the fantasies continue. And all of this is happening over the heads of the people.
The award was presented by Bachi Karkaria at a ceremony held at The Lalit Mumbai on December 8, 2024.

Lt Gen KJS 'Tiny' Dhillon's debut book, 'KITNE GHAZI AAYE KITNE GHAZI GAYE,' is a culmination of the toughest challenges he faced in his life-from the age of three to his role as the Commander of the Chinar Corps with Kashmir as an inseparable part of this story.

This evocative, anecdotal memoir offers a first-hand perspective on key historical events, including the exodus of the Kashmiri Pandits, the Pulwama attack on an Indian security convoy, the Balakot airstrikes, and the abrogation of Article 370, exploring their socio-political, economic, and law-and-order ramifications. It takes us behind the scenes to bring out the nuances of various intriguing developments at a critical juncture in the history of J&K.

Lt Gen KJS Dhillon was commissioned in December 1983 and has a military career spanning 35 years during which he has held varied command, staff and instructional appointments.

Before taking over as the Chinar Corps Commander, the General Officer was tenanting the appointment of Director General Perspective Planning.

The General officer had served Jammu and Kashmir for five tenures since 1988, notable being Sector Commander of Rashtriya Rifles and Brigadier General Staff of the 15 Corps, also called the Chinar Corps.

He is a graduate of the Defence Service Staff College, Wellington and the National Defence College, Delhi. He is also credited with important appointments at Army Headquarters and instructional appointments at Infantry School, Mhow and the Indian Army Training Team abroad.

On assuming the charge, Lt Gen Dhillon conveyed his greetings and best wishes to the Awaam of Kashmir and the entire Chinar Corps fraternity. (ANI)
Actor Gehena Vasisth, who is under investigation in a money laundering case, appeared at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office in Ballard Estate on Monday to record her statement. Speaking to ANI about the investigation, Gehena shared details of a recent raid at her residence, stating, "On the 29th, my house was raided and everything was checked. No objectionable material was found in my house. Nor was any material found. My account was frozen, including my mutual funds, FDs, everything was frozen and I was issued summons under the PMLA section. So I have come to support the investigation. I myself also want that the truth should come out in front of the people...I have met Raj Kundra only once till date..." The actress, along with entrepreneur Raj Kundra, is being investigated for allegedly being involved in a financial case linked to the production and distribution of adult content through mobile apps. In 2021, Gehena and several others were arrested by the Mumbai police for their alleged roles in producing and uploading explicit content online. They are currently out on bail, but the case remains under investigation. (ANI)
The film is competing in two prestigious categories: Best Original Song for the soulful track "Ishq Walla Daku" and Best Original Score, composed by renowned music maestro Bickram Ghosh.

Actress-turned-politician Kangana Ranaut took to X (formerly Twitter) to congratulate the team on this achievement.

"Thrilled to see Indian cinema shining globally! Huge congrats to @NishantPitti, @Puneet_Singh, Director @malik_girish, and Music Director @BickramGhoshofficial for 'Band of Maharajas' being in Oscar contention #BandofMaharajas #Oscars," wrote Kangana on X.

https://x.com/KanganaTeam/status/1866032763163365688

Bickram Ghosh, who composed the film's stirring score, shared his pride in the project's success, in a statement shared by the 'Band Of Maharajas' team, "Band of Maharajas is a labour of love. We are incredibly grateful for the support and appreciation we've received."

'Band of Maharajas' tells the inspiring story of three passionate young musicians from a small village near the India-Pakistan border. These fearless individuals pursue their dream of making music, crossing the border into Pakistan, where music faces opposition from radical factions.

The film captures their struggles, bravery, and the profound role music plays in uniting people across divides.

Meanwhile, Kangana recently announced the release date of her much-awaited film 'Emergency'.

The film which features Kangana in the role of former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, will hit theatres on January 17, next year.

The film, a biographical political thriller, delves into the life of Indira Gandhi, who imposed a 21-month emergency period from 1975 to 1977.

Produced by Zee Studios and Manikarnika Films, the film is set against the backdrop of one of India's most tumultuous political periods. (ANI)
American film director and screenwriter Michael Mann talked about 'Heat 2', his follow-up film to the 1995 crime drama 'Heat' that starred Al Pacino and Robert De Niro, while attending the Red Sea Film Festival, as per The Hollywood Reporter. "The next (movie) I'd like to do is Heat 2," Mann reiterated in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, during an informal conversation in Old City Al Balad after an earlier screening of 'Heat' at the festival. He didn't much open up about the screenplay for the project, which Mann has reportedly set up at Warner Bros. "It has to be finished really soon." The 'Heat' sequel has been on hold for some time, but Mann revived the concept with his 2022 crime novel 'Heat 2', co-written by 81-year-old director and author Meg Gardiner, which serves as both a prequel and a sequel to Mann's 1995 crime cinema masterpiece. More recently, there have been reports that Warner Bros., which distributed the first film, is on board to fund development for Heat 2, and that Adam Driver, who starred in Mann's 2023 film Ferrari, is in talks to play young Neil McCauley, the brilliant thief played by Robert DeNiro in the first film. "'Heat', co-starring Tom Sizemore, Jon Voight and Val Kilmer, is a cat-and-mouse actioner centring on an obsessive Los Angeles detective, played by Al Pacino, trying to track down and catch McCauley, whose crew is responsible for a series of brazen, high-stakes heists," as per The Hollywood Reporter. He also explained his focus in 'Ferrari', besides on thrilling race scenes, turned on character and key relationships, including between Enzo and Laura (Enzo's wife, portrayed by Penelope Cruz) and Enzo and Lena (his lover, portrayed by Shailene Woodley). Mann paid tribute to Cruz for having a firm idea of her character, Laura Ferrari, on set. "She is completely self-confident. She has a primitive, almost tribal sense of knowing a thing when she knows something you can't shake," the Ferrari director recalled, according to The Hollywood Reporter. The biopic of racing mogul Enzo Ferrari stars Adam Driver, Penelope Cruz and Shailene Woodley. The film's subject matter is near and dear to Italians' hearts, telling a story beginning in the summer of 1957 with ex-racer Enzo Ferrari (Driver) in crisis. Bankruptcy threatens the factory he and his wife, Laura (Penelope Cruz), built from nothing 10 years earlier. Their volatile marriage has been battered by the loss of their son a year earlier, and Ferrari struggles to acknowledge his son with Lina Lardi (Shailene Woodley). Meanwhile, his drivers' passion to win pushes them to the edge as they launch into the treacherous 1,000-mile race across Italy, the Mille Miglia. (ANI)
Actor David Tennant, who is known for his role in the sci-fi series 'Doctor Who' will return to host the 2025 BAFTA Film Awards, as per The Hollywood Reporter. The Scottish actor is stepping up to the task for the second year in a row, BAFTA confirmed, for the ceremony held at Southbank Centre's Royal Festival Hall on Sunday, February 16. "It's quite curious," said Tennant, adding, "Because it's not something I'd ever imagined I would be asked to do, or particularly aspired to do -- it was one of those things that came out the blue. And you think I probably can't say no to this, because it's such a unique thing to be a part of." "When they asked me back, I thought, 'Really, are you sure?' But, you know, why not?" Tennant's career in film, television, and radio includes memorable performances in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, Good Omens, Broadchurch, and Doctor Who. Most recently, he appeared in the hugely successful television adaptation of Jilly Cooper's Rivals. "We couldn't be happier that David Tennant is returning to host the EE BAFTA Film Awards in 2025," said Jane Millichip, CEO at BAFTA. She continued: "He is an absolute pleasure to work with, and his performance this year was simply outstanding -- warm, witty, whip-smart, and with a delightful touch of mischief. It is a privilege to share Britain's biggest celebration of film with TV audiences worldwide, and to recognise the extraordinary creativity of those who power the British and global film industry." The EE BAFTA Film Awards encompass 25 competitive categories that are decided by BAFTA members. Round one of voting for the 2025 Film Awards opened Friday, December 6, according to The Hollywood Reporter. (ANI)
Actor Sonali Bendre visited Ayodhya and performed aarti at the Sarayu ghat. She shared her experience of visiting the spiritual city and appreciated the arrangements made for the public. Speaking to the media, she said, "It is very nice to come here...there are very good facilities here, very good arrangements. I liked it (Ayodhya) very much ..." The 'Pran Pratishtha' of Shri Ram Lalla at Ayodhya's historic temple was held on January 22, with PM Modi performing the Vedic rituals, led by a group of priests. The ceremony was attended by representatives of all major spiritual and religious sects in the country. People from all walks of life, including representatives of various tribal communities, attended the ceremony. Acharya Satyendra Das is the Chief Priest of Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Temple, in Ayodhya. The Shri Ram Janmbhoomi Mandir is constructed in traditional Nagara style. Its length (east-west) is 380 feet; width is 250 feet and height is 161 feet; and is supported by a total of 392 pillars and 44 doors. The pillars and walls of the temple showcase intricately sculpted depictions of Hindu deities, Gods, and Goddesses. In the main sanctum sanctorum on the ground floor, the childhood form of Bhagwan Shri Ram (the idol of Shri Ramlalla) has been placed. Meanwhile, on the work front, Sonali made her acting debut with the 1994 film 'Aag', which also starred Govinda, Shilpa Shetty and Shakti Kapoor. Her first big hit was the action romance 'Diljale' which was released in 1996 and later she was also part of movies such as 'Major Saab', 'Sarfarosh', 'Duplicate', Zakhm', 'Chori Chori'and 'Hum Saath Saath Hain', among others. In 2018, she was diagnosed with cancer and underwent treatment in the USA. After undergoing treatment for months, she finally defeated the disease and came out victorious, and since then she has been raising awareness about cancer. (ANI)
Telangana Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy lashed out at Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president JP Nadda, saying that he should not spread "lies". He asked whether it was a failure of the Congress government to provide cylinders for Rs 500 in the state. The Minister on Sunday claimed that the Congress government was providing free electricity to 50 lakh households, and loans for 25 lakh farmers have also been waived off. "I only want to ask him (Nadda) one question. Is it a failure to provide a cylinder for Rs 500? The cylinder prices were increased to Rs 1,300 but we are giving it for Rs 500. We are providing free electricity to 50 lakh households. We paid Rs 3,000 crore to RTC (Telangana State Road Transport Corporation). Is this a failure? We are waiving off loans worth Rs two lakh for 25 lakh farmers. Nobody has done this in the last 75 years. Naddaji, I am your senior. I have been elected six times. Don't talk lies when you come in Telangana," Telangana Roads and Buildings Minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy told reporters. Reddy further attacked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for telling "lies" that he would bring black money. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi told lies that he will bring black money. But that has not happened. They should ask the villages whether we are providing free electricity, free RTC...We have done good work and we will continue to do so. We are giving salaries on the first date of every month. The earlier government used to give salaries on the 20th of every month. Is this a failure?" the Telangana Minister remarked. This comes after BJP president Nadda launched an attack on the Congress government in Telangana while addressing a public rally in Telangana's Rangareddy on Saturday. He was addressing the rally to highlight what he called the failures of the Congress government in Telangana over the past year. "We are ruling in 13 states with an absolute majority. The people of Telangana are also waiting. They have seen BRS and Congress governments. Now, it's time to make the Lotus bloom and align with the development of Telangana," Nadda said. (ANI)
All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami has accused the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) government and the police of "negligence" in the alleged rape case of a mentally challenged college student. "The news that a mentally disabled college student was repeatedly sexually assaulted by more than 10 people in Chennai's Chintadripet is shocking. While the victim's father has already reported the matter to the police station, the police of the DMK government have acted very negligently as usual and they have ignored the complainants," AIADMK General Secretary Edappadi Palaniswami posted on X. "Did the police of MK Stalin government know that when a complaint is received about crimes against women, it should be taken seriously and investigated properly and promptly?" Palaniswami remarked. The AIADMK General Secretary further accused the DMK government of failing to create a safe environment for women while also accusing the state government of handling cases against women in a "lax" manner. "I strongly condemn the DMK government for not only creating a situation where women, school and college students, are constantly threatened but also for handling cases against women in a lax manner," Palaniswami said. Senior AIADMK leader Palaniswami urged Chief Minister MK Stalin and his government to ensure that all those involved in this case are punished. "I urge MK Stalin, DMK government to ensure that all the culprits involved in this case receive strict legal punishment, and to prevent these kind of crimes against women, I urge to conduct a serious investigation into such complaints without delay," he added. Two people were arrested on Saturday after Chennai All-Women Police Station registered a complaint in connection with a rape case, police said, adding that they were looking for at least seven other individuals involved in the crime. The mentally challenged victim, studying at a private college in Chennai, opened up to her father about the incident naming two individuals - Naresh and Suresh - who belong to Tiruvallur district. The two individuals took her to a lodge on Wall Tax Road in Chennai and raped her repeatedly, police said. After learning about the crime, the victim's father filed a complaint at the Ayanavaram Police Station. The initial investigation stated that the victim was introduced to the accused last year through a mutual friend who studied at her college. The preliminary investigation also revealed that she was raped by a few others who befriended her on social media platforms. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president K Annamalai on Sunday lashed out at Chief Minister MK Stalin for the alleged rape of a mentally-challenged college student in Chennai and "delayed" police action on the complaint of the victim's father. He said the BJP will submit a petition to the Deputy General of Police (DGP) to push for action against the policeman who delayed the investigation. He demanded CM Stalin to sack the police personnel involved in "delaying the investigation." "In the Chintadripet rape case, BJP will give a petition to the DGP tomorrow to take action against the policeman who delayed taking action on the complaint of the victim's father... The policeman asked the victim's father to alter the complaint and warned them. It is the duty of the state to give protection to a differently-abled victim. The CM should immediately sack all those policemen. I have always supported the police but in this case, it is unacceptable," Annamalai said in a presser. The BJP leader further informed that the police have arrested two accused in this case, while five remain absconding. This came after the victim's relatives managed to get the case registered, Annamalai said, adding that the accused were released earlier with a warning. "The news that a gang of seven members sexually assaulted a mentally challenged college student in the Ayanavaram area of Chennai is shocking. In this regard, the student's father filed a complaint at Chennai's Ayanavaram Police Station, but the accused were released with just a warning. With the efforts of one of the student's relatives, the case has now been registered and two accused have been arrested, five are absconding. Why is the Chief Minister MK Stalin who condemns all the criminal activities in other states in the country before the full details are known, why is he not talking about this incident?" Annamalai posted on X. Two people were arrested on Saturday after Chennai All-Women Police Station registered a complaint in connection with a rape case, police said, adding that they were looking for at least seven other individuals involved in the crime. The victim, studying at a private college in Chennai, had mental disabilities, a Chennai Police official said. (ANI)
Hindus in Purulia held a protest rally against the attack on minorities in Bangladesh. Udayananda Das Brahmachari from ISKCON who was also present in the protest rally said that it was everyone's right in the country to follow their religion. Speaking to ANI, Brahmachari said "We have come here from ISKCON Mayapur. Bajrang Dal, RSS and many other organisations have come together in this rally. In India, Muslims and Christians are a minority. Today, Muslims and Christians celebrate Eid and Christmas.. there is no problem.. In Bangladesh, it is everyone's right to follow their religion. There, our Hindu brothers and sisters are being tortured. They are not allowed to come to school. Is this brotherhood? Is this the teaching of the Quran?... You follow your religion and let us follow our religion... We want them to let our brothers and sisters in Bangladesh follow their religion.." Meanwhile, in Tripura the All Tripura Hotel and Restaurant Owners' Association (ATHROA) has decided to deny hotel and restaurant services' to Bangladeshi citizens. In a statement, Bhaskar Chakraborty, Office Secretary, All Tripura Hotel and Restaurant Owners' Association said, "On 2nd December we took a decision in the presence of all our members that starting 2nd December, no hotel will be available for Bangladeshi citizens."The decision comes as a strong response to the growing unrest in neighbouring Bangladesh. These protests come in the wake of reports of multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. There also have been cases of arson and looting of minorities' homes and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples. The arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in Chittagong on October 25 on sedition charges led to heavy protests. Another Hindu temple was allegedly set on fire in the outskirts of Dhaka. The Mahabhagya Lakshminarayan Mandir, at Dhor village, in the north of Dhaka, came under attack on late Friday night. India had on November 26 noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote. India had urged Bangladeshi authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right to freedom of peaceful assembly and expression. (ANI)
Syrias former President Bashar al-Assad is in Moscow with his family after Russia granted them asylum on humanitarian grounds, a Kremlin source told Russian news agencies on Sunday, and a deal has been made to ensure the safety of Russian military bases, Azernews reports, citing the Russian media sources.

Russias Foreign Ministry said earlier that Assad had left Syria and given orders for a peaceful transfer of power, after rebel fighters raced into Damascus unopposed on Sunday, ending nearly six decades of his familys iron-fisted rule.

Syrian President Assad of Syria and members of his family have arrived in Moscow. Russia has granted them asylum on humanitarian grounds, the privately-owned Interfax news agency and state media quoted the unnamed Kremlin source as saying.

Interfax cited the same Kremlin source as saying Russia favoured a political solution to the crisis in Syria, where Moscow supported Assad during the long civil war.

The source said negotiations should be resumed under the auspices of the United Nations.

Mikhail Ulyanov, Russias ambassador to international organisations in Vienna, said on his Telegram messaging channel: Breaking news! Bashar al-Assad and his family in Moscow. Russia does not betray friends in difficult situations.

Moreover, Syrian opposition leaders had agreed to guarantee the safety of Russian military bases and diplomatic institutions in Syria, the source told news agencies. But some Russian war bloggers said the situation around the bases was extremely tense and the source did not say how long the security guarantee lasted.
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLAs and MLCs on Monday arrived at the state Assembly wearing T-shirts reading 'Adani-Revanth Bhai Bhai'. Police stopped them from entering the Assembly. BRS Working President KT Rama Rao said that they wanted to expose the "double standards" of the Congress. "Double standard of Congress needs to be exposed. On the one hand in Parliament, Rahul Gandhi wears a t-shirt saying Adani and the Prime Minister are one but the fact is Adani and Revanth Reddy are best friends,"Rama Rao told ANI. "Therefore, we are exposing the Congress and we will continue to expose them in the House also. If Rahul Gandhi can be allowed in Parliament, there's no reason why we should not be allowed here," he added. Recently BRS has doubled down its attack against the Congress government in the state. The BRS has alleged that the government has failed on all fronts during its first year in office. On Saturday, KT Rama Rao said, "The Congress government has completed one year today, and it has failed miserably on all fronts. It has been a disaster from the people's point of view. As the Assembly and Council sessions are set to begin soon, we will hold a legislative party meeting tomorrow under the leadership of our party president and Telangana's first CM, KCR, to decide on all public issues to be raised." He added, "We definitely wish the Telangana government all the best. We want them to fulfil the promises made to the people of Telangana. More than 420 promises have been made by the Congress party. We will continue to hold them accountable for all the promises. If they don't fulfil them, we will question them." Meanwhile, on Friday, tensions rose as BRS leaders Kalvakuntla Kavitha and Harish Rao were placed under house arrest to prevent their participation in a protest near the Ambedkar statue on Necklace Road. The protest was organised in response to the arrest of BRS leaders Harish Rao, Kaushik Reddy, and others. According to Kavitha's PRO, she was confined to her residence before joining the protest. Harish Rao also faced restrictions, with heavy police deployment surrounding him. On Thursday, Rao was detained for over 10 hours after attempting to meet Kaushik Reddy, who had been arrested by the Banjara Hills Police the previous day. Speaking to ANI, Harish Rao condemned Kaushik Reddy's arrest, calling it unlawful. "BRS MLA Kaushik Reddy was arrested... We condemn this arrest," he said. Rao also slammed Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, accusing him of running a "demonic rule" under the guise of democracy. "You (Revanth Reddy) are continuing the demonic rule while calling it democratic rule. Telangana society itself will give you wisdom," he posted on X.The BRS alleged that Kaushik Reddy was arrested after filing a complaint against CM Revanth Reddy and Intelligence Chief Shivdhar Reddy, accusing them of tapping opposition leaders' phones. The BRS vowed to intensify its protests, condemning what it described as unjust actions against its leaders. (ANI)
Reacting to Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's Bangladesh visit, BJP MP Shantanu Thakur on Monday said that Vikram Misri will find a solution to maintain good relations with the country. "We can't say what will happen there but our Foreign Secretary who is visiting Bangladesh will find a solution to maintain good relations with the country. I think there will be a solution soon. The Bangladesh government should give protection to Hindus," Shantanu Thakur told ANI. Earlier today, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Dhaka to discuss bilateral relations between India and Bangladesh, officials said. This is the first high-level official visit after the interim government led by Muhammad Yunus took over in Bangladesh. The visit comes amid recent reports of rise in violence against minorities in Bangladesh and the arrest of spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das in Chittagong. The delegation led by the foreign secretaries of the two countries is expected to discuss the overall issues of bilateral relations by participating in the Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) mechanism established between the two countries. On December 4, Press Secretary to the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh's interim government, Shafiqul Alam, said that the Foreign Secretaries of the two countries would hold talks on issues of mutual interest. In September this year, the Foreign Adviser (Minister) of the interim government of Bangladesh Md. Touhid Hossain had met the Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. They decided to maintain a "good working relationship" and also decided to hold FOC between India and Bangladesh. Meanwhile, reports of attacks on minorities continue in Bangladesh. On December 6, another Hindu temple was allegedly set on fire in the outskirts of Dhaka. The Mahabhagya Lakshminarayan Mandir, at Dhor village, in North of Dhaka came under attack on late Friday night. Spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das also continues to be under arrest on alleged sedition charges. The Ministry of External Affairs has pressed the Bangladesh interim government to ensure that the legal rights of the individual are respected and that his trial is fair and transparent. Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is associated with the Sammilita Sanatani Jagaran Jote, was arrested in Dhaka on November 25 on 'sedition' charges. 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. On December 3, a Bangladesh court set January 2, 2025, as the next date of hearing in the case. (ANI)
The Lok Sabha proceedings have been adjourned until 12 noon on Monday after the opposition MPs began raising different matters during the Question Hour. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla expressed objection to the opposition members and adjourned the House till 12 noon. Meanwhile, Opposition MPs including Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi held a protest over the Adani matter, at the Parliament premises. Rahul Gandhi joined Opposition MPs in their protest over the Adani matter. Memers of the Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party did not participate in this protest. Earlier today, Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi said that the party has submitted repeated letters to the Speaker to initiate privilege against MP Nishikant Dubey. "So Congress party has submitted repeated letters to the Hon'ble Speaker to initiate privilege against MP Nishikant Dubey. Yet all our pleas have been ignored and the BJP MP is allowed to continue with his rants. Even today his name is listed. Clearly the aim of the BJP is to derail the Indian Parliament," Gogoi posted on X. BJP MP Nishikant Dubey said that the Opposition is trying to suppress his voice and their own international connections. "The country has the right to know about the relation between Congress, Opposition parties and international powers. It is the right of a Member of Parliament to raise this issue in the House. But the Opposition is trying to suppress my voice and their (Opposition) international connections. People like Soros who want to divide the country and support Khalistan...Their nexus...Congress party is stuck," Dubey said. The first session of the winter Parliament commenced on November 25, with both Houses getting adjourned fairly early due to disruptions. The winter session will go on till December 20. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu Water Resource Minister Duraimurugan on Monday moved a resolution in the State Assembly condemning the Union Government's decision to grant tungsten mining rights to Hindustan Zinc Limited in Madurai district. The Union Government has granted tungsten mining rights to Hindustan Zinc Limited to set up a Tungsten Mineral Mine in Nayakkarpatti Village, Melur Taluk, Madurai District, said the Minister. "It is condemnable that despite the concerns raised by the Government of Tamil Nadu on 3.10.2023 to the Union Government not to auction the mining rights for such critical and strategic minerals without the permission of the State Government, the Union Government disregarded this objection and has proceeded with the auction," Duraimurugan said. He said, "In spite of pointing out that this area, where Tungsten mining rights have been granted, was declared as Bio-Diversity Heritage Site by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 2022 since it includes many historical monuments such as cave temples, Jain symbols, Tamil Brahmi scripts, Panchapandavar beds and is a habitat for rare species, the Union Government has granted the rights to carry out mining activities in the area. The people of Tamil Nadu and the Government of Tamil Nadu will never accept this step." "Since this action of the Union Government has created a sense of anxiety among the people living in the area that their livelihood will be permanently affected, they are undertaking several protests against this action. Considering all these issues and to protect the area and the people living in the area, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has already urged Prime Minister of India to cancel the tungsten mining rights granted to Hindustan Zinc Limited," the resolution added. "In these circumstances, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly unanimously resolves to urge the Union Government to immediately cancel the tungsten mining rights granted to Hindustan Zinc Limited in Nayakkarpatti Village, Melur Taluk, Madurai District and not to grant any mining license without the permission of the State Governments," the resolution further said. Vel murugan MLA and TVK President said," We have opposed to set up tungsten mineral mine in Madurai. China and other countries have dropped this mining in their country. This is a scheme which is harmful and union Government try to impose such harmful scheme in to Tamil Nadu. Our Tamilaga Vaalvurumai Katchi (TVK) welcomes the resolution brought by Duraimurugan. DMK led state Government should make sure no such mines are given permission in the state." The Ministry of Mines recently announced it had granted tungsten mining rights to Hindustan Zinc Limited, a subsidiary of Vedanta Limited, through an auction on November 7. One of the areas chosen was a band in Melur in Madurai district. (ANI)
A SpiceJet Q400 aircraft bound for Kochi returned to its origin airport of Chennai due to a technical issue while another flight operating from Delhi to Shillong was diverted to Patna after a crack on its windshield was observed, the airlines said.

The SpiceJet flight 2950 Delhi to Shillong made an emergency landing at Patna airport after a bird hit and technical glitch as per a SpiceJet spokesperson.

The spokesperson said there were multiple layers of windshield and only one layer of a particular window had a crack and the diversion was purely a precautionary measure.

The aircraft made a normal landing and not an emergency landing. Passengers were deplaned normally. Pressurization was normal throughout the flight, added the spokesperson.

Meanwhile a SpiceJet spokesperson said, "On December 9, 2024, SpiceJet Q400 aircraft operating from Chennai to Kochi returned to Chennai due to a technical issue. The aircraft landed safely and the passengers were deplaned normally." (ANI)
After Bharatiya Janata Party's Rahul Narwekar was elected unopposed as the Speaker of the Maharashtra Assembly, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray on Monday said that Rahul Narwekar had indulged in "partisan politics" in the last 2.5 years. "Shiv Sena (UBT) boycotted today's proceedings because of two things. Firstly, we had unopposed the Speaker's election yesterday respecting the custom and tradition. But when the name that came up was of Rahul Narwekar. In the last 2.5 years, he did partisan politics, we need a guarantee that that injustice will not be repeated. The second thing is that if you look inside the House, they are trying to create an atmosphere of celebration. There is no celebration among the people," Aaditya Thackeray told reporters. Earlier today, Bharatiya Janata Party's Rahul Narwekar was elected unopposed as the Speaker of Maharashtra Assembly. Narvekar is an MLA from the Colaba constituency and is taking charge for a second consecutive term as the Speaker. In a key development in the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis initiated the process for the election of the Speaker. Subsequently, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar put forward the nomination for the position of Speaker, further solidifying the support for the election process.In a show of unity, Chandrakant Patil also expressed his support for the nomination, lending weight to the proposal. As the nomination was approved, Rahul Narvekar was elected as the Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly. Narvekar's election marks an important moment in the ongoing legislative session, as the Speaker plays a crucial role in maintaining order, overseeing debates, and ensuring the smooth functioning of the Assembly. Notably, Rahul Narwekar has served as the Speaker of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly during the last term of the Mahayuti government. He took oath as the Member of the Legislative Assembly from the Colaba constituency on December 7. Senior BJP MLA Kalidas Sulochana Kolambkar has been serving as the pro-tem Speaker of the Assembly. (ANI)
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Monday expressed pleasure over International Gita Mahotsav being celebrated in Kurukshetra, Haryana and said that Gita was not only a sacred book for them, but also a way to prove the significance of life. CM Yadav also said that he was happy that Gita Mohatsav was being celebrated at the international level in India and highlighting that the Haryana government was playing a very important role in the event. "I am happy that Gita Mahotsav is being celebrated at the international level in India and the Haryana government is playing a very important role in this event. Today, I am also participating in that event along with all our revered saints. Kurukshetra is the place where 5000 years ago, Lord Krishna had given the teaching of Karmavad to Arjuna, in which the sacred Gita was incarnated. The way Lord Krishna said his words is contemporary even today. There is an example, Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak has written a book about the teaching of Karmavad, through which all our revolutionaries, Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Chandra Shekhar Azad and Rajguru, took inspiration from the book and struggled for the freedom of the country, the CM said. "Understanding the mystery of life, the way Lord Krishna has explained his point of view with sacred spirit, it is in the form of a way for everyone. I am happy that it (Gita) is not only a sacred book for us, but also a way to prove the significance of life. I extended my greetings to every citizen of the country and the Haryana government for Gita Jayanti. The Madhya Pradesh government is also celebrating Gita Mahotsav and similar events are going on continuously," he added. Earlier on December 7, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav performed the Bhoomi Pujan for new power and renewable energy units in the Mohasa-Babai area of Narmadapuram district on Saturday.He said that the region has received a massive success in efforts for industrial development. CM Yadav also distributed land allotment letters to representatives of 20 industrial units in the renewable energy sector and extended his congratulations. (ANI)
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin on Monday said that as long as he is the Chief Minister of the state he will not allow tungsten mining at Melur in Madurai district. The Union Government recently announced it had granted tungsten mining rights in Melur to Hindustan Zinc Limited. The Chief Minister was speaking in the Assembly after Water Resource Minister Duraimurugan moved a resolution condemning the Union Government's decision. "The DMK government will not allow tungsten mining in Madurai. I clearly say that that as long as I am the Chief Minister, Tungsten Mineral Mine in Nayakkarpatti Village, Melur Taluk, Madurai District will not allowed," Stalin said. In the resolution it is said, "It is condemnable that despite the concerns raised by the Government of Tamil Nadu on 3.10.2023 to the Union Government not to auction the mining rights for such critical and strategic minerals without the permission of the State Government, the Union Government disregarded this objection and has proceeded with the auction." "In spite of pointing out that this area, where Tungsten mining rights have been granted, was declared as Bio-Diversity Heritage Site by the Government of Tamil Nadu in 2022 since it includes many historical monuments such as cave temples, Jain symbols, Tamil Brahmi scripts, Panchapandavar beds and is a habitat for rare species, the Union Government has granted the rights to carry out mining activities in the area. The people of Tamil Nadu and the Government of Tamil Nadu will never accept this step", the resolution said "Since this action of the Union Government has created a sense of anxiety among the people living in the area that their livelihood will be permanently affected, they are undertaking several protests against this action. Considering all these issues and to protect the area and the people living in the area, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has already urged Prime Minister of India to cancel the tungsten mining rights granted to Hindustan Zinc Limited," the resolution added. "In these circumstances, the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly unanimously resolves to urge the Union Government to immediately cancel the tungsten mining rights granted to Hindustan Zinc Limited in Nayakkarpatti Village, Melur Taluk, Madurai District and not to grant any mining license without the permission of the State Governments," the resolution further said. Vel murugan MLA and TVK President said," We have opposed to set up tungsten mineral mine in Madurai. China and other countries have dropped this mining in their country. This is a scheme which is harmful and union Government try to impose such harmful scheme in to Tamil Nadu. Our Tamilaga Vaalvurumai Katchi (TVK) welcomes the resolution brought by Duraimurugan. DMK led state Government should make sure no such mines are given permission in the state." Thangam Thennarasu - Finance minister said, "We have clearly stated our opposition at the start itself. Even after our CM wrote letter to union government tender announcement for this scheme is been made shows double standard of Union government." The Ministry of Mines recently announced it had granted tungsten mining rights to Hindustan Zinc Limited, a subsidiary of Vedanta Limited, through an auction on November 7. One of the areas chosen was a band in Melur in Madurai district. (ANI)
West Bengal BJP President and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar highlighted the need to stop atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh and prevent violence incitement on Monday. Speaking to ANI, Majumdar also stressed that Bangladesh requires India's support to overcome its economic challenges. "For the development of Bangladesh, the situation in the country should improve. The atrocities which are being committed against the Hindus in Bangladesh should be stopped...Some people are trying to incite violence in Bangladesh...Bangladesh needs the support of India to come out of the economic strain.," he said. Meanwhile, India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Dhaka on Monday. He held talks with Bangladesh counterpart Md Jashim Uddin at the State Guest House Padma. Misri is also expected to meet the Chief Advisor to the interim government Muhammad Yunus later in the day. The discussions are expected to cover a broad range of issues between the two nations, including recent reports of increased violence against minorities and the arrest of spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das. Reports of attacks on minority groups persist in Bangladesh. On December 6, another Hindu temple, the Mahabhagya Lakshminarayan Mandir in Dhor village on the outskirts of Dhaka, was allegedly set on fire. The temple's supervisor, Babul Ghosh, filed a complaint against unknown individuals for the destruction of his ancestral temple. Ghosh stated that the attackers poured petrol on the idols and fled upon hearing his footsteps, suggesting that the assault had ulterior motives beyond vandalism. Spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das remains in custody on charges of sedition following his arrest on November 25. The Ministry of External Affairs has urged the Bangladesh interim government to ensure his trial is fair and that his legal rights are respected. A Bangladesh court has scheduled January 2, 2025, for the next hearing in his case. Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar on West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's reported statement 'willing to lead INDIA alliance' said, "It does not matter whether Mamata Banerjee leads the alliance or not...West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has already ruined the state and if they (Indian alliance leaders) want to ruin the country then she should lead the alliance." (ANI)
BSF Punjab on Monday successfully neutralized an intruding drone and recovered a heroin packet on the Amritsar border. The BSF continues to foil the cross-border smuggling attempts by Pakistan-based smugglers trying to exploit the foggy season along the Punjab border by sending drones. A BSF intelligence-based search operation culminated at about 07:10 am with the recovery of one packet of suspected heroin (Gross weight- 580 grams) from a farming field adjacent to the village Ballaharwal of district Amritsar. The narcotics packet was wrapped in yellow colour adhesive tape with a nylon loop attached to it. One DJI Mavic 3 Classic drone was recovered at about 08:50 am by the BSF troops, while acting on an intelligence tip, from a farming field adjacent to village- Daoke of district Amritsar. The drone is presumed to have been knocked down due to the timely activation of technical countermeasures deployed on the border. Reliable information and diligent efforts of BSF troops effectively thwarted a few more attempts of smuggling of narcotics consignment from across the border. Earlier on Friday, In a joint operation, the Border Security Force (BSF) and Punjab Police recovered heroin packets from border areas in Tarn Taran and Gurdaspur districts. Acting on reliable intelligence from the BSF, the first recovery took place around 12:30 PM near Dal village in Tarn Taran. "An intelligence-based joint search of BSF with Punjab Police culminated at about 12:30 PM with the recovery of one packet of suspected heroin (gross weight: 562 grams) from a farming field adjacent to village Dal in district Tarn Taran," the BSF stated earlier. On December 8, the BSF, in coordination with Punjab Police seized two Heroin packets, weiging apprx 1 kg near Tarn Taran and Gurdaspur borders. At about 12:30 pm, a heroin packet wrapped in yellow tape with a copper wire loop attached, was recovered from a field on Tarn Taran border. Whereas, in the evening, one more heroin packet, similarly wrapped and having a nylon loop and illuminating sticks attached, was recovered on Gurdaspur border. These successful operations reflect the high level of coordination among the forces in curbing cross-border smuggling., the BSF said. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Monday asked the petitioner who filed a PIL seeking direction to apply the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition, and Redressal) Act, 2013 (PoSH Act) to political parties across the country, to first approach the Election Commission of India (ECI) with the grievance. A bench of justices Surya Kant and Manmohan said that the ECI, being responsible for the registration and regulation of political parties, is the appropriate authority to address the matter. Senior advocate Shobha Gupta, who appeared for petitioner Yogamaya MG, agreed with the bench and said that her client would move the ECI. The bench said if the grievance remains unresolved, the petitioner may approach a suitable legal forum. "The petition is disposed of with liberty to petitioner to approach competent authority. In case the petitioner's grievance is not effectively addressed, she shall be at liberty to approach a judicial forum in accordance with the law," the bench stated in its order. The petition has made the Indian National Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, Communist Party of India (Marxist), Communist Party of India, All India Trinamool Congress, Nationalist Congress Party, Nationalist People's Party, Aam Aadmi Party and Bahujan Samaj Party as respondents in the petition. The plea has highlighted non-compliance with the Act by political parties, particularly when it comes to the constitution of Internal Complaints Committees (ICCs) to deal with sexual harassment complaints. It sought direction that all political parties constitute ICCs in compliance with Section 4 of the PoSH Act, 2013 and declare that individuals engaged in activities within political parties fall within the scope of "employees" under Section 2(f) of the PoSH Act. "Direct the Election Commission of India to mandate compliance with the PoSH Act as a prerequisite for political parties' registration and recognition under the Representation of the People Act, 1951," the petition stated. (ANI)
The passengers of the SpiceJet Q400 aircraft operating from Delhi to Shillong that was diverted to Patna due technical snag were told that an evening flight to Guwahati has been arranged for them and from there they will again fly to Shillong. "They (airline admin) are saying that there is some technical glitch. They are saying that an evening flight to Guwahati has been arranged and from there we will go to Shillong," Shweta a passanger of the flight told ANI. Another passenger Madhurita emphasised the need for the airlines to be careful in all aspects. "We have been told that there was a crack in the windshield. All the airlines should take care of all these things. They are saying that we will fly to Guwahati at 8 pm and then to Shillong," she said. Two SpiceJet flights-one heading to Shillong and the other to Kochi-were diverted on Monday due to technical issues. A SpiceJet Q400 aircraft bound for Kochi returned to its origin airport of Chennai due to a technical issue. A SpiceJet spokesperson said, "On December 9, 2024, SpiceJet Q400 aircraft operating from Chennai to Kochi returned to Chennai due to a technical issue. The aircraft landed safely and the passengers were deplaned normally." Another flight operating from Delhi to Shillong was diverted to Patna after a crack on its windshield was observed, the airlines said. The SpiceJet flight 2950 Delhi to Shillong landed at Patna airport after the crack was observed. The Spice Jet spokesperson said, "There were multiple layers of windshield and only one layer of a particular window had a crack and the diversion was purely a precautionary measure. The aircraft made a normal landing and not an emergency landing. Passengers were deplaned normally. Pressurization was normal throughout the flight, added the spokesperson." (ANI)
Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) leader K Kavitha on Monday criticised the Revanth Reddy-led government in Telangana for celebrating its one-year anniversary in office. The BRS leader alleged that the Telangana government had failed on all fronts in the state after promising all kinds of guarantees. Regarding the first anniversary of the Congress government in the state, BRS leader K Kavitha told ANI, "They came into power by giving all sorts of guarantees but have not fulfilled any except free bus rides for women. This has caused a reduction in the number of buses... This is, in a way, an insult to women." "I laud their courage for celebrating after doing nothing...," she said, taking a dig at the Telangana government. Meanwhile, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLAs and MLCs arrived at the state Assembly on Monday wearing T-shirts that read 'Adani-Revanth Bhai Bhai'. However, the police stopped them from entering the Assembly. BRS Working President KT Rama Rao said that they wanted to expose the "double standards" of the Congress. "Double standard of Congress needs to be exposed. On the one hand in Parliament, Rahul Gandhi wears a t-shirt saying Adani and the Prime Minister are one but the fact is Adani and Revanth Reddy are best friends," Rama Rao told ANI. "Therefore, we are exposing the Congress and we will continue to expose them in the House also. If Rahul Gandhi can be allowed in Parliament, there's no reason why we should not be allowed here," he added. In November, Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy called for the celebration of "Praja Palana Vijayotsavalu" to mark the first anniversary of the Congress government, running from December 1 to 9. The celebrations aim to highlight the achievements of the first year of governance and outline plans, according to a press release. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to entertain a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking direction to immediately clear the blockage of National as well as state highways in Punjab, and to ensure smooth passage for the general public. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and Manmohan said the similar matter is already pending before the court and it cannot entertain repetitive petitions on the same issue. The bench said some initiatives have been taken in the case pending before it. "Why are you filing repetitive petitions? We are already examining the larger issue. We have taken some initiatives already and despite that, you come here. Don't file repetitive petitions. Some are filing for publicity interest and some are filing to play to the gallery. We cannot entertain repetitive petitions on the same issue," the bench said. Gaurav Luthra, who claimed to be a social activist in Punjab, has approached the apex court seeking direction to immediately clear the blockage of National as well as State Highways in Punjab, which he said are "encroached and blocked illegally by alleged farmers and farmer unions" at various locations. The PIL sought direction from the states of Punjab, Haryana and the Union of India to remove restrictions on farmers' protests and also to ensure that all National Highways and railway tracks are not blocked by the agitating farmers. It further sought directions that the states and the Union should ensure smooth passage for the general public. In September, the apex court constituted a committee headed by retired Punjab and Haryana High Court Judge Justice Nawab Singh to look into the demands and grievances of farmers agitating at the Shambhu border. (ANI)
After a face-off between protesting farmers and police at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border, Congress leader Sachin Pilot criticized the Centre's actions on Monday, saying that using lathi charges and tear gas against farmers sends the wrong message. Speaking to ANI, Pilot said, "Lathi-charge and use of tear gas against farmers is not right. This behaviour by the (Central) government doesn't send the right message. You call them terrorists, register cases against them, and don't want to talk to them -- this has been the government's approach. We are seeing it yet again." Punjab Congress MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring said that all that the farmers are asking for is a legal guarantee on the Minimum Support Price (MSP). "All that the farmers are asking for is - a legal guarantee on MSP. But the Centre's behaviour is not right, resorting to lathi-charge against farmers and not letting them go to Delhi...Our leader Rahul Gandhi has also raised the matter of legal guarantee on MSP. If we get a chance, we will raise this issue during Zero Hour or Question Hour in Parliament," he said. Congress MLA and Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly, Pratao Singh Bajwa said that they have no hope from the Centre. "Everyone knows that the Central government's policies are pro-corporate and anti-farmer. We have no hopes and expectations from it (Central government," Bajwa said. Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan asserted that the Central government should come forward and talk to farmers. Samajwadi Party MP Awadhesh Prasad highlighted that India cannot progress if its farmers are unhappy. "India is a country of farmers. Unless the farmers are happy, the country cannot progress... Farmers wanted to come to Delhi with their genuine demands, but they were stopped... I'm afraid that's not right... Samajwadi Party raised the issue of farmers in Parliament, but the government does not want to listen," he said. At the Shambhu border, farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher said that they will visit the farmers who were injured during the protest. "The hunger strike is going on at the Khanauri border. We will meet Jagjit Singh Dallewal and the forum there. Before going to Khanauri, we will visit the farmers in Patiala," Pandher said. Meanwhile, Punjab and Haryana police met with farmer leaders in Rajpura on Sunday to address concerns over the ongoing protest. Farmer leaders had earlier called off the 'Jatha' -- a group of 101 farmers, after more than eight farmers were injured. Tensions escalated at the Punjab-Haryana Shambhu border, where police used tear gas to block farmers attempting to march to Delhi. Farmer leader Sarwan Singh Pandher had earlier accused the Punjab government of siding with the central government to suppress the protest. Opposition leaders slammed the government's handling of the situation, highlighting issues faced by farmers, such as fertilizer shortages and the Minimum Support Price (MSP). (ANI)
The INDIA bloc parties are likely to move a no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar over alleged partisan functioning in the House, sources said on Monday. According to sources, the parties will be moving the motion under Article 67 (B) of the Constitution. Meanwhile, both houses of the parliament -the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha- have been adjourned till Tuesday during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament which is currently in its third week of functioning. The adjournments came after disruptions in the proceedings, with opposition parties demanding a discussion on various issues of national importance. In the Rajya Sabha, Leader of the House JP Nadda, accused the Congress party of becoming a "tool" of forces attempting to create instability in the country. Nadda emphasized that Congress was aligning itself with those elements whose actions were undermining India's democratic institutions. He called for a structured debate on these matters to clear the air. Leader of Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, strongly refuted Nadda's allegations. Kharge rejected the claims that Congress was playing a disruptive role in Indian politics. He argued that the Congress party remained committed to upholding democratic values and that the BJP was using such accusations as a diversion from pressing issues affecting the country. The exchanges between the two leaders have added a new layer to the ongoing political drama in Parliament, with both parties seemingly at odds over the direction of national discourse. The twelfth day of the ongoing Winter Session saw opposition MPs including Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi hold a protest over the Adani matter, at the Parliament premises. Rahul Gandhi joined Opposition MPs in their protest over the Adani matter. Members of the Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party did not participate in this protest. The first session of the winter Parliament commenced on November 25, with both Houses getting adjourned fairly early due to disruptions. The winter session will go on till December 20. (ANI)
Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) MP Sudip Bandyopadhyay on Monday slammed the Centre for not addressing the issue of atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh in Parliament. He expressed hope that there will be positive talks between India and Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri's visit to the neighbouring country. "I have been raising this issue (attacks on minorities in Bangladesh) in Parliament and demanding that the Foreign Minister tell us all about the situation in Bangladesh. But the government never spoke on it," Sudip Bandyopadhyay told ANI. "The Indian Foreign Secretary is in Bangladesh and I hope there will be positive talks between the two counterparts. West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee has already said that we will support the Indian government on the situation in Bangladesh," he added. Meanwhile, West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President and Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar on Monday highlighted the need to stop atrocities against Hindus in Bangladesh and prevent the incitement of violence. Speaking to ANI, Majumdar also emphasised that Bangladesh requires India's support to overcome its economic challenges. "For the development of Bangladesh, the situation in the country should improve. The atrocities which are being committed against the Hindus in Bangladesh should be stopped...Some people are trying to incite violence in Bangladesh...Bangladesh needs the support of India to come out of the economic strain.," he said. Meanwhile, India's Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri arrived in Dhaka on Monday and held talks with his Bangladesh counterpart Md Jashim Uddin at the State Guest House Padma. Misri is also expected to meet the Chief Advisor to the interim government, Muhammad Yunus, later in the day. The discussions are expected to cover a broad range of issues between the two countries, including recent reports of increased violence against minorities and the arrest of spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das. Reports of attacks on minority groups continue to emerge from Bangladesh. On December 6, another Hindu temple, the Mahabhagya Lakshminarayan Mandir in Dhor village on the outskirts of Dhaka, was allegedly set on fire. The temple's supervisor, Babul Ghosh, filed a complaint against unknown individuals for the destruction of his ancestral temple. Ghosh stated that the attackers poured petrol on the idols and fled upon hearing his footsteps, suggesting that the assault had 'ulterior motives' beyond vandalism. Spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das remains in custody on charges of sedition following his arrest on November 25. The Ministry of External Affairs has urged the Bangladesh interim government to ensure that his trial is fair and that his legal rights are respected. A Bangladesh court has scheduled January 2, 2025, for the next hearing in his case. Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar, commenting on West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee's reported statement about being willing to lead the INDIA alliance, said, "It does not matter whether Mamata Banerjee leads the alliance or not...West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has already ruined the state and if they (Indian alliance leaders) want to ruin the country then she should lead the alliance." (ANI)
Supreme Court on Monday sought a sealed cover report from the Manipur government regarding properties, buildings burnt, partially burnt, looted, trespassed, and encroached upon, along with details of the name and address of the owner and who is occupying it at the moment. A bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar said the report of the state government shall also indicate the steps taken by it to ensure that the persons who have trespassed are proceeded against as per law. It also asked the state government to respond to the issue of the release of funds for temporary and permanent housing as flagged by the Justice Gita Mittal Committee. The apex court will now hear the case relating to violence in Manipur after January 20, 2025. The top court is seized of the cases relating to the violence in Manipur between Meitei and Kuki communities. The violence in Manipur between the Meitei and the Kuki communities erupted after a rally by the All Tribal Students Union of Manipur (ATSUM) on May 3, 2023 against Manipur High Court directing the state to consider the inclusion of Meitei community in the Scheduled Tribes list. Violence has gripped the entire state since May now, and the central government had to deploy paramilitary forces to bring the situation under control. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Monday scheduled a hearing on the matter concerning the Krishna Janmabhoomi in Mathura and the Shahi Masjid Idgah issue for January 2025. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar to list the matter after the winter vacation following a brief hearing. Various petitions are being heard by the Supreme Court arising out of Mathura's Krishna Janmabhoomi and Shahi Masjid issue. In one of the matters, the Committee of Management Trust Shahi Masjid Idgah has approached the Supreme Court challenging the Allahabad High Court order rejecting the mosque committee's objection regarding the maintainability of multiple lawsuits initiated by Hindu devotees. The plea filed by the Committee of Management Trust Shahi Masjid Idgah challenged the order dated August 1 passed by the High Court of Allahabad whereby the High Court dismissed the applications under Order VII Rule 11 of the Code of Civil Procedure (CPC). These applications sought to reject the plaints in 15 different suits filed by the Hindu devotees. The management committee has filed the plea through advocate Mehmood Pracha and RHA Sikander and also sought interim relief in the form of a stay on the High Court's order. More than 15 suits by different plaintiffs have been filed claiming competing rights over the Shahi Masjid Idgah on the ground that it is the site of the birthplace of Lord Shri Krishna (Krishna Janmabhoomi). "The Petitioner herein who has been arrayed as a Defendant by the different plaintiffs or respondents herein in the subject (15) suits had filed individual applications under Order VII Rule 11 of the CPC in each suit for rejection of the respective plaint. The plaints were inter alia barred by the provisions of the Limitation Act, Places of Worship Act, Specific Relief Act, Waqf Act and Order XXIII Rule 3A of the CPC," the plea said. "After hearing all the parties in all the 15 suits, the High Court has passed an inherently flawed Judgement by combining selective pleadings of different suits filed by different plaintiffs/respondents herein (containing differing pleadings and claiming different reliefs), into a common hotchpotch, to make a new composite suit from the pleadings of the 15 suits and thereafter, reading them selectively to dismiss all the applications under Order VII Rule 11 of the CPC filed in all the 15 suits by a common Judgment," the plea said. "The High Court has passed a common judgment by a selective combined reading of the pleadings in 15 Suits and not taking into consideration the specific pleadings of each plaint to decide whether that particular plaint is barred by law based on its pleadings," the plea filed by mosque committee said. On August 1, the Allahabad High Court dismissed the petition filed by the mosque committee challenging the maintainability of lawsuits initiated by Hindu devotees. Various matters relating to the Krishna Janmabhoomi-Shahi Idgah Masjid dispute are being dealt with in different legal forums. Previously, the Committee of Management Trust Shahi Masjid Idgah filed an appeal in the top court against an order passed by the Allahabad High Court on May 26. The order transferred all cases related to the Mathura Krishna Janmabhoomi land dispute from the District Court of Mathura, Uttar Pradesh, to itself. Ranjana Agnihotri, a resident of Lucknow, had filed a suit in the Mathura court seeking ownership of 13.37 acres of land of Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi. In her legal suit, Agnihotri demanded the removal of the Shahi Idgah mosque built in Krishna Janmabhoomi. The suit filed in the Mathura court sought the removal of a mosque said to have been built in 1669-70 on the orders of the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in the 13.37-acre premises of Katra Keshav Dev temple near the birthplace of Lord Krishna. (ANI)
After several schools in Delhi received bomb threats on Monday, Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal targeted Union Home Minister Amit Shah over the securtiy situation in the national capital and said the people want to know, what measures are being taken for people's safety. Stating that providing security to the people of the national capital is his responsibility, the former Chief Minister asked Amit Shah whether anyone has been arrested till date. Speaking to the media on Monday, Kejriwal highlighted that multiple bomb threats have been received in schools, hospitals, colleges, shopping malls and airports this year. "The people of Delhi had never witnessed such incidents before this.On May 1, emails were received threatening to bomb more than 200 schools, after which the schools were evacuated. What effect do such threats have on the mental state of children? On May 12, eight hospitals and the airport received bomb threats, on May 24, several colleges of Delhi University received threats. On October 20, there was an explosion in Rohini and on November 28, there was a blast in Prashant Vihar," he said. "Amit Shah ji, the people of Delhi want to know from you as to what is being done for safety and security in Delhi. The responsibility of security is yours and you will have to provide it. So many threats are being received, Amit Shah should tell whether anyone has been arrested to date," Kejriwal added. Earlier today, over 40 schools in the national capital received bomb threats via e-mail and demanded a ransom of USD 30,000. "I planted multiple bombs (lead azide, explosive compound used in detonators) inside the building. I planted multiple bombs inside the building. The bombs are small and hidden very well. It will not cause very much damage to the building, but many people will be injured when the bombs detonate. You all deserve to suffer and lose limbs. If I do not receive USD 30,000, I will detonate the bombs," the threat mail read. Following this, Delhi Police PRO Sanjay Tyagi assured the security of the children and the school and said that the police would reach the source of the email soon and take action. "Immediately after receiving the email, the police started their action. Police teams have reached all the places. We are ensuring the security of all the schools and the children and I would like to assure all the parents, and the people of Delhi that the police will make every possible effort to ensure the security of the children and the school and will ensure it. Along with this, we will reach the source of the email soon and take action," Sanjay Tyagi said. (ANI)
The Manipur government on Monday withdrew the temporary suspension of mobile internet services in the nine districts of the state, an official order issued by the State Home Department said. "The state government, after reviewing the prevailing law and order situation and its possible correlation with the general operation of internet services, decided to lift all forms of temporary suspension of internet and data services in the territorial jurisdiction of Imphal West, Imphal East, Bishnupur, Thoubal, Kakching, Kangpokpi, Churachandpur, Jiribam, and Pherzawi districts of Manipur." the order said. The order issued by Commissioner (Home) N. Ashok Kumar said, "All internet users are requested to refrain from any activities that may warrant temporary suspension of internet services in the future." On December 8, Manipur Police conducted search operations and area domination in the fringe and vulnerable areas of hill and valley districts. Movement of 373 vehicles carrying essential items along NH-2 has been ensured. Manipur Police said, "Strict security measures are taken up in all vulnerable locations and security convoy is provided in sensitive stretches in order to ensure free and safe movement of the vehicles. A total of 107 Nakas/Checkpoints were installed in different Districts of Manipur, both in the hill and the valley and no one was detained by Police in connection with violations in different districts of the State." Meanwhile, the Supreme Court on Monday sought a sealed cover report from the Manipur government regarding properties and buildings burnt, partially burnt, looted, trespassed, and encroached upon, along with details of the name and address of the owner and who is occupying it at the moment. A bench of Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar said the report of the state government shall also indicate the steps taken by it to ensure that the persons who have trespassed are proceeded against as per law. It also asked the state government to respond to the issue of the release of funds for temporary and permanent housing as flagged by the Justice Gita Mittal Committee. The apex court will now hear the case relating to violence in Manipur after January 20, 2025. (ANI)
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel on Monday called for the fight against corruption to proceed with determination and strength. In this context, he said that corruption has two words-corrupt and conduct and when a person finds a shortcut to get more than what is due to him, he loses morality and nurtures corruption. Addressing a program organized by the State Government's Anti-Corruption Bureau in Gandhinagar on International Anti-Corruption Day, CM Patel said, "We have to break this atmosphere and intensify the fight against corruption with strong determination." The Chief Minister also honoured 10 complainants under CARE in the presence of Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi and Chief Secretary Rajkumar, who are ordinary citizens who assisted the ACB in arresting bribe-seeking officials-employees. This CARE program has been started by the Anti-Corruption Bureau since 2024 in accordance with the inspiration given by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to engage the participation of common man in the fight against corruption. In order to avoid any harassment to the complainant who has filed a complaint against corruption, along with providing proper security, and assistance, the complainant is contacted face-to-face, getting details, suggestions and redressal is also brought by his representations. 1864 complainants have been contacted face to face under this CARE programme. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said on this occasion that there has been a big change in the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He added that this is a great example before the country of how one person can bring good results if the people have the will to do good. "The Prime Minister has brought the country from the 11th economic power to the fifth rank and now he is determined to make India the third largest economic power as per Viksit Bharat 2047," he said. The Chief Minister said that when such a big change has taken place in the country, joint efforts to remove the obstacle of corruption are equally necessary. The Gujarat CM also congratulated the ACB team for its fight against corruption. The Minister of State for Home Harsh Sanghvi congratulated the entire team of the Anti-Corruption Bureau for fighting against bribery to give the common citizens of the state their rights and justice. He said that bribery is not just a word but it is a big obstacle in the way of development in our society which harms the values of justice, equality and transparency as well as civic interests. Appreciating the work of ACB, the minister said that it is doing the work of providing justice to the poor and common-class citizens of the society and giving the religion of humanity. "Every citizen who approaches the ACB to file a complaint has a certain belief after enduring many pains. Then it is very necessary to act without any discrimination to strengthen his faith and morale which the Gujarat ACB team is doing sincerely," Sanghvi said. On this occasion, Harsh Sanghvi assured the citizens that the team of the Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau would work even more strongly, give more justice to the common citizens and give strict punishment to the corrupt. Director of the Anti-Corruption Bureau Shamsher Singh said on this occasion that the government has adopted a policy of zero tolerance against corruption. "The CARE program was started by ACB to prevent corruption from the state. Under which more than 1864 complainants have been personally contacted and suggestions and representations have been obtained from the complainants," he said. The students who secured the first, second and third positions in the essay competition organized by ACB in the schools of Gujarat were honoured by the Chief Minister. Apart from that, the prosecutors who filed such complaints in the fight against corruption, the public prosecutors who fought the cases against corruption in court and got justice for the prosecutors and the officers of ACB who did good work against corruption were also honoured by the Gujarat CM. (ANI)
Vijaya Bharathi Sayani, the acting chairperson of the National Human Rights Commission, on Monday extended greetings on the eve of Human Rights Day which is celebrated every year on December 10. As per a release from the NHRC, Vijaya Bharathi Sayani said that this significant day, observed every year on 10th December since 1950, commemorates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) by the United Nations in 1948. "For India, this day holds special significance, as Indian representatives made a pivotal contribution to the drafting of this landmark document, which embodies humanity's shared commitment to dignity, justice, and equality," she said. She also emphasized that Human Rights Day serves as a powerful reminder that every individual is born with inalienable rights. "This year's theme--"Our Rights, Our Future, Right Now"--reinforces the belief that human rights are not just an aspiration, but a practical tool for empowering individuals and communities to build a better future. By embracing the transformative potential of human rights, we can create a world that is more peaceful, equitable, and sustainable. Now is the time to reinvigorate global action and mobilise for a future rooted in human dignity," she said. The acting chairperson further stressed that the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), India plays a vital role in advancing human rights discourse, drawing on India's rich civilizational ethos of empathy, compassion, and respect for human dignity. "The Commission remains committed to promoting human rights both within India and across the globe, working closely with other National Human Rights Institutions, particularly in the Global South. Through its capacity-building initiatives, the NHRC draws upon its extensive experience in addressing various human rights concerns over the past three decades," Vijaya Sayani said. "Guided by the principles of the Protection of Human Rights Act, which reflects the values and spirit of both the Constitution of India and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the Commission reaffirms its unwavering commitment to continue tirelessly the efforts to encourage and empower all to safeguard the rights and dignity of every person," she added. (ANI)
The Supreme Court on Monday said that it will hear the West Bengal government plea challenging the Calcutta High Court decision cancelling all OBC classification of 77 communities in January 2025. A bench of justices BR Gavai and KV Vishwanathan listed the matter in January. During the hearing, Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal appearing for the Bengal government urged the top court to pass interim direction but the top court was convinced to issue any such direction. Senior Advocate Sibal said that lives are at stake as many appointments are on hold. He took the court through the details of the case. During the hearing top court orally remarked that reservation cannot be done on the basis of religion. To this, Sibal replied that it is based on backwardness. Senior Advocate Maninder Singh, for the opposite party, countered the Bengal govt submission and raised the question of giving benefits to those who convert to Islam. In the last hearing, the top court asked the Bengal govt to file an affidavit explaining the process to determine 77 communities as OBCs. The top court was hearing the Bengal government's plea challenging Calcutta High Court order. Calcutta HC on May 22 cancelled all OBC certificates issued in West Bengal after 2010 had directed the West Bengal Backward Classes Commission to prepare a new list of OBCs by the 1993 Act. Those who were on the OBC list before 2010 will remain. However, after 2010, OBC nominations have been cancelled. About 5 lakh OBC certificates are set to be cancelled. After 2010, those who have jobs under the OBC quota or are in the process of getting them cannot be excluded from the quota. There will be no impact on their job and they cannot be excluded from the quota. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Monday stayed the Bar Council of India's (BCI) decision to remove Advocate Sanjeev Nasiar from his position as Vice Chairman of the Bar Council of Delhi. The BCI had ordered his removal on Saturday following allegations regarding the authenticity of his LL.B. (Hons.) degree. The court also directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) not to take any action against Nasiar at this stage, noting that the issue primarily concerns his degree, which is also held by many other students. The BCI has currently focused its investigation solely on the petitioner, without extending it to other individuals. Advocate Sanjeev Nasia, the Chief of the AAP Legal Cell, on Monday, moved Delhi HC challenging the decision by the Bar Council of India (BCI) to immediately remove him from his position as the Vice Chairman of the Bar Council of Delhi. The BCI has also instructed the Bar Council of Delhi's Secretary to seek a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into the veracity of Nasia's academic credentials and the potential fabrication of related records. Appearing for Nasiar, Senior Advocate Vikas Pahwa argued before the Delhi High Court that the Bar Council of India's (BCI) decision to remove Nasiar from his position as Vice Chairman of the Bar Council of Delhi violated principles of natural justice, as no opportunity to be heard was provided. Pahwa emphasized that the BCI should have first investigated the role of the university involved before targeting the petitioner. Pahwa further argued that the BCI did not have the authority to direct a CBI investigation, asserting that such a direction, if considered as information, would still violate the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act. He also pointed out that the removal of a Vice Chairman of the Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) is governed by specific rules under Rule 36, which outlines the procedure for removal. According to Pahwa, the BCI had no jurisdiction to interfere with the elected body of the BCD, and any attempt to remove a person from the BCI requires a no-confidence motion to be passed. In response, the Bar Council of India (BCI) counsel strongly opposed the petitioner's claims, asserting that the Delhi High Court's order did not absolve Sanjeev Nasiar of any wrongdoing. The counsel emphasized that the Court had merely left the matter open for further action based on any wrongdoing uncovered, particularly by the sub-committee investigating the case. BCI's counsel argued that Nasiar's academic records appeared to be tampered with, pointing out that the LL.B. (Hons.) degree in question was introduced in 2008, while the degree itself was from 1988, raising serious concerns that warranted further investigation. The counsel contended that in light of these irregularities, it was necessary to conduct a thorough enquiry, and during this period, Nasiar should not be allowed to hold the position of Vice Chairman to preserve the dignity of the post. The Bar Council of India, in its meeting held on December 7, 2024, resolved to take immediate and decisive action in the matter concerning allegations of irregularities in the LL.B. (Hons.) Degree issued to Sanjeev Nasiar, Vice-Chairman, Bar Council of Delhi by Devi Ahilyabai Vishvavidyalaya, Indore. This decision follows an inquiry conducted by a sub-committee constituted as per the resolution dated September 3, 2024, and in response to directions of the Hon'ble High Court of Delhi. BCI issued a press statement stating that "The inquiry has revealed significant and glaring discrepancies in the records relating to Sanjeev Nasiar's Degree. The inspection of P.M.B. Gujarati Arts and Law College, Indore, disclosed that the college was not authorized to conduct an LL.B. (Hons.) Course during the relevant period." The academic records provided to the sub-committee appeared tampered with or fabricated with uniform handwriting and ink consistency spanning an extended period. Additionally, it was established that the LL.B. (Hons) program was introduced under The Bar Council of India regulations only in 2008, rendering the degree in question, purportedly issued in 1988, inconsistent with regulatory requirements. The non-cooperation and obstructive behaviour of university officials during the inquiry further cast serious doubts on the authenticity of the degree. The Sub-Committee constituted by the Bar Council of India, has after a thorough enquiry, concluded that the authenticity of the LL.B (Hons.) degree of Sanjeev Nasiar is highly questionable, the statement added. Under its statutory authority under the Advocates Act, 1961, and the Bar Council of India Rules, the General Council of the Bar Council of India has resolved as follows. "The report dated October 25, 2024, of the Sub-Committee regarding the enquiry of the LL.B (Hons.) degree of Sanjeev Nasiar is hereby adopted. The Secretary, of the Bar Council of India is directed to approach the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with the request to hold an immediate investigation into the authenticity of the LL.B. (Hons.) Degree of Sanjeev Nasiar and potential fabrication of related records and take appropriate action. Pending the outcome of the investigation, Sanjeev Nasiar is removed from the position of Vice Chairman, of the Bar Council of Delhi," to the BCI statement read. (ANI)
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a prosecution complaint against Jaijeet Das and 16 others in connection with the paper leak of the Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UKSSSC) examination, the agency said in a release on Monday. As per the release, the ED, Dehradun filed Prosecution Complaint (PC) before the Special Court (PMLA), Dehradun on November 21 against Jaijeet Das and 16 others in connection with paper leak of examinations conducted by Uttarakhand Subordinate Service Selection Commission (UKSSSC) and cognizance of the same has been taken by the Hon'ble Special Court on November 28. The ED initiated investigation on the basis of various FIRs registered by Uttarakhand Police against various persons regarding paper leak of VPDO/VDO, Exam (2016 & 2021), Forest Inspector Exam (2021) and Secretariat Guards Exam (2021). "Uttarakhand Police, during their investigation, had also seized Rs 47.10 Lakh ill-gotten cash," the ED said. "ED investigation revealed that various persons were involved in the leak of the examinations conducted by UKSSSC. The examination papers were sold to a number of candidates at Rs 10-15 Lakh (approx.) per paper by the middlemen and employees of RMS Techno Solutions(India) Pvt. Ltd which was given the task to print the papers of examination conducted by UKSSSC," it added. The ED said that huge amount of money was taken by the accused persons from potential candidates in lieu of leaking the papers to them. "Searches under section 17 of PMLA were conducted at various premises of the accused persons and bank balances to the tune of Rs 1.32 Crore were frozen and cash amounting to Rs 15 Lakh was seized," added. (ANI)
Expressing concern over the 'torture' of minorities in neighbouring Bangladesh, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Monday said that it is not acceptable to any of us. Speaking in the West Bengal legislative assembly, Mamata Banerjee said that the violence in Bangladesh is done by 'dangerous anti-social elements.'. "The way minorities are being tortured in Bangladesh is not acceptable to any of us. Communal violence is not done by Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs, or Christians--it is done by dangerous antisocial elements who are a burden on society. We should remember this and not make any statement that may hamper the situation in West Bengal," CM Banerjee said. She further said that West Bengal leads by example when it comes to 'secularism'., "I am thankful that while on one hand, Hindus are protesting, on the other hand, Imams also held a press conference to unequivocally and vehemently condemn the atrocities against minorities in Bangladesh. This just shows that Bengal is first when it comes to showing an example of secularism," she stated. "We don't want riots; we only want peace. Our blood is the same," she added. She appealed to everyone to stay away from misinformation and refrain from making unnecessary statements that 'threaten' the situation. "We are not in favour of one group; everyone cares for everyone here. Let the Government of India decide on the Bangladesh matter. We should not make unnecessary statements that may threaten the situation here. Those who want to politicise this matter should understand that it will hamper our state as well as our friends, sisters, and brothers staying there," the West Bengal CM said. "As far as I know, the foreign secretary will have a meeting tomorrow in Bangladesh. Let them decide. I have always been clear that we will never interfere when it comes to external affairs. My party's and our state government's policy is to follow GOI guidelines on the matter... We hope the meeting is successful," she added. She further highlighted that West Bengal has no connection with Bangladesh politics while appealing to all to not fall for any provocation. "We have no connection with the politics in Bangladesh, and we don't want to comment on what kind of politics they do. But in our country, we follow secularism, democracy, and our Constitution. We should not fall for any provocation," she stated. (ANI)
After being fielded from the Jangpura constituency for the upcoming Delhi Assembly elections, former Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia expressed his gratitude to Jangpura sitting MLA Praveen Kumar emphasising that this support is his greatest strength and a source of motivation to work tirelessly for the people of the area. "Thanks, Praveen bhai. The love and trust of a friend and younger brother like you is my biggest earning. Now, I will make every effort to take Jangpura to new heights. Your support is my strength," Sisodia posted on X (formerly Twitter). Notably, the Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has changed Sisodia's seat from Patparganj. He will now contest from the Jangpura seat. This comes after MLA Praveen extended his support to Sisodia saying that the people of Jangpura are standing for truth, honesty and the right to education. In a post on X, Praveen slammed the national investigation agencies, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for allegedly implicating Sisodia in "fake cases", saying that this was not only injustice but also a conspiracy to suppress the voice of the people. "The father of the education revolution in Delhi, Shri @msisodia ji was kept in jail for 17 months by BJP's puppet ED-CBI by implicating him in fake cases. This was not only injustice but also a conspiracy to suppress the voice of the people. I requested Manish Ji that the aware people of Jangpura will answer this injustice. We all will together make him contest the elections and make him victorious with a huge number of votes," Praveen wrote on X. "I thank @AamAadmiParty and the national convenor Mr. @ArvindKejriwal ji, who has allowed us to answer the injustice of the BJP and declared him the candidate from the Jangpura assembly. I stand shoulder to shoulder with Manish Ji in this fight. The people of Jangpura are standing for truth, honesty and the right to education. This fight has now become the voice of the people," the Jangpura MLA added. Sisodia also penned a note for the people of the Patparganj constituency saying that his love for the constituency and all the people there will remain till his last breath. "My love for Patparganj and all of you will remain until my last breath. The doors of my heart and home will always be open to you. Just as a person leaves his home for new experiences in life, leaving Patparganj is a similar step for me. But just as one's home is always close to their heart, Patparganj will always remain in mine. Whatever my future role in the party or government may be, my love for you will remain unbroken," he said. Awadh Ojha has been chosen as the candidate for Sisodia's previous seat in Patparganj. In its second list of candidates, the AAP has dropped 17 sitting MLAs, opting to replace them with new faces. However, three familiar names have been re-nominated: Manish Sisodia and Rakhi Bidlan, both current MLAs, along with Deepu Chaudhary, a former candidate who lost in the previous election. (ANI)
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde on Monday criticised the Karnataka government for denying permission to 'Marathi Ekikaran Samiti' from hold their conference in the state. Shinde accused the Siddaramaiah government of "repressing" the Maratha community by arresting several leaders. Speaking to the media, Shinde said, "Marathi-speaking people in Karnataka had organised a conference. In this country, one can live anywhere, go anywhere and organise a conference, but the Karnataka government unleashed a cycle of repression and arrested the MLA, mayor and more than 100 Marathi-speaking brothers and sisters of the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti who had organised the conference. I condemn this." He further emphasized that Veer Savarkar, who sacrificed his life for the country, should be respected. "I condemn those who are trying to remove his statue... Our stand is clear, the people of Maharashtra and Karnataka will teach a lesson to the Karnataka government which is resorting to such repression," Shinde added. Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray also reacted to the incident and demanded to stop "injustice" against the Marathi people immediately. "The Karnataka government not only denied permission to the General Conference of Maharashtra Integration Committee being held in Belgaum but also imposed a curfew in Belgaum. Borders are also being closed. Strong protest against this injustice on Marathi people!" he said. "Belgaum is and will remain an integral part of Marathi identity! I appeal to the Government of Karnataka to stop this injustice to the Marathi people immediately! Nothing is greater than the interest of Maharashtra and Marathi people!" Thackeray added. In another post, the Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA said that he is ready to support the proposal to make Belgaum, a union territory. "We are ready to unanimously support the proposal to make Belgaum a union territory for the justice of the Marathi people," he said. Speaking on the issue, Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Ambadas Danve said that this is not any party issue but a Maratha issue. "This is not a party issue, it is not a BJP, Congress or Shiv Sena issue. This is a Marathi Manoos issue. Shiv Sena has always taken the right stand for Marathis, Aditya Thackeray has taken it... Our priority is that Marathi Manoos who are in Belgaum of Karnataka should be given security and they should get the rights they have in a democracy," he said. "There is a BJP government here and at the Centre, so if injustice is being done to Marathi Manoos then the BJP government of the Centre and Maharashtra should take steps for it. Veer Savarkar is a brave freedom fighter not only of Maharashtra but of the whole country, his contribution is huge, so it would be wrong for the Karnataka government to remove Veer Savarkar's picture from the legislature, they have not removed it yet but the Maharashtra government should clearly state its stand to stop them from doing so, this is our opinion," Danve added. (ANI)
Calling Uttarakhand as the land of Yoga and AYUSH, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami described the 10th World Ayurveda Congress to be held in Dehradun as an effort to give a new identity to the state in the field of Ayurveda. He said that the nectar emerging from the contemplation, churning and discussions to be held in this global event to be held from December 12 to 15 will work to awaken not only India but the world in the field of Ayurveda. He said that people have seen the effect of Ayurveda and AYUSH during the Corona epidemic. Releasing the curtain raiser and program guide of the 10th World Ayurveda Congress at the Media Center Secretariat on Monday, CM Dhami said that this event will also help spread the message of Sarve Santu Niramayah to every household. The Chief Minister said that Uttarakhand has been the land of Ayurveda and wisdom since ancient times. Our sages and wise men have done extensive research in this direction and given us this method. The climate of our state is completely suitable for medicinal plants. The subject of Ayurveda is not only about the state but also about the Himalayas and forests. We are working towards making our state a leader in every field and moving ahead. The Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had said in his message on the occasion of State Foundation Day that the Yagna of development is going on in Uttarakhand. The guidance of the Prime Minister inspires us to keep working continuously towards the development of the state. The Chief Minister said that we have taken many decisions in the interest of the state. "A strict anti-copying law has been made in the state, efforts are on to implement the Uniform Civil Code. Our efforts in the overall development of the state have also been appreciated by the NITI Aayog. As a result of this, the state has got the first position in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals," he added. CM Dhami said that Uttarakhand is famous all over the world for its natural wealth, medicinal plants and calm Himalayan environment. More than 300 international delegates from 58 countries are participating in this Global Ayurveda Congress. With 6500 delegates and 2 lakh visitors from across the country, this event will become a unique platform for knowledge and cooperation. "Pavilion of Uttarakhand- The stalls of 8 departments of the state, Ayurvedic, Homeopathy, Health, Skill Development, Tourism, Industry, Horticulture, and Rural Development will help in promoting Uttarakhand as a major centre of Ayurveda and wellness tourism in an integrated manner. It will spread awareness about the benefits of Ayurveda and its integration with modern technology and will promote knowledge sharing, research collaboration and business opportunities in the field of Ayurveda. This event will also help contribute to the development and progress of the AYUSH sector in Uttarakhand and India," he said. The Chief Minister said that through the AYUSH policy in the state, the AYUSH manufacturing, wellness, education, and agriculture sectors are being accelerated. The work of making the country's first yoga policy is also in progress. The construction work of 3 new 50-bed AYUSH hospitals is being done in Tehri / Kotdwar / Tanakpur in the state. "The establishment of 300 AYUSH-based Ayushman Arogya Mandirs has been completed in the state. Telemedicine / Panchkarma / Marma Chikitsa etc. facilities are being provided in all AYUSH hospitals. More than 150 AYUSH hospitals in the state have received NABH Accreditation," he added. (ANI)
Press Release

December 9, 2024 Jinggoy seeks Senate commendation for Pinoy animated film director's win in Asia Pacific Screen Awards SENATE President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Ejercito Estrada has filed a resolution commending the monumental triumph of filmmaker Carl Joseph Papa for winning the Best Animated Film award in the 17th Asia Pacific Screen Awards (APSA) held last November 30 in Gold Coast, Australia. Papa's "Iti Mapukpukaw" (The Missing), a 90-minute Filipino-Ilocano rotoscope animated film, bested four other films from Japan and France, Australia, and Korea. "Papa's accomplishments, expertise, and passion in filmmaking significantly contribute to the development of the local animation industry and enrich the slim catalog of Filipino animated films that is still finding its unique style and identity when compared to the more established and Hollywood counterparts," Estrada said in Senate Resolution No. 1249. The film also bagged the Best Feature Film award at the 17th International Animated Film Festival (IAFF) Animator held from June 25 to 30, 2024 in Poznan, Poland. Aside from critical acclaim from local award-giving bodies such as Gawad Urian which awarded the Best Picture, Best Sound, and Best Animation trophies to the film, and the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) which bestowed the Best Editing award, "Iti Mapukpukaw" became the Philippines' entry to the 96th Academy Awards for Best International Feature Film. Papa, as the director and head animator, initially shot the lead actors against a green screen for four days, and later on translated the frame-by-frame sequences into animation with the help of 90 animators for eight months. He previously directed "Manang Biring," which became the first Filipino animated film showcased at the 2015 Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France. "His masterful employment of rotoscope and 2D animation can be considered an achievement in Philippine cinema as an innovative way of storytelling," Estrada said. "The successes and accolades received by 'Iti Mapukpukaw' in the international film circuit marks a significant milestone for Filipino animators, demonstrating their exceptional talent, technical proficiency, and ingenuity to the world, and brings immense pride and honor to the country," the veteran lawmaker added. APSA is an international cultural program presented by the Asia Pacific Screen Academy that honors filmmaking that best reflects its cultural origins, region diversity, and cinematic excellence. Founded in 2007, it has gained international status and following in the film community as it invites submissions from 78 countries.
Union Minister Pralhad Joshi on Monday praised Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma's objectives for the Rising Rajasthan Investor Summit emphasising that the summit has drawn enthusiastic participation from various countries and individuals. "Rising Rajasthan Investor Summit has been organized under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma. Other countries have also participated in it. People have come to it with great enthusiasm... The Chief Minister's objective is good... I hope it will be successful," he said. Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA and former Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje on Monday said that the proposals and investments from the Rising Rajasthan summit would bring in more job opportunities and improve the state's economy. Speaking to the media, Raje said, "I am very happy that the Prime Minister himself arrived here today. When these proposals and investments from the summit are released on the ground, it would bring in more jobs and improve the state's economy, which would change the colours of Rajasthan." Earlier today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated and addressed the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit which is being held from December 9 to 11. Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said that Rajasthan was not only rising but also reliable, receptive and knew how to refine itself. "Rajasthan is not only rising but also reliable, receptive and knows how to refine itself. In a very short time, the Rajasthan Chief Minister has made tremendous efforts for the state. The rise of the state can only be made better by realizing its true potential. The state is abundant in resources right from road to railways, making it an attractive destination for investment," the Prime Minister said. Further, he added that despite COVID-19, India's tourism sector had set a high bar and the tourism schemes had also proved beneficial for Rajasthan. "Despite Covid-19, India has boosted its tourism sector. Today, India's domestic tourism is also setting the bar high and India's tourism schemes are beneficial for Rajasthan...Rajasthan today is the leading state in tourism across the country and attracts a large number of tourists. I have appealed to the countrymen for the 'Wed in India' scheme which will benefit Rajasthan, the state has a lot of potential in the tourism sector," the PM added. Speaking on the manufacturing sector of the country, the PM said that through the Make in India programme, the country had focused on low-cost manufacturing which was benefitting the world. "India through its Make in India program is focusing on low-cost manufacturing, which is benefitting the world today... An approximate Rs 84,000 crore worth of exports have been made from Rajasthan The PLI scheme plays an important role in increasing the manufacturing of the goods in the country. Investors should explore the manufacturing sector of Rajasthan which has a lot of scope. The MSME policy brought in by the government has also strengthened the country," PM Modi said. He concluded by appealing to the people to explore Rajasthan which could help the state progress. "I appeal to people to explore Rajasthan, in all its sectors, from tourism to manufacturing, from food to the culture. The state has a great potential and will set new bars of development," the PM concluded. (ANI)
Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Monday emphasised the 'well-being and safety' of minorities in Bangladesh, saying that India must convey its concern about the minorities in its neigbour to Dhaka. Speaking to ANI, Tharoor stated that the reported 'assaults' on minorities in Bangladesh are not good for the neighbours. "It is necessary to convey our concerns... The well-being and safety of minorities are important," he stated. "Some of these incidents... have been reported of assaults on minorities in Bangladesh. That is not good for Bangladesh. It's something that we should certainly convey that we are keeping an eye on it and we are concerned about it. I think the foreign secretary must have done the right thing there," the Congress MP added. Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held a meeting with Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Advisor Md Touhid Hossain in Dhaka on Monday. Misri arrived in Dhaka on Monday to hold discussions with senior officials of Bangladesh's interim government. After arrival, Vikram Misri and his Bangladeshi counterpart, Jashim Uddin, held delegation-level talks at the state guest house Padma. Foreign Secretary Misri said that India desires a positive, constructive, and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh, noting that the relationship is people-centric and has the benefit of people as its key motivational force. The foreign secretary, who visited Bangladesh, told reporters in Dhaka that he had a frank, candid, and constructive exchange of views with his interlocutors in the neighbouring country. Misri said he discussed the entire gamut of issues in the "extremely important bilateral relationship.". "Today's discussions have given both of us the opportunity to take stock of our relations, and I appreciate the opportunity today to have had a frank, candid, and constructive exchange of views with all my interlocutors. I emphasised that India desires a positive, constructive, and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh. We have always seen in the past, and we continue to see in the future, this relationship as a people-centric and people-orientated relationship, one that has the benefit of all the people as its central motivational force," he said. "This is reflected on a daily basis in the development projects that have been executed on the ground in Bangladesh and that continue to be developed. It is also reflected in the mutually beneficial engagement we have on a whole set of issues ranging from trade, commerce, connectivity, power, water, and energy to development cooperation, consular cooperation, and cultural cooperation," he added. (ANI)
The opposition Congress party has called a meeting of all its Lok Sabha MPs at 9:30 AM at Main Committee Room of the Parliament Annexe in the national capital on Tuesday. The meeting will be chaired by the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi. As per the sources, the INDIA bloc parties are likely to move a no-confidence motion against Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar over alleged partisan functioning in the House. According to sources, the parties will be moving the motion under Article 67 (B) of the Constitution. Dhankhar on Monday held a meeting of the leader of the upper house and the LoP in the Rajya Sabha. "I had in my chamber a meeting between the leader of the House and the leader of the opposition. The purpose of that meeting was to ensure that the House runs smoothly... I would appeal to all the members of the House to carefully consider the oath of the Constitution they have taken. Their oath is very specific. They have to ensure the integrity of the nation on a priority basis. Any challenge to the unity of the nation, to the integrity of the nation... requires all of us to offer a united challenge. This is not a challenge to one section or the other. It is a challenge to our very existence. We as a nation are committed to fighting these sinister forces, these forces that are inimical to India. This inimical force mechanism, a deep state that is evolving, is required to be neutralised by all of us... The functioning of the deep state has been noticed that it affects us more perniciously than COVID disease and this is an occasion where the entire nation needs to speak in one voice. The nation must give a direction to the people at large so that all enemies of Bharat within or outside a total lesson never to venture into a misadventure to challenge our integrity, and our sovereignty and impede our progress," Dhankhar said. Earlier in the day, opposition MPS including Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi held a protest at the Parliament premises over the Adani matter. Members of Trinamool Congress Party (TMC) and Samajwadi Party were not a part of the protest. Nationalist Congress Party (NCP-SP) MP Supriya Sule was also not present in the protest. Meanwhile, both houses of the parliament--the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha--have been adjourned till Tuesday during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, which is currently in its third week of functioning. The adjournments came after disruptions in the proceedings, with opposition parties demanding a discussion on various issues of national importance. The first session of the winter Parliament commenced on November 25, with both Houses getting adjourned fairly early due to disruptions. The winter session will go on till December 20. (ANI)
Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan questioned how the central government could release more funds unless the state government provides proper details regarding the rehabilitation of the Wayanad landslide-hit areas. His remarks came days after the Kerala High Court criticised the state government for its lack of clarity on the funds available in the State's Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). Speaking to reporters on Monday, the Governor said, "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised that there will be no constraint on funds as far as rehabilitation is concerned." He further added, "Without starting the rehabilitation work, utilising the money already available, we keep asking for more funds...Unless you submit proper information, how can you expect more funds?" The Kerala High Court on Saturday expressed strong dissatisfaction with the state government's lack of clarity regarding the funds available in the SDRF. The court was hearing the Suo Moto case aimed at preventing and managing natural disasters in the light of the Wayanad landslide. The court had earlier directed the state government to furnish details about the availability and utilisation of funds in the SDRF. The Kerala government informed the court that there are Rs 677 crores remaining in the SDRF budget. The court asked the state government if there is a yearly auditing report prepared. "If you cannot give an estimate of expenses, how can you say that money is required? Don't say the fund is required for immediate purposes without any figures?" the court said. The High Court also asked, "Who are you trying to fool?" "There is no clear understanding of how much of the remaining Rs 677 crore in the fund should be spent for immediate needs. You do not know how much from 677 crores in the SDRF can be used. How can you say you do not know?" the High Court said. The court directed the state to stop the blame game, as it is tarnishing the dignity of the people of the state, especially those in Wayanad. "When asking for assistance from the central government, the state must provide an accurate figure," the court said. The High Court also noted that the state is unsure whether the Rs 677 crore is available in the fund. The counsel for the state informed the court that even without any natural calamities, around Rs 700 crore is required each year for the SDRF to meet other prior commitments. The counsel also informed that additional funds are required for rehabilitation. The court directed the state government to submit detailed accounts and figures, while the state requested more time to provide this information. The case has been scheduled for a hearing on December 12. Earlier in the month, Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and MPs from Kerala met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and urged the Centre to provide immediate relief to landslide-affected people of Wayanad. Priyanka Gandhi, a newly-elected MP from Wayanad, highlighted the need for immediate assistance to help affected families, rebuild their lives and restore essential infrastructure in the region. She said the tragedy needed to be considered beyond partisan politics. She urged the Home Minister to urgently consider releasing the required funds to support the rehabilitation efforts in view of the severity of the disaster. "We have given representation to the PM and Home Minister. The devastation in the area (in Wayanad) is complete. The people who are affected have lost absolutely everything. In such circumstances, if the Centre cannot step up, then it sends a very bad message to the entire country and especially to the victims," Priyanka Gandhi told reporters earlier in the month. "The PM had visited and met the victims. After that when I met the victims they expressed hope that they might get some relief. Now, 4 months have passed and that relief has not been forthcoming. I have appealed to the Home Minister and he has listened to us very kindly. I have appealed to him that we rise above politics and truly recognise the pain & suffering of the affected people...On behalf of all Kerala MPs, it was our appeal to them ( Union Home Minister) that they should consider this very seriously," she had added. Landslides in Wayanad earlier this year had caused widespread damage. According to state estimates 359 persons died or were missing. (ANI)
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday reaffirmed his government's commitment to supporting local industries in overcoming the challenges they are currently facing, a release said. As per the release, CM Omar Abdullah was felicitated for assuming office as the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir at an event organized by the Jammu Chamber of Commerce & Industry (JCCI). The event was attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary, Minister of Forest, Ecology and Environment Javed Ahmad Rana, Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo and others. Addressing the gathering, CM Abdullah acknowledged the persistent challenges faced by the industrial sector in Jammu and Kashmir. "There is no shortage of issues. If I were to claim that these problems have only emerged in the past decade, it would be misleading. These challenges are not new, nor are they solely the result of Jammu and Kashmir's transition into a Union Territory. However, the UT transition has undoubtedly compounded these issues," he stated. Highlighting the geographical constraints of the region, the Chief Minister said, "Several challenges stem from our location. Jammu and Kashmir is situated in a corner of the country. Our market is very small, and our raw material base is limited. An industry that relies on importing raw materials and exporting finished products cannot sustain itself without governmental support." Reiterating his government's responsibility, he added, "When we hold your hand and provide support, it is not a reflection of your helplessness or weakness. It is our responsibility, and we will fulfill it." On the tourism potential of Jammu, the Chief Minister emphasized the untapped opportunities presented by the large number of pilgrims visiting the region. "Over a crore pilgrims visit Jammu for Mata Vaishno Devi every year. If we can successfully divert even 15 per cent of them to local tourist destinations, we would gain 15 lakh tourists immediately. We have managed the entire tourism economy of Kashmir with just 15 lakh tourists," he remarked. He stressed the need to showcase Jammu's unique cultural heritage. "Our Dogra culture-this is treasure unique to Jammu. Our traditions, food, and specialties are unmatched and must be leveraged as key selling points for tourism." On the resumption of the now-defunct Darbar Move, Omar Abdullah highlighted its positive impact on Jammu's vibrancy. "The hallmark of Jammu city was the biannual Darbar Move. For six months, people from Srinagar would work here, creating a lively environment. It fostered interaction between people from both sides of the mountains, whether at Wave Mall, Residency Road, or Gole Market. I assure you that we will resume the Darbar Move in the future. Unfortunately, time constraints prevented us from doing so this time," he said. Discussing the impact of industrial packages, he cautioned against their transient nature. "Industries attracted solely by packages stay only as long as the incentives last. Once the benefits end, they pack up and leave. The industries that endure are those rooted in this land, run by people who are inherently connected to it," he stated. The Chief Minister also highlighted the challenges related to lease agreements for institutions and businesses. "Today, schools on leased land are being asked to produce 10-year leases, failing which their registration will not be renewed. Similarly, hotels on leased land cannot even make minor repairs due to the absence of valid leases. These issues need immediate attention," he added. Omar Abdullah, in his conclusion, assured his government's commitment to addressing industrial concerns. "Whatever issues you want us to raise with the Finance Minister, please provide me with a detailed note. We will take them up with the Government of India and work toward tangible solutions," he said. (ANI)
Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel will meet District Panchayat Presidents every Tuesday. To address various district-related issues, CM Patel has adopted a receptive approach, permitting the District Panchayat Presidents to meet him personally and discuss solutions for their respective districts, according to a press release from the Gujarat CMO. Accordingly, Chief Minister Patel will meet the District Panchayat Presidents every Tuesday from 1:00 PM to 1:30 PM at the Chief Minister's Office, the release mentioned. Earlier in the day, CM Patel called for the fight against corruption to proceed with determination and strength. In this context, he said that corruption has two words-corrupt and conduct and when a person finds a shortcut to get more than what is due to him, he loses morality and nurtures corruption. Addressing a programme organized by the State Government's Anti-Corruption Bureau in Gandhinagar on International Anti-Corruption Day, CM Patel said, "We have to break this atmosphere and intensify the fight against corruption with strong determination." The Chief Minister also honoured ten complainants under CARE in the presence of Home Minister Harsh Sanghvi and Chief Secretary Rajkumar, who are ordinary citizens who assisted the ACB in arresting bribe-seeking officials-employees. This CARE programme was started by the Anti-Corruption Bureau in 2024 by the inspiration given by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to engage the participation of the common man in the fight against corruption. In order to avoid any harassment to the complainant who has filed a complaint against corruption, along with providing proper security, and assistance, the complainant is contacted face-to-face, getting details, suggestions and redressal is also brought by his representations. 1864 complainants have been contacted face to face under this CARE programme. Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said on this occasion that there has been a big change in the country under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He added that this is a great example before the country of how one person can bring good results if the people have the will to do good. (ANI)
The Delhi High Court on Monday issued summons in a civil defamation case filed by former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy against several media outlets. The suit pertains to articles that allegedly linked Reddy to the indictment proceedings against the Adani Group in the United States. Reddy has sought damages of Rs 100 crore and requested an injunction in the defamation case. Several media outlets and Google have also been included and have been named as parties in the defamation suit as it is accused of facilitating the spread and amplification of defamatory and scandalous content against the YSRCP Chief. The bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad, after noting the submissions made by Senior Advocate Dayan Krishnan, who appeared for Reddy, issued a notice on Reddy's application seeking the removal of the defamatory articles. While issuing the notice, the Court also clarified that any further publication made after the date of the order would be deemed as published with notice of the suit and would be subject to the consequences. Reddy has additionally requested an injunction, seeking orders to prevent the media houses from further publishing the content. He has also asked for the immediate removal of the articles, tweets, and retweets, along with a demand for an unconditional apology to be issued. The case is scheduled for the next hearing on December 16, where the court will consider granting interim relief. Jagan Mohan Reddy's suit stated that the defendants on account of false, derogatory, scandalous, illegal and defamatory statements made by the media outlets against the Plaintiff. As per the suit, the plaintiff, i.e., YS Jagan Mohan Reddy is a distinguished politician and public servant, having a wide following within the State of Andhra Pradesh, NCT of Delhi and in other parts of the country. He has served previously as the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh from 2019 to 2024, is currently a member of the Legislative Assembly in the State of Andhra Pradesh, and is also the president of the YSR Congress Party. Media outlets are the newspaper publishers having substantial viewership that are deliberately publishing/disseminating content containing per se false, scandalous and defamatory statements against the Plaintiff with a view to malign his reputation, as per the suit. "The defamatory insinuations made by the Defendants against the Plaintiff inter alia of receiving bribes, extending favours or misusing his position as the chief minister are completely false and have been made with the sole intent of lowering his reputation. The said insinuations are not only false, malicious, illegal, dishonest and defamatory but are also completely imaginary and based on conjectures, having not even an iota of truth," stated suit. (ANI)
NGOs filed a petition in the Delhi High Court, urging the court to grant a comprehensive rehabilitation package for Pakistani Hindu refugees currently living in temporary settlements in Delhi. The petition called for provisions including housing, healthcare, education, water and sanitation facilities. Justice Sanjeev Narula, after a brief hearing, advised the petitioners to refile the case as a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the correct format to ensure that comprehensive relief could be granted. Following this suggestion, senior advocate Vikas Pahwa withdrew the writ petition, with permission to file the PIL before the acting Chief Justice of the Delhi High Court. The petitioners, including Akhil Bhartiya Dharam Prasar Samiti and other NGOs, sought directions from the authorities for a comprehensive rehabilitation package covering housing, healthcare, education, water and sanitation facilities for Pakistani Hindu refugees currently residing in temporary settlements in Delhi. The petitioners also sought directions not to disturb or demolish the temporary settlements (basties) of these Pakistani Hindu refugees. Vikas Pahwa, Senior Advocate representing the petitioners, argued that the Ministry of Home Affairs, DUSIB and DDA, who had given assurance in the earlier writ petition did not much about these refugees who have migrated from Pakistan due to religious persecution. They are covered by the Citizenship (Amendment) Act, 2019, and a majority of them have already received their certificates of registration. As Indian citizens now, Pahwa argued, they deserve to be looked after in all respects, including their necessities of life. Protection under Article 21 will be available to them also. He also highlighted that the DDA has recently issued a demolition notice to Pakistani Hindu refugees, residing in Majnu Ka Tilla, and have been directed to vacate the camps within 24 hours. (ANI)
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday slammed the Centre for allegedly trying to "politicise" the Chooralmala landslide disaster, which he described as one of the largest in the country. "The Chooralmala landslide was one of the largest disasters in our country. The central government is trying to use this disaster for political benefit," he said. Dismissing Union Home Minister Amit Shah's claim that the state government failed to submit a timely report on the disaster, the Chief Minister stated, "Union Home Minister has stated in the parliament that the state government did not submit a report on time. This is not true. " Vijayan clarified that the state government had submitted a report on the disaster during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the affected area on August 10. A detailed report was also submitted on August 17, along with a request for a special package. "PM visited the landslide area on August 10. That time itself the state government submitted the report of the disaster. On August 17 a detailed report was submitted and we demanded a special package. Three months after the PM's visit, no funds have been allotted," he said. "The Home Minister was misleading people and ran away from its responsibility. The statement of Amit Shah that the Centre has not given funds because the state government did not submit a memorandum in time was factless. A 583-page report of post-assessment needs was submitted within three months after the disaster," the Chief Minister added. On July 30, the state of Kerala was hit with a landslide, the deadliest one in the state, killing more than 300 people and destroying numerous houses and other buildings. The people were affected in Mundakkai and Chooralmala areas. During his visit to Wayanad, PM Modi undertook an aerial survey of the landslide-affected areas before physically visiting the location of the disaster to review relief and rehabilitation efforts in the region. (ANI)
The meeting addressed GRIT's expanded role and organisational arrangements. GRIT's newly appointed CEO, S. Aparna, provided an overview of the initial actions and vision for the institution.

GRIT will function as the state government's think tank and innovation hub, collaborating with various departments to create an action plan for implementing the recommendations of the state government's Task Force Committee.

While addressing the meeting, CM Patel suggested that GRIT focus on analysing the social impact and benefits of state and central government welfare schemes through data analysis.

Finance Minister Kanubhai Desai, Health Minister Rushikesh Patel, Industries Minister Balvantsinh Rajput, Agriculture Minister Raghavji Patel, and Education Minister Kuber Dindor also participated in the meeting.

A key discussion point was the expansion of the Growth Hub Model, initially implemented in Surat by NITI Aayog. It was proposed that GRIT play a role in institutionalizing and gradually expanding this model to other regions of the state.

An MOU was signed between IIM Ahmedabad and GRIT during the meeting, to utilize IIM Ahmedabad's knowledge, skills, expertise, and network to tackle key state government issues and schemes.

The MOU was signed by S. Aparna and IIM Ahmedabad Director Bharat Bhasker, in the presence of CM Patel, Ministers, and IIM Ahmedabad Chairman Pankaj Patel. Also attending the meeting were the Chief Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister Dr Hasmukh Adhia, Chief Secretary Raj Kumar, Additional Chief Secretaries to the Chief Minister, Pankaj Joshi and M. K. Das, Principal Secretary of the Finance Department Dr. T. Natarajan, and Secretary to the Chief Minister Avantika Singh. (ANI)
Press Release

December 9, 2024 Gatchalian hails signing of school-based mental health law Senator Win Gatchalian hailed the signing of the Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act Republic Act No. 12080, a landmark law that would increase learners' access to mental health services. The law seeks the development of a School-Based Mental Health Program to promote the mental health and well-being of learners in all public and private schools, including those enrolled in the Alternative Learning System (ALS). The School-Based Mental Health Program shall include screening, evaluation, assessment, and monitoring; mental health first aid; crisis response and referral system; mental health awareness and literacy; and emotional, developmental and preventive programs, among other support services. "On top of experiencing what I call a 'pandemic' of mental health, the Philippines is also considered the bullying capital of the world. By ensuring the accessibility of mental health services, we can instill resilience in our learners, prevent suicides, and make our schools safer," said Gatchalian, principal author and sponsor of the school-based mental health law. According to Gatchalian, every public school shall have a Care Center to provide school-based mental health services. A Care Center shall be headed by a School Counselor who should be a Registered Guidance Counselor or a Registered Psychologist. A Mental Health and Well-being Office shall be established in every Schools Division Office (SDO) to address the mental health and well-being of learners and Department of Education (DepEd) personnel under the SDO. Mental Health and Well-Being Offices shall be headed by a Schools Division Counselor who should also be a Registered Guidance Counselor or a Registered Psychologist. To address the nationwide shortage of guidance counselors, the law also creates the plantilla positions of School Counselor Associates I to V to help in the delivery of school-based mental health services. School Counselor Associates can be graduates of a Bachelor's Degree in Guidance and Counselling or Psychology; any Bachelor's Degree with at least 18 units of courses in Guidance and Counseling or Psychology; or any related Bachelor's Degree with a minimum of 18 units of Behavioral Science subjects, including 200 hours of supervised practicum or internship experience on guidance and counseling, preferably in a school or community setting. Gatchalian: Access ng mga mag-aaral sa mental health services paiigtingin ng bagong batas Pinapurihan ni Senador Win Gatchalian ang pagkakalagda sa Basic Education Mental Health and Well-Being Promotion Act Republic Act No. 12080, isang batas na magpapaigting sa access ng mga mag-aaral sa mental health services. Layon ng batas na bumuo ng isang School-Based Mental Health Program upang itaguyod ang mental health at kapakanan ng mga mag-aaral sa lahat ng mga pampubliko at pribadong paaralan, kabilang ang mga naka-enroll sa Alternative Learning System (ALS). Magiging bahagi ng School-Based Mental Health Program ang screening, evaluation, assessment, at monitoring; mental health first aid; crisis response at referral system; mental health awareness at literacy; emotional, developmental at preventive programs; at iba pa. "Itinuturing ang Pilipinas na bullying capital of the world at nakakaranas din ang ating mga kababayan ng tinatawag nating 'pandemya' ng mental health. Sa pagtiyak nating abot-kamay ang mga serbisyong pang-mental health, magagabayan natin ang ating mga mag-aaral na maging matatag, mapipigilan natin ang mga pagkamatay dahil sa suicide, at maisusulong natin ang kaligtasan sa ating mga paaralan," ani Gatchalian, pangunahing may akda at sponsor ng batas. Sa ilalim ng naturang batas, magkakaroon ang bawat pampublikong paaralan ng Care Center na maghahatid ng mga school-based mental health services. Pamumunuan ang isang Care Center ng School Counselor na dapat ay isang Registered Guidance Counselor o Registered Psychologist. Itatatag naman kada Schools Division Office (SDO) ang Mental Health and Well-being Office upang tugunan ang mga pangangailangan ng mga mag-aaral at Department of Education (DepEd) personnel pagdating sa kanilang mental health at kapakanan. Ang mga Mental Health and Well-Being Offices ay pamumunuan ng Schools Division Counselor na dapat ay isa ding Registered Guidance Counselor o Registered Psychologist. Upang matugunan naman ang kakulangan ng mga guidance counselors, nililikha rin ng batas ang mga posisyong School Counselor Associates I hanggang V upang tumulong sa paghatid ng mga school-based mental health services. Maaaring maging School Counselor Associates ang mga nagtapos ng Bachelor's Degree in Guidance and Counselling o Psychology; anumang Bachelor's Degree na may 18 units ng kursong may kinalaman sa Guidance and Counseling o Psychology; o anumang Bachelor's Degree na hindi bababa sa 18 units ang Behavioral Science Subjects, kabilang ang 200 oras ng supervised practicum o internship experience sa guidance and counseling, lalo na sa paaralan at komunidad.
In his address during the event, organised jointly by Takarjala and Mandwi Mandal, Chief Minister Manik Saha stressed the need for unity among all communities and tribes in Tripura.

He also called for collective efforts to strengthen the state and ensure the welfare of every community. Highlighting the initiatives taken by the current BJP government, Saha acknowledged the contributions of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in securing the rights and progress of the tribal people in Tripura.

In line with PM Modi's call to stay united, CM Saha during the event raised the slogan "Ek Rehenge, To Safe Rehenge" (If we stay united, we will stay safe), stressing the importance of solidarity and mutual respect for the peace and prosperity of the state.

CM Saha affirmed the government's commitment to the development of tribal communities, including projects in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, ensuring their inclusion in the state's overall growth.

The event was also attended by the Minister for ST Welfare, Bikash Debbarma, along with other state ministers and prominent tribal leaders.

Minister Bikash Debbarma, in his speech, reiterated the government's ongoing efforts to uplift the tribal population and improve their living standards.

He also called for continued collaboration between the government and tribal leaders to create a more inclusive and prosperous future for one and all.

The conference concluded with a renewed call for unity and collective action to address challenges and promote peace and development across the state of Tripura. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will respond to the debate on the 75th anniversary of India's Constitution in the Lok Sabha on Saturday, December 14, sources said. According to the sources, Home Minister Amit Shah will initiate the debate in the Rajya Sabha on December 16. Meanwhile, both houses of the parliament - the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha- have been adjourned till Tuesday during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament which is currently in its third week of functioning. The adjournments came after disruptions in the proceedings, with opposition parties demanding a discussion on various issues of national importance. In the Rajya Sabha, Leader of the House JP Nadda accused the Congress party of becoming a "tool" of forces attempting to create instability in the country. Nadda emphasised that Congress was aligning itself with those elements whose actions were undermining India's democratic institutions. He called for a structured debate on these matters to clear the air. Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha, Mallikarjun Kharge, strongly refuted Nadda's allegations. Kharge rejected the claims that Congress was playing a disruptive role in Indian politics. He argued that the Congress party remained committed to upholding democratic values and that the BJP was using such accusations as a diversion from pressing issues affecting the country. The exchanges between the two leaders have intensified the ongoing political drama in Parliament, with both parties seemingly at odds over the direction of national discourse. On the twelfth day of the ongoing Winter Session, opposition MPs, including Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi staged a protest at the Parliament premises over the Adani matter. Rahul Gandhi joined Opposition MPs in their protest over the Adani matter. However, members of the Trinamool Congress and Samajwadi Party did not participate in the protest. The first session of the winter Parliament commenced on November 25, with both Houses getting adjourned fairly early due to disruptions. The winter session will go on till December 20. (ANI)
https://x.com/IndiGo6E/status/1866120480282796155

The airline made the announcement in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, "Due to reduced visibility caused by fog in #Ranchi, all flights to/from the city have been cancelled for today".

Meanwhile, several parts of the country are blanketed in a thick layer of fog.

In Uttar Pradesh, the iconic Taj Mahal stands majestic yet obscured by the fog, enhancing its ethereal beauty as temperatures decrease in the city. The chilly weather has created moody and atmospheric conditions, offering visitors a chance to appreciate the monument from a different perspective. The wintry chill and the foggy backdrop provide a unique experience for both tourists and locals alike.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted that the minimum temperature is likely to drop to 6 degrees Celsius by December 10.

The IMD has also predicted a cold wave in West Rajasthan from December 9 to December 14, while Punjab, Haryana-Chandigarh, and West Uttar Pradesh are expected to experience similar conditions from December 11.

Earlier in the month, the Supreme Court allowed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to relax GRAP Stage IV restrictions in Dehli-NCR to GRAP Stage II, in light of the improvements in the Air Quality Index (AQI).

Hours, after the Supreme Court permitted the relaxation of GRAP Stage IV restrictions in Delhi-NCR to GRAP Stage II, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), revoked Stages IV and III of GRAP in the region.

However, GRAP Stages II and I will continue to remain in force across the entire NCR. (ANI)
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Monday announced that a team from Reliance Group of Industries would soon visit the state to explore potential investment opportunities in the state. CM Saha shared this information while addressing the Janajati Ekta Sammelan organized jointly by Takarjala and Mandwi Mandals at Khumulwng. "I visited Mumbai and met the Chairman and Managing Director of Reliance Group, Mukesh Ambani. I requested him to consider visiting Tripura as our state has immense potential, including opportunities in tourism and bamboo. I had a discussion with him for about 45 minutes, during which he assured me that a team would be visiting soon. Additionally, we have signed an MoU with Tata Group to upgrade the ITIs in the state. These ITIs were neglected for years, but now Tata Group will invest around Rs 700 crores to modernize them," said CM Saha. The Chief Minister also emphasized that the Northeast, once plagued by terrorism and violence, has witnessed significant transformation under the BJP's leadership. He attributed this change to the signing of multiple agreements and the establishment of peace in the region. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi has introduced the HIRA model. Earlier, we had only one National Highway, but now significant developments have taken place, including the extension of highways. We never imagined that trains like the Vistadome and Rajdhani Express would operate in the state, but it has become a reality, thanks to the Act East policy and PM Modi's vision. The previous governments never gave due respect to Maharaja Bir Bikram. However, after the BJP formed the government, we have honored him appropriately and taken several initiatives in his name," CM Saha said. He further stated that the state government is focused on the development of the Tripura Tribal Areas Autonomous District Council (TTAADC). Several measures have been undertaken, including increasing the number of seats in TTAADC and declaring 12 blocks as Aspirational Blocks. "We resolved the 23-year-old Bru issue. The BJP is committed to the socio-economic development and political empowerment of the tribal people. Since this government came into power, we have established the Tripura Tribal Research and Cultural Institute and Museum at Lambucherra to preserve the history, culture, and traditions of the state. Our government is also dedicated to providing quality education to Janajati students," he added. The event was attended by Tribal Welfare Minister Bikas Debbarma, former MP Rebati Tripura, BJP general secretary Bipin Debbarma, TTAADC member Bidyut Debbarma, and other dignitaries. (ANI)
The victims, identified as Abhishek and Nidhi, both aged 19, and Kanta Devi (50), were all residents of Uttar Pradesh.

According to police, the victims were standing behind the bus to collect their luggage when the incident occurred.

"All three of them died on the spot," they said.

Upon receiving the information, a team from the nearby police station reached the scene, recovered the bodies, and sent them for post-mortem examination.

The truck driver, identified as Tofeeq, a resident of Alwar in Rajasthan, also sustained injuries in the accident and was admitted to Safdarjung Hospital, they said.

A case has been registered under section 281/106(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 at VK North Police Station, and the police were further looking into the incident.

Further details are awaited. (ANI)
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Sanjay Singh on Monday accused the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre of preventing Parliament from functioning during the ongoing winter session. Speaking to ANI, AAP leader Sanjay Singh alleged that the ruling party is creating chaos and not letting the Parliament run smoothly. "The government is not letting the Rajya Sabha function. It is for the first time in Indian history that the ruling party is creating chaos and not letting the Parliament run. We want answers on the Adani issue, Sambhal violence, and bomb threats in schools, but the government is not ready to answer," AAP MP Singh stated. "If the BJP does not want the Parliament to run, then we will also raise slogans from tomorrow," he added. Notably, both houses of the parliament--the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha--have been adjourned till Tuesday during the ongoing Winter Session of Parliament, which is currently in its third week of functioning. The adjournments came after disruptions in the proceedings, with opposition parties demanding discussions on various issues of national importance. Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar held a meeting of the leader of the upper house and the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in Rajya Sabha. "I had in my chamber a meeting between the leader of the House and the leader of the opposition. The purpose of that meeting was to ensure that the House runs smoothly... I would appeal to all the members of the House to carefully consider the oath of the Constitution they have taken. Their oath is very specific. They have to ensure the integrity of the nation on a priority basis. Any challenge to the unity of the nation, to the integrity of the nation... requires all of us to offer a united challenge. This is not a challenge to one section or the other. It is a challenge to our very existence," he said. "We as a nation are committed to fighting these sinister forces, these forces that are inimical to India. This inimical force mechanism, a deep state that is evolving, is required to be neutralised by all of us... The functioning of the deep state has been noticed to it affects us more perniciously than COVID disease, and this is an occasion where the entire nation needs to speak in one voice. The nation must give a direction to the people at large so that all enemies of Bharat, within or outside a total lesson, never venture into a misadventure to challenge our integrity and our sovereignty and impede our progress," Vice President Dhankhar added. The first session of the winter Parliament commenced on November 25, with both Houses getting adjourned fairly early due to disruptions. The winter session will go on till December 20. (ANI)
BJP leader Tarun Chugh on Monday alleged that Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi had links with George Soros Foundation and the Congress was becoming a tool of forces trying to create instability in the country. Chugh, a BJP general secretary, said in a statement that Sonia Gandhi "as the co-president of the Forum of the Democratic Leaders in Asia Pacific (FDL-AP) Foundation, is linked to an organisation financed by the George Soros Foundation". He alleged that FDL-AP Foundation "has expressed views to treat Kashmir as a separate entity". The BJP, he said, would expose "anti-national credentials" of the Gandhi family and expose "nefarious designs" of Congress in Jammu and Kashmir. Chugh, who is incharge of Jammu and Kashmir, said no attempt will succeed to "subvert" the mission of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make India a leading nation in the world. BJP had earlier accused Congress of joining hands with forces that want to hinder India's growth. "This thread highlights a connection between the Congress party and George Soros, suggesting their shared goal of hindering India's growth. Sonia Gandhi, as the Co-President of the FDL-AP Foundation, is linked to an organization funded by the George Soros Foundation," the party said in a post on X. "Notably, the FDL-AP Foundation has expressed their views that treat Kashmir as a separate entity. This association between Sonia Gandhi and an organisation that has backed the idea of Kashmir as an independent nation expresses the influence of foreign entities on India's internal affairs and the political impact of such connections," the post added. (ANI)
Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha on Monday saw adjournments with the BJP stepping up its attack on Congress over alleged links to George Soros and the opposition members alleging that the treasury benches do not want the House to function. Lok Sabha saw three adjournments till 12 noon, 2 pm and 3 pm. When the House met at 3pm, noisy scenes continued and the proceedings were adjourned for the day. The Rajya Sabha also saw similar adjournments with BJP leaders repeatedly raising the allegations against Congress, accusing its leaders of collusion with Soros to destabilise the country. Leader of the House and Union Minister JP Nadda repeated party's allegations that a senior Congress leader "as the co-president of the Forum of the Democratic Leaders in Asia Pacific (FDL-AP) Foundation, is linked to an organisation financed by the George Soros Foundation" and that FDL-AP Foundation "has expressed views to treat Kashmir as a separate entity" He said the link between Forum of Democratic Leaders in the Asia-Pacific (FDL-AP) and George Soros is a matter of concern. He accused the Congress party of becoming a "tool" of forces attempting to create instability in the country. Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge rejected the allegations against the Congress. Amid uproar, Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar invited Nadda and Kharge to his chamber to find a way out of impasse. He said there will be another meeting at 10.30 am on Tuesday. The Chairman said that the "functioning of the deep state has been noticed that it affects us more perniciously than COVID disease". "I had in my chamber a meeting between leader of the House and leader of the opposition. The purpose of that meeting was to ensure that the House runs smoothly. Both sides had frank discussion and they signalled two things. One, that integrity, sovereignty of the nation is sacred for us. We cannot allow any forces within the country or outside to sacrilege our unity, our integrity and our sovereignty. The leaders had frank discussion. They have agreed to meet in my chamber tomorrow at 10.30 a.m. I would appeal to all the members of the House to carefully consider the oath of the Constitution they have taken," he said. "Their oath is very specific. They have to ensure integrity of the nation on a priority basis. Any challenge to the unity of the nation, to the integrity of the nation... requires all of us to offer a united challenge. This is not a challenge to one section or the other. It is a challenge to our very existence. We as a nation are committed to fight these sinister forces, these forces that are inimical to India. This inimical force mechanism, a deep state that is evolving, is required to be neutralised by all of us. I would appeal the Hon'ble members to share the sentiments of the people at large," he said. "People at large are extremely concerned that all divisive forces, all forces that are pernicious to the concept of Bharat, all forces that have sinister design to run down our democracy, to bring down our progress to impede our economic upsurge have to be defeated by us. That is a sentiment which 1.4 million people share. That sentiment has to emanate from this House," he added. The Chairman said that this House at this critical moment, when the country is facing such serious challenges, and it must send a united voice to motivate the people at large, inspire the people, so that these forces are defeated. "We in this country, that is rising at a very fast pace, cannot afford to either countenance or overlook such kind of evil designs and our conduct should be such that people get more interest in our parliament because if dialogue in parliament does not share the sentiments of the people at large. The parliament will get into irrelevance," he said. "It is fundamental for Parliament to debate such serious challenges that the nation is facing from forces that are determined to run down our country by employing various mechanisms. The functioning of the deep state has been noticed that it affects us more perniciously than COVID disease and this is an occasion where the entire nation needs to speak in one voice. The nation must give a direction to the people at large so that all enemies of Bharat within or outside a total lesson never to venture in a misadventure to challenge our integrity, our sovereignty and impede our progress," he added. Dhankhar urged members of both sides will soul-search themselves. "They have to their oaths and set an example to the nation that we are first Indians, nation is first for us. Our commitment to nationalism has to be hundred per cent. We shall not allow our nationalism to go down. We will not bear any challenge that is to our unity, integrity and sovereignty," he said. Congress leader Jairam Ramesh later attacked the government over ruckus in Rajya Sabha on Monday and alleged that it does not want the House to function. He also alleged that the Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge was not allowed to speak while Leader of the House and Union Minister JP Nadda got a "a number of chances to speak". He said the opposition wants the House to run and raise various issues. Speaking with ANI, Jairam Ramesh also said that several BJP MPs were selectively called upon to speak by the Chairman. "What we witnessed in the Rajya Sabha today was surprising and unfortunate. The chairman is like an umpire and is neutral but today the Leader of the Opposition as not get an opportunity to speak. The leader of the House was got multiple chances and specific BJP MPs were given chances to speak," he said. "We hold the chairman in high regard. He has served as a Governor before and has expressed concern about farmers' issues. But it is unclear why today he was compelled not to allow the Leader of the Opposition to speak," Jairam Ramesh added. The Congress MP emphasized that they will continue raising issues and submitting notices, whether the government accepts them or not. "Whether it's about Adani, Manipur, or the farmers' concerns, there should be debates, and bills should be passed. Our promise of constructive cooperation remains firm even today. However, in recent days, it has become evident that the government does not want the House to function," he said. "Running the House is primarily the government's responsibility. The opposition also has its duties, and we are not shying away from them. I have a question in my mind whether these people will allow discussion on the Constitution in Lok Sabha on December 13, 14 and in Rajya Sabha on December 16, 17," he added. Earlier, the Chairman made his remarks to mark the first sitting of the Constituent Assembly of India and said Rajya Sabha derives its strength and purpose from the very principles enshrined in that Constitution. "I wish to reflect upon a historic milestone in our nation's journey towards democracy--the first sitting of the Constituent Assembly of India, was held on this very day, December 9, in the year 1946, after its constitution on December 6, 1946. This moment marked the beginning of the profound task of crafting the Constitution of India, a document that stands as the cornerstone of our democratic Republic," he said. The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly was chaired by Dr Sachchidananda Sinha, who was then the oldest Member and also the oldest parliamentarian in India, having served as a Member of the Imperial Legislative Council from the year 1910 and also in the Central Legislative Assembly from 1921. The Constituent Assembly received three messages of felicitations from America, China and Australia, which were read out by the Chairman then. "Under the leadership of stalwarts such as Dr Rajendra Prasad, Dr BR Ambedkar, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, and Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, the Assembly undertook the monumental task of debating and drafting provisions that would guide the destiny of an independent India. They did so with unwavering commitment, often transcending personal and ideological differences in the spirit of nation-building," he said. "This House, the Rajya Sabha, derives its strength and purpose from the very principles enshrined in that Constitution. It is our duty, as Members of Parliament, to uphold and protect these principles, ensuring that the aspirations of those who came before us continue to resonate in the policies and practices of today," he added. He said debates of members of Constituent Assembly are reminder of the value of constructive dialogue. "Let us take inspiration from the vision and dedication of the members of the Constituent Assembly. Their debates remind us of the value of constructive dialogue and mutual respect, which are essential to the functioning of our parliamentary democracy," he said. "As we recall the import of this seminal moment in our history, let us also renew our pledge to serve the people of India with integrity and diligence, ever mindful of the sacrifices that made our democratic journey possible," he added. He hoped that the members will lay very high standards in parliamentary proceedings and functioning so as to be a role model for legislatures all over the country. "It is an occasion for us to commit and resolve that our actions will be exemplified, keeping in view the preamble of the Indian Constitution, and our dialogue and discourse will be attended with respect for one another in a spirit of deep understanding," the Chairman said. (ANI)
Congress leader Jairam Ramesh on Saturday attacked the government over ruckus in Rajya Sabha on Monday and alleged that it does not want the House to function. He also alleged that the Leader of Opposition Mallikarjun Kharge was not allowed to speak while Leader of the House and Union Minister JP Nadda got a "a number of chances to speak". He said the opposition wants the House to run and raise various issues. Speaking to ANI, Jairam also said that several BJP MPs were selectively called upon to speak by the Chairman. "What we witnessed in the Rajya Sabha today was surprising and unfortunate. The chairman is like an umpire and is neutral but today the Leader of the Opposition as not get an opportunity to speak. The leader of the House was got multiple chances and specific BJP MPs were given chances to speak," he said. "We hold the chairman in high regard. He has served as a Governor before and has expressed concern about farmers' issues. But it is unclear why today he was compelled not to allow the Leader of the Opposition to speak," Jairam Ramesh added. The Congress MP emphasized that they will continue raising issues and submitting notices, whether the government accepts them or not. "Whether it's about Adani, Manipur, or the farmers' concerns, there should be debates, and bills should be passed. Our promise of constructive cooperation remains firm even today. However, in recent days, it has become evident that the government does not want the House to function," he said. "Running the House is primarily the government's responsibility. The opposition also has its duties, and we are not shying away from them. I have a question in my mind whether these people will allow discussion on the Constitution in Lok Sabha on December 13, 14 and in Rajya Sabha on December 16, 17," he added. (ANI)
Jerusalem [Israel], December 9 (ANI/TPS): The IDF (Israel Defence Forces) reported that on Sunday, an Israel Air Force aircraft, directed by the fire centre of the IDF's 98th Paratroopers Division, attacked terrorists from the Hezbollah terrorist organisation who were operating in a weapons warehouse in southern Lebanon and who posed a threat in the area, violating the ceasefire between Israel and Lebanon. These terrorists planned and carried out terrorist plots against IDF forces and the citizens of the State of Israel in recent months, said the IDF. Also, the IDF attacked on Sunday a number of terrorists from the terrorist organization Hezbollah in the area of southern Lebanon to remove a threat to Israeli security. (ANI/TPS)
Press Release

December 9, 2024 Senate declares Pampanga as 'Culinary Capital of the Philippines' Known for its rich and diverse cuisine, Pampanga, may soon be named as the culinary capital of the Philippines with the recent approval of a Senate bill seeking to recognize its significant contribution to Filipino gastronomy and cultural heritage. Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2797, authored by Sen. Lito Lapid, was approved on third and final reading Monday, December 9, 2024. The bill directs the Department of Tourism to feature and promote Pampanga as the country's culinary capital in all its regional and national promotion programs. Lapid said Pampanga has long been recognized for its exceptional culinary heritage, making it a deserving candidate for the title. "This bill seeks to formally recognize Pampanga's unique contribution to the nation's culinary landscape by declaring it as such," the Kapampangan senator said. Pampanga is widely known for its rich and diverse culinary traditions, which have been passed down through generations. The Kapampangan people have developed a distinctive cuisine that reflects the province's history, culture, and the creativity of its people, Lapid stressed. He said many of Pampanga's most celebrated dishes, such as sisig, bringhe, tibok-tibok, tocino, and kare-kare, have become synonymous with Filipino cuisine itself. These dishes, though influenced by various cultures including Spanish, Chinese, and Malay, have evolved over centuries into recipes that are unmistakably Filipino. "The culinary arts of Pampanga are not only significant in preserving Filipino culture but are also integral to the country's tourism industry. The province has become a "must include" destination in culinary tourism within the Philippines, attracting both local and international tourists who seek to experience authentic Filipino flavors," Lapid said. Sen. Mark Villar, chairperson of the Committee on Tourism and sponsor of the bill, said the Kapampangan dishes had found their way on tables across the globe, introducing the flavors of the country to the world. "What makes Pampanga unique is not only the delicious flavors of its cuisine, but also the centuries-old culinary traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. Kapampangan food reflects the history, creativity, and resilience of its people. Influences from Spanish, Chinese, Malay, and indigenous traditions have melded together, creating a cuisine that is unmistakably Filipino, and proudly Kapampangan," Villar said in his sponsorship speech. Villar said the bill does not seek exclusivity of any culinary-related title of other provinces, as it only highlighted the contribution of Pampanga to the culinary history of the Philippines.
In a statement on Sunday, the Consulate confirmed that two individuals have been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with the incident. The Consulate assured that it will stay in close contact with local authorities and provide necessary assistance to the 20-year-old's grieving family.

Sharing a post on X, the Consulate General of India in Vancouver wrote, "We are deeply saddened by the tragic death of Indian national Shri Harshandeep Singh who was shot dead in Edmonton on 6 December."

"2 arrested and charged with first-degree murder. We will remain in close contact with authorities & provide required assistance to the bereaved family," the post added.

Notably, two individuals, Evan Rain and Judith Saulteaux, both aged 30, were arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection Singh's killing on Friday at an apartment complex in central Edmonton, according to a report by Toronto Sun.

Singh was rushed to the hospital by paramedics but later succumbed to his injuries.

Authorities stated a weapon was also recovered from the accused during the arrest.

"The Edmonton Police Service (EPS) doesn't typically release the name of a deceased individual unless the death has been confirmed to be a homicide. However, in this instance, we are releasing his name for an investigative purpose and in an effort to alleviate public safety concerns in relation to Mr. Singh's unfortunate death," said EPS homicide Staff Sgt. Rob Bilawey in a Saturday news release, Toronto Sun reported. (ANI)
This visit marks the first official engagement between the two countries following the formation of the interim government under Muhammad Yunus in Bangladesh.

The discussions are expected to cover a broad range of issues between the two nations, including recent reports of increased violence against minorities and the arrest of spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das.

The Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) mechanism between India and Bangladesh is also on the agenda, providing a platform for the foreign secretaries to address bilateral concerns.

On December 4, Press Secretary to the Chief Advisor of Bangladesh's interim government, Shafiqul Alam, confirmed that the foreign secretaries would meet to discuss mutual interests.

This meeting follows the September meeting between Bangladesh Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain and Indian External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar at the United Nations General Assembly in New York, where the two sides pledged to maintain a "good working relationship" and agreed to continue holding FOC meetings.

Meanwhile, reports of attacks on minority groups persist in Bangladesh. On December 6, another Hindu temple, the Mahabhagya Lakshminarayan Mandir in Dhor village on the outskirts of Dhaka, was allegedly set on fire. The temple's supervisor, Babul Ghosh, filed a complaint against unknown individuals for the destruction of his ancestral temple.

Ghosh stated that the attackers poured petrol on the idols and fled upon hearing his footsteps, suggesting that the assault had ulterior motives beyond vandalism.

Spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das remains in custody on charges of sedition following his arrest on November 25. The Ministry of External Affairs has urged the Bangladesh interim government to ensure his trial is fair and that his legal rights are respected. A Bangladesh court has scheduled January 2, 2025, for the next hearing in his case. (ANI)
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) said that 10 Chinese military aircraft, seven naval vessels, and three official ships were detected operating near Taiwan until 6 am (local time). Of the 10 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft, six aircraft crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's southwestern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ), according to Taiwan's MND. In response to China's action, Taiwan sent aircraft and naval ships and deployed coastal-based missile systems to monitor Beijing's activity. In a post on X, Taiwan's MND stated, "10 PLA aircraft, 7 PLAN vessels and 3 official ships operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 6 of the aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded accordingly." This incident follows a recent pattern of escalated manoeuvres by China around Taiwan, raising concerns over regional stability as Beijing continues to assert its claims over the island. Taiwan has been governed independently since 1949. However, China considers Taiwan part of its territory and insists on eventual reunification, by force if necessary. Earlier on December 3, Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticised China's interference in the diplomatic relations of other democratic countries, calling it "regrettable" that Beijing fails to understand normal diplomatic behaviours between democratic countries and frequently takes "provocative actions," Taipei Times reported. Taiwanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement came after China criticised Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's phone call with US Representative Nancy Pelosi during his visit to Hawaii and also expressed its disapproval of the US decision to sell USD 387 million worth of arms to Taiwan.This announcement came just before President Lai embarked on a 7-day trip to visit Taiwan's allies in the Pacific, as per Taipei Times. "It is regrettable that the Chinese government does not understand normal diplomatic behaviours between democratic countries, thus frequently takes provocative actions," the Taiwan's ministry said, as it urged Beijing to "be rational and have self-constraint." According to Taipei Times, Pelosi in the phone call told Lai the "US Congress shows bipartisan support for Taiwan", the ministry said, adding that she also mentioned her support for Taiwan's participation in international organisations. In response, Taiwan's government thanked the US for standing by its commitment to Taiwan's security based on the Taiwan Relations Act and the "six assurances." (ANI)
Israel sent forces into the 235 sq km buffer zone to prevent Syrian rebels from approaching the border as the regime of Bashar Assad collapsed on Sunday.

The move into the demilitarized zone was coordinated with peacekeepers from the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force, which has been monitoring an Israeli-Syrian ceasefire since 1974.

The Israeli Air Forces also struck military airfields, weapons depots and munitions factories across southern Syria and around Damascus to prevent them from falling into rebel hands. Targets included the Mezzeh and Khalkhalah military airports in the Damascus area, which were used by the Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corops and Hezbollah.

The strikes also reportedly destroyed a facilities producing chemical weapons and precision missiles.

While Israeli forces have briefly entered the buffer zone, the move marked the first time since its establishment that the IDF set up positions there. The 1974 ceasefire ended the Yom Kippur War. The army said on Sunday that the deployment was not intended to be permanent. (ANI/TPS)
Former Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng of Taiwan's Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT) unveiled a new cross-strait narrative on Tuesday, suggesting that Taiwan and China should adopt a model of "separate governance without division," reported the Taipei Times. This new approach challenges the existing frameworks and calls for a cooperative relationship based on shared sovereignty, Taipei Times reported. At the launch of the "Middle Way Peace Alliance," a cross-strait think tank, Wang emphasised that Taiwan and China should not be seen as subordinate to each other. "The two sides of the Taiwan Strait are not subordinate to each other in terms of governance but share sovereignty without division," he stated. Wang explained that this proposal takes into account the current political realities, where Taiwan and China are governed separately, yet still recognise the importance of maintaining peaceful relations. Wang's proposal advocates for a pragmatic approach to cross-strait relations, one that acknowledges both historical context and current developments. He emphasised that both sides should prioritise the safety and well-being of their people while respecting each other's political systems and ways of life. This approach, he argued, could offer a path toward dialogue and understanding amidst the growing tensions between the two sides, reported Taipei Times. It remains unclear whether Wang's new proposal is intended to replace the KMT's longstanding "1992 consensus," a tacit agreement that both Taiwan and China acknowledge there is "one China," with each side having its own interpretation of what "China" means. Taiwan's ruling Democratic Progressive Party has long rejected this consensus. Wang also acknowledged the increasing uncertainty in cross-strait relations, noting that what once seemed like a promising path to peace has now become a source of concern, Taipei Times reported. He attributed this shift to global changes, ideological constraints, and the stagnation of cross-strait exchanges. Wang believes his proposal could help reinitiate dialogue and reduce misunderstandings that have worsened tensions in recent years. (ANI)
Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has expressed gratitude to Paraguay for expelling Xu Wei, a senior People's Republic of China (PRC) envoy, following his call for the South American country to sever diplomatic ties with Taipei in favour of Beijing, Taipei Times reported. The expulsion underscores Paraguay's commitment to maintaining its 67-year-long relationship with Taiwan. Paraguay's government on Thursday revoked Xu's visa and declared him persona non grata, giving him 24 hours to leave the country. The decision was prompted by Xu's remarks at Paraguay's Congress, where he urged the nation to abandon Taiwan diplomatically. Paraguay's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Xu's actions constituted interference in its internal affairs. The envoy had been in Paraguay for an annual UNESCO meeting but reportedly bypassed the event to deliver his controversial statement, accompanied by two China-friendly lawmakers. MOFA on Friday lauded Paraguay's firm stance, calling it a move to uphold sovereignty and strengthen bilateral ties. "Paraguay has demonstrated its commitment to safeguarding its partnership with Taiwan despite persistent pressure from China," MOFA stated. The ministry also criticised Beijing for exploiting international platforms like UNESCO to advance its agenda, urging the global community to recognise such actions as undermining the international rules-based order, reported Taipei Times. China, however, responded with disapproval. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Lin Jian described Paraguay's actions as "unfounded and unjustified accusations" against Xu. Lin reiterated Beijing's stance that Taiwan is an inseparable part of the PRC's territory, a position central to its diplomatic disputes with Taiwan and its allies. Paraguay remains the sole South American nation and one of just 12 countries globally to formally recognise the Republic of China, Taiwan's official name. President Santiago Pena's administration, which began last year, has repeatedly reaffirmed its loyalty to Taipei, resisting Beijing's attempts to sway formal allies away from Taiwan. Separately, Taiwan and Paraguay continue to strengthen their partnership. On Saturday, Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung joined Paraguayan Ambassador Carlos Jose Fleitas and Master Transportation Bus Manufacturing chairman Wu Ting-fa to oversee the shipment of 30 electric buses from Taipei Port to Paraguay, Taipei Times reported. The shipment marks a step toward Paraguay's green initiatives, bolstered by Taiwan's technological contributions. The project, proposed by Pena and formalised through a memorandum of understanding during his May visit to Taiwan, includes a commitment by Master Transportation to invest USD 30 million in an electric bus manufacturing plant in Paraguay. The buses are expected to arrive by late February, symbolising a milestone in Taiwan's sustainable development and bilateral cooperation efforts. (ANI)
First on Misri's agenda was the Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) between him and his counterpart Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Jashim Uddin which was held at the State guest house Padma.

Key issues on the agenda include trade, visa policies, connectivity, border killings, water-sharing, and other matters of mutual interest, Daily Star Bangladesh reported. Misri is expected to brief the media later in the day.

This visit marks the first high-level engagement between the two nations since the interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, assumed office in Bangladesh. The discussions aim to address a broad range of issues, including recent incidents of violence against minorities, and the arrest of spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das.

Earlier On December 4, Shafiqul Alam, the Press Secretary to Bangladesh's Chief Adviser, confirmed that these meetings would focus on areas of mutual interest.

In September, Bangladesh's Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain had met Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. Both sides had agreed to maintain a "good working relationship" and continue regular FOC meetings to advance bilateral cooperation.

Meanwhile, escalating violence against minority groups remains a pressing concern. On December 6, the Mahabhagya Lakshminarayan Mandir, a Hindu temple in Dhor village near Dhaka, was allegedly set on fire. Babul Ghosh, the temple's supervisor, filed a complaint against unidentified attackers, alleging that petrol was poured on the idols before the assailants fled. He further claimed that the attack likely had ulterior motives beyond vandalism.

Spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, arrested on sedition charges on November 25, remains in custody. India's Ministry of External Affairs has urged the Bangladesh government to ensure that his legal rights are protected and that his trial is conducted transparently. The next hearing in his case is set for January 2, 2025.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri will also meet with Foreign Adviser Touhid Hossain and Chief Adviser of Bangladesh's interim government Muhammad Yunus later in the day. (ANI)
Assyrian Patriarch Calls for Prayers for Syria

Patriarch Ignatius Aphrem II. Kochi -- Patriarch of Antioch and the head of the Syriac Orthodox Church, Ignatius Aphrem II, who is on an apostolic visit to Kerala, urged the faithful to pray for Syria. Addressing the faithful on the 40th memorial day of Catholicos Baselios Thomas I, the patriarch said he would cut short his visit and return to Damascus on Tuesday morning due to the crisis in Syria.

"I was planning to spend a few days of pilgrimage here next to the tomb of Mor Ignatius Eliyas III for some meditation. However, because of what is happening in Syria, I must go back tomorrow to try to be with our people at the patriarchate in Damascus as soon as I can," the patriarch said.

He urged the faithful to pray for Syria and all its citizens, and for Lebanon, Iraq, and the whole region, which is going through difficulties and uncertainties. "Pray for them that they may be confirmed in their faith and relent and be safe. Pray that the situation may become better and people live together in peace and in harmony," he said.

At the commemoration meet, the patriarch said the late Catholicos was a great prelate who tirelessly worked day and night to rescue the Jacobite Syrian Church from crises. He added that he would like to greet the Indian people and their leaders, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi, for continuing to support people and followers of all religions to live peacefully and freely.

"We know there are some incidents here and there against people of different religions. But we know that this is not the policy of the govt. We always call for tolerance and forgiveness. We are convinced that the govt of India would do whatever they can to diffuse such incidents and promote the spirit of tolerance and acceptance," he said.

The patriarch also appreciated the words of the chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan during the funeral of the Catholicos, where he repeated his promise to help the church in Kerala.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has said that it is monitoring the situation in Syria and underlined the need for all parties to work towards preserving the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of the nation. In a statement, MEA called for a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political process respecting the interests and aspirations of all sections of Syrian society. "We are monitoring the situation in Syria in the light of on-going developments. We underline the need for all parties to work towards preserving the unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Syria. We advocate a peaceful and inclusive Syrian-led political process respecting the interests and aspirations of all sections of Syrian society" the MEA staement read. Ministry of External Affairs stated that India's Embassy in Damascus is in contact with the Indian community for their safety and security. The situation in Syria remains a focal point for all the other nations after Syrian rebels on Sunday entered Damascus, forcing President Bashar al-Assad to flee from the country, ending his over two-decade rule in the country. Russia has granted asylum to Bashar al-Assad and his family, TASS reported citing a Kremlin source. The source confirmed that Assad and his family have arrived in Moscow and Russia has granted asylum for them, being driven by "humanitarian considerations." Earlier on Sunday, the rebels claimed to have captured Syria's third-largest city, Homs, to the north of the country. "The tyrant Bashar al-Assad has fled," the armed opposition said in a statement. The rebels even announced that they have entered the capital and taken control of the notorious Saydnaya Military Prison north of Damascus, CNN reported. The report further cited the Military Operations Command's post on Telegram which read, "We declare the city of Damascus free from the tyrant Bashar al-Assad." "To the displaced all over the world, a free Syria awaits you," the statement added. On December 6, the Indian government issued a travel advisory for Syria, strongly advising Indian nationals to avoid all travel to the country until further notice. "In view of the situation prevailing in Syria, Indian nationals are advised to avoid all travel to Syria, until further notification," the Ministry of External Affairs stated. "Indians currently in Syria are requested to remain in touch with Indian Embassy in Damascus at their emergency helpline number (also on WhatsApp) and email ID hoc.damascus@mea.gov.in for updates. Those who can, are advised to leave by the earliest available commercial flights and others are requested to observe utmost precaution about their safety and restrict their movements to the minimum," it added. The civil war in the country that had remained dormant for a few years has resurfaced and within a span of a few weeks, the Syrian rebel groups have taken over several key cities like Aleppo, Homs and Daraa. (ANI)
South Korean authorities have announced an overseas travel ban on President Yoon Suk Yeol as prosecutors deliberate possible insurrection charges over his attempt to implement martial law last week, CNN reported. The Corruption Investigation Office on Monday confirmed the overseas travel ban on Yoon Suk Yeol. Notably, South Korean President survived an impeachment vote in an opposition-led parliament on Saturday. However, his political survival now hangs in tatters. Yoon's party People Power Party (PPP), previously, announced they will seek his resignation and called for suspending the president from duties to protect South Korea from "grave danger," CNN reported. People of South Korea watched in shock when Yoon imposed martial law in a televised announcement on Tuesday last week. After his announcement, protesters gathered outside to demand resignation of South Korea President. Lawmakers forced their way past troops deployed outside the National Assembly building and unanimously voted to block the decree, which the president was legally bound to obey. The military emergency though lasted for six hours caused widespread anger in South Korea. On Saturday, Yoon apologized to the nation in his first public statement since his attempt to declare martial law, acknowledging that he "caused anxiety and inconvenience" to people of South Korea. In a two-minute address, he said, "This emergency martial law declaration stemmed from my desperation as the ultimate responsible party for state affairs." The police's decision to impose overseas travel ban on Yoon Suk Yeol comes as a commander of South Korea's special forces apologised for ordering his troops to storm parliament last week after the imposition of martial law. While addressing a briefing on Monday, Col. Kim Hyun-tae, commander of South Korea's 707 Special Task Force, called himself an "incompetent and irresponsible commander" when he ordered his troops to storm the National Assembly during Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law. "I ordered the deployment to the National Assembly. As the on-site commander for the 197 troops involved, I was the first to arrive by a helicopter. I instructed them to seal the building, engage in physical confrontations at the front and rear gates, break windows, and enter the premises," CNN quoted Kim as saying. "If such orders had been given in combat, everyone would have died," he added. He called these troops "the most tragic victims of this situation." He said, "These troops are the most tragic victims of this situation. They are not guilty. Their only fault lies in following the orders of an incompetent commander. Please forgive them." He also blamed South Korea's former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun for "exploiting" soldiers during the chaotic night. Kim requested for understanding and forgiveness for his soldiers, who he said were just obeying his orders, according to CNN report. He said, "Right now, my troops are suffering immensely, and their families - wives and children - are watching this unfold in agony." He announced that he would accept full responsibility for his actions and face any legal consequences. South Korea's national police have been investigating former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun and other top officials for alleged treason. Presecutors on Sunday detained Kim Yong-hyun. (ANI)
Taiwan's military launched war-preparedness drills on Monday following reports that Chinese warships and coast guard vessels had entered the Taiwan Strait and the Western Pacific for extended missions. The Ministry of National Defence (MND) issued a statement confirming the manoeuvres, noting that the People's Liberation Army (PLA) had designated seven areas east of Zhejiang and Fujian provinces as temporary airspace reservations until Wednesday. These areas are typically designated for exclusive use during specific periods. In response to the PLA's activities, the MND initiated war-preparedness drills at strategic locations across the island and is closely coordinating with the Coast Guard Administration to implement appropriate countermeasures. Security officials, citing both local and international sources, have suggested that China's military actions may be in response to US stopovers during President Lai Ching's recent tour of Taiwan's South Pacific allies. https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1866007199094579431 Taiwan-China issue is a complex and longstanding geopolitical conflict centred on Taiwan's sovereignty. Taiwan, officially known as the Republic of China (ROC), operates its own government, military, and economy, functioning as a de facto independent state. However, China considers Taiwan a breakaway province and insists on the "One China" policy, which asserts that there is only one China, with Beijing as its capital. This has fuelled decades of tension, especially since the Chinese Civil War (1945-1949), when the ROC government retreated to Taiwan after the Communist Party, led by Mao Zedong, took control of mainland China. Beijing has consistently expressed its goal of reunification with Taiwan, using diplomatic, economic, and military pressure to isolate Taiwan internationally. Meanwhile, Taiwan, supported by a significant portion of its population, continues to maintain its independence. Although the US and many other countries do not officially recognise Taiwan as a separate state, adhering to the One China policy to maintain relations with Beijing, Taiwan has maintained informal ties with numerous countries and receives arms support from the US to bolster its defence. Recently, tensions have risen due to increasing Chinese military activity near Taiwan and concerns over Taiwan's growing international support, especially amid China's broader ambitions in the Asia-Pacific region. This ongoing issue remains one of the most sensitive and potentially destabilising conflicts in international relations, with significant implications for both regional and global security. (ANI)
Dubai [UAE], December 9 (ANI/WAM): The Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications Office in the UAE government today announced a partnership with UiPath, a leading enterprise automation and AI company, to advance Agentic Automation - a transformative approach to automation powered by AI. This collaboration will focus on developing AI-powered automation solutions across government entities while equipping UAE talent with critical AI skills. The Memorandum of Understanding, aligned with the UAE National Strategy for AI and supporting the UAE's vision to become a global leader in AI by 2031, was signed by Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications, and Daniel Dines, Founder and CEO of UiPath, along with the UiPath team Abdulrahman Al Mahmoud, Director at the Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy, and Remote Work Applications Office, emphasised that the UAE government is committed to fostering partnerships with entrepreneurs and private sector companies specialising in advanced technology fields to achieve the objectives of the UAE National Strategy for AI. Al Mahmoud added that AI-powered automation will provide the necessary enablers to leverage AI applications in enhancing government services. He noted that these partnerships will support efforts to build government workforce capabilities and prepare them for AI-dependent roles. "The UAE has been fast in recognising and harnessing the tremendous potential unlocked by the AI revolution. We're excited to enhance the UAE's journey on its mission to infuse AI-powered automation into its operations and empower government sector employees and graduates with valuable AI skills. In doing so, it's furthering its ambitious vision to become a leading nation in AI and create new economic, educational, and social opportunities for its citizens and businesses," said Zakaria Haltout, Area Vice President Middle East and Africa at UiPath. As part of this collaboration, UiPath will support the creation of an automation and AI training programme for up to 100 government employees or students. Additionally, UiPath will enable the upskilling of participants in Coders HQ, one of the National Programme for Coders Initiatives. Coders who enroll in the training programme will acquire critical automation and AI skills using the UiPath Business Automation Platform. The AI and automation training framework, enabled by the UiPath Academy, will provide participants with the opportunity to obtain UiPath Certified credentials. Moreover, UiPath and the Office will jointly develop a programme vision and a roadmap to enable government-backed companies and startups to leverage AI and automation technologies. The partnership will see both sides explore opportunities to increase operational efficiency and enhance society's experience by embedding AI into public-facing services. As part of this, the two parties will collaborate to set up a number of pilot projects exploring the capabilities of the UiPath Business Automation Platform. The collaboration framework will also include UiPath-led workshops designed to increase awareness on the benefits of AI-powered automation. (ANI/WAM)
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held a meeting with Bangladesh's Foreign Affairs Advisor Md Touhid Hossain in Dhaka on Monday. Misri arrived in Dhaka on Monday to hold discussions with senior officials of Bangladesh's interim government. After arrival, Vikram Misri and his Bangladesh's counterpart Jashim Uddin held delegation-level talks at the State guest house Padma. Key issues on the agenda include trade, visa policies, connectivity, border killings, water-sharing, and other matters of mutual interest, Daily Star Bangladesh reported. This visit marks the first high-level engagement between the two nations since the interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, assumed office in Bangladesh. The discussions aim to address a broad range of issues, including recent incidents of violence against minorities, and the arrest of spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das. Earlier on December 4, Shafiqul Alam, the Press Secretary to Bangladesh's Chief Advisor, confirmed that these meetings would focus on areas of mutual interest. "We were looking forward to the meeting of the visit of the Indian Foreign Secretary, the both Foreign Secretaries are going to talk issues of mutual interest and we hope these meetings are going to help deepen ties between the two neighbours," Alam said while speaking to ANI. Being asked about the ties with India, he said, "We think that our relations with India remain okay and we are trying to better our relationship. Both countries are trying to deepen our relationship and we hope in the coming days and coming months the relations will be much better." Meanwhile, escalating violence against minority groups remains a pressing concern. On December 6, the Mahabhagya Lakshminarayan Mandir, a Hindu temple in Dhor village near Dhaka, was allegedly set on fire. Babul Ghosh, the temple's supervisor, filed a complaint against unidentified attackers, alleging that petrol was poured on the idols before the assailants fled. He further claimed that the attack likely had ulterior motives beyond vandalism. Spiritual leader Chinmoy Krishna Das, who was arrested on sedition charges on November 25, remains in custody. Ministry of External Affairs has urged the Bangladesh government to ensure that his legal rights are protected and that his trial is conducted transparently. The next hearing in his case is set for January 2, 2025. In September, Bangladesh's Foreign Adviser Md Touhid Hossain had met Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The two sides had agreed to maintain a "good working relationship" and continue regular Foreign Office Consultation meetings to advance bilateral cooperation. (ANI)
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the Commissioning Ceremony of INS Tushil at Russia's Kaliningrad on Monday. In a post on X, Defence Minister's Office stated, "Raksha Mantri Shri @rajnathsingh attending the Commissioning Ceremony of #INSTushil at Kaliningrad, Russia." https://x.com/DefenceMinIndia/status/1866081280418361409 INS Tushil is an upgraded Krivak III class frigates of the Project 1135.6, of which six are already in service - three Talwar class ships, built at Baltisky shipyard, St Petersburg, and three follow-on Teg class ships, built at Yantar shipyard, Kaliningrad, according to Ministry of Defence's earlier press release. INS Tushil, the seventh in the series, is the first of the two upgraded additional follow-on ships the contract for which was signed in Oct 2016 between JSC Rosoboronexport, Indian Navy and the Government of India, as per the release. The ships construction was closely monitored by an Indian team of specialists from the Warship Overseeing Team stationed at Kaliningrad, under the aegis of the Indian Embassy in Moscow. "The warship is the result of the continuous toil of hundreds of shipyard workers along with multiple Russian and Indian OEMs," the Ministry of Defence stated in an earlier press release. The ship post construction and readiness underwent a series of extensive trials, beginning January this year, including Factory Sea Trials, State Committee Trials and lastly Delivery Acceptance Trials by a team of Indian specialists. These trials included the proving of all Russian equipment fitted onboard, including weapon firings. During the trials, the ship clocked an impressive speed of more than 30 knots. With these trials being successfully completed, the ship would reach India in a near combat-ready condition ready to deliver its effects from the word go. According to the Ministry of Defence, the ship's name, Tushil, means 'the protector shield' and its crest represents the 'Abhedya Kavacham' (impenetrable shield). Along with its motto, 'Nirbhay, Abhedya aur Balsheel' (Fearless, Indomitable, Resolute), the ship stands as a symbol of the Indian Navy's undying commitment to protect and safeguard the nation's maritime frontiers. This 125 metre, 3900-ton ship, packs a lethal punch and is an impressive blend of Russian and Indian cutting edge technologies and best practices in warship construction. The ship's new design provides it with enhanced stealth features and better stability characteristics. With the collaboration of Indian naval specialists and Severnoye Design Bureau, the indigenous content of the ship has been enhanced to an impressive 26 per cent and the number of made-in-India systems have more than doubled to 33. The major Indian OEMs involved were BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited, Bharat Electronics Limited, Keltron, Nova Integrated Systems from Tata, Elcome Marine, Johnson Controls India and many more." "Upon commissioning, INS Tushil will join the 'Sword Arm' of the Indian Navy, the Western Fleet, under the Western Naval Command and will rank amongst the most technologically advanced frigates in the world. It will not only be a symbol of Indian Navy's growing capabilities, but also the resilient collaborative strength of the India-Russia partnership," the Ministry of Defence added. Rajnath Singh arrived in Moscow on Sunday night. He received a warm welcome on late Sunday night by Indian Ambassador to Russia, Venkatesh Kumar, and Russian Deputy Minister of Defence, Alexander Fomin. During his visit, Singh will also pay tributes at 'The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier' in Moscow to honour the Soviet soldiers killed during the Second World War. He will also interact with the members of the Indian community, a release said. Singh is set to hold crucial discussions with Russian President Vladimir Putin and co-chair the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military-Technical Cooperation (IRIGC M&MTC) alongside Russian Defence Minister Andrei Belousov. This visit aims to further deepen India- Russia defence cooperation in line with the Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership, the Embassy of India in Russia wrote on X. (ANI)
India desires positive, constructive, and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said on Monday and noted that the relationship is people-centric that has the benefit of people as its key motivational force. The Foreign Secretary, who visited Bangladesh, told reporters in Dhaka that he had frank, candid, and constructive exchange of views with his interlocutors in the neighbouring country. Misri said he discussed the entire gamut of issues in the "extremely important bilateral relationship". "Today's discussions have given both of us the opportunity to take stock of our relations, and I appreciate the opportunity today to have had a frank, candid, and constructive exchange of views with all my interlocutors. I emphasized that India desires a positive, constructive, and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh. We have always seen in the past, and we continue to see in the future, this relationship as a people-centric and people-oriented relationship, one that has the benefit of all the people as its central motivational force," he said. "This is reflected on a daily basis in the development projects that have been executed on the ground in Bangladesh and that continue to be developed. It is also reflected in the mutually beneficial engagement we have on a whole set of issues ranging from trade, commerce, connectivity, power, water, and energy, and development cooperation, consular cooperation, and cultural cooperation," he added. The Foreign Secretary said there is no reason why the "mutually beneficial cooperation" should not continue to deliver in the interests of both our peoples. Misri said he is in Dhaka at the invitation of his Bangladesh counterpart Mohammad Jashimuddin "for discussions and consultations on the entire gamut of issues in the extremely important bilateral relationship" between the two countries. He said snce the political changes in Bangladesh in August this year, there has of course been contact between our leaderships and noted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was the first world leader to greet the Chief Advisor on his assumption of office. "The two of them had a very cordial telephone conversation thereafter, and the Chief Advisor also accepted the Prime Minister's invitation to speak at the third Voice of the Global South Summit that was held in August this year," he said. "Since then, the External Affairs Minister and the Foreign Affairs Advisor have also been in touch. They met each other on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York in September this year, and my visit follows those interactions and is the first Foreign Secretary-level structured engagement between the two sides following those developments," he added. The Foreign Secretary have underlined India's desire to work closely with the Interim Government of Bangladesh. He also raised the issue of attacks on minorities, including Hindus, with Bangladesh leaders and officials. "We also had the opportunity to discuss certain recent developments and issues, and I conveyed our concerns, including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities. We also discussed some regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious, and diplomatic properties," he said. "A constructive approach on all these issues by the Bangladesh authorities, and we look forward to moving the relationship forward in a positive, forward-looking, and constructive direction," he added. Misri visited the neighbouring county to participate in the Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) led by him and Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Jashimuddin which were held at the State guest house Padma. Misri earlier in the day met with Foreign Affairs Advisor Md. Touhid Hossain of Bangladesh. This is the first high-level visit from India to Bangladesh since Shiekh Hasina was deposed as Prime Minister in August this year and since the interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, assumed office. There have been multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. There also have been cases of arson and looting of minorities' homes and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples. Arrest of priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in Chittagong on October 25 led to protests. India had on November 26 noted with 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," Ministry of External Affairs had said in a statement. "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," the statement added. India had urged Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression. (ANI)
Additionally, the DG DIA will participate in a think tank interaction hosted by the Institute of International Relations to provide an opportunity to engage with experts on critical defence and strategic issues. He will also interact with the Ambassador of India to Greece, Rudrendra Tandon, to discuss India's defence ties.

The visit will feature discussions focused on the exchange of information & insights aimed at addressing shared security challenges and strengthening mutual understanding. This visit underscores India's commitment to fostering deeper defence ties with Greece and highlights the importance of strategic partnership in addressing contemporary security concerns.

Earlier in September, Chief of Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi held a meeting with Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff General Dimitrios Choupis of Greece at the Salamis Naval Base and discussed strengthening strategic and operational ties, enhancing bilateral military cooperation, and tackling evolving maritime challenges.The two officials held discussions over avenues for cross-training in niche technologies and advanced courses.

During his Greece visit, Admiral Dinesh K Tripathi also interacted with Vice Admiral Polychronis Koulouris. The two officials discussed enhancing operational interactions and interoperability.

Notably, India's warm and friendly relationship with Greece has been marked by consistent support to each other on issues of core national interest, like Kashmir and Cyprus, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.

Greece also supports India's quest for a permanent seat in an expanded United Nations Security Council. (ANI)
Abhay Kumar is an Indian Foreign Service Officer of 2003 batch.

"Abhay Kumar (IFS: 2003), presently Deputy Director General, Indian Council for Cultural Relations, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Georgia," the MEA said in a statement.

The MEA added that he is expected to take up the assignment shortly.

India recognized Georgia"s independence on 26 December 1991 and established formal diplomatic relations on 28 September 1992. The resident Indian Embassy in Tbilisi was operationalized from July 29, 2024. The Ambassador to Armenia (with residence in Yerevan, Armenia) is still concurrently accredited to Georgia, according to MEA.

The Georgian side had first set up its Honorary Consulate in Delhi in 2005 which was upgraded to a full-fledged Embassy subsequently in 2009. The first Resident Georgian Ambassador arrived in New Delhi on 25 February 2010. (ANI)
Islamist Rebels Threat to Syria's Remaining Christians

Christians in Syria face uncertainty about their rights and freedoms after Islamist rebel forces conquered Aleppo, Homs, and Damascus. Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and U.K., took control over Aleppo last week, followed by Homs and Damascus late Saturday night. The hostile takeover prompted Bashar al-Assad to resign as Syria's president and take a flight out of the country to Russia Saturday night.

Although many Christians have fled, one watchdog group is warning that the remaining believers in Syria "now face an uncertain and perilous future."

"The coming days and weeks will be crucial for the fate of [the] Christian community," said Jeff King, president of International Christian Concern, in a statement shared with The Christian Post. "Christians, with roots stretching back nearly two millennia, now face an uncertain and perilous future."

According to the Catholic News Agency, additional hardships include curfews imposed by the militant group, bread shortages, and water. Meanwhile, a key highway between Damascus and Aleppo has also been blocked, leaving residents with an alternative route that is congested and dangerous.

Dr. Arwant Arslanian, a Christian physician, was reportedly killed by a sniper after attempting to flee the city, according to the Facebook page of Armenians of Syria.

Concurrently, young believers found refuge at the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese after their bus was stranded on the Aleppo Road.

Christian leaders, including Syriac Orthodox Metropolitan Bishop Mor Boutros Kassis, have been in contact with Christian leaders on social media, providing prayers, liturgies, and encouragement in light of the uncertainty they currently face.

"The Church knows no more than the people do." It's up to individuals and families to decide if they want to stay or leave Aleppo, Franciscan Father Bahjat Karakach, representing the Latin Church, said. "No one can make it on behalf of another. We friars are staying and waiting to see how things unfold."

Despite the takeover, HTS, an offshoot of al-Qaeda, assured that they will protect civilians, including Christians, Al-Monitor reported.

"Aleppo has always been a meeting point for civilizations and cultures, and it will remain so, with a long history of cultural and religious diversity," HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Jolani said during a visit to Aleppo's citadel.

The number of Christians in Syria has dwindled from hundreds of thousands prior to the country's conflict in Syria in 2011 to an estimated 30,000.

The Switzerland-based group Christian Solidarity International (CSI) has expressed doubt about the militant group's pledge to protect Christians, stating, "HTS ideology and history give religious minorities in Aleppo serious reason to doubt these promises."

CSI also noted that HTS has previously targeted Christians across Syria, including violent attacks, kidnappings, confiscating Christian properties, and even killing Christian civilians.

"In the Salafist worldview that animates HTS, Christians are not heretics to be destroyed (like the Alawites and the Druzes), but 'people of the Book' -- followers of religions that were revealed before the coming of the [Islamic] prophet Muhammad. In lands ruled by Islam, they should be made dhimmis -- a protected people who are kept in legal subjugation and pay an additional tax called the jizya," CSI continued.

"Until now, HTS has avoided imposing dhimmi status on Christians in Idlib by referring to them as musta'min or temporary residents. But how long will HTS maintain this distinction?"
The former Deputy Secretary of Central and Western Africa, Om Prakash Meena, has been appointed as the next Ambassador of India to Burkina Faso, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday. In a statement, the MEA announced his appointment as the next ambassador and stated that he was expected to take up the assignment shortly. India and Burkina Faso share cordial bilateral relations. As a small country, Burkina Faso looks positively at our friendship and treatment as an important friend. The Embassy of Burkina Faso was opened in New Delhi in 1996 and elevated to the level of ambassador in 2011. India maintained its embassy in Ouagadougou from November 1996 until its closure in July 2002. In view of the cordial relations, India reopened its embassy in March 2019 with the posting of an ambassador. Bilateral cooperation began in March 1976 when an official delegation led by Burkina Faso's Commerce and Industry Minister visited India and signed a protocol on economic and technical cooperation. Since then, there have been several high-level visits from Burkina Faso to India. Burkina Faso participated in the India-Africa Partnership Conclave in New Delhi in March 2008. It was the partner country in the CII Conclave held in March 2009 in New Delhi. Bilateral trade between India and Burkina Faso had shown steady growth from 2015-16 to 2021-22 (peaking in 2018-19), with the balance of trade favouring Burkina Faso (ref: table below). The complement of goods imported by India included gold, cashew nuts, and soya beans, while those exported by India comprised pharmaceutical products, goods vehicles and parts, motorcycles and parts, machinery, mechanical appliances, rubber, cotton fabric, among others. Bilateral relations got a boost in May-June 1993 when President Blaise Compaore visited India. During this visit, both countries decided to establish the Joint Commission to foster cooperation between the two countries. The Joint Commission on economic, cultural, political, and technical cooperation was established after an agreement was signed in October 1994. The Indian community in Burkina Faso is estimated to be around 500. Some of them are engaged in manufacturing, trading, and business while the rest are their employees. (ANI)
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Monday stated that India is keen to work closely with the authorities of the Interim Government of Bangladesh under the Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus, addressing concerns related to the safety and welfare of minorities, including Hindus, in Bangladesh. While addressing a press conference after his meeting with Bangladesh Foreign Adviser Md. Touhid Hossain in Dhaka, Misri referred to recent incidents involving attacks on cultural, religious, and diplomatic properties and called for a constructive approach by the Bangladesh authorities to address these issues and ensure the safety and security of all communities. "I have underlined today India's desire to work closely with the Interim Government of Bangladesh authorities. At the same time, we also had the opportunity to discuss certain recent developments and issues, and I conveyed our concerns, including those related to the safety and welfare of minorities. We also discussed some regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious, and diplomatic properties," he said. The Foreign Secretary noted that India and Bangladesh have long shared a people-centred relationship, driven by collaboration in areas such as trade, commerce, connectivity, power, water, and energy, and mentioned the wide-ranging areas of engagement between the two countries, including development cooperation, consular services, and cultural exchanges. "I emphasised that India desires a positive, constructive, and mutually beneficial relationship with Bangladesh. We have always seen in the past, and we continue to see in the future, this relationship as a people-centric and people-orientated relationship, one that has the benefit of all the people as its central motivational force," Misri said. "This is reflected on a daily basis in the development projects that have been executed on the ground in Bangladesh and that continue to be developed. It is also reflected in the mutually beneficial engagement we have on a whole set of issues ranging from trade, commerce, connectivity, power, water, and energy, and development cooperation, consular cooperation, and cultural cooperation," he added. Misri said he was in Dhaka at the invitation of his Bangladesh counterpart Mohammad Jashimuddin "for discussions and consultations on the entire gamut of issues in the extremely important bilateral relationship" between the two countries. Misri visited the neighbouring county to participate in the Foreign Office Consultation (FOC) led by him and Bangladesh Foreign Secretary Jashimuddin, which was held at the State guest house Padma. This is the first high-level visit from India to Bangladesh since Sheikh Hasina was deposed as Prime Minister in August this year and since the interim government, led by Muhammad Yunus, assumed office. (ANI)
Pakistan's internet infrastructure continues to face significant challenges, as it was ranked among the lowest 12 per cent globally for both mobile and broadband internet speeds in October. Data from Ookla's Speedtest Global Index revealed that the country was positioned at 100th out of 111 countries in mobile internet speeds and 141st out of 158 countries in broadband speeds. This ranking highlights ongoing issues with slow internet speeds and connectivity problems experienced by users across Pakistan. Many Pakistanis have faced sluggish internet speeds, difficulty downloading media on platforms like WhatsApp, and intermittent connectivity disruptions. These issues have persisted for several months, contributing to growing frustration among users, as reported by Dawn. In addition to these slow speeds, the country has faced frequent internet disruptions, which have been linked to restrictions on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) used by many Pakistanis to access blocked websites such as X (formerly Twitter). According to data from the World Population Review, which utilises Ookla's Speedtest Global Index and Cable, Pakistan's average download speed stands at 7.85 MBPS. The median mobile download speed is 19.59 MBPS, while the median broadband download speed is 15.52 MBPS. These figures place Pakistan among the lowest in terms of internet speed globally. Earlier reports from May 2023 highlighted Pakistan's internet speed crisis, noting that the country ranked among the lowest in the world for internet speeds. As reported by Dawn, Amnesty International has raised alarms over the lack of transparency surrounding the country's internet slowdowns and the use of surveillance technologies. The rights group expressed concern over the opacity surrounding the blocking of content, slowing down of internet speeds, and surveillance measures employed by the government. Pakistani authorities, however, have consistently denied these allegations, asserting that cybersecurity measures are essential given the country's vulnerability to cyber threats. The Pakistani government has frequently resorted to slowing down internet speeds, imposing restrictions, and banning specific websites or apps, often in the name of national security, maintaining public order, or curbing the spread of harmful content. These actions are typically taken during times of political unrest, protests, or when sensitive events unfold. For instance, social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube have faced temporary bans or restrictions when the government believes they are being used to incite violence, spread misinformation, or challenge authority. (ANI)
The three-day stocktake visit for the India-Australia Comprehensive Economic Cooperation Agreement (CECA) held in the national capital, served as a crucial step in strengthening the trade and strategic partnership between the two nations. During the meeting from December 4-6, the two sides expressed their shared commitment to ensuring that the CECA delivers meaningful benefits and a balanced outcome for both their nations, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry stated in a press release. For the meeting, the Indian delegation was headed by Additional Secretary and Chief Negotiator, Department of Commerce, Rajesh Agrawal, and the Australian delegation was headed by First Assistant Secretary and Chief Negotiator, Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ravi Kewalram. "The stocktake discussions covered several critical areas of the CECA, including trade in goods, services, mobility, agri-tech cooperation, and more. Both sides emphasized their shared commitment to ensuring that the CECA delivers meaningful benefits and a balanced outcome for both countries. The discussions also centered on market access modalities that align with India's food security objectives," the release stated. The visit follows the 10th round of negotiations held in Sydney from August 19-24, 2024, where both sides made significant progress on various aspects of the CECA. The discussions in New Delhi were a continuation of those efforts, and both countries shared a constructive dialogue on issues related to trade, supply chains, and the agricultural sector. The two sides evaluated the progress made so far and outlined a path forward for the early conclusion of the CECA. During the meeting, the two delegations expressed optimism about the future of the CECA and the broader India-Australia economic partnership. The discussions have paved the way for further collaboration, particularly in areas such as agricultural innovation, market access, and supply chain resilience, the press release said. https://x.com/DoC_GoI/status/1865032229719625840 In a press release, Ministry of Commerce and Industry said, "India and Australia are also key partners in regional and global initiatives such as the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) and the Trilateral Supply Chain Resilience Initiative (SCRI). These frameworks are designed to enhance regional cooperation and strengthen the resilience of supply chains in the Indo-Pacific region." "As important partners in the Indo-Pacific region, India and Australia reaffirm their shared commitment to promoting economic growth, agricultural development, and regional prosperity through continued cooperation and dialogue under the CECA framework," it added. (ANI)
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, during his Bangladesh visit, held several high-profile engagements highlighting India's support for Dhaka, while also raising New Delhi's concerns over attacks against religious minorities and their places of worship. FS Misri called on the Chief Adviser of the Interim Government of Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus and the Foreign Affairs Adviser, Md Touhid Hossain. He also held Foreign Office Consultations with the Foreign Secretary of Bangladesh, Jashim Uddin. Notably, there have been multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. There also have been cases of arson and looting of minorities' homes and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples. A Hindu temple was allegedly set on fire in the outskirts of Dhaka. The Mahabhagya Lakshminarayan Mandir, at Dhor village, in North of Dhaka came under attack on late Friday night. Earlier, the arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in Chittagong on October 25 on sedition charges led to heavy protests. Meanwhile, Bangladesh FS Jashim Uddin, during the meeting his with Indian counterpart, reaffirmed that the safety and security of the minorities in Bangladesh, regardless of their faith, religion, or ethnicity, was the "priority" of the interim government. Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary Mohammad Jashim Uddin, on Monday reaffirmed that the safety and security of the minorities in Bangladesh, regardless of their faith, religion, or ethnicity, was the interim government's "priority." He also conveyed Dhaka's concern over the recent incident at the premises of the Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh in Agartala, the Bangladesh Foreign Ministry said in a statement. "Ambassador Jashim Uddin conveyed Bangladesh's concern on recent violent incident on the premises of Assistant High Commission of Bangladesh in Agartala. On the issues of minorities, he emphasized that Bangladesh Government is committed to ensuring the safety and security of the people of Bangladesh, irrespective of their faiths, religions and ethnicities and that it is an internal matter of Bangladesh," the statement read. Misri noted India's strong support for a "democratic, stable, peaceful, progressive, and inclusive" Bangladesh and emphasized India's commitment to building a "positive and constructive relationship" with Bangladesh, based on "mutual trust, respect, and sensitivity to each other's concerns and interests." "Foreign Secretary also discussed certain recent developments and issues and conveyed India's concerns, especially those related to the safety and welfare of minorities. He also raised some regrettable incidents of attacks on cultural, religious, and diplomatic properties," the MEA statement read. During the FOC, both Foreign Secretaries highlighted the importance of expanding collaboration in sectors such as border security, water resources, trade, commerce, and consular matters and discussed regional and multilateral cooperation. The Bangladeshi Foreign Secretary reiterated that Bangladesh seeks a constructive relationship with India based on fairness, mutual respect, and equity and stressed that both countries should focus on advancing a people-centric approach that prioritises the welfare of their citizens. "The FOC provides a crucial platform for engaging in discussions to review various bilateral issues and explore new areas of mutual interest for the benefits of the two countries. The two Foreign Secretaries discussed to enhance cooperation in various important areas including border and security, water sector, trade and commerce, and consular issues. The two sides also discussed on issues related to regional and multilateral cooperation," the statement from Bangladesh's Ministry of Foreign Affairs read. Discussions between the two Foreign Secretaries further covered sub-regional, regional, and multilateral issues, with both sides agreeing to enhance consultations to promote regional integration, particularly under the BIMSTEC framework. Bangladesh's Foreign Secretary also highlighted the need to initiate discussions for the renewal of the 1996 Ganges Water Sharing Treaty, along with the early conclusion of the Teesta water-sharing agreement and other water-sharing accords for common rivers. Jashim Uddin.also emphasised the importance of normalising Indian visa services to enhance people-to-people connectivity. According to MEA, India and Bangladesh, also exchanged views on sub-regional, regional, and multilateral issues and agreed to enhance consultations and cooperation to advance regional integration, including under the BIMSTEC framework "During the Foreign Office Consultations, both sides held comprehensive discussions on a wide range of issues covering political and security matters, border management, trade, commerce and connectivity, cooperation in water, power and energy sectors, development cooperation, consular, cultural, and people-to-people ties. They also exchanged views on sub-regional, regional, and multilateral issues and agreed to enhance consultations and cooperation to advance regional integration, including under the BIMSTEC framework," the statement read. Meanwhile, on regional cooperation, the Bangladesh Foreign Secretary called for the revitalisation of SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) and further regional cooperation within the frameworks of both SAARC and BIMSTEC. "Bangladesh looks forward to support from India on the issue of the repatriation of Rohingyas to their homeland. Ambassador Jashim Uddin called for the revitalisation of SAARC and regional cooperation within the provisions of SAARC and BIMSTEC," the Bangladesh MFA said. India had on November 26 noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Shri Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote. India had urged Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression. (ANI)
Ousted Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday accused the Chief Adviser to Bangladesh's interim government, Muhammad Yunus, of being the "mastermind" behind the student protests that led to her ouster, while further alleging that the protest was "meticulously designed" to overthrow her government. While addressing a virtual meeting of the United Kingdom Awami League, Hasina claimed that despite all the demands of the protesters being met, the unrest continued across the nation, suggesting that it was a planned conspiracy. "Yunus himself said that the student protest that started on July 7, 2024, was not a student-initiated protest but a meticulously designed protest to overthrow me...He was the mastermind who started this conspiracy because all the demands were met, and there was no scope for protest, despite there being a protest across the nation...It was a meticulous conspiracy," Hasina claimed. She further criticised the interim government for its handling of the situation in the country, calling it "fascist" and saying that the people of Bangladesh were being "deprived" of their rights. "Today Bangladesh is going through a tough time. Under a fascist government, the people of Bangladesh have been deprived of their rights. The whole of Bangladesh is burning...Today, Bangladesh is being destroyed," she added. The ousted Prime Minister further noted the recent arrest of former ISKCON priest Chinmoy Krishna Das over the alleged charges of sedition by the Bangladeshi government, stating that he couldn't have any lawyer to defend Das against the charges and claimed that this was the proof that Bangladesh does not have any law and order. "They arrested Chinmoy Krishna Das and said there couldn't be any kind of lawyer defending him. What kind of justice is this?...This proves that Bangladesh doesn't have law and order," she added. Earlier, Hasina also condemned the 'unjust' arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das and demanded his 'immediate release.' She also expressed concerns over the attacks against minorities and their places of worship and called for ensuring the safety of the religious freedom of all communities. On August 5, a student-led movement ousted Bangladesh's Prime Minister, Sheikh Hasina, after weeks of protests and clashes that killed over 600 people. Hasina, 77, fled to India, and an interim government led by Nobel Laureate Muhammad Yunus was formed. (ANI)
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, called on chief advisor to the interim government in Bangladesh, Muhammad Yunus on Monday, who called the relationships between Dhaka and New Delhi as "very solid" and "close," according to a statement released by his office. Misri conveyed that New Delhi wants to increase engagements with Dhaka and make "joint and concerted efforts" to boost relationships between the two neighbours. According to a statement from the chief advisor's office, the issues of minorities, Sheikh Hasina's stay in India, and regional cooperation, were also discussed. He asked India to help "clear the clouds that have cast a shadow" over the relationship between the two countries He raised the issue of the ousted Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who fled to India on August 5. "Our people are concerned because she is making many statements from there. It creates tensions," Yunus said to Misri. Misri, who also held a bilateral meeting with his Bangladesh counterpart earlier in the day, said he monitored events in Bangladesh almost every hour during the July-August mass uprising. "Our job is to keep their dreams alive. It is a new Bangladesh," he said and briefly outlined the reform initiatives undertaken by the Interim Government. Misri highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first foreign leaders to greet Professor Yunus after he assumed office. "We wish you every success," the Foreign Secretary said as quoted his office. He also clarified that it's a "wrong perception" that India had ties with one particular party in Bangladesh. "They are not meant for one particular party, but for everyone," he added. About the issue of religious minorities, the Chief Adviser said the Interim Government is committed to protecting every citizen and safeguarding their rights irrespective of their creed, colour, ethnicity, and gender. "We are a family. We have to work together," Yunus said. Misri pointed that India has doubled the number of visas for Bangladeshis last month and would increase the number further in the coming days. "We can take our relationships forward," Misri added. Notably, there have been multiple attacks on Hindus and other minorities by extremist elements in Bangladesh. There also have been cases of arson and looting of minorities' homes and vandalism and desecration of deities and temples. The arrest of Hindu priest Chinmoy Krishna Das in Chittagong on October 25 on sedition charges led to heavy protests. Another Hindu temple was allegedly set on fire in the outskirts of Dhaka. The Mahabhagya Lakshminarayan Mandir, at Dhor village, in North of Dhaka came under attack on late Friday night. India had on November 26 noted with deep concern the arrest and denial of bail to Chinmoy Krishna Das, who is also the spokesperson of the Bangladesh Sammilit Sanatan Jagran Jote. India had urged Bangladesh authorities to ensure the safety and security of Hindus and all minorities, including their right of freedom of peaceful assembly and expression. (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday addressed the Indian diaspora in Manama and emphasised the importance of strengthening India-Bahrain ties through continuous engagement at multiple levels, including economic cooperation, and community welfare. Jaishankar during his address also highlighted the growing bilateral trade of USD 1.7 billion, the uptick in investments, and the welfare of the Indian community, which comprises 3,35,000 people. "It is my second visit to Bahrain. But in a sense, it's my first proper visit. I was here in November 2020 to convey condolences when the late Prime Minister Prince Khalifa passed away. I missed the Prime Minister's visit in August 2019. So, as I said, this is really the first time I've got to spend some significant amount of time in Manama to meet all of you and to get to see and understand and appreciate a lot of what is going on here," Jaishankar said. "I understand, as the Indian community living here, your focus would naturally be on our bilateral relations. You would like to know what is happening here? Where is it going? What are the prospects? What does it mean to you? And I have some thoughts here which I would like to place before you. First and foremost the fact that every relationship requires a continuous interaction between the leaderships of the countries...," Jaishankar said. "The second development, which I want to flag to you is of course, the economic facet of our ties. We have a growing trade relationship. Our annual trade turnover is about USD 1.7 billion. And there's also been an uptick in investments both ways. Indian companies coming here," Jaishankar added. Jaishankar further praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership in supporting the Indian community living in different parts of the world. "The third pertains to the interests of the community. You represent today a community of 3,35,000 people. 3,35,000 people living in a country away from their motherland will have their own interests and will have their concerns. And those also need to be looked at... So what can we do to support the community? I think this is something which has been in many ways, the hallmark of the Modi government. Whichever country we go to, we are focused on the welfare of the community. And that is also something here which we would like to do. And we would like to do it because particularly in this country, I see a degree of receptivity and a local positivity, which I think is truly exceptional. And we would like to keep that strong. We would like to keep that, well nurtured," he added. Elaborating about his visit to Bahrain, Jaishankar spoke about the 4th India - Bahrain High Joint Commission meeting and his visit to Shreenath Ji Temple. He said, "My primary purpose of being here was to co-chair the joint commission with my counterpart, Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani. We had some meetings yesterday. We had a very detailed meeting today. I also met the Trade Minister Minister, I had an opportunity to call on Deputy Prime Minister Shaikh Khalid. So in terms of official meetings, really, it was very intensive. Very open, very wide-ranging. I timed my visit with the Manama Dialogue... I, of course, like anybody Indian coming here, took blessings at Shreenath Ji Temple." Jaishankar also took to X to share his address to the Indian diaspora in Bahrain. "Delighted to interact with members of the Indian community in Bahrain today. They represent an India that is confident, capable and respected. Thanked them for their contributions in deepening India - Bahrain friendship," Jaishankar wrote on X. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1866170685468410078 Notably, Jaishankar was on an official visit to Qatar and Bahrain from December 6-9. He co-chaired the 4th India - Bahrain High Joint Commission with Bahrainian counterpart, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani in Manama on Monday. The EAM took stock of the bilateral relationship and also discussed new opportunities in space, education, FinTech and technology. "Pleased to co-chair the 4th India - Bahrain High Joint Commission meeting alongside FM Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani in Manama today," Jaishankar stated in a post on X. "Took stock of our bilateral relationship focusing on trade, investments, healthcare, energy, security, tourism and people to people ties. Discussed new opportunities in space, education, FinTech and technology. Also exchanged views on recent developments in the region," he added. (ANI)
India and Bahrain underscored the growing bilateral collaboration across key sectors, including trade, healthcare, energy and defence at the 4th High Joint Commission meeting in Manama here. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Bahraini counterpart Abdullatif bin Rashid Alzayani also highlighted the successful first Joint Working Group meeting on healthcare cooperation and emphasised the importance of further expanding ties in medical tourism and pharmaceuticals. The Ministry of External Affairs in a joint statement released on Monday after the 4th India-Bahrain High Joint Commission (HJC) Meeting said, "The two Ministers appreciated the progress achieved in the bilateral relations pursuant to the discussions held during the third HJC held in April 2021, and the subsequent fifth and sixth Foreign Office Consultations, held in March 2022 and May 2023 respectively. Both sides agreed to continue the pace of high-level bilateral visits and meetings, and expressed satisfaction at the regular high-level exchanges between the two friendly countries." "The two ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to explore avenues of cooperation in diverse areas including energy and hydrocarbons, renewable energy, infrastructure, trade and investments, defence and security, health, food and agriculture, hospitality, pharmaceutical industry, electronic industry, downstream aluminium, IT and data centres, space, tourism, environment, youth and sports," the MEA added. Both sides also acknowledged the deepening of political and people-to-people ties since the historic state visits. The Indian side highlighted the increase in Indian investment in Bahrain since the state visit of the Prime Minister in 2019. Both sides welcomed the visits by trade delegations including the visit led by Abdullah bin Adel Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Bahrain, to India in March 2023 and December 2024, and the visit led by Noor bint Ali Alkhulaif, Minister of Sustainable Development, and Chief Executive of Bahrain EDB, in September 2024. Bahraini side also welcomed the Indian investments and the arrival of global Indian brands to Bahrain, especially since the beginning of 2024. The two sides also expressed satisfaction at the stability, sustainability, and diversity of bilateral trade. They agreed to work towards strengthening the trade and investment ties, and in this regard, agreed to work towards creating a bilateral Joint Working Group on Trade and Investment. Meanwhile, Bahrain renewed its desire to conclude a bilateral agreement to eliminate double taxation with India (DTA), with the aim of strengthening cooperation in tax matters and developing economic, commercial and investment opportunities between the two friendly countries. The two sides also welcomed the inauguration of negotiations held on September 3 - 4 for a Bilateral Investment Treaty and agreed to work towards an early conclusion. The two Ministers agreed to expedite negotiations for the early launch of acceptance of the Indian RuPay Card in Bahrain. They also agreed to work towards closer cooperation in the sectors of FinTech and Digital Payments. Both sides emphasised the importance of bilateral collaboration in the field of health and pharmaceuticals and expressed satisfaction at the successful first Joint Working Group (JWG) meeting on Healthcare Cooperation, held in February 2022. It was agreed to work towards the implementation of the decisions taken in accordance with the country's national policies, rules and legal frameworks and noted with satisfaction that the Ministries of Health of the two countries are working towards holding the second meeting of JWG on Healthcare Cooperation at the earliest, the MEA said. The Indian side highlighted the role of the Indian Pharmaceutical Industry as one of the world leaders and conveyed the importance of market access for Indian pharmaceutical products in the Bahraini market in compliance with Bahrain's established regulatory requirements. Both sides also agreed to facilitate the private sectors of the two countries to increase trade in pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and medical devices. The two Ministers acknowledged the significant potential for collaboration in advancing both nations' positions as hubs for medical tourism. Both sides emphasised enhancing cooperation in developing the agricultural and livestock sectors. The Indian side highlighted the significant opportunities for investments in food parks in India, and in increasing food exports from India to Bahrain. The Bahraini side emphasised the importance of exchanging experiences between the two countries to foster bilateral projects aimed at achieving food security, the MEA said. Both sides also recognised the significance of hydrocarbon trade as a vital component of this cooperation, contributing to mutual energy security and economic growth. Both committed to take steps in enhancing energy cooperation, especially in upstream and downstream sectors of Oil and Gas in Bahrain and exploring avenues for expanded trade, joint ventures, and mutual investments. In the energy sector, both nations committed to enhancing cooperation, focusing on hydrocarbon trade, renewable energy, and green technologies. Defence ties were also a key focus, with both countries agreeing to further develop military cooperation, including the potential signing of a MoU between their armed forces. "Both sides noted the satisfactory bilateral developments in the renewable energy sector since the signing of the MoU in 2018 and agreed to convene the 2nd meeting of the Joint Working Group at an early date. They agreed to deepen the cooperation by engaging government agencies and the private sector in bilateral engagements particularly in the fields of Solar, Wind, Green Hydrogen & Green Ammonia. The Foreign Ministers recalled that Bahrain became a member of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) in 2022," the MEA said. The two ministers also expressed satisfaction at the progress made by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Bahrain's National Space Science Agency (NSSA) in deepening collaboration in building and launching Nano/Cube-satellite and providing assistance in capacity building to Bahrain. Both sides are currently working on finalizing the draft MoU between NSSA and NSIL (New Space India Limited) to further strengthen the cooperation within the space sector. Both sides agreed to work towards developing and strengthening the defence cooperation between the two countries, which may include the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two countries' Armed Forces. Additionally, the Kingdom of Bahrain welcomed India joining the Combined Maritime Forces headquartered in the Kingdom of Bahrain in 2023. Bahrain appreciated the participation of the Indian Air Force Sarang Aerobatic team consisting of 05 Dhruv helicopters in the 7th Bahrain International Air Show (BIAS) in November 2024, the MEA added. Notably, the fourth meeting of the India - Bahrain High Joint Commission (HJC), co-chaired by Jaishankar and Rashid Alzayani, was held in Manama, Bahrain on Monday. The HJC was established pursuant to an MoU signed between the two sides during the State visit of Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of Bahrain, to India on February 18-20, 2014, according to MEA. Jaishankar visited Bahrain from December 7 - 9 at the invitation of Alzayani. Jaishankar also met the Deputy Prime Minister of Bahrain, Shaikh Khalid bin Abdulla Al Khalifa during the visit. (ANI)
DIGHTON  A Taunton passenger sustained "life-threatening" injuries in a one-vehicle crash in Dighton Saturday evening, Dighton Police said.

The 19-year-old Taunton man was transported by the Dighton Fire Department to a landing zone and flown by medical helicopter to Rhode Island Hospital.

The driver of the vehicle, a Dighton woman, was also transported to Rhode Island Hospital by the Berkley Fire and Rescue Department. Dighton Police did not indicate the severity of her injuries.

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As of Sunday evening, the 19-year-old Taunton man was still classified with "life-threatening" injuries and remains hospitalized, Dighton Police Chief George Nichols said in a written statement Sunday.

A 19-year-old Taunton passenger sustained life-threatening injuries in a one-vehicle crash on Tremont Street in Dighton on Saturday evening, Dec. 7, 2024.

Weekly home sales Distinguished Taunton colonial with great backyard sells for $760K

What happened

Prior to the crash, at approximately 6:18 p.m., a Dighton police officer witnessed a grey Mercedes sedan take a sharp right turn from Somerset Avenue onto Old Somerset Avenue, while traveling at a high rate of speed, Dighton Police said.

The preliminary investigation indicates the Mercedes proceeded to accelerate westbound down Tremont Street, police said. In the area of 465 Tremont St., the car veered off the road, struck a utility pole and then a tree, and rolled over, coming to a rest upright.

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The names of both crash victims are being withheld at this time.

The Taunton Fire Department also provided assistance at the scene.

The crash remains under investigation by the Dighton Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section, and the Massachusetts State Police Detectives Unit assigned to the Bristol County District Attorneys Office.

This is a developing story. This story will be updated as more information becomes available.

This article originally appeared on The Taunton Daily Gazette: Taunton teen sustains life-threatening injuries in Dighton crash
In a recent discovery, archaeologists have uncovered a 2,000-year-old grave from the time of Roman settlement in Heerlen, a municipality in the Netherlands. While the remains were unearthed late last month, latest analysis has shown that it belonged to a Roman solider named 'Flaccus'.

The tomb also contained a fragment of a La Tene bracelet, pottery, shards and three complete Roman plates of Terra Sigillata, according to a statement released by the municipality. The discovery is being touted as the "most unique evidence of Roman habitation at this location," as this is the first time a Roman grave has been found from 0 AD with a name pointing to its occupant.

Oldest Roman tomb in Heerlen

Experts deduced the name 'Flaccus' from the abbreviation FLAC, which was carved into a bowl discovered in the grave, as per the media statement. "In addition to the bowl, the researchers also found a bronze skin scraper and four different plates. The pottery, which comes from Italy, confirms that Flaccus was a Roman soldier. It is a unique find because it is not only the oldest Roman grave in Heerlen, but also because no name was known there before," the statement noted.

Artifacts, including the personalized bowl, discovered at the site. Source: Municipality of Heerlen

The discovery took place during digs at the Raadhuisplein (town hall square), located near the historical roads Via Belgica and Via Traiana in the municipality. The square used to serve as an important location at the center of the Roman settlement Coriovallum, the Heerlen of that time. The excavations are set to continue well into December.

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Archaeologists from ADC ArcheoProjecten first identified the grave in November while working on a project. Jordy Clemens, Heerlens council member for culture and heritage, said: "Today, evidence was found of Roman habitation in the time of Emperor Augustus. A unique discovery that not only teaches us more about our past but also shows how unique the story of Roman Heerlen is for the Netherlands."

Previous finds in the region, which included pottery fragments, were insufficient to prove settlement as they could have been discarded during travel, according to a report in history website Archaeology News. Experts believe the uncovering of Flaccus' grave provides indisputable evidence of Roman presence.

Roman grave discoveries across Europe

The discovery of Roman graves and cemeteries is not a novelty in Europe. In January, an ancient Roman burial ground filled with treasures was found in central Italy. Researchers uncovered nearly 70 skeletons in carefully constructed graves. Along precious jewelry, leather goods, pottery, and coins.

The cemetery was unearthed during a pre-construction dig for a solar energy plant, located north of Rome. The site close to the ancient city of Tarquinia, known for its Etruscan stone cemeteries.

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Similarly, in March last year, the skeletal remains of a high-status Roman woman, encased in a lead coffin, were discovered at a 1,600-year-old hidden cemetery in Garforth, Leeds, England.

Called a "once-in-a-lifetime find," the woman's remains were uncovered alongside 60 other bodies. The burial site is believed to contain late Roman and early Saxon men, women, and children. This discovery is thought to be the first Anglo-Saxon cemetery found in West Yorkshire.
Along a highway just south of Fox, Ore., ranch owners post their support for the movement to join Idaho. If Eastern Oregon succeeds in joining Idaho, it could breathe life into similar secessionist movements nationwide. (Matt Vasilogambros/Stateline)

The leaders of the Greater Idaho movement have asked President-elect Donald Trump to support their efforts to have counties in eastern Oregon join Idaho  a state they say is more in tune with them politically, economically and culturally.

Unlike typical politicians, you have a unique ability as a practical problem-solver to get things done, and your support can bring a peaceful resolution to Oregons long-standing east-west divide, the three leaders said in a Dec. 4 letter to Trump.

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Matt McCaw, the executive director of Citizens for Greater Idaho, said Thursday morning that the group has not yet received a response from Trump.

It takes time for these things to filter through, but we are hopeful that somebody from the administration will reach out to us and pick this up, McCaw said. This is an idea whose time has come.

The letter also was signed by Mike McCarter, president of Citizens for Greater Idaho, and Sandie Gilson, the vice president.

Trumps background in business and not politics is an advantage, McCaw said: Hes a businessperson, hes a problem-solver. Hes shown that hes been open to outside-the-box thinking. And we think that this is a perfect fit.

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Over the last four years, voters in 13 eastern Oregon counties have passed initiatives requiring county commissioners to meet regularly to discuss the merits of moving the Oregon-Idaho border so that the counties are part of Idaho.

McCaw said a meeting with Trump or a surrogate would allow the Greater Idaho officials to bring the administration up to speed on the movement. And after that, he said, what we would hope is that the administration could help get the state of Oregon to the negotiating table.

The people of eastern Oregon want this to happen, McCaw said. The people of Idaho want this to happen.

However, the letter to Trump said, Oregons Legislature and governor remain sullen, preferring to ignore the results of these citizens initiatives while continuing to march the state ever more left.

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The letter added that eastern Oregon residents recognize that representative government will never come from Oregon because we are outvoted on every issue the progressives put forth, leaving us completely disenfranchised.

While Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris easily won in Oregon, outpolling Trump by more than 320,000 votes, it was a different story in the 13 eastern Oregon counties in the Greater Idaho effort: Trump beat Harris by more than 50,000 votes in the region.

One of the proposed Greater Idaho maps, which calls for several Eastern Oregon counties to secede and join Idaho. (Courtesy of greateridaho.org)

Legislative approval needed for Greater Idaho proposal

The border change would require the approval of the Oregon and Idaho legislatures and, eventually, the U.S. Congress. A measure urging leaders of the two states to discuss the change passed the Idaho House of Representatives in 2023 but languished in the state Senate. A similar measure was introduced in the 2023 Oregon Legislature but went nowhere.

McCaw said he expects Greater Idaho measures will be introduced again in the Oregon and Idaho legislatures in 2025.

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In July, Greater Idaho leaders sent a letter to Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek asking for a meeting. Kotek has not responded, McCaw said, but the offer stands: We would love to sit down with the governor and start that conversation and advocate for the people of eastern Oregon and see where it would go from there.

In a September conversation with eastern Oregon journalists, Kotek said she had received the invitation but had not yet decided how to respond.

Im still considering whether that makes sense to go, she said at the time. I very much respect all the Oregonians who made their voices heard and said were frustrated when they voted for the measures in their counties. . I think what Im trying to figure out is, whats the best way to continue that conversation with Oregonians?

The Oregon governors office did not immediately respond to an Oregon Capital Chronicle request for comment on Thursday.

This article was first published by The Oregon Capital Chronicle, 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. Follow Oregon Capital Chronicle on Facebook and X.
Delaware will receive some help with the drought conditions in the First State, according to the National Weather Service forecast.

Delaware, which, according to the National Integrated Drought Information System, is facing severe to extreme drought conditions, will receive more than two inches of rain over the next three days.

How to help Delaware: Angel trees, toy donations popping up across Delaware. Here's where to find them

Delaware weather forecast

New Castle County: After getting a tenth to a quarter of an inch of rain today, the region will see a 30% chance of rain on Tuesday and a 100% chance Tuesday night and Wednesday. On Tuesday night, New Castle County should receive about half to three-quarters of an inch. On Wednesday, the county should receive 1 to 2 inches of rain.

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Kent County: The county will see about a tenth of an inch of rain today and Tuesday. The heavier rains will come Tuesday night, up to an inch is possible, and Wednesday, up to 2 inches of rain is possible.

Sussex County: After receiving less than a tenth of an inch on today and Tuesday, the heavier precipitation will come Tuesday night and Wednesday. The forecast calls for a quarter to half an inch of rain on Tuesday night and 1 to 2 inches on Wednesday.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware weather forecast: Heavy rains coming to the state
North Koreas contribution of combat troops to aid Russia in Ukraine has drawn global attention and headlines, but is only one component of ongoing ominous moves. At the start of this year, Pyongyang fired artillery barrages near a maritime buffer zone.

On the west coast, Pyongyang wants to move the maritime border south. Roads and railroads linking North and South have been shut down. The North is jamming GPS signals in the South.

South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol has declared martial law, but Parliament unanimously rejected this. Yoon has backed down.

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Context becomes especially important.

In January 2022, the regime conducted four ballistic tests. Other tests have followed.

North Korea has possessed at least rudimentary nuclear weapons since 2006. Pyongyang threatens to use them against South Korea, Japan and even the United States.

In September 2021, Pyongyang announced the successful launch of a cruise missile, an insidious weapon, flying low and difficult to detect with radar. An early version, the V-1 rocket of Nazi Germany, killed many people, overwhelmingly civilians, in Britain during World War II.

President Donald Trump gave priority to trying to improve relations and had several meetings with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, but they failed.

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Meanwhile, South Korea continues on a positive course of exceptional economic growth and development, combined with now firmly established representative democracy.

As recently as the early 1960s, South Korea was one of the poorest economies in the world. Still a peasant society, the entire Korean peninsula was devastated by the Korean War of 1950-53. Yet today, the Republic of Korea ranks among the strongest economies in the world, holding leadership roles in the automobile, advanced electronics, shipbuilding and other industries.

Rapid industrialization and economic modernization have been complemented by striking transition from dictatorship to democracy. President and General Park Chung-hee stifled incipient democracy and imposed extremely harsh military authoritarianism for nearly two decades. Park was assassinated in 1979 by the head of the KCIA, the national intelligence agency. In Korean memory, he remains a respected symbol of strength and effectiveness for many.

General Park was succeeded by two more generals, Chun Doo Hwan and Roe Tae Woo, but growing pressure for true democratic representation proved insurmountable.

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Capping the democratic transition was the election of Kim Dae-jung as president in 1998. He completed his five-year term without interruption, and in 2000 received the Nobel Peace Prize.

A public symbol of opposition to Park dictatorship, he was imprisoned for several years. On another occasion, KCIA agents kidnapped him. Only the intervention of senior U.S. CIA official Don Gregg saved his life.

South Koreas remarkable domestic accomplishments have unfolded while the country becomes increasingly influential in global arenas. In 2012, the Obama administration shrewdly nominated President Jim Yong Kim of Dartmouth College, who was born in Seoul Korea, as President of the World Bank.

The vision of the United Nations combines favoring very powerful nations and inclusive global representation. Kim and former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon personify South Koreas significant role as a bridge between developed and developing nations.

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In July, President Biden met at Camp David with the leaders of Japan and South Korea to expand trilateral cooperation.

Market economies and representative governments now characterize a steadily increasing share of the worlds developing nations. In short, South Korea is positioned to lead developing nations toward prosperity.

Scare stories about the actions of the North overshadow the good news regarding the South. This is most unfortunate.
Amy Barela (Photo courtesy of the New Mexico Republican Party)

Members of the New Mexico Republican Party over the weekend elected Otero County commissioner Amy Barela as their statewide party chair.

Barela got 157 votes in the partys convention on Saturday in Truth or Consequences, more than all four of the other candidates combined.

In an interview before the convention, she said she has an aggressive plan to flip New Mexico red by registering more voters and building the party from the bottom up.

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She said that includes correctly messaging to all New Mexicans about what were trying to do: help lower prices with good legislation, and lower regulation so that we have businesses attracted to New Mexico.

She added that the party should ensure it supports elected officials with those same ideas. I would like to update the party platform, but thats going to take the new elected officials to work on that, she said.

Asked for more information about the partys legislative agenda, Barela said through a spokesperson on Monday that Republicans have fought for lower taxes to benefit hardworking families, pushed for reduced regulations to help small businesses thrive, and advocated for harnessing our states abundant oil and gas resources to strengthen our economy and drive down energy costs.

This year, our Republican leaders in the legislature remain committed to championing the best interests of New Mexicans, she said. Were dedicated to implementing policies that will bring real, positive change and elevate the quality of life for every citizen in our state.

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Barela is the District 2 commissioner for Otero County in southern New Mexico. Her district includes the northern part of Alamogordo, Tularosa, Holloman Air Force Base and lands bordering the Mescalero Apache Reservation.

President-elect Donald Trump in November won Otero County by a 27-point margin.

Barela was the state partys first vice chair. That role is now filled by Roswell City Attorney Hessel Yntema, who won with 69% of the vote in a three-way race against Gary Person and Leanna Derrick.

Sandoval County Republican Party Chair Mike Nelson won second vice chair of the statewide party with 41% of the vote in a three-way race with Andrea Moore and Craig Degenhardt.

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In the only contested race for a congressional district party vice chair seat, congressional candidate Sharon Clahchischilliage beat Espanola City Councilor Sam LeDoux.

Outgoing chairman Steve Pearce said the party has a strong and committed team of leaders and fighters who will continue the hard work of turning New Mexico red for the long term.

Update  Monday Dec. 9, 2025 at 4:02 p.m.:

This story has been updated with additional comment from Barela.
Major-General Richard Secord, who has died aged 92, was a highly decorated US Air Force bomber pilot who worked with the CIA organising covert operations, directing the only successful rescue of prisoners during the war in Indo-China.

He achieved notoriety a decade later when, having left the military, he was exposed as the logistical middleman in the Iran-Contra scandal that tarnished Ronald Reagans administration. Secord had worked with his friend Lt Col Oliver North, deputy military affairs director for Reagans National Security Council, to sell arms illegally to Iran and use the profits to arm rebels (or Contras) fighting Nicaraguas Leftist government.

After journalists and federal investigators uncovered threads of the operation, Congress held hearings in 1987 that exposed a clandestine foreign policy pursued by Reagan appointees including Vice Adml John Poindexter, the presidents national security adviser, and the CIA director William Casey. Over several years, $47 million was raised from the sales to Iran, with some of it used, contravening a congressional directive, to send arms, medicine and other goods to the Contras.

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The Iran-Contra independent counsel Lawrence Walsh concluded that Secord had received at least $2 million from his involvement, and had lied about it to Congress. Prosecutors also reckoned him to be a silent partner of Edwin Wilson, a renegade CIA operative jailed for selling tons of plastic explosive to Libyas Col Gaddafi.

Secord testified over four days that, on Norths orders, he had arranged the shipments to Iran and deliveries to the Nicaraguan rebels. The Enterprise had secret Swiss bank accounts and its own aircraft, pilots, airfields, communications and a ship.

Only $3.5 million of the estimated $12 million in profits from the Iran arms sales went to the Contras, Secord said; $3 million paid for the deliveries to Iran while $1 million purchased the ship. Millions were earmarked for commissions  though he denied having received any himself. Millions more were unaccounted for.

Secord being advised by his attorney in front of the joint Congressional investigation, 1987 - Bettmann

Secord had been Americas highest-ranking officer in Iran, in support of the Shah, but was ready to arm the ayatollahs who had overthrown him. He had obtained supplies for the Contras with help from the CIA and the State Department; he had met the CIA director Casey several times; and he understood that Reagan and Vice-President George Bush both knew that proceeds from the Iranian sales were being diverted to the Nicaraguan rebels. He insisted he had been doing the Reagan administrations bidding, acting as a patriot in what he believed to be a righteous cause.

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North, who had been dismissed from the NSC, testified that he did not know if Reagan knew of the transactions, but said that Casey, who had recently died, had approved them. Reagan and Bush denied any knowledge of the affair, but some mud stuck.

Poindexter, North, Secord and Hakim were indicted on charges including conspiracy to defraud the United States. Secord was charged with 12 felonies, but in 1989 agreed to plead guilty to one count of lying to Congress about illegal gifts he had provided to North. He was placed on probation for two years, and later his guilty plea was overturned. Nobody went to jail.

Reviewing Secords memoir Honored and Betrayed (1992), Joel Brinkley wrote in The New York Times: The lesson he has taken from the entire experience seems to be No good deed goes unpunished.

Richard Vernon Secord was born at LaRue, Ohio, on July 6 1932, the eldest son of Lowell Secord, a welder, and his wife Wahnetta. He joined the USAF, earning his wings in 1956, and served as a flight instructor.

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From 1962 to 1965, Secord flew 285 combat missions in Vietnam. Graduating from Staff College in 1966 and transferred to Thailand, he was detailed to the CIAs Secret War in Laos.

On January 7 1967, he directed the wars only successful PoW rescue, the Ban Naden raid. A team of the CIAs hill-tribe mercenaries took the guards by surprise, killing about 40. Nine Air America helicopters landed on the Ho Chi Minh Trail and rescued 53 prisoners  all Asian, mainly Laotian, and twice the number expected.

Secord also organised the defence of Lima Site 85, an installation close to Laoss border with North Vietnam whose radar beam American aircraft could follow to Hanoi and drop their bombs regardless of the weather. It was surrounded by North Vietnamese forces, so he requested a deployment of Green Berets, or personal weapons for its technicians.

Ambassador William Sullivan, who supervised the war in Laos, overruled Secord, so he insubordinately issued them with small arms. When the site was overrun, he had to be talked out of resigning his commission.

Secord speaking to the press in 1990 after he was sentenced to two years probation - Bettmann

In 1969 he took command of a squadron adapting aircraft for counter-insurgency, then spent a year at the Naval War College. Next he became the Pentagons desk officer for Laos, Thailand and Vietnam. He worked up plans for the Christmas 1972 bombing campaign that the Nixon administration would argue had forced North Vietnam back to the negotiating table.

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Secord had his first experiences of Iran between 1963 and 1965, as an adviser to the Imperial Iranian Air Force. He returned in 1975 a brigadier-general, heading Americas Military Assistance Advisory Group and being chief advisor to the head of the Iranian Air Force.

After Sullivan was appointed ambassador in Tehran, Secord clashed with him, and returned to Washington in 1978 to be the USAFs director of international programmes. His official biography says he was the ranking USAF officer for the failed attempt in April 1980 to extract the US diplomats held hostage by the Islamic revolution. Secord denied this, but confirmed his involvement with a planned second rescue obviated by the hostages release.

From 1981 to 1983, he was Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs. He retired from the Air Force in 1983 after allegations of improper dealings with Edwin Wilson. He faced no charges, and was bitter that the Reagan administration let him run up legal bills of $22,000 despite his having given evidence against the rogue CIA operative.

As a civilian, Secord went into business with Hakim. After being sentenced over The Enterprise, he launched a libel suit against the authors and publisher of Out of Control: The story of the Reagan administrations secret war in Nicaragua, the illegal pipeline, and the Contra drug connection (1987). The court dismissed the case, saying he had not shown they had malicious intent.

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In 1992, Secord and another retired general visited the former Soviet Republic of Azerbaijan, offering to train its special forces. In 1996 he joined a company making diagnostic medical equipment; becoming its president and chief operating officer in 2002, he stood down in 2005.

Richard Secord married Jo Ann Gibson in 1961; she died last January. He is survived by their three children.

Richard Secord, born July 6 1932, died October 15 2024

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D'Andre Phillips, 26, reminded himself there's no place like home as he counted the months, weeks, days and hours until he could come home and start teaching again.

"There's no place like home, as you know in the 'Wizard of Oz' they say," Phillips said. That's all I could think about, was family, friends and just my overall Topeka community."

When Phillips landed at the Topeka Regional Airport, he was enveloped by family, friends and colleagues.

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"I'm very excited to have him back in the classroom," Eisenhower Middle School principal Dianne Denmark said. "He is a member of this family and so, we have missed him since he's been gone."

D'Andre Phillips, third from right, hugs his mother, Tina Phillips, on Friday after posing for a photo with USD 501 staff and family members after coming back from deployment in Kuwait.

From teaching at Eisenhower Middle School to working logistics in Kuwait

Phillips has worked as a Topeka Public Schools math educator for three years and had served in the Army for eight years.

Phillips' mother Tina Phillips said she's proud of all he has accomplished and his service to others.

"It's a blessing," Tina Phillips said. "He's always been a blessing."

This trip to Kuwait was Phillips first time being deployed and he served as a logistics officer and first lieutenant.

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While in Kuwait, Phillips and his fellow Kansas Army National Guard soldiers participated in Operation Inherent Resolve and Operation Spartan Shield.

Phillips said the military gave him opportunities to do instructing while overseas.

"I'm glad that the military gives us opportunities to be our civilian side but also serve our country at the same time," he said.

D'Andre Phillips gets a hug and flowers from Beryl New on Friday after returning home from his deployment.

Kansan welcomed home from Kuwait

Amongst those welcoming Phillips home was recently elected Kansas State Board of Education member Beryl New.

Soon after he landed, they exchanged warm greetings and New gifted Phillips a bouquet of sunflowers.

New was Phillips's principal at Highland Park High School.

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"I am so proud of that young man," New said. "He has done a phenomenal job in not only serving himself, but following a plan of course that will allow him to serve others."

In recognition of Phillips' work, Topeka Public Schools sent it a notice of his return home and encouraged those who wanted to welcome him home.

"Mr. Phillips has distinguished himself as an inspirational figure within our educational community," said Aaron Gray, general director of instructional services in a written statement. "His commitment extends beyond the classroom, having served our country with honor."

Phillips said the support he gets from his Topekan community is what he loves the most about living here.

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"The support I've seen today from friends, family and former staff was incredible," Phillips said. "It's really why I love Topeka."

From left, Quinton Sims, Anthony Harla, Eisenhower principal Dianne Denmark, Tina Phillips, D'Andre Phillips, Eisenhower teacher Lauren Ferguson and Highland Park wrestling coach Freddy Maisberger III pose for a photo Friday at Topeka Regional Airport.

Getting Phillips back in the Eisenhower classroom

Phillips said he never stopped thinking about his students and teaching while away the past 12 months.

"It feels awesome," he said. "Honestly, the whole time I was deployed all I could think about was my students."

While he isn't sure how he'll talk about his experience with his students, he said he looks forward to showing them photos of Kuwait.

Phillips will resume work Jan. 2 at Eisenhower Middle School.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Topekan teacher returns home from Kuwait ready to teach again
About 53 years after the helicopter he was piloting crashed during bad weather off the coast of Nha Trang during the Vietnam War, the remains of Teaneck native U.S. Army Warrant Officer Albert R. Trudeau have been recovered and identified.

The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency's Underwater Recovery Team identified the remains in September and the Army shared the news of the discovery on Thursday.

Trudeau, who had also lived in Bergenfield as a child, was living in Milwaukee before enlisting in the Army. He was one of 10 soldiers on the CH-47B Chinook helicopter bound for Cam Rahn Bay in South Vietnam on a supply mission on Oct. 26, 1971, when it went down in the South China Sea.

Service photo for Albert Trudeau, Teaneck native and Milkwaukee resident.

The remains of only four of the men were recovered during search and rescue operations at the time. The presence of the Vietcong in the area made it a possibility that some members of the crew had survived the crash and were taken prisoner, causing Trudeau to be listed as missing in action.

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Attempts to recover or account for more of the men were made in 1974 and between 1994 and 2021. During a two-month effort by the recovery team from May to July, about 402 square yards of the crash site were excavated. This produced DNA, dental material and circumstantial evidence confirming Trudeau's presence in the wreckage.

Vietnam War soldier's family gets the news

Amy Troan, daughter of Trudeau's sister Constance, who lives in Hawaii, was only 5 months old when her uncle disappeared. She was chosen to speak on behalf of the family about their half-century ordeal.

"Our family received a shocking call on Sept. 23, a call that at this point we thought would never happen," Troan said via email. "This discovery has been exciting and emotionally overwhelming for our family."

Trudeau was born in Teaneck, the fourth of nine siblings born to Francis Trudeau, an Army officer, and his wife Ruth. The family was "constantly on the move," Troan said. They lived in New Jersey, Maine, Louisiana, Wisconsin, France and Germany, where Trudeau graduated from high school. The family then returned to Milwaukee.

Trudeau as a baby in his mother's arms at the first communion ceremony for his sister Barbara.

"One of my mom's memories is that when she was struggling in geometry class, he would sit with her in the evenings and help her with her studies," Troan said. "She was so surprised that he would take the time to help his little sister."

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Trudeau enlisted in the Army in the summer of 1969, Troan said.

"After basic training at Fort Park in Louisiana, he was sent to Fort Wolters in Texas for training to be a helicopter pilot, graduating as a warrant officer in the class of 70-33," Troan said. "He left for South Vietnam in February 1971 and was stationed at Camp Holloway Airfield near Pleiku. My aunt said during one of his calls home from Vietnam, he said it was terrible there was a war, it would otherwise be a beautiful place."

The family kept watch for years for references to the Chinook Warrior 143 or "any mention of his name."

"I even discovered a woman who had worn his MIA bracelet since 1971," Troan said.

Albert Trudeau, fifth from left, below his parents Francis and Ruth Trudeau, with his eight siblings in Milwaukee, home on leave shortly before his death in 1971

Troan said the family is planning a ceremony at Arlington Cemetery "next fall." Meanwhile, a rosette has been added next to Trudeau's name at the American Battle Monuments Commissions Courts of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu to indicate he has been accounted for. His name is also recorded on the National Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

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"On behalf of the Township of Teaneck, I would like to express our profound gratitude and respect for U.S. Army Warrant Officer Albert R. Trudeau," said Teaneck Mayor Michael Pagan. "The Township of Teaneck extends its condolences to Warrant Officer Trudeau's family and friends, as well as our appreciation to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency for their relentless efforts to bring our heroes home."

Mayor Cavalier Johnson of Milwaukee also commended the agency for its efforts.

"Our condolences to the family and our appreciation to those who made the effort to recover Mr. Trudeaus remains," Johnson said.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Vietnam War soldier's remains recovered 53 years after his death
An area of the Chesapeake Bay near the Jordan Point Marina in October 2022. (Charlie Paullin/Virginia Mercury).

After decades of work to clean up the polluted Chesapeake Bay, the federal, state and local partners within the 64,000-mile watershed have acknowledged they wont reach their 2025 goals. But neither are they giving up.

Representatives of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement, the regional partnership of states within the watershed, will gather Tuesday in Annapolis to discuss how to achieve not only those goals but new ones.

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In Virginia, the discussion already has included pollution reduction measures farmers can adopt, and funding for them.

The good news is that were entering this meeting with the partnership stronger than ever, said Adam Ortiz, the Environmental Protection Agencys administrator in the mid-Atlantic, who noted this will be the first meeting since 2014 with the governors from Virginia, Maryland and Pennsylvania in attendance.

The presence of all three is an indication of the importance of the Chesapeake Bay to their states ecosystems  it is home to over 300 types of fish, birds, insects and plants  and economy. The Bays seafood industry alone is worth $3 billion a year to Virginia and Maryland, according to the Virginia Secretary of Natural and Historic Resources.

Acknowledging the shortcomings of the work so far, the Chesapeake Bay Program Beyond 2025 Steering Committee earlier this year recommended recommitting to the partnership and streamlining processes. It also advocated for local involvement and new approaches.

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On Thursday, Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued a four-page Executive Directive, stressing that, Virginia is committed to being a part of the Partnership and continuing our efforts to protect the bay.

But he also wrote, it is evident that a clearer path forward is needed.

Behind on the Bay

After starting the partnership in 1983 with a one page document, the partnerships work has become a complex system with the states making commitments to reach certain outcomes, such as oyster abundance and water quality standards.

Virginia has met 100% of its sediment reduction targets, but only reached 80% of the reduction for nitrogen and 62% of the reduction for phosphorus. The concern is that those nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients feed harmful algal blooms and oxygen-deprived dead zones, that culminate with less than desired water quality standards.

Cows in a stream in Rockingham County. (Charlie Paullin/Virginia Mercury)

In October, 29.8% of the Bay and the tidal tributaries feeding into it were found to have met water quality standards, below the 100% attainment necessary to support a healthy Bay ecosystem.

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Chesapeake Bay restoration is at a crossroads, said Chesapeake Bay Foundation Virginia Director Chris Moore in a recent statement lauding Youngkins commitment to the partnership. Virginias upcoming legislative session is a prime opportunity for the Commonwealth to continue our important investments in cleaner waterways and iconic living resources.

The causes

Work on the bay the past 40 years have focused on pollution reductions from the stormwater and wastewater sectors, and the agricultural community.

During a December 2023 meeting with the Virginia State Water Commission, Mike Rolband, the director of the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, reported that upgrades to stormwater treatment plants, which are behind on the goals, and wastewater treatment plants, which are ahead of the goals, had led to a reduction of 8.2 million pounds of nitrogen and 708 pounds of phosphorus.

But farmers, while making progress last year, have only installed about 6,095 acres of forested buffers, or 28% of whats needed for targets set for 2027.

A chart of agricultural practices installed in Virginia. (Courtesy of Department of Conservation and Recreation).

Martha Moore, vice president of governmental relations with the Virginia Farm Bureau, said the slow adoption rates were due to insufficient funding from the states cost-share program

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They got really frustrated, said Moore of farmers who were told, we just dont have the money.

Farmers also were upset that they were not part of the conversation. This year that changes with the creation of a farmers advisory committee.

We know that we cant see an acceleration of and completion of the restoration effort without the success of farmers, Ortiz said.

In his directive, Youngkin acknowledges a need to verify best management practices that may be happening but not being counted, which happens because they havent been reevaluated in years. Moore said a survey with the Virginia Cooperative Extension will help capture those numbers.

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Really what we want to see is the continuation and building upon where were seeing those successes, said Travis Voyles, secretary of Natural and Historic Resources, in an interview. Avoiding the hammer, but really embracing those incentive based approaches, in a voluntary manner, that are being effective.

The funding

Youngkins directive also calls for an evaluation of water quality improvement funds, which provide the funding for the stormwater and wastewater plant upgrades. Excess revenues for the fund are to be directed to the best management practice cost-share program.

In an interview Friday, Chris Pomeroy, an attorney with the Virginia Association of Municipal Wastewater Agencies, said funding for the wastewater sector must continue in order to maintain the reductions that have been made, calling it the single most important thing Virginia can do..

Pomeroy said about $600 million had been appropriated so far and about $800 million is needed to complete projects underway.

Del. David Bulova, D-Fairfax, speaks during a Joint Senate Agriculture Conservation and Natural Resources Committee and House Agriculture Chesapeake and Natural Resources Committee retreat in September. (Charlie Paullin/Virginia Mercury)

With the agricultural program fully funded now, Moore said, Im just very proud of the fact that we finally have achieved that goal. Now, I think we just have to figure out, how do we get to the end?

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One potential way, according to the Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board that oversees the conservation districts around the state that administer the cost-share program, is more staffing to get the money out the door. A point the board made in a letter to Sen. Dave Marsden, D-Fairfax, and Del. Alfonso Lopez, D-Arlington, the chairs of Virginias natural resource and agricultural committees.

The team is now deploying more resources than at any point in their history, while pay compression and uncompetitive salaries strain the Departments ability to retain key staff, wrote board chair Charles Newton. The Virginia Soil and Water Conservation Board is concerned that without new investment into the Departments team, the agency will face more staff loss and be unable to keep pace with the growing demands for their services.
TOKYO, Dec 09 (News On Japan) - A luxury real estate expo, one of the largest in Asia, has begun in Shanghai, drawing significant attention to Japanese properties such as tower apartments from wealthy buyers.

The event, which kicked off on December 6th in Shanghai, showcases premium properties from regions including the Middle East and Europe.

One of the busiest sections is the booth selling Japanese properties, buoyed by the effects of the yen's depreciation.

A Japanese real estate company president handling these properties remarked, "Inquiries and sales contracts for central tower apartments priced over 300 million yen are increasing. Some buyers purchase properties for investment after understanding the specifications through photos and videos without visiting the site in person."

The same executive added, "The booth opens at 10 a.m., and I was surprised to see so many visitors already gathered. With the rise in travel from China to Japan, mutual awareness has also increased."

Although concerns about economic stagnation in China have been raised in recent years, the participating companies uniformly noted that "the wealthy seem unaffected."

Source: ANN
Dec 09 (News On Japan) - Rare vegetables are not something one encounters every day. To learn more about one such rarity, we visited a farm in Edogawa Ward producing "Shintori Greens," a vegetable that almost never reaches the general market.

At Ishikawa Farm, Tetsuyoshi Ishikawa explained: "This is Shintori Greens, a vegetable considered a rarity that doesn't circulate in ordinary markets."

Shintori Greens closely resemble komatsuna (Japanese mustard spinach) but are known for their tender leaves and crisp stalks. Historically, the vegetable was widely cultivated in Edogawa Ward, but the rise of Chinese vegetables as substitutes led to a decline in its production.

Ishikawa continued: "Currently, only two farms in Edogawa Ward produce Shintori Greens. These are primarily for the foodservice industry, so you won't find them in regular supermarkets."

One place where diners can savor this rare vegetable is at Chinese restaurant Kohien, which features Shintori Greens in various dishes.

The owner of Kohien remarked: "Shintori Greens have a mild taste with little bitterness. We use chicken broth in most of our dishes, and this vegetable pairs perfectly with it. It's an indispensable ingredient for our restaurant."

Although rare, Shintori Greens can occasionally be spotted at supermarkets in Tokyo. Be sure to keep an eye out for this elusive vegetable.

Source: TBS
Dec 10 (NHK) - The Tokyo District Court has sentenced a former junior high school principal to nine years in prison for sexually assaulting and injuring a female student 14 years ago.

The 57-year-old defendant, Kitamura Hisayoshi, was the principal of a junior high school in Tokyo's Nerima ward when he was arrested last year. He has been charged with sexually assaulting and injuring one of the victims, a then 14-year-old female student at school, where he worked as a teacher.

He was also charged with possessing video footage of the victim he assaulted in his principal's office, as well as video of a sexual act with another student.

He had pleaded not guilty to the sexual assault charge, saying he believed the girls had consented to his actions.

Presiding Judge Hosoya Yasunobu brushed aside the defendant's claims, saying footage shows the girls crying, and it is evident they had not consented.

He noted that the defendant took advantage of his position of authority over the students and that his actions escalated after he tricked them by saying he was going to massage them.

He said the defendant habitually engaged in heinous behavior and it cannot be overlooked that the abuse took place on the school premises, a place where students should be protected.

He added the victims spent the rest of their junior high school days, unable to share their torment with anybody, and that their psychological suffering has been serious.

Prosecutors sought a prison term of 10 years.
Traveling to a new country can be an exciting opportunity filled with prospects of professional growth, education, or personal milestones. However, complications can arise when dealing with the intricate process of securing a visa. These complications can sometimes lead to the unpleasant outcome of a visa refusal. When faced with such an obstacle, the expertise of a visa refusal lawyer becomes invaluable. The support of a competent lawyer can provide reassurance and be the key to overturning the decision.

The Vital Role of Visa Refusal Lawyers

Visa refusal lawyers specialize in immigration law and are well-versed in the complex realm of visa applications and appeals. They scrutinize refusal notices, identifying grounds for appeal and representing clients in proceedings before the relevant judicial entities. Their responsibilities encompass providing legal counsel, preparing documentation, drafting submissions, and advocating on behalf of their clients.

Appealing for a visa refusal is an intricate process. It has narrow timelines and specific legal procedures that must be adhered to. Without the right expertise, applicants run the risk of missing critical opportunities to contest the decision. Lawyers offer much-needed guidance through this convoluted process, ensuring that all aspects of the case are meticulously presented.

Understanding the Grounds for Visa Refusal

Visa applications can be refused for numerous reasons. These reasons can range from incomplete applications and lack of supporting documentation to the applicant not meeting visa criteria or providing incorrect information. It is essential to understand the reason for refusal, as this forms the foundation for any appeal. A visa refusal lawyer can help interpret the refusal and devise a strategy to address the specific issues identified by the immigration authorities.

Strategies for Visa Refusal Appeals

A thorough strategy begins with an in-depth analysis of the visa refusal notice. Based on this, the lawyer will advise on the feasibility of the appeal and the available pathways. This could involve seeking a review of the decision by an administrative tribunal. Or, if necessary, it could include pursuing judicial review in the courts.

For those applying for specific visa categories, such as a national innovation visa, the process can be even more demanding. It might have stringent eligibility criteria that must be met. A specialist attorney can provide invaluable support in navigating these complex application pathways.

Timeline and Process of Filing an Appeal

The timeline following a visa refusal is critical. Often there is a limited period during which one may appeal the decision. A visa refusal lawyer will ensure that all necessary steps are taken promptly and that deadlines are met. They manage the necessary paperwork and ensure that the appeal is filed correctly and on time.

Legal Representation at Tribunal Hearings

If the visa appeal progresses to a tribunal hearing, having a lawyer present can make a significant difference. Lawyers bring their legal acumen and advocacy experience, to constructing a convincing argument before the tribunal. They understand the nuances of questioning and how to highlight the merits of the case effectively.

The Benefit of Expert Advice

An expert visa refusal lawyer provides not only legal expertise. They also provide emotional support during what can be a stressful and uncertain time. They can alleviate fears by breaking down the process, outlining realistic outcomes, and preparing clients for what lies ahead. This can include setting expectations about the likely timeline for a resolution and any other steps that may be needed after an appeal.

Why Choose Hannan Tew Lawyers for Your Visa Appeal?

Hannan Tew Lawyers brings a wealth of experience in immigration law, offering personalized service and a strategic approach to each case. They have a notable track record of dealing with visa refusals and appeals,. This is how they provide clients with the professional representation needed in such complex matters.

From the moment a client engages Hannan Tew Lawyers, they benefit from a dedicated team that understands the intricacies of immigration law. This includes expert counsel on visa matters, from skilled migration and family-based applications to cases involving national innovation visas and other specialized categories.

Industry Knowledge and Up-to-Date Information

The field of immigration law is continually evolving, with changes in legislation and policy occurring regularly. Hannan Tew Lawyers stay abreast of the latest developments, ensuring that they can adapt strategies accordingly and provide the most current advice.

Customised Representation

Each visa appeal is unique, and the team at Hannan Tew Lawyers tailors their approach to fit the specific needs and circumstances of their clients. They understand that the outcome of an appeal can have life-changing implications and handle each case with the attention and sensitivity it deserves.

Final Thoughts

Securing the services of a visa refusal lawyer can make a considerable difference in the outcome of an appeal. They are not just legal representatives; they are advocates for your right to fair and just treatment in the visa application process. Their expertise extends beyond the law, offering support, and guidance through the emotional highs and lows of the appeals process.

Whether facing a refusal for a family, work, or a national innovation visa, it is worth considering the professional advice and representation of a specialist. In doing so, visa applicants can secure a partner in navigating the legal path toward realizing their aspirations in a new country.

In conclusion, while visa refusals are not uncommon, the support of a specialized visa refusal lawyer increases the chances of a successful appeal. Their role is indispensable in interpreting the intricacies of the law, presenting a well-founded appeal, and guiding clients through the complex terrain of immigration procedures, ultimately contributing to a positive resolution.
Staying focused is one of the best ways to be successful, and this applies to almost every aspect of life. No matter what industry people work in, its important to have their eyes on the prize so that they can reach their goals. When people lack focus it can lead to errors and poor decision making, which can create an array of problems in their respective areas. This sentiment is especially true for the healthcare system. The more distractions there are in the workplace, the harder it will be for physicians to do their jobs, and to do their jobs well. In order for the industry to be successful, it needs to invest time and money into minimizing those distractions. Making sure physicians arent spending countless hours on paperwork or overworking themselves physically, will help them stay focused and productive on taking care of their patients.

There is a direct relation between distractions and patients health. Studies show that more than 370,000 people die each year because they were misdiagnosed, with more than 420,000 people living with disabilities for this same reason. Misdiagnosis can be accidents in some cases, but a lot of times it happens when a doctor does not pay enough attention to their patient. Clinicians need to spend time addressing all possibilities when it comes to their patients health. When they are focused and busy doing other tasks they might miss imperative signs that can lead to a proper diagnosis. Doctors need to be 100% focused on their patients because lives are on the line.

Patient health is first and foremost, but sometimes its put on the backburner. There are so many times when doctors miss symptoms that could help them accurately diagnose patients, because they were buried in papers. This is not what the healthcare industry is, and when clinicians spend hours each day doing paperwork, patients health is at risk, says DoorSpace CEO Sarah M. Worthy.

Patients need to come first, not paperwork, and this responsibility falls on healthcare leaders. Just because doctors are clocked in to work does not mean they have to do more than what their job requires. There is no reason doctors should be spending countless hours doing paperwork and other managerial tasks, when that responsibility should fall on someone else. In order for patients to receive the highest level of care possible, they need their doctors full and undivided attention.

Technology is there as a resource to help alleviate these overwhelming tasks. Healthcare leaders can invest in this technology which helps automate paperwork and record keeping so clinicians dont have to worry about getting it done. Investing in technology means investing in your employees well-being. If they are stressed about getting this extra work done, then they are not living up to their full potential for their patients.

The solution is really simple. Healthcare executives need to invest in technology that takes a load off clinicians to-do lists. This not only makes record-keeping more efficient but more accurate, and gives frontline workers the time to do what they do best. When patient health is at risk, there needs to be immediate action taken, to provide them with the care they need to heal. Doctors doing admin tasks all day is not getting us anywhere, Worthy says.

In order to prevent misdiagnosis, the healthcare system needs to be proactive about making sure clinicians time is being used wisely. Taking care of patients and being an advocate for their health is the top priority, not paperwork. Technology is there as a resource to make life easier, so it should be used to its advantage. Not only will this make sure patients and their health is taken care of, but it will ensure that frontline workers are growing and reaching their full potential. This will help create a more cohesive work environment and will make sure that patients are receiving proper treatment. Productivity relies on minimizing distractions across the healthcare industry.
Richard Montgomery

The United Kingdom, UK, High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, has said it granted 300,000 new visas to Nigerians in the last couple of years.

Montgomery said this today Channels TVs Sunrise Daily. He noted that Nigeria is a major beneficiary of the UKs visa policies.

Recall that the last month, the opened a new Visa Application Centre, VAC, in Ikeja, Lagos, through its new commercial partner, VFS Global.

Speaking at the launch, the British Deputy High Commission, Mr Jonny Baxter, said it was the largest in Africa.

Also, Baxter added that Nigeria remained one of UKs most important partners.

Baxter noted that In the year to June 2024, we processed more than 225,000 UK visas for Nigerian nationals across all categories.

300,000 visas

Today, responding to claims in some quarters that the UKs immigration policies are harsh, British High Commissioner, Richard Montgomery, told Channels TV, I have to contest this picture because the UK in the last couple of years has granted around 300,000 new visas to Nigerians, which far exceeds any other visa of relationship which Nigeria has with any other country.

The trends have been really positive post-Brexit. Nigeria has been a major beneficiary of the post-Brexit migration visa rules.

And if you look at say the number of people getting work visas in the UK, these people play an incredibly important role in certain sectors, particularly our social care sector.

So I would like to emphasize how huge the relationship is. It outstrips any other visa relationship that Nigeria has with any other single country in my understanding.

Montgomery said Nigeria accounts for about 10% of visas granted by the UK in the last two years.

He hailed the contributions of Nigerians in the UK and described their efforts as incredibly important.
Syrian refugees wait in a queue at Cilvegozu crossborder gate before entering in Syria at Reyhanli district in Hatay, on December 9, 2024. (Photo by Ozan KOSE / AFP)

Syrian rescuers searched a jail synonymous with the worst atrocities of ousted president Bashar al-Assads rule, as people in the capital flocked to a central square Monday to celebrate their countrys freedom.

Assad fled Syria as Islamist-led rebels swept into the capital, bringing to a spectacular end on Sunday five decades of brutal rule by his clan over a country ravaged by one of the deadliest wars of the century.

He oversaw a crackdown on a democracy movement that erupted in 2011, sparking a war that killed 500,000 people and forced half the country to flee their homes.

At the core of the system of rule that Assad inherited from his father Hafez was a brutal complex of prisons and detention centres used to eliminate dissent by jailing those suspected of stepping out of the ruling Baath partys line.

On Monday, rescuers from the Syrian White Helmets said they were searching for secret doors or basements in Saydnaya prison, looking for any detainees who might be trapped.

We are working with all our energy to reach a new hope, and we must be prepared for the worst, the organisation said in a statement.

Aida Taha, aged 65, said she had been roaming the streets like a madwoman in search of her brother, who was arrested in 2012.

She said she went to Saydnaya, where she believes some prisoners are still underground.

The prison has three or four underground floors, Taha said. They say that the doors wont open because they dont have the proper codes.

Weve been oppressed long enough, we want our children back, she added.

While Syria has been at war for 13 years, the governments collapse ended up coming in a matter of days, with a lightning offensive launched by the Islamist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS).

Rooted in Syrias branch of Al-Qaeda, HTS is proscribed by Western governments as a terrorist group.

While it remains to be seen how HTS operates now that Assad is gone, it has sought to moderate its image and to assure Syrias many religious minorities that they need not fear.

Nightmare

In central Damascus on Monday, despite all the uncertainties for the future, the joy was palpable.

Its indescribable, we never thought this nightmare would end, we are reborn, 49-year-old Rim Ramadan, a civil servant at the finance ministry, told AFP.

We were afraid for 55 years of speaking, even at home, we used to say the walls had ears, Ramadan said, as people honked their car horns and rebels fired their guns into the air.

We feel like were living a dream, she added.

During the offensive launched on November 27, rebels wrested city after city from Assads control, opening the gates of prisons along the way and freeing thousands of people, many of them held on political charges.

Social media groups were alight with Syrians sharing images of detainees reportedly brought out from the dungeons, in a collective effort to reunite families with their loved ones, some of whom had been missing for years.

Others, like Fadwa Mahmoud, whose husband and son are missing, posted calls for help finding their missing relatives.

Where are you, Maher and Abdel Aziz, its time for me to hear your news, oh God, please come back, let my joy become complete, wrote Mahmoud, herself a former detainee.

US President Joe Biden said Assad should be held accountable as he called his downfall a historic opportunity for the people of Syria.

The fall of the regime is a fundamental act of justice, he said.

But he also cautioned that hardline Islamist groups within the victorious rebel alliance would face scrutiny.

Some of the rebel groups that took down Assad have their own grim record of terrorism and human right abuses, Biden said.

The United States has taken note of recent statements by the rebels suggesting they were adopting a more moderate posture, but Biden said: We will assess not just their words, but their actions.

Amnesty International also called for perpetrators of rights violations to face justice, with its chief Agnes Callamard urging the forces that ousted Assad to break free from the violence of the past.

Any political transition must ensure accountability for perpetrators of serious violations and guarantee that those responsible are held to account, UN rights chief Volker Turk said on Monday.

Where is Assad?

How Assad might face justice remains unclear, especially after Russia refused on Monday to confirm reports by Russian news agencies that he had fled to Moscow.

The Syrian embassy in Moscow raised the flag of the opposition, and the Kremlin said it would discuss the status of its bases in Syria with the new authorities.

Russia played an instrumental role in keeping Assad in power, directly intervening in the war starting in 2015 and providing air cover to the army on the ground as it sought to crush the rebellion.

Iran, another key ally of Assad, said it expected its friendly ties with Syria to continue, with its foreign minister saying the ousted president never asked for Tehrans help against the rebel offensive.

Turkey, historically a backer of the opposition, called for an inclusive new government in Syria, as the sheer unpredictability of the situation began to settle in.

It is not just Assads regime falling, it is also the question of what comes in its place? said Aron Lund, a specialist at the Century International think tank.

While Syrias war began with a crackdown on grassroots democracy protests, it morphed over time and drew in jihadists and foreign powers backing opposing sides.

Israel, which borders Syria, sent troops into a buffer zone after Assads fall, in what Foreign Minister Gideon Saar described as a limited and temporary step.

Saar also said his country had struck chemical weapons in Syria, in order that they will not fall in the hands of extremists.

In northern Syria, a Turkish drone strike on a Kurdish-held area killed 11 civilians, six of them children, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor.
French President Emmanuel Macron has called for a meeting of different political forces to hammer out a programme for a new government, the Greens party leader said on Monday amid a political crisis triggered by Prime Minister Michel Barniers ouster.

Macron had suggested a new method to put together an executive, Greens chief Marine Tondelier said after meeting him at his Elysee Palace office.

After Julys snap elections produced no clear majority, Macron took almost two months to name conservative Barnier as premier.

He was then toppled last week in a no-confidence vote over a cost-cutting draft budget for 2025 meant to tackle Frances yawning deficit.

New polls are ruled out until the summer, leaving Macron this time around to call for a meeting of different political forces to discuss a platform that could unite them in government, Tondelier said.

Until now, Macron had only been meeting party leaders individually.

But cobbling together any majority will be tricky in a parliament almost evenly divided between the NFP left-wing alliance, Macrons centrists and conservatives, and the far-right National Rally (RN).

Macron was very clear about the fact that as far as he is concerned, the RN is not within the circle of parties willing to talk, Tondelier said on Monday.

The RN had initially helped prop up Barniers minority government before supporting his downfall.

It leaves the left, centre and centre-right to try and find common ground after clashing fiercely ever since Macrons first presidential win in 2017.

 Under pressure 

Macrons call for a broad-based meeting suggests a new executive will not be put together quickly.

His ally, parliamentary speaker Yael Braun-Pivet, had earlier said a name should come within the next few hours.

She called for Macrons centrists to join conservative Republicans (LR), independent MPs and the Socialists to form an absolute majority that would survive a no-confidence vote.

Others have called for Macron, 46, to himself resign and trigger a new presidential poll.

But a defiant Macron last week said that he planned to serve out the remainder of his term, vowing to produce 30 months of useful action and promising to name a new prime minister in the coming days.

The weekend reopening of Pariss Notre Dame cathedral, refurbished after a devastating 2019 fire, offered a brief respite from the political crisis as he hosted world leaders including US President-elect Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

Macron is now under huge pressure to form a government that can survive a no-confidence vote and pass a budget for next year in a bid to limit political and economic turmoil.

 Cant go on like this 

Allies have urged Macron to move quickly.

We cant go on like this, Macrons centrist ally Francois Bayrou said on Sunday, warning that the French did not want uncertainty to continue.

Bayrou heads the MoDem party, which is allied to, but not part of, Macrons centrist force.

He has been tipped as a possible contender for prime minister. If I can help us get through this, I will, he said.

However many do not support his candidacy.

Mr Bayrous political line did not win the legislative elections, Tondelier told broadcaster RTL ahead of Mondays meeting with Macron.

We need a personality who is compatible with the left, added prominent centre-left politician Raphael Glucksmann.

A potential split in the left-wing New Popular Front (NFP) alliance of Greens, Communists, Socialists and hard-left France Unbowed (LFI) could prove key to building a new government.

Formed to help keep the far right out of power, the NFP emerged as the largest bloc in the National Assembly after the summer elections.

Its leaders have long insisted that Macron should appoint a prime minister from their ranks, although the president earlier ruled that out.

And the latest government crisis has brought NFP infighting to the fore, with LFI insisting that no cooperation with Macron is possible, while other parties have been open to talks.

Meanwhile, RN head Jordan Bardella, whose party has not been invited to talks with Macron, earlier demanded a meeting with the future prime minister.

You cant pretend were not here, he said.

Barnier, prime minister for only three months, remains in charge on a caretaker basis until a new government is appointed.
Gov. Babagana Zulum of Borno has presented a N584bn budget proposal for the 2025 fiscal year to the State House of Assembly, emphasising recovery and continuity in rebuilding critical infrastructure.

Tagged Budget of Recovery and Continuity, Zulum said the proposal comprises N323.47bn for capital expenditure and N204.71 bn for recurrent expenditure.

Zulum said that the budget is projected to be financed through recurrent revenue of N279.51bn, which includes Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) receipts of N249.42bn and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of N30.09bn. He explained that the capital receipts, including aid, grants, and development funds, are estimated at N152.69bn.

This budget is informed by our commitment to fulfil promises made to the people. Our estimates are based on realistic assumptions aligned with the Federal Governments 2025-2027 Medium-Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF).

We shall block wastages and intensify revenue generation efforts to achieve our targets, Zulum said.

He assured that the administration remains committed to transparency and accountability in the implementation of the budget. He said that the government has allocated significant funds to the education sector, targeting the establishment of five mega schools and the rehabilitation of 15 existing ones.

Zulum said 2,000 teachers would be trained, 500 more recruited, and instructional materials provided for secondary schools.

The government remains committed to improving access to quality education, especially for Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) and marginalized communities, he added.

The governor also disclosed a N6bn allocation to sustain the states scholarship program, which currently sponsors 1,244 students in local and foreign universities. The education of our youth is critical to the future of Borno. We are expanding the scholarship programme to benefit IDPs, orphans, and other vulnerable groups, targeting over 30,000 students in tertiary institutions, Zulum stated.

He said that the state plans to invest heavily in agriculture to enhance food security and job creation through provisions for irrigation systems, fertilizers, and the cultivation of over 100,000 hectares of farmland.

Zulum said the government would rehabilitate the College of Agriculture, which was damaged by floods, and upgrade facilities at Ramat Polytechnic and the College of Education, Waka-Biu.

These investments will empower our farmers and ensure food sufficiency for the state.

To address perennial water scarcity, the government has set aside N11.6bn for water resources, he said.

According to him, key projects include the construction of seven additional waterworks, 50 hybrid boreholes, 2,000 wells, and 1,789 solar-powered irrigation pumps. Zulum said the second phase of the Bulabulin Water Treatment Plant and the upgrade of the Maiduguri water facility would also commence.

In rural areas, these initiatives will support farmers and ensure access to clean water, he added.

He said that the budget also prioritizes rural development, with plans to construct roads, markets, and other facilities to boost local economies and improve livelihoods.

Zulum called on stakeholders to support the governments efforts in ensuring the successful implementation of the budget and rebuilding the state.

This budget reflects our determination to recover from the challenges of insurgency and natural disasters while laying the foundation for sustained development, he noted.
By Daniel Abia, P/Harcourt

Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has explained that the residential building constructed by the state government for officers of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) was intended to complement the efforts of the military and the federal government in providing welfare support to servicemen.

Governor Fubara made the statement during the inauguration of two blocks of 12 flats each, comprising two-bedroom NAF prototype residential buildings at the Port Harcourt NAF Base in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area on Monday. He noted that the housing facility, which began in 2017, was initially valued at N212 million but was later revised to N454 million. This, he said, demonstrated a modest contribution to the welfare of Air Force personnel in recognition of the ongoing collaboration in the fight against crime and criminality.

He explained, This project, which was not initiated by our administration, was conceived in 2017 but left incomplete. Upon taking office, we were approached and, understanding the importance of officers welfare, we decided to complete it. We felt that N454 million was a small price to pay for the crucial support we receive from the Nigerian Air Force.

Governor Fubara stressed that the states support should not be limited to electorates or specific communities but should also extend to institutions playing a vital role in protecting lives and property. He added, The welfare of officers is key. When they are comfortable, they will perform effectively, contributing to their productivity and the safety of the state.

He reaffirmed the commitment of his administration to continue supporting all security agencies in the state, particularly in the fight against oil theft and vandalization of pipelines. Our support is not only for those who voted for us but also for the agencies that protect our lives and properties, he said.

Governor Fubara also promised to enhance the 115 Special Operations Group Base of the NAF, aiming to make it one of the most attractive bases in the country. He assured that requests made by the base were being addressed in line with his administrations commitment to effective governance.

The Chief of Air Staff of Nigeria, Air Marshal Hasan Bala Abubakar, lauded the project as a demonstration of the Rivers State Governments commitment to the welfare of NAF personnel. He emphasized that the facility would boost morale, improve the quality of life for NAF families, and contribute to the operational effectiveness of the force. He also commended the strong partnership between the NAF and the Rivers State Government, which has helped secure the states economic lifeline through operations against illegal oil bunkering.

Air Marshal Abubakar further noted that the NAF had reciprocated the states support by providing air operations and services free of charge, ensuring a secure environment for businesses to thrive.

In his welcome address, Air Commodore Ali H. Idris, Commander of the 115 Special Operations Group, NAF Base Port Harcourt, described the housing facility as a testament to Governor Fubaras leadership and dedication to improving the welfare of NAF personnel. He stressed that the project would enhance operational readiness and strengthen the partnership between the NAF and the Rivers State Government in the fight against crime.
Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour

Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour, the Labour Party (LP) candidate in the 2023 Lagos governorship election, has announced his intention to contest for governor again in 2027.

Speaking during an interview on Gold Room, hosted by Nollywood actress Iyabo Ojo, Rhodes-Vivour emphasized his commitment to maintaining an active opposition presence and addressing the issues faced by Lagosians.

By Gods grace, I will run for governorship again in 2027. We are working hard. Weve gained significant traction, learned from our mistakes, and identified the loopholes we made, he said.

Rhodes-Vivour criticized the common trend of opposition parties fading into silence after elections and vowed to change that narrative.

The biggest mistake in Lagos politics is that after elections, the opposition disappears. Thats not happening this time, he stated.

He highlighted ongoing initiatives, including health outreaches and a micro health insurance plan providing free treatment worth up to ?6,000 for residents across the state. He also pledged to hold the current administration accountable.

Rhodes-Vivour called on Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu to ensure transparency and efficient use of public funds.

With the level of suffering Nigerians and Lagosians are enduring, theres an urgent need for accountability and transparency. The government must use public funds in the most efficient way possible, he said.

He stressed that active opposition benefits the public by keeping the government in check.

When the opposition holds the government accountable, the people ultimately benefit, he concluded.
Morocco is well-positioned to become a global hub for electric vehicle industries (EV) thanks to its control of the worlds largest phosphates reserves, its free trade deals with the EU and the US, availability of skilled labour and a growing automotive sector, London-based Chtaham House said.

Morocco has attracted Chinese EV battery giants looking to circumvent tariff barriers and tap into the countrys industrial potential, Chatham House MENA specialist Ahmed Aboudouh said in an analysis.

The country controls 72 per cent of all phosphate-rock reserves worldwide  positioning it to become a global EV battery production hub as the world moves away from NMC lithium-ion batteries and adopts cheaper and safer lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries, he said.

Morocco is also a member of Chinas Belt and Road Initiative since 2017 after signing a strategic partnership agreement with China during King Mohamed VIs 2016 visit to Beijing, he recalled

This makes Morocco an ideal pick for offshoring Chinas EV industry. Rabats biggest advantage is its free-trade agreements with the US and the EU and its membership in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), he said.

Its geographical proximity to the EU, African and US markets reduces shipping and insurance costs, he said, adding that Morocco also has some of Africas most advanced car industry infrastructure, rail and road systems, well-trained and cheap labour and a mature manufacturing governance framework. Its relative political and social stability and economic openness make it a magnet for foreign investors.

However, as Chinese companies pick Morocco and Mexico as offshore hubs, the US and European are taking protectionist stands that could lead to further trade restrictions on goods originating from joint ventures involving third parties which could affect Moroccan EV battery exports, he said.
Morocco has signed a second contract with India Tata group to acquire more Defense Dump Trucks LPTA 2445 after having received 90 of these trucks designed for logistics and munitions transport, according to Indian press reports.

This new order strengthens further the growing defense partnership between India and Morocco. The newly ordered trucks will significantly enhance the Royal Moroccan Armys logistical efficiency and operational flexibility.

The Defense Dump Trucks are specifically engineered to transport construction materials, supplies, and water resources, crucial for supporting operations in challenging terrains and remote areas.

The trucks ability to navigate challenging terrains and transport heavy payloads will be vital for supporting operations in diverse environments.

Morocco has partnered with TATA group to set up a plant in the Kingdom to produce locally armored combat vehicle WhAP 88 for the Moroccan army.

Tata Advanced Systems flagship product, WhAP 88 (Wheeled Armoured Platform) is Indias first infantry combat vehicle, designed for optimized survivability, all-terrain performance and increased lethality.
Egypts army has replaced a supply firm to take full control of the imports of strategic commodities such as wheat, in a move that highlights the growing role of the Egyptian armed forces in the economy, Reuters reported.

The army will conduct tenders on wheat and other strategic commodities instead of the General Authority for Supply Commodities (GASC), a subsidiary of the supplies ministry, the agency said citing an official document it has seen.

Now the Mostakbal Misr Agency for Sustainable Development of the Egyptian Air Forces has become the exclusive body responsible for importing food commodities, it said.

Founded in 2022 by presidential decree, Mostakbal Misr serves as the development arm of the Egyptian Armed Forces. While initially focused on land reclamation projects, its remit has since expanded to include major sectors of the economy.

The government argues that military involvement helps fill gaps in the market and ensures the stability of essential supplies. However, this approach has also led to worries about the concentration of economic power and its impact on private sector competition
The 21st annual Marrakech International Film Festival concluded on Saturday with the awarding of the festivals various prizes.

The prize, the Golden Star, was awarded toHappy Holidays movie by Palestinian director Scandar Copti.

The 123-minute feature film delicately examines the tension between emancipation and conservatism within the 1948 Palestinian society, reflecting a profound belief that societal progress is intrinsically linked to the empowerment of women.

Polish Damian Kocur won the Best Director award for his Under the Volcano movie.

The Best Actor prize was awarded to Ukrainian actor Roman Lutskyi for his role in Under The Volcano, while Lebanese talents Manar Chahab and Wafa Aoun shared the Best Actress award for their performances in Happy Holidays.

The Jury Prize was awarded ex-aequo to La Quinta (The Cottage), directed by Argentinian Silvina Schnicer and co-produced by Argentina, Brazil, Spain, and Chile, and The Village Next to Paradise, directed by Somalian Mo Harawi. The director of this movie, supported by Atlas Workshops program, had won a post-production award last year. The film tells a story of love, hope, and resilience amid poverty and despair in a Somali village.

Accepting her award, Palestinian director Iskandar Qubti said: No one is free until we are all free, especially the women among us.

I thank the Marrakech Festival for being a platform that amplifies marginalized voices and sheds light on the crimes against humanity that we must never forget, he added.

The jury for this years festival included prominent international figures such as American actress Patricia Arquette, Belgian actress Virginie Efira, British-American actor Andrew Garfield, Australian actor Jacob Elordi, Moroccan actress Nadia Kounda, Indian filmmaker Zoya Akhtar, Iranian director Ali Abbasi, and Argentinia filmmaker Santiago Mitre.

This years festival paid tribute to three cinema icons: the late Moroccan actress Naima Elmcharqui, Canadian director David Cronenberg, and American actor-director Sean Penn.

During the closing ceremony, Italian director and jury president Luca Guadagnino thanked the jury members for their excellent work, deeming Marrakech the capital of cinema in December.

As usual, the program for this 21st edition of the Festival was an opportunity to discover and explore an extremely wide range of cinematic genres. A total of 71 films from 32 countries, divided into 6 sections, were screened in the Festivals various venues in Marrakech.

Among this selection, 12 films benefited from the support of Atlas Workshops, the industry talent development program initiated by the Festival in 2018.

This years festival was attended by some 300 Moroccan professionals and was covered by 170 accredited media from all over the world.
Moroccan foreign minister Nasser Bourita reiterated the Kingdoms steady position for the preservation of Syrias national unity and territorial integrity after the fall of Bashar Assads regime.

Morocco, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, has always been clear concerning the preservation of territorial integrity, national sovereignty, and the unity of the Syrian people. This has been and will remain the firm position of the Kingdom of Morocco, Bourita said at a joint press conference with visiting former Prime Minister of Kenya and candidate for the position of President of the African Union Commission, Raila Amolo Odinga.

Morocco hopes that these developments will bring stability to Syria and a better future for the Syrian people, he said.

Morocco closed its embassy in Damascus and requested the closure of the Syrian embassy in Rabat in 2012, in line with the Moroccan position, the minister recalled.

Morocco was against interference in Syrias internal affairs, just as it is today supporting stability, unity, and the aspirations of the Syrian people to progress, he said.
Dong Ruijing poses for a photo with his works at his studio in Beijing, capital of China, Dec 3, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Filigree Mosaic art, a traditional imperial handicraft dating back to the Spring and Autumn period (770-476 BC), reached its peak in the Ming and Qing dynasties (1368-1911). In 1958, five cooperatives specialized in Filigree Mosaic art in Beijing merged into one factory, which had revived this traditional art from almost extinction. In 2008, Filigree Mosaic art was listed as a national-level intangible cultural heritage.



Four main crafts, namely making filigree, inlaying jewels, engraving and making the rough-body, are involved in the art, where a product needs to go through about 100 procedures. Nowadays, these skills are still being imparted by a master to an apprentice in a literally hand-holding manner, and can only be grasped through long-time practices.

Dong Ruijing, a Beijing native born in 1970, has been learning the art since he was 15. In 1988, he entered the Beijing Filigree Mosaic Factory and became an apprentice of three masters Yang Rui, Wu Kenan and Bai Jingyi. In 2006, he set up his own company to further develop the art.

For more than three decades, Dong and his apprentices have been dedicated to the innovation of the art, integrating it with other crafts such as lacquer carving and enamel art. Their products are now exported to markets like Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Malaysia.

By far, Dong has cultivated over 20 craftsmen on the art, and has built up a production base on Filigree Mosaic artwork in Zunhua of north China's Hebei Province, where he has also trained nearly 100 farmers.

Joining hands with Beijing Cultural Development Foundation, Dong started a project in 2023 on cultivating new-generation Filigree Mosaic talents across Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei. "It's lonely and tough in persisting the art," said Dong, "My love for it has encouraged me all along the way." In his view, to pass down the craft, artists should come up with products that cater to modern aesthetics and people's daily needs.
Photo: Yuki Iwamura/AP Photo

On Monday, a Manhattan jury found Daniel Penny not guilty of killing Jordan Neely aboard a subway train last year. After more than four days of deliberation, jurors rejected the charge of criminally negligent homicide after deadlocking on a manslaughter count, which was dismissed by the judge on Friday due to the impass. Penny is now a free man.

The jury began deliberating last Tuesday and in the days that followed, the anonymous jurors sent multiple notes, requesting readbacks of testimony as well as videos entered into evidence including Pennys interrogation and police body camera footage. On Friday, the jurors indicated that they could not reach a consensus on the charge of second-degree manslaughter, requesting further instructions from the judge as theyre unable to come to a unanimous decision. When they remained unable to come to a verdict later in the day, Judge Maxwell Wiley moved to drop the manslaughter charge, instructing the jury to continue their deliberation on the remaining count of criminally neglient homicide on Monday.

In May 2023, Neely, a 30-year-old homeless man, was seen shouting and acting erratically while aboard a northbound F train. Penny, a 24-year-old former Marine, came up behind Neely and placed him in a chokehold, restraining him with assistance from other passengers. Video shot by a bystander in the subway car showed Penny holding Neely around the neck for several minutes with Neely struggling to get out of his grasp. Neely was later transported to a nearby hospital where he was pronounced dead. A medical examiner later concluded that Neely died from compression of the neck, ruling his death a homicide. Penny was indicted by a grand jury the following month, facing charges of second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.

The case quickly became a cultural flashpoint, touching upon ongoing concerns about safety and crime on public transit as well as the increase of homelessness throughout the city.

Prosecutors argued that Penny held the chokehold longer than required, alleging that the former Marine, who was trained in such maneuvers, restrained Neely for six minutes and did not let go even once the train stopped at a station. He used far too much force for far too long. He went way too far, prosecutor Dafna Yoran told the jury during her opening statement, per the Associated Press.

The defense attested that Neelys death was the result of additional factors including his personal health as well as the excitement of the incident. Pennys attorney Thomas Kenniff said his client heard Penny said I will kill, which prompted him to take action. When Jordan Neely threatened to kill, there was only one thing Daniel Penny could do, he said, per Gothamist.

The jury heard eyewitness accounts from passengers on the train that day as well as testimony from a former Marine instructor of Pennys and dueling perspectives from medical experts on the cause of Neelys death. Penny did not testify on the stand in his defense.

Members of the New York City Council issued a joint statement condemning the verdict. Jordan Neely was failed by the citys social service system for years. He was failed by our city when Daniel Penny put him in a chokehold on the subway. And today, Jordan was failed once again, this time by the citys justice system, following the jurys decision to acquit Penny of criminally negligent homicide, wrote Council Members Sandy Nurse, Shahana Hanif, Jennifer Gutierrez, Carmen de La Rosa, Kevin C. Riley and Crystal Hudson.

Ed Cox, the chair of the state Republican Party praised the jurys conclusion. Todays acquittal of Daniel Penny is a victory for justice and a testament to the enduring courage of ordinary New Yorkers who refuse to stand idly by in the face of danger, he wrote.
Luigi Mangione is seen in a holding cell in Pennsylvania after being taken into custody. Photo: Getty Images

The largest manhunt in recent U.S. history ended in the dining room of a McDonalds in Altoona, Pennsylvania, on Monday morning.

It was there that two police officers encountered a man hunched over a laptop who, after pulling down a surgical mask, matched the description of the person wanted for gunning down UnitedHealthcare executive Brian Thompson in Manhattan, according to court documents. When the officers asked the man if he had been to New York recently, he became quiet and began to shake. After allegedly offering the officers a fake ID, he admitted he was, in fact, Luigi Mangione.

Mangione, 26, was denied bail during an initial court appearance that same evening in Pennsylvania, where he remains in custody. Manhattan prosecutors subsequently charged him with second-degree murder and issued a warrant for his arrest in order to be extradited to stand trial in New York. He is also charged with three gun charges and forgery for the ID.

A handwritten note was recovered with a loaded 3-D-printed gun, a silencer, and several fake IDs that officials say tie him to the murder. The note reportedly stated that Mangione made himself out to be fighting what he called a corrupt and greedy health-care system, attacking UnitedHealthcare by name: Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming. When officers investigated the scene of Thompsons murder, they found delay and deny scrawled on shell casings  terms often used by insurance companies when they deny patients claims. It was an early clue that Thompson, 50, was purposely killed in a potential act of vengeance against the nations largest insurer. The anger at the insurance industry was shared by a large swath of the public, which reacted with sympathy for the killer, sometimes slipping into glee for the heinous crime.

Soon after Mangiones arrest, a portrait emerged of a young man born of privilege who veered down an increasingly isolated path that authorities say ended violently.

A prominent Baltimore son goes adrift

Mangione belongs to an eminent Maryland family with ties to real estate and state politics. The Baltimore Banner reports that his family owns two recreational properties in the state and a group of nursing and assisted-living facilities they founded, and his cousin Nino is a Republican Maryland delegate. Mangione attended the Gilman School, a private all-boys high school in Baltimore where tuition is more than $35,000 per year. Former teachers and classmates told the Washington Post they remembered the valedictorian as an exceedingly bright and well-liked student.

Mangione at the Gilman School in 2016. Photo: Luigi Mangione/Facebook

In 2020, Mangione graduated from the University of Pennsylvania with degrees in engineering and computer science, according to his LinkedIn profile. According to a 2018 article in Penn Today, a university publication, he founded a club for video-game programmers as an undergraduate. In high school, I started playing a lot of independent games and stuff like that, but I wanted to make my own game, and so I learned how to code, Mangione, then a junior, told the publication. Fraternity brothers recalled him being a standard, beer-pong-playing frat guy. After college, he worked remotely for several years as a data engineer for an online car retailer.

He spent part of that period in Hawaii, posting on Instagram like a 20-something digital nomad and staying at a co-living and co-working space called Surfbreak HNL in Honolulu. According to a representative for the company, he paid $2,000 a month for a small bedroom on the 40th floor of a tower for the first half of 2022, sharing a kitchen and bathroom with others. Guests have to pass a rigorous screening process, including background check, which he easily did. He seemed to be pretty well loved, the representative said. You live in pretty close quarters with people, so you get to know each other well. He then moved to live elsewhere in Hawaii.

Luigi was an incredibly thoughtful, compassionate human being. I had many long, deep conversations with him about not just the state of world affairs but things that we could do to improve society, said Surfbreaks owner, R.J. Martin. Its like utter disbelief that it could have possibly been him, in the sense that when you talk about just a good human  like, somebody that youd be lucky to spend time with, somebody that was just thoughtful and had a good heart  that was definitely Luigi.

The ever-present smile in photos masked physical and psychological pain. Now-deleted Reddit posts found by CNN, which match up with details of Mangiones life, said the user was suffering from chronic back pain, Lyme disease, and brain fog since college. The posts also expressed anger at the medical community: Its absolutely brutal to have such a life-halting issue  The people around you probably wont understand your symptoms  they certainly dont for me. Martin told a Hawaii publication that his friend underwent surgery for the back pain earlier this year.

By that time, Mangione had begun withdrawing from those closest to him and had evidently moved to Japan, as he wrote online. In the spring, he began corresponding with Gurwinder Bhogal, a U.K.-based Substack writer, who said they exchanged emails and had a two-hour video call. He also mentioned Japanese culture was too rigid and rule-bound for his liking, Bhogal said. We briefly touched on the differences between the U.K. and U.S. health-care systems. Luigi complained about how expensive health care in the U.S. was and expressed envy at the U.K.s nationalized health system.

Something seems to have changed following the back operation, after which Martin said Mangione went radio silent in June or July. Another friend told the New York Times that he was forwarded a message from the Mangiones saying they had not heard from him in several months after his surgery. Relatives were hoping friends might know of his whereabouts. By mid-November, his family had reported him missing to San Francisco police, though it is unclear why they believed he might have been there. When asked in court if he was in contact with family members, Mangione only said until recently.

Mangione in Hawaii. Photo: Luigi Mangione/Instagram

Our family is shocked and devastated by Luigis arrest, Mangiones family said in a statement. We offer our prayers to the family of Brian Thompson and we ask people to pray for all involved.

On X, he followed a variety of accounts befitting a typically online young man: self-help gurus like Andrew Huberman, OpenAIs Sam Altman, and heterodox thinkers such as Sam Harris and Richard Dawkins as well as Joe Rogan. His strongest interest by far is in the work of Tim Urban, a writer and illustrator popular with tech types who publishes science explainers and anti-woke political writing about how polarization is bad and rationalism can save the world.

There was one prominent exception to his innocuous online trail, though. Early this year, he favorably reviewed the book-length manifesto of Theodore Kaczynski, a fellow math whiz better known as the Unabomber, who killed and maimed people he believed had ruined the world with technology. Its easy to quickly and thoughtless write this off as the manifesto of a lunatic, in order to avoid facing some of the uncomfortable problems it identifies, Mangione wrote in his review. But its simply impossible to ignore how prescient many of his predictions about modern society turned out. He then quoted a take I found online that I think is interesting, which ended by saying, Violence never solved anything is a statement uttered by cowards and predators.

Bhogal said they also talked about Kaczynski in a discussion of a Substack article of his about the gamification of society with a focus on the life and thought of the Unabomber. Luigi disapproved of the Unabombers actions but was fascinated by his ideology and shared his concerns about rampant consumerism gradually eroding our agency and alienating us from ourselves.

Mangione drew on the Unabombers example in preparation for the attack, authorities say. In a notebook recovered during his arrest, according to CNN, he referenced the late domestic terrorist and mused about using a bomb to kill Thompson, but ruled it out because it could kill innocents.

Politically speaking, Bhogal said Mangione was hard to pin down. He was also left wing on some things and right wing on others, he explained. For instance, he was pro-equality (of opportunity) but anti-woke (i.e., anti-DEI, antiidentity politics). He opposed wokeism because he didnt believe it was an effective way to help minorities. He expressed interest in more rational, evidence-based forms of compassion, like effective altruism. He asked me how I decided which issues to be left on and which to be right on, so we discussed that.

Overall, the impression I got of him, besides his curiosity and kindness, was a deep concern for the future of humanity and a determination to improve himself and the world, Bhogal said.

A head start runs out in Altoona

The massive manhunt began this past Wednesday morning at the Hilton hotel in midtown Manhattan, where Thompson was staying to attend a nearby business conference. At approximately 6:44 a.m. near the hotels doors, a hooded figure in a mask approached Thompson from behind and opened fire. After tapping the back of the weapon, apparently to clear a jam, the gunman pursued his prey for several steps, firing at least once more. With Thompson fatally wounded, the gunman then crossed the street and took off on a zigzag course on a bicycle through midtown and Central Park before the trail went cold at the bus terminal in upper Manhattan. Within a few hours, he had eluded the nations largest police department, which has access to thousands of cameras, and disappeared.

Officers investigate the scene of Thompsons murder this past Wednesday. Photo: Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images

Police officers and detectives scoured the getaway route for footage, working backward to create a timeline of the lead-up to the crime in the hopes of unmasking the killer. They discovered the gunman had arrived in the city ten days earlier from an interstate bus that originated in Atlanta. He then checked into an Upper West Side hostel on November 30 with a fake New Jersey ID. It was there that he briefly let his guard down, lowering his face mask to reportedly flirt with a person working the front desk. The moment was captured by a security camera. On December 4, the day of the shooting, the masked man had been spotted at a Starbucks a few blocks away from the Hilton. He discarded a water bottle and a protein bar, from which police obtained a smudged fingerprint and DNA. Throughout, investigators believed he paid cash. Mangione was found with $10,000 in cash, including foreign currency, and a passport.

NYPD releases two new photos of the suspect in the murder of UHC CEO Brian Thompson #nbc4ny pic.twitter.com/jUsWCayV9T  Steven Bognar (@Bogs4NY) December 8, 2024

After leaving Central Park, the gunman hailed a taxi and headed to the bus terminal, but not before a camera looking into the back seat captured another image of his face. The NYPD immediately released the photos in hopes of identifying the suspect, and 300 miles away in a McDonalds, an employee recognized a man inside as the same one in the photos owing to his distinctive features, such as thick eyebrows. When officers asked for identification, Mangione allegedly flashed the same fake ID used at the hostel. After police ran the ID and came up empty with a match, they asked why he lied about his name. I clearly shouldnt have, he responded, according to court papers, and was placed under arrest.

Jessica Tisch, the new NYPD commissioner, credited the greatest detectives in the world for gathering the evidence that led to Mangiones capture. Still, he was not identified for nearly a week after he allegedly opened fire in the middle of one of the worlds most heavily surveilled cities. During a press conference following the arrest, a Pennsylvania law-enforcement official said Mangione had crisscrossed the state from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh after leaving the city, keeping a low profile and trying to avoid more cameras.

With additional reporting by John Herrman and Andrew Rice
Photo-Illustration: Boy_Anupong/Getty Images

This article was featured in One Great Story, New Yorks reading recommendation newsletter. Sign up here to get it nightly.

Bill Bryan woke up one morning in August with left shoulder pain. He and his wife, Beverly, had been spending some time at the condo theyd bought and usually rented out in Okaloosa County, Florida. Hed been moving furniture for much of the prior day and assumed thats why he was in pain. But as the hours ticked on, the pain spread down his side, and by that evening he couldnt walk. Beverly drove him to a nearby hospital, Ascension Sacred Heart Emerald Coast. Tests there revealed a mass on Bills spleen, which made sense. When a spleen ruptures, it can irritate a nerve that runs from the neck down through the left side of the chest.

Bill spent a couple days in the hospital receiving pain medication and undergoing more tests. With his pain stable, the couple told the hospital that they wanted to go home to their full-time residence in Alabama to receive further care. But Thomas Shaknovsky, an osteopathic physician practicing at ASHEC, disagreed with this plan. If Bill left the hospital, Beverly recalls the doctor warning, he will bleed to death.

Shaknovsky said the only path forward was surgery to remove Bills spleen, according to a Florida Department of Health report. So late in the day on August 21, Beverly, her daughter, and Bills daughter hugged Bill good-bye as he was wheeled into the operating room. I thought a splenectomy was a fairly simple procedure, Beverly says. It seemed like he would be in and out.

Less than an hour later, Beverly overheard an emergency announcement on the intercom for the operating room Bill was in. No one could answer her questions about what was happening. She decided to wait in the chapel, and eventually Shaknovsky came in, accompanied by a legion of people, Beverly recalls. They said that Bill had not survived.

Beverly remembers Shaknovsky explaining that Bills spleen had turned out to be very diseasedthat it was four times the normal size and very heavy. He also said that a splenic-artery aneurysm had ruptured, causing Bill to bleed to death. Beverly had spent her career in health care, including as an emergency-medicine nurse, and she recalls questions swirling through her head: Why hadnt Bills CT scans and MRIs revealed the advanced stage of the disease in his spleen? Given that his spleen was being removed, why hadnt the doctor just clamped the artery off to begin with?

In her shock, though, Beverly pushed her questions aside and signed the paperwork. Bills body remained in Florida for cremation. Back home, to avoid confused looks from her friends in the medical field, she simply stated that Bill had died of an aneurysm.

But the day after Bills celebration-of-life service, Beverly received a call from a medical examiner in Florida. The medical examiner, according to a Florida Department of Health report, said that a pathologist had found something suspicious in the specimen container that Shaknovskys team had marked spleen, necessitating an autopsy of Bills body. According to the medical examiner, the autopsy revealed that Bills spleen was still intact inside his body and appeared untouched. The report stated there was no evidence that he had endured a ruptured-splenic-artery aneurysm. But Bills inferior vena cava  the largest vein in the body, which connects the liver to the heart  had been dissected, with no indication that anyone had attempted to stop the bleeding with a clamp. His liver was also gone and was in the container marked spleen, according to both the Department of Healths report and a report from the Agency for Health Care Administration, which includes interviews with hospital staff who were in Bills operating room.

The case, which is still under investigation, is horrific yet not unheard of. Its an exceptionally egregious example of what doctors refer to as a never event, so named because preventable errors with grave consequences should never happen. In reality, events like these happen more often than most people realize. But unless a patients family publicly intends to sue, as Beverly does, they can remain a secret among the hospital employees who were involved. The Joint Commission, the main accrediting body for hospitals in the U.S., only asks hospitals to voluntarily report events that result in death or severe harm to patients, and only a few states report their never events publicly  most notably, Minnesota, which reported 610 adverse health events in 2023, nearly 40 percent of which resulted in severe injuries or death. But reliable national data for the U.S. as a whole do not exist.

I contacted nine physicians to ask about never events for this article, and most did not answer my emails or refused to discuss the topic. Eventually, however, I reached several advocates for health-care safety  including two doctors  who stressed that hospitals will see a reduction in never events only if the stigma surrounding them lifts, allowing them to closely examine the aspects of their protocols that allow these events to occur. Never events continue to happen because health care is complex, but also because the industry is very poor at learning from our own mistakes, says Kamal Mahawar, a consultant general and bariatric surgeon at Sunderland Royal Hospital in the U.K.

When never event was coined in 2001, it originally referred only to the most extreme medical errors. But over the past two decades, the phrase has come to encompass, more broadly, any severe adverse medical result that should have been preventable. In the U.S., never events are defined as 29 serious medical errors grouped into seven categories. They include conducting surgery on the wrong site or the wrong patient; killing or seriously injuring someone by giving them the wrong drug; performing artificial insemination with the wrong sperm or egg; the death or serious injury of a mother or newborn during the delivery of a low-risk pregnancy; patient elopement from the hospital; a serious injury or death from the result of falling while in a health care facility; and criminal events such as a patient being sexually or physically assaulted.

Many never events neither result in a patients death nor cause lasting physical damage. In England, where national data are available, wrong-site surgery is the most common never event, followed by retention of a foreign object  such as a swab, guide wire, needle, or instrument  in a patients body after surgery. In a 2003 survey of 1,050 hand surgeons in the U.S., 21 percent admitted to having operated on the wrong site at least once in their career.

Never events are rarely caused by a single practitioner. You can imagine, no one goes to work to make a mistake or do harm, Mahawar says. In fact, just about every protocol in a hospital  from hiring to training to caregiving  is set up to prevent them. But health-care workers, like workers in any job, sometimes accidentally or intentionally break with protocol. And in most cases of never events, systemic hospital dysfunction or disorganization allows those mistakes to add up to serious consequences. Doctors refer to this as the Swiss-cheese model, says Matt Austin, an associate professor and a principal faculty member at the Johns Hopkins Armstrong Institute for Patient Safety and Quality. Its often a series of circumstances that create the opportunity for an error.

David Ring is an orthopedic surgeon and the associate dean for comprehensive care at the University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School. He was involved in a never event more than a decade ago at Massachusetts General Hospital, when he accidentally performed a carpal-tunnel release rather than a trigger-finger release on a patient. Fifteen minutes later, while dictating the operation report in his office, he realized he had performed the wrong procedure. It was absolutely devastating, he says.

It was Rings sixth and final surgery of the day; an earlier patient had been distressed during her otherwise successful operation, an unusual situation that weighed on Ring. The surgery floor was also behind schedule, so administrators moved Rings final patient to a different operating room, which led to what he describes as a change in personnel. This meant the nurse who had performed the patients preoperative assessment would no longer be in the room with Ring and the rest of the team. Other seemingly small but significant breaks with protocol occurred: There was no tourniquet in the operating room, so the circulating nurse had to leave and get one, distracting her from the patient. The soap and alcohol used to clean the patients arm wiped away the surgical marking left by the preoperative nurse. There was no translator available, so Ring  the only Spanish speaker in the room  was left to communicate with the patient, who spoke only Spanish, a language the nurses did not understand. That caused further confusion as to when the operation had formally begun. There was even a nursing change in the middle of the procedure.

When Ring realized his mistake after it was all over, he immediately informed other staff members, then apologized to the patient and asked if he could perform the correct procedure. She agreed. He gathered a new team to do it and the trigger-release went smoothly. The patient was discharged later that day, but Ring and his patient were both irreparably changed. Ring kept in touch with the patients family afterward, but ultimately the patient decided not to see Ring again and instead went to her primary-care doctor at a community clinic to have her sutures removed. All charges for the surgery were waived, and a settlement between the hospitals malpractice insurer and the patient was reached shortly thereafter.

While many people would never want to speak about such an error, Ring did something unusual: He embarked on what he calls the wrong-procedure world tour. He shared the story of his never event at conferences packed with thousands of attendees and published an academic case study detailing the errors he made. I took the approach of talking about it openly, he says. I needed that to heal.

He also thought that speaking about what happened to him might help remove the stigma of these events, making it easier for others to speak up when they were involved in one, and prevent them from occurring in the future. To err is human, Ring said. Never events are not talked about enough. He suspects that deep shame prevents most other health-care workers from coming forward the way he did and that part of that comes with the outcome having never in its name. Labeling something a never event, he says, suggests that the error was made by a bad apple who needs to be found and punished, which makes staying silent seem like a safer choice.

While it might appear, at first glance, as if Bryan simply died at the hands of one truly inept doctor, hospitals have systems in place to protect against any single human error  whether a doctor is exhausted, momentarily distracted, or genuinely incompetent or malicious and shouldnt be practicing medicine in the first place. There should be enough checks and balances in health-care delivery that no surgeon ever takes out the wrong organ, says Leah Binder, chief executive officer and president of the Leapfrog Group, a nonprofit health-care watchdog organization based in Washington, D.C.

A report released in September by Floridas Department of Health outlines hospitalwide points of failure that led to Bryans demise. First, Shaknovsky ordered Bryans splenectomy, warning him of his decreasing hemoglobin, though, according to the report, it had decreased only marginally over the course of three days. The procedure began unusually late in the day, after 5 p.m., with only a skeletal crew present  meaning the staff would be less equipped to respond to potential complications. A number of Ascensions operating-room staff also reported that they were worried that Shaknovsky did not have the skill level to safely perform this procedure. Shaknovsky had an established pattern of errors in the operating room. Most seriously, in 2023, he removed a portion of a 58-year-old mans pancreas instead of a mass on his adrenal gland. The patient survived but was permanently harmed, according to the Department of Health report. Shaknovsky was allowed to continue practicing medicine at ASHEC.

After Shaknovsky performed his first major error  cutting Bryans inferior vena cava, causing him to severely hemorrhage  he persisted in dissecting even though the abdomen was full of blood and there was no visibility, the report states. Shaknovsky also did not take a clamp that a technician offered, which could have stopped the bleeding. Instead, he fired the stapling device blindly into Bryans abdomen, according to the report. When Shaknovsky removed Bryans liver and stated to the other staff that it was a spleen, no one protested, even though they recognized it was a liver. The Agency for Health Care Administration interviewed the operating room staff after Bryans death, and when one employee was asked if they were comfortable speaking up, they answered, Im a scrub tech and the surgeon wont listen to a scrub tech unfortunately.

The Department of Health report states that the person responsible for sending the specimen to the pathologist also realized that the organ wasnt a spleen, but they presumably viewed their role as largely to follow orders, and so they did as they were instructed and labeled it as such. Shaknovsky repeatedly stated to the room that Bryan had died of a splenic-artery aneurysm in an attempt, the staff felt, to convince them that this is what occurred, even though they witnessed something different, the Health Department report continued. We all were like in shock, a registered nurse told investigators later, according to the Agency for Health Care Administration report. (Says Ring, The fact that no one in the operating room felt comfortable to speak up suggests that they didnt have a good safety culture.)

When Beverly returned to the hospital the day after Bill died, she asked members of the OR team what they remembered from Bills surgery, and they continued to keep mum. No one said anything about his liver being removed, says Beverly. Adds Joe Zarzaur, the attorney Beverly hired, All these people knew that something was wrong  that something horrible had just happened. But no one said a thing.

According to Mahawar, most never events could be prevented if health-care facilities seriously addressed their underlying drivers and developed systematic barriers. He says that the first step is to critically examine all the factors that went wrong, including through consultation with family members and the patient, if they survived. Once all the data is in, hospitals should devise fixes to prevent the mistake from ever being repeated, and find ways to share those fixes with other facilities. Binder and her colleagues also recommend that hospitals waive all costs related to the event and, as obvious as this may seem, directly apologize to the patient and their family for the mistake they made.

Shaknovskys medical license has now been suspended by the Florida State Surgeon General and the Alabama Medical Licensure Commission. Ascension Florida, which includes the hospital where Bill died, declined an interview request for this story. A hospital spokesperson said, Dr. Shaknovsky has never been a Sacred Heart Emerald Coast employee and no longer practices medicine at Sacred Heart Emerald Coast or any of our other facilities. Our organization does not discuss specific patient cases and will not provide further comments. (Zarzaur explained it is common for hospitals to hire specialists on an independent contractor basis to protect themselves from liability.) Shaknovskys attorney did not respond to a request for comment.

Beverly has yet to receive any apology or admission of wrongdoing. Bill was the last person in the world this should have happened to, she says. He has children and grandchildren and a little dog that love him and miss him terribly.

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Trump meets Prince William in at the U.K. ambassadors residence in Paris December 7. Photo: Aaron Chown/Getty Images

The press offices for Britains royal family have only released a handful of carefully worded health updates on King Charles and Kate Middleton following their cancer diagnoses earlier this year. Basically all Prince William has said publicly is that his wife and father are doing well. Now the elaborate effort to maintain the royals privacy may have been compromised by Donald Trump, one of the worlds biggest gossips.

After attending the ceremonial reopening of Notre Dame cathedral on Saturday, Trump and Prince William met for about 40 minutes at the residence of the British ambassador in Paris. Kensington Palace described the meeting as warm and friendly. But the U.S. president-elect had a lot more to say in a dishy post-trip interview with the New York Post, which was published Sunday night:

On his meeting with UK Prince William, he said he had a great talk about the royal family, as both Kate Middleton and King Charles are recovering from cancer.

I had a great talk with the prince, Trump said. And I asked him about his wife and he said shes doing well. And I asked him about his father and his father is fighting very hard, and he loves his father and he loves his wife, so it was sad. We had a great talk for half an hour, a little more than half an hour. We had a great, great talk.

The Washington Post reported that Trumps remarks are getting attention in Britain because the royal family has said so little about the kings health status. While Kate Middleton revealed in a handful of heavily produced social-media posts that she has completed preventative chemotherapy, we still do not know what type of cancer she has. The palace has not disclosed what cancer Charles has or what treatments hes undergoing. Both royals have mostly returned to regular duties.

So is Charles fighting very hard because his cancer is more serious than Buckingham Palace is letting on? Or was Trump just relaying platitudes because he didnt really get any inside information on the kings health? Its impossible to say.

Kensington Palace hasnt responded to Trumps gossiping or his other remarks on the prince. Per the New York Post:

[Trump also] commented on the princes good looks: Hes a good-looking guy. He looked really, very handsome last night. Some people look better in person? He looked great. He looked really nice, and I told him that.

Between this and Trumps ongoing beef with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, its going to be hard for Prince William to stay mad at him for long.
politics

What We Know About the Arrest of Mahmoud Khalil

A DHS official defended Khalils detention in an interview on Thursday but did not provide additional details for his arrest.
Climate finance is a white-hot topic right now. The COP2 delegates failed to agree on a generous enough deal for the transition in developing countries; in the U.S., project Veritas revealed that the EPA was funneling billions into climate activist organizations ahead of Trumps presidency to ensure continued pressure on the government; and in the EU, a think tank put a price tag on the transition. The EU cannot afford it.

Bruegel, the Brussels-based energy outlet, published a policy brief this week focusing on what the EU needs to get to its stated goals of net zero and how much it would cost. It appears that, for these goals to be hit, the bloc would need to spend 1.3 trillion euros, or about $1.4 trillion, every year until 2030. After that, the price for the transition jumps to 1.54 trillion annually and stays this much until 2050.

The impressive amount of money that needs to be spent on the transition is divided into three categories by Bruegel: energy supply, energy demand, and transport. It may also be an underestimation by the EU itselfbecause it does not include all the costs associated with the transition, omitting, for instance, financing costs that could be quite significant in their own right. As Bruegel points out, the cost of financing investment will be significant for cash-constrained agents, and public finances will need to step in with de-risking instruments to facilitate private investment.

What this means is that the European Union will need to step up subsidies in all of its transition directions in order to motivate private investors to join it in funding the transition. That could be a tough job given the current context in transition technologies, which is one with subdued demand despite the strong government support in the form of subsidies.

Yet the European Unionas represented by its executive arm, the Commissionalso omits other costs from its financial plans for the transition. It does not include the manufacturing costs associated with that transition into the budget, and these could be steep as well. As Bruegel notes, the buildout of local manufacturing capacity in line with a policy that requires 40% of European transition tech to be made in the bloc would require additional investments of 100 billion euros annually between this year and 2030.

It sounds like the tab just keeps getting items added to it, but who is going to pick it up and how they are going to afford it is becoming increasingly unclear. Of course, on the face of it, the payers are perfectly clear: governments and private investors. It is below this face that things get interestingand challenging.

The government receives money from the taxpayers. So, the government part of the transition tab will be, in effect, picked up by people who pay taxesand who vote. But with the transition about to get even more expensive than it already is, European governments would need to find more money than previously expected in order to do their bit for the common green good, and that would have to mean higher taxeswhile trying to incentivize taxpayers to adopt greener and more expensive lifestyles.

Per Bruegel, There will be a great need from 2025-2030 to deal with the complex distributional implications of buildings and transport decarbonisation, from which emissions reductions have so far been relatively small. Avoiding political backlash may involve offering financial incentives to households in return for adopting costlier green technologies.

This is quite a conundrum because it effectively comes down to European governments taking money from people with the one hand and giving them some back with the other, all for the purpose of reducing the emissions of carbon dioxide by 55% from 1990s levels by 2030 and then achieving net-zero status by 2050. Judging by the latest political events in Europe, notably Germany, Romania, and now France, it is not going well.

It might get even worse in the near future because Bruegel has suggestions about how to ensure the money for the transition is there: by effectively binding all national policies with the European Green Deal. The EU is currently seeking to achieve its transition goals via a scheme featuring national energy and climate plans, or NECPs. Per Bruegel, in order to be effective, NECPs must be turned into real national green-investment strategies, providing a point of reference for investors, stakeholders and citizens in making investment decisions.

Governments should be obliged to set out in their NECPs a detailed, bottom-up analysis of their green investment needs, and an implementation roadmap with clear milestones or key performance indicators (KPIs), the think tank also wrote, basically suggesting that transition policies should be turned into the focus and basis of all national policies.

While that might be possible, if difficult, to do with all pro-transition governments across the EU, the implementation remains dependent on over a trillion euros in investments every single year between now and 2030and Europeans are already angry enough with their rising cost of living. Bruegel calls the criticism of EU climate policies populism and accuses critics of making false statements about the damage that the transition would do to the EUs competitiveness. Yet evidence points in the opposite direction: the transition is making life in the EU a lot more expensive, destroying European businesses competitiveness and even threatening their survival. The impossibility of finding enough money to fund the transition could be a blessing in disguise.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Iran's decision to increase uranium enrichment is in response to recent censure by the IAEA.

The IAEA warns that Iran's actions could lead to the production of nuclear weapons.

Iran is significantly increasing its production of highly enriched uranium, raising concerns about the country's nuclear ambitions.

Iran is poised to significantly increase the production rate of highly enriched uranium, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has warned in a confidential report.

The IAEA report said the effect of the change "would be to significantly increase the rate of production of uranium enriched up to 60 percent," according to news agencies quoting the report on December 6.

This means the rate of production will jump to more than 34 kilograms of highly enriched uranium per month at its Fordow facility alone, compared to 4.7 kilograms previously, the report to the IAEA's board of governors says.

IAEA Director-General Rafael Grossi, who spoke to reporters about the report on the sidelines of an international conference in Bahrain, said the increase would represent seven or eight times or even more," calling the development very concerning.

They were preparing, and they have all of these facilities sort of in abeyance and now they are activating that. So we are going to see, he said, adding that it would be a huge jump if Iran begins increasing its enrichment.

The report also said Iran must implement tougher safeguard measures such as inspections to ensure Fordow is not being "misused to produce uranium of an enrichment level higher than that declared by Iran, and that there is no diversion of declared nuclear material."

Iran's decision to accelerate production of enriched uranium is in response to recent censure by the IAEA, Grossi told the AFP news agency.

"This is a message. This is a clear message that they are responding to what they feel is pressure," the UN nuclear watchdog's head said.

Tehran was angered by a resolution last month put forward by Britain, Germany, and France, known as the E3, and the United States that faulted Iran's cooperation with the UN nuclear watchdog.

Britain, Germany, and France have adopted a tougher stance on Iran in recent months, in particular since Tehran ramped up its military support to Russia.

In addition, there was little progress last week when European and Iranian officials met to determine whether they could enter serious talks on the nuclear program before U.S. President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House in January.

Trump pulled the United States out of the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers and is now appointing hawks on Iran to his planned administration.

While Iran maintains its program is peaceful, Iranian officials increasingly threaten to potentially seek a nuclear bomb and an intercontinental ballistic missile. But experts war that the enrichment of uranium at 60 percent is just a short step away from weapons-grade levels of 90 percent, and they say there is no justification for enriching uranium to such a high level under any civilian program.

The news of Iran's decision to increase uranium enrichment came just hours after Tehran claimed it had conducted a successful space launch with its heaviest payload ever. Official media reported that the launch of the Simorgh rocket took place at Irans Imam Khomeini Spaceport in Semnan Province located about 220 kilometers east of Tehran.

Western governments have expressed concern that the Tehrans ballistic missile program is coming closer to having the ability to launch a weapon against distant foes like the United States.

The Simorgh carried what Iran described as an orbital propulsion system and two research systems to a 400-kilometer orbit above the Earth. It also carried the Fakhr-1 satellite for Irans military, the first time Irans civilian program is known to have carried a military payload.

Iran has said its space program, like its nuclear activities, is for purely civilian purposes.

By RFE/RL

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Equinor has exited the upstream business in Nigeria and Azerbaijan after completing oil and gas asset sales of $2 billion, the Norwegian energy major said on Monday.

Equinor will receive $745 million for its portfolio in Azerbaijan and up to $1.2 billion for the sale of its Nigerian assets, said the company, which announced the deals last year and said they were part of its strategy to streamline its upstream business.

In Nigeria, Equinor sold its assets to Chappal Energies. These included a 53.85% ownership in oil and gas lease OML 128, including the unitized 20.21% stake in the Agbami oil field, operated by Chevron.

In Azerbaijan, the Norwegian firm sold its shares of 7.27% in Azeri Chirag Gunashli (ACG) with 6.655% to SOCAR (State Oil Company of Azerbaijan) and 0.615% to Indias ONGC. Equinor also sold it total shares of 8.71% in Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, with 7.96% to SOCAR and 0.75% to ONGC.

With these exits we realise value and execute on our strategy to focus the international portfolio, and in combination with recent acquisitions and investments in our competitive projects, we seek to sustain long-term production and profitability, said Philippe Mathieu, executive vice president for international exploration and production in Equinor.

These divestments and exits enable investments to deepen further in countries where Equinor can add the most value and build a more focused and robust international portfolio, the Norwegian company said.

Just last week, Equinor and Shell announced they would merge their UK oil and gas assets in a 50/50 joint venture which will be the largest independent oil and gas producer in the UK North Sea.

Shell and Equinor are currently defending in court their plans to develop the planned Jackdaw and Rosebank oil and gas projects in the UK North Sea, respectively, after environmentalists won landmark court battles earlier this year and the Labour government dropped its right to challenge judicial reviews brought against the development consents for the fields.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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An explosion and fire at a fuel depot owned by energy major Eni near Florence, Italy, killed on Monday morning at least two people and injured another nine, while three people are still unaccounted for.

At least three of the injured are in critical condition, Italian officials say.

The fuel depot at Calenzano, just northwest of Florence, receives, stores, and ships out gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. The explosion occurred in an area where trucks were refueling in a loading shelter. The explosion and fire have not affected the storage tanks, Eni says.

The fuels are shipped to the Calenzano site via two pipelines connected to the refinery in Livorno, also operated by Italian oil and gas major Eni. Livorno is a port city on the west coast of the region of Tuscany, where Florence is also located.

Emergency services continue search efforts for the missing people. Fire engines and firefighters have managed to contain the fire and prevented it from spreading to the storage tanks, said Eugenio Giani, the governor of the Tuscany region in central Italy.

It is not clear yet what caused the explosion, Italian media report.

Due to the fire and the high smoke column, traffic on the A1 main north-south highway in Italy was disrupted in the area of Florence and Bologna. Train traffic between Florence and Prato has been suspended.

The incident prompted Italys Civil Protection Department to issue a message to residents via the It-Alert messaging system for the first time, advising them to stay indoors and avoid the area near the explosion.

The municipalities of Calenzano, Campi Bisenzio, and Sesto Fiorentino have recommended that residents keep their windows closed.

Tuscanys regional environmental protection agency is currently evaluating the pollution from the explosion, including possible effects on water resources, the regions governor Giani posted on social media.

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Visitors pose for photos with a giant panda mascot of China's stand at the autumn edition of Romania's Tourism Fair in Bucharest, Romania, Nov. 22, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

Maltese sinologist Stephen Cachia has been brimming with excitement in recent days, thanks to China's newly-extended visa-free policy. After a one-year trial, China decided in November to further broaden the scope of this policy to more European countries, including Malta.

As a lecturer in Chinese history at the University of Malta and a fluent Chinese speaker, Cachia has developed a deep connection with Chinese culture. "I always encourage my students to visit China to experience its people, culture, and historical sites firsthand," he said. "This visa-free policy will make their trips much easier and more seamless."

Cachia, who has visited China multiple times, looks forward to returning to explore the country again.

The journey toward visa-free travel to China for Europeans began in November 2023, when China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a one-year trial of unilateral visa-free entry for ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. Under this policy, eligible individuals could visit China for business, tourism, family visits, or simply transit without a visa, with stays of up to 15 days.

The trial, which started on Dec. 1, 2023, proved successful, prompting an expansion throughout 2024. By Nov. 30, 2024, the policy covered 38 countries, most of them European countries, with the maximum stay increased to 30 days. The policy also demonstrates greater flexibility by including travel for the purpose of exchanges.

Boosting tourism and exchange

China's unilateral visa-free policy has fueled a surge in international arrivals. In the third quarter of 2024, China recorded nearly 8.2 million inbound trips by foreigners, a 48.8 percent year-on-year increase. Among these, around 4.9 million entries were visa-free, a remarkable 78.6 percent rise compared to the same period in 2023, according to data from

Air China's Geneva office reported a significant growth in passenger numbers. Since the visa exemption's implementation on March 14, its Geneva-Beijing flights had carried around 29,000 passengers as of Nov. 30, marking an 80 percent increase compared to 2023.

The rise in travel has also spurred a buzz on social media, with "China Travel" becoming a top-trending term across global platforms, such as Facebook and TikTok.

Luigi Gambardella, president of the Brussels-based digital association ChinaEU, highlighted the policy's role in promoting cultural exchange. "Firsthand experiences in China help visitors break stereotypes and gain a better understanding of its social and economic dynamics," he said.

In Croatia, a newly added country in November, the policy has yet to reach many people. However, Damir Kresic, managing director of Croatia's Institute for Tourism, praised the initiative as a gesture of goodwill. "This is China's way of saying to the world: You are welcome, you are all invited," he said, adding that he has been spreading the news among friends and family.

Fostering economic benefits

Marjana Majeric, executive director of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Slovenia, noted that the extended 30-day visa-free period facilitates deeper economic ties, offering businesses better market access and opportunities for development cooperation.

Major companies, including Mercedes-Benz and BMW, have recognized the policy's impact in streamlining business travel and enhancing investor confidence. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have also benefited, as managers now find it easier to attend exhibitions and meetings in China.

Jochen Tueting, CEO of Chery Europe, explained that the visa-free regime facilitates multinationals by improving coordination among local teams in China and fostering cooperative automotive development between China and Europe.

"I believe this is incredibly business-friendly and increases overall operational efficiency," Tueting said. "If we need to travel to China immediately, we can book a flight for the following day under this arrangement, which is incredibly simple and quick."

Driving global growth

Ralph Ossa, the World Trade Organization's chief economist, described the visa-free policy as "a driver of global trade in services and investment." Gambardella echoed this sentiment, noting that in an era of sluggish global economic recovery and rising protectionism, China's visa policy optimizations inject confidence and momentum into the world economy and promote economic globalization.

Zheng Yongnian, a professor at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (Shenzhen), considers the visa-free policy an important part of China's unilateral opening-up measures, which also include opening the domestic market to foreign enterprises and hosting the China International Import Expo.

Together with multilateral and bilateral opening-up initiatives, such as Joining the WTO and free trade agreements, these measures have promoted a positive cycle of trade between China and the world, Zheng noted.

"It demonstrates China's dedication to openness and counters the misconception of retreating into isolation," said Liang Guoyong, a senior economist with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. "This experience is worth further promotion."
Germanys power margin, the available electricity supply to meet demand, is set to drop this week to the lowest level so far this winter, as low wind speeds and colder weather are straining the power system, according to models compiled by Bloomberg.

This week, wind speeds in Germany have dipped again, while colder-than-usual temperatures have settled over much of northwest Europe.

Since early November, the so-called Dunkelflaute, German for dark wind lull, have often resulted in wind farms in Europes biggest economy generating only a fraction of their nameplate capacity, leading to day-ahead electricity prices for peak demand hours to high levels not seen since the peak energy crisis in 2022.

Near-term power prices have increased as supply has been fluctuating while demand has been growing with the colder temperatures. Germany has had to import more electricity from France and rely more on fossil fuels for power generation during periods of low wind speeds.

Gas-fired power generation in Germany jumped in November from October by the largest-ever monthly increase, according to data from energy think tank Ember cited by Reuters last week.

That was mostly because of the 25% lower wind power generation in October and November compared to the same two months of last year.

Germany and the rest of Europe have been drawing from natural gas storage at the highest rates since 2016, amid the cold and windless weather.

Over the past two months, the slump in wind generation  not only in Germany but in other northwest European countries, too  and the additional gas required to back up the electricity system pushed power prices higher and prompted some emergency grid stabilizing measures in several European economies.

The rising power and gas prices amid tighter margins and markets is set to hit Europes industry once again and force it to lose further competitiveness as high energy prices, rising natural gas prices, and concerns about gas supply this winter are increasing uncertainty about factory utilization amid rising costs.

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Kuwait Foreign Petroleum Exploration Company (KUFPEC) plans to bid for more oil and gas blocks offshore Indonesia and explore for hydrocarbons in the Natuna Sea, the top executive of Kuwaits state oil firm told Reuters on Monday.

KUFPEC is an international upstream company, engaged in exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas outside the State of Kuwait.

Currently, KUFPEC, a unit of Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), has two offshore oil/gas/condensate projects of Natuna Sea Block A, Anambas Exploration block and Ephindo exploration license.

We are particularly focused on potential blocks in the Natuna Sea region, which aligns with our ongoing efforts to develop the Anambas Block, KUFPEC's Indonesian country manager, Sara Al-Baker, told Reuters in an interview.

KUFPEC is now evaluating the Natuna D-Alpha natural gas block. While the block is estimated to contain as much as 230 trillion cubic feet of gas, its carbon dioxide content is high.

The main challenge is the high CO2, Al-Baker told Reuters.

The Kuwaiti company will also take part in the upcoming offshore oil and gas licenses, the executive added.

Indonesia plans to cut red tape to encourage oil and gas exploration as it looks to revive its domestic oil and gas industry and boost energy security, the new government and president said in October.

Indonesia, which was a member of OPEC between 1962 and 2009, reactivated its membership in the organization in early 2016, but suspended it again later that same year, when the cartel agreed on joint oil production cuts under the so-called OPEC+ deal with some non-OPEC members, including Russia and Kazakhstan.

Indonesian crude oil production has been falling in recent years, while oil demand has been rising in the worlds fourth most populous country after India, China, and the United States.

Indonesia used to be a net oil exporter but this has changed as natural depletion and insufficient new exploration have combined to push its output of hydrocarbons down.

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Crude oil prices began trade this week with a gain following the news that Islamist rebel groups had ousted Syrias President Bashar Assad and taken over the country in a blitzkrieg-style offensive that lasted less than a month.

At the time of writing, Brent crude was trading at $71.54 per barrel, with West Texas Intermediate at $67.63 per barrel. The price gains were limited as pessimism about demand growth remained strong.

The development in Syria has added a new layer of political uncertainty in the Middle East, providing some support to the market, Mitsubishi UFJ Research and Consulting analyst Tomomichi Akuta told Reuters.

But Saudi Arabia's price reductions and OPEC+'s production cut extension last week underscored weak demand from China, indicating the market may soften toward year-end, Akuta added.

Markets are largely pricing that the tensions in Syria will remain contained within its own space and the risks of a wider oil supply disruption remain low, IG market strategist Yeap Jun Rong told Bloomberg.

Saudi Arabia said it would cut oil prices for January deliveries, reinforcing fears of an oversupply next year, as predicted by numerous forecast outlets. However, some analysts warn that oil demand is being underestimated and oversupply is being overestimated, which could result in a rude awakening at some point in 2025.

Last week, Morgan Stanley revised its Brent crude price forecast for 2025 upwards, saying the OPEC+ decision to delay production cut reversals would result in a smaller-than-expected supply overhang, even factoring in what has been widely perceived as weakening China demand.

The action taken by OPEC+ eats quite heavily into the surplus that was expected over 2025. However, the extension and the slower return of barrels is not enough to push the market into deficit next year, ING analysts said following the groups decision, made last week.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Saudi Arabia has cut the official selling price for its crude oil for deliveries to Asia in January in a move that was largely expected amid depressed global prices.

Saudi crude for delivery next month will be the cheapest in four years, according to Reuters columnist Clyde Russell, with the kingdom also cutting prices for deliveries to Europe and leaving prices for deliveries to the United States unchanged.

Aramco lowered the official selling price for its flagship Arab Light blend from a $1.70 premium to the Oman/Dubai average for this month to a premium of $0.90 per barrel for January. Expectations for the price cut, as reported by Reuters last week, ranged between $0.70 and $0.90 per barrel.

The move was prompted by weaker-than-expected demand from Saudi Arabias key oil export market: Asia. The Saudis are the biggest suppliers of oil to Asia and with demand disappointing, a move on pricing was all but certain to take place.

Oil imports into Asia over the first 11 months of the year averaged 26.58 million barrels daily, Russell reported, citing data from Reuters partner LSEG Oil Research. Thats 310,000 barrels daily lower than imports a year ago. One might argue that the demand dip is a natural development following the surge in demand after the lifting of the pandemic lockdowns, especially in China.

There are also signs that demand might be picking up, according to Russell, who noted that Asian oil imports for November averaged 27.05 million barrels daily, led by China, whose imports of the commodity last month averaged 11.77 million barrels daily, up from 10.57 million barrels in October. Asias total November imports were a 1-million-bpd jump from October.

An earlier report citing LSEG Oil Research data showed that Saudi oil exports to Asia alone improved by about half a million barrels daily last month, as Russian oil sales to the region dipped.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Days after the Nigerian Senate frowned at the inability of the Federal Government to secure the release of Leah Sharibu, the only Dapchi, Yobe State school girl still in Boko Haram captivity, the presidency has revealed why she is still being held by the terrorist group.

In a statement, Garba Shehu, the senior special assistance on media to President Muhammadu Buhari said the fear of Nigerias military by the terrorists is the reason her release is taking too long.

The interlocutors have reported encouraging progress so far, Shehu said in a commemorative statement marking five years of the abduction of schoolgirls in Chibok, neighbouring Borno state.

The report reaching us says her return to her family has unfortunately been hindered by the fear of the militants.

They worry that heavy military presence in areas where they previously moved about freely could affect their safety after they return her to the government.

At the same time, the military cannot jeopardise the security of the entire north-eastern region by halting their operations to accommodate Boko Harams fears. Leah Sharibu will be reunited with her family as soon as any conclusions are reached on a number of options being considered for her safe transportation.

The success of the Nigerian military in subduing Boko Haram is evidenced by the large numbers of militants who have surrendered recently, especially in neighbouring Cameroon and Niger.

A similar mass surrender of militants is expected to happen soon in Nigeria.

While Nigerian military operations are ongoing, the government is also engaging with the militants but the talks have been affected by the factionalisation of Boko Haram  with one group adopting a hard line attitude and intensifying attacks on Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad, and another group engaging with the government for peaceful resolution.

President Buhari also uses this opportunity of the commemoration of the Chibok tragedy to commend the girls, now women, who have triumphed over it all.

The Nigerian Senate had asked the President Muhammadu Buhari-led government to put every necessary effort to secure the release of Leah Sharibu from the North East of Nigeria terrorist group.

The call is coming more than one year after Miss Sharibu was kidnapped along 111 other school girls on February 19, 2018, from her school, Government Girls Science and Technical Secondary School in Dapchi, Yobe State.

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In the world of prop trading, building a winning trading plan is crucial for success. A trading plan serves as a roadmap, providing the guidance and structure needed to navigate the ever-changing market conditions.

Table of Contents

By understanding the basics of a trading plan and incorporating key components, prop traders can develop a robust strategy to achieve their financial goals.

Understanding the Basics of a Trading Plan

Defining a Trading Plan

A trading plan is a comprehensive document that outlines a traders approach to the market, taking into account strategies that might be employed at leading prop firms for funded accounts and the nuances of prop trading. It covers various aspects, such as trading goals, risk management strategies, selection of trading instruments, and trading schedule. In addition to these key components, a trading plan may also include sections on market analysis techniques, entry and exit criteria, and performance evaluation metrics. By incorporating all these elements, traders can create a structured framework to guide their decision-making process in the dynamic world of trading.

Furthermore, a trading plan serves as a reflection of a traders mindset and approach towards trading. It encapsulates their beliefs, attitudes, and strategies, providing a roadmap for navigating the complexities of the financial markets. Through continuous review and refinement, traders can adapt their trading plan to changing market conditions and personal growth, ultimately enhancing their overall trading performance.

Importance of a Trading Plan for Prop Firms

Proprietary trading firms (prop firms) employ traders to trade with the companys capital. Having a trading plan is essential for prop traders as it helps them align their trading activities with the firms objectives. A well-crafted plan not only increases the chances of profitability but also ensures consistency and discipline in trading. For prop firms, trading plans play a crucial role in risk management, performance evaluation, and regulatory compliance.

Moreover, trading plans in prop firms often undergo rigorous scrutiny and approval processes to ensure alignment with the firms overall trading strategies and risk tolerance levels. Prop traders are required to adhere to the guidelines set forth in their trading plans, fostering a culture of accountability and professionalism within the firm. By integrating individual trading plans into the broader framework of the prop firms risk management protocols, traders can contribute to the collective success of the organization while pursuing their own trading goals.

Read Also: CHAN 2025Q: Home Eagles Step Up Preparation For Ghana Clash

Key Components of a Winning Trading Plan

Setting Trading Goals

Setting clear and achievable trading goals is the first step towards building a winning trading plan. Traders need to define their financial targets, risk tolerance, and timeframes for achieving those goals. This helps in establishing a clear direction and motivates traders to stay focused on their objectives.

Moreover, setting trading goals provides traders with a roadmap for their trading journey. By having specific targets in place, traders can measure their progress, identify areas for improvement, and make informed decisions based on their goals. Whether the goal is to achieve a certain percentage of return on investment or to increase the size of their trading account, having a clear objective can enhance discipline and consistency in trading activities.

Risk Management Strategies

Effective risk management is crucial in trading. Traders must develop strategies to protect their capital and limit potential losses. This includes setting stop-loss levels, defining position sizes based on risk-reward ratios, and employing risk mitigation techniques such as diversification.

In addition to the aforementioned risk management strategies, traders can also utilize tools like trailing stops, which adjust the stop-loss level as the trade moves in their favor, locking in profits while minimizing potential losses. Furthermore, incorporating risk management principles like proper asset allocation and using leverage judiciously can help traders navigate volatile market conditions with more confidence and control.

Selection of Trading Instruments

Choosing the right trading instruments is another critical component of a trading plan. Traders need to assess different markets and identify the instruments that align with their trading strategies. This can include stocks, options, futures, or forex. Each instrument carries its own set of risks and benefits, so thorough research is essential.

Furthermore, understanding the correlation between different trading instruments can provide traders with insights into diversification opportunities and potential hedging strategies. For instance, pairing a high-risk, high-reward instrument with a more stable asset can help balance the overall risk exposure in a trading portfolio. By carefully selecting a mix of trading instruments, traders can create a well-rounded and resilient trading plan that is better equipped to weather market fluctuations and achieve long-term success.

Developing a Robust Trading Strategy

Fundamental Analysis vs Technical Analysis

When developing a robust trading strategy, traders need to consider whether to rely on fundamental analysis or technical analysis. Fundamental analysis involves evaluating economic indicators, company news, and financial statements to identify potential trading opportunities. On the other hand, technical analysis involves analyzing price charts and indicators to forecast future price movements.

Creating a Trading Schedule

A trading plan should include a well-defined trading schedule. Traders need to determine the best times to trade based on market volatility and liquidity. This helps in avoiding unnecessary exposure and maximizing trading opportunities during the most opportune periods.

Implementing Stop Loss and Take Profit Levels

Setting stop-loss and take-profit levels is crucial for managing trades effectively. Stop-loss orders help limit potential losses by automatically exiting a trade if the price moves against the traders position. Take-profit orders, on the other hand, lock in profits by automatically closing a trade when a predetermined target is reached.

Evaluating and Improving Your Trading Plan

Regular Review of Trading Performance

A winning trading plan needs to be regularly reviewed and evaluated. Traders should keep track of their trading performance, including win-loss ratios, average trade duration, and overall profitability. By analyzing this data, traders can identify strengths and weaknesses in their strategy and make necessary adjustments.

Adapting to Market Changes

Markets are dynamic and constantly evolving. Traders need to adapt their trading plans to accommodate changing market conditions. This may involve updating risk parameters, adjusting trading strategies, or exploring new trading opportunities. Flexibility is key to surviving and thriving in the world of prop trading.

Continuous Learning and Improvement

Successful prop traders understand the importance of continuous learning and improvement. They stay up-to-date with market trends, explore new trading techniques, and seek feedback from experienced traders. This ongoing process of learning helps traders refine their strategies, enhance their skills, and stay ahead of the curve.

In conclusion, building a winning trading plan is crucial for prop traders looking to achieve success. By understanding the basics of a trading plan and incorporating key components such as setting clear goals, implementing risk management strategies, and developing a robust trading strategy, prop traders can navigate the markets with confidence. Regular evaluation and adaptation, coupled with continuous learning, are essential for prop traders to stay competitive and achieve long-term profitability.

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China will increase its petrol exports to near record levels in July and August with cargoes moving to Nigeria and Mexico as refiners seek outlets for their fuel amid a wave of new production and slowing domestic demand.

The surge in Chinese shipments will fill a supply gap caused by refinery outages in the United States and the Middle East but are likely to accelerate a plunge in Asian petrol margins, which have dropped by 50 per cent since July 12, when they clawed back to a three-month high, according to Reuters.

Chinas refineries, led by PetroChina Co, will export about 1.5 million tonnes of petrol a month in July and August, two senior traders with knowledge of Chinas petrol exports were quoted as saying. That is up from June exports of one million tonnes and near the record of 1.69 million tonnes exported in March, according to Chinese customs data.

The export surge is a result of the start-up of two large-scale refineries owned by Hengli Petrochemical and Zhejiang Petrochemical that will each add about four million tonnes per year of new petrol output when fully operational.

PetroChina was granted petrol export quotas of 4.7 million tonnes in the second batch of quotas issued in May, more than half of the quotas given. As a result, the company is placing cargoes to Mexico, Chile and Nigeria, according to traders.

Petrol surplus in China is exacerbated by slowing demand growth, given weakening consumer confidence as the trade war continues, reflected also in slumping car sales, said Michal Meidan, director of the China energy programme at Oxford Institute of Energy Studies.

Chinese refiners have loaded 1.2 million tonnes of petrol for export as of July 23, after a record 1.6 million tonnes in June, according to data from Refinitiv.
China published a set of guidelines on Monday aimed at helping police more effectively prevent and address domestic violence.

The guidelines were jointly issued by nine institutions including the Ministry of Public Security, the Supreme People's Court, the Ministry of Justice, and the All-China Women's Federation.

These guidelines clarify the conditions under which police can establish the facts of domestic violence, an area that often sparks controversy in real-life situations.

If the perpetrator does not dispute the act of domestic violence, statements from both the perpetrator and the victim, or witness testimony, will be required. If the perpetrator denies the allegations, a statement from the victim or witness testimony, along with supplementary evidence, will be necessary, according to the guidelines.

The guidelines list eight types of supplementary evidence, including digital materials such as audio-visual recordings and telephone recordings documenting the domestic violence incident.

Witness testimonies from friends and neighbors, medical records from healthcare institutions, and records of complaints filed with relevant departments regarding domestic violence also constitute supplementary evidence, according to the guidelines.

They also clarify penalties for perpetrators of lesser offenses. In cases where the circumstances of domestic violence are relatively minor and do not warrant administrative penalties like detention, the police are authorized to educate and issue a verbal warning to the perpetrator or issue an admonition notice.

An admonition notice should be issued if the perpetrator has been previously educated and verbally warned by the police for acts of domestic violence.

The guidelines also outline the responsibilities of eight sectors in combating domestic violence, including courts, education authorities, civil affairs departments, hospitals and women's organizations.

In particular, they highlight the implementation of a mandatory reporting system. For instance, staff at schools, kindergartens, medical institutions, community centers and social service organizations have been asked to report cases of domestic violence to the police upon discovering them.

China's anti-domestic violence law took effect in 2016, which authorizes the police to issue admonition notices to perpetrators. In 2023, police across the country issued 98,000 such notices.
As the race for the leadership of the Ninth National Assembly begins, different geopolitical zones are advancing reasons they should produce the next Senate President.

Before the elections, there were speculations that former Akwa Ibom State Governor Senator Godswill Akpabio was being considered for the position, but the former Minority leader was not re-elected.

A source said under the current arrangement, the Northwest occupies the position of President, the Southwest takes the position of the Vice President, the Northcentral and the North East are occupying the position of Senate President and Speaker of the House of Representatives.

He said: If you look at the current arrangement, the Southeast is occupying the position of the Deputy Speaker, even though he is not a member of the APC, while the Southwest again has the position of Deputy Speaker.

In all these, it is only the Southsouth that has not been accommodated as they have been completely alienated. There was the argument in 2015 that there was no ranking Senator from the Southsouth. Now, there are two ranking Senators from the zone. They are Francis Alimikhena and Ovie Omo Agege.

The Southsouth should be allowed to produce the Senate President, while the Speaker should go to the North Central. The position of Deputy Senate President should go to the Northeast, while the Southeast takes the position of Deputy Speaker.

It is their thinking in the Presidency that since the President is from the Northwest and the Vice President from the South West, the four senior principal offices in the National Assembly should go to the other four zones. in other words, nobody from these two zones should be in contention for these positions.

The source said unlike 2015 when the President did not secure 25 percent in majority of the states in the Southsouth, President Buhari was able to muster the required 25 percent in almost all the states in the zone.

He said: There is no way President Buhari can finish an eight year tenure of two terms without the Southsouth occupying any of the six senior positions in government. That will be grossly unfair to the zone. So, the thinking is that the Senate President should come from the Southsouth.

Ranking Senators from the Northcentral and North east are already eyeing the position of Senate President with Senate Leader Ahmed Lawan among the top contenders.

It is not however clear what process will throw up the next Senate President, but a senior member of the National Working Committee (NWC) told The Nation that the party has learnt from its mistakes of 2015 and would get involved in the process of selecting the leadership of the National Assembly.
Despite the spread of coronavirus forcing other world leaders to impose a travel ban on travellers coming in or going out their countries or limiting entry access, the Nigerian government says it has no plan to take such decision, thereby, opening Nigerias airspace to flights from countries with reported cases of coronavirus outbreak.

The decision of the Federal Government was revealed by the Minister of Health, Osagie Ehanire on Friday while providing updates on the coronavirus in Nigeria.

According to him, measures are in place to prevent the outbreak of coronavirus in Nigeria, but a travel ban was not one of the immediate methods being considered.

Globally, world leaders have been banning flights from countries experiencing high cases of coronavirus. The United States, Canada, Israel, China, India and Italy have restricted travelling into their countries. Also, Uganda has placed travel restriction on countries like the UK, US, China and other affected nations.

This was done to stop further spread of the virus but while briefing foreign diplomats on the readiness of Nigeria to tackle coronavirus, Ehanire said, There was no immediate reason for now to impose a travel ban.

He explained that Nigeria was following the coronavirus containment guideline of the World Health Organisation. Nigeria is one of the countries with fewer cases of coronavirus. The only confirmed case is that of the Italian man who was diagnosed to have coronavirus a day after arriving in Nigeria.

Ehanires statement raises cause for concern because most of the reported cases of coronavirus in Africa (about 100 cases recorded in 11 countries in Africa) have been from people who travelled into the countries mentioned. The following are cases of coronavirus reported in Africa as of March 11:

Apart from the danger, it poses to life, coronavirus has affected Nigeria and other countries economically. The impact of coronavirus on trade has affected Nigeria due to the countrys close ties with China where the virus started before spreading globally. Coronavirus is also one of the reasons the Federal Government want to review its 2020 N10.59 trillion budget.

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" " The god of war was busy in ancient Greece. Nicole Antonio/DALL-E

Many Greek gods and goddesses were associated with battle, but Ares was known as the one true Greek god of war (not to be confused with Kratos, the protagonist of the "God of War" video game franchise).

Ares was the least-worshipped deity in the Greek pantheon since most people preferred peace and stability between the many city-states. However, he would eventually come into his own as a new power emerged on the world stage.

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When the Romans adopted the god of war and renamed him Mars, he became an integral spiritual component of one of the greatest and most expansive empires of the ancient world. At the beginning of any battle, Roman soldiers would pray to Ares to deliver their forces from danger and defeat.
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A comparison between yellow-legged and Asian hornets. Credit: UKCEH

A new study has shown that although the UK has suitable climate and habitat for the yellow-legged hornet, also known as the Asian hornet, effective action has prevented this voracious predator of pollinators from establishing in the country.

The invasive non-native species has devastated honeybee colonies in France and Italy.

It arrived in France in a container of pottery from China about 20 years ago, then spread rapidly across the continent, and was first seen in the UK in 2016. There have been regular sightings in the UK including 44 confirmed so far this year, mostly in Kent and East Sussex, but the National Bee Unit responds rapidly to reports, destroying the insects and nests found.

The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) has led a study to assess the environmental suitability of European countries for establishment and spread of the yellow-legged hornet (Vespa velutina) and this work was the first to consider the potential extent of invasion by this species that would have occurred in the UK, Germany and the Netherlands if rapid eradication had not taken place.

Widespread threat

Using modeling approaches, they concluded that environmental suitability varied across Europe with areas of high suitability in France, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, the UK and Ireland. As of December 2023, the yellow-legged hornet is considered to be established in France, Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Portugal, Italy, Switzerland, Germany and Jersey.

The study, published in the Journal of Applied Ecology, found that over 1,500km2 in the UK would have been colonized by 2020 without action to tackle the invasive non-native species.

Lead author Dr. Richard Hassall of UKCEH explains: "No significant spread has yet been reported in UK and while there has been recent establishment in Germany and the Netherlands, our predictions suggest that the attempts to tackle the yellow-legged hornet in these countries have so far been successful in limiting its spread.

"This is due to the fantastic efforts by vigilant members of the public who report suspected sightings of yellow-legged hornets, then rapid action by the authorities to locate and eradicate the insects and nests found.

"Significant resources have gone into monitoring and slowing the spread of this invasive non-native species in the UK and parts of Europe, so it is encouraging to find these efforts appear to have been effective."

Aiding identification

UKCEH oversees the alert system for Britain which enables people to report potential sightings of a number of priority invasive non-native species. The yellow-legged hornet is one such species and there are various ways that people can submit their reports.

The Asian Hornet Watch app, which has received around 12,500 reports of sightings from the public in the UK so far this year, though only a fraction of these are confirmed as yellow-legged hornet, with most observations actually of the native European hornet or hoverflies and other insects that look similar to the yellow-legged hornet.

The Asian hornet has recently been renamed the yellow-legged hornet in part to aid correct identification. In addition to checking the guides on the app and online, the public is asked to submit a clear photograph with their recorded sightings to help experts quickly identify whether it is a yellow-legged hornet.

Key role of citizen science

Professor Helen Roy of UKCEH and the University of Exeter, a co-author of the study, says, "We are grateful to everyone who is helping to track the spread of the yellow-legged hornet. The contributions of volunteers to citizen science initiatives such as the Asian Hornet Watch app are inspiring. The yellow-legged hornet is a voracious predator and has caused notable losses of honeybees in parts of Europe, and we predict there would be major impacts to wild pollinators in the UK if it establishes here."

Along with UKCEH and the GB NonNative Species Secretariat, the latest study also involved the University of Turin and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The research team says the modeling framework developed in their study could be useful for evaluating the effectiveness of interventions for other invasive non-native species, as well as for risk assessment and guiding surveillance and management.

More information: Richard M. J. Hassall et al, Predicting the spatiotemporal dynamics of biological invasions: Have rapid responses in Europe limited the spread of the yellowlegged hornet (Vespa velutina nigrithorax)?, Journal of Applied Ecology (2024). DOI: 10.1111/1365-2664.14829 Journal information: Journal of Applied Ecology
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Agricultural land near river confluences can help soak up water and slow down the advance of flooding during extreme weather events. Credit: Tokyo Metropolitan University

Researchers from Tokyo Metropolitan University show that agricultural land preserved around river confluences can help mitigate floods. They make a case for Eco-DRR, an approach that uses existing environmental resources to improve resilience against flooding.

The study is published in the journal Environmental and Sustainability Indicators.

Statistical analysis shows that municipalities with agricultural land in areas with high water storage potential suffered fewer floods, with stronger correlation when agricultural land was situated near river confluences. The team hope their findings inform effective land usage.

Climate change has brought about an increased risk of extreme weather, which is particularly concerning for areas at risk of floods. As society seeks to navigate this unprecedented challenge, local authorities are scrambling to come up with the most effective measures to prevent and mitigate severe flooding.

One answer might be dams and barriers, but there is a limit to what can be achieved, particularly when balanced with their own ecological impact.

An alternative approach is Eco-DRR (Disaster Risk Reduction), an approach that seeks to use existing environmental resources, especially agricultural land, to reduce risk. Agriculture is important for society for food production, but it has an important secondary role in reducing flood damage by soaking up and temporarily stopping large amounts of water. But its efficacy depends widely on the placement of farmland, and how it is maintained.

Associate Professor Takeshi Osawa from Tokyo Metropolitan University is at the forefront of efforts to study the impact of Eco-DRR on disaster mitigation in Japan.

Japan is a particularly mountainous country, where maintaining large tracts of farmland is difficult, with migration of people from rural areas to the cities leading to the abandonment or urbanization of formerly agricultural land. Thus, it is becoming increasingly important to understand the specific role that agricultural usage plays in flood risk.

In his most recent work, he undertook a wide-ranging statistical analysis of the placement of agricultural land in different municipalities compared to local risks of flooding.

He analyzed surveys of flood damage in 1,917 municipalities all over Japan spanning the period from 2010 to 2018, and looked at how much agricultural land was situated in areas with high water storage capacity. He found that municipalities with land that fit these conditions had a lower risk of floods.

Combining detailed geographical data, there was an even stronger connection between the area of farmland located at the confluence of rivers and a reduced risk of flooding, stronger than the correlation found in agricultural land in areas with high water storage potential.

Confluence points between rivers exist all over Japan and are safe havens for a wide range of flora and fauna that can benefit from the flooding. Bringing together food security, disaster mitigation, and biodiversity, this presents a rare win-win scenario in the face of an increasingly challenging climate environment.

More information: Takeshi Osawa, Agricultural land around river confluences could strongly suppress floods occurrences, Environmental and Sustainability Indicators (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.indic.2024.100533
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Plant RNA-FM, believed to be the first AI model of its kind, has been developed by a collaboration between plant researchers at the John Innes Center and computer scientists at the University of Exeter. Credit: John Innes Center

A pioneering Artificial Intelligence (AI) powered model able to understand the sequences and structure patterns that make up the genetic "language" of plants, has been launched by a research collaboration.

Plant RNA-FM, believed to be the first AI model of its kind, has been developed by a collaboration between plant researchers at the John Innes Center and computer scientists at the University of Exeter.

The paper, "An Interpretable RNA Foundation Model for Exploration Functional RNA Motifs in Plants," appears in Nature Machine Intelligence.

The model, say its creators, is a smart technological breakthrough that can drive discovery and innovation in plant science and potentially across the study of invertebrates and bacteria.

RNA, like its better-known chemical relative DNA, is an important molecule throughout all organisms, responsible for carrying genetic information in its sequences and structures. In the genome, RNA architecture is made up of combinations of building blocks called nucleotides, which are arranged in patterns in the same way that the alphabet combines to make words and phrases in language.

Professor Yiliang Ding's group at the John Innes Center studies RNA structure, one of the key languages in RNA molecules where RNAs can fold into complex structures that regulate sophisticated biological functions such as plant growth and stress response.

To better understand the complex language of RNA in its functions, Professor Ding's group collaborated with Dr. Ke Li's group in the University of Exeter.

Together they developed PlantRNA-FM, a model trained on an enormous data set of 54 billion pieces of RNA information that make up a genetic alphabet across 1,124 plant species.

When creating PlantRNA-FM the researchers followed the methodology in which AI models such as ChatGPT are trained to understand human language. The AI model was taught the plant-based language by studying RNA information from plant species worldwide, to give it a comprehensive view of how RNA works across the plant kingdom.

Just as ChatGPT can understand and respond to human language, PlantRNA-FM has learned to understand the grammar and logic of RNA sequences and structures.

The researchers have already used the model to make precise predictions about RNA functions and to identify specific functional RNA structural patterns across the transcriptomes. Their predictions have been validated by experiments which confirm that RNA structures identified by PlantRNA-FM influence the efficiency of the translation of genetic information into protein.

"While RNA sequences may appear random to the human eye, our AI model has learned to decode the hidden patterns within them," says Dr. Haopeng Yu, the postdoc researcher in Professor Yiliang Ding's group at the John Innes Center.

This successful collaboration was also supported by scientists from Northeast Normal University and the Chinese Academy of Sciences in China contributed to this work.

Professor Ding said, "Our PlantRNA-FM is just the beginning. We are working closely with Dr. Li's group to develop more advanced AI approaches to understand the hidden DNA and RNA languages in nature.

"This breakthrough opens new possibilities for understanding and potentially programming plants which could have profound implications for crop improvement and the next generation of AI-based gene design. AI is increasingly instrumental in helping plant scientists tackle challenges, from feeding a global population to developing crops that can thrive in a changing climate."

More information: An Interpretable RNA Foundation Model for Exploration Functional RNA Motifs in Plants, Nature Machine Intelligence (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s42256-024-00946-z Journal information: Nature Machine Intelligence
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This artists concept shows interstellar object 1I/2017 U1 (Oumuamua) after its discovery in 2017. While itself not a dark comet, Oumuamuas motion through the solar system has helped researchers better understand the nature of the 14 dark comets discovered so far. Credit: European Southern Observatory / M. Kornmesser

The first dark cometa celestial object that looks like an asteroid but moves through space like a cometwas reported less than two years ago. Soon after, another six were found. In a new paper, researchers announce the discovery of seven more, doubling the number of known dark comets, and find that they fall into two distinct populations: larger ones that reside in the outer solar system and smaller ones in the inner solar system, with various other traits that set them apart.

The findings were published on Monday, Dec. 9, in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Scientists got their first inkling that dark comets exist when they noted in a March 2016 study that the trajectory of "asteroid" 2003 RM had moved ever so slightly from its expected orbit. That deviation couldn't be explained by the typical accelerations of asteroids, like the small acceleration known as the Yarkovsky effect.

"When you see that kind of perturbation on a celestial object, it usually means it's a comet, with volatile material outgassing from its surface giving it a little thrust," said study co-author Davide Farnocchia of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. "But try as we might, we couldn't find any signs of a comet's tail. It looked like any other asteroidjust a pinpoint of light. So, for a short while, we had this one weird celestial object that we couldn't fully figure out."

Weird celestial objects

Farnocchia and the astronomical community didn't have to wait long for another piece of the puzzle. The next year, in 2017, a NASA-sponsored telescope discovered history's first documented celestial object that originated outside our solar system. Not only did 1I/2017 U1 ('Oumuamua) appear as a single point of light, like an asteroid, its trajectory changed as if it were outgassing volatile material from its surface, like a comet.

"'Oumuamua was surprising in several ways," said Farnocchia. "The fact that the first object we discovered from interstellar space exhibited similar behaviors to 2003 RM made 2003 RM even more intriguing."

By 2023, researchers had identified seven solar system objects that looked like asteroids but acted like comets. That was enough for the astronomical community to bestow upon them their own celestial object category: "dark comets." Now, with the finding of seven more of these objects, researchers could start on a new set of questions.

"We had a big enough number of dark comets that we could begin asking if there was anything that would differentiate them," said Darryl Seligman, a postdoctoral fellow in the department of Physics at Michigan State University, East Lansing, and lead author of the new paper. "By analyzing the reflectivity," or albedo, "and the orbits, we found that our solar system contains two different types of dark comets."

Two kinds of dark comets

The study's authors found that one kind, which they call outer dark comets, have similar characteristics to Jupiter-family comets: They have highly eccentric (or elliptical) orbits and are on the larger side (hundreds of meters or more across).

The second group, inner dark comets, reside in the inner solar system (which includes Mercury, Venus, Earth, and Mars), travel in nearly circular orbits, and are on the smaller side (tens of meters or less).

Like so many astronomical discoveries, Seligman and Farnocchia's research not only expands on our knowledge of dark comets, but it also raises several additional questions: Where did dark comets originate? What causes their anomalous acceleration? Could they contain ice?

"Dark comets are a new potential source for having delivered the materials to Earth that were necessary for the development of life," said Seligman. "The more we can learn about them, the better we can understand their role in our planet's origin."

More information: Darryl Z. Seligman et al, Two distinct populations of dark comets delineated by orbits and sizes, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2406424121 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Provided by NASA
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

The asteroid that extinguished the dinosaurs is estimated to have been about 10 kilometers across. That's about as wide as Brooklyn. Such a massive impactor is predicted to hit Earth rarely, once every 100 million to 500 million years.

In contrast, much smaller asteroids, about the size of a bus, can strike Earth more frequently, every few years. These "decameter" asteroids, measuring just tens of meters across, are more likely to escape the main asteroid belt and migrate in to become near-Earth objects.

If they make impact, these small but mighty space rocks can send shockwaves through entire regions, such as the 1908 impact in Tunguska, Siberia, and the 2013 asteroid that broke up in the sky over Chelyabinsk, Urals. Being able to observe decameter main-belt asteroids would provide a window into the origin of meteorites.

Now, MIT astronomers have found a way to spot the smallest decameter asteroids within the main asteroid belta rubble field between Mars and Jupiter where millions of asteroids orbit. Until now, the smallest asteroids that scientists were able to discern there were about a kilometer in diameter. With the team's new approach, scientists can now spot asteroids in the main belt as small as 10 meters across.

In a paper appearing in the journal Nature, de Wit and his colleagues report that they have used their approach to detect more than 100 new decameter asteroids in the main asteroid belt. The space rocks range from the size of a bus to several stadiums wide, and are the smallest asteroids within the main belt that have been detected to date.

The researchers envision that the approach can be used to identify and track asteroids that are likely to approach Earth.

"We have been able to detect near-Earth objects down to 10 meters in size when they are really close to Earth," says the study's lead author, Artem Burdanov, a research scientist in MIT's Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences.

"We now have a way of spotting these small asteroids when they are much farther away, so we can do more precise orbital tracking, which is key for planetary defense."

The study's co-authors include MIT professors of planetary science Julien de Wit and Richard Binzel, along with collaborators from multiple other institutions.

Image shift

De Wit and his team are primarily focused on searches and studies of exoplanetsworlds outside the solar system that may be habitable. The researchers are part of the group that in 2016 discovered a planetary system around TRAPPIST-1, a star that is about 40 light years from Earth.

Using the Transiting Planets and Planetismals Small Telescope (TRAPPIST) in Chile, the team confirmed that the star hosts rocky, Earth-sized planets, several of which are in the habitable zone.

Scientists have since trained many telescopes, focused at various wavelengths, on the TRAPPIST-1 system to further characterize the planets and look for signs of life. With these searches, astronomers have had to pick through the "noise" in telescope images, such as any gas, dust, and planetary objects between Earth and the star, to more clearly decipher the TRAPPIST-1 planets. Often, the noise they discard includes passing asteroids.

"For most astronomers, asteroids are sort of seen as the vermin of the sky, in the sense that they just cross your field of view and affect your data," de Wit says.

De Wit and Burdanov wondered whether the same data used to search for exoplanets could be recycled and mined for asteroids in our own solar system. To do so, they looked to "shift and stack," an image processing technique that was first developed in the 1990s. The method involves shifting multiple images of the same field of view and stacking the images to see whether an otherwise faint object can outshine the noise.

Applying this method to search for unknown asteroids in images that are originally focused on far-off stars would require significant computational resources, as it would involve testing a huge number of scenarios for where an asteroid might be. The researchers would then have to shift thousands of images for each scenario to see whether an asteroid is indeed where it was predicted to be.

Several years ago, Burdanov, de Wit, and MIT graduate student Samantha Hasler found they could do that using state-of-the-art GPUsgraphics processing units that can process an enormous amount of imaging data at high speeds.

They initially tried their approach on data from the SPECULOOS (Search for habitable Planets EClipsing ULtra-cOOl Stars) surveya system of ground-based telescopes that takes many images of a star over time. This effort, along with a second application using data from a telescope in Antarctica, showed that researchers could indeed spot a vast amount of new asteroids in the main belt.

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'An unexplored space'

For the new study, the researchers looked for more asteroids, down to smaller sizes, using data from the world's most powerful observatoryNASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which is particularly sensitive to infrared rather than visible light. As it happens, asteroids that orbit in the main asteroid belt are much brighter at infrared wavelengths than at visible wavelengths, and thus are far easier to detect with JWST's infrared capabilities.

The team applied their approach to JWST images of TRAPPIST-1. The data comprised more than 10,000 images of the star, which were originally obtained to search for signs of atmospheres around the system's inner planets. After processing the images, the researchers were able to spot eight known asteroids in the main belt.

They then looked further and discovered 138 new asteroids around the main belt, all within tens of meters in diameterthe smallest main belt asteroids detected to date. They suspect a few asteroids are on their way to becoming near-Earth objects, while one is likely a Trojanan asteroid that trails Jupiter.

"We thought we would just detect a few new objects, but we detected so many more than expected, especially small ones," de Wit says. "It is a sign that we are probing a new population regime, where many more small objects are formed through cascades of collisions that are very efficient at breaking down asteroids below roughly 100 meters."

"This is a totally new, unexplored space we are entering, thanks to modern technologies," Burdanov says. "It's a good example of what we can do as a field when we look at the data differently. Sometimes there's a big payoff, and this is one of them."

More information: Artem Y. Burdanov et al, JWST sighting of decameter main-belt asteroids and view on meteorite sources, Nature (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-024-08480-z , www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08480-z Journal information: Nature

This story is republished courtesy of MIT News (web.mit.edu/newsoffice/), a popular site that covers news about MIT research, innovation and teaching.
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Credit: CC0 Public Domain

New research has revealed less than a quarter of the remaining tropical rainforests around the globe can safeguard thousands of threatened species from extinction.

The research, co-authored by The University of Queensland's Professor James Watson, evaluated the global availability of structurally intact, minimally disturbed tropical rainforests for more than 16,000 species of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. The research is published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

"Using remote sensing and forest integrity indicators, we analyzed the quality of the rainforests across the ranges of the forest-dependent vertebrates," Professor Watson said.

"Overall, up to 90% of forest cover still remains within these species' ranges but only 25% of it is of high quality, which is a critical factor in reducing extinction risk.

"We knew high-integrity rainforests were vital for biodiversity, but no one had quantified just how limited these key habitats have become.

"Our research shows that structurally intact rainforestswhich are essential for many forest-dependent speciesare alarmingly rare, particularly in regions most affected by human pressures such as logging and infrastructure development."

The study also revealed contrasts in habitat quality based on the conservation status of different species.

"Only 8% of the rainforest habitat for species classified as threatened or with declining populations is of high integrity," Professor Watson said.

"In comparison, non-threatened species have ranges with about 25% of high-integrity rainforest habitat, highlighting how habitat degradation disproportionately impacts species already at risk."

The golden bowerbird (Prionodura newtonia), which is classified as having a decreasing population in Queensland's wet tropics, was included in the study which found while 84% of its habitat remained, only 36% is high-integrity rainforest.

University of Northern British Columbia's Dr. Rajeev Pillay, who led the research, said the results point to the urgent need for conservation strategies that go beyond preserving forest cover to maintaining forest quality.

"Simply having forest cover isn't enough if the structural complexity and low human disturbance necessary for biodiversity are gone," Dr. Pillay said.

"To protect the remaining high-integrity tropical rainforests, global coordination to minimize human disturbance is key, especially in unprotected forests that remain vital for biodiversity.

"As international conservation targets emphasize ecosystem integrity, this study provides a critical baseline.

"Protecting high-integrity rainforests is essential to meeting the Convention on Biological Diversity's 2030 targets and to averting further biodiversity loss.

"As human pressures continue to mount, preserving these remaining forests may be the best hope to secure a sustainable future for the planet's biodiversity."
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Credit: University of Surrey

Could a decades-long debate about the mysterious movements of stars in Omega Centauri, the largest star cluster in the Milky Way, finally be resolved?

Omega Centauri is a massive star cluster with nearly ten million stars located in the constellation Centaurus. For a long time, researchers have noticed that the velocities of stars moving near the center of Omega Centauri were higher than expected. But it wasn't clear whether this was caused by an "intermediate mass" black hole (IMBH), weighing a hundred thousand times the mass of the sun, or a cluster of "stellar mass" black holes, each weighing just a few times the mass of the sun.

A cluster of black holes is expected to form at the center of Omega Centauri as a result of stellar evolution. But astronomers thought that most of them would be ejected by slingshot interactions with other stars. As such, an IMBH hole started to look more and more like the favored solution. This seemed even more likely when new evidence recently emerged of fast-moving stars near the center of Omega Centauri that may require interactions with an IMBH to reach such high velocities.

Intermediate mass black holes (IMBHs) are exciting to astronomers because they may be the "missing link" between stellar mass black holes and supermassive black holes. Stellar-mass black holes form from the death of massive stars and have already been found via a variety of different techniques. Supermassive black holes are found at the centers of large galaxies and can weigh millions to billions of times the mass of the sun.

We do not currently know how supermassive black holes form or whether they begin their lives as stellar mass black holes. Finding an IMBH could solve this cosmic puzzle.

The new research involving the University of Surrey looked afresh at the anomalous velocities of stars at the center of Omega Centauri, but this time, it used a new piece of data. The researchers combined the anomalous velocity data with new data for the accelerations of pulsars for the first time.

Pulsars, like black holes, are formed from dying stars. Weighing up to twice the mass of the sun, they are just 20km across and can spin up to 700 times a second. As they spin, they emit radio waves along their spin axis, processing like a spinning top. The radio beam sweeps past the Earth like a lighthouse, allowing us to detect them.

Pulsars are natural clocks, almost as accurate as atomic clocks on Earth. By carefully measuring the change in the rate of their spin, astronomers can calculate how the pulsars are accelerating, directly probing the gravitational field strength at the center of Omega Centauri.

Combining these new acceleration measurements with the stellar velocities, researchers from Surrey, the Instituto de Astrofisica de Canarias (IAC, Spain) and the Annecy-le-Vieux Laboratoire de Physique Theorique LAPTh in Annecy (France) were able to tell the difference between an IMBH and a cluster of black holes, favoring the latter. The work is published in the journal Astronomy & Astrophysics.

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Professor Justin Read, co-author of the study from the University of Surrey, said, "The hunt for elusive intermediate-mass black holes continues. There could still be one at the center of Omega Centauri, but our work suggests that it must be less than about six thousand times the mass of the sun and live alongside a cluster of stellar mass black holes. There is, however, every chance of us finding one soon. More and more pulsar accelerations are coming, allowing us to peer into the centers of dense star clusters and hunt for black holes more precisely than ever before."

Andres Banares Hernandez, lead author of the study from IAC, said, "We have long known about supermassive black holes at galaxy centers and smaller stellar-mass black holes within our own galaxy. However, the idea of intermediate-mass black holes, which could bridge the gap between these extremes, remains unproven.

"By studying Omega Centauria remnant of a dwarf galaxywe have been able to refine our methods and take a step forward in understanding whether such black holes exist and what role they might play in the evolution of star clusters and galaxies. This work helps resolve a two-decade-long debate and opens new doors for future exploration.

"The formation of pulsars is also an active field of study because a large number of them have recently been detected. Omega Centauri is an ideal environment to study models of their formation, which we have been able to do for the first time in our analysis."
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Bucking conventionality, boys in Norway are making early gains in reading English as a second language and even outperforming girls at age 10 and 13a new a study of more than one million students suggests.

Publishing their findings in the journal Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy & Practice, experts from the University of Oslo propose the perhaps unexpected results might be explained by online gaming and experiences with other digital technologies such as YouTubewith English being the language of the internet.

"Our findings show boys were not experiencing a general improvement in language proficiency but rather an improvement specific to the English language," says lead author Professor Astrid Marie Jorde Sandsr, whose team's findings demonstrate girls did better than the boys in learning their native tongue.

"The indication is that gender differences in how students interact with English in contexts outside school could explain the difference in the gender gap development."

"While first/official languages are acquired through interacting with most aspects of daily life, additional languages are much more context-specific," co-author Professor Lisbeth M. Brevik, from Oslo's Department of Teacher Education and School Research, adds.

And the context proposed is gaming online; engaging with YouTube; and watching films. Recent, existing surveys carried out in Norway into social media use among children demonstrate nearly two thirds of boys report gaming many times a week, compared with only a minority of girls. In addition, boys more often than girls reported using English for playing online games, engaging with YouTube and watching films.

"Survey evidence provides a potential explanation," says Professor Brevik.

"The explanation suggests that language use through technology and interest (in this technology) has the potential to influence language acquisition. It may also play a role in closing the gender gap we typically observe today."

Since 2000, international trends have identified large and consistent gender gaps in favor of girls for reading literacy in a first language.

However, language proficiency in English as a second language among males exceeded that of females in 2021 for the first time since 2014. This is according to standardized English test results, the EF SET, which is used worldwide for English proficiency certification.

The aim of this study was to investigate the development of gender gaps over time in learning English as a second language, compared with language proficiency in Norwegian learned as a native language.

The researchers analyzed test and exam results from 2007 and 2018 from 1.1 million students in Norway at different stages of education. National education registries covering the entire Norwegian student population were used.

For English proficiency, the authors focused on language as measured by national tests including for vocabulary, grammar and reading comprehension. They also analyzed high-stakes overall achievement and exam grades at age 15, defined as written and oral English language proficiency results graded by teachers and external assessors.

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For Norwegian, the researchers compared national test results among boys and girls for reading proficiency as well as high-stakes overall achievement and exam grades.

The national tests for English and Norwegian were for 10-year-olds born between 1997 and 2008; and for those aged 13, born between 1991 and 2002. The high-stakes tests were for 15-year-olds born from 1991 to 2002.

The development of gender gaps was also investigated using data from the same students and measured at age 10, 13 and 15.

Results showed little difference initially between genders in the national English test performance at age 10. However, the authors found a gradual shift in favor of boys, with males outperforming females in 2018 test results. Yet girls consistently outperformed boys in high stakes overall achievement and exam grades in English at age 15 throughout the time period (2007-2018).

As for Norwegian, girls outperformed boys for all types of tests with the greatest difference at age 15 for high stakes overall achievement and exam grades, indicating that boys were not experiencing a general increase in language proficiency.

Interestingly though, while boys increased their test scores compared to girls for ages 10 and 13 in English, a comparison of English to Norwegian showed that boys had a relative improvement for all tests, also those given at age 15.

"This finding indicates that boys' earlier gains in English language proficiency may also have translated into more comprehensive high-stakes achievement measures but not sufficiently to decrease the gender gap. The way both English and Norwegian is measured in lower secondary school may contribute to the continuing trend of boys falling further behind in the education system," explains Professor Brevik.

Concluding, the team recommends that in addition to improving the assessment of English, more knowledge on gender differences in second or additional languagesparticularly those related to the different domains of language proficiencywill be "important."

Limitations of the research include that the tests for English and Norwegian are not exactly the same and do not measure across the same domains. Therefore, the authors explain, "we should be cautious when drawing true conclusions from their comparison."

More information: Astrid M. J. Sandsr et al, Gender gaps in English as a second language over time: a shift in favour of boys, Assessment in Education: Principles, Policy & Practice (2024). DOI: 10.1080/0969594X.2024.2423151
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Credit: Magda Ehlers from Pexels

Nova Scotia is Canada's top seafood exporterbut in a province known for its seafood, shellfish production lags behind other maritime provinces. In 2022, Prince Edward Island produced over 21.3 thousand tons of shellfish while Nova Scotia produced only 1.3 thousand tons.

The province hopes that groups of pre-approved lease sites called Aquaculture Development Areas (ADA) could help increase production and attract new shellfish and sea plant farms. This plan could help speed up the farm licensing process, but will communities embrace more farming in their coastal waters?

Our research examined the social acceptability of shellfish farming in Pictou County, a coastal region of Nova Scotia.

We have found that how local residents view shellfish farming in their area is greatly shaped by their values and experiences of coastal spaces. Understanding how the social acceptability of aquaculture changes by area will be key to future ADAs.

Shellfish farming

Aquaculture is a small, but established, industry in Nova Scotia. Mussels, oysters and other shellfish are currently being grown on marine farms throughout the province and there are 23 licensed shellfish farms in Pictou County alone.

Alongside being an excellent food source, shellfish also provide a host of cultural and environmental benefits, as well as economic opportunities to local communities. The shellfish themselves are filter feeders and large numbers can help in maintaining water quality by removing a range of nutrients, including phosphorous, from the waters where they are located.

However, shellfish farming can also interfere with the enjoyment of coastal spaces, and the presence of shellfish farms has been associated with both increases and decreases in property value.

These experiences, and considerations, of shellfish farming affect the social acceptability of the entire industry.

Social acceptability

We invited people living in Pictou County to participate in an online survey about their perception and experience of shellfish farming. A postcard with a link to the online survey was mailed to 6,000 households, and the survey was shared in community Facebook groups. One hundred twenty-one people participated in the survey.

Of those who completed the survey, 65 percent of people had a positive impression of shellfish aquaculture. What's more, 50 percent agreed that there should be more shellfish farming in Pictou County. A further 63 percent of participants agreed that their community should be involved in the management of shellfish farms.

When survey results were broken down into smaller coastal areas, differences in the acceptability of shellfish farming between two neighboring areas became evident.

In Little Harbor, N.S.an area that is home to popular beaches and oceanfront propertiesrespondents tended to focus more on the potential negative impacts of shellfish farming on the enjoyment of coastal spaces. As one participant told us:

"No existing homeowner should have their ocean views marred by aquaculture equipment. They have paid high amounts for oceanfront property."

The majority of people in Little Harbor had a positive impression of shellfish farming despite these concerns, but overall, the impression of shellfish farming was significantly more positive in Merigomish Harbor, a rural area that is home to the largest number of shellfish farms in the county.

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Sharing the costs and benefits

One of the keys to social acceptance is the perception that the costs and benefits of an activity are shared equitably in society. Around half of survey participants in Pictou County agreed they would be more likely to support aquaculture if their community received more benefits from farming. Ownership is also a concern.

When it comes to marine farming, people are also concerned about foreign ownership. Indeed, one study showed that people report a strong preference for local ownership in aquaculture. Participants in our survey echoed these sentiments. Seventy-five percent of those we spoke to in Pictou County agreed that farms should be owned by local individuals or groups.

Seventy percent of people living in Merigomish Harbor reported that they have friends or family members working in the aquaculture industry. Seeing neighbors in their community directly benefit from shellfish farming likely influenced positive perceptions of farming in this area.

Beyond these economic benefits, having farmers embedded within communities is also important for building trust between farmers and community members. As one participant said,

"We always preferred our pristine view, but we support our neighbor's efforts in sustainable harvesting, local employment, and good environmental effects."

In our survey population, 58 percent of participants agreed that they trust farmers to manage shellfish farms in a sustainable way. Only 39 percent of participants agreed that they trust their government to do the same.

Aquaculture development areas

Nova Scotia's first Aquaculture Development Area is now in operation in the District of Argyle. However, public reception to the pre-approved lease sites has been decidedly mixed.

Taking real steps to understand social acceptability and community involvementwhy some farms are embraced and some create conflictcould help people warm to ADAs in the future.

It is also important to recognize that social acceptability is not set in time. Acceptance is a dynamic process affected by interactions between communities and shellfish farming.

Continuing to share the benefits of farming with local communities is essential. So, too, will be efforts to manage the negative impacts that may result. Only by taking both of these aspects seriously can we build acceptance for shellfish farming and ADAs in the future.

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Twelve million light-years away lies the galactic masterpiece Messier 83, also known as the Southern Pinwheel galaxy. Its swirling spiral arms display a high rate of star formation and host six detected supernovae. This image was captured with the Department of Energy-fabricated Dark Energy Camera, mounted on the U.S. National Science Foundation Victor M. Blanco 4-meter Telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory in Chile, a Program of NSF NOIRLab. Credit: CTIO/NOIRLab/DOE/NSF/AURA Image processing: T.A. Rector (University of Alaska Anchorage/NSF NOIRLab), D. de Martin (NSF NOIRLab) & M. Zamani (NSF NOIRLab)

Messier 83, also known as the Southern Pinwheel galaxy, is one of the most prominent spiral galaxies in the night sky. It's named for its resemblance to the Pinwheel galaxy and spans around 50,000 light-years, making it much smaller than the Milky Way galaxy, although it has a higher rate of star formation, as evidenced by the striking bursts of pink throughout its spiral arms. This display of intense starburst activity likely results from a past merger with another galaxy.

This image was captured with the Department of Energy-fabricated Dark Energy Camera (DECam), mounted on the U.S. National Science Foundation Victor M. Blanco 4-meter telescope at Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory (CTIO), a Program of NSF NOIRLab.

Between 1750 and 1754, French astronomer Nicolas-Louis de Lacaille was studying the night sky with the aim of determining the distances to the planets. During this period he observed and cataloged 10,000 stars and identified 42 nebulous objects, including Messier 83, which he discovered in 1752 during his expedition to the Cape of Good Hope.

In 1781, Charles Messier added it to his famous catalog, describing it as a "nebula without stars," reflecting the limited knowledge of galaxies at the time. It wasn't until the 20th century, through the work of Edwin Hubble, that astronomers realized objects like Messier 83 are actually other galaxies far outside the Milky Way.

This image shows Messier 83's well-defined spiral arms, filled with pink clouds of hydrogen gas where new stars are forming. Interspersed among these pink regions are bright blue clusters of hot, young stars whose ultraviolet radiation has blown away the surrounding gas.

At the galaxy's core, a yellow central bulge is composed of older stars, and a weak bar connects the spiral arms through the center, funneling gas from the outer regions toward the core. DECam's high sensitivity captures Messier 83's extended halo, and myriad more distant galaxies in the background.

Just as Messier 83 is filled with countless newly formed stars, the galaxy is also host to many dying stars. In the past century, astronomers have witnessed a total of six stellar explosions, called supernovae, in Messier 83a number matched by only two other galaxies. And while we have only detected these six stellar deaths, the galaxy is estimated to be filled with hundreds of thousands of "ghosts" of dead stars called supernova remnants.

In 2006, a mysterious feature of Messier 83 was discovered by NSF NOIRLab astronomer Ruben Diaz and an international team of astronomers using the Gemini South telescope, one half of the International Gemini Observatory.

At the heart of this galaxy, they discovered a previously unseen concentration of mass resembling a second nucleus, likely the remnant of another galaxy that is being consumed by Messier 83 in an ongoing collisionpossibly the same collision responsible for the starburst activity. The two nuclei, which likely contain black holes, are expected to merge to form a single nucleus in another 60 million years.

Provided by NoirLab
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A large cavern deep in Manot Cave served as a ritual gathering space. Credit: Assaf Peretz, Israel Antiquities Authority

A cave in Galilee, Israel, has yielded evidence for ritualistic gatherings 35,000 years ago, the earliest on the Asian continent. Three Israeli researchers led the team that published its results in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

And researchers from the Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) School of Dental Medicine helped unearth the cave's secrets over more than a decade of excavation.

Manot Cave was used for thousands of years as a living space for both Neanderthals and humans at different times. In 2015, researchers from Case Western Reserve helped identify a 55,000-year-old skull that provided physical evidence of interbreeding between Neanderthal and homo sapiens, with characteristics of each clearly visible in the skull fragment.

The cave's living space was near the entrance, but in the deepest, darkest part of the cave, eight stories below, the new paper describes a large cavern with evidence that it was used as a gathering space, possibly for rituals that enhanced social cohesion.

The cavern's touchstone is an engraved rock, deliberately placed in a niche in the cavern, with a turtle-shell design carved into its surface. The three-dimensional turtle is contemporaneous with some of the oldest cave paintings in France.

"It may have represented a totem or spiritual figure," said Omry Barzilai, Head of Material Culture PaleoLab at the University of Haifa and the Israel Antiquities Authority, who led the team. "Its special location, far from the daily activities near the cave entrance, suggests that it was an object of worship."

A rock carved to look like a turtle was placed in a niche in the cavern. The carvings were done approximately 3537,000 years ago. Credit: Clara Amit, Israel Antiquities Authority

The cavern has natural acoustics favorable for large gatherings, and evidence of wood ash on nearby stalagmites suggests prehistoric humans carried torches to light the chamber.

Manot Cave was discovered in 2008 by workers building condominiums in a mountain resort close to Israel's border with Lebanon. Case Western Reserve's School of Dental Medicine got involved in the excavation in 2012. The dean at the time, Jerold Goldberg, committed funding for 10 years to CWRU's Institute for the Science of Origins; the money was used to fund dental students' summer research in Israel.

"I'm an oral and maxillofacial surgeon by training," Goldberg said. "I provided the commitment and the money because I wanted people to understand the breadth and intellectual interest that dental schools have."

And although not trained in archaeology, dental students can quickly identify bone fragments from rock, which makes them invaluable at excavations like Manot Cave.

"Most people would not suspect that a dental school would be involved in an archaeological excavation," said Mark Hans, professor and chair of orthodontics at the dental school.

"But one of the things that are preserved very well in ancient skeletons are teeth, because they are harder than bone. There is a whole field of dental anthropology. As an orthodontist, I am interested in human facial growth and development, which, it turns out, is exactly what is needed to identify anthropological specimens."

CWRU dental school faculty and staff with 10 dental students in Israel in 2016. Faculty members include Bruce Latimer, Jerold Goldberg and Mark Hans, along with staff member Yvonne McDermott and Kent State University's Linda Spurlock. Credit: Yvonne McDermott

For 10 years, Case Western Reserve sent 10 to 20 dental students every summer to help with the Manot Cave excavation. The summer research became so popular that students from other dental and medical schools began applying to visit Israel with the CWRU team, according to Yvonne McDermott, the project coordinator.

Case Western Reserve also collaborated closely with Linda Spurlock, a physical anthropologist at Kent State University, whose expertise is putting a face on a skull using clay to build out the tissues that would have covered the bone when the person was alive.

"One of the things I liked most about working on this excavation was how much we learned from the other researchers," Hans said. "Everyone has a narrow focus, like mammals, uranium-dating, hearths; and we all came together and shared our knowledge. We learned a lot over 10 years."

More information: Barzilai, Omry et al, Early human collective practices and symbolism in the Early Upper Paleolithic of Southwest Asia, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (2024). DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2404632121 Journal information: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
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Rising more than 2,400 meters (8,000 feet) above sea level on the central island of Negros, Kanlaon is one of 24 active volcanoes in the Philippines.

A volcano erupted in the central Philippines on Monday, sending a huge ash column high into the sky as the government ordered the evacuation of surrounding villages.

Rising more than 2,400 meters (8,000 feet) above sea level on the central island of Negros, Kanlaon is one of 24 active volcanoes in the Philippines.

"An explosive eruption occurred at the summit vent of Kanlaon Volcano at 3:03 pm (0703 GMT) today," the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology said in a statement.

"All local government units are advised to evacuate the six-kilometer (four-mile) radius from the summit of the volcano and must be prepared for additional evacuation if activity warrants," it added.

"Evacuations are ongoing" in four upland villages of La Castellana town, on the volcano's southwest slope, municipal police officer Staff Sergeant Ronel Arevalo told AFP, adding he did not have the total number of residents to be evacuated.

La Castellana resident Dianne Paula Abendan, 24, used her mobile phone to take a video clip of a giant cauliflower-shaped gray mass of smoke billowing above the crater.

"These past few days we've seen black smoke coming out of (the) volcano. We were expecting that it would erupt anytime this week," she told AFP by phone.

The Philippine government has ordered the evacuation of villages near Kanlaon.

Abendan said people rushed home to await evacuation orders, but added that the volcanic activity appeared to ease slightly about an hour later.

The seismology office said the plume rose to 3,000 meters above the vent, with red-hot ashes and other materials also falling on its southeastern slope.

The activity means "magmatic eruption has begun that may progress to further explosive eruptions," it added.

In September hundreds of nearby residents had been evacuated after the volcano spurted thousands of tons of harmful gases in a single day.

The seismology office said Kanlaon has erupted more than 40 times since 1866.

In 1996 three hikers were killed due to ash ejection from the volcano.

 2024 AFP
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Researchers from University of California-Irvine published a new study that finds Republicans spread more misinformation than Democrats and explains the reasons behind this behavior.

The study, forthcoming in the Journal of Marketing, is titled "Political Polarization Triggers Republicans' Misinformation Spread to Attain Ingroup Dominance" and is authored by Xiajing Zhu and Cornelia (Connie) Pechmann.

Many top Republicans, including presidential candidate Donald Trump and Senators Tim Scott (South Carolina), Marco Rubio (Florida), and Ted Cruz (Texas), refuse to accept the 2020 election results. Many other Republicans falsely assert the 2020 election was rigged and have stated they stood ready to fight if Trump was not declared the 2024 winner.

This new study explains what underlies these Republicans' thought processes and behaviors and how the majority of news media and social media contribute to this problem.

The lethal combination: Polarization and misinformation

The researchers assert that political polarization triggers Republicans, but not Democrats, to spread misinformation that is objectively false. Zhu says that "although Republicans may understand the content is very likely false, they are willing to spread it because they strongly value their party winning over the competition. Democrats do not value winning nearly as strongly. They place more value on equity and inclusion, seeing the world in a fundamentally different way than Republicans."

In other words, whenever there is political polarizationthat is, fierce competition between political partiesRepublicans feel their backs are against the wall and come out swinging. They are willing to convey misinformation that is likely untrue, but not definitively false, to help their fellow Republicans win and Democrats lose. Democrats are less triggered by political polarization; they do not value their party winning over other values, so they do not respond this way.

The researchers conducted six studies that demonstrate this. The first study examines fact-checked statements in the news media and on social media by public figures over 10 years (20072016). The second study extends this analysis to 16 years (20072022). Findings indicate that when there was political polarization in the news cycle, Republicans conveyed significantly more misinformation than Democrats.

They verify these findings in three online studies that surveyed U.S. adults who identified as either Republican or Democrat. Participants were placed in politically polarized situationsfor instance, Senate Republican and Democratic leaders arguing. They then saw misinformation from current social media.

For example, Republicans saw news such as "Democratic Senators are secretly pro-Russia" and "Democratic Senators are purposely manipulating gas prices," while Democrats saw news such as "Republican Senators are secretly pro-Russia" and "Republican Senators are purposely manipulating gas prices." In politically polarized situations, Republicans were significantly more willing to convey misinformation than Democrats to gain an advantage over the opposition party.

The last study examines the speeches of U.S. presidents over 94 years (19292023) spanning the 31st president Herbert Hoover to the 46th president Joseph Biden. The researchers find that in political polarized situations, such as during election periods, Republican presidents talked more about "we" and "us" than Democratic presidents, indicating they were more focused on their own party and partisanship.

Pechmann summarizes by saying, "Republicans react to political polarization by putting out partisan misinformation. This can have a deleterious effect on the state of democratic institutions and processes."

For instance, in the year following the 2020 U.S. presidential election and accompanying misinformation about election fraud, 400 restrictive voting bills were introduced in 47 U.S. state legislatures. Additionally, 14 states passed restrictive voting bills that, for instance, shortened the mail-in voting period, eliminated election day registration, and/or reduced ballot drop box access. These changes have decreased voter turnout and engagement, particularly among minority voters.

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Lessons for marketers, media organizations, and policymakers

What should be done to reduce the harmful effects of misinformation? The study offers ideas that could have a positive effect:

Dampen political polarization in news media and social media. However, marketplace incentives may be insurmountable because polarization increases audience size, engagement, and political donations.

Invest more money in fact checking, which is now a task performed by volunteer organizations on shoestring budgets. Fact-checkers could strategically allocate more resources when situations are politically polarized (e.g., during elections). They could also integrate fact checks with the U.S. Federal Reserve Bank's polarization index to better understand and predict when misinformation is likely to spike.

There are 18 U.S. states that mandate media literacy education to teach students how to detect misinformation in the media. The remaining U.S. states should follow their lead.

Overall, we should strive to create a new generation of citizenry that will not be swayed by objectively false political misinformation to protect trust, truth, and democracy.

More information: Xiajing Zhu et al, Political Polarization Triggers Conservatives' Misinformation Spread to Attain Ingroup Dominance, Journal of Marketing (2024). DOI: 10.1177/00222429241264997 Journal information: Journal of Marketing
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The tariffs on imported goods from Mexico and Canada would immediately impact the price of the most popular beer brand in the country: Modelo. Credit: Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

If the price tag on your Modelo or Corona is higher next year, don't be too shocked.

Many economists say that the 25% tariffs President-elect Donald Trump has proposed on imported goods from Mexico and Canada, not to mention additional tariffs on Chinese goods, would be catastrophic for the economy and consumers.

But Malcolm Purinton, an assistant teaching professor of history at Northeastern University whose focus is the history of beer, brewing and trade, says they will hit those beer brands particularly hard.

"The most popular beer brand in the entire country right now is Modelo," Purinton says. "The thing is the demand isn't going to go away, but the costs are going to go up.  You'll see all the Mexican beers, also tequila, mezcal, any agave spirits, it's going to dramatically affect the costs of those."

Mexico and Canada are two of America's biggest trade partners, and that's especially true when it comes to alcohol.

In 2023, the U.S. imported about $5.7 billion in beer and $4.8 billion in spiritslike the tequila used in margaritasfrom Mexico.

Looking to the north, the numbers are even higher: the U.S. imported $543 billion worth of alcohol from Canada in 2023, including $200 million of just whiskey, according to the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States. That doesn't even include all the food that the U.S. imports from its neighbors.

"Almost all of our imported produce comes from Mexico, some from Canada," Purinton says.

For the many breweries, bars and wholesalers that import food and drink to the U.S., a 25% universal tariff would add a tremendous amount to almost every aspect of their business.

The price of importing the barley used to make beer will go up, and that doesn't even take into account how U.S. barley growers will be affected if Canada or Mexico implement retaliatory tariffs.

However, the biggest problem for beer producers in the U.S. could be aluminum, Purinton notes. In 2018, Trump had implemented tariffs on Chinese goods, including the aluminum that almost every beer producer in the U.S. uses in their cans. In response, many started importing from Canada, which is now under threat from Trump's newly proposed tariffs.

"Almost all beer is sold in cans," Purinton says. "It's all sheet aluminum, and it's not just the 16- or 12-ounce can that you've got. You've also got the kegs. All the transportation of beer from a brewery is going out through kegs. Aluminum is huge."

Every link in the supply chainfrom the tabs put on beer can lids to the equipment used in brewingsuddenly becomes more expensive to import, and those costs will add up quickly both for businesses and consumers.

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"If these supply chains are hit, they'll be hit hard," Purinton says. "The costs for all these little pieces that come into it, even just the tab on the can or the bottle caps that are mostly made in Mexico for any other beer, all those little pieces are going to compound and raise the price."

While the cost of a six-pack of Corona might only go from $10 to $10.45, "if you're going to a small craft beer bar, that could be a whole other dollar on the pint," Purinton adds.

But the cost of Trump's tariffs won't just be monetary, they'll be felt culturally, he says. Food and drink are some of the most age-old forms of trade. It's how we experience other cultures and countries before we even set foot there.

"All of the beers you're drinking are going to have an international connection," Purinton says. "Are you going to have a margarita? That's an agave spirit that has to be coming directly from Mexico. All of those choices are what tie us to something that we enjoy and something we are very lucky to be able to enjoy, but it also ties us to the rest of the world just with our palettes."

"If we start knocking down all of these other nations through trade tariffs, it's going to hit us in our pocketbooks and our stomachs," Purinton adds.

This story is republished courtesy of Northeastern Global News news.northeastern.edu.
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This full-disc image of Jupiter was taken on 21 April 2014 with Hubble's Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3). Credit: NASA

The nature of dark matter has been a hotly debated topic for decades. If it's a heavy, slow moving particle, then it's just possible that neutrinos may be emitted during interactions with normal matter.

A new paper posted to the arXiv preprint server proposes that Jupiter may be the place to watch this happen. It has enough gravity to capture dark matter particles which may be detectable using a water Cherenkov detector. The researchers suggest using a water Cherenkov detector to watch for excess neutrinos coming from the direction of Jupiter with energies between 100 MeV and 5 GeV.

Jupiter is the largest planet in the solar system, large enough to swallow up all the planets and have a little room to spare. It's composed mainly of hydrogen and helium and is devoid of a solid surface. Of all the planets, Jupiter has a powerful magnetic field and a strong gravitational field. It's gravitational field is so powerful that, over the years, it has attracted, and even destroyed comets like Shoemaker-Levy 9 back in 1994. Of all the features visible in the planet's atmosphere, the giant storm known as the Great Red Spot is by far the most prominent.

Planets in the solar system would, until now, be the last place to go hunting for dark matter. This mysterious stuff is invisible to all normal detection methods but is thought to make up 27% of the universe, outweighing visible matter at 5% (the majority of the remainder is made up of dark energy.) As its name suggests, dark matter doesn't emit, absorb or reflect light, making it hard to observe. Its existence has been inferred from the gravitational effects on galaxies, galaxy clusters and the largest scale structures of the universe. Despite its prominence in the universe, the nature of it remains largely unknown.

Researchers are making progress mapping dark matter, but they dont know what it is. This is a 3D density map of dark matter in the local universe, with the Milky Way marked by an X. Dots are galaxies, and the arrows indicate the directions of motion derived from the reconstructed gravitational potential of dark matter. Credit: Hong et al., doi: 10.3847/1538-4357/abf040

Dark matter is measured in GeV because this is a standard method in high energy physics to express the mass of particles. Until recently, attempts to detect dark matter have relied upon experiments where dark matter is scattered with electrons, protons or neutrons in a detector. The interactions cause energy transfers which then reveal the presence of dark matter.

A view of the Large Underground Xenon (LUX) dark matter detector. Shown are photomultiplier tubes that can ferret out single photons of light. Signals from these photons told physicists that they had not yet found Weakly Interacting Massive Particles (WIMPs). Credit: Matthew Kapust / South Dakota Science and Technology Authority

In the arXiv paper by Sandra Robles from Kings College London and Stephan Meighen-Berger from the University of Melbourne, they propose and calculate the level of annihilating dark matter neutrinos within Jupiter and whether they could be detected using existing neutrino observatories.

The team also propose a way to use water Cherenkov detectors, which are designed to detect high-energy particles such as neutrinos or cosmic rays. This is achieved by capturing Cherenkov radiation emitted while they travel through water. To give context to the process, the radiation is optical and occurs when a charged particle moves through a medium like water, producing a faint flash of blue light.

The team suggest Jupiter is an ideal location to hunt for dark matter using Cherenkov radiation detectors. It's low core temperature and significant gravitational attraction will mean it could capture dark matter and retain it. The presence of neutrinos in the direction of Jupiter reveals the capture and annihilation of dark matter. A similar technique is used for observing the sun.

More information: Sandra Robles et al, Extending the Dark Matter Reach of Water Cherenkov Detectors using Jupiter, arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2411.04435 Journal information: arXiv
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Principles ingrained via military service may influence corporate governance, especially when it comes to executive accountability. Research published in Strategic Management Journal found that when outside directors with military backgrounds are on a company's board of directors, it increases the likelihood of CEO dismissal under low-performance conditions.

Military science research shows that military service significantly shapes individuals' understanding of what constitutes appropriate behavior later in life. This culture instills a lifelong system of values and beliefs, including a strong emphasis on accountability in particular.

Researchers Stevo Pavicevic of Frankfurt School of Finance and Management in Germany and Thomas Keil of University of Zurich previously launched a broader project examining director backgrounds and their potential impact on board decisions, with a focus on CEO dismissal. In analyzing directors' profiles in detail, they noted a substantial number with military service.

They expected to see military directors in industries like defense, but were surprised to see them on boards across a wide range of other industries. This observation inspired them to explore the effects these directors might have on board decisions.

For this study, Pavicevic and Keil hypothesized that the presence of military directors on a board increases the likelihood of CEO dismissal following poor firm performance, given that they might approach executive accountability differently than their peers.

To test their theory, they designed a large-scale quantitative study on director profiles and CEO dismissals across 865 public firms in the U.S. between 2010 and 2020. In addition to their data collection and analysis, they also conducted interviews with military directors serving on the boards of firms.

The data analysis and interviews suggest that military directors are more inclined to attribute performance shortfalls to the CEO and advocate for more rigorous CEO accountability, resulting in CEO dismissal. Further, the researchers found that the influence of military directors on CEO dismissal is more pronounced when military directors serve on a nominating committee.

They also found that military directors might even facilitate the dismissal of powerful CEOs (i.e., an executive who owns stock or is long-tenured). In their interviews with military directors, Pavicevic and Keil learned that these individuals' accountability values and beliefs not only influence their own decision-making, but may also inspire fellow directors to enforce stricter CEO accountability for poor performancean area where many boards struggle.

When CEOs concurrently serve as board chair, however, the effects of having a military director on the board is less pronounced. CEO duality, the study authors found, acts as a boundary condition that limits the influence of military directors on CEO dismissals.

"A key takeaway from our study is that boards aiming to strengthen CEO accountability should consider not only the backgrounds of individual directors but also the broader composition and structure of the board," Pavicevic says.

While appointing military directors may help boards enhance CEO accountability, the effectiveness of this approach is tempered by CEO duality and more pronounced when military directors serve on the board's nominating committee.

More information: Stevo Pavicevic et al, The role of military directors in holding the CEO accountable for poor firm performance, Strategic Management Journal (2024). DOI: 10.1002/smj.3675 Journal information: Strategic Management Journal
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Strange metallicity and superconductivity. Credit: Nature Physics (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41567-024-02679-7

A new study by Rice University physicist Qimiao Si unravels the enigmatic behaviors of quantum critical metalsmaterials that defy conventional physics at low temperatures. Published in Nature Physics Dec. 9, the research examines quantum critical points (QCPs), where materials teeter on the edge between two distinct phases, such as magnetism and nonmagnetism. The findings illuminate the peculiarities of these metals and provide a deeper understanding of high-temperature superconductors, which conduct electricity without resistance at relatively high temperatures.

Key to this study is quantum criticality, a delicate state where the material becomes ultrasensitive to quantum fluctuationsmicroscopic disturbances that alter electron behavior. While ordinary metals obey well-established principles, quantum critical metals defy these norms, exhibiting strange and collective properties that have long puzzled scientists. Physicists call such systems "strange metals."

"Our work dives into how quasiparticles lose their identity in strange metals at these quantum critical points, which leads to unique properties that defy traditional theories," said Si, the Harry C. and Olga K. Wiess Professor of Physics and Astronomy and director of Rice's Extreme Quantum Materials Alliance.

Quasiparticles, representing the collective behavior of electrons acting like individual particles, play a crucial role in energy and information transfer in materials. However, at QCPs, these quasiparticles vanish in a phenomenon known as Kondo destruction. Here, magnetic moments in the material cease their usual interaction with electrons, dramatically transforming the metal's electronic structure.

This change is evident in the Fermi surface, a map of possible electron states within the material. As the system crosses the QCP, the Fermi surface abruptly shifts, significantly altering the material's properties.

Kondo destruction quantum criticality and large-to-small Fermi surface transformation. Credit: Nature Physics (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41567-024-02679-7

Universal behavior across materials

The study extends beyond heavy fermion metalsmaterials with unusually heavy electronsto include copper oxides and certain organic compounds. All of these strange metals exhibit behaviors that defy traditional Fermi liquid theory, a framework used to describe electron motion in most metals. Instead, their properties align with fundamental constants such as Planck's constant, governing the quantum relationship between energy and frequency.

The researchers identified a condition called dynamical Planckian scaling, where the temperature dependence of electronic properties mirrors universal phenomena like cosmic microwave background radiation and the radiation of the "black body" that approximates the behavior of stars. This discovery underscores a shared organizational pattern across various quantum critical materials, offering insights into creating advanced superconductors.

Broader implications

The research implications extend to other quantum materials, including iron-based superconductors and those with intricate lattice structures. One example is CePdAl, a compound where the interplay of two competing forcesthe Kondo effect and RKKY interactionsdetermines its electronic behavior. By studying these transitions, scientists hope to decode similar phenomena in other correlated materials, where complex interelectronic relationships dominate.

Observing how these forces shape the material at QCPs could help scientists better understand transitions in other correlated materials or those with complex interelectronic relationships.

This research was co-authored by Haoyu Hu and Lei Chen from Rice's Department of Physics and Astronomy, Extreme Quantum Materials Alliance and Smalley-Curl Institute.

More information: Haoyu Hu et al, Quantum critical metals and loss of quasiparticles, Nature Physics (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41567-024-02679-7 Journal information: Nature Physics
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A cryo-scanning electron microscope image of a freeze-fractured chloroplast, cropped from the surrounding tissue, providing a view into the photosynthetic membranes and the protein complexes embedded within them. Credit: Weizmann Institute of Science

Photosynthesis, the process by which plants, algae and certain kinds of bacteria convert solar radiation into chemical energy, must adjust itself to changes in the intensity of sunlight, so as to ensure its efficient use.

Just like our pupils, which react to varying degrees of light exposure with dilation or constriction, organelles in plant cells undergo changes in response to sunlight. But unlike ourselves, plants cannot avert their eyes or rest in the shade to avoid excessively intense sunlight; they must be able to cope with different levels of solar radiation, as well as with its absence at night.

Without photosynthesis, life as we know it on Earth would be impossible. Not only is this process responsible for generating most of the oxygen in Earth's atmosphere, but it also secures food availability, sequesters carbon from the atmosphere and mitigates the effects of climate change. Understanding photosynthesis in all its intricacies is therefore crucial for dealing with the impending challenges facing our planet.

Research conducted in Prof. Ziv Reich's lab in the Weizmann Institute of Science's Biomolecular Sciences Department aims to uncover the mysteries of photosynthesis so it can be used more efficiently to meet humanity's needs or imitated by artificial methods that would mimic natural photosynthetic processes.

In photosynthesis, harnessing the power of the sun is made possible by the flow of electrons from one protein to another inside an organelle called the chloroplast. This organelle contains a complex system of membranes, some of which are densely stacked, and others that are organized into more expansive assemblies.

Until now, the scientific consensus was that this spatial structure forces the electrons to cover large distances between proteins, slowing down the process of photosynthesis. But in a paper recently published in Nature Plants, a research team led by staff scientist Dr. Reinat Nevo from Reich's lab revealed that the membranes change their organization in space during the transition from darkness to light, enabling the proteins to come closer to one another and thus shortening the distance the electrons must cross.

A diagram showing changes in the spatial structure of chloroplast membranes during the transition from darkness (top) to light (bottom). Credit: Nature Plants (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41477-024-01628-9

These revelations were made when the researchers examined the chloroplast membranes under a cryo-scanning electron microscope and compared the alignment of proteins in the membranes under both light and darkness conditions.

"When we looked into the protein density, we realized that the proteins themselves were not changing their positions, as previously thoughtrather, the change occurred in the way the membranes were organized in space," explains Nevo.

Further tests, this time using a transmission electron microscope, confirmed the researchers' hypothesis and showed that membranes indeed rearrange themselves in space, bringing the proteins closer to one another. Apparently, one of the reasons that the proteins aren't permanently in close proximity to one anotherand that the membranes distance themselves from each other under darknessis that the distancing protects the proteins by isolating them when the light is weak and little photosynthetic activity is taking place.

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After discovering how membranes realign themselves according to light conditions, the research team conducted an experiment with two groups of genetically modified plants: one in which the spatial structure of the chloroplast membranes is "locked" in an active light and photosynthesis mode and another in which the membranes are organized in a perpetual darkness mode, preventing them from getting closer to one other. The plants in the first group grew larger and performed more photosynthesis compared to their dark-mode counterparts.

In the future, Nevo and her colleagues plan to investigate whether genetically engineered plants, in which the spatial structure of membranes is regulated, can be grown in relatively weak light. This could help conserve energy when cultivating plants under artificial lighta need that might be imposed by climate change.

This study is dedicated to the memory of Dr. Eyal Shimoni, a staff scientist in Weizmann's Chemical Research Support Department, who contributed essential expertise in microscopy to this research before he prematurely passed away in 2023.

Other participants included Dr. Yuval Garty and Yuval Bussi of Reich's group; Dr. Smadar Levin-Zaidman of the Chemical Research Support Department; Prof. Helmut Kirchhoff of Washington State University; and Dr. Dana Charuvi of the Volcani Institute, Rishon LeZion, Israel.

More information: Yuval Garty et al, Thylakoid membrane stacking controls electron transport mode during the dark-to-light transition by adjusting the distances between PSI and PSII, Nature Plants (2024). DOI: 10.1038/s41477-024-01628-9 Journal information: Nature Plants
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A mistletoe berry being squeezed. Credit: University of Essex

The healing power of mistletoe is being explored by researchers to see if it can be used as a high-quality surgical glue. The team from the University of Essex are working with a British grower to explore if the iconic festive flower can make an eco-friendly sealant.

Although famed for Christmas kisses, the plant's white berries have been used throughout history as a strong gluebut the science behind it has been largely ignored.

But now researchers led by Dr. Nick Aldred and Dr. Pallavi Singh are exploring if mistletoe can be grown commercially and if the adhesive can be and used in medicine and industry.

Dr. Aldred is building on his past work with barnacles and other sticky creatures, and Dr. Singh is bringing her expertise on plant grafting, focusing on how the parasitic plant naturally colonizes host trees.

Dr. Singh said, "I'm so excited to be working with Dr. Aldred on this project to explore how we can use this iconic festive plant for the greater good.

"Despite its fame, mistletoe is really understudied and it could have a wide range of usesincluding high-quality surgical glue. Mistletoe also has the largest genome of any plant to be sequenced in the UK, meaning the research could have wide ranging impacts in biotech and how we understand the world."

As far back as 50BC, Roman author Pliny described the use of mistletoe berries in the creation of birdlime, which is used to trap birds in hunting. With poet Virgil, Shakespeare and ancient Egyptians also describing the plant as useful in creating glue. During WW2 birdlime was also used to create British sticky bombs.

A mistletoe berry under a microscope. Credit: University of Essex

However, the commercial and medical use of mistletoe-based glue have not been fully explored due to uncertainty about the exact adhesive mechanisms, and availability of berries on a large scale.

Dr. Aldred and Singh address these gaps, aiming towards future eco-friendly glues.

"By exploring the natural world to create environmentally friendly glues we can use naturally occurring materials to benefit us all," said Dr. Aldred

"It might seem unusual to use mistletoe berries as the basis of a glue, but its potential has been known about for thousands of years. If we can develop and build on this knowledge hopefully, we can make a useful gluewhile learning more about how nature can benefit us all."

Although in its early stages, the researchers have managed to grow mistletoe in controlled laboratory environment and are now exploring its genetic make-up.

With a series of experiments to follow as the project develops to see if mistletoe and mistletoe inspired glue can be developed commercially.
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SN 1987a, a Type II supernova remnant first observed in 1987, is visible in this image taken by the Hubble Space Telescope in 2017. The bright ring around the exploded star is material it had ejected approximately 20,000 years before its demise. Credit: NASA/ESA/Robert Kirshner/Max Mutchler/Roberto Avila

Since 2018 the Zwicky Transient Facility, an international astronomical collaboration based at the Palomar Observatory in California, has scanned the entire sky every two to three nights. As part of this mission, the ZTF's Bright Transient Survey has been counting and cataloging supernovaeflashes of light in the sky that are the telltale signs of stars dying in spectacular explosions.

On Dec. 4, ZTF researchersincluding astronomers at the University of Washingtonannounced that they have identified more than 10,000 of these stellar events, the largest number ever identified by an astronomical survey.

"There are trillions of stars in the universe, and about every second, one of them explodes," said Christoffer Fremling, an astronomer at Caltech who leads the Bright Transient Survey. "ZTF detects hundreds of these explosions per night and a handful are then confirmed as supernovae. Systematically doing this for seven years has led to the most complete record of confirmed supernovae to date."

The Bright Transient Survey is currently the primary discovery pipeline for cosmic flashesalso known as astronomical transientsin the world. To determine which transients are supernovae, ZTF shares a stream of nightly transient detections with the wider astronomical community so that other telescopes around the world can conduct follow-up observations of candidate transients.

This includes conducting a spectral analysis, in which instruments on observatory telescopes split the light from a transient object into its individual colors to reveal its distance from Earth and other properties.

"Classifying 10,000 supernovae is a tremendous achievement and will enable unprecedented scientific studies of explosive transients," said ZTF team member Eric Bellm, a UW research associate professor of astronomy and scientist with the UW's DiRAC Institute. "Reaching this milestone required careful technical work on scheduling and processing the ZTF discovery images, human and machine vetting of the alerts and obtaining timely follow-up spectra."

For the Bright Transient Survey, a 60-megapixel wide-field camera mounted on Palomar's Samuel Oschin telescope scanned the entire visible sky every two nights. To detect new astronomical events, astronomers subtracted images of the same portion of the sky from subsequent scans. Next, members of the ZTF team studied the subtracted images and triggered follow-up spectral observations by a second telescope at Palomar or other observatories.

Bellm, UW research scientist Melissa Graham and Mario Juric, UW professor of astronomy and director of the DiRAC Institute, all contributed to the Bright Transient Survey. Bellm managed alerts of new transients and scheduled imaging for the survey. Juric helped set up the ZTF's automated system to alert team members around the world of new transients.

Developing automated analysis pipelines and alert systems are critical for the field as more powerful imaging technologies and new generations of observatories continue to transform astronomy into a "big data" endeavor. Fritz Zwicky, a 20th century astronomer who first coined the term "supernova," identified 120 supernovae in 52 years. The Bright Transient Survey by the ZTFnamed for Zwickyfound 10,000 in a fraction of that time.

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"The Bright Transient Survey program serves as an exemplar for the kinds of science we hope to do with the Vera C. Rubin Observatory in the near future," said Bellm.

Key moments in the discovery of supernovae, including the recent discovery of more than 10,000 of these cosmic events by the Zwicky Transient Facility. Credit: Caltech

Under construction in Chile, the Vera C. Rubin Observatory is the future home of the Legacy Survey of Space and Time, or LSST, a mission that will take deep images of the sky nightly and detect even more cosmic transients than ZTF. UW scientists with the DiRAC Institute have been heavily involved in planning for the launch of the LSST. Collaborations like the ZTF have been a proving ground for developing and testing methods for use in the LSST.

For the Bright Transient Survey, Graham conducted follow-up spectral analyses of transients at Apache Point Observatory in New Mexico. These efforts were especially valuable in catching some of the fainter, fading supernovae that would have been missed at Palomar.

"As UW astronomers, we are so fortunate to have access to the Apache Point Observatory for our research," said Graham. "One of the most impactfuland funparts of obtaining optical spectra is being surprised by rare transients with peculiar characteristics, which often reveal more about supernova physics than hundreds of ordinary objects. Figuring out how to do this work with the even larger number of LSST supernovae is the next big challenge."

Most of the transients in the Bright Transient Survey are classified as one of two common types of supernovae: Type Ia, when a white dwarf steals so much material from another nearby star that it explodes, or Type II, when massive stars collapse and die under their own gravity. Thanks to the treasure trove of data from the Bright Transient Survey, astronomers are now better equipped to answer questions about how stars grow and die, as well as how dark energy drives the expansion of the universe.

After its expected 2025 commissioning, the Vera Rubin C. Observatory could discover millions more supernovae.

"The machine learning and AI tools we have developed for ZTF will become essential when the Vera Rubin Observatory begins operations," said ZTF team member Daniel Perley, an astronomer at Liverpool John Moores University. "We have already planned to work closely with Rubin to transfer our machine learning knowledge and technology."

ZTF will continue to scan the night sky for the next two years.

"The period in 2025 and 2026 when ZTF and Vera Rubin can both operate in tandem is fantastic news for time-domain astronomers," said Mansi Kasliwal, an astronomy professor at Caltech who will lead ZTF in the next two years. "Combining data from both observatories, astronomers can directly address the physics of why supernovae explode and discover fast and young transients that are inaccessible to ZTF or Rubin alone. I am excited about the future."
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

International sustainable entrepreneurship is proving that businesses can be a force for good. However, expanding internationally while staying true to their mission presents significant challenges. S M Feroj Mahmood's doctoral dissertation in international marketing at the University of Vaasa, Finland, examines how social ventures can adapt their business models to achieve international growth.

Social ventures are organizations that prioritize societal and environmental contributions over profit maximization. S M Feroj Mahmood's dissertation investigates how these types of ventures can modify their business models to scale internationally while maintaining their commitment to sustainability.

"To grow internationally, social ventures need to have a deep understanding of local markets, adapt distribution methods, and form strong partnerships. Cultural differences and geopolitical shifts make expansion complex," explains Mahmood, who will defend his dissertation at the University of Vaasa on 11 December.

The research offers practical guidance for policymakers, investors, and practitioners aiming to promote sustainable international business growth, drawing insights from interviews with leaders of four Finnish international social ventures.

"For example, one of the social ventures collaborates with women artisans in rural Kenya, Ghana, and Tanzania to create handmade baskets, bags, and home home decor. These products are then exported to Nordic countries, the U.S., Switzerland, Germany, Australia, Japan, and many other countries to customers worldwide. This initiative provides steady employment and income to local communities, empowering women and improving their welfare," Mahmood explains.

Balancing sustainability and profitability

Although the main objective of social ventures is to benefit society, they must also generate sufficient profit to sustain operations. By adjusting their business model for internationalization, social ventures can broaden their ability to create meaningful societal impact while maintaining economic viability.

"Before starting this research, I considered the nature of social ventures and questioned the assumption that they operate without generating profit. What I discovered is that while their primary focus is societal impact, profitability is essential for keeping the business running. The success of international social ventures lies in their ability to adapt without losing sight of their core values," Mahmood says.

The dissertation combines a systematic literature review of 134 scholarly papers and a bibliometric analysis of 60,426 citations from the Web of Science (WOS). Additionally, Mahmood conducted 14 in-depth interviews with founders, CEOs, and CFOs of four Finnish social ventures, providing empirical evidence on how business models evolve during internationalization.

More information: S M Feroj Mahmood, Essays on Extant Knowledge in International Sustainable Entrepreneurship and Internationalization of Social Ventures
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Innovative quantum technologies entangle free electrons with photons. They could open up new avenues for promising applications in imaging processes. Credit: Dominik Hornof/TU Wien

About 100 years ago, humanity learned to see with the help of electrons. In 1924, Louis de Broglie posited thatlike light particleselectrons have wave properties. In 1927, the U.S. physicists Davisson and Germer provided experimental proof of this.

A few years later, the engineers Ernst Ruska and Max Knoll built the first electron microscope, which was more powerful than any light microscope. Given that electron waves are diffracted by much smaller objects than photons, the optical resolution limit of light was surmounted, heralding a new era of microscopy.

Combining two worlds: Quantum electron microscopy

"Electron microscopy is a crazy, cool technique," Philipp Haslinger, Associate Professor at the TU Wien, says. "In principle, we could use it to look at the spike proteins of a virus or its DNAat the level of atoms, the pixels of reality."

Haslinger, a quantum optics specialist, deliberately says "could," because there is a catch: The electrons are typically so high in energy that they destroy sensitive samples. For this reason, biological processes cannot be observed "live" with electron microscopes.

According to Haslinger, there is one possible solution: "Gaining more information from fewer electrons." In pursuit of this goal, his 11 member team uses "quantum electron microscopy," which combines classic electron microscopy with the newer world of photon-based quantum optics.

Spooky imaging

One of their possible ideas is based on a method going by the evocative name of "quantum ghost imaging" or Zou-Wang-Mandel effect. In this method, an entangled electronphoton pair generates the image of the object.

This is how it works: first, an electron races through a translucent medium and "overtakes" the light there, "a bit like an airplane going supersonic," explains Haslinger. This creates a photon, which is taken to be entangled with the electron. While the electron travels towards the sample, the photon enters a camera detector. As the two are entangled, the photon can be used to measure whether the electron has hit the sample. If the detected photons can be space-resolved successfully, the image of the object can be constructed.

At least, this is the theory behind the approach published in Quantum Science and Technology. "Several research groups around the world are working on establishing the first proof of this entanglementand we are up in the front line," says Haslinger. In practice, the innovative ideas are fraught with technical challenges. The team first had to adjust the existing microscope. "Normally, electron microscopes are built completely sealed from lightbut we drill holes in them so that photons can escape so as to be measured," says the physicist.

Promising outlook for biology and materials science

What is needed now is proof of principle that the method can generate electronphoton pairs. "In fact, it could happen any day now," hopes Haslinger. "We have already recorded a ghost image. So we were able to see with electrons what the photon 'saw.' Now we are looking for evidence of interference phenomena between the two particles. Finding this evidence would give us clear smoking-gun proof of entanglement."

An established variant of ghost imaging that uses entangled photonphoton pairs has proven its worth when observing particularly light-sensitive objects. If Haslinger's plan works out, this sparing treatment of the sample could for the first time be combined with the high optical resolution of electrons.

Such a development would open up promising applications, for example, in battery research: The molecular and atomic changes on the surfaces of materials during charging and discharging could be better observed and this would help to identify optimized materials. There might also be spectacular new insights in biology, such as observing proteins as they fold without their being broken during irradiation.

"Watching life as it happens, that would be a dream," beams Haslinger. A good 20 years ago, as a young physics student, he attended lectures by Anton Zeilinger, who got him interested in quantum optics. Now he and his colleagues could bring a new quality to electron microscopy, the history of which began a century ago.

More information: Philipp Haslinger et al, Spin resonance spectroscopy with an electron microscope, Quantum Science and Technology (2024). DOI: 10.1088/2058-9565/ad52bc Journal information: Quantum Science and Technology
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The time (in millions of years) taken for an exoplanet's atmosphere to reach an anomalously low deuterium-to-hydrogen ratio, relative to interstellar space around it, given the energy consumption of its advanced civilization (in terawatts), assuming an Earth-like ocean. M is the mass of Earth's ocean. Credit: David C. Catling

Extraterrestrial civilizations need a great deal of energy as they advance up the Kardashev scale. Fossil fuels are finite, wind and solar energy are carbon free but not as efficient as fossil fuels, and traditional nuclear fission power depends on a supply of fissionable material and has a waste problem. Thus, any advanced alien species may well turn to nuclear fusion for their ever-increasing energy needs (unless they've discovered even better energy processes we don't yet know about).

Deuterium (D) fusion is one of the simplest forms of nuclear fusion, where D fuses with tritium or another D. As life needs water as far as we know, oceans on an advanced world could supply plenty of it in ocean water.

On Earth, water contains a natural miniscule amount of heavy water, with deuterium replacing one or both hydrogen atoms to exist as HOD or DOH and rarely as D 2 O. Extracting deuterium from an ocean would decrease its ratio of deuterium-to-hydrogen, D/H, including in atmospheric water vapor, while the helium produced in the nuclear reactions would escape to space. Could low values of D/H in an exoplanet's atmosphere be a technosignature of long-lived, uber-advanced extraterrestrial life?

That's what David C. Catling of the University of Washington started wondering a while back. "I didn't do much with this germ of idea until I was co-organizing an astrobiology meeting last year at Green Bank Observatory in West Virginia," he said.

When a brainstorming session on SETI was in the works, he did some preliminary analysis that eventually led to a three-party collaboration and a paper on the subject that will appear in the Astrophysical Journal and is published on the arXiv preprint server.

"Measuring the D/H ratio in water vapor on exoplanets is certainly not a piece of cake," he said. "But it's not a pipe dream either" according to his analysis. One big advantage of looking for low D/H values in an exoplanet's atmosphere is that it would persist even if advanced life died out on their planet or migrated away, increasing the chances of detecting this technosignature.

On Earth, where humanity is currently at 0.73 on the Kardashev scale, natural deuterium in the ocean accounts for about one atom in every 6,240 atoms of hydrogen, or 35 grams of deuterium for every ton of seawater. (That's a collective 4.85  1013 tons of deuterium.) The D/H ratio is nearly the same in our atmosphere. Deuterium can fuse with itself and, in a chain of nuclear reactions, ultimately produces 335 gigajoules of energy per gram of deuterium.

Using Earth as a model for an exoplanet with advanced life, Catling and his colleagues calculated fusion power of roughly 10 times that projected for humans next century, about 100 TW in 2100 for a population of 10.4 billion (five times more than today). That 1,000 terawatts (TW)which could be a low amount for an advanced species (or their robotic descendants!)would deplete an Earth-like ocean's D/H value to a value found in the local interstellar medium, about 16 parts per million, in about 170 million years.

"If the D/H ratio in the water of an exoplanet was found to be substantially below [interstellar medium] values...it would be strange and anomalous," the group writes in their paper.

If, by chance, their exoplanet had an ocean only a few percent of Earth'sa so-called "land planet"D/H would reach anomalously low values in roughly 1 to 10 million years. That's on the order of the average lifetime of a mammalian species since the Chicxulub impact ended the dinosaurs, about 3 million years.

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Other planets have higher D/H values, like Venus and Mars, but processes like Venus's runaway greenhouse effect and physical escape processes on Mars have left both uninhabitable. Thus a higher D/H than Earth's "probably indicates a planet that is problematic for habitability on geologic timescales."

Calculations like these led the group to propose looking for unusually low D/H in planetary water vapor as a potential technosignature, which they call "potentially remotely detectable."

Using the Spectral Mapping Atmospheric Radiative Transfer (SMART) model, they proposed specific wavelengths to look for among the emission lines for of HDO and H 2 O. HDO has strong lines in the infrared and near-infrared part of the electromagnetic spectrum, and in 2019 scientists first detected water vapor in the atmosphere of a potentially habitable planet.

Two missions in development, NASA's Habitable Worlds Observatory (HWO) that would follow the James Webb Space Telescope, and the European-led Large Interferometer For Exoplanets (LIFE), could possibly measure D/H.

"It's up to the engineers and scientists designing [HWO] and [LIFE] to see if measuring D/H on exoplanets might be an achievable goal," said Catling, noting that one scientist on the LIFE team is looking at the issue after reading their paper.

"What we can say, so far, is that looking for D/H from LIFE appears to be feasible for exoplanets with plenty of atmospheric water vapor in a region of the spectrum around 8 microns wavelength."

More information: David C. Catling et al, Potential technosignature from anomalously low deuterium/hydrogen (D/H) in planetary water depleted by nuclear fusion technology, arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2411.18595 Journal information: Astrophysical Journal , arXiv

 2024 Science X Network
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Locals rally in a street in Damascus, Syria, Dec. 8, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson on Sunday said China is closely following the development of situation in Syria and hopes that stability will be restored as soon as possible.

The spokesperson made the remarks in response to a relevant query on report that Syria's anti-government forces have entered Syrian capital Damascus and declared the fall of the Syrian government.

The spokesperson said that the Chinese government has been actively helping Chinese nationals who wish to leave Syria to do so in a safe and orderly way, and staying in contact with those still in Syria and offering them advice on how to stay safe.

The spokesperson added that China urges relevant parties in Syria to ensure the safety and security of the Chinese institutions and personnel in Syria.

The Chinese Embassy is still up and running and carrying out its duty in Syria, and will continue to make every possible assistance to Chinese nationals in need, said the spokesperson.
EGG HARBOR CITY  Patti Cunningham likes to wear her crucifix when she works as a flight attendant.

Youd be surprised how many people would walk up to me and say, I feel so much better now that I saw your cross, said the 59-year-old Galloway Township resident.

Now she can tell passengers her crucifix was blessed by a saint.

Cunningham opted to not work over the weekend so she could be at St. Nicholas Catholic Church on Sunday morning to see the first-class relic of Saint Nicholas of Myra, a gift to the church celebrating its 160 years. After Mass, she and many other had their personal belongings blessed by the relic.

About 250 people filled the church for the 10 a.m. bilingual Mass that featured a presentation of the relic to be housed in its own tabernacle at the church as well as a special blessing to those who attended.

Saint Nicholas, bishop of Myra, Turkey, died Dec. 6, 343 A.D. He was known for his generosity and love of children. His life and good works inspired the story of Santa Claus.

A lot of modern people are not telling their children about Santa. They think its a fairytale, Our Lady of Perpetual Helps pastor, the Rev. Gerard Marable, said Wednesday. They want to be modern. But the things is, this was a real person who lived in Turkey and a person who did good deeds.

... The myth of Santa Claus is based in the reality of Saint Nicholas and the idea being ... generosity, charitableness, in particular toward children and bringing light to the darkness in peoples lives.

The approximately 1,700-year-old bone fragment is considered a first-class relic by the Roman Catholic Church. The fragment, no larger than a childs fingernail, rests inside a small capsule about the size of a quarter. That capsule sits inside a reliquary  a container that houses holy relics  that people were able to touch.

The tabernacle will be mounted onto the wall next to the statue of Saint Nicholas in the back-right corner of the sanctuary.

Joseph Picardi, a member of the church for 15 years and who helped bring the artifact here, marveled at its journey.

After 1,700 years, thats how long Saint Nicholas has been dead, and its journeyed thousands of miles between Myra, Turkey, then Greece and Italy, a part of Saint Nicholas ends up in Egg Harbor City, New Jersey, USA, said Picardi, 77, of Galloway. So its very special.

Celebrating Saint Nick

Picardi reached out to the Shrine of All Saints, Saint Martha of Bethany Church in Morton Grove, Illinois, hoping to borrow the relic for a veneration ceremony to celebrate the local churchs 160th anniversary during the week of the Feast of Saint Nicholas, which was Friday.

I think the whole celebration and presentation of the relic is a reality check on the phrase, keep Christ in Christmas, Marable said. This is one of the ways were doing that.

Instead, the Rev. Dennis ONeill from the All Saints Shrine in Illinois responded to Picardi and offered to send the relic as a gift. The relic arrived in the spring, and the church decided to debut it for the feast day.

The church held a veneration Saturday in which members of the public were welcome to pray before the relic and touch it. It was kept behind a protective plexiglass, and the Knights of Columbus provided an honor guard.

Mass was held Sunday morning in both English and Spanish, which a majority of St. Nicholas churchgoers speak, Marable said. The Rev. Franklin Opara, originally from Nigeria, presided over Mass.

Led in by the Knights of Columbus, Opara held the relic up high as he processed down the aisle. He placed it inside the new tabernacle, which was created in Tennessee, Picardi said, and lessed it with incense.

Opara then imbibed holy water with manna from the bone, a holy liquid some say oozes from the bone, and blessed the congregation.

After Mass, people lined up to either touch the artifact with a part of their body or press a personal object up against its glass, turning those objects into a third-class relic, or an item that came in contact with a first- or second-class relic.

I never thought Id ever have the chance to experience something like this before, Cunningham said.

City resident Charles Schwenger III, 74, who was baptized and confirmed at St. Nicholas as well as graduated from the school, brought the same Bible he received as a gift for confirmation more than 60 years ago. He brings it with him to church every week.

Im kind of at a loss for words. I really dont know what to say, he said.

A meaningful gift

St. Nicholas was formed in 1864 by the same German immigrants who founded and settled in Egg Harbor City about 10 years earlier. German remained the predominant language of the church until into the 1900s, according to stnicholascenter.org, which details the history of the saint with whom many associate with Santa Claus.

In 2008, St. Nicholas Church merged with the Church of the Assumption in Galloway Township, forming the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Parish.

This church was built during the Civil War, and this relic is over 1,700 years old. And they can finally be together as a family, Cunningham said. Now you feel like when you walk in, youre really home. It felt like home before, but now that (the relic) is there, everything has come full circle.

Marable said some members of the church can trace their parentage back to the founding church.

Its very meaningful to them, Marable said. A number of Catholic churches were born out of St. Nicholas. Assumption in Pomona was a mission of St. Nicholas Church. St. Nicholas is the mother church for some of the other churches in this area.

Marable said this gift helps strengthen the connections his parishioners have to the church and its long history.

We can say this really gives a strong connection, a strong bond all the way around to the new people who are here, to the old families who are here, to the church universal and to the church throughout the ages, Marable said. And the holiness of the saint shines, if you will, in St. Nicholas Church. And our parish, now, will radiate in our church and the people of the parish.
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People watch the result of the impeachment motion of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol near the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Dec. 7, 2024. [Photo/Xinhua]

South Korea's main liberal opposition Democratic Party said Sunday that it will try to push for a vote to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol every Saturday following a botched impeachment attempt.

Kang Yu-jung, the Democratic Party spokesperson, told reporters that a new impeachment motion will be reported to the National Assembly on Thursday and put up for a vote on Saturday.

Kang noted that the party will continue to pursue the report on Thursday and the vote on Saturday for impeachment against Yoon.

The first impeachment motion against Yoon was scrapped as most of the 108 ruling People Power Party lawmakers boycotted it on Dec. 7.

Of 300 National Assembly lawmakers, more than 200 lawmakers are required to vote yes to pass the impeachment motion over Yoon's declaration of an emergency martial law that was repealed by the parliament.

The Democratic Party will submit bills on Monday to appoint special prosecutors and investigate charges of Yoon's insurrection and scandal involving his wife in a bid to put them up for a vote as early as Thursday, the spokesperson said.

Under the standing independent counsel bill that cannot be vetoed by the embattled president, the opposition has the right to recommend a special prosecutor, but the president can delay the appointment of the prosecutor.

Separately, the Democratic Party will report motions to impeach the justice minister and police chief to the parliament on Tuesday and put them up for a vote on Thursday.
Cozumel voices its concern: The $42 USD cruise passenger tax could send ships on a new route

Cozumel, Q.R.  Residents of Cozumel held a peaceful march Sunday morning to protest the $42 USD federal tax set to start with the New Year. Hundreds marched from the Municipal Palace of City Hall around 9:00 a.m. in a march organized by local businessmen.

Protestors against the cruise passenger tax of $42 USD chanted that their purpose was to raise their voices against a decision that will affect the arrival of cruise ships to our port.

Island businessman Elio Reyes said they are hoping authorities will sit down with the cruise ship companies to talk. He said this past week, there was a breakdown in communications regarding negotiations between the federal government, who approved the new tax, and the cruise ship companies who have to deal with it.

The concern among businesses around the state is the effect the new federal tax will have on tourism, making Mexico less competitive cost-wise. Federal officials have approved the collection of the tax starting January 1, 2025, however, state officials and local businesses have asked it be deferred until 2026 so the cruise companies could absorb the fee and not pass it on to passengers.

Hundreds marched Sunday in protest of the new federal tax.

With the new tax set to start in coming weeks, local businesses are concerned cruise companies will simply change their itinerary and sail on a different route to avoid Mexico.

Starting January 1, 2025, a new fee of $42 USD for DNR (Derecho de No Residente) or a Non-Resident Fee, will be applied to cruise passengers entering Mexican territory. The $42 USD DNR tax is in addition to the $5 USD Environmental Sanitation Fee (DSA) approved earlier this year.

Only cruise ship passengers who stop in Mexico are charged the $42 USD. The new fee will affect the cruise ports of Puerto Vallarta, La Paz and Los Cabos on the Pacific coast, Progreso in Yucatan and Cozumel and Mahahual in Quintana Roo.

Earlier this month, the Senate of the Republic approved the Federal Rights Law which allows the implementation of federal fees to various industries. One of those industries in cruise ships.
Sheinbaum to open Maya Train section 7 in mid-December

Mexico City, Mexico  President Claudia Sheinbaum says she will return to the Yucatan Peninsula for the opening of section 7 of the Maya Train. Sheinbaum says she will return to the region to inaugurate the section from Palenque to Chetumal next week.

The President also announced that in 2025 and 2026, the necessary work will be started on intermodal spaces so that the Maya Train can be used to transport cargo.

During a morning press conference, Sheinbaum reported that she will inaugurate the section of Palenque to Chetumal Maya Train on December 15. She says that section remains pending from the previous term of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

This section passes through Chiapas, Campeche and Quintana Roo and will close the Maya Train circuit.

During her morning press conference at the National Palace, the President confirmed that that the Maya Train will also be a cargo train, for which the necessary work will be carried out over the next two years.

The Maya Train, in addition to being a passenger train, will be a cargo train. In the next two years, 2025 and 2026, all the necessary work will be done on intermodal spaces, everything that is required for it to be a cargo train, she said.

The Maya Train is now operating for passengers. It will have a line from Palenque to Chetumal, which we are going to inaugurate. Tickets will begin to be sold so that it can go all the way around the Peninsula as planned and next year, the cargo work will begin, she explained.

Last month, Sheinbaum announced the start of studies for the construction of cargo tracks to connect Tren Maya as a transport route. The project is forecast to cost 35 billion pesos.
Two Israeli nationals arrested during stop at Cancun-PDC police filter

Playa del Carmen, Q.R.  Two Israeli nationals were arrested by Solidaridad police over the weekend. The pair were taken into legal custody from a highway police filter in the municipality of Solidaridad Saturday.

According to the Secretary of Citizen Security (SSC), the man and woman were arrested after being found in possession of narcotics. Their vehicle was searched at the police filter between Playa del Carmen and Cancun. Police reported finding 20 street doses of drugs during the search.

In a breif statement, the SSC (Seguridad Ciudadana Solidaridad) said the Municipal Citizen Security Secretariat arrested two Israeli citizens in possession of 20 doses of possible narcotics at Police Checkpoint Number 1 on the Playa del Carmen-Cancun highway.

They are a female named Shira N, 29 years old, and a male named Daniel N, 30 years old, who were placed at the disposal of the State Attorney Generals Office for alleged drug related crimes.

Police have not said if the pair are tourists or local residents.
Climate pollution caused by burning fossil fuels hit a record 37.4 billion metric tons in 2024, marking a 0.8% rise from the previous year  and dashing hopes that a peak in global emissions might occur this year.

Thats according to the latest annual Global Carbon Budget, which underscores a deeper challenge: the worlds ongoing reliance on coal, oil, and gas, which continues to drive emissions and disrupt the climate. The report, organized by a global consortium of scientists centered at the University of Exeter, paints a complex picture of global energy trends, with troubling increases in some areas and signs of progress in others.

Emissions from most wealthy countries fell this year, though by relatively small amounts in many cases. Meanwhile, climate pollution from most developing economies rose, driven by economic growth and a rising demand for energy. Global consumption of coal, oil, and gas all increased, though coal and oil saw less than 1% growth.

While global emissions have yet to reach a clear peak  the point at which carbon pollution stops rising and eventually shifts to a consistent decline  there are signs that this turning point could be on the horizon. The rapid deployment of clean technologies like solar panels and electric vehicles (EVs) may help accelerate this shift, although much faster progress will be needed to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

These global trends have urgent implications for our climate, economies, and ecosystems. To understand whats behind this years record highs and what they signal for the future, lets explore the key factors shaping climate pollution today.

Chinas climate emissions are peaking

Given Chinas status as the worlds largest emitter, understanding its emissions trajectory is key to assessing global climate progress. Between 2000 and 2023, Chinas climate pollution more than tripled. In 2023, the countrys emissions grew nearly 5%. But this year they remained nearly unchanged, rising by an estimated 0.2%.

Most of Chinas explosive emissions growth since the turn of the century stemmed from a rapid expansion of coal power, built to meet the energy demands of the countrys fast-growing economy. But in recent years, clean energy has taken over as the dominant source of new power generation in China, so emissions from coal increased by just 0.3% in 2024.

And more than half of new vehicle sales in China are now fully electric or plug-in hybrids. Global Carbon Budget estimates that the countrys oil consumption declined by 0.8% in 2024 and is expected to continue falling as the transition to electric transportation continues.

Other industry trends are at play here, too. Real estate construction activity in China has been contracting due to a glut of unsold homes and unfinished projects. As a result, Chinese climate pollution from cement production decreased by a dramatic 8.1% in 2024. That was offset by an 8% increase in the countrys consumption of natural gas, which is largely composed of methane, a potent climate-warming gas. But Chinas solar and wind energy production is growing much faster than gas power, and Chinas clean energy supply may soon be sufficient to meet the countrys power demand and stem the need for more natural gas.

Taken together, the evidence indicates that Chinas climate pollution may have peaked this year and be poised for a decline in the near future. Given that China is the worlds second-most populated country with the highest total emissions of any country, thats a positive sign for efforts to curb global climate pollution.

Annual fossil carbon pollution by source in China since 1958, with 2024 projections in red. (Image credit: Global Carbon Budget 2024)

Other wealthy countries made some progress, too

While China was the standout, climate pollution declined in most other wealthy developed countries in 2024  although often by a smaller margin than in the prior year.

The European Union was successful in curbing climate pollution by an estimated 3.8%, although less than its 8.4% decline in 2023. Thats likely due to the fact that Europe dramatically reduced its dependence on Russian gas in the wake of the 2022 invasion of Ukraine but couldnt sustain such a rapid phaseout this year. European gas consumption nevertheless dropped 1.3% in 2024. Coal was responsible for most of the countries emissions decline, falling by nearly 16% thanks to the continued transition to clean power generation.

In the United States, climate pollution fell by about 0.6%. Coal consumption continued its long-term decline, and EV sales contributed to a 0.7% reduction in oil consumption. But despite continuing deployment of clean power generation, American natural gas consumption rose by about 1% in 2024.

Why? After more than a decade of steady total power consumption, U.S. electricity demand is now growing, driven largely by the electrification of vehicles and buildings, along with the growth of data centers, artificial intelligence, and cryptocurrency mining. Solar, wind, and nuclear power deployments have only been sufficient to meet some of those growing needs, and so natural gas use has modestly risen to meet the rest, while some coal power plant retirements have also been delayed.

Annual fossil carbon pollution by source in the USA since 1958, with 2024 projections in red. (Image credit: Global Carbon Budget 2024)

In some other examples around the rest of the wealthy world, climate pollution declined by a fraction of a percent in Canada and Australia. Although Australian coal and gas consumption significantly contracted due to rapid renewable energy growth, its oil use rose as EV sales slumped this year. In neighboring New Zealand, climate pollution fell by nearly 5% behind a drop in coal and oil use.

The story was similar in Japan and South Korea, both of which saw a 4% emissions decline as consumption of all fossil fuels fell in 2024. And the United Kingdom reduced its climate pollution by nearly 3% thanks to large drops in coal and gas, despite oil consumption rising this year.

Developing nations need help to curb their climate pollution

Emissions rose in India and the rest of the world, behind increases in the consumption of all fossil fuels. Thats the norm in developing countries, whose energy demands rise as their economies grow and more citizens rise out of poverty.

To date, most of that increased demand has been met through the burning of fossil fuels, but that neednt be the case. Many developing countries would prefer to leapfrog fossil fuels and instead meet their growing needs with clean energy. But that requires international investment, which has historically been lacking.

This was one of the key topics of the recent 29th Conference of Parties (COP29) climate negotiations in Baku, Azerbaijan. An independent climate finance expert group recommended $1 trillion in international climate finance per year by 2030, including around $300 billion supplied by governments, supplemented by public and private finance. The countries participating in CO29 reached a deal close to meeting those recommendations. But it remains to be seen whether the promised money can be delivered  most of the funds are hoped to be raised via private financing  and many developing countries were left deeply dissatisfied.

Annual fossil carbon pollution by country since 1958, with 2024 projections in red. Bunkers represents international aviation and shipping, which arent attributed to individual countries. (Image credit: Global Carbon Budget 2024)

Natures role in absorbing climate pollution

While human activities continue to drive the rise in global emissions, nature also plays a vital role in counteracting some of these effects. Consistent with past years, Earths soils and plants absorbed about one-quarter of human climate pollution in 2024, and the oceans removed close to a further 30%. The remaining 45% was added to the heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.

That level of natural carbon removal is a welcome relief, because in 2023, Earths soil and plants absorbed an unusually small amount of carbon, leading some to speculate that natures carbon sink could be failing. That instead appears to have been a temporary result of a significant El Nino event last year, which tends to cause drought conditions that lessen the biospheres short-term carbon uptake.

Measures to reduce deforestation and expand forests have also delivered some success over the past decade. While deforestation is still a problem in Brazil, Indonesia, and the Congo, the rate of global forest removal in recent years is only half as much as a decade ago.

But extensive wildfires this year, especially climate-worsened fires in the Amazon, hampered the total amount of climate pollution absorbed by nature in 2024. Concerns remain that as the planet continues to warm and amplify droughts and wildfires, Earths ability to remove human climate pollution could begin to lessen.

A turning point in global climate pollution?

While global emissions trends illustrate the challenges we face, there are signs that humanity may be nearing a peak in global climate pollution. Emissions from wealthy countries have been declining, but these efforts must accelerate, and financial support for developing countries is essential to help them transition to clean energy solutions.

Chinas shift in emissions growth offers some hope for the climates future, indicating that even the largest emitters can make meaningful progress  by taking bold action today.
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Some pith and a bit of froth seemed the perfect reading recipe for this stressful and ultimately dismaying year. I dont think that Im alone as a reader in craving both substance and the occasional, very welcome escape, with a minimum of preachiness and a maximum of nuance. Here are the books that delivered in 2024.

The Barn: The Secret History of a Murder in Mississippi by Wright Thompson

The 1955 murder of Emmett Till in Mississippi was a pivotal moment in American history. But celebrated journalist Wright Thompson, who was born and raised in the Delta, was surprised to learn that few people in the township where the crime took place knew that a local barn, still standing, was the site of the lynching, and many preferred not to know itsigns posted to commemorate this fact kept getting shot up. The Barn is less about the murder itself than about the bloody history leading up to it, and the attempts to erase it afterward. Thompsons expertly integrated narrative takes in both the sweeping saga of land and race in Mississippi and individual stories, like that of the incredibly brave Black teenager who testified against Tills murderers at their trial, then had to change his name and move to Chicago to escape retribution. The Barn is a book about memory, its fragility and its resilience, and its intimate but often invisible connection to the ground we stand on.

Cher: The Memoir, Part One by Cher

The celebrity memoir, with its cobbled-together origins as the work of a busy and typically vain famous person and a faceless ghostwriter, is a much-disparaged genre. But at its best, it tells the story of a remarkable life and helps explain what that life symbolizes to the greater public. This is one of the best: frank, earthy, and totally devoid of preening and pretension. Cher rightly perceives that her origins as the child of drifters and chancers who occasionally hit it big and more often teetered on the brink of homelessness shaped both her character and her career. At 16, she met 27-year-old Sonny Bono, and moved in with him. Their subsequent success came at the cost of her independence and freedom. (When the couple split up, she learned she was his unpaid employee and entitled to none of the money theyd made together as recording artists and TV stars.) Cher is the story of a woman perpetually underestimated, resolutely tender-hearted, and remarkably strong as she fights her way through booms and busts to the brink of a new career as an actor. Fingers crossed that Part Two is as riveting. Read the review in Slate.

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Great Expectations by Vinson Cunningham

David Hammond, the exquisitely cultured 22-year-old Black man who narrates Vinson Cunninghams masterful debut novel, gets plucked almost by chance from an idling existence as a tutor to work on the campaign of a charismatic Black senator running for president.

Cunningham himself worked on Barack Obamas 2008 campaign, so much of Davids journey, we can assume, is based on his own experience. David glides agreeably through the homes of affluent donors, admiring their Renoirs, examining his own ambivalence, and studying the kinds of compromises and contortions required to have an effect on the world. David is a born critic and an aspiring writer, and his work on the campaign provides him with abundant opportunities to observe the world of the upper middle class, particularly the Black upper middle class, which he does with the sensitive precision of Henry Jameswhose perceptiveness (if not his prose style) is the most obvious inspiration for this supremely elegant novel. Read the review in Slate.

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I Heard Her Call My Name: A Memoir of Transition by Lucy Sante

Lucy Sante earned a stellar reputationhovering somewhere between cult favorite and household nameas a New York history writer and critic under the name of Luc Sante before realizing that she was Lucy instead. She was 66 years old, and had spent her entire adult life in Manhattans bohemian enclaves under the guise of a particular kind of male intellectual: saturnine, cerebral, a bit remote, a bit owlish. Even among that carnival of gender-nonconforming artists and performers, she hadnt felt free to be herself, perhaps the saddest thing about this mostly joyful memoir. Sante refuses to be a spokesperson or to engage in what she calls the shibboleth rhetoric that pervades muchthough by no means allof trans writing, and as a result the story she tells feels as fresh and idiosyncratic as the rest of her storied lifes work, from her tortuous relationship to her Belgian mother to the marriages in which she felt alien, and my participation ceremonial, as if I were visiting a foreign country and for diplomatic reasons had to undergo all the observances, however inexplicable. This is not an unfamiliar tale, but the telling is glorious and rings absolutely true. Read the review in Slate.

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Knife: Meditations After an Attempted Murder by Salman Rushdie

Among the few people who have been stabbed nearly to death, there is only one Booker Prizewinning novelist, the man who eluded a fatwa for 33 years, outliving the ayatollah who pronounced it, only to be attacked onstage by a lone fanatic at the pastoral Chautauqua Festival in upstate New York. With an admirable tenacity, the 77-year-old novelist survived, but lost his right eye. While his fiction can be ornate at times, Knife is as streamlined and steely as its dreadful namesake. With potent austerity, Salman Rushdie describes lying on the floor watching the pool of his own blood grow, and the reproaches he leveled at himself afterward for his paralysis in the face of an assault he had long anticipated. The backdrop to the attack is his relationship with his fifth wife, the poet Rachel Eliza Griffiths, the uxoriousness of which the reader will forgive after learning how stalwartly she stood by him. What Rushdie had to live for is a necessary part of the story, but his unflinching account of the raw physical experience of violence and recovery is what makes this memoir indelible.

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Martyr! by Kaveh Akbar

For Cyrus Shams, life feels meaningless, and the main problem he has with death is that it feels even more so. Pushing 30, an orphan, closeted, and a recovering alcoholic, Cyrus is ostensibly a poet, but he doesnt write much, squandering his days in the hipster cafes of the Indiana college town he has never found the will to leave. Then his best friend (and would-be lover) persuades him to speak with an artistborn in Iran, like himselfwho is making her death by cancer her final installation at a New York museum. Can she help Cyrus figure out how to transform his obsession with secular martyrdom into the art project he longs to create? Shaggy, sardonic, and often surprisingly funny, Martyr! is one of those rare novels whose main characters very specific travails seem to speak for his entire age.

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The Ministry of Time by Kaliane Bradley

Kaliane Bradleys smart blend of science fiction, thriller, workplace comedy, and romance was the book I recommended most often and with the most success this year. The novel is narrated by a civil servant whos put in charge of acclimating an expat to life in near-future London. In this case, expat means a person plucked from the past into a world they find understandably overwhelming. The unnamed narrator, who is half Cambodian, is put in charge of the enigmatic Graham Gore, a real-life member of the 1845 Franklin Expedition, which was entirely lost in the Arctic. Bradley doesnt downplay the many incompatibilities between her heroine and her hero, whose stiff upper lip and shock at contemporary attitudes toward race and gender are mostly, but not entirely, entertaining. Love doesnt quite conquer all. Meanwhile, skullduggery in the eponymous ministry and the parallels between the novels temporal refugees and the more conventional kind multiply. Fun but not frivolous, intelligent but not belabored, The Ministry of Time is utterly winning.

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Our Evenings by Alan Hollinghurst

While his more recent work hasnt quite reached the pinnacle of 2004s The Line of Beauty, every new Alan Hollinghurst novel is cause for celebration. This one is no different, and yet with its focus on the experiences of a gay man of color, the biracial Burmese British actor Dave Win, the author of the loveliest sentences in contemporary English explores new territory. Daves winding path from scholarship boy at a posh boarding school through modest success in avant-garde theater and TV intertwines with the fate of a boorish politician in the Boris Johnson mold. Their two stories turn out to have a crucial connection at the novels shocking conclusion, but the beauty of this work lies less in its plot than in its elegiac portrait of a certain very British graceupper class, but not without its virtues, as it gives way to a new, crude populism. Suffused with the golden light alluded to in its title, Our Evenings is melancholy and ravishing. Read the review in Slate.

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This Strange Eventful History by Claire Messud

This highly satisfying and slightly old-fashioned family saga is based on Claire Messuds own clan: pied-noirs, or French-speaking colonials raised in Algeria but forced to leave when the country regained its independence in 1962. For the Cassars, Algeria became a lost homeland, one that they could never return to because the version they once loved no longer existed. It begins in 1940, with the fall of Paris and the almost suffocatingly close marriage between Lucienne and Gaston, continues through their son Francois emigration and unhappy marriage to a Canadian woman, and concludes with the perspective of Francois daughter, Chloe, a worshipper of literature who, like Messud herself, discovers her grandfathers 1,500-page family history and decides to make art out of it. The Cassars fates are shaped by history, but the core of this novel is the eternal tension between love and freedom, between the past and future, between our capacities and our desires. Its the stuff of life itself. Read the review in Slate.

When the Clock Broke: Con Men, Conspiracists, and How America Cracked Up in the Early 1990s by John Ganz

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This is a history of the losers, writes John Ganz in his keenly perceptive political history of the U.S. in the early 90s, that era of postCold War confusion. The losers include Klan leader and perpetual campaigner David Duke, the fire-breathing paleoconservative Pat Buchanan, and Ross Perot, the eccentric and hard-to-classify third-party candidate in the 1992 election. As Ganz points out, the failed ambitions of these men nevertheless signaled the welling up of forces that have triumphed today: nativist populism, conspiracy theory, class resentment. Ganz traces the roots of these ominous sentiments back to the policies of Ronald Reagan, which led to huge increases in income inequality. He notes that the liberal media has a long-standing weakness for the buffoonish antics of populists, finding them both too entertaining to ignore and too crude to take seriously, a crucial mistake. While Ganz rarely draws direct comparisons to the incoming regime, first among the many, many prescient aspects of this book is his recognition that they will ever remain a force that must be reckoned with.
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It is still early to know what abortion opponents will prioritize in 2025, but one goal is coming into view: Criminalizing speech and information about abortion. It may seem that efforts to criminalize speech will be constitutionally dead on arrival. In reality, as a recent decision over an Idaho law by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit shows, the fight to undercut reproductive rights will pose new, complicated threats to the freedom of speech in the years to come.

Examples also abound elsewhere. Texas lawmaker Steve Toth has filed a bill requiring internet service providers to make every technologically feasible effort to block Internet access to information or material intended to assist or facilitate efforts to obtain an elective abortion or an abortion-inducing drug. Under the proposal, websites and providers who dont block abortion-related content can be sued for at least $100,000. The law would also make it a felony to knowingly pay for or reimburse  the costs associated with obtaining an elective abortion. Iowa lawmakers introduced a similar provision and may try again in the new year.

Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the number of abortions has increased, even in states with bans, with abortion-seekers traveling out of state or getting pills in the mail. Shutting down interstate travel might be unconstitutional and practically impossible. But if patients dont know how to get abortion pills, or where to travel out of state, the barriers that ban states have erected will be much more effective.

Idahos law, like an identical provision on the books in Tennessee, theoretically focuses on minors but has much broader implications. The law makes it a crime for anyone to help a minor within the state access abortion by harboring, transporting, or recruiting them. Idaho attorney Lourdes Matsumoto, together with two advocacy organizations, challenged the constitutionality of the law in 2023. Matsumoto argued that the law was too vague to understand (what does it even mean to recruit someone into having an abortion?) and that it violated the First Amendment. A district judge agreed and blocked enforcement of the law, but the 9th Circuit recently reversed course, allowing the harboring and transport provisions to take effect but continuing to block the recruiting provision.

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The 9th Circuits decision rejected Matsumotos claim that the statute wasnt clear, instead insisting that the recruiting provision of the Idaho law would violate the freedom of speech. The courts logic might seem straightforward: recruiting could be interpreted to apply to any number of things arguably protected by the First Amendment, like advocating for abortion rights, providing medical information for abortion, or donating money to a group that facilitates abortion-related travel. But dig a little deeper, and the legal issues get messy quickly.

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Idaho argued that to the extent recruiting covered speech, those communications werent protected by the First Amendment because they facilitated a crime. Courts have sometimes been receptive to that argument. Someone hiring a hitman, for example, could hardly avoid prosecution by claiming their conversations were protected by the First Amendment.

Related From Slate This Administration Doesnt Care About the Cool Girls Read More

The 9th Circuit rejected Idahos argument about crime-facilitating speech because Matsumoto and the other plaintiffs would facilitate travel to a place where abortion is legal. For that reason, the court reasoned, the speech at issue would be facilitating an abortion, not a crime.

But who gets to decide whether abortion is a crime? Imagine that a minor from Idaho travels to California or Colorado for an abortion, where there are constitutional protections for reproductive rights. Idaho might be just as certain that a crime occurred as California or Colorado would be that abortion access is protected. So, which state gets to define when abortion is a crime? Is it the place where an abortion takes place, or where abortion pills or mailed from? Or the place from which an abortion seeker hails, where abortion is presumably banned?

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And even if a court thinks that speech does facilitate the crime of abortion, when can we be confident that speech actually facilitated a crime? The federal courts havent provided much guidance, and the Supreme Court hasnt squarely confronted the issue. Legal scholar Eugene Volokh defined crime-facilitating speech as communications that made it easier to commit or conceal a crime, but identifying what kinds of speech qualify isnt easy. Should the law only punish someone who intentionally facilitates a crime, or should it extend to people who know (or should know) there is a risk their speech could have this effect? What should we do about speech that addresses important political or scientific topics that could also be used for criminal purposes? Would advocating for legal abortion be facilitating crime by encouraging disrespect for the law? What about providing medical information online about drugs that could cause miscarriage?

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Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe, legal commentators have been expecting a bitter conflict to break out between ban states and those that protect abortion, especially as jurisdictions like Idaho try to project their power outside of state lines. Since 2023, 23 states and D.C. have enacted shield laws that seek to protect abortion providers, patients, and those who assist them from out-of-state extradition, prosecutions, and lawsuits. But none of these laws have been tested in court. Prosecutors from ban states have yet to target defendants in states where abortion is protected.

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Dont expect that to last long. Some of the quiet we have seen to date may simply have been a function of the 2024 election, with conservatives reluctant to pursue unpopular strategies that might undermine the chances of their favored candidates. With Donald Trump in office, conflicts between states seem inevitable. And with the 9th Circuits decision, questions about how to resolve them may land at the Supreme Court sooner than later.

When the court undid abortion rights, Justice Samuel Alito stressed that Roe should be overturned partly because the 1973 ruling had led to the perversion of seemingly unrelated legal rules. At the same time, the court pledged that the dismantling of abortion rights wouldnt affect the fate of any other rights, including protections for same-sex intimacy and marriage, contraception, and even interracial marriage. The 9th Circuits decision is a reminder that the First Amendment might be the first area of the law to radically change.
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Many immigration advocates are celebrating the Los Angeles City Councils unanimous passage of a sanctuary city ordinance on Wednesday, expressing hope that such laws will protect millions of undocumented immigrants and their citizen family members from Trumps threats of mass deportation.

The Los Angeles ordinance largely codifies existing policies prohibiting local authorities from using funds for immigration enforcement and barring police from reporting residents immigration status to the Department of Homeland Security. Were going to send a very clear message that the city of Los Angeles will not cooperate with ICE in any way, said councilmember Hugo Soto-Martinez, who sponsored the ordinance. By passing this law today, we are making sure that we are keeping our friends, family, neighbors, and co-workers safe.

The reality is that this ordinance will do next to nothing to protect immigrants and their families from what Trump and his far-right immigration advisers have planned. We must take them at their word when they threaten to enact mass deportation and bulldoze over sanctuary city laws. They [cities and states] dont have to help us, but they need to get the hell out of the way, because were coming, were going to do it, Trumps border czar Tom Homan told Newsmax last week. Which means if I have to send twice as many resources to that sanctuary city, twice as many agents, thats exactly what Im going to do.

And on Nov. 29, a panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals struck down a local order issued by officials in Seattle that would have restricted ICE deportation flights from a local airport. The court ruled that this effort to protect noncitizen Seattle residents violated the federal governments power over immigration matters.

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These are not empty threats. Trump says he will invoke rarely used provisions of federal law like the Insurrection Act and the Alien Enemies Act, which would give his administration the power to deploy federal troops and summarily remove immigrants without due process. Internment camps will be built to house immigrants in the sweltering southwestern deserts. Trump has called for violating the 14th Amendments guarantee of birthright citizenship, and Homan has even called for deporting families together, regardless of citizenship. None of this is constitutional, but that hasnt stopped Trump in the past. Besides, he will be counting on approval from a pliant Supreme Court that has already granted the president king-like immunity.

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This means that immigration advocates need to stop pretending that a local ordinance is going to keep immigrants safe.

Instead, we need to sober up and realize that the only way to protect immigrants and their families is to mobilize the population. Civil society must respond forcefully to defend our neighbors, friends, and democracy itself the moment that they are threatened. Lawyers, academics, teachers, labor, all must coordinate not only to fight Trump in the courts but to mobilize the schools and workplaces and the population in defense of immigrants and democratic rights.

According to the Public Policy Institute of California, 1 in 8 schoolchildren in the state has an undocumented parent, meaning practically every classroom will be impacted by mass deportation. The American Immigration Council estimates that 10 percent of the California workforce is undocumented, meaning most workplaces will also be impacted. So far, national and local trade unions have not threatened strike action in the event of workplace raids. This silence is a dangerous sign that civil society is not yet prepared for what Trump has planned.

But regardless of how they voted in the 2024 election, most Californians do not want to see their co-workers, neighbors, or their childrens friends uprooted from their communities, put in camps, or banished from the country. The Declaration of Independence says that each of us has the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and that whenever any form of government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the right of the people to defend themselves. Now is that time.

Whether Trump succeeds in his plan to deport millions and deploy troops to cities like Los Angeles will depend not on the vote by the city council, but on the response of the people of the city of Los Angeles and the country as a whole.
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With the dust now settled on the presidential election, dismayed Democrats have begun taking stock, which is not to be confused with taking accountability. How should the party respond to its decisive second loss to Donald Trump, who left office in 2021 with the lowest approval rating of all time?

One answer that seems to be coming resoundingly from Barack Obama-era veterans is a return to Obama-style politics. That was made clearest in an uproar-raising episode of Pod Save America, which featured 90 minutes of Kamala Harris four most senior campaign directors talking about what went wrong to contribute to Harris defeat.

The very long conversation was dominated by former Obama 2008 campaign manager David Plouffe and Obama 2012 deputy campaign manager Stephanie Cutterboth of whom came off the bench to helm Harris campaign after Biden dropped outtalking with Dan Pfeiffer, who took over Plouffes old job as a senior adviser to Obama. Jen OMalley Dillon and Quentin Fulks, both of whom were on the Biden and Harris campaigns, were present, too. To round things out, Jon Lovett, Jon Favreau, and Tommy Vietor, the hosts of Pod Save America, also all worked in the Obama White House.

In short, this was the Obama wing of the Democratic Party talking to itself, and what did it find? Herein lies the controversy: Those campaign stalwarts found that, by and large, they did a great job on Harris campaign, that the race was basically unwinnable, that frustrated Democratic voterswho cant believe that they got swept by the least popular president in American historyare being unfair and uncharitable to the strategists efforts in what was a very compressed campaign season.

This, despite the fact that the Harris campaign parlayed a truly unbelievable $1.5 billion, a massive cash advantage, into the first Democratic popular vote loss in 20 years. Harris was unable to move one single state in her direction (all 50 went more toward Trump than in 2020), and, according to pollster Patrick Ruffini, the first since 1932 to not flip a single county.

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Meanwhile, Democratic vote share collapsed in blue strongholds, as base Democratic turnout dipped substantially. That comes as no surprise, as seemingly the entire campaign was pitched toward courting mythical right-leaning moderate voters, a very Obama-style political maneuver. This was the justification for Harris spending so many days on the campaign trail with Republican Liz Cheney. Harris did perform better in those swing states where she campaigned and spent lavishly than in those places where she did not, but those Nikki Haleyvoting Republicans simply did not materialize in winning numbers.

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Yes, there were tough headwinds; incumbent political leaders all over the globe lost in record numbers this year. But as the New York Times reported in the days before the election, the Harris campaigns affiliated super PAC was alarmed by senior Harris campaign staffs insistence on focusing so intensely on Trumps character and warning of his fascist tendencies in the final stretch. That decency messagea very Obama-style flourishwas being favored over a more pugilistic, economic-policy-forward message. Purely negative attacks on Trumps character are less effective than contrast messages that include positive details about Kamala Harriss plans to address the needs of everyday Americans, an email from the super PAC read.

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When the campaign tapped Obama himself to hit the trail, he leaned so far into the decency messaging that he set about scolding Black male voters who dared not vote for Harris. As a demographic group, Black men went on to nearly double their support for Trump over 2020.

The failure of the Trump Is Bad approach implicates Pod Save America, too. According to nearly every campaign postmortem, the ecosystem of sort of sloppy right-wing podcasts played a critical role in elevating Trump, swamping the influence of the podcast which is the brightest beacon of Obama-style politics, andin an ideal worldwould have figured as the Democratic answer in this media environment. The Pod Save America episode with the Harris staffers was met with a firestorm of criticism online from commenters and journalists who bristled at the self-satisfied tone and lack of soul-searching. Needless to say, the pod did not save America.

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The results are clear: The Democrats need to do something really different. And yet the Obama wing of the party, which basically took over Harris campaign, now insists that the only solution is a return to even more Obama-style politics: more moderation, an embrace of big money and friendlier dealings with Wall Street and Silicon Valley, and a less combative stance toward Republicans. Its the line of thinking that led Harris to refuse to commit to keeping President Joe Bidens Federal Trade Commission chair Lina Khan, who has gone after Big Tech and Big Pharmaor just hammer corporate greed in any way, at all. This was a clear break from the Biden presidency.

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We have to dominate the moderate vote, said Plouffe on the podcast, of his prescription for the future. And I think as we look ahead towards 26 and 28  we obviously have to get some of that back, we cant afford any more erosion there. Maybe Im missing something, but the post-loss diagnosis sure seems like We did everything right and the post-loss prescription seems to be More of what we just did.

David Axelrod, the former chief strategist on both the Obama 2008 and Obama 2012 campaigns, is pushing for the same thing. He recently began advocating for former Obama chief of staff Rahm Emanuel to be reinstated as the Democratic National Committee chair. Emanuel is perhaps best known for his willingness to go to war with the partys left flank, rather than Republicans, and his colorful contempt for unions.

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And yet, not even Emanuel himself seems to believe in the efficacy of Obama-era policy and politics. In a pretty stunning CNN interview this week, Emanuel went off on the legacy of policy decisions he and his former boss had a direct role in implementing.

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The Iraq War, in which the American people were deceived, spent trillions of dollars, thousands of soldiers lost their lives  people were deceived and lied into a war and not one person responsible for that deception ever was held accountable, he said. Six years later, the financial industry lies to the American people, people lose their homes, their livelihoods, and the bankers are screaming for their bonuses. Nobody held accountable.

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Of course, it was the Obama administration, and Emanuel himself, that proudly chose the route of no accountability for these actors, for both the Iraq War and the financial crisis, stressing a need for comity with Republicans and Wall Street and a desire to turn the page.

Interestingly, Harris campaign adviser Cutter built her national reputation as an adviser to Obama Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner, where, according to the New York Times, she protected Geithners fragile reputation and tried to spin unpopular policies like the Troubled Asset Relief Program and the A.I.G. bailout. The TARP program was perhaps the most scandalous bank bailout program of all, one that was meant to prevent the foreclosure crisis but ended up as a Wall Street bonanza rife with fraud, and did substantial damage to Americans view of their own government.

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For good reason, Democrats pine for the days of Obama where the top of the ticket was beloved by Americans. But Obama was a singular political talent, and going back to Obama-era political strategies wont solve the problems facing Obama-less Dems. While Obama himself cruised through two presidential elections, Democrats not named Obama got obliterated in that period: In the eight years he was president, the party lost a total of 15 state House chambers, 14 state Senate chambers, 960 state legislative seats, 10 governorships, 62 seats in Congress, and 11 seats in the Senate.

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President Biden, despite his profound personal unpopularity, almost certainly had the party closer to a winning program: his economic populist approach, his antitrust agenda, his embrace of unions, and his broader social spending were all taken up by the Trump campaign at some level, bespeaking an obvious popularity that was backed up by polling. This has not gone unnoticed by some of the biggest boosters of centrism. New York Times opinion columnist David Brooks recently posited that maybe in order to win working class votes in an era of high distrust, the Democrats have to do a lot of things that Bernie Sanders said they should do.

That tension over the future of the Democratic Party hasnt broken out into civil war yet. But it remains an unresolved issue, and those factions will begin battling it out more openly come January, when the next DNC chair is chosen.
The Coffee Design feature series on Sprudge showcases new, inventive branding and packaging. What of brandsthat have never rebranded? What about companies that have enjoyed success keeping their iconic branding the same since the 1960s?

Cafe Aroma is family-owned and has been chugging along out of Hoboken, New Jersey for six decades. The original branding and designwith bright reds and yellowswas done by the companys founder. It has undergone limited, iterative updates since, all handled in-house. VP Bernadette Gerrity personally oversees these iterative refreshesand we had so many questions.

We spoke with Cafe Aroma Vice President Bernadette Gerrity to learn more.

What was the core inspiration behind the design?

Cafe Aromas original packaging was personally designed by founder, Rogelio Roy Montes de Oca. Upon his immigration to the U.S. from Cuba, he and his wife Ines began roasting coffee in their kitchen and selling it door to door to their neighbors to bring the strong, flavorful coffee they had grown to love in the Caribbean to their growing Latino community. The recipe Roy created in 1961 later became known in retailers as Cafe Aroma and just like the contents within, the packaging was equally homegrown.

Roy drew inspiration for Cafe Aromas packaging design from the colors of the flags of Latin countries  many of which contain red, blue, yellow, and whiteto communicate to customers that this was a Latin-style (and specifically, Cuban-style) espresso. However, it is worth noting that he specifically chose the name Cafe Aroma to communicate the brands universal appeal to a broader customer base. Roy also included a callout for premium on the front of the original packaging to communicate the dedication to quality that still holds true.

Who designed it?

Cafe Aromas original branding and packaging was personally designed by founder Rogelio Roy Montes De Oca when the brand first hit retailers in 1991. Since then, its been carefully refreshed to compensate for modern times and contemporary packaging styles while still winking at nostalgia by maintaining our colors, orientation, and key components of our packaging so as to say, were still here and just as good.

How does collaboration play a role in your design process?

Were a family and we operate as one. Therefore, collaboration comes into play whenever a new product is released or the packaging is updated. I typically spearhead much of the packaging design with third-party partners, but nothing is executed until we all approve it, together.

From first vision to final product, how long did the design process take?

Cafe Aromas original packaging design took several iterations to bring to life from the first sketches in Roys home kitchen to the first bags produced in our facilities. Since those original designs launched, weve really only made small tweaks here and there, like brightening up the colors, adding more movement to the logo, and changing the orientation of the design on our bags from vertical to horizontal to work for the retail setting. Were really proud of how well our packaging design has withstood the test of time!

When did it launch?

Cafe Aromas original espresso recipe has remained the same since launching as a B2B brand in 1961. However, Cafe Aroma officially made its debut on retail shelves in 1991 with its original packaging. The current iteration was released in 2015.

In every iteration, we continue to pay homage to our roots and the original packaging renditions and have been careful not to veer too far from Roys original vision. We actually have had so much fun as a family discovering and revisiting some of my grandfathers old drawings. Its an interesting lens into his thought process and creation of the product but its equally heart-warming for us to remember all of his hard work and creativity. We love both the original designs and updates so we try to continue to honor both. In fact, we just released new merchandise based on a photo of an old Cafe Aroma shirt our grandfather was wearing with the original packaging on it! It is now available on our website.

How does the package design reflect the companys overall branding and messaging?

Cafe Aromas mission is simple: to continue our founder, Roys, legacy and dedication to quality by bringing our signature, premium Cuban-style espresso blend to customers across the country. Our bold yet straightforward packaging design is intentionally simple to pay homage to our roots and wink at the nostalgia of our history. We want to ensure our customer base, both old and new, can see that we are consistent in our quality and messaging. Further, the simplicity of our packaging and design ensures that we can offer our product at an accessible price point. To that end, we focus more on the contents of the package rather than a fancier outward presentation.

Tell us about some of your favorite design details.

While I love the simplistic color palette and appealing typeface, I appreciate the packaging format the most. The vacuum-sealed brick pack is one that has been used specifically for espresso coffees which is very cool. Functionally, however, the vacuum seal also greatly maintains freshness. Weve opened up packages in our archive from years ago (for kicks!) and the aroma of the coffee is still present! I also love our cans, which can be reused or refilledwe have customers who use them as flower pots or for storage.

Are there key elements of the packaging meant to educate the consumer?

Yes! Our brand colorsprimarily red and blue accented with yelloware a nod to the colors of the many Latin flags, which we hope has signaled to our customers that our coffee was created to meet the profile expectations that the Latin community loves! Our newest packaging in our single-serve varieties also features directions and information in both Spanish and English, which is so important to us as well. In the near future, we plan to add this feature all existing packaging.

Is the design optimized for shelf presence? How does it aim to stand out?

Yes, as Cafe Aroma grows its presence in retail, standing out on shelves is more important than ever. Weve optimized our packaging for shelf presence through elements like primary red and blue hero colors accented with bright yellow. These colors naturally attract the eye but are also a signal to in-the-know customers that our coffee is Cuban-styleyoull see a similar palette on other Cuban-style brands. The design is at once nostalgic yet modern, evoking memories from those who grew up in families where no day was complete without a cafecito but straightforward enough to appeal to new customers browsing the shelf.

Are any of the packaging materials recyclable or compostable?

Cafe Aromas metal coffee cans are recyclable, and weve also seen customers upcycle them into fun flower vases and storage containers for things like kitchen utensils.

Where is this available to purchase?

Find Cafe Aroma espresso online at cafearoma.com, on Amazon, and at thousands of retailers nationwide including Walmart, Winn-Dixie, CVS (Fresco y Mas), Stop & Shop, Shop Rite, Navarros, Sedanos, C-Town, Food Town, Met Food, Key Food and more. For a full list, visit the store locator on our website.

Thank you!

Visit the Cafe Aroma official website, follow @TheCafeAroma on Instagram, and @thecafearoma on Tiktok.

Coffee Design is an original feature series on Sprudge curated by Sprudge co-founder Zachary Carlsen. Read more from our Coffee Design archives.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20241209/hamas-delegation-in-cairo-discusses-ceasefire-effort-in-gaza-1121128789.html

Hamas Delegation in Cairo Discusses Ceasefire Effort in Gaza

Hamas Delegation in Cairo Discusses Ceasefire Effort in Gaza

Sputnik International

The delegation of Palestinian movement Hamas has held a meeting in Cairo with Egyptian intelligence chief Maj. Gen. Hassan Mahmoud Rashad, during which they discussed ceasefire efforts in the Gaza Strip and the formation of a community support committee in the enclave, the movement said.

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"The delegation of the Hamas leadership, headed by [senior Hamas political bureau official] Khalil al-Hayya, left the Egyptian capital, Cairo, after holding a meeting on Sunday, with the Minister of the General Intelligence Agency [of Egypt], during which they discussed efforts on a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the community support committee in the Strip," the movement said in a statement. On October 7, 2023, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented rocket attack from the Gaza Strip. In addition, fighters of Palestinian movement Hamas infiltrated the border areas, opened fire on the military and civilians and took hostages.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241130/hamas-accuses-israel-of-using-banned-weapons-in-gaza-strip-demands-intl-inquiry-1121052908.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241209/how-fast-can-the-russian-oreshnik-missile-reach-europe-from-belarus-1121133709.html

How Fast Can the Russian Oreshnik Missile Reach Europe from Belarus?

How Fast Can the Russian Oreshnik Missile Reach Europe from Belarus?

Sputnik International

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko asked Russian President Vladimir Putin after the Union State summit in Minsk on October 6 to deploy Russia's most advanced weapons, including Oreshnik, in Belarus.

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Tested in combat, the missile showed its power in a nuclear-free configuration, with Putin calling it unmatched in the West  equally destructive as nuclear weapons but without radiation.In a move driven by rising NATO threats and the deployment of US long-range missiles in Germany, Putin and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko agreed to position the Oreshnik system in Belarus by the end of 2025. Just how fast can the Oreshnik fly from Belarus to key NATO bases across Europe? Find out in this infographic by Sputnik:

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241209/idf-entered-syrian-territory-beyond-golan-heights-first-time-in-over-50-years---reports-1121128018.html

IDF Entered Syrian Territory Beyond Golan Heights First Time in Over 50 Years - Reports

IDF Entered Syrian Territory Beyond Golan Heights First Time in Over 50 Years - Reports

Sputnik International

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) entered Syrian territory outside the Golan Heights over the weekend for the first time since the October War of 1973, the New York Times reported, citing two Israeli officials.

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According to the officials, Israeli authorities fear that members of the armed Syrian opposition could seize control of military facilities near the Golan Heights and use them against Israel. Earlier, the Israeli army's Arabic-language spokesperson, Avichai Edri, issued a warning, calling on residents of five border towns in southern Syria to stay in their homes and not go outside for safety. Also, according to Israeli state broadcaster Kan, the Israeli army on Sunday took over the Syrian outpost on Mount Hermon after the Syrian army withdrew from its positions in the buffer zone. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier said that the disengagement agreement with Syria on the Golan Heights, reached shortly after the 1973 Yom Kippur War, was no longer valid, as the Syrian military had withdrawn from its positions. The prime minister stressed that together with the defense minister and with the full support of the cabinet, he gave the order to the IDF to occupy the demarcation zone and the positions that control it. Israel is actively strengthening its defenses on the Golan Heights amid the fall of President Bashar Assad in Syria and the capture of a significant part of the country by armed opposition forces. Syrian armed groups captured the national capital of Damascus on Sunday. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said that he and 18 other ministers had decided to remain in Damascus. Al-Jalali also said he had contacted the leaders of militant groups that entered the city. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Syrian President Bashar Assad had stepped down and left Syria after negotiations with some participants of the Syrian conflict. On Sunday, December 8, a source in the Kremlin told Sputnik that Assad and members of his family had arrived in Moscow, and Russia had granted them asylum on humanitarian grounds. The source also noted that Russian officials were in contact with representatives of the armed Syrian opposition, whose leaders have guaranteed the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic institutions in Syria.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241208/participants-in-syria-talks-call-for-cessation-of-hostilities-in-country-1121120511.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241209/netanyahu-says-golan-heights-to-forever-remain-integral-part-of-israel-1121137401.html

Netanyahu Says Golan Heights to Forever Remain Integral Part of Israel

Netanyahu Says Golan Heights to Forever Remain Integral Part of Israel

Sputnik International

The Golan Heights will forever remain an integral part of Israel, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Friday.

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Israel is actively strengthening its defenses on the Golan Heights amid the fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and the capture of a significant part of the country by armed opposition forces. On Sunday, Netanyahu said the agreement reached shortly after the 1973 Yom Kippur War (also known as the Ramadan War) was no longer valid because the Syrian forces had left their positions. Netanyahu ordered the Israel Defense Forces to occupy the buffer zone. The fall of al-Assad in Syria was a direct result of Israeli strikes against Lebanese Shia movement Hezbollah and Iran, the Israeli prime minister added.Before 1967, the Golan Heights were part of Syria. During the Six-Day War, Israeli forces seized this territory. Following the Yom Kippur War of 1973, the two sides reached a ceasefire and a military disengagement agreement. In 1974, UN peacekeeping posts were established on the Golan Heights. The border line on the Syrian side was designated "Bravo," while Israel's line was named "Alpha."

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241209/what-makes-the-golan-heights-crucial-for-israel-1121132234.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241209/romania-losing-sovereignty-over-200bln-of-national-debt---presidential-candidate-1121130427.html

Romania Losing Sovereignty Over $200Bln of National Debt - Presidential Candidate

Romania Losing Sovereignty Over $200Bln of National Debt - Presidential Candidate

Sputnik International

Romania is losing its sovereignty due to its rising national debt, which now exceeds $200 billion, Romanian independent presidential candidate Calin Georgescu said.

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"The global financial system is on the verge of collapse, and Romania is losing its sovereignty due to a rising national debt, which now exceeds $200 billion. All of this is the result of policies aimed at enriching elites at the expense of the people," Georgescu told Romania's Realitatea TV. Commenting on the Constitutional Court's decision to annul the results of the first round of the presidential election, Georgescu said that the court's verdict came at a time when voting was already underway at foreign polling stations, and he had the support of over 80% of voters. The politician highlighted the importance of national unity, emphasizing that the elites' fear of change is growing, but the people must remain steadfast. Georgescu called on his supporters to avoid provocations, refrain from participating in riots, and protest peacefully. He also pledged to continue fighting for the victory of democracy. On Friday, Romania's Constitutional Court judges annulled the first round of the presidential election following a review of complaints from civic organizations, presidential candidates and state entities. The complaints included documents declassified by the country's Supreme Security Council, revealing that the election campaign was conducted with violations. Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu welcomed the court's decision, calling it the right move. Opposition parties and politicians in the country have condemned the Constitutional Court's decision as anti-democratic. Georgescu, in particular, stated that the annulment of the first round was not just a legal decision but a political act amounting to a coup d'etat. Romania held its presidential election on November 24. In the first round, independent candidate Georgescu led with 22.94% of the votes, running a campaign primarily on TikTok. Elena Lasconi, who favors a partnership with NATO and the United States, secured 19.18% of the votes.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241206/what-makes-romania-so-important-for-us-anti-russia-strategy-1121106389.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241209/romanian-opposition-leader-calls-on-allies-to-create-new-united-political-bloc-1121137064.html

Romanian Opposition Leader Calls On Allies to Create New United Political Bloc

Romanian Opposition Leader Calls On Allies to Create New United Political Bloc

Sputnik International

Romanian opposition parties that have been fighting against the government for the past five years should unite into a single sovereign bloc, the leader of the Alliance for the Unification of Romanians (AUR), George Simion, said on Monday.

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On December 4, the Social Democratic Party, the Union for the Salvation of Romania, the National Liberal Party, the Democratic Union of Hungarians of Romania and representatives of other national minorities signed a resolution committing themselves to form a coalition in the country's parliament. "I call for all patriots of this country, to all the Unionists [supporters of the unification of Moldova and Romania], to all those who have participated in this battle we have been waging for the last five years, regardless of what divided us, regardless of the differences between us, the time has come, let's unite the ranks... Let's form a single sovereign bloc. Come to the Movement for the Revival and Reconstruction of Romania. Come to the Alliance for the Unification of Romanians," Simion said in a video message posted on his social media. According to the opposition figure, pro-European parties intend to unite globalists, anti-Christians and corrupt officials, so patriots should oppose them. "I know that we had many disagreements or differences, but remain human and keep in mind that we must put the interests of the country first," Simion said. Parliamentary elections were held in Romania on December 1, with Romanian citizens choosing members of the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate for the next four years. The Central Election Commission's data showed that the Social Democratic Party came first in both houses of the parliament, as it gained 22.3% in the Senate and 21.96% in the Chamber of Deputies. The Alliance for the Unification of Romanians, the National Liberal Party, the Union for the Salvation of Romania, the Save Romania party, the Party of Young People and the Democratic Union of Hungarians of Romania have also gained seats in the parliament.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241206/what-makes-romania-so-important-for-us-anti-russia-strategy-1121106389.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241209/russia-ensures-security-of-military-bases-in-syria-amid-ongoing-turmoil-1121130805.html

Russia Ensures Security of Military Bases in Syria Amid Ongoing Turmoil

Russia Ensures Security of Military Bases in Syria Amid Ongoing Turmoil

Sputnik International

Russian forces in Syria are taking all necessary measures to ensure the security of military bases, stated Russian President's Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov. He added that the safety of Russian military bases in Syria is a very important issue.

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"Of course, our military are also taking all necessary precautions," Peskov said when asked how concerned the Kremlin was about the security of Russian bases there.He stressed that it was premature to discuss the continuation of Russias military presence in Syria, as that would be a subject of future discussions with the authorities.Moscow is in dialogue with Turkiye, including on the situation in Syria, the spokesman said.The Kremlin spokesman conceded that the Astana format of negotiations between Syria, its allies, neighbours and adversaries had been lost along with its objectives of peace and sovereignty. Over the weekend, Turkish-backed militants seized the state television station in the capital Damascus and claimed to have taken control of the country.Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said he and several ministers remain in the country, but the whereabouts of the defense minister were unknown.The prime minister also confirmed that he had contacted the leadership of the armed opposition.The Russian Foreign Ministry reported that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had decided to step down and leave Syria after negotiations with several factions in the Syrian conflict, giving instructions for a peaceful transfer of power, with Russia not involved in the talks."There is no meeting scheduled for the president. We have nothing to report on Mr Assads whereabouts," Peskov said in response to journalists' questions about the possibility of a meeting between Putin and Assad in Moscow.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241208/assad-resigns-amid-peace-efforts-orders-peaceful-power-handover---russian-foreign-ministry-1121123067.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241209/russian-air-defense-systems-destroy-13-ukrainian-drones-overnight---mod-1121128678.html

Russian Air Defense Systems Destroy 13 Ukrainian Drones Overnight - MoD

Russian Air Defense Systems Destroy 13 Ukrainian Drones Overnight - MoD

Sputnik International

Russian air defense systems destroyed 13 Ukrainian drones over the Belgorod, Rostov and Astrakhan regions over the past night, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday.

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"Over the past night, an attempt by the Kiev regime to carry out a terrorist attack using a fixed-wing UAV against targets on the territory of the Russian Federation was thwarted. Air defense systems on duty intercepted and destroyed 13 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles: eight UAVs over the territory of the Belgorod region, three over the territory of the Rostov region and two over the territory of the Astrakhan region," the ministry said.Ukraine has been sending drones and missiles into Russia almost daily since it launched its counteroffensive in early June 2023. The United Nations said in August last year, following a botched drone strike on Moscow, that it did not want to see any targeting of civilian infrastructure.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241121/russian-air-defenses-shoot-down-two-uk-made-storm-shadow-missiles-1120949786.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241209/russian-security-service-busts-ukrainian-linked-criminal-scam-network-1121133559.html

Russian Security Service Busts Ukrainian-Linked Criminal Scam Network

Russian Security Service Busts Ukrainian-Linked Criminal Scam Network

Sputnik International

What is known about Ukrainian-linked criminal scam network busted by Russia?

2024-12-09T14:12+0000

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A sprawling criminal call center network linked to Ukraine has been busted by Russias Federal Security Service (FSB). Heres Whats Known So Far: Anglo-Saxon curators of the Kiev regime have sent their special services' cyber units to Ukraine to train their hackers engaged in activities against Russia, Artur Lyukmanov, the director of the Department of International Information Security of the Russian Foreign Ministry, told Sputnik this January. He said that Ukraine has de facto become a NATO ground for testing methods of fighting Russia in the digital space.Furthermore, he pointed out that Russia has repeatedly warned Western countries that Ukraine's hackers and telephone fraudsters would pose a problem for Europeans.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20240105/ukraine-de-facto-became-natos-testing-ground-for-digital-warfare-against-russia--moscow-1115984386.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241209/russian-us-trade-hits-5-month-high-in-october-1121127794.html

Russian-US Trade Hits 5-Month High in October

Russian-US Trade Hits 5-Month High in October

Sputnik International

Russian-US trade increased to a five-month high in October, mainly due to a doubling of Russian goods supplies, according to Sputnik's analysis of US statistical data.

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Thus, Russian exports in October were up 90% month-on-month to $314.4 million. The main product in US imports from Russia was platinum, purchases of which increased 2.3-fold to $203 million. Purchases of fertilizers by the United States from Russia increased by 80% to $76.5 million, and turbojet engines 2.2-fold to $8.7 million. At the same time, American exports to Russia decreased by 2.4% and amounted to $52.1 million in October. Russia mainly bought American vaccines, although their import fell by 6.7% over the month to $14 million. Next come medical devices, the import of which fell by half to $6.5 million, as well as food products with a 14% reduction in imports to $4.8 million. As a result, bilateral trade in October reached $366.5 million against $221.5 million the previous month. This is the highest volume since May, when it was $486.7 million.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241114/russia-ready-to-work-with-trumps-administration---lavrov-1120879747.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241209/turkiye-outlines-three-policy-priorities-on-syria--reports-1121130287.html

Turkiye Outlines Three Policy Priorities on Syria  Reports

Turkiye Outlines Three Policy Priorities on Syria  Reports

Sputnik International

Turkiye has outlined three priorities in its policy on Syria and will back the opposition, Turkish newspaper Hurriyet reported on Monday, citing unnamed sources.

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The first priority is to properly manage the transition process in the country and build a new Syria, the report said. The second is the fight against the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and the People's Protection Units (YPG), both banned in Turkiye. And the third priority is to ensure the return of Syrian refugees from Turkiye to their homeland, the sources said. Moreover, the transitional administration in Syria should build a new country free of extremism and based on human rights, justice and representation, the paper said. Turkiye, for its part, will continue to support the opposition in the construction of a new Syria, the sources added. Syrian armed groups captured the national capital of Damascus on Sunday. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said that he and 18 other ministers had decided to remain in Damascus. Al-Jalali also said he was in contact with the leaders of militant groups that had entered the city. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had stepped down and left Syria after negotiations with some participants of the Syrian conflict. On Sunday, December 8, a source in the Kremlin told Sputnik that Assad and members of his family had arrived in Moscow, and Russia had granted them asylum on humanitarian grounds. The source also noted that Russian officials were in contact with representatives of the armed Syrian opposition, whose leaders had guaranteed the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic facilities in Syria.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241208/why-are-israel-and-the-us-salivating-over-syrias-break-up-1121126981.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241209/us-to-support-efforts-to-hold-accountable-those-who-helped-assad---blinken-1121127669.html

US to Support Efforts to Hold Accountable Those Who Helped Assad - Blinken

US to Support Efforts to Hold Accountable Those Who Helped Assad - Blinken

Sputnik International

The United States will support international efforts to hold accountable those who helped ousted Syrian leader Bashar Assad, Secretary of State Antony Blinken said.

2024-12-09T01:23+0000

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"We will support international efforts to hold the Assad regime and its backers accountable for atrocities and abuses perpetrated against the Syrian people, including the use of chemical weapons and the unjust detention of civilians such as Austin Tice," Blinken said in a statement. US President Joe Biden previously said that "Assad should be held accountable." Syrian armed groups captured the national capital of Damascus on Sunday. Syrian Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi al-Jalali said that he and 18 other ministers had decided to remain in Damascus. Al-Jalali also said he had contacted the leaders of militant groups that entered the city. The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Syrian President Bashar Assad had stepped down and left Syria after negotiations with some participants of the Syrian conflict. On Sunday, December 8, a source in the Kremlin told Sputnik that Assad and members of his family had arrived in Moscow, and Russia had granted them asylum on humanitarian grounds. The source also noted that Russian officials were in contact with representatives of the armed Syrian opposition, whose leaders have guaranteed the security of Russian military bases and diplomatic institutions in Syria.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241208/syrias-assad-and-his-family-arrive-in-moscow---source-1121126068.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241209/what-makes-the-golan-heights-crucial-for-israel-1121132234.html

What Makes the Golan Heights Crucial for Israel?

What Makes the Golan Heights Crucial for Israel?

Sputnik International

What makes the Golan Heights crucial for Israel?

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Amid the turmoil in Syria, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) entered Syrian territory outside the Golan Heights for the first time in 50 years. The Golan Heights in DetailsThe Golan Heights is a mountain plateau of volcanic origin that stretches north to south, covering an area of 1,800 square kilometers. It lies about 60 km south of Damascus and is bordered by the Yarmouk River to the south and the Sea of Galilee to the west. Why is This Ground Vital?This is a key strategic area in military terms. The plateaus hilly terrain offers a natural defense line against any ground military strike from Syria. The high ground also gives Israel an excellent vantage point to observe troop movements in Syria. With their well-developed hydro geographical network, the heights is a key source of water for the arid region. Numerous rivers and streams from there flow into the Jordan River and Lake Tiberias  crucial sources of drinking water for Israel. Three drilling sites on the Golan were claimed to have discovered potentially billions of barrels of oil in 2015. The fertile volcanic soil is used for growing vineyards and orchards, as well as for raising livestock. The History of the Golan HeightsIsrael seized a large portion of Syria's Golan Heights during the Six-Day War in 1967. After the 1973 Arab-Israeli War (Yom Kippur War), Syria and Israel signed a disengagement agreement in May 1974. The UN Security Council adopted Resolution 350, which established the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) there. Israel formally annexed the patch of land in 1981. The UN Security Council declared the annexation invalid. Most of the international community, including Russia, does not recognize Israel's sovereignty over the territory. During Trumps tenure in 2019, the US administration officially recognized the Golan Heights as part of Israel.The Israeli army took over the Syrian outpost on Mount Hermon after the Syrian army withdrew from its positions in the buffer zone. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the disengagement agreement with Syria on the Golan Heights, reached shortly after the 1973 Yom Kippur War, was no longer valid. An order was given to the IDF to occupy the demarcation zone, with Sputnik's exclusive footage showing Israeli tanks and bulldozers breaching a wall on the border of the region.Tel Aviv fears that members of the armed Syrian opposition could seize control of military facilities near the Golan Heights and use them against the country, the New York Times reported, citing two Israeli officials.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241208/why-are-israel-and-the-us-salivating-over-syrias-break-up-1121126981.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20241209/yemeni-houthis-say-their-drone-hit-important-target-in-israeli-city-of-ashdod-1121136649.html

Yemeni Houthis Say Their Drone Hit Important Target in Israeli City of Ashdod

Yemeni Houthis Say Their Drone Hit Important Target in Israeli City of Ashdod

Sputnik International

Yemen's Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, said on Monday that their drone hit an important target in the Israeli city of Ashdod.

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"The UAV force of Yemeni Armed Forces carried out a specific military operation targeting a sensitive target of the Israeli enemy in the 'Yafneh' area of Ashdod, south of the Yaffa area in the occupied Palestine, with a drone," the statement said.Last Sunday, the Houthis announced that they, along with Iraqi armed groups, carried out strikes on southern Israel.The Houthis, who control northern Yemen, have vowed to continue shelling Israel until a ceasefire is in place in the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire talks have been stalled since August after negotiators came up with an updated version of the peace deal announced by US President Joe Biden in late May that contained a detailed schedule and locations for the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.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 and announced a complete blockade of the enclave. The death toll from the Israeli attacks has reached over 44,000, according to local health authorities.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20241008/what-we-know-about-the-houthi-missile-that-just-targeted-israel-1120469597.html

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This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The continuing rise in air passenger traffic is resulting in more emissions in the atmospherean obstacle to achieving aviation net-zero emissions by mid-century as enshrined in the EU Climate Law. The transition must involve a systemic change.

The aviation sector is both highly dependent on fossil fuels and continuing to grow. Carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions from air travel are projected to triple by 2050, by which time the EU should have achieved economy-wide net-zero emissions.

JRC research has found that, beyond technological innovation in emission-free electric and hydrogen propulsion, the transition needs to include policy measures that make the polluter pay, R&D investment, subsidies and promoting alternatives to flying.

The results are published in the paper "Transition to sustainability in the European Union aviation system," which explores the significance of place-based dimensions of European aviation transition policies.

Aviation: A 'hard-to-abate' sector

The aviation sector in Europe comprises more than 500 airports, with high-transit hubs such as Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt Airport and Schiphol Airport. In 2023, 10.2 million flights transported 1.19 billion passengers through Europe's top 40 airports (92 % of the 2019 level).

With air travel recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic, compared to 2023, an average annual growth rate of 4.7% in passenger traffic is anticipated for the next two decades, which may result in CO 2 emissions tripling by 2050, threatening net-zero goals.

Aviation also releases substances like nitrogen oxides, sulfate aerosols, particulates and water vapor which have non-CO 2 effects with a warming impact much greater than that of CO 2 emissions alone. This makes clear the relevance of aviation from a global warming perspective. The technological barriers to reducing aviation's environmental impact have led the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) to classify aviation as a 'hard-to-abate' sector.

How can aviation meet the net-zero emissions target?

The authors of the paper investigate existing gaps and barriers between the current EU policies and the recommendations to meet the European Green Deal targetsincluding net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050.

The systematic literature review conducted by the authors has identified three primary levers for achieving net-zero aviation:

the substitution of fossil fuels with alternative energy sources,

the improvement of energy efficiency through technological innovations and, among other measures, a faster replacement of inefficient aircraft and more efficient traffic management.

the modification of travel demand through behavioral and economic incentives.

Building on this foundation, they mapped policy initiatives at European, national and regional levels, examining the interactions between regulatory frameworks, infrastructure investments, tax policies and subsidies in activating these levers.

The analysis takes into consideration a range of policy measures, including carbon pricing mechanisms, green technology subsidies, carbon emission compensation schemes and alternative modes of transportation.

One of the central issues when it comes to the aviation sector is its high dependency on fossil fuels, and the urgency for zero-carbon propulsion technologies as alternatives. Currently, the most promising technologies are electric and hydrogen-based propulsion, but they are still far from the required technological readiness level for widespread deployment.

This situation positions sustainable aviation fuels (SAFs) as a crucial element of the transition and an important way to decarbonize aviation while other technologies are being developed. However, the economics of SAF and its production need to be urgently increased since they are expected to represent just 0.53 % of the aviation fuel required in 2024.

The Commission is already active in promoting measures to boost the production, supply and uptake of SAFs in the EU, under the RefuelEU Aviation Regulation. Under the regulation, aviation fuel suppliers will have to blend increasing amounts of SAFs with kerosene, starting with a 2% minimum blend in 2025, and rising to 70% in 2050. The regulation is expected to reduce aviation CO 2 emissions by around two thirds by 2050 compared to a 'no action' scenario, and to improve air quality.

Beyond technological innovation: The role of transformative innovation policies

To achieve net zero emissions in aviation by 2050, there's more to be done. Governmental measures, including regulation, research and development investment, subsidies, promoting alternatives to flying and effective communication strategies have a crucial role to play.

Fundamentally, the study reveals that it is essential to incorporate transformative innovation with a place-based systemic, and transformative approach to the European aviation sector's transition to sustainability.

This requires an effort to coordinate the local, national and European levels, aligning education, environmental, energy and mobility policies to accelerate the technological readiness of hydrogen and electric propulsion, boost the production of SAFs and offer viable alternatives to flying.

Place-based policies are comprehensive, covering local, regional, national and international governance levels. They expand the focus from the aviation-specific analysis to a challenge-oriented approach, which includes a more comprehensive understanding of diverse sociotechnical systems (energy, mobility, industry, digital, tourism, infrastructures, etc.).

For example, regional investments in hydrogen development could be of key importance for sustainable aviation fuels and regional airports, which can become integrated energy and mobility hubs that promote alternative transport modes.

Creating these transition pathways requires the development of a deep understanding of the complexity of the problem and putting the perspective of those directly affected at the center of a proposed solution. This requires engagement, deliberation and co-creation, paving the way to a fair transition, leaving nobody behind.

Background

The study is a first issue of a Working Paper Series on "Transforming territories." This series pulls together scientific contributions to bring new perspectives on the design and implementation of place-based transformative innovation approaches and aims to trigger further policy debate about the role of places in transforming society for a better life of EU citizens.

Additionally, the working paper series points out their relevance for the European policy agenda of prosperity, security and democracy, with a particular focus on competitiveness in the twin transition.

More information: Paper: Transition to sustainability in the European Union aviation system

Provided by European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC)
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 memory devices fabricated using tantalum oxide on this chip can store data for both conventional memory and in-memory computing above 1,000F. Credit: Brenda Ahearn, Michigan Engineering

Computer memory could one day withstand the blazing temperatures in fusion reactors, jet engines, geothermal wells and sweltering planets using a new solid-state memory device developed by a team of engineers led by the University of Michigan.

Unlike conventional silicon-based memory, the new device can store and rewrite information at temperatures over 1,100F (600C)hotter than the surface of Venus and the melting temperature of lead. It was developed in collaboration with researchers at Sandia National Laboratory.

"It could enable electronic devices that didn't exist for high-temperature applications before," said Yiyang Li, an assistant professor of materials science and engineering and the senior corresponding author of the study published today in the journal Device.

"So far, we've built a device that holds one bit, on par with other high-temperature computer memory demonstrations," Li said. "With more development and investment, it could in theory hold megabytes or gigabytes of data."

There's a trade off, however, for devices that aren't at extreme temperatures full time: new information can be written on the device only above 500F (250C). Still, the researchers suggest a heater could solve the problem for devices that must also work at lower temperatures.

The heat-tolerant memory comes from moving negatively charged oxygen atoms rather than electrons. When heated above 300F (150C), conventional, silicon-based semiconductors start conducting uncontrollable levels of current. Because electronics are precisely manufactured to specific levels of current, high temperatures can wipe information from a device's memory. But the oxygen ions inside the researchers' device aren't bothered by the heat.

They move between two layers in the memorythe semiconductor tantalum oxide and the metal tantalumthrough a solid electrolyte that acts like a barrier by keeping other charges from moving between the layers. The oxygen ions are guided by a series of three platinum electrodes that control whether the oxygen is drawn into the tantalum oxide or pushed out of it. The entire process is similar to how a battery charges and discharges; however, instead of storing energy, this electrochemical process is used to store information.

Once the oxygen atoms leave the tantalum oxide layer, a small region of metallic tantalum is left behind. At the same time, a tantalum oxide layer similarly caps the tantalum metal layer on the opposite side of the barrier. The tantalum and tantalum oxide layers do not mix, similar to oil and water, so these new layers will not revert back to the original state until the voltage is switched.

Depending on the oxygen content of the tantalum oxide, it can act as either an insulator or a conductorenabling the material to switch between two different voltage states that represent the digital 0s and 1s. Finer control of the oxygen gradient could enable computing inside the memory, with more than 100 resistance states rather than a simple binary. This approach could help reduce power demand.

"There's a lot of interest in using AI to improve monitoring in these extreme settings, but they require beefy processor chips that run on a lot of power, and a lot of these extreme settings also have strict power budgets," said Alec Talin, a senior scientist in the Chemistry, Combustion and Materials Science Department at Sandia National Laboratories and a co-author of the study.

"In-memory computing chips could help process some of that data before it reaches the AI chips and reduce the device's overall power use," Talin said.

The information states can be stored above 1,100F for more than 24 hours. While that level of heat tolerance is comparable to other materials that have been developed for re-writable, high-temperature memory, the new device comes with other benefits. It can run at lower voltages than some of the leading alternativesnamely, ferroelectric memory and polycrystalline platinum electrode nanogapsand can provide more analog states for in-memory computing.

More information: Jingxian Li et al, Nonvolatile electrochemical memory at 600C enabled by composition phase separation, Device (2024). DOI: 10.1016/j.device.2024.100623 Journal information: Device
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Credit: Zhao et al.

To help humans to complete everyday manual tasks, robots should be able to reliably manipulate everyday objects that vary in shape, texture and size. Many conventional approaches to enable robotic manipulation of various objects rely on extensive training and precise programming, also delineating the properties of objects that the robots will be manipulating.

These approaches have significant limitations, as they allow robots to only excel at specific tasks and in controlled settings. When tested in real-world unpredictable settings and on tasks that require manipulating objects they never encountered before, the robots tend to perform poorly.

Researchers at Peking University, the Beijing Institute for General Artificial Intelligence and Queen Mary University of London have developed Tac-Man, a new tactile-informed approach that could improve the ability of robots to manipulate any articulate objects, such as doors, drawers and appliances, without prior experience with these objects and knowledge of their underlying mechanisms.

This approach, published in IEEE Transaction on Robotics, uses tactile feedback collected by sensors to guide the movements of robots, ensuring a stable contact between robots and the objects they are holding throughout a manipulation task.

"Traditional approaches to robotic manipulation rely heavily on prior knowledge of object mechanics," Zihang Zhao, the study's co-first author, told Tech Xplore.

"However, this becomes problematic when robots encounter unfamiliar objects or when object properties change unexpectedly. Our approach, in contrast, mimics how humans naturally interact with objectsthrough touch and real-time adjustment. When we open a drawer or door, we don't consciously calculate its mechanical properties; instead, we intuitively feel our way through the motion and adjust as needed."

Objects that are very similar in nature, such as cabinet doors or appliances, can have entirely different internal mechanisms. Conventional approaches to enhance a robot's object manipulation skills require feeding robots detailed information about the objects they will be manipulating during training, yet this information might not apply to similar objects with different mechanisms.

In addition, some properties of objects and their underlying mechanisms can sometimes be difficult to model or can change over time. Tac-Man, the approach developed by Zhao and his colleagues, is designed to overcome the limitations of conventional techniques for robotic object manipulation, allowing robots to perform better in dynamic environments and on tasks that involve objects that they were not programmed to engage with.

"These limitations have long hindered robots' ability to operate autonomously in dynamic environments," said Yixin Zhu, co-corresponding author of the study.

"Our goal was to develop a system capable of handling articulated objects without relying on prior knowledge of their internal mechanisms. We aimed to create a more intuitive and adaptive approach that could work with any articulated object, regardless of its design or complexity."

The Tac-Man approach relies on a sensing system that continuously monitors changes in the contact patterns between robots and objects. Using this collected tactile data, the system can detect and adapt to any deviations from intended movements in real-time.

The key advantage of this approach is that it allows robots to adjust their actions on the fly, rapidly adjusting their grip and movements based on the tactile information they are picking up. Compared to other methods introduced in the past, Tac-Man prioritizes tactile feedback over visual feedback, which can produce more natural and adaptive interactions.

Credit: Zhao et al.

"Think of it like using your hand to open a drawer without looking," explained Lecheng Ruan, co-corresponding author.

"You don't need to know exactly how the drawer mechanism worksyou can feel the correct direction through touch and adjust your movement accordingly. Tac-Man employs this same principle, using advanced tactile sensors to continuously monitor and adjust its interactions with objects."

The approach developed by this research team mimics the process via which humans interact with objects in their environment. After touching an object, the robot adjusts its grip to ensure stable contact with it, then slowly and tentatively starts moving it, thus gradually figuring out how best to manipulate it.

While completing a task, the robot continues to collect tactile feedback, using this feedback to further refine its grip and movements. This results in more natural movements, while also eliminating the robot's need for object-specific programming.

"Touch is an essential part of how we interact with the world," said Wanlin Li, co-author of the study. "In our research, we've focused on developing robust tactile sensing solutions for real-world applications.

"By working with GelSight-type sensors, we've found ways to balance sensitivity with practicality, ensuring that the system can detect even the slightest variations in pressure and texture while remaining durable enough for everyday tasks."

The researchers evaluated Tac-Man in a series of real-world experiments and found that it allowed robots to manipulate a wide range of articulate objects, adapting to their properties over time. The objects that robots were tested on included drawers with distinct sliding mechanisms, cabinet doors with hinges at different locations and other furniture items with complex rotational mechanisms.

"In real-world scenarios, our GelSight-type sensors use a deformable silica gel layer that provides detailed contact information," said Yuyang Li, co-first author of the study. "To replicate this in simulation, we developed a specialized tactile simulation model that closely approximates the behavior of physical tactile sensors."

The team also assessed their approach in simulations ran on NVIDIA Isaac Sim. These simulations further highlighted the potential of their approach, showing that it produced more adaptable behavior and yielded higher task completion rates than other well-established computational methods for robot manipulation.

"The beauty of our approach lies in its simplicity and adaptability," said Kaspar Althoefer, co-author of the study. "By relying on tactile feedback rather than complex pre-programming, we've created a more robust and practical solution for real-world robotics. This could significantly reduce the cost and complexity of deploying robots in new and dynamic environments."

The new approach developed by this research group could soon be advanced further and tested on a broader range of robotic systems. In the future, it could help to boost the performance of robots on tasks that require carefully interacting with objects under uncertain conditions.

For instance, it could improve the performance of robots on various household chores, while also allowing them to carefully guide a patient's limb movements during rehabilitation and even move rubble or rescue survivors after natural disasters. Meanwhile, the researchers are working to further improve specific aspects of their system, to produce increasingly natural movements and facilitate its large-scale deployment.

"Our work demonstrates that prior knowledgeonce considered essential for manipulating articulated objectsmay not be necessary," added Zhu.

"This opens up exciting new possibilities for developing more autonomous and adaptable robotic systems. We're eager to see how this technology will evolve and positively impact various industries in the years ahead."

More information: Zihang Zhao et al, Tac-Man: Tactile-Informed Prior-Free Manipulation of Articulated Objects, IEEE Transactions on Robotics (2024). DOI: 10.1109/TRO.2024.3508134. Journal information: IEEE Transactions on Robotics

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Credit: Matthew Modoono/Northeastern University

The future of Chinese-owned social media site TikTok remains in doubt after a federal appeals court ruled Friday to uphold a law that could lead to its ban in the United States.

A Northeastern University media expert says a ban could have major negative consequences for U.S. companies operating in other countries.

"My overall take is that there are going to be second- and third-order consequences from this we can't fully anticipate," says John Wihbey, associate professor of media innovation and technology at Northeastern.

The foremost U.S. social media companies and internet platforms  namely Alphabet, Meta and X  all operate in countries around the world, each with their own set of regulations, stipulations and restrictions, explains Wihbey, who is set to publish a book, "Governing Babel: The Debate over Social Media Platforms and Free Speechand What Comes Next."

What kind of message is the U.S. sending to those countries by banning TikTok?

"I think this is actually a grand foreign policy story," Wihbey says. "This is a new phase in that story. I could imagine many countries deciding that they want to put more draconian laws on the book that stipulate all kinds of conditions for American technology companies operating in their country.

"I think that's going to be really unfortunate," he adds. "I'm worried about the precedent of it as a cascading norm around the world."

Friday's ruling is the latest setback for ByteDance, TikTok's parent company, which has come under major scrutiny in the U.S. over national security concerns it may have close ties with the Chinese government.

TikTok has vehemently denied it shares user data with the government or is spreading Chinese propaganda on its platform.

A panel of three judges for the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit denied the company's claim that forcing ByteDance to sell the company or be banned is unconstitutional.

The company argued the bill infringes on its free speech rights, but the court did not agree.

"The First Amendment exists to protect free speech in the United States," wrote Judge Douglas Ginsburg in the court's opinion. "Here the Government acted solely to protect that freedom from a foreign adversary nation and to limit that adversary's ability to gather data on people in the United States."

The billwhich was signed into law by President Joe Biden in Aprilrequires ByteDance to divest from the company by Jan. 19 or be banned in the U.S. Notably, the bill allows for a 90-day extension on the sale if a deal is already in the process.

Wihbey says the court's decision was not surprising.

"This was a piece of legislation that was passed by the Congress, signed by the president, and was based on national security," he says. "The courts are typically going to defer to Congress and the executive on things like this."

Wihbey believes there are legitimate national security concerns around TikTok. While he isn't as convinced there's much evidence the platform is being used to spread Chinese propaganda, he is concerned about the app being used as "a backdoor" to gain access to people's data.

"Because TikTok is downloaded on millions of phones across the U.S., many of whom I'm sure work in government or business, there could be some legitimate concerns around backdoor data access."

The company has not run out of options just yet in skirting the Jan. 19 deadline and ultimatum.

ByteDance is expected to appeal the court's decision and ask for the court's full list of judges to review the panel's ruling. Ultimately, the company will likely ask the Supreme Court to take on the case before the deadline.

It also may have an unlikely ally in the fightPresident-elect Donald Trump, who started efforts to ban TikTok during his first term but has since said he would work to "save TikTok" and prevent its ban.

For TikTok users concerned about the app's future, Wihbey suggests they "sit tight" to see if the Supreme Court picks up the case.

"It's a bit of a binary in a way  either this will just muddle along through appeals and unclear executive decision-making for a while or something could happen that is quite sudden," he says.

This story is republished courtesy of Northeastern Global News news.northeastern.edu.
A petition to make the Texas A&M University campus more bird friendly was submitted to Texas A&M President Mark A. Welsh III on Wednesday by numerous groups including the Rio Brazos Audubon Society, Audubon Texas and the Texas Conservation Alliance.

The Eagle obtained a copy of the petition, which represented 20 organizations including the departments of Ecology and Conservation Biology, Rangeland, Wildlife and Fisheries management and the office of sustainability and campus enrichment at Texas A&M.

The petition called on the president to implement bird-friendly building designs and lighting practices.

Together, we can lead by example and create a safer environment for our birds while fostering a culture of environmental stewardship within our campus community, the petition stated. We are optimistic that with your support, we can significantly reduce the impact of our buildings on bird populations and further advance our universitys commitment to sustainability.

Bird collisions with buildings have become a problem across the country in recent decades as more and more cities build glass-sided buildings. A study done by Cornell University in 2019 estimated that 3 billion birds had died in North America since 1970 and a third of those had died from collisions with buildings.

In March 2023 a student-led collision monitoring study was started on campus by A&Ms Biodiversity Research and Teaching Collections in partnership with the Texas Conservation Alliance. The study is ongoing and is conducted in the early mornings during the spring and fall migration periods.

Groups of volunteer surveyors collect collision data on a 4-mile route. Since the start of the study there have been almost 500 bird casualties caused by collisions with 47 different buildings on campus. Half of the collisions happened at five buildings with the AgriLife Complex having the most collisions. The study also received 137 collision reports outside of the survey.

These heavy losses are nonetheless a drastic underestimate of the true number of collision victims on campus, the petition states, as only a small fraction of casualties are estimated to be found by surveyors.

According to the data from the survey, 66 bird species had collided with buildings on campus including 12 that are on the Texas Parks and Wildlifes Species of Greatest Conservation need list.

The authors of the letter are calling on A&M to take proactive and retroactive action to incorporate bird-friendly building standards at existing and future campus buildings.

We appreciate the efforts our university has made towards creating a greener, more sustainable campus environment, the petition stated. However, we have come together to recognize the alarming rates of bird mortality from collisions with buildings on our campus, a problem that is both preventable and urgent.

One suggestion from the petition is to have an ordinance for a campus Lights Out policy to turn off non-essential lighting during peak bird migration. A similar policy has been in use in large Texas cities where non-essential lights are turned off during the late-night hours between March 1-June 15 and Aug. 15-Nov. 30.

The city of College Station adopted Lights Out Nights in August 2023. The city turns off non-essential lighting from 11 p.m.-6 a.m. during the fall and spring migration periods.

The petition also suggested that steps to prevent daytime collisions be taken. A retroactive step suggested is adding collision-preventative decals or UV film treatments to windows that could lower the number of both daytime and nighttime collisions while still allowing people to see in or out of the windows.

A suggested way to pay for the retroactive efforts is to use the Aggie Green Fund, a grant-making organization that launched in 2011 and funds sustainability projects at Texas A&Ms College Station campus as well as the Texas A&M Higher Education Center in McAllen and the Texas A&M University School of Law in Fort Worth.

Other universities in the country have implemented bird-friendly design retrofits to their existing buildings, notably Duke University, Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania and Yale University. Yale implemented its plan after a survey, like Texas A&Ms, found that there had been reports of 400 birds representing 50 species killed or injured in a four-year period on just one building on that campus.

A proactive step letterwriters hope the university will consider is the implementation of a bird-friendly buildings amendment to the campus masterplan. That is the most effective and long-term solution to addressing bird collisions on campus, according to the letter.

According to Rio Brazos Audubon Society President Mark McDermott, Texas A&M already has responded to the letter although it is not known yet what steps the university might take based on the letter.

Its great news, McDermott said in an email to the Eagle. Texas A&M has responded very positively (to the petition).

McDermott and other signees are hopeful to meet with Welsh and explore opportunities to work together. The Eagle obtained a copy of Welshs response to the petition.

Ive asked our campus Chief Operating Officer, Peter Lange, to take a look at the letter and get back to me with some data and potential costs, timelines for practical solutions, existing options, etc, Welsh said in his response to the petition. Once hes had a little time to complete that research, well meet to discuss the way ahead.

The petition gathered 254 signatures ranging from current and former A&M students, professors from around the country who have some connection to A&M, the director of conservation at the Dallas Zoo and the vice president of conservation at the Houston Zoo.